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DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 1, 1975
PAGE NO.
HONG KONG TO CONCLUDE AGREEMENT FOR US$60 MILLION EURODOLLAR LOAN FACILITY TOMORROW................L........... 1
LEGCO-GIVES GO-AHEAD FOR HONG KONG’S FIRST LOAN IN OFFSHORE LOAN MARKET ........................................ 2
COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY DIRECTOR HOPEFUL OF HK’S INCLUSION IN US-GSP BEFORE JANUARY 1 .................................. 3
VALUE OF EXPORTS IN AUGUST FELL BY 5.8 PER CENT ............. 4
’PIRATING’ OF COPYRIGHT WORKS MUST BE REGARDED SERIOUSLY, SAYS ATTORNEY GENERAL ...................................... 6
JUDICIAL SERVICE COMMISSION BILL INTRODUCED IN LEGCO .... 7
TIGHTER CONTROLS ON OVERCROWDING IN VEHICLES PROPOSED ... 8
SPECIAL EDUCATION SCHOOL IN WONG CHUK HANG MAY BE DELAYED 9
MORE THAN 20,000 PEOPLE PROSECUTED FOR LITTER OFFENCES IN FIRST HALF OF THIS YEAR ................................. 10
11 BILLS TABLED AT OPENING SESSION OF LEGCO ................ 10
SYMPOSIUM ON ’ADOLESCENCE’ FOR TEENAGERS ................... 11
TEMPORARY WATER CUTS ....................................... 11
»
Issued by Government Information Services, Beaconsfield House, Hong Kong. Tel: 5-233191
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 1, 1975
1
ONG KONG GETS US$60 MIL.LION EURODOLLAR LO.'iJ FA ili. TY ft ft ft ft ft ft ft
THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT UHL TOMORROW CONCLUDE AN AGREEMENT WITH A CONSORTIUM OF INTERNATIONAL BANKS FOR A LOAN FACII IT.' OF US$60 MILLION, EQUIVALENT TO ABOUT HK$300 MILLION. THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL PASSED A RESOLUTION AUTHORISING BORROWING UP TO THIS AMOUNT THIS AFTERNOON.
A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN SAID THIS EVENING THAT THE LOAN MAY BE DRAWN DURING THE NEXT TWO YEARS, IN STAGES IF REQUIRED. AND WILL EE USED FOR GENERAL REVENUE PURPOSES. IT WILL EE REPAYABLE IN ■ FIVE YEARS’TIME OR EARLIER IF THE GOVERNMENT WISHES.
THE LENDING CONSORTIUM COMPRISES SEVEN BANKS OF MAJOR INTERNATIONAL STANDING. IT IS LED BY THE HONGKONG AND‘SHANGHAI BALKING CORPORATION AND THE OTHER MEMBERS ARE IRVING TRUST COMPANY THE NATIONAL WESTMINSTER BANK GROUP, THE ROYAL BANK GF CANA A ’ COMMERZBANK INTERNATIONAL S.A., DRESDNER (SOUTH EAST ASIA) I ID (A MEMBER OF THE DRESDNER BANK GROUP) AND STANDARD AID CHAR' ERED BANKING CROUP LTD.
THE SPOKESMAN SAID THAT THE INTEREST RATE PAYAM E BY TIE GOVERNMENT ON ITS DRAWINGS WILL BE 1-1/4 PER CENT A)OVE THE LONDON INTERBANK OFFERED RATE (LIBOR) DUR I NG THE FIRST THREE YEARS OF THE AGREEMENT PERIOD AND 1-3/8 PER CENT ABOVE LIBOR DURING THE fEMAI HI I' TWO YEARS.
+THESE TERMS INDICATE THAT THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT HAS BEEN GIVEN A GOOD RATING IN ITS FIRST APPROACH TO THE INTERNATIOIAL MARKET,+ THE SPOKESMAN ADDED.
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WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 1, 1975
2
GOVT. AUTHORISED TO BORROW EQUIVALENT OF US$60 MILLION M M * * K K
THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY PASSED A MOTION AUTHORISING THE GOVERNMENT TO RAISE THE EQUIVALENT OF US$60 MILLION IN LOANS FOR THE PURPOSES OF GENERAL REVENUE.
THE AMOUNT IS US$10 MILLION MORE THAN PREVIOUSLY APPROVED BY COUNCIL ON AUGUST 13 THIS YEAR WHEN THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY, THE HON. PHILIP HADDON-CAVE, SOUGHT LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL AUTHORITY TO PROCEED WITH RAISING THE EQUIVALENT OF A US$50 MILLION LOAN.
EXPLAINING THE REASONS FOR SEEKING A HIGHER LOAN, MR. HADDON-CAVE SAID TODAY THAT AS THE DISCUSSIONS WITH THE PROSPECTIVE LENDERS PROCEEDED ON THE US$50 MILLION LOAN, IT HAD BECOME APPARENT THAT THERE WOULD BE NO DIFFICULTY, AND SOME ADVANTAGE, IN ARRANGING A RATHER LARGER FACILITY IN THIS FIRST VENTURE INTO THE OFFSHORE MARKET.
HE RECALLED THAT AT THE TIME WHEN HE ASKED COUNCIL’S APPROVAL FOR BORROWING THE EQUIVALENT OF US$50 MILLION HE HAD NOTED THAT THE AMOUNT WAS ABOUT AS LOW AS HONG KONG COULD GO IN TAPPING THE OFFSHORE LOAN MARKET IN ORDER TO ESTABLISH A CREDIT RATING.
THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY SAID HE DID NOT ANTICIPATE THAT THE SURPLUSES IN HONG KONG’S RECURRENT ACCOUNT WOULD BE SUFFICIENT TO FINANCE THE DEFICITS IN CAPITAL ACCOUNTS FOR ANOTHER YEAR OR TWO, BUT HE STRESSED THAT HE HAD NO INTENTION OF EXCEEDING THE LIMITS FOR THE CREATION OF PUBLIC DEBT WHICH HE ESTABLISHED IN HIS BUDGET SPEECH LAST FEBRUARY. (AT THE TIME, HE SAID, INTER ALIA, THAT HONG KONG SHOULD NOT BORROW BEYOND A LEVEL WHICH GENERATES DEBT SERVICING CHARGES ABOVE $300 MILLION A YEAR. AND WITHIN THIS LEVEL HONG KONG SHOULD NOT, FOR BALANCE OF PAYMENT REASONS, RAISE EXTERNAL LOANS WHICH WOULD GENERATE MORE THAN $200 MILLION A YEAR IN DEBT SERVICING CHARGES.)
HE ADDED s +BUT A FACILITY OF US$60 MILLION TO BE DRAWN DOWN OVER A MAXIMUM PERIOD OF TWO YEARS, RATHER THAN US$50 MILLION, WILL OBVIOUSLY NOT INVOLVE A BREACH OF THESE LIMITS AND CER'iAINLY US$60 MILLION WILL NOT BE EXCESSIVE IN RELATION TO OUR LIKELY TOTAL REQUIREMENT OF LOAN FUNDS THIS YEAR AND NEXT.+
THE TERMS OFFERED WERE FAVOURABLE, HE SAID, AND THE DOCUMENTS WOULD BE TABLED IN COUNCIL AS SOON AS THE DOCUMENTS HAD BEEN EXCHANGED BETWEEN HIMSELF AND THE MANAGING BANK OF THE SYNDICATE.
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WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 1, 1975
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DAVID JORDAN HOPEFUL OF HONG KONG’S INCLUSION IN U.S. GSP BEFORE JAN. 1
K # M * « *
THE DIRECTOR OF COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY, THE HON. DAVID JORDAN, SAID TODAY HE BELIEVED HONG KONG’S CASE FOR INCLUSION IN THE AMERICAN GENERALISED SCHEME OF PREFERENCES WAS RECEIVING FAVOURABLE CONSIDERATION, AND WAS HOPEFUL HONG KONG WOULD BE INCLUDED IN THE SCHEME BEFORE IT CAME INTO EFFECT ON JANUARY 1, 1976.
MR. JORDAN WAS REPLYING IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TO A QUESTION FROM DR. THE HON. CHUNG SZE-YUEN, WHO ASKED WHAT RESULTS HAD DEEN ACHIEVED IN HONG KONG’S EFFORTS TO GAIN ADMITTANCE INTO THE US-GSP.
MR. JORDAN RECALLED THAT THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT HAD BEEN TRYING TO PERSUADE THE UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT TO INCLUDE HONG KONG IN ITS GSP FOR MANY YEARS, EVER SINCE THE POSSIBILITY OF THE UNITED STATES ESTABLISHING SUCH A SCHEME FIRST CAME INTO VIEW.
+SINCE THE NECESSARY LEGISLATION FOR THE SCHEME CAME INTO EFFECT IN THE UNITED STATES AS PART OF THE 1974 TRADE ACT, THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT, ENERGETICALLY SUPPORTED BY THE BRITISH EMBASSY IN WASHINGTON, HAD STEPPED UP ITS EFFORTS,+ HE SAID.
HE EXPLAINED THAT THE EMBASSY.SUBMITTED A COMPREHENSIVE AIDE-MEMOIRE, THE TEXT OF WHICH WAS AGREED WITH HONG KONG, IN FEBRUARY 1975.
+WHEN SUBSEQUENTLY PRESIDENT FORD ISSUED A LIST OF BENEFICIARIES WHICH DID NOT INCLUDE HONG KONG, BUT NAMED US ONLY AS A POTENTIALLY ELIGIBLE TERRITORY THE GOVERNOR EXPRESSED CONCERN AT THIS TO THE UNITED STATES CONSUL-GENERAL AND SENT ME TO WASHINGTON IN APRIL TO PUT OUR CASE TO THE UNITED STATES ADMINI STRATI ON,+ MR. JORDAN SAID.
+1 HAVE RECENTLY BEEN IN TOUCH WITH THE CONSULATE-GENERAL IN HONG KONG AGAIN AND THE COUNSELLOR FOR HONG KCNG COMMERCIAL AFFAIRS IN THE EMBASSY IN WASHINGTON HAS CONTINUED HIS EFFORTS THERE.
+1 CAN ONLY SAY THAT I THINK WE HAVE SUCCEEDED IN DISPELLING A GOOD DEAL OF MISCONCEPTION ABOUT HONG KONG AND THE EXTENT TO WHICH IT APPEARS TO BE QUALIFIED FOR INCLUSION UNDER THE TRADE ACT. WE HAVE AT THE SAME TIME GIVEN AN UNDERTAKING ABOUT THE REMOVAL OF COMMONWEALTH PREFERENCE IN HONG KONG WHICH ENSURES THAT THERE WILL BE NO OBSTACLE,+ MR. JORDAN ADDED.
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WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 1, J 975
4 -
AUGUST EXPORTS DOWN BY 5.8 PER CENT
****%#
THE VALUE OF HONG KONG’S DOMESTIC EXPORTS IN AUGUST FELL BY S126 MILLION OR 5.8 PER CENT TO $2,065 MILLION COMPARED WITH AUGUST LAST YEAR, ACCORDING TO PROVISIONAL TRADE FIGURES RELEASED TODAY BY THE CENSUS,AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT.
AT THE SAME TIME, THE VALUE OF IMPORTS DROPPED BY $109 MILLION OR 3.7 PER CENT TO $2,856 MILLION, WHILE THE VALUE OF RE-EXPORTS ROSE BY 1.5 PER CENT OR $9 MILLION TO $633 MILLION.
FOR THE FIRST EIGHT MONTHS THIS YEAR, AS COMPARED WITH THE SAME PERIOD LAST YEAR, DOMESTIC EXPORTS DECREASED BY 11.6 PER CENT IN VALUE,' IMPORTS BY 13.9 PER CENT AND RE-EXPORTS BY 9.3 PER CENT.
THE VALUE FIGURES FOR THE 12-MONTH PERIOD FROM SEPTEMBER 1974 TO AUGUST 1975, AS AGAINST THE SAME PREVIOUS 12 MONTHS, SHOWED DECREASES OF 10.2 PER CENT FOR DOMESTIC EXPORTS, 13.7 PER CENT FOR IMPORTS AND 13.1 PER CENT FOR RE-EXPORTS.
THE FOLLOWING TABLE GIVES THE COMPARATIVE FIGURES:
AUGUST AUGUST INCREASE OR
1975 1974 DECREASE
■* $ MN. $ MN. $ MN. %
DOMESTIC EXPORTS 2,065 2,191 - 126 - 5.8
(% OF TOTAL EXPORTS) (76.5%) (77.8%)
IMPORTS 2,856 2,965 109 - 3.7
' f
RE-EXPORTS 633 624 + 9 + 1.5
(%0F TOTAL EXPORTS) (23.5%) (22.2%)
JUNE-AUGUST JUNE-AUGUST INCREASE OR
1975 1974 DECREASE
$ MN. $'mn. $ MN. %
DOMESTIC EXPORTS 6,004 6,366 - 362 - 5.7
IMPORjS 8,373 9,190 - 817 - 8.9
RE-EXPORTS 1,787 1,820 32 - 1.8
/JAN. - AUG........
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 1, 1975
c •* JAN.-AUG. 1975 JAN.-AUG. 1974 INCREASE OR DECREASE
$ MN. $ MN. $ MN. %
DOMESTIC EXPORTS (% OF TOTAL EXPORTS) 13,931 (75.8%) 15,763 (76.2%) - 1,833 - 11.6
IMPORTS 20,558 23,871 - 3,314 - 13.9
RE-EXPORTS (% OF TOTAL EXPORTS) 4,454 (24.2%) 4,912 (23.8%) - 459 - 9.3
% SEPT. 1974 TO AUG. 1975 SEPT. 1973 TO AUG. 1974 INCREASE OR DECREASE
$ MN. $ MN. $ MN. %
DOMESTIC EXPORTS 21,078 23,478 - 2,399 - 10.2
IMPORTS 30,805 35,684 - 4,878 - 13.7
RE-EXPORTS 6,666 7,673 - 1,007 - 13.1
44
- 6 - WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 1, 1975.
STIFFER PENALTIES FOR COPYRIGHT OFFENCES
*****
THE ATTORNEY GENERAL, THE HON. JOHN HOBLEY, SAID TODAY THAT A SERIOUS VIEW MUST BE TAKEN OF ’PIRATING’ OF COPYRIGHT WORKS AND TRADING IN ’PIRATED’ WORKS BECAUSE THESE OFFENCES WERE ALL TOO COMMON.
SPEAKING IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL, HE SAID IT HAD BECOME CLEAR THAT THE EXISTING PENALTY OF $500 FOR EACH OFFENDING ARTICLE — WHETHER A COPY OF THE WORK OR A PLATE -- WAS INADEQUATE IN THE CASE OF FIRST OFFENDERS.
IT WAS THEREFORE PROPOSED TO ABOLISH THE DISTINCTION AS TO PENALTY BETWEEN FIRST OFFENDERS AND OTHERS, HE SAID.
THIS IS PROVIDED IN THE COPYRIGHT (AMENDMENT) BILL INTRODUCED IN COUNCIL TODAY.
AT THE SAME TIME, THE BILL INTRODUCES A DISTINCTION BETWEEN POSSESSION OF INFRINGING COPIES AND POSSESSION OF PLATES TO BE USED FOR MAKING INFRINGING COPIES.
UNDER THE BILL, THE MAXIMUM PENALTY ON CONVICTION FOR THE OFFENCE OF POSSESSING INFRINGING COPIES FOR TRADE OR BUSINESS PURPOSES WILL BE A FINE OF $1,000 FOR EACH COPY AND IMPRISONMENT FOR 12 MONTHS.
THE MAXIMUM PENALTY ON CONVICTION FOR THE OFFENCE OF POSSESSING PLATES FOR TRADE OR BUSINESS PURPOSES WILL BE A FINE OF $50,000 AND IMPRISONMENT FOR TWO YEARS.
THE BILL ALSO EMPOWERS A COURT TO FORFEIT ARTICLES USED IN CONNECTION WITH AN OFFENCE UNDER THE COPYRIGHT ORDINANCE OR THE COPYRIGHT ACT AS EXTENDED TO HONG KONG.
AT PRESENT FORFEITURE IS LIMITED TO INFRINGING COPIES AND PLATES USED FOR MAKING SUCH COPIES.
UNDER THE PROPOSED PROVISION, A COURT COULD, FOR EXAMPLE, ORDER iHE FORFEITURE OF ANY EQUIPMENT USED IN’MAK I NG INFRINGING COPIES.
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WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 1, 1975
7
I
ADVISORY COMMISSION ON JUDICIAL APPOINTMENTS PROPOSED
H M *
THE JUDICIAL SERVICE COMMISSION BILL WHICH SEEKS TO ESTABLISH A COMMISSION TO ADVISE THE GOVERNOR ON APPOINTMENTS TO ALL JUDICIAL OFFICES, RECEIVED ITS FIRST READING IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY.
INTRODUCING THE BILL, THE ATTORNEY GENERAL, THE HON. JOHN HOBLEY, SAID THE TIME HAD COME WHEN ’’ADVICE TO THE GOVERNOR ON THESE APPOINTMENTS OF GREAT SIGNIFICANCE SHOULD BE MORE BROADLY BASED AND IN PARTICULAR INCLUDE THE ADVICE FROM OUTSIDE THE PUBLIC SERVICE.”
THE COMMISSION WILL REPLACE THE EXISTING ARRANGEMENT UNDER WHICH THE CHIEF JUSTICE ADVISES THE GOVERNOR ON APPOINTMENTS TO JUDICIAL OFFICES, AFTER CONSULTATION WITH THE HEADS OF THE OTHER GOVERNMENT LEGAL DEPARTMENTS IN THE CASE OF SENIOR APPOINTMENTS.
THE COMMISSION WILL BE CHAIRED BY THE CHIEF JUSTICE AND WILL HAVE TWO EX-OFFICIO MEMBERS — THE ATTORNEY GENERAL AND THE CHAIRMAN OF THE PUBLIC SERVICES COMMISSION. THE GOVERNOR MAY ALSO APPOINT UP TO THREE OTHER MEMBERS.
MR. HOBLEY TOLD COUNCIL THE SETTING UP OF THE COMMISSION WOULD NOT AFFECT THE GOVERNOR’S RESPONSIBILITY UNDER THE LAW FOR JUDICIAL APPOINTMENTS.
+WHAT IT WILL DO IS TO PROVIDE THE GOVERNOR AND, IN THE CASE OF SENIOR JUDICIAL APPOINTMENTS, THE SECRETARY OF STATE WITH INDEPENDENT ADVICE,+ he SAID.
THE COMMISSION WILL ALSO ADVISE ON OTHER MATTERS AFFECTING JUDICIAL OFFICERS WHICH MAY BE REFERRED TO IT BY THE GOVERNOR.
DEBATE ON THE BILL WAS ADJOURNED.
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1
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 1, 1975
TIGHTER CONTROLS PROPOSED ON OVERCROWDING IN VEHICLES KO
DRAFT LEGISLATION WHICH AIMS AT ENSURING GREATER SAFETY FOR THE TRAVELLING PUBLIC WAS INTRODUCED IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY.
THE ROAD TRAFFIC (AMENDMENT) BILL MAKES IT CLEAR THAT REGULATIONS MAY BE MADE RESTRICTING THE NUMBER OF PASSENGERS WHO MAY BE CARRIED IN ANY VEHICLE, AND TO MAKE THE VEHICLE OWNER LIABLE FOR THE OFFENCE OF CARRYING EXCESS PASSENGERS.
INTRODUCING THE BILL, THE ATTORNEY GENERAL, THE HON. JOHN HOBLEf, NOTED THAT THE EXTENT TO WHICH BUSES ARE OVERLOADED BY PASS:NGERS IN EXCESS OF THE NUMBER AUTHORISED BY THE COMMISSIONER FOR TRANSPORT COULD BE DANGEROUS BOTH FOR THE PASSENGERS AS WELL AS OTHER ROAD USERS.
HOWEVER, AS THE LAW NOW STANDS, HE SAID,.THERE WAS SOME DOUBT AS TO THE CIRCUMSTANCES IN WHICH A BUS COMPANY IS CRIMINALLY LIABLE AS THE OPERATOR WHEN ITS BUS IS OVERLOADED.
+THAT IT IS THE RESPONSIBILITY OF A BUS COMPANY TO PREVENT OVERLOADING IS BEYOND QUESTION,* HE SAID, +AND A CHANGE IN THE LAW IS CONTEMPLATED SO THAT IT WILL REFLECT THAT RESPONSIBILITY WITHOUT DOUBT.+
BEFORE THE LAW CAN BE CHANGED, HOWEVER, AN AMENDMENT IS NECESSARY TO ENABLE THE GOVERNOR-IN-COUNCIL TO MAKE REGULATIONS IN RESPECT OF IMPOSING STRICT CRIMINAL LIABILITY BY SUBSIDIARY LEGISLATION.
THIS AMENDMENT IS CONTAINED IN THE ROAD TRAFFIC (AMENDMENT) BILL.
ANOTHER AMENDMENT PROPOSED IN THE BILL WILL ENABLE A POLICE OFFICER TO SUPPLY, BY CERTIFICATE, AS EVIDENCE PLANS OR DRAWINGS MADE BY HIM AND STATEMENTS MADE TO HIM AS TO WHO WAS DRIVING OR USING OR OWNED A MOTOR VEHICLE ON A PARTICULAR OCCASION.
HE WILL STILL HAVE TO GIVE EVIDENCE IN THE NORMAL WAY IF MATTERS CONTAINED IN HIS CERTIFICATE ARE DISPUTED.
THIS PROVISION WILL IN GENERAL RESULT IN A CONSIDERABLE SAVING IN POLICE TIME AND SOME SAVING IN COURT TIME, MR. HOBLEY SAID.
DEBATE ON THE SECOND READING OF THE BILL WAS ADJOURNED.
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WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 1, 1975
9
WONG CHUK HANG SCHOOL
X K If * K
A -WOOL COMPLEX FOP SPECIAL EDUCATION I?! VOMC CHU; MJC ; UMI IKFLY Tn prT OFF THF GROUMD IM THE UFAfJ FUTURE IF I.FSS T •• A ■'IF’OTA-r! AL INCREASE IM THZ FUHOS VOTTO -TO SUBSIDISE SCHOOL
THIS WAS DISCLOSED BY THE HON. F.K. LI, SECRETARY FOR SOCIAL SERVCES IN REPLY TO A QUESTION BY THE HON. MRS. JOYCE SYMONS IN ----------------------- T0DAY.
THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL
+THE LIMITED FUNDS LIKELY TO BE AVAILABLE
MR. LI EXPLAINED • __ ____
DURING THE NEXT THREE YEARS WILL HAVE TO BE EARMARKED FOR OTHER ‘ ALREADY IN THE PIPE-LINE AND ARE AT A
SCHOOL PROJECTS WHICH ARE MORE ADVANCED STAGE.+
MR. LI RECALLED THAT APPLICATION FROM THE HONG
THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT RECEIVED AN KONG JUVENILE CARE CENTRE IN 1973 FOR A GRANT OF LAND TO BUILD A SCHOOL COMPLEX WHICH COMPRISED A TEN-CLASSROOM SPECIAL SCHOOL FOR 200 SOCIALLY-DEPRIVED AND MALADJUSTED BOYS AND A DORMITORY FOR 150. A SITE WAS LATER FOUND IN WONG CHUK HANG AND EARMARKED FOR THIS PROJECT.
HE NOTED THAT AS CAPITAL SUBSIDY AND RECURRENT SUBVENTIONS TO SCHOOLS EXCLUDE BOARDING FACILITIES UNDER EXISTING POLICY, THE JUVENILE CARE CENTRE WAS ADVISED TO APPLY TO I HE DIRECTOR OF SOCIAL WELFARE FOR ASSISTANCE FROM THE LOTTERIES FUND.
HOWEVER. HE CONTINUED, THE APPLICATION WAS NOT APPROVED ON ACCOUNT OF THE PRESENT COMPETING CLAIMS ON THE LIMITED RESOURCES OF THE FUND.
NEVERTHELESS
MR. LI STRESSED, THE SCHOOL PROJECT MIGHT BE THE SPONSOR WAS ABLE TO EMBARK ON THE OWN RESOURCES OR IF THE CENTRE REVISED
GIVEN A HIGHER PRIORITY IF DORMITORY PORTION WITH ITS ITS PLAN BY ABANDONING THE
BOARDING FACILITIES.
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/1O
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 1, ,)75.
- 10 -
LITTER OFFENCES
« * K H
A TOTAL OF 20,197 PROSECUTIONS AGAINST LITTER OFFENCES WERE MADE IN THE FIRST HALF OF THIS YEAR COMPARED WITH 22,686 DURING THE SAME PERIOD THE PREVIOUS YEAR, THE ATTORNEY GENERAL, THE HON. JOHN HOBIEY, SAID TODAY.
THE TOTAL NUMBER OF LITTER PROSECUTIONS FOR THE WHOLE OF 1974 WAS 48,040, HE SAID IN REPLY TO A QUESTION FROM THE HON. PETER WILLIAMS.
MR. HOBLEY TOLD COUNCIL THE NUMBER OF LITTER WARDENS HAD DROPPED IN THE PAST 12 MONTHS.
IN AUGUST THIS YEAR, THERE WERE 76 LITTER WARDENS, OF WHOM 54 WERE IN THE URBAN AREAS AND 22 IN THE NEW TERRITORIES. IN SEPTEMBER LAST YEAR, THE ACTUAL NUMBER WAS 89.
THE APPROVED ESTABLISHMENT FOR LITTER WARDENS IS 100, OF WHOM 73 ARE FOR THE URBAN AREAS AND 27 FOR THE NEW TERRITORIES.
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11 BILLS TABLED AT OPENING LEGCO SESSION « K M
THE INLAND REVENUE (AMENDMENT) BILL 1975 COMPLETED ITS PASSAGE IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY AND BECAME LAW.
THE BILL EXEMPTS GOVERNMENT BONDS ISSUED UNDER THE LOANS (GOVERNMENT BONDS) ORDINANCE 1975 FROM INTEREST AND PROFITS TAX.
NINE OTHER BILLS WERE INTRODUCED IN COUNCIL. THEY WERE: THE FIRE AND MARINE INSURANCE COMPANIES DEPOSIT (AMENDMENT) DILL, THE LIFE INSURANCE COMPANIES (AMENDMENT) BILL, THE JUDICIAL SERVICE COMMISSION BILL, THE COPYRIGHT (AMENDMENT) BILL, THE INTERPRETATION AND GENERAL CLAUSES (AMENDMENT) (NO.2) BILL, THE PUBLIC SERVICES COMMISSION (AMENDMENT) BILL, THE ROAD TRAFFIC (AMENDMENT) BILL, THE MEDICAL REGISTRATION (AMENDMENT) DILL, AND THE CHINESE UNIVERSITY OF HONG KONG (AMENDMENT) BILL.
DEBATE ON THE SECOND READING OF THESE BILLS WAS ADJOURNED.
AN UNOFFICIAL MEMBER’S BILL, THE CHATER MASONIC SCHOLARSHIP FUND (AMENDMENT) BILL, WAS INTRODUCED AND GIVEN ITS FIRST REA.. '.NG. DEBATE ON THIS BILL WAS ALSO ADJOURNED.
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/11 .....
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 1, 1975
11
SYMPOSIUM ON +ADOLESCENCE+ KO#
A SYMPOSIUM ON +ADOLESCENCE+ WILL BE HELD LATER THIS MONTH TO HELP TEENAGERS UNDERSTAND MORE ABOUT THE PROBLEMS THEY HAVE TO FACE AT THEIR AGE AND BE BETTER ADJUSTED TO THEIR ENVIRONMENT.
THE SYMPOSIUM IS ORGANISED BY THE YOUTH WORK UNIT OF THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT AND WILL BE HELD EVERY MONDAY AND THURSDAY EVENING BETWEEN 7.30 AND 9.30 P.M. FROM OCTOBER 16 UNTIL NOVEMBER 3 AT THE LADY TRENCH TRAINING CENTRE IN 01 KWAN ROAD, WAN CHAI.
THERE WILL BE ALTOGETHER SIX LECTURES GIVEN BY EXPERTS FROM DIFFERENT FIELDS TO BE FOLLOWED BY DISCUSSIONS. THE TALKS WILL COVER +CHARACTERISTICS AND DEVELOPMENT OF ADOLESCENCE+, +EMOTIONAL DISTURBANCES OF ADOLESCENCE*, +ADOLESCENTS AND THEIR FAMILIES*, +ANTI-SOCIAL BEHAVIOUR OF ADOLESCENCE*, +COURTSHIP AND MARRIAGE* AND +MENTAL HEALTH*.
THE SYMPOSIUM IS OPEN TO YOUNG PEOPLE OVER 17 YEARS OF AGE WHO HAVE ATTAINED AT LEAST FORM FOUR LEVEL.
APPLICATIONS TO PARTICIPATE ARE NOW BEING ACCEPTED AT THE YOUTH WORK UNIT’S OFFICES IN ROOM 908, CAUSEWAY BAY MAGISTRACY BUILDING, HONG KONG (TEL. 5-712467) AND ON THE TOP FLOOR OF THE KOWLOON CENTRAL POST OFFICE BUILDING, 405 NATHAN ROAD, KOWLOON, (TEL. 3-884111 EXT. 331). THE CLOSING DATE IS OCTOBER 8. APPLICANTS WILL HAVE TO PAY A $3 ENROLMENT FEE.
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WATER CUTS # * *
A NUMBER OF’ PREMISES IN TSUEN WAN WILL BE WITHOUT WATER ON FRIDAY (OCTOBER 3) AND SATURDAY (OCTOBER 4) FROM 1 A.N. TO 6 A.M. TO ALLOW LEAKAGE TESTS TO BE CARRIED OUT.
THE AREA AFFECTED ON FRIDAY IS BOUNDED BY TEXACO ROAD, BETWEEN CASTLE PEAK ROAD AND TAI WO HAU ROAD, INCLUDING TAI WU HAU ESTATE BLOCKS 1 AND 12 - 20 AND THE ASBURY METHODIST COTTAGE AREA.
ON SATURDAY, PREMISES BOUNDED BY LUEN YAN STREET, YUEN UK ROAD, WANG WO TAI STREET, KWU HANG STREET AND SHA TSUI ROAD WILL BE AFFECTED.
IN TAI PO, WATER SUPPLY TO CERTAIN PREMISES WILL BE INTERRUPTED FROM 9 P.M. ON SATURDAY (OCTOBER 4) TO 6 A.M. THE FOLLOWING MORNING TO ALLOW THE LAYING OF WATER PIPES.
ALL PREMISES IN TAI PO, EXCLUDING LAM KAM ROAD, TAI HANG AND KAU LUNG HANG WILL BE AFFECTED.
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HONG KONG HOUSING AUTHORITY
Wednesday, October 1, 1975
HOUSING PROGRADE MUST MOVE ON AS FAST AS POSSIBLE, SAYS HOUSING AUTHORITY CHAIRMAN
The ten-year housing programme should press ahead as fast as f-i nances and other constraints permits, says Mr. Ian Light body, Chairman of the Hong Kong Housing Authority, in his annual report for 197V75 which was tabled in the Legislative Council today•
In his review of the year’s activities, Mr. Lightbody said this was evident as Hong Kong*s population is always running ahead of the available housing.
He said if the hundreds of thousands of other families now living in sub-standard housing, often at excessively high rents, are to enjoy public housing, the Authority must look to existing tenants for an increasing contribution.
The chairman pointed out that to meet the expanding housing programme, the Authority has to compete with other important social programmes for the very large sums of money which have to be borrowed from the Government.
Speaking on the building programme, Mr. Lightbody said construction was going ahead on ten new estates and detailed design work was being completed on nine others at the end of the financial year.
Apart from building estates, the Housing Authority was also looking into the possibility of raising the amenity standards.
/’’The new.....
2
’’The new generation of estates now being planned will incorporate lessons learned over many years and will be much more self-contained as regards marketing, shopping and other facilities than earlier ones/* Mr. Lightbody said.
The Chairman reported that the study of new building methods, and adaptation of block design to facilitate their use, had gone ahead with the Authority’s consultants working closely with the Construction Branch of the Housing Department.
’’There is very considerable scope for speeding up building times within the traditional in-situ construction methods,” Mr. Lightbody said.
Contractors engaged on building several of the Authority’s estates have chosen to use modern shuttering and other techniques to achieve faster completion times and better finish.
Mr. Lightbody said that these rationalised traditional methods do not require very heavy capital investment and he has no doubt that their use would become much more widespread in the next few years.
Touching on the Housing Programme Plan, the Chairman said that the in-depth study by the Housing Programme Planning Team into Hong Kong’s overall housing requirements for the long term would provide many new insights into housing policy and practice.
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DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 2, 1975
CONTENTS page NO.
MR. CHOW CHUNG-KAI APPOINTED MEMBER OF SECURITIES COMMISSION 1
LUCKY CLUB DONATES GRANTS FOR PREVOCATIONAL SCHOOL PUPILS .. 2
TRAINING COURSE FOR YOUTH LEADERS IN YAU MA TEI .............. 3
STUDY ROOM PROJECT ORGANISED FOR LAM TIN RESIDENTS ........... 4
Issued by Government Information Services, Beaconsfield House, Hong Kong. Tel: 5'233191
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 2, 1975
1
SECURITIES COMMISSION APPOINTMENT K M M * * W
A PROMINENT HONG KONG INDUSTRIALIST, MR. CHOW CHUNG-KAI, HAS BEEN APPOINTED BY THE GOVERNOR AS A MEMBER OF THE SECURITIES COMMISSION.
HE SUCCEEDS MR. Y.K. PAO WHO HAS RESIGNED FROM THE SECURITIES COMMISSION BECAUSE OF PRESSURE OF OTHER COMMITMENTS. THE APPOINTMENT OF MR. CHOW IS FROM OCTOBER 1 UNTIL NEXT FEBRUARY WHEN THE APPOINTMENTS OF OTHER MEMBERS OF THE COMMISSION EXPIRE.
MR. CHOW IS MANAGING DIRECTOR OF WINNER COMPANY (HONG KONG) LTD. AND DEPUTY MANAGING DIRECTOR OF WINSOR INDUSTRIAL CORPORATION LTD. HE IS CURRENTLY VICE PRESIDENT OF THE CHINESE MANUFACTURERS ASSOCIATION AND IS PERMANENT HONORARY CHAIRMAN OF THE FEDERATION OF HONG KONG COTTON WEAVERS. HE ALSO SERVED ON THE TEXTILES ADVISORY BOARD FROM 1961 UNTIL EARLIER THIS YEAR.
THE SECURITIES COMMISSION COMPRISES FIVE UNOFFICIAL MEMBERS AND TWO GOVERNMENT MEMBERS - THE COMMISSIONER FOR SECURITIES AND THE REGISTRAR GENERAL.
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THURSDAY, OCTOBER 2, 1975
2
LUCKY CLUB GRANTS FOR PREVOCATIONAL SCHOOL PUPILS
***##*
PREVOCATIONAL AND SECONDARY MODERN SCHOOLS PUPILS WHOSE FAMILY MONTHLY INCOME IS LESS THAN $1,200 WILL NOW HAVE A GOOD CHANCE TO OBTAIN A GRANT OF $300 IF THEIR CONDUCT, SCHOLASTIC ACHIEVEMENT AND ABILITY IN TECHNICAL SUBJECTS ARE GOOD.
THE GRANTS ARE DONATED BY THE LUCKY CLUB, LTD., AN ORGANISATION FOR THE PROMOTION OF SOCIAL WELFARE, WHICH CONSISTS OF MEMBERS OF THE HONG KONG PLASTIC MANUFACTURERS’ ASSOCIATION, THE CHIU CHOU PLASTIC MANUFACTURERS’ ASSOCIATION AND THE HONG KONG AND KOWLOON PLASTIC PRODUCTS AND MERCHANT UNITED ASSOCIATION. IT HAS DONATED A TOTAL OF MORE THAN $500,000 FOR WHICH CHILDREN OF WORKERS FROM ALL INDUSTRIES MAY APPLY.
THIS YEAR, THE TECHNICAL BRANCH OF THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT HAS PROCESSED THE APPLICATIONS AND RECOMMENDED THAT GRANTS BE AWARDED TO 124 PUPILS FROM CARITAS ST. GODFREY PREVOCATIONAL SCHOOL IN ABERDEEN, CARITAS ST. FRANCIS PREVOCATIONAL SCHOOL IN CAINE ROAD, CARITAS ST. JOSEPH PREVOCATIONAL SCHOOL IN TSUEN WAN, CARITAS ST. PAUL PREVOCATIONAL SCHOOL IN CHEUNG CHAU, CHURCH OF CHRIST IN CHINA ROTARY PREVOCATIONAL SCHOOL IN WANG TAU HOM, HOLY CARPENTER PREVOCATIONAL SCHOOL IN HUNG HOM, KEI HEEP SECONDARY MODERN SCHOOL IN WONG TAI SIN, ST. BASIL’S SECONDARY MODERN SCHOOL IN CHAI WAN AND FISH MARKETING ORGANISATION SECONDARY MODERN SCHOOL IN KENNEDY TOWN.
IT IS ANTICIPATED THAT 150 GRANTS WILL BE GIVEN TO PREVOCATIONAL PUPILS NEXT YEAR.
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 2, 1975
3
TRAINING COURSE FOR YOUTH LEADERS
* K M * *
A YAU MA TEI YOUTH SERVICE
A YAU MA TEI YOUTH SERVICE GROUP, THE ALPENGLOW, IS ORGANISING A COURSE TO TRAIN LEADERS FOR A YOUTH GUIDANCE SCHEME WHICH IT
PLANS TO START NEXT YEAR.
THE TRAINING COURSE, WHICH WILL BE FOR YOUTHS BETWEEN 17 AND 22 OF FORM FOUR LEVEL OR ABOVE, WILL BE HELD EVERY SATURDAY FROM 2.30 TO 5 P.M. IN MID-OCTOBER AND WILL LAST UNTIL THE END OF DECEMBER.
IT WILL BE HELD AT THE OFFICE OF THE COMMUNITY AND YOUTH OFFICE (YAU MA TEI) WHICH IS SPONSORING THE PROJECT.
THE CONTENTS WILL COVER SUCH SUBJECTS AS THE THEORY OF GUIDANCE WORK, METHODS AND SKILLS IN DEALING WITH YOUTH PROBLEMS AND YOUTH PSYCHOLOGY. LECTURES WILL BE BY PROFESSIONALS IN THE FIELDS RELATED TO THE TOPICS. ALSO INCLUDED WILL BE DISCUSSIONS AND FILMS.
APPLICATIONS ARE NOW BEING ACCEPTED AT THE COMMUNITY AND YOUTH OFFICE ON THE FIFTH FLOOR OF 57 PEKING ROAD, TSIM SHA TSUI, KOWLOON (TEL. 3-688443). APPLICATIONS CLOSE ON OCTOBER 14.
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/4
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 2, 1975
LAM TIN STUDY ROOM PROJECT
*****
WITH THE START OF A NEW SCHOOL YEAR, STUDENTS WILL AGAIN EE NEEDING QUIET PLACES TO STUDY AND DO THEIR HOMEWORK, THE LAM TIN ESTATE COMMUNITY WORK OFFICE HAS ORGANISED A STUDY ROOM PROJECT FOR PUPILS LIVING IN THE ESTATE.
THE HALL OF THE ESTATE WELFARE BUILDING IN WEST LAM TIN HAS BEEN SET ASIDE TO SERVE THE NEEDS OF THE STUDENTS. IT WILL EE AVAILABLE TO THEM BETWEEN 4.15 P.M. AND 9.45 P.M. FROM MONDAY TO SATURDAY15 WHILE ON SUNDAYS, THEY CAN GO THERE ANYTIME BETWEEN 2 AND 7 P.M. IT IS ALSO PLANNED TO OPEN IT OVER PUBLIC HOLIDAYS AS WELL.
THE HALL CAN ACCOMMODATE SIXTY STUDENTS AT ONE TIME.
THE COMMUNITY WORK OFFICE HAS MODLISED A GROUP OF VOLUNTEERS TO KEEP THE STUDY ROOM CLEAN AND TIDY AND TO HELP THOSE USING IT WITH THEIR PROBLEMS.
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DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
FRIDAY, OCTODER 3, 1975
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
NEXT DECADE CRUCIAL IN FAMILY PLANNING, SAYS LADY MACLEHOSE ......................................... 1
SPEED LIMIT FOR HEAVY VEHICLES RAISED FROM 30 MPH TO 40 MPH ............................................ 2
PRIVATE SCHOOLS WILL CONTINUE TO HAVE'AN IMPORTANT ROLE
TO PLAY, SAYS THE DIRECTOR OF EDUCATION............ 3
CONTROLLED TIPPING AT GIN DRINKERS BAY ............ 4
WILLIAM YAP APPOINTED CDO FOR SOUTHERN ............ 4
SPECIAL TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS IN CHAI WAN FOR DRUG CAMPAIGN ........................................ 5
TENANCY INQUIRY BUREAU MOVES TO NEW PREMISES ...... 5
FIRING PRACTICE AT HA TSUEN RANGE ................. 6
GOVERNMENT ACCOUNTS FOR JULY SHOW A DEFICIT OF $107 MILLION ........................................... 6
TAI PO ROAD SECTION NEAR HO TUNG LAU TO BE IMPROVED ... 7
20 SCHOOLS TO RECEIVE AWARDS FOR TOP LATERN DESIGN .... 8
Issued by Government Information Services, Beaconsfield House, Hong Kong. Tel: 5-233191
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 3, 1975
FAMILY PLANNING
NEXT DECADE CRUCIAL
SAYS LADY MACLEHOSE ft ft ft ft ft ft
THE NEXT TEN YEARS WILL BE A CRUCIAL PERIOD FOR FAMILY PLANNING IN HONG KONG AS THE NUMBER OF WOMEN IN THE MOST FERTILE ARE GROUP IS EXPECTED TO NEARLY DOUBLE, LADY MACLEHOSE WARNED TODAY.
+THE IMPLICATIONS, AND THE DANGERS, ARE OEVIOUS,+ SHE
SAID
+SO IS THE CHALLENGE TO THE FAMILY PLANNING SERVICE. THEY MUST BE SO ARRANGED THAT HO WOMAN IS DETERRED DY INCONVENIENCE, EMBARRASSMENT OR COST.+
THIS, SHE SAID, WAS A TASK FOR CONTINUED CO-OPERATIVE EFFORTS BY THE FAMILY PLANNING ASSOCIATION AND THE GOVERNMENT.
LADY MACLEHOSE WAS ADDRESSING A CEREMONY IN THE CITY HALL MARKING THE SILVER JUBILEE CELEBRATIONS OF THE FAMILY PLANNING ASSOCIATION.
SHE NOTED THAT MUCH HEADWAY HAD BEEN MADE IN RECENT YEARS IN FAMILY PLANNING, AND THESE SUCCESSES WERE TIMELY., SHE SAID.
MORE WOMEN WERE VISITING FAMILY PLANNING CLINICS, ABD AVAILABLE EVIDENCE SUGGESTED THAT A SIGNIFICANT NUMBER O'. FAMILIES PRACTISED FAMILY PLANNING WITHOUT ATTENDING CLINICS OF ANY KIND.
AT PRESENT, THE GOVERNMENT AND THE FAMILY PLANNING ASSOCIATION OPERATE 65 BIRTH CONTROL CLINICS THROUG IOUT ilONG KONG.
IN RETROSPECT, LADY MACLEHOSE SAID THE LAST FIFTEEN YEARS HAD SEEN GREAT CHANGES. IN 1961 THE CRUDE BIRTH RATE WAS 35 PER THOUSAND, BUT SINCE 1971 THERE HAD BEEN A STRIKING TREND TOWARDS SMALLER FAMILIES, AND THE RATE SINCE >971 HAD REMAINED J ELOW 20 PER THOUSAND.
THESE CHANGES HAD BEEN ACCOMPANIED BY A GREATER READINESS TO PRACTISE FAMILY PLANNING, AND REFLECTED THE WIDER RANGE OF OPPORTUNITIES FOR EMPLOYMENT NOW AVAILABLE FOR WCMEN, AND THE RISE IN EDUCATIONAL STANDARDS. MORE WOMEN ALSO MARRIED LATER.
LADY MACLEHOSE PAID TRIBUTE TO THE FAMILY PLANNING ASSOCIATION FOR ITS MAJOR CONTRIBUTION DURING THE PAoT TWENTY-FIVE YEARS, AND LOOKED FORWARD TO A CONTI Uj. 1 AND VERY EFFECTIVE PARTNERSHIP IN FAMILY PLANNING WOI K Di_ TWEEN THE GOVERNMENT AND THE ASSOCIATION.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
COPIES OF THE FULL TEXT OF LADY MACLEHOSE’S SPEECH ARE BOXED FOR COLLECTION.
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 3, 1975 - 2 -
SPEED LIMIT FOR HEAVY VEHICLES
RAISED TO 4OMPH » k n
REGULATIONS HAVE DEEN AMENDED TO ALLOW GOODS VEHICLES EXCEEDING iWO TONS AND OMNI DUSES TO TRAVEL UP TO 40 MILES PER HOUR.
MANY OF THESE VEHICLES ALREADY TRAVEL IN EXCESS OF 30 MPH AND THE ROAD TRAFFIC (GENERAL) (AMENDMENT) REGULATIONS 1975, GAZETTED TODAY, RAISES THE MAXIMUM PERMITTED SPEED LIMIT FOR THESE VEHICLES FROM 30 MPH TO 40 MPH.
THE NEW SPEED LIMIT IS NOT EXPECTED TO HAVE ANY SIGNIFICANT EFFECT ON THE INCIDENCE OR SERIOUSNESS OF ACCIDENTS AS INVESTIGATIONS OF ACCIDENTS IN HONG KONG INVOLVING HEAVY VEHICLES RARELY INDICATE THAT EXCESSIVE SPEED IS A CONTRIBUTORY FACTOR, A TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT SPOKESMAN SAID -TODAY.
HE POINTED OUT THAT HEAVY VEHICLES TODAY ARE DESIGNED TO TRAVEL SAFELY AT MUCH HIGHER SPEEDS THAN 30 MPH WHICH WAS THE SPEED LIMIT INTRODUCED FOR GOODS VEHICLES AND OMNIBUSES 63 YEARS AGO.
SINCE 1912, THE SPOKESMAN SAID, THERE HAVE BEEN VERY GREAT IMPROVEMENTS MADE IN HEAVY VEHICLE DESIGN, PARTICULARLY IN THEIR TYRES, SUSPENSIONS, BRAKES AND STEERING.
THE NEW SPEED LIMIT IS NOT EXPECTED TO RESULT IN GOODS VEHICLES ARD OMNIBUSES TRAVELLING MUCH FASTER THAN THEY USED TO DO AS POLICE EXPERIENCE HERE SUGGESTS THAT IT IS COMPARATIVELY RARE FOR THEM TO EXCEED 40 MPH, HE SAID.
EXPERIENCE ABROAD, HE ADDED, HAS SHOWN THAT THE RAISING OF SPEED LIMIIS ON INDIVIDUAL CLASSES OF VEHICLES DOES NOT AUTOMATICALLY RESULT IN AVERAGE VEHICLE SPEEDS INCREASING BY THE SAME AMOUNT.
+THE HEW SPEED LIMIT, THEREFORE PERMIT THE CONCENTRATION OF POLICE AND RADAR SPEED METERS OH THE RESTRICTED URBAN ROADS WHERE IT IS IMPORTANT THAT ALL DRIVERS SHOULD BE DISCOURAGED FROM EXCEEDING THE LIMIT, AND OH STRETCHES OF UNRESTRICTED ROADS WHERE GOODS VEHICLES ARE LIKELY TO EXCEED THE NEW SPEED LIMIT AND WHERE IT WOULD D. PARTICULARLY DANGEROUS FOR THEM TO DO S0,+ HE SAID.
0
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 3, 1975
3
FUTURE ROLE OF PRIVATE SCHOOLS H if « « K «
PRIVATE SCHOOLS WILL CONTINUE TO HAVE AN IMPORTANT ROLE TO PLAY IN THE FUTURE, THE DIRECTOR OF EDUCATION, MR. KENNETH TOPLEY, SAID TODAY.
SPEAKING AT THE 16TH ANNUAL SPEECH DAY OF THE KIANGSU-CHEKIANG COLLEGE, MR. TOPLEY SAID THAT A NUMBER OF THE JUNIOR SECONDARY PLACES REQUIRED TO PROVIDE FOR THE 12-14 AGE GROUP WOULD DE IN PRIVATE SCHOOLS AND THIS WOULD BE SO FOR SOME TIME.
+SECONDLY, PRIVATE SCHOOLS WILL HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY TO PROVIDE A VERY USEFUL PUBLIC SERVICE BY PROVIDING ADDITIONAL SENIOR SECONDARY PLACES FOR FORM 3 LEAVERS WHO CANNOT BE CATERED FOR BY THE PUBLIC SECTOR.
+THIRDLY, IT SHOULD BE REMEMBERED THAT THERE WILL ALWAYS EE PARENTS WHO PREFER TO SEND THEIR CHILDREN TO PRIVATE SCHOOLS,+ HE ADDED.
GIVING AN EXAMPLE, MR. TOPLEY POINTED OUT THAT OF THE SOME 680,000 PUPILS IN PRIMARY SCHOOLS LAST YEAR, ABOUT ONESIXTH WERE IN FACT STUDYING IN PRIVATE SCHOOLS ALTHOUGH THERE WERE SUFFICIENT FREE PLACES IN GOVERNMENT AND AIDED PRIMARY SCHOOLS FOR EVERY CHILD WHO WISHED TO GO THERE.
IT WAS UNFORTUNATE, HE SAID, THAT THE RECESSION HAD PREVENTED HONG KONG FROM MOVING AS FAST AS HAD BEEN HOPED IN BUILDING NEV/ SECONDARY SCHOOLS AND PROVIDING ADDITIONAL PLACES.
THE DIRECTOR PRAISED THE KIANGSU-CHEKIANG.COLLEGE FOR THE EMPHASIS IT PLACED ON PERSONALITY AND CHARACTER TRAINING.
HE ALSO NOTED WITH GREAT INTEREST THAT THE COLLEGE WAS ONE OF THE VERY FEW SCHOOLS IN HONG KONG WHERE CHINESE SUBJECTS WERE TAUGHT THROUGH THE MEDIUM OF MANDARIN.
+IN MY VIEW, THIS PARTICULAR CHARACTERISTIC OF THE COLLEGE IS WELL WORTH PRESERVING,* MR. TOPLEY SAID.
CERTIFICATES WERE DISTRlfiUTED BY MRS. TOPLEY TO GRADUATES OF THE COLLEGE.
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 3, 1975
CONTROLLED TIPPING AT GIN DRINKERS BAY M M * K M *
THE PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT IS CALLING FOR TENDERS FOR A CONTRACT TO CONTINUE THE WORK ON THE CONTROLLED TIP PROJECT AT. GIN DRINKERS BAY WHICH WILL EVENTUALLY BE TURNED INTO A RECREATIONAL GROUND.
THE PRESENT CONTRACT IS DUE TO EXPIRE TOWARDS THE END OF THE YEAR. THE NEW CONTRACT CONSISTS OF THE CONSTRUCTION OF ALL NECESSARY ACCESS ROADS, DRAINAGE AND PROTECTIVE WORKS REQUIRED FOR THE SYSTEMATIC DISPOSAL OF REFUSE DELIVERED TO THE TIP.
CONTROLLED TIPPING, WHICH BASICALLY IS THE DISPOSAL OF REFUSE IN COMPACT LAYERS IN THE GROUND, WAS FIRST INTRODUCED IN JUNE 1973.
EACH LAYER IS COVERED WITH INERT MATERIAL AS TIPPING PROCEEDS AND THE FACES SEALED OFF AT THE END OF THE DAY’S WORK IN ORDER TO CONTAIN BAD SMELLS, CONTROL VERMIN AND TO ELIMINATE HEALTH AND FIRE HAZARDS.
WHEN THE GIN DRINKERS BAY TIP IS CLOSED, IT WILL FORM SOME 14 HECTARES OF NEW LAND FOR RECREATIONAL USE.
THE NEW CONTRACT IS EXPECTED TO COME INTO EFFECT IN DECEMBER THIS YEAR AND WILL RUN FOR ABOUT 16 MONTHS.
- 0 - -
NEW CDO APPOINTED M K K K K H
THE DIRECTOR OF HOME AFFAIRS, MR. E.P. HO, ANNOUNCED TODAY (FRIDAY) THE APPOINTMENT OF MR. WILLIAM YAP CHOI-CHIN AS CITY DISTRICT OFFICER (SOUTHERN) WITH EFFECT FROM SEPTEMBER 29, 1975.
MR. YAP, A GRADUATE FROM THE UNIVERSITY OF HONG KONG, HAS HAD SIX YEARS’ SERVICE IN THE GOVERNMENT. BEFORE HE WAS APPOINTED AS AN ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICER IN THE COLONIAL SECRETARIAT IN JUNE, 1973, HE HAD SERVED FOR SOMETIME IN THE COMMERCE ANO INDUSTRY DEPARTMENT AS AN ASSISTANT TRADE OFFICER AND IN THE FORMER SECRETARIAT FOR HOME AFFAIRS, COLONIAL SECRETARIAT AND EDUCATION DEPARTMENT AS AN EXECUTIVE OFFICER II.
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FRIDAY, OCTOBER 3, 1975 - 5 -
SPECIAL TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS IN CHAI WAN * * * * *
MOTORISTS ARE ADVISED TODAY THAT SPECIAL TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS WILL BE IMPLEMENTED TOMORROW (SATURDAY) AFTERNOON IN CHAI WAN ON HONG KONG ISLAND IN CONNECTION WITH A PROCESSION ORGANISED AS PART OF THE +KEEP CHAI WAN DRUG FREE+ CAMPAIGN.
FROM 3.45 P.M. TO 5.30 P.M., WAN TSUI ROAD WILL BE RE-ROUTED ONE-WAY ANTI-CLOCKWISE, HONG MAN STREET WILL BE-CLOSED TO ALL VEHICULAR TRAFFIC, AND LEE CHUNG STREET WILL BECOME ONE-WAY FROM HONG MAN STREET TO NING FO STREET.
DURING THIS PERIOD, SEVERAL CHINA MOTOR BUS COMPANY ROUTES WILL BE TEMPORARILY AFFECTED. ROUTE NOS. 8A, 8B AND 80 WILL TERMINATE AT THE BUS TERMINUS NEAR THE JUNCTION OF CHAI WAN ROAD AND WAN TSUI ROAD, INSTEAD OF AT SAN HA STREET. THESE ROUTES WILL OMIT WAN TSUI ROAD ON JOURNEYS FROM CHAI WAN..
ROUTE NO. 22 MAY BE SUBJECT TO DELAY ON THE 5.10 P.M. JOURNEY FROM CHAI WAN, AND ON THE 5.30 P.M. JOURNEY FROM CAPE COLLINSON.
PARKING SPACES IN WAN WA STREET WILL BE SUSPENDED BETWEEN NOON AND 5.30 P.M.
MEANWHILE, A SECTION OF CAROLINE HILL ROAD IN WAN CHAI WILL BE CLOSED TO VEHICLES USED BY LEARNER DRIVERS UNDERGOING DRIVING LESSONS IN ORDER TO IMPROVE TRAFFIC CIRCULATION.
FROM 10 A.M. ON MONDAY (OCTOBER 6), THESE VEHICLES WILL BE PROHIBITED FROM ENTERING THE SECTION OF CAROLINE HILL ROAD BETwEEN ITS JUNCTIONS WITH EASTERN HOSPITAL ROAD AND COTTON PATH.
APPROPRIATE TRAFFIC SIGNS WILL BE POSTED TO INDICATE THE PROHIBITION.
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TENANCY INQUIRY BUREAU MOVES TO NEW’PREMISES ******
THE TENANCY INQUIRY BUREAU (HONG KONG OFFICE) HAS MOVED TO THE 17TH FLOOR OF NEW MERCURY HOUSE.
THE COMMISSIONER OF RATING AND VALUATION SAID THIS WAS THE FINAL STEP IN BRINGING TOGETHER UNDER ONE ROOF ALL SECTIONS OF THE DEPARTMENT DEALING WITH TENANCY MATTERS. THE COMBINED SECTION WHICH NOU INCLUDES THE TOO OFFICES OF THE FORMER TENANCY INQUIRY BUREAU IS KNOWN AS THE RENT CONTROL DIVISION.
MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC SEEKING ADVICE ON TENANCY MATTERS ARE INVITED TO TELEPHONE 5-281424 EXT. 235.
/6
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 3, 1975
6
FIRING PRACTICE AT HA TSUEN RANGE K « « * « «
THE MILITARY AUTHORITIES WILL CONDUCT FIRING PRACTICE AT HA TSUEN (CASTLE PEAK) RANGE BETWEEN 8 A.M. AND 6 P.M. ON OCTOBER 8-9, AND ON OCTOBER 21-23, IT WAS ANNOUNCED IN TODAY’S GAZETTE.
FIRING PRACTICE WILL ALSO BE CARRIED OUT BETWEEN 8 A.M. AND 5 P.M. ON OCTOBER 24.
THE FIRING PRACTICE WILL TAKE PLACE IN OR OVER AREA ’D’ OF HA TSUEN RANGE.
MASTERS OF VESSELS AND PILOTS OF AIRCRAFT EXEMPT FROM THE DEFENCES (FIRING AREAS) ORDINANCE ARE ASKED TO ASSIST IN THE CARRYING OUT OF FIRING PRACTICE BY HASTENING THROUGH THE FIRING AREA OR, IN THE CASE OF VESSELS, BY CONSENTING TO BE TOWED OUT OF THE AREA, IF NECESSARY, BY VESSELS’ACT I NG UNDER ORDERS OF THE MILITARY AUTHORITIES.
GOVERNMENT ACCOUNTS FOR JULY « * « «
THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT ACCOUNTS FOR THE MONTH OF JULY 1975 SHOW A DEFICIT OF $107 MILLION COMPARED WITH A DEFICIT OF $106 MILLION IN JULY LAST YEAR.
THIS HAS RESULTED IN AN ACCUMULATED DEFICIT OF $331 MILLION FOR THE FIRST FOUR MONTHS OF THIS FINANCIAL YEAR, COMPARED WITH A DEFICIT OF $388 MILLION FOR THE SAME PERIOD LAST YEAR.
TOTAL REVENUE FOR THE MONTH AT $393 MILLION WAS $5 MILLION LESS THAN IN JULY 1974. EXPENDITURE WAS $500 MILLION, $4 MILLION LESS THAN THE SAME MONTH LAST YEAR.
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FRIDAY, OCTOBER 3, 1975
7
TAI PO ROAD SECTION TO BE IMPROVED
****** . » •
PLANS ARE IN HAND TO IMPROVE AND REALIGN TAI PO ROAD NEAR HO TUNG LAU IN THE NEW TERRITORIES TO CATER FOR THE INCREASED TRAFFIC WHICH WILL BE GENERATED BY THE RACE-COURSE.
THE IMPROVEMENT SCHEME ALSO INCLUDES A BRIDGE OVER THE KOWLOON CANTON RAILWAY NEAR HO TUNG LAU TO REPLACE THE EXISTING LEVEL CROSSINGS.
THE NEW ROAD ALIGNMENT FORMS PART OF THE MAJOR HIGHWAY NETWORK FOR SHA TIN NEW TOWN AND WILL ALSO BENEFIT THROUGH TRAFFIC TO AND FROM AREAS OF THE NEW TERRITORIES TO THE NORTH OF SHA TIN, A SPOKESMAN FOR THE PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT SAID.
A FEATURE OF THE IMPROVEMENT IS THE LARGE DEGREE OF SEGREGATION OF VEHICLES AND PEDESTRIANS WHICH IS ACHIEVED BY THE CONSTRUCTION OF SUBWAYS AND FOOTBRIDGES.
PROVISION IS ALSO INCLUDED FOR THE FIRST SECTIONS OF A CYCLE TRACK NETWORK FOR SHA TIN NEW TOWN, HE SAID.
THE INTERESTS OF EXISTING VILLAGERS AND ACCESS TO EXISTING PROPERTIES IN THE AREA NEAR HO TUNG LAU HAVE BEEN TAKEN INTO ACCOUNT IN THE DESIGN OF THE PROJECT. AN UNDERPASS BELOW THE K.C.R. TRACK IS INCLUDED IN THE SCHEME TO SERVE VILLAGERS LIVING ON THE WEST SIDE OF THE RAILWAY.
MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC WHO ARE INTERESTED IN THIS PROJECT MAY INSPECT THE PLANS AT THE CENTRAL ENQUIRY SUB-OFFICE, CENTRAL GOVERNMENT OFFICES, WEST WING ENTRANCE, HONG KONG, OR AT THE NEW TERRITORIES ADMINISTRATION HEADQUARTERS, NORTH KOWLOON MAGISTRACY BUILDING, TAI PO ROAD, KOWLOON OR AT THE DISTRICT OFFICE, SHA TIN GOVERNMENT OFFICES, 2 TUNG LO WAN HILL, SHA TIN, NEW TERRITORIES.
ANY PERSON WHO HAS OBJECTIONS TO THE PROPOSED UNDERTAKING MUST SEND HIS OBJECTION TO THE DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC WORKS TO REACH HIS OFFICE NOT LATER THAN NOVEMBER 3, 1975.
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FRIDAY, OCTOBER 3, 1975
- 8 -
AWARDS FOR TOP LANTERN DESIGN * * X X X
TWENTY SCHOOLS WILL RECEIVE CERTIFICATES OF MERIT FOR OUTSTANDING LANTERN DESIGN IN A RECENT COMPETITION ON MONDAY (OCTOBER 6) AFTERNOON.
CERTIFICATES OF MERIT AND BOOK COUPONS WORTH $100 EACH WILL BE AWARDED TO INDIVIDUAL WINNERS OF 40 BEST ENTRIES FOR DIVISIONS +A+ AND +B+.
, •>
EIGHTY-TWO SCHOOLS SENT IN 1,063 ENTRIES FOR BOTH DIVISIONS - DIVISION +A+ FOR CHILDREN IN THE 13 TO 20 AGE GROUP AND DIVISION +B+ FOR CHILDREN UNDER 12.
ACCORDING TO THE ORGANISERS; THE ENTRIES SUBMITTED WERE OF EXTREMELY HIGH STANDARD AND ACHIEVED THE AIM OF PRESERVING AND PROMOTING CHINESE CULTURE.
THE JUDGES SAID THE CRAFT WORK OF THE WINNING LANTERNS WAS EXCELLENT AND THE STANDARD OF WORK WAS ’VERY GOOD, COLOURFULL AND FULL OF IMAGINATION’. V
THE WINNING LANTERNS ARE NOW ON DISPLAY IN THE CITY DISTRICT OFFICE (EASTERN).
NOTE TO EDITORS:
THE PRESENTATION OF PRIZES TO THE WINNERS WILL TAKE PLACE IN HOTEL PLAZA AT 3 P.M. ON OCTOBER 6 (MONDAY).
THE PRIZES WILL BE DISTRIBUTED BY HR. JOHN WINFIELD, ASSISTANT DIRECTOR OF EDUCATION (CHIEF INSPECTOR OF SCHOOLS), MR. K.T. CHAN, CHAIRMAN OF HOTEL PLAZA, AND MR. WILLIAM CHENG, PRINCIPAL OF QUEEN’S COLLEGE.
YOU ARE INVITED TO HAVE THE EVENT COVERED.
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DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 4, 1975
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
LICENCE REQUIRED FOR HANDLING AND POSSESSING ACETYLATING SUBSTANCES ....................................... 1
TWO-WEEK SURVEY TO FIND OUT INTERESTS AND NEEDS OF YOUNG FACTORY WORKERS ........................................ 2
EVENING SHORT COURSES AT MORRISON HILL TECHNICAL INSTITUTE .................................................... 3
24—HOUR URBAN CLEARWAY RESTRICTIONS AT YAU MA TEI ............ 4
I
Issued by Government Information Services, Beaconsfield House, Hong Kong. Tel: 5-233191
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 4, 1975
1
LICENCE REQUIRED FOR HANDLING ACETYLATING SUBSTANCES « « u n n n
THE COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY DEPARTMENT TODAY REMINDED IMPORTERS AND EXPORTERS AND OTHERS DEALING IN ACETYLATING SUBSTANCES THAT THEY MUST APPLY TO THE DEPARTMENT FOR PERMISSION TO HANDLE OR POSSESS THE CHEMICALS.
FAILURE TO DO SO, A DEPARTMENT SPOKESMAN SAID, COULD RESULT IN A $1 MILLION FINE AND 15 YE..RS’ IMPRISONMENT UNDER NEW LEGISLATION WHICH CAME INTO EFFECT LAST MONTH.
THE LAW STIPULATES THAT PEOPLE WHO IMPORT, EXPORT, PROCURE, SUPPLY, DEAL IN OR WITH, MANUFACTURE OR PROCESS THESE CHEMICALS, MUST OBTAIN THE APPROPRIATE LICENCES, PERMITS OR AUTHORISATION FROM THE COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY DEPARTMENT.
THE SPOKESMAN EXPLAINED THAT ACETYLATING SUBSTANCES COULD EE USED IN THE MANUFACTURE OF HERO IN AND THE NEW LEGISLATION WAS DRAWN UP TO BRING ABOUT STRICTER CONTROL OF THE MOVEMENT AND USE OF THE CHEMICALS.
THE NEW LAW, THE SPOKESMAN POINTED OUT, WAS A FURTHER STEP IN THE GOVERNMENT’S EFFORT TO STAMP OUT THE NARCOTICS TRADE.
UNDER THE OLD LAW ONLY ACETIC ANHYDRIDE WAS CONTROLLED, AND THE PENALTY FOR CONTRAVENING THAT LAW WAS $50,000 AND ONE YEAR IMPRISONMENT.
■UNDER THE NEW LEGISLATION, DRAWN UP SPECIFICALLY FOR ALL ACETYLATING SUBSTANCES, TOO OTHER CHEMICALS — ACETIC CHLORIDE AND ACETIC BROMIDE — WERE ADDED TO THE LIST FOR STRICT CON I HOL.
THE SPOKESMAN SAID THAT APPLICATION FORMS WERE AVAILABLE FREE OF CHARGE AT THE COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY DEPARTMENT, ROOM 14. GROUND FLOOR, 46, CONNAUGHT ROAD CENTRAL, HONG KONG. THE FEE FOR EACH LICENCE OR PERMIT IS $100 BUT AUTHORISATIONS ISSUED TO LICENSED IMPORTERS, EXPORTERS AND DEALERS TO IMPORT AND EXPORT THE CHEMICALS ARE FREE OF CHARGE.
/2
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 4, 1975
2
SURVEY ON WORKERS INTERESTS AND NEEDS « if * a « n
THREE WELFARE ORGANISATIONS IN EASTERN DISTRICT WILL CONDUCT A TWO-WEEK SURVEY TO FIND OUT THE INTERESTS OF YOUNG FACTORY WORKERS IN THEIR LEISURE TIME.
THE STUDY, WHICH STARTS ON MONDAY (OCTOBER 6) IS JOINTLY PLANNED AND ORGANISED BY THE EASTERN COMMUNITY AND YOUTH OFFICE, THE HOLY NATIVITY CHURCH SOCIAL SERVICE CENTRE AND THE SALVATION ARMY SHAUKEIWAN CENTRE.
ABOUT 100 YOUTH VOLUNTEERS HAVE BEEN RECRUITED FROM THE DISTRICT TO CARRY OUT THE SURVEY. THEY WILL INTERVIEW YOUNG WORKERS IN THE FACTORIES AND AT PLACES WHERE THEY GATHER.
ACCORDING TO MR. PAUL WONG, THE COMMUNITY AND YOUTH OFFICER (EASTERN), THE AIM IS TO FIND OUT WHAT YOUNG FACTORY WORKERS DO IN THEIR LEISURE HOURS AND IN WHAT DIRECTION THEIR INTERESTS LIE.
THE INFORMATION OBTAINED WILL BE FED BACK TO AGENCIES CONCERNED SO THAT THEIR PROGRAMMES COULD BE BETTER’PLANNED TO MEET ANY NEEDS WHICH MAY BECOME OBVIOUS.
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 4, 1975
5
MORRISON HILL TECHNICAL INSTITUTE COURSES ■ * H «
THE MORRISON HILL TECHNICAL INSTITUTE IS INVITING APPLICATIONS FOR EVENING SHORT COURSES DURING THE 1975/76 SESSION.
THE COURSES ARE ON : THE USE OF RADIO AND T.V. SERVICING EQUIPMENT- ELECTRICAL CONTROL AND MAINTENANCE IN AIR-CONDITIONING ENGINEERING- I.E.E. WIRING REGULATION FOR THE ELECTRICAL EQUIPMENT OF BUILDINGS- INTRODUCTION TO COMPUTERS AND APPLIED PNEUMATIC CONTROL TO ENGINEERING.
APPLICATION FORMS CAN BE OBTAINED, IN PERSON, FROM THE MORRISON HILL TECHNICAL INSTITUTE AT 6, 01 KWAN ROAD, WANCHAI, HONG KONG FROM OCTOBER 3 TO OCTOBER 14.
INDUSTRIAL AND COMMERCIAL FIRMS INTENDING TO SPONSOR THEIR EMPLOYEES FOR THE COURSES MAY OBTAIN APPLICATION FROMS DIRECT FROM THE INSTITUTE BY TELEPHONING 5-745321 EXT. 30.
SUCCESSFUL CANDIDATES WILL BE NOTIFIED OF THE COMMENCING DATES OF THE COURSES.
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 4, 1975 - 4 -
CLEARWAY RESTRICTIONS IN YAU MA TEI ««««»«
MOTORISTS ARE ADVISED THAT A 24-HOUR URBAN CLEARWAY RESTRICTION WILL BE INTRODUCED ALONG SEVERAL ROAD SECTIONS IN YAU MA TEI AS FROM 10 A.M. ON THURSDAY (OCTOBER 9) TO IMPROVE TRAFFIC FLOW IN THE DISTRICT.
THE RESTRICTION WILL APPLY TO CHATHAM ROAD AND GASCOIGNE ROAD BETWEEN WYLIE ROAD AND WUHU STREET- THE SLIP ROADS BETWEEN CHATHAM ROAD AND HONG CHONG ROAD- AND HONG CHONG ROAD BETWEEN THE SLIP ROADS FROM CHATHAM ROAD AND THE CROSS HARBOUR TUNNEL TOLL PLAZA.
EXCEPT FOR FRANCHISED BUSES, ALL MOTOR VEHICLES WILL BE PROHIBITED FROM STOPPING TO PICK UP OR SET DOWN PASSENGERS OR GOODS ALONG THESE SECTIONS.
TRAFFIC SIGNS WILL BE POSTED TO INDICATE THE RESTRICTIONS.
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PRH 7
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
SUNDAY, OCTOBER 5, 1975
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
THREE NEW CENTRES 'TO RUN EVENING SECONDARY SCHOOL COURSES .................................................... 1
TEMPORARY TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS IN KOWLOON .................. 3
INTER-INST I TUT I ON VOLLEYBALL COMPETITION ............. 4
THREE-DAY CAMP FOR DISABLED CHILDREN ...................... 5
WATER CUT .................................................. 5
Issued by Government Information Services, Beaconsfield House, Hong Kong.Tel: 5-233191
1
SUNDAY, OCTOBER 5, 1975
THREE CENTRES TO RUN EVENING SECONDARY SCHOOL COURSES « « n «
THE ADULT EDUCATION SECTION OF THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT IS TO SET UP THREE NEW CENTRES PROVIDING AGO MORE YEAR 1 PLACES IN THE EVENING SECONDARY SCHOOL COURSES.
THE ADDITIONAL CLASSES, TEN IN ALL, ARE TO COMMENCE ON OCTOBER 20.
THE NEW CENTRES ARE AT KOWLOON TECHNICAL SCHOOL, KWUN TONG GOVERNMENT SECONDARY TECHNICAL SCHOOL AND SHEUNG KWAI CHUNG GOVERNMENT SECONDARY TECHNICAL SCHOOL.
APPLICATIONS ARE INVITED FROM SCHOOL AGE CHILDREN WHO HAVE OBTAINED SATISFACTORY RESULTS IN THE SECONDARY SCHOOL ENTRANCE EXAMINATION BUT HAVE NOT BEEN ADMITTED TO DAY SCHOOLS.
APPLICANTS FOR YEAR 1 PLACES SHOULD BE UNDER 15 YEARS OF AGE ON AUGUST 31. SUCCESSFUL APPLICANTS ARE REQUIRED TO ATTEND CLASSES FIVE EVENINGS A WEEK.
THE COURSES LAST SIX YEARS AND LEAD TO THE HONG KONG CERTIFICATE OF EDUCATION EXAMINATION. THE FEES ARE $200 A YEAR PAYABLE OVER 10 MONTHS AT $20 PER INSTALMENT.
APPLICATION FORMS FOR ADMISSION CAN BE OBTAINED AT THE THREE CENTRES OR AT THE ADULT EDUCATION SECTION BETWEEN OCTOBER 6 AND 10. THESE FORMS ARE ISSUED FREE OF CHARGE.
ALL COMPLETED FORMS MUST BE RETURNED BY OCTOBER 15 TO THE ADULT EDUCATION SECTION OF THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT, 405 NATHAN ROAD, 6TH FLOOR, KOWLOON.
ANY ONE WHO WANTS TO MAKE ENQUIRES ABOUT THE COURSES MAY DO SO BY TELEPHONING 3-884111 EXT. 280 DURING OFFICE HOURS.
THE OPENING OF THE THREE NEW CENTRES BRINGS TO SEVEN THE TOTAL NUMBER OF CENTRES OFFERING EVENING SECONDARY SCHOOL COURSES TO TEENAGERS.
THE ENROLMENT IN THESE 91 CLASSES WILL RISE FROM 3,125 TO MORE THAN 3,500.
ANOTHER 4,018 TEENAGERS IN 124 CLASSES ARE ATTENDING THE YOUNG PEOPLE’S COURSE - A THREE-YEAR EVENING POST-PRIMARY COURSE WITH A PRACTICAL BIAS FOR PRIMARY SCHOOL LEAVERS WHO DO NOT ANTICIPATE FURTHER EDUCATION AT THE GRAMMAR SECONDARY LEVEL. THE SUBJECTS TAUGHT INCLUDE CHINESE, ENGLISH, MATHEMATICS, ABACUS, BOOK-KEEPING, AND ECONOMIC AND PUBLIC AFFAIRS.
THE FEES ARE $80 A YEAR PAYABLE IN TOO $40 INSTALMENTS.
THE MIDDLE SCHOOL COURSE FOR ADULTS HAS AN ENROLMENT GF 2,085 IN 52 EVENING CLASSES. MORE THAN 1,000 OF THESE STUDENTS ARE UNDER THE AGE OF 20. THIS FIVE-YEAR COURSE LEADS TO THE HONG KONG CERTIFICATE OF EDUCATION EXAMINATION.
STUDENTS OF THIS COURSE ATTEND CLASSES FOUR EVENINGS A WEEK. THE FEES ARE $200 A YEAR PAYABLE OVER 10 MONTHS AT $20 PER INSTALMENT. APPLICANTS FOR THIS COURSE MUST BE 18 OR OVER.
/ANOTHER 560 .....
SUNDAY, OCTOBER 5, 1975
2
ANOTHER 560 STUDENTS UNDER THE AGE OF 20 ARE ATTENDING TECHNICAL INSTITUTE REMOVE CLASSES RUN DY THE ADULT EDUCATION SECTION TO PREPARE THEM FOR ADMISSION TO THE PRELIMINARY AND GENERAL COURSES OF THE MORRISON HILL TECHNICAL INSTITUTE.
THIS IS A ONE-YEAR EVENING COURSE AND STUDENTS ARE TAUGHT FORM 1 MATHEMATICS AND ENGLISH.
MEANWHILE, MORE THAN 4,500 STUDENTS ARE ATTENDING THE PRELIMINARY AND GENERAL COURSES OF THE MORRISON HILL TECHNICAL INSTITUTE. THE SUBJECTS TAUGHT ARE ENGLISH, MATHEMATICS, SCIENCE AND TECHNICAL DRAWING.
THESE EVENING COURSES, WHICH LAST FOUR YEARS, ARE OFFERED BY THE MORRISON HILL TECHNICAL INSTITUTE TO ENABLE YOUNG PEOPLE TO RAISE THEI GENERAL EDUCATIONAL STANDARD SO THAT THEY MAY LATER CONTINUE THEIR STUDIES IN SOME TECHNICAL FIELD.
COMMENTING ON THE PROVISION OF THESEAND OTHER COURSES FOR YOUTH, THE ASSISTANT DIRECTOR OF EDUCATION (FURTHER), MR. WILLIAM FISHER-SHORT SAID TODAY : +THIS IS ALL PART OF THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT’S DRIVE WITHIN THE LIMITS OF EXISTING FINANCIAL STRINGENCY TO MEET THE DESIRES OF YOUNG PEOPLE TO FURTHER THEIR EDUCATION IN A VARIETY OF WAYS.*
HE POINTED OUT THAT FOR THOSE YOUNG PEOPLE WHO PREFERRED TO TAKE UP EMPLOYMENT AT THE LEGAL AGE BUT WHO ALSO WISHED TO CONTINUE FORMAL SECONDARY SCHOOL TYPE EDUCATION, THERE WERE THE SECONDARY SCHOOL COURSES WHICH USE BOTH ENGLISH AND CHINESE AS MEDIA OF INSTRUCTION.
THOSE YOUNG PEOPLE WHO FOUND THAT THEY COULD ONLY DEVOTE TIME TO FORMAL EDUCATION IN THEIR LATER TEENS COULD TAKE THE MIDDLE SCHOOL COURSE FOR ADULTS.
+FOR THOSE PRIMARY SCHOOL LEAVERS WHO DO NOT HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY TO PURSUE SCHOOL COURSE BUT WHO WISH TO BE PREPARED FOR WORK IN THEIR LOCAL ENVIRONMENT THERE IS THE VERY POPULAR YOUNG PEOPLE’S COURSE.
+FOR THOSE WHO WISH TO BE PREPARED TO TAKE UP PART-TIME TECHNICAL EDUCATION THERE ARE THE TECHNICAL INSTITUTE REMOVE CLASSES LEADING TO THE PRELIMINARY AND GENERAL COURSES,+ MR. FISHER-SHORT SAID.
THOSE YOUNGSTERS WHO WISHED TO IMPROVE THEMSELVES IN THE ENGLISH LANGUAGE COULD ATTEND THE EVENING INSTITUTE CLASSES RANGING FROM ELEMENTARY TO ADVANCED LEVELS.
THE ASSISTANT DIRECTOR SAID THAT TEENAGERS WHO POSSESSED A HONG KONG CERTIFICATE OF EDUCATION COULD PURSUE THEIR STUDIES OF CHINESE LITERATURE AND TRANSLATION AT THE HIGHEST LEVELS BY ATTENDING COURSE RUN BY THE EVENING SCHOOL OF HIGHER CHINESE STUDIES.
MR. FISHER-SHORT SAID THAT FOR THOSE WHO WISHED TO DEVELOP THEMSELVES THROUGH LESS FORMAL EDUCATION COULD ENROL IN THE MANY AND VARIED COURSES IN THE ADULT EDUCATION AND RECREATION CENTRES
+IN ALL THESE WAYS, THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT IS ATTEMPTING TO MEET THE DESIRE FOR EDUCATION IN ITS WIDEST SENSE AMONG OUR TEENAGE WORKING YOUTH AND ALTHOUGH WE WOULD LIKE TO SEE MORE, EVEN IN THE PRESENT DIFFICULT TIMES, WE ARE ABLE TO HELP MORE THAN 31,500 YOUNG PEOPLE WHO MIGHT OTHERWISE BE NEGLECTED,* HE SAID.
SUNDAY, OCTOBER 5, 1975
3
TEMPORARY TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS
X « H
MOTORISTS ARE ADVISED THAT THE JUNCTION OF NATHAN ROAD AND PRINCE EDWARD ROAD WILL BE CLOSED FOR SEVERAL HOURS ON WEDNESDAY AND THURSDAY TO FACILITATE CONSTRUCTION OF A FLYOVER SPANNING NATHAN ROAD.
THE JUNCTION WILL BE CLOSED FOR SIX HOURS STARTING FROM 12 MIDNIGHT ON OCTOBER 7, AND AGAIN FROM 12 MIDNIGHT ON OCTOBER 8 TO 6 A.ii THE NEXT DAY.
IN ADDITION, TEMPORARY TRAFFIC DIVERSIONS WILL BE INTRODUCFD IN THE AREA DURING THE CLOSURE OF THE JUNCTION.
UNDER THE DIVERSIONS, ARRAN STREET BETWEEN NATHAN ROAD AND LA I CH I KOK ROAD WILL BE CLOSED TO TRAFFIC3 PRINCE EDWARD ROAD BETWEEN LA I CH I KOK ROAD AND PORTLAND STREET WILL BE REROUTED TO ONE-WAY EASTBOUND TRAFFIC3 PLAYING FIELD ROAD BETWEEN PORTLAND STREET AND NATHAN ROAD WILL BE REROUTED ONE-WAY FOR EASTBOUND TRAFFIC3 PLAYING FIELD ROAD BETWEEN NATHAN ROAD AND TUNG CHOI STREFT WILL BE REROUTED TO ONE-WAY EASTBOUND TRAFFIC3 AND NULLAH ROAD BETWEEN SAI YEUNG CHOI STREET AND NATHAN ROAD WILL BE REROUTED TO ONE-WAY SOUTHBOUND TRAFFIC.
NORTHBOUND TRAFFIC ON NATHAN ROAD WILL BE DIVERTED VIA LA I CH I KOK ROAD, PRINCE EDWARD ROAD, PORTLAND STREET, PLAYING FIELD ROAD TO RE-ENTER NATHAN ROAD.
SOUTHBOUND TRAFFIC ON NATHAN ROAD WILL BE DIVERTED VIA PLAYING FIELD ROAD, FA YUEN STREET, PRINCE EDWARD ROAD, SAI YEUNG CHOI STREET AND NULLAH ROAD TO RE-ENTER NATHAN ROAD.
WESTBOUND TRAFFIC ON PRINCE EDWARD ROAD TO AREAS WEST OF NATHAN ROAD WILL BE DIVERTED INTO SAI YEE STREET AND MONG KOK ROAD TO CROSS NATHAN ROAD.
CERTAIN KMB ROUTES WILL BE AFFECTED AND WILL BE TEMPORARILY DIVERTED.
SUNDAY, OCTOBER 5, 1975
4
INTER-INSTITUTION VOLLEYBALL COMPETITION M IH O «
AS PART OF THE INTER-INSTITUTION SPORTS ACTIVITIES FOR THE YEAR, THE BEGONIA ROAD BOYS’ HOME OF THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT HAS ORGANISED A VOLLEYBALL TOURNAMENT FOR BOYS UNDER THE CARE OF THREE VOLUNTARY AND FOUR GOVERNMENT INSTITUTIONS.
PARTICIPATING WILL BE THE HONG KONG JUVENILE CARE CENTRE, THE CHAK YAN AND SHING TAK CENTRES RUN BY THE SOCIETY OF BOYS’ CENTRES. THE OTHER FOUR, WHICH ARE RUN BY THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT, ARE THE CASTLE PEAK BOYS HOME, 0 PUI SHAN BOYS HOME, KWUN TONG HOSTEL AND THE ORGANISER OF THE TOURNAMENT.
THE SEVEN TEAMS WILL COMPETE AMONG THEMSELVES AND PLAY 21 GAMES IN ALL, STARTING ON OCTOBER 7 (TUESDAY).
ON THAT DAY, A BRIEF OPENING CEREMONY WILL BE HELD AT THE BEGONIA ROAD BOYS’ HOME IN YAU YAT CHUEN, KOWLOON AT WHICH MR. DICKEN YUNG, THE CHIEF RECREATION AND SPORTS OFFICER OF THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT0 MR. CHARLES YEUNG, CHAIRMAN OF THE SOCIETY OF BOYS CENTRES AND MRS. DAVID LEE, VICE-CHAIRMAN OF THE HONG KONG JUVENILE CARE CENTRE, WILL OFFICIATE. MR. MAK WING-HONG, SENIOR PRINCIPAL SOCIAL WELFARE OFFICER OF THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT’S PROBATION AND CORRECTIONS DIVISION, WILL ADDRESS THE GATHERING.
THE RECREATION AND SPORTS SERVICE OF THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT IS PROVIDING REFEREES AS WELL AS TECHNICAL AND TRAINING ADVICE TO THE TEAMS.
SUNDAY, OCTOBER 5, 1975
5
CAMP FOR DISABLED CHILDREN * K « « »
THE REHABILITATION DIVISION OF THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT IS AGAIN ORGANISING A THREE-DAY OUTING FOR DISABLED CHILDREN UNDER THE CARE OF ITS DIFFERENT REHABILITATION CENTRES.
THIS WILL BE HELD AT WU KWAI SHA YOUTH VILLAGE IN THE NEW TERRITORIES FROM OCTOBER 7 TO 9.
VARIOUS RECREATIONAL ACTIVITIES AND SPORTS GAMES HAVE BEEN PLANNED FOR 150 MENTALLY-RETARDED, 100 DEAF AND 12 PHYSICALLY DISABLED CHILDREN.
THIS ANNUAL AFFAIR IS PLANNED AND ORGANISED BY 10
REHABILITATION CENTRES FROM WHICH SOME 40 STAFF WILL BE PARTICIPATING TO LOOK AFTER THE CHILDREN AND HELP THEM ENJOY THEMSELVES IN THE OPEN AIR AND SUNSHINE.
ON THE SECOND DAY OF THE CAMP (OCTOBER 8), A PRIZE-GIVING CEREMONY FOR WINNERS OF VARIOUS COMPETITIONS AND GAMES WILL BE HELD AT 3.30 P.M. AT THE SITE. MR. T.P. KHOO, SENIOR PRINCIPAL SOCIAL WELFARE OFFICER, WHO HEADS THE REHABILITATION DIVISION, WILL OFFICIATE. <
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WATER CUT H M
A NUMBER OF PREMISES IN HAPPY VALLEY WILL BE WITHOUT WATER FOR ABOUT FIVE HOURS STARTING FROM 1 A.M. ON TUESDAY (OCTOBER 7) TO FACILITATE LEAKAGE TESTS TO BE CARRIED OUT IN THE AREA.
THE AREA AFFECTED IS BOUNDED BY WONGNEICHUNG ROAD FROM SHAN KWONG ROAD TO MORRISON HILL ROAD JUNCTION OF LEIGHTON ROAD, INCLUDING SPORTS ROAD, HAU TAK LANE AND THE HONG KONG SANATORIUM HOSPITAL.
- - o -
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
MONDAY, OCTOBER 6, 1975
CONTENTS
PAGE NO.
LADY MACLEHOSE OPENED NEW WING OF CHILDREN’S ORTHOPAEDIC HOSPITAL IN SANDY BAY ..........
BOOK EXHIBITION FEATURING PUBLICATIONS OF THE ORGANISATION FOR ECONOMIC CO-OPERATION AND DEVELOPMENT...........».....
2
FOUR EDITORS ON ’LOOK AND LEARN* TOUR IN UNITED KINGDOM .. 5
FIRE PREVENTION CAMPAIGN WITH ACCENT ON INDUSTRIAL AND COUNTRYSIDE FIRES LAUNCHED..........................••• b
RESERVOIRS 97 PER CENT OF FULL CAPACITY...................... 7
POSTAL SERVICES TO PORTUGUESE TIMOR SUSPENDED............... 7
TOO IN-SERVICE COURSES ON DESIGN AND TECHNOLOGY ............. 8
Issued by Government Information Services, Beaconsfield House, Hong Kong. Tel: 5-233191
MONDAY, OCTOBER 6, 1975 - 1 -
NEW WING OF CHILDREN’S HOSPITAL OPENED M H «
LADY MACLEHOSE TODAY OFFICIALLY OPENED THE NEW FIVE-STOREY WING OF THE DUCHESS OF KENT CHILDREN’S ORTHOPAEDIC HOSPITAL AND CONVALESCENT HOME AT SANDY BAY.
IN A BRIEF ADDRESS, LADY MACLEHOSE EMPHASISED THE IMPORTANCE OF SPECIALIST TREATMENT AND REHABILITATION AS A FOLLOW-UP TO SKILLFUL OPERATIONS AND NOTED THAT THE NEW BUILDING WAS ADMIRABLY SUITED FOR THIS PURPOSE.
THE NEW WING HOUSES TWO DEPARTMENTS — AN OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY DEPARTMENT AND A LARGE ORTHOPAEDIC APPLIANCE DEPARTMENT WHICH INCORPORATES A ’HALO PELVIC’ SECTION -- AS WELL AS PROVIDE ACCOMMODATION FOR DOCTORS, THERAPISTS AND NURSES.
THE OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY DEPARTMENT ON THE FIRST FLOOR IS EQUIPPED WITH A LARGE TEACHING AND PLAY AREA AS WELL AS WITH KITCHEN AND BATHROOMS.
HERE CHILDREN WILL EE TAUGHT TO BECOME INDEPENDENT AND ADEPT AT LOOKING AFTER THEMSELVES AND WILL DE TAUGHT SKILLS AND HOBBIES SUCH AS DRESSMAKING, WOODWORK AND POTTERY.
THE ORTHOPAEDIC DEPARTMENT IS ALSO HOUSED ON THE FIRST FLOOR WITH FACILITIES TO MAKE APPLIANCES WHICH ARE AS IMPORTANT FOR TREATMENT AS SURGERY.
LADY MACLEHOSE PAID TRIBUTE TO THE SOCIETY FOR THE RELIEF OF DISABLED CHILDREN AND SAID ITS WORK, IN CO-OPERATION WITH THE GOVERNMENT, PROVIDED AN EXCELLENT EXAMPLE OF WHAT COULD BE ACHIEVED TO HELP UNFORTUNATE YOUNG PEOPLE SUFFERING FROM ORTHOPAEDIC CONDITIONS.
FOLLOWING IS THE FULL TEXT OF LADY MACLEHOSE’S SPEECH:
+IT GIVES ME VERY GREAT PLEASURE TO BE HERE THIS AFTERNOON FOR THE OPENING OF THE NEW EXTENSION OF WHAT .I ALWAYS REFER TO AS +SANDY BAY+.
+OVER THE YEARS THE NAME OF THIS HOSPITAL SEEMS TO EXTEND AS DOES THE HOSPITAL ITSELF.
+NEARLY TWENTY YEARS AGO THE CONVALESCENT HOME WAS BUILT TO CARE FOR CHILDREN SUFFERING FROM POLIO AND T.B. OF THE DONES. AS LIVING CONDITIONS IN HONG KONG HAVE IMPROVED THE NEED ’lO PROVIDE CARE FOR THESE CASES HAS ACTUALLY DECREASED. HOWEVER, THERE ARE MANY OTHER ORTHOPAEDIC CONDITIONS IN CHILDREN WHICH REQUIRE EXPERT AND SPECIAL TREATMENT.
/♦THE WORK OF THE ....
MONDAY, OCTOBER 6, 1975
2
+THE WORK OF THE SOCIETY AND ITS CO-OPERATION WITH THE GOVERNMENT PROVIDE US TODAY WITH AN EXCELLENT EXAMPLE OF WHAT CAN BE DONE TO HELP THESE UNFORTUNATE YOUNG PEOPLE.
+ONE CANNOT BUT ADMIRE THE GENEROSITY OF CIVIC MINDED PEOPLE AND THE DEVOTION AND DEDICATION OF THE PROFESSIONALS.
+SANDY BAY, THANKS TO THE WORK OF THE SOCIETY AND THAT OF THE ORTHOPAEDIC DEPARTMENT OF THE HONG KONG UNIVERSITY, HAS ACHIEVED RENOWN NOT ONLY IN HONG KONG, BUT OVERSEAS. THE HALO PELVIC APPARATUS, INVENTED HERE, IS NOW AN ACCEPTED TREATMENT FOR SPINAL DEFORMITIES. IN FACT PATIENTS SEEKING THIS TREATMENT COME HERE FROM OTHER COUNTRIES.
+SKILLFUL OPERATIONS HAVE TO BE FOLLOWED UP WITH SPECIALIST TREATMENT AND REHABILITATION, WITHOUT WHICH THE PATIENTS WOULD NOT GET VERY FAR.
+IN THIS NEW BUILDING THERE ARE NOW AVAILABLE MARVELLOUS FACILITIES TO HELP GET THESE YOUNG PEOPLE MOBILE, AND ENABLE THEM TO RETURN TO THEIR FAMILIES AND LIVE A FULL LIFE.
+FURTHER RESEARCH CAN BE CONTINUED ON THE HALO PELVIC APPARATUS UNDER GOOD CONDITIONS AND OF COURSE GOOD ACCOMMODATION IN HONG KONG ALWAYS ATTRACTS GOOD STAFF. * •
+l SHOULD LIKE TO CONGRATULATE THE CHAIRMAN, OFFICE BEARERS AND STAFF OF BOTH THE SOCIETY AND THE HOSPITAL ON THIS FINE ACHIEVEMENT. I WISH IT EVERY SUCCESS AND FULL UTILISATION.+
MONDAY, OCTOBER 6, 1975
- 3 -
O.E.C.D. BOOK EXHIBITION
K M M M
A BOOK EXHIBITION FEATURING PUBLICATIONS OF THE ORGANISATION FOR ECONOMIC CO-OPERATION AND DEVELOPMENT (O.E.C.D.) OPENED AT THE GOVERNMENT PUBLICATIONS CENTRE AT THE HONG KONG STARFERRY CONCOURSE TODAY.
AT THE OPENING CEREMONY, THE SECRETARY FOR HOME AFFAIRS, MR. DENIS BRAY, DESCRIDED THE COLLECTION AS +A VERITABLE STOREHOUSE OF KNOWLEDGE* COMPILED FROM THE WIDE EXPERIENCE OF THE WORLD’S MOST DEVELOPED COUNTRIES AND SAID THAT HONG KONG COULD NOT AFFORD TO IGNORE SUCH A FUND OF KNOWLEDGE.
THE O.E.C.D. PUBLICATIONS EMBRACE SUCH FIELDS AS ECONOMY AND FINANCE, DEVELOPMENT, AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES, ENERGY, INDUSTRY, TRANSPORT AND TOURISM, ENVIRONMENT, MANPOWER AND SOCIAL AFFAIRS, SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY, EDUCATION AND INFORMATION.
THE PUBLICATIONS ARE AVAILABLE IN ENGLISH AND AT THE SAME PRICE CHARGED IN FRANCE WHERE THEY ARE PUBLISHED.
IN HONG KONG, THEY ARE DISTRIBUTED THROUGH THE GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES WHICH IS ALSO RESPONSIBLE FOR THE SALE AND DISTRIBUTION OF GOVERNMENT PUBLICATIONS.
MEANWHILE, THE SECRETARY GENERAL OF THE O.E.C.D., MR. EMILE VAN LENNEP, SENT A CABLE TO THE DIRECTOR OF INFORMATION SERVICES TODAY EXTENDING CONGRATULATIONS 7\ND EXPRESSING HIS APPRECIATION TO ALL THOSE WHO MADE THE EXHIBITION POSSIBLE.
MR. BRAY SAID THE AIM OF THE GOVERNMENT PUBLICATIONS CENTRE WAS TO OFFER CONVENIENCE TO THE PUBLIC IN OBTAINING GOVERNMENT PUBLICATIONS WHICH HAVE BEEN PRODUCED IN THE CHEAPEST WAY TO MAKE THEM AVAILABLE TO THE WIDEST POSSIBLE READERSHIP.
HE NOTED THAT SINCE APRIL LAST YEAR THERE HAD BEEN A SUBSTANTIAL INCREASE IN SALES THROUGH THE GOVERNMENT PUBLICATIONS CENTRE, +DUE IN NO SMALL PART TO THE WIDER ACCESS TO GOVERNMENT PUBLICATIONS ACHIEVED THROUGH THE CREATION OF ADDITIONAL SALES COUNTERS.*
DURING THE 1974/75 FINANCIAL YEAR, HE SAID, SALES AMOUNTED TO $3.4 MILLION — A 57 PER CENT INCREASE OVER THE PREVIOUS YEAR — AND UP TO AUGUST THIS YEAR SALES APPEARED TO BE 25 PER CENT UP OVER THE SAME PERIOD LAST YEAR.
FOLLOWING IS THE FULL TEXT OF MR. BRAY’S SPEECH:
+1 SHOULD LIKE TO WELCOME YOU TO THIS MODEST BUT PERTINENT DISPLAY OF PUBLICATIONS PRODUCED BY THE ORGANISATION FOR ECONOMIC CO-OPERATION AND DEVELOPMENT. KNOWING AT LEAST SOMETHING OF THE O.E.C.D., YOU WILL NOT HAVE COME HERE EXPECTING TO FIND PRETTY PICTURE BOOKS FOR THE COFFEE TABLE. RATHER YOU WOULD ANTICIPATE SOLID, IN DEPTH REPORTS, SURVEYS AND STATISTICAL ANALYSES PROVIDING INVALUABLE WORKS OF REFERENCE ON A VARIETY OF SUBJECTS.
/♦WHAT I BELIEVE .....
MONDAY, OCTOBER 6, 1975
4
+WHAT I BELIEVE MAY SURPRISE YOU IS THE RANGE COVERED BY THESE PUBLICATIONS. IF YOU TAKE THE TIME TO LOOK MORE CLOSELY YOU WILL FIND THAT, COLLECTIVELY, THEY REPRESENT A VERITABLE STOREHOUSE OF KNOWLEDGE COMPILED FROM THE WIDE EXPERIENCE OF THE WORLD’S MOST DEVELOPED COUNTRIES. THE PUBLICATIONS YOU SEE AROUND YOU EMBRACE SUCH FIELDS AS ECONOMY AND FINANCE, DEVELOPMENT, AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES, ENERGY, INDUSTRY, TRANSPORT AND TOURISM, ENVIRONMENT, MANPOWER AND SOCIAL AFFAIRS, SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY, EDUCATION AND INFORMATION.
+IN HONG KONG, WE ARE DEPENDENT ON EXTERNAL TRADE AND ON OUR AWARENESS OF WHAT IS HAPPENING IN THE WORLD AT LARGE. WE CANNOT AFFORD TO IGNORE SUCH A FUND OF KNOWLEDGE. WHATEVER OUR INDIVIDUAL ROLE IN HONG KONG AFFAIRS, WHETHER AS BUSINESSMEN, INDUSTRIALISTS, BANKERS, SCIENTISTS, EDUCATORS OR MANAGERS, I VENTURE TO SUGGEST THAT THERE IS VALUABLE READING HERE FOR ALL OF US.
+FOUNDED IN I960, THE ORGANISATION FOR ECONOMIC CO-OPERATION AND DEVELOPMENT PROMOTES POLICIES TO ACHIEVE HIGH ECONOMIC GROWTH AND EMPLOYMENT, THIS CONTRIBUTING TO THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE WORLD’S ECONOMY AND THE EXPANSION OF WORLD TRADE. ITS MEMBERS INCLUDE THE UNITED KINGDOM, UNITED STATES, AUSTRALIA, AUSTRIA, BELGIUM, CANADA, DENMARK, FINLAND, FRANCE, FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF GERMANY, GREECE, ICELAND, IRELAND, ITALY, JAPAN, LUXEMBOURG, THE NETHERLANDS, NEW ZEALAND, NORWAY, PORTUGAL, SPAIN, SWEDEN, SWITZERLAND AND TURKEY.
+FORTUNATELY FOR US, ITS PUBLICATIONS ARE AVAILABLE IN ENGLISH AND - TO REASSURE THOSE OF US CONCERNED FOR THE HIGH COST OF BOOKS IN HONG KONG - AT THE SAME PRICE CHARGED IN FRANCE, WHERE THEY ARE PUBLISHED. THIS HAPPY CIRCUMSTANCE ARISES FROM OUR UNIQUE STRUCTURE OF DISTRIBUTION THROUGH GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES, WHICH LAST YEAR ACCEPTED RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE SALES AND DISTRIBUTION OF GOVERNMENT PUBLICATIONS AND WHICH THIS YEAR HAS EXTENDED THAT RESPONSIBILITY TO NEW FIELDS.
+l MIGHT ADD THAT SINCE THE 1ST OF APRIL LAST YEAR THERE HAS BEEN A SUBSTANTIAL INCREASE IN SALES THROUGH THE GOVERNMENT PUBLICATIONS CENTRE, DUE IN NO SMALL PART TO THE WIDER ACCESS TO GOVERNMENT PUBLICATIONS ACHIEVED THROUGH THE CREATION OF ADDITIONAL SALES COUNTERS. FOR THE 1974/75 FINANCIAL YEAR, SALES AMOUNTED TO $3.4 MILLION, OR A 57 PER CENT INCREASE OVER THE PREVIOUS YEAR. AND SALES UP TO AUGUST THIS YEAR INDICATE AN INCREASE OF 25 PER CENT OVER THE SAME PERIOD LAST YEAR.
+THE MAJOR AIM OF THE GOVERNMENT PUBLICATIONS CENTRE IS TO OFFER CONVENIENCE TO THE PUBLIC IN OBTAINING GOVERNMENT PUBLICATIONS WHICH HAVE BEEN PRODUCED AND OFFERED IN THE CHEAPEST WAY TO MAKE THEM AVAILABLE TO THE WIDEST POSSIBLE READERSHIP. I AM HAPPY THAT WE SHOULD NOW OFFER THIS SAME FACILITY IN RESPECT OF O.E.C.B. PUBLICATIONS.+
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MONDAY, OCTOBER 6, 1975
5
FOUR EDITORS ON ’LOOK AND LEARN’ TOUR IN U.K.
ft ft * ft * ft
EDITORS OF FOUR LOCAL CHINESE LANGUAGE NEWSPAPERS ARE AT PRESENT VISITING THE UNITED KINGDOM ON A THREE-WEEK FAMILIARIZATION TOUR ORGANISED BY THE CENTRAL OFFICE OF INFORMATION.
THE EDITORS ARE: MR. SHUM CHOI-SANG OF UAH KIU YAT PO, MR. TONG BIG-CHUEN OF SING TAO MAN PAO, MR. CHEUNG CHOK-LEUNG OF MING PAO AND MR. YU KEE-PING OF SING PAO.
ON ARRIVAL IN LONDON ON SEPTEMBER 14, THE GUESTS OF THE BRITISH GOVERNMENT IMMEDIATELY STARTED A FULL PROGRAMME TO ’LOOK AND LEARN’ ABOUT THE POLITICAL, ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL ASPECTS OF THE COUNTRY.
THE GROUP HAS TRAVELLED AROUND THE COUNTRY VISITING FACTORIES OF VARIOUS INDUSTRIES, HOSPITALS AND SOCIAL SERVICES. THEY HAVE ALSO BEEN GIVEN TOURS TO THE NEW SCOTLAND YARD, THE BRITISH TOURIST AUTHORITY AND THE UNITED KINGDOM ATOMIC ENERGY AUTHORITY.
THE FOUR HAVE VISITED THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT OFFICE IN LONDON AND THE FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH OFFICE WHERE THEY ATTENDED THE NEWS BRIEFING ORGANISED EVERYDAY FOR JOURNALISTS AND FOREIGN CORRESPONDENTS STATIONED IN LONDON.
THEY HAVE ALSO GAINED AN INSIGHT INTO THE WORKING OF THE BRITISH BROADCASTING CORPORATION WHERE THEY HAD A CHANCE TO MEET BRITISH MEDIA REPRESENTATIVES.
ON THE LIGHTER SIDE, APART FROM SIGHTSEEING TOURS, ARRANGEMENTS WERE MADE FOR THEM TO SEE A FIRST DIVISION FOOTBALL MATCH AND A PERFORMANCE OF HENRY IV AT THE ROYAL SHAKESPEARE THEATRE.
DURING THEIR VISIT, THE EDITORS HAVE HELD TALKS WITH STUDENTS FROM HONG KONG AND MEMBERS OF THE ASSOCIATION OF CHINESE COMMERCE TO LEARN ABOUT THEIR WAY OF LIFE IN BRITAIN.
THE EDITORS ARE DUE TO RETURN TO HOI1G KONG LATER THIS WEEK.
MONDAY, OCTOBER 6, 1975
6
FIRE PREVENTION CAMPAIGN LAUNCHED X M * M X H
NEARLY $40 MILLION OF HARD EARNED MONEY GOES UP IN FLAMES EVERY YEAR BECAUSE OF INDUSTRIAL FIRES.
AND ALL THIS UNNECESSARY LOSS COULD BE AVOIDED WITH A LITTLE MORE CARE, THE ASSISTANT CHIEF FIRE OFFICER, MR. TONY CONWAY, SAID TODAY AT A PRESS CONFERENCE TO LAUNCH THIS YEAR’S FIRE PREVENTION CAMPAIGN.
THE ACCENT OF THIS YEAR’S CAMPAIGN, WHICH WILL CONTINUE UNTIL THE FIRST WEEK OF NOVEMBER, IS ON INDUSTRIAL AND COUNTRYSIDE FIRES.
MR. CONWAY SAID : +THE CAMPAIGN IS TO ALERT INDUSTRIALISTS AS WELL AS MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC OF THE EXPECTED INCREASE OF FIRES AT THIS TIME OF THE YEAR AND TO ENCOURAGE THEM TO BE MORE CAREFUL.+
A FIRE PREVENTION EXHIBITION, A NEW FEATURE IN THIS YEAR’S CAMPAIGN, WILL TAKE PLACE AT THE OCEAN TERMINAL BETWEEN NOVEMBER 13 AND 17. THE EXHIBITION INVOLVES NOT ONLY THE FIRE SERVICES DEPARTMENT BUT ALSO TEN OTHER PRIVATE COMPANIES.
+ INDUSTRI AL FIRES MEAN NOTHING BUT LOSS,+ MR. CONWAY SAID, +THE OWNER OF THE FACTORY SUFFERS THROUGH LOSS OF PRODUCTION, MACHINERY, PREMISES AND GOODS- THE INSURANCE COMPANY SUFFERS FROM MONETARY LOSSES- AND THE BIGGEST LOSS IS IN FACT SUFFERED BY THE EMPLOYEES BECAUSE THEY WILL LOSE THEIR WORK AND WAGES, THUS AFFECTING THE LIVELIHOOD OF THEIR FAMILIES.*
HE ADDED: + IF YOU ARE THE MANAGER OF A FACTORY AND WHEN YOU FIND FAULTY ELECTRICAL WIRING AND FITTINGS, OR OBSTRUCTIONS TO MEANS OF ESCAPE ROUTES INSIDE YOUR FACTORY PREMISES, IT IS IN YOUR INTEREST - AND THOSE OF YOUR EMPLOYEES AND NEIGHBOURS -TO TAKE APPROPRIATE ACTION TO PUT MATTERS RIGHT AT THE EARLIEST POSSIBLE MOMENT.
+IF OBSTRUCTIONS TO MEANS OF ESCAPE ARE NOT UNDER YOUR CONTROL, THEN CALL THE FIRE PREVENTION BUREAU WITHOUT DELAY AND LODGE A COMPLAINT.*
MR. CONWAY SAID THAT ALTHOUGH SAFETY OF EMPLOYEES INSIDE FACTORY PREMISES WAS A MANAGEMENT RESPONSIBILITY, THERE WAS NOTHING TO PREVENT WORKERS FROM BRINGING FIRE HAZARDS TO THE NOTICE OF THE MANAGEMENT. +FAILURE OF EITHER PARTY TO ACT PROMPTLY CAN RESULT IN A FIRE,* HE STRESSED.
THE HUMAN ELEMENT HAS BEEN FOUND RESPONSIBLE FOR NEARLY ALL FIRES AND IT IS THEREFORE NECESSARY TO REMIND MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC OF THE RESPONSIBILITIES THAT THEY ARE MORALLY -AND IN SOME CASES LEGALLY - OBLIGED TO MEET.
MR. CONWAY NOTED THAT LAST YEAR’S CAMPAIGN AGAINST FIRES CAUSED BY SMOKERS HAD BEEN SUCCESSFUL AND THE NUMBER OF SUCH FIRES WAS REDUCED BY ALMOST 60 PER CENT.
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MONDAY, OCTOBER 6, 1975
7
RESERVOIRS 97 PER CENT FULL K K K- H H-
HONG KONG’S TOTAL WATER STORAGE AS AT 9 A.M. TODAY (MONDAY) WAS 65,722 MILLION GALLONS, REPRESENTING 97.7 PER CENT OF THE FULL STORAGE CAPACITY OF 67,300 MILLION GALLONS.
AT THIS TIME LAST YEAR THE TOTAL STORAGE FIGURE WAS 33,804 MILLION GALLONS.
PLOVER COVE, THE BIGGEST RESERVOIR, HELD 49,900 MILLION GALLONS -- 98.8 PER CENT OF ITS FULL STORAGE CAPACITY OF 50,500 MILLION GALLONS. ON THIS DAY LAST YEAR PLOVER COVE ONLY HELD 25,954 MILLION GALLONS.
TOTAL RAINFALL SO FAR THIS YEAR STANDS AT 2,621.1 MM (103.19 IN). THE MEAN AVERAGE RAINFALL SO FAR THIS YEAR IS 2,029.7 MM (79.91 IN).
91.5 MM (3.6 IN) OF RAINFALL WAS RECORDED AT THE ROYAL OBSERVATORY DURING THE PAST 24 HOURS ENDING AT 9 A.M. TODAY.
- 0
POSTAL SERVICES TO PORTUGUESE TIMOR « H If W K
THE POST OFFICE ANNOUNCED TODAY THAT THE SUSPENSION OF AIRMAIL SERVICES TO PORTUGUESE TIMOR WILL CONTINUE AND THE RESTRICTIONS NOW EXTEND TO ALL SURFACE MAILS.
MONDAY, OCTOBER 6, 1975
8
COURSES ON PRACTICAL EDUCATION
M H M M H «
TWO IN-SERVICE TRAINING COURSES ON DESIGN AND TECHNOLOGY WILL BEGIN TOMORROW (TUESDAY) AND FRIDAY AT THE HONG KONG TECHNICAL TEACHERS COLLEGE. EACH COURSE WILL BE ATTENDED BY 30 TEACHERS.
THE COURSES ARE DESIGNED TO INTRODUCE A NEW APPROACH TO PRACTICAL EDUCATION TO IN-SERVICE TEACHERS IN SUBJECTS TRADITIONALLY DESIGNATED AS PRACTICAL EDUCATION, NAMELY WOODWORK, METALWORK AND TECHNICAL DRAWING.
THE COURSES ARE ORGANISED AND RUN JOINTLY BY THE HK TECHNICAL TEACHERS’ COLLEGE AND THE INSPECTORATE OF THE TECHNICAL EDUCATION BRANCH AND WILL BE CONDUCTED AT THE COLLEGE.
EACH OF THESE COURSES WILL BE OF 16 WEEKS DURATION BASED ON ONE AFTERNOON A WEEK. THE COURSE CONTENT WILL CONSIST OF LECTURES, SEMINARS AND PRACTICAL STUDIES IN DESIGN-BASED EDUCATION.
BOTH COURSES WILL BE OPENED BY MR. ANDREW KINGWELL, DEPUTY DIRECTOR OF EDUCATION (TECHNICAL).
THESE COURSES ARE SIMILAR TO THE ONE WHICH WAS HELD AS A PILOT PROGRAMME DURING THE LAST ACADEMIC YEAR.
NOTE TO EDITORS: YOU ARE INVITED TO SEND YOUR REPRESENTATIVE TO COVER THE OPENING OF THE FIRST IN-SERVICE COURSE TOMORROW AT THE TECHNICAL TEACHERS’ COLLEGE, QUEEN’S ROAD EAST AT 2.30 P.M.
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DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
TUESDAY, OCTOBER 7, 1975
. CONTENTS PAGE NO.
GOVERNMENT CONSTANTLY REVIEWS LAWS TO CONTRAL DRUGS ........... 1
NEED TO IMPROVE QUALITY OF PRIMARY EDUCATION STRESSED BY DEPUTY DIRECTOR OF EDUCATION .................................. 2
GOVERNOR TO REVIEW HONG KONG AFFAIRS TOMORROW ................. 3
SECONDARY TECHNICAL SCHOOLS PLAY MAJOR ROLE IN EDUCATION .. 4
MORE NEW TERRITORIES VILLAGES TO GET MAINS WATER SUPPLY ... 5
NEW TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS IN TSIM SHA TSUI ..................... 6
WATER CUT............................... '.................... 6
LABOUR DEPARTMENT TO STAGE FOUR-DAY CAREERS EXHIBITION IN SHAMSHUIPO .................................................... 7
Issued by Government .Information Services, Beaconsfield House, Hong Kong. Tel: 5-233191
TUESDAY, OCTOBER 7, 1975
1
GOVERNMENT RE-EXAMINES LAWS TO CONTROL DRUGS a n n n n n
THE COMMISSIONER FOR NARCOTICS, MR. E.I. LEE, SAID TODAY THAT THE GOVERNMENT HAS UNDER CONSTANT REVIEW NEW INITIATIVES IN LEGISLATION TO TIGHTEN CONTROL OVER DRUGS AND THE ESSENTIAL CONSTITUENTS OF THEIR MANUFACTURE.
SPEAKING AT A LUNCHEON OF THE ROTARY CLUB OF HONG KONG HE SAID THAT THIS YEAR, FOR EXAMPLE, HONS KONG BECAME THE FIRST PLACE IN THE WORLD TO MAKE ACETYLATING SUBSTANCES, WHICH IS USED IN THE CONVERSION OF MORPHINE INTO HEROIN, WITHIN THE SCOPE OF THE CRIMINAL LAW, FOR POSSESSION WITHOUT A LICENCE.
THE GOVERNMENT IS ALSO RE-EXAMINING THE PENALTIES PROVIDED BY LAW FOR DRUG OFFENCES TO ENSURE THAT THE POLICE AND THE COURTS HAVE A COMPREHENSIVE RANGE OF OPTIONS <-WI;ECJ DEALING WITH THE ANTI-SOCIAL ELEMENTS ENGAGED IN TRAFFICKING, ESPECIALLY ON THE INTERNATIONAL LEVEL.+
MR. LEE ADDEDs +BOTH THE POLICE AND MYSELF WOULD LIKE TO SEE VERY HEAVY FINES IMPOSED ON TRAFFICKERS, IN ADDITION TO VERY LONG PRISON SENTENCES, BOTH OF WHICH ARE PERMITTED UNDER OUR PRESENT LAWS.+
HE PRAISED THE +INTELLIGENCE GATHERING AND STRATEGIC DIRECTION OF HONG KONG’S LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCIES* AID SAID THAT IMPROVED LIAISON AND PERSONAL CONTACT BETWEEN THESE OFFICERS AND THE INCREASING SOPHISTICATION OF RESEARCH FACILITIES AND COMMUNICATIONS HAVE PAID OFF IN INCREASED SEIZURES OF DRUGS AND HEROIN FACTORIES.
IN ITS EFFORTS TO REDUCE INTERNAL DEMAND, THE COMMISSIONER FOR NARCOTICS SAID ATTENTION WAS BEING DEVOTED TO THE TREATMENT AND REHABILITATION OF ADDICTS, AND EDUCATION AND PUBLICITY AIMED AT PERSUADING YOUNG PEOPLE PARTICULARLY TO AVOID THE TEMPTATIONS OF GETTING INVOLVED WITH DRUGS.
THE TREATMENT PROGRAMMES RUN BY THE PRISONS DEPARTMENT, AND BY SARDA HAVE ACHIEVED INTERNATIONAL RECOGNITION. +BUT WHILE THE TREATMENT OF DRUG ADDICTION AND THE REMOVAL OF THE PHYSICAL SYMPTOMS IS RELATIVELY EASY, THE GREAT PROBLEM THAT STILL CONFRONTS US IS HOW TO REDUCE THE PSYCHOLOGICAL DEPENDENCE ON DRUGS WHICH CAN EXERCISE SO STRONG A HOLD ON ADDICTS.*
TO OVERCOME THIS, NEW APPROACHES ARE BEING PLANNED AND NEXT YEAR THE MEDICAL DEPARTMENT WILL OPEN A DETOXIFICATION CENTRE WHICH WILL GIVE ADDICTS AN OPPORTUNITY TO FREE THEMSELVES FROM THEIR PHYSICAL DEPENDENCE WITHIN TWO WEEKS.
MR. LEE SAID CONSIDERATION WAS ALSO BEING GIVEN TO WHETHER A MORE EFFECTIVE AND SATISFACTORY METHOD OF DEALING WITH MINOR DRUG OFFENDERS, OTHER THAN IMPRISONMENT, CAN BE FOUND WHICH WILL GIVE MORE HOPE TO THE OFFENDERS AND MIGHT THEREBY PRODUCE BENEFITS FOR THE COMMUNITY AT LARGE.
IN CONCLUSION, MR. LEE MADE TOO APPEALS - ONE FOR INFORMATION ABOUT PUSHERS, TRAFFICKERS, HEROIN FACTORIES AND DRUG ABUSERS. THE SECOND WAS AN APPEAL TO PEOPLE IN CHARGE OF COMPANY HIRING POLICIES TO CONSIDER EMPLOYING THOSE EX-ADDICTS RECOMMENDED FOR EMPLOYMENT BY THE PRISONS DEPARTMENT, SARDA OR THE DISCHARGED PRISONERS AID SOCIETY.
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TUESDAY, OCTOBER 7, 1975
NEED TO IMPROVE QUALITY OF PRIMARY EDUCATION STRESSED ft # ft ft ft ft
THE DEPUTY DIRECTOR OF EDUCATION (PROFESSIONAL), MR. HO NGA-MING THIS EVENING STRESSED THE NEED TO IMPROVE THE QUALITY OF PRIMARY ' EDUCATION.
ADDRESSING THE DINNER MEETING OF THE LIONS CLUB OF HAPPY VALLEY, MR. HO SA IDs +ONCE IT IS CONCEDED THAT THE AIM OF EDUCATION SHOULD DE THE FULL DEVELOPMENT OF THE CHILD’S CAPACITIES AND THE ENLARGEMENT AND ORDERING OF HIS EXPERIENCE, IT IS IMPORTANT FOR THE SCHOOLS TO TONE DOWN THE PRESENT EMPHASIS ON THE INSTRUCTIONAL ASPECT OF SCHOOL I NG.+
MR. HO MENTIONED ABOUT THE MODERN CONCEPT OF A +CHILD-CENTRED EDUCATION* WHICH DRAWS ATTENTION TO THE NEED TO RECOGNISE INDIVIDUAL DIFFERENCES, ALLOWS GREATER FREEDOM IN THE CLASSROOM AND ENCOURAGES MORE ACTIVE PARTICIPATION BY PUPILS. +THE ADOPTION OF THIS CONCEPT WOULD GO A LONG WAY TOWARDS RE-VITALIZING PRIMARY EDUCATION,* HE SAID.
♦HERE THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT HAS AN IMPORTANT PART TO PLAY.
♦WE HAVE MADE A GOOD START IN INITIATING CURRICULUM AND SUBJECT DEVELOPMENT, EXPERIMENTING WITH THE ’ACTIVITY APPROACH’, ORGANISING COURSES FOR THE FURTHER TRAINING OF SERVING TEACHERS, TRANSMITTING AND REFINING ETV LESSONS, ISSUING GUIDES AND BULLETINS TO SCHOOLS, AND PERIODICALLY MOUNTING CONFERENCES, SEMINARS AND WORKSHOPS.
♦NATURALLY, MORE WORK WILL BE DONE TO ENSURE THAT CHANGE CONFORMS TO SOUND WELL-ESTABLISHED PRINCIPLES APPLIED TO THE NEEDS OF LOCAL CONDITIONS,* THE DEPUTY DIRECTOR SAID.
THE DEVELOPMENT OF PRIMARY EDUCATION, HE SAID, HAD REACHED A STAGE WHERE SUFFICIENT PLACES WERE AVAILABLE 4N GOVERNMENT AND AIDED SCHOOLS, TUITION WAS FREE IN THE PUBLIC SECTOR EXCEPT FOR A FEW SCHOOLS, AND A TEXTBOOK AND STATIONERY GRANT WAS ALLOWED FOR NEEDY CHILDREN.
TUESDAY, OCTOBER 7, 1975
3
GOVERNOR TO REVIEW HONG KONG AFFAIRS if U if If If If
THE GOVERNOR, SIR MURRAY MACLEIIOSE, WILL REVIEW THE AFFAIRS OF HONG KONG TOMORROW (WEDNESDAY) IN A MAJOR POLICY SPEECH TO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL.
THE PROCEEDINGS WILL START AT 2.30 P.M.
RESIDENTS WILL HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY OF HEARING THE GOVERNOR’S SPEECH DIRECT OVER EITHER RADIO HONG KONG OR COMMERCIAL RADIO WHICH WILL BROADCAST THE PROCEEDINGS LIVE.
THE ADDRESS MAY BE HEARD IN CHINESE OVER RHK 1 AND 2 AND OVER COMMERCIAL RADIO CHANNEL ONE, OR IN ENGLISH OVER RHK 3 AND 4.
THE COLONIAL SECRETARY, SIR DENYS ROBERTS, WILL MOVE A MOTION TO THANK THE GOVERNOR FOR HIS ADDRESS IN THE NEXT SITTING TO BE HELD ON OCTOBER 22.
UNOFFICIAL MEMBERS WILL THEN SPEAK ON THE MOTION ON THAT DAY AND THE FOLLOWING DAY (OCTOBER 23).
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A
TUESDAY, OCTOBER 7, 1975
SECONDARY TECHNICAL SCHOOLS PLAY MAJOR ROLE IN EDUCATION
n a n » a n
HONG KONG CAN NO LONGER AFFORD TO DISCRIMINATE AGAINST TECHNICAL EDUCATION, MR. ANDREW KINGWELL, DEPUTY DIRECTOR OF EDUCATION (TECHNICAL), SAID TODAY WHEN HE OPENED THE TECHNICAL TEACHERS’ COLLEGE SECOND IN-SERVICE COURSE ON DESIGN AND TECHNOLOGY.
+ IT IS HEARTENING TO REMEMBER THAT THE 1974 WHITE PAPER STIPULATED THAT THERE SHOULD DE A STRONG PRACTICAL/TECHNICAL ELEMENT IN ALL SECONDARY EDUCATION IN FORM 1 TO 3,+ HE SAID.
+ALL WE NEED IS THE MONEY TO IMPLEMENT THE POLICIES LAID DOWN."
MR. KINGWELL NOTED THAT SECONDARY TECHNICAL SCHOOLS WERE PLAYING AND WOULD CONTINUE TO PLAY A MAJOR ROLE IN EDUCATION.
UNFORTUNATELY, HE CONTINUED, SECONDARY TECHNICAL SCHOOLS WERE STILL CONSIDERED A SECOND CHOICE IN THE MINDS OF MANY PARENTS AND CHILDREN.
+THIS REINFORCES PARENTS’ INCLINATION TO REGARD PRACTICAL OR TECHNICAL SUBJECTS AS INFERIOR TO ACADEMIC SUBJECTS. THIS ATTITUDE IS NOT CONFINED TO HONG KONG.
♦HOWEVER, THOSE COUNTRIES WHICH HAVE BEEN SUCCESSFUL IN ECONOMIC TERMS DURING THE POST-WAR PERIOD SUCH AS JAPAN, THE UNITED STATES, SWITZERLAND, WEST GERMANY, ETC., HAVE INVESTED VEI HEAVILY IN TECHNICAL EDUCATION AND FURTHER SOME ARE PREPARED TO BACK THEIR BELIEFS BY APPROPRIATE LEGISLATION,* MR. KINGWELL POINTED OUT.
THE DEPUTY DIRECTOR SAID THAT WHEN CONSIDERING THE AIMS AND OBJECTIVES FOR SECONDARY TECHNICAL SCHOOLS IN HONG KONG, THERE MUST BE A PHILOSOPHY WHICH VALUED EQUALLY BOTH TECHNICAL SKILLS AND SCHOLARSHIP.
+IN THIS WAY BOYS AND GIRLS CAN BE PROVIDED WITH AN INTEGRATED SCHOOL EXPERIENCE. ALL SCHOOLS SHOULD DEVELOP THE MINDS OF YOUNG PEOPLE SO THAT THEY CAN INNOVATE, INVENT AND MAKE THEIR OWN DECISIONS.
+IT IS NECESSARY FOR YOUNG PEOPLE TO UNDERSTAND AND HAVE SYMPATHY FOR THE TECHNOLOGICAL WORLD IN WHICH THEY ARE LIVING. THIS CAN BE DONE THROUGH A CURRICULUM WHICH INCLUDES THE ARTS, SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY BROUGHT TOGETHER IN SUCH A WAY THAT THEY CONSTITUTE A UNIFIED EXPERIENCE,* MR. KINGWELL SAID.
HE APPEALED TO THE TEACHERS ATTENDING THE IN-SERVICE COURSE TO HELP TRANSLATE SUCH A PHILOSOPHY INTO PRACTICE.
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TUESDAY, OCTOBER 7, 1975
5
MORE NT VILLAGES TO GET MAINS WATER ««««««
MORE VILLAGES IN THE NEW TERRITORIES ARE TO GET MAINS WATER SUPPLIES.
THE SECOND STAGE OF A SCHEME TO PROVIDE MAINS SUPPLY TO VILLAGES IN SHA TIN, TAI PO. TUEN MUN AND YUEN LONG HAS BEEN APPROVED BY THE PUBLIC WORKS SUD-COMMITTEE.
WORK IS EXPECTED TO START IN THE EARLY PART OF NEXT YEAR AND WHEN COMPLETED IN ABOUT 18 MONTHS’ TIME, IT WILL SERVE ANOTHER 98 VILLAGES WITH A POPULATION OF ABOUT 92,000.
IT IS ESTIMATED TO COST THE GOVERNMENT 82 MILLION.
THE FIRST STAGE WAS COMPLETED IN 1973 AT A COST OF 34.2 MILLION AND IS NOW PROVIDING A POTABLE SUPPLY TO 387 VILLAGES.
COMMENTING ON THE NEW PROJECT, A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN SAID THERE WAS STILL A GREAT DEMAND FOR THE SUPPLY OF POTABLE WATER IN THE RURAL AREAS AND IT WAS GOVERNMENT’S INTENTION TO BRING AS MANY VILLAGES AS POSSIBLE INTO THE MAINS SUPPLY SYSTEM.
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TUESDAY, OCTODER 7, 1975
NEW TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS IN TSIH SHA TSUI n « « it n n
THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCED TODAY (TUESDAY) THAT WITH THE OPENING OF THE HEU CANTON ROAD IN TSI Cl SHA TSUI, KOWLOON, THE EXISTING OMNIBUS PROHIBITED ZOIJE ON THE WESTBOUND CARRIAGEWAY OF SALISBURY ROAD HEAR THE TSIM SHA TSUI BUS TERMINUS WOULD BE SHORTENED TO IMPROVE LOCAL TRAFFIC CIRCULATION.
FROM 10 A.M. TOMORROW (WEDNESDAY), THE PROHIBITION ON THE WESTDOUND CARRIAGEWAY OF SALISBURY ROAD DETWEEN NATHAN ROAD AND NEW CANTON ROAD WILL DE LIFTED.
HOWEVER, WESTBOUND OMNIBUSES WILL STILL BE PROHIBITED FROM ENTERING THE SECTION OF SALISBURY ROAD, WEST OF NEW CANTON ROAD.
0
WATER CUT it « a n
WATER SUPPLY TO A NUMBER OF PREMISES IN THE TSUEN WAN DISTRICT WILL BE INTERRUPTED FROM 1 A.M. TO 6 A.M. ON THURSDAY (OCTOBER 9) TO FACILITATE LEAKAGE TEST TO BE CARRIED OUT IN THE AREA.
THE PREMISES AFFECTED ARE BOUNDED BY TAI WO HAU ROAD, KWAI CHUNG ESTATE BLOCKS 3 TO 25.
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TUESDAY, OCTOBER 7, 1975
CAREERS EXHIBITION IN SHAM SHUI PO
******
NOTE TO EDITORSi
THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT WILL STAGE A FOUR-DAY CAREERS EXHIBITION ON ITS MOBILE SHOWCASE FROM TOMORROW (WEDNESDAY) FOR YOUNG PEOPLE IN THE SHAMSHUIPO AND CHEUNG SHA WAN DISTRICTS.
THE EVENT, THE FIRST OF A SERIES OF +EXHIBITIONS-ON-WHEELS,+ OFFERS INFORMATION AND ADVICE ON HOU DEST TO CHOOSE A CAREER, AND ILLUSTRATES JOB OPPORTUNITIES IN THE COMMERCIAL, INDUSTRIAL AND SERVICE SECTORS FOR SCHOOL LEAVERS.
BESIDES PHOTOGRAPHS AND GRAPHICS, THERE WILL DE A SLIDE SHOW WITH SOUND COMMENTARY ON APPRENTICE TRAINING SCHEMES.
THE MOBILE SHOWCASE, A TRUCK DONATED DY THE ROTARY CLUB OF KOWLOON, HAS BEEN SPECIALLY BUILT AND CAN BE EXTENDED TO PROVIDE ABOUT 500 SQUARE FEET OF STAGE AREA FOR MINIATURE EXHIBITIONS.
THE EXHIBITION WILL BE HELD IN THE COMPOUND OF THE CHEUNG SHA WAN CATHOLIC SECONDARY SCHOOL AT 533 FUK WING STREET, SHAMSHUIPO, OPENING FROM 9.30 A.M. TO 5 P.M. DAILY.
YOU ARE CORDIALLY INVITED TO COVER THE EVENT.
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DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 8, 1975
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
GOVERNOR SEES BETTER TIMES AHEAD ................................ 1
POLICE FORCE TO BE STRENGTHENED ................................. 3
ICAC MAKES ITSELF FELT........................................... 5
DETENTION CENTRES EFFECTIVE ..................................... 7
NEW EXPERIMENTAL DRUG TREATMENT CLINICS TO OPEN SOON ............ 8
SMALL CLAIMS TRIBUNAL TO BE SET UP............................... 9
MORE INDUSTRIAL SAFETY MEASURES ON THE WAY...................... 10
GOVERNOR SEES HAWKING AS A LONG TERM PROBLEM.................... 12
L'EU TERRITORIES COMPENSATION AND MANAGEMENT OF NEW TOWNS ... 13
RECREATION AND SPORT SERVICE MAKES HEADWAY ..................... 14
MTR WILL BRING IMMEDIATE BENEFITS, SAYS THE GOVERNOR ........... 16
HK IN GOOD POSITION TO TAKE ADVANTAGE OF ECONOMIC RECOVERY...................................................... 17
HIGHER DEFENCE COST UNAVOIDABLE ............................... 19
GOVERNOR CALLS FOR WIDER PUBLIC PARTICIPATION IN COMMUNITY AFFAIRS .............................................. 20
EMPLOYMENT...................................................... 21
OVER 1,800 NEW HOSPITAL BEDS EXPECTED........................... 22
MORE TO RECEIVE PUBLIC ASSISTANCE .............................. 24
SECONDARY EDUCATIONS INTERIM GOALS REACHED ..................... 25
HOUSING FOR 100,000 EXPECTED IN 1975/76 ........................ 27
INCREASED COMPENSATION FOR RESUMPTION OF N.T. LAND ............. 29
WATER CUT....................................................... 29
CAREERS EXHIBITION DRAWS CROWDS ................................ 30
INDUSTRY URGED TO CONSIDER TRAINING NEEDS ...................... 31
Issued by Government Information Services, Beaconsfield House, Hong Kong. Tel: 5-233T91
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 8, 1975
BETTER TIMES AHEAD GOVERNOR SEES RECOVERY IN ECONOMIC PROSPECTS if if i? if if if
THE GOVERNOR, SIR MURRAY MACLEHOSE, VIEWING THE COMING YEAR TODAY FORESAV/ BETTER TIMES AHEAD FOR HONG KONG AMID INDICATIONS OF A SLOW IMPROVEMENT IN ECONOMIC PROSPECTS.
+1 SEE LIGHT AT THE END OF THE TUNNEL,+ SIR MURRAY TOLD THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL, +THOUGH I DO NOT THINK THE ECONOMIC WORLD INTO WHICH WE ARE EMERGING WILL BE QUITE THE SAME AS THE ONE WE LEFT BEHIND AT THE END OF 1973.+
HE ADDED » *BUT IT IS ONE IN WHICH WE CAN CERTAINLY BE ASSURED THAT THE RELATIVE ECONOMIC IMPORTANCE OF FAR EASTERN AND SOUTH EAST ASIAN COUNTRIES WILL GROW, AND HONG KONG OCCUPIES A CENTRAL POSITION IN THAT AREA AND, WITH THE EXCEPTION OF JAPAN ITSELF, HAS UNRIVALLED FACILITIES OF INDUSTRY, FINANCE, AND COMMUNI CATIONS.*
IF HONG KONG APPROACHED THE NEW SITUATION WITH ITS CHARACTERISTIC VIGOUR, HE SAID, +THERE IS A FAIR PROSPECT OF A RETURN TO GROWTH CONDITIONS IN HONG KONG, WITH IMPROVED INCOMES AND PROFITS.*
THE GOVERNOR CAUTIONED, HOWEVER, THAT THE RECOVERY WHICH WAS SLOWLY DEVELOPING COULD BE EXPECTED TO DE PATC IY AND SPASMODIC IN EACH OF HONG KONG’S MARKETS, OFFERING SUDDEN AN) GROWING OPPORTUNITIES BUT ALSO DISAPPOINTMENTS AND FRUSTRATIONS.
THIS, HE SAID, WAS BECAUSE THE FINANCIAL BLOWS SUSTAINED BY THE WORLD HAD BEEN HEAVY AND THE ECONOMIES OF THE COUNTRIES OF HONG KONG’S PRINCIPAL MARKETS WERE STILL OVERSHADOWED BY UNSOLVED PROBLEMS THAT WERE LIKELY TO INHIBIT EITHER VERY RAPID OR SUSTAINED GROWTH. IN ADDITION, ALTHOUGH LIQUIDITY HAD GREATLY IMPROVED IN MOST OF HONG KONG’S MARKETS, THE ‘ CONFIDENCE TO USE IT BOLDLY HAD YET TO RETURN.
LOOKING BACK OVER THE PAST YEAR, THE GOVERNOR SAID THE GOVERNMENT HAD STRAINED EVERY EFFORT TO HOLD FAST TO ITS VISION OF A LETTER LIFE FOR THE PEOPLE OF HONG KONG DESPITE THE LAD TIMES.
CONSIDERING THE CIRCUMSTANCES, HE SAID, REMAR CADLE PROGRESS HAD DEEN MAINTAINED THROUGH STRINGENT ECONOMIES ON THE ONE HAND ARD PROVISION OF NEW RESOURCES ON THE OTHER.
'INEVITABLY, THE ACHIEVEMENTS HAD NOT DEEN AS GREAT IN MANY AREAS AS HE WOULD HAVE WISHED BECAUSE ASPIRATIONS WERE GREATER THAN RESOURCES WOULD ALLOW.
/HE NOTED THAT
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 8, 1975
HE NOTED THAT THERE WAS STILL A LONG LIST OF HIGHLY DESIRABLE SERVICES AND PROJECTS THAT HAD TO BE POSTPONED OR REPHASED AND HE WAS MOST IMMEDIATELY CONCERNED WITH SECONDARY EDUCATION, RECREATION AND, TO A LESSER EXTENT, SOME ASPECTS OF SOCIAL WELFARE, WHICH HAD BEEN AFFECTED BY LACK OF RESOURCES.
SIR MURRAY SAID HE ALSO ATTACHED GREAT IMPORTANCE TO THE CONTINUING REORGANISATION AND BUILD-UP OF THE POLICE, THE EXPANSION OF THE MUTUAL AID COMMITTEES, AND THE EXPANSION OF THE INDEPENDENT COMMISSION AGAINST CORRUPTION TO FULL STRENGTH. +WE ALSO HAVE TO FACE CONSIDERABLY INCREASED EXPENDITURE ON DEFENCE,* HE ADDED, INVITING COUNCIL MEMBERS TO PONDER ON THE IMPLICATIONS OF THESE FACTORS.
IN THE DIFFICULT YEAR THAT PASSED, HE SAID, HONG KONG HAD SHOWN ITS METTLE AND EARNED WIDESPREAD ADMIRATION FOR THE SPIRIT IN WHICH IT HAD FACED THE PROBLEMS THAT BESET IT. THE EXCELLENT STATE OF ANGLO/CHINESE RELATIONS AND THE FRIENDLY AND PRACTICAL WAY IN WHICH IT HAD BEEN POSSIBLE TO DEAL WITH ANY MATTERS AFFECTING HONG KONG HAD CONTRIBUTED TO STABILITY AND CONFIDENCE.
THE YEAR WAS MADE MEMORABLE, SIR MURRAY SAID, BY THE VISIT OF HER MAJESTY THE QUEEN AND THE DUKE OF EDINBURGH. HONG KONG WAS GREATLY ENCOURAGED BY THIS MARK OF CONFIDENCE AND INTEREST, HE SAID.
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I /3
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 8, 1975
3
POLICE FORCE TO BE STRENGTHENED X X X X X
THE GOVERNMENT INTENDS TO INCREASE THE STRENGTH OF THE POLICE FORCE BY 1,430 AS PART OF THE CONTINUING EFFORT TO FIGHT CRIME, THE GOVERNOR ANNOUNCED TODAY.
HE TOLD COUNCIL THAT BECAUSE OF THE SPECIAL IMPORTANCE OF THE FIGHT AGAINST CRIME IT WAS PROPOSED TO RELAX TLE RECRUITMENT LIMIT OF 930 IMPOSED EARLIER ON THE FORCE AS PART CF THE MEASURES TO CONTAIN THE GROWTH OF THE PUBLIC SERVICE.
THE GOVERNOR NOTED THAT SINCE THE DEGINNING OF THIS YEAR THE STEEP INCREASE IN CRIME OVER THE PAST SEVEN YEARS HAD BEGUN TO LEVEL OFF AND THE NUMBER OF REPORTED SERIOUS CRIMES HAD FALLEN SL IG FITLY.
THIS ONLY MEANT, HOWEVER, THAT A SITUATION WHICH HAD BECOME INTOLERABLE HAD NOT GROWN WORSE, HE SAID. NEVERTHELESS, THE SLOW-DOWN SEEMED TO INDICATE THAT THE WIDESPREAD MEASURES TAKEN TO FIGHT CRIME WERE CORRECT AND WERE BEGINNING TO TAKE EFFECT. +WE THEREFORE PROPOSE TO BUILD ON THEM,* HE SAID, ADDING THAT THE GOVERNMENT’S AIM WAS TO REDUCE CRIME DRASTICALLY.
THE GOVERNMENT WOULD CONTINUE TO FIGHT CRIME WITH EVERY MEANS AT ITS DISPOSAL, THE GOVERNOR SAID, BUT + IT IS THE COURAGE AND DETERMINATION AND SUPPORT OF THE PUBLIC THAT IN THE END WILL BE DECISIVE.*
+ONE OF THE MOST ENCOURAGING FEATURES OF THE LAST YEAR HAS BEEN THE GROWING EXTENT TO WHICH THESE HAVE BEEN FORTHCOMING,* HE ADDED.
SIR MURRAY SAID THE TIME HAD COME TO INVOLVE THE COMMUNITY MORE DIRECTLY IN THE CENTRAL CO-ORDINATION OF THE FIGHT AGAINST VIOLENT CRIME AND HE PROPOSED TO INTRODUCE AN UNOFFICIAL ELEMENT IN THE FIGHT VIOLENT CRIME COMMITTEE TO BRING NEW IDEAS TO THE ANTI-CRIME DRIVE AND TO HELP SPREAD KNOWLEDGE OF ALL THE WORK BEING DONE.
AT PRESENT THE FIGHT VIOLENT CRIME COMMITTEE, SET UP IN 1973, CONSISTS ONLY OF OFFICIALS DIRECTLY INVOLVED. IT IS CHAIRED BY THE SECRETARY FOR HOME AFFAIRS. '
THE MUTUAL AID COMMITTEES, SIR MURRAY CONTINUED, HAD PROVED THAT THEY FILLED A NEED WITH THE PUBLIC AND THAT THEY WERE OF REAL VALUE TO THE POLICE. THE GOVERNMENT HAD THEREFORE BEGUN AN EXPANSION OF MAC’S AND THE HOME AFFAIRS DEPARTMENT WAS BEING PROVIDED WITH THE RESOURCES TO ENSURE THAT THE BACK-UP AND SUPPORT NECESSARY FOR THE NEW COMMITTEES WOULD BE AVAILABLE.
/IN VIEW OF ....
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WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 8, 1975
IN VIEW OF THE REORGANISATION AND EXPANSION THAT HAD OCCURED, COUPLED WITH BETTER UNDERSTANDING OF THE PROBLEMS THE POLICE FORCE HAD TO FACE, A THOROUGH REVIEW OF THE POLICE ESTABLISHMENT HAD BEEN PUT IN HAND, THE GOVERNOR SAID.
THE POLICE CADET SCHOOL, WHICH STARTED AS AN EXPERIMENT TWO YEARS AGO, HAD PROVED VERY SUCCESSFUL AND IT WOULD BE EXPANDED AS SOON AS FUNDS PERMITTED.
IN A SPECIAL REFERENCE TO THE AUXILIARIES, THE GOVERNOR THANKED THEM FOR THEIR ADMIRABLE WORK AND SAID THAT AS THE STRENGTH OF THE REGULAR POLICE FORCE INCREASES THE AUXILIARIES WOULD BE FULFILLING A VITAL ROLE OF THEIR OWN AS A LINK BETWEEN THE PUBLIC AND THE REGULARS, PARTICULARLY IN CONNECTION WITH THE EXPANSION OF POLICE NEIGHBOURHOOD UNITS.
SIR MURRAY SAID IMMENSE EFFORT HAD BEEN PUT INTO THE GOVERNMENT’S THREE-PRONGED ATTACK AGAINST CRIME BY THE POLICE, THE HOME AFFAIRS DEPARTMENT, THE MUTUAL AID COMMITTEES, AREA COMMITTEES AND KA IFONGS.
THE THREE MAIN LINES OF THE CAMPAIGN HAD BEEN : EXPANSION OF THE POLICE FORCE AND THE IMPROVEMENT OF ITS CONDITIONS OF SERVICE“ A THOROUGH OVERHAUL OF POLICE ORGANISATION, TECHNIQUES, PROCEDURES AND DEPLOYMENT, AND PARTICULARLY OF THEIR RELATIONS WITH THE PUBLIC3 AND THE MOBILISING AND ORGANISING OF PEOPLE IN NEIGHBOURHOODS TO HELP EACH OTHER AND THE POLICE TO DETER CRIME.
FROM THE START OF THE RECRUITMENT PHASE OF THE CAMPAIGN IN NOVEMBER 1973 UNTIL THE END OF MARCH 1976, THE GOVERNOR SAID, THE NET STRENGTH OF THE FORCE WILL HAVE INCREASED BY 3,450 MEN AND WOMEN. THIS INCLUDES 541 CIVILIANS WHOSE RECRUITMENT RELEASES TRAINED POLICEMEN FOR MORE ACTIVE DUTIES.
EIGHT MORE STATIONS HAD BEEN OPENED TO MAKE THE POLICE MORE ACCESSIBLE TO THE PUBLIC AND IN ADDITION 47 REPORTING CENTRES HAD BEEN ESTABLISHED. A START HAD ALSO BEEN MADE WITH NEIGHBOURHOOD POLICING UNITS OF WHICH THERE ARE 11. THERE ARE ALSO OVER 1,600 MUTUAL AID COMMITTEES AND 90 AREA COMMITTEES.
NONE OF THESE, THE GOVERNOR NOTED, EXISTED AT ALL TWO AND A HALF YEARS AGO.
SIR MURRAY WARNED, HOWEVER, THAT THERE WOULD BE NO EASY OR QUICK SOLUTION TO THE PROBLEM AND HE MADE IT CLEAR THAT THE FIGHT AGAINST CRIME WOULD REQUIRE CLOSE PUBLIC CO-OPERATION AND COMMUNITY-WIDE SUPPORT.
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WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 8, 1975
ICAC MAKES ITSELF FELT X X X X
THE I.C.A.C. HAS ALREADY MADE A SUBSTANTIAL IMPACT SINCE ITS EXISTENCE FOR JUST OVER 1-1/2 YEARS, THE GOVERNOR LAID AT THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL THIS AFTERNOON.
HE SAID HE WAS SURE THAT LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL MEMBERS WOULD WISH HIM TO ASSURE THE I.C.A.C. OF THE SUPPORT OF THE GOVERNMENT AND OF THE WHOLE COMMUNITY FOR <UE ALL WISH TO REMOVE THE 1AIHT OF CORRUPTION FROM PUBLIC SERVICES.+
THE GOVERNOR SAID THAT THE ABILITY TO DETECT AND BRING TO JUSTICE THE CORRUPT AT ALL LEVELS IS THE FIRST TASK. OF THE COMMISSION.
♦UNTIL THIS CAPABILITY EXISTS, AND IS SEEN TO EXIST, NEITHER THE CORRUPT NOR THOSE ON WHOM THEY PREY WILL TAKE 'HIE COMMISSION SERIOUSLY. BUT ONCE IT IS REALISED THAT THIS CAPABILITY EXISTS OK la BEINGCREATED WITH DETERMINATION, CREDIBILITY OF THE COMMISSION IS THUS ESTABLISHED, THE WAY IS OPEN FOR IT TO USE OTHER AND MOUE POSITIVE MEASURES AIMED AT THE DISCOURAGEMENT AND PREVENTION OF CORRUPTION RATHER THAN AT ITS PUNISHMENT, AND TO DO SO WITH SOME PROSPECT OF SUCCESS,+ HE ADDED.
THE GOVERNOR SAID IT IS URGENT THAT THE COMMISSION SHOULD BE PROVIDED WITH THE NECESSARY FUNDS TO ENABLE IT TO DEVELOP THE CORRUPTION PREVENTION AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENTS ALONG THE LINES THAT HON. MEMBERS HAD APPROVED.
♦THIS CLEANSING OF PUBLIC LIFE IS SOMETHING OVER WHICH WE CANNOT AFFORD TO LOITER. MOMENTUM MUST DE STEADILY BUILT UP AND MAINTAINED UNTIL THE BACK OF THE PROBLEM IS BROKEN,* HE SAID.
THE COMMISSION’S OPERATIONS DEPARTMENT HAS HAD FIRST CALL ON RESOURCES, AND RECRUITMENT,AND THE TRAINING OF ITS STAFF BOTH IN HONG KONG AND OVERSEAS HAVE BEEN UNDERTAKEN WITH ALL POSSIBLE URGENCY. AN IMPORTANT ADDITION HAS BEEN THE ENGAGEMENT OF EXPERIENCED POLICE OFFICERS FROM BRITAIN: THE FIRST RECRUITS FROM THIS GROUP OF 40 ARE ALREADY IN POST AND THE REMAIN )ER WILL DE ARRIVING OVER THE COURSE OF TLE HEXT FEW WEEKS. THE OPERATIONS ARM OF THE COMMISSION SHOULD APPROACH A STRENGTH OF 450 BY THE END OF THE YEAR.
THE GOVERNOR DISCOUNTED ALLEGED EFFECTS OF THE I.C.A.C. OH THE MORALE OF THE POLICE FORCE, WHICH HE SAID ♦HAS RESPONDED IN A MATURE AND SENSIBLE WAY TO I.C.A.C. INVESTIGATIONS, AND FAR FROM BEING DEMORALISED, IS STEADILY BECOMING MORE EFFECTIVE, HIRE PROFESSIONALLY EFFICIENT AND ON BETTER TERMS WITH THE PUBLIC AND’WITH ITSELF.*
/+T1I0SE WHO Ai?E ...,.
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 8, 1975
6
+THOSE WHO ARE CORRUPT ARE NO DOUBT WORRIED OU THEIR OWN ACCOUNT AND A VERY GOOD THING TOO. BUT THIS IS QUITE A DIFFERENT THING TO ALLEGING THAT THE FORCE AS A WHOLE HAS BEEN DEMORALISED BY I.C.A.C. ACTIVITIES TO ROOT THEM OUT,+ HE SAID.
SIR MURRAY SAID HE WAS WELL AWARE OF THE NEED FOR EXTREME CARE IN THE EXERCISE OF THE WIDE POWERS GIVEN TO THE I.C.A.C., JUST AS HE WAS ALSO AWARE OF THE NEED TO USE THOSE POWERS IF THE COMMISSION IS TO ACHIEVE THE RESULTS EXPECTED OF IT.
HE SAID, +l HAVE APPOINTED MEN OF THE HIGHEST CALIBRE, EXPERIENCE AND INTEGRITY TO DIRECT THE COMMISSION AND I HAVE COMPLETE TRUST IN THEIR JUDGEMENT AND DISCRETION. I HAVE ALSO ASSOCIATED WITH THEM UNOFFICIALS OF THE HIGHEST STANDING AND EXPERIENCE WHO ARE CONSULTED ABOUT THE COMMISSION’S INVESTIGATIONS.
+THIS IS OBVIOUSLY OF THE GREATEST IMPORTANCE BECAUSE PUBLIC KNOWLEDGE THAT A MAN IS THE SUBJECT OF AN INVESTIGATION COULD WELL HAVE WIDER REACHING CONSEQUENCES FOR HIM, EVEN IF THE ATTORNEYGENERAL, WITH WHOM RESTS THE AUTHORITY TO DECIDE WHETHER OR NOT TO PROSECUTE, DECIDES NOT TO DO SO.+
THE GOVERNOR SAID HE IS WELL SATISFIED WITH THE PROGRESS THE COMMISSION HAS MADE, WHICH IS GREATLY TO THE CREDIT OF ITS OFFICERS.
+THEIRS IS A VITAL TASK, BUT LET NO ONE SUPPOSE IT IS A PLEASANT ONE,+ HE ADDED.
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 8, 1975
7
DETENTION CENTRES EFFECTIVE X X X X X
DETENTION CENTRES HAVE CONTINUED TO PROVE MOST EFFECTIVE IN DEALING WITH YOUNG OFFENDERS, THE GOVERNOR, SIR MURRAY LACLEHOSE SAID TODAY.
SINCE THE FIRST ONE WAS OPENED IN JUNE 1972, SIR MURRAY SAID, 1,660 YOUNG MALE OFFENDERS, MOST OF THEM CONVICTED OF CRIMES INVOLVING VIOLENCE, HAVE PASSED THROUGH THEM.
THE SUCCESS RATE SO FAR OF 87 PER CENT INDICATED THAT IT WAS PLANNED AND ADMINISTERED ON SOUND LINES, HE ADDED.
STATISTICS SHOW THAT THE PERCENTAGE OF OFFENDERS UNDER 21 AT THE TIME OF CONVICTION HAS DROPPED FROM AN ALL-TIMt HIGH OF 27 PER CENT IN 1973-74 TO 19 PER CENT IN SEPTEMBER OF THIS YEAR.
THE GOVERNOR SAID THAT THE QUESTION OF RELEASE UNDER SUPERVISION (PAROLE) WAS BEING LOOKED INTO.
♦THERE IS MERIT AS WELL AS DANGER IN SUCH A SCHEME, BUT IT WILL BE NECESSARY TO EXAMINE THE PROPOSED SYSTEM FROM EVERY ANGLE BEFORE ARRIVING AT A FIRM RECOMMENDATION,* HE SAID.
THE TOTAL PRISON POPULATION AT PRESENT HAS INCREASED BY 44 PER CENT IN THE LAST THREE YEARS AND BY SEVEN PER CENT IN THE PAST YEAR, AND NOW STANDS AT 8,140 IN ALL OUR 15 PENAL INSTITUTIONS.
♦THE PRISON AUTHORITIES HAVE BEEN TACKLING THE VARIOUS PROBLEMS WHICH STEM FROM THE INCREASE IN THE PRISONER POPULATION. BUT YOUR GOVERNMENT HAS DEEN EXTREMELY CONCERNED AT OVER-CROWDING AND ALL THAT IT IMPLIES, PARTICULARLY AT STANLEY,+ THE GOVERNOR SAID.
SIR MURRAY SAID THAT THE PROVISION CF HEI LING CHAU FOR USE AS A NEW DRUG ADDICTION TREATMENT CENTRE HAS ENABLED THE PRISON SERVICE TO EXPAND ITS TREATMENT FACILITIES AND ALSO TO REDUCE THE NUMBER OF PERSONS WHO WOULD OTHERWISE HAVE BEEN SENT TO PRISON.
WITH THE CONCENTRATION OF DETENTION CENTRE TREATMENT AT SHA TSUI, HE ADDED, TONG FUK DETENTION CENTRE HAS BEEN CONVERTED INTO A DRUG ADDICTION TREATMENT CENTRE FOR YOUNG OFFENDERS.
THE GOVERNOR SAID THAT THE PRISON SERVICE HAS WON INTERNATIONAL RECOGNITION FOR ITS PIONEERING APPROACH 'lO THE TREATMENT OF DRUG ADDITION.
♦THE SUCCESS RATE, OVER A PERIOD OF THREE YEARS FOLLOWING TREATMENT, OF 42 PER CENT IS A CREDIT TO THEIR EFFORTS AND IS ONE OF THE HIGHEST SUCCESS RATES FOR THE TREATMENT OF HEROIN ADDICTS ACHIEVED ANYWHERE IN THE WORLD,* HE SAID.
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WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 8, 1975
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NEW EXPERIMENTAL DRUG TREATMENT CLINICS TO OPi.N SOON X X X X X
THE FIRST OF A NUMBER OF DETOXIFICATION CLINICS IS EXPECTED TO BE ESTABLISHED WITHIN THE NEXT FEW MONTHS ON AN EXPERIMENTAL BASIS, THE GOVERNOR, SIR MURRAY MACLEHOSE SAID THIS AFTERNOON.
THE ESTABLISHMENT OF THESE CLINICS, FOR THOSE WHO DO NOT WISH TO DE MAINTAINED ON METHADONE, IS ONE OF THE RECOMMENDATIONS OF DR. NEWMAN, AN AMERICAN EXPERT IN THE TREATMENT OF DRUG ADDICTS, WHO VISITED HONG KONG LAST YEAR.
SIR MURRAY ALSO DISCLOSED THAT A WORKING PARTY IS NOW EXAMINING POSSIBLE ALTERNATIVES TO THE CURRENT METHODS OF DEALING WITH MINOR DRUG OFFENDERS BY FINE OR IMPRISONMENT, AND WILL REPORT BY THE END OF THE YEAR. OTHER INITIATIVES STEMMING FROM THE NEWMAN REPORT ARE ALSO BEING PURSUED. HE SAID THERE HAS DEEN CONSIDERABLE SUCCESSES IN OUR WAR AGAINST NARCOTICS IN THE PAST YEAR, WITH MAJOR SEIZURES OF DRUGS AND NOTABLE ARRESTS. HOWEVER, HE POINTED OUT, SO LONG AS THE DEMAND PERSISTS AND THE POTENTIAL PROFITS ARE SO VAST, THERE WILL CONTINUE TO BE CRIMINALS WILLING TO TAKE THE RISK OF ARRANGING IMPORTS. THE NEW TRAFFICKING ORGANISATIONS ARE SMALLER, MORE SECURITY-CONSCIOUS AND MORE DISPERSED, AND THIS HAS GIVEN RISE TO NEW PROBLEMS FOR THE LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCIES.
+THIS IS A LONG SLOW FIGHT AND ALTHOUGH THERE HAS BEEN SOME OUTSTANDING SUCCESS DURING THE YEAR THE PROBLEM IS STILL WITH US,+ SIR MURRAY SAID.
+IT CAN ONLY BE SOLVED BY RELENTLESS PRESSURE ON THE INTERNATIONAL SOURCE OF SUPPLY, ON THE CRIMINAL DISTRIBUTION NETWORK HERE, AND BY THE PROVISION OF A CHEAP AND CONVENIENT CURE AND REHABILITATION FOR ADDICTS.
+ON ALL THESE FRONTS YOUR GOVERNMENT WILL PERSEVERE.+
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 8, 1975
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SMALL CLAIMS TRIBUNAL TO BE SET UP X X X X X
A BILL TO ESTABLISH A SMALL CLAIMS TRIBUNAL FOR THE RECOVERY OF DEBTS OF NOT MORE THAN $3,000 WILL BE PUBLISHED THIS WEEK AND INTRODUCED INTO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL SHORTLY AFTERWARDS.
THE GOVERNOR, SIR MURRAY MACLEHOSE, DISCLOSED THIS IN HIS SPEECH AT THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY WHEN REVIEWING THE SUCCcSS THE LABOUR TRIBUNAL HAD HAD SINCE ITS ESTABLISHMENT.
+ITS SIMPLE PROCEDURE AND INFORMAL ATMOSPHERE HAVE MADE IT A POPULAR FORUM FOR DEALING WITH WAGE CLAIMS AND CLAIMS FOR SEVE ANCE PAY USUALLY FOR RELATIVELY SMALL AMOUNTS,* HE SAID.
HE POINTED OUT THAT FOR SOME TIME THE GOVERNMENT HAD BEEN STUDYING THE POSSIBILITY OF ESTABLISHING A SIMILAR TRIBUNAL FOR I HE RECOVERY OF SMALL DEBTS, ARISING FROM CONTRACT OR TORT.
SIR MURRAY NOTED THAT THE MOST VOCIFEROUS DEMAND FOR A SIMPLE, INEXPENSIVE AND QUICK-ACTING FORUM CAME FROM THE MANAGEMENT COMMITTEES OF MULTI-STOREY BUILDINGS AND MUTUAL AID COMMITTEES WHICH EXPERIENCED DIFFICULTY IN RECOVERING CONTRIBUTIONS FROM CO-OWNERS AND OTHERS TOWARDS COMMON COSTS.
HE SAID THAT HE WAS CONFIDENT THAT THE NEW TRIBUNAL WOULD FILL THIS LONG FELT NEED.
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WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 8, 1975
-IG-
NORE INDUSTRIAL SAFETY MEASURES ON THE WAY X X X X X
ADDITIONAL SAFETY MEASURES WILL BE INTRODUCED TO PROVIDE GREATER PROTECTION FOR INDUSTRIAL WORKERS, THE GOVERNOR ANNOUNCED IN HIS REVIEW OF LABOUR MATTERS TODAY.
THE NEW MEASURES INCLUDE REGULATIONS TO PROTECT INDUSTRIAL WORKERS FROM CERTAIN DANGEROUS PROCESSES SUCH AS MANUFACTURING DRY BATTERIES AND USING INFLAMMABLE LIQUIDS FOR SPRAYING, AS WELL AS EXTRA SAFETY MEASURES RELATING TO THE USE OF CERTAIN DANGEROUS TOOLS AND GOODS LIFTS IN FACTORIES.
♦WITH WORK ABOUT TO START ON THE MASS TRANSIT RAILWAY SPECIAL REGULATIONS WILL ALSO BE REQUIRED TO ENSURE THE SAFETY AND HEALTH OF WORKERS IN COMPRESSED AIR DURING TUNNELLING OPERATIONS,+ HE SAID
SIR MURRAY RECOGNISED THAT THE GOVERNMENT HAD AN OBLIGATION TO ENSURE I'HAT HONG KONG’S LABOUR FORCE WAS APPROPRIATELY CARED FOR AND PROTECTED, AND SAID THAT THE LABOUR LEGISLATIVE PROGRAMME WOULD BE CARRIED FORWARD IN THE COMING SESSION.
LOOKING BACK AT THE ITEMS OF LEGISLATION THAT WERE PASSED DURING THE LAST SESSION, THE GOVERNOR SAID THAT THE MOST IMPORTANT SHOULD BE THE LABOUR RELATIONS ORDINANCE, WHICH PROVIDES FOR, INTER ALIA, THE IMPOSITION OF A COOLING-OFF PERIOD IF NECESSARY.
THE GOVERNOR NOTED* +HONG KONG HAS A GOOD RECORD OF INDUSTRIAL RELATIONS BUT I BELIEVE THAT IN DEALING WITH ANY DIFFICULTIES THAT DO ARISE, THIS LEGISLATION PROVIDES A FRAMEWORK WITHIN WHICH THE COMMISSIONER FOR LABOUR AND HIS CONCILIATION SERVICES WILL BE ABLE TO PLAY AN EVEN MORE IMPORTANT ROLE.+
+IT ALSO SEES AN END TO THE OLD TRADE DISPUTES ORDINANCE AND MORE IMPORTANTLY, THE ILLEGAL STRIKES AND LOCK-OUTS ORDINANCE WHICH HAVE FOR SO LONG BEEN BOTH UNUSED AND A TARGET OF CRITICISM,* HE SAID.
HE THEN RECALLED THAT FURTHER AMENDMENTS HAD DEEN MADE IN THE EMPLOYMENT ORDINANCE WHICH MADE IT CLEAR THAT WORKERS WHO WERE LAID OFF IN CERTAIN CIRCUMSTANCES WERE ENTITLED TO RECEIVE A SUM EQUIVALENT TO THEIR WAGES FOR THE STATU LORY PERIOD OF THEIR NOTICE.
THE PERMISSIBLE ANNUAL OVERTIME
FOR WOMEN AND YOUNG PERSONS (AGED BETWEEN 16 AND 17) WAS REDUCED FROM JANUARY 1 THIS YEAR FROM 3OO TO A MAXIMUM OF 250 HOURS.
/THE GCVEhKOH......
’.’JEDI ESDAY, OCTOBER 8, 197''
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THE GOVERNOR DISCLOSED THAT FROM JANUARY NEXT YEAR. THIS PERMISSIBLE ANNUAL OVERTIME WOULD BE FURTHER REDUCED 7b TO HOURS.
COMMENTING ON THE TWO INDUSTRIAL TRAINING ORDINANCES FOR THE CLOTHING INDUSTRY AND CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY, SIR MURRAY SAID, +THEY REPRESENT A NEW DEPARTURE OF GREAT SIGNIFICANCE AND WE ALL LOOK FORWARD TO THE DAY WHEN THE TRAINING ESTABLISHMENTS WILL START WORKING.*
IN THE SPHERE OF INDUSTRIAL SAFETY, SIR MURRAY NOTED THAT STEPPED UP REGULATIONS HAD BEEN ENFORCED TO CONTROL THE USE OF ABRASIVE WHEELS AND FOR THE SAFER HANDLING OF CARGO.
IN ADDITION, THE CLEAN AIR ORDINANCE HAD BEEN AMENDED TO BRING THE WHOLE OF HONG KONG SUBJECT TO STATUTORY SMOKE CONTROL MEASURES, HE SAID.
THE GOVERNOR HOPED THAT THREE ITEMS OF LABOUR LEGISLATION, WHICH HAD PROVED UNEXPECTEDLY COMPLICATED, WOULD BE SUBMITTED SOON FOR COUNCIL’S CONSIDERATION.
THESE ARE A BILL TO REGULATE CONDITIONS OF APPRENTICESHIPS IN VARIOUS TRADES, LEGISLATION RELATING TO COMPENSATION OF WORKMEN AFFECTED BY SILICOSIS, AND REGULATIONS PROVIDING FOR THE GUARDING OF DANGEROUS PARTS OF POWER-DRIVEN MACHINERY IN FACTORIES.
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WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 8, 1975
12
GOVERNOR SEES HAWKING AS A LONG TERM PROBLEM X X X X X
THE HAWKER PERMITTED AREA SCHEME WAS A REALISTIC MOVE TO PROVIDE MORE AND MORE CONCENTRATED FACILITIES FOR HAWKING, THE GOVERNOR SAID IN HIS ADDRESS TO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL THIS AFTERNOON.
I
ITS ADMINISTRATION HOWEVER WAS MADE MORE DIFFICULT BY ITS COINCIDENCE WITH THE RECESSION AND THE GREATLY INCREASED NUMBERS OF PEOPLE COMPELLED TO SEEK A LIVING BY HAWKING, HE SAID.
WITH THE EXCEPTION OF VERY GREAT DIFFICULTIES IN ONE AREA, WHICH ARE AT THE MOMENT BEING CONTAINED, THE SCHEME HAS BEEN A USEFUL EXPERIMENT FROM WHICH MUCH HAS BEEN LEARNED, HE SAID.
HE DESCRIBED HAWKING AS A LONG TERM PROBLEM WHICH COULD ONLY BE SOLVED BY RISING PROSPERITY WHICH OFFERED BETTER ALTERNATIVE EMPLOYMENT AND BY THE PROGRESSIVE CONSTRUCTION OF OFF-STREET FACILITIES.
IN OTHER AREAS OF URBAN COUNCIL WORK, SIR MURRAY NOTED VAST IMPROVEMENTS IN THE CLEANLINESS AND ATTRACTIVENESS
OF THE ENVIRONMENT, ESPECIALLY ON THE BEACHES, AND IN THE CLEANSING SERVICES THEMSELVES. BUT THERE WAS STILL ROOM FOR CONSIDERABLE IMPROVEMENT IN THE AMOUNT OF LITTER CARELESS PEOPLE DROPPED IN THE STREETS.
SIR MURRAY WAS DELIGHTED BY THE STEADY ENCOURAGEMENT THE COUNCIL WAS GIVING TO THE ARTS AND BY THE BREADTH AND IMAGINATION OF ITS APPROACH. WITH ENTHUSIASM AND SUPPORT BY PRIVATE PEOPLE AND FIRMS, HE SAID, IT WAS NOW POSSIBLE TO BEGIN TO THINK OF HONG KONG AS AN ARTISTIC CENTRE.
SIR MURRAY SAID HE WOULD NOT ATTEMPT A FULL REVIEW OF THE COUNCIL’S WORK, +BUT IT IS EVOLVING ITS OWN PERSONALITY AND STYLE, AND IS TACKLING ITS MANY-SIDED JOB WITH A VIGOUR AND DISTINCTION FROM WHICH HONG KONG HAS GREATLY BENEFITTED,+ HE SAID.
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WEDNESDAY OC ' ’R 8, 197?
NEW TERRITORIES COMPENSATION AND MANAGEMENT OF LEW TOWNS X X X X X X X
THE GOVERNOR TODAY EMPHASISED THAT IT WAS MOST IMPORTANT THAT FAIR AND REASONABLE COMPENSATION BE OFFERED WHEN LANDS WERE ACQUIRED FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF NEW TOWNS IN THE NEW TERRITORIES.
HE DISCLOSED THAT 55 MILLION SQUARE FEET OF PRIVATE AGRICULTURAL LAND AND FOUR MILLION SQUARE FEET OF BUILDING LAND WOULD HAVE TO BE RESUMED TO COMPLETE THE DEVELOPMENT OF NEW TOWNS.
HE SAID, +THE DISTURBANCE TO EXISTING RIGHTS IS GREAT AND IT IS MOST IMPORTANT THAT FAIR AND REASONABLE COMPENSATION BE OFFERED WHEN THESE LANDS ARE ACQUIRED.*
THE GOVERNOR RECALLED THAT DURING THE COURSE OF THE BUDGET DEBATE THIS YEAR, THE SECRETARY FOR THE NEW TERRITORIES HAD SPOKEN OF THE WORK WHICH WAS IN PROGRESS TO REVIEW COMPENSATION ARRANGEMENTS FOR THE RESUMPTION OF LAND WITHIN THE NEW TOWNS AND OF THE USEFUL DISCUSSIONS HE HAD HELD WITH MEMBERS OF THE HEUNG YEE KUK.
SINCE THEN, HE SAID, CHANGES TO THE SYSTEM HAD BEEN APPROVED BY THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL AND THE SECRETARY FOR THE NEW TERRITORIES WOULD SHORTLY MAKE PUBLIC THE DETAILS OF THE NEW ARRANGEMENTS.
+THE CHANGES NOW APPROVED WILL, I TRUST, PROVIDE AN ACCEPTABLE ALTERNATIVE AND REMOVE THE PRESENT DISSATISFACTION WITH THE EXCHANGE SYSTEM.* HE SAID.
TURNING TO THE MANAGEMENT OF THE NEW TOWNS, THE GOVERNOR SAID THAT IF THE NEW TOWNS WERE TO BECOME WELL BALANCED COMMUNITIES WITH A FULL AND VARIED LIFE OF THEIR OWN, IT WOULD BE NECESSARY TO DEVISE SOME MEANS OF INVOLVING THEIR RESIDENTS IN THE DEVELOPMENT AND USE OF THE FACILITIES WHICH WERE BEING PROVIDED.
♦TSUEN WAN IN PARTICULAR HAS ALREADY REACHED THE STAGE WHERE IT IS ESSENTIAL TO ASSOCIATE LOCAL RESIDENTS WITH THE PROCESS OF PLANNING THE DETAILS OF AMENITIES SUCH AS PARKS, AND PLAYGROUNDS, SWIMMING POOLS AND OTHER SPORTS FACILITIES, AND WITH THE ORGANISATION OF THE ACTIVITIES WHICH WILL TAKE PLACE IN THEM,* HE NOTED.
THE GOVERNOR SUGGESTED THAT A COMMITTEE BE SET UP UNDER THE CHAIRMANSHIP OF THE DISTRICT OFFICER WHICH WOULJ BRING TOGETHER LOCAL RESIDENTS WITH A GENUINE INTEREST IN, AND KNOWLEDGE OF, THESE MATTERS, TOGETHER WITH THE OFFICIALS WHO WERE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THESE ASPECTS OF THE DEVELOPMENT PLAN.
+THIS IDEA STILL HAS TO BE WORKED OUT IN DETAIL BUT I AM CONVINCED THAT SOMETHING ON THESE LINES IS NECE’SARY IF TSUEN WAN AND THE OTHER NEW TOWNS ARE TO BEC -IIE WELL BALANCED COMMUNITIES WITH A FULL AND VARIED LIFE OF THEIR OWN,* HE SAID.
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ViEDNESDAY. OC'i X/ 8, 1975
14
RECREATION AND SPORT SERVICE MAKES HEADWAY X X X X X
PROGRESS HAS BEEN MADE IN THE RECREATION AND SPORT SERVICE SCHEME INTRODUCED LAST OCTOBER DESPITE THE RECESSION, AND LINES ALONG WHICH THE GOVERNMENT SHOULD PROCEED HAVE BEEN SUCCESSFULLY TESTED, THE GOVERNOR SAID TODAY.
HE NOTED THAT OVER 100,000 PEOPLE FROM ALL WALKS OF LIFE HAD PARTICIPATED IN ACTIVITIES ORGANISED BY THE RECREATION AND SPORTS OFFICERS UP TO THE END OF SEPTEMBER 1975.
IN ADDITION, OVER 3,000 YOUNG MEN AND WOMEN HAD BEEN TRAINED AS REFEREES, COACHES, GUIDES AND LEADERS FORMING A CORPS OF VOLUNTEER RECREATION LEADERS.
SIR MURRAY POINTED OUT THAT EXTENSIVE PROGRAMMES, RANGING FROM SPORTS COMPETITIONS , COACHING AND KEEP-FIT CLASSES TO COUNTRYSIDE EXCURSIONS AND DANCE CONTESTS, WERE PLANNED AND CARRIED OUT AS AN EXPERIMENT IN SIX DISTRICTS BY RECREATION AND SPORT OFFICERS FROM THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT. t
MOST OF THE PARTICIPANTS WERE YOUNG PEOPLE IN THEIR TEENS OR EARLY TWENTIES BUT THE PROGRAMMES OFFERED SOMETHING TO EVERYONE, INCLUDING THE HANDICAPPED.
SIR MURRAY WAS CONVINCED THAT ORGANISED PARTICIPATION AND SUPERVISION THROUGH CALLING ON THE ENTHUSIASM AND PUBLIC SPIRIT CF YOUNG VOLUNTEERS WAS THE RIGHT APPROACH.
+THE PRIME DUTY OF THE SPORTS OFFICERS MUST BE TO MOBILISE, INSTRUCT AND HELP THE PUBLIC TO ORGANISE THE SUPERVISION OF RECREATION,+ HE SAID.
IT WAS PLANNED, HE SAID, TO DEVELOP THE RECREATION AND SPORT SERVICE SCHEME IN THREE PHASES.
PHASE I WAS IMPLEMENTED IN OCTOBER 1974.
SIR MURRAY SAID IT HAD BEEN HOPED TO INTRODUCE PHASE II IN 1975/76 WITH THE APPOINTMENT OF RECREATION AND SPORT OFFICERS IN SEVEN MORE DISTRICTS AND THEN MOVE ON TO PHASE III IN 1976/77 TO COVER THE REMAINING DISTRICTS IN BOTH URBAN AND RURAL AREAS. BUT DUE TO COMPETITION FOR FUNDS FROM SO MANY ESSENTIAL ITEMS, FUNDS HAD ONLY RUN TO A MODIFIED PHASE II PROGRAMME PERMITTING THE COVERAGE OF ONLY TWO MORE DISTRICTS.
/HE STRESSED THAT .....
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 8, 1975
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HE STRESSED THAT ORGANISED RECREATION IN THE HOUSING CONDITIONS OF HONG KONG WAS ESSENTIAL TO THE WELL-BEING OF YOUNG PEOPLE, AND HE ATTACHED GREAT IMPORTANCE TO MAKING AVAILABLE THE NECESSARY FUNDS TO ACHIEVE MORE GENERAL AND DECISIVE RESULTS.
♦BUT OF COURSE,+ SIR MURRAY SAID, +THE FINEST RECREATIONAL FACILITY THAT HONG KONG POSSESSES IS ITS OWN COUNTRYSIDE.+
GOOD PROGRESS HAD ALREADY BEEN MADE IN CONSTRUCTING PICNIC AND BARBECUE SPOTS, NATURE TRAILS, FOOTPATHS AND TRACKS AND THE TREMENDOUS RESPONSE TO THESE FACILITIES HAD PROVED HOW RIGHT THE PROGRAMME WAS AND HOW MUCH IT WAS NEEDED.
BUT THE INCREASING POPULARITY OF THE COUNTRYSIDE HAD BROUGHT A REAL DANGER OF BEAUTY SPOTS BEING SWAMPED AND THE COUNTRYSIDE BEING DESTROYED BY LITTER OR FIRES STARTED BY CARELESS PEOPLE, AND THE TIME HAD COME FOR THE GOVERNMENT TO INTERVENE BOTH TO PRESERVE THE COUNTRYSIDE AND TO ENCOURAGE ITS PROPER USE, SIR MURRAY SAID.
IN THIS RESPECT, THE GOVERNMENT INTENDED TO DESIGNATE SELECTED AREAS AS COUNTRY PARKS. LEGISLATION FOR THIS WAS ALREADY IN DRAFT AND INCLUDES PROPOSALS FOR THE ESTABLISHMENT OF AN AUTHORITY TO MANAGE THE PARKS AND FOR PUBLIC PARTICIPATION IN THEIR DEVELOPMENT BY THE CREATION OF A COUNTRY PARKS BOARD.
SIR MURRAY SAID THE PLANS HAVE BEEN DISCUSSED WITH THE HEUNG YEE KUK WHICH SUPPORTED THEM.
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/16 ....
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 8, 1975
16
MTB WILL B:!ING IMMEDIATE BENEFITS, SAYS GOVERNOR X X X X X X X
THE GOVERNOR, SIR MURRAY MACLEHOSE TODAY STRESSED THAT THE MASS TRANSIT RAILWAY WILL BRING SOME IMMEDIATE BENEFITS TO HONG KONG IN ADDITION TO A VERY BADLY NEEDED UNDERGROUND TRANSPORT SYSTEM SERVING THE MOST DENSELY POPULATED PARTS OF HONG KONG — OR FOR THAT MATTER OF THE WORLD.
HE SAID THIS IN HIS REVIEW OF THE YEAR AT THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL.
THE PROJECT, HE SAID, WOULD CERTAINLY STIMULATE INTERNATIONAL INTEREST IN HONG KONG AND ENHANCE ITS REPUTATION, BESIDES PROVIDING DIRECT EMPLOYMENT FOR AT LEAST 4,500 PEOPLE AND INDIRECTLY FOR MANY MORE AT COMMENCEMENT OF CONSTRUCTION.
SIR MURRAY SAID IT WAS IRONIC THAT THE IMMEDIATE EFFECT OF THE CONSTRUCTION OF THIS TRANSPORT FACILITY WILL BE SUBSTANTIAL DISRUPTION OF OUR COMMUNICATIONS AND MUCH INCONVENIENCE.
♦THIS IS A SHORT-TERM PRICE WHICH WE CANNOT AVOID PAYING FOR AN EVENTUALLY GREATLY IMPROVED TRANSPORT SYSTEM,+ HE ADDED.
THE GOVERNOR GAVE ASSURANCE THAT THE GOVERNMENT WOULD NOT UNDERTAKE THE MASS TRANSIT RAILWAY PROJECT WITHOUT BEING SATISFIED THAT IT COULD BE PAID FOR WITHOUT ANY CHARGE TO GENERAL REVENUE EXCEPT THE $800 MILLION OF EQUITY ALREADY VOTED BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL.
HE STRESSED THAT THERE IS NO COMPETITION OR CONFLICT BETWEEN THIS PROJECT AND OUR SOCIAL PROGRAMMES.
THE GOVERNOR EXPLAINED I +THE GREATER PART OF THE MONEY FOR THE RAILWAY WILL BE BORROWED AND IT WILL BE REPAID FROM THE FARES AND OTHER REVENUE WHICH THE RAILWAY ITSELF WILL GENERATE.
♦ALTHOUGH SOME OF OUR OTHER PROGRAMMES, SUCH AS IMPROVEMENTS TO THE KOWLOON CANTON RAILWAY OR THE AIRPORT OR THE ABERDEEN TUNNEL, MAY BE SIMILARLY SELF-LIQUIDATING, THE MAJORITY OF THEM ARE NOT,+ THE GOVERNOR SAID, +NECESSARY AS OUR SOCIAL PROGRAMMES ARE FOR THE FUTURE WELL-BEING OF THE COMMUNITY, THEY WILL NEED TO BE PAID FOR FROM GENERAL REVENUE OR LOAN FINANCE TO BE SERVICED OUT OF GENERAL REVENUE.
♦THUS THE SOCIAL PROGRAMMES ARE A CHARGE ON THE REVENUE, WHILE THE RAILWAY IS NOT, AND IT IS ONLY BECAUSE IT IS NOT THAT HONG KONG IS ABLE TO CONTEMPLATE SUCH A COMMITMENT.*
THE GOVERNOR SAID THAT HONG KONG IS NOW ALMOST READY TO LET THE FIRST CONTRACTS FOR THE RAILWAY AND COMMENCE CONSTRUCTION.
♦ALL THAT REMAINS IS FOR THE FINAL DETAILS OF THE FINANCIAL ARRANGEMENTS TO BE TIED TOGETHER AND FOR A MOTION TO BE INTRODUCED INTO THIS COUNCIL TO AUTHORISE THE GOVERNMENT TO PROVIDE GUARANTEES FOR THE MONEY TO BE BORROWED,* HE ADDED.
_ _ _ _o------
/17.....
WEDNESDAY, OCTOB.H 8, 1975
17 -
ri.K. IN GOOD POSITION TO TAKE ADVANTAGE OF ECONOMIC RECOVERY X X X X X X X
HONG KONG IS AT THE CENTRE OF THAT PART Or THE WORLD IN UH IC! PROBABLY THE MOST RAPID ECONOMIC GROWTH IS TO BE EXPECTED OVER THE NEXT DECADE Oi SO AND IN WHICH CONSIDERABLE NEW INVESTMENT IS LIKELY, THE GOVERNOR SAID THIS AFTERNOON.
SIR MURRAY SAID THIS IS NOT A SITUATION IN WHICH WE SHOULD SIT BACK AND HOPE THAT BENEFITS WOULD FALL INTO HONG KONG’S LAPS RATHER THAN THE LAPS OF OUR COMPETITORS.
HE SAID WE MUST ACTIVELY ENCOURAGE NEW TECHNOLOGY AND INVESTMENT FROM OVERSEAS, AND PROVIDE MORE REASONABLY PRICED INDUSTRIAL LAND TO ACCOMMODATE NEW STYLE INDUSTRIES WHICH ARE PARTICULARLY BENEFICIAL ECONOMICALLY TO HONG KONG AND TO GIVE MORE ELBOW-ROOM FOR CONVENTIONAL INDUSTRY.
FOR THE FIRST OBJECTIVE, SIR MURRAY SAID HE HAD RECENTLY SET UP AN INDUSTRIAL INVESTMENT PROMOTION COMMITTEE TO CO-ORDINATE THE EFFORTS OF THE COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY DEPARTMENT, THE TRADE DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL AND THE HONG KONG GENERAL CHAMBER OF COMMERCE, WHICH HAS RECENTLY SET UP A NEW INDUSTRIAL DEVELOPMENT FUND TO FINANCE EFFORTS TO BRING MORE NEW INDUSTRIES TO HONG KONG.
AS FOR PROVIDING MORE INDUSTRIAL LAND, SIR MURRAY RECALLED THAT IT WAS A PRUDENT ACT OF CONFIDENCE TO HAVE PRESSED ON WITH BUILDING THE NEW TUEN MUN HIGHWAY DURING THE DARK UNCERTAIN PERIOD LAST YEAR. HE HOPED THAT IT WOULD BE POSSIBLE TO ANNOUNCE SOMETHING DEFINITE AFTER NEXT MONTH’S MEETING OF THE PUBLIC WORKS SUD-COMMITTEE ON IMPROVEMENT OF ROAD COMMUNICATIONS WITH TAIPO.
HE DISCLOSED THAT THE GOVERNMENT IS ALSO PRESSING ON WITH THE EXPERIMENT OF INDUSTRIAL ESTATES AND THE FIRST PART OF THE FIRST OF THE ESTATES SHOULD BE COMPLETED IN TAIPO BY THE END OF 1977. THE POSSIBILITY OF SIMILAR ESTATES NEAR YUEN LONG AND ELSEWHERE IN THE NEW TERRITORIES ARE ALSO BEING INVESTIGATED.
SIR MURRAY EMPHASISED THAT THIS IS AN AREA IN WHICH WE MUST PREPARE TO MOVE FAST IF AND WHEN THE DEMAND IS PROVED, OTHERWISE, WE MAY LOSE NEV/ INDUSTRIES AND TECHNOLOGY TO OUR COMPETITORS.
HE THOUGHT THAT THE GOVERNMENT AND BUSINESS CIRCLES ARE MOST LIKELY TO MAKE THE RAPID PROGRESS BY ACTING IN CONCERT AND THE GOVERNMENT WILL SHORTLY BE PUTTING PROPOSALS TO THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL AS TO HOW A START MIGHT BE MADE IN THIS DIRECTION.
/ON HONG KONG'S .....
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 8, 1975
- 18 -
ON HONG KONG’S OVERSEAS TRADE PROMOTIONS AND NEGOTIATIONS, SIR MURRAY POINTED OUT THAT THE GOVERNMENT NOW HAS IN PRACTICE COMPLETE AUTONOMY WHEN DEALING WITH MATTERS AT ISSUE, IN THE WAY IT BELIEVES TO BE IN HONG KONG’S BEST TRADING INTERESTS, WHILE BRITISH EMBASSIES AND DELEGATIONS GIVE INVARIABLE AND INVALUABLE HELP.
SIR MURRAY SAID THE TRADE DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL HAS IN THE CURRENT YEAR FOCUSSED ITS PROGRAMMES ON THE OIL-PRODUCING COUNTRIES, EASTERN EUROPE AND FRANCE WHICH ARE AREAS OF POTENTIAL TRADE GROWTH. HE PAID TRIBUTE TO SIR YUET-KEUNG KAN, THE COUNCIL’S OUT-GOING CHAIRMAN, FOR HIS NOTABLE PERSONAL SUCCESS IN FRANCE.
AS TO THE ROLE OF THE COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY DEPARTMENT, WHICH IS RESPONSIBLE FOR HONG KONG’S GOVERNMENT-TO-GOVERNMENT TRADING RELATIONS, SIR MURRAY SAID IT HAS BECOME INCREASINGLY COMPLEX AS OUR TRADE EXPANDED AND HAS BEEN MADE INFINITELY MORE DIFFICULT BY THE WORLD RECESSION.
SINCE HONG KONG BELIEVES IN FREE TRADE, SIR MURRAY SAID, THERE IS FROM OUR POINT OF VIEW, NO SUCH THING AS A GOOD AGREEMENT, BECAUSE ALL THE AGREEMENTS WE ARE OBLIGED TO NEGOTIATE ARE RESTRICTIVE.
HE SAID THAT HOWEVER ON THE WHOLE HONG KONG HAS SUCCEEDED IN SECURING UNDER THESE AGREEMENTS GROWING ACCESS TO A FAIR SHARE OF THE MARKET AND HE THOUGHT THAT +WHEN THE DUST HAS SETTLED*, HONG KONG’S AGREEMENT WITH THE EEC WILL BE RECOGNISED TO REPRESENT NOT SUCH A BAD DEAL AFTER ALL.
SIR MURRAY SAID HE WANTED TO RECORD HIS ADMIRATION FOR ALL THOSE WHO ARE ENGAGED IN OUR INDUSTRY AND FINANCIAL SERVICES FROM THE CHAIRMAN OF THE BOARD TO THE MEN AND WOMEN ON THE PRODUCTION LINE AND THE CLERKS IN THE OFFICE, FOR THEIR ENTERPRISE, RESOURCEFULNESS, EFFICIENCY AND PLAIN HARD WORK ON WHICH OUR PROSPERITY WILL ALWAYS DEPEND.
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/19 ....
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 8, 1975
19
HIGHEK DEFENCE COST UNAVOIDABLE
X X X X H
THE GOVERNOR, SIR MURRAY MACLEHOSE, TODAY SAID THAT IT WAS UNAVOIDABLE THAT EXPENDITURE ON DEFENCE WOULD INCREASE SUBSTANTIALLY NEXT YEAR.
HE DISCLOSED THAT DISCUSSIONS HAD BEEN GOING ON WITH THE BRITISH GOVERNMENT AS TO WHAT THE SIZE OF THE GARRISON SHOULD BE IN FUTURE AND WHAT PART OF THE COSTS SHOULD DE BORNE BY THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT.
HE STATED THAT HE COULD NOT PREJUDGE THE OUTCOME OF THE DISCUSSIONS BUT HE ADDED THAT THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT WAS WELL AWARE OF THE BUDGETARY PROBLEMS INVOLVED IN DEFENCE COSTS AND HAD PRESENTED THESE PROBLEMS IN THE STRONGEST TERMS TO THE BRITISH GOVERNMENT.
THE CURRENT DEFENCE COSTS AGREEMENT WAS CONCLUDED FIVE YEARS AGO AND WILL RUN OUT AT THE END OF MARCH NEXT YEAR.
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/2O ....
- 20 -
GOVERNOR CALLS FOR WIDER PUBLIC PARTICIPATION IN COMMUNITY AFFAIRS
ft K « X K H
THE GOVERNOR, SIR MURRAY MACLEHOSE, TODAY SAID HE WAS CONVINCED THAT MAJOR ISSUES AFFECTING THE LIVES OF THE PEOPLE OF HONG KONG SHOULD BE OPENLY DEBATED IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL SO THAT GENUINE DIFFERENCES COULD BE CLEARLY STATED AND CONSIDERED BEFORE DECISIONS ARE MADE.
HE NOTED THAT, DUE TO HONG KONG’S SPECIAL CIRCUMSTANCES, THE TRADITIONAL FORM OF GOVERNMENT HERE HAD BEEN ONE OF GOVERNMENT BY CONSENSUS AND HE EMPHASISED THE IMPORTANCE OF PROVIDING OPPORTUNITIES FOR PUBLIC PARTICIPATION IN COMMUNITY AFFAIRS.
IN THIS REGARD, HE PERSONALLY GAVE STRONG SUPPORT TO THE NEW AND GROWING NUMBER OF BODIES SUCH AS THE MUTUAL AID COMMITTEES CATERING FOR THIS IN THE NEIGHBOURHOODS.
THESE WERE DOING A GREAT DEAL OF PRACTICAL GOOD, HE SAID. AT THE SAME TIME, THEY PROVIDED AN OPPORTUNITY FOR MEN AND WOMEN, NOT PREVIOUSLY IN MUCH CONTACT WITH THE GOVERNMENT MACHINE OR COMMUNITY AFFAIRS, TO PLAY A PART AND GAIN EXPERIENCE WHICH WOULD ENABLE THEM TO MAKE A CONTRIBUTION TO ADVISORY AND OTHER COMMITTEES AND BODIES OF GOVERNMENT, HE SAID.
GIVEN TIME, THE RIGHT PEOPLE AND THE WILL, HE ADDED, +THERE IS PLENTY OF ROOM FOR CHANGE WHILE RETAINING THE ESSENTIAL CHARACTER OF THIS COUNCIL, AND SUBJECT OF COURSE TO THE OVERRIDING REQUIRMENT OF MEMBERS HAVING SUFFICIENT EXPERIENCE OF PUBLIC SERVICE, AND ABILITY, TO CARRY A FAIR SHARE OF THE EXACTING TASKS THAT HAVE TO BE SHOULDERED BY UMELCO.+
IN HONG KONG, THE GOVERNOR SAID, THE GOVERNMENT ATTEMPTED TO ACHIEVE PUBLIC VIEWS IN MANY WAYS — THROUGH REPRESENTATIONS TO UMELCO, THE WIDE USE OF ADVISORY COMMITTEES, GREEN PAPERS, THE PERCEPTION OF CITY DISTRICT OFFICES AND THEIR EVER WIDENING CONTACTS WITH MUTUAL AID COMMITTEES, AREA COMMITTEES AND KAIFONGS.
THE PRESS AND THE MEDIA ALSO PLAYED A VITAL ROLE, AND IN SOME CASES BILLS WERE DELIBERATELY PUBLISHED EARLY OR THEIR DISCUSSION DELAYED IN ORDER TO ENCOURAGE FULLER PUBLIC CONSULTATION.
SIR MURRAY PAID WARM TRIBUTE TO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL WITH THE MANNER IT CARRIED OUT ITS DIFFICULT TASK AND EXPRESSED PARTICULAR SATISFACTION WITH THE WAY PUBLIC OR INTERESTED OPINION MADE ITSELF FELT THROUGH UNOFFICIAL MEMBERS WHO HAD EFFECTED MANY AMENDMENTS TO CONTROVERSIAL DRAFT LEGISLATION AND SUBSTANTIALLY IMPROVED THEM.
♦LACKING, AS IS UNAVOIDABLE, ANY ELECTORAL MANDATE, MEMBERS ARE REQUIRED TO THINK AND PLAN AND SPEAK FOR THE INTERESTS OF THE COMMUNITY AS A WHOLE AS THEY SEE IT, AND NOT, AS WOULD BE SO MUCH EASIER, FOR THE NARROW INTERESTS OF A PARTY, A GROUP, A PROFESSION, AN AREA OR A CLASS.
♦BUT I BELIEVE IT ASSISTS THIS GENERAL REQUIREMENT IF MEMBERS ARE ABLE TO SPEAK FROM AS WIDE A SPREAD AS POSSIBLE NOT ONLY OF PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE BUT ALSO OF SOCIAL BACKGROUND.
♦THIS IS A SITUATION WHICH LIKE HONG KONG ITSELF, HAS. EVOLVED AND IS EVOLVING AND CAN EVOLVE FURTHER,* HE SAID.
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/21 ....
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 8, 1975
21
EMPLOYMENT
XXX
THE GOVERNOR, SIR MURRAY MACLEHOSE, SAID TODAY THAT ALTHOUGH UNEMPLOYMENT AND HARDSHIP PERSIST, THERE IS A CONSIDERABLE SENSE OF RELIEF THROUGHOUT THE COMMUNITY THAT THE WORST IS NOW BEHIND US.
THE UNEMPLOYMENT AND UNDER-EMPLOYMENT WHICH FOLLOWED THE WORLDWIDE RECESSION HAD BROUGHT REAL HARDSHIP TO A NUMBER OF FAMILIES AND THIS HAD BEEN OF GREAT CONCERN TO THE GOVERNMENT.
MEASURES TAKEN BY THE GOVERNMENT TO INCREASE BUDGETARY EXPENDITURE OVER THE YEARS HAD HELPED TO MAINTAIN EMPLOYMENT Al© BUSINESS ACTIVITY IN SOME FIELDS, HE SAID, AND HE WAS THANKFUL THAT THE PUBLIC ASSISTANCE SCHEME WAS THERE TO ALLEVIATE DISTRESS OF FAMILIES.
HOWEVER, A MORE FAVOURABLE TIDE COULD BE FELT, HE SAID.
+THE TREND OF OUR TRADE FIGURES IS IMPROVING AND THE VALUE OF DOMESTIC EXPORTS IN JULY WAS ONLY TWO PER CENT LESS THAN THOSE FOR JULY LAST YEAR.
♦EMPLOYMENT IN MANUFACTURE INCREASED BY FOUR PER CENT BETWEEN MARCH AND JUNE AND THE INDICATIONS ARE THE INCREASE HAS CONTINUED, AND REPORTS FROM INDUSTRY CONTINUE TO SUGGEST THAT A NUMBER OF FIRMS HAVE RESUMED A FULL WORKING WEEK, HAVE INCREASED SHIFT WORKING AND HAVE TAKEN BACK PREVIOUSLY RETRENCHED WORKERS.
♦IT IS ALSO ENCOURAGING THAT THE NUMBER OF PLANS FOR NEW BUILDINGS HAS STEADILY INCREASED AND THAT THE PROPERTY MARKET IS SHOWING SIGNS OF MORE ACTIVITY,+ THE GOVERNOR SAID.
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WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 8, 1975
OVER 1,800 NEW HOSPITAL BEDS EXPECTED I X X X X X
THE QUALITY AND QUANTITY OF MEDICAL AND HEALTH SERVICES WILL RECEIVE A BOOST WITH THE OPENING OF THE PRINCESS MARGARET HOSPITAL THIS MONTH AND OTHER HOSPITAL AND CLINICAL FACILITIES SOON AFTER.
THE GOVERNOR, SIR MURRAY MACLEHOSE, TOLD COUNCIL TODAY HE EXPECTED THE NUMBER OF EXTRA HOSPITAL BEDS BROUGHT INTO USE SINCE MARCH LAST YEAR TO EXCEED 1,800 BY EARLY NEXT YEAR WHEN ONE THOUSAND BEDS AT THE PRINCESS MARGARET HOSPITAL WILL BE IN USE.
I
BY THAT TIME, HE HOPED THAT THE TUNG WAH CENTENARY BUILDING AT THE TUNG WAH HOSPITAL WILL ALSO HAVE BEEN OPENED.
THE PRINCESS MARGARET HOSPITAL, WHICH WILL RECEIVE ITS FIRST PATIENTS THIS MONTH, WILL PROVIDE A SUBSTANTIAL EXTENSION TO HOSPITAL SERVICES FOR THE COMMUNITIES OF NORTH AUD WEST KOWLOON AND THE NEW TERRITORIES, WHILE THE TUNG WAH CENTENARY BUILDING WOULD CONTRIBUTE TO MEDICAL SERVICES ON HONG KONG ISLAND, HE SAID.
IN ADDITION, MORE SPECIALIST CLINICS WOULD OPEN EARLY NEXT YEAR IN TSUEN WAN/KWAI CHUNG AND AT MORRISON HILL AND, LATER IN THE YEAR, HE EXPECTED THE GENERAL OUT-PATIENT FACILITIES AT KOWLOON EAST POLYCLINIC TO COME INTO OPERATION.
THESE CLINICS WOULD BE IN ADDITION TO THOSE OPENED LAST YEAR AT TSE WAN SHAN AND SHA TAU KOK.
♦WE ARE NOW APPROACHING A SITUATION IN WHICH IT CAN BE CLAIMED THERE IS A RANGE OF GENERAL AND SPECIALIST CLINICS WITHIN EASY ACCESS OF ALMOST EVERY PART OF HONG KONG, KOWLOON AND THE NEW TERR I TOR IES,+ SIR MURRAY SAID.
LOOKING BACK OVER THE YEAR, SIR MURRAY SAID THAT THE QUANTITY AND QUALITY OF MEDICAL AND HEALTH SERVICES HAD GENERALLY BEEN MAINTAINED.
»
GOVERNMENT EXPENDITURE ON MEDICAL AND HEALTH SERVICES AND SUBVENTIONS HAD RISEN BY 35 PER CENT FROM 8412 MILLION IN 1973/74 TO $557 MILLION IN THE CURRENT YEAR.
♦INCREASED EXPENDITURE TO THIS DEGREE IN THE TIME OF DEEP RECESSION IS AN INDICATION OF THE IMPORTANCE THE GOVERNMENT ATTACHES TO THESE SERVICES,+ HE SAID.
/THE TOTAI.......
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 8, 1975
- 2J -
THE TOTAL NUMBER OF ADMISSIONS TO GOVERNMENT HOSPITALS IN THE FIRST SIX MONTHS THIS YEAR AMOUNTED TO NEARLY 111,000 -AN INCREASE OF 8.5 PER CENT OVER THE SAME PERIOD LAST YEAR, HE NOTED, WHILE ATTENDANCES AT OUTPATIENT CLINICS REACHED 5.2 MILLION DURING THE SAME PERIOD - REPRESENTING AN INCREASE OF 5.5 PER CENT OVER THE SAME PERIOD LAST YEAR.
ON FAMILY PLANNING, THE GOVERNOR SAID THE ABSORPTION OF THE 32 FAMILY PLANNING ASSOCIATION CLINICS IN GOVERNMENT PREMISES HAD BEEN SUCCESSFULLY COMPLETED.
IN ADDITION, 16 NEW CLINICS HAD BEEN OPENED. THE NUMBER OF NEW PATIENTS MAKING USE OF THE CLINICS INCREASED BY 25 PER CENT IN 1974 AND IS BEING MAINTAINED THIS YEAR.
SIR MURRAY STRESSED THAT THE GOVERNMENT WOULD CONTINUE TO WORK IN CLOSE CONSULTATION WITH THE FPA TO ENSURE THAT THE AVAILABILITY AND BENEFITS OF THE SERVICES ARE UNDERSTOOD AND APPRECIATED BY ALL.
IN A BRIEF REFERENCE TO THE QUESTION OF UNREG ISTRABLE DOCTORS, SIR MURRAY SAID THIS HAD BEEN A DIFFICULT PROBLEM FOR YEARS, AND HE THANKED THE WORKING PARTY UNDER SIR RONALD HOLMES FOR POINTING THE WAY AHEAD THROUGH A COMPLEX AND DELICATE SUBJECT.
ON THE SECOND MEDICAL SCHOOL AT THE CHINESE UNIVERSITY OF HONG KONG, SIR MURRAY SAID PLANNING WAS GOING AHEAD. BY THE END OF THIS YEAR, THE UNIVERSITY, IN CONSULTATION WITH THE U.P.G.C., WOULD HAVE APPOINTED A MEDICAL ACADEMIC ADVISORY COMMITTEE, HE SAID.
THIS COMMITTEE WILL SEE THAT THE DETAILED AND COMPLEX PLANNING INVOLVED IS CARRIED OUT AS EFFECTIVELY AS POSSIBLE. THE PLANS ENVISAGE COMPLETION OF THE NEW HOSPITAL AND POLYCLINIC AT SHATIN IN THE EARLY 80’S.
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/24 ...
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 8, 1975
24
MORE TO RECEIVE 1UBLIC ASSISTANCE X X X X X
MORE PEOPLE ARE EXPECTED TO RECEIVE HELP UNDER THE PUBLIC ASSISTANCE SCHEME AND THE DISABILITY AND INFIRMITY ALLOWANCE SCHEME.
IN HIS REVIEW OF SOCIAL WELFARE, THE GOVERNOR SAID THE COST OF THESE FORMS OF SOCIAL WELFARE WAS EXPECTED TO RISE FROM $71 MILLION IN 1973/74 TO ABOUT $260 MILLION IN THE CURRENT FINANCIAL YEAR - AN INCREASE OF NEARLY 265 PER CENT IN TWO YEARS.
HE NOTED THAT THE NUMBER OF THOSE RECEIVING PUBLIC ASSISTANCE HAD RISEN FROM 42,000 AT THE END OF 1974 TO OVER 52,000 AT THE END OF JULY THIS YEAR, AND IT WAS EXPECTED THAT THERE WOULD BE 65,000 BY THE MIDDLE OF NEXT YEAR.
THE NUMBER OF PEOPLE RECEIVING HELP UNDER THE DISABILITY AND INFIRMITY ALLOWANCE SCHEME WAS LIKELY TO RISE ABOVE 70,000 BY THE MIDDLE OF NEXT YEAR, COMPARED WITH THE 60,000 AT THE END OF JULY.
♦TAKEN TOGETHER WITH FREE OR HEAVILY SUBSIDISED EDUCATION AND NEARLY FREE MEDICAL AND HEALTH SERVICES AND HEAVILY SUBSIDISED HOUSING, THESE SOCIAL WELFARE SCHEMES REPRESENT A LARGE PART OF THE HONG KONG SOCIAL SECURITY NET,+ THE GOVERNOR SAID.
♦THE GREATLY INCREASED EXPENDITURE THEREFORE INDICATES THAT THE MACHINERY YOUR GOVERNMENT HAS DEVISED WITH THE SUPPORT OF THIS COUNCIL HAS WORKED IN THE CIRCUMSTANCES IT WAS INTENDED TO MEET,+ HE SAID.
IN ADDITION TO THE HEAVIER EXPENDITURE ON THESE RELIEF MEASURES, THE GOVERNOR NOTED THAT IT HAD BEEN POSSIBLE TO MAKE SOME PROGRESS WITH ITEMS IN THE FIVE-YEAR SOCIAL WELFARE PLAN.
THESE INCLUDED THE OPENING OF THE CHAI WAN COMMUNITY CENTRE, A YOUTH CENTRE, YOUTH HOSTELS, THE NEW EMERGENCY RELIEF KITCHEN IN KOWLOON CAPABLE OF FEEDING OVER 35,000 PEOPLE A DAY, CAMPS AND MORE PLACES TO REHABILITATE THE HANDICAPPED, AND HOMES FOR THE ELDERY AS WELL AS 530 NEW SUBVENTED PLACES IN DAY CARE CENTRES
THE GOVERNOR NOTED THAT SEVERAL OTHER PLANS HAD HAD TO BE DEFERRED NOT ONLY BECAUSE OF THE REDUCED SUMS AVAILABLE FROM THE GOVERNMENT, BUT ALSO BECAUSE PRIVATE SOURCES WERE IN DIFFICULTIES TOO.
SIR MURRAY SAID IT WAS HIGHLY DESIRABLE THAT AS MANY AS POSSIBLE OF THESE ITEMS COULD BE PURSUED IN 1976/77, +BUT WE HAVE TO FACE THE POSSIBILITY THAT EXPENDITURE ON PUBLIC ASSISTANCE AND DISABILITY AND INFIRMITY ALLOWANCES MAY INCREASE FURTHER IN THAT YEAR.
♦IF IT DOES, THIS WILL RESTRICT OUR ABILITY TO EXPAND IN OTHER DIRECTIONS UNLESS NEW RESOURCES ARE FORTHCOMING.+
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/25 ....
WEDNESDAY, OCTOB, 8, 197$
25
SECONDARY EDUCATION: INTERIM GOALS REACHED X X X X X
THE GOVERNMENT HAS REACHED ITS INTERIM GOALS OF EXPANDING SECONDARY EDUCATION AHEAD OF TIME WITH 153,000 PLACES IN FORMS 1’3 ARD AO,COO PLACES IN FORMS 4-5 IN THE PUBLIC SECTOR IN SEPTEMBER 1975.
THE GOVERNOR SAID THE 158,000 PLACES IN FORMS 1-3 REPRESENTED AN INCREASE OF ABOUT 30,000 PLACES IN THE LAST TWO YEARS, AND PROVIDED JUST OVER 50 PER CENT OF THE 1975 SECONDARY SCHOOLS L. iRAIJCE EXAMINATION (SSEE) CANDIDATURE WITH FORM 1 PLACES FOR WHICH THE GOVERNMENT HAD PLANNED.
THE 40,000 PLACES IN FORMS 4 AND 5 ENABLED THE EDUCATION Dt-ARTMENT TO ALLOCATE FIVE-YEAR PLACES TO 19.5 PER CENT OF THE 1'75 SSEE CANDIDATURE.
THIS REPRESENTED SIGNIFICANT PROGRESS AND WAS ALL THAT WAS POSSIBLE IN THE CIRCUMSTANCES, HE SAID. HOWEVER, HE RECOGNISED THAT IT WAS NOT ENOUGH AND THAT IT INVOLVED A ONE-YEAR DELAY IN THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE FIRST YEAR’S PHASE OF THE 1974 WHITE PAPER ON EDUCATION.
THE FIRST PHASE INVOLVED THREE OBJECTIVES*
« BUYING AN ADDITIONAL 10,600 JUNIOR SECONDARY PLACES-
« CREATING A FURTHER 9,300 PLACES THROUGH FLOATING ADDITIONAL CLASSES IN EXISTING SCHOOLS- AND
H ENTERING INTO THE SECOND STAGE OF AN APPROVED PROGRAMME TO CONVERT 36 ASSISTED PRIVATE SCHOOLS INTO FULLY-AIDED SCHOOLS WHICH WOULD MAKE AVAILABLE 7,200 EXTRA FORM 1 PLACES FOR SSEE ALLOCATION.
THESE ADDITIONAL 27,100 PLACES WOULD ENABLE THE DIRECTOR OF EDUCATION TO ALLOCATE FORM 1 PLACES FOR 74.3 PER CENT OF THE 1976 SSEE CANDIDATURE.
THE GOVERNOR WARNED THAT IT MIGHT NOT BE EASY TO FIND THE MONEY FOR ALL OF THIS IN ADDITION TO WHAT IS-NEEDED TO FINANCE SCHOOLS UNDER CONSTRUCTION AND TO PROVIDE ADDITIONAL PLACES REQUIRED FOR PROMOTIONS FROM LOWER TO HIGHER FORMS.
TO FULFIL THE TOTAL WHITE PAPER PROGRAMME, SIR MURRAY SAID, THERE IS A BALANCE OF 150 SCHOOLS TO BE BUILT AT A COST OF 55 MILLION EACH AT PRESENT DAY PRICES.
/+SC IN SECONDARY .....
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 8, 1975
' - 26 -
+S0 IN SECONDARY EDUCATION THE RECESSION AND THE MANY OTHER PRIORITY CALLS ON PUBLIC FINANCES ARE RESULTING If! US MAKING CONSIDERABLY LESS PROGRESS THAN WE WOULD HAVE WISHED OR CAN REGARD AS PRUDENT,+ HE SAID.
ON ECHIJICAL EDUCATION, SIR MURRAY SAID: +THOUGH THE RATE Of-' BUILD UP HAS BEEN SOMEWHAT AFFECTED BY OUR FINANCIAL SITUATION, I AM SATISFIED THAT IN THE CIRCUMSTANCES THE EXPANSION OF THE TECHNICAL INSTITUTES IS PROGRESSING REASONABLY WELL.*
HE POINTED OUT THAT THE THREE TECHNICAL INSTITUTES NOW IN OPERATION HAD A TOTAL ENROLMENT OF 2,300 AND THIS WAS EXPECTED TO INCREASE TO 3,350 IN 1976/77 AND EVENTUALLY TO 4,050.
HE SAID TENDERS HAD BEEN CALLED FOR A FOURTH TECHNICAL INSTITUTE AT CHEUNG SHA WAN AND, IF ALL GOES WELL, CLASSES WILL OPEN IN SEPTEMBER 1977.
A FIFTH TECHNICAL INSTITUTE PLANNED AT SAN PO KONG IS EXPECTED TO BE COMPLETED IN 1979.
TURNING TO SPECIAL EDUCATION FOR HANDICAPPED CHILDREN, SIR MURRAY SAiD SO FAR 8,900 PLACES HAD BEEN PROVIDED AND THE DIRECTOR GF EDUCATION HOPED TO EXCEED THE 10,000 MARK BY SEPTEMBER 1976.
ON TERTIARY EDUCATION, THE GOVERNOR SAID PROGRESS AT THE POLYTECHNIC HAD BEEN VERY HEARTENING.
HE NOTED THAT WORK ON EXPANDING THE HONG KONG POLYTECHNIC IN HUNG HOM HAD GONE AHEAD VERY RAPIDLY. THE HEW WORKSHOPS AND LECTURE ROOMS WOULD BE READY NEXT JULY WHILE THE LIBRARY FULLY EQUIPPED A LITTLE LATER.
+THIS WILL MEAN,* HE SAID, +THAT THE POLYTECHNIC STUDENTS AT PRESENT USING TEMPORARY PREMISES AT TAIKOO DOCKS, SHAU KEI WAN, WILL BE ABLE TO RETURN TO THEIR HUNG HOM CAMPUS.
+IT WILL ALSO ENABLE THE UNIVERSITIES AND POLYTECHNIC COMPUTER CENTRE TO MOVE INTO THE NEW ACCOMODATION THERE.*
SIR MURRAY SAID PLANNING FOR PHASE II OF THE POLYTECHNIC’S DEVELOPMENT WHICH WILL PROVIDE ADDITIONAL TEACHING SPACE AND FACILITIES FOR STUDENTS AND STAFF WAS WELL ADVANCED.
IN THE CASE OF THE TOO UNIVERSITIES, THE GOVERNOR SAID PRIORITY HAS BEEN GIVEN TO MAINTAINING THE GROWTH OF THE NUMBER OF STUDENT PLACES.
+EVEN THOUGH THIS HAS MEANT THAT' THE CAPITAL WORKS PROGRAMME HAS HAD TO BE REPHASED, I AM SURE THAT THIS PRIORITY WAS RIGHT,* HE SAID.
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/27 ....
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 8, 1975
27
ROUSING FOR 100,000 EXPECTED IN 1975/76 X X X X X
THE HOUSING AUTHORITY IS PURSUING THE LONG-TERM PROGRAMME T MPROVE HOUSING CONDITIONS IN HONG KONG WITH CONSIDERABLE THRUST AND A NEW GENERATION OF ESTATES INCORPORATING THE CONCEPT OF COMPREHENSIVELY PLANNED COMMUNITIES IS NOW FAST BECOMING A REALITY.
THIS WAS STATED BY THE GOVERNOR, SIR MURRAY MACLEHOSE, IN HIS REVIEW OF THE HOUSING SITUATION.
HE SAID PRODUCTION OF NEW PUBLIC HOUSING HAD INCREASED FROM FLATS FOR 47,000 PERSONS FOR 1973/74 TO 65,000 FOR 1974/75 AND TO AN EXPECTED 100,000 FOR THE CURRENT FINANCIAL YEAR.
♦THEREAFTER,* HE SAID, +THE PROVISION OF NEW HOUSING WILL CONTINUE AT THE LEVEL OF 100,000 MORE A YEAR FOR TWO YEARS AND ONLY IN 1978/79 IS A FURTHER STEADY INCREASE PLANNED TO RECOMMENCE WITH ABOUT 127,000 IN THAT YEAR, 148,000 IN THE NEXT YEAR AND 190,000 IN 1980/81.+
HE SAID THE PAUSE AT THE INCREASE LEVEL OF 100,000 FOR THE NEXT TWO YEARS REFLECTED THE unavoidable RESTRAINTS IMPOSED BY BUDGETTING IN TIME OF RECESSION FOR THE MANY COMPETING CLAIMS ON RESOURCES AVAILABLE.
SIR MURRAY NOTED THAT THE GOVERNMENT HAD SET OUT TO SOLVE THE HOUSING PROBLEM IN THE SHORTEST TIME HONG KONG’S RESOURCES PERMITTED, AND HONG KONG COULD JUSTIFIABLY POINT WITH PRIDE TO THE STEADILY INCREASING NUMBERS PROVIDED WITH PERMANENT HOMES IN GREATLY IMPROVED ENVIRONMENTS.
♦I DO NOT THINK MORE COULD POSSIBLY HAVE BEEN DONE IN THE LAST TOO AND A HALF YEARS OR FOR THE PERIOD UP TO 1977/78. NOR DO I THINK THAT THE HOUSING ACHIEVEMENTS OF HONG KONG CAN BE MATCHED ANYWHERE IN THE WORLD,+ HE SAID.
THE GOVERNOR COMMENDED THE HOUSING AUTHORITY FOR ITS VIGOUR, DEDICATION AND PROFESSIONALISM.
♦BUT WE MUST ALSO FACE THE FACT THAT UNLESS THE AUTHORITY CAN ACQUIRE THE NECESSARY RESOURCES FROM RENTS AND LOANS TO ACHIEVE A RAPID INCREASE IN FINISHED HOMES FROM 1978 ONWARDS, THE RESULTS WILL BE MUCH LESS THAN THE SITUATION DEMANDS OR THE COMMUNITY EXPECTS,+ HE ADDED. A GOOD START HAD BEEN MADE AND THIS SHOULD BE FOLLOWED THROUGH.
/ON THE SQUATTER .....
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 8, 1975
28 -
ON THE SQUATTER PROBLEM, SIR MURRAY SAID + IT IS SYMPTOMATIC OF THE DEGREE OF THE HOUSING SHORTAGE THAT THE NUMBERS OF SQUATTERS HAVE RISEN NOTICEABLY IN THE LAST FEW YEARS PROBABLY INFLATED BOTH BY NEW ARRIVALS FROM CHINA AND BY THE HIGH RENTS CHARGED IN PRIVATE HOUSING.*
HE POINTED OUT THAT THE HOUSING AUTHORITY PROVIDED A SIMPLE FORM OF HOUSING IN LICENSED AREAS FOR THOSE WHO CLAIM TO HAVE NO OTHER WAY OF MEETING THEIR HOUSING NEEDS.
♦ADMITTEDLY, THESE TEMPORARY HOUSING AREAS DO BRING RELIEF TO MANY.
♦IT IS A SOBERING THOUGHT THAT IT MAY BE NECESSARY TO ACCEPT A FURTHER 25,000 PERSONS A YEAR INTO LICENSED AREAS FOR THE NEXT FOUR OR FIVE YEARS.
♦ONLY THEN, AND ASSUMING THAT RESOURCES ARE FORTHCOMING, WILL THE PRODUCTION OF PERMANENT PUBLIC HOUSING REACH A POINT AT WHICH
THEY CAN START TO BE RUN DOWN,+ THE GOVERNOR SAID.
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/29
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 8, 1975
- 29 -
INCREASED COMPENSATION FOR RESUMPTION OF N.T. LAND n it it it it it
THE GOVERNMENT HAS AGREED TO INCREASE COMPENSATION IN FUTURE RESUMPTION CASES OF AGRICULTURAL LAND IN THE NEW TERRITORIES WHICH FALL WITHIN THE LAYOUT AREAS WHERE LAND EXCHANGE ENTITLEMENTS ARE ISSUED.
UNDER THE NEW PROPOSALS, LAND OWNERS WILL BE OFFERED THE VALUE OF AGRICULTURAL LAND ASSESSED UNDER THE CROWN LAUD RESUMPTION ORDINANCE PLUS AN EX-GRATIA PAYMENT. A SPOKESMAN FOR THE NEW TERRITORIES ADMINISTRATION SAID TODAY: +LAND OWNERS WILL BE ENTITLED TO ACCEPT A CASH OFFER OF 810 A SQUARE FOOT ON SURRENDER OF THE LAND OR THEY MAY TAKE UP AN OFFER OF AN EXCHANGE ENTITLEMENT BASED ON A RESTRICTED VALUE OF 310 A SQUARE FOOT AS A DEDUCTION FROM THE PREMIA FOR FUTURE BUILDING LAND.
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WATER CUT it it it
A NUMBER OF PREMISES IN SHAM SHU I PO WILL BE WITHOUT WATER FROM 1 A.M. TO 6 A.M. ON FRIDAY (OCTOBER 10) TO ALLOW LEAKAGE TESTS TO BE CARRIED OUT.
THE AREA AFFECTED IS BOUNDED BY CASTLE PEAK ROAD, PRATAS STREET, CHEUNG SHA WAN ROAD, WING LUNG STREET AND UN CHAU STREET.
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/30.....
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 8, 1975
- 30
CAREERS EXHIBITION
DRAWS CROWDS « * H H if
STUDENTS AND YOUNG PEOPLE TODAY (WEDNESDAY) FLOCKED TO THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT’S FIRST CAREERS ON WHEELS EXHIBITION STAGED AT THE CHEUNG SHA WAN CATHOLIC SECONDARY SCHOOL, KOWLOON.
THE FOUR-DAY MINIATURE EXHIBITION — THE FIRST OF A SERIES OF MOBILE EXHIBITIONS STAGED BY THE YOUTH EMPLOYMENT ADVISORY SERVICE — PROVIDES CAREERS INFORMATION AND ADVICE TO YOUNGSTERS.
THE DISPLAY FEATURES PHOTOGRAPHS AND CHARTS ON JOB OPPORTUNITIES IN THE COMMERCIAL, INDUSTRIAL AND SERVICE SECTORS.
BESIDES A SOUND-ON-SLIDE SHOW FEATURING APPRENTICE TRAINING SCHEMES, THERE WERE GRAPHICS AND PHOTOGRAPHS GIVING GUIDANCE ON HOW TO CHOOSE A CAREER WISELY.
THE EXHIBITION IS OPEN FROM 9.30 A.M. TO 5 P.M. DAILY AND CLOSES AT 1 P.M. ON SATURDAY, OCTOBER 11. STAFF OF THE YEAS ARE ON HAND TO ANSWER ENQUIRIES.
THE PROJECT HAS BEEN MADE POSSIBLE BY THE ROTARY CLUB OF KOWLOON WHO DONATED THE TRUCK WHICH, WHEN FULLY EXTENDED, CAN PROVIDE A MAXIMUM DISPLAY AREA OF SOME 500 SQUARE FEET.
THE VEHICLE WAS SPECIALLY BUILT SO THAT MINI-EXHIBITIONS COULD BE HELD IN DENSELY-POPULATED URBAN AREAS OR REMOTE SPOTS IN THE NEW TERRITORIES.
THREE TRIAL EXHIBITIONS HAD BEEN HELD IN THE NGAU TAU KOK, KWUN TONG AND CAUSEWAY BAY AREAS IN THE LAST WO MONTHS, AND HAD ATTRACTED CONSIDERABLE ATTENDANCE BY STUDENTS, TEACHERS AND PARENTS.
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.MAC n
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 3. 1975
31
INDUSTRY URGED TO CONSIDER TRAINING NEEDS
K M ft ft ft ft
NOW IS THE TIME FOR INDUSTRY TO CONSIDER TRAINING NEEDS CAREFULLY AS BUSINESS IS STARTING TO PICK UP, THE ASSISTANT DIRECTOR OF EDUCATION (TECHNICAL), MR. DANIEL WATERS SAID TODAY.
SPEAKING AT THE MEETING OF THE ROTARY CLUB OF KWUN TONG, MR. WATERS STATED THAT IT TOOK AROUND THREE OR FOUR YEARS TO TRAIN A CRAFTSMAN OR A TECHNICIAN.
HE POINTED OUT THAT WHILE ON-THE-JOB TRAINING WAS PROVIDED BY INDUSTRY, ONE OF THE MOST IMPORTANT ASPECTS OF FORMAL APPRENTICESHIP TRAINING, AS ADVOCATED BY THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT, WAS PART-TIME DAY-RELEASE COURSES WHICH PROVIDED RELATED TECHNICAL EDUCATION IN TECHNICAL INSTITUTES.
AT PRESENT THERE WERE ABOUT 2,200 PART-TIME DAY-RELEASE STUDENTS IN THE THREE TECHNICAL INSTITUTES COMPARED WITH 500 WHEN SUCH COURSES STARTED IN SEPTEMBER 1970.
BUT MR. WATERS SAID THE NUMBERS SHOULD BE INCREASED STILL MORE RAPIDLY. I
HE EXPRESSED THE HOPE THAT WITH THE INTRODUCTION OF THE APPRENTICESHIP BILL IN THE NEAR FUTURE THIS FORM OF TRAINING WOULD BECOME MORE POPULAR WITH INDUSTRALISTS.
THE ASSISTANT DIRECTOR SAID: +WHILE THE MAIN TASK OF TECHNICAL INSTITUTES IS TO PROVIDE RELATED TECHNICAL EDUCATION FOR INDUSTRIAL PERSONNEL NEVERTHELESS WE ARE ALSO CONSIDERING THE . POSSIBILITY OF BROADENING THE EDUCATIONAL BASE SO THAT MORE SOCIALLY AND CULTURALLY BIASED COURSES ARE RUN.+
AT PRESENT A TECHNICAL EDUCATION PROGRAMME WAS BEING DRAWN UP.
THE GOVERNMENT WAS VERY CONSCIOUS OF THE NEED TO DEVELOP TECHNICAL EDUCATION AND HAD GIVEN A CONSIDERABLE DEGREE OF PRIORITY TO THE TECHNICAL INSTITUTE PROGRAMME.
+THE OVERALL PLAN,* HE SAID, +HAS BEEN DRAWN UP IN DETAIL AND IS BASED ON THE SURVEYS AND RECOMMENDATIONS MADE BY THE INDUSTRIAL TRAINING ADVISORY COMMITTEE AND BY ITS SUCCESSOR, THE HONG KONG TRAINING COUNCIL.*
THE TWO NEW TECHNICAL INSTITUTES AT KWAI CHUNG AND KWUN TONG WERE BUILT AND EQUIPPED AT GOVERNMENT EXPENSE AND, AS WITH THE FIRST INSTITUTE AT MORRISON HILL, THE RECURRENT EXPENDITURE WAS ALSO BORNE BY THE GOVERNMENT.
/+IN TURN, ......
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 8, 1975
52
+ IN TURN, STUDENTS FEES ARE HEAVILY SUBSIDIZED BUT IF A STUDENT IS UNABLE TO AFFORD THESE HE IS ABLE TO OBTAIN A FREE PLACE,+ THE ASSISTANT DIRECTOR SAID.
PILING WAS ALREADY IN PROGRESS FOR THE FOURTH INSTITUTE AT CHEUNG SHA WAN AND CLASSES SHOULD COMMENCE IN SEPTEMBER 1977.
+THE SAN PO KONG TECHNICAL INSTITUTE SHOULD BE COMPLETED LATER IN THE PRESENT DECADE. A CERTAIN AMOUNT OF PRE-PLANNING HAS ALREADY BEEN DONE FOR INSTITUTES SIX, SEVEN AND EIGHT WHICH WILL BE SITUATED IN SHA TIN, TUEN MUN AND TSUEN WAN,+ MR. WATERS SAID.
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PRM 7
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 9, 1$75
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
SPECLiL REVIEW ARTICLE haaLYSING SjJLIENT FEATURES OF HONG KONG INDUSTRIES ............................................. 1
LaDY MACLEHOSE TO VISIT TWO COM-iUNITY CHEST AGENCIES TOMORROW 3
SALE OF LOTTERY TICKETS CLOSES TOMORROW .......................... 4
SPECIAL TRAIN SERVICES FOR CHUNG YEUNG FESTIVAL................... 5
DUKE AND DUCHESS OF GLOUCESTER TO VISIT HONG KONG IN NOVEMBER 6
CONTRACT TO DOUBLE-TR^CK KCR BETWEEN HUNG HON aND SHA TIN TO BE SIGNED ........................................................ 6
POSTAL ARRANGEMENTS FOR CHUNG YEUNG FESTIVAL...................... 7
PICNICKERS Warned of fire d.jiger................................. 7
SPECLiL TRAFFIC /Jt^UGEMENTS FOR CHUNG YEUNG FESTIVAL......... 8
FACTORIES URGED TO CO-OPERATE WITH LABOUR INSPECTORS ............ 10
Issued by Government Information Services, Beaconsfield House, Hong Kong. Tel: 5-233191
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 9, 1975
1
SPECIAL REVIEW ON SALIENT FEATURES OF INDUSTRIES
A SPECIAL REVIEW ARTICLE ANALYSING THE SALIENT FEATURES CF HONG KONG INDUSTRIES APPEARS IN THE JULY ISSUE OF THE HONG KONG MONTHLY DIGEST OF STATISTICS NOW ON SALE.
THE ARTICLE IS BASED ON RESULTS OF THE 197J CENSUS OF INDUSTRIAL PRODUCTION CONDUCTED BY THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT BETWEEN APRIL 1974 AND FEBRUARY 197J.
THE ANALYSIS ARE CONFINED TO REPORTING MANUFACTURING ESTABLISHMENTS ENGAGING 20 OR MORE PERSONS. THIS CATERGORY OF ESTABLISHMENTS (INCLUDING THOSE THAT WERE OPERATING DURING 1973 BUT WERE CLOSED IN 1974) WERE RESPONSIBLE FOR 84 PER CENT OF THE AMOUNT OF VALUE ADDED TO MATERIALS BY THE MANUFACTURING PROCESS, AND EMPLOYED 77 PER CENT OF THE MANUFACTURING LABOUR FORCE.
SOME INTERESTING STRUCTURAL INFORMATION WAS REVEALED IN THE ARTICLE.
FOR EXAMPLE, THE OVERjiLL LABOUR COST PER PERSON ENGAGED IN MANUFACTURING ESTABLISHMENTS WITH JO OR MORE PERSONS WAS $9,653 PER ANNUM IN 197J.
THERE WERE HIGHER AVERAGE EARNINGS RECORDED IN THE INDUSTRY GROUPS ENGAGED IN THE MANUFACTURE OF FURNITURE AND FIXTURES, BASIC METAL INDUSTRIES, AND MANUFACTURE OF TRANSPORT EQUIPMENT.
ON THE OTHER HAND, LABOUR COST PER PERSON ENGAGED IN GARMENT FACTORIES WAS BELOW AVERAGE; THE SAME APPLIED TO PLASTIC FACTORIES AND FACTORIES ENGAGED IN THE MANUFACTURE OF ELECTRICAL MACHINERY, APPARATUS, .APPLIANCES AND SUPPLIES.
PRODUCTIVITY MEASURED IN TERMS OF VALUE ADDED PER PERSON ENGAGED
WAS HIGHER FOR LARGER ESTABLISHMENTS BUT ESTABLISHMENTS ENGAGING 1,000 PERSONS OR MORE APPEARED TO BE LESS FAVOURABLE WHEN COMPARED WITH ESTABLISHMENTS WITH JOO-999 PERSONS.
/THE CAPITAL/LABOUR 99999
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 9, 1975
2
THE CAPITAL/LABOUR RATIO WAS <kLSO HIGHEST IN THE GROUP OF ESTABLISH* MENTS ENGAGING 300-999 PERSONS.
OUTPUT OF LARGE ESTABLISHMENTS /JLSO EXHIBITED A HIGHER WJAJE ADDED CONTENT, INDICATING PERHAPS A HIGHER DEGREE OF VERTICAL INTEGRATION IN LARGER ESTABLISHMENTS.
FOR A FEW LARGEST ESTABLISHMENTS, FOR EXjiMPLE, THE PERCENTAGE OF VALUE ADDED TO GROSS OUTPUT WAS OVER 40 PER CENT WHEREAS FOR SMALLER ESTABLISHMENTS, SUCH AS THOSE ENGAGING 20-49 PERSONS, IT WAS JUST OVER 30 PER CENT.
IN 'THE i^EVIEW, ANALYSES aRE zmLSO MaDE IN TERMS OF CENSUS DISTRICTS, TYPE OF OWNERSHIP, NUMBER OF WORKING SHIFTS, VALUE ADDED, CAPITAL STOCK, GROSS OUTPUT, PURCHASES OF MATERIALS AND SUPPLIES, V^LUE OF SiiLES aND WORK DONE, VALUE OF EXPORTS, kND JOINT VEifPURE aND LOCAL ESTABLISHMENTS.
PROVISIONAL RESULTS OF THE 1975 CENSUS OF INDUSTRIAL PRODUCTION
WERE RELEASED /BOUT TWO MONTHS AGO AND THE HAIN REPORT WILL SOON BE PUBLISHED FOR SALE.
"^NYONE WHO IS INTERESTED IN OBTAINING MORE DETAILED INFORMATION CONCERNING INDUSTRY CiiN CONTACT THE INDUSTRIAL PRODUCTION STATISTICS SECTION OF THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT," THE SPOKESMAN FOR THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT SAID.
THE HONG KONG MONTHLY DIGEST OF STATISTICS IS OBTAINABLE FROM THE GOVERNMENT PUBLICATIONS CENTRE AT THE STAR FERRY CONCOURSE, HONG KONG AT 36 PER COPY.
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THURSDAY,OCTOBER 9, 1975
3
)
LADY MACLEHOSE TO VISIT COMMUNITY CHEST AGENCIES **********
LADY MACLEHOSE WILL BE VISITING TWO MEMBER AGENCIES OF THE COMMUNITY CHEST OF HONG KONG, THE CARITAS HOUSE AND THE HONG KONG ANTICANCER SOCIETY NAM LONG HOSPITAL, TOMORROW (FRIDAY) MORNING IN HER CAPACITY AS THE PRESIDENT OF THE CHEST,
SHE WILL BE ACCOMPANIED BY MISS JILL BROMLEY, SOCIAL SECRETARY OF GOVERNMENT HOUSE AND MR. G.A. HENDERSON, DEPUTY EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF COMMUNITY CHEST.
THE CARITAS HOUSE AT CAINE ROAD IS BUILT ON A SITE SET ASIDE BY THE ROMAN CATHOLIC CHURCH TO PROVIDE MULTIPLE SOCIAL SERVICES FOR THE PEOPLE OF HONG KONG.
ON ARRIVAL AT CARITAS HOUSE, THE PARTY WILL BE MET BY BISHOP JOHN B. WU, THE BISHOP OF HONG KONG«= FR. F. LERDA, THE PRESIDENT AND MR. PAUL K.C. TSUI, THE SECRETARY GENERAL OF CARITAS.
LADY MACLEHOSE WILL HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO SEE SOME OF THE MAJOR FACILITIES PROVIDED BY CARITAS HOUSE INCLUDING A LIBRARY, YOUTH CENTRE, MEDICAL AND DENTAL CLINICS AND FAMILY SERVICE CENTRE.
SHE WILL THEN PROCEED TO THE NAM LONG HOSPITAL IN ABERDEEN WHICH PROVIDES ESSENTIAL SERVICES AND TREATMENT TO CANCER PATIENTS.
THE HOSPITAL IS RUN BY THE HONG KONG ANTI-CANCER SOCIETY FORMED IN 1971 TO PROMOTE AND CO-ORDINATE ACTIVITIES AGAINST CANCER.
THE SOCIETY IS ALSO ACTIVELY INVOLVING IN CANCER. RESEARCH AND HAS BEEN INVESTIGATING POSSIBLE CAUSES OF THE HIGH INCIDENCE OF CANCER OF THE NASAL PASSAGES AMONG HONG KONGJs POPULATION.
/NOTE TO EDITORS:
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 9, 1975
4
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO SEND A REPORTER/PHCTOGRAPHER TO COVER THE VISITS. TRANSPORT WILL NOT BE PROVIDED FOR THE VISIT TO CARITAS HOUSE BUT THERE WILL BE A NINE-SEATER VAN WAITING AT BATTERY PATH OUTSIDE VICTORIA DISTRICT COURT AT 10.45 A,M. TO TAKE THE PRESS TO NAM LONG HOSPITAL.
THE CARITAS HOUSE IS LOCATED AT 2-8 CAINE ROAD, HONG KONG.
LADY MACLEHOSE IS EXPECTED TO ARRIVE THERE AROUND 10.30 A.M.
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SALE OF LOTTERY TICKETS CLOSES TOMORROW
********
TOMORROW (FRIDAY) IS THE LAST D..Y TO BUY TICKETS FOR THE TENTH GOVERNMENT LOTTERY THIS YE. Ji.
SZ.T.E OF TICKETS WILL CLOSE AT 9.P.M. AT THE ROYAL HONG KONG JOCKEY CLUB BOOTHS. DURING THE DAY, TICKETS MaY BE BOUGHT AT THE HEAD i.ND BRiiNCH OFFICES OF 30 BANKS IN VARIOUS DISTRICTS.
UP TO 5 P-M. TODAY (THURSDAY), A TOT.JL OF 355,000 TICKETS WAS SOLD.
THE WINNING NUMBERS WILL BE DR..WN ON TUESDAY NIGHT (OCTOBER 14) IN THE STUDIOS OF COMMERCE!, TELEVISION LTD. AT BRO^JJC/JST DRIVE.
THE FIRST PRIZE WILL BE DIL.WN BY THE THREE FORMER CHAIRMEN: MR. LEE QUO-WEI, MR. ALEX S.C. WU, jJTO MR. SHUM CHOI-SANG, .J1D THE SERVING CHi»IRM,Ji, MR. KjJ-YIN CH«U, OF THE GOVERNMENT LOTTERIES MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE.
THE SECOND .JID THIRD PRIZES WILL BE DRAWN BY FOUR C.T.V. ARTISTES: MISS JOSEPHINE LEO FUNG-MING, MISS INGRID WU Y.Ji-YAJ, MR. PETER AU WAI-LAM «ND MR. GEORGE L.J1 CHI-CHEONG.
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/5......
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 9, 1975
5
SPECIAL TRAIN SERVICES FOR CHUNG YEUNG FESTIVAL
X X X X X X
SPECIAL PJiSSENGER TRAIN SERVICES WILL BE OPERATED TO WO HOP SHEK DURING THE CHUNG YEUNG FESTIVAL PERIOD, ON OCTOBER 12 (SUNDAY) AND OCTOBER 13 (MONDAY), TO COPE WITH THE EXPECTED INCREASE IN COMMUTERS.
ELEVEN ADDITIONAL UP-TRAINS WILL RUN AT ABOUT HOURLY INTERVALS BETWEEN TSIM SHA TSUI AND WO HOP SHEK BETWEEN 6.15 A.M. AND 4.44 P.M. ON THE TWO DAYS. THE SAME NUMBER OF ADDITIONAL DOWN-TRAINS WILL ALSO BE OPERATED AT ABOUT HOURLY INTERVALS BETWEEN 7.40 A.M. AND 6.14 P.M. THESE SPECIAL TRAINS WILL NOT PICK UP PASSENGERS AT THE MONG KOK STATION.
PASSENGERS NORMALLY BOARDING AT MONG KOK ARE ADVISED TO GO TO TSIM SHA TSUI STATION DURING THIS PERIOD AND HOLDERS OF MONTHLY TICKETS WILL BE ALLOWED TO BOARD AT TSIM SHA TSUI WITHOUT EXTRA CHARGE.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE KOWLOON-CANTON RAILWAY SAID THAT MORE SPECIAL TRAINS MIGHT BE OPERATED IN THE LATE EVENINGS IF DEMAND WARRANTED.
HE SiJD ALL THE UP-TRAEHS FROM KOWLOON TO THE NEW TERRITORIES WOULD BE EXPECTED FULL BETWEEN 6 A.M. AND 3 P.M., WHILE DOWN-TRAINS WOULD PROBABLY BE FULL EROM 3 P.M. TO 9 P.M.
ALTHOUGH THERE WILL BE NO ADVANCE BOOKING OF RAILWAY TICKETS, SPECIAL CONCESSION RETURN TICKETS WILL BE AVAILABLE aT THE TSUI SHa TSUI STATION ON THE TWO DaYS, FOR ORDINaRY CLASS ONLY FROM KOWLOON TO WO HOP SiLEK, AND FOR BOTH FIRST AND ORDINARY CL.jSS FROM KOWLOON TO LO WU, aND THEN TO SaNDY RIDGE.
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/6......
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 9, 1975
6
DUKE iJID DUCHESS OF GLOUCESTER TO VISIT H.K.
**»»*#*«
THE DUKE ,'UID DUCHESS OF GLOUCESTER hRE EXPECTED TO jJiRIVE IN HONG KONG ON NOVEMBER 10 FOR A TWO-D^Y PRIVATE VISIT ON THEIR WAY HOME AFTER A TOUR OF THE PHILIPPINES.
'WHILE HERE, THEIR ROY^J, HIGHNESSES WILL STAY IN GOVERNMENT HOUSE AS GUESTS OF THE GOVERNOR, SIR MURB..Y FmCLEHOSE.
’ THEY W ILL NOT BE CARRYING OUT ANY OFFICIAL ENGAGEMENTS DURING
THEIR VISIT.
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DOUBLE-TRACKING OF KCR
******
NOTE TO EDITORS:
A CONTRACT SIGNING CEREMONY WILL BE HELD IN THE CONFERENCE ROOM ON THE 12TH FLOOR OF PUBLIC WORKS DEP/iRTriENT HEADQUARTERS, MURRAY BUILDING i»T 2.30 P.M. TOMORROW (FRIDAY) FOR THE PROVISION OF DOUBLE-TRICKING ON THE KOWLOON CziNTON RAILWAY LINE BETWEEN HUNG HOM i*ND SIU TIN.
AT THE CEREMONY, THE CHIEF ENGINEER OF THE P.W.D.’S RAILWAY DIVISION, MR. S. GRUNBERG, WILL GIVE DETAILS OF THE WORK TO BE UNDERTAKEN ^ND THE TESS-TABLE FOR THE PROJECT, .JJD OUTLINE OTHER WORKS PLANNED TO FOLLOW.
YOU ^iRE CORDIxELY INVITED TO COVER THE EVENT, AND OIFICERS OF THE P.W.D. PUBLICITY UNIT WILL BE ON HAND TO ASSIST YOU.
IT WOULD BE APPRECIATED IF TELEVISION EQUIPMENT COULD BE SET UP BEFORE THE ST<JRT OF THE CEREMONY AT 2.30 P.M.
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THURSDAY, OCTOBER 9, 1975
7
HOLIDAY POSTAL ARRANGEMENTS
X X X X X
THERE WILL BE LIMITED POSTAL SERVICES ON CHUNG YEUNG FESTIVAL DAY, WHICH IS A PUBLIC HOLIDAY.
ON MONDAY (OCTOBER 15), THERE WILL BE ONE MAH DELIVERY AND CERTAIN POST OFFICES WILL BE CLOSED. HOWEVER, 52 POST OFFICES IN VARIOUS PARTS OF HONG KONG, KOWLOON AND THE NEW TERRITORIES WILL BE OPEN FROM 9 A.M. TO 12 NOON FOR THE CONVENIENCE OF THE PUBLIC.
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PICNICKERS WARNED OF FIRE DaNGER
»**»»»»»
THE FIRE SERVICES DEPARTMENT TODj.Y URGED ALL VISITORS TO THE COUNTRYSIDE DURING THE CHUNG YEUNG FESTIV.iL HOLIDAY TO TAKE EXTRA CaRE TO PREVENT FIRES.
AC THIS TILE OF THE YE..R WITH DRIER iJO COOLER WEATHER, PICNICKERS AND GRaVE-SWEEPERS .HIE LIKELY TO C..USE MOST OF THE FIRES IN THE RURAL .UREAS.
A SPOKESM-.N FOR THE FIRE SERVICES DEPARTMENT SAID: +FIRES ARE STARTED BY SMOKERS THOUGHTLESSLY DISCARDING LIGHTED CIG.RETTE ENDS .iND MATCHES^ BY PICNICKERS LIGHTING 3.JIEECUE FIRES IN UNSUIT;3LE AREaS AND BY GRAVE-SWEEPERS carelessly handling josl sticks aid c.rdles.+
■ -HE URGED SMOKERS TO MAKE SURE THEIR CIGARETTE BUTTS AND MATCHES WERE PROPERLY OUT BEFORE DISPOSING THE.. +IF a BARBECUE IS PLANNED, IT SHOULD BE HELD IN .JJ .JKL. DESIGNATED BY THE AGRICULTURE .HID FISHERIES DEPiUTfiENT AND SOMEONE SHOULD BE APPOINTED TO A.TCH THE FIRE ALL THE TIME. EaRTH AND WATER SHOULD BE USED TO EXTINGUISH IT BEFORE LEAVING THE SITE,+ HE SAID.
THE SPOKESMAN S.uLD C.A.T HUNDREDS OF TREES FLJ) BEEI4 DESTROYED AND ..CHES OF PLEaS.UiT COUNTRYSIDE SPOILT BY FIRE ON CHUNG YEUNG FESTIVE IN THE PAST YE. a<S.
+IT IS A'i OFFENCE TO LIGHT OR USE « FIRE IN OR NEaR a FOREST, PLANTATION, PROHIBITED ..RE.. OR .ARE.. OF OPEN COUNTRYSIDE, OR TO BE IN A GROUP OF PEOPLE USING SUCH .. FIRE,+ THE SPOKESI-UN POINTED OUT.
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THURSDAY, OCTOBER 9, 1975
- "8 -
SPECIAL TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS FOR CHUNG YEUNG FESTIVAL
•*«*•*•
SPECIAL TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS WILL BE IMPLEMENTED AND EXTRA BUS SERVICES OPERATED ON HONG KING ISLAND, IN KOWLOON .iND THE NEW TERRITORIES DURING THIS YEAR'S CHUNG YEUNG FESTIVAL.
THE TRAFFIC ARRaNGBiENTS WILL INVOLVE ROAD CLOSURES, DIVERSIONS AND SUSPENSION OF PARKING FACILITIES. MOTORISTS ARE ADVISED TO AVOID THE GENERAL ASEaS OF CEMETERIES AS TR.FFIC IS EXPECTED TO BE HEAVY IN THESE ARE.JS.
ON HONG KONG ISLaND, FROM 7 A.M." TO 7 P.M. ON MONDAY (OCOBTER 1J), THE SECTION OF PEEL RISE FROM ITS JUNCTION WITH itBERDEEN RESERVOIR ROAD TO A POINT BEYOND THE WESTERN LIMIT OF ABERDEEN CEMETERY WILL BE CLOSED TO VEHICULiiR TRAFFIC.
DURING THE Si JIE PERIOD, CAPE COLLINSON ROAD WILL BECOME ONE-WAY WEST FROM LIN SHING ROAD TO SHEK 0 RO/J), CONSORT RISE WILL BE ONE-WAY SOUTH FROM VICTORIA ROiJ) TO BISNEY RO.J), aND IT MAY BE NECESSiiRY TO CLOSE CAPE COLLINSON ROA) WITHOUT PRIOR NOTIFICATION SHOULD TRaFFIC CONDITIONS REQUIRE.
ALSO ON MONDaY, FROM 7 „.h. TO 9 P.M., THE METERED PARKING SPACES NEXT TO THE PEAC BUS TERMINUS WILL BE SUSPENDED. NO PARKING WILL BE PERMITTED AJONG C.lPE COLLINSON ROA).
IN THa NEW TERRITORIES, r.O HOP SHEK ROAD WILL BE CLOSED TO -iLL VEHICUW TRAFFIC, EXCEPT HEARSES AND EMERGENCY VEHICLES, FROM 5 A.M. TO 8 P.li ON OCTOBER 11, 12, 1J, 18, 19, 25 AND 26.
A ONE-WAY TILlFFIC SYSTEM WILL BE IMPLEMENTED ON TAIPO ROA) ON SUNDAY (OCTOBER 12) A\D MONDAY (OCTOBER 1J) FROM 8 A.M. UNTIL IT BECOMES POSSIBLE TO REVERT TO NORM.JL TWO-WAY TR.FFIC FLOW. THIS MAY ^FSO APPLY EITHER IN FULL OR IN PAiT ON OTHER DATES NEAR THE FESTIVE PERIOD IF TR.FFIC CONDITIONS REQUIRE.
UNDER THE ONE-W..Y SYSTEM, T..IPO RO .J) WILL BE ONE-WAY NORTH FROM ITS JUNCTION WITH LaM KaM RO. J) ..ND iFSO FROM ITS JUNCTION WITH FANLING RAILWAY STATION ROAD TO SHEUNG SHUI CROSS RO.DS.
/MOTORISTS .....
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 9, 1975
9
MOTORISTS WISHING TO PROCEED TO KOWLOON FROri F;IDLING ROUNDaBOUT MAY TRaVEL ON EITHER ONE OF THREE ROUTES: (a) VIa SHA TAU KOK ROaD, LUK KENG RO.J), TING KOK ROaD AND THEN KWONG FUK ROaD IN T.dPO TOWN= (B) Via THE ONE-WAY SYSTEM WEST ALONG TaI PO ROaD TO CiJSTLE PEaK RO, J) aT SHEUNG SHUI CROSS RQaDS= AND (C) VIA THE ONE-WAY SYSTEM WEST ALONG TalPO RO-D, TURN INTO FAN KAM ROaD TO KaM TIN, aND THEN THROUGH ROUTE TWISK TO CjJSTLE PEAK RO/iD OR THROUGH LAM KAM ROAD TO TJ1IPO road.
AT SaNDY RIDGE, LO WU, NO VEHICUL/U TRAFFIC, EXCEPT PUBLIC TRANSPORT aND VEHICLES WITH CLOSED ROAD PERMITS, WILL BE ALLOWED TO ENTER MAN KAM TO ROaD AT ITS JUNCTION WITH SUN FUNG aVENUE IN SHEUNG SHUI. WORSHIPPERS ARE ADVISED NOT TO USE PRIVATE CaR aS PaRKIRG SPACES EJiE VERY LIMITED IN SHEUNG SHUI, aND aDE^UaTE PUBLIC TRANSPORT FaCILITIES BETWEEN SHEUNG SHUI AND LO WU WILL BE aValLaBLE.
TO TSUEN WaN CEMETERY, THE aCCESS RO, J) WILL BE CLOSED TO aLL VEHICULaR TRAFFIC EXCEPT HELlRSES AND EMERGENCY VEHICLES, ON SUNDaY AI© MONDaY (OCTOBER 12 .AID 13) OR ON OTHER DaTES DURING THE FESTIVAL PERIOD IF TRAFFIC SITUaTION REQUIRES.
SPECI/iL BUS SERVICES WILL BE OPERATED ON HONG KONG ISLAND ON MONDAY (OCTOBER 1J). THERE WILL BE ROUTE 15B OPERATING BETWEEN CAUSEWAY BAY AND THE PEaK AT 41 F.lRE FROM 7.30 A.M. TO 7 P.M. AT 20-MINUTE FREQUENCY= ROUTE 21A BETWEEN CENTRAL aND THE CHINESE CHRISTIaN CERETERY AT 50 CENTS FROM 7 A.M. TO 6 P.M. EVERY SEVEN TO EIGHT MINUTES= AND ROUTE 22a BETWEEN SHAU KEI WAN C;uPE COLLINSON AT 50 CENTS FROM 7 A.M. TO 6 P.M. EVERY'SEVEN TO EIGHT MINUTES.
ON JOURNEYS TO WaH FU, ABERDEEN jiND WONG CHUK HANG, ALL FRANCHISED BUSES WILL NOT OBSERVE THE BUS STOP OPPOSITE THE CHINESE CHRISTIAN CEMETERY.
IN KOWLOON AND THE NEW TERRITORIES, SPECIAL ARRANGEMENTS WILL APPLY ON CERTAIN BUS ROUTES ON MONDAY (OCTOBER 13).
/ROUTE 70 ......
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 9, 1975
10
ROUTE 70 EROM SHEUNG SHUT TO JORDAN RO.J) FERRY WILL OPERATE FROM SHEUNG SHUT EVERY 12 MINUTES FROM 6 A.M. TO 7.50 A.M. AND FROM 3 P.M. TO 9 P.N., AS WELL AS EVERY 1? MINUTES BETWEEN 9 P.M. AND 11.15 P.M. THERE WILL BE NO SERVICE FROM SHEUNG SHUI BETWEEN 7.50 A.M. nND 3 P.M.
SERVICES WILL BE INCREASED ON ROUTE 50 (YUEN LONG TO JORDAN ROAD FERRY)- ROUTE 77 (SHEUNG SHUI TO YUEN LONG)= ROUTE 79 (SHEUNG SHUI TO Ta KWU LING)= .iND ROUTE 82 (LEUN WO HUI TO HhN KAM TO).
ROUTE 75 FROM SHEUNG SHUI TO TaI PO MARKET WILL BE TEMPORARILY SUSPENDED DURING THE PERIOD OF ROaD DIVERSIONS.
-------------------------0--------- factories urged to co-operate with labour inspectors ««««*«**
THE ASSISTANT COMMISSIONER FOR LaBOUR, MRS. SOO MOK SAU-HA, TODaY urged factory proprietors to co-oper>te with labour department inspectors WHEN THEY PERFORM THEIR OFFICLJL DUTIES.
♦THE MAIN CONCERN OF OUR VISITING INSPECTORS IS TO HELP EMPLOYERS AND THETR WORKERS ON HOW TO COMPLY WITH THE LAW FOR THEIR OWN INTEREST.
+OUR INSPECTORS aiRE OFFERING a SERVICE TO THE PUBLIC AND THEY SHOULD BE RESPECTED aT jiLL TIMES, + SHE aDDED.
+SHOULD PEOPLE FIND THE ATTITUDE OR SERVICE OF CUR INSPECTORS UNSATISFACTORY, THE PROPER THING TO DO IS TO /xPPROACH THEIR SENIOR OFFICERS. THEY SHOULD, UNDER NO CIRCUMSTANCES, ATTEMPT.TO TAKE THE LaW INTO THEIR OWN HANDS,+ SHE SalD.
MRS. SOO WaS COMMENTING ON A CASE IN NORTH KOWLOON COURT THIS MORNING. when a magistrate, hr. w.j. mcclalland, sentenced a nylon factory proprietor, FUNG W4I, TO THREE MONTHS’ IMPRISONMENT FOR CRIMINAL INTIMIDATION. THE SENTENCE WaS SUSPENDED FOR TWO YEARS.
FUNG, PLEADING NOT GUILTY TO THE CHARGE, VAiS CONVICTED FOR HAVING THREaTENED WITH INTENT TO INJURE LABOUR INSPECTOR, LAI YIU-YaN, DURING A ROUTINE VISIT TO THE DEFENDaNT’S FACTORY IN SHahSHUIPO ON AUGUST 28.
THE COURT WaS TOLD THaT FUNG REFUSED TO PRODUCE CERTalN DOCUMENTS FOR INSPECTION, 41ND LaTER THREATENED TO INJURE THE OFFICER IF HE V/OULD NOT LEaVE THE FACTORY PREMISES.
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PRH
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 10, 1975
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
PROPOSAL TO SET UP SMALL CLAIMS TRIBUNAL ................... 1
CONTRACT SIGNED FOR DOUBLE-TRACKING RAILWAY TO SHA TIN ..... 2
IRRESPONSIBLE BUILDING CONTRACTOR FINED $50,000 ............ 3
SEPARATE COURT OF APPEAL WITH PERMANENT APPEAL JUDGES PROPOSED ............................................... 4
SECRETARY FOR THE N.T. WILL MEET THE MEDIA.................. 4
LAST GOVERNMENT LOTTERY DRAW TO BE BROADCAST LIVE .......... 5
PROHIBITIONS ON GOODS VEHICLES ON HOLIDAY ROADS END NEXT WEEK ................................................. 6
NORTH KOWLOON TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS IN PREPARATION FOR MTR WORK ................................................... 7“8
Issued.by Government Information Services, Beaconsfield House, Hong Kong. Tel: 5'233191
FRIDAY, OCTODER 10, 1975
1
SMALL CLAIMS TRIBUNAL BILL PUBLISHED ii n « n
A BILL TO ESTABLISH A SMALL CLAIMS TRIBUNAL TO HEAR MONETARY CLAIMS OF NOT MORE THAN 33,000 WILL SHORTLY BE INTRODUCED INTO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL.
THE NEW ARBITRATION BODY, TO BE SET UP UNDER THE SMALL CLAIMS mi DURAL BILL 1975, WILL BE ALONG THE LINES OF THE SUCCESSFUL LABOUR TRIBUNAL AND WILL PROVIDE A SIMPLE AND INFORMAL FORUM FOR THE RECOVERY OF SMALL DEBTS.
PROCEEDINGS WILL BE HEARD DY ADJUDICATORS, WHO WILL DE LAWYERS, AND WILL BE CONDUCTED IN EITHER CHINESE OR ENGLISH. THERE WILL BE HO LEGAL REPRESENTATION.
THE TRIBUNAL WILL DE EMPOWERED TO RECOVER SMALL CLAIMS ARISING FROM CONTRACT OR TORT, BUT CERTAIN CLAIMS WILL BE EXCLUDED, SUCH AS THOSE FALLING WITHIN THE JURISDICTION OF THE LABOUR TRIBUNAL AND THOSE INVOLVING A MAINTENANCE AGREEMENT UNDER THE MATRIMONIAL PROCEEDINGS AND PROPERTY ORDINANCE.
THOSE WHO HAVE A CLAIM EXCEEDING THE 33,000 LIMIT CAN BRING THE CLAIM WITHIN THE TRIBUNAL’S JURISDICTION BY ABANDONING THE EXCESS. THEY WILL NOT DE ABLE TO DO SO HOWEVER BY HAVING THE CLAIM SPLIT IN PARTS.
A CLAIM CAN'BE MADE IN WRITING IN A PRESCRIBED FORM IN EITHER ENGLISH OR CHINESE, OR WITH PRIOR PERMISSION, ORALLY.
PROVISION IS MADE IN THE BILL FOR THE TRANSFER OF CLAIMS TO A HIGHER COURT, EITHER BY DECISION OF THE TRIBUNAL OR ON APPLICATION OF ANY PARTY.
AS IN THE CASE OF THE LABOUR TRIBUNAL, AN APPEAL FROM A DECISION OF THE SMALL CLAIMS TRIBUNAL CAN BE MADE ONLY ON A POINT OF LAW WITH THE LEAVE OF THE FULL COURT.
IN HIS ADDRESS TO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL LAST WEDNESDAY, THE GOVERNOR, SIR MURRAY MACLEHOSE, SAID HE WAS AWARE OF A WIDESPREAD DEMAND FOR A SIMPLE, INEXPENSIVE AND QUICK-ACTING FORUM FOR RECOVERING SMALL DEBTS.
+IF THE BILL IS APPROVED,* HE SAID, +1 AM CONFIDENT THAT THE NEW TRIBUNAL WILL FILL A LONG FELT NEED.*
MANAGEMENT COMMITTEES OF MULTI-STOREY BUILDINGS AND MUTUAL AID COMMITTEES WILL IN PARTICULAR FIND IT QUICKER AND CHEAPER TO RECOVER CONTRIBUTIONS FROM FLATOWNERS TOWARDS MAINTENANCE AND OlHER COSTS.
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FRIDAY, OCTOBER 10, 197!?
2
DOUBLING THE RAILWAY LINE FROM HUNG HOM TO SHA TIN a « n h n h «
WORK WILL BEGIN THIS MONTH ON THE LAYING OF A SECOND RAILWAY TRACK FROM THE NEW KOWLOON RAILWAY TERMINAL AT HUNG HOM TO SHA TIN.
THE PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT TODAY SIGNED A CONTRACT FOR THE PROJECT AT A CEREMONY AT THE P.W.D. HEADQUARTERS IN MURRAY BUILDING, HONG KONG.
THE $5 MILLION TRACK-LAYING PROJECT WAS DESIGNED BY THE RAILWAY DIVISION OF THE PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT, WHICH WILL SUPERVISE CONSTRUCTION OF THE SCHEME BY THE SUCCESSFUL TENDERER, THE CHUI HING CONSTRUCTION CO. LTD.
AT TODAY’S CONTRACT SIGNING CEREMONY, MR. S. GRUNBERG, CHIEF ENGINEER OF THE P.W.D.’S RAILWAY DIVISION, SAID THE DOUBLE-TRACKING WOULD TAKE ABOUT 18 MONTHS TO COMPLETE, BUT IT WAS EXPECTED THAT THE SECTION OF DOUBLE TRACK BETWEEN HUNG HOM AND MONG KOK COULD BE USED BY GOODS TRAINS WITHIN A YEAR.
MR. GRUNBERG SAID THE TRACK WIDENING TO SHA TIN WAS THE FIRST STAGE IN THE MAJOR PLAN TO PROVIDE DOUBLE-TRACKING AND IMPROVED RAILWAY FACILITIES ALL THE WAY TO TAI PO MARKET.
HE SAID APPROVAL IN PRINCIPLE HAD NOW BEEN GIVEN TO OTHER MAJOR STAGES OF THE PROJECT, AND PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT PLANNING ON THEM WAS WELL ADVANCED.
THESE INCLUDED THE RE-MODELLING OF THE PRESENT STATIONS AT MONG KOK, SHA TIN, UNIVERSITY, TAI PO KAU AND TAI PO MARKET.
PLANNING WAS ALSO WELL UNDERWAY ON PROPOSALS FOR THE PROVISION OF A NEW STATION AT FO TAN, AND A NEW STATION AND BRANCH LINE FOR THE NEW HONG KONG JOCKEY CLUB RACE-COURSE NEAR SHA TIN.
MR. GRUNBERG SAID THAT THE INITIAL WORK ON THE SIX KILOMETRES OF THE RAILWAY FROM HUNG HOM TO SHA TIN WOULD ALSO INVOLVE EARTH AND DRAINAGE WORKS AND THE CONSTRUCTION OF RETAINING WALLS, FOUR BRIDGES AND OTHER ANCILLARY WORKS.
THE LINE THROUGH THE BEACON HILL TUNNEL WOULD REMAIN SINGLETRACK, BUT THE TWIN-TRACKING OVER THE REST OF THE LINE WOULD ENABLE UP TRAINS TO RUN ON ONE LINE AND DOWN TRAINS ON THE OTHER, CONSIDERABLY INCREASING THE CAPACITY OF THE RAILWAY.
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 10, 1975
3
BUILDING CONTRACTOR FINED $50,000 BY DISCIPLINARY BOARD ****««#
THE REGISTERED CONTRACTORS’ DISCIPLINARY BOARD HAS FINED A ■ILDING CONTRACTOR $50,000 FOR FAILING TO ADHERE TO BUILDING PLANS APPROVED UNDER THE BUILDINGS ORDINANCE BY THE BUILDING AUTHORITY.
THE BOARD ALSO ORDERED THE COMPANY - THE GLORIOUS BUILDING CONTRACTORS LTD. - TO PAY COSTS OF $7,500 RESULTING FROM THE BOARD’S INQUIRY.
THE FINE IS ADDITIONAL TO A $20,000 FINE PREVIOUSLY IMPOSED ON THE COMPANY BY THE COURT.
DETAILS OF THE CHARGE AGAINST THE COMPANY AND THE FINE IMPOSED BY THE BOARD ARE PUBLISHED IN TODAY’S GOVERNMENT GAZETTE.
THE OFFENCE CONCERNED WORK IN RESPECT OF A MAIN SHEAR WALL FOR A MULTI-STOREY BUILDING AT 36 KOTEWALL ROAD WHICH WAS. BADLY DAMAGED IN THE 1972 PO SHAN ROAD LANDSLIDE DISASTER.
THE CHAIRMAN OF THE REGISTERED CONTRACTORS’ DISCIPLINARY BOARD, GOVERNMENT QUANTITY SURVEYOR MR. M.M. LUXTON OF THE PUBLIC ' ORKS DEPARTMENT, SAID THE APPROVED PLAN CALLED FOR THE STRENGTHENING OF THE SHEAR WALL BY THE ADDITION OF NEW REINFOR’CED CONCRETE WALLING ON EACH SIDE AND FOR THIS NEW WALLING AND THE EXISTING WALLING TO BE JOINED TOGETHER BY THE WELDING OF STEEL LINKS.
BUT A PUBLIC WORKS'DEPARTMENT INSPECTION DURING THE PROGRESS OF THE WORK HAD SHOWN THAT THE NEW STEEL LINKS HAD NOT BEEN WELDED TOGETHER AS REQUIRED.
CONSEQUENTLY THE WORK WAS ORDERED STOPPED AND THE DEFECTIVE WORK DEMOLISHED AND REPLACED BY NEW WORK IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE PLANS APPROVED BY THE BUILDING AUTHORITY.
IN ITS FINDINGS, THE BOARD SAIDs +THE BOARD IS APPALLED THAT SUCH A FLAGRANT DISREGARD FOR SAFETY MEASURES SHOULD BE PERPETRATED FOLLOWING THE RESULTS OF ONE OF THE WORST DISASTERS IN HONG KONG’S HISTORY ....
+WE ARE CONSCIOUS OF THf FACT THAT HAD THIS MATTER GONE UNDETECTED THEN THE ENTIRE BUILDING MIGHT HAVE" BEEN RENDERED IN AN UNSAFE CONDITION UNDER CERTAIN CIRCUMSTANCES WITH THE POSSIBILITY OF YET ANOTHER DISASTER OF MAJOR PROPORTIONS ....
+THE BOARD CONSIDERS THAT CONTRACTORS MUST BE MADE AWARE OF THEIR responsibilities TO THE PUBLIC, AND IN THIS CASE WE FIND THAT THE GLORIOUS BUILDING CONTRACTORS LTD.’S MANAGEMENT OF THIS PART OF THE CONTRACT WAS GROSSLY INADEQUATE.+
MR. LUXTON SAID THE BOARD HAD CONSIDERED DE-REGISTERING THE CONTRACTING FIRM, BUT HAD DECIDED AGAINST THIS BECAUSE IT WOULD HAVE MEANT STOPPING WORK ON SEVERAL BIG CONTRACTS NOW BEING UNDERTAKEN BY THE COMPANY, WITH RESULTING MAJOR UNEMPLOYMENT. HOWEVER, DE-REGISTRATION WOULD FOLLOW IMMEDIATELY IN THE EVENT OF ANY FURTHER OFFENCE.
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A......
- 4
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 10, 1975.
SEPARATE COURT OF APPEAL PROPOSED ft « « K H tf
A SEPARATE COURT OF APPEAL WITH PERMANENT APPEAL JUDGES IS TO BE SET UP.
THIS IS PROVIDED IN THE SUPREME COURT BILL, GAZETTED TODAY, WHICH PROPOSES TO REORGANISE THE SUPREME COURT INTO A HIGH COURT OF JUSTICE AND A SEPARATE COURT OF APPEAL.
IT IS INTENDED THAT THE PROPOSED COURT OF APPEAL WILL REPLACE THE FULL COURT AS THE MAIN TRIBUNAL FOR APPEALS.
THE CHIEF JUSTICE WILL BE A MEMBER OF BOTH THE HIGH COURT AND THE COURT OF APPEAL. IN THE COURT OF APPEAL HE WILL SIT WITH • TWO JUSTICES OF APPEAL.
FEW OTHER CHANGES ARE PROPOSED TO THE EXISTING SUPREME COURT ORDINANCE.
THE MAIN CHANGE OF SUBSTANCE CONCERNS THE HEARING OF APPLICATIONS FOR WRITS OF HABEAS CORPUS AND PREROGATIVE ORDER PROCEEDINGS. AT PRESENT, THESE ARE HEARD BY THE FULL COURT SITTING AS A COURT OF FIRST INSTANCE AND THE ONLY APPEAL IS TO THE PRIVY COUNCIL.
IN FUTURE, IT IS INTENDED THAT SUCH PROCEEDINGS WILL BE HEARD BY THE HIGH COURT IN THE FIRST INSTANCE, WITH A RIGHT OF APPEAL TO THE NEW COURT OF APPEAL.
- - 0 - -
+MEET THE MEDIA*
NOTE TO EDITORS*
A +MEET THE MEDIA* SESSION WILL BE HELD ON TUESDAY (OCTOBER 14) AT 4 P.M. IN THE G.I.S.THEATRE, BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, 5TH FLOOR.
ATTENDING THE MEETING WILL BE THE SECRETARY FOR THE NEW TERRITORIES, MR. DAVID AKERS-JONES.
YOU ARE INVITED TO HAVE THE MEETING COVERED. TELEVISION CREWS ARE ADVISED TO ARRIVE EARLY SO THAT THEY WILL HAVE AMPLE TIME TO SET UP THEIR EQUIPMENT.
- - 0 - -
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 10, 1975
5
391,000 TICKETS SOLD FOR LAST GOVERNMENT LOTTERY » H If « « H
A TOTAL OF 391,000 TICKETS FOR THE LAST GOVERNMENT LOTTERY WAS SOLD UP TO 9 P.M. TODAY (FRIDAY) WHEN SALES CLOSED. THE TOTAL PROCEEDS REACHED $782,000.
THE FIRST PRIZE IS WORTH $312,800, THE SECOND PRIZE $31,280 AND THE THIRD PRIZE $3,128.
EACH OF THE 50 SPECIAL PRIZES FETCHES $782 AND EACH OF THE 212 CONSOLATION PRIZES $391.
THE DRAW WILL TAKE PLACE IN THE STUDIOS OF COMMERCIAL TELEVISION LTD. ON TUESDAY (OCTOBER 14).
THE FIRST PRIZE WILL BE DRAWN BY THREE FORMER CHAIRMEN AND THE SERVING CHAIRMAN OF THE GOVERNMENT LOTTERIES MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE THEY ARE: MR. LEE QUO-WEI, MR. ALEX S.C. WU, AND MR. SHUM CHOI-SANG, ALL PAST CHAIRMEN3 AND MR. KAI-YIN CHAU, THE SERVING CHAIRMAN.
THE SECOND AND THE THIRD PRIZES WILL BE DRAWN BY FOUR CTV ARTISTES: MISS JOSEPHINE LEO FUNG-MING, MISS INGRID WU YAN-YAN, MR. PETER AU WAI-LAM AND MR. GEORGE LAM CHE-CHEONG.
BEFORE THE DRAW, THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY, MR. PHILIP HADDON-CAVE, WILL DELIVER A SPEECH WHICH WILL ALSO BE BROADCAST.
NOTE TO EDITORS (NEWSPAPERS, RADIO AND TELEVISION STATIONS) i
YOU ARE WELCOME TO SEND YOUR REPRESENTATIVE TO COVER THIS FINAL DRAW OF THE GOVERNMENT LOTTERY.
I
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/6
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 10, 1975
SUMMER-MONTH TRAFFIC PROHIBITIONS END « « a n a «
THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCED TODAY THAT THE SUMMERMONTH PROHIBITIONS ON GOODS VEHICLES ALONG CERTAIN SECTIONS OF CASTLE PEAK ROAD AND CLEARWATER BAY ROAD ON SUNDAYS AND PUBLIC HOLIDAYS WOULD END NEXT TUESDAY (OCTOBER 14).
THE PROHIBITIONS, FOR SEVERAL HOURS OF THE DAY ONLY, WERE INTRODUCED EARLIER THIS YEAR TO IMPROVE TRAFFIC FLOW ON THE ROADS DURING SUMMER MONTHS WHEN MORE HOLIDAY-MAKERS TRAVELLED TO AND FROM RECREATIONAL SPOTS, A DEPARTMENT SPOKESMAN SAID.
FROM TUESDAY, HE SAID, THE PROHIBITION AGAINST GOODS VEHICLES USING CASTLE PEAK ROAD BETWEEN. SHA TSUI ROAD AND CAUSEWAY ROAD BETWEEN 11 A.M. AND 6 P.M. ON SUNDAYS AND PUBLIC HOLIDAYS WOULD BE LIFTED.
♦ALSO TO BE LIFTED IS THE PROHIBITION ON CLEARWATER BAY ROAD BETWEEN ITS JUNCTIONS WITH LUNG CHEUNG ROAD AND FEI NGOR SHAN ROAD FROM 9 A.M. TO 2 P.M., AND BETWEEN ITS JUNCTIONS WITH HIRAM’S HIGHWAY AND ANDERSON ROAD FROM 2 P.M. TO 7 P.M.,+ HE SAID.
THE SPOKESMAN SAID THAT THE HOLIDAY RESTRICTIONS ON THESE ROAD SECTIONS HAD PROVED SUCCESSFUL IN REDUCING TRAFFIC CONGESTION CAUSED BY SLOW-MOVING LORRIES ON THE STEEP SECTIONS, THUS GIVING PRIORITY TO PASSENGER TRANSPORT FOR A FEW HOURS ON HOLIDAYS TO ENABLE PEOPLE TO HAVE REASONABLY QUICK ACCESS TO BEACHES AND OTHER RECREATIONAL SPOTS IN THE AREAS.
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/7
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 10, 1975
7
NORTH KOWLOON TRAFFIC DIVERSIONS FOR MTR ««*«»«
IN PREPARATION FOR THE START OF WORK ON THE FIRST SECTION GF THE MODIFIED INITIAL SYSTEM OF THE MASS TRANSIT RAILWAY, DETAILS OF A NUMBER OF STREETS AFFECTED BY THE CONSTRUCTION ARE NOTIFIED IN TODAY’S GOVERNMENT GAZETTE.
TRAFFIC MOVEMENTS IN NORTH KOWLOON WILL UNAVOIDABLY BE AFFECTED BY THE CONSTRUCTION, BUT EVERY EFFORT WILL BE MADE TO ENSURE THAT PUBLIC INCONVENIENCE IS KEPT TO A MINIMUM.
THE STREETS THAT WILL BE AFFECTED ARE AS FOLLOWS:
IN KOWLOON TONG, THE WIDTH OF SUFFOLK ROAD WILL BE REDUCED TO TOO TRAFFIC LANES AND ONE FOOTPATH TO ALLOW FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF KOWLOON TONG STATION. PEDESTRIAN AND VEHICULAR ACCESS TO ADJACENT PROPERTIES WILL BE MAINTAINED THROUGHOUT THE CONSTRUCTION.
LUNG CHEUNG ROAD BETWEEN MORSE PARK AND SHATIN PASS ROAD WILL BE REDUCED TO THREE TRAFFIC LANES IN WIDTH TO PERMIT THE CONSTRUCTION OF WONG TAI SIN STATION. ALSO, MING TAK STREET WILL BE CLOSED FOR PART OF ITS LENGTH BUT AN ALTERNATIVE ROUTE HAS ALREADY BEEN PROVIDED. ADEQUATE PEDESTRIAN FACILITIES FOR RESIDENTS OF NEARBY ESTATES WILL BE MAINTAINED.
LUNG CHEUNG ROAD BETWEEN THE NEW PO KONG VILLAGE AND CHOI HUNG INTERCHANGES WILL BE AFFECTED BY THE CONSTRUCTION OF DIAMOND HILL STATION AND THE CUT AND COVER TUNNELS BETWEEN DIAMOND HILL AND CHOI HUNG STATIONS. WEST OF HAMMER HILL ROAD THERE WILL BE VERY LITTLE EFFECT ON TRAFFIC AS THE STATION AND TUNNELS ARE ALMOST ENTIRELY UNDER THE NORTHERN PART OF LUNG CHEUNG ROAD WHICH HAS YET TO DE CONSTRUCTED. EAST OF HAMMER HILL ROAD THE EXISTING LUNG CHEUNG ROAD WILL BE REDUCED TO TWO LANES OF TRAFFIC IN EACH DIRECTION. FOOTPATHS AND MINOR ACCESS ROADS WILL BE MAINTAINED THROUGHOUT CONSTRUCTION.
CLEARWATER BAY ROAD NEAR PING SHEK ESTATE WILL BE REDUCED IN WIDTH TO ALLOW FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF CHOI HUNG STATION ACROSS IT. ROADS WITHIN PING SHEK ESTATE WILL ALSO NEED TO BE REDUCED TO ALLOW FOR CONSTRUCTION OF THE STATION AND THE EXISTING BUS TERMINUS WILL BE REPOSITIONED TO ANOTHER LOCATION WITHIN THE ESTATE.
PART OF BOUNDARY AND SAI YEUNG CHOI STREETS WILL BE REDUCED IN WIDTH FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF THE CUT AND COVER TUNNELS WHICH WILL CONNECT THE NATHAN ROAD SECTION OF THE RAILWAY TO SHEK KIP MEI STATION. PEDESTRIAN AND VEHICULAR ACCESS TO ADJACENT PROPERTIES WILL BE MAINTAINED.
WORK ON THE WHOLE OF THE NORTH KOWLOON SECTION OF THE MASS TRANSIT RAILWAY FROM BOUNDARY STREET NORTHEASTWARDS TO CHOI HUNG STATION IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN BETWEEN NOVEMBER THIS YEAR AND JANUARY 1976 AND BE COMPLETED WITHIN THREE TO FOUR YEARS.
/FURTHER ......
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 10, 1975
8
FURTHER DETAILS OF TRAFFIC CHANGES WILL BE NOTIFIED THROUGH THE NEWS MEDIA PRIOR TO THE START OF WORKS. AT PRESENT NO BUS RE-ROUTINGS ARE INVOLVED IN NORTH KOWLOON.
PLANS SHOWING THE AREAS AFFECTED DY THE PROJECT MAY BE INSPECTED AT THE CENTRAL ENQUIRY SUB-OFFICE, CENTRAL GOVERNMENT OFFICES, WEST WING, HONG KONG, OR AT THE CROWN LANDS AND SURVEY OFFICE, lOTil FLOOR, KOWLOON GOVERNMENT OFFICES BUILDING, 405 NATHAN ROAD, KOWLOON. THE PLANS ARE ALSO ON DISPLAY AT THE CITY DISTRICT OFFICES IN KWUN TONG, WONG TAI SIN, KOWLOON CITY, MONGKOK AND SHAM SHU I PO.
A NOTICE GAZETTED TODAY STIPULATES THAT ANY PERSON MAKING A CLAIM FOR COMPENSATION ARISING OUT OF THESE STREET ALTERATIONS UNDER THE MASS TRANSIT RAILWAY LAND RESUMPTION AND RELATED PROVISIONS ORDINANCE MUST SEND HIS CLAIM IN WRITING TO THE DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC WORKS. THECLAIM MUST REACH THE OFFICE OF THE DIRECTOR BEFORE THE EXPIRATION OF ONE YEAR FROM THE DATE OF CLOSURE OF THE STREET OR FROM THE COMPLETION OF THE SUBSTANTIAL ALTERATION WHICH IS ALLEGED TO HAVE CAUSED PECUNIARY LOSS OR DAMAGE.
NOTE TO EDITORSi
COPIES OF A SKETCH MAP SHOWING THE NORTH KOWLOON SECTION OF THE MASS TRANSIT RAILWAY ARE DISTRIBUTED SEPARATELY IN THE G.I.S. PRESS BOXES. RADIO AND TELEVISION STATIONS INTERESTED IN INTERVIEWS ARE REQUESTED TO CONTACT MR. THOMAS A. HAHN OF THE GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES, TELEPHONE 5-233191 EXT. 267.
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HONG KONG HOUSING AUTHORITY
9r M1W
Friday, October 10, 1975
TENDERS CALLED FOR WAH FU EXTENSION
*********
-7 ' li’ ' ■ . • • - .
The Housing Authority today (Friday) invites tenders for the construction of Wah Fu Estate extension.
The work consists of the building of two twin-tower blocks and a multi-storey commercial complex.
A nine—acre site, opposite Wah Hing House has been formed and the building of the superstructure is expected to start in January 1976 and be completed in about two years.
The twin-tower blocks 22 and 24 storeys high will house about 10,000 people.
The six-storey commercial complex, planned to meet the additional shopping and marketing demands of the increased population, will accommdoate a restaurant, a number of shops and market stalls, a car park and premises for service trades.
Wah Fu, which, is virtually a small township, now lias a population of about 4^,000.
It has within its boundary, a number of schools, kindergartens, shops and department stores, welfare facilities as well as plenty of open space.
A public garden, the Waterfall Bay Park, is being developed on the slope of the headland on which the estate stands.
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DAILVINTORMATION BULLETIN
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 11, 1975
CONTENTS
PAGE NO.
THREE NEW STAMPS ON HONG KONG BIRDS TO GO ON SALE THIS MONTH ...................................................
HONG KONG TOY MANUFACTURERS CONSCIOUS OF SAFETY STANDARD OF THEIR PRODUCTS ........................................
TEMPORARY FIRE STATION FOR AP LEI CHAU...................
SOCIAL SECURITY FIELD UNIT SET UP IN WAN CHAI ...........
LECTURES ON 'WHAT MAKES A HAPPY FAMILY’ FOR TSUEN WAN HOUSEWIVES ..............................................
JAPANESE VISITORS INTERESTED IN TRAINING FACILITIES FOR DISABLED ................................................
REMOVAL OF KCR TRACK IN TSIM SHA TSUI ...................
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 11, 1975
1
THREE NEW STAMPS ON HONG KONG BIRDS « n » r« it if
A SET OF THREE HONG KONG BIRDS COMMEMORATIVE STAMP' WILL GO ON SALE AT THE END OF THIS MONTH.
THE THREE STAMPS, IN 50 CENTS, $1.30 AND $2 DENOMINATIONS EACH DEPICT A HONG KONG BIRD — THE HWAMEI, THE CHINESE BULBUL AND THE BLACKCAPPED KINGFISHER.
THEY WILL BE ON DISPLAY ON THE FIRST FLOOR LOBBY OF THE GENERAL POST OFFICE IN PEDDER STREET ON OCTOBER 21 AND 22 FROM 9.30 A.M. TO 4.30 P.M. AND WILL BE SOLD AT ALL POST OFFICES ON WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 29.
SPECIAL FIRST DAY COVERS HAVE BEEN DESIGNED AND WILL BE PLACED ON SALE AT 20 CENTS EACH AT ALL POST OFFICES FROM NEXT WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 15. MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC ARE ADVISED TO GET THEM EARLY TO AVOID DISAPPOINTMENT.
ADVANCE ORDERS FOR THE SERVICING OF THESE FIRST DAY COVERS WILL BE ACCEPTED AT THE GENERAL POST OFFICE IN PEDDER STREET, THE KOWLOON CENTRAL POST OFFICE IN NATHAN ROAD AND THE TSIM SHA TSUI POST OFFICE IN SALISBURY ROAD.
THE ADDRESSED FIRST DAY COVERS MUST BE HANDED IN WITH AN ORDER FORM TOGETHER WITH A REMITTANCE TO COVER THE COST. THE CHARGE WILL BE $4 PER COVER — $3.80 FOR THE STAMPS AUD 20 CENTS SERVICE FEE.
THE COVERS MUST BE FULLY ADDRESSED AND NOT LESS THAN TEN WILL BE ACCEPTED WITH EACH ORDER.
ORDER FORMS WILL BE AVAILABLE AT THE SAME THREE POST OFFICES AT THE SAME TIME AS THE FIRST DAY COVERS. THE LATEST ACCEPTANCE DATE FOR ADVANCE ORDERS OR SERVICED ORDERS IS 5 P.M. ON FRIDAY, OCTOBER 24.
ANYONE ORDERING SERVICED COVERS ADDRESSED TO A LOCAL DESTINATION WILL BE ABLE TO COLLECT THEM ON OCTOBER 30 FROM THE OFFICE WHERE THE ORDER WAS PLACED. COVERS ADDRESSED OVERSEAS WILL BE SENT FORWARD BY ORDINARY POST, SURFACE MAIL, UNLESS THERE ARE SUFFICIENT STAMPS TO COVER AIRMAIL AND/OR REGISTRATION CHARGES.
IN ADDITION, FIRST DAY COVERS WILL DE ACCEPTED AT ALL POST OFFICE COUNTERS OH THE ISSUING DAY, IMPRESSED WITH THE POST OFFICE-DATE CLOP AND HANDED BACK TO THE PERSON PRESENTING THEM.
HOWEVER, NO TIME TYPE WILL APPEAR IN THE POSTMARK AND THE ARTICLES MUST DEAR AH INDICATION THAT THEY ARE FIRST DAV COVERS*-BE ADDRESSED TO A LOCAL DESTINATION- AND MUST HOT BE REGISTERED.
SPECIAL POSTING BOXES WILL ALSO BE AVAILABLE AT THE THREE POST OFFICES THAT DAY FOR THOSE WHO WISH TO HAVE FIRST DAY COVERS CAREFULLY HAND-POSTMARKED BEFORE DESPATCH.
NOTE TO EDITORS: COPIES OF PHOTOGRAPHS OF THE THREE SPECIAL
STAMPS WILL BE BOXED FOR COLLECTION THIS AFTERNOON.
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SATURDAY, OCTOBER 11, 1975
2
H.K. TOY-MAKERS CONSCIOUS OF SAFETY STANDARD OF THEIR PRODUCTS XX K M
HONG KONG MANUFACTURERS ARE VERY CONSCIOUS OF THEIR RESPONSIBILITY TO MAKE THEIR TOYS SAFE FOR CHILDREN TO PLAY WITH, LADY MACLEHOSE SAID TODAY WHEN SHE OPENED THE HONG KONG TOY AND GIFT FAIR AT THE CONVENTION CENTRE IN CAUSEWAY BAY.
LADY MACLEHOSE NOTED THAT HONG KONG HAD BEEN THE WORLD’S LARGEST EXPORTERS OF TOYS SINCE 1973.
+THIS IS NOT ONLY A MATTER OF QUANTITY AND COMPETITIVE PRICES, IT IS ALSO QUALITY AND QUALITY MEANS MANAGEMENT AND CONTROL.
+CONSISTENCY OF QUALITY IS THE BEST WAY TO RETAIN OLD CUSTOMERS AND TO WIN NEW ONES,+ SHE ADDED.
THE FOLLOWING IS THE FULL TEXT OF LADY MACLEHOSE’S SPEECH.
+IT GIVES ME GREAT PLEASURE TO OPEN HONG KONG’S FIRST TOY AND GIFT FAIR. ALTHOUGH MANY HONG KONG TOY MANUFACTURERS HAVE REGULARLY PARTICIPATED IN SIMILAR FAIRS OVERSEAS, THIS IS THE FIRST TIME THAT THEY HAVE HAD THE OPPORTUNITY TO DISPLAY THEIR PRODUCTS ON THEIR OWN HOME GROUND - AND A FASCINATING DISPLAY IT IS.
+SINCE 1973 HONG KONG HAS BEEN THE WORLD’S LARGEST EXPORTER OF TOYS. THIS IS NOT ONLY A MATTER OF QUANTITY AND COMPETITIVE PRICES: IT IS ALSO QUALITY AND QUALITY MEANS MANAGEMENT AND CONTROL. CONSISTENCY OF QUALITY IS THE BEST WAY TO RETAIN OLD CUSTOMERS AND TO WIN NEW ONES.
+OUR MANUFACTURERS ARE VERY CONSCIOUS OF THEIR RESPONSIBILITY TO MAKE THEIR TOYS SAFE FOR CHILDREN TO PLAY WITH. BUT SINCE EACH IMPORTING COUNTRY HAS ITS OWN SAFETY REGULATIONS AND EACH FACTORY IS PRODUCING A VARIETY OF TOYS, THERE IS AN IMMENSE TASK IN PLANNING AND SUPERVISING TO ENSURE THAT PRODUCTS MEET THE STANDARDS REQUIRED IN ALL OUR MARKETS. IN THIS RESPECT, OUR INDUSTRIALISTS HAVE BENEFITED FROM THE TECHNICAL ADVICE AND ASSISTANCE OF THE FEDERATION OF HONG KONG INDUSTRIES AND THE HONG KONG PRODUCTIVITY CENTRE.
+TO OUR OVERSEAS VISITORS TO THE FAIR I EXTEND A VERY WARM WELCOME. I AM SURE THEY WILL BE IMPRESSED, AS I HAVE BEEN, BY THE HIGH QUALITY, ORIGINALITY AND DESIGN OF THE TOYS AND GIFTS ON DISPLAY HERE, AND THAT THEY WILL FIND MUCH TO SUIT THEIR MARKETS.
+FI NALLY, I SHOULD LIKE TO CONGRATULATE YOU, MR. BLAAUW, AND YOUR COMMITTEE FOR YOUR INITIATIVE IN ORGANISING THIS FAIR, AND I WISH IT EVERY SUCCESS.*
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 11, 1975
3
FIRE STATION FOR AP LEI CHAU if * if if «
A TEMPORARY FIRE STATION WILL BE BUILT ON AP LEI CHAU EARLY NEXT YEAR TO REPLACE THE FIRE-POST ON THE
ISLAND
THE SINGLE-STOREY STATION WITH A DORMITORY FOR TWO OFFICERS AND 14 FIREMEN WILL BE BUILT AT THE EASTERN END OF SAN SHI STREET.
ON COMPLETION, IT WILL BE MANNED ROUND THE CLOCK TO GIVE ADDED PROTECTION AGAINST FIRE TO RESIDENTS ON THE ISLAND.
IT WILL BE REPLACED IN A FEW YEARS TIME BY A PERMANENT SUB-DIVISIONAL FIRE STATION NEAR THE SITE OF A PROPOSED PUBLIC HOUSING ESTATE ON THE ISLAND.
1 ENDERS FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF THE TEMPORARY FIRE-STATION ARE NOW INVITED BY THE PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT AND WORK IS EXPECTED TO TAKE ABOUT FOUR MONTHS TO COMPLETE.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE DEPARTMENT SAID TODAY THAT THE FIRE STATION NOW TO BE BUILT, WITH ITS OWN FIRE APPLIANCE AND MAIN PUMP, WILL ADEQUATELY COPE WITH THE NEEDS OF THE FAST-DEVELOPING ISLAND.
IN CASE THERE IS A NEED FOR MORE HELP, REINFORCEMENT CAN ALWAYS BE BROUGHT IN FROM OTHER FIRE STATIONS, THE SPOKESMAN ADDED.
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SOCIAL SECURITY FIELD UNIT SET UP IN WAN CHAI « X if if if if
THE SOCIAL SECURITY DIVISION OF THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT IS TO SET UP A NEW FIELD UNIT IN WAN CHAI WHICH WILL COME INTO OPERATION ON TUESDAY, OCTOBER 14.
THE UNIT, THE TWENTY-FIFTH TO BE SET UP, WILL TAKE OVER FROM THE EASTERN DISTRICT FIELD UNIT ALL CASES IN THE WAN CHAI DISTRICT BOUNDED ON THE EAST BY PERCIVAL STREET. LEIGHTON ROAD, MORRISON HILL ROAD, QUEEN’S ROAD EAST, STUDDS ROAD, WONG HEI CHUNG GAP ROAD AND ON THE WEST BY GARDEN ROAD, MAGAZINE GAP ROAD AND BLACK’S LINK.
IT WILL DE LOCATED IN ROOM 11, ON THE FIRST FLOOR OF BLAKE BLOCK IN QUEENSWAY, AND THE TELEPHONE NUMBER IS 5-231991.
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SATURDAY, OCTOBER 11, 1975
LECTURES ON +WHAT MAKES A HAPPY FAMILY* H K « W if a
A SERIES OF FOUR LECTURES TO HELP HOUSEWIVES IN TSUEN WAN UNDERSTAND WHAT CONSTITUTES A HAPPY FAMILY WILL START ON TUESDAY (OCT 14), AT THE PRINCESS ALEXANDRA COMMUNITY CENTRE IN TSUEN WAN.
SPONSORED AND ORGANISED JOINTLY BY THE CENTRE AND THE Y.W.C.A. TSUEN WAN WOMEN’S CLUB, THE LECTURES WILL BE GIVEN BY EXPERTS IN THE SUBJECTS THAT WILL BE PRESENTED.
THESE WILL INCLUDE TALKS ON +FOOD AND NUTRITION*, +HOW TO UNDERSTAND YOUR CHILDREN*, +MATERNAL AND CHILD CARE* AND +GUIDANCE ON FAMILY PLANNING*.
THE LECTURES WILL BE SUPPLEMENTED BY FILMS OR SLIDES AND THERE WILL BE DISCUSSIONS AFTERWARDS.
LECTURES WILL BE HELD FROM 3-4:30 P.M. AT ROOM 110 OF THE CENTRE EACH TUESDAY UNTIL NOVEMBER 4., AND ANY MOTHER OR HOUSEWIVE INTERESTED IN PARTICIPATING SHOULD CONTACT EITHER THE CENTRE ON TEL. 12-402898 OR THE CLUB ON TEL. 12-402863.
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/ JAPANESE INTERESTED IN REHABILITATION FACILITIES
" A GROUP OF 60 DISABLED MEMBERS OF THE RAILWAY WELFARE ASSOCIATION OF TOKYO, JAPAN, VISITED THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT’S WORLD REHABILITATION FUND DAY CENTRE IN KWUN TONG THIS MORNING TO SEE TRAINING FACILITIES FOR DISABLED.
THE GROUP, WHICH ARRIVED IN HONG KONG YESTERDAY, IS ON A SIGHTSEEING TRIP TO HONG KONG AND HAD EXPRESSED PARTICULAR INTEREST IN THE GOVERNMENT’S TRAINING FACILITIES BEING PROVIDED FOR PHYSICALLY DISABLED PEOPLE.
THEIR TRIP TO THE CENTRE WAS ARRANGED THROUGH THE LIONS CLUB OF NORTH KOWLOON WHOSE VICE-PRESIDENT, MR. KWAN TAI-SA I NG, ACCOMPANIED THE GROUP ON THE VISIT.
THE VISITORS ALSO MADE A TOKEN DONATION OF 60,000 YEN (ABOUT $1,020) TO MR. C.K. KU, THE CENTRE'S SUPERINTENDENT FOR THE TRAINEES AT THE CENTRE.
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/5
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 11, 1975
5
REMOVAL OF KCR TRACK IN TSIM SHA TSUI
* * H * M #
WORK IS EXPECTED TO START AT THE END OF NOVEMBER TO DEMOLISH STRUCTURES AND REMOVE RAIL TRACKS AT THE TSIM SHA TSUI RAILWAY STATION WHEN THE KOWLOON-CANTON RAILWAY MOVES TO ITS NEW TERMINUS IN HUNG HOM.
THE EXISTING MAIN STATION BUILDING WILL REMAIN TEMPORARILY AND BE USED AS GOVERNMENT OFFICES UNTIL THE SITE IS FINALLY RE-DEVELOPED.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT SAID THAT THE CLEARANCE WORKS TO BE CARRIED OUT WOULD MAKE LAND AVAILABLE FOR iHE DEVELOPMENT OF THE POLYTECHNIC, THE AUSTIN ROAD AND SALISBURY ROAD EXTENSIONS, THE PLANETARIUM, THE MASS TRANSIT RAILWAY SYSTEM AND COMMERCIAL SITES. J
THE CLEARANCE WORKS WILL BE SUPERVISED BY THE RAILWAY DIVISION OF THE CIVIL ENGINEERING OFFICE, PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT. IT IS EXPECTED TO TAKE 25 WEEKS TO COMPLETE.
- - o -----------
PRH 7
IgIsI If FBI
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
. SUNDAY, OCTOBER 12, 1975 %
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
FIRE EXITS MUST BE KEPT CLEAR ...................... 1
NEW DEVICE IN CONTROLLED TIPPING OF REFUSE TO AVOID CONTAMINATING GROUND WATER ......................... 2
TWO-WEEK EXHIBITION OF ’OLD’ TSUEN WAN ............. 3
KWUN TONG COMMUNITY CENTRE TO FORM INTEREST GROUPS . 3
Issued by Government Information Services, Beaconsfield House, Hong Kong. Tel: 5-233191
SUNDAY, OCTOBER 12, 1975
1. -
KEEP FIRE EXITS CLEAR KOKH
ONE OF THE MOST VITAL SAFETY FACTORS IN THE EVENT OF FIRE IS A CLEAR MEANS OF ESCAPE AND EVERYONE HAS A DUTY TO ENSURE THAT FIRE ESCAPE EXITS IN BUILDINGS ARE KEPT COMPLETELY FREE FROM OBSTRUCTION, A FIRE SERVICES SPOKESMAN EMPHASISED TODAY.
IN HONG KONG, WITH ITS MANY HIGH-RISE BUILDINGS, THIS WAS PARTICULARLY IMPORTANT, HE SAID, AS BUILDINGS WITH NO MEANS OF ESCAPE COULD QUICKLY TURN INTO DEATH TRAPS.
+FOR THEIR OWN SAFETY, RESIDENTS MUST MAKE SURE THAT THEY ARE FAMILIAR WITH FIRE ESCAPES IN THEIR BUILDINGS AND SEE TO IT THAT THESE ARE KEPT CLEAR AND CORRECTLY PROTECTED FROM SMOKE, HEAT AND FIRE.+ HE SAID.
A STANDARD MEANS OF PROTECTION WAS THE SMOKE LOBBY, AND ITS DOORS SHOULD ALWAYS BE PROPERLY CLOSED. THEY CANNOT PERFORM THEIR PROPER FUNCTION IF PARTLY CLOSED.
THE SPOKESMAN STRESSED THAT EVERYONE HAD A RESPONSIBILITY OF MAKING SURE THAT FIRE ESCAPES WERE PROPERLY MAINTAINED. +THERE IS NO ROOM FOR COMPLACENCY OR SELFISHNESS HERE AS THE LIFE YOU MAY BE SAVING MAY BE YOUR OWN.+
THE MOMENT AN OBSTRUCTION IS FOUND THIS SHOULD BE REPORTED TO THOSE RESPONSIBLE AND IF NO ACTION IS TAKEN REFERRED TO THE FIRE PREVENTION BUREAU.
+BE OUTSPOKEN TO PEOPLE WHO CREATE MEANS OF ESCAPE PROBLEMS,+ THE SPOKESMAN ADVISED, +REPORT THEM AND BE PREPARED TO GIVE EVIDENCE IN ANY PROCEEDINGS, ENCOURAGE YOUR FELLOW RESIDENTS, COLLEAGUES AND VISITORS TO APPRECIATE THE DANGERS TO THEM AND THEIR FAMILIES AND WHERE POSSIBLE, STOP FREQUENTING PREMISES WHICH SHOW LITTLE OR NO REGARD FOR YOUR SAFETY.
+THESE ARE SOME OF THE ANSWERS TO A PROBLEM WHICH, DESPITE THE CONTINUOUS WORK OF THE FIRE SERVICES DEPARTMENT, IS ALL TOO PREVALENT IN HONG KONG.+
ON SECURITY GATES, THE SPOKESMAN EXPLAINED THAT, FOR FIRE SAFETY REASONS, THE FIRE SERVICES DEPARTMENT PERMITTED GATES ON MEANS OF ESCAPE AT GROUND OR ROOF TOP LEVEL ONLY, PROVIDED THE GATES WERE INSTALLED TO SWING OPEN IN THE DIRECTION OF EXIT AND COULD BE EASILY OPENED FROM THE INSIDE WITHOUT USING A KEY OR SIMILAR DEVICE.,
IT WAS ALSO NOT ALLOWED TO FIT GATES ACROSS ENTRANCES OF FLATS IN A MANNER THAT THEY COULD IMPEDE MEANS OF ESCAPE. FROM A FIRE SAFETY POINT OF VIEW, THE BEST ALTERNATIVE WOULD BE A SLIDING OR LATTICE GATE WHICH FOLDS.
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SUNDAY, OCTOBER 12, 19 5.
- 2 -
NEW DEVICE IN CONTROLLED TIPPING OF REFUSE
A NEW ENGINEERING DEVICE TO AVOID CONTAMINATING THE GROUND WATER IN A CONTROLLED REFUSE TIPPING AREA WILL BE INTRODUCED IN A COMING PUBLIC WORKS PROJECT.
THE DEVICE INVOLVES THE LINING OF THE VALLEY FLOORS ON WHICH REFUSE IS TO BE TIPPED WITH A WATERPROOF MEMBRANE OF P.V.C. PLASTIC TO PREVENT THE SURFACE WATER AFTER HAVING SEEPED THROUGH THE REFUSE FROM REACHING THE GROUND WATER.
THE INTERCEPTED CONTAMINATED WATER, CALLED ’LEACHATE’ AND CONTAINING DISSOLVED AND FINELY SUSPENDED SOLID MATTER AND MICROBIAL WASTES, IS THEN CHANNELLED OFF THROUGH A NETWORK OF SUB-SOIL DRAINS TO PUBLIC SEWERS.
CONTROLLED TIPPING IS A METHOD OF DISPOSING REFUSE WHILE AT THE SAME TIME MINIMISING ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION.
THE REFUSE IS SPREAD AND COMPACTED IN THIN LAYERS ON THE GROUND AND COVERED WITH EARTH EACH DAY, IN A PROPORTION OF ABOUT ONE PART OF EARTH TO FOUR PARTS OF REFUSE.
WHEN THE TIP IS FULL AND CAN HOLD NO MORE REFUSE, IT IS FURTHER COVERED BY A 2-METRE THICK EARTH BLANKET.
THE NEW CONTROLLED REFUSE TIP USING THESE METHODS WILL BE SET UP AT NGAU CHI WAN NEXT TO CLEAR WATER BAY ROAD.
WHEN IT IS FULLY ESTABLISHED SOME 10 HECTARES OF NEW LAND WILL BE CREATED FOR DEVELOPMENT AS OPEN SPACE, AND FOR PLANNING COMMUNITY AND INSTITUTIONAL BUILDINGS AND SCHOOLS.
THE NEW LAND WILL BE MADE UP OF THE COVERED TIPPING AREA ITSELF AND AN EXCAVATED HILLSIDE NEARBY FROM WHICH SOME 450,000 CUBIC METRES OF EARTH WILL BE TAKEN EACH DAY TO FILL UP THE REFUSE TIP.
•»
THE EXCAVATED EARTH MATERIAL WILL ALSO BE USED IN ASSOCIATED ROAD AND DRAINAGE WORKS. THE WHOLE PROJECT IS EXPECTED TO TAKE ABOUT 27 MONTHS TO COMPLETE.
THE PROJECT IS DESIGNED BY THE DEVELOPMENT AND AIRPORT DIVISION OF THE CIVIL ENGINEERING OFFICE, P.W.D. WHICH WILL ALSO SUPERVISE ITS CONSTRUCTION.
SUNDAY, OCTOBER 12, 1975.
3
EXHIBITION OF ’OLD’ TSUEN WAN
A TWO-WEEK EXHIBITION OF ’OLD’ TSUEN WAN WILL OPEN IN THE PRINCESS ALEXANDRA COMMUNITY CENTRE, TSUEN WAN ON WEDNESDAY (OCTOBER
THE EXHIBITION, SPECIALLY ARRANGED BY THE TSUEN WAN DISTRICT OFFICE, FEATURES PHOTOGRAPHS AND SKETCHES OF THE NEW TOWN IN THE OLD DAYS.
THE SHOW IS AIMED AT GIVING THE PUBLIC AN IDEA OF WHAT TSUEN WAN WAS LIKE BEFORE INDUSTRIALISATION OVERTOOK THAT RURAL AREA.
THERE WILL BE SOME 150 PHOTOGRAPHS AND SKETCHES OF CHING DYNASTY ARCHITECTURE, ANCESTRAL HALLS AND GRAVES DATING BACK TO THE CH’IEN LUNG PERIOD IN THE EARLY 18TH CENTURY. SOME ANCIENT AGRICULTURAL TOOLS WILL ALSO BE ON DISPLAY.
MR. PETER YEUNG, CHAIRMAN OF THE TSUEN WAN RURAL COMMITTEE, WILL OFFICIATE AT THE OPENING OF THE EXHIBITION AT 2.30 P.M. ON WEDNESDAY AT THE PRINCESS ALEXANDRA COMMUNITY CENTRE.
NOTE TO EDITORS :
YOU ARE CORDIALLY INVITED TO SENT YOUR REPRESENTATIVES TO COVER THE EVENT.
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INTEREST GROUPS FORMED * * U M *
THE GROUP WORK UNIT OF THE KWUN TONG COMMUNITY CENTRE IS STARTING A SERIES OF INTEREST GROUPS IN ORDER TO DEVELOP LEADERSHIP POTENTIALS, INTEREST PURSUITS AND A SENSE OF SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY AMONG YOUNG PEOPLE.
THE SUBJECTS TO BE TAUGHT INCLUDE JUDO, SINGING, GUITAR PLAYING, MAKE-UP, SWATOWESE ART, MANDARIN, WESTERN FOLK DANCING, SOCIAL DANCING, RIBBON FLOWER MAKING, ELEMENTARY TAILORING, CROCHETING, PHOTOGRAPHY, WOODWORK, CHINESE BOXING, CANTONESE OPERA AND CHINESE MUSICAL INSTRUMENT PLAYING.
APPLICATIONS TO JOIN THESE GROUPS ARE NOW BEING ACCEPTED AND THOSE WHO ARE INTERESTED SHOULD CALL AT THE COMMON ROOM OF THE CENTRE AT 17 TSUI PING ROAD, KWUN TONG, TO REGISTER, BRINGING WITH THEM TWO PHOTOGRAPHS, THEIR IDENTITY CARD AND A §1 REGISTRATION FEE.
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PRM 7
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
MONDAY, OCTOBER 13, 1975
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
PRINCESS MARGARET HOSPITAL TO BEGIN OPERATION NEXT WEEK ................................................... 1
MORE DANGEROUS GOODS LORRIES INSPECTED BY FIRE PREVENTION BUREAU ........................................ 3
FORECAST OF RURAL LAND SLAES FOR THE NEXT SIX MONTHS . 4
STREET SWEEPING TO STOP ONE DAY A WEEK ................... 5
SWD CALLING FOR APPLICATIONS IN THIRD ROUND OF ’OPPORTUNITIES FOR YOUTH SCHEME’ ......................... 6
TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS IN TSIM SHA TSUI .................... 6
Issued by Government Information Services, Beaconsfield House, Hong Kong. Tel: 5-233191
MONDAY, OCTOBER 13, 1975.
PRINCESS MARGARET HOSPITAL H H K
TO BEGIN OPERATION NEX WEEK # # «
THE MULT I-MILL I ON-DOLLAR PRINCESS MARGARET HOSPITAL WILL ADMIT ITS FIRST PATIENT NEXT MONDAY (OCTOBER 20) WITH THE OPENING OF THE 162-BED INFECTIOUS DISEASE WARDS.
THE HOSPITAL WILL BE OPENED'IN TWO STAGES, THE FIRST T WHICH IS TO BE PHASED OVER A PERIOD OF SIX MONTHS UP TO MARCH NEXT YEAR WHEN ABOUT 1,000 BEDS WILL BE MADE AVAILABLE FOR USE BY THE PUBLIC.
THE INFECTIOUS DESEASES BLOCK WILL BE THE FIRST IN THE PROGRAMME OF PHASED OPENING, FOLLOWED BY THE OPENING OF THE GERIATRIC WARDS IN EARLY NOVEMBER. INITIALLY, 74 BEDS WILL BE PROVIDED IN THE GERIATRIC WARDS FOR THE ELDERLY, THIS WILL BE INCREASED TO 222 BY THE END OF THE FIRST STAGE.
BY DECEMBER, ONE CLINICAL UNIT EACH OF THE FOLLOWING SPECIALTIES: MEDICINE, SURGERY, PAEDIATRICS, OBSTETRICS AND GYNAECOLOGY, AND ORTHOPAEDICS WILL BE IN OPERATION.
THE FINAL PHASE IN THE FIRST STAGE WILL BE THE OPENING OF THE CASUALTY DEPARTMENT SOMETIME EARLY NEXT YEAR.
IN THE SECOND AND FINAL STAGE, ANOTHER CLINICAL UNIT EACH OF THE SPECIALTIES OF MEDICINE, SURGERY, PAEDIATRICS AND ORTHOPAEDICS WILL BE OPENED. WHEN THE HOSPITAL IS FULLY OPERATIONAL, THERE WILL BE A TOTAL OF 1,340 BEDS.
THE INFECTIOUS DISEASES UNIT IS SO DESIGNED THAT PATIENTS OF DIFFERENT DISEASES CAN BE ISOLATED FROM ONE ANOTHER. THERE ARE ONE TO THREE BEDS IN EACH ROOM ACCORDING TO THE SEVERITY OF INFECTION, WITH INDIVIDUAL TOILET FACILITIES ATTACHED. THE UNIT HAS ITS OWN FACILITIES FOR X-RAY, SURGICAL OPERATIONS, LINEN EXCHANGE ETC.
OTHER SPECIAL FEATURES OF THE HOSPITAL INCLUDE:-
K A GERIATRIC UNIT, THE FIRST OF ITS KIND IN HONG KONG. THE OBJECT OF SUCH A UNIT IS TO DEAL WITH THE CLINICAL, PREVENTIVE, REHABILRATIONAL AND SOCIAL ASPECTS OF ILLNESS AMONG THE ELDERLY.
K A 16—BED RENAL DIALYSIS UNIT WITH EQUIPMENT WORTH . ABOUT $1 MILLION, INCLUDING 96 ARTIFICIAL KIDNEYS.
K A PLASTIC SURGERY UNIT WITH 30 BEDS. THERE WILL BE THREE SPECIALLY TRAINED SURGEONS TO PERFORM PLASTIC AND RECONSTRUCTIVE SURGERY ON PATIENTS WHO SUFFER FROM CONGENITAL DEFORMITIES AND INJURIES CAUSED BY INDUSTRIAL AND TRAFFIC ACCIDENTS.
/*A THEATRE
2
MOrmiY, OCTOBER 1J, 1975
* A THEATRE SERVICE CENTRE WITH A CONVEYOR BELT SYSTEM OF CLEANING SURGICAL INSTRUMENTS AND PRE-SETTING TRAYS FOR DIFFERENT TYPES OF OPERATIONS.
K AN AUTO-ANALYSER WITH 14 CHANNELS AT THE PATHOLOGY DEPARTMENT. THIS NEWEST EQUIPMENT, WORTH $1.4 MILLION, IS CAPABLE OF DOING 14 DIFFERENT KINDS OF BLOOD TEST AT THE SAME TIME TAKING ONLY ONE MINUTE, I.E. 840 TESTS CAN BE DONE WITHIN ONE HOUR.
THE ROLE OF THE PRINCESS MARGARET HOSPITAL IS TWO-FOLD: TO SERVE THE PEOPLE IN THE WESTERN PART OF BOTH KOWLOON AND THE NEW TERRITORIES AS A REGIONAL HOSPITAL AND TO PROVIDE BADLY NEEDED ADDITIONAL BEDS FOR MENTAL PATIENTS. AFTER THE TRANSFER OF PATIENTS TO THE PRINCESS MARGARET HOSPITAL, THE OLD LAI CHI KOK HOSPITAL WILL BE USED TO ACCOMMODATE SOME OF THE MENTAL PATIENTS FROM CASTLE PEAK HOSPITAL WHICH HAS LONG BEEN FILLED TO CAPACITY.
THE PRINCESS MARGARET HOSPITAL HAS TOO WINGS: THE GENERAL WING AND THE PSYCHIATRIC WING WHICH, WHEN COMPLETED IN A FEW YEARS, WILL BE HONG KONG’S SECOND MENTAL HOSPITAL WITH 1,350 BEDS.
THE CAPITAL COSTS OF THE GENERAL WING AMOUNT TO $51.5 MILLION, THE COMBINED STAFF QUARTERS SLIGHTLY MORE THAN $31 MILLION AND THE PSYCHIATRIC WING ABOUT $64.6 MILLION. THUS, THE WHOLE PROJECT, OCCUPYING SOME 27 ACRES OF LAND, WILL COST A LITTLE LESS THAN $150 MILLION. FURTHERMORE, $20 MILLION WORTH OF EQUIPMENT HAS BEEN OR WILL BE INSTALLED IN THE GENERAL WING.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
A PRESS VISIT TO THE HOSPITAL HAS BEEN ARRANGED FOR WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 15, 1975. THOSE INTERESTED IN THE VISIT ARE REQUESTED TO ASSEMBLE AT 10 A.M. SHARP IN CANTON ROAD OPPOSITE HONG KONG HOTEL WHERE THEY WILL BE TAKEN BY COACH AM5017 TO THE HOSPITAL AT LAI CHI KOK. MR. MAK KING-YIU, SENIOR INFORMATION OFFICER OF THE MEDICAL AND HEALTH DEPARTMENT, WILL BE THERE TO ASSIST THE PRESS.
5
MONDAY, OCTOBER 13, 1975
MORE DANGEROUS GOODS LORRIES INSPECTED K * * * * M
ANOTHER 68 VEHICLES USED FOR CARRYING FLAMMABLE LIQUIDS AND COMPRESSED GASES WERE INSPECTED LAST MONTH BY OFFICERS OF THE FIRE PREVENTION BUREAU IN CONNECTION WITH THE DANGEROUS GOODS VEHICLE LICENSING SCHEME INTRODUCED ON APRIL 1 THIS YEAR.
THIS BRINGS TO 224 THE NUMBER OF VEHICLES INSPECTED SO FAR. OLDER LORRIES ARE BEING CALLED FORWARD FIRST FOR INSPECTION.
DURING SEPTEMBER, THE BUREAU CARRIED OUT A TOTAL OF 14,015 INSPECTIONS, COMPARED WITH 12,606 THE PREVIOUS MONTH. THERE WERE 6,217 INSPECTIONS RELATED TO COMPLAINTS ABOUT MEANS OF ESCAPE, ABOUT 700 MORE THAN THE PREVIOUS MONTH, AND THE FIGUREOF FACTORY INSPECTIONS — 3,348 WAS 500 UP ON AUGUST.
GENERAL COMPLAINTS INVESTIGATED TOTALLED 1,259
AMD THERE WERE 867 ROUTINE INSPECTIONS OF MEANS OF ESCAPE TO ENSURE THEY WERE FREE OF OBSTRUCTIONS. THERE WERE 854 INSPECTIONS OF PREMISES USED FOR STORING OR MANUFACTURING DANGEROUS GOODS, 346 INSPECTIONS OF FIRE FIGHTING EQUIPMENT INSTALLED IN RESIDENTIAL AND INDUSTRIAL BUILDINGS AND 391 SCHOOL INSPECTIONS.
BUREAU EXPERTS ALSO INVESTIGATED SEVEN FIRES.
OTHER INSPECTIONS INCLUDED RESTAURANTS AND NIGHTCLUBS (261), VENTILATION SYSTEMS (256), PLACES OF PUBLIC ASSEMBLY (83) TIMBER YARDS AND STORAGE (40), NEON SIGNS (3) AND MISCELLANEOUS
A TOTAL OF 575 NEW BUILDING PLANS WERE SUBMITTED TO THE BUREAU FOR CONSIDERATION OF THE MEANS OF ESCAPE AND THE INSTALLATION OF FIRE FIGHTING EQUIPMENT. DANGEROUS GOODS AND TIMBER STORE LICENCES ISSUED AND RENEWED TOTALLED 338.
THE NUMBER OF FIRE HAZARD ABATEMENT NOTICES ISSUED WAS 376, AND THERE WERE 66 PROSECUTIONS RESULTING FROM FAILURE TO COMPLY WITH THESE NOTICES, LEADING TO FINES AMOUNTING TO $21,700.
DURING THE FIRST NINE MONTHS OF 1975, THE BUREAU HAS CARRIED OUT A TOTAL OF 119,713 INSPECTIONS, OR AN AVERAGE OF 13,300 EACH MONTH. REVENUE COLLECTED FROM 682 PROSECUTIONS AMOUNTED TO $271,785.
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A.......
MONDAY, OCTOBER. 13, 197.5.
FORECAST OF RURAL LAND SALES
* H if « if
TWENTY LOTS OF CROWN LAND IN THE NEW TERRITORIES WITH A COMBINED AREA OF SOME 443,000 SQUARE FEET WILL BE PUT UP FOR SALE DURING THE NEXT SIX MONTHS.
PARTICULARS OF THESE SITES ARE CONTAINED IN A HALF-YEARLY FORECAST OF PROVISIONAL RURAL LAND SALES ISSUED BY THE NEW TERRITORIES ADMINISTRATION.
TWELVE OF THE LOTS ARE FOR RESIDENTIAL DEVELOPMENT --FOUR AT TA KU LING, THREE AT SILVERSTRAND, TWO EACH AT PENG CHAU AND CASTLE PEAK ROAD, AND ONE IN CHEUNG CHAU.
FOUR OTHER SITES EARMARKED FOR NON-1NDUSTRI AL PURPOSES ARE AT YUEN LONG, SAI KUNG TOWN AND TUEN MUN.
THERE WILL BE A SITE FOR A FLATTED FACTORY AND TWO SITES FOR INDUSTRIAL/GODOWN DEVELOPMENT AT FO TAN IN SHAT-IN.
A 21,530 SQ. FT. SITE ON CASTLE PEAK ROAD WILL BE BE FOR BUILDING A TWO-STOREY SUPERMARKET.
IN ADDITION TO THIS LAND SALE FORECAST LIST, THE NEW TERRITORIES ADMINISTRATION ALSO PUBLISHED A PROVISIONAL LETTER A/B TENDER PROGRAMME FOR THE NEXT SIX MONTHS.
- IN THE PROGRAMME, TEN LOTS OF CROWN LAND, WITH A TOTAL AREA OF 84,660 SQ. FT., ARE SET ASIDE FOR TENDERS BY HOLDERS OF LETTER A/B.
ALL THESE SITES ARE FOR NON-INDUSTRIAL PURPOSES AND ARE SITUATED IN YUEN LONG AND TUEN MUN.
THE VENUE OF EACH LAND AUCTION OR TENDER WILL BE CONFIRMED AND ADVERTISED, NORMALLY TOO TO THREE WEEKS BEFORE THE ACTUAL DATE, AND INFORMATION ON PARTICULARS AND CONDITIONS OF THE SALES WILL BE AVAILABLE FROM ANY DISTRICT OFFICE.
MONDAY, OCTOBER 13, 1975
- 5 -
STREET SWEEPING TO STOP ONE DAY PER WEEK H M M K K
STREET SWEEPING SERVICES WILL BE WITHDRAWN THROUGHOUT HONG KONG ONE DAY PER WEEK FOR A MONTH STARTING TODAY.
THE AIM OF THE TEMPORARY WITHDRAWAL IS TO BRING HOME TO THE PUBLIC THAT IT IS THEY WHO LITTER THE STREETS AND THAT THEY CAN KEEP THE STREETS CLEAN BY MORE CONSCIENTIOUS USE OF THE THOUSANDS OF LITTER BINS PROVIDED.
FROM NOVEMBER 1972 TO DECEMBER 1974 THE TOTAL NUMBER OF LITTER BINS IN HONG KONG ROSE FROM 11,884 TO 29,096.
IN DECEMBER 1974, 10,692 WERE IN KOWLOON, 7,124 ON HONG KONG ISLAND AND 11,280 IN THE NEW TERRITORIES.
’ AT PRESENT THE AVERAGE DAILY AMOUNT OF REFUSE COLLECTED THROUGHOUT HONG KONG IS 3,259 TONS AND OF THIS UP TO 20 PER CENT WAS PICKED UP FROM THE STREETS.
THE PUBLIC WILL BE ABLE TO SEE INSTANTLY THE DIFFERENCE THAT THE ABSENCE OF STREET SWEEPING MAKES.
NO ADVANCE WARNING WILL BE GIVEN ABOUT PRECISE DATES WHEN STREET SWEEPING SERVICES ARE TO BE WITHDRAWN.
REPORTS FROM VISITORS AND FROM RESIDENTS RETURNING FROM TRIPS ABROAD REVEAL THAT THE STANDARD OF CLEANLINESS IN HONG KONG NOW COMPARES FAVOURABLY WITH THOSE IN MANY MAJOR CITIES OF THE WORLD.
IN ORDER TO MAINTAIN THAT STANDARD, MAIN THOROUGHFARES, PARTICULARLY IN CENTRAL AND TSIM SHA TSUI ARE SWEPT SIX TO EIGHT TIMES A DAY.
IT IS HOPED THAT THE WITHDRAWAL OF STREET SWEEPING SERVICES WILL PROMPT THE PUBLIC TO RECOGNISE THEIR CIVIC DUTY TO KEEP HONG KONG CLEAN.
REFUSE COLLECTION WILL CONTINUE WITHOUT INTERRUPTION IN ALL DISTRICTS.
IF THE MONTH LONG TRIAL SCHEME IS SUCCESSFUL, THE NUMBER OF STREET SWEEPINGS MAY IN FUTURE BE REDUCED AND COSTS CUT.
MONDAY, OCT^DPR 13, 1075
THIRD ROUND IN +OPPORTUNITIES FOR YOUTH SCHEME*
THE GROUP AND COMMUNITY WORK DIVISION OF THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT IS NOW CALLING FOR APPLICATIONS IN THE THIRD ROUND OF ITS +OPPORTUNITIES FOR YOUTH SCHEME*.
AS IN THE LAST TWO SERIES, APPLICATION FORMS ARE AVAILABLE AT ALL ITS COMMUNITY AND YOUTH OFFICES. CLOSING DATE IS NOVEMBER 3
PROPOSED PROJECTS SHOULD BE DESIGNED FOR COMPLETION BY MARCH 10, 1976. ANY GROUP, WHICH HAS MORE THAN 10 MEMBERS BETWEEN THE AGES OF 15 AND 25 AND IS RECOGNISED OR SPONSORED BY SCHOOLS, YOUTH AGENCIES OR INSTITUTIONS, MAY APPLY.
PROPOSED PROJECTS WILL BE ASSESSED BY THE DEPARTMENT ACCORDING TO THE EXTENT OF YOUTH INVOLVEMENT AND DEVELOPMENT-COMMUNITY BENEFITS, INCLUDING PRIORITY OF NEEDS- INNOVATIONFEASIBILITY AND OPTIMUM USE OF RESOURCES.AWARDS WILL BE MADE TO THE BEST PROJECTS IN EACH DISTRICT.
THE PROJECTS WILL BE FINANCED BY A GRANT OF $100,000 FROM THE GOVERNMENT.
COMMENTING ON THE SCHEME, MR. LAM KWOK-WAN, PRINCIPAL SOCIAL WELFARE OFFICER (OPERATIONS) OF THE DIVISION, SAID IT WAS INTENDED TO ENCOURAGE YOUTH TO PARTICIPATE IN PROJECTS THAT WOULD BENEFIT THE COMMUNITY AND AT THE SAME TIME HELP THEM DEVELOP THEIR PERSONALITIES AND SOCIAL ATTITUDES.-
IN THE FIRST TWO ROUNDS, MR. LAM SAID, THE DEPARTMENT HAD SUPPORTED SOME 76 PROJECTS WHICH INVOLVED NEARLY 2,000 YOUTHS IN PLANNING ALONE. THE ESTIMATED NUMBER OF PEOPLE WHO DERIVED BENEFITS FROM THESE PROJECTS AMOUNTED TO OVER .. 108,000.
- SOME OF THE MORE OUTSTANDING PROJECTS INCLUDED RECREATION PROGRAMMES FOR CHILDREN IN NGA CHOI HANG- SERVICE PROJECTS FOR CHILDREN ON LAMMA ISLAND- AN EXPERIMENTAL NEWSPAPER +VOICE OF VOLUNTEERS*- SERVICES FOR FAMILIES OF BLIND PEOPLE LIVING IN KWUN TONG AND CULTURAL ACTIVITIES FOR PEOPLE IN LO WAI VILLAGE.
TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS ft H if H H ft S
THE SOUTHBOUND CARR I AGEWAY-OF KOWLOON PARK DRIVE, BETWEEN PEKING ROAD AND SALISBURY ROAD, WILL OPEN TO TRAFFIC • WITH EFFECT FROM 10.00 A.M. ON WEDNESDAY (OCTOBER 15).
AT THE SAME TIME MIDDLE ROAD BETWEEN HANKOW ROAD AND ASHLEY ROAD WILL BE RE-ROUTED TWO-WAY.
APPROPRIATE TRAFFIC SIGNS WILL BE ERECTED TO GUIDE MOTORISTS.
- - 0
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 15, 1975
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
GOVERNOR OPENS WORLD’S BIGGEST DESALTING PLANT AT LOK ON PAI .......................................................... i
STEERING GROUP ON INDUSTRIAL ESTATES STRENGTHENED ........... 4
HONG KONG TO WOO U.S. INDUSTRIAL INVESTMENTS.................. 6
FIGHT VIOLENT CRIME AREA COMMITTEES IN THE NEW TERRITORIES TO BE STRENGTHENED ........................................... 7
THIRD MANPOWER SURVEY ON CLOTHING INDUSTRY TO BE CARRIED OUT NEXT MONTH ............................................... 8
WELFARE OF HONG KONG RESIDENTS IN BRITAIN .................. 9
DR. GERALD CHOA TO ATTEND DRUG SEMINAR IN U.S................ 10
WATER CUTS.................................................. 10
Issued by Government Information Services, Beaconsfield House, Hong Kong. Tel: 5-233191
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 15, 1975
1
GOVERNOR OPENS WORLD’S BIGGEST DESALTING PLANT AT LOK ON PAI
******
THE GOVERNOR, SIR MURRAY MACLEHOSE, TODAY OFFICIALLY OPENED THE LOK ON PAI DESALTER IN THE NEW TERRITORIES AND SAID THE PLANT REPRESENTED ANOTHER LANDMARK IN HONG KONG’S ENGINEERING HISTORY.
+THE SCALE AND COST OF THE PLANT,+ HE SAID, +IS AN INDICATION OF THE DETERMINATION OF YOUR GOVERNMENT TO MAINTAIN AN ADEQUATE SUPPLY OF WATER FOR THE WELL-BEING OF HONG KONG’S PEOPLE, AND FOR THE INDUSTRY ON WHICH WE DEPEND.+
SIR MURRAY NOTED THAT THE 3480 MILLION DESALTING PLANT WAS
THE BIGGEST AND MOST SOPHISTICATED IN THE WORLD, AND HE WAS DELIGHTED THAT THIS ’FIRST’ SHOULD FALL TO THE HONG KONG WATERWORKS WHOSE ENGINEERING ACHIEVEMENTS MAKE A PROUD STORY.
AT FULL CAPACITY, THE SIX UNITS OF THE OF PRODUCING FORTY MILLION GALLONS OF FRESH OF BOILING, EVAPORATION AND DISTILLATION OF
PLANT WILL BE CAPABLE WATER A DAY BY A PROCESS SEAWATER.
ONE OF THE SIX UNITS HAS NOW SATISFACTORILY COMPLETED ITS TRIAL RUNS, AND WORK ON THE REMAINING UNITS WILL BE COMPLETED BY EARLY NEXT YEAR.
ALL KEY OPERATIONS FOR THE ENTIRE COMPLEX PROCESS, FROM THE PUMPING IN THE SEAWATER TO THE DELIVERY OF POTABLE FRESH WATER TO THE TAI LAM CHUNG RESERVOIR A MILE AWAY, CAN BE OPERATED FROM A CENTRAL CONTROL ROOM IN WHICH ALL FUNCTIONS OF THE PLANT WILL BE MONITORED BY COMPUTER. ,
THE GOVERNOR SAID IT WAS AN IMMENSE RELIEF TO HAVE THIS NEW SOURCE OF SUPPLY, EQUAL TO ABOUT ONE FIFTH OF FULL DAILY CONSUMPTION, WHICH IS INDEPENDENT OF RAINFALL.
THIS ENGINEERING FEAT, HE SAID, WAS TYPICAL OF HONG KONG, +BOTH IN ITS VITALITY AND DETERMINATION TO OVERCOME NATURAL DIFFICULTIES, AND IN THE OPPORTUNITIES IT OFFERS MEN OF ENTERPRISE FROM ALL OVER THE WORLD TO HELP US TO BUILD BRAVELY FOR OUR FUTURE.+
CONTRIBUTING. TO THE PLANT HAD BEEN THE RESOURCES OF JAPANESE HEAVY INDUSTRY, SKILLED LABOUR FROM SOUTH KOREA, EQUIPMENT AND PLANT FROM THE UNITED KINGDOM, AUSTRALIA AND WEST GERMANY, TECHNOLOGY FROM THE UNITED KINGDOM AND.AMERICA, FINANCE FROM THE ASIA DEVELOPMENT BANK — THE WHOLE EASED ON HONG KONG’S LOCAL CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY.
SIR HURRAY ALSO THANKED THE KWANGTUNG WATER CONSERVANCY AND HYDRO-ELECTRIC BUREAU FOR SUPPLYING WATER TO HONG KONG WITH SUCH UNWAVERING DEPENDABILITY OVER THE PAST 15 YEARS. +THE INCREASING SUPPLIES HONG KONG HAS RECEIVED FROM THIS MAGNIFICENTLY ENGINEERED SYSTEM HAVE BEEN, AND WILL CONTINUE TO BE, INVALUABLE,+ HE SAID.
/THE GOVERNOR......
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 15, 1975
2
THE GOVERNOR SAID THE ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL HORIZONS OF HONG KONG HAD PEEN STEADILY WIDENED BY GREAT ENGINEERING PROJECTS. HE MENTIONED THE AIRPORT, THE LION ROCK TUNNEL, PLOVER COVE, THE NEW CITIES HOW GROWING WHERE ONCE THERE WAS SEA OR MUD, THE SKYSCRAPERS, THE HARBOUR TUNNEL AND THE CONTAINER TERMINAL.
AND COMING IN FUTURE, A HIGHWAY TO TUEN MUN, A TUNNEL TO ABERDEEN, K MASS TRANSIT RAILWAY, AND PERHAPS A BRIDGE TO LANTAU.
+THE3E THINGS ARE OF VALUE TO US NOT AS EXAMPLES OF THE ENGINEERING ART, BUT BECAUSE THEY IMPROVE THE LIFE OF THE PEOPLE OF HUNG KONG AND THEIR CHILDREN, OR ADD TO THEIR CAPACITY TO EARN A LIVING OR INCREASE THEIR WEALTH,+ SIR MURRAY SAID.
EARLIER, THE DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC WORKS, MR. WILLIAM BELL, WELCOMED THE NEW DESALTER AS THE LATEST WEAPON IN HONG KONG’S UNENDING BATTLE AGAINST WATER SHORTAGE.
+IT IS NOT SUGGESTED THAT THE CONSTRUCTION OF THE PLANT ELIMINATES THE RISK OF FUTURE RESTRICTIONS,* HE SAID. THIS STILL DEPENDS UPON THE CAPRICIOUSNESS OF HONG KONG’S WEATHER.
+BUT THE RISKS WILL BE APPRECIABLY REDUCED.*
MR. BELL SAID THE HISTORY OF THE HONG KONG WATERWORKS SHOWED THAT ON MORE THAN ONE OCCASION IN THE PAST AMITlOUS SCHEMES HAD BEEN UNDERTAKEN, BUT UNEXPECTEDLY RAPID POPULATION GROWTH OR SEVERE DROUGHTS HAD MEANT THAT BY THE TIME THEY WERE COMPLETED, THE PROJECTS WERE ALREADY INADEQUATE.
IN 1957, THE TAI LAM CHUNG SCHEME HAD DOUBLED HONG KONG’S WATER STORAGE CAPACITY. STRAIGHT AFTER ITS COMPLETION, WORK BEGAN ON THE LAST SUITABLE SITE FOR A LARGE CONVENTIONAL RESERVOIR IN HONG KONG —SHEK PIK ON LANTAU ISLAND.
BUT 1963, THE YEAR OF ITS COMPLETION, SAW THE WORST DROUGHT IN HONG KONG’S HISTORY, AND DESPITE INCREASED SUPPLIES FROM CHINA. THE MOST SEVERE WATER RESTRICTIONS EVER HAD TO BE IMPOSED.
HOWEVER, BY THAT TINE WORK WAS ALREADY UNDER WAY ON THE UNIQUE PLOVER COVE SCHEME, WHEREBY A SEA INLET WAS SEALED OFF, DRAINED, AND FILLED WITH FRESH WATER SUPPLIED THROUGH A VAST NETWORK OF TUNNELS AND INTAKES.
MR. BELL SAID THIS SCHEME HAD MEANT THAT FOR THE PAST EIGHT YEARS HONG KONG HAD ENJOYED A WELL-NIGH UNINTERRUPTED WATER SUPPLY.
THE CAPACITY OF PLOVER COVE HAD ALREADY BEEN INCREASED BY MAKING THE DAMS HIGHER AND INSTALLING MORE PUMPING AND WATER TREATMENT PLANT.
/BUT TO MEET........
/
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 15, 1975
5
BUT TO MEET THE STILL APPARENTLY INSATIABLE DEMAND OF HONG KONG'S PEOPLE AND INDUSTRY FOR WATER, THE MAMMOTH HIGH ISLAND SCHEME ON THE SAI KUNG PENINSULA -- SIMILAR IN CONCEPT TO THE PLOVER COVE SCHEME, BUT ON A MUCH BIGGER SCALE -- WAS BEGUN IN 19 70.
EVEN THEN IT WAS REALISED THAT BECAUSE THE HIGH ISLAND SCHEME WOULD NOT EE FINISHED UNTIL THE END OF THE SEVENTIES, AND SOARING DEMAND WOULD MEAN THAT EVEN IT WOULD EE INADEQUATE BY THE EARLY 1983’S , ANY PERIODS OF ABNORMALLY LOW RAINFALL WOULD STILL MEAN WATER SHORTAGES.
THE ONLY SOLUTION WAS SEEN TO LIE IN THE DESALTING OF SEAWATER — A POSSIBILITY WHICH HAD BEEN INVESTIGATED AS FAR BACK AS THE 1-20’3, DECADES BEFORE TECHNOLOGY HAD ADVANCED TO THE STAGE. WHERE DESALTING FOR PUBLIC WATER SUPPLY HAD BECOME A PRACTICAL PROPOSITION. SITE WORK ON THE LOK ON PAI PLANT BEGAN IN 1972, AND ERECTION OF THE PLANT ITSELF BEGAN THE NEXT YEAR.
DESPITE DISRUPTIONS TO PRODUCTION CAUSED BY THE OIL CRISIS, THE FIRST UNIT OF THE PLANT HAD DEEN RUNNING BY EARLY THIS YEAR.
MR. BELL SAID: +1 THINK IT IS TO THE CONSIDERABLE CREDIT OF THOSE ENGAGED IN THE DESIGN, MANUFACTURE AND CONSTRUCTION OF THE PLANT THAT SUCH REMARKABLE PROGRESS HAD TAKEN PLACE IN SO SHORT A TIME, AND IN THE FACE OF NUMEROUS DIFFICULTIES.+
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A
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 15, 1975
INDUSTRIAL ESTATES: STEERING GROUP STRENGTHENED
X X X X X
THE GOVERNMENT’S WORKING GROUP ON INDUSTRIAL ESTATES IS TO BE STRENGTHENED TO GIVE GREATER IMPETUS TO THE DEVELOPMENT OF THIS NEW VENTURE AIMED AT ACCELERATING THE GROWTH OF NEW INDUSTRIES 11! HONG KONG.
THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL HAS APPROVED THE APPOINTMENT OF THE DEPUTY CHAIRMAN OF THE HONG KONG AND SHANGHAI BANKING CORPORATION, HR. MICHAEL SANDBERG, AS CHAIRMAN OF THE WORKING GROUP WHICH HAS Bi. , RENAMED THE STEERING GROUP ON INDUSTRIAL ESTATES.
THE PRESENT CHAIRMAN, THE SECRETARY FOR ECONOMIC SERVICES, MR. DEREK JONES, WILL BECOME DEPUTY CHAIRMAN.
A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN SAID TODAY IT WAS FELT THAT THE APPOINTMENT OF A CHAIRMAN FROM OUTSIDE THE GOVERNMENT WITH A WIDE KNOWLEDGE OF BUSINESS CONDITIONS IN HONG KONG WOULD BROADEN THE ' OUTLOOK OF THE GROUP’S DELIBERATIONS AND WOULD GIVE IT A GREATER AUTHORITY AND IMPETUS IN CO-ORDINATING THE WORK TO BE DONE.
MR. SANDBERG HAS ALREADY DISPLAYED CONSIDERABLE INTEREST IN INDUSTRIAL ESTATES THROUGH HIS MEMBERSHIP OF THE TRADE AND INDUSTRY ADVISORY BOARD.
IN ADDITION, A GOVERNMENT OFFICIAL, MR. PETER JOHNSON, HAS BEEN APPOINTED AS CO-ORDINATOR OF ALL WORK CONNECTED WITH INDUSTRIAL ESTATES, IN PARTICULAR THE TAI PO ESTATE, THE CONSTRUCTION OF WHICH WILL SHORTLY COMMENCE. HE WILL ALSO ACT AS SECRETARY OF THE STEERING GROUP AND BE RESPONSIBLE FOR PLANNING AND NEGOTIATING LAND SALES AND LEASINGS WITHIN THE ESTATE.
MR. JOHNSON HAS ALSO BEEN APPOINTED SECRETARY OF THE RECENTLY FORMED STEERING COMMITTEE ON INDUSTRIAL INVESTMENT PROMOTION, OF WHICH MR. JONES IS CHAIRMAN. THE PURPOSE OF THIS COMMITTEE IS TO CO-ORDINATE THE ACTIVITIES OF THE COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY DEPARTMENT, THE TRADE DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL AND THE HONG KONG GENERAL CHAMBER OF COMMERCE IN SEEKING OVERSEAS INDUSTRIAL INVESTMENT IN HONG KONG. ONE OF THE MAIN SELLING POINTS OF SUCH PROMOTION WILL BE THE FUTURE AVAILABILITY OF LAND IN INDUSTRIAL ESTATES.
THE SPOKESMAN SAID THESE DEVELOPMENTS ARE’ NEEDED IN VIEW OF-. THE BENEFIT TO THE ECONOMY THAT COULD ARISE FROM INVESTMENT IN NEW INDUSTRIES THAT ARE VIABLE AND COMPETITIVE IN EXPORT MARKETS.
THERE IS ALSO A NEED, HE SAID, TO PROCEED AS QUICKLY AS POSSIBLE WITH THE DEVELOPMENT OF STAGE I OF THE TAI PO ESTATE IN ORDER TO TEST, IM PRACTICE, WHETHER SUCH INDUSTRIES CAN BE ATTRACTED TO HONG KONG, GIVEN THE INTEREST ALREADY SHOWN BY A NUMBER OF OVERSEAS FIRMS AS WELL AS LOCAL INDUSTRIALISTS.
THE FIRST STAGE OF THE DEVELOPMENT AT TAI PO INVOLVES THE FORMATION OF ABOUT 60 ACRES OF LAND WITH THE NECESSARY FACILITIES, INCLUDING A SEWAGE TREATMENT PLANT AND THE PROVISION OF A WATER SUPPLY. FINANCE COMMITTEE HAS APPROVED A LOAN OF 360 MILLION FROM THE DEVELOPMENT LOAN FUND FOR THE PROJECT.
/WITH REGARD
WEDNESDAY, C3T0BER 15, 1975
5
WITH REGARD TO PROGRESS MADE ON THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE ESTATE, THE SPOKESMAN SAID THAT WORK WAS NOW MOVING RAPIDLY ON THE LAYOUT PLAN, THE CLEARING OF BORROW AREAS, THE PREPARATION OF CONTRACT DOCUMENTS AND OTHER WORK CONNECTED WITH THE PLANNING A.'; CONSTRUCTION OF THE ESTATE.
INITIALLY, ACCESS TO THE ESTATE WILL BE BY TING KOK ROAD, WHICH WILL BE IMPROVED TO TAKE THE ADDITIONAL TRAFFIC. AT A LATER STAGE ACCESS WILL BE BY A ROAD LEADING ACROSS A NEW RECLAMATION TO THE SOUTH OF THE ESTATE.
THE SPOKESMAN POINTED OUT THAT A NUMBER OF PROJECTS FOR IMPROVING TAI PO ROAD FROM LION ROCK TUNNEL TO TAI PO ARE CURRENTLY UNDER VARIOUS STAGES OF COMPLETION OR PLANNING AND CONSIDERATION, AND EVERY EFFORT WILL BE MADE TO COMPLETE THE WORKS BEFORE ANY SIGNIFICANT VOLUME OF TRAFFIC IS GENERATED BY THE TAI PO INDUSTRIAL ESTATE.
THE SPOKESMAN RECALLED THAT THE GOVERNOR IN HI'S ANNUAL SPEECH TO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL LAST WEEK, SAID HE HOPED THAT THE FIRST STAGE OF THE ESTATE WILL BE COMPLETED BY THE END OF 1977. THE GOVERNOR ADDED THAT INVESTIGATIONS ARE ALSO BEING CARRIED OUT INTO THE POSSIBILITY OF SIMILAR ESTATES NEAR YUEN LONG AND.ELSEWHERE IN THE NEW TERRITORIES.
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/6.....
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 15, 1975
6
HONG KONG TO WOO U.S. INDUSTRIAL INVESTMENTS K H M K H X
THE JOINT-MISSION TO THE UNITED STATES, BY THE COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY DEPARTMENT AND THE HONG KONG GENERAL CHAMBER OF COMMERCE TO ATTRACT INDUSTRIAL INVESTMENT TO HONG KONG, WILL MEET THE HEADS )F ABOUT 50 AMERICAN FIRMS IN NEW YORK, CHICAGO, LOS ANGELES AND SAN FRANCISCO.
THE LEADER OF THE COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY DEPARTMENT MISSION, HR. ROY PORTER, DEPUTY DIRECTOR OF THE DEPARTMENT, SAID TODAY THESE FIRMS WERE CONCERNED WITH THE PRODUCTION OF ELECTRONIC, HIGH-PRECISION, AND METAL PRODUCTS -- THE KIND OF HIGHER FECHNOLOGY INDUSTRIES HONG KONG WAS AT PRESENT ANXIOUS TO ATTRACT.
MR. PORTER NOTED THAT THE UNITED STATES WAS STILL EXPERIENCING A DIFFICULT TIME, ECONOMICALLY, AND THAT THE MAJORITY OF COMPANIES WERE NOT WILLING TO TAKE IMMEDIATE DECISION TO INVEST. jUT HE WAS HOPEFUL OF GOOD RESULTS OVER THE NEXT 12 MONTHS OR SO.
THE LEADER OF THE OTHER MISSION IS MR. PETER FOXON, CHAIRMAN GF THE HONG KONG CHAMBER OF COMMERCE, WHO WILL BE ACCOMPANIED BY MR. JIMMY MCGREGOR, DIRECTOR OF THE CHAMBER, AND MR. HERBERT MIN I CH, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF THE AMERICAN CHAMBER OF COMMERCE WHO HAS DONE MUCH LIAISING BETWEEN HONG KONG AND AMERICAN FIRMS FOR THIS MISSION.
AMERICAN BANKS HERE WITH HEADQUARTERS OR BRANCH OFFICES IN THE UNITED STATES HAVE ALSO HELPED GREATLY IN THE ORGANISATION OF THE MISSIONS.,'
r
THE TWO DELEGATIONS WILL INITIALLY TRAVEL IN DIFFERENT DIRECTIONS: MR. FOXON, MR. MCGREGOR AND MR. Ml MICH FOR NEW YORK; HR. ROY PORTER AND MR. PETER LO, OF THE COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY DEPARTMENT, TO CHICAGO AND LOS ANGELES.
THE TWO TEAMS WILL JOIN UP IN SAN FRANCISCO.
MR. PORTER SAID THE PROPOSITION TO ‘SET UP ’SHOP’ IN HONG KONG WAS VERY ATTRACTIVE FOR A VARIETY OF REASONS, NOT LEAST OF WHICH WAS THAT IT CREATES JOBS IN AMERICA BY PROVIDING AN GPPORTUNITY FOR CERTAIN INDUSTRIES THERE TO INCREASE THEIR PRODUCTION OF LOW-COST COMPONENTS AND END-PRODUCTS, BOOSTING ..N EXPORT RANGE.
MACHINE PARTS, ACCESSORIES AND OTHER SUCH PRODUCTS WERE ,.L30 AMONG SOME OF THE COMPLEMENTARY ITEMS AMERICAN FACTORIES COULD PRODUCE PROFITABLY IN HONG KONG RATHER THAN BUY FROM OTHER COUNTRIES OR TO PRODUCE THEM AT HIGH COST AT HOME.
/HR. PORTER .....
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBEH 15,-1975
7
PORTER EXPLAINED THAT INTERESTED COMPANIES MAY SET UP FACTORY HERE EITHER BY THEMSELVES OR IN PARTNERSHIP WITH HONG KC.JG INDUSTRIALISTS.
MANUFACTURING IN HONG KONG MAKES GOOD ECONOMIC SENSE NOT ONLY FOR THE U.S. MARKET BUT FOR THE COUNTRY’S EXPORT MARKETS AL JELL.
MR. PORTER SAID THAT FROM HONG KONG, AMERICAN MANUFACTURERS CFH’.D PRODUCE AND EXPORT QUALITY GOODS AT A LOWER COST AND STILL 077.-I.; A VERY HIGH RETURN ON THEIR INVESTMENT.
iHERE ARE MANY OTHER GOOD REASONS ABOUT WHICH THE TWO DELEGATIONS WILL TELL AMERICAN INDUSTRIALISTS WHEN THEY MEET THEN.
THE MISSION WILL ALSO EE ABLE TO TELL THEIR HOSTS ABOUT HONG KONG’S PROPOSED INDUSTRIAL ESTATES AND ABOUT INDUSTRIAL SITES WHICH ARE SUITABLE FOR THEIR PARTICULAR TYPE OF INDUSTRY.
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RURAL ANTI-CRIME COMMITTEES TO EE STRENGTHENED H M M * K * *
THE SECRETARY FOR THE NEW TERRITORIES, MR. DAV ID AKERS-JONES, SAID TODAY HE INTENDED TO STRENGTHEN THE WORK OF THE FIGHT VIOLENT CRIME AREA COMMITTEES IN THE NEW TERRITORIES WITH A VIEW TO IMPROVING LAW AND ORDER IN THE RURAL AREAS.
HE SAID THIS AFTER A MEETING WITH THE CHAIRMAN OF THE HEUNG YEE KUX MR CHAN YAT-SUN, AND THE DISTRICT POLICE COMMANDER (NEW TERRITORIES), MR. MIKE ILLINGWORTH. THE MEETING WAS ALSO ATTENDED BY MEMBERS OF THE KUK’S SECURITY COMMITTEE.
MR. AKERS-JONES SAID HE WOULD ALSO EXAMINE THE AREA COMMITTEES’ PRESENT COMPOSITION AND CHANGE IT IF NECESSARY TO ENSURE + IT IS TRULY REPRESENTATIVE*.
HE ADDED THAT HE WOULD ASK THE SECURITY COMMITTEE TO EXAMINE THE LOCAL SITUATION AND THE ORGANISATIONAL STRENGTH OF THE AREA COMMITTEES, AND TO MAKE CONCRETE PROPOSALS TO STRENGTHEN THt FIGHT AGAINST VIOLENT CRIME IN THE NEW TERRITORIES.
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 15, 1975 *
8
THIRD MANPOWER SURVEY ON
K H H M 94
CLOTHING INDUSTRY K
A MANPOWER SURVEY OF HONG KONG’S CLOTHING INDUSTRY WILL BE CARRIED OUT BETWEEN NOVEMBER 3 AND NOVEMBER 26 TO COLLECT UP-TO-DATE DATA ON TRAINING NEEDS.
THE SURVEY , THE THIRD IN THE SERIES, WILL BE CONDUCTED BY - CLOTHING INDUSTRY TRAINING BOARD OF THE HONG KONG TRAINING U.'JNCIL, WITH THE ASSISTANCE CF THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT AND THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT.
QUESTIONNAIRES AND EXPLANATORY LETTERS IN ENGLISH AND CHINESE ... ;E SENT TO-DAY TO ALL SELECTED ESTABLISHMENTS IN THE CLOTHING INDUSTRY.
EMPLOYERS ARE ASKED FOR INFORMATION GN : THE NUMBER OF ... RK RS . । PLOYED” THE NUMBER UNDER TRAINING” EXISTING VACANCIES” AL' A FORECAST OF THE NUMBER CF 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 (INDUSTRI AL TRAINI NG), MR. HORACE KNIGHT, STRESSED THAT ALL INFORMATION COLLECTED WOULD t HANDLED IN STRICT CONFIDENCE AND WOULD DE 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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/9......
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 15, ] - 9 -
WELFARE OF HK RESIDENTS IN BRITAIN
X X X X
HONG KONG’S COMMISSIONER IN LONDON, MR. S.T. KIDD, YESTERDAY .’■'ED HONG KONG RESIDENTS IN BRITAIN TO CO-OPERATE WITH THEIR COMMUNITIES RELATIONS OFFICERS IN PROMOTING THE WELFARE OF THE CHINESE IMMIGRANT COMMUNITIES IN THE UNITED KINGDOM.
HE WAS ADDRESSING MEMBERS OF THE CHINESE ASSOCIATION OF C>. iMERCE AT THE SWEARING-IN CEREMONY OF OFFICERS IN LONDON.
MR. KIDD SAID THE COMMISSION HAD LOCAL OFFICERS IN ALL THE MAIN CITIES AND TOWNS, AND WAS ALREADY WORKING ALONG-SIDE MEMBERS GF THE CHINESE COMMUNITY IN A SMALL NUMBER OF AREAS IN SETTING UP CHILDREN’S CENTRES AND YOUTH CENTRES WHERE RECREATIONAL. ACTIVITIES, ENGLISH LESSONS FOR YOUNG AND OLD, AND CHINESE CLASSES BEING ORGANISED.
MR. HDD TOLD THE GATHERING THAT WHILE THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT OFFICE IN LONDON RECOGNISED THE IMPORTANCE OF PRESERVING AND DEVELOPING CHINESE CULTURE AMONG THE CHILDREN OF IMMIGRANTS FROM HONG KONG, IT WAS EQUALLY IMPORTANT FOR THEM TO LEARN ENGLISH.
+FORMERLY, WHEN MEN MADE UP THE BULK OF THE CHINESE COMMUNITY IN THIS COUNTRY, THEY PREFERRED TO KEEP VERY MUCH TO THEMSELVES AND CONSIDERED THAT THEIR PRESENCE HERE WAS ONLY TEMPORARY. THE SITUATION HAS CHANGED IN THE LAST FEW YEARS,+ HE SAID.
+MANY DEPENDENTS, BOTH WIVES AND CHILDREN, HAVE COME TO JOIN THE HEADS OF THEIR FAMILIES. CHILDREN ARE GOING TO SCHOOL WHEREVER THEY LIVE THROUGHOUT BRITAIN.
+THEY ARE THUS DIRECTLY EXPOSED TO THE WAY OF LIFE AND CUSTOMS OF THE INDIGENOUS POPULATION, INDIRECTLY THEIR PARENTS ARE SIMILARLY EXPOSED. THE EDUCATION AUTHORITIES ARE THEREFORE VERY CONCERNED WITH THE INADEQUATE COMMAND OF ENGLISH OF THESE CHINESE CHILDREN AND THEY ARE TRYING TO FIND WAYS AND MEANS OF REMEDYING THIS DEFICIENCY,+ MR. KIDD SAID.
IN HIS ADDRESS, THE PRESIDENT OF THE CHINESE ASSOCIATION OF COMMERCE, MR. CHAN SAU-ON SAI )s +WEJ1UST TRY HARD TO PRESERVE AND TO FURTHER DEVELOP OUR CULTURE WHICH IS A VERY VALUABLE INHERITANCE WE HAVE FROM OUR FOREFATHERS AND WHICH IS RECOGNISED THE WORLD OVER AS THE MOST VALUABLE ASSET OF MANKIND.
+OUR CHINESE CLASSES HAVE EXISTED FOR SEVEN YEARS IN WHICH WE HAVE SEEN THEIR ENROLMENT RISE FROM JUST OVER TEN CHILDREN TO THE PRESENT 200 PLUS. OUR WISH IS THAT THERE MAY ONE DAY EE A PROPER SCHOOL WITH BOARDING FACILITIES TO PREPARE BOTH CHINESE AND FOREIGN PUPILS TO SIT FOR GENERAL CERTIFICATE OF EDUCATION EXAMINATIONS. WE WILL WORK HARD TOWARDS THE GOAL.+
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WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 15, 1975
10
DR. CHOA TO ATTEND DRUG SEMINAR IN U.S
******
THE DIRECTOR OF MEDICAL AND HEALTH SERVICES, DR. GERALD CHOA, WILL LEAVE FOR THE UNITED STATES TOMORROW (THURSDAY) TO ATTEND AN INTERNATIONAL SEMINAR ON NARCOTICS.
DR. CHOA HAS BEEN INVITED DY THE STATE DEPARTMENT, THROUGH THE U.S. CONSUL-GENERAL IN HONG KONG, TO TAKE PART IN THE MULT I-REGIONAL DRUG ABUSE REDUCTION SEMINAR TO BE HELD IN WASHINGTON.
HE IS EXPECTED TO SPEND ABOUT A MONTH IN THE UNITED STATES, VISITING VARIOUS DRUG TREATMENT CENTRES IN THE CAPITAL AND OTHER MAJOR CITIES.
HE WILL RETURN ON NOVEMBER 17. WHILE DR. CHOA IS AWAY, DR. K.L. THONG, DEPUTY DIRECTOR, WILL ACT AS DIRECTOR OF MEDICAL AND HEALTH SERVICES.
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WATER CUTS * * *
A NUMBER OF PREMISES IN KOWLOON CITY AND ABERDEEN WILL BE WITHOUT WATER FOR ABOUT FIVE HOURS STARTING FROM 1 A.M. TOMORROW (THURSDAY) TO FACILITATE LEAKAGE TESTS TO BE CARRIED OUT IN THE AREAS.
IN KOWLOON CITY, THE PREMISES AFFECTED ARE BOUNDED BY JUNCTION ROAD, WANG TAU HOM EAST ROAD, FU MOU STREET, HENG LAM STREET AND LOK FU ESTATE, INCLUDING HONG KONG BUDDHIST ASSOCIATION HOSPITAL AND JUNCTION ROAD RESITE AREA.
IN ABERDEEN, THE BUILDINGS AFFECTED ARE ON HEUNG YIP ROAD FROM ABERDEEN TRADE SCHOOL TO NAM LONG SHAN ROAD.
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III
PRM 7
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 16, 1975
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
LOCAL CONSORTIUM WINS CONTRACT FOR MAJOR RECLAMATION AND DEVELOPMENT PROJECT IN SHAT IN............................. 1
NEW CURRICULUM EMPHASISES QUALITY AND RELEVANCE, SAYS DIRECTOR OF EDUCATION ......................................... 2
SUNDAYS AT SIX - NEW SERIES OF EVENING CHAMBER MUSIC RECITALS ...................................................... 4
NEW JURY LIST TO BE POSTED NEXT MONDAY......................... 5
WATER CUT IN YAU MA TEI ....................................... 5
Issued by Government Information Services, Beaconsfield House, Hong Kong.Te(: 5-233191
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 16, 1975 - 1 -
LOCAL CONSORTIUM WINS CONTRACT FOR MAJOR RECLAMATION PROJECT IN SHATIN K M M * H H
A 40-ACRE LOT IN SHA TIN TOWN HAS BEEN SOLD TO THE PARAMATTA INVESTMENT CO. LTD. AT $20.6 MILLION.
THE COMPANY, A CONGLOMERATE OF WELL-KNOWN LOCAL DEVELOPMENT FIRMS, HAS ALREADY PAID A $15 MILLION DEPOSIT.
THE SITE, SITUATED AT SIU LEK YUEN, WAS ADVERTISED FOR SALE BY TENDER DURING AUGUST AND LAST MONTH.
UNDER THE BUILDING COVENANT, $240 MILLION MUST BE SPENT WITH IN TEN YEARS TO DEVELOP THE SITE, WHICH IS ZONED FOR RES I Dt. NT I AL AND COMMERCIAL PURPOSES.
THE DEVELOPER IS REQUIRED TO RECLAIM A FURTHER 105 ACRES OF SEABED, PROVIDE ROADS AND DRAINS, AND CONSTRUCT SEAWALLS. THE COST OF THESE IS ESTIMATED AT $130 MILLION.
THIS ADDITIONAL AREA OF 105 ACRES WILL, AT A LATER STAGE, BE HANDED TO THE GOVERNMENT FOR INDUSTRIAL, RESIDENTIAL AND COMMERCIAL DEVELOPMENT WITH OPEN SPACE AND OTHER COMMUNITY FACILITIES.
AN ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENT FROM THE DEVELOPER IS THE PROVISION OF THREE SCHOOLS, ALSO TO BE RETURNED TO THE GOVERNMENT TO PROVIDE EDUCATIONAL FACILITIES FOR THE POPULATION OF THE PROPOSED RESIDENTIAL ESTATE.
COMMENTING ON THE SUCCESSFUL TENDER, A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN SAID THAT THE RECLAMATION AND DEVELOPMENT TO BE CARRIED OUT WERE MAJOR STEPS TOWARDS THE FURTHER DEVELOPMENT OF SHA TIN NEW
HE ADDED THAT THIS MOVE WAS ALSO A GOOD INDICATION OF RETURN OF CONFIDENCE IN THE PROPERTY MARKET IN GENERAL;
TOWN.
THE
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-A
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 16, 1975
2
NEW CURRICULUM EMPHASISES QUALITY AND RELEVANCE * H M M * K
THE CURRICULUM DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE (C.D.C.) IS MAKING A DETERMINED BID TO UPDATE THE JUNIOR SECONDARY CURRICULUM SO AS TO SERVE THE REAL NEEDS, INTERESTS AND ABILITIES OF A VERY WIDE RANGE OF PUPILS IN HONG KONG, THE DIRECTOR OF EDUCATION, MR. KENNETH TOPLEY SAID TODAY.
ADDRESSING THE PHARMACEUTICAL 'ASSOCIATION’S LUNCHEON, MR. TOPLEY SAID THAT THE COMMITTEE HAD SPENT A CONSIDERABLE PERIOD ATTACKING THE TOIN PROBLEMS OF QUALITY AND RELEVANCE BY EXAMINING THE AIMS AND OBJECTIVES OF THE ENTIRE JUNIOR SECONDARY CURRICULUM.
AS A RESULT, THE-COMM ITTEE, WHICH IS DRAWN FROM ALL SECTORS OF THE LOCAL EDUCATIONAL COMMUNITY, ESTABLISHED GENERALLY AGREED CRITERIA TO BE OBSERVED BY THE CURRICULUM TEAMS IN THEIR DETAILED DEVELOPMENT OF THE CONSTITUENT COURSES OF THE CURRICULUM.
MR. TOPLEY SAID THAT THE EMPHASIS IN THE NEW JUNIOR SECONDARY CURRICULUM WAS VERY DEFINITELY ON QUALITY AND RELEVANCE.
+GROUPS OF SCHOOLS ARE NOW TRYING OUT THE NEW SYLLABUSES ON A VOLUNTARY BASIS, WITH THE HELP OF THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT’S ADVISORY INSPECTORATE - THE EXECUTIVE ARM OF THE C.D.C.
+THE AIM OF THE TRY-OUT PERIOD IS OF COURSE TO TEST THE MATERIAL THOROUGHLY, TO ADJUST IT IF NECESSARY AND THEN TO ESTABLISH IT AS THE STANDARD PATTERN OF EDUCATION AT THIS LEVEL,+ THE DIRECTOR SAID.
HE STRESSED THAT TRUE CURRICULUM DEVELOPMENT, IF IT WAS TO BE GENUINELY EFFECTIVE, DEMANDED THE ACTIVE AND WHOLE-HEARTED CO-OPERATION OF EVERYONE INVOLVED IN THE EDUCATIONAL PROCESS -THE UNIVERSITIES, THE TEACHER-TRAINING INSTITUTIONS, EDUCATIONAL PUBLISHERS, SCHOOL HEADS, TEACHERS, PUPILS AND PARENTS.
MR. TOPLEY SAID HE WAS HAPPY TO REPORT THAT +WE ARE NOW LIAISING WITH EDUCATIONAL PUBLISHERS ON THE DEVELOPMENT OF NEW MATERIALS DESIGNED TO ENCOURAGE IMAGINATIVE TEACHING STRATEGIES, ESPECIALLY IN THOSE SUBJECTS WHERE THE ’ENQUIRY-ACTIVITY’ APPROACH IS STRONGLY I ND I GATED.+
THE DIRECTOR ALSO STATED THAT WHATEVER EXAMINATIONS THERE WERE IN THE FUTURE THEY WOULD BE BASED ON THE TEACHING COURSES RECOMMENDED BY THE C.D.C.
/+IN OTHUH WOHDS .....
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 16, 1975
3
+ IN OTHER WORDS, THE TEACHING COURSES WILL SHAPE THE CONTENT AND FORMAT OF THE EXAMINATIONS, SO THAT THE EXAMINATIONS WILL BE COMPATIBLE WITH THE STYLE AND UNDERLYING PURPOSES OF THE CURRICULUM,* HE SAID.
THE HONG KONG CERTIFICATE OF EDUCATION BOARD HAD AMENDED ITS CONSTITUTION TO TAKE THIS IMPORTANT PRINCIPLE INTO ACCOUNT AND MR. TOPLEY SAID, +l LOOK FORWARD TO THE TIME WHEN THE CURRICULUM HAS BECOME FIRMLY EMBEDDED AND THE EXAMINATION HAS BECOME ITS LOYAL SERVANT INSTEAD OF ITS RATHER UNFEELING MASTER.*
WHILE FIRST PRIORITY HAD DEEN GIVEN TO THE JUNIOR SECONDARY CURRICULUM, THE DIRECTOR MADE IT CLEAR THAT PRIMARY EDUCATION HAD NOT BEEN NEGLECTED.
ONE OF THE MOST PROMISING ATTEMPTS SO FAR TO IMPROVE THE QUALITY OF EDUCATION IN PRIMARY SCHOOLS WAS THE +ACTIVITY APPROACH* - A HONG KONG VERSION OF THE INTEGRATED DAY WHICH WAS FAMILIAR IN BRITAIN AND THE UNITED STATES.
+THE ESSENCE OF THE ACTIVITY APPROACH IS THAT IT PROVIDES OPPORTUNITIES FOR CHILDREN TO LEARN AT THEIR OWN PACE ACCORDING TO THEIR OWN ABILITIES,* HE SAID.
IT BEGAN AS A PILOT SCHEME IN 1972 AND WAS NOW GRADUALLY GAINING WIDER ACCEPTANCE AMONG SCHOOLS.
+THIS IS VERY ENCOURAGING,* MR. TOPLEY SAID.
IN CONCLUSION, THE DIRECTOR STATED THAT WHILE THERE WAS QUITE UNDERSTANDABLY CONSTANT PRESSURE FOR RAPID CHANGE FROM PEOPLE COMMITTED TO A PARTICULAR POINT OF VIEW, THE PRIME FACTOR INFLUENCING EDUCATIONAL QUALITY WAS THE QUALITY OF THE TEACHER - AND ONE COULD NOT MAKE DRAMATIC OVERNIGHT CHANGES IN PEOPLE’S APPROACHES TO THEIR WORK.
+QUALITY HAS TO EVOLVE, AND AT THIS STAGE IN THE PROCESS ' WE CAN ONLY SAY THAT THE CONDITIONS FOR QUALITATIVE CHANGE ARE FAVOURABLE AND THAT WITH PUBLIC SUPPORT OF THE RIGHT KIND, I BELIEVE WE SHALL SEE EVENTUALLY CLEAR EVIDENCE OF SUCH CHANGE,* MR. TOPLEY SAID.
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THURSI -,Y, OCTOBER 16, 1975
SUNDAYS AT SIX M * *
A NEW SERIES OF EVENING CHAMBER MUSIC RECITALS BEGINS THIS MONTH AT THE UNION CHURCH, KENNEDY ROAD, HONG KONG.
ENTITLED +SUNDAYS AT SIX+, THE MONTHLY RECITALS WILL FEATURE LEADING LOCAL SINGERS AND INSTRUMENTALISTS IN PROGRAMMES OF WESTERN CLASSICAL MUSIC ALTHOUTH NEXT JANUARY’S CONCERT WILL BE DEVOTED TO CHINESE INSTRUMENTAL AND VOCAL MUSIC.
THE SERIES, PRESENTED BY THE UNION CHURCH IN ASSOCIATION WITH RADIO HONG KONG, IS THE LATEST +BRAINCHILD+ OF CLIVE SIMPSON WHO IS A WELL-KNOWN FIGURE IN LOCAL MUSIC CIRCLES. HE WAS ONE OF THE FOUNDER-ORGANIZERS OF THE NOU WELL-ESTABLISHED LUNCHTIME RECITALS AT ST. JOHN’S CATHEDRAL AND HAS ARRANGED CHAMBER CONCERTS FOR THE GOETHE INSTITUTE. HE IS CURRENTLY CHAIRMAN OF THE HONG KONG CONSERVATORY OF MUSIC CONCERTS COMMITTEE AS WELL AS BEING INVOLVED IN VOCAL CONCERTS FOR THE 1976 HONG KONG ARTS FESTIVAL. -
TAKING PART IN THE FIRST OF THE SIX MONTHLY RECITALS WILL BE BARITONE TIMOTHY YUNG, WHO WILL EE ACCOMPANIED BY STUART BONNER IN THREE SONGS OF C.P.E. BACH AND FIVE OF SCHUMANN’S SETTINGS OF HEINE POEMS. FOR THE REST OF THE PROGRAMME THE HONG KONG BRASS SEXTET, LED BY JOHN CHENG, WILL PERFORM A VARIETY OF WORKS RANGING FROM BYRD AND MONTEVERDI TO MOJSSORGSKY AND HINDEMITH.
THE RECITAL BEGINS AT 6 P.M. IT WILL BE RECORDED BY RADIO HONG
ON OCTOBER 26. ADMISSION IS FREE KONG FOR FUTURE TRANSMISSION.
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 16, 1975
5
NEW JURY LIST * X « M
THE REGISTRAR OF THE SUPREME COURT, MR. JOHN OLIVER, ANNOUNCED TODAY THAT A FURTHER LIST OF COMMON JURORS WILL BE POSTED NEXT MONDAY (OCTOBER 20) ON THE NOTICE BOARD NEAR THE LIFT INSIDE THE SOUTH-WEST ENTRANCE OF THE SUPREME COURT BUILDING.
THE LIST WILL REMAIN POSTED FOR 14 DAYS.
DURING THIS PERIOD ANY PERSON MAY APPLY IN WRITING TO THE REGISTRAR FOR HIS NAME OR THE NAME OF SOME OTHER PERSON TO BE POSTED OR REMOVED FROM THE LIST. REASONS FOR THE ADDITION OR REMOVAL OF A NAME MUST BE GIVEN IN APPLICATIONS.
THE REGISTRAR SHALL IN HIS DISCRETION POST OR REMOVE NAMES ACCORDINGLY AND SHALL, IF NECESSARY, ALTER THE LIST.
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WATER CUT MX*
A NUMBER OF PREMISES IN YAU MA TEI WILL BE WITHOUT WATER FOR FIVE HOURS STARTING FROM 1 A.M. ON SATURDAY (OCTOBER 18) WHEN A TEST FOR LEAKAGE WILL BE CARRIED OUT IN THE AREA.
AFFECTED WILL BE PREMISES BOUNDED BY NATHAN ROAD, PUBLIC SQUARE STREET, RECLAMATION STREET, WING SING LANE, SHANGHAI STREET AND WATERLOO ROAD.
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HONG KONG HOUSING AUTHORITY
%T M
Thursday, October 16, 1975
PING YEUNG SAN CHUEN SQUATTER AREA CLEARED
*******
The Ping Yeung San Chuen squatter area was cleared today (Thursday) to make way for the construction of the Po Kong Interchange— an important road project to ease traffic flow in Po Kong Village Road and Lung Cheung Road.
When completed in 1977, the flyover network, will provide an easy access route from Choi Hung Road to Lung Cheung Road.
In today’s operation, Housing Department demolition teams cleared about 100 remaining structures on the site. Some 500 other huts in the squatter area had either been demolished by their occupants or by the clearance staff during the past few weeks.
A total of 1,8l4 people from 451 families have been offered public housing in Lam Tin or Sau Mau Ping Estates and 461 people from 125 families not eligible for public housing have been allocated sites at Kowloon Bay Licensed Area.
Ex-gratia allowances totalling about $120,000, and 84 units in Kowloon Bay factory estates have been offered to 5& shop, factory or workshop operators affected by the clearance.
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DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 17, 1975
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
ENROLMENT BEGINS FOR NEW INDOOR DRIVING COURSES ........... 1
SEMI-AUTOMATED BAGGAGE HANDLING SYSTEM FOR KAI TAK ........ 2
PRINTING SCHOLARSHIP SET UP WITH $50,000 DONATION ......... 3
350 TO PARTICIPATE IN CANTONESE SPEECH CONTEST ............ 4
SUMMER TIME ENDS THIS SUNDAY ........................... 4
CAPACITY OF TUEN MUN TREATMENT WORKS TO BE DOUBLED ........ 5
IctiibH hy GnvnrnmdHT tllfliliilHIiiui fianiinn. nnni-nni.fir.IH Hn..cw Honn KonftTpl: 5-233191
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 17, 1975
1
ENROLMENT BEGINS FOR NEW INDOOR DRIVING COURSES * H * M ft
THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT IS NOW ENROLLING CANDIDATES FOR THE NEXT TWO SERIES OF DRIVING COURSES DUE TO START IN THE NEXT TWO MONTHS AT ITS INDOOR DRIVING INSTRUCTION CENTRE IN KOWLOON.
SO FAR, NEARLY 4,900 PEOPLE HAVE ATTENDED COURSES AT THE CENTRE WHERE THEY LEARN FUNDAMENTAL DRIVING TECHNIQUES BEFORE TAKING PRIVATE DRIVING LESSONS ON THE ROAr..
A TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT SPOKESMAN SA IXL TODAY RECORDS INDICATE THAT THE INDOOR TRAINING COURSE HAD ACHIEVED ITS MAIN OBJECTIVES, ONE OF WHICH IS TO HELP RAISE THE STANDARD OF DRIVING SKILL AND DISCIPLINE OF CANDIDATES PRESENTING THEMSELVES FOR THE ON-ROAD DRIVING TEST.
AN EARLIER SURVEY, HE SAID, SHOWED THAT 33.5 PER CENT OF CANDIDATES WHO HAD PASSED THE INDOOR INSTRUCTION COURSE PASSED THE ON-ROAD DRIVING TEST -6.4 PER CENT MORE THAN THOSE WHO HAD RELIED SOLELY ON THEIR PRIVATE ON-ROAD DRIVING LESSONS.
THE INDOOR COURSE ALSO REDUCES THE AMOUNT OF ON-ROAD PRIVATE INSTRUCTION NEEDED BY LEARNERS, THUS ABATING TRAFFIC CONGESTION AND ANNOYANCE TO LOCAL RESIDENTS, HE SAID. MORE THAN 60 PER CENT OF THE CANDIDATES PASSING THE INDOOR COURSE HAD TAKEN LESS THAN THE AVERAGE OF 70 - 90 HOURS OF ON-ROAD PRIVATE INSTRUCTION.
THE NEXT TWO SERIES OF INDOOR DRIVING COURSES WILL BEGIN ON NOVEMBER 23 AND DECEMBER 11, RESPECTIVELY. CLASSES, EACH COMPRISING 15 ONE-HOUR LESSONS, ARE HELD BETWEEN 7.30 A.M. AND 10.30 P.M.
EACH DAY. THE FEE IS $200.
LEARNER DRIVERS WISHING TO APPLY MUST ALREADY HAVE PASSED THE PART A WRITTEN TEST FOR PRIVATE CARS. THEY MAY APPLY AT THE LICENSING OFFICE AT PUI CHING ROAD, KOWLOON, BRINGING ALONG THEIR PROVISIONAL DRIVING LICENCE, HONG KONG IDENTITY CARD AND TWO PERSONAL PHOTOGRAPHS.
AT THE END OF THE COURSE, CANDIDATES WILL SIT FOR A SIMULATOR TEST AND THOSE WHO PASS WILL BE PLACED ON A SEPARATE WAITING LIST FOR THE COMBINED ROAD TEST.
+THIS MEANS THAT ONCE THEY HAVE FINISHED WITH THEIR PRIVATE ON-ROAD DRIVING LESSONS FOLLOWING THE INDOOR COURSE, THEY WILL BE ELIGIBLE TO TAKE THE COMBINED ROAD TEST AT A GIVEN DATE EARLIER THAN THE NORMAL WAITING PERIOD FOR SUCH TESTS,+ HE SAID.
THE INDOOR DRIVING INSTRUCTION CENTRE WAS OPENED IN JUNE LAST . YEAR AND HAS REMAINED POPULAR. EQUIPPED WITH 16 DRIVING SIMULATORS, A SPECIAL FILM AND A COMPUTER-CONTROLLED PANEL, IT TEACHES CANDIDATES THE USE OF VARIOUS VEHICLE CONTROLS, RECOGNITION OF TRAFFIC SIGNS AND NORMAL REACTIONS TO DIFFERENT TRAFFIC SITUATION.
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FRIDAY, OCTOBER 17, 1975.
~ 2 =
SEMI-AUTOMATED BAGGAGE HANDLING SYSTEM FOR KAI TAK « « «
/
THE PASSENGER TERMINAL AT HONG KONG INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT IS TO DE EQUIPPED WITH A HIGH-CAPACITY SEMI-AUTOMATED SYSTEM'TO HANDLE AND SORT BAGGAGE FOR DEPARTING AIR PASSENGERS.
’ . A
THE NEW SYSTEM WILL GREATLY IMPROVE THE STANDARD OF ECONOMY, SPEEDr ACCURACY AND SECURITY OFFERED BY THE PRESENT MANUAL TROLLEY SYSTEM.
i IT WILL BE INSTALLED IN TWO STAGES AS PART OF THE PHASED DEVELOPMENT THE . RPORT TERMINAL BUILDING. INITIALLY IT WILL BE CAPABLE OF TRANSFERRING 3,000 ITEMS OF BAGGAGE PER HOUR FROM THE CHECK-IN COUNTERS IN THE DEPARTURE HALL TO A BAGGAGE MARSHALLING AREA IN THE BASEMENT OF THE BUILDING.
LATER, THE HANDLING CAPACITY OF THE SYSTEM WILL BE EXPANDED TO 6,000 ITEMS OF BAGGAGE PER HOUR, WHICH IS EQUIVALENT TO AN HOURLY THROUGHPUT OF 3,000 DEPARTING PASSENGERS.
THIS WILL BE ABOUT THREE TIMES THE CAPACITY OF THE PRESENT MANUAL SYSTEM WHICH WAS INSTALLED IN 1962 AND IS NOW OPERATING ABOVE DESIGNED CAPACITY.
INSTALLATION OF THE FIRST STAGE OF THE SYSTEM IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN IN SEPTEMBER NEXT YEAR AND IS SCHEDULED FOR COMPLETION BY THE BEGINNING OF JANUARY 1977 TO COINCIDE WITH THE COMPLETION OF THE TERMINAL BUILDING EXTENSION.
THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE SYSTEM, WHICH IS DESIGNED TO MEET THE REQUIREMENTS LAID DOWN BY THE CIVIL AVIATION DEPARTMENT, WILL BE SUPERVISED BY THE ELECTRICAL AND MECHANICAL OFFICE OF THE PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT.
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FRIDAY, OCTOBER 17, 197j
- 3 -
PRINTING SCHOLARSHIP SET UP WITH $50,000 DONATION « H « ft ft
A SCHOLARSHIP FOR FURTHER TRAINING OVERSEAS IN PRINTING TECHNOLOGY FOR STAFF, OF A TECHNICAL INSTITUTE’S PRINTING DEPARTMENT IS TO BE ESTABLISHED WITH A $50,000 DONATION FROM DAI NAPPON PRINTING CO., (HONG KONG) LTD., A JAPAN-HONG KONG JOINT VENTURE. , >
A CHEQUE FOR THE AMOUNT WILL BE PRESENTED TO THE DIRECTOR OF EDUCATION, MR. KENNETH TOPLEY, ON MONDAY BY MR. N. ICHIKI, VICE CHAIRMAN AND MANAGING DIRECTOR OF DAI NIPPON PRINTING COMPANY, ARD MR. ALEX S.C. WU, VICE CHAIRMAN OF THE COMPANY AND ZJJ UNOFFICIAL MEMBER OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL.
+THE COMPANY HAS TAKEN A GREAT DEAL OF INTEREST IN THE DEVELOPMENT OF INDUSTRIAL TRAINING IN HONG KONG, ESPECIALLY IN THE FIELD OF PRINTING, AND HAS DECIDED TO MAKE THE DONATION WITH SOME OF ITS PROFITS,* SAID MR. WU.
+WE HAVE BEEN AWARE OF THE FACT THAT UNLIKE OTHER INDUSTRIES, THERE HAS BEEN A SHORTAGE OF TEACHING STAFF IN.THE PRINTING FIELD, AND WE FEEL THAT OUR SUPPORT TO THE EFFORTS OF BOTH THE LABOUR AND EDUCATION DEPARTMENTS WOULD NOT BE COMPLETE WITHOUT MAKING FURTHER CONTRIBUTION BY ASSISTING IN THE TRAINING OF SUCH STAFF,* HE SAID.
THE DAI NIPPON PRINTING SCHOLARSHIP IS TO BE ADMINISTERED BY THE EDUCATION SCHOLARSHIPS FUND COMMITTEE, THE TRUSTEE OF WHICH IS THE DIRECTOR OF EDUCATION.
THE DONATION WILL BE PLACED ON FIXED DEPOSIT AND THE INTEREST WILL BE USED AT AN APPROPRIATE TIME TO PROVIDE FUNDS FOR THE SCHOLARSHIP.
UNDER THE CONDITIONS OF AWARD, THE SCHOLARSHIP WILL BE AWARDED ON THE RECOMMENDATION OF THE ASSISTANT DIRECTOR OF EDUCATION (TECHNICAL) AND SUBJECT TO THE APPROVAL OF THE EDUCATION SCHOLARSHIPS FUND COMMITTEE AND THE PRINTING INDUSTRY TRAINING BOARD.
NOTE TO ED I TORSs
YOU ARE INVITED TO SEND REPRESENTATIVES TO COVER THE PRESENTATION OF THE CHEQUE ON MONDAY AT 2.30 P.M. IN THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT’S CONFERENCE ROOM, LEE GARDENS, 3RD FLOOR, HYSAN AVENUE, CAUSEWAY BAY, HONG KONG. '
AMONG THE GUESTS PRESENT WILL BE THE DEPUTY CONSUL GENERAL OF JAPAN IN HONG KONG, MR. Y. SATO AND THE CONSUL OF JAPAN, MR. T. INUMARU.
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/*
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 17, 1975
CANTONESE SPEECH CONTEST H H M K ' I
ABOUT 350 YOUNG PEOPLE WILL TAKE PART IN'THE 1975 YOUTH SPEECH
CONTEST IN CANTONESE THIS SUNDAY (OCTOBER 19) AT THE Y.M.C.A. IN WATERLOO ROAD, KOWLOON.
THE AIM OF THE CONTEST IS TO PROMOTE INTEREST IN THE STUDY OF THE CHINESE LANGUAGE AND TO GIVE YOUNG PEOPLE AN OPPORTUNITY TO DEMONSTRATE THEIR ABILITY IN PUBLIC SPEAKING.
SCHOLARSHIPS, WORTH A TOTAL OF MORE THAN $5,000, AND TROPHIES DONATED BY Y’S MEN CLUBS IN HONG KONG WILL BE GIVEN TO THE WINNERS.
I
THE CONTEST IS JOINTLY SPONSORED BY THE HOME AFFAIRS DEPARTMENT AND THE INTERNATIONAL Y’S MEN CLUBS AND IS ORGANISED BY VOLUNTARY ORGANISATIONS.
THIS IS ONE OF A SERIES OF CONTESTS SPONSORED BY THE HOME AFFAIRS DEPARTMENT TO PROMOTE STUDENTS’ INTEREST IN CHINESE CULTURE AND ARTS. OTHERS PLANNED INCLUDE A CHINESE WRITING CONTEST AND TRANSLATION CONTEST.
NOTE TO EDITORS: MEDIA REPRESENTATIVES ARE WELCOME TO COVER THE SPEECH CONTEST WHICH BEGINS AT 2 P.M. ON SUNDAY.
I
SUMMER TIME ENDS \ s ■ - j
I
RESIDENTS ARE REMINDED THAT SUMMER TIME WILL OFFICIALLY END I’
AT 3.30 ON SUNDAY (OCTOBER 19) MORNING.
THIS MEANS THAT PEOPLE SHOULD PUT THEIR CLOCKS AND WATCHES
BACK ONE HOUR BEFORE GOING TO BED ON SATURDAY NIGHT. [•
i-
UNDER THE INTERPRETATION AND GENERAL CLAUSES ORDINANCE, SUMMER TIME ENDS EACH YEAR AT 3.30 A.M. ON THE FIRST SUNDAY AFTER OCTOBER 15. . ■ »’
THE ORDINANCE DEFINES STANDARD TIME, WHICH REPLACES SUMMER TIME FOR THE OTHER SIX MONTHS OF THE YEAR, AS EIGHT HOURS AHEAD OF GREENWICH MEAN TIME. F.
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FRIDAY, OCTOBER 17, 1975
- 5 -
> J
CAPACITY OF TUEN MUN TREATMENT WORKS TO BE DOUBLED H If
THE CAPA ICTY OF THE TUEN MUN TREATMENT WORKS IS TO BE
./ DOUBLED TO 20 MILLION GALLONS TO COPE WITH THE EXPECTED GROWTH IN DEMAND FOR FRESH WATER GENERATED BY THE DEVELOPMENT OF TUEN MUN NEW TOWN AND YUEN LONG.
TENDERS FOR CONSTRUCTION OF AN EXTENSION TO THE TREATMENT PLANT AT FU TEI, NEW TERRITORIES, ARE INVITED IN TODAY’S GAZETTE. CONSTRUCTION WORK IS EXPECTED TO START IN DECEMBER AND SHOULD TAKE ABOUT 20 MONTHS TO COMPLETE.
THE EXTENSION,,CONSISTING OF ONE CLARIFIER, TWO GROUPS OF RAPID GRAVITY SAND FILTERS AND CLEAR WATER STORAGE TANK, WILL HAVE A CAPACITY OF 10 MILLION GALLONS.
A WATERWORKS SPOKESMAN SAID. THE EXTENSION WOULD ENABLE THE TUEN MUN TREATMENT PLANT TO PRODUCE 20 MILLION GALLONS OF FULLY TREATED WATER PER DAY TO MEET THE ANTICIPATED DEMAND GROWTH GENERATED BY THE TUEN MUN NEW TOWN STAGE IB DEVELOPMENT AND YUEN LONG DISTRICT DURING THE NEXT THREE OR FOUR YEARS.
AT PRESENT, YUEN LONG HAS A POPULATION OF ABOUT 140,000 AND THE POPULATION OF TUEN MUN DEVELOPMENT (STAGE IB) IS EXPECTED TO REACH 60,000 BY 1978/79.
PRH 7
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 18, 1975
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
EMPLOYERS REMINDED ON STATUTORY HOLIDAY PAY FOR WORKERS .... 1
ANTI-DRUG DESIGN COMPETITION OPEN TO ALL SECONDARY AND MIDDLE SCHOOLS ................................................ 2
WEATHER ROUNDUP FOR SEPTEMBER .............................. 3
CANAL ROAD FLYOVER TO BE EXTENDED TO WONG NE I CHUNG ROAD ... 4
LOCAL OFFICERS PASS*INSTITUTE OF AMBULANCE OFFICERS’ EXAM I NAT ION ................................................ 5
44 BUILDING PLANS APPROVED LAST MONTH ...................... 6
Issued by Government Information Services, Beaconsfield House, Hong Kong.Tel: 5-233191
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 18, 1975
REMINDER ON STATUTORY HOLIDAY PAY Fl WORKERS »«««««
THE DFPUTj ■ .O/1 ilSSIONER FOR LABOUR MR. NEIL HENDERSON TODAY REMINDED EMPLOYERS OF THEIR OBLIGATION UNDER THE EMPLOYMENT ORDINANCE TO GIVE STATUTORY HOLIDAY PAY TO EMPLOYEES.
+THERE ARE SIX STATUTORY HOLIDAYS IN A YEAR — THE FIRST DAY OF JANUARY, LUGAR HEW YEAR’S DAY, THE SECOND DAY OF LUNAR NEW YEAR. CHING IliLG FESTIVAL, TUEN NG FESTIVAL, AND THE DAY FOLLOWING THE CHINESE MID-AUTUMN FESTIVAL. ALL NON-MANUAL P PLOYEES EARNING HOT MORE THAN $$2,000 A MONTH AND ALL MANUAL WORKERS IRRESPECTIVE OF THEIR EARNINGS ARE ENTITLED TO THE HOL IDAY.
+AND THEY MUST ALSO BE PAID FOR THE DAY OFF IF THEY HAVE WORKED CONTINUOUSLY FOR THEIR EMPLOYERS FOR THREE MOUTHS IMMEDIATELY PRiCEDIIJG THE STATUTORY HOLIDAY,+ MR. HENDERSON SAID.
-'FAILURE TO GRANT HIS EMPLOYEE ANY STATUTORY HOLIDAY OR TO GIVE HIM TH. HOLIDAY PAY DUE WILL RENDER THE EMPLOYER LIABLE FOR PROSECUT I ON.+
i
MR. HENDERSON WAS COMMENTING ON A RECENT CASE IN NORTH KOWLOON COURT WHEN MAGISTRATE, MR. M.H.B. NEWELL, FINED A KOWLOON TEXTILE FACTORY A TOTAL OF $54,800 FOR FAILING TO GIVE STATUTORY HOLIDAY PAY TO FIVE EMPLOYEES ON 24 OCCASIONS.
IN ADDITION TO THE FINES, THE COURT ALSO ORDERED THE COMPANY TO EFFECT PAYMENT OF OUTSTANDING HOLIDAY PAY AMOUNTING TO 8549.10 TO THE FIVE EMPLOYEES.
MR. HENDERSON ADDED THAT THE PROVISIONS OF THE EMPLOYMENT ' ORDINANCE APPLIED HOT ONLY TO INDUSTRIAL EMPLOYEES BUT ALSO TO EMPLOYEES IN THE ENTIRE COMMERCIAL SECTOR, INCLUDING THE SERVICES AND CATERING TRADES.
COMPLAINTS OR ENQUIRIES ABOUT STATUTORY HOLIDAYS MAY BE MADE TO THE NEAREST BRANCH OFFICE OF THE LABOUR RELATIONS SERVICE. THE TELEPHONE NUMBERS ARE :- FOR KOWLOON EAST 3-205638= KOWLOON WEST 3-201652= KWUN TONG 3<>9852O= TSUEN WAN 12-422096= AND HONG KONG ISLAND 5-282523 EXT. 60.
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SATURDAY, OCTOBER 18, 1975
ANTI-DRUG DESIGN COMPETITION
/ THE ACTION COMMITTEE AGAINST NARCOTICS AND THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT ARE JOINTLY SPONSORING A PROJECT DESIGN COMPETITION IN DECEMBER TO HELP PUPILS TO GAIN A BETTER UNDERSTANDING OF THE DANGERS OF DRUG ABUSE AND TO REMOVE PREVAILING MISCONCEPTIONS
• ABOUT NARCOTICS.
THE COMPETITION IS OPEN TO ALL SECONDARY AND MIDDLE SCHOOLS. THE HEADS OF THESE SCHOOLS HAVE BEEN ASKED BY THE DEPUTY DIRECTOR OF EDUCATION (PROFESSIONAL), MR. HO NGA-MING, TO ENCOURAGE THEIR STUDENTS TO TAKE PART IN THE PROJECT, THE THEME OF WHICH IS +KEEP HONG KONG DRUG FREE*.
THE DISPLAY MAY BE IN THE FORM OF MODELS, CHARTS, GRAPHS, DRAWINGS, PHOTOGRAPHS, SPECIMENS, FEATURE ARTICLES OR ANY OTHER SUITABLE AND RELEVANT MEDIA WHICH WILL PRODUCE AN EYE-CATCHING EFFECT. CAPTIONS MAY BE IN CHINESE OR ENGLISH OR IN BOTH LANGUAGES.
THE SCHOOL WINNING THE FIRST PRIZE WILL RECEIVE $1,500. JHE SECOND PRIZE IS $1,000 AND THE THIRD $700.
THERE WILL BE SEVEN MERIT PRIZES AT $200 EACH, PROVIDED SUFFICIENT ENTRIES'ARE RECEIVED AND THE STANDARD OF THE PROJECTS MEETS THE REQUIREMENT OF THE JUDGING PANEL.
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COMPETING SCHOOLS ARE REQUIRED TO PUT THEIR PROJECTS ON DISPLAY IN THEIR OWN SCHOOLS FOR A PERIOD OF NOT LESS THAN SEVEN DAYS FROM DECEMBER 2 TO 9 DURING WHICH JUDGING WILL DE CARRIED OUT.
THE EXHIBITS MAY BE KEPT ON DISPLAY AFTER THE STIPULATED PERIOD SO THAT PUPILS FROM OTHER SCHOOLS IN THE VICINITY, PARTICULARLY PRIMARY SCHOOLS, MAY BE INVITED TO VIEW THEM.
SCHOOLS WISHING TO PARTICIPATE IN THE COMPETITION SHOULD COMPLETE APPLICATION FORMS AND SEND THEM TO THE INSPECTOR, HEALTH EDUCATION, EDUCATION DEPARTMENT HEADQUARTERS, LEE GARDENS, 3RD FLOOR, CAUSEWAY DAY, BY NOVEMBER 15.
IT IS INTENDED THAT THE PRIZE-WINNING PROJECTS WILL BE EXHIBITED IN A JOINT DISPLAY AT THE CITY HALL FROM JANUARY 5 TO 8 FOR THE BENEFIT OF ALL SCHOOLS AND THE GENERAL PUBLIC.
A PRIZE-GIVING CEREMONY WILL DE HELD AT THE OPENING OF THE EXHIBITION ON JANUARY 5, 1976.
SEPTEMBER WEATHER ROUNDUP H if H if
LAST MONTH’S WEATHER WAS WARMER AND MUCH DRIER THAN USUAL WHH RAINFALL AMOUNTING TO ONLY 96.0 MM - JUST 34 PER CENT OF THE AVERAGE FIGURE FOR SEPTEMBER.
HOWEVER, THE ACCUMULATED RAINFALL SINCE THE BEGINNING OF THE YEAR STILL EXCEEDED THE NORMAL VALUE FOR THE SAME PERIOD BY 25 PER CENT.
HONG KONG EXPERIENCED ITS HOTTEST DAY OF THE YEAR ON SEPTEMBER 22 WHEN THE AIR TEMPERATURE ROSE TO 33.9 DEGREES CELSIUS.
FOUR TROPICAL CYCLONES WERE REPORTED OVER THE WESTERN NORTH PACIFIC DURING THE MONTH. SEVERE TROPICAL STORM ’ALICE’ AND TYPHOON ’BETTY’ ENTERED THE SOUTH CHINA SEA AND AFFECTED HONG KONG. THE OTHER TOO, TYPHOON ’TESS’ AND TROPICAL STORM ’VIOLA’, MOVED NORTHWARDS AND DISSIPATED EAST OF JAPAN AND SOUTHEAST OF THE RYUKYU ISLANDS RESPECTIVELY.
’ALICE’ DEVELOPED OVER THE WESTERN NORTH PACIFIC ABOUT 500 MILES EAST OF MANILA AND NECESSITATED THE HOISTING OF THE STANDBY SIGNAL NO. 1 DURING THE AFTERNOON OF SEPTEMBER 18 WHEN IT WAS CENTRED ABOUT 400 MILES SOUTHEAST OF HONG KONG. THE STANDBY SIGNAL WAS REPLACED DY THE STRONG WIND SIGNAL NO. 3 THE NEXT MORNING WHEN ’ALICE’ WAN CENTRED ABOUT 290 MILES SOUTH OF HONG KONG. SHE CROSSED HAINAN ISLAND EARLY ON SEPTEMBER 20 AND ALL SIGNALS WERE LOWERED LATER IN THE DAY.
TYPHOON ’BETTY’ FORMED WEST.OF THE MARIANA ISLANDS ON SEPTEMBER 17 BUT DID NOT POSE A THREAT TO HONG KONG UNTIL SEPTEMBER 22 WHEN THE STANDBY SIGNAL NO. 1 WAS HOISTED BECAUSE OF THE TYPHOON’S EXTENSIVE CIRCULATION. THE STANDBY SIGNAL WAS LOWERED ON SEPTEMBER 24 AFTER ’BETTY’ HAD MOVED WESTWARDS ACROSS EASTERN KWANGTUNG ARD DEGENERATED INTO AN AREA OF LOW PRESSURE.
THE FINE AND SUNNY WEATHER AHEAD OF ’BETTY’ ON SEPTEMBER 22 CAUSED THE AIR TEMPERATURE IN THE AFTERNOON TO RISE TO A MAXIMUM OF 33.9 DEGREES CELSIUS WHICH WAS THE HIGHEST TEMPERATURE RECORDED SO FAR THIS YEAR.
CLOUDY AND SHOWERY WEATHER DURING THE FOLLOWING TOO DAYS BROUGHT COOLER CONDITIONS , HOWEVER, AND DURING THE EARLY MORNING OF SEPTEMBER 24, THE AIR TEMPERATURE DROPPED TO A MINIMUM OF 22.9 DEGREES CELSIUS, THE LOWEST TEMPERATURE RECORDED FOR THE MOUTH.
DESPITE THE THREAT OF THE STORMS, NO AIRCRAFT WERE DIVERTED FROM HONG KONG INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT DURING THE MONTH AND NO FIRE DANGER WARNINGS WERE ISSUED.
SEVEN THUNDERSTORM AND TOO THUNDERSTORM AND HEAVY RAIN WARNINGS WERE ISSUED ON VARIOUS DAYS OF THE MONTH.
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SATURDAY, OCTOBER 18, 1975
CANAL ROAD FLYOVER EXTENSION * ft K H « K
THE CANAL ROAD FLYOVER IS TO BE EXTENDED TO WONG NE I CHUNG ROAD TO PROVIDE A QUICK ACCESS ROUTE BETWEEN THE PROPOSED ABERDEEN TUNNEL AND THE CROSS HARBOUR TUNNEL.
. i
THE PROJECT WAS RECENTLY UPGRADED TO CATEGORY A IN THE PUBLIC WORKS PROGRAMME AT AN ESTIMATED COST OF $97 MILLION.
CONSTRUCTION OF THE ABERDEEN TUNNEL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN IN 1976-77.
THE EXTENSION OF THE CANAL ROAD FLYOVER INVOLVES MAINLY THE CONSTRUCTION OF AN ELEVATED TWO-LANE DUAL CARRIAGEWAY TOGETHER WITH SIX CONNECTING RAMPS TO THE GROUND LEVEL ROADS AND TWO PEDESTRIAN SUBWAYS.
AT THE SAME TIME, GRADE SEPARATION WILL BE PROVIDED AT THE LEIGHTON ROAD/CANAL -ROAD, LEIGHTON ROAD/MORR ISO'4 HILL ROAD AND QUEEN’S ROAD EAST/WONG NE I CHUNG ROAD/MORRISON HILL ROAD JUNCTIONS SO AS TO EASE TRAFFIC CONGESTION IN THE AREA.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT SAID DETAILED PLANNING AND DESIGN FOR THE WHOLE PROJECT HAD BEEN SUBSTANTIALLY COMPLETED. . . /
BEFORE WORK ON THE EXTENSION CAN PROCEED, HOWEVER, A NUMBER OF FACILITIES ON MAJOR AREAS OF LAND TO BE RESUMED FOR THE PROJECT WILL HAVE TO BE REPROVISIONED.
THE FACILITIES INCLUDE THE POLICE RECREATION CLUB, THE ROYAL HONG KONG DEFENCE FORCE HEADQUARTERS AND THE MUSLIM, ROMAN CATHOLIC AND COLONIAL CEMETERIES. THERE WILL BE SEPARATE CONTRACTS FOR THE REPROVISIONING WORKS WHICH HAVE TO START AT LEAST ONE YEAR AHEAD OF THE EXTENSION OF THE FLYOVER.
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SATURDAY, OCTOBER 18, 1975 5 -
LOCAL OFFICERS PASS INSTITUTE OF AMBULANCE OFFICERS’
#««###
EXAM
THE STAFF OFFICER AT AMBULANCE COMMAND HEADQUARTERS, MR. PANG TAK-SUH, HAS BECOME THE FIRST LOCAL OFFICER TO PASS THE INSTITUTE OF AMBULANCE OFFICERS’ EXAMINATION AT ASSOCIATE MEMBERSHIP LEVEL.
SENIOR AMBULANCE OFFICER PANG, 43, SAT THE INSTITUTE’S YEARLY EXAMINATION IN MAY AND THE RESULTS HAVE JUST BEEN ANNOUNCED FROM ENGLAND WHERE THE PAPERS WERE MARKED.
MR. PANG IS THIS YEAR’S CHAIRMAN OF THE LOCAL BRANCH OF THE INSTITUTE OF AMBULANCE OFFICERS, WHICH HAS MORE THAN 160 MEMBERS. HE JOINED THE SERVICE IN 1951 AND ATTENDED AN AMBULANCE OFFICERS’ COURSE IN THE UNITE? KINGDOM IN 1972.
IT HAS ALSO BEEN ANNOUNCED THAT SENIOR AMBULANCEMAN HO KWOK-HONG, 29, HAS PASSED THE SAME EXAMINATION AT GRADUATE LEVEL. HE JOINED THE AMBULANCE SERVICE SEVEN YEARS AGO ON THE CONTROL STAFF, TRANSFERRING TO AMBULANCE DUTIES ONLY TWO YEARS AGO.
z • *
THE TWO MEN WILL RECEIVE THEIR DIPLOMAS WHEN TWO CHIEF AMBULANCE OFFICERS FROM BRITAIN VISIT HONG KONG NEXT MONTH.
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 18, 1975
6
BUILDING PLANS APPROVED M M # M #
FORTY-FOUR NEW BUILDING PLANS WERE APPROVED BY THE BUILDINGS ORDINANCE OFFICE LAST MONTH.
OF THESE, 20 WERE FOR BUILDINGS ON HONG KONG ISLAND, 12 FOR KOWLOON AND 12 FOR THE NEW TERRITORIES.
• ■ 1
THEY INCLUDED ONE FOR AN 18-STOREY CARITAS SOCIAL CENTRE BUILDING IN YAU MA TEI, ONE FOR A KAIFONG HALL IN POKFULAM VILLAGE AND ONE FOR A TEXTILE FACTORY IN TUEN MUN. THE OTHER PLANS WERE MOSTLY FOR COMMERCIAL AND APARTMENT BUILDINGS.
DURING THE MONTH, OCCUPATION PERMITS WERE ISSUED FOR 44 BUILDINGS WHOSE TOTAL BUILDING COSTS AMOUNTED TO MORE THAN $5249 MILLION. THEY INCLUDED FOUR SCHOOLS AND THE 42-STOREY GAMMON HOUSE IN CENTRAL.
APPROVAL WAS ALSO GIVEN FOR WORK TO START ON 52 BUILDING PROJECTS. CONSENT WAS GIVEN FOR THE DEMOLITION OF 26 BUILDINGS. INCLUDING FIVE WHICH HAD BEEN DECLARED DANGEROUS.
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
SUNDAY, OCTOBER 19, 1975
HORE ENROL FOR TECHNICAL EDUCATION COURSES « «
TECHNICAL EDUCATION IS GRADUALLY GAINING WIDER RECOGNITION IN HONG KONG.
THIS IS REFLECTED IN THE RISING NUMBER OF APPLICATIONS AND ENROLMENT TO THE HONG KONG TECHNICAL TEACHERS’ TRAINING COLLEGE WHICH OFFERS A WIDE VARIETY OF PART-TIME AND FULL-TIME COURSES IN TECHNICAL SUBJECTS.
THIS YEAR, THE COLLEGE RECEIVED 1,276 APPLI CAT IONS FOR THE VARIOUS COURSES FOR THE 1975/76 ACADEMIC YEAR. BECAUSE OF EXISTING LIMITATIONS, IT WAS ONLY ABLE TO ENROL 425 APPLICANTS — 140 MORE THAN IN THE PREVIOUS YEAR.
OF THE TOTAL APPLICATIONS RECEIVED THIS YEAR, 516 WERE FOR EVENING COURSES AND 760 FOR DAY COURSES. A TOTAL OF 193 APPLICANTS FOR THE EVENING COURSES WERE ACCEPTED — MORE THAN DOUBLE THE NUMBER ACCEPTED LAST YEAR -- WHILE 232 APPLICANTS FOR THE DAY COURSES WERE ACCEPTED, COMPARED WITH 193. IN THE PREVIOUS YEAR.
MR. PETER SMITH, PRINCIPAL OF THE COLLEGE, WELCOMED THE ENCOURAGING TREND AND SAID IT WAS REGRETTABLE THAT THE COLLEGE COULD NOT OFFER MORE PLACES TO CATER FOR THE INCREASING NEEDS OF TECHNICAL TEACHERS TO ASSIST IN DEVELOPING TECHNICAL EDUCATION IN HONG KONG.
HE NOTED, HOWEVER, THAT PLANS WERE IN HAND TO EXPAND PRESENT FACILITIES ONCE THE COLLEGE MOVES TO ITS OWN PERMANENT PREMISES. AT PRESENT, IT IS HOUSED IN TEMPORARY QUARTERS OCCUPYING THE OLD MORRISON HILL GOVERNMENT PRIMARY SCHOOL BUILDING IN WALCHAI AND USING WORKSHOPS AND OTHER FACILITIES IN THE MORRISON HILL TECHNICAL INSTITUTE.
THE HONG KONG TECHNICAL TEACHERS’ COLLEGE WAS OPENED IN SEPTEMBER 1974 TO MEET THE GROWING INTEREST IN TECHNICAL EDUCATION IN HONG KONG. ITS FUNCTION IS TO TRAIN TEACHERS OF TECHNICAL SUBJECTS SO THEY CAN ATTAIN THE NECESSARY QUALIFICATIONS, TO TAKE UP POSTS IN TECHNICAL INSTITUTES, TECHNICAL AND PREVOCATIONAL SCHOOLS, AND IN THE TECHNICAL AND COMMERCIAL SECTIONS OF CHINESE AND ANGLO-CHINESE MIDDLE SCHOOLS.
IN GENERAL, TRAINING IS OFFERED TO STUDENTS WITH OR WITHOUT WORK EXPERIENCE IN THEIR CHOSEN FIELDS. THOSE WITHOUT EXPERIENCE ARE GIVEN SPECIFIC TRAINING IN SKILLS. DEVELOPMENT, WHILE TRAINING FOR THOSE WITH EXPERIENCE IS MAINLY GEARED TO THE ACQUISITION AND DEVELOPMENT OF MODERN TEACHING TECHNIQUES.
/THE COLLEGE .........
' Issued by Government Information Services, Beaconsfield House, Hong Kong.Tel: 5-233191
SUNDAY, OCTOBER 19, 1975
2
THE COLLEGE ALSO RUNSAVARIETY OF SHORT COURSES FOR PRACTISING TEACHERS AND INSTRUCTORS WHO ARE WORKING IN COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY.
THIS YEAR, THE COLLEGE IS OFFERING TWO TYPES OF EVENING COURSES —- A TWO-YEAR COURSE FOR PART-TIME LECTURERS AND A ONE-YEAR INDUSTRIAL TRADE INSTRUCTORS’ COURSE.
A TOTAL OF 108 STUDENTS ARE TAKING THE PART-TIME LECTURERS COURSE, WHILE 129 ARE TAKING THE INDUSTRIAL INSTRUCTORS COURSE. LAST YEAR, ONLY 63 STUDENTS WERE ENROLLED FOR THE INDUSTRIAL •
INSTRUCTORS COURSE.
IN ADDITION, IT OFFERS A VARIETY OF DAY COURSES. THESE INCLUDE A TWO-YEAR FULL-TIME TECHNICAL TEACHERS COURSE, A TWO-YEAR FULL-TIME DESIGN AND TECHNOLOGY COURSE, A ONE-YEAR FULL-TIME CO! .; 'E, SPECIALIST THIRD YEAR COURSES, AND TWO PART-TIME DAY-RELEASE COURSES OH INDUSTRIAL TRADE AND OH DESIGN AND TECHNOLOGY.
THIS YEAR THE COLLEGE SUSPENDED A TWO-YEAR PART-TIME EVENING TECHNICAL TEACHERS CERTIFICATE COURSE WHICH IT HAD OFFERED FOR THE PAST FEW YEARS.
MR. SMITH EXPLAINED THAT THE COURSE WAS STOPPED BECAUSE IT HAD BECOME APPARENT THAT THERE WAS NO MORE NEED TO PROVIDE TRAINING FOR IN-SERVICE TEACHERS’ WI TH ADEQUATE QUALIFICATIONS.
ORGINALLY, HE SAID, THE COURSE CATERED FOR TECHNICAL TEACHERS WHO HAD AMPLE EXPERIENCE AND PRACTICAL KNOWLEDGE ON SUBJECTS OF THEIR OWN SPECIALTY BUT LACKED THE NECESSARY TECHNICAL QUALIFICATIONS TO ENABLE THEM TO BECOME QUALIFIED REGISTERED TEACHERS. THE AIM OF THE COURSE WAS TO PROVIDE SUCH TEACHERS WITH THE NECESSARY QUALIFICATIONS.
OVER THE PAST YEARS, 80 STUDENTS SUCCESSFULLY COMPLETED THE COURSE.
+HOWEVER, OUT OF THE 41 APPLICATIONS RECEIVED THIS YEAR,*, MR. SMITH SAID, +ONLY FOUR WERE FOUND SUITABLE FOR THE COURSE AND OF THESE TWO WERE NOT YET PRACTISING TEACHERS.
+FLEXIBILITY IS VITAL IN THE RUNNING OF COURSES TO MEET THE CHANGING DEMANDS OF TECHNICAL EDUCATION,* HE ADDED. +COURSES ARE STARTED AS THE NEED ARISES, OR SUSPENDED WHEN THEIR PURPOSE HAS BEEN SERVED.*
SUNDAY, OCTOBER 19, 1975 - 3 -
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/
MANPOWER SURVEY REPORT ON SALE
if if if if
THE REPORT OF THE SECOND MANPOWER SURVEY OF THE BUILDING AND CfVIL ENGINEERING INDUSTRY IS NOW ON SALE AT THE GOVERNMENT PUBLICATIONS CENTRE, STAR FERRY CONCOURSE, HONG KONG.
PREPARED BY THE BUILDING AND CIVIL ENGINEERING INDUSTRY TRAINING BOARD OF THE HONG KONG TRAINING COUNCIL, IT PROVIDES STATISTICAL INFORMATION ON THE EMPLOYMENT STRUCTURE OF THE BUILDING AND CIVIL ENGINEERING INDUSTRY, THE NUMBER OF EMPLOYEES ENGAGED IN EACH OF THE PRINCIPAL JODS, THE EDUCATION STANDARD PREFERRED FOR THE DIFFERENT JOBS, AND THE TRAINING HEEDS OF THE INDUSTRY.
THE REPORT ALSO CONTAINS RECOMMENDATIONS, MADE TO BOTH INDUSTRY AND GOVERNMENT ON MEASURES NECESSARY TO MEET THE TRAINING NEEDS OF THE INDUSTRY.
THE SURVEY WAS CONDUCTED IN APRIL 1973 BY THE BUILDING TRADES INDUSTRIAL COMMITTEE, THE PREDECESSOR OF THE BUILDING AND CIVIL ENGINEERING INDUSTRY TRAINING BOARD, WITH THE ASSISTANCE OF THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT, THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT AND THE PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT. THE TRAINING BOARD HOWEVER TOOK UP THE WORK OF ANALYSING THE SURVEY RESULTS AND PREPARING THE REPORT.
THE REPORT.IS SOLD AT $5 PER COPY.
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LABOUR ADVISORY BOARD ELECTION if if if if if if
THIS YEAR’S LABOUR ADVISORY BOARD ELECTION WILL TAKE PLACE ON TUESDAY (OCTOBER 21) AT THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT’S REGIONAL OFFICE IN NEW RODNEY BLOCK, QUEENSWAY. IT WILL BE HELD BY SECRET BALLOT.
THE LABOUR ADVISORY BOARD IS A NON-STATUlORY BODY WHICH ADVISES THE COMMISSIONER FOR LABOUR ON MATTERS REFERRED BY HIM TO -THE BOARD, INCLUDING LEGISLATION, AND INTERNATIONAL LABOUR CONVENTIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS. IT IS COMPOSED OF FOUR EMPLOYERS REPRESENTATIVES AND FOUR WORKERS’ REPRESENTATIVES, WITH THE
COMMISSIONER AS CHAIRMAN.
TWO OF THE WORKERS’ REPRESENTATIVES ARE ELECTED BY REGISTERED TRADE UNIONS AND TWO ARE SELECTED FOR APPOINTMENT DY THE GOVERNOR.
THE SECRETARY OF THE BOARD, MRS. EVELYN T.C. PUN, SAID TODAY THAT 14 CANDIDATES HAD BEEN NOMINATED FOR ELECTION AND A LIST OF THEIR NAMES HAD BEEN SENT TO ALL WORKERS’ UNIONS FOR INFORMATION.
+A REGISTERED WORKERS’ TRADE UNION WISHING TO VOTE SHOULD SEND A REPRESENTATIVE TO THE ELECTION. THE REPRESENTATIVE MUST BRING WITH HIM A LETTER OF AUTHORISATION FROM THE EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE OF HIS UNION AND A COPY OF THE CIRCULAR LETTER DATED OCTOBER 1, 1975. FROM THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT ON THE SUBJECT,+ SHE ADDED.
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PRH 7
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
MONDAY, OCTOBER 20, 1975
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
UNOFFICIAL LEGCO MEMBERS TO SPEAK ON A MOTION TO THANK The GOVERNOR FOR HIS ADDRESS ........................... 1
Fl ST PATIENT ADMITTED TO PRINCESS MARGARET HOSPITAL . 2
HONG KONG HERBARIUM ...................................... 3
•<; SERVICES DEPARTMENT TO STAGE CROSS-MOUNTAIN RACE. 5
RESERVOIRS 99.8 PER CENT OF FULL CAPACITY ............... 6
WATER CUTS ............................................... 6
' ■ Issued by Government Inforrnation Services, Beaconsfield House, Hong Kong. Tel: 5-233191
MONDAY, OCTOBER 20, 1975
LEGCO DEBATE BEGINS ON WEDNESDAY
THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL WILL RESUME ON WEDNESDAY (OCTOBER 22) WHEN SEVEN UNOFFICIAL MEMBERS WILL SPEAK ON A MOTION TO THANK THE GOVERNOR FOR HIS ADDRESS EARLIER THIS MONTH.
AS IN PAST YEARS, THE UNOFFICIALS ARE EXPECTED TO SPEAK ON A WIDE RANGE OF SUBJECTS AFFECTING HONG KONG.
LEADING OFF WILL BE THE SENIOR UNOFFICIAL MEMBER, DR. THE HON.
CHUNG SZE-YUEN, FOLLOWED BY THE HON. LEE QUO-WEI, THE HON.
OSWALD CHEUNG, THE HON. ROGER LOBO, THE HON. JOYCE SYMONS, THE !'DN. P.G. WILLIAMS AND THE HON. HILTON CHEONG-LEEN.
ON THURSDAY, SEVEN OTHER UNOFFICIAL MEMBERS WILL SPEAK. THEY ARE: THE HON. LI FOOK-WO, THE HON. J.H. BREMRIDGE, DR. THE HON. HARRY FANG, THE HON. MISS KO SIU WAH, THE HON. LO TAK-SHING, THE HON. FRANCIS TIEN AND THE HON. ALEX WU.
ON BOTH DAYS, RADIO HONG KONG WILL BROADCAST THE PROCEEDINGS LIVE. THE LIVE CHINESE BROADCAST MAY BE HEARD OVER RHK 2 AND THE ENGLISH'BROADCAST ON RHK 4.
THE OFFICIALS WILL REPLY TO POINTS RAISED BY THEIR UNOFFICIAL COLLEAGUES ON NOVEMBER 5 AND 6.
DURING WEDNESDAY’S SITTING, THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY, THE HON. PHILIP HADDON-CAVE, WILL MOVE A MOTION ABOUT GUARANTEES IN RESPECT OF PAYMENT OF LOAN MADE TO THE MASS TRANSIT RAILWAY CORPORATION UNDER SPECIFIED FACILITIES.
MR. HADDON-CAVE WILL ALSO MOVE ANOTHER MOTION WHICH SEEKS TO AMEND THE LOANS (ASIAN DEVELOPMENT BANK) ORDINANCE TO FACILITATE OVERSEAS BORROWING FOR FINANCING THE SHAT IN SEWAGE TREATMENT PLANT.
DURING THURSDAY’S SITTING, FOUR BILLS WILL BE INTRODUCED IN COUNCIL FOR THEIR FIRST READING AND DEBATE WILL RESUME ON NINE OTHERS.
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MONDAY, OCTOBER 20, 1975
2
FIRST PATIENTS ADMITTED TO PRINCESS MARGARET HOSPITAL
PRINCESS MARGARET HOSPITAL, ONE OF THE LARGEST AND MOST MODERN HOSPITALS IN HONG KONG, ADMITTED ITS FIRST PATIENT TODAY WITH THE OPENING OF THE 162-BED IN INFECTIOUS DISEASE WARDS.
DURING THE FIRST DAY OF OPERATION, 34 PATIENTS WERE TRANSFERRED TO THE WARDS FROM THE OLD LAI CHI KOK HOSPITAL. THE REMAINING 40 /(> 50 CASES NOW BEING TREATED THERE WILL BE TRANSFERRED TO PRINCESS MARGARET HOSPITAL IN THE NEXT FEW DAYS.
THE INFECTIOUS DISEASE UNIT IS SO DESIGNED THAT PATIENTS OF DIFFERENT DISEASES CAN BE ISOLATED FROM ONE ANOTHER. THERE ARE GTO THREE BEDS IN EACH ROOM ACCORDING TO THE SEVERITY OF THE Ik'FCTION, WITH INDIVIDUAL TOILET FACILITIES ATTACHED.
THE UNIT HAS ITS OWN FACILITIES FOR X-RAY, SURGICAL OPERATIONS, AND LINEN EXCHANGE, AMONG OTHERS.
THE $51.5 MILLION HOSPITAL IS TO BE OPENED IN TOO STAGES. THE FIRST STAGE WILL BE PHASED OVER A PERIOD OF SIX MONTHS UP TO MARCH ■NEXT YEAR WHEN ABOUT 1,000 BEDS WILL BE MADE AVAILABLE FOR USE BY THE PUBLIC. THE SECOND PHASE OF THE HOSPITAL OPENING PROGRAMME WILL INVOLVE THE GERIATRIC UNIT, WHICH IS TO BEGIN OPERATION IN EARLY NOVEMBER.
INITIALLY THE UNIT WILL PROVIDE 74 GERIATRIC BEDS, BUT THIS WILL INCREASE TO 222 BY THE END OF THE CURRENT FINANCIAL YEAR.
BY DECEMBER, ONE CLINICAL UNIT, EACH OF THE FOLLOWING SPECIALTIES! MEDICINE, SURGERY, PAEDIATRICS, OBSTETRICS AND GYNAECOLOGY, AND ORTHOPAEDICS, WILL BE IN OPERATION.
THE FINAL PHASE IN THE FIRST STAGE WILL BE THE OPENING OF THE CASUALTY DEPARTMENT SOME TIME EARLY NEXT YEAR.
IN THE SECOND AND FINAL STAGE, ANOTHER CLINCIAL UNIT EACH OF THE SPECIALTIES OF MEDICINE, SURGERY, PAEDIATRICS, AND ORTHOPAEDICS WILL BE OPEN.
WHEN THE HOSPITAL IS FULLY OPERATIONAL, THERE WILL BE A TOTAL OF 1,340 BEDS.
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MONDAY, OCTOBER 20, 1975 - 3 -
HONG KONG HERBARIUM *«««««
THE HONG KONG HERBARIUM PROVIDES SCIENTIFIC, TECHNICAL AND ADVISORY SERVICES TO THE PUBLIC ON THE FLORA OF HONG KONG.
IT IS RESPONSIBLE FOR THE MAINTENANCE OF THE COLLECTION OF REFERENCE WORKS AND PLANT SPECIMENS REPRESENTATIVE OF THE LOCAL FLORA.
THE HERBARIUM, ADMINISTERED BY THE AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES DEPARTMENT, ALSO MAINTAINS CLOSE CONTACT WITH NEARLY 200 SISTER HERBARIA AND SCIENTIFIC INSTITUTIONS IN 0;;. ■ : PARTS OF THE WORLD. IT SENDS TO THEM ABOUT 800 SEED SAMPLES EACH YEAR FOR RESEARCH PURPOSES THROUGH THE I: TERNATIONAL SEED EXCHANGE SCHEME.
:THE FLORA OF HONG KONG IS DIVERSE IN CHARACTER AND SURPRISINGLY NUMEROUS IN SPECIES. IT PROVIDES AN INTERESTING PHY1OGEOGRAPHI CAL LINK BETWEEN CHINA AND THE PHILIPPINE I -LANDS,+ A SPOKESMAN FOR THE HERBARIUM SAID.
THE HERBARIUM NOW HAS A COLLECTION OF MORE THAN 32,000 SPECIMENS OF DRIED AND PRESSED PLANT MATERIAL WHICH IS OF GREAT VALUE TO BOTANISTS AND TAXONOMISTS IN HONG KONG AND ABROAD.
THE COLLECTION INCLUDES DRIED AND PRESSED SPECIMENS OF VASCULAR PLANTS FOUND IN HONG KONG WHICH NOW TOTAL 2,420 SPECIES AND 87 VARIETIES, TOGETHER WITH APPROXIMATELY 2,500 RELATED SPECIES FROM ADJACENT REGIONS OF MAINLAND CHINA, EAST ASIA AND SOUTH EAST ASIA.
THE HERBARIUM WAS STARTED IN 1878 BY THE FIRST SUPERINTENDENT OF GARDENS, MR. CHARLES FORD. SOME OF THE SPECIMENS NOW KEPT THERE ARE MORE THAN A HUNDRED YEARS OLD, FOR EXAMPLE THE SPECIMENS OF GARDENIA JASMINOIDES AND STR IGA AS I AT ICA WHICH WERE COLLECTED IN 1874.
+OUR COLLECTION IS OF CONSIDERABLE HISTORICAL IMPORTANCE AND INCLUDES THE ORIGINAL ’TYPE’ SPECIMENS WHICH FORMED THE BASIC RESEARCH MATERIAL FOR THE STANDARD REFERENCE WORK ON THE PLANTS OF THE REGION, DUNN AND TUTCHER’S ’FLORA OF KWANGTUNG AND HONG KONG’ (1912)+, THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
A SECTION OF A 159-YEAR-OLD PINE TREE WHICH STARTED LIFE AS A SEEDLING IN THE EARLY 1800’S IS ANOTHER INTERESTING ITEM ON SHOW IN THE HERBARIUM.
'ALL THE SPECIMENS ARE WELL PRESERVED AND ARE KEPT IN CABINETS ESPECIALLY DESIGNED FOR SUCH PURPOSES. SYSTEMATIC ' CHECKS ARE CARRIED OUT TO ENSURE THAT THEY ARE NOT DAMAGED BY INSECTS OR FUNGUS.
/THE HERBARIUM
MONDAY, OCTOBER 20, 1975
- 4 -
THE HERBARIUM WAS SENT TO PENANG FOR SAFE KEEPING PRIOR TO THE JAPANESE OCCUPATION OF HONG KONG. IT WAS BROUGHT BACK IN 1948, AFTER THE WAR, HAVING BEEN KEPT IN GOOD CONDITION BY THE SINGAPORE BOTANIC GARDENS.
THE COLLECTION IS AT PRESENT HOUSED IN THE HEADQUARTERS OF THE AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES DEPARTMENT ON THE 14TH FLOOR OF THE GOVERNMENT OFFICES AT 393 CANTON ROAD, KOWLOON.
+ANY MEMBER OF THE PUBLIC WHO WISHES TO HAVE THE CORRECT IDENTIFICATION OF ANY PLANT FOUND IN HONG KONG, CAN SEND FRESH OR DRIED AND PRESSED SPECIMENS TO THE HERBARIUM.
+ALL RESEARCH WORKERS AND BOTANISTS ARE WELCOME TO REFER TO THE BOTANICAL LITERATURE AND TO EXAMINE THE PLANT SPECIMENS+, THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
+HOWEVER, IT IS REGRETTABLE THAT THE HERBARIUM CANNOT CATER FOR A LARGE NUMBER OF VISITORS AND STUDENTS AT ANY ONE TIME BECAUSE OF LIMITED SPACE AND STAFF RESOURCES. MOREOVER, THE PLANT SPECIMENS MAY BE DAMAGED BY EXCESSIVE OR INEXPERT HANDLING. SO FOR THESE REASONS, IT IS NOT POSSIBLE FOR US TO ENTERTAIN SCHOOL CHILDREN BELOW FORM 6 BIOLOGY LEVEL+ HE ADDED.
THE CHECK LIST OF HONG KONG PLANTS RECENTLY REVISED BY THE HERBARIUM STAFF, WAS PUBLISHED IN MAY 1975. THIS REFERENCE BOOK INCLUDES ALL THE NAMES OF VASCULAR PLANTS WHICH HAVE BEEN RECORDED IN THE HONG KONG HERBARIUM, AND HAS INDICES OF COMMON CHINESE AND ENGLISH NAMES AS WELL AS THE DEFINITIVE INDEX OF SCIENTIFIC NAMES.
COPIES OF THE REVISED CHECK LIST ARE NOW AVAILABLE AT THE GOVERNMENT PUBLICATION’S CENTRE AT STAR FERRY CONCOURSE, HONG KONG. THE PRICE PER COPY IS $9.00.
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5
MONDAY, OCTOBER 20, 1975
CROSS-MOUNTAIN RACE H X M * K
THE FIRE SERVICES DEPARTMENT IS TO STAGE THE FIRST-EVER CROSS-MOUNTAIN RACE IN THE NEW TERRITORIES ON WEDNESDAY (OCTOBER 22).
THE RACE. COVERING ABOUT EIGHT MILES, WILL START AT LAM KAM ROAD (ROUTE 1) OPPOSITE THE ENTRANCE TO KADOORIE EXPERIENTAL FARM. THE COURSE WILL GO ACROSS THE TOP OF TAI TO YAN (RAZOR-BACK MOUNTAIN) AND CORPS RIDGE, AND THEN FINISH AT THE FANLING FIRE STATION.
ABOUT 170 COMPETITORS ARE EXPECTED TO PARTICIPATE, INCLUDING CIVILIAN AND FEMALE STAFF.
ENTRANTS OVER 40 YEARS OF AGE WILL START AT 10.30 A.M. AND THE OTHERS WILL SET OFF HALF AN HOUR LATER. THE WINNER IS EXPECTED TO TAKE ABOUT 75 MINUTES TO COMPLETE THE COURSE.
THE WINNER WILL BE AWARDED THE LANE TROPHY AND $100. A CUP WILL BE PRESENTED TO THE PARTICIPANT OVER 40 YEARS OLD WHO FINISHES FIRST. PRIZES WILL ALSO BE GIVEN TO THE RUNNERS-UP AND THE WINNING DIVISIONAL TEAM.
MR. MAURICE LANE, DEPUTY DIRECTOR OF THE FIRE SERVICES, WILL PRESENT THE PRIZES AT A CEREMONY TO TAKE PLACE AT THE FANLING FIRE STATION AROUND 1.30 P.M.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO SEND A REPORTER/PHOTOGRAPHER TO COVER THE EVENT. MR. DONALD STRANGE, FIRE SERVICES PUBLIC RELATIONS OFFICER, WILL BE AT FANLING FIRE STATION TO ASSIST PRESS REPRESENTATIVES.
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MONDAY, OCTOBER 20, 1975
6
RESERVOIRS 99.8 PER CENT FUU H M K « «
A TOTAL OF 67,134 MILLION GALLONS OF WATER WERE IN STORE IN ALL RESERVOIRS AS AT 9 A.M. THIS (MONDAY) MORNING, REPRESENTING 99.8 PER CENT OF THE FULL STORAGE CAPACITY OF 67,300 MILLION GALLONS.
ON THE SAME DAY LAST YEAR THE TOTAL STORAGE WAS ONLY 45,019 MILLION GALLONS.
PLOVER COVE, HONG KONG’S BIGGEST RESERVOIR, HELD 50,500 MILLION GALLONS, REPRESENTING 100 PER CENT OF ITS FULL STORAGE CAPACITY. AT THIS TIME LAST YEAR, IT HELD 29,522 MILLION GALLONS.
TOTAL RAINFALL SO FAR THIS YEAR STANDS AT 2,914.2 MM (114.73 IN). THE MEAN AVERAGE RAINFALL THIS YEAR IS 2,071.2 MM ;:.J. 14 IN).
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WATER CUTS * H X M
A NUMBER OF PREMISES IN THE CENTRAL DISTRICT ON HONG KONG ISLAND AND TSUEN WAN DISTRICT IN THE NEW TERRITORIES WILL EE WITHOUT WATER SUPPLY FOR ABOUT FIVE HOURS STARTING FROM 1 A.M. TOMORROW (OCTOBER 21) AND ON THURSDAY (OCTOBER 23) RESPECTIVELY TO ENABLE LEAKAGE TEST TO BE CARRIED OUT.
ON THE ISLAND, THE AFFECTED PREMISES IS BOUNDED BY ’ UPPER STATION STREET, WATER LANE, HOLLYWOOD ROAD FROM WA LANE TO WYNDHAM STREET, QUEEN’S ROAD CENTRAL TO MERCER STREET, INCLUDING HING LUNG STREET. PREMISES WITHIN THIS AREA WILL BE WITHOUT SALT WATER.
IN TSUEN WAN, THE AFFECTED AREA IS BOUNDED BY SHA TSUI ROAD, TAI HO ROAD, YEUNG UK ROAD AND HAM TIN 'STREET. PREMISES WITHIN THIS AREA WILL BE WITHOUT FRESH WATER.
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HONG KONG HOUSING AUTHORITY ®
Monday, October 20, 1975
SECRETARY FOR HOUSING INSPECTS NEW ESTATE SITES
The Secretary for Housing, Mr. Ian Lightbody, spent this (nonday) morning visiting a number of new Housing Authority estate sites in the New Territories where construction work is proceeding.
Mr. Lightbody called first at Kwai Shing and then Lei iiuk Shue and ended his morning tour at Tuen Mun. All these estates are designed and built by the Architectural Office of the Public Works Department.
Accompanying Mr. Lightbody on his visit was Mr. Thomas Ku of the Architectural Office, PWD.
at Lei Muk Shue, Mr. Lightbody inspected one of the six recently completed blocks where tenants have already begun moving in. The estate is designed for up to 38,000 people.
Work on two sites at Kwai Shing is being pushed ahead and the estate will be completed between March and August next year. The estate occupies a most attractive hill site overlooking Tsuen Wan and Tsing Yi. The scheme includes three primary schools.
Finally Mr. Lightbody visited the site of the new Tai Hing estate at Tuen Mun where JO-storey cruciform blocks, each housing about 8,000 people, are building modern mechanical methods, using towering cranes to lift prefabricated wall and floor componments into place.
Bie contractors have built an elaborated precasting yard on site where these components are poured in moulds and dried. These cruciform blocks will be wide at the ground level and narrow at the upper floors so producing a variety of flat sizes. Each flat will have its own toilet and kitchen.
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PRH 7
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
TUESDAY, OCTOBER Pl, 1975
CONTENTS
PAGE NO
IMPORTANCE OF HONG KONG’S BANKING SYSTEM STRESSED BY COLONIAL SECRETARY ..................................
1
XAlFOtlGS PRAISED FOR COMMUNITY WORK
2
OFF I CAL OPENING OF KHUN TONG TECHNICAL INSTITUTE THIS IT* IDA1 ooooa.eooeo o..a0ooooooooooo3..ooaoooaoe..oBooo
3
PUBLIC URGED TO GIVE HEED TO FIRE DANGER WARNING
4
PUBLIC LIGHT
TWO WORKERS’ BOARD ......
BUS TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS ON KING’S ROAD
4
REPRESENTATIVES ELECTED TO LABOUR ADVISORY
5
CROWN LAND SALE NEXT MONTH
5
recreational pursuits vital for young people, says
IRECTOR OF EDUCATION .............................
6
c»
Issued by Government Information Services, Beaconsfield House, Hong Kong. Tel: 5-233191
TUESDAY, OCTOBER 21, 1975
1
IMPORTANCE OF HONG KONG’S BANKING SYSTEM STRESSED if if if if if
THE COLONIAL SECRETARY, SIR DENYS ROBERTS, TODAY SPOKE OF THE IMPORTANCE OF HONG KONG’S BANKING AND FINANCIAL SYSTEM TO LOTH HONG KONG AND TO BUSINESS IN THE ASIAN-PACIFIC REGION GENERAI LY.
SPEAKING AT THE OPENING OF THE FINANCIAL TIMES +ASIAN BUSINESS IN 1976+ SEMINAR, SIR DENYS SAID THAT SINCE 1970, THE .AUKS’ TOTAL ASSETS HAVE MULTIPLIED THREE TIMES, FROM ABOUT US$4 BILLION TO US$12 BILLION.
+THERE IS A RAPID TURNOVER OF TRANSACTIONS, WITH NEARLY US$1 BILLION FLOWING INTO AND OUT OF HONG KONG EVERY WEEK. THIS MONEY NOT ONLY FINANCES OUR OWN TRADE AND SERVICES" MUCH ’T IS l.ENT OVERSEAS BY HONG KONG BASED BANKS AND FINANCE COMPANIES, PARTICULARLY TO DEVELOP AND ASSIST TRADE AND I NV i STMENT WI TH IN T! IE REGION. +
SIR DENYS POINTED OUT THAT MANY HONG KONG COMPANIES HAD ESTABLISHED SUBSIDIARIES IN ASIA AND HAD ENTERED JOINT VENTURES WITH COMPANIES ESTABLISHED IN OTHER COUNTRIES.
+GEOGRAPHICAI LY AND AS A CENTRE OF COMMUNICATIONS, HONG KONG IS (NE OF THE KEY POINTS OF THE PACIFIC BASIN. TO THESE NATURAL ADVANTAGES IT ADDS EXPERIENCE AND SKILL IN INTERNATIONAL TRADING AND FINANCE. WE, THEREFORE, BELIEVE THAT HONG KONG WILL CONTINUE TO PLAY A SIGNIFICANT ROLE IN THE PROSPERITY AND DEVELOPMENT OF THE SOUTH EAST ASIAN REG ION,+ HE ADDED.
REFERRING TO TRADE WITH THE ESCAP REGIONAL COUNTRIES, THE COLONIAL SECRETARY SAID THAT IN 1974 HONG KONG’S IMPORTS FROM THESE COUNTRIES AMOUNTED TO OVER US$2.3 BILLION, AGAINST DOMESTIC EXPORTS TO THE ESCAP AREA OF UNDER US$600 MILLION AND RE-EXPORTS OF ABOUT US$400 MILLION.
+THUS OUR VISIBLE TRADE DEFICIT WITH THE REGION, OF OVER US$1.3 BILLION, HAD TO BE PAID FOR IN CONVERTIBLE FOREIGN EXCHANGE.+
THEREFORE, HE SAID, HONG KONG IS A SUBSTANTIAL SOURCE OF FOREIGN EXCHANGE FOR THE REGION AS A WHOLE, A FACTOR WHICH IS OF BENEFIT TO ITS ECONOMIC GROWTH.
IN CONCLUSION, SIR DENYS SAID THAT THE MOST IMPORTANT SINGLE FACTOR IN HONG KONG’S SUCCESS DURING THE PAST GENERATION IS THE +REMARKABLE QUALITIES OF THOSE WHO LIVE HERE" FOR A COMMUNITY SUCCEEDS HOT BY THE EFFICIENCY OF ITS INANIMATE THINGS, BUT BY THE WARMTH AND COLOUR AND VIGOUR OF ITS PEOPLE.+
NOTE TO EDITORS: COPIES OF THE FULL TEXT OF THE COLONIAL SECRETARY’S SPEECH ARE BOXED SEPARATELY.
TUESDAY, OCTOBER 21. 1975
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KAIFONGS PRAISED FOR COMMUNITY WORK X X .)$ X X X
THE COLONIAL SECRETARY, SIR DENYS ROBERTS, TODAY PAID TRIBUTE TO THE KAIFONGS FOR THEIR ACTIVE PARTICIPATION IN WORK OF AREA COMMITTEES AUD THEIR HE! P TO MOBILISE T1IF PLi IS TO IMPROVE THEIR ENVIRONMENT AND QUALITY OF LIFE.
SIR DENYS WAS SPEAKING AT A RECEPTION HELD IN THE CITY "A:l TO CELEBRATE THE 26TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE KAIFONG i. ,i WENT.
THE COLONIAL SECRETARY NOTED THAT DURING THE I.AST FEW YEARS THERE HAD BEEN SOME VERY SIGNIFICANT DEVELOPMENTS IN COL .'NlTY INVOLVEMENT WITH THE KAIFONGS PLAYING AN IMPORTANT R< E INCLUDING THE CAMPAIGNS TO FIGHT CRIME AND TO CLEAN L‘ONv> KONu.
FOLIOWING IS THE FULL TEXT OF THE COLONIAL SECRETARY’S ADDRESSa-
+1 AM DELIGHTED TO BE HERE THIS EVENING TO CELEBRATE KAIFONG DAY. HIS EXCELLENCY THE GOVERNOR HAS ASKED ME TO CONVEY HIS APOLOGIES FOR NOT BEING ABLE TO ATTEND AND TO WISH YOU EVERY SUCCESS.
"•■DURING THE LAST FEW YEARS THERE HAVE BEEN SOME VERY SIGNIFICANT DEVELOPMENTS IN THE FIELD GF COMMUNITY INVO! VE— MENT IN WHICH THE KAIFONGS HAVE PLAYED AH IMPORTANT ROLE. THESE INCLUDE CAMPAIGNS TO FIGHT CRIME AUD TO CLEAN HONG KONG TO WHICH YOU HAVE ALL GIVEN YOUR STRONG SUPPORT.
4YOU HAVE ACTIVELY PARTICIPATED IN THE WORK OF AREA COMMITTEES AND HAVE ALSO HELPED TO MOBILISE THE PUBLIC TO IMPROVE THEIR ENVIRONMENT AUD THE QUALITY OF LIFE OF OUR COMMUNITY. WE HAVE MADE A GOOD START BUT WE MUST CONTINUE TO MAKE A DETERMINED EFFORT TO IMPROVE OUR SOCIETY AND I AM SURE THAT I CAN RELY OH YOU AS I EADERS OF OUR COMMUNITY, TO TAKE UP THE CHALLENGES THAT LIE AHEAD.
+THE PEOPLE OF HONG KONG HAVE AI..WAYS BEEN SELF-RELIANT. THEY HAVE NOT EXPECTED THEIR GOVERNMENT TO DO EVERYTHING BUT HAVE DEVELOPED MANY FORMS OF MUTUAL HELP, PARTICULARLY FOR THE BENEFIT OF THE LESS FORTUNATE MEMBERS OF OUR SOCIETY. KAIFONGS HAVE ALWAYS SET A FINE EXAMPLE OF THIS KIND OF PRIVATE SOCIAL. WELFARE AND THE COMMUNITY SHOULD DE GRATEFUL. TO THEM FOR AIL THEY HAVE DONE IN MANY PRACTICAL WAYS .FOR THEIR FELLOW CITIZENS.
+F I PALLY, MAY I THANK YOU MR. CHAIRMAN, FOR YOUR FINE HOSPITALITY THIS EVENING. I NOU ASK YOU TO DRINK A TOAST WITH ME TO WISH OUR KAIFONGS EVERY SUCCESS FOR THE FUTURE..+
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TUESDAY, OCTOBER 21, 19/ >
3
OFFICIAL OPENING OF KWUN TONG TECHNICAL. INSTITUTE X X. X X X
THE KWUN TONG TECHNICAL INSTITUTE WILL BE OFFICIALLY OPENED ON FRIDAY (OCTOBER 24).
MR. T.K. ANN, AN UNOFFICIAL MEMBER OF THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL. WILL UNVEIL A PLAQUE TO COMMENMORATE THE COMPLETION OF THE MULTI-MILLION DOLL.AR INSTITUTE.
THE GOVERNOR, SIR MURRAY MACLEHOSE, WAS TO OFFICIATE AT THE OPENING CEREMONY BUT HE IS CONVALESCING FROM A BROKEN LEG. HIS SPEECH WILL NOW DE READ TO THE AUDIENCE BY THE DIRECTOR OF EDUCATION, MR. KENNETH TOPLEY.
THE NEW TECHNICAL INSTITUTE WAS COMPLETED IN JUNE THIS YEAR AND HAND. D OVER TO THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT BY THE ARCHITECTURAL OFFICE OF THE PUDLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT.
IT BEGAN COURSES LAST MONTH WITH THE ENROLMENT OF OVER 1,000 FIRST-YEAR CRAFT AND TECHNICIAN STUDENTS.
THE INSTITUTE HAS FIVE TEACHING DEPARTMENTS - CLOTHING INDUSTRIES, ELECTRICAL ENGINEERING, MECHANICAL ENGINEERING, PRINTING, AND TEXTILE INDUSTRIES.
IN ADDITION TO CLASSROOMS AND LECTURE THEATRES, THE ACCOMMODATION IN THE $16- -M111. ION BUILDING INCLUDES EXTENSIVE AND WELL-EQUIPPED WORKSHOPS AND LABORATORIES, DRAWING OFFICES, A LIBRARY, STUDENT COMMON ROOMS AND OFFICES, CANTEEN FACILITIES AND A LARGE MULTI-PURPOSE HALL.
WHEN FULLY OPERATIONAL, THE INSTITUTE WILL OFFER A WIDE RANGE OF FULL-TIME AND PART-TIME COURSES AND CATER FOR SEVERAL THOUSAND STUDENTS.
NOTE TO EDITORS: YOU ARE CORDIALLY INVITED TO COVER THE OFFICIAL OPENING OF THE KWUN TONG TECHNICAL INSTITUTE. THE CEREMONY WILL TAKE PLACE ON FRIDAY (OCTOBER 24) AT 3 P.M.
A SKETCH MAP SHOWING THE LOCATION OF THE INSTITUTE WILL DE PUT 111 YOUR. PRESS BOX THIS EVENING FOR EASY GUIDANCE.
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A
TUESDAY, OCTOBER 21, 197'3
REMINDER ON FIRE DANGER WARNING « ft « it i't it i't
THE FIRE SERVICES DEPARTMENT TODAY URGED THE PUBLIC TO GIVE HEED TO THE YELLOW FIRE DANGER WARNING NOW IN FORCE, FOLLOWING A MARKED INCREASE IN THE NUMBER OF FIRES IN THE PAST FEW DAYS.
THE FIRE WARNING WAS ISSUED LAST WEEK AFTER SEVERAL DAYS OF Cl IYINUED LOW HUMIDITY AND BRIGHT SUNSHINE.
A SPOKESMAN FOR’THE FIRE SERVICES DEPARTMENT SAID: +FIRES CAN START AND SPREAD VERY EASILY IN THIS WEATHER. THE SPECIAL FIE' WARNING SYSTEM WAS INTRODUCED IN 1972 TO MAKE PEOPLE AWARE OF THESE SITUATIONS WHEN THE FIRE RISK IS THE GREATEST.*
■-INSPITE OF REPEATED APPEAL TO THE PUBLIC, NEARLY 70 FIRES WERE REPORTED IN THE LAST TWO DAYS. DURING THE SAME PERIOD, THERE HAD BEN 22 HILL AND GRASS FIRES, ONE OF WHICH TOOK FIREMEN MORE THAN 'IWO HOURS TO PUTOUT,* HE CONTINUED.
THE SPOKESMAN URGED PEOPLE TO EXTINGUISH ALL CIGARETTE ENDS AND MATCHES DEFORE DISPOSING TIIEM= EXERCISE GREAT CARE WHEN HANDLING ELECTRICAL APPLIANCES- AND USE DESIGNATED SITES WHEN T! ILS BARBECUE PARTIES.
+ALL FIRES ARE CAUSED BY STRESSED.
CARELESSNESS AND NEGI.ECT, + HE
THE SPOKESMAN ADDED THAT IF THE DRY WEATHER CONTINUED, THE RED FIRE DANGER WARNING WOULD BE ISSUED, INDICATING THAT MORE THAN FIVE TIMES THE NORMAL NUMBER OF FIRES MIGHT BE EXPECTED.
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PLB TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENT OH KING’S ROAD X X X X X X H ix
MOTORISTS ARE ADVISED THAT THE PUBLIC LIGHT DUS RESTRICTION ON THE EASTBOUND CARRIAGEWAY OF KING’S ROAD, WHICH ENDS IN FRONT OF 443 KI LG’S ROAD, WILL DE EXTENDED ABOUT 33 METRES EASTWARDS AS FROM ill A.M. THIS FRIDAY (OCTOBER 24).
PUBLIC LIGHT BUSES WILL NOT DE ALLOWED TO PICK UP OR SET DOWN PASSENGERS ALONG THIS SECTION BETWEEN 7 A.M. AND MIDNIGHT.
TRAFFIC SIGNS WILL BE POSTED TO GUIDE PUBLIC LIGHT DUS DRIVERS.
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TUESDAY, OCTODER 21, 1975
5
TWO WORKERS’ REPRESENTATIVES ELECTED TO LABOUR ADVISORY'BOARD ft ft ft ft ft
MR. LEUNG TAT-SHING OF URBAN SERVICES DEPARTMENT KOWLOON WORKERS’ GENERAL UNION AND MR. LEE SHING-CHU OF HONG KONG STEVEDORS UNION (CHAP-YIN) WERE TODAY ELECTED AS WORKERS’ REPRESENTATIVES TO -E APPOINTED BY THE GOVERNOR AS MEMBERS OF THE LABOUR ADVISORY BOARD FOR THE YEAR 1976.
THE ELECTION - HELD BY SECRET BALLOT AT THE REGIONAL OFFICE OF THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT IN NEW RODNEY BLOCK, QUEENSWAY - WAS SUPERVISED BY OFFICERS OF THE DEPARTMENT.
THE BOARD IS A NON-STATUTORY BODY TO ADVISE THE COMMISSIONER FOR : ABOIJR ON SUCH MATTERS AFFECTING LABOUR, INCLUDING LEGISLATION ALL INTERNATIONAL LABOUR CONVENTIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS. IT IS COMPOSED OF FOUR EMPLOYERS’ REPRESENTATIVES AND FOUR WORKERS’ REP! SENTATIVES, WITH THE COMMISSIONER FOR LABOUR AS CHAIRMAN.
TWO OF THE WORKERS’ REPRESENTATIVES ARE ELECTED BY REGISTERED TRADE UNIONS AND TWO ARE SELECTED FOR APPOINTMENT BY THE GOVERNOR.
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CROWN LAND SALE ft ft ft ft ft
TWO LOTS OF CROWN LAND AT YAU TONG IN KOWLOON AND AT CHAI WAN ON HONG KONG ISLAND WILL BE PUT UP FOR SALE NEXT MONTH.
THE KOWLOON LOT, LOCATED AT SZE SHAN STREET IN SAM KA TSUEN, IS EARMARKED FOR INDUSTRIAL AND/OR GODOWN PURPOSES. IT HAS A TOTAL AREA OF 19,520 SQUARE FEET.
THE LOT ON HONG KONG ISLAND, MEASURING 15,500 SQUARE FEET, IS RESERVED FOR PRIVATE RESIDENTIAL PURPOSES. IT IS SITUATED OFF CHAI WAN ROAD.
THE AUCTION WILL TAKE PLACE ON NOVEMBER 21 AT 2.30 P.M. IN THE LECTURE ROOM ON THE OTH FLOOR OF THE CITY HALL.
FULL PARTICULARS AND CONDITIONS OF SALE MAY BE OBTAINED FROM AND SALE PLANS INSPECTED AT THE PUBLIC ENQUIRY SUB-OFFICE, CENTRAL GOVERNMENT OFFICES (WEST WING)- OR Al HIE CROWN LANDS AND SURVEY OFFICE, KOWLOON GOVERNMENT OFFICES, 405 NATHAN ROAD.
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TUESDAY, OCTOBER 21, 1975
6
RECREATIONAL PURSUITS VITAL FOR YOUNG PEOPLE 4 % • ' !\
THE DIRECTOR OF EDUCATION, MR. KENNETH TOPLEY, TODAY URGED
young people to take up sport, /nd games hi their leisure time.
SPEAKING IN CANTONESE AT TEE JOINT GRADUATION CEREMONY OF THE IGX SIH I ONG SCHOOLS, MR. TOPLEY SAID THAT YOUNG PEOPl E INTERESTED IL S ..RTS AND GAMES WERE OFTEN FOUND MORE OUTSTANDING.
THE DIRECTOR ALSO URGED PUPILS TO TAKE PART IN PICNICS AND OTHER FUNCTIONS ORGANISED BY SCHOOL SOCIETIES AND CLUDS.
PARTICIPATING IN SOCIAL ACTIVITIES WAS AN ESSENTIAL PART IN GRO'.; ING IP AS THEY SERVED AS A VALUABLE IMANS TO MAKE FRIENDS /.ND TO I . ARN TO GET ON WITH OTHER PEOPLE, HE SAID.
MR. TOPI.EY NOTED WITH GRATIFICATION THAT THE LOK SIN TONG SCHOOLS VERE ENCOURAGING THEIR PUPILS TO TAKE PART IN RECREATION ARD SPORTS AS WEIL AS A WIDE RALGE OF EXTRA CURRICULAR ACTIVITIES.
DURING THE CEREMONY, MRS. "OPLEY DISTRIBUTED CERTIFICATES AND PRIZES To SUCCESSFUL PUPILS.
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DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
WEDNESDAY, OCTOEER 22, 1075
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
UNITED KINGDOM URGED TO GIVE HONG KONG FREE HAND IN DEATH PENALTY .............................................. 1
CALL FOR MORE EMPHASIS ON QUANTITY OF SOCIAL SERVICES .... 4
DEVELOPMENT OF NEW TERRITORIES APPLAUDED ................... 6
PUBLIC ASSISTANCE! FINANCIAL COMMITMENT MUST BE MET ..... 7
DEATH PENALTY: THREE-YEAR TRIAL PERIOD ADVOCATED ..........
MORE EMPHASIS ON YOUTH DEVELOPMENT URGED .................. 11
SECONDARY EDUCATION ALLOWANCE URGED FOR l=OOR FAMILIES .... 13
GOVERNMENT SEEKS AUTHORITY TO GUARANTEE MTR LOANS ......... 15
HONG KONG TO BORROW EQUIVALENT OF US$20 MILLION FROM ADB . 17
SEPTEMBER CONSUMER PRICE INDICES SHOW SLIGHT INCREASE .... 18
Issued by Government Information Services, Beaconsfield House, Hong Kong.Tel: 5-233191
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 22 197*
1
U.K. URGED TO GIVE HONG KONG FREE HAND
IN DEATH PENALTY
X X X X X
THE BRITISH GOVERNMENT SHOULD RESPECT THE VIEW OF THE PEOPLE OF HONG KONG AND GIVE THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT COMPLETE AUTONOMY IN CARRYING OUT THE DEATH PENALTY.
THIS WAS STATED IN LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY BY THE SENIOR UNOFFICIAL MEMBER, DR. THE HON. CHUNG SZE-YUEN, WHEN HE OPENED THE DEBATE ON A MOTION OF THANKS FOR THE GOVERNOR’S ADDRESS ON OCTOBER 8.
DR. CHUNG SAID HE UNDERSTOOD THAT IN TRADE RELATIONS WITH OTHER GOVERNMENTS, HONG KONG' ALREADY HAD COMPLETE AUTONOMY TO DEAL WITH COMMERCIAL MATTERS IN ACCORDANCE WITH ITS BEST INTEREST, AND HE FIRMLY BELIEVED THAT HONG KONG SHOULD HAVE THE SAME FREEDOM IN CARRYING OUT THE DEATH PENALTY.
+WITHOUT ANY DOUBT, 99 PER CENT OF THE LOCAL PEOPLE GENUINELY BELIEVE THAT CAPITAL PUNISHMENT IS THE MOST EFFECTIVE DETERRENT TO THE CHINESE AGAINST COMMITTING VIOLENT CRIME.
+WE KNOW WHAT WE BELIEVE AND THIS PROBABLY EXPLAINS WHY PRACTICALLY ALL THE COUNTRIES IN THE EAST HAVE CAPITAL PUNISHMENT,+ HE SAID.
HE EXPRESSED CONCERN OVER THE TIDE OF VIOLENT CRIME AND NOTED THAT CRIMES AGAINST THE PERSON SUCH AS MURDERS, MANSLAUGHTER AND SERIOUS ASSAULTS, HAD RISEN FROM 1,982 CASES IN 1971 TO 4,425 CASES LAST YEAR — AN OVERALL INCREASE OF 123 PER CENT OR A COMPOUND RATE OF 30 PER CENT PER ANNUM.
IN THE CASE OF ROBBERIES, HE SAID, THE SITUATION WAS EVEN WORSE. FROM 5,132 CASES IN 1971, ROBBERIES HAD RISEN TO 12,765 CASES IN 1974, REPRESENTING AN OVERALL INCREASE OF 150 PER CENT OR A COMPOUND RATE OF 36 PER CENT PER ANNUM..
AND THESE FIGURES, HE POINTED OUT, DID NOT TAKE INTO ACCOUNT CASES THAT WERE NOT REPORTED AND HE BELIEVED THAT THEIR NUMBER WAS PROBABLY NOT INSIGNIFICANT. ■
ALTHOUGH THE RATE OF INCREASE HAD SLOWED DOWN THIS YEAR, THE CRIME FIGURES WERE STILL FAR TOO HIGH AND HE WONDERED WHETHER HONG KONG WAS DOING ALL THAT SHOULD BE DONE.
IT WAS GENERALLY FELT, DR. CHUNG SAID, THAT HONG KONG WAS NOT PUTTING ENOUGH EMPHASIS ON THE FEAR OF PUNISHMENT AS AN EFFECTIVE DETERRENT TO VIOLENT CRIME.
/IT WAS OFTEN......
WEDNESDAY, OCTObr.il 22, 1975
2 -
IT WAS OFTEN SAID THAT THE TERMS OF IMPRISONMENT, WITH CERTAIN EXCEPTIONS, WERE GENERALLY TOO LENIENT- THAT THERE WAS ALMOST A COMPLETE ABSENCE OF CORPORAL PUNISHMENT- AND THAT THE MATERIAL STANDARD OF THE PRISONS WAS EVEN BETTER THAN INMATES COULD FIND OUTSIDE.
+THE MOST FRUSTRATED REMARK, HOWEVER, IS: ’WHY CAN’T OUR LOCAL GOVERNMENT BE ALLOWED TO CARRY OUT THE DEATH PENALTY?’+
ANOTHER MAJOR CONCERN OF THE COMMUNITY, DR. CHUNG CONTINUED, WAS THE STATE OF THE ECONOMY.
HE NOTED THAT FOR THE FIRST TIME IN HONG KONG’S INDUSTRIAL HISTORY, DOMESTIC EXPORTS IN 1975 WOULD BE LESS THAN THOSE IN PREVIOUS YEAR — PROBABLY BY ABOUT FIVE TO TEN PER CENT — +UNLESS THERE IS A MIRACLE BETWEEN NOW AND THE YEAR-END.+
AND ALTHOUGH THE TREND OF TRADE STATISTICS HERE WAS IMPROVING, HE DID NOT EXPECT ANY SIGNIFICANT ADVANCE IN THE . ECONOMY DURING THE NEXT FEW MONTHS.
DR. -CHUNG POINTED OUT THAT HONG KONG RELIED HEAVILY ON ITS EXPORT-ORIENTED MANUFACTURING INDUSTRIES WHICH EMPLOYED NEARLY HALF THE LABOUR FORCE AND HE HOPED THAT THE GOVERNMENT WOULD EXERT EVERY EFFORT TO REMOVE DISCRIMINATORY RESTRICTIONS AND TREATMENT BY ANY COUNTRY ON HONG KONG’S PRODUCTS.
+IN THE ABSENCE OF NATURAL MATERIAL RESOURCES AND BECAUSE OF DIFFICULTIES IN AGRICULTURAL DEVELOPMENT, WE IN HONG KONG HAVE NO ALTERNATIVE BUT TO CONTINUE TO RELY PRINCIPALLY ON THE DEVELOPMENT OF OUR EXPORT-ORIENTED MANUFACTURING INDUSTRIES,* HE STRESSED.
HE EMPHASISED THE IMPORTANCE OF SCIENTIFIC MANAGEMENT AND MODERN TECHNOLOGY IN THE DEVELOPMENT OF MANUFACTURING INDUSTRIES, AND NOTED THAT ONE WAY OF ACQUIRING TECHNICAL KNOW-HOW WAS TO ATTRACT OVERSEAS COMPANIES TO ESTABLISH NEW TECHNOLOGICAL INDUSTRIES IN HONG KONG.
IN MANY RESPECTS, DR. CHUNG SAID, HONG KONG HAD MANY ATTRACTIONS FOR FOREIGN INVESTMENT — LOW CORPORATION TAXES- A HARDWORKING, INTELLIGENT, ADAPTABLE AND PRODUCTIVE LABOUR FORCE-MINIMAL GOVERNMENT INTERFERENCE AND MAXIMUM ECONOMIC FREEDOMGOOD SUPPORTING SERVICES- AND MINIMAL LABOUR STRIKES AND DISRUPTION.
ON THE DEBIT SIDE, HOWEVER, INDUSTRIAL LAND WAS SCARCE AND EXPENSIVE, FACTORY BUILDING COSTS AND RENTALS HIGH, AND THERE WAS A SHORTAGE OF SKILLED CRAFTSMEN, MIDDLE-LEVEL TECHNICIANS AND EXPERIENCED HIGH-LEVEL MANPOWER. HONG KONG WAS AWARE OF THESE SHORTCOMINGS AND MEASURES WERE BEING TAKEN TO OVERCOME THEM.
/ON THE POSSIBLE .....
«
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 22, 1975
- 3 -
ON THE POSSIBLE EXPANSION OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL, DR. CHUNG SAID THERE WAS ALREADY QUITE A SPREAD OF PROFESSIONAL AND OCCUPATIONAL EXPERIENCE AMONG THE UNOFFICIALS, BUT +THERE APPEARS TO BE A NEED TO INCREASE DIVERSIFICATION OF THEIR SOCIAL BACKGROUND.+
HE NOTED THAT ALL THE UNOFFICIALS, WITHOUT EXCEPTION, HAD SPEWT CONSIDERABLE PERIODS OF TIME IN THE PUBLIC SERVICE BEFORE THEIR APPOINTMENT TO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL AND HAD PROVEN THE ABILITY AND WILLINGNESS TO CONTRIBUTE TOWARDS THE PUBLIC GOOD.
IR
THIS, HE FELT, WAS A SPECIAL AND ESSENTIAL REQUIREMENT FOR ANY FUTURE UNOFFICIAL MEMBER.
DR. CHUNG THANKS THE GOVERNOR FOR HIS REMARKS ON THE WORK OF THE UNOFFICIALS AND SAID THE UNOFFICIALS WERE NOT AN OPPOSITION PARTY +NOR ARE WE A BUNCH OF RUBBER STAMPS.*
(
-----o------
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 22, 1975
- 4 -
CAIL FOR MORE EMPHASIS ON QUANITY. OF SOCIAL SERVICES X X X X X X
THE HON. LEE QUO-WEI TODAY CALLED FOR A RETHINK ON THE APPROACH OF PROVIDING SOCIAL AND COMMUNITY SERVICES AND SUGGESTED THAT MORE EMPHASIS BE PLACED ON QUANTITY RATHER THAN ON QUALITY OF SERVICES SO AS TO ACHIEVE GREATER USE OF LIMITED FINANCIAL RESOURCES.
SPEAKING IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL DEBATE, MR. LEE SAID THERE WAS ROOM IN CERTAIN AREAS -- NOTABLY SOCIAL SERVICES — FOR QUANTITATIVE EXPANSION BY MORE INTENSIVE USE OF RESOURCES ALREADY AVAILABLE TO THE GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS CONCERNED.
HONG KONG COULD NOT SPEND MORE THAN IT COULD EARN, HE SAID, +AND IF EXPANSION CAN BE ACHIEVED BY INCURRING SOME SACRIFICE TO THE QUALITY OF STANDARDS OF SERVICES INVOLVED, WE SHALL HAVE TO ACCEPT IT AS A FACT OF LIFE,+ HE SAID.
IN THE FINAL ANALYSIS, HE ADDED, THE COMMUNITY WOULD BE PREPARED TO ACCEPT LOWER STANDARDS JUST AS MANY PEOPLE HAD ACCEPTED CUTS IN WAGES IN A PERIOD OF UNDER-EMPLOYMENT.
HE SAID HE WAS NOT SUGGESTING THAT HONG KONG HAD BEEN OVER-QUALITY-CONSCIOUS, AND EFFORTS TO IMPROVE QUALITY IN. SOME AREAS AT THE EXPENSE OF QUANTITY HAD NOT BEEN TOTALLY UNJUSTIFIED IN VIEW OF THE BUOYANCY OF REVENUE IN THE LATE SIXTIES AND EARLY SEVENTIES.
+HOWEVER, UNDER THE PRESENT CIRCUMSTANCES, IT IS ONLY REASONABLE TO CONSIDER PUTTING GREATER EMPHASIS FOR THE PROVISION OF MORE SERVICES AND MAKE THEM AVAILABLE TO MORE PEOPLE,+ HE SAID.
HE EMPHASISED HIS POINT BY QUOTING A SAYING OF CONFUCIUS +THE CONCERN IS NOT WITH INADEQUACY, BUT BEING UNABLE TO GIVE EVENLY TO ALL.+
ONE AREA WHERE MORE MIGHT BE ACHIEVED AT SOME EXPENSE TO QUALITY WAS SECONDARY EDUCATION, MR. LEE SAID.
HE NOTED THAT UNIT CO&TS FOR JUNIOR SECONDARY TECHNICAL PLACES WERE MORE EXPENSIVE BY ABOUT $100 PER PLACE THAN A JUNIOR SECONDARY GRAMMAR PLACE AND A PREVOCATIONAL PLACE WAS $79 CHEAPER THAN A GRAMMAR SCHOOL PLACE.
+SHOULD WE NOT THEN CONSIDER CONCENTRATING ON PREVOCATIONAL RATHER THAN TECHNICAL EDUCATION FOR THOSE WHO ARE UNLIKELY TO MAKE THE SCHOOL CERT IF ICATE?+
/AND IF ....
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 22, 1975
5
AND IF HONG KONG COULD NOT AFFORD THE 150 ADDITIONAL SCHOOLS NEEDED AT $5 MILLION APIECE, +IS IT NOT POSSIBLE TO MAKE USE OF THE SPARE CAPACITY OF PRIMARY SCHOOLS FOR THE PROVISION OF SECONDARY SCHOOL PLACES?* HE ALSO ASKED IF IT VMS POSSIBLE TO INCREASE THE SIZE OF EACH CLASS IN SECONDARY SCHOOLS FROM 40 PUPILS TO 45 WHICH IS THE STATUTORY PERMITTED LIMIT.
ANOTHER AREA WHERE MORE EMPHASIS COULD BE PLACED ON QUANTITY RATHER THAN QUALITY WAS RECREATION FOR WHICH THERE WAS A COMMITMENT OF $27 MILLION TO DEVELOP FACILITIES IN THE COUNTRYSIDE.
+COULD THESE FUNDS BE USED TO OPEN UP MORE EXTENSIVE COUNTRYSIDE AREAS IF QUALITY WERE LOWERED, FOR INSTANCE, BY REDUCING THE EMPHASIS ON THE CONCRETING OF PATHS AND ROADS, AS WELL AS ON BUILDING OF BRIDGES, BUT INSTEAD SIMPLY REMOVING EXCESSIVE UNDERGROWTH FROM PATHS, SIGNPOSTING THEM AND PROVIDING LITTER BINS?*
Mr. lee said he personally could see nothing wrong with
RUDIMENTARY PICNIC AREAS, PROVIDED THERE WERE MORE OF THEM.
HE ALSO ASKED IF THE GOVERNMENT COULD BUILD THE INDOOR STADIUM EARLIER THAN IT WAS NOW POSSIBLE IF REDUCED STANDARDS COULD BRING THE PRICE BELOW THE $68 MILLION ALLOWED IN THE ESTIMATES. • -
MR. LEE SAID SOME OF THE QUESTIONS ALSO APPLIED TO EXPENDITURE ON HOUSING, MEDICAL, PUBLIC WORKS AND. MANY OTHER ITEMS.
+IF AFFIRMATIVE ANSWERS COME UP AFTER THOROUGH CONSIDERATION AND ARE FOLLOWED UP, BY POSITIVE ACTION, I BELIEVE SOME QUANTITATIVE EXPANSION COULD CONTINUE TO BE MADE, BUT WITH SLIGHT MODIFICATION IN QUALITY, THUS ACHIEVING GREATER USE OF OUR RESOURCES,* HE SAID.
MR. LEE ALSO SUGGESTED THAT A REVIEW BE MADE IN THE PUBLIC SERVICE TO FIND OUT WHERE THE GOVERNMENT COULD AIM AT ' SLIGHTLY LOWER STANDARDS IN SOME POSTS FOR WHICH INTERNATIONALLY RECOGNISED QUALIFICATIONS ARE INSISTED.
+1 BELIEVE THAT IN SOME CASES, A REDUCTION IN QUALITY MAY NOT ONLY ACHIEVE SAVING, BUT ALSO HELP RECRUITMENT,* HE ADDED.
L
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 22, 1975
6 -
DEVELOPMENT OF N.T. APPLAUDED
X X X X X I '
a
THE HON. OSWALD CHEUNG WELCOMED THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE NEW TERRITORIES AS PART OF A LARGER METROPOLIS INTEGRATING THE URBAN AND RURAL AREAS, BUT EMPHASISED THE NEED TO MAINTAIN GOOD COMMUNICATIONS THROUGH ALL PARTS OF IT.
HE ENVISAGED THAT THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE NEW TOWNS WOULD MEAN THAT THE HERITAGE OF NATURAL BEAUTY WOULD BE SHARED BY ALL, >
AS PART AND PARCEL OF A GREAT METROPOLIS.
+SOON THERE WON’T BE ANY DIVISION OF THE PEOPLE INTO THE
PEOPLE OF THE NEW TERRITORIES AND OTHERS, THEY ARE BEING !
INTEGRATED INTO ONE,+ HE SAID IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL. t
EACH OF THE NEW TOWNS, WITH THEIR INFRASTRUCTURE OF ROADS, DRAINS, INSTITUTIONS AND COMMUNITY SERVICES, HE SAID, WOULD CONTRIBUTE IN SOME UNIQUE WAYS TO THE WELLBEING OF THE METROPOLIS — LAND FOR HOUSING TO MAKE CONDITIONS OF LIVING LESS INTOLERABLE, INDUSTRIAL ESTATES, CONTAINER PORTS, A SECOND UNIVERSITY, EACH SURROUNDED BY COUNTRY PARKS.
I
+A VERY IMPORTANT FEATURE OF THIS CONCEPT,+ HE SAID, +IS THAT THE LIFEBLOOD OF THE COMMUNITY SHOULD BE ABLE TO CIRCULATE FREELY AND AMPLY THROUGH ALL PARTS OF IT.+
HE WAS GRATIFIED THAT THE GOVERNMENT SHARED THE CONCEPT OF GOOD COMMUNICATIONS AND CITED AS EXAMPLES THE NETWORK OF HIGHWAYS AND FLYOVERS LINKING KWUN TONG AND KWAI CHUNG, THE SECOND LION ROCK TUNNEL, AND THE DOUBLE TRACKING OF THE RAILWAY TO SHA TIN.
HE WAS ALSO PLEASED WITH THE RAPID EXPANSION OF TELEPHONE i,
AND POSTAL SERVICES AND THE RAPID FERRY SERVICES BETWEEN TSUEN WAN AND CENTRAL AND BETWEEN KWUN TONG AND CENTRAL.
+TOMORROW I SEE THE SECOND BEACON HILL RAILWAY TUNNEL, THE HIGHWAY TO CONNECT SHATIN WITH TSUEN WAN, THE COASTAL HIGHWAY FROM THE NEW RACE COURSE TO THE INDUSTRIAL ESTATE IN • TAI PO, THE TUNNEL TO ABERDEEN, THE BRIDGE TO LEI YUE MUN, THE CUT OUT OF THE BOTTLENECK IN TSUEN WAN WITH THE CONSTRUCTION OF THE LINK BETWEEN KWAI CHUNG ROAD AND TUEN MUN ROAD.+
NONE OF THESE DEVELOPMENTS, MR. CHEUNG SAID, WOULD HAVE BEEN POSSIBLE WITHOUT THE VERY CLOSE COLLABORATION EXISTING BETWEEN THE NEW TERRITORIES ADMINISTRATION, THE PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT, THE FINANCE BRANCH, AND THE SPECIAL DUTIES DIVISION IN THE NEW TERRITORIES ADMINISTRATION.
MR. CHEUNG WELCOMED THE RECENT DECISION TO GIVE FAIR COMPENSATION TO OWNERS OF LAND REQUIRED. FOR DEVELOPMENT AND OBSERVED THAT THE PEOPLE OF HONG KONG HAD BEEN FORTUNATE IN THE COMMISSIONERS AND NOW SECRETARY FOR THE NEW TERRITORIES.
o --------
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 22, 1975
7
PUBLIC ASSISTANCE: 'FINANCIAL COMMITMENT MUST BE MET'
X X X X X X )
THE GOVERNMENT HAS A DUTY TO LOOK AFTER THE LESS WELL OFF MEMBERS OF THE COMMUNITY AND SHOULD CONTINUE TO ACCEPT THE HEAVY FINANCIAL COMMITMENT TO HELP THEM THROUGH THE PUBLIC ASSISTANCE SCHEME, THE HON. ROGER LOBO SAID TODAY.
+IN MY VIEW IT IS MONEY WELL SPENT,+ HE SAID IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL DEBATE.
MR. LOBO WARNED, HOWEVER, THAT IF THE SCHEME WAS TO BENEFIT THOSE FOR WHOM IT WAS INTENDED, IT WAS ESSENTIAL THAT THE CRITERIA FOR PARTICIPATION WAS STRICTLY ENFORCED. +OTHERWISE, AS HAS HAPPENED ELSEWHERE, ABUSES WILL OCCUR WITH DEVASTATING RESULTS.+
HE FELT ALSO THAT MANY OF THE VOLUNTARY AGENCIES WERE NOT UP TO STANDARD OR ECONOMICALLY RUN, AND AGREED THAT THERE WAS A NEED TO EVALUATE THEIR WORK SO AS TO ENSURE THAT THERE WAS NO DUPLICATION OF EFFORT.
+WHERE EVALUATION SHOWS THIS TO BE THE CASE,+ HE SAID, +THF ORGANISATIONS CONCERNED SHOULD BE ENCOURAGED TO MERGE THEIR OPERATIONS WITH A VIEW TO RAISING STANDARDS AND, AT THE SAME TIME, REDUCING COSTS.+
HE ALSO SUGGESTED THAT THE GOVERNMENT, IN CONSULTATION WITH THE VOLUNTARY AGENCIES, SHOULD RE-EXAMINE DEFERRED SOCIAL WELFARE PROJECTS SO AS TO ESTABLISH A REVISED LIST OF PRIORITIES. HE WANTED HIGHEST PRIORITY GIVEN TO THE CHILD CARE CENTRES ORDINANCE WHICH HAS NOT YET BEEN IMPLEMENTED BECAUSE OF LACK OF FUNDS.
ON THE MASS TRANSIT RAILWAY, MR. LOBO WELCOMED THE DECISION TO PROCEED WITH THE PROJECT AND SAID IT WOULD DO MUCH TO ENHANCE HONG KONG’S REPUTATION ABROAD AND OUR OWN CONFIDENCE,IN THE FUTURE.
HE APPEALED TO MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC TO EXERCISE RESTRAINT AND PATIENCE DURING THE CONSTRUCTION OF THE RAILWAY AND URGED THE MASS TRANSIT RAILWAY CORPORATION TO REDUCE INCONVENIENCE TO THE PUBLIC AS FAR AS POSSIBLE.
IT WAS VITALLY IMPORTANT, HE STRESSED, THAT THE PUBLIC BE KEPT FULLY INFORMED ON WHAT WAS BEING DONE AND WHY IT WAS BEING DONE SO AS TO AVOID MISUNDERSTANDINGS SUCH AS IN THE RECENT CASE INVOLVING THE REMOVAL OF A FOOTER IGE IN LUNG CHEUNG ROAD.
/ON LAW AND ORDER ....
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 22, 1975
8
ON LAW AND ORDER, MR. LOBO SAID VIOLENT CRIME WAS NOT Oi.LY .ORRYING LOCAL RESIDENTS BUT ALSO BECOMING A MATTER OF JINCF'I TO VISITORS, PARTICULARLY THOSE FROM NEIGHBOURING TERRITORIES IN SOUTHEAST ASIA.
‘THIS IS A DISTURBING TREND WHICH COULD VERY EASILY SPREAD TO OTHER PARTS OF THE WORLD AND ADVERSELY AFFECT OUR TOURIST INDUSTRY UPON WHICH OUR ECONOMY RELIES SO HEAVILY,+ HE SAID.
MR. LOBO ALSO CALLED FOR EARLY PROVISION OF ELECTRICITY AND MAINS WATER IN SQUATTER AND CERTAIN LICENSED AREAS WHERE, HE SAID, LIVING CONDITIONS WERE AT BEST +PITIFUL+.
HE ALSO ASKED FOR CONFIRMATION THAT THE PROPOSED DETOXIFICATION CENTRES WOULD BE A SUPPLEMENT -- NOT A SUBSTITUTE — TO THE METHADONE MAINTENANCE PROGRAMME WHICH, HE FELT, WAS USEFUL AS ITS DEPENDANTS WERE LESS ANTI-SOCIAL ,'ND CAPABLE OF EARNING THEIR OWN LIVING.
-------0---------
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 22, i 7.
9
DEATH PENALTY: THREE-YEAR TRIAL PERIOD ADVOCATED X X X X X X
THE HON. MRS. JOYCE SYMONS TODAY ASKED WHY THE CARRYING OUT OF THE DEATH PENALTY IN HONG KONG COULD NOT BE CONSIDERED FOR A TRIAL PERIOD OF ABOUT THREE YEARS AS A POSSIBLE MEANS TO DETER VIOLENT CRIME.
SPEAKING IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL, SHE SAID: +SO MUCH HAS HAPPENED IN THE COMMONWEALTH AND TO THE COMMONWEALTH SINCE THE WAR, SO MUCH HAS BEEN GIVEN TO HONG KONG TO DECIDE FOR ITSELF IN MATTERS OF TRADE, FOR EXAMPLE, THAT THE POSSIBILITY OF THE MATTER BEING SERIOUSLY RECONSIDERED CANNOT BE RULED OUT.+
I 1
THE ORDINARY MAN IN THE STREET, SHE SAID, COULD NOT UNDERSTAND WHY THE DEATH PENALTY SHOULD NOT BE IMPOSED AND CARRIED OUT IN CERTAIN CASES, NOR THE CONTENTION THAT THE BRITISH GOVERNMENT WOULD AND COULD DO NOTHING IN ALLOWING HONG KONG TO DECIDE THIS FOR ITSELF.
MRS. SYMONS NOTED THAT WHILE THERE APPEARED TO BE LITTLE DEFINITE PROOF ANYWHERE THAT THE DEATH PENALTY COULD BE A. DETERRENT, +EQUALLY THERE IS LITTLE PROOF THAT IT CANNOT BE SUCH.*
+WE KNOW THAT WE ARE NOT PARTICULARLY BLOODTHIRSTY,* SHE SAID, BUT MANY PEOPLE BELIEVE THAT VIOLENT CRIME COULD BE GREATLY REDUCED WITH AN EFFECTIVE DEATH PENALTY.
+THE INABILITY TO DEAL ADEQUATELY WITH MURDERERS, THE HIGH STANDARD OF OUR PRISONS, AND THE INADEQUACY OF MANY SENTENCES HAVE MOST CERTAINLY CONTRIBUTED TO THE RATHER CAVALIER ATTITUDE TOWARDS VIOLENT CRIME AND DISTASTEFUL CRIME LIKE RAPE, AND MASS-RAPE AT THAT,* SHE SAID.
SHE WONDERED WHETHER HONG KONG COULD EXPECT MORE VIOLENCE NOW THAT BIG NARCOTIC GANGS HAD BEEN SMASHED AND SMALL OPERATORS SCATTERED, BUT IN THE MIDST OF ALL THIS APPREHENSION, SHE SAID, THERE WAS THE GREATEST ADMIRATION FOR THE GOVERNMENT SERVANTS CONCERNED IN DEALING SO EFFECTIVELY WITH DRUG PEDLARS.
MRS. SYMONS DID NOT SHARE THE APPREHENSION, HOWEVER, THAT THE POWERS OF THE INDEPENDENT COMMISSION AGAINST CORRUPTION WERE TOO WIDE AND OPEN TO ABUSE. SHE WAS GRATIFIED TO HEAR FROM THE COMMISSIONER OF POLICE THAT HIS FORCE WAS NOT BEING DEMORALISED AND THAT IT WOULD BE FURTHER EXPANDED.
IN THE CARE OF THE YOUNG, MRS. SYMONS TOLD PARENTS TO FACE UP TO THEIR RESPONSIBILITIES AND NOT TO EXPECT THE GOVERNMENT TO DO EVERYTHING.
/the whole .....
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 22, 19?5
- 10 -
THE WHOLE QUESTION OF PARENTAL RESPONSIBILITY MUST BE VERY MUCH MORE PUBLICLY DISCUSSED AT ALL LEVELS AND IN ALL SECTORS 0; THE COMMUNITY, SHE SAID, AND PARENTS SHOULD BE ENCOURAGED AND EXPECTED TO REASSERT THEIR PARENTAL RIGHTS AND DUTIES, +INSTEAD OF KEEPING THEIR CHILDREN TRAPPED IN FRONT OF TELEVISION SETS.+
SHE ADDED, HOWEVER: +THE TENDENCY OF MANY PARENTS TO LOOK TO GOVERNMENT FOR SUPERVISORY HELP BEYOND THE NORMAL NUMBER OF LIFE-GUARDS OR PLAYGROUND OR PARK ATTENDANTS IS A PROBLEM THAT HAS TO BE FACED.+
MRS. SYMONS LOOKED FORWARD TO THE ESTABLISHMENT OF MORE COUNTRY PARKS AND STRESSED THAT THE PRESERVATION OF OUR BEAUTIFUL COUNTRYSIDE AND COASTAL AREAS MUST BE RECOGNISED AS THE CIVIC DUTY OF EVERYONE.
SHE CONSIDERED RECREATIONAL FACILITIES +THE NATURAL RIGHT OF OUR YOUNG CITIZENS - NOT MERELY SOMETHING HELPFUL IN THE FIGHT AGAINST CRIME.+
SHE ALSO REJECTED THE NOTION THAT FORM I EDUCATION SHOULD BE PROVIDED AS A SOCIAL MEASURE TO STOP SCHOOL DROPOUTS FROM TURNING TO CRIME. +WE .SHOULD EDUCATE THEM BECAUSE IT IS OUR BOUNDED DUTY TO DO SO, AND THEIR INALIENABLE RIGHT TO EXPECT AND RECEIVE IT.+
ON HOUSING, MRS. SYMONS SAID THAT WITH THE INEVITABLE DELAY IN THE HOUSING PROGRAMME IT SHOULD BE CONSIDERED NOW HOW IT COULD BE DETERMINED THAT THE VAST NUMBERS TO BE REHOUSED ARE THE WORST OFF IN FINANCIAL AND HUMAN TERMS,
SHE WONDERED HOW EFFECTIVELY THE GOVERNMENT WAS COP I NG WITH •THE QUESTION OF UNDERSTANDING ITS TENANTS AND WHAT THE PSYCHOLOGICAL EFFECTS WERE ON TENANTS CROWDED BY THE HOUSANDS INTO A SMALL AREAS.
+l FEEL THIS IS THE TIME TO THINK ABOUT THE NEW TOWNS AS PLACES WHERE PEOPLE, PEOPLE NOT HUMAN CREATURES WILL LIVE, AND NOT MERELY AS SOME UNITS HOWEVER IMPROVED TO WHICH APPLICANTS WILL BE DECANTED,+ SHE SAID.
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WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 22, 1975
11
MORE EMPHASIS ON YOUTH DEVELOPMENT URGED
X X X X X X
MORE EFFORT SHOULD BE MADE TO DEVELOP THE POTENTIAL OF HONG KONG’S YOUNG PEOPLE FOR THE OVERALL BENEFIT OF THE COMMUNITY, THE HON. PETER WILLIAMS SAID IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY.
+HONG KONG’S BIGGEST CHALLENGE,+ HE SAID, +ARE THE PROBLEMS OF ITS BIGGEST ASSET — THE MASS OF YOUNG PEOPLE
I TH INCREASING EDUCATION, BORN HERE, BELONGING HERE AND WITH NOWHERE ELSE TO GO.
+WE MUST NOT MERELY MAINTAIN BUT INCREASE OUR CONTACTS WITH THEM, OCCUPY THEM PROFITABLY, AND INSTILL IN THEM A PRIDE OF PLACE AND A TRUE SENSE OF BELONGING TO HONG KONG.+
MR. WILLIAMS WAS ALSO IN FAVOUR OF ACCELERATING THE PROMOTION OF LOCAL OFFICERS TO MORE SENIOR POSTS IN THE GOVERNMENT. . •
+THERE CAN BE NO COMPROMISE IN STANDARDS BUT I HAVE NO DOUBT IN MY MIND THAT THESE YOUNG MEN WILL MEASURE UP TO THESE STANDARDS,+ HE SAID, ADDING +AND LET US NOT BE AFRAID OF PUSHING AHEAD THE VERY BRIGHT AT AN EARLY AGE.+
' HE SAID IT WAS OBVIOUS THAT IT WAS THESE YOUNGER LOCAL MEN WHO WOULD BE MOST RESPONSIVE TO THE CHANGING ATTITUDES AND SOCIAL BEHAVIOUR OF THE POPULATION WITH SO MANY YOUNG PEOPLE.
HE NOTED THAT THE CITY DISTRICT OFFICER SCHEME HAD BEEN A REMARKABLE NURSERY FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF YOUNG ADMINISTRATORS AND THE BREADTH OF THEIR EXPOSURE WOULD BE OF IMMENSE VALUE TO THEM.
+IT IS INDEED EXCITING TO SEE THESE YOUNG MEN GROWING IN CONFIDENCE AND EXPERIENCE OVERNIGHT AS THEY HAVE SUCCESSFULLY MET THE CHALLENGE OF THIS EXACTING JOB,+ HE SAID.
AGAINST THE BACKGROUND OF WORLD RECESSION, MR. WILLIAMS SAID THAT WHILE THERE WOULD HAVE TO BE CUT BACKS EVEN IN URGENTLY NEEDED PROJECTS, EFFORTS TOWARDS YOUTH LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT, SOCIAL WELFARE AND’DEVELOP I NG MUTUAL AID AND AREA COMMITTEES MUST NOT SLACKEN BUT RATHER INCREASED.
CUTS ACROSS THE BOARD, HE SAID, MAY REDUCE EXPENDITURE TO WITHIN FUNDS AVAILABLE +BUT IT IS A CRUDE METHOD THAT DOES NOT MAXIMISE OUR OUTPUT AND HAS POTENTIAL DANGERS.+
/IN DIFFICULT .....
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 22, 1975
12
IN DIFFICULT TIMES, HE ADDED, IT WAS PEOPLE THAT MATTERED MOST. +ANYTHING WHICH OBTAINS A POSITIVE INVOLVEMENT OF PEOPL* IS MONEY WELL SPENT AND GIVES US EXTRA VALUE FOR OUR DOLLAR.
ONE OUTSTANDING EXAMPLE, HE SAID, WAS THE FORMATION OF MUTUAL AID AND AREA COMMITTEES WHICH WERE NOT ONLY EFFECTIVE IN THEIR SECURITY ROLE BUT COULD WELL BRING FORWARD TO PUBLIC NOTICE MEN AND WOMEN WHO COULD SHOULDER MORE CONSIDERABLE COMMUNITY BURDENS.
THIS WAS ALSO TRUE IN THE CASE OF SOCIAL WELFARE, HE ADDED. +IT IS IN THIS AREA ABOVE ALL THAT THERE MUST BE GREATEST OPPORTUNITIES FOR HARNESSING THE VOLUNTARY ENERGIES AND EFFORTS OF INDIVIDUALS TO THE COMMON GOOD.+
MR. WILLIAMS DID NOT SHARE THE VIEW THAT THE GOVERNMENT WAS +REMOTE, MONOLITHIC AND LACKING IN UNDERSTAND ING.+
BUT HE STRESSED THAT TO DEMONSTRATE THIS CONCERN AND TO MAKE LEADERSHIP EFFECTIVE REQUIRED THE CLOSEST CONTACT WITH ALL LEVELS OF SOCIETY. IN THIS REGARD, HE EMPHASISED THAT THE EFFORlS OF THE HOME AFFAIRS DEPARTMENT, THE INFORMATION SERVICES AND RADIO HONG KONG SHOULD NOT BE DIMINISHED THROUGH GENERALISED ECONOMY CUTS.
+ IN INDEED THERE IS A REASONABLE CASE FOR STRENGTHENING OUR EFFORTS, FOR UNDER NO CIRCUMSTANCES MUST GOVERNMENT BE FORCED TO SPEAK WITH A MUTED VOICE AT THIS TIME,+ HE SAID. THIS DID NOT ONLY APPLY WITHIN HONG KONG BUT ALSO OVERSEAS WHERE HONG KONG SHOULD MAKE ITS VOICE HEARD TO COUNTER UNFAIR AND UNINFORMED CRITICISM.
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13 WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 22, 1975 SECONDARY EDUCATION ALLOWANCE URGED
s . FOR POOR FAMILIES H X X X X X
THE HON. HILTON CHEONG-LEEN TODAY RENEWED HIS PLEA FOR A SECONDARY EDUCATION ALLOWANCE FOR POORER FAMILIES AND SUGGESTED A MODIFIED SCHEME TO ENABLE CHILDREN FROM SUCH FAMILIES TO RECEIVE AT LEAST THREE YEARS OF SECONDARY SCHOOLING.
HE ESTIMATED THAT THE REVISED SCHEME WOULD COST ABOUT $3.5 MILLION A YEAR -- FAR LESS THAN THE ESTIMATED $15 MILLION UNDER A PREVIOUS SCHEME HE PROPOSED LAST MAY WHICH WAS CONSIDERED TOO COSTLY AT THE TIME.
OUTLINING HIS REVISED PROPOSALS IN COUNCIL, MR. CHEONG-LEEN SUGGESTED THAT THE NEW SCHEME SHOULD BE INITIALLY RESTRICTED TO STUDENTS ENTERING FORMS II AND III AND WHOSE FAMILY INCOME DID NOT EXCEED $1,000 A MONTH. THE ALLOWANCE TO ELIGIBLE STUDENTS WOULD BE $25 A MONTH AND WOULD APPLY TO ELIGIBLE FAMILIES WHO SPENT MORE THAN 30 PER CENT OF THEIR INCOME ON EDUCATION.
IN HIS ORIGINAL PROPOSALS LAST MAY, MR. CHEONG-LEEN ENVISAGED AN ALLOWANCE SCHEME FOR STUDENTS ENTERING FORMS II, I I I AND V AND WHOSE FAMILY INCOME DID NOT EXCEED $2,000.
MR. CHEONG-LEEN SAID THE MONEY TO PAY FOR THE REVISED SECONDARY EDUCATION ALLOWANCE SCHEME COULD BE RAISED BY EFFECTING SAVINGS IN ANNUAL TRAVELLING SUBSIDY TO STUDENTS.
HE NOTED THAT THE GOVERNMENT SPENT AN ESTIMATED $22 MILLION A YEAR IN SUBSIDISING STUDENTS TRAVELLING ON PUBLIC TRANSPORT. OF THIS AMOUNT, $19 MILLION WAS TO REIMBURSE THE THREE MAJOR PUBLIC TRANSPORT COMPANIES, WHILE THE REMAINING $3 MILLION WENT TO THE KOWLOON-CANTON RAILWAY.
« DURING THE 1974/75 ACADEMIC YEAR, HE WENT ON, THE TWO BUS COMPANIES AND THE TRAMWAYS COMPANY HAD ISSUED A TOTAL OF 403,966 MONTHLY TICKETS AND FREE PASSES COMPARED WITH A TOTAL ENROLMENT OF 370,573 STUDENTS STUDYING IN SECONDARY GRAMMAR SCHOOLS, THREE-YEAR PRACTICAL SCHOOLS, AND VOCATIONAL AND TECHNICAL INSTITUTES.
WHILE SOME STUDENTS GENUINELY NEEDED TWO DIFFERENT PASSES OR MONTHLY TICKETS, HE SAID, THERE COULD BE MANY STUDENTS WHO DO NOT BUT STILL OBTAINED THEM.
+THE COST TO GOVERNMENT PER FREE PASS/MONTHLY TICKET AS WELL AS THE MACHINERY FOR ISSUING SUCH FREE PASSES 'AND MONTHLY TICKETS SHOULD THEREFORE BE REVIEWED SO AS TO ACHIEVE ECONOMY AND ELIMINATE WASTE IN THIS DIRECTION,+ HE SAID.
LIKE OTHER SPEAKERS BEFORE HIM, MR. CHEONG-LEEN ALSO EXPRESSED CONCERN OVER LAW AND ORDER.
A’HE VIOLENT......
WEDNESDAY, CCTOBEI? 22, 1975
- 14 -
THE VIOLENT CRIME COMMITTEE HAD DONE MUCH USEFUL WORK, BUT MUCH MORE REMAINED TO BE DONE +ESPECIALLY IN THOSE AREAS WHERE FURTHER ACTION CAN RESTORE IN A COMPARATIVELY SHORT TIME A STRONGER MEASURE OF PUBLIC CONFIDENCE,* HE SAID.
IN THIS REGARD, HE SUGGESTED THAT THE SYSTEM OF REPORTING CRIME BE MADE AS SIMPLE AND CONVENIENT AS POSSIBLE, AND THAT MORE ATTENTION BE PAID TO CONTINUOUS AND RAPID EXPANSION OF MUTUAL AID COMMITTEES WHICH HAD ALREADY PROVED THEIR WORTH.
HE ALSO CALLED FOR THE SETTING UP OF FIGHT VIOLENT CRIME COMMITTEES IN EACH DISTRICT, INCLUDING THE NEW TERRITORIES, WITH RESPONSIBLE MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC INVITED TO PARTICIPATE IN THEM.
ON THE ENVIRONMENT, MR. CHEONG-LEEN URGED THE GOVERNMENT TO STEP UP CONTROL OF ALL TYPES OF POLLUTION AS WELL AS TO PROTECT THE NATURAL- ENVIRONMENT. HE RENEWED HIS PLEA FOR A ZOOLOGICAL PARK IN THE NEW TERRITORIES AND SUGGESTED THAT THE GOVERNMENT COULD ENLIST THE SUPPORT OF A NON-PROFIT-MAKING ORGANISATION IF IT COULD NOT FIND THE FUNDS FOR IT.
HE EXPRESSED DISAPPOINTMENT OVER THE SLOW PACE IN THE REDEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME OF THE OLDER MARK I AND I I ESTATES AND NOTED THAT AT THE PRESENT RATE IT COULD TAKE UP TO 20 YEARS TO COMPLETE, INSTEAD OF THE ORIGINAL TARGET DATE OF 1982.
HE SAID THE SUB-STANDARD CONDITIONS OF THESE ESTATES MADE IDEAL BREEDING GROUNDS FOR CRIME AND JUVENILE DELINQUENCY AND HE URGED THE GOVERNMENT TO REVIEW THE PROGRAMME TO SEE IF AN IMAGINATIVE APPROACH COULD BE ADOPTED TO COMPLETE IT QUICKLY WITH THE CO-OPERATION OF PRIVATE DEVELOPMENT GROUPS, IF NECESSARY.
ON CULTURAL ACTIVITIES; MR. CHEONG-LEEN WANTED A BETTER DEFINED POLICY ON THE ALLOCATION OF FINANCIAL AND OTHER RESOURCES FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF CULTURAL AND ARTISTIC ACTIVITIES OF ALL KINDS IN HONG KONG.
HE ASKED IF IT WAS NOT TIME FOR THE GOVERNMENT TO GIVE MORE SUPPORT TOWARDS FOSTERING TRADITIONAL CHINESE PERFORMING ARTS, SUCH AS ACROBATICS, DANCING AND OPERA. HE ALSO ASKED IF IT WAS POSSIBLE TO ESTABLISH A CLEAR-CUT POLICY AS TO WHETHER CHINESE MARTIAL ARTS COULD BE PRESERVED AS A MEANS OF-PHYSICAL RECREATION, AND TO INTRODUCE CONTROLS TO ELIMINATE UNDESIRABLE ASPECTS.
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WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 22, 1975
15
GOVT SEEKS AUTHORITY TO GUARANTEE NTH LOANS
X X X X X
THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL WAS TODAY ASKED TO AUTHORISE THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY TO GRANT GUARANTEES, ON BEHALF OF THE GOVERNMENT, IN RESPECT OF REPAYMENT OF LOANS AND OTHER INDEBTEDNESS INCURRED BY THE MASS TRANSIT RAILWAY CORPORATION.
DEBATE ON THE MOTION WAS ADJOURNED TILL TOMORROW. IF ACCEPTED, IT WILL CLEAR THE WAY FOR THE $5,800 MILLION MASS TRANSIT PROJECT TO PROCEED.
IN MOVING THE MOTION, THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY, THE HON. PHILIP HADDON-CAVE, SAID IT WAS PROPOSED THAT FINANCE FOR THE PROJECT WOULD BE MADE UP FIRSTLY, OF EXPORT CREDITS GRANTED BY THE COUNTRIES OF ORIGIN OF THE CONTRACTORS, AND SECONDLY, OF OPEN MARKET FINANCE, INCLUDING LOANS IN VARIOUS FORMS RAISED LOCALLY AS WELL AS OVERSEAS.
TOGETHER, THE FUNDS FROM ALL THESE SOURCES WOULD AMOUNT TO HK$5,000 MILLION AND WOULD BE IN ADDITION TO THE GOVERNMENT’S EQUITY CONTRIBUTION OF HK$800 MILLION SET ASIDE IN THE MASS TRANSIT FUND.
AS REGARDS EXPORT CREDITS, THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY SAID IT SHOULD PROVE POSSIBLE TO NEGOTIATE BETWEEN 40 AND 50 PER CENT COVER OF THE TOTAL VALUE OF ALL INTERNATIONAL CONTRACTS OVER A TEN-YEAR PERIOD FROM JANUARY 1980 AT AN AVERAGE RATE OF INTEREST OF 8-1/4 PER CENT PER ANNUM. THIS MEANT THAT THE AGGREGATE AMOUNT OF EXPORT CREDIT FINANCE AVAILABLE WAS LIKELY TO BE ABOUT HK$2,000 MILLION.
AS TO OPEN MARKET FINANCE, MR. HADDON-CAVE SAID IT WOULD BE THE STRATEGY OF THE CORPORATION TO SEEK LONG OR MEDIUM TERM LOANS FROM THE MARKET AT TIMES WHEN THESE ARE AVAILABLE ON FAVOURABLE TERMS.
IN ORDER TO BE ABLE TO TAKE ADVANTAGE OF OPPORTUNITIES AS THEY ARISE, HOWEVER, FINANCE MUST BE AVAILABLE TO MEET PAYMENTS FOR CONTRACTS AS THEY BECOME DUE. THIS WAS THE PURPOSE OF THE SYNDICATED 'STANDBY FACILITIES WHICH HAD BEEN NEGOTIATED WITH ONE LOCAL AND ONE OVERSEAS BANKING SYNDICATE.
FIRST, HE SAID, A SYNDICATE OF LOCAL BANKS WOULD PROVIDE FACILITIES TO THE CORPORATION OF UP TO HK$500 MILLION AND, SECONDLY, A CONSORTIUM OF OVERSEAS BANKS WOULD PROVIDE SIMILAR FACILITIES UP TO THE US DOLLAR EQUIVALENT OF UP TO HK$2,000 MILLION. ,
/IN ADDITION ......
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 22, 1975
16
IN ADDITION, THERE WERE PROVISIONS FOR A FURTHER HK$5OO ILL I GN OF CREDIT FROM TWO LOCAL BANKING SYNDICATES TO BE '.DE AVAILABLE TO LOCAL CONTRACTORS TO HELP FINANCE CONTRACTS Well CH THEY MAY WIN. THIS FACILITY IS, IN EFFECT, A LOCAL SUPPLIER CREDIT TO THE CORPORATION.
+TAKEN TOGETHER WITH EXPORT CREDITS AND THE LOCAL SUPPLIERS’ CREDITS, THE STANDBY FACILITIES WILL BE SUFFICIENT IN THEMSELVES TO ENABLE THE CORPORATION TO MEET ALL ITS CONTRACTUAL LIABILITIES DURING THE CONSTRUCTION PERIOD,+ MR. HADDON-CAVE SAID.
HE ADDED, HOWEVER, THAT THE CORPORATION WOULD FROM NOW ON BE SEEKING FAVOURABLE OPPORTUNITIES TO GO TO THE OPEN MARKET FOR LONG TERM FUNDS AND, TO THE EXTENT THEY ARE SUCCESSFUL, SOME OF THESE STANDBY FACILITIES WOULD NOT NEED TO BE DRAWN.
THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY SAID THE AUTHORITY HAD REASSESSED THE VIABILITY OF THE WHOLE PROJECT AND ESTIMATES, TOGETHER WITH A REASSESSMENT OF THE FARE STRUCTURE AND OTHER REVENUE, CONFIRMED THAT THE TOTAL REVENUE LIKELY TO BE GENERATED --WHEN SET AGAINST CONSTRUCTION AND OPERATING COSTS AND FINANCING CHARGES — WOULD BE SUFFICIENT TO MAKE THE SYSTEM VIABLE.
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 22, 1975
17 -
H.K. TO BORROW EQUIVALENT OF US$20 M. FRuM ADB X X X X X
HONG KONG IS TO RECEIVE A LOAN EQUIVALENT TO US$20 MILLION FROM THE ASIAN DEVELOPMENT BANK TO FINANCE A SUBSTANTIAL PORTION OF THE FOREIGN EXCHANGE COST OF THE HK$190 MILLION SHA TIN SEWAGE TREATMENT PLANT (STAGE 1).
THIS WAS ANNOUNCED TODAY BY THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY, THE HON. PHILIP HADDON-CAVE, WHEN HE MOVED A MOTION UNDER THE LOANS (ASIAN DEVELOPMENT BANK) ORDINANCE TO ENABLE THE GOVERNMENT TO RAISE THIS LOAN.
THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY SAID NEGOTIATIONS HAD BEEN SUCCESSFULLY CONCLUDED AND THE A.D.B. WAS PREPARED TO MAKE THE LOAN IN VARIOUS CURRENCIES. THE LOAN WOULD BE REPAYABLE OVER T<N YEARS FROM MARCH 1, 1981 AT AN INTEREST RATE OF 9-1/2 PER CENT PER ANNUM CHARGEABLE ON THE AMOUNT OF THE LOAN WITHDRAWN AND THE OUTSTANDING BALANCE. THERE WAS ALSO A COMMITMENT CHARGE OF 3/4 PER CENT, HE SAID.
MR. HADDON-CAVE SAID HE REGARDED THE TERMS SATISFACTORY AND THE LOAN ITSELF WOULD EASE THE TASK OF FINANCING THE CONSTRUCTION OF THE SHA TIN SEWAGE TREATMENT PROJECT (STAGE 1) ESTIMATED TO COST $190 MILLION.
HE SAID THAT WHILE THE NEGOTIATIONS WERE TAKING PLACE, PLANNING FOR THE PROJECT, INCLUDING DRAWING UP OF DETAILED TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS WERE PROGRESSING SIMULTANEOUSLY, AND IT WAS EXPECTED THAT INVITATIONS FOR TENDERS FOR THE PROJECT / WOULD BE ISSUED IN THE LAST QUARTER OF 1975/76.
, 1
THE AIM OF THE MOTION, WHICH WAS APPROVED, WAS TO AMEND THE FIRST AND SECOND SCHEDULES OF THE LOANS (ASIAN DEVELOPMENT BANK) ORDINANCE WHICH ENABLES THE GOVERNMENT TO RAISE LOANS FROM THE A.D.B. FOR SPECIFIC PROJECTS LISTED IN THE FIRST SCHEDULE.
INITIALLY, THE FIRST SCHEDULE OF THE ORDINANCE AUTHORISED THE GOVERNMENT TO BORROW AN AMOUNT EQUIVALENT TO US$21.5 MILLION FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF THE SEA WATER DESALTING WORKS AT LOK ON PAI.
THERE ARE PROVISIONS IN THE ORDINANCE FOR THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TO AMEND THE SCHEDULE BY RESOLUTION TO AUTHORISE THE RAISING OF FURTHER LOANS.
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 22, 1975
- 18 -
SEPTEMBER CONSUMER PRICE INDICES SHOW SLIGHT INCREASE
X M K * M W
FOODSTUFFS COST SLIGHTLY MORE LAST MONTH DUE TO AN INCREASE IN THE AVERAGE RETAIL PRICE OF FRESH VEGETABLES FOLLOWING A SUBSTANTIAL DROP IN LOCAL SUPPLY, ACCORDING TO THE NEW CONSUMER PF ICE INDICES ISSUED TODAY BY THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT.
BOTH THE ’A’ AND ’B’ INDICES, WHICH COVER HOUSEHOLDS WITH MONTHLY HOUSEHOLD EXPENDITURE OF $400 - $1,499 AND $1,500 - $2,999 RESPECTIVELY, STOOD AT 109 - TWO POINTS HIGHER THAN THAT FOR THE PREVIOUS MONTH.
THE INDEX FOR FOODSTUFFS ADVANCED BY FOUR POINTS IN THE ’A’ INDEX WHILE IN THE ’B’ INDEX, IT ROSE BY THREE POINTS.
IN THE ’A’ INDEX, THE AVERAGE RETAIL PRICE OF SALT WATER FISH DECLINED AS A RESULT OF A RISE IN ITS SUPPLY.
IN THE ’B’ INDEX, THE INDEX FOR HOUSING ROSE BY ONE POINT WITH THE INCREASES IN RENTS OF PRIVATE POST-WAR-BUILT DWELLINGS. HOWEVER; A DROP OF ONE POINT WAS RECORDED IN THE INDEX FOR CLOTHING AND FOOTWEAR ATTRIBUTABLE TO THE LOWER PRICES OF MEN’S AND WOMEN’S
OUTERCLOTHING.
MOVEMENTS IN THE INDICES FOR OTHER SECTIONS OF COMMODITY AND SERVICE WERE INSIGNIFICANT.
MEANWHILE, THE OLD GENERAL CONSUMER PRICE INDEX FOR SEPTEMBER STOOD AT 194, SIX POINTS HIGHER THAN THAT FOR THE PREVIOUS MONTH.
- - o - -
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
I . 4
. THURSDAY, OCTOBER 23, 1975
• <
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
LEGCO AUTHORISES GOVERNMENT TO GUARANTEE BORROWINGS BY MTR CORPORATION ............................................. 1
GOVERNMENT URGED TO ADOPT CLEAR-CUT POLICY ON POPULATION ..' 3
MONEY FOR COMMUNITY PROJECTS SHOULD COME FROM TAXATION ON INCREASING WEALTH, SAYS MR. JOHN BREMRIDGE ................ 5
HOME OWNERSHIP SCHEME ADVOCATED ............................ 7
CALL FOR TOUGHER PENALTIES AGAINST SEX OFFENDERS ............. 9
NEED FOR 'REAL DETERRENT’ PUNISHMENT UNDERLINED ............. 12
RE-ORGANISATION OF COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY DEPARTMENT URGED . 13
DEVELOPMENT OF CULTURE ADVOCATED TO HELP PREVENT CRIMINAL TENDENCIES AMONG THE YOUNG .................................. 16
TEN BILLS COMPLETE PASSAGE THROUGH LEGCO .................. 18
MR. PETER WILLIAMS APPOINTED SECRETARY FOR ADMINISTRATION . 19
BUS SERVICES ON TSING Yl ISLAND TO BE EXPANDED............... 20
TEMPORARY WATER CUTS ON HONG KONG ISLAND AND NEW TERRITORIES ................................................ 21
POSTAL SERVICES TO CANADA SUSPENDED........................'.. 21
9 r *
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I
Issued by Government Information Services, Beaconsfield House, Hong Kong.Tel: 5-233191
JT1 THURSDAY, OCTOBER 23, 1975
LEGCO CLEARS WAY FOR MTR WORK
GOVT. AUTHORISED TO GUARANTEE MTR CORPORATION LOANS
X X X X X X X
THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY PAVED THE WAY FOR WORK ON • THE MASS TRANSIT SYSTEM TO.PROCEED BY AUTHORISING THE GOVERNMENT TO GRANT GUARANTEES IN RESPECT OF LOANS AND OTHER INDEBTEDNESS INCURRED BY THE MASS TRANSIT RAILWAY CORPORATION.
• ONE UNOFFICIAL MEMBER, THE HON. LO TAK-SHING, VOTED AGAINST THE MOTION.
ANOTHER, THE HON. HILTON CHEONG-LEEN, SPOKE IN SUPPORT OF THE MOTION BUT URGED CAUTION AND THE STRICTEST CONTROL AND MONITORING OF THE PROJECTS BUILDING COSTS.
SPEAKING AGAINST THE MOTION, MR. LO SAID IN PART: +TO PUT FAITH IN THE ACCURACY OF ESTIMATES FOR A PROJECT AS NEW AND AS LARGE AS THE MASS TRANSIT RAILWAY WITHOUT A THOROUGH DOWNSIDE RISK STUDY IS, AS I HAVE SAID BEFORE, A TREMENDOUS GAMBLE AND ONE THAT I CANNOT IN ALL CONSCIENCE AGREE TO THE GOVERNMENT TAKING.
+HOWEVER, THERE IS NO LAW WHICH REQUIRES EACH GAMBLE TO BE A LOSING GAMBLE AND ALL THAT I ON MY OWN CAN USEFULLY DO TODAY IS TO WISH THE MASS TRANSIT RAILWAY CORPORATION VERY SINCERELY ALL GOOD FORTUNE BECAUSE I DO NOT SUPPORT THE MOT I ON,+ MR. LO SAID.
SUPPORTING THE MOTION, MR. CHEONG-LEEN CALLED FOR- THE STRICTEST POSSIBLE MONITORING AND CONTROL IN REGARD TO THE BUILDING COSTS OF THE PROJECTS OVER THE COMING YEARS.
+ON NO ACCOUNT SHOULD THIS COUNCIL BE FACED WITH A FAIT ACCOMPLI IN THE NEXT FEW YEARS -WHEREBY COSTS WILL HAVE ESCALATED TWO OR THREE TIMES AS HAS HAPPENED IN MANY OTHER CITIES WHERE MASS TRANSIT SYSTEMS HAVE BEEN CONSTRUCTED.
+FURTHERMORE, IN THE EVENTUALITY OF COSTS GOING BEYOND THE SEVEN PER CENT ESCALATION PER ANNUM FIGURE ALLOWED FOR, IT IS IMPERATIVE THAT THE GOVERNMENT DOES NOT ALLOW THE CORPORATION TO GET TOO DEEPLY INVOLVED IN THE REAL ESTATE MARKET TO MAKE UP FOR POTENTIAL DEFICIT AMOUNTS TO THE OVERALL DETRIMENT OF THE COMMUNITY,+ MR. CHEONG-LEEN SAID.
THE GOING AHEAD OF THE MASS TRANSIT PROJECT, HE ADDED, SHOULD BE A SIGN OF OUR FAITH IN THE ECONOMIC AND POLITICAL FUTURE OF HONG KONG. +IT SHOULD NOT BE A FACTOR LEADING UP TO CONCERN OVER THE FISCAL STRENGTH OR EVEN FISCAL STABILITY OF HONG Kt)NG DUE TO RUNAWAY COSTS AT'A LATER DATE.+
/IN REPLY ......
THURSDAY, CCTOBER 23, 1975
2
IN REPLY, THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY, THE HON. PHILIP HADtON-CAVE. SAID HE WOULD PASS ON MR. LO TAK-SHING’S GOOD WISHES lO THE BOARD CP THE MASS TRANSIT RAILWAY CORPORATION AND WOULD DRAW THEIR ATTENTION TO THE POINTS RAISED DY MR. CHEONG-LLEN.
MR.-HADDON-CAVE SAID THERE WAS SOME DOWNSIDE RISK IN ANY PROJECT AND IF WE INSISTED ON ALL RISKS BEING ELIMINATED ♦NOTHING WOULD EVER BE DONE.+
+EUT BECAUSE OF ITS SHEER SIZE, THE MASS TRANSIT RAILWAY IS THE MOST METICULOUSLY RESEARCHED PROJECT THAT HAS YET BEEN UNDERTAKEN IN HONG KONG AND THE ENGINEERING RISKS AND THE COMMERCIAL AND FINANCIAL ASPECTS HAVE BEEN, I FIRMLY BELIEVE, THOROUGHLY EVALUATED.
+SO I WOULD SAY TO MY HONOURABLE FRIEND MR. LO THAT TO DESCRIBE THIS PROJECT AS A GAMBLE IS MISLEADING.
+AS WITH ALL GOOD BUSINESS PROJECTS IT CERTAINLY CONTAINS SOME RISKS, BUT THESE HAVE BEEN C..REFULLY CALCULATED AND CONTINGENCIES MADE FOR THEM,+ THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY SAID.
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THURSDAY, OCTOBER 23, 1975
- 3 -
CLEAR-CUT POLICY ON POPULATION URGED
DISINCENTIVES TOR LARGER FAMILIES MAY BE NECESSARY, SAYS F.W. LI XXXXXXXX
/ •
THE HON. LI FOOK-WO TODAY AGAIN URGED THE GOVERNMENT TO ADOPT A CLEAR-CUT POLICY ON POPULATION AND SAID THE TIME MAY HAVE COME TO CONSIDER DISINCENTIVES FOR LARGE FAMILIES.
SPEAKING ON THE SECOND DAY OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL DEBATE, MR. LI SAID HE*STRONGLY FELT THAT A DEFINITE GOAL SUCH AS A TARGET ANNUAL POPULATION GROWTH RATE WAS A BASIC AND ESSENTIAL REQUIREMENT FOR HONG KONG.
+GOVERNMENT CANNOT AFFORD TO DELAY ANY LONGER IN FORMING A POSITIVE POPULATION POLICY TO EE PROPERLY IMPLEMENTED, EVALUATED AND CO-ORDINATED BY A CENTRAL POPULATION COMMISSION,* HE SAID.
AMONG ITS MANY DUTIES, THE COMMISSION WOULD BE RESPONSIBLE FOR FORMULATING A BROAD AND INTENSIVE PROGRAMME FOR COMMUNITY EDUCATION THROUGH THE MASS MEDIA TO MAKE EVERYONE AWARE OF POPULATION PROBLEM.S.
THE COMMISSION, HE ADDED, WOULD ALSO MAKE IT EASIER TO ASSESS THE LONG-TERM PROGRAMMES FOR HOUSING, EDUCATION, MEDICAL, SOCIAL WELFARE AND RECREATIONAL FACILITIES, ALL OF WHICH HAD A BEARING ON UNEMPLOYMENT, CRIME AND CORRUPTION.
MR. LI CONGRATULATED THE GOVERNMENT ON SUCCESSFULLY INTEGRATING FAMILY PLANNING SERVICES AND OPENING NEW CLINICS. BUT HE WARNED THAT THE EXPANSION OF FAMILY PLANNING SERVICES ALONE WOULD NOT BE ADEQUATE TO PREVENT THE PROJECTED POPULATION EXPLOSION.
HE NOTED THAT MANY OF HONG KONG’S NEIGHBOURS ALREADY HAD EXTENSIVE POPULATION POLICIES, AND HE URGED THE GOVERNMENT NOT TO DELAY FURTHER IN THIS.
MR. LI ALSO SPOKE ABOUT THE ECONOMY AND ON THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE MCKINSEY RECOMMENDATIONS FOR STRENGTHENING THE GOVERNMENT MACHINERY.
HE WANTED TO KNOW HOW THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE RECOMMENDATIONS WAS PROGRESSING, WHETHER THE NEW MACHINERY WAS FUNCTIONING WELL, WHETHER THE REORGANISATION HAD BEEN AFFECTED BY THE PRESENT ECONOMY DRIVE AND, MOST OF ALL, WHETHER HONG KONG WAS GETTING VALUE FOR MONEY FROM THE MCKINSEY REPORT.
HE FELT THAT A FULL ASSESSMENT WAS NECESSARY AND IF IT WAS SHOWN THAT IMPLEMENTATION ALONG THE LINES RECOMMENDED BY THE CONSULTANTS WAS NOT PRACTICAL, SOME ALTERNATIVES SHOULD BE CONSIDERED.
/on the ECONOMY .....
WTHUHSDAY, OCTOBER 25, 1975
- 4 -
<1
<
ON THE ECONOMY, MR. LI SAID THAT FOLLOWING LAST YEAR’S STOCK-TAKING IT APPEARED APPROPRIATE NOW FOR HONG KONG TO ASSESS AND CONSOLIDATE ITS POSITION.
+AS OUR POLICY FOR AN ACCELERATED AND DECISIVE ADVANCE IN THE MAIN FIELDS OF SOCIAL DEFICIENCY HAS BEEN MADE, WE ARE NOW IN A BETTER POSITION TO EVALUATE OUR PROGRAMMES AND THEIR ACTUAL IMPLICATIONS THAN EVER BEFORE,+ HE SAID.
+WE SHOULD TAKE A REALISTIC LOOK AT SUCH PROGRAMMES, CONSOLIDATE OUR EFFORTS IN WHAT HAS ALREADY BEEN COMMITTED, AND REALIGN OUR LONG AND SHORT-TERM PRIORITIES WHERE NECESSARY.+
HE AGREED THAT MANY DESIRABLE SERVICES PROJECTS WOULD HAVE TO EE POSTPONED OR REPHASED, BUT HE WAS GLAD THAT THE GOVERNMENT WAS STILL PROCEEDING WITH PLANS FOR EXPANDING SOCIAL SERVICES, DESPITE FINANCIAL SETBACKS.
LIKE THE REST OF THE WORLD, HONG KONG HAD SUFFERED FROM THE RECESSION AND ALTHOUGH INFLATIONARY PRESSURES SEEMED TO HAVE SUBSIDED, THE FUTURE REMAINED UNCERTAIN, HE SAID.
FOR HONG KONG, HE ADDED, THE ONLY RATIONAL CHOICE WAS TO CONTINUE ITS POLICY OF FREE TRADE AND TO REVIEW PRESENT CONDITIONS AND LAY THE GROUND FOR FUTURE DEVELOPMENT SO THAT HONG KONG WOULD BE READY TO TAKE ADVANTAGE OF ANY UPTURN IN THE ECONOMY.
IN THIS RESPECT, HE APPLAUDED THE GOVERNMENT’S PLANS FOR DEVELOPING NEW TOWNS, PROVIDING INDUSTRIAL ESTATES AND, IN GENERAL, CREATE MORE FAVOURABLE CONDITIONS TO ATTRACT FOREIGN INVESTMENTS TO HONG KONG.
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/5
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MONEY FOR COMMUNITY PROJECTS SHOULD COME FROM TAXATION ON INCREASING WEALTH: J.H. BlilJ-lRIDGE
M X X X X X X
THE HON. J.H. BREMRIDGE SAID TODAY SOME INCREASES IN THE CASE RATES OF TAXATION MAY BE NECESSARY TO ENABLE MORE TO BE DONE FOR THE LESS WELL-OFF MEMB RS OF THE COMMUNITY.
+MORE MUST BE DONE, AND BE SEEN TO BE DONE, FOR THE VAST MAJORITY OF OUR PEOPLE, MANY OF WHOM ARE NOW EXPERIENCING CONDI 1 IONS OF LIFE THAT ARE A REPROACH TO THOSE FEW OF US WHO ARE MORE FORTUNATELY PLACED,+ HE SAID.
HE HOPED THAT MUCH OF THE NEEDED MONEY WOULD COME FROM lAXAllCN ON INCREASING WEALTH. IN HIS VIEW, MODERATE TAXATION ON INCREASING WEALTH YIELDED MUCH MORE THAN HIGH TAXATION ON FROZEN WEALTH.
MR. BREMRIDGE BELIEVED THAT BASE RATES OF TAXATION MAY THEMSELVES HAVE TO BE MODERATELY INCREASED UNLESS ECONOMIC RECOVERY IS UNEXPECTEDLY RAPID.
HE SAID HE WOULD NOT SHRINK FROM THIS INCREASE PROVIDED lHE CHANGES WERE SIMPLE TO UNDERSTAND AND EASY TO PUT INTO EFFECT TO FORESTALL EVASION, AN) IF IT WAS MADE PLAIN THAT THEY WOULD BE INFREQUENT.
HE ALSO SUGGESTED THAT FURTHER THOUGHT BE GIVEN TO POSSIBLE NEW SUMPTUARY TAXES IF ADDITIONAL REVENUE HAD TO DE RAISED.
ON |HE GOVERNMENT MACHINERY, MR. BHEMRIDGE EXPRESSED DISAPPOINTMENT THAT NO MENTION WAS MADE OF PLANS TO PRESS FORWARD WITH REFORMS RECOMMENDED BY THE MCKINSEY CONSULTANTS.
+GOOD ADMINISTRATION IS WIDELY NOW ACCEPTED TO DE MORE OF A SCIENCE THAN AN ART. EQUALLY WIDELY ACCEPTED IS THE BROAD PRINCIPLE OF MANAGEMENT BY OBJECTIVE, COUPLED WITH DELEGATION OF AUTHORITY IN SO FAR AS IS WISE,* HE EXPLAINED.
HE SAID THE MAN IN AUTHORITY IN MOST GOVERNMENT MANAGEMENT JOBS STILL HAD LITTLE IDEA OF HIS RESPONSIBILITIES IN THE RAISING OF REVENUE OR THE CONTROL OF COSTS, BECAUSE THE POSITION WAS NOT USUALLY OR EASILY KNOWN TO HIM.
+1 MUST MAKE A PLEA AS A FIRST STEP FOR THE MORE RAPID DEVELOPMENT AND DEPLOYMENT OF ANNUAL OPERATING PLANS — AND FOR AS MANY AS POSSIBLE,* HE SAID. THESE SHOULD TAKE THEIR PLACE IN SOUND ANNUAL BUDGETS AND LONG .TERM PLANS.
HE BELIEVED THAT THE NEW EXPENDITURE NEEDED WOULD EE JUSTIFIED BY EVENTUAL RETURNS. *IN FACT ONE FAILING IN THE PRESENT SYSTEM IS THE DIFFICULTY OF SEEING THE RETURN THAT COMES FROM DEVELOPMENT EXPENDITURE, OR THE OPTIONS THAT OPEN UP,+ HE SAID.
/He paid
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 23, 1975
- 6 -
HE PAID TRIBUTE TO THE SECURITIES COMMISSION WHICH HE SAID HAD TO WORK +IN THE FACE OF UNBRIDLED SPECULATION, POOR AUDIT REPORTS, LEAKED INFORMATION, INSIDER DEALINGS, PRIVATE PROFIT FROM PUBLIC LOSS, TOO MANY STOCK EXCHANGES, AND THIEVERY AT THE TOP, WITH PARTICULAR REFERENCE TO DIRECTORS EMOLUMENTS.+
MUCH REMAINED TO BE DONE HOWEVER, AND HE ASKED THAT MORE ' MONEY BE SPENT ON NECESSARY STAFF, IN PARTICULAR IN THE COMMERCIAL CRIMES OFFICE.
MR. BRUiRIDGE EMPHASISED THE IMPORTANCE OF SHIPPING TO HONG KONG AND HE WELCOMED THE GOVERNMENT’S FINANCIAL SUPPORT FOR THE HONG KONG SHIPPERS’ COUNCIL. +BUT WITH THIS FINANCIAL SUPPORT SHOULD COME I BELIEVE A GREATER DEGREE OF CONCERN, IF TRUE INVOLVEMENT AS SUCH IS STILL PREMATURE,+ HE ADDED.
HE PERSONALLY BELIEVED THAT THE PRESENT RELATIVE FREEDOM OF THE SEA WOULD GRADUALLY GIVE WAY TO BILATERAL TREATIES OF NAVIGATION, AND HE WARNED THAT THE GOVERNMENT WOULD SOON HAVE TO ABANDON ITS LAISSEZ FA I RE POLICY FOR MORE DIRECT INVOLVEMENT.
' +THE LESS THE BETTER= BUT SOME I BELIEVE MUST EE INEVITABLE. PRELIMINARY GROUNDWORK CAN NO LONGER BE DEFERRED,+ HE SAID.
HE ALSO BELIEVED THAT HONG KONG, IN COMMON WITH OTHER GOVERNMENTS IN THE WESTERN WORLD, WOULD SOON HAVE TO TAKE REGULATORY ACTION AGAINST CURRENT RUSSIAN LINER SHIPPING POLICY.
+THIS IS CLEARLY NOW BASED ON STRATEGIC RATHER THAN ECONOMIC AIMS, AND AMONGST OTHER UNPLEASANT FEATURES IS BASED ON THE EXPLOITATION OF CREWS WHO ARE PAID WAGES WELL BELOW THOSE CURRENTLY ENJOYED BY OTHERS - INCLUDING FLAGS OF CONVENIENCE.
+WHILE MERCHANTS, PARTICULARLY IN HARD-TIMES, WELCOME THE LOWEST POSSIBLE FREIGHT RATES, WHICH ARE NORMALLY MADE AVAILABLE BY 'AN ESSENTIAL ELEMENT OF COMPETITION, IT WOULD BE FOLLY TO ALLOW MATTERS SO TO DRIFT THAT RUSSIAN INFLUENCE IN, OR SHARE OF, ANY IMPORTANT TRADE BECOMES IN ANY WAY DOMINANT. THE REASONS ARE PATENTLY OBVIOUS,+ HE SAID.
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THURSDAY, OCTOBER 23, 1975
7
CALL FOR HOME OWNERSHIP SCHEME X X * X X
A HOME OWNERSHIP SCHEME WOULD BE FEASIBLE FOR HONG KONG IF THE GOVERNMENT MADE AVAILABLE LAND TO PRIVATE DEVELOPERS AT THE SAME VALUE AS FOR THE HOUSING AUTHORITY AND AGREED TO ACCEPT PAYMENT BY LONG TERM INSTALMENTS, DR. THE HON. HARRY FANG SAID TODAY.
HE SUGGESTED THAT THE LAND COULD BE AUCTIONED WITH SPECIFIC CLAUSES WRITTEN INTO THE LEASE THAT THE BUILDINGS CONSTRUCTED WOULD CATER FOR PEOPLE WITH SMALL MEANS AND WITH A STIPULATION THAT THE FLATS COULD NOT BE RESOLD BEFORE 10 OR 15 YEARS.
AS A START, HE WENT ON, THE SCHEME SHOULD BE OPEN TO ALL TENANTS IN PUBLIC HOUSING ESTATES BELONGING TO BOTH THE HOUSING AUTHORITY AND THE HOUSING SOCIETY, AND THOSE ON THE WAITING LISTS Ab WELL AS TO SQUATTERS AND RESIDENTS IN LICENSED AREAS AND TENANTS IN OLD TENEMENT HOUSES.
THE HOME OWNERS, HE SUGGESTED, COULD-PAY BY INSTALMENT OVER 15 TO 20 YEARS THROUGH ARRANGEMENTS WITH MERCHANT BANKS OR THE HONG KONG BUILDING AND LOAN SOCIETY, WITH OR WITHOUT DOWN PAYMENT.
+THE SUCCESS OF THIS SCHEME,+ DR. FANG SAID, +LIES IN THE AVAILABILITY OF URBAN LAND AT A REASONABLE PRICE, AN EXTENDED PERIOD OF INSTALMENT PAYMENT, AND AVAILABILITY OF FUNDS AT CHEAPER INTEREST RATES.+
THE GOVERNMENT, HE ADDED, COULD IMPROVE THIS PROPOSAL BY FINANCING THE SCHEME BY FUNDS SEPARATELY RAISED THROUGH ISSUING DESIGNATED HOUSING BONDS, MATURING AT FIVE-YEARLY INTERVALS OVER 20 YEARS AT AN ANNUAL INTEREST OF SEVEN OR SEVEN AND A HALF PER CENT, AND ALLOWING THE HOME OWNERS THE BENEFITS OF LONG TERM BORROWING AT A LOWER INTEREST RATE THAN THE MARKET RATE.
DR. FANG NOTED THAT THE HOME OWNERSHIP HAD WORKED EXTREMELY WELL IN SINGAPORE, AND HE WAS CONVINCED THAT IT WOULD ALSO SUCCEED IN HONG KONG.
THE CONCEPT BEHIND THE SCHEME WAS MOST DESIRABLE, HE SAID, AND WOULD MAKE THE PARTICIPANTS FEEL THAT THEY THEMSELVES HAD A REAL STAKE IN HONG KONG. +THIS WILL CREATE A TRUE SENSE OF BELONGING AND OF RESPONSIBILITY.+
HE NOTED THAT HOMES HAD BEEN PROVIDED FOR SOME 1.2 MILLION SINCE 1964, BUT OVER 800,000 SQUATTERS WERE STILL WAITING FOR PROPER HOMES. THIS WAS A SERIOUS PROBLEM AND IF THE PRESENT POLICY WAS NOT RATIONALLY CHANGED +EVEN IF WE HAVE THE FUNDS AVAILABLE AND GIVEN IDEAL SITUATIONS WE WOULD STILL DE UNABLE TO BUILD FAST ENOUGH FOR OUR NEEDS UNLESS WE CAN CLEARLY IDENTIFY WHERE OUR NEEDS ARE.+
/HE PERSONALLY
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 23, 1975
- 8 -
HE PERSONALLY SAW NO JUSTIFICATION IN PROVIDING ELABORATE AIR-CONDITIONED SUPERMARKETS AND NUMEROUS CAR PARKS IN HOUSING ESTATES. +EY CONFINING OURSELVES TO BASIC REQUIREMENTS WE / WOULD BE ABLE TO BUILD MORE AND BUILD FASTER TO ACHIEVE OUR GOAL.
+FOR PEOPLE WHO WANTED MoRL THEY SHOULD BE ENCOURAGED TO BUY THEIR OWN FLAT WITH GOVERNMENT’S ENCOURAGEMENT AND HELP,* HE ADDED.
DR. FANG EXPRESSED SHOCK THAT APPROVAL HAD BEEN GIVEN FOR A REQUEST FOR OFF-COURSE BETTING FACILITIES IN HOUSING ESTATES. THIS ONLY LEND CREDENCE TO CRITICISM THAT THE GOVERNMENT WAS GOING OUT OF ITS WAY TO ENCOURAGE HONG KONG TO GAMBLE. HE URGED THE HOUSING AUTHORITY TO CONSIDER ALL THE IMPLICATIONS BEFORE PROCEEDING WITH THE PROPOSAL.
HE ALSO DREW ATTENTION TO THE PROBLEMS OF SEVERELY AND MULTIPLE HANDICAPPED CHILDREN WHO NUMBERED MORE THAN WAS GENERALLY BELIEVED.
+THEY REQUIRE INSTITUTIONAL AND NURSING CARE WHICH IS AT ' PRESENT NEITHER PROVIDED FOR IN THE SOCIAL WELFARE FIVE-YEAR PLAN NOR THE MEDICAL WHITE PAPER,* HE SAID.
+IT IS USELESS TO THINK,* HE ADDED, +THAT THE DISABILITY ALLOWANCE OF £180 WOULD TAKE CARE OF ALL THEIR NEEDS IN THEIR OWN HOMES.+
THE PARENTS DID NOT KNOW HOW THEY SHOULD BE CARED FOR, NOR WAS IT ECONOMICAL TO DIVERT ALL THE ENERGY AND JI ME OF THE PARENTS TO ONE SINGLE CHILD AT THE EXPENSE OF THE OTHER CHILDREN AND THEIR WORK.
HE HOPED THAT THE MUCH AWAITED COMPREHENSIVE PROGRAMME ON REHABILITATION WOULD GIVE TOP PRIORITY TO THIS VERY REAL PROBLEM.
HE NOTED THAT AFTER YEARS OF DETAILED WORK BY THE PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT IN CONSULTATION WITH VOLUNTARY AGENCIES, A SPECIAL BUILDING CODE HAD BEEN COMPILED WITH THE AIM OF PROVIDING ACCESS TO BUILDINGS FOR THE DISABLED AND TO ELIMINATE BARRIERS FROM INACCESSIBLE PLACES.
THE CODE WAS A MUCH IMPROVED VERSION BASED ON THOSE OF THE UNITED KINGDOM, AUSTRALIA AND THE UNITED STATES AND WOULD PUT HONG KONG TO THE FORE ON THE WORLD SCENE.
ON MEDICAL SERVICES, DR. FANG WELCOMED THE OPENING OF THE PRINCESS MARGARET HOSPITAL AND THE GOVERNMENT’S ACCEPTANCE OF THE WORKING PARTY’S REPORT ON UNREG ISTRABLE DOCTORS WHICH, HE SA IDj WAS +WELL-TIMED AND ECONOMICALLY ADVANTAGEOUS.+
HE STRESSED, HOWEVER, THAT THE ESTABLISHMENT OF THE MUCH NEEDED DENTAL SCHOOL MUST NOT EE DELAYED FURTHER UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES, AS THE DENTAL HEALTH OF THE PEOPLE OF HONG .KONG WAS IN A +PRECARIOUS CONDITION.*
■ DR. FANG ALSO SUPPORTED A CALL BY DR. CHUNG SZE-YUEN THAT HONG KONG MUST BE ALLOWED TO CARRY OUT THE DEATH PENALTY.
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/9
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 23, 1975
9
TOUGHER PENALTIES URGED FOK SEX OFFENDERS EXISTING PENALTIES NO DETERRENT, SAYS MISS KO SIU-WAIi X X X X X X X
STIFFER PENALTIES AGAINST SEX OFFENDERS AND MORE FREQUENT AND ENERGETIC ENFORCEMENT OF THE LAW RELATING TO SEX CRIMES, WERE ADVOCATED TODAY BY THE HON. KO SIU-WAH.
+IT IS NOW TIME FOR US TO RE-EXAMINE SOME OF THE LEGISLATION CONCERNING SEXUAL OFFENCES AND THE PROTECTION OF WOMEN AND JUVENILES,+ SHE TOLD THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL.
EXISTING PENALTIES FOR SOME SEXUAL OFFENCES DID NOT SERVE AS EFFECTIVE DETERRENTS, SHE SAID, CITING EXISTING PROVISIONS RELATING TO THE DEFILEMENT OF GIRLS UNDER 13 AND THOSE EETWEEN 13 AND 16, AS WELL AS UNLAWFUL DETENTION OF FEMALES AND RESTRICTIONS ON EMPLOYMENT OF YOUNG PERSONS ON LICENSED PREMISES.
AT PRESENT, THE MAXIMUM PENALTY FOR ATTEMPT OF CARNAL KNOWLEDGE OF A GIRL UNDER 13 OR EETWEEN 13 AND 16 YEARS OLD IS TWO YEARS’ IMPRISONMENT -- THE SAME FOR THE OFFENCE OF DETAINING A FEMALE AGAINST HER WILL. FOR OFFENCES RELATING TO THE EMPLOYMENT OF YOUNG PERSONS ON LICENSED PREMISES, THE MAXIMUM PENALTY IS A FINE OF $5,000 AND IMPRISONMENT FOR SIX MONTHS.
MISS KO SAID 899 SEXUAL OFFENCES WERE DETECTED BETWEEN SEPTEMBER 1974 AND AUGUST 1975, BUT SHE BELIEVED THAT MANY SIMILAR OFFENCES WERE NOT REPORTED BECAUSE THEY WERE COMMITTED AGAINST YOUNG GIRLS WHO WERE AFRAID TO REPORT THE CRIME OR WHOSE PARENTS DID NOT WANT TO REPORT THEM FOR FEAR OF FURTHER HUMILIATION AND DAMAGED REPUTATION.
SHE ALSO NOTED THAT IN THE LAST 18 MONTHS ABOUT 3,000 GIRLS HAVE BEEN REPORTED MISSING, OVER 50 PER CENT OF WHOM WERE UNDER THE AGE OF 16. SOME OF THEM WERE NOT LOCATED NOR RETURNED HOME. +WE ARE ALL AWARE THAT MANY OF THESE GIRLS BECOME HOSTESSES IN MUSIC PARLOURS, BARS AND OTHER ESTABLISHMENTS OF ILL-REPUTE,+ SHE SAID. +WE ARE ALSO AWARE THAT MANY OF THESE GIRLS ARE PHYSICALLY DETAINED BY CRIMINALS AND FORCED TO WORK IN SUCH PLACES.+
MISS KO WELCOMED THE GOVERNMENT’S INTENTION TO INTRODUCE A NEW BILL CONCERNING PENALTIES FOR SEXUAL OFFENCES AND SHE HOPED THAT THE ATTORNEY GENERAL WOULD CONSIDER POINTS RAISED BY HER.
MISS KO ALSO ASKED IF THE GOVERNMENT HAD ANY PLANS TO INTRODUCE LEGISLATION RESTRICTING THE ADMISSION OF CHILDREN TO CINEMA SCREENINGS OF FILMS CLASSIFIED AS ’’UNSUITABLE FOR CHILDREN”.
/SHE NOTED .....
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 23, 1975
10
SHE NOTED THAT OF THE 417 FILMS SUBMITTED FOR CENSORSHIP BETWEEN JANUARY 1 AND AUGUST 31 THIS YEAR, 30 WERE BANNED AND 182 CLASSIFIED AS UNSUITABLE FOR CHILDREN — REPRESENTING 47 PER CENT OF THE FILMS PASSED DY THE CENSORS DURING THE FIRST EIGHT MONTHS THIS YEAR.
THE EFFECTS ON YOUNG AUDIENCES OF ’KUNG FU’ FILMS AND THOSE WITH DESTRUCTIVE THEMES HAD BEEN WIDELY PROCLAIMED, SHE SAID, AND SHE SUGGESTED THAT CONSIDERATION BE GIVEN TO SETTING UP AN ADVISORY COMMITTEE -- WITH PUBLIC REPRESENTATION -- TO ASSIST THE COMMISSIONER FOR TELEVISION AND FILMS.
SHE' THOUGHT THE TIME HA$ COME TO REVIEW THE COMPOSITION AND FUNCTION OF THE TELEVISION ADVISORY BOARD, INCLUDING CONSIDERATION OF WHETHER THE CHAIRMAN OF THE BOARD SHOULD ALSO BE THE TELEVISION AUTHORITY. +SERIOUS CONSIDERATION SHOULD ALSO BE GIVEN AS TO HOW ITS MEMBERSHIP COULD BE BROADENED PARTICULARLY BY HAVING A WIDER REPRESENTATION FROM THE GENERAL PUBLIC WHO VIEW TELEVISION,+ SHE ADDED.
MISS KO SUPPORTED A PLEA BY DR. CHUNG SZE-YUEN FOR HEAVIER PENALTIES FOR VIOLENT CRIME, BUT SAID THAT CONTROL ALONE WAS NOT THE ANSWER AND SUGGESTED A NUMBER OF POSITIVE APPROACHES.
# EXPANSION OF THE ’OUT-REACH’ PROGRAMMES, PARTICULARLY FOR THE 12-14 AGE GROUP AND SCHOOL DROPOUTS. SUCH PROGRAMMES COULD REACH YOUNG PEOPLE ON STREET CORNERS, PARKS AND PLAYGROUNDS AND OFFER COUNSELLING, GUIDANCE, COMMUNITY SUPPORT, AND RECREATIONAL ACTIVITIES.
* EXPANSION OF SCHOOL SOCIAL WORK WHICH ALSO PLAYS A POSITIVE ROLE IN FIGHTING CRIME. THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT, THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT, VOLUNTARY AGENCIES AND SCHOOLS WERE URGED TO CO-OPERATE MORE CLOSELY IN THEIR EFFORTS TO PROVIDE THIS SERVICE FOR SCHOOL CHILDREN.
MORE IN-SERVICE TRAINING FOR TEACHERS AND SOCIAL WORKERS WAS REQUIRED TO MEET THIS NEED.
K DEVELOPING MORE YOUTH LEADERS BY CREATING OPPORTUNITIES FOR LEADERSHIP TRAINING ON THE BROADEST SCALE POSSIBLE, AND
* PROVIDING MORE SCHOOL PLACES FOR THE 12-14 AGE GROUP.
ON SOCIAL WELFARE, MISS KO STRESSED THE IMPORTANCE OF SETTING THE NECESSARY PRIORITIES DURING THE CURRENT RECESSION AND THE NEED FOR FLEXIBILITY WITH A VIEW TO RAISING THE QUALITY AND EFFICIENCY OF SOCIAL WELFARE PROGRAMMES AND TO MAKE FULL USE OF THE LIMITED RESOURCES AVAILABLE.
+AN EXAMINATION OF THE EXISTING MANAGEMENT AND ADMINISTRATION .. OF THE VARIOUS ORGANISATIONS IS ALSO NEEDED, IN ORDER TO SIMPLIFY THE MACHINERY, TO AVOID OVERLAPPING AND TO ENSURE THE PROVISION OF MORE EFFICIENT PROGRAMMES,+ SHE SAID.
/IN THIO HEGnRD .....
THURSDAY, OCTOBExi 2j5, 1975
11
IN THIS REGARD, SHE SUGGESTED THAT AN EVALUATION WORKSHOP COMPRISING PROFESSIONAL PEOPLE FROM THE SOCIAL WELFARE FIELD MANAGEMENT EXECUTIVES, AND MEMBERS OF THE COMMUNITY BE ORGANISED DY THE SOCIAL WELFARE ADVISORY COMMITTEE, TO RECOMMEND SOUND GUIDELINES FOR EVALUATION.
SHE ALSO EMPHASISED iHE NEED FOR INCREASING PUBLIC INVOLVEMENT AND PARTICIPATION IN SOCIAL WELFARE, AND THE NEED TO STRENGTHEN THE CC-ORD I NAT I Oli MACHINERY BETWEEN THE GOVPRNMCNT THE VOLUNTARY SECTOR AND THE PULL IC PARTICULARLY AT DISTRICT “ LEVEL IN ORDER TO INVOLVE MANY MORE PEOPLE IN THE COMMUNITY’S WELFARE.
SHE EXPRESSED REGRET THAT FUNDS WERE NOT AVAILABLE TO IMPLEMENT THE CHILD CARE CENTRES ..... WAS PASSED BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL IN FEBRUARY THAT IT WOULD BE GIVEN HIGH PRIORITY.
AT PRESENT
ORDINANCE WHICH
AND HOPED
THURSDAY, 0C 'OBER 23, 1975
12
NEED FOR 'REAL DETERRENT' PUNISHMENT EMPHASISED a A a * A X .4
PUNISHMENT WHICH CONSTITUTES A +REAL DETERRENT+ TO CRIMINALS IS URGENTLY NEEDED, THE HON. T.S. LO DECLARED TODAY.
SPEAKING IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL, THE UNOFFICIAL MEMBER POINTED OUT THAT GANGSTERS WHO COMMIT VIOLENT CRIMES, SUCH AS THE KIDNAPPING AND RAPE OF YOUNG GIRLS TO FORCE THEM INTO PROSTITUTION, GET ONLY A FEW YEARS’ IMPRISONMENT IF CONVICTED. AS A RESULT, +TODAY MANY PEOPLE IN HONG KONG BELIEVE THAT VIOLENCE AND CRIME DO PAY.*
IT IS NOT ONLY IMPORTANT TO DETECT CRIMES, MR. LO SAID.
IT IS EQUALLY IMPORTANT TO PUNISH THEM ADEQUATELY, SO AS TO ENSURE THAT +PROFESSIONAL CRIMINALS DO NOT DISCOUNT THEIR PUNISHMENT AS A PETTY PROFESSIONAL TAX, A1 MINOR OVERHEAD EXPENDITURE.*
MR. LO MADE THE FOLLOWING SPECIFIC PROPOSALS:
1. THAT’OUR LAWS BE URGENTLY REVISED SO AS TO INCREASE DRASTICALLY THE MAXIMUM PENALTIES FOR OFFENCES AGAINST THE PERSON, SUCH AS ABDUCTION’
2. THAT LEGISLATION SIMILAR TO THE 1957 HOMICIDE ACT BE INTRODUCED, I.E. WHILE MOVING TOWARDS THE EVENTUAL ABOLITION OF THE DEATH PENALTY, THAT IT BE RETAINED FOR CERTAIN TYPES OF CRIMES’
3. THAT THE WHOLE CONCEPT OF THE REDUCTION OF SENTENCES FOR GOOD CONDUCT BE RECONSIDERED, ESPECIALLY AS REGARDS COMMUTED LIFE SENTENCES’
4. THAT THE GOVERNOR EXERCISE THE ROYAL .PREROGATIVE REGARDING THE COMMUTATION OF DEATH SENTENCES ACCORDING TO THE CIRCUMSTANCES 0F EACH CASE WITHOUT REGARD TO THE POSSIBILITY OF HIS DECISION BEING REVERSED.
TURNING TO THE PROVISION OF FACILITIES FOR RECREATION, MR. LO SAID THAT +FAR TOO LITTLE HAS BEEN DONE TO ENABLE OUR PEOPLE TO ENJOY THE SEA.+ HE SUGGESTED THAT GOVERNMENT SHOULD ESTABLISH A UNIT TO CONSIDER HOW TO MAKE MORE OF THE SEA AVAILABLE FOR MASS RECREATION.
MR. LO ALSO MADE A PLEA FOR FUNDS TO BE ALLOCATED TO A RESEARCH PROJECT BY HONG KONG’S TWO UNIVERSITIES ON CHINESE TRADITIONAL CURES. THE GOVERNMENT HAD NOT YET REPLIED TO THE REQUEST FOR A SUM OF $300,000 FOR THE FIRST YEAR AND FOR EACH OF THE ENSUING TWO YEARS OF THIS PROJECT, AND HE ASKED FOR +SYMPATHETIC TREATMENT* FOR RESEARCH WHICH HAD SUCH CONSIDERABLE +SOCIAL RELEVANCE* AND COST BENEFITS.
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THURSDAY, OCTODER 23, 1975
CALL KOH RE-ORGANISATION OF COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY DEPARTMENT X X X X * XX
THE HON. FRANCIS TIEN TODAY CALLED FOR A RE-ORGANISATION OF THE COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY DEPARTMENT AND FOR THE DIRECTOR’S POST TO BE UPGRADED TO SECRETARY LEVEL SO AS TO KEEP HONG KONG ABREAST OF INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENTS IN TRADE.
WITH THE INCREASING INVOLVEMENT OF OVERSEAS GOVERNMENTS IN TRADE MATTERS AND THE GROWING COMPLEXITIES IN TRADE RELATIONS. THE GOVERNMENT WOULD INEVITABLY HAVE TO BECOME MORE INVOLVED AND THE TIME HAD COME TO GIVE SOME RECOGNITION OF THE GROWING RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY DEPARTMENT. HE SAID.
MR. TIEN SUGGESTED THAT THE DEPARTMENT SHOULD EE SPLIT INTO NEW DEPARTMENTS — ONE SOLELY CONCERNED WITH TEXTILES AND THE OTHER FOR INDUSTRIAL AND TRADE POLICY FOR ALL OTHER INDUSTRY. THEY WOULD EE CO-ORDINATED BY HIS PROPOSED SECRETARY FOR TRADE AND INDUSTRY.
+THIS KIND OF RE-ORGANISATION WOULD ACHIEVE THE DESIRABLE OBJECTIVE OF HAVING INDUSTRIAL AND TRADE POLICIES DEALT WITH TOGETHER,+ HE SAID.
HE NOTED THAT TEXTILES MADE UP 50 PER CENT OF HONG KONG’S EXPORTS, AND HE FELT THAT A SEPARATE TEXTILES DEPARTMENT WAS NEEDED WITH RESPONSIBILITY FOR ALL MATTERS AFFECTING THE TEXTILE TRADE AND INDUSTRY COVERING INTERNATIONAL AND DOMESTIC PROBLEMS, THE NEGOTIATION OF TEXTILE AGREEMENTS AND THEIR IMPLEMENTATION AND POLICING.
THE FUNDS TO IMPLEMENT SUCH A RE-ORGANISATION, HE SAID, COULD COME FROM INCREASED FEES FOR TEXTILE LICENCES, A SMALL CHARGE FOR THE ALLOCATION OF TEXTILE QUOTAS, OR A COMBINATION OF THESE AND OTHER SIMILAR FISCAL MEASURES.
FOR EXAMPLE, HE CALCULATED THAT IF ONE CENT WAS CHARGED FOR EACH EQUIVALENT SQUARE YARD OF TEXTILE QUOTA ISSUED, ABOUT $5120 MILLION IN REVENUE COULD BE RAISED EACH YEAR.
RECALLING THE GOVERNOR’S REMARKS THAT HONG KONG TODAY
HAD COMPLETE AUTONOMY TO DECIDE HOW BEST TO PROCEED INTERNATIONALLY AND BILATERALLY IN ITS OWN BEST TRADING INTEREST^ MR. TIEN SAID THE RIGHT TO DETERMINE WHAT WAS BEST FOR HONG KONG HAD A NUMBER OF IMPLICATIONS.
+ONE OF THEM IS THAT WE WILL BE EXPECTED INCREASINGLY TO LOOK AFTER OURSELVES IN MATTERS OF INTERNATIONAL TRADE. ANOTHER IS THAT CERTAIN EXTERNAL OBLIGATIONS, PREVIOUSLY ASSUMED BY THE UNITED KINGDOM ON OUR BEHALF, WILL INCREASINGLY DE PUT ON OUR OWN SHOULDERS,+
/HE ADDED .....
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 23, 1975 - 14 -
HE ADDED : +IT MEANS THAT, HAVING ACQUIRED AUTONOMY, WE MUST TAKE STEPS TO ENSURE THAT OUR TRADE POLICIES AND THE MEANS TO GIVE EFFECT TO THEM ARE GEARED TO MEET THE CHALLENGES OF TODAY’S COMPLEX WORLD OF TRADE.+
HONG KONG, HE STRESSED, +EXISTS OF TRADE, BY TRADE AND FOR TRADE+ AND IT WAS VITAL TO PRESERVE AND INCREASE-IT.
HE BELIEVED THAT TEXTILES WOULD REMAIN HONG KONG’S LARGEST INDUSTRY AND EXPORT EARNER FOR SOME TIME TO COME, BUT IT WAS AN INDUSTRY SURROUNDED BY RESTRAINTS, MANY OF WHICH HAD HAD HIGHLY DISRUPTIVE EFFECTS.
+THERE SEEMS LITTLE CHANCE OF ANY OF THE EXISTING RESTRAINTS BEING DISMANTLED. ON THE CONTRARY, WE CAN EXPECT, IN THE ROT TOO DISTANT FUTURE, DISCUSSIONS TO BEGIN ON THE CONTINUATION AND POSSIBLE MODIFICATION OF THE MULTIFIBRE TEXTILE ARRANGEMENT.+
+THE OUTCOME OF THESE NEGOTIATIONS COULD HAVE FAR-REACHING EFFECTS ON OUR TRADE - BENEFICIAL OR ADVERSE DEPENDING ON THE ATTITUDES OF OTHERS AND OUR.ABILITY TO INFLUENCE THOSE ATTITUDES,+ HE SAID.
MR. TIEN EMPHASISED THE NEED TO CONTINUE AND REDOUBLE EFFORTS TO REMOVE THE DISCRIMINATION AGAINST HONG KONG IN MANY OF THE DEVELOPED COUNTRIES’ GENERALISED PREFERENCES SCHEMES. . HONG KONG MUST PRESS HARD TO SECURE ADMISSION TO THE SCHEMES OF THOSE COUNTRIES WHICH STILL EXCLUDED HONG KONG’S PRODUCTS ALTOGETHER.
+WE MUST CONTINUE TO PERSUADE THESE COUNTRIES WHICH MAINTAIN ILLEGAL IMPORT RESTRICTIONS AGAINST US TO HONOUR THEIR INTERNATIONAL OBLIGATIONS AND TO TREAT OUR PRODUCTS ON AN EQUAL FOOTING WITH THOSE OF OTHER SUPPLIERS + 14C QTDCCQCn 9
ON INDUSTRIAL TRAINING, MR. TIEN CALLED ON THE GOVERNMENT TO ACCEPT AND ENACT, AT THE EARLIEST POSSIBLE DATE, THE TRAINING COUNCIL’S PROPOSED APPRENTICESHIP BILL AS A FURTHER STEP TO HELP HONG KONG’S MANUFACTURERS AND TO ENHANCE THE PRODUCTIVE POTENTIALS OF WORKERS.
HE SAID: +WE HAVE TRADITIONALLY RELIED ON THE NATURAL ' SKILLS AND DEXTERITY OF OUR WORKERS. INCREASINGLY, HOWEVER. WE SHALL NEED TO ENSURE THAT THE PRODUCTIVE POTENTIALS OF ’ OUR WORK FORCE IS USED TO THE FULL.
Ar,r,r.^J°.ACIilEVE TH1S’ HR• TIEN SAID THAT WORKERS MUST BE GIVEN APPROPRIATE TRAINING WHICH SHOULD INCLUDE LOTH ORGANISED PRACTICAL TRAINING ON THE SHOPFLOOR AND, WHEN NECESSARY, SOME FORM OF FORMAL TECHNICAL EDUCATION.
AR. TIEN NOTED.......
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 25, 1975
15
MR. TIEN NOTED THAT CONSIDERABLE PROGRESS HAD BEEN MADE TY THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT IN PERSUADING EMPLOYERS TO ADOPT THE CONCEPT AND PRACTICE OF MODERN APPRENTICE TRAINING.
HOWEVER, A STUDY ON THE INTAKE OF APPRENTICES INTO INDUSTRY AND THE NUMBER OF PART-TIME DAY-RELEASE STUDENTS IN TECHNICAL INSTITUTIONS SINCE 1971 INDICATED THAT THE LIMIT TO WHICH PROPER APPRENTICE TRAINING COULD DE PROMOTED ON A VOLUNTARY BASIS HAD DEEN REACHED.
IT HAD BEEN CONCLUDED THAT LEGISLATION SHOULD BE ' ' INTRODUCED TO FURTHER THE DEVELOPMENT OF PROPER APPRENTICE TRAINING IF THE SKILLED MANPOWER NEEDS OF HONG KONG’S INDUSTRIES WERE TO BE ADEQUATELY MET.
MR. TIEN FULLY SUPPORTED THIS AND SAID LEGISLATION, WOULD SEEM, IN THE CIRCUMSTANCES, NOT ONLY TO BE DESIRABLE BUT ESSENTIAL. +IT WOULD PROVIDE A MUCH NEEDED FRAMEWORK FOR A PROPERLY CO-ORDINATED AND DIRECTED APPRENTICE TRAINING SYSTEM,+ HE SAID.
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THURSDAY, OCTOBER 23,1975
DEVELOPMENT OF CULTURE ADVOCATED TO DISCOURAGE CRIMINAL TENDENCIES AMONG THE YOUNG X X X X X X
THE HON. ALEX S.C. WU TODAY CALLED FOR WIDER PUBLIC AND GOVERNMENT INVOLVEMENT IN THE DEVELOPMENT OF CULTURE IN HONG KONG AS A MEANS OF COMBATING VIOLENT CRIME.
HE SAID THEBE WAS’A WIDESPREAD +UNSATISFYI NG, AIMLESS AND MATERIALISTIC OUTLOOK ON LIFE+ AMONG YOUNG PEOPLE NOWADAYS WHICH HAD DEVELOPED FROM HONG KONG’S PARTICULAR ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL BACKGROUND.
AS A' RESULT, MOST YOUTHS SUFFER FROM A LACK OF APPRECIATION OF PERSONAL VALUES AND THE GOVERNING PRINCIPLES OF LIFE, AN ABSENCE OF SELF-CONTROL IN THE FACE OF MATERIALISTIC TEMPTATIONS, AND A FEELING OF GREAT INSECURITY WHICH FREQUENTLY LEADS TO IMPULSIVE ACTION.
WHAT HONG KONG NEEDED NOW WAS A NEW TYPE OF INDIVIDUAL WITH A DEVELOPED SENSE OF PERSONAL VALUES AND AN UNDERSTANDING OF THE RESPECT DUE TO OTHER PEOPLE.
SUCH YOUTHS COULD BE DEVELOPED THROUGH THE PRECEPTS OF CULTURE — THE ACT OF SELF-DEVELOPMENT BY EDUCATION, DISCIPLINE, SOCIAL EXPERIENCE, HE SAID, AND HE URGED THE DIRECTOR OF EDUCATION TO INJECT INTO THE SCHOOL CURRICULUM AN INTEREST IN CULTURE FOR ITS OWN SAKE, NOT AS AN OCCASIONAL SUBJECT TO BE TOUCHED UPON WHEN BUSINESS OF PASSING AN EXAMINATION PERMITS.
+1 BELIEVE THAT A STRONG AND CONSTRUCTIVE EMPHASIS ON CULTURAL AFFAIRS AT ALL STAGES AND LEVELS OF EDUCATION CAN PLAY AN EFFECTIVE PART IN HALTING A RELENTLESS DRIFT TOWARDS DISRESPECT FOR AND DISREGARD OF OTHER PEOPLE AND THEIR PROPERTY, + HE ADDED.
AS A START, HE SAID, WITH UNIVERSAL PRIMARY EDUCATION NOW A REALITY IN HONG KONG, CHILDREN FROM AN EARLY STAGE SHOULD BE GIVEN THE EXPERIENCE TO APPRECIATE ALL THE FINER POINTS OF LIFE.
+THROUGH THE FELLOWSHIP CREATED IN SUCH AN ATMOSPHERE, THEY WILL BE LESS INCLINED TO RESORT TO VIOLENCE ’AT A LATER STAGE NO MATTER WHAT KIND OF STRESS THEY ARE SUBJECTED TO,+ HE SAID.
HE ACCEPTED THAT HONG KONG HAD-A FINE SCHOOL SYSTEM WITH A BALANCED CURRICULUM, FACILITIES OFFERED BY MANY ORGANISATIONS, AND ENTHUSIASTIC PEOPLE WHO HELP TRANSFORM HONG KONG INTO A CENTRE OF THE ARTS.
.+BUT THE QUESTION IS, ARE THE PARENTS AND OUR EDUCATORS MAKING FULL USE OF THE FACILITIES,* HE ASKED.
EMPLOYERS TOO COULD GAIN FROM THE PROMOTION OF CULTURE, BECAUSE A WORKER WHO IS INTERESTED IN FINER THINGS AND IS HAPPY, AND HAS SOMETHING TO LOOK FORWARD TO BESIDES HIS DAILY WORK, PRODUCES MORE, HE SAID.
/HR. WU DID NOT
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 23, 1975
17
MR. WU DID NOT DISCOUNT THE IMPORTANCE OF ENVIRONMENT ON THE P.EHAVIOUS OF PEOPLE, BUT HE BELIEVED THAT CHINESE CULTURE AND TRADITIONS HAVE A POWER WHICH CAN AND SHOULD EE USED.
AS FOR THE PART,PLAYED BY THE GOVERNMENT, MR. WU SAID HIS OWN CALCULATIONS SHOWED THAT ^77 MILLION, OR MORE THAN ONE PER CENT, OF THE CURRENT BUDGET WAS SPENT ON CULTURAL AFFAIRS.
ALTHOUGH HE DID NOT COMPLAIN THE SUM, HE SUGGESTED THAT THERE COULD BE MORE COMMON SENSE AND ECONOMIC ACUMEN IN ITS EMPLOYMENT FOR THE ENCOURAGEMENT OF CULTURE.
BESIDES, HE SAID, WITH CONCERTED EFFORT, THE ARTIFICIAL BARRIERS AND RED TAPE WHICH HINDER THE CREATIVITY OF TALENTED PEOPLE MUST BE REMOVED.
HE POINTED OUT THAT THE PEOPLE OF HONG KONG IN ADDITION TO THEIR COMMERCIAL GENIUS, ALSO HAD A REAL CAPACITY FOR CULTURAL EXPRESSION, BUT SOMEONE MUST GIVE A LEAD.
HE REMINDED EDUCATIONAL WORKERS THAT CULTURE WAS NOT JUST A LUXURY WHICH MUST TAKE A POOR SECOND PLACE TO MATERIAL PROGRESS AND VOCATIONAL EDUCATION.
MR. WU NOTED THAT THE REORGANISATION OF THE POLICE FORCE AND THE NEW ROLES THE FORCE WAS EXPECTED TO PERFORM WOULD TAKE SOME TIME TO IMPLEMENT, AND HE WONDERED WHETHER CONSIDERATION COULD DE GIVEN TO EMPLOYING THE AUXILIARIES TO AN EVEN GREATER EXTENT TILL THE REORGANISATION OF THE REGULAR FORCE WAS COMPLETED.
HE ALSO ASKED IF IT WAS POSSIBLE TO RECRUIT THOSE SERVICEMEN WHO WOULD BECOME REDUNDANT AS A RESULT OF THE RUNDOWN OF THE GARRISON, TO SERVE IN POLICE TACTICAL UNITS SO AS TO RELEASE EXPERIENCED POLICEMEN FOR BEAT DUTY.
+THE INCREASED FREQUENCY OF PATROLS COULD MAKE A GREAT DIFFERENCE TO THOSE WHO MIGHT OTHERWISE BE ATTACKED AND INJURED,* HE SAID.
HE WARNED THAT PEOPLE BECOME SUSPICIOUS AND DISTRUSTFUL OF THE AUTHORITIES WHEN THEY WERE CONSTANTLY EXPOSED TO THE THREAT OF VIOLENCE.
+SUCH AN ATTITUDE CAN ONLY BE DETRIMENTAL TO OUR SOtlETY BECAUSE PEOPLE STOP THINKING OF THE COMMON GOOD AND ARE CONCERNED ONLY WITH PROTECTING THEIR INDIVIDUAL INTERESTS.
+IF SUCH AN ATTITUDE BECOMES WIDESPREAD, THE FABRIC OF SOCIETY MUST DETERIORATE AS A RESULT,* HE WARNED. +AT ALL COSTS, WE MUST ENDEAVOUR TO PREVENT THIS FROM HAPPENING IN HONG KONG.*
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/18
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 23, 1975
18 .
TEN BILLS PASSED MM
TEN BILLS COMPLETED THEIR PASSAGE THROUGH THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY TO BECOME LAW.
THEY WERE: THE FIRE AND MARINE INSURANCE COMPANIES DEPOSIT (AMENDMENT) BILL, THE LIFE INSURANCE COMPANIES (AMENDMENT) BILL, THE JUDICIAL SERVICE COMMISSION BILL, THE COPYRIGHT (AMENDMENT) BILL, THE INTERPRETATION AND GENERAL CLAUSES (AMENDMENT) (NO. 2) BILL, THE PUBLIC SERVICES COMMISSION (AMENDMENT) BILL, THE ROAD TRAFFIC (AMENDMENT) BILL, THE MEDICAL REGISTRATION (AMENDMENT) DILL, THE CHINESE UNIVERSITY OF HONG KONG (AMENDMENT) BILL, AND THE CHATER MASONIC SCHOLARSHIP FUND (AMENDMENT) BILL.
FOUR OTHER BILLS WERE TABLED IN COUNCIL FOR FIRST READING. THESE WERE THE COMPANIES (AMENDMENT)(NO. 3) BILL, THE RAILWAYS (AMENDMENT) BILL, THE SMALL CLAIMS TRIBUNAL DILL, AND THE SUPREME COURT DILL.
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' /19
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 23, 1975
19
MR. MICHAEL CLINTON RETIRES
NEW SECRETARY FOR ADM INSTRATI ON APPOINTED l * M H * H X
THE DEPUTY COLONIAL SECRETARY, MR. M.D.A. CLINTON, WILL
FR0M THE CIVIL SERVICE i-ALLY NEXT MONTH AFTER A LONG AND DISTINGUISHED CAREER. AFTER HIS RETIREMENT THE POST OF DEPUTY COLONIAL SECRETARY WILL LAPSE.
MR. CLINTON, WHO IS 57, HAS BEEN AN ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICER SINCE 1946 AND HAS OCCUPIED A NUMBER OF VERY SENIOR POSTS INCLUDING DEPUTY FINANCIAL SECRETARY AND DEPUTY ECONOMIC SECRETARY AS WELL AS HAVING ACTED AS FINANCIAL SECRETARY AND COLONIAL SECRETARY ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS.
HE WAS APPOINTED DEPUTY COLONIAL SECRETARY IN JANUARY 1969 AND IN JUNE 1971 WAS MADE A COMPANION OF THE ORDER OF ST. MICHAEL AND ST. GEORGE (CMG). IN 1973 HE AGREED TO DEFER HIS RETIREMENT FOR TWO YEARS TO CONTINUE IN OFFICE.
MR. CLINTON WAS BORN IN LONDON IN 1918 AND WAS EDUCATED AT BEAUMONT COLLEGE, WINDSOR AND THE UNIVERSITY OF LONDON. DURING THE SECOND WORLD WAR, HE WAS COMMISSIONED IN THE ROYAL ENGINEERS AND WAS AWARDED THE GEORGE MEDAL FOR GALLANTRY TWICE - FIRST IN 1942 AND AGAIN IN 1943.
ALTHOUGH HE WILL BE RETIRING FROM THE CIVIL SERVICE, MR. CLINTON WILL CONTINUE TO SERVE HONG KONG WHEN HE SUCCEEDS SIR RONALD HOLMES AS CHAIRMAN OF THE PUBLIC SERVICES COMMISSION.
IT WAS ALSO ANNOUNCED THAT A NEW POST OF SECRETARY FOR ADM INSTRATI ON IS TO BE CREATED, AT THE SAME LEVEL AS OTHER SECRETARY POSTS IN THE COLONIAL SECRETARIAT.
MR. P.B. WILLIAMS, WHO HAS RECENTLY BEEN ACTING AS SECRETARY FOR SOCIAL SERVICES, IS TO BE APPOINTED TO ACT IN THE NEW POST.
MR. WILLIAMS,49, WAS RECENTLY PROMOTED TO STAFF GRADE A AND HAS HAD WIDE EXPERIENCE SINCE JOINING THE SERVICE IN 1953 IN MANY GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS INCLUDING THE POLICE FORCE (AS CIVIL SECRETARY), AND VARIOUS SECRETARIAT BRANCHES MAINLY DEFENCE AND SOCIAL SERVICES. HE HAS ALSO SERVED IN THE SOCI-AL WELFARE, RESETTLEMENT AND HOME AFFAIRS DEPARTMENTS.
IN HIS NEW JOB AS SECRETARY FOR ADM INSTRATI ON HIS HAIN ROLE WILL BE TO ENSURE THAT THE OVERALL MACHINERY OF GOVERNMENT FUNCTIONS EFFECTIVELY AND THAT IMPROVEMENTS ARE CONTINUOUSLY SOUGHT AND IMPLEMENTED. HE WILL BE IN DIRECT CHARGE OF THE MANAGEMENT UNIT AND RESPONSIBLE FOR THE WORKING OF THE COLONIAL SECRETARIAT AS A WHOLE.
NOTE TO.EDITORS:
PICTURES OF MR. CLINTON AND MR. WILLIAMS ARE AVAILABLE FOR COLLECTION IN THE G.I.S. PRESS BOXES THIS EVENING.
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/2O......
I
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 23, 1975
MORE BUSES FOR
TSI NG Yl
* H X K
TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT HAS PLANS IN THE PIPELINE FOR MORE FRANCHISED BUS SERVICES TO SERVE RESIDENTS OF TSING Yl ISLAND, THE ACTING ASSISTANT COMMISSIONER FOR TRANSPORT, MR. PETER MILLER SAID,TODAY. '
HE SAID THE FIRST DUS SERVICE TO AND FROM THE ISLAND, ROUTE NO. 44, HAD PROVED POPULAR CARRYING A LARGE NUMBER OF PASSENGERS DURING THE FIRST DAY OF ITS OPERATION ON MONDAY (OCTOBER 20).
+WE HAVE LONG-TERM PLANS FOR MORE BUS ROUTES LINKING THE ISLAND WITH VARIOUS PARTS OF KOWLOON AS WELL AS WITH TSUEN WAN, AND THESE WILL BE TIED IN WITH THE OPENING OF NEW ROADS AND PUBLIC HOUSING ON THE ISLAND,+ HE SAID.
MR. MILLER RECALLED THAT THE FRANCHISE OF THE KOWLOON MOTOR BUS COMPANY WAS EXTENDED TWO YEARS AGO TO COVER OPERATION OF BUS SERVICES ON TSING Yl ISLAND AND THAT A SERVICE WOULD BE INTRODUCED ONCE THE NECESSARY ROADWORKS WEREREADY.
ON MONDAY, HE SAID, WITHIN HOURS OF THE COMPLETION OF A NEW ROAD LINKING TSING Yl BRIDGE AND TSING Yl TOWN AS WELL AS AN ARMY-BUILT ACCESS BRIDGE, THE COMPANY STARTED ROUTE NO. 44 TO CATER FOR THE PUBLIC TRANSPORT NEEDS OF THE ISLAND RESIDENTS.
THE NEW SERVICE RUNS BETWEEN TSING Yl TOWN AND LAI CHI KOK WHERE INTERCHANGE FACILITIES ARE READILY AVAILABLE TO OTHER PUBLIC TRANSPORT SERVICES THROUGHOUT KOWLOON AND HONG KONG ISLAND. HE SAID.
ROUTE NO. 44 OPERATES AT 30 MINUTE FREQUENCY AT A 30-CENT FARE VIA THE NEWLY-OPENED PRINCESS MARGARET HOSPITAL, WHILE IN THE EVENING HOURS, JOURNEYS ARE ROUTED VIA THE ROAD INTERCHANGE SOUTH OF THE HOSPITAL IN ORDER TO AVOID THE DAY ROUTE WHERE ROADWORKS ARE IN PROGRESS.
/21 .....
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 23, 1975.
21
WATER CUTS * * * *
A NUMBER OF PREMISES ON HONG KONG ISLAND AND IN THE NEW TERRITORIES WILL BE WITHOUT WATER SUPPLY FOR ABOUT FIVE HOURS STARTING FROM 1 A.M. THIS SATURDAY (OCTOBER 25) TO ENABLE LEAKAGE TESTS TO BE CARRIED OUT.
ON HONG KONG ISLAND, THE AREA AFFECTED IS BOUNDED BY WING WO STREET TO MORRISON STREET- AND BONHAM STRAND TO SEAFRONT.
THE PREMISES AFFTECTED IN THE NEW TERRITORIES ARE ON CASTLE PEAK ROAD, TAI HO ROAD, SHA TSUI ROAD AND KWAN MUN HAU STREET.
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POSTAL SERVICES TO CANADA SUSPENDED * X
THE POSTMASTER GENERAL ANNOUNCED TODAY THAT DUE TO oTKIKE IN CANADA, THE CANANDIAN POSTAL AUTHORITIES HAVE THAT ALL AIRMAIL DESPATCHES TO CANADA BE SUSPENDED WITH EFFECT- AND ALL SERVICE MAIL DESPATCHES TO BE SUSPENDED OCTOBER 24 (FRIDAY) UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE.
POSTAL REQUESTED IMMEDIATE AFTER
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DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
0 '
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 24, 1975
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
STEPS TAKEN TO IMPLEMENT RECOMMENDATIONS ON UNREG ISTRABLE DOCTORS ................................................... 1
LEGISLATION PROPOSED FOR CONTROL OF DEPOSIT-TAKING COMPANIES ................................................... 3
KWUN TONG TECHNICAL INSTITUTE OFFICIALLY OPENED ........... 5
MORE REALISTIC METHOD OF CALCULATING PROPERTY TAX PROPOSED 7
PEDESTRIAN SUBWAYS PLANNED ACROSS NATHAN ROAD .............. 8
DUKE OF EDINBURGH GOLD AWARD HOLDERS COMING TO HONG KONG . 9
/
PURPOSE OF PENSIONS (INCREASE) BILL CLARIFIED .............. 10
REFRESHABLE COURSE FOR SOCIAL SERVICE VOLUNTEERS ........... 11
' Issued by-Government Information Services, Beaconsfield House, Hong Kong. Tel: 5-233191
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 2k, 19?;
MOVES TO IMPLEMENT RECOMMENDATIONS ON UNliEGISTRALLE DOCTORS X A X A X A
A NUMBER OF STEPS HAVE BEEN TAKEN TO IMPLEMENT THE RECOMMENDATIONS CONTAINED IN THE REPORT OF THE WORKING PARTY ON UL.lEGISr ABLE DOCTORS IN MOVES TO GET THE SCHEME OFF THE GROUND AS QUICKLY AS POSSIBLE.
THE MEDICAL COUNCIL.HAS NAMED SIR ALBERT RODRIGUES TO BE THE CHAIRMAN OF THE LICENTIATE COMMITTEE OF THE COUNCIL AND CONSULTATIONS WITH THE BRITISH MEDICAL ASSOCIATION, THE HONG KONG r- UAL ASSOCIATION AND THE UNIVERSITY OF HONG KONG ARE TAKING I ... ;;E ON THE APPOINTMENT OF THE REMAINING MEMBERS OF THE LICENTIATE COMMITTEE.
THE MAIN FUNCTIONS OF THE COMMITTEE WILL BE TO DETERMINE TH! ELIGIBILITY OF CANDIDATES AND TO DE RESPONSIBLE FOR ALL THE Ai<i<AriGEMENTS RELATED TO JHE GRANT OF THE LICENCE PROPOSED IN THE REPORT. IT WILL BE ASSISTED IN THIS BY SUB-COMMITTEES INCLUDING A CREDENTIALS SUD-COMMITTEE, AND MEMBERSHIP OF THESE BODIES WILL NOT BE CONFINED TO MEMBERS OF THE COUNCIL.
THE MEDICAL COUNCIL HAS INVITED PROFESSOR ARTHUR YAU, HEAD OF THE ORTHOPAEDIC SURGERY DEPARTMENT, UNIVERSITY OF HONG KONG, • TO BE CHAIRMAN OF THE EXAMINATIONS SUB-COMMITTEE, PROFESSOR CECIL LEWIS, DIRECTOR OF POST-GRADUATE MEDICAL EDUCATION AT THE UNIVERSITY OF HONG KONG, TO BE CHAIRMAN OF THE EXTERNSHIP SUB-COMMITTEE, AND MR. JOHN SWA INE, Q.C., TO BE CHAIRMAN OF THE REVIEW SUB-COMMITTEE. MR. I Afi YOUNG HAS BEEN APPOINTED SECRETARY OF THE LICENTIATE COMMITTEE.
STAFFING PROPOSALS HAVE DEEN SUBMITTED TO THE SECRETARIAT AND IT IS HOPED THAT APPLICATIONS WILL SOON BE INVITED FDR THE POST OF ADMINISTRATOR (LICENTIATE).
THE ADMINISTRATOR WILL CARRY OVERALL RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE GENERAL RUNNING OF THE LICENTIATE ARRANGEMENTS AND WILL BE CHAIRMAN OF THE CREDENTIALS SUD-COMMITTEE.
IN THE MEANTIME, THE WORKING PARTY'S REPORT WHICH WAS PUBLISHED AT THE END OF AUGUST IS NOW ON SALE IN BOTH ENGLISH AND CHINESE AND CAN DE BOUGHT FROM THE GOVERNMENT PUBLICATIONS CENTRE AT $10 A COPY.
THE REPORT PROPOSES THAT UNREG I SIT ABLE D CTORS WHO WISH TO BE ALLOWED TO PRACTISE IN HGIJG KONG MOULD i ELIGIBLE TO TAKE A THREE-PART EXAMINATION AiJD SE’’r PER;»D OF 10 MONTHS EXTERNSHIP DURING WHICH THEY WOULD RE. EIVE R ESHER TRAINING AND THEIR CLINICAL EXPERTISE WOULD BE ASSESSED.
THOSE WHO SUCCESSFULLY PASS THE '(AMINA ' ' N AND SATISFACTORILY COMPLETE THE EXTERNSHIP WILL DE E! IGL .E TO t .1 HE LICENTIATES OF THE MEDICAL COUNCIL OF HONG KONG A' ), AS $•.' , ' 0 PRACTISE IN HONG KONG SUBJECT TO THE SAME CONDITIONS AS .'LUSTERED MEDICAL PRACTITIONERS.
/THE REPORT
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 2k, 1975
a THE REPORT RECOMMENDED THAT NO CANDIDATES SHOULD BE EXEMPTED ER°M-THE ,EXAMI NATION. THE WORKING PARTY CONSIDERED THE POSITION OF UNREGISTRABLE DOCTORS NOW WORKING IN THE GOVERNMENT MEDICAL SERVICE, IN THE UNIVERSITY OF HONG KONG AND If) REGISTERED CLJNICS, AND CONCLUDED THAT WHILST SUCH EXPERIENCE WOULD BE RELEVANT AND USEFUL TO THOSE TAKING THE EXAMINATION IT SHOULD NOf EXEMPT THEM FROM THE NEED TO DO SO.
THE PR0P0SED EXAMINATION, THE REPORT SAID, SHOULD DE SO DESIGNED THAl IT SHOULD PRESENT NO PARTICULAR PROBLEMS FOR ADEQUATELY TRAINED A I’D EXPERIENCED CANDIDATES INCLUDING THOSE FOR WHOM TEXTBOOK STUDY MIGHT NO LONGER DE EASY. AS THE MAINTENANCE OF STANDARDS MUST BE PARAMOUNT, THE WORKING PARTY CONSIDERED THAT ANY PERSON WHO COULD NOT OR DID NOT SUCCESSFULLY TAKE THE PROPOSED EXAMINATION SHOULD NOT BE GRANTED THE LICENTIATE.
AS REGARDS EXTERNSHIP, HOWEVER, THE REPORT NOTED THAT THE MEDICAL COUNCIL WOULD HAVE DISCRETION TO EXEMPT ANY CANDIDATE WHO HAS DEEN SERVING IN THE MEDICAL AND HEALTH DEPARTMENT OR AT THE UNIVERSITY OF HONG KONG FROM ALL OR PART OF THE PRESCRIBED PER*00 OF EXTERNSHIP AFTER CONSIDERING THE POSTS THE INDIVIDUAL HAD FILLED AND HIS OVERALL PROVEN COMPETENCY.
GENERALLY THE REP0RT RECOMMENDS THAT THE MEDICAL COUNCIL HAVE AUTHORITY TO REDUCE THE PERIOD PRESCRIBED FOR EXTERNSHIP IN INDIVIDUAL CASES.
TRE REP0RT FURTHER INDICATES THAT THOSE UNREGISTRABLE DOCTORS PRESENTLY PRACTISING IN THE MEDICAL DEPARTMENT OR IN THE CLINICS SHOULD NOT BE PREVENTED FROM CONTINUING WITH THEIR am£S£aT EMPLOYMENT, EVEN IF THEY SHOULD ATTEMPT THE EXAMINATION AND FAIL.
IT IS HOPED TO HOLD THE FIRST EXAM I NATI OH IN 1976 AND THE PREPARATORY WORK, INCLUDING THE DRAFTING OF LEGISLATION, IS BEING CARRIED OUT WITH ALL POSSIBLE SPEED.
- - 0 - -
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 24, 1975
3
LEGISLATION PROPOSED FOR CONTROL OF DEPOSIT-TAKING COMPANIES X X XX XXX
PROPOSED LEGISLATION AIMED AT PROTECTING THE INTERESTS OF DEPOSITORS BY CONTROLL I NG' THE OPERATIONS OF +DEPOSIT-TAKING COMPANIES* IS TO BE INTRODUCED INTO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL SHORTLY.
THE LEGISLATION, WHICH FOLLOWS CLOSELY ALONG THE LINES ANNOUNCED BY THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY AT THE BEGINNING OF THE YEAR. WILL HAVE THE EFFECT OF CHANNELLING SMALL DEPOSITS INTO LICENSED BANKS.
UNDER THE BILL PUBLISHED TODAY, A BUSINESS INVOLVING THE TAKING OF DEPOSITS CAN ONLY BE CARRIED ON BY A COMPANY REGISTERED WITH THE COMMISSIONER OF BANKING.
LICENSED BANKS AND OTHERS WHICH ARE ALREADY SUBJECT TO SPECIFIC ORDINANCES, AND THOSE TAKING DEPOSITS IN SPECIAL CIRCUMSTANCES WHICH ARE INCIDENTAL TO THEIR MAIN ACTIVITIES, WILL BE EXEMPT FROM THE PROVISIONS OF THE BILL.
ONE OF THE MAIN CONDITIONS FOR REGISTRATION AS A DEPOSIT-TAKING COMPANY WILL BE THE REQUIREMENT THAT THE COMPANY’S ISSUED CAPITAL MUST BE AT LEAST $5 MILLION, OF WHICH AT LEAST §2.5 MILLION HAS BEEN PAID UP. BUSINESS ALREADY IN EXISTENCE WHEN THE LEGISLATION COMES INTO FORCE WILL BE ALLOWED TWO YEARS TO MEET THIS PROVISION.
THE MAXIMUM PENALTY FOR A PERSON WHO CARRIES ON THE BUSINESS OF TAKING DEPOSITS WITHOUT REGISTRATION IS A FINE OF §500,000 AND FIVE YEARS IMPRISONMENT.
THE PROVISION THAT SEEKS TO PROTECT SMALL DEPOSITORS STIPULATES THAT REGISTERED DEPOSIT-TAKING COMPANIES CANNOT ACCEPT DEPOSITS SMALLER THAN §50,000. THUS THE ONLY PLACE FOR SUCH SMALL DEPOSITS WILL NORMALLY BE A LICENSED BANK.
THERE IS ALSO AN +ANTl-AVOIDANCE+ PROVISION WHICH PREVENTS A NUMBER OF SMALL*DEFOSITS BEING POOLED TOGETHER TO FORM‘THE-MINIMUM DEPOSIT FIGURE.
LARGER DEPOSITORS WITH A DEPOSIT-TAKING COMPANY WILL BE IN A BETTER POSITION TO JUDGE THEIR OWN RISK, AND THE PROPOSED LEGISLATION WILL HELP IN THIS BY REQUIRING THE COMPANIES TO MAKE RECENT ACCOUNTS AVAILABLE FOR INSPECTION.
UNDER THE BILL, A DEP,OS IT-T'AK ING COMP'AtJY WILL BE REQUIRED TO PAY A FEE OF §10,000 ON F IRST ’REG IS (’RATION. THIS FEE WILL ALSO BE CHARGED ON AN ANNUAL BASIS.
THE PROPOSED LEGISLATION ALSO PROVIDES FOR THE SETTING UP OF A DEPOSIT-TAKING COMPANIES ADVISORY COMMITTEE TO ADVISE THE GOVERNOR ON MATTERS RELATING TO TEE BILL. THIS FUNCTION WILL BE SIMILAR TO THAT OF THE BANKING ADVISORY COMMITTEE.
/TWO OTHER PROVISIONS .....
FRIDAY OCTOBER 2k, 1975
- k -v "
TOO OTHER PROVISIONS IN THE BILL SEEK TO MAKE IT AN OFFENCE TO SOLICIT DEPOSITS BY FRAUDULENT OR RECKLESS MISREPRESENTATION, AND TO IMPOSE A LIABILITY FOR COMPENSATION FOR FINANCIAL LOSS SUFFERED IN THIS WAY OR THROUGH NEGLIGENT MISREPRESENTATION.
THE MAXIMUM PENALTY FOR A PERSON WHO INDUCES ANOTHER TO DEPOSIT MONEY, OR ENTER INTO AN AGREEMENT TO DO SO, BY FRAUDULENT OR RECKLESS MISREPRESENTATION IS A FINE OF $1,OOO,000 AND IMPRISONMENT FOR SEVEN YEARS.
ANOTHER BILL PUBLISHED TODAY, THE BANKING (AMENDMENT) (NO. 2) BILL, SEEKS TO MAKE A NUMBER OF RATHER SPECIALISED AND TECHNICAL AMENDMENTS TO THE BANKING ORDINANCE.
ONE OF THE PROVISIONS IN THE DEPOSIT-TAKING COMPANIES BILL IS ALSO REFLECTED IN THE BANKING AMENDMENT BILL t THIS PROPOSES THAT A DANK’S LENDING TO ANY ONE CUSTOMER NEED NOT BE LIMITED TO THE EQUIVALENT OF 25 PER CENT OF THE BANK’S CAPITAL AND RESERVES, PROVIDED THE EXCESS IS COVERED BY A FORM OF GUARANTEE ACCEPTABLE TO THE COMMISSIONER OF BANKING.
ANOTHER CLAUSE PROPOSES TO REMOVE THE AUTOMATIC QUALIFICATION AS A LIQUID ASSET OF TREASURY BILLS AND CERTAIN SECURITIES ISSUED OR GUARANTEED BY OVERSEAS GOVERNMENTS, OTHER THAN THE BRITISH GOVERNMENT. SUCH TREASURY BILLS AND SECURITIES WILL BE TREATED AS LIQUID ASSETS IF THEY ARE SPECIFIED BY THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY AND PUBLISHED IN THE GAZETTE.
AMONG OTHER PROVISIONS IN THE BILL IS ONE TO ENABLE A BANK TO MAINTAIN LIQUID ASSETS AT A FIGURE MORE DIRECTLY RELATED TO ITS CURRENTLY OUTSTANDING DEPOSIT LIABILITIES’ AND ANOTHER WHICH PROVIDES FOR GREATER FLEXIBILITY IN VARYING THE SPECIFIED LIQUIDITY RATIO IN EXCEPTIONAL CIRCUMSTANCES.
■ FRIDAY, OCTOBER 24, 1975
“ 5 " y
* EMPLOYERS URGED TO USE TECHNICAL TRAINING FACILITIES X X X X X X X
THE GOVERNOR, SIR MURRAY MACl.EHOSE, HAS URGED EMPLOYERS TO MAKE FULL USE OF FACILITIES FOR TRAINING YOUNG PEOPLE IN THE TECHNOLOGY THAT HONG KONG NEEDS TO MAINTAIN ITS COMPETITIVE EDGE.
SIR MURRAY MADE THE CALL ,1N AN ADDRESS READ ON HIS BEHALF BY THE DIRECTOR OF EDUCATION, MR. KENNETH TOPLEY AT THE OFFICIAL OPENING OF THE KHUN TONG TECHNICAL INSTITUTE WHICH BEGAN COURSES LAST MONTH WITH AN ENROLMENT OF OVER 1,000 FIRST-YEAR CRAFT AND TECHNICIAN STUDENTS.
THE GOVERNOR WAS UNABLE TO ATTEND THE CEREMONY AS HE IS STILL RECUPERATING FROM A BROKEN LEG.
IN HIS SPEECH, SIR MURRAY EMPHASISED THE IMPORTANCE OF PART-TIME DAY RELEASE SCHEMES WHICH PROVIDE A SYSTEM OF CONCURRENT AND ON-THE-JOB TRAINING. THIS SYSTEM HAS BEEN ADOPTED AS THE MOST ECONOMIC AND EFFECTIVE MEANS OF MEETING HONG KONG’S FUTURE MANPOWER REQUIREMENTS. ' ’
I
THE GOVERNOR EARNESTLY HOPED +THAT EMPLOYERS WILL SHARE WITH . THE GOVERNMENT THIS DUAL RESPONSIBILITY BY OFFERING TRAINING TO YOUNG MEN AND WOMEN NOT ONLY IN THE MANUFACTURING INDUSTRIES BUT ALSO IN THE IMPORTANT COMMERCE AND SERVICE INDUSTRIES.+
HE NOTED THAT FIRM LINKS HAD BEEN ESTABLISHED BETWEEN INDUSTRY AND COMMERCE AND THE VARIOUS GOVERNMENT BODIES RESPONSIBLE FOR EDUCATION AND INDUSTRIAL TRAINING. +SUCH LIAISON AND GO-OPERATION ARE VITAL FOR THE RIGHT USE OF RESOURCES INCLUDING SCARCE AND EXPERT MANPOWER AND COSTLY EQUIPMENT,* HE SAID.
THE GOVERNOR DESCRIBED THE OPENING OF KWUN TONG TECHNICAL INSTITUTE AS A SIGNIFICANT MILESTONE IN THE PROGRESS OF TECHNICAL EDUCATION IN HONG KONG, AND NOTED THAT TECHNICAL INSTITUTES WERE NOli/ FIRMLY ESTABLISHED AS AN ESSENTIAL PART OF THE GOVERNMENT’S PLANS TO EXPAND POST-SECONDARY EDUCATION WITH SITES FOR ADDITIONAL INSTITUTES ALREADY EARMARKED IN SHATIN, THEN MUN AND TSUEN WAN.
HE NOTED, HOWEVER, THAT TECHNICAL EDUCATION WAS EXPENSIVE AND, ALTHOUGH SUCH‘EXPEND ITURE WAS ESSENTIAL TO PROMOTE ECONOMIC GROWTH AND STABILITY, LARGE EXPENDITURE IN PUBLIC EXPENDITURE AT THE PRESENT TIME COULD NOT BE TAKEN LIGHTLY.
+THE PRIORITY NOW GIVEN TO TECHNICAL EDUCATION CAN ONLY BE JUSTIFIED IF THERE IS CLEAR EVIDENCE THAT THE FACILITIES ARE MEETING SOCIAL NEEDS AS WELL AS THE REQUIREMENTS OF INDUSTRY AND COMMERCE,+ HE STRESSED.
/THE GOVERNOR .....
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 24, 1?75
6
THE GOVERNOR ALSO EMPHASISED THE IMPORTANCE OF FLEXIBILITY IN TECHNICAL EDUCATION WHICH, HE SAID, SHOULD BE BROAD ENOUGH TO ENABLE STUDENTS TO DEVELOP THEIR OWN CAPABILITIES.
+ANY FORM OF EDUCATION MUST ALWAYS DO SOMETHING TO MAKE LIFE MORE ENJOYABLE AND REWARDING IN ADDITION TO BEING A PREPARATION FOR A CAREER.
♦ IF TECHNICAL EDUCATION WHETHER IN SCHOOL OR INSTITUTE IS TO BE ACCEPTED AS AN ALTERNATIVE TO THE TRADITIONAL STREAM IT MUST BE EROAD ENOUGH TO ALLOW STUDENTS FLEXIBILITY, AND TO ENABLE THEM TO DEVELOP THEIR OWN CAPABILITIES, AND DE PROUD OF THEMSELVES AND OF THEIR PLACE IN SOCIETY,+ HE SAID.
THE KWUN TONG TECHNICAL INSTITUTE HAS FIVE TEACHING DEPARl’MENTS - CLOTHING INDUSTRIES, ELECTRICAL ENGINEERING, MECHANICAL ENGINEERING, PRINTING, AND TEXTILE INDUSTRIES.
IN ADDITION TO CLASSROOMS AND LECTURE THEATRES, THE ACCOMMODATION IN THE $16-MILLION BUILDING INCLUDES EXTENSIVE AND WELL-EQUIPPED WORKSHOPS AND LABORATORIES, DRAWING OFFICES, A LIBRARY, STUDENT COMMON ROOMS AND OFFICES, CANTEEN FACILITIES AND A LARGE MULTI-PURPOSE HALL.
WHEN FULLY OPERATIONAL, THE INSTITUTE WILL OFFER A WIDE RANGE OF FULL-TIME AND PART-TIME COURSES AND CATER FOR SEVERAL THOUSAND STUDENTS.
NOTE TO EDITORS: COPIES OF THE FULL TEXT OF THE GOVERNOR’S SPEECH ARE BOXED FOR COLLECTION.
_■ 7 FRIDAY, OCTOBER 24, 1975 BASIS FOR CALCULATING PROPERTY TAX REVISED
X X X X X X
VALUES OF PREMISES FOR PROPERTY TAX PURPOSES WILL IN FUTURE DE ASSESSED SEPARATELY FROM RATEABLE VALUES IF PROPOSED LEGISLATION IS PASSED INTO LAW.
THE PROPOSAL, CONTAINED UNDER THE INLAND REVENUE (AMENDMENT) (NO. 6) DILL 1975, IMS FIRST PUT FORTH DY THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY IN HIS 1975 BUDGET SPEECH.
THE NEW CALCULATION BASIS WILL ENABLE VALUES FOR PROPERTY TAX TO DE ASSESSED IN LINE WITH CURRENT MARKET RENTAL VALUES, TAKING INTO ACCOUNT STATUTORY RENT RESTRICTIONS.
IN ADDITION, IF TAX IS CHARGED FOR THE FIRST TIME, THE ASSESSABLE VALUE WILL BE BASED ON THE RENTS RULING AT THAT DATE.
IT ALSO REFLECTS THE FACT THAT WHILE RATES ARE BASICALLY A TAX ON OCCUPIERS OF PREMISES FOR THE PAYMENT OF LOCAL SERVICES., PROPERTY TAX IS. INTENDED TO BE A TAX ON INCOME DERIVED FROM OWNERSHIP OF PROPERTY.
IN FUTURE, SINCE THE NEW CALCULATIONS WILL ALREADY HAVE TAKEN ACCOUNT OF RENT RESTRICTIONS, THE PRESENT CONCESSIONARY RATE OF ONLY ONE-HALF THE STANDARD PROPERTY TAX RATE CHARGED ON PRE-WAR PREMISES WILL BE SUPERSEDED.
TO ALLOW FOR EXPENSES ON REPAIRS AND OUTGOINGS HOWEVER, THE EXISTING ALLOWANCE OF 20 PER CENT WILL CONTINUE.
IT IS EXPECTED THAT THE PROPOSED NEW METHOD OF ASSESSMENT WILL DE EFFECTIVE AS FROM THE Y AR 1976-77.
I
ALSO PROPOSED IN THE NEW BILL FOR MINOR AMENDMENT TO THE MAIN ORDINANCE IS THE INCLUSION OF DONATIONS TO THE GOVERNMENT FOR CHARITABLE PURPOSES AS AN ^APPROVED CHARITABLE DONATION'S TO RANK AS A DEDUCTION FOR TAX PURPOSES.
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/8
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 24, 1975
TWO SUBWAYS PLANNED. ACROSS NATHAN ROAD it it i$ it it it
TOO PEDESTRIAN SUBWAYS ARE PLANNED ACROSS BUSY NATHAN ROAD FOR THE CONVENIENCE AND SAFETY OF PEDESTRIANS AND TO SPEED UP TRAFFIC FLOW.
ONE WILL BE AT SAIGON STREET AND WILL REPLACE AN EXISTING PEDESTRIAN LEVEL CROSSING WHICH IS ONE OF THE BUSIEST IN YAU MA TEI.
THE OTHER WILL BE BUILT AT BUTE STREET IN MONG KOK TO REPLACE A PEDESTRIAN CROSSING CONTROLLED BY TRAFFIC LIGHT SIGNALS.
THE ENTRANCES TO THE SUBWAY AT YAU MA TEI WILL BE AT THE SOUTHERN SIDE OF SAIGON STREET.
DURING THE CONSTRUCTION OF THE WESTERN SUBWAY ENTRANCE, THE SECTION OF SAIGON STREET BETWEEN NATHAN ROAD AND PARKES STRFET WILL BE CLOSED TO VEHICUIAR TRAFFIC TO PROVIDE THE NECESSARY SPACE FOR WORK TO BE CARRIED OUT.
THE SECTION OF SAIGON STREET ON THE EASTERN SIDE OF NATHAN ROAD, HOWEVER, WHICH IS WIDER THAN THE WESTERN SECTION, WILL BE KEPT OPEN TO VEHICULAR TRAFFIC.
PART OF THE CARRIAGEWAY ON THE SOUTHERN SIDE OF BUTE STREET IN FRONT OF MASCOT HOUSE AND KINGLAND APARTMENT WILL BE TAKEN UP FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF STEPS AND ENTRANCES TO THE SUBWAY, BUT A SUFFICIENT WIDTH OF CARRIAGEWAY WILL BE LEFT TO ENABLE VEHICLES TO PASS THROUGH IN ONE DIRECTION.
THE EXTENT OF WORK INVOLVED IN THE CONSTRUCTION OF THESE TOO SUBWAYS ARE SHOWN ON PLANS WHICH CAN BE INSPECTED AT THE KOWLOON OFFICE OF THE CROWN LANDS AND SURVEY OFFICE, THE ENQUIRY BRANCH OF THE CENTRAL CITY DISTRICT OFFICE AND AT THE YAU MA TEI OR MONGKOK CITY DISTRICT OFFICE.
ANYONE WHO HAS OBJECTION TO THE UNDERTAKING SHOULD WRITE TO THE DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC WORKS NOT LATER THAN NOVEMBER 24, 1975. THOSE WHO HAVE CLAIMS FOR COMPENSATION MUST SEND THEM IN WRITING TO THE DIRECTOR TO REACH HIM BEFORE DECEMBER 24, 1975.
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9 FRIDAY,OCTOBER 24, 1975
HONG KONG COMMISSIONER PI,AY; HOST TO GOLD AWARD HOLDERS X X X X X X
BRITISH HOLDERS OF THE DUKE OF EDINBURGH’S GOLD AWARD WERE GUESTS AT A LUNCH GIVEN BY THE COMMISSIONER, MR. S.T. KIDD, AT THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT OFFICE IN LONDON YESTERDAY (THURSDAY) ON INE EVE OF THEIR THREE-WEEK EXPEDITION TO HONG KONG.
THE FIVE BRITISH MEMBERS OF THE EXPEDITION WERE JOINED BY FIVE GOLD AWARD HOLDERS FROM OTHER PARTS OF THE COMMONWEALTH WHO ARE EN ROUTE TO HONG KONG. THE EXPEDITION WILL UNITE YOUNG PEOPLE FROM 21 COMMONWEALTH TERRITORIES WITH GOLD AWARD WINNERS FROM HONG KONG.
MR. KIDD, HOSTING A LUNCH FOR THE BRITISH CONTINGENT, SAID HE HOPED THE HOSPITALITY OF THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT’S LONDON OFFICE WOULD BE A PORTENT OF THE WARM WELCOME AWAITING THEM IN HONG KONG.
+HONG KONG IS A WONDERFUL PLACE AND FULL OF VITALITY,* MR. KIDD TOLD THEM. *YOU HAVE TO SEE IT TO REALLY APPRECIATE THIS.*
THE BRITISH GOLD AWARD HOLDERS ARE8 MISS CAROL CARTWRIGHT, HEAD OF THE BIOLOGY DEPARTMENT AT A NOTTINGHAM COMPREHENSIVE SCHOOL-MISS MAUREEN STEWART, A SERGEANT IN THE WOMEN’S ROYAL AIR FORCE-Mil. RAY ADAMS, A JIG AND TOOL DESIGNER- MR. BRIAN GOODHAND, A TRAINEE DISPENSING OPTICIAN- AND MR. ANTHONY CLAVELL, AH ACCOUNTANCY ARTICLED CLERK.
OTHER GOLD AWARD HOLDERS PRESENT WERE MR. VICTOR CHANDLER, FROM THE BAHAMAS, MR. DERRON SMITH, FROM JAMAICA, MR. JOHN HURST, FROM LESOTHO, MISS PAULA GODDARD, FROM ST. LUCIA, AND MR. SERGE URANIE, FROM MAURITIUS.
REPRESENTING THE DUKE OF EDINBURGH’S AWARD SCHEME WERE SIR ALEX ABEL SMITH, VICE CHAIRMAN OF THE TRUSTEES, MR. GUY BASSETT SMITH, TRUSTEE, MRS. PHYLLIS GORDON-SPENCER, SENIOR DEPUTY DIRECTOR, AND COMMANDER DAVID COBB RN, DEPUTY DIRECTOR (UK). /
SIR ALEX ABEL SMITH SAID HE WAS SURE THAT THE DUKE OF EDINBURGH WOULD WISH TO DE ASSOCIATED WITH HIS THANKS TO MR. KIDD FOR GIVING THE PARTY SUCH A SPLENDID SEND OFF.
I
EARLIER, MR. GUY SMITH SAIDs +HONG KONG IS THE MOST THRILLING PLACE IN THE WORLD..*
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FRIDAY, OCTOBER 24, 1975
MISUNDERSTANDINGS ON PENSION INCREASES CLARIFIED X xxxxx
THE SECRETARY FOR THE CIVIL SERVICE, MR. ALAN SCOTT, SAID ■ JDAY THERE WAS NO QUESTION THAT THE GOVERNMENT HAD BEEN ..LEGALLY PAYING PENSION INCREASES.
HE WAS COMMENTING ON A NEWSPAPER REPORT THIS HORNING WHICH SAID THAT THE GOVERNMENT HAD BEEN MAKING ILLEGAL PAYMENTS OF PENSION INCREASES OVER THE PAST 29 YEARS.
MR. SCOTT SAID THE REPORT APPEARED TO STEM FROM A MISUNDERSTANDING OF THE PENSIONS (INCREASE) BILL WHICH WAS PUBLISHED IN THE GAZETTE TODAY AND WILL SOON BE INTRODUCED INTO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL. ' '
HE EXPLAINED THAT AT PRESENT PENSIONS INCREASES ARE SUBJECT TO THE APPROVAL OF THE FINANCE COMMITTEE OF LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL. AND, HE ADDED, EACH YEAR THE DRAFT ESTIMATES OF REVENUE AND EXPENDITURE, WHICH INCLUDE PROVISION FOR PENSIONS, ARE DEBATED AND SUBJECT TO THE APPROVAL OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL. <
+SO THERE IS NO QUESTION THAT THE PAYMENTS HAVE BEEN ILLEGAL.*
THE BILL PUBLISHED TODAY MERELY SEEKS TO INCORPORATE THE
EXISTING INCREASES IN AN ORDINANCE. FUTURE INCREASES IN PENSIONS WILL BE INCORPORATED IN THE SCHEDULE TO THE ORD I NACE BY MEANS OF A RESOLUTION IN LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL.
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FRIDAY, OCTOBER 24, 1975
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REFRESHER COURSE FOR SOCIAL SERVICE VOLUNTEERS ft ft ft ft ft ft
A THREE-MONTH REFRESHER COURSE FOR SOCIAL SERVICE VOLUNTEERS LEG I NS THIS SATURDAY (OCTOBER 25) AT THE TAI HANG TUNG COMMUNITY CENTRE IN KOWLOON. i
ORGANISED BY THE MOBILE SERVICE TEAM, A SELF-PROGRAMMING GROUP OF THE CENTRE, THE COURSE WILL BE HELD EVERY SATURDAY BETWEEN 4 P.M. AND 6 P.M.
\ I
IT WILL BE IN THREE PARTS. THE FIRST PART WILL DEAL WITH THEORY, INCLUDING THE CONCEPT OF VOLUNTARY WORK- PRE-REQUISITES OF A VOLUNTEER- COMMUNICATIONS AND CO-OPERATION- GROUP PROCESS AND SMALL GROUP MEETING- QUALITIES OF LEADERSHIP- PSYCHOLOGY OF HANDICAPPED CHILDREN, THE AGED AND DISABLED AND PROGRAMME PLANNING.
PART TWO OF THE COURSE WILL CONCENTRATE ON SKILLS, INCLUDING SCREEN PRINTING- CAMPING, GAMES AND SINGING- HANDICRAFTS- FOLK DANCING- EXPEDITIONS AND CYCLING- ROWING AND CANOEING.
THE FINAL PART WILL TOUCH ON PRACTICE, INCLUDING GUIDANCE PROJECTS, SERVICE FOR THE AGED AND SERVICE FOR THE DISABLED.
THE COURSE IS OPEN TO YOUNG PEOPLE BETWEEN THE AGES OF 16 AND 20 WHO ARE OF AT LEAST FORM THREE LEVEL AND WHO HAVE ATTENDED PREVIOUS VOLUNTEER TRAINING COURSES OR ARE EXPERIENCED IN VOLUNTARY SOCIAL SERVICE.
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4000035 P.R. 33
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT
NFORMATION
SERVICES
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
SUPPLEMENT
Friday, October 24, 1975
Speech by the Governor at the opeing ceremony of Kwun Tong Technical Institute
The recent history of technical education in Hong Kong shows
several notable landmarks; the setting up of the Morrison Hill Technical Institute in 1969 and the establishment of the Polytechnic in 1972 were too such. However we must go back to 1965 for an event which was to have a far-reaching effect on the development of technical education. I refer to the formation of the Industrial Training Advisory Committee which pioneered much of the work that is now the responsibility of the Hong Kong Training Council.
The Industrial Training Advisory Committee commenced its programme of manpower surveys as early as 1966. These surveys revealed a serious lack of technical education facilities for craftsmen and technicians. This led to the recommendation that Government should establish four more technical institutes. Two new technical institutes, this one and the other at Kwai Chung, have been built in parallel and both commenced classes last month. Foundation work for the third institute at Cheung Sha Wan is in progress and planning for the fourth institute at San -Po Kong is in hand. The opening of this institute, the first of the four new institutes, is another significant milestone in the progress of technical education in Hong Kong.
It is appropriate that this institute should be located in Kwun Tong, which for some years has been a centre of considerable industrial activity, and I am confident that both students and industrialists will take full advantage of the courses offered.
/Technical .....
2
Technical institutes are now firmly established as an essential part of Gover^iment1 s plan to expand post-secondary education and sites for additional institutes have been ear marked in Shatin, Tuen Mun and Tsuen Wan*
The Principal has described the courses offered by the institute and the various patterns of student attendance which are available. I particularly wish to stress the importance of part-time day release schemes. This system of concurrent education and on-the-job training has been adopted as the most economic and effective means of meeting our future manpower requirements. It is my earnest hope that employers will share with Government tiiis dual responsibility by offering training to young men and women not only in the manufacturing industries hut also in the important commerce and service industries.
Technical education is expensive and the building programme for the institutes and the Polytechnic implies a very substantial commitment both in capital and in recurrent expenditure.
The ratio of cost to benefit for technical education is not easily measured but few would dispute that such expenditure is essential in order to promote economic growth and stability. Nevertheless, at the present time, large increases in public expenditure cannot be undertaken lightly. This technical institute cost around $25 million to build and equip. At full development the annual recurrent costs will be of the order of $7 million. The priority now given to technical education can only be justified if there is clear evidence that the facilities are meeting social needs as well as the requirements of industry and commerce.
Firm links have been established between industry and commerce and the various government bodies responsible for education and industrial training. Such liaison and cooperation are vital for the right use of
/resources •••••
resources including scarce and expert manpower and costly equipment. The work of the Hong Kong Training Council will .prove most valuable in helping to identify needs and establish priorities.
Recent years have seen significant improvements in the quality and range of our products and I feel confident that the Hong Kong Training Council will also give a lead to the community by strongly encouraging employers to make full use of the fine facilities for training young people in the new technology that Hong Kong needs to maintain our competitive edge. Technological advance will create the best opportunities for those countries who have the capacity and determination to take full advantage of them. Our manufacturers have a well deserved reputation for resourcefulness and flexibility but need new techniques demanding a high degree of expertise in design, management and production. Our commerce also needs reinforcing by well trained young people able to exploit the modern techniques of management. The technical institutes are being established so that commerce and industry is assured of an adequate supply of skilled and adaptable craftsmen, technicians, office staff and supervisors.
I have referred to the needs of industry and commerce but we must also remember that the student is more than a small cog in the industrial machinery. He is an individual. Any form of education must always do something to make life more enjoyable and rewarding in addition to being a preparation for a career. If technical education whether in school or institute is to be accepted as an alternative to the traditional stream it must be broad enough to allow students flexibility, and to enable them to develop their own capabilities, and be proud of themselves and of their place in society.
I congratulate all those concerned with the planning, construction and equipping of this fine building. The Education Department, the Public Works Department, the Contractors and many others have had to work closely together in order to meet a tight schedule.
/This is .....
4
This is only the beginning. The principal and staff are now given the task of creating a technical institute which will be a living part of both industry and community in Kwun Tong. I wish you every success in this great work.
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DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN .
• X SATURDAY, OCTOBER 25, lq75
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
( I
FACTORY PROPRIETORS and workers urged to take care in use OF ABRASIVE WHEELS............................................. 1
HONG KONG TO ATTEND 21 ST COMMONWEALTH PARLIAMENTARY CONFERENCE IN NEW DEHLI ........................................ ?
SEMINAR ON SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITIES OF FILMS AND TV ............. 4
OPEN CONCERT AT TSIM SHA TSUI PEDESTRIAN PRECINT................ 4
new fire prevention poster on overloading of electrical
CIRCUITS ....................................................... 5
OPENING OF NEW TSZ WAN SHAN ESTATE WELFARE BUILDING ............ 6
TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS IN YUEN LONG.............................. 6
' I'
Issued by Government Information Services, Beaconsfield House, Hong Kong. Tel: 5'233191
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 25, 1975
1
CARE IN USE OF ABRASIVE WHEELS Ji Ji Ji Ji Ji
THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT TODAY CALLED FOR CONCERTED EFFORT RY ^nI?r!rnPR0PRIET0RS AfJD l/0RKERS To PREVENT ACCIDENTS CAUSED DY IMPROPER MOUNlING AND UNSAFE OPERATION OF ABRASIVE WHEELS.
cA.n ^'SIAtlT. COMMISSIONER FOR LABOUR, HRS. SOO MOK SAU HA, "ad l!ILLEB fl uora,a! A,,D
+DURSTING OR S BEEII ONE OF THE
HAS
LOT AIR
HATTER ING OF ABRASIVE WHEELS DUE TO OVERSPEED I NG MAJOR CAUSES OF THE ACC I DENTS/.-SHE SAID.
+MOS| OF THEM INVOLVED PNEUMATIC GRINDING MACH INES WHICH WERE FITTED WITH OVERSPEED CONTROL DEVICES AND WERE CONNECTED TO PRESSURE HIGHER THAI) THEY WERE DESIGNED FOR,-:- SEE SAID.
ACCIDENTS OFTEN HAPPENED WHEN CLOTHING BECAME ENTANGLED IN A HIGH SPEED MOVING WHEEL OR SPINDLE, SO IT WAS IMPERATIVE THAT lHERE WAS CONTROL ON THE USE AND MOUNTING OF THESE MACHINES.
TO THIS END, MRS. SOO SAID THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL HAD APPROVED IH APRIL THE FACTORIES AND INDUSTRIAL UNDERTAKINGS (ABRASIVE WHEELS) REGULATIONS GOVERNING THE PROPER ARD SAFE MANNER OF USING AND MOUNTING THE MACHINES.
THE REGULATIONS, EFFECTIVE FROM NEXT JANUARY, SET OUT THE VARIOUS COMPULSORY SAFETY MEASURES SUCH AS THE PROVISION OF GUARDS AND PROTECTION FLANGES ONTO THE MACHINES.
BESIDES IMPOSING OBLIGATIONS ON PROPRIETORS, TLE REGULATIONS ALSO CLEARLY STIPULATE THE RESPONSIBILITIES OF EMPLOYEES OPERATING ABRASIVE WHEELS.
HOWEVER, MPS. SOO STRESSED THAT LEGISLATIVE EFFORT ALONE COULD HOT SOLVE THE PROBLEM. -{-EMPLOYERS AND WORKERS SHOULD ALSO PLAY THEIR PART IH ATTAINING THE GOAL OF WORK SAFETY. MANY ACCIDENTS COULD HAVE DEEN AVOIDED HAD MANAGEMENTS RESORTED TO MORE AND BETTER PRECAUTIONARY MEASURES.+
AS FOR THE WORKERS, SHE WENT ON5 + 1F THEY COULD JUST EXERCISE GREATER PERSONAL CARE IN MOUNTING AND OPERATING THE MACHINE, MUCH MORE WOULD HAVE BEEN ACHIEVED.+
AM ABRASIVE WHEEL CONSISTS OF ABRASIVE PARTICLES HELD TOGETHER BY MINERAL, METALLIC OR ORGANIC BONDS, AND MOUNTED Oil A POWER-DR I VEH SPINDLE.
BECAUSE OF THEIR CONSTRUCTION, THESE WHEELS ARE BRIllLE AND CAN DURST OR SHATTER IF USED WITH INSUFFICIENT CARE OR AT A SPEED HIGHER THAN THAT SPECIFIED BY THE MANUFACTURER.
/+DECAUSE of .....
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 25, 1975
2
+BECAUSE OF THE HIGH SPEED AT WHICH ABRASIVE WHEELS ROTATE, FRAGMENTS FROM A SHATTERED ONE TEND TO FLY OUT WITH THE FORCE OF A PROJECTILE, AUD CAN CAUSE SERIOUS INJURY OR EVEN DEATH,+ MRS. SOO CONTINUED.
ALTHOUGH THESE MACHINES WERE USEFUL AND EXTENSIVELY USED IN INDUSTRIES FOR VARIOUS PURPOSES, THEY COULD BE DREADFULLY DANGEROUS WHEN NOT PROPERLY MOUNTED AUD OPERATED.
MRS. SOO LISTED THE FOLLOWING SAFETY MEASURES FOR THE GUIDANCE OF DOTH PROPRIETORS AND WORKERS5
H WHEEL MOUNTING SHOULD DE CARRIED OUT ONLY BY QUALIFIED COMPETENT PERSONS-
« A WHEEL SHOULD BE MOUNTED ONLY ON THE MACHINE FOR WHICH IT WAS INTENDED"
M BEFORE MOUNTING, ALL WHEELS SHOULD BE CLOSELY INSPECTED TO ENSURE THAT THEY HAVE NOT BEEN DAMAGED IN STORAGE OR TRANSIT-
« THE SPEED MARKED ON THE MACHINES SHOULD NOT EXCEED THE SPEED MARKED ON*WHEEL, WASHER OR TAG-
« PNEUMATIC GRINDING MACHINE SHOULD DE FITTED WITH OVERSPEED CONTROL DEVICE- AND
# PRESSURE REGULATOR SHOULD BE SET TO THE CORRECT PRESSURE IN THE AIR SUPPLY LINK TO THE MACHINE.
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 25, 1975 - 5 -
H.K. TO ATTEND COMMONWEALTH PARLIAMENTARY CONFERENCE ft ft ft ft ft ft
MR. HILTON CHEONG-LEEN, A LEGISLATIVE COUNCILLOR, WILL BE LEAVING HONG KONG TOMORROW (SUNDAY) TO ATTEND THE 21ST COMMONWEALTH PARLIAMENTARY CONFERENCE TO BE HELD IN NEW DELHI, INDIA, FROM OCTOBER 27 TO NOVEMBER 4.
HE WILL BE ACCOMPANIED BY MR. K.H. WHEELER, CLERK TO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL, WHO WILL BE ONE OF THE TWO SECRETARIES TO THE AUXILIARY BRANCH DELEGATIONS AND WILL ALSO SERVE ON THE. CONFERENCE SECRETARIAT.
OVER 200 MEMBERS OF THE COMMONWEALTH PARLIAMENTARY ASSOCIATION, OF WHICH HONG KONG IS AN AUXILIARY MEMBER, WILL BE ATTENDING THE CONFERENCE ON THE INVITATION OF THE 20 INDIAN BRANCHES OF THE ASSOCIATION.
THE ASSOCIATION WAS FOUNDED IN 1911, WITH THE AIMS TO FOSTER BETTER UNDERSTANDING AMONG COMMONWEALTH PARLIAMENTARIANS AND TO PROMOTE PARLIAMENTARY INSTITUTIONS.
SINCE THE SECOND WORLD WAR, IT HAS HELD REGULAR PLENARY CONFERENCES, BIENNIALLY AT FIRST AND ANNUALLY SINCE 1961. EVERY YEAR THE CONFERENCE MOVES TO A DIFFERENT VENUE. THE LAST TIME SUCH A CONFERENCE WAS HELD IN INDIA WAS IN 1957.
THE PRESIDENT OF THE REPUBLIC OF INDIA, MR. FAKHRUDDIN AL I AHMED, WILL FORMALLY DECLARE THE CONFERENCE OPEN IN THE CENTRAL HALL OF PARLIAMENT IN NEW DELHI ON OCTOBER 28. BUSINESS SESSIONS OF THE CONFERENCE ARE TO BE HELD IN THE NEW PARLIAMENT HOUSE ANNEX. THE CHAIRMAN OF THE CONFERENCE WILL BE DR. THE HON. G.S. DHILLON, SPEAKER OF THE LOK SABHA AND PRESIDENT OF THE COMMONWEALTH PARLIAMENTARY ASSOCIATION.
i
SOME OF THE SUBJECTS TO BE DISCUSSED IN PLENARY SESSIONS AND COMMITTEE’S MEETINGS INCLUDE: THE COMMONWEALTH AND WORLD SECURITY-THE WORLD ENERGY CRISES- BUILDING A NEW INTERNATIONAL ECONOMIC ORDER= SOCIAL PROBLEMS- AND CHALLENGES TO PARLIAMENT.
AFTER THE BUSINESS SESSIONS, DELEGATES WILL BE TAKEN IN GROUPS ON TOURS OF DIFFERENT PARTS OF INDIA FOR SEVERAL DAYS. THEY WILL BE ABLE TO SEE SOME OF THE CULTURAL HERITAGE AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT OF THE INDIAN PEOPLE AND OF JHE SCENIC BEAUTY OF THE COUNTRY.
CONFERENCES OF THE ASSOCIATION ARE ARRANGED IN PURSUANCE OF THE ASSOCIATION’S AIMS TO PROVIDE MEMBERS WITH OPPORTUNITIES TO MEET FELLOW PARLIAMENTARIANS FROM OTHER PARTS OF THE COMMONWEALTH AND TO EXCHANGE VIEWS ON MATTERS OF COMMON INTEREST. THE COMMONWEALTH PARLIAMENTARY ASSOCIATION IS THE ONLY ORGANISATION THAT PROVIDES FOR SUCH REGULAR MEETINGS, CONSULTATION AND EXCHANGE OF INFORMATION AMONG COMMONWEALTH PARLIAMENTARIANS.
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SATURDAY, OCTOBER 25, 1975
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SEMINAR ON SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITIES OF FILMS AND TV it it if if it it
A YOUTH FORUM ON THE SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITIES OF FILMS AND TELEVISION WILL DE HELD ON NOVEMBER 1 (SATURDAY), AT 2.30 P.M. AT THE LADY TRENCH TRAINING CENTRE IN 01 KUAN ROAD, WAN CHAI.
THE FORUM IS ORGANISED BY THE WANCHAI YOUTH SOCIAL SERVICE TEAM, A SELF-PROGRAMMING GROUP OF THE WAN CHAI COMMUNITY AND YOUTH OFFICE WHICH IS SPONSORING THE PROJECT.
MISS CHEUNG MAN-YEE, HEAD OF DRAMA GROUP OF RHK-TV- MR. WONG WAH-KEE, PRINCIPAL MEDIA PROGRAMME OFFICER, COMMUNITY RELATIONS DEPARTMENT, ICAC AND MR. LUNG KONG, A FILM DIRECTOR, HAVE BEEN INVITED TO SPEAK AT THE FORUM.
MR. LAM HARK-CHEE, THE CYO (WAN CHAI) SAYS THE AIM OF THE FORUM IS TO PROVIDE A VENUE FOR YOUTHS TO AIR THEIR VIEWS ON ISSUES OF CONCERN AND TO CHANNEL THEM TO THE GOVERNMENT BY MEANS OF A WRITTEN REPORT.
HE SAID IT IS HOPED THAT THE YOUNG PEOPLE WILL UNDERSTAND THE ISSUE MORE THOROUGHLY AND OBJECTIVELY THROUGH MEANINGFUL AND ANALYTICAL DISCUSSIONS THAT WILL BE HELD AS PART OF THE FORUM.'
APPLICATIONS TO ATTEND ARE NOW BEING ACCEPTED AND INTERESTED YOUNG WORKERS AND STUDENTS LIVING IN WAN CHAI DISTRICT SHOULD CALL AT THE COMMUNITY AND YOUTH OFFICE (WAN CHAI) AT ROOM 203, LADY TRENCH TRAINING CENTRE, 44 01 KUAN ROAD, WAN CHAI, IN PERSON, OR BY TELEPHONING 5-754321 TO REGISTER.
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OPEN CONCERT AT TSIM SHA TSUI it if if if if
THE ROYAL HONG KONG POLICE BAND WILL HOLD A FREE OPEN CONCERT AT THE TSIMSHATSUI PEDESTRIAN PRECINT AT HANOI ROAD TOMORROW (SUNDAY) AFTERNOON.'
THE CONCERT IS JOINTLY ORGANISED BY THE YAUMATI CITY DISTRICT OFFICE AND THE ROYAL HONG KONG POLICE FORCE TO ENTERTAIN MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC AND ALSO TOURISTS AROUND THE NEARBY SHOPPING ARCADES.
THE PROGRAMME RANGES FROM LIGHT MUSIC TO POPULAR AND WELL ESTABLISHED AMATEUR GROUP MADE UP OF LOCAL POLICE OFFICERS.
THE CONCERT WILL START AT 1.30 P.M. AND END AT 3.00 P.M.
YOU ARE CORDIALLY INVITED TO SEND A REPORTER/PHOTOGRAPHER TO COVER THE EVENT.
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SATURDAY, OCTOBER 25, 1975
5
NEW FIRE PREVENTION CAMPAIGN POSTER h « # n
THE FIRE SERVICES DEPARTMENT HAS PRODUCED A NEW POSTER FOR ITS FIRE PREVENTION CAMPAIGN WHICH EMPHASISES THE DANGER OF FIRE THROUGH OVER-LOADING ELECTRICAL CIRCUITS.
THE POSTER HAS BEEN DISTRIBUTED THROUGHOUT HONG KONG. IT SHOWS AN EXPLOSION CAUSED BY TOO MANY PLUGS BEING FITTED WITH ADAPTORS INTO ONE SOCKET. THE SLOGAN READS: +OVERLOADING STARTS FIRE.+
+NEXT TO CARELESS SMOKING, ELECTRICAL FAULTS CAUSE THE LARGEST NUMBER OF FIRES IN HONG KONG,+ A SPOKESMAN FOR THE FIRE SERVICES SAID. HE ALSO POINTED OUT THAT MANY VERY COSTLY INDUSTRIAL FIRES STEMMED FROM FAULTY ELECTRICAL CIRCUITS. ♦
THE SPOKESMAN SAID OVERLOADING OF ELECTRICAL CIRCUITS AND LACK OF MAINTENANCE WERE PRIME CAUSES OF ELECTRICAL FAULT FIRES. +IN FACTORIES, FOR EXAMPLE, ELECTRICAL SYSTEMS ARE OFTEN TOTALLY NEGLECTED, RESULTING IN BREAKDOWN - AND, ULTIMATELY, FIRE.+ TO AVOID SUCH FIRE RISKS, THE SPOKESMAN ADVISED THAT ELECTRICAL SYSTEMS IN HOMES AND FACTORIES SHOULD DE CHECKED PERIODICALLY AND ANY FAULT SHOULD BE RECTIFIED STRAIGHT AWAY, USING GOOD QUALITY MATERIALS.
HE POINTED OUT THAT THE LEVEL OF HUMIDITY HAD DROPPED SUBSTANTIALLY AND WOULD DROP EVEN FURTHER IN THE COMING MONTHS, RESULTING IN MUCH DRIER CONDITIONS AND A GREATER FIRE RISK. HE WARNED: +UNI.ESS PRECAUTIONS ARE TAKEN, THERE COULD EASILY BE A FURTHER 200 FACTORY FIRES BETWEEN HOW AND THE END OF JANUARY.+
THE CAMPAIGN WILL LAST ONE MONTH. BESIDES THE POSTER, THERE ARE TWO LEAFLETS DEALING WITH INDUSTRIAL AND COUNTRYSIDE FIRES. THE HIGHLIGHT OF THE CAMPAIGN WILL BE A FIRE PREVENTION EXHIBITION TO HE HELD AT THE OCEAN TERMINAL BETWEEN NOVEMBER 13 AND 17.
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 25, 1975
OPENING OF NEW ESTATE WELFARE BUILDING if if if if if if
THE NEW TSZ WAN SHAN (SOUTH) ESTATE WELFARE BUILDtNG WILL BE OFFICIALLY OPENED TODAY AT 2.30 P.M.
OFFICIATING WILL BE MR. LAU WING-SANG, CHAIRMAN OF THE TSZ WAN SHAN SOUTH AREA COMMITTEE- MRS. HENRIETTA CHEN, WONG TAI SIN COMMUNITY AND YOUTH OFFICER= MR. MICHAEL SIU, ASSISTANT C.D.O. (WONG TAI SIH)- MR. TSANG KOON-SING, DIVISIONAL INSPECTOR OF THE TSZ WAN SHAN POLICE STATION AH) MR. LAU HANG, ASSISTANT HOUSING MANAGER, TSZ WAN SHAH ESTATE.
THE ESTATE’S MUTUAL AID COMMITTEE WILL PERFORM A LION DANCE DURING THE CEREMONY.
ABOUT 400 GUESTS HAVE BEEN INVITED TO ATTEND AND WILL INCLUDE REPRESENTATIVES FROM DIFFERENT DEPARTMENTS, COMMUNITY ORGANISATIONS, CIVIC LEADERS AND PEOPLE LIVING IN THE ESTATE.
THE NEW ESTATE WELFARE BUILDING HOUSES FIVE WELFARE AGENCIES. THEY ARE THE NEW KOWLOON WOMEN ASSOCIATION DAY NURSERY, THE BOYS’ AND GIRLS’ ASSOCIATION’S CHILDREN CENTRE AND LIBRARY- THE CHINESE Y.M.C.A. YOUTH CENTRE- THE TSZ WAN SHAN CLINIC OF THE FAMILY PLANNING ASSOCIATION AND THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT’S ESTATE COMMUNITY WORK OFFICE FOR TSZ WAN SHAH SOUTH.
NOTE TO EDITORS: YOU ARE INVITED TO HAVE THE OPENING COVERED.
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TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS IN YUEN LONG if if if if if
WITH EFFECT FROM 10.00 A.M. ON MONDAY (OCTOBER 27), THE FOLLOWING ROADS IN YUEN LONG WILL BE RE-ROUTED.
TAI HANG STREET, WILL BE RE-ROUTED FROM TWO-WAY TO ONE-WAY
EASTBOUND AND-
TAI FUNG STREET WILL BE RE-ROUTED FROM ONE-WAY EASTBOUND TO ONE-WAY WESTBOUND.
APPROPRIATE TRAFFIC SIGNS WILL BE ERECTED TO GUIDE MOTORISTS.
FRH 7
■ I -<• •■.—■*»***■ — •****»• । »—*■»■»■■■■—»»■»*. —- *..» .«<».■■'».. - — .«
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
SUNDAY, OCTOBER 26, 1975
WARNING AGAINST OVERLOADING OF LORRIES
* * « M *
TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT TODAY WARNED THAT OVERLOADING IN HEAVY GOODS VEHICLES WAS J?N EXTREMELY DANGEROUS PRACTICE AND ASKED THE OWNERS TO ENSURE THAT THEIR VEHICLE DESIGN WAS COMPATIABLE WITH THE LOAD THEY INTENDED TO CARRY.
SENIOR MOTOR VEHICLE INSPECTOR, MR. KEN ANDREWS, SAID OPERATING A VEHICLE IN EXCESS OF ITS AXLE AND GROSS WEIGHTS WOULD RESULT IN A SIGNIFICANT REDUCTION IN VEHICLE LIFE,INCREASED REPAIR BILLS, AND A DANGER TO THE DRIVER AND OTHER ROAD USERS.
OVERLOADING IN HEAVY GOODS VEHICLES, HE SAID, IS AN OFFENCE WHICH, UPON FIRST CONVICTION, CARRIES A PENALTY OF $500 AND THREE MONTHS’ IMPRISONMENT AND HEAVIER PENALTY UPON A SECOND OR SUBSEQUENT CONVICTION.
\ ' v ’
■►GENERALLY SPEAKING, HEAVY PLANT INCLUDING BULLDOZERS, EXCAVATORS AND FRONT-END LOADERS SHOULD BE TRANSPORTED ON LOW-LOADING SEMI-TRAILERS AS A HEAVY, HIGH LOAD GREATLY INCREASES THE CHANCE OF OVERTURNING.
+IF YOU CARRY STEEL REINFORCING BARS, YOU MUST ENSURE THE PRESENCE OF A TRESTLE TYPE HEADBOARD, CAPABLE OF WITHSTANDING THE COMBINED EFFECT OF DOWNWARD AND FORWARD FORCES EACH EQUAL TO HALF THE PERMISSIBLE PAYLOAD OF YOUR LORRY,+ HE SAID.
WHEREVER NECESSARY, MR. ANDREWS SAID, LOADS SHOULD BE HELD SECURELY BY ADEQUATE ANCHOR POINTS AND RESTRAINTS, SECURELY MOUNTED ON THE CHAS IS AND NOT ON THE BODY OF THE VEHICLE.
- AS AN AID FOR GOODS VEHICLE OWNERS TO PREPARE THEIR VEHICLE FOR MECHANICAL INSPECTION AT TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT’S VEHICLE INSPECTION CENTRES, HE LISTED 18 ITEMS WHICH THE MOTOR VEHICLE INSPECTOR WOULD EXAMINE.
THESE ITEMS ARE SET OUT INA LEAFLET WtflCH, TOGETHER WITH ANOTHER LEAFLET REMINDING HEAVY GOODS VEHICLE OWNERS THE DANGER OF OVERLOADING, IS BEING HANDED OUT TO OWNERS AT THE DEPARTMENT’S LICENSING OFFICES.
MR. ANDREW SAID VEHICLES PRESENTED FOR MECHANICAL INSPECTION MUST BE CLEAN ENOUGH FOR THE MOTOR VEHICLE INSPECTOR TO EXAMINE PROPERLY THE NECESSARY ITEMS.
Issued by Government Information Services, Beaconsfield House, Ifife/fe?33101
SUNDAY, OCTOBER 26, 1975
- 2 -
THE 18 ITEMS AREt-
(1) REGISTRATION PARTICULARS - THEY ARE GIVEN IN THE REGISTRATION BOOK AND MUST ACCORD WITH THE VEHICLE.
(2) UNLADEN WEIGHT - THIS WILL BE CHECKED.
(3) BODY - IT MUST BE SECURELY MOUNTED AND LOCKED TO VEHICLE FRAME, AND SHOULD BE IN GOOD CONDITION IN RESPECT OF EXTERIOR PANELLING AND PAINTWORK, WITH SOUND AND SERVICEABLE INTERIOR FRAMING. ALL GLASS MUST BE SAFETY GLASS.
(4) DOOR LOCKS - THESE AND THE HINGES SHOULD BE IN GOOD CONDITION.
(5) BATTERY - IT SHOULD GE SECURELY MOUNTED AND NOT OBSTRUCT CAB SEATING.
(6) LIGHTS - HEADLAMPS SHOULD BE CORRECTLY ADJUSTED WITH OPERATIONAL DIPPING DEVICE. SIDE LAMPS, REAR-STOP LAMPS AND INDICATION LAMPS SHOULD BE OPERATING CORRECTLY AND LEGALLY POSITIONED.
(7) WIND SCREEN - WIPERS AND WARNING DEVICE SHOULD BE OPERATING CORRECTLY.
(8) TYRES - THEY SHOULD BE FREE OF CUTS, ABRASIONS AND
• DEFORMITIES WITH 2 MM OF TREAD AVAILABLE. WHEELS AND WHEEL STUDS SHOULD BE TIGHT AND FREE OF FATIGUE CRACKS.
(9) NUMBER PLATES - THEY SHOULD BE LEGIBLE AND PROPERLY MOUNTED.
(10) CHASSIS - VISUAL CHECK WILL BE MADE FOR DISTORTION, CRACKS . AND SECURE CROSS-NUMBERS.
(11) EXHAUST SYSTEM - IT SHOULD BE SOUND, SECURELY AND PROPERLY MOUNTED WITH AN EFFICIENT SILENCER.
(12) BRAKE - LININGS WILL BE CHECKED, EITHER BY REMOVING A DRUM OR BY INSPECTING APERTURES IN BACK PLATES WHERE APPLICABLE. ALL BRAKE LINES, RIGID AND FLEXIBLE, WILL BE EXAMINED FOR CORRECT ROUTING AND MOUNTING. THERE SHOULD BE NO LEAKS FROM THE BRAKE SYSTEM AND ALL COMPONENTS MAKING UP A PARTICULAR SYSTEM SHOULD BE IN GOOD CONDITION, INCLUDING POWER BRAKE COMPONENTS, WHERE FITTED.
(13) STEERING BOX - IT MUST BE SECURELY MOUNTED TO FRAME.AND CORRECTLY ADJUSTED. ALL STEERING ARMS AND DROP ARM SHOULD BE FREE OF DISTORTION AND CRACKS, AND MUST BE SECURELY MOUNTED AND LOCKED. FRONT WHEEL TRACK SHOULD BE CORRECTLY ADJUSTED. STUB AXLES SHOULD NOT HAVE EXCESSIVE END FLOAT, AND KING PINS AND LUSHES SHOULD, BE SERVICEABLE.
(14) ROAD SPRINGS - THEY SHOULD BE IN SERVICEABLE CONDITION WITH SPRING CLIPS PROPERLY CLAMPED. SPRING LEAVES AND CENTRE BOLTS MUST NOT BE BROKEN. ALL U BOLTS MUST BE TIGHT AND LOCKED. SHACKLE PINS AND BUSHES SHOULD BE IN SERVICEABLE CONDITION, PROPERLY ADJUSTED AND LOCKED, AND SHOCK ABSORBERS, WHERE FITTED, SHOULD BE SECURELY MOUNTED AND EFFECTIVE.
(15) ENGINE - ENGINE-TRANSMISSION MOUNTINGS SHOULD BE SOUND AND SECURELY MOUNTED. ENGINE, TRANSMISSION AND FINAL DRIVE UNITS SHOULD BE FREE OF EXCESSIVE OIL LEAKS.
(16) PROPELLER - SHAFT BEARING AND CENTRE BEARING, WHERE APPLICABLE, SHOULD BE SERVICEABLE. PROPELLER SHAFT BOLTS, TOGETHER WITH OUTPUT FLANGES, MUST BE TIGHT AND LOCKED.
(17) FUEL - THE SYSTEM SHOULD BE FREE FROM LEAKS WITH FUEL LINES PROPERLY ROUTED AND SECURED.
(18) SMOKE - VISUAL ASSESSMENT WILL BE MADE OF SMOKE. EMISS ION AND IN CASES OF DOUBT REGARDING THIS AND BRAKE EFFICIENCY, THE VEHICLE WILL BE ROAD TESTED.
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/3
? SUNDAY, OCTOBER 26, '975
MANPOWER SURVEY REPORT ON CAR REPAIRS AND SERVICING INDUSTRY ft it H ft ft ft ft
THE SECOND MANPOWER SURVEY REPORT ON THE AUTOMOBILE REPAIRS AND SERVICING INDUSTRY IS NOU ON SALE AT THE GOVERNMENT PUBLICATIONS CENTRE AT THE STAR FERRY CONCOURSE, LONG KONG.
PREPARED BY THE AUTOMOBILE REPAIRS AND SERVICING INDUSTRY TRAINING BOARD OF THE HONG KONG TRAINING COUNCIL, THE REPORT PROVIDES STATISTICAL INFORMATION ON THE EMPLOYMENT STRUCTURE OF THE AUTOMOBILE REPAIRS AND SERVICING INDUSTRY, THE NUMBER OF EMPLOYEES ENGAGED IN EACH OF THE PRINCIPAL JODS, THE EDUCATION STANDARD PREFERRED FOR THE DIFFERENT JOBS, AND THE TRAINING NEEDS OF THE INDUSTRY.
IT ALSO CONTAINS RECOMMENDATIONS, MADE TO BOTH THE INDUSTRY AND THE GOVERNMENT, ON MEASURES NECESSARY TO MEET THE TRAINING fclEEDS OF THE INDUSTRY.
THE SURVEY WAS CONDUCTED IN MAY 1974 BY THE AUTOMOBILE REPAIRS AND SERVICING INDUSTRY TRAINING BOARD WITH THE ASSISTANCE OF THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT AND THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT.
-------o - - - -
EMPLOYMENT OF THE DISABLED ft -X- ft ft ft ft
SEVERAL MORE DISABLED PEOPLE WERE PLACED IN EMPLOYMENT IN THE THIRD QUARTER OF THIS YEAR FROM JULY TO SEPTEMBER THAN IN THE SECOND QUARTER.
DURING THAT PERIOD, THE JOB PLACEMENT UNIT OF THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT FOUND WORK FOR A TOTAL OF 38 PEOPLE WITH DIFFERENT DISABILITIES. THIS COMPARED WITH 33 IN THE PREVIOUS THREE MONTHS.
LAST MONTH, A TOTAL OF 15 WERE EMPLOYED, MOST OF THEM IN THE GARMENT INDUSTRY AS MACHINE SEWING WORKERS. OTHER TYPES OF WORK FOUND FOR THE DISABLED INCLUDE!) JOBS AS TYPESETTER, PACKER, TELEPHONE OPERATOR AND CARETAKER.
0
PRM 7
DAILYINFORMATION BULLETIN
MONDAY, OCTOBER 27, 1975
CONTENTS
PAGE NO
WATCH AND CLOCK INDUSTRY MADE GREAT STRIDES IN HONG KONG, SAYS DIRECTOR OF COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY ............... 1
PARENTS REMINDED TO REGISTER THEIR CHILDREN FOR JUVENILE IDENTITY CARDS ........................................... ?
WATER CUTS...................................................?
DOLPHINS IN MARINE PROHIBITED AREA TO KEEP SHIPS AWAY FROM KAI TAK RUNWAY ........................................ 4
RESERVOIRS 99.6 PER CENT FULL OF CAPACITY................... 4
Issued by Government Information Services, Beaconsfield House, Hong Kong. Tel: 5-233191
MONDAY, OCTOBER 27, 1975
1
GREAT STRIDES BY WATCH AND CLOCK INDUSTRY M « ft * K K
THE DIRECTOR OF COMMERCE AUD INDUSTRY, MR. DAVID JORDAN, SPOKE TODAY OF THE GREAT STRIDES MADE IN HONG KONG BY THE WATCH AUD CLOCK INDUSTRY.
+TEN YEARS AGO,+ HE SAID, +HONG KONG’S DOMESTIC EXPORTS OF WATCHES, CLOCKS, PARTS AND ACCESSORIES AMOUNTED TO ONLY $22 MILLION. IN 1974 THOSE EXPORTS TOTALLED $680 MILLION, AND OVER THE SAME PERIOD EMPLOYMENT IN THE INDUSTRY ROSE FROM 4,000 TO 13,000.+
THESE FIGURES, HE SAID, ILLUSTRATED THE GREAT CHANGES THAT HAVE RAPIDLY TAKEN PLACE IN THE INDUSTRY AS IT HAS GROWN.
MR. JORDAN WAS SPEAKING AT THE OPENING OF THE SECOND ASIAN HOROLOGICAL INDUSTRY AND TRADE PROMOTION CONFERENCE AT THE HONG KONG CONVENTION CENTRE.
HE SAID THAT HE WAS GLAD HONG KONG HAD BEEN CHOSEN AS THE PLACE TO HOST THE CONFERENCE, BECAUSE IT GAVE HONG KONG THE OPPORTUNITY TO HIGHLIGHT THE DEVELOPMENT OF ITS RELATIVELY NEW WATCH AND CLOCK INDUSTRY AND ITS POSITION AS A TRADING CENTRE FOR TIMEPIECES MANUFACTURED ELSEWHERE.
HE POINTED OUT THAT HONG KONG HAD PROGRESSED FROM THE MANUFACTURE OF WATCHBANDS TO CASES, DIALS, HANDS AND CROWNS, HE ADDED: +AND WHEREAS WE USED To IMLOHT all THE MOVEMENTS WE NOV) ALSO IMPORT EBAUCHES AND ASSEMBLE THEM HERE,+
+LIKE MANY OF HONG KONG’S INDUSTRIES, HE CONTINUED, +THE WATCH AND CLOCK INDUSTRY HAS NEVER STOOD STILL BUT IS ALWAYS ADVANCING. WE ARE NOW MOVING HITO THE PRODUCTION OF ELECTRONIC QUARTZ WATCHES.+
HONG KONG’S TRADE OF COURSE IS NOT LIMITED TO EXPORTING ITS OWN PRODUCTS. FOR EXAMPLE, HONG KONG IMPORTED IN 1974 5.5 MILLION WATCHES OF WHICH 4.9 MILLION WERE RE-EXPORTED.
MR. JORDAN EXPLAINED THAT OTHER COUNTRIES IN ASIA WERE - IMPORTANT PARTNERS AND ASSOCIATES OF OUR HOROLOGl<AL TRADE AND INDUSTRY.
MR. JORDAN AL$O SPOKE ABOUT HONG KONG’S EFFORTS IN COMBATING WATCH COUNTERFEITING.
+WE ARE NATURALLY PROUD GF THE ACHIEVEMENTS OF OUR TRADE AND INDUSTRY. AT THE SAME TIME WE REALISE THAT IF TH I : HEALTHY DEVELOPMENT AND ITS CONTRIBUTION TO OUR PROSPERIT' ARE TO CONTINUE IT IS ESSENTIAL THAT MALPRACTICE IN THE TRADE SHOLD BE ELIMINATED,* HE SAID.
/hiR. J iRDAN..........
MONDAY, OCTOBER 27, 1975
2
MR. JORDAN INDICATED THAT HE WAS GLAD THAT THIS WAS ONE OF THE SUBJECTS TO BE DISCUSSED AT THE CONFERENCE.
+IT TAKES TIME ,+ HE SAID, +TO ESTABLISH THE CONSUMER’S CONFIDENCE, AND CONSTANT VIGILANCE IS REQUIRED TO MAINTAIN THAT CONFIDENCE.+
TO COMBAT WATCH COUNTERFEITING, A WORLDWIDE MALPRACTICE FROM WHICH HONG KONG WAS NOT IMMUNE, HONG KONG ESTABLISHED A WATCH COMMITTEE IN DECEMBER 1973, WITH MEMBERS DRAWN FROM THE LOCAL WATCH TRADE AND INDUSTRY, FROM SWISS AND JAPANESE WATCH MANUFACTURING INTERESTS, FROM THE‘TRADE DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL AND THE ROYAL HONG KONG POLICE FORCE,+ MR. JORDAN EXPLAINED.
THE COMMITTEE’S JOB WAS TO ADVISE THE DIRECTOR OF COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY ON WAYS TO REDUCE OR ELIMINATE THE COUNTERFEITING OF WATCHES IN HONG KONG AND TO ASSIST THE COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY DEPARTMENT BY THE PROVISION OF INFORMATION FOR THIS PURPOSE.
HE ADDED: +THE DEPARTMENT HAS BEEN WORKING CLOSELY AND ACTIVELY WITH THE COMMITTEE SINCE ITS INCEPTION AND WE HAVE HAD SOME SUCCESS IN MAKING SEIZURES OF SPURIOUS WATCHES AND WATCH PARTS AND BRINGING PROSECUTIONS TO A SATISFACTORY CONCLUSION.+
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I
MONDAY, OCTOBER 27, 1975.
- 3 -
REMINDER ON I.D. CARDS If M
PARENTS ARE REMINDED THAT THEY MUST REGISTER THEIR CHILDREN FOR JUVENILE IDENTITY CARDS WITHIN THIRTY DAYS OF THEIR ELEVENTH BIRTHDAY.
YOUNG PERSONS, WHETHER OR NOT IN POSSESSION OF JUVENILE IDENTITY CARDS, MUST ALSO REGISTER FOR ADULT IDENTITY CARDS WITHIN ONE MONTH OF REACHING 18 YEARS, AUD ADULT RESIDENTS WHO DO i.OT HAVE AN I.D. CARD MUST REGISTER WITH REGISTRATION OF PERSONS OFFICE WITHOUT FURTHER DELAY.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE OFFICE ALSO ADVISED NEW ARRIVALS OF THEIR OBLIGATION TO REGISTER FOR AN IDENTITY CARD WITHIN 30 DAYS IF THEY INTEND TO STAY IN HONG KONG MORE THAN 90 DAYS.
POSSESSION OF A TRAVEL DOCUMENT, INCLUDING A BRITISH PASSPORT, DOES NOT ABSOLVE A PERSON FROM REGISTERING, THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
HE EMPHASISED THAT PERSONS MUST USE THEIR REGISTERED NAMES IN ALL DEALINGS WITH THE GOVERNMENT ONCE THEY HAVE REGISTERED.
THE SPOKESMAN NOTED THAT IT WAS AN OFFENCE NOT TO COMPLY WITH THE REGULATIONS OF THE REGISTRATION OF PERSONS ORDINANCE.
IN CASE OF DOUBT, MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC MAY SEEK ADVICE AT ANY OF THE REGISTRATION OF PERSONS OFFICES OR BRANCH OFFICES.
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WATER CUTS If K «
A NUMBER OF PREMISES IN SIIAUKIWAN ON HONG KONG ISLAND, AND IN TSUEN WAN AND SHEUNG SHU I It! THE NEW TERRITORIES WILL BE WITHOUT WATER FOR A FEW HOURS ON THURSDAY (OCTOBER 30) TO FACILITATE LEAKAGE TEST TO BE CARRIED OUT. .
WATER INTERRUPTION IN SHAUXIWAN WILL BE FROM 1 A.M. TO 6 A.M. THE AFFECTED PREMISES ARE BOUNDED BY ALDRICH STREET TO SUN SING STREET AND SIIAUKIWAN ROAD TO SEA-FRONT, INCLUDING FU TAU WAT VILLAGE, TSIN SHU I MA TAU VILLAGE AND ALDRICH VILLAGE.
IN TSUEN WAN; WATER SUPPLY TO PREMISES BOUNDED BY LUEN YAN STREET, YEUNG UK ROAD, WANG WO TSAI STREET, KWU HANG STREET AND SHA TSUI ROAD WILL BE INTERRUPTED FROM 1 A.M. TO 6 A.M.
WHILE IN SHEUNG SHU I, WATER SUPPLY TO ALL PREMISES ALONG CASTLE PEAK ROAD, BETWEEN KAM TSIN SCHOOL AND SAN TIN, SHEUNG SHU I, INCLUDING THOSE VILLAS AND VILLAGES ON-ROUTE CASTLE-PEAK ROAD, KWU TUNG SECTION, SHEUNG SHU I WILL DE CUT OFF FROM 10 A.M. TO 4 P.M.
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MONDAY, OCTOBER 27, 1975
4 -
DOLPHINS IN MARINE PROHIBITED AREA
K K * H « K
TEN DOLPHINS WILL BE CONSTRUCTED IN THE MARINE PROHIBITED AREA IN KOWLOON BAY TO ENSURE SAFE LANDING AND TAKE-OFF OF AIRCRAFT AT THE KAI TAK AIRPORT.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT EXPLAINED THAT THE MARINE PROHIBITED AREA, OFF THE SOUTHEAST END OF THE RUNWAY IS AN AREA IN FRONT OF THE GLIDE PATH INSTRUMENT INSTALLED AT THE AIRPORT.
+ANY METALLIC OBJECT GETTING INTO THIS AREA MAY CAUSE DEFLECTION OR OBSTRUCTION OF THE ELECTRONIC BEAMS WHICH GUIDE AIRCRAFT IN LANDING AND TAKING-OFF OPERATIONS,+ HE SAID.
+IT IS THEREFORE VERY IMPORTANT FOR AIRCRAFT SAFETY TO PREVENT SHIPS AND BOATS FROM GETTING INTO THIS AREA,+ HE ADDED.
THE DOLPHINS WILL FORM THE MARINE PROHIBITED AREA
A DEFINITE DEMARCATION LINE ACROSS FOR GUIDANCE OF COXWAINS.
TENDERS HAVE DEEN INVITED FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF THE DOLPHINS IN THE AREA. WORK IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN IN EARLY 19/6 AND WILL TAKE ADOUT ONE YEAR TO COMPLETE.
THE DOLPHINS HAVE BEEN DESIGNED FOR THE PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT BY SCOTT WILSON KIRKPATRICK AND PARTNERS, CONSULTING ENGINEERS. WHO WILL ALSO SUPERVISE THE CONSTRUCTION WORK.
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RESERVOIRS 99.6 PER'CENT FULL # H H « K W
HONG KONG’S TOTAL WATER STORAGE AS AT 9 A.M. TODAY (MONDAY) WAS 67,039 MILLION GALLONS, REPRESENTING 99.6-PER (ENT OF THE FULL STORAGE CAPACITY OF 67,300 MILLION GALLONS.
AT THIS TIME LAST YEAR THE TOTAL STORAGE FIGURE WAS 48,693 MILLION GALLONS.
PLOVER COVE, THE BIGGEST RESERVOIR, HELD 50,500 MILLION GALLONS -- 100 PER CENT FULL. ON THIS DAY LAST YEAR PLOVER COVE ONLY HELD 32,489 MILLION GALLONS.
TOTAL RAINFALL SO FAR THIS YEAR STANDS AT 2,961 MM (116.18 IN). THE MEAN AVERAGE RAINFALL SO FAR THIS YEAR IS 2,083.4 MM (82.02 IN).
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FRH
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
• •
I
TUESDAY, 0CT0RFR PA, 1975
CONTENTS PaGE N0*
civil aviation department recorded modest growth in passenger and freight traffic during 1974-75 ................ 1
IOAN SCHEME FOR SMALL INDUSTRIES EXTENDED.................
THREE LOTS OF CROWN LAND FOR SALE DY TENDER NEXT MONTH .. 3
civil aid services passing-out parade this Friday .......
WATER CUT..................................................
Issued by Government Information Services, Beaconsfield House, Hong Kong. Tel: 5'233191
TUESDAY, OCTOBER 28, 1975
1
MODEST GROWTH IN AIR TRAFFIC it it it it it
THE CIVIL AVIATION DEPARTMENT RECORDED A ’CONSTRAINED GROWTH’ FOR BOTH PASSENGER AND FREIGHT TRAFFIC IN 1974-75 DUE TO THE WORLD-WIDE ECONOMIC RECESSION.
ACCORDING TO A SPOKESMAN FOR THE DEPARTMENT, THE TOTAL NUMBER OF PASSENGERS CARRIED DURING THIS PERIOD WAS 3,663,462, AN INCREASE OF 0.01 PER CENT OVER THE PRECEDING YEAR. AS FOR FREIGHT, 104,122 METRIC TONS WERE CARRIED TO AND FROM HONG KONG, AN INCREASE OF 3.38 PER CENT WHEN COMPARED WITH 1973-74.
FOR THE FIRST TIME IN 23 YEARS, THE DEPARTMENT RECORDED A REDUCTION IN THE NUMBER OF INTERNATIONAL FLIGHTS THROUGH HONG KONG IN 1974-75.
THE SPOKESMAN EXPLAINED THAT THE DECREASE
IN AIRCRAFT MOVEMENTS WAS MAINLY ATTRIBUTABLE TO REDUCED TRAFFIC DEMAND RESULTING FROM INCREASED AIR FARES AND THE WORLD-WIDE RECESSION. BUT, HE SAID, +ANOTHER REASON WAS THE INTRODUCTION OF WIDE-BODIED AIRCRAFT OFFERING LARGE INCREASES IN NET CAPACITY.+
' THE MOVEMENTS OF WIDE-BODIED AIRCRAFT IN 1974-75 INCREASED BY 60 PER CENT OVER-THE PREVIOUS YEAR. +THERE ARE NOW TWELVE AIRLINES WHICH OPERATE THE LARGER TYPE OF WIDE-BODIED AIRCRAFT THROUGH HONG KONG WITH MORE THAN 200 MOVEMENTS A WEEK,+ 'HE CONTINUED.
THE TOTAL NUMBER OF INTERNATIONAL AIRCRAFT MOVEMENTS IN 1974-75 WAS 53,206, OR A DECREASE OF 2.1 PER CENT WHEN COMPARED WITH THE PRECEDING YEAR. IN 1973-74, ANNUAL AIRCRAFT MOVEMENTS TOTALLED 54,162.
IN CONTRAST TO PASSENGER AND FREIGHT MOVEMENTS, AIR MAIL HAD A MUCH HIGHER GROWTH RATE THAN THE PREVIOUS YEAR. IN 1974-75, A TOTAL OF 4,600 METRIC TONS OF MAIL WAS CARRIED INTO AND OUT OF HONG KONG, REPRESENTING A RATE OF INCREASE JOF 17.9 PER CENT. IN THE PRECEDING YEAR, THE INCREASE WAS ONLY 0.9 PER CENT.
ALTHOUGH THE WORLD-WIDE RECESSION HAS AFFECTED THE AIR TRAFFIC GROWTH RATE IN HONG KONG, THE SPOKESMAN SAID, +THERE ARE INDICATIONS THAT THE WORLD-WIDE ECONOMIC FACTORS AFFECTING AIR TRAFFIC WILL IMPROVE, ALLOWING PREVIOUSLY PREDICTED LONG-TERM GROWTH POTENTIAL IN AIR TRAVEL TO BE ACHIEVED.+
• THE FINANCIAL YEAR 1974-75 SAW THE COMPLETION OF THE APRON SERVICES COMPLEX, THE RUNWAY EXTENSION, AND TWO NEW PIERS WITH THEIR THREE ASSOCIATED TRANSFER VEHICLE DOCKS. THIS, COMBINED WITH OTHER DEVELOPMENT WORK, HAS CONTRIBUTED GREATLY TOWARDS THE MORE EFFICIENT OPERATION OF THE AIRPORT.
- 0 -
TUESDAY, OCTOBER 28, 1975
2
LOAN SCHEME FOR SMALL INDUSTRIES EXTENDED if ft if if if if
THE COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCED TODAY THAT THE LOANS FOR SMALL INDUSTRY SCHEME WHICH EXPIRED RECENTLY AFTER A TRIAL PERIOD OF THREE YEARS WILL BE EXTENDED FOR ONE YEAR.
THE DECISION WAS MADE ON'THE ADVICE OF THE TRADE AND INDUSTRY ADVISORY BOARD.
THE SCHEME WAS IMPLEMENTED IN JULY 1972 BY THE COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY DEPARTMENT IN CONJUNCTION WITH LOCAL BANKS AND THE HONG KONG PRODUCTIVITY CENTRE. IT WAS INTENDED TO PROVIDE AN ADDITIONAL SOURCE OF LOAN CAPITAL FOR SMALL FACTORIES TO PURCHASE EQUIPMENT AND MACHINES TO INCREASE PRODUCTIVITY.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY DEPARTMENT INVITS SMALLER FACTORIES WISHING TO INSTALL UP-TO-DATE MACHINERY AND TO IMPROVE THEIR MANUFACTURING TECHNIQUES TO TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THE SCHEME.
AT PRESENT, THE MAXIMUM AMOUNT ONE CAN BORROW UNDER THE SCHEME IS $500,000. INDUSTRIAL FIRMS WITH PROPRIETORS’ FUNDS OF $2 MILLION, OR LESS, AND A WORK FORCE OF 200 OR LESS, ARE QUALIFIED TO APPLY.
_ o-----------
TUESDAY, OCTOBER 23, 1975
3
CROWN LAND SALE H ft M #
THREE LOTS OF CROWN LAND AT YAU TONG AND LAM TIN IN KOWLOON AND IN ABERDEEN ON HONG KONG ISLAND WILL BE AVAILABLE FOR SALE BY TENDER NEXT MONTH.
THE YAU TONG MARINE LOT AT TUNG YUEN STREET IN SAM KA TSUEN IS EARMARKED EITHER FOR INDUSTRIAL PURPOSES REQUIRING DIRECT ACCESS TO THE SEA OR FOR GODOWN PURPOSES. IT HAS A TOTAL AREA OF 26,040 SQUARE FEET.
THE SITE AT LAM TIN, MEASURING 35,300 SQUARE FEET, IS RESERVED FOR CINEMA AND NON-INDUSTRI AL PURPOSES. IT IS SITUATED AT KAI TIN ROAD.
THE ABERDEEN LOT ON WONG CHUK HANG ROAD HAS AN AREA OF 5,020 SQUARE FEET. IT IS INTENDED FOR A PETROL FILLING STATION.
THE CLOSING DATE FOR ACCEPTANCE OF TENDERS IS NOVEMBER 28 BEFORE 12 NOON. ALL TENDERS SHOULD BE ADDRESSED TO THE SECRETARY OF THE CENTRAL TENDER BOARD AT THE COLONIAL SECRETARIAT, CENTRAL GOVERNMENT OFFICES (MAIN WING).
FULL PARTICULARS AND CONDITIONS OF SALE MAY BE OBTAINED FROM AND SALE PLANS INSPECTED AT THE CROWN LANDS AND SURVEY OFFICE ON THE 19TH FLOOR OF MURRAY BUILDING IN GARDEN ROAD ON HONG KONG SIDE AND IN KOWLOON ON THE 10TH FLOOR OF THE KOWLOON GOVERNMENT OFFICES AT 405 NATHAN ROAD.
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TUESDAY, OCTOBER 28, 1975
4
CAS PASSING OUT PARADE K « K M K M
THE CIVIL AID SERVICES WILL HOLD ITS 1OTH RECRUITS PASSING-OUT PARADE AT THE ROYAL HONG KONG REGIMENT PARADE GROUND ON FRIDAY (OCTOBER 31).
THE DEPUTY COMMISSIONER, MR. ROGER LOBO, WILL INSPECT THE 120 RECRUITS WHO HAVE COMPLETED ONE YEAR'S BASIC TRAINING COURSES IN FOOT DRILL, FIRST AID, LIGHT RESCUE AND CIVIL DEFENCE SUBJECTS.
MR. LOBO WILL BE MET ON ARRIVAL BY THE CHIEF STAFF OFFICER, MR. LA. FORTUNE.
AFTER INSPECTING THE PARADE, MR. LOBO.WILL AWARD SPECIAL CERT! ICATES TO THE THREE MOST OUTSTANDING RECRUITS AND PRESENT THE CIVIL DEFENCE LONG SERVICE MEDALS TO 12 RECIPIENTS. HE WILL THEN ADDRESS THE RECRUITS.
AFTER THE PARADE, THESE RECRUITS WILL BE POSTED TO VARIOUS CIVIL AID SERVICE UNITS FOR FURTHER OPERATIONAL TRAINING AND ACTIVE DUTY.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE WELCOMED TO HAVE THE EVENT COVERED AT THE ROYAL HONG KONG REGIMENT (THE VOLUNTEERS) PARADE GROUND, SPORTS ROAD, HAPPY VALLEY ON FRIDAY (OCTOBER 31) AT 7 P.M.
- - o - -
WATER CUT K K # # «
WATER SUPPLY FOR FLUSHING TO A NUMBER OF PREMISES IN NORTH POINT WILL BE INTERRUPTED FOR ABOUT FIVE HOURS FROM 1 A.M. ON FRIDAY (OCTOBER 31) TO ALLOW LEAKAGE TESTS TO EE CARRIED OUT IN THE AREA.
THE PREMISES AFFECTED ARE BOUNDED BY ELECTRIC ROAD, JAVA ROAD FROM LAU SIN STREET TO TIN CHIU STREET, NORTH POINT ROAD, CHUN YEUNG STREET, TONG SHU I ROAD, SHU KUK STREET, KAM HONG STREET', SOUTH SIDE OF KING’S ROAD FROM iiING YUEN WESTERN STREET TO MODEL LANE, INCLUDING TSAT TSZ MUI ROAD, TANNER ROAD AND PAK FUK ROAD.
- - 0 -
HONG KONG HOUSING AUTHORITY
Tuesday, October 28, 1975
TEMPORARY REMOVAL OF ESTATE CANOPIES TO F^CILITitTE MTR CONSTRUCTION **«**««
The construction of the Mass Transit Railway Station at Wong Tai Sin is to begin shortly and to facilitate the work, projections from five blocks in Lower Wong Tai Sin Estate facing Lung Cheung Road may be required to be removed on a temporary basis.
The blocks affected are Nos* 7, 8, 9, 10 and 11. The removal of part or whole of the canopies projecting from the balconies, if necessary, will take place in coming December or early next year.
Apart from this, the existing water mains and other public utilities in the vicinity may also have to be diverted.
In a letter to the affected tenants, the Housing Department sought their cooperation and assured them that the removed canopies would be permitted to be re-erected as soon as circumstances permit.
The department will also meet the cost of re-erecting them.
Letters listing the full details will be sent to the affected tenants separately as soon as a detailed work programme is available.
- 0 -
FRM 7
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 9Q, 1^7^
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
’HOW TO PROTECT YOUR HOME FROM FIRE’ - A NEW BOOKLET PRODUCED BY THE FIRE SERVICES DEPARTMENT .................. 1
BANKING STATISTICS FOR SEPTEMBER ........................... R
49 GRADUATE FROM INSTITUTE FOR S°CIAL WORK TRAINING ......... 4
WATER CUT................................................. b
FIRE SERVICES ANNUAL DRILL COMPETITION THIS FRIDAY .......... 5
I
Issued by Government Information Services, Beaconsfield House, Hong Kong.Tel: 5-233191
A
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 29, >'7.
1
HOW TO PROTECT Y UR HOME FROM FIRE
k h a «
+THE BEST FORM OF PROTECTION AGAINST FIRE IS PREVENTION*.
THIS IS THE MESSAGE OF A HEW BOOKLET ON FIRE PREVENTION PRODUCED BY THE FIRE SERVICES DEPARTMENT.
ENTITLED ’HOW TO PROTECT YOUR HOME FROM FIRE’, THE 12-PAGE BOOKLET OUTLINES SOME SIMPLE GUIDELINES TO PREVENT FIRE IN THE HOME AND WHAT ACTION TO TAKE IF FIRE DOES OCCUR.
THE BOOKLET IS IN CHINESE AND ENGLISH, WITH SIMPLE ILLUSTRATIONS, AND HAS BEEN PRODUCED TO COINCIDE WITH THIS YEAR’S FIRE PREVENTION CAMPAIGN. IT WILL BE AVAILABLE NEXT WEEK AT ALL CITY DISTRICT OFFICES, DISTRICT OFFICES OF THE NEW TERRITORIES ADMIN I STRATI ON,AND AT THE FIR. PREVENTION BUREAU IN ASIAN HOUSE.
THE BOOKLET EMPHASISES T AT GOOD HOUSEKEEPING IS A VITAL REQUISITE OF FIRE PREVENTION i I'D LISTS A NUMBER OF SAFETY POINTS TO WATCH. SUCH AS MAKING SURE THAT ALL FIRES, INCLIDIIIG CIGARETTES, ARE PROPERLY EXTINGUISHED AND Al.I. ELECTRICAL APPLI NCES ARE SWITCHED OFF BEFORE GOING TO ED.
IT POINTS OUT THAT FIRE it! THE HOME CAN BE PREVENTED BY :
K TAKING CARE WHEN COOKING - DON’T LEAVE PANS, ESPECIALLY FAT PANS, UNATTENDED.
M CHECKING THAT ALL FIRES ARE SAFELY GUARDED.
M BEING ESPECIALLY CAREFUL WITH ELECTRICAL EQUIPMENT -MISHANDLING IT IS THE CAUSE OF SOME OF HONi KONG’S DISASTROUS FIRES.
K BEING CAREFUL WITH CH ARETTE ENDS, PIPES A !D MATCHES. ALL SHOULD BE PRGPERL EXTINGUISHED AFTER ISE.
K KEEPING MATCHES, LIGHERS, LIGHTED CANDLES, ETC. OUT OF THE REACH OF CHILDREN.
K NEVER FILLING A KEROSFHE STOVE OR HEATER WHEN IT IS ALIGHT.
H MAKING SURE THAT PORTABLE HEATERS ARE NOT PUT IN PLACES WHERE THEY CAN BE KNOCKED OVER, ALSO I HAT THEY ARE NOT (.LOSE TO COMBUSTIBLE MATERIALS SUCH AS CURTAINS, BEDDING, ETC.
K ROT ACCUMULATING RUBBISH.
/NOT USING FiUITY......
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 29, W'
H MOT USING FAULTY ELECTRICAL EQUIPMENT (IF YOU SUSPECT SOMETHING IS WRONG, STOP USING THE EQUIPMENT AND CONSULT A QUALIFIED ELECTRICIAN).
# STORING COOKING FUEL SUCH AS KEROSENE, LIQUEFIED PETROLEUM GAS (NOT MORE THAN OK CONTAINER AT ANY TIME) WELL AWAY FROM ANY SOURCE OF HEAT.
H TEACHING YOUR CHILDREN FIRE SAFETY ARD THE ROUTE TO ESCAPE.
M MAKING SURE THAT, WHEN CHILDREN ARE LEFT UNATTENDED, THEY ARE NOT ABLE TO REACH, HANDLE OR TAMPER WITH ANY SOURCE OF IGNITION (INCLUDING ELECTRICAL APPARATUS).
NEVER LOCKING CHILDREN BEHIND IN THEIR HOME= THEY CAN EASILY GET INTO MISCHIEF AND THEIR LIFE IS ENDANCERED.
MEANWHILE, ANOTHER BOOKLET GN FIRE EXTINGUISI ERS HAS BEEN PRODUCED FOR THE GUIDANCE OF FIRE SERVICE (INSTALLATION AND EQUIPMENT) CONTRACTORS.
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WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 29, r ■> 3 -
SEPTEMBER BANKING STATISTICS # « n « « «
BANK DEPOSITS AS AT THE END OF LAST MONTH STCOD AT $35,064 MILLION, COMPRISING $9,671 MILLION IN DEMAND DEPOSITS, $13,263 MILLION IN TIME DEPOSITS AND $12,130 MILLION IN SAVINGS DEPOSITS, TIE. 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 I I ABILITIES AND ASSETS FOR SEPTEMBER.
MONTH ENDED 30TH SEPTEMBER 1975
ILL ION LIABILITIES 1. DEPOSITS 35,064 2. AMOUNT DUE TO BANKS ABROAD 20,256 3. OTHER LIABILITIES 8,443 TOTAL LIABILITIES 63,763
ASSETS 1 1. CASH 2. AMOUNT DUE FROM BANKS ABROAD: (1) DEMAND AND SHORT TER i CLAIMS 18,444 (II) TIME DEPOSITS 2,278 1 667 20,722
3. LOANS AND ADVANCES: (1) HONG KONG 24,343 (II) ABROAD 9,686 34,029-
4. INVESTMENTS: (1) HONG KONG 2,549 (II) ABROAD 50 2,599
f —■ 1 ■ Illi ■ II ■■■HU.-W 5. OTHER ASSETS: (1) HONG KONG 4,458 (II) ABROAD 1,288 5,746
TOTAL ASSETS 63,763
AVERAGE LIQUIDITY DURING MONTH
48.90,'
4 -
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 29, 1975
49 GRADUATE FROM INSTITUTE FOR SOCIAL WORK TRAINING
NOTE TO ED I TORS
THE GOVERNOR, SIR MURRAY MACLEHOSE, WILL OFFICIATE AT THE FIRST GRADUATION CEREMONY OF THE INSTITUTE FOR SOCIAL WORK TRAINING TO BE HELD AT THE CITY HALL THEATRE TOMORROW (THURSDAY) AT 10.30 A.M.
FORTY-NINE GRADUATES OF THE FIRST COURSE RUN BY THE INSTITUTE WILL RECEIVE THEIR CERTIFICATES.
DURING THE CEREMONY, REPRESENTATIVES FROM EIGHT LIONS CLUBS AND OTHER ORGANISATIONS WILL PRESENT SCHOLARSHIPS TO STUDENTS NOW ENROLLED IN THE INSTITUTE.
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE GRADUATION CEREMONY.
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WATER CUT H « « « »
A NUMBER OF PREMISES IN SHAM SHU I PO WILL BE WITHOUT WATER BETWEEN 1 A.M. AND 6 A.M. ON SATURDAY (NOVEMBER 1) WHEN A TEST FOR LEAKAGE WILL EE CARRIED OUT IN THE DISTRICT.
AFFECTED WILL BE PREMISES BOUNDED BY CASTLE PEAK ROAD PRATAS STREET, CHEUNG SHA WAN ROAD, WING LUNG STREET UN CHAU STREET, HING WAH STREET AND CHEUNG FAT STREET.
NORMAL SUPPLY WILL BE RESTORED TO THE PREMISES AS SOON AS THE LEAKAGE TEST HAS BEEN COMPLETED.
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WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 29, 1975
5
FIRE SERVICES DRILL COMPETITION
> DTE TO EDITORS:
THE ANNUAL DRILL COMPETITION ORGANISED BY THE NEW TERRITORIES FIRE SERVICES COMMAND WILL BE HELD ON FRIDAY (OCTOBER 31) AT THE FIRE SERVICES TRAINING SCHOOL AT PAT HEUNG, NEW TERRITORIES, BEGINNING AT 2.30 P.M.
THERE WILL BE A TOTAL OF FIVE DRILLS — ONE-MAN HYDRANT LRILL, MAJOR PUMP DRILL, 35-FOOT LADDER DRILL, RESCUE ESCAPE DRILL AND HOOK LADDER DRILL.
AMONG THOSE PRESENTING TROPHIES TO THE WINNING DIVISIONS WILL BE MR. CHAN YAT-SUN, CHAIRMAN OF THE HEUNG YEE KUK.
MEDIA REPRESENTATIVES ARE WELCOME TO COVER THE COMPETITION. THEY SHOULD MEET MR. DONALD STRANGE, FIRE SERVICES DEPARTMENT PUBLIC RELATIONS OFFICER, AT THE FIRE SERVICES TRAINING SCHOOL NOT LATER THAN 2.20 P.M.
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PRM 7
n-4-qrai» Igisi l«l
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 30, 1975
CONTENTS
VALUE OF EXPORTS UP BY 18 PER CENT IN SEPTEMBER .............. 1
FIRST GRADUATION CEREMONY OF INSTITUTE FOR SOCIAL WORK TRAINING ..................................................... 3
TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS IN CHAI WAN AND CENTRAL ................. 4
TECHNICAL EDUCATION PROGRAMME BEING DRAFTED BY GOVERNMENT 5
HK STUDENTS GET MORE SUPERVISED RECREATION, SAYS SECRETARY FOR HOME AFFAIRS AND INFORMATION ................... 6
FIRE RISK HIGH : PUBLIC URGED TO BE CAREFUL .................. 7
PAGE NO.
t
Issued by Government Information Services, Beaconsfield House, Hong Kong. Tel: 5'233191
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 30, ’/5
1
SEPTEMBER EXPORTS UP BY 18 PER CENT
THE VALUE OF HONG KONG’S DOMESTIC TRADE WENT UP FOR THE FIRST TIME LAST MONTH AFTER DECLINING FOR ELEVEN CONSECUTIVE MONTHS.
PROVISIONAL TRADE FIGURES ISSUED TODAY BY THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT SHOW THAT DOMESTIC EXPORTS IN SEPTEMBER WENT UP BY $361 MILLION OR 18.2 PER CENT BY VALUE COMPARED WITH SEPTEMBER 1974. TOTAL EXPORTS FOR THE MONTH WERE VALUED AT $2,342 MILLION — THE HIGHEST MONTHLY FIGURE EVER RECORDED IN TERMS OF VALUE.
AT THE SAME TIME, THE VALUE OF IMPORTS ROSE BY 17.6 PER CENT TO $3,152 MILLION WHILE RE-EXPORTS WENT UP IN VALUE BY 1.2 PER CENT TO $605 MILLION COMPARED WITH SEPTEMBER LAST YEAR.
COMMENTING ON THE FIGURES, A SPOKESMAN FOR THE COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY DEPARTMENT SAID IT WAS MOST ENCOURAGING TO SEE THIS RECOVERY IN HONG KONG’S DOMESTIC EXI’ORTS.
FIGURES FOR THE PERIOD JANUARY-SEPTEMBER 1975 SHOWED DECREASES BY VALUE OF 8.3 PER CENT FOR DOMESTIC EXPORTS, 10.7 PER CENT FOR IMPORTS AND 8.2 PER CENT FOR RE-EXPORTS COMPARED WITH THE SAME PERIOD LAST YEAR.
THE VALUE FIGURES FOR THE 12-MONTH PERIOD OCTOBER 1974 TO SEPTEMBER 1975 SHOWED DECREASES OF 8.9 PER CENT FOR DOMESTIC EXPORTS, 12.3 PER CENT FOR IMPORTS AND 11.4 PER CENT FOR RE-EXPORTS COMPARED WITH THE PREVIOUS 12-MONTH PERIOD.
THE FOLLOWING TABLE LISTS THE COMPARATIVE FIGURES.
COMPARATIVE FIGURES
SEPTEMBER 1975 SEPTEMBER 1974 INCREASE OR DECREASE
$ MN." $ MN. $ MN. %
DOMESTIC EXPORTS (% OF TOTAL EXPORTS) 2,342 (79.5%) 1,981 (76.8%) + 361 + 18.2
IMPORTS 3,152 2,679 473 + 17.6
RE-EXPORTS (% OF TOTAL EXPORTS) 605 (20.5%) 598 (23.2%) + 7 + 1.2
/JULY •■'iKPT............
THURSDAY, OCTO; .R 30, 1975
2
1 JULY-SEPT 1975 JULY-SEPT 1974 INCREASE OR DECREASE
• $ MN. $ MN. $ MN. %
DOMESTIC EXPORTS 6,469 6,273 + 196+3.1
IMPORTS 8,890 8,712 + 179 + 2.1
RE-EXPORTS 1,846 1,812 + 34 + 1.9
JAN.-SEPT 1975 JAN.-SEPT 1974 INCREASE OR DECREASE
S MN. $ MN. S MN. %
DOMESTIC EXPORTS (% OF TOTAL EXPORTS) 16,272 (76.3%) 17,745 (76.3%) - 1,472 - 8.3
IMPORTS 23,709 26,551 - 2,841 - 10.7
RE-EXPORTS (% OF TOTAL EXPORTS) 5,059 (23.7%) 5,510 (23.7%) - 452 - 8.2
, » OCT. 1974 TO SEPT 1975 OCT. 1973 TO SEPT 1974 INCREASE OR DECREASE
$ MN. $ MN. $ MN. %
DOMESTIC EXPORTS 21,439 23,539 - 2,099 - 8.9
IMPORTS 31,279 35,659 - 4,380 - 12.3
RE-EXPORTS 6,673 7,533 860 - 11.4
/5
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 30, 1975
3
HK REACHES MILESTONE IN SOCIAL WELFARE I ORK if if if if if if
HONG KONG MARKS A MILESTONE IN THE EVOLUTION OF SOCIAL WELFARE WORK WITH THE GRADUATION OF THE FIRST CLASS OF STUDENTS TRAINED AT THE INSTITUTE FOR SOCIAL WORK TRAINING FOR FRONT LINE SOCIAL SERVICES, THE GOVERNOR, SIR MURRAY MACLEHOSE SAID TODAY.
SIR MURRAY WAS SPEAKING AT THE INSTITUTE’S GRADUATION CEREMONY AT THE CITY HALL THEATRE AT WHICH 49 STUDENTS RECEIVED THEIR CERTIFICATES IN SOCIAL WORK AFTER COMPLETING THE TWO-YEAR COURSE.
HE SAID HONG KONG’S SOCIAL SERVICES HAD ALWAYS BEEN FOUNDED ON A CLOSE PARTNERSHIP BETWEEN THE GOVERNMENT AND VOLUNTARY AGENCIES, AND IT WAS FITTING THAT SUCH A PARTNERSHIP WAS ALSO APPARENT IN THE INSTITUTE.
BOTH SECTORS, HE SAID, HAD AGREED ON THE NEED FOR PROFESSIONALLY TRAINED FRONT LINE SOCIAL WORKERS.
HE RECALLED HAVING EXPRESSED THE HOPE IN OCTOBER 1973 SHORTLY AFTER THE OPENING OF THE INSTITUTE THAT IT WOULD BE +DYNAMIC+ AND WOULD BECOME +A FORCING FORUM FOR THE ANALYSIS AND EXCHANGE OF PRACTICAL EXPERIENCE.+
MUCH OF THE RESPONSIBILITY FOR ACHIEVING THESE IMPORTANT AIMS, HE TOLD THE GRADUATING CLASS, RESTED WITH THEM.
+YOU HAVE CHOSEN TO WORK IN A CITY WHERE SOCIAL PROBLEMS ABOUND3 BUT IT IS A GREAT CITY WITH A GREAT PEOPLEJ IT IS A COMMUNITY WORTH SERVING. THERE CAN BE NO CITY IN THE WORLD WHERE WILLINGNESS TO WORK OR GIVE TO ALLEVIATE THE LOT 0." THE LESS FORTUNATE IS SO WIDESPREAD, OR WHERE MISFORTUNE IS BORNE WITH SUCH PATIENCE, COURAGE AND REAL ISM,+ SIR MURRAY SAID.
+THOUGH YOUR WORK WILL OFTEN BE HARD, IT WILL EQUALLY OFTEN BE REWARDING , AND IF IT EVER SEEMS TO YOU TO BE HARDER THAN IT IS REWARDING REMEMBER THAT YOU CARRY WITH YOU THE GOODWILL AND SUPPORT OF THE ENTIRE COMMONITY.+
IN HIS INTRODUCTORY REMARKS, THE PRINCIPAL OF THE INSTITUTE, MR. L.B. MACQUARRIE, TOLD THE STUDENTS THAT MANY PEOPLE HAD GIVEN GENEROUS ASSISTANCE AND WORKED HARD TO BRING THEM TO THE POINT OF GRADUATION.
HE HOPED THAT AS THEY WERE NOW EMPLOYED IN SOCIAL WORK IN THE COMMUNITY THEY WOULD START TO BENEFIT IN TERMS OF INTERESTING AKD REWALD ING JOBS HELPING THE PEOPLE OF HONG KONG.
DURING THE CEREMONY, REPRESENTATIVES FROM THE CHIU CHOW ASSOCIATION , THE CHIU CHOW CHAMBER OF COMMERCE, THE YOUTH ORGANISATION FOR THE UNDERPRIVILEDCED AND THE LIONS CLUBS OF HAPPY VAI LEY, TAI PING SHAN, THE PEAK, VICTORIA AND PENINSULA, ALSO PRESENTED 43 SCHOLARSHIPS WORTH TOTAL OF S5,5OO SCHOLARSHIPS TO THE CURRENT YEAR STUDENTS.
/IN ‘i’h/it KING....................
4
THURSDAY, CCiOBEK 30, 197'
IN THANKING THESE ORGANISATIONS FOR THEIR GENEROSITY, THE ACTING DIRECTOR OF SOCIAL WELFARE , MR. MORRIS MORGAN, SAID THE SCHOLARSHIP SCHEME SET UP WITH THE DONATIONS WOULD ASSIST FINANCIALLY NEEDY AND DESERVING STUDENTS MANY OF WHOM HAD GIVEN UP FULL-TIME EMPLOYMENT TO TAKE THE COURSE AND WOULD DE WITHOUT INCOME FOR TWO YEARS.
+THESE CONTRIBUTIONS WILL BE OF DIRECT HELP TO MANY YOUNG PERSONS WHO HAVE DEMONSTRATED THE MOTIVATION, SOCIAL AWARENESS AND LEADERSHIP QUALITIES NECESSARY TO BECOME SOCIAL WORKERS,* HE SAID.
+YOUR DONATIONS ALSO, IN A BROAD BUT VERY REAL SENSE, REPRESENT CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE COMMUNITY AS THEY HELP TO TRAIN A GROUP OF DEDICATE)) PROFESSIONALS WHO WILL BE WORKING FOR SOCIAL BETTERMENT IN HONG KONG,* HE TOLD THE DONORS.
ALL 49 STUDENTS ARE ALREADY IN FULL-TIME EMPLOYMENT, 14 WITH THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT AND 35 IN VOLUNTARY AGENCIES, MAINLY CARITAS, THE BOYS’ AND GIRLS’ CLUBS ASSOCIATION AND THE SALVATION ARMY.
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TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS if H if it if if if
SPECIAL TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS WILL BE INTRODUCED IN CHAI WAN BETWEEN 5.45 P.M. AND 7.30 P.M. TOMORROW (FRIDAY) IN CONNECTION WITH A PROCESSION ORGANISED AS PART OF THE +KEEP CHAI WAN DRUG
UNDER THE TEMPORARY ARRANGEMENTS, HONG MAN STREET WILL BE CLOSED TO ALL VEHICULAR TRAFFIC; AND WAN TSUI ROAD REROUTED ONE-WAY IN AN ANTI-CLOCKWISE DIRECTION, WHILE LEE CHUNG STREET WILL BE REOUTED TO ONE-WAY TRAFFIC FROM HONG MAN STREET TO MING PO STREET.
PARKING FACILITIES IN WAN WA STREET WILL ALSO BE BETWEEN 12 NOON AND 5.30 P.M. TOMORROW.
SUSPENDED
MEANWHILE, THE HOURS OF THE EXISTING BAN ON GOODS VEHICLES ALONG CERTAIN SECTIONS IN CENTRAL DISTRICT WILL BE REV I SID FROM MONDAY (NOVEMBER 3). THE NEW HOURS WILL DE FROM 7 A.M. TO 10 A.M. AND FROM 4 P.M. TO 7 P.M. DAILY, EXCEPT SUNDAYS.
THE NEW RESTRICTION WILL APPLY TO THE SECTION OF COTTON TREE DRIVE BEYOND THE SLIP ROAD TO KENNEDY ROAD, AND TO THE THREE SLIP ROAIS FROM THE HELENA MAY INSTITUTE, ST. JOHN’S BUILDING AI.D KENNEDY ROAD. ’ .
TRAFFIC SIGNS WILL BE POSTED TO GUIDE MOTORISTS.
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. /5....
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 30, 1975
TECHNICAL EDUCATION PROGRAMME BEING DRAFTED * it it it it it
THE TECHNICAL BRANCH OF THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT AND THE COLONIAL SECRETARIAT ARE AT PRESENT PREPARING A TECHNICAL EDUCATION PROGRAMME WHICH EMBRACES ALL ASPECTS OF ’lECHNICAL EDUCATION IN SCHOOLS, TECHNICAL INSTITUTES AND THE TECHNICAL TEACHERS’ COLLEGE.
THE PROGRAMME PLAN IS BEING DRAWN UP ON A TEN-YEAR ROLLING BASIS WHICH CAN BE UPDATED AT REGULAR INTERVALS.
THIS WAS STATED BY MR. KENNETH TOPLEY, DIRECTOR OF EDUCATION, AT THE CHINESE MANUFACTURERS’ ASSOCIATION SCHOLARSHIPS PRESENTATION CEREMONY TODAY.
AT THE CEREMONY, MR. TOPLEY PRESENTED 90 C.M.A. SCHOLARSHIPS TO STUDENTS FROM THE CHINESE UNIVERSITY, THE HONG KONG BAPTIST COLLEGE, THE POLYTECHNIC, THE MORRISON HILL TECHNICAL INSTITUTE AND TEN TECHNICAL SCHOOLS.
THE VALUE OF THESE SCHOLARSHIPS AWARDED SINCE 1964 HAS BEEN AROUND $177,700.
*THIS IS A WONDERFUL RECORD AND SHOWS NOT ONLY AN EXCELLENT SOCIAL CONTRIBUTION BUT ALSO THE IMPORTANCE THE C.M.A. PLACES ON TECHNICAL EDUCAT I ON,+ MR. TOPLEY SAID.
THE DIRECTOR ANNOUNCED THAT LAST MONTH THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT HAD PROVISIONALLY REGISTERED THE C.M.A. PREVOCATIOLAL SCHOOL WHICH WILL BE SITUATED ON A 64,000 SQUARE FOOT SITE AT NAM CHEONG STREET IN KOWLOON.
THE SIX-STOREY BUILDING WILL HAVE 19 CLASSROOMS AND 16 SPECIAL ROOMS INCLUDING MECHANICAL AND ELECTRICAL WORKSHOPS AS WELL AS DRAWING OFFICES AND GENERAL SCIENCE LABORATORIES. THE SCHOOL WILL HAVE A STUDENT CAPACITY OF 1,120.
THE TOTAL CAPITAL COST WILL. BE IN THE REGION OF $7.4 MILLION, OF WHICH AROUND $6.1 MILLION WILL BE PROVIDED BY THE GOVERNMENT.
+IT IS HOPED THAT CONSTRUCTION WILL BE COMPLETED IN 1976,+ MR. TOPLEY SAID.
IN ADDITION TO OFFERING MECHANICAL AND ELECTRICAL ENGINEERING FOR BOYS, THE SCHOOL WILL PROVIDE A WELL BALANCED GENERAL EDUCATION UP TO FORM 3 LEVEL.
+PUPILS WHO HAVE ATTENDED SUCH A SCHOOL WILL EE WELL PREPARED EITHER TO TAKE UP EMPLOYMENT OR TO CONTINUE THEIR STUDIES IN ONE OF OUR TECHNICAL INSTITUTES,* THE DIRECTOR SAID.
- - 0 - -
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 30, 1975
6
HK STUDENTS GET MORE
SUPERVISED RECREATION x x U
STUDENTS ARE NOW GIVEN MORE OPPORTUNITY FOR EVERY FORM OF PHYSICAL EDUCATION THAN IN THE PAST WITH GOVERNMENT’S ASSISTANCE IN ALL SRORTS AND RECREATIONAL ACTIVITIES.
THIS WAS STATED TODAY BY MR. DENIS DRAY, SECRETARY FOR HOME AFFAIRS AND INFORMATION, AT THE HONG KONG SCHOOLS SPORTS ASSOCIATION ANNUAL INTER-SCHOOLS SWIMMING CHAMPIONSHIP, DIVISION ONE, AT THE VICTORIA PARK SWIMMING POOL.
MR. BRAY THAT THE COMPETITION HAD BEEN HELD ANNUALLY FOR THE PAST 18 YEARS. A SECOND DIVISION WAS STARTED FOUR YEARS AGO TO MEET INCREASING DEMANDS ARD IT MIGHT BE NECESSARY TO CREATE A THIRD DIVISION NEXT YEAR.
HE NOTED THAT A REPRESENTATIVE SCHOOLS TEAM HAD TAKEN PART IN INTERNATIONAL SWIMMING COMPETITIONS DURING THE PAST FIVE YEARS AND STANDARDS WERE GETTING BETTER YEAR BY YEAR.
+WE ARE STEADILY IMPROVING AND OUR PERFORMANCE TIMES ARE BEING BETTERED WITH CONS I START EASE YEAR BY YEAR. UE ARE NOU A FORCE TO BE RECKONED WITH AND NEXT YEAR I BELIEVE WE SHALL DO EVEN BETTER,+ HE SAID.
MR. BRAY SAID THE GOVERNMENT WOULD SUPPORT THE NEXT TOUR WITH FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE AND HE WAS CONFIDENT THAT THE TEAM WOULD BRING BACK GOLD AND SILVER MEDALS.
THE SECRETARY APPEALED TO THE YOUNG PEOPLE WHO HAD BEEN PRIVILEGED TO RECEIVE SO MUCH SUPERVISED RECREATION TO +PUT SOMETHING BACK+ INTO THEIR FAVOURITE SPORT BY JOINING AS VOLUNTEERS IN THE RECREATION AND SPORTS SERVICE.
♦THERE WILL BE A TREMENDOUS NEED FOR COACHES, TRAINERS, ORGANISERS, YOUTH LEADERS, COMMITTEE MEMBERS AND IN MANY OTHER AREAS YOUR SKILLS CAN BE PUT TO COMMUNITY USE.
+YOUR CO-OPERATION WILL MEAN SO MUCH TO THE YOUNG PEOPLE COMING ALONG DEHIND YOU AND YOU WILL GET AS MUCH PtEASURE FROM SEEING THEIR SUCCESSES AS YOU HAVE GOT FROM YOUR A(TIVE PARTICIPATION TODAY,+ MR. BRAY SAID.
THURSDA'., OCTOEER 30, 1975
7
FIRE RISK HIGH: PUBLIC URGED TO BE CAREFUL
* H «
THE FIRE SERVICES DEPARTMENT TODAY URGED MEMBERS OF THE PUPlIC TO TAKE NOTE OF THE GREATER FIRE DANGER AND TO BE EXTRA CAREFUL NOT TO START FIRES.
THE RED FIRE DANGER WARNING SIGNAL, WHICH MEANS THAT THE RI.G OF FIRE IS VERY HIGH, WAS HOISTED THIS (THURSDAY) MORNING AND IT IS HOPED THAT THE PUBLIC WILL REALISE THE DANGER AND TRY Tr AVERT IT, A SPOKESMAN FOR THE DEPARTMENT SAID.
HE POINTED OUT THAT WHEN THE HUMIDITY DROPS SIGNIFICANTLY E.c /THING THAT WILL BURN, BOTH INDOORS AND OUTDOORS, DRIES OUT. +WOT ONLY WILL FIRES START MORE EASILY, BUT THEY WILL SPREAD MUCH FASTER,* HE SAID.
THE COUNTRYSIDE WAS PARTICULARLY VULNERABLE AT THIS TIME OF THE YEAR, HE SAID, AND HE URGED PICNICKERS, CAMPERS AND GROUPS HOLDING BARBECUES TO EXERCISE GREATER CARE.
THE SPOKESMAN ALSO APPEAlED TO FACTORY OWNERS TO TAKE PRECAUTIONS AGAINST THE RISK OF FIRE. +NOW IS A GOOD TIME,* HE SAID, +FOR FACTORY MANAGEMENTS TO HAVE THEIR ELECTRICAL SYSTEMS CHECKED BY QUALIFIED EL.ECTR ICI ANS. THIS IS IN THEIR OWN INTEREST AND MAY HELP AVOID UNNECESSARY LOSSES.*
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PRH 7
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|gis|
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 31, 197s
1 CONTENTS PAGE NO.
• - __ , . . —
GOVERNOR-IN-COUNCIL APPROVED FAr’" INCREASES FOR THREE PUBLIC TRANSPORT COMPANIES ...................... 1
WORK BEGINS ON $24 MILLION TUEN MUN ROAD LINK ... 3
SPECIAL ARRANGEMENT INTRODUCED TO SPEED UP TRANSHIPMENT CARGO THROUGH HONG KONG.......................... 5
THREE OUTLINE ZONING PLANS AMENDED .............. 6
FIRING PRACTICE ................................ 6
WORK TO START SOON ON NGAU TAU KOK MTR STATION... 7
price of sand revised ........................... 0
GOVERNMENT ACCOUNTS FOR AUGUST SHOW $00 MILLION DEFICIT . R DIRECTOR OF EDUCATION CONSIDERS LEARNING A SECOND
LANGUAGE A NORMAL HUMAN ACTIVITY ................ 0
REVISION OF COMPANY FEES ....................... 10
Issued by Government Information Services, Beaconsfield House, Hong Kong. Tel: 5*233191
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 3 k 1975
TRANSPORT FARE INCREASES '
XUS
THE GOVERNOR IN COUNCIL I? S APPROVED FARE INCREASES FOR THPF:. PUBLIC TRANSPORT COMPANIES - HONG KONG TRAMW1YS, STAR Fp' ( AND PEAK TRAMWAYS. IN THE CASE OF THE STAR 7ERRY AND H'>; ., KONG TRAMWAYS, THE INCREASES WILL NOW BE SUBMITTED TO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL FOR THE NECESSARY LEGISLATIVE CHANGES TO BE MADE.
■ THE SAME TIME, A PROPOSAL TO WAIVE OR REDUCE ROYALTIES WILL ALSO BE SUBMITTED TO THE COUNCIL. THE DRAFT PROVISIONS REQUIRED TO BRING THESE CHANGES INTO EFFECT ARE PUBLISHED IN TO ’S GAZETTE.
THF PROPOSED NEW FARE STRUCTURES WILL BE A FLAT 30 CENTS F(' HONG KONG TRAMWAYS (AN INCREASE OF 10 CENTS)- 30 CENTS F( - THE TOP DECK OF THE STAR FERRY AND 15 CENTS FOR THE LOWER DE< (AN , INCREASE OF 5 CENTS li! EACH CASE)- AND $1.50 FOR THE PEA. TRAM OR $1 BETWEEN MAY ROAD AND EITHER THE UPPER OR LOWER TERMINI (AN INCREASE OF 50 CENTS IN EACH CASE).
THESE INCREASES, WHICH ARG SCHEDULED TO COME INTO EFFECT ON DECEM .ER 1, ARE REQUIRED B CAUSE THE COMPANIES HAVE HAD TO FACE SUBSTANTIALLY INCREASED COSTS OVER THE PAST F Ai YEARS, IN PARTICULAR THE FOUR-FCLD INCRiASE IN THE PRICE OF .UEL OIL IN 197^.
IN THE CASE OF THE STAR FERRY, THERE HAS BEEN ONLY ONE MINOR INCREASE IN FARES IN THL PAST 30 YEARS -A 5 CENT INCREASE IN THE FIRST CLASS FARE IN 1966. THE SECOND CLASS FARE HAS REMAINED AT 10 CENTS SINCE 1946.
A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN SAID TODAY THAT FIGURES SUPPLIED BY THE STAR FERRY COMPANY INDICATED THAT, WITHOUT 1 FARE INCREASE, IT WOULD HAVE SUFFERED A SERIES OF LOSSES RISING FROM $500,000 IN 1975 10 OVER 02 MILLION IN 1977.
HE POINTED OUT THAT THE- INCREASE OF ONLY FIVE CENTS IN BOTH THE FIRST AND SECOND CLASS FARES AT THE PRESENT TIME WAS AIMED AT KEEPING INCREASES TO THE MINIMUM NECESSARY. HOWEVER. IN VIEW OF STEADILY RISING COSTS, ANOTHER INCREASE OF FIVE CENTS IN THE SECOND CUSS FARE WOULD INTRODUCED FROM JANUARY 1, 1977, GIVING . TWO-STAGE RISE AS A J ALTERNATIVE OF HAVING TO PAY 20 CENTS STRAIGHT AWAY.
THIS WOULD THEN ERING TH' FARES ON THE STAR FIRRY INTO LINE WITH THOSE ON THE HONG KU', AND YALMATI i-ERRY COMPANY FOR ITS CROSS HARBOUR ROUTES - 30 CENTS FIRST CLASS AN) 20 CENTS SECOND CLASS.
IN THE CASE OF THE HONG I- NG TRAMWAYS COMPANY THE LAST INCREASE WAS IN 1972 WHEN THE C iD THIRD CL ASS ACCO 1M0DATI0N WAS ABOLISHED AND A STANDARD I RE OF 20 CENTS WAS INlRODUQED TO REPLACE THE PREVIOUS FARE <'. 20 CENTS UPSTAIRS .ND 10 CENTS DOWN STAIRS.
/SINCE THE
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 31, 1975
2
SINCE THEN EXPENDITURE, PARTICULARLY ON ELECTRICITY AND WAGES, HAS CONTINUALLY INCREASED. IN 1974 ALONE, THE COST OF ELECTRICITY INCREASED BY 136 PER CENT OVER THE PREVIOUS YEAR, WHILE WAGES FOR TRAFFIC STAFF ROSE BY 21 PER CENT AND THOSE FOR REPAIR AND MAINTENANCE STAFF WENT UP BY 41 PER CENT.
THE SPOKESMAN POINTED OUT THAT THERE WAS VERY LITTLE SCOPE F . THE TRAMWAY COMPANY TO INCREASE ITS REVENUE BY CARRYING !. PASSENGERS, EVEN IF THE NUMBER OF VEHICLES WERE TO BE INCREASED. THIS IS BECAUSE OF THE VERY INTENSE UTILIZATION Al \DY BEING MADE OF THE EXISTING TRACK AND ROLLING STOCK.
THE TRANSPORT ADVISORY COMMITTEE HAS ADVISED THAT, IF THE COMPANY IS TO MAINTAIN ITS PRESENT LEVEL OF SERVICE, THF'E IS NO ALTERNATIVE TO AN INCREASE IN THE FARE.
THIS ADVICE HAS BEEN ACCEPTED BY THE GOVERNOR IN COUNCIL AND A BILL WHICH, AMONG OTHER THINGS, SEEKS TO PROVIDE FOR THE INCREASE WAS PUBLISHED TODAY, AND WILL BE INTRODUCED INTO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL EARLY NEXT MONTH.
THE LAST INCREASE FOR THE PEAK TRAMWAYS COMPANY WAS ALSO IN 1972. HOWEVER, SINCE THEN THE INCREASED REVENUE GENERATED BY THE NEW FARES HAS DEEN MOR'. THAN OFFSET BY RAPIDLY RISING OPERATING COSTS.
IN THE PAST TWO YEARS, 'THERE HAS BEEN A 62 PER CENT INCREASE IN ELECTRICITY CHARGES ARISING FROM SUBSTANTIAL INCREASES IN FUEL OIL COSTS. SINCE 1973, WAGES HAVE GONE UP BY 76 PER CENT.
THE COMPANY IS FACING A CRITICAL CASH.FLOW SITUATION AND SAYS IT WILL BE HARD-PRESSED TO FIND THE MONEY TO EMBARK ON A COSTLY CAPITAL REPLACEMENT PROGRAMME NOW UNDER WAY, AND WHICH IS NECESSARY TO MAINTAIN THE HIGH SAFETY STANDARDS REQUIRED OF THIS TRAMWAY.
INCLUDED IN THIS IS AN ITEM OF- MACHINERY PURCiASED LAST MONTH AT A COST OF $117,000, TOGETHER WITH THE PURCHASE OF HAULAGE ROPES, THE PRICE OF WHICH HAS INCREASED 30) PER CENT IN THE PAST 10 YEARS.
THE COMPANY IS ALSO REPLACING, REPAIRING OR REFURNISHING OTHER ITEMS OF MACHINERY^ AND IN EARLY 1976 WILL UNDERTAKE A TRACK REPLACEMENT PROGRAMME COSTING ABOUT $120,0)0.
BECAUSE OF THE NEED TO MAINTAIN A VIABLE PUBLIC TRANSPORT SYSTEM, AND TO KEEP FARE INCREASES TO A MINIMUM, PROPOSALS TO WAIVE ROYALTY PAYMENTS TO THE GOVERNMENT BY THE STAR FERRY COMPANY FOR THE YEARS 1974, 1975 AND 1976 AND TO DISCONTINUE THEM ALTOGETHER FOR HONG KONG TRAMWAYS WILL ALSO BE SUBMITTED TO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL FOR APPROVAL.
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 31, 1975
5
TUEN MUN ROAD LINK K K « «
WORK BEGINS TOMORROW (SATURDAY) ON A $24 MILLION ROAD TO
LINK THE CENTRE OF TUEN MUN NEW TOWN WITH THE $300 MILLION TUEN !.'J\ ROAD NOW BEING BUILT FROM TSUEN WAN TO A POINT ON THE HILLSIDE Nr > THE DRAGON INN ABOVE CASTLE PEAK ROAD.
.a;. NICKY CHAN NAI-KEONG, THE TUEN MUN NEW TOWN PROJECT MANAGER, PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT GOVERNMENT ENGINEER, SAID THE 1.7 ILOMETRE LINK ROAD MARKED AN IMPORTANT PHASE IN THE DEY.. OPMENT OF TUEN MUN INTO A NEW TOWN.
BY JOINING UP WITH THE MAJOR TUEN MUN NEW ROAD IT WILL PRO ‘IDE A MODERN THREE-LANE HIGHWAY FOR CLEARWAY TRAFFIC BE t EN THEN MUN AND TSUEN WAN.
THE LINK ROAD SHOULD BE COMPLETED IN THE LATTER HALF OF 1977 AND THE ENTIRE TUEN MUN - TSUEN WAN EXPRESSWA’' SHOULD BE OPEN BY THE END OF 1977.
MR. CHAN POINTED OUT THAT WITH THE DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME OF TUEN MUN NEW TOWN AND THE EXPANSION PROGRAMMES FOR TSUEN WAN AND KWAI CHUNG NOW IN FULL SWING, THERE WAS AN OBV OUS NEED FOR A MODERN HIGHWAY IN ADDITION -lO THE EXISTING CASTLL PEAK ROAD.
HE SAID THAT THIS ROAD PROJECT AND THE TUEN MUN ROAD PROJECT HAVE BEEN SPECIFICALLY DESIGNED TO CATER FOR THE LARGE VOLUME OF TRAFFIC EXPECT TO BE GENERATED BETWEEN THE TOWNS.
CITING STATISTICS ON POPULATION PROJECTIONS, MR. CHAN SAID THAT TUEN MUN WOULD HAVE AN ULTIMATE POPULATION OF HALF A MILLION IN ABOUT 10 YEARS’ TIME, WHILE TSUEN WAN AND KWAI CHUNG WOULD HAVE A TOTAL OF ANOTHER 850,000.
HE ADDED THAT THE NEW ROUTE WOULD MEAN A MARKED SAVING IN TRAVELLING TIME BETWEEN TSUEN WAN AND TUEN MUN, CUTING THE JOURNEY TO ABOUT 15 MINUTES.
GIVING DETAILS OF THE NEW ROAD PROJECT, WHICH IS THE RESPONSIBILITY OF THE PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT’S NEU TERRITORIES DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT, MR. CHAN SAID THAT THE ALIGNMENT OF THE ROAD EXTENDED FROM THE HIGH GROUND AT THE DRAGUN INN AND OVER THE CASTLE PEAK ROAD AT SAM SHING HUI BY MEANS OF A SIX-SPAN REINFORCED CONCRETE BRIDGE.
IT WILL THEN RUN ALONG RECLAIMED LAND ON THE [ASTERN PART OF CASTLE PEAK BAY TO A GROUND LEVEL INTERCHANGE WITH PUI TO ROAD AND CASTLE PEAK ROAD, HE SAID.
THE CONTRACT FOR THE PROJECT WAS SIGNED ON OC'OBER 17, AND WORK DEGINS TOMORROW FOLLOWING THE SUCCESSFUL CLEARANCE OF SQUATTERS ON THE HILLSIDE AT SAM SHING HUI TODA'. . BY THE NEW TERRITORIES ADMINISTRATION.
/THE CGI. TRACT
- 4 -
FRIDAY. OCTOBSR 31, 1975
THE CONTRACT ALSO COVERS RECLAMATION WORK IN THE EASTERN PAR" OF CASTLE PEAK BAY FROM SAM SHING HUI TO PUI FO ROAD AT WONG KA WAI AND THE CONSTRUCTION OF MAJOR CULVERTS BY WHICH STORM WATER WILL BE INTERCEPTED AND DRAINED INTO THE SEA.
APART FROM PROVIDING PART OF THE ROAD SITE, THE RECLAMATION WILL YIELD ABOUT 11.5 HECTARES OF LAND FOR PRIVATE HOUSING DEVELOPMENT.
UNDER THE CONTRACT, SOME 500,000 CUBIC METRES OF DREDGED MARINE SAND FROM SO KWUN WAT BAY WILL BE DEPOSITED OVER THE REC;....MAT I ON AREA TO ABOUT HIGH WATER LEVEL, AND ONE MILLION CUBIC METRES OF MATERIAL EXCAVATED FROM FUTURE DEVELOPMENT ARE;'? IN THE FOOTHILLS OF CASTLE PEAK WILL BE USED TO BRING The RECLAMATION TO ITS FINAL LEVEL.
MR. CHAN SAID THAT MORE THAN 90 HECTARES OF LAND FOR VARIOUS USES HAVE ALREADY BEEN FORMED UNDER STAGE I DEVELOPMENT FOR THE NEW TOWN, AND CONSTRUCT ION OF PHASE I OF Tai HING PUBLIC HOUSING ESTATE IS ALSO WELL ADVANCED. WHEN COMPLETED. THE ESTATE WILL HAVE ABOUT 29,030 UNITS.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
A SKETCH SHOWING THE TUEN MUN ROAD LINK HAS BEEN BOXED FOR YOUR COLLECTION THIS EVENING.
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FRIDAY, 1CT0BER 31, 1975
SPECIAL ARRANGEMENT INTRODUCED TO SPEED UP TRANSHIPMENT CARGO THROUGH HONG KONG ft ft ft # ft ft
THE COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY DEPARTMENT IS CUTTING RED TAPE TO ENABLE TRANSHIPMENT CARGO TO PASS THROUGH HONG KONG AT A FA 7 R PACE.
THE MOVE IS IN KEEPING WITH THE DEPARTMENT’S POLICY OF REDUCING, WHENEVER POSSIBLE, TRADE FORMALITIES TO A MINIMUM — A POLICY WHICH HAS CONTRIBUTED MUCH TO HONG KONG’S TRADE SUCCESS.
AS IT WOULD TAKE SOME TIME TO AMEND THE PRESENT LAW, THE DEPARTMENT HAS INTRODUCED A SPECIAL INTERIM ARRANGEMENT WHEREBY AN EXPORTER MAY TAKE OUT ONE LICENCE, CALLED AN +EXPORT LICENCE FOR TRANSHIPMENT CARGO,-: TO SHIP AN INDEFINITE NUMBER OF CONSIGNMENTS FOR AS LONG AS THE LICENCE IS VALID — NORMALLY THREE MONTHS.
THE INTERIM ARRANGEMENT APPLIES INITIALLY TO THREE MAJOR EXPORT ITEMS : TEXTILES, PROCESSED AND MANUFACTURED FOODSTUFFS AND ELECTRICAL PRODUCTS WHICH ARE POWERED BY MAINS SUPPLY.
A DC AND I SPOKESMAN EXPLAINED THAT IT WAS THE DEPARTMENT’S INTENTION TO DO AWAY ULTIMATELY WITH ALL LICENSING REQUIREMENTS FOR TRANSHIPMENT CARGO, +BUT THE LAW NEEDS FIRST TO BE AMENDED WHICH IS WHY AN INTERIM ARRANGEMENT HAS TO BE ADOPTED,* HE SAID.
THE SPOKESMAN POINTED OUT, HOWEVER, THAT THERE WERE SOME ITEMS WHICH COULD NOT BE LIBERALISED FOR HEALTH, SAFETY AND SECURITY REASONS.
THE LICENCE IS AVAILABLE TO SHIPPING AND AIRLINE COMPANIES OR THEIR AGENTS. BUT THE SPOKESMAN URGED APPLICANTS TO PAY ATTENTION TO THE REGULATION WHICH STATES THAT CARG1 FOR TRANSHIPMENT MUST REMAIN IN TIE PHYSICAL CUSTODY 0 • THE LICENSEE AND MUST NOT BE SUDSiITUTED WHILE IN HONG KONG.
SHIPPERS WHO MAY HAVE QUERIES ON THE SUBJECT IRE ASKED TO CONTACT EITHER MR. H.Y. LI OR MR. C.K. LEUNG ON 5-432049 ABOUT TEXTILES- OR MISS GRACE KUAN ON 5-228449 AB.1UT PROCESSED AND MANUFAC'lURED FO-D 'TUFFS, AND ELECTRICAL PRODUCTS POWERED DY MAINS SUPPLY.
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- 6 -
FRIDAY, OCTOIER 31, 1975
THREE OUTLINE ZONING ft ft ft ft
THE TOWN PLANNING BOARD TODAY ZONING PLANS WHICH SHOW AMENDMENTS CENTRAL DISTRICT, HUNG HOM AND THE IN WESTERN.
PLANS AMENDED ft
PUBLISHED DRAFT OUTLINE TO THE APPROVED PLANS FOR URBAN RENEWAL DISTRICT
THE AMENDMENTS TO THE PLANS CONSIST OF THE INCLUSION OF NOTES WHICH LIST IN DETAIL TWO CATEGORIES OF BUILDING OR LAND USES ALLOWED WITHIN EACH OF THE DIFFERENT ZONES - THOSE USES ALWAYS PERMITTED AND THOSE WHICH MAY BE PERMITTED JI TH OR WIT.-. JUT CONDITIONS ON APPLICATION TO THE TOWN PLANNING BOARD.
THE NOTES, WHICH ALLOW FOR GREATER FLEXIBILITY IN THE IMPLEMEN l ATI ON OF THE PLANS, ARE INTRODUCED FOLLOWING T'E ENACTMENT OF THE TOWN PLANNING (AMENDMENT AND VALUATION) ORDINANCE.
THE AMENDMENTS DO NOT AFFECT THE DISTRIBUTION OF EXISTING LAND USE SHOWN ON ANY OF THE PLANS NOW ON EXHIBITION.
COPIES OF THE DRAFT AMENDMENT PLANS CAN BE SEEN DURING NORMAL OFFICE HOURS BEFORE DECEMBER 30, 1975 AT THE CENTRAL ENQUIRY SUB-OFFICE LOCATED AT THE WEST WING ENTRANCE TO THE CENTRAL GOVERNMENT OFFICES, AND AT THE KOWLOON BRANCH OF THE CROWN LANDS AND SURVEY OFFICE ON THE 10TH FLOOR OF THE KOWLOON GOVERNMENT OFFICES AT 405 NATHAN ROAD.
ANYONE WHO HAS ANY OBJECTION TO ANYTHING APPEARING IN THE AMENDED PARTS OF THE PLANS CAN WRITE TO THE SECRETARY OF THE TOWN PLANNING BOARD BEFORE DECEMBER 30, SETTING OUT THE REASONS FOR HIS OBJECTION AND ANY ALTERATIONS PROPOSED.
COPIES OF THE DRAFT PLANS ARE ALSO AVAILABLE aT THE CROWN LANDS AND SURVEY OFFICE ON THE 19TH FLOOR OF MURRAY BUILDING AT $5 EACH UNCOLOURED.
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FIRING PRACTICE ft ft ft ft ft ft
FIRING PRACTICE WILL BE CONDUCTED IN OR OVER AREA ’D’ OF THE HA TSUEN/CASTLE PEAK FIRIIJG RANGE BETWEEN 8 A. 11. AND 3 P.M. ON NOVEMBER 6, IT WAS ANNOUNCED IN TODAY’S GAZETTE.,
FIRING PRACTICE WILL ALSO BE CARRIED OUT IN THE SAME AREA BETWEEN 8.30 A.M. AND 6 P.M. ON NOVEMBER 20, 21, 27 AND 28.
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FRIDAY, OCTOBER 31, 1975
- 7 -
WuRK TO START SOON ON NGAU TAU KOK M.T.R. STATION i K X « X KM
PRELIMINARY WORK IS TO START SOON ON THE CONSTRUCTION OF THE OVERHEAD MASS TRANSIT RAILWAY LINES AND STATION AT NGAU TAU KOK AND THE ADJACENT SECTION OF ELEVATED ROAD, SUBWAYS AND ANCILLARY ROADWORKS.
DETAILS OF THE STREETS AFFECTED ARE PUBLISHED IN TODAY’S GAZETTE.
THE FIRST PART OF THE WORK WILL BE THE DIVERSION OF UTILITY SERVICES, THE WIDENING OF KWUN TONG ROAD AT THE JUNCTION WITH ELEGANCE ROAD AND THE REALIGNMENT OF ELEGANCE ROAD. THIS WILL BE FOLLOWED BY THE CONSTRJCTION OF THE OVERHEAD LINES AND STATION AT NGAU TAU KOK AT WHIJHTIME THE OPPORTUNITY WILL BE TAKEN TO CARRY OUT SOME OF THE ADJACENT ROAD IMPROVEMENTS IN ORDER TO MINIMISE INCONVENIENCE TO THE PUBLIC.
FROM TIME TO TIME DURING THE PERIOD OF CONSTRUCTION PARTS OF KWUN TONG ROAD WILL BE REDUCED TO A MINIMUM OF THREE LANES OF TRAFFIC. HOWEVER THESE RESTRICTIONS WILL NOT BE IMPOSED UNTIL WAI YIP STREET EXTENSION HAS BEEN COMPLETED. THIS WILL PROVIDE AN ALTERNATIVE ROUTE WITH THE ADDITIONAL CAPACITY OF FOUR TRAFFIC LANES.
TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS WILL CHANGE FROM TIME TO TIME AS WORK PROGRESSES AND DETAILS WILL BE ANNOUNCED BEFORE THEY ARE IMPLEMENTED.
THE PRELIMINARY ROADWORKS ARE DUE TO BEGIN NEXT MONTH WHILE THE MAIN MASS TRANSIT RAILWAY WORKS AND ASSOCIATED ROADWORKS ARE EXPECTED TO START IN JULY 1976. THE WHOLE OF THE WORK IS DUE FOR COMPLETION BY THE END OF 1979.
PLANS SHOWING THE AREAS AFFECTED BY THE PROJECT ARE DISPLAYED AT THE CENTRAL ENQUIRY SUB-OFFICE, CENTRAL GOVERNMENT OFFICES, WEST WING, HONG KONG° THE CROWN LANDS AND SURVEY OFFICE, 1OTH FLOOR, KOWLOON GOVERNMENT OFFICES BUILDING, 405 NATHAN ROAD, KOWLOON AND THE CITY DISTRICT OFFICES, (KWUN TONG), KWUN TONG DISTRICT BRANCH OFFICES BUILDING, TUNG YAN STREET, 3RD FLOOR, KOWLOON.
, TODAY’S GAZETTE NOTICE STIPULATES THAT ANY PERSON MAKING A CLAIM FOR COMPENSATE ARISING OUT OF THESE STREET ALTERATIONS UNDER THE MASS TRANSIT RAILWAY (LAND RESUMPTION AND RELATED PROVISIONS) ORDINANCE EUST SEN') HIS CLAIM IN WRITING TO THE DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC WORKS. THE CLAIM MUST REACH THE OFFICE OF THE DIRECTOR BEFORE THE EXPIRATION OF ONE YEAR FROM THE DATE OF CLOSURE OF THE STREET CR FROM THE COMPLETION OF THE SUBSTANTIAL ALTERATION WHICH IS ALLEGED TO HAVE CAUSED PECUNIARY LOSS OR DAMAGE.
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/8
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 31, 1975.
- 8 -
PRICE OF SAND REVISED ft ft ft # ft
THE PRICE OF BUILDING SAND PURCHASED FROM GOVERNMENT SAND DEPOTS HAS BEEN INCREASED FROM $30 TO $33.50 A CUBIC YARD AS A RESULT OF HIGHER OVERHEAD CHARGES.
THE NEW PRICE, ANNOUNCED IN TODAY’S GAZETTE, WILL BE CHARGED FOR ALL SAND FOR WHICH PAYMENT IS MADE ON OR AFTER TODAY.
A PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT SPOKESMAN REAFFIRMED THAT THE GOVERNMENT’S POLICY +IS NOT TO RECOVER MORE THAN THE COST OF BUYING AND SELLING 3AND.+
HE EXPLAINED THAT THE PRESENT INCREASE ARISES FROM A GENERAL INCREASE IN THE OVERHEAD CHARGES, PARTICULARLY THOSE RELATED TO FUEL OIL COSTS.
HOWEVER, THE SPOKESMAN POINTED OUT THAT THE EFFECT OF THE INCREASE ON BUILDING COSTS WILL BE MINIMAL AND IS ESTIMATED TO REPRESENT AN INCREASE OF ONLY 0.4 PER CENT DEPENDING ON THE COMPLEXITY OF THE BUILDING.
THE NEW PRICE WILL ALSO APPLY TO ROYALTY PAYMENTS FOR SAND COLLECTED FROM AUTHORISED SITES WITH THE EXCEPTION OF THE SALE AND REMOVAL Of SAND IN SMALL QUANTITIES FCR LOCAL VILLAGE PURPOSES OR COMMUNITY WORKS.
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GOVERNMENT ACCOUNTS FOR AUGUST ft ft ft ft ft ft
THE GOVERNMENT ACCOUNTS FOR THE MONTH OF AUGUST 1975 SHOW A DEFICIT OF $90 MILLION COMPARED WITH A DEFICIT OF $202 MILLION IN AUGUST LAST YEAR.
THIS HAS RESULTED IN AN ACCUMULATED DEFICIT OF $421 MILLION FOR THE FIRST FIVE MON"HS OF THIS FINANCIAL YEAR, COMPARED WITH A DEFICIT OF $590 MILL ON FOR THE SAME PERIOD LAST YEAR.
TOTAL REVENUE FOR AUGUST WAS $351 MILLION WHICH INCLUDED A LOAN OF $15 MILLION FROM LLOYDS BANK INTERNATIONAL. THE REVENUE WAS $49 MILL I Oil MORE THAN IN AUGUST 1974 DUE MAINLY TO INCREASED RECEIPTS FROM RATES AND INTERNAL REVENUE.
EXPENDITURE AT $441 MILLION WAS $63 MILLION LESS THAN THE SAME MONTH LAST YEAR, MA INLY BECAUSE OF DECREASED SPENDING ON PUBLIC WORKS PROJECTS 4S A RESULT OF DIFFICULT WEATHER CONDITIONS
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/9
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 31, 1975
9
LEARNING A SECOND LANGUAGE
* M « « M
THE DIRECTOR OF EDUCATION, MR. KENNETH TOPLEY, SAID TODAY THAT THE GERMAN SWISS INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL HAD GREAT OPPORTUNITIES TO DISTINGUISH ITSELF IN THE FIELD OF SECOND LANGUAGE TEACHING.
SPEAKING AT THE INAUGURATION OF THE SCHOOL, MR. TOPLEY SAID THAT +IF EFFORTS IN THIS AND OTHER AREAS MATCH THE EFFORTS MADE IN PUTTING UP THE SCHOOL THEN THE RESULTS IN THIS SCHOOL WILL BE OUTSTANDINGLY SUCCESSFUL.+
THE SCHOOL IS THE FIRST OF ITS KIND WITH TWO STREAMS — ONE LEADING TO THE GCE AND THE OTHER TO THE SCHLUSSPRUEFUNG (THE GERMAN SECONDARY SCHOOL LEAVING CERTIFICATE EXAMINATION).
THE DIRECTOR EXPRESSED HIS APPRECIATION AND RESPECT FOR THE COURAGE AND DETERMINATION SHOWN BY A SMALL GROUP OF DEDICATED PEOPLE WHO OVERCAME DIFFICULTIES TO SEE THIS NEW SCHOOL PROJECT THROUGH.
EARLIER, MR. TOPLEY TOUCHED ON LINGUISTIC PROBLEMS AND ACHIEVEMENTS. HE SAID THAT IN THE PAST, IN BRITAIN AT LEAST, LEARNING TO SPEAK OTHER PEOPLES’ LANGUAGES WAS CONSIDERED UNNATURAL IN SOME CIRCLES.
BUT IN THE PRESENT DAY AND AGE, THE LINGUISTS SHOULD BE LOOKED AT AS A NORMAL HUMAN BEING AND LINGUISTIC ACHIEVEMENT AS A NATURAL ACCOMPLISHMENT.
+WE SHOULD NOW BE ABLE TO SEE LANGUAGE LEARNING AS LESS OF A BUSINESS FOR SPECIALISTS AND MORE OF A NORMAL HUMAN ACTIVITY. WE ALL OUGHT TO BE PREPARED TO HAVE A GO AT A NEW LANGUAGE WHEN APPROPRIATE,* MR. TOPLEY SAID.
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 31, 1975
10 -
REVISION OF COMPANY FEES HOOK
A NUMBER OF FEES PAYABLE UNDER THE COMPANIES ORDINANCE HAVE BEEN REVISED, IN LINE WITH RECOMMENDATIONS MADE BY THE COMPANIES LAV/ REVISION COMMITTEE.
THE COMPANIES (FEES) ORDER AND THE COMPANIES (FORMS) (AMENDMENT) ORDER PUBLISHED IN TODAY’S GAZETTE REFER MAINLY TO FEES FOR INSPECTION AND CERTIFICATION OF DOCUMENTS KEPT BY THE REGISTRAR AND TO FEES FOR REGISTERING CERTAIN INSTRUMENTS AND FOR INSPECTING THE REGISTER OF CHARGES.
THE NEW FEES ARE LISTED IN THE GAZETTE AND WILL COME INTO EFFECT TOWARDS THE END OF THE YEAR.
A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN POINTED OUT THAT MANY OF THESE FEES HAD REMAINED UNCHANGED FOR OVER 40 YEARS AND THE INCREASES WERE CONSIDERED REASONABLE,