Daily Information Bulletin - 1970s - 1977 - NOV - ENG





 DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN

TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 1, 1977

CONTENTS PAGE NO.

COMPREHENSIVE STUDY ON TRAFFIC SURVEILLANCE AND CONTROL COMMENCES .................................................... 1

FOREIGN COMPANIES REGISTERED IN HK REACH 1,000 MARK .......... 2

PRESENTATION OF INSIGNIA ..................................... 3

NEW PAY STRUCTURE FOR P.W.D. TECHNICAL GRADES BROADLY FAIR - COMMITTEE OF INQUIRY CONCLUDES ...................... *

BUILDING AND CIVIL ENGINEERING WORKERS GET BETTER WAGE PROTECTION ................................................... 6

PASSING-OUT PARADE OF CUSTOMS AND EXCISE SERVICE INSPECTORS ................................................... 7

ROYAL OBSERVATORY’S CALENDAR NOW ON SALE .................... 8

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

TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 1, 1977

1

COMPREHENSIVE STUDY ON TRAFFIC SURVEILLANCE AND CONTROL

*****

THE PUBLIC >'«ORKS DEPARTMENT HAS JUST STARTED A COMPREHENSIVE STUDY ON THE REQUIREMENTS FOR TRAFFIC SURVEILLANCE AND CONTROL ON THE NETWORK OF HIGH GRADE ROADS MOW BEING PLANNED AND CONSTRUCTED IN HONG KONG.

THE STUDY, COSTING 32 MILLION, WILL TAKE ABOUT TWO YEARS TO COMPLETE.

AT THE END OF THE INVESTIGATION, RECOMMENDATIONS WILL Bt MADE FOR A TRAFFIC SURVEILLANCE AND CONTROL SYSTEM WHICH AIMS TO IMPROVE SAFETY, EXPEDITE ATTENTION TO ACCIDENTS OR BREAKDOWNS ON THE ROADS, AND MINIMISE DELAYS TO OTHER ROAD USERS.

A FIRM OF CONSULTANTS, MAUNSELL CONSULTANTS ASIA (M.C.A.) HAS BEEN APPOINTED BY THE P.W.D. TC ASSIST THE HIGHWAYS OFFICE IN CARRYING OUT THE STUDY.

AN AGREEMENT WAS FORMALLY SIGNED TODAY AT THE HEADQUARTERS OF THE PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT.

MR. J.W. THOMAS, GOVERNMENT HIGHWAY ENGINEER (TRAFFIC AND TRANSPORT), SAID THAT A STUDY TEAM, CONSISTING OF TWO ENGINEERS FROM THE TRAFFIC CONTROL AND SURVEILLANCE UNIT OF THE HIGHWAYS OFFICE AND TWO FROM M.C.A., HAD BEEN SET UP.

THE TEAM, HE SAID, WOULD STUDY SURVEILLANCE AND CONTROL SYSTEMS ABROAD AND EVALUATE THEIR APPLI CAB ILITY TO HONG KONG.

+APART FROM RECOMMENDING AN APPROPRIATE SURVEILLANCE AND CONTROL SYSTEM FOR THE ROAD NETWORK OF HONG KONG, THE TEAM WILL ALSO MAKE PROPOSALS FOP TRAFFIC ENGINEERING STANDARDS,+ MR. THOMAS SAID.

+AMONG THE THINGS TO BE CONSIDERED WILL BE THE PROVISION OF HARD SHOULDERS, SAFETY BARRIERS AND SIGNS.+

RECOMMENDATIONS WOULD ALSO EE ’•ADE ON METHODS OF PATROLLING AND DEALING WITH BREAKDOWNS AND ACCIDENTS ON HIGH GRADE ROADS.

IN ADDITION, THE STUDY TEAM ..OULD INVESTIGATE WHETHER A LINK UP BETWEEN A TRAFFIC SURVEILLANCE SYSTEM AND AREA TRAFFIC CONTROL SCHEME IS DESIRABLE.

AS FAR AS THE IMPLEMENTATION OF ANY SURVEILLANCE OF CONTROL SYSTEM RECOMMENDED BY THE STUDY TEAM WAS CONCERNED, MR. THOMAS INDICATED THAT IT WOULD PROBABLY TAKE THREE YEARS FROM THE ACCEPTANCE OF THE RECOMMENDATIONS BEFORE A SYSTEM BECAME OPERATIONAL.

+IT IS MUCH TOO EARLY TO INDICATE THE LIKELY COST OF ANY SYSTEM aHICH MAY BE INSTALLED, BUT IT WOULD BE VERY SMALL COMPARED TO THE COST OF ROAD CONSTRUCT I ON,+HE SAID.

/MR. THOMAS

TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 1, 1977

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MR. THOMAS POINTED OUT THAT COMPREHENSIVE SYSTEMS OF TRAFFIC CONTROL AND SURVEILLANCE WERE BEING INSTALLED IN THE SECOND LION ROCK TUNNEL AND WERE BEING PLANNED FOR THE ABERDEEN AND AIRPORT TUNNELS.

THESE SYSTEMS INCLUDE CLOSED CIRCUIT TELEVISION, EMERGENCY TELEPHONES, AND ELECTRONICALLY VARIABLE SIGNS.

SIGNS ON THE APPROACHES TO THE SECOND LION ROCK TUNNEL HAVE ALREADY BEEN ERECTED, READY FOR ITS OPENING IN THE NEW YEAR.

IN PREPARATION FOR THE OUTCOME OF THE STUDY, MR. THOMAS SAID, EMERGENCY TELEPHONES WOULD EE INSTALLED SOON ALONG TUEN MUN ROAD AND THE WEST KOWLOON CORRIDOR.

+THESE TELEPHONES WILL EE LINKED DIRECT TO TRAFFIC CONTROL ROOMS AND ARE FOR USE EY DRIVERS WHO WISH TO CALL FOR ASSISTANCE IN THE EVENT OF BREAKDOWNS AND ACCIDENTS,+ HE SAID.

FOREIGN COMPANIES REACH 1,000 MARK * * * *

THE NUMBER OF FOREIGN COMPANIES REGISTERED IN HONG KONG UNDER THE COMPANIES ORDINANCE REACHED THE 1,000 MARK TODAY (TUESDAY) ACCORDING TO RECORDS IN THE REGISTRAR GENERAL S DEPARTMENT.

THEY ARE FROM 48 COUNTRIES WITH THE UNITED STATES LEADING WITH 253 COMPANIES. IT IS FOLLOWED BY THE UNITcD KINGDOM WITH 128 AND JAPAN 116.

A SPOKESMAN FOR THE REGISTRAR GENERAL’S DEPARTMENT SAID THE FIGURE DID NOT INCLUDE FOREIGN COMPANIES OPERATING IN HONG KONG THROUGH LOCAL AGENTS BECAUSE ONLY THOSE WHICH HAD ESTABLISHED A PLACE OF BUSINESS IN HONG KONG WERE REQUIRED TO REGISTER WITH THE COMPANIES REGISTRY.

THE FIRST FOREIGN COMPANY ON THE REGISTER IS AN AMERICAN EANK WHICH OBTAINED ITS POST-WAR REGISTRATION IN 1946. SINCE THEN 1,777 FOREIGN COMPANIES HAVE BEEN REGISTERED, BUT OVER THE YEARS, 777 CEASED TO HAVE A PLACE OF BUSINESS IN HONG KONG AND WERE DE-REGISTERED.

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TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 1, 1977

5

PRESENTATION OF INSIGNIA * * * *

FORTY-NINE LOCAL RESIDENTS WHO HAVE BEEN DECORATED BY THE QUEEN WILL RECEIVE THEIR AWARDS FROM THE GOVERNOR, SIR MURRAY MACLEHOSE, AT A CEREMONY IN GOVERNMENT HOUSE TOMORROW (WEDNESDAY).

THE INSIGNIA TO BE PRESENTED CONSIST OF THREE CBE’S, EIGHT OBE’S , ONE ISO, EIGHT MBE’S, SEVEN BADGES OF HONOUR, ONE QUEEN’S GALLANTRY MEDAL, ONE QUEEN’S COMMENDATION FOR BRAVE CONDUCT, SIX BEM’S, TWO QPM’S, TEN CPM’S AND TWO ISM’S.

THE RECIPIENTS HAVE BEEN DECORATED EITHER BIRTHDAY HONOURS OR THE NEW YEAR HONOURS.

IN THE QUEEN’S

SPECIAL PARKING ARRANGEMENTS WILL EE MADE FOR GUESTS ATTENDING THE PRESENTATION CEREMONY.

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

VEHICLES BEARING BLUE LABELS MUST LEAVE EY THE EAST GATE AND MAY THEN PARK AT UPPER ALBERT ROAD, LOWER ALBERT ROAD, THE SLIP ROAD TO THE SOUTH OF THE UNITED STATES CONSULATE BUILDINGS, THE METERED CAR PARK BETWEEN KENNEDY ROAD AND GARDEN ROAD, AND THE CAR PARK AT CENTRAL GOVERNMENT OFFICES IN LOWER ALBERT ROAD.

ALL VEHICLES PARKED INSIDE GOVERNMENT HOUSE SHCULD_LEAVE EY THE EAST GATE, OTHER GUESTS ARE RlQUcSTED TO WALK TO THz IE CARS AFTER THE PRESENTATION CEREMONY.

PARKING FACILITIES IN METERED SPACES IN UPPER AND LOWER ALBERT ROADS AND THE METERED CAR PARK BETWEEN KENNEDY ROAD AND GARDEN ROAD WILL EE SUSPENDED FROM 3 P.H. TO 7.33 ?.'. TOMORROW TO FACILITATE PARKING FOR INVITED GUESTS TO GOVERNMENT HOUSE.

NOTE TO EDITORS:

ONLY PRESS PHOTOGRAPHERS . I TH SPECIAL PASSES WILL EE ADMITTED TO GOVERNMENT HOUSE. THEY SHOULD MEET GIS OFFICERS IN THE GUARD ROOM OF GOVERNMENT HOUSE MOT LATER THAN 5.30 P.M.

TOMORROW.

NEWSPAPERS NOT RECEIVING PASSES .-.ILL Be ABLE TO OBTAIN PHOTOGRAPHS BY MAKING ARRANGEMENTS FOR THE SUPPLY OF PRINTS IN THE ORDINARY ..AY WITH GOLDEN STUDIO, AT 527 HENNESSY ROAD, WAN CHAI, TELEPHONE NO. 5“777940.

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TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 1, 1977

4

NEV. PAY STRUCTURE FOR P.W.D. TECHNICAL GRADES BROADLY FAIR -- COMMITTEE OF INQUIRY CONCLUDES

# -K *

THE COMMITTEE OF INQUIRY INTO AN IMPROVED PAY STRUCTURE FOR TECHNICAL GRADES IN THE PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT HAS CONCLUDED THAT THE NEV. STRUCTURE IS ’BROADLY FAIR’.

THE INQUIRY, CONDUCTED BY PROFESSOR WILLOUGHBY OF HONG KONG UNIVERSITY, WAS ORDERED BY THE GOVERNOR AFTER SOME MEMBERS OF THE TECHNICAL GRADES HAD REFUSED TO ACCEPT THE NEW PAY STRUCTURE DESPITE LENGTHY DISCUSSIONS WITH THE MANAGEMENT.

THEY CLAIMED THEY HAD A CASE FOR EVEN HIGHER RATES OF PAY THAN THE IMPROVED ONES OFFERED BY THE FINANCE COMMITTEE.

PROFESSOR WILLOUGHBY’S REPORT WAS RELEASED TODAY (TUESDAY) AFTER MORE THAN SIX WEEKS OF DETAILED INVESTIGATION.

A TOTAL OF 15 SUBMISSIONS FROM GOVERNMENT STAFF ASSOCIATIONS, GROUPS OF OFFICERS, INDIVIDUALS AND MANAGEMENT WERE CONSIDERED BY PROFESSOR WILLOUGHBY.

THESE SUBMISSIONS WERE FOLLOWED UP BY QUESTIONS TO SENIOR GOVERNMENT STAFF AND TO EIGHT OF THE STAFF ASSOCIATIONS. A NUMBER OF MEETINGS WERE ALSO HELD.

THE TERMS OF REFERENCE FOR THE COMMITTEE OF INQUIRY WERE: +HAVING REGARD TO THE GOVERNMENT’S PAY POLICY AS SUMMARISED IN THE ’STATEMENT OF PRINCIPLES AND AIMS IN CIVIL SERVICE REMUNERATION’ TO CONSIDER WHETHER THE PROPOSALS APPROVED BY THE FINANCE COMMITTEE OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL FOR THE RESTRUCTURING OF THE PROFESSIONAL SUPPORT GRADES IN THE PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT ARE FAIR OR OTHERWISE AND TO RECOMMEND TO THE GOVERNOR WHETHER THOSE PROPOSALS SHOULD EE AMENDED.+

PROFESSOR WILLOUGHBY’S CONCLUSIONS ARE DIVIDED INTO TWO MAIN SECTIONS — THOSE CONCERNED .. I TH ORGANISATIONAL PROBLEMS AND THOSE CONCERNED WITH PAY RATES.

ON ORGANISATIONAL ASPECTS, HE CONCLUDES THAT:

(A) THIS NAS '• HIGHLY COMPLEX EXERCISE WHICH INEVITABLY INVOLVED COMPROMISES ..HICH WOULD NOT PLEASE EVERYBODY-

(3) SOME CRITICISM CAN BE MADE OF THE WAY IN WHICH CONSULTATIONS WITH CERTAIN STAFF ASSOCIATIONS WERE HANDLED, NEVERTHELESS THE REVIEW INVOLVED EXTENSIVE DISCUSSIONS AT ALL LEVELS”

(C) THE ORGANISATION OF । HE P’WD IS ESSEN” IALLY A MATTER FOR MANAGEMENT’S DISCRETION”

(D) THERE WAY EE TEETHING PROBLEMS WITH THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE NE.. STRUCTURE AND THE MANAGEMENT SHOULD KEEP THE JOB SPECIFICATIONS UNDEr REVIE.. TO ENSURE THEY PROPERLY REFLECT ..HAT ACTUALLY HAPPENS ON THE GROUND”

/(E) THE WHOLE .....

TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 1, 1977

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(E) THE WHOLE STRUCTURE, IN PARTICULAR THE NEED FOR MORE SENIOR POSTS, SHOULD BE KEPT UNDER REVIEW-

(F) THE EFFECT ON MORALE OF POOR PROMOTION PROSPECTS AND THE LACK OF ATTENTION TO INDIVIDUAL GRIEVANCES SHOULD BE INVESTIGATED*

(G) THE EFFECT ON STANDARDS OF EFFICIENCY OF LOW MORALE SHOULD ALSO BE CONSIDERED* AND

(H) OVERALL, THE ORGANISATIONAL AND CAREER STRUCTURE IS SATISFACTORY, +PROVIDED THAT THE MANAGEMENT LOOKS CLOSELY AT ITS STAFF/MANAGEMENT COMMUNICATION PROCEDURES.+

ON PAY RATES, PROFESSOR WILLOUGHBY CONCLUDES:

(A) THE PAY INVESTIGATION UNIT IS TRULY INDEPENDENT AND ITS METHODOLOGY IS FAIR*

(B) THE RESULTS OF THE 1977 PAY INVESTIGATION UNIT SURVEY OF TECHNICAL WORK IN THE PRIVATE SECTOR HAVE BEEN FAIRLY INTERPRETED*

(C) EFFORTS SHOULD EE MADE TO IMPROVE THE STAFF ASSOCIATIONS’ CONFIDENCE IN THE PAY INVESTIGATION UNIT*

(D) ALTHOUGH MANAGEMENT WAS NOT TOTALLY INFLEXIBLE IN PRESENTING THE NEW STRUCTURE TO THE STAFF, THE VERY EFFICIENCY AND SOPHISTICATION OF THE PAY INVESTIGATION UNIT LEFT THE MANAGEMENT WITH LIMITED SCOPE FOR NEGOTIATION AND FURTHER COMPROMISE*

(E) THE PAY RATES ARE BROADLY FAIR HAVING REGARD TO GOVERNMENT’S PAY POLICY* AND,

(F) CONSIDERATION SHOULD BE GIVEN TO SUCH SPECIAL ALLOWANCES AS ACTING PAY IF PRESSURE OF WORK RESULTS IN ADDITIONAL RESPONSIBILITIES BEING IMPOSED ON JUNIOR STAFF.

PROFESSOR WILLOUGHBY ALSO RECOMMENDED THAT THE GOVERNMENT SHOULD GIVE CONSIDERATION TO SETTING UP FORMAL CIVIL SERVICE CONCILIATION MACHINERY, WHICH MIGHT PREVENT A RESORT TO INDUSTRIAL ACTION IN THE FUTURE.

THE SECRETARY FOR THE CIVIL SERVICE, MR. RON BRIDGE, SAID HE WELCOMED THE CONCLUSIONS OF THE COMMITTEE OF INQUIRY. HE ADDED: +1 WILL EE LOOKING INTO WAYS OF MAKING CLEARER TO STAFF ASSOCIATIONS THE ROLE OF THE PAY INVESTIGATION UNIT, AND INTO WHETHER DIFFERING PROMOTION PROSPECTS AND ANY LACK OF ATTENTION TO INDIVIDUAL GRIEVANCES HAS HAD AN EFFECT ON MORALE. I WILL ALSO BE EXAMINING CIVIL SERVICE PROCEDURES FOR SETTLING DISPUTES.+

THE DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC WORKS, MR. DAVID MCDONALD, SAID HIS STAFF WOULD BE KEEPING THE NEW STRUCTURE UNDER REVIcW. HE TRUSTED THAT STAFF ASSOCIATIONS WOULD NO'.. ACCEPT THAT THE NEW STRUCTURE AND PAY RATES WERE FAIR AND THAT THERE WOULD BE A SPEEDY RETURN TO NORMAL WORKING.

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TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 1, 1977

6 .

BETTER WAGE PROTECTION FOR WORKERS IN BUILDING AND CIVIL ENGINEERING INDUSTRY * * * * *

WORKERS IN THE BUILDING AND CIVIL ENGINEERING CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY GET BETTER WAGE PROTECTION FROM TODAY (TUESDAY) WITH THE COMING INTO OPERATION OF THE EMPLOYMENT (AMENDMENT) (NO. 4) ORDINANCE 1977.

THE NEW LEGISLATION WHICH WAS PASSED BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL IN JUNE THIS YEAR IMPOSES A VICARIOUS LIABILITY ON ALL PRINCIPAL CONTRACTORS, NOMINATED SUB-CONTRACTORS AND SUPERIOR SUB-CONTRACTORS TO PAY WAGES OWED TO SUB-CONTRACTORS’ EMPLOYEES IN THE EVENT OF A DEFAULT IN PAYMENT OF WAGES BY THEIR SUB-CONTRACTORS.

UNDER THIS ORDINANCE EMPLOYEES WHO ARE OWED WAGES MUST NOTIFY THE PRINCIPAL CONTRACTOR OR NOMINATED SUB-CONTRACTOR OF THEIR WAGE CLAIMS IN WRITING WITHIN 30 DAYS OF THE WAGES BECOMING DUE.

THE PRINCIPAL CONTRACTOR MUST, IN TURN, NOTIFY EVERY SUPERIOR SUB-CONTRACTOR TO THE DEFAULTING SUB-CONTRACTOR WITHIN 14 DAYS AFTER RECEIPT OF THE EMPLOYEES’ NOTICE OF WAGE CLAIMS.

ON THE OTHER HAND, ALL SUB-CONTRACTORS IN THE CHAIN OF SUB-CONTRACTING ARE REQUIRED TO PROVIDE THE PRINCIPAL CONTRACTOR OR NOMINATED SUB-CONTRACTOR WITH INFORMATION RELATING TO THE EMPLOYEES CLAIMING UNPAID WAGES.

THE LAW ALSO REQUIRES AN EMPLOYER WHO IS A SUB-CONTRACTOR TO SUPPLY HIS EMPLOYEES WITH THE NAME AND ADDRESS OF THE PRINCIPAL CONTRACTOR OR NOMINATED SUB-CONTRACTOR OF EVERY SUPERIOR SUB-CONTRACTOR WITHIN SEVEN DAYS ON RECEIPT OF A WRITTEN REQUEST.

THE PRINCIPAL CONTRACTOR, NOMINATED SUB-CONTRACTOR OR SUPERIOR SUB-CONTRACTOR WILL HAVE THE RIGHT TO RECOVER ANY MONEY PAID OUT IN WAGES FROM THE DEFAULTING SUBORDINATE SUB-CONTRACTOR AS A CIVIL DEBT.

HE CAN ALSO CLAIM CONTRIBUTION FROM OTHERS LIABLE OR DEDUCT, BY WAY OF SET-OFF, THE AMOUNT PAID BY HIM FROM ANY SUM DUE TO A SUB-CONTRACTOR WITH WHOM HE HAS ENTERED INTO A SUB-CONTRACT.

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TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 1, 1977

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CUSTOMS AND EXCISE SERVICE INSPECTORS MAKE THE GRADE * * * *

A TOTAL OF 13 PROBATIONARY INSPECTORS OF THE CUSTOMS AND EXCISE SERVICE WILL TAKE PART IN A PASSING-OUT PARADE ON SATURDAY (NOVEMBER 5).

TAKING THE SALUTE WILL BE MR. W. DORWARD, OBE, JP, THE ACTING DIRECTOR OF TRADE , INDUSTRY AND CUSTOMS. THE PARADE WILL TAKE PLACE BEFORE SOME 50 OFFICIAL GUESTS AT THE CUSTOMS AND EXCISE TRAINING SCHOOL AT TAI LAM CHUNG IN THE NEW TERR(TORIES.

THIS IS THE SECOND PASSING-OUT PARADE OF INSPECTORS HELD SINCE THE TITLE WAS CHANGED FROM PREVENTIVE SERVICE TO CUSTOMS AND EXCISE SERVICE EARLIER THIS YEAR. THE PREVIOUS PARADE WAS HELD IN SEPTEMBER WHEN 16 INSPECTORS AND 57 CUSTOMS OFFICERS COMPLETED THEIR TRAINING.

THE CUSTOMS AND EXCISE TRAINING COURSES ARE DESIGNED TO GIVE RECRUITS A THOROUGH UNDERSTANDING OF THE LAW IN RELATION TO SMUGGLING, NARCOTICS AND REVENUE PROTECTION, AND INCLUDE TRAINING IN JUDO, THE USE OF FIRE-ARMS AND METHODS OF SEARCHING ON LAND AND SEA AND AT THE AIRPORT.

NOTE TO EDITORS:

YOU ARE INVITED TO SEND A REPORTER AND PHOTOGRAPHER TO COVER THE PARADE. A GOVERNMENT COACH AM 5606 WILL DEPART FROM KOWLOON PUBLIC PIER AT 9 A.M. ON SATURDAY TO TAKE GUESTS AND MEMBERS OF THE PRESS TO THE CUSTOMS AND EXCISE TRAINING SCHOOL, AND LATER RETURN THE PARTY TO KOWLOON.

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TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 1, 1977

8

OBSERVATORY’S CALENDAR NOW ON SALE # M * *

THE ROYAL OBSERVATORY’S 1978 CALENDAR FEATURING MANY INTERESTING ASPECTS OF METEOROLOGICAL AND ASTRONOMICAL INFORMATION IS NOW ON SALE AT $7 EACH.

THE INFORMATION-PACKED CALENDAR IS AVAILABLE FROM THE GOVERNMENT PUBLICATIONS CENTRE AT THE GPO BUILDING, HONG KONG, THE ROYAL OBSERVATORY IN TSIM SHA TSUI AND LEADING BOOKSHOPS.

IN ADDITION TO DAYS AND DATES, THE CALENDAR LISTS TIMES OF SUNRISE, SUNSET, MOONRISE AND MOONSET, AND HIGH AND LOW TIDES. IT ALSO CONTAINS CHARTS OF NIGHT SKY AND TYPHOONS, THE DATES OF ECLIPSES AND THE 24 SOLAR TERMS OF THE CHINESE CALENDAR.

THE KING-SIZED PAGES FOR EACH MONTH FEATURE SOME ASPECTS OF THE NATURAL WORLD WHICH TOUCHES UPON HONG KONG.

FOR NOVEMBER 1978, THE GREAT ORION NEBULA IS HIGHLIGHTED. ORION (THE HUNTER) IS THE MOST EASILY DISTINGUISHABLE CONSTELLATION IN THE NIGHT SKY OF HONG KONG DURING WINTER AND IT CONSISTS OF SEVEN RELATIVELY BRIGHTER STARS.

IMAGINARY LINES LINKING THE STARS PRODUCE THE OUTLINE OF THE FIGURE OF A HUNTER WITH A BOW AND SWORD SHEATH HANGING AT HIS BELT. IN THE MIDDLE OF THIS BELT IS THE GREAT ORION NEBULA. TWO PHOTOGRAPHS BY LOCAL SKY-WATCHERS ILLUSTRATE THE CONSTELLATION AND THE NEBULA.

ALTHOUGH THE CALENDAR SAYS THE NEBULA PRESENTS A PARTICULARLY SPECTACULAR SIGHT IN LARGE ASTRONOMICAL TELESCOPES IT IS ALSO SUITABLE FOR VIEWING WITH ORDINARY BINOCULARS.

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DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN

WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 2, 1977

CONTENTS PAGE NO.

FORTY-NINE RESIDENTS DECORATED BY THE QUEEN RECEIVE THEIR INSIGNIA ......................................... 1

NEW DIRECTOR OF BROADCASTING APPOINTED ................. 4

BANKING STATISTICS FOR SEPTEMBER ...................... 4

WORK BEGINS ON FINAL STAGE OF TAI HING ESTATE .......... 6

RECREATION AND SPORT PROGRAMMES FOR NOVEMBER ........... 7

NEW PUBLIC DUMP OPENS IN SHA TIN ....................... 9

SHIP MASTERS URGED TO PROCEED WITH CAUTION DURING CANOE RACES ............................................ 9

REGISTRATION TEAM TO OPERATE IN SAP PAT HEUNG ......... 10

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

WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 2, 1977

1

GOVERNOR PRESENTS INSIGNIA TO 49 RESIDENTS DECORATED BY THE QUEEN ******

FORTY-NINE HONG KONG RESIDENTS DECORATED BY THE QUEEN FOR SERVICES TO THE COMMUNITY RECEIVED THEIR INSIGNIA FROM THE GOVERNOR, SIR MURRAY MACLEHOSE, AT A PRESENTATION CEREMONY AT GOVERNMENT HOUSE THIS (WEDNESDAY) EVENING.

THEY WERE DECORATED EITHER IN THE QUEEN’S BIRTHDAY HONOURS OR IN THE NEW YEAR’S HONOURS.

AMONG THE RECIPIENTS WERE MR. THOMAS GERAD GARNER, THE HON. MR. THOMAS LEE CHUN-YON AND MR. BRIAN DENIS WILSON WHO RECEIVED THE C.B.E. (COMMANDER OF THE ORDER OF THE BRITISH EMPIRE).

OTHER AWARDS PRESENTED WERE :-

OBE (OFFICER OF THE ORDER OF THE BRITISH EMPIRE)

MR. WILLIAM COLLINS BELL

MR. RAYMOND ALFRED FRY

MR. GORDON MENZIES MACWHINNIE

MR. ANTHONY DENIS OCKENDEN PROFESSOR LYLE BOYCE THROWER MR. JOHN WEEDON MR. SEAWARD WOO SIU-CHEE DR. YAP JIN-HWEE

ISO (IMPERIAL SERVICE ORDER)

MR. ROBERT WILLIAM PRIMROSE, MBE

/MBS (MEMBER OF .....

WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 2, 1977

2

MBE (MEMBER OF THE ORDER OF THE BRITISH EMPIRE)

MR. CHAN LING-FUNG

MR. CHAN PO-FONG

MR. LEE KIN-TAK

MRS. EDITH LI

MR. POON KWONG-LAU

MR. LAWRENCE ELDRED POTTINGER

MR. ARTHUR EWART STARLING

MR. TAN SZE-SUI

BADGE OF HONOUR

MR. CHOW CHIN-YAU

THE REVEREND STEPHEN EDMONDS

MR. KU KA

MR. NG KING-YAN

MR. PANG YIU-SON

MR. TANG LAP-TAI

MR. SIMON YEUNG CHUN-PAI

QUEEN’S GALLANTRY MEDAL

MR. YIP LONG-PING

QUEEN’S COMMENDATION FOR BRAVE CONDUCT

MR. LO YIN-HOK

BEM (M) (BRITISH EMPIRE MEDAL) (MILITARY)

COLOUR SERGEANT MEKH3AHADUR GURUNG

SERGEANT LILBAHADUR PUN

/BEM (BRITISH

WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 2, 1977

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BEM (BRITISH EMPIRE MEDAL)

MR. CHAN MING

MR. CHU MOK

MR. LAI MING

MR. MAK TA I-SANG

QPM (QUEEN’S POLICE MEDAL)

MR. PETER THOMAS MOOR

MR. RICHARD EDGAR QUINE

CPM (COLONIAL POLICE MEDAL)

MR. DEREK WILLIAM JJERE

MR. DEREK MARLBOROUGH CLAASSEN

MR. KONG KIM (FIRE)

MRS. LEUNG KWOK OI-LIN

MR. LI CHO (FIRE)

MR. LOO SHIU-KWONG

MR. MAK SHING-WAN

MR. AUGUSTO MARIA MATHIAS DE SOUZA

MR. WONG HIU-SHAN

MR. WONG SIK-YUEN

ISM (IMPERIAL'SERVICE MEDAL)

MR. LIU WAI-WONG

MR. MAK 3ZE-KEONG

WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 2, 1977.

NEW DIRECTOR OF BROADCASTING APPOINTED

******

THE SECRETARY OF STATE FOR FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH AFFAIRS HAS APPROVED THE PROMOTION OF MR. D.J.N. KERR TO SUCCEED MR. J.B. HAWTHORNE AS DIRECTOR OF BROADCASTING. MR. HAWTHORNE WILL LEAVE THE SERVICE OF THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT ON RESIGNATION AT THE END OF DECEMBER 1977.

MR. KERR, AGED 45, FIRST JOINED THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT AS CONTROLLER (TELEVISION) IN JANUARY 1974, ON SECONDMENT FROM THE BRITISH BROADCASTING CORPORATION. HE ACTED AS ASSISTANT DIRECTOR OF BROADCASTING FROM JUNE 1976 TO MARCH 1977 AND HAS BEEN ACTING DEPUTY DIRECTOR SINCE MARCH 1977.

MR. KERR IS MARRIED WITH TWO SONS.

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BANKING STATISTICS

******

BANKING DEPOSITS AT THE END OF SEPTEMBER, 1977 STOOD AT $49,411 MILLION, COMPRISING $11,910 MILLION IN DEMAND DEPOSITS, $18,063 MILLION IN TIME DEPOSITS AND $19,438 MILLION IN SAVINGS DEPOSITS.

THERE WERE 74 LICENSED BANKS IN HONG KONG AT THE END OF SEPTEMBER.

THE FOLLOWING TABLES RELEASED TODAY BY THE COMMISSIONER OF BANKING GIVE A DETAILED BREAKDOWN OF BANK LIABILITIES AND ASSETS AND MONEY SUPPLY FOR THE MONTH.

LIABILITIES 3MILLI0N

1. DEPOSITS 49,411

2. AMOUNT DUE TO BANKS ABROAD 34,243

3. OTHER LIABILITIES 10,043

TOTAL LIABILITIES 93,697

/ASSETS

WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 2, 1977

5

ASSETS

1. CASH

2. AMOUNT DUE FROM BANKS ABROAD:

( I) DEMAND AND SHORT TERM

(II) TIME DEPOSITS

CLAIMS 26,974

4,916

3. LOANS AND ADVANCES: (I) HONG KONG (II) ABROAD

33,759

17,269

4. INVESTMENTS:

(I) HONG KONG

(II) ABROAD

3,466

74

5. OTHER ASSETS:

(I) HONG KONG

(II) ABROAD

4,906

1,446

TOTAL ASSETS

AVERAGE LIQUIDITY DURING MONTH

MONEY SUPPLY

1. LEGAL TENDER COINS AND NOTES IN (I) COMMERCIAL BANK ISSUES (II) GOVERNMENT ISSUES

CIRCULATION (A) 5,441 516

2. LICENSED BANKS’ HOLDINGS OF LEGAL TENDER COINS AND NOTES (B)

3. LEGAL TENDER COINS AND NOTES IN HANDS OF NON-BANK PUBLIC (A) - (B) » (C)

4. DEMAND DEPOSITS WITH LICENSED BANKS (D)

5. MONEY SUPPLY (DEFINITION 1) (C) + (D) - (E)

6. TIME DEPOSITS WITH LICENSED BANKS (F)

7. SAVINGS DEPOSITS WITH LICENSED BANKS (G)

8. MONEY SUPPLY (DEFINITION 2) (E) + (F) + (G) - (H)

887

31,890

51,028

3,540

6,352

93,697

44.22%

SMILLION

5,957

887

5,070

11,910

16,980

18,063

19,438

54,481

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/6

WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 2, 1977-

WORK ON FINAL STAGE OF TAI HING ESTATE IN TUEN MUN BEGINS ******

THE GOVERNMENT’S PLAN TO HOUSE 340,000 PEOPLE IN PUBLIC HOUSING ESTATES IN TUEN MUN BY MID-1980’S HAS TAKEN ANOTHER MAJOR STEP FORWARD WITH THE COMMENCEMENT OF WORK ON THE SECOND AND FINAL STAGE OF THE $230 MILLION TAI HING ESTATE.

SPEAKING AT THE ROTARY CLUB OF KOWLOON WEST TODAY, MR. NICKY CHAN, THE P.W.D.’S PROJECT MANAGER (TUEN MUN), SAID THE ESTATE, CAPABLE OF HOUSING 47,000 PEOPLE, WOULD CONSIST OF SCHOOLS, A WELFARE HALL, A LIBRARY, MARKETS, SHOPS, BANKS AND RESTAURANTS. THE ESTATE IS EXPECTED TO BE COMPLETED IN ABOUT TWO YEARS.

MR. CHAN POINTED OUT THAT THE TAI HING ESTATE WOULD BE THE LAST PUBLIC HOUSING ESTATE TO BE DESIGNED AND CONSTRUCTED IN TUEN MUN BY THE ARCHITECTURAL OFFICE OF THE PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT.

AFTER THAT, CONSTRUCTION OF OTHER ESTATES IN TUEN MUN WOULD BE THE RESPONSIBILITY OF THE HOUSING DEPARTMENT.

+MEANWHILE, WORK ON THE FIRST STAGE OF THE TAI HING ESTATE, COMPRISING THREE 30-ST0REY CRUX I FORM BLOCKS, IS ALMOST COMPLETED,+ MR. CHAN SAID. / /

+ABOIjf 80>ER CENT OF THE TENANTS HAVE MOVED INTO THE FIRST BLOCK WHILE THOSE OF THE OTHER TWO BLOCKS HAVE ALSO BEGUN TO MOVE IN.+

HE SAID THAT THE TAI HING ESTATE WAS ONLY ONE OF A NUMBER OF PUBLIC HOUSING ESTATES TO BE BUILT IN TUEN MUN.

THE FIRST ONE, THE SAN FAT ESTATE ALSO DESIGNED AND BUILT BY THE ARCHITECTURAL OFFICE OF P.W.D. AND CAPABLE OF HOUSING 11,090 PEOPLE, HAD BEEN COMPLETED AND VIRTUALLY FULLY OCCUPIED.

ANOTHER ONE, PROVIDING HOMES FOR 86,000 PEOPLE, WOULD BE SITUATED ON RECLAIMED LAND IN THE MIDDLE OF CASTLE PEAK BAY.

MR. CHAN SAID THAT PILING WORK FOR THE FIRST STAGE OF THIS MASSIVE HOUSING ESTATE HAD BEGUN AND THE WHOLE ESTATE WAS SCHEDULED FOR COMPLETION IN EARLY 1981.

+0N THE SOUTHERN PART OF CASTLE PEAK BAY, THE HOUSING DEPARTMENT IS BUILDING ANOTHER HOUSING ESTATE,+ HE ADDED.

+KNOWN AS SAM SING ESTATE, IT CAN HOUSE 9,000 PEOPLE.*

ELSEWHERE IN TUEN MUN BUILDING AND ENGINEERING WORKS ARE PROGRESSING ON A WIDE FRONT, MR. CHAN SAID.

/+IN THE PRIVA'

WEDNESDAY, NOVJffiEH 2, 1977

7

+ IN THE PRIVATE SECTOR, MANY RESIDENTIAL AND COMMERCIAL BUILDINGS ARE UNDER CONSTRUCTION.

+ON THE INDUSTRIAL SIDE, 15 FACTORY BUILDINGS HAVE SO FAR BEEN COMPLETED, PROVIDING A TOTAL OF 92,900 SQUARE METRES OF FACTORY AREA. IN ADDITION, 18 MORE FACTORY BUILDINGS WITH A TOTAL FLOOR AREA OF 241,540 SQUARE METRES ARE BEING BUILT.+

MR. CHAN SAID THAT TUEN MUN, WHEN FULLY DEVELOPED IN MID-1980’S, WOULD HAVE A POPULATION OF ABOUT 530,000.

AS ONE-THIRD OF THE FUTURE POPULATION WOULD BE YOUTHS UNDER 15 YEARS OF AGE, SPECIAL CONSIDERATION HAD BEEN GIVEN TO THE PROVISION OF EDUCATIONAL AND RECREATIONAL FACILITIES, HE ADDED.

+MORE THAN 120 HECTARES OF LAND, OR ONE-TENTH OF THE TOTAL AREA OF THE NEW TOWN, HAVE BEEN SET ASIDE FOR RECREATIONAL USE,+ MR. CHAN SAID.

ON EDUCATION FACILITIES IN THE AREA, A TOTAL OF 40 PRIMARY SCHOOLS AND 32 SECONDARY SCHOOLS WOULD BE PROVIDED.

SITES HAD ALSO BEEN EARMARKED FOR A POLYTECHNIC AND TWO TECHNICAL INSTITUTES.

- - o - -

RECREATION AND SPORT PROGRAMMES FOR ALL ******

ABOUT 300 SPORTS AND RECREATIONAL EVENTS TO SUIT THE INTERESTS OF DIFFERENT AGE GROUPS HAVE BEEN ORGANISED FOR THIS MONTH BY THE RECREATION AND SPORT SERVICE OF THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT.

THE HIGHLIGHTS OF THE SPORT EVENTS FOR THE MONTH ARE THE ANTI-NARCOTICS CUP AND E.P. HO CUP BASKET BALL TOURNAMENT AND THE SILVER JUBILEE CUP MINI-SOCCER TOURNAMENT.

OTHER SPORTS COMPETITIONS INCLUDE TWO MINI-SOCCER KNOCK-OUTS SCHEDULED TO TAKE PLACE ON PENG CHAU AND LAMMA ISLAND AND TWO ATHLETIC MEETS IN SHAM SHUI PO AND MONG KOK.

AQUATIC EVENTS LINED UP IN THE PROGRAMME ARE NO FEWER THAN LAND SPORTS ACTIVITIES. THERE ARE A TOTAL OF FIVE SWIMMING GALAS TO BE HELD ON BOTH SIDES OF THE HARBOUR TO MARK THE END OF THE SWIMMING SEASON.

AND AS THE WEATHER IS GETTING COOL, OUTDOOR PURSUITS BECOME MORE POPULAR. EIGHT CAMPING EVENTS OF VARIOUS NATURE, INCLUDING TWO ORGANISED FOR THE MENTALLY HANDICAPPED CHILDREN, WILL TAKE PLACE IN VARIOUS PARTS OF THE NEW TERRITORIES. TWO CROSS-COUNTRY RACES WHICH ARE REGARDED AS EXHAUSTIVE SPORTS WILL BE HELD IN WONG CHUK HANG AND SHEK LEI PUI RESERVOIR.

/THE ISLANDS

WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 2, 197?

8

THE ISLANDS DISTRICT OFFICE HAS ORGANISED AN ANGLING EVENT FOR FISHING ENTHUSIASTS ON NOVEMBER 20 IN SEK KWU CHAU.

YOUTHS WHO ARE INTERESTED IN ROLLER SKATING, BADMINTON AND TABLE-TENNIS ARE ALSO PROVIDED WITH OPPORTUNITIES TO LEARN THE SPORTS AND POLISH THEIR SKILLS THROUGH VARIOUS TRAINING COURSES ORGANISED BY THE SPORT AND RECREATION SERVICE.

ALL THESE EVENTS ARE OPEN TO MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC. LEAFLETS LISTING IN DETAILS OF THE EVENTS FOR THE MONTH CAN BE OBTAINED FROM CITY DISTRICT OFFICES, DISTRICT OFFICES IN THE NEW TERRITORIES AND THE SPORT AND RECREATION SERVICE’S 17 DISTRICT OFFICES. ENQUIRIES CAN ALSO BE MADE AT THE FOLLOWING RECREATION AND SPORT OFFICES s

RECREATION AND SPORT SERVICE HEADQUARTERS HONG KONG (CENTRAL AND WESTERN (SOUTHERN (EASTERN (WAN CHAI KOWLOON (SHAM SHUI PO WEST (MONG KOK (YAU MA TEI KOWLOON (KWUN TONG EAST (WONG TAI SIN (KOWLOON CITY NEW TERRITORIES (YUEN LONG (TSUEN WAN ( ISLANDS (SHA TIN (TAI PO (TUEN MUN (SAI KUNG - - o - 3-030127 5-452758 5-534111 EXT. 10 5-701570 5-724844 3-860945 3-681517 3-682585 3-436123 3-269573 3-028500 12-760261 EXT. 42 12-404361 5-451213 12-620170 12-664133 3-030127 3-273177 /9

WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 2, 1977

9

NEW PUBLIC DUMP IN SHA TIN ******

A NEW PUBLIC DUMP IS OPEN NEAR SIU LEK YUEN IN SHA TIN.

PERMITS FOR DUMPING AT THIS SITE MAY BE OBTAINED FREE OF CHARGE ON WRITTEN APPLICATION TO THE PROJECT MANAGER (SHA TIN), SHA TIN NEW TOWN DEVELOPMENT OFFICE, 2ND FLOOR, 2, TUNG LO WAN HILL, SHA TIN.

A SPOKESMAN FOR THE SHA TIN NEW TOWN DEVELOPMENT OFFICE SAID TODAY THE PERMITS WOULD BE IN RESPECT OF APPROVED MATERIALS.

APPLICANTS, HE SAID, SHOULD SUPPLY THE REGISTRATION NUMBERS OF THE VEHICLES THEY WOULD BE USING FOR TRANSPORTING THE APPROVED MATERIALS TO THE DUMP.

THEY SHOULD ALSO STATE THE ORIGIN, TYPE AND APPROXIMATE QUANTITY OF MATERIALS TO BE DUMPED, AND THE PERIOD FOR WHICH THE PERMIT IS REQUIRED FOR A PARTICULAR JOB.

THE HOURS FOR DUMPING WILL BE FROM 8 A.M. TO 6 P.M. DAILY WITH THE EXCEPTION OF PUBLIC HOLIDAYS DURING THE LUNAR NEW YEAR.

PROSPECTIVE APPLICANTS ARE ADVISED THAT ALL DUMPING AT THE NEW DUMP MUST BE CARRIED OUT IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE INSTRUCTIONS OF THE DUMP SUPERVISOR, AND THE DEPARTMENT RESERVES THE RIGHT TO CANCEL DUMPING PERMITS AT ANY TIME OR TO CLOSE THE DUMP WITHOUT PRIOR NOTICE.

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

SHIP MASTERS URGED TO PROCEED WITH CAUTION DURING CANOE RACES *****

THE MARINE DEPARTMENT TODAY URGED MASTERS, AND OWNERS OF SMALL CRAFT TO PROCEED WITH CAUTION IN THE TOLO HARBOUR BETWEEN 9.30 A.M. AND 6 P.M. ON SUNDAY (NOVEMBER 6) WHEN THE LONG DISTANCE CANOE RACES TAKE PLACE THERE.

A SPOKESMAN FOR THE DEPARTMENT SAID THEY SHOULD ALSO MAINTAIN A SHARP OUTLOOK AND GIVE THE CANOEISTS A WIDE BERTH AT SLOW SPEED SO AS TO AVOID THE DANGER OF RUNNING DOWN OR CAPSIZING THE CANOES.

COURSES FOR THE VARIOUS RACES WILL RUN FROM ISLAND HOUSE TO WU KWAI SHA AND WU KWAI SHA TO TAI MEI TUK.

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

/1O......

WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 2, 1977

10

REGISTRATION TEAM TO OPERATE IN SA? PAT HEUNG

******

A TEAM FROM TnE REGISTRATION OF PERSONS OFFICE WILL CONDUCT REGISTRATIONS AT SAP °AT HEUNG RURAL COMMITTEE FOR RESIDENTS AND PEOPLE IN THE AREA FCR SEVEN DAYS FROM. NOVEMBER 10 TO 11 AND 14 TO 18.

THE VISIT IS TO ENABLE PARENTS AND GUARDIANS TO REGISTER THEIR CHILDREN AND WARDS BETWEEN 11 AND 17 YEARS OF AGE FOR JUVENILE IDENTITY CARDS AND HOLDERS OF JUVENILE IDENTITY CARDS TO REGISTER FOR ADULT IDENTITY CARDS ON REACHING 18 YEARS OF AGE.

REGISTRATIONS WILL EE CONDUCTED BETWEEN 9.30 A.M. AND 4.30 P DAILY.

ALL PEOPLE LIVING IN THE AREA ARE REMINDED THAT THEY SHOULD REGISTER THEMSELVES AND THEIR CHILDREN FOR IDENTITY CARDS.

THEY ARE ALSO REQUIRED TC REPORT CHANGES OF EMPLOYMENT, RESIDENTIAL ADDRESS, MARITAL STATUS, OR ANY OTHER PARTICULARS WHICH HAVE CHANGED SINCE REGISTERING FOR THEIR IDENTITY CARDS.

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

DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 3, 1977

CONTENTS

PAGE NO.

FEASIBILITY STUDY ON INTERCHANGE BETWEEN MTR AND kcr STATIONS ............................................

MEMBERS OF PUBLIC WORKS SUB-COMMITTEE SEE MORE P.W.D. ... PROJECTS ........................................

RESULTS OF HEUNG YEE KUK BY-ELcCTION ......................

BOOKLET ON SOCIAL WELFARE IN HK NOW ON SALE ...............

PRISONS DEPARTMENT HOLDS ANNUAL AUTUMN FAIR ON SATURDAY .. USD ORGANISES BOOK REPORT COMPETITION .....................

WORK OF HK SEA SCHOOL COMMENDED ...........................

EVENING COURSES AT TECHNICAL INSTITUTES ...................

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

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 3, 1977

1

FEASIBILITY STUDY ON INTERCHANGE BETWEEN MTR AND KCR STATIONS *******

A STUDY IS TO START SHORTLY ON THE FEASIBILITY OF BUILDING AN INTERCHANGE BETWEEN THE FUTURE MASS TRANSIT RAILWAY CORPORATION’S STATION AT KOWLOON TONG AND A PROPOSED KOWLOON-CANTON

RAILWAY STATION THERE.

A BRITISH COMPANY, TRANSPORTATION SYSTEMS AND MARKET RESEARCH LTD. HAS BEEN AWARDED A CONTRACT VALUED AT APPROXIMATELY $800,000 TO UNDERTAKE THE STUDY WHICH WILL TAKE FIVE MONTHS TO COMPLETE.

THE CONTRACT WAS SIGNED TODAY BY MR. REG GREGORY, GENERAL MANAGER OF THE KOWLOON-CANTON RA IL IWAY ON BEHALF OF THE GOVERNMENT AND MR. K.V. SMITH, MANAGING DIRECTOR OF TRANSPORTATION SYSTEMS AND MARKET RESEARCH LIMITED.

IT IS ESTIMATED THAT BY 1984 AS MANY AS 160,000 PEOPLE PER DAY COULD BE USING THE INTERCHANGE OF WHOM 20,000 WOULD USE IT DURING PEAK HOURS.

ABOUT 20 EXPERTS WILL BE INVOLVED IN CARRYING OUT THE STUDY.

THE POSSIBILITY OF BUILDING A KCR STATION IN KOWLOON TONG HAS BEEN UNDER CONSIDERATION FOR A NUMBER OF YEARS.


/2

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 3, 1977

2

MEMBERS OF PUBLIC WORKS SUB-COMMITTEE SEE MORE P.W.D. PROJECTS

******

MEMBERS OF THE FINANCE COMMITTEE’S PUBLIC WORKS SUB-COMMITTEE TODAY CONTINUED THEIR VISIT TO THE NEW TERRITORIES TO SEE AT FIRST HAND PROGRESS ON VARIOUS GOVERNMENT PROJECTS UNDER CONSTRUCTION IN THE AREA.

THIS WAS PART OF A TWO-DAY STUDY TOUR ARRANGED BY THE PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT.

ALSO ON THE TOUR TODAY WERE SOME OF THE UMELCO MEMBERS.

THE AIM OF THE VISIT WAS TO ENABLE MEMBERS OF THE SUB-COMMITTEE TO STUDY WORKS NOW UNDERWAY AND THE SITES OF PROPOSED NEW PROJECTS IN PREPARATION FOR THIS YEAR’S SECOND REVIEW OF THE PUBLIC WORKS PROGRAMME.

THE PUBLIC WORKS SUB-COMMITTEE COMPRISES THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY, MR. PHILIP HADDON-CAVE (CHAIRMAN), MR. OSWALD CHEUNG, MR. R.H. LOBO, MR. JAMES WU, MR. LI FOOK-WO, MR. J.,H. BREMRIDGE, MR. FRANCIS TIEN, MR. S.L. CHEN, DR. HENRY HU, MR. PETER C. WONG, MR. WONG LAM AND THE DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC WORKS, MR. DAVID MCDONALD. THE SECRETARY TO THE COMMITTEE IS MISS DOREEN SADDLER OF THE FINANCE BRANCH.

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

THE UMELCO MEMBERS WHO TOOK PART IN THE TOUR TODAY WERE MR. HILTON CHEONG-LEEN, MR. LEUNG TAT-SHING AND REV. P.J. MCGOVERN.

ATTENTION NEWS EDITORS:

MEMBERS OF THE P.W.S.C. AND UMELCO MEMBERS WERE ACCOMPANIED ON THE TOUR BY THE DEPUTY DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC WORKS, MR. WILLIAM BELL- AND THE P.W.D’S DIRECTOR OF BUILDING DEVELOPMENT, MR. JACK STEAN= DIRECTOR OF ENGINEERING DEVELOPMENT, MR. DAVID STEAD" DIRECTOR OF NEW TERRITORIES DEVELOPMENT, MR. J.R. WHITAKER, GOVERNMENT ENGINEER (NEW TERRITORIES), MR. B.H. NEWMAN, AND SENIOR OFFICERS OF THE P.W.D. AND THE FI NANCE' BRANCH.

THE PARTY VISITED A NUMBER OF MAJOR GOVERNMENT PROJECTS, INCLUDING THE SECOND MENTAL HOSPITAL IN LAI CHI KOK, THE THREE NEW TOWNS - TSUEN WAN, TUEN MUN AND SHA TIN, THE SHUEN WAN CONTROLLED TIPPING SITE AND THE SECOND LION ROCK TUNNEL.

THE GROUP STARTED THE DAY WITH A VISIT TO THE SECOND MENTAL HOSPITAL IN LAI CHI KOK WHERE THEY WERE BRIEFED BY MR. EDWIN WONG, GOVERNMENT ARCHITECT OF THE PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT.

/MB.

WONG......

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER J, 1977


MR. WONG SAID THAT THE 1,349-BED HOSPITAL, SITUATED NEAR PRINCESS MARGARET HOSPITAL, COMPRISED A 1O-STOREY BLOCK FOR MALE PATIENTS AND AN EIGHT-STOREY BLOCK FOR FEMALE PATIENTS.

THESE BLOCKS WOULD BE LINKED BY A SYSTEM OF SUBWAYS AND COVERED WALKWAYS TO OTHER PARTS OF THE HOSPITAL.

CONSTRUCTION OF THE HOSPITAL WOULD BE CARRIED OUT IN TWO STAGES, MR. WONG SAID.

WORK ON THE FIRST STAGE, WHICH BEGAN IN JUNE LAST YEAR, WAS EXPECTED TO BE COMPLETED IN MARCH NEXT YEAR.

WORK ON THE SECOND AND FINAL STAGE WOULD START IMMEDIATELY AFTER THAT AND BE FULLY COMPLETED IN 1980.

FROM LAI CHI KOK MEMBERS OF THE P.W.S.C. AND UMELCO OFFICE PROCEEDED TO A VANTAGE POINT AT LA I KING HEADLAND TO SEE THE DEVELOPMENTS IN TSUEN WAN NE.'.' TC..N.

ON THEIR WAY, THEY SAW THE SITES OF PROPOSED DEVELOPMENTS IN KAU WAH KENG AND TAI WO TSUEN AND ROAD AND DRAINAGE WORKS IN THE AREA.

AT THE VANTAGE POINT AT LAI KING HEADLAND, THE PARTY WAS BRIEFED BY MR. EDDIE SHORT, PROJECT MANAGER (TSUEN WAN).

AMONG THE PROJECTS SEEN WERE TSI NG Yl DEVELOPMENT, TSUEN WAN BY-PASS STAGE ONE AND THE CARGO HANDLING AREA IN RAMBLER CHANNEL TYPHOON SHELTER.

ON KWAI CHUNG DEVELOPMENT, MR. SHORT SAID MOST OF THE ROAD AND DRAINAGE WORKS HAD BEEN COMPLETED AND PROPOSALS HAD BEEN MADE FOR THE EMPLOYMENT OF CONSULTING ENGINEERS FOR THE REMAINING WORKS.

HE ALSO EXPLAINED THE PROPOSAL BEING CONSIDERED FOR THE MASS TRANSIT RAILWAY EXTENSION TO TSUEN WAN.

THE P.W.S.C. AND UMELCO MEMBERS LATER DROVE TO SHAM TSENG BY WAY OF THE INTERNATIONALLY KNOWN TUEN MUN HIGHWAY.

THE FIRST STAGE OF THE $339 MILLION ROAD, COMPRISING A THREE-LANE CARRIAGEWAY AND TWO GRADE-SEPARATED INTERCHANGES, IS EXPECTED TO BE OPENED TO TRAFFIC EARLY NEXT YEAR.

PLANNING OF STAGE II IS IN HAND. THIS WILL PROVIDE ANOTHER THREE-LANE CARRIAGEWAY ON A ROUGHLY PARALLEL ALIGNMENT WORK ON THIS STAGE IS EXPECTED TO BE COMPLETED IN 1980.

AT TUEN MUN, THE PARTY WAS BRIEFED BY THE P.W.D.’S PROJECT MANAGER, MR. NICKY CHAN.

MR. CHAN SAID THAT THE NEW TOWN NOW HAD A POPULATION OF 60,900, ABOUT ONE-THIRD OF THEM LIVING IN PUBLIC HOUSING.

/HE SAID .....

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 3, 1977

4

HE SAID THAT ABOUT TOO HECTARES OF LAND, INCLUDING

30 HECTARES FOR INDUSTRIAL USE, HAD BEEN PROVIDED AND 240 HECTARES MORE WERE BEING FORMED BY RECLAMATION IN CASTLE PEAK BAY.

+THE PRESENT PROGRAMME ENVISAGES THE NEW TOWN TO EE SUBSTANTIALLY COMPLETED BY 1934,+ MR. CHAN SAID.

+THE REVISED PLANNING FOR TUEN MUN PROVIDES FOR A TOTAL POPULATION OF 528,000 IN AN AREA CF 1,130 HECTARES.+

BEFORE LUNCH, THE GROUP SAW THE YUEN LONG INDUSTRIAL AREA SITUATED NEXT TO YUEN LONG TOWN.

MR. B.H. NEWMAN, GOVERNMENT ENGINEER (NEW TERRITORIES), TOLD THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCILLORS THAT THE PLANNING AREA COVERED ABOUT 23 HECTARES AND WAS, AT PRESENT, OCCUPIED BY LOW-LYING FISH PONDS.

+THE AREA IS TO BE DEVELOPED FOR LIGHT INDUSTRIAL USE TO PROVIDE JOB OPPORTUNITIES IN THE TOWN WHERE THE POPULATION IS EXPECTED TO INCREASE TC ABOUT 126,000 IN THE NEXT TWO DECADES,+ HE SAID.

+THE AREA WILL PROVIDE SITES FOR FACTORIES ENGAGED IN MANUFACTURING INDUSTRIES WHICH WILL COMPLEMENT THE LAND INTENSIVE, HIGH TECHNOLOGY INDUSTRIES EXPECTED TO BE SET UP IN THE INDUSTRIAL ESTATE.*

IN THE AFTERNOON, THE COUNCILLORS FIRST VISITED THE SITE OF THE TAI PO INDUSTRIAL ESTATE. THERE, THEY WERE BRIEFED BY MR. LIEW KWOK-SHAN, SENIOR ENGINEER OF THE P.W.D.’S CIVIL ENGINEERING OFFICE.

MR. LIEW SAID THAT A TOTAL OF 80 HECTARES OF LAND WOULD EE FORMED FOR STAGES I AND II CF THE ESTATE, WHICH IS FINANCED MAINLY BY THE HONG KONG INDUSTRIAL ESTATES CORPORATION.

SITE FORMATION FOR STAGE I HAS BEEN COMPLETED AND WORK ON STAGE II WOULD BEGIN LATER THIS MONTH AND THE WHOLE PROJECT WAS EXPECTED TO BE COMPLETED BY THE END OF 1930.

THE PARTY THEN PROCEEDED ON FOOT TO THE ADJACENT SHUEN WAN CONTROLLED TIPPING SITE.

MR. WONG WAN-MING, CHIEF ENGINEER OF THE CIVIL ENGINEERING OFFICE, TOLD THE VISITORS THAT THE TIP HAD BEEN USED SINCE JUNE 1974 FOR THE DISPOSAL OF REFUSE GENERATED IN THE EASTERN PART OF THE NEW TERR I TOR IES.

+THE AVERAGE DAILY INTAKE CF THE TIP IS 100 TONNES AND IT IS EXPECTED TO BE FILLED TO CAPACITY BY 1982,+ HE SAID.

+0N COMPLETION, THE TIP ..ILL PROVIDE s-5 HECTARES OF OPEN SPACE FOR RECREATIONAL AND AMENITY USE AND ANOTHER FIVE HECTARES OF FORMED LAND WITHIN THE ADJOINING BORROW ARtA FOR DEVELOPMENT.

/THE LEGISLATIVE

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER J, 1977

5

THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCILLORS MADE THEIR LAST STOP OF THE DAY IN SHA TIN WHERE THEY WERE GIVEN A PROGRESS REPORT ON THE DEVELOPMENTS IN THE TOWN BY MR. JOHN DON, PROJECT MANAGER (SHA TIN).

MR. DON SAID THE LEK YUEN ESTATE HAD BEEN COMPLETED AND OCCUPIED.

+WORK ON PHASES 1A OF THE WO CHE ESTATE, CAPABLE OF HOUSING 14,000 PEOPLE, HAS BEEN SUBSTANTIALLY COMPLETED AND PILING WORK FOR PHASE IB AND 2 OF THE ESTATE IS NOW IN PROGRESS,+ HE ADDED.

+THE FIRST STAGE OF THE INTERIM SEWAGE TREATMENT

WORKS ALSO HAS BEEN SUBSTANTIALLY COMPLETED WHILE THE CONSTRUCTION OF THE PERMANENT SEWAGE TREATMENT WORKS WILL START AT THE END OF THE YEAR.*

ALL ENGINEERING WORKS FOR STAGE I DEVELOPMENT HAD BEEN VIRTUALLY COMPLETED AND WORK ON STAGE II WOULD BEGIN NEXT YEAR TO AVOID LOSS OF MOMENTUM.

THE P.W.S.C. AND UMELCO MEMBERS ENDED THEIR TWO-DAY TOUR BY DRIVING THROUGH THE SECOND LION ROCK TUNNEL.

THE CHIEF ENGINEER OF THE P.W.D.’S HIGHWAYS (N.T.) DIVISION, MR. CHEN SHAO-CHI, SAID THAT THE PROJECT INCLUDED THE CONSTRUCTION OF TWO ADDITIONAL TOLL BOOTHS AT THE SHA TIN END OF THE TUNNEL, A SHORT APPROACH ROAD AT THE SOUTHERN PORTAL AND TWO TWO-STOREY BUILDINGS TO HOUSE THE VENTILATION AND LIGHTING EQUIPMENT.

THE TUNNEL IS EXPECTED TO BE OPEN TO TRAFFIC EARLY NEXT YEAR.

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 3, 1977

6

RESULTS OF HEUNG YEE KUK BY-ELECTION

*****

MR. TSANG LIN, CHAIRMAN OF THE MUI WO RURAL COMMITTEE, WAS TODAY ELECTED THE SECOND VICE-CHAIRMAN FOR THE SOUTHERN DISTRICT OF THE NEW TERRITORIES IN THE HEUNG YEE KUK BY-ELECTION.

AT THE SAME TIME, MR. KAN CHUNG-SHING, VICE-CHAIRMAN OF THE TAI 0 RURAL COMMITTEE WAS ELECTED AN ORDINARY MEMBER OF THE KUK’S EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE.

THE BY-ELECTION TO FILL THE TWO VACANCIES FOR THE 22ND TERM OF THE KUK WERE HELD THIS AFTERNOON AT THE KUK’S OFFICE IN KOWLOON TONG.

THE POLLING WAS SUPERVISED BY THE SECRETARY FOR THE NEW TERRITORIES, MR. DAVID AKERS-JONES, WHO WAS THE RETURNING OFF ICER.

MR. TSANG RECEIVED 47 VOTES TO BEAT THREE OTHER CANDIDATES TO BECOME THE SECOND VICE-CHAIRMAN.

MR. KAN RECEIVED 43 VOTES TO FILL THE VACANCY OF ORDINARY MEMBERSHIP OF THE EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE. THERE WERE 13 CANDIDATES.

BOOKLET ON SOCIAL WELFARE IN HK

*****

A GREAT DEAL OF EFFORT WILL BE DEVOTED IN THE NEXT FEW YEARS TO REHABILITATION SERVICES, SERVICES FOR THE ELDERLY AND PREVENTIVE SOCIAL WORK AMONG YOUTH, ACCORDING TO A NEW BOOKLET ON SOCIAL WELFARE PUBLISHED TODAY.

THE COLOUR BOOKLET, IN BOTH ENGLISH AND CHINESE, DETAILS VARIOUS ASPECTS OF THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT’S WORK.

TOPICS COVERED INCLUDE THE ROLE OF GOVERNMENT AND VOLUNTARY AGENCIES, SOCIAL SECURITY, FAMILY SERVICES, GROUP AND COMMUNITY WORK, PROBATION AND CORRECTIONAL WORK, REHABILITATION AND THE TRAINING OF WELFARE WORKERS.

THE BOOKLET NOTES THAT OVERALL GOVERNMENT EXPENDITURE ON SOCIAL WELFARE HAD INCREASED MORE THAN FIVE TIMES SINCE 1972/73, REACHING AN ESTIMATED TOTAL OF 3414.6 MILLION IN 1977/78.

+THIS SURGE IN SPENDING ON SOCIAL SECURITY SCHEMES, SUBVENTIONS TO VOLUNTARY AGENCIES AND SOCIAL WELFARE PROGRAMMES REFLECTS THE GOVERNMENT’S DETERMINATION TO GIVE GREATER PRIORITY TO WELFARE NEEDS,+ IT SAYS.

THE BOOKLET ADDS, HOWEVER, THAT ALTHOUGH SIGNIFICANT ACHIEVEMENTS HAVE BEEN MADE IN THE PROVISION OF WELFARE SERVICES, THERE IS STILL A NEED TO MAKE FURTHER IMPROVEMENTS.

THE 28-PAGE BOOKLET IS NOW ON SALE AT THE GOVERNMENT PUBLICATIONS CENTRE AND LEADING BOOKSHOPS AT S5 PER COPY.

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 3, 1977

7

CS TO OPEN PRISONS DEPARTMENT’S AUTUMN FAIR ******

THE PRISONS DEPARTMENT’S ANNUAL AUTUMN FAIR WILL BE OFFICIALLY OPENED BY CHIEF SECRETARY SIR DENYS ROBERTS ON SATURDAY (NOVEMBER 5) IN STANLEY.

THE FAIR, ONE OF HONG KONG’S BIGGEST BAZAARS OF ITS KIND, PROMISES MORE BARGAINS THAN EVER BEFORE WITH A MUCH GREATER VARIETY OF ITEMS ON SALE, AND THIS YEAR IT HAS A SPECIAL SIGNIFICANCE FOR ITS ORGANISERS -- THE PRISONS DEPARTMENT’S SPORTS ASSOCIATION FOR IT WILL BE THE 25TH OF ITS KIND - ITS SILVER JUBILEE.

HIGHLIGHTS OF THE FAIR WILL INCLUDE A SKY-DIVING DISPLAY BY A TEAM FROM THE JOINT SERVICES PARACHUTE CENTRE AND GYMNASTIC SHOW BY THE DEPARTMENT’S OWN PHYSICAL EDUCATION INSTRUCTORS.

ALL PROCEEDS FROM THE FAIR WILL GO TO CHARITY INCLUDING THE PRISON STAFF WELFARE FUND.

LAST YEAR MORE THAN 10,030 PEOPLE ATTENDED THE FAIR AND MORE PEOPLE ARE EXPECTED TO TURN UP THIS YEAR.

NOTE TO EDITORS:

YOU ARE INVITED TO SEND A REPORTER/PHOTOGRAPHER TO COVER THE FAIR TO BE OPENED BY SIR DENYS ROBERTS AT NOON ON SATURDAY AT THE FOOTBALL PITCH NEXT TO STANLEY PRISON.

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

BOOK REPORT COMPETITION

******

THE URBAN SERVICES DEPARTMENT’S PUBLIC LIBRARIES IN TSUEN WAN, TAI PO AND CHEUNG CHAU ARE ORGANISING A +BOOK REPORT COMPETITION* IN ORDER TO ENCOURAGE MORE YOUNG PEOPLE TO MAKE BETTER USE OF THE LIBRARY RESOURCES.

THE COMPETITION IS ORGANISED FOR YOUNG READERS OF 15 YEARS OR BELOW, AND TO JOIN THIS COMPETITION, THEY HAVE TO WRITE A CRITICAL REPORT IN EITHER CHINESE OR ENGLISH FOR ANY LIBRARY BOOK THEY READ. EACH REPORT SHOULD NOT EXCEED 600 WORDS.

ENTRIES MAY BE SUBMITTED EITHER BY HAND OR BY POST BEFORE 5 P.M. ON DECEMBER 10, 1977 TO THE TSUEN WAN PUBLIC LIBRARY AT FOK LOI ESTATE, TSUEN WAN- TAI PO PUBLIC LIBRARY AT MEI TAK BUILDING, KWONG FUK ROAD, TAI PO- OR CHEUNG CHAU BOOK BOX SERVICE AT CHEUNG CHAU RURAL COMMITTEE BUILDING.

PRIZES FOR THE WINNERS WILL BE IN THE FORM OF BOOK/STATIONERY COUPONS, AND THE WINNERS WILL BE NOTIFIED BY POST TO ATTEND A PRIZE-PRESENTATION CEREMONY.

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/8......

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 3, 1977

8 -

WORK OF HK SEA SCHOOL PRAISED

******

THE COMMISSIONER OF PRISONS, MR. TOM GARNER TODAY COMMENDED THE HONG KONG SEA SCHOOL FOR ITS INVOLVEMENT IN COMMUNITY SERVICE.

SPEAKING AT THE SCHOOL’S PASSING-OUT PARADE IN STANLEY, MR. GARNER SAID DUE TO THE KNOWLEDGE OF THE STUDENTS IN LIFE SAVING, OVER THE PAST THREE YEARS NO LESS THAN 13 LIVES HAD BEEN SAVED.

MR. GARNER, WHO IS A MEMBER ON THE BOARD OF MANAGEMENT OF THE SCHOOL, SAID THIS WAS A VERY PRAISEWORTHY EFFORT +OF WHICH YOU CAN BE JUSTIFIABLY PROUD AS INDEED THE COMMUNITY MUST EE PROUD OF YOU FOR YOUR UNSELFISH ATTITUDE.*

HE ALSO POINTED OUT THAT 130 FORMER STUDENTS OF THE SCHOOL ARE HOLDING MERCHANT NAVY POSITIONS AT OFFICER LEVEL WITH ANOTHER 30 SERVING IN VARIOUS INTERNATIONAL SHIPPING COMPANIES WITH THE RANK OF CAPTAIN.

HE SAID THIS NOT ONLY REFLECTED THE HIGH STANDARD OF TRAINING GIVEN IN THE SCHOOL, THE SKILLS TAUGHT AND LEARNED, BUT MOST IMPORTANT OF ALL, IT HIGHLIGHTS THE SUPPORT THE SCHOOL RECEIVES FROM THE SHIPPING COMPANIES.

THIS SUPPORT, MR. GARNER ADDED, IS MOST ESSENTIAL TO THE SCHOOL.

+ IT IS GOOD TO BE ABLE TO RECORD THAT THE EFFORTS OF THE SCHOOL ARE EARNING THEIR OWN REWARD. THIS CAN BE GAUGED FROM THE STATISTICS THAT SOME 95 PER CENT OF ALL BOYS OBTAIN EMPLOYMENT ON LEAVING THE SCHOOL.*

MR. GARNER ALSO SAID THAT AS A RESULT OF A POLICY REVISION, THE SCHOOL IS NOW CONCENTRATING MORE ON ACCEPTING BOYS IN THE 14-15 YEAR OLD BRACKET AND IN DOING SO IS HELPING TO FILL A NEED AT THIS AGE LEVEL SC THAT IN ITS OWN WAY THE SCHOOL IS DOING ITS BEST TO HELP WITH COMMUNITY PROBLEMS.

THE COMMISSIONER ALSO TOLD THE STUDENTS THAT WORK WAS CONTINUING ON THE +BRADBURY PIER.*

+THIS PIER WHEN COMPLETED IN THE NEAR FUTURE WILL, AMONGST OTHER THINGS, PROVIDE FACILITIES FOR THE IMPLEMENTATION OF TRAINING TO ENABLE STUDENTS TO OBTAIN THE EFFICIENT DECK HAND CERTIF ICATE.+

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/9

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 3, 1977

9

EVENING COURSES AT TECHNICAL INSTITUTES

##****

THE MORRISON HILL AND KWAI CHUNG TECHNICAL INSTITUTES ARE JOINTLY INVITING APPLICATIONS FOR A NUMBER OF EVENING COURSES WHICH ARE DUE TO BEGIN IN JANUARY NEXT YEAR.

COURSES IN AUDIO-TYPING, BUSINESS MACHINES, PITMAN’S SHORTHAND THEORY AND VARIOUS LEVELS OF PITMAN’S SHORTHAND WILL BE RUN BY THE DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCIAL STUDIES OF THE TWO INSTITUTES.

IN ADDITION, COURSES IN INTERMEDIATE AND ADVANCED TYPEWRITING WILL BE OFFERED BY THE MORRISON HILL TECHNICAL INSTITUTE.

ALL THE COURSES WILL LAST FROM MID-JANUARY TO MAY 1978 AND FEES RANGE FROM $60 TO $100.

APPLICATION FORMS ARE AVAILABLE FROM THE MORRISON HILL TECHNICAL INSTITUTE AT 6, 01 KWAN ROAD, WAN CHAI AND FROM .THE KWAI CHUNG TECHNICAL INSTITUTE IN HING SHING ROAD FROM 9 A. 1'5. TO 5 P.M. AND 7 P.M. TO 8 P.M.ON WEEKDAYS AND FROM 9 A.M. TO 12 NOON ON SATURDAYS.

COMPLETED FORMS SHOULD BE RETURNED TO THE INSTITUTE CONCERNED ON OR BEFORE NOVEMBER 19.

0 -------

PRH 7

GIS

DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN

FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 4, 1977

CONTENTS PAGE NO.

FS OUTLINES GOVERNMENT’S ATTITUDE TOWARDS FINANCIAL SERVICES SECTOR ............................................ 1

MTR EXTENSION AREA PLAN FOR PUBLIC INSPECTION .............. 4

AMENDMENTS TO DRAFT WANCHAI OUTLINE ZONING PLAN GAZETTED €

NEW WIDOWS’ AND CHILDREN’S PENSIONS SCHEME FOR CIVIL SERVICE .................................................... 7

COURSE FOR DRUG FIGHTERS TO BE HELD IN HONG KONG ........... 8

TEAM SET UP TO PROMOTE FAMILY LIFE EDUCATION .............. IC

RETIRED POSTMAN HONOURED BY THE QUEEN ..................... 11

IMPERIAL SERVICE MEDAL FOR RETIRED USD FOREMAN ............ 12

TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS IN CENTRAL ........................... 12

NEW USD LICENSING CENTRE OPENED IN THE NEW TERRITORIES . 13

TEMPORARY WATER CHARGES COLLECTION CENTRES IN NT .......... 13

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

FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 4, 1977

1

FS OUTLINES GOVERNMENT’S ATTITUDE TOWARDS FINANCIAL SERVICES SECTOR

*****

GOVERNMENT’S ATTITUDE TOWARDS THE FINANCIAL SERVICES SECTOR SHOULD BE DETERMINED BY THREE CONSIDERATIONS: THE NEED TO ENSURE THAT THE SECTOR ASSISTS THE GROWTH OF THE ECONOMY AND DOES NOT HINDER IT= THE NEED TO PROVIDE THE USERS OF FINANCIAL SERVICES WITH SOME PROTECTION' AND THE OBVIOUS NEED TO PROTECT HONG KONG’S REPUTATION AS A FINANCIAL CENTRE.

THIS WAS SAID TODAY (FRIDAY) BY FINANCIAL SECRETARY, MR. PHILIP HADDON-CAVE, IN A SPEECH ENTITLED +GOVERNMENT AND THE FINANCIAL SERVICES SECTOR* TO THE HONG KONG SOCIETY OF ACCOUNTANTS AT THE FURAMA HOTEL.

MR. HADDON-CAVE SAID THE FIRST CONSIDERATION WAS THE NEED TO ENSURE THAT THE FINANCIAL SERVICES SECTOR ASSISTS THE GROWTH OF THE ECONOMY AND DOES NOT HINDER IT AS HAPPENED DURING THE BANKING CRISIS IN 1965 AND THE PROPERTY AND SHARE BOOM IN 1972.

HE SAID: +TO HELP TO AVOID THIS SORT OF THING HAPPENING AGAIN, WE MUST SET UP MACHINERY ADEQUATELY TO MONITOR WHAT IS HAPPENING AND TO ENABLE US TO INTERVENE WITH AUTHORITY TO THE EXTENT INTERVENTION CAN BE JUSTIFIED. WE HAVE ALREADY COME A LONG WAY: THE BANKING INDUSTRY IN HONG KONG HAS PERFORMED BETTER THAN IN MANY OTHER COUNTRIES IN THE LAST 10 YEARS AND THE SECURITIES INDUSTRY NOW LOOKS MUCH MORE SOUNDLY BASED THAN IT WAS, SAY, FIVE YEARS AGO.*

EUT THERE WAS MORE TO EE DONE, MR. HADDON-CAVE SAID. WE HAD BEEN CRITICISED - AND FAIRLY HE BELIEVED - FOR THE LACK OF INFORMATION AVAILABLE ABOUT THE FINANCIAL SERVICES SECTOR OF THE ECONOMY AND WE WERE THEREFORE IN THE PROCESS OF DOING WHAT WE COULD TO IMPROVE OUR FINANCIAL STATISTICS.

+ 1 HOPE W'E CAN COUNT ON THE CO-OPERATION OF THOSE CONCERNED FOR IT IS JUST AS IMPORTANT FOR THE PROVIDERS OF FINANCIAL SERVICES TO BE WELL INFORMED AS THE GOVERNMENT ITSELF,* HE SAID.

THE SECOND CONSIDERATION, THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY SAID, ..AS THE NEED TO PROVIDE USERS OF FINANCIAL SERVICES WITH SOME PROTECTION.

+WE HAVE DEVELOPED CONSUMER PROTECTION LESS IN HONG KONG THAN IN MANY OTHER COUNTRIES,* HE SAID.

+WE HAVE RELIED PRIMARILY ON THE OLD MAXIM, LET THE BUYER SEE TO IT, AND I FIRMLY BELIEVE WE SHOULD CONTINUE TO RELY ON IT IN THE MAIN.

+ N-VERTHELESS, THERE ARE CIRCUMSTANCES IK WHICH CONSUMERS, NO MATTER HOW' INTELLIGENT, CAN BE AFFECTED BY FORCES BEYOND THEIR CONTROL. SMALL BANK DEPOSITORS ARE EXAMPLE.*

/C’.' THE THIRD .

FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 4, 1??7

2

CM THE THIRD CONS IDERAT ION - THE OBVIOUS NEED TO PROTECT HONG KONG’S REPUTATION AS A FINANCIAL CENTRE - MR. HADDON-CAVE SAID: +IF ADEQUATE WEIGHT IS GIVE.. TO THE FIRST TWO CONSIDERATIONS, THEN HONG KONG’S REPUTATION WILL BE LARGELY SECURED. BUT NOT QUITE: ON THE BASIS OF A COHERENT AND CONSISTENT PHILOSOPHY TOWARDS THE FINANCIAL SERVICES SECTOR, THE GOVERNMENT MUST ALSO DEVELOP APPROPRIATE POLICIES IN THE FIELDS, FOR EXAMPLE, OF FISCAL ADMINISTRATION, IMMIGRATION AND LICENSING SYSTEMS.*

'MR. HADDON-CAVE ILLUSTRATED THE WAY IN WHICH THESE THREE CONSIDERATIONS HAD BEEN APPLIED III PRACTICE BY EXAMINING GOVERNMENT POLICY IN RESPECT OF BANKING, DEPOSIT TAKING COMPANIES, THE STOCK-MARKET, COMMODITIES TRADING AND INSURANCE.

ON GOVERNMENT’S ATTITUDE TO BANKING, MR. HADDON-CAVE SAID IT WOULD BE FAIR TO CLAIM THAT THE 1964 BANKING ORDINANCE HAD OPERATED IN SUCH A WAY AS TO MEET THE THREE CONSIDERATIONS UNDERLYING GOVERNMENT POLICY: THE ECONOMY GENERALLY HAD BEEN SAFEGUARDED, DEPOSITORS HAD ENJOYED PROTECTION AND YET IT ».AS CLEAR THAT THE BANKS HAD SUFFICIENT FREEDOM TO OPERATE ON THEIR OWN INITIATIVE IN A COMPETITIVE ENVIRONMENT.

ON THE TOPIC OF DEPOSIT-TAKING COMPANIES, MR. HADDON-CAVE SAID THE ORDINANCE HAD BEEN CRITICISED, AT ANY RATE EY THE BANKS, ON THE GROUNDS THAT IT DID LOT GO FAR ENOUGH IN PROTECTING DEPOSITORS AND THAT DEPOSIT-TAKING COMPANIES, ESPECIALLY THOSE ENGAGED IN THE BUSINESS OF WHOLESALE BANKING, HAD AN UNFAIR ADVANTAGE OVER THE LICENSED BANKS, PARTICULARLY IN THEIR FREEDOM FROM LIQUIDITY REQUIREMENTS.

HE SAID THAT THE ACTIVITIES OF THE DEPCS IT-TAKI NG COMPANIES WERE GROWING AND, TO PROTECT THE ECONOMY GENERALLY RATHER THAN DEPOSITORS IN PARTICULAR, PROPOSALS WOULD SHORTLY E= PUT TO THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL TO PROVIDE FOR MONTHLY RETURNS TO BE SUBMITTED TO THE COMMISSIONER OF BANKING’S OFFICE, FOR POWERS OF INSPECTION OF COMPANIES BY THE COMMISSIONER AND FOR LIQUIDITY REQUIREMENTS SI’ ILAR TO THOSE REQUIRED IN THE BANKING ORDINANCE. IT JAS ALSO GOVERNMENT’S INTELiICu TO PERMIT CERTAIN LARGE INTERNATIONAL BANKS TO REGISTER UNDER THE DEPOSIT TAKING COMPANIES ORDINANCE AND OPEN BRANCHES IN HONG KONG +SUBJECT TO OUR BEING ABLE TO DEVISE ADEQUATE SAFEGUARDS.*

ON THE 1974 SECURITIES ORDINANCE, MR. HADDON-CAVE SAID: ♦GENERALLY, I THINK THE ORDINANCE HAS BEEN A SUCCESS. THE REALLY BLATANT ABUSES SO APPARcl.'l '-IV- YEARS AGO ARE NO LONGER .'.ITH US.+

MR. HADDON-CAVE SAIL THE CODE ON TAKE OVER AND MERGERS PUBLISHED IN 1975 HAD ..ORKED ..ELL, ADDING THAT THE COMMISSIONER FOR SECURITIES WAS CURRENTLY 'EVIE.. ING THE CODE ..ITH THE READY ASSISTANCE OF THE FI'.AN'CIAL COMMUNITY. HE SAID A CODE ON UNIT TRUSTS AND MUTUAL FUNDS HAD BACHED AN ADVANCED STAGE AND SHOULD BE BROUGHT INTO C-ERATI'. BEFORE THE END OF THE YEAR.

MR. HADDON-CAVE SAID THE CODE C TAKE OVERS AND MERGERS A'.L THE UNIT TRUSTS OODE ..ERE THE ML' T . BODES HE FAD IN MIND AT Tr_ MOMENT. + BUT I CAN SEE OTnE.-S I _E._^U' cD AS TIME PASSES.*

/THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY ....

FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 4, 1977

THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY SAID IT ..AS PROPOSED TC SET UP A TRIBUNAL TC INVESTIGATE INSIDER DEALING. +THE DIFFICULTY •f. ITH INSIDER DEALING IS TO DEVISE AX ANSWER THAT GETS AT THE CULPRITS WHILE LEAVING ALONE THE INNOCENT,+ HE SAID.

A TRIBUNAL ..OULD EE USED RATHER T.-iAi, THE COURTS AND A REVIE.. IN T..0 YEARS’ TIME .-.OULD TELu ..HETHEr. ..E HAD GOT THE CORRECT BALANCE BETWEEN PURSUING THE GUILTY AND PROTECTING THE INNOCENT. +IF WE HAVEN’T, ..E SHALL HAVE TO DEVISE OTHER MEANS OF TACKLING THE PROBLEM.+

MR. HADDON-CAVE SAID THt.RE ..ERE THREE REASONS WHY UNIFICATION 0- THE STOCK EXCHANGES WOULD BENEFIT BOTH DEALERS AMD SHAREHOLDERS: IT WOULD BE MORE ECONOMIC TO ADMINISTER ONE EXCHANGE" A BROADER AND LESS ERRATIC EXCHANGE SHOULD RESULT" AND IT WOULD EE EASIER FOR THE COMMISSIONER FOR SECURITIES TC ENFORCE ANY LEGISLATION REQUIRING THE CO-OPERATION OF THE EXCHANGE IF HE HAD TC DEAL .. ITH ONLY ONE EXCHANGE.

+GIVEN THESE ADVANTAGES,+ MR. HADDCN-CAVE SAID, +| ATTACH IMPORTANCE TC THE CURRENT DISCUSSIONS CF THE WORKING PARTY ON UNIFICATION. IT WOULD APPEAR AS IF SOME PROGRESS HAS BEEN MADE, BUT NOT ENOUGH TC CONVINCE ME THAT UNIFICATION IS IN PROSPECT.

+S0, ALTHOUGH THE GOVERNMENT DOES NOT WISH TC INTERFERE ACTIVELY IN THE ORGANISATION OF THE STOCK EXCHANGE, UNLESS ..E SOON HAVE TANGIBLE EVIDENCE OF REAL PROGRESS TOWARDS UNIFICATION, *E SHALL HAVE TC CONSIDER INTRODUCING LEGISLATION TC BRING IT ABOUT.+

REGARDING THE COMMODITY EXCHANGE, MR. HADDON-CAVE SAID THAT SINCE IT WAS OPENED IN MAY, BUSINESS HAD BEEN AT A LOWER LEVEL THAN HE THOUGHT ALL HAD EXPECTED.

+BUT I CERTAINLY DC NOT SEE THIS AS IN THE ORGANISATION OR MANAGEMENT OF THE

REFLECTING ANY DEFICIENCY EXCHANGE,+ HE SAID.

+ IT MERELY SHOWS THAT TIME IS ’DEEDED TO GET ACCUSTOMED TO A ,E INSTITUTION. IT REFLECTS ALSO TnE FACT THAT I ..TEREST I h COMMODITIu WORLD WIDE HAS BEEN AT A LC.< EEb. BUSINESS OX THE nXCHANGu .. I Lu, IN ANY CASE, RECEIVE A BOOST LATER THIS MONTH WITH THE START OF TRADING IN RA.. SUGAR FUTURES.*

MR. HADDCN-CAVE SAID THE REGISTRA GENERAL ..AS DRAFTING, WITH THE ACTIVE CO-OPERATION CF Ti-.E INSURANCE INDUSTRY, A NEW AND COMPREHENSIVE ORDINANCE TO PROVIDE THE NECESSARY CONTROL AND REGULATION OF THE INDUSTRY FOR THE PROTECTION OF POLICY HOLDERS, WHICH WOULD REPLACE THE THREE EXISTING ORDINANCES.

NOTE TO EDITORS:

COPIES OF MR. -Z* _’i S“lECH DOTH IN ENGLISH A'._

CHINESE ARE NOW AVAILAE_E 0.________ST I ON IN THE ’.E*'S .ROOM 0

G. I.S. ON cTH FLOOR, BEACONS- I ELD '.USE.

FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 4, 1977

MTR EXTENSION AREA PLAN FOR PUBLIC INSPECTION

■A ¥: Tt * ft

THE RAILWAY AREA PLAN COR THE EXTENSION OF THE MODIFIED INITIAL SYSTEM OF THE MASS TRANSIT RAILWAY EETwEEN PRINCE EDWARD STATION AND LAI CHI KOK BAY THE ROUTE OF ..RICH GENERALLY FOLLOWS CHEUNG SHA WAN ROAD HAS BEEN DEPOSITED BY THE DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC rtORXS IN THE LANE OFFICE 0^ THE REGISTRAR GENERAL’S DEPARTMENT IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE MASS TRANSIT RAILWAY (LAND RESUMPTION AND RELATED PROVISIONS) ORDINANCE.

THIS PLAN SHOWS THE AREAS IN WHICH LAND MAY BE RESUMED OR EASEMENTS CREATED FOR THE PURPOSE OF BUILDING AND RUNNING THE RAILWAY. UNDER THE ORDINANCE, OWNERS OF LAND AND PROPERTY ACTUALLY AFFECTED BY THE RAILWAY MAY CLAIM COMPENSATION.

COPIES OF THE PLAN MAY BE INSPECTED FREE OF CHARGE DURING OFFICE HOURS AT THE ENQUIRY SUB-CFFICE, CENTRAL GOVERNMENT OFFICES, WEST ..ING, GROUND FLOOR* THE PUBLIC wORKS DEPARTMENT, 19TH FLOOR, MURRAY BUILDING, OR AT ANY CITY DISTRICT OFFICE.

A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN SAID, +THE ALIGNMENT OF THE RAILWAY AND THE LOCATION OF BUILDINGS CONNECTED A I TH IT HAVE BEEN CHOSEN WITH GREAT CARE SC AS TO LIMIT ITS EFFECT ON PROPERTY AS FAR AS POSSIBLE.*

ONLY 34 PROPERTIES MAY BE AFFECTED - AND IN SOME CASES ONLY THE BUILDINGS’ VERANDAHS COULD EE CONCERNED. IN MOST OF THESE CASES, PRELIMINARY TALKS HAVE ALREADY BEEN HELD BETWEEN THE PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT AND THE OWNERS.

ANY HOUSE-HOLDERS AFFECTED EY CLEARANCES WILL BE OFFERED ALTERNATIVE ACCOMMODATION EY THE HOUSING DEPARTMENT, IF ELIGIBLE.

AS WELL AS GIVING THE GOVERNOR THE POWER TO ORDER RESUMPTIONS OR EASEMENTS, THE ORDINANCE ALSO EMPOWERS THE DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC ,.CRKS TO REQUIRE THE O..NER OF AY BUILDING IN THE RAILWAY AREA TO REMOVE ANY OBJECT OR STRUCTUR; ..'HIGH IS ATiACHzD TO OR PROJECTS FROM THE BUILDING IF HE CONSIDERS ITS REMOVAL NECESSARY FOR THE PURPOSE OF BUILDING THE RAILWAY.

THE CONSTRUCTION GF THE RA IL..AY DOES NOT MEAN THAT REDEVELOPMENT OF SITES ADJACENT TO THE RAIL..AY AREA WILL BE AUTOMATICALLY FROZEN SINCE IN ALL BUT A FE.< SITES REDEVELOPMENT CAN BE PERMITTED UNDER CERTAIN CONDITIONS.

HOwEVER, AS A SAFEGUARD AjAI ;S i P'^SSIBLt CC...-LICT BEi..ctr. PRIVATE DEVELOPMENT PROPOSALS AND THE RAILWAY ..0RK3, THE BUILDING AUTHORITY WHO IS THE DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC ..GRKS HAS THE POWER UNDER THE ORDINANCE TO REFUSE APPROVAL TO BUILDING PLANS IF HE CONSIDERS THEY ARE INCOMPATIBLE .. I Tr T-'E DC STRUCT ION OF THE RAILWAY.

owners may de able to establi~.-. clai; s to compensation where THE DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC .•.CRK3 RE^-MES LEGAL STRUCTURES TO BE REMOVED OR THE BUILDING AUTHORITY .EFUSES TO APPROVE BUILDING PLANo.

- 5 -

FRIDAY, NCVSXBSR A, i‘?77

A NUMBER OF PERMANENT AND TEMPORARY STREET ALTERATIONS MILL EE NECESSARY TO FACILITATE CONSTRUCTION OF THE RAILMAY AND wHEN THE DETAILS OF THESE REQUIREMENTS ARE FINALISED, AH ANNOUNCEMENT MILL BE MADE IN THE GOVERNMENT GAZETTE.

BUSINESS OWNERS WILL BE ENTITLED TO SUBMIT CLAIMS FOR BUSINESS LOSS. AS WITH THE MODIFIED INITIAL SYSTEM OPERATORS OF SMALL SHOPS AND BUSINESSES '..HOSE TRADE IS AFFECTED BY THE WORKS CAN APPLY FOR MONTHLY PAYMENTS UNDER THE ADVANCED PAYMENTS SCHEME.

ALL CLAIMS SHOULD BE MADE IN ..SITING TO THE DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC WORKS. THE TIME LIMIT FOR THE SUBMISSION OF CLAIMS IS IN MOST CASES ONE YEAR AS LAID DO..N IN THE ORDINANCE. GENERAL ENQUIRIES CONCERNING THE RAIL-AY AREA PLAN SHOULD EE ADDRESSED TC CITY DISTRICT OFFICES IN THE FIRST INSTANCE.

THE RAILWAY AREA PLAN FOR THE REMAINDER OF THE EXTENSION OF THE RAILWAY TC TSUEN WAN IS UNDER PREPARATION AND IT IS EXPECTED TC BE DEPOSITED IN THE NEXT FE- MONTHS.

/6

FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 4, 1977

6

AMENDMENTS TO DRAFT WANCHAI OUTLINE ZONING PLAN ******

A NUMBER OF AMENDMENTS TO THE DRAFT WAN CHAI OUTLINE ZONING PLAN AND ITS NOTES HAVE BEEN MADE BY THE TOWN PLANNING BOARD.

MOST OF THE AMENDMENTS GAZETTED TODAY INVOLVE THE REZONING OF SPECIFIC SITES. HOWEVER, THE BOARD HAS ALSO AGREED THE INCLUSION OF A PROPOSED TRAM TURNING CIRCLE FROM JOHNSTON ROAD, VIA THOMSON ROAD AND LliARD ROAD- THE DESIGNATING OF SECTIONS OF TONNOCHY ROAD AND LUARD ROAD AS PEDESTRIAN STREETS AND FENWICK STREET AND O’BRIEN ROAD AS TRAFFIC ROUTES= AND AN ELEVATED ROAD ABOVE GLOUCESTER ROAD IS ALSO INCORPORATED.

THE AMENDMENTS TO THE NOTES TO THE PLAN CONCERN THE REPLACEMENT OF THE SINGLE +RESI DENT IAL+ ZONING BY RESIDENTIAL (GROUP A) AND RESIDENTIAL (GROUP E) AND A REDEFINITION OF THE USES THAT MAY BE PERMITTED WITH OR WITHOUT CONDITIONS ON APPLICATION TO THE TOWN PLANNING BOARD.

USES PERMITTED UNDER GROUP B ARE SLIGHTLY MORE RESTRICTIVE THAN THOSE ALLOWED UNDER GROUP A. CERTAIN ADDITIONAL USES HAVE ALSO BEEN INCLUDED IN COMMERC IAL/RES IDE'.TI AL AND OPEN SPACE ZONING AS PERMISSIBLE AT TnE DISCRETION OF THE BOARD.

UNDER THE DRAFT PLAN, 26.74 HECTARES OF LAND ARE ZONED FOR COMMERCIAL/RESIDENTIAL USE WHILE 15.13 HECTARES ARE FOR RESIDENTIAL USE.

LAND PROPOSED FOR GOVERNMENT, INSTITUTION AND COMMUNITY USE COVERS AN AREA OF ABOUT 25.56 HECTARES wHILE OPEN SPACE IS SCHEDULED TO TAKE UP ABOUT 13.66 HECTARES OF LAND.

THE AMENDMENT PLAN CAN EE INSPECTED DURING NORMAL OFFICE HOURS UNTIL NOVEMBER 24 AT THE CITY DISTRICT OFFICE (CENTRAL AND WESTERN) ENQUIRY SUB-OFFICE, CENTRAL GOVERNMENT OFFICES, WEST WING ENTRANCES- THE CITY DISTRICT OFFICE (WAN CHAI), TUNG WAH MANSION, 231 HENNESSY ROAD, GROUND FLOOR, HONG KONG AND THE TOWN PLANNING OFFICE, 17TH FLOOR, MURRAY BUILDING, GARDEN ROAD, HONG KONG.

COPIES 0- THE AMENDMENT PLAN ARE ALSO AVAILABLE FOR SALE AT THE CROWN LANDS AND SURVEY OFFICE, 19TH FLOOR, MURRAY BUILDING, GARDEN ROAD, HONG KONG.

ANY OBJECTIONS TO THE AMENDMENTS MAY BE MADE IN .-.R IT I NG NOT LATER THAN NOVEMBER 24, TO TnE SECRETARY, TOWN PLANNING BOARD, C/0 PUBLIC wCRKS DEPARTMENT, '• URRAY BUILDING.

n...

0 -------

FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 4, 1977 ’

NEW WIDOWS’ AND CHILDREN’S PENSIONS SCHEME FOR CIVIL SERVICE GAZETTED

(_ OCrt V I UZ

******

GOVERNMENT TODAY (FRIDAY) GAZETTED A NEW PENSION SCHEME FOR THE DEPENDANTS OF CIVIL SERVANTS, REPLACING THE ONE DATING BACK TO 1908.

THE NE «• SCHxi-.c, .*H I CH A GO V—R NM.cN T OuCRcTaRImi Sr'OKcSi-.AN SAID WILL +REFLECT MORE ADE^UATcLY PRtStNT DAY C IRCU.- STANCES AND NEEDS,* IS KNOWN AS THE WIDOWS’ AND CHILDREN’S PENSIONS SCHEME.

IT IS DESIGNED TO PROVIDE, FOR A RELATIVELY SMALL PREM lb."., REASONABLE COVER THROUGHOUT AN OFFICER’S SERVICE, AND ALSO TO GIVE SOME PROTECTION AGAINST INFLATION AND SOME RECOGNITION OF HIS ADVANCEMENT IN THE SERVICE.

EVERY PENSIONABLE MALE OFFICER APPOINTED AFTER THE SCHEME COMMENCES MUST CONTRIBUTE TO IT. CONTRIBUTIONS WILL BE THREE PER CENT OF HIS SALARY UNLESS AN OFFICER CHOOSES TO PAY FOUR PER CENT IN RETURN FOR A BETTER WIDOWS’ PENSION.

THE SPOKESMAN SAID SERVING PENSIONABLE CONTRIBUTORS TO THE EXISTING SCHEME, KNOWN AS THE WIDOWS’ AND ORPHANS’ PENSION SCHEME, WILL BE GIVEN THE OPTION TO JOIN THE NEW SCHEME OR TO REMAIN IN THE PRESENT SCHEME WHICH WILL GRADUALLY RUN DOWN. OFFICERS EXEMPTED FROM THE OBLIGATION TO CONTRIBUTE TO THE EXISTING SCHEME WILL BE ABLE TO JOIN THE NEW SCHEME IF THEY ..ANT TO.

HE SAID THE NEW SCHEME WILL REFLECT AN OFFICER’S PRESENT AND FUTURE CIRCUMSTANCES BY RELATING PENSION TO HIS PERIOD OF CONTRIBUTORY SERVICE AND TO HIS SALARY AT THE TIME OF HIS RETIREMENT OR DEATH. IF AN OFFICER DIES YOUNG, THERE WILL BE AN ASSURED MINIMUM BENEFIT, IN MOST CASES, CORRESPONDING TO 20 YEARS’ CONTRIBUTORY SERVICE.

UNDER THE EXISTING SCHEME AN OFFICER CONTRIBUTES FOUR PER CENT OF HIS SALARY OR HE CAN CHOOSE TO CONTRIBUTE AT A FIXED RATE OF 3125 PER MONTn WHEN HIS SALARY REACHES 03,125 PER MONTH.

THE SPOKESMAN SAID THIS SCHEME wAS INTRODUCED AT A TIME ..HEN MORTALITY CONDITIONS WERE VERY DIFFERENT FROM WHAT THEY ARE TODAY. +ITS BENEFITS ACCORDINGLY PROVIDED MORE FOR EARLY DEATH AND LEFT THE I DOWS OF OFFICERS .'.HO DIED LATER IN LIFE a I TH RELATIVELY LOv. BENEFITS,* HE SAID. THE SPOKESMAN ADDED THAT TnE SCHEME WAS COMPLEX AND NOT EASY T: ADMINISTER.

FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 4, 1977

- 8 -

COURSE FOR DRUG FIGHTERS * * * * *

A TOTAL OF 23 POLICE AND CUSTOMS OFFICERS FROM TEN COUNTRIES ,;ILL GATHER IN HONG KONG THIS WEEKEND FOR A TWO-WEEK COURSE FOR NARCOTICS LAW ENFORCEMENT INSTRUCTORS SPONSORED BY THE UNITED NATIONS DIVISION OF NARCOTIC DRUGS.

THE AIM OF THE COURSE, WHICH WILL EE HELD IN THE HONG KONG CUSTOMS AND EXCISE SERVICE TRAINING SCHOOL AT TAI LAM CHUNG FROM NOVEMBER 7 TO 18, IS TO PROMOTE GREATER KNOWLEDGE AND AWARENESS OF INTERNATIONAL DRUG PROBLEMS AND THE MEANS CF OVERCOMING THEM.

THE PROGRAMME WILL INCLUDE LECTURES AND DEMONSTRATIONS ON ANT I-SMUGGLING METHODS, TECHNIQUES OF INVESTIGATION, SURVEILLANCE OPERATIONS AND THE USE OF DRUG DETECTION DOGS. THERE WILL BE VISITS TO THE POLICE FORENSIC LABORATORY AND THE TAI LAM ADDICTION TREATMENT CENTRE OF THE PRISONS DEPARTMENT. THOSE TAKING PART WILL ALSO RECEIVE INSTRUCTION IN TRAINING METHODS TO ENABLE THEM TO ORGANISE LECTURES AND COURSES IN THEIR OWN COUNTRIES.

APART FROM HONG KONG, THE COUNTRIES REPRESENTED CONSIST OF BURMA, INDIA, INDONESIA, MALAYSIA, NEPAL, PAPUA NEW GUINEA, THE PHILIPPINES, SINGAPORE AND THAILAND.

THE MAIN SPEAKERS WILL BE OFFICIALS FROM THE GOVERNMENT SECRETARIAT’S NARCOTICS DIVISION, THE POLICE NARCOTICS BUREAU, THE CUSTOMS AND EXCISE SERVICE, THE MEDICAL AND HEALTH DEPARTMENT AND THE CIVIL SERVICE TRAINING DIVISION, TOGETHER WITH HONG KONG BASED ANT I-NARCOTICS SPECIALISTS FROM THE UNITED STATES CUSTOMS SERVICE, THE UNITED STATES DRUG ENFORCEMENT ADMINISTRATION, THE ROYAL CANADIAN MOUNTED POLICE, AND A NETHERLAND NARCOTICS LIAISON OFFICER STATIONED IN BANGKOK.

THE UNITED NATIONS DIVISION OF NARCOTIC DRUGS HAS RUN SEVERAL COURSES OF THIS TYPE - MOSTLY IN GENEVA - BUT THIS WILL EE THE FIRST TO TAKE PLACE IK HONG KONG AND ONLY THE SECOND TO EE HELD IN THE REGION.

A SIMILAR COURSE WAS HELD IK DJAKARTA IN 1974 WHEN HONG KONG WAS REPRESENTED BY A POLICE SUPERINTENDENT AND AN ASSISTANT SUPERINTENDENT OF THE CUSTOMS AND EXCISE SERVICE.

THE IDEA OF USING HONG KONG AS A VENUE ON THIS OCCASION FIRST AROSE DURING THE HONG KONG CONFERENCE CF SENIOR PREVENTIVE OFFICERS HELD IN MAY LAST YEAR ..iEK UN OBSERVERS DECIDED Tr.AT THE HONG KONG CUSTOMS AND EXCISE SERVICE TRAINING SCHOOL OFFERED IDEAL FACILITIES FOR A REGIONAL COURSE.

SINCE THEN, THERE HAS BEEK A REGULAR CORRESPONDENCE BETWEEN HONG KONG AND GENEVA AND BOTH THE CCi-. '133 IONER FOR NARCOTICS AND A SENIOR SUPERINTENDENT OF THE HONG KONG CUSTOMS AND EXCISE SERVICE HAVE VISITED THE CENTRAL T.-.' II.I.\G UNIT OF THE UK DIVISION OF NARCOTIC DRUGS IN GENEVA TO DISCUSS ARRANGEMENTS.

FSIDAY, NCVaffiSR 4, 1977

9 -

THE COURSE WILL SE OPENED BY MR. W. OF CUSTOMS AND EXCISE. iR. 3.F. SLEVIN, .-.ILL ADDRESS THE PARTICIPANTS DURING THE FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 18.

DORVJARD, THE COMMISSIONER COMMISSIONER OF POLICE, CLOSING SESSION ON

NOTE TO EDITORS:

YOU ARE WELCOME TO SEND A REPORTER AND/OR PHOTOGRAPHER TO COVER THE OPENING CEREMONY WHICH WILL TAKE PLACE ON MONDAY (NOVEMBER 7) AT 9.30 A.H. AT THE CUSTOMS AND EXCISE SERVICE TRAINING SCHOOL AT TAI LAM CHUNG, NEW TERRITORIES.

TELEVISION AND RADIO CREWS ARE ASKED TC ARRIVE EARLY TO SET UP THEIR EQUIPMENT BEFORE THE CEREMONY STARTS.

TRANSPORT WILL BE AVAILABLE TC TAKE PRESS REPRESENTATIVES TO TAI LAM CHUNG, LEAVING KOWLOON PUBLIC PIER AT 3 A.M. SHARP.

THE PUBLIC RELATIONS OFFICER OF THE TRADE . INDUSTRY AND CUSTOMS DEPARTMENT, PETER ILIFFE-MOON, AND STAFF OF THE CUSTOMS AND EXCISE SERVICE TRAINING SCHOOL WILL BE ON HAND TO ASSIST YOUR REPRESENTATIVES.

IF YOU REQUIRE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION ON THE COURSE, PLEASE CONTACT SENIOR SUPERINTENDENT WALTER NEIL, CUSTOMS AND EXCISE SERVICE, TEL. 5-456182 EXT. 222, OR HR. ILIFFE-MOON, TEL. 5-233191 EXT. 227.

FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 4, 1977

- 10 -

TEAM SET UP TO PROMOTE FAMILY LIFE EDUCATION * * * *

THE DIRECTOR OF SOCIAL WELFARE, MR. THOMAS LEE, SAID TODAY (FRIDAY) 11 OFFICERS OF THE DEPARTMENT HAVE BEEN APPOINTED TO PROMOTE FAMILY LIFE EDUCATION, A COMMUNITY-WIDE PROGRAMME AIMED AT PRESERVING AND STRENGTHENING THE FAMILY AS A UNIT.

SPEAKING AT THE 24TH SPEECH DAY OF WELLINGTON COLLEGE, MR. LEE SAID A FULL-TIME WORKING TEAM COMPRISING A CO-ORDINATOR AND 10 OFFICERS WORKING ON A DISTRICT BASIS HAS ALREADY EMBARKED, IN CONSULTATION WITH VOLUNTARY AGENCIES, ON THE DETAILED PLANNING OF THE OVERALL PROGRAMME, DUE TO EE LAUNCHED SOME TIME AROUND THE CHINESE NEW YEAR.

DESCRIBING THE PROGRAMME AS ONE DESIGNED TO COMPLEMENT THE EXPANSION OF PERSONAL SOCIAL WORK FOR YOUNG PEOPLE WITH PROBLEMS, NF.. LEE EMPHASISED THE I.■■PACT OF FAMILY UNITS ON THE INDIVIDUAL’S GROWTH, DEVELOPMENT AND BEHAVIOUR.

+RESEARCH HAS CONFIRMED THAT BROKEN FAMILIES, INADEQUATE PARENTAL CARE AND ATTENTION, INAPPROPRIATE METHODS OF ENFORCING DISCIPLINES, AND STRAINED RELATIONSHIPS AMONG FAMILY MEMBERS CAN HAVE SERIOUS CONSEQUENCES ON THE DEVELOPMENT OF YOUNG PEOPLE.

+FAMILY LIFE EDUCATION AIMS THEREFORE TO IMPROVE THE QUALITY OF FAMILY LIFE FOR INDIVIDUALS, EY ENHANCING THE UNDERSTANDING OF ONE’S SELF, BY SHOWING HOW TO ACHIEVE BETTER HUMAN RELATIONSHIPS WITHIN THE FAMILY AND DY HELPING EACH FAMILY MEMBER TO RECOGNISE THE ROLE HE PLAYS,+ MR. LEE SAID.

HE ADDED THAT, ABOVE ^LL, TH<_ PROGRAMME IS Gz.Ar.ED TO FORESTALL FAMILY BREAKDOWNS BY IMPARTING KNOWLEDGE ON MARRIAGE, CHILD CARE, THE RESPONSIBILITY OF PARENTS AND CHILDREN AND ON OTHER RELATED SUBJECTS.

+THROUGH THE USE OF A VARIETY OF TECHNIQUES, SUCH AS AUDIO-VISUAL AIDS, SEMINARS, ROLE PLAYS, DISCUSSIONS AND COUNSELL I’. BACKED UP BY SERVICES TO INDIVIDUAL FAMILIES ’.-.HERE NECESSARY ON A CASEWORK BASIS, THE MESSAGE OF ■ UNITED AND HAPPY FAMILY WILL SOON MAKE ITS WAY TO FAMILIES ALL OVER .-.ONG KONG,+ HE SAID.

AMONG THE VARIOUS TARGET GROUPS OF THE PROGRAMME, MR. LEE NOTED THAT YOUNG PEOPLE ARE THE ONES THAT COULD CONTRIBUTE MOST TOWARDS IT SUCCESS.

UNDERLINING THE YOUNGER GENERATION’S DIFFICULTIES IN ADAPTING TO PHYSICAL CHANGES AND EMOTIONAL STRAINS TOGETHER .. ITH THE CHALLENGES AND FRUSTRATIONS ON THE '-.AY TO ADULTHOOD, THE DIRECTOR POINTED OUT THAT FAMILY LIFE EDUCATION .-.OULD SUPPLEMENT EF-ORTS MADE EY THE SCHOOL AUTHORITIES A’.D SCHOOL SOCIAL ..OP.KE.'S.

+SPECIALLY DESIGNED II CONTENTS AND METHODOLOGY, FA' ILY LIFE EDUCATION WILL ENABLE THE TO U'IDcR STAND, ANALYSE, AND S~l_/c PROBLEMS BROUGHT ABOUT £■ 01 _E_ THAT YOUNG OPLE EXPERIENCE

PHYSICALLY, PSYCHCLCGICALuY • L j . I ALLY IL THE PERIOD OF GRO.. INC UP,+ HE SAID.

/FOR THIO GF SOI FI J...

FEIDAY, NOVEMBER *♦, 197?

- 11

FOR THIS SPECIFIC II, CHARACTER BUILDING, SHOULD PLAY INSIDE AND

GROUP, THE PROGRAMME THE CHOICE OF CAREER OUTSIDE THE FAMILY.

ALSO OFFERS GUIDANCE AND THE ROLE THEY

THE VALUE OF THE FAMILY LIFE HOPED THAT THE COMMUNITY w ILL

EXPRcSSING CONF IDc.vCz It.

-DUCAT I ON PROGRAMME, MR. LEE IT STRONG SUPPORT.

GIVE

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

RETIRED POSTMAN

HONOURED BY THE QUEEN * * * *

MR. LI KI, A RETIRED POSTMAN, HAS BEEN AWARDED THE IMPERIAL SERVICE MEDAL BY THE QUEEN.

MR. LI, 55, FIRST JOINED THE POST OFFICE IN 1943 AS A LABOURER. HE '..'AS PROMOTED TO POSTMAN CLASS III IN 1946 AND • TO POSTMAN IN 1953. HE RETIRED II. SEPTEMBER THIS YEAR AFTER MORE THAN 36 YEARS OF SERVICE.

FOR MOST PART OF HIS CAREER, R. LI SERVED AS A DELIVERY POSTMAN IN THE TAI PO DISTRICT.

AT A BRIEF CEREMONY YESTERDAY (THURSDAY), THE POSTMASTER GENERAL, MR. D.J.K. BAMFORD, HANDED HR. LI A LETTER FROM THE GOVERNOR INFORMING HIM ABOUT THE A..-RD.

MR. BAMFORD NOTED THAT T.-E A .ARD .-.AS DEEN GIVEN IN RECOGNITION OF HR. LI’S LONG AND LOYAL SERVICE TO THE POST OFFIC AND THE COMMUNITY.

+IT IS NOT ONLY A GREAT HONOUR FOR MR. LI BUT ALSO FOR THE ENTIRE DEPARTMENT,+ MR. LA-FORD SAID.

COMMENTING ON THE A.. ARD, MR. LI SAID, +1 OWE IT ALL TO MY COLLEAGUES WHO REALLY MADE THIS POSSIBLE.-*-

FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 4, 1977

12

TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS IN CENTRAL

******

TEMPORARY TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS WILL BE INTRODUCED IN CENTRAL DISTRICT FOR THREE DAYS STARTING FROM MONDAY (NOVEMBER 7) BETWEEN 1 A.M. AND 6 A.M. TO FACILITATE THE CONSTRUCTION OF THE QUEENSWAY FLYOVER.

DURING THESE PERIODS, THE EASTEOUND SECTION OF QUEENSWAY BETWEEN GARDEN ROAD AND COTTON TREE DRIVE- AND THE SECTION CF MURRAY ROAD BETWEEN CHATER ROAD AND QUEENSWAY WILL EE CLOSED TO TRAFFIC. VEHICLES WILL EE PERMITTED TO TURN LEFT FROM DES VOEUX ROAD CENTRAL INTO REDDER STREET.

IN ADDITION TRAFFIC FROM GARDEN ROAD WILL BE DIVERTED TO QUEEN’S ROAD CENTRAL, REDDER STREET AND CONNAUGHT ROAD CENTRAL AND TRAFFIC FROM DES VOEUX ROAD CENTRAL WILL TURN LEFT AT THE REDDER STREET JUNCTION AND PROCEED FROM THERE TO CONNAUGHT ROAD CENTRAL.

AT THE SAME TINE TRAFFIC FROL CHATER ROAD WILL PROCEED VIA LAMBETH WALK TO CONNAUGHT ROAD CENTRAL.

THE CROSS HARBOUR BUS ROUTE NO. 121 WILL BE DIVERTED TO OPERATE VIA DES VOEUX ROAD CENTRAL, REDDER STREET AND CONNAUGHT ROAD CENTRAL ON ITS KOWLOON BOUND JOURNEY DURING THESE PERIODS.

TRAFFIC SIGNS WILL BE SET UP TO GUIDE MOTORISTS.

- 0 - -

RETIRED USD FOREMAN HONOURED

*****

A VETERAN WORKER OF THE URBAN SERVICES DEPARTMENT, MR. LEUNG KAI, HAS BEEN AWARDED THE IMPERIAL SERVICE MEDAL, THE GOVERNMENT GAZETTE ANNOUNCED TODAY (FRIDAY).

MR. LEUNG, .-.HO IS 55, HAS BEEN HONOURED FOR 37 YEARS’ Service with the usd, during which he undertook many special DUTIES SUCH AS MAJOR CLEAN-UP OPERATIONS AFTER NATURAL DISASTERS. HE JOINED THE DEPARTMENT I'. 1940 AS A SANITARY WORKER AND RETIRED AS A FOREMAN IN SEPTEMBER THIS YEAR.

FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 4, 1977

13

NT LICENSING CENTRE * * *

THE URBAN SERVICES DEPARTMENT HAS OPENED A NEW CENTRALIZED LICENSING SECTION FOR THE NEW TERRITORIES ON THE 4TH FLOOR OF AUSTIN CENTRE, 19-23 AUSTIN AVENUE, KOWLOON.

THE NEW SECTION, WHICH BEGAN OPERATING ON NOVEMBER 1, IS RESPONSIBLE FOR PROCESSING ALL NEW APPLICATIONS FOR USD LICENCES EXCEPT HAWKER LICENCES AND TEMPORARY PLACES OF PUBLIC ENTERTAINMENT LICENCES IN THE NEW TERRITORIES. PREVIOUSLY, THESE APPLICATIONS WERE PROCESSED BY THE DISTRICT URBAN SERVICES OFFICES.

APPLICATIONS FOR ALTERATION, TRANSFER OR RENEWAL OF LICENCES ARE STILL PROCESSED BY DISTRICT URBAN SERVICES OFFICES AS USUAL.

THE TELEPHONE NUMBERS OF THE NEW LICENSING SECTION ARE 3-677939 AND 3-677901.

o -

WATER CHARGES COLLECTION CENTRES IN NT * * * * *

THF DISTRICT OFFICE. TAI PO WILL BE SETTING UP TEMPORARY COLLECTION CENTRES AT SHEUNG SHUI AND FANLING^LATER THIS MCNTH FOR THE COLLECTION OF WATER CHARGES FOR THE SECOND PERIOD OF

THIS YEAR.

THE SHEUNG SHUI COLLECTION CENTRE WILL BE LOCATED AT Trie SHEUNG SHUI PUBLIC ENQUIRY CENTRE AT SHEK WU HUI AND WILL OPERATE ON NOVEMBER 15 AND 16.

THE OTHER CENTRE WILL BE AT THE FANLING RURAL COMMITTEE OFFICE AT LUEN NO HUI AND WILL OPERATE ON NOVEMBER 17 AND 18.

BOTH CENTRES WILL BE OPEN FROM 9 A.M. TO 1 P.M. RESIDENTS OF THE DISTRICTS ARE INVITED TO MAKE USE OF THESE FaCILITIcS WHICH ARE SPECIALLY PROVIDED FOR THEIR CONVENIENCE.

DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN

SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 5, 1977

CONTENTS PAGE NO.

GOVERNOR ON SPECIAL TV PROGRAMME ....................... 1

KCR MARSHALLING YARD AT LO WU OPENS TOMORROW ........... 3

COMPUTERISED SYSTEM TO SPEED UP MOVEMENT OF FIRE APPLIANCES ............................................. 5

EMPLOYMENT IN CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY SHOWS INCREASE 6

FIRST JAYCEES INAUGURATED IN NT......................... 7

SECTION OF CLEARWATER BAY ROAD TO BE WIDENED ........... 8

CUSTOMS AND EXCISE INSPECTORS COMPLETE TRAINING .. 9

LONG SERVING TECHNICAL STAFF THANKED ................... 9

SECTION OF GASCOIGNE ROAD TO BE CLOSED ................ 10

FIRING PRACTICE ....................................... 10

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

SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 5, 1977

GOVERNOR ON SPECIAL TV PROGRAMME

******

THE GOVERNOR, SIR MURRAY MACLEHOSE, SAID TH I § (SATURDAY) EVENING THAT EVERY SANE PERSON, IN THE PUBL LC SERV ICE OR OUT OF IT WANTS TO SEE THE END^.QE. CORRUPT ION.

i

He WAS SPEAKING ON A SPECIAL RADIO TELEVISION HONG KONG PROGRAMME +OPENING SESSION*, TELEVISED YESTERDAY, IN WHICH HE DISCUSSED VARIOUS TOPICS WITH A PANEL OF JOURNALISTS COMPRISING MR. ANTHONY LAWRENCE, MR. ROBERT HO AND MR. WAI KEE-SHUN.

ON CORRUPTION WITHIN THE POLICE FORCE, SIR MURRAY SAID A GREAT DEAL OF PROGRESS HAD BEEN MADE.

+ IT’S IN A MUCH HEALTHIER STATE THAN IT WAS AND I AM ABSOLUTELY SURE THAT THE PROGRESS IN DEALING WITH CRIME WOULD NEVER HAVE BEEN MADE BUT FOR THIS PROGRESS,* HE SAID.

SIR MURRAY EXPRESSED DISAPPOINTMENT, HOWEVER, THAT THERE SHOULD HAVE BEEN WHAT HE REGARDED AS +OVER-REACTION* ON THE PART OF SOME OFFICERS TO ICAC OPERATIONS.

IT WAS A PITY, HE SAID, THAT SOME SHOULD HAVE OVER-REACTED AT A TIME WHEN THE FORCE WAS BEING SO SUCCESSFUL IN OTHER WAYS, AS REFLECTED IN THE DROPPING CRIME FIGURES.

Wk.

SIR MURRAY DISAGREED WITH THE IMPLICATION THAT THOSE WHO TOOK PART IN THE MEETING AT POLICE HEADQUARTERS LAST WEEK HAD SOMETHING TO HIDE.

A VERY CAREFUL INVESTIGATION WAS UNDERWAY INTO THE HUTCHISON HOUSE INCIDENT, HE ADDED, AND HE EXPECTED IT TO BE COMPLETED BY THE MIDDLE OF NEXT WEEK.

ON THE QUESTION OF POLICE COMPLAINTS, SIR MURRAY SAID THEY HAD RAISED VARIOUS PROCEDURAL POINTS AND IN SOME CASES IT WAS PERFECTLY POSSIBLE TO DO SOMETHING.

ASKED HOW COMPETENT HE CONSIDERED THE FORCE TO BE IN CARRYING OUT LAW AND ORDER, SIR MURRAY SAID s +IT’S FIRST CLASS. IT’S NEVER DONE IT BETTER.*

SIR MURRAY RECALLED THAT THE POLICE HAD MADE IMMENSE PROGRESS IN THE LAST FOUR YEARS -- SUCCESSFULLY RE-ESTABLISHING GOOD RELATIONS WITH THE PUBLIC, RECRUITING MORE OFFICERS AND CHANGING THEIR METHODS TO MAKE THEM EFFECTIVE AGAINST CRIME.

/+THE RESULT IS .....

SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 5, 1977

2

+THE RESULT IS NOW YOU HAVE DROPPING CRIME FIGURES,+ HE SAID.

ON HONG KONG’S ECONOMIC GROWTH, SIR MURRAY SAID IT WAS EXPECTED THAT HONG KONG WOULD FINISH THE YEAR WITH EXPORTS UP IN REAL TERMS BY ABOUT FOUR PER CENT ON LAST YEAR.

HE SAID THE OVERALL FORECAST WAS FOR A GROWTH IN GENERAL TRADP AND THERE WERE MANY FACTORS THAT WERE ENCOURAGING. THE DEMAND BOTH IN UK AND AMERICA WAS CERTAINLY PICKING UP AND ALL THESE THINGS COULD HELP HONG KONG.

TURNING TO THE CURRENT BILATERAL TEXTILE NEGOTIATIONS WITH THE EEC, SIR MURRAY REPEATED HIS REMARK IN HIS OPENING ADDRESS TO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL LAST MONTH THAT THE OUTCOME WOULD BE A BLOW +BUT NOT A MORTAL ONE.+

THE NEGOTIATIONS RELATED TO AT THE MOST 10 PER CENT OF OUR TOTAL TRADE, HE POINTED OUT.

SIR MURRAY SAID IF THE OUTCOME OF THE TALKS LED TO A CUTBACK IN HONG KONG’S QUOTAS, IT WOULD NOT CAUSE A MAJOR PROBLEM OF UNEMPLOYMENT.

+AT THE MOMENT WE HAVE GOT VERY FULL EMPLOYMENT, THOUGH THE TEXTILE INDUSTRY IS NOT GOING THROUGH A VERY HAPPY STAGE, THERE ARE OTHER INDUSTRIES THAT HAVE TO BE PICKING UP LABOUR.

♦THERE IS BOOM IN CONSTRUCTION SO THERE IS NO MAJOR PROBLEM OF UNEMPLOYMENT.+

ON THE DEVELOPMENT OF SOCIAL WELFARE, HE SAID THE GOVERNMENT’S ACTION IN THIS AREA WOULD KEEP PACE WITH ECONOMIC GROWTH. AS EXAMPLES, HE CITED THE SERIES OF GREEN AND WHITE PAPERS ON DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMMES FOR THE HANDICAPPED, THE ELDERLY AND YOUTH, AND THE NINE-YEAR FREE COMPULSORY EDUCATION.

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/3------

SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 5, 1977

3 -

NEW KCR MARSHALLING YARD OPENS TOMORROW

******

THE NEWLY-BUILT, 510.7 MILLION MARSHALLING YARD AT LOWU — ONE OF HONG KONG’S MAJOR RAILWAY EXPANSION PROJECTS — WILL COME INTO USE TOMORROW (SUNDAY).

THE MODERN RAILWAY YARD, WHICH HAS TAKEN NEARLY TWO YEARS TO COMPLETE, IS A KOWLOON-CANTON RAILWAY (KCR) PROJECT DESIGNED TO IMPROVE AND ENHANCE THE FLOW OF FREIGHT TRAFFIC ARRIVING FROM CHINA.

THE YARD WILL ULTIMATELY CONSIST OF SEVEN TRACKS AND STRETCHES FOR OVER HALF A MILE. ITS FUNCTION IS TO SORT THE WAGONS OF TRAINS ARRIVING FROM CHINA IN A MANNER THAT WILL AVOID EXTENSIVE SHUNTING IN THE FREIGHT TERMINI WHICH WOULD DELAY UNLOADING AND REDUCE THE PRODUCTIVITY OF SIDINGS AND WAGONS.

ADDITIONALLY, THE YARD OBVIATES THE NEED TO SHUNT WAGONS ON THE MAIN LINE WHICH WOULD SERIOUSLY IMPAIR THE PUNCTUALITY OF PASSENGER TRAINS.

THE ENTRANCES TO THE NEW YARD, THE ASSOCIATED MAIN LINE TRACKS AND THE PLATFORMS AT LOWU STATION ARE CONTROLLED BY A MODERN COLOUR SIGNALLING SYSTEM.

K.C.R.’S GENERAL MANAGER, MR. REGINALD GREGORY SAID, THE YARD’S MAIN ADVANTAGE IS THAT UNLOADING OPERATIONS AT FREIGHT TERMINI WILL BE SPEEDED UP. WAGONS CARRYING PIGS AND OTHER LIVESTOCK, FROZEN FOOD, DIESEL OIL AND MANY OTHER COMMODITIES COME FROM ALMOST EVERY PROVINCE IN CHINA AND ARE BOUND FOR AT LEAST FIVE DIFFERENT DESTINATIONS IN HONG KONG.

+NOW WITH FOUR SORTING TRACKS COMPLETED AND ANOTHER THREE WITH A SHUNTING NECK DUE FOR COMPLETION SHORTLY, THE MARSHALLING YARD WILL INITIALLY BE DEALING WITH EIGHT TRAINS CONSISTING OF UP TO 240 WAGONS A DAY. THE AVAILABILITY OF THE YARD WILL HOWEVER ADD TO THE RAILWAYS CAPABILITY TO HANDLE AN INCREASED QUANTITY OF FREIGHT FROM CHINA,+ HE SAID.

+WHAT IS MORE,* MR. GREGORY STATED, +FREIGHT TRAINS COMING LATE AT NIGHT, CAN NOW BE HELD IN THE YARD AWAY FROM THE PASSENGER TRAINS AT THE STATION. THE MARSHALLING YARD IS FITTED WITH FLOODLIGHTS, SC WORK CAN CONTINUE ALL NIGHT SORTING WAGONS ACCORDING TO DESTINATIONS BEFORE THEY LEAVE LOWU AND THE FREIGHT TRAINS CAN LEAVE THE FOLLOWING HORNING WITH MAXIMUM LOADS WITH THE WAGONS LOCATED IN AN ORDER WHICH WILL FACILITATE THEIR RAPID UNLOADING.*

+ANOTHER ADVANTAGE,* MR. GREGORY SAID, +IS THE OPPORTUNITY TO INCREASE THE VOLUME OF FREIGHT TRAFFIC TO AROUND FOUR TIMES THE EXISTING VOLUME. REVENUE FROM A FREIGHT TRAIN IS FAR GREATER THAN THE INCOME FROM A PASSENGER TRAIN.*

/+THIS IS AN IMPORTANT .....

SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 5, 1977

+ THIS IS AN IMPORTANT CONSIDERATION,* HE POINTED OUT. +FOR THE CONTINUATION OF SIZEABLE AND EFFICIENT FREIGHT SERVICES HELPS TO SUBSIDISE THE PASSENGER SERVICES AND SO ALLOWS PASSENGER FARES TO BE KEPT LOW.*

MR. GREGORY NOTED THAT THE ENGINEERING STAFF OF THE K.C.R. CARRIED OUT THE PROJECT WITHOUT ANY INCREASE IN ESTABLISHMENT. THERE WERE NO DELAYS TO TRAIN SERVICES WHILE THE WORK'WAS GOING ON. +AT PRESENT IT APPEARS THAT THE BUDGETTED COST WILL NOT BE EXCEEDED,* HE SAID.

+THE MARSHALLING YARD HOWEVER LED TO THE EMPLOYMENT OF ADDITIONAL STAFF, INCLUDING NEW SIGNAL MEN, SHUNTERS AND ELECTRICAL ENGINEERS, ADDING SLIGHTLY TO THE MAINTENANCE COSTS,* MR. GREGORY SAID. THERE WOULD ALSO EE AN INCREASE IN SUPERVISION WITH THE ADDITION OF THREE YARD MASTERS IN SHIFTS.

+HOWEVER THESE COSTS ARE MINIMAL COMPARED WITH THE POTENTIAL ADDITIONAL REVENUE,* HE SAID.

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/5

5 SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 5, 1977

COMPUTERISED SYSTEM TO SPEED UP MOVEMENT OF FIRE APPLIANCES ******

THE FIRE SERVICES DEPARTMENT HAS FOR THE PAST TWO MONTHS BEEN USING A COMPUTERISED SYSTEM KNOWN AS THE +GREEN WAVE* TO ASSIST IN THE MOVEMENT OF FIRE APPLIANCES RESPONDING TO CALLS IN WESTERN KOWLOON.

THE SYSTEM IS DESIGNED TO CONTROL THE TRAFFIC SIGNALS ALONG CERTAIN DESIGNATED ROUTES BY SWITCHING THEM TO GREEN IN ADVANCE OF THE ARRIVAL OF THE FIRE APPLIANCES THEREBY REDUCING THE TRAVEL TIME FROM A FIRE STATION TO THE SCENE OF A FIRE.

FOUR FIRE STATIONS — TSIM SHA TSUI, YAU MA TEI, MONG KOK AND CHEUNG SHA WAN -- ARE INCLUDED IN THE SYSTEM.

THEY COVER MOST OF THE WESTERN PART OF NATHAN ROAD AND THE AREAS BOUNDED BY HING WAH STREET IN THE NORTH AND SALISBURY STREET IN THE SOUTH.

EACH IS ASSIGNED A NUMBER OF SELECTED ROUTES THROUGH WHICH FIRE APPLIANCES SHOULD PROCEED TO THE VARIOUS AREAS WHERE THERE MAY BE A FIRE.

THE COMPUTER WHICH OPERATES THE SIGNALS IS HOUSED IN THE TRAFFIC CONTROL AND SURVEILLANCE UNIT IN THE KOWLOON GOVERNMENT OFFICES. IT HAS BEEN PROGRAMMED TO SWITCH ON A GREEN SIGNAL AT MORE THAN 100 TRAFFIC LIGHTS IN THE AREAS COVERED BY THE SYSTEM.

EXPLAINING THE OPERATION OF THIS NEW SYSTEM, A SPOKESMAN FOR THE FIRE SERVICES DEPARTMENT SAID : +0N RECEIPT OF A CALL AT THE CONTROL CENTRE, THE DUTY OFFICER WILL INFORM THE STATION CONCERNED THROUGH A SOPHISTICATED TELECOMMUNICATION NETWORK.

+WHEN CONFIRMATION OF FIRE APPLIANCES LEAVING THE STATION IS RECEIVED, THE OFFICER WILL IMMEDIATELY OPERATE THE PUSH-EUTTON SWITCH WHICH CONTROLS THE ROUTE TO BE USED.+

THIS WILL CHANGE THE TRAFFIC LIGHTS ALONG THE ROUTE IN ADVANCE.

THE SIGNALS WILL REMAIN GREEN SUFFICIENTLY LONG TO ENABLE THE APPLIANCES TO PASS THROUGH.

+HOWEVER,* THE SPOKESMAN SAID, +SHOULD APPLIANCES BECOME OUT OF PHASE WITH THE ’GREEN WAVE’ DUE TO DELAY FOR ANY REASON, THE OFFICER-IN-CHARGE OF THE APPLIANCES CAN REQUEST THE CONTROL CENTRE FOR A ’REPEAT ROUTE’ TO FREE THEM FROM THE TRAFFIC.*

THE SPOKESMAN DESCRIBED THE SYSTEM AS A TIME AND MONEY SAVING DEVICE.

+THIS SAVING OF TIME IN TRAVELLING IS MOST IMPORTANT BECAUSE THE SOONER FIREMEN ARRIVE AT THE SCENE THE QUICKER THE FIRE WOULD BE BROUGHT UNDER CONTROL AND THE LESS CASUALTIES AND LOSS OF PROPERTY.*

THE SYSTEM WILL EE EXTENDED TO COVER OTHER PARTS OF KOWLOON AS WELL AS HONG KONG ISLAND IN FUTURE.

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SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 5, 1977

EMPLOYMENT AT BUILDING AND CONSTRUCTION SITES FOR SEPTEMBER SHOWS INCREASE ******

THE NUMBER OF MANUAL WORKERS ENGAGED AT BUILDING AND CONSTRUCTION SITES CONTINUED TO RISE TO 60,640 IN SEPTEMBER 1977, ACCORDING TO A RECENT EMPLOYMENT SURVEY CONDUCTED BY THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT.

THIS REPRESENTS AN INCREASE OF 2,246 WORKERS OR 4 PER CENT OVER JUNE 1977. COMPARED WITH SEPTEMBER 1976, THE EMPLOYMENT ROSE BY 14,792 WORKERS OR 32 PER CENT.

OF THE 1,148 BUILDING AND CONSTRUCTION SITES IN OPERATION LAST SEPTEMBER, 311 WERE SITES TENDERED BY THE PUBLIC WORKS AND HOUSING DEPARTMENTS.

THESE ACCOUNTED FOR 20,824 WORKERS, AN INCREASE OF 2,449 OR 13 PER CENT OVER JUNE 1977.

DURING THE PERIOD FROM JUNE TO SEPTEMBER, THE NUMBER OF WORKERS ENGAGED AT BUILDING AND CONSTRUCTION SITES OF THE PRIVATE SECTOR DECREASED SLIGHTLY BY 2 PER CENT TO 32,879. EMPLOYMENT AT THE MASS TRANSIT RAILWAY CONSTRUCTION SITES RECORDED AN INCREASE OF 6 PER CENT TO 6,937 WORKERS IN SEPTEMBER 1977.

DETAILED STATISTICS ARE AS FOLLOWS 8-

SEPT 1976 JUNE 1977 SEP' F 1977

TENDERING AUTHORITY MANUAL SITES IN WORKERS OPERATION ENGAGED SITES IN OPERATION MANUAL WORKERS ENGAGED SITES IN OPERATION MANUAL WORKERS ENGAGED

PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT 193 10,602 267 15,197 281 16,580

HOUS 1 NG DEPARTMENT 18 1,975 25 3,178 30 4,244

MASS TRANSIT RAILWAY * 22 3,442 24 6,514 23 6,937

PRIVATE SECTOR I 781 29,829 799 33,505 814 32,879

1,014 45,848 1,115 58,394 1,148 60,640

(NOTE s * CONSTRUCTION SITES UNDER REFER TO M.T.R. CONTRACTS PROGRESS DURING SEPTEMBER THE MASS TRANSIT RAILWAY FOR WHICH WORK WAS IN 1977.)

* ao - 0 - - * * /7 ....

SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 5, 1977

7

FIRST JAYCEES INAUGURATED IN NT *****

THE SECRETARY FOR THE NEW TERRITORIES, MR. DAVID AKERS-JONES, TODAY INAUGURATED THE YUEN LONG JAYCEES, WHICH FEATURES TWO +FIRST’S+ IN THE HISTORY OF HONG KONG’S JAYCEES MOVEMENT.

IT IS THE FIRST JAYCEES CHAPTER IN THE NEW TERRITORIES, AS WELL AS THE FIRST IN HONG KONG TO HAVE BROKEN DOWN THE +SEX BARRIER* WITH BOTH MEN AND WOMEN AS MEMBERS.

THERE ARE SEVEN CHAPTERS OF THE JAYCEES IN THE URBAN AREAS OF HONG KONG, AND EACH CHAPTER HAS EITHER ALL-MAN OR ALL-WOMAN MEMBERSHIP.

ADDRESSING THE INAUGURATION CEREMONY, MR. AKERS-JONES SAID: +1 AM PARTICULARLY PLEASED TO SEE THAT YUEN LONG IS LEADING IN THE WAY FOR OTHER DISTRICTS OF THE NEW TERRITORIES IN SETTING UP AN ORGANISATION WITH SUCH COMMENDABLE IDEALS AS THE JA-YCEES.+

HONG KONG IS GOING THROUGH A PERIOD OF RAPID AND DRAMATIC CHANGE AND DEVELOPMENT, HE SAID, AND YUEN LONG IS NO EXCEPTION TO THIS PROCESS.

+IT WILL EXPAND AND GROW IN IMPORTANCE VERY RAPIDLY DURING THE NEXT FEW YEARS, AND I AM GLAD THAT YOU YOUNG MEN AND WOMEN IN VARIOUS WALKS OF LIFE IN YUEN LONG HAVE DECIDED TO JOIN TOGETHER TO DO WHAT YOU CAN TO SERVE THIS GROWING COMMUNITY,* HE TOLD THE JAYCEES.

AS PART OF ITS COMMUNITY SERVICES, THE YUEN LONG JAYCEES HAS CARRIED OUT A SURVEY ON THE ENVIRONMENTAL BLACK SPOTS IN YUEN LONG, AND THE RESULTS WILL SOON BE SENT TO THE GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS CONCERNED.

+ALREADY YOU ARE DISPLAYING THE INITIATIVE AND COMMUNITYCONSCIOUSNESS THAT WILL GREATLY ASSIST OUR EFFORTS TO BUILD A BETTER HONG KONG,* MR. AKERS-JONES SAID.

SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 5, 1977

8

SECTION OF CLEARWATER BAY ROAD TO BE WIDENED

******

THE GOVERNMENT IS TO DO AWAY WITH A +EOTTLENECK+ ALONG A SECTION OF THE CLEARWATER BAY ROAD TO IMPROVE TRAFFIC BETWEEN KOWLOON AND THE FAST-GROWING TOWNSHIP OF SAI KUNG.

WORK WILL START EARLY NEXT YEAR ON WIDENING THE LONGEST AND STEEPEST SECTION OF THE ROAD FROM PIK UK TO ITS JUNCTION WITH HIRAM’S HIGHWAY.

THE SECTION WILL BE WIDENED TO PROVIDE A FOUR-LANE CARRIAGEWAY WHICH WILL GREATLY SPEED UP TRAFFIC. AT PRESENT IT HAS ONLY TWO LANES.

THE $6.5 MILLION ROAD IMPROVEMENT PROJECT TO BE CARRIED OUT BY THE HIGHWAYS OFFICE OF THE PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT WILL TAKE ABOUT 18 MONTHS TO COMPLETE.

THE SAI KUNG DISTRICT OFFICER, MR. ROBERT UPTON, SAID TODAY THAT THE PROJECT FORMED AN IMPORTANT STAGE IN THE GOVERNMENT’S ROAD IMPROVEMENT PROGRAMME FOR SAI KUNG.

+THAT SECTION OF CLEARWATER BAY ROAD IS THE LONGEST AND STEEPEST AND SHOULD BE IMPROVED IN ORDER TO HELP FACILITATE THE RAPID DEVELOPMENT OF THE TOWN,+ HE SAID.

+IN ADDITION, HOLIDAY MAKERS AND WEEKEND TRIPPERS TO SAI KUNG WILL NO LONGER HAVE TO PUT UP WITH TRAFFIC JAMS ALONG THE ROAD SECTION.+

TO ENABLE THE ROAD WIDENING WORK TO BE CARRIED OUT, ABOUT 549 SQUARE METRES OF PRIVATE LAND WILL BE RESUMED. A NOTICE FOR THE LAND RESUMPTION WAS PUBLISHED IN YESTERDAY’S GOVERNMENT GAZETTE.

THE GOVERNMENT WILL PAY COMPENSATION FOR PINE TREES, CROPS, FRUIT TREES, GRAVES, BONE POTS AND THE REPROVISIONING OF WATER PIPES, FENCES AND GATES, AS WELL AS EX-GRATIA ALLOWANCE FOR CULTIVATORS, MR. UPTON ADDED.

/9

SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 5, 1977

9

CUSTOMS OFFICERS COMPLETE TRAINING

X X X £ X

THE COMMISSIONER OF CUSTOMS AND EXCISE, MR. BILL DORWARD, TODAY REMINDED GRADUATING OFFICERS THAT THEIR DUTY IS TO SERVE THE PUBLIC.

SPEAKING AT A PASSING-OUT PARADE OF 13 PROBATIONARY CUSTOMS AND EXCISE INSPECTORS, MR. DORWARD TOLD THEM THAT WORKING FOR THE GOVERNMENT IN EFFECT MEANS, +THAT WE WORK FOR THE SOCIETY IN WHICH W'E LIVE.+

HE SAID THAT SOCIETY GIVES THEM THEIR AUTHORITY WHICH SHOULD BE EXERCISED WITH TOLERANCE, INTEGRITY AND LACK OF ARROGANCE.

AT THE PARADE WHICH WAS HELD AT THE CUSTOMS AND EXCISE TRAINING SCHOOL IN TAI LAM CHUNG, MR. DORWARD SAID THE HARD WORK THAT THE INSPECTORS HAD PUT INTO THEIR TRAINING WOULD CONTRIBUTE TO THE VARIOUS ACTIVITIES OF THE SERVICE, INCLUDING ANTI-NARCOTICS WORK, SHIP SEARCHING, CONTROLLING DISTILLERIES AND PROTECTING COPYRIGHTS.

THE PARADE OF INSPECTORS WAS THE SECOND TO BE HELD SINCE THE TITLE WAS CHANGED FROM PREVENTIVE SERVICE TO CUSTOMS AND EXCISE SERVICE IN AUGUST THIS YEAR.

LONG SERVICE PART-TIME EVENING TECHNICAL STAFF THANKED

******

THE ASSISTANT DIRECTOR OF EDUCATION (TECHNICAL), MR. DANIEL WATERS HAS THANKED 87 PART-TIME EVENING TEACHING STAFF WHO HAVE SERVED CONTINUOUSLY FOR OVER TEN YEARS IN TECHNICAL INSTITUTES AND THE TECHNICAL TEACHERS’ COLLEGE AND HAVE ASSISTED WITH THE SUCCESSFUL OPERATION OF TECHNICAL EVENING CLASSES.

IN LETTERS TO THE STAFF CONCERNED, MR. WATERS SAID : +1 CAN ASSURE YOU THAT YOUR LONG CONTRIBUTION TO TECHNICAL EDUCATION OVER THE YEARS IS GREATLY APPRECIATED NOT ONLY BY THE PRINCIPALS AND STAFF OF THE TECHNICAL INSTITUTIONS AND MYSELF BUT ALSO BY THE COMMUNITY AT LARGE.+

HE POINTED OUT THAT THERE WAS AN INCREASING AWARENESS OF THE IMPORTANT ROLE THAT TECHNICAL EDUCATION HAD PLAYED IN THE PROVISION CF THE MUCH NEEDED NEW TECHNICAL MANPOWER.

+HONG KONG’S ECONOMIC SECURITY AND VIABILITY DEPEND LARGELY ON ITS INDUSTRY AND COMMERCE WHICH, IT IS GENERALLY AGREED, CAN ONLY SURVIVE AND FLOURISH WITH A CONTINUOUS INJECTION OF NEW BLOOD OF TECHNICAL MANPOWER,+ MR. WATERS SAID.

/-io........

- 0 -

SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 5, 1977

10

CLOSURE OF SECTION OF GASCOIGNE ROAD ******

A SECTION OF GASCOIGNE ROAD NEAR ITS JUNCTION WITH NATHAN ROAD AND ON THE SOUTH SIDE OF NATHAN GARDEN IN YAU MA TEI, WILL BE CLOSED FOR ABOUT 12 MONTHS STARTING FROM TOMORROW (SUNDAY) TO FACILITATE THE CONSTRUCTION OF MASS TRANSIT RAILWAY SOUTH NATHAN ROAD TUNNELS.

IN ADDITION THE EXISTING 7 A.M. TO MIDNIGHT URBAN CLEARWAY RESTRICTION ON TWO SECTIONS OF SHA TIN BY-PASS NEAR LEK YUEN WILL BE LIFTED WITH EFFECT FROM 10 A.M. ON MONDAY (NOVEMBER 7).

THE TWO SECTIONS ARE THE NORTHBOUND CARRIAGEWAY FROM A POINT 453 FEET TO A POINT 860 FEET AND THE SOUTHBOUND CARRIAGEWAY FROM A POINT 860 FEET TO A POINT 1,535 FEET NORTH OF SHA TIN MARKET ROAD.

APPROPRIATE TRAFFIC SIGNS WILL BE POSTED IN BOTH AREAS TO GUIDE MOTORISTS.

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

FIRING PRACTICE

******

FIRING PRACTICE WILL TAKE PLACE AT CASTLE PEAK RANGE FOR THREE DAYS STARTING NEXT MONDAY (NOVEMBER 7).

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

THE PRACTICE TIMES ARE:

DATE HOURS

NOVEMBER 7 (MONDAY) 8.30 A.M. 6 P.M.

NOVEMBER 8 (TUESDAY) 8 A.M. -- 10 P.M.

NOVEMBER 9 (WEDNESDAY) 8 A.M. 4.30 P.M.

PRH 7

DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN

SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 6, 1977

CONTENTS PAGE NO.

SECOND INDUSTRIAL ESTATE TO BE DEVELOPED IN YUEN LONG ........................................... 1

PLAN TO EXTEND HOURS OF SERVICE AT CITY DISTRICT OFFICES ............................................. 2

INCREASE IN SALES OF GOVERNMENT PUBLICATIONS ... 3

TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS IN MONG KOK AND NT ............. 4

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

SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 6, 1977

1

SECOND INDUSTRIAL ESTATE TO SPRING UP IN YUEN LONG ******

AN INDUSTRIAL ESTATE, SIMILAR TO HONG KONG’S FIRST SUCH VENTURE IN TAI PO, WILL SOON APPEAR IN WANG CHAU AREA TO THE NORTH OF THE YUEN LONG TOWN, THE YUEN LONG ASSISTANT DISTRICT OFFICER, MR. K.K. FUNG, SAID TODAY.

THE ESTATE, WHICH FORMS PART OF THE DISTRICT’S OVERALL $500 MILLION DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME, WILL PROVIDE 230 ACRES OF LAND FOR HEAVY INDUSTRIAL DEVELOPMENT.

MR. FUNG SAID: -^ENGINEERING WORKS FOR THE PROJECT WILL BE CARRIED OUT IN THREE STAGES AND WILL START AS SOON AS THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL SIGNALS THE GREEN LIGHT.*

HE WAS SPEAKING OF GENERAL DEVELOPMENTS IN THE YUEN LONG DISTRICT ON RTHK’S NEWS MAGAZINE PROGRAMME +NEW TERRITORIES WEEKLY*.

HE SAID THAT WORKS ON STAGE ONE WHICH ARE ALREADY IN PROGRESS WILL COST GOVERNMENT $53 MILLION. +THE ITEMS COMPRISE ROAD WIDENING, DRAINAGE, A LARGE BUS TERMINAL, A GOVERNMENT SECONDARY SCHOOL AS WELL AS SEVERAL PUBLIC PARKS AND PLAYGROUNDS.

+A PUBLIC HOUSING ESTATE WILL ALSO BE BUILT TO ACCOMMODATE PEOPLE AFFECTED BY THE STAGE ONE WORKS. THE ESTATE WILL HOUSE 13,000 PEOPLE.*

IN REGARD TO STAGE TWO, MR. FUNG SAID THE LAYOUT PLAN WILL INCLUDE A POST OFFICE, A SECONDARY SCHOOL, A PRIMARY SCHOOL, A MULTI-STOREY CARPARK, A MARKET, A SMALL CARPARK FOR MINI-BUSES, A YOUTH CENTRE, A REFUSE COLLECTING STATION AND PLAYGROUNDS.

A NUMBER OF FARMS WILL ALSO BE CONVERTED TO PRIVATE DEVELOPMENT FOR BUILDING RESIDENTIAL AND COMMERCIAL BLOCKS, HE SAID.

UPON COMPLETION OF ALL DEVELOPMENT WORKS, THE CENTRE OF YUEN LONG WILL HAVE VARIOUS KINDS OF NECESSARY FACILITIES TO MAKE IT AN IDEAL MODERN MARKET TOWN, MR. FUNG SAID.

SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 6, 1977

- 2 -

PLAN TO PROVIDE LONGER HOURS OF SERVICE AT C.D.O.S ******

THE HOME AFFAIRS DEPARTMENT HAS CHOSEN THREE-DENSELY POPULATED AREAS TO LAUNCH ITS EXPERIMENTAL SCHEME TO PROVIDE LONGER HOURS OF SERVICES AT ITS CITY DISTRICT OFFICES.

THE SCHEME, TO BE LAUNCHED TOMORROW (MONDAY), IS TO DETERMINE THE NEED AND PATTERN OP PUBLIC DEMAND FOR C.D.O. SERVICES OUTSIDE NORMAL OFFICE HOURS WITH THE ULTIMATE AIM OF EXTENDING IT TO ALL CITY DISTRICT OFFICES IF IT IS SUCCESSFUL.

IT WILL BE ON TRIAL FOR A PERIOD OF THREE MONTHS AT THE WAN CHAI C.D.O., THE TSZ WAN SHAN SUB-OFFICE OF WONG TAI SIN C.D.O. AND THE HUNG HOM SUB-OFFICE OF THE KOWLOON CITY C.D.O.

THE PUBLIC ENQUIRY COUNTERS AT THESE THREE CITY DISTRICT OFFICES WILL OPERATE OUTSIDE NORMAL OFFICE HOURS. IN ADDITION, SERVICES FOR HANDLING PERSONAL CASES AND COMPLAINTS, ADMINISTERING STATUTORY DECLARATIONS WILL ALSO BE AVAILABLE.

THE NEW OFFICE HOURS OF THE THREE PUBLIC ENQUIRY COUNTERS SELECTED FOR THE SCHEME WILL BE AS FOLLOWS:-

WAN CHAI CITY DISTRICT OFFICE, TUNG WAH MANSION,

201 HENNESSY ROAD

MONDAY, WEDNESDAY AND FRIDAY 8 9 A.M. - 5.30 P.M.

TUESDAY, THURSDAY AND SATURDAY 8 9 A.M. - 8 P.M.

WONG TAI SIN C.D.O. TSZ WAN SHAN SUB-OFFICE, BLOCK 3

OF TSZ WAN SHAN ESTATE, YUK WAH STREET

MONDAY, WEDNESDAY AND FRIDAY : 9 A.M. - 8 P.M.

TUESDAY AND THURSDAY : 9 A.M. - 6 P.M.

SATURDAY : 9 A.M. - 12 NOON

KOWLOON CITY C.D.O. HUNG HOM SUB-OFFICE,

32 WUHU STREET

MONDAY TO FRIDAY : 9 A.M. - 6 P.M.

SATURDAY s 9 A.M. - 12 NOON

SUNDAY 8 10 A.M. - 1 P.M.

THE OFFICE HOURS OF ALL OTHER C.D.O. OFFICES AND PUBLIC ENQUIRY COUNTERS WILL CONTINUE TO OPERATE FROM 9 A.M. TO 5.30 P.M. FROM MONDAYS TO FRIDAYS AND FROM 9 A.M. TO 12 NOON ON SATURDAYS.

/3.....

- - 0 - -

SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 6, 1977

SURGE IN SALES OF GOVERNMENT PUBLICATIONS ******

SALES OF GOVERNMENT PUBLICATIONS HAVE INCREASED FOLLOWING THE OPENING OF MODERN BOOKSHOP FACILITIES ON THE GROUND FLOOR OF THE NEW POST OFFICE BUILDING.

REVENUE FROM SALES FOR THE FIRST HALF OF THE CURRENT FINANCIAL YEAR TOTALS MORE THAN $2.4 MILLION, AN INCREASE OF 25 PER CENT ON THE SAME PERIOD IN 1976-77.

+THIS IS A VERY SATISFACTORY RESULT WHICH SHOWS THAT THE NEW GOVERNMENT PUBLICATIONS CENTRE IS FULFILLING AN IMPORTANT ROLE IN THE DISSEMINATION OF INFORMATION TO THE PUBLIC,* A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN SAID TODAY.

+WITH HONG KONG’S OPEN STYLE OF GOVERNMENT IT IS VERY NECESSARY THAT THE COMMUNITY SHOULD BE ABLE TO OBTAIN FACTS, FIGURES AND INFORMATION TO WIDEN THEIR KNOWLEDGE ON SUBJECTS THAT ARE RELEVANT TO HONG KONG’S ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT.

+THIS DOES MEAN, OF COURSE, THAT QUITE A LOT OF HEAVY READING IS REQUIRED IN ORDER TO BE WELL-INFORMED, BUT THERE ARE ALSO GOVERNMENT PUBLICATIONS OF MORE GENERAL INTEREST DEALING WITH HONG KONG AND ITS AFFAIRS.*

THE HONG KONG YEARBOOK, THE SPOKESMAN SAID, HAS BECOME A BESTSELLER, AND EXTRA COPIES HAVE TO BE PRINTED IN ENGLISH AND CHINESE EACH YEAR TO KEEP PACE WITH DEMAND. THE PRINT-RUN FOR THE CURRENT YEARBOOK, +HONG KONG 1977+, TOTALLED MORE THAN 34,000 COPIES. THE CHINESE EDITION IS ALREADY SOLD OUT, WHILE ONLY 200 COPIES OF THE ENGLISH VERSION ARE STILL AVAILABLE.

A NEW SERIES OF BOOKS UNDER THE GENERAL TITLE +THIS IS HONG KONG* IS NOW BEING DEVELOPED WITH THE AIM OF SPREADING INFORMATION ABOUT FEATURES OF HONG KONG WHICH HAVE NOT YET BEEN WIDELY PUBLICISED.

FIVE BOOKS IN THIS SERIES ARE IN VARIOUS STAGES OF PRODUCTION. THE FIRST OF THE SERIES ■— TEMPLES IN HONG KONG -- WILL BE PUBLISHED SHORTLY.

NEW +GLOSSY+ BOOKLETS WITH FULL COLOUR PICTURES ARE ALSO BEING PRODUCED. THE FIRST OF THESE, +INDUSTRIAL INVESTMENT HONG KONG+, +THE PORT OF HONG KONG* AND +SOCIAL WELFARE IN HONG KONG* ARE ALREADY ON SALE. OTHER RECENT PUBLICATIONS INCLUDE THREE COLOUR BOOKLETS ON HONG KONG’S NEW TOWNS WHICH ARE BEING DEVELOPED AT TSUEN WAN, SHA TIN AND TUEN MUN.

ANOTHER NEW ITEM IS A COLOUR LEAFFLET WHICH GIVES INFORMATION ABOUT HONG KONG’S FIRST COUNTRY PARK, SHING MUN. THIS IS NOW ON SALE AT 50 CENTS EACH AND WILL BE FOLLOWED BY LEAFLETS ON OTHER COUNTRY PARKS.

MAPS, POSTCARDS AND PRINTS OF OLD HONG KONG ARE AMONG OTHER ITEMS AVAILABLE FROM THE GOVERNMENT PUBLICATIONS CENTRE. A FULL LIST OF GOVERNMENT PUBLICATIONS, CONTAINING ABOUT 3,000 TITLES, CAN BE OBTAINED FREE ON REQUEST.

SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 6, 1977

A SELECTED RANGE OF GOVERNMENT PUBLICATIONS IS ALSO AVAILABLE FROM A WIDE NETWORK OF SALES OUTLETS, INCLUDING LEADING BOOKSHOPS, CITY DISTRICT OFFICES AND DISTRICT OFFICES IN THE NEW TERRITORIES.

+WE REGARD THE VARIOUS OUTLETS AS AN ESSENTIAL FEATURE OF

OUR DISTRIBUTION NETWORK AS THEY ENABLE PEOPLE TO OBTAIN PUBLICATIONS IN THEIR OWN NEIGHBOURHOOD WITHOUT HAVING TO MAKE A SPECIAL JOURNEY TO THE PUBLICATIONS CENTRE*, THE SPOKESMAN ADDED.

+WHAT WE WOULD LIKE TO DO IN THE FUTURE IS TO ESTABLISH A NEW PUBLICATIONS CENTRE IN KOWLOON BECAUSE OF THE HEAVY CONCENTRATION OF POPULATION THERE, BUT TO DO THAT FUNDS WOULD HAVE TO BE ALLOCATED BY THE GOVERNMENT WHICH, OF COURSE, HAS MANY OTHER PRIORITIES TO CONSIDER.*

HOWEVER, THE SUCCESS OF THE PRESENT PUBLICATIONS CENTRE WOULD NO DOUBT BE ONE OF THE PLUS FACTORS WHICH WOULD BE TAKEN INTO ACCOUNT WHEN FUTURE EXPANSION OF SALES FACILITIES WAS CONSIDERED, THE SPOKESMAN SAID.

TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS IN MONG KOK AND NT

*****

NEW TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS WILL BE INTRODUCED AT PRINCESS MARGARET ROAD FLYOVER, PUI CHING ROAD AND CASTLE PEAK ROAD WITH EFFECT FROM 10 A.M. ON TUESDAY (NOVEMBER 8) TO IMPROVE TRAFFIC CONDITIONS IN THESE AREAS.

IN PRINCESS MARGARET ROAD FLYOVER, NORTH-BOUND VEHICLES WITH LADEN WEIGHT IN EXCESS OF TWO TONS WILL BE PROHIBITED FROM USING THE FLYOVER THERE AND NO CARS WILL BE ALLOWED TO TURN RIGHT FROM PUI CHING ROAD INTO PRINCESS MARGARET ROAD THROUGH THE SLIP ROAD AT HO MAN TIN.

AT THE SAME TIME KMB ROUTE 7B WILL BE DIVERTED TO OPERATE ON OUTWARD JOURNEY VIA FAT KWONG STREET, PUI CHING ROAD AND WATERLOO ROAD INSTEAD OF NORTH-BOUND ALONG PRINCESS MARGARET ROAD FLYOVER.

IN CASTLE PEAK ROAD, THE EXISTING 30 M.P.H. SPEED LIMIT ZONE ALONG THE SECTION THROUGH KWU TUNG VILLAGE WILL BE EXTENDED BY 2,820 FEET EASTWARDS TO KAM TSIN VILLAGE.

TRAFFIC SIGNS WILL BE SET UP TO GUIDE MOTORISTS.

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

PRH 7

DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN

MONDAY, NOVEMBER 7, 1977

CONTENTS PAGE NO.

GOVERNMENT AND COMMUNITY CANNOT YIELD TO THE CORRUPT SAYS GOVERNOR ....................................................   1

COMMISSIONER OF POLICE GIVEN POWERS TO SUMMARILY DISMISS OFFICERS FOR DISOBEDIENCE ..................................... *

UNOFFICIALS STRONGLY SUPPORT DISMISSAL POWERS OF COMMISSIONER OF POLICE ........................................ 5

HONG KONG MAKES FINAL OFFER TO EEC ............................ 6

ROLES OF NT ADVISORY BOARD FURTHER EXPLAINED .................. 3

GOVERNMENT’S COMMITMENT TO INTERNATIONAL FIGHT AGAINST DRUG TRAFFICKING REITERATED ................................... 9

CALL FOR CAREFULLY REGULATED HOMEWORK ........................ 10

NEW HOUSES FOR SHAM TSENG VILLAGERS .......................... 11

SECTION OF GASCOIGNE ROAD TO BE TEMPORARILY CLOSED ........... 12

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

MONDAY, NOVEMBER 7, 1977

GOVERNMENT AND COMMUNITY CANNOT YIELD TO THE CORRUPT SAYS GOVERNOR

* * * *

THE GOVERNOR, SIR MURRAY MACLEHOSE, EMPHASISED TODAY THAT THE GOVERNMENT AND THE COMMUNITY CANNOT ACCEPT THAT POLICEMEN WHO DC NOT ACCEPT LAWFUL AUTHORITY, OR WHO SUPPORT OTHERS IN NOT DOING SO, OR CONTINUE TO ATTEMPT TO DOMINATE LAWFUL AUTHORITY BY MEANS OF PRESSURES, SHOULD REMAIN IN THE FORCE, AND BE PAID BY THE PUBLIC.

+1 ASSURE THEM IT IS TIME VERY SOBERLY TO ANSWER TO LAWFUL AUTHORITY AND TO ENFORCE IT — NOT TO ANSWER TO A SMALL SEFL-INTERESTED GROUP,+ SIR MURRAY URGED IN HIS OPENING REMARK OF THE SPECIAL SESSION OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL.

+THE IDEA THAT PRESSURE CAN ACHIEVE FURTHER CONSESSIONS OF THIS SORT WOULD RESULT FROM A COMPLETE MISCONCEPTION OF THE MOOD OF THE GOVERNMENT AND THE COMMUNITY,* HE WARNED. +IT WOULD ALSO IGNORE THE TRUE INTERESTS OF AT LEAST 99 PER CENT OF THE POLICE FORCE ITSELF. NEEDLESS TO SAY IT TOTALLY IGNORES THE• TRUE INTERESTS OF HONG KONG WHERE THE ENFORCEMENT OF LAW AND ORDER AND THE ACHIEVEMENT OF ACCEPTABLE STANDARDS OF HONESTY HAVE MADE SUCH STRIDES IN RECENT YEARS.*

SIR MURRAY SAID THAT CONCESSION TO SUCH DEMANDS UNDER PRESSURE WOULD INVITE PRESSURE ON OTHER ISSUES.

+NEXT IT WOULD BE THE SUPPRESSION OF ICAC ITSELF, POSSIBLY TO HAVE PERSONS IN PRISON RELEASED, AND SO ON, UNTIL WE HAD A SITUATION IN WHICH THE LAW >vAS BEING ADMINISTERED IN THE INTEREST OF THE CORRUPT. TO DO SO WOULD YIELD TO ANARCHY AND TO ANARCHY THERE CAN BE NO CONCESSION,* HE SAID.

+1 AM CONFIDENT IN THIS I AM SPEAKING FOR THE ENTIRE COMMUNITY, YOUNG AND OLD, RICH AND POOR. I HOPE THAT WISER COUNSELS WILL NOW PREVAIL,* HE ADDED.

THE FOLLOWING IS THE FULL TEXT OF SIR MURRAY’S SPEECH:

+ON SATURDAY EVENING I ANNOUNCED A NEW POLICY WITH REGARD TO ICAC OPERATIONS. I DID SAY IN THE FOLLOWING TERMS: ’ALL CONCERNED MAY TAKE IT THAT AS FROM NOW THE ICAC WILL NOT NORMALLY ACT ON COMPLAINTS OR EVIDENCE RELATING TO OFFENCES COMMITTED BEFORE JANUARY 1, 1977 EXCEPT IN RELATION TO PERSONS WHO HAVE ALREADY BEEN INTERVIEWED, PERSONS AGAINST WHOM WARRANTS HAVE BEEN ISSUED, AND PERSONS NOW OUTSIDE HONG KONG.»

+1 EXCEPT PERSONS WHO HAVE ALREADY BEEN INTERVIEWED BECAUSE I DO NOT THINK THAT ANYONE WOULD ACCEPT THAT LAW ENFORCEMENT OPERATIONS, WHETHER BY THE POLICE OR BY THE ICAC, SHOULD BE HALTED BY EXTRA-LEGAL ACTION.

+1 SAY ’WILL NOT NORMALLY ACT’ BECAUSE OCCASIONALLY AN OFFENCE MAY COME TO LIGHT WHICH IS SO HEINOUS THAT IT WOULD BE UNTHINKABLE NOT TO ACT AND THE PUBLIC WOULD NOT TOLERATE FAILURE TO ACT. BUT IN ANY SUCH CASE I WILL EE CONSULTED FIRST.

/+THIS OF COITRSD

MONDAY, NOVEMBER 7, 1977

2

+THIS OF COURSE APPLIED TO THE MEMBERS OF ALL PUBLIC SERVICES, AND THE PUBLIC, AND NOT JUST TO THE POLICE FORCE.

+OUR OBJECT HAS ALWAYS BEEN TO CLEANSE THE PUBLIC SERVICE AND TO CONTINUE PROSECUTIONS FOR PAST OFFENCES UNTIL ACCEPTABLE STANDARDS HAD BEEN ACHIEVED.

+WE HAD NEVER ENVISAGED PROSECUTING EVERYBODY WHO HAD EVER COMMITTED ANY OFFENCE.

+IN VIEW OF THE GREAT IMPROVEMENT IN THE STANDARDS OF HONESTY ACHIEVED, PARTICULARLY OVER THE LAST TWO YEARS, I HAD EXPECTED BEFORE LONG TO TAKE A STEP OF THE SORT ANNOUNCED LAST SATURDAY.

+THIS WOULD MAKE IT POSSIBLE TO CONCENTRATE ON MAINTAINING STANDARDS FOR THE FUTURE, RATHER THAN TO CONTINUE TO IMPRESS THE NEED FOR HONESTY BY PROSECUTING PEOPLE FOR OFFENCES COMMITTED IN THE PAST, AND THUS TURN OVER A NEW LEAF IN THE HISTORY OF THE PUBLIC SERVICE.

+HOWEVER IN THE CIRCUMSTANCES THAT HAD ARISEN I JUDGED THAT THIS RELIEF SHOULD BE GRANTED IMMEDIATELY, APART FROM THOSE EXCEPTIONS.

+IT HAS REMOVED IN THE FUTURE.

ALL CAUSE FOR FEAR FROM ALL WHO KEEP STRAIGHT

+THE EXCEPTIONS WERE DELIBERATELY INTENDED TO BE VERY SMALL. ONE WAS 'PERSONS WHO HAD ALREADY BEEN INTERVIEWED’. THIS DOES NOT MEAN ANYBODY TO WHOM AN ICAC OFFICER HAS SPOKEN AT ANY TIME. IT MEANS ONLY PERSONS WHO HAVE BEEN INTERVIEWED BY THE ICAC OFFICER, WHETHER OR NOT FOLLOWING ARREST, AND TO WHOM DURING THAT INTERVIEW ALLEGATIONS HAD BEEN MADE THAT THEY HAD COMMITTED AN OFFENCE. THE NUMBER OF SUCH PEOPLE IS SMALL, PROBABLY NOT MORE THAN 209 WITHIN A FORCE OF 20,000.

+ANOTHER EXCEPTION WAS AN OFFENCE COMMITTED BEFORE THIS YEAR, WHICH CAME TO LIGHT AND WAS SO HEINOUS THAT IT WOULD BE UNTHINKABLE NOT TO ACT.

+T0 ENSURE THAT IN NO CIRCUMSTANCES WOULD THIS EXCEPTION BE USED TO UNDERMINE MY GENERAL INTENTION, I STATED THAT IF THERE WAS SUCH A CASE IT WOULD HAVE TO BE REFERRED TO ME. THIS MADE CLEAR THAT I EXPECTED THE NUMBER OF CASES TO BE NEGLIGIBLE" IN FACT NONE IS KNOWN AT THE MOMENT.

+OTHER EXCEPTIONS RELATED TO THE OBVIOUS CASES OF PERSONS FOR WHOM WARRANTS HAD BEEN ISSUED OR PERSONS NOW OUTSIDE HONG KONG.

+ALTHOUGH THERE WAS NOTHING IN THE STATEMENT THAT WOULD INHIBIT ICAC FROM ENSURING THAT THE IMPROVEMENT ACHIEVED WOULD BE MAINTAINED, OR THAT SUGGESTED THAT OUR DETERMINATION TO MAINTAIN A CLEAN PUBLIC SERVICE WAS ABANDONED OR DIMINISHED, I THINK ITS TIMING AND CONTENT CAME AS A SHOCK TO THE PUBLIC. ALTHOUGH THE REASONS FOR IT HAVE BEEN SYMPATHETICALLY UNDERSTOOD, MANY WERE WORRIED THAT IT HAD BEEN MADE AT ALL, OR THAT IT WENT TOO FAR. BUT CERTAINLY NO ONE HAS SUGGESTED THAT IT SHOULD HAVE GONE FURTHER - QUITE THE CONTRARY.

/+MY STATSJ45KT.......

MONDAY, NOVEMBER 7, 1977

3

+MY STATEMENT HAS BEEN UNDER CONSIDERATION BY THE DIFFERENT ASSOCIATIONS OF THE POLICE FORCE.

+HON. MEMBERS AND THE PUBLIC WILL BE CONCERNED TO LEARN THAT INFORMALLY IT WAS SUGGESTED THAT IT DID NOT GO FAR ENOUGH* THAT PRESSURE SHOULD BE MAINTAINED ON THE ADMINISTRATION BY DEMONSTRATIONS AND PROGRESSIVE REFUSAL OF LAW ENFORCEMENT UNTIL ALL CURRENT INTERVIEWS, CHARGES AND COURT PROCEEDINGS NOW IN COURSE WERE DROPPED.

+l HAVE NO DOUBT THAT THESE IDEAS ARE PROPAGATED BY THE LESS THAN ONE PER CENT WHO UNDER THE EXCEPTIONS I HAVE MENTIONED REMAIN IN FEAR OF PROSECUTION, AND INSOFAR AS THEY ARE SUPPORTED BY OTHERS IT IS BECAUSE OF A MISTAKEN SENSE OF TEMPORARY EUPHORIA OR SOLIDARITY.

+l ASSURE THEM IT IS TIME VERY SOBERLY TO CONSIDER THEIR POSITION. IT IS FOR THE POLICE TO ANSWER TO LAWFUL AUTHORITY AND TO ENFORCE IT - NOT TO ANSWER TO A SMALL SELF-INTERESTED GROUP.

+THE IDEA THAT PRESSURE CAN ACHIEVE FURTHER CONCESSIONS OF THIS SORT WOULD RESULT FROM A COMPLETE MISCONCEPTION OF THE MOOD OF THE GOVERNMENT AND THE COMMUNITY. IT WOULD ALSO IGNORE THE TRUE INTERESTS OF AT LEAST 99 PER CENT OF THE POLICE FORCE ITSELF. NEEDLESS TO SAY IT TOTALLY IGNORES THE TRUE INTERESTS OF HONG KONG WHERE THE ENFORCEMENT OF LAW AND ORDER AND THE ACHIEVEMENT OF ACCEPTABLE STANDARDS OF HONESTY HAVE MADE SUCH STRIDES IN RECENT YEARS.

+CONCESSION TO SUCH DEMANDS UNDER PRESSURE WOULD INVITE PRESSURE ON OTHER ISSUES' NEXT IT WOULD BE THE SUPPRESSION OF ICAO ITSELF, POSSIBLY TO HAVE PERSONS IN PRISON RELEASED, AND SO ON, UNTIL WE HAD A SITUATION IN WHICH THE LAW WAS BEING ADMINSTERED IN THE INTERESTS OF THE CORRUPT.

+l KNOW THIS IS NOT WHAT MOST OF THE FORCE AND THEIR FAMILIES WANT, BUT THIS IS WHERE THEY WOULD BE LED IF THE GOVERNMENT WERE TO GIVE ANY FURTHER GROUND. TO DO SO WOULD YIELD TO ANARCHY AND TO ANARCHY THERE CAN BE NO CONCESSION.

+l AM CONFIDENT IN THIS I AM SPEAKING FOR THE ENTIRE COMMUNITY, YOUNG AND OLD, RICH AND POOR.

+l HOPE THAT WISER COUNSELS WILL NOW PREVAIL. BUT IT IS AS WELL THAT ALL SHOULD REALISE NOW, BEFORE IRREVOCABLE ACTION IS TAKEN THAT WE CANNOT ACCEPT THAT POLICEMEN WHO DO NOT ACCEPT LAWFUL AUTHORITY, OR WHO SUPPORT OTHERS IN NOT DOING SO, OR CONTINUE TO ATTEMPT TO DOMINATE LAWFUL AUTHORITY EY MEANS OF PRESSURES, SHOULD REMAIN IN THE FORCE, AND BE PAID BY THE PUBLIC.

+IN PRESENT CIRCUMSTANCES POWERS AVAILABLE ARE TOO SLOW AND PONDEROUS. HON. MEMBERS WILL THEREFORE BE INVITED THIS AFTERNOON TO AMEND THE POLICE FORCE ORDINANCE TO GRANT POWERS OF SUMMARY DISMISSAL.

+l VERY MUCH HOPE IT WILL NOT EE NECESSARY TO USE THESE POWERS. I HOPE, AS I SAY, THAT WISER COUNSELS WILL PREVAIL AND THAT THE DIALOGUE PROCEEDING WILL CONTINUE.

/+1 CAN ALSO •••••

MONDAY, NOVEMBER 7, -.977

+1 CAN ALSO ASSURE ALL CONCERNED THAT THESE POWERS WILL NOT BE USED IN RESPECT OF ANYTHING THAT HAS HAPPENED SO FAR, AND WILL

NOT LIKELY BE USED IN THE FUTURE.

+1 AM GLAD TO SAY IN CONCLUSION THAT A MEETING WAS HELD

BETWEEN THE DEPUTY COMMISSIONER OF POLICE AND REPRESENTATIVES OF THE VARIOUS POLICE ASSOCIATIONS DURING KOST OF TODAY.

+THE MEETING AGREED THAT THE COMMISSIONER SHOULD ISSUE

A STATEMENT THAT WILL BE MADE SHORTLY, RECORDING A PLEDGE OF FULL LOYALTY TO THE COMMISSIONER AND A PLEDGE THAT IN FUTURE ALL ISSUES WOULD BE PURSUED THROUGH ESTABLISHED CONSTITUTIONAL CHANNELS, AND BY NO OTHER MEANS, AND CERTAINLY NOT BY THE PROCESS OF ANY PROTEST PUEL IC GATHERINGS.

+AS I HAVE ONLY JUST HEARD THIS STATEMENT I AM UNABLE TO COMMENT ON IT, BUT FEEL IT RIGHT THAT HON. MEMBERS SHOULD KNOW OF IT BEFORE PASSING TO THE AMENDMENT ON THE ORDER PAPER. I STILL THINK THAT THE POWERS THAT THE AMENDMENT WILL CONFER ARE DESIRABLE, THOUGH THE OUTCOME OF THIS MEETING DOES OFFER ADDITIONAL HOPE THAT THEY WILL NOT NEED TO BE USED.+

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

COMMISSIONER OF POLICE GIVEN POWERS TO SACK OFFICERS FOR DISOBEDIENCE ******

THE POLICE FORCE (AMENDMENT)(NO. 2) BILL 1977, WHICH EMPOWERS THE COMMISSIONER OF POLICE TO SUMMARILY DISMISS ANY POLICE OFFICER FOR DISOBEDIENCE TO POLICE ORDERS, WAS UNANIMOUSLY PASSED IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (MONDAY).

MOVING THE BILL, THE HON. CHIEF SECRETARY, SIR DENYS ROBERTS SAID ANY OFFICER SUMMARILY DISMISSED UNDER THE NEW SECTION 31 OF THE PRINCIPAL ORDINANCE WOULD NORMALLY FORFEIT ALL CLAIMS TO A PENSION, GRATUITY OR OTHER ALLOWANCE.

HOWEVER, SECTION 31 (2) WOULD ALLOW THE GOVERNOR TO PERMIT A PENSION OR OTHER ALLOWANCE TO BE PAID TO A POLICE OFFICER DISMISSED UNDER THE SECTION IN A PARTICULAR CASE, SIR DENYS ADDED.

+1 BELIEVE THAT, IN THE PRESENT DISTURBED STATE OF THE FORCE, IT IS NECESSARY TO ARK THE COMMISSIONER WITH THIS WEAPON SO THAT HE HAY BE ABLE TO DISCIPLINE SWIFTLY AND EFFECTIVELY ANY POLICE OFFICER WHO IS GUILTY OF DISOBEDIENCE, THOUGH I HOPE THAT GOOD SENSE WILL PREVAIL AND THAT IT WILL NOT PROVE TO BE NECESSARY TO USE IT.+

UNDER THE BILL, THE COMMISSIONER OF POLICE wILL BE ABLx TO +DISMISS FORTHWITH ANY POLICE OFFICER WHO HE IS SATISFIED IS GUILTY OF DISOBEDIENCE TO POLICc. ORDERS OR TO ANY LAWFUL ORDER GIJ/Ehl BY A SUPERIOR OFFICER.+

/5.....

MONDAY, NOVEMBER 7, 1977

UNOFFICIALS STRONGLY SUPPORT DISMISSAL POWERS OF POLICE COMMISSIONER

*****

UNOFFICIAL MEMBERS OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY STRONGLY SUPPORTED THE AMENDMENT TO THE POLICE FORCE ORDINANCE WHICH PROVIDES FOR THE SUMMARY DISMISSAL OF ANY POLICEMAN WHO WILFULLY DISOBEYS A LAWFUL ORDER.

SPEAKING ON BEHALF OF THE UNOFFICIALS, THE SENIOR UNOFFICIAL MEMBER, DR. THE HON. S.Y. CHUNG ASSURED THE GOVERNOR AND THE GOVERNMENT THAT ALL THE UNOFFICIALS WILL GIVE THEIR SUPPORT IN RESISTING +THE BLACKMAIL OF THIS SMALL GANG OF CORRUPT POLICEMEN WHO HAVE BEEN TRYING TO MOBILISE OTHER POLICMEN TO PUT HONG KONG’S FUTURE AT STAKE PURELY TO FURTHER THEIR OWN SELFISH, PERSONAL ENDS IN A TOTALLY UNACCEPTABLE AND DISGRACEFUL

MANNER.+

HE DESCRIBED THE AMNESTY ANNOUNCED BY THE GOVERNOR LAST SATURDAY AS VERY GENEROUS IN THE MINDS OF THE PUBLIC AND SAID THAT TO RETREAT ANY FURTHER WOULD AMOUNT TO CONDONING CORRUPTION TO AN EXTENT WHICH IS DEFINITELY UNACCEPTABLE TO THE PEOPLE OF HONG KONG.

+WE CANNOT ALLOW A SMALL NUMBER OF CORRUPT POLICEMEN WHO DO NOT FALL WITHIN THE AMBIT OF THIS AMNESTY TO INCITE THOSE OF THEIR COLLEAGUES WHO ARE COVERED BY THE AMNESTY OR THE MAJORITY WHO ARE HONEST TO DICTATE THE TERMS OF THAT AMNESTY TO THE GOVERNMENT THROUGH UNLAWFUL INDUSTRIAL ACTION WHICH COULD SERIOUSLY JEOPARDISE THE INTERNAL SECURITY OF HONG KONG.

+THIS IS A PRICE WHICH NO ONE IN HONG KONG CAN AFFORD TO PAY. IN SHORT, WHAT THIS PERFIDIOUS GANG ARE TRYING TO DO IS TO HOLD THE GOVERNMENT AND THE PEOPLE OF HONG KONG TO RANSOM TO SERVE THEIR OWN SELF-INTEREST,* DR. CHUNG SAID.

TWO OTHER UNOFFICIAL MEMBERS, THE HON. T.S. LO AND THE HON. WONG LAM SPOKE IN SUPPORT OF THE AMENDMENT.

MR. LO SAID FOR THE GOVERNMENT TO BOW TO ANY FURTHER DEMANDS WOULD PUT THE EFFECTIVE GOVERNMENT INTO THE HANDS OF THE CORRUPT AND THE NEFARIOUS.

IN HIS VIEW, IF ANY POLICE OFFICER REJECTED THE GOVERNOR’S GENEROUS OFFER OF PARTIAL AMNESTY OR TOOK STEPS WITH INTENT TO FORCE THE GOVERNMENT TO DO AWAY WITH ICAC, + HE WILL BE MAKING IT MANIFEST THAT WHAT HE WANTS IS TO BE ABLE TO EE CORRUPT AND TO BE ABLE TO CONTINUE TO PROFIT FROM VARIOUS RACKETS WITHOUT LET OR HINDRANCE.

+FOR HE WILL BE MOTIVATED NOT BY FEAR BUT OUT OF GREED.* SAID MR. LO.

/SPEAKING IN

MONDAY, NOVEMBER 7, 1977

6

SPEAKING IN SUPPORT OF THE EILL, MR. WONG SAID HE CONSIDERED THAT ANYONE REJECTED THE AMNESTY WOULD NOT RECEIVE THE SYMPATHY OF THE PUBLIC AS THE PUBLIC WOULD THINK THAT THE ONLY REASON WHY HE WANTED FURTHER CONCESSIONS WAS BECAUSE HE INTENDED TO CONTINUE DOING HIS CORRUPT ACTIVITIES.

+WE, THE PEOPLE OF HONG KONG, CANNOT POSSIBLY TOLERATE A SITUATION WHEREBY WE GIVE IN TO DEMANDS TO ALLOW A CONTINUATION OF CORRUPT ACTIVITIES.

+l SUPPORT THE BILL AND THIS MUST REFLECT THE FIRM SUPPORT WE GIVE TO THE GOVERNMENT TO MAKE NO FURTHER CONCESSIONS.

+ INDEED SOME FEEL THAT WE MAY HAVE ALREADY GONE TOO FAR,+ MR. WONG SAID.

- - 0 - -

HONG KONG MAKES FINAL OFFER TO EEC

******

HONG KONG HAS MADE THE EEC A FINAL OFFER IN A MOVE TO BREAK THE IMPASSE IN THE NEGOTIATIONS ON HONG KONG’S FUTURE TEXTILES EXPORTS TO THE EEC. THIS FINAL OFFER WAS FORMALLY TABLED BY MR. LAWRENCE MILLS, HONG KONG’S DIRECTOR OF TRADE, ON FRIDAY (NOVEMBER 4) IN BRUSSELS.

MR. MILLS SAID IN A STATEMENT ON NOVEMBER 6, THAT THE IMPASSE AND THE LACK OF PROGRESS IN THE NEGOTIATIONS OCCURRED FOR FOUR REASONS.

+THE FIRST IS THAT THE EEC’S PROPOSALS FOR SIX OF THE EEC’S EIGHT MOST SENSITIVE PRODUCTS INVOLVED A SHARP CUTBACK ON HONG KONG’S 1976 TRADE. THIS WAS NOT FOR THE PURPOSE OF PROTECTING THE EEC INDUSTRY, BUT TO ENABLE THE EEC TO REDISTRIBUTE PART OF HONG KONG’S TRADE TO OTHER SUPPLIERS. NOT SURPRISINGLY HONG KONG HAS FOUND THIS ELEMENT OF THE EEC’S PROPOSALS IMPOSSIBLE TO ACCEPT.

+SECONDLY, AS ITS OWN NEGOTIATORS HAVE READILY ADMITTED DURING THE NEGOTIATIONS, THE EEC HAS SO FAR FAILED TO PROVIDE A COMPLETE SET OF PROPOSALS TO HONG KONG. THE HONG KONG NEGOTIATORS HAVE THEREFORE FOUND IT IMPOSSIBLE TO MAKE A FULL ASSESSMENT OF WHAT THE EEC IS DEMANDING OF HONG KONG, AND TO RESPOND TO THAT DEMAND.

+THIRDLY, IN COMPLETE DISREGARD OF THE TRADITIONAL PATTERNS OF TRADE, THE EEC HAS PROPOSED RADICAL CHANGES TO THE EXISTING SYSTEM OF CLASSIFYING TEXTILE PRODUCTS, HONG KONG OFFICIALS RESPONSIBLE FOR THE IMPLEMENTATION OF TEXTILES RESTRAINTS HAVE ESTIMATED THAT IF THE EEC’S NEW SYSTEM WERE IMPOSED ON THE TRADE, IT WOULD TAKE AT LEAST TWO MONTHS, AND POSSIBLY FOUR MONTHS, FOR THE QUOTAS TO BE RE-CALCULATED IN LINE WITH THE NEW SYSTEM. THE HONG KONG NEGOTIATORS HAVE TOLD THE EEC NEGOTIATORS THAT SUCH A STOPPAGE OF TRADE WOULD CAUSE ENORMOUS DISLOCATION AND HARDSHIP TO COMMUNITY IMPORTERS AND CONSUMERS JUST AS MUCH AS TO HONG KONG EXPORTERS.

/♦FINALLY, THS SEC

MONDAY, NOVEMBER 7, 1977

- 7

+F INALLY, THE EEC PROPOSALS FOR A DRAFT AGREEMENT CONTAINED NUMEROUS PROVISIONS WHICH WOULD HAVE THE EFFECT OF DEPRIVING HONG KONG OF EXPORT CONTROL. THE HONG KONG DELEGATION HAS LEFT THE EEC IN NO DOUBT THAT, THE MAINTENANCE OF EXPORT CONTROL IS FUNDAMENTAL TO HONG KONG’S POSITION, SO THAT IT MAY AT LEAST MAXIMISE THE LIMITED EXPORT OPPORTUNITIES PROVIDED EY ANY RESTRAINT AGREEMENT. ALTHOUGH A FORMAL ASSURANCE ON EXPORT CONTROL WAS GIVEN TO HONG KONG DURING THE NEGOTIATIONS, THE EEC HAS FREQUENTLY REVERTED TO PROPOSALS THAT WOULD IN EFFECT AMOUNT TO IMPORT CONTROL.

+HONG KONG HAS PRACTICALLY NO EXPORT TO THE COMMUNITY OF THE FIRST PRODUCT IN THE COMMUNITY LIST OF +POLITICALLY AND ECONOMICALLY SENSITIVE* PRODUCTS, NAMELY COTTON YARN. HONG KONG’S EXPORTS ACCOUNT FOR ONLY 0.3 PER CENT OF EEC IMPORTS, SO ANY DIFFICULTY BEING EXPERIENCED EY EEC END CANNOT POSSIBLY EE ATTRIBUTED TO HONG KONG.

+FOR THE OTHER SEVEN PARTICULARLY SENSITIVE PRODUCTS, HONG KONG HAS OFFERED TO RESTRAIN EXPORTS IN 1973 TO THE LEVELS OF 1976 RATHER THAN THE HIGHER 1977 LEVELS AS PROVIDED FOR IN THE MULTI-FIBRE ARRANGEMENT. THIS IS A MAJOR CONCESSION AND THE HONG KONG AUTHORITIES BELIEVE THAT THIS PROPOSAL MEETS IN FULL THE EEC’S STATED OBJECTIVE OF STABLISING IMPORTS IN 1978 AT THEIR 1976 LEVEL TO PROTECT DOMESTIC INDUSTRY.

+HONG KONG IS PREPARED TO RESTRAIN 30 OF AN ADDITIONAL 39 PRODUCTS ON WHICH THE EEC HAS SOUGHT CONTROLS. EXPORTS TO THE EEC OF OTHER NINE ARE INSIGNIFICANT. THE 1978 LIMITS PROPOSED BY HONG KONG FOR THESE 33 PRODUCTS ARE BASED ON 1977 RESTRAINT LIMITS WHERE THEY EXIST.

+THESE PRODUCTS ARE GROUPED INTO 18 CATEGORIES IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CLASSIFICATION SYSTEM IN THE CURRENT HONG KONG/EEC AGREEMEH7 WHICH IS WELL KNOWN TO THE TRADE AT BOTH ENDS AND WHICH w ILL NOT CREATE THE DIFFICULTIES FORESEEN IN THE NEW SYSTEM PROPOSED BY THE EEC.

+CN THE BASIS OF THESE PROPOSALS, HONG KONG IS WILLING TO CONCLUDE A BILATERAL AGREEMENT UNDER THE MFA FOR FIVE YEARS FROM JANUARY 1, 1978.+

THE INITIAL EEC REACTION TO THESE PROPOSALS GIVEN IN BRUSSELS TODAY (MONDAY).

IS EXPECTED TO EE

/?

- - 0 -

MONDAY, NOVEMBER 7, 1977

8

NT ADVISORY BOARDS TO REPRESENT LOCAL COMMUNITIES * * * * *

THE DISTRICT ADVISORY BOARDS PROPOSED FOR THE NEW TERRITORIES WILL NOT MAKE RURAL COMMITTEES UNNECESSARY, BUT WILL ADD A FURTHER DIMENSION TO THE NETWORK OF CONTACT AND COMMUNICATION BETWEEN THE GOVERNMENT AND THE PEOPLE.

THIS WAS STATED TONIGHT BY THE SECRETARY FOR THE NEW TERRITORIES, MR. DAVID AKERS-JONES, WHILE ADDRESSING A MEETING OF THE NEW TERRITORIES LIONS CLUB.

MR. AKERS-JONES EXPLAINED THAT THE DISTRICT ADVISORY BOARDS WOULD BE TALKING ABOUT DIFFERENT THINGS FROM THE RURAL COMMITTEES.

HE POINTED OUT THAT THE BOARD SYSTEM WAS NOT A +REVOLUTION+, BUT A NECESSARY EVOLUTION IN RECOGNITION OF THE CHANGES WHICH HAD BEEN TAKING PLACE IN THE SOCIETY.

THE BOARDS ARE IN NO WAY INTENDED TO INTERFERE WITH THE ROLE OF THE RURAL COMMITTEES, HE SAID.

THEY WILL HAVE AS MEMBERS PUBLIC-SPIRITED CITIZENS REPRESENTIN AS WIDE A CROSS-SECTION OF THE LOCAL COMMUNITY AS POSSIBLE, AND THE RURAL COMMITTEE CHAIRMEN WILL BE AT THE VERY HEART OF THE BOARDS, HE SAID.

+THEY WILL HAVE MONEY TO SPEND ON MAKING LOCAL ENVIRONMENTAL IMPROVEMENTS AND IN SUPPORTING LOCAL ARTS AND COMMUNITY GROUPS.

+THEY WILL HAVE A SAY ON THE PRIORITIES OF THE PHYSICAL DEVELOPMENT OF THEIR REGION THROUGH THE ADVICE THEY WILL GIVE ON THE PUBLIC WORKS PROGRAMME AS IT AFFECTS THEIR DISTRICT,* MR. AKERS-JONES SAID.

HE SAID THE PEOPLE IN THE NEW TERRITORIES SHOULD EE GIVEN THE CHANCE TO BECOME INVOLVED IN THE OVERALL EFFORTS WHICH WERE BEING MADE TO BUILD NEW TOWNS AND A NEW LIFE FOR THE PEOPLE.

MR. AKERS-JONES SAID THE LAST 20 YEARS HAD SEEN DRAMATIC CHANG'S TAKING PLACE IN THE NEW TERRITORIES WHICH HAD BROUGHT BENEFIT TO MANY PEOPLE.

HE SAID THE POPULATION OF THE NEW TERRITORIES, ACCORDING TO THE LATEST ESTIMATES, WOULD EE AROUND 2.17 MILLION BY 1986 -DOUBLE THE 1976 FIGURE.

+THE PLANS, WHICH HAVE BEEN DRAWN UP TO ACCOMMODATE THIS POPULATION, SHOULD ENSURE THAT ALL THE RESIDENTS OF THE NEW TERRITORIES WILL HAVE ALL THE NECESSARY COMMUNITY INGREDIENTS FOR A FULL AND SATISFYING LIFE - TOWN HALLS, SWIMMING POOLS, CLINICS, SCHOOLS, SPORTS AND PLAYING FIELDS,* HE SAID.

0

/9 ...

MONDAY, NOVEMBER 7, 1977

- 9 -

UN HOLDS ANTI-NARCOTICS COURSE IN HONG KONG

******

THE COMMISSIONER FOR CUSTOMS AND EXCISE, MR. BILL DORWARD, TODAY REITERATED THE GOVERNMENT’S COMMITMENT TO THE INTERNATIONAL FIGHT AGAINST DRUG TRAFFICKING.

SPEAKING AT THE OPENING OF A TWO-WEEK UNITED NATION’S COURSE, HE TOLD REGIONAL LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS THAT, +WE EACH HAVE A RESPONSIBILITY FOR PROTECTING THE SAFETY AND WELL-BEING OF THE COMMUNITY IN WHICH WE LIVE AND WORK. BUT WE CANNOT HOPE TO COPE WITH THESE RESPONSIBILITIES ON OUR OWN.+

HE SAID THAT THE PROBLEMS ARE OF GLOBAL PROPORTIONS AND THAT THEY COULD NOT BE DEALT WITH EFFECTIVELY WITHOUT INTERNATIONAL LIAISON CO-OPEATION.

MR. DORWARD POINTED OUT THAT SEVERAL INTERNATIONAL AGENCIES HAVE BEEN CREATED FOR THE SOLE PURPOSE OF CO-ORDINATING THE FIGHT AGAINST NARCOTICS. THE MOST IMPORTANT OF THESE IS THE UN DIVISION OF NARCOTIC DRUGS WHICH HAS ORGANISED SEVERAL INTERNATIONAL TRAINING COURSES FOR LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS IN RECENT YEARS.

THE AIM OF THIS LATEST COURSE, WHICH IS ONLY THE SECOND TO BE HELD IN ASIA, IS TO PROMOTE A GREATER KNOWLEDGE AND AWARENESS OF THE WORLD’S DRUG PROBLEMS AND THE WAYS TO OVERCOME THEM.

THE COURSE IS BEING ATTENDED BY 23 POLICE AND CUSTOMS OFFICERS FROM 10 COUNTRIES IN THE REGION. IT IS BEING HELD AT THE CUSTOMS AND EXCISE TRAINING SCHOOL AT TAI LAM CHUNG IN THE NEW TERRITORIES.

DURING THE COURSE, WHICH LASTS FROM NOVEMBER 7 TO

NOVEMBER 18, THERE WILL BE LECTURES AND DEMONSTRATIONS ON ANTI-SMUGGLING METHODS, TECHNIQUES OF INVESTIGATION, UNDERCOVER OPERATIONS AND THE USE OF DRUG-SNIFFING DOGS.

THOSE TAKING PART WILL ALSO VISIT THE POLICE FORENSIC LABORATORY AND A DRUG TREATMENT AND REHABILITATION CENTRE. THEY WILL ALSO BE SHOWN HOW TO ORGANISE SIMILAR COURSES AND LECTURES IN THEIR OWN COUNTRIES.

- - 0 - -

/1O

MONDAY, NOVEMBER ?, 197'?

- 10

CALL FOR CAREFULLY REGULATED HOMEWORK

* * * * *

HOMEWORK SHOULD BE CAREFULLY REGULATED IN ORDER TO AVOID ENCROACHMENT ON THE PUPIL’S SPARE TIME, THE DEPUTY DIRECTOR OF EDUCATION, MR. HO NGA-MING, SAID THIS AFTERNOON AT THE SPEECH DAY OF THE HOI PING CHAMBER OF COMMERCE SECONDARY SCHOOL.

MR. HO WAS ADDRESSING THE AUDIENCE ON BEHALF OF THE DIRECTOR OF EDUCATION, MR. KENNETH TOPLEY, WHO WAS UNABLE TO ATTEND BECAUSE OF OTHER COMMITMENTS.

+SCHOOLS SHOULD ENSURE THAT WHAT IS ASKED IS NOT UNREASONABLE, AND THAT WHERE DIFFERENT TEACHERS SET WORK FOR THE SAME EVENING, THE SUM TOTAL OF THE DIFFERENT DEMANDS IS ALSO NOT UNREASONABLE,+ MR. HO SAID.

+3R0ADLY SPEAKING, I THINK THAT LESS HOMEWORK SHOULD BE REQUIRED OF PUPILS IN JUNIOR FORMS AND THAT THE QUOTA SET FOR WEEKENDS SHOULD NOT EXCEED THAT SET FOR ANY WEEKDAY SO THAT CHILDREN MAY HAVE A FREE EVENING TO SHARE FULLY IN FAMILY LIFE.+

MR. HO STATED THAT HOMEWORK PLAYED A USEFUL PART IN EDUCATING PUPILS, PARTICULARLY THOSE IN SECONDARY SCHOOLS - IN CONSOLIDATING KNOWLEDGE AND PERFECTING SKILLS.

HE POINTED OUT THAT WHILE THE FIRST STEPS IN UNDERSTANDING COULD BE MADE IN THE CLASSROOM UNDER GUIDANCE, IT WAS ONLY THROUGH CONTINUED PERSONAL PRACTICE THAT MASTERY COULD EE ACHIEVED.

REFERRING TO CERTAIN POINTS OF A SOCIAL NATURE, MR. HO SAID THAT THE MOST IMPORTANT OF THESE WAS THE QUESTION OF GENERAL HOME CONDITIONS.

+WHERE THESE ARE ADVERSE, THE POSSIBILITY OF SUBSTITUTING PREPARATION AT SCHOOL FOR HOMEWORK MIGHT aELL BE EXAMINED.

+OTHER CONSIDERATIONS INCLUDE THE LENGTH OF JOURNEYS TO AND FROM SCHOOL, INSUFFICIENT SLEEP AND INVOLVEMENT IN DOMESTIC CHORES. WHERE FATIGUE IS ASCERTAINED TO HAVE BEEN DUE TO SUCH CAUSES, SPECIAL STEPS SHOULD EE TAKEN TO EASE THE BURDEN OF HOMEWORK,+ HE SAID.

THE TEACHER, MR. HO SAID, SHOULD BEAR IN MIND THAT APART FROM SETTING HOMEWORK, CERTAIN EXTENSIONS OF SCHOOL WORK WERE USEFUL.

+THEY INCLUDE GENERAL READING, PLAY-ACTING, PRACTICAL SCIENCE, ART AND CRAFTS, AND MUSIC. THEY ALL ADD VARIETY TO CLASS WORK, AND IN PURSUIT OF THEM THE PUPILS LEARN SOMETHING OF THE WISE USE OF LEISURE,* HE SAID.

MR. HO NOTED THAT THE HOI PING CHAMBER OF COMMERCE SECONDARY SCHOOL WAS BUILDING UP A GOOD REPUTATION BY LAYING EMPHASIS NOT ONLY ON ACADEMIC PROWESS BUT ALSO ON THE PHYSICAL, SOCIAL AND MORAL WELL BEING OF ITS PUPILS.

+QUITE APART FROM ACHIEVING GOOD RESULTS AT THE HONG KONG CERTIFICATE OF EDUCATION EXAMINATION, THE SCHOOL HAS WON TROPHIES IN TABLE-TENNIS, FOLK DANCING AND VERSE-SPEAKING COMPETITIONS AND HAS PROMOTED A RICH VARIETY OF EXTRA-CURRICULAR ACTIVITIES,* HE SAID.

MONDAY, NOVEMBER 7, 1977

NEW HOUSES FOR SHAM TSENG VILLAGERS

******

ABOUT 2OO SHAM TSENG VILLAGERS WILL SOON BE MOVING INTO THEIR NEW' VILLAGE HOUSES BUILT BY THE GOVERNMENT UNDER THE FINAL PHASE OF A $10.5 MILLION VILLAGE REMOVAL SCHEME.

THEIR OLD VILLAGE HOUSES HAVE TO GO TO MAKE WAY FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF A VIADUCT ACROSS THE SHAM TSENG VALLEY AS PART OF THE TUEN MUN HIGHWAY PROJECT. IN ADDITION, PART OF THE VILLAGE AREA IS EARMARKED FOR A PERMANENT MARKET.

IN EXCHANGE FOR THEIR OLD HOUSES, THE GOVERNMENT HAS BUILT A TOTAL OF 60 THREE-STOREY MODERN HOUSES IN THE NEARBY AREA, AT A COST OF ABOUT $130,000 EACH.

EIGHTEEN WERE COMPLETED LAST YEAR, UNDER THE FIRST PHASE OF THE SCHEME, FOR ABOUT 100 VILLAGERS ALONGSIDE THE CASTLE PEAK ROAD.

ANOTHER 42 HAVE JUST BEEN COMPLETED ON THE HILLSIDE ABOVE THE VILLAGE COMMANDING A GOOD SEAVIEW. THEY WERE BUILT ON TERRACES, SITE FORMATION FOR WHICH COST ®2 MILLION.

ASSISTANT TSUEN WAN DISTRICT OFFICER (LAND PROJECT), MR. TOM POON, SAID TODAY THE VILLAGERS WERE HAPPY TO BE PROVIDED WITH THE NEW HOUSES WHICH HAD ALL THE BASIC FACILITIES OF A NEW HOME.

+THEY ARE NOW' HAVING THEIR NEW HOMES DECORATED AND ARE EXPECTED TO MOVE IN BY THE END OF THIS MONTH,+ HE SAID.

MR. POON SAID THE VILLAGERS HAD BEEN GIVEN A SPECIAL ALLOWANCE OF $6,500 TO HELP MEET REMOVAL AND DECORATION EXPENSES.

EACH HOUSE, HE SAID, HAS A TOTAL FLOOR SPACE OF 2,100 SQUARE FEET - 700 SQUARE FEET ON EACH FLOOR COMPLETE WITH KITCHEN AND BATHROOM FACILITIES AND BUILT-IN ELECTRICAL WIRING.

+BOTH THE FIRST AND SECOND FLOORS HAVE A BALCONY. IN ADDITION, THE SECOND FLOOR IS PARTITIONED INTO ONE LIVING ROOM AND TWO BEDROOMS WITH BUILT-IN WARDROBES,+ HE SAID.

- - 0 - -

/12......

MONDAY, NOVEMBER 7, 1977

12

CLOSURE OF SECTION OF GASCOIGNE ROAD ******

A SECTION OF GASCOIGNE ROAD BETWEEN WYLIE ROAD AND JORDAN ROAD IN YAU MA TEI, WILL BE TEMPORARILY CLOSED TO ALL VEHICLES FROM MIDNIGHT TO 6 A.M. ON WEDNESDAY (NOVEMBER 9) TO FACILITATE THE SETTING UP OF A GANTRY DIRECTIONAL SIGN FOR THE GASCOIGNE ROAD FLYOVER.

DURING THE CLOSURE PERIOD, TRAFFIC INCLUDING BUS ROUTE NOS. 2C, 2E, 6C, 102, 134, 135, 112 AND 122 WILL BE DIVERTED VIA JORDAN ROAD, COX’S ROAD, AUSTIN ROAD AND CHATHAM ROAD.

APPROPRIATE TRAFFIC SIGNS WILL BE POSTED TO GUIDE MOTORISTS.

- 0 -

DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN

TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 8, 1977

CONTENTS PAGE NO.

7 ... I

REPORT OF SPECIAL COMMITTEE ON LAND PRODUCTION PUBLISHED .. 1

LEGCO RESUMES ANNUAL POLICY DEBATE TOMORROW ................... 3

TWO MUSIC TRAINING SCHEMES FOR YOUNG PEOPLE ................... 4

PUBLIS. URGED TO HELP FORMER OFFENDERS ........................ 5

SEWAGE TREATMENT PLANT TO BE BUILT ON AP LEI CHAU ............. 6

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

TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 8, 1977

1

REPORT OF SPECIAL COMMITTEE ON LAND

*****

PRODUCTION PUBLISHED

MORE THAN 5,200 HECTARES OF LAND WILL BE PRODUCED BY EXISTING AND PLANNED PROJECTS, OF WHICH NEARLY 3,000 HECTARES WILL BE PRODUCED DURING THE FIVE YEAR PERIOD 1977/78 - 1981/82 AND THE BALANCE AFTER 1981/82. A FURTHER 777 HECTARES COULD BE PRODUCED FROM NEW DEVELOPMENT AREAS.

THIS IS REVEALED IN THE REPORT OF A SPECIAL COMMITTEE ON LAND PRODUCTION WHICH HAS JUST BEEN PUBLISHED.

THE REPORT DIVIDES THE LAND TO BE PRODUCED INTO TWO CATEGORIES : THAT IN AREAS COVERED BY DEFINITE PROJECTS AND THAT IN AREAS’NOT COVERED BY DEFINITE PROJECTS.

IN THE FORMER CATEGORY, 3,815.01 HECTARES WILL BE PRODUCED, OF WHICH 2,860.51 WILL BE READY BY 1981/82.

THE LAND WILL BE USED FOR INDUSTRIAL (751.42 HECTARES). PRIVATE DEVELOPMENT (923.69 HECTARES), PUBLIC HOUSING (636.48 HECTARES), GOVERNMENT (1,457.77 HECTARES) AND UNDESIGNATED (45.65 HECTARES) PURPOSES.

THE AMOUNT OF LAND TO BE PRODUCED IN THE MAIN URBAN AREAS IS 1,206.87 HECTARES, WHILE 2,608.14 HECTARES WILL BE PRODUCED IN THE NEW TERRITORIES.

THE 1,392.65 HECTARES TO BE PRODUCED IN AREAS NOT COVERED BY DEFINITE PROJECTS IS MADE UP OF 502.79 HECTARES IN THE MAIN URBAN AREAS AND 889.86 HECTARES IN THE NEW TERRITORIES.

A TOTAL OF 126.33 HECTARES WILL BE PRODUCED BY 1981/82 AND 1,266.32 HECTARES AFTER THIS DATE.

THE LARGEST AMOUNT OF LAND (522.42 HECTARES) WILL BE FOR GOVERNMENT USE- 488.68 HECTARES WILL BE FOR PRIVATE DEVELOPMENT, 215.74 HECTARES FOR INDUSTRIAL USE AND 109.35 HECTARES FOR PUBLIC HOUSING. THE REMAINDER - 56.46 HECTARES - WILL BE FOR UNDESIGNATED USES.

THE REPORT STATES THAT THE TOTAL COST OF LAND PRODUCTION IN +DEFINITE PROJECTS+ IN THE NEXT 10 YEARS IS ESTIMATED TO BE IN THE REGION OF $5,400 MILLION, OF WHICH ABOUT $4,600 MILLION WILL BE SPENT IN THE NEW TERRITORIES TO IMPLEMENT DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMMES FOR THE NEW TOWNS AND RURAL TOWNSHIPS.

WITH REGARD TO NEW DEVELOPMENT AREAS, THE REPORT SAYS THAT THE MAIN AREAS OF SEARCH WERE IN THE CENTRAL AND NORTHERN NEW TERRITORIES; +EVEN IN THESE AREAS, HOWEVER, A VERY LARGE PROPORTION OF THE LAND IS WITHIN WATER CATCHMENTS AND CONSEQUENTLY IS NOT AVAILABLE. EVEN SO, THE MAIN IMPEDIMENT TO FURTHER DEVELOPMENT SCHEMES IN THE NEW TERRITORIES HAS NOT BEEN LACK OF DEVELOPABLE LAND, BUT THE EXPENDITURE WHICH WOULD BE REQUIRED FOR COMPENSATION AND THE SOCIAL AND ECONOMIC DISRUPTION WHICH WOULD BE CAUSED BY ITS DEVELOPMENT.+

/THE REPORT

TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 8, 1977

- 2 -

THE REPORT GOES ON : +BECAUSE THE COMMITTEE’S TERMS OF REFERENCE STIPULATED THAT THE AREAS STUDIED SHOULD BE AREAS WITH 'MINIMAL CLEARANCE’ PROBLEMS, THE WORKING PARTY EXCLUDED MANY OTHERWISE SUITABLE AREAS. EVEN SO, THE CLEARANCE IMPLICATIONS MAY WELL BE FORMIDABLE UNLESS A SATISFACTORY CASH COMPENSATION SYSTEM IS WORKED OUT TO REPLACE THE PRESENT SYSTEM OF EXCHANGES. FEW OF THE AREAS CHOSEN INCLUDE ANY SUBSTANTIAL AREA OF CROWN LAND WHICH COULD BE USED FOR EXCHANGES, WITH THE RESULT THAT COMMITMENTS FOR LAND EXCHANGES MAY WELL BE UNACCEPTABLE.+

THE DIFFICULTIES DERIVING FROM CLEARANCES ALSO GAVE CAUSE FOR A NEW LOOK AT LAND POLICY TO PERMIT THE CONVERSION OF AGRICULTURAL LAND FOR INDUSTRIAL DEVELOPMENT ON PAYMENT OF THE APPROPRIATE PREMIUM, SAYS THE REPORT.

+A CHANGE TO A MORE LIBERAL POLICY WOULD HAVE SIGNIFICANT ENVIRONMENTAL AND PLANNING IMPLICATIONS, AND WOULD UNDOUBTEDLY RESULT IN UNFORESEEN SERVICING COSTS. BUT THE FACT REMAINS THAT THIS IS A SIGNIFICANT SOURCE OF LAND, PARTICULARLY FOR INDUSTRIAL DEVELOPMENT, WHICH REQUIRES FURTHER CONSIDERATION.*

A TOTAL OF 11 NEW DEVELOPMENT AREAS WERE IDENTIFIED AND, THE COMMITTEE RECOMMENDED THAT ALL OF THEM SHOULD BE INVESTIGATED COMPREHENSIVELY AS SOON AS POSSIBLE.

THE COMMITTEE CONSIDERED THAT A COMPREHENSIVE INVESTIGATION OF NORTH LANTAU SHOULD PROCEED AS SOON AS POSSIBLE AND THAT +SUBJECT TO THE FINDINGS OF THAT INVESTIGATION AND THE IDENTIFICATION OF A DEFICIT BETWEEN THE OVERALL DEMAND FOR AND THE PRODUCTION OF LAND, IT SHOULD BE CONSIDERED WHETHER IT MIGHT BE PREFERABLE TO PROCEED WITH ITS DEVELOPMENT IN ADVANCE OF SOME OR ALL OF THE OTHER AREAS IDENTIFIED BY THE COMMITTEE.*

IT IS STATED IN THE REPORT THAT A PRELIMINARY PLANNING STUDY OF LANTAU HAS SHOWN THAT OVER 2,000 HECTARES OF LAND MIGHT BE PRODUCED.

THE SPECIAL COMMITTEE ON LAND PRODUCTION WAS APPOINTED BY THE GOVERNOR ON MAY 4 UNDER THE CHAIRMANSHIP OF THE SECRETARY FOR THE ENVIRONMENT, MR. DEREK JONES. THE COMMITTEE PLANS TO SUBMIT A FURTHER REPORT IN ABOUT 18 MONTHS.

CHINESE AND ENGLISH COPIES OF THE REPORT ARE AVAILABLE AT $7 EACH FROM THE GOVERNMENT PUBLICATIONS CENTRE.

o -------

/3

TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 8, 1977

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LEGCO RESUMES ANNUAL POLICY DEBATE

*****

THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL DEBATE ON THE MOTION OF THANKS FOR THE GOVERNOR’S ADDRESS RESUMES ON WEDNESDAY (NOVEMBER 9) WHEN SEVEN OFFICIAL MEMBERS WILL REPLY TO THE POINTS RAISED BY THEIR UNOFFICIAL COLLEAGUES A FORTNIGHT AGO.

LEADING OFF THE RESUMED DEBATE WILL BE THE HON. KENNETH TOPLEY, DIRECTOR OF EDUCATION, FOLLOWED BY THE HON. THOMAS LEE, DIRECTOR OF SOCIAL WELFARE* THE HON. PETER WILLIAMS, COMMISSIONER FOR LABOUR* THE HON. ALAN SCOTT, SECRETARY FOR HOUSING* THE HON. E.P. HO, SECRETARY FOR SOCIAL SERVICES* THE HON. JOHN WALDEN, DIRECTOR OF HOME AFFAIRS AND THE HON. LI FOOK-KOW, SECRETARY FOR HOME AFFAIRS.

EIGHT OTHER OFFICIAL MEMBERS WILL SPEAK ON THURSDAY (NOVEMBER 10). THEY ARE: THE HON. WILLIAM DORWARD, ACTING DIRECTOR OF TRADE, INDUSTRY AND CUSTOMS* THE HON. RONALD BRIDGE, SECRETARY FOR THE CIVIL SERVICE- THE HON. DAVID AKERS-JONES, SECRETARY FOR THE NEW TERRITORIES* THE HON. DAVID MCDONALD, DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC WORKS-THE HON. DEREK JONES, SECRETARY FOR THE ENVIRONMENT- THE HON. ATTORNEY GENERAL, MR. JOHN HOBLEY* THE HON. FINANCIAL SECRETARY, MR. PHILIP HADDON-CAVE AND THE HON. CHIEF SECRETARY, SIR DENYS ROBERTS.

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

DURING THE SITTING, TWO BILLS WILL BE INTRODUCED INTO THE COUNCIL. THEY ARE THE CROWN RIGHTS (RE-ENTRY AND VESTING REMEDIES) (AMENDMENT) BILL 1977 AND THE WIDOWS’ AND CHILDREN’S PENSIONS BILL 1977.

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

TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 8, 1977

4

TWO MUSIC TRAINING SCHEMES FOR YOUNG PEOPLE

*******

MR. GORDON SIU, THE MUSIC ADMINISTRATOR, TODAY INVITED ALL YOUNG MUSICIANS TO JOIN TWO NEW TRAINING SCHEMES.

THE FIRST SCHEME, CALLED THE YOUTH MUSIC SERVICE, IS OPENED TO ALL YOUNG PLAYERS OF BOTH CHINESE AND WESTERN INSTRUMENTS. THOSE WHO BECOME MEMBERS OF THE SERVICE WILL BE PROVIDED WITH REGULAR MUSIC MAKING ACTIVITIES AND TRAINING. THEY MAY BECOME MEMBERS OF YOUTH SYMPHONY ORCHESTRAS, CHINESE ORCHESTRAS AND ENSEMBLES WHICH WILL GIVE CONCERTS HERE AND ABROAD.

THE SECOND SCHEME CONCERNS SCHOLARSHIP IN THE UNITED KINGDOM FOR SPECIAL FULL-TIME MUSIC STUDENTS AND IS ORGANISED IN CONJUNCTION WITH THE GUILDHALL SCHOOL OF MUSIC AND DRAMA OF .THE UNITED KINGDOM.

ANNOUNCING THE SCHOLARSHIP SCHEME, MR. SIU SAID THAT THIS WAS THE FIRST OF A NUMBER OF SCHOLARSHIP SCHEMES WHICH THE MUSIC ADMINISTRATOR’S OFFICE WOULD OFFER TO TALENTED AND PROMISING YOUNG MUSICIANS. THE OBJECTIVE WAS TO PROVIDE FURTHER TRAINING TO ENABLE A NUMBER OF PLAYERS WHO HAD ATTAINED A HIGH STANDARD TO BECOME PROFESSIONAL MUSICIANS.

CANDIDATES WILL BE AUDITIONED BY A SPECIAL COMMITTEE TO BE SET UP BY THE MUSIC ADMINISTRATOR’S OFFICE. SUCCESSFUL CANDIDATES WILL BE PROVIDED WITH RETURN PASSAGES, COURSE FEES AND SUBSISTENCE ALLOWANCE. ON SATISFACTORY COMPLETION OF TRAINING, CANDIDATES WILL BE EXPECTED TO RETURN TO WORK IN A MUSIC ORGANISATION IN HONG KONG.

DETAILS OF BOTH TRAINING SCHEMES ARE ADVERTISED IN LOCAL NEWSPAPERS AND THE PROSPECTUS AND APPLICATION FORMS CAN BE OBTAINED AT THE MUSIC ADMINISTRATOR’S OFFICE, CAROLINE MANSION, 4TH FLOOR, 8, YUN PING ROAD, CAUSEWAY BAY, AND ALL CITY DISTRICT OFFICES AND DISTRICT OFFICES IN THE NEW TERRITORIES.

APPLICATION FORMS SHOULD BE RETURNED TO THE MUSIC ADMINISTRATOR’S OFFICE EEFORE THE DUE DATES LISTED ON THE FORMS.

ENQUIRIES MAY EE MADE TO THE MUSIC ADMINISTRATOR’S OFFICE AT 5-779007.

DETAILED PROSPECTUS OF THE GUILDHALL SCHOOL OF MUSIC AND DRAMA IS AVAILABLE FOR INSPECTION AT THE MUSIC ADMINISTRATOR’S

OFF ICE

- 0 -

TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 8, 1977

- 5 -

PUBLIC URGED TO HELP FORMER OFFENDERS ******

MEMBERS OF THE COMMUNITY CAN HELP REDUCE CRIME BY DISCARDING THEIR PREJUDICE AGAINST FORMER LAW OFFENDERS AND ASSISTING THEM TO RE-INTEGRATE INTO SOCIETY, SAID MR. MAK WING-HONG, HEAD OF THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT’S PROBATION AND CORRECTIONS DIVISION.

SPEAKING AT THE LUNCHEON MEETING OF “HE LION ROCK’S LIONS CLUB TODAY (TUESDAY), MR. MAK ..ARNED THAT SUSPICION AND APATHY SHOWN TOWARDS THOSE WHO HAVE ONCE GONE ASTRAY WOULD SET RUNNING A VICIOUS CYCLE AS YOUNG OFFENDERS, LACKING THE CONFIDENCE TO START A NEW LIFE, MIGHT TURN BACK TO DELINQUENCY AGAIN.

+FEELING THAT THEY ARE BEING REJECTED BY THE COMMUNITY, THE OFFENDERS WOULD DEVELOP FURTHER ANTI-SOCIAL BEHAVIOUR, AND ARE LIKELY TO RETURN TO CRIME,+ HE SAID.

DESCRIBING THIS KIND OF PUBLIC ATTITUDE AS ONE OF THE MAJOR OBSTACLES OF PROBATION OFFICERS IN HELPING PROBATIONERS TO START AFRESH, MR. MAK CALLED UPON THE PUBLIC TO CONTRIBUTE MORE TOWARDS PROBATION WORK.

HE URGED EMPLOYERS TO OFFER MORE JOB OPPORTUNITIES FOR PROBATIONERS AS THERE ARE ADVANTAGES IN EMPLOYING THEM.

+FOR ONE, THEY CAN HAVE A CLEAR UNDERSTANDING OF EMPLOYEES’ BACKGROUND WHICH IS BENEFICIAL TO STAFF MANAGEMENT’ AND WITH THE SUPER V IS I or. OF PROBATION OFFICERS, THESE EMPLOYEES ARE LIKELY TO EXHIBIT BETTER WORK ATTITUDE,* HE NOTED.

TURNING TO PROBATION WORK, MR. MAK SAID THE REFORMATION OF OFFENDERS INTO USEFUL MEMBERS OF SOCIETY IS THE MAJOR OBJECTIVE OF HIS DIVISION.

TO ACHIEVE THIS AIM, PROBATION OFFICERS CONDUCT SOCIAL ENQUIRIES INTO THE CHARACTER AND FAMILY CIRCUMSTANCES OF OFFENDERS IN ORDER TC COMPILE REPORTS FOR THE COURTS AND ASSIST THEM IN ARRIVING AT AN APPROPRIATE SENTENCE.

+THEN, THEY SUPERVISE PROBATIONERS FOR PERIODS VARYING FROM ONE TO THREE YEARS. DURING THE PERIOD, THEY PROVIDE ASSISTANCE TO KEEP THEM AWAY FROM UNDESIRABLE COMPANIONS, TO SECURE GAINFUL EMPLOYMENT OR EDUCATION OPPORTUNITIES, AND TO IMPROVE THEIR RELATIONSHIP WITH FAMILY MEMBERS,* HE SAID.

MR. MAK ADDED THAT THE FIVE CORRECTIONAL INSTITUTIONS UNDER THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT ARE ALSO VESTED WITH THE RESPONSIBILITY TO PROVIDE BASIC EDUCATION AND CRAFT TRAINING. GREAT EMPHASIS IS ALSO PLACED ON CHARACTER BUILDING, SOCIAL TRAINING AND THE CONSTRUCTIVE USE OF LEISURE.

RECALLING THE COMMENCEMENT OF PROBATION SERVICE, MR. MAK SAID THAT WHEN THE PROBATION OF OFFENDERS ORDINANCE WAS ENACTED IN 1933, THE SERVICE WAS ONLY PROVIDED FOR YOUNG PEOPLE EETWEEN THE AGES OF EIGHT TO 16.

+IT WAS IN 1956 THAT THE ORDINANCE WAS AMENDED TO INCLUDE ADULTS. AT PRESENT, THERE IS NO AGE LIMIT FOR A PERSON TO BE PLACED ON PROBATION,* HE SAID.

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TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 8, 1977

6

SEWAGE SCREENING PLANT FOR AP LEI CHAU

******

A SEWAGE SCREENING PLANT IS TO BE BUILT SHORTLY ON AP LEI CHAU TO COPE WITH THE DEVELOPMENT ON THE ISLAND.

TENDERS FOR THE WORK, WHICH FORMS PART OF A MAJOR SEWAGE SCHEME FOR THE AP LEI CHAU AREA, ARE BEING INVITED BY THE CIVIL ENGINEERING OFFICE OF THE PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT.

MR. CHAN YAN, CHIEF ENGINEER OF THE P.W.D.’S DRAINAGE WORKS DIVISION, SAID TODAY THAT A HOUSING ESTATE CAPABLE OF ACCOMMODATING 19,000 PEOPLE, WAS BEING BUILT ON THE FORMER FISHING ISLAND.

IN THE NEXT THREE TO FIVE YEARS, HE ADDED, THERE WOULD BE CONSIDERABLE RESIDENTIAL AND INDUSTRIAL DEVELOPMENT ON AP LEI CHAU, ALONG WITH THE NECESSARY SUPPORTING GOVERNMENT INSTITUTIONS, COMMUNITY AND WELFARE CENTRES, SCHOOLS AND MARKETS.

MR. CHAN SAID THE WORK ON THE NEW SEWAGE SCREENING PLANT COMPRISED THE CONSTRUCTION OF AN ADMINISTRATION BUILDING, A STATION CONTROL ROOM, COARSE AND FINE SCREEN CHANNELS AND ■►CONSTANT VELOCITY GRIT REMOVAL* CHANNELS.

+A 27O-METRE-LONG PIPELINE, MEASURING 900 MM IN DIAMETER, WILL ALSO BE LAID IN A TRENCH TO BE DREDGED IN THE SEABED TO THE SOUTH-EAST OF AP LEI CHAU,* MR. CHAN SAID.

+0N COMPLETION, SEWAGE FROM AP LEI CHAU WILL BE TREATED THROUGH THE MECHANICAL COARSE AND FINE SCREENS AND GRIT REMOVAL DEVICES BEFORE IT IS DISCHARGED VIA THE SUBMARINE OUTFALL INTO DEEPER WATER WHERE ADEQUATE DILUTION AND SATISFACTORY DISPERSION CAN BE ACHIEVED.*

THE PROJECT HAS BEEN DESIGNED AND CONSTRUCTION WILL BE SUPERVISED BY THE DRAINAGE WORKS DIVISION OF THE CIVIL ENGINEERING OFFICE OF THE PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT.

IgisI kifel

DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN

WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 9, 1977

CONTENTS PAGE NO.

GREEN PAPERS ON SOCIAL WELFARE OUTLINED ............... 1

DEVELOPMENT OF EDUCATION BEYOND FORM 3 PUBLISHED IN GREEN PAPER ........................................... 3

REHABILITATION DEVELOPMENT PLANS REVEALED ............ 10

TECHNICAL EDUCATION COMMITTEE TO BE SET UP ........... 13

FINANCIAL SECRETARY REJECTS CRITICISMS ON TAXING +HABITUAL TRADERS* ................................... 18

OVER TWO MILLION PEOPLE USE CDO’S .................... 19

PUBLIC HOUSING RENT WITHIN TENANTS’ MEANS ............ 20

PLANS TO FURTHER IMPROVE LABOUR CONDITIONS ........... 22

REMEMBRANCE DAY CEREMONIES ON SUNDAY ................. 24

HK GOVERNMENT’S BRANCH OFFICE IN EDINBURGH OPENS ..... 26

BETTER HOUSING FOR SQUATTERS IN YUEN CHAU TSAI ....... 27

REWARDS FOR INFORMATION ABOUT FAKE WATCHES ........... 28

SECTION OF JAVA ROAD TO BE RECONSTRUCTED ............ 29.

PASSING-OUT PARADE OF IMMIGRATION OFFICERS ........... 29

CAR PARK TO BE TEMPORARILY CLOSED .................... 29

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

WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 9, 1977

1

GREEN PAPERS ON SOCIAL WELFARE OUTLINED ******

THE DIRECTOR OF SOCIAL WELFARE, THE HON. THOMAS LEE, TODAY OUTLINED THE DETAILS OF THE THREE GREEN PAPERS ON SOCIAL SECURITY, SERVICES FOR THE ELDERLY AND PERSONAL SOCIAL WORK FOR YOUTH.

SPEAKING AT THE RESUMED DEBATE ON THE MOTION OF THANKS FOR THE GOVERNOR’S ADDRESS, MR. LEE SAID, +IF THEY ARE APPROVED AND IMPLEMENTED, THEY WILL MARK A SUBSTANTIAL STEP FORWARD IN THE COVERAGE AND IMPACT OF OUR SOCIAL WELFARE SERVICES.*

+WE MUST MAKE EVERY EFFORT TO MOVE FORWARD AS FAST AS IS PRACTICABLE- AND THAT WE SHALL DO. BUT EQUALLY WE MUST NOT TRY TO MOVE FORWARD SO FAST THAT WE OVERREACH OURSELVES,* HE SAID.

MR. LEE POINTED OUT THAT A DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME WHICH WAS BADLY EXECUTED MIGHT WELL BE WORSE THAN NO PROGRAMME AT ALL.

HE SAID, +WE SHOULD DO LITTLE SERVICE TO HONG KONG IF WE WERE TO RAISE PEOPLE’S HOPES WITH NEW PROPOSALS BUT THEN, BY FAILING TO IMPLEMENT THEM EFFECTIVELY, REPLACE HOPE BY DISAPPOINTMENT.*

MR. LEE STRESSED THE NEED FOR THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT TO CONTINUE TO DELIVER AN EFFICIENT SERVICE TO THE PUBLIC INSPITE OF THE EXPANSIONS UNDER THE NEW PROGRAMMES.

+1 HOPE THAT WITHIN FOUR MONTHS A MANAGEMENT REVIEW TEAM NOW AT WORK IN MY DEPARTMENT WILL COME UP WITH ACCEPTABLE PROPOSALS FOR IMPROVING OUR EFFICIENCY WHICH IS ESSENTIAL IF WE ARE TO FULFILL THE TASKS BEFORE US,+ HE SAID.

TURNING TO THE GREEN PAPER ON SOCIAL SECURITY, MR. LEE REVEALED THAT IT WOULD’ BE PROPOSED TO IMPLEMENT THE IMPROVEMENTS IN THE PUBLIC ASSISTANCE SCHEME WITH EFFECT FROM APRIL 1978.

THE IMPROVEMENTS ARE:

* FAMILIES WHO HAVE BEEN RECEIVING PUBLIC ASSISTANCE FOR MORE THAN 18 MONTHS WILL RECEIVE A SUPPLEMENT TO THEIR MONTHLY ALLOWANCE OF $200 AND SINGLE PERSONS, $100-

* PERSONS OVER 60 RECEIVING ASSISTANCE WHO DO NOT ALSO RECEIVE A DISABILITY OR OLD AGE ALLOWANCE WILL RECEIVE A MONTHLY SUPPLEMENT OF $100 TO HELP WITH THE EXPENSE OF OLD AGE- AND

* THOSE PEOPLE WHO DO NOT HAVE TO REGISTER FOR WORK WITH THE LOCAL EMPLOYMENT SERVICE AS A CONDITION OF RECEIVING ASSISTANCE WILL BE ABLE TO KEEP, AS AN INCENTIVE, HALF THEIR EARNINGS UP TO A MAXIMUM OF $100 IN ALL.

MR. LEE FURTHER REVEALED THAT IT WOULD ALSO BE PROPOSED THAT AT THE SAME TIME THE NON-MEANS TESTED DISABILITY AND OLD AGE ALLOWANCES SHOULD BECOME PAYABLE TO THOSE IN RESIDENTIAL INSTITUTIONS AND THE SOCIAL SECURITY APPEAL BOARDS SHOULD BEGIN OPERATION.

/THE NEXT STEP

WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 9, 1977

2

THE NEXT STEP TO FOLLOW, HE SAID, WOULD BE TO EXTEND THE OLD AGE ALLOWANCE SCHEME TO COVER THOSE AGED 73 - 75.

HE EXPLAINED THAT THIS WOULD BE CARRIED OUT IN TWO STAGES — ONE IN OCTOBER 1978 AND THE OTHER IN APRIL 1979. IN OCTOBER, THE AGE LIMIT WOULD BE LOWERED TO 73 AND IN APRIL 1979 TO 70.

+ IT WOULD NOT BE PRACTICABLE TO AIM TO EXTEND THE SCHEME TO COVER THE LARGE NUMBER ELIGIBLE IN ONE STAGE — THERE ARE ALMOST 150,309 AGED BETWEEN 73 - 75. TO DO SO WOULD BE TO INVITE PRECISELY THE ADMINISTRATIVE DIFFICULTIES WE ARE TRYING TO AVOID,* HE EXPLAINED.

AS REGARDS THE DEVELOPMENT OF SERVICES FOR THE ELDERLY, MR. LEE SAID THAT THERE WOULD BE THE ESTABLISHMENT OF TWO MULTI-SERVICE CENTRES FOR THE ELDERLY, A MODEST INCREASE IN THE NUMBER OF HOME HELPERS, NINE MORE SOCIAL CENTRES AND UP TO 500 MORE PLACES IN HOMES FOR THE AGED INCLUDING CARE AND ATTENTION HOMES AND ANOTHER 593 PLACES IN HOSTELS FOR OLD PEOPLE

+ 1 ALSO HO-’E TO PROVIDE FOR A MODEST MEASURE OF SPECIAL TRANSPORT FOR OLD PEOPLE AND FOR TWO DAY-CARE CENTRES AND TWO HANDICRAFT CENTRES OK AN EXPERIMENTAL BASIS,* HE ADDED.

ON THE DEVELOPMENT OF PERSONAL SOCIAL WORK AMONG YOUTH, MR. LEE SAID THAT THE MAIN THRUST WOULD BE IN THREE AREAS, NAMELY THE EXPANSION IN PLAY LEADERSHIP SCHEMES AND YOUTH GUIDANCE ON A DISTRICT BAS 13= AN EXPANSION IN FAMILY LIFE EDUCATION AND THE DEVELOPMENT OF SCHOOL SOCIAL WORK.

TURNING TO SPECIFIC POINTS RAISED BY THE UNOFFICIAL MEMBERS MR. LEE SAID THAT HE WAS PARTICULAR ENCOURAGED BY THE WELCOME THAT HAD BEEN GIVEN TO THE SICKNESS, INJURY AND DEATH BENEFIT SCHEME AND DISCLOSED THAT AN ACTUARIAL STUDY OF THE SCHEME WAS BEING PUT IN HAND SO THAT MORE DETAILED INFORMATION WOULD BE AVAILABLE WHEN THE GOVERNMENT ASSESSED THE RESPONSE TO THE GREEN PAPER ON SOCIAL SECURITY.

+IF IN THE LIGHT OF THE RESPONSE AND THE STUDY, THE DECISION IS TO GO AHEAD WITH THE SCHEME, A DETAILED DRAFT SCHEME WILL BE PREPARED FOR CONSULTATION WITH EMPLOYERS AND EMPLOYEES ASSOCIATIONS,* HE SAID.

ON CONTRACTING-OUT ARRANGEMENTS, MR. LEE SAID, +IT WOULD BE SIMPLER NOT TO HAVE ANY CONTRACTING-OUT ARRANGEMENTS. BUT I DOUBT WHETHER THAT WOULD BE FAIR TO THOSE FORWARD LOOKING EMPLOYERS, WHO HAVE INTRODUCED THEIR OWN SCHEMES, WHICH MAY BE VALUED BY EMPLOYEES. EMPLOYERS DO NOT HAVE TO CONTRACT-OUT- BUT I BELIEVE THEY SHOULD HAVE THE OPTION.*

HE ALSO SAID THAT IT WAS IMPORTANT TO HAVE ARRANGEMENTS TO SAFEGUARD THE POSITION OF AN EMPLOYEE WHO CHANGED JOBS, AND THAT PROPOSALS WERE MADE IN THE GREEK PAPER TC DEAL WITH THIS ASPECT.

ON THE PROPOSAL TO INCORPORATE A SAVINGS ELEMENT IN THE SCHEME, MR. LEE SAID THAT THE GOVERNMENT aOULD LOOK INTO THIS, BUT HE FEARED THAT IT MIGHT MAKE THE SCHEME UNDULY COMPLEX.

/AS TC CONTRIBUTIONS

WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 9, 1977

- 3 -

AS TO CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE SCHEME, MR. LEE SAID THAT THE GOVERNMENT WOULD EXAMINE THE POSSIBILITY Or ALLOWING EMPLOYEES TO PAY, VOLUNTARILY, A HIGHER CONTRIBUTION, THOUGH WITHOUT ANY MATCHING HIGHER CONTRIBUTION FROM THE EMPLOYER AS PROPOSED IN THE GREEN PAPER.

+ l BELIEVE THAT SOME CONTRIBUTION FROM THE EMPLOYEE IS FUNDAMENTAL TO THE WAY THE SCHEME WOULD WORK- BUT THE GOVERNMENT wILL TAKE CAREFUL NOTE OF WHAT IS SAID ABOUT THE RATE OR CONTRIBUTIONS PAYABLE,+ HE SAID.

+ THE SHAPE THE PROPOSALS ARE TAKING WILL BE DISCUSSED AT AN EARLY STAGE BY THE SOCIAL WELFARE ADVISORY COMMITTEE. THIS WILL ENABLE THE VIEWS OF THE VOLUNTARY SECTION TO BE TAKEN INTO ACCOUNT,* HE STRESSED.

+PRELIMINARY AND INFORMAL DISCUSSIONS BY THE MANAGEMENT REVIEW TEAM WITH THE HONG KONG COUNCIL OF SOCIAL SERVICE ARE IN FACT ALREADY TAKING PLACE,* HE ADDED.

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PROPOSALS FOR DEVELOPMENT OF

EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES BEYOND FORM 3 PUBLISHED IN GREEN PAPER

******

THE GOVERNMENT TODAY PUBLISHED IN A GREEN PAPER PROPOSALS FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES AT ALL LEVELS BEYOND THE NINE-YEAR COURSE OF GENERAL EDUCATION THAT WILL BE MADE AVAILABLE TO ALL FROM SEPTEMBER 1973.

THIS WAS ANNOUNCED IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL THIS AFTERNOON BY THE DIRECTOR OF EDUCATION, THE HON. KENNETH TOPLEY.

SPEAKING AT THE RESUMED ANNUAL POLICY DEBATE, MR. TOPLEY SAID THAT IN FORMULATING ITS PROPOSALS THE GOVERNMENT HAD ENDEAVOURED TO TAKE ACCOUNT OF STUDENT AND PARENTAL PRESSURE FOR PLACES, THE CAPACITY OF THE ECONOMY TO ABSORB HIGHLY-EDUCATED YOUNG PEOPLE AT SALARIES WHICH WILL SATISFY THE RECIPIENTS AND THE PROPORTION OF THE POPULATION WITH THE ABILITY TO MEET THE ACADEMIC REQUIREMENTS OF THE COURSES TO BE PROVIDED.

HE NOTED THAT IT WAS +RIGHT FOR A SUBSTANTIAL PROPORTION OF YOUNG PERSONS TO CONTINUE THEIR POST-FORM 3 EDUCATION CN A PART-TIME BASIS IN CONJUNCTION WITH EMPLOYMENT.* SOME PLACES TOR FORM 3 LEAVERS SHOULD BE PROVIDED ON A PART-TIME DAY OR EVENING BASIS IN TECHNICAL INSTITUTES AND ADULT EDUCATION CENTRES. A DROP OF ABOUT ONE-THIRD OVER 13 YCARS IN THE NUMBER OF 15 YEAR-OLDS BY 1986 wAS ANOTHER SIGNIFICANT FACTOR WHEN CONSIDERING THE PACE OF FUTURE EXPANSION.

/THESE THEMES .VERE.....

WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 9, 1977

4

THESE THEMES WERE TAKEN UP EY THE SECRETARY FOR SOCIAL SERVICES, THE HON. E.P. HO, WHEN DESCRIBING THE GREEN PAPER’S PROPOSALS FOR HIGHER EDUCATION. HE EMPHASISED THAT THE POLICY PUT FORWARD IN THE GREEN PAPER «AS THAT +EXPANSION SHOULD BE KEPT AT A PACE THAT WILL ENABLE ADMISSION STANDARDS TO BE MAINTAINED, GOOD QUALITY FACILITIES TO BE PROVIDED, AND TERTIARY EDUCATION GRADUATES TO HAVE SATISFACTORY PROSPECTS OF FINDING SUITABLE EMPLOYMENT*.

FEATURES OF THE GREEN PAPER

MORE PLACES FOR THOSE COMPLETING FORM 3

THE TARGET FOR SENIOR SECONDARY EDUCATION WILL BE RAISED TO PROVIDE SUFFICIENT SUBSIDISED FORM 4 PLACES, WITH SUBSEQUENT PROGRESSION TO FORM 5, FOR 50 PER CENT OF THE 15-YEAR-OLD POPULATION IN 1981. THIS COMPARES WITH THE 40 PER CENT TARGET IN THE 1974 WHITE PAPER AND THE 17 PER CENT OF THE POPULATION WHO PROCEEDED TO A SUBSIDISED FORM 4 PLACE IN 1977.

TO ACHIEVE THE 50 PER CENT TARGET, THE NUMBER GF PLACES IN EACH OF FORMS 4 AND 5 WILL EE RAISED FROM 19,600 TO 46,800.

THIS WILL BE DONE FIRSTLY BY CONTINUING THE SCHOOL BUILDING PROGRAMME : BETWEEN 1976 AND 1978, 54 NEW SECONDARY SCHOOLS WILL HAVE BEEN OPENED AND A FURTHER 48 WILL BE COMPLETED EY 1981.

SECONDLY, THE FORM 4-5 PLACES IN PRIVATE NON-PROFIT-MAKING SCHOOLS WILL BE BROUGHT INTO THE GOVERNMENT’S SCHEME OF ASSISTANCE AND, AT THE SAME TIME, THE NUMBER OF FORM 4-5 CLASSES IN MANY SUCH SCHOOLS WILL BE INCREASED EY REDUCING THE NUMBER OF FORM 1-3 CLASSES (AS THE POPULATION IN THE YOUNGER AGE GROUP DECLINES).

THERE WILL BE OTHER OPPORTUNITIES FOR THE FORM 3 LEAVER TO CONTINUE HIS EDUCATION WITH ASSISTANCE FROM THE GOVERNMENT.

THE GREEN PAPER NOTES THAT THE GOVERNMENT HAS GIVEN CONSIDERABLE PRIORITY IN RECENT YEARS TO THE BUILDING OF TECHNICAL INSTITUTES, MOST OF WHOSE COURSES ARE DESIGNED FOR THE FORM 3 LEAVER.

THE NEW BAKING WONG TECHNICAL INSTITUTE WHICH OPENED IN 1977 BROUGriT THE NUMBER OF TECHNICAL INSTITUTES UP TO FOUR. BY THE TIME THAT THE KOWLOON TONG TECHNICAL INSTITUTE AND THE ANNEX TO MORRISON HILL TECHNICAL INSTITUTE (BOTH DUE TO BE COMPLETED IN SEPTEMBER 1979) BECOME FULLY OPERATIONAL, THE TECHNICAL INSTITUTES WILL MEET THE EDUCATIONAL DEMAND FROM NEARLY 14 PER CENT OF THE 15-YEAR-OLD POPULATION IN 1981.

/THUS, CONSIDERING .....

WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 9, 1977

5

THUS, CONSIDERING TOGETHER SCHOOLS AND TECHNICAL INSTITUTES, THERE WILL BE SUBSIDISED PLACES FOR SOME 64 PER CENT OF THE 15-YEAR-OLD POPULATION IN 1981 UPON COMPLETING FORM 3.

SOME OF THE REMAINDER OF THE POPULATION WILL OCCUPY OTHER PUBLICLY-PROVIDED PLACES, SUCH AS THOSE ON EVENING COURSES IN THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT’S ADULT EDUCATION CENTRES, IN SPECIAL INSTITUTIONS SUCH AS THE POLICE CADET SCHOOL, IN ENGLISH-SPEAKING SCHOOLS OR IN SCHOOLS PROVIDING SPECIAL EDUCATION.

MOREOVER, SOME STUDENTS MAY CHOOSE TO GO ON AN UNASSISTED BASIS TO INDEPENDENT SCHOOLS, EVEN WHEN SUFFICIENT PUBLICLY-PROVIDED PLACES ARE AVAILABLE.

IN THE PERIOD AFTER 1981 THE NUMBER OF FORM 4-5 PLACES WILL BE HELD CONSTANT, ALTHOUGH THE 15-16 YEAR-OLD POPULATION WILL FALL.

THIS MEANS THAT THERE WILL BE A SUBSIDISED FORM 4 PLACE FOR SOME 63 PER CENT OF THE 16-YEAR-OLD POPULATION IN 1986.

ALSO, IT IS PROPOSED TO BUILD A NEW TECHNICAL INSTITUTE AT TUEN MUN IN THE EARLY 198O’S IF JUSTIFIED BY DEMAND" THIS WOULD MEAN THAT THE PROPORTION OF PLACES AVAILABLE IN TECHNICAL INSTITUTES WOULD RISE TO 20% OF THE AGE-GROUP IN 1986=* SO THAT BY 1986 THERE WILL BE OPPORTUNITIES FOR 83% TO CONTINUE THEIR EDUCATION ON A SUBSIDISED BASIS IN SCHOOLS AND TECHNICAL INSTITUTES AFTER COMPLETING FORM 3, IN ADDITION TO THE OTHER OPPORTUNITIES MENTIONED ABOVE.

THE GREEN PAPER ASSERTS THAT +WITH ALL THESE CONSIDERATIONS IN MIND, IT IS RECKONED THAT DURING THE 1980’3 THERE WILL BE AMPLE PUBLICLY-PROVIDED PLACES IN RELATION TO THE NEEDS OF THE POPULATION IN THE AGE-GROUP.+

SIXTH FORMS

THE GOVERNMENT WILL CONTINUE THE POLICY DERIVED FROM THE 1974 WHITE PAPER OF PROVIDING A SUBSIDISED LOWER FORM 6 PLACE FOR UP TO ONE-THIRD OF STUDENTS ENTERING SUBSIDISED FORM 4 PLACES TWO YEARS PREVIOUSLY, PROVIDED THAT SUFFICIENT STUDENTS ARE FORTHCOMING WHO ARE FITTED FOR THE EXACTING ACADEMIC STANDARDS THAT A SIXTH FORM COURSE REQUIRES.

IT IS PLANNED THAT SIXTH FORM PLACES WILL BE PROVIDED FOR NEARLY 20% OF THE 17-YEAR-OLD POPULATION IN 1986, COMPARED WITH 5-1/2% IN 1977.

THE QUALITY OF SECONDARY EDUCATION

MUCH EMPHASIS WILL BE PLACED ON IMPROVING THE QUALITY OF SECONDARY EDUCATION AT ALL STAGES. THE PLANNED INCREASE IN THE • NUMBER OF FULLY AIDED AND PER CAPUT GRANT SCHOOLS WILL ENABLE STUDENTS TO TAKE THEIR SECONDARY EDUCATION IN SCHOOLS THAT HAVE PURPOSE-BUILT ACCOMMODATION WITH SUFFICIENT WORKSHOP AND LABORATORY FACILITIES, AND THE RESOURCES TO EMPLOY TRAINED TEACHERS OF GOOD CALIBRE.

/EDUCATIONAL TELEVISION

7/EONSSDAY, NOVEMBER 9, 1977

6

EDUCATIONAL TELEVISION WILL EE EXTENDED TO THE SENIOR SECONDARY CURRICULUM, OTHER AUDIO-VISUAL SERVICES WILL BE DEVELOPED AND SCHOOL LIBRARIES EXPANDED AND IMPROVED. MUCH ..EIGHT IS ATTACHED TO THE DEVELOPMENT OF STUDENT GUIDANCE, INCLUDING THE APPOINTMENT OF STUDENT GUIDANCE OFFICERS.

CONSIDERABLE EMPHASIS WILL BE PLACED ON DIVERSIFYING THE CURRICULUM IN FORMS 4-5, IN PARTICULAR TO ENABLE AS MANY STUDENTS AS POSSIBLE TO TAKE A PRACTICAL OR TECHNICAL SUEUECT. A BROADENING OF THE SIXTH FORM CURRICULUM IS ENVISAGED ALSO.

ATTENTION WILL BE GIVEN ALSO TO THE IMPROVEMENT OF TEACHERTRAINING. ENTRANCE STANDARDS AT THE COLLEGES OF EDUCATION WILL EE RAISED AND THE LENGTH OF THE BASIC PRE-SERVICE TRAINING COURSE EXTENDED FROM TWO TO THREE YEARS. COURSES FOR UNTRAINED SERVING TEACHERS WOULD EE EXTENDED ALSO. A SYSTEMATIC PROGRAMME wILL BE DEVELOPED FOR IN-SERVICE RETRAINING OF TEACHERS WHC HAVE BEEN SOME YEARS IN THE SCHOOLS.

UNVERS ITY GRADUATES WHO ENTER THE WILL BE ENCOURAGED TO TAKE A COURSE OF

TERTIARY EDUCATION

THE PROPORTION OF STUDENTS IK THE COURSES OF TERTIARY EDUCATION PROVIDED GOVERNMENT WILL NEARLY DOUBLE OVER THE

TEACHING PROFESSION TEACHER TRAINING.

AGE-CROUP PROCEEDING TO OR WHOLLY SUEVENTED BY NEXT DECADE.

THE POLYTECHNIC, WHICH HAS EXPANDED RAPIDLY IN RECENT YEARS, WILL GROW AT THE RATE OF 5% ANNUALLY OVER THE TRI ENN I UM 1978-81 AND THEREAFTER STABILISE AT A POPULATION OF 12,003 FULL-TIME AND EQUIVALENT PART-TIME, PROVIDING OF A TOTAL OF ABOUT 29,603 STUDENTS BY ALL MODES OF ATTENDANCE.

THE POLYTECHNIC WILL CONTINUE TO BE THE MAIN PROVIDER OF TECHNICIAN LEVEL COURSES, THOUGH SUCH COURSES ARE ALSO PROVIDED IN TECHNICAL INSTITUTES. WHILE INITIALLY THE BULK OF ORDINARY TECHNICIAN PROGRAMMES MUST BE AT THE POLYTECHNIC, DURING 1983’S INCREASED EMPHASIS MIGHT BE PLACED ON HIGHER TECHNICIAN AND TECHNOLOGIST PROGRAMMES, WITH SOME ORDINARY TECHNICIAN PROGRAMMES BEING TAKEN OVER EY THE TECHNICAL INSTITUTES, PROVIDED THAT SUCH A DEVELOPMENT WERE JUSTIFIED BY INDUSTRIAL. MANPOWER REQUIREMENTS.

THE DEVELOPMENT OF CREDIT UNIT PROGRAMMES OF STUDY WILL ENHANCE MOBl_ITY BETWEEN TECHNICAL INSTITUTES AND THE POLYTECHNIC. THE RANGE OF COURSES PROVIDED AT THE POLYTECHNIC a ILL EE BROADENED AS IT ASSUMES RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE TRAINING OF PERSONNEL FOR VARIOUS PROFESSIONS RELATED TO THE MEDICAL AND SOCIAL WORK SERVICES.

IT IS PREPARED THAT THE COMBINED STUDENT POPULATION CF THE UNIVERSITIES SHOULD GROW FROM THE TARGET CF 8,850 IN THE CURRENT ACADEMIC YEAR TO IN EXCESS OF 12,330 BY THE "ID 1983’S, WITH THE PROPORTION OF THE RELEVANT POPULATION WHO RECEIVE A UNIVERSITY cOUCAT I ON B z I . G KxnF.L Y .. I - - ..HAT IT 13 I >. ±977—73. THE NEa MEDICAL SCHOOL AT THE Cnll.ESE UNIVERSITY AND FhE DENTAL SCHOOL AT -.ONG KONG UNIVERSITY REPRESENT MAJOR DEVELOPMENTS DURING ThIS PER IOD.

A’EDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 9, 1977

7

THE COLLEGES REGISTERED UNDER THE POST SECONDARY COLLEGES ORDINANCE WILL REMAIN AS PRIVATE INSTITUTIONS, BUT THE GOVERNMENT WI_L CONTINUE THE LIMITED SCHEME GF ASSISTANCE FOR NEEDY STUDENTS WITH THE UNAVOIDABLY HIGH TUITION FEES A COLLEGE MUST CHARGE IF IT IS TO MAINTAIN EXISTING FACILITIES.

ADULT EDUCATION

THE GOVERNMENT WILL ALSO GIVE ATTENTION TO RAISING THE QUALITY OF ADULT EDUCATION.

IT BELIEVES THAT THE APPROPRIATE FIRST STAGE OF DEVELOPMENT IS TO IMPROVE THE OPERATING STANDARDS OF COURSES PROVIDED BY THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT’S ADULT EDUCATION SECTION, BY PROVIDING STUDENTS .. I TH ACCESS TC LABORATORIES AND OTHER SPECIAL ROOMS, BY ESTABLISHING A SMALL SPECIALIST TEAM FOR ADULT EDUCATION WITHIN THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT, AND BY STRENGTHENING THE ADMINISTRATION OF ADULT EDUCATION COURSES.

THE NEED TO ASSIST VOLUNTARY AGENCIES WITH SELECTED ACTIVITIES WILL EE CONSIDERED ALSO.

PUBLIC COMMENT

THE GOVERNMENT HOPES THAT THE GREEN PAPER WILL Et READ WIDELY AND THAT ALL THOSE WITH AN INTEREST IN THE SUBJECT -WHETHER FOR OR AGAINST THE PROPOSALS IN THE GREEN PAPER - w ILL MAKE THEIR VIEWS KNOWN.

COMMENTS SHOULD BE SENT BY THE END OF FEBRUARY 1978 TO:

THE SECRETARY FOR SOCIAL SERVICES CENTRAL GOVERNMENT OFFICES (MAIN WING), LOWER ALBERT ROAD, HONG KONG.

COPIES OF THE ENGLISH AND CHINESE VERSIONS OF THE GREEN PAPER AND OF A SUMMARY LEAFLET IN CHINESE MAY BE OBTAINED FROM THE ABOVE ADDRESS.

ALSO PUBLISHED TODAY IS THE REPORT OF THE WORKING PARTY ON SELECTION AND ALLOCATION FOR POST-FORM 3 EDUCATION.

MR. TOPLEY TOLD THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL +THAT THE COMMENTS AND SUGGESTIONS MADE IN THIS REPORT WERE ARRIVED AT COMPLETELY INDEPENDENTLY AND WITHOUT KNOWLEDGE OF THE PROPOSALS MADE IN THE GREEN PAPER.+

HE CONGRATULATED MEMBERS OF THE WORKING PARTY ON THE THOROUGHNESS wITH WHICH THEY HAVE TACKLED A COMPLEX PROBLEM.

The DIRECTOR SAID: +THE RECOMMENDATIONS ARE MOST RELEVANT TO THOSE O' THE GREEN PAPER AND DISCUSSION 0- BOTH REPORTS MUST GO IN STEP.+

PUBLIC CCVMENTS ON THE FORKING -'ARTY REPORT SHOULD BE SENT BY THE END OF DECEMBER 1^77 iC:

/THE DIRECTOR OF ......

WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 9, •’Q"" - 8 -

THE DIRECTOR OF EDUCATION,

ATTENTION: SENIOR EDUCATION OFFICER PLANNING), EDUCATION DEPARTMENT, LEE GARDENS, 3RD FLOOR, HYSAN AVENUE, HONG KONG.

FEATURES OF THE WORKING PARTY’S REPORT

THE 1974 w'HITE PAPER ENVISAGED THAT, FOLLOWING THE ACHIEVEMENT OF 130% PROVISION OF JUNIOR SECONDARY PLACES AND THE ABOLITION OF THE SECONDARY SCHOOL ENTRANCE EXAMINATION (SSEE), A NEW °UBLIC EXAMINATION, THE HONG KONG JUNIOR CERTIFICATE OF EDUCATION, WOULD BE HELD AT THE END OF FORM 3 (FOR PUPILS NOT REQUIRED TO SIT FOR THE SSEE) FIRSTLY TO PROVIDE EVIDENCE OF SATISFACTORY COMPLETION CF FORM 3 AND SECONDLY, TO SELECT AND ALLOCATE PUPILS FOR FORM 4-5 PLACES IN THE PUBLIC SECTOR, wHICH WOULD EE PROVIDED FOR 40% OF THE 15-16 AGE GROUPS.

THE WORKING PARTY EXAMINED THE ADVANTAGES AND DISADVANTAGES CF VARIOUS METHODS OF SELECTION, RANGING FROM SCALED INTERNAL ASSESSMENTS TO A FULL PUBLIC EXAMINATION IN ALL SUBJECTS.

ASSUMING THE INEVITABILITY OF SELECTION AND CONSIDERING THAT THE PROCEDURE TO BE ADOPTED MUST BE AS FAIR AS POSSIBLE AND MUST HAVE THE LEAST BACKWASH EFFECT ON THE CURRICULUM, AN EXAMINATION IN CHINESE, ENGLISH AND MATHEMATICS, THE RESULTS OF WHICH SHOULD BE COMBINED WITH SCHOOL ASSESSMENTS SCALED BY THE SAME EXAMINATION, IS PREFERRED BY A MAJORITY OF MEMBERS OF THE WORKING PARTY.

THE MEMBERS OF THE WORKING PARTY RECOMMEND THAT INITIALLY THE EXAMINATION SHOULD BE GIVEN A HEAVIER WEIGHTING, AND THAT THIS WEIGHTING SHOULD BE PERIODICALLY REDUCED UNTIL THE EXAMINATION AND THE SCALED SCHOOL ASSESSMENTS COUNT EQUALLY.

DETAILS ARE LEFT TO THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT AND IT IS SUGGESTED THAT RESEARCH SHOULD BE INITIATED INTO THE RELATIVE MERITS OF DIFFERENT TYPES OF TESTS OR COMBINATIONS OF TESTS WHICH WILL GIVE THE BEST POSSIBLE RESULTS.

THE REPORT ALSO RECOMMENDS TERRITORY-WIDE ALLOCATION AND THE INTRODUCTION OF +FEEDER-SCHOOL+ ARRANGEMENTS SIMILAR TO THOSE IN THE 1978 PRIMARY 6/FORM 1 ALLOCATION SYSTEM SO THAT, AS FAR AS POSSIBLE, PUPILS SELECTED TO PROCEED TO FORM 4 WOULD BE ALLOWED TO DO SO IN THEIR OWN SCHOOLS.

ON THE QUESTION OF CERTIFICATION, THE REPORT RECOMMENDS THAT THE JUNIOR CERTIFICATE OF EDUCATION SHOULD BE AWARDED TO ALL FORM 3 LEAVERS WHO PARTICIPATE IN THE SELECTION AND ALLOCATION SYSTEM, AND THAT WHILE THE ISSUING AUTHORITY SHOULD BE THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT, ALLOWANCE SHOULD BE MADE IN THE CERT irICATE.FOR THE HEAD OF SCHOOL TO RECORD HIS/HER OBSERVATIONS OF THE PUPIL’S CHARACTER, POTENTIAL AND NON-ACADEMIC ACHIEVEMENTS.

/THE REPORT MAKES .....

WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 9, 1977

9

THE REPORT MAKES IT CLEAR THAT THE SUBJECT OF SELECTION AND ALLOCATION FOR POST-FORM 3 EDUCATION IS A CONTROVERSIAL ONE, AND THAT THE WORKING PARTY DID NOT REACH AGREEMENT ON ALL THE MATTERS DISCUSSED. THE QUESTIONS WHETHER THERE SHOULD BE SELECTION AT ALL, AND IF SO, WHETHER A PROVISION RATE OF 40% IS ADEQUATE, ARE ONES ON WHICH THERE WERE CONSIDERABLE DIFFERENCES OF OPINION.

A NUMBER OF MEMBERS PUT FORWARD ALTERNATIVE PROPOSALS OUTSIDE THE CONTEXT OF THE 1974 WHITE PAPER. AMONG THESE PROPOSALS ARE:

* TEN YEARS OF SUBSIDISED EDUCATION FOR ALL WHO WANT IT, INVOLVING NO SELECTION®

M FIVE YEARS OF ASSISTED SECONDARY EDUCATION FOR ALL WHO WANT IT BY UTILISING BOUGHT PLACES IN PRIVATE INDEPENDENT SCHOOLS, ALSO INVOLVING NO SELECTION- AND

* INCREASING THE PERCENTAGE OF FULLY-SUBSIDISED FORMS 4-5 PLACES TO AN ACCEPTABLE FIGURE AND PROVIDING MORE ATTRACTIVE FORMS OF CAREER-ORIENTATED EDUCATION FOR OTHER FORM 3 LEAVERS, WHICH IMPLIES THAT SELECTION AT THE END OF FORM 3 IS NECESSARY AND DESIRABLE.

THE WORKING PARTY POINTS OUT THAT THE MEMBERS WHO MADE THESE PROPOSALS HOPE THAT THERE WILL BE AN INFORMED PUBLIC DEBATE ON THE QUESTION OF PROVISION FOLLOWING THE ISSUE OF THE REPORT AND THAT THE GOVERNMENT WILL GIVE THEIR PROPOSALS CAREFUL CONSIDERATION WHEN THE WHITE PAPER ON SENIOR SECONDARY AND TERTIARY EDUCATION IS DRAFTED.

THE 26-MEMBER WORKING PARTY, CHAIRED BY THE DEPUTY DIRECTOR OF EDUCATION, MR. COLVYN HAYE, CONSISTED OF HEADS AND TEACHERS OF SCHOOLS OF ALL KINDS AND OFFICERS OF THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT.

AN EDUCATION DEPARTMENT SPOKESMAN SAID THAT PRIMARY 6

PUPILS TAKING THE ACADEMIC APTITUDE TEST IN DECEMBER THIS YEAR WOULD BE INFORMED OF THE DEPARTMENT’S DECISION BY APRIL 1978 AS ANY SELECTION AND ALLOCATION PROCEDURE FOR POST-FORM 3 EDUCATION TO BE ADOPTED MIGHT HAVE A BEARING ON THEIR CHOICE OF SECONDARY SCHOOLS.

NOTE TO EDITORS:

MR. TOPLEY WILL BE PLEASED TO ANSWER QUESTIONS ON THE GREEN PAPER AND THE WORKING PARTY’S REPORT AT A PRESS CONFERENCE TO BE HELD AT 11 A.M. TOMORROW (THURSDAY) IN THE CONFERENCE ROOM OF THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT, LEE GARDENS, 3RD FLOOR, HYSAN AVENUE, HONG KONG.

YOU ARE INVITED TO HAVE THE PRESS CONFERENCE COVERED.

PRESS AND MEDIA REPRESENTATIVES ARE ADVISED TO BRING WITH THEM COPIES OF THE GREEN PAPER AND THE WORKING PARTY’S REPORT DISTRIBUTED TODAY BY THE GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES. SINCE THERE IS A LIMITED SUPPLY OF THE TWO DOCUMENTS, EXTRA COPIES WILL NOT BE AVAILABLE AT THE PRESS CONFERENCE.

/1O......

WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 9, 1977

10

REHABILITATION DEVELOPMENT PLANS REVEALED *****

A CENTRAL HEALTH UNIT, A COMPREHENSIVE OBSERVATION SCHEME AND EXPERIMENTAL DAY CENTRES FOR THE SEVERELY MENTALLY RETARDED a ILL BE SET IP BEFORE THE END OF NEXT FISCAL YEAR.

THESE ARE AMONG THE MANY DEVELOPMENTS IN THE REHABILITATION FIELD REVEALED BY THE SECRETARY FCR THE SOCIAL SERVICES, THE HCN. E.P. HC IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY.

SPEAKING AT THE COUNCIL’S ANNUAL POLICY DEBATE, MR. HO SAID THE EXPERIMENTAL DAY CENTRES WOULD EE ESTABLISHED BY THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT IN CONJUNCTION WITH THREE VOLUNTARY AGENCIES BEFORE THE END OF MARCH NEXT YEAR.

+ IN THE MEANTIME WORK HAS DEEN IN PROGRESS, EVEN BEFORE THE PUBLICATION OF THE WHITE PAPER, ON THE CONSTRUCTION OF THE PSYCHIATRIC W ING OF 1,304 BEDS AT PRINCESS MARGARET HOSPITAL, AND THE PROVISION OF 288 EEDS FCR THE SE' ERELY "ENTALLY RETARDED WITHIN THE CARITAS MEDICAL CENTRE EXTENSION jOHE.-E.

+THESE PROJECTS ARE DUE FOR CO PLETICN IN 19S3 AND 1978 RESPECTIVELY.+

MR. HO NOTED THAT DURING 1978/79 THE MEDICAL AND HEALTH DEPARTMENT WILL BE SETTING UP A CENTRAL HEALTH EDUCATION UNIT TO IMPROVE FURTHER THE PREVENTIVE HEALTH SERVICES- A COMPREHENSIVE OBSERVATION SCHEME TO PROVIDE ROUTINE OESEDVATICN FOR ALL INFANTS AGED BELOW FIVE YEARS AND AN ORTHOPTIC UNIT TO TREAT DEFECTIVE EYE MOVEMENTS.

HE ALSO REVEALED THAT A DETAILED EXAMINATION OF THE PROBLEMS INVOLVED IN TRANSFERRING RESPONSIBILITY FOE PRE-VOCATIONAL AND VOCATIONAL TRAINING FCR THE DISABLED FROM THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT TO THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT WILL BEGIN LATER THIS MONTH.

+UNLESS THERE ARE UNFORESEEN DIFFICULTIES THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT WILL ALSO ASSUME RESPONSIBILITY FCR SUBVENTING MENTALLY HANDICAPPED CHILDREN’S CENTRES FROM APRIL 1973.+

THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT * ILL ALSO ASSUME DIRECT RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE PROVISION OF BRAILLE TEXTBOOKS IN BOTH CHINESE AND ENGLISH FROM APRIL NEXT YEAR.

IN THE FIELD OF SPECIAL EDUCATION, MR. HO SAID VISION SCREENING WOULD EE EXTENDED TO ALL PRIMARY ONE STUDENTS IN 1978. OTHER SCREENING SERVICES AND GROUP TESTING PROGRAMMES WILL BE EXPANDED TC COVER ALL PRIMARY STUDENTS AS QUICKLY AS RESOURCES PERMIT.

IN ADDITION, HE EXPECTED THAT BEFORE THE END CF THIS YEAR THE DATA PROCESSING DIVISION WILL COMPLETE A STUDY CN THE BEST FORM IN aHICH STATISTICS ON THE DISAElED ShQUlD BE COLLECTED AND COLLATED.

/REGARDING THS

WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 9, 1977

11

REGARDING THE PLANNING GF MULTI-DISCIPLINARY CENTRES, MR. HO SAID, HIS PRINCIPAL ASSISTANT SECRETARY RESPONSIBLE FCR REHABILITATION WAS CURRENTLY VISITING SOME SUCH CENTRES IN WEST GERMANY WHICH WERE BELIEVED TO BE THE MOST ADVANCED IN THE WORLD.

+ON HIS RETURN HE WILL BE REPORTING ON HOW SIMILAR CENTRES MIGHT BE OPERATED AND ADMINISTERED HERE HAVING REGARD TO OUR DISTINCTIVE CIRCUMSTANCES,* HE ADDED.

REPLYING TO POINTS RAISED BY DR. THE HON. HARRY FANG IN THE DEBATE, MR. HO SAID THE ROLE OF THE REHABILITATION UNIT NEWLY SET U? .-. ITHIN HIS BRANCH ..AS PRIMARILY TO CO-ORDINATE GOVERNMENT’S POLICIES AND PLANNING OBJECTIVES IN A RANGE O'7 ACTIVITIES wHICri CROSS SEVERAL DEPARTMENTAL BOUNDARIES.

+IN ORDER THAT THIS AIM IS ACHIEVED, IT IS NOT INTENDED THAT THIS SMALL UNIT SHOULD BE GIVEN EXECUTIVE FUNCTIONS WHICH MUST REMAIN WITH THE DEPARTMENTS. ACCORDINGLY, IT WOULD NOT BE APPROPRIATE TO CONFER THE TITLE OF COMMISSIONER ON THE OFFICER IN CHARGE OF THE UNIT,* HE SAID.

MR. HC ALSO ASSURED REV. THE HON. JOYCE M. BENNETT THAT HER SUGGESTIONS FOR RE-EXAMINATION OF NEW CODES OF AID FOR SPECIAL EDUCATION IN PARTICULAR THOSE PROVISIONS RELATING TO STAFF, ESTABLISHMENT AND GRADING WOULD BE CONSIDERED BY A SMALL WORKING GROUP WITHIN THE GOVERNMENT TO EXAMINE WHETHER SUBVENTION PROCEDURES TO SPECIAL SCHOOLS COULD EE STREAMLINED WITHIN EXPANDED CODES OF AID.

ON THE NEED FOR SUITABLY QUALIFIED AND TRAINED STAFF TO MEET NEEDS OF THE REHABILITATION PLAN AND OTHER SPHERES OF SOCIAL WELFARE SERVICES, HE SAID PENDING THE DETAILED STUDY BY THE REHABILITATION DEVELOPMENT CO-ORDINATING COMMITTEE OF THE TRAINING AND MANPOWER NEEDS FOR REHABILITATION WORK AND THE CONCLUSIONS OF THE REVIEWS BY THE DIRECTOR OF SOCIAL WELFARE, PROJECTIONS OF MANPOWER REQUIREMENTS ARISING FROM NEW DEVELOPMENTS IN THESE VARIOUS FIELDS CAN ONLY BE ROUGH APPROXIMATIONS.

TURNING TO EDUCATION, MR. HO SAID BECAUSE OF THE WANT OF ACADEMIC AND TECHNICAL PERSONNEL, IT WOULD NOT EE FEASIBLE TO INTRODUCE AN OPEN UNIVERSITY SYSTEM IN HONG KONG.

HOWEVER, HE SAID, AN ALTERNATIVE SCHEME FOR WHICH THERE *OULD SEEM TO BE SCOPE WAS A PILOT PROGRAMME OF PART-TIME DEGREES DESIGNED FOR MATURE STUDENTS RATHER THAN SCHOOL LEAVERS.

ON THE GROWTH OF HIGHER EDUCATION, HE SAID THE GOVERNMENT PROPOSED THAT THE TWO UNIVERSITIES SHOULD GROW BY THREE PER CENT ANNUALLY AND IT ENVISAGED THAT THIS RATE OF EXPANSION WOULD BE MAINTAINED IN THE FOLLOWING PERIOD SO THAT UNIVERSITY STUDENT POPULATION WOULD EXCEED 12,003 BY THE MID 1930’S.

HE SAID THE POLYTECHNIC /.AS PLANNED TO REACH A STUDENT NUMBER TARGET OF 11,400 FULL-TIME AND EQUIVALENT PART TIME BY 1930-31 AND THE GOVERNMENT PROPOSED THAT IT SHOULD THEREAFTER BE STABILISED AT A POPULATION OF 12,300 FULL-TIME AND EQUIVALENT PART-TIME.

/MP. HO ALSO POINTED .....

WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 9, 1977

12

MR. HO ALSO POINTED OUT THAT THE OPPORTUNITIES TO ENTER TERTIARY EDUCATION WILL BE IMPROVED BY THE SUBSTANTIAL DECLINE IN THE 17 TO 19 YEARS OLD POPULATION.

THE FIRST YEAR PLACES AT THE UNIVERSITIES AND THE POLYTECHNIC WILL INCREASE FROM ABOUT 13 PER CENT OF THE RELEVANT POPULATION IN 1977 TO NEARLY 23 PER CENT BY 1986.

HE NOTED THAT THE PRIORITY GIVEN BY THE GOVERNMENT TO THE DEVELOPMENT OF HIGHER EDUCATION IS EVIDENT FROM ITS EXPENDITURE HAVING RISEN FROM C33 MILLION IN 1965-66, WHEN THE UNIVERSITY GRANTS COMMITTEE CAME INTO BEING, TO A PROVISION OF MORE THAN 6350 MILLION IN 1977-78 ESTIMATES.

ON THE TURNOVER OF DOCTORS IN PUBLIC SERVICE, MR. HO SAID RECORDS SHOWED THAT THERE WAS AN AVERAGE ANNUAL TURNOVER OF ABOUT 13 PER CENT OVER THE LAST FIVE YEARS.

HE NOTED THAT FOR AN ESTABLISHMENT OF DOCTORS WHOSE SERVICES ARE IN STRONG DEMAND, THIS TURNOVER RATE CANNOT BE CONSIDERED TO BE EXCESS IVE.

HE SAID IN VIEW OF THE FACT THAT THE REWARDS TO DOCTORS IN PRIVATE PRACTICE WERE MUCH GREATER, GOVERNMENT DOCTORS HAD ASKED FOR CERTAIN IMPROVEMENTS IN THEIR CONDITIONS OF SERVICE, PROMOTION PROSPECTS, SPECIALIST TRAINING OPPORTUNITIES, ARRANGEMENTS FOR OVERSEAS STUDY LEAVE AND SOME OTHER FRINGE BENEFITS.

THESE REQUESTS, HE SAID, WERE BEING LOOKED INTO AND HE HOPED THAT SOME IMPROVEMENTS COULD BE MADE QUITE SOON.

MR. HO ALSO REVEALED THAT LEGISLATION ON PROFESSIONS SUPPLEMENTARY TO MEDICINE WAS BEING DRAFTED AND IT SHOULD BE POSSIBLE TO INTRODUCE A BILL INTO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL DURING THE CURRENT SESSION.

/13

WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 9, 1977

- 13 -

TECHNICAL EDUCATION

COMMITTEE TO BE ESTABLISHED * * * * W

STEPS HAVE ALREADY BEEN TAKEN - SEPARATE FROM PROPOSALS IN THE GREEN PAPER ON SENIOR SECONDARY AND TERTIARY EDUCATION -TO ESTABLISH A TECHNICAL EDUCATION COMMITTEE OF THE BOARD OF EDUCATION, THE DIRECTOR OF EDUCATION, THE HON. KENNETH TOPLEY SAID IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL THIS AFTERNOON.

HE WAS SPEAKING IN THE DEBATE ON THE GOVERNOR’S ADDRESS IN RE°LY TO A POINT RAISED BY DR. THE HON. S.Y. CHUNG WHO STRESSED THE NEED FOR GREATER CO-ORDINATION OF TECHNICAL EDUCATION PROGRAMMES.

MR. TOPLEY SAID: +ALL THAT IS NOW REQUIRED IS FINAL AGREEMENT AS TO ITS COMPOSITION.

+IN THE MEANTIME I HAVE SET UP A DEPARTMENTAL COMMITTEE WHICH IS ALREADY PREPARING MATERIAL FOR SUBMISSION TO THE BOARD OF EDUCATION COMMITTEE WHEN IT IS CONVENED.+

HE STATED THAT MUCH ATTENTION WAS GIVEN IN THE GREEN PAPER TO IMPROVING THE QUALITY OF SECONDARY EDUCATION AND MAKING IT SUITABLE TO CURRENT AND FUTURE NEEDS.

+IT IS INTENDED THAT AS MANY STUDENTS AS POSSIBLE SHALL HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO STUDY A TECHNICAL SUBJECT AT FORMS 4 AND 5 LEVEL. THE NEW SCHOOLS WHICH ARE BEING BUILT WILL HAVE SUFFICIENT LABORATORY AND WORKSHOP FACILITIES FOR THE PURPOSE.

+IT IS PROPOSED TO PROVIDE FUNDS FOR CONVERSIONS IN EXISTING SCHOOLS TO ENABLE TECHNICAL SUBJECTS TO BE DEVELOPED. CENTRAL WORKSHOPS WILL BE PIONEERED ON A PILOT BASIS FOR THE PARTICULAR USE OF THOSE SCHOOLS WHICH HAVE INSUFFICIENT SPACE TO DEVELOP FACILITIES FOR TECHNICAL EDUCATION,+ MR. TOPLEY SAID.

MOST IMPORTANT OF ALL, MR. TOPLEY SAID, THE QUALITY OF TEACHING MUST IMPROVE AND IT WAS PROPOSED THAT THE STANDARD COURSE AT COLLEGES OF EDUCATION SHOULD BE LENGTHENED FROM TWO YEARS TO THREE YEARS.

+COURSES OF IN-SERVICE TRAINING OF TEACHERS HAVE BEEN A FEATURE OF OUR ARRANGEMENTS FOR KEEPING TEACHERS UP-TO-DATE. IT IS NOW PROPOSED TO INTRODUCE REGULAR COURSES OF REFRESHER TRAINING DURING A TEACHER’S CAREER.

+IF THESE PROPOSALS ARE ADOPTED IT WILL NOT BE POSSIBLE, AS HAS BEEN SUGGESTED BY MR. ALEX WU, TO USE THE PREMISES OF ONE OF THE COLLEGES OF EDUCATION AS AN INTERIM HOME FOR A PROFESSIONAL ARTS TRAINING CENTRE,* MR. TOPLEY POINTED OUT.

HOWEVER, HE SAID, MR. WU WOULD EE INTERESTED TO NOTE THAT IT WAS ALSO PROPOSED TO DEVELOP MUSIC AT THE SENIOR SECONDARY LEVEL.

/SPEAKING BRIEFLY

WEDNESDAY, N0V3-GE? 9, 197

SPEAKING BRIEFLY ON THE BUILDING PROGRAMME, THE DIRECTOR SAID THAT PUTTING ASIDE FOR THE MOMENT THE 18 ADDITIONAL SCHOOLS REFERRED TO BY THE GOVERNOR, 54 OF THE NEW SCHOOLS PLANNED WOULD BE IN OPERATION BY 1978, AND THE REMAINING 30 TO BE COMPLETED BY 1981.

+0F THESE 84 SCHOOLS, 16 WILL BE ON HONG KONG ISLAND, 17 IN KOWLOON AND 51 IN THE NEW TERRITORIES, CHIEFLY IN THE NEW TOWNS. THE ADDITIONAL 18 SCHOOLS wILL ALL BE ON THE MAINLAND, THE MAJORITY OF THEM AGAIN BEING BUILT IN THE NEW TERRITCRIES.

♦THE RESULTS OF THIS PROGRAMME WILL BE THAT THE NUMBER OF BOUGHT PLACES IN THE INDEPENDENT SCHOOLS WILL BE REDUCED AND REGIONAL DISTRIBUTION OF SCHOOLS WILL BE GREATLY IMPROVED. THE ADDITIONAL 18 SCHOOLS WILL ALSO ENABLE US TO REDUCE THE DEGREE OF ASYMMETRY IN THE NON-PROFIT-MAKING PRIVATE SCHOOLS WHO WILL THUS BE ABLE TO OFFER PLACES ABOVE THE FORM 3 LEVEL TO A HIGHER PROPORTION OF THEIR OWN PUPILS, AND WILL ALSO ENABLE US TO ACHIEVE 50 PER CENT PROVISION OF PUBLIC SECTOR PLACES IN FORMS 4 TO 5.+

MR. TOPLEY SAID THAT HIS POWERS TO COMPEL ATTENDANCE AT SCHOOL WOULD BE EXTENDED TO COVER BY 1980 ALL CHILDREN UP TO THE IR 15TH BIRTHDAY.

♦THIS MEANS THAT FROM 1980 IF I CONSIDER ANY PARENT OF A CHILD UNDER 15 YEARS OF AGE TO BE KEEPING THAT CHILD FROM ATTENDING SCHOOL WITHOUT REASONABLE EXCUSE I SHALL, AFTER INVESTIGATION OF THE CIRCUMSTANCES, SERVE AN ATTENDANCE ORDER UPON THE PARENT REQUIRING HIM TO HAVE HIS CHILD ATTEND A SCHOOL NAMED BY ME.

♦ANY CHILDREN WHO HOWEVER HAVE COMPLETED THE FORM 3 COURSE BEFORE THEIR 15TH BIRTHDAY WILL NOT BE COMPELLED TO CONTINUE AT SCHOOL.+

HE ADDED: +AS SOME MEMBERS HAVE REMARKED, THE POSSESSION OF THE POWERS AND MY USE OF THEM HAVE BY NO MEANS COMPLETELY ELIMINATED NON-ATTENDANCE IN THE PRIMARY SECTOR.

♦I TAKE THIS POINT, AND I AM ESPECIALLY AWARE OF THE PROBLEM OF THE CHILDREN OF THE BOAT PEOPLE. I HAVE RECENTLY INITIATED A STUDY OF THE PROBLEM OF THIS SECTION OF OUR COMMUNITY. FROM WHAT WE KNOW, HOWEVER, THE PROBLEM IS LARGELY ONE OF RESETTLEMENT.

♦WHILE A PROPORTION OF THESE PEOPLE CONTINUE TO LIVE IN PERIPATETIC HOMES, IT WILL REMAIN WELL-NIGH IMPOSSIBLE TO ENSURE PROPER SCHOOL ATTENDANCE BY THEIR CHILDREN.

♦THERE WILL ALSO BE PROBLEMS WITH CHILDREN IN THE REMOTE AREAS WHO WILL HAVE CONSIDERABLE TRANSPORT PROBLEMS.

♦I FORESEE THAT GENERALLY THE ’ENFORCEMENT’ OF ATTENDANCE COULD WELL cE MORE DIFFICULT AT THE SECONDARY, OR 13-14 YEARS, LEVEL. TO ASSIST ME IN THIS MATTER I AM SEEKING APPROVAL FOR THE ESTABLISHMENT WITHIN THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT OF STUDENT GUIDANCE OFFICER POSTS WHICH WILL HAVE AS PART OF THEIR DUTIES INVESTIGATION OF CASES OF NON-ATTENDANCE.

/+ANOT"ER FEATURE .....

'WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 9, 1977

15

+ANCTHER FEATURE OF COMPULSORY EDUCATION, WHICH HAS ALSO BEEN MENTIONED BY MEMBERS, IS THE NEED TO AVOID CAUSING HARDSHIP AMONG THE LESS WELL-OFF IN THE COMMUNITY.

+THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT WILL, OF COURSE, CONTINUE IN DEALING WITH CASES OF NON-ATTENDANCE AT SCHOOL TO SEEK THE ASSISTANCE OF THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT WHICH IS IN A POSITION TO HELP IN CASES OF GENUINE HARDSHIP.+

ON THE NEED FOR FLEXIBILITY IN THE LABOUR LEGISLATION PROHIBITING EMPLOYMENT OF THOSE UNDER 15 YEARS OF AGE, MR. TOPLEY SAID THAT HE AND THE COMMISSIONER FOR LABOUR, AFTER CLOSE CONSULTATION, HAD CONCLUDED THAT IT WOULD NOT BE PRACTICABLE, IN THE CONDITIONS OF HONG KONG, TO PROHIBIT ALL KINDS OF WORK TO THE UNDER 15’S.

+SOME FORMS OF WORK SHOULD STILL BE ALLOWED, PROVIDED A CHILD’S SCHOOLING IS NOT ADVERSELY AFFECTED. WE ARE NOW IN THE PROCESS OF PREPARING OUR RESPECTIVE LEGISLATION ACCORDINGLY. THE TYPES OF WORK ALLOWED, AND THE AMOUNTS PERMITTED, WILL REQUIRE UNAMBIGUOUS DEFINITION, AND MEASURES OF EFFECTIVE CONTROL, BY BOTH THE EDUCATION AND LABOUR DEPARTMENTS, WILL REQUIRE TO BE CAREFULLY FORMULATED,+ MR. TOPLEY STRESSED.

CLARIFYING BRIEFLY WHAT IS MEANT BY ABOLITION OF FEES, MR. TOPLEY SAID THAT +FROM SEPTEMBER 1978 ALL STANDARD FEES IN FORMS 1 TO 3 IN ALL GOVERNMENT AND AIDED SCHOOLS WILL BE DONE AWAY WITH. FROM THE SAME DATE THE GOVERNMENT WILL MEET THE ENTIRE FEES CHARGED IN BOUGHT PLACES IN FORMS 1 TO 3 IN PRIVATE SCHOOLS.

+AS MANY MEMBERS WILL APPRECIATE THAT IS NOT THE WHOLE STORY. THERE ARE IN OUR AIDED SCHOOLS CERTAIN CHARGES UPON THE PUPILS, NORMALLY REFERRED TO AS ’TONG FAI’ OR SUBSCRIPTIONS, WHICH ARE GAZETTED AS PART OF THE APPROVED INCLUSIVE FEE. REVENUE FROM THESE ADDITIONAL CHARGES IS USED TO PAY FOR SUCH ITEMS AS REPAYMENT OF LOANS, THE SCHOOLS’ PORTIONS OF THE COST OF MAJOR REPAIRS AND THE PROVISION OF ADDITIONAL EDUCATIONAL, CULTURAL AND RECREATIONAL FACILITIES.

+THE QUESTION OF 'TONG FAI’ OR SUBSCRIPTIONS IS A FAIRLY COMPLICATED ONE AND IS STILL BEING STUDIED. IT IS, HOWEVER, THE INTENTION OF THE GOVERNMENT THAT IT SHOULD NOW MEET, IN THE JUNIOR SECONDARY SECTOR, THE COSTS OF PROVIDING A REASONABLE LEVEL OF EDUCATION AT PRESENT BEING PAID FOR OUT OF ’TONG FAI’ OR SUBSCRIPTION ACCOUNTS.

+TC THIS END A REVIEW OF THOSE ACCOUNTS IS BEING CONDUCTED AND CONSULTATION WITH THE GRANT AND SUBSIDISED SECONDARY SCHOOL COUNCILS IS ALREADY TAKING PLACE.

+THERE ARE CLEARLY GOING TO BE SOME DEMARCATION PROELEMS IN ESTABLISHING WHAT IS ESSENTIAL FOR A REASONABLE LEVEL OF PROVISION, BUT LINES WILL NEED TO BE DRAWN IF PUBLIC FUNDS ARE TO BE PROPERLY AND PRUDENTLY SPENT. AGREEMENTS WILL ALSO HAVE TO BE REACHED WITH THE PRIVATE SCHOOLS ABOUT WHAT ARE REASONABLE FEE LEVELS AND AGAIN LINES «ILL REQUIRE TO EE DRAWN.*

/ON THE APPOINTMENT .....

WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 9, 1977

16

ON THE APPOINTMENT OF TWO WORKING PARTIES - ONE TO REVIEW PRE-PRIMARY AND THE OTHER PRIMARY EDUCATION - UNDER THE GUIDANCE CF A STEERING COMMITTEE, MR. TOPLEY SAID THAT AT THE FIRST MEETING OF THE STEERING COMMITTEE ON OCTOBER 19 IT WAS ACCEPTED THAT THERE WAS A NEED FOR SOME JOINT MEETINGS OF THE WORKING PARTIES AND FOR THE WORKING PARTY ON PRIMARY EDUCATION TO EXTEND ITS CONSIDERATIONS INTO THE SECONDARY EDUCATION SECTOR WHERE IT DEEMED THIS NECESSARY.

+THESE REVIEWS WILL BE ANOTHER MAJOR STEP IN OUR ATTEMPT TO SEE OUR SYSTEM AS A WHOLE SO THAT WE MIGHT TACKLE ITS PROBLEMS IN WAYS WHICH RECOGNISE INTER-RELATIONSHIPS AND CONSEQUENTIAL EFFECTS MUCH MORE THOROUGHLY THAN WE HAVE BEEN ABLE TO DO IN THE PAST,+ HE SAID.

MR. TOPLEY THEN TOUCHED ON A NUMBER OF IMPORTANT ISSUES RAISED BY OTHER UNOFFICIALS.

HE SAID: +DR. RAYSON HUANG EXPRESSED CONCERN THAT AS A RESULT OF THE IRREGULAR AGE PATTERN OF OUR PRIMARY PUPILS ONLY A SMALL PERCENTAGE (SOME 10%) WILL ACTUALLY BENEFIT FROM THE EXTENSION OF MY COMPULSORY POWERS. IN FACT 45% OF PUPILS ARE OF THE AGE 11 YEARS OR LESS ON ENTERING PRIMARY 6 AND SHOULD THUS HAVE ENTERED FORM 3 BEFORE THEIR 15TH BIRTHDAY. A FURTHER 35% ARE AGED 12 ON ENTERING PRIMARY 6 AND SHOULD THUS ENTER FORM 2 BEFORE THEIR 15TH BIRTHDAY. I DO NOT VISUALIZE MAJOR PROBLEMS FOR THESE GROUPS IN FINISHING THE JUNIOR SECONDARY COURSE.

+IT IS TRUE, HOWEVER, THAT THE AGE STRUCTURE IS IRREGULAR BUT IT IS BECOMING MORE REGULAR EACH YEAR. THIS IS A MATTER TO WHICH WE HAVE GIVEN STUDY AND WHICH WILL, I KNOW, EE THOROUGHLY EXAMINED BY THE WORKING PARTY ON PRIMARY EDUCATION.

+1 TAKE DR. HUANG’S POINT ABOUT COMPELLING CHILDREN TO ATTEND UNSATISFACTORY SCHOOLS, THOUGH I MUST HASTEN TO ASSURE HIM THAT WE ARE NOT BUYING UNSATISFACTORY PLACES.

+IT IS TRUE THAT WE INTEND TO EXTEND THE PUBLIC SECTOR THROUGH A BUILDING PROGRAMME WHICH WILL RESULT IN OUR NO LONGER BUYING MANY OF THE PLACES IN PRIVATE SCHOOLS WHICH WE ARE TAKING AT PRESENT.

+THERE ARE PROBLEMS IN THE USE OF PUBLIC FUNDS TO IMPROVE FACILITIES IN ENTERPRISES LEGALLY ENTITLED TO MAKE PROFITS.

+THERE IS ALSO THE FACT THAT SOME PRIVATE SCHOOLS, THOUGH THE PRESENT PLACES THEY PROVIDE ARE ADEQUATE, WOULD FIND IT IMPOSSIBLE TO IMPROVE THEIR PHYSICAL CONDITIONS SUFFICIENTLY TO MEET THE HIGHER STANDARDS WE SHALL REQUIRE AS PART OF THE IMPROVEMENT OF OUR PROVISION. EVEN MORE IMPORTANT, THE REPLACEMENT OF MANY PLACES NOW IN URBAN SCHOOLS WILL HAVE TO BE IN THE NEW TERR I TOR IES’.

Atoning to .

WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 9, 1977

- 17 -

TURNING TO DR. HUANG’S COMMENTS ON THE CURRICULUM OF JUNIOR SECONDARY EDUCATION, MR. TOPLEY SAID: +IT IS PROBABLY TRUE THAT THE SYLLABUSES AND GUIDES INITIALLY PRODUCED BY THE CURRICULUM DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE DO NOT GO FAR ENOUGH TO MEET THIS PROBLEM OF CATERING FOR STUDENTS WHO HAY EITHER PROCEED WITH THEIR FORMAL SCHOOLING OR LEAVE SCHOOL FOR EMPLOYMENT EITHER WITH OR WITHOUT VOCATIONAL TRAINING.

+ INDEED WITHOUT KNOWING IN ADVANCE WHICH STUDENTS ARE TO PROCEED FURTHER WITH THEIR EDUCATION, AND WITH OUR AMBITIOUS STUDENT POPULATION IT WAS A FORMIDABLE TASK AND ONE WHICH OUR CURRICULUM DEVELOPERS HAD NOT TACKLED BEFORE.

+HOWEVER.+ HE SAID, +THE CURRICULUM DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE IS VERY CONSCIOUS OF THIS PROBLEM AND HAS GIVEN CLEAR INSTRUCTIONS TO ITS VARIOUS SUBJECT COMMITTEES TO GIVE MORE ATTENTION TO THE NEEDS OF LESS ACADEMICALLY ABLE STUDENTS WHO ARE LIKELY TO LEAVE AT THE END OF FORM 3.

+ WITH ITS POLICY OF CONTINUOUSLY MONITORING THE PROGRESS OF THE CURRICULUM IN SCHOOLS, AND MAKING PROGRESSIVE CHANGES TO MEET DEFICIENCIES THE COMMITTEE IS WELL PLACED TO MEET THE FULL NEEDS OF HONG KONG STUDENTS BUT THIS IS NOT GOING TO EE ACHIEVED OVERNIGHT.+

IN REPLY TO POINTS RAISED BY THE HON. JOYCE

M. BENNETT, MR. TOPLEY EXPLAINED THE DELAY IN THE AWARD OF A SET OF SCHOLARSHIPS LAST YEAR WAS CAUSED LARGELY BY THE INCREASED NUMBERS OF APPLICANTS AND A SHORTAGE OF MANPOWER DURING THE CR ITI CAL PER IOD.

+THERE WILL BE NO REPETITION OF THIS DELAY,+ MR. TOPLEY ASSURED.

ON MISS BENNETT’S COMMENTS ON KINDERGARTEN EDUCATION, IN PARTICULAR HER PROPOSALS FOR KINDERGARTEN TEACHER TRAINING AND THE PROPOSAL TO INCREASE THE CLASS TEACHER RATIO IN PRIMARY SCHOOLS, MR. TOPLEY SAID THEY WOULD BE EXAMINED BY THE WORKING PARTY ON PRIMARY EDUCATION.

AS REGARDS INCREASED STAFFING RATIOS IN THE SECONDARY SCHOOLS, HE SAID: + l ACCEPT THAT THE REVISED CURRICULA AND IMPLEMENTATION OF PROPOSALS FOR FURTHER CHANGES IN OUR SENIOR SECONDARY COURSES, INCLUDING FORM 6 COURSES, WILL ALMOST CERTAINLY REQUIRED SOME ADDITIONAL STAFF.

+THE CASE FOR AN ’ACROSS THE BOARD’ INCREASE, HOWEVER, WILL NEED TO BE VERY COMPELLING IN THE LIGHT OF THE OTHER DEMANDS UPON OUR RESOURCES,+ MR. TOPLEY SAID.

/18......

WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 9, 1977

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FINANCIAL SECRETARY ANSWERS CRITICS OF +HABITUAL TRADER+ TAX K * * *

THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY, THE HON. PHILIP HADDON-CAVE, REJECTED CRITICISMS THAT THE GOVERNMENT’S POLICY ON TAXATION OF +HAEITUAL TRADERS* WAS DAMAGING THE STOCK MARKET.

+NO ONE HAS PRODUCED ANY EVIDENCE THAT THE INLAND REVENUE DEPARTMENT’S LEGITIMATE ACTIVITIES ARE REALLY DAMAGING THE MARKET,* MR. HADDON-CAVE DECLARED AT THE ANNUAL POLICY DEBATE WHICH RESUMED IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL THIS AFTERNOON.

MR. HADDON-CAVE ALSO REFUTED CHARGES THAT THE ACTIVITIES OF INLAND REVENUE DEPARTMENT HAD CAUSED GENERAL CONFUSION IN THE MARKET RESULTING IN PEOPLE HOLDING BACK FROM BUYING AND SELLING SHARES, THUS REDUCING THE LIQUIDITY OF THE STOCK EXCHANGES AND DAMAGING THEIR ABILITY TO PERFORM THEIR VITAL ROLE OF RAISING CAPTIAL.

+ON THE CONTRARY, THE DEPARTMENT HAS, FOR MANY YEARS, ASSESSED PROFITS ON TRADING IN STOCKS AND SHARES AND PARTICULARLY THOSE RELATING TO THE ACTIVITIES OF STOCK BROKERS, THOSE IN ASSOCIATED ACTIVITIES AND THOSE INDIVIDUALS WHO WERE ENGAGED IN SHARE TRADING IN A SUBSTANTIAL WAY,* MR. HADDON-CAVE POINTED OUT.

+TO PUT THIS WHOLE MATTER IN PERSPECTIVE, 97 PER CENT OF THE PERSONS THE COMMISSIONER (OF INLAND REVENUE) IS ASSESSING AT THE PRESENT TIME ARE DIRECTLY CONNECTED WITH THE STOCK BROKING BUSINESS,* HE EMPHASISED.

REFERRING TO THE DIFFICULTIES IN DISTINGUISHING BETWEEN CAPTIAL GAINS AND THE TRADING PROFITS, MR. HADDON-CAVE SAID THESE COULD BE RESOLVED BY THE APPLICATION OF CERTAIN CRITERIA KNOWN AS THE +BADGES OF TRADE* WHICH, THE THIRD INLAND REVENUE ORDINANCE REVIEW COMMITTEE ENDORSED, HAD 'STOOD THE TEST OF TIME AND COULD NOT BE BETTERED’.

+PROFESSIONAL TAX ADVISERS ARE WELL ACQUAINTED WITH THE BADGES OF TRADE AND HAVE LITTLE DIFFICULTY IN ADVISING CLIENTS ON THEIR APPLICATION TO THEIR AFFAIRS,* MR. HADDON-CAVE POINTED OUT.

HE ALSO NOTED THAT +WHILST PERSONS WHO MAKE PROFITS CLAIM TO HAVE DIFFICULTY IN RECOGNISING THEMSELVES AS TRADERS, THE SAME IS NOT TRUE OF LESS SUCCESSFUL BUYERS AND SELLERS OF SHARES WHO QUICKLY IDENTIFY THEMSELVES AS TRADERS IN ORDER TO CLAIM THEIR LOSSES AGAINST OTHER FORMS OF INCOME.*

'ON THE QUESTION OF REDUCING THE PRESENT RATE OF STAMP DUTY — $4 PER MILLE ON SHARE TRANSACTIONS -- TO STIMULATE ACTIVITY ON THE STOCK EXCHANGES, MR. HADDON-CAVE SAID THAT IT WAS INCREASED IN 1973 AS +A MEANS OF RAISING ADDITIONAL REVENUE AND NOT FOR REGULATORY PURPOSES AS IS SO OFTEN INCORRECTLY ALLEGED.*

+NO HARD EVIDENCE HAS BEEN PRODUCED TO SUPPORT THE VIEW THAT 34 PER MILLE ON TRANSACTIONS IS INHIBITING INVESTORS,* HE SAID.

+IF IT COULD BE SHOWN THAT THE GOVERNMENT WOULD GET MORE REVENUE FROM A REDUCED RATE OF DUTY, THEN I MIGHT CONSIDER THIS POSSIBILITY. OTHERWISE, THE RATE MUST STAY AS IT IS,* HE ADDED.

WEDNESDAY, NOVtMbcK y, i(

- 19 -

OVER TWO MILLION USED CDO’S * * * *

OVER TWO MILLION PEOPLE MADE CONTACT WITH THE CITY DISTRICT OFFICES THROUGHOUT HONG KONG DURING THE LAST 12 MONTHS AND +IN THIS QUIET AND UNSPECTACULAR WAY+ A VAST AMOUNT OF USEFUL INFORMATION WAS DISSEMINATED.

THIS WAS STATED BY THE DIRECTOR OF HOME AFFAIRS, THE HON. JOHN WALDEN, IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY WHEN HE OUTLINED THE VARIOUS POINTS OF CONTACT AT WHICH VIEWS ABOUT GOVERNMENT PLANS AND ACTIVITIES CAN BE FREELY EXPRESSED THROUGH THE CITY DISTRICT OFFICES’ SCHEMES.

THERE ARE AT PRESENT 10 CDO’S AND 12 SUB-OFFICES +WHERE ANY CITIZEN MIGHT GO IN THE SURE KNOWLEDGE THAT HE WOULD BE COURTEOUSLY TREATED AND HELPFULLY ADVISED.+

ORDINARY PEOPLE KNEW THE CDO BEST BECAUSE OF THEIR PUBLIC ENQUIRY COUNTERS WHERE THEY COULD GET DIRECT HELP AND INFORMATION ON A GREAT VARIETY OF PRACTICAL MATTERS THAT WERE IMPORTANT TO THEM, OR THEY COULD BE DIRECTED TO WHERE THE HELP THEY NEEDED COULD BE GOT, MR. WALDEN SAID.

HE ADDED THAT THE EXPERIMENTAL SCHEME TO EXTEND THE OPENING HOURS OF CDdS WAS INTRODUCED EARLIER THIS MONTH AND WAS ONE OF THE MANY IMPROVEMENTS THE DEPARTMENT WAS PUTTING INTO EFFECT AS A RESULT OF THIS YEAR’S REVIEW OF THE HOME AFFAIRS DEPARTMENT.

APART FROM THE PUBLIC ENQUIRY SERVICES, HE SAID THERE WAS ALSO A SYSTEM FOR REACHING OUT TO PEOPLE THROUGH LIAISON OFFICERS IN EACH CITY DISTRICT OFFICE.

MR. WALDEN SAID THESE OFFICERS, USUALLY YOUNG UNIVERSITY GRADUATES, WERE HELPED BY PART-TIME STAFF WHO WORKED MOSTLY IN THE EVENINGS AND THEIR JOB WAS TO CONTACT PEOPLE AT THEIR HOMES OR PLACES OF WORK TO HEAR WHAT THEY HAVE TO SAY ABOUT THINGS GOING ON AROUND THEM.

+THE PEOPLE THEY TALK TO COME FROM ALL WALKS OF LIFE AND SINCE THEY ALL HAVE FAMILIES AND MANY OF THEM BELONG TO ORGANISATIONS OF ONE KIND OR ANOTHER THEY NOT ONLY EXPRESS THEIR OWN OPINIONS BUT ALSO TRANSMIT THE VIEWS OF THE GROUPS THEY MIX WITH.

+IN THIS WAY A CDO IS ABLE TO FIND OUT WHAT A LARGE NUMBER OF ORDINARY PEOPLE IN HIS DISTRICT ARE THINKING OR WORRYING ABOUT.

+THESE VIEWS COLLECTED FROM ALL OVER HONG KONG AND KOWLOON PROVIDE THE GOVERNMENT WITH A BROAD INDICATION OF PUBLIC OPINION ON ANY ISSUE. THE TECHNIQUES OF COLLECTING AND PRESENTING THIS INFORMATION ARE CONTINUALLY BEING IMPROVED AND THE CONTACTS ARE SYSTEMATICALLY CHANGED.

ANOTHER VERY IMPORTANT ASPECT OF THIS OUT-REACHING COMMUNICATIONS WCRK, HE SAID, WAS DIRECTED AT PEOPLE WHO WERE BEING AFFECTED BY GOVERNMENT ACTIVITIES OF ONE KIND OR ANOTHER.

ACDO'S HA VS AN...

WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 9, 1977

20

+CDO’S HAVE AN IMPORTANT ROLE TO PLAY IN IDENTIFYING THESE POTENTIAL AREAS OF FRICTION AND ARRANGING FOR STAFF FROM GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS TO MEET PEOPLE WHO ARE GOING TO BE INCONVENIENCED.

+IT MAY NOT BE POSSIBLE TO REMOVE THE CAUSE OF DISRUPTION BUT IT IS OFTEN POSSIBLE TO MINIMISE ITS EFFECT AND, OF COURSE, THE REASON WHY THE DISRUPTION IS OCCURRING HAS TO BE FULLY AND PATIENTLY EXPLAINED,* HE ADDED.

SUPPLEMENTING THIS PERSON-TO-PERSON CONTACT WITH INDIVIDUAL CITIZENS, MR. WALDEN SAID THERE WAS ALSO REGULAR GROUP CONSULTATION BETWEEN 10 CDO’S AND CITY DISTRICT COMMITTEES OF THEIR DISTRICTS WHICH CONSISTED OF CHAIRMEN OF AREA COMMITTEES, OTHER MEMBERS OF PUBLIC AND CIVIL SERVANTS.

+THESE GROUPS ARE EXPANDED WHEN IT IS NECESSARY TO INVOLVE MORE PEOPLE IN THE CONSIDERATION OF AN IMPORTANT ISSUE.*

TURNING TO POINTS RAISED BY THE HON. HILTON CHEONG-LEEN, MR. WALDEN SAID A COMPREHENSIVE STUDY OF THE TRAINING NEEDS OF THE CHINESE LANGUAGE OFFICER GRADE HAS BEEN GOING ON SINCE JUNE THIS YEAR AND ITS REPORT SHOULD BE FINALISED THIS WEEK.

HE ALSO NOTED THAT HE HAD SUBMITTED PROPOSALS TO THE GOVERNMENT SECRETARIAT FOR ADDITIONAL STAFF AT DIFFERENT LEVELS TO STRENGTHEN THE CHINESE LANGUAGE DIVISION OF THE HOME AFFAIRS DEPARTMENT.

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

PUBLIC HOUSING RENT WITHIN TENANTS’ MEANS

******

THE HOUSING AUTHORITY’S RECENTLY APPROVED RENT POLICY WILL ENSURE THAT THE AUTHORITY HAS A COMPREHENSIVE RANGE OF ACCOMMODATION WITHIN THE MEANS OF ITS WIDE RANGE OF TENANTS AND THE PROSPECTIVE TENANTS.

THIS WAS SAID IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL THIS AFTERNOON BY THE SECRETARY FOR HOUSING, THE HON. A.J. SCOTT, WHO ADDED THAT PARTICULAR ATTENTION WOULD BE PAID TO THE NEEDS OF LOW-INCOME HOUSEHOLDS, INCLUDING THE ELDERLY AND THE DISABLED IN NEED.

+THE HOUSING AUTHORITY IS RESPONSIBLE FOR 374,000 FLATS, BUILT OVER A PERIOD CF 23 YEARS, WITH A WIDE VARIETY OF RENTS AND COSTS,* SAID MR. SCOTT.

+IT IS CHARGED WITH, AND FULLY ACCEPTS ITS RESPONSIBILITY FOR PROVIDING AN ACCEPTABLE STANDARD OF ACCOMMODATION, WITHIN THE’lR MEANS', FOR BOTH EXISTING TENANTS AND FOR THE LARGE NUMBER OF PEOPLE WHO NEED PUBLIC HOUSING AND ARE ELIGIBLE FOR IT.*

/GOING OVER THE......

WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 9, 197?

21

GOING OVER THE MAIN POINTS IN THE NEW RENT POLICY, MR. SCOTT SAID RENTS OF POST-1973 ESTATES WOULD EE KEPT AT THEIR CURRENT LEVELS FOR THE TIME BEING, BEING REVIEWED PERIODICALLY IN FUTURE TO TAKE INTO CONSIDERATION INCREASING MANAGEMENT AND MAINTENANCE COSTS AND GENERAL INCOME LEVELS.

FOR NEW ESTATES, RENTS WOULD BE DETERMINED AFTER AN ASSESSMENT OF THE RELATIVE VALUE OF EACH NEW ESTATE AS COMPARED WITH OTHER ESTATES, TAKING INTO ACCOUNT FACTORS SUCH AS LOCATION, AMENITIES, ENVIRONMENT AND SERVICES.

FOR PRE-1973 ESTATES, RENTS WOULD BE REVIEWED EVERY TWO YEARS, WITH PARTICULAR REGARD BEING GIVEN TO GENERAL ECONOMIC CONDIT IONS.

REPLYING TO POINTS MADE BY REV. THE HON. PATRICK MCGOVERN, MR. SCOTT POINTED OUT THAT IF RENTS WERE FIXED STRICTLY ACCORDING TO THE COST OF EACH ESTATE WHEN IT WAS BUILT, A PERSON WHO WAS IN PUBLIC HOUSING NOW WOULD OVER THE YEARS ENJOY A PROGRESSIVELY GREATER BENEFIT COMPARED WITH A PERSON WHO ENTERED PUBLIC HOUSING AT A LATER DATE, IF ONLY BECAUSE OF THE CONTINUOUS INCREASE IN CONSTRUCTION COSTS.

HE SA IDs +1 THINK THESE FACTS ARE WELL UNDERSTOOD BY THE MAJORITY OF PEOPLE - CERTAINLY BY THE 'MAN IN THE STREET’ WHO IS NOT YET THE ’MAN IN PUBLIC HOUSING.’+

TURNING TO ANOTHER RECENT SUGGESTION THAT RENTS BE EASED SOLELY ON AMORTISED CONSTRUCTION COSTS AND RECURRENT COSTS ESTATE BY ESTATE, MR. SCOTT SAID THAT IF THIS WERE DONE, THE AUTHORITY COULD NOT ACHIEVE A BALANCED RENT STRUCTURE AND WOULD BE COMPELLED TO CONSIDER SUBSTANTIAL RENT INCREASES FOR 60 PER CENT OF PRESENT FLATS.

+1 MUST EMPHASISE THAT NOTHING IS FURTHER FROM THE MIND OF THE AUTHORITY,* HE SAID.

ON HOME OWNERSHIP, MR. SCOTT SAID GOOD PROGRESS WAS BEING MADE ON ALL ASPECTS OF THE GOVERNMENT’S HOME OWNERSHIP SCHEME.

ON A SUGGESTION THAT THE SCHEME BE EXTENDED IN SOME WAY TO ASSIST HOUSEHOLDS EARNING BETWEEN 53,500 AND 56,000 A MONTH, HE SAID IT APPEARED THAT SUCH HOUSEHOLDS COULD ALREADY ACQUIRE HOMES ON CURRENT MARKET TERMS WITHOUT UNDUE FINANCIAL STRAIN.

THE INCOME LEVEL FOR ELIGIBILITY, AS WELL AS OTHER CRITERIA, WOULD BE REVIEWED REGULARLY, BUT FOR THE PRESENT ATTENTION SHOULD BE FOCUSED ON LESS WELL-OFF HOUSEHOLDS.

0

/22......

WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 9, 1977

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IMPROVEMENTS IN LABOUR CONDITIONS IN THE PIPELINE

******

THE COMMISSIONER FOR LABOUR, THE HON. PETER WILLIAMS TODAY GAVE A BROAD OUTLINE OF HIS PLANS TO FURTHER IMPROVE LABOUR CONDITIONS UNDER THE WORKMEN COMPENSATION ORDINANCE, THE FACTORIES AND INDUSTRIAL UNDERTAKINGS ORDINANCE AND THE EMPLOYMENT ORDINANCE.

AT THE RESUMED ANNUAL POLICY DEBATE IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL, MR. WILLIAMS ALSO TOUCHED ON INDUSTRIAL TRAINING AND THE NEED TO PROMOTE INDUSTRIAL SAFETY.

REFERRING TO WORKMEN’S COMPENSATION, MR. WILLIAMS SAID HE

WOULD BE MAKING A COMPREHENSIVE REVIEW OF THE WORKMEN’S COMPENSATION ORDINANCE BY AN INTER-DEPARTMENTAL WORKING GROUP. HE WOULD TAKE STEPS TO CONSULT INDUSTRY AND COMMERCE.

HE ADDED THAT THIS WOULD BE DONE AFTER THREE AMENDING BILLS — ONE INTRODUCING THE SILICOSIS SCHEME, ANOTHER TO IMPROVE THE ARRANGEMENTS FOR PROVIDING ARTIFICIAL LIMBS AND APPLICANCES AND A THIRD TO PROVIDE OTHER IMPROVED PROCEDURES -- HAD BEEN ENACTED.

APART FROM SOME AMENDMENTS TO THE FACTORIES AND INDUSTRIAL UNDERTAKINGS ORDINANCE, MR. /.ILL I AMS SAID HE WOULD ALSO BE INTRODUCING THREE MORE SETS OF REGULATIONS TO IMPROVE SAFETY ON CONSTRUCTION SITES, IN THE SAFE HANDLING OF CARGO AND TO DEAL WITH THE SAFE USE OF ELECTRICITY IN FACTORIES.

MR. WILLIAMS SAID: +A CONSIDERABLE AMOUNT OF PREPARATORY WORK HAS ALREADY BEEN DONE AND IN ALL THREE CASES WE SHALL SEEK AS WIDE CONSULTATION AS POSSIBLE.*

FINALLY, HE SAID, SOME AMENDMENTS WERE NEEDED IN THE EMPLOYMENT ORDINANCE.

APART FROM THE NEED TO CONSIDER REMOVING THE PRESENT BAR ON THE APPLICATION OF THE ORDINANCE TO NON-MANUAL WORKERS EARNING OVER $2,000 A MONTH HE WOULD BE PROPOSING SOME AMENDMENTS CONCERNED WITH POWERS OF ENTRY AND POWERS TO MAKE REGULATIONS SIMILAR TO THOSE IN THE FACTORIES AND INDUSTRIAL UNDERTAKINGS ORDINANCE LATER IN THE SESSION.

THESE AMENDMENTS, MR. WILLIAMS POINTED OUT, WOULD BE REQUIRED AND PROBABLY NEEDED TO BE DEVELOPED IN CONNECTION WITH THE CONTROL OF CHILDREN IN NON-1NDUSTRI AL EMPLOYMENT.

HE SAID THAT CONTROL OF EMPLOYMENT IN THE NON-1NDUSTRI AL SECTOR WOULD INITIALLY BE APPLIED TO CHILDREN UNDER 14, THAT IS THE 12 AND 13 YEAR OLDS, AND THEN BE EXTENDED IN ALL SECTORS TO CHILDREN UNDER 15, THAT IS THE 14 YEAR OLDS.

ON INDUSTRIAL TRAINING MR. WILLIAMS SAID THIS IMPORTANT ASPECT Oc THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT’S WORK WOULD NEED INCREASING ATTENTION AS DIVERSIFICATION OF INDUSTRY DEVELOPS.

/♦THE CONTRIBUTION OF .....

WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 9, 1977

- 2J -

+THE CONTRIBUTION OF THE HONG KONG TRAINING COUNCIL IN DEVISING TRAINING FACILITIES FOR THE NEW AND MORE COMPLEX SKILLS NEEDED AS INDUSTRY EXPANDS AND CHANGES WILL BE INVALUABLE.+ HE SA ID.

TURNING TO INDUSTRIAL SAFETY MR. WILLIAMS SAID IT WAS A LONG PROCESS OF EDUCATION, REGULATION, AND LAW ENFORCEMENT, AND ADDED THAT A FIRMER POLICY OF PROSECUTION WAS NEEDED WHERE ADVICE, EXPLANATION AND WARNING DID NOT APPEAR TO HAVE BEEN SUCCESSFUL.

HOWEVER, HE CONCEDED THAT IN THE END SUCCESS IN OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY WORK RESTS WITH EMPLOYERS AND WORKERS RECOGNISING THAT IT WAS ENTIRELY IN THEIR OWN INTERESTS TO AIM AT AND ACHIEVE SAFER WORKING CONDITIONS AND PRACTICES.

HE SAID HIS DEPARTMENT WOULD BE RECRUITING MORE STAFF — 20 OR SO ASSISTANT FACTORY INSPECTORS THIS YEAR AND AT LEAST 30 MORE NEXT YEAR -- TO STRENGTHEN, IMPROVE AND ENHANCE THE STATUS AND PRESTIGE OF THE FACTORATE INSPECTORATE.

ONE HUNDRED LABOUR INSPECTORS, IN TWO BATCHES OF 50, WILL ALSO BE RECRUITED. THIS INCREASE REPRESENTS A FIRST PHASE NEEDED TO COVER EXPANDING INDUSTRY AND TO CARRY LABOUR INSPECTION INTO THE NON-INDUSTRIAL SECTOR.

FOR THE ASSISTANT LABOUR OFFICER GRADE THE DEPARTMENT WILL BE RECRUITING ABOUT 20 THIS YEAR AND ANOTHER 40 NEXT YEAR.

MR. WILLIAMS SAID THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT, LIKE OTHER DEPARTMENTS, FACED STIFF COMPETITION IN ATTRACTING THE KIND OF YOUNG MEN AND WOMEN NEEDED AND THEREFORE A REVIEW ON THE DUTIES OF THIS GRADE OF OFFICERS WAS BEING CARRIED OUT TO SEE IF CHANGES WERE NEEDED TO RECRUIT AND RETAIN THEM.

HE THEN REFERRED TO THE MANY ASPECTS OF THE DEPARTMENT’S WORK, ALL OF WHICH HE SAID HAD DEVELOPED DURING THE PAST YEAR.

HE GAVE PARTICULAR MENTION TO THE LABOUR RELATIONS SERVICE IN THEIR HANDLING OF LABOUR DISPUTES.

+ INDEED I AM PARTICULARLY GLAD TO SAY HOW UNSPECTACULARLY LABOUR DISPUTES HAVE FIGURED DURING THE LAST YEAR,+ HE SAID.

+THIS DOES NOT HAPPEN BY ITSELF, AND MUCH CREDIT IS DUE TO THE PRECAUTIONARY AND PREVENTIVE -- BUT LOW-PROFILE -- DAMPENING OF POTENTIAL ’BRUSH-FIRES’.+

----0----

/2U......

WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 9, 1977

- 2U

REMEMBRANCE DAY CEREMONIES * * * * *

SPECIAL REMEMBRANCE DAY CEREMONIES WILL BE HELD THROUGHOUT HONG KONG ON SUNDAY (NOVEMBER 13) IN HONOUR OF THOSE wHO GAVE THEIR LIVES DURING THE TWO WORLD WARS.

AS LAST YEAR, THE WREATH-LAYING CEREMONY AT THE CENOTAPH WILL BE SIMPLIFIED WITH NO RELIGIOUS SERVICE, BAND, OR GUARD OF HONOUR DUC TO THE MASS TRANSIT RAILWAY’S CONSTRUCTION WORKS.

IT IS INTENDED TO RESUME THE TRADITIONAL SERVICE AT THE CENOTAPH IN FUTURE YEARS AS SOON AS CONDITIONS PERMIT.

AMONG THOSE LAYING WREATHS AT THE CENOTAPH WILL BE THE GOVERNOR, SIR MURRAY MACLEHOSE= THE ACTING COMMANDER BRITISH FORCES, BRIGADIER D.T. CRAETREE= THE CHIEF UUSTICE, SIR GEOFFREY BRIGGS' THE CAPTAIN-1N-CHARGE HONG KONG, THE COMMANDER RAF, MEMBERS OF THE EXECUTIVE AND LEGISLATIVE COUNCILS, THE CHAIRMAN OF THE COMMANDING OFFICERS’ COMMITTEE, A REPRESENTATIVE OF THE MERCHANT NAVY, COMMONWEALTH COMMISSIONERS, AND REPRESENTATIVES OF THE ROYAL BRITISH LEGION, SERVICE UNITS AND EX-SERVICEMEN’S ASSOCIATIONS.

SIR MURRAY WILL ARRIVE AT 13.18 A.M. AND WREATH-LAYING WILL BEGIN AT 13.20 A.M. THE WHOLE CEREMONY IS EXPECTED TO END AT 10.35 A.M. BY WHICH TIME MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC AND SERVICE OFFICERS WHO WISH TO LAY WREATHS AT THE CENOTAPH MAY DO SO.

AT 10.55 A.M. SIR MURRAY WILL ATTEND A REMEMBRANCE DAY SERVICE IN ST. JOHN’S CATHEDRAL IN THE COURSE OF WHICH THE TRADITIONAL TWO-MINUTE SILENCE WILL BE OBSERVED.

EARLIER ON THE SAME DAY, A BRIEF CEREMONY WILL BE HELD AT 9.33 A.M. AT THE CHINESE WAR MEMORIAL IN THE ZOOLOGICAL AND BOTANIC GARDENS.

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

SPECIAL CHURCH SERVICES ..ILL ALSO EE HELD AT STANLEY FORT AND SEK KONG GARRISON CHURCH AT 13. j3 A.... AND 13.>3 A.M. RESPECTIVELY.

/AT THZ BRITISH .....

WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 9, 1977

25

AT THE BRITISH MILITARY HOSPITAL IN KING’S PARK, A SPECIAL SERVICE WILL TAKE PLACE AT 6 P.M.

NOTE TO EDITORS:

CENOTAPH CEREMONY

THE FIRST FLOOR BALCONY OF THE SUPREME COURT BUILDING WILL BE AVAILABLE TO REPORTERS AND PHOTOGRAPHERS COVERING THE WREATHLAYING CEREMONY AT THE CENOTAPH. THERE WILL BE NO PRESS POSITIONS WITHIN THE STATUE SQUARE PERIMETER.

SPECIAL LAPEL BADGES WILL BE ISSUED TO MEDIA REPRESENTATIVES COVERING THE CEREMONY. THEY ARE NOW AVAILABLE FOR COLLECTION FROM THE G.I.S. DUTY OFFICERS AT THE NEWS ROOM, 6TH FLOOR, BEACONSFIELD HOUSE.

ST. JOHN’S CATHEDRAL SERVICE

PRESS REPRESENTATIVES WILL BE ALLOWED TO TAKE PICTURES AT THE MAIN ENTRANCE OF THE CATHEDRAL BEFORE THE CHURCH SERVICE BEGINS. NO PHOTOGRAPHING WILL BE ALLOWED INSIDE THE CATHEDRAL.

CHINESE WAR MEMORIAL CEREMONY

EDITORS ARE ADVISED THAT REPORTERS AND PHOTOGRAPHERS WILL NOT BE ALLOWED INSIDE THE ROPE CORDON AROUND THE CHINESE 'WAR MEMORIAL IN THE ZOOLOGICAL AND BOTANIC GARDENS. THEY CAN STAND EITHER ON THE EAST OR WEST SIDE OF THE ROPE CORDON, BUT WILL NOT BE ABLE TO STAND ON THE SOUTH SIDE OF THE MEMORIAL ARCH.

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

MEMORIAL SERVICES AT SEK KONG, STANLEY FORT AND BRITISH MILITARY HOSPITAL

THE PRESS ARE WELCOME TO COVER THE SERVICES

- - 0 - -

WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 9, 1977

26

HK GOVERNMENT’S BRANCH OFFICE IN EDINBURGH OPENED * * * *

THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT OFFICE IN LONDON OPENED A NEW BRANCH OFFICE IN EDINBURGH YESTERDAY (TUESDAY) TO EXPAND ITS WORK AMONG THE ESTIMATED 7,000-STRONG HONG KONG CHINESE COMMUNITY IN SCOTLAND AND NORTH-EAST ENGLAND.

THE BRANCH OFFICE, SHARING PREMISES WITH THE HONG KONG AND SHANGHAI BANK IN HANOVER STREET, WILL BE IN THE CHARGE OF MR. DAVID MAN TIN IP. HE WILL BE AVAILABLE TO ADVISE AND ASSIST HONG KONG PEOPLE NOW LIVING AND WORKING IN THE REGION WHO HAVE PROBLEMS, EITHER IN THE U.K. OR HONG KONG.

MR. IP AND HIS STAFF WILL ALSO BE READY TO HELP LOCAL AUTHORITIES IN THEIR DEALINGS WITH CHINESE RESIDENTS.

THE NEW BRANCH OFFICE WAS FORMALLY OPENED BY THE HONG KONG COMMISSIONER IN THE U.K., MR. DENIS ERAY. GUESTS INCLUDED THE LORD PROVOST OF EDINEURGH, THE RT. HON. KENNETH BORTHWICK.

MR. ERAY SAID: +WE HAVE REALISED FOR SOME TIME THAT WE HAVE NOT BEEN ABLE TO PROVIDE AN EASILY ACCESSIBLE SERVICE TC OUR COMMUNITY IN SCOTLAND AND THE NORTH-EAST OF ENGLAND. THE ESTABLISHMENT OF THIS BRANCH SHOULD GREATLY IMPROVE THAT SITUATION.

+IT WILL SERVE AS A BASE FOR THE THREE STAFF MEMBERS OF THE LIAISON SECTION OF MY OFFICE WHO WORK IN SCOTLAND AND THE NORTHEAST OF ENGLAND. THEY ARE HERE TC ADVISE AND ASSIST HONG KONG PEOPLE WHO WORK AND LIVE IN THIS GENERAL AREA AND WHO MAY HAVE PROBLEMS EITHER HERE OR IN HONG KONG wITH WHICH MY CHINESE-SPEAKING STAFF CAN ASSIST. THEY ARE ALSO AVAILABLE TO HELP LOCAL AUTHORITIES IN THEIR DEALINGS WITH HONG KONG RESIDENTS.

+BESIDES THE LIAISON STAFF, THIS BRANCH WILL BE USED BY OUR COMMERCIAL STAFF, STUDENT ADVISERS, V ISITING STUDENTS, APPOINTMENTS OFFICERS RECRUITING FOR WORK IN THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT AND TRAINING OFFICERS CONCERNED WITH HONG KONG CIVIL SERVANTS TRAINING IN THE UNITED KINGDOM.

+WE LOOK FORWARD TO PROVIDING AN EFFECTIVE SERVICE FOR THE HONG KONG COMMUNITY AND CLOSE LIAISON WITH THE MANY LOCAL AUTHORITIES IN WHOSE AREAS THEY LIVE.+

WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 9, 1977

27 -

BETTER HOUSING FOR YUEN CHAU TSAI SQUATTERS

*****

YUEN CHAU TSAI SQUATTERS IN TAI PC WILL EE MOVING FROM THEIR SQUATTER AREA OVER THE NEXT SIX MONTHS INTO MODERN PUBLIC OR TEMPORARY HOUSING.

THEIR PHASED REMOVAL IS TO ENABLE WORK TO START ON A DIVERSION RIVER CHANNEL AND AN INTERCHANGE THAT FORM PART OF A $250 MILLION TRUNK ROAD LINKING SHA TIN AND TAI PO.

THE TRUNK ROAD WILL EVENTUALLY GO NORTH TO JOIN YUEN LONG, FANLING AND SHEUNG SHU I PROVIDING A FAST VEHICULAR ROUTt ALONG THE EASTERN PART OF THE NEW TERRITORIES.

THE FIRST PHASE REMOVAL INVOLVING 96 FAMILIES IS SCHEDULED TO TAK- PLACE IN MID-DECEMBER. MOST OF THEM WILL GO TO THE NEARBY YUE'KOK TEMPORARY ACCOMMODATION, AND THE REST TC WC CHE ESTATE IN SHA TIN.

TO HELP THE SQUATTERS, THE TAI PO DISTRICT OFFICE HAS PRODUCED A LEAFLET WHICH OUTLINES WHAT ASSISTANCE CONCERNING REMOVALS THEY CAN OBTAIN FROM THE VARIOUS GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS.

THIS MORNING, HOUSING DEPARTMENT STAFF, ASSISTED BY DISTRICT OFFICE OFFICIALS, HANDED OUT THE LEAFLETS TO THE SQUATTERS.

THE LEAFLET LISTS THE OFFICE ADDRESSES OF THE DEPARTMENTS IN TAI PO WHICH ARE READY TO HELP THEM AS MUCH AS POSSIBLE IN ORDER TO SOLVE ANY PROBLEMS THEY MAY ENCOUNTER.

THE YUEN CHAU TSAI SQUATTERS, DEPENDING ON THEIR ELIGIBILITY, WILL EE OFFERED PUBLIC HOUSING IN WO CHE ESTATE IN SHA TIN AND TAI HING ESTATE IN TU'EN MUN, OR A SPACE IN THE YUE KOK TEMPORARY HOUSING AREA.

WHEN PHASE CNE OF THE TAI YUEN ESTATE IN TAI PO IS READY BY 1930, PEOPLE LIVING IN THE YUE KOK TEMPORARY HOUSING AREA WILL MOVE TO THE NEW ESTATt.

THE GOVERNMENT WILL ALSO PAY EX-GRATIA ALLOWANCES TC ELIGIBLE SHOPS, WORKSHOPS AND CULTIVATORS.

BRANCH OFFICES OF THE SOCIAL WELFARE AND LABOUR DEPARTMENTS IN TAI PO ARE AVAILABLE FOR ADVICE CN FAMILY SERVICES AND SOCIAL SECURITY MATTERS, AS WELLHiSCN LOCAL JOE OPPORTUNITIES.

WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 9, 1977

28

REWARDS FOR FAKE WATCHES

*****

IN ANOTHER MOVE TO STOP COUNTERFEITING OF WATCHES, THE GOVERNMENT TOGETHER WITH SWISS AND JAPANESE WATCH MANUFACTURERS IS TO PAY REWARDS FOR INFORMATION LEADING TO SEIZURES OR ARRESTS.

THIS IS THE RESULT OF AGREEMENTS SIGNED TODAY (WEDNESDAY) BY THE TRADE, INDUSTRY AND CUSTOMS DEPARTMENT AND REPRESENTATIVES OF THE SWISS AND JAPANESE WATCH INDUSTRIES.

THE COUNTERFEITING OF WATCHES IS A WORLDWIDE PROBLEM BECAUSE OF THE ENORMOUS PROFITS INVOLVED. IN RECENT YEARS, HONG KONG HAS BEEN STEPPING UP ITS FIGHT AGAINST THE ILLEGAL MANUFACTURE AND TRAFFIC IN FAKE WATCHES.

THE TRADE INVESTIGATION BRANCH OF THE TRADE.INDUSTRY AND CUSTOMS DEPARTMENT HAS SOLE RESPONSIBILITY FOR SUCH INVESTIGATIONS AND PROSECUTIONS IN HONG KONG.

FROM JANUARY LAST YEAR UP TO THE PRESENT, THE BRANCH HAS SEIZED A TOTAL OF 26,748 COUNTERFEIT WATCHES AND RELATED ITEMS RESULTING IN THE PROSECUTION OF 10 PEOPLE — FOUR OF WHOM WERE IMPRISONED FOR PERIODS OF NINE TO 18 MONTHS AND THE REMAINDER RECEIVED HEAVY FINES.

TODAY’S AGREEMENTS WERE SIGNED BY MR. ROY PORTER,THE ACTING COMMISSIONER OF INDUSTRY AND CUSTOMS; MR. CHARLES DUBOIS OF THE SWISS WATCH INDUSTRY INFORMATION CENTRE, AND MR. TATSUO SHIMIZU REPRESENTING SEIKO WATCHES.

THE AGREEMENTS SET OUT THE PROCEDURES FOR JOINT PAYMENT OF REWARDS FOR INFORMATION FROM THE PUBLIC RESULTING IN THE SEIZURE OF FAKE WATCHES AND MANUFACTURING EQUIPMENT OR THE SUCCESSFUL PROSECUTION OF THOSE INVOLVED IN COUNTERFEITING.

SPEAKING AFTER THE SIGNING MR. DUEOIS SAID, +W'E GREATLY APPRECIATE THE EFFORTS OF THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT IN COMBATING THIS PROBLEM.+ HE ADDED THAT THERE HAS BEEN A SUBSTANTIAL REDUCTION IN THE SIZE OF THIS ILLEGAL TRADE OVER THE PAST FEW YEARS AS A RESULT OF THE T. I.C. DEPARTMENT’S DETERMINATION TO STAMP IT CUT IN HONG KONG.

THE REWARDS WILL COVER ALL SWISS WATCH ERAND NAMES AS WELL AS SEIKO WATCHES.

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

/29 ..

WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 9, 1977

29

RECONSTRUCTION CF SECTION OF JAVA ROAD

*****

TENDERS FOR THE RECONSTRUCTION OF A SECTION OF JAVA ROAD BETWEEN NORTH POINT ROAD AND TONG SHU I ROAD WILL EE INVITED LATER THIS WEEK BY THE HIGHWAYS OFFICE OF THE PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT.

MR. HO KWOK-YU, ACTING CHIEF ENGINEER CF THE HIGHWAYS (HK) DIVISION, SAID TODAY THAT THE WORK WOULD START IN JANUARY NEXT YEAR AND TAKE FOUR MONTHS TO COMPLETE.

IT WILL INVOLVE THE RECONSTRUCTION CF THE SECTION OF THE ROAD SURFACE IN 250 MM THICK REINFORCED CONCRETE WITH FOOTPATH ON EACH SIDE.

SPECIAL TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS ..ILL BE MADE DURING THE PROGRESS OF THE WORK TO MINIMISE CONGESTION AND INCONVENIENCE TO RESIDENTS IN THE AREA.

- - c - -

NOTE TO EDITORS

GRADUATION PARADE OF IMMIGRATION OFFICERS

******

A TOTAL CF 34 ASSISTANT IMMIGRATION OFFICERS, HALF OF THEM WOMAN OFFICERS, WILL TAKE PART IN A PASSING-OUT PARADE AT 9.33 A.M. ON FRIDAY (NOVEMBER 11) AT THE ROYAL HONG KONG REGIMENT PARADE GROUND, SPORTS ROAD, HAPPY VALLEY.

THE DIRECTOR OF CIVIL AVIATION, MR. R.E. DOWNING, WILL INSPECT THE PARADE.

YOU ARE CORDIALLY INVITED TO SEND REPRESENTATIVES TO COVER THE EVENT.

- 0 - -

CAR PARK TH.'PCKAR ILY CLOS * * * *

THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCED TODAY (aEDNESDAY) THAT THE FOURTH FLOOR CF THE GARDE’. ROAD CAR PARK IN CENTRAL DI STR I WOULD BE TEMPORAR ILY CLOSED 3 «. ■ . TO ON ;U .D^Y

(NOVEMBER 13) BECAUSE CF r- Rx’ E’ cRA Cz DAY CzRzMON IzS.

PRH 7

|gis| |ofe|

DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 10, 1977

CONTENTS PAGE NO.

HONG KONG READY TO RESUME TEXTILE TALKS wITH EEC ..... 1

-PEE LEGAL ADVICE SCHEME TO EE SET UP ................ 2

CS PRAISES POLICE FORCE FOR SUCCESS IN CURBING CRIME .... J

NO MAJOR CHANGE TO HK BELONGERS’ RIGHTS IN UK’S NATIONALITY LA. SEEN ................................. g

V.COO MILLION PUBLIC rfORKS PROGRAMME FOR NEXT THREE

Y- ................................................... 9

COMPREHENSIVE EFFORTS BEING MADE IN N.T. DEVELOPMENT .... 11

CONSULTANTS TO BE APPOINTED TO STUDY BRIDGE TO LANTAU ... 14

GOVERNMENT URGED TO PUBLICISE SMALL CLAIMS TRIBUNAL . 16

POSSIBILITY OF AN EXHIBITION CENTRE BEING RE-EXAMINED ... 17

NEED FOR AN APTS ACADEMY ............................ 18

CROWN RIGHTS (RE-ENTRY AND VESTING REMEDIES) (AMENDMENT) BILL 1977 ............................... 19

THREE BILLS PASSED .................................. 20

GREEN PAPER ON SERVICES FOR ELDERLY TO BE RELEASED TOMORROW ............................................ 20

MISCONCEPTIONS ABOUT PRISON WORK CLARIFIED .......... 21

YOUTH HOBBIES EXHIBITION OPENS TO’IORRO.; ........... 22

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

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 10, 1977

1

HK READY TO RESUME TEXTILE TALKS WITH EEC

* * K

HONG KONG IS READY TO RESUME TALKS WITH THE EEC ON THE TEXTILE AGREEMENT THE MOMENT IT SEEMS ANY PROGRESS CAN BE MADE, THE ACTING DIRECTOR OF TRADE, INDUSTRY AND CUSTOMS, THE HON. BILL DORWARD SAID TODAY.

SPEAKING AT THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL’S ANNUAL POLICY DEBATE, MR. DORWARD SAID HONG KONG MADE A LOT GF CONCESSIONS IN THE INDEFINITELY SUSPENDED TALKS WHICH WERE REJECTED SOLELY ON THE GROUNDS OF OUR REFUSAL TO AGREE TO ADDITIONAL CUTBACKS, AND THE REFUSAL THAT EEC HAD THE RIGHT TO MAKE AN ARBITRARY REDISTRIBUTION OF OUR TRADE TO OTHER SUPPLIERS.

THESE CONCESSIONS INCLUDE:

H THE ACCEPTANCE, AS Lit- ITS FOR 1970, OF THE LEVEL OF EEC IMPORTS IN 1976 IN MOST SENSITIVE CATEGORIES IN WHICH HONG KONG IS A DOMINANT SUPPLIER, DESPITE THE FACT THAT IT IS A MAJOR DEPARTURE FROM THE PRINCIPLE IN THE MULTI-FIBRE ARRANGEMENT THAT QUOTAS SHOULD NEVER EE SET AT LESS THAN THE QUOTA LIMITS FOR THE PREVIOUS YEAR-

K THE ACCEPTANCE OF THE EEC PROPOSAL OF A FIVE-YEAR AGREEMEL DESPITE ITS DISADVANTAGEOUS NATURE-

* THE ACCEPTANCE OF THE EEC PROPOSALS ON GROWTH RATES, ALTHOUGH SOME WERE VERY LOW - ESPECIALLY BEARING IN MIND THE 1976 BASE- AND

* HONG KONG’S OFFER TO BRING UNDER SURVEILLANCE ALL THE PRODUCTS THE COMMUNITY WANTED UNDER SURVEILLANCE.

MR. DORWARD SAID DESPITE THE ACCEPTANCE OF SOME VERY UNPALATABLE CONDITIONS, THE EEC ISSUED A PRESS RELEASE ON NOVEMBER 8 IN WHICH THEY INDICATED THAT THEIR OFFER MADE ON OCTOBER 26 -IDENTICAL IN ESSENTIAL ELEMENTS TO THAT MADE RIGHT AT THE START AND SLIGHTLY WORSE IN SOME OTHER RESPECTS - REMAINED ON THE TAELE FOR THE MOMENT.

+BUT THAT AS FAR AS THEY WERE CONCERNED THE NEGOTIATIONS WERE SUSPENDED INDEFINITELY. THIS STATEMENT WAS MADE WITHOUT CUR KNOWLEDGE OR CONCURRENCE,+ HE ADDED.

+THIS IS EFFECTIVELY WHERE THE MATTERS STAND. AS CF THIS MOMENT OUR DELEGATION IS HAVING A WELL EARNED DAY OFF IN EUROPE AND, DEPENDING ON CERTAIN COMMUNICATIONS WHICH MAY BE RECEIVED WITHIN A MATTER OF HOURS, IT IS PROBABLE THEY WILL RETURN TO HONG KONG IN A DAY OR TWO.

+ IF AND WHEN iHEY DO, HOWcVER, THIS BREAK OFF ON CUR PART,+ HE REMARKED.

.. ILL NOT REPRESENT A

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 10, 1977

- 2 -

HE NOTED THAT THERE IS ALWAYS THE HOPE THAT A BREATHING SPACE WILL ALSO ENABLE THE EEC TO REAPPRAISE THE MAJOR CONCESSIONS WE HAVE PROPOSED AND SEE THE BENEFITS THEY HOLD FOR THE ACHIEVEMENT OF THEIR OWN ENDS.

REVIEWING HONG KONG’S TRADE PROSPECTS IN OTHER COUNTRIES, MR. DORWARD SAID A HONG KONG DELEGATION WAS NOW IN OTTAWA TO EXAMINE TENTATIVELY THE POSSIBILITY OF A NEW BILATERAL AGREEMENT FROM JULY 1978 SHOULD THE CANADIAN GOVERNMENT DECIDE TO REMOVE ITS GLOBAL IMPORT RESTRICTION.

+WITH PAST EXPERIENCE IN MIND, ONE CONDITION HONG KONG WILL CERTAINLY SEEK IN ANY SUCH AGREEMENT IS AN UNDERTAKING BY CANADA THAT IT WILL BE ALLOWED TO RUN ITS COURSE AND WILL NOT BE ARBITRARILY TERMINATED BY ONE PARTY.+

HE SAID THE NEW FIVE YEAR AGREEMENT 'WITH THE UNITED STATES WHICH WILL RUN FROM JANUARY 1, NEXT YEAR, WAS NEGOTIATED IN A FAIR AND BUSINESSLIKE WAY AND PROVIDED THE TRADE AT THIS STAGE WITH A SUBSTANTIAL AREA OF CERTAINTY IN AN OTHERWISE CLOUDY SITUATION.

IN THE OTHER MAJOR MARKET - AUSTRALIA WHERE WIDESPREAD IMPORT RESTRICTIONS ARE IN FORCE, HE SAID THERE WAS REGRETTABLY LITTLE SIGN OF THE GOVERNMENT DISMANTLING THE CONTROLS DESPITE A FIRM RECOMMENDATION TO DO SO BY THE OFFICIALLY APPOINTED INDUSTRIES ASSISTANCE COMMISSION.

o --------

GOVERNMENT TO SET U? FREE LEGAL ADVICE SCHEME

******

THE GOVERNMENT IS TO SET UP A FREE LEGAL ADVICE SCHEME TO BE ADMINISTERED BY THE LAW SOCIETY, THE HON. ATTORNEY GENERAL, MR. JOHN HOBLEY, ANNOUNCED IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY.

THE SCHEME HOPEFULLY COULD START EY APRIL NEXT YEAR AND WITH TH- HELP FROM CITY DISTRICT OFFICERS AND THEIR STAFF, WOULD INITIALLY BE PROVIDED AT TWO CITY DISTRICT OFFICES - EASTERN

AND MONG KOK.

SPEAKING HE SHARED THE HON. PETER C. THE HONG KONG NOT ENOUGH. .

AT THE ANNUAL POLICY DEBATE, MR. HOBLEY SAID THAi VIEWS OF THE HON. HILTON CHECNG-LEEN AND THE WONG THAT THE LEGAL ADVICE SCHEME SPONSORED BY COUNCIL OF SOCIAL SERVICE WAS VALUABLE BUT IT WAS

/♦THE INCREASING

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 10, 1977

5

+ THE INCREASING COMPLEXITY OF LIFE MAKES IT A MATTER OF URGENT NECESSITY TO BRING BASIC LEGAL ADVICE IN CIVIL MATTERS WITHIN THE REACH OF MORE PEOPLE MORE READILY,* HE SAID, ADDING THAT THE NEW SCHEME WOULD BE A ’’SIGNIFICANT ST=P FORWARD”.

ELABORATING ON THE DETAILS OF THE NEW SCHEME, MR. HOBLEY SAID THAT SUBJECT TO THE AGREEMENT OF THE FINANCE COMMITTEE, SUBVENTION WOULD BE MADE FROM THE PUBLIC FUNDS TO ENABLE THE LAW SOCIETY TO ESTABLISH AN ADMINISTRATIVE ORGANISATION TO MANAGE THE SCHEME.

+THAT WILL BE THE LIMIT OF THE CONTRIBUTION FROM PUBLIC FUNDS, AND I MUST MAKE IT CLEAR THAT THERE IS NO PROSPECT OF THE PROVISION OF FURTHER PUBLIC FUNDS IN THIS FIELD,+ HE STRESSED.

LAWYERS WILL, AS IN THE SCHEME PROVIDED BY THE HONG KONG COUNCIL OF SOCIAL SERVICE, GIVE THEIR SERVICES VOLUNTARILY AND WITHOUT REWARD WHILE THE HOME AFFAIRS DEPARTMENT WOULD ARRANGE FOR THE NECESSARY CLERICAL ASSISTANCE AND INTERPRETATION FACILITIES, MR. HOBLEY EXPLAINED.

+THE FREE LEGAL ADVICE SERVICE WILL INITIALLY BE PROVIDED AT EACH CENTRE ON ONE EVENING A WEEK, WHEN THERE WILL BE THREE LAWYERS AT EACH CENTRE.+ ----

+THIS IS OF COURSE A MODEST BEGINNING BUT THE LEGAL PROFESSION’S FIRM ADVICE TO THE GOVERNMENT IS THAT WE SHOULD START SLOWLY.

ONCE EXPERIENCE HAS BEEN GAINED, AND THE NEW

MACHINERY SETTLED DOWN, WE HOPE THAT IT WILL BE POSSIBLE TO INCREASE THE NUMBER OF EVENINGS WHEN THE SERVICE WILL BE PROVIDED AND EXTEND IT TO OTHER CITY DISTRICT OFF ICES,+ MR. HOBLEY SAID.

HE STRESSED THAT THE NEW SCHEME WOULD NOT IN ANY WAY AFFECT THE GOVERNMENT’S COMMITMENT TO THE LEGAL AID SCHEME ADMINISTERED BY THE LEGAL AID DEPARTMENT, AS THERE WAS A CLEAR DISTINCTION BETWEEN THEM.

+THE LEGAL AID SCHEME PROVIDES SUBSIDISED LEGAL ASSISTANCE IN COURT PROCEEDINGS FOR PERSONS OF LIMITED MEANS. THE NEW SHCEME IS CONCERNED WITH LEGAL ADVICE, WHICH MAY OR MAY NOT EE PRELIMINARY TO LITIGATION,* HE NOTED.

COMMENTING ON MR. CHEONG-LEEN’S SUGGESTION TO RECRUIT MORE CHINESE-SPEAKING MAGISTRATES, THE ATTORNEY GENERAL SAID, +EVERYONE AGREES ON THE DESIRABILITY OF THAT AND THE REASON IS THAT MAGISTRATES WHO SPEAK CANTONESE WILL ALMOST ALWAYS BE HONG KONG PEOPLE, WHICH IS SO IMPORTANT IN ITSELF. HOWEVER, WE MUST NOT THINK THAT TO HAVE CHINESE-SPEAKING MAGISTRATES MEANS THAT COURT PROCEEDINGS WILL EE CONDUCTED IN CHINESE. THAT IS A QUITE SEPARATE MATTER.*

+ANY LAWYER TRAINED IN THE LAW IN ENGLISH, AND SO TRAINED IN THE ENGLISH LEGAL SYSTEM, FINDS IT DIFFICULT TO WORK IN THE CHINESE LANGUAGE, AND SAVE IN THE SIMPLEST OF CASES PREFER NOT TO AND DOES NOT,* HE ADDED.

/FOR THS SALE ......

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 10, 1977

4

FOR THE SAME REASON, MR. HOELEY POINTED OUT, MR. CHEONG-LEEN*S SUGGESTION THAT THE J.P. SYSTEM BE REVIVED WITH BILINGUAL J.P.’S WOULD NOT LEAD TO THE CONDUCT OF COURT PROCEEDINGS IN CHINESE TO ANY SIGNIFICANT EXTENT AND, ACCORDING TO THE CHIEF JUSTICE IT ftOULD INVOLVE VERY CONSIDERABLE ADMINISTRATIVE PROBLEMS.

THE ANSWER, HE SAID, WOULD BE TO GET MORE CHINESE SPEAKING LAWYERS ONTO THE BENCH AND THAT MEANT WE MUST INCREASE THE NUMBER OF HONG KONG PEOPLE WHO WERE LAWYERS.

HE BELIEVED THAT THE BENEFITS OF INCREASE IN LAW STUDENTS IN TERMS OF ACTUAL OUTPUT OF QUALIFIED LAWYERS WOULD BE REALISED NEXT YEAR.

+ THE UNIVERSITY ALSO EXPECTS THAT THE NUMBER OF STUDENTS TAKING ITS POST-GRADUATE COURSE WILL BE AUGMENTED BY A FEW HONG KONG PEOPLE RETURNING HERE WITH UNIVERSITY DEGREES OBTAINED ELSEWHERE,* HE ADDED.

AT THE SAME TIME, A SUGGESTION PUT FORWARD BY THE UNIVERSITY AND POLYTECHNIC GRANTS COMMITTEE FOR THE UNIVERSITY OF HONG KONG TO FURTHER ENLARGE THE INTAKE OF THE DEPARTMENT OF LAW WAS UNDER ACTIVE CONSIDERATION.

+IT IS CLEAR THAT A GREATER OUTPUT FROM THE UNIVERSITY IS THE ONLY WAY IN WHICH GREATER LOCALISATION OF THE GOVERNMENT’S LEGAL SERVICES CAN EE ACHIEVED,* MR. HOELEY SAID, ADDING: +AT PRESENT, THE PULL 0“ THE PRIVATE SECTOR IS TOO STRONG.*

- - 0 -

/5

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 10, 1977

CS PAYS TRIBUTE TO POLICE FORCE ******

THE HON. CHIEF SECRETARY, SIR DENYS ROBERTS TODAY PRAISED THE POLICE FORCE’S INCREASING SUCCESS IN DEALING WITH CRIME.

SPEAKING AT THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL, SIR DENYS SAID MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC HAD MADE AN IMPORTANT CONTRIBUTION BY TAKING SENSIBLE PRECAUTIONS, REPORTING CRIME, GIVING EVIDENCE AND, IN MANY CASES, COURAGEOUSLY RESISTING THEIR ATTACKERS, BUT, THE MAJOR CREDIT MUST GO TO THE POLICE FORCE.

+THIS MAKES ALL THE MORE REGRETTABLE THE TRAUMATIC EXPERIENCE THROUGH WHICH THE FORCE HAS PASSED, WITH THE CONSEQUENT BLOW TO PUBLIC CONFIDENCE IN IT, DURING THE LAST FEW WEEKS,+ HE SAID.

HE SAID THE STATEMENT MADE BY THE GOVERNOR IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL ON MONDAY MADE IT CLEAR THAT THE GOVERNMENT WOULD NOT TOLERATE A CONTINUANCE OF DISORDER WITHIN THE FORCE AND THE IMMENSE SUPPORT GIVEN THROUGHOUT HONG KONG TO THE STATEMENT MADE IT EQUALLY OBVIOUS THAT THE COMMUNITY WAS OF THE SAME OPINION.

+THERE ARE SIGNS THAT GOOD SENSE AND SANITY ARE RETURNING AND THAT MEMBERS OF THE FORCE HAVE RETURNED TO THE ESTABLISHED CHANNELS BY WHICH REPRESENTATIONS MAY BE MADE AND GRIEVANCES AIRED, DEVELOPMENTS WHICH THE GOVERNMENT WARMLY WELCOMES,+ SIR DENYS SAID.

+THE ROYAL HONG KONG POLICE FORCE HAS A PROUD HISTORY OF SERVICE TO THE COMMUNITY, AND HAS GIVEN OF ITS BEST IN TIMES OF CRISIS AND DANGER.

+ALTHOUGH WE ARE SO CLOSE TO ITS UNHAPPIEST HOUR, I HAVE FAITH IN ITS FUTURE. I BELIEVE THAT IT WILL EMERGE FROM THESE TRIALS A MORE HONEST, RESPECTED AND EFFECTIVE FORCE THAN EVEN BEFORE,+ HE SAID.

- - o -

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 10, 1977

UK’S NATIONALITY LAW UNLIKELY

TO EFFECT MAJOR CHANGE TO HK BELONGERS’ RIGHTS

******

THE HON. CHIEF SECRETARY, SIR DENYS ROBERTS SAID THE PROPOSALS IN THE GREEN PAPER ON BRITISH NATIONALITY LAW PUBLISHED BY THE U.K. GOVERNMENT EARLIER THIS YEAR WOULD BE UNLIKELY TO EFFECT ANY SIGNIFICANT PRACTICAL CHANGE TO PRESENT RIGHTS OF HONG KONG BELONGERS.

SPEAKING AT THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL’S ANNUAL POLICY DEBATE, SIR DENYS ASSURED THE UNOFFICIALS THAT THE ANXIETY EXPRESSED BY THEM, AS TO WHAT MAY BE READ INTO THE CHANGES PROPOSED IN THE GREEN PAPER, WILL BE FIRMLY REPRESENTED TO THE U.K. GOVERNMENT, WHEN THE H.K. GOVERNMENT MAKES ITS FORMAL COMMENTS ON THE GREEN PAPER IN THE NEAR FUTURE.

HE APPRECIATED THAT THE ALTERATION OF TITLE AND THE CREATION OF TWO CLASSES OF BRITISH CITIZENSHIP AS PROPOSED IN THE GREEN PAPER MIGHT GIVE RISE IN PEOPLE’S MINDS TO ANXIETY LEST THE LINK WITH BRITAIN WERE TO BE WEAKENED IN ANY WAY.

HOWEVER, HE STRESSED THAT THESE ARE NO MORE THAN PROPOSALS PUT FORWARD AS A BASIS FOR DISCUSSION AT THIS STAGE.

ON BRITISH GOVERNMENT’S ATTITUDE TO HONG KONG’S INTERESTS, SIR DENYS SAID THE BRITISH GOVERNMENT ACCEPTED WITHOUT QUESTION THAT IT HAD A SPECIAL RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE PROTECTION OF HONG KONG’S INTERESTS +THOUGH IN SOME MATTERS, OF WHICH THE CURRENT TEXTILE NEGOTIATIONS ARE AN EXAMPLE, BRITAIN’S INTERESTS MAY NOT COINCIDE WITH THOSE OF HONG KONG+.

HE SAID, +IT WOULD BE DEPLORABLE IF HMG DID NOT DO ITS BEST TO SECURE A FAIR DEAL FOR HONG KONG.+

HE SAID THAT THERE SHOULD BE NO DISCRIMINATION AGAINST HONG KONG IN FAVOUR OF OTHER SUPPLIERS FOR WHOM THE BRITISH GOVERNMENT HAD NO RESPONSIBILITY.

SIR DENYS HOPED THAT THE U.K. GOVERNMENT WOULD NOT AGREE TO ANY ARRANGEMENT WHICH IS UNFAIR TC HONG KONG.

ON THE ADVISORY COMMITTEE ON DIVERSIFICATION, SIR DENYS SAID ITS PRIMARY OBJECT WAS TO INCREASE OTHER MANUFACTURING SECTORS TO OFFSET THE EFFECT OF THE RESTRICTIONS OF TEXTILE EXPORTS WITH WHICH WE MIGHT BE FACED IN THE FUTURE.

HE NOTED THAT THE VARIOUS COMMENTS AND SUGGESTIONS PUT FORWARD BY THE UNOFFICIALS ON THE SUBJECT OF INDUSTRIAL DIVERSIFICATION WOULD BE GIVEN THE FULLEST CONSIDERATION BY THE COMMITTEE SO LONG AS THEY FALL WITHIN ITS TERMS OF REFERENCE.

/IN HIS

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 10, 1977

7

IN HIS SPEECH SIR DENYS ALSO ANNOUNCED IN DETAILS THE TERMS OF REFERENCE OF THE COMMITTEE AS FOLLOWS :

IT IS REQUIRED TO CONSIDER

(I) THE PRINCIPAL FACTORS WHICH HAVE CONTRIBUTED TO

HONG KONG’S ECONOMIC GROWTH DURING THE LAST 15 YEARS”

(II) THE PAST, PRESENT AND LIKELY FUTURE COURSE OF THE REGULATION OF INTERNATIONAL TRADE IN TEXTILES AND THE IMPLICATIONS FOR THE GROWTH OF THE ECONOMY”

(III) THE FACTORS WHICH HAVE BEEN INFLUENTIAL IN ATTRACTING OR DETERRING THE ESTABLISHMENT OF NEW ACTIVITIES IN THE MANUFACTURING AND OTHER SECTORS OF THE ECONOMY IN RECENT YEARS, INCLUDING :

(A) FINANCIAL FACILITIES

(B) FISCAL POLICIES

(C) LAND POLICIES AND PROCEDURES

(D) POLICIES RELATING TO EDUCATION AND INDUSTRIAL TRAINING

(E) ARRANGEMENTS FOR THE PROMOTION OF TRADE IN OVERSEAS MARKETS, AND OF INVESTMENT AND JOINT VENTURES FROM OVERSEAS-

(IV) COMPARATIVE PRACTICES IN COMPARABLE ECONOMICS WHICH HAVE SUCCESSFULLY ENCOURAGED THE ESTABLISHMENT OF NEW INDUSTRIES.

TURNING TO THE CIVIL SERVICE, HE SAID THE GOVERNMENT HAS ACCEPTED THE RECOMMENDATION IN PROFESSOR WILLOUGHBY’S REPORT THAT IT SHOULD EXAMINE THE POSSIBILITY OF INTRODUCING NEW FORMS OF CONCILIATION PROCEDURE, AND WILL IN DUE COURSE DECIDE WHETHER OR NOT SOME NEW PROCEDURES SHOULD BE ADOPTED IN THE PUBLIC INTEREST.

HE NOTED THAT IT IS INEVITABLE THAT FROM TIME TO TIME IN SUCH A LARGE ORGANISATION AS THE CIVIL SERVICE WITH AN ESTABLISHMENT OF OVER 124,000, THERE SHOULD BE SOME DISSATISFACTION WITH WORKING CONDITIONS AND TERMS OF SERVICE.

HE SAID, +WE MUST EXPECT OCCASIONAL DISPUTES ABOUT CONDITIONS OF SERVICE AND ABOUT SALARIES. MOST OF THESE DISPUTES ARE SETTLED AMICABLY BY DISCUSSION, EITHER IN THE SENIOR CIVIL SERVICE COUNCIL OR BETWEEN HEADS OF DEPARTMENT AND DEPARTMENTAL STAFF ASSOCIATIONS.

+IT IS ONLY THE SMALL MINORITY, WHERE AGREEMENT IS NOT REACHED, THAT COMES TO PUBLIC ATTENTION AND PERHAPS GIVES AN IMPRESSION TO THE OUTSIDER THAT A HIGH PROPORTION OF THE PUBLIC SERVICE IS UNHAPPY ABOUT ITS TERMS,+ HE ADDED. '

ON THE WORK OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL, SIR DENYS PAID TRIBUTE TO THE UNOFFICIAL MEMBERS FOR THEIR ENERGY AND ENTHUSIASM WHICH HAVE ENLIVENED THE BUSINESS OF THE COUNCIL IN THE PAST YEAR.

/HE SAID .....

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 10, 1977

- 8 -

HE SAID THE NUMBER OF QUESTIONS AND DEBATES IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL WERE ONLY ONE ASPECT OF THE HEAVY BURDEN OF PUBLIC AFFAIRS ASSUMED BY UMELCO MEMBERS, +MANY OF WHOM DEVOTE A HIGH PROPORTION OF THEIR TIME TO VARIOUS FORMS OF COMMUNITY SERVICE*.

HE BELIEVED THAT THE UMELCO SYSTEM WHICH HAS BEEN ' DEVELOPED HERE IN A UNIQUE WAY HAS FULFILLED AN IMPORTANT NEED FOR AN INDEPENDENT BODY TO WHICH MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC MAY HAVE RECOURSE.

+DURING THE PAST FEW YEARS, IT HAS GAINED PUBLIC CONFIDENCE TO A MARKED DEGREE AND HAS ENSURED THAT MANY GRIEVANCES OF PRIVATE CITIZENS HAVE BEEN REDRESSED.*

SIR DENYS ALSO EXPRESSED GRATITUDE OF OFFICIAL MEMBERS AND OF THE CIVIL SERVICE FOR THE HARD WORK AND WILLING ASSISTANCE OF THE UNOFFICIALS.

ON LEVEL OF RECURRENT PUBLIC EXPENDITURE, HE ASSURED THAT THE GOVERNMENT WILL NEVER LOSE SIGHT OF THE NEED TO RESTRAIN PUBLIC SPENDING WITHIN THE LIMITS WHICH THE ECONOMY CAN SUPPORT WITHOUT UNDUE RISK.

HE SAID, +AS ALWAYS, ALTHOUGH OUR OBJECTIVES ARE CLEARLY SET OUT AND THE EXPENDITURE WHICH WILL BE NECESSARY TO MEET THEM HAS BEEN CAREFULLY CALCULATED, WE MUST AND WILL RETAIN AT ALL TIMES FLEXIBILITY IN THEIR IMPLEMENTATION, OR IN THE METHODS BY WHICH THEY ARE FINANCED OR BOTH.*

ON DISRUPTION TO LIFE CAUSED BY COMMUNITY PROJECTS, SIR DENYS SAID WHERE MATERIAL LOSS COULD BE SHOWN, THOSE WHO SUFFERED WERE COMPENSATED AND HE BELIEVED THAT IN GENERAL THEY WERE NOT UNREASONABLY TREATED.

HE SAID FAR-REACHING DEVELOPMENTS OF THE KIND ON WHICH THE GOVERNMENT HAD EMBARKED COULD NOT BE ACHIEVED WITHOUT A SUBSTANTIAL DEGREE OF SUFFERING, DISTURBANCE AND LOSS TO THOSE WHO WERE FORCED TO MOVE FROM THEIR HOMES OR WHO FOUND THAT THEIR LIVES WERE PLAGUED BY NOISE, DUST FUMES AND CEASELESS ACTIVITY AROUND THEM.

HE PAID A WHOLE-HEARTED TRIBUTE TO THE PATIENCE AND GOOD WILL OF THOSE WHO BEAR WITH SUCH FORTITUDE THE STRAINS WHICH THE GOVERNMENT’S DEVELOPMENT PLANS HAVE IMPOSED ON THEM.

+THIS FORBEARANCE DEMANDS FROM THE PUBLIC SERVICE AN APPRECIATION OF WHAT WE ARE ASKING OF PEOPLE AND A DETERMINATION TO LISTEN WITH PATIENCE AND UNDERSTANDING TO THEIR DIFF ICULTIES.+

+ANY CIVIL SERVANT WHO FALLS SHORT OF THE HIGHEST STANDARDS OF INTEGRITY AND COURTESY IS UNWORTHY OF THE QUALITIES OF THE PEOPLE WHOM WE ARE HERE TO SERVE,* HE EMPHASISED, +l HOPE THAT WE SHALL NCT FAIL THEM.*

- - c - -

/9......

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 10, 1977

9

MASSIVE PROJECTS TO COST GOVERNMENT $6,000 MILLION IN THREE YEARS ******

THE GOVERNMENT IS TO SPEND MORE THAN S6 BILLION OVER THE NEXT THREE YEARS ON THE MASSIVE PROGRAMME OF PUBLIC WORKS AND COMMUNICATIONS, WITH FURTHER COMMITMENTS BEYOND THIS PERIOD IN THE ORDER OF $12 BILLION.

THIS WAS DISCLOSED BY THE HON. DAVID MCDONALD, DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC WORKS, DURING THE ANNUAL POLICY DEBATE IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY.

TO GIVE AN INDICATION OF THE MAGNITUDE, IMMENSE SCOPE AND COMPLEXITY OF THE PROGRAMME, MR. MCDONALD MENTIONED A FEW OF THE MAJOR PROJECTS.

HE SAID THAT A VERY IMPORTANT SECTION OF THE PROGRAMME PROVIDED FOR A DEVELOPING ROAD NETWORK.

THIS INCLUDED THE AP LEI CHAU BRIDGE, THE ABERDEEN TUNNEL, THE EASTERN CORRIDOR ON HONG KONG ISLAND, THE SECOND LION ROCK TUNNEL, THE FULL SIX LANES OF THE TUEN MUN ROAD AND THE FIRST LEG OF THE NEW TERRITORIES TRUNK ROAD FROM SHA TIN TO TAI PO.

HOWEVER, HE POINTED OUT THAT HIGH ON THE LIST OF ITEMS IN THE PUBLIC WORKS PROGRAMME WERE THE MANY LAND DEVELOPMENT PROJECTS.

+IN ABERDEEN, WESTERN DISTRICT AND CHEUNG SHA WAN, EXTENSIVE RECLAMATION PROJECTS ARE UNDER WAY,+ MR. MCDONALD SAID.

+IN SHEK WU HUI IN THE NEW TERRITORIES, ENGINEERING WORKS ARE STARTING ON THE SITE OF THE FORMER TANNERIES TO PROVIDE AREAS FOR PUBLIC HOUSING, AND SIMILAR SCHEMES ARE UNDER WAY IN YUEN LONG, ON LANTAU AND CHEUNG CHAU AND IN SAI KUNG= AND LAND FOR THE FIRST INDUSTRIAL ESTATE IS BEING FORMED AT TAI PO.

+BUT BY FAR THE MOST SPECTACULAR DEVELOPMENTS ARE TAKING PLACE IN THE THREE NEW TOWNS OF SHA TIN, TUEN MUN AND TSUEN WAN, WHERE LAND IS BEING FORMED AND SERVICED ON AN UNPRECEDENTED SCALE TO PROVIDE THE BASIC INFRASTRUCTURE FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF THESE NEW TOWNS.+

MR. MCDONALD SAID THAT JUST AS IMPORTANT WERE THE BUILDING PROJECTS SPREAD THROUGHOUT HONG KONG THAT COMPLETED THE INFRASTRUCTURE.

SOME OF THESE, SUCH AS THE TWO TECHNICAL INSTITUTES BEING BUILT IN KOWLOON, AND THE HUNG HOM SPORTS STADIUM WOULD CREATE IMPROVED FACILITIES FOR THE COMMUNITY AS A WHOLE, WHILE OTHERS, LIKE THE GENERAL HOSPITAL IN SHA TIN AND THE FIRST FIVE DENTAL CLINICS FOR SCHOOL CHILDREN TO BE BUILT AT MORRISON HILL, WOULD BRING ADVANTAGES, JUST AS APPARENT, BUT DESIGNED TO MEET THE NEEDS OF SPECIFIC AREAS, HE ADDED.

/THE PROGRAMME

'HURSDAY, NOVEMBER 10, 1977

10

THE PROGRAMME ALSO INCLUDED A LARGE NUMBER OF PROJECTS, TAKEN LARGELY FOR GRANTED, BUT WHICH WERE VITAL FOR THE WELL BEING OF THE COMMUNITY.

+TAKEN SEPARATELY, EACH ITEM IN THE PROGRAMME CONTRIBUTES TO THE IMPLEMENTATION OF OUR MANY ASPIRATION: TAKEN AS A WHOLE, THE PROGRAMME FORMS THE BASIS FOR THE SOCIAL AND ECONOMIC INFRASTRUCTURE ON WHICH OUR FUTURE PROSPERITY AND THE EQUALITY OF OUR LIVES DEPEND,+ MR. MCDONALD SAID.

+IT IS A TREMENDOUS UNDERTAKING IN TERMS OF MONEY, RESOURCES AND EFFORT, AND IT SHOULD NOT BE TOO SURPRISING IF PROGRESS SOMETIMES FALLS SHORT OF EXPECTATIONS.+

HE RECALLED THAT FOR THE PAST TWO YEARS, THE GOVERNMENT HAD UNDERSPENT ON PUBLIC WORKS.

LOOKING AHEAD TO THE SPENDING PERFORMANCE THIS YEAR, MR. MCDONALD SAID THAT THE UNUSUALLY DRY WEATHER HAD BEEN IN OUR FAVOUR AS IT ENABLED WORKS TO PROCEED WITH FEWER THAN NORMAL INTERRUPTIONS DUE TO RAIN.

+WE HAVE HAD SUBSTANTIAL INCREASES IN STAFF OF THE PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT OVER THE LAST FEW MONTHS AND ALTHOUGH WE ARE STILL MORE THAN 11 PER CENT BELOW APPROVED ESTABLISHMENT THE EFFECT OF THE STAFF INCREASES IS NOW BEGINNING TO SHOW,+ HE SAID.

+0N THE OTHER HAND, THE INCREASING LOAD BEING PLACED ON THE CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY, NOT ONLY BY THE GOVERNMENT, BUT ALSO BY THE MASS TRANSIT RAILWAY AND THE PRIVATE SECTOR, IS GIVING RISE TO A NOTICEABLE SHORTAGE OF WORKERS IN THE CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY, AND THIS IS RESULTING IN INCREASED WAGES, INCREASED COST AND IN MANY CASES DELAYS IN PROGRESS OF PROJECTS.+

MR. MCDONALD SAID THAT AT THIS STAGE IN THE YEAR IT WAS STILL NOT EASY TO FORECAST WITH PRECISION WHAT THE GOVERNMENT WOULD ACTUALLY SPEND ON PUBLIC WORKS IN 1977/78.

+SOME SHORTFALL IN PLANNED EXPENDITURE IS EXPECTED BUT PRODUCTIVITY HAS INCREASED AND PERFORMANCE FIGURES WILL BE VERY MUCH BETTER THAN IN RECENT YEARS,+ HE ADDED.

-----0 -

/11 .....

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 13, 1977

11

COMPREHENSIVE EFFORTS BEING MADE IN N.T. DEVELOPMENT ******

Ai/r-n^T^L,^CRETARY F0R THE NEW TERRITORIES, THE HON. DAVID AKERS-JONES, TODAY NAMED A LONG LIST OF COMMUNITY PRO 1FCTR TO SHOW THE SCALE AND COMPREHENSIVENESS OF THE GOVERNMENT’S DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME FOR THE NEW TERRITORIES.

AND HE DESCRIBED THAT LONG LIST AS ONLY A +SAMPLE+ HE HAD CHOSEN TO ILLUSTRATE THE COMPREHENSIVE EFFORT NOW BEING MADE.

SPEAKING AT THE ANNUAL POLICY DEBATE IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL, MR. AKERS-JONES POINTED OUT THERE WAS NOW A MUCH MORE CONSCIOUS AND SYSTEMATIC APPROACH TO DEVELOPMENT AND TO THE NEEDS OF THE NEW TERRITORIES.

ON EDUCATION, HE SAID 21 NEW SECONDARY SCHOOLS WOULD BE BUILT IN TUSEN WAN, EIGHT IN SHA TIN AND SIX IN TUEN MUN IN THE NEXT TWO TO THREE YEARS IN ORDER TO PROVIDE THREE YEARS OF SECONDARY EDUCATION FOR ALL PRIMARY SCHOOL LEAVERS.

AT THE SAME TIME, HE ADDED, TAI PO, SAI KUNG AND LANTAU WILL EACH HAVE A NEW SCHOOL AND YUEN LONG WILL HAVE TWO.

THESE NEW SCHOOL PROJECTS ARE ADDITIONAL TO A NUMBER OF OTHERS WHICH WERE BUILT IN THE LAST TWO YEARS OR WHICH ARE DUE TO OPEN BY THE END OF THE YEAR IN VARIOUS PARTS OF THE NEW TERRITORIES, HE SAID.

IN THE FIELD OF MEDICAL FACILITIES, MR. AKERS-JONES SAID THERE WERE PLANS FOR THE IMPROVEMENT AND EXPANSION OF HOSPITALS IN THE NEW TERRITORIES.

APART FROM THE CLINICS AND HOSPITALS MENTIONED BY THE GOVERNOR HE SAID THE POK 01 HOSPITAL HAD BEEN UPGRADED TO A DISTRICT HOSPITAL PROVIDING A 24-HOUR CASUALTY SERVICE.

PLANS ARE WELL IN HAND TO INCREASE THE SIZE OF THE HOSPITAL BY 200 BEDS, HE SAID, AND THE HOSPITAL HAS ALSO NOW BEEN PLACED ON A DEFICIENCY GRANT BASIS.

OTHER IMPROVEMENT PLANS INCLUDE AN IN THE FANLING HOSPITAL AND THE YAN CHAI

INCREASE OF 50 BEDS EACH HOSPITAL IN TSUEN WAN.

AS REGARDS THE CONSTRUCTION OF TOWN HALLS IN EACH OF THE THREE NEW TOWNS, MR. AKERS-JONES DESCRIBED IT AS +A DEVELOPMENT OF FAR-REACHING SIGNIFICANCE, NOT ONLY IN THE LIVES OF THE PEOPLE OF THE NEW TERRITORIES BUT FOR THE WHOLE OF HONG KONG.+

IN ADDITION TO THE TOWN HALLS, HE SAID, COMMUNITY CENTRES ARE TO BE PROVIDED IN EACH OF THE NEW TOWNS FOR EACH 100,300 PEOPLE AND ALMOST EVERY HOUSING ESTATE WILL HAVE A SMALLER COMMUNITY HALL.

OUTSIDE-THE NEW TOWNS, MR. AKERS-JONES SAID THE GOVERNMENT WAS EXAMINING THE POSSIBILITY OF PROVIDING AN IMPROVED AIR-CONDITIONED AUDITORIUM IN CONJUNCTION WITH THE BUILDING OF A SECONDARY SCHOOL IN YUEN LONG, AND I'.' SHEUNG SHU I, PLANS WERE WELL ADVANCED FOR A COMMUNITY CENTRE.

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 10, 1977

12

REGARDING LIBRARIES, HE SAID ONE WAS OPENED IN TAI PO LAST MONTH, AND AN INTERIM LIBRARY WOULD OPEN IN SHA TIN THIS MONTH AND ANOTHER IN SHEUNG SHU I BY THE END OF THE YEAR. IN TUEN MUN AND KWAI CHUNG, A LIBRARY WILL OPEN NEXT YEAR.

AS FOR ACTIVE RECREATION, MR. AKERS-JONES SAID EXISTING FACILITIES WERE EITHER BEING CURRENTLY IMPROVED OR PLANNING WAS WELL ADVANCED ON THE FUTURE CONSTRUCTION PROGRAMME.

MAJOR PROJECTS HE MENTIONED INCLUDED A FULLY-EQUIPPED SPORTS GROUND BY 1980 IN SAI KUNG- PLAYGROUNDS BEING BUILT AT TA I 0 ON LANTAU AND ON CHEUNG CHAU- THE KWAI CHUNG SPORTS GROUND TO BE COMPLETED NEXT YEAR PROVIDING MINI-SOCCER PITCHES, BASKET BALL COURTS, A FOOTBALL PITCH AND RUNNING TRACK- A SWIMMING POOL COMPLEX OF EIGHT POOLS PLANNED FOR COMPLETION IN 1983-81 AT CASTLE PEAK IN ADDITION TO OPENING UP NEW BEACHES- THE FANLING SWIMMING POOL WHICH WILL OPEN NEXT YEAR- AND THE YUEN LONG SWIMMING POOL, WORK ON WHICH HAD STARTED.

MR. AKERS-JONES SA IDs + IN THE NEW TOWNS, THE LIST OF PROJECTS IS TOO LONG TO RELATE BUT TO GIVE AN INDICATION, LET ME SAY THAT THERE ARE 51 PROJECTS FOR THE DEVEOPMENT OF OPEN SPACE IN TSUEN WAN IN THE NEXT THREE YEARS.+

HE AGREED WITH THE HON. CHARLES YEUNG THAT THE SMALLER TOWNS MUST NOT EE NEGLECTED, AND HE HOPED WHAT HE HAD SAID DEMONSTRATED THAT THIS WAS NOT THE CASE.

HE SAID THE PROGRAMME OF LOCAL PUBLIC WORKS CONTINUED OUTSIDE THE TOWNS, AND EXPENDITURE ON THESE MINOR LOCAL IMPROVEMENTS IN THE RURAL AREAS HAD AMOUNTED TO 023 MILLION IN THE PAST FIVE YEARS.

+THIS YEAR, AT THE SUGGESTION OF THE HEUNG YEE KUK, A VILLAGE LIGHTING PROGRAMME HAS BEGUN AND 14 VILLAGES WILL HAVE STREET LIGHTS BEFORE THE YEAR IS OUT.

+1 PLAN A GREATLY INCREASED PROGRAMME NEXT YEAR,+ HE SAID.

TURNING TO MATTERS OF LAND RESUMPTION, MR. AKERS-JONES SAID A JOINT WORKING GROUP IS TO BE SET UP TO SPECIFICALLY ADVISED THE GOVERNOR ON HOW TO TACKLE IN FUTURE THE QUESTION OF THE METHOD AND RATES OF COMPENSATION FOR RESUMPTION OF AGRICULTURAL LAND IN THE NEW TERRITORIES.

MR. AKERS-JONES SAID THAT SIR YUET-KEUNG KAN HAD AGREED TO ACCEPT THE TASK OF CHAIRMAN OF THE GROUP WHICH WOULD HOPEFULLY BE ABLE TO GET DOWN TO WORK AS QUICKLY AS POSSIBLE.

HE SAID IT WAS PROPOSED THAT THE WORKING GROUP WOULD COMPRISE FOUR HEUNG YEE KUK REPRESENTATI.ES, THREE MEMBERS OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL, ONE OTHER MEMBER AND T .0 GOVERNMENT OFFICERS WITH PARTICULAR KNOWLEDGE OF T-E E.. TER". IT0EIE3 AND LA-ID RESUMPTION PROBLEMS AND PROCEDURES.

/the gcvehnoh, ....

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 10, 1977

13

THE GOVERNOR, SIR MURRAY MACLEHOSE, SAID IN HIS SPEECH TO THE OPENING SESSION OF THE COUNCIL LAST MONTH THAT +THE TIME IS RIPE FOR FRESH THINKING ON THE SUBJECT OF THE METHOD AND RATES OF COMPENSATION FOR RESUMPTION OF AGRICULTURAL LAND.*

MR. AKERS-JONES SAID: +THIS IS SOMETHING THAT HAS BEEN THE SUBJECT OF AN ALMOST CONTINUOUS DIALOGUE EET..EEN MY PREDECESSORS, MYSELF AND THE HEUNG YEE KUK FOR A GREAT MANY YEARS.+

CHANGES AND ADJUSTMENTS HAVE BEEN MADE, HE SAID, BUT THE SCALE OF RESUMPTION BEING IMPLEMENTED AND REQUIRED DURING THE NEXT FEW YEARS TO PROVIDE LAND FOR DEVELOPMENT, SUGGESTS MOST STRONGLY THAT A FRESH LOOK NEEDS TO BE TAKEN AT THE WHOLE QUESTION OF COMPENSATION FOR LAND RESUMED AND THE LAND EXCHANGED SYSTEM, WHICH IS UNDER A SEVERE STRAIN FROM THE SCALE OF RESUMPTIONS AND THE EXTENT OF THE REQUIREMENT FOR LAND FOR PUBLIC PURPOSES.

+PERHAPS I COULD ILLUSTRATE THIS BY SAYING THAT RESUMPTIONS THIS YEAR AMOUNT TO SOMETHING IN THE ORDER OF 16 MILLION SQUARE FEET,* HE SAID.

COMMENTING ON POINTS RAISED BY THE HON. CHARLES YEUNG ON THE PARTICULAR PROBLEMS OF CLEARANCE IN SHA TIN, MR. AKERS-JONES REVEALED THAT THE COMPENSATION ARRANGEMENTS FOR THE REMOVAL OF THE MARKET WERE BEING MADE THE SUBJECT OF A SPECIAL STUDY.

HE EXPLAINED THAT THE EXISTING SHOPS, RESTAURANTS AND STALLS THAT MADE UP SHA TIN MARKET WERE BUILT EITHER ON LEASED AGRICULTURAL LAND OR ON CROWN LAND.

+WE ARE BUILDING A NEW TOWN AND IT WOULD QUITE BE INAPPROPRIATE TO REPEAT THE TEMPORARY EXPEDIENTS OF THE PAST,* HE SAID.

ON THE SETTING UP OF N.T. DISTRICT ADVISORY BOARDS, MR. AKERS-JONES, SAID THE APPOINTMENT OF ADVISORY BOARDS IN ALL THE SEVEN ADMINISTRATIVE DISTRICTS OF THE NEW TERRITORIES WILL BE ANNOUNCED SHORTLY.

HE SAID THEIR TERMS OF REFERENCE WOULD MAKE IT CLEAR THAT THE BOARDS WOULD COVER THE GOVERNMENT ADMINISTRATIVE DISTRICTS OF THE N.T. AND WOULD NOT INTERFERE IN THE AFFAIRS OF INDIVIDUAL RURAL COMMITTEES.

THE RURAL COMMITTEES WILL CONTINUE TO SAFEGUARD THE TRADITIONAL RIGHTS AND CUSTOMS OF THE INDIGENOUS INHABITANTS, MR. AKERS-JONES SAID.

AT THE SAME TIME, HE SAID, THE SCALE OF THE DEVELOPMENT EVERYWHERE IN THE NEW TERRITORIES AND THE INCREASING POPULATION MAKES IT MOST IMPORTANT TO OBTAIN ADVICE FROM A BRCAD SPECTRUM OF THE PEOPLE ON WHAT IS BEING DONE IN THE DISTRICTS a\D WHAT NEEDS L TO BE DONE,' AS WELL AS TO GUIDE THE ACTIVITIES OF THE GOVERNMENT’S SPECIALIST ORGANISERS IN VARIOUS FIELDS.

+UNLESS WE CAN CREATE A SENSE 0^ INVOLVEMENT AND PARTICIPATION, WE RUN THE RISK, AT BEST, OF STERILE SPOON-FEEDING, AND AT WORST, A TOTAL LACK OF RESPONSE A'.D MISDIRECTED EFFORT,* HE SAID.

------- 0 - -

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER

1977

CONSULTANTS TO

APPOINTED TO STUDY BRIDGE TO LANTAU

******

A CONSULTANCY a ILL BE COMMISSIONED IN THE NEAR FUTURE TO INVESTIGATE, AND PROVIDE DETAILED DESIGNS FOR A ROAD CROSSING, PROBABLY A BRIDGE, BETWEEN LANTAU AND THE MAINLAND, THE SECRETARY FOR THE ENVIRONMENT, THE HON. DEREK JONES SAID TODAY.

SPEAKING IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL’S ANNUAL POLICY DEBATE R. JONES SAID STUDIES WOULD ALSO BE UNDERTAKEN BY THE PUBLIC ..ORKS DEPARTMENT OF THE DEVELOPMENT POSSIBILITIES OF THE NORTH S- LANTAU, INCLUDING THE ENGINEERING FEASIBILITY OF CONSTRUCTING A REPLACEMENT AIRPORT AT CHEK LAP KOK, IN CASE IT SHOULD LATER BE DECIDED TO PROCEED WITH SUCH A PROJECT.

APART FROM. SUCH A POSSIBILITY, THE MAIN AIM WOULD EE TO PROVIDE ADDITIONAL LAND FOR INDUSTRY ON LANTAU.

HE ALSO REVEALED THAT SITES ON NORTH EAST LANTAU WERE BEING INVESTIGATED FOR A NEW POWER STATION FOR THE CHINA LIGHT AND POWER COMPANY. THIS WOULD PROVIDE 1,430 MEGAWATTS OF GENERATING CAPACITY IN ITS FIRST STAGE, WITH ROOM BEING PROVIDED LATER FOR AN ADDITIONAL 2,300 MEGAWATTS, AND IT WAS SIGNIFICANT THAT THE FOUR GENERATING SETS IN THE FIRST STAGE ALONE WOULD PROVIDE ALMOST AS MUCH CAPACITY AS ALL 10 SETS NOW INSTALLED ON TSI NG Yl.

MR. JONES SAID THE REPORT OF THE SPECIAL COMMITTEE ON LAND PRODUCTION HAD JUST BEEN PUBLISHED AND SHOWED THAT GOVERNMENT WOULD BE PRODUCING ALMOST 3,330 HECTARES OF NEWLY FORMED LAND BY 1981/52 AND THAT THIS WOULD INCLUDE MORE THAN 600 HECTARES -THAT IS OVER 1,500 ACRES, OR UPWARDS OF 60 MILLION SQUARE FEET - OF INDUSTRIAL LAND OVER THE PERIOD.

+THIS IS MUCH MORE FORMED LAND THAN HAS BEEN PRODUCED IN ANY COMPARABLE PERIOD IN HONG KONG’S HISTORY.

+BEYOND 1981/82, THE RATE GF PLANNED PRODUCTION OF LAND IN DEFINITE PROGRAMMES WILL BEGIN TO FALL OFF SOMEWHAT. SO, THE NEXT TASK OF THE GOVERNMENT, AIDED DY THE SPECIAL COMMITTEE, ..ILL BE TO EXAMINE IN GREATER DETAIL THAN HITHERTO THE POSSIBILITIES FOR FURTHER LAND PRODUCTION ON THE MAINLAND IN THE 80’3.+ HE ADDED.

HE NOTED THAT ALL THIS INDICATED THAT CONSIDERABLE EFFORTS WERE NOW BEING MADE IN PLANNING NEW LAND PRODUCTION AND THE GOVERNMENT WOULD CONTINUE TO GIVE HIGH PRIORITY TO THESE MATTERS.

TURNING TO TRANSPORT, MR. JONES SAID GOVERNMENT RECOGNISED THAT THE PROBLEMS OF LAME PRODUCTION, LAND USE PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT COULD NOT BE CONSIDERED OUTSIDE THE CONTEXT OF ADEQUATE TRANSPORT AND COMMUNICATIONS.

+MC AREA OF LAND CAI; BE PROPERLY DEVELOPED WITHOUT ADEQUATc TRANSPORT LINKS, AND CLOGGED ROADS AND STREETS wILL SLOW DOWN DEVELOPMENT AMD ECONOMIC GROWTH,* . JONES SAID.

+ IT IS FOP. THIO REASON THAT THE GOVERNMENT IS PAYING CLOSE ATTENTION TO FUTURE TRANSPORT 'LA:.NING AMD INVESTMENT.*

/FOLLOWING

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 10, 1977

- 15 -

FOLLOWING THE COMPREHENSIVE TRANSPORT STUDY PREPARED EY CONSULTANTS LAST YEAR A GOVERNMENT WORKING GROUP WAS CARRYING OUT A DETAILED STUDY OF OUR FUTURE TRANSPORT REQUIREMENTS AND HOW THEY COULD BE MET.

THIS WOULD UPDATE OUR PLANS FOR NEW ROADS, THE MTR AND KCR, BUSES AND OTHER PUBLIC TRANSPORT, AS WELL AS TRAFFIC MANAGEMENT SCHEMES AND CONTROLS.

+HOPEFULLY, ALL THIS WORK WILL EMERGE IN THE COURSE OF NEXT YEAR IN THE FORM OF A TRANSPORT WHITE PAPER AND BE THE SUBJECT OF DEBATE IN THIS COUNCIL,* HE ADDED.

MR. JONES SAID THAT CURRENT AND PROSPECTIVE PLANS FOR SPENDING ON ROADS, TUNNELS, AND RAILWAYS ALONE COULD WELL ADD UP TO AS MUCH AS $23,033 MILLION BY THE END OF THE 1983’S, THAT WAS WITHOUT ANY ACCOUNT BEING TAKEN OF EXPENDITURE BY THE PRIVATELY OWNED TRANSPORT OPERATORS.

+THIS IS A FORMIDABLE SUM EY ANY STANDARDS AND, ALTHOUGH I RECOGNISE THE FRUSTRATIONS FELT EY MANY OF THE TRAVELLING PUBLIC AT THE PRESENT TIME, THESE EXPENDITURES WILL DO MUCH TO IMPROVE THE SITUATION IN FUTURE YEARS, PARTICULARLY IN RELATION TO PUBLIC TRANSPORT.*

WE HAD TO RECOGNISE, HOWEVER, THAT HONG KONG WAS ONE OF THE WORLD’S MOST DENSELY POPULATED CITIES AND THAT THE TASK OF KEEPING THE POPULATION MOVING IN THE FACE OF GROWING TRANSPORT DEMANDS WOULD BE A NEVER ENDING ONE, MR. JONES SAID.

ON ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION, HE SAID THAT A FINAL REPORT HAD BEEN RECEIVED FROM THE CONSULTANTS AND ENDORSED BY EPCOM. ON THE BASIS OF THEIR RECOMMENDATIONS, DRAFTS OF COMPREHENSIVE ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION LEGISLATION WERE BEING PREPARED IN CONSULTATION WITH INDUSTRY AND OTHER INTERESTS.

+AN ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION UNIT IS BEING BUILT UP WITHIN THE GOVERNMENT TO MONITOR THE HONG KONG ENVIRONMENT IN ALL ITS ASPECTS, TO LAY DOWN STANDARDS AND TO ADVISE THE DEPARTMENTS RESPONSIBLE FOR IMPLEMENTATION,* HE SAID. STAFF OF THE UNIT WOULD GRADUALLY BE EXPANDED TO PERFORM THESE FUNCTIONS.

ON SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY, MR. JONES SAID GOVERNMENT HAD ONLY RECENTLY STRENGTHENED THE COMMITTEE FOR SCIENTIFIC CO-ORDINATION BY ADDING TO IT REPRESENTATIVES FROM THE POLYTECHNIC, THE PRODUCTIVITY CENTRE AND THE FEDERATION OF HONG KONG INDUSTRIES AND TIME WAS NEEDED TO SEE HOW IT WAS WORKING OUT.

+NEVERTHELESS,* HE SAID, +1 PROMISE TO TAKE ANOTHER LOOK AT THE WHOLE QUESTION', IN CONSULTATION WITH THE CHAIRMAN OF THE COMMITTEE. I WOULD EMPHASIZE, HOWEVER, THAT WHAT WE WANT IN THIS FIELD IS A BODY THAT CAN HELP US TC TACKLE THE PRACTICAL °ROBLEMS THAT FACE US IN APPLYING TECHNOLOGY IN THE AREAS ..HERE IT IS NEEDED MOST.*

ON THE SUBJECT OF COMPENSATION, ’’P. JONES SAID ThE GOVERNMENT AGREED THAT QUESTIONS OF P-7PEPTY I'.HTS, INCLUDING THE TERMS OF LEASES AND THE LAWFUL USE > r.~C~E.-.TY, SHOULD WHEREVER POSSIBLE BE DEALT WITH EY LAW.

/BUT, WHSN ......

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 10, 1977

- 16 -

BUT, WHEN IT CAME TO THE RELIEF OF HARDSHIP AND THE DISTURBANCE OF PEOPLE AND THEIR LIVELIHOOD, GOVERNMENT FELT THAT AN EX-GRATIA SYSTEM WAS USUALLY MORE FLEXIBLE AND MORE EFFECTIVE. HE SAID AN ANNUAL REVIEW OF COMPENSATION RATES HAD BEEN INSTITUTED.

CONCERNING DANGEROUS BUILDINGS AND CLOSURE ORDERS, MR. JONES SAID THAT MOST EMERGENCY CLOSURES AROSE FROM FIRES AND OTHER CALAMITIES WHICH REQUIRED RAPID EVACUATION OF THE BUILDINGS CONCERNED. IT WAS NOT POSSIBLE THEREFORE FOR THE GOVERNMENT TO REDUCE THE NUMBER OF EMERGENCY CLOSURES.

HE SAID THE PAYMENT OF COMPENSATION TO THOSE PERMANENTLY DISPLACED BY BUILDING CLOSURES WAS PROPERLY MADE BY THE OWNER OF THE PROPERTY, ALTHOUGH THE GOVERNMENT USUALLY ASSISTED BOTH THE OWNER AND THE TENANT BY ADVANCING PART OF THE COMPENSATION AT THE CUTSET.

0 -------

GOVERNMENT URGED TO PUBLICISE SMALL CLAIMS TRIBUNAL * * * * *

THE HON. OSWALD CHEUNG TODAY CALLED ON THE GOVERNMENT TO USE ALL ENDEAVOUR TO MAKE KNOWN THE SMALL CLAIMS TRIBUNAL’S EXISTENCE AND FACILITIES, AND ENCOURAGE ITS USE.

SPEAKING AT THE SECOND READING OF THE SMALL CLAIMS TRIBUNAL (AMENDMENT) BILL 1977 IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY, MR. CHEUNG SAID THE TRIBUNAL WAS MEANT TO EE A FORUM TO FACILITATE THE ENFORCEMENT OF CLAIMS BY PERSONS OF MODEST MEANS IN A LAWFUL, PEACEFUL, EFFECTIVE AND ECONOMICAL WAY.

HE SAID IT WOULD SEEM, AFTER A YEAR’S FUNCTIONING, THE TRIBUNAL WAS BEGINNING TO SERVE ITS PURPOSE AND HOPED THAT THE GOVERNMENT WOULD PUBLICISE IT IN THE NEXT TWO YEARS AT THE END ---------------------------------------------MAKE IT A PERMANENT

OF WHICH A DECISION WILL BE TAKEN WHETHER TO INSTITUTION.

HE NOTED THAT CLAIMANTS OF MODEST MEANS DID USE THE TRIBUNAL SUBSTANTIALLY AS MORE THAN THREE QUARTERS OF THE 6,700 CASES HANDLED DURING THE 12 MONTHS SINCE ITS INCEPTION WERE CLAIMS FOR GOODS SOLD AND DELIVERED, DISHONOURED CHEQUES, MAINTENANCE AND SERVICE CHARGES IN MULTI-STOREY BUILDINGS, HIRE-PURCHASE CHARGES, DAMAGES FOR TRAFFIC ACCIDENTS AND THE LIKE.

WELCOMING THE BILL, WHICH PROVIDES THE TRIBUNAL WITH A POWER OF REVIEW, MR. CHEUNG SAID IN A TRIBUNAL GF THIS KIND, IT WAS VERY CONVENIENT AND IN THE INTEREST OF JUSTICE THAT THERE SHOULD BE SUCH A POWER.

BUT HE URGED THE GOVERNMENT TC CONSIDER WHETHER IT COULD TAKE ADVANTAGE CF THE PASSAGE OF THE BILL TO PUT IN AN AMENDMENT TO CLARIFY THE A' BIGJITY CN THE +.RUNMNG OF TIME FOR APPEALS* AFTER AN ORDER OR A'. .ARD WAS HANDED DOWN BY THE TRIBUNa_.

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 10, 1977

IN REPLY, TrtE HON. GARTH THORNTON, SOLICITOR GENERAL AGREED '..ITH MR. CHEUNG HOW IMPORTANT IT NAS THAT THE FUNCTIONS OF THE TRIBUNAL SHOULD BE WIDELY KNOWN AND UNDERSTOOD AND SAID SOME STEPS HAD BEEN TAKEN TO PUBLICISE WHAT THE TRIBUNAL HAD TO OFFER AND THESE WOULD CONTINUE.

HE NOTED THAT THE INCREASING NUMBER OF CASES NOW COMING FORWARD IS AN ENCOURAGING SIGN OF PUBLIC ACCEPTANCE AND CONFIDENCE.

ON THE POINT CONCERNING THE RUNNING OF TIME FOR APPEALS, MR. THORNTON SAID HE WOULD LOOK INTO WHAT NEEDS TO BE DONE AND CONSULT .ITH MR. CHEUNG FURTHER BEFORE THE COUNCIL MET AGAIN.

THE COMMITTEE STAGE AND THE THIRD READING OF THE BILL WERE POSTPONED. __________ _

GOVERNMENT RE-EXAMINING THE POSSIBILITY OF AN

EXHIBITION CENTRE *******

THE GOVERNMENT IS RE-EXAMINING THE POSSIBILITY GF PROVIDING AN EXHIBITION CENTRE, THE SECRETARY FOR ECONOMIC SERVICES, THE HON. DAVID JEAFFRESON, TOLD THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL THIS AFTERNOON.

MR. JEAFFRESON SAID THE COMMISSIONER OF INDUSTRY AND CUSTOMS nAS BEEN GATHERING MATERIAL TO SUPPORT HIS VIEW THAT AN EXHIBITION CENTRE wAS GREATLY NEEDED AND WOULD BE WIDELY USED.

HE SAID AN ADEQUATE EXHIBITION CENTRE WOULD NOT EE INEXPENSIVE ADDING: +WE MUST BE QUITE SURE THAT THE DEMAND FOR IT IS REALLY THERE AND THAT THE CENTRE WOULD EE VIABLE.*

HE TOLD THE COUNCIL THAT THE SITE RESERVED FOR THE EXHIBITION CENTRE IN THE 196O'S WAS STILL AVAILABLE.

HE SAID THERE HAD BEEN A PROPOSAL 13 YEARS AGO THAT THE GOVERNMENT SHOULD BUILD A COMBINED INDOOR SPORTS STADIUM AND EXHIBITION AND CONVENTION CENTRE AS PART OF THE HUNG HOM COMPLEX, BUT, IN 1967, THE GOVERNMENT DECIDED TO PROCEED ONLY WITH THE RAILWAY STATION AND THE INDOOR STADIUM.

+THE PRIMARY REASON FOR THIS ’..AS THE OVERALL COST, THEN ESTIMATED TC EE IN THE ORDER OF Q63 MILLION, EXCLUDING THE STATION,* MR. JEAFFRESON RECALLED.

+THE GOVERNMENT CONCLUDED THAT PRIORITY HAD TO EE GIVEN TO RECREATION, SPORTS AND YOUTH ACTIVITIES, AND, THUS, SINCE IT COULD NOT AFFORD THE .HOLE PROJECT, ONLY THE INDOOR STADIUM SHOULD BE BUILT IN ADDITION TO THE STATION.*

/18 .

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 13, 1977

18

TRAINING SCHEMES FOR YOUNG MUSICIANS COME FIRST K# SU

THE SECRETARY FOR HOME AFFAIRS, THE HON. F.K. LI, TOLD THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY THAT THERE MIGHT BE A NEED FOR ESTABLISHING AN ACADEMY OF THE ARTS IN HONG KONG IN FUTURE AND +THIS SHOULD BE OUR LONG-TERM AIM+.

+ BUT THE IMMEDIATE TASK BEFORE US IS TO PUSH AHEAD WITH THE VARIOUS TRAINING SCHEMES ON MUSIC -- AN AREA WHERE THERE IS .-.IDE AND ESTABLISHED INTEREST AND WHERE TALENT IS NOT LACKING,* HE SAID DURING THE RESUMED ANNUAL POLICY DEBATE.

MR. LI WAS ANSWERING TO SUGGESTIONS FOR THE SETTING UP OF AN ACADEMY OF ARTS MADE BY UNOFFICIAL MEMBERS TWO WEEKS AGO.

HE POINTED OUT THAT THE GOVERNMENT HAD ALREADY MADE A START IN PROVIDING TRAINING OPPORTUNITIES AND FACILITIES FOR OUR YOUNG MUSICIANS, BUT THE DEMAND AND INTEREST IN THE OTHER PERFORMING ARTS WERE +NOT QUITE SO EVIDENT*.

+IT WOULD EE PRUDENT TO TACKLE FIRST THINGS FIRST,* HE REMARKED.

MR. LI EARLIER OUTLINED WHAT THE GOVERNMENT AND THE URBAN COUNCIL WERE DOING IN PROMOTING CULTURE AND ARTS BY LISTING THE VARIOUS ACTIONS ALREADY TAKEN TOWARDS THIS END.

YESTERDAY (WEDNESDAY) THE DIRECTOR OF EDUCATION MENTIONED THAT A MUSIC ADMINISTRATOR AND A MUSIC CONSULTANT HAD BEEN APPOINTED TO WORK OUT A SCHEME TO DEVELOP THE SKILLS OF HONG KONG’S YOUNG MUSICIANS.

MR. LI TODAY REVEALED THAT THE ROYAL HONG KONG JOCKEY CLUB HAD GENEROUSLY PLEDGED A DONATION TO SET UP A MUSIC FUND.

HE WELCOMED THIS TIMELY DONATION WHICH WILL BOOST THE GOVERNMENT’S EFFORTS IN DEVELOPING A GREATER APPRECIATION AND WIDER PART IC IPATI ON IN MUSIC AMONG YOUNG PEOPLE AND II. OFFERING BETTER AND INCREASED OPPORTUNITIES FOR CUR YOUNG MUSICIANS TO RECEIVE PROPER TRAINING WHETHER LOCALLY OR ABROAD.

THE GOVERNMENT ASSISTANCE TO MAKE BETTER TRAINING FACILITIES AND OPPORTUNITIES AVAILABLE IS NOT CONFINED TO THE INSTRUMENTAL TRAINING SCHEME IN SCHOOLS.

RECENTLY, MR. LI NOTED, +A SUBSTANTIAL GRANT HAS BEEN MADE TO THE HONG KONG CONSERVATORY OF MUSIC FROM A SPECIAL FUND, ESTABLISHED BY AN ANONYMOUS DONOR, TO ENABLE THIS VOLUNTARY ORGANISATION TO SET ITSELF UP IN THE ARTS CENTRE.*

COMMENTING ON THE UNOFFICIALS PROPOSAL TO UNIFY UNDER OKE UMBRELLA THE PERSONAL SERVICES FOR YOUNG PEOPLE, MR. LI RECALLED THE PROBLEMS RELATING TO THIS SUGGESTION '..ERE FULLY EXPLAINED BY HIS PREDECESSOR IN THE COUNCIL LAST YEAR.

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 10, 1977

19

+l SEE NO REASON TO CHANGE THE BASIS FOR GOVERNMENT PLANNING, THAT IS, SERVICES RELATED TO FUNCTIONS- FOR EXAMPLE, HOUSING, EDUCATION, RECREATION RATHER THAN ON THE BASIS OF SERVICES FOR AGE-GROUPS.

+SOME SERVICES ARE, OF COURSE, SPECIALLY RELATED TO ONE AGE GROUP, HENCE THE PROGRAMMES FOR THE ELDERLY AND FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF PERSONAL SOCIAL WORK AMONG YOUTH- BUT GENERALLY SERVICES ARE PROVIDED FOR THE COMMUNITY AS A WHOLE.

+PARKS, HOSPITALS, ROADS, FLATS, SWIMMING POOLS, BUSES — ALL THESE SERVE THE COMMUNITY AT LARGE, THOUGH THEY ALSO OBVIOUSLY BENEFIT OUR YOUNG PEOPLE AS WELL,* HE SAID.

MR. LI ADDED THAT IF AN ADVISORY COMMITTEE ON YOUTH SERVICES WERE TO BE SET UP, AS ADVOCATED BY THE HON. HILTON CHEONG-LEEN, THERE WOULD CERTAINLY BE SOME DUPLICATION OF EFFORTS AND THIS MIGHT INDEED CREATE CONFUSION.

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

CROWN RIGHTS (RE-ENTRY AND VESTING REMEDIES) (AMENDMENT) BILL 1977 ******

THERE HAVE BEEN OVER 5,000 DEFAULT CASES INVOLVING MORE THAN Bl MILLION SINCE THE CROWN LEASES ORDINANCE WAS ENACTED IN DECEMBER, 1973.

THIS WAS STATED IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (THURSDAY) BY THE SECRETARY FOR THE ENVIRONMENT, THE HON. DEREK JONES.

MR. JONES, WHO WAS MOVING THE SECOND READING OF THE CROWN RIGHTS (RE-ENTRY AND VESTING REMEDIES) (AMENDMENT) BILL 1977, SAID THE PURPOSE OF THE BILL WAS TO MAKE IT POSSIBLE FOR CASES OF DEFAULT IN PAYMENT OF CROWN RENT IN RESPECT OF LEASES RENEWED UNDER THE CROWN LEASES ORDINANCE TO BE DEALT WITH IN THE SAME WAY AS OTHER CROWN RENT DEFAULT CASES.

MR. JONES SAID A BREACH OF LEASE CONDITIONS OCCURRED WHERE CROWN RENT WAS NOT PAID AND THE THREAT OF RE-ENTRY OR VESTING COULD BE USED TO SECURE PAYMENT. HE SAID RE-ENTRY WAS USED WHERE CROWN RENT HAD NOT BEEN PAID FOR A WHOLE LOT OR WHOLE SECTION AND VESTING APPLIED WHERE IT HAD NOT BEEN PAID FOR A PARTICULAR INTEREST IN A LOT OR SECTION.

+ALTHOUGH SECTION 8 OF THE CROWN LEASES ORDINANCE PROVIDES A REMEDY BY WAY OF RE-ENTRY FOR DEFAULT IN THE PAYMENT OF CROWN RENT, RE-ENTRY WHOULD HAVE TO BE UPON THE WHOLE LOT OR SECTION,* MR. JONES SAID.

/♦WHERE THE .....

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 10, •'97'’

20

+WHERE THE DEFAULT IS ONLY IN RESPECT OF A PARTICULAR INTEREST, HOWEVER, SUCH A PROCEDURE WOULD NOT BE PRACTICABLE BECAUSE IT WOULD INVOLVE INTERESTS IN RESPECT OF WHICH THERE HAD BEEN NO FAULT.+ IN SUCH CIRCUMSTANCES, IT WOULD BE MORE REALISTIC TO VEST THE PARTICULAR INTEREST ONLY’ BUT, AT PRESENT, THERE WAS SOME DOUBT WHETHER THE LAW AS IT STOOD ALLOWED VESTING ACTION TO EE TAKEN IN THESE CASES.

+THE AMENDING BILL BEFORE COUNCIL TODAY IS THEREFORE INTENDED TO PUT THIS QUESTION BEYOND ANY DOUBT AND TO PROVIDE FCR DEFAULT CASES OF THIS TYPE TO BE DEALT WITH IN THE SAME WAY AS ALL OTHERS,* SAID MR. JONES.

THE DEBATE ON THE MOTION WAS ADJOURNED.

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

THREE BILLS PASSED * * * *

THREE BILLS PASSED THEIR SECOND AND THIRD READINGS IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL THIS AFTERNOON AND BECAME LAW.

THEY ARE THE DIPLOMATIC PRIVILEGES (AMENDMENT) BILL 1977, THE MAGISTRATES (AMENDMENT) BILL 1977 AND THE ROAD TRAFFIC (AMENDMENT) (NO. 3) BILL 1977.

TWO OTHER BILLS RECEIVED THEIR FIRST AND SECOND READINGS. THEY ARE THE CROWN RIGHTS (RE-ENTRY AND VESTING REMEDIES) (AMENDMENT) BILL 1977 AND THE WIDOWS’ AND CHILDREN’S PENSIONS BILL 1977. THE SMALL CLAIMS TRIBUNAL (AMENDMENT) BILL 1977 ALSO RECEIVED ITS SECOND READING.

NOTE TO EDITORS:

GREEK PAPER ON SERVICES FOR THE ELDERLY TO BE RELEASED TOMORROW

* * * *

THE DEPUTY DIRECTOR OF SOCIAL WELFARE, MR. JIMMY SWEETMAN, WILL GIVE A PRESS CONFERENCE AT 3 P.M. TOMORROW (FRIDAY) CONCERNING A GREEN PAPER ON SERVICES FOR THE ELDERLY IN HONG KONG.

ALSO PRESENT WILL BE DR. PATRICK WONG, ASSISTANT DIRECTOR (DEVELOPMENT AND PLANNING) OF THE MEDICAL AND HEALTH DEPARTMENT’ MRS. ROSE GOODSTADT, SENIOR PRINCIPAL SOCIAL WELFARE OFFICER IN-CHARGE OF REHABILITATION DIVISION AND MRS. LOUISE WONG, SECRETARY TO THE WORKING GROUP CL' SERVICES FCR THE ELDERLY.

YOU ARE CORDIALLY INVITED TO SEND REPRESENTATIVES TO COVER THE PRESS CONFERENCE WHICH WILL BE HELD IN THE G.I.S. THEATRE ON THE 5TH FLOOR OF BEACONSFIELD HOUSE.

------o------- /2.

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 13, 1977 - 21 -

MISCONCEPTIONS ABOUT PRISON WORK DISPELLED tr % * rr #

THE COMMISSIONER OF PRISONS, MR. T.G. GARNER THIS DISPELLED SOME MISCONCEPTIONS THAT STILL PREVAIL TODAY WORK OF THE SERVICE DESPITE THE MANY CHANGES THAT HAVE OVER THE PAST YEARS.

AFTERNOON ABOUT THE

TAKEN P u a C z

ADDRESSING A LUNCHEON MEETING OF THE ROTARY CLUE OF KOWLOON, ••R. GARNER SAID THAT WHEN HONG KONG CAME INTO BEING IN 1341, IT ..AS KOT UNCOMMON IN THOSE DAYS FOR PRISONERS TO EE FLOGGED AND SOMETIMES RECEIVING AS MANY AS 130 LASHES.

♦THE CRAIN GANG .'.AS VERY MUCH IN EXISTENCE BUT DESPITE THIS, THE PRISON POPULATION GREW AND IN 1863 DUE TO THE SHORTAGE OF ACCOMMODATION THE HULK OF A SHIP, THE ’ROYAL SAXON’, '..AS BOUGHT AND MOORED OFF STONECUTTERS ISLAND TO HOUSE SOME 280 MEN.

+VERY SOON AFTER 38 PRISONERS DROWNED /HEN A BOAT CAPSIZED ALONGSIDE THE HULK AND IN THE FOLLOWING YEAR THERE WAS A ”*ASS ESCAPE BY 130 PRISONERS.

♦NEEDLESS TO SAY, THAT SPELT THE END OF THAT METHOD ACCOMMODATING PRISONERS ,<HICn IN ANY CASE MUST HAVE BEEN A NIGHTMARE FOR THE STAFF.+

THE COMMISSIONER THEN STRESSED THAT TODAY’S PRISON SERVICE IS A FAR CRY FROM THAT OF YESTERYEARS. NEVERTHELESS, HE STATED THAT THE SERVICE STILL HAS ITS GOOD AND ITS BAD STANDARD OF ACCOMMODATION.

♦THIS IS NO DIFFERENT TO ANY OTHER PRISON SERVICE ANYWHERE IN THE WORLD INCLUDING THAT OF MANY OF THE MORE DEVELOPED COUNTRIES.*

H- EXPLAINED: +IN THE NEWER INSTITUTIONS WITH SOME EXCEPTIONS, WE HAVE THE GOOD; IN THE OLDER LIKE VICTORIA RECEPT I ON.CENTRE AND MA HANG PRISON, WE HAVE THE BAD, AND WHILE IN THE LATTER INSTITUTION,; ONE CAN SAY THAT CONDITIONS ARE TOLERABLE.

♦NEVERTHELESS, THEY LEAVE VERY MUCH TO EE DESIRED BOTH FOE PRISONERS AMD STAFF AND THE PRISON SERVICE IG VERY CONSCIOUS OF SUCH CONDIT IONS.+

DISPELLING THE POPULAR MISCONCEPTION THAT THE STANDARDS C-PENAL INSTITUTIONS ARE BUILT TOO HIGH, MR. GARNER STRESSED THAT IT WAS UNFORTUNATE THAT MANY PEOPLE IN HONG KCNG CONFUSE CLEANLINESS FOR LUXURY, FOR, WITHOUT DOUBT, HE ADDED, PRISONS IL HONG KONG ARE CLEAN AND ARE PROBABLY THE CLEANEST IL THE WORLD.

THE COMMISSIONER POINTED CUT THAT ALL "AGILITIES IX OUR INSTITUTIONS ARE BASIC AND li>: SOME AREAS SPARSE.

ANOTHER ISCCNCEPTION ■AS THE ~L' + P/ IDOLS DEPART E ,T+

..HIGH, MR. GAR NER SAID, A = ?A -x‘.T_V L Iso I -: T. :nz II r ■ 44S I... THAT EVERY INSTITUTION WHICH U AL ■ I . 1 UTEP.Ey EY THE DEPAP ~ T IS A PR ISON.

/♦I WISH TO

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 10, 1977

22

♦ I WISH TO STRESS THAT THIS IS INCORRECT AND OF THE TOTAL NUMBER OF INSTITUTIONS ADMINISTERED BY THE DEPARTMENT, ONLY NINE ARE PRISONS COMPARED TO NINE OTHER TYPES OF INSTITUTIONS (DRUG ADDICTION TREATMENT CENTRES, TRAINING CENTRES AND DETENTION CENTRES).+

CLARIFYING YET ANOTHER MISUNDERSTANDING THAT NON-CHINESE PRISONERS GET BETTER TREATMENT, MR. GARNER EMPHASISED THAT THE DEPARTMENT HAD LONG SINCE DROPPED THE TERM ’EUROPEAN PRISONER’ REPLACING IT WITH ’OTHER NATIONALS’.

♦ THIS INCLUDES NOT ONLY A EUROPEAN BUT ALSO AN INDIAN, THAI, JAPANESE, FILIPINO, MALAY, PAKISTANI ETC., IN OTHER WORDS, ANYONE WHO IS NON-CHINESE.

+THE DIET SCALE PROVIDES FOR THREE DIFFERENT TYPES OF DIET; THESE ARE INDIAN, CHINESE AND EUROPEAN AND, IN ADDITION, PRISONERS WHO ARE USED TO A WESTERN WAY OF LIFE MAY BE ISSUED WITH A MATTRESS, BED SHEETS AND AN ORDINARY PILLOW.

♦WHILE THE GREATER MAJORITY WHO RECEIVE SUCH AN ISSUE (AND I DO NOT REFER TO IT AS A PRIVILEGE) ARE IN FACT OTHER NATIONALS AND MAINLY EUROPEANS; NEVERTHELESS, THE SAME CAN APPLY TO A CHINESE PARTICULARLY A CHINESE WHO IS USED TO A WESTERN WAY OF LIFE.

♦THIS ALSO APPLIES TO THE QUESTION OF DIET. IF A PERSON (AND THIS CAN ALSO INCLUDE A CHINESE) IS NOT NORMALLY USED TO A CHINESE DIET, THEN THE ALTERNATIVE IS A EUROPEAN OR INDIAN DIET.

♦RECENTLY THERE WAS SOME REFERENCE IN THE PRESS TO A DIET OF STEAK BY A PARTICULAR PRISONER AND COMMENTS THAT HE HAD PREFERENTIAL TREATMENT. SUCH COMMENTS ARE NOT ONLY RUBBISH BUT THEY TEND TO CAST DOUBT ON THE INTEGRITY OF THE PRISON SERVICE WITHOUT ANY JUSTIFICATION WHATSOEVER.*

AS TO THE MYTH THAT PRISONS ARE RUN BY TRIADS, MR. GARNER SAID: ♦NOW NO ONE IN THE PRISON SERVICE WILL DENY THAT WE HAVE JUST ABOUT EVERY TRIAD SOCIETY AND GANG YOU CAN FIND REPRESENTED WITHIN THE PRISONER POPULATION. WE ALSO HAVE MANY OFFICE BEARERS AT DIFFERENT LEVELS AND MANY ORDINARY MEMBERS WHO WERE VERY ACTIVE PRIOR TO ADMISSION.

♦THERE IS NO DOUBT THAT IF YOU HAVE SUCH A MOTLEY ASSORTMENT AS THIS AND INDEED IN 1976 MORE THAN 67 PER CENT CONFESSED TO BEING TRIAD MEMBERS ON ADMISSION (WE BELIEVE THE FIGURE TO BE NEARER 100 PER CENT). WE HAVE OBVIOUSLY ALL THE INGREDIENTS AVAILABLE FOR TRIAD ACTIVITY AND WE KNOW THAT SOME MAY TRY; HOWEVER, THOSE THAT TRY ARE PUNISHED AND PART OF THE PUNISHMENT IS SEGREGATION.

♦IN FACT, MANY KNOWN OFFICE BEARERS ON ADMISSION TO PRISON ARE SEGREGATED FOR THE GOOD OF THE PRISONER POPULATION SO THAT IT WILL PREVENT JUST THIS SORT OF THING HAPPEN I NG.+

MR. GARNER SAID ACTIVE STEPS ARE TAKEN TO ENSURE THAT TRIAD ACTIVITY DOES NOT GO ON IN PENAL INSTITUTIONS. +IT IS THE STAFF THAT RUN THE PRISONS AND OTHER PENAL INSTITUTIONS, LET US MAKE NO MISTAKE ABOUT THAT.+

ON OTHER MATTERS, MR. GARNER SAID THAT IT WAS PROBABLY TRUE TO SAY THAT THE PUBLIC I' HONG \ONG KNO* MORE ABOUT W.nAT GOES ON IN PRISONS HERE T-: . IN . '-E- COUNTRIES AS THE DE-ARTMENT

DOES NOT MAINTAIN A WALL SECRECY.

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 10, 1977 *

- 23 -

+FROM TIME TO TIME, WE OPEN THE GATES OF INSTITUTIONS TO THE PRESS AND DO SO, TO MY KNOWLEDGE, MUCH MORE THAN OTHER PRISON SERVICE IN THE WORLD.+

MR. GARNER ALSO REVEALED THAT IN 1976, JUSTICES OF THE PEACE WHO VISITED THE DEPARTMENT’S INSTITUTES RECEIVED A TOTAL OF 186 REQUESTS AND COMPLAINTS, ALL OF WHICH HAVE BEEN DEALT WITH SATISFACTORILY.

UNIQUE YOUTH HOBBIES EXHIBITION OPENING TOMORROW

H H *

THE UNIQUE YOUTH HOBBIES EXHIBITION ORGANISED BY THE SHAM SHU I PO ANTI-DRUG CAMPAIGN COMMITTEE OPENS TOMORROW (FRIDAY) AT THE TAI HANG TUNG COMMUNITY CENTRE.

THE COMMISSIONER FOR NARCOTICS, MR. E.l. LEE= CITY DISTRICT OFFICER OF SHAM SHU I PO, DR. PATRICK HASE AND SENIOR PRINCIPAL SOCIAL WELFARE OFFICER, MR. HENRY AU WILL OFFICIATE AT THE OPENING CEREMONY.

THE EXHIBITION IS THE FIRST OF ITS KIND IN HONG KONG DESIGNED TO EDUCATE YOUNG PEOPLE OF THE DANGERS OF DRUG ABUSE AND TO SHOW THEM ALL THE RECREATIONAL ACTIVITIES THAT ARE AVAILABLE TO THEM.

MORE THAN 200 PIECES OF HOME-MADE HANDICRAFTS AND ARTEFACTS, MANY OF THEM MADE OF WASTE MATERIALS WILL BE DISPLAYED.

ALL THE EXHIBITS WERE CHOSEN FROM OVER 300 ENTRIES SUBMITTED BY ABOUT 30 SCHOOLS AND COMMUNITY CENTRES INCLUDING A NUMBER OF INDIVIDUALS WHO ARE FACTORY AND OFFICE WORKERS.

THERE WILL ALSO BE HUNDREDS OF COLOUR PHOTOGRAPHS, DRAWINGS * AND MODELS TO ILLUSTRATE A WIDE RANGE OF INDOOR AND OUTDOOR YOUTH •-ACTIVITIES OFFERED BY VARIOUS COMMUNITY CENTRES, YOUTH ORGANISATIONS AND SOCIAL WORK AGENCIES IN SHAM SHU I PO.

AN INFORMATION COUNTER WILL BE SET UP AT THE EXHIBITION SITE TO ANSWER ENQUIRIES OF HOW TO JOIN THESE ACTIVITIES.

ANOTHER SECTION OF THE EXHIBITION WILL COMPRISE PICTURES AND MODELS SHOWING THE DANGERS OF TRYING HEROIN.

NOTE TO EDITORS:

THE EXH.IB ITICN WILL OPEN AT THE TAI HANG TUNG COMMUNITY CENTRE IN TONG YAM STREET AT 3.33 P.M. TOMORROW (FRIDAY) AND WILL CONTINUE ON SATURDAY BETWEEN 13 A.’ . AND 13 P.M., AFTER WHICH IT WILL BE MOVED TO THE CHA'. SHU KU I MEMORIAL SCHOOL AT 73 TA IPO ROAD FOR SHOWING GN NOVEMBER 13 A'C 14 AND THEN MOVED AGAIN TO THE MAPLE STREET PLAYGRCU’D "O' SHOWING CN NOVEMBER -j.

YOU ARE CORDIALLY H.VITED SEND YOUR “EPORTERS AND PHOTOGRAPHERS TC COVER T-E Zz-EM ‘ -\D TnE EXHIBITION.

raiii

|GIS| |f

PRH 7

DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN

FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 11, 1977

CONTENTS PAGE NO.

GREEN PAPER ON SERVICES FOR THE ELDERLY PUBLISHED .......... 1

INDUSTRIAL INVESTMENT PROMOTION MISSION LEAVES FOR EUROPE TOMORROW ............................................ 4

TEXTILE NEGOTIATING TEAM RETURNING TO HONG KONG ............ 5

HONG KONG’S EXTERNAL TRADE FOR JANUARY TO SEPTEMBER .... 6

EXTENSION OF INJURY COVERAGE TO MORE NON-MANUAL WORKERS PROPOSED ................................................... W

GOVERNMENT ACCOUNTS FOR AUGUST ............................ 12

ABERDEEN GETS NEW FIRE FIGHTING BOAT ..................... 12

INTERNATIONAL CONVENTION FOR PROTECTION OF INDUSTRIAL PROPERTY APPLIES TO H.K.................................... 13

BOARD TO INVESTIGATE SHIPS COLLISION ...................... 13

BUILDING AT BONHAM STRAND DECLARED DANGEROUS .............. 14

MONEY EXCHANGE SHOP TO LET AT HONG KONG AIRPORT ........... 14

COLLECTOR’S CABINET FOR GOLD COINS BEING CONSIDERED .... 15

MORE SAI KUNG FLATS FOR AUCTION ........................... 16

DSW TO OFFICIATE AT SCOUTS DAY ............................ 17

ANNUAL TEACHERS’ CONFERENCE TO BE HELD TOMORROW ........... 17

TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENT IN TIN LOK LANE ....................... 17

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

FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 11, 1977

1

GREEN PAPER ON SERVICES FOR THE ELDERLY

*****

A GREEN PAPER WHICH OUTLINES RECOMMENDATIONS FOR DEVELOPING SERVICES FOR THE ELDERLY IN HONG KONG IN THE NEXT 10 YEARS IS PUBLISHED TODAY (FRIDAY) FOR PUBLIC COMMENT.

ANY VIEWS AND SUGGESTIONS EXPRESSED ON THEM BY THE PUBLIC AND PROFESSIONAL BODIES WILL BE STUDIED CAREFULLY BEFORE ANY DECISION IS TAKEN BY THE GOVERNMENT.

IT IS HOPED THAT A FIRM PROGRAMME FOR THE FUTURE DEVELOPMENT ON THIS FIELD WILL BE PREPARED EARLY NEXT YEAR IN THE FORM OF A WHITE PAPER.

THE GREEN PAPER SUMMARISES THE FINDINGS AND RECOMMENDATIONS OF A ’PROGRAMME PLAN FOR SERVICES FOR THE ELDERLY’ SUBMITTED IN JULY THIS YEAR BY AN INTER-DEPARTMENTAL WORKING GROUP IN WHICH THE HONG KONG COUNCIL OF SOCIAL SERVICE WAS ALSO REPRESENTED.

IT CONTAINS SOME 50 RECOMMENDATIONS WHICH FALL MAINLY INTO THE FOLLOWING SERVICE AREAS:-

SERVICES IN CASH

VARIOUS IMPROVEMENTS IN THE EXISTING SOCIAL SECURITY SCHEMES ARE PROPOSED TO ENSURE A DEGREE OF ECONOMIC SECURITY FOR THE ELDERLY SO THAT THEIR BASIC AND SPECIAL NEEDS CAN BE MET WITHOUT UNDUE HARDSHIP. THESE INCLUDE: AN OLD AGE SUPPLEMENT WITHIN THE PUBLIC ASSISTANCE SCALE OF ALLOWANCE- TO LOWER THE QUALIFYING AGE FOR THE INFIRMITY ALLOWANCE FROM 75 TO 73 AND THEN TO 70-AND TO EXTEND OLD AGE ALLOWANCE TO THOSE IN INSTITUTIONS AND HOSPITALS.

HEALTH SERVICES

PROVIDING ADEQUATE HEALTH SERVICES FOR THE ELDERLY IS PARTICULARLY IMPORTANT AS PEOPLE ARE MORE LIKELY TO GET SICK AS THEY AGE. IT IS RECOMMENDED TO EXPAND THE PREVENTIVE, OUT-PATIENT, AND IN-PATIENT SERVICES FOR OLD PEOPLE.

COMMUNITY SUPPORT SERVICES

PERSONAL SUPPORT SERVICES WILL ENABLE OLD PEOPLE TO LOOK AFTER THEMSELVES ADEQUATELY AND TO REMAIN RELATIVELY INDEPENDENT MEMBERS OF SOCIETY RATHER THAN TO SEEK INSTITUTIONAL CARE. THE RECOMMENDATIONS INCLUDE EXPANDING THE HOME-HELP SERVICE- TO'REORGAN ISE THE HOME VISITING SERVICE- AND TO ESTABLISH DAY-CARE CENTRES AND MULTI-SERVICE CENTRES FOR THE ELDERLY.

/HOUSING .....

FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 11, 1977

2 -

HOUS ING

IT IS RECOMMENDED THAT THE HOUSING AUTHORITY’S OFFER TO ACCOMMODATE UP TO 10,000 OLD PEOPLE, INCLUDING 5,000 IN NEW HOSTELS OVER THE NEXT TEN YEARS SHOULD BE ACCEPTED BUT IT IS NECESSARY TO REVIEW THE SERVICES PROVIDED BY ’CHAI-TONGS’ -LITERALLY VEGETARIAN HALLS OPERATED BY RELIGIOUS BODIES OR INDIVIDUALS, IN ACCOMMODATING OLD PEOPLE.

OTHER SUPPORT SERVICES

THE GREEN PAPER RECOMMENDS THAT SUPPORT SERVICES SHOULD BE PROVIDED IN THE SPHERES OF EMPLOYMENT, TRANSPORT, AND LEISURE ACTIVITIES. THESE SERVICES WILL HELP OLD PEOPLE TO PLAY AS ACTIVE A ROLE WITHIN THE COMMUNITY AS IS POSSIBLE.

INSTITUTIONAL CARE

THE CONCEPT OF ’CARE IN THE COMMUNITY’ DOES NOT DO AWAY WITH THE NEED FOR INSTITUTIONAL CARE. MANY OLD PEOPLE, BECAUSE OF INCREASING FRAILTY OR THE LACK OF ANYONE TO LOOK AFTER THEM, MAY FIND CARE IN THE COMMUNITY NEITHER VIABLE NOR SATISFACTORY. IT IS RECOMMENDED THAT BY 1986/87 THERE SHOULD EE 10 PLACES PER THOUSAND AGED 60 OR OVER IN HOMES FOR THE AGED, AND FOUR PLACES PER THOUSAND AGED 60 OR OVER IN CARE-AND-ATTENTION HOMES.

COMMENTING ON THESE PROPOSALS IN THE GREEN PAPER, MR. JIMMY SWEETMAN, DEPUTY DIRECTOR OF SOCIAL WELFARE, SAID THAT THE EFFECTIVENESS OF ANY SERVICE FOR THE ELDERLY MUST RELY ON THE EXISTENCE OF A ’CARING COMMUNITY’.

THE GOVERNMENT AND VOLUNTARY AGENCIES ARE THE ’FORMAL PROVIDERS’ OF A RANGE OF SERVICES BUT THE ELDERLY INDIVIDUAL COMES IN CONTACT WITH MANY OTHERS IN THE COURSE OF HIS DAY-TO-DAY LIFE - HIS FAMILY, HIS NEIGHBOURS, THOSE WITH WHOM HE WORKS, ORGANISATIONS SUCH AS CHURCHES OR COMMUNITY ASSOCIATIONS WHICH INVOLVE THEMSELVES IN LOOKING AFTER THE ELDERLY.

+THESE PEOPLE CAN DO A GREAT DEAL TO SUSTAIN OLD PEOPLE’S SELF-RESPECT AND SOCIAL INTEGRATION AND THUS TO ENABLE THE ELDERLY TO RETAIN A GENERAL SENSE OF SATISFACTION AND FULFILMENT IN THE EVENING OF THEIR LIVES,+ HE ADDED.

MR. SWEETMAN NOTED THAT THE OVERALL OBJECTIVE OF THIS GREEN PAPER IS THEREFORE +T0 PROMOTE THE WELL-BEING OF THE ELDERLY IN ALL ASPECTS OF THEIR LIVING BY PROVIDING SERVICES THAT WILL ENABLE THEM TO REMAIN MEMBERS OF THE COMMUNITY FOR AS LONG AS POSSIBLE- AND TO THE EXTENT NECESSARY, TO PROVIDE RESIDENTIAL CARE SUITED TO THE VARYING NEEDS OF THE ELDERLY+.

/HE EXPLAINED ..

FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 11, 1977

- 3 -

HE EXPLAINED THAT THE GREEN PAPER WAS PUBLISHED IN ORDER THAT THE GENERAL PUBLIC MAY BE AWARE OF THE RECOMMENDATIONS AND MAY EXPRESS THEIR VIEWS ON THE CONCLUSIONS REACHED AND THE RELATIVE IMPORTANCE OF THE VARIOUS PROPOSALS.

+THE GOVERNMENT WILL NOT MAKE A DEFINITE DECISION ON THE RECOMMENDATIONS UNTIL IT HAS CONSIDERED THE REACTION OF THE COMMUNITY AND THE VARIOUS PROFESSIONAL BODIES INTERESTED IN SERVICES FOR THE ELDERLY,+ HE SAID.

MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC WHO WISH TO COMMENT ARE ASKED TO DO SO BEFORE THE MIDDLE OF FEBRUARY NEXT YEAR TO ENABLE THE GOVERNMENT TO REACH AN EARLY DECISION SO THAT A DEFINITE PROGRAMME CAN BE DRAWN AS SOON AS POSSIBLE TO MEET THE NEEDS OF THE ELDERLY.

COMMENTS SHOULD BE ADDRESSED TO: THE SECRETARY FOR SOCIAL SERVICES, GOVERNMENT SECRETARIAT, MAIN WING, 7TH FLOOR, LOWER ALBERT ROAD, HONG KONG.

COPIES OF THE GREEN PAPER IN BOTH ENGLISH AND CHINESE WILL BE OBTAINABLE AT THE VARIOUS CITY DISTRICT OFFICES ON HONG KONG ISLAND AND IN KOWLOON- DISTRICT OFFICES IN THE NEW TERRITORIES AND THE MARKETING OFFICE, GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES AT 1A, GARDEN ROAD, HONG KONG.

A PAMPHLET SUMMARISING THE MAIN PROPOSALS OF THE GREEN PAPER HAS BEEN PUBLISHED FOR EASY REFERENCE OF THE GENERAL PUBLIC. COPIES OF THE PAMPHLET ARE NOW OBTAINABLE FROM ALL CITY DISTRICT OFFICES IN THE URBAN AREA, DISTRICT OFFICES IN THE NEW TERRITORIES, AND ALL FAMILY SERVICES CENTRES OF THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT.

-------o--------- A

FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 11, 1977

4

HK TEAM BID TO ATTRACT OVERSEAS INDUSTRIAL INVESTMENT

******

MR. ROY PORTER, THE ACTING COMMISSIONER OF INDUSTRY AND CUSTOMS LEAVES TOMORROW (SATURDAY) FOR EUROPE WHERE HE IS TO LEAD ANOTHER INDUSTRIAL INVESTMENT PROMOTION MISSION.

MR. PORTER WILL BE HOLDING DISCUSSIONS WITH THE TOP MANAGEMENTS OF A NUMBER OF COMPANIES IN THE LIGHT AND MEDIUM HEAVY ENGINEERING FIELDS. HE DECLINED TO REVEAL THE NAMES OF THE COMPANIES AS +MANY COMPANIES DO NOT LIKE IT TO BE KNOWN THAT THEY ARE CONSIDERING ESTABLISHING FACTORIES OVERSEAS AND WE MUST RESPECT THEIR WISH FOR PRIVACY. HOWEVER, THERE ARE SOME WELL KNOWN NAMES AMONG THEM.+

AN ASSISTANT TRADE OFFICER, MR. EDMUND CHEUNG, IS ALREADY IN EUROPE ARRANGING THE MISSION’S PROGRAMME.

MR. PORTER WILL START WORK ON MONDAY IN MUNICH. HE WILL THEN MOVE ON TO STUTTGART WHERE, BESIDES HOLDING DISCUSSIONS WITH INDIVIDUAL COMPANIES, HE WILL HOLD A SEMINAR FOR INDUSTRIAL MEMBERS OF THE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE.

THE MISSION WILL THEN TRAVEL TO GENEVA, BERNE AND ZURICH, HOLDING DISCUSSIONS WITH COMPANIES IN EACH CITY. IN ZURICH THE MISSION WILL ALSO JOIN UP WITH OTHER DELEGATES TO HOLD A SEMINAR JOINTLY HOSTED BY THE TRADE DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL, THE DEPARTMENT OF INDUSTRY AND CUSTOMS AND THE SWISS TRADE DEVELOPMENT OFF ICE.

MR. PORTER ALSO INTENDS TO VISIT A NUMBER OF COMPANIES IN VARIOUS CITIES THROUGHOUT BRITAIN BEFORE RETURNING TO HONG KONG IN ABOUT THREE WEEKS’ TIME.

0 --------

FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 11, 1977

- 5 -

TEXTILE TEAM RETURNING TO HONG KONG ******

THE ACTING DIRECTOR OF TRADE, INDUSTRY AND CUSTOMS, MR. BILL DORWARD, SAID TODAY THAT, AS ANTICIPATED IN HIS STATEMENT IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL ON THURSDAY, THE HONG KONG NEGOTIATING TEAM HAS NOW LEFT BRUSSELS AND WILL BE BACK IN HONG KONG TOMORROW (SATURDAY) AFTERNOON.

MR. DORWARD STRESSED THAT THIS DID NOT REPRESENT A BREAK-OFF IN THE NEGOTIATIONS. THE EEC ANNOUNCED THEIR INDEFINITE SUSPENSION ON NOVEMBER 8 AND THIS HAS PROVIDED A CHANCE FOR THE NEGOTIATORS TO RETURN FOR SOME REST AFTER FIVE WEEKS OF CONTINUOUS AND DEMANDING WORK.

+IT WILL ALSO OFFER AN OPPORTUNITY FOR THE TEAM TO ELABORATE IN PERSON ON THE MANY REPORTS THEY HAVE TELEGRAPHED AND TO DISCUSS THEM WITH THEIR COLLEAGUES IN HONG KONG.+

MR. DORWARD ADDED THAT THE TEAM WOULD BE READY TO RETURN TO BRUSSELS AT SHORT NOTICE AS SOON AS IT APPEARED THAT MEANINGFUL NEGOTIATIONS COULD BE RESUMED.

+THE PAUSE WILL, I TRUST, BE USED BY THE EEC TO REFLECT ON THEIR POSTION AND THE VERY REAL AND SUBSTANTIAL CONCESSIONS HONG KONG HAS ALREADY OFFERED.+

NOTE TO EDITORS:

THE NEGOTIATING TEAM HEADED BY MR. LAWRENCE MILLS WILL HOLD A PRESS CONFERENCE UPON ARRIVAL AT KAI TAK AIRPORT AT 3.20 P.M. TOMORROW (SATURDAY).

YOU ARE CORDIALLY INVITED TO COVER THE PRESS CONFERENCE.

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

/6

FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 11, 1977

- 6

HONG KONG’S EXTERNAL TRADE FOR JANUARY TO SEPTEMBER ******

HONG KONG EXPORTED $25,471 MILLION WORTH OF GOODS DURING THE FIRST NINE MONTHS OF THIS YEAR, IMPORTS WERE $35,182 MILLION AND RE-EXPORTS $7,089 MILLION.

ACCORDING TO TRADE FIGURES RELEASED BY THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT TODAY, DOMESTIC EXPORTS GREW BY 6.9 PER CENT OR $1,649 MILLION COMPARED WITH THE CORRESPONDING PERIOD LAST YEAR. IMPORTS INCREASED BY 11.4 PER CENT OR $3,604 MILLION AND RE-EXPORTS UP BY 9.2 PER CENT OR $598 MILLION.

THE FOLLOWING TABLE SHOWS HONG KONG’S ITS TEN MAJOR TRADING PARTNERS:

DOMESTIC EXPORTS TO

JAN.-SEPT. 1976 (HK$ MN) JAN.-SEPT. 1977 (HK$ MN) INCREASE/ DECREASE (HK$ MN) PERCENTAGE INCREASE/ DECREASE

U.S.A. 8,303 10,035 + 1,732 + 20.9%

F.R. OF GERMANY 2,903 2,575 325 11.2%

UNITED KINGDOM 2,374 2,100 275 11.6%

JAPAN 1,044 1,002 42 4.1%

AUSTRALIA 1,017 949 68 6.7%

CANADA 1,039 870 168 16.2%

SINGAPORE 564 645 + 81 14.4%

NETHERLANDS 530 538 + 7 + 1.4%

SWEDEN 512 466 46 8.9%

SWITZERLAND 486 419 67 13.8%

DECLINING RATES WERE RECORDED IN DOMESTIC EXPORTS TO SEVERAL MAJOR MARKETS, SUCH AS FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF GERMANY, U.K. AND CANADA BECAUSE OF THE CONTINUED SLOWDOWN IN THE DEMAND FOR CLOTHING AND TEXTILE PRODUCTS.

IN CONTRAST TO THESE DECREASES, DOMESTIC EXPORTS TO THE UNITED STATES MAINTAINED A BUOYANT GROWTH RATE SO FAR THIS YEAR.

EXPORTS SALES PERFORMANCE OF CLOTHING (+$461 MILLION OR +12.9%), PLASTIC TOYS AND DOLLS (+3297 MILLION OR + 46.0%), WATCHES AND CLOCKS ( + $119 MILLION OR + 50.9%), ALL TRANSISTORIZED RADIOS (+ $133 MILLION OR + 22.8%), AND ELECTRONIC COMPONENTS AND PARTS FOR COMPUTERS (+ >133 MILLION OR + 50.0%) REMAINED FAVOURABLE.

/AN ANALYSIS ......

r

FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 11, 1977

AN ANALYSIS OF THE SIGNIFICANT CHANGES IN DOMESTIC EXPORTS BY MAJOR COMMODITY DIVISIONS IS PRESENTED AS FOLLOWS :

JAN.-SEPT. 76 (HK$ MN) JAN.-SEPT. 77 (HK$ MN) INCREASE/ DECREASE (HKS MN) PERCENTAGE change

CLOTH ING 10,722 10,155 - 567 - 5.3%

MISCELLANEOUS MANUFACTURED

ARTICLES (MAINLY PLASTIC TOYS AND DOLLS) ELECTRICAL MACHINERY, APPARATUS AND APPLIANCES 3,407 4,442 +1,035 +30.4%

(MAINLY TRANSISTORIZED RADIOS AND ELECTRONIC COMPONENTS) 2,917 3,762 + 845 +29.0%

TEXTILE YARN, FAER ICS,

MADE-UP ARTICLES AND RELATED PRODUCTS PROFESSIONAL, SCIENTIFIC AND CONTROLLING 2,298 1,921 - 377 -lb.4?b

INSTRUMENTS, PHOTOGRAPHIC AND OPTICAL GOODS, WATCHES AND CLOCKS MANUFACTURES OF METAL, N.E.S. (MAINLY TRAVEL 1,055 1,441 + 3^6 +36•6%

GOODS, HANDBAGS AND SIMILAR ARTICLES) 607 710 + 104 +17.1%

THE MORE REMARKABLE INCREASES IN DOMESTIC EXPORTS OCCURED LARGELY IN PLASTIC TOYS AND DOLLS ( + $560 MILLION OR + 44.3%), ALL TRANSISTORIZED RADIOS ( + $253 MILLION OR + 19.1%), ELECTRONIC COMPONENTS AND PARTS FOR COMPUTERS (+ $167 MILLION OR + 50.1%), WATCHES AND CLOCKS ( + $296 MILLION OR + 36.9%).

IN CONTRAST WITH THESE GROWTH RATES, DOMESTIC EXPORTS OF CLOTHING AND TEXTILES DECLINED BY 5.3% (- $567 MILLION) AND 16.4% (- $377 MILLION) RESPECTIVELY.

/THE CHANGES ......

FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 11

1977

- 8 -

THE CHANGES OF IMPORTS FROM TEN MAJOR SOURCES ARE SUMMARIZED BELOW

JAN.-SEPT. 76 (HK$ MN) JAN.-SEPT. 77 (HK3 MN) INCREASE/ DECREASE (HKS MN) PERCENTAGE INCREASE/ DECREASE

JAPAN 6,781 8,221 +1,440 +21.2%

CHINA 5,469 5,702 + 234 + 4.3%

U.S.A. 3,920 4,428 + 508 +13.0%

TA IWAN 2,229 2,375 4- 146 + 6.6%

SINGAPORE 1,852 2,172 + 320 +17.3%

UNITED KINGDOM 1,358 1,568 + 210 +15.4%

SOUTH KOREA 1,185 1,177 8 - 0.7%

F.R. OF GERMANY 95? 1,049 + 89 + 9.3%

SWITZERLAND AND LIECHTENSTEIN 827 922 + 95 +11.5%

AUSTRALIA 665 698 + 33 + 4.9%

AMONG HONG KONG’S MAJOR SUPPLIER, JAPAN ACCOUNTED FOR A SIGNIFICANT PART OF THE INCREASE IN TOTAL IMPORTS. THIS WAS MAINLY ATTRIBUTED TO INCREASE IN THE IMPORTS OF TRANSPORT EQUIPMENT (+ $312 MILLION OR + 132.3%), MACHINERY, OTHER THAN ELECTRIC ( + $188 MILLION OR + 28.9%), ELECTRICAL MACHINERY, APPARATUS AND APPLIANCES ( + 3149 MILLION OR + 15.8%), AND WATCHES AND CLOCKS ( + 5252 MILLION OR + 59.5%).

THE INCREASE IN IMPORT FROM CHINA WAS MAINLY DUE TO GROWING IMPORTS OF PETROLEUM AND PETROLEUM PRODUCTS (+ $114 MILLION_OR + 56.6%), CRUDE ANIMAL AND VEGETABLES MATERIALS, NCT ELSEWHERE STATED (N.E.S.) ( + 3112 MILLION OR + 52.9%), AND CLOTHING (+ $195 MILLION OR + 54.6%).

INCREASES OF IMPORTS FROM U.S.A. WERE MAINLY ACCOUNTED FOR BY THE GROWTH IN IMPORTS OF TEXTILE FIBRES ( + $289 MILLION OR + 118.4%), A REMARKABLE 313.7% ( + $82 MILLION) INCREASE IN TRANSPORT EQUIPMENT AND A MODERATE GROWTH OF 10% (+ 375 MILLION) IN THE IMPORTS OF ELECTRICAL MACHINERY, APPARATUS AND APPLIANCES.

/THE FOLLOWING .....

FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 11, 1977

- 9

THE FOLLOWING TABLE EY COMMODITY SECTIONS:

SHOWS THE IMPORTANT CHANGES IN IMPORTS

JAN.-SEPT.1976 (HK$ MN) JAN.-SEPT.1977 (HK$ MN) INCREASE/ DECREASE (HK$ MN) PERCENTAGE CHANGE

MANUFACTURED GOODS CLASSIFIED CHIEFLY BY MATERIAL (MAINLY TEXTILE YARN, FABRICS, AND DIAMONDS) 9,864 13,423 + 559 + 5.7%

MACHINERY AND TRANSPORT EQUIPMENT 5,566 6,727 +1,160 +20.8%

FOOD AND LIVE ANIMALS 4,818 5,286 + 468 + 9.7%

MISCELLANEOUS MANUFACTURED ARTICLES (MAINLY WATCHES) 3,531 4,584 +1,053 +29.8%

CHEMICALS 2,551 2,662 + 111 + 4.3%

CRUDE MATERIALS, INEDIBLE EXCEPT 2,527 2,466 - 60 - 2.4%

INEDIBLE EXCEPT FUEL (MAINLY TEXTILE FIBRES)

THE RISE IN IMPORTS WAS MAINLY CONSISTED OF SIGNIFICANT GROWTH IN THE IMPORTS OF ELECTRICAL MACHINERY, APPARATUS AND APPLIANCES ( + $534 MILLION OR + 17.3%), TRANSPORT EQUIPMENT ( + $436 MILLION OR + 80.3%), WATCHES AND CLOCKS ( + $396 MILLION OR + 35.0%), NON-METALLIC MANUFACTURES, N.E.S. ( + $369 MILLION OR + 19.1%), PETROLEUM AND PETROLEUM PRODUCTS ( + $285 MILLION OR + 15.1%).

ON THE OTHER HAND, IMPORTS OF TEXTILE FIBRES (- $239 MILLION OR - 15.0%), TEXTILE YARN, FABRICS. MADE UP ARTICLES AND RELATED PRODUCTS (- $312 MILLION OR - 6.2%) DROPPED CONSIDERABLY.

HONG KONG RE-EXPORTS IN VALUE TERMS DURING THE FIRST NINE MONTHS OF THIS YEAR CONTINUED TO SHOW AN UPWARD TREND DESPITE A SIGNIFICANT DROP OF 10?$ OR $111 MILLION OF RE-EXPORTS TO ITS MAJOR MARKET, JAPAN.

THE DROP IN RE-EXPORTS TO JAPAN WAS OFFSET BY THE FAVOURABLE RE-EXPORT LEVELS TO INDONESIA (+ $188 MILLION OR + 36.2%), SINGAPORE ( + $94 MILLION OR + 13.9%), SOUTH KOREA (+ $52 MILLION OR + 17.8%), THE PHILIPPINES (+ $42 MILLION OR + 21.2%), CHINA (+ $37 MILLION OR + 45.2%) AND TAIWAN (+ $41 MILLION OR 7.1%).

/THE MAJOR

FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 11, 1977

- 10

THE MAJOR INCREASES IN RE-EXPORTS WERE RECORDED IN ELECTRICAL MACHINERY, APPARATUS AND APPLIANCES (+ $130 MILLION OR + 28.2%), TEXTILE YARN AND THREAD (+ $86 MILLION OR + 57.1%), MACHINERY, OTHER THAN ELECTRIC (+ $81 MILLION OR + 22.3%), TRANSPORT EQUIPMENT (+ $69 MILLION OR + 116.4%).

THE CENSUS AND TRADE INDEX (1973 -

STATISTICS DEPARTMENT ALSO ANNOUNCED THE 100) FOR AUGUST AS FOLLOWS :

VALUE INDEX UNIT VALUE INDEX QUANTUK 1 NDEX

DOMESTIC EXPORTS 234 134 152

IMPORTS 156 136 115

THE PRICES) - TERMS OF TRADE INDEX ’OR AUGUST WAS 99. ( I.E. EXPORT PR ICES OVER IMPORT

NOTZ:

ALL VALUE FIGURES WERE ROUNDED TO THE NEAREST MILLION DOLLAR.

SILL PROPOSED TO EXTEND INJURY COVERAGE TO MORE NON-MANUAL WORKERS *****

MORE NON-MANUAL WORKERS WILL BE ENTITLED TO COMPENSATION BENEFIT WHEN INJURED AT WORK IF A PROPOSED BILL TO BE INTRODUCED INTO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL SHORTLY WERE PASSED.

THE SILL WHICH IS PUBLISHED IN THE GOVERNMENT GAZETTE TODAY, WILL WIDEN THE COVERAGE OF THE WORKMEN’S COMPENSATION ORDINANCE TO INCLUDE THOSE NON-MANUAL WORKERS EARNING UP TO $5,□□■3 A MONTH INSTEAD OF THE PRESENT LIMIT COVERING ONLY THOSE EARNING UP TO $2,000 A MONTH.

THE WORKMEN’S COMPENSATION ORDINANCE, AS IT NOW STANDS, COVER ALL MANUAL WORKERS IRRESPECTIVE OF THEIR EARNINGS AND THOSE NON-MANUAL EMPLOYEES EARNING NOT MORE THAN $2,000 A MONTH.

THE BILL WILL ALSO AMEND THE EXISTING LEGISLATION SO THAT ASSESSMENT OF NON-SCHEDULED INJURIES CAUSING PARTIAL PERMANENT INCAPACITIES SHOULD BE MADE BY REFERENCE TO THE FIRST SCHEDULE TC THE WORKMEN’S COMPENSATION ORDINANCE WHICH LISTS OUT THE PERCENTAGE OF LOSS OF EARNING POWER DUE TO THE LOSS OF VARIOUS PARTS OF A WORKER’S BODY.

/UNDER THE

FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 11, 1977

- 11

UNDER THE PROPOSED BILL, THE TIME LIMIT WITHIN WHICH APPLICATIONS FOR COMPENSATION HAVE TO EE MADE WILL ALSO BE EXTENDED FROM THE EXISTING PERIOD OF 12 MONTHS TO 24 MONTHS.

A SURCHARGE OF FIVE PER CENT OR $50, WHICHEVER IS THE GREATER, ON LATE PAYMENT OF COMPENSATION MADE 21 DAYS AFTER THE DUE DATE STIPULATED IN THE AGREEMENT IS ALSO PROPOSED.

EXPLAINING THE EXTENDED COVERAGE OF NON-MANUAL WORKERS, A SPOKESMAN FOR THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT POINTED OUT THAT NON-MANUAL WORKERS EARNING MORE THAN $2,900 PER MONTH AT PRESENT WERE AT A DISADVANTAGE IN THAT THEY COULD NOT CLAIM WORKMEN’S COMPENSATION UNDER THE ORDINANCE AND WERE LIABLE TO HAVE TO PAY THE COSTS OF ANY PROCEEDING FOR RECOVERY OF CIVIL DAMAGES.

FURTHERMORE THEY HAD TO PROVE THAT THEIR EMPLOYER HAD A CIVIL LIABILITY TO PAY DAMAGES IN THE EVENT OF A COMPENSATION CLAIM.

ON THE PROPOSAL TO MAKE ASSESSMENT OF NON-SCHEDULED INJURIES BASED ON THE FIRST SCHEDULE OF THE ORDINANCE, THE SPOKESMAN SAID THE MOVE WAS TO ACHIEVE UNIFORMITY BETWEEN ASSESSMENTS FOR INJURIES SPECIFIED IN THE FIRST SCHEDULE AND ASSESSMENTS FOR INJURIES OF A LIKE NATURE NOT SO SPECIFIED.

THE EXTENSION OF THE TIME LIMIT TO 24 MONTHS IN WHICH TO APPLY FOR COMPENSATION WAS PROPOSED TO ALLOW WORKERS WITH INJURIES THAT NEEDED MORE THAN 12 MONTHS TO HEAL.

THE OTHER AMENDMENT TO IMPOSE A SURCHARGE ON LATE COMPENSATION PAYMENT WAS INTENDED TO MAKE EMPLOYERS PAY THEIR WORKERS WITHOUT DELAY.

EXPERIENCE HAD SHOWN, THE SPOKESMAN SAID, THAT IN A LARGE NUMBER OF CASES WHERE EMPLOYERS INVOLVED HAD INSURED THEIR WORKERS AGAINST LIABILITY UNDER THE WORKMEN’S COMPENSATION ORDINANCE THEY WISHED TO AWAIT REIMBURSEMENT FROM INSURANCE COMPANIES BEFORE MAKING PAYMENTS TO THE WORKERS CONCERNED.

IN A NUMBER OF OTHER CASES, THE DELAY WAS CAUSED BY QUERIES RAISED BY THE INSURER WITH THE EMPLOYERS ON THE ACCURACY OF THE CALCULATION OR THE SUFFICIENCY OF THE INSURANCE COVERAGE TAKEN OUT.

SUCH DELAYS IN PAYMENT CAUSED SERIOUS HARDSHIP TO THE INJURED EMPLOYEES AND THEIR DEPENDANTS, THE SPOKESMAN SAID.

- 0 - -

/12

FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 11, 1977

GOVERNMENT ACCOUNTS FOR AUGUST

*****

GOVERNMENT ACCOUNTS FOR THE MONTH OF AUGUST, 1977, SHOW A DEFICIT OF $166.7 MILLION, COMPARED WITH A DEFICIT OF $134.0 MILLION IN AUGUST LAST YEAR.

THIS HAS RESULTED IN AN ACCUMULATED DEFICIT OF 3222.5 MILLION FOR THE FIRST FIVE MONTHS OF THIS FINANCIAL YEAR, COMPARED WITH A DEFICIT OF $299.9 MILLION FOR THE SAME PERIOD LAST YEAR.

TOTAL EXPENDITURE, AT $670.8 MILLION, WAS $194.5 MILLION

MORE THAN IN AUGUST, 1976.

TOTAL REVENUE AND RECEIPTS, AT $502.1 MILLION, WERE $159.8 MILLION MORE THAN THE SAME MONTH LAST YEAR.

— o —

MODERN FIRE FIGHTING BOAT FOR ABERDEEN

*****

THE FIRE SERVICES DEPARTMENT HAS PUT IN OPERATION A NEW $1.5 MILLION FIREBOAT TODAY (FRIDAY) TO PROVIDE ADEQUATE FIRE PROTECTION TO THE FISHING FLEET AND FLOATING RESTAURANTS IN ABERDEEN.

THE NEW FIREBOAT IS SPECIALLY DESIGNED TO SUIT THE NARROW AND SHALLOW WATERWAYS IN THE HARBOUR AND TO MANOEUVRE CLOSE IN SHORE TO FIGHT SHORE-BASED FIRES IF NECESSARY.

IT HAS AN OPERATING SPEED OF ABOUT 12 KNOTS AND CAN CARRY A CREW OF EIGHT.

THE VESSEL HAS A NUMBER OF MODERN FEATURES - AN AUTOMATIC AND MANUAL HYDRAULIC STEERING SYSTEM, AN ELECTRIC ECHO SOUNDER, A RUDDER INDICATOR, WIND DIRECTION AND SPEED INDICATORS AND A PUBLIC ADDRESS AND INTER-COMMUNICATION SYSTEM.

THE FIREFIGHTING EQUIPMENT INCLUDES THREE DECK MONITORS AND TWO MAJOR PUMPS CAPABLE OF DRAWING 4,000 GALLONS OF WATER PER MINUTE.

IT IS ALSO EQUIPPED WITH A FOAM COMPOUND STORAGE TANK OF 350 GALLONS CAPACITY AND A PORTABLE FOAM CANNON, CONNECTABLE TO ANY DECK MONITORS, WITH AN OUTPUT OF 2,500 GALLONS OF FOAM PER MINUTE.

THE NEW FIREBOAT IS DESIGNED BY THE MARINE DEPARTMENT IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE FIRE SERVICES DEPARTMENT’S SPECIFICATIONS AND IS BUILT BY A LOCAL SHIPYARD.

IT REPLACES THE PRESENT NO. 3 FIREBOAT WHICH HAS BEEN BASED AT ABERDEEN SINCE 1950.

FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 11, 1977

15

INTERNATIONAL CONVENTION FOR PROTECTION OF INDUSTRIAL PROPERTY APPLIES TO H.K.

******

THE REGISTRAR GENERAL’S DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCED TODAY (FRIDAY) THAT WITH EFFECT FROM NEXT WEDNESDAY (NOVEMBER 16) THE INTERNATIONAL CONVENTION FOR THE PROTECTION OF INDUSTRIAL PROPERTY (THE 'PARIS CONVENTION’) WILL APPLY TO HONG KONG.

THE EXTENSION OF THE CONVENTION TO HONG KONG WILL FACILITATE THE REGISTRATION OF PATENTS, DESIGNS AND TRADE MARKS IN CERTAIN CONVENTION COUNTRIES.

SIGNATORIES OF THE CONVENTION INCLUDE THE UNITED STATES, JAPAN, GERMANY AND BRITAIN WHICH ARE HONG KONG’S MAJOR TRADING PARTNERS.

A SPOKESMAN FOR THE REGISTRAR GENERAL’S DEPARTMENT SAID, +BASICALLY, THE CONVENTION PROVIDES THAT NATIONALS OF A CONVENTION COUNTRY SHALL, AS REGARDS THE PROTECTION OF PATENTS, DESIGNS AND TRADE MARKS, ENJOY IK ALL OTHER CONVENTION COUNTRIES THE ADVANTAGES THAT THEIR RESPECTIVE LAWS GRANT TO THEIR OWN NATICNALS.+

+INTERESTED PARTIES SHOULD CONTACT THEIR PROFESSIONAL ADVISERS TO ASCERTAIN WHETHER THE NEW SITUATION WILL EE OF ANY ASSISTANCE TO THEM,* HE ADDED.

- - 0 - -

BOARD TO INVESTIGATE SHIPS COLLISION

******

THE DIRECTOR OF MARINE HAS ORDERED A BOARD OF INVESTIGATION TO FURTHER INVESTIGATE THE COLLISION BETWEEN TWO VESSELS, +PRESIDENT TAFT+ AND +AMERICAN MING+, AFTER CONSIDERING THE REPORT OF A PRELIMINARY INQUIRY INTO THE INCIDENT.

ON JULY 7 THIS YEAR, THE AMERICAN FLAG VESSEL +PRESIDENT TAFT+ WHILE BEING PILOTED BY A HONG KONG LICENSED PILOT INTO BERTH NO. 4 OF THE KWAI CHUNG CONTAINER TERMINAL STRUCK THE WHARF AT BERTH NO. 6 AND COLLIDED WITH THE STERN OF THE VESSEL +AMERICAN MING+ LYING ALONGSIDE THERE, RESULTING IN DAMAGE TO THE WHARF AND BOTH VESSELS.

THE BOARD OF INVESTIGATION, WHICH IS CONVENED UNDER THE PILOTAGE ORDINANCE, WILL EE CHAIRED BY ASSISTANT CROWN SOLICITOR, MR. KENNETH MOK WAH-KO, LT. CDR. 3.H.G. JOHNSTON OF THE ROYAL NAVY AND CAPTAIN J. MAYO OF THE MARINE DEPARTMENT HAVE BEEN APPOINTED AS MEMBERS.

THE INVESTIGATION IS EXPECTED TC LAST FOUR DAYS AND IS SCHEDULED TO BE HELD IN THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL CHAMBER IN THE CENTRAL GOVERNMENT OFFICES ON NOVEMBER 14, 17, 21 AND 28.

- 0 -

/14

FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 11, 1977

14

BUILDING DECLARED DANGEROUS

* * * *

THE BUILDING AUTHORITY TODAY DECLARED NO. 74, BONHAM STRAND, HONG KONG TO BE IN A DANGEROUS CONDITION AND NO. 76, BONHAM STRAND, HONG KONG LIABLE TO BECOME DANGEROUS.

IN A STATEMENT ISSUED THIS MORNING THE PRINCIPAL GOVERNMENT BUILDING SURVEYOR SAID THAT THESE 4-STOREY PRE-WAR BUILDINGS WERE THE SUBJECT OF A COMPLAINT.

AN INSPECTION SHOWED THAT A HIGH PROPORTION OF THE STRUCTURAL WOODEN MEMBERS SUPPORTING THE FLOORS AND ROOFS WERE DECAYED AND THAT THE STEEL SECTIONS SUPPORTING THE REAR MAIN WALLS WERE SERIOUSLY CORRODED. THE CONDITION WAS SUCH THAT THERE WAS A DANGER OF COLLAPSE AND THE BUILDINGS SHOULD THEREFORE BE DEMOLISHED.

ACCORDINGLY NOTICES OF INTENTION TO APPLY FOR CLOSURE ORDERS IN VICTORIA DISTRICT COURT AT 9.30 A.M. ON DECEMBER 16, 1977 WERE POSTED TODAY.

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

MONEY EXCHANGE SHOP TO LET AT HONG KONG AIRPORT

******

A MONEY EXCHANGE SHOP IS AVAILABLE FOR LETTING AT THE ARRIVAL HALL OF HONG KONG INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT.

TFNDFRS FOR THE TENANCY. WHICH WILL BE FOR A PERIOD OF THREE YEARS COMMENCING ON OR ABOUT JANUARY 15, 1978, ARE BEING INVITED BY THE CIVIL AVIATION DEPARTMENT.

THE SHOP, NO. 57, WILL BE RE-LOCATED TO THE REDEVELOPED ARR IVAL HALL IN MID-1979.

FORMS OF TENDER AND FURTHER PARTICULARS ARE OBTAINABLE FROM THE CIVIL AVIATION DEPARTMENT OR THE MANAGEMENT OF HONG KONG AIRPORT.

ALL TENDERS SHOULD BE ADDRESSED TO THE SECRETARY OF THE CENTRAL TENDER BOARD AND PLACED IN THE TENDER BOX AT THE GOVERNMENT SECRETARIAT BEFORE NOON ON FRIDAY (NOVEMBER 25, 1977).

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

/15

FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 11, 1977

15

COLLECTOR’S CABINET FOR GOLD COINS BEING CONSIDERED

******

THE GOVERNMENT WILL FOR HONG KONG GOLD COINS

PRODUCE FOR SALE A COLLECTOR’S CABINET IF THERE IS SUFFICIENT DEMAND FOR IT.

A PROTOTYPE CABINET HAS BEEN PRODUCED FOR PUBLIC INSPECTION AT THE GOVERNMENT PUBLICATIONS CENTRE ON THE GROUND FLOOR OF THE NEW POST OFFICE BUILDING AT CONNAUGHT PLACE.

IT CONTAINS RECESSES FOR 14 GOLD COINS THREE OF WHICH HAVE SO FAR BEEN ISSUED TO COMMEMORATE THE ROYAL VISIT IN 1975, THE YEAR OF THE DRAGON (1976) AND THE YEAR OF THE SNAKE (1977).

THE NEXT COIN, TO MARK THE YEAR OF THE HORSE, WILL BE ISSUED IN 1978. IT WILL BE FOLLOWED BY NINE FURTHER ANNUAL ISSUES TO COMPLETE THE LUNAR NEW YEAR CYCLE.

THE PROTOTYPE HAS A POLISHED TEAK EXTERIOR WITH A LEATHER INSERT IN THE LID WHICH COULD BE USED TO FEATURE A GOLD-TOOLED DECORATION, PROBABLY OF HONG KONG’S COAT-OF-ARMS.

PLASTIC FORMINGS IN THE LID AND EASE SECTIONS OF THE PROTOTYPE ARE MADE FROM STYRENE WHICH HAS BEEN FLOCKED SPRAYED WITH A RICH BROWN VELVET TEXTURE FINISH.

THE BASE IS PROVIDED WITH 14 COIN WELLS DESIGNED TO TAKE SCREW-TOP CAPSULE COIN CONTAINERS AND A RECESS TO ACCOMMODATE THE BOOKLETS WHICH ARE ISSUED WITH EACH COIN.

THREE OF THESE CAPSULE CONTAINERS WOULD BE PROVIDED WITH THE CABINET FOR THE COINS THAT HAVE ALREADY BEEN ISSUED.

ALL FUTURE GOLD COINS WOULD THEN BE ISSUED IN CAPSULE CONTAINERS.

A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN SAID +A FIRM PRICE FOR THE COLLECTOR’S CABINET HAS NOT YET BEEN DECIDED AS THIS WILL DEPEND ON MANUFACTURING COSTS AND THE NUMBER OF ORDERS PLACED.

+AT A ROUGH GUESS, HOWEVER, THE PURCHASE PRICE WOULD PROBABLY AMOUNT TO BETWEEN $300 AND $400.+

FORMS ON WHICH GOLD COIN COLLECTORS CAN INDICATE WHETHER THEY WOULD BE INTERESTED IN PURCHASING A CABINET CAN BE OBTAINED FROM COUNTER STAFF AT THE GOVERNMENT PUBLICATIONS CENTRE. THESE SHOULD BE COMPLETED AND RETURNED TO THE DIRECTOR OF ACCOUNTING SERVICES, CENTRAL GOVERNMENT OFFICES, HONG KONG.

+IT MUST BE EMPHASISED THAT THESE FORMS ARE NOT FOR THE PURPOSE OF PLACING ORDERS,* THE SPOKESMAN SAID, +AS THE SOLE INTENTION AT THIS STAGE IS TO ESTABLISH WHETHER THERE IS ENOUGH INTEREST TO MAKE THE PRODUCTION OF A COLLECTOR’S CABINET A VIABLE PROPOSITION.*

HE SAID THAT THE GOVERNMENT MIGHT DECIDE TO INVITE ADVANCE ORDERS, IN WHICH CASE AN EQUAL NUMBER OF CABINETS WOULD BE PRODUCED.

/IT MIGHT .....

FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 11, 1977

- 16 -

IT MIGHT BE POSSIBLE TO ARRANGE, AT AN EXTRA CHARGE, TO HAVE THE NAME OF THE COLLECTOR EMBOSSED IN GOLD ON THE LEATHER LID.

REFERRING TO PROGRESS ON THE YEAR OF THE HORSE COIN THE SPOKESMAN SAID THAT THE MASTER TOOLS WERE NOW BEING MADE AND IT WAS EXPECTED THAT SPECIMEN PRE-PRODUCTION COINS WOULD BE RECEIVED IN THE NEXT FEW WEEKS.

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

MORE SAI KUNG FLATS FOR AUCTION

* X * X

THE GOVERNMENT IS TO AUCTION ANOTHER 15 DOMESTIC FLATS IN SAI KUNG TOWN LATER THIS MONTH AND BUYERS WILL CONTINUE TO HAVE THE OPTION OF PAYING HALF OF THE PURCHASE PRICE BY ANNUAL INSTALMENTS.

THE AUCTION WILL BE HELD ON NOVEMBER 30 AT 3 P.M. AT THE SAI KUNG DISTRICT OFFICE IN THE SAN PO KONG GOVERNMENT OFFICES BUILDING, 692 PRINCE EDWARD ROAD.

THE FLATS, EACH OF 692 SQUARE FEET, ARE IN ROWS OF MODERN FIVE-STOREY BLOCKS WHICH WERE PRIMARILY BUILT TO REHOUSE LOCAL VILLAGERS AFFECTED BY THE HIGH ISLAND WATER SCHEME.

IT WILL BE THE THIRD SALE IN A SERIES OF AUCTIONS PLANNED BY THE SAI KUNG DISTRICT OFFICE TO DISPOSE OF THE FLATS WHICH WERE LEFT OVER AS SOME VILLAGERS OPTED FOR CASH COMPENSATION.

THE FIRST TWO AUCTIONS TOOK PLACE IN FEBRUARY AND SEPTEMBER THIS YEAR WHEN A TOTAL OF 14 FLATS WERE SOLD FOR OVER $1.9 MILLION. IN THE SEPTEMBER AUCTION, FLATS WERE SOLD AT PRICES RANGING FROM $136,000 TO $153,000.

THE 15 FLATS COMING UP IN THE NEXT AUCTION ARE ON THE THIRD AND FOURTH FLOORS, EXCEPT FOR ONE WHICH IS ON THE SECOND FLOOR. TWELVE ARE IN MAN NIN STREET AND THREE IN Yl CHUN STREET.

EXPLAINING THE SALE CONDITIONS OF THE AUCTION, MR. DEREK DEAR, SENIOR ESTATE SURVEYOR OF THE SAI KUNG DISTRICT OFFICE SAID TODAY ALL SUCCESSFUL BIDDERS WOULD BE REQUIRED TO PAY A DEPOSIT OF $10,000 AFTER THE FALL OF THE HAMMER.

WITHIN ONE CALENDER MONTH OF THE SALE, HE SAID, THEY CAN PAY EITHER THE FULL PURCHASE PRICE, OR HALF OF THE PRICE PLUS THE FIRST OF 10 EQUAL ANNUAL INSTALMENTS FOR THE REMAINING HALF.

MR. DEAR SAID BUYERS OPTING FOR INSTALMENT PAYMENT WOULD NOT BE ALLOWED TO ASSIGN, UNDERLET OR ENTER INTO ANY AGREEMENT TO DISPOSE OF THE FLATS UNTIL THEY HAD PAID THE WHOLE AMOUNT OF THE PURCHASE PRICE.

COPIES OF THE SALE CONDITIONS CAN BE OBTAINED AND THE PLAN INSPECTED AT ALL DISTRICT OFFICES AND AT THE NEW TERRITORIES ADMINISTRATION HEADQUARTERS AT 101, PRINCESS MARGARET ROAD, KOWLOON.

0 --------

/17......

FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 11, 1977

17

SCOUTS DAY AT VICTORIA PARK

******

THE DIRECTOR OF SOCIAL WELFARE, MR. THOMAS LEE, WILL OFFICIATE AT THE SCOUTS DAY TO BE HELD AT THE VICTORIA PARK, CAUSEWAY BAY THIS SUNDAY (NOVEMBER 13) AT 1 P.M.

THE SCOUTS DAY, SPONSORED BY THE URBAN COUNCIL AND THE EASTERN DISTRICT SCOUT COUNCIL, IS TO PROMOTE SCOUTING AS WELL AS TO ENTERTAIN THOUSANDS OF PUPILS AND SCOUTS IN THE DISTRICT.

THE PROGRAMME WILL INCLUDE A PARADE, PIPE-BAND AND BRASS-BAND PERFORMANCES, BAMBOO DANCE AND SCOUT CRAFT DEMONSTRATIONS, THERE WILL ALSO BE OBSTACLE RACES AND GAMES.

YOU ARE CORDIALLY INVITED TO COVER THE EVENT.

- 0 - -

NOTE TO EDITORS:

ANNUAL TEACHERS’ CONFERENCE * * * *

THE HONG KONG TEACHERS’ ASSOCIATION ANNUAL TEACHERS’ CONFERENCE WILL BE HELD TOMORROW (SATURDAY) AT 2.30 P.M. AT GRANTHAM COLLEGE OF EDUCATION, GASCOIGNE ROAD, KOWLOON.

MR. A.G. BROWN, ASSISTANT DIRECTOR OF EDUCATION (CHIEF INSPECTOR OF SCHOOLS) WILL GIVE THE OPENING ADDRESS AND SENIOR MEMBERS OF THE ADVISORY INSPECTORATE OF THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT WILL SPEAK AT THE VARIOUS DISCUSSION GROUPS.

YOU ARE CORDIALLY INVITED TO SEND REPRESENTATIVES TO COVER THE EVENT.

- 0 -

TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENT IN TIN LOK LANE ******

A TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT SPOKESMAN ANNOUNCED TODAY THAT SOUTHBOUND TRAFFIC IN TIN LOK LANE, BETWEEN HENNESSY ROAD AND WAN CHAI ROAD, WILL EE RESTRICTED TO FRANCHISED BUSES WITH EFFECT FROM 10 A.M. ON MONDAY (NOVEMBER 14) TO FACILITATE ROAD WORKS.

ALL OTHER VEHICLES JILL BE PROHIBITED TO ENTER TIN LOK LANE FROM HENNESSY ROAD.

TRAFFIC SIGNS JILL EE SET UP TO GUIDE MOTORISTS.

- 0 -

PRH 7

DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN

SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 12, 1977

CONTENTS PAGE NO.

HK FACES SERIOUS CONSEQUENCES FROM EEC IMPORTS CUT ......... 1

JORDAN EXPLAINS STATUS OF TEXTILE TALKS WITH EEC ........... 3

MULTI-MILLION DOLLAR CONTRACT FOR SHA TIN SEWAGE PLANT .. 5

COMPUTER FILING SYSTEM FOR IMMIGRATION DEPARTMENT .......... 6

SOCIAL SECURITY GREEN PAPER TO BE RELEASED ................. 7

CHRISTMAS AEROGRAMME ON SALE ............................... 7

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

TEMPORARY TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS ............................. 8

COMMISSIONER FOR LABOUR TO VISIT SHIPYARD .................. 9

COMMISSIONER FOR NARCOTICS TO OPEN ANTI-DRUG VARIETY SHOW ....................................................... o

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

SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 12, 1977

1

HONG KONG FACES SERIOUS CONSEQUENCES IF EEC CUTS BACK ON OUR TEXTILE AND CLOTHING EXPORTS * * *

THE CONSEQUENCES FOR HONG KONG WILL BE VERY SERIOUS INDEED IF THE EEC ARE ALLOWED TO SUCCEED WITH THEIR THREAT OF CUTTING BACK ON OUR EXPORTS OF TEXTILES AND CLOTHING.

ACTING FINANCIAL SECRETARY, MR. DAVID JEAFFRESON, SAID THIS TODAY AT THE OPENING OF A TWO-WEEK SEMINAR FOR 55 LOCAL FINANCIAL JOURNALISTS ORGANISED BY THE HONG KONG JOURNALISTS ASSOCIATION.

+SUCH IS THE SIGNIFICANCE OF THE EEC AS A MARKET FOR US THAT A CUT BACK OF THE SIZE THEY ARE PROPOSING WOULD RESULT IN A REDUCTION OF OUR INCREASE IN PUBLIC EXPENDITURE OF TWO OR THREE PER CENT A YEAR WITH DAMAGING CONSEQUENCES TO OUR ASPIRATIONS FOR DEVELOPING SERVICES TO THE PUBLIC,* HE WARNED.

MR. JEAFFRESON WAS EXPLAINING TO THE JOURNALISTS FIVE BUDGET GUIDELINES AND THE REASONING BEHIND THEM.

HE SAID WE NEEDED TO HAVE SOME IDEA AS TO THE RATE AT WHICH PUBLIC EXPENDITURE COULD GROW IN REAL TERMS, AND, BASED ON HISTORICAL EXPERIENCE IN THE 70S, WE HAD CONCLUDED THAT THIS RATE WAS ABOUT 10 PER CENT A YEAR.

+THIS IS VERY HIGH AND IT WILL HAVE TO BE ADJUSTED DOWNWARDS QUICKLY IF WE SEE CLOUDS ON THE HORIZON,* HE SAID.

+THERE IS ONE PARTICULARLY BLACK CLOUD THERE. THIS IS THE THREAT - AND IT IS A VERY REAL THREAT - IMPOSED BY THE EEC TO CUT BACK QUITE DRASTICALLY ON OUR EXPORTS OF TEXTILES AND CLOTHING.

+1 DON’T PROPOSE NOW TO GO INTO THE RIGHTS AND WRONGS OF WHAT THE EEC ARE DOING, BUT THE CONSEQUENCES FOR HONG KONG WILL BE VERY SERIOUS INDEED IF THE EEC ARE ALLOWED TO CONTINUE.*

MR. JEAFFRESON GAVE FIVE BUDGET GUIDELINES: THE SIZE OF THE PUBLIC SECTOR3 THE RELATIONSHIP OF CAPITAL AND RECURRENT ACCOUNTS-THE RESIDUAL DEFICIT ON CAPITAL ACCOUNT3 DIRECT AND INDIRECT TAXATION- AND THE FUTURE.

ON THE SIZE OF THE PUBLIC SECTOR, HE SAID ONE OF THE MOST IMPORTANT CONSIDERATIONS WAS THE TRADE ORIENTATED NATURE OF OUR ECONOMY.

+THE FACT OF THE MATTER IS THAT WE DEPEND ON THE OUTSIDE WORLD FOR MOST THINGS - OUR FOOD, OUR RAW MATERIALS, SEMI-MANUFACTURES, OUR CAPITAL GOODS AND OUR CONSUMER GOODS GENERALLY.

+T0 PAY FOR THE REQUIREMENTS OF OUR PEOPLE AND THEIR INDUSTRIES, WE HAVE TO EXPORT VIRTUALLY OUR ENTIRE PRODUCTION FROM MANUFACTURING. IN CONSEQUENCE, OUR VISIBLE AND INVISIBLE IMPORTS AND'EXPORTS ARE VALUED AT ROUGHLY TWICE OR 200 PER CENT OF OUR GROSS DOMESTIC PRODUCT.

/BY CONTRAST,

SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 12, 1977

2

+EY CONTRAST, INVISIBLE IMPORTS AND EXPORTS FOR BRITAIN WERE ONLY 50 PER CENT OF THE GROSS DOMESTIC PRODUCT,+ MR. JEAFFRESON REMARKED.

+THIS FACT MEANS THAT WE ARE VERY DEPENDENT ON FORCES OVER WHICH WE HAVE ABSOLUTELY NO CONTROL,* MR. JEAFFRESON CONTINUED.

+ALL THE MORE IMPORTANT, THEN, THAT WE MAKE SURE THAT THE SIZE OF THE PUBLIC SECTOR, OVER WHICH WE DO HAVE SOME CONTROL, IS CONTAINED BY WHAT THE ECONOMY WILL PERMIT.*

THIS CONSIDERATION DID NOT APPLY IN THE CASE OF COUNTRIES WITH MUCH MORE CLOSED ECONOMIES THAN OURS. FOR A FAILURE TO MAINTAIN EXTERNAL COMPETITIVENESS IN THEIR CASE COULD BE MASKED AND AT LEAST PARTLY ABSORBED IN THE RELATIVELY LARGE SECTORS OF SUCH ECONOMIES NOT CONCERNED WITH EXTERNAL TRANSACTIONS. EVEN SO, THESE COUNTRIES WERE CLEARLY BECOMING INCREASINGLY CONCERNED WITH THE SIZE OF THEIR PRIVATE SECTOR.

MR. JEAFFRESON SAID THAT IN THE FOUR YEARS 1973/74 - 1976/77, THE PUBLIC SECTOR REPRESENTED 17.2 PER CENT OF THE GROSS DOMESTIC PRODUCT, AN INCREASE OF ONE FIFTH COMPARED WITH THE PREVIOUS FOUR YEARS.

+A PUBLIC SECTOR OF THIS RELATIVE SIZE IS CLEARLY NOW WITHIN THE ECONOMY’S CAPABILITY: IF NECESSARY, IT COULD BE LIFTED A LITTLE FURTHER WITHOUT DETRIMENT AS IT WILL BE IN 1977/78 WHEN, ACCORDING TO THE BUDGET SPEECH, IT WILL RISE TO 17.6 PER CENT, UP BY ONE THIRTEENTH ON 1976/77 WHEN IT WAS 16.4 PER CENT,* HE SAID.

ON THE RELATIONSHIP OF CAPITAL AND RECURRENT ACCOUNTS, MR. JEAFFRESON SAID WE LIKED TO MAKE SURE THAT OUR RECURRENT COMMITMENTS GROW IN RELATION TO RECURRENT REVENUE.

+WE HAVE TAKEN THE VIEW THAT RECURRENT EXPENDITURE SHOULD ABSORB NO MORE THAN 80 PER CENT OF RECURRENT REVENUE AND THAT AT LEAST 60 PER CENT OF CAPITAL EXPENDITURE SHOULD BE FINANCED BY THE SURPLUS ON RECURRENT ACCOUNT,* HE SAID.

TURNING TO THE RESIDUAL DEFICIT ON CAPITAL ACCOUNT, MR. JEAFFRESON SAID THAT THE 20 PER CENT REMAINING AFTER EXPENDITURE OF 89 PER CENT OF RECURRENT REVENUE WAS THEN AVAILABLE FOR FINANCING CAPITAL EXPENDITURE.

+WHAT IF THIS 20 PER CENT IS INADEQUATE FOR THE PURPOSE?* HE ASKED.

+THE ANSWER IS TO USE CAPITAL REVENUE, WHICH MEANS FOR HONG KONG THE YIELD FROM THE GOVERNMENT’S MAIN CAPITAL ASSET WHICH IS, OF COURSE, LAND.*

THE YIELD FROM THE SALE OF LAND WAS ERRATIC. IT DEPENDED ON THE AMOUNT OF LAND AVAILABLE FOR SALE AND THE PRICE IT FETCHED. BUT WE AIMED TO ACHIEVE THE GUIDELINE THAT, EVERY YEAR, WE SELL ENOUGH TC BRING IN SUFFICIENT MONEY TO FINANCE AT LEAST HALF OF THE CAPITAL EXPENDITURE WHICH HAD NOT BEEN COVERED BY RECURRENT REVENUE.

/IF NEITHER .....

SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 12, 1977

- 3 -

IF NEITHER THE RECURRENT REVENUE AVAILABLE NOR CAPITAL REVENUE WERE SUFFICIENT TO FINANCE CAPITAL EXPENDITURE, THE ANSWER WAS TO INCUR DEBT.

BUT MR. JEAFFRESON POINTED OUT THAT THERE WERE NUMEROUS EXAMPLES OF COUNTRIES WHICH HAD BORROWED EXTENSIVELY ONLY LATER TO FIND THEMSELVES OPPRESSIVELY BURDENED BY THE INTEREST THEY HAD TO PAY AND BY THE TASK OF TRYING TO REPAY THE LOANS.

DEALING WITH DIRECT AND INDIRECT TAXATION, MR. JEAFFRESON SAID THAT THE 15 PER CENT RATE OF DIRECT TAX WAS FIXED AT THE LEVEL IT WAS THOUGHT THE ECONOMY COULD BEAR WITHOUT SUFFERING ADVERSE EFFECTS.

BUT IT WAS A LOW RATE BY INTERNATIONAL STANDARDS AND WE HAD TO RELY HEAVILY ON THE OTHER TWO TAX GROUPS - INDIRECT TAXES ON PEOPLE’S ACTIVITIES AND THE MISCELLANEOUS GROUP.

HE SAID THE STANDARD RATE OF 15 PER CENT WAS +NOT UNCHANGEABLE.+

MR. JEAFFRESON SAID THE RATIO OF DIRECT TO INDIRECT TAXES ESTIMATED FOR 1977/78 WAS 55 s 45, COMPARED WITH A GUIDELINE OF 45 : 55, AND THE RATIO OF DIRECT AND INDIRECT TAXATION TAKEN TOGETHER TO THE MISCELLANEOUS GROUP WAS 73 : 27, INSTEAD OF 65 : 35.

+THUS WE DIVERGED FROM THE RATIOS, BUT WE DID SO CONSCIOUSLY, HAVING CALCULATED THAT THE CONSEQUENCES WOULD NOT BE TOO SER I OUS.+

STATEMENT BY MR. DAVID JORDAN, DIRECTOR OF TRADE, INDUSTRY AND CUSTOMS, ON STATUS OF TEXTILE NEGOTIATIONS WITH THE EEC ******

THE FOLLOWING STATEMENT HAS BEEN RECEIVED FROM MR. D.H. JORDAN (WHO IS STILL IN EUROPE) ON THE NEGOTIATIONS WITH THE CEC ON THE FUTURE OF HONG KONG TEXTILE EXPORTS TO THE COMMUNITY FROM JANUARY 1, 1978. THE STATEMENT SUMS UP HIS VIEWS AS AT THE TIME OF THE SUSPENSION OF THESE NEGOTIATIONS BY THE EEC ON NOVEMBER 8.

♦THE HONG KONG DELEGATION ARRIVED IN BRUSSELS ON OCTOBER 8 TO BEGIN TWO DAYS LATER, AT THE REQUEST OF THE COMMUNITY, TO NEGOTIATE A NEW TEXTILES AGREEMENT TO RUN FROM JANUARY 1, 1978

+WE CAME READY TO NEGOTIATE, IN GOOD FAITH, UNDER THE TERMS OF THE MULTI-FIBRE ARRANGEMENT (THE MFA)= AND EVEN PREPARED TO CONSIDER REASONABLE DEPARTURES FROM ITS TERMS, WHERE A CASE COULp BE MADE, IN ACCORDANCE WITH A DOCUMENT TO WHICH HONG KONG AND, LET ME EMPHASISE, THE EEC SUBSCRIBED DURING A MEETING OF THE GATT TEXTILES COMMITTEE IN THE SUMMER WHEN THE FUTURE OF THE MFA WAS UNDER CONSIDERATION.

+WHEN THE NEGOTIATIONS FINALLY STARTED, A WEEK LATE BECAUSE THE COMMUNITY HAD DIFFICULTY AGREEING A MANDATE, IT SOON BECAME APPARENT THERE WERE THREE MAIN AREAS OF DIFFICULTY.

/♦FIRST, .....

SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 12, 1977

+FIRST, AS WE HAD ALREADY BEEN LET TO ANTICIPATE, THE EEC IDEA OF DISCRIMINATING AGAINST A FEW MAJOR SUPPLIERS, INCLUDING HONG KONG, TO CUT QUOTAS BACK EVEN MORE SEVERELY THAN IN THE CASE OF OTHERS. THIS WAS SO THAT THESE QUANTITIES COULD EE ALLOCATED TO OTHER SUPPLIERS.

+SECONDLY, THE BASIC DRAFT AGREEMENT PRODUCED BY THE EEC PROVIDED FOR A SYSTEM OF IMPORT CONTROL WHICH, IF IMPLEMENTED, WOULD MEAN LOWER PRICES FOR EXPORTERS AND HIGHER PROFITS FOR IMPORTERS.

+THIRDLY , THE COMMUNITY HAD EVOLVED A SYSTEM OF CATEGORISATION AND CLASSIFICATION (BASED ON THEIR STILL UNPUBLISHED CUSTOMS CLASSIFICATION FOR 1978) WHICH WOULD, WITHOUT DOUBT, CAUSE APPALLING DISRUPTION TO THE TRADE AT BOTH ENDS AND HAVE THE EFFECT OF REDUCING ACTUAL EXPORTS STILL FURTHER.

+THESE, IN THE WORDS OF THE REPRESENTATIVE OF ANOTHER COUNTRY FACED WITH THE EEC’S DEMANDS, w'E COULD ONLY REGARD AS RADICAL, NOT REASONABLE, DEPARTURES FROM THE MFA AND AS SUCH QUITE UNJUSTIFIED.

+THE EEC TRIED TO PRESENT AS MEANINGFUL CONCESSIONS THE RIGHT TO EXPORT CONTROL - ALTHOUGH THERE IS NOT, I BELIEVE, A SINGLE AGREEMENT UNDER THE MFA THAT PROVIDE FOR IMPORT CONTROL - AND SO-CALLED ’’SECURITY”, WHICH MEANT AN UNDERTAKING TO ABIDE BY AN AGREEMENT ENTERED INTO FREELY BY THEM. THE PRICE FOR THESE ’CONCESSIONS’ WAS AGREEMENT TO DISCUSS NOT WHETHER BUT ONLY HOW MUCH OF OUR TRADE SHOULD EE REDISTRIBUTED TO OTHERS.

+AFTER WE HAD, AT THE REQUEST OF THE EEC NEGOTIATOR, RECESSED FOR A WEEK, WE OFFERED ON NOVEMBER 4 A PACKAGE PROPOSAL. THIS WAS DONE BECAUSE IT WAS APPARENT THE NEGOTIATIONS WERE GETTING NOWHERE. THE PROPOSALS WENT A LONG WAY TO MEET THE EEC DEMANDS AND INVOLVED WHAT WERE IN OUR. VIEW REASONABLE DEPARTURES FROM THE PROVISIONS OF THE MFA.

+THE COMMUNITY HAS ADMITTED THAT THESE PROPOSALS WERE A REAL MOVE FOR/;ARD BY HONG KONG AND THAT THEY MET THE EEC’S REQUIREMENT THAT IMPORTS SHOULD BE STABILISED AT THE 1976 LEVEL.

+THIS WAS A VERY SUBSTANTIAL CONCESSION BY HONG KONG.

IN OUR VIE/. IT WAS ON THE VERY EDGE OF WHAT COULD BE CONSIDERED ’REASONABLE DEPARTURES’ FROM THE MFA. IT INVOLVED CONSIDERABLE CUTBACKS ON OUR 1977 QUOTA LIMITS. AND IT WAS MADE DESPITE THE FACT THAT THE COMMUNITY HAD NOT, APART FROM VERY GENERAL REMARKS ABOUT THE STATE OF ITS TEXTILE INDUSTRIES AND UNSUPPORTED STATEMENTS THAT PARTICULAR PRODUCTS ARE PARTICULARLY ’SENSITIVE’, PROVIDED ANY OBJECTIVE JUSTIFICATION FOR ANY PARTICULAR RESTRAINT OR LIMIT.

+OUR PROPOSALS /.ERE TOTALLY REJECTED BY THE COMMUNITY ON THE SOLE GROUNDS THAT WE HAD KOT OFFERED ThE 'SACRIFICES’ ihAT THE EEC HAD CONTINUALLY SAID IT REQUIRES FROM DOMINANT SUPPLIERS.

/♦THIS is .....

Saturday, November 12, 1977

+THIS IS NOT A DEMAND FOR WHICH WE CAN FIND JUSTIFICATION ON -CONOMIC OR LEGAL GROUNDS. IT EEARS NO RELATION TO THE MFA OR TO THE DOCUMENT TO WHICH W'E AND THE EEC SUBSCRIBED ENVISAGING THE POSSIBILITY OF ’JOINTLY AGREED REASONABLE DEPARTURES’ FROM THE MFA.

+IN VIEW OF THE INDEFINITE SUSPENSION OF THESE NEGOTIATIONS BY THE EEC, THE HONG KONG DELEGATION AND THE TEXTILES ADVISORY BOARD IS RETURNING TO HONG KONG. WE SHALL BE PREPARED TO RETURN TO BRUSSELS WHEN THERE IS AN INDICATION FROM THE EEC THAT THEY ARE READY TO RESUME NEGOTIATIONS ON A MEANINGFUL BASIS. IT IS STILL OUR EARNEST WISH TO REACH A FAIR, EQUITABLE AND MUTUALLY ACCEPTABLE AGREEMENT.+

NOTE TO EDITORS :

YOU ARE REMINDED THAT HONG KONG’S TEXTILES NEGOTIATING TEAM IS ARRIVING THIS (SATURDAY) AFTERNOON ON SWISSAIR 302 (E.T.A. 1530 HRS.). YOU ARE REMINDED THAT THE TEAM, HEADED BY MR. LAWRENCE MILLS, WILL GIVE A PRESS CONFERENCE IN THE AIRPORT’S PRESS CONFERENCE ROOM ABOUT HALF AN HOUR AFTER ARRIVAL. MEDIA REPRESENTATIVES ARE REQUESTED TO MEET G.I.S. OFFICERS IN THE AIRPORT’S PRESS ROOM 33 MINUTES BEFORE THE PRESS CONFERENCE.

0 - -

NOTE TO EDITORS

$225 MILLION CONTRACT FOR SEWAGE TREATMENT PLANT * * * *

THE MAIN CONTRACT FOR THE NEW $225 MILLION SHA TIN SEWAGE TREATMENT PLANT WILL EE SIGNED ON MONDAY (NOVEMBER 14).

THE CONTRACT FORMS PART OF THE FIRST STAGE OF THE PLANT WHICH IS PARTLY FINANCED BY A 595 MILLION LOAN FROM THE ASIAN DEVELOPMENT BANK.

THE SIGNING CEREMONY WILL EE HELD IN THE CONFERENCE ROOM, PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT HEADQUARTERS, 21ST FLOOR, MURRAY BUILDING, GARDEN ROAD, AT 11 A.M.

TELEVISION CREWS ARE ASKED TO ARRIVE MOT LATER THAN 13.45 A.M. SO THAT THEY WILL HAVE AMPLE TIME TO SET UP THEIR CAMERAS.

MR. WONG KWOK-CHOY, CHIEF ENGINEER OF THE CONSULTANTS MANAGEMENT DIVISION OF THE P./..D.’S CIVIL ENGINEERING OFFICE, WILL BE AVAILABLE FOR INTERVIE;. AFTER THE SIGNING CEREMONY.

SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 12, 1977

6

COMPUTERISED SYSTEM FOR RETRIEVING RECORDS IN IMMIGRATION DEPARTMEN * * * *

THE IMMIGRATION DEPARTMENT HAS SET UP A NEW INDEXING SYSTEM WITH THE INSTALLATION OF A COMPUTER, WHICH WILL CONSIDERABLY REDUCE THE TIME SPENT IN THE RETRIEVING OF RECORDS WITHIN THE DEPARTMENT.

THE NEW SYSTEM WILL BE LINKED UP WITH THE NEWLY DEVELOPED MICROFILM SYSTEM AND IT WILL COME INTO OPERATION LATER THIS YEAR TO HELP LESSEN THE TIME NEEDED TO SHUFFLE THROUGH A MOUNTAIN OF FILES AND DOCUMENTS IN ORDER TO RECOVER DATA ON A PARTICULAR PERSON.

+WHEN THE WHOLE SYSTEM IS FULLY OPERATIONAL, INFORMATION ABOUT A PARTICULAR PERSON WILL BE AVAILABLE WITHIN SECONDS BY CHECKING WITH THE COMPUTER AND MICROFILMS,+ A SPOKESMAN FOR THE IMMIGRATION DEPARTMENT SAID.

+AT PRESENT, TRACING A FILE FOR REFERENCE CAN, AT TIMES, BE QUITE TIME CONSUMING AND, *IN SOME CASES, SEVERAL SECTIONS ARE INVOLVED DUE TO THE DECENTRALISATION OF FILES FOR EASY MANAGEMENT. THE MICROFILM SYSTEM WILL HELP TO BRING ALL RECORDS UNDER ONE ROOF, AND THE COMPUTERISED INDEX SYSTEM GIVES RISE TO A MUCH MORE ACCURATE AND QUICKER WAY OF PROVIDING THE NECESSARY CLUE TO LOCATE THE RECORD OF A PARTICULAR PERSON*.

THE MICROFILMING UNIT, WHICH WAS SET UP LAST YEAR AS PART OF THE SI.6 MILLION COMPUTER-BASED MICROFILM PROJECT FOR THE DEPARTMENT, HAS SUCCESSFULLY MICROFILMED SOME HALF A MILLION FILES AND DOCUMENTS IN ITS FIRST YEAR’S OPERATION.

IT WAS ESTABLISHED TO INCREASING NUMBER OF PAPER

TACKLE THE STORAGE PROBLEM OF THE EVER FILES AND THEIR SAFE CUSTODY.

THE UNIT STARTED MICROFILMING THE STOCK OF 2.3 MILLION FILES AND DOCUMENTS IN THE DEPARTMENT LAST OCTOBER. IN ADDITION, ABOUT 45,000 NEW FILES ARE OPENED EACH MONTH, WHICH ARE ALSO TO EE FILMED. IT IS ESTIMATED THAT IT WILL TAKE ANOTHER FOUR YEARS TO FINISH THE WHOLE PROCESS GF FILMING.

THE SPOKESMAN SAID: +WHEN MICROFILMING OF ALL THE PAPER RECORDS IN THE DEPARTMENT IS COMPLETED IN FOUR YEARS’ TIME, IT IS EXPECTED THAT THE STORAGE AREA FOR MICROFILMED RECORDS WILL OCCUPY ONLY ONE-EIGHTH OF THE EXISTING AREA REQUIRED FOR PAPER RECORDS.*

+IN ADDITION, THE UNIT WILL EVENTUALLY HAVE ALL THE DEPARTMENT’S RECORDS PUT UNDER ONE CENTRALISED CONTROL THUS MINIMISING THE RISK OF RECORDS DE ING LOST OR DAMAGED,* THE SPOKESMAN ADDED.

/7

SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 12, 1977

7

NOTE TO EDITORS:

GREEN PAPER ON SOCIAL SECURITY TO BE ANNOUNCED

******

A PRESS CONFERENCE WILL BE HELD IN CONNECTION WITH A GREEN PAPER ON SOCIAL SECURITY DEVELOPMENT ON MONDAY (NOVEMBER 14) AT 3 P.M.

ATTENDING THE PRESS CONFERENCE WILL BE MR. THOMAS LEE, DIRECTOR OF SOCIAL WELFARE, MR. T.S. HEPPELL, SOCIAL WELFARE ADVISER AND MR. LU YU-HUA, SENIOR PRINCIPAL SOCIAL WELFARE OFF ICER-IN-CHARGE OF SOCIAL SECURITY DIVISION.

YOU ARE CORDIALLY INVITED TO SEND REPRESENTATIVES TO COVER THE PRESS CONFERENCE WHICH WILL BE HELD IN THE G.I.S. THEATRE ON THE FIFTH FLOOR OF BEACONSFIELD HOUSE.

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

CHRISTMAS AEROGRAMME ON SALE AT POST OFFICES FROM MONDAY

******

THE POST OFFICE HAS ANNOUNCED THAT CHRISTMAS PICTORIAL AEROGRAMMES WILL BE PLACED ON SALE AT ALL POST OFFICES AT 10 CENTS EACH FROM MONDAY (NOVEMBER 14).

THE DESIGN OF THE AEROGRAMME IN CHINESE PAPER CUT STYLE DEPICTING SANTA CLAUS WITH HIS SLEIGH WAS PRODUCED BY GOVERNMENT ARTISTS.

CHRISTMAS AEROGRAMMES ARE A CONVENIENT WAY OF SENDING SEASONAL GREETINGS ABROAD.

IT COMBINES BOTH A PERSONAL LETTER AND A GREETING AND CAN BE POSTED TO ANY PART OF THE WORLD AS FIRST CLASS AIRMAIL FOR ONLY 60 CENTS.

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

/8......

SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 12, 1977

8

FIRING PRACTICE * * * *

FIRING PRACTICE WILL TAKE PLACE AT CASTLE PEAK RANGE ON WEDNESDAY AND FRIDAY (NOVEMBER 16 AND 18).

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

THE PRACTICE TIMES ARE :

DATE HOURS

NOVEMBER 16 (WEDNESDAY) 8.30 A.M. - 5 P.M.

NOVEMBER 18 (FRIDAY) 8.30 A.M. - 5 P.M.

TEMPORARY TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS * * * *

TEMPORARY TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS WILL BE IMPLEMENTED IN WAN CHAI FROM MONDAY (NOVEMBER 14) TO FACILITATE ROAD WORKS IN QUEEN’S ROAD EAST.

STARTING FROM 10 A.M. ON THAT DAY, WAN CHAI GAP ROAD WILL BE CLOSED TO TRAFFIC UNTIL ABOUT MID-DECEMBER WHILE THE SECTION OF SHIP STREET, SOUTH OF QUEEN’S ROAD EAST WILL BE CLOSED TO TRAFFIC UNTIL ABOUT MID-JANUARY NEXT YEAR.

MOTORISTS ARE ALSO ADVISED THAT WITH EFFECT FROM TUESDAY (NOVEMBER 15), THE EXISTING 30 M.P.H. SPEED LIMIT ZONE ON TAI PG ROAD IN WO CHE WHICH ENDS AT ABOUT 623 FEET NORTHEAST OF THE JUNCTION OF SHA TIN BY-PASS WILL BE EXTENDED FURTHER NORTHEASTWARDS TO A POINT 525 FEET NORTHEAST OF THE ENTRANCE TO THE KOWLOON CANTON RAILWAY WORKSHOP AT HO TUNG LAU.

APPROPRIATE TRAFFIC SIGNS WILL BE SET UP IN THE TWO AREAS TO GUIDE MOTORISTS.

SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 12, 1977

9

NOTE TO EDITORS:

COMMISSIONER FOR LABOUR TO VISIT SHIPYARD

******

THE COMMISSIONER FOR LABOUR, MR. PETER WILLIAMS, WILL VISIT THE CHUNG WAH SHIPBUILDING AND ENGINEERING COMPANY LIMITED AT NO. 41, YAU TONG MARINE LOT, CHA KWO LING ROAD, KWUN TONG, AND THE SUNNEX PRODUCTS LIMITED AT NO. 27, SHING YIP STREET, KWUN TONG ON MONDAY (NOVEMBER 14) AFTERNOON.

HE WILL FIRST STOP AT THE CHUNG WAH SHIPBUILDING AND ENGINEERING COMPANY LIMITED AT ABOUT 2 P.M. BEFORE GOING TO THE SUNNEX PRODUCTS LIMITED AT ABOUT 3.33 P.M.

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

COMMISSIONER FOR NARCOTICS TO OPEN ANTI-DRUG VARIETY SHOW

******

WILL OFFICIATE ANTI-DRUG

THE COMMISSIONER FOR NARCOTICS, MR. E.l. LEE, AT THE OPENING CEREMONY OF A THREE-HOUR SPORTS AND VARIETY SHOW TOMORROW (SUNDAY) AT 7 P.M. AT THE MAPLE STREET

PLAYGROUND.

CURRENT ANTI-DRUG CAMPAIGN BY THE ACTION COMMITTEE THE RECREATION AND SPORT THE SOCIETY FOR THE AID

THE SHOW, WHICH FORMS PART OF THE IN SHAM SHUI PO, IS JOINTLY ORGANISED AGAINST NARCOTICS, THE URBAN COUNCIL, SERVICE AND THE ALUMNI ASSOCIATION OF AND REHABILITATION OF DRUG ADDICTS.

YOU ARE CORDIALLY INVITED TO SEND YOUR REPRESENTATIVES TO COVER THE EVENT.

- 0 - -

PRH 7

IgisI |«|

DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN

SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 13, 1977

CONTENTS PAGE NO.

MORE LAND TO BE FORMED FOR RECREATION IN TA I PO.. 1

FUTURE OF POST-SECONDARY COLLEGES ................ 1

ANTI-DRUG ’HOT LINE’ POPULAR ..................... 3

DRIVE AGAINST ILLEGAL STRUCTURES IN YUEN LONG .... 4

REPORT ON QUARTERLY BUSINESS SURVEY .............. 6

NEW BOOKLET ON TYPHOONS .......................... 7

COMMISSIONER OF PRISONS PRAISES POLICE CADETS .... 8

STUDENT PHYSIOTHERAPISTS COMPLETE TRAINING ....... 8

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

SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 13, 1977

1

MORE LAND TO EE CREATED FOR RECREATION IN TAI PO * * * * *

THE PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT IS INVITING TENDERS TO EXTEND THE EXISTING CONTROLLED TIP OF SHUEN WAN TO PROVIDE 3.77 HECTARES OF ADDITIONAL LAND FOR RECREATION IN TAI PO.

WHEN THE TIP IS FILLED AND CLOSED SOME 8.5 HECTARES OF LAND ILL BE PROVIDED FOR OPEN SPACE AND RECREATION FOR THE RESIDENTS IN THE AREA.

MR. WONG WAN-MING, CHIEF ENGINEER OF THE P.W.D.’S DEVELOPMENT AND AIRPORT DIVISION, SAID TODAY THE WORK WAS SCHEDULED TO BEGIN NEXT MONTH AND WOULD INVOLVE SYSTEMATIC DISPOSAL OF REFUSE BY +SANITARY AND INOFFENS IVE+ METHODS. IT WOULD ALSO INVOLVE THE CONSTRUCTION OF ACCESS ROADS AND DRAINS.

HE SAID THE SHUEN WAN TIP HAD BEEN IN USE SINCE JUNE 1974 FOR DISPOSING OF REFUSE GENERATED IN THE EASTERN PART OF THE NEW TERRITORIES.

MR. WONG SAID THAT THE COVERING MATERIALS FOR THE TIP WOULD EE DETAINED FROM ADJACENT BORROW AREA AT WHICH ABOUT 2.6 HECTARES OF LAND WOULD BE FORMED FOR FUTURE DEVELOPMENT USE.

+THIS IS ONE OF THE BIG ADVANTAGES IN CONTROLLED TIPPING,* SAID MR. WONG, +BECAUSE NOT ONLY DOES THE SYSTEM PROVIDE FOR AN ECONOMICAL AND SANITARY MEANS OF SOLID WASTE DISPOSAL, BUT IT ALSO ENABLES FULL USE TO BE MADE OF THE SITES FOR THE BENEFIT OF THE RESIDENTS ONCE THE TIP IS CLOSED AND TOPPED OFF.+

HE EXPLAINED THAT IN CONTROLLED TIPPING, REFUSE IS SPREAD IN LAYERS AND COMPACTED TO A THICKNESS OF ABOUT 2 METRES EACH TIME.

EACH LAYER IS THEN COMPLETELY SEALED WITH INERT MATERIALS AT THE END OF EACH DAY’S WORK IN ORDER TO PREVENT FOUL SMELLS AND TO ELIMINATE HEALTH AND FIRE HAZARDS.

- 0 -

UTURE OF POST-SECONDARY COLLEGES * * * *

ANY EXPANSION PLANS FOR POST-SECONDARY COLLEGES MUST TAKE INTO ACCOUNT JOB OPPORTUNITIES AT AN APPROPRIATE LEVEL, THE DIRECTOR OF EDUCATION, MR. KENNETH TOPLEY SAID THIS MORNING AT THE SECOND AND THIRD JOINT GRADUATION CEREMONY OF HONG KONG SHUE YAN COLLEGE AT THE CITY HALL.

HE ADDED: +CTHERwlSE, POPULAR DEMAND CAN BE VERY MUCH IN CONFLICT ..IT- COMMUNITY NEEDS. UNLIMITED TERTIARY EXPANSION CAN EASILY LEAD TO SERIOUS FORI S OF SOCIAL 0 ISCONTENT.+

PRESENT THINKING IS THAT THE GOVERNMENT SHOULD NOT ALTER THE STATUS OF THE COLLEGES AS PRIVATE INSTITUTIONS.

/•♦■THE SOViSTT

SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 1J, 1977

- 2

+ THE GOVERNMENT DOES, HOWEVER, RECOGNISE THAT UNTIL THE NUMBER OF PLACES AT THE UNIVERSITIES AND POLYTECHNIC CAN EE EXPANDED FURTHER THAN IS ENVISAGED UNDER THE PRESENT PROGRAMME, STUDENTS WILL CONTINUE TO SEEK PLACES IN POST-SECONDARY COLLEGES, AND THAT THOSE STUDENTS WHO ARE SUITABLE ACADEMICALLY SHOULD NOT BE EXCLUDED ON THE GROUNDS OF INABILITY TO PAY FEES.

+FCR THIS REASON THE GREEN PAPER (ON SENIOR SECONDARY AND TERTIARY EDUCATION) STATES THAT THE GOVERNMENT WILL CONSIDER, IN CONSULTATION WITH THE COLLEGE AUTHORITIES, THE FUTURE ARRANGEMENTS GOVERNING ANY SCHEME OF ASSISTANCE BUT THAT SUCH ASSISTANCE WOULD NOT BE DESIGNED TO INCREASE THE TOTAL NUMBER OF STUDENTS ON DIPLOMA COURSES PROVIDED FOR BY THE APPROVED POST-SECONDARY COLLEGES AS A GROUP ABOVE THE PRESENT ENROLMENT,* MR. TOPLEY SAID.

THE DIRECTOR POINTED OUT THAT THERE WAS ALREADY A WIDE RANGE OF TERTIARY EDUCATION COURSES FOR THE ABLE SCHOOL LEAVER IN HONG KONG AND MANY HAVE THE ADVANTAGE OF EE I NG AVAILABLE ON A PART-TIME BASIS OR IN OTHER WAYS BEING ASSOCIATED WITH JOE EXPERIENCE.

+ l THINK IT IS WORTH NOTING THAT MOST OF THE FULL-TIME COURSES CAN BE COMPLETED IN LESS THAN THE FOUR YEARS REQUIRED TO OBTAIN A POST-SECONDARY COLLEGE DIPLOMA,* HE SAID.

ON THE RECOGNITION OF A POST-SECONDARY COLLEGE DIPLOMA, THE DIRECTOR SAID THAT IN PRACTICE THE VALUE WHICH A PROSPECTIVE EMPLOYER WOULD PLACE ON SUCH A DIPLOMA ..AS DETERMINED BY THE PERSONAL STANDARDS ACHIEVED BY THE HOLDERS OF THE DIPLOMA.

+AS YOU KNOW, SELECTED CIVIL SERVICE POSTS, FOR INSTANCE, ARE OPEN TO DIPLOMA HOLDERS, BUT OPEN ONLY IN THE SENSE THAT DIPLOMA HOLDERS ARE ELIGIBLE FOR CONSIDERATION FOR EMPLOYMENT AND IF FOUND SUITABLE WILL EE APPOINTED ON A STARTING SALARY LYING ROUGHLY MIDWAY BETWEEN THE STARTING SALARIES OBTAINABLE BY UNIVERSITY GRADUATES AND HOLDERS OF ADVANCED LEVEL QUALIFICATIONS. THE QUESTION OF STANDARDS, THEN, IS ULTIMATELY A QUESTION OF PERSONAL PERFORMANCE,* MR. TOPLEY SAID.

IF AN EMPLOYER WAS PROUD TO HAVE A DIPLOMA HOLDER WORKING FOR HIM, AND THAT PRIDE WAS ROOTED IN A CONFIDENCE IN THE EMPLOYEE’S PRESENT PERFORMANCE AND POTENTIAL FOR DEVELOPMENT, THEN THIS WOULD BE OF IMMENSE BENEFIT TO THE PROSPECTS OF STUDENTS OF THE PARENT COLLEGE.

+l THINK THIS IS PERHAPS THE MOST USEFUL ADVICE I CAN OFFER TO THOSE OF YOU WHO HAVE RECEIVED YOUR DIPLOMAS THIS MORNING: YOUR GREATEST GIFT WHICH YOU CAN RETURN TO SHUE YAN COLLEGE WILL BE TO ESTABLISH THROUGH YOUR OWN PERFORMANCE, STANDARDS WHICH WILL BE READILY RECOGNISED AND VALUED WITHIN THE COMMUNITY,* HE SAID.

/3

SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 13, 1977

3

ANTI-DRUG + HOT LINE+ POPULAR

*****

+ASK, AND IT a ILL BE GIVEN+ — THAT IS WHAT THE ACTION COMMITTEE AGAINST NARCOTICS’ (ACAN) + HOT LINE 3-668822+ PROMISES TO DO TO HELP PEOPLE WITH DRUG PROBLEMS.

FAR MORE PEOPLE THAN EXPECTED ARE MAKING USE OF THIS SPECIALLY ESTABLISHED DRUG ENQUIRY SERVICE TO OBTAIN ANSWERS TO THEIR PROBLEMS IN CONNECTION WITH DRUG ABUSE.

SINCE THE SERVICE CAME INTO OPERATION ON SEPTEMBER 15, A TOTAL OF 1,500 CALLS HAVE BEEN ANSWERED — AN AVERAGE OF ABOUT 30 A DAY.

A STUDY OF THESE CALLS SHOWED THAT MOST OF THEM WERE CONNECTED WITH TREATMENT, REHABILITATION AND AFTER-CARE SERVICES OFFERED EY BOTH THE GOVERNMENT AND THE VOLUNTARY AGENCIES, INDICATING A KEEN INTEREST OF DRUG DEPENDENTS AND THEIR RELATIVES AND FRIENDS IN SUCH EXISTING SERVICES.

OTHERS TOUCHED MAINLY ON PREVENTION MEASURES, LAW ENFORCEMENT AND GENERAL INFORMATION ON THE DRUG PROBLEM IN HONG KONG.

ON THE SUBJECT OF TREATMENT FACILITIES, WHAT APPEARED TO EE MOST INTERESTING TO THOSE ENQUIRERS WHO WERE EITHER DRUG ADDICTS OR THEIR RELATIVES WAS THE NEWLY ESTABLISHED ACUPUNCTURE/ELECTRO-STIMULATICN OUT-PATIENT CLINIC AT TUNG WAH HOSPITAL IN PO YEE STREET, HONG KONG ISLAND.

+THE RESPONSE FROM THE PUBLIC TO THIS ENQUIRY SERVICE

IS VERY ENCOURAGING SO FAR,+ COMMENTED MR. KARL STUMPF, CHAIRMAN OF ACAN’3 PREVENTIVE EDUCATION AND PUBLICITY SUB-COMM ITTEE WHICH IS RESPONSIBLE FOR THE OPERATION OF THE SERVICE.

HE DESCRIBED THE SERVICE AS +QUITE SUCCESSFUL+ UP TO NOW BECAUSE, HE EXPLAINED, PEOPLE NOT ONLY CAME UP WITH DRUG ENQUIRIES BUT THEY ALSO DISCUSSED THEIR FAMILY AND OTHER RELATED PROBLEMS AS WELL WITH THE STAFF MANNING THE ENQUIRY SERVICE.

+WE WOULD, HOWEVER, REQUIRE A FEW MORE MONTHS TO ASCERTAIN THE EFFICACY OF THE SERVICE AND TO DETERMINE WHETHER IT SHOULD BE CONTINUED ON A LONG-TERM BASIS,* MR. STUMPF SAID.

MR. STUMPF ALSO NOTED THAT SOME MEMBERS CF THE PUBLIC WERE MAKING USE OF THE ENQUIRY SERVICE TO REPORT ACTIVITIES CF SUSPECTED DRUG PUSHERS OR TRAFFICKERS.

HE POINTED OUT THAT THE ENQUIRY SERVICE WAS NOT DESIGNED TO SUBSTITUTE THE DRUG CRIME REPORTING FACILITIES OF THE POLICE NARCOTICS BUREAU AND THE CUSTOMS AND EXCISE SERVICE, AND THAT .MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC WHO . ISH TO REPORT SUSPECTED DRUG CRIMES SHOULD STILL CONTACT THE NARCOTICS BUREAU DIRECTLY AT 5~2712> OF. THE CUSTOMS AND EXCISE SEP. ■/ICE AT 5-456182 OR THEIR NEARBY POLICE STATIONS.

/A SPOKESMAN .....

SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 1J, 1977

A SPOKESMAN FOR THE NARCOTICS DIVISION OF THE GOVERNMENT SECRETARIAT TODAY URGED THE RUEL IC TO MAKE FULL USE OF THE SERVICE WHEN THEY ENCOUNTER ANY PROBLEMS RELATED TO DRUG ABUSE.

HE STRESSED THAT ALL ENQUIRIES WOULD BE TREATED IN CONFIDENCE AND THAT THE STAFF OF THE ENQUIRY SERVICE WOULD DC THEIR BEST TC PROVIDE CALLERS WITH SATISFACTORY ANSWERS.

THE ENQUIRY SERVICE OPERATES FROM 9 A.M. TO 9 P.M. DAILY, INCLUDING SATURDAYS, SUNDAYS AND PUBLIC HOLIDAYS.

- 0 -

DRIVE AGAINST ILLEGAL STRUCTURES IN YUEN LONG * * * * *

THE GOVERNMENT’S INTENSIFIED CAMPAIGN TO PUT AN END TO SQUATTING IN THE RAPIDLY-DVELOPING AREAS OF THE NEW TERRITORIES HAS NOW SPREAD TO YUEN LONG.

THE YUEN LONG DISTRICT OFFICE HAS RECENTLY COMPLETED A SURVEY OF ALL THE TEMPORARY STRUCTURES IN THE AREA AND IS ABOUT TO LAUNCH A TWO-PRONGED DRIVE TO BRING THE PROBLEM UNDER CONTROL.

THIS APPROACH, ACCORDING TO YUEN LONG ASSISTANT DISTRICT OFFICER, MR. PATRICK TAYLOR, ..ILL INVOLVE BRINGING THE MAJORITY OF THE 165,000 SURVEYED STRUCTURES UNDER THE UMBRELLA OF THE LAW, wHlLE DEMOLISHING ALL NEW STRUCTURES ERECTED SINCE THE SURVEY.

+IN ADDITION, A BACKLOG OF DEMOLITION WORK HAS BUILT UP OVER THE PERIOD IN WHICH CUR STAFF HAVE BEEN ENGAGED IN THE SURVEY AND WE ESTIMATE THAT WE HAVE ABOUT 1,403 OUTSTANDING STRUCTURES TC DEAL WITH. WE ARE JUST STARTING A SYSTEMATIC PROGRAMME THAT ..ILL SEE SOME 10 OF THOSE STRUCTURES NEEDING DEMOLITION COME DOWN EVERY DAY. THIS COULD INCREASE TO 15 A DAY AS THE PROGRAMME PROGRESSES,* HE SA ID.

+WE ARE ALSO INTENSIFYING OUR ROUTINE SQUATTER CONTROL PATROLS AND BECAUSE CF THE SURVEY IT ..'ILL BE MUCH EASIER TO IDENTIFY NEW ILLEGAL STRUCTURES.

+ALREADY, WE HAVE GIVEN WARNINGS WHEREVER POSSIBLE TO THE OCCUPIERS OF SUCH STRUCTURES AND ..E HAVE ALSO INFORMED THE YUEN LONG RURAL COMMITTEES OF OUR INTENTIONS,* MR. TAYLOR SAID.

THE YUEN LONG CAMPAIGN IS SIMILAR TO ONE BEING CARRIED JUT IN THE NEIGHBOURING TAI PO DISTRICT, WHERE THE DEMOLITION OF ILLEGAL STRUCTURES HAS BEEN INTENSIFIED IN RECENT MONTHS.

MR. TAYLOR SAID: +AS IN TAI C, >;E HAVE A GREAT NUMBER OF TEMPORARY STRUCTURES WHICH aERE ERECTED . ITHOUT PERMISSION AND FOR VARIOUS REASON'S IN THE PAST, SUBSEQUENTLY BECAME TOLERATED.

ABUT FOR

SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 1J, 1977

- 5 -

+ BUT FOR ENVIRONMENTAL REASONS, ARD THE LARGE SUMS OF MONEY THE GOVERNMENT IS SPENDING ON MODER;! DEVELOPMENTS IN THE AREA, THIS SITUATION CANNOT EE ALLOWED TO CONTINUE UNCHECKED.

+IN YUEN LONG, FOR EXAMPLE, THE GOVERNMENT HAS EARMARKED •503 - ILL ION TO DEVELOP THE TO'..N OVER. THE NEXT DECADE AS A MODERN AND SELF-CONTAINED MARKET TOWN.*

MR. TAYLOR ADDED THAT THE PURPOSE OF THE RECENT SURVEY WAS TO PROVIDE A BASELINE FOR FUTURE CONTROL AND THAT THE MAJORITY OF THE TEMPORARY STRUCTURES SURVEYED .OULD BE ISSUED WITH VARIOUS FORMS OF WRITTEN AUTHORITY BY THE DISTRICT OFFICE TO GIVE THEM A FORM OF OFFICIAL RECOGNITION.

+THGSE THAT ARE FOUND ENVIRONMENTALLY UNSUITABLE WILL HAVE TO EE DEMOLISHED,* HE SAID. +AN EXAMPLE WOULD BE AGRICULTURAL LAND NOW BEING USED FOR SOME OTHER PURPOSE THAT IS CAUSING POLLUTION AND OTHER UNFAVOURABLE EFFECTS ON THE NEIGHBOURING AREA.

+IT IS IMPORTANT THAT WE SHOULD TAKE FURTHER STEPS TO IMPROVE THE ENVIRONMENT AND LIVING CONDITIONS OF LOCAL PEOPLE AND THIS JILL EE GIVEN HIGH PRIORITY.

+ IN ADDITION, MANY SQUATTERS, AND INDEED LAND OWNERS THEMSELVES, HAVE SET UP ILLEGAL INDUSTRIAL AND COMMERCIAL CONCERNS THAT PROVIDE UNFAIR COMPETITION TO THOSE LEGITIMATE OPERATORS WHO HAVE ACQUIRED INDUSTRIAL LAND THROUGH THE PROPER CHANNELS.*

TO AID THE CAMPAIGN, THE NEW TERRITORIES ADMINISTRATION IS PREPARING A PAMPHLET POINTING OUT THE REQUIREMENTS REGARDING THE CONSTRUCTION OF, AND EXTENSIONS TO, STRUCTURES AND PARTICULARLY EMPHASISING THE NEED TO OBTAIN PRIOR PERMISSION FROM THE DISTRICT OFFICER BEFORE COMMENCING ANY WORK, HE SAID.

+THIS INFORMATION PAMPHLET uILL BACK UP THE EFFORTS OF OUR FIELD STAFF WHO ISSUE ON-THE-SPOT ..ARNINGS TO PEOPLE ...HO MAY EE IL BREACH OF THE LAW,* HE SAID.

/6

SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 13, 1977

6

REPORT ON QUARTERLY SUS INESS SURVEY

* * * *

THE CENSUS AND REPORT ON QUARTERLY

STATISTICS DEPARTMENT HAS COMPILED THE THIRD BUSINESS SURVEY HELD LAST .MONTH.

THE FIRST ONE WAS CARRIED OUT LAST APR IL.

A SPOKESMAN FOR THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT CAUTIONED THAT IN A SURVEY OF THIS NATURE, CONSIDERABLE RESERVATIONS MUST BE MADE IN THE INTERPRETATION OF RESULTS, AS IT HAD YET TO EE ESTABLISHED FIRMLY TriE EXTENT TO ..HIGH THE RESPONDENTS’ PERCEPTION OF THE PAST AND THE FUTURE ACCORDS WITH THE UNDERLYING TRENDS.

+SOME 610 FIRMS FROM A CROSS-SECTION OF THE ECONOMIC COMMUNITY WERE ASKED ABOUT THEIR BUSINESS EXPERIENCE IN THE THIRD QUARTER OF THIS YEAR, AND THEIR BUSINESS EXPECTATIONS FOR THE FOURTH QUARTER OF THE YEAR,+ THE SPOKESMAN SAID.

+THE RESULTS SHOW WIDE VARIATIONS IN RESPECT OF LIKELY PERFORMANCE DURING THE FOURTH QUARTER OF 1977 EETWEEN PARTICULAR INDUSTRIES AND BETWEEN INDIVIDUAL FIRMS, THOUGH Trit. CONSENSUS WAS THAT SOME GROWTH NAS LIKELY FOR THE ECONOMY AS A WHOLE.

+IN THE TEXTILE AND CLOTHING INDUSTRIES, THERE WAS MINOR lyoRCVEMENT IN BUSINESS EXPECTATIONS. HIGHER BUSINESS CONFIDENCE IN THE ’WATCHES AND CLOCKS’ SECTOR WAS ESPECIALLY ENCOURAGING.

+FOR OTHER MANUFACTURING SECTORS, RESPONDENTS WERE NOT EXPECTING MUCH FURTHER IMPROVEMENT OVER THEIR RELATIVELY SATISFACTORY THIRD QUARTER PERFORMANCE.

♦RESPONDENTS IN THE MANUFACTURING SECTORS WERE CAUTIOUS ON TRENDS, PROBABLY PARTLY DUE TO THE RELATIVELY UNCERTAIN EXPORT PROSPECTS IN THE FOURTH QUARTER.

♦NON-MANUFACTURING SECTORS, ON THE OTHER HAND, SHOWED MUCH GREATER CONFIDENCE WHICH REMAINED SIGNIFICANT EVEN AFTER TAKING INTO ACCOUNT THE LIKELY FOURTH QUARTER SEASONAL EFFECT,+ THE SPOKESMAN SAID.

ON THE BUSINESS PERFORMANCE IN THE THIRD QUARTER, THE SURVEY SUGGESTED THAT THE ECONOMY, TAKEN AS A .-.HOLE, ACHIEVED SOME GROWTH. EXCEPT FOR THE TEXTILE INDUSTRY, ai-ERE OPINIONS VARIED GIVING NO CONCLUSIVE INDICATIONS, MOST MANUFACTURING INDUSTRIES FELT THAT THEY HAD MADE SOME PROGRESS.

THE PLASTICS, PRINTING AND ELECTRICAL MACHINERY INDUSTRIES, IN PARTICULAR, REPORTED GOOD PERFORMANCE. THE CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY DID WELL. ALL THIS ..AS IN LINE .. ITH TriE PREVIOUS FORECASTS.

FOR WHOLESALE AND RETAIL TRADE AND OTHER SERVICES, FIRMS REPORTED FAVOURABLE RESULTS WHICH ..ERE BETTER THAN PREVIOUSLY FORECAST.

/THE SPOKESMAN

SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 1J, 1977

- 7 -

THE SPOKESMAN STATED THAT THE DATA, OBTAINED WITH A MINIMUM TIME LAG, WERE BASICALLY INTENDED TO FACILITATE A QUICK ASSESSMENT OF THE CURRENT ECONOMIC SITUATION OF HONG KONG.

+APART FROM A LIMITED NUMBER OF QUESTIONS REQUIRING ANSWERS IN QUANTITATIVE TERMS, THE FIRMS WERE ASKED TO COMPARE THE QUARTER JUST PAST WITH THE PREVIOUS QUARTER AND SIMILARLY FOR THE FORTHCOMING ONE. THEY ONLY HAD TO INDICATE WHETHER, IN THEIR OPINION, A CERTAIN VARIABLE WAS ’UP’, ’SAME’ OR ’DOWN’,+ HE SAID.

COPIES OF THE REPORT, CONTAINING AN ANALYSIS AND STATISTICAL TABLES ON VARIOUS ECONOMIC VARIABLES, HAVE BEEN DISTRIBUTED TO FIRMS TAKING PART IN THE SURVEY AND OTHER BUSINESS ORGANISATIONS.

- 0

NEW BOOKLET TRACES TYPHOON’S TRAIL OF DESTRUCTION * * * * *

THE ABILITY OF A TROPICAL CYCLONE TO SMASH AND DESTROY PROPERTY AND LIFE AS IT RIPS ITS WAY ACROSS LAND AND CITIES IS WELL KNOWN TO MOST HONG KONG RESIDENTS -- TYPHOONS CAUSED ABOUT HKS5,000 MILLION WORTH OF DAMAGE IN HONG KONG, THAILAND, KOREA, JAPAN, THE PHILIPPINES FROM 1969 TO 1973.

THESE FACTS, THE DESTRUCTIVE POWER OF A TROPICAL CYCLONE AND ITS OFTEN TRAGIC RESULTS, ARE DETAILED IN A NEW GOVERNMENT PUBLICATION +THE LIFE HISTORY OF A TROPICAL CYCLONE+.

THE BOOKLET, IN ENGLISH ONLY, TRACES THE PATH OF TYPHOON ELSIE AS IT MEANDERED ITS WAY ACROSS THE WESTERN PACIFIC AND SOUTH CHINA SEA THREATENING DESTRUCTION TO THE PHILIPPINES, HONG KONG AND CHINA IN OCTOBER 1975.

TYHPOON ELSIE WAS TYPICAL OF THE MANY TYPHOONS THAT

HAVE BECOME SO MUCH A PART OF LIFE IN HONG KONG. THE BOOKLET SHOWS CLEARLY THE TRACK OF THE CYCLONE WITH SATELLITE PHOTOGRAPHS, MAPS, CHARTS, RADAR PICTURES, THE TECHNICAL METER READINGS TAKEN AT THE ROYAL OBSERVATORY.

THE BOOKLET WAS PREPARED BY DR. P.O. CHIN OF THE ROYAL OBSERVATORY, PRODUCED BY THE GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES AND PRINTED BY THE GOVERNMENT PRINTER.

IT IS AVAILABLE AT S8 A COPY AT THE GOVERNMENT PUBLICATIONS CENTRE, LOCATED IN THE GENERAL POST OFFICE, CONNAUGHT PLACE, HONG KONG AND ALL LEADING BOOK STORES.

SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 13, 1°77

- 8

COMMISSIONER OF PRISONS PRAISES POLICE CADETS * * * *

THE COMMISSIONER OF PRISONS, MR. T.G. GARNER THIS MORNING PRAISED THE POLICE CADETS FOR THEIR COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT AND SAID THAT THEY HAVE SET AN ADMIRABLE EXAMPLE IN HELPING OTHERS.

MR. GARNER MADE THE REMARKS WHEN HE PRESENTED A PRISONS DE°ARTMENT TROPHY FOR COMMUNITY SERVICE TO THE COMMANDANT GF TH- POLICE CADET SCHOOL, MR. P.E. BIRNEY AT THE DEPARTMENT’S STAFF INSTITUTE IN STANELY. HE ALSO PRESENTED SIX MINIATURE TROPHIES TO THE CADETS.

IN HIS BRIEF ADDRESS, MR. GARNER SAID THE TROPHIES WERE ONLY A SYMBOL OF REWARD, BUT THE REAL REWARD ..AS THE SATISFACTION OF KNOWING Tr.AT +YOU HAVE HELPED SOMEONE LESS FORTUNATE THAN OURSELVES.+

- 0 -

STUDENT PHYSIOTHERAPISTS COMPLETE TRAINING h * * *

SIXTEEN STUDENT PHYS IOTHERAPI STS WILL GRADUATE FROM THE PHYSIOTHERAPY TRAINING SCHOOL THIS MONTH AFTER COMPLETING A THREE-YEAR TRAINING COURSE.

A GRADUATION CEREMONY '..ILL EE HELD AT THE TRAINING SCHOOL OF THE MEDICAL AND HEALTH DEPARTMENT ON WEDNESDAY (NOVEMBER 16), WHEN DR. K.L. THONG, DIRECTOR OF MEDICAL AND HEALTH_SERV ICES, ..ILL ADDRESS THE GATHERING AND .'.RS. THONG ..ILL PRESENT CERTIFICATES TO THE GRADUATES.

IN HONG KONG, PHYSIOTHERAPY IS A RAPIDLY GROWING PROFESSION WITH AN EVER INCREASING DEMAND UPON ITS SERVICES. THE PHYSICTHERAPY UNIT OF THE MEDICAL AND HEALTH DEPARTMENT PROVIDES A WIDE RANGE OF TREATMENTS FOR MANY CONDITIONS AND THE PHYSIOTHERAPISTS FORM AN IMPORTANT PART OF THE MEDICAL TEAMS.

BY USE OF EXERCISE, MASSAGE, HYDROTHERAPY AND OTHER MEANS, PHYSIOTHERAPY CAR SPEED UP THE PATIENTS RECOVERY AND PREVENT COMPLICATIONS FOLLOWING INJURY OR DISEASE.

NOTE TO EDITORS:

THE GRADUATION CERE.' ONY ..ILL TAKE PLACE AT THE GYMNASIUM, PHYSIOTHERAPY DEPARTMENT, BLOCK DI, ..EEL ELIZABETH HOSPITAL AT 3.30 P.M. OK WEDNESDAY (NOVEMBER 16). YOU ARE WELCOME TO HAVE THE EVENT COVERED. y

0

PRH 7

DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN

MONDAY, NOVEMBER 14, 1977

CONTENTS

orniLPr\PER 0N DEVELOPMENT OF SOCIAL SECURITY PUBLISHED

- BIGGEST SEWAGE TREATMENT PLANT FOR SHA TIN

32 SITES IN NT FOR SALE ...................

OCTOBER WEATHER ROUND-UP ..................

PAGE NO.

1

3

5

6

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

■>

MONDAY, NOVEMBER 14, 1977

1

GREEN PAPER ON FURTHER DEVELOPMENT OF SOCIAL SECURITY IN HONG KONG

* * * * *

A GREEN PAPER WHICH SETS OUT THE GOVERNMENT’S PROPOSALS FOR A PROGRAMME OF SOCIAL SECURITY DEVELOPMENT IS PUBLISHED TODAY (MONDAY) FOR PUBLIC COMMENT.

IT IS PROPOSED THAT THE NEXT MAIN DEVELOPMENT IN SOCIAL SECURITY SHOULD CONSIST OF A STREAMLINING AND REFINING OF THE PUBLIC ASSISTANCE SCHEME- THE EXTENSION OF NON-MEANS TESTED BENEFITS TO THE ELDERLY AND TO THOSE INCAPABLE OF WORK- AND THE POSSIBLE INTRODUCTION OF A SEMI-VOLUNTARY CONTRIBUTORY SICKNESS, INJURY AND DEATH BENEFIT SCHEME.

PUBLIC COMMENTS AND VIEWS EXPRESSED ON THEM WILL EE STUDIED CAREFULLY BEFORE ANY DECISION IS MADE BY THE GOVERNMENT. IT IS HOPED THAT AFTER THESE VIEWS AND OTHER FACTORS HAVE BEEN TAKEN INTO ACCOUNT, A WHITE PAPER WILL BE PUBLISHED IN 1978.

THE PROPOSALS IN THE GREEN PAPER INCLUDE:

IMPROVEMENT IN THE PUBLIC ASSISTANCE SCHEME

FURTHER IMPROVEMENTS TO THE EXISTING SOCIAL SECURITY SCHEME ARE PROPOSED TO PROVIDE A SAFETY NET FOR ALL THOSE IN NEED AND TO ENSURE AN INCOME THAT THEY CAN RELY ON. THESE INCLUDE : A LONG-TERM SUPPLEMENT- AN OLD-AGE SUPPLEMENT- AN INCENTIVE ALLOWANCE FOR THOSE CAPABLE OF BEING SELF-SUPPORTING- AND THE SETTING UP OF AN APPEAL BOARD.

WELFARE ALLOWANCE SCHEME

IT IS PROPOSED TO EXTEND THE WELFARE ALLOWANCE SCHEME, PREVIOUSLY KNOWN AS THE DISABILITY AND INFIRMITY ALLOWANCE SCHEME, TO COVER THOSE IN INSTITUTIONAL ACCOMMODATION AND THE CHRONIC SICK- AND TO LOWER THE QUALIFYING AGE FROM 75 TO 73 AND THEN TO 70.

SICKNESS, INJURY AND DEATH BENEFIT SCHEME

IT IS PROPOSED THAT THE SCHEME, IF IMPLEMENTED, WOULD BE ABLE TO PROVIDE A MONTHLY BENEFIT FOR EMPLOYEES OFF WORK LONGER THAN 36 DAYS- A LUMP SUM FOR THOSE WHO REACH THE AGE OF 60= AND A LUMP SUM FOR THE HEIRS OF THOSE WHO DIE BEFORE THE AGE OF 60.

A SIGNIFICANT FEATURE OF THE PROPOSAL IS THAT IT WOULD BE UP TO EACH EMPLOYEE WHETHER OR NOT HE WISHED TO JOIN, AND IF HE DID, HIS EMPLOYER WOULD HAVE TC PAY CONTRIBUTIONS TOC. Tr.E EMPLOYER COULD CONTRACT OUT IF HE COULD PROVIDE BENEFITS SUCH AS WOULD BE CONFERRED UNDER THE SCHEME.

/THE DIRECTOR

MONDAY, NOVEMBER 14, 1977

- 2 -

THE DIRECTOR OF SOCIAL WELFARE, MR. THE PROPOSALS SET OUT IN THE GREEN PAPER REVIEW OF THE HONG KONG’S SOCIAL WELFARE

THOMAS LEE, SAID THAT .■.ERE MADE FOLLOWING A POLICY AND PROGRAMMES.

+THE MOST IMPORTANT CONCLUSION OF THIS REVIEW IS THAT THE PRESENT AIM OF SOCIAL SECURITY POLICY - TO HELP THOSE WHO ARE LEAST ABLE TO HELP THEMSELVES - IS RIGHT.*

ACCORDINGLY, HE ADDED, THE GOVERNMENT’S OBJECTIVE IS NOT TO ALTER THE PRESENT BASIS OF SOCIAL SECURITY POLICY BUT TO MAKE IT MORE EFFECTIVE.

+THE PROPOSALS, IF APPROVED, WOULD BE IMPLEMENTED OVER THE NEXT THREE YEARS, STARTING FROM APRIL 1978. ON TOP OF THE ANNUAL EXPENDITURE ON SOCIAL SECURITY PAYMENTS AT 3253 MILLION FOR THE CURRENT YEAR, THE TOTAL COST OF THE SOCIAL SECURITY PROPOSALS FOR THE YEAR 1978/79 WOULD BE IN THE ORDER OF $65 MILLION RISING TO AROUND >188 MILLION IN 1982/83. EXPENDITURE ON THE CONTRIBUTORY SCHEME WOULD EE ADDITIONAL.*

IN DETERMINING THE PRIORITIES OF SOCIAL SECURITY DEVELOPMENT, MR. LEE POINTED OUT THAT THE GOVERNMENT WANTS TO TAKE FULL ACCOUNT OF THE VIEWS OF THE COMMUNITY, PARTICULARLY THOSE WITH A SPECIAL INTEREST IN, OR CONCERN WITH, SOCIAL WELFARE MATTERS.

+THE NEED FOR CONSULTATION APPLIES WITH PARTICULAR FORCE TO THE SICKNESS, INJURY AND DEATH BENEFIT SCHEME AS THIS WOULD BE A SEMI-VOLUNTARY CONTRIBUTORY SCHEME. IT NEEDS TO BE ASSURED OF A FAIR MEASURE OF COMMUNITY SUPPORT BEFORE IT IS LAUNCHED,* HE ADDED.

MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC WHO WISH TO COMMENT ARE ASKED TO DO SC BEFORE THE END OF MARCH NEXT YEAR. COMMENTS SHOULD BE ADDRESSED TO : THE SECRETARY FOR SOCIAL SERVICES, GOVERNMENT SECRETARIAT, 7TH FLOOR, MAIN WING, LOWER ALBERT ROAD, HONG KONG.

COPIES OF THE GREEN PAPER IN BOTH ENGLISH AND CHINESE WILL EE AVAILABLE AT THE VARIOUS CITY DISTRICT OFFICES ON HONG KONG ISLAND AND IN KOWLOON, THE DISTRICT OFFICES IN THE NEW TERRITORIES’ AND THE MARKETING OFFICE, GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES AT 1A, GARDEN ROAD, HONG KONG.

A PAMPHLET SUMMARISING THE MAIN PROPOSALS OF THE GREEN PAPER HAS BEEN PUBLISHED FCR EASY REFERENCE OF THE GENERAL PUBLIC. COPIES OF THE PAMPHLET ARE NOW OBTAINABLE FROM ALL CITY DISTRICT OFFICES IN THE URBAN AREA, DISTRICT OFFICES IN THE NEW TERRITORIES, ALL SOCIAL SECURITY FIELD UNITS AND FAMILY SERVICES CENTRES OF THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT.

/3

MONDAY, NOVEMBER 14, 1977

~5

CONTRACT FOR THE BIGGEST SEWAGE TREATMENT PLANT SIGNED

******

THE PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT TODAY AWARDED THE MAIN CONTRACT FOR THE NEW .$225 MILLION SHA TIN SEWAGE TREATMENT PLANT TO THE AOKI CONSTRUCTION CO. LTD. OF JAPAN.

THE CONTRACT, WORTH MORE THAN 3153 MILLION, IS FOR THE CIVIL ENGINEERING AND BUILDING WORKS OF STAGE ONE OF THE PROJECT—THE BIGGEST OF ITS TYPE EVER UNDERTAKEN IN HONG KONG.

IT INVOLVES, AMONG OTHER THINGS, THE CONSTRUCTION OF PRIMARY SEDIMENTATION TANKS, AERATION TANKS, FINAL SETTLING TANKS, SLUDGE DIGESTION AND HOLDING TANKS, A LABORATORY, AN ADMINISTRATION BUILDING, A POWER HOUSE AND ASSOCIATED SITE WORKS, INCLUDING ROADS AND FENCING, AND THE LAYING OF A SUBMARINE OUTFALL.

THE CONTRACT WAS FORMALLY SIGNED AT THE PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT HEADQUARTERS THIS MORNING BETWEEN MR. DAVID STEAD, DIRECTOR OF ENGINEERING DEVELOPMENT OF THE P.W.D., AND MR. HIROYOSHI AOKI, PRESIDENT OF THE AOKI CONSTRUCTION COMPANY.

MR. STEAD SAID THAT THE PLANT, THE FIRST STAGE OF WHICH IS PARTLY FINANCED BY A 395 MILLION LOAN FROM THE ASIAN DEVELOPMENT BANK, WAS A MAJOR PART OF COMPREHENSIVE SEWERAGE AND SEWAGE TREATMENT FACILITIES DESIGNED TO DEAL .. I TH INDUSTRIAL AND DOMESTIC LIQUID WASTES FROM SHA TIN NEW TOWN.

IT WOULD BE BUILT JUST NORTH OF NEW TOWN ON 17 HECTARES OF RECLAIMED

THE NEW RACECOURSE AT THE LAND.

WHEN FULLY DEVELOPED, THE PLANT WOULD SERVE THE NEW TOWN’S ENTIRE POPULATION OF MORE THAN HALF A MILLION.

MR. STEAD SAID THAT WORK WOULD BEGIN TAKE ABOUT THREE YEARS TO COMPLETE.

HOWEVER, HE POINTED OUT THAT PART OF OPERATIONAL BY JUNE 1930, SOME SIX MONTHS

NEXT MONTH AND WOULD

THE PLANT WOULD BECOME BEFORE COMPLETION.

+THE PLANT’S CONSTRUCTION TIMETABLE HAS BEEN GEARED TO KEEP PACE WITH THE VARIOUS STAGES OF THE NEW TOWN’S DEVELOPMENT AND, IN FACT, IT WILL EE RACING AHEAD OF INITIAL POPULATION INCREASE,+ SAID MR. STEAD.

+BY THE TIME IT IS COMMISSIONED IN 1980 THE POPULATION OF SHA TIN NEW TOWN SHOULD EE ABOUT 150,003 WHILE THE SEWAGE TREATMENT PLANT WILL BE CAPABLE OF SERVING SOME 233,300 PEOPLE.+

A FEATURE OF THE NEW PLANT ..ILL EE ITS ABILITY TO PARTLY SELF-PERPETUATE ITS OWN OPERATING POWER. METHANE GAS, A EY-PRODUCT CF SEWAGE TREATMENT, ..ILL BE FED EACK INTO THE SYSTEM TO HELP DRIVE THE PLANT’S ELECTRICAL GENERATORS.

/THE PLANT .....

MONDAY, NOVEMBER 14, 1977

- 4 -

THE PLANT WILL BE ABLE TO TREAT MORE THAN 102,000 CUBIC METRES OF RAW SEWAGE PER DAY.

THE MAXIMUM SEWAGE FLOW TO THE PLANT FOR FULL TREATMENT, WOULD BE 3.6 CUBIC METRES PER SECOND - A TREMENDOUS INCREASE IN TREATMENT CAPACITY OVER THE EXISTING TEMPORARY PLANTS, MR. STEAD ADDED.

HE SAID THAT THE TREATMENT SYSTEM OF THE NEW PLANT WOULD INVOLVE A SERIES OF COMPLEX PROCESSES WHICH COULD ROUGHLY BE DIVIDED INTO THREE STAGES - TWO STAGES OF PHYSICAL TREATMENT AND ONE OF BIOLOGICAL TREATMENT.

THESE PROCESSES WOULD REMOVE ABOUT 92 PER CENT OF THE POLLUTANTS IN TnE SEWAGE BEFORE THE CLEAR EFFLUENT IS DISCHARGED INTO THE LANDLOCKED TOLO HARBOUR.

HE SAID THAT SPACE HAD BEEN SET ASIDE FOR A TERTIARY TREATMENT PROCESS WHICH WOULD REMOVE AN ADDITIONAL FIVE PER CENT OF THE POLLUTANTS SHOULD MONITORING OF THE CONDITIONS IN TOLO HARBOUR SHOW SUCH A NEED.

MR. STEAD EXPLAINED: + PART OF THE BIOLOGICAL STAGE OF THE TREATMENT PLANT WILL BE EQUIPPED TO CARRY OUT NITROGEN REMOVAL, THIS BEING ONE OF THE NUTRIENTS WHICH MAY CAUSE RED TIDES IN LARGE BODIES OF WATER WITH LITTLE TIDAL EXCHANGE.

+THEREFCRE, MAXIMUM PRECAUTIONS ARE BEING TAKEN TO ENSURE THAT TOLO HARBOUR IS PRESERVED FOR ITS VALUABLE NATURAL FISH BREEDING PROPERTIES, AND AS AN AREA OF GREAT NATURAL BEAUTY WHICH IS INCREASINGLY EE ING USED BY THE GENERAL PUBLIC FOR RECREATIONAL PURPOSES.+

THE SHA TIN NEW TOWN SEWAGE TREATMENT PLANT HAS BEEN DESIGNED BY WATSON (H.K.) CHARTERED CIVIL ENGINEERS, CONSULTING ENGINEERS TO THE GOVERNMENT, UNDER THE OVERALL SUPERVISION OF THE CONSULTANTS MANAGEMENT DIVISION OF THE P.W.D.’S CIVIL ENGINEERING OFFICE.

MONDAY, NOVEMBER 14, 1977

5

32 SITES IN NT PLANNED FOR SALE ******

THE GOVERNMENT PLANS TO PUT UP FOR AUCTION OR TENDER 32 PRIME DEVELOPMENT SITES IN THE HEW TERRITORIES BEFORE THE END OF MARCH NEXT YEAR.

THE SITES, COVERING A TOTAL OF 13.7 HECTARES, ARE FOR RESIDENTIAL/ COMMERCIAL OR INDUSTRIAL DEVELOPMENT.

A SPOKESMAN FOR THE NEW TERRITORIES ADMINISTRATION SAID TODAY THAT ACCORDING TO PROVISIONAL PROGRAMMES, 16 OF THE SITES WERE TO BE DISPOSED OF BY PUBLIC AUCTION, TWO BY PUBLIC TENDER AND 14 BY TENDER RESTRICTED TO HOLDERS OF LAND EXCHANGE DOCUMENTS.

HE SAID THAT 10 SITES PLANNED FOR PUBLIC AUCTION WERE FOR RESIDENTIAL OR COMMERCIAL-RESIDENTIAL DEVELOPMENT COVERING ABOUT 1.7 HECTARES, FIVE SITES FOR INDUSTRIAL PURPOSES COVERING 1.5 HECTARES AND ONE SITE OF 0.2 HECTARE FOR COMMERCIAL DEVELOPMENT.

+THE RESIDENTIAL SITES ARE ON SOUTH LAKTAU AND PENG CHAU AS '.■•ELL AS IN SAI KUNG AND TUEN MUN, ..HILE THE INDUSTRIAL SITES ARE IN TSUEN WAN AND TUEN MUN,+ THE SPOKESMAN SAID.

THOSE FOR PUBLIC TENDER ARE ONE SITE OF ABOUT 10,000 SQUARE METRES IN KWAI CHUNG EARMARKED FOR A SLAUGHTER HOUSE, AND ANOTHER OF 66,533 SQUARE METRES, ALSO IN K..AI CHUNG, FOR RESIDENTIAL DEVELOPMENT.

THE 14 SITES SCHEDULED FOR TENDER RESTRICTED TO HOLDERS OF LAND EXCHANGE ENTITLEMENTS COMPRISE RIGHT FOR RESIDENTIAL OR COMMERCIAL-RESIDENTIAL DEVELOPMENT COVERING ABOUT 1.3 HECTARES, AND SIX FOR INDUSTRIAL PURPOSES COVERING NEARLY 1.4 HECTARES, THE SPOKESMAN SAID.

+THE RESIDENTIAL OR COMMERCIAL-RESIDENTIAL SITES ARE IN TUEN MUN, EXCEPT FOR TWO WHICH ARE LOCATED ON FEI NGO SHAN, ONE COVERING 2,932 SQUARE METRES AND THE OTHER, 2,369 SQUARE METRES.*

THE INDUSTRIAL SITES ARE EITHER IN TSUEN WAN OR TUEN HUH. TWO ARE EARMARKED FOR +OFFENSIVE+ TRADES AND THE OTHERS FOR INDUSTRIAL-CODOWN DEVELOPMENT, HE SAID.

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/6

MONDAY, NOVEMBER 14, 1977

6

OCTOBER WAS WETTER THAN NORMAL

*****

OCTOBER WAS MUCH WETTER THAN NORMAL WITH A TOTAL OF 195.8 MM RAINFALL RECORDED BY THE ROYAL OBSERVATORY - NEARLY TWICE THE NORMAL FIGURE OF 99.2 MM.

THIS BRINGS THE TOTAL RAINFALL FOR THE FIRST TEN MONTHS OF THIS YEAR TO 1666 MM WHICH IS 21 PER CENT BELOW AVERAGE.

THE SUMMER RAINFALL BETWEEN MAY 1 TO OCTOBER 31 WAS 1,592 MM OR 12 PER CENT BELOW AVERAGE AND LIES NEAR THE MIDDLE OF THE RANGE 1,450 - 1,850 MM WHICH WAS PREDICTED BY THE ROYAL OBSERVATORY IN FEBRUARY.

NEARLY HALF OF THE MONTH’S TOTAL RAINFALL WAS RECORDED ON OCTOBER 26 WHEN HONG KONG EXPERIENCED VERY HEAVY RAIN. RAIN WAS HEAVIEST BETWEEN 11 A.M. AND NOON THAT DAY WHEN 51.7 MM OF RAINFALL WERE RECORDED AT THE ROYAL OBSERVATORY.

DURING THE HEAVY RAIN, TEMPERATURES FELL TO A MINIMUM OF 21.6 DEGREES CELSIUS WHICH WAS THE LOWEST RECORDED IN THE MONTH.

BESIDES THE VERY HEAVY RAIN EXPERIENCED REST OF THE MONTH WAS FINE AND SUNNY.

ON OCTOBER 26, THE

NO TROPICAL CYCLONES AFFECTED HONG KONG DURING THE MONTH ALTHOUGH FOUR WERE REPORTED OVER THE WESTERN NORTH PACIFIC.

ON OCTOBER 1 THERE WERE A FEW SHOWERS IN THE MORNING BUT THE AFTERNOON WAS FINE AND TEMPERATURES ROSE TO A MAXIMUM OF 31.2 DEGREES CELSIUS WHICH WAS THE HIGHEST OF THE MONTH.

CONDITIONS BECAME HORE UNSTABLE AND ON THE NEXT DAY THUNDERSTORMS WERE REPORTED IN MANY LOCALITIES, ESPECIALLY IN THE NORTHERN PART OF THE NEW TERRITORIES.

HEAVIER SHOWERS AND

EXPERIENCED ON OCTOBER 4

MORE FREQUENT THUNDERSTORMS WERE AND 5.

ALTHOUGH THERE WERE LONG SUNNY PERIODS ON OCTOBER 6, THE WEATHER BECAME CLOUDY WITH LIGHT RAIN AS AN INTENSE COLD FRONT PASSED EARLY THE NEXT HORNING.

HEAVY SHOWERS WERE REPORTED DURING THE EVENING OF OCTOBER 10 WHEN ANOTHER SURGE OF COOLER AIR ARRIVED THROUGH THE TAIWAN STRAIT.

WINDS IN HONG KONG FRESHENED FROM THE EAST AND BECAME STRONG IN EXPOSED PLACES AMD OFF-SHORE THE FOLLOWING MORNING. THE STRONG MONSOON SIGNAL WAS HOISTED FOR ABOUT NINE HOURS, THE FIRST OCCASION SINCE LAST ..INTER.

THE WEATHER IMPROVED Cl. OCTOBER 11 AND

UNTIL OCTOBER 25 APART FROM SOME LIGHT RA Hi

REMAINED FINE AND SUNNY 01. SEVERAL NIGHTS.

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PRH 7

DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN

TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 15, 1977

CONTENTS

PAGE NO.

NE.-, DEPUTY COMMISSIONER OF CONTROLS AND CUSTOMS DUE IN ON SATURDAY ................................................... 1

DRIVE TO PUBLICISE CAREERS ’73 EXHIBITION .................. 2

NEW MARKET FOR WAN CHAI .................................... 3

TEMPORARY aATER CHARGE COLLECTION CENTRES .................. 3

CASTLE PEAK HOSPITAL TO HOLD SPORTS AND FETE DAY ........... 4

REGISTRATION TEAM TO OPERATE AT TA KU LING ................. 4

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

1

TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 15, 1977

NEW DEPUTY COMMISSIONER OF CONTROLS AND CUSTOMS DUE IN ON SATURDAY

******

THE NEWLY APPOINTED DEPUTY COMMISSIONER OF CONTROLS AND CUSTOMS, MR. D.A. JORDAN. WILL ARRIVE IN HONG KONG FROM BRITAIN ON SATURDAY (NOVEMBER 19).

MR. JORDAN BRINGS WITH HIM NEARLY 40 YEARS OF EXPERIENCE IN THE BRITISH CUSTOMS AND EXCISE SERVICE WHERE HE WAS UNTIL RECENTLY OPERATIONAL HEAD OF INVESTIGATION AND ADVISER TO THE UNITED KINGDOM BOARD OF CUSTOMS AND EXCISE.

HE BECAME CHIEF INVESTIGATION OFFICER IN 1969 AND WAS RESPONSIBLE FOR REORGANISING THE INVESTIGATION DEPARTMENT ON ITS PRESENT LINES.

AS THE DEPUTY COMMISSIONER OF CONTROLS AND CUSTOMS,

MR JORDAN WILL BE ONE OF THE TWO DEPUTY COMMISSIONERS RESPONSIBLE THE ADMINISTRATION AND POLICY OF THE DEPARTMENT OF INDUSTRY CUSTOMS UNDER ITS HEAD, MR. BILL DORWARD.

FOR AND

THE OTHER DEPUTY COMMISSIONER IS MR. ROY PORTER, DEPUTY COMMISSIONER OF INDUSTRY.

0 -------

/2......

TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 15, 1977

2

DRIVE TO PUBLICISE CAREERS '78 SHOW ******

THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT IS NOW LAUNCHING A DRIVE TO PUBLICISE THE CAREERS ’78 EXHIBITION WHICH WILL BE OPENED BY THE HON. Q.W. LEE, MEMBER OF THE EXECUTIVE AND LEGISLATIVE COUNCILS, AT KOWLOON RAILWAY TERMINUS IN HUNG HOM ON NOVEMBER 25.

THE MOBILE EXHIBITION VAN OF THE DEPARTMENT, DECORATED WITH COLOURFUL POSTERS OF THE CAREERS EXHIBITION, IS VISITING SCHOOLS AND OTHER PUBLIC PLACES TO DRAW THE ATTENTION OF YOUNG PEOPLE, IN PARTICULAR SECONDARY SCHOOL STUDENTS, ABOUT THE 1O-DAY CAREERS SHOW.

THE ANNUAL EXHIBITION, THE SIXTH TO BE HELD, IS ORGANISED EY THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT WITH THE AIM OF IMFORMING YOUNG PEOPLE ABOUT THE VARIOUS JOB OPPORTUNITIES OPEN TO THEM.

THIS YEAR, A RECORD 25 EXHIBITORS FROM COMMERCE, INDUSTRY AND THE CIVIL SERVICE ARE TAKING PART. AS IN PREVIOUS YEARS, EACH EXHIBITOR WILL TAKE UP A BOOTH, AND EY MEANS OF ATTRACTIVE DISPLAY AND VISUAL PRESENTATIONS, SHOW THE RANGE OF EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES IN ITS PARTICULAR FIELD.

IN THE COMMERCIAL SECTOR, THE EXHIBITION WILL FEATURE BANKING, ADVERTISING, AIRLINES AND COMPUTER BUSINESS. A CAREER IN SEAFARING IS ALSO HIGHLIGHTED.

IN THE INDUSTRIAL FIELD, THE TEXTILES, CLOTHING, METALWORK, SHIPBUILDING AND REPAIRS, AND ELECTRONICS INDUSTRIES ARE REPRESENTED.

UTILITIES, TELECOMMUNICATION AND TELEVISION BROADCASTING COMPANIES WILL ALSO TAKE PART IN THE SHOW. IN ADDITION, EIGHT GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS INCLUDING THE LABOUR, THE SOCIAL WELFARE AND THE EDUCATION WILL PARTICIPATE.

THE EXHIBITION IS EXPECTED TO ATTRACT 130,003 VISITORS.

SPECIAL ARRANGEMENTS ARE BEING MADE FOR GROUP VISITS FROM SCHOOLS AND A BRIEFING SESSION WILL BE ORGANISED FOR STUDENTS TO HELP THEM GET THE MOST CUT OF THE VISIT.

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/J......

TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 15, 1977

3

NEW MARKET TO BE BUILT IN WAN CHAI

******

WORK ON THE NEW BOWRINGTON ROAD MARKET IN WAN CHAI WILL BEGIN SHORTLY.

TENDERS FOR THE WORK WILL BE INVITED LATER THIS WEEK BY THE ARCHITECTURAL OFFICE OF THE PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT.

MR. K.M. TSENG, CHIEF P.W'.D. ARCHITECT, SAID TODAY THAT WORK WILL BEGIN IN JANUARY NEXT YEAR AND WILL TAKE ABOUT 12 MONTHS TO COMPLETE.

ON COtPLETION, IT WILL REPLACE THE EXISTING TEMPORARY MARKET WHICH HAS TO MAKE WAY FOR THE EXTENSION OF THE CANAL ROAD FLYOVER.

+THE IEW MARKET, OCCUPYING TWO SITES AT THE JUNCTION OF BOWRING'ON RCAD AND WAN CHAI ROAD, WILL CONSIST OF TWO BLOCKS CONNECTED BY HIGH LEVEL PEDESTRIAN BRIDGES,* MR. TSENG SA ID.

+THE TWO-STOREY COMPLEX WILL HAVE A TOTAL FLOOR AREA OF ABOUT 2,703 SQUARE METRES.+

THERE WILL EE STALLS FOR MEAT, FISH, POULTRY AND VEGETABLE AND A COCKED FOOD BAZAAR. THE ROOF WILL BE USED AS A PLAYGROUND FOR CHILDREN.

IN THE NEW TERRITORIES, PILING WORK WILL BEGIN NEXT MONTH ON A NEW MARKET IN T3UEN JAN.

THE WORK, TO BE COMPLETED IN ABOUT FOUR MONTHS, WILL EE FOLLOWED BY THE CONSTRUCTION OF THE SUPERSTRUCTURE WHICH IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN IN APRIL NEXT YEAR.

THE TWO-STOREY MARKET LILL EE BUILT ON A 3,623-SQUARE-METRE SITE AT THE CORNER OF TSUEt* WAN MARKET STREET AND CHUNG ON STREET.

- G -

TEMPORARY WATER CHARGE COLLECTION CENTRES * * * *

THE DISTRICT OFFICE, TAI PO TODAY (TUESDAY) URGED RESIDENTS IN FANLING, SHEUNG SHU I AND NEARBY AREAS TO MAKE USE OF TWO TEMPORARY WATER CHARGE COLLECTION CENTRES TO PAY THEIR aATER BILLS FOR THE SECOND PERIOD OF THIS YEAR.

THE TWQ COLLECTION CENTRES APE LOCATED AT THE SHEUNG SHU I PUBLIC ENQUIRY CENTRE AT SHEK a J HUI AND AT THE FANLING RURAL COMMITTEE OFFICE AT LUEN aO -UI.

THE SHEUNG SHU I CE.'TRE OPENS TODAY AND TOMORROW WHILE THE FANLING CENTRE KILL OPERATE ON THURSDAY AND FRIDAY (NOVEMBER 17 AND 18). BOTH CENTRES a ILL CPE-: FROM 9 A.M. TO 1 P.M.

- c -

A

TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 15, 1977

4

PATIENTS TO JOIN IN CASTLE PEAK HOSPITAL FETE ******

CASTLE PEAK HOSPITAL WILL HOLD ITS ANNUAL SPORTS AND FETE DAY ON NOVEMBER 24 IN THE SPORTS FIELD OF THE HOSPITAL BEGINNING AT 10 A.M.

MORE THAN TWO THOUSAND PEOPLE INCLUDING PATIENTS, MEMBERS OF THE STAFF, THEIR FAMILIES, AND VISITORS ARE EXPECTED TO ATTEND THE WHOLE-DAY AFFAIR.

A TOTAL OF 600 PATIENTS AND MEDICAL AND OTHER STAFF HAVE ENTERED THE VARIOUS COMPETITIONS.

THE MAIN EVENTS WILL TAKE PLACE IN THE AFTERNOON AND THE HIGHLIGHT OF THE DAY WILL EE A LION DANCE TO BE PERFORMED BY THE PATIENTS.

THE EAND OF AUXILIARY MEDICAL SERVICE WILL PROVIDE MUSIC FOR THE OCCASION, WHICH IS CONSIDERED TO HAVE SOCIAL AND THERAPEUTIC VALUE FOR THE PATIENTS.

DR. K.L. THONG, DIRECTOR OF MEDICAL AND HEALTH SERVICES, .•.ILL PRESENT PRIZES TO THE WINNERS CF TRACK AND FIELD EVENTS.

- 0 - -

REGISTRATION TEAM TO OPERATE AT TA KU LING

******

A TEAM FROM THE REGISTRATION OF PERSONS OFFICE WILL CONDUCT REGISTRATIONS AT TA KU LING RURAL COMMITTEE PREMISES ON NOVcMBcR 24 AND 25.

REGISTRATIONS WILL BE CONDUCTED BETWEEN 9.30 A.M. AND 4.30 P.M. ON THE TWO DAYS.

THE VISIT IS TO ENABLE PARENTS OR GUARDIANS TO REGISTER THEIR CHILDREN OR WARD BETWEEN 11 AND 17 YEARS CF AGE FOR JUVENILE IDENTITY CARDS AND HOLDERS OF JUVENILE IDENTITY CARDS TO REGISTER FOR ADULT IDENTITY CARDS ON REACHING 18 YEARS OF AGE.

ALL PERSONS LIVING IN THIS AREA ARE REMINDED CF THEIR RESPONSIBILITY TO REGISTER THEMSELVES AND THEIR CHILDREN FOR IDENTITY CARDS AND TO REPORT CHANGES OF EMPLOYMENT OR RESIDENTIAL ADDRESSES, MARITAL STATUS, OR ANY OTHER PARTICULARS WHICH HAVE CHANGED SINCE REGISTERING FOR THEIR IDENTITY CARDS.

- - 0 -

DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN

WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 16, 1977

CONTENTS PAGE NO.

PRIME SITE AT TSIM SHA TSUI FOR SALE ........... 1

YEAR OF HORSE GOLD COIN PRESENTS CHALLENGE TO ROYAL MINT .. 2

SHA TO VISIT INFIRMARY IN WONG TAI SIN ......... 3

INSPECTION DATES FOR IMPORTED SECOND-HAND GOODS VEHICLES ADVANCED ......................................  4

DEPUTY DIRECTOR OF EDUCATION ATTENDS SCHOOL SPEECH DAY .... 4

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

WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 16, 1977

1

PRIME SITE AT TSIM SHA TSUI FOR SALE

MM*

ANOTHER MAJOR DEVELOPMENT SITE AT TSIM SHA TSUI EAST WILL BE OFFERED FOR SALE BY THE P.W.D.’S LANDS AND SURVEY DEPARTMENT AT THE THEATRE OF CITY HALL AT 2.30 P.M. ON NOVEMBER 25 (FRIDAY).

THE 4,000 SQUARE METRES SITE NEAR THE JUNCTION OF CHATHAM ROAD AND SALISBURY ROAD IS FOR NON-1NDUSTRI AL PURPOSES.

IT CARRIES A BUILDING CONVENANT BE DEVELOPED BEFORE DECEMBER 31, 1981

OF 820 MILLION AND SHOULD

ANOTHER LOT OF CROWN LAND AT CHAI WAN WILL BE OFFERED FOR SALE ON THE SAME DAY.

THIS 1,500 SQUARE METRES SITE AT FUNG YIP STREET, CHAI WAN, IS FOR INDUSTRIAL AND/OR GODOWN PURPOSES.

IT CARRIES A BUILDING CONVENANT OF $4.3 MILLION AND SHOULD BE COMPLETED BEFORE DECEMBER 31, 1981.

FULL PARTICULARS AND CONDITIONS OF SALE MAY BE OBTAINED FROM AND SALE PLANS INSPECTED AT THE PUBLIC ENQUIRY SUB-OFFICE, CENTRAL GOVERNMENT OFFICES (WEST WING), GROUND FLOOR, HONG KONG AND AT THE CROWN LANDS AND SURVEY OFFICE, KOWLOON GOVERNMENT OFFICES 10TH FLOOR, 405 NATHAN ROAD.

WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 16, 1977 - 2 -

YEAR OF HORSE GOLD COIN PRESENTS CHALLENGE TO ROYAL MINT

* * * * *

A MASTER CRAFTSMAN AT LONDON’S ROYAL MINT HAS BEEN PRESENTED WITH AN UNUSUALLY CHALLENGING TASK IN PRODUCING THE NEXT GOLD COIN IN THE GOVERNMENT’S LUNAR NEW YEAR SERIES.

THE DESIGN OF THE YEAR OF THE HORSE COIN IS BASED ON AN ANCIENT BRONZE STATUE.

THE KNOT TIED WITH THE TAIL INDICATES THAT IT IS A HORSE FOR BATTLE AND TO SHOW THAT ITS SPEED IS GREATER THAN THAT OF A BIRD, ITS RIGHT HIND HOOF IS PLACED ON A SWALLOW IN FLIGHT.

THE BEAUTY AND ANIMATION OF THIS ORIGINAL SCULPTURE HAD TO BE CAPTURED - AS OPPOSED TO THE APPEARANCE OF A CONTEMPORARY HORSE.

MANY HOURS HAVE BEEN SPENT PREPARING A MODEL AND MODIFYING THE DETAIL UNTIL THE ENGRAVER PERFECTED A FINAL VERSION WHICH BOTH CAPTURED THE SPIRIT OF THE ORIGINAL STATUE AND A MODERN ARTIST’S TREATMENT OF THE DESIGN.

THE MAIN CHALLENGE IN THE MANUFACTURE OF THIS COIN CENTRED ON THE PREPARATION OF THE RELIEF PLASTER MODEL WHICH IS THE STARTING POINT FOR THE PRODUCTION OF THE MASTER COINING TOOLS.

THE ROYAL MINT ENGRAVER WORKING FROM AN ARTIST’S SKETCH AND PHOTOGRAPHS HAD TO TRANSLATE THE APPEARANCE OF A THREE DIMENSIONAL STATUE ONTO A LOW RELIEF MODEL SUITABLE FOR COINAGE RE-PRODUCTION.

ONCE THE MODEL WAS COMPLETE, THE FIRST STEP IN THE PRODUCTION OF THE SERIES OF MASTER TOOLS NEEDED TO PRODUCE THE COIN WAS THE TRANSFERENCE OF ITS DETAILS THROUGH THE USE OF A REDUCTION MACHINE.

A TINY STYLUS TRACES THE OUTLINE OF THE DESIGN FROM A NICKEL FACED ELECTRO WHILE A HIGH SPEED CUTTER AUTOMATICALLY MACHINES EVERY DETAIL ONTO A REDUCTION PUNCH.

SPECIMEN PRE-PRODUCTION COINS ARE EXPECTED TO ARRIVE IN HONG KONG BEFORE THE END OF THIS MONTH.

THE YEAR OF THE HORSE COIN WILL BE THE FOURTH GOLD COIN THE GOVERNMENT HAS PRODUCED BEGINNING WITH ONE TO COMMEMORATE THE QUEEN’S VISIT HERE IN 1975.

MEANWHILE, IF DEMAND IS SUFFICIENT THIS YEAR, FOR THE FIRST TIME, THE GOVERNMENT MAY PRODUCE A SPECIAL GOLD COIN COLLECTORS CABINET, A PROTOTYPE OF WHICH IS NOW ON DISPLAY AT THE GOVERNMENT PUBLICATIONS CENTRE.

AFTER ONLY FOUR WORKING DAYS SINCE THE CABINET WAS FIRST PUT ON DISPLAY, STAFF AT THE PUBLICATIONS CENTRE HAVE RECEIVED OVER 60 APPLICATIONS FOR FORMS WHICH INTERESTED MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC ARE ASKED TO FILL IN AND RETURN TO THE TREASURY.

WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 16, 1977


SHA TO VISIT INFIRMARY

******

THE SECRETARY FOR HOME AFFAIRS, MR. F.K. LI WILL VISIT THE WONG TAI SIN INFIRMARY OF THE TUNG WAH GROUP OF HOSPITALS TOMORROW (THURSDAY-).

MR. LI WILL BE ACCOMPANIED DURING THE VISIT BY MR. WILSON CHEUNG, CHAIRMAN OF TUNG WAH GROUP OF HOSPITALS, VICE-CHAIRMEN AND DIRECTORS OF THE GROUP AND MR. J.A. MILLER, CITY DISTRICT OFFICER (WONG TAI SIN).

THE WONG TAI SIN INFIRMARY, ESTABLISHED IN 1965, IS A RESIDENTIAL INSTITUTE FOR NON-ACUTE PATIENTS TRANSFERRED FROM KWONG WAH HOSPITAL AND OTHER GOVERNMENT HOSPITALS.

THE INFIRMARY HAS 681 BEDS AND AN X-RAY AND A PHYSIOTHERAPY DEPARTMENT.

IT IS PROPOSED TO EXTEND THE EXISTING PREMISES OF THE INFIRMARY TO INCREASE THE ACCOMMODATION BY 300 BEDS.

THE YEARLY EXPENDITURE OF THE INFIRMARY IS MET MAINLY BY AN ANNUAL SUBVENTION FROM THE GOVERNMENT.

NOTE TO EDITORS:

YOU ARE CORDIALLY INVITED THE VISIT TOMORROW (THURSDAY). TAI SIN INFIRMARY, SHATIN PASS

TO SEND REPRESENTATIVES TO COVER MR. LI WILL ARRIVE AT THE WONG

ROAD, AT 3 P.M.

A

WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 16, 1977

4

INSPECTIONS OF IMPORTED SECOND-HAND GOODS VEHICLES * * M *

THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCED TODAY THAT THE INSPECTION DATES FOR IMPORTED SECOND-HAND GOODS VEHICLES WILL BE ADVANCED TO REMOVE UNDUE DELAY IN INSPECTING VEHICLES ALREADY IN HONG KONG.

A DEPARTMENT SPOKESMAN SAID THAT IMPORTERS AND OWNERS OF SUCH GOODS VEHICLES WHO HAVE BEEN NOTIFIED OF INSPECTION APPOINTMENTS FOR THE PERIOD FROM DECEMBER 5, 1977 TO AUGUST 4, 1978. SHOULD CALL AT THE DEPARTMENT’S LICENSING OFFICE, BETWEEN NOVEMBER 21 AND 25 FROM 9 A.M. TO 4 P.M. TO RE-CONFIRM APPOINTMENTS AND ARRANGE AN EARLIER INSPECTION DATE.

IMPORTERS AND OWNERS ARE ASKED TO BRING ALL RELEVANT DOCUMENTS, INCLUDING SHIPPING DOCUMENTS, WHEN CALLING AT THE LICENSING OFFICE.

THE SPOKESMAN SAID THAT RESCHEDULED APPOINTMENTS WOULD BE GIVEN IN STRICT ORDER OF THE PRIORITY OF THE ORIGINAL APPOINTMENTS. HOWEVER, APPOINTMENTS WHICH WERE NOT REVALIDATED ON OR BEFORE NOVEMBER 25 WOULD BE CANCELLED WITHOUT FURTHER NOTICE.

ENQUIRIES CAN BE MADE BY TELEPHONE (5-756541 EXT. 258) OR IN PERSON AT THE HONG KONG LICENSING OFFICE.

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NOTE TO EDITORS!

DEPUTY DIRECTOR OF EDUCATION ATTENDS SCHOOL SPEECH DAY * * * *

THE SPEECH DAY OF PO LEUNG KUK’S NUMBER ONE COLLEGE AT PO KONG VILLAGE ROAD, TSZ WAN SHAN, KOWLOON, WILL BE HELD TODAY (WEDNESDAY) AT 4 P.M. IN THE COLLEGE’S HALL.

MR. N.M. HO, DEPUTY DIRECTOR OF EDUCATION (PROFESSIONAL), WILL ADDRESS THE GATHERING AND MRS. HO WILL PRESENT PRIZES AND CERTIFICATES.

YOU ARE CORDIALLY INVITED TO SEND REPRESENTATIVES TO COVER THE EVENT.

----o----

DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 17, 1977

CONTENTS PAGE NO.

CHIEF SECRETARY PRAISES NURSING PROFESSION .................. 1

DRUG SMUGGLING CASES DROP IN HONG KONG ........................ 2

SILVER JUBILEE CELEBRATIONS IN NT NEXT WEEK ................... 3

CONGRATULATORY MESSAGE TC PRINCESS ANNE ....................... 3

MORE ROAD AND DRAINAGE WORKS IN TUEN MUN ...................... 4

PRISON OFFICERS WALK FOR WELFARE FUND ......................... =

THREE CLERICAL OFFICERS OF EDUCATION DEPARTMENT RETIRING ... 6

TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS IN MID-LEVELS ............................ 7

WATER CUT IN KWAI CHUNG ....................................... 7

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

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 17, 1977

1

MEDICAL CARE STANDARDS DEPEND ON SUPPLY OF WELL TRAINED AND DEDICATED NURSES ******

+HOWEVER EXPERIENCED AND WISE OUR DOCTORS, HOWEVER SKILFUL OUR SURGEONS, HOWEVER EFFECTIVE OUR PARAMEDICAL FACILITIES, MEDICAL CARE CAN NEVER ATTAIN AN ADEQUATE STANDARD WITHOUT A SUFFICIENT SUPPLY OF WELL TRAINED AND DEDICATED NURSES.+

THIS WAS SAID TODAY (THURSDAY) BY THE CHIEF SECRETARY, SIR DENYS ROBERTS, AT THE GRADUATION OF NURSES FROM THE NETHERSOLE SCHOOL OF NURSING HELD AT YING WAH GIRLS’ SCHOOL.

SIR DENYS SAID THAT, MORE THAN MOST PROFESSIONS, NURSING REQUIRED TWO MAIN ELEMENTS - TECHNICAL KNOWLEDGE AND PERSONAL QUALITIES.

HE CONTINUED: +THE REMARKABLE DEVELOPMENT OF MEDICAL KNOWLEDGE AND TECHNIQUES IN THE PAST GENERATION HAS DEMANDED OF NURSES A MUCH WIDER AND DEEPER KNOWLEDGE THAN WAS NECESSARY IN THE PAST. THIS IS REFLECTED IN THE HIGHER STANDARDS OF EDUCATION WHICH ARE REQUIRED OF NURSES.

+THE TECHNICAL KNOWLEDGE WHICH THEY MUST ABSORB MAKES IT NECESSARY FOR NURSES TO POSSESS CONSIDERABLE INTELLIGENCE. NEVERTHELESS, I HOPE THAT THOSE WHO SELECT THEM WILL NOT FORGET THAT THEY REQUIRE PERSONAL QUALITIES OF A SPEC I AL K I ND.+

A NURSE SPENT MUCH OF HER PROFESSIONAL LIFE MINISTERING TO THE SICK, THE MAIMED, THE DYING AND THOSE WITHOUT HOPE OR PURPOSE IN THEIR LIVES. MOST SUFFERED PAIN OR DISCOMFORT- MANY WERE LONELY AND ABANDONED WITHOUT FAMILY OR FRIENDS. FOR SOME, AS THEY LAY IN HOSPITAL THE NURSE WAS THEIR ONLY CONTACT WITH HUMANITY, THE CENTRE OF THE HOPES, FEARS AND ILLUSIONS.

TO DEAL WITH SUCH PEOPLE, A NURSE MUST BE FAR MORE THAN AN EFFICIENT DISPENSER OF MEDICINE AND BANDAGES, SIR DENYS SAID.

+SHE MUST TRY, HOWEVER HARD THIS MAY BE, TO REMAIN PATIENT, GOOD HUMOURED AND INTERESTED IN THEM ALL, WITH A WARMTH WHICH LETS THE PATIENT THINK THAT SHE CARES ABOUT HIM, AS A PERSON AND NOT MERELY AS A MEDICAL PROBLEM,* SIR DENYS ADVISED.

+IT IS A HARD LIFE WHICH YOU WHO ARE GRADUATING TODAY, AND YOUR COLLEAGUES IN THE NURSING PROFESSION, HAVE CHOSEN.

+THERE WILL BE MANY DAYS ON WHICH YOU WILL WONDER WHY YOU MADE THE CHOICE. YOUR FEET WILL ACHE, YOU WILL BE TIRED TO THE POINT OF EXHAUSTION, YOUR PATIENCE TRIED TO ITS LIMIT BY FRUSTRATION, PRESSURE AND UNCOMFORTABLE WORKING CONDITIONS- YOUR EMOTIONS WILL HAVE BEEN STRETCHED BY SUFFERING AND DEATH AND BY THE DEMANDS MADE UPON YOU BY DOCTORS AND PATIENTS.

/♦BUT I HOPE ...

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 17, 1977

- 2 -

+BUT I HOPE YOU WILL TELL YOURSELVES THAT IT IS WORTHWHILE, AND THAT YOU WILL GAIN A DEEP AND LASTING SATISFACTION FROM A PROFESSION IN WHICH THE MOST IMPORTANT SINGLE ELEMENT IS SERVICE TO YOUR FELLOW MEN.

+l HAVE YET TO MEET A NURSE WHO IS RICH IN MONEY. I HAVE MET MANY WHO ARE RICH IN HUMANITY AND IN THE AFFECTION IN WHICH THEY ARE HELD BY THOSE TO WHOM THEY HAVE BROUGHT COMFORT IN ADVERSITY AND KINDNESS WHEN IT WAS MOST NEEDED.*

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

DRUG SMUGGLING CASES DROP IN HONG KONG

******

DURING THE PAST 10 MONTHS, 37 PEOPLE WERE ARRESTED FOR OFFENCES CONNECTED WITH DANGEROUS DRUGS COMPARED WITH 69 IN THE CORRESPONDING PERIOD LAST YEAR.

THIS REPRESENTS MORE THAN 50 PER CENT DROP IN THE SMUGGLING OF DRUGS THROUGH THE HONG KONG INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT, A SPOKESMAN OF THE CUSTOMS AND EXCISE SERVICE SAID TODAY.

THE AMOUNT OF DRUGS SEIZED BY CUSTOMS OFFICERS ALSO DROPPED BY SOME 16 PER CENT TO 168.1 KILOGRAMMES (370 LBS.) DURING THE SAME PERIOD.

THE DRAMATIC DECREASES IN BOTH ARRESTS AND SEIZURES WERE DUE TO THE HIGHLY EFFECTIVE MEASURES TAKEN BY CUSTOMS OFFICERS, THE SPOKESMAN SAID.

AMONG THE GOODS SEIZED BY CUSTOMS OFFICERS, MORPHINE AND HEROIN TOPPED THE LIST. THE OTHERS INCLUDED OPIUM, MARIJUANA, PART ONE POISON, PISTOLS AND AMMUNITIONS.

+ THE METHODS EMPLOYED BY THE SMUGGLERS ARE INCREDIBLE,* HE POINTED OUT,* BUT THE WELL-TRAINED OFFICERS CAN SPOT THEIR TRICKS WITHOUT ANY DIFFICULTY.*

IN SOME CASES, HE NOTED, WOODEN DRUMS WERE INLAID WITH DRUGS, FALSE BOTTOMS IN SUITCASES AND BRIEFCASES, HOLLOWED OUT HEEL OF SHOES- ON OTHERS, SHIPMENTS OF FRESH FRUIT (LOGANS), ORCHID FLOWERS AND UNICORN STATUES MADE OF PLASTER WERE USED.

STILL, HE SAID, SEVERAL SMUGGLERS WERE CLINGING TO THE OLD AND TRADITIONAL WAYS OF CARRYING DRUGS BY TYING THEM UP TO THEIR BODIES.

+ALTHOUGH WE HAVE ACHIEVED A HIGH DEGREE OF SUCCESS, WE WILL CONTINUE TO STEP UP OUR VIGILANCE AND IMPROVE OUR METHODS OF DETECTING DRUGS ENTERING HONG KONG THROUGH THE AIRPORT,* THE SPOKESMAN STRESSED.

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

f.

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 17, 1977


SILVER JUBILEE CELEBRATIONS IN NT NEXT WEEK * * * *

A CARNIVAL SPIRIT WILL PREVAIL IN THE NEW TERRITORIES NEXT WEEK WHEN THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE OF ALL AGES TAKE PART IN A WIDE VARIETY OF ACTIVITIES TO CELEBRATE THE QUEEN’S SILVER JUBILEE.

EXTENSIVE PROGRAMMES OF ENTERTAINMENT AND SPORTS WILL BE GOING ON THE WHOLE WEEK AT VARIOUS DISTRICTS, INCLUDING OUTLYING ISLANDS.

THE PROGRAMMES, ORGANISED BY THE DISTRICTS’ SILVER JUBILEE CELEBRATION COMMITTEES, WILL FEATURE PROCESSIONS, FUN FAIR, VARIETY SHOWS AND LANTERN DISPLAYS AS WELL AS MUSIC, DRAMA AND OPERA PERFORMANCES IN ADDITION TO ATHELTIC AND SPORTS COMPETITIONS.

HK-TVB WILL STAGE A +TAI PO NIGHT+ ON TUESDAY (NOVEMBER 22) AT THE TAI PO PLAYGROUND. IT WILL BE ATTENDED BY THE DEPUTY SECRETARY FOR THE NEW TERRITORIES, MR. JOHN TODD.

THE SECRETARY FOR THE NEW TERRITORIES, MR. DAVID AKERS-JONES, WILL OFFICIATE AT THE EVENING SPECTACULAR STAGED BY R.T.V. AT THE FANLING PLAYGROUND ON WEDNESDAY (NOVEMBER 23) NIGHT FROM 7.45 P.M. TO 10 P.M.

MR. AKERS-JONES WILL ALSO OFFICIATE AT A GRAND PROCESSION WHICH WILL TAKE PLACE ON FRIDAY (NOVEMBER 25) NIGHT FROM 7.30 P.M. TO 10.30 P.M. AT THE YUEN LONG STADIUM, FEATURING DRAGON AND UNICORN DANCES, FLOATS AND DANCE PERFORMANCES.

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

CONGRATULATORY MESSAGE TO PRINCESS ANNt

THE GOVERNOR, SIR MURRAY MACLEHOSE, HAS SENT A MESSAGE OF CONGRATULATIONS ON BEHALF OF THE PEOPLE OF HONG KONG TO HRH THE PRINCESS ANNE AND CAPTAIN MARK PHILIPS ON THE OCCASION OF THE BIRTH OF THEIR SON.

THE MESSAGE READS: +0N BEHALF OF THE PEOPLE OF HONG KONG I SEND WARMEST CONGRATULATIONS AND GOOD WISHES ON THE BIRTH OF YOUR SON.+

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

A

.YAQSHUH^

38A1J3

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 17 , 1977 4 -

MORE ROAD AND DRAINAGE WORKS IN TUEN MUN

* * * * * '

THE PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT HAS BEGUN ANOTHER SERIES OF ROAD AND DRAINAGE WORKS IN THE NORTHERN PART OF TUEN MUN TO CATER FOR THE NEEDS OF THE NEW TOWN.

it i ;onf iril HCH Q3rtl>.«drt0 SI HOIHw XJAW 3HT /' ’ f

THE LATEST CONTRACT, WORTH ABOUT $9.5 MILLION, COVERS THE CONSTRUCTION OF SOME 24,700 SQUARE METRES OF ROAD AND FOOTPATHS AND THE LAYING OF 2,300 METRES OF STORM AND FOUL WATER DRAINS IN THE AREA.

MR. K.K. TANG, ACTING CHIEF ENGINEER OF THE TUEN MUN NEW TOWN DEVELOPMENT OFFICE, SAID TODAY THAT THE WORKS WOULD TAKE ABOUT 12 MONTHS TO COMPLETE.

WITH THE PROVISION OF THE ROADS AND DRAINAGE, 3.3 HECTARES OF LAND WOULD BE MADE AVAILABLE FOR INDUSTRIAL DEVELOPMENT.

MR. TANG SAID THAT THE WIDENING OF THE DISTRIBUTOR ROAD SOUTH OF THE TAI HING ESTATE TO A DUAL CARRIAGEWAY WOULD ALSO BE CARRIED OUT.

AT THE SAME TIME, ANOTHER DISTRIBUTOR ROAD IN THE AREA WOULD BE EXTENDED TO THE SECOND PHASE OF THE HOUSING ESTATE, WHICH WILL ACCOMMODATE SOME 22,300 PEOPLE.

c’iXAJ',i JJlW YRR33 R3W3C-3J8U0a A .XJAW 3HT R3V03

MEANWHILE, WORK ON THE $300 MILLION TUEN MUN ROAD, WHICH COMPRISES A THREE-LANE CARRIAGEWAY AND TWO GRADE-SEPARATED INTERCHANGES, IS PROGRESSING SMOOTHLY.

IT IS EXPECTED TO BE OPENED TO TRAFFIC EARLY NEXT YEAR.

MR. TANG SAID: +PLANNING OF STAGE II IS IN HAND. THIS WILL DUPLICATE STAGE I, PROVIDING ANOTHER THREE-LANE CARRIAGEWAY ON A ROUGHLY PARALLEL ALIGNMENT.*

WORK ON THIS STAGE IS EXPECTED TO BE COMPLETED IN 1980.

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/5

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 17, 1977

PRISON OFFICERS WALK FOR WELFARE FUND * * * * *

ABOUT 1,000 PRISON OFFICERS, THEIR FAMILIES AND FRIENDS WILL TAKE PART IN A FUND-RAISING WALK IN THE AREA OF CHI MA WAN PRISON ON LANTAU ISLAND ON SATURDAY (NOVEMBER 19) MORNING.

THE COMMISSIONER OF PRISONS, MR. T.G. GARNER WILL ALSO TAKE PART IN THE WALK WHICH IS ORGANISED FOR THE FIRST TIME BY THE DEPARTMENT’S SPORTS ASSOCIATION.

A SPOKESMAN FOR THE PRISONS DEPARTMENT SAID THERE HAD BEEN EXCELLENT AND ENTHUSIASTIC RESPONSE BY STAFF TO THE WALK.

+THE RESPONSE AND PLEDGES, NOT ONLY FROM STAFF AND THEIR FAMILIES, BUT ALSO FROM OTHER ORGANISATIONS AND INDIVIDUALS, HAVE BEEN FAR BEYOND OUR EXPECTATIONS,+ HE ADDED.

THE TARGET FOR THE WALK IS $70,000. THE MONEY RAISED WILL GO TO THE PRISONS DEPARTMENT’S STAFF WELFARE FUND.

THE WALK WILL BE FOLLOWED BY A BARBECUE.

NOTE TO EDITORS:

YOU ARE CORDIALLY INVITED TO SEND A REPORTER/PHOTOGRAPHER TO COVER THE WALK. A DOUBLE-DECKER FERRY WILL LEAVE BLAKE’S PIER FOR CHI MA WAN AT 9.30 A.M. ON SATURDAY.

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THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 17, 1977

6

EDUCATION DEPARTMENT’S CLERICAL OFFICERS RETIRING *****

THE DIRECTOR OF EDUCATION, MR. KENNETH TOPLEY WILL TOMORROW (FRIDAY) PRESENT RETIREMENT GIFTS TO THREE CLERICAL OFFICERS OF THE DEPARTMENT WHO ARE RETIRING AFTER A COMBINED SERVICE OF NEARLY 68 YEARS IN THE GOVERNMENT.

MR. TOPLEY WILL PRESENT THE GIFTS TO MR. NG CHUNG-FAI (55), MR. PAUL AU SZE-BUN (61) AND MR. G.J. BENEDICTO (61) ON BEHALF OF THEIR COLLEAGUES AND FRIENDS AT A CEREMONY AT THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT HEADQUARTERS IN LEE GARDENS.

MR. NG, A CLERICAL OFFICER CLASS 1, JOINED THE CIVIL SERVICE 30 YEARS AGO AS A TEMPORARY CLERK. APART FROM THE FIRST THREE YEARS IN THE TREASURY, MR. NG HAS BEEN WORKING IN THE ACCOUNTS SECTION OF THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT.

MR. AU ALSO JOINED THE SERVICE AS A TEMPORARY CLERK. HE IS RETIRING AS A CLERICAL OFFICER CLASS 2 AFTER 19 YEARS IN THE DEPARTMENT, MAINLY IN THE ACCOUNTS SECTION.

MR. BENEDICTO, WHO IS ALSO A CLERICAL OFFICER CLASS 2, HAS BEEN WORKING IN THE PERSONNEL REGISTRY OF THE DEPARTMENT FOR 19 YEARS. HE BEGAN HIS CAREER IN THE GOVERNMENT SERVICE AS A TEMPORARY CLERK AND WAS AWARDED THE BRITISH EMPIRE MEDAL (B.E.M.) IN 1976.

NOTE TO EDITORS:

N

YOU ARE INVITED TO SEND REPRESENTATIVES TO COVER THE PRESENTATION CEREMONY WHICH WILL BEGIN AT 4 P.M. TOMORROW IN THE CONFERENCE ROOM OF THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT, LEE GARDENS, 3RD FLOOR, HYSAN AVENUE, CAUSEWAY BAY.

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/7.......

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 17, 1977

7

TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS IN GLENEALY AND CONDUIT ROAD *****

THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCED TODAY THAT WITH EFFECT FROM 10 A.M. ON TUESDAY, (NOVEMBER 22), THE SECTION OF GLENEALY TO THE SOUTH OF ROBINSON ROAD AND THE SECTION OF CONDUIT ROAD BETWEEN HORNSEY ROAD AND CASTLE ROAD WILL BE RE-ROUTED ONE-WAY FROM ROBINSON ROAD TO CASTLE ROAD TO FACILITATE THE LAYING OF WATER AND

GAS MAINS.

THE ARRANGEMENTS WILL LAST TRAFFIC SIGNS WILL BE SET UP TO

FOR ABOUT SEVEN WEEKS. GUIDE MOTORISTS.

APPROPRIATE

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

WATER CUT IN KWAI CHUNG ******

WATER SUPPLY TO A NUMBER OF PREMISES IN KWAI CHUNG WILL BE SUSPENDED FROM 10 P.M. NEXT WEDNESDAY (NOVEMBER 23) TO 6 A.M. THE FOLLOWING DAY TO FACILITATE THE CONNECTION OF A FRESH WATER

TEE AT TAI LIN PAI ROAD.

THE AREA AFFECTED IS BOUNDED BY THE SECTION OF TAI LIN PAI ROAD FROM KWAI ON ROAD TO KWAI CHUNG ROAD, KA TING ROAD, KA HING ROAD AND WING YIP STREET.

PREMISES WITHOUT WATER SUPPLY DURING THIS PERIOD INCLUDE LO’S MEI KWONG GARMENT BUILDING, SANG KEE INDUSTRIAL BUILDING, MEI SIK INDUSTRIAL BUILDING, KWAI CHUNG FIRE STATION, WING GAI DYEING WORKS, YICK HING CONSTRUCTION SITE, SHUI HO CONSTRUCTION CO., PHOENIX TEXTILE, WYLER TEXTILE, YU LAM INDUSTRIAL BUILDING, YU LAM INDUSTRIAL BUILDING PHASE II, WONG CHAN KI INDUSTRIAL BUILDING, SANG CHEONG INDUSTRIAL BUILDING, KINWAY FACTORY BUILDING, TAI WAH TRANSPORTATION CO., IC I BUILDING, BEN-LINE GODOWN AND LMK DEVELOPMENT ESTATE.

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PRH 7

DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN

FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 18, 1977

CONTENTS PAGE NO.

WORK ON THREE MAJOR DEVELOPMENT PROJECTS IN TUEN MUN TO START SOON ............................................... 1

CONSULTANTS APPOINTED TO DEVELOP PLANS FOR SHA TIN REGIONAL HOSPITAL ........................................ 3

FINANCE BRNACH ENSURES TAXPAYERS GET VALUE FOR MONEY .. 4

PLOVER COVE COUNTRY PARK PROPOSED ........................ 6

APPLICATIONS FOR SENIOR AMBULANCEMEN INVITED ............. 7

FIRST PUBLIC ENQUIRY CENTRE FOR TSING Yl ISLAND .......... 8

+KNOWING ABOUT CHEUNG CHAU+ CELEBRATION ENDS ON SUNDAY 8

TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS IN POK FU LAM........................ 9

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

FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 18, 1977

THREE DEVELOPMENT PROJECTS TO START IN TUEN MUN

*****

THE GOVERNMENT IS TO START WORK IN TUEN MUN NEW TOWN ON THREE MAJOR DEVELOPMENT PROJECTS WHICH INCLUDE THE FORMATION OF SITES FOR PUBLIC HOUSING TO ACCOMMODATE 20,000 PEOPLE BY 1980.

THE OTHER TWO PROJECTS ARE THE CONSTRUCTION OF ANOTHER SECTION OF A TRUNK SEWER TO CATER FOR TUEN MUN’S INCREASED SEWAGE FLOW AND THE IMPROVEMENT OF TWO RIVER BRANCHES TO REDUCE FLOODING HAZARDS.

WORK ON THE SITE FORMATION FOR PUBLIC HOUSING, IN YEUNG SIU HANG, WILL BEGIN EARLY NEXT YEAR AND SHOULD TAKE ABOUT 18 MONTHS TO COMPLETE.

IT FORMS PART OF A $70.5 MILLION DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME COMPRISING SITE FORMATION, ROADWORKS AND DRAINAGE FOR THE NORTH-WESTERN PART OF THE NEW TOWN.

OF THE $16 MILLION TRUNK SEWER FROM NEAR SHEK PAI TAU TO PILLAR POINT, WORK IS TO START SHORTLY ON THE SECTION NEAR SHEK KOK TSUI AREA.

THE TRUNK SEWER WILL BE 6,000 METRES LONG AND OF SUFFICIENT CAPACITY TO CATER FOR THE SEWAGE FLOW ARISING FROM THE FUTURE PLANNED POPULATION OF HALF A MILLION PEOPLE IN TUEN MUN.

IN MARCH NEXT YEAR, WORK WILL ALSO COMMENCE ON THE TRAINING OF TWO RIVER BRANCHES IN LAM TEI AND FU TEI AND SHOULD BE FINISHED BY MID-1979.

THE ENGINEERING WORK WILL FORM PART OF A $26 MILLION TRAINING SCHEME FOR THE RIVER THAT RUNS THROUGH THE NEW TOWN TO PROTECT THE LOW-LYING AREAS ALONG THE RIVER BANKS FROM FLOODING.

A NEW TERRITORIES ADMINISTRATION SPOKESMAN SAID TODAY THE THREE PROJECTS, TO BE CARRIED OUT BY THE PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT, WOULD INVOLVE THE RESUMPTION OF AGRICULTURAL LAND.

HOWEVER, HE SAID, THE GOVERNMENT WILL PAY COMPENSATION FOR CROPS, FRUIT TREES AND OTHER ITEMS AS WELL AS EX-GRATIA ALLOWANCE FOR CULTIVATORS AND FARMERS.

TO FACILITATE SITE FORMATION AT YEUNG SIU HANG, ABOUT 28,517 SQUARE METRES OF PRIVATE AGRICULTURAL LAND WILL BE RESUMED, AND 15 DOMESTIC TEMPORARY STRUCTURES AND 86 OTHER ANCILLARY STRUCTURES WILL HAVE TO BE CLEARED.

FOR THE' TRUNK SEWER PROJECT, THE GOVERNMENT WILL RESUME ABOUT 6,508 SQUARE METRES OF AGRICULTURAL LAND IN SHEK KOK TSUI AREA. EXCEPT FOR EIGHT TEMPORARY STRUCTURES, NO DOMESTIC TEMPORARY STRUCTURES WILL HAVE TO BE REMOVED.

/THE RIVER TRAINING .....

FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 18, 1977

2 .

THE RIVER TRAINING WORK IN LAM TEI AND FU TEI WILL INVOLVE THE RESUMPTION OF 29,881 SQUARE METRES OF PRIVATE AGRICULTURAL LAND AND THE CLEARANCE OF 15 DOMESTIC TEMPORARY STRUCTURES AND 52 OTHER ANCILLARY TEMPORARY STRUCTURES.

THE SPOKESMAN SAID THAT DEPENDING ON THEIR ELIGIBILITY, DISPLACED FAMILIES WOULD BE OFFERED EITHER PUBLIC HOUSING OR A SPACE IN A TEMPORARY HOUSING AREA.

AT YEUNG SIU HANG AND SHEK KOK TSUI AREAS, HE SAID, LANDOWNERS INVOLVED IN THE LAND RESUMPTION WOULD BE OFFERED THE ALTERNATIVE OF CASH COMPENSATION OR LAND EXCHANGE DOCUMENTS.


FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 18, 1977

- 3 - .

CONSULTANTS HIRED TO DEVELOP PLANS FOR SHA TIN REGIONAL HOSPITAL ******

THE PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT HAS APPOINTED AN AUSTRALIAN FIRM OF CONSULTANTS, STEPHENSON AND TURNER CONNELL, TO ASSIST IT IN THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE NEW SHA TIN REGIONAL HOSPITAL.

ACCORDING TO MR. EDWIN WONG, THE P.W.D.’S ARCHITECT-IN-CHARGE OF THE PROJECT, THE FIRM OF ARCHITECTS, ENGINEERS AND HEALTH PLANNERS WILL DEVELOP THE FEASIBILITY SKETCH PLANS PREPARED BY THE DEPARTMENT AND TO CO-ORDINATE ALL WORKS, SUCH AS STRUCTURAL, MECHANICAL, ELECTRICAL, AIR-CONDITIONING, HEATING AND VENTILATING ENGINEERING AND QUANTITY SURVEYING THROUGH ALL SUBSEQUENT DEVELOPMENT OF THE SCHEME.

RECLAMATION WORK TO PROVIDE LAND FOR'THE HOSPITAL COMPLEX IS ALREADY UNDERWAY AND THE SITE IS EXPECTED TO BE READY IN SEPTEMBER NEXT YEAR FOR PILING AND OTHER FOUNDATION WORKS.

THE SITE FORMATION WORK IS BEING UNDERTAKEN BY-THE P.W.D.’S SHA TIN NEW TOWN DEVELOPMENT OFFICE.

THE DATE FOR THE OPENING OF THE i.,400 BED HOSPITAL IS 1982.

WHEN OPENED, THE SHA TIN HOSPITAL WILL OPERATE AS A REGIONAL HOSPITAL FOR THE EASTERN PART OF THE NEW TERRITORIES, EVENTUALLY SERVING A POPULATION OF AT LEAST 700,000 PEOPLE. IN ADDITION, IT WILL ALSO BE A TEACHING HOSPITAL FOR THE PROPOSED MEDICAL FACULTY OF THE CHINESE UNIVERSITY OF HONG KONG.

THE NEW HOSPITAL WILL PROVIDE A FULL RANGE OF MEDICAL AND HEALTH FACILITIES WITH GENERAL AND SPECIALIST SERVICES, INCLUDING OUT-PATIENTS AND CASUALTY SERVICES AND TREATMENT FOR PATIENTS BEFORE AND AFTER ANY HOSPITALISATION.

THE HOSPITAL COMPLEX WILL COMPRISE, AMONG OTHER THINGS, A MAIN WARD BLOCK AND A SPECIAL WARD BLOCK, BOTH OF WHICH WILL FOLLOW THE PRINCESS MARGARET HOSPITAL’S BASIC DESIGNS, A PROFESSIONAL ANNEX AND A TEACHING POLYCLINIC ATTACHED TO THE MAIN HOSPITAL.

RESIDENTIAL QUARTERS FOR STAFF AND STUDENTS FORMING A PART OF THE COMPLEX, WILL BE BUILT CONCURRENTLY WITH THE CONSTRUCTION OF THE HOSPITAL. THIS WORK IS BEING DONE BY THE STAFF OF THE ARCHITECTURAL OFFICE OF THE PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT.

THE HOSPITAL WILL BE FINANCED BY THE GOVERNMENT AND ADMINISTERED BY THE MEDICAL AND HEALTH DEPARTMENT, WITH THE TEACHING STAFF EMPLOYED AND PAID BY THE CHINESE UNIVERSITY.


/4

FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 18, 1977

U -

FINANCE BRANCH ENSURES TAXPAYERS GET VALUE FOR MONEY ******

THE WORK OF THE GOVERNMENT’S FINANCE BRANCH INCLUDES ShlSURING THAT TAX-PAYERS GET VALUE FOR THEIR MONEY.

PRINCIPAL ASSISTANT FINANCIAL SECRETARY, MR. K.Y. YEUNG, SAID THIS TODAY (FRIDAY) DURING A LUNCHTIME TALK TO MEMBERS OF KOWLOON NORTH ROTARY CLUB.

MR. YEUNG SAID THAT VALUE FOR TAXPAYERS’ MONEY WAS ENSURED BY THE REGULAR EXAMINATION OF REQUESTS FOR FUNDS, POSTS, ORGANISATION AND METHODS STUDIES, COST/BENEFIT ANALYSES AND THE USE OF COMPUTER WHERE COST BENEFITS SO JUSTIFY.

OTHER WORK OF THE FINANCE BRANCH, HE SAID, WAS RAISING REVENUE- ASSESSING SHORT AND LONG TERM REVENUE YIELDS AND SHORT TERM AND LONG TERM EXPENDITURE- EXAMINING THE FINANCIAL ASPECTS OF PROPOSED POLICIES AND PROGRAMMES- AND ALLOCATING FUNDS BETWEEN VARIOUS ACTIVITIES AND ENSURING THAT THESE FUNDS WERE VOTED IN SUCH A WAY THAT EXPENDITURE COULD BE BROUGHT PROPERLY TO ACCOUNT.

MR. YEUNG CONTINUED: +IF IT IS POSSIBLE TO GENERALISE WITHOUT BEING MISLEADING, PROBABLY THE TWO MOST IMPORTANT AIMS OF THE FINANCE BRANCH ARE, FIRST, TO ENSURE THAT THE PRESENT FISCAL SYSTEM CAN RAISE ADEQUATE FUNDS TO FINANCE THE GOVERNMENT’S COMMITMENTS AND, SECOND, TO ENSURE THAT GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS HAVE AN ADEQUATE PROVISION OF FUNDS NECESSARY FOR THEM TO CARRY OUT THEIR APPROVED FUNCTIONS IN SUCH A WAY AS TO PROVIDE VALUE FOR MONEY.

+AND HERE WE TREAD ON DELICATE GROUND, FOR WE MUST MEET THESE AIMS IN SUCH A WAY AS TO PRESERVE, ON THE ONE HAND, THE CONFIDENCE OF THE LEGISLATURE- YET THIS MUST BE ACHIEVED WITHOUT THE BRANCH GETTING INTO A POSITION WHERE IT IS TELLING THE HEADS OF DEPARTMENTS HOW TO RUN THEIR AFFAIRS.*

MR. YEUNG ALSO GAVE AN OUTLINE OF THE FIVE YEAR FORECAST OF REVENUE AND EXPENDITURE, AN EXERCISE LEADING TO THE CONSTRUCTION OF THE ANNUAL ESTIMATES.

HE SAID HEADS OF DEPARTMENTS WERE ASKED TO PROVIDE A FORECAST OF REVENUE AND EXPENDITURE OVER THE CURRENT FINANCIAL YEAR, THE NEXT FINANCIAL YEAR AND THE FOLLOWING THREE FINANCIAL YEARS.

+THE PURPOSE OF THE REVENUE FORECAST IS TO DETERMINE HOW MUCH REVENUE THE GOVERNMENT CAN EXPECT TO RECEIVE AT EXISTING RATES OF TAXATION AND AT CURRENT LEVELS OF FEES AND CHARGES,* MR. YEUNG SAID.

+THE PURPOSE OF THE EXPENDITURE FORECAST IS TO DETERMINE WHAT HEADS OF DEPARTMENTS WISH TO DO AND THE LEVEL OF EXPENDITURE THEY THINK THEY COULD ACHIEVE OVER THE FIVE YEARS, CALCULATED AT CURRENT PRICES.

/♦TAKEN TOGETHER,

FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 18, 1977

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♦TAKEN TOGETHER, THEREFORE, THE OBJECT OF THE WHOLE EXERCISE IS TO PROVIDE THE GOVERNMENT WITH THE MEANS OF DETERMINING THE PROBABLE LEVEL OF SPENDING THAT COULD BE AFFORDED.+

MR. YEUNG SAID THAT WHEN DEPARTMENTAL RETURNS REACHED THE GOVERNMENT SECRETARIAT IN AUGUST, THEY WERE CAREFULLY CONSIDERED BY THE FINANCE BRANCH IN CONJUNCTION WITH THE POLICY BRANCHES. THIS PROCESS TOOK ABOUT TWO MONTHS.

AS THE HEADS OF DEPARTMENTS PREPARED THEIR SUBMISSIONS, TWO FURTHER SEPARATE EXERCISES TOOK PLACE WITHIN THE GOVERNMENT SECRETARIAT. FIRST, THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY AND HIS ADVISERS TOOK A VIEW ON WHETHER ADDITIONAL RESOURCES COULD BE MADE AVAILABLE FOR FINANCING COMPLETELY NEW SERVICES- SECOND, THE ITEMS OF EXPENDITURE NOT COVERED BY THE PROVISIONALLY ACCEPTABLE LEVEL OF EXPENDITURES WERE SUBMITTED TO THE CHIEF SECRETARY AND HIS PRINCIPAL ADVISERS FOR THEM TO TAKE A VIEW OF THEIR RELATIVE IMPORTANCE.

♦THE RESULT OF THE THIS EXERCISE IS A LIST IN WHICH ITEMS OF PROPOSED EXPENDITURE ARE RANKED IN AN ORDER OF PRIORITY.

+IF IT IS EVENTUALLY DECIDED THAT A GREATER REVENUE YIELD THAN HAS BEEN INDICATED IN THE REVENUE FORECAST COULD BE ACHIEVED, THESE ITEMS OF EXPENDITURE WOULD BE FED INTO THE DRAFT ESTIMATES IN THE ORDER OF PRIORITY AND TO THE EXTENT OF THE ADDITIONAL RESOURCES DETERMINED AS A RESULT OF THESE TWO EXERCISES.

♦THE OUTCOME OF ALL THESE ACTIVITES IS, OF COURSE, WELL KNOWN TO YOU. ON COMPLETION THE DRAFT ESTIMATES OF EXPENDITURE ARE INCORPORATED INTO THE FOLLOWING YEAR’S APPROPRIATION BILL. THIS IS INTRODUCED INTO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL BY THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY, TOGETHER WITH THE REVENUE ESTIMATES AND HIS REVENUE PROPOSALS.

♦EVENTUALLY, ON THE APPROPRIATION BILL BECOMING LAW THE DRAFT ESTIMATES OF EXPENDITURE BECOME PROPERLY AUTHORISED AND DEFINITELY ARRANGED ESTIMATES OF EXPENDITURE.+

MR. YEUNG SAID UNDER THE PRESENT SYSTEM, HEADS OF DEPARTMENTS AND POLICY BRANCH SECRETARIES WERE IN NO WAY INHIBITED IN ENTERING INTO THE FORECAST THE FINANCIAL CONTENTS OF VARIOUS PROGRAMMES PROVIDED THE CONTENTS BORE REASONABLE RESEMBLANCE TO SPENDING CAPABILITY- AND IT WAS THE CHIEF SECRETARY AND HIS PRINCIPAL ADVISERS WHO DETERMINED THE PRIORITY FOR NEW SERVICES.

♦BUT, WHEN IT COMES TO DECIDING HOW MUCH WE CAN AFFORD TO SPEND, IT IS THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY AND HIS ADVISERS WHO DETERMINE THE AMOUNT OF REVENUE THAT CO'JLD BE ACHIEVED, HAVING REGARD TO THE LIKELY FUTURE PERFORMANCE OF THE ECONOMY AND TO THE NEED FOR MAINTAINING GROWTH.+

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FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 18, 1977

6

SCENIC PLOVER COVE COUNTRY PARK PROPOSED ******

A LARGE STRETCH OF LAND IN THE SCENIC AREA OF THE PLOVER COVE RESERVOIR HAS BEEN PROPOSED AS A COUNTRY PARK.

THE PLOVER COVE COUNTRY PARK, WHICH IS GAZETTED TODAY, COVERS AN AREA OF ABOUT 4,594 HECTARES, COMPRISING 3,422 HECTARES OF GRASSY HILLS AND SCATTERED WOODLAND AND 1,172 HECTARES OF WATER SURFACE OF THE RESERVOIR.

IT LIES TO THE EAST OF TAI MEI TUK/LUK KENG ROAD AND STRETCHES FROM YUNG SHUE AU ON STARLING INLET IN THE NORTH TO HARBOUR ISLAND IN THE SOUTH.

THE COUNTRY PARK AUTHORITY HAS PREPARED A DRAFT MAP AND EXPLANATORY STATEMENT FOR THIS PARK WHICH MAY BE INSPECTED, WITHIN THE NEXT 60 DAYS, AT THE LAND REGISTRY, CENTRAL GOVERNMENT OFFICES-NEW TERRITORIES ADMINISTRATION, HONG KONG HOUSING AUTHORITY BUILDING, HOMANTIN- CROWN LANDS AND SURVEY DEPARTMENT, MURRAY BUILDING, GARDEN ROAD- DISTRICT OFFICES OF TSUEN WAN, TAI PO, TUEN MUN, YUEN LONG, SAI KUNG AND SHA TIN- KOWLOON CITY DISTRICT COMMISSIONER OFFICE, 393, CANTON ROAD- CITY DISTRICT OFFICES OF KOWLOON CITY, KWUN TONG, MONG KOK, SHAM SHU I PO AND WONG TAI SIN.

COPIES OF THE DRAFT MAP ARE ALSO AVAILABLE FOR SALE AT $6 PER COPY FROM THE AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES DEPARTMENT AT 393 CANTON ROAD, KOWLOON.

UNDER THE COUNTRY PARKS ORDINANCE, NO NEW DEVELOPMENT WILL BE ALLOWED IN THE AREA OF THE PROPOSED COUNTRY PARK SHOWN IN THE DRAFT MAP WITHOUT THE PRIOR APPROVAL OF THE AUTHORITY.

ANY PERSON WHO IS AGGRIEVED BY THE DRAFT MAP MAY WITHIN THE NEXT 60 DAYS SEND A WRITTEN STATEMENT OF HIS OBJECTIONS TO THE DRAFT MAP TO THE AUTHORITY AND TO THE SECRETARY OF THE COUNTRY PARKS BOARD AT THE AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES DEPARTMENT.

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FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 18, 1977

APPLICATIONS FOR SENIOR AMBULANCEMEN INVITED ******

THE FIRE SERVICES DEPARTMENT IS INVITING APPLICATIONS FROM YOUNG AND PHYSICALLY FIT MEN TO JOIN IN THE RANK OF SENIOR AMBULANCEMEN.

ABOUT 50 SUITABLE CANDIDATES WILL BE RECRUITED TO FILL PRESENT VACANCIES AS WELL AS TO MEET THE ANTICIPATED EXPANSION OF THE DEPARTMENT’S AMBULANCE SERVICES.

THE RECRUITS WILL BE TRAINED TO TAKE CHARGE OF AMBULANCES AND SUBORDINATE CREW, TO RENDER FIRST AID AND TO CARRY OUT CONTROL DUTIES.

APPLICANTS SHOULD BE AGED BETWEEN 18 AND 30, HAVE A KNOWLEDGE OF ENGLISH AT THE STANDARD EQUIVALENT TO GRADE E OR ABOVE IN ENGLISH (SYLLABUS A) IN THE HONG KONG CERTIFICATE OF EDUCATION, HAVE GOOD PHYSIQUE, BE ABLE TO SPEAK FLUENT CANTONESE, AND READ AND WRITE CHINESE.

CANDIDATES ARE REQUIRED TO PASS A STRENGTH TEST AND AN ENTRANCE EXAMINATION TO BE ARRANGED AT A LATER DATE.

ANYONE INTERESTED SHOULD APPLY IN PERSON BETWEEN 9 A.M. AND 5 P.M. DAILY FROM NOVEMBER 21 TO 23 AT ANY OF THE FOLLOWING RECRUITMENT CENTRES:

HONG KONG ISLAND - MORRISON HILL AMBULANCE DEPOT, 01 KWAN ROAD

KOWLOON - MA TAU CHUNG AMBULANCE DEPOT,

SHING TAK STREET

NEW TERRITORIES - TSUEN WAN FIRE STATION, TAI CHUNG ROAD.

APPLICANTS SHOULD BRING ALONG THEIR IDENTITY CARDS, A DULY COMPLETED APPLICATION FORM (G.F. 340) WHICH IS OBTAINABLE FROM ANY CITY DISTRICT OFFICE, AND THE ORIGINAL COPY OF ANY TESTIMONIAL SHOWING THEIR EDUCATIONAL QUALIFICATIONS.

THEY SHOULD ALSO BRING ALONG A PAIR OF RUBBER-SOLED-GYM SHOES AND SHORTS FOR USE IN THE STRENGTH TEST.

THE STARTING SALARY FOR A SENIOR AMBULANCEMAN IS $1,810 AND THE MAXIMUM IS $2,100.

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FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 18, 1977

- 8 -

NOTE TO EDITORS:

TSING Yl’S FIRST PUBLIC ENQUIRY CENTRE TO OPEN * * * * *

THE FIRST PUBLIC ENQUIRY SERVICE CENTRE ON TSING Yl ISLAND WILL BE OFFICIALLY OPENED TOMORROW (SATURDAY) AT 10 A.M. TO SERVE THE RESIDENTS OF THE ISLAND.

THE CENTRE IS ON THE GROUND FLOOR, 113-114 CHING WAI HOUSE OF THE CHEUNG CHING ESTATE ON TSING Yl.

THE OPENING CEREMONY WILL BE OFFICIATED BY THE TSUEN WAN DISTRICT OFFICER (TOWN MANAGEMENT), MR. DAVID TSUI- THE TSING Yl RURAL COMMITTEE CHAIRMAN, MR. TANG YUEN-PUI- AND THE HOUSING MANAGER OF CHEUNG CHING ESTATE, MR. CHOY KI-WONG.

YOU ARE CORDIALLY INVITED TO COVER THE OPENING CEREMONY.

- - - _ 0 -----

NOTE TO EDITORS:

♦KNOWING ABOUT CHEUNG CHAU+ CELEBRATION ENDS ON SUNDAY ******

THE DEPUTY SECRETARY FOR THE NEW TERRITORIES ADMINISTRATION T0DD’ W,LL officiate at the closing ceremony of the ’ ♦KNOWING ABOUT CHEUNG CHAU+ CELEBRATION ON SUNDAY (NOVEMBER 20). i,»- ^I4L ALSO PRESENT PRIZES TO WINNERS OF VAR I OUS COMPPTitionc S? CELEBRATION WHICH BEGAN ON NOVEMBERll ^"PETITI0NS

MARK THE SILVER JUBILEE OF THE QUEEN’S SUCCESSION TO THE THRONE

FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 18, 1977

9

TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS IN POK FU LAM

******

THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCED TODAY THAT FROM 10 A.M. ON MONDAY (NOVEMBER 21) THE NEWLY CONSTRUCTED SECTION OF BISNEY ROAD ADJOINING POK FU LAM ROAD WILL BE OPENED TO TRAFFIC.

WITH THE OPENING OF THIS NEW SECTION OF THE ROAD VEHICLES WILL BE PERMITTED TO TURN LEFT FROM POK FU LAM ROAD NORTHBOUND INTO BISNEY ROAD.

AT THE SAME TIME, NORTHBOUND VEHICLES ON POK FU LAM ROAD WILL BE DIVERTED FROM THE EXISTING CARRIAGEWAY ONTO A SECTION OF NEWLY COMPLETED CARRIAGEWAY EXTENDING FROM THE JUNCTION OF POK FU LAM ROAD AND BISNEY ROAD TO A POINT ABOUT 328 FEET TO THE NORTH.

SOUTHBOUND VEHICLES WILL CONTINUE TO USE THE EXISTING POK FU LAM ROAD.

APPROPRIATE SIGNS WILL BE SET UP TO GUIDE MOTORISTS.

....0....

PRH 7

IgisI Iml

DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN

SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 19, 1977

CONTENTS

PAGE NO.

FIRST FLYOVER EQUIPPED WITH EMERGENCY TELEPHONES ............ 1

PLOVER COVE COUNTRY PARK .................................... 2

TRADE, INDUSTRY AND CUSTOMS DEPARTMENT MOVES TO OCEAN CENTRE ...................................................... 4

LARGE OPEN SPACE FOR SHA TIN ............................... 5

NEW RECEPTION CENTRE TO BE HANDED OVER TO PRISONS DEPARTMENT .................................................. 6

MORE PUBLIC ENQUIRY CENTRES FOR TSUEN WAN ................... 7

SPORTS MEET FOR YOUTH IN MONG KOK ........................... 8

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

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

SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 19, 1977

1

FIRST FLYOVER TO BE INSTALLED WITH EMERGENCY TELEPHONES * * * * *

THE NEW GASCOIGNE ROAD FLYOVER, WHICH WILL BE OPENED TO TRAFFIC ON TUESDAY (NOVEMBER 22), IS THE FIRST ELEVATED ROAD IN HONG KONG EQUIPPED WITH EMERGENCY TELEPHONES.

MR. TONY THOMPSON, OFF ICER-1N-CHARGE OF THE P.W.D.’S TRAFFIC CONTROL AND SURVEILLANCE UNIT, SAID TODAY THAT A TOTAL OF NINE TELEPHONES HAD BEEN INSTALLED ALONG THE ROAD WHICH FORMS THE FIRST STAGE OF THE WEST KOWLOON CORRIDOR.

THE TELEPHONES WERE SET UP ON BOTH SIDES OF THE CARRIAGEWAY AND SO THERE WOULD BE NO NEED FOR THE USERS TO CROSS THE ROAD.

THE TELEPHONES, HE SAID, WERE CONNECTED TO THE POLICE TRAFFIC OPERATIONS CONSOLE IN THE KOWLOON DISTRICT COMMAND AND CONTROL CENTRE IN ARGYLE STREET.

THEY WOULD ENABLE MOTORISTS TO MAKE A REPORT AT THE SHORTEST POSSIBLE TIME IN CASE OF A BREAKDOWN OR ACCIDENT. POLICE WOULD THEN TAKE APPROPRIATE ACTION.

+AT PRESENT, MOTORISTS INVOLVED IN ACCIDENTS ON FLYOVERS HAVE TO WALK FOR A COMPARATIVELY LONG DISTANCE TO REACH A TELEPHONE,* SAID MR. THOMPSON.

+THIS OFTEN CAUSES TRAFFIC CONGESTION ON THE FLYOVERS AND RESULTS IN THE LATE ARRIVAL OF AMBULANCES OR TOW CARS.*

APART FROM THE EMERGENCY TELEPHONES INSTALLED IN THE CROSS HARBOUR AND LION ROCK TUNNELS, THE WEST KOWLOON CORRIDOR IS THE FIRST ROAD IN HONG KONG TO HAVE SUCH EQUIPMENT.

IT WILL HAVE A TOTAL OF 37 EMERGENCY TELEPHONES ON COMPLETION OF THE WHOLE PROJECT.

THE NEXT ROAD TO BE EQUIPPED WITH EMERGENCY TELEPHONES WILL BE THE 5300 MILLION TUEN MUN ROAD, WHICH IS SCHEDULED TO BE OPENED TO TRAFFIC EARLY NEXT YEAR. IT WILL HAVE A TOTAL OF 72 TELEPHONES.

EXPLAINING THE PROCEDURES OF USINQ THE TELEPHONES, MR. K.H. LOMAS, DISTRICT SUPERINTENDENT IN CHARGE OF THE POLICE KOWLOON TRAFFIC DIVISION, SAID THAT WHEN THE POLICE TRAFFIC OPERATOR RECEIVED A CALL HE WOULD ASK THE CALLER ABOUT THE NATURE OF THE EMERGENCY BEFORE TAKING THE NECESSARY ACTION.

HE SAID THAT THERE WERE TWO BASIC RULES TO EE OBSERVED BY USERS OF THE TELEPHONES.

♦FIRSTLY, THE DRIVER SHOULD, IF POSSIBLE, PULL HIS VEHICLE AS CLOSE TO THE CURE AS POSSIBLE WITH THE EMERGENCY FLASHERS SWITCHED ON.

♦SECONDLY, GREAT CARE SHOULD BE TAKEN WHEN OPENING THE CAR DOOR AND WALKING TO THE TELEPHONE AS THE TRAFFIC ON THE FLYOVER IS EXPECTED TO BE HEAVY,+ MR. LOVAS SAID.

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SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 19, 1977

2

PLOVER COVE COUNTRY PARK

******

ANOTHER LARGE TRACT OF SCENIC COUNTRYSIDE PROPOSED FOR PUBLIC ENJOYMENT HAS BEEN GAZETTED FOR PUBLIC DISCUSSION.

KNOWN AS PLOVER COVE COUNTRY PARK, IT IS THE EIGHTH COUNTRY PARK GAZETTED, FOLLOWING SHING MUN, KAM SHAN, LION ROCK, TAI TAM, ABERDEEN, AND SAI KUNG EAST AND WEST COUNTRY PARKS.

SITUATED IN THE NORTH EASTERN SECTION OF THE NEW TERRITORIES, THE PARK IS ABOUT HALF AN HOUR AWAY FROM TAI PO BY CAR AND ITS BOUNDARIES GENERALLY FOLLOW THE ROAD FROM TAI MEI TUK TO LUK KENG AND THE COASTLINE. IT COVERS AN AREA OF ABOUT 4,594 HECTARES (11,352 ACRES), INCLUDING THE WATER SURFACE OF PLOVER COVE RESERVOIR.

THE TAI MEI TUK-LUK KENG ROAD SKIRTS THE WESTERN BOUNDARY OF THE PARK AND PROVIDES AN EASY ACCESS TO THE MAIN RECREATIONAL AREAS. THE BRANCH ROAD TO WU KAU TANG WILL SOON BE EXTENDED TOWARDS THE COAST AND WILL MAKE THE HEART OF THE PARK MUCH MORE ACCESS IBLE.

THE PLOVER COVE COUNTRY PARK IS CHARACTERIZED BY RUGGED HILLS WITH EXTENSIVE COASTLINE THAT CONSTITUTE A VERY SCENIC AND UNSPOILT LANDSCAPE, INTEGRATING HARMONIOUSLY WITH THE RESERVOIR, THE NATURAL WOODLANDS, FOOTPATHS, TRAILS AND STREAMS.

THE MOST POPULAR AREA OF THE PARK IS AT BRIDE’S POOL WHICH IS ABOUT MIDWAY UP THE TAI MEI TUK-LUK KENG ROAD ON THE WESTERN BOUNDARY.

IT LIES AT THE FOOT OF A BROAD ROCK FACE WITH A PICTURESQUE WATERFALL AND TOGETHER WITH MIRROR POOL, WHICH IS DIAGONALLY OPPOSITE AND ABOUT 50 YARDS AWAY UP THE HILL, MAKES AN IDEAL PLACE FOR PICNICKERS AND CAMPERS.

BRIDE’S POOL HAS ACQUIRED ITS NAME SOME 100 YEARS AGO. ACCORDING TO LEGEND A BRIDE, WHO WAS ON HER WAY IN A SEDAN CHAIR FROM WU KAU TANG VILLAGE TO LUK KENG VILLAGE TO MEET HER GROOM, WAS SWEPT AWAY INTO THE POOL DURING HEAVY RAIN AND DROWNED. A NARROW SECTION OF THE PATH, WHICH WAS THE ONLY COUNTRY ROAD IN THOSE DAYS THAT LINKED THE VILLAGES, IS STILL THERE WINDING ACROSS THE HILLS SURROUNDING BRIDE’S POOL. MOST OF THE PATH, HOWEVER, HAVE GIVEN WAY TO A NEW ROAD BUILT IN 1969.

+BR IDE’S POOL IS ESPECIALLY POPULAR WITH CYCLISTS WHO COME BY THE THOUSANDS ON WEEKENDS,* AN OFFICER OF THE AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES DEPARTMENT WHO MANAGES THE PARK SAID.

+IN FACT, ON ANY DAY OF THE WEEK THERE ARE PICNICKERS ENJOYING THEMSELVES, UNLIKE MANY OTHER PLACES WHERE THEY GO ONLY ON WEEKENDS.*

/THS MAIN .....

SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 19, 1977

THE MAIN REASON FOR THIS IS THAT BRIDE’S POOL AND OTHER AREAS OF THE PARK ARE ACCESSIBLE BY COACHES AND PRIVATE CARS AND THE AVAILABILITY OF PARKING SPACES', THE OFFICER EXPLAINED.

ACCORDING TO THE VISITOR RECORD, A TOTAL OF ABOUT 561,000 PEOPLE, 50,000 BICYCLES AND 41,000 CARS HAVE VISITED BRIDE’S POOL IN THE FIRST NINE MONTHS OF THIS YEAR.

IN VIEW OF SUCH HEAVY TRAFFIC AND VISITOR DEMANDS FOR THE FACILITIES OF BRIDE’S POOL, A MOBILE POLICE POST IS SET UP ABOUT 1-1/2 MILES FROM THE POOL NE^B THE MAIN ROAD ON SUNDAYS AND PUBLIC HOLIDAYS TO ASSIST PICNICKERS IN CASE OF AN EMERGENCY.

THIS AREA OF THE PARK NEAR AND ALONG THE WESTERN SHORES OF THE RESERVOIR, INCLUDING BARBECUE AND PICNIC AREAS, CHILDREN’S +ADVENTURE PLAYGROUNDS* AND OBSERVATION POINTS, COMPRISE THE MAIN PART OF THE +RECREATION ZONES*. ASSOCIATED FACILITIES SUCH AS BARBECUE PITS, TABLES AND BENCHES, LITTER BINS, AND SHELTERS ARE ALSO PROVIDED.

THE MORE HILLY AND LESS ACCESSIBLE AREAS FORM AN ESSENTIAL SCENIC BACKGROUND TO THE RECREATION ZONES AND PROVIDE ROUTES FOR HIKERS AND RAMBLERS ALONG A FOOTPATH SYSTEM MARKED WITH COLOURED POLES TO GUIDE WALKERS.

TO COMPLETE THE PLOVER COVE COUNTRY PARK DESIGN, NATURE TRAILS, INFORMATION BOARDS AND OTHER FACILITIES, WILL BE ADDED IN DUE COURSE.

SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 19, 1977

TRADE. INDUSTRY AND CUSTOMS DEPARTMENT MOVING TO OCEAN CENTRE )€****

THE TRADE, INDUSTRY AND CUSTOMS DEPARTMENT BEGINS A PHASED MOVE TO NEW OFFICES ON SEVERAL FLOORS OF THE OCEAN CENTRE IN KOWLOON STARTING THIS WEEKEND.

THE MAIN PUBLIC OFFICES INCLUDING THE TRADE CONTROLS DIVISION, TRADE LICENSING BRANCH AND ACCOUNTS WILL MOVE TO THE OCEAN CENTRE DURING THE FOLLOWING WEEKEND. THESE OFFICES WILL CLOSE FOR BUSINESS AT NOON ON SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 26, AND REOPEN ON MONDAY, NOVEMBER 28, WHEN THE MOVE WILL BE COMPLETE.

THE TRADE INVESTIGATION BRANCH OFFICE IN TSIM SHA TSUI WILL ALSO MOVE TO THE OCEAN CENTRE AND REOPEN ON NOVEMBER 28.

THE CUSTOMS AND EXCISE SERVICE OPERATIONAL HEADQUARTERS WILL, HOWEVER, REMAIN AT 2, RUMSEY STREET ON THE CENTRAL DISTRICT WATERFRONT AND WILL NOT BE AFFECTED BY THE DEPARTMENT’S MOVE.

THE DEPARTMENT’S OLD PREMISES AT 46, CONNAUGHT ROAD CENTRAL WILL CONTINUE TO PROVIDE SERVICES TO THE PUBLIC ON THE ISLAND AS SUB-OFFICES WHICH WILL OPEN FROM NOVEMBER 28.

THESE SERVICES WILL INCLUDE: COLLECTION COUNTERS FOR IMPORT AND EXPORT DECLARATIONS AND SALE OF TIC FORMS- RECEIPT AND ISSUE COUNTERS FOR CERTIFICATES OF ORIGIN, COMMONWEALTH PREFERENCE AND GENERALISED PREFERENCE CERTIFICATES- IMPORT AND EXPORT LICENCES- AND TEXTILE EXPORT LICENCES.

A SPOKESMAN FOR THE TRADE, INDUSTRY AND CUSTOMS DEPARTMENT SAID THAT THE MOVE WAS LONG OVERDUE. +WE HAVE FROM 5,000 TO 6.000 CUSTOMERS A DAY COLLECTING OR APPLYING FOR VARIOUS CERTIFICATES, LICENCES, DECLARATIONS, FORMS AND SO ON. THIS OLD BUILDING JUST CANNOT COPE WITH THESE NUMBERS OF PEOPLE.+

IN THE OCEAN CENTRE THERE WILL BE MODERN COUNTERS AND RECEPTION DESKS. OFFICES ON THE GROUND AND FIRST FLOORS ARE CONNECTED BY ESCALATORS WHILE HIGH-SPEED LIFTS SERVE THE HIGHER FLOORS.

BESIDES THE OFFICES ON THE GROUND AND FIRST FLOORS, THE DEPARTMENT WILL OCCUPY THE ENTIRE 14TH AND 15TH FLOORS. THESE WILL PROVIDE, IN CONTRAST TO ITS PRESENT ACCOMMODATION, PREMISES SUITED TO ONE OF THE GOVERNMENT’S MAJOR DEPARTMENTS WHICH, BESIDES THE THOUSANDS OF DAILY CUSTOMERS, ALSO RECEIVES MANY EMINENT VISITORS FROM ABROAD. THESE INCLUDE POLITICIANS, WOULD-BE INVESTORS, BUSINESSMEN AND NEGOTIATING TEAMS.

/5 ....

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SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 19, 1977

5

DISTRICT OPEN SPACE FOR SHA TIN

*****

THE GOVERNMENT IS TO DEVELOP A LARGE AREA OF LAND IN SHA TIN AS DISTRICT OPEN SPACE TO PROVIDE ADDITIONAL AMENITY FACILITIES FOR THE FAST-GROWING NEW TOWN.

THE AREA TO EE DEVELOPED IS AT TSANG TAI UK TO THE NORTH-EAST CF LION ROCK TUNNEL ROAD.

SITE FORMATION FOR THE PROJECT WILL START EARLY NEXT YEAR. WHEN DEVELOPED, THE DISTRICT OPEN SPACE WILL COVER FOUR HECTARES OF LAND PRIMARILY TO SERVE THE ADJOINING HOUSING ESTATES.

IT WILL ALSO CREATE A BUFFER ZONE BETWEEN THE ESTATES AND THE VILLAGE OF TSANG TAI UK<WHICH IS TO BE RESERVED UNDER THE NEW TOWN’S DEVELOPMENT PLAN.

AT THE SAME TIME, A BUS* TERMINUS WILL BE BUILT AT SHEK WU HUI AS PART OF THE DEVELOPMENT OF SHEUNG SHU I DISTRICT.

THE PROJECT IS TO PROVIDE PROPER TERMINAL FACILITIES FOR BUS ROUTES TERMINATING AT SHEUNG SHU I, AND TO ALLEVIATE TRAFFIC CONGESTION IN THE AREA.

WORK ON THE BUS TERMINUS WILL START EARLY NEXT YEAR AND SHOULD BE READY DY EARLY 1979.

BOTH THE SHA TIN AND THE SHEUNG SHU I PROJECTS WILL INVOLVE LAND RESUMPTION.

A NEW TERRITORIES ADMINISTRATION SPOKESMAN SAID TODAY THAT IN SHA TIN, ABOUT 27,518 SQUARE METRES OF PRIVATE AGRICULTURAL LAND WOULD BE RESUMED.

TEN DOMESTIC TEMPORARY STRUCTURES AND 24 OTHER ANCILLARY TEMPORARY STRUCTURES WILL HAVE TO BE REMOVED, HE ADDED.

THE BUS TERMINUS PROJECT AT SHEK WU HUI WILL INVOLVE THE RESUMPTION OF 2,273 SQUARE METRES OF PRIVATE AGRICULTURAL LAND AND THE CLEARANCE OF 63 DOMESTIC TEMPORARY STRUCTURES AND 47 OTHER ANCILLARY TEMPORARY STRUCTURES.

IN BOTH CASES, THE SPOKESMAN SAID, THE GOVERNMENT WILL PAY COMPENSATION FOR CROPS, TREES AND OTHER ITEMS, AS WELL AS EX-GRATIA ALLOWANCE FOR CULTIVATORS AND POULTRY FARMERS.

DEPENDING ON THEIR ELIGIBILITY, DISPLACED FAMILIES WILL BE OFFERED PUBLIC HOUSING OR A SPACE IN A TEMPORARY HOUSING AREA, HE SAID.

LANDOWNERS WILL BE OFFERED T.-.E ALTERNATIVE OF CASH COMPENSATION OR LAND EXCHANGE DOCUMENTS, HE ADDED.

/6

SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 19, 1977

6 -

■ NEW RECEPTION CENTRE TO BE HANDED OVER TO PRISONS DEPARTMENT ******

THE DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT, MR. DAVID MCDONALD, WILL OFFICIALLY HAND OVER THE NEW LAI CHI KOK RECEPTION CENTRE TO THE COMMISSIONER OF PRISONS, MR. T.G. GARNER, ON MONDAY (NOVEMBER 21) AFTERNOON.

THE CENTRE, A MAXIMUM SECURITY INSTITUTION IN BUTTERFLY VALLEY ROAD, LAI CHI KOK COMPRISES TWO 9-STOREY CELLULAR BLOCKS AND AN ADJOINING DORMITORY.

IT WILL BECOME FULLY OPERATIONAL ON DECEMBER 1 AND WILL FEATURE SOME OF THE LATEST EQUIPMENT INCLUDING CLOSED CIRCUIT TELEVISION, AN INTERNAL RADIO COMMUNICATION NETWORK AND AN ELECTRONICALLY CONTROLLED MAIN GATE. '

NOTE TO EDITORS:

YOU ARE CORDIALLY INVITED TO SEND A REPORTER/PHOTOGRAPHER TO COVER THE EVENT AT THE NEW LAI CHI KOK RECEPTION CENTRE AT 2.30 P.M. ON MONDAY.

MEDIA REPRESENTATIVES WILL BE TAKEN ON A TOUR OF THE NEW INSTITUTION.

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SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 19, 1977

MORE PUBLIC ENQUIRY CENTRES PLANNED FOR TSUEN WAN

*****

THE TSUEN WAN DISTRICT OFFICE PLANS TO SET UP THREE MORE PUBLIC ENQUIRY CENTRES IN THE DISTRICT TO CATER FOR AN INCREASING NEED FOR SUCH SERVICES.

THE PLANS WERE REVEALED BY THE TSUEN WAN TOWN OFFICER, MR. BENJAMIN TANG THIS (SATURDAY) MORNING WHEN HE SPOKE AT THE OPENING OF THE FIRST ENQUIRY CENTRE ON TSING Yl ISLAND - THE SIXTH IN THE DISTRICT.

MR. TANG SAID THAT AS PART OF THE NEW TOWN DEVELOPMENT, ANOTHER CENTRE FOR LAI KING WAS NOW IN THE PIPELINE, AND A FURTHER TWO WERE BEING PLANNED FOR KWAI SHING AND LEI MUK SHUE.

THESE WILL BRING TO NINE THE TOTAL NUMBER OF PUBLIC ENQUIRY CENTRES IN THE TSUEN WAN DISTRICT. THE FIRST WAS OPENED IN KWAI CHUNG IN 1971.

+THESE CENTRES WILL BE MANNED BY LIAISON AND CLERICAL STAFF WITH THE AIM TO PROVIDE SERVICE AT PLACES EASILY ACCESSIBLE BY LOCAL RESIDENTS,* HE SAID.

+THEY ACT AS THE FRONTLINE CONTACT OF THE TOWN MANAGEMENT OFFICES WITH THE PUBLIC, AND RENDER A SERVICE THAT WILL ASSIST NEW RESIDENTS TO ADAPT TO THE NEW COMMUNITY.*

APART FROM ENQUIRY SERVICE, MR. TANG SAID, THE CENTRES DEAL WITH STATUTORY DECLARATIONS AND DISTRIBUTE GOVERNMENT PUBLICATIONS AND FORMS.

THE TSING Yl PUBLIC ENQUIRY CENTRE WAS OFFICIALLY OPENED BY THE TSUEN WAN DISTRICT OFFICER (TOWN MANAGEMENT), MR. DAVID TSU 1 = THE TSING Yl RURAL COMMITTEE CHAIRMAN, MR. TANG YUEN-?UI» AND THE HOUSING MANAGER OF CHEUNG TSING ESTATE, MR. CHOY KI-WONG.

THE NEW ENQUIRY CENTRE IS ON THE GROUND FLOOR, 113-114, CHING WAI HOUSE Or CHEUNG CHING ESTATE ON TSING Yl.

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/8

SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 19, 1977

8

SPORTS MEET FOR YOUTH IN MONG KOK * * * *

MORE THAN 803 YOUNG PEOPLE FROM THE SHAM SHU I PO DISTRICT WILL PIT THEIR ATHLETIC SKILLS AGAINST EACH OTHER IN A SPORTS MEET AT THE MONG KOK STADIUM IN PLAYING FIELD ROAD, MONG KOK, TOMORROW (SUNDAY).

THE SPORTS MEET, JOINTLY ORGANISED BY SHAM SHU I PO ANTI-DRUG CAMPAIGN COMMITTEE, THE RECREATION AND SPORT SERVICE, AND THE SHAM SHU I PO DISTRICT COUNCIL FOR THE PROMOTION OF CULTURAL AND RECREATIONAL SERVICES, MARKS THE END OF A FIVE-WEEK ANTI-DRUG CAMPAIGN IN THE DISTRICT.

THE OBJECTIVE OF THE ATHLETIC MEET,LIKE OTHER ACTIVITIES OF THE CAMPAIGN, IS TO AROUSE THE INTEREST OF YOUNG PEOPLE IN HEALTHY ACTIVITIES AS ALTERNATIVES TO DRUG ABUSE.

MR.E.I. LEE, COMMISSIONER FOR NARCOTICS, WILL OFFICIATE AT THE OPENING OF THE SPORTS MEET AT 9.10 A.M. TOMORROW.

NOTE TO EDITORS:

YOU ARE CORDIALLY INVITED TO SEND A REPORTER AND PHOTOGRAPHER TC COVER THE OPENING CEREMONY.

FIRING PRACTICE * * * *

FIRING PRACTICE WILL TAKE PLACE AT CASTLE PEAK RANGE ON FOUR DAYS THIS MONTH.

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

THE PRACTICE TIMES ARE:

DATE HOURS

NOVEMBER 22 (TUESDAY) 8.30 A.M. — 5 P.M.

NOVEMBER 28 (MONDAY) 11 A.M. — A. 30 P.M.

NOVEMBER 29 (TUESDAY) 3 A. '. 5 P.M.

NOVEMBER 33 (WEDNESDAY) 8 A.M. 5 P.M.

0

PRH 7

DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN

SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 20, 1977

CONTENTS PAGE NO.

RESPONSE TO COMMUNITY YOUTH CLUBS ENCOURAGING ............... 1

FOUR LOTS OF CROWN LAND FOR SALE ............................ 3

JUBILEE CELEBRATION ON CHEUNG CHAU ENDS ...........•......... 3

SUFFICIENT VENTILATION IN BATHROOMS CAN AVOID MISHAPS .... 4

GASCOIGNE ROAD FLYOVER OPENS TO TRAFFIC ON TUESDAY .......... 4

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

SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 20, 1977

1

COMMUNITY YOUTH CLUBS IN SCHOOLS

*****

NEWLY FORMED COMMUNITY YOUTH CLUBS (C.Y.C.'S) IN PRIMARY AND SECONDARY SCHOOLS HAVE GOT OFF TO A GOOD START, MR. MICHAEL SIU, EXECUTIVE OFFICER IN CHARGE OF THE C.Y.C. UNIT IN THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT SAID TODAY.

+THE RESPONSE FROM SCHOOLS HAS BEEN VERY ENCOURAGING,* MR. SIU SAID. HE CITED AS AN EXAMPLE THAT 180 ADDITIONAL APPLICATION FORMS HAD BEEN REQUESTED BY ONE SCHOOL ALONE.

MR. SIU SAID THAT APPLICATION FORMS HAD BEEN SENT TO HEADS OF ALL PRIMARY AND SECONDARY DAY SCHOOLS REQUESTING THEM TO GIVE THEIR FULL SUPPORT TO THE NEW C.Y.C. MOVEMENT AND TO ENCOURAGE THEIR PUPILS TO JOIN.

ALL PUPILS FROM PRIMARY 4 TO FORM 3 ARE INVITED TO JOIN THE C.Y.C.’S.

+THERE IS NO LIMIT TO THE NUMBER OF C.Y.C. GROUPS A SCHOOL MAY FORM. HOWEVER, -THE OPTIMUM NUMBER OF MEMBERS IN ONE GROUP IS ELEVEN - ONE LEADER AND TEN MEMBERS,* HE SAID.

THE GROUP LEADER SHOULD EITHER BE ELECTED BY THE MEMBERS OF THE GROUP OR BE APPOINTED BY THE TEACHER CONCERNED.

C.Y.C. GROUPS, ORIGINALLY DESIGNATED +CLEAN YOUR CITY/ COUNTRYSIDE* GROUPS, WERE FORMED IN 1974 AS PART OF THE DRIVE OF THE +KEEP HONG KONG CLEAN.*

THE NEW MOVEMENT, ORGANISED BY THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT, IS TO EXTEND THE SCOPE OF THESE GROUPS TO COVER A WIDE RANGE OF COMMUNITY-ORIENTED ACTIVITIES.

THE NEW GROUPS WILL TAKE THE FORM OF SCHOOL CLUBS ENGAGED IN EXTRA-CURRICULAR ACTIVITIES. IN ANY ONE SCHOOL THERE MAY BE A NUMBER OF C.Y.C. GROUPS, EACH INTERESTED IN A DIFFERENT RANGE OF COMMUNITY-ORIENTED ACTIVITIES, BUT ALL BELONGING TO THE CENTRAL ORGANISATION IN THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT.

THE ACTIVITIES OF THE GROUPS WILL TAKE PLACE AT THREE LEVELS: ‘

* SCHOOL-BASED ACTIVITIES ORGANISED BY ONE OR MORE GROUPS WITHIN A SCHOOL AND ADVISED AND ASSISTED BY THE CENTRAL ORGANISATION, WHICH WILL PROVIDE FUNDS WHERE REQUIRED AND DESERVED.

* DISTRICT ACTIVITIES WHERE A GROUP OF SCHOOLS JOIN TOGETHER FOR MORE AMBITIOUS PROJECTS= AND

* TERR4TORY-WIDE PROJECTS IN WHICH THE WHOLE C.Y.C. MOVEMENT IS INVOLVED.

IT IS HOPED THAT BY THEIR ACTIVE INVOLVEMENT IN THESE ACTIVITIES, YOUNG PEOPLE WILL HELP SPEARHEAD COMMUNITY CONCERN AND MOTIVATE A RESPONSE TO PUBLIC ISSUES CONCERNING THE ENVIRONMENT.

/The range of .....

SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 20, 1977

- 2 -

THE RANGE OF ACTIVITIES WILL INCLUDE EXHIBITIONS AND DISPLAYS, VARIOUS TYPES OF ENTERTAINMENTS AND COMPETITIONS, PLAYS, TALKS, VISITS TO FACTORIES, CIVIL ORGANISATIONS AND GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS, SEMINARS, RALLIES, PARTICIPATION IN THE RTHK TELEVISION PROGRAMME -+YOUTH CALL+ - AND LIAISON WITH THE SOCIETY FOR THE PREVENTION OF CRUELTY TO ANIMALS, THE CONSUMER COUNCIL, FIRE SERVICES, GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES, AND OTHER GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS TO OFFER ACTIVE HELP IN DISSAMI NAT I NG IDEAS AND GAINING COMMUNITY CO-OPERATION.

IN ADDITION TO FUNDS PROVIDED BY THE GOVERNMENT, THE LIONS CLUBS HAVE SHOWN KEEN INTEREST IN THE NEW C.Y.C. MOVEMENT BY DONATING $250,000 TO GET THE NEW MOVEMENT STARTED AND ESTABLISH THEIR RANGE OF ACTIVITIES.

APPLICATIONS FOR FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE, UP TO A LIMIT OF $120 PER GROUP, CAN BE MADE IN WRITING TO THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT C.Y.C. UNIT. AS FUNDS ARE LIMITED, APPLICATIONS WILL BE ENTERTAINED ON A MERIT BASIS.

APPLICATIONS SPECIFYING THE AMOUNT REQUIRED, DETAILS OF PROPOSED PROJECTS AND THE NUMBER OF PARTICIPANTS SHOULD BE SIGNED BY THE HEAD OF SCHOOL OR THE TEACHER IN CHARGE OF C.Y.C. GROUPS IN THE SCHOOL.

IN THE FIRST ISSUE OF THE C.Y.C. MAGAZINE, COPIES OF WHICH HAVE BEEN SENT TO SCHOOLS FOR DISTRIBUTION, THE SECRETARY FOR HOME AFFAIRS, MR. LI FOOK-KOW SAID: +1 BELIEVE THAT WHILE THE CLUBS WILL CATER FOR STUDENTS OF WIDELY DIFFERENT INTERESTS, THERE WILL BE ONE FUNDAMENTAL GOAL - TO GIVE YOUNG PEOPLE A CHANCE TO BECOME WELL INFORMED ABOUT THEIR COMMUNITY 'AND ALSO GIVE THEM AN OPPORTUNITY TO SERVE IT. THIS IS A FINE AIM. AND I WOULD LIKE TO CALL ON ALL THOSE WHO CAN IN ANY WAY HELP THE MOVEMENT TO DO S0.+

IN ANOTHER MESSAGE, THE DIRECTOR OF EDUCATION, MR. KENNETH TOPLEY EXPRESSED THE HOPE THAT MANY STUDENTS WOULD JOIN THE MOVEMENT BECAUSE THE ACTIVITIES COVERED WERE SUCH A VALUABLE CONTRIBUTION TO OUR COMMUNITY.

HE SAID: +IT IS VERY VERY GRATIFYING THAT IN RECENT YEARS SO MANY YOUNG PEOPLE HAVE RECOGNISED THAT THEY HAVE A PART TO PLAY IN THE COMMUNITY AND THAT THEIR EDUCATION IS NOT CONFINED TO SCHOOL LEARNING.

+IT IS GOOD THAT YET ANOTHER OPPORTUNITY FOR FURTHER INVOLVEMENT IN COMMUNITY AFFAIRS IS BEING PROVIDED AND I AM CONFIDENT THAT YOU WILL FIND THAT HELPING THE COMMUNITY IS FUN.+

THE MAGAZINE ALSO GIVES DETAILS OF TWO COMPETITIONS WHICH ARE ALSO OPEN TO NON-MEMBERS OF C.Y.C. CLUBS.

ONE OF THEM IS A +COMMUNITY YOUTH CLUB SLOGAN COMPETITION* AND IS OPEN TO INDIVIDUAL STUDENTS OF PRIMARY 4 TO FORM 3 WHILE THE OTHER IS A GROUP COMPETITION - EX-+CLEAN YOUR CITY/COUNTRYS IDE* GROUPS BEST PROJECT COMPETITION.

THE CLOSING DATE OF BOTH COMPETITIONS IS NOVEMBER 30.

ALL ENTRIES SHOULD BE SENT TO THE C.Y.C. UNIT, EDUCATION DEPARTMENT, ROOM 515G 5TH FLOOR, LEE GARDENS, HYSAN AVENUE,.HONG KONG.

SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 20, 1977

- 3 -

CROWN LAND FOR SALE

* H K

FOUR LOTS OF CROWN LAND WILL BE OFFERED FOR SALE BY THE P.W.D.’S LANDS AND SURVEY DEPARTMENT IN THE CITY HALL THEATRE AT 2.30 P.M. ON DECEMBER 19.

ONE SITE AT PAK TIN, MEASURING ABOUT 1,330 SQUARE METRES, IS FOR RESIDENTIAL AND NON-1NDUSTR I AL PURPOSES.

ANOTHER SITE ALSO INTENDED FOR NON-1NDUSTRI AL USE IS LOCATED AT SAI WAN HOI STREET. IT HAS AN AREA OF ABOUT 109 SQUARE METRES.

THE THIRD LOT OF ABOUT 405 SQUARE METRES AT TAI TAM VILLAGE, IS FOR PRIVATE RESIDENTIAL PURPOSES.

THE LAST LOT, LOCATED AT FUNG YIP STREET, CHAI WAN, WILL BE USED FOR INDUSTRIAL AND/OR GODOWN PURPOSES. IT HAS AN AREA OF 1,400 SQUARE METRES.

FULL PARTICULARS AND CONDITIONS OF SALE MAY BE OBTAINED FROM AND SALE PLANS INSPECTED AT THE PUBLIC ENQUIRY SUB-OFFICE, CENTRAL GOVERNMENT OFFICES (WEST WING), GROUND FLOOR, HONG KONG AND AT THE CROWN LANDS AND SURVEY OFFICE, KOWLOON GOVERNMENT OFFICES 10TH FLOOR, 405, NATHAN ROAD.

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

JUBILEE CELEBRATION ON CHEUNG CHAU ENDS

* # * *

TEN DAYS OF ENTERTAINING, MEANINGFUL AND EDUCATIONAL ACTIVITIES ORGANISED FOR CHEUNG CHAU ISLANDERS TO CELEBRATE THE QUEEN’S SILVER JUBILEE CAME TO AN END TODAY.

SPEAKING AT THE CLOSING CEREMONY, THE DEPUTY SECRETARY FOR THE NEW TERRITORIES, MR. JOHN TODD, DESCRIBED THE SCALE OF THE CELEBRATION AS +UNPRECEDENTED+ IN THE ISLANDS DISTRICT.

MR. TODD SAID: +IT IS ALSO DIFFICULT TO FIND SUCH A RANGE OF EVENTS IN OTHER AREAS IN HONG KONG AND I AM DEEPLY IMPRESSED BY THE VERY RICH CONTENT OF THE EVENTS THAT HAVE TAKEN PLACE IN THE LAST NINE DAYS.*

THE PROGRAMMES INCLUDED A +KNOW ABOUT CHEUNG CHAU+ EXHIBITION, A PHOTOGRAPHIC COMPETITION, A QUIZ AND ESSAY COMPETITION, VARIETY SHOWS, A CHINESE OPERA, A LANTERN PROCESSION AND MANY OTHER COLOURFUL ITEMS.

+THESE EVENTS HAVE PROVIDED A VARIETY OF PROGRAMMES WHICH ARE ENTERTAINING, MEANINGFUL AND EDUCATIONAL AND HAVE PROVED TO BE WELCOMED BY ALL WALKS OF LIFE, YOUNG AND OLD,+ HE SAID.

OF OF

MR. TODD DESCRIBED THE CELEBRATION AS +AN EXCELLENT EXAMPLE COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT* ON THE ISLAND AND SAID IT WAS SOMETHING WHICH THE CHEUNG CHAU PEOPLE COULD RIGHTLY BE PROUD

HE PRAISED THE VARIOUS SOCIAL AND EDUCATIONAL ORGANISATIONS ON CHEUNG CHAU AND THE CHEUNG CHAU RURAL COMMITTEE FOR THEIR ZEAL CARE AND DILIGENCE THEY HAD PUT INTO THE MANY MONTHS OF HARD

PREPARATION.

SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 20, 197?

SUFFICIENT VENTILATION IN BATHROOMS CAN AVOID MISHAPS * * * * *

THE FIRE SERVICES DEPARTMENT TODAY URGED THE PUBLIC TO ENSURE THAT SUFFICIENT VENTILATION IS MAINTAINED IN THEIR BATHROOMS WITH GEYSERS USING GAS FUEL.

THE APPEAL WAS REITERATED BY A SPOKESMAN FOR THE DEPARTMENT WITH THE ADVENT OF COOLER WEATHER WHEN MORE PEOPLE WOULD BE USING HOT WATER FOR BATHING.

THE SPOKESMAN SAID: +TAKING A HOT BATH IN A COLD DAY IS INDEED RELAXING. BUT IF YOU ARE USING GAS TO HEAT WATER IN A BATHROOM WITH LITTLE OR NO VENTILATION, YOU ARE DICING WITH DEATH.+

HE POINTED OUT THAT ACCIDENTS IN BATHROOMS USUALLY AROSE WHILE THE VICTIM WAS BATHING WITHOUT PROPER REGARD TO VENTILATION.

♦THE TRAGEDIES OF BEING OVERCOME BY GAS ESCAPING FROM DEFECTIVE EQUIPMENT OR BY THE LACK OF OXYGEN IN TftE ROOM CAN BE AVOIDED IF THERE IS SUFFICIENT VENTILATION WHICH CAJY BE MAINTAINED BY INSTALLING LOUVRES ON THE DOORS OR VENTILATION CHUTES.+

+IN CASE OF ACCIDENT, CALL FOR AN AMBULANCE AS SOON AS POSSIBLE,* THE SPOKASMAN ADDED.

-------o - - -

GASCOIGNE ROAD FLYOVER OPENS TO TRAFFIC ON TUESDAY *****

THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCED TODAY (SUNDAY) THAT THE NEW GASCOIGNE ROAD FLYOVER WILL BE OPEN TO TRAFFIC AT 10 A.M. ON TUESDAY (NOVEMBER 22).

THE FLYOVER WHICH JOINS GASCOIGNE ROAD WITH FERRY STREET PROVIDES A FASTER ROUTE FOR MOTOR VEHICLE TRAFFIC BY AVOIDING THE GROUND-LEVEL ROAD JUNCTIONS.

ALL BICYCLES, TRICYCLES, PEDESTRIANS AND PEDESTRIAN PROPELLED VEHICLES ARE PROHIBITED TO USE THIS FLYOVER.

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EIS

PRH 7

DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN

MONDAY, NOVEMBER 21, 1977

CONTENTS

PAGE NO.

HK NEGOTIATING TEAM RETURNS TO BRUSSELS FOR TEXTILE TALKS ..................................................... 1

LAI CHI KOK RECEPTION CENTRE HANDED OVER TO PRISONS DEPARTMENT ................................................ 1

GOVERNMENT STUDYING REPORT ON SOLID WASTE DISPOSAL ....... 3

DIRECTOR OF EDUCATION CALLS FOR LEARNING THROUGH DOING .. 5

LECTURE ON TRENDS IN SOCIAL STUDIES ....................... 6

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

MONDAY, NOVEMBER 21, 1977

HONG KONG TEXTILE NEGOTIATING TEAM RETURNS TO BRUSSELS * * * * *

THE HONG KONG NEGOTIATING TEAM LEFT HONG KONG YESTERDAY (NOVEMBER 20) AND WILL ARRIVE IN BRUSSELS TODAY.

THE TEAM, HEADED BY THE DIRECTOR OF TRADE, MR. LAWRIE MILLS, HAS GONE BACK TO RESUME THE NEGOTIATIONS ON HONG KONG’S TEXTILES EXPORTS TO TJHE EEC, WHICH WERE TEMPORARILY SUSPENDED ON NOVEMBER 10.

- - 0 -

******

LAI CHI KOK RECEPTION CENTRE HANDED OVER TC PRISONS DEPARTMENT

THE DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC WORKS, MR. DAVID MCDONALD, TODAY HANDED OVER TO THE COMMISSIONER OF PRISONS, MR. TOM GARNER, THE NEW 332 MILLION LAI CHI KOK RECEPTION CENTRE.

SPEAKING AT THE HANDING-OVER CEREMONY, MR. MCDONALD DESCRIBED THE CENTRE A> THE LARGEST PENAL INSTITUTION EVER COMPLETED IN HONG KONG IN THE POSTWAR YEARS.

DUE TO THE VERY COMPLICATED CIRCULATION PROBLEMS AND THE VARIOUS CONSTRAINTS IMPOSED EY SECURITY REQUIREMENTS, PRISON DESIGN PRESENTED ONE OF THE MOST DIFFICULT PLANNING PROBLEMS TO ARCHITECTS, HE ADDED.

THIS PROBLEM WAS COMPOUNDED BY THE LACK OF PUBLISHED INFORMATION ON PRISON ARCHITECTURE FOR SECURITY REASONS.

MR. MCDONALD EXPRESSED HIS APPRECIATION FOR THE ASSISTANCE RENDERED BY THE COMMISSIONER AND HIS STAFF. HE SAID HE DOUBTED WHETHER THE ARCHITECTURAL OFFICE COULD HAVE SUCCESSFULLY COMPLETED SUCH A LARGE AND COMPLICATED PROJECT ON TIME WITHOUT THEIR ASSISTANCE.

EARLIER, SPEAKING AT THE SAME CEREMONY, MR. GARNER SAID THAT THE NINE-STOREY CENTRE WAS BELIEVED TO BE THE SECOND TALLEST PRISON IN THE WORLD.

BUILT OW THE SITE OF THE FORMER LAI CHI KOK WOMEN PRISON, MR. GARNER SAID, THE CENTRE WOULD OFFER TO PRISON STAFF A CHALLENGE, FOR +HIGH RISE PENAL INSTITUTIONS ARE NOT LOCKED UPON WITH FAVOUR AROUND THE WORLD DY -7 ISON ADM INISTRATCRS.+

HE FELT CONFIDENT HOWEVER, THAT THIS ..AS ONE OF THE FIRST INSTITUTIONS IN HONG KONG BUILT TO FIL_ THE REQUIREMENTS OF THE 21ST CENTURY.

/MR. GARNER

MONDAY, NOVEMBER 21, 1977

- 2 -

MR. GARNER SAID THAT THE MAXIMUM SECURITY PRISON

WOULD BECOME FULLY OPERATIONAL ON DECEMBER 1. IT WOULD TAKE OVER THE ROLE OF THE VICTORIA RECEPTION CENTRE WHERE THE SITUATION HAD BECOME ALMOST INTOLERABLE IN RECENT YEARS.

THE CENTRE, HE SAID, COULD ACCOMMODATE 960 PRISONERS, 460 IN SINGLE CELLS AND 500 IN DORMITORY ACCOMMODATION.

+THE CENTRE WILL BECOME THE MAIN REMAND AND RECEPTION CENTRE FOR THE ACCOMMODATING OF ALL MALE ADUL-T REMANDS, + HE ADDED.

+ALL MALE ADULTS SENTENCED BY THE COURTS TO IMPRISONMENT WILL ALSO BE ADMITTED FOR OBSERVATION PRIOR TO CLASSIFICATION, CATEGORISATION AND EVENTUAL ALLOCATION TO TRAINING PRISONS.

+IN ADDITION, PERSONS IMPRISONED FOR DEBT OR HELD FOR DEPORTATION WILL ALSO BE HOUSED HERE.*

MR. GARNER SAID THAT CLOSED CIRCUIT TELEVISION EQUIPMENT WAS BEING INSTALLED AND THIS WOULD BE THE FIRST PRISON IN HONG KONG TO HAVE SUCH A SYSTEM.

+A SIGNIFICANT FEATURE IS THE CONTROL ROOM WHICH IS THE NERVE CENTRE OF THE PRISON AND FROM WHICH ALL MOVEMENTS CAN BE CONTROLLED,* HE SAID.

+THE CENTRE HOUSES A 94-EED HOSPITAL AND IS EQUIPPED WITH X-RAY AND DENTAL EQUIPMENT.*

MR. GARNER POINTED OUT THAT SUCH EQUIPMENT WAS VITAL ON SECURITY GROUNDS FOR CONTRIVED VISITS TO OUTSIDE SPECIALIST CLINICS WOULD PROVIDE OPPORTUNITIES FOR ESCAPE AND POSE THREAT TO THE STAFF OF SUCH CLINICS AND ANY MEMBER OF THE PUBLIC WHO MIGHT BE ATTENDING FOR TREATMENT.

AT THE END OF HIS SPEECH, MR. GARNER, ON BEHALF OF HIS STAFF, PRESENTED MR. MCDONALD WITH A PLAQUE CARRYING THE BADGE OF THE PRISON SERVICE AS A MEMENTO.

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/3

MONDAY, NOVEMBER 21, 1977

- 3 -

GOVERNMENT STUDYING REPORT ON SOLID WASTE DISPOSAL * * *

THE GOVERNMENT HAS SPENT $245 MILLION IN THE PAST FIVE YEARS ON SOLID WASTE DISPOSAL, MR. FONG CHUN-NAM, P.W.D.’S PRINCIPAL GOVERNMENT CIVIL ENGINEER, SAID TODAY.

SPEAKING AT THE LUNCHEON MEETING OF THE ROTARY CLUB OF VICTORIA, MR. FONG SAID THAT THE ANNUAL EXPENDITURE ON SOLID WASTE DISPOSAL HAD INCREASED FROM $23 MILLION IN 1973/74 TO $81 MILLION THIS FINANCIAL YEAR.

HOWEVER, HE EXPECTED THAT THE ANNUAL EXPENDITURE WOULD CONTINUE TO SOAR AS MORE WASTE WOULD BE GENERATED AND MORE SOPHISTICATED PLANTS WOULD BE BUILT.

ON THE EXISTING LEGISLATION CONTROLLING SOLID WASTE DISPOSAL, MR. FONG SAID, IT WAS CONSIDERED ADEQUATE TO COPE WITH THE PRESENT PROBLEM.

TO PROTECT THE ENVIRONMENT OF HONG KONG, THE GOVERNMENT HAD APPOINTED A FIRM OF CONSULTANTS TO LOOK AT THE LEGISLATION NECESSARY FOR HONG KONG AND DISPOSAL OF SOLID WASTE WAS PART OF THE STUDY.

+THE CONSULTANTS HAVE NOW SUBMITTED THEIR REPORT WHICH IS BEING CLOSELY EXAMINED BY THE GOVERNMENT,+ MR. FONG SAID.

+THE REPORT RECOMMENDS, AMONG OTHER THINGS, THE STREAMLINING OF THE PRESENT MANAGEMENT AND THE TIGHTENING UP OF THE EXISTING LEGISLATION.+

HE ADDED THAT THE REPORT HAD ALSO RECOMMENDED THE INTRODUCTION OF A WASTE MANAGEMENT PLAN WHICH SHOULD SET OUT THE ARRANGEMENT FOR THE COLLECTION AND DISPOSAL OF ALL WASTE GENERATED IN HONG KONG.

FOR BETTER CONTROL OF THE ENVIRONMENT, HE SAID, THE CONSULTANTS HAD SUGGESTED THAT DISPOSAL OF WASTE SHOULD CONTINUE TO BE THE RESPONSIBILITY OF THE GOVERNMENT.

ON THE RATE OF SOLID WASTE GENERATED, MR. FONG SAID: +EACH OF US IS RESPONSIBLE for AN AVERAGE OF ABOUT ONE KILOGRAMME OF WASTE A DAY, INCLUDING BOTH DOMESTIC AND INDUSTRIAL WASTE.

+THIS FIGURE IS STEADILY GOING UP AT A RATE OF ABOUT FIVE PER CENT PER YEAR.+

HE SAID THAT AT PRESENT ABOUT 4,000 TONNES OF WASTE WERE DISPOSED OF EACH DAY.

WITH THE INCREASE IN POPULATION AND THE STEADY INCREASE IN THE RATE OF WASTE GENERATION, THE TOTAL QUANTITY OF REFUSE THAT WOULD REQUIRE DISPOSAL DAILY BY 1983 WOULD BE IN THE ORDER OF 6,300 TONNES.

/CURRENTLY.......

MONDAY, NOVEMBER 21, 1977

CURRENTLY, HE SAID, TWO METHODS OF SOLID WASTE DISPOSAL WERE IM USE -- INCINERATION AND CONTROLLED TIPPING.

MR. FONG SAID THAT THE KENNEDY TOWN INCINERATOR, THE FIRST ONE BUILT IN HONG KONG, AND THE LAI CHI KOK INCINERATOR HAD A TOTAL CAPACITY OF 1,800 TONNES PER DAY.

+A NEW ONE, THE KWAI CHUNG INCINERATOR, IS UNDER CONSTRUCTION. WHEN COMPLETED IN 1979, THE $125 MILLION PLANT WILL HAVE AN ADDITIONAL CAPACITY OF 900 TONS A DAY,+ HE SAID.

+THEREFORE, BY 1979 THE TOTAL CAPACITY OF INCINERATION WILL BE 2,700 TONNES A DAY, LEAVING THE REMAINING 2,000 TONNES FOR CONTROLLED TIPPING.*

ON CONTROLLED TIPPING, MR. FONG SAID, A TOTAL OF FIVE CONTROLLED TIPS WERE AT PRESENT IN OPERATION, THE MAIN ONE BEING AT SAI TSO WAN.

+0F THE TWO METHODS OF SOLID WASTE DISPOSAL BEING USED, INCINERATION IS MUCH MORE EFFECTIVE IN TERMS OF VOLUME REDUCTION (10 TO 1), BUT UNFORTUNATELY IT IS EXPENSIVE AND IS BECOMING LESS POPULAR FROM THE POLLUTION POINT OF VIEW.+ HE SAID.-

+0N THE OTHER HAND, CONTROLLED TIPPING IS A PROVEN MEANS OF SOLID WASTE DISPOSAL AND IS BOTH ECONOMICAL AND HYGENIC.+

HOWEVER, DUE TO THE GENERAL SHORTAGE OF LAND AND THE DIFFICULTY IM ACQUIRING SUITABLE SITE FOR CONTROLLED TIPPING IT IS OBVIOUS THAT OTHER METHODS OF DISPOSAL HAVE TO BE INVESTIGATED, MR. FONG SAID.

AMONG THESE METHODS ARE THE HIGH DENSITY BALING AND COMPOSTING, INCLUDING PULVERLI SAT I ON.

A COMPOSTING PLANT WITH AN INITIAL CAPACITY OF 240 TONNES HAS BEEN ORDERED AND WILL BE INSTALLED IN CHAI WAN. THE $47 MILLION PLANT IS EXPECTED TO BE IN OPERATION BY 1979.

FOR HIGH DENSITY BALING, A PLANT, WITH A DAILY CAPACITY OF oCO TONNES, HAS BEEN ORDERED.

THE PROJECT, COSTING $15 VILLION, WILL ALSO BE IN OPERATION IN 1979.

MEANWHILE, RESEARCH IS BEING CARRIED OUT BY DEVELOPED COUNTRIES ON ANOTHER METHOD KNOWN AS PYROLYSIS.

THIS METHOD CALLS r0R THE CONVERSION OF SOLID WASTE TO A SOURCE OF ENERGY.

HOWEVER, MR. FONG SAID THIS METHOD WAS STILL IN ITS EARLY STAGE OF DEVELOPMENT AND IT WOULD BE SOMETIME BEFORE IT COULD BE ACCEPTED AS A PROVE METHOD FOR HONG KONG.

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/5

MONDAY, NOVEMBER 21, 1977

5

TOPLEY CALLS FOR LEARNING THROUGH DOING

* K * H

THE DIRECTOR OF EDUCATION, MR. KENNETH TOPLEY SAID TODAY THAT SECONDARY SCHOOLS SHOULD REDUCE THE QUANTITY OF DIRECT ORAL TEACHING AND ENCOURAGE PUPILS TO LEARN THROUGH DOING AND BY EXERCISING THEIR CRITICAL FACULTY. •

MR. TOPLEY WAS ADDRESSING THE AUDIENCE IN CANTONESE AT THE SPEECH DAY OF ST. LOUIS SCHOOL HELD AT CARITAS HOUSE.

HE WAS STRESSING TWO GENERAL PRINCIPLES FUNDAMENTAL TO SECONDARY EDUCATION.

+ THE FIRST IMPORTANT PRINCIPLE IS THAT A SECONDARY SCHOOL MUST REALISE THAT ITS DUTY IS TO ITS STUDENTS AS INDIVIDUALS. EACH OF THEM MUST BE REGARDED AS A UNIQUE PERSONALITY WITH HIS OWN NEEDS AND ABILITIES. THE SCHOOL MUST SATISFY THE STUDENT’S NEEDS, FIND OUT HIS ABILITIES AND DEVELOP THEM,* HE SAID.

THE SECOND PRINCIPLE TO BEAR IN MIND WAS THE IMPORTANT ROLE PLAYED BY EXTRA-CURRICULAR ACTIVITIES.

DESCRIBING 1977 AS AN EXCITING YEAR FOR EDUCATION IN HONG KONG, MR. TOPLEY SAID: +AS YOU KNOW, THE GOVERNMENT HAS JUST PUBLISHED THE GREEN PAPER ON SENIOR SECONDARY AND TERTIARY EDUCATION AND IS INVITING COMMENTS FROM ALL QUARTERS ON ITS PROPOSALS.+

THE DIRECTOR PRAISED THE SALES IAN FATHERS FOR RENDERING +YEOMAN SERVICE TO EDUCATIONAL DEVELOPMENTS IN HONG KONG.+ THIS WAS REFLECTED IM THEIR PROFESSIONAL DEDICATION AND FAR-SIGHTED PLANNING.

THE SALES IAN FATHERS COULD BE JUSTLY PROUD OF THE SIX SECONDARY SCHOOLS-- THREE GRAMMAR AND THREE TECHNICAL -- UNDER THE IR AEGIS.

MR. TOPLEY NOTED THAT ST. LOUIS SCHOOL STRUCK A NICE BALANCE BETWEEN CURRICULAR AND EXTRA-CURRICULAR ACTIVITIES.

HE SAID: +1 AM AWARE THAT THERE ARE ALTOGETHER 33 CLUBS AND SOCIETIES OFFERING A WIDE RANGE OF ACTIVITIES.*

THE DIRECTOR CONGRATULATED THE SCHOOL ON ATTAINING ITS 5OTH YEAR SINCE ITS TAKE-OVER BY THE SALES IANS IN 1927.

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

MONDAY, NOVEMBER 21, 1977

TALK ON TRENDS IN SOCIAL STUDIES *******

ABOUT 30 SECONDARY SCHOOL PRINCIPALS WILL ATTEND A TALK TOMORROW (TUESDAY) MORNING ON +TRENDS IN SOCIAL STUDIES IN CANADA* BY PROFESSOR ANGUS GUNN WHO IS PROFESSOR OF EDUCATION UNIVERSITY OF BRITISH COLUMBIA. cuuvauun,

THE TALK IS ONE OF A SERIES OF SEMINARS AND WORKSHOPS ORGANISED BY THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT FOR HEADS OF SCHOOLS AND TEACHERS.

PROFESSOR GUNN IS IN HONG KONG FOR TWO AND A HALF WEEKS DURING WHICH HE WILL ADVISE THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT ON CURRICULUM MATTERS, ESPECIALLY THE SOCIAL STUDIES CURRICULUM IN SECONDARY SCHOOLS.

THE VISITING PROFESSOR , WHO IS PARTICULARLY INTERESTED IN THE USE OF THE MASS MEDIA IN SOCIAL STUDIES EDUCATION, WAS AT ONE TIME THE ASSISTANT DIRECTOR OF THE AMERICAN HIGH SCHOOL GEOGRAPHY PROJECT.

HE VISITED HONG KONG ON PREVIOUS OCCASIONS DURING WHICH HE GAVE ADVICE ON CURRICULUM MATTERS ESPECIALLY ON GEOGRAPHY AND SOCIAL STUDIES.

NOTE TO EDITORS:

YOU ARE INVITED TO SEND A REPRESENTATIVE TO COVER PROFESSOR GUNN’S TALK WHICH WILL TAKE PLACE IN THE CIVIL AID SERVICES HEADQUARTERS BUILDING, 6TH FLOOR, 133 CAROLINE HILL ROAD, HONG KONG, AT 10 A.M. TOMORROW.

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PRH 7

n-hq»m IgisI Irol

DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN

TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 22, 1977

CONTENTS PAGE NO.

QUEEN’S SILVER JUBILEE FUND RECEIVES 5500,000 BOOST . 1

COMMON EYE DISEASES OF HONG KONG .................... 2

LEGCO RESUMES TOMORROW .............................. 3

CAREERS EXHIBITION OPENS ON FRIDAY .................. 4

VISITING PROFESSOR SUGGESTS SOCIAL STUDIES CORE SYLLABUS 5

SECTION OF GIN DRINKER’S BAY ROAD TO CLOSE .......... 6

FIRST PUBLIC LIBRARY FOR SHA TIN .................... 6

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

TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 22, 1977

QUEEN’S SILVER JUBILEE FUND RECEIVES $500,000 BOOST * * *

HE QUEEN’S SILVER JUBILEE FUND TODAY RECEIVED A BOOST 'TH A $500,000 DONATION FROM A LOCAL BUSINESSMAN.

THE MONEY WAS DONATED BY MR. GAN GIOK-ENG, CHAIRMAN OF HOE HIN PAK FAH YEOW MANUFACTORY LIMITED, TO COMMEMORATE THE 50TH ANNIVERSARY OF HIS COMPANY.

THE DONATION BROUGHT TO JUST OVER $9.8 MILLION THE AMOUNT RECEIVED SINCE THE FUND WAS ESTABLISHED IN APRIL THIS YEAR.

THE CHEQUE FOR $503,000 WAS TODAY HANDED TO MR. Q.W. LEE, CHAIRMAN OF THE APPEAL FUND COMMITTEE, IN MR. GAN’S OFFICE IN QUARRY BAY.

IN THANKING MR. GAN FOR HIS GENEROSITY, MR. LEE SAID THE MONEY .vOULD BE GOING TO A WORTHWHILE CAUSE - TO PROVIDE SOME OF THE FACILITIES AND ASSIST IN RUNNING SOME OF THE PROGRAMMES AT THE JUBILEE SPORTS CENTRE WHICH IS TO BE CONSTRUCTED ON 41 ACRES OF RECLAIMED LAND IN SHA TIN NEW TOWN.

THE SPORTS CENTRE IS A JOINT PROJECT BETWEEN THE GOVERNMENT AND THE ROYAL HONG KONG JOCKEY CLUB. THE JOCKEY CLUB HAS AGREED TO MATCH ON A DOLLAR-FOR-DOLLAR BASIS ALL DONATIONS TO THE FUND, WHICH CLOSES AT THE END OF THIS YEAR.

MR. LEE SAID ANYONE WISHING TO MAKE A DONATION TO THE FUND SHOULD SEND IT DIRECT TO THE HON. TREASURER, MR. M.G.R. SANDBERG, HONG KONG AND SHANGHAI BANKING CORPORATION, 1, QUEEN’S ROAD CENTRAL, HONG KONG.

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/2 ....

TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 22, 1977

2

COMMON EYE DISEASES OF HONG KONG

******

THE COMMONEST DISEASES CAUSING BLINDNESS IN HONG KONG RESIDENTS CAN EITHER BE CURED OR CONTROLLED BY MEDICAL TREATMENT.

THIS WAS STATED TODAY BY DR. TIMOTHY LIU OF THE MEDICAL AND HEALTH DEPARTMENT’S OPHTHALMIC SERVICE AT A LUNCHEON TALK TO THE ROTARY CLUB OF KOWLOOM EAST.

BUT, DR. LIU WARNED THAT EARLY DETECTION AND TREATMENT WAS ESSENTIAL TO PREVENT BLINDNESS FROM OCCURRING.

HE NAMED CATARACT, OPACITIES IN THE LENS FOUND COMMONLY IN THE ELDERLY- GLAUCOMA, DAMAGE TO THE VISUAL NERVE FIBRE CAUSED BY PRESSURE WITHIN THE EYE- AND RETINAL DISORDERS AS THE COMMONEST EYE DISEASES CAUSING BLINDNESS IN HONG KONG TODAY.

TEN YEARS AGO, HOWEVER, CATARACT, CORNEAL SCARRING FROM TRACHOMA (A FORM OF CONJUNCTIVITIS) AND XEROPHTHALMIA (INFLAMATION OF THE CORNEA AND EYELIDS, ESPECIALLY OF A CHILD DUE TO LACK OF VITAMIN A), AND GLAUCOMA WERE MOST PREVALENT.

COMMENTING ON CATARACT DISEASE, DR. LIU EXPLAINED THAT THIS WAS CURABLE AND THE PUBLIC WERE AWARE OF IT AS SHOWN BY THE RECORD ATTENDANCE IN GOVERNMENT EYE CLINICS.

ON THE TREATMENT OF GLAUCOMA, HOWEVER, DR. LIU SAID IT COULD BE CONTROLLED MEDICALLY OR SURGICALLY.

+BUT, WITH THE INCREASE IN LIFE SPAN OF THE PATIENTS BLINDNESS IS INEVITABLE IN ADVANCED AGE AS GLAUCOMA IS NOT A CURABLE DISEASE.

+TO ENSURE THAT VISION CAN BE MAINTAINED, EARLY DETECTION AND TREATMENT IS ABSOLUTELY ESSENTIAL,* DR. LIU EMPHASISED.

REFERRING TO TRACHOMA CASES, DR. LIU SAID, +WE HAVE NOT BEEN ABLE TO DETECT IN HONG KONG A SINGLE CASE OF BLINDNESS DUE TO MALNUTRITION SINCE 1972, WHICH IS STILL ONE OF THE MAIN CAUSES OF BLINDNESS TODAY IN MANY OTHER DEVELOPING COUNTRIES.+

HOWEVER, HE ADDED, INJURY FROM ACCIDENT AT WORK WAS NOT AN UNCOMMON CAUSE OF BLINDNESS FROM CORNEAL SCARRING WHICH COULD BE REMEDIED BY CORNEAL TRANSPLANT, A UNIT FOR SUCH TRANSPLANT WAS FORMED LAST SEPTEMBER.

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TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 22, 1977

- 3 -

LEGCO RESUMES TOMORROW

******

UNOFFICIAL MEMBERS OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL ARE SCHEDULED TO RAISE TEN QUESTIONS ON VARIOUS ISSUES TOMORROW (WEDNESDAY) WHEN THE COUNCIL SITS.

THE HON. JOYCE M. BENNETT ..ILL ASK THE GOVERNMENT ABOUT THE DESTRUCTION OF TRAFFIC ACCIDENT FILES BY THE POLICE AND THE SETTING UP OF +GIVE WAY+ SIGNS AT APPROACH ROADS TO ROUNDABOUTS.

DR. THE HON. HENRY HU WILL RAISE A QUESTION ON STREET LIGHTING FOR THE ROAD BETWEEN SHA TAU KOK AND FANLING IN THE NEW TERRITORIES.

ON SOCIAL WELFARE, THE HON. KWAN KO SIU-WAH WILL SEEK THE GOVERNMENT’S VIEWS ON THE PRINCIPLES IN SETTING STANDARDS FOR SOCIAL WELFARE.

REV. THE HON. PATRICK MCGOVERN WILL ASK THE GOVERNMENT TO CLARIFY THE STEPS IT HAS TAKEN TO PUBLICISE THE RECOMMENDATIONS IN THE CODE OF PRACTICE ON ACCESS FOR THE DISABLED TO BUILDINGS AND WHETHER THERE IS ANY PLAN TO MAKE THE CODE STATUTORY IN THE NEAR FUTURE.

GOVERNMENT’S FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE TO MUTUAL AID COMMITTEES, THE DELAY IN TAX REFUNDING AND THE INSTALLATION OF F.M. BROADCAST I KG TRANSPOSERS ARE OTHER MATTERS TO BE RAISED IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNC IL.

DURING TOMORROW’S SITTING, FOUR BILLS WILL RECEIVE THEIR FIRST AND SECOND READING. THEY ARE THE WORKMEN’S COMPENSATION (AMENDMENT) (NO. 2) BILL 1977 WHICH SEEKS TO EXTEND THE APPLICATION OF THE WORKMEN’S COMPENSATION ORDINANCE TO INCLUDE NON-MANUAL WORKERS EARNING UP TO 35,000 PER MONTH, THE CRIMINAL PROCEDURE (AMENDMENT) BILL, THE POLICE FORCE (AMENDMENT) (NO. 3) BILL AND THE LAW REVISION (MISCELLANEOUS AMENDMENTS) BILL.

DEBATE WILL RESUME ON THE CROWN RIGHTS (RE-ENTRY AND VESTING REMEDIES) (AMENDMENT) BILL.

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A

TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 22, 1977

- 4 -

CAREERS EXHIBITION OPENS ON FRIDAY * * * *

THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT’S SIXTH ANNUAL CAREERS EXHIBITION OPENS ON FRIDAY (NOVEMBER 25) AT THE KOWLOON RAIL TERMINUS, HUNG HOM.

THE 1O-DAY EXHIBITION, ORGANISED BY THE DEPARTMENT’S YOUTH EMPLOYMENT ADVISORY SERVICE, WILL BE OPEN DAILY BETWEEN 9.30 A.M. AND 6.30 P.M. ON THE OPENING DAY THE PUBLIC WILL BE ADMITTED AFTER 4 P.M. ADMISSION IS FREE.

A SPOKESMAN FOR THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT SAID TODAY THE AIM OF THE EXHIBITION WAS TO PROVIDE YOUNG PEOPLE, PARTICULARLY SECONDARY SCHOOL STUDENTS, WITH THE WIDEST POSSIBLE RANGE OF INFORMATION TO HELP THEM MAKE AN INFORMED CHOICE OF CAREER.

FOLLOWING PREVIOUS YEARS SUCCESSES, MORE AND MORE PARTICIPANTS ARE JOINING THE EXHIBITION AND THERE ARE A RECORD 25 EXHIBITORS THIS YEAR, REPRESENTING VARIOUS TRADES AND PROFESSIONS INCLUDING COMMERCE, INDUSTRY AND THE GOVERNMENT.

EACH OF THE PARTICIPANTS HAS BEEN CHOSEN TO REPRESENT ITS OWN FIELD OF JOB OPPORTUNITIES AND WILL SHOW THE NATURE OF WORK, ENTRY QUALIFICATIONS, CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT, TRAINING FACILITIES AND PROSPECTS.

+JUDGING FROM PRESENT INDICATIONS ALL THINGS ARE POINTING TO A BETTER AND BIGGER SHOW THIS YEAR.+ THE SPOKESMAN SAID.

+EXHIBITORS WILL BE USING VARIOUS AUDIO-VISUAL DISPLAYS, INCLUDING SOUND-ON-SLIDES, PHOTOGRAPHS AND EVEN FILMS TO PROVIDE THE YOUNG VISITORS AN INTERESTING AND INFORMATIVE SHOW.

+AS IN PREVIOUS YEARS, THE YOUTH EMPLOYMENT ADVISORY SERVICE WILL AGAIN MAKE ARRANGEMENTS WITH SCHOOLS FOR ORGANISED GROUP VISITS.

+LAST YEAR MORE THAN 92,000 PEOPLE WENT TO THE EXHIBITION AND IT IS HOPED THAT THE NUMBER OF VISITORS WILL FAR EXCEED THIS FIGURE THIS YEAR,+ THE SPOKESMAN ADDED.

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/5 ........

TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 22, 1977

- 5 -

VISITING PROFESSOR SUGGESTS SOCIAL STUDIES CORE SYLLABUS ******

HONG KONG SHOULD MOVE RIGHT AHEAD WITH A COMPULSORY, CAREFULLY-DESIGNED SOCIAL STUDIES CORE SYLLABUS TO OCCUPY THE TIME NOW DEVOTED TO GEOGRAPHY, HISTORY, ECONOMICS AND PUBLIC AFFAIRS, AND HEALTH EDUCATION, A PROFESSOR OF EDUCATION, PROF. ANGUS GUNN SUGGESTED TODAY.

ADDRESSING 30 SECONDARY SCHOOL PRINCIPALS AT A SEMINAR ORGANIZED BY THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT, PROF. GUNN OF THE UNIVERSITY OF BRITISH COLUMBIA SAID HONG KONG WAS IN A FAVOURABLE POSITION TO DEVELOP A SUCCESSFUL SOCIAL STUDIES CURRICULUM.

+THERE IS CLEAR LEADERSHIP FROM THE TOP,+ HE SAID, +AND THERE HAS BEEN A WISE PILOT APPROACH ADOPTED IN WHICH A GROUP OF TEACHERS HAVE BEEN ABLE TO FAMILIARISE THEMSELVES WITH THE PROGRAMME. TH8S€ TEACHERS CAN NOW FORM THE SPEARHEAD FOR THE GENERAL EDUCATION.+

HOWEVER, HE CAUTIONED THAT +A GOOD DEAL OF WORK REMAINS TO BE DONE — PREPARATION OF MATERIALS, IN-SERVICE, REFINEMENT OF AIMS AND PROCEDURES, OVERCOMING FEARS AND CONCERNS OF SCHOOL ADMINISTRATORS AND PARENTS.*

+A STUDENT TAKING A SOCIAL STUDIES SEQUENCE IN FORMS 1 TO 3 WILL BE IN NO WAY HANDICAPPED IF HE OR SHE THEN CHOOSES TO MOVE INTO MORE SPECIALISED STUDIES AT FORM 4 LEVEL,* HE POINTED OUT.

ON THE ADVANCEMENT OF SOCIAL SCIENCE IN NORTH AMERICA, PROF. GUNN SAID SOCIAL STUDIES CURRICULA HAVE BEEN SO SHAPED AS TO MEET THE NEEDS OF VIRTUALLY 100 PER CENT OF YOUTH OF SECONDARY SCHOOL AGE.

0 ------- /6.................

TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 22, 1977

- 6 -

SOUTHERN PART OF GIN DRINKER’S BAY ROAD TO BE CLOSED

* * X *

THE SOUTHERN PART OF GIN DRINKER’S BAY ROAD WILL BE PERMANENTLY CLOSED TO TRAFFIC AS FROM 10 A.M. ON THURSDAY (NOVEMBER 24).

A TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT SPOKESMAN SAID THIS WAS TO FACILITATE THE CONSTRUCTION OF A NEW LINK ROAD BETWEEN TEXACO ROAD AND KWAI CHUNG, NEW TERRITORIES.

DRIVERS TRAVELLING FROM THE DIRECTION OF KWAI CHUNG ROAD AND THE CONTAINER TERMINAL TO TEXACO ROAD SHOULD PROCEED VIA KWAI FUK ROAD AND THEN ONTO THE NEWLY COMPLETED SECTION OF THE LINK ROAD, WHICH JOINS KWAI FUK ROAD TO GIN DRINKER’S BAY ROAD BY A TEMPORARY ROAD.

VEHICLES PROCEEDING ALONG GIN DRINKER’S BAY ROAD FROM TEXACO ROAD CAN ALSO GO TO KWAI FUK ROAD VIA THIS TEMPORARY ROAD AND THE NEWLY COMPLETED SECTION OF THE LINK ROAD.

APPROPRIATE TRAFFIC SIGNS WILL BE SET UP THERE TO GUIDE MOTORISTS.

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

NOTE TO EDITORS:

FIRST PUBLIC LIBRARY IN SHA TIN ******

THE DIRECTOR OF URBAN SERVICES MR. BRIAN WILSON, AND COMMUNITY LEADERS IN SHA TIN WILL JOINTLY OPEN THE FIRST PUBLIC LIBRARY IN SHA TIN ON THE GROUND FLOOR OF KWAI WO HOUSE IN LEK YUEN ESTATE AT 11 A.M. ON THURSDAY (NOVEMBER 24).

YOU ARE WELCOME TO SEND A REPORTER/PHOTOGRAPHER TO COVER THE OPENING CEREMONY. TRANSPORT FOR THE PRESS WILL LEAVE THE CENTRAL GOVERNMENT OFFICES CAR PARK AT 10 A.M. ON THURSDAY.

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PRH 7

DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN

'WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 23, 1977

CONTENTS PAGE N0-

PRINCESS ANNE THANKS HONG KONG FOR ITS CONGRATULATORY MESSAGE .....................................................

NEED FOR JUNIOR POLICE OFFICERS ASSOCIATION RECOGNISED ....... 1

BILL TO PROTECT MORE NON-MANUAL WORKERS .....................

GOVERNMENT FOLLOWS CODE OF PRACTICE ON BUILDING ACCESS FOR THE DISABLED ................................................

NO DELAY IN TAX REFUNDS .....................................

NEED IN SETTING STANDARD FOR WELFARE SERVICES ...............

SUBSIDY TO MAC'S RECOMMENDED ................................

SUPPLEMENTARY PROVISION FOR FIRST QUARTER OF CURRENT FINANCIAL YEAR ..............................................

BILL TO AMEND COMPANIES ORDINANCE ...........................

SCHEME TO IMPROVE ?M RECEPTION ................................ 0

TRAFFIC ACCIDENT FILES .......................................

'GIVE WAY’ SIGNS TO BE INSTALLED ON ROADS TO ROUNDABOUTS ... 9

STREET LIGHTING IN SHA TAU KOK ................................ 9

TWO BILLS PASSED .............................................. W

CONSUMER PRICE INDEXES FOR OCTOBER EDGED UP ONE POINT ........ 10

PUBLIC RELATIONS SEMINAR FOR IMMIGRATION OFFICERS ............ 12

FIFE PREVENTION CHECKS IN WESTERN ............................ 12

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

.■.EDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 23, 1977

1

PRINCESS ANNE SAYS +THANK YOU*

******

HER ROYAL HIGHNESS THE PRINCESS ANNE SENT THE FOLLOWING MESSAGE TO THE GOVERNOR AND THE PEOPLE OF HONG KONG FOR THE CONGRATULATIONS ON THE BIRTH OF HER SON:

+PLEASE CONVEY TO THE PEOPLE OF HONG KONG OUR WARM THANKS AND APPRECIATION FOR THEIR CONGRATULATIONS AND GOOD WISHES.*

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NEED FOR JUNIOR POLICE OFFICERS ASSOCIATION RECOGNISED ******

THE GOVERNMENT RECOGNISES THE NEED FOR AN ASSOCIATION OF JUNIOR POLICE OFFICERS ON THE LINES OF THE OTHER EXISTING ASSOCIATIONS, THE SECRETARY FOR SECURITY, THE HON. LEWIS DAVIES, TOLD THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY.

RECENT EVENTS HAD HIGHLIGHTED A DEMAND FOR SUCH AN ASSOCIATION, MR. DAVIES SAID WHEN MOVING THE SECOND READING OF THE POLICE FORCE (AMENDMENT)(NO. 3) BILL.

THE PROPOSED ASSOCIATION WILL BE FORMED BY POLICE OFFICERS OF THE RANK OF STATION SERGEANT AND BELOW.

THERE ARE THREE ASSOCIATIONS OF POLICE OFFICERS ALREADY IN

EXISTENCE.

THESE ARE THE SUPERINTENDENTS’ ASSOCIATION, THE LOCAL INSPECTORS’ ASSOCIATION AND THE EXPATRIATE INSPECTORS’ ASSOCIATION. THERE IS, IN ADDITION, A JUNIOR CONSULTATIVE COUNCIL CONTAINING ELECTED REPRESENTATIVES FROM VARIOUS FORMATIONS WHICH MEETS PERIODICALLY WITH THE COMMISSIONER AND OTHER SENIOR OFFICERS AND CONSIDERS MATTERS PERTAINING TO THE WELFARE OF POLICE OFFICERS BELO..' THE RANK OF INSPECTOR.

MR. DAVIES SAID THAT THE CONSTITUTION OF THE PROPOSED JUNIOR POLICE OFFICERS’ ASSOCIATION WOULD GENERALLY FOLLOW THE PRINCIPLES ALREADY INCLUDED IN THE RULES OF THE SUPERINTENDENTS’ AND INSPECTORS’ ASSOCIATIONS.

+HOWEVER, A CONDITION OF RECOGNITION OF THE NEW ASSOCIATION BY THE COMMISSIONER WILL BE THAT THERE IS PROVISION IN THE ASSOCIATION’S CONSTITUTION TO BAR INTERDICTED OFFICERS FROM SERVING AS OFFICE BEARERS, OR COMMITTEE MEMBERS,* MR. DAVIES SAID.

+1 UNDERSTAND THAT THE REPRESENTATIVES OF THE PREPARATORY COMMITTEE OF THE PROPOSED ASSOCIATION HAVE ACCEPTED SUCH PROVISIONS.+

HE ADDED THAT THE RULES OF THE ASSOCIATION WOULD ALSC EE SUBJECT TO THE APPROVAL OF .THE COMMISSIONER AND COULD NCT BE ALTERED WITHOUT HIS CONCURRENCE.

ONCE THE NEW ASSOCIATION IS FUNCTIONING, THE NEED FOR THE CONTINUED EXISTENCE OF THE JUNIOR CONSULTATIVE COUNCIL WILL BE CONSIDERED.

o - -

/2 .

WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 2J, 1977

- 2 -

BILL TO PROTECT MORE NON-MANUAL WORKERS INTRODUCED IN LEGCO *****

THE BENEFITS OF THE WORKMEN’S COMPENSATION ORDINANCE ARE TO BE EXTENDED TO COVER MORE NON-MANUAL WORKERS UNDER A BILL INTRODUCED IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY.

THE WORKMEN’S COMPENSATION (AMENDMENT) (NO. 2) BILL 1977, IF PASSED WOULD ALSO HAVE THE EFFECT OF EXTENDING THE TIME LIMIT FOR APPLYING FOR COMPENSATION FROM 12 MONTHS TO 24 MONTHS’ OF ACHIEVING UNIFORMITY IN THE ASSESSMENT OF COMPENSATION IN CERTAIN CASES- AND OF REDUCING DELAYS IN PAYMENT OF COMPENSATION.

MOVING THE ADJOURNMENT FOR THE SECOND READING OF THE BILL, THE COMMISSIONER FOR LABOUR, MR. PETER WILLIAMS, SAID THE BILL SOUGHT TO RAISE THE WAGE CEILING OF NON-MANUAL WORKERS FROM THE EXISTING $2,000 TO $5,000 A MONTH.

HE SAID: +THE WORKMEN’S COMPENSATION ORDINANCE, ORIGINALLY ENACTED IN 1953, WAS INTENDED TO ENABLE ALL MANUAL WORKERS, IRRESPECTIVE OF THEIR EARNINGS, AND NON-MANUAL WORKERS WITH LOW INCOMES TO CLAIM COMPENSATION OF EMPLOYMENT INJURIES WITHOUT HAVING TO ESTABLISH NEGLIGENCE ON THE PART OF THE EMPLOYER.

+THE ARGUMENT WAS THAT THE HIGHER-PAID NON-MANUAL WORKERS SHOULD EE SUFFICIENTLY ENLIGHTENED OR RESOURCEFUL TO INSURE OR OTHERWISE PROTECT THEMSELVES AGAINST THE RISK OF EMPLOYMENT INJURIES.

+THIS REASONING APPEARS LESS RELEVANT TODAY, FOR NON-MANUAL EMPLOYERS COVERED BY THE ORDINANCE CAN NOW CLAIM BOTH WORKMEN’S COMPENSATION UNDER THE ORDINANCE AND CIVIL DAMAGES UNDER COMMON LAW, PROVIDED THAT ANY AMOUNT OF CIVIL DAMAGES AWARDED IS DIMINISHED BY THE AMOUNT OF WORKMEN’S COMPENSATION PAID.

+NON-MANUAL EMPLOYEES EARNING MORE THAN $2,000 PER MONTH, HOWEVER, ARE AT A DISADVANTAGE,* HE SAID.

+THEY CANNOT CLAIM WORKMEN’S COMPENSATION UNDER THE ORDINANCE AND ARE LIABLE TO HAVE TO PAY THE COSTS AT ANY PROCEEDINGS FOR RECOVERY OF CIVIL DAMAGES.

♦FURTHERMORE, THEY HAVE TO PROVE THAT THEIR EMPLOYER HAS A CIVIL LIABILITY TO PAY DAMAGES.

♦THE PROPOSED AMENDMENT LILL PLACE THE MAJORITY OF NON-MANUAL WORKERS WITHIN THE PROTECTION OF THE ORDINANCE,* MR. WILLIAMS SAID.

ON THE POINT OF ACHIEVING UNIFORMITY IN THE ASSESSMENT OF COMPENSATION, MR. WILLIAMS SAID THAT IN MANY CASES OF NON-SCHEDULE INJURIES (THAT IS, INJURIES KOT LISTED IN THE FIRST SCHEDULE OF THE ORDINANCE) INVOLVING FUNCTIONAL LOSS COMPENSATION COULD NOT BE CLAIMED UNLESS THEY CARRIED ACTUAL LOSS OF EARNING CAPACITY.

THE PRESENT AMENDMENT WAS INTENDED TO ALLOW A WORKER ITH A NON-SCHEDULED INJURY TO BE COMPENSATED ON THE SAME EASIS AS A SCHEDULED INJURY (THAT IS, EASED ON A FUNCTIONAL LOSS WITH IMMEDIATE OR POTENTIAL LOSS OF EARNING CAPACITY).

/HOWEVER, I

WEDNESDAY. NOVEMBER 2A, IQ"??

+HOWEVER, IN PRACTICE THIS HAS KOT ALWAYS HAPPENED,* MR. WILLIAMS SAID.

+FOR SCHEDULED INJURIES, THE AMOUNT Or COMPENSATION IS EASED ON A FIXED PERCENTAGE GF LOSS CF EARNING CAPACITY AS SPECIFIED IN THE FIRST SCHEDULE, IRRESPECTIVE OF PERSONAL CIRCUMSTANCES SUCH AS FORMER EMPLOYMENT OR AGE,* HE ADDED.

+FOR NON-SCHEDULED PERMANENT PARTIAL INCAPACITIES, ASSESSMENT IS MADE ONLY ON THE LOSS OF EARNING CAPACITY AS A RESULT OF AN INJURY.

+THE ASSESSMENT INVOLVES THE COMPARISON OF WHAT THE INJURED PERSON ..AS CAPABLE OF EARNING BEFORE THE ACCIDENT AND WHAT HE CAN EARN AFTER THE ACCIDENT. SUCH A COMPARISON INVOLVING VALUE JUDGEMENTS IS DIFFICULT AND OFTEN LEADS TO ANOMALIES.

+THERE HAVE DEEI. INSTANCES SHEN A PERSON WHO SUSTAINED A NON-SCHEDULED INJURY OBTAINED MORE COMPENSATION THAN ANOTHER WHO SUSTAINED A SCHEDULED INCAPACITY OF A SIMILAR NATURE.*

ON THE EXTENSION OF THE TIME LIMIT FOR APPLICATION FOR COMPENSATION, HE SAID: +SCME INJURIES HAVE HEALING PERIODS IM EXCESS OF 12 MONTHS AND PERMANENT INCAPACITY CANNOT BE ASSESSED BEFORE THE EXPIRY OF THE LIMITATION PERIOD.

+WHEN SUCH A CASE IS REFERRED iC CCURT, ALL THE COURT CAN DO IS TO ADJOURN IT UNTIL THE ASSESSMENT IS MADE,* MR. WILLIAMS POINTED OUT.

THE BILL, HE SAID, WOULD PERMIT THE PERIOD OF LIMITATION TO BE EXTENDED TO 24 MONTHS AND THIS WOULD REDUCE THE ANXIETY OF THE WORKMEN AND THE TIME CF THE COURT, AND OF THE CFFICERo OF THE LABOUR AND OTHER DEPARTMENTS INVOLVED.

LASTLY, ON THE IMPOSING OF A SURCHARGE IK CASES CF UNREASONABLE DELAY IK PAYMENT OF COMPENSATION, ER. WILLIAMS SAID: +EXPERIENCE HAS SHOWN THAT A NUMBER OF CASES, PAYMENT IS DELAYED AFt ER AGREEMENTS HAVE BEEN SIGNED AND APPROVED BY THE COMMISSIONER FOR LABOUR.

+MOST EMPLOYERS INVOLVED IN THESE CASEo HAVE INSURED THEIR WORKERS AGAINST LIABILITY UNDER THE WORKMEN’S COMPENSATION ORD INANCE.

+BUT A NUMBER OF THESE EMPLOYERS, IN SPITE OF THE REQUIREMENTS IK THE ORDINANCE, .-.AIT FOR REIMBURSEMENT Fr..'-’ INSURANCE COMPANIES BEFORE MAKING PAYMENTS TO THE ..ORDERS CONCERNED.

+ IK SOME CASES, TOC, INSURER WITH THE EMPLOYER

OR THE SUFFICIENCY Or THE

.'ELAY IS CAUSE-' DY OK Tl- £ ACCURACY OF INSURANCE COVERAGE

QUERIES DY T-E Tr.£ Cm-CULATIO.. TAaEN OUT EY Tr.E

EMPLOYER.

+ SUCH DELAYS li. PaY’ z’.T CA EMPLOYEE OR HIS DEPENDANTS,* HE

CAUSE HARD SH I - TO iHc 3~ ID.

INJURED

MR. nluLIAY'3 ADDED THAT THESE PROPOSED ARRANGEMENTS

TO DEAL WITH UNREASONABLE DE-AYS I.. PAYMENTS SHOULD EE COLSJDERED AS INITIAL ONES AND THAT FURTHER CON^ I cR A . IGi., »F i zR ArPRQrRIATz CONSULTATION, WILL BE GIVEN TO MAKING T-E’-’ MORE COMPREHENSIVE.

WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 23, 1977

GOVERNMENT FOLLOWS CODE OF PRACTICE ON BUILDING ACCESS FOr. DISABLED *****

GOVERNMENT AGENCIES ARE FOLLOWING THE CODE OF PRACTICE ON ACCESS FOR THE DISABLED TO BUILDINGS AND INCORPORATING FACILITIES FOR THE DISABLED WHERE PRACTICABLE.

THIS WAS STATED BY THE DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC WORKS, THE HON. DAVID MCDONALD, III REPLY TO A QUESTION BY REV. THE HON. PATRICK MCGOVERN IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY.

UNFORTUNATELY, MR. MCDONALD ADDED, PRESENT INFORMATION

SUGGESTED THAT THE RESPONSE IM THE PRIVATE SECTOR HAD BEEN LIMITED.

HE SAID THAT WHEN THE CODE WAS PUBLISHED IT WAS NOT THOUGHT THAT THE DESIGN OF BUILDINGS SHOULD NECESSARILY BE CONTROLLED BY LAW SO AS TO COMPEL ACCESSIBILITY FOR THE DISABLED.

THE CODE, THEREFORE, WAS DESIGNED TO DEAL WITH THE GENERALITY OF CASES- IT BEING LEFT TO THE DESIGNER TO INCORPORATE SUCH FEATURES AS WERE APPROPRIATE AND PRACTICABLE FOR INDIVIDUAL EU ILD INGS.

HOWEVER, MR. MCDONALD SAID THAT THE HONG KONG INSTITUTE OF ARCHITECTS HAD RECENTLY BEEN ASKED FOR ANY SUGGESTIONS IT MIGHT WISH TO PUT FORWARD FOR IMPROVING THE CODE AND WHETHER THEY CONSIDERED THAT AN ELEMENT OF COMPULSION WOULD BE APPROPRIATE.

+THEREFORE, ALTHOUGH THERE ARE NO PLANS TO MAKE THE CODE OF PRACTICE STATUTORY IN THE NEAR FUTURE, THE QUESTION OF WHETHER SOME ELEMENTS IN IT CAN BE GIVEN STATUTORY EFFECT IS BEING CONSIDERED,* HE SAID.

Ii, ANSWER TO ANOTHER QUESTION BY REV. -CGCVERN, M.R. -CDONALD SAID THAT IT WAS INTENDED TO LAUNCH AN INTENSIVE CAMPAIGN TO PUBLICISE THE REVISED CODE OF PRACTICE WHEN IT WAS PREPARED.

HE SAID THAT THE EXISTING CODE OF PRACTICE WAS CIRCULATED TO ALL AUTHORISED PERSONS AND REGISTERED STRUCTURAL ENGINEERS IN JUNE LAST YEAR UNDER COVER OF A PRACTICE NOTE ..'HICH SOUGHT THEIR SUPPORT IN ADOPTING THE CODE IN THE DESIGN OF BUILDINGS.

AT THE SAME TIME, THE CODE WAS CIRCULATED TC ALL INTERESTED GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS AND COPIES WERE SUPPLIED TO THE HONG KONG COUNCIL OF SOCIAL SERVICE FOR DI STR I BUT I CL.

+ONLY A LIMITED NUMBER OF THIS FIRST EDITION OF THE CODE WAS PRODUCED FOR FREE ISSUE TO THOSE MOST CLOSELY INVOLVED AS IT WAS THOUGHT THAT EXPERIENCE WOULD SHO'..' THAT VARIATIONS AND IMPROVEMENTS TO THE CODE ..'CUuD BE NECESSARY,* MR. MCDONALD SAID.

+BUT, BECAUSE OF THE LC’-.'G LEAD TIE .HIGH PRECEDES ACTcA-CONSTRUCTION THERE IS AS YET INSUFFICIENT I Nr uR'-IAT IQ.. AVAILABLE T_ JUSTIFY AMENDMENT, REPRINTING ABD GENERAL PUBLICATION OF THE CO--.*

WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 23, 1977

- 5 -

TAX REFUND MADE WITHIN A WEEK H * * X *

THE HON. FINANCIAL SECRETARY, MR. PHILIP HADDON-CAVE, TOLD THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL THAT IT TOOK LESS THAN A WEEK FOR AN ACTUAL REFUND TO EE EFFECTED.

IN REPLY TO THE HON. S.L. CHEN’S QUESTION ON THE DELAY IN TAX REFUNDS AND STEPS GOVERNMENT a ILL TAKE TO REDUCE THIS DELAY, MR. HADDON-CAVE SAID, +GENERALLY SPEAKING THERE IS NO DELAY IN MAKING REFUNDS ONCE THE DEPARTMENT HAS ESTABLISHED THAT REFUNDS ARE DUE.+

+1 SAY GENERALLY SPEAKING, BECAUSE A FEW - VERY FEW - CASES OF DELAY DO OCCUR DUE TO HUMAN FRAILTY, AND SUCH CASES ARE INEVITABLE IN ANY LARGE ORGANISATION, THOUGH NEITHER THE COMMISSIONER NOR I WISH TO EXCUSE THEM,+ HE ADDED.

HE POINTED OUT THAT IT WAS THE DUTY OF THE COMMISSIONER AND HIS STAFF TO SEEK EVIDENCE IN SUPPORT OF A CLAIM FOR REFUND AND CHECK THIS EVIDENCE.

+THE TIME TAKEN TO ESTABLISH THAT A REFUND IS IN FACT DUE VARIES WITH THE TYPE OF REFUND INVOLVED AND .v I TH THE COMPLEXITY OF THE CASE,+ HE SAID.

HE EXPLAINED THAT A LARGE NUMBER OF CLAIMS FOR REFUNDS ..AS •ADE EVERY YEAR, INVOLVING LARGE SUMS GF MONEY AND NOT ALL THESE CLAIMS FOR REFUNDS COULD BE DEALT WITH AT ONCE.

THE INLAND REVENUE DEPARTMENT HAD DEALT WITH SOME 70.000 ACTUAL CASES OF REFUNDS, INVOLVING $171 MILLION IN THE LAST FINANCIAL YEAR.

MR. HADDON-CAVE DISCLOSED THAT THE COMMISSIONER EXPECTED TO DEAL WITH HORE THAN 90,000 CASES INVOLVING PAYMENTS OF OVER $203 MILLION THIS YEAR, THANKS TO THE INCREASE IN THE PERSONAL ALLOWANCES INTRODUCED FOR 1976-77 FINAL ASSESSMENT AND 1977-78 PROVISIONAL ASSESSMENT AS SET OUT IN HIS LAST BUDGET SPEECH.

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

/6

WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 23, 1977

NEED IN SETTING STANDARD FOR WELFARE SERVICES

******

THE DIRECTOR OF SOCIAL WELFARE, THE HON. THOMAS LEE, THIS AFTERNOON SAID THAT THERE WAS A NEED IN THE FUTURE TO SET STANDARDS FOR SOCIAL WELFARE SERVICES.

REPLYING TO A QUESTION FROM THE HON. KWAN KO SIU-WAH IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL, MR. LEE SAID THE PRINCIPLES SUGGESTED BY MRS. KWAN WOULD BE VERY USEFUL GUIDELINES FOR THE GO.ERNMENT AND ORGANISATIONS CONCERNED WHEN FORMULATING STANDARDS FOR AGENC IES.

HOWEVER, HE SAID THESE PRINCIPLES COULD NOT BE USED AS STANDARDS BECAUSE WHEN IT CAME TO ACTUALLY WRITING THEM DOWN, ONE WOULD NEED TO BE MORE SPECIFIC, SC THAT INDIVIDUAL AGENCIES WOULD NOT BE LEFT TO INTERPRET WHAT WAS REGARDED AS REALISTIC OR TO WHAT EXTENT A CERTAIN STANDARD COULD BE FLEXIBLY APPLIED.

+ INDEED IN CONNECTION WITH OUR EARLY ATTEMPTS TOWARDS THE EVALUATION OF WELFARE SERVICES IT BECAME CLEAR THAT UNLESS WE HAD SETS OF STANDARDS WHICH COULD EE USED AS A MEASURE, IT WOULD BE DIFFICULT TO EVALUATE SERVICES EFFECTIVELY,* HE SAID.

MR. LEE AGREED WITH MRS. KWAN THAT THE GOVERNMENT SHOULD AVOID SETTING UNREALISTICALLY HIGH STANDARDS AT THE OUTSET BUT HE SAID THE STANDARDS LAID DOWN INITIALLY COULD BE AND SHOULD BE REVIEWED AND WHERE POSSIBLE IMPROVED.

THE ATTENTION OF THE SOCIAL WELFARE ADVISORY COMMITTEE AND THE HONG KONG COUNCIL OF SOCIAL SERVICE TO THE PRINCIPLES SUGGESTED BY MRS. KWAN WOULD BE DRAWN.

SUBSIDY TO MAC’S RECOMMENDED

*****

THE DIRECTOR OF HOME AFFAIRS, THE HON. JOHN WALDEN, SAID TODAY RECOMMENDATIONS HAD BEEN SUBMITTED TO THE FINANCE COMMITTEE THAT MUTUAL AID COMMITTEES SHOULD BE ALLOWED TO CLAIM REIMBURSEMENT OF EXPENSES INCURRED IN OPERATING THEIR OFFICES UP TO A LIMIT OF 5300 A QUARTER.

REPLYING TO A QUESTION FROM THE HON. WONG LAM, MR. WALDEN SAID IF THE‘RECOMMENDATIONS WERE ACCEPTED, HE WOULD BE READY TO CONSIDER RATES WITHIN THE $300 LIMIT AS A +REIMBURSABLE ITEM* IN ANY CASE WHERE THE OFFICE OF A MUTUAL AID COMMITTEE NAS USED EXCLUSIVELY FOR THE COMMITTEE’S ACTIVITIES.

'WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 23, 1977

SUPPLEMENTARY PROVISION FOR FIRST QUARTER OF THIS FINANCIAL YEAR

*******

THE HON. FINANCIAL SECRETARY, MR. PHILIP HADDON-CAVE, SAID TODAY THE SUPPLEMENTARY PROVISION FOR THE FIRST QUARTER OF FINANCIAL YEAR 1977/78 ENDING AT JUNE 30 AMOUNTED TO ABOUT #180 MILLION.

MOVING THE SCHEDULE FOR THE SUPPLEMENTARY PROVISION IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL MR. HADDON-CAVE SAID OF THE SUM, THE PUBLIC WORKS NON-RECURRENT EXPENDITURE ACCOUNTED FOR 3153.4 MILLION AS A RESULT OF MORE RAPID PROGRESS ON A NUMBER OF EXISTING PROJECTS AND THE UPGRADING OF 13 PROJECTS TO CATEGORY A OF THE PUBLIC WORKS PROGRAMME.

HOWEVER HE NOTED THAT THE PROVISION COVERED BY THE SCHEDULE WOULD NOT RESULT IN A NET INCREASE OF EXPENDITURE FOR THE YEAR AS IT WOULD BE OFFSET BY SAVINGS IN OTHER SUBHEADS OF EXPENDITURE, OR BY FREEZING OF FUNDS FOR ADDITIONAL COMMITMENTS UNDER THE MISCELLANEOUS SERVICES SUBHEAD.

- 0 -

BILL TO AMEND COMPANIES ORDINANCE

*******

A BILL TO PROVIDE FOR LIMITED COMPANIES ALREADY ESTABLISHED TO DISPENSE WITH +LIMITED+ AFTER INCORPORATION HAS BEEN DRAFTED, THE SECRETARY FOR ECONOMIC SERVICES, THE HON. DAVID JEAFFRESON, TOLD THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY.

REPLYING TO A QUESTION FROM UNOFFICIAL MEMBER, THE HON. LI FOOK-WO, MR. JEAFFRESON SAID A EILL WHICH INCLUDES PROVISIONS TO BRING INTO EFFECT THE RECOMMENDATIONS ON THIS ISSUE IN THE SECOND REPORT OF THE COMPANIES LAW REVISION COMMITTEE WILL EE PUT TO THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL SHORTLY.

WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 23, 1977 8 -

SCHEME TO IMPROVE FM RECEPTION * * * * *

THE POSTMASTER GENERAL IS PREPARING AN OVERALL FM TRANSMISSION SCHEME AIMED AT IMPROVING FM RECEPTION IN HONG KONG GENERALLY.

THIS WAS DISCLOSED BY THE SECRETARY FOR HOME AFFAIRS, THE HON. F.K. LI, IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY IN REPLY TO A QUESTION BY THE HON. PETER C. -ONG.

MR. LI SAID TRANSPCSERS TO SUPPLEMENT RADIO TELEVISION HONG KONG’S MAIN TRANSMITTER WERE ALREADY INSTALLED EARLIER THIS YEAR AT WAH FU AND BEACON HILL TO PLUG SIGNIFICANT RECEPTION GAPS.

+WHILST THE PERFORMANCE CF THESE TRANSPOSERS IS REGARDED BY THE POSTMASTER GENERAL AS GENERALLY SATISFACTORY, CONSIDERATION IS BEING GIVEN TO INCREASING THE POWER AT BEACON HILL SO AS TO FACILITATE BETTER RECEPTION IN CERTAIN AREAS IN THE NORTHERN PART OF HONG KONG ISLAND,* HE ADDED.

- - 0 - -

TRAFFIC ACCIDENT FILES

*****

TRAFFIC ACCIDENT FILES WERE KEPT BY THE POLICE FOR VARYING LENGTHS CF TIME DEPENDING UPON THE SERIOUSNESS OF THE ACCIDENT, THE SECRETARY FOR THE ENVIRONMENT, THE HON. DEREK JONES, SAID IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY.

IN REPLY TO A QUESTION BY REV. THE HON. JOYCE M. BENNETT, MR. JONES SAID THOSE RELATING TO FATAL ACCIDENTS WERE KEPT FOR FIVE YEARS, THOSE INVOLVING PERSONAL INJURY FOR THREE YEARS AND OTHER CASES, WHERE NO DEATH OR INJURY HAD RESULTED, FOR ONE YEAR.

- 0 -

WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 23, 1977

ROADS TO ROUNDABOUTS WILL HAVE

♦GIVE 'WAY+ SIGNS SOON

******

THE ROAD TRAFFIC (ROADS AND SIGNS) (AMENDMENT) REGULATIONS 1977 ARE TO BE AMENDED TO ALLOW THE USE OF + GIVE WAY + SIGNS ON APPROACH ROADS TO ROUNDABOUTS, THE DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC WORKS, THE HON. DAVID MCDONALD, TOLD THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY.

REPLYING TO A QUESTION FROM REV. THE HON. JOYCE M. BENNETT, MR. MCDONALD SAID THAT THE AMENDMENT WAS BEING PREPARED AND /.AS EXPECTED TO BE ENACTED EARLY NEXT YEAR.

AT PRESENT, HE SAID, +GIVE WAY+ SIGNS WERE NOT USED ON THE APPROACH ROADS TO ROUNDABOUTS AS UNDER EXISTING REGULATIONS THEY WOULD HAVE NO LEGAL SIGNIFICANCE.

♦HOWEVER, IT IS NOT INTENDED THAT ’GIVE WAY’ SIGNS BE ERECTED ON ALL ROUNDABOUTS AS TO DC SO WOULD CREATE SERIOUS TRAFFIC DELAYS ON SOME APPROACH ROADS BECAUSE OF ONE DOMINANT TRAFFIC STREAM CLAIMING AND RETAINING THE RIGHT OF WAY,+ HE SAID.

EACH SITE, HE POINTED OUT, WOULD BE EXAMINED TO ENSURE THAT THE ERECTION OF THE SIGNS WOULD BE BENEFICIAL ON BOTH TRAFFIC AND SAFETY GROUNDS.

- - 0 - -

STREET LIGHTING IN SHA TAU KOK

******

THE SECTION OF ROAD BETWEEN SHA TAU KOK AND THE RESTRICTED AREA CHECK POINT HAS ALREADY BEEN PROVIDED WITH STREET LIGHTING, THE HON. DAVID MCDONALD, DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC WORKS, SAIL TODAY.

REPLYING TO A QUESTION BY DR. THE HON. HENRY HU AT THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL, MR. MCDONALD SAID INSTALLATION WORKS FOR LIGHTING TO ANOTHER SECTION OF THE ROAD BETWEEN LUEN WO MARKET AND LOI TUNG WOULD COMMENCE IN APRIL NEXT YEAR.

HOWEVER, HE SAID THAT THE CURRENT STREET LIGHTING PROGRAMME DID NOT ALLOW FOR THE INSTALLATION OF LIGHT TO THE REMAINING SECTIONS OF THE ROAD.

♦PROPOSALS FOR NE* OR IMPROVED STREET LIGHTING ARE CONSIDERED BY A VETTING COMMITTEE 'WHICH DETERMINES PRIORITIES AND PREPARES SUBMISSIONS FOR APPROVAL BY THE PUBLIC WORKS SUB-COMM ITTEE.+ He EXPLA INED.

♦TO DATE NO PROPOSAL FOR LIGHTING OF THE REMAINING SECTIONS OF THE SHA TAU KOK/FANLING ROAD HAS BEEN MADE.+

MR. MCDONALD SAID THAT SINCE DR. HU HAD RAISED THE MATTER IT WOULD BE REFERRED TO THE VETTING COMMITTEE FOR CONSIDERATION FC INCLUSION IN THE STREET LIGHTING PROGRAMME.

- - C -

EDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 23, 1977

TWO BILLS PASSED * * * *

THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY PASSED TWO BILLS INTO LAW.

THESE WERE THE SMALL CLAIMS TRIBUNAL (AMENDMENT) BILL 1977 AND THE CROWN RIGHTS (RE-ENTRY AMD VESTING REMEDIES) (AMENDMENT EILL 1977.

FOUR OTHER BILLS WERE INTRODUCED FOR FIRST AND SECOND READ INGS.

THESE ARE THE CRIMINAL PROCEDURE (AMENDMENT) BILL 1977, THE POLICE FORCE (AMENDMENT) (NO. 3) BILL 1977, THE LAW REVISION (MISCELLANEOUS AMENDMENTS) BILL 1977 AND THE WORKMEN’S COMPENSATION (AMENDMENT) (NC. 2) BILL 1977.

OCTOBER COST OF LIVING GOES UP * * * * *

THE CONSUMER PRICE INDEXES (A) AND (B) FOR LAST MONTH EDGED UP ONE POINT TO 120 COMPARED WITH THE PREVIOUS MONTH.

THE INDEX FOR FOODSTUFFS IN OCTOBER WAS ONE POINT HIGHER THAN THE PREVIOUS MONTH IN C.P.I. (A) AND WAS UNCHANGED IN C.P.I. (B) WHEN ROUNDED TO THE NEAREST WHOLE POINT.

THE AVERAGE RETAIL PRICE OF FRESH VEGETABLES ADVANCED OWING TO REDUCED LOCAL SUPPLY. ON THE OTHER HAND, THE AVERAGE RETAIL PRICE OF SALT WATER FISH DECLINED DUE TO INCREASED SUPPLY.

LOWER PRICES FOR APPLES, GRAPES AND EANANAS CAUSED THE AVERAGE RETAIL PRICE OF FRESH FRUITS TO FALL.

MOVEMENTS IN THE AVERAGE RETAIL PRICES OF THE OTHER FOOD ITEMS WERE INSIGNIFICANT.

HIGHER SCHOOL FEES AND TEXT-BOOK PRICES PUSHED THE INDEX FOR SERVICES UP EY 3 POINTS IN C.P.I. (A) AND BY 2 POINTS IN C.P. I. (E).

PRICE MOVEMENTS IN OTHER COMMODITY SECTIONS WERE INSIGNIFICANT.

THE C.P.I. (A) IS BASED ON THE EXPENDITURE OF HOUSEHOLDS SPENDING BETWEEN >430 — ,)1,499 A iCNTH iHc «.P. I. (c) DlT/.xxN >1,533 - 32,999 A MONTH I'. THE HOUSEHOLD EXPENDITURE SURVEY, 1973/74.

/THE iECTI-x

WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 23, 1977

11

THE SECTION INDEXES FOR OCTOBER COMPARED WITH THE PREVIOUS MONTH AND THE CORRESPONDING MONTH IN 1576 ARE INDICATED EELOW:-

C.P.I. (A) C.P.I. (B)

SECTION OCT. 76 SEPT. 77 OCT. 77 OCT. 76 SEPT. 77 OCT. 77

FOODSTUFFS 108 115 116 109 116 lie

HOUS ING 117 126 126 117 125 125

FUEL AND LIGHT 132 136 136 131 135 135

ALCOHOL IC DRINKS AND TOBACCO 131 137 137 128 133 133

CLOTHING AND FOOTWEAR 97 100 100 97 99 99

DURABLE GOODS 107 110 110 105 107 107-

MISCELLANEOUS GOODS 121 125 125 118 121 121

TRANSPORT AND VEHICLES 113 116 116 118 121 121

SERVICES 126 130 133 126 131 133

ALL ITEMS 113 119 120 113 119 120

- - 0

WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 23, 1977

12

PUBLIC RELATIONS POLICY OF THE IMMIGRATION DEPARTMENT

******

THE DIRECTOR OF IMMIGRATION, MR. MARTIN ROWLANDS, SAID TODAY THAT TH- PUBLIC RELATIONS POLICY OF A GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENT WAS NO LESS IMPORTANT THAN ITS OTHER POLICIES.

IN HIS OPENING ADDRESS TO A SEMINAR C\ PUBLIC RELATIONS HELD IN THE G.I.S. THEATRE FOR 12 SENIOR OFFICERS OF HIS DEPARTMENT, MR. ROWLANDS STATED THAT IT WAS VITAL THAT ALL SENIOR OFFICERS SHOULD PROJECT THE RIGHT CORPORATE IMAGE OF THE IMMIGRATION DEPARTMENT.

HE SAID, THE DEPARTMENT HAD TO BE FIRM AS ONE OF THE GUARDIANS OF HONG KONG’S SECURITY AND POPULATION POLICY, AND AT THx SAME TIME TO SHOW RESPECT FOR THE INDIVIDUAL AND AN UNDERSTANDING

OF HIS PROBLEMS.

♦ABOVE ALL, EVERY OFFICER HAS TO REMEMBER THAT HE IS ACCOUNTABLE TO THE COMMUNITY FOR HIS ACT I ON,+ MR. ROWLANDS

EMPHAS ISED.

HE ALSO STRESSED THE NEED TO CO-OPERATE WITH THE °RESS AND TO USE CLEAR LANGUAGE COMPREHENSIBLE TO THE PUBLIC

RATHER THAN CIVIL SERVICE JARGON.

THE SEMINAR, ORGANISED BY THE INFORMATION SERVICES DEPARTMENT, IS PART OF THE CONSTANT EFFORTS BY THE IMMIGRATION DEPARTMENT TJ IMPROVE ITS SERVICE TO , AND RELATIONS WITH, THE PUBLIC AND Th=, PRESS.

THE PROGRAMME INCLUDED TALKS BY SENIOR G.I.S. OFFICERS AND GROUP D ISCUSSIONS.

FIRE PREVENTION SURVEY IN WESTERN

*******

THE FIRE SERVICES DEPARTMENT WILL CARRY OUT A FIRE PREVENTION SURVEY ON DOMESTIC PREMISES IN WESTERN DISTRICT TOMORROW (THURSDAY).

SPECIAL ATTENTION WILL BE PAID DURING THE SURVEY TO THE MEANS OF ESCAPE, INSTALLATION OF METAL GATE AND ROOFTOP EXITS OF THE BUILDINGS.

THE OPERATION IS A PRELIMINARY TO THE FORTHCOMING FIRE PREVENTION CAMPAIGN WHICH IS AIMED AT DRIVING HOME THE AWARENESS OF THE DANGERS OF FIRE IN A CROWDED MULTI-STOREY ENVIRONMENT.

NOTE TOEEDITORS

PRESS REPRESENTATIVE3 ARE INVITED TO COV-R TH- F IR -PREVENTION SURVEY OF DOMESTIC BUILDINGS WHICH WILL START AT 9 A.M. TOMORROW. A FIRE SERVICES MOBIL COMMAND JmIT WILL 3-oET UP NEAR 364, DES VOEUX ROAD aEST. DIVISIONAL OFFICER MR. KtN HODGKINS wILL BE ON HAND TO ASSIST THE PRESS.

DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 24, 1977

CONTENTS PAGE NO.

GOVERNOR APPOINTS WORKING GROUP ON LAND ACQUISITIONS IN N.T............................................................. 1

MR. DAVID JORDAN LEAVES FOR BRUSSELS TONIGHT ................... 1

YUEN LONG STAGES PROCESSION TO CELEBRATE QUEEN’S SILVER JUBILEE ........................................................ 3

OVER 1,000 DOMESTIC UNITS INSPECTED IN FIRE PREVENTION SURVEY ......................................................... 4

STUDENTS URGED TO RESPECT TRADITIONAL VIRTUES .................. 5

SHA TIN LIBRARY OPENS .......................................... 6

DIRECTOR OF SOCIAL WELFARE TO ATTEND SOCIAL WORKERS’ MEETING 6

TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS IN CENTRAL ................................ 7

PLB RESTRICTED ZONE IN ARGYLE STREET TO BE EXTENDED ............ 8

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

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 24, 1977

GOVERNOR APPOINTS WORKING GROUP ON URBAN LAND ACQUISITIONS ******

A 12-MEMEER WORKING GROUP UNDER THE CHAIRMANSHIP OF SIR Y.K. KAN HAS BEEN APPOINTED BY THE GOVERNOR TO EXAMINE THE GOVERNMENT’S METHODS OF ACQUIRING LEASED LAND IN THE NEW TERRITORIES URBAN DEVELOPMENT AREAS.

THE OTHER MEMBERS OF THE GROUP ARE :

MR. LI FOOK-WO, MR. PETER C. WONG, MR. CHARLES YEUNG, MR. CHAN YAT-SUN, MR. CHEUNG YAN-LUNG, MR. TSANG LIN, MR. LAU WONG-FAT, SIR DONALD LUDDINGTON, MR. GRAHAM BARNES, MR. JOHN CHAMBERS AND MR. MICHAEL M.Y. SUEN (SECRETARY).

THE GROUP’S TERMS OF REFERENCE ARE: TO EXAMINE, IN THE LIGHT OF THE CURRENT AND FUTURE RESUMPTION PROGRAMME, THE METHODS BY jvHICH LEASED LAND IN NEW TERRITORIES TOWNS IS ACQUIRED BY THE GOVERNMENT FOR URBAN DEVELOPMENT AND PUBLIC PURPOSES, INCLUDING RATES OF COMPENSATION PAID AND THE LAND EXCHANGE SCHEME- AND TO RECOMMEND TO THE GOVERNOR ANY CHANGES NEEDED.

THE PROPOSAL TO SET UP A WORKING GROUP WAS MADE BY THE SECRETARY FOR THE NEW TERRITORIES, MR. DAVID AKERS-JONES, IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL ON NOVEMBER 10, WHEN HE SAID A FRESH LOOK NEEDED TO BE TAKEN AT THE WHOLE QUESTION OF COMPENSATION FOR LAND RESUMED AND THE LAND EXCHANGE SYSTEM.

THE WORKING GROUP HELD ITS FIRST MEETING TODAY (THURSDAY) AND DISCUSSED ITS FUTURE PROGRAMME OF WORK.

- 0 -

MR. DAVID JORDAN LEAVES FOR BRUSSELS TONIGHT * * * * *

’HE DIRECTOR OF TRADE, INDUSTRY AND CUSTOMS, MR. DAVID JORDAN, IS LEAVING FCR BRUSSELS THIS (THURSDAY) EVENING ACCOMPANIED BY THREE MEMBERS OF the TEXTILES ADVISORY BOARD, MR. FRANK LIN, vfi. OLIVER NICHOLL AND MR. STEPHEN LAU.

ANOTHER MEMBER OF THE BOARD, MR. STEPHEN CHEONG WILL LEAVE ON SATURDAY (.NOVEMBER 26).

THE FOLLOWING STATEMENT IS ISSUED BY MR. JORDAN BEFORE HIS DEPARTURE :

+OUR TEXTILE NEGOTIATION WITH THE EEC IS ONE OF THE MOST IMPORTANT, AND THE MOST DIFFICULT, IN WHICH HONG KONG HAS EVER BEEN INVOLVED.

+BEFORE WE LEFT BRUSSELS EARLIER THIS MONTH WE ASSURED THE EUROPEAN COMMISSION THAT WE wOULD BE READY TO RESUME THE NEGOTIATIONS AT ANY TIME.

/A FEW DAYS

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER24 , 1977

2 -

+A FEW DAYS AGO WE RECEIVED INDICATIONS THAT THE COMMISSION WAS READY TO RESUME SO MR. MILLS, THE DIRECTOR OF TRADE, AND HIS TEAM OF OFFICIALS FROM THE DEPARTMENT, LEFT ON SUNDAY, AND HAVE ALREADY, AS YOU KNOW, RESUMED THEIR DISCUSSIONS WITH THE COMMISS ION.

+MEMBERS OF THE BOARD AND I ARE LEAVING TO JOIN MR. MILLS AND HIS TEAM TO BE ABLE TO GIVE THEM ON-THE-SPOT ADVICE AND DIRECTION IN THE HOPE THAT THIS WILL ENABLE US TO REACH AGREEMENT QUICKLY.

+MR. TRAN, THE COMMUNITY’S CHIEF NEGOTIATOR, WAS REPORTED IN YESTERDAY’S NEWSPAPERS AS SAYING THAT THE TALKS HAD RESUMED 'WITH THE VIEW OF CONCLUDING AN AGREEMENT ON TRADE IN TEXTILES’ AND THAT THE TALKS WERE BEING HELD ’IN AN EXCELLENT CLIMATE OF REALISM’.■

+REPORTS THAT I HAVE RECEIVED FROM MR. MILLS INDICATE THAT THIS IS INDEED SO AND I AM NOW MORE HOPEFUL ABOUT THE EVENTUAL OUTCOME THAN I HAVE BEEN ABLE TO BE BEFORE TODAY.

+1 SHOULD LIKE TO ASSURE THE PEOPLE OF HONG KONG -- FOR THIS NEGOTIATION CAN AFFECT THE ECONOMIC FUTURE OF ALL OF US, NOT JUST THE TEXTILE AND CLOTHING INDUSTRY -- THAT WE ARE WELL AWARE NOT ONLY OF ITS IMPORTANCE BUT ALSO OF THE NEED TO REMOVE AS SOON AS POSSIBLE THE UNCERTAINTIES WHICH ARE ALREADY AFFECTING TRADE. THAT IS WHY MEMBERS OF THE ADVISORY BOARD ARE GOING TOO, TO BE ABLE TO ADVISE US QUICKLY IN THE LIGHT OF THEIR DETAILED KNOWLEDGE OF THE TRADE.

+UNFORTUNATELY OTHER MEMBERS OF THE BOARD (WHO HAVE ALREADY SPENT SEVERAL WEEKS IN BRUSSELS) ARE UNABLE TO ACCOMPANY US THIS TIME BUT THEY HAVE TOLD ME THAT THEY HAVE FULL CONFIDENCE IN THE STRONG TEAM THAT IS GOING AND THAT IF THERE ARE ANY ASPECTS OF THE NEGOTIATION ON WHICH WE IN BRUSSELS FEEL WE NEED FURTHER ADVICE FROM HONG KONG, THEY WILL STAND BY READY TO MEET AT ANY TIME UNDER THE CHAIRMANSHIP OF MR. BILL DORWARD, WHO WILL BE STANDING IN FOR ME.+

NOTE TO EDITORS:

MR. JORDAN WILL BE PREPARED TO ANSWER QUESTIONS ON HIS STATEMENT AT 10 P.M. IN THE AIRPORT VIP PRESS CONFERENCE ROOM. IF YOU WISH TO ATTEND, YOU ARE REQUESTED TO BE THERE NOT LATER THAN 9.45 P.M.

- - o - -

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 24, 1977

3

YUEN LONG STAGES GRAND PARADE FOR THE QUEEN’S SILVER JUBILEE CELEBRATIONS

******

A SPECTACULAR HALF-MILE LONG PROCESSION WILL BE STAGED IN YUEN LONG TOMORROW (FRIDAY), THE CLIMAX OF MORE THAN 130 INDIVIDUAL EVENTS WHICH ARE BEING HELD IN THE NEW TERRITORIES TO CELEBRATE THE QUEEN’S SILVER JUBILEE.

MORE THAN 2,500 PEOPLE WILL TAKE PART IN THE PROCESSION WHICH HAS BEEN ORGANISED AT A COST OF $300,000 — MOST OF THE MONEY BEING RAISED IN THE LOCAL COMMUNITY.

ORGANISERS EXPECT A CROWD OF UP TO 50,000 AT THE GRAND PARADE.

THE SECRETARY FOR THE NEW TERRITORIES, MR. DAVID AKERS-JONES, WHO WILL OFFICIATE AT THE FUNCTION, SAID TODAY THE PROCESSION PROMISED TO BE ONE OF THE MOST COLOURFUL EVENTS SEEN IN THE NEW TERRITORIES FOR MANY YEARS.

+IT IS GRATIFYING TO SEE A LOCAL COMMUNITY RESPONDING SO ENTHUSIASTICALLY AND SO GENEROUSLY FOR SUCH AN IMPORTANT OCCASION.*

THE PROCESSION WILL START AT 6.30 P.M. AT THE BUS TERMINUS IN FRONT OF KAI TEI AND PROCEED DOWN YUEN LONG MAIN ROAD TO THE STADIUM AND THEN ALONG KAU YUK ROAD AND HOP YICK ROAD, AND BACK TO THE STARTING POINT. IT WILL LAST MORE THAN ONE AND A HALF HOURS.

THERE WILL BE NINE COLOURFULLY-DECORATED FLOATS, THREE BANDS, LANTERN DANCES BY 60/LOCAL SCHOOLGIRLS IN TRADITIONAL COSTUMES, GYMNASTICS DISPLAYS AND DRAGON, LION AND UNICORN DANCES.

MR. AKERS-JONES NOTED THAT THE QUEEN’S SILVER JUBILEE CELEBRATIONS IN THE NEW TERRITORIES, WHICH STARTED ON NOVEMBER 20 AND WILL END ON DECEMBER 4, HAD PROVED A GREAT SUCCESS.

+THE EVENTS HAVE BEEN MANY AND VARIED AND HAVE CATERED EVERYONE FROM THE VERY OLD TO THE VERY YOUNG,* HE SAID.

+AT LEAST 10,000 PEOPLE HAVE ACTUALLY PARTICIPATED, OR WILL BE PARTICIPATING IN THE 100 EVENTS THAT HAVE BEEN ARRANGED BY THE LOCAL DISTRICT COMMITTEES AND WE ESTIMATED THAT WELL OVER A QUARTER OF A MILLION PEOPLE WILL HAVE WATCHED THE EVENTS BY THE TIME THE PROGRAMME ENDS,* HE ADDED.

/THIS IS

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 24, 1977

4

+THIS IS A GREAT TRIBUTE TO THE HARD WORK PUT IN BY THE LOCAL COMMUNITY LEADERS OF THE NEW TERRITORIES INTO MAKING THE QUEEN’S SILVER JUBILEE YEAR A VERY MEMORABLE ONE FOR SO MANY PEOPLE IN THE NEW TERRITORIES.*

NOTE TO EDITORS:

YOU ARE CORDIALLY INVITED TO SEND REPRESENTATIVES TO COVER THE EVENT.

PRESS TRANSPORT WILL BE PROVIDED. TWO GOVERNMENT VANS WILL LEAVE FROM BEHIND THE TSIM SHA TSUI SUB-POOL AT 4.15 P.M. TOMORROW (FRIDAY) TO TAKE PRESS REPRESENTATIVES TO AND LATER BACK FROM YUEN LONG. AN INFORMATION OFFICER OF THE NEW TERRITORIES ADMINISTRATION WILL BE ON HAND TO ASSIST THE PRESS.

PRESS BADGES AND COPIES OF A YUEN LONG CELEBRATION PROGRAMME, WHICH CONTAINS A ROUTE MAP OF THE PROCESSION, WILL BE DISTRIBUTED SEPARATELY IN THE G. I.S. PRESS BOXES.

- - 0 - -

OVER 1,000 DOMESTIC UNITS INSPECTED IN FIRE PREVENTION SURVEY *****

THE FIRE SERVICES DEPARTMENT THIS (THURSDAY) MORNING CARRIED OUT A FIRE PREVENTION SURVEY ON DOMESTIC PREMISES IN THE WESTERN DISTRICT.

MORE THAN 1,000 UNITS IN 12 DOMESTIC BUILDINGS CHOSEN AT RANDOM WERE INSPECTED.

A SPOKESMAN FOR THE FIRE SERVICES SAID THIS WAS THE FIRST TIME A SURVEY OF THIS SCALE WAS CONDUCTED ON DOMESTIC PREMISES.

HE SAID MORE SUCH INSPECTIONS WOULD BE CARRIED OUT DURING THE FORTHCOMING FIRE PREVENTION CAMPAIGN WHICH IS AIMED AT DRIVING HOME THE AWARENESS OF THE DANGERS OF FIRE IN A CROWDED MULTI-STOREY ENVIRONMENT.

DURING THE SURVEY THIS MORNING, SPECIAL ATTENTION WAS PAID TO THE MEANS OF ESCAPE, INSTALLATION OF METAL GATES AND ROOFTOP EXITS OF THE BUILDINGS.

AS A RESULT SEVEN FIRE HAZARD ABATEMENT NOTICES WERE SERVED FOR SERIOUS OBSTRUCTION. THIRTY-FIVE NOTICES WOULD BE SERVED LATER ON TENANTS OF PREMISES WITH MINOR FIRE HAZARDS.

FURTHERMORE, THREE CASES OF ILLEGAL STRUCTURES ON ROOFTOPS WILL BE FORWARDED TO THE BUILDING ORDINANCE OFFICE FOR ACTION.

- - 0 -

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 24, 1977

- 5 -

PUPILS URGED TO RESPECT TRADITIONAL VIRTUES ******

THE DEPUTY DIRECTOR OF EDUCATION, MR. COLVYN HAYE TODAY (THURSDAY) URGED PUPILS TO RESPECT TRADITIONAL VIRTUES, TO EMULATE AND ADAPT THEM TO THEIR LIVES.

HE WAS ADDRESSING THE AUDIENCE AT THE ANNUAL DISTRIBUTION OF SCHOOL CERTIFICATES AT ST. PAUL’S CONVENT SCHOOL IN CAUSEWAY BAY.

BUT, MR. HAYE SAID, RESPECT FOR TRADITIONAL VIRTUES SHOULD NOT BE BLIND.

+IN A SCIENTIFIC AGE WE ARE RIGHTLY TAUGHT TO QUESTION AND THIS INVOLVED FINDING OUT WHY.

+IN OUR INQUIRY WE SHOULD NEVER LOSE RESPECT FOR THE MOTIVES OF THE PAST. THE PAST, AFTER ALL, SHOULD BE A GUIDE FOR THE PRESENT AND THE FUTURE, AND THE INSPIRATION OF THE PAST SHOULD REMAIN,+ HE SAID.

MR. HAYE ADDED: +AS YOU ENQUIRE INTO HISTORY, ETHICS, PHILOSOPHY, RELIGION AND LAW - THE FOUNDATIONS OF MODERN SOCIETY - YOU WILL FIND GUIDANCE FOR PRESENT CONDUCT. TEACHERS ARE GUIDES IN THIS EXCITING TOUR OF DISCOVERY, AND TEACHERS THEMSELVES ARE AN EXAMPLE FOR PUP ILS.+

CHILDREN IN SCHOOL SHOULD RIGHTLY BE TAUGHT TO RESPECT TRADITIONAL VIRTUES, AND IN ST. PAUL’S CONVENT SCHOOL +1 KNOW THAT THEY ARE. THEY ARE TAUGHT TO RESPECT THEIR FAMILIES, THEIR TEACHERS, THEIR SCHOOL AND SOCIETY.+

THE HISTORY OF THE SCHOOL WAS ONE OF STEADY PROGRESS. +1 AM SURE THAT ST. PAUL’S WILL CONTINUE TO PLAY A LEADING ROLE IN EDUCATION IN THE FUTURE. NEW SCHOOLS LOOK TO OLDER SCHOOLS SUCH AS THIS FOR INSPIRATION AND GUIDANCE. TRADITION IS HARD EARNED AND THERE IS NO SUBSTITUTE FOR EXPERIENCE,* HE SAID.

MRS. HAYE DISTRIBUTED CERTIFICATES AND PRIZES LATER.

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

/6....

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 24, 1977

6

SHA TIN LIBRARY OPENED

*****

THE EXPANSION OF LIBRARY SERVICES IN THE NEW TERRITORIES .MOVED ANOTHER STEP FORWARD TODAY (THURSDAY) WHEN SHA TIN PUBLIC LIBRARY WAS OFFICIALLY OPENED.

THE DIRECTOR OF URBAN SERVICES, MR. BRIAN WILSON, SAID THAT IN RECENT MONTHS THE URBAN SERVICES DEPARTMENT HAD OPENED TWO LIBRARIES IN THE NEW TERRITORIES, AT TAI PO AND ON CHEUNG CHAU.

+THE SHA TIN LIBRARY IS IN FACT THE THIRD LIBRARY TO BE OPENED THIS YEAR. IT WILL BE FOLLOWED SHORTLY BY NEW DISTRICT LIBRARIES AT SHEUNG SHU I AND TUEN MUN.+

THE SHA TIN LIBRARY OCCUPIES 3,000 SQUARE FEET AND HAS AN INITIAL BOOKSTOCK OF 6,000 VOLUMES.

+ IT’S IN THE NATURE OF AN INTERIM SERVICE,+ SAID MR. WILSON +AND WILL EVENTUALLY BE REPLACED BY A LARGER LIBRARY OF SOME 16,000 SQUARE FEET WHEN THE NEW TOWN OF SHA TIN COMES INTO BE ING.+

OFFICIATING WITH THE DIRECTOR OF URBAN SERVICES AT THE OPENING WERE THREE LEADING MEMBERS OF THE SHA TIN COMMUNITY, MR. WAI HON-LEUNG, CHAIRMAN OF THE RURAL COMMITTEE, AND MR. HUNG SHING AND MR. LAU HON-KIT, VICE-CHAIRMEN.

NOTE TO EDITORS:

DIRECTOR OF SOCIAL WELFARE TO ATTEND SOCIAL WORKERS’ MEETING

* * * *

THE DIRECTOR OF SOCIAL WELFARE, MR. THOMAS LEE, WILL ADDRESS THE ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING OF THE HONG KONG SOCIAL WORKERS’ ASSOCIATION TOMORROW (FRIDAY) AT 6 P.M.

THE MEETING WILL BE HELD AT THE AUDITORIUM ON THE 2ND FLOOR OF THE DUKE OF WINDSOR SOCIAL SERVICES BUILDING, 15 HENNESSY ROAD.

MR. LEE WILL SPEAK ON THE ROLE OF THE SOCIAL WORK PROFESSION IN THE DEVELOPMENT CP SOCIAL WELFARE IN HONG KONG.

YOU ARE WELCOME TO SEND REPRESENTATIVES TO COVER THE EVENT. COPIES OF MR. LEE’S SPEECH * ILL BE AVAILABLE FOR COLLECTION IN G. I.S. PRESS BOXES TOMORROW EVENING.

. . 0 - -

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 24, 1977

7

TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS IN CENTRAL ******

THE WESTBOUND CARRIAGEWAY OF DES VOEUX ROAD CENTRAL BETWEEN ICE HOUSE STREET AND PEDDER STREET WILL BE CLOSED TO ALL VEHICULAR TRAFFIC, WITH THE EXCEPTION OF TRAMS, FOR ABOUT TWO WEEKS STARTING ROM 10 A.M. ON SATURDAY (NOVEMBER 26), IN ORDER TO FACILITATE ONSTRUCTION WORK ON THE MASS TRANSIT RAILWAY PEDDER STATION.

IN THIS CONNECTION, THE FOLLOWING TRAFFIC AND PUBLIC TRANSPORT ARRANGEMENTS WILL BE IMPLEMENTED :

ICE HOUSE STREET BETWEEN DES VOEUX ROAD CENTRAL AND QUEEN’S ROAD CENTRAL, WHICH IS PRESENTLY ONE-WAY NORTHBOUND, WILL BE RE-ROUTED ONE-WAY SOUTHBOUND®

WESTBOUND VEHICLES ENTERING DES VOEUX ROAD CENTRAL BEYOND BANK STREET FROM QUEENSWAY AND GARDEN ROAD WILL BE DIRECTED TO TURN LEFT OR RIGHT INTO ICE HOUSE STREET,

AT THE SAME TIME, NORTHBOUND VEHICLES PROCEEDING FROM THE UPPER SECTION OF ICE HOUSE STREET WILL EE DIRECTED TO TURN LEFT AT THE JUNCTION WITH QUEEN’S ROAD CENTRAL.

AS FOR PUBLIC TRANSPORT ARRANGEMENTS, NORMAL TRAM SERVICES IN DES VOEUX ROAD CENTRAL WILL BE MAINTAINED THROUGHOUT THE PERIOD OF THE ROAD CLOSURE.

HOWEVER, FROM 10 A.M. ON SATURDAY, CERTAIN BUS SERVICES a ILL BE DIVERTED AS FOLLOWS :

CMB ROUTES 5A, 5B AND CROSS-HARBOUR ROUTES 111, 113 AND 121 TRAVELLING WESTBOUND ALONG DES VOEUX ROAD CENTRAL WILL EE DIVERTED TO OPERATE VIA ICE HOUSE STREET, QUEEN’S ROAD CENTRAL AND QUEEN VICTORIA STREET TO REJOIN DES VOEUX ROAD CENTRAL.

CMB ROUTE 10 AND CROSS-HARBOUR ROUTES 101, 134 AND 135 TRAVELLING WESTBOUND ALONG DES VOEUX ROAD CENTRAL WILL BE DIVERTED TO OPERATE VIA ICE HOUSE STREET, QUEEN’S ROAD CENTRAL AND QUEEN’S ROAD WEST® AND

CMB ROUTES 23A AND 24 AND CROSS-HARBOUR ROUTE 103 TRAVELLING NORTHBOUND ALONG ICE HOUSE STREET WILL BE DIVERTED TO OPERATE VIA QUEEN’S ROAD CENTRAL, PEDDER STREET AND CHATER ROAD.

TWO TEMPORARY BUS STOPS FOR CMB ROUTES 5A, 5E AND 10 AND CROSS-HARBOUR ROUTES 131, 134, 105, 111 AND 113 WILL BE PROVIDED AT 55 AND 66, QUEEN’S ROAD CENTRAL TO REPLACE THE EXISTING BUS STOP AT 24, DES VOEUX ROAD CENTRAL.

/A SPOKESMAN .....

THURSDAY, NOVOffiER 24, 1977

. 8 -

A SPOKESMAN FOR THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT SAID TODAY THAT TRAFFIC CONGESTION IS ANTICIPATED IN QUEEN’S ROAD CENTRAL DURING THE PERIOD OF PARTIAL CLOSURE OF DES VOEUX ROAD CENTRAL.

THE SPOKESMAN ADVISED MOTORISTS TO AVOID USING QUEEN’S ROAD CENTRAL WHEREVER POSSIBLE AND THE TRAVELLING PUBLIC TO MAKE USE OF PUBLIC TRANSPORT FACILITIES WHEN TRAVELLING TO AND FROM CENTRAL DISTRICT.

IN PARTICULAR, MOTORISTS FROM THE MID-LEVELS PROCEEDING TO CENTRAL VIA ICE HOUSE STREET ARE ADVISED TO USE WYNDHAM STREET INSTEAD.

APPROPRIATE ROAD SIGNS WILL BE SET UP TO INDICATE THE ARRANGEMENTS AND TRAFFIC POLICEMEN WILL BE PRESENT TO ASSIST.

HOLDERS OF CLOSED ROAD PERMITS FOR DES VOEUX ROAD CENTRAL WHO WISH TO GAIN ACCESS TO THE SECTION OF THE ROAD WEST OF THE PEDDER STREET JUNCTION MAY PROCEED VIA QUEEN’S ROAD CENTRAL AND PEDDER STREET BEFORE TURNING LEFT INTO DES VOEUX ROAD CENTRAL.

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

EXTENSION OF PLB RESTRICTED ZONE IN ARGYLE STREET

*****

THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCED TODAY THAT THE EXISTING PUBLIC LIGHT BUS RESTRICTED ZONE IN ARGYLE STREET WILL BE EXTENDED FROM 10 A.M. ON SATURDAY (NOVEMBER 26).

THE EXTENSION WILL BE FROM THE JUNCTION WITH SAI YEE STREET TO A POINT 33 FT. EAST OF THE JUNCTION WITH PEACE AVENUE BETWEEN 7 A.M. AND MIDNIGHT.

THE ARRANGEMENT HAS BEEN MADE TO IMPROVE TRAFFIC CONDITIONS IN ARGYLE STREET.

APPROPRIATE TRAFFIC SIGNS WILL BE SET UP TO INDICATE THE NEW PROHIBITED ZONE.

- 0 - -

PRH 7

DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN

FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 25, 1977

CONTENTS PAGE NO.

GOVERNOR APPOINTS 92 UNOFFICIAL MEMBERS TO N.T. ADVISORY BOARDS ....................................................... 1

MASSIVE LAND FORMATION SCHEME FOR YUEN LONG................... 2

LANDLORD AND TENANT (CONSOLIDATION) ORDINANCE TO BE AMENDED TO PERMIT SMALL RENT INCREASES ....................... 4

GREEN PAPER ON PERSONAL SOCIAL WORK AMONG YOUTHS TO BE PUBLISHED MONDAY ............................................. 5

SITES PROPOSED FOR CONSTRUCTION OF POWER STATION ON LANTAU 5

NEARLY 730 SOCIAL WORKERS NEEDED FOR SOCIAL WELFARE PROGRAMMES ................................................... 6

OFFICIAL OPENING OF ABERDEEN AND TAI TAM COUNTRY PARKS ... 8

CAREER ’78 EXHIBITION OPENS .................................. 9

FACTORIES AND INDUSTRIAL UNDERTAKINGS (AMENDMENT) BILL ... 10

TENDERS INVITED FOR SUPPLY OF SEWERAGE PUMPING STATION EQUIPMENT ................................................... 11

NEW EXPRESS COACH TERMINUS TO BE BUILT IN TSIM SHA TSUI .. 11

FIRING PRACTICE AT CASTLE PEAK RANGE ........................ 12

JPC MEMBERS TO CLEAN UP SAI KUNG BEACHES .................... 12

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

FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 25, 1977

1

GOVERNOR APPOINTS 92 UNOFFICIALS TO N.T. ADVISORY BOARDS * * * *

THE ACTING GOVERNOR HAS APPOINTED 92 UNOFFICIAL MEMBERS TO THE SEVEN DISTRICT ADVISORY BOARDS IN THE NEW TERRITORIES.

THE APPOINTMENTS, PUBLISHED IN TODAY’S GOVERNMENT GAZETTE, ARE EFFECTIVE FROM NOVEMBER 18 THIS YEAR TO MARCH 31, 1979.

THE GOVERNOR, SIR MURRAY MACLEHOSE HAD ANNOUNCED THE GOVERNMENT’S INTENTION TO SET UP THE BOARDS IN THE SEVEN ADMINISTRATIVE DISTRICTS OF THE NEW TERRITORIES IN HIS ANNUAL ADDRESS TO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL ON OCTOBER 5.

THE LIST OF APPOINTMENTS REFLECTS HIS STATEMENT THEN THAT RURAL COMMITTEE CHAIRMEN WOULD FORM THE NUCLEUS OF THE BOARDS.

THE OTHER MEMBERS HAVE BEEN DRAWN FROM A WIDE CROSS-SECTION OF THE N.T. COMMUNITY. THEY INCLUDE DOCTORS, LAWYERS, SCHOLARS, HEADMASTERS, MAC CHAIRMEN, VOLUNTARY WORKERS, REPRESENTATIVES OF CULTURAL, SPORTING AND RECREATIONAL GROUPS AND OTHER LOCAL PERSONALITIES PROMINENT IN THE N.T. COMMUNITY AFFAIRS.

TWO MEMBERS OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL, MR. FRANCIS TIEN AND MR. CHARLES YEUNG, HAVE BEEN APPOINTED TO THE BOARDS IN THE DISTRICTS WHERE THEY HAVE SPECIAL INTERESTS -- TSUEN WAN AND YUEN LONG.

TSUEN WAN WITH A POPULATION TOUCHING 503,000 HAS THE LARGEST BOARD WITH 23 UNOFFICIAL MEMBERS MAINLY DRAWN FROM THE TSUEN WAN RECREATION AND AMENITIES (ADVISORY) COMMITTEE WHICH WAS THE FORERUNNER TO THE CREATION OF THE DISTRICT ADVISORY BOARDS.

YUEN LONG AND TAI PO, BOTH LARGE AND EXPANDING DISTRICTS, HAVE 15 UNOFFICIAL MEMBERS EACH ON THEIR BOARDS, SAI KUNG AND THE ISLANDS HAVE 13 EACH, WHILE THE NEW TOWNS OF SHA TIN AND TUEN MUN HAVE EIGHT EACH.

THE UNOFFICIAL MEMBERS WILL BE IN THE MAJORITY OVER OFFICIAL MEMBERS WHO WILL BE HEADED BY THE LOCAL TOWN MANAGER OR DISTRICT OFFICER AS BOARD CHAIRMAN.

THE SECERTARY FOR THE NEW TERRITORIES, MR. DAVID AKERS-JONES, SAID TODAY THE BOARDS WOULD ADD A NEW DIMENSION TO THE LINKS BETWEEN THE GOVERNMENT AND THE PEOPLE OF THE NEW TERRITORIES.

+THE TERMS OF REFERENCE FOR THE BOARDS WILL ALSO ENABLE THE PEOPLE OF EACH DISTRICT TO INVOLVE THEMSELVES IN THE DEVELOPMENT AND BETTERMENT OF THEIR OWN DISTRICTS.*

/THE TERMS .....

FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 25, 1977

THE TERMS OF REFERENCE OF THE BOARDS ARE:-

* TO ADVISE ON MATTERS AFFECTING THE WELL-BEING OF THE INHABITANTS OF THE DISTRICT-

* TO ADVISE ON THE USE AND PROVISION OF PUBLIC FACILITIES WITHIN THE DISTRICT, IN PARTICULAR

(A) ON THE ADEQUACIES AND PRIORITIES OF THE PUBLIC WORKS PROGRAMME FOR THE DISTRICT AND

(B) ON THE USE OF FUNDS AVAILABLE FOR EXPENDITURE WITHIN THE DISTRICT UNDER THE LOCAL PUBLIC WORKS VOTE- AND

* TO UNDERTAKE, USING PUBLIC FUNDS MADE AVAILABLE FOR THE PURPOSE

(A) MINOR ENVIRONMENTAL IMPROVEMENTS WITHIN THE DISTRICT, AND

(B) THE PROMOTION OF RECREATIONAL AND CULTURAL ACTIVITIES WITHIN THE DISTRICT.

MR. AKERS-JONES SAID THE AMOUNTS TO BE ALLOCATED TO EACH BOARD HAD NOT YET BEEN FINALISED. +BUT I AM CONFIDENT THAT THE FUNDS WILL BE SUFFICIENT TO MEET THE NEEDS OF EACH BOARD,+ HE ADDED.

HE STRESSED THAT THE BOARDS WOULD NOT INTERFERE WITH THE ROLES OF THE RURAL COMMITTEES OR THE HEUNG YEE KUK.

+LIKE THE RURAL COMMITTEES, I EXPECT THE BOARDS TO PLAY A POSITIVE ROLE IN CREATING A BETTER UNDERSTANDING BETWEEN THE GOVERNMENT AND THE PEOPLE AND IN PROMOTING A SENSE OF PARTICIPATION AND PRIDE IN LOCAL COMMUNITY AFFAIRS.+

- - 0 - -

MASSIVE LAND FORMATION SCHEME FOR YUEN LONG

*****

THE GOVERNMENT IS TO EMBARK ON A MASSIVE LAND FORMATION SCHEME IN THE MARKET TOWN OF YUEN LONG TO PROVIDE SITES FOR RESIDENTIAL AND INDUSTRIAL DEVELOPMENT AS WELL AS FOR A PUBLIC SWIMMING POOL COMPLEX.

THE SCHEME WILL INVOLVE THE FORMATION OF AT LEAST 16 HECTARES OF LAND, PART OF WHICH IS ALSO TO BE USED FOR ROADS, DRAINS, SEWERS AND OPEN SPACES.

IT FORMS A MAJOR PART OF A 053 MILLION PACKAGE DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME FOR THE GROWING MARKET TOWN.

LAND FORMATION WORKS ILL START EARLY NEXT YEAR AND TAKE ABOUT 21 MONTHS TO COMPLETE.

/AN AREA

FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 25, 1977

- 3 -

AN AREA TO BE FORMED EAST OF THE TOWN WILL BE USED FOR RESIDENTIAL DEVELOPMENT INCLUDING OPEN SPACES. A NEW POST OFFICE, A MULTI-STOREY CAR PARK AND A PRIMARY AND A SECONDARY SCHOOL WILL ALSO BE BUILT.

A SITE TO THE SOUTH-WEST OF THE TOWN NEAR THE EXISTING SPORTS STADIUM IS TO BE USED FOR A NEW PUBLIC SWIMMING POOL -JMPLEX WHICH IS EXPECTED TO BE READY BY MID-1930.

THE COMPLEX WILL INCLUDE TWO 50-METRE LONG MAIN POOLS, SUBSIDIARY PADDLING AND DIVING POOLS, BASKET BALL COURTS, OPEN AREAS AND CAR PARKING SPACE.

FORMATION OF ANOTHER LARGE AREA WEST OF THE TOWN WILL PRODUCE 11,400 SQUARE METRES OF LAND FOR RESIDENTIAL DEVELOPMENT AND ANOTHER 5,500 SQUARE METRES OF LAND FOR SERVICE INDUSTRIES.

THE YUEN LONG DISTRICT OFFICER, MR. MICHAEL CARTLAND, SAID TODAY THE LARGE-SCALE SITE FORMATION TO BE CARRIED OUT BY THE PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT MEANT ANOTHER BIG STRIDE FORWARD IN THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE MARKET TOWN WHICH WOULD HAVE A PLANNED POPULATION OF 90,000 BY MID-1980S.

+WITH THE INCREASE IN POPULATION, THE PROVISION OF MORE EDUCATIONAL, RECREATIONAL AND AMENITY FACILITIES, PARTICULARLY THE NEW SWIMMING POOL COMPLEX, IS MOST DESIRABLE,* HE SAID.

MR. CARTLAND SAID THE SITE FORMATION WORKS WOULD INVOLVE THE RESUMPTION OF MORE THAN 10 HECTARES OF AGRICULTURAL LAND AND 242 SQUARE METRES OF BUILDING LAND.

HOWEVER, HE SAID, THE GOVERNMENT WILL PAY COMPENSATION FOR CROPS, FRUIT TREES, IRRIGATION SUMPS AND WELLS, AS WELL AS EX-GRATIA ALLOWANCE FOR CULTIVATORS AND DISPLACED PIG BREEDERS AND POULTRY FARMERS.

A TOTAL OF 30 TEMPORARY DOMEST ANCILLARY TEMPORARY STRUCTURES WILL

S STRUCTURES AND 90 OTHER HAVE TO BE CLEARED.

DEPENDING ON THEIR ELIGIBILITY, DISPLACED FAMILIES WILL BE OFFERED EITHER PUBLIC HOUSING OR A SPACE IN A LOCAL TEMPORARY HOUSING AREA WITH EX-GRATIA DOMESTIC REMOVAL ALLOWANCE. 9

LAND OWNERS INVOLVED IN THE LANS RESUMPTION WILL BE OFFERED THE ALTERNATIVE OF CASH COMPENSATION OR LAND EXCHANGE ENTITLEMENT DOCUMENTS.

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

/4

FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 25, 1977

4

LANDLORD AND TENANT (CONSOLIDATION) ORDINANCE TO BE AMENDED TO PERMIT SMALL RENT INCREASES

* * M H

A BILL PROPOSING AMENDMENTS TO THE LANDLORD AND TENANT (CONSOLIDATION) ORDINANCE, TO PERMIT OWNERS OF PROPERTIES WHOSE RENTS ARE CONTROLLED UNDER PARTS I AND II OF THE ORDINANCE TO OBTAIN SMALL INCREASES, WAS GAZETTED TODAY (FR IDAY).

COVERED BY THE INCREASES WOULD BE PRE-WAR DOMESTIC AND NON-DOMESTIC PROPERTIES AND POST-WAR DOMESTIC PROPERTIES.

A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN SAID THAT, DESPITE TWO INCREASES AUTHORISED IN 1975 AND 1976, PRESENT AVERAGE PERMITTED RENTS IN DOMESTIC AND NON-DOMESTIC PROPERTIES BUILT BEFORE THE WAR WERE STILL ONLY ABOUT ONE FIFTH OF FAIR MARKET RENTS.

HE SAID THAT, IN VIEW OF THIS VERY LARGE GAP, IT WAS THOUGHT DESIRABLE TO AUTHORISE A FURTHER INCREASE TO COME INTO EFFECT NEXT YEAR.

THE SPOKESMAN SAID : +IN ABSOLUTE TERMS, THESE INCREASES ARE LIKELY TO AMOUNT TO AN AVERAGE OF AROUND $20 PER MONTH IN THE CASE OF A DOMESTIC UPPER TENEMENT FLOOR AND $110 PER MONTH FOR A NON-DOMESTIC GROUND TENEMENT FLOOR.+

HE SAID THE INCREASES WOULD APPLY TO 6,500 DOMESTIC TENEMENT FLOORS, 3,000 NON-DOMESTIC GROUND TENEMENT FLOORS AND 500 FLATS.

+EVEN FOLLOWING THESE INCREASES,* HE SAID, +RENTS FOR CONTROLLED TENANCIES IN PRE-WAR BUILDINGS WOULD, ON AVERAGE, STILL BE ONLY ABOUT ONE QUARTER OF FAIR MARKET RENTS AND, IN THE CASE OF FLATS, ONLY ABOUT ONE FIFTH.*

HE SAID TENANTS WHO WERE ALREADY PAYING RENTS ABOVE THE PERMITTED LEVELS WOULD NOT BE OBLIGED TO PAY ANY INCREASES.

ON POST-WAR DOMESTIC PREMISES, THE SPOKESMAN SAID THE GOVERNMENT INTENDED TO ALLOW RENTS TO INCREASE TO A LEVEL CLOSER TO THE FAIR MARKET RENT THAN AT PRESENT.

' HE SAID INCREASES WOULD BE CONTROLLED IN TWO WAYS : BY LIMITING THE AMOUNT TO A PROPORTION DETERMINED BY A FACTOR OF THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN THE ACTUAL CURRENT RENT AND THE ESTIMATED FAIR MARKET RENT- AND BY IMPOSING A CEILING OF 21 PER CENT OVER A TWO YEAR PERIOD ON INCREASES IN THE CURRENT RENT FOR THE MAJORITY OF PREMISES OTHER THAN LUXURY FLATS AND HOUSES.

HE SAID THE FACTOR WOULD BE LOWERED FROM FOUR TO THREE, MEANING THAT FROM 1977 THE INCREASE WOULD AMOUNT TO ONE THIRD OF THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN THE CURRENT RENT AND THE FAIR MARKET RENT, COMPARED WITH A QUARTER PREVIOUSLY.

0 -------

/5

FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 25, 1977

5

NOTE TO EDITORS:

GREEN PAPER ON YOUTH TO BE PUBLISHED MONDAY

******

A PRESS CONFERENCE WILL BE HELD IN CONNECTION WITH THE GREEN PAPER ON PERSONAL SOCIAL WORK AMONG YOUNG PEOPLE ON MONDAY (NOVEMBER 28) AT 3 P.M.

ATTENDING THE PRESS CONFERENCE WILL BE MISS ANNIE CHAN, ASSISTANT DIRECTOR OF SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT- MRS. EVELYN DOE, SENIOR PRINCIPAL SOCIAL WELFARE OFFICER IN-CHARGE OF FAMILY SERVICES DIVISION- MR. HENRY AU, SENIOR PRINCIPAL SOCIAL WELFARE OFFICER IN-CHARGE OF GROUP AND COMMUNITY WORK DIVISION- AND MR. ROBERT LO, EDUCATION OFFICER.

YOU ARE CORDIALLY INVITED TO SEND REPRESENTATIVES TO COVER THE PRESS CONFERENCE WHICH WILL BE HELD IN THE G.I.S. THEATRE ON THE FIFTH FLOOR OF BEACONSFIELD HOUSE. THE GREEN PAPER WILL BE AVAILABLE FOR COLLECTION FROM 2 P.M. AT THE 6. I.S. NEWSROOM.

- - o - -

SITES PROPOSED FOR CONSTRUCTION OF POWER STATION ON LANTAU

******

THE GOVERNMENT INTENDS TO GRANT A PARCEL OF SEA BED ON THE NORTH EASTERN PART OF LANTAU ISLAND FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF A POWER STATION WHICH WILL SUPPLEMENT HONG KONG’S ELECTRICITY SUPPLIES.

ACCORDING TO NOTICES IN TODAY’S GOVERNMENT GAZETTE, THERE ARE TWO SITES IN THIS SECTION OF LANTAU BEING CONSIDERED. ONE OF THEM MEASURES ABOUT 91.5 HECTARES AND THE OTHER ABOUT 82.5 HECTARES.

A DECISION WILL BE MADE AS TO WHICH OF THE TWO SITES WILL BE GRANTED ON COMPLETION OF SITE INVESTIGATIONS.

ANY PERSON, WHO MAY HAVE OBJECTIONS TO THE PROPOSALS OR ANY CLAIMS OF PRIVATE RIGHT, SHOULD SUBMIT SUCH OBJECTIONS AND/ OR CLAIMS IN WRITING TO THE DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC WORKS WITHIN TWO MONTHS.

THE NOTICES, IN BOTH ENGLISH AND CHINESE TOGETHER WITH THEIR RELATED PLANS CAN BE SEEN ON NOTICE BOARDS NEAR THE SITES.

THE PLANS SHOWING THE AREAS OF FORESHORE AND SEA BED INVOLVED MAY ALSO EE SEEN AT THE PORT WORKS DIVISION, 5TH FLOOR, MURRAY BUILDING, GARDEN ROAD, HONG KONG- THE CROWN LANDS AND SURVEY OFFICE, 19TH FLOOR, MURRAY BUILDING- THE DISTRICT OFFICE TSUEN WAN AT HONG KONG AND SHANGHAI BANK BUILDING, TSUEN WAN, NEW TERRITORIES.

- 0 -

FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 25, 1977’

6

NEARLY 700 SOCIAL WORKERS NEEDED FOR NEW SOCIAL WELFARE PROGRAMMES *****

THE GOVERNMENT AND VOLUNTARY WELFARE SECTOR WILL NEED 315 UNIVERSITY-GRADUATE SOCIAL WORKERS AND 372 NON-GRADUATE SOCIAL WORKERS, OVER THE NEXT FIVE YEARS FOR NEW PROGRAMMES ON REHABILITATION, SERVICES FOR THE ELDERLY AND PERSONAL SOCIAL WORK FOR YOUTH, THE DIRECTOR OF SOCIAL WELFARE, MR. THOMAS LEE, SAID TODAY (FRIDAY).

SPEAKING AT THE ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING OF THE HONG KONG SOCIAL WORKERS’ ASSOCIATION ON +THE ROLE OF THE SOCIAL WORK PROFESSION IN THE DEVELOPMENT OF SOCIAL WELFARE IN HONG KONG+, HE SAID THIS ESTIMATE DID NOT INCLUDE STAFF FOR SOCIAL SECURITY WORK WHICH NEEDED SOME FORM OF SPEC.AL TRAINING DIFFERENT FROM SOCIAL WORK.

ON THE SUPPLY SIDE, MR. LEE POINTED OUT THAT THE TWO UNIVERSITIES WOULD BE PRODUCING BETWEEN 85 AND 100 GRADUATE SOCIAL WORKERS EACH YEAR WHILE THE POLYTECHNIC AND THE TWO POSTSECONDARY COLLEGES WOULD TURN OUT ABOUT 100 NON-GRADUATE SOCIAL WORKERS EACH YEAR.

HE SAID WHILE THESE FIGURES MIGHT ADEQUATELY MEET THE DEMAND FOR SOCIAL WORKERS AT THESE TWO LEVELS FOR THE PROGRAMME PLANS, THERE WOULD EVIDENTLY REMAIN A SHORTFALL CAUSED BY WASTAGE SUCH AS RETIREMENT AND RESIGNATIONS AND NORMAL EXPANSION IN OTHER FIELDS.

MR. LEE MENTIONED TWO WAYS TO TACKLE THE SHORTFALL IN TRAINED PERSONNEL: TO BOOST THE OUTPUT OF TRAINED SOCIAL WORKERS AND TO DEPLOY EXISTING SOCIAL WORKERS TO THE BEST ADVANTAGE.

HE BELIEVED THAT A MAJOR INCREASE IN THE REGULAR OUTPUT OF TRAINED WORKERS WOULD NOT BE THE RIGHT ANSWER AS THERE MIGHT NOT BE AN INDEFINITE NEED FOR A PERMANENT FLOW OF TRAINED WORKERS.

+AN ALTERNATIVE APPROACH IS TO TAKE TEMPORARY OR STOP-GAP MEASURES FOR TRAINING EXISTING PERSONNEL OR RECRUITING NONSOCIAL WORK PERSONNEL WHO THEN DC PART-TIME TRAINING DURING THEIR EARLY YEARS IN SOCIAL WORK.+ HE SAID.

HOWEVER, HE CONTINUED, SINCE THE FUTURE HEALTH OF THE SOCIAL WELFARE SERVICES IN HONG KONG WOULD DEPEND ON THE QUALITY OF THE SOC l,AL WORKERS WE RECRUIT TODAY, IT WOULD BE A GRAVE MISTAKE TO GO SO FAR IN THIS DIRECTION THAT WE DILUTED THE QUALITY OF OUR TRAINED CADRE IN SOCIAL WORK.

ON THE OTHER OPTION OF MAKING THE BEST USE OF TRAINED WORKERS, MR. LEE SAID: +WHATEVER PROGRESS WE MAKE WITH FINDING ADDITIONAL TRAINED SOCIAL WORKERS, WE ARE UNLIKELY TO FIND SUFFICIENT TO CARRY OUT ALL THE TASKS INVOLVED. WE MUST THEREFORE MAKE THE BEST USE WE CAN OF AVAILABLE TRAINED SOCIAL WORKERS.+

/ON ANOTHER

FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 25, 1977

ON ANOTHER ASPECT OF THE PROFESSIONALISM OF SOCIAL WORKER, MR. LEE NOTED THAT ONE OF THE PROBLEMS TO GET ACCEPTANCE OF SOCIAL WORK AS A PROFESSION WAS THAT MANY SOCIAL WORKERS HAD BEEN EMPLOYED IN A +HIERARCHICAL ORGANISATION*.

AS A RESULT, HE CONTINUED, THE MOST EFFECTIVE WORKERS TENDED TO MOVE AWAY - OR TO BE MOVED AWAY - FROM THE WORK FOR WHICH THEY WERE TRAINED, TO SUPERVISORY AND MANAGEMENT POSTS.

+IN NO OTHER PROFESSION, AS FAR AS I AM AWARE, DOES THE SYSTEM PROVIDE FOR THE BULK OF THE MOST EFFECTIVE PRACTITIONERS TO CEASE TO PRACTISE AFTER SOME YEARS OF SERVICE,* HE ADDED.

MR. LEE BELIEVED THAT ONE LINE OF APPROACH TO TACKLE THIS ISSUE WOULD EE TO LOOK SERIOUSLY AT THE POSSIBILITY OF PLACING MORE EMPHASIS ON THE INDIVIDUAL RESPONSIBILITY OF WORKERS IN DIRECT SERVICE TO CLIENTS AND LESS EMPHASIS ON THE NEED FOR SUPERVISION, ESPECIALLY FOR THOSE WHO ALREADY HAD ACQUIRED CONSIDERABLE EXPER IENCE.

BY FOLLOWING THIS APPROACH, HE POINTED OUT THAT IT MIGHT BE POSSIBLE TO DEVISE AN ORGANISATIONAL AND SALARY STRUCTURE WHICH LEFT THE EXPERIENCED WORKER MUCH MORE ON HIS OWN, WITH A POSITION AND SALARY COMPATIBLE TO HIS RESPONSIBILITY IN DIRECT SERVICE AND PRACTICE.

+ANOTHER POSSIBILITY MIGHT BE THAT SOME SOCIAL WORKERS COULD BE RECOGNISED AS SPECIALISTS IN THEIR PARTICULAR FIELDS AND REWARDED ACCORDINGLY.

+WHAT THIS IMPLIES IS THAT WHILE WE HAVE RECOGNISED THE USEFULNESS OF THE CONVENTIONAL SUPERVISION MODEL, PARTICULARLY FOR THE LESS EXPERIENCED WORKERS, WE SHOULD EXAMINE THE POSSIBILITY OF ADOPTING OTHER MODELS WHICH WOULD PROVIDE THE NECESSARY MACHINERY FOR CONSULTATION OR FOR OBTAINING SPECIALIST ADVICE AND AT THE SAME TIME ENABLE THE EFFECTIVE DEVELOPMENT OF OUR EXPERIENCED AND TRAINED PERSONNEL*.

ORGANISATIONAL CHANGE IS ALWAYS A CHALLENGE TO ADMINISTRATORS AND WOULD OFTEN MEET WITH RESISTANCE FROM CERTAIN SECTION OF THE STAFF, MR. LEE NOTED, BUT AGENCY STRUCTURE SHOULD CONSTANTLY BE UNDER RE-EXAMINATION.

+THERE SHOULD EE A DEVICE TO ENSURE THAT WHEREVER POSSIBLE, CHANGES ARE MADE IN ORDER TO MEET CURRENT DEMAND OF THE COMMUNITY, TO PROVIDE EETTER SERVICE TO THE CLIENTS AND AT THE SAME TIME TO MEET THE NEED OF SOCIAL WORKERS FOR THEIR PROFESSIONAL GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT,* HE ADDED.

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/8

FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 25, 1977

8

OFFICIAL OPENING OF ABERDEEN AND TAI TAM COUNTRY PARKS TOMORROW *****

THE TWIN COUNTRY PARKS OF ABERDEEN AND TAI TAM ON HONG KONG ISLAND, WHICH WERE DESIGNATED LAST MONTH, ..ILL BE FORMALLY OPENED IN A CEREMONY TOMORROW (SATURDAY).

SITUATED IN THE CENTRAL PART OF HONG KONG ISLAND AND ALMOST LINKED AT THE WONG NE I CHUNG GAP, THE TWO PARKS COVER A TOTAL AREA OF 1,738 HECTARES.

THEY ARE ACCESSIBLE FROM PRACTICALLY ALL DISTRICTS OF THE ISLAND AND CAN BE USED READILY BY RESIDENTS VIRTUALLY ANYTIME OF THE DAY - FROM MORNING WALKING, .AY PICNICKING AND EVENING BARBECUING. THEY ARE THE BACK GARDENS OF THE BUILT-UP AREAS OF HONG KONG ISLAND.

BOTH PARKS ARE ENDOWED WITH CONSIDERABLE SCENIC WOODLANDS WHICH ARE THE RESULT OF A DECADE OF AFFORESTATION AND PROTECTION EFFORTS.

ALTHOUGH THE PROVISION OF FACILITIES STARTED IN 1973, THE FORMAL DELINEATION OF BOUNDARY WAS CARRIED OUT ONLY AFTER THE ENACTMENT OF COUNTRY PARKS ORDINANCE IN 1976.

AT PRESENT, 31 PICNIC AND BARBECUE PLACES AND SEVEN RAINSHELTERS HAVE BEEN ESTABLISHED FOR USE BY THE GENERAL PUBLIC. TWO MANAGEMENT CENTRES HAVE ALSO BEEN BUILT TO SERVICE AND PROTECT THESE PARKS. MORE FACILITIES FOR THE VISITORS ARE BEING PLANNED FOR THE FUTURE.

THE OPENING CEREMONY, TO BE HELD AT THE ABERDEEN MANAGEMENT CENTRE, WILL BE OFFICIATED BY MR. E.H. NICHOLS, THE DIRECTOR OF AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES.

MEMBERS OF THE COUNTRY PARKS BOARD, LEADERS OF THE KAI FONG ASSOCIATIONS AND REPRESENTATIVES OF GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS WILL ALSO ATTEND.

NOTE. TO EDITORS:

YOU ARE CORDIALLY INVITED TO SEND A REPORTER AND PHOTOGRAPHER TO THE OPENING CEREMONY. THE ABERDEEN COUNTRY PARK MANAGEMENT CENTRE IS SITUATED AT THE TOP END OF ABERDEEN RESERVOIR ROAD NEAR YUE KWONG TSUEN HOUSING ESTATE. TRANSPORT FOR THE PRESS WILL LEAVE FROM QUEEN’S PIER, CENTRAL AT 10.15 A.M.. TOMORROW.

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FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 25, 1977

9

ADVICE TO YOUNG PEOPLE ON CHOICE OF CAREERS * * * *

YOUNG PEOPLE MUST HAVE A GOOD IDEA OF THEIR ABILITIES AND INTERESTS IN MAKING THEIR CHOICE OF CAREERS WHEN THEY BEGIN TO WORK IN SOCIETY.

THIS ADVICE CAME FROM MR. Q.W. LEE, UNOFFICIAL MEMBER OF THE EXECUTIVE AND LEGISLATIVE COUNCILS, WHEN HE OPENED TODAY THE CAREERS ’78 EXHIBITION ORGANISED BY THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT AT THE KOWLOON RAIL TERMINUS IN HUNG HOM.

MR. LEE SAID, THE MAIN PURPOSE OF THE EXHIBITION WAS TO PROVIDE CAREERS GUIDANCE.

+AS I UNDERSTAND IT, THE YOUTH EMPLOYMENT ADVISORY SERVICE OF THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT, WHICH PROVIDES USEFUL CAREERS INFORMATION TO THE PUBLIC, INCLUDING TEACHERS, STUDENTS AS WELL AS SCHOOLS AND YOUTH ORGANIZATIONS, IS TAKING THIS OPPORTUNITY TO HELP WIDEN STUDENTS’ IDEAS OF WHAT JOE OPPORTUNITIES THERE ARE FOR THEM,+ HE SAID.

+IN THE PROCESS THE EXHIBITION WILL STIMULATE FURTHER THOUGHT AND ENQUIRY AND ASSIST IN THE MAKING OF SOUND CHOICES.+

MR. LEE NOTED THE RANGE OF FACILITIES PROVIDED BY THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT IN HELPING YOUNG PEOPLE TO DECIDE ON THEIR CAREERS AND URGED ALL THOSE INTERESTED TO MAKE GOOD USE OF THE SERV ICES.

HE ALSO URGED PARENTS WHO, HE SAID, COULD PLAY A POSITIVE ROLE IN ASSISTING THEIR CHILDREN IN THE CHOICE OF THEIR CAREERS TO VISIT THE EXHIBITION.

MR. LEE ALSO APPEALED TO EMPLOYERS WHO WERE STILL UNAWARE OF THE EXHIBITION TO CONSIDER TAKING PART IN THIS MEANINGFUL EVENT IN THE FUTURE.

EARLIER, THE COMMISSIONER FOR LABOUR, MR. PETER WILLIAMS, IN WELCOMING MR. LEE GAVE CREDIT TO THE PRIVATE SECTOR FOR THE TREMENDOUS SUPPORT GIVEN TO MAKE THE ANNUAL EXHIBITION POSSIBLE.

HE SAID: +OVER THE YEARS, MAJOR EMPLOYERS IN COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY HAVE SHOWN INCREASING CONCERN ABOUT THE CHOICE OF JOES MADE BY OUR YOUNG PEOPLE.

+THEY SEE THE NEED TO CLOSE THE GAP BETWEEN SCHOOLS AND THE WORLD OF WORK AND THE YOUTH EMPLOYMENT ADVISORY SERVICE OF THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT PLAYS AN IMPORTANT PART IN MEETING THIS NEED.

+BY STAGING THE ANNUAL CAREERS EXHIBITION, WE HOPE TO PROVIDE YOUNG PEOPLE WITH A STARTING PCINT.+

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FR IDAY, NOVEMBER 25, 1977

10

FACTORIES AND INDUSTRIAL UNDERTAKINGS (AMENDMENT) BILL * K * * M *

A SERIES OF MISCELLANEOUS AMENDMENTS TO THE FACTORIES AND INDUSTRIAL UNDERTAKINGS ORDINANCE ARE PROPOSED TO BRING THE LEGISLATION UP TO DATE.

THE FACTORIES AND INDUSTRIAL UNDERTAKINGS (AMENDMENT) BILL 1977 PUBLISHED IN TODAY’S GOVERNMENT GAZETTE WILL HAVE THE EFFECT OF ENABLING THE COMMISSIONER FOR LABOUR TO DISCHARGE HIS DUTIES MORE EFFICIENTLY.

UNDER THE BILL, THE DEFINITION OF +COMMISSIONER+ AND +INSPECTOR+ IN THE EXISTING ORDINANCE WILL ALSO BE AMENDED TO INCLUDE LABOUR DEPARTMENT OFFICERS IN NEWLY CREATED POSTS, SUCH AS THE CHIEF FACTORY INSPECTOR AND INDUSTRIAL HYGIENISTS WHO WILL BE EMPOWERED TO VISIT FACTORIES AND INDUSTRIAL ESTABLISHMENTS, AND DELETE OTHER POSTS WHICH HAVE BEEN ABOLISHED.

THE SAME AMENDMENT WILL BE APPLIED TO THE BOILERS AND PRESSURE RECEIVERS ORDINANCE IN VIEW OF ITS CLOSE RELATIONSHIP WITH THE FACTORIES AND INDUSTRIAL UNDERTAKINGS ORDINANCE IN MATTERS CONCERNING SAFETY INSPECTIONS.

ANOTHER AMENDMENT UNDER THE BILL WILL EMPOWER THE COMMISSIONER FOR LABOUR TO APPOINT CONSULTANTS FOR LIMITED PERIODS TO ACCOMPANY GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS IN CARRYING OUT THEIR DUTIES. THESE CONSULTANTS WILL BE REGARDED AS PUBLIC OFFICERS AND BE UNDER THE SAME RESTRAINTS AS ANY PUBLIC OFFICER IN SO FAR AS REVEALING INFORMATION GAINED IN THE COURSE OF INSPECTION IS CONCERNED.

THE OTHER MINOR AMENDMENTS WILL ENABLE HONG KCNG TO COMPLY MORE FULLY WITH TWO INTERNATIONAL LABOUR CONVENTIONS.

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FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 25, 1977

11

TENDERS FOR SUPPLY OF SEWERAGE PUMPING STATION EQUIPMENT ******

THE PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT TODAY (FRIDAY) INVITED TENDERS FOR THE SUPPLY AND INSTALLATION OF MECHANICAL AND ELECTRICAL EQUIPMENT FOR A PUMPING STATION, WHICH WILL BE BUILT AS PART OF THE SEWERAGE SYSTEM FOR TAI PO.

MR. BOSCO KEOWN, SENIOR ENGINEER OF THE P.W.D.’S NEW TERRITORIES DEVELOPMENT BRANCH, SAID TODAY THAT WORK ON THE SEWAGE TREATMENT PLANT WAS PROGRESSING SMOOTHLY. IT SHOULD BE READY BY THE MIDDLE OF NEXT YEAR.

THE PLANT IS BEING BUILT ON A THREE-HECTARE SITE OCCUPYING PART OF A NEW LAND EE ING RECLAIMED BY THE P.W.D.’S DEVELOPMENT AND AIRPORT DIVISION.

MR. KEOWN SAID THAT THE PLANT WOULD INCORPORATE PURIFICATION SYSTEM TO PREVENT ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION IM THE AREA.

+ IN ITIALLY, IT WILL SERVE THE FIRST STAGE DEVELOPMENT OF THE TAI PO INDUSTRIAL ESTATE TO BE BUILT ON 24 HECTARES OF LAND ON THE RECLAMATION, BUT ALLOWANCE IB MADE TO EXPAND IT LATER TO SERVE THE WHOLE OF TAI PO DISTRICT,* HE SAID.

OTHER WORKS IN CONNECTION WITH THE SEWAGE TREATMENT PLANT WOULD INCLUDE STAFF QUARTERS AND AN ADMINISTRATION BUILDING.

0 - -

NEW COACH TERMINUS AT TSIM SHA TSUI

*****

A TEMPORARY EXPRESS COACH TERMINUS IS TO BE BUILT AT TSIM SHA TSUI SHORTLY TO REPLACE THE EXISTING ONE NEXT TO THE KOWLOON POST OFFICE IN SALISBURY ROAD.

TENDERS FOR THE WORK WERE INVITED TODAY (FRIDAY) BY THE HIGHWAYS OFFICE OF THE PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT.

MR. T.D. ARMOUR, ACTING CHIEF ENGINEER OF THE HIGHWAYS (KOWLOON) DIVISION, SAID THAT THE SITE OF THE EXISTING TERMINUS WAS REQUIRED FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF THE CULTURAL COMPLEX.

WORK ON THE NEW TERMINUS, SITUATED AT THE CORNER OF CANTON ROAD AND PEKING ROAD, WILL BEGIN NEXT JANUARY AND WILL TAKE ABOUT THREE MONTHS TO COMPLETE.

/12 .

I

FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 25, 1977

FIRING PRACTICE * * * * *

FIRING PRACTICE WILL TAKE PLACE AT CASTLE PEAK RANGE ON FIVE DAYS NEXT MONTH.

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

THE PRACTICE TIMES ARE:

DATE HOURS

DECEMBER 2 (FRIDAY) 9 A.M. — 4 P.M.

DECEMBER 6 (TUESDAY) 8.30 A.M. 4 P.M.

DECEMBER 7 (WEDNESDAY) 8.30 A.M. 4 P.M.

DECEMBER 15 (THURSDAY) 8.30 A.M. 5 P.M.

DECEMBER 16 (FRIDAY) 8.30 A.M. 5 P.M.

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CLEAN-UP OF SAI KUNG BEACHES

*******

A GROUP OF 50 JUNIOR POLICE CALL MEMBERS WILL START A TWO-DAY CLEAN-UP OF SAI WAN BEACH IN SAI KUNG TOMORROW (SATURDAY).

THE CLEAN-UP IS THE FIRST OF TWO SUCCESSIVE BEACH-CLEANING EXPEDITIONS ORGANISED BY THE SAI KUNG COMMUNITY BUILDING CO-ORDINATING COMMITTEE, COMPRISING REPRESENTATIVES FROM THE LOCAL DISTRICT OFFICE, THE RECREATION AND SPORTS AND THE URBAN SERVICES OFFICES AS WELL AS THE POLICE COMMUNITY RELATIONS AND THE COMMUNITY AND YOUTH OFFICES IN WONG TAI SIN.

THE SECOND EXERCISE, TO BE HELD ON THE FOLLOWING WEEKEND (DECEMBER 3), WILL COVER THE NEIGHBOURING TAI LONG BEACH.

THEIR EFFORTS ARE BEING CO-ORDINATED BY THE SAI KUNG DISTRICT OFFICE WHICH WILL HELP FINANCE THE EXERCISES FROM THE LOCAL COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT FUND.

THE DISTRICT OFFICE HAS ALSO ARRANGED FOR ARMY TRANSPORT, AUXILIARY MEDICAL SERVICES AND OVERNIGHT ACCOMMODATION FOR THE JPC3, WHILE THE EQUIPMENT NEEDED FOR THE CLEAN-UP WILL BE PROVIDED BY THE URBAN SERVICES DEPARTMENT.

NOTE TO EDITORS:

YOU ARE CORDIALLY INVITED TC COVER THE EVENT_/»HICH WILL START AT 2 P.M. TOMORROW (SATURDAY), A” SAI ..AN BtACH AT The EASTERN TIP OF THE SAI KUNG PENINSULA.

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DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN

SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 26, 1977

CONTENTS PAGE NO.

RHKAAF ACQUIRES TWO NEW TRAINING AIRCRAFT ................ 1

HOME OWNERSHIP SCHEME PLANNED FOR TUEN MUN ................ 2

PUBLIC URGED TO ADVISE ON IMPROVEMENTS TO COUNTRY PARKS ?

TSUEN WAN DISTRICT ADVISORY BOARD TO HOLD FIRST MEETING ON MONDAY ................................................. A

INTEGRATED EDUCATION PROGRAMME FOR HANDICAPPED ........... 5

IMPROVEMENTS TO CLEARWATER BAY ROAD ...................... 7

NEW SEA CADETS CENTRE - THE FRUIT OF PRISON LABOUR ........ 3

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

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

SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 2c, 1?77

1

Ta»O ’BULL DOGS’ JO IN AUXILIARY AIR FORCE FLEET r rr K &

THE ROYAL HONG KONG AUXILIARY AIR FORCE HAS ADDED TWO Nzv. PLANES LAST ..EEK TO ITS FLEcT OF AIRCRAFT.

THE TWO SINGLE-ENGINED, THREE SEATER TRAINING AIRCRAFT - THE +EULL DOG+ - ARE BEING ASSEMBLED li. THE HANGAR AT RAF, KAI TAK AND ARE EXPECTED TO BECOME rULLY OPERATIONAL IN AEOUT THREE v.EEKS TIME.

APART FROM EE ING USED TO TRAIN VOLUNTEER PILOTS FOR THE AUXILIARY AIR FORCE, THE +EULL DOGS+ ..ILL ALSO HELP IN SEARCH AND RESCUE OPERATIONS.

THE NE'.. AIRCRAFT, EACH COSTING ABOUT SPARE PARTS, HAS A RANGE OF 503 MILES AND I ILES PER HOUR.

.■435,330 INCLUDING

A MAXIMUM SPEED CF 12'3

A SPOKESMAN FOR THE ROYAL HONG KONG AUXILIARY AIR FORCE SAIL THAT THIS MODEL ..AS CHOSE'. BECAUSE IT COULD CARRY OUT THE KIXD_CF TRAINING WHICH BEST SUITED -.0 .0 (C'NG’S rL .U Ir.Er.zNTS ARD ..AS CHzaPzR THAN OTHER AIRCRAFT OF ITS TYPE.

THE AUXILIARY A IP FORCE, FORMED IN 1949, AT PRESENT OPERATES A FLEET OF FIVE AIRCRAFT - TH.,EE -LOUETTE -ARK III HELICOPTERS, A TjIN-ENGINED ISLANDER AND a MUSKETEER LIGHT AIRCRAFT.

IT HAS AEOUT 15'0 CHINESE AND EUROPEAN '•Er'EEPS, OF ..HOA 11-ARE VOLUNTEERS.

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SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 26, 1977

2

HOME OWNERSHIP SCHEME PLANNED FOR TUEN MUN

******

THE GOVERNMENT PLANS TO DEVELOP AN AREA IN THE NORTHERN PART OF TUEN MUN NEW TOWN FOR A HOME OWNERSHIP SCHEME FOR ABOUT 12,500 PEOPLE.

IT IS PART OF A 070.5 MILLION DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME WHICH INCLUDES ROAD WORKS AND DRAINAGE FOR THE NORTHERN AND NORTHWESTERN PARTS OF TUEN MUN NEW TOWN.

THE SITE DEVELOPMENT WORK ON THE AREA NEAR SAN WAI TSAI IS TO START EARLY NEXT YEAR AND IS EXPECTED TO TAKE ABOUT 18 MONTHS TO COMPLETE.

A NEW TERRITORIES ADMINISTRATION SPOKESMAN SAID TODAY THE SITE FORMATION WOULD INVOLVE THE RESUMPTION OF ABOUT 7.1 HECTARES OF PRIVATE AGRICULTURAL LAND AND 40.5 SQUARE METRES OF LAND OCCUPIED EY BUILDINGS.

SIX TEMPORARY DOMESTIC STRUCTURES AND 43 OTHER ANCILLARY TEMPORARY STRUCTURES WILL HAVE TO BE CLEARED, HE SAID.

+FAMILIES, IF FOUND ELIGIBLE, WILL EE OFFERED PUBLIC HOUSING TOGETHER WITH EX-GRAT1A DOMESTIC REMOVAL ALLOWANCE.+

THOSE NOT ELIGIBLE FOR PUBLIC HOUSING WILL BE OFFERED SPACE IN A LOCAL TEMPORARY HOUSING AREA AND MAY BE ELIGIBLE FOR EX-GRATIA DOMESTIC REMOVAL ALLOWANCE, HE ADDED.

THE SPOKESMAN SAID THE GOVERNMENT WOULD ALSO PAY COMPENSATION FOR CROPS, FRUIT TREES, FISH PONDS, WELLS, IRRIGATION SUMPS AND FENCES, AS WELL AS EX-GRATIA ALLOWANCE TO CULTIVATORS AND DISPLACED PIGBREEDERS AND POULTRY FARMERS.

+LAND OWNERS INVOLVED IN THE LAND RESUMPTION WILL BE OFFERED THE ALTERNATIVE OF CASH COMPENSATION OR LAND EXCHANGE DOCUMENTS,+ HE SAID.

/3

SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 26, 1277

- 3 -

PUBLIC URGED TO ADVISE ON IMPROVEMENTS TO COUNTRY PARKS

******

THE DIRECTOR OF AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES, MR. E.H. NICHOLS, HAS CALLED ON THE PUBLIC TO ADVISE ON IMPROVEMENTS TO THE ATTRACTIVENESS OF COUNTRY PARKS.

SPEAKING AT THE OPENING CEREMONY OF THE TWIN COUNTRY PARKS AT ABERDEEN AND TAI TAM TODAY, MR. NICHOLS SAID THAT ALTHOUGH THE PARKS WERE MANAGED AND PROTECTED BY STAFF OF THE DEPARTMENT, THEY IN FACT BELONGED TO THE PEOPLE OF HONG KONG.

+MEMBERS OF THE COMMUNITY CAN DC MUCH TO ASSIST US IN CONSERVING THE PARKS AND THE COUNTRYSIDE AS A VERY REAL NATIONAL ASSET AND FUTURE HERITAGE.

+WE ALSO WELCOME ASSISTANCE FROM THE PUBLIC BY THEIR CO-OPERATION IN TAKING CARE OF WHAT IS THEIR PROPERTY AND BY ADVISING US ON ANY IMPROVEMENTS AND ADDITIONAL FACILITIES WHICH THEY FEEL WOULD ADD TO THE PARKS’ ATTRACTIVENESS,* SAID MR. NICHOLS.

HE DESCRIBED THE ABERDEEN AND TAI TAM COUNTRY PARKS AS BEING +VIRTUALLY THE BACK GARDEN OF THE BUILT-UP AREAS OF HONG KONG ISLAND WHERE MORE THAN ONE MILLION PEOPLE LIVE.*

THE TWO PARKS, WITH A TOTAL LAND AREA OF 1,736 HECTARES, ARE THE FOURTH AND FIFTH COUNTRY PARKS TO BE OPENED IN HONG KONG. THE FIRST, AT SHING MUN ATTRACTED 500,003 VISITORS IN 1973. DURING THE PAST 12 MONTHS THERE HAVE BEEN 2.5 MILLION VISITORS TO COUNTRY PARKS AND, ACCORDING TO MR. NICHOLS, THIS FIGURE wILL INCREASE BY ABOUT 10 PER CENT ANNUALLY OVER THE NEXT FOUR YEARS.

WITHIN THE ABERDEEN AND TAI TAM COUNTRY PARKS THERE ARE 31 PICNIC AND BARBECUE PLACES, SEVEN RAIN SHELTERS, A CONCESSIONAIRE KIOSK AND TOILET FACILITIES. TWO MANAGEMENT CENTRES -- ONE AT WONG NAI CHUNG AND THE OTHER AT ABERDEEN — HAVE BEEN ESTABLISHED TO MANAGE AND PROTECT THE PARKS.

THE ABERDEEN MANAGEMENT CENTRE INCLUDES A VISITOR RECEPTION AREA WHERE MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC CAN SEEK ASSISTANCE AND INFORMATION ON THE PARK AND ITS FACILITIES.

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A

SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 26, 1977

4 _

FIRST MEETING OF TSUEN '..‘AN DISTRICT ADVISORY BOARD

■f: rt

THE FIRST MEETING OF THE TSUEN LAN DISTRICT ADVISORY BOARD, WHICH WAS ESTABLISHED YESTERDAY (FRIDAY) WILL BE HELD ON MONDAY (NOVEMBER 23) AT THE TSUEN WAN DISTRICT TOWN OFFICE.

THE SECRETARY FOR THE NEW TERRITORIES, MR. DAVID AKERS-JONES, WILL ATTEND THE MEETING TO ADDRESS THE BOARD.

HE - ILL THEN LEAVE TO ENABLE THE.” TO GET DOWN TC BUSINESS WHICH INCLUDES THE DISCUSSION OF T.,0 PAPERS RELATING TO THE FINANCING OF CULTURAL, RECREATIONAL AND SPORTING ACTIVITIES IN THE DI STR ICT.

THE BOARD — WITH 23 UNOFFICIAL MEMBERS — .'.ILL REPLACE THE NEW TOWN’S RECREATION AND AMENITIES (ADVISORY) COMMITTEE .-.HICH WAS ESTABLISHED LAST YEAR.

THE TSUEN WAN TOWN MANAGER, MR. JAMES HAYES, TODAY PRAISED THE RECREATION AND AMENITIES COMMITTEE +FOR THE VERY FINE WORK IT HAS PUT IN TO MAKE TSUEN ..'AN A BETTER PLACE FOR ITS RESIDENTS.*

+1 AM PLEASED THAT THE DISTRICT ADVISORY BOARD MEMBERS ARE DRAWN MAINLY FROM THE COMMITTEE, AND I AM SURE THEY WILL CARRY ON THE GOOD WORK,* HE SAID.

NOTE TO EDITORS:

YOU ARE CORDIALLY INVITED TC SEND A REPRESENTATIVE TO ATTEND THE INAUGURAL MEETING OF THE TSUxl. ..AN DISTRICT ADVISORY S0«RD ON MONDAY (NOVEMBER 23). SPECIAL ARRANGEMENTS HAVE BEEN MADE FOR THE BOARD MEMBERS TO ARRIVE AT 3.15 P.M. SO THAT THEY WILL EE AVAILABLE FOR INTERVIE.-., IF REQUIRED.

A GOVERNMENT VAN (AM 2338) WILL EE AVAILABLE AT THE TOI" SHA TSUI GOVERNMENT SUB-POOL AT 2.45 TO TAKE PRESS REPRESENTATIVES TC THE TSUEN WAN DISTRICT TOWN OFFICE AT HONG aONG AND SHAI.'SHAI BANK BUILDING, CASTLE PEAK ROAD.

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SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 26,

1977

5

INTEGRATED EDUCATION PROGRAMME FOR HANDICAPPED k ?€ r r:

THE INTEGRATED EDUCATION PROGRAMME FOR THE HANDICAPPED HAS HELPED MANY STUDENTS TO PURSUE HIGHER. STUDIES IN COURSES SUITED TO THEIR ABILITIES, MR. SUN PING-SHU, ASSISTANT DIRECTOR OF EDUCATION (SERVICES), SAID.

HE WAS REFERRING TO CASES WHERE BLIND OR SEVERELY HANDICAPPED STUDENTS BENEFITTED BY THE SPECIAL EDUCATION INTRODUCED INTO ORDINARY SCHOOLS IN HONG KONG.

PROGRAM .^S

+THE AIN OF SPECIAL EDUCATION,* MR. SUN SAID, +IS THE SAME AS THAT FOR ORDINARY CHILDREN, THAT IS TO EDUCATE AND DEVELOP HANDICAPPED CHILDREN AS WELL-ADJUSTED INDIVIDUALS AND CONTRIBUTING MEMBERS CF THE COMMUNITY.*

THE SPECIAL EDUCATION SECTION OF THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT IS RESPONSIBLE FOR THE EDUCATION AND TRAINING CF HANDICAPPED CHILDREN.

THERE ARE TWO SPECIAL EDUCATION SERVICES CENTRES - C’.E IN KOWLOON AND THE OTHER ON HONG KONG ISLAND - WHICH CARRY CUT SCREENING, ASSESSMENT, AND REMEDIAL SERVICES FOR CHILDREN.

THE SECTION ALSO RUNS ONE-YEAR IN-SERVICE COURSES FOR TEACHERS OF HANDICAPPED CHILDREN AND SERVING SPEECH THERAPY ASSISTANTS.

HANDICAPPED CHILDREN ARE PLACED IN SPECIAL SCHOOLS OR S°ECIAL CLASSES IN ORDINARY SCHOOLS ACCORDING TO THE DEGREE OF THEIR HANDICAPPED NEEDS.

THERE ARE FIVE TYPES OF SPECIAL SCHOOLS FOR THE SEVERELY HANDICAPPED. THEY ARE SCHOOLS FOR THE BLIND, THE DEAF, i HE PHYSICALLY HANDICAPPED, THE MENTALLY RETARDED, AND THE MALADJUSTED AND SOCIALLY DEPRIVED.

IN ALL THESE SCHOOLS, A WIDE RANGE OF FACILITIES IS PROVIDED IN ADDITION TO EMPLOYING SPECIAL TEACHING METHODS AND TECHNIQUES.

THROUGH PROPER EDUCATION AND GUIDANCE, MANY HANDICAPPED CHILDREN HAVE LEARNT TO OVERCOME THEIR DISABILITIES, MR. SUN SAID. SOME ARE NOW STUDENTS IN ORDINARY SCHOOLS, TAKING LESSONS WITH OTHER ORDINARY PUPILS. SOME ARE STUDYING AT THE HONG KONG POLYTECHNIC AND AT UNIVERSITIES. MANY ARE NOW WORKING IN A WIDE RANGE OF EMPLOYMENT.

QUOTING EXAMPLES, MR. SUN POINTED OUT THAT MISS FUNG KIT-HAR, A ELIND STUDENT, /.AS ONE OF THE STUDENTS TO TAKE PART IN AN INTEGRATED PROGRAMME.

/SHE HAS .....

6

SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 26, 1977

SHE HAS NOV. BEEN ACCEPTED FOR TH; T..C—YEAR COURo; IN SOCIAL WORK AT THE POLYTECHNIC. SHE ..ENT TO ST. STEPHEN’S G IRLS’ COLLEGE FROM THE EBENEZxR SCHOOL FOr. THE BLI.'.D IN FORM IN 197x, PASscD FIVE SUBJECTS IK THE HONG KONG CERTIFICATE OF EDUCATION EXAMINATION IN 1975, AND MATRICULATED THIS YEAR '..ITH DISTINCTION In ADVANCED LEVEL CHINESE HISTORY. SHE IS NOW PURSUING HER STUDIES AT THE POLYTECHNIC LIKE OTHER STUDENTS, HE SAID.

HA SEE-HUNG, ANOTHER BLIND STUDENT, AFTER STUDYING AT TH; EBENEZER SCHOOL, JOINED THE INTEGRATED PROGRAMME AT ST. PAUL’S COLL-GE UNTIL 1975 AND THEN MATRICULATED FROM ST. STEPHEN’S GIRLS COLLEGE THIS YEAR WITH A DISTINCTION IN HISTORY. THE HONG KONG ' THE ARTS FACULTY TO RzAD HISTORY,

UNIVERSITY HAS ACCEPTED HL PHILOSOPHY, AND ECONOMICS.

+THE SECRET OF SUCCESS IN OUT, +13 TO RECOGNISE THAT THE DISAE IL (TIES. AND .. ITH CC" L . TO PLAY IN OUR GGCIETY.+

THESE PROGRAMMES,+ MR. SUN POINTED DISABLED HAVE MORE ABILITIES THAN ITY SUPPORT THEY HAVE A POSITIVE ROLE

THE RECENTLY PUBLISHED ..HITE PAPER ON REHABILITATION REFLECTS^ A POSITIVE APPROACH IN ».HICr EMPHASIS IS PLACED ON THE CAPABILITIES OF THE HANDICAPPED RATHER THAN Of; HIS DISABILITIES. IT PROPOSES TO QUADRUPLE THE NUMBER OF SPECIAL EDUCATION PLACES IN THE COMING YCARS UP TO 1985-86. IN THIS ACADEMIC YEAR, THE NUMBER OF PLACES FOR HANDICAPPED CHILDREN IN SPECIAL SCHOOLS AND SPECIAL OR RESOURC; CLASSES IN ORDINARY SCHOOLS HAS INCREASED BY MORE THAN 17 PER CENT TO 14,320.

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/7......

SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 26, 1977

7

IMPROVEMENTS TO CLEARWATER BAY ROAD * * * *

IMPROVEMENTS TO THE SECTION OF CLEARWATER BAY ROAD EEKEEN HIRAM’S HIGHWAY AND PIK UK, THE ONLY ROAD LINKING KOWLOON WITH THE SAI KUNG PENINSULA, .-.ILL EE CARRIED OUT SHORTLY.

TENDERS FOR THE WORKS ARE BEING INVITED BY THE HIGHWAYS OFFICE OF THE PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT.

THE IMPROVEMENT WORKS WILL INCLUDE THE PROVISION OF A 7.3-METRE ..'IDE SINGLE CARRIAGEWAY AND A FOOTPATH ON THE NORTH SIDE OF THE EXISTING ROAD.

MR. ROBIN SAUNDERS, CHIEF ENGINEER OF THE P.W.D.’S HIGHWAYS (N.T.) DIVISION, SAID THAT THE EXISTING AND THE NEW ROADS WOULD TOGETHER FORM A DUAL CARRIAGEWAY.

+EA3TEOUND TRAFFIC WILL RUN ON THE TRAFFIC WILL USE THE EXISTING ROAD,+ HE

NEW ROAD WHILE THE WESTBOUND SA ID.

+THE WORKS WILL EEGIN IN FEBRUARY NEXT YEAR AND COMPLETE ABOUT 18 MONTHS LATER.+

MR. SAUNDERS EXPLAINED THAT THE EXISTING CLEARWATER BAY ROAD HAD SHARP BENDS ALONG ITS LENGTH.

THE SECTION TO BE IMPROVED WAS PARTICULARLY BAD, WITH A STEEP GRADIENT EXTENDING FOR AECUT 1.3 KILOMETRES.

+THIS LONG STEEP SECTION SLOWS DOWN HEAVY VEHICLES USING THE ROAD, CAUSING FREQUENT TRAFFIC CONGESTION, ESPECIALLY AT PEAK HOURS,+ HE SAID.

+THE TRAFFIC ALONG CLEARWATER EAY ROAD HAS INCREASED STEADILY OVER THE PAST YEARS AND, WITH THE DEVELOPMENT NOW TAKING PLACE OR PLANNED IN THE SAI KUNG AND CLEARWATER BAY ROAD AREAS, THIS INCREASE IN TRAFFIC IS EXPECTED TO CONTINUE.+

HOWEVER, WITH THE PROVISION OF THE ADDITIONAL CARRIAGEWAY, THE TRAFFIC CONDITIONS IN THESE AREAS WOULD BE IMPROVED CONSIDERABLY, HE SAID.

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

/8

SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 26, 1977 '

8 -

NEW SEA CADETS CENTRE -- THE FRUIT OF PRISON LABOUR

********

THE COMMISSIONER OF PRISONS, MR. TOM GARNER SAID TODAY THE NEW HONG KCNG SEA CADETS JUBILEE CENTRE SERVED AS A VERY GOOD EXAMPLE OF THE KIND OF PROJECT FOR WHICH PRISON LABOUR COULD EE UTILISED TO HELP SERVE MEMBERS OF THE COMMUNITY.

SPEAKING IN HIS CAPACITY AS A MEMBER OF THE SEA CADETS CORPS AREA COMMITTEE AT THE OPENING OF THE NEW CENTRE IN STANLEY, MR. GARNER SAID THIS WAS AN INTERESTING EUT OFTEN OVERLOOKED ASPECT OF THE KIND OF ACTIVITY IN WHICH THE PRISON SERVICE BECAME INVOLVED.

HE ALSO NOTED THAT THE CORPS HAD ESTABLISHED EIGHT UNITS PROVIDING A .'.'IDE RANGE OF ACTIVITIES FCR MORE THAN 500 BOYS AND GIRLS.

NOTE TO EDITORS:

COPIES OF MR. GARNER’S SPEECH ARE NOW AVAILABLE FOR COLLECT 10.. IN THE G. I.S. PRESS BOXES.

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

FIRING PRACTICE

* * *

FIRING PRACTICE WILL TAKE PLACE AT CASTLE PEAK RANGE ON FOUR DAYS NEXT WEEK.

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

THE PRACTICE TIMES ARE:

DATE HOURS

. NOVEMBER 28 (MONDAY) 11 A.M. 4.33 P.M.

NOVEMBER 29 (TUESDAY) 8 A.M. -- 5 P.M.

NOVEMBER 33 (WEDNESDAY) 8 A.M. -- 5 P.M.

DECEMBER 2 (FRIDAY) 9 A.M. -- 4 P.M.

0 - -

DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN

SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 27, 1977

CONTENTS PAGE NO.

PWD’S WATERWORKS ENGINEERS ATTEND DESALINATION CONGRESS IN TOKYO ........................................ 1

PROVISIONAL TRADE FIGURES FOR OCTOBER .................... 2

31G DEMAND FOR GOLD COIN CABINETS ......................... 4

INFORMATION PAMPHLET FOR PEOPLE AFFECTED BY NT CLEARANCES 5

REGISTRATION TEAM TO OPERATE IN SHA TAU KOK ............... 6

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

SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 27, 1977

1

P.'<D’S ..ATER ENGINEERS ATTEND DESALINATION CONGRESS

IN TOKYO * * * * *

TWO SENIOR ENGINEERS OF THE PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT LEFT FOR TOKYO TODAY (SUNDAY) TO REPRESENT HONG KONG AT THE INTERNATIONAL CONGRESS ON DESALINATION AND WATER RE-USE.

THEY ARE MR. WU Y'J-NGONG, CHIEF MECHANICAL ENGINEER (DESALTING), AND MR. PAU MAN-YUK, SENIOR MECHANICAL ENGINEER (DESALTING), OF THE P.W’.D.’S WATER SUPPLIES DEPARTMENT.

THE CONGRESS, WHICH BEGINS TOMORROW, WILL LAST FOR SIX DAYS. IT IS SPONSORED JOINTLY EY THE INTERNATIONAL DESALINATION AND ENVIRONMENTAL ASSOCIATION (IDEA), OF WHICH HONG KONG IS A MEMBER, AND THE MINISTRY OF INTERNATIONAL TRADE AND INDUSTRY OF JAPAN (NITI).

SOME 403 REPRESENTATIVES FROM VARIOUS PARTS OF THE WORLD, INCLUDING THE UNITED STATES, BRITAIN, WEST GERMANY, CANADh AND A NUMBER OF MIDDLE EAST COUNTRIES, .'.ILL ATTEND THE MEETING DURING WHICH THEY .'.ILL EXCHANGE THEIR LATEST TECHNOLOGY AND EXPERIENCE ON DESALINATION. THEY ..ILL ALSO VISIT DESALTING PLANTS IK JAPAN.

MR. WU, WHO IS A DIRECTOR OF THE IDEA, WILL, TOGETHER WITH TWO JAPANESE ENGINEERS, JOINTLY CHAIR ONE OF THE SESSIONS.

AT THE END OF THE CONGRESS BOTH MR. WU AND MR. PAU WILL STAY ON FOR ANOTHER WEEK VISITING MORE DESALTING PLANTS, PARTICULARLY THOSE OPERATING ON REVERSE OSMOSIS PROCESS.

THE BENEFIT OF THE REVERSE OSMOSIS PROCESS, IF PROVED TO EE APPLICABLE TO SEA .'.ATER, IS THAT IT CONSUMES MUCH LESS ENERGY THAN A DISTILLATION PROCESS AND IS FAR MORE ACCEPTABLE ENVIRONMENTALLY, AS IT DOES NOT PRODUCE THE ATMOSPHERIC AND THERMAL POLLUTION ASSOCIATED WITH DISTILLATION PROCESS.

(IT IS RECALLED THAT THE DIRECTOR OF WATER SUPPLIES, MR. WILLIA.’. TUCKER, IN HIS SPEECH TO ROTARY CLUB OF KOWLOON RECENTLY, SAID THAT THE APPLICATION OF REVERSE OSMOSIS TO BRACKISH WATER OK A LARGE SCALE WAS WELL ESTABLISHED.

HOWEVER, HE POINTED OUT THAT AT THE PRESENT STATE OF TECHNOLOGY, THE DESALTING OF SEA WATER EY REVERSE OSMOSIS DID NOT COMPETE ECONOMCIALLY WITH DISTILLATION PROCESSES.

BUT, MR. TUCKER ADDED, THE MANUFACTURERS WERE CONFIDENT THAT TECHNOLOGY WOULD IMPROVE .. ITHIN ABOUT THE NEXT FIVE YEARS, SO AS TO MAKE SUCH A PROCESS MORE ECONOMICALLY ATTRACTIVE THAN DISTILLATION.)

ON THEIR '..'AY HOME FRC'-' T'-.c CCKGREbS, oOi'E 1DC DELcGAi^o WILL VISIT HONG KONG.

DURING THEIR STAY HERE, THEY WILL VISIT THE LOK ON PAI DESALTING PLANT, THE BIGGEST PLANT OF ITS TYPE IN THE WORLD.

- 0 - -

SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 27, 1977

2

PROVISIONAL TRADE FIGURES FOR OCTOBER ******

THE VALUE OF DOMESTIC EXPORTS FOR LAST MONTH (OCTOBER) WAS •>2,901 MILLION, IMPORTS WERE WORTH $4,278 MILLION AND RE-EXPORTS $898 MILLION, ACCORDING TO THE PROVISIONAL TRADE FIGURES PUBLISHED TODAY BY THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT.

THE FIGURES FOR THE PERIOD FROM AUGUST TO OCTOBER (LATEST THREE MONTHS) SHOWED INCREASES BY VALUE OF 2.8 PER CENT FOR DOMESTIC EXPORTS, 5.1 PER CENT FOR IMPORTS AND 11.8 PER CENT FOR RE-EXPORTS COMPARED WITH THE SAME PERIOD IN 1976.

COMPARED WITH THE SAME MONTH IN 1976, INCREASES BY VALUE WERE RECORDED AT $331 MILLION OR 8.4 PER CENT FOR IMPORTS AND $93 MILLION OR 11.1 PER CENT FOR RE-EXPORTS. HOWEVER EXPORTS SHOWED A DECREASE OF $23 MILLION OR 0.8 PER CENT.

THE SHORT-TERW CHANGES, LAST MONTH COMPARED WITH SEPTEMBER, SHOWED INCREASES OF $533 MILLION OR 14.2 PER CENT FOR IMPORTS, ■*74 MILLION OR PER CENT FOR RE-EXPORTS AND A DECREASE OF $83 MILLION OR 2.8 DER CENT FOR EXPORTS.

THE FIGURES FOR THE 12-MONTH DERIOD FROM NOVEMBER 1976 TO OCTOBER 1977 COMPARED WITH THOSE OF THE PREVIOUS 12-MONTH PERIOD SHOWED INCREASES, BY VALUE, OF 9.5 PER CENT FOR DOMESTIC EXPORTS, 12.3 PER CENT FOR IMPORTS AND 12.1 PER CENT FOR RE-EXPORTS.

THE FOLLOWING ARE COMPARATIVE TRADE FIGURES:

LATEST AUGUST-OCTOBER AUGUST-OCTOBER INCREASE OR

3 MONTHS 1977 1976 DECREASE

$ MN. S MN. $ MN. %

DOMESTIC

EXPORTS 9,200 8,949 + 251 + 2.8

IMPORTS 11,782 11,215 + 567 + 5.1

RE-EXPORTS 2,562 2,292 + 270 + 11.8

SAME MONTH OCTOBER OCTOBER 1NCREASE

LAST YEAR 1977 1976 OR DECREASE

9 $ MN. 3 MN. $ MN. %

DOMESTIC

EXPORTS 2,901 2,924 - 23 - 0.8

(% OF TOTAL

EXPORTS) (76.4*) (73.3%)

IMPORTS 4,278 3,947 + 331 + 8.4

RE-EXPORTS 898 80? + 90 + 11.1

(% OF TOTAL

EXPORTS) (23.6'0 (21.7'0

/LAST MONTH ....

SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 27 » 1977

LAST MONTH OCTOBER 1977 $ MN. SEPTEMBER 1977 $ MN. 1NCREASE OR DECREASE $ MN. %

DOMESTIC EXPORTS (% OF TOTAL EXPORTS) 2,901 (76.4%) 2,983 (78.4%) 83 2.3

IMPORTS 4,278 3,745 4- 533 + 14.2

RE-EXPORTS (% OF TOTAL EXPORTS) 898 (23.6%) 824 (21.6%) 4- 74 4- 9.0

CALENDAR YEAR TO-DATE JAN. - OCT. 1977 $ MN. JAN. - OCT. 1976 S MN. INCREASE OR DECREASE $ MN. %

DOMESTIC EXPORTS (% OP TOTAL EXPORTS) 28,372 (78.0%) 26,746 (78.6%) +1,626 + 6.1

IMPORTS 39,460 35,525 +3 ,935 + 11.1

RE-EXPORTS (% OF TOTAL EXPORTS) 7,937 (22.0%) 7,299 (21.4%) + 688 + 9.4

LAST 12 MONTHS NOVEMBER 1976 TO OCTOBER 1977 S MN. NOVEMBER 1975 TO OCTOBER 1976 $ MN. 1NCREASE OR DECREASE S MN. %

DOMESTIC EXPORTS 34,255 31,293 +2,962 4- 9.5

IMPORTS 47,228 42,063 +5,165 4- 12.3

RE-EXPORTS 9,616 8,581 +1,035 4- 12.1

SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 27, 1=77

4

EIG DEMAX'D FOR GOLD COIN CABINETS K H H H

PUBLIC RESPONSE TO THE HONG KCNG GOLD COIN CABINET ON DISPLAY AT THE GOVERNMENT PUBLICATIONS CENTRE HAS BEEN SC GREAT THAT AN URGENT ORDER HAS HAD TO BE PLACED FOR MORE INQUIRY FORKS.

A SPOKESMAN FOP THE GOVERNMENT PUBLICATIONS CENTRE AT THE GENERAL POST OFFICE, CONNAUGHT PLACE, SAID TODAY: +THERE HAS SO MUCH INTEREST IN THE CABINET THAT THE CENTRE HAS RUN CUT OF PRINTED INQUIRY FORKS.+

HE ADDED: +WE HAVE PHOTOSTATED A LIMITED NUMBER OF FORMS WHILE A FRESH SUPPLY IS BEING PRINTED.*

THE SPOKESMAN DESCRIBED PUBLIC INTEREST IN THE CABINET AS SURPRISINGLY GOOD. HE SAID: +A FIRM PRICE FOR THE CABINET HAS NOT YET BEEN DECIDED AND WILL DEPEND ON MANUFACTURING COSTS AND THE NUMBER OF CABINETS MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC ORDER.+

THE CABINET, HOWEVER, IS EXPECTED TO COST BETWEEN $333 AND

.403

IT CONTAINS RECESSES FCR 14 GOLD COINS, THREE OF .<HICH HAVE ALREADY BEEN ISSUED.

THE SERIES BEGAN WITH A COIN TO COMMEMORATE THE QUEEN’S VISIT TO HONG KCNG IN MAY, 1975.

THE TWO OTHER COINS WERE ISSUED TO MARK THE YEAR CF THE DRAGON (1976) AND THE YEAR OF THE SNAKE (1977). GOLD COIN’S ,JLL BE ISSUED IK EACH OF THE NEXT 10 YEARS TO COMPLETE THE LUNAR NEW YEAR CYCLE.

THE 14 RECESSES HAVE BEEN DESIGNED TO HOLD COINS IN SORE,. TCP PLASTIC CAPSULES.

ALL GOLD COINS TO EE ISSUED IN FUTURE WILL BE PROVIDED IN CAPSULES.

EMPTY CAPSULES FOR FIRST THREE COINS ISSUED SO FAR WILL BE PROVIDED WITH EACH CABINET.

- 0 - -

SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 27, 1977

5 -

INFORMATION PAMPHLET FOR PEOPLE AFFECTED BY NT CLEARANCES * * * * *

_THE GOVERNMENT HAS PRODUCED AN INFORMATION PAMPHLET IN CHINESE TO HELP PEOPLE AFFECTED BY CLEARANCES AS THE RESULT OF THE VAoT DEVELOPMENTS NOW UNDERWAY IN THE NEW TERRITORIES.

SPEAKING ON THE +N.T. z.EEKLY* PROGRAMME ON RTHK’S CHINESE SERVICE TODAY, A NEW TERRITORIES ADMINISTRATION SPOKESMAN SAID THE PAMPHLET COULD BE OBTAINED FROM ALL DISTRICT OFFICES, TOWN OFFICES AND PUBLIC ENQUIRY CENTRES IN THE NEW TERRITORIES. IT WOULD ALSO BE SENT TO PEOPLE AFFECTED BY CLEARANCES.

THE SPOKESMAN ADDED THE SIMPLE,+PRE-CLEARANCE+ PAMPHLET WAS DESIGNED FOR THOSE PEOPLE WHO ARE ABOUT TO BE CLEARED OR AFFECTED BY LAND RESUMPTION IN THE NE'.; TERRITORIES.

+IT WILL HELP THEM TO UNDERSTAND THEIR SITUATION AND WHAT ASSISTANCE THzY CAN EXPECT AND OBTAIN FROM VARIOUS GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS CONCERNED WITH CLEARANCES,+ HE SAID.

+OFFICE ADDRESSES OF THESE GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS ARE LISTED AT THE END OF THE PAMPHLET AND STAFF OF THE DEPARTMENTS OILL EE PLEASED TO HELP SOLVE ANY PROBLEM OF THOSE AFFECTED.+

MR. GREGORY CHAN, SENIOR HOUSING MANAGER IN CHARGE OF CLEARANCES IN THE NEW TERRITORIES, AND MR. PETER NG, DISTRICT OFFICER OF TUEN MUN, ALSO APPEARED ON THE RADIO PROGRAMME.

MR. CHAN SAID PEOPLE ARE BOUND TO BE AFFECTED OR INCONVENIENCED, IN ONE WAY OR ANOTHER, BY CLEARANCES.

+EUT THE HOUSING DEPARTMENT WILL ACCOMMODATE THEM IN EITHER PUBLIC HOUSING OR IN A TEMPORARY LICENSED AREA, DEPENDING ON THEIR ELIGIBILITY,* HE ADDED.

+NEEDY FAMILIES MAY ALSO GET DOMESTIC REMOVAL ALLOWANCE RANGING FROM 5630 TO 51,003 ACCORDING TO THE SIZE OF THE FAMILY.*

MR. PETER NG SAID AS FAR AS TUEN

MUN WAS CONCERNED PEOPLE AFFECTED EY CLEARANCE COULD BE ACCOMMODATED EITHER IN TAI HING OR SUN FAT ESTATES.

HE POINTED OUT THAT TAI HING ESTATE HAD NOT ONLY ALL THE .'1ECESSARY FACILITIES SUCH AS SCHOOLS, MARKETS, PARKS AND CLIN.ICS, BUT ALSO THE CHEAPEST RENTS IL ALL PUBLIC HOUSING ESTATES IN THE NEW TERRITORIES.

-------o

/6

SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 27, 1977

6

REGISTRATION TEAM TO OPERATE AT SHA TAU KOK GOVERNMENT SCHOOL

* * * * *

A TEAM FROM THE REGISTRATION OF PERSONS OFFICE WILL CONDUCT REGISTRATIONS AT SHA TAU KOK GOVERNMENT SCHOOL FOR RESIDENTS AND PERSONS LIVING IN SHA TAU KOK AND NEARBY AREAS ON TUESDAY AND WEDNESDAY (NOVEMBER 29 AND 30).

REGISTRATIONS WILL BE CONDUCTED BETWEEN 9.30 ON THE TWO DAYS.

A.Mi. AND 4.30 P.M.

TO REGISTER THEIR

THE VISIT IS TO ENABLE PARENTS AND GUARDIANS

CHILDREN AND WARD BETWEEN 11 AND 17 YEARS OF AGE FOR JUVENILE IDENTITY CARDS AND HOLDERS OF JUVENILE IDENTITY CARDS TO REGISTER FOR ADULT IDENTITY CARDS ON REACHING 18 YEARS OF AGE.

ALL PERSONS LIVING IN THIS AREA ARE REMINDED OF THEIR RESPONSIBILITY TO REGISTER THEMSELVES AND THEIR CHILDREN FOR IDENTITY CARDS AND TO REPORT CHANGES OF EMPLOYMENT OR RESIDENTIAL ADDRESSES, MARITAL STATUS, OR ANY OTHER PARTICULARS WHICH HAVE CHANGED SINCE REGISTERING FOR THEIR IDENTITY CARDS.

DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN

MONDAY, NOVEMBER 28, 1977

CONTENTS PAGE n02

GOVERNOR TALKS ON MODERN URBAN DEVELOPMENT IN HONG KONG .. 1

FIRST MEETING OF TSUEN WAN DISTRICT ADVISORY BOARD . 3

GREEN PAPER ON YOUTH PUBLISHED ..................... 5

SPONSORS NEEDED IN SERVICES FOR HANDICAPPED ........ 7

REMOVAL OF VERANDAHS FOR MTR CONSTRUCTION .......... 9

NO ROOM FOR ’QUEUE-JUMPING’ IN PUBLIC HOUSING ..... 10

SURVEY OF RENTAL MOVEMENTS ........................ 11

SAI KUNG FLATS FOR SALE ........................... 12

SNT TO ATTEND SCHOOL SPEECH DAY ................... 13

APPLICATIONS FOR CERTIFICATES OF REGISTERED PARTICULARS .. 13

TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS .............................. 14

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

MONDAY, NOVEMBER 28, 1977

1

EMBARGOED NEWS ITEM.

NOTE TO EDITORS:

THE FOLLOWING IS A SUMMARY OF A LECTURE ON MODERN URBAN DEVELOPMENT IN HONG KONG GIVEN BY THE GOVERNOR, SIR MURRAY MACLEHOSE, TO THE ROYAL SOCIETY FOR ARTS IN LONDON ON MONDAY EVENING (NOVEMBER 28) AT 5.30 P.M. (LONDON TIME). THE ITEM IS EMBARGOED FOR 0001 HOUR ON TUESDAY (NOVEMBER 29) (LOCAL TIME). IT SHOULD NOT (REPEAT NOT) BE PUBLISHED OR BROADCAST BEFORE THEN.

MODERN URBAN DEVELOPMENT IN HONG KONG

* * * *

THE GOVERNOR, SIR MURRAY MACLEHOSE, SAID IN LONDON THIS EVENING HONG KONG’S TRANSFORMATION FROM A DELAPIDATED PORT TO A THRIVING INDUSTRIAL, COMMERCIAL AND FINANCIAL METROPOLIS WAS A CLASSIC EXAMPLE OF CHALLENGE AND RESPONSE.

+IT HAS DONE THIS WITHOUT EITHER NATURAL RESOURCES, OR AID, BUT THE ENDEAVOURS OF ITS OWN PEOPLE AND FROM THE REVENUES YIELDED BY THEIR OWN WORK.+ HE SAID.

SIR MURRAY WAS ADDRESSING THE ROYAL SOCIETY OF ARTS IN LONDON ON THE ’MODERN URBAN DEVELOPMENT IN HONG KONG’ IN WHICH HE TRACED THE ECONOMIC BACKGROUND AND THE DEVELOPMENT OF HONG KONG FROM THE LATE FORTIES TO THE PRESENT DAY, AND HOW THESE HAVE BEEN INFLUENCED BY THE FLOOD OF PEOPLE.

BEFORE GOING INTO THE DETAILS OF THE NEW TOWN PLANS BEING TAKEN TO ACHIEVE AN ACCEPTABLE STANDARD OF LIVING FOR 4.5 MILLION PEOPLE OF HONG KONG, SIR MURRAY STRESSED THAT WITHOUT MONEY THERE COULD BE NO DEVELOPMENT.

HONG KONG LIVED BY TRADE, HE SAID, AND MANUFACTURING FOR EXPORT WAS STILL THE BASIS OF ITS ECONOMY.

+HONG KONG’S DEPENDENCE ON ORDERS FOR EXPORTS TO OVERSEAS MARKETS IS WORTH STRESSING, BECAUSE IT IMPLIES ALMOST TOTAL, AND CERTAINLY EXCEPTIONAL, DEPENDENCE ON THE ECONOMIC CIRCUMSTANCES AND POLICIES OF IMPORTING COUNTRIES -- MOSTLY IN NORTH AMERICA AND EUROPE — WHICH HONG KONG NATURALLY HAS NO CONTROL WHATEVER.

+THIS SENSE OF PRECARIOUSNESS, PARTICULARLY WHEN COUPLED WITH THE ABSENCE OF EXTERNAL AID, HAS UNDOUBTEDLY AFFECTED ATTITUDES TO UF?BAN PLANNING,+ SIR MURRAY OBSERVED.

SIR MURRAY POINTED OUT THAT THE ENORMOUS PROBLEMS OF URBAN RENEWAL AND DECANTATION BOILS DOWN TO A PROBLEM OF PEOPLE -- TOO MANY PEOPLE, ARRIVING TOO QUICKLY, ON TOO LITTLE GROUND, FOR A GOVERNMENT THAT WAS ORIGINALLY TOO SMALL AND POOR TO DEAL WITH THEM.

/HE SAID .....

MONDAY, NOVEMBER 28, 1977

2 -

HE SAID TO ACHIEVE ACCEPTABLE STANDARDS OF LIVING AND ENVIRONMENT, THE GOVERNMENT HAD TO INTERVENE DRASTICALLY TO SPREAD OUT THE POPULATION TO PROVIDE HOUSING FOR THE MAJORITY UNABLE TO PAY COMMERCIAL RENTS, AND TO ACHIEVE A MUCH BETTER BALANCE IN ALL AREAS BETWEEN HOUSING, PLACES OF EMPLOYMENT, PUBLIC SERVICES AND AMENITIES, OPEN SPACE AND COMMUNICATIONS.

+ THIS CONCEPT OF SPREADING OUT THE POPULATION TO REDUCE DENSITIES AND IMPROVE THE ENVIRONMENT AND THE NETWORK OF NEW COMMUNICATIONS NECESSARY TO ACHIEVE IT, ONLY EMERGED GRADUALLY,* SIR MURRAY EXPLAINED.

SIR MURRAY SAID THAT THE VAST INFLUX OF POPULATION IN THE LATE ’4OS AND ’5OS AND THE PROBLEMS IT CREATED HAD DOMINATED HONG KONG EVER SINCE, + BUT FOR A TIME IT WAS NOT AT ALL APPARENT THAT THE PROBLEM WAS PERMANENT.*

IT GRADUALLY BECAME CLEAR THAT THE IMMIGRANTS HAD BECOME PERMANENT RESIDENTS OF HONG KONG AND THAT THEIR REQUIREMENTS MUST BE BUILT AND PLANNED FOR.

IN THE EARLY PHASE OF THE DEVELOPMENT OF MODERN HONG KONG, SIR MURRAY SAID, THE MAJOR TASK WAS TO FIND EMPLOYMENT AND SAFE WEATHER-PROOF AND FIRE-PROOF ACCOMMODATION AND THE DOMINANT PRIORITIES WERE THE PROVISION OF HOUSING AND LAND FOR INDUSTRY.

THE STANDARDS FIRST SET OUT FOR EARLY DEVELOPMENT SOON BECAME VIRTUALLY IMPOSSIBLE IN THE DENSITIES CREATED IN URBAN AREAS WHERE LAND FOR FURTHER DEVELOPMENT WAS RUNNING OUT.

+IN 1972 WE THEREFORE DECIDED THAT A CONCENTRATED EFFORT SHOULD BE MADE TO BREAK THE BACK OF THE PROBLEM OF UNDER-PROVISION IN THE URBAN AREAS OF HONG KONG,* SIR MURRAY EXPLAINED.

+WE SET OURSELVES A 10-YEAR PERIOD -- UP TO 1983 -- AND DREW UP AND PUBLISHED PLANS TO PROVIDE BY THAT TIME PUBLIC HOUSING FOR ALL WHO NEEDED IT, AND ALSO TO COVER ADEQUATELY THE BASIC REQUIREMENTS OF EDUCATION, MEDICAL AND HEALTH SERVICES AND SOCIAL WELFARE.

+THESE PLANS NOT ONLY SET A TIMESCALE WITHIN WHICH THE PROBLEMS FORCED ON HONG KONG BY IMMIGRATION SHOULD BE SOLVED AND LET THE PUBLIC KNOW WHAT IT WOULD BE, BUT ALSO MADE POSSIBLE THE PLANNING OF URBAN DEVELOPMENT IN SUCH A WAY THAT THE NEW TOWNS SHOULD BE FROM THE START AS BALANCE COMMUNITIES, WITH PROVISIONS BEING MADE FOR INDUSTRY, PUBLIC HOUSING, SCHOOLS, HOSPITALS, RECREATIONAL SPACE AND OTHER AMENITIES AND COMMUNITY FACILITIES TO THE SCALES PROVIDED FOR IN THE OVERALL PLAN,* HE SAID.

/PLaL’S ,',’LRE.....

MONDAY, NOVEMBER 28, 1977

- 3 -

PLANS WERE DRAWN UP PROGRESSIVELY, FIRSTLY, TO LINK THE OLD URBAN AREA TO AREAS IN THE NEW TERRITORIES IN WHICH MORE SPACIOUS AND MORE THOROUGHLY PLANNED DEVELOPMENT WOULD BE POSSIBLE.

SECONDLY, IN THE OLD URBAN AREA ITSELF, THERE WERE PLANS TO BUILD A BASIC NETWORK OF NEW MOTOR ROADS TO FREE TRAFFIC FROM THE OLD CONGESTED STREETS AND PROMOTE A MORE EFFICIENT PUBLIC BUS SERVICE.

THIS WOULD BE SUPPLEMENTED WITH AN UNDERGROUND MASS TRANSIT RAILWAY WHICH WOULD RELIEVE PRESSURE ON SURFACE TRANSPORT, SIR MURRAY SAID.

+SO WE HAVE RUN THE FULL COURSE FROM THE 5OS, WHEN PLANNING WAS CONFINED TO THE BAREST NECESSITIES AND DIRECTED TO THE CROWDED HARBOUR AREA, TO THE PRESENT PROCEDURE OF BUILDING NEW TOWNS IN THE NEW TERRITORIES PLANNED TO PROVIDE ALL THAT IS NECESSARY FOR A COMPLETE COMMUNITY, AND WITH THESE ELEMENTS BEING BUILT TOGETHER, FROM THE START, BY THE GOVERNMENT, AND WITH THE PRIVATE SECTOR BUILDING INDUSTRIAL, COMMERCIAL AND A PART OF THE RESIDENTIAL DEVELOPMENT TO THE SAME PLAN, ON LAND PROVIDED BY THE GOVERNMENT.*

+WHILE THE METHODS WE HAVE ADOPTED ARE OUTWARDLY THOSE OF THE ENGINEERS, THE ARCHITECTS AND THE TOWN PLANNERS, THE BASIC PROBLEM AND OBJECTIVE REMAINS -- TO CREATE AN ENVIRONMENT WITHIN WHICH THE PEOPLE CAN LIVE AN ACCEPTABLE AND SATISFYING LIFE,* SIR MURRAY SAID.

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

FIRST MEETING OF TSUEN WAN DISTRICT ADVISORY BOARD *****

THE NEWLY-ESTABLISHED TSUEN WAN DISTRICT ADVISORY BOARD HELD ITS FIRST MEETING TODAY.

BEFORE THE MEETING STARTED, THE SECRETARY FOR THE NEW TERRITORIES, MR. DAVID AKERS-JONES, ADDRESSED THE BOARD MEMBERS AND PRESENTED TO THEM LETTERS OF APPOINTMENT SIGNED BY SIR DENYS ROBERTS IN HIS CAPACITY AS CHIEF SECRETARY.

THE MEETING WAS CHAIRED BY THE TSUEN WAN TOWN MANGER, MR. JAMES HAYES.

IN HIS OPENING SPEECH TO THE GATHERING, MR. HAYES PRAISED MEMBERS OF THE RECREATION AND AMENITIES COMMITTEE -- THE FORERUNNER OF THE DISTRICT ADVISORY BOARD — FOR THE EXCELLENT WORK THEY HAD DONE ON BEHALF OF THE COMMUNITY.

+THE COMMITTEE’S TERMS OF REFERENCE INCLUDED ALL ASPECTS OF PLANNING AND MANAGEMENT OF RECREATIONAL AMENITIES FOR THE NEW TOWN AND THE PROMOTION OF THE PRIVATE BODIES ENGAGED IN THIS FIELD,* HE SAID.

/IN THE

MONDAY, NOVEMBER 28, 1977

IN THE 18 MONTHS OF THEIR EXISTENCE AS A COMMITTEE, MR. HAYES SAID, MEMBERS HAD MET 21 TIMES IN THE MAIN COMMITTEE AND SUB-COMMITTEES, PREPARING 43 PAPERS AND HAD MADE A NUMBER OF VISITS TO AMENITIES INSIDE AND OUTSIDE TSUEN WAN.

MANY USEFUL IDEAS AND SUGGESTIONS TO IMPROVE AMENITIES HAD BEEN CONTRIBUTED, HE ADDED.

MR. HAYES RECALLED THAT THE COMMITTEE AT FIRST HAD NO FUNDS OF ITS OWN, BUT FROM APRIL THIS YEAR, A SUM OF §200,000 WAS MADE AVAILABLE TO ASSIST IN THE PROMOTION AND EXPANSION OF SPORTS AND CULTURAL ACTIVITIES.

+1 CANNOT SAY AT THIS POINT PRECISELY WHAT FUNDS WILL BE AVAILABLE NEXT YEAR, BUT I AM REASONABLY CONFIDENT THAT THEY WILL BE SUBSTANTIALLY MORE THAN THE $200,000 WHICH WAS AVAILABLE TO THE OLD COMMITTEE,* HE SAID.

HE SAID THE WORK OF THE DISTRICT ADVISORY BOARD WOULD BE WIDER IN SCOPE, AND WOULD NOT ONLY CONTINUE TO PROMOTE ALL ASPECTS OF SPORTING, RECREATIONAL AND CULTURAL ADVANCEMENT, BUT ALSO BE ABLE TO RAISE MATTERS WHICH RELATED TO THE ENTIRE RANGE OF GOVERNMENT AND COMMUNITY BUSINESS IN TSUEN WAN.

+IT WILL ALSO PLAY A MAJOR PART IN HELPING TO DECIDE PRIORITIES FOR THE NEW PUBLIC WORKS PROGRAMME ITEMS IN THE NEW TOWN.*

MR. HAYES SAID IT WOULD TAKE TIME FOR THE BOARD TO WORK INTO ITS NEW RESPONSIBILITIES AND FOR DEPARTMENTS TO GEAR THEMSELVES TO THE NEW SITUATION.

+HOWEVER, IN THE GOVERNMENT’S VIEW, THESE CHANGES ARE UNDOUBTEDLY FOR THE BEST AND THEY ARE EXPECTED TO CONTRIBUTE GREATLY TO THE GOOD OF TSUEN WAN,+ HE SAID.

TODAY’S MEETING WAS THE FIRST OF A SERIES OF INAUGURAL MEETINGS OF THE SEVEN N.T. DISTRICT ADVISORY BOARDS, THE ESTABLISHMENT OF WHICH WERE ANNOUNCED BY THE GOVERNOR, SIR MURRAY MACLEHOSE, IN HIS ANNUAL ADDRESS TO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL LAST MONTH.

TSUEN WAN - WITH A POPULATION OF NEARLY 500,000 - HAS THE LARGEST BOARD WITH 20 UNOFFICIAL MEMBERS MAINLY DRAWN FROM THE RECREATION AND AMENITIES COMMITTEE WHICH WAS REPLACED BY THE DISTRICT ADVISORY BOARD.

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MONDAY, NOVEMBER 28, 1977

5

GREEN PAPER ON PERSONAL SOCIAL WORK AMONG YOUNG PEOPLE

*****

A GREEN PAPER WHICH OUTLINES RECOMMENDATIONS FOR DEVELOPING PERSONAL SOCIAL WORK AMONG YOUNG PEOPLE IN HONG KONG IS PUBLISHED TODAY (MONDAY) FOR PUBLIC COMMENT

THE RECOMMENDATIONS AND VIEWS EXPRESSED ON THEM BY THE PUBLIC AND PROFESSIONAL BODIES WILL BE STUDIED CAREFULLY BEFORE ANY DECISION IS TAKEN BY THE GOVERNMENT.

IT IS HOPED THAT A FIRM PROGRAMME DECIDED UPON COVERING THE NEXT FIVE YEARS WILL EE IMPLEMENTED AS EARLY AS POSSIBLE IN THE NEXT FINANCIAL YEAR COMMENCING APRIL 1, 1978.

THE GREEN PAPER SUMMARISES THE FINDINGS AND RECOMMENDATIONS OF A PROGRAMME PLAN ON PERSONAL WORK AMONG YOUNG PEOPLE COMPLETED IN JULY THIS YEAR. IT WAS PREPARED IN CLOSE CONSULTATION WITH THE HONG KONG COUNCIL OF SOCIAL SERVICE.

THE PAPER CONTAINS SOME 35 RECOMMENDATIONS WHICH FALL MAINLY INTO THE FOLLOWING SERVICE AREAS: -

1. SCHOOL SOCIAL WORK

THIS SERVICE SHOULD BE IMPROVED AND EXPANDED TO HELP PUPILS WHOSE ACADEMIC, SOCIAL AND EMOTIONAL DEVELOPMENT IS IN JEOPARDY- TO ASSIST PUPILS TO MAKE THE MAXIMUM USE OF THE EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES- TO DEVELOP THEIR POTENTIAL TO THE FULL- AND TO PREPARE THEM FOR RESPONSIBLE ADULT LIVING.

2. SOCIAL WORK AMONG UNATTACHED YOUNG PEOPLE

THIS TYPE OF SOCIAL WORK SHOULD BE IMPROVED TO HELP YOUNG PEOPLE AT RISK THROUGH AN OUT-REACHING APPROACH UNDER WHICH SOCIAL WORKERS ARE TO ESTABLISH DIRECT CONTACT WITH THESE YOUNGSTERS IN PLACES WHERE THEY ARE KNOWN TO FREQUENT. THIS WILL HELP THEM IMPROVE THEIR BEHAVIOUR AND INTEGRATE THEM INTO NORMAL SOCIAL GROUP ACTIVITIES.

3. FAMILY LIFE EDUCATION

THIS SERVICE SHOULD EE EXPANDED TO IMPROVE THE QUALITY OF FAMILY LIFE AMONG INDIVIDUALS BY ENHANCING THE UNDERSTANDING OF SELF, OF HUMAN RELATIONSHIPS WITHIN THE FAMILY AND THE ROLE EACH FAMILY MEMBER PLAYS, ARD TO FORESTALL FAMILY BREAKDOWNS BY IMPARTING KNOWLEDGE ON MARRIAGE, CHILD CARE AND THE RESPONSIBILITY OF PARENTHOOD TO INDIVIDUAL MEMBERS.

A. ANCILLARY.......

MONDAY, NOVEMBER 28, 1977

6

4. ANCILLARY PROVISIONS

IN ADDITION TO THE DIRECT SOCIAL WORK SERVICES, OTHER MEASURES SHOULD EE RECOMMENDED INCLUDING THE CONTROL OF TRIADS AND THEIR INFLUENCES, THE MCE IL IS ING OF VOLUNTEERS TO ASSIST PROBLEM YOUTHS AND THE EXPANSION OF STUDY ROOM FACILITIES IN THE MORE CROWDED AREAS.

COMMENTING ON THE GREEN PAPER, MISS ANNIE CHAN, ASSISTANT DIRECTOR OF SOCIAL WELFARE, SAID THAT THE OVERALL OBJECTIVE OF PERSONAL SOCIAL WORK AMONG YOUNG PEOPLE IS TO REDUCE OR PREVENT ANTI-SCCIAL OR DELINQUENT BEHAVIOUR OF YOUNG PEOPLE.

+MEETING THIS OBJECTIVE ENTAILS IDENTIFYING YOUNG PEOPLE AT RISK, ASSESSING THEIR NEEDS AND MEETING THEM AS FAR AS PRACTICABLE TO INTEGRATE THEM INTO NORMAL SOCIAL GROUP ACTIVITIES. IT IS ALSO NECESSARY TO EDUCATE YOUNG PEOPLE AND THEIR FAMILIES TO UNDERSTAND AND ACCEPT THE PROPER ROLE THEY SHOULD PLAY AT HOME AND THE SOCIETY AND TO MONITOR THE EFFECT OF PERSONAL SOCIAL WORK GENERALLY.*

MISS CHAN NOTED THAT THERE ..ERE NO PRECISE INDICATORS OF THE MOST VULNERABLE PERIOD IN YOUTH. AN AGE RANGE OF 6-20 WAS CONSIDERED APPROPRIATE SINCE CHILDREN UNDER SIX WERE GENERALLY LIVING IN A PROTECTED ENVIRONMENT WHILE THOSE OVER 20 YEARS OF AGE ..ERE MORE MATURE AND EMOTIONALLY STABLE.

+MUCH EFFORTS HAVE BEEN MADE BY THE GOVERNMENT IN PROVIDING AND EXPANDING RECREATIONAL ACTIVITIES AND FACILITIES FOR YOUNG PEOPLE.

+IT IS ESTIMATED THAT ABOUT ONE-THIRD OF YOUNG PEOPLE IN

THE AGE RANGE OF 6-23 ARE TAKING PART IN SOME FORM OF ORGANISED YOUTH OR RECREATIONAL ACTIVITIES AND IT IS HOPED TO INCREASE THIS PROPORTION IN FUTURE. COUPLED WITH THIS AND AT A MORE PRIMARY LEVEL, THE GOVERNMENT HAS ALSO STEPPED UP EFFORTS IN PROVIDING THE BASIC SERVICES AND FACILITIES.*

DESPITE ALL THESE, MISS CHAN CONTINUED, THERE WOULD ALWAYS BE A PROPORTION OF YOUNG PEOPLE WHOSE INDIVIDUAL NEEDS AND PROBLEMS COULD NOT, FOR ONE REASON OR ANOTHER, BE FULLY MET BY THE BASIC SERVICES. THESE YOUNG PEOPLE WOULD REQUIRE PERSONAL SOCIAL WORK WHICH AIMS TO PROVIDE TIMELY GUIDANCE AND HELP SPECIFICALLY TO THOSE WHO EXPERIENCE PROBLEMS OF VARIOUS KINDS IN THEIR PERSONAL DEVELOPMENT AND TO REDUCE THEIR CHANCE OF TURNING DEL INQUENT.

THE PROPOSALS IN THE GREEN PAPER, IF APPROVED, WILL REQUIRE AN ESTIMATED TOTAL EXPENDITURE OF 320.2 - ILL ION FOR 1978/79, RISING TO 330.5 MILLION IN 1982/83.

MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC '..'HO ..'ISH TO COMMENT ARE ASKED TO DO SO BEFORE THE END OF JANUARY NEXT YEAR. CO.' 'ENiO SHOULD EE ADD;-.£jSED TO: THE SECRETARY FOR SOCIAL SERVICES, GOVERNMENT SECRETARIAT, LOWER ALBERT ROAD, HONG KONG.

/COPIES OF .....

MONDAY, NOVEMBER 28, 1977

COPIES OF THE GREEN PAPER IN BOTH ENGLISH AND CHINESE WILL BE AVAILABLE AT THE VARIOUS CITY DISTRICT OFFICES ON HONG KONG ISLAND AND IN KOWLOON,’ THE DISTRICT OFFICES IN THE NEW TERRITORIES’ AND THE MARKETING OFFICE, GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES AT 1A, GARDEN ROAD, HONG KONG.

A PAMPHLET SUMMARISING THE MAIN PROPOSALS OF THE GREEN PAPER HAS BEEN PUBLISHED FOR EASY REFERENCE OF THE GENERAL PUBLIC. COPIES OF THE PAMPHLET WILL ALSO BE OBTAINABLE FROM ALL CITY DISTRICT OFFICES IN THE URBAN AREA, DISTRICT OFFICES IN THE NE'.. TERRITORIES, ALL COMMUNITY CENTRES AND FAMILY SERVICES CENTRES OF THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT.

SPONSORS NEEDED IN SERVICES FOR HANDICAPPED * * *

THE DEPUTY DIRECTOR OF EDUCATION, MR. COLVYN HAYE, TODAY APPEALED TO THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF THE TUNG WAH GROUP TO SET AN EXAMPLE TC SPONSORS IN SHOULDERING THEIR PART OF THE UNITcD EFFORT TO ACHIEVE THE TARGETS SET FOR INTEGRATING THE HANDICAPPED INTO THE COMMUNITY.

MR. HAYE WAS ADDRESSING STUDENTS AND MANAGEMENT OF THE TUNG WAH SECONDARY SCHOOLS AT THE JOINT GRADUATION CEREMONY AT THE CITY HALL.

HE SAID, +THE WORK OF THE TUNG WAH GROUP OF HOSPITALS IN THE FIELD OF EDUCATION AND VARIOUS SOCIAL WELFARE AGENCIES HAS BEEN RIGHTLY APPRECIATED AND HONOURED BY THE COMMUNITY.+

TUNG WAH HAS DONE MARVELLOUSLY WELL WITH THE EDUCATION OF ABLE CHILDREN. I NOW APPEAL TO YOU TO CONCENTRATE MORE ON THE EDUCATION OF THE NEEDY AND THE UNFORTUNATE,+ MR. HAYE SAID.

YOUR EXAMPLE,+ MR. HAYE ADDED, +WILL BE TAKEN UP BY OTHER WORTHY SPONSORS AND THE GOVERNMENT LOOKS TO YOU AND TO OTHERS INTERESTED IN EDUCATION QUITE SPECIFICALLY IN TWO AREAS: TO RUN SPECIAL AND RESOURCE CLASSES IN YOUR PRIMARY AND SECONDARY SCHOOLS, AND TO ESTABLISH SPECIAL SCHOOLS FOR MENTALLY RETARDED CHILDREN.+

|N refcRR|mG tq the GOVERNMENT’S WHITE PAPER ON REHABILITATION -+A UNITED EFFORT — INTEGRATING THE DISABLED INTO THE COMMUNITY+, HE SAID THE GOVERNMENT HAD STATED CLEARLY THE INTENTION TO EXPAND AND IMPROVE EXISTING REHABILITATION SERVICES IN ORDER TO HELP HANDICAPPED PEOPLE TC BECOME INDEPENDENT AND CONTRIBUTING MEMBERS OF THE COMMUNITY.

/♦TO ACHIEVE

MONDAY, NOVEMBER 28, 1977

- 8 -

+TO ACHIEVE THIS AIM, THE EDUCATION OF THE HANDICAPPED WILL PLAY A VERY IMPORTANT PART BECAUSE IT IS ONLY THROUGH EDUCATION THAT HANDICAPPED CHILDREN WILL BE ABLE TO TAKE CARE OF THEMSELVES AND CONTRIBUTE TO THE COMMUNITY,+ HE ADDED.

IT IS PLANNED TO INCREASE THE PROVISION OF SCHOOL PLACES FOR HANDICAPPED CHILDREN FROM 12,165 TO 50,803 BY 1985-86 - AN INCREASE OF MORE THAN 38,030 PLACES OVER THE NEXT DECADE.

SOME 27,000 PLACES WILL EE PROVIDED IN ORDINARY PRIMARY AND SECONDARY SCHOOLS IN THE FORM OF SPECIAL AND RESOURCE CLASSES FOR CHILDREN WITH MILD PHYSICAL HANDICAPS OR WITH LEARNING AND BEHAVIOUR DIFFICULTIES AMD MORE THAN 8,000 PLACES WILL BE PROVIDED IN MORE SPECIAL SCHOOLS FOR MORE SEVERLY HANDICAPPED CHILDREN.

+YOU WILL AGREE THAT IN THEIR UNITED EFFORT THE GOVERNMENT WILL BE RELYING ON VOLUNTARY AGENCIES AND SPONSORS TO ACHIEVE TARGETS,* HE POINTED OUT.

+1979 WILL EE THE INTERNATIONAL YEAR OF THE CHILD. TO MARK THE OCCASION AND IN RESPONSE TO THE CHALLENGE OF THE WHITE PAPER ON REHABILITATION, YOU MAY WANT TO DO SOMETHING BIG,* HE ADDED.

MR. HAYE ALSO TOOK THE OPPORTUNITY TO ADVISE SCHOOL LEAVERS TO LOOK FOR CAREERS VIA THE TECHNICAL INSTITUTES AND THE HONG KONG POLYTECHNIC AS ALTERNATIVES TO FURTHER EDUCATION IN THE FACE OF KEEN COMPETITION.

+THERE ARE VERY WORTHWHILE CAREERS TO BE FOUND IN INDUSTRY AND COMMERCE,* HE SAID, +AND THE TECHNICAL INSTITUTES AND THE POLYTECHNIC HAVE BEEN ESTABLISHED TO TRAIN YOUNG MEN AND WOMEN IN THESE FIELDS.*

AT THE CEREMONY MRS. HAYE DISTRIBUTED CERTIFICATES AND PR I ZES.

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MONDAY, NOVEMBER 28, 1977

NOTICES FOR REMOVAL OF VERANDAHS IN 16 BUILDINGS

* M M M

A TOTAL OF 16 BUILDINGS IN SHAM SHU I PO, KOWLOON, ARE REQUIRED TO HAVE THEIR VERANDAHS REMOVED TO MAKE WAY FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF THE EXTENSION OF THE MASS TRANSIT RAILWAY FROM PRINCE EDWARD STATION TO LAI CHI KOK BAY.

THE BUILDINGS, ALL BUILT IN PRE-WAR TIMES, ARE SITUATED AT NOS. 1-5, PLAYING FIELD ROAD, NOS. 50, 177, 183-185, 219, 269-273, 218-224 AND 248, CHEUNG SHA WAN ROAD, AND WERE INCLUDED AMONG THE 34 BUILDINGS ON THE RAILWAY AREA PLAN GAZETTED ON NOVEMBER 4, 1977.

NOTICES FOR THE REMOVAL OF THE VERANDAHS WERE SERVED TODAY (MONDAY) ON THE OWNERS UNDER THE MASS TRANSIT RAILWAY (LAND RESUMPTION AND RELATED PROVISIONS) ORDINANCE.

A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN SAID THAT THE REMOVAL OF THE VERANDAHS OF THE ABOVE BUILDINGS WAS NECESSARY IN ORDER TO ALLOW FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF STATIONS AND TUNNELS ALONG THIS SECTION OF THE RAILWAY.

UNDER THE ORDINANCE, OWNERS OF ANY BUILDING MAY BE REQUIRED TO REMOVE ANY OBJECT OR STRUCTURE WHICH IS ATTACHED TO OR PROJECTS FROM THE BUILDING IF IT IS CONSIDERED NECESSARY FOR THE PURPOSE OF BUILDING THE RAILWAY, THE SPOKESMAN POINTED OUT. HE ADDED THAT SIMILAR MEASURES WERE TAKEN AGAINST A NUMBER OF BUILDINGS IN NATHAN ROAD IN CONNECTION WITH THE CONSTRUCTION OF THE MODIFIED

INITIAL SYSTEM.

THE NOTICES SERVED TODAY WILL COME INTO FORCE AFTER 14 DAYS. IN DEFAULT OF TPE REQUIREMENT OF THE NOTICES, THE GOVERNMENT WILL CARRY OUT THE DEMOLITION WORK SOME TIME NEXT YEAR. IN SUCH CASES, GENUINE DOMESTIC OCCUPIERS OF THE VERANDAHS AFFECTED BY THE DEMOLITION ARE TO BE OFFERED ALTERNATIVE ACCOMMODATION IN PUBLIC HOUSING ESTATES IF THEY ARE ELIGIBLE. THEY WILL ALSO RECEIVE EX-GRATIA PAYMENT IF THEY ARE MOVED BY THE GOVERNMENT.

THE SPOKESMAN ADVISED PEOPLE LIKELY TO BE AFFECTED TO APPROACH THE CITY DISTRICT OFFICE, .SHAM SHUI PO, FOR FURTHER INFORMATION AND ASSISTANCE IN THE FIRST INSTANCE.

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/1O......

MONDAY, NOVEMBER 28, 1977

10

NO ROOM FOR +QUEUE-JUMPING+ IN PUBLIC HOUSING ******

FROM TIME TO TIME, GROUPS OF PEOPLE ATTEMPT TO +JUMP THE QUEUE* AND GET INTO PUBLIC HOUSING WITHOUT GOING THROUGH THE PROCEDURES EVERYBODY ELSE HAS TO ABIDE BY.

THE DIRECTOR OF HOUSING, MR. DONALD LIAO, SAID THIS TODAY IN A LUNCHEON SPEECH TO THE ASSOCIATION OF PAST CHAIRMEN

OF THE TUNG WAH GROUP OF HOSPITALS.

MR. LIAO SAID SUCH ATTEMPTED QUEUE-JUMPING COULD NOT BE PERMITTED SINCE NOT ONLY WOULD IT THROW THE GOVERNMENT’S CLEARANCE PROGRAMME OUT OF BALANCE, AFFECTING SUCH BIG PROJECTS AS THE MASS TRANSIT RAILWAY, BUT ALSO IT WOULD BE QUITE UNFAIR TO OTHER PEOPLE WAITING PATIENTLY IN THEIR RIGHTFUL PLACES IN THE QUEUE.

REVIEWING THE WORK OF THE HOUSING AUTHORITY, TO WHICH THE HOUSING DEPARTMENT WORKS AS ITS EXECUTIVE ARM, MR. LIAO GAVE DETAILS OF THE BREAK-DOWN OF WORKLOAD TO THE VARIOUS COMMITTEES SUPERVISING SPECIALIST SECTORS OF PUBLIC HOUSING SUCH AS MANAGEMENT, OPERATIONS, THE BUILDING PROGRAMME, FINANCE, APPEALS AND THE^HOME OWNERSHIP COMMITTEE.

CONCERNING HOME OWNERSHIP, MR. LIAO SAID THAT THE GOVERNMENT’S HOME OWNERSHIP SCHEME HAD GRIPPED THE IMAGINATION OF THE LESS PROSPEROUS MAJORITY OF OUR POPULATION SINCE IT HELD OUT TO THEM THE VERY REAL HOPE OF A HOME OF THEIR OWN VIRTUALLY AT COST PRICE.

HE SAID: +ALREADY PREPARATIONS ARE WELL ADVANCED FOR THE FIRST SIX HOME OWNERSHIP SITES, PILING WORK HAS STARTED AT SOME AND APPLICATIONS SHOULD BE CALLED IN THE FIRST QUARTER OF NEXT YEAR.+

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/11 .....

MONDAY, NOVEMBER 28, 1977

- 11 -

SURVEY OF RENTAL MOVEMENTS * * * * *

THE RATING AND VALUATION DEPARTMENT WILL SHORTLY CONDUCT A SURVEY TO OBTAIN INFORMATION ON RENTAL MOVEMENTS FOR THE DEPARTMENT’S 1978 PROPERTY REVIEW.

THE SURVEY WILL BE CONDUCTED BY QUESTIONNAIRE, COPIES OF WHICH WILL BE SENT TO ABOUT 1,000 SELECTED TENANTS ON WEDNESDAY (NOVEMBER 30).

THE COMMISSIONER OF RATING AND VALUATION, MR. RAYMOND FRY, SAID TODAY THE COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS OF SUCH INFORMATION WAS OF CONSIDERABLE IMPORTANCE TO THE GOVERNMENT, AND HE URGED TENANTS RECEIVING THE QUESTIONNAIRE TO CO-OPERATE BY COMPLETING ALL QUESTIONS FULLY AND ACCURATELY AND RETURNING THEM AS QUICKLY AS POSSIBLE.

MR. FRY EMPHASISED THAT THE QUESTIONNAIRE WAS NOT A STATUTORY FORM AND WOULD BE DESTROYED ONCE THE STATISTICAL INFORMATION HAD BEEN RECORDED.

THE QUESTIONNAIRE COMPRISES ONLY FIVE SIMPLE QUESTIONS CONCERNING RENTALS AND MAY BE ANSWERED EITHER IN CHINESE OR ENGLISH. THE COMPLETED FORM MAY BE RETURNED TO THE RATING AND VALUATION DEPARTMENT IN THE ENCLOSED PRE-ADDRESSED ENVELOPE.

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MONDAY, NOVEMBER 28, 1977

12

SAI KUNG FLATS FOR SALE

******

THE GOVERNMENT WILL AUCTION ANOTHER 15 DOMESTIC FLATS IN SAI KUNG TOWN ON WEDNESDAY (NOVEMBER 30).

AS IN THE PREVIOUS AUCTIONS, BUYERS WILL HAVE THE OPTION OF PAYING HALF OF THE PURCHASE PRICE BY ANNUAL INSTALMENTS.

THE AUCTION IS THE THIRD IN A SERIES TO SELL THE 692-SQUARE-F00T FLATS IN MODERN FIVE-STOREY BLOCKS BUILT PRIMARILY TO REHOUSE LOCAL VILLAGERS AFFECTED BY THE HIGH ISLAND WATER SCHEME.

THE FIRST TWO AUCTIONS HELD EARLIER THIS YEAR SAW 14 FLATS GOING UNDER THE HAMMER FOR OVER SI.9 MILLION. IN THE LAST AUCTION, FLATS WERE SOLD AT PRICES RANGING FROM $136,000 TO $153,000.

THE 15 FLATS TO BE AUCTIONED ARE ON EITHER THE THIRD OR FOURTH FLOORS, EXCEPT ONE WHICH IS ON THE SECOND FLOOR. TWELVE ARE IN MAN NIN STREET AND THREE IN Yl CHUN STREET.

ALL SUCCESSFUL BIDDERS WILL BE REQUIRED TO PAY A DEPOSIT OF $10,000 AFTER THE FALL OF THE HAMMER.

THEN WITHIN ONE CALENDER MONTH OF THE SALE, THEY CAN PAY EITHER THE FULL PURCHASE PRICE, OR HALF OF THE PRICE PLUS THE FIRST OF 10 EQUAL ANNUAL INSTALMENTS FOR THE REMAINING HALF.

BUYERS OPTING FOR INSTALMENT PAYMENT CANNOT ASSIGN, UNDERLET OR ENTER INTO ANY AGREEMENT TO DISPOSE OF THE FLATS UNTIL THEY HAVE PAID THE WHOLE AMOUNT OF THE PURCHASE PRICE.

THE AUCTION WILL BE HELD ON WEDNESDAY AT 3 P.M. AT THE SAI KUNG DISTRICT OFFICE IN THE SAN PO KONG GOVERNMENT OFFICES BUILDING, 692, PRINCE EDWARD ROAD, KOWLOON.

COPIES OF THE SALE CONDITIONS CAN BE OBTAINED AND THE PLAN INSPECTED AT ALL DISTRICT OFFICES AND AT THE NEW TERRITORIES ADMINISTRATION HEADQUARTERS, 101 PRINCESS MARGARET ROAD, KOWLOON.

NOTE TO EDITORS:

YOU ARE CORDIALLY INVITED TO SEND REPRESENTATIVES TO COVER THE AUCTION ON WEDNESDAY (NOVEMBER 30) AT 3 P.M. AT THE SAI KUNG DISTRICT OFFICE IN SAN PO KONG GOVERNMENT OFFICES BUILDING, 692, PRINCE EDWARD ROAD, KOWLOON.

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MONDAY, NOVEMBER 28, 1977

13

NOTE TO EDITORS:

DAY

MR. DAVID AKERS-JONES, TIN SECONDARY SCHOOL

SNT TO ATTEND SCHOOL SPEECH ******

THE SECRETARY FOR THE NEW TERRITORIES, WILL OFFICIATE AT THE SPEECH DAY OF THE SHA AT 6 P.M. TOMORROW (TUESDAY).

THE SCHOOL IS AT THE 8-1/2 MILESTONE, TAI PO ROAD NEAR THE SHA TIN GOVERNMENT CLINIC.

YOU ARE CORDIALLY INVITED TO SEND A REPRESENTATIVE TO COVER THE EVENT.

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APPLICATIONS FOR CERTIFICATES OF REGISTERED PARTICULARS

******

THE REGISTRATION OF PERSONS OFFICE ANNOUNCED TODAY THAT FROM THURSDAY (DECEMBER 1), MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC

WHO WISH TO APPLY FOR CERTIFICATES OF REGISTERED PARTICULARS MAY GO TO THE FOLLOWING OFFICES:

HONG KONG OFFICE

CAUSEWAY EAY MAGISTRACY BUILDING, 3RD FLOOR-

KOWLOON BRANCH OFFICE

CANTON ROAD GOVERNMENT OFFICES, 2ND FLOOR, YAU MA TEI- AND

TSUEN WAN BRANCH OFFICE

FAR EAST BANK BUILDING, GROUND FLOOR, CASTLE PEAK ROAD, TSUEN WAN.

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MONDAY, NOVEMBER 28, 1977

14

TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS IN YAU MA TEI AND SHAU KEI WAN K K * * H *

NEW TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS WILL BE INTRODUCED IN WOO SUNG STREET, YAU MA TEI, FROM WEDNESDAY (NOVEMBER 30) TO IMPROVE TRAFFIC FLOW THERE.

AS FROM 10 A.M. ON THAT DAY, A PUBLIC LIGHT BUS CLEARWAY, FROM 7 A.M. TO 7 P.M. DAILY, WILL EE IN FORCE IN THE SECTION OF WOO SUNG STREET BETWEEN KANSU STREET AND PAK HOI STREET.

AT THE SAME TIME, A TAXI STAND WILL BE SET UP ON THE WEST SIDE OF WOO SUNG STREET, NEAR ITS JUNCTION WITH PAK HOI STREET.

MEANWHILE, ON THE HONG KONG ISLAND, PUBLIC LIGHT BUSES WILL BE PROHIBITED FROM PICKING UP OR SETTING DOWN PASSENGERS SH)NG 0N STREET AND

IN THE SECTION OF SAI WAN HO STREET BETWEEN

TAI NING STREET IN SHAU KEI WAN FROM 7 A.M AS FROM 10 A.M. ON THURSDAY (DECEMBER 1).

TO MIDNIGHT DAILY

THE RESTRICTION IS TO FACILITATE CABLE LAYING WORK IN THE AREA AND WILL LAST FOR ABOUT TWO MONTHS.

APPROPRIATE SIGNS WILL BE SET UP IN THE TWO AREAS TO INDICATE THE NEW ARRANGEMENTS.

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PRH 7

DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN

TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 29, 1977

CONTENTS

PAGE NO.

SHA TIN NEW TOWN IS TO HAVE 86 SCHOOLS ...................... 1

CAREERS EXHIBITION POPULAR AMONG YOUNG PEOPLE ............... 2

EFFORTS AT ’CONTINUING EDUCATION’ OUTLINED .................. 3

’NO SMOKING’ TRAIN CARRIAGES ................................ 4

FISHERY EXPERTS VISITING HONG KONG .......................... 5

TEMPORARY CLOSURE OF HOSPITAL ROAD .......................... 5

TEMPORARY FOOTBRIDGE TO BE BUILT AT CASTLE PEAK ROAD ........ 6

REGISTRATION TEAM TO OPERATE AT SAI KUNG .................... 6

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

TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 29, 1977

1

NUMEROUS SCHOOL PROJECTS FOR SHA TIN NEW TOWN

*****

SHA TIN NEW TOWN IS TO HAVE 45 PRIMARY AND 41 SECONDARY SCHOOLS BY THE TIME IT IS COMPLETE, THE SECRETARY FOR THE NEW TERRITORIES, MR. DAVID AKERS-JONES, SAID TODAY.

MR. AKERS-JONES WAS SPEAKING AT THE FIRST SPEECH DAY FOR FORM 5 STUDENTS OF THE ONLY SECONDARY SCHOOL IN SHA TIN -- THE SHA TIN GOVERNMENT SECONDARY SCHOOL.

HE SAID HALF A MILLION PEOPLE WOULD LIVE IN SHA TIN AND THEY QUITE NATURALLY EXPECTED TO HAVE MARKETS AND SHOPPING CENTRES, SCHOOLS AND CLINICS AND A PLACE TO WORK.

+BUT WE MUST TRY TO CREATE OUT OF THE RAW MATERIALS OF TOWN DEVELOPMENT A PLEASANT AND ATTRACTIVE TOWN, WHICH WILL MAKE ITS CITIZENS PROUD AND HAPPY TO LIVE HERE,* HE SAID.

FIRST OF ALL, MR. AKERS-JONES SAID IT MUST BE POSSIBLE TO MOVE ABOUT EASILY AND IN PLANNING SHA TIN, THE GOVERNMENT HAD TRIED TO ENSURE THAT PEDESTRIANS, MOTORISTS AND CYCLISTS HAD ALL BEEN TAKEN CARE OF.

THERE WILL BE SUBWAYS FOR WALKERS AND A NETWORK OF CYCLE TRACKS LINKING THE MAIN RESIDENTIAL AND SHOPPING AREAS AND THE FACTORY ZONE WHICH SHOULD BRING BACK THE BICYCLE AS A USEFUL, CONVENIENT, CHEAP AND HEALTHY FORM OF TRANSPORT, HE SAID.

TO THE NORTH, HE SAID, THE LANDSCAPING OF THE CENTRE OF THE RACECOURSE WITH LAKES AND GARDENS WILL PROVIDE A MARVELLOUS PLACE FOR STROLLING ABOUT FOR PARENTS AND THEIR CHILDREN.

NEXT TO IT, HE ADDED, THE JUBILEE SPORTS CENTRE — BIGGER THAN THE WHOLE OF VICTORIA PARK — WILL INSPIRE YOUNG ATHLETES.

+WE ARE HOPING TO REMOVE THE POLLUTION FROM THE RIVER AND MAKE IT A PLEASANT PLACE FOR BOATING. WHEREVER POSSIBLE, THERE MUST BE GARDENS AND TREES AND EASY MEANS OF GETTING INTO THE COUNTRY PARKS IN THE SURROUNDING HILLS,+ HE SAID.

MR. AKERS-JONES SAID THE HEART OF SHA TIN WOULD BE DEVELOPED NEAR THE PRESENT MARKET AND WOULD PROVIDE SOCIAL, CULTURAL, COMMUNITY AND PROFESSIONAL SERVICES.

+ IT WILL BE DOMINATED BY THE TOWN HALL, THE CENTRAL LIBRARY, AUDITORIUM AND RESTAURANTS, AND WILL BE SITUATED AT THE HUB OF THE TRANSPORT SYSTEM AND LINKED TO THE RAILWAY.*

HE SAID THE NEXT FEW YEARS WOULD SEE SHA TIN CHANGING FROM A NOISY DUSTY CONSTRUCTION SITE INTO A TOWN AND HE BELIEVED THAT THE LOCAL INHABITANTS MUST BE INVOLVED IN THE WAY THE TOWN DEVELOPED.

+THIS WILL BE ONE OF THE FUNCTIONS OF THE DISTRICT ADVISORY BOARD — AND I HOPE ONE DAY SOME OF YOU WILL SERVE ON IT,* HE TOLD THE GRADUATES.

TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 29, 1977

2

CAREERS EXHIBITION PROVES POPULAR *****

MANY EAGER YOUNG PEOPLE AND STUDENTS ARE LINING UP FOR INSTANT JOB INFORMATION AT THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT’S CAREERS EXHIBITION AT THE KOWLOON RAIL TERMINUS, HUNG HOM.

ONE OF THE REASONS FOR THIS MAJOR ATTRACTION IS THE HONG KONG POLYTECHNIC’S STAND WHERE SEVERAL MINI-COMPUTERS ARE GIVING PRINT OUT INFORMATION ON VARIOUS JOBS AT THE TOUCH OF THE BUTTON.

A LABOUR DEPARTMENT SPOKESMAN SAID THAT THIS COMPUTER SERVICE WAS NORMALLY AVAILABLE TO THOSE VISITORS SPECIALLY PICKED TO ASSIST IN AN OPINION POLL ON THE EXHIBITION.

♦THOSE TAKING PART IN THE POLL ARE PICKED AT A RANDOM OF ONE IN EVERY FIFTY PERSONS WHO HAVE FINISHED VIEWING THE EXHIBITION,-*-HE SAID.

♦THEY ARE THEN INVITED TO THE STAND TO BE INTERVIEWED AND GIVEN THE USE OF THE COMPUTER SERVICE.+

IN VIEW OF THE POPULARITY OF THIS SERVICE, THE YOUTH EMPLOYMENT ADVISORY SERVICE OF THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT HAS DECIDED TO MAKE THE MACHINES AVAILABLE TO MORE PEOPLE BY ADVANCING THE OPENING HOURS OF THE COMPUTER SERVICE TO 8 A.M. DAILY — ONE AND A HALF HOURS BEFORE THE EXHIBITION OPENS.

ORGANISED GROUPS WISHING TO MAKE USE OF THE COMPUTER SERVICE ARE ADVISED TO CONTACT THE DUTY OFFICERS AT THE EXHIBITION ON TELEPHONE 3-644934 FOR ADVANCE BOOKINGS.

EACH GROUP WILL BE ALLOTED 10 TICKETS ON A FIRST-COME-FIRST-SERVED BASIS.

AS FAR AS WE KNOW, THIS IS THE FIRST TIME THAT COMPUTERS HAVE BEEN PROGRAMMED FOR SUCH USE IN HONG KONG,+ THE SPOKESMAN POINTED OUT.

WE WILL CERTAINLY REPEAT THIS SERVICE IN FUTURE EXHIBITION FOR THE BENEFIT OF OUR YOUNG VISITORS,+ HE ADDED.

THE COMPUTERS ARE SUPPLIED BY WANG PACIFIC WITH THE HONG KONG POLYTECHNIC’S MATHEMATICAL STUDIES DEPARTMENT SUPPLYING THE TECHNICAL KNOW-HOW.

REFERRING TO THE EXHIBITION AS A WHOLE, THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT SPOKESMAN SAID: +THIS YEAR WE HAVE MORE PARTICIPANTS — A RECORD OF 26 STANDS INCLUDING THE ONE RUN BY •THE HONG KONG POLYTECHNIC.

THE STANDS ARE MORE COLOURFUL AND ATTRACTIVE AND THE STANDARD OF DESIGNS IS EXTREMELY HIGH.+

THE EXHIBITION, WHICH WILL REMAIN OPEN UNTIL SUNDAY (DECEMBER 4), IS OPEN DAILY UP TO 6.30 P.M.

UP TO 3 P.M. TODAY (TUESDAY) A TOTAL OF 43,630 PEOPLE HAVE VISITED THE EXHIBITION.

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TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 29, 1977

EFFORTS AT +CONTINUING EDUCATION+ IN HONG KONG OUTLINED ******

CONTINUING EDUCATION SHOULD LINK PRACTICAL TRAINING VERY CLOSELY WITH THE SOCIAL PURPOSES WHICH IT IS INTENDED TO SERVE, MR. JOHN WINFIELD, ASSISTANT DIRECTOR OF EDUCATION (FURTHER), SAID TODAY.

MR. WINFIELD SAID, AT THE CONFERENCE ON ADULT EDUCATION ORGANISED BY THE HONG KONG ASSOCIATION FOR CONTINUING EDUCATION AT THE HONG KONG POLYTECHNIC, THAT HE SAW TECHNICAL EDUCATION AS BEING VERY MUCH A PART OF ADULT EDUCATION BECAUSE IT DERIVED ITS STRENGTH AND PURPOSE FROM THE MAJOR OCCUPATION OF YOUNG PEOPLE AND ADULTS — THEIR WORK — AND IN RETURN IT GAVE A NEW STRENGTH AND PURPOSE TO THE PURSUIT OF THAT WORK.

THE PRESENT EMPHASIS ON TECHNICAL EDUCATION IN HONG KONG IS MORE THAN MERELY COMPLEMENTARY TO THE CONCERN OF ADULT EDUCATION, HE ADDED.

THE GOVERNMENT HAD IN RECENT YEARS PAID A GREAT DEAL OF ATTENTION TO THE DEVELOPMENT OF TECHNICAL EDUCATION, A MAJOR FEATURE OF WHICH HAD BEEN THE ESTABLISHMENT OF FOUR TECHNICAL INSTITUTES, WITH THE FIFTH DUE TO OPEN IN 1979 AND THE FUTURE POSSIBILITY OF A SIXTH, IF A CLEAR NEED COULD BE DEMONSTRATED, HE STATED.

+TECHNICAL EDUCATION AT THE POST-FORM 3 LEVEL PARTICULARLY, IS A MAJOR FORM OF CONTINUING EDUCATION FOR WHICH EXTENSIVE PROVISION IS BEING MADE AND WILL CONTINUE TO BE MADE,* MR. WINFIELD SAID.

OUTLINING THE MAJOR PROPOSALS OF THE GREEN PAPER, THE ASSISTANT DIRECTOR SAID THE GREEN PAPER STRESSED THE ROLE OF THE ADULT EDUCATION SECTION OF THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT, WHICH AT PRESENT CATERED TO SOME 60,000 YOUNG PEOPLE AND ADULTS.

+CURRENT PUBLIC EXPENDITURE ON EDUCATION IS ROUGHLY 19.4 PER CENT OF TOTAL GOVERNMENT EXPENDITURE,* HE SAID, AND +THE DEVELOPMENTS PROPOSED IN THE GREEN PAPER, TOGETHER WITH THE EXTENSION BOTH OF FREE EDUCATION AND THE DIRECTOR OF EDUCATION’S POWERS TO ENSURE COMPULSORY ATTENDANCE WILL ADD CONSIDERABLY TO THE ANNUAL BILL.*

+THE VERY HIGH LEVEL OF EXPENDITURE HAS TO BE BORNE IN MIND WHEN ONE CONSIDERS DEVELOPMENTS WHICH ARE HIGHLY DESIRABLE, BUT PERHAPS OF A LOWER PRIORITY THAN THE DEVELOPMENT OF PRIMARY, SECONDARY, AND TERTIARY EDUCATION,* HE ADDED.

/ADULT EDUCATION .....

TUESDAY, NOVIXBER 29, 1977

4 -

ADULT EDUCATION SHOULD CLEARLY OFFER OPPORTUNITIES TO MEMBERS OF EVERY SOCIAL AND INCOME LEVEL, HE NOTED. IN TERMS OF PRIORITIES, SOME GROUPS WOULD HAVE A MORE IMMEDIATE CLAIM THAN OTHERS, AND WITHIN THE OVERALL RESOURCES AVAILABLE EXISTING PROGRAMMES MUST BE REVIEWED AND NEW PROGRAMMES DEVELOPED WHERE NECESSARY. HE REFERRED TO THE DEVELOPMENT OF LITERACY PROGRAMMES AND EXPANSION OF LANGUAGE COURSES AS POSSIBLE AREAS FOR DEVELOPMENT.

IN SEEKING TO PROMOTE A POLICY OF GRADUAL DEVELOPMENT, MR. WINFIELD SAID THE GOVERNMENT WOULD AS A FIRST STAGE IMPROVE THE OPERATING STANDARDS OF THE COURSES PROVIDED BY THE ADULT EDUCATION SECTION.

+WE SHALL HAVE TO MONITOR THE PATTERN OF PROVISION VERY CAREFULLY TO ENSURE THAT WHAT LIMITED RESOURCES WE HAVE ARE CONCENTRATED ON THOSE ACTIVITIES WHICH ARE GOING TO BE OF MOST DIRECT BENEFIT TO THE PUBLIC,* HE SAID.

MR. WINFIELD ALSO INVITED THE VOLUNTARY ORGANISATIONS TO REPLY TO THE INVITATION CONTAINED IN THE GREEN PAPER TO SEND COMMENTS TO THE SECRETARY FOR SOCIAL SERVICES BY THE END OF FEBRUARY 1978, BY FORMULATING WELL-CONCEIVED PROPOSALS FOR ACTIVITIES OUTSIDE THOSE ALREADY PROVIDED BY THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT.

+SUCH PROPOSALS SHOULD BE WITHIN AN ACCEPTABLE BUDGET AND CONTAIN WORKABLE SUGGESTIONS FOR IMPLEMENTING THE SUGGESTED ACTIVITIES. THESE CAN THEN BE CONSIDERED BY GOVERNMENT ALONG WITH ALL OTHER COMMENTS AND SUGGESTIONS ON THE GREEN PAPER,* HE SAID.

0 --------

’NO SMOKING’ TRAIN CARRIAGES * * * * *

THE KOWLOON-CANTON RAILWAY ..'ILL DESIGNATE HALF OF THE

NUMBER OF ITS PASSENGER CARRIAGES AS ’NON-SMOKING’ FRO.'-: DECEMBER 6.

ANNOUNCING THIS TODAY, THE GENERAL MANAGER OF KCR, MR. REG GREGORY, SAID THE NEW ARRANGEMENT ..AS THE RESULT OF A SURVEY OF PASSENGER REQUIREMENTS.

HE URGED SMOKING PASSENGERS TO CO-OPERATE BY USING CARRIAGES WHERE SMOKING WAS ALLOWED AND ALSO TO EE CONSIDERATE OF THOSE WHO ARE NCN-SMCKEFS.

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/5

TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 29, 1977

5

FISHERY EXPERTS VISIT HONG KONG ******

A GROUP OF FISHING EXPERTS FROM INDONESIA AND THAILAND ARE STUDYING HONG KONG’S FISHING INDUSTRY UNDER A UNITED NATIONS SPONSORSHIP PROGRAMME.

THE 12 INDONESIANS AND FOUR THAIS ARRIVED IN HONG KONG DURING THE WEEKEND AND WILL SPEND ONE WEEK STUDYING VARIOUS ASPECTS OF MARINE CULTURE, FISH CATCHING AND WHOLESALE PROCEDURES.

THEY ARE PART OF A FISHERY HARBOUR MANAGEMENT AND MARKETING STUDY TOUR OF THE SOUTH CHINA SEA FISHERIES DEVELOPMENT AND COORDINATING PROGRAMME, SPONSORED BY THE FISH AND AGRICULTURE ORGANISATION OF THE UNITED NATIONS.

DURING THE WEEK THEY WILL VISIT THE ABERDEEN FISHERIES RESEARCH STATION AND THE FISH MARKETING ORGANISATION’S COLDSTORES, FISH PROCESSING FACILITIES AND FISHING VESSELS- INSPECT MARINE FISH RETAIL MARKET AND FRESHWATER PONDS AT LAU FAU SHAN- TOUR THE MARINE FISH CULTURE SITE AT TAI TAM- AND SEE THE RURAL WHOLESALE FISH MARKETS AND PORTS AT SAI KUNG.

EARLY TODAY (TUESDAY) THE GROUP VISITED THE URBAN WHOLESALE FISH MARKET OPERATED BY THE FISH MARKETING ORGANISATION AT CHEUNG SHA WAN FOR A DETAIL STUDY OF MARKETING OPERATIONS, UNLOADING, SORTING, WEIGHING, AUCTIONING AND DISPATCH OF FISH. AND LATER IN THE DAY, THEY TOURED THE MONG KOK RETAIL MARKET.

THE HONG KONG INSPECTION TOUR IS A FORERUNNER TO A TWO-WEEK STUDY TOUR IN THE PHILIPPINES WHERE THE GROUP WILL BE JOINED BY IWO HONG KONG DELEGATES - MR. TSANG KWONG-LO, MARKET MANAGER OF THE FISH MARKETING ORGANISATION AND MR. YIM TAK-YIN, CAPTURE FISHERIES DEVELOPMENT OFFICER, FROM THE DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES.

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TEMPORARY CLOSURE OF HOSPITAL ROAD * * * *

THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCED TODAY THAT THE SECTION OF HOSPITAL ROAD BETWEEN THE SIR ELLIS KADOORIE SCHOOL AND THE TUNG WAH FUNERAL PARLOUR WILL BE CLOSED TO TRAFFIC FROM 1 A.M. TO 3 A.M. NEXT MONDAY, (DECEMBER 5) TO FACILITATE STABILISATION WORK ON A TUNNEL.

APPROPRIATE TRAFFIC SIGNS WILL BE SET UP TO GUIDE MOTORISTS.

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TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 29, 1977

6

TEMPORARY FOOTBRIDGE FOR CASTLE PEAK RD * * *

A TEMPORARY FOOTBRIDGE COMMISSIONED BY THE PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT IS BEING BUILT OVER CASTLE PEAK ROAD AT THE 5“3/4 MILESTONE TO PROVIDE A SAFE CROSSING FOR RESIDENTS IN THE AREA.

THE TWO-SPAN TIMBER FOOTBRIDGE IS TWO METRES WIDE AND ABOUT 27 METRES LONG. IT WILL TAKE ABOUT TWO MONTHS TO COMPLETE.

DR. NIP KAM-FAN, ACTING GOVERNMENT HIGHWAY ENGINEER (WORKS) OF THE P.W.D., SAID TODAY THAT AS A RESULT OF THE RECENT OCCUPATION OF THE NEARBY LAI YIU ESTATE, PEDESTRIAN TRAFFIC ACROSS THIS SECTION OF CASTLE PEAK ROAD HAD INCREASED CONSIDERABLY.

THE FOOTBRIDGE WOULD PROVIDE RESIDENTS IN THE AREA WITH A SAFE MEANS OF CROSSING THE ROAD.

IT WOULD BE REPLACED IN ABOUT TWO YEARS TIME WHEN AN ADJACENT PERMANENT FOOTBRIDGE, WHICH FORMS PART OF THE FUTURE TAI WO TSUEN INTERCHANGE PROJECT, IS COMPLETED.

THE TEMPORARY FOOTBRIDGE HAS BEEN DESIGNED AND CONSTRUCTION IS BEING SUPERVISED BY THE NEW TERRITORIES DIVISION OF THE HIGHWAYS OFFICE ON BEHALF OF THE P.W.D.’S TSUEN WAN NEW TOWN DEVELOPMENT OFFICE.

- - 0 -

REGISTRATION TEAM TO OPERATE AT SAI KUNG * * * * *

A TEAM FROM THE REGISTRATION OF PERSONS OFFICE WILL CONDUCT REGISTRATIONS AT SAI KUNG RURAL COMMITTEE PREMISES FOR RESIDENTS AND PERSONS LIVING NEARBY FOR SEVEN DAYS FROM DECEMBER 7 - 9 AND DECEMBER 12 - 15.

REGISTRATIONS WILL BE CONDUCTED BETWEEN 9.30 A.M. AND 4.30 P.M. ON THESE DAYS.

THE VISIT IS TO ENABLE PARENTS AND GUARDIANS TO REGISTER THEIR CHILDREN AND WARD BETWEEN 11 AND 17 YEARS OF AGE FOR JUVENILE IDENTITY CARDS AND HOLDERS OF JUVENILE IDENTITY CARDS TO REGISTER FOR ADULT IDENTITY CARDS ON REACHING 18 YEARS OF AGE.

ALL PERSONS LIVING IN THIS AREA ARE REMINDED OF THEIR RESPONSIBILITY TO REGISTER THEMSELVES AND THEIR CHILDREN FOR IDENTITY CARDS AND TO REPORT CHANGES OF EMPLOYMENT OR RESIDENTIAL ADDRESSES, MARITAL STATUS, OR ANY OTHER PARTICULARS WHICH HAVE CHANGED SINCE REGISTERING FOR THEIR IDENTITY CARDS.

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PRH 7

Igisi If iw

DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN

WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 30, 1977

CONTENTS PAGE NO.

LEGAL AID MAY BE EXTENDED TO ALL DISTRICT COURT CRIMINAL CASES NEXT APRIL ...................... 1

EMPLOYMENT CHANGES IN SEPTEMBER ................ 1

METRICATION OF WATERWORKS REGULATIONS EFFECTIVE TOMORROW ....................................... 4

NUMBER OF FIRES THIS YEAR BEAT ALL PREVIOUS RECORDS .... 5

RACK ROOM FOR DRYING FIREMEN’S UNIFORMS ........ 6

TEN SAI KUNG FLATS SOLD......................... 7

PHILIPPINES TOUR FOR HONG KONG’S YOUNG WORKERS . 8

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

WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 30, 1977

1

EXTENSION OF LEGAL AID TO ALL DISTRICT COURT CRIMINAL CASES LIKELY FROM APRIL 1 NEXT YEAR *####**

A PROPOSAL TO EXTEND LEGAL AID TO ALL CRIMINAL CASES IN DISTRICT COURTS IS LIKELY TO BE IMPLEMENTED FROM APRIL 1 NEXT YEAR.

THE FINANCE COMMITTEE RECENTLY ACCEPTED THE FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS OF THIS PROPOSED MOVE WHICH IS EXPECTED TO COST AN ADDITIONAL S3.64 MILLION DURING THE FOUR YEARS FROM 1978/79 -1981/82.

A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN SAID LEGAL AID WAS NOW AVAILABLE IN CRIMINAL CASES - SUBJECT TO MEANS TESTED LIMITS OF MONTHLY DISPOSABLE INCOME OF $1,500 AND A DISPOSABLE CAPITAL OF $10,000 AS FOLLOWS:

* IN ALL CRIMINAL TRIALS IN THE HIGH COURT-

* IN ALL CRIMINAL APPEALS TO THE COURT OF APPEAL FROM THE HIGH AND DISTRICT COURTS-

* IN ALL CRIMINAL APPEALS TO THE HIGH COURT FROM THE MAGISTRATES COURT-

* TO ANY RESPONDENT TO AN APPLICATION BY THE ATTORNEY GENERAL TO THE COURT OF APPEAL FOR A REVIEW OF SENTENCE- AND

M TO ANY PERSON ACCUSED IN THE DISTRICT COURT OF AN OFFENCE CARRYING A MAXIMUM SENTENCE OF 14 YEARS OR MORE.

HE SAID THAT, OUT OF 4,172 ACCUSED IN DISTRICT COURT CASES DURING THE FOUR YEARS PERIOD 1973/74 - 1976/77, 2,156 HAD BEEN GRANTED LEGAL AID. IT IS ESTIMATED THAT 6,500 ACCUSED WOULD APPEAR BEFORE THE DISTRICT COURT BETWEEN 1977/78 - 1981/82, WITH 5,850 OF THEM OBTAINING LEGAL AID.

IT IS NOT EXPECTED AT PRESENT THAT EXTRA STAFF WILL BE NEEDED AS A RESULT OF THE PROPOSED EXTENSION TO THE LEGAL AID SYSTEM.

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EMPLOYMENT CHANGES IN SEPTEMBER

* * * 4 * *

MANUFACTURING EMPLOYMENT SHOWED A SEASONAL DECLINE WHILE EMPLOYMENT IN THE FINANCING, INSURANCE, REAL ESTATE AND BUSINESS SERVICES REGISTERED AN INCREASE, ACCORDING TO THE THIRD QUARTER EMPLOYMENT SURVEY CONDUCTED BY THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT.

A TOTAL OF 758,300 PERSONS WERE ENGAGED IN MANUFACTURING ESTABLISHMENTS AS AT SEPTEMBER 15 — A DECREASE OF ABOUT 17,500 OR 2.3 PER CENT COMPARED WITH 775,800 PERSONS ENGAGED IN THE PREVIOUS QUARTER OF JUNE.

/COMPARED ...

WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER JO, 1977

- 2 -

COMPARED WITH THE CORRESPONDING QUARTER LAST YEAR, THE FIGURE SHOWS A DECLINE IN MANUFACTURING EMPLOYMENT THIS YEAR BY 20,500 PERSONS OR 2.6 PER CENT.

THE MAIN DECREASES WERE RECORDED IN WEARING APPAREL, PLASTIC PRODUCTS AND ELECTRONIC PRODUCTS, WHICH WERE LARGELY DUE TO STUDENT WORKERS LEAVING THE FACTORIES FOLLOWING COMPLETION OF OVERSEAS CHRISTMAS ORDERS AND EXPIRY OF THE SUMMER VACATION.

IN TERMS OF EMPLOYMENT, THE FIVE LARGEST MANUFACTURING INDUSTRY GROUPS REMAINED WEARING APPAREL- TEXTILES- ELECTRICAL MACHINERY, APPLIANCES AND SUPPLIES- PLASTIC PRODUCTS- AND FABRICATED METAL PRODUCTS. A COMPARATIVE EMPLOYMENT TABLE IS GIVEN BELOW :

CHANGE OF

SEPT. 1977

OVER JUNE 1977

INDUSTRY GROUP PERSONS ENGAGED IN SEPT. 1976 PERSONS ENGAGED IN JUNE 19’7 PERSONS ENGAGED IN SEPT. 1977 PERSONS ENGAGED % CHANGE

WEARING APPAREL 273,089 256,408 248,737 -7,671 -3.0

TEXTILES 117,908 106,019 104,500 -1,519 -1.4

ELECTRICAL MACHINERY, APPLIANCES AND SUPPLIES 88,872 93,561 91,776 -1,785 -1.9

PLASTIC PRODUCTS 79,427 87,753 81,476 -6,277 -7.2

FABRICATED METAL PRODUCTS 66,152 72,241 71,027 -1,214 -1.7

IN THE FINANCING, INSURANCE, REAL ESTATE AND BUSINESS SERVICES THERE WERE 80,200 PERSONS ENGAGED AS AT AUGUST 15, 1977.

OF THESE, 30,038 PERSONS WERE ENGAGED IN MONETARY INSTITUTIONS INCLUDING BANKS, AND 11,652 PERSONS IN REAL ESTATE COMPANIES.

WHEN COMPARED WITH 76,000 PERSONS ENGAGED IN MAY 1977, THIS REPRESENTED AN INCREASE OF ABOUT 4,200 PERSONS OR 5.5 PER CENT. COMPARED WITH THE NUMBER OF 70,600 PERSONS ENGAGED IN AUGUST 1976, HOWEVER, THE INCREASE WAS 9,600 PERSONS OR 13.6 PER CENT.

MAIN INCREASES FROM MAY TO AUGUST 1977 WERE RECORDED IN MONETARY INSTITUTIONS (+1,170), ACCOUNTING, AUDITING AND BOOKKEEPING SERVICES (+813), AND REAL ESTATE COMPANIES (+611).

/The following

WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 30, 1977

3

THE FOLLOWING ARE MAIN INCREASES AND DECREASES AT THE INDUSTRY SECTOR LEVEL BETWEEN JUNE AND SEPTEMBER :

CHANGE OF SEPT. 1977

OVER JUNE 1977

INDUSTRY SECTOR

PERSONS PERSONS PERSONS

ENGAGED IN ENGAGED IN ENGAGED IN SEPT. 1976 JUNE 1977 SEPT. 1977

PERSONS %

ENGAGED CHANGE

MANUFACTURING

GARMENTS EXCEPT

KNITWEAR DIRECT FROM YARN 217,424 201,800 194,449 -7,351 -3.6

PLASTIC TOYS 42,701 47,760 43,992 -3,768 -7.9

ELECTRONIC PRODUCTS 70,744 75,134 72,210 -2,924 -3.9

MISCELLANEOUS PLASTIC PRODUCTS 29,958 32,484 30,118 -2,366 -7.3

COTTON WEAVING 32,591 27,081 25,083 -1,998 -7.4

WATCHES AND CLOCKS 12,415 13,579 14,401 +822 +6.1

FINANCING, INSURANCE, REAL ESTATE AND BUSINESS SERVICES PERSONS ENGAGED IN AUG. 1976 PERSONS ENGAGED IN MAY 1977 PERSONS ENGAGED IN AUG. 1977 CHANGE OF AUG. 1977 OVER MAY 1977

PERSONS ENGAGED % CHANGE

MONETARY INSTITUTIONS 27,578 28,868 30,038 +1,170 +4.1

ACCOUNTING, AUDITING AND BOOK-KEEPING SERVICES 3,380 3,295 4,108 +813 +24.7

REAL ESTATE 10,039 11,041 11,652 +611 +5.5

OTHER FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS 8,835 8,923 9,390 +467 +5.2

DETAILED FIGURES OF EMPLOYMENT FOR OTHER INDUSTRY GROUPS AND BREAKDOWNS BY INDUSTRY SECTORS ARE OBTAINABLE ON REQUEST FROM THE EMPLOYMENT STATISTICS SECTION OF THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT.

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WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 30, 1977

4

WATERWORKS REGULATIONS ON METRIC UNITS EFFECTIVE TOMORROW *****

THE WATERWORKS (AMENDMENT) REGULATIONS 1977 WHICH AIM TO CHANGE THE TECHNICAL REQUIREMENTS SET OUT IN THE WATERWORKS REGULATIONS FROM IMPERIAL TO METRIC UNITS, WILL COME INTO EFFECT FROM TOMORROW (THURSDAY).

AT THE SAME TIME, REFERENCES TO BRITISH STANDARDS CONTAINED IN THE REGULATIONS WILL ALSO BE UPDATED.

A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN SAID TODAY THAT THE CHANGES WERE OF A PURELY TECHNICAL NATURE AND WOULD NOT AFFECT THE GENERAL HOUSEHOLD CONSUMERS.

DOMESTIC WATER USERS, HE STRESSED, WOULD CONTINUE TO HAVE THEIR METERS READ IN IMPERIAL UNITS AND THEIR BILLS CHARGED ACCORDING TO THE IMPERIAL UNIT OF 1,030 GALLONS.

+IN OTHER WORDS, DOMESTIC HOUSEHOLDERS WILL CONTINUE TO RECEIVE THEIR WATER BILLS AS THEY HAVE BEEN DOING UP TO NOW UNTIL THE WATERWORKS BILLING SYSTEM HAS BEEN COMPUTERISED TO DEAL WITH DOMESTIC ACCOUNTS. THIS WILL TAKE ABOUT TWO YEARS AT WHICH TIME CONSIDERATION WILL BE GIVEN TO THE TIMING OF THE CHANGE OVER TO METRIC,* HE SAID.

THE SPOKESMAN POINTED OUT THAT CHANGES WHICH ARE COMING INTO EFFECT TOMORROW ARE TECHNICAL ONES RELATED TO PIPES, FITTINGS, TAPS AND VALVES.

THE METRIC MEASUREMENTS IN MOST CASES HAVE BEEN WORKED OUT TO EXACT EQUIVALENTS TO THE NON-METRIC MEASUREMENTS BEING USED.

HE SAID THAT THE CONVERSION TO METRIC SPECIFICATIONS WOULD MEAN NO DIFFERENCE IN COST SUCH AS FOR CONNECTIONS OR FIRE SERVICE CHARGES.

THE SPOKESMAN ADDED THAT THE AMENDED REGULATIONS WILL IMPOSE NO HARDSHIP ON IMPORTERS WHO CAN USE EXISTING STOCKS OF PIPES OR FITTINGS PREVIOUSLY ACCEPTABLE TO THE WATERWORKS OFFICE AND MAY CONTINUE TO USE SUCH MATERIALS WHILE THEY CONTINUE TO BE GENERALLY MANUFACTURED.

/5 ....

WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 30, 1977

5

NUMBER OF FIRES THIS YEAR SHATTER RECORD * * * *

THE FIRE SERVICES DEPARTMENT HAS RESPONDED TO ALMOST 10,000 FIRE CALLS SINCE THE BEGINNING OF THIS YEAR - A FIGURE HIGHER THAN ANY PREVIOUS ANNUAL RECORD.

THE FIGURE ALSO SHOWS AN INCREASE OF ABOUT 20 PER CENT COMPARED WITH THE SAME PERIOD LAST YEAR.

THIS WAS DISCLOSED TODAY (WEDNESDAY) BY THE ASSISTANT CHIEF FIRE OFFICER, MR. JOHN MARCH, AT A PRESS CONFERENCE TO LAUNCH THIS YEAR’S FIRE PREVENTION CAMPAIGN.

ACCORDING TO MR. MARCH, THE FIRES SO FAR THIS YEAR HAD CLAIMED 44 LIVES AND INJURED OVER 650 PEOPLE.

+THE MAJORITY OF THESE DEATHS AND INJURIES WERE CAUSED BY FIRES IN RESIDENTIAL PREMISES,* HE SAID, CITING AS EXAMPLE THE RECENT TRAGIC FIRE IN ABERDEEN WHICH CLAIMED THE LIVES OF THREE CHILDREN.

+IT IS IN THIS AREA, PARTICULARLY RESIDENTIAL PREMISES IN MULTI-STOREY BUILDINGS, THAT WE ARE CONCENTRATING OUR FIRE PREVENTION CAMPAIGN THIS YEAR,* HE STRESSED.

THE THEME OF THE CAMPAIGN IS TO EDUCATE THE PUBLIC TO BE AWARE OF THE FIRE HAZARDS ARISING SIMPLY THROUGH CARELESSNESS AND THOUGHTLESSNESS IN ORDINARY HOUSEHOLDS AND PUBLIC AREAS WITHIN BUILDINGS.

TO GET THE MESSAGE ACROSS TO THE GENERAL PUBLIC, THE ASSISTANCE OF MUTUAL AID COMMITTEES COVERING OVER 2,000 MULTI-STOREY RESIDENTIAL BUILDINGS THROUGHOUT HONG KONG HAVE BEEN ENLISTED.

+ARRANGEMENTS HAVE BEEN MADE FOR REPRESENTATIVES OF THE MUTUAL AID COMMITTEES TO VISIT THEIR LOCAL FIRE STATIONS TO ENABLE THEM TO ESTABLISH DIRECT LIAISON, SEEK ADVICE AS NECESSARY AND ATTEND LECTURES ON BASIC HOME FIRE PREVENTION FROM FIRE OFFICERS,* MR. MARCH SAID.

THEY ARE EXPECTED TO CONVEY THE FIRE PREVENTION MESSAGES TO RESIDENTS IN THEIR RESPECTIVE BUILDINGS.

MR. MARCH SAID, +WITH NEW MUTUAL AID COMMITTEES BEING FORMED EVERY DAY IT IS POSSIBLE THIS INVOLVEMENT WILL BECOME AN ON-GOING COMMITMENT*.

HE ALSO REVEALED THAT NEW FIRE PREVENTION PUBLICITY MATERIALS, INCLUDING FILMS, PAMPHLETS AND POSTERS HAVE BEEN PRODUCED FOR THIS CAMPAIGN.

ONE OF THE POSTERS LISTING ALL THE +DO’S AND DON’TS* IN FIRE PREVENTION WAS PRINTED ON METAL SHEETS AND WILL EE PUT UP IN PROMINENT PLACES IN UP TO 3,000 RESIDENTIAL BUILDINGS AND HOUSING ESTATES.

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/6.....

WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 30, 1977

- 6 -

RACK ROOM FOR SPEEDY DRYING OF FIREMEN’S UNIFORMS

* * * * *

ALL FIRE STATIONS BUILT IN FUTURE ARE TO BE FITTED WITH RACKS IN SPECIAL HEATED ROOMS FOR DRYING FIREMEN’S UNIFORMS.

THE RACK HAS BEEN DESIGNED BY DIVISIONAL FIRE OFFICER MR. PETER GEORGE, WHO HEADS THE MANAGEMENT UNIT AT FIRE SERVICES DEPARTMENT HEADQUARTERS.

MR. GEORGE, WHOSE IDEA HAS WON HIM $300 FROM THE CIVIL SERVICE STAFF SUGGESTION SCHEME, SAID THAT FIREMEN SOMETIMES HAD A PROBLEM WITH DAMP UNIFORMS AFTER ATTENDING A FIRE OR DRILL, BUT THE USE OF THE RACKS WOULD GREATLY REDUCE THEIR CHANCES OF HAVING TO PUT ON WET CLOTHING.

ITEMS OF UNIFORM, INCLUDING BOOTS, WILL BE PLACED ON THE RACKS WHICH HAVE BEEN SPECIALLY DESIGNED TO FACILITATE DRYING.

HOT AIR WILL BE CIRCULATED IN THE ROOM TO SPEED UP THE DRYING PROCESS.

THE DRYING RACKS HAVE ALREADY BEEN INSTALLED AT THE NEW TSING Yl ISLAND FIRE STATION.

MR. GEORGE RECEIVED HIS CHEQUE TODAY (WEDNESDAY) FROM THE SECRETARY FOR THE CIVIL SERVICE, MR. RON BRIDGE.

SO FAR THIS YEAR, 44 SUGGESTIONS HAVE BEEN SUBMITTED BY CIVIL SERVANTS UNDER THE STAFF SUGGESTION SCHEME AND FOUR HAVE BEEN ACCEPTED FOR AWARDS. A TOTAL OF $1,400 HAS BEEN PAID OUT.

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/7

WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 30, 1977

7

TEN SAI KUNG FLATS SOLD

* * * K K

THE GOVERNMENT TODAY (WEDNESDAY) SOLD 10 FLATS AT SAI KUNG FOR $1.22 MILLION.

AT A PUBLIC AUCTION ATTENDED BY ABOUT 150 PEOPLE, THE FLATS WERE SOLD AT PRICES RANGING FROM $110,000 TO $146,000. FIVE FLATS WERE WITHDRAWN FROM THE AUCTION.

THE 692 SQ. FT. FLATS ARE IN A ROW OF MODERN FIVE-STOREY BLOCKS BUILT PRIMARILY TO RE-HOUSE VILLAGERS AFFECTED BY THE HIGH ISLAND WATER SCHEME.

IT WAS THE THIRD SALE IN A SERIES OF AUCTIONS PLANNED BY THE SAI KUNG DISTRICT OFFICE.

EIGHT OF THE FLATS SOLD TODAY ARE IN MAN NIN STREET AND OTHERS IN Yl CHUN STREET.

THE FLAT WHICH RECEIVED THE HIGHEST BID IS ON THE SECOND FLOOR OF MAN NIN STREET. IT WAS SOLD AT $146,000.

OTHER MAN NIN STREET FLATS ON THE THIRD OF FOURTH FLOOR ATTRACTED BIDS VARYING FROM $110,000 TO $134,000.

TWO Yl CHUN STREET FLATS WENT UNDER THE HAMMER AT $110,000 EACH.

BIDDERS AT THE AUCTION HAD THE OPTION OF PAYING CASH OR 50 PER CENT DEPOSIT WITH THEIR BALANCE TO BE PAID BY INSTALMENTS OVER TEN YEARS.

THE SENIOR ESTATE SURVEYOR OF THE SAI KUNG DISTRICT OFFICE, MR. DEREK DEAR WHO CONDUCTED THE SALES SAID LATER THAT AT LEAST ONE BUYER HAD INDICATED HE WISHED TO PAY FOR THE FLAT UNDER THE INSTALMENT PLAN.

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/8

WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 30, 1977

- 8

TRIP TO THE PHILIPPINES FOR HK’S WORKING YOUTHS *****

A SIGHT-SEEING AND FACTORY TOUR TO THE PHILIPPINES IS BEING ORGANISED FOR YOUNG WORKING PEOPLE 3Y THE YAUMATI DISTRICT YOUTH CO-ORDINATING COMMITTEE.

THE TOUR, SUPPORTED BY THE SOCIAL WELFARE, LABOUR AND HOME AFFAIRS DEPARTMENTS, WILL TAKE PLACE DURING THE CHINESE NEW YEAR.

ABOUT 170 INDUSTRIAL AND OFFICE WORKERS WILL BE TAKING PART IN THE SIX-DAY VISIT.

THE TRIP IS OPEN TO YOUNG WORKERS WITH A MONTHLY INCOME OF NOT MORE THAN $2,000 AND THEY MUST BE NOMINATED BY THEIR EMPLOYERS, SOME OF WHOM WILL BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE EXPENSES OF THE TOUR.

MR. MUI KAN-KIT, COMMUNITY AND YOUTH OFFICER FOR YAU MA TEI, WHO WILL ALSO BE THE ADVISOR OF THE GROUP SAID: +THE TOUR HAS BEEN ORGANISED NOT ONLY TO HELP YOUNG WORKERS TO MAKE GOOD USE OF THEIR ANNUAL SEVEN-DAY PAID LEAVE, BUT ALSO TO ENCOURAGE THE EMPLOYERS TO SPONSOR THE TRIP FOR THEIR STAFF AS A MEANS OF STAFF WELFARE PROGRAMME.*

THE GROUP WILL LEAVE FOR MANILA ON FEBRUARY 7, AND THE VISIT WILL TAKE THEM TO PAGSANJAN AND BAGUIO FOR SIGHT-SEEING. OTHER PROGRAMMES WILL INCLUDE A FACTORY VISIT TO THE SAN MIGUEL BREWERY AND A CULTURAL NIGHT OUT ARRANGED BY THE PHILIPPINES TOURISM DEPARTMENT.

MEANWHILE, THE YAUMATI DISTRICT YOUTH CO-ORDINATING COMMITTEE IS ORGANISING A HARBOUR CRUISE TOMORROW (THURSDAY) AT 3.30 P.M. TO PROMOTE THE OVERSEAS TOUR. THE CRUISE WILL BE ATTENDED BY THE COMMISSIONER FOR LABOUR, MR. PETER WILLIAMS AND THE DEPUTY DIRECTOR OF SOCIAL WELFARE, MR. JIMMY SWEETMAN.

NOTE TO EDITORS:

YOU ARE CORDIALLY INVITED TO SEND REPRESENTATIVES TO COVER THE HARBOUR CRUISE. PRESS REPRESENTATIVES ARE ASKED TO BOARD THE CANNON CRUISER NOT LATER THAN 3.30 P.M. AT THE HONG KONG WATER TOUR PIER, NEXT TO THE STAR FERRY IN KOWLOON.

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This website is purely for personal sharing and does not involve commercial operations. If any copyright holder believes that this site infringes on your intellectual property rights, please email us at contact@histsyn.com, and we will remove the relevant content as soon as possible.

文本純以 OCR 產出,僅供快速參考搜尋之用,切勿作正規研究引用。

The text is purely generated by OCR, and is only for quick reference and search purposes. Do not use it for formal research citations.


如未能 buy us a coffee,點擊一下 Google 廣告,也能協助我們長遠維持伺服器運作,甚至升級效能!

If you can't buy us a coffee, click on the Google ad, which can also help us maintain the server operation in the long run, and even upgrade the performance!