Daily Information Bulletin - 1980s - 1981 - MAR - ENG





  DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN

ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL: 5-233191

SUNDAY, MARCH 1, 1?81

CONTENTS PAGE NO.

ANALYSIS OF HONG KONG'S RE-EXPORT TRADE BY COUNTRY FOR 1980 ... 1

FCO MINISTER DROPS BY........................................... 3

SPORTS PROMOTE COMMUNITY SPIRIT ................................ 4

’ SUPPORT PROBATION './ORK,' PUBLIC URGED ...................... 5

RESERVOIR PLAYGROUND TO BE IMPROVED ........................... 6

WRE FRESH WATER FOR LAMMA......................................

APPLICATIONS FOR GOVERNMENT AND AIDED PRIMARY SCHOOLS........... 7

HANDBOOK ON GENERALISED SYSTEMS OF PREFERENCES ................. 7

GARDENS OF GOVERNMENT HOUSE OPINING TO PUBLIC .................. 8

TEMPORARY TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS IN ISLAND ROAD .................. 8

HONG KONG JING YING IS ON THE MARK AGAIN ....................... 9

FUN FATR Al© DINNER PARTY FOR TSING YI PEOPLE ................. 10

CARNIVAL FOR THE ELDERLY

10

SUNDAY, MARCH 1, 1981

1

ANALYSIS OF HONG KONG’S RE-EXPORT TRADE BY COUNTRY FOR I960 ******

HONG KONG’S RE-EXPORT TRADE REACHED A RECORD $30 072 MILLION IN 1980, AN INCREASE OF 50 PER CENT OVER 1979.

A DETAILED ANALYSIS OF RE-EXPORTS BY MARKET AND BY COUNTRY OF ORIGIN FOR 1980 WAS RELEASED TODAY BY THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT.

RE-EXPORT BY MARKET

HUGE INCREASES WERE RECORDED IN RE-EXPORTS TO CHINA (BY $3 327 MILLION OR 253%), WHICH NOW BECOMES THE LARGEST MARKET FOR HONG KONG’S RE-EXPORTS. THE COMMODITIES WITH THE BIGGEST INCREASES WERE TEXTILE YARN (BY $563 MILLION OR 463%), WOVEN FABRICS OF MAN-MADE FIBRES (BY $380 MILLION OR 1 374%), TELEVISION RECEIVERS (BY $234 MILLION OR 275%), MOTOR VEHICLES (BY $132 MILLION OR 222%), AND CRUDE VEGETABLE MATERIALS (BY $132 MILLION OR 147%).

INCREASES IN RE-EXPORTS TO THE U.S. WERE REGISTERED IN MISCELLANEOUS MANUFACTURED ARTICLES. MAINLY BASKET-WORK, WICKER-WORK AND PLAITING MATERIALS (BY $113 MILLION OR 91%), WOMEN’S, GIRLS’ AND INFANTS’ OUTER GARMENTS OF TEXTILE FABRICS (OTHER THAN KNITTED OR CROCHETED GOODS) (BY $112 MILLION OR 149%), PEARLS, PRECIOUS AND SEMI-PRECIOUS STONES (BY $64 MILLION OR 15%), EXPLOSIVES AND PYROTECHNIC PRODUCTS (BY $47 MILLION OR 48%), AND THERMIONIC, COLD CATHODE AND PHOTO-CATHODE VALVES AND TUBES, PHOTOCELLS AND TRANSISTORS (BY $44 MILLION OR 24%).

RE-EXPORTS TO INDONESIA SHOWED INCREASES FOR MOTORCYCLES, MOTOR SCOOTERS AND OTHER CYCLES (BY $433 MILLION OR 315%), TEXTILE AND LEATHER MACHINERY AND PARTS THEREOF (BY $47 MILLION OR 79%), PASSENGER MOTOR CARS (BY $32 MILLION OR 64%), AND TEXTILE YARN (BY $29 MILLION OR 49%).

SUBSTANTIAL INCREASES WERE REGISTERED IN RE-EXPORTS TO SINGAPORE OF WATCHES AND CLOCKS (BY $247 MILLION OR 72%), THERMIONIC, COLD CATHODE AND PHOTO-CATHODE VALVES AND TUBES, PHOTOCELLS AND TRANSISTORS (BY $74 MILLION OR 130%) AND ■GRAMOPHONES, DICTATING MACHINES AND OTHER SOUND RECORDERS OR REPRODUCERS (BY $44 MILLION OR 179%).

IN CONTRAST, RE-EXPORTS TO JAPAN DROPPED (BY $276 MILLION OR 11%). NOTABLE DECREASES WERE RECORDED MAINLY IN TEXTILES (BY $165 MILLION OR 44%), FISH, CRUSTACEANS AND MOLLUSCS, AND PREPARATIONS THEREOF (BY $39 MILLION OR 15%), AND PEARLS, PRECIOUS AND SEMI-PRECIOUS STONES (BY $32 MILLION OR 5%).

THE FOLLOWING TABLE GIVES THE CHANGES IN HONG KONG’S RE-EXPORTS TO THE FIVE MAJOR MARKETS l-

/1980 .......

SUBDAY, MARCH 1, 1981

2

1980 (HK$ MN.) 1979 (HK$ MN.) 1 NCREASE/DECREASE (HK$ MN.) PERCENTAGE CHANGE

CHINA 4 642 1 315 +3 327 +253

USA 3 085 1 995 +1 090 ♦ 55

INDONESIA 2 761 1 684 +1 077 + 64

SINGAPORE 2 510 1 804 '♦ 706 ♦ 39

TAIWAN 2 229 1 730 + 499 + 29

RE-EXPORTS BY COUNTRY OF ORIGIN

CHINA REMAINED THE LARGEST SOURCE OF HONG KONG’S RE-EXPORTS. INCREASES IN RE-EXPORTS OF CHINA ORIGIN WERE NOTED FOR MISCELLANEOUS MANUFACTURED ARTICLES (BY $164 MILLION OR 62%), WOMEN’S, GIRLS’ AND INFANTS’ OUTER GARMENTS OF TEXTILE FABRICS (BY $148 MILLION OR 122%), TEXTILE MADE-UP ARTICLES (BY $121 MILLION OR 17%), CRUDE VEGETABLE MATERIALS (BY $101 MILLION OR 24%), AND FOOTWEAR (BY $100 MILLION OR 101%).

MOST RE-EXPORT COMMODITIES OF JAPAN ORIGIN SHOWED STRONG GROWTH, THE MORE SIGNIFICANT ONES BEING WATCHES AND CLOCKS (BY $455 MILLION OR 57%), MOTORCYCLES, MOTOR SCOOTERS AND OTHER CYCLES (BY $429 MILLION OR 333%), GOODS VEHICLES AND SPECIAL PURPOSE MOTOR VEHICLES (BY $138 MILLION OR 204%), AND RADIO-BROADCAST RECEIVERS (BY $84 MILLION OR 81%).

OVERSEAS PURCHASES OF U.S. PRODUCTS THROUGH HONG KONG REMAINED ACTIVE IN 1980. INCREASES WERE REGISTERED IN RE-EXPORTS OF THERMIONIC, COLD CATHODE AND PHOTO-CATHODE VALVES AND TUBES, PHOTOCELLS AND TRANSISTORS (BY $192 MILLION OR 63%), AIRCRAFT AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT AND PARTS THEREOF (BY $170 MILLION OR 340%), AS WELL AS PARTS AND ACCESSORIES FOR OFFICE AND DATA PROCESSING MACHINES (BY $50 MILLION OR 28%).

INCREASES IN RE-EXPORTS OF TAIWAN ORIGIN WERE RECORDED IN WOVEN FABRICS OF MAN-MADE FIBRES (BY $248 MILLION OR 227%), TEXTILE YARN (BY $208 MILLION OR 128%), AND KNITTED OR CROCHETED FABRICS (BY $106 MILLION OR 921%).

RE-EXPORTS OF SOUTH KOREA ORIGIN ALSO SHOWED SIGNIFICANT GROWTH, PARTICULARLY FOR WATCHES AND CLOCKS (BY $155 MILLION OR 570%).

RE-EXPORTS BROKEN DOWN BY COUNTRY OF ORIGIN ARE SHOWN BELOW i

/1980

SUNDAY, 1UBCH 1, 1981

- 3 1979 (HK$ MN.) INCREASE (HK$ MN.) PERCENTAGE CHANGE

1980 (HK$ MN.) ————w™

CHINA 8 394 5 663 +2 731 ♦ 48

JAPAN 5 884 3 393 ♦2 491 ♦ 73

USA 3 157 2 286 ♦ 871 + 38

TAIWAN 2 134 898 +1 236 ♦138

REP. OF KOREA 877 513 ♦ 364 ♦ 71

RE-EXPORTS BY ORIGIN AND DESTINATION

WHEN ANALYSED BY ORIGIN AND THEN BY DESTINATION, INCREASES WERE REGISTERED FOR RE-EXPORTS OF CHINA ORIGIN TO THE U.S. (BY $955 MILLION OR 130%), INDONESIA (BY $317 MILLION OR 46%), NIGERIA (BY $203 MILLION OR 87%), AND MACAU (BY $112 MILLION OR 100%). INCREASES IN RE-EXPORTS OF JAPAN ORIGIN WERE MAINLY TO INDONESIA (BY $700 MILLION OR 101%), CHINA (BY $541 MILLION OR 149%) AND SINGAPORE (BY $338 MILLION OR 79%). SUBSTANTIAL INCREASES WERE ALSO NOTED IN RE-EXPORTS OF U.S. ORIGIN TO CHINA (BY $206 MILLION OR 158%) AND TAIWAN (BY $201 MILLION OR 69%).

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FCO MINISTER DROPS BY * * *

MR PETER BLAKER, MINISTER OF STATE FOR FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH AFFAIRS, MADE A BRIEF STOPOVER IN HONG KONG THIS (SUNDAY) MORNING ON HIS WAY TO SEOUL TO ATTEND THE INAUGURATION OF THE KOREAN PRESIDENT.

MR BLAKER WAS MET AT THE AIRPORT BY THE GOVERNOR, SIR MURRAY MACLEHOSE.

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SUNDAY, MARCH 1, 1981

- 4 -

SPORTS PROMOTE COMMUNITY SPIRIT

*****

WITH RAPID DEVELOPMENT AND BUILD UP OF POPULATION IN THE NEW TERRITORIES, THERE IS A NEED NOT ONLY FOR PROVISION OF FACILITIES AND SERVICES, BUT ALSO FOR BUILDING UP COHESION AND A SENSE OF BELONGING WITHIN THE COMMUNITY.

ACTING SECRETARY FOR THE NEW TERRITORIES, MR AUGUSTINE CHUI KAM, SAID THIS TODAY (SUNDAY) AT THE OPENING OF THE SIXTH NEW TERRITORIES ATHLETICS MEETING AT WAN CHAI SPORTS GROUND.

MR CHUI SAID GOVERNMENT HAD BEEN PLAYING A LEADING ROLE IN PROMOTING RECREATION AND SPORTS ACTIVITIES IN THE NEW TERRITORIES, MAINLY THROUGH THE RECREATION AND SPORT SERVICE.

A NEW TERRITORIES INTER-DISTRICT SPORTS COMPETITION CO-ORDINATING COMMITTEE WAS ESTABLISHED LAST YEAR TO PROMOTE INTER-DISTRICT LEAGUES, INCLUDING A SOCCER LEAGUE WHICH STARTED IN DECEMBER AND A BASKETBALL LEAGUE WHICH STARTED ONLY LAST WEEK.

VOLLEY BALL, BADMINTON, TABLE-TENNIS AND TENNIS LEAGUES WOULD BE ORGANISED THIS YEAR.

NEARLY 500 ATHLETES FROM THE EIGHT NEW TERRITORIES DISTRICTS TOOK PART IN TODAY’S MEETING.

THE COMPETITION WAS DIVIDED INTO SECTIONS FOR MEN AND WOMEN AGED 19 OR OVER, FOR BOYS AND GIRLS AGED 16 TO 18, AND FOR BOYS AND GIRLS AGED 15 OR BELOW. THERE WERE 94 TRACK AND FIELD EVENTS.

MR CHUI SAID HE ENVISAGED THAT DISTRICT SPORTS ASSOCIATIONS WOULD GO FROM STRENGTH TO STRENGTH AND PLAY A VITAL ROLE IN CO-ORDINATING LOCAL EFFORTS AND RESOURCES.

♦BUT, IN THE LONG RUN, THEY WILL NEED TO HAVE A SOUND ORGANISATION STRUCTURE AND DEVELOP STRONGER MANAGEMENT AND LEADERSHIP,* HE SAID.

MR CHUI ALSO SAID THAT DISTRICT BOARDS PROPOSED IN THE WHITE PAPER WOULD PLAY AN EVER MORE ACTIVE ROLE IN NURTURING DISTRICT SPORTS ASSOCIATIONS.

+THERE WILL BE, I AM CONFIDENT, INCREASED AWARENESS AND RESPONSIVENESS ON THE PART OF GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS TOWARDS THE NEEDS OF DISTRICT RESIDENTS AND INCREASED PUBLIC INVOLVEMENT IN PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION AND PROVISION OF FACILITIES AND SERVICES,* HE SAID.

ALSO OFFICIATING AT THE CEREMONY WAS MR CHARLES YEUNG, UNOFFCIAL MEMBER OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUN I CL.

THE MEETING WAS JOINTLY ORGANISED BY THE HEUNG YEE KUK, THE RECREATION AND SPORT SERVICE AND THE NEW TERRITORIES SCHOOLS SPORTS ASSOCIATION.

/5......

SUNDAY, MARCH 1, 1981

5

'SUPPORT PROBATION WORK,’ PUBLIC URGED

M M M M

A SENIOR SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT OFFICIAL TODAY (SUNDAY) APPEALED TO MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC NOT TO DISCRIMINATE AGAINST PEOPLE PUT ON PROBATION.

ASSISTANT DIRECTOR (OPERATIONS), MRS EVELYN DOE, SAID THE COMMUNITY SHOULD ACTIVELY SUPPORT PROBATION WORK BY JOINING AS VOLUNTEERS TO HELP.

MRS DOE WAS SPEAKING AT A CEREMONY IN WHICH SHE PRESENTED CERTIFICATES OF APPRECIATION TO 28 PUBLIC-SPIRITED CITIZENS WHO HAD HELPED REFORM YOUNG OFFENDERS UNDER THE DEPARTMENT’S VOLUNTEER SCHEME FOR PROBATIONERS.

SHE SAID HONG KONG BEING A HIGHLY COMMERCIALISED CITY, IT WAS EASY FOR PEOPLE, PARTICULARLY TEENAGERS, TO BE LED ASTRAY BY MATERIAL TEMPTATIONS IF THEY HAD FAMILY HARDSHIP, ACADEMIC DIFFICULTIES, BAD FRIENDS AND NO PARENTAL CARE.

FOR THESE PEOPLE, SHE SAID, SYMPATHY, GUIDANCE AND ASSISTANCE WOULD BE THE BEST WAY OF SOCIAL REHABILITATION.

+ INDEED, THE SPIRIT OF PROBATION WORK IS TO ENCOURAGE AND HELP THEM TO BECOME GOOD CITIZENS THROUGH FRIENDLY ATTITUDES AND VARIOUS PROBATION SERVICES,+ SHE SAID.

PROBATION WORK COULD ACHIEVE BETTER RESULTS IF, DURING ITS PROCESS, THERE WERE VOLUNTEERS TO PROVIDE APPROPRIATE ASSISTANCE ACCORDING TO THE INDIVIDUAL NEEDS OF PROBATIONERS, SHE ADDED.

MRS DOE POINTED OUT IT WAS EVIDENT FROM MANY PREVIOUS CASES THAT THE EFFORTS OF VOLUNTEERS COULD PRODUCE POSITIVE RESULTS OF PUTTING PROBATIONERS BACK ONTO THE RIGHT TRACK.

♦THERE ARE TOUCHING EXAMPLES WHERE PROBATIONERS WERE ABLE TO GRADUALLY REGAIN CONFIDENCE AND LEAD A NORMAL AND LAW-ABIDING LIFE AGAIN UNDER THE GUIDANCE AND HELP OF PROBATION OFFICERS AND VOLUNTEERS,* SHE SAID.

MRS DOE THANKED THE 28 VOLUNTEERS FOR GIVING UP THEIR FREE TIME TO HELP AND SHE DESCRIBED THEIR EFFORTS AS +MOST VALUABLE*, NOT ONLY TO THE PROBATIONERS THEMSELVES, BUT ALSO TO THE COMMUNITY AS A WHOLE.

THE PRESENTATION CEREMONY WAS FOLLOWED BY A SEMINAR IN WHICH PROBATION OFFICERS AND VOLUNTEERS EXCHANGED IDEAS. IT STARTED OFF WITH A TALK BY DR HO KAM-FAI, AN UNOFFICIAL MEMBER OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL.

UNDER THE VOLUNTEER SCHEME FOR PROBATIONERS, INTRODUCED IN 1976 AS A COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT PROJECT, VOLUNTEERS BEFRIEND BOYS AND GIRLS PUT ON PROBATION AND HELP THEM WITHIN THEIR AREAS OF PERSONAL INTERESTS AND ABILITY.

/ALrCG^THEB 8? .......

SUNDAY, MABCH 1, 1981

6

ALTOGETHER 89 VOLUNTEERS FROM ALL WALKS OF LIFE HAVE FINISHED THEIR SERVICES WORKING FOR SIX MONTHS IN PARTNERSHIP WITH PROBATION OFFICERS. TWENTY OTHER VOLUNTEERS ARE NOW DOING THEIR JOB, AND ANOTHER 38 WILL BE SUITABLY MATCHED WITH PROBATIONERS ON A ONE-TO-ONE BASIS.

VOLUNTEERS INCLUDE STUDENTS, TEACHERS, MANAGERS, WORKS SUPERVISORS, BUSINESSMEN, SECRETARIES, CLERKS AND GOVERNMENT SERVANTS.

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

RESERVOIR PLAYGROUND TO BE IMPROVED M M * M M M

THE PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT IS TO REDEVELOP THE HO MAN TIN EAST FRESH WATER SERVICE RESERVOIR PLAYGROUND TO PROVIDE BETTER RECREATIONAL FACILITIES IN THE AREA.

ONE OF THE EXISTING MINI-SOCCER PITCHES IN THE PLAYGROUND WILL BE CONVERTED INTO A FULL SIZE FOOTBALL PITCH.

AT PRESENT, THE PLAYGROUND COMPRISES TWO MINI-SOCCER PITCHES, A BASKETBALL COURT, A CHILDREN’S PLAYGROUND AND A REST GARDEN.

TENDERS FOR THE PROJECT ARE BEING INVITED BY THE ARCHITECTURAL OFFICE OF THE PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT.

WORK WILL COMMENCE IN APRIL AND WILL TAKE ABOUT FOUR MONTHS TO COMPLETE.

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

MORE FRESH WATER FOR LAMMA

M M M

THE WATER SUPPLIES DEPARTMENT IS CALLING TENDERS FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF TWO FRESH WATER SERVICE RESERVOIRS ON LAMMA ISLAND.

ONE OF THE RESERVOIRS, NEAR YUNG SHUE WAN WILL HAVF A 250ACuiyC0MFTR??0 CUB'C METRES AND ™E 0THER NEAR S0K WAN, vUDlU HtInto.

ALSO INCLUDED IN THE CONTRACT WILL BE THE LAYING OF ABOUT iklS SuhSa DISTSIBUT'°" »N HONG KONG

22 MONTHS TO COMPU?e“T W'LL S™T ‘PI"L W'LL AB0UT

/1 O O • • • 8 0

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SUNDAY, MARCH 1, 1981

- 7 -

APPLICATIONS FOR GOVERNMENT AND AIDED PRIMARY SCHOOLS * * * *

APPLICATION FOR ADMISSION TO GOVERNMENT AND AIDED PRIMARY SCHOOLS WILL BE INVITED BETWEEN MARCH 4 AND 18, A SPOKESMAN FOR THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCED TODAY.

DURING THIS TWO-WEEK PERIOD, APPLICATION FORMS FOR PRIMARY

1 TO 6 WILL BE DISTRIBUTED AT THE VARIOUS SCHOOLS ON THE PRODUCTION OF BIRTH CERTIFICATES OR OTHER RELEVANT DOCUMENTS.

+CHILDREN NEED NOT ACCOMPANY THEIR PARENTS,+ THE SPOKESMAN SAID.

INTERVIEWS FOR ADMISSION TO PRIMARY 1 WILL TAKE PLACE ON MARCH 19.

♦NO FORMAL TESTS WILL BE HELD,+ THE SPOKESMAN ADDED.

SELECTION OF PRIMARY 2 TO 6 APPLICANTS WILL BE HELD ON MARCH 24.

♦THE AGE OF ENTRY TO PRIMARY 1 IS SIX ON SEPTEMBER 1, 1981. HOWEVER, ADMISSION WILL BE OPEN TO CHILDREN BETWEEN THE AGES OF SIX AND EIGHT,+ THE SPOKESMAN SAID.

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HANDBOOK ON GENERALISED SYSTEMS OF PREFERENCES

* M * *

TO ASSIST EXPORTERS, THE TRADE INDUSTRY AND CUSTOMS DEPARTMENT HAS PUBLISHED A 47-PAGE HANDBOOK ON THE GENERALISED SYSTEMS OF PREFERENCES (GSP).

in tuIH£c£Ua£°?L™.THE handb°0K IS TO EXPLAIN THE ORIGIN RULES ANDTTHEGUSA°F AUSTR,A’ CANADA» the EEC, JAPAN, SWEDEN, SWITZERLAND

COUNTRIES, WHICH INCLUDE HONG KONG AS A BENEFICIARY

f"Ur^FE‘rCeEn?IKICtJrt^foft^I^enn^i'm A To cover exports eligibU

thE GSP.

mr1T.IrLRULES ENSURE THAT THE BENEFITS OF PREFERENTIAL ™EA™E!!T UNBER THE GSP ARE CONFINED TO PRODUCTS GENUINELY ORIGINATING FROM THE BENEFICIARY COUNTRIES.

THE HANDBOOK IS AVAILABLE AT $7.50 A COPY FROM THF govfrmmfmt PUBLICATIONS CENTRE, GROUND FLOOR, GENERAL POST OFFICE BUILDING.

- - 0

/8

SUNDAY, MARCH 1,

£

1981

8 -

GARDENS OF GOVERNMENT HOUSE OPENING TO PUBLIC

M M K M

MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC CAN ONCE AGAIN HAVE THE CHANCE TO SEE THE AZALEAS IN FULL BLOOM^AT GOVERNMENT HOUSE NEXT SUNDAY (MARCH 8)

THE GARDENS OF GOVERNMENT HOUSE WILL BE OPEN TO THE PUBLIC FROM 10 AM TO 5 PM ON THAT DAY TO ENABLE LOCAL RESIDENTS TO ENJOY THE FLOWERS WHICH ARE AT THEIR COLOURFUL BEST AT THIS TIME OF THE YEAR.

LAST YEAR, MORE THAN 130 000 PEOPLE VISITED THE AZALEAS SHOW AT THE GARDENS OF GOVERNMENT HOUSE AND MORE VISITORS ARE EXPECTED THIS YEAR.

VISITORS ARE REQUESTED TO ENTER BY THE MAIN GATE AND LEAVE BY THE SIDE GATES SO THAT ALL CAN ENJOY THE FLOWERS WITHOUT CAUSING INCONVENIENCE TO OTHERS.

THEY ARE ALSO REMINDED THAT ONLY THE GARDENS WILL BE OPEN AND THEY SHOULD NOT ENTER THE HOUSE ITSELF.

SCOUTS AND POLICEMEN WILL BE PRESENT AND VISITORS ARE ASKED TO CO-OPERATE WITH THEM TO AVOID OVERCROWDING.

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TEMPORARY TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS IN ISLAND ROAD

X X X X

TEMPORARY TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS WILL BE IMPLEMENTED IN ISLAND ROAD ON HONG KONG ISLAND FROM 10 AM ON TUESDAY (MARCH 3) TO FACILITATE ROADWORKS IN THE AREA.

AT PRESENT, VEHICLES WITH UNLADEN WEIGHT EXCEEDING 2.25 TONNES ARE PROHIBITED FROM THE SECTION OF DEEP WATER BAY ROAD BETWEEN ITS JUNCTION WITH NAM FUNG ROAD AND SHOUSON HILL ROAD EAST.

UNDER THESE NEW ARRANGEMENTS, WHICH WILL LAST FOR ABOUT THREE MONTHS, THE PROHIBITED AREA WILL BE EXTENDED TO COVER SHOUSON HILL ROAD EAST AND THE REMAINING SECTION OF DEEP WATER BAY ROAD SOUTH OF SHOUSON HILL ROAD EAST.

THE SECTION OF ISLAND ROAD FROM HOUSE NO. 4 TO ITS JUNCTION WITH DEEP WATER BAY ROAD WILL BE RE-ROUTED ONE-WAY WESTBOUND.

EASTBOUND VEHICLES WITH UNLADEN WEIGHT EXCEEDING 2.25 TONNES SHOULD USE NAM FUNG ROAD, DEEP WATER BAY ROAD (SECTION NORTH OF NAM FUNG ROAD) AND REPULSE BAY ROAD.

ALL BUS ROUTES ALONG ISLAND ROAD WILL BE DIVERTED VIA NAM FUNG ROAD, DEEP WATER BAY ROAD (SECTION NORTH OF NAM FUNG ROAD) AND REPULSE BAY ROAD IN THEIR EASTBOUND JOURNEYS.

APPROPRIATE TRAFFIC SIGNS WILL BE PUT UP TO GUIDE MOTORISTS.

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/9.......

SUNDAY, MARCH 1, 1981

9

THE HONG KONG JING YING IS ON THE MARK AGAIN

* * M K * *

THE ’HONG KONG JING YING’ ARE BUSY PREPARING THEMSELVES FOR THEIR SECOND OVERSEAS TOUR — PERFORMING IN LONDON AT THE DUKE OF EDINBURGH’S AWARD 25TH ANNIVERSARY COMMONWEALTH BALL AND THE CAMDEN FESTIVAL.

THE TOUR, FROM MARCH 5 TO 26, IS BEING ARRANGED BY THE GOVERNMENT’S RECREATION AND CULTURE DIVISION IN ASSOCIATION WITH THE DUKE OF EDINBURGH’S AWARD HONG KONG, AND WITH GENEROUS ASSISTANCE FROM THE FRIENDS OF DEA IN HONG KONG.

THE HONG KONG JING YING TEAM IS MADE UP THIS TIME OF

17 MUSICIANS, DANCERS AND OFFICIALS. THE TOUR DIRECTOR IS MR DAVID MAK, SENIOR RECREATION AND SPORT OFFICER OF THE RECREATION AND SPORT SERVICE.

THE DUKE OF EDINBURGH’S AWARD COMMONWEALTH BALL WILL BE HELD ON COMMONWEALTH DAY, MARCH 9, AS ONE OF THE PRINCIPAL EVENTS TO CELEBRATE THE 25TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE SCHEME.

IT IS AIMED AT CREATING AN EVEN WIDER AWARENESS OF THE OPPORTUNITIES THE SCHEME OFFERS TO YOUNG PEOPLE THROUGHOUT THE COMMONWEALTH, EMPHASISING THE INTERNATIONAL NATURE OF THE AWARD PROGRAMME.

THE CAMDEN FESTIVAL WILL BE HELD FROM MARCH 14 TO 28. THE FIRST CAMDEN FESTIVAL TOOK PLACE IN 1967 AND SINCE THEN THE FESTIVAL HAS DEVELOPED IN MANY DIRECTIONS WITH AUDIENCES OF UP TO 25 OOO.

THE POLICY IS TO PRESENT PERFORMANCES OF RARE WORKS, COMMISSIONED PIECES AND EVENTS INCORPORATING A WIDE RANGE OF MUSIC.

AN INNOVATION TO THE FESTIVAL IN 1979 WAS THE INTRODUCTION OF AN INTERNATIONAL MUSIC AND DANCE WEEK. THIS FEATURES THE CULTURES OF BRITAIN’S ETHNIC MINORITIES AND THE ARTS OF MANY NATIONALITIES.

NOTE TO EDITORSi

THE ’HONG KONG JING YING’ WILL BE HOLDING ITS FINAL DRESS REHEARSAL AT 7.30 PM AT THE QUEEN ELIZABETH SCHOOL, SAI YEE STREET, KOWLOON ON TUESDAY (MARCH 3).

YOU ARE INVITED TO SEND REPRESENTATIVES TO COVER THE REHEARSAL. MEMBERS OF THE TOUR GROUP WILL BE AVAILABLE FOR INTERVIEWS.

THE GROUP WILL LEAVE FOR LONDON BY CATHAY PACIFIC AIRWAYS FLIGHT CX 201 AT 10.40 PM (2240 HOURS) ON THURSDAY (MARCH 5).

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/10 .......

SUNDAY, MARCH 1, 1981

10

FUN FAIR AND DINNER PARTY FOR TSI NG Yl PEOPLE

* * * *

INHABITANTS OF TSI NG Yl ISLAND BOTH YOUNG AND OLD, WERE TODAY (SUNDAY) TREATED TO A FUN FAIR AND DINNER PARTY.

THE EVENT IS ORGANISED YEARLY BY LOCAL ORGANISATIONS, SCHOOLS, MUTUAL AID COMMITTEES AND DISTRICT OFFICES TO +SHOW RESPECT FOR THE OLD AND CARE FOR THE YOUNG+.

THE FUN FAIR WAS HELD AT TSI NG Yl SPORTS ASSOCIATION PLAYGROUND AND ATTRACTED MORE THAN 5 000 OF THE ISLAND’S YOUNGER RESIDENTS.

THE PROGRAMME INCLUDED MUSICAL PERFORMANCES BY 0 PUI SHAN BOYS’ HOME BAND AND A MAGIC AND ACROBATICS SHOW BY THE MOBILE STREET THEATRE UNIT OF THE GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES.

TSUEN WAN TOWN MANAGER, DR JAMES HAYES, THE CHAIRMAN OF THE FUN FAIR AND PARTY ORGANISING COMMITTEE, MR CHAN TIN-SOONG, AND OTHER LOCAL DIGNITARIES WERE PRESENT.

MORE THAN 400 OLD PEOPLE ATTEND THE DINNER PARTY, INCLUDING A 94-YEAR OLD WOMAN AND A 91-YEAR OLD MAN WHO WERE EACH GIVEN A GOLD MEDAL.

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CARNIVAL FOR THE ELDERLY

*****

000 0LD PEOPLE TODAY (SUNDAY) RECEIVED A RED PACKET

OF $30 EACH AND ENJOYED THEMSELVES IN A CARNIVAL OFFICIALLY OPENED BY THE DIRECTOR OF SOCIAL WELFARE, MR SELWYN ALLEYNE.

D.DTvRrA!:LEYNE CUT THE R,BB0NS AT A CEREMONY TO START OFF THE ♦PARTY FOR A THOUSAND AGED+ ORGANISED BY THE SHUN TAK FRATERNITY ASSOCIATION AT THE SEAWARD WOO COLLEGE IN HO MAN TIN?

ACCOMPANIED BY THE ASSOCIATION’S VICE-CHAIRMAN. MR YUNG YAU TOEtSe fmUNGASlJE?E^CLErS G'FT PARCELS BE1NG DISTRIBUTE^’

SOCI AL WELFARE DEPARTMENT HAS ASSISTED IN ARRANGING ELDERLY PEOPLE TO ATTEND THE PARTY WHICH AIMED AT PROMOTING CARE AND RESPECT FOR THE ELDERLY.

ADDRESSING THE OPENING CEREMONY, MR ALLEYNE PAID TRIBUTE TO THE ASSOCIATION FOR ITS EFFORTS IN WELFARE WORK IN THE PAST

HE NOTED THAT MANY YOUNG PEOPLE WERE HELPING OUT IN THE PARTY. +THIS SHOWS THAT THE CONCEPT OF FILIAL PIETY IS STILL ALIVE,+ HE SAID.

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DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN

ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL: 5-233191

MONDAY, MARCH 2, 1981

CONTENTS PAGE NO.

URBAN COUNCIL ELECTION ON MARCH 5 ...........................   1

MISSION TO STUDY H.K. TRADE PRACTICES ......................... 5

STUDENT GUIDANCE SCHEME GETS BOOST ............................ 4

NEW FACILITIES AT KAI TAK AIRPORT ...........................   5

TEXTILE DISCUSSIONS WITH SWEDEN RESUME TOMORROW ............... 5

ADVANCED COURSES FOR NON-GRADUATE TEACHERS .................... 6

PLB MAXICABS PLAYING IMPORTANT ROLE ........................... 7

CULTURAL WEEK-END IN TaI PO.................................... 8

TSUEN WAN BEACHES CLEAN-UP .................................... g

MONDAY, MARCH 2, 1981

?. URBAN COUNCIL ELECTION ON MARCH 5 | *****

THE RETURNING OFFICER, MR THOMAS TSO, TODAY REMINDS THE PUBLIC THAT THE URBAN COUNCIL ELECTION WILL BE HELD ON THURSDAY, MARCH 5.

THERE WILL BE 13 POLLING STATIONS, FOUR ON HONG KONG ISLAND, SIX IN KOWLOON AND THREE IN THE NEW TERRITORIES.

THE POLLING STATIONS WILL BE LOCATED AT I

HONG KONG ISLAND

1. THE HALL OF KING’S COLLEGE, 63A BONHAM ROAD, HONG KONG-

2. THE CITY HALL EXHIBITION HALL, CENTRAL DISTRICT, HONG KONG-

3. THE COVERED PLAYGROUND OF THE HENNESSY ROAD GOVERNMENT PRIMARY SCHOOL, 169 THOMSON ROAD, HONG KONG-

4. THE COVERED PLAYGROUND OF THE NORTH POINT GOVERNMENT PRIMARY SCHOOL, 888 KING’S ROAD, HONG KONG-

KOWLOON

1. THE KOWLOON PUBLIC PIER, NEXT TO THE EAST WING OF KOWLOON STAR FERRY, KOWLOON-

2. THE COVERED PLAYGROUND OF THE QUEEN ELIZABETH SCHOOL, 152 SAI YEE STREET, KOWLOON-

3. THE COVERED PLAYGROUND OF THE FUK WING STREET GOVERNMENT PRIMARY SCHOOL, 231 FUK WING STREET, KOWLOON-

4. THE COVERED PLAYGROUND OF THE HO MAN TIN GOVERNMENT MIDDLE SCHOOL, 8 PERTH STREET, KOWLOON-

5. THE HALL OF THE NG WAH COLLEGE, 5 CHOI HUNG ROAD, KOWLOON-

6. THE COVERED PLAYGROUND OF THE KWUN TONG GOVERNMENT PRIMARY SCHOOL, 240 NGAU TAU KOK ROAD, KOWLOON-

NEW TERRITORIES

1. THE COVERED PLAYGROUND OF THE TSUEN WAN GOVERNMENT SECONDARY SCHOOL, HOI PA STREET, TSUEN WAN, NEW TERR I TORIES-

2. THE COVERED PLAYGROUND OF THE NEW TERRITORIES HEUNG YEE KUK YUEN LONG DISTRICT SECONDARY SCHOOL, KAU YUK ROAD, YUEN LONG, NEW TERRITORIES- AND

3. THE COVERED PLAYGROUND OF THE SUNG TAK PRIMARY SCHOOL, SUNG TAK STREET, TAI PO, NEW TERRITORIES.

/PERSONS EU.OIBLE....

MONDAY, MARCH 2, 1981

2

PERSONS ELIGIBLE TO VOTE ARE THOSE WHOSE NAME IS APPEAR IN THE ELECTORAL REGISTER, WHCIH CAME INTO FORCE ON JANUARY 15.

ELECTORS MUST IDENTIFY THEMSELVES AT POLLING STATIONS BY PRODUCING THEIR IDENTITY CARD OR SOME OTHER POSITIVE MEANS OF IDENTIFICATION, SUCH AS A PASSPORT, DRIVING LICENCE, OR IDENTITY CARD ISSUED BY ONE OF THE AUXILIARY DEFENCE SERVICES.

THE PRODUCTION OF A POLL CARD, ON ITS OWN, WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED AS SUFFICIENT EVIDENCE OF IDENTITY.

POLL CARDS HAVE ALREADY BEEN MAILED TO ALL REGISTERED ELECTORS. THESE WILL HELP THE POLLING STATION STAFF TO TRACE THE ELECTOR’S NAME IN THE REGISTER, THUS SPEEDING UP THE ISSUE CF BALLOT PAPERS.

ELECTORS MUST VOTE AT THE POLLING STATION SHOWN IN THE POLL CARDS- THEY WILL NOT BE ALLOWED TO VOTE AT ANY OTHER POLLING STATION.

MR TSO POINTED OUT THAT THERE ARE HEAVY PENALTIES FOR IMPERSONATION AT POLLING STATIONS.

♦ELECTORS ARE FORBIDDEN TO TALK TO OTHER VOTERS, TAKE PHOTOGRAPHS, OR DISPLAY POSTERS WHILE IN THE POLLING STATION*, HE SAID. +THEY ARE ALSO FORBIDDEN TO REMOVE ANY BALLOT PAPER, MARKED OR UNMARKED, FROM A POLLING STATION, OR TO DEPOSIT IN THE BALLOT BOX ANY PAPER OTHER THAN THE BALLOT PAPER PROVIDED BY THE POLL CLERK.*

ELECTORS ARE REMINDED THAT THEY MAY VOTE FOR NOT MORE THAN SIX CANDIDATES.

COUNTING OF VOTES WILL TAKE PLACE AT THE CITY HALL AFTER THE CLOSING OF THE POLL. MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC WILL NOT BE ADMITTED TO THE VOTE COUNT. THE RESULT WILL BE DECLARED AS SOON AS COUNTING IS FINISHED.

THE NINE CANDIDATES NOMINATED FOR THE ELECTION ARE t W FRANCIS CHAINE, MR CHAM PO-CHEUNG, MR CHAN CHAN-NAM, MR PETER CHAN CHI-KWAN, MR PETER CHAN PO-FUN, MR CHOI KWOK-CHING, MR CHOW WAI-HUNG, MR SHUM KUI-CHUNG AND MR TSIN SAI-NIN.

- 0 -

/3

MONDAY, MARCH 2, 1981

1

MISSION TO STUDY H.K. TRADE PRACTICES ft ft ft ft

A THREE-MEMBER DELEGATION, LED BY THE CHAIRMAN OF THE SIMPLIFICATION OF INTERNATIONAL TRABE PROCEDURES BOARD (SITpRO), SIR GORDON BOOTH, WILL ARRIVE HERE ON WEDNESDAY (MARCH 4) FOR A FOUR-DAY VISIT.

DURING HIS STAY IN HONG KONG, SIR GORDON WILL CONTACT THE LOCAL BUSINESS COMMUNITY TO FAMILIARISE HIMSELF WITH THE TRADE PRACTICES IN HONG KONG, AND TO EXCHANGE VIEWS ON TRADE FACILITATION.

IN PARTICULAR, HE WILL REVIEW AREAS OF COOPERATION AND MUTUAL INTEREST BETWEEN SlTPRO AND THE HONG KONG TRADE FACILITATION COMMITTEE.

SITPRO WAS SET UP IN 1979 TO ♦GUI DE, STIMULATE AND ASSIST THE RATIONALISATION OF INTERNATIONAL TRADE PROCEDURES AND DOCUMENTATION AND THE INFORMATION FLOWS ASSOCIATED WITH THEM.+

IT IS ONE OF THE LEADING FACILITATION BODIES IN THE WORLD AND A MAJOR VOICE IN INTERNATIONAL DISCUSSIONS ON EXPORT PROCEDURES AND DOCUMENTATION. ITS MEMBERSHIP IS DRAWN FROM A WIDE RANGE OF INTERESTS, INCLUDING SHIPPERS, CARRIERS, FORWARDERS, BANKERS, INSURERS AND GOVERNMENT REPRESENTATIVES.

SIR GORDON, BEFORE HIS RECENT MOVE TO THE BUSINESS SECTOR, HAD A DISTINGUISHED CAREER IN THE DIPLOMATIC SERVICE AND WAS AN ACKNOWLEDGED EXPERT IN TRADE PROMOTION.

MORE RECENTLY, HE WAS THE BRITISH CONSUL GENERAL IN NEW YORK AND DIRECTOR GENERAL OF BRITISH TRADE DEVELOPMENT IN THE UNITED STATES.

HE ALSO HAS EXTENSIVE EXPORT PROMOTION EXPERIENCE IN VARIOUS COUNTRIES. HE WORKED IN GATT AND EUROPEAN TRADE COMMITTEES, AND WAS A DIRECTOR OF EXPORT HOUSE, WHERE HE WAS IN CLOSE CONTACT WITH TRADERS, TRADE ASSOCIATIONS AND CHAMBERS OF COMMERCE.

SIR GORDON IS NOW ASSOCIATED WITH A NUMBER OF BUSINESS PROJECTS IN THE UNITED KINGDOM, UNITED STATES, ARABIAN GULF AND ELSEWHERE.

OTHER MEMBERS OF THE DELEGATION ARE MR DON TRAFFORD. DIRECTOR OF ELECTRONIC DATA PROCESSING AND MR CHARLES FREEBURY, DIRECTOR OF COMMERCIAL PROCEDURES AND DOCUMENTATION.

TOGETHER WITH SIR GORDON, THEY WILL VISIT A NUMBER OF TRADE ASSOCIATIONS AND SELECTIVE GROUPS OF COMPANIES IN HONG KONG, INCLUDING JARDINE MATHESON AND CO. LTD., INCHCAPE (F.E.) LTD. AND SWIRE SHIPPING (AGENCIES) LTD. TO DISCUSS CHINA TRADE. AFTER THEIR VISIT HERE, THEY WILL PROCEED TO CHINA, WHERE THEY WILL HOLD DISCUSSIONS ON TRADE FACILITATION MATTERS.

THEY WILL RETURN TO HONG KONG TO PARTICIPATE IN THE FAR EAST/ PACIFIC TRADE FACILITATION CONFERENCE WHICH WILL BE HELD ON MARCH 18 AND 19.

ENQUIRIES ON THIS CONFERENCE SHOULD BE DIRECTED TO SECRETARY OF THE HONG KONG TRADE FACILITATION COMMITTEE THROUGH THE TRADE INDUSTRY AND CUSTOMS DEPARTMENT.

------0------- ....................

MONDAY, MARCH 2, 1981

STUDENT GUIDANCE SCHEME GETS BOOST * * * *

THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT EXPECTS TO HAVE THE FULL COMPLEMENT OF 230 TRAINED OFFICERS IN THE STUDENT GUIDANCE SCHEME BY JANUARY 1982 TO EXTEND ITS SERVICE TO COVER ALL TYPES CF PRIMARY SCHOOLS WITH A TOTAL POPULATION OF ABOUT 550 000 PUPILS.

THE SCHEME IS DESIGNED TO PROVIDE GUIDANCE TO PUPILS ON PERSONAL, EDUCATIONAL AND VOCATIONAL MATTERS AND TO CHECK ON NON-ATTENDANCE.

SINCE ITS INCEPTION TWO YEARS AGO MORE THAN 5 000 SCHOOL CHILDREN HAVE RECEIVED HELP THROUGH THE SCHEME.

A SPOKESMAN FOR THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT SAID MUCH OF THE EFFORTS OF THE STUDENT GUIDANCE OFFICERS (SGO’S) ARE DEVOTED TO CASES REFERRED BY TEACHERS WHICH INVOLVE EXTENSIVE INTERVIEWS WITH TEACHERS, PARENTS AND PUPILS CONCERNED.

MANY CASES ARE REFERRED TO THE SGO’S WHEN PUPILS EXPERIENCE UNUSUAL DIFFICULTIES IN LEARNING OR SHOW UNDESIRABLE BEHAVIOUR.

THROUGH OBSERVATIONS, INTERVIEWS AND HOME VISITS, SGO’S KEEP CLOSE LIAISON WITH TEACHING STAFF AND PARENTS TO WORK OUT THE BEST REMEDIAL ACTION FOR THE CHILD AND TO HELP HIM DEVELOP MORE DESIRABLE CONDUCT.

COMPLEX CASES REQUIRING PROFESSIONAL COUNSELLING ARE REFERRED TO THE DEPARTMENT’S SPECIAL EDUCATION SECTION OR THE STUDENT GUIDANCE CONSULT ING/RECEIV I NG OFFICERS FROM THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT AND THE VOLUNTARY AGENCIES.

DURING THE PAST TWO YEARS MORE THAN 66 000 CASE INTERVIEWS AND 7 000 HOME VISITS HAVE BEEN MADE.

+THE JOB OF AN SGO REQUIRES A HIGH DEGREE OF DEDICATION AS IT INVOLVES MANY AFTER-OFFICE HOURS VISITS TO THE HOMES OF THE CHILDREN,+ THE SPOKESMAN SAID.

+IT IS A LOT OF HARD WORK WHICH CAN BE FRUSTRATING AT TIMES,+ HE SAID, +BUT TO BE ABLE TO SEE YOU HAVE HELPED A YOUNG CHILD FIND HIS PLACE IN THE WORLD IS A MOST GRATIFYING EXPERIENCE.*

CASES DEALT WITH BY THE SGO’S VARY FROM HELPING THOSE WHO HAVE DIFFICULTIES TO IDENTIFY AND SOLVE THEIR PROBLEMS, TO GUIDING THE PARENTS TO BECOME AWARE OF THE NEEDS AND LIMITATIONS OF THEIR CHILDREN.

TO BUILD UP A TRUSTING RELATIONSHIP WITH THE SCHOOL CHILDREN, SGO’S REACH OUT TO MAKE PERSONAL CONTACTS WITH THEM TO LET THEM KNOW THAT HELP IS AVAILABLE TO THEM WHEN THE NEED ARISES.

ASIDE FROM REMEDIAL WORK, THE SCHEME PLACES EQUAL EMPHASIS ON THE PREVENTIVE ASPECTS OF ENHANCING FAMILY LIFE EDUCATION, IMPARTING SOCIAL SKILLS AND BRIDGING THE COMMUNICATION GAP BETWEEN PARENTS AND CHILDREN.

MORE THAN 4 000 ACTIVITIES HAVE BEEN ORGANISED BY SGO’S FOR SCHOOLS AS PART OF THIS PREVENTIVE WORK. THESE INCLUDE CAMPING TRIPS, VISITS, AND TALKS ON VARIOUS TOPICS SUCH AS PERSONAL HYGIENE, FURTHER EDUCATION OPPORTUNITIES AND RELATIONS WITH SCHOOLMATES, TEACHERS AND PARENTS.

MONDAY, MARCH 2, 1981

5

NEW FACILITIES AT KAI TAK AIRPORT

* * * *

VISITORS WILL FIND THE HONS KONG INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT MUCH MORE SPACIOUS WHEN A LARGE AREA IN THE OLD ARRIVALS HALL OF THE PASSENGER TERMINAL IS REOPENED ON WEDNESDAY (MARCH 4).

NEW FACILITIES WILL INCLUDE A FOURTH BAGGAGE RECLAIM LOOP, AN EXTENSION TO THE RESTRICTED PASSENGER BUFFER HALL AND ADDITIONAL CUSTOMS SEARCH BENCHES.

THE RENOVATED AREA IN THE ARRIVALS HALL WILL EXTEND THE PUBLIC GREETING AREA BY ABOUT 50 PER CENT AND THE PASSENGER BUFFER HALL, WITH THE NEW EXTENSION, WILL BE ABOUT TWICE ITS FORMER SIZE. GLASS AUTO-DOORS AT THE EXITS WILL ENABLE GREETERS TO SEE PASSENGERS COMING OUT FROM THE RESTRICTED AREA.

THE FOURTH BAGGAGE RECLAIM LOOP — THE LAST TO BE INSTALLED IN THE CURRENT PHASE OF AIRPORT DEVELOPMENT — CAN HANDLE ABOUT 1 000 BAGS AN HOUR (OR THE EQUIVALENT TO THE PROCESSING RATE FOR PASSENGER BAGGAGE OF THREE JUMBO JETS).

SIMILAR TO THE THREE EXISTING LOOPS, BAGGAGE OF ARRIVING PASSENGERS WILL BE FED BY TWO INDUCTION BELTS ON TO AN INCLINED 'RACE TRACK’ CONVEYOR FOR PASSENGERS TO PICK UP. JAM DETECTION DEVICES ARE PROVIDED TO ENSURE RAPID ATTENTION OF THE BAGGAGE HANDLING STAFF.

SEVEN MORE CUSTOMS CONTROL POSITIONS WILL ALSO BE BROUGHT INTO USE TO SPEED UP THE FLOW OF ARRIVING PASSENGERS.

THE FOURTH STAGE OF DEVELOPMENT OF THE AIRPORT WILL BE COMPLETED TOWARDS THE END OF THE YEAR WHEN A FOURTH CHECK-IN COUNTER WILL BE PROVIDED IN THE DEPARTURE HALL OF THE BUILDING.

----0-----

TEXTILE DISCUSSIONS WITH SWEDEN RESUME TOMORROW * * * *

TEXTILE CONSULTATIONS WITH SWEDEN WILL RESUME IN GENEVA TOMORROW (TUESDAY).

THE TALKS WILL COVER POSSIBLE ARRANGEMENTS TO SUCCEED THE CURRENT TWO-YEAR RESTRAINT AGREEMENT BETWEEN SWEDEN AND HONG KONG WHICH IS DUE TO EXPIRE AT THE END OF THIS MONTH. THE FIRST ROUND OF TALKS WAS ADJOURNED AFTER THREE DAYS’ DISCUSSION IN HONG KONG IN JANUARY.

THE HONG KONG DELEGATION IS LED BY COMMISSIONER OF TRADE, T£A9 AND THE SWEDISH DELEGATION IS HEADED BY MR CURT Wl IK, DIRECTOR, SWEDISH MINISTRIES FOR FOREIGN AFFAIRS AND COMMERCE.

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

/6.......

MONDAY, MARCH 2, 1981

6

ADVANCED COURSES FOR NON-GRADUATE TEACHERS

* * * * *

NON-GRADUATE TEACHERS IN GOVERNMENT AND AIDED SECONDARY OR PRIMARY SCHOOLS ARE INVITED TO APPLY FOR THE ADVANCED COURSES OF TEACHER EDUCATION OFFERED BY THE THREE COLLEGES OF EDUCATION IN 1981/82.

TEACHERS ON ATTACHMENT OR SECONDMENT TO GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS MAY ALSO APPLY FOR THE COURSES.

♦TEACHERS IN AIDED PRIMARY SCHOOLS, HOWEVER, SHOULD NOTE THAT THEY WILL ONLY BE CONSIDERED IF A SPONSORING BODY IS ABLE TO GUARANTEE TRANSFER TO A TEACHING POST IN A SECONDARY SCHOOL ON COMPLETION OF THE COURSES,+ AN EDUCATION DEPARTMENT SPOKESMAN SAID.

EACH SUCCESSFUL APPLICANT FROM AIDED SCHOOLS WILL BE REQUIRED TO GIVE A FORMAL UNDERTAKING TO TEACH FULL-TIME FOR NOT LESS THAN THREE YEARS IMMEDIATELY FOLLOWING SATISFACTORY COMPLETION OF THE COURSES, HE SAID.

THE COURSES WILL OFFER CORE STUDIES IN EDUCATION, EDUCATIONAL TECHNOLOGY AND LANGUAGE SKILLS, TOGETHER WITH COMPLEMENTARY PROGRAMMES.

IN ADDITION, EACH STUDENT WILL STUDY IN DEPTH, ON AN ELECTIVE BASIS, ONE SUBJECT FOR SPECIALISATION.

APPLICANTS, WHO SHOULD BE TWO-YEAR TRAINED TEACHERS, MUST HAVE STUDIED THE SUBJECT APPLIED FOR THROUGH THE TWO YEARS OF HIS COLLEGE OF EDUCATION COURSE.

THEY WILL BE REQUIRED TO DEMONSTRATE PROFICIENCY IN ENGLISH AND TO SIT FOR A TEST OR ATTEND AN INTERVIEW.

GRANTHAM COLLEGE OF EDUCATION WILL OFFER COURSES IN ART AND DESIGN, AND PHYSICAL EDUCATION- NORTHCOTE COLLEGE OF EDUCATION IN HOME ECONOMICS AND MATHEMATICS- AND SIR ROBERT BLACK COLLEGE OF EDUCATION IN HOME ECONOMICS AND MUSIC.

OTHER SUBJECTS FOR SPECIALISATION INCLUDEi CHINESE, CHINESE HISTORY, ENGLISH, SCIENCE AND SOCIAL STUDIES. SUCCESSFUL APPLICANTS WILL BE NOTIFIED OF THE COLLEGE LOCATION FOR THESE SUBJECTS AT A LATER STAGE.

THE GOVERNMENT WOULD BE PREPARED TO PAY THE SALARY OF A TEMPORARY TEACHER OF THE APPROPRIATE OR A LOWER GRADE TO SUBSTITUTE FOR AN AIDED SCHOOL TEACHER ACCEPTED FOR A COURSE, THE SPOKESMAN SAID.

♦DURING THE PERIOD OF THE COURSE, ALL SUCCESSFUL APPLICANTS WILL CONTINUE TO RECEIVE THEIR SALARY AND INCREMENT IN THE NORMAL WAY AND THE COURSE WILL COUNT AS SERVICE OR EXPERIENCE,+ HE SAID.

APPLICATION FORMS WILL BE AVAILABLE VIA HEADS OF SCHOOLS OR SECTIONS FROM THE THREE COLLEGES OF EDUCATION OR THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT HEADQUARTERS IN LEE GARDENS, CAUSEWAY BAY.

THERE WOULD BE NO APPLICATION FEES, THE SPOKESMAN SAID.

/FOK TEACHERS ...

MONDAY, MARCH 2, 1981

7

FOR TEACHERS IN GOVERNMENT SCHOOLS OR ON SECONDMENT AND ATTACHMENT, COMPLETED FORMS SHOULD BE RETURNED BY 5 PM ON MARCH 26 TO THE SENIOR EDUCATION OFFICER (SERVICING UNIT), SCHOOLS DIXAfSION, EDUCATION DEPARTMENT, LEE GARDENS.

COMPLETED FORMS FROM AIDED SCHOOL TEACHERS SHOULD BE RETURNED BY THE SAME TIME TO THE SENIOR EDUCATION OFFICER (FURTHER EDUCATION), EDUCATION DEPARTMENT.

SELECTION OF APPLICANTS WILL BE CONDUCTED BY THE COLLEGE OF EDUCATION JOINT SELECTION BOARD.

- - 0 - -

PLB MAXICABS PLAYING IMPORTANT ROLE *****

PUBLIC LIGHT BUS MAXICABS ARE PLAYING AN INCREASINGLY IMPORTANT ROLE IN THE FIELD OF PUBLIC TRANSPORT IN HONG KONG AND ARE PROVING AN EFFECTIVE MEANS OF SUPPLEMENTING EXISTING BUS SERVICES.

THIS WAS STATED BY THE ASSISTANT COMMISSIONER FOR TRANSPORT, PETER MILLER, AT A RECENT MEETING WITH PLB MAXICAB OPERATORS AT THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT.

THE NEWLY CONSTITUTED PLB MAX I CAB OPERATORS CONFERENCE WAS DESIGNED TO PROVIDE A BASIS OF REGULAR LIAISON BETWEEN MAXICAB OPERATORS AND TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT OFFICIALS TO DISCUSS GENERAL MATTERS CONCERNING THE TRADE- TO REVIEW MATTERS OF COMMON INTEREST- TO IDENTIFY AND CONSIDER EXISTING AND POTENTIAL PROBLEMS RELATED TO THE MAXICAB SERVICE AND TO SUGGEST MEASURES TO REMOVE OR ALLEVIATE SUCH PROBLEMS.

MR MILLER SAID THERE WERE AT PRESENT MORE THAN 20 OPERATORS RUNNING SOME 350 VEHICLES ON 53 FRANCHISED MAXICAB ROUTES. THEY CARRY ABOUT 112 000 PASSENGERS DAILY.

THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT, HE SAID, HOPES TO INCREASE THE NUMBER OF MAXICABS TO 500 THIS YEAR WITH A DAILY CAPACITY OF 150 000 PASSENGERS.

- - 0 -

MONDAY, MARCH 2, 1981

8

CULTURAL WEEK-END IN TAI PO

* * * *

TAI PO DISTRICT ARTS ADVANCEMENT ASSOCIATION HAS ORGANISED A VARIETY OF CULTURAL PROGRAMMES FOR THE NEXT TWO WEEK-ENDS.

A DRAMA PRESENTATION WILL JBE ON SATURDAY (MARCH 7) AND A CONCERT WILL TAKE PLACE THE FOLLOWING SATURDAY (MARCH 14).

BOTH EVENTS WILL BE HELD IN THE SHENG KUNG HUI BISHOP MOK SAU TSENG SECONDARY SCHOOL AT 2 PM. SOME 800 FREE TICKETS FOR EACH EVENT ARE AVAILABLE FROM TAI PO DISTRICT OFFICE.

TAKING PART IN THE DRAMA SHOW WILL BE TEAMS FROM THE BUDDHIST TAI KWONG, WONG SHIU CHI AND SHENG KUNG HUI BISHOP MOK SAU TSENG SECONDARY SCHOOLS.

THE RECENTLY FORMED TAI PO CHILDREN’S CHOIR WILL APPEAR IN THE CONCERT ON MARCH 14, WHICH WILL ALSO FEATURE PERFORMANCES BY TAI PO ARTS ADVANCEMENT ASSOCIATION’S CHINESE MUSIC GROUP.

A DANCE COMPETITION, ALSO ORGANISED BY THE ASSOCIATION, WAS HELD LAST SATURDAY AT VOLTORTA COLLEGE. A CAPACITY CROWD OF 800 WATCHED PERFORMANCES BY TEAMS FROM 12 LOCAL SECONDARY AND PRIMARY SCHOOLS.

FUNDS FOR THE WEEK-END ENTERTAINMENT PROGRAMMES ARE PROVIDED BY TAI PO DISTRICT ADVISORY BOARD.

TSUEN WAN BEACHES CLEAN-UP * * * *

HOLIDAY MAKERS AND SWIMMERS WERE TODAY (MONDAY) URGED TO LEAVE THE BEACHES IN THE NEW TERRITORIES AS CLEAN AS THEY FOUND THEM.

THE APPEAL WAS MADE BY A SPOKESMAN FOR THE NEW TERRITORIES SERVICES DEPARTMENT WHO SAID A NEW LEASE OF LIFE WAS NOW BEING GIVEN TO ALL EIGHT GAZETTED BEACHES IN TSUEN WAN AREA.

A MONTH-LONG CLEAN-UP EXERCISE LAUNCHED ON FEBRUARY 16 WAS STILL IN FULL SWING AT LIDO BEACH AND IT WOULD MOVE TO CASAM BEACH NEXT WEEK, THE SPOKESMAN SAID.

CLEANSING STAFF FROM TSUEN WAN URBAN SERVICES OFFICE HAD BEEN TO THE APPROACH BEACH, TING KAU BEACH, DRAGON BEACH, ANGLER’S BEACH, GEMINI BEACH, AND HOI MEI BEACH DURING THE LAST TWO WEEKS.

THEY PICKED UP AND REMOVED MORE THAN 1 000 BASKETS OF JUNK, REFUSE AND EMPTY SOFT-DRINK TIN CANS LEFT BEHIND BY PICNICKERS AND SWIMMERS. A LARGE QUANTITY OF SEA-BORNE DEBRIS WAS ALSO COLLECTED.

SLOPES AND STAIRCASES TO BEACHES WERE ALSO FLUSHED AND BARBECUE PITS, AMENITY PLOTS AND TOILETS TIDIED UP, THE SPOKESMAN SAID.

THOSE WHO TURN THE BEACHES INTO A REFUSE DUMPING GROUND NOT ONLY CREATE A MESS AND A NUISANCE TO OTHER PEOPLE BUT ALSO FACE A FINE OF SI 000 FOR LITTERING OFFENCE, HE SAID.

DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN

ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE. HONG KONG. TEL: 5-233191

TUESDAY, MARCH 5, 1981

CONTENTS PAGE NO

SIR MURRAY FOR LONDON TALKS ...................................   1

DEVELOPMENT PROJECTS FOR ISLANDS ................................ 1

RHKAAF OPERATIONS UP AGAIN....................................... 2

MUSIC CAMP FOR SAI KUNG CHILDREN...............................   3

GRANTHAM COLLEGE GF EDUCATION CELEBRATES 3OTH ANNIVERSARY .. 4

DEATH SENTENCES COMMUTED ........................................ 4

TEMPORARY TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS ON H.K. ISLAND ................... 5

WATER CUT IN LEI YUE MUN AND TSUEN WAN........................... 5

SALT WATER CUT IN CENTRAL........................................ 5

TUESDAY, MARCH 3, 1981

SIR MURRAY FOR LONDON TALKS *****

THE GOVERNOR, SIR MURRAY MACLEHOSE, WILL LEAVE HONG KONG ON SUNDAY (MARCH 8) FOR LONDON FOR ONE OF HIS PERIODIC ROUNDS OF TALKS WITH MINISTERS AND OFFICIALS OF THE U.K. GOVERNMENT.

SIR MURRAY’S CALLS WILL INCLUDE THE SECRETARY OF STATE FOR FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH AFFAIRS, LORD CARRINGTON, THE HOME SECRETARY, MR WILLIAM WHITELAW AND THE SECRETARY OF STATE FOR TRADE, MR JOHN BIFFEN.

HE WILL TAKE THE OPPORTUNITY TO BRIEF LORD CARRINGTON ON CURRENT ISSUES IN ADVANCE OF LORD CARRINGTON’S VISIT TO HONG KONG AT THE END OF THE MONTH.

SIR MURRAY WILL ALSO MEET MPS, INCLUDING THE HONG KONG PARLIAMENTARY GROUP.

SIR MURRAY IS SCHEDULED TO RETURN TO HONG KONG ON FRIDAY, MARCH 13.

NOTE TO EDITORS:

THERE WILL BE A PHOTOGRAPHIC FACILITY AT KAI TAK AIRPORT TO COVER THE GOVERNOR’S DEPARTURE ON CATHAY PACIFIC FLIGHT CX2O1 WHICH WILL DEPART AT 10.40 PM ON SUNDAY (MARCH 8).

PRESS PHOTOGRAPHERS AND TV CAMERAMEN WISHING TO COVER THIS EVENT ARE REQUESTED TO ASSEMBLE IN THE PRESS ROOM ON THE GROUND FLOOR OF THE AIRPORT TERMINAL BUILDING NOT LATER THAN 10 PM. PROOF OF IDENTITY IS REQUIRED FOR ENTRY INTO THE AIRPORT’S RESTRICTED AREA.

DEVELOPMENT PROJECTS FOR ISLANDS * * * *

THE PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT TODAY (TUESDAY) AWARDED TWO CONTRACTS TOTALLING ABOUT $73 MILLION FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF CHEUNG CHAU AND PENG CHAU.

THE CONTRACTS WERE SIGNED BY MR P.B. KEOWN, CHIEF ENGINEER OF THE PWD’S NEW TERRITORIES DEVELOPMENT BRANCH, AND REPRESENTATIVES OF THE CONTRACTORS.

THE FIRST CONTRACT, LET TO VIANINI S.P.A. AND WORTH ABOUT $49 MILLION, IS FOR THE RECLAMATION AND FORMATION OF ABOUT TEN HECTARES OF LAND ON CHEUNG CHAU.

MR KEOWN SAID THE CONTRACT WOULD FORM PART OF THE

CHEUNG CHAU DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME BEING CARRIED OUT BY THE NEW TERRITORIES DEVELOPMENT BRANCH OF THE PWD’S NEW TERRITORIES DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT.

/+THE RECLAMATION

TUESDAY, MARCH 3, 1981

- 2 -

♦THE RECLAMATION AND FORMATION WORKS AT CHEUNG CHAU WAN, KWAI TSAI WAN AND TAI KWAI WAN WILL PROVIDE LAND FOR A PUBLIC HOUSING ESTATE, VILLAGE TYPE HOUSING AND INDUSTRIAL USES, AS WELL AS SITES FOR A CENTRAL SEWAGE TREATMENT WORKS, AN INCINERATOR, AN ABATTOIR AND A NEW MARINE FUELLING STATION,♦ HE SAID.

WORK ON THE CONTRACT WILL BEGIN THIS WEEK AND WILL TAKE ABOUT 18 MONTHS TO COMPLETE.

THE SECOND CONTRACT, VALUED AT ABOUT $24 MILLION, WAS LET TO HARBOUR ENGINEERING COMPANY LIMITED.

THE CONTRACT IS FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF A NEW FERRY PIER ON PENG CHAU.

MR KEOWN SAID THE NEW PIER WOULD COMPRISE A SINGLE STOREY BUILDING WITH A BERTH ON ONE SIDE AND A LIFT AND RAMPS FOR DOUBLE AND TRIPLE-DECKER FERRIES.

ALSO INCLUDED IN THE CONTRACT WILL BE THE CONSTRUCTION OF A TEMPORARY CAUSEWAY TO LINK THE NEW PIER TO THE EXISTING SHORELINE, AND A NEW HAWKER BAZAAR AT THE ENTRANCE OF THE CAUSEWAY.

♦EVENTUALLY, THE CAUSEWAY WILL BECOME PART OF THE RECLAMATION TO BE TAKEN UNDER THE FUTURE DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME FOR PENG CHAU,+ HE ADDED.

WORK ON THIS CONTRACT WILL TAKE ABOUT 24 MONTHS TO COMPLETE.

THE TWO PROJECTS HAVE BEEN DESIGNED AND CONSTRUCTION WILL BE SUPERVISED BY WILBUR SMITH AND ASSOCIATES, CONSULTING ENGINEERS FOR THE NEW TERRITORIES DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT OF THE PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT.

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

RHKAAF OPERATIONS UP AGAIN * * *

THE ROYAL HONG KONG AUXILIARY AIR FORCE AGAIN DEMONSTRATED ITS VERSATILITY THROUGH A WIDE RANGE OF SEARCH AND RESCUE OPERATIONS AND PUBLIC SERVICE TASKS LAST YEAR.

IT PERFORMED 186 CALLOUTS DURING THE YEAR, A RECORD INCREASE OF 13 PER CENT COMPARED WITH 1979. THE CALLOUTS - MOSTLY BY HELICOPTERS - INCLUDED 170 CASUALTY EVACUATIONS FROM REMOTE PLACES, PLUS SEARCHES FOR MISSING PERSONS, HILL FIRE MISSIONS AND WINCHING DISTRESSED SURVIVORS FROM SINKING SAMPANS.

ON ANTI-ILLEGAL OPERATIONS, THE DAILY PATROLS BY THE TWIN-ENGINED AIRCRAFT, TITAN AND ISLANDER, AND HELICOPTERS THROUGHOUT THE YEAR LED TO A SHARP INCREASE OF ARRESTS AT SEA.

THE FORCE ALSO CARRIED OUT A NUMBER OF LONG RANGE SEA SEARCHES FOR VIETNAMESE REFUGEE VESSELS AND IN SUPPORT OF POLICE NARCOTICS SUPPRESSION OPERATIONS.

THE TOTAL FLYING TIME FOR THE RHKAAF’S FLEET LAST YEAR WAS 3 210 HOURS, AN INCREASE OF 11 PER CENT.

/tee force ....

TUESDAY, MARCH 3, 1981

3

... ,THE FORCE performed a number of new tasks for the civil AVIATION DEPARTMENT, INCLUDING RADIO-TELEPHONY RANGE TRIALS PAD AR MAP CHECK FLIGHTS, RADAR TRACKING EXERCISES AND MONTHLY £^LntvION AND PH0T0SRAPHY OF THE RUNWAY VISUAL AIDS BY NIGHT AN v DAY*

ANOTHER FIXED-WING AIRCARFT, THE BULLDOG. HAD BEEN INVOLVED IN The PROPOSED NEW AIRPORT PROGRAMME. IT WAS USED THREE TIMES EACH WEEK TO MEASURE TURBULENCE FACTORS DURING VARYING WIND AND TEMPERATURE CONDITIONS IN THE CHEK LAP KOK AREA.

THE ISLANDER AND THE TITAN WERE USED FOR AERIAL SURVEYS THROUGHOUT THE YEAR, SOME OF WHICH WERE MADE AT 7 620 METRES.

IN ADDITION, THE ISLANDER UNDERTOOK FLIGHTS FOR BROADCASTING FIRE PREVENTION MESSAGES AND AIR EXPERIENCE FLIGHTS FOR AIR CADETS.

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

MUSIC CAMP FOR SAI KUNG CHILDREN ft * * *

ABOUT 150 MEMBERS OF THE SAI KUNG CHILDREN’S CHOIR WILL ATTEND A MUSIC CAMP ON MARCH 10, 11 AND 12 AT THE SAI KUNG OUTDOOR RECREATION CENTRE.

THE CAMP IS BEING ORGANISED BY THE CHOIR WITH THE ASSISTANCE OF THE DISTRICT ADVISORY BOARD.

THOSE ATTENDING WILL BE DIVIDED INTO THREE GROUPS: TEENAGER (AGED 10 TO 14)- YOUNGER (AGED SEVEN TO NINE)- AND SING AND PLAY (AGED SIX).

THE CAMP IS TO PREPARE THE CHOIR FOR ITS ANNUAL CONCERT ON MARCH 22 AT TSUEN WAN TOWN HALL.

BESIDES MUSICAL TRAINING, THE PROGRAMME WILL INCLUDE GROUP ACTIVITIES, GAMES, FILM-SHOWS AND A BIRTHDAY PARTY.

EACH CHILD WILL PAY A NOMINAL FEE OF $1.

THE CHILDREN’S CHOIR WAS INAUGURATED LAST MARCH TO PROVIDE A RECREATIONAL OUTLET FOR LOCAL CHILDREN AND TO ENCOURAGE THEM TO DEVELOP THEIR MUSICAL TALENTS.

IT IS RUN BY A COMMITTEE OF REPRESENTATIVES FROM THE DISTRICT OFFICE, THE MUSIC OFFICE, RURAL COMMITTEES AND LOCAL COMMUNITY LEADERS.

TRAINING SESSIONS ARE HELD EVERY SUNDAY AFTERNOON. ------------------------------0-------

/4......

TUESDAY, MARCH 3, 1981

4

GRANTHAM COLLEGE OF EDUCATION CELEBRATES 3OTH ANNIVERSARY ***** ft

THE GRANTHAM COLLEGE OF EDUCATION WILL CELEBRATE ITS 3OTH ANNIVERSARY THIS YEAR WITH A SERIES OF ACADEMIC ACTIVITIES DURING THE CENSUS AND EASTER HOLIDAYS AND AT THE END OF THE ACADEMIC YEAR.

FOUNDED IN 1951 THE COLLEGE NOW HAS AN ACCUMULATED ENROLMENT APPROACHING 10 000.

A HONG KONG GEOGRAPHY DAY WILL BE HELD THIS THURSDAY (MARCH 5) AND WILL COMPRISE A BOOK EXHIBITION, A PUBLIC LECTURE AND A SEMINAR ON THE TEACHING AND LEARNING OF GEOGRAPHY IN HONG KONG.

IT IS JOINTLY ORGANISED BY THE COLLEGE AND THE HONG KONG GEOGRAPHICAL ASSOCIATION.

A LARGE SCALE FIVE-DAY FUNCTION ENTITLED EDUCATION INTERFLOW WEEK WILL BE HELD BETWEEN APRIL 18 AND 22. THIS WILL INCLUDE LECTURES, SEMINARS, DEMONSTRATION LESSONS, EXHIBITIONS, FILM AND SLIDE SHOWS, AND WORKSHOPS.

AN EDUCATIONAL TECHNOLOGY AND LIBRARY RESOURCES EXHIBITION JOINTLY ORGANISED BY THE COLLEGE AND THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT’S VISUAL EDUCATION SECTION WILL BE HELD FROM APRIL 24 TO 26.

ON DISPLAY WILL BE THE LATEST MODELS OF AUDIO-VISUAL HARDWARE AND SOFTWARE, LANGUAGE TAPES, LEARNING PACKAGES AND REFERENCE BOOKS.

WORK BY STUDENTS IN COLLEGE STUDIES AND ON TEACHING PRACTICE WILL BE EXHIBITED FROM JULY 3 TO 5.

PRINCIPALS, TEACHERS, STUDENTS AND MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC ARE WELCOME TO ATTEND THE VARIOUS FUNCTIONS WHICH WILL BE HELD AT THE COLLEGE AT 42 GASCOIGNE ROAD, KOWLOON.

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

DEATH SENTENCES COMMUTED ft ft ft

tuc AFTER TAK,NG ^TO CONSIDERATION THE ADVICE OF

THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL, HAS DECIDED THAT THE DEATH SENTENCES PASSED ON CHOI CHI-KEUNG AND CHUNG CHIU-MAN ON NOVEMBER 12, 1979 SHOULD BE COMMUTED TO LIFE IMPRISONMENT.

*t CHUNG WERE F0UND SUILTY OF THE MURDER OF CHAN HING

AT PAT HEUNG, KAM TIN IN THE NEW TERRITORIES ON FEBRUARY 5, 1979.

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

Z5......

TUESDAY, MARCH J, 1981

TEMPORARY TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS ON H.K. ISLAND *****

THE SECTION OF TAI HANG ROAD BETWEEN STUBBS ROAD/TAI HANG ROAD ROUNDABOUT AND BLUE POOL ROAD WILL BE CLOSED TO TRAFFIC FROM 0.30 AM TO 5.30 AM ON MARCH 5, 6 AND 7 FOR CONSTRUCTION OF A FLYOVER.

AND FROM 10 AM ON FRIDAY (MARCH 6), THE EASTBOUND CARRIAGEWAY OF CHAI WAN ROAD ADJACENT TO CHAI WAN BUS TERMINUS WILL BE CLOSED TO TRAFFIC FOR 10 DAYS FOR THE LAYING OF A WATER MAIN IN THE AREA.

EASTBOUND TRAFFIC WILL BE DIVERTED TO THE SOUTHERN-MOST BAY CF THE BUS TERMINUS.

APPROPRIATE TRAFFIC SIGNS WILL BE ERECTED TO GUIDE MOTORISTS.

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

WATER CUT IN LEI YUE MUN AND TSUEN WAN ******

FRESH WATER SUPPLY TO LEI YUE MUN VILLAGE AND LING NAM SAN TSUEN WILL BE TURNED OFF FOR 10 HOURS FROM 8 PM ON THURSDAY (MARCH 5) TO 6 AM THE FOLLOWING DAY FOR WATER MAINS CONNECTION.

AND FOR THE SIX HOURS FROM MIDNIGHT ON THURSDAY (MARCH 5) TO 6 AM THE FOLLOWING DAY, FRESH WATER SUPPLY TO A NUMBER OF PREMISES IN TSUEN WAN WILL ALSO BE TURNED OFF FOR A LEAKAGE JEST. THE AREA TO BE AFFECTED IS BOUNDED BY SHA TSUI ROAD, TAI CHUNc

ROAD AND CHAI WAN KOK STREET.

SALT WATER CUT IN CENTRAL * * * *

THE SALT WATER SUPPLY TO A NUMBER OF PREMISES IN CENTRAL WILL BE TURNED OFF FOR 14 HOURS FROM 8 AM TO 10 PM ON THURSDAY (MARCH 5) FOR WORK ON THE WATERFRONT PUMPING STATION.

THE AREAS TO BE AFFECTED WILL INCLUDE ALL PREMISES AT CONDUIT ROAD. KOTEWALL ROAD, LYTTELTON ROAD, BONHAM ROAD, YING WA TERRACE, ROBINSON ROAD, CASTLE ROAD, SEYMOUR ROAD, LADDER STREET, JERVOIS STREET, BURD STREET, MACDONNELL ROAD, BOWEN ROAD, KENNEDY ROAD, PEEL STREET, MOSQUE STREET, MOSQUE JUNCTION AND DES VOEUX ROAD WEST FROM WESTERN STREET TO WHITTY STREET.

ALSO TO BE AFFECTED ARE AREAS AT WYNDHAM STREET BETWEEN QUEEN’S ROAD CENTRAL AND GLENEALY- WELLINGTON STREET BETWEEN WYNDHAM STREET AND QUEEN’S ROAD CENTRAL- HOLLYWOOD ROAD BETWEEN WYNDHAM STREET AND QUEEN’S ROAD WEST- CAINE ROAD BETWEEN ARBUTNOT ROAD AND HIGH STREET- TAI PING SHAN STREET BETWEEN SHING WONG STREET AND NEW STREET- CONNAUGHT ROAD WEST BETWEEN QUEEN STREET AND CENTRE STREET- DES VOEUX ROAD WEST BETWEEN QUEEN STREET AND WESTERN STREET- QUEEN’S ROAD WEST BETWEEN QUEEN STREET AND BELCHER’S STREET- FIRST STREET, SECOND STREET, THIRD STREET AND HIGH STREET EETWEEN HOSPITAL ROAD AND POK FU LAM ROAD- HILL ROAD BETWEEN QUtEN S ROAD WEST AND POK FU LAM ROAD- AND POK FU LAM ROAD BETWEEN HILL ROAD AND HOK SZ TERRACE.

- - u - -

DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN

ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE. HONG KONG. TEL. 5-233191

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 4, 1981

CONTENTS PAGE NO

SIR JACK TO HEAD LONDON OFFICE................................ 1

ROYAL WEDDING STAMPS ......................................... 1

FLOWER SHOW IN NT NORTH DISTRICT ............................. 1

THEORY AND PRACTICE OF TABLE TENNIS COACHING ................. 2

TSUEN WAN FIGHT CRIME EXHIBITION OPENS ON SATURDAY....... 3

TRAFFIC RESTRICTION IN TSUEN WAN ............................. 3

SALT WATER CUT IN KWUN TONG

3

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 4, 1981

1

SIR JACK TO HEAD LONDON OFFICE * * * *

SIR JACK CATER, THE CHIEF SECRETARY, WILL BE GOING TO LONDON TO TAKE UP THE APPOINTMENT OF HONG KONG COMMISSIONER TOWARDS THE END OF THE YEAR, A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN ANNOUNCED TODAY.

THE SECRETARY OF STATE HAS APPROVED THE APPOINTMENT OF SIR PHILIP HADDON-CAVE TO SUCCEED SIR JACK AS CHIEF SECRETARY AND OF MR JOHN BREMRIDGE TO BE FINANCIAL SECRETARY.

SIR JACK WILL HAND OVER HIS DUTIES IN EARLY NOVEMBER TO SIR PHILIP.

BEFORE RETURNING TO HONG KONG IN MID-MAY, MR BREMRIDGE, FORMER CHAIRMAN OF THE SWIRE GROUP IN HONG KONG, WILL BE ENGAGED ON AN INTENSIVE PROGRAMME OF BRIEFINGS, VISITS AND ATTACHMENTS. HE WILL TAKE OVER THE POST OF FINANCIAL SECRETARY FROM SIR PHILIP AS FROM JUNE 1.

NOTE TO EDITORS!

COPIES OF A BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH AND A PHOTOGRAPH OF MR BREMRIDGE ARE ISSUED SEPARATELY.

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

ROYAL WEDDING STAMPS

* * * *

THE POSTMASTER GENERAL, MR A.C. HEATHCOTE, HAS ANNOUNCED THAT THREE SPECIAL POSTAGE STAMPS WILL BE ISSUED TO COMMEMORATE THE MARRIAGE OF HRH THE PRINCE OF WALES TO LADY DIANA SPENCER.

FULL DETAILS OF THE DESIGNS, VALUES AND OTHER INFORMATION ABOUT THE ISSUE WILL BE GIVEN NEARER THE WEDDING DAY.

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

FLOWER SHOW IN NT NORTH DISTRICT * * * *

niCTnA £0UR“DAY FLOWER SHOW WILL OPEN IN NEW TERRITORIES NORTH DISTRICT ON MARCH 21 AT FANLING PLAYGROUND.

THE SHOW IS THE FIFTH TO BE HELD IN THE DISTRICT. ON DISPLAY WILL BE MORE THAN 80 SPECIES OF FLOWERS, AS WELL AS HIGH-CLASS ROSES GROWN LOCALLY AND OVERSEAS.

THERE WILL BE COMPETITIVE SCENTED CUT FLOWERS, POT PLANTS BONSAI TYPE PLANTS.

SECTIONS TO INCLUDE CUT FLOWERS, , MINIATURE POT PLANTS, ORCHIDS AND

ABOUT 700 ENTRANTS WILL TAKE PART IN THE COMPETITIONS.

EIGHTEEN NON-COMPETITIVE EXHIBITORS, INCLUDING THE NEW TERRITORIES SERVICES DEPARTMENT AND THE AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES DEPARTMENT HAVE ALSO BEEN INVITED TO ENTER.

/BESTOSS THE ...

WEDNESDAY, MASCH 4, 1981

2

BESIDES THE COMPETITIONS, THERE WILL BE TALKS ON BONSAI TYPE PLANTS, POT PLANTS AND ORCHIDS.

SECRETARY FOR THE NEW TERRITORIES, MR DAVID AKERS-JONES, WILL OFFICIATE AT THE OPENING CEREMONY.

THE BEST EXHIBIT OF THE SHOW AND THE WINNERS IN EACH SECTION WILL BE AWARDED TROPHIES.

THE SHOW IS BEING JOINTLY ORGANISED BY NORTH DISTRICT OFFICE, THE NEW TERRITORIES SERVICES AND AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES DEPARTMENTS, NORTH DISTRICT ARTS ADVANCEMENT ASSOCIATION, HONG KONG BONSAI TYPE PLANTS ASSOCIATION AND HONG KONG ARTISTIC ORCHID ASSOCIATION.

FUNDS FOR THE DISPLAY ARE BEING MET BY THE DISTRICT ADVISORY BOARD AND THROUGH LOCAL DONATIONS.

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

THEORY AND PRACTICE OF TABLE TENNIS COACHING

* * * *

PRIMARY SCHOOL TEACHERS WILL HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY TO LEARN THE THEORY AND PRACTICE OF TABLE TENNIS COACHING IN A COURSE TO BE CONDUCTED IN MAY BY THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT’S PHYSICAL EDUCATION SECTION.

TWO COACHES FROM THE JUBILEE SPORTS CENTRE, MR CHENG CHUNG-YIN AND MR WILLIAM CHU, WILL BE INVITED TO GIVE LECTURES ON THE COURSE.

THE COURSE WILL BE HELD FROM MAY 4 TO 8 AT THE HONG KONG TABLE-TENNIS ASSOCIATION AT 59 WAN CHAI ROAD, HONG KONG.

NO TUITION FEES WILL BE CHARGED AND CERTIFICATES OF ATTENDANCE WILL BE ISSUED TO PARTICIPANTS WHO HAVE SUCCESSFULLY COMPLETED THE COURSE.

HEADS OF SCHOOLS SHOULD SEND IN THEIR NOMINATIONS BEFORE APRIL 11 TO THE PRINCIPAL INSPECTOR, PHYSICAL EDUCATION SECTION, EDUCATION DEPARTMENT, 7TH FLOOR, KOWLOON GOVERNMENT OFFICES, 405 NATHAN ROAD.

FURTHER INFORMATION MAY BE OBTAINED FROM MR CHAN KWAN-NGOK CF THE SECTION ON 3-884111 EXT. 280.

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 4, 1981

3

TSUEN WAN FIGHT CRIME EXHIBITION OPENS ON SATURDAY *****

A FIVE-DAY EXHIBITION TO INCREASE PUBLIC AWARENESS OF CRIME AND ITS PREVENTION WILL OPEN IN TSUEN WAN ON SATURDAY.

THE EXHIBITION, ORGANISED BY THE TSUEN WAN DISTRICT FIGHT CRIME COMMITTEE, WILL BE OPEN TO THE PUBLIC FROM 10 AM TO 8 PM DAILY IN THE CULTURAL ACTIVITIES HALL OF TSUEN WAN TOWN HALL.

TWENTY-TWO ORGANISATIONS, INCLUDING TSUEN WAN DISTRICT OFFICE, ARE TAKING PART IN THE EXHIBITION.

THEY WILL EACH OPERATE A STALL EXPLAINING THEIR ROLE IN FIGHTING CRIME. THESE ORGANISATIONS INCLUDE SECURITY FIRMS, BANKS, YOUTH CENTRES, WELFARE GROUPS AND JUNIOR POLICE CALL UNITS OF KWAI CHUNG AND TSUEN WAN.

THERE WILL BE SLIDE AND FILM SHOWS, AND PHOTOGRAPHS, CHARTS AND SECURITY ITEMS ON DISPLAY. THERE WILL ALSO BE A CROSSWORD PUZZLE COMPETITION.

THE CHAIRMAN OF THE TSUEN WAN DISTRICT FIGHT CRIME COMMITTEE, LUI HAU-TUEN- POLICE DIVISIONAL SUPERINTENDENT TSUEN WAN, MR CHAN HO-YIN AND DIVISIONAL SUPERINTENDENT KWAI CHUNG, MR DAVE HODSON- AND LOCAL LEADER, MR CHAN PO-FONG, WILL OFFICIATE AT THE OPENING CEREMONY ON SATURDAY AFTERNOON.

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

TRAFFIC RESTRICTION IN TSUEN WAN

* * *

WITH EFFECT FROM 10 AM ON FRIDAY (MARCH 6) ALL MOTOR VEHICLES, EXCEPT FRANCHISED BUSES AND THOSE AUTHORISED IN WRITING BY THE COMMISSIONER FOR TRANSPORT, ARE PROHIBITED FROM ENTERING SHEK YAM ROAD IN TSUEN WAN AT ITS JUNCTION WITH WO Yl HOP ROAD.

APPROPRIATE TRAFFIC SIGNS WILL BE ERECTED TO GUIDE MOTOR I STS.

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

SALT WATER CUT IN KWUN TONG * * * *

THE SALT BE TURNED OFF THE FOLLOWING ROAD.

WATER SUPPLY FOR 10 HOURS DAY FOR SALT

TO A NUMBER OF AREAS IN KWUN TONG WILL FROM 8 PM ON THURSDAY (MARCH 5) TO 6 AM WATER MAINS CONNECTION AT NGAU TAU KOK

LOWER NGAU TAU KOK ESTATE PING SHEK ESTATE WILL BE

ALL PREMISES AT JORDAN VALLEY, (BLOCK 8 TO 14), CHOI WAN ESTATE AND AFFECTED.

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

DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN

ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE. HONG KONG. TEL: 5-233191

THURSDAY, MARCH 5, 1981

MONEY SUPPLY AND FINANCIAL STATISTICS FOR JANUARY 1981 .. 1

NEV/ GYMNASIUM OPENS ON SUNDAY .............................. 3

MORE PRIVATE CARS ON THE ROAD...............................  4

APPLY NOW FOR FULL-TIME CRAFT COURSES ....................... 4

ANTI-NARCCTICS CONCERT ON SATURDAY .......................... 5

SAI KUNG FIGHT CRIME DAY .................................... 6

CONSULS VISIT TUEN MUN NEW TOWN.............................. 7

JING YING OFF TO LONDON ..................................... 8

NEW TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS IN KOWLOON.......................... 8

THURSDAY, MARCH 5, 1981

1

MONEY SUPPLY AND FINANCIAL STATISTICS FOR JANUARY 1981 ******

THE MONEY SUPPLY AND FINANCIAL STATISTICS FOR JANUARY 1981 ARE PUBLISHED TODAY. THEY ARE AS USUAL HEAVILY INFLUENCED BY SEASONAL FACTORS IN THE PERIOD BEFORE THE LUNAR NEW YEAR, WHEN THERE IS ALWAYS A SUBSTANTIAL DEMAND FOR CREDIT (PARTLY CAUSED BY THE INCIDENCE IN THE FIRST QUARTER OF THE NEED TO PAY PROFITS TAX AND SALARIES TAX), AND WHEN THE VOLUME OF BANK NOTES IN ISSUE RISES SHARPLY.

A FURTHER RISE IN THE MONEY SUPPLY, ON ALL DEFINITIONS, REFLECTED A RAPID EXPANSION IN TOTAL LOANS AND ADVANCES IN HONG KONG, PARTLY ON THESE SEASONAL GROUNDS, THOUGH IT WAS SOMEWHAT OFFSET BY AN OUTFLOW OF FUNDS FROM THE HONG KONG MONETARY SECTOR DURING THE MONTH.

AS THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY POINTED OUT IN PARAGRAPH 32 OF HIS BUDGET SPEECH, OUR MONETARY STATISTICS DO NOT YET PROVIDE A BASIS FOR REALLY MEANINGFUL ECONOMIC ANALYSIS. THE GOVERNMENT IS HOWEVER NOT YET IN A POSITION TO PUBLISH ON A REGULAR BASIS THE STATISTICS WHICH ARE NOW BEING COLLECTED UNDER THE MONETARY STATISTICS ORDINANCE.

MONEY SUPPLY

THE MONEY SUPPLY ON THE NARROWEST DEFINITION, Ml (NOTES AND COINS WITH THE PUBLIC, PLUS DEMAND DEPOSITS, OTHER THAN FROM BANKS AND DEPOSIT-TAKING COMPANIES, WITH LICENSED BANKS) ROSE BY 10. 3 PER CENT IN JANUARY, AFTER FALLING BY 1. 1 PER CENT IN DECEMBER. THE PRINCIPAL FACTOR HERE WAS A RISE OF 20. 1 PER CENT IN NOTES AND COINS HELD BY THE PUBLIC BEFORE THE LUNAR NEW YEAR FESTIVAL.

M2 (Ml PLUS SAVINGS AND TIME DEPOSITS, OTHER THAN FROM BANKS AND DTCS, WITH LICENSED BANKS) INCREASED BY 6. 1 PER CENT IN JANUARY, WELL UP FROM AN INCREASE OF 1. 9 PER CENT IN DECEMBER, REFLECTING A RISE OF 14. 6 PER CENT IN TIME DEPOSITS WITH BANKS.

M3 (M2 PLUS DEPOSITS WITH DEPOSIT-TAKING COMPANIES) INCREASED BY 4. 9 PER CENT IN JANUARY, UP FROM A 4. 1 PER CENT RISE IN DECEMBER.

IN THE LAST THREE MONTHS Ml INCREASED BY 4.0 PER CENT, WELL DOWN FROM A 9. 6 PER CENT RISE IN THE PREVIOUS THREE MONTHS. BUT THE GROWTH RATES OF M2 AND M3 IN THE LAST THREE MONTHS AT, RESPECTIVELY, 7.4 PER CENT AND 11.5 PER CENT, WERE UP FROM THEIR INCREASES OF 5.5 PER CENT AND 9.0 PER CENT IN THE PREVIOUS THREE MONTHS.

LOANS IN HONG KONG

TOTAL LOANS AND ADVANCES IN HONG KONG EXPANDED BY 6.0 PER CENT IN JANUARY, AFTER AN INCREASE OF 4.0 PER CENT IN DECEMBER. IN THE LAST THREE MONTHS, TOTAL LOANS AND ADVANCES IN HONG KONG ROSE BY 17.2 PER CENT, UP FROM A 15.1 PER CENT RISE IN THE PREVIOUS THREE MONTHS.

/bank loans .......

2

BANK LOANS IN HONG KONG ROSE BY 6.2 PER CENT IN JANUARY, AFTER RISING BY 4.5 PER CENT IN DECEMBER. LOANS IN HONG KONG BY DEPOSIT-TAKING COMPANIES ROSE BY 5.6 PER CENT, UP FROM A 2.2 PER CENT RISE IN DECEMBER. IN THE LAST THREE MONTHS, BANK LOANS IN HONG KONG EXPANDED BY 18.2 PER CENT AND LOANS IN HONG KONG BY DEPOSIT-TAKING COMPANIES BY 14.1 PER CENT, AS COMPARED WITH THE INCREASES OF 15.7 PER CENT AND 13.2 PER CENT RESPECTIVELY IN THE PRECEDING THREE MONTHS.

FOREIGN ASSETS

THE NET IDENTIFIABLE FOREIGN ASSETS OF ALL BANKS ROSE IN JANUARY BY S464M, BUT THOSE OF DTCS FELL BY $1 438M, INDICATING AN OUTFLOW OF $974M. FROM THE HONG KONG MONETARY SECTOR DURING THE MONTH, AFTER AN INFLOW OF S576M IN DECEMBER.

BALANCE SHEET RATIOS

THE AVERAGE LIQUIDITY RATIO FOB ALL BANKS IN HONG KONG FELL IN JANUARY TO 46.3 PER CENT FROM 48. 4 PER CENT IN DECEMBER. THE LOAN/DEPOSIT RATIO, HOWEVER, ROSE FURTHER TO 108. 8 PER CENT AT THE END OF JANUARY FROM 107. 3 PER CENT AT THE END OF DECEMBER, REFLECTING THE RAPID EXPANSION IN BANK LOANS DURING THE MONTH.

THE AVERAGE LIQUIDITY RATIO FOR ALL DTCS REMAINED UNCHANGED AT 44. 2 PER CENT IN JANUARY. THE LOAN/DEPOSIT RATIO ROSE TO 70. 9 PER CENT AT THE END OF JANUARY FROM 68. 6 PER CENT AT THE END OF DECEMBER, AS THE GROWTH RATE OF DEPOSITS WITH DTCS SLOWED DOWN SHARPLY DURING THE MONTH.

NUMBER OF REPORTING INSTITUTIONS

ONE MORE BANK BEGAN TO REPORT IN JANUARY, BRINGING THEIR TOTAL TO 114. THE NUMBER OF REPORTING DTCS ROSE BY 10 DURING THE MONTH TO 312.

THE DETAILED FIGURES FOR JANUARY 1981, AND COMPARISONS WITH EARLIER MONTHS, ARE SET OUT IN THE FOLLOWING TABLE*

MONEY AND BANKING FIGURES - END OF JANUARY 1981 (IN HK$ MILLION)

FIGURES FOR EARLIER MONTHS (% CHANGE)

JAN 1981 DEC 1980 OCT 1980 JAN 1980

Ml 26 607 24 124 (+10.3%) 25 575 (+4.0%) 21 226 (+25.4%)

M2 102 745 96 862 (+6.1%) 95 636 (+7.4%) 77 436 (+32.7%)

M3 146 430 139 578 (+4.9%) 131 311 (+11.5%) 105 032 (+39.4%)

/bajjks.........

THUBSBAY, MARCH 5, 1981

3

BANKS

DEPOSITS 92 689 88 490 (+4.7%) 87 407 (+6.0%) 70 063 (+32.3%)

LOANS AND ADVANCES IN HONG KONG 100 830 94 970 (♦6.2%) 85 278 (+18.2%) 66 223 (+52.3%)

LOAN/DEPOSIT RATIO 108.8% 107.3% 97.6% 94.5%

AVERAGE LIQUIDITY RATIO 46.3% 48.4% 46.8% 53.6%

DEPOSIT-TAKI NG COMPANIES

DEPOSITS 43 685 42 716 (♦2.3%) 35 675 (+22.5%) 27 596 (+58.3%)

LOANS AND ADVANCES IN HONG KONG 30 965 29 317 (♦5.6%) 27 149 (+14.1%) 14 552 (+112.8%)

LOAN/DEPOSIT RATIO 70.9% 68.6% 76.1% 52.7%

AVERAGE LIQUIDITY RATIO 44.2% 44.2% 47.9% 49.0%

BANKS AND DEPOSITTAKING COMPANIES

TOTAL LOANS AND ADVANCES IN HONG KONG 131 795 124 287 (+6.0%) 112 427 (+17.2%) 80 775 (+63.2%)

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

NEW GYMNASIUM OPENS ON SUNDAY ft ft ft ft ft

A NEW GYMNASIUM IN HAPPY VALLEY WILL BE OPENED ON SUNDAY (MARCH 8) BY THE SECRETARY FOR HOME AFFAIRS, MR DENIS BRAY.

THE CITY LIONS CLUB SPORTS CENTRE, UNDER THE STAND OF THE HONG KONG FOOTBALL CLUB STADIUM IN SPORTS ROAD, IS A JOINT VENTURE OF THE CITY LIONS CLUB OF HONG KONG, THE FOOTBALL CLUB AND THE GOVERNMENT RECREATION AND SPORT SERVICE.

THE CENTRE WILL BE RUN BY THE RECREATION AND SPORT SERVICE (RSS) TO PROVIDE VARIOUS DANCE AND FITNESS COURSES, AS WELL AS OTHER ACTIVITIES.

IT WILL HAVE AN AIR-CONDITIONED FITNESS ROOM AND A DANCE ROOM. THE FITNESS ROOM WILL BE EQUIPPED WITH THE MOST MODERN ISOKINETIC FACILITIES SUCH AS ♦SIX STATION MACHINE* AND ♦SUPER MINI-GTM+.

/an ass .......

THURSDAY, MABCH 5, 1981

- 4 -

AN RSS SPOKESMAN SAID TRAINED INSTRUCTORS WILL BE AVAILABLE TO HELP THOSE WHO WANT TO TONE UP THEIR MUSCLES OR LOSE A FEW POUNDS.

THE DANCE ROOM WILL BE EQUIPPED WITH TINTED MIRRORS AND ADJUSTABLE HAND-RAIL ROUND THE WALLS.

♦THE KIND OF DANCE COURSES AVAILABLE HERE WILL INCLUDE BALLET, ORIENTAL AND WESTERN FOLK DANCES, BALLROOM DANCING, MODERN JAZZ DANCING, AS WELL AS DISCO FITNESS SESSIONS,* THE SPOKESMAN SAID.

HE SAID THE FACILITIES IN THE CENTRE WILL BE OPEN TO THE PUBLIC EVERY DAY FROM 7 AM TO 10 PM TO ENABLE PEOPLE FROM ALL WALKS OF LIFE TO TAKE PART IN THE COURSES.

DETAILS OF THE ACTIVITIES ORGANISED BY THE RSS AT THE CENTRE ARE NOW OBTAINABLE FROM ALL RSS OFFICES.

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

MORE PRIVATE CARS ON THE ROAD

* * *

THE TOTAL NUMBER OF REGISTERED PRIVATE CARS REACHED 196 200 BY THE END OF FEBRUARY, A RISE OF MORE THAN 24 860 OR 14.5 PER CENT OVER THE LAST 12 MONTHS.

THIS COMPARES WITH A RISE OF ABOUT 25 428 DURING THE 12 MONTHS ENDING FEBRUARY, 1980.

THE NUMBER OF NEW CARS REGISTERED DURING FEBRUARY WAS 3 837 AND THE NUMBER OF REGISTRATIONS WHICH LAPSED WAS 1 229, REPRESENTING A NET INCREASE OF 2 608 AND BRINGING THE OVERALL TOTAL TO 196 233.

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

APPLY NOW FOR FULL-TIME CRAFT COURSES

*****

COPIES OF A PAMPHLET INFORMING FORM III STUDENTS OF THE FULL-TIME CRAFT COURSES THEY CAN APPLY FOR IN THE FIVE TECHNICAL INSTITUTES IN THE 1981/82 ACADEMIC YEAR ARE NOW AVAILABLE.

HEADS OF SCHOOLS CAN ARRANGE FOR THE COLLECTION OF THESE PAMPHLETS FROM LEE WAI LEE TECHNICAL INSTITUTE IN KOWLOON TONG OR MORRISON HILL TECHNICAL INSTITUTE IN WAN CHAI, AN EDUCATION DEPARTMENT SPOKESMAN SAID.

THE COURSES OFFERED ARE IN COMMERCIAL STUDIES, CONSTRUCTION, ELECTRICAL ENGINEERING, MECHANICAL ENGINEERING, PRINTING, TEXTILE INDUSTRIES, CLOTHING INDUSTRIES, MARINE AND FABRICATION, AND DESIGN.

/an application ..

TEUBSDAY, MABCH 5, 1981

5

AN APPLICATION FORM WILL BE INCLUDED IN EACH PAMPHLET AND STUDENTS WISHING TO APPLY FOR ANY OF THE COURSES SHOULD COMPLETE THESE FORMS AND SUBMIT THEM TO THEIR HEADS OF SCHOOLS.

THE HEADS ARE REQUESTED TO FORWARD THESE APPLICATION FORMS BY MARCH 25 TO THE SENIOR EDUCATION OFFICER OF THE JUNIOR SECONDARY EDUCATION ASSESSMENT SECTION.

THE MINIMUM ENTRY REQUIREMENT FOR FULL-TIME CRAFT COURSES IS COMPLETION OF FORM III.

SHORT-LISTED APPLICANTS WILL BE INTERVIEWED IN MAY OR JUNE AND SCHOOLS WILL BE INFORMED OF THE ARRANGEMENTS IN EARLY MAY.

+ IF AN APPLICANT IS NOT ACCEPTED BY THE TECHNICAL INSTITUTES, HE WILL STILL BE ALLOCATED AN AIDED FORM/MIDDLE IV PLACE IF FOUND ELIGIBLE UNDER THE JSEA SYSTEM.

+HOWEVER, IF HE IS ADMITTED TO A TECHNICAL INSTITUTE AND HE HAS ACCEPTED THE OFFER, HE WILL NOT BE ALLOCATED TO AN AIDED SECONDARY SCHOOL EVEN IF FOUND ELIGIBLE UNDER THE JSEA SYSTEM,* THE SPOKESMAN SAID.

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

ANTI-NARCOTICS CONCERT ON SATURDAY

* M * M *

THE ACTION COMMITTEE AGAINST NARCOTICS WILL HOLD AN ANT I-NARCOTICS CONCERT THIS SATURDAY (MARCH 7) AT 8 PM IN THE ACADEMIC COMMUNITY HALL, WATERLOO ROAD, KOWLOON.

THE CONCERT, WHICH FORMS PART OF ACAN’S PREVENTIVE EDUCATION AND PUBLICITY PROGRAMME FOR THIS FINANCIAL YEAR, IS THE FIRST OF ITS KIND TO BE ORGANISED BY THE COMMITTEE WITH THE SPONSORSHIP OF THE MUSIC OFFICE, RADIO TELEVISION HONG KONG AND TOM LEE PIANO COMPANY.

MR ALAN SCOTT, SECRETARY FOR INFORMATION, WILL OFFICIATE AT THE CONCERT AND PRESENT PRIZES TO WINNERS OF THE ANTI-NARCOTICS SINGING COMPETITION WHICH WAS HELD IN THE TSUEN WAN TOWN HALL ON JANUARY 24 THIS YEAR.

THE FIRST, SECOND AND THIRD PRIZE-WINNERS WILL BE AWARDED TROPHIES AND GIFT COUPONS VALUED AT $5 OOO, $3 500 AND $2 000 RESPECTIVELY.

MRS SCOTT WILL ALSO PRESENT SOUVENIRS TO THE PERFORMERS AT THE CONCERT.

FOLLOWING THE PRESENTATION CEREMONY, THE CONCERT WILL START WITH THE PERFORMANCES BY THE WINNERS OF THE SINGING COMPETITION --THE PO LEUNG KUK NO. 1 SECONDARY SCHOOL (PRIZE-WINNER), MR CHAN MAN-PO (FIRST RUNNER-UP) AND MR CHUNG CHI—CHIU (SECOND RUNNER-UP).

THE 84-MEMBER HONG KONG YOUTH SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA (B) WILL PLAY SEVERAL POPULAR LIGHT-CLASSIC NUMBERS TO ENTERTAIN THE AUDIENCE.

/also pehpobmuig....

THURSDAY, MABCH 5, 1981

6

ALSO PERFORMING ON STAGE WILL BE A NUMBER OF LOCAL POP SINGERS INCLUDING ELIZA CHAN, ROWENA CORTES, LOUIE CASTRO, BOBBY CHAN AND KEN CHOI. MISS TAM WAI-WAH, AN RTHK DISC JOCKEY, WILL BE THE MASTER OF CEREMONIES.

MR KARL STUMPF, CHAIRMAN OF ACAN’S PREVENTIVE EDUCATION AND PUBLICITY SUB-COMMITTEE, AND MR PETER LEE, COMMISSIONER FOR NARCOTICS, WILL ALSO ATTEND THE CONCERT TOGETHER WITH MR LEWIS DAVIES, SECRETARY FOR SECURITY- MR ROBERT SUN, DIRECTOR OF INFORMATION SERVICES- MR DOUGLAS JORDAN, COMMISSIONER OF CUSTOMS AND CONTROLS- MRS ELIZABETH WONG, MUSIC ADMINISTRATOR- MR RAYMOND NG OF RTHK AND REPRESENTATIVES OF VARIOUS GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS AND COMMUNITY LEADERS.

AN ACAN SPOKESMAN SAID TODAY THAT ALL TICKETS FOR THE CONCERT HAD BEEN DISTRIBUTED LAST WEEK. HOWEVER, HE ADDED THAT THE CONCERT WILL BE BROADCAST LIVE ON RADIO HONG KONG (CHANNEL II).

THE SPOKESMAN ADVISED THOSE ATTENDING THE CONCERT TO USE PUBLIC TRANSPORT AS THERE WILL BE NO PARKING FACILITIES. A SPECIAL SHUTTLE BUS SERVICE BETWEEN MTR KOWLOON TONG STATION AND THE ACADEMIC COMMUNITY HALL WILL BE AVAILABLE FROM 7.20 PM ONWARDS AT A CHARGE OF $1 PER HEAD.

0 -------

SAI KUNG FIGHT CRIME DAY * * * *

THE SAI KUNG POLICE STATION WILL BE OPEN TO MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC ON SATURDAY (MARCH 7), THE DISTRICT’S +FIGHT CRIME DAY*.

TMF ARpfSiM LLAR»ic TAWeLP?HSE STAT,0N OPERATES, RESIDENTS IN J!^3REA w **:!; BE ABLE To SEE AN exhibition on ways to prevent CRIME AND WATCH A PERFORMANCE BY THE POLICE DOG UNIT.

THEY WILL ALSO FIND OUT MORE ABOUT A CAREER IN THE ROYAL mono KONG POLICE FORCE BY VISITING THE RECRUITMENT UNIT.

THE DAY’S PROGRAMME WILL INCLUDE A VARIETY SHOW AT THE NEWLY-OPENED PROMENADE ALONG SAI KUNG TOWN WATERFRONT A BAND PERFORMANCE AND TOKWANDO DEMONSTRATION BY JUNIOR POLICE CALL ACROBATIC SHOWS, AND DRAMA AND SINGING BY ItLtVlSION STARS.

OFFICIATING AT THE SHOW WILL BE SAI KUNG DISTRICT OFFICER MR CHAN SHUI-JEUNG- DEPUTY KOWLOON DISTRICT POLICE COMMANDER, ’ £ ™A” Z'CK-SHEUNG- SAI KUNS RURAL COMMITTEE CHAIRMAN, MR CHUNG POON- HANG HAU RURAL COMMITTEE CHAIRMAN, MR YAU KEI- AND THE CHAIRMAN OF THE FIGHT CRIME COMMITTEE, MR LEE YUN-SAU.

n.n-r !?!JNi!ERS 0F A CART00N DRAWING COMPETITION, HELD LAST MONTH AS reiLs nISlJ CAMPAIGN ACTIVITIES, WILL RECEIVE THEIR

' UUK I nlu | nt unVW.

THE SAI KUNG FIGHT CRIME COMMITTEE HAS ORGANISED A SERIES OF ACT’VITIES ^CLUDING SEMINARS, TALKS IN SCHOOLS AND COMPETITIONS I Pi I nt r Au I |WU MONTHS •

- - 0 - -

THURSDAY, MARCH 5, 1981

CONSULS VISIT TUEN MUN NEW TOWN *****

CONSULS OF 12 COUNTRIES IN HONG KONG VISITED TUEN MUN TODAY (THURSDAY) TO SEE THE LATEST DEVELOPMENTS IN THE GROWING NEW TOWN.

THE VISIT WAS ARRANGED BY THE PROTOCOL SECTION OF THE GOVERNMENT SECRETARIAT AND THE NEW TERRITORIES ADMINISTRATION.

TAKING PART IN THE VISIT WERE THE CONSUL AND ECONOMIC OFFICER CF USA, THE HONORARY CONSUL FOR LUXEMBURG, THE COMMISSIONERS FOR NEW ZEALAND, INDIA AND NIGERIA, CONSUL-GENERALS OF MEXICO, GERMANY, PAKISTAN, THAILAND, SWEDEN AND BELGIUM AND THE ACTING CONSUL-GENERAL CF KOREA. THEY WERE ACCOMPANIED BY THEIR WIVES.

THE GROUP WAS MET ON ARRIVAL AT TUEN MUN DISTRICT OFFICE BY THE DISTRICT OFFICER, MR BILLY LAM, WHO BRIEFED THEM ON HOW THE LOCAL POPULATION HAD IN THE LAST FEW YEARS GROWN TO OVER 120 000 FROM THE ORIGINAL FISHING AND FARMING COMMUNITY OF 30 000.

THIS YEAR WOULD SEE THE DISTRICT TAKING MAJOR STEPS TOWARDS BECOMING A SELF-CONTAINED TOWNSHIP OF HALF A MILLION PEOPLE BY THE END OF THE DECADE, THE VISITORS WERE TOLD.

ACCOMPANIED BY MR LAM AND TUEN MUN PROJECT MANAGER, MR NG TECK-SHENG, THE GROUP LATER WENT TO A PAVILION AT CASTLE PEAK FOR A BIRD’S EYE VIEW OF THE TOWN.

MAJOR PROJECTS IN PROGRESS, INCLUDING THE TYPHOON SHELTER, TAP SHEK KOK POWER STATIONS, PUBLIC HOUSING ESTATES AND TOWN CENTRE DEVELOPMENTS, WERE EXPLAINED TO THE VISITORS.

THEY ALSO VISITED ON TING AND YAU 01 PUBLIC HOUSING ESTATES, WHERE THEY WERE SHOWN ROUND THE COMMERCIAL COMPLEX AND THE FUTURE TOWN PARK SITE NEARBY.

^AS THEN J0INED by the CHAIRMAN OF TUEN MUN RURAL £0£M LAU wONG-FAT, FOR A VEGETARIAN LUNCH AT CHING CHUNG

KOON TAOIST MONASTERY BEFORE RETURNING TO KOWLOON.

-------o - - - _

/8

THURSDAY, MARCH 5, 1981

8

JING YING OFF TO LONDON *****

FIFTEEN OF HONG KONG’S MOST TALENTED CHINESE AND DANCERS LEFT TONIGHT (THURSDAY) FOR LONDON TO AT THE DUKE OF EDINBURGH’S AWARD 25TH ANNIVERSARY BALL ON MONDAY (MARCH 9), AND AT THE CAMDEN FEST I INTERNATIONAL MUSIC AND DANCE WEEK ON MARCH 25.

MUSICIANS PERFORM COMMONWEALTH

VAL’S

W1M„ THE GR0UP> WHICH WILL PERFORM UNDER THE HONG KONG JING YING NAME, HAS BEEN BUSY FOR THE LAST MONTH REHEARSING A PROGRAMME FIT FOR THE OCCASION.

THE FIVE INSTRUMENTALISTS ON THE TEAM, ALL STAFF OF THE MUS IC OFFICE, ARE LED BY MASTER ER-HU PLAYER TONG LEUNG-TAK. THE TEN DANCERS INCLUDE DANCE TEACHERS AND STAR GRADUATES OF CLASSES ORGANISED BY THE RECREATION AND SPORT SERVICE.

y'S,T HAS BEEN arraNGED BY THE RECREATION AND CULTURE DIVISION IN ASSOCIATION WITH THE FRIENDS OF THE DUKE OF EDINBURGH’S AWARD IN HONG KONG.

- - 0 - -

NEW TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS IN KOWLOON I * H X * K

A TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT SPOKESMAN ANNOUNCED TODAY THAT THE EASTBOUND LANE ON PRINCE EDWARD ROAD BETWEEN STIRLING ROAD AND TAK KU LING ROAD AS WELL AS THE WESTBOUND LANE BETWEEN STIRLING ROAD AND KAI TAK ROAD WILL BE CLOSED TO TRAFFIC FROM 10 PM ON

6 AM 0N THE F0LL<>wING MORNING FOR MAINTENANCE WUKK ON THE FLYOVER.

1JW„AJ!D IN SAI KUNG, RIGHT TURNING TRAFFIC FROM THE OLD CLEAR WATER BAY ROAD INTO THE SOUTHBOUND CARRIAGEWAY OF THE NEW CLEAR WATER BAY ROAD NEAR FEI NGO SHAN WILL BE PROHIBITED WITH EFFECT FROM 10 AM ON FRIDAY (MARCH 6). U

THIS ARRANGEMENT IS BEING MADE TO IMPROVE TRAFFIC FLOW AT THE ROAD JUNCTION.

APPROPRIATE TRAFFIC SIGN WILL BE ERECTED TO GUIDE MOTORISTS.

- - 0 - -

DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN

ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE. HONG KONG. TEL 5-233191

FRIDAY, MARCH 6, 1981

CONTENTS PAGE N

LAND CENSUS LAUNCHED TODAY .................................. 1

AMENDMENTS TO DRAFT ZONING PLAN ............................. 1

FIREMAN’S COMMITMENT: PUBLIC DUTY FIRST ..................... 2

PUBLIC CHANGES VIEW CN HAWKER CONTROL........................ 4

FIVE N.T. SITES FOR SALE .................................... 6

SITE FOR HOSPITAL AT BRAEMAR HILL ........................... 7

ANALYSIS OF EXTERNAL TRADE STATISTICS FOR 1980 INDUSTRIAL ORIGIN............................................ 7

VALUATION LISTS FOR 1981-82 ................................. 8

TRAINING TO BECOME TECHNICAL TEACHERS ....................... 9

EMPLOYERS URGED TO PROVIDE WORK HEALTH SERVICES ... 9

NEW PRIVATE HOSPITAL FOR H.K. ISLAND........................ 10

1981 HONG KONG YOUTH MUSIC CAMP............................. 11

NEW APPOINTMENT TO METRICATION COMMITTEE.................... 12

COMMISSIONER OF PRISONS LEAVES FOR INTERNATIONAL DRUG CONFERENCE............................................. 12

WINNERS SELECTED IN POSTER FOR DISABLED COMPETITION................................................. 12

FRIDAY, MARCH 6, 1981

1

LAND CENSUS LAUNCHED TODAY

XXX

THE COMMISSIONER FOR CENSUS AND STATISTICS, MR C.C. GREENFIELD, TODAY (FRIDAY) VISITED SIX OF THE 54 ENUMERATION CENTRES TO SEE THAT THE 1981 LAND CENSUS WAS SMOOTHLY LAUNCHED.

DURING HIS VISIT TO THE CENTRES, MR GREENFIELD TALKED WITH THE ENUMERATORS AND FIELD EDITORS AND ENQUIRED ABOUT THE PROBLEMS THEY MIGHT ENCOUNTER.

MR GREENFIELD WAS ACCOMPANIED ON THE VISIT BY THE ASSISTANT COMMISSIONER (SOCIAL), MR JOSEPH LEE, SENIOR STATISTICIAN (SOCIAL), Mt TAM SIU-MING, AND STATISTICIAN (CENSUS), MR FRANK YU.

THE 1981 LAND CENSUS, WHICH STARTED TODAY, WILL BE COMPLETED ON MARCH 15. DURING THESE ID DAYS THE ENUMERATORS, CARRYING A RED SATCHEL AND A GREEN CENSUS OFFICER IDENTITY CARD WILL VISIT ALL HOUSEHOLDS.

A SPOKESMAN FOR THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT SAID THAT IF NOBODY IS AT HOME WHEN AN ENUMERATOR CALLS, A CARD WITH A TELEPHONE NUMBER WILL BE LEFT AT THE HOUSEHOLD FOR AN ALTERNATIVE APPOINTMENT.

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

AMENDMENTS TO DRAFT ZONING PLAN

X X X X X

THE TOWN PLANNING BOARD HAS MADE FIVE AMENDMENTS TO THE DRAFT CHEUNG SHA WAN OUTLINE ZONING PLAN.

THE AMENDMENTS, ANNOUNCED IN TODAY’S (FRIDAY) GAZETTE, CONSIST OF t

X THE REZONING OF AN +OPEN SPACE* SITE AT THE JUNCTION OF YEN CHOW STREET AND LAI CHI KOK ROAD FOR +RESIDENTIAL (A) + USE.

X THE REVISION OF LAND USE ZONINGS ON THE CHEUNG SHA WAN RECLAMATION TO ^-GOVERNMENT/ INSTITUTI ON/ COMMUNITY USE*, +INDUSTRIAL+, +OTHER SPECIFIED USES* AND +OPEN SPACE*- INCLUSION OF AN ADDITIONAL RECLAMATION AT HING WAH STREET WHICH IS ZONED FOR USE AS A CARGO HANDLING AREA- RELOCATION OF A PROPOSED WHOLESALE MARKET FROM THE NORTHERN PART TO THE SOUTHERN PART OF THE RECLAMATION AREA.

X THE REMOVAL OF PART OF A GREEN BELT AREA TO THE NORTH OF TAI PO ROAD FROM THE PLANNING AREA BOUNDARIES, WHICH IS INCLUDED IN THE LION ROCK COUNTRY PARK.

X THE RELOCATION OF A +GOVERNMENT/INSTI TUT ION/ COMMUNITY* SITE AT BUTTERFLY VALLEY ROAD TO KING LAM STREET AND REZONING THE ORIGINAL SITE TO +INDUSTRI AL* USE WITH MINOR ADJUSTMENT OF SITE BOUNDARIES.

A TH& REZONTHG......

FRIDAY, MARCH 6, 1981

2

* THE REZONING OF ALL +COMMERCIAL/RESIDENTIAL+ SITES IN THE PLANNING AREA TO +RESIDENTIAL (A)*.

AMENDMENTS HAVE ALSO BEEN MADE TO THE NOTES TO THE PLAN.

THE CHEUNG SHA WAN PLANNING AREA COVERS ABOUT 320 HECTARES AND A LARGE PORTION OF THIS AREA HAS ALREADY BEEN DEVELOPED, FORMING PART OF THE EXISTING URBAN AREA OF NEW KOWLOON. ABOUT 18 HECTARES OF POTENTIAL LAND OFF TUNG CHAU STREET ARE YET TO BE RECLAIMED FROM THE SEA.

THE OBJECT OF THE PLAN AND THE AMENDMENTS IS TO PROVIDE A LAND USE PATTERN AND MAJOR ROAD FRAMEWORK WITHIN WHICH THE USE AND DEVELOPMENT OF LAND MAY BE LEGALLY CONTROLLED. IT IS INTENDED THAT THE PLAN SHOULD INTEGRATE, AS FAR AS POSSIBLE, THE VARIOUS MAJOR PROPOSALS WHICH ARE LIKELY TO BE CARRIED OUT IN THE AREA.

THE DRAFT AMENDMENT PLAN FOR THE AREA INCORPORATING THE AMENDMENTS DESCRIBED CAN BE SEEN DURING NORMAL OFFICE HOURS BY ANY PERSON ATi THE CITY DISTRICT OFFICE (CENTRAL AND WESTERN) ENQUIRY SUB-OFFICE, CENTRAL GOVERNMENT OFFICES, WEST WING ENTRANCE, THE CITY DISTRICT OFFICE (CHEUNG SHA WAN SUB-OFFICE), BLOCK 3, UN CHAU STREET ESTATE, GROUND FLOOR, KOWLOON AND THE TOWN PLANNING OFFICE, 17TH FLOOR, MURRAY BUILDING, GARDEN ROAD.

ANY PERSON AFFECTED BY THE SCHEDULED AMENDMENTS MAY INFORM THE TOWN PLANNING BOARD OF HIS OBJECTION BY WRITING, BEFORE MARCH 26, 1901, TO THE SECRETARY, TOWN PLANNING BOARD, C/0 PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT, MURRAY BUILDING, GARDEN ROAD, HONG KONG, SETTING OUT THE REASONS FOR HIS OBJECTION AND ANY ALTERATION WHICH WOULD REMOVE HIS OBJECTION.

COPIES OF THE DRAFT AMENDMENT PLAN (NO. LK 5/32C) ARE AVAILABLE AT THE CROWN LANDS AND SURVEY OFFICE, 19TH FLOOR, MURRAY BUILDING AT $8.50 EACH UNCOLOURED AND $60 EACH COLOURED.

- - - - 0 ----

FIREMAN’S COMMITMENTi PUBLIC DUTY FIRST ******

THE CAREER OF A FIREMAN REQUIRES A TOTAL COMMITMENT IN WHITH DUTY TO THE PUBLIC MUST ALWAYS COME FIRST EVEN WHEN IT LEADS TO DANGER OR INCONVENIENCE TO HIMSELF.

/M1 THIS WAS ST*TED BY THE CHIEF SECRETARY, SIR JACK CATER TODAY S" HRE S"UH'ATEB FR0M

BOTH

UloG I r L I Nc. »

___ IT IS IMPORTANT TO REMEMBER, HE SAID, THAT IT IS THESE HIGH -TA^DARDS DISCIPLINE AND TRAINING WHiefi SAVE THE LIVES OF THE PUBLIC AS WELL AS THE LIVES OF FIREMEN AND AMBULANCEMEN.

/+YCUR SERVICE,

FRIDAY, MARCH 6, 1981

- 3 -

♦YOUR SERVICE,* SIR JACK SAID, +WILL BRING YOU INTO DAILY CONTACT WITH PEOPLE WHO HAVE SUFFERED TRAGEDY AND PERSONAL LOSS AND WHO ARE UNDER ENORMOUS STRAIN.*

HE NOTED THAT FIRE FIGHTERS NEEDED ALL THEIR RESOURCES OF PATIENCE AND UNDERSTANDING TO DEAL COMPASSIONATELY WITH THEM.

THE FOLLOWING IS THE FULL TEXT OF SIR JACK’S SPEECH AT THE PASSING OUT PARADEt

♦I AM MOST HAPPY TO BE HERE THIS AFTERNOON AND TO SEE ON PARADE THOSE WHO ARE GRADUATING FROM THE TRAINING SCHOOL TODAY.

♦I THANK YOUR DIRECTOR FOR INVITING ME TO ADDRESS YOU AND TO REVIEW THE PARADE. I CONGRATULATE YOU ALL ON YOUR VERY FINE TURN-OUT, YOUR SMART BEARING AND STEADINESS ON PARADE.

♦YOU ARE NOW ABOUT TO START ON A NEW AND DIFFERENT LIFE IN WHICH YOU WILL BE CALLED UPON TO PUT INTO PRACTICE THE SKILLS AND TECHNIQUES WHICH YOU HAVE BEEN TAUGHT HERE - I WISH YOU EVERY SUCCESS.

♦THE CAREER YOU HAVE CHOSEN REQUIRES A TOTAL COMMITMENT REMEMBERING THAT YOUR DUTY TO THE PUBLIC MUST ALWAYS COME FIRST EVEN WHEN THAT DUTY LEADS TO DANGER OR INCONVENIENCE TO YOURSELVES. YOURS IS NOT A ’9 TO 5’ PROFESSION, WITH THE COMFORTS AND SECURITIES THAT THAT MIGHT SEEM TO IMPLY. YOURS IS A PROFESSION WHICH AFFORDS ITS OWN ESPECIAL COMPENSATIONS AND REWARDS THROUGH THE HIGHLY VALUABLE SERVICE IT PROVIDES TO PEOPLE IN NEED AND TO THE COMMUNITY AT LARGE. THE SATISFACTION OF SAVING LIFE IS THE REWARD OF VERY FEW BUT YOU IN THE FIRE AND AMBULANCE SERVICE WILL, AS YOU KNOW, EXPERIENCE IT FREQUENTLY.

♦YOUR CHOSEN CAREER WILL MAKE MANY DEMANDS ON YOU, BOTH THROUGH ITS VERY HIGH STANDARDS AND NECESSARILY STRICT DISCIPLINE! BUT IT IS IMPORTANT TO REMEMBER THAT IT IS THESE SAME HIGH STANDARDS OF DISCIPLINE AND TRAINING WHICH SAVE THE LIVES OF THE GENERAL PUBLIC AS WELL AS THE LIVES OF FIREMEN AND AMBULANCEMEN. YOUR SERVICE WILL BRING YOU INTO DAILY CONTACT WITH PEOPLE WHO HAVE SUFFERED TRAGEDY AND PERSONAL LOSS AND WHO ARE UNDER ENORMOUS STRAIN. YOU WILL AT ALL TIMES NEED ALL YOUR RESOURCES OF PATIENCE AND UNDERSTANDING TO DEAL WITH THEM COMPASSIONATELY.

♦AS YOU BECOME PART OF A FIRE FIGHTING AND EMERGENCY RESCUE TEAM, LIVING AND WORKING TOGETHER, YOU WILL EXPERIENCE A UNIQUE SENSE OF COMRADESHIP- A COMRADESHIP WHICH YOU HAVE ALREADY STARTED TO DEVELOP HERE IN YOUR TRAINING - WHICH IS BASED ON MUTUAL TRUST AND RESPECT, AND WHOSE VALUE YOU WILL COME TO APPRECIATE MORE AND MORE. THIS COMRADESHIP IS ONE OF THE MOST SATISFYING ASPECTS OF MEMBERSHIP OF A SERVICE SUCH AS YOURS. YOU WILL FIND THAT IT IS STRENGTHENED AND REINFORCED THROUGH THE TEAMWORK WHICH IS AN ESSENTIAL PART OF ALL EMERGENCY OPERATIONS.

♦I SHOULD LIKE TO CONGRATULATE EACH ONE OF YOU ON YOUR SUCCESSFUL COMPLETION OF A VERY RIGOROUS TRAINING COURSE AND UPON BECOMING ACTIVE MEMBERS OF HONG KONG’S FIRE SERVICES DEPARTMENT.

/♦MR DIRECTOR.....

4

FRIDAY, MARCH 6, 1981

+MR DIRECTOR, AS YOU KNOW, I HAVE LONG ADMIRED THE DEDICATION TO SERVICE, THE COMMITMENT TO THE PUBLIC FOR WHICH THE FIRE SERVICES IS SO RENOWNED. THE PUBLIC HOLDS YOU IN HIGH REGARDi WE ADMIRE, SOMETIMES MARVEL, AT YOUR COURAGE, YOUR BRAVERY. THANK YOU.

+AND TO TODAY’S GRADUATES, I SAY THAT I AM SURE YOU CAN BE DEPENDED UPON TO SERVE HONG KONG AS NOBLY AND WELL AS HAVE YOUR PREDECESSORS AND THAT YOU WILL CONTINUE TO MAINTAIN THE PROUD INTERNATIONAL REPUTATION WHICH YOUR SERVICE HAS SO DESERVEDLY EARNED.♦

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

PUBLIC CHANGES VIEW ON HAWKER CONTROL 0*0*

THERE IS A DIFFERENT FEELING IN THE AIR NOW CONCERNING OFFICIAL CONTROL OF HAWKERS, THE DIRECTOR OF URBAN SERVICES, MR BRIAN WILSON, SAID TODAY (FRIDAY).

+THE OLD ATTITUDE THAT ANY SORT OF OFFICIAL HAWKER CONTROL AMOUNTED TO BREAKING THE RICE BOWL OF A POOR MAN TRYING TO MAKE A LIVING HAS CHANGED COMPLETELY,* HE SAID.

SPEAKING AT A LUNCHEON MEETING OF THE ROTARY CLUB OF KOWLOON NORTH, MR WILSON POINTED OUT THAT THE MAJORITY OPINION APPEARED TO BE THAT, WHILST HAWKERS SERVE A USEFUL ECONOMIC PURPOSE AND HELP TO CUSHION THE EFFECTS OF A RECESSION, SOME FORM OF CONTROL SHOULD BE EXERCISED OVER THEM IN THE INTEREST OF THE REMAINDER OF THE PUBLIC.

IN OTHER WORDS, HE SAID, HAWKERS ARE ACCEPTABLE AS PART OF THE HONG KONG WAY OF LIFE, PROVIDED THEY HAWK IN THE RIGHT MANNER AND IN THE RIGHT PLACE.

_ ”?WEVER’ HE STRESSED THAT THE OFFICIAL POLICY WAS NOT THAT OF TRYING TO GET RID OF HAWKERS ALTOGETHER.

+WE SEE NOTHING WRONG WITH HAWKING. AS LONG AS FT DOES NOT RISKT0RPMFA|LTHSUA7ASnNGESTI°N’ ENVIRONMENTAL HYGIENE, FIRE nioft UN ntALIn HAZARD.*

AM 0N~R0AD hawkers are of course liable to cause

ALL THOSE PROBLEMS, SIMPLY BECAUSE ROADS AND PAVEMENTS WERE DESIGNED FOR OTHEn’pURPOSES AT THE TAX-PAYERS- EXPEND.

. .>«■> LS0N ALSO FELT THAT HAWKING SHOULD NOT BE REGARDED AS

DISABLED ANDATHEEELDER™y 'T "°T ‘ PB°PER 4CTIVITY F0R THE

THEY CANNOT COMPETE PHYSICALLY WITH ABLE-BODIED HAWKERS amh oTFR%JECNOETR^oSEI AK;S%;^AURBie^-HE‘TS™P- “^IDLEGAL^SUB-LETTI NG

THE SPEAKER NOTED THAT THE GOVERNMENT HAD RECENTLY RPf'iiw i u

S.^n^WTSp^^ co"™l -

THE FIRST STEP, HE SAID, IS TO PROVIDE AN ENFORCEMENT PRESENCE.

/TH3 URBAN ....

ERIDAY, MARCH 6, 1981

JiR2£!LSBRV,£ES DEPARTMENT AND THE NEW TERRITORIES SERVICES DEPARTMENT HAVE FORMED 18 GENERAL DUTIES TEAMS TO ENFORCE CONTROLS. THESE TEAMS CONSIST OF TRAINED NON-DISC I PLI NED STAFF, WHOSE JOB IS TO ENSURE COMPLIANCE WITH HAWKER LEGISLATION AND TO TAKE ACTION ON BREACHES OF IT.

MEMBERS OF THESE TEAMS ARE THE PEOPLE WE RELY ON TO GET HAWKERS TO HAWK IN THE RIGHT PLACE AND IN THE RIGHT MANNER, WITHOUT CAUSING A RIOT AND WITHOUT LOSS OF GOOD RELATIONS.* HE SAID.

HE STRESSED THAT THE GOVERNMENT PREFERRED THAT ENFORCEMENT WAS CARRIED OUT IN A SPIRIT OF CO-OPERATION WITH HAWKERS AND NOT AS PART OF A BITTER WAR.

THE SECOND STEP IN CONTROLLING HAWKERS, HE CONTINUED, IS TO PROVIDE SUITABLE PLACES FOR THEM TO TRADE.

♦THE LONG TERM POLICY NOW IS TO RESITE ALL EXISTING SURVEYED ON-ROAD HAWKERS INTO SUITABLE OFF-ROAD PLACES WITH REASONABLE BUSINESS PROSPECTS.*

HOWEVER, BEFORE ON-ROAD HAWKERS COULD BE RESITED INTO MARKETS, IT IS NECESSARY TO REBUILD THE OLD MARKETS IN ORDER TO PROVIDE ENOUGH SPACE AND MODERN FACILITIES FOR THE EXISTING STALLHOLDERS AND FOR RESITED HAWKERS.

+SO, A POLICY OF RESITING ON-ROAD HAWKERS INTO SUITABLE OFF-ROAD POSITIONS LIKE MARKETS MUST BE ACCOMPANIED BY A SIMULTANEOUS POLICY OF RE-BUILDING OLD MARKETS,* HE SAID.

MR WILSON WENT ON TO EXPLAIN THAT SINCE THE GOVERNMENT COULD NOT GO ON BUILDING NEW MARKETS INDEFINITELY TO ACCOMMODATE ANY FRESH HAWKERS THAT COME ALONG, ALL ELIGIBLE ON-ROAD HAWKERS HAD BEEN SURVEYED IN ORDER TO LIMIT THE COMMITMENT.

♦WE ARE TRYING TO CONTAIN THE PROBLEM TO MANAGEABLE PROPORTIONS, WHICH ARE ALREADY FAIRLY FORMIDABLE,* HE SAID.

HE SAID THAT IT WAS OUT OF THE QUESTION FOR THE GOVERNMENT TO ACCOMMODATE SOMETHING LIKE 45 OOO ON-ROAD HAWKERS IN THE URBAN AREAS, BECAUSE TO DO THAT, UP TO 90 NEW MARKETS WOULD BE NEEDED.

HE DISCLOSED THAT AT PRESENT, MORE THAN 30 NEW MARKETS HAVE BEEN PLANNED, BUT SUITABLE SITES AND FINANCES FOR MORE THAN THAT SEEM UNLIKELY.

♦HOWEVER, THE POSITION IS NOT AS BAD AS IT SOUNDS. OUR EXPERIENCE IS THAT, ON RE-ORDERING AND RESITING, UP TO 25 PER CENT OF ON-ROAD HAWKERS CEASE BUSINESS FOR VARIOUS REASONS- FOR INSTANCE, BECAUSE THEY ARE ONLY EXTENSIONS OF NEARBY SHOPS, OR BECAUSE OF MULTIPLE STALLS OWNED BY THE SAME FAMILY.♦

MR WILSON POINTED OUT THAT WHILST THE MARKET RE-CONSTRUCTION PROGRAMME IS IN PROGRESS IN THE URBAN AREAS AND THE NEW TERRITORIES, THE HAWKING CONDITIONS OF THOSE WHO CONTINUE THEIR BUSINESS ON ROAD WOULD BE CONTROLLED AS FAR AS PRACTICABLE BY MEANS OF A SERIES OF RE-ORDERING EXERCISES.

THE RE-ORDERING SCHEME, WHICH HAS BEEN GOING ON FOR SOME TIME, CONSISTS OF SURVEYING REGULAR HAWKERS IN AN AREA, MARKING OUT STALL SITES ON-ROAD, BALLOTING FOR THE SITES AND THEN ALLOCATING THEM.

/HE STRESSED ....

FRIDAY, MARCH 6, 1981

6

HE STRESSED THAT THE BALLOTING FOR STALL SITES IS A HIGHLY IMPORTANT FEATURE, BECAUSE IT PREVENTS STRONG-ARM MEN AND TRIAD SOCIETIES FROM ATTEMPTING TO ALLOCATE THE BEST SITES IN RETURN FOR PAYMENT OF PROTECTION MONEY. ~

♦WE ARE CUTTING THE GROUND FROM UNDER THE FEET OF THESE STRONG-ARM MEN. THE ISSUE OF LICENCES HELPS TO REGULARISE THE POSITION OF HAWKERS AND TO REMOVE THE FEAR OF PROSECUTION FOR OPERATING UNLICENSED,♦ HE SAID.

IN WINDING UP HIS TALK, MR WILSON SAID THAT ^SOMETHING POSITIVE* IS BEING DONE ON THE HAWKER PROBLEM.

♦I CAN’T PRETEND THAT WE ARE EVEN HALF WAY TOWARDS GETTING ALL THIS DONE. BUT AT LEAST WE HAVE A VIABLE POLICY THAT SEEMS TO WORK AND WE APPEAR TO HAVE PUBLIC GOODWILL ON OUR SIDE,* HE SAID.

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

FIVE NT SITES FOR SALE

* * * *

THE LAST FIVE NEW TERRITORIES SITES THAT THE GOVERNMENT IS OFFERING FOR SALE THIS FINANCIAL YEAR WILL BE PUT UP FOR AUCTION LATER THIS MONTH.

THE SITES HAVE A TOTAL AREA OF ABOUT 22 000 SQUARE METRES. TWO ARE AT SHA TIN AND THE REMAINDER AT LANTAU, PENG CHAU AND SAI KUNG.

THE LARGEST SITE, COVERING 9 354 SQUARE METRES, IS SITUATED CLOSE TO CHEUNG SHA BEACH, AND COMMANDS UNOBSTRUCTED SEA VIEWS. IT HAS A PLOT RATIO OF 0.4 AND A BUILDING COVENANT OF $5 MILLION. IT IS FOR TWO-STOREY RESIDENTIAL DEVELOPMENTS.

THE PENG CHAU SITE MEASURES 745 SQUARE METRES AND IS ALSO FOR RESIDENTIAL DEVELOPMENT. THE PLOT RATIO IS 0.6 AND THE BUILDING COVENANT IS $450 000.

THE TWO SITES IN SHA THE RACECOURSE. THE PLOT

TIN ARE SITUATED NEAR KAU TO, RATIO FOR BOTH IS 0.4.

OVERLOOKING

THE FIRST, MEASURING 8 025 SQUARE METRES, CARRIES A BUILDING COVENANT OF $6.15 MILLION TO BE FULFILLED WITHIN FOUR YEARS, WHILE THE SECOND, MEASURING 1 530 SQUARE METRES, CARRIES A THREE-YEAR BUILDING COVENANT OF $1.29 MILLION.

1

BOTH THESE SITES ARE FOR HIGH CLASS HOUSING DEVELOPMENT. ■ ‘Y

THE SAI KUNG SltE IS AT TUI MIN HOI AND MEASURES 2 290 SQUARE METRES. SMALL FACTORY UNITS EACH WITH A FLOOR AREA OF NOT MORE THAN 75 SQUARE METRES ARE TO BE BUILT ON THE LOT. THE FOUR-YEAR BUILDING COVENANT IS $7.07 MILLION.

THE AUCTION WILL BE AT 11 AM, AT THE SHOUSON THEATRE ON MARCH 25.

DETAILS OF THE FIVE LOTS ARE PUBLISHED IN THE GOVERNMENT GAZETTE TODAY (FRIDAY).

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/7......

FRIDAY, MARCH 6, 1981

7

SITE FOR HOSPITAL AT BRAEMAR HILL

*****

THE CROWN LANDS AND SURVEY OFFICE OF THE PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT IS OFFERING A SITE AT BRAEMAR HILL ROAD, HONG KONG FOR SALE BY TENDER.

THE SITE, WITH AN AREA OF ABOUT 18 500 SQUARE METRES, IS FOR HOSPITAL PURPOSES.

THE DEADLINE FOR ACCEPTANCE OF TENDERS IS NOON ON JUNE 5.

IN ADDITION, THE OFFICE IS INVITING TENDERS FOR A SHORT-TERM TENANCY OF A PIECE OF CROWN LAND IN HOMANTIN.

THE 630-SQUARE-METRE SITE IS FOR STORAGE OF GOODS, VEHICLES, CONSTRUCTION EQUIPMENT AND/OR MATERIALS.

THE TENANCY IS INITIALLY FOR ONE YEAR AND QUARTERLY THEREAFTER.

CLOSING DATE FOR ACCEPTANCE OF TENDERS FOR THIS SITE IS NOON ON MARCH 27.

TENDER FORMS, TOGETHER WITH NOTICES AND CONDITIONS MAY BE OBTAINED FROM, AND TENDER PLANS INSPECTED AT THE CROWN LANDS AND SURVEY OFFICE ON 19TH FLOOR, MURRAY BUILDING, GARDEN ROAD, OR ON 10TH FLOOR, KOWLOON GOVERNMENT OFFICES, 405 NATHAN ROAD.

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ANALYSIS OF EXTERNAL TRADE STATISTICS FOR 1980 INDUSTRIAL ORIGIN ******

THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT TODAY RELEASED EXTERNAL TRADE STATISTICS ANALYSED BY INDUSTRIAL ORIGIN FOR 1980.

THIS SERIES IS DERIVED BY RE-GROUPING ALL SIX-DIGIT COMMODITY ITEMS UNDER THE PRESENT EXTERNAL TRADE CLASSIFICATION SYSTEM, ACCORDING TO THE INDUSTRIES IN WHICH THESE COMMODITY ITEMS ARE NORMALLY PRODUCED.

FOR DOMESTIC EXPORTS, THE SIX MOST IMPORTANT INDUSTRY GROUPS WERE WEARING APPAREL, ELECTRICAL APPLIANCES, TEXTILES, PROFESSIONAL AND OPTICAL EQUIPMENT, PLASTIC PRODUCTS, AND METAL PRODUCTS. TOGETHER THEY ACCOUNTED FOR 87 PER CENT OF THE TOTAL VALUE OF DOMESTIC EXPORTS IN 1980.

THE LARGEST INCREASES IN VALUE TERMS OVER 1979 OCCURRED IN ELECTRICAL APPLIANCES (|2 990 MILLION), PROFESSIONAL AND OPTICAL EQUIPMENT ($2 034 MILLION), TEXTILES (|2 024 MILLION), WEARING APPAREL ($1 814 MILLION), AND METAL PRODUCTS (SI 223 MILLION).

IN PERCENTAGE TERMS, THE HIGHEST INCREASES WEREi AGRICULTURAL, LIVESTOCK AND POULTRY PRODUCTION (86%), ELECTRICITY (76%), TRANSPORT EQUIPMENT (66%), TOBACCO (58%), AND NON-METALLIC MINERAL PRODUCTS (50%).

A DECREASE IN THE VALUE OF DOMESTIC EXPORTS WAS RECORDED IN OCEAN AND COASTAL FISHING (-11%), AND MINING AND QUARRYING (-33%).

/for worts ....

FRIDAY, MARCH 6, 1981

8

FOR IMPORTS, PRODUCTS OF THE TEXTILES, ELECTRICAL APPLIANCES, CHEMICALS, METALS, PETROLEUM AND COAL, FOOD, AND PROFESSIONAL AND OPTICAL EQUIPMENT INDUSTRIES TOGETHER TOOK UP 65 PER CENT OF THE TOTAL VALUE OF IMPORTS IN I960.

INCREASES IN VALUE TERMS OVER 1979 WERE LARGEST IN TEXTILES (•3 929 MILLION), ELECTRICAL APPLIANCES (S3 647 MILLION), PETROLEUM AND COAL PRODUCTS (|2 973 MILLION), METAL PRODUCTS (S2 200 MILLION), TRANSPORT EQUIPMENT ($2 058 MILLION), PROFESSIONAL AND OPTICAL EQUIPMENT (SI 843 MILLION), CHEMICAL PRODUCTS (Si 491 MILLION), AND FOOD PRODUCTS (SI 395 MILLION).

IN PERCENTAGE TERMS, THE HIGHEST INCREASES WEREt PETROLEUM AND COAL PRODUCTS (61%), TRANSPORT EQUIPMENT (61%), FOOTWEAR (58%), AND WEARING APPAREL (54%).

A DECREASE OF 41% BY VALUE WAS OBSERVED IN THE IMPORTS OF MINING AND QUARRYING PRODUCTS.

FURTHER DETAILS OF EXTERAL TRADE STATISTICS RECLASSIFIED BY INDUSTRIAL ORIGIN MAY BE OBTAINED FROM THE INDUSTRIAL PRODUCTION STATISTICS SECTION OF THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT (AT 5-274203).

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VALUATION LISTS FOR 1981-82

******

THE 1981-82 VALUATION LISTS FOR ALL ASSESSED TENEMENTS IN THE AREAS WHERE RATES ARE CHARGED WILL BE OPEN FOR INSPECTION FROM TOMORROW (SATURDAY).

THE LISTS WILL BE ON DISPLAY DURING OFFICE HOURS FOR 21 DAYS AT THE OFFICE OF THE COLLECTOR OF RATES AT THE CENTRAL GOVERNMENT OFFICES, 9TH FLOOR, WEST WING, ICE HOUSE STREET.

A SPOKESMAN FOR THE RATING AND VALUATION DEPARTMENT SAID THAT DURING THE 21-DAY PERIOD, ANY PERSON WHO DISAGREES WITH THE ENTRY OF A TENEMENT OR ITS OMISSION IN A VALUATION LIST, OR THE RATEABLE VALUE ASSESSED, MAY SERVE A PROPOSAL ON THE COMMISSIONER OF RATING AND VALUATION TO AMEND THE LIST.

FORMS FOR THIS PURPOSE ARE OBTAINABLE FROM THE DEPARTMENT’S OFFICE, CITY DISTRICT OFFICES AND DISTRICT OFFICES IN THE NEW TERRITORIES.

THE SPOKESMAN ADDED THAT PERSONS DISSATISFIED WITH THE ASSESSMENTS SHOULD SEEK ASSISTANCE AND ADVICE FROM THE VALUER RESPONSIBLE FOR THE AREA IN WHICH THE PREMISES ARE SITUATED, BEFORE THEY LODGE A PROPOSAL.

HE EMPHASISED THAT, NOTWITHSTANDING THE LODGING OF A PROPOSAL OR AN APPEAL, RATES MUST BE PAID BY THE DUE DATE. IN THE CASE OF RATE DEMANDS FOR THE SECOND QUARTER OF 1981. THIS l*EANS THAT PAYMENT MUST BE MADE BY THE END OF APRIL.

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/9......

FRIDAY, MARCH 6, 1981

9

TRAINING TO/BECOME TECHNICAL TEACHERS *****

YOUNG MEN AND WOMEN WITH INDUSTRIAL EXPERIENCE ARE INVITED TO ENROL IN A ONE-YEAR FULL-TIME COURSE COMMENCING IN SEPTEMBER AT THE HONG KONG TECHNICAL TEACHERS’ COLLEGE.

♦THE COURSE IS INTENDED FOR MATURE STUDENTS WITH SOME YEARS OF INDUSTRIAL EXPERIENCE WHO ARE INTERESTED IN PASSING ON THE KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS OF THEIR OWN SPECIALISM TO STUDENTS IN TECHNICAL EDUCATION INSTITUTIONS,* AN EDUCATION DEPARTMENT SPOKESMAN SAID.

INDUCEMENT GRANTS RANGING FROM $1 650 TO |2 500 PER MONTH WILL BE GIVEN TO STUDENTS ON THE COURSE.

♦THIS WILL BE CALCULATED ACCORDING TO THE NUMBER OF YEARS OF RELEVANT POST-QUALIFICATION INDUSTRIAL EXPERIENCE OF THE STUDENT,+ THE SPOKESMAN SAID.

APPLICANTS MUST POSSESS AN ORDINARY DIPLOMA, A TECHNICIAN DIPLOMA OR ITS EQUIVALENT AWARDED BY THE TECHNICAL COLLEGE, HONG KONG POLYTECHNIC, A TECHNICAL INSTITUTE OR AN EQUIVALENT EDUCATIONAL ESTABLISHMENT IN THE DISCIPLINES OF TEXTILES/CLOTHING, ELECTRICAL ENG I NEER ING/ELECTRON ICS, OR MECHANICAL ENGINEERING AND BUILDING STUDIES.

HOLDERS OF THE ORDINARY NATIONAL DIPLOMA (UK) IN HOTEL AND CATERING OPERATIONS OR ITS EQUIVALENT WITH PRACTICAL EXPERIENCE IN THE RELATED FIELDS MAY APPLY FOR THE COURSE IN HOTEL-KEEPING AND CATERING STUDIES.

APPLICATION FORMS ARE OBTAINABLE FROM THE HONG KONG TECHNICAL TEACHERS’ COLLEGE AT 373 QUEEN’S ROAD EAST, WAN CHAI.

ALL COMPLETED FORMS MUST BE RETURNED TO THE COLLEGE BY MARCH 25.

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EMPLOYERS URGED TO PROVIDE WORK HEALTH SERVICES

*****

THE COMMISSIONER FOR LABOUR, MR J.N. HENDERSON, HOPED TODAY (FRIDAY) THAT OTHER EMPLOYERS WOULD FOLLOW THE EXCELLENT EXAMPLE OF KOWLOON MOTOR BUS COMPANY IN SETTING UP OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH SERVICES TO SAFEGUARD THE HEALTH OF THEIR EMPLOYEES.

SPEAKING AT THE OPENING OF KMB’S NEW MEDICAL CENTRE AT

HUNG YU MANSION IN SHAM SHU I PO. HE CONGRATULATED THE COMPANY FOR SETTING UP THE CENTRE AS PART OF THEIR CONTINUING PROGRAMME TO IMPROVE WELFARE FACILITIES FOR THEIR STAFF OF ALMOST 9 000.

HE SAID! +IT IS IN THE HIGHEST TRADITION OF GOOD EMPLOYER PRACTICE TO PROVIDE AN OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH SERVICE AND THE FACILITIES WE SEE TODAY ARE STRIKING EVIDENCE OF THE DEDICATION OF THIS COMPANY TO ENSURING THE HEALTH AND WELFARE OF THEIR EMPLOYEES.

MR HENDERSON POINTED OUT THAT OCCUPATIONAL MEDICINE HAD SEVERAL COMPONENTS.

FRIDAY, KARCH 6, 1981

10

THE FIRST WAS THE EFFECTS OF WORK ON THE EMPLOYEE AND IN THIS RESPECT REGULAR EXAMINATIONS WOULD ASSIST IN DETECTING AND IN DEALING WITH EITHER PHYSICAL OR MENTAL STRESS ARISING FROM WORK OR THE WORKING ENVIRONMENT AT AN EARLY STAGE.

ANOTHER ASPECT WAS ENSURING THAT THE EMPLOYEE WAS FIT ^.^t.?UTIES- HERE AGA,K' THE Regular CHECKS WERE MOST DESIRABLE AND PARTICULARLY IN THE CASE OF DRIVERS WOULD ^URE ™E B*FETY °F THE PUBL,C ,N ADDITION TO THAT OF Int INDIVIDUAL.

MR HENDERSON HOPED THAT IN DUE COURSE THE PROFESSIONAL STAFF WOULD EXTEND THEIR ACTIVITIES OUTSIDE THE MEDICAL CENTRE TO PRACTICE OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH IN ITS FULLEST SENSE THIS l-E SAID, INCLUDED FREQUENT VISITS TO AND MONITORING OF THE* WORK PLACE WITH EMPHASIS ON ENSURING THE SAFETY OF THE ENVIRONMENT, THE CONTROL OF HEALTH HAZARDS AND PREVENTION CF OCCUPATIONAL ILLNESS AND ACCIDENTS. ™tvtNIION

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NEW PRIVATE HOSPITAL FOR H.K. ISLAND * * * * *

A 600-BED NON-PROFIT-MAKING HOSPITAL IS TO BE BUILT IN WONG CHUK HANG TO INCREASE MEDICAL FACILITIES FOR RESIDENTS ON HONG KONG ISLAND.

THE PROJECT HAS BEEN MADE POSSIBLE BY A GOVERNMENT GRANT CF ABOUT 29 000 SQUARE METRES OF CROWN LAND AT NAM FUNG ROAD TO THE AW BOON HAW FOUNDATION, A CHARITABLE INSTITUTION.

THE HOSPITAL WILL BE CONSTRUCTED IN TWO PHASES. THE FIRST PHASE WILL CONSIST OF ESSENTIAL FACILITIES AND ABOUT 300 BEDS, WHILE THE REMAINING BEDS AND OTHER FACILITIES WILL BE PROVIDED IN THE SECOND PHASE.

THE MAJORITY OF THE EEDS WILL ACUTE AND OBSTETRIC AND PAEDIATRIC

BE PLANNED FOR GENERAL, CASES.

A NURSE TRAINING SCHOOL WILL EE ATTACHED TO THE HOSPITAL WHICH WILL RUN A 24-HOUR EMERGENCY SERVICE AS WELL AS A GENERAL AND SPECIALIST OUT-PATIENT CLINIC. THERE WILL ALSO BE THE USUAL ANCILLARY SERVICES, SUCH AS OPERATING THEATRES, PHYSIOTHERAPY, X-RAY, LABORATORIES, LAUNDRY AND STAFF QUARTERS.

ABOUT 20 PER CENT OF THE HOSPITAL EEDS WILL AS LCv.-COST BEDS AND THE MAINTENANCE CHARGES FOR WILL BE SIMILAR TO THOSE IN THE GENERAL WARDS OF HOSPITALS.

BE SET ASIDE THESE BEDS GOVERNMENT

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FRIDAY, MARCH 6,

1981

11

1981 HONG KONG YOUTH MUSIC CAMP ft ft ft ft ft

THE 1981 HONG KONG YOUTH MUSIC CAMP, JOINTLY ORGANISED BY THE MUSIC OFFICE AND THE RECREATION AND SPORT SERVICE, WILL BE FELD AT THE YMCA WU KWAI SHA YOUTH VILLAGE FROM JULY 25 TO AUGUST 9 THIS YEAR.

IT WILL PROVIDE INTENSIVE TRAINING FOR 300 YOUNG MUSICIANS IN A SUMMER CAMP WHERE A GREAT VARIETY OF RECREATION AND SPORTS ACTIVITIES WILL ALSO BE ORGANISED.

MUSIC TRAINING, BOTH WESTERN AND CHINESE, WILL BE IN THE FORM OF LECTURES, SEMINARS, WORKSHOPS, WHILE SPORTS ACTIVITIES WILL INCLUDE CANOEING, ROCK CLIMBING, SYNCHRONISED SWIMMING AND ARCHERY.

A FINALE CONCERT WILL BE HELD ON AUGUST 8 WHERE PARENTS OF THE CAMPERS WILL BE INVITED TO SHARE THE JOY OF THIS MUSIC CAMP.

RENOWNED ISRAELI CONDUCTOR AVI OSTROWSKY, MR JEN TSE OF THE CHINA NATIONAL SONG AND DANCE ENSEMBLE AND PROFESSOR WILLIAM LAW ING FROM THE UNITED STATES WILL BE AMONG THE GUEST INSTRUCTORS. ►EMBERS OF THE EAST HERTFORDSHIRE MUSIC CENTRE FROM ENGLAND ARE ALSO INVITED TO JOIN THE CAMP.

MUSIC LOVERS AGED UNDER 24 YEARS BY JULY 25, 1981 WHO HAVE EITHER ATTAINED AT LEAST GRADE 5 OR EQUIVALENT IN ANY OF THE INSTRUMENTS (WESTERN WOODWIND, BRASS, STRING OR PERCUSSION) OR ACHIEVED AN ACCEPTABLE LEVEL OF PERFORMING IN CHINESE MUSIC INSTRUMENT (ORCHESTRAL EXPERIENCE WOULD BE AN ADVANTAGE) CAN APPLY TO JOIN THE CAMP.

THEY WILL BE REQUIRED TO PASS AN AUDITION TO BE ARRANGED IN MID-APRIL.

CAMP FEE FOR EACH PARTICIPANT WILL BE $100.

APPLICATION FORMS ARE OBTAINABLE AT THE MUSIC OFFICE, 9TH FLOOR, HONG KONG ARTS CENTRE- KOWLOON WEST MUSIC CENTRE, 3RD FLOOR, 157-159 PRINCE EDWARD ROAD- KOWLOON EAST MUSIC CENTRE, 3RD FLOOR, 100 TING FU STREET, NGAU TAU KOK- NEW TERRITORIES MUSIC CENTRE, CHEUNG YIU BUILDING, 167-173 CASTLE PEAK ROAD, TSUEN WAN- RECREATION AND SPORT SERVICE, 11TH FLOOR, WING ON CENTRE, 111 CONNAUGHT ROAD CENTRAL AND ITS 17 DISTRICT OFFICES.

THE CLOSING DATE FOR APPLICATION IS MARCH 20, 1981.

FURTHER ENQUIRIES CAN BE MADE TO THE FOLLOWING TELEPHONE NUMBERS! 5-283257, 3-819204, 3-411328, 12-428127 AND 5-458511.

12 _ FRIDAY, MATCH 6, 1931

NEW APPOINTMENT TO METRICATION COMMITTEE * * * *

AN ANNOUNCEMENT IS MADE IN TODAY’S GOVERNMENT GAZETTE APPOINTING THE DIRECTOR OF INFORMATION SERVICES OR HIS REPRESENTATIVE TO SERVE AS A MEMBER OF THE METRICATION COMMITTEE WITH EFFECT FROM FEBRUARY 25, 1981 TO DECEMBER 31, 1982.

THE DIRECTOR OF INFORMATION SERVICES WILL ASSIST THE COMMITTEE IN ALL FUTURE PROMOTIONAL ACTIVITIES AND ADVISE THE COMMITTEE ON ALL MATTERS RELATING TO METRICATION PUBLICITY.

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COMMISSIONER OF PRISONS LEAVES FOR INTERNATIONAL DRUG CONFERENCE

* * * *

THE COMMISSIONER OF PRISONS, MR THOMAS GARNER, WILL LEAVE TOMORROW (SATURDAY) TO ATTEND AN INTERNATIONAL DRUG CONFERENCE TO BE HELD IN SINGAPORE FROM MARCH 9 TO 13.

MR GARNER HAS BEEN INVITED AS A CONSULTANT TO THE CONFERENCE AND A SPEAKER ON TREATMENT AND REHABILITATION.

THE CONFERENCE IS ORGANISED BY THE SINGAPORE ANTI-NARCOTICS ASSOCIATION IN COOPERATION WITH THE COLOMBO PLAN BUREAU. REPRESENTATIVES FROM 21 COUNTRIES INCLUDING HONG KONG, AS WELL AS REGIONAL AND INTERNATIONAL AGENCIES INVOLVED IN THE PREVENTION AND CONTROL OF DRUG ABUSE, WILL PARTICIPATE.

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WINNERS SELECTED IN POSTER FOR DISABLED COMPETITION *****

THE WINNING ENTRIES IN A COMPETITION TO PRODUCE A POSTER SHOWING THE DIFFICULTIES DISABLED PEOPLE FACE IN GETTING AROUND AND WAYS THEY CAN BE HELPED WERE ANNOUNCED TODAY (FRIDAY).

THE COMPETITION WAS HELD AMONG TUEN MUN SCHOOL CHILDREN AND ATTRACTED MORE THAN 200 ENTRIES.

THE WINNERS WERE MISS SO CHING-LING, A FORM III STUDENT AT THE PO LEUNG KUK CENTENARY COLLEGE AND LEUNG MOON-TONG, A STUDENT AT THE CASTLE PEAK CATHOLIC PRIMARY SCHOOL.

THEIR ENTRIES WILL BE PRODUCED AS POSTERS TO PUBLICISE AN +ACCESS FOR THE DISABLED* EXHIBITION WHICH WILL BE OPENED ON MARCH 28 BY THE SECRETARY FOR THE NEW TERRITORIES, MR DAVID AKERS-JONES, AT SIMON LUI MING CHOI TECHNICAL SCHOOL.

WINNERS WILL RECEIVE THEIR PRIZES DURING THE EXHIBITION OPENING.

ADJUDICATING TODAY WERE DR KO MAY-HING, LECTURER OF FINE ARTS, CHINESE UNIVERSITY OF HONG KONG- MR KWOK CHIU-LEUNG, SENIOR INSPECTOR, EDUCATION DEPARTMENT- MR TO KWOK-LEUNG, OF TUEN MUN ISLAMIC PRIMARY SCHOOL AND MR NG YIU-MING, OF YUEN LONG SHUNG TAK CATHOLIC COLLEGE.

THE COMPETITION WAS ORGANISED BY TUEN MUN ACCESS AND TRANSPORT COMMITTEE, WHICH WAS FORMED FOUR MONTHS AGO AS A CONTRIBUTION TO THE INTERNATIONAL YEAR OF DISABLED PERSONS. ITS OBJECTIVE IS TO HELP THE HANDICAPPED SOLVE THEIR TRANSPORT PROBLEMS.

DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN

ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE. HONG KONG. TEL 5-233191

SATURDAY, MARCH 7r 1981

CONTENTS PAGE NO.

TSUEN WAN CRIME PREVENTION EXHIBITION OPENS .................... 1

FREE LEGAL ADVICE SCHEME FOR EAST N.T............................ 2

TENDERS CALLED FOR FOOD SALES ................................... 3

CEREMONY FOR 430 GENER/iL DUTIES TEAM MEMBERS ................... 3

53 CONTRACTS AWARDED IN JANUARY.................................. 4

JOBS FOR POLICE WORKERS ......................................... 4

BUS DIVERSION IN SHAM SHUT PO ................................... 4

TEMPORARY CLOSURE OF ISLAND ROAD ................................ 5

WATER CUT IN NORTH POINT

5

SATURDAY, MARCH 7, 1981

1

TSUEN WAN CRIME PREVENTION EXHIBITION OPENS

*****

THERE HAS BEEN NO MARKED INCREASE IN THE NUMBER OF CRIMES COMMITTED IN TSUEN WAN AND KWAI CHUNG DURING THE PAST YEAR, THE CHAIRMAN OF TSUEN WAN DISTRICT FIGHT CRIME COMMITTEE, MR LUI HAU-TUEN, SAID TODAY (SATURDAY).

AT THE OPENING OF A FIVE-DAY FIGHT CRIME EXHIBITION, MR LUI, THE DISTRICT OFFICER TSUEN WAN, SAID THAT WHILE THE NUMBER OF CRIMES COMMITTED WAS ON THE INCREASE ON A COLONY-WIDE BASIS, COMPARATIVELY, THE SITUATION IN TSUEN WAN AND KWAI CHUNG WAS NOT +ALARMING+.

HE ATTRIBUTED THIS TO JOINT EFFORTS OF THE GOVERNMENT, LOCAL ORGANISATIONS, MUTUAL AID COMMITTEES, POLICE NEIGHBOURHOOD UNITS AND JUNIOR POLICE CALL MEMBERS IN EDUCATING THE PUBLIC AND SOLVING PROBLEMS IN CRIME BLACK SPOTS.

♦CRIME PREVENTION IS A VERY COMPLICATED MATTER WHICH CANNOT BE DEALT WITH BY ONE PARTY ALONE. IT NEEDS THE SUPPORT OF US ALL,+ HE SAID.

ON RECREATIONAL NEEDS FOR YOUNG PEOPLE, MR LUI SAID GOVERNMENT HAD, IN FACT, BEEN LOOKING INTO ALL POSSIBLE LOCATIONS WHICH COULD BE USED EITHER PERMANENTLY OR TEMPORARILY.

EVEN AVAILABLE LAND, WHICH WAS SCHEDULED FOR PERMANENT DEVELOPMENT BUT ON WHICH CONSTRUCTION WAS PENDING, WOULD BE CONVERTED FOR TEMPORARY RECREATIONAL USE, MR LUI SAID.

HE CITED AS AN EXAMPLE A SITE NEXT TO THE LADY GRANTHAM CLINIC WHICH WAS PLANNED AS OPEN SPACE BY 1985. BUT, IN APRIL, THE CHAI WAN KOK TEMPORARY SPORTS CENTRE WOULD MOVE THERE TO PROVIDE ADDITIONAL FACILITIES TO MEET IMMEDIATE LOCAL NEEDS.

THE EXHIBITION, WHICH AIMS TO INCREASE PUBLIC AWARENESS OF CRIME AND ITS PREVENTION IN THE DISTRICT, IS OPEN TO THE PUBLIC FROM 10 AM TO 8 PM DAILY AT THE CULTURAL ACTIVITIES HALL OF TSUEN WAN TOWN HALL.

TWENTY-TWO ORGANISATIONS ARE TAKING PART, EACH OF WHICH IS OPERATING A STALL EXPLAINING THE ROLE THEY PLAY IN FIGHTING CRIME. THEY INCLUDE THE DISTRICT OFFICE, SECURITY FIRMS, BANKS, YOUTH CENTRES, WELFARE GROUPS AND JUNIOR POLICE CALL UNITS OF KWAI CHUNG AND TSUEN WAN.

THERE WILL BE SLIDE AND FILM SHOWS, PHOTOGRAPHS, CHARTS AND SECURITY ITEMS ON DISPLAY.

ALSO PRESENT AT TODAY’S OPENING CEREMONY WERE THE POLICE DIVISIONAL SUPERINTENDENT TSUEN WAN, MR CHAN HO-YIN- THE DIVISIONAL SUPERINTENDENT KWAI CHUNG, MR DAVE HODSON- AND LOCAL LEADER, MR CHAN PO-FONG.

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/2 ........

SATURDAY, MARCH 7, 1981

2

FREE LEGAL ADVICE SCHEME FOR EAST N.T.

*****

THE FREE LEGAL ADVICE SCHEME, INTRODUCED BY THE LAW SOCIETY TO HELP MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC WITH LEGAL PROCEDURES, IS TO BE EXTENDED TO THE EASTERN PART OF THE NEW TERRITORIES*

A ^S.AL*PV1CE CENTRE WILL BE SET UP AT SHA tin district State f™JCho2d!!™ CEHTRE AT SAU CHUE" H0USE> LEK VUEN CO I A IC, rKUM HUNUAT, MARCH >J.

Z LLAWYER W,LL BE 0N DUTY AT THE CENTRE EVERY MONDAY FROM 6 PM TO 8 PM TO ADVISE MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC ON STEPS WHICH J^Y BE 0PEN T0 THEM ,N VARIOUS SITUATIONS. HE WILL NOT REPRESENT Sda0™c£?URT’ BUT W,LL REFER AppROPR’ATE CASES TO THE LEGAL AID ■ AW i Fit W • •

A NEW TERRITORIES ADMINISTRATION SPOKESMAN SAID SETTING UP THE CENTRE WOULD MAKE FREE LEGAL ADVICE SERVICES MORE EASILY AVAILABLE TO RESIDENTS OF SHA TIN, TAI PO AND NORTH DISTRICT.

ANYONE WISHING TO SEEK ADVICE THEIR LOCAL DISTRICT OFFICE OR PUBL APPLICATION FORMS WILL BE AVAILABLE

UNDER THE SCHEME SHOULD APPROACH IC ENQUIRY SERVICE CENTRE WHERE

DETAILS OF CASES WILL BE TAKEN DOWN AND APPOINTMENTS WITH THE LAWYER ARRANGED, HE SAID.

LEAFLETS GIVING DETAILS OF THE SERVICE ARE NOW AVAILABLE IN DISTRICT OFFICES.

THE LAW SOCIETY OPENED ITS FIRST NEW TERRITORIES LEGAL ADVICE CENTRE IN TSUEN WAN 10 MONTHS AGO. TWO LAWYERS ARE ON DUTY THERE ON TUESDAYS FROM 6.30 PM TO 9.30 PM.

SO FAR, ABOUT 300 CASES, INCLUDING LANDLORD-TENANT DISPUTES, COMMERCIAL AND PROPERTY DISPUTES, MATRIMONIAL MATTERS, COMPENSATION CLAIMS AND ESTATE ADMINISTRATION, HAVE BEEN HANDLED AT THE TSUEN WAN CENTRE.

THE SPOKESMAN SAID HE WAS PLEASED THAT THE LAW SOCIETY HAD BEEN ABLE TO EXTEND THE SERVICE TO THE EASTERN NEW TERRITORIES AND URGED THE PUBLIC TO MAKE FULL USE OF THIS LATEST FREE COMMUNITY FACILITY.

/3 .......

SATURDAY, MARCH 7, 1981

3

TENDERS CALLED FOR FOOD SALES * * *

TENDERS ARE BEING INVITED TO SELL LIGHT REFRESHMENTS AT THE NEWLY COMPLETED SHA TIN JOCKEY CLUB PUBLIC SWIMMING POOL IN SHA TIN.

A SPOKESMAN FOR THE NEW TERRITORIES SERVICES DEPARTMENT TODAY (SATURDAY) SAID THE SUCCESSFUL TENDERER WOULD BE RESPONSIBLE FOR OPERATING A CANTEEN AT THE SWIMMING POOL COMPLEX FROM APRIL 17 THIS YEAR TO NOVEMBER 30 NEXT YEAR.

TENDERS ARE ALSO INVITED FOR THE SALE OF LIGHT REFRESHMENTS AT THE TSUEN WAN SPORTS GROUND AT YEUNG UK ROAD, TSUEN WAN AND THE DEACON CHIU PARK AT TUEN MUN BETWEEN MAY 1 THIS YEAR AND FEBRUARY 29, 1984.

ON SEVEN GAZETTED BEACHES IN THE NEW TERRITORIES, MANAGED BY THE NTSD, TENDERS ARE INVITED FOR SELLING LIGHT REFRESHMENTS, PROVIDING CHANGING FACILITIES AND ERECTING TENTS FOR HIRE TO THE PUBLIC BETWEEN MAY 1 THIS YEAR AND NOVEMBER 30, 1983.

THE LOCATIONS ARE AT ANGLER'S BEACH AND DRAGON BEACH AT CASTLE PEAK ROAD, CAMPER’S BEACH AT SAI KUNG, CHEUNG SHA BEACH (LOWER) ON LANTAU ISLAND, HUNG SHING YEH BEACH AND LO SO SHING (WEST) BEACH ON LAMMA ISLAND, AND KWUN YAM WAN BEACH IN CHEUNG CHAU.

TENDERS MUST BE PLACED IN THE TENDER BOX AT THE ACCOUNTS OFFICE OF THE NEW TERRITORIES SERVICES DEPARTMENT HEADQUARTERS ON THE THIRD FLOOR, AUSTIN CENTRE, 19-23 AUSTIN AVENUE, TSIM SHA TSUI, BEFORE 9 AM ON FRIDAY, APRIL 3.

TENDER FORMS AND FURTHER PARTICULARS MAY ALSO BE OBTAINED FROM THE NTSD HEADQUARTERS AT AUSTIN CENTRE.

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CEREMONY FOR 430 GENERAL DUTIES TEAM MEMBERS

* * * X * *

A GRADUATION CEREMONY FOR 430 MEMBERS OF THE GENERAL DUTIES TEAM OF THE URBAN SERVICES DEPARTMENT, WHO RECENTLY COMPLETED THEIR FIVE-WEEK BASIC TRAINING COURSE, WILL BE HELD AT THE CITY HALL THEATRE ON MONDAY (MARCH 9).

THE ASSISTANT DIRECTOR (SOUTH REGION) OF THE NEW TERRITORIES SERVICES DEPARTMENT, MR JAMES WILSON, WILL ADDRESS THE GATHERING AND PRESENT CERTIFICATES AND PRIZES TO THE GRADUATES.

THE CEREMONY WILL START AT 10.30 AM.

SATURDAY, MARCH 7, 1981

4

53 CONTRACTS AWARDED IN JANUARY

* *

THE PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT AWARDED 53 CONTRACTS WORTH MORE THAN $127 MILLION IN JANUARY.

ONE OF THE MAJOR CONTRACTS, WORTH ABOUT $25.3 MILLION, WAS FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF A MULTI-PURPOSE COMPLEX AT ABERDEEN.

THE COMPLEX, LOCATED AT THE CORNER OF ABERDEEN MAIN ROAD AND CHENGTU ROAD, IS BEING BUILT FOR THE URBAN COUNCIL. IT WILL PROVIDE MODERN MARKETING, RECREATIONAL, CULTURAL AND LIBRARY FACILITIES AND WILL REPLACE THE OUTDATED ABERDEEN MARKET IN ABERDEEN MAIN ROAD.

OF THE CONTRACTS AWARDED DURING THE MONTH, 36 WERE RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE CENTRAL TENDER BOARD AND THE OTHERS WERE RECOMMENDED BY THE PWD TENDER BOARD.

0 -------

JOBS FOR POLICE WORKERS

* *

THE LOCAL EMPLOYMENT SERVICE OF THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT IS INVITING APPLICATIONS TO FILL 110 VACANCIES FOR THE POST OF WORKMAN II IN THE ROYAL HONG KONG POLICE FORCE.

THE POST HAS A STARTING SALARY OF $1 405, RISING TO $1 485.

SUCCESSFUL CANDIDATES WILL BE REQUIRED TO WORK AT POLICE STATIONS, PERFORMING CLEANSING AND DELIVERY DUTIES. THEY WILL ALSO BE REQUIRED TO WORK ON SHIFTS.

APPLICANTS SHOULD HAVE PRIMARY SIX EDUCATION, A STRONG PHYSIQUE AND HAVE LIVED IN HONG KONG FOR AT LEAST FIVE YEARS.

THOSE INTERESTED IN THE POSTS SHOULD CALL AT ANY BRANCH OFFICE OF THE SERVICE, BRINGING WITH THEM THEIR IDENTITY CARDS.

ENQUIRIES CAN BE MADE ON TELEPHONES 3-666615, 5-270276 OR 12-420154.

------o - - - -

BUS DIVERSION IN SHAM SHU I PO MX K

KMB ROUTE NOS. 6D AND 40 TO CHEUNG SHA WAN AND TSUEN WAN, WILL BE DIVERTED FROM MONDAY (MARCH 9) TO OPERATE VIA WOH CHAI STREET AND NAM CHEONG STREET, BY-PASSING WAI CHI STREET, A SPOKESMAN FOR THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT SAID TODAY.

THE ARRANGEMENT IS TO RELIEVE TRAFFIC CONGESTION IN WAI

CHI STREET.

- - 0 - -

/5

SATURDAY, MARCH 7, 1981

5

TEMPORARY CLOSURE OF ISLAND ROAD * *

A SECTION OF ISLAND ROAD FROM HOUSE NO. 4 TO ITS JUNCTION WITH DEEP WATER BAY ROAD WILL BE CLOSED TO ALL TRAFFIC FROM MIDNIGHT ON MONDAY (MARCH 9) TO 3 AM THE FOLLOWING DAY TO FACILITATE ROAD WORKS.

DURING THE TEMPORARY CLOSURE, WESTBOUND MOTORISTS ALONG ISLAND ROAD ARE ADVISED TO USE ALTERNATIVE ROUTES.

VEHICLES WITH AN UNLADEN WEIGHT UNDER 2-1/4 TONNES, MAY USE DEEP WATER BAY ROAD AND SHOUSON HILL ROAD EAST WHILE VEHICLES WITH AN UNLADEN WEIGHT EXCEEDING 2-1/4 TONNES SHOULD USE REPULSE BAY ROAD, DEEP WATER BAY ROAD AND NAM FUNG ROAD.

AS FOR EASTBOUND MOTORISTS ALONG ISLAND ROAD, VEHICLES WITH AN UNLADEN WEIGHT UNDER 2-1/4 TONNES MAY USE SHOUSON HILL ROAD, SHOUSON HILL ROAD EAST AND DEEP WATER BAY ROAD (SECTION SOUTH OF SHOUSON HILL ROAD EAST) WHILE THOSE DRIVING VEHICLES WITH AN UNLADEN WEIGHT EXCEEDING 2-1/4 TONNES SHOULD USE NAM FUNG ROAD, DEEP WATER BAY ROAD (SECTION NORTH OF NAM FUNG ROAD) AND REPULSE BAY ROAD.

APPROPRIATE TRAFFIC SIGNS WILL BE ERECTED TO GUIDE MOTORISTS.

_ _ 0 - -

WATER CUT IN NORTH POINT * * * *

WATER SUPPLY TO AN AREA OF NORTH POINT WILL BE CUT OFF FOR SEVEN HOURS FROM 11 PM ON MONDAY (MARCH 9) TO 6 AM ON TUESDAY (MARCH 10) FOR LEAKAGE TEST.

AFFECTED WILL BE PREMISES BOUNDED BY HEALTHY STREET WEST, SOUTH SIDE OF KING’S ROAD, SHU KUK STREET, TANNER ROAD, LOWER AND UPPER KAI YUEN LANE, INCLUDING HONG KONG POLICE RANK AND FILE QUARTERS.

- - 0

DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN

ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE. HONG KONG. TEL: 5-233191

SUNDAY, MARCH 8, 1981

CONTENTS PAGE NO

QUEEN’S COMMONWEALTH DAY MESSAGE............................ 1

SIR JACK IS DEPUTY TO GOVERNOR.............................. 2

LARGEST TUEN MUN TOWN CENTRE SITE BEING TENDERED......... 2

MORE PEOPLE FOUND JOBS THROUGH LES ......................... 3

DISABLED DOING WELL IN CHILD Ch RE PROGRAMME................ 4

BUILDING PLANS APPROVED IN JANUARY.......................... 5

WOMAN AT THE TOP OF WATCH TOWER............................. 5

LEGAL STRENGTH FOR AMS ..................................... 6

BRITISH COMPOSER TO LECTURE GN MUSIC........................ 6

ROAD CLOSURES IN ABERDEEN AND KOWLOON ...................... 7

THE FOLLOWING IS EMBARGOED UNTIL 8 AM ON MONDAY (MARCH 9)

SUNDAY, MARCH 8, 1981 1

QUEEN’S COMMONWEALTH DAY MESSAGE

******

THE QUEEN, IN HER COMMONWEALTH DAY MESSAGE THIS YEAR, SAID THE COMMONWEALTH IS A WORKING PARTNERSHIP WHICH GROWS AND CHANGES ALL THE TIME. IN THE PAST 50 YEARS, IT HAS GROWN FROM A SMALL NUCLEUS OF COUNTRIES INTO A WORLD-WIDE ASSOCIATION OF 44 STATES AS MORE AND MORE NEW NATIONS JOINED ON ACHIEVING THEIR INDEPENDENCE.

♦THE COMMONWEALTH TO WHICH THEY HAVE ALL CHOSEN TO BELONG IS A COMMUNITY OF GOVERNMENTS AND PEOPLES WHICH IS DEEPLY CONCERNED WITH THE DIGNITY AND WELL-BEING OF NEARLY A THOUSAND MILLION MEN, WOMEN AND CHILDREN WHO LIVE WITHIN ITS BOUNDS.♦

FOLLOWING IS THE FULL TEXT OF THE QUEEN’S MESSAGEi

+THE COMMONWEALTH ABOUT WHICH WE ARE ALL THINKING TODAY IS A WORKING PARTNERSHIP WHICH GROWS AND CHANGES ALL THE TIME. THIS YEAR IS ONE OF ITS ANNIVERSARIES, WHEN WE LOOK BACK FIFTY YEARS TO THE PASSING BY THE BRITISH PARLIAMENT OF THE STATUTE OF WESTMINSTER WHICH NOT ONLY GAVE THE COMMONWEALTH ITS NAME BUT ESTABLISHED THE PRINCIPLE OF EQUALITY AMONG ITS MEMBER NATIONS. FROM THE SMALL NUCLEUS OF COUNTRIES ASSOCIATED WITH THAT ACT, THE COMMONWEALTH HAS GROWN INTO A WORLD-WIDE ASSOCIATION OF FORTY-FOUR STATES AS MORE AND MORE NEW NATIONS HAVE JOINED ON ACHIEVING THEIR INDEPENDENCE.

+THE COMMONWEALTH TO WHICH THEY HAVE ALL CHOSEN TO BELONG IS A COMMUNITY OF GOVERNMENTS AND PEOPLES WHICH IS DEEPLY CONCERNED WITH THE DIGNITY AND WELL-BEING OF NEARLY A THOUSAND MILLION MEN, WOMEN AND CHILDREN WHO LIVE WITHIN ITS BOUNDS.

♦THROUGH RELATIONS BETWEEN THE FORTY-FOUR GOVERNMENTS, AIDED BY THE COMMONWEALTH SECRETARIAT AND THE COMMONWEALTH FOUNDATION, AND THROUGH THE ACTIVITIES OF SOME THREE HUNDRED UNOFFICIAL BODIES, THE COMMONWEALTH TOUCHES EVERY ASPECT OF THE LIVES OF THESE PEOPLE. THE RELATIONSHIPS OF NORTH AND SOUTH, RURAL AND INDUSTRIAL DEVELOPMENT, EDUCATION AND HEALTH AND THE NEEDS OF YOUNG PEOPLE ARE AMONG THE MANY FIELDS IN WHICH WORK IS GOING ON. IN A SPECIAL WAY THROUGH THE FUND FOR TECHNICAL CO-OPERATION THE DEVELOPING COUNTRIES OF THE COMMONWEALTH ARE ABLE TO HELP ONE ANOTHER WITH THE KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS WHICH THEY HAVE BUILT UP THROUGH THEIR OWN HIGHLY RELEVANT EXPERIENCE.

♦IT IS EASY ENOUGH TO SET UP MACHINERY FOR CO-OPERATION AND TO ORGANISE CONFERENCES, BUT LASTING RESULTS DEPEND ON SYMPATHY, UNDERSTANDING AND ON THE STRENGTH OF THE WILL TO SUCCEED. THIS IS WHERE THE COMMONWEALTH, WITW ITS HABIT OF DIRECT TALKING IN A SHARED LANGUAGE, ITS SHARED HISTORY, AND ITS ABILITY TO GET TOGETHER AND TO GET THINGS DONE, HAS SO MUCH TO GIVE TO MANKIND.*

SUNDAY, MARCH 8, 1981

2

SIR JACK IS DEPUTY TO GOVERNOR * * * *

THE CHIEF SECRETARY, SIR JACK CATER, HAS BEEN APPOINTED DEPUTY TO THE GOVERNOR ON THE DEPARTURE OF SIR MURRAY TODAY.

THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY, SIR PHILIP HADDON-CAVE, WILL BE ACTING CHIEF SECRETARY WHEN SIR JACK IS AWAY ON A VISIT TO GUANGDONG THIS WEEK AND WILL ALSO BE APPOINTED DEPUTY TO THE GOVERNOR.

MR HENRY CHING, DEPUTY FINANCIAL SECRETARY, WILL BE ACTING FINANCIAL SECRETARY DURING THIS PERIOD.

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

LARGEST TUEN MUN TOWN CENTRE SITE BEING TENDERED

* * *

THE FOURTH - AND LARGEST - OF THE TUEN MUN TOWN CENTRE SITES IS BEING OFFERED TO HOLDERS OF LAND EXCHANGE ENTITLEMENTS (LETTERS A AND B) ISSUED BY THE NEW TERRITORIES ADMINISTRATION.

THE 24 407 SQUARE METRES SITE IS LOCATED IN WHAT WILL BE THE HEART OF THE TOWN CENTRE.

IT HAS A BUILDING COVENANT OF #217 MILLION TO BE FULFILLED WITHIN 56 MONTHS.

UNDER SALE CONDITIONS, THE PURCHASER WILL BE REQUIRED TO BUILD A FIVE-LEVEL PODIUM ON EITHER SIDE OF TUEN MUN HIGHWAY AND A THREE-LEVEL PODIUM BRIDGING THE HIGHWAY.

A WIDE RANGE OF FACILITIES WILL INCLUDE COMMERCIAL AND RETAIL ZONES, OPEN ARCADES, PARKING AND SERVICE ZONES, TWO-WAY ESCALATORS, A RESTAURANT, MARKET, TWO-LEVEL DEPARTMENT STORE, AN AIR-CONDITIONED SHOPPING MALL AND EXTENSIVE LANDSCAPING.

THERE WILL ALSO BE TWO DOUBLE AND ONE SINGLE CRUCIFORM STYLE RESIDENTIAL BLOCKS CONTAINING 1 120 FLATS.

THE CLOSING DATE FOR TENDERS IS NOON ON FRIDAY (MARCH 13).

THERE ARE SEVEN TUEN MUN TOWN CENTRE SITES, OF WHICH THREE HAVE ALREADY BEEN DISPOSED OF.

THE FIRST WAS SOLD BY AUCTION IN JANUARY, 1980, FOR $191 MILLION. THE OTHER TWO WERE DISPOSED OF BY LETTER A AND B TENDER LAST JULY. THE REMAINING THREE SITES WILL BE OFFERED FOR SALE DURING THE NEXT FEW YEARS.

UPON COMPLETION, THE TOWN CENTRE WILL HAVE A CIVIC AND CULTURAL CENTRE, GOVERNMENT OFFICES, A LIBRARY, MAGISTRACY, BUS TERMINUS, POST OFFICE, AUDITORIUM AND MULTI-STOREY CAR PARK. THERE WILL ALSO BE LARGE COMMERCIAL AREAS.

A POLYCLINIC AND PRIMARY SCHOOL WILL ALSO BE INCLUDED. THE TOWN PARK, ADJACENT TO THE TOWN CENTRE, WILL BE COMPLETED BY THE MID-1980S.

/THE TCWN ....

SUNDAY, MARCH 8, 1°81

1

THE TOWN CENTRE WILL HAVE A TOTAL OF EIGHT DOUBLE AND SEVEN SINGLE CRUCIFORM STYLE RESIDENTIAL BLOCKS, CONTAINING 5 OOO FLATS FOR ABOUT 25 000 PEOPLE.

TUEN MUN IS BEING DEVELOPED INTO A MODERN, BALANCED AND SELF-CONTAINED COMMUNITY OF ABOUT 550 000 PEOPLE. THE PRESENT POPULATION IS 120 000.

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

MORE PEOPLE FOUND JOBS THROUGH LES

* * *

THE LOCAL EMPLOYMENT SERVICE (LES) OF THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT PLACED 28 000 PEOPLE IN EMPLOYMENT LAST YEAR, AN INCREASE OF 26 PER CENT OVER 1979.

AND THE SERVICE ALSO RECEIVED 44 000 ORDERS FROM EMPLOYERS LOOKING FOR STAFF, A RISE OF 20 PER CENT OVER 1979.

A SPOKESMAN FOR THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT SAID THE SERVICE COULD MATCH JOBS WITH JOB-SEEKERS WITHIN A VERY SHORT TIME, ALTHOUGH IT COULD NOT CREATE JOBS OR JOB-SEEKERS.

THE SERVICE, WHICH IS FREE, OPERATES FROM 15 OFFICES THROUGHOUT HONG KONG, KOWLOON AND THE NEW TERRITORIES. THEY ARE CONNECTED BY A FACSIMILE SYSTEM WHICH ENSURES THAT VACANCY ORDERS ARE CIRCULATED QUICKLY TO SPEED UP THE PLACEMENT PROCESS.

THE SPOKESMAN SAID THE MAJORITY OF THE JOBS HANDLED LAST YEAR FELL INTO THREE MAIN OCCUPATION GROUPS* CLERICAL AND RELATED JOBS, SERVICE JOBS, PRODUCTION AND TRANSPORT JOBS.

HE SAID THAT AS SOON AS A VACANCY ORDER IS RECEIVED THEN SUITABLE CANDIDATES ARE SELECTED FROM REGISTERED JOB-SEEKERS FOR INTRODUCTION TO PROSPECTIVE EMPLOYERS.

VACANCIES ARE DISPLAYED AT ALL OFFICES OF THE LOCAL EMPLOYMENT SERVICE WHERE PEOPLE LOOKING FOR JOBS CAN MAKE THEIR OWN PRELIMINARY SELECTIONS.

THE LES ALSO OPERATES A SPECIAL REGISTER WHICH SPECIALISES IN FINDING JOBS FOR PEOPLE WITH UNIVERSITY DEGREES OR POST-SECONDARY QUALIFICATIONS.

LAST YEAR, PEOPLE IN THE SPECIAL REGISTER WERE FOUND JOBS AS EXECUTIVE TRAINEES, MANAGERS, SALES REPRESENTATIVES, ENGINEERS AND TECHNICIANS.

THE SPOKESMAN POINTED OUT THAT THE SERVICE IS ALSO THE CENTRAL RECRUITMENT AGENCY OF MODEL I SALARY SCALE POSTS FOR ALL GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS. THE POSTS INCLUDE WORKMEN, ARTISANS, HOSPITAL ORDERLIES AND WATCHMEN, WITH SALARIES RANGING FROM $1 405 TO $2 205 A MONTH.

HE ADDED THAT AT PRESENT THE SERVICE HAS MANY VACANCIES IN MODEL I POSTS AND IN THE PRIVATE SECTOR, AND URGED BOTH EMPLOYERS AND JOB-SEEKERS TO CONTACT THE SERVICE.

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

/4.....

SUNDAY, MARCH 8, 1981

4

DISABLED DOING WELL IN CHILD CARE PROGRAMME

*****

MILDLY DISABLED CHILDREN HAVE SHOWN THEMSELVES DOING WELL IN NORMAL DAY NURSERIES UNDER AN INTEGRATED CHILD CARE PROGRAMME COORDINATED BY THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT.

REPORTS ON INDIVIDUAL DISABLED CHILDREN HAVE RECORDED ENCOURAGING PROGRESS IN THE VARIOUS AREAS OF CHILD DEVELOPMENT DURING THEIR STAY IN THE NURSERIES WITH ABLE-BODIED PEERS.

UNDER THE PROGRAMME, EACH PARTICIPATING NURSERY ADMITS SIX MILDLY DISABLED CHILDREN PROVIDING THEM WITH OPPORTUNITIES TO ENJOY PRE-SCHOOL CARE WITH NORMAL CHILDREN OF THEIR AGE.

REPORTS RECEIVED BY THE DEPARTMENT INDICATE THE DISABLED CHILDREN HAVE ACHIEVED IMPROVEMENTS IN WEIGHT, EATING HABITS, SELF CARE, AS WELL AS CONTROL AND COORDINATION IN MOTOR SKILLS.

AND, THEY HAVE SHOWN BETTER KNOWLEDGE AND AWARENESS OF THE ENVIRONMENT AND BETTER INTERACTION WITH ADULTS AND PEER GROUPS.

SO FAR, 220 DISABLED CHILDREN HAVE BEEN ADMITTED UNDER THE PROGRAMME. OF THEM, 70 WERE DISCHARGED EITHER AT THE AGE OF SIX OR WHEN THEY HAVE FOUND ALTERNATIVE PROVISION AFTER DUE PROGRESS.

OF THOSE REACHING THE AGE OF SIX, MOST WERE ADMITTED TO SPECIAL SCHOOLS OR SPECIAL CLASSES RUN BY THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT, WHILE SIX WERE ADMITTED TO NORMAL KINDERGARTENS.

THE INTEGRATED PROGRAMME WAS INTRODUCED IN 1978 FOLLOWING THE 1977 WHITE PAPER ON REHABILITATION SERVICES, WHICH STATED THAT EARLY TRAINING CAN HELP A DISABLED CHILD TO FORM GOOD HABITS AND TO TRAIN BETTER DURING THE EARLY FORMATIVE YEARS OF HIS DEVELOPMENT.

THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT PLANS TO EXPAND THE PROGRAMME AT A FASTER INCREASE RATE OF 90 PLACES PER ANNUM AS FROM 1981-82, COMPARED WITH THE EXISTING ANNUAL INCREASE OF 60.

THE DEPARTMENT HOPES MORE VOLUNTARY AGENCIES WILL COME FORWARD TO JOIN SO THAT MORE DISABLED CHILDREN CAN BENEFIT FROM THE PROGRAMME.

PARTICIPATING NURSERIES ARE PROVIDED WITH STAFF TRAINING AS WELL AS AN EXTRA SUBVENTION TO MEET ADDITIONAL STAFF COST.

CHILDREN ADMITTED ARE MILD-GRADE MENTALLY RETARDED, PHYSICALLY HANDICAPPED OR SLIGHTLY IMPAIRED IN SPEECH, HEARING OR SIGHT.

ADMISSIONS ARE BY WAY OF REFERRALS FROM WELFARE AGENCIES OR GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS, SUCH AS THE MEDICAL AND HEALTH DEPARTMENT AND THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT.

ENQUIRIES ABOUT THE PROGRAMME CAN BE MADE AT THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT’S CHILD CARE CENTRES ADVISORY INSPECTORATE AT THE LADY TRENCH TRAINING CENTRE, 44 01 KWAN ROAD, HONG KONG (TEL. NO. 5-754321).

5 SUNDAY, MARCH 8, 1981

BUILDING PLANS APPROVED IN JANUARY * * * * *

THE BUILDINGS ORDINANCE OFFICE OF THE PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT APPROVED 79 NEW BUILDING PLANS IN JANUARY, COMPARED WITH 68 IN DECEMBER LAST YEAR.

OF THESE NEW PLANS, 25 WERE FOR BUILDINGS ON HONG KONG ISLAND, 10 FOR KOWLOON AND 44 FOR THE NEW TERRITORIES.

THEY INCLUDED TWO CHURCHES AT BASEL ROAD AND IN FANLING, TWO SCHOOLS AT NAM FUNG ROAD AND SYCAMORE STREET, A HOTEL AT CANTON ROAD AND A BUS DEPOT IN TUEN MUN NEW TOWN.

THE DECLARED COST OF ALL NEW BUILDINGS COMPLETED IN JANUARY WAS $430.6 MILLION, COMPARED WITH $512.9 IN DECEMBER LAST YEAR.

DURING THE MONTH, THE TOTAL USABLE FLOOR AREA OF NEW BUILDINGS COMPLETED AMOUNTED TO 194 250.5 SQUARE METRES, COMPRISING 123 838.4 SQUARE METRES OF NON-DOMESTIC FLOOR AREA AND 70 412.1 SQUARE METRES OF DOMESTIC FLOOR AREA.

THE BUILDINGS ORDINANCE OFFICE ALSO GAVE CONSENT FOR WORK TO START ON 60 PROJECTS, INCLUDING A CHURCH AT WATERLOO ROAD, A CHILDREN’S HOME IN SHEUNG SHU I, TWO SEWAGE PUMPING STATIONS ON LANTAU ISLAND.

ALTOGETHER, 55 NEWLY COMPLETED BUILDINGS WERE CERTIFIED FOR XCUPATION IN JANUARY, INCLUDING THREE ELECTRICITY SUB-STATIONS AT MAN CHEONG STREET, HING CHEUNG ROAD AND IN TAI PO NEW TOWN, EXTENSION TO A SOCIAL SERVICE CENTRE AT THE JUNCTION OF WO Yl HOP ROAD AND TAI LOONG STREET, KWAI CHUNG, ONE BLOCK OF LOW COST HOUSING IN TAI HANG SAI, A CLINIC AT WONG NAI CHUNG ROAD AND TWO PEDESTRIAN BRIDGES ACROSS DES VOEUX ROAD CENTRAL.

THE OFFICE ALSO AGREED TO THE DEMOLITION OF 95 BUILDINGS.

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

WOMAN AT THE TOP OF WATCH TOWER

*****

ANOTHER MALE BASTION IN HONG KONG HAS FALLEN, AND WITH IT THAT ONCE PROUD HE-MAN IMAGE OF LIFEGUARDS.

BUT NO ONE — LEAST OF ALL THAT ELITE GROUP OF MEN WATCHING OVER OUR SAFETY AT BEACHES AND POOLS -- SEEMED TO MIND WHEN PETITE LEUNG KAM-CHUN TOOK HER PLACE ON THE LIFEGUARD WATCH TOWER AT THE KWAI CHUNG PUBLIC SWIMMING POOL COMPLEX.

MISS LEUNG IS THE FIRST WOMAN ACCEPTED INTO THAT CIRCLE OF SWIMMING POOL LIFEGUARDS.

INNER

SHE RECENTLY JOINED THE NEW TERRITORIES SERVICES DEPARTMENT WITH A STRING OF QUALIFICATIONS AND CERTIFICATES IN LIFE SAVING, AN INTERMEDIATE STAR, -- THE BRONZE MEDALLION, A BRONZE CROSS, AND A VALID FIRST-AID CERTIFICATE. SHE ALSO HOLDS AN INSTRUCTOR CERTIFICATE FROM THE HONG KONG LIFEGUARD CLUB.

SHE ALSO CAME EQUIPPED WITH THE NECESSARY PRACTICAL EXPERIENCE, HAVING BEEN A PART-TIME LIFEGUARD ON VARIOUS GAZETTED BEACHES IN THE NEW TERRITORIES BETWEEN 1973 AND 1974.

9

- 6

LEGAL STRENGTH FOR AMS

* * * *

THE 6 OOO-STRONG AUXILIARY MEDICAL SERVICE (AMS), WHICH IS ALWAYS AT THE SCENE OF EMERGENCIES AND DISASTERS, HAVE MEMBERS COMING NOT ONLY FROM THE MEDICAL, NURSING AND PARA-MEDICAL PROFESSIONS BUT ALSO FROM THE LEGAL FIELD.

THE LAWYERS, IN THEIR OWN WAY, ARE KEY FIGURES BEHIND THE SCENE PROMOTING THE WORK OF THE SERVICE WHICH HAS SAVED HUNDREDS OF LIVES AND TENDED TO THE INJURED IN THE LAST 30 YEARS.

AS MEMBERS OF ITS PUBLICITY AND PUBLIC RELATIONS SECTION, THEY ALSO GIVE VALUABLE FREE LEGAL ADVICE TO THEIR FELLOW VOLUNTEERS IN THE SERVICE.

THE SECTION NOW HAS A STRENGTH OF 60 MEMBERS, WHO ARE EITHER LAWYERS OR DOCTORS IN GOVERNMENT OR PRIVATE PRACTICE, AS WELL AS NURSES AND PARA-MEDICALS.

LIKE THEIR COLLEAGUES IN THE SERVICE, LAWYER MEMBERS OF THE SECTION ARE ALSO REQUIRED TO RECEIVE BASIC INSTRUCTIONS, WHICH INCLUDE FIRST AID TRAINING AND A BASIC AUXILIARY DRESSERS COURSE.

THEIR UNIT IS RESPONSIBLE FOR ARRANGING PUBLICITY PROGRAMMES OF THE SERVICE, TO KEEP THE PUBLIC INFORMED OF AMS ACTIVITIES THROUGH NEWSPAPERS, TELEVISION AND RADIO.

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

BRITISH COMPOSER TO LECTURE ON MUSIC ******

A VISITING BRITISH MUSIC COMPOSER AND LECTURER, MRS EILEEN DIAMOND WILL BE GIVING DEMONSTRATION LECTURES TO TEACHERS ON MARCH 24 AND APRIL 3.

MRS DIAMOND STUDIED AT THE ROYAL COLLEGE OF MUSIC IN LONDON. SHE WRITES REGULARLY FOR THE +PLAY SCHOOL+, A MUSICAL PROGRAMME FOR CHILDREN ON BBC, AND ONE OF HER MUSICAL STORIES WAS RECENTLY MADE INTO A FEATURE FILM.

THE FIRST LECTURE, ORGANISED BY THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT’S SPECIAL EDUCATION SECTION FOR MUSIC TEACHERS IN SPECIAL SCHOOLS AND SPECIAL CLASSES, WILL BE ON MARCH 24 AT THE KOWLOON SPECIAL EDUCATION SERVICES CENTRE, PERTH STREET, KOWLOON.

TEACHERS WISHING TO ATTEND THIS LECTURE SHOULD APPLY BEFORE MARCH 13 TO THE PRINCIPAL EDUCATION OFFICER, SPECIAL EDUCATION SECTION, EDUCATION DEPARTMENT, LEE GARDENS, HONG KONG.

TWO LECTURES ON APRIL 3 FOR MUSIC TEACHERS OF PRIMARY 1 AND 2, AND STUDENT-TEACHERS FROM THE COLLEGES OF EDUCATION WILL BE AT THE GRANTHAM COLLEGE OF EDUCATION, GASCOIGNE ROAD, KOWLOON.

TEACHERS WISHING TO ATTEND THESE LECTURES SHOULD APPLY BEFORE MARCH 25 TO THE PRINCIPAL INSPECTOR OF THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT’S MUSIC SECTION, THE ORGANISER OF THE EVENTS.

THE MUSIC SECTION IS AT CAROLINE MANSION, 4TH FLOOR, 8 YUN PING ROAD, CAUSEWAY BAY, HONG KONG.

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

SUNDAY, MARCH 8, 1981

7

ROAD CLOSURES IN ABERDEEN AND KOWLOON

* N * *

OCEAN PARK ROAD IN ABERDEEN WILL BE CLOSED TO TRAFFIC FROM 10.30 AM ON TUESDAY (MARCH 10) TO FACILITATE THE IMPLEMENTATION OF PART OF THE FINAL ROAD NETWORK FOR THE SOUTHERN APPROACH TO ABERDEEN TUNNEL, THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCED TODAY.

A NEW PERMANENT ACCESS WILL BE PROVIDED VIA A NEW OVERPASS AND ASSOCIATED GROUND LEVEL SLIP ROADS RUNNING BETWEEN THE TWO ABERDEEN SPORTS GROUNDS AND ACROSS WONG CHUK HANG ROAD.

WONG CHUK HANG ROAD WILL BE REVERTED TO A DUAL CARRIAGEWAY ROAD FOR ALL THROUGH TRAFFIC.

IN KOWLOON, THE WESTBOUND LANE ON ARGYLE STREET BETWEEN TAK KU LING ROAD AND FU NING STREET WILL ALSO BE CLOSED TO TRAFFIC FROM ID PM ON TUESDAY TO 6 AM THE FOLLOWING DAY.

THIS IS TO FACILITATE MAINTENANCE WORK ON THE FLYOVER SYSTEM.

APPROPRIATE TRAFFIC SIGNS WILL BE ERECTED TO GUIDE MOTORISTS.

- - 0 - -

DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN

ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE. HONG KONG. TEL: 5-233191

MONDAY, MARCH 9, 1981

’HONG KONG IS NO TAX HAVEN, • SIR PHILIP................. 1

TRADE PRICE AND VOLUME CHANGES IN 1980................... 2

CIVIL SERVANTS’ FINANCE ADVISORY OFFICE TO OPEN ON THURSDAY......................................... 4

TEXTILE AGREEMENT WITH SWEDEN............................ 5

FEBRUARY WAS WARM AND MISTY.............................. 5

RECRUITMENT DRIVE FOR PRISON OFFICERS ................... 7

GDT MEMBERS WORK FOR COMMUNITY HYGIENE................... 7

LIBRARY RESOURCES SEMINAR FOR TEACHERS .................. 8

SAI KUNG CHILDREN’S CHOIR TO HOLD CELEBRATION CONCERT ................................................. 9

MORE SPACE TO RELAX

9

MONDAY, MARCH 9, 1981

1

♦HONG KONG IS NO TAX HAVEN,♦ SIR PHILIP

* * * X

HONG KONG HAS NO INTENTION WHATSOEVER OF ADAPTING ITS REVENUE LAWS SPECIFICALLY TO ATTRACT PARTICULAR TYPES OF BUSINESS OR INVESTMENT, THE DEPUTY TO THE GOVERNOR, SIR PHILIP HADDON-CAVE, SAID TODAY (MONDAY).

♦WE HAVE ALWAYS RESISTED SPECIAL PLEADINGS TO ABANDON OUR NON-DISCRIMINATORY APPROACH AND INTEND TO GO ON AVOIDING PREFERENTIAL FISCAL DISTORTIONS AND, I WOULD ADD, OTHER DISTORTIONS AS WELL,+ HE TOLD THE OPENING SESSION OF THE HONG KONG INVESTMENT SEMINAR 1981.

SIR PHILIP WAS ADDRESSING THE SEMINAR, ORGANISED BY THE WORLD MONEY SEMINARS LTD, IN HIS CAPCITY AS FINANCIAL SECRETARY.

AS FAR AS HE WAS CONCERNED, HONG KONG IS NO TAX HAVEN.

♦WE MAY HAVE A NARROWLY BASED SYSTEM OF DIRECT TAXES WITH LOW RATES OF CHARGE, BUT THAT IS VERY DIFFERENT FROM THE NO-TAX SYSTEM OF REAL TAX HAVENS,+ HE SAID.

EXPLAINING WHY HE FELT SENSITIVE WHEN HONG KONG IS DESCRIBED AS A TAX HAVEN, SIR PHILIP SAID : +THAT PHRASE HAS SUCH A PEJORATIVE RING TO IT.

THIS PLACE IS NEITHER A HAPPY HUNTING GROUND FOR TAX LAWYERS AND ACCOUNTANTS DEVISING SCHEMES TO SHELTER THEIR CLIENTS’ INCOME (AND ASSETS) FROM A HOSTILE FISCAL ADMINISTRATION- NOR IS IT A COCONUT ISLAND FISCAL PARADISE WITH BRASS PLATES CONSPICUOUSLY DISPLAYED.+

THE TOUCHSTONE OF THE LIABILITY TO TAX IN HONG KONG, HE SAID, IS ECONOMIC ACTIVITY HERE (FOR EXAMPLE, EMPLOYMENT OR THE CARRYING ON OF BUSINESS) AND NOT THE TAXPAYER’S PLACE OF RESIDENCE.

♦IN A SITUATION IN WHICH PUBLIC EXPENDITURE HAS INCREASED BY NINE TIMES OVER THE PAST 10 YEARS WITHOUT RECOURSE TO DEBT AND OUR FISCAL RESERVES (NET OF COVER FOR CONTINGENT LIABILITIES) STAND PRESENTLY AT OVER 40 PER CENT OF EXPENDITURE BUDGETED FOR IN 1981-82, WE OBVIOUSLY HAVE A FISCAL SYSTEM AND ONE WHICH IS PRODUCTIVE OF REVENUE.*

REFERRING TO DIRECT TAXES WHICH CONTRIBUTE 45 PER CENT TO RECURRENT REVENUE, SIR PHILIP NOTED, +WE HAVE A SCHEDULAR SYSTEM ..... THAT IS TO SAY, WE DO NOT AGGREGATE, EXCEPT WHEN

TAXPAYERS OPT FOR THE ADVANTAGES OF PERSONAL ASSESSMENT. SO SALARIES, PROFITS, INTEREST AND INCOME FROM PROPERTY ARE TAXED SEPARATELY.♦

♦EACH OF OUR FOUR EARNINGS AND PROFITS TAXS IS BASED ON A TERRITORIAL SOURCE, NOT A RESIDENCE, CRITER ION,♦ HE SAID.

♦WE SEEK TO ENSURE THAT THE TAX SYSTEM IS AS NEUTRAL AS POSSIBLE AS REGARDS ITS EFFECTS ON THE INTERNAL COST/PRICE STRUCTURE, THE SUPPLY OF HUMAN EFFORT AND PRIVATE INVESTMENT DECISIONS.*

2

NOTE TO EDITORS!

COPIES OF SIR PHILIP’S SPEECH ARE AVAILABLE FOR COLLECTION FROM GIS PRESS ROOM.

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

TRADE PRICE AND VOLUME CHANGES IN 1980 *****

ACCORDING TO ECONOMIC STATISTICS RELEASED TODAY (MONDAY) BY THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT, THE PRICES OF DOMESTIC EXPORTS AND OF IMPORTS ROSE IN 1980 BY 10 PER CENT AND 9 PER CENT RESPECTIVELY OVER 1979.

AS A RESULT, THE TERMS OF TRADE INDEX (EXPRESSED AS A RATIO OF THE DOMESTIC EXPORT PRICE INDEX TO THE IMPORT PRICE INDEX) IMPROVED SLIGHTLY, BY 1 PER CENT. A LARGER INCREASE IN VOLUME WAS REGISTERED FOR IMPORTS (+19%) THAN FOR DOMESTIC EXPORTS (+11%). ON THE OTHER HAND, THE PRICES OF RE-EXPORTS INCREASED BY 10 PER CENT, WITH VOLUME UP BY 37 PER CENT, SO THAT FOR TOTAL EXPORTS, PRICES ROSE BY 10 PER CENT AND VOLUME BY 18 PER CENT.

PRICES ARE BASED ON UNIT VALUES WHICH DO NOT TAKE INTO ACCOUNT CHANGES IN THE COMPOSITION OR QUALITY OF GOODS TRADED. CHANGES IN THE VOLUME OF TRADE ARE DERIVED FROM CHANGES IN TRADE VALUES, AFTER DISCOUNTING THE EFFECT OF PRICE CHANGES.

THE CHANGES IN THE VALUES, UNIT VALUES AND VOLUMES OF DOMESTIC EXPORTS BY COMMODITY GROUP ARE SHOWN BELOW:

CHANGES COMPARING 1980 WITH 1979

EXPORT VALUES EXPORT UNIT VALUES EXPORT VOLUMES

CLOTHING (EXCEPT FUR) + 16% + 11% + 4%

TEXTILE FABRICS + 11% + 6% + 5%

TEXTILE YARN AND THREAD + 9% + 7% + 2%

TEXTILE MADE-UPS AND RELATED ARTICLES + 15% + 12% ♦ 3%

ALL TRANSISTORIZED RADIOS + 30% + 5% ♦ 23%

ELECTRONIC COMPONENTS + 45% + 13% + 28%

FOOTWEAR + 20% + 10% + 10%

METAL MANUFACTURES ♦ 33% + 17% + 13%

METAL ORES AND SCRAP +108% + 11% + 88%

WATCHES AND CLOCKS + 44% - 6% + 54%

ALL COMMODITIES + 22% + 10% + 11%

MONDAY, MABCH 9, 1981

3

APART FROM A DECLINE OF 6 PER CENT FOR WATCHES AND CLOCKS, THE EXPORT PRICES OF THE MAJOR COMMODITY GROUPS INCREASED AT VARYING RATES, FROM A 5 PER CENT INCREASE FOR RADIOS TO A 17 PER CENT INCREASE FOR METAL MANUFACTURES.

CONSIDERABLE GROWTH IN THE VOLUME OF DOMESTIC EXPORTS WAS NOTED FOR METAL ORES AND SCRAP (+88%) AS WELL AS WATCHES AND CLOCKS (+54%).

POSITIVE, THOUGH SMALL, GROWTH RATES WERE REGISTERED IN THE EXPORT VOLUMES OF CLOTHING AND TEXTILES.

BY MARKET, EXPORT VOLUMES TO THE U.S. AND THE F.R. OF GERMANY INCREASED BY 10 PER CENT AND 6 PER CENT RESPECTIVELY, WHILE THE EXPORT VOLUME TO THE U.K. GREW MARGINALLY BY LESS THAN 1 PER CENT.

SIGNIFICANT INCREASES IN VOLUME WERE RECORDED FOR DOMESTIC EXPORTS OF ELECTRONIC COMPONENTS TO THE U.S. (+35%), FOOTWEAR TO THE F.R. OF GERMANY (+47%) AND ELECTRONIC COMPONENTS TO THE U.K. (+54%).

THE CHANGES IN THE VALUES, UNIT VALUES AND VOLUMES OF IMPORTS BY END-USE CATEGORY ARE SHOWN BELOWi

CHANGES COMPARING 1980 WITH 1979

IMPORT IMPORT UNIT IMPORT

VALUES VALUES VOLUMES

FOODSTUFFS + 21% + 10% ♦ 10%

CONSUMER GOODS + 37% + 2% + 35%

FUELS ♦ 62% + 49% + 9%

RAW MATERIALS AND

SEMI-MANUFACTURES + 24% + 9% + 13%

CAPITAL GOODS + 32% ♦ 7% ♦ 24%

ALL COMMODITIES + 30% + 9% + 19%

WITH THE EXCEPTION OF FUELS, THE PRICES OF WHICH JUMPED BY

49 PER CENT, THE PRICES OF IMPORTS BY END-USE CATEGORY INCREASED

MODERATELY, RANGING FROM 1 2 PER CENT FOR CONSUMER GOODS TO 10 PER

CENT FOR FOODSTUFFS.

MOST IMPORTED FOODSTUFFS ROSE IN VOLUME TERMS, THE MORE SIGNIFICANT ONES BEING LIVE POULTRY AS WELL AS MEAT AND MEAT PREPARATIONS. ON THE OTHER HAND, THE IMPORT VOLUMES OF WHEAT AND FLOUR FELL.

IN THE CONSUMER GOODS CATEGORY, SIGNIFICANT INCREASES IN IMPORT VOLUME WERE REGISTERED FOR CLOTHING, RADIOS, TELEVISION SETS, GRAMOPHONES, RECORDS AND TAPE RECORDERS, HOUSEHOLD ELECTRICAL EQUIPMENT, FOOTWEAR AND PASSENGER MOTOR CARS. THE IMPORT VOLUME CF ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES DECLINED.

/lltPORTS OF ....

MONDAY, MABCH 9» 1981

4

IMPORTS OF FUELS INCREASED BY 9 PER CENT IN VOLUME TERMS.

THE IMPORT VOLUMES OF MOST RAW MATERIALS AND SEMI-MANUFACTURES ROSE, THE MORE SIGNIFICANT ONES BEING WOOLLEN YARN, WOOLLEN AND ANIMAL HAIR, COTTON YARN AND THREAD, CLAY AND REFRACTORY CONSTRUCTION MATERIALS, BASE METALS AND FABRICS OF MAN-MADE FIBRES. ON THE OTHER HAND, IMPORT DEMAND FOR DYEING, TANNING AND COLOURING MATERIALS, CHEMICAL ELEMENTS AND COMPOUNDS,.AND PLASTIC MOULDING MATERIALS DECLINED.

AS FOR CAPITAL GOODS, MAJOR INCREASES IN IMPORT VOLUME WERE RECORDED FOR TRANSPORT EQUIPMENT AND ELECTRICAL MACHINERY.

THE CHANGES IN THE VALUES, UNIT VALUES AND VOLUMES OF RE-EXPORTS BY END-USE CATEGORY ARE SHOWN BELOW!

CHANGES COMPARING 1980 WITH 1979

RE-EXPORT RE-EXPORT RE-EXPORT

VALUES UNIT VALUES VOLUMES

FOODSTUFFS + 21% + 5% + 15%

CONSUMER GOODS + 52% 6% + 43%

FUELS + 48% + 54% - 4%

RAW MATERIALS AND SEMI-MANUFACTURES ♦ 53% + 13% ♦ 36%

CAPITAL GOODS + 50% + 10% + 37%

ALL COMMODITIES + 50% 10% + 37%

APART FROM FUELS, THE RE-EXPORT VOLUME OF WHICH DECLINED BY 4 PER CENT, THE RE-EXPORT VOLUME OF CONSUMER GOODS, RAW MATERIALS AND SEMI-MANUFACTURES, AND CAPITAL GOODS ALL SHOWED SUBSTANTIAL INCREASES (AT 43%, 36% AND 37% RESPECTIVELY). RE-EXPORTS OF FOODSTUFFS ALSO INCREASED BY 15 PER CENT IN VOLUME.

CIVIL SERVANTS’ FINANCE ADVISORY OFFICE TO OPEN ON THURSDAY ******

THE CIVIL SERVANTS’ FINANCE ADVISORY OFFICE — AN INDEPENDENT OFFICE SET UP TO ASSIST INDEBTED CIVIL SERVANTS TO RESOLVE THEIR FINANCIAL DIFFICULTIES — WILL OPEN ON THURSDAY (MARCH 12).

ITS MAIN FUNCTIONS ARE TO ARRANGE FOR INDIVIDUAL CIVIL SERVANTS TO OBTAIN ADVICE ON THEIR FINANCIAL PROBLEMS, AND ARRANGING FOR THE REFINANCING OF DEBTS BY MEANS OF LOANS FROM ONE OF THE VARIOUS BANKS OR DEPOSIT-TAKING COMPANIES PARTICIPATING IN THE REFINANCING SCHEME.

/DDA1INGS BHTnEEN ....

MONDAY, MARCH 9, 1981

5

DEALINGS BETWEEN THE OFFICE AND INDIVIDUAL OFFICERS WILL BE CONFIDENTIAL.

OFFICERS WISHING TO MAKE USE OF THIS SERVICE MAY OBTAIN COPIES OF A PAMPHLET +A GUIDE TO THE REFINANCING SCHEME FOR CIVIL SERVANTS* FROM ANY CITY DISTRICT OFFICE OR NEW TERRITORIES DISTRICT OFFICE ENQUIRY COUNTER.

ENQUIRIES AND APPLICATIONS FOR THE VARIOUS SERVICES OFFERED MAY BE MADE TO THE KOWLOON BRANCH OFFICE OPENING ON THURSDAY (MARCH 12) AT ROOMS 1001-1002, 10TH FLOOR, TSIM SHA TSUI CENTRE, WEST WING, TSIM SHA TSUI EAST (TEL. 3-699373) OR THE HONG KONG BRANCH OFFICE WHICH WILL OPEN ON THURSDAY, APRIL 2 ON 8TH FLOOR, CAPITOL CENTRE, JARDINE’S BAZAAR, CAUSEWAY BAY (TEL. 5-765667).

-------0

TEXTILE AGREEMENT WITH SWEDEN *****

DETAILS OF A TWO-YEAR AGREEMENT BETWEEN HONG KONG AND SWEDEN, WHICH WILL REPLACE THE CURRENT TEXTILE RESTRAINT AGREEMENT, WILL BE REPORTED TO NEXT THURSDAY’S (MARCH 12) MEETING OF THE TEXTILES ADVISORY BOARD.

A SPOKESMAN FOR THE TRADE INDUSTRY AND CUSTOMS DEPARTMENT SAID IT WAS HOPED THAT THE TRADE WOULD BE ADVISED OF THE DETAILS NEXT FRIDAY.

THE NEW AGREEMENT WAS REACHED IN GENEVA LAST WEEK FOLLOWING FOUR DAYS OF NEGOTIATION BY THE HONG KONG DELEGATION LED BY COMMISSIONER OF TRADE, MR PETER TSAO.

THE CURRENT TWO-YEAR AGREEMENT EXPIRES AT THE END OF THIS MONTH.

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

FEBRUARY WAS WARM AND MISTY * * * *

FEBRUARY WAS MARKED BY WARM AND MISTY DAYS, ACCORDING TO THE z2nIn.^WEATHER SUMMARY ISSUED BY THE ROYAL OBSERVATORY TODAY (MONDAY).

normalNraInfall ™E seventh consecutive month with below

THIS WINTER HAS BEEN QUITE M|LD WITH TMF MF an tcmdcdathdc from DECEMBER 1980 TO FEBRUARY 1981 BE NG 17% rnSn

THE SIXTH HIGHEST ON RECORD f6r THE SAME^PERIOD CELSIUS,

ulcul-It!E .MEAN TEMPERATURE OF 17.6 DEGREES CELSIUS WAS thp siytu

/FEBRUARY'S BAINFat.t,

WKDAY, MARCH 9, 1981


FEBRUARY’S RAINFALL OF 11.8 MM WAS 30.1 MM BELOW NORMAL. TOTAL RAINFALL FOR THE LAST THREE MONTHS AMOUNTED TO ONLY 12.5 MM MAKING THE PERIOD THE FOURTH LOWEST ON RECORD FOR THE THREE-MONTH PERIOD.

DURING THE MONTH, THERE WERE 17 MISTY DAYS AND COASTAL FOG WAS REPORTED ON NINE OF THESE DAYS. A TOTAL OF 90.1 HOURS OF SUNSHINE WAS RECORDED, WHICH WAS 18.6 HOURS BELOW NORMAL.

APART FROM SOME MORNING MIST, THE WEATHER WAS SUNNY ON THE FIRST TWO DAYS OF THE MONTH. IT BECAME COOLER WHEN A COLD FRONT ARRIVED IN THE AFTERNOON OF FEBRUARY 3 CAUSING FRESHENING NORTHERLY WINDS AND A TRACE OF RAIN ON THE FOLLOWING MORNING.

DURING THE LUNAR NEW YEAR (FEBRUARY 5 AND 6), FINE AND SUNNY WEATHER WAS EXPERIENCED BUT THE PASSAGE OF ANOTHER COLD FRONT ON THE EVENING OF FEBRUARY 6 BROUGHT BACK NORTHERLY WINDS AND RAIN.

CLOUDY WEATHER PERSISTED THE NEXT DAY BUT IT BECAME MILD AND SUNNY BETWEEN FEBRUARY 8 AND 11.

ON FEBRUARY 12, THERE WAS A TRACE OF RAIN AND SOME MIST FORMED ON THE FOLLOWING MORNING. THE MISTY SPELL PERSISTED UNTIL FEBRUARY 25, WHILE COASTAL FOG WAS REPORTED ON EIGHT DAYS DURING THIS PERIOD.

FOG WAS WIDESPREAD ON FEBRUARY 14 AND THE VISIBILITY AT HONG KONG AIRPORT WAS REDUCED TO 600 METRES AROUND 6 AM.

BUT DESPITE SOME EARLY MORNING DRIZZLE THAT DAY, IT TURNED OUT TO BE SUNNY AND WARM LATER ON WHEN THE TEMPERATURE ROSE TO A MAXIMUM OF 25.3 DEGREES CELSIUS WHICH WAS THE HIGHEST TEMPERATURE OF THE MONTH.

IT BECAME CLOUDY ON FEBRUARY 15 AND WAS DULL WITH RAIN BETWEEN FEBRUARY 16 AND 22.

A COLD FRONT DURING THE MORNING OF FEBRUARY 17 BROUGHT COOLER WEATHER, BUT WIDESPREAD MIST PERSISTED. ON FEBRUARY 19 AND 20, VISIBILITY AT TAI 0 AND CHEK LAP KOK WAS REDUCED TO 20 METRES AND 300 METRES RESPECTIVELY.

ON FEBRUARY 24, AN INTENSE COLD FRONT PASSED HONG KONG AROUND NOON BRINGING FRESH EASTERLY WINDS, OVERCAST SKIES AND RAIN. WINDS TURNED NORTHERLY ON THE FOLLOWING DAY AND TEMPERATURES DROPPED. THE MINIMUM TEMPERATURE OF 9.5 DEGREES CELSIUS RECORDED ON FEBRUARY 27 WAS THE LOWEST THIS WINTER.

THE WEATHER REMAINED OVERCAST WITH OCCASIONAL RAIN AND MIST UNTIL THE END OF THE MONTH.

DURING THE MONTH, FOUR AIRCRAFT WERE DIVERTED FROM HONG KONG DUE TO FOG. THE YELLOW FIRE DANGER WARNING WAS IN EFFECT ON 11 DAYS WHILE THE RED FIRE DANGER WARNING WAS EFFECTIVE ON FOUR DAYS.

---- . o - - - -

/7 .......

MONDAY, MARCH 9, 1981

- 1 -

RECRUITMENT DRIVE FOR PRISON OFFICERS M * * * * M

THE PRISONS DEPARTMENT WILL STAGE A DISPLAY AND VARIETY SHOW IN KWAI CHUNG TOMORROW (TUESDAY) AS PART OF ITS RECRUITMENT DRIVE FOR ASSISTANT OFFICERS II.

IT WILL BE HELD AT THE OPEN GROUND NEXT TO THE KWAI WING ROAD PEDESTRIAN FLYOVER BETWEEN 5 PM AND 6.30 PM.

PROGRAMMES WILL INCLUDE A PHOTOGRAPHIC DISPLAY OF THE DEPARTMENT’S CORRECTIONAL WORK AND PERFORMANCES BY POPULAR ENTERTAINMENT GROUPS AND TELEVISION ARTISTES.

PRISON OFFICERS WILL BE PRESENT TO ANSWER ENQUIRIES FROM VISITORS AT A MOBILE RECRUITMENT CENTRE WHERE APPLICATIONS TO JOIN WILL ALSO BE ACCEPTED.

APPLICANTS SHOULD BE PHYSICALLY FIT, PREFERABLY UNDER 35 YEARS OF AGE AND WITH SECONDARY EDUCATION.

THE STARTING SALARY FOR ASSISTANT OFFICERS II VARIES FROM $1 870 TO 12 065, DEPENDING ON QUALIFICATIONS.

SUCCESSFUL APPLICANTS WILL UNDERGO A ONE-YEAR TRAINING PROGRAMME, INCLUDING FIELD TRAINING AT THE DEPARTMENT’S CORRECTIONAL INSTITUTIONS.

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

GDT MEMBERS WORK FOR COMMUNITY HYGIENE

* Ml * K

GENERAL DUTIES TEAM MEMBERS OF THE URBAN SERVICES DEPARTMENT CARRY OUT THEIR JOBS TO ACHIEVE LONG-TERM OBJECTIVES FOR THE BENEFIT OF THE COMMUNITY, THE ASSISTANT DIRECTOR (SOUTH REGION) OF THE NEW TERRITORIES SERVICES DEPARTMENT, MR JAMES WILSON, SAID TODAY (MONDAY).

THESE OBJECTIVES, HE SAID, ARE TO ENSURE THAT ALL FOODSTUFFS ARE SOLD IN SAFE AND HYGIENIC CONDITIONS, AND ALL STREETS AND PUBLIC AREAS ARE KEPT CLEAN AND FREE OF OBSTRUCTIONS.

MR WILSON WAS SPEAKING AT THE GRADUATION CEREMONY AT THE CITY HALL THEATRE FOR 430 GENERAL DUTIES TEAM MEMBERS WHO COMPLETED A FIVE-WEEK BASIC TRAINING COURSE.

IN THE LONG-TERM, HE SAID, THEIR CONTRIBUTION IS ESSENTIAL FOR THE IMPROVEMENT OF THE ENVIRONMENT AND IN MAKING HONG KONG A BETTER PLACE TO LIVE IN.

♦MORE TANGIBLE AND IMMEDIATE ARE THE SMALL-SCALE IMPROVEMENTS TO LIVING CONDITIONS IN INDIVIDUAL STREETS AND THOROUGHFARES, ♦ M? WILSON SAID.

/iS THIS ....

MONDAY, MARCH 9, 1981

8

IN THIS RESPECT, GDT MEMBERS HAD A KEY ROLE TO PLAY IN THE COMING +CLEAN HONG KONG CAMPAIGN* TO BE LAUNCHED IN OCTOBER THIS YEAR, HE SAID.

ON DEVELOPMENT IN THE NEW TERRITORIES, MR WILSON SAID IT WAS THE INTENTION TO PROVIDE ADEQUATE MARKETING, RESTAURANT AND COOKED-FOOD PREMISES IN THE OVERALL LAYOUT OF THE NEW TOWNS SUCH AS TUEN MUN, SHA TIN AND TSUEN WAN.

♦WE HAVE ALSO BEEN SET THE ADDITIONAL TARGET OF KEEPING THE STREETS COMPLETELY FREE OF HAWKERS,♦ HE SAID.

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

LIBRARY RESOURCES SEMINAR FOR TEACHERS

* * * *

THREE HUNDRED SECONDARY SCHOOL TEACHERS AND TEACHER-LIBRARIANS WILL BE ATTENDING A TWO-DAY SEMINAR ON LIBRARY-ASSISTED TEACHING AND LEARNING ON WEDNESDAY AND THURSDAY (MARCH 11 AND 12).

THE SEMINAR WILL INTRODUCE TEACHERS TO THE WAYS AND MEANS CF MAKING THE BEST POSSIBLE USE OF SCHOOL LIBRARY RESOURCES FOR TEACHING AND LEARNING.

TALKS WILL BE DELIVERED ON THE ROLE OF THE SCHOOL LIBRARY IN EDUCATION, THE VALUE OF BASIC LIBRARY SKILLS, NEW TRENDS IN RESOURCE-BASED LEARNING, AND THE AIMS AND METHODS OF LIBRARY-ASSISTED TEACHING AND LEARNING.

A DISPLAY OF THE WORKS BY TEACHER-LIBRARIANS AND A BOOK EXHIBITION WILL ALSO BE HELD. MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC ARE WELCOME TO THE EXHIBITION.

THE SEMINAR HAS BEEN ORGANISED BY THE LIBRARY SECTION OF THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT’S ADVISORY INSPECTORATE, AND WILL BE HELD AT GRANTHAM COLLEGE OF EDUCATION, GASCOIGNE ROAD, KOWLOON FROM 10 AM TO 4.30 PM ON BOTH DAYS.

MRS LOUISE MOK, DEPUTY CHIEF INSPECTOR OF SCHOOLS, WILL OFFICIATE AT THE OPENING OF THE SEMINAR AT 9.45 AM ON MARCH 11.

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

/? ........

MONDAY, MARCH 9, 1981

9

SAI KUNG CHILDREN’S CHOIR TO HOLD CELEBRATION CONCERT ******

THE SAI KUNG CHILDREN’S CHOIR IS TO CELEBRATE ITS FIRST ANNIVERSARY BY HOLDING A CONCERT ON MARCH 22 AT TSUEN WAN TOWN HALL.

THE CHOIR, WHICH HAS ABOUT 160 MEMBERS AGED FROM SIX TO 14. WAS INAUGURATED LAST MARCH TO ENCOURAGE MUSICAL TALENT AND TO PROVIDE MORE RECREATIONAL OUTLETS FOR LOCAL CHILDREN.

THE CELEBRATION CONCERT IS BEING ORGANISED WITH THE HELP OF THE DISTRICT OFFICE, THE DISTRICT ADVISORY BOARD, SAI KUNG AND HANG HAU RURAL COMMITTEES AND THE MUSIC OFFICE.

THE CHOIR WILL PERFORM SIX ITEMS, INCLUDING THE +SAI KUNG SUITE+ WHICH WILL BE STAGED FOR THE FIRST TIME. THE SUITE INTRODUCES THE 82 VILLAGES OF SAI KUNG AND THE MAIN FEATURES OF THE DI STR ICT.

OTHER ITEMS IN THE ONE-AND-A-HALF-HOUR PROGRAMME WILL INCLUDE CHINESE AND WESTERN SONGS, HAKKA FOLK SONGS AND A CHILDREN’S OPERA.

BEFORE THE CONCERT STARTS THE BOARD OF CHOIR AFFAIRS WILL BE INAUGURATED TO MARK THE SUCCESSFUL REGISTRATION OF THE CHOIR AS AN INDEPENDENT BODY.

THE BOARD IS CHAIRED BY MR CHIU CHUN-BONG AND COMPOSED OF REPRESENTATIVES FROM THE DISTRICT OFFICE, THE MUSIC OFFICE, THE RURAL COMMITTEES AND COMMUNITY LEADERS.

THE NEW TERRITORIES ADMINISTRATION SENIOR STAFF OFFICER, DR RICHARD BUTLER, WILL OFFICIATE AT THE INAUGURATION, TOGETHER WITH THE SAI KUNG DISTRICT OFFICER, MR CHAN SUI-JEUNG, AND THE MUSIC ADMINISTRATOR, MRS ELIZABETH WONG.

THE CONCERT WILL START AT 3 PM.

TICKETS AT $5 AND $2 EACH ARE AVAILABLE FROM THE SAI KUNG DISTRICT OFFICE AND THE MUSIC OFFICE.

-----0-----

MORE SPACE TO RELAX

* * * *

THE PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT IS TO BUILD A SITTING-OUT AREA AT SAM KA TSUEN, LEI YUE MUN, TO PROVIDE ADDITIONAL RECREATIONAL FACILITIES FOR RESIDENTS IN THE AREA.

THE SITTING-OUT AREA WILL BE SITUATED ON THE BREAKWATER OF SAM KA TSUEN TYPHOON SHELTER AND WILL HAVE PAVILIONS, ARBOURS, FLOWER BEDS AND BENCHES.

TENDERS FOR THE WORK ARE BEING INVITED BY THE ARCHITECTURAL OFFICE OF THE PWD.

WHEN COMPLETED IN OCTOBER THIS YEAR, THE SITTING-OUT AREA WILL BE HANDED OVER TO THE URBAN COUNCIL FOR MANAGEMENT.

----0-----

DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN

ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE. HONG KONG. TEL: 5-233191

TUESDAY, MARCH 10, 1981

CONTEXTS PAGE NO.

NEW EDITION OF BEST-SELLING YEARBOOK ........................... 1

CONCERTS BY OUTSTANDING TRAINEES ................................ 2

CLEARANCE BEGINS OF ILLEGAL ADDITIONS TO TUEN MUN BUILDINGS ... 3

JUNK BAY SITE INVESTIGATION ................................ 4

LAND GRANT FOR TAI PO INDOOR SPORTS CENTRE....................... 4

TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS IN TSUEN WAN ............................... 5

WATER CUT IN TSZ WAN SHAN

5

TUESDAY, MARCH 10, 1981

1

NEW EDITION OF BEST-SELLING YEARBOOK

*****

HONG KONG’S OFFICIAL YEARBOOK - HONG KONG 1981 - WHICH TRACES SIGNIFICANT DEVELOPMENTS IN THE TERRITORY DURING THE PAST YEAR AND PRESENTS THOUSANDS OF INTERESTING NEW FACTS AND STATISTICS, GOES ON SALE TOMORROW (WEDNESDAY).

AN ESTABLISHED BEST-SELLER IN HONG KONG, THE LATEST EDITION CONTAINS 80 COLOUR PLATES, A RECORD NUMBER OF PAGES- AND IT IS SELLING AT THE UNCHANGED PRICE OF $22 A COPY.

A SPECTACULAR TWILIGHT VIEW OF THE KWAI CHUNG CONTAINER TERMINAL IS FEATURED ON THE COVER.

TO MEET THE DEMAND OF RECENT YEARS, 35 000 ENGLISH COPIES AND 13 000 CHINESE COPIES HAVE BEEN PRINTED. THE BOOK WILL BE ON SALE AT THE GOVERNMENT PUBLICATIONS CENTRE, GPO BUILDING, CONNAUGHT PLACE, CENTRAL. SUPPLIES WILL SOON BE AVAILABLE FOR SALE THROUGH CITY DISTRICT OFFICES, NEW TERRITORIES DISTRICT OFFICES AND LEADING BOOKSTORES.

♦FOR ANYONE WANTING A COMPREHENSIVE RECORD OF THE PAST YEAR, AS EXPERIENCED IN HONG KONG, THIS BOOK IS AN INDISPENSABLE SOURCE,♦ SAID A GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES SPOKESMAN.

♦THE STATISTICS AND COVERAGE MONITOR EVENTS UP TO AND INCLUDING THE END OF 1980, SO THAT BESIDES CHRONICLING THE YEAR AS IT HAPPENED, THE BOOK IS ALSO A WIDE-RANGING STATEMENT OF HONG KONG'S AIMS AND ACHIEVEMENTS AT THIS MOMENT.

♦VISUALLY, TOO, IT MAINTAINS THE VERY HIGH STANDARDS THAT ARE SET FOR THIS ANNUAL PUBLICAT ION.♦

TOPICS COVERED BY THE COLOUR SECTIONS INCLUDE THE HONG KONG IN LONDON FESTIVAL IN SEPTEMBER, THE LOCAL GOLD TRADE, TOURISM, THE SAI KUNG REGION, HONG KONG’S MEDIA ACTIVITIES AND HOUSING.

A SELECTION OF PHOTOGRAPHS DEPICTING IMPORTANT DEVELOPMENTS IN HONG KONG SINCE THE TURN OF THE CENTURY IS LINKED WITH THE OPENING CHAPTER, WHICH PRESENTS A PERSONAL VIEW OF THE TERRITORY’S FASCINATING JOURNEY THROUGH HISTORY, FROM THE POST-WAR YEARS TO THE PRESENT DAY.

WRITTEN BY A LEADING NEWSPAPER EDITOR AND AUTHOR, MR ROBIN HUTCHEON, THE CHAPTER, SAID THE SPOKESMAN, IS AN ABSORBING REVIEW OF THE TIMES, AND ONE THAT IS CERTAIN TO PROVIDE READERS WITH A CLEARER UNDERSTANDING OF THE FORCES AND EVENTS WHICH HAVE SHAPED HONG KONG INTO THE DYNAMIC ENTITY IT IS TODAY.

OTHER CHAPTERS GIVE A COMPREHENSIVE COVERAGE ON VARIOUS TOPICS SUCH AS INDUSTRY AND TRADE, POPULATION, THE ECONOMY, IMMIGRATION, PUBLIC ORDER, COMMUNICATIONS, RECREATION AND THE ARTS, THE ENVIRONMENT, AND HONG KONG’S CONSTITUTION AND ADMINISTRATION.

HONG KONG 1981 WAS PRODUCED IN ENGLISH BY THE GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES DEPARTMENT, TRANSLATED BY THE CHINESE LANGUAGE DIVISION OF THE HOME AFFAIRS DEPARTMENT, AND PRINTED BY THE GOVERNMENT PRINTER.

o - -

TUESDAY, MARCH 10, 1981

- 2 -

CONCERTS BY OUTSTANDING TRAINEES *****

TWO CONCERTS FEATURING SOME OF THE MOST PROMISING YOUNG MUSICIANS IN HONG KONG WILL BE HELD THIS WEEK.

THE CONCERTS, ORGANISED BY THE MUSIC OFFICE, WILL BE HELD AT 8 PM ON THURSDAY AND FRIDAY AT THE RECITAL HALL, HONG KONG ARTS CENTRE.

THE PERFORMERS, BETWEEN THE AGES OF 12 AND 23, ARE OUTSTANDING YOUNG MUSICIANS OR YOUTH ORCHESTRA MEMBERS TRAINED BY THE MUSIC OFFICE. THE OFFICE WAS SET UP BY THE GOVERNMENT IN OCTOBER 1977 TO RUN AN INSTRUMENTAL TRAINING SCHEME FOR THE YOUNGER GENERATION AND TO PROMOTE MUSIC AMONG THE PEOPLE.

THE TRAINING SCHEME HAS GAINED SUPPORT FROM SCHOOLS, PARENTS AND THE GENERAL PUBLIC.

AT PRESENT, 450 INSTRUMENTAL CLASSES HAVE BEEN ORGANISED FOR SOME 2 000 TRAINEES AT VARIOUS DISTRICTS ON HONG KONG ISLAND, IN KOWLOON AND THE NEW TERRITORIES.

THE STUDENTS RECEIVE ONE HOUR OF INSTRUMENTAL TUITION WITH ANOTHER HALF HOUR IN AURAL AND THEORY TRAINING EVERY WEEK. ENSEMBLE PLAYING IS ORGANISED REGULARLY TO PROVIDE THE TRAINEES WITH BASIC ORCHESTRAL TRAINING.

THE MONTHLY TUITION FEES ARE $10 FOR PRIMARY SCHOOL PUPILS AND $20 FOR SECONDARY SCHOOL STUDENTS AND THOSE UP TO THE AGE OF 23.

THE PROGRAMME FOR THE CONCERTS ON THURSDAY AND FRIDAY WILL BE A COMBINATION OF CHINESE AND WESTERN INSTRUMENTS IN BOTH SOLO AND ENSEMBLE PERFORMANCES.

MR J.M. ROWLANDS, THE SECRETARY FOR THE CIVIL SERVICE, AND MRS ROWLANDS WILL BE THE GUESTS OF HONOUR AT THE CONCERT ON FRIDAY.

THE TWO CONCERTS ARE OPEN TO THE PUBLIC. FREE ADMISSION TICKETS ARE AVAILABLE AT THE MUSIC OFFICE AND ITS SUB-OFFICES ON A FIRST-COME-FIRST-SERVED BASIS.

NOTE TO EDITORS:

MEDIA REPRESENTATIVES ARE INVITED TO ATTEND AND COVER THE CONCERT AT 8 PM ON FRIDAY, AT THE RECITAL HALL, HONG KONG ARTS CENTRE.

MR J.M. ROWLANDS, SECRETARY FOR THE CIVIL SERVICE, WILL GIVE A SPEECH WHILE MRS ROWLANDS WILL PRESENT SOUVENIRS TO PERFORMERS.

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

/3......

TUESDAY, MARCH 10, 1981

3

CLEARANCE BEGINS OF ILLEGAL ADDITIONS TO TUEN MUN BUILDINGS ft * * ft *

AN OPERATION TO CLEAR ILLEGAL ADDITIONS TO BUILDINGS IN TUEN MUN STARTED TODAY (TUESDAY).

STAFF OF THE 16-MAN ENVIRONMENTAL CONTROL UNIT OF TUEN MUN DISTRICT OFFICE WERE JOINED BY HOUSING DEPARTMENT SQUATTER CONTROL AND FIRE SERVICES DEPARTMENT PERSONNEL IN CLEARING ADDITIONS TO IWO MULTI-STOREY BUILDINGS IN CASTLE PEAK ROAD.

IN AN OPERATION LASTING SEVERAL HOURS, A NUMBER OF ILLEGAL PODIUM STRUCTURES WERE DEMOLISHED.

A SPOKESMAN FOR THE DISTRICT OFFICE SAID ACTION WOULD BE TAKEN AGAINST OTHER BUILDINGS IN TUEN MUN WHERE BREACHES IN LEASE CONDITIONS OCCURRED. UNAUTHORISED BUILDING WORK ON CROWN LAND WILL ALSO BE CLEARED.

THE ENVIRONMENTAL CONTROL UNIT WAS SET UP DISTRICT OFFICE THREE MONTHS AGO TO COMBAT THE OF LEASE CONDITION CONTRAVENTIONS.

IN TUEN MUN GROWING PROBLEM

LETTERS WERE SENT TO OWNERS AND OCCUPIERS OF BUILDINGS WHERE CONTRAVENTIONS WERE FOUND SEEKING THEIR CO-OPERATION IN CLEARING ILLEGAL EXTENSIONS AND ADDITIONS.

♦WE ARE PLEASED THAT MOST CO-OPERATED AND DEALT WITH THE ALTERATIONS THEMSELVES, BUT OTHERS IGNORED OUR APPEAL,* THE SPOKESMAN SAID.

HE SAID CLEARANCE ACTION WAS NECESSARY BECAUSE ILLEGAL EXTENSIONS WERE NOT ONLY BREACHING LEASE CONDITIONS, BUT ALSO AFFECTING VENTILATION AND COULD HINDER RESCUE OPERATIONS IN CASES OF FIRE.

♦AS THE NEW TOWN IS RAPIDLY TAKING SHAPE, IT IS ESSENTIAL TO ENFORCE CONDITIONS OF GRANT OR LEASE BEFORE THE PROBLEM BECOMES MORE DIFFICULT TO CONTROL,+ HE SAID.

TUESDAY, MARCH 10, 1981

4

JUNK BAY SITE INVESTIGATION *****

THE JUNK BAY NEW TOWN DEVELOPMENT OFFICE OF THE PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT TODAY (TUESDAY) AWARDED A |7 MILLION CONTRACT TO GAMMON (HK) LIMITED FOR SITE INVESTIGATION IN JUNK BAY.

THE CONTRACT WAS SIGNED BY MR I.M. MILLER, CHIEF ENGINEER OF THE JUNK BAY NEW TOWN DEVELOPMENT OFFICE, AND REPRESENTATIVES OF THE COMPANY.

COMMENTING ON THE CONTRACT, MR MILLER SAID THE PRESENT INTENTION WAS TO DEVELOP A TOWN WITH A POPULATION OF ABOUT 300 000 PEOPLE IN JUNK BAY.

THE SITE INVESTIGATION IS REQUIRED FOR INPUT TO A STUDY BEING CARRIED OUT BY THE CONSULTANTS TO REVIEW THE FEASIBILITY OF JUNK BAY URBAN DEVELOPMENT AND TO FORMULATE AN OUTLINE PLAN AND PROGRAMME FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF JUNK BAY NEW TOWN.

WORK ON THE CONTRACT, WHICH WILL TAKE ABOUT SEVEN MONTHS TO COMPLETE, WILL COMPRISE LAND AND MARINE SITE INVESTIGATION IN JUNK BAY.

THE CONTRACT HAS BEEN PREPARED AND THE WORK WILL BE SUPERVISED BY MAUNSELL CONSULTANTS ASIA ON BEHALF OF THE NEW TERRITORIES DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT OF PWD.

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

NOTE TO EDITORSi

LAND GRANT FOR TAI

PO INDOOR SPORTS CENTRE * * * *

THE SECRETARY FOR THE NEW TERRITORIES, MR DAVID AKERS-JONES, WILL SIGN PRIVATE TREATY GRANT DOCUMENTS ON THURSDAY (MARCH 12) GRANTING A 2 700 SQUARE METRE SITE IN TAI PO TOWN CENTRE TO THE TAI PO SPORTS ASSOCIATION TO BUILD A >12 MILLION INDOOR SPORTS CENTRE.

YOU ARE INVITED TO SEND REPRESENTATIVES TO COVER THE SIGNING WHICH WILL TAKE PLACE AT 3.30 PM AT THE SALISBURY ROOM OF THE PENINSULA HOTEL, TSIM SHA TSUI. MR DONALD STRANGE, OF THE NTA, WILL MEET MEDIA REPRESENTATIVES THERE AT 3.20 PM.

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/5......

TUESDAY, MARCH 10, 1981

5

TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS IN TSUEN WAN *****

A NEW LINK ROAD, WHICH IS NEXT TO THE STEEL BRIDGE CONNECTING KWOK SHU I ROAD AND CASTLE PEAK ROAD IN TSUEN WAN, WILL BE OPENED TO TRAFFIC WITH EFFECT FROM 10 AM ON THURSDAY (MARCH 12), A TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT SPOKESMAN ANNOUNCED TODAY (TUESDAY).

AT THE SAME TIME, THE STEEL BRIDGE WILL BE CLOSED AND THE FOLLOWING TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS WILL BE IMPLEMENTED!

EASTBOUND VEHICLES ON CASTLE PEAK ROAD APPROACHING FROM TSUEN WAN AND WISHING TO PROCEED TO KWOK SHUI ROAD, SHING MUN ROAD AND THE NORTHERN SECTION OF TEXACO ROAD WILL HAVE TO TURN LEFT INTO THE NEW LINK ROAD AT ABOUT 100 METRES DOWNSTREAM OF THE STEEL BRIDGE ON THE KOWLOON-BOUND SIDE OF CASTLE PEAK ROAD.

THE EXISTING GAP IN THE CENTRAL DIVIDER IN CASTLE PEAK ROAD AT ITS JUNCTION WITH TEXACO ROAD WILL BE CLOSED AND WESTBOUND VEHICLES ON CASTLE PEAK ROAD HEADING TOWARDS SHING MUN ROAD AND THE NORTHERN SECTION OF TEXACO ROAD WILL HAVE TO USE THE NEW TEXACO ROAD FLYOVER ACROSS CASTLE PEAK ROAD VIA THE SLIP ROAD ABOUT 50 METRES DOWNSTREAM OF THE NEW FLYOVER.

THE TWO EXISTING BUS STOPS UNDER THE CASTLE PEAK ROAD FOOTBRIDGE FOR ROUTES NO. 30, 48, 50, 51, 60, 66, 66M, 68, 848, 31, 31A, 35, 40, 40M, 46A AND 46B WILL BE RESITED TO THE PERMANENT BUS BAY NEXT TO THE TEXACO ROAD FLYOVER.

APPROPRIATE TRAFFIC SIGNS WILL BE ERECTED TO GUIDE MOTOR I STS.

- - 0 - -

WATER CUT IN TSZ WAN SHAN * * *

THE FRESH WATER SUPPLY TO A NUMBER OF PREMISES IN TSZ WAN SHAN WILL BE CUT OFF FOR SIX HOURS FROM MIDNIGHT ON THURSDAY (MARCH 12) TO 6 AM ON FRIDAY (MARCH 13) FOR A LEAKAGE TEST.

THE AREA TO BE AFFECTED IS BOUNDED BY TSZ WAN SHAN ROAD, WAN WAH STREET AND SHEUNG FUNG STREET, INCLUDING BLOCKS 17 TO 32 OF TSZ WAN SHAN ESTATE.

DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN

ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE. HONG KONG. TEL 5-233191

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 11, 1981

CONTENTS

PAGE NO

LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL:

TELEPHONE CHARGE INCREASE APPROVED ..................... 1

LAW SOON TO PROTECT WORKERS FROM NOISE ................. 2

GAS STUDY MAY START NEXT MONTH ......................... 2

HK BAR OPEN TO COMMONWEALTH AND IRISH PCLL HOLDERS .. J PHASING IN OF GENERAL RATE IN NT ....................... 4

CHILDREN'S HEIGHT LIMIT UNDER ROAD TRAFFIC LAW

CAN BE RAISED........................................... 5

SUPPLEMENTARY PROVISIONS APPROVED ...................... 6

TAXI TRADE UNDER REVIEW ................................ 6

GAINS TAX BILL EXPLAINED ............................... 7

MORE BUSES BUT NO CARS ON DES VOEUX RD CENTRAL ......... 7

STREET LIGHTING FOR TAI PO ROAD ........................ 8

BROADCASTING IN MTR CONCOURSES ......................... 9

BILL TO INCORPORATE SOCIETY OF BOYS' CENTRE ............ 9

THREE BILLS PASSED ..................................... 9

LAND SALE FOR NEXT SIX MONTHS ............................... 10

MORE WATER RECREATIONAL FACILITIES FOR TSUEN WAN............. 11

NURSERY OPENED IN TUEN MUN................................... 11

MUSIC FUND SCHOLARSHIPS ..................................... 12

PLB RESTRICTION AT WO TONG TSUI STREET, KWAI CHUNG .......... 12

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 11, 1981

1

TELEPHONE CHARGE INCREASE APPROVED * * * *

THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY) APPROVED A GENERAL INCREASE IN THE HONG KONG TELEPHONE COMPANY’S SCHEDULED CHARGES.

THE INCREASES WERE FOR EXCHANGE LINE INSTALLATIONS, EXCHANGE CONNECTED INTERCOMMUNICATION SYSTEMS, PRIVATE BRANCH EXCHANGES AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT, NON-STANDARD INSTRUMENTS AND MISCELLANEOUS APPARATUS, THE HARBOURPHONE RADIO SERVICE, AND MISCELLANEOUS CHARGES.

THE NEW SCHEDULE OF CHARGES WILL COME INTO EFFECT ON APRIL 1.

IN MOVING THE MOTION THAT THE TELEPHONE ORDINANCE BE AMENDED, THE ACTING SECRETARY FOR ECONOMIC SERVICES, THE HON N.M. TAYLOR SAID THE NEW CHARGES WERE THE RESULT OF THE INCREASE IN THE COMPANY’S OPERATING COSTS, ESPECIALLY THE COST OF LABOUR AND MATERIALS INVOLVED, SINCE THE LAST GENERAL TARIFF REVIEW IN JULY 1978.

HE SAID THE COMPANY PROPOSED A RATIONALISED TARIFF STRUCTURE LAST YEAR FOR LEASED LINES AND EXTERNAL EXTENSIONS. IT POSTPONED ITS APPLICATION FOR AN INCREASE IN EXCHANGE LINE RENTALS BECAUSE OF ITS INCREASED SHARE OF REVENUE FROM INTERNATIONAL TELEPHONE CALLS.

♦WE HAVE CAREFULLY EXAMINED THE RELEVANT ACCOUNTS AND FORECASTS OF THE TELEPHONE COMPANY AND ARE SATISFIED THAT THE PROPOSED INCREASES IN CHARGES ARE COMPATIBLE WITH THE COMPANY’S SCHEME OF CONTROL AND ARE NECESSARY TO ENABLE THE COMPANY TO CONTINUE TO IMPLEMENT ITS PLANS TO MEET THE PROJECTED GROWTH IN DEMAND,♦ SAID MR TAYLOR.

♦HOWEVER, THE FORECAST OF THE COMPANY’S PERFORMANCE DURING 1981, EVEN INCLUDING THE INCREASED CHARGES PROPOSED IN THE RESOLUTION, INDICATES THAT A FURTHER INCREASE (POSSIBLY RESTRICTED TO LINE RENTALS AND RELATED CHARGES) MAY BE NECESSARY LATE IN 1981 OR EARLY 1982.♦

MR TAYLOR SAID THE >100 INCREASE IN INSTALLATION CHARGES WAS THE SAME CHARGE WHICH THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL APPROVED IN 1970, BUT WAS SUBSEQUENTLY REDUCED ON THE RECOMMENDATION OF THE 1975 COMMISSION OF INQUIRY INTO THE HONG KONG TELEPHONE COMPANY, IN ORDER TO STIMULATE DEMAND.

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/2 ........

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 11, 1981

2 -

LAW SOON TO PROTECT WORKERS FROM NOISE * * * *

ACTION IS IN HAND TO INTRODUCE LEGISLATION TO PROTECT WORKERS FROM EXCESSIVE INDUSTRIAL NOISE, THE COMMISSIONER FOR LABOUR, THE HON J.N. HENDERSON SAID IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).

REPLYING TO A QUESTION BY THE HON ANDREW SO, HE ADDED THAT THE INTENTION WAS TO MAKE REGULATIONS REQUIRING THE PROVISION AND WEARING OF EAR PROTECTORS BY WORKERS IN NOISY INDUSTRIAL UNDERTAKINGS.

MR HENDERSON POINTED OUT THAT PRIOR TO CONSIDERING LEGISLATION, HIS DEPARTMENT HAD IMPLEMENTED A POLICY OF EDUCATING WORKERS ON NOISE HAZARDS.

UNDER THE POLICY, THE DEPARTMENT’S FACTORY INSPECTORATE BEGAN A HEARING CONSERVATION PROGRAMME IN 1978.

FACTORY INSPECTORS, DURING THEIR ROUTINE VISITS, HAVE BEEN ADVISING EMPLOYERS AND EMPLOYEES ON THE HAZARDS INVOLVED AND KTHODS TO PROTECT THEIR HEARING. THIS ADVICE HAS BEEN SUPPLEMENTED BY PUBLICITY CAMPAIGNS.

IN THE COMING FINANCIAL YEAR, A POSTER AND A SHORT FILM FOR TV ARE PLANNED. A LARGE SCALE INDUSTRIAL SAFETY AND HEALTH EXHIBITION TO BE HELD LATER IN THE YEAR WILL PLAY UP THE THEME ON NOISE HAZARDS.

GAS STUDY MAY START NEXT MONTH O * X

THE SECRETARY FOR SECURITY, THE HON LEWIS DAVIES TOLD THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY) HE HOPED THAT NEGOTIATIONS WITH PROSPECTIVE CONSULTANTS TO EXAMINE THE WIDER ASPECT OF THE GAS INDUSTRY WOULD BE CONCLUDED SOON AND THAT THE CONSULTANCY WOULD START NEXT MONTH.

MR DAVIES WAS REPLYING TO A QUESTION FROM THE HON LYDIA DUNN.

♦I RECOGNISE THE CONCERN OF SECTIONS OF THE COMMUNITY OVER THE DANGER OF USING CERTAIN WATER HEATERS WITHOUT ADEQUATE VENTILATION,+ MR DAVIES SAID AND THIS ADDED TO HIS DISAPPOINTMENT THAT NEGOTIATIONS WITH THE PROSPECTIVE CONSULTANTS HAD NOT YET BEEN COMPLETED.

♦THE REASON FOR THIS DELAY,+ HE SAID, + IS THAT THE SELECTION OF AN APPROPRIATE CONSULTANT HAS PROVED TO BE MORE COMPLEX AND TIME CONSUMING THAN I ANTICIPATED WHEN I SAID ON JUNE 11 LAST YEAR THAT I HOPED CONSULTANTS WOULD BE AT WORK BY THE END OF THE YEAR.*

/the selection.....

WEDNESDAY, MABCE 11, 1981

3

THE SELECTION PROCESS INVOLVED THE PRELIMINARY IDENTIFICATION OF CONSULTANTS WITH THE APPROPRIATE COMPETENCE AND EXPERT I SEAN INVITATION TO THEM TO SUBMIT OUTLINE PROPOSALS AND FROM THIS THE COMPLETION OF A SHORT LIST- THE DRAWING UP OF SPECIFICATIONS ON WHICH THOSE SHORT LISTED COULD SUBMIT DETAILED PROPOSALS-THE SUBMISSION OF THESE PROPOSALS AND THEIR EVALUATION- AND THE FINAL NEGOTIATION.

+IT IS THE FINAL STAGE WHICH I HOPE WILL BE CONCLUDED THIS MONTH,* MR DAVIES SAID.

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

HK BAR OPEN TO COMMONWEALTH AND IRISH PCLL HOLDERS ft * * * *

THE LEGAL PRACTITIONERS (AMENDMENT) (NO. 2) BILL WHICH PROVIDES FOR THE ADMISSION OF COMMONWEALTH AND IRISH PCLL (POST GRADUATE CERTIFICATE OF LAWS) HOLDERS TO THE HONG KONG BAR WAS PASSED BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY.

BUT THE ATTORNEY GENERAL ASSURED THE COUNCIL THAT SHOULD THE NUMBER ADMITTED UNDER THE PROPOSED AMENDMENT BE UNACCEPTABLE OR THERE BE EVIDENCE THAT LOCAL LAW GRADUATES WERE ADVERSELY AFFECTED, THE POSITION WOULD BE REVIEWED.

THE HON PETER C. WONG, SPEAKING AT THE SECOND READING OF THE BILL, SAID THE BAR ASSOCIATION HAD STRENUOUSLY OPPOSED THE BILL AND HAD MADE STRONG REPRESENTATIONS TO UMELCO.

DURING MEETINGS WITH AN AD HOC GROUP OF UNOFFICIALS OF WHICH MR WONG WAS THE CONVENER, THE ASSOCIATION CONTENDED THE BILL WAS LIKELY TO BE COUNTER-PRODUCTIVE IN THAT IT WOULD ADVERSELY AFFECT LOCAL LAW GRADUATES AND YOUNG MEN AND WOMEN ASPIRING TO BE BARRISTERS.

IT ALSO EXPRESSED CONCERN THAT THE PRESENT AMENDMENT WAS ♦THE THIN END OF THE WEDGE+ AND FEARED THAT FURTHER RELAXATION CF THE ADMISSION RULES WOULD DO MORE HARM THAN GOOD.

WHILE APPRECIATING THE FEELING AND CONCERN OF THE BAR, MR WONG NOTED THE CONSENSUS OF UNOFFICIAL MEMBERS WAS THAT ON BALANCE THE BILL SHOULD BE SUPPORTED.

♦IN OUR VIEW, IT IS NOT LIKELY TO OPEN THE FLOODGATES,♦ WONG SAID.

♦ANY COMMONWEALTH CITIZEN OR CITIZEN OF THE REPUBLIC OF IRELAND WISHING TO TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THE AMENDMENT WILL HAVE TO OVERCOME THREE HURDLESt SEVEN YEARS’ RESIDENCE, THE PCLL FROM HONG KONG UNIVERSITY, WHICH IS A FULL-TIME ONE-YEAR COURSE, AND A ONE-YEAR PUPILLAGE.*

BASICALLY, MR WONG NOTED, GOVERNMENT’S CASE IS THAT PCLL HOLDERS FROM COMMONWEALTH COUNTRIES AND THE REPUBLIC OF IRELAND WITH SEVEN YEARS' RESIDENCE ARE ELIGIBLE FOR ADMISSION AS SOLICITORS.

/♦THERE IS ...

WEDNESDAY, NABOB 11, 1981

4

♦THERE IS NO REAL JUSTIFICATION WHY THEY SHOULD BE EXCLUDED FROM ADMISSION TO THE BAR,+ HE ADDED.

ANOTHER UNOFFICIAL, THE HON JOHN SWA INE, DESCRIBED THE AMENDMENT PROPOSED BY THE BILL AS *A NARROW ONE*. IT IS INTENDED TO BRING THE LAW RELATING TO THE ADMISSION OF BARRISTERS IN HONG KONG NEARER IN LINE WITH THAT RELATING TO THE ADMISSION OF SOLICITORS, HE POINTED OUT.

♦THE NUMBER OF PERSONS WHO WILL BE AFFECTED BY THIS CHANGE ARE LIKELY TO BE VERY SMALL INDEED, AND THE OBJECT OF THE CHANGE, AS I UNDERSTAND IT FROM THE ATTORNEY GENERAL, IS TO ENABLE SUCH CANDIDATES TO MAKE A CHOICE BETWEEN THE BARRISTER’S AND THE SOLICITOR’S PROFESSION, WHEREAS THEY WOULD NOW BE LIMITED TO THE SOLICITOR’S.

♦I UNDERSTAND FURTHER FROM THE ATTORNEY GENERAL THAT THIS PRESENT CHANGE IS NOT INTENDED AS A SPRING-BOARD FOR THE FURTHER RELAXING OF THE RULES OF ADMISSION RELATING TO BARRISTERS, AND ALSO THAT THERE IS NO INTENTION THAT SUCH CANDIDATES WILL BE EXEMPT FROM THE COMPULSORY SERVING OF PUPILLAGE UNDER THE EXISTING RULES,♦ MR SWA INE SAID.

-----0-----

PHASING IN OF GENERAL RATE IN NT * * X

THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY) ADOPTED A MOTION GIVING EFFECT TO THE GENERAL RATE PERCENTAGE CHARGES FOR NEWLY ASSESSED AREAS IN THE NEW TERRITORIES.

MOVING THE MOTION, THE ACTING FINANCIAL SECRETARY, THE HON l€NRY CHING SAID EXISTING POLICY PROVIDES FOR THE PHASING IN OF THE GENERAL RATE CHARGE FOR EACH NEWLY ASSESSED AREA IN THE NEW TERRITORIES OVER A PERIOD OF FIVE YEARS.

♦THUS.+ HE EXPLAINED, +IN THE FIRST YEAR OF ASSESSMENT THE ACTUAL CHARGE APPLIED IS 50 PER CENT OF THE FULL GENERAL RATE CHARGE, IN THE SECOND YEAR 60 PER CENT, IN THE THIRD YEAR 70 PER CENT AND SO ON UNTIL THE FULL CHARGE IS APPLIED IN THE SIXTH YEAR.

AS THE GENERAL RATE CHARGE FOR THE NEW TERRITORIES IS 11 PER CENT, FOR 1981-82 THE CHARGE TO BE APPLIED TO AREAS F TO M (FOR THEIR SIXTH YEAR OF ASSESSMENT) IS THE FULL CHARGE OF 11 PER CENT. FOR AREA N (FOR ITS FIFTH YEAR OF ASSESSMENT) THE CHARGE IS 90 PER CENT OF THE FULL CHARGE, OR 10 PER CENT, AND FOR AREAS P TO S (FOR THEIR SECOND YEAR OF ASSESSMENT) IT IS 60 PER CENT OF THE FULL CHARGE, OR 7 PER CENT.

0 --------

/5 .......

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 11, 1981

5

CHILDREN'S HEIGHT LIMIT UNDER ROAD TRAFFIC LAW CAN BE RAISED

* ft ft ft

THE HEIGHT LIMIT FOR CHILDREN UNDER THE ROAD TRAFFIC LEGISLATION CAN SAFELY BE RAISED FROM THREE FEET TO ABOUT FOUR AND A HALF FEET WITHOUT VEHICLES BEING OVERLOADED. THE SECRETARY FOR THE ENVIRONMENT, THE HON DEREK JONES SAID IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).

HE SAID THE COMMISSIONER FOR TRANSPORT IS NOW EXAMINING WHAT SUITABLE RATIO FOR CHILDREN TO ADULTS SHOULD BE APPLIED ON THE BASIS OF THIS INCREASED HEIGHT LIMIT.

MR JONES WAS REPLYING TO POINTS RAISED BY THE HON PETER C. WONG AT THE SECOND READING OF THE ROAD TRAFFIC (AMENDMENT) BILL, AIMED AT LEGALISING GENUINE PAK PAI OPERATIONS.

AS CONVENOR OF THE LEGISLATION SCRUTINY GROUP OF UNOFFICIALS, MR WONG REFERRED TO REPRESENTATIONS MADE TO THE GROUP CRITICISING AS UNREALISTIC THE THREE FEET LIMITATION FOR CHILDREN CARRIED ON SCHOOL MINI-BUSES.

UNDER THE EXISTING ROAD TRAFFIC REGULATIONS. THREE CHILDREN NOT EXCEEDING THREE FEET IN HEIGHT ARE COUNTED AS TWO PASSENGERS ON PRIVATE CARS.

♦WE ARE TOLD THAT EVEN KINDERGARTEN PUPILS ARE OVER THREE FEET AND MOST PRIMARY PUPILS ARE IN THE REGION OF FOUR-AND-A-HALF feet.

♦THE COMMISSIONER IS CURRENTLY CONDUCTING AN EXERCISE TO SEE HOW MANY FOUR-AND-A-HALF-FOOT CHILDREN CAN BE SAFELY CARRIED IN A PARTICULAR TYPE OF VAN.

♦IT IS HOPED THAT AMENDING REGULATIONS WILL BE TABLED IN THE NEXT FEW MONTHS,♦ HE SAID.

MR WONG ALSO REVEALED THAT CONSIDERATION WAS BEING GIVEN FOR SCHOOL VANS WITH A SEATING CAPACITY OF MORE THAN SEVEN PASSENGERS TO BE REGISTERED AS PRIVATE LIGHT BUSES.

IT IS EXPECTED THE COMMISSIONER FOR TRANSPORT WOULD MAKE AN ANNOUNCEMENT OF THE CONDITIONS UNDER WHICH THESE VANS COULD OPERATE WITHIN THE NEXT FEW WEEKS.

DURING THE EXAMINATION OF THE BILL, MR WONG POINTED OUT, THE GROUP HAD INTERVIEWED REPRESENTATIVES OF THE MOTOR WORKERS* UNION AND THE YOUNG CHILDREN SCHOOL MINI-BUSES OPERATORS ASSOCIATION AND MET WITH GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS.

THE GROUP WAS TOLD THAT, TO ENSURE THE POWER TO ISSUE HIRE CAR PERMITS IS PROPERLY EXERCISED. THE COMMISSIONER FOR TRANSPORT IS REQUIRED TO REPORT QUARTERLY TO THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL THE NUMBER, TYPE AND GEOGRAPHIC SPREAD OF PERMITS ISSUED.

IT WAS ALSO AGREED THAT TRANSPORT TRIBUNALS WHICH ARE TO BE SET UP TO ENSURE THE PROPER ADMINISTRATION OF THE SCHEME SHALL CONSIST OF AN UNOFFICIAL CHAIRMAN AND A PUBLIC OFFICER, BOTH TO BE APPOINTED BY THE CHIEF SECRETARY, AND A MEMBER OF THE PANEL, MR WONG SAID.

---o -

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 11, 1981

6

SUPPLEMENTARY PROVISIONS APPROVED M * *

THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY) APPROVED SUPPLEMENTARY

F0R THE TH,RD QU‘RTER "

IN MOVING THE MOTION, THE ACTING FINANCIAL SECRETARY. THE HON HENRY CHING SAID THAT OF THIS SUM, $651 MILL ION WAS REQUIRED TO BUY INTO THE EXISTING STOCKS AND ASSETS OF THE RESIDENT GARRISON WHILE ANOTHER >595 MILLION WAS REQUIRED ~ REVISIONS AND ADJUSTMENTS FOR THE CIVIL SUBVERTED ORGANISATIONS.

ON ACCOUNT OF SALARY SERVICE AND STAFF OF

A SUM OF >198 MILLION WAS REQUIRED COSTS OF THE THIRD AND FOURTH QUARTERS’ THE DEFENSE COSTS AGREEMENT AND ANOTHER

FOR MEETING INCREASED CASH CONTRIBUTIONS UNDER

— $141 MILLION WAS SPENT

ON PUBLIC WORKS PROJECTS ( INCLUDING 26 PROJECTS UPGRADED TO OR INCLUDED IN CATEGORY A OF THE PUBLIC WORKS PROGRAMME).

ue-r I”AT THE SUPPLEMENTARY PROVISION RESULTED IN A

NET INCREASE OF >1 463 MILLION IN THE EXPENDITURE APPROVED FOR THE YEAR, THE REMAINDER BEING OFFSET BY SAVINGS UNDER OTHER HEADS OF EXPENDITURE.

THE COUNCIL ALSO APPROVED A MOTION, SEEKING FUNDS ON ACCOUNT TO ENABLE THE GOVERNMENT TO CARRY ON EXISTING SERVICES BETWEEN THE START OF THE FINANCIAL YEAR ON APRIL 1, 1981 AND THE ENACTMENT OF THE APPROPRIATION ORDINANCE.

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

TAXI TRADE UNDER REVIEW * * * *

THE GOVERNMENT IS EXAMINING THE ARRANGEMENTS FOR THE FUTURE ISSUE OF URBAN AND NEW TERRITORIES TAXI LICENCES AFTER THE CURRENT TIME LIMITS EXPIRE.

AND THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY) APPROVED A

MOTION EXTENDING THE TIME LIMIT FOR REGISTRATION OF NEW TERRITORIES TAXIS BY FOUR MONTHS TO JULY 31, 1981 TO SYNCHRONISE IT WITH THE LIMIT FOR URBAN TAXIS.

IN MOVING THE MOTION, THE SECRETARY FOR THE ENVIRONMENT, THE HON DEREK JONES SAID THE GOVERNMENT IS CONTINUING TO KEEP THE OPERATIONS OF THE TAXI TRADE UNDER CAREFUL REVIEW.

HE SA,D THE NUMBER 0F NEW TERRITORIES TAXIS WERE INCREASED FROM 738 TO 838 IN SEPTEMBER 23, 1980 TO CATER FOR THE DEMAND ARISING FROM THE INCREASING POPULATION IN THE NEW TERRITORIES.

THE NEW LICENCES WERE ISSUED BY TENDER IN NOVEMBER AND DECEMBER LAST YEAR.

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WEDNESDAY, MARCH 11, 1981

7

GAINS TAX BILL EXPLAINED

* * *

PROVISIONS RELATING TO CERTIFICATES OF DEPOSIT AND OTHER MONETARY INSTRUMENTS IN THE PROPOSED INLAND REVENUE (AMENDMENT) (NO. 2) BILL 1981, WOULD APPLY, IF APPROVED, TO THE YEAR OF ASSESSMENT STARTING ON APRIL 1.

AND THE PROVISIONS IN THE BILL RELATING TO TRUSTEES AND TO THE CAPITALISATION OF INTEREST, IF APPROVED, WOULD APPLY TO THE YEAR OF ASSESSMENT 1980 AND SUBSEQUENT YEARS.

THIS WAS STATED TODAY (WEDNESDAY) IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL BY THE ACTING FINANCIAL SECRETARY, THE HON HENRY CHING, WHEN MOVING THE SECOND READING OF THE BILL.

MR CHING SAID THAT IN THE BUDGET SPEECHES IN 1979 AND 1980, THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY REFERRED TO TWO RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE THIRD INLAND REVENUE ORDINANCE REVIEW COMMITTEE.

THE FIRST RELATED TO AN ANOMALY IN THE APPLICATION OF THE WITHHOLDING SYSTEM FOR INTEREST TAX, WHICH THE REVIEW COMMITTEE RECOMMENDED RELIEF FROM A DOUBLE CHARGE MADE BY TRUSTEES.

THE SECOND, HE SAID, CONCERNED A POSSIBLE LACUNA IN THE INLAND REVENUE ORDINANCE WHEREBY THE CHANGING PROVISIONS MAY BE INADEQUATE TO RENDER LIABLE TO TAX THE SURPLUS THROWN UP ON REDEMPTION OR REALISATION OF CERTIFICATES OF DEPOSITS AND SIMILAR MONETARY INSTRUMENTS WHICH GIVE AN ENTITLEMENT TO RECEIVE A STATED SUM OF MONEY.

THE BILLS, AMONG OTHER AMENDMENTS, PROPOSED TO REMOVE THE ANOMALY AND LACUNA. DEBATE WAS ADJOURNED.

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

MORE BUSES BUT NO CARS ON DES VOEUX RD CENTRAL

* * *

THE GOVERNMENT PLANS TO DIVERT A NUMBER OF BUS ROUTES FROM QUEEN’S ROAD CENTRAL TO DES VOEUX ROAD CENTRAL TO MAKE BETTER USE CF THIS SECTION OF ROAD FOR PUBLIC TRANSPORT.

BUT IT IS NOT INTENDED TO LIFT THE RESTRICTION ON GENERAL TRAFFIC ON THE SECTION OF DES VOEUX ROAD CENTRAL BETWEEN BANK STREET AND REDDER STREET.

THIS WAS STATED BY THE SECRETARY FOR THE ENVIRONMENT, THE HON DEREK JONES AT TODAY’S (WEDNESDAY) LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL MEETING.

REPLYING TO A QUESTION BY THE HON LI FOOK-WO, MR JONES SAID THE POSSIBILITY OF LIFTING THE RESTRICTION AFTER THE COMPLETION OF THE MTR WORKS HAD BEEN CAREFULLY CONSIDERED.

♦ BUT,+ HE SAID, +THIS ROAD HAS NOW BECOME ONE OF THE MAJOR QITRY POINTS FOR PUBLIC TRANSPORT INTO CENTRAL DISTRICT.

A THE BJTHODUSUON....


AY, MABCH 11, 1981

8

♦THE INTRODUCTION ONTO IT OF ADDITIONAL VEHICULAR TRAFFIC WOULD SEVERELY HAMPER PUBLIC TRANSPORT MOVEMENT WHILE PRODUCING ONLY MARGINAL RELIEF TO CONGESTION IN QUEEN’S ROAD CENTRAL AND CONNAUGHT ROAD CENTRAL.♦

♦FURTHERMORE, THE WORKS TO COMPLETE THE BUILDING OF PEDDER STATION FOR THE ISLAND LINE OF THE MTR WILL REQUIRE THE OCCUPATION OF DES VOEUX ROAD BETWEEN ICE HOUSE STREET AND PEDDER STREET.♦

THIS, MR JONES POINTED OUT, REINFORCES THE NEED TO RETAIN THE PRESENT RESTRICTION.

STREET LIGHTING FOR TAI PO ROAD * * * * *

INSTALLATION OF STREET LIGHTING ALONG PART OF TAI PO ROAD SOUTHWARDS FROM THE CHINESE UNIVERSITY WILL START IN THE NEXT FEW MONTHS AND WILL BE COMPLETED BY THE END OF THE YEAR THE OF PUBL,C W0RKS’ THE H0N DAVID MCDONALD, TOLD THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).

5^LI,NG T0 A QUESTION BY THE HON HO KAM-FAI, MR MCDONALD onln Jao rrovis,on of LIGHTING TO THE THREE UNLIT SECTIONS OF TAI PO Soin ?MPPnvPMCM? CARRIED OUT IN CONJUNCTION WITH PROGRAMMED nUAU inrnUVtntNI WUKKS.

♦HOWEVER,+ HE SAID, +AS THE ROADWORKS OVER THE ONE KILOMETRE UNLIT SECTION RUNNING SOUTHWARDS FROM THE CHINESE UNIVERSITY WILL NOT NOW BE STARTED UNTIL AFTER THE SHA TIN/TAI PO COASTAL ROAD IS 'LHA8 BEEN DEC,DED T0 PR0CEED ’N ADVANCE WITH THE LIGHTING SCHEME.

+ROADWORKS COVERING THE FIVE HUNDRED METRE UNLIT SECTION AT CHEK NAI PING WEST OF THE UNIVERSITY ARE ALREADY UNDERWAY AND LIGHTING WILL BE INSTALLED AS THE WORKS PROGRESS. IT IS ANTICIPATED THAT THIS WORK WILL BE COMPLETED IN ABOUT ONE YEAR’S TI ME •

RUHS J-OHGEST.SECT.OH OF UHLIT ROADWAY

FIVE KILOMETRES BETWEEN TAI PO TAU AND

SA^D^R MCDONALD01 *ND SPANS THREE MAJOR ROAD IMPROVEMENT SCHEMES,♦

♦THE FIRST OF THE ROUNDABOUT, WHICH WILL

SCHEMES, BETWEEN WO HOP SHEK AND FANLING INCORPORATE STREET LIGHTING. IS ALREADY IN HAND AND WILL BE COMPLETED LATER THIS YEAR. ’ ,N

eur?RKL9VHE REMAINDER I.E. BETWEEN TAI PO SHU I WAI AND WO HOP SHEK, ARE PROGRAMMED TO START EARLY NEXT YEAR WITH COMPLETION IN 1984,+ HE ADDED.

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/9

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 11, 1981

9

BROADCASTING IN MTR ''ONCOURSES * * *

S2HS£JLT0DAY APPROVED AN AMENDMENT TO THE MASS TRANSIT RAILWAY CORPORA! ON BY-LAWS CLARIFYING THE SR2?oA^:^,GHT To authorise broadcasting in the concourses Lr “IK olATIONS.

THP uZU ncoc?G ,I1!LA™NHMENT’ THE SECRETARY FOR THE ENVIRONMENT, SEDc2nv?EASK*d2?rH>ISL? C0UNCIL THAT CLARIFICATION WAS NECESSARY TO REMOVE AN AMBIGUITY IN THE EXISTING BY-LAWS.

CORPORATION’S INTENTION TO PROHIBIT

NtJNeJCONCOURSES, HE SAID, BUT NEITHER DID THE ’!TING BY“LAWS DEFINITELY PERMIT THE CORPORATION TO AUTHORISE SUCH BROADCASTING.

0---------

BILL TO INCORPORATE SOCIETY OF BOYS’ CENTRE *****

A BILL WAS INTRODUCED BY AN UNOFFICIAL INTO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY TO INCORPORATE THE SOCIETY OF BOYS’ CENTRES.

MOVING THE SECOND READING OF THE SOCIETY OF BOYS’ CENTRES INCORPORATION BILL 1981, THE HON CHARLES YEUNG SAID THE MAIN PURPOSE OF THE BILL WAS TO INCORPORATE THE SOCIETY TO REPLACE AND CARRY ON THE WORK AND ACTIVITIES HITHERTO CARRIED ON BY THE SOCIETY OF BOYS’ CENTRES TRUSTEES INCORPORATED, OF WHICH HE WAS A PAST CHAIRMAN.

♦IT IS CONSIDERED EXPEDIENT AND DESIRABLE THAT THE SOCIETY ITSELF, INSTEAD OF THE TRUSTEES OF THE SOCIETY, SHALL BECOME A BODY CORPORATE,+ HE SAID.

DEBATE ON THE BILL WAS ADJOURNED.

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

THREE BILLS PASSED * * * *

(WEDNESDAY)BILLS WERE PASSED IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY

THE AU^ZiiJv lAo/.k!e^LP!ACTITIONERS (AMENDMENT)(NO. 2) BILL 1981-

(AMENDMENT)RBILLR1981(PENS °NS B’LL 1981 AND THE R0AD TRAPF<C -------------------------------0-------

/1O

WEDNESDAY, MAUCH 11, 1981 '

10

LAND SALE FOR NEXT SIX MONTHS * * * *

THE GOVERNMENT PLANS TO SELL SOME 41 SITES IN THE AREA OVER THE NEXT SIX MONTHS FROM APRIL.

URBAN

ANNOUNCING THIS TODAY, THE GOVERNMENT LAND AGENT, HA DUACr SCOTT-WILL, SAID THE TOTAL AREA OF SITES PROVISIONALLY FORECAST FOR SALE WAS JUST OVER 320 000 SQUARE METRES. INCLUDED IN THE SALES PROGRAMME ARE SOME EXTREMELY VALUABLE AND LARGE SITES FOR COMMERCIAL AND RESIDENTIAL PURPOSES.

MR DUNCAN

POSSIBLY THE MOST IMPORTANT IS THE SITE IMMEDIATELY WEST OF THE CONNAUGHT CENTRE CURRENTLY OCCUPIED BY THE POST OFFICE AND THE EXISTING BUS AND PUBLIC LIGHT BUS TERMINI. THE EXACT EXTENT OF THE SITE IS NOT YET FINALLY DETERMINED BUT COULD BE IN THE ORDER OF 13 000 SQUARE METRES.

THE DEVELOPMENT, WHICH WILL BASICALLY COMPRISE OFFICES OVER A TWO-STOREY SHOPPING PODIUM WITH TERMINI UNDERNEATH, WILL BE CARRIED OUT IN PHASES TO ALLOW THE PUBLIC TRANSPORT TERMINI TO CONTINUE TO OPERATE DURING CONSTRUCTION.

ANOTHER EXTREMELY LARGE SITE OF SOME 55 500 SQUARE METRES LOCATED ON THE SOUTH SIDE OF THE TAI TAM RESERVOIR ROAD IS PROPOSED FOR HIGH CLASS HOUSING, INCLUDING THE PROVISION OF 160 GOVERNMENT QUARTERS. SOME 800 FLATS ARE EXPECTED TO BE CONSTRUCTED ON THE SITE.

TWO OTHER SUBSTANTIAL SITES WILL BE OFFERED AT SHOUSON HILL, ONE FOR LOW-RISE DEVELOPMENT WHICH WILL INCLUDE TOWN HOUSES, AND ANOTHER, ON THE SITE OF THE POLICE DRIVING SCHOOL, WHICH WILL BE A MULTI-STOREY FLATTED DEVELOPMENT. BOTH SITES WILL REQUIRE THE PROVISION OF SOME GOVERNMENT QUARTERS.

TWO FURTHER LARGE RESIDENTIAL SITES, AMOUNTING TO ABOUT 30 OOQ SQUARE METRES EACH, ARE LOCATED AT TAI WOH PING AND TAT CHE AVENUE.

ALTOGETHER 10 RESIDENTIAL SITES ARE TO BE SOLD FOR JOINT VENTURE PROJECTS REQUIRING PART OF THE DEVELOPMENT TO BE HANDED BACK AS QUARTERS TO THE GOVERNMENT FREE OF COST ON COMPLETION.

WITH REGARD TO INDUSTRIAL LAND, SALES AT KOWLOON BAY WILL CONTINUE AT A RATE OF TWO TO THREE LOTS PER MONTH.

A SITE FOR A HOSPITAL OFF BRAEMAR HILL ROAD, AMOUNTING TO SOME 16 500 SQUARE METRES HAS ALREADY BEEN ADVERTISED, AND IS NOW PROGRAMMED WITH A CLOSING DATE FOR TENDERS ON 5TH JUNE. THE CONDITIONS REQUIRE THE PROVISION OF A HOSPITAL OF NOT LESS THAN 300 BEDS TOGETHER WITH BACK-UP FACILITIES INCLUDING STAFF QUARTERS.

♦THIS AMBITIOUS SALES PROGRAMME IS A PROVISIONAL ONE ONLY AND IS SUBJECT TO CHANGE, ALTHOUGH EVERY EFFORT WILL BE MADE TO ACHIEVE IT,* SAID MR SCOTT-WILL. +THE SALE DATES OF EACH LOT WILL BE ANNOUNCED, IN DUE COURSE, IN THE GOVERNMENT GAZETTE AND BY ADVERTISEMENTS IN NEWSPAPERS.+

/details of ....

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 11, 1981

I

11

DETAILS OF THE LAND SALE FORECAST, TOGETHER WITH PLANS SHOWING THE LOCATION OF THE LOTS TO BE OFFERED FOR SALE, MAY BE SEEN AT THE CROWN LANDS AND SURVEY OFFICE OF THE PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT, MURRAY BUILDING, GARDEN ROAD, AND AT THE KOWLOON BRANCH OFFICE, 1OTH FLOOR, KOWLOON GOVERNMENT OFFICE, AO5 NATHAN ROAD.

MORE WATER RECREATIONAL FACILITIES FOR TSUEN WAN ft * * * *

MORE PHYSICAL RECREATIONAL FACILITIES, PARTICULARLY IN THE FIELD OF WATER SPORTS, WILL BE MADE AVAILABLE IN TSUEN WAN BY PRIVATE ORGANISATIONS, SAID THE TSUEN WAN TOWN MANAGER, DR JAMES HAYES.

AT AN INFORMAL LUNCHEON WITH MEMBERS OF THE LIDO BEACH WINTER SWIMMING CLUB TODAY (WEDNESDAY), DR HAYES PAID TRIBUTE TO CLUB KMBERS FOR THEIR HELP IN ORGANISING AQUATIC ACTIVITIES FOR YOUNG PEOPLE OVER THE PAST FEW YEARS.

THE CLUB, SET UP IN 1976 AND WHICH NOW HAS A MEMBERSHIP OF 170, IS WELL KNOWN FOR ITS INTEREST IN PROMOTING WINTER SWIMMING.

TOGETHER WITH OTHER LOCAL GROUPS, THE CLUB HELPS ORGANISE A WATER CARNIVAL AND SWIMMING COMPETITION AT APPROACH BAY NEAR TING KAU EVERY DECEMBER.

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

NURSERY OPENED IN TUEN MUN ft ft

TUEN MUN DISTRICT OFFICER, MR BILLY LAM, TODAY (WEDNESDAY) CALLED ON VOLUNTARY WELFARE AGENCIES TO HELP BUILD A HARMONIOUS COMMUNITY IN THE NEW TOWN.

MR LAM WAS SPEAKING AT THE OPENING OF A YWCA NURSERY AT SAN FAT ESTATE.

OCCUPYING EIGHT FLATS ON THE GROUND FLOOR OF BLOCK 3, THE NURSERY CAN ACCOMMODATE 56 CHILDREN AGED TWO TO SIX. FACILITIES INCLUDE A RECREATION AREA, A MUSIC ROOM AND LESSON AND TOY ROOMS. IT IS OPEN FROM 8 AM TO 6 PM FROM MONDAY TO FRIDAY AND FROM 8 AM TO 1 PM ON SATURDAYS.

THE NURSERY IS SUBSIDISED BY THE GOVERNMENT. A MONTHLY FEE OF S90 IS CHARGED FOR EACH CHILD.

THE CEREMONY ALSO MARKED THE START OF A LOCAL *CHILD HEALTH WEEK+ ORGANISED BY THE YWCA TO AROUSE PUBLIC AWARENESS OF THE IMPORTANCE OF CHILD CARE. A SERIES OF ACTIVITIES, INCLUDING FREE MEDICAL CHECKS, SEMINARS, A FUNFAIR, EXHIBITIONS AND A COOKING COMPETITION, WILL BE HELD IN THE NURSERY AND IN THE NEARBY SAN FAT ESTATE PLAYGROUND DURING NEXT WEEK.

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 11, 1981

12

MUSIC FUND SCHOLARSHIPS * * * *

APPLICATIONS ARE NOW INVITED FOR THE 1981/82 HONG KONG JOCKEY CLUB MUSIC FUND SCHOLARSHIPS.

ANNOUNCING THIS TODAY (WEDNESDAY), THE CHAIRMAN OF THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES OF THE FUND, MR BARRIE WIGGHAM, POINTED OUT THAT THE MUSIC FUND HAS ALREADY SPONSORED 16 YOUNG MUSICIANS IN ADVANCED INSTRUMENTAL STUDIES, OVERSEAS AND LOCALLY, DURING THE LAST THREE YEARS.

♦LAST YEAR, WE SPONSORED MUSICIANS FOR THE FIRST TIME TO STUDY AT THE RENOWNED MENUHIN ACADEMY IN SWITZERLAND AND THE NATIONAL CENTRE FOR ORCHESTRAL STUDIES IN LONDON,* SAID MR WIGGHAM, + IN ADDITION TO SCHOLARSHIPS FOR THE ROYAL COLLEGE OF MUSIC, THE GUILDHALL SCHOOL OF MUSIC AND DRAMA, AND THE HONG KONG CONSERVATORY OF MUSIC.*

THIS YEAR FURTHER SCHOLARSHIPS WILL BE OFFERED TO ENABLE SUCCESSFUL APPLICANTS TO PURSUE EITHER A 3-YEAR FULL TIME COURSE AT THE HONG KONG CONSERVATORY OF MUSIC, OR A ONE-YEAR FULL TIME COURSE OF ADVANCED ORCHESTRAL INSTRUMENTAL STUDY OVERSEAS.

THE OVERSEAS SCHOLARSHIPS NORMALLY COVER PASSAGES, COURSE FEES AND SUBSISTENCE ALLOWANCE.

MR WIGGHAM URGED THOSE INTERESTED TO TELEPHONE 5-951859 BEFORE FRIDAY, MARCH 20, 1981 FOR FURTHER DETAILS.

-----o-----

PLB RESTRICTION AT WO TONG TSUI STREET, KWAI CHUNG ******

A SPOKESMAN FOR THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCED TODAY THAT WITH EFFECT FROM 10 AM ON SATURDAY (MARCH 14) PUBLIC LIGHT BUSES, UNLESS AUTHORISED IN WRITING BY THE COMMISSIONER FOR TRANSPORT, WILL NOT BE ALLOWED TO STOP FOR PASSENGERS OR GOODS ON THE SECTION OF^WO TONG TSU I STREET BETWEEN KWAI CHUNG ROAD AND KWAI HING ROAD FROM 7 AM TO 10 AM AND 4 PM TO 7 PM DAILY.

APPROPRIATE TRAFFIC SIGNS WILL BE ERECTED TO GUIDE PUBLIC LIGHT BUS DRIVERS.

- - 0 - -

DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN

ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL: 5-233191

THURSDAY, MARCH 12, 1981

CONTENTS PAGE NO

VISIT OF HRH THE DUKE OF EDINBURGH......................

CONTROLLER OF RAILWAY DEVELOPMENT ........................... 1

NEW TECHNIQUES BOOST VEGETABLE PRODUCTION ................... 2

FRANCE BANS INDIRECT IMPORT OF HK TOYS ...................... 3

TAI PO TO HAVE U12 MILLION INDOOR SPORTS CENTRE......... 3

DIVING COMPETITION FOR LOCAL DIVERS ......................... 4

NEW DISTRICT JUDGE APPOINTED ................................ 5

MONEY RAISED IN NT WALKS PRESENTED TO COMMUNITY CHEST .. 5

SNT TO OPEN SAILING CENTRE .................................. 6

TEMPORARY TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS .............................. 6

THURSDAY, MARCH 12, 1981

1

VISIT OF HRH THE DUKE OF EDINBURGH * * *

HIS ROYAL HIGHNESS, THE DUKE OF EDINBURGH, WILL BE MAKING TWO STOP-OVER VISITS TO HONG KONG ON HIS WAY TO AND FROM AUSTRALIA AT THE END OF THIS MONTH.

THE DUKE WILL ARRIVE IN HONG KONG ON MARCH 24 AND OPEN THE PRINCE PHILIP DENTAL HOSPITAL. HIS ROYAL HIGHNESS WILL ALSO PAY A PRIVATE VISIT TO THE QUEEN’S OWN HIGHLANDERS, OF WHICH HE IS JOURNEY~To”aUSTRAL?A ™E SAME DAY BEF0RE C0NTINU,N® HIS OUTWARD

ON THE RETURN JOURNEY, HIS ROYAL HIGHNESS WILL BE ARRIVING LATE IN THE EVENING OF SATURDAY, MARCH 28, AND WILL STAY OVERNIGHT AT GOVERNMENT HOUSE.

ON SUNDAY, MARCH 29, THE DUKE WILL FULFIL A NUMBER OF PRIVATE ENGAGEMENTS. THESE WILL INCLUDE VISITS TO THE ROYAL NAVY AND THE 7TH DUKE OF EDINBURGH’S OWN GURKHA RIFLES-

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

CONTROLLER OF RAILWAY DEVELOPMENT * * *

TWO IMPORTANT SENIOR APPOINTMENTS WERE ANNOUNCED BY THE GOVERNMENT TODAY. THE FIRST IS OF MR BOBBY HOWES, FORMERLY THE GENERAL MANAGER OF THE KOWLOON-CANTON RAILWAY AND CURRENTLY ACTING AS THE GENERAL MANAGER RAILWAY (SPECIAL DUTIES), TO A NEW POST OF CONTROLLER OF RAILWAY DEVELOPMENT. THE SECOND IS THE PROMOTION CF MR WONG U LAM. ACTING GENERAL MANAGER, TO GENERAL MANAGER OF THE KOWLOON-CANTON RAILWAY.

A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN SAID THE MODERNISATION AND ELECTRIFICATION OF THE KCR WAS ITS MOST IMPORTANT CURRENT TRANSPORT PROJECT AND EVERYTHING POSSIBLE WAS BEING DONE TO ACHIEVE THE TARGET COMPLETION DATES OF THE FIRST STAGE TO SHA TIN IN THE SPRING OF 1982 AND ALL THE WAY TO LO WU BY THE END OF 1982.

TO ASSIST IN DOING THIS, IT HAD BEEN DECIDED TO PROVIDE A SINGLE UNIFIED DIRECTION OVER ALL ASPECTS OF THE PROJECT, BY THE CREATION OF A SPECIALLY-DESIGNED POST OF CONTROLLER OF RAILWAY DEVELOPMENT IN THE PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT.

THE SPOKESMAN EXPLAINED THAT IMPLEMENTATION OF THE PROJECT INVOLVED NOT ONLY THE KCR BUT SEVERAL BRANCHES OF THE PWD, OTHER GOVERNMENT AUTHORITIES, SPECIALLY-APPOINTED CONSULTANTS AND AT PRESENT NO LESS THAN 30 MAIN CONTRACTORS. THEIR TASK WAS THE TOTAL REBUILDING OF A RAILWAY WHICH HAS BEEN IN EXISTENCE VIRTUALLY UNCHANGED FOR THE LAST SEVENTY YEARS, AND WHAT IS MORE, DOING SO WHILE CONTINUING TO PROVIDE PASSENGER AND FREIGHT SERVICES UNINTERRUPTED AND TO A STEADILY ACCELERATING DEMAND.

♦BECAUSE THE MODERNISATION PROJECT HAS NOW REACHED A CRITICAL STAGE, MR HOWES’ NEW CONTROLLING ROLE IS MORE THAN WELCOME,♦ THE SPOKESMAN SAID.

/THE CONTROLLER ...

TEUBSDAT, MABCH 12, 1981

2

THE CONTROLLER OF RAILWAY DEVELOPMENT WILL ACT AS A DEPUTY TO THE DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC WORKS, REPORTING TO HIM ON MATTERS RELATING TO THE ADMINISTRATION AND PROGRESS OF THE SCHEME, WITH POLICY DIRECTION FROM THE SECRETARY FOR THE ENVIRONMENT. HIS POST WILL MAKE HIM RESPONSIBLE FOR THE PLANNING, DIRECTION, COORDINATION AND FINANCIAL CONTROL OF ALL CONSTRUCTION ACTIVITIES, INCLUDING DECISIONS ON INTERFACE PROBLEMS BETWEEN THE NEEDS OF THE EXISTING RAILWAY AND THE CONSTRUCTION OF THE NEW ONE.

MR HOWES CAME TO HONG KONG AS GENERAL MANAGER OF THE KCR IN MAY 1978, HAVING HAD MORE THAN FORTY YEARS’ EXPERIENCE OF RAILWAYS IN THE UNITED KINGDOM, WHERE HE IS CURRENTLY HAVING DISCUSSIONS RELATING TO THE PROJECT.

MR WONG U LAM HAS BEEN DEPUTY GENERAL MANAGER SINCE MAY 1978 AND HAS OVER 27 YEARS’ SERVICE WITH THE KCR. HE HAS FREQUENTLY ACTED AS GENERAL MANAGER OF THE RAILWAY.

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

NEW TECHNIQUES BOOST VEGETABLE PRODUCTION

XXX

MODERN EQUIPMENT AND NEW TECHNIQUES HAVE HELPED LOCAL VEGETABLE FARMERS TO INCREASE THEIR PRODUCTIVITY, THE DIRECTOR OF AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES, MR JOHN RIDDELL-SWAN SAID THIS (THURSDAY) EVEN I NG•

AS A RESULT, MORE VEGETABLES WERE PRODUCED LAST YEAR DESPITE DECREASING ACREAGE DUE TO PRESSURES ON FARM LAND FOR DEVELOPMENT.

A GREAT DEAL OF CREDIT SHOULD GO TO MEMBERS OF THE FEDERATION OF VEGETABLE MARKETING CO-OPERATIVE SOCIETIES WHO CONTINUE TO SUPPLY SOME 80 PER CENT OF ALL THE VEGETABLES MARKETED THROUGH THE VEGETABLE MARKETING ORGANISATION, HE ADDED.

MR RIDDELL-SWAN WAS SPEAKING AT A SPRING DINNER AND INAUGURATION CEREMONY OF THE 29TH TERM COMMITTEE OF THE FEDERATION.

THE FEDERATION CONTINUED TO BE ACTIVE LAST YEAR AND, WITH THE SALE OF A FURTHER 108 ROTARY CULTIVATORS, BROUGHT ITS TOTAL SALES OF THESE VERSATILE MACHINES TO ONLY TWO SHORT OF 2 000, HE SAID.

MR RIDDELL-SWAN SAIDi +THE FEDERATION ALSO CONTINUED TO ENCOURAGE THE CHANGE OVER TO PLASTIC CONTAINERS FOR TRANSPORTING VEGETABLES, CONTRIBUTING SIGNIFICANTLY TO IMPROVING OPERATIONAL COSTS AND DECREASING THE WORKLOAD AT CHEUNG SHA WAN WHOLESALE VEGETABLE MARKET.*

THE AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES DEPARTMENT, HE SAID, PROVIDES TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE TO THE VEGETABLE FARMERS. IT ALSO ASSISTS THEM BY MAKING AVAILABLE LOW-INTEREST LOANS, TRACTOR PLOUGHING SERVICES AND DEVELOPMENT GRANTS FOR PLASTIC NETHOUSES.

+WE HAVE ALSO BEEN ABLE TO ASSIST EIGHT STUDENTS WITH AWARDS TOTALLING $124 300 TO PURSUE TERTIARY EDUCATION IN AGRICULTURE AND RELATED SUBJECTS IN HONG KONG AND OVERSEAS AND WILL CONTINUE TO PROVIDE THIS HELP ESPECIALLY TO CHILDREN FROM FARMING FAMILIES,* MR RIDDELL-SWAN SAID.

THURSDAY, MARCH 12, 1981

3

FRANCE BANS INDIRECT IMPORT OF HK TOYS * * * *

THE BRUSSELS OFFICE OF THE TRADE INDUSTRY AND CUSTOMS DEPARTMENT HAS OBTAINED DETAILS OF THE DECISION TAKEN BY THE toysCo?MhS°kNoI? SrTg?n.,SE FRARCE To stof '“d'rect ihrorts *

_n CDIuLSI9PATn! ,S L,M,TED TO TOYS OF HONG KONG ORIGIN EXPORTED J?. FR«CL«a2LH£R MEMBER STATES OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITY, AND WILL BE EFFECTIVE UNTIL SEPTEMBER 30, 1981.

A SPOKESMAN FOR THE TICD SAIDi +WHILST THE ACTION TAKEN BY ™M?£,J0M!?,SSI0N D0ES N0T BAN TOYS EXPORTED DIRECTLY BY HONG KONG TO FRANCE, SUCH EXPORTS ARE STILL SUBJECT TO IMPORT RESTRICTIONS.

imoao?T2L^??,!S N0W RE-EXAMINING THE FULL RANGE OF DISCRIMINATORY ^AnnIT!ESI£lCT .0NS MAINTAINED BY FRANCE AGAINST HONG KONG THE?RCREAoVAL + LL C0NS,DER WHAT STEPS ,T M,6HT T*KE To SECURE

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

TAI PO TO HAVE

THE GOVERNMENT TODAY SITE TO THE TAI PO SPORTS CENTRE.

112 MILLION INDOOR SPORTS CENTRE * * * *

(THURSDAY) GRANTED A 2 700-SQUARE-METRE ASSOCIATION TO BUILD AN INDOOR SPORTS

THE ASSOCIATION WILL

— BUILD A THREE-STOREY BLOCK IN THE NEW TOWN CENTRE AT A COST OF APPROXIMATELY $12 MILLION.

A GAMES HALL, WHICH CAN BE USED FOR GYMNASTICS, BASKETBALL VOLLEYBALL OR BADMINTON, WILL BE BUILT ON THE TOP FLOOR.

A W,LL CONTAIN AN OFFICE, A CONFERENCE ROOM,

A RECREATION ROOM AND A DANCE STUDIO, WHILE A 24-LANE BOWLING ALLEY

AND RESTAURANT FOR 80 PERSONS

THE ROOF OF THE BUILDING

WILL BE SITED ON THE GROUND FLOOR WILL BE USED AS TENNIS COURTS.

BEHALF OF THE GOVERNMENT

THE

SIGNING THE DOCUMENTS ON BEHALF OF THE GOVERNMENT, THE $^RETARY FOR THE NEW TERRITORIES, MR DAVID AKERS-JONES, SAID AN AcSIari RECREATI0N IN TAI PO HAD NOT YET REACHED

Mil MVLur ! ADLC OImNDAKD.

+1 AM VERY GLAD THEREFORE TO SIGN THE LEASE FOR THIS SPORTS CENTRE TODAY WHICH WILL PLAY A MAJOR ROLE AS PART OF A DELIBERATE PROGRAMME TO IMPROVE OPPORTUNITIES FOR SPORT AND PHYSICAL RECREATION AS THE TOWN DEVELOPS,+ HE SAID.

♦WHEN IT IS FINISHED IT WILL BE RUN BY THE LOCAL SPORTS ASSOCIATION AND WILL BECOME A FOCUS FOR LOCAL PRIDE AND A SOURCE CF ENJOYMENT TO YOUNG AND OLD.+

SIGNING FOR TAI PO SPORTS ASSOCIATION, MR STEPHEN WONG, CHAIRMAN OF THE ASSOCIATION’S BORAD OF DIRECTORS, SAID THE CENTRE WOULD CONTRIBUTE TO PROMOTING AND RAISING THE STANDARD OF SPORTS IN THE NEW TOWN WHICH WOULD EVENTUALLY HAVE A POPULATION OF 220 000.

/PILING WORK ...

4

THURSDAY, MARCH 12, 1981

PILING WORK IS SCHEDULED TO START IN MAY AND THE ENTIRE PROJECT WILL BE COMPLETED BY THE END OF 1982.

♦PROGRESS, HOWEVER, WILL DEPEND VERY MUCH ON THE SUCCESS OF FUND-RAISING EFFORTS,* MR WONG SAID.

THE ROYAL HONG KONG JOCKEY CLUB WILL CONTRIBUTE $4 MILLION TO THE PROJECT AND A PRIVATE DONATION OF $3 MILLION HAS BEEN PLEDGED BY MR LI YIP-WANG, A LONG TIME TAI PO RESIDENT. THE REMAINING $5 MILLION WILL BE RAISED BY THE ASSOCIATION THROUGH PUBLIC DONATIONS.

MR WONG ANNOUNCED THE START OF THE FUND-RAISING CAMPAIGN AT THE CEREMONY AND URGED MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC TO GIVE THEIR FULL SUPPORT TO THE PROJECT.

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

DIVING COMPETITION * *

FOR LOCAL DIVERS * *

A DIVING COMPETITION FOR LOCAL DIVERS WILL BE HELD AT THE OCEAN THEATRE OF THE OCEAN PARK ON SATURDAY (MARCH 14).

THE LOCAL DIVERS, FROM THE HONG KONC AMATEUR SWIMMING ASSOCIATION, HAVE RECENTLY RECEIVED A SERIES OF FREE COACHING SESSIONS FROM THE GREAT AMERICAN HIGH DIVING TEAM WHO ARE APPEARING AT THE OCEAN PARK.

THE DIVERS WILL EACH HAVE THREE DIVES AND WILL BE JUDGED ON THEIR IMPROVEMENT AND EFFORT DURING THE COURSE BY MEMBERS OF THE AMERICAN TEAM.

AND THE THE

THE COACHING COURSES HAVE BEEN CO-ORDINATED BY THE RECREATION CULTURE DIVISION, THE RECREATION AND SPORT SERVICE (RSS) AND HONG KONG AMATEUR SWIMMING ASSOCIATION, WITH THE CONSENT OF OCEAN PARK FOR THE DIVERS TO USE ITS POOL FREE OF CHARGE.

THE SESSIONS STARTED ON FEBRUARY 21, AND SATURDAY’S SESSION WILL BE THE LAST. IT WILL ALSO BE THE LAST DAY THAT THE AMERICAN TEAM WILL BE PERFORMING AT OCEAN PARK.

PRIZES AND SOUVENIR CERTIFICATES OF ATTENDANCE DONATED BY THE RSS WILL BE PRESENTED TO THE DIVERS AFTER THE COMPETITION.

A SPOKESMAN FOR THE RECREATION AND CULTURE DIVISION SAID THE GENEROUS OFFER OF FREE COACHING BY THE GREAT AMERICAN HIGH DIVING TEAM HAS BEEN VERY SUCCESSFUL AND OF GREAT BENEFIT TO OUR LOCAL DIVERS.

♦WE ARE ALSO THANKFUL TO THE OCEAN PARK FOR THEIR CONSENT FOR THE COACHING SESSIONS TO BE HELD AT THEIR OCEAN THEATRE POOL.*

NOTE TO EDITORS:

YOU ARE INVITED TO SEND REPRESENTATIVES TO COVER THE DIVING COMPETITION ON MARCH 14 (SATURDAY).

THE SESSION WILL BE AT THE OCEAN THEATRE OF OCEAN PARK

FROM 2 PM TO ABOUT 5 PM. ___ _

/MEMBERS OF

THURSDAY, MABCH 12,'1981

5

MEMBERS OF THE AMERICAN TEAM AND LOCAL DIVERS WILL BE AVAILABLE FOR INTERVIEWS.

ARRANGEMENTS HAVE BEEN MADE WITH THE OCEAN PARK FOR PRESS MEMBERS TO ENTER THE PARK AND TO TAKE THE CABLE CAR UP TO THE HEADLAND FREE OF CHARGE ON THE PRODUCTION OF THEIR PRESS CARDS.

A MEMBER OF THE GREAT AMERICAN HIGH DIVING TEAM WILL MEET PRESS MEMBERS AT 2 PM AT THE HEADLAND CABLE CAR TERMINAL.

A PRESS POSITION HAS BEEN DESIGNATED AT THE FRONT CENTRE OF THE SPECTATOR STAND.

TV CREWS WISHING TO BRING THEIR EQUIPMENT UP TO THE OCEAN THEATRE CAN CONTACT MRS RIDDELL-SWAN (5-538111 EXT. 116) SO THAT ARRANGEMENTS FOR ACCESS MAY BE MADE.

ENQUIRIES ON THIS EVENT CAN BE MADE TO MR I.B.I. PETERSEN OF THE RECREATION AND CULTURE DIVISION AT 5-951944.

------0 - - - -

NEW DISTRICT JUDGE APPOINTED

* * *

THE GOVERNOR HAS APPROVED THE APPOINTMENT OF MR PATRICK MICHAEL RATTIGAN AS DISTRICT JUDGE.

MR RATTIGAN WAS BORN IN IRELAND IN 1930. HE WAS EDUCATED AT BLACKROCK COLLEGE AND UNIVERSITY COLLEGE, DUBLIN. AFTER BEING CALLED TO THE BAR IN 1962, HE WENT TO MALAWI WHERE HE ENGAGED IN PRIVATE PRACTICE.

HE JOINED THE HONG KONG JUDICIARY AS A MAGISTRATE IN 1972 AND WAS PROMOTED SENIOR MAGISTRATE IN 1978. HE HAS SAT AS A TEMPORARY ADDITIONAL DISTRICT JUDGE ON MANY OCCASIONS.

MR RATTIGAN WILL TAKE UP HIS APPOINTMENT ON MARCH 16.

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

MONEY RAISED IN NT WALKS PRESENTED TO COMMUNITY CHEST * * *

CHEQUES TOTALLING $2.41 MILLION, RAISED DURING THE EIGHT NEW TERRITORIES COMMUNITY CHEST WALKS IN NOVEMBER, DECEMBER AND JANUARY, WERE PRESENTED TO THE CHEST TODAY (THURSDAY).

THE CHEQUES WERE RECEIVED BY MR WILLIAM MA, CHAIRMAN OF THE COMMUNITY CHEST WALKS FOR MILLIONS SUB-COMMITTEE.

PRESENT AT THE CEREMONY WERE SECRETARY FOR THE NEW TERRITORIES, MR DAVID AKERS-JONES, WHO LED FOUR OF THE WALKS" THE DISTRICT POLICE COMMANDER NEW TERRITORIES, MR MIKE ILLINGWORTH AND THE CHAIRMAN OF THE NEW TERRITORIES DISTRICT WALKS, MR LAU WONG-FAT.

MR LAU SAID THE SUCCESS OF THE WALKS WAS A TRIBUTE TO THE JOINT EFFORTS OF VARIOUS VOLUNTARY COMMUNITY ORGANISATIONS AND GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS.

THUBSDAI, MARCH 12, 1981

6

+THEY BROKE NEW RECORDS BOTH IN NUMBERS TAKING PART AND IN AMOUNTS RAISED. THIS SHOWS THAT THE PEOPLE OF THE NEW TERRITORIES ARE PUBLIC-SPIRITED, UNITED, HELPFUL AND GENEROUS,* HE SAID.

MR LAU SAID WHEN THE NEW TERRITORIES WALKS WERE FIRST HELD IN 1978/79, 29 OOO PEOPLE TOOK PART AND >1.7 MILLION WAS RAISEDIN 1979/80, 36 000 PEOPLE PARTICIPATED AND THE AMOUNT RAISED WAS $2 MILLION- THIS YEAR, THE NUMBER OF PARTICIPANTS TOTALLED 43 000 AND >2.41 MILLION WAS RAISED FOR THE CHEST.

COMMUNITY CHEST WALKS IN HONG KONG STARTED 11 YEARS AGO. THIS YEAR THERE WERE 11 WALKS INVOLVING 132 000 PEOPLE. MORE THAN >6 MILLION WAS RAISED.

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

NOTE TO EDITORSi

SNT TO OPEN SAILING CENTRE * * M

THE SECRETARY FOR THE NEW TERRITORIES, MR DAVID AKERS-JONES, WILL OFFICIATE AT THE OPENING OF THE SAIL TRAINING ASSOCIATION CENTRE AT LITTLE PALM BEACH, SAI KUNG, ON SATURDAY (MARCH 14) AT 11 AM.

YOU ARE INVITED TO SEND REPRESENTATIVES TO COVER THE EVENT. GOVERNMENT TRANSPORT WILL LEAVE KOWLOON PUBLIC PIER AT 9.45 AM. MR DONALD STRANGE OF THE NEW TERRITORIES ADMINISTRATION WILL BE PRESENT TO ASSIST.

------0 - - - -

TEMPORARY TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS

* K *

A 300-METRE SECTION NORTH OF THE STUBBS ROAD/TAI HANG ROAD ROUNDABOUT WILL BE CLOSED TO TRAFFIC FROM 0.30 AM TO 5.30 AM ON SATURDAY (MARCH 14) AND TUESDAY (MARCH 17), A SPOKESMAN FOR THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCED TODAY (THURSDAY).

TRAFFIC TO TUNG SHAN TERRACE AND CRAIGMONT WILL BE DIVERTED VIA QUEEN'S ROAD EAST AND STUBBS ROAD. OTHER TRAFFIC WILL BE DIVERTED TO TAI HANG ROAD.

THE ARRANGEMENTS ARE TO FACILITATE CONSTRUCTION WORK FOR A FLYOVER.

ALSO ON SATURDAY (MARCH 14), THE U-TURN LOOP FROM GARDEN ROAD TO COTTON TREE DRIVE NORTH OF PEAK TRAM STATION WILL ALSO BE CLOSED FROM 4 PM UNTIL 7 AM ON MONDAY (MARCH 16) TO FACILITATE REPAIR OF AN EXPANSION JOINT ON COTTON TREE DRIVE.

MOTORISTS COMING DOWN HILL FROM GARDEN ROAD AND WISHING TO PROCEED TO COTTON TREE DRIVE ARE ADVISED TO MAKE USE OF THE U-TURN LOOP NORTH OF THE HELENA MAY INSTITUTE.

TRAFFIC FROM LOWER ALBERT ROAD TO COTTON TREE DRIVE MAY USE THE SLIP ROAD ADJACENT TO THE MURRAY BARRACKS CAR PARK.

APPROPRIATE TRAFFIC SIGNS WILL BE PUT UP TO GUIDE MOTORISTS.

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

DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN

ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE. HONG KONG. TEL: 5-233191

FRIDAY, WCH 13, 1981

CONTENTS page no.

MIR ISLAND LINE AREA PLAN AVATT.-RLE............................

HONG KONG/US TEXTILES AGREEMENT ................................ 2

QUALITY OF LIFE AFFECTED BY POPULATION EXPLOSION ................. 4

BILL TO GIVE LEGCO POWER TO INCREASE FINES ....................... 5

HE'S POSITION IN THE WORLD OF MUSIC .............................. 6

REMINDER TO ENROL IN CRAFT COURSES ............................... 6

campaign activities close in nt north district ................... 7

CITY HALL WALKWAY TO BE REBUILT

7

FRIDAY, MARCH 13, 1981

1

MTR ISLAND LINE AREA PLAN AVAILABLE * * * *

THE MTR ISLAND LINE RAILWAY AREA PLAN FOR THE SECTION BETWEEN WESTERN MARKET AND VICTORIA PARK (THE ROUTE OF WHICH GENERALLY FOLLOWS DES VOEUX ROAD CENTRAL, QUEENSWAY AND HENNESSY ROAD) IS AVAILABLE FOR PUBLIC INSPECTION.

COPIES OF THE PLAN MAY BE SEEN DURING OFFICE HOURS AT THE ENQUIRY SUB-OFFICE, CENTRAL GOVERNMENT OFFICES, WEST WING, GROUND FLOOR- THE PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT, 19TH FLOOR, MURRAY BUILDING, OR AT ANY CITY DISTRICT OFFICE.

THE PLAN HAS BEEN DEPOSITED IN THE LAND OFFICE OF THE REGISTRAR GENERAL’S DEPARTMENT BY THE DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC WORKS IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE PROVISION OF THE MASS TRANSIT RAILWAY (LAND RESUMPTION AND RELATED PROVISIONS) ORDINANCE.

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

THE ISLAND LINE PROPOSAL, RUNNING INITIALLY FROM WESTERN MARKET TO CHAI WAN, HAS BEEN DEVELOPED BY THE GOVERNMENT AND THE MASS TRANSIT RAILWAY CORPORATION. THE UNDERGROUND SECTION OF THE RAILWAY WILL MOSTLY BE BUILT IN BORED TUNNEL, WITH STATION CONCOURSES LOCATED IN ADJACENT DEVELOPMENT SITES. THIS WILL MINIMISE DISRUPTION OF THE MAJOR THOROUGHFARES DURING CONSTRUCTION.

A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN SAIDi +THE ALIGNMENT OF THE RAILWAY AND THE LOCATION OF BUILDINGS CONNECTED WITH IT HAVE BEEN CHOSEN WITH GREAT CARE, AS WAS THE CASE WITH THE MODIFIED INITIAL SYSTEM AND THE TSUEN WAN EXTENSION, SO THAT THE EFFECT ON PROPERTY IS LIMITED AS MUCH AS POSSIBLE*.

IT IS THE INTENTION THAT, WHENEVER POSSIBLE, THE OWNERS OF AFFECTED PROPERTIES WILL BE GIVEN THE OPPORTUNITY TO REDEVELOP THEIR PROPERTIES IN CONJUNCTION WITH THE MTR CONSTRUCTION PROGRAMME, SO THAT NOT ALL THE AFFECTED SITES WILL NEED TO BE RESUMED.

HOUSEHOLDERS OF PROPERTIES WHICH ARE REQUIRED FOR RAILWAY PURPOSES WILL, WHERE ELIGIBLE, BE OFFERED ALTERNATIVE ACCOMMODATION BY THE HOUSING DEPARTMENT.

THE ORDINANCE, AS WELL AS GIVING THE GOVERNOR THE POWER TO ORDER RESUMPTIONS OR EASEMENTS, EMPOWERS THE DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC WORKS TO REQUIRE THE OWNER OF ANY BUILDING IN THE RAILWAY AREA TO REMOVE ANY OBJECT OR STRUCTURE WHICH IS ATTACHED TO, OR PROJECTS FROM, THE BUILDING IF HE CONSIDERS ITS REMOVAL NECESSARY.

THE CONSTRUCTION OF THE RAILWAY DOES NOT MEAN THAT REDEVELOPMENT OF SITES ADJACENT TO THE RAILWAY AREA WILL AUTOMATICALLY BE +FROZEN*. IN ALL BUT A FEW CASES, REDEVELOPMENT CAN BE PERMITTED, UNDER CERTAIN CONDITIONS.

HOWEVER, AS A SAFEGUARD AGAINST POSSIBLE CONFLICT BETWEEN THE RAILWAY WORKS AND PRIVATE DEVELOPMENT PROPOSALS, THE DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC WORKS, THROUGH THE BUILDING AUTHORITY, HAS THE POWER TO REFUSE APPROVAL TO BUILDING PLANS IF HE CONSIDERS THEY ARE INCOMPATIBLE WITH THE CONSTRUCTION OF THE RAILWAY.

/owners may ....

TODAY, MAfiCH 13, 1981

2

OWNERS MAY ESTABLISH CLAIMS TO COMPENSATION WHERE THE DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC WORKS REQUIRES LEGAL STRUCTURES TO BE REMOVED, OR THE BUILDING AUTHORITY REFUSES TO APPROVE BUILDING PLANS.

A NUMBER OF TEMPORARY OR PERMANENT STREET ALTERATIONS MAY BE NECESSARY TO FACILITATE CONSTRUCTION OF THE RAILWAY, AND WHEN DETAILS OF THESE ARE FINALISED, ANNOUNCEMENTS WILL BE MADE IN THE GOVERNMENT GAZETTE.

BUSINESS OWNERS WILL BE ENTITLED TO SUBMIT CLAIMS FOR BUSINESS LOSS. AS WITH THE MODIFIED INITIAL SYSTEM AND THE TSUEN WAN EXTENSION, OPERATORS OF SMALL SHOPS AND BUSINESSES WHOSE TRADE IS AFFECTED BY THE WORKS CAN APPLY FOR MONTHLY PAYMENTS UNDER AN ADVANCE PAYMENT SCHEME.

ALL CLAIMS MUST BE MADE IN WRITING TO THE DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC WORKS. THE TIME LIMIT FOR THE SUBMISSION OF CLAIMS IS IN MOST CASES ONE YEAR, AS LAID DOWN IN THE ORDINANCE. GENERAL ENQUIRIES CONCERNING THE RAILWAY AREA PLAN SHOULD BE ADDRESSED FIRST TO CITY DISTRICT OFFICES.

THE RAILWAY AREA PLAN FOR THE REMAINDER OF THE ISLAND LINE IS UNDER PREPARATION, AND IS EXPECTED TO BE DEPOSITED IN THE NEAR FUTURE.

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

HONG KONG/US TEXTILES AGREEMENT ft ft ft ft ft

MR LAWRENCE MILLS, ACTING DIRECTOR OF TRADE INDUSTRY AND SSI0?3' TODAY THAT AGREEMENT HAD BEEN REACHED BETWEEN

HONG KONG AND THE UNITED STATES ON AN ARRANGEMENT MODIFYING THE TERMS OF THE HK/US TEXTILES AGREEMENT FOR 1981. "UU"T’"8

CONSULTATIONS WERE FIRST HELD IN HONG KONG ON FEBRUARY 2A AND RESUMED IN GENEVA LAST WEEK. THE OUTCOME REPRESENTS A

SUCH CONTAINS PLUSES AND MINUSES FOR BOTH n>IUcq9+ SAID HR HILLS.

♦WE HAVE SECURED USEFUL INCREASES IN A NUMBER OF CATEGORIES WHERE WE THINK WE ARE GOING TO DO QUITE WELL IN 1981.

IN JE/.!SU?^ED ?2TJ2.!!?E CARRY0VER OR CARRYFORWARD

”HIS YEAR IN 9 CATEGORIES. IN ADDITION, WE HAVE AGREED TO

SW,HS PROVISION IN THESE 9 CATEGORIES TO NOT MORE THAN 5 PER CENT. WE HAVE ALSO AGREED NOT TO USE CARRYOVER IN 3 CATEGORIES AND NOT TO USE CARRYFORWARD IN ANOTHER TWO.

♦ IN ARRIVING AT THESE ARRANGEMENTS WE WERE CONCERNED NOT TO

WITH THIs“cLoS» S° F<*W‘S,> '"T<> ™E ** »E-"E«OTUTIOHS

/is mills .......

PBIDAY, MARCH 13, 1981

3

MR MILLS ADDED THAT DETAILS OF THE ARRANGEMENTS HAD BEEN RELEASED TO THE TRADE SEPARATELY.

NOTE TO EDITORS*

FOLLOWING IS A SUMMARY OF THE MODIFICATIONS!

THE ACTUAL EFFECT OF THE REVISION IS EXPECTED TO BE SLIGHT. THE REVISION AFFECTS THE SO-CALLED FLEXIBILITY PROVISIONS (I.E. SWING, CARRYOVER AND CARRYFORWARD) OF A NUMBER OF CATEGORIES. ON THE OTHER HAND THE BASIC LIMITS OF TWO OTHER CATEGORIES WILL BE INCREASED IN 1991.

AS PART 640 (SHIRTS, BEEN DROPPED

OF THE ARRANGEMENT, THE RESTRAINT LIMIT ON CATEGORY NOT KNIT, MMF) HAS BEEN REMOVED AND THE ITEM HAS INTO THE APPAREL BASKET.

, IN RESPECT OF CATEGORIES, NAMELY 331 (GLOVES, COTTON), 333/4/5 (COATS, COTTON). 338/9 (SHIRTS AND BLOUSES. KNIT, COTTON), 338/9(1) (TANK TOPS, KNIT. COTTON), 340 (SHIRTS, NOT KNIT, COTTOnJ, >1 (BLOUSES, NOT KNIT, COTTON), 347/8 (TROUSERS, SLACKS AND SHORTS, COTTON), 630/9 (SHIRTS AND BLOUSES, KNIT, MMF) AND 641 (BLOUSES. NOT KNIT, MMF), SWING IS TO BE REDUCED FROM THE PRESENT LEVEL RANGING BETWEEN 6 PER CENT-7 PER CENT TO 5 PER CENT AND THERE IS TO BE NO CARRYOVER FROM 1980 INTO 1981 OR CARRYFORWARD FROM 1982 FOR THESE CATEGORIES.

THERE IS TO BE NO CARRYOVER FROM 1980 INTO 1981 FOR CATEGORIES 337 (PLAYSUITS. ETC, COTTON), 342 (SKIRTS, COTTON) AND 635 (COATS, WOMEN’S, GIRLS’ AND INFANTS’, MMF) AND NO CARRYFORWARD FROM 1982 FOR CATEGORIES 345 (SWEATERS, COTTON) AND 648 (TROUSERS, SLACKS AND SHORTS, WOMEN’S GIRLS’ AND INFANTS’, MMF) BUT THE OTHER FLEXIBILITY PROVISIONS FOR THESE CATEGORIES WILL NOT BE AFFECTED.

THE FLEXIBILITY PROVISIONS FOR THE APPAREL GROUP AS A WHOLE WILL REMAIN UNCHANGED.

FURTHERMORE, THERE WILL BE INCREASES, FOR 1981 ONLY, OF 2.834 MILLION SQUARE YARDS AND 13 894 DOZENS IN CATEGORIES 317 (TWILLS AND SATEENS, COTTON) AND 336 (DRESSES, COTTON) RESPECTIVELY. THE 1981 SUB-LIMIT FOR CATEGORY 333/4 (COATS, MEN’S AND BOYS’, COTTON) WILL ALSO BE INCREASED BY 10 269 DOZENS.

0 -------

/4........

FRIDAY, MARCH 13, 1981

4

QUALITY OF LIFE AFFECTED BY POPULATION EXPLOSION

******

THE FALL OUT OF PROBLEMS FROM THE EXPLOSION OF POPULATION HAS PLACED A GREAT STRAIN ON OUR ABILITY TO MAINTAIN THE QUALITY OF LIFE, SECRETARY FOR THE NEW TERRITORIES, MR DAVID AKERS-JONES, SAID TODAY (FRIDAY). *

MR AKERS-JONES, SPEAKING AT THE ANNUAL DINNER OF THE HONG KONG BRANCH OF THE INSTITUTE OF QUANTITY SURVEYORS, SAID IN SOME RESPECTS AND IN SOME AREAS, *WE SLIP BACKWARD*.

THERE WAS NO DOUBT, HE SAID, THAT THE LIVING ENVIRONMENT OF THOSE IN MODERN PRIVATE APARTMENTS AND NEW PUBLIC SECTOR HOUSING IN EASTERN HONG KONG WAS MUCH IMPROVED AND THE ADDITION TO THE QUANTUM OF HOUSING WAS VERY BENEFICIAL, BUT AN ALMOST INTOLERABLE BURDEN HAD BEEN PLACED ON THOSE WHO MUST TRAVEL OUT OF THE AREA TO WORK.

♦THEY MUST WONDER WHETHER IT HAS ALL BEEN WORTH IT,* HE SAID.

SIMILAR STRAINS WERE SHOWING ALONG MOST OF THE MAJOR TRAFFIC ROUTES IN THE NEW TERRITORIES, AND ONLY DETERMINED ADHERENCE TO THE ROAD DEVELOPMENT PLAN OVER THE NEXT FOUR YEARS WOULD PREVENT A NORTH POINT SITUATION OF EVEN WORSE MAGNITUDE FROM EMERGING ELSEWHERE.

♦NUMBERS OF PEOPLE DENSELY CROWDED INTO OUR CITY, INCREASING PROSPERITY, THE USE OF NEW MATERIALS WHICH CANNOT BE RECYCLED, AND CHANGING ATTITUDES HAVE ADDED AN ENORMOUS BURDEN TO THE DAILY DEBRIS OF OUR CITY,* HE SAID.

WE BURNED 2 100 TONS OF RUBBISH A DAY- WE DUMPED ANOTHER 4 300 TONS AND COMPOSTED 200 TONS. TONNAGE OF RUBBISH HAD INCREASED BY AN AVERAGE OF EIGHT PER CENT A YEAR OVER THE PAST FIVE YEARS.

IN ONE RURAL AREA — YUEN LONG -- THE PIG POPULATION HAD RISEN FROM 226 000 TO 323 000 IN THE PAST SIX YEARS, PRODUCING 1 400 METRIC TONS OF MANURE A DAY WHICH WAS DUMPED INTO THE STREAM COURSES.

IT HAD BEEN CALCULATED BY ONE OF OUR ADVISERS THAT THIS WAS AN AMOUNT SUFFICIENT TO FILL THREE AND A HALF KILOMETRES OF QUEEN’S ROAD TO A DEPTH " ' --------

OF 14

METRES EACH YEAR!

♦IN THE PAST 20 YEARS BEEN ABANDONED AND ANOTHER FORMS OF URBAN SPRAWL,♦ MR

4 000 HECTARES OF ARABLE LAND HAVE

3 000 HAVE BEEN COVERED WITH VARIOUS AKERS-JONES SAID.

♦WHAT ONCE WAS GREEN AND LOVELY IS A MESS OF TIN SHEET AND FILTHY STREAMS.

♦THESE ARE BUT SOME OF THE EXAMPLES OF QUANTITATIVE INCREASE THAT HAVE LED TO A QUALITATIVE DETERIORATION IN OUR LIVING ENVIRONMENT.

/♦POHTONimT ........

FHLDAI, MABCH 13, 1?81

5

♦FORTUNATELY WE HAVE TO SOME EXTENT REALISED WHAT IS HAPPEN I NG.♦

TRANSPORT STUDIES, PUNNING STUDIES, THE ESTABLISHMENT OF THE ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY, LANDSCAPING WORK IN ALL URBAN AREAS. THE PROTECTION AND MANAGEMENT OF 159 SQUARE MILES OF COUNTRYSIDE BY COUNTRY PARKS LEGISLATION, AND CAMPAIGNS TO COMBAT CRIME, DRUGS AND LITTER WERE ALL EVIDENCE OF A RESPONSE TO THIS CHALLENGE TO THE QUALITY OF LIFE BY THE QUANTITATIVE GROWTH OF HONG KONG.

♦WE ALL HAVE A RESPONSIBILITY IN THIS NEVER-ENDING BATTLE AGAINST NUMBERS AND PARTICUURLY THE PROFESSIONAL INSTITUTIONS SUCH AS YOUR OWN — THE PUNNERS, THE ARCHITECTS, THE ENGINEERS, THE SURVEYORS, THE BUILDERS, THE MANAGERS — ALL MUST CONTRIBUTE THEIR SKILLS AND EXERCISE THEIR POSITION AS LEADERS IN OUR COMMUNITY IN NEVER CEASING TO DEPLORE A LOWERING OF STANDARDS. ADETER IORATION IN OUR ENVIRONMENT AND BY TIMELY AND CONSTRUCTIVE P0,NTED ,N THE Redirection, in GOOD heal™ OFDTHE°FUTURET^TO MEET ™E cons,derable and exciting challenges

BILL TO GIVE LEGCO POWER TO INCREASE FINES X X X X

THE GOVERNMENT IS INTRODUCING A SIMPLER AND QUICKER METHOD £ «A‘N™,N ™E PUNIT,VE AND DETERRENT EFFECTS OF STATUTORY rtNALT I

/UA 7HE ’^ERPRE^TION AND GENERAL CLAUSES (AMENDMENT)

(NO. 2) BILL 1981 PUBLISHED IN THE GOVERNMENT GAZETTE TODAY THF LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL WILL BE ABLE TO REVISE THE FINES FOR STATUTORY CFFEHCES BY RESOLUTION, INSTEAD OF BY WAY OF ANAMENDING BILl“ -CLP K'^IS.eW SrafL",EF JU8TICE W,LL

UUU e

FRIDAY, MARCH 13, 1981

6

HK'S POSITION IN THE WORLD OF MUSIC

* * * *

HONG KONG HAS ALREADY ESTABLISHED FOR ITSELF A POSITION OF RESPECT IN MUSICAL COMPOSITION AND MUSIC MAKING, THE SECRETARY FOR THE CIVIL SERVICE, MR MARTIN ROWLANDS, SAID THIS (FRIDAY) EVENING.

THIS IS IN SPITE OF THE FACT THAT. COMPARED WITH MANY COUNTRIES. HONG KONG'S CULTURAL AND ARTISTIC LIFE IS QUITE A RECENT PHENOMENON.

MR ROWLANDS MADE THE REMARKS WHILE ATTENDING A CONCERT BY OUTSTANDING TRAINEES OF THE MU8IC OFFICE AT THE RECITAL HALL OF THE HONG KONG ARTS CENTRE.

HE TOLD THE YOUNG MUSICIANS THAT THEY HAD A KEY ROLE TO PLAY IN MAKING HONG KONG A MUSIC CENTRE OF REAL BISTINCTION AND CONGRATULATED THE MUSIC OFFICE ON ITS RAPID PROGRESS AND EXCELLENT WORK IN PROMOTING MUSIC.

THE YOUNG PERFORMERS ALSO RECEIVED SOUVENIRS FROM MRS ROWLANDS.

0

REMINDER TO ENROL IN CRAFT COURSES

*****

FORM III STUDENTS WHO WISH TO ENROL IN FULL-TIME CRAFT COURSES IN THE FIVE TECHNICAL INSTITUTES IN THE 1981/82 ACADEMIC YEAR ARE REMINDED OF THE APPLICATION DEADLINE ON MARCH 25.

♦ONLY THOSE STUDENTS WHO ARE GENUINELY INTERESTED IN JOINING THE COURSES SHOULD APPLY, AND APPLICATIONS MUST BE MADE THROUGH THE SCHOOLS,♦ AN EDUCATI&N DEPARTMENT SPOKESMAN SAID.

IF A STUDENT APPLIES FOR AND OBTAINS A PLACE IN THE TECHNICAL *ND.JHEN TURNS ,T DOWN IN FAVOUR OF A SUBSIDISED

FORM IV PLACE, IT WILL MEAN A DELAY FOR STUDENTS WHO ARE GENUINELY INTERESTED IN JOINING THE FULL-TIME CRAFT COURSES* HE SAID.

mu N0T TET COLLECTED THE INFORMATION PAMPHLETS

ON THE COURSES AND THE APPLICATION FORMS ARE URGED TO DO SO AS SOON AS POSSIBLE AND DISTRIBUTE THEM TO THE STUDENTS.

♦INDIVIDUAL STUDENTS APPROACHING THE TECHNICAL INSTITUTES FOR APPLICATION FORMS WILL NOT BE ACCOMMODATED BECAUSE APPLICATIONS MUST BE MADE THROUGH THE SCHOOLS,♦ THE SPOKESMAN SAID.

iUeTiiM?PL^,.NE?,THAT APPLICANTS NOT ACCEPTED BY THE TECHNICAL INSTITUTES WILL STILL BE ALLOCATED AIDED FORM/MIDDLE IV PLACES IF FOUND ELIGIBLE UNDER THE JSEA SYSTEM.

♦HOWEVER, IF AN APPLICANT IS ADMITTED TO A TECHNICAL INSTITUTE AND HE HAS ACCEPTED THE OFFER, HE WILL BE ALLOCATED TO THAT TECHNICAL INSTITUTE AND NOT TO AN AIDED SECONDARY SCHOOL.+ THE SPOKESMAN SAID.

/teUOUHSES.......

FHIDAT, MABCH 13, 1981

THE COURSES OFFERED ARE IN COMMERCIAL STUDIES. CONSTRUCTION, ELECTRICAL ENGINEERING, MECHANICAL ENGINEERING, PRINTING, TEXTILE ---------- - “’ -------- MARINE AND FABRICATION, AND

INDUSTRIES, CLOTHING INDUSTRIES DESIGN.

CAMPAIGN ACTIVITIES *

CLOSE IN NT NORTH DISTRICT ft ft ft ft

A THREE-HOUR VARIETY SHOW TO CLOSE THE FIGHT CRIME AND ANTINARCOTICS CAMPAIGNS IN NORTH DISTRICT, NEW TERRITORIES, WILL BE HELD TOMORROW (SATURDAY) IN SHEUNG SHU I.

OFFICIATING WILL BE THE CHAIRMAN OF NORTH DISTRICT FIGHT CRIME COMMITTEE, MR CHEUNG YAN-LUNG, AND THE COMMISSIONER FOR NARCOTICS, MR PETER LEE.

THE PROGRAMME WILL INCLUDE A BAND PERFORMANCE, SINGING, MAGIC AND ACROBATIC SHOWS AND CHINESE OPERA.

THERE WILL ALSO BE PERFORMANCES BY POPULAR SINGERS ALBERT AU AND SIMON CHUNG.

THE SHOW, WHICH WILL BE HELD IN SHEK WU HUI PUBLIC PLAYGROUND AT 7 PM HAS BEEN ORGANISED BY NORTH DISTRICT FIGHT CRIME COMMITTEE AND THE ACTION COMMITTEE AGAINST NARCOTICS, WITH ASSISTANCE FROM NORTH DISTRICT OFFICE.

THE CAMPAIGNS STARTED LAST OCTOBER AND INCLUDED 16 EVENTS ATTENDED BY 20 000 PEOPLE. COSTS AMOUNTING TO $55 000 WAS MET BY ACAN, NORTH DISTRICT ADVISORY BOARD AND PRIVATE DONATIONS.

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

CITY HALL WALKWAY TO BE REBUILT ft ft ft

THE PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT IS TO RECONSTRUCT THE CITY HALL ELEVATED WALKWAY WHICH WAS BUILT 18 YEARS AGO AS PART OF THE CITY HALL COMPLEX.

THE RECONSTRUCTION OF THE ELEVATED WALKWAY WILL START IN APRIL AND IS SCHEDULED FOR COMPLETION IN SEPTEMBER.

TENDERS FOR THE PROJECT ARE BEING INVITED BY THE ARCHITECTURAL OFFICE OF THE PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT.

------o----

DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN

ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE. HONG KONG. TEL 5-233191

SATURDAY, MARCH 14, 1981

CONTENTS

PAGE NO.

ECONOMIC PROSPECTS FOR 1981 .............................

HK REPRESENTED IN AIR TALKS .............................

SECOND OIL RESERVE TANKER ARRIVES TOMORRCW ..............

SNT OPENS SAIL THAINING CENTRE AT LITTLE PALM BEACH ....

EDUCATION NEEDED FOR FISHING SUCCESS ....................

FRESH APPROACH TO POETRY TEACHING .......................

NEW PLAYGROUND FOR TAI KOK TSUI ........................

BOY SCOUTS CLEAN UP SAI KUNG BEACH .....................

(.

FIRING PRACTICE REMINDER ...............................

WATER CUT IN CENTRAL AND WAN CHAI ......................

SATURDAY, MARCH 1*, 198I

ECONOMIC PROSPECTS FOR 1981 ft ft ft ft ft

THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT TODAY RELEASED THE RESULTS OF A SURVEY OF ECONOMIC PROSPECTS CONDUCTED IN JANUARY TO OBTAIN THE VIEWS OF MANAGEMENT IN THE MANUFACTURING AND CONSTRUCTION SECTORS ON BUSINESS OUTLOOK FOR THE YEAR 1981.

THE SURVEY COVERED A SAMPLE OF ABOUT 540 LARGE MANUFACTURING ESTABLISHMENTS. WITH FULL ENUMERATION ON THOSE ENGAGING 500 OR MORE PERSONS, AS WELL AS 64 LEADING CONSTRUCTION COMPANIES. THIS WAS ONE OF THE MAIN SOURCES OF INFORMATION FROM WHICH THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY DERIVED HIS RECENT FORECAST ON THE ECONOMY IN 1981.

ACCORDING TO THE MANUFACTURERS, THE AGGREGATE VOLUME OF OVERSEAS ORDERS WAS EXPECTED TO INCREASE BY ABOUT THREE PER CENT IN 1981 OVER THAT OF I960. LOCAL ORDERS WERE EXPECTED TO INCREASE BY ONE PER CENT.

A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN OBSERVED THAT THE SURVEY FINDING IN RESPECT OF THE GROWTH RATE OF EXPORT ORDERS WAS LOWER THAN THE FORECAST GROWTH RATE OF DOMESTIC EXPORTS IN REAL TERMS, AT SEVEN PER CENT, GIVEN IN THE BUDGET SPEECH.

HE EXPLAINED THAT MANUFACTURERS’ SENTIMENT TENDED TO BE AFFECTED BY MARKET CONDITIONS PREVAILING AT THE TIME OF THE SURVEY AND TO BE CONSERVATIVE, SO THAT THE ACTUAL OUTCOME COULD BE BETTER THAN PREDICTED. HE STRESSED THAT THIS HAD BEEN THE FINDING WHEN COMPARING THE RESULTS OF PREVIOUS SURVEYS WITH THE EXPORT PERFORMANCE ACTUALLY ATTAINED SUBSEQUENTLY.

MANUFACTURERS WERE OF THE OPINION THAT EXPORT PROSPECTS FOR THE SECOND HALF OF THIS YEAR WOULD BE BETTER THAN THOSE FOR THE FIRST HALF. THEY EXPECTED THAT THE FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF GERMANY WOULD HAVE A FASTER GROWTH OF DEMAND FOR HONG KONG PRODUCTS THAN THE UNITED STATES AND THE UNITED KINGDOM. THESE VIEWS WERE BROADLY CONSISTENT WITH THE ANALYSIS CONTAINED IN THE BUDGET SPEECH.

FACTORIES PRODUCING WATCHES AND CLOCKS, FOOD, ELECTRICAL APPLIANCES AND ELECTRONICS WERE LIKELY TO HAVE A FASTER GROWTH IN BUSINESS THAN TEXTILES, CLOTHING AND PLASTICS FACTORIES DURING 1981.

THE PRICES OF PRODUCTS FOR EXPORT WERE EXPECTED TO RISE BY AROUND SIX PER CENT OVER THE 1980 LEVEL, SOMEWHAT LESS THAN THE ANTICIPATED INCREASES OF EIGHT PER CENT IN THE PRICES OF MATERIAL INPUTS AND 10 PER CENT IN WAGE RATES FOR OPERATIVES.

EMPLOYMENT IN THE FACTORIES SURVEYED WAS EXPECTED TO INCREASE BY TWO PER CENT IN 1981. ABOUT ONE THIRD OF THE MANUFACTURERS CONTACTED SAW LESS DIFFICULTY IN RECRUITING LABOUR DURING THE YEAR, WHILE NEARLY HALF OF THEM ENVISAGED THE SITUATION TO BE MUCH THE SAME AS IN 1980.

/IN LINE .......

SATURDAY, MARCH 14, 1981

2

IN LINE WITH THEIR EXPECTATIONS FOR FORTHCOMING ORDERS, THE MANUFACTURERS INTENDED TO EXPAND THEIR PRODUCTION CAPACITY FURTHER BY FIVE PER CENT IN MACHINERY AND EQUIPMENT AND FOUR PER CENT IN FACTORY SPACE IN 1981. SUCH CAPACITY WOULD BE UTILIZED SLIGHTLY MORE INTENSIVELY, AT 88 PER CENT OF ITS CAPACITY, IN THE COURSE OF THIS YEAR.

WITH REGARD TO THE CONSTRUCTION SECTOR, THE CONTRACTORS SURVEYED EXPECTED THE PRICES OF BUILDING MATERIALS TO INCREASE BY 11 PER CENT, WAGE RATES BY 13 PER CENT, AND THE NUMBER OF WORKERS EMPLOYED BY 10 PER CENT BETWEEN 1980 AND 1981. THEIR MACHINERY CAPACITY WOULD EXPAND BY ABOUT EIGHT PER CENT DURING THE YEAR.

A REPORT OF THE SURVEY IS NOW ON SALE AT $2 A COPY AT THE GOVERNMENT PUBLICATIONS CENTRE, GENERAL POST OFFICE. ENQUIRIES ON THE SURVEY RESULTS MAY BE MADE TO THE INDUSTRIAL PRODUCTION STATISTICS SECTION OF THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT (AT 5-286680).

0 - -

HK REPRESENTED IN AIR TALKS * * * *

MR NORMAN LATHAM. ASSISTANT DIRECTOR OF CIVIL AVIATION, LEFT HONG KONG TODAY (SATURDAY) TO REPRESENT THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT AT AIR SERVICES NEGOTIATIONS TO BE HELD IN LONDON BETWEEN UK AND SRI LANKA AERONAUTICAL AUTHORITIES.

THE DELEGATIONS WILL DISCUSS AMONG OTHER THINGS THE OPERATION CF SERVICES ON THE REGIONAL ROUTE BETWEEN HONG KONG AND COLOMBO, INCLUDING THE PROPOSED SERVICES BY AIR LANKA TO AND BEYOND HONG KONG.

FOLLOWING THESE DISCUSSIONS, MR LATHAM WILL ATTEND FURTHER AIR SERVICES TALKS IN THE HAGUE BETWEEN UK AND THE NETHERLANDS. THIS ROUND OF TALKS WILL BE THE THIRD IN A SERIES REQUESTED BY THE DUTCH GOVERNMENT ABOUT A POSSIBLE EXPANSION OF KLM’S SERVICES BETWEEN AMSTERDAM AND HONG KONG AND OTHER MATTERS.

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

SECOND OIL RESERVE TANKER ARRIVES TOMORROW

* X M *

HONG KONG'S FUEL OIL RESERVE WILL BE INCREASED WITH THE ARRIVAL TOMORROW (SUNDAY) OF THE TANKER +SEA BREEZE* WITH A CARGO OF OVER 123 000 TONNES OF FUEL OIL.

THE +SEA BREEZE* WILL BE MOORED SOUTHWEST OF THE NINEPINS GROUP OF ISLANDS, ADJACENT TO THE +STRAITS DAHLIA*. THE AREA WITHIN 180 METRES AROUND THE TANKER WILL BE A DECLARED CLOSED AREA UNDER THE PUBLIC ORDER ORDINANCE.

A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN SAID WITH THE 74 000 TONNES OF FUEL OIL ON BOARD THE +STRAITS DAHLIA*, THIS WILL BRING HONG KONG'S FLOATING RESERVE OF FUEL OIL TO ABOUT 200 000 TONNES.

/THE OIL .....

SATURDAY, MARCH 14, 1981

3

THE OIL ON BOARD THE ♦STRAITS DAHLIA* HAD BEEN PURCHASED ON THE SINGAPORE SPOT MARKET ON DECEMBER 11, 1980 AT THE PRICE OF US$241 PER TONNE. THE OIL ON BOARD THE *SEA BREEZE* WAS PURCHASED FROM A TRADING COMPANY ON DECEMBER 30, 1980 AT US$224.75 PER TONNE. THE PRICES WERE IN LINE WITH MARKET RATES PREVAILING AT THAT TIME.

THE PURCHASES WERE MADE BY OWENSBORD ENTERPRISES LTD., THE COMPANY SET UP BY THE GOVERNMENT WITH THE CO-OPERATION OF THE TWO POWER COMPANIES AND ESSO AND SHELL TO MANAGE A TEMPORARY FLOATING RESERVE OF FUEL OIL FOR ELECTRICITY GENERATION.

THIS OIL WILL BE SOLD TO THE POWER COMPANIES AND DISCHARGED LATER THIS YEAR INTO LAND TANKS WHICH ARE NOW BEING CONSTRUCTED AT THE NEW POWER STATIONS ON LAMMA ISLAND AND AT CASTLE PEAK.

THE SPOKESMAN SAID AS HAD ALWAYS BEEN PLANNED, THE COST OF THE TANKER STORAGE SCHEME WOULD BE MET THROUGH THE FUEL VARIATION CLAUSE, ALTHOUGH THE PURCHASE PRICE OF THE OIL WOULD NOT AFFECT CONSUMERS UNTIL IT WAS BURNT IN THE POWER STATIONS, WHICH MIGHT NOT TAKE PLACE FOR SOME TIME.

HE SAID THE IMPACT OF THE SCHEME ON CONSUMERS’ BILLS WOULD BE AN INCREASE EQUIVALENT TO AROUND ONE HALF OF ONE PER CENT.

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SNT OPENS SAIL TRAINING CENTRE AT LITTLE PALM BEACH ******

THE GOVERNMENT IS NOW CAREFULLY EXAMINING THE POTENTIAL OF THE WATERS AND COASTLINE OF SAI KUNG PENINSULA TO ENSURE THAT +THIS VALUABLE ASSET* IS PUT TO THE BEST USE, SECRETARY FOR THE NEW TERRITORIES, MR DAVID AKERS-JONES, SAID TODAY (SATURDAY).

MR AKERS-JONES WAS SPEAKING AT THE OPENING OF THE SAIL TRAINING ASSOCIATION CENTRE AT LITTLE PALM BEACH, PORT SHELTER.

THE ASSOCIATION OPENED A TEMPORARY CENTRE AT TAI KOO SHING IN APRIL, 1979. IT OBTAINED ITS PRESENT SITE, COVERING 1 501 SQUARE METRES, FROM THE GOVERNMENT EARLY LAST YEAR.

THE NEW CENTRE CONSISTS OF FIVE CONVERTED SHIPPING CONTAINERS WHICH SERVE AS OFFICE, CHANGING ROOMS, WORKSHOP, STOREROOM AND TOILETS.

A CLUBHOUSE AND OTHER FACILITIES ARE PLANNED.

THE TOTAL ESTIMATED COST IS $1.5 MILLION WHICH IS BEING MET THROUGH DONATIONS.

THERE ARE 40 SAILING DINGHIES AVAILABLE FOR TRAINING AND CRUISING, WHICH CAN ALSO BE HIRED BY OTHER ORGANISATIONS AND SCHOOLS.

THE CENTRE RUNS INTENSIVE FIVE-DAY COURSES AT ELEMENTARY, INTERMEDIATE, ADVANCED AND INSTRUCTOR LEVELS. OVER THE PAST TWO YEARS, MORE THAN 2 000 PEOPLE HAVE ATTENDED THESE COURSES.

/ANYONE AGED ....

SATURDAY, MARCH 14, 1981

4

ANYONE AGED OVER 14 YEARS CAN APPLY TO ENROL THROUGH THE RECREATION AND SPORT SERVICE.

MR AKERS-JONES SAID HE WAS DELIGHTED THAT THE YOUNG PEOPLE OF HONG KONG WERE BEGINNING TO EXPLOIT THE GREAT POTENTIAL OF THE SEA FOR RECREATION, ADVENTURE AND EXCITEMENT, AND TO EXPERIENCE THE DISCIPLINE THE SEA IMPOSES ON ALL THOSE WHO SAIL UPON IT.

♦HONG KONG ALSO NOW HAS ITS OWN DEEP-SEA TRAINING SHIP, THE OUTWARD BOUND SHIP ’JI FUNG’, WHICH WILL ADD ANOTHER DIMENSION TO THE TRAINING OF OUR YOUNG PEOPLE- AND I HOPE THAT MANY OF YOU HERE, WHO LEARN YOUR BASIC SKILLS ON DINGHIES, WILL SOON HAVE A CHANCE TO CLIMB THE 1OO-FOOT HIGH MASTS OF THE ’JI FUNG’,+ HE SAID.

AFTER HIS SPEECH, MR AKERS-JONES FIRED A GUN TO START A REGATTA IN WHICH OTHER YOUTH SAILING ASSOCIATIONS TOOK PART.

ALSO PARTICIPATING IN THE OPENING CEREMONY WERE THE PRESIDENT OF HONG KONG YACHTING ASSOCIATION, DR JOHN PARK, AND THE CHAIRMAN OF THE MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE OF THE SAIL TRAINING ASSOCIATION LIMITED, MR GORDON ROBINSON.

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EDUCATION NEEDED FOR FISHING SUCCESS

* *

THE FUTURE OF THE FISHING INDUSTRY DEPENDS LARGELY ON A SOUND EDUCATION FOR ITS FUTURE MEMBERS, THE DIRECTOR OF AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES, MR JOHN RIDDELL-SWAN SAID THIS (SATURDAY) AFTERNOON.

ADDRESSING THE ANNUAL LUNCH OF THE FISH MARKETING ORGANISATION SCHOOLS, MR RIDDELL-SWAN ADDED THAT A HEAVY BURDEN OF RESPONSIBILITY RESTED ON THE SHOULDERS OF THE STAFF MEMBERS OF THE SCHOOLS.

BOTH STAFF MEMBERS AND PUPILS CONTINUED TO INCREASE AND LAST YEAR THE INCREASE WAS SOME 12 PER CENT FOR BOTH.

MR RIDDELL-SWAN SAID TWO NEW CLASSROOMS WOULD BE BUILT AT THE SAI KUNG AND TSI NG Yl SCHOOLS AND WOULD BE READY FOR THE START OF THE NEW ACADEMIC YEAR NEXT SEPTEMBER.

STUDENTS OF THE SCHOOLS CONTINUED TO BRING CREDIT TO THE ORGANISATION DURING THE YEAR IN BOTH SPORTS AND ARTS, MR RIDDELL-SWAN SAID. PUPILS OF THE SAM MUN TSAI NEW VILLAGE SCHOOL HAD WON A GOLD MEDAL AT THE 22ND WORLD SCHOOL CHILDREN’S ART EXHIBITION IN KOREA LAST YEAR, HE RECALLED.

MR RIDDELL-SWAN CONGRATULATED THE HEADMASTER OF THE SAI KUNG SCHOOL, MR MA HUNG-BUN, WHO WAS AWARDED A BADGE OF HONOUR BY THE QUEEN LAST NEW YEAR IN RECOGNITION OF HIS SERVICES TO THE COMMUNITY.

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SATURDAY, MARCH 14, 1981

- 5 -

FRESH APPROACH TO POETRY TEACHING ft ft ft ft

PRIMARY AND SECONDARY SCHOOL TEACHERS ARE INVITED TO ATTEND A TALK ON THE TEACHING OF ENGLISH LITERATURE TO BE HELD NEXT MONTH AT THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT’S ENGLISH LANGUAGE TEACHING CENTRE.

DR J. DENNEY OF THE CHINESE UNIVERSITY’S DEPARTMENT OF ENGLISH WILL BE SPEAKING ON +TEACHING ENGLISH POETRYi AN AUDIO-VISUAL APPROACH*.

THIS IS THE SECOND IN A SERIES OF SEMINARS ON THE TEACHING OF ENGLISH LITERATURE ORGANISED BY THE TEACHING CENTRE.

IT WILL BE HELD FROM 9.30 AM TO 11 AM ON SATURDAY, APRIL 11.

TEACHERS WISHING TO ATTEND SHOULD APPLY THROUGH THEIR HEADS CF SCHOOLS TO THE SENIOR INSPECTOR, ENGLISH LANGUAGE TEACHING CENTRE, 9A BONHAM ROAD, HONG KONG. FOR ENQUIRIES, THEY CAN CONTACT THE CENTRE ON 5-482537.

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NEW PLAYGROUND FOR TAI KOK TSUI ft ft ft

THE PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT WILL BUILD A NEW PLAYGROUND IN TAI KOK TSUI TO PROVIDE ADDITIONAL RECREATIONAL FACILITIES TO RESIDENTS IN THE AREA.

THE NEW PLAYGROUND, AT THE JUNCTION OF TAI KOK TSUI ROAD AND SYCAMORE STREET, WILL HAVE A BASKETBALL COURT AND A REST GARDEN.

TENDERS FOR THE PROJECT ARE BEING INVITED BY PWD’S ARCHITECTURAL OFFICE.

WORK ON THE PROJECT WILL BEGIN IN MAY AND BE COMPLETED IN SEPTEMBER.

ON COMPLETION, THE PLAYGROUND WILL BE HANDED OVER TO THE URBAN COUNCIL FOR MANAGEMENT.

SATURDAY, MARCH 14, 1981

6

BOY SCOUTS CLEAN UP SAI KUNG BEACH

* * * *

A GROUP OF 30 BOY SCOUTS TODAY (SATURDAY) WORKED IN COMMUNITY SPIRIT ON THE SILVER STRAND BEACH AT SAI KUNG AND GAVE A FACELIFT TO THE CROWDED BEACH.

MOUNTING AN EXTENSIVE CLEAN-UP OPERATION, THE MEMBERS OF THE EAST KOWLOON BOY SCOUT ASSOCIATION PICKED UP A LARGE QUANTITY OF LITTER AND EMPTY TIN CANS FROM THE BEACH.

THE URBAN SERVICES OFFICE OF SAI KUNG PROVIDED BACK-UP SERVICES BY DEPLOYING A TEAM OF WORKERS.

THE EXERCISE WAS AIMED AT MAKING THE BATHERS AWARE OF THE NEED TO KEEP THE BEACH CLEAN, SAID A SPOKESMAN FOR THE NEW TERRITORIES SERVICES DEPARTMENT.

THE SPOKESMAN WARNED THAT LITTERING ON THE BEACH IS AN OFFENCE PUNISHABLE BY A FINE OF $1 000 ON FIRST AND $2 000 ON SUBSEQUENT CONVICTIONS.

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FIRING PRACTICE REMINDER ft ft ft

THERE WILL BE FIRING PRACTICE IN RANGE FROM MONDAY TO FRIDAY NEXT WEEK

THE HA TSUEN/CASTLE PEAK (MARCH 16-20).

PRACTICE WILL TAKE PLACE BETWEEN 8 AM AND 4 PM ON MONDAY-BETWEEN 9 AM AND 3 PM ON TUESDAY- AND BETWEEN 9 AM AND 2 PM FROM WEDNESDAY TO FRIDAY.

MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC ARE WARNED NOT TO ENTER THE AREA WHEN RED FLAGS ARE FLYING.

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WATER CUT IN CENTRAL AND WAN CHAI ft ft ft

CENTRAL AND

A NUMBER OF PREMISES IN

FRESH WATER SUPPLY TO ________

WAN CHAI WILL BE CUT OFF FOR SEVEN HOURS FROM 11 PM ON MONDAY (MARCH 16) TO 6 AM ON TUESDAY (MARCH 17) FOR LEAKAGE TEST.

THE AREAS TO BE AFFECTED ARE DES VOEUX ROAD CENTRAL TO QUEEN’S ROAD CENTRAL FROM JACKSON ROAD TO ICE HOUSE STREET, AND QUEENSWAY TO WATERFRONT FROM ARSENAL STREET TO MURRAY ROAD.

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DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN

ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE. HONG KONG. TEL 5-233191

SUNDAY, MARCH 15, 1981

CONTENTS PAGE NO.

SWD TO KEEP "HOTLINE" SERVICE................................ 1

SAFETY IN SCHOOL LABORATORIES URGED ........................ 2

SUCCESSFUL SEARCH FOR RECREATION SITES ...................... 2

EMPLOYEE RECORD IS A MUST...................................  4

GLOSSARIES TO PROMOTE USE OF CHINESE LANGUAGE ............... 4

TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS IN HA KWAI CHUNG ....................... 5

SALT WATER CUT IN CHEUNG SHA WAN

5

SUNDAY, MARCH 15, 1981

1

SWD TO KEEP +HOTLINE+ SERVICE ******

THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT WILL CONTINUE WITH ITS +HOTLINE+ SERVICE TO HELP PEOPLE WITH PERSONAL OR FAMILY PROBLEMS.

THIS FOLLOWS A REVIEW OF ITS EXPERIMENTAL OPERATION IN THE PAST FIVE MONTHS IN WHICH THE HOTLINE HAS FULFILLED A NEED FOR THOSE SEEKING QUICK PROFESSIONAL ADVICE AND GUIDANCE.

THE HOTLINE - 3-432255 - WAS INTRODUCED LAST OCTOBER PRIMARILY TO SERVE OUTSIDE OFFICE HOURS AND TO SUPPLEMENT WELFARE SERVICES ALREADY AVAILABLE IN THE DEPARTMENT’S FIELD OFFICES.

A SPOKESMAN FOR THE DEPARTMENT SAID TODAY THE HOTLINE HAD SO FAR RECEIVED MORE THAN 13 OOO CALLS, MOST OF WHICH CAME AFTER OFFICE HOURS.

HE SAID THE CALLS IN GENERAL CONCERNED PROBLEMS SUCH AS STRAINED FAMILY RELATIONSHIP, CHILDREN’S BEHAVIOUR, CHILD CARE, REHABILITATION AND FINANCIAL DIFFICULTIES.

ALTHOUGH SOME OF THE CALLS WERE ABOUT SERVICES NOT WITHIN THE SCOPE OF SOCIAL WELFARE, HE SAID, THE STAFF WERE ABLE TO REFER THEM TO THE APPROPRIATE DEPARTMENTS.

♦HOWEVER, WE WOULD WISH TO SEE THE HOTLINE SERVICE USED AS MUCH AS POSSIBLE BY PEOPLE WHO HAVE A GENUINE WELFARE PROBLEM,+ HE SAID.

THE SPOKESMAN SAID A NUMBER OF CALLS WERE ON SUSPECTED CHILD ABUSE, AND THEY WERE QUICKLY FOLLOWED UP BY CASE WORKERS IN THE FIELD OFFICES.

FOR EXAMPLE, HE SAID, ONE CALLER REPORTED A CASE WHERE THE MOTHER IN THE NEIGHBOURHOOD APPEARED TO BE ILL-TREATING HER TWO YOUNG DAUGHTERS.

THE HOTLINE STAFF WERE QUICK TO ACT ON THE CALL BY NOTIFYING FAMILY SERVICES CASEWORKERS IN THE NEAREST DISTRICT TO VISIT THE FAMILY. AS A RESULT, THE MOTHER WAS COUNSELLED AND MADE TO UNDERSTAND THE PROPER WAYS OF PARENTAL CARE.

THE SPOKESMAN SAID THERE WAS A CASE WHERE THE CALLER WAS SO THANKFUL FOR THE SERVICE PROVIDED BY A HOTLINE STAFF THAT HE WROTE TO THE PRES$ TO EXPRESS HIS GRATITUDE.

THE HOTLINE IS OPERATED BETWEEN 9 AM AND 10 PM ON WEEKDAYS AND SATURDAYS, AND FROM 1 PM TO 10 PM ON SUNDAYS AND PUBLIC HOLIDAYS. OVERNIGHT CALLS ARE MACHINE-RECORDED FOR FOLLOw-UP ACTION ON THE FOLLOWING DAY.

SUNDAY, MARCH 15, 1981

2

SAFETY IN SCHOOL LABORATORIES URGED * * *

SCHOOL AUTHORITIES ARE URGED TO OBSERVE SAFETY IN SCHOOL LABORATORIES, ESPECIALLY WITH REGARD TO FIRE PRECAUTIONS AND THE STORAGE OF CHEMICALS.

♦EVERY LABORATORY MUST BE EQUIPPED WITH AT LEAST ONE APPROPRIATE FIRE EXTINGUISHER, WHICH SHOULD NORMALLY BE INSTALLED NEAR AN EXIT AND BE EASILY ACCESSIBLE.+ AN EDUCATION DEPARTMENT SPOKESMAN SAID.

HE SUGGESTED THAT THE MOST SUITABLE TYPES OF EXTINGUISHER FOR LABORATORY USE ARE THE CARBON DIOXIDE TYPE OR THE +DRY POWDER+ TYPE.

IN ADDITION, THERE SHOULD BE A FIRE-BLANKET AND A BUCKET OF SAND IN THE LABORATORY, AND ALL LABORATORY STAFF SHOULD BE FAMILIAR WITH THE OPERATION AND HANDLING OF THESE APPLIANCES, THE SPOKESMAN SAID.

♦WHENEVER A LABORATORY IS NOT IN USE, ITS GAS AND ELECTRICITY SUPPLIES SHOULD BE SWITCHED OFF AT THE MA I NS,+ HE SAID.

IF A SCIENCE LABORATORY IS USED AS A CLASSROOM FOR NONSCIENCE LESSONS DUE TO FLOATING CLASS ARRANGEMENTS, THE TEACHER INVOLVED SHOULD SEE THAT STUDENTS DO NOT ENTER THE LABORATORY UNLESS HE IS PRESENT, AND THAT THEY DO NOT DISTURB OR REMOVE ANY OF THE SCIENCE MATERIALS IN THE LABORATORY.

IF LIQUEFIED PETROLEUM GAS IS USED IN THE LABORATORY, FORMAL APPROVAL MUST BE OBTAINED FROM THE DIRECTOR OF FIRE SERVICES AND ALL RELEVANT FIRE SERVICES REQUIREMENTS MUST BE OBSERVED,+ THE SPOKESMAN SAID.

DETAILS ON THE STORAGE OF CHEMICALS HAVE BEEN LAID OUT IN A PAMPHLET ENTITLED ♦SAFETY IN THE LABORATORY+ WHICH HAS BEEN DISTRIBUTED TO ALL SCHOOLS.

FURTHER ENQUIRIES ON LABORATORY SAFETY CAN BE DIRECTED TO THE SCIENCE SUBJECTS SECTION, ADVISORY INSPECTORATE, EDUCATION DEPARTMENT, 5TH FLOOR, LEE GARDENS, HYSAN AVENUE, OR ON 5-774001 EXT. 37, 38 OR 41.

- o -

SUCCESSFUL SEARCH FOR RECREATION SITES * * * *

A SEARCH IN TSUEN WAN AND KWAI CHUNG FOR SITES WHICH CAN BE USED FOR RECREATIONAL ACTIVITIES HAS SO FAR REVEALED A TOTAL OF SEVEN SITES.

THEY ARE IN ADDITION TO PROJECTS IN THE PUBLIC WORKS PROGRAMME FOR NEXT FINANCIAL YEAR.

FOUR OF THE SITES ARE IN TSUEN WAN AND THREE ARE IN KWAI CHUNG. THEIR DEVELOPMENT IS PART OF A S10 MILLION OVERALL PROGRAMME TO PROVIDE MORE RECREATIONAL FACILITIES IN THE NEW TERRITORIES.

SUNDAY, MANCH 15, 1981

3

TWO OF THE TSUEN WAN SITES ARE NEAR SHEK WAI KOK ESTATE WHICH WILL HAVE A POPULATION OF 39 OOO WHEN COMPLETED IN 1982. A THIRD SITE IS AT SHAM TSENG UNDER THE TUEN MUN VIADUCT- THE LAST SITE IS LOCATED BETWEEN HAM TIN STREET AND LUEN YAN STREET IN CENTRAL TSUEN WAN.

ONE OF THE KWAI CHUNG SITES IS AT HING FONG ROAD, CLOSE TO THE SPORTSGROUND AND HAS BEEN SELECTED BECAUSE IT IS NEAR SEVERAL NEW LARGE FACTORY BUILDINGS. A SITE IN KWAI HONG STREET IS WITHIN AN INDUSTRIAL AREA WHILE ANOTHER ONE LIES ALONG CASTLE PEAK ROAD AND YIP SHING STREET.

A SPOKESMAN FOR TSUEN WAN DISTRICT OFFICE SAID SITES WHICH WERE CAPABLE OF EARLY DEVELOPMENT WOULD RECEIVE PRIORITY.

WE WILL CONTINUE TO LOOK FOR MORE LAND THAT CAN BE MADE AVAILABLE FOR RECREATION,* HE SAID.

AMONG THE CRITERIA USED BY THE DISTRICT OFFICE AND OTHER GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS IN THE SEARCH FOR EXTRA SITES FOR FACILITIES ARE:

M WHETHER AVAILABLE LAND SCHEDULED FOR PERMANENT DEVELOPMENT COULD BE USED FOR TEMPORARY RECREATIONAL PURPOSES-

* WHETHER SPACE COULD BE MADE AVAILABLE IN OR ABOVE MULTI-STOREY CARPARKS OR ON BUILDING PODIA AND ROOFTOPS FOR TEMPORARY OR PERMANENT RECREATIONAL USE-

* WHETHER INCREASED EXPENDITURE ON MANAGEMENT, LIGHTING OR ROOFING COULD ENSURE MORE INTENSIVE USE OF EXISTING RECREATIONAL FACILITIES- AND

* WHETHER REPLACEMENT OF ONE MODE OF RECREATION BY ANOTHER MIGHT ACHIEVE MORE EXTENSIVE USE OF THE SITE.

♦AS OUR EFFORTS TO PRODUCE MORE SPORTING FACILITIES BEARS FRUIT, THE ASSOCIATED PROBLEM OF MAKING FULL USE OF THEM WILL NEED VERY CAREFUL LOOKING INTO,+ THE SPOKESMAN SAID.

♦ORGANISATION IS REQUIRED AT THE NEIGHBOURHOOD LEVEL AND VASSOCIAT IONS AND CLUBS SHOULD BE ENCOURAGED TO ORGANISE MORE ACTIVITIES FOR RESIDENTS, ESPECIALLY YOUNG PERSONS,* HE SAID.

OFFICERS FROM VARIOUS GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS WILL HOLD MEETINGS WITH LOCAL LEADERS AND ORGANISATIONS TO PROVIDE CO-ORDINATION AND ORGANISATION OF ACTIVITIES ON A CONTINUOUS BASIS AT THE NEIGHBOURHOOD LEVEL.

♦ORGANISATIONS, SUCH AS MUTUAL AID COMMITTEES, WILL BE ENCOURAGED TO ORGANISE FUNCTIONS FOR THEMSELVES TOGETHER WITH OTHER

NEW ASSOCIATIONS,♦ THE SPOKESMAN SAID.

HE SAID FINANCE FOR THE ACTIVITIES WOULD COME FROM THE DISTRICT ADVISORY BOARD VOTE AND THE +TSUEN WAN FUND* TO BE SET UP SHORTLY.

SUNDAY, MARCH 15, 1981

4

EMPLOYEE RECORD IS A MUST

* * * *

A SPOKESMAN FOR THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT TODAY (SUNDAY) REMINDED EMPLOYERS THAT EMPLOYEE RECORDS MUST BE KEPT AT ALL PLACES OF EMPLOYMENT, REGARDLESS OF THEIR SIZE OR LOCATION.

HE POINTED OUT THAT DURING RECENT VISITS TO FIRMS IN TWO COMMERCIAL BUILDINGS, LABOUR INSPECTORS DISCOVERED THAT THIS REQUIREMENT WAS APPARENTLY NOT OBSERVED BY ALL EMPLOYERS.

FOR EXAMPLE, WHEN THE LABOUR INSPECTORS WENT TO A DEPARTMENT STORE THEY FOUND THAT A NUMBER OF SALE STALLS WERE RENTED TO VARIOUS TRADING FIRMS BUT RECORDS OF THE STAFF MANNING THE STALLS WERE NOT AVAILABLE FOR INSPECTION.

THE SPOKESMAN SAID: +ALTHOUGH THE STALLS ARE SMALL IN SIZE AND ARE MANNED BY ONLY A FEW STAFF, THEY ARE EMPLOYMENT PLACES AND STAFF RECORDS MUST BE KEPT.*

AN EMPLOYER WITH A BRANCH OFFICE SHOULD ALSO KEEP A SEPARATE RECORD AT THAT OFFICE OF THE EMPLOYEES THERE, HE SAID.

♦ANY EMPLOYER WHO FAILS TO KEEP AN EMPLOYEE RECORD IS LIABLE TO PROSECUTION AND TO A MAXIMUM FINE OF $10 000 ON CONVICT ION,+ HE ADDED.

THE SPOKESMAN SAID LABOUR INSPECTORS WOULD CONTINUE TO CHECK EMPLOYEE RECORDS AND IDENTITY CARDS IN BOTH INDUSTRIAL AND COMMERCIAL FIRMS.

HE REMINDED EMPLOYERS THAT AN EMPLOYEE RECORD SHOULD CONTAIN THE EMPLOYEE’S FULL NAME AS SHOWN ON HIS IDENTITY CARD OR ANY OTHER APPROVED IDENTITY DOCUMENTS AND THE TYPE AND NUMBER OF THE DOCUMENT IN QUESTION.

IF MORE THAN 10 EMPLOYEES ARE EMPLOYED, THE RECORD SHOULD BE IN THE FORM OF A LIST. IF 10 OR LESS EMPLOYEES ARE EMPLOYED, THE RECORD CAN BE KEPT IN SEPARATE SHEETS.

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GLOSSARIES TO PROMOTE USE OF CHINESE LANGUAGE ******

AN

ENGLISH-CHINESE GLOSSARY OF COMMON TERMS USED IN EDUCATION HAS BEEN PUBLISHED BY THE GOVERNMENT. IT IS THE FIRST IN A SERIES OF GLOSSARIES TO BE COMPILED BY THE CHINESE LANGUAGE DIVISION OF THE HOME AFFAIRS DEPARTMENT.

ccdu T0 BE C0VERED INCLUDE HOUSING AND LAND, URBAN

SERVICES, SOCIAL WELFARE, FINANCE AND THE ECONOMY, AND TRANSPORT.

THE GLOSSARIES ARE INTENDED TO PROMOTE THE WIDER USE OF CHINESE IN OFFICIAL BUSINESS BY PROVIDING STANDARDISED CHINESE TRANSLATION OF COMMON ENGLISH TERMS. THEY WILL BE OF SPEC AL USE

SUNDAY, MAUCH 15, 1981

5

THE EDUCATION GLOSSARY CONTAINS SOME 2 OOO TERMS AND PHRASES GLEANED FROM BILINGUAL GOVERNMENT PUBLICATIONS SUCH AS GREEN PAPERS, WHITE PAPERS AND OTHER DOCUMENTS. IT IS IN TWO PARTSs THE FIRST CONTAINS TERMS RELATING TO EDUCATIONAL ADMINISTRATION, GENERAL EDUCATION AND TECHNICAL EDUCATION, THE SECOND PART IS DEVOTED TO SPECIAL EDUCATION TERMS.

ENTITLED ’AN ENGLISH-CHINESE GLOSSARY OF TERMS COMMONLY USED IN GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS, VOLUME 1 - EDUCATION’ IT IS AVAILABLE AT $5 A COPY AT THE GOVERNMENT PUBLICATIONS CENTRE, GPO BUILDING, CONNAUGHT PLACE, AND AT LEADING BOOKSTORES.

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TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS IN HA KWAI CHUNG # M M

WITH EFFECT FROM FRIDAY (MARCH 20) PUBLIC LIGHT BUSES WILL BE PROHIBITED FROM ENTERING SEVERAL STREETS HA KWAI CHUNG UNLESS AUTHORIZED IN WRITING BY THE COMMISSIONER FOR TRANSPORT. A SPOKESMAN FOR THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCED TODAY ^SUNDAY).

THE STREETS INVOLVED ARE THE SECTION OF LAI YIU STREET SOUTH CF LOK YIU HOUSE- THE SECTION OF WAH YIU ROAD AT ITS JUNCTION WITH CASTLE PEAK ROAD NEAR THE GULF PETROL FILLING STATION- THE SECTION OF LAI KING HILL ROAD BETWEEN LAI CHI KOK AMUSEMENT PARK AND ITS JUNCTION WITH THE ACCESS ROAD TO PRINCESS MARGARET HOSPITAL- AND THE SECTION OF HAM TIN STREET BETWEEN SHA TSUI ROAD AND YEUNG UK ROAD.

APPROPRIATE TRAFFIC SIGNS WILL BE ERECTED TO GUIDE PUBLIC

LIGHT BUS DRIVERS.

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SALT WATER CUT IN CHEUNG SHA WAN * *

SALT WATER SUPPLY TO A NUMBER 0F ’J WILL BE CUT OFF FOR 10 HOURS FROM 9 AM TO 7 PM ON FOR WATER MAIN REPAIRS.

CHEUNG SHA WAN

TUESDAY (MARCH 17)

WAH STREET, ROAD, INCLUDING

THE AREA TO BE AFFECTED IS BOUNDED BY CHEUNG BUTTERFLY VALLEY ROAD, PO ON ROAD AND LAI CHI KOK sS UK ESTATE, UPPER PAK TIN ESTATE AND CALDECOTT ROAD.

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DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN

ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL 5-233191

MONDAY, MARCH 16, 1981

CONTENTS PAGE NO.

CfNSUS SUCCESSFULLY COMPLETED ................................ 1

YUEM LONG'S MEDIC AL EXPANSION INAUGURATED ................... 1

HONG KONG/CANADA TEXTILE CONSULTATIONS ....................... 2

WELFARE RECIPIENTS WARNED AG.JNST IMPOSTERS .................. 2

FIELD DAY FOR TEACHERS ....................................... 3

TENDERS FOR CONCRETE BATCHING PLANT SITE IN TAI PO ........... 3

TWO WATER MAINS CONTRACTS AWARDED

4

MONDAY, MARCH 16, 1981

CENSUS SUCCESSFULLY COMPLETED * * * *

THE 1981 POPULATION CENSUS HAS BEEN SUCCESSFULLY COMPLETED, A SPOKESMAN FOR THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT SAID TODAY (MONDAY).

THROUGHOUT THE LAST 10 DAYS, ENUMERATORS FROM THE DEPARTMENT HAD VIRTUALLY VISITED ALL HOUSEHOLDS TO OBTAIN THE REQUIRED INFORMATION.

♦EXCEPT FOR A VERY SMALL NUMBER OF HOUSEHOLDS WHO COULD NOT EE CONTACTED, THE RESPONSE WAS ALMOST COMPLETE,* HE SAID.

THE SPOKESMAN EXPRESSED HIS APPRECIATION TO MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC FOR THEIR CO-OPERATION.

TRIBUTE WAS ALSO PAID TO SOME 12 500 STUDENTS AND TEACHERS WHO WORKED AS TEMPORARY ENUMERATION STAFF. +MOST OF THEM WORKED LONG HOURS FROM MORNING TO LATE EVENING DURING THE 10 DAYS,* THE SPOKESMAN SAID.

♦WITHOUT THEIR DILIGENCE AND DEVOTION THE CENSUS WOULD NEVER HAVE BEEN SUCH A SUCCESS.♦

PRELIMINARY RESULTS FROM THE CENSUS (PROVISIONAL HEADCOUNTS BY DISTRICT) WILL BE AVAILABLE IN EARLY MAY. ALL INFORMATION OBTAINED IN THE CENSUS IS BEING TREATED AS STRICTLY CONFIDENTIAL.

THE SPOKESMAN URGED THOSE HOUSEHOLDS WHO COULD NOT BE CONTACTED DURING THE 10 DAYS TO COMPLETE THE SELF-ADMINISTERED QUESTIONNAIRE LEFT BEHIND BY THE CENSUS ENUMERATOR AND RETURN IT TO THE DEPARTMENT WITHIN THIS WEEK.

HOUSEHOLDS WHO HAD NOT BEEN INTERVIEWED BY ANY ENUMERATOR OR RECEIVED ANY QUESTIONNAIRE ARE REQUESTED TO CONTACT THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT AT 5-45*171 OR 5-452586.

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YUEN LONG’S MEDICAL EXPANSION INAUGURATED

* * *

YUEN LONG WILL HAVE MORE MEDICAL FACILITIES IN THE NEXT FOUR YEARS WHEN THE CURRENT EXPANSION PROGRAMME OF POK 01 HOSPITAL IS COMPLETED.

THIS WAS STATED BY THE DIRECTOR OF MEDICAL AND HEALTH SERVICES, DR K.L. THONG AT THE INAUGURATION OF THE DOCTORS’ AND NURSES’ QUARTERS AT POK 01 THIS AFTERNOON.

THE FOUR-STOREY BUILDING MARKS THE FIRST PHASE OF THE EXPANSION PROGRAMME AND WILL BE FOLLOWED BY ANOTHER FOUR PHASES OF CONSTRUCTION UP TO 1985.

DR THONG, IN COMPLIMENTING THE DIRECTORS OF THE HOSPITAL ON THEIR FORESIGHT, SAID THAT THEIR DECISION TO INCREASE THE CAPACITY TO 420 BEDS CAME AT THE TIME WHEN THE GOVERNMENT HAD PLANS TO UPGRADE NEDICAL AND HEALTH SERVICES, PARTICULARLY THE PROVISION OF BEDS IN THE DEVELOPING NEW TOWNS.

/HE ALSO ....

MONDAY, MARCH 16, 1981

2

HE ALSO NOTED THAT POK Ol HOSPITAL. WITH ITS HISTORY OF ^*lMVu'ILSERV,CES’ *PLAYS AN essential part in the medical and HEALTH DEPARTMENT’S DEVELOPMENT PLAN IN GENERAL AND ITS REGIONALISATION SCHEME IN PARTICULAR.*

THE EXPANSION PROGRAMME WILL HELP TO ACHIEVE THE TARGET OF ncuciBA^<-PER thoUSAND POPULATION IN 1985, AS SET OUT BY THE MEDICAL DEVELOPMENT ADVISORY COMMITTEE, HE ADDED* C L

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HONG KONG/CANADA TEXTILE CONSULTATIONS * * * *

CONSULTATIONS BETWEEN HONG KONG AND CANADA BEGAN HERE TODAY (MONDAY) ON HONG KONG’S EXPORTS OF TAILORED COLLAR SHIRTS.

THE HONG KONG DELEGATION IS LED BY MR PETER TSAO, COMMISSIONER CF TRADE, AND THE CANADIAN DELEGATION BY MR DOUGLAS ARTHUR, CHIEF TEXTILES NEGOTIATOR.

THE ITEM IS CURRENTLY UNDER RESTRAINT IN THE HONG KONG/ CANADIAN BILATERAL AGREEMENT WHICH EXPIRES ON DECEMBER 31. 1981. DISCUSSIONS ARE EXPECTED TO LAST TWO DAYS.

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WELFARE RECIPIENTS WARNED AGAINST IMPOSTERS

*****

THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT TODAY (MONDAY) URGED RECIPIENTS OF SOCIAL SECURITY PAYMENTS TO GUARD THEMSELVES AGAINST IMPOSTERS.

THE APPEAL CAME FOLLOWING A RECENT INCIDENT IN WHICH AN OLD AGE ALLOWANCE RECIPIENT WAS CHEATED OF ABOUT $14 □□□ BY A MAN WHO CLAIMED TO BE A BANK EMPLOYEE SENT BY THE DEPARTMENT TO CHECK ON HER ALLOWANCE PAYMENTS, WHICH ARE MADE THROUGH AUTOPAY SYSTEM.

THE MAN ASKED TO SEE HER BANK ACCOUNT AND SEAL. BY MISTAKE, SHE PRODUCED A BANK BOOK WHICH HAD ABOUT $14 000 IN THE ACCOUNT AND WHICH WAS NOT THE ONE USED FOR COLLECTING THE ALLOWANCE.

THE MAN EXCHANGED THE BANK BOOK FOR ANOTHER ONE AND LEFT WITH THE SEAL.

THE NEXT DAY, THE WOMAN RANG TO CHECK WITH THE DEPARTMENT’S CASEWORKER, ONLY TO FIND THE MAN WAS AN IMPOSTER. THE MONEY IN HER BANK ACCOUNT HAD BEEN DRAWN.

A SPOKESMAN FOR THE DEPARTMENT SAID PEOPLE RECEIVING SOCIAL SECURITY PAYMENTS, IF APPROACHED BY STRANGERS, SHOULD DEMAND TO SEE THEIR IDENTITY PAPERS.

♦IF IN DOUBT, THEY SHOULD FIRST CHECK WITH THE DEPARTMENT’S CASEWORKERS,+ HE ADDED.

AT PRESENT, ABOUT 186 000 PEOPLE ARE RECEIVING OLD AGE ALLOWANCE, 28 000 DISABILITY ALLOWANCE, AND 46 000 PUBLIC ASSISTANCE.

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/3.....

MONDAY, MARCH 16, 1981

3

FIELD DAY FOR TEACHERS

* * *

THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT HAS ORGANISED A SERIES OF SMALL GROUP DISCUSSIONS FOR TEACHERS FROM AIDED PRIMARY AND SECONDARY SCHOOLS TO MEET WITH ITS STAFF TO FURTHER IMPROVE COMMUNICATION BETWEEN THE TWO PARTIES.

THE DISCUSSIONS WILL PROVIDE TEACHERS WITH AN OPPORTUNITY TO EXPRESS THEIR VIEWS FREELY AND SPONTANEOUSLY IN AN INFORMAL SETTING, AN EDUCATION DEPARTMENT SPOKESMAN SAID.

THE TOPICS FOR DISCUSSION WERE CHOSEN FROM SUGGESTIONS SENT IN BY PARTICIPATING TEACHERS, HE SAID.

OF COMMON INTEREST TO BOTH PRIMARY AND SECONDARY SCHOOL TEACHERS ARE TEACHER-CLASS RATIO, THE REPORT BY THE STANDING COMMISSION ON CIVIL SERVICE SALARIES AND CONDITIONS OF SERVICE, LEAVE, PROVIDENT FUND, AND MORAL AND SEX EDUCATION.

IN ADDITION, PRIMARY SCHOOL TEACHERS WILL DISCUSS GRANT FOR EXTRA-CURRICULAR DUTIES, AND FULL-DAY PRIMARY SESSIONS.

SECONDARY SCHOOL TEACHERS WILL BE DISCUSSING EQUAL FRINGE BENEFITS FOR TEACHERS IN GOVERNMENT AND AIDED SCHOOLS, JUVENILE CRIME AND THE PROBLEM OF REPEATERS.

THE GROUP DISCUSSIONS WILL BE CONDUCTED IN CANTONESE, AND EACH GROUP WILL BE CHAIRED BY A SENIOR OFFICER OF THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT.

ABOUT 950 TEACHERS ARE EXPECTED TO TAKE PART IN THE DISCUSSIONS, WHICH WILL BE IN 29 GROUPS, AT THE VARIOUS CENTRES ON FRIDAY (MARCH 20).

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TENDERS FOR CONCRETE BATCHING PLANT SITE IN TAI PO * * * * *

THE NEW TERRITORIES ADMINISTRATION IS INVITING TENDERS FOR A SHORT-TERM TENANCY FOR A PIECE OF CROWN LAND AT TAI PO NEW TOWN FOR USE AS A CONCRETE BATCHING PLANT.

THE 2 000 SQUARE METRE SITE IS ON THE RECLAMATION AT TING KOK ROAD NEAR THE INDUSTRIAL ESTATE, WHERE CONSTRUCTION OF FACTORY PREMISES IS IN PROGRESS.

THE TENANCY IS FOR AN INITIAL PERIOD OF TWO YEARS, RENEWABLE QUARTERLY AFTERWARDS.

TENDER FORMS AND CONDITIONS OF TENANCY ARE NOW OBTAINABLE AT NEW TERRITORIES ADMINISTRATION HEADQUARTERS AND DISTRICT OFFICES OF ISLANDS, SAI KUNG, SHA TIN, TAI PO, NORTH, TSUEN WAN, TUEN MUN AND YUEN LONG.

TENDERS MUST BE SUBMITTED BEFORE NOON ON MARCH 27.

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/U.

MONDAY, MARCH 16, 1981

4

TWO WATER MAINS CONTRACTS AWARDED * * * *

TWO CONTRACTS WORTH S8.7 MILLION FOR THE LAYING OF TWO SYSTEMS OF WATER MAINS IN THE SOUTHERN PART OF HONG KONG ISLAND AND IN SHA TIN NEW TOWN WERE AWARDED TODAY (MONDAY).

THE CONTRACTS WERE SIGNED BY MR LEE GUN-CHEUNG, CHIEF

repreNseWti!IesR^TcoII)ractorKs."‘TER SUPRLIES DEPARTMENT ™E

^E^.^r$nASBEST0S CEMENT pIPES, RANGING FROM 150 MM TO 600 MM IN DIAMETER, IN WONG CHUK HANG AND SHOUSON HILL. THE WORK WILL TAKE ABOUT 18 MONTHS TO COMPLETE. L

THE SECOND CONTRACT WAS AWARDED TO HUNG MAU CONSTRUCTION COMPANY LIMITED FOR LAYING FOUR KILOMETRES OF ASBESTOS CEMENT •NO MILD STEEL PIPES, PANGING FROM 150 MM TO 700 MM IN DIAMETER NEAR TAI WAI, TUNG LO WAN AND PAK TIN.

WORK ON THE PROJECT WILL LAST 15 MONTHS.

0 - -

DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN

ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL: 5-233191

TUESDAY, MARCH 17, 1981

CONTENTS PAGE MO.

VISIT OF LORD CARRINGTON ...................................... 1

EMERGENCY FUND FOR HK STUDENTS IN UK .......................... 1

IMMIGRATION OFFICERS COMMENDED ................................ 2

WELFARE AGENCIES PRAISED ...................................... 3

COMPUTER COURSE FOR SENIOR FORMS .............................. 3

T7/0 PRE-WAR BUILDINGS DECLARED DANGEROUS ..................... 4

COMMISSIONER FOR NARCOTICS TO GIVE PRESS CONFERENCE............ 5

RA I,T.CT COMING TO SAI KUNG................................... 6

WATER CUT IN TSZ WAN SEAN ..................................... 6

TUESDAY, MARCH 17, 1981

1

VISIT OF LORD CARRINGTON

*****

THE RT HON THE LORD CARRINGTON, SECRETARY OF STATE FOR FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH AFFAIRS, ARRIVES IN HONG KONG ON MARCH 29 (SUNDAY) FOR A SHORT VISIT BEFORE LEAVING FOR CHINA ON APRIL 1 (WEDNESDAY),

LORD CARRINGTON, ACCOMPANIED BY LADY CARRINGTON, WILL ARRIVE FROM ISLAMABAD, PAKISTAN, WHERE HE WILL BE MAKING AN OFFICIAL VISIT.

HE WILL BE MET AT KAI TAK AIRPORT BY THE GOVERNOR AND LADY MACLEHOSE.

DURING HIS STAY, THE SECRETARY OF STATE WILL HAVE DISCUSSIONS WITH THE GOVERNOR AND OTHER SENIOR OFFICIALS, MEET WITH UNOFFICIAL MEMBERS OF THE EXECUTIVE, LEGISLATIVE AND URBAN COUNCILS, SEE A NUMBER OF THE LATEST DEVELOPMENTS IN HONG KONG, AND WILL VISIT THE BORDER AREA.

THE SECRETARY OF STATE WAS TO HAVE VISITED HONG KONG LAST SEPTEMBER BUT HAD TO POSTPONE THE VISIT BECAUSE OF THE UNITED NATIONS DEBATE ON THE GULF WAR.

EMERGENCY FUND FOR HK STUDENTS IN UK ******

THE GOVERNMENT HAS APPROVED AN EMERGENCY LOAN FUND TO ASSIST HONG KONG STUDENTS EXPERIENCING FINANCIAL HARDSHIP AS A RESULT OF THE RECENT INCREASE IN TUITION FEES IN THE UNITED KINGDOM.

A LONGER TERM LOAN SCHEME FOR STUDENTS WHO ARE OFFERED PLACES IN BRITISH TERTIARY INSTITUTIONS IS BEING CONSIDERED SEPARATELY BY THE GOVERNMENT AND THE DETAILS ARE EXPECTED TO BE FINALISED.

A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN SAID A TOTAL OF $9 MILLION HAS BEEN ALLOCATED BY THE FINANCE COMMITTEE TO THE EMERGENCY SCHEME, TO PROVIDE FOR LOANS TO NEEDY STUDENTS ALREADY ENROLLED IN BRITISH UNIVERSITIES AND POLYTECHNICS. IT IS ESTIMATED THAT ABOUT 1 500 STUDENTS STARTED COURSES IN OCTOBER 1980.

THE SCHEME WILL APPLY TO STUDENTS ENROLLED IN FIRST DEGREE CR EQUIVALENT COURSES, INCLUDING DIPLOMA COURSES AT POLYTECHNICS, WHETHER THEY ARE IN THEIR FIRST OR SUBSEQUENT YEARS OF STUDY.

INTERVIEWS TO DETERMINE THE EXTENT TO WHICH INDIVIDUAL STUDENTS ARE IN FINANCIAL DIFFICULTY, AND THE APPROPRIATE LEVEL OF ASSISTANCE, WILL BE CARRIED OUT BY THE HONG KONG COMMISSIONER, LONDON OFFICE.

/THB DTD33VISWS

TUESDAY, MAfiCH 17, 1981'

2

THE INTERVIEWS WILL TAKE PLACE EITHER IN LONDON OR IN OTHER MAIN UNIVERSITY TOWNS TO AVOID STUDENTS SPENDING MONEY ON LONG JOURNEYS.

THE AMOUNT OF EACH LOAN TO BE OFFERED WILL BE AT THE DISCRETION OF THE COMMISSIONER, SUBJECT TO A MAXIMUM OF 2 OOO POUNDS STERLING.

LOANS WILL BE ISSUED DIRECT TO STUDENTS BY THE LONDON OFFICE AND WILL BE REPAYABLE WITHIN FIVE YEARS AFTER THE COMPLETION OF INDIVIDUAL COURSES.

THE LONDON OFFICE WILL INFORM HONG KONG STUDENTS IN THE UNITED KINGDOM OF THE INTRODUCTION OF THE EMERGENCY LOAN SCHEME AND HOW THEY SHOULD APPLY FOR ASSISTANCE.

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

IMMIGRATION OFFICERS COMMENDED M M M

FOURTEEN IMMIGRATION OFFICERS WERE COMMENDED TODAY (TUESDAY) FOR THEIR OUTSTANDING PERFORMANCE LAST YEAR.

THE OFFICERS, TOGETHER WITH A SENIOR PHOTOGRAPHER, FIVE CLERICAL OFFICERS AND AN OFFICE ATTENDANT, RECEIVED COMMENDATION CERTIFICATES FROM THE DIRECTOR OF IMMIGRATION, MR R.G.B. BRIDGE, IN A CEREMONY AT THE DEPARTMENT’S HEADQUARTERS.

AMONG THOSE COMMENDED WAS AN ASSISTANT IMMIGRATION OFFICER. MR KO MAN-KIT, WHO WAS LAUDED FOR HIS AWARENESS AND APPLICATION OF TECHNIQUES IN DETECTING ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS FROM CHINA.

MR KO, WHO JOINED THE DEPARTMENT IN FEBRUARY LAST YEAR, HAS ON FOUR OCCASIONS WHILST OFF DUTY, DEMONSTRATED KEENNESS IN HIS WORK.

HE INTERCEPTED A SUSPECTED ILLEGAL IMMIGRANT ON A FERRY EARLY IN A MORNING IN JULY LAST YEAR, AND SUCCESSFULLY TOOK HIM TO THE WATERFRONT POLICE STATION FOR FURTHER ENQUIRIES.

TWO DAYS LATER AT A BUS STOP IN MEI FOO SUN CHUEN, MR KO MADE ANOTHER ARREST OF AN ILLEGAL IMMIGRANT FROM CHINA WHO WAS LATER HANDED OVER TO THE DEPARTMENT’S INVESTIGATION DIVISION.

THE OTHER TWO ARRESTS WERE MADE IN YUEN LONG IN AUGUST LAST YEAR AND IN SHAM SHU I PO LAST SEPTEMBER.

ALL FOUR ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS APPREHENDED BY MR KO WERE SUBSEQUENTLY REPATRIATED TO CHINA.

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/3 ........

TUESDAY, MARCH 17, 1981

3

WELFARE AGENCIES PRAISED * * * *

THE DIRECTOR OF SOCIAL WELFARE, MR SELWYN ALLEYNE, TODAY (TUESDAY) INSPECTED A WIDE RANGE OF WELFARE SERVICES PROVIDED AT A MULTI-SERVICE CENTRE AND AN ACTIVITIES CENTRE FOR THE BLIND

MR ALLEYNE PRAISED THE TWO VOLUNTARY AGENCIES FOR THEIR EFFORTS IN PROVIDING THE SERVICES TO MEET THE NEEDS OF THE YOUNG. THE OLD AND THE VISUALLY-HANDICAPPED.

HE

AND WAS

FIRST VISITED THE YANG MEMORIAL SOCIAL SERVICE CENTRE ------ MET BY ITS VICE-CHAIRMAN, THE REV LINCOLN LEUNG, AND HONORARY SECRETARY, DR NELSON CHOW.

THE CENTRE RUNS A CHILD CARE CENTRE AND A SOCIAL CENTRE FOR THE ELDERLY, PROVIDES YOUTH SERVICE, SCHOOL SOCIAL WORK, FAMILY SERVICES AND HOME-HELP. IT IS ALSO INVOLVED IN COMMUNlfY DEVELOPMENT.

THE DIRECTOR WAS SATISFIED WITH THE GOOD WORKING RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN THE AGENCY AND THE DEPARTMENT. HE LEARNED THE AGENCY WAS REPRESENTED IN MANY WELFARE SERVICE WORKING COMMITTEES.

MR ALLEYNE NEXT VISITED THE ACTIVITIES CENTRE RUN BY THE HONG KONG ASSOCIATION OF THE BLIND AT 01 MAN ESTATE, AND WAS BRIEFED ON ITS OPERATION BY THE PRESIDENT, MR BOBBY LEE.

THE ASSOCIATION. RUN BY VISUALLY-HANDICAPPED OFFICIALS, AIMS AT +OPPORTUNITY, EQUALITY AND INDEPENDENCE* FOR THE BLIND THROUGH SELF-HELP AND MUTUAL SUPPORT.

THE CENTRE ORGANISES SOCIAL AND RECREATIONAL PROGRAMMES FOR BLIND PEOPLE AND PRODUCES BI-MONTHLY CASSETTE MAGAZINES.

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

COMPUTER COURSE FOR SENIOR FORMS * * M *

COMPUTER STUDIES WILL BE INTRODUCED AT SENIOR secondary i cwci IN A NUMBER OF SCHOOLS IN TWO TO THREE YEARS MR MlcSfn 1 h\nc EL ACTING DIRECTOR OF EDUCATION SAID TODAY (TUESDAY)” NG'

WAS SPEAKING AT THE OPENING OF THE ASIAN 01 Computer and EDUCATION EXHIBITION AT BAPTIST COLLEGE. COMPUTER AND

COMPUTER STUDIES WILL HELP STUDENTS TO UNDERSTAND the SECTIONS, USES AND LIMITATION OF COMPUTERS AND THE MODERN METHODS OF INFORMATION PROCESSING, HE SAID. M0DERN

Zrr will........

TUESDAY, MABCH 17, 1981

4

IT WILL ALSO OFFER AN UNDERSTANDING OF THE IMPLICATIONS OF COMPUTERS IN THE MODERN WORLD AND PREPARE THEM FOR FURTHER STUDIES IN COMPUTER SCIENCE.

THE SYLLABUS WILL INCLUDE TOPICS SUCH AS COMPUTER CONCEPTS, FLOW-CHARTS, INPUT/OUTPUT, CODING, THE STORAGE OF INFORMATION, AND COMPUTER OPERATION.

♦TO PREPARE FOR THE INTRODUCTION OF THIS NEW COURSE THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT, INDEPENDENTLY, OR JOINTLY WITH THE CHINESE UNIVERSITY OF HONG KONG AND THE HONG KONG POLYTECHNIC, HAS ORGANISED OVER 30 COMPUTER COURSES FOR TEACHERS SINCE 1977,+ MR LEUNG SAID.

IN ADDITION, TERTIARY EDUCATION ESTABLISHMENTS HAVE ALSO OFFERED COMPUTER COURSES IN THEIR EXTRA-MURAL STUDIES, HE SAID.


TWO PRE-WAR BUILDINGS DECLARED DANGEROUS ******

THE BUILDING AUTHORITY TODAY DECLARED NOS. 3 AND 5 WING FUNG STREET, WAN CHAI, TO BE DANGEROUS.

IN A STATEMENT ISSUED THIS MORNING THE PRINCIPAL GOVERNMENT BUILDING SURVEYOR STATED THAT THIS PAIR OF FOUR STOREY PRE-WAR BUILDINGS, CONSTRUCTED WITH LOAD-BEARING WALLS AND TIMBER FLOORS, WITH COMMON CENTRAL STAIRCASE AND PARTIAL REINFORCED CONCRETE BALCONIES HAD BEEN UNDER SURVEILLANCE SINCE 1964.

RECENT DETERIORATION HAD BEEN NOTED IN THE BALCONIES AND CONCRETE STAIRHEAD WITH ASSOCIATED STRUCTURAL CRACKS. THE LINTOLS SUPPORTING THE WINDOWS TO THE KITCHEN BLOCKS HAD ALSO FAILED AND THE WINDOWS HAD DEFLECTED AND THE WALLS ARE BULGING. THE PREMISES IN GENERAL ARE VERY DILAPIDATED.

IN THE CIRCUMSTANCES IT IS CONSIDERED THAT THERE IS A RISK OF COLLAPSE AND IT IS NECESSARY TO CLOSE AND DEMOLISH THE BUILDINGS.

ACCORDINGLY, NOTICES OF INTENTION TO APPLY FOR A CLOSURE ORDER IN VICTORIA DISTRICT COURT AT 9.30 AM ON APRIL 14, 1981 WERE POSTED TODAY.

0 - - - -

/5.........

TUESDAY, MARCH 17, 1981

5

NOTE TO EDITORSl

COMMISSIONER FOR NARCOTICS TO GIVE PRESS CONFERENCE

* * * ft

A PRESS CONFERENCE ON THE LATEST DRUG SITUATION IN HONG KONG WILL BE HELD ON FRIDAY (MARCH 20) AT 3 PM IN THE GIS THEATRE, 5TH FLOOR, BEACONSFIELD HOUSE.

SPEAKING AT THE CONFERENCE WILL BE MR PETER LEE, COMMISSIONER FOR NARCOTICS.

DETAILS OF THE LATEST REPORT OF THE CENTRAL REGISTRY OF DRUG ADDICTS WILL ALSO BE ANNOUNCED AT THE CONFERENCE.

YOU ARE INVITED TO SEND REPRESENTATIVES TO COVER THE EVENT. TELEVISION CREWS ARE REQUESTED TO ARRIVE EARLY TO SET UP THEIR EQUIPMENT.

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

BALLET COMING TO SAI KUNG * * ft * *

SAI KUNG DISTRICT WILL START AN ELEMENTARY BALLET COURSE NEXT MONTH (APRIL) FOR LOCAL CHILDREN AGED BETWEEN EIGHT AND 12.

THE COURSE, WHICH WILL RUN UNTIL JUNE, IS BEING SPONSORED BY THE DISTRICT ADVISORY BOARD.

IT IS PLANNED TO HAVE THREE CLASSES, WITH 20 TO 30 CHILDREN IN EACH.

TRAINING SESSIONS WILL BE CONDUCTED BY A PROFESSIONAL DANCER EVERY SATURDAY AFTERNOON AT CHENG CH IK CHEE SECONDARY SCHOOL.

THE DISTRICT ADVISORY BOARD ANNOUNCED IN FEBRUARY THAT IT WAS LOOKING FOR AN INSTRUCTOR, ASSISTANT INSTRUCTOR AND PIANIST.

IT HAS RECEIVED SEVERAL APPLICATIONS FOR THE THREE POSTS AND THE NAMES OF THOSE SELECTED WILL BE ANNOUNCED SHORTLY.

THE COURSE WILL CONSIST OF 10 SESSIONS. ENROLMENT IS FREE.

APPLICATION FORMS HAVE BEEN SENT TO ALL LOCAL PRIMARY SCHOOLS. THEY ARE ALSO AVAILABLE FROM THE DISTRICT OFFICE, SAI KUNG AND HANG HAU RURAL COMMITTEE OFFICES AND SAI KUNG RECREATION AND SPORT SERVICE OFFICE.

THE CLOSING DATE FOR APPLICATION IS APRIL 1.

THE DISTRICT ADVISORY BOARD WILL SUBSIDISE THE COST OF PROVIDING UNIFORMS FOR STUDENTS ON THE COURSE. ----------------------------------o-------

/6......

TUESDAY, MARCH 17, 1981

6

WATER CUT IN TSZ WAN SHAN * * *

FRESH WATER SUPPLY TO A NUMBER OF PREMISES IN TSZ WAN SHAN WILL BE CUT OFF FROM 11 PM ON THURSDAY (MARCH 19) TO 6 AM ON THE FOLLOWING DAY FOR A LEAKAGE TEST.

THE AREAS TO BE AFFECTED ARE TSZ WAN SHAN ROAD, WAN WAH STREET SHUNG WAH STREET AND SHEUNG FUNG STREET, INCLUDING BLOCKS 1 TO 31, TSZ WAN SHAN ESTATE.

- 0 - -

DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN

ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE. HONG KONG. TEL 5-233191

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 18, 1981

CONTEOTS PAGE NO.

TRADE FACILITATION COMMITTEE TO BE UPGRADED ................ 1

HONG KONG/CANADA TEXTILE CONSULTATIONS ADJOURNED ........... 2

WATER CONSUMER CENTRE OPENS IN TaI PO....................... 2

TENANCY TENDERS FOR TWO KO/LOO.N SITES ..................... 3

DISTRICT WELFARE SERVICES UNDER ONE ROOF ................... 3

SHA TIN COMMUNITY PROGRAMME TO HE INTENSIFIED............... k

CLEAN-UP IN KVAI CHUNG ..................................... 5

SPECIAL EDUCATION STUDENTS TO SEE YOUTH ACTIVITIES ......... 5

COST OF BREAKING LABOUR LAWS ............................... 6

WATER CUT IN TSIM SHA TSUI

6

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 18, 1981

1

TRADE FACILITATION COMMITTEE TO BE UPGRADED *****

HONG KONG’S TRADE FACILITATION COMMITTEE WILL SOON BE UPGRADED TO A TRADE FACILITATION COUNCIL, MR DOUGLAS JORDAN, COMMISSIONER OF CUSTOMS AND CONTROLS, SAID TODAY (WEDNESDAY).

SPEAKING AT THE OPENING OF THE TWO-DAY FAR-EAST PACIFIC TRADE FACILITATION CONFERENCE ON TRADE DATA EXCHANGE, MR JORDAN SAID THE NEW COUNCIL, WHICH WILL BE PROVIDED WITH A SUBSTANTIALLY INCREASED SUBVENTION, WILL BE LAUNCHED ON APRIL 1 THIS YEAR.

♦THE PRESENT POTENTIAL OF TRADE FACILITATION WORK IS BOTH DAUNTING AND EXCITING,* SAID MR JORDAN. + IT SEEMS ONLY YESTERDAY THAT WE WERE CONCERNED LARGELY AND ALMOST SOLELY WITH SIMPLIFICATION OF DOCUMENTS AND DOCUMENT PREPARATION. WHILE THIS WORK STILL CONTINUES AND EXPANDS WE ARE NOW EXPLORING THOSE AREAS WHERE WE CAN DO WITHOUT DOCUMENTS ALTOGETHER AND CONDUCT OUR BUSINESS COMMUNICATION AS FAR AS POSSIBLE WITHOUT PAPER.*

EXAMINING THE POSSIBILITY OF THE ’PAPERLESS* OFFICE OF THE FUTURE, MR JORDAN UNDERLINED THE EFFECTIVE USE OF VIDEO DISPLAY TUBE WORD PROCESSORS, ELECTRONIC INSTANT RECALL COMPUTER MEMORY, TELEPHONE FACSIMILE TRANSMISSION, CALCULATORS AND MINI-COMPUTERS IN SUCH A SCHEME.

ON THE TECHNOLOGY SIDE, MR JORDAN SAID THAT NEW DEVELOPMENTS ASSOCIATED WITH ELECTRONIC MACHINES FOR BUSINESS USE ARE CONSTANTLY EMERGING.

♦SUCH DEVELOPMENTS CONSIDERABLY CHALLENGE TRADE FACILITATION EXPERTS. THE EXPERTS MUST KEEP ABREAST OF ALL THAT IS GOING ON AND ADJUST AND EXPAND THEIR OWN THINKING TO TAKE FULL ADVANTAGE OF THE CHANGING SITUATION,* HE ADDED.

PAYING TRIBUTE TO THE HONG KONG TRADE FACILITATION COMMITTEE, MR JORDAN SAID THAT THE PROGRESS MADE OVER THE YEARS IS THE RESULT OF THE JOINT EFFORTS OF A NUMBER OF INDIVIDUALS CONTRIBUTING TO THE COMMITTEE’S WORK FROM BOTH THE BUSINESS AND GOVERNMENT SECTORS.

LOOKING TO THE FUTURE, HE SAID: +NEITHER GOVERNMENT NOR A WELL ORGANISED ORGANISATION CAN ENSURE THAT FULL AND PROPER USE IS MADE OF ALL THE WORK THAT GOES INTO TRADE FACILITATION STUDY. THE FULL SUPPORT OF THE TRADING COMMUNITY AT LARGE IS NECESSARY, AND THIS WE ALL HOPE THE NEW ORGANISATION RECEIVES.

♦LIKEWISE, THE FULLEST USE SHOULD BE MADE BY TRADE OF WHAT THE NEW COUNCIL HAS TO OFFER, NOT ONLY FROM ITS OWN EXPERTISE BUT FROM THE EXPERTISE OF ORGANISATIONS OVERSEAS WITH WHICH IT IS ASSOCIATED.*

MR JORDAN STRESSED THAT THE COUNCIL SHOULD BE CONSULTED ON ALL MANNER OF PROBLEMS CONCERNING TRADING COMMUNICATION.

♦IT IS TO BE HOPED THAT THE TRADING COMMUNITY OF HONG KONG APPRECIATES THIS AND TAKES FULL ADVANTAGE OF WHAT IS AVAILAEL-T3 THEM AS THE NEW COUNCIL PROCEEDS WITH ITS WORK.*

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/2 ....

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 18, 1981

2

HONG KONG/CANADA TEXTILE CONSULTATIONS ADJOURNED * * * * *

MR PETER TSAO, COMMISSIONER OF TRADE. ANNOUNCED TODAY (WEDNESDAY) THAT tAe TEXTILE CONSULTATIONS WITH CANADA, WHICH BEGAN ON MARCH 16, HAD BEEN ADJOURNED.

♦THE TWO SIDES DISCUSSED A NUMBER OF ISSUES RELATING TO THE BILATERAL TEXTILE RESTRAINT AGREEMENT BETWEEN CANADA AND HONG KONG, INCLUDING HONG KONG’S EXPORTS OF TAILORED-COLLARED SHIRTS TO CANADA.♦

IN ANSWER TO QUESTIONS, MR TSAO SAID THE TALKS CENTRED ON CONVERTING THE RESTRAINED AGREEMENT ON TAILORED-COLLARED SHIRTS TO AN EXPORT AUTHORISATION TYPE ARRANGEMENT.

♦WE AGREED TO ADJOURN THE CONSULTATIONS WITH A VIEW TO POSSIBLY RESUMING THEM IN THE LATTER PART OF APR IL,♦ HE ADDED.

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

WATER CONSUMER CENTRE OPENS IN TAI PO ******

THE WATER SUPPLIES DEPARTMENT’S TAI PO CONSUMER ENQUIRIES CENTRE OPENED FOR BUSINESS TODAY (WEDNESDAY).

THE CENTRE IS THE SECOND OF ITS KIND OPERATED BY THE DEPARTMENT, THE FIRST BEING IN THE HEADQUARTERS AT LEIGHTON CENTRE, LEIGHTON ROAD, CAUSEWAY BAY.

AMONG THE FIRST CONSUMERS TO TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THE COMPREHENSIVE SERVICE OFFERED WERE MR AND MRS HO SHU-HING OF LUEN WO MARKET, FANLING.

BOTH WERE HAPPY WITH THE SERVICE RENDERED AND WERE PARTICULARLY IMPRESSED BY THE STAFF OF THE CENTRE WHO WERE ♦QUICK WITH THEIR REPL IES.♦

ANNOUNCING THE OPENING OF THE NEW CONSUMER ENQUIRIES CENTRE, THE BUSINESS MANAGER OF THE WATER SUPPLIES DEPARTMENT, MR TOM MCDONOUGH, SAIDi +THE DEPARTMENT IS CONSCIOUS OF THE NEED TO MAINTAIN GOOD CONSUMER RELATIONS AND HAS EMBARKED ON A PROGRAMME TO FURTHER IMPROVE SERVICES TO MORE THAN 950 000 REGISTERED CONSUMERS.♦

A THIRD CONSUMER ENQUIRIES CENTRE WILL BE OPENED AT THE MAINLAND DEPOT, ARGYLE STREET, KOWLOON, IN JUNE THIS YEAR.

THE OPENING OF THE KOWLOON CENTRE COINCIDES WITH THE COMPLETION OF THE PHASED COMPUTERISATION OF ALL WATER ACCOUNTS.

MR MCDONOUGH SAID THE TAI PO CENTRE IS INTENDED TO SERVE CONSUMERS IN THE FAST GROWING TOWNSHIPS OF TAI PO, FANLING/SHEK WU HUI, SHA TIN AND OTHER COMMUNITIES IN THE NORTHERN PART OF THE NEW TERRITORIES.

/the CLOTHE .......


UX, MABCH18, 1981

3

wi

THE CENTRE CAN ASSIST CONSUMERS IN ENQUIRIES AND COMPLAINTS ANDNOTHER 5JtTERSDRESS’ REQUESTS F0R DUPL|C*TE WATER ACCOUNTS ’

„ ENQU,R ,ES SERVICES ARE AVAILABLE FROM 9.30 AM TO 4 PM ON v?sefrn?: c9e&rj°a«.°N s‘™mys- the telepmo"e

IS 12-679868

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TENANCY TENDERS FOR TWO KOWLOON SITES ft ft ft ft

THE CROWN LANDS AND SURVEY OFFICE OF THE PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT IS INVITING TENDERS FOR SHORT-TERM TENANCY OF TWO PIECES OF CROWN LAND IN KOWLOON.

THE FIRST SITE, SITUATED AT HO MAN TIN, HAS AN AREA OF ABOUT 1 370 SQUARE METRES AND IS FOR STORAGE OF GOODS, INCLUDING VEHICLES.

THE SECOND SITE, MEASURING ABOUT 930 SQUARE METRES AT LAI CHI KOK, IS FOR PARKING OF,.VEHICLES, INCLUDING A FEE-PAYING CARPARK.

THE TENANCY FOR BOTH SITES ARE INITIALLY FOR ONE YEAR AND QUARTERLY THEREAFTER. THE DEADLINE FOR ACCEPTANCE OF TENDERS IS NOON APRIL 10.

TENDER FORMS, TOGETHER WITH NOTICES AND CONDITIONS MAY BE OBTAINED FROM THE CROWN LANDS AND SURVEY OFFICE, 19TH FLOOR, MURRAY BUILDING, GARDEN ROAD, OR 10TH FLOOR, KOWLOON GOVERNMENT OFFICES, 405 NATHAN ROAD. TENDER PLANS ARE ALSO AVAILABLE FOR INSPECTION.

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DISTRICT WELFARE SERVICES UNDER ONE ROOF ft ft ft ft ft

RESIDENTS OF SOUTHERN DISTRICT CAN NOW OBTAIN VARIOUS WELFARE SERVICES IN A NEW OFFICE WHICH GROUPS ALL WELFARE UNITS IN THE

AREA IN THE SAME BUILDING.

THE NEW SOUTHERN DISTRICT OFFICE OF THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT OCCUPIES THE FIRST THREE FLOORS OF YIP YEE MANSION AT 48-50 ABERDEEN MAIN ROAD.

IT ACCOMMODATES THE ABERDEEN SOCIAL SECURITY FIELD UNIT, THE FAMILY SERVICES CENTRE, REHABILITATION OFFICE AND THE COMMUNITY AND YOUTH OFFICE.

/the move........

WEDNESDAY, MAECH 18, 1?81

4

THE MOVE IS IN LINE WITH THE DEPARTMENT’S REGIONALISATION SCHEME WHICH AIMS AT PUTTING DISTRICT WELFARE UNITS UNDER ONE ROOF WHERE POSSIBLE.

THE NEW OFFICE WILL HOLD AN OPEN DAY AND A DISPLAY OF VARIOUS SERVICES ON FRIDAY (MARCH 20) FROM 3 PM TO 5.30 PM FOR RESIDENTS TO GAIN A BETTER INSIGHT OF THE SERVICES AVAILABLE.

THE ABERDEEN SOCIAL SECURITY FIELD UNIT AT PRESENT HANDLES 1 684 CASES FOR PUBLIC ASSISTANCE, 6 017 FOR OLD AGE AND 1 321 FOR DISABILITY ALLOWANCES.

THE FAMILY SERVICE CENTRE HANDLES 872 CASES WITH DIFFERENT PROBLEMS WHILE THE COMMUNITY AND YOUTH OFFICE ORGANISES A VARIETY OF ACTIVITIES FOR YOUNG PEOPLE.

-----0-----

THIS CHUI

SHA TIN COMMUNITY PROGRAMME TO BE INTENSIFIED ft ft ft ft

THE COMMUNITY BUILDING PROGRAMME IN SHA TIN WILL nr imueicirn KAM^SaId1'TODAYC(WEDNESDAY)?5 NEW TERR,T0R,ES> MR AUGUSTINE

<jAin SHA TIN ROTARY CLUB’S CHARTER NIGHT

IMPLEMENTATION OF THE WHITE PAPER ON DISTRICT AnMiiiictdatiam

only rawrasa ihput "°t

♦A PRESTIGIOUS BODY SUCH AS YOURS HAS A VERY IMPORTANT ROLE SSt E0,>'ES BUT ‘LS° ” ™

STEADY PROGRESS OF SHA TIN NEW TOWN AND A SYMBOL OF THF E ^^Trounded COMMUNITY THE GOVERNMENT HOPED TO SEE ESTABLISHED

I nt K t•

- - 0 - -

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 18, 1981

5

CLEAN-UP IN KWAI CHUNG M * * *

A TWO-WEEK CLEAN-UP DRIVE HAS BEEN LAUNCHED AT TZE KU WAN, KWAI CHUNG, TO IMPROVE THE ENVIRONMENTAL HYGIENE FOR THE RESIDENTS

THREE SPECIAL CLEANSING GANGS AND HAVE BEEN DEPLOYED AT THE SITE, SAID A TERRITORIES SERVICES DEPARTMENT TODAY.

♦MORE THAN 50 LORRY LOADS OF JUNK OPEN GROUND WILL BE REMOVED DURING THE

THREE TIPPER LORRIES SPOKESMAN FOR THE NEW

AND REFUSE DUMPED ON THE OPERATION,♦ HE ADDED.

S1?CE M0NDAY (MARCH 16), CLEANSING STAFF OF THE KWAI CHUNG l*BAN SERVICES OFFICE HAVE DAILY CLEARED 500 BASKETS OF BUILDING DEBRIS, WOODEN PLANKS, EMPTY TIN CANS, BOTTLES AND DOMESTIC WASTE.

THE SPOKESMAN URGED RESIDENTS TO CO-OPERATE AND WARNED THAT LITTERBUGS FACE A MAXIMUM FINE OF |1 000 ON FIRST CONVICTION.

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

SPECIAL EDUCATION

STUDENTS TO SEE YOUTH ACTIVITIES * * *

STAFF AND STUDENTS OF SPECIAL SCHOOLS WILL BE ATTENDING A +JOIN-IN+ EXHIBITION AT HO MAN TIN GOVERNMENT MIDDLE SCHOOL ON SATURDAY (MARCH 21) MORNING TO SEE THE WORK OF 23 YOUTH ORGANISATIONS.

THE EXHIBITION IS BEING ORGANISED BY THE SPECIAL EDUCATION SECTION OF THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT TO ENCOURAGE STUDENTS IN SPECIAL SCHOOLS TO PARTICIPATE IN YOUTH ACTIVITIES.

APART FROM A DISPLAY OF THEIR WORK, THE ORGANISATIONS WILL ALSO DEMONSTRATE THEIR INTEREST TO ASSIST SPECIAL SCHOOLS TO FORM THEIR OWN ACTIVITY GROUPS.

MR MICHAEL LEUNG, ACTING DIRECTOR OF EDUCATION, WILL ADDRESS THE GATHERING AND OFFICIATE AT THE OPENING CEREMONY AT 10 AM ON SATURDAY.

THE BANDS FROM TWO SPECIAL SCHOOLS, EBENEZER SCHOOL FOR ATETHE'eXH*b?t7oNGKOK LUTHERAN school F0R THE DEAF, WILL PERFORM

THIS EXHIBITION IS ONE BY THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT YEAR OF DISABLED, THE THEME INTO THE COMMUNITY.

IN A SERIES OF ACTIVITIES ORGANISED IN RESPONSE TO THE INTERNATIONAL OF WHICH IS TO INTEGRATE THE DISABLED

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

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 18, 1981

- 6 -

COST OF BREAKING LABOUR LAWS * * M

THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT LAST MONTH (FEBRUARY) TOOK OUT 630 PROSECUTIONS FOR BREACHES OF LABOUR LEGISLATION, AND OF THESE, 615 CASES RESULTED IN CONVICTION WITH FINES TOTALLING MORE THAN 1556 000.

THE MAJORITY OF THE CASES WERE RELATED TO BREACHES OF THE FACTORIES AND INDUSTRIAL UNDERTAKINGS ORDINANCE AND ITS VARIOUS REGULATIONS, THE EMPLOYMENT ORDINANCE AND THE WOMEN AND YOUNG PERSONS (INDUSTRY) REGULATIONS.

AMONG THEM, 263 CONCERNED VIOLATIONS OF INDUSTRIAL SAFETY REGULATIONS FOR WHICH FINES AMOUNTED TO MORE THAN $375 000, INCLUDING 60 CASES FOR BREACHES OF THE CONSTRUCTION SITES (SAFETY) REGULATION WITH $131 850 IN FINES.

OFFENCES IN CONNECTION WITH EMPLOYMENT OF WOMEN AND YOUNG PERSONS ACCOUNTED FOR 307 CASES WITH $141 700 IN FINES.

OF THE OTHER PROSECUTIONS, FOUR CASES RELATED TO FAILURE TO KEEP EMPLOYEE RECORDS WITH $3 500 IN FINES.

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

WATER CUT IN TSIM SHA TSUI

* *

FRESH WATER SUPPLY TO A NUMBER OF PREMISES IN TSIM SHA TSUI WILL BE TURNED OFF FOR NINE HOURS FROM 9 PM ON FRIDAY (MARCH 20) TO 6 AM THE FOLLOWING DAY FOR WATER MAIN CONNECTION.

PREMISES TO BE AFFECTED ARE FROM 25 TO 63 KIMBERLEY ROAD INCLUDING 31A-C, 43A AND 49A- 1-17 OBSERVATORY ROAD INCLUDING 1A-C- AND 1-16 KNUTSFORD TERRACE INCLUDING 13A AND 14A.

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DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN

ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE. HONG KONG. TEL: 5-233191

THURSDAY, MARCH 19, 1981

CONTENTS PAGE NO.

$26 M CONTRACT FOR YUEN LONG SWAGE TREATMENT WORKS............... 1

TINDERS FOR 331 TAXI LIC0SCES .................................. 2

KCR TRAIN DELAY ON SUNDAY........................................ 2

TEMPORARY TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS IN KENNEDY TOWN................... 3

PRISON RECRUIT PASSING-OUT PARADE................................ 3

BOOK DONATION TO KWAI CHUNG LIBRARY.............................. 4

NEW POST OFFICE FOR TUEN MUN .................................... 4

NT NORTH DISTRICT FLOWER SHOW OPENS SATURDAY..................... 5

TABLE TENNIS COMPETITION IN TAI PO .............................. 5

PLB PROHIBITION ZONE IN SHAU KEI WAN ............................ 5

THURSDAY, MARCH 19, 1981

1

$26M CONTRACT FOR YUEN LONG SEWAGE TREATMENT WORKS M M M

THE PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT TODAY (THURSDAY) AWARDED A $26 MILLION CONTRACT FOR THE SUPPLY AND INSTALLATION OF MECHANICAL AND ELECTRICAL EQUIPMENT FOR THE YUEN LONG SEWAGE TREATMENT WORKS NOW UNDER CONSTRUCTION AT WANG CHAU.

THE CONTRACT IS ONE OF THE FIVE MECHANICAL AND ELECTRICAL CONTRACTS TO BE AWARDED FOR THIS SEWAGE TREATMENT WORKS. IT COMPRISES THE SUPPLY AND INSTALLATION OF AIR BLOWERS, AERATION EQUIPMENT AND RETURN ACTIVATED SLUDGE PUMPS AND ASSOCIATED ELECTRICAL EQUIPMENT.

THE CONTRACT WAS SIGNED THIS MORNING BY MR GRAHAM OSBORNE, PRINCIPAL GOVERNMENT ELECTRICAL AND MECHANICAL ENGINEER AND MR MICHAEL HARTLEY, MANAGING DIRECTOR OF SIMON-HARTLEY LTD.

ON COMPLETION, THE SEWAGE TREATMENT WORKS WILL PROVIDE FULL SEWAGE TREATMENT FACILITIES FOR THE YUEN LONG INDUSTRIAL ESTATE AND PART OF THE DEVELOPING NEW TOWN.

0 -------

THURSDAY, MARCH 19, 1981

2

TENDERS FOR 331 TAXI LICENCES * * * * *

THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT WILL INVITE TENDERS FOR A FURTHER BATCH OF 331 HONG KONG AND KOWLOON TAXI LICENCES TOMORROW (FRIDAY),

TENDER FORMS WILL BE AVAILABLE AT THE HONG KONG LICENSING OFFICE ON THE MEZZANINE FLOOR OF THE MURRAY ROAD MULTI-STOREY CAR PARK AND THE KOWLOON LICENSING OFFICE ON THE 9TH FLOOR OF PARK-IN COMMERCIAL CENTRE IN DUNDAS STREET.

THE FORMS WILL BE PINK IN COLOUR AND PROSPECTIVE TENDERERS ARE ADVISED NOT TO USE ANY OTHER FORM ISSUED PREVIOUSLY.

AS ON PREVIOUS OCCASIONS, THE TENDER WILL BE IN THE FORM OF A PREMIUM FOR ONE OR MORE HONG KONG AND KOWLOON TAXIS.

A SPOKESMAN FOR THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT SAID IF A SINGLE TENDER FORM IS SUBMITTED FOR MORE THAN ONE LICENCE, THE PREMIUM OFFERED FOR EACH LICENCE MUST BE THE SAME.

IF THE NUMBER OF LICENCES AVAILABLE IS FEWER THAN THAT REQUIRED BY THE TENDERER, THE ALLOCATION OF LICENCES MAY BE REDUCED AS APPROPRIATE, HE SAID.

A PUBLIC BALLOT MAY BE HELD TO DETERMINE THE ACCEPTANCE OF THOSE TENDERS WHICH OFFERED IDENTICAL UNIT PREMIA.

COMPLETED TENDER FORMS TOGETHER WITH ORIGINAL DEPOSIT

BE SUBMITTED IN SEALED ENVELOPES, ADDRESSED TO 2F.«™C£ETARY' CENTRAL TENDER BOARD AND PLACED IN THE SECRETARIAT I!^5ER ,N THE ENTRA"CE hall ON THE GROUND FLOOR OF THE ^cdNaFoIOtE£aETARIAT’ CENTRAL GOVERNMENT OFFICES (MAIN WING), LOWER ALBERT ROAD BEFORE 12 NOON ON APRIL 3, 1981.

tuc W,LL BE ,SSUEB T0 SUCCESSFUL TENDERERS AT

THE RATE OF 100 PER MONTH STARTING FROM MAY.

0---------

TRAIN DELAY ON SUNDAY FOR ENGINEERING WORKS * *

THE KOWLOON-CANTON RAILWAY WILL BE CARRYING OUT MAJOR ENGINEERING WORKS BETWEEN THE SHA TIN AND THE RACE COURSE STATIONS ON SUNDAY (MARCH 22).

A SPOKESMAN FOR THE KCR SAID THREE UP AND TWO DOWN TRAINS WILL BE CANCELLED AND DELAYS ARE EXPECTED. HOWEVER, NORMAL TRAIN SERVICE WILL RESUME ON MONDAY.

APOLOGISING FOR ANY INCONVENIENCE TO COMMUTERS, THE SPOKESMAN SAID THE JOB WAS PART OF THE MODERNISATION AND ELECTRIFICATION PROGRAMME. HE URGED COMMUTERS TO USE OTHER FORMS OF PUBLIC TRANSPORT WHENEVER POSSIBLE ON THAT DAY.

A TEMPORARY TIMETABLE WILL BE INTRODUCED ON THE DAY AND COPIES OF THE TIMETABLE ARE DISPLAYED AT ALL STATIONS.

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/3

THURSDAY, MARCH 19, 1981

3

TEMPORARY TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS IN KENNEDY TOWN *****

i° AM 0N SATURDAY (MARCH 21), THE WESTBOUND SECTION

£?FEL-BETWEEN SANDS STREET and north street on hong S*AcLyihLBE temporARILY CLOSED TO ALL TRAFFIC EXCEPT (THUR^DAY)P0KESMAN F°R ™E TRANSP0RT DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCED TODAY

win 7aItC^2aH?E*,LI2/ACILITATE TRAM TRACK Renewal WORKS AND will laoi about a month.

TRAFFIC ALONG CATCHICK STREET WILL BE DIVERTED TO RhJps whR|EELA*m n5cnHTR,T 3TREET WHILE WESTBOUND PUBLIC LIGHT J° TURN R,GHT FR0M BELCHER’S STREET TO CADOGAN STREET ON THEIR WAY TO THE PLB STAND AT SMITHFIELD.

- - 0 - -

PRISON RECRUIT PASSING-OUT PARADE ******

THE PRISONS DEPARTMENT WILL HOLD A PASSING-OUT PARADE OF ANOTHER GROUP OF ITS RECRUITS AT ITS STAFF TRAINING INSTITUTE IN STANLEY ON SATURDAY (MARCH 21).

MR PETER GORDON WILLIAMS, FORMER UNOFFICIAL MEMBER OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL, WILL TAKE THE SALUTE AND PRESENT GOLDEN WHISTLES TO TWO BEST RECRUITS.

ON PARADE WILL BE SIX OFFICERS AND 77 ASSISTANT OFFICERS, INCLUDING 28 FEMALE ASSISTANT OFFICERS, WHO RECENTLY COMPLETED THEIR TRAINING.

NOTE TO EDITORSi

YOU ARE INVITED TO SEND REPRESENTATIVES TO COVER THE PASSING-OUT PARADE WHICH WILL BE HELD AT THE PRISONS DEPARTMENT STAFF TRAINING INSTITUTE IN TUNG TAU WAN ROAD, STANLEY AT 10 AM ON SATURDAY (MARCH 21).

PRESS TRANSPORT WILL LEAVE THE PRISONS DEPARTMENT HEADQUARTERS, GUARDIAN HOUSE, 32 01 KWAN ROAD, WAN CHAI AT 9 AM SHARP.

THURSDAY, MARCH 19, 1981

4

NOTE TO EDITORS!

BOOK DONATION TO KWAI CHUNG LIBRARY ft ft ft ft ft

DIRECT0R 0F THE URBAN SERVICES, MR B.D. WILSON, WILL URBAN SERV,CES DEPARTMENT A DONATION OF THE REVIS£D EDITION OF THE NEW GROVE DICTIONARY OF MUSIC AND ^RciA2o)FJ? IHpmKWAI CHUNG LIBRARY at a ceremony tomorrow

DICTIONARY IS BEING PRESENTED BY MR ALEXANDER MACMILLAN OF MACMILLAN PUBLISHERS.

A BUS WILL LEAVE THE SIDE MIDDLE ROAD, TSIMSHATSUI, AT 2 TO KWAI CHUNG.

ENTRANCE TO THE PENINSULA HOTEL IN .50 PM TO TAKE PRESS REPRESENTATIVES

0 -------

NOTE TO EDITORS:

NEW POST OFFICE FOR TUEN MUN ft ft ft ft ft

A NEW POST OFFICE WILL BE OPENED TOMORROW (FRIDAY) IN TAI HING ESTATE, TUEN MUN. IT BRINGS TO 79 THE TOTAL NUMBER OF POST OFFICES IN HONG KONG.

THE NEW POST OFFICE, SITUATED ON THE GROUND FLOOR OF THE COMMERCIAL COMPLEX IN PHASE II OF THE ESTATE, WILL BEGIN OPERATING AT NOON.

THE POSTMASTER GENERAL, MR A.C. HEATHCOTE- THE DISTRICT OFFICER FOR TUEN MUN, MR BILLY LAM- AND THE CHAIRMAN OF THE HEUNG YEE KUK, hR LAU WONG FAT, WILL OFFICIATE AT THE OPENING CEREMONY AT 11 AM.

YOU ARE INVITED TO SEND REPRESENTATIVES TO COVER THE EVENT.

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

THURSDAY, MARCH 19, 1981

- 5 -

NOTE TO ED I TORS«

NT NORTH DISTRICT FLOWER SHOW OPENS SATURDAY

* * * *

MORE THAN 80 DIFFERENT TYPES OF FLOWERS WILL BE ON DISPLAY AT THE NORTH DISTRICT FLOWER SHOW IN FANLING PLAYGROUND FROM MARCH 21 TO 24.

OFFICIATING AT THE OPENING AT 12 NOON ON SATURDAY (MARCH 21) WILL BE SECRETARY FOR THE NEW TERRITORIES, MR DAVID AKERS-JONES-THE DIRECTOR OF AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES, MR JOHN RIDDELL-SWAN" AND THE DIRECTOR OF NEW TERRITORIES SERVICES, MR JIMMY SWEETMAN.

YOU ARE INVITED TO SEND REPRESENTATIVES TO COVER THE EVENT. GOVERNMENT TRANSPORT WILL LEAVE KOWLOON PUBLIC PIER AT 10.30 AM.

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

TABLc TENNIS COMPETITION IN TAI PO

* * * *

TAI PO WILL HOLD A TWO-DAY TABLE-TENNIS COMPETITION ON MARCH 22 AND 29 TO SELECT REPRESENTATIVES FOR A NEW TERRITORIES INTER-DISTRICT LEAGUE COMPETITION.

THE TOURNAMENT IS ORGANISED BY THE RECREATION AND SPORT SERVICE AND TAI PO SPORTS ASSOCIATION, AND SPONSORED BY THE DISTRICT ADVISORY BOARD.

ALMOST 100 MEN AND WOMEN WILL ENTER THE EVENT, WHICH WILL BE HELD AT LUK HEUNG SAN TSUEN PUBLIC SCHOOL, TAI PO. IT IS OPEN TO ANYONE OVER 12 YEARS OF AGE.

ALL EIGHT NEW TERRITORIES DISTRICTS ARE PREPARING FOR THE INTER-DISTRICT TABLE-TENNIS LEAGUE COMPETITION WHICH BEGINS ON JUNE 14.

SOCCER AND BASKETBALL LEAGUES ARE WELL UNDER WAY IN THE NEW TERRITORIES AND VOLLEY BALL, BADMINTON AND TENNIS LEAGUES MAY BE STARTED THIS YEAR.

_ _ - _ 0 ----

PLB PROHIBITION ZONE IN SHAU KEI WAN * * * *

THE CUL-DE-SAC AT TAI SHEK STREET EAST OF ITS JUNCTION WITH SHING ON STREET IN SHAU KEI WAN WILL BE DESIGNATED A PUBLIC LIGHT BUS PROHIBITED ZONE WITH EFFECT FROM 10 AM ON TUESDAY (MARCH 24), A SPOKESMAN FOR THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCED TODAY.

THE AREA WILL BECOME A TERMINUS FOR FRANCHISED MAXICABS.

APPROPRIATE SIGNS WILL BE ERECTED.

----0----

DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN

ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE. HONG KONG. TEL: 5-233191

Friday, march 20, 1981

CONTENTS PAGE NO,

MORE WORKING MOTHERS TO GET PAID MATERNITY LEAVE ... 1

DEPOSIT-TAKING COMPANIES BILL PUBLISHED .................... 2

RECLAMATION PLANNED OFF TAI KOK TSUI ....................... 3

PROPOSED RECLAMATION OFF NE LANTAU.......................... 3

JANUARY’S ORDERS-ON-HAND FOR INDUSTRIES .................... 4

PUBLIC ENQUIRY SERVICE CENTRE BEING SET UP IN SHA TIN .. .........................................

HELPING CHILDREN 7/ITH HEARING PROBLEMS .................... 5

URBAN CLEARWAY IN CENTRAL................................... 6

TEMPORARY ROAD CLOSURE ..................................... 6

FIRING PRACTICE

6

FRIDAY, MARCH 20, 1981

1

MORE WORKING MOTHERS TO GET PAID MATERNITY LEAVE * * * * *

THE GOVERNMENT PROPOSES TO INTRODUCE PAID MATERNITY LEAVE FOR WOMEN EMPLOYEES COVERED BY THE EMPLOYMENT ORDINANCE.

ANNOUNCING THIS TODAY (FRIDAY), A SPOKESMAN FOR THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT SAID THAT DETAILS OF THE PROPOSAL ARE CONTAINED IN THE EMPLOYMENT (AMENDMENT)(NO. 2) BILL 1981 PUBLISHED IN TODAY’S GOVERNMENT GAZETTE.

HE SAID THAT IF THE BILL IS PASSED BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL, MATERNITY LEAVE PAY WILL APPLY TO ALL WOMEN MANUAL EMPLOYEES AND THOSE WOMEN NON-MANUAL EMPLOYEES EARNING UP TO |6 000 A MONTH.

IT IS PROPOSED THAT THE PRESENT PROVISION FOR 10 WEEKS MATERNITY LEAVE UNDER THE EMPLOYMENT ORDINANCE SHOULD REMAIN UNCHANGED BUT THAT IN FUTURE EMPLOYEES WHO TAKE MATERNITY LEAVE SHOULD BE PAID BY THEIR EMPLOYERS.

EMPLOYERS WILL NOT BE ALLOWED TO PAY WAGES IN LIEU OF MATERNITY LEAVE, NOR MAY IT BE COUNTED AS PAID ANNUAL LEAVE.

THE PROPOSED RATE OF MATERNITY LEAVE PAY IS, FOR MONTHLY PAID EMPLOYEES, TWO-THIRDS OF THEIR MONTHLY WAGES OR FOR DAILY PAID EMPLOYEES, TWO-THIRDS OF THEIR AVERAGE DAILY WAGE DURING THE PERIOD CF 28 DAYS PRECEDING THEIR MATERNITY LEAVE.

A WOMAN EMPLOYEE MAY FORFEIT HER ENTITLEMENT TO MATERNITY LEAVE PAY IF, WITHOUT THE PERMISSION OF HER EMPLOYER, SHE WORKS FOR ANOTHER EMPLOYER DURING HER MATERNITY LEAVE.

IT IS PROPOSED THAT MATERNITY LEAVE PAY SHOULD BE LIMITED TO THREE SURVIVING CHILDREN.

♦IN OTHER WORDS,♦ THE SPOKESMAN EXPLAINED, +T0 QUALIFY FOR MATERNITY LEAVE PAY, A WOMAN EMPLOYEE MUST NOT HAVE MORE THAN TWO CHILDREN ALREADY.♦

TO PROVE THE NUMBER OF CHILDREN SHE HAS, A WOMAN EMPLOYEE MUST MAKE A STATUTORY DECLARATION BEFORE A COMMISSIONER FOR OATHS EITHER IN THE SUPREME COURT, THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT, A CITY DISTRICT OFFICE OR A DISTRICT OFFICE OF THE NEW TERRITORIES ADMINISTRATION. ANYONE MAKING A FALSE DECLARATION IS LIABLE ON CONVICTION TO A FINE OF |2 000.

OTHER QUALIFICATIONS FOR MATERNITY LEAVE PAY ARE A MINIMUM OF AO WEEKS’ CONTINUOUS EMPLOYMENT PRIOR TO TAKING MATERNITY LEAVE AND THE GIVING OF NOTICE OF INTENTION TO TAKE THE LEAVE WITHIN 12 WEEKS BEFORE THE EXPECTED DATE OF CONFINEMENT.

IT IS ALSO PROPOSED THAT DAYS OFF FOR PREGNANCY CHECK-UPS OR POST-CONFINEMENT MEDICAL TREATMENT SHOULD BE REGARDED AS SICK LEAVE. THE SAME WILL APPLY TO ABSENCE FROM WORK DUE TO A MISCARRIAGE WHICH OCCURS DURING THE FIRST 28 WEEKS OF PREGNANCY.

AN EMPLOYEE ON SICK LEAVE IS ENTITLED TO SICKNESS ALLOWANCE AT TWO-THIRDS OF HER WAGES UP TO A MAXIMUM ACCUMULATION OF 36 DAYS.

/THE SPOKESMAN ..

FRIDAY, MARCH 20, 1981

2

THE SPOKESMAN POINTED OUT IT WILL BE AN OFFENCE FOR AN EMPLOYER TO TERMINATE THE CONTRACT OF EMPLOYMENT OF AN EMPLOYEE AFTER SHE HAS GIVEN NOTICE OF HER INTENTION TO TAKE MATERNITY LEAVE.

♦NO EMPLOYER SHALL DISMISS AN EMPLOYEE FROM THE DATE SHE GIVES NOTICE OF TAKING MATERNITY LEAVE TO THE DATE SHE IS DUE TO RETURN TO WORK AFTER THE LEAVE,♦ HE EXPLAINED. ADDING THAT A BREACH OF THIS SECTION WILL BE AN OFFENCE CARRYING A FINE OF $5 000.

IN THE EVENT AN EMPLOYEE BEING DISMISSED AFTER GIVING NOTICE OF HER INTENTION TO TAKE MATERNITY LEAVE, HER EMPLOYER WILL BE REQUIRED TO PAY HER MATERNITY LEAVE PAY FOR 10 WEEKS, IF SHE IS ENTITLED TO IT.

AN EMPLOYER WILL ALSO BE GUILTY OF AN OFFENCE AND LIABLE TO A FINE OF $5 000 IF HE FAILS TO GRANT MATERNITY LEAVE, MATERNITY LEAVE PAY, OR SICKNESS ALLOWANCE.

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DEPOSIT-TAKING COMPANIES BILL PUBLISHED

*****

A BILL AIMED AT EMPOWERING THE GOVERNMENT TO REFUSE TO REGISTER ANY COMPANY AS A DEPOSIT-TAKING COMPANY, IS PUBLISHED IN THE GOVERNMENT GAZETTE TODAY.

UNDER THE DEPOSIT-TAKING COMPANIES ORDINANCE, THE ONLY GROUNDS ON WHICH THE COMMISSIONER OF DEPOSIT-TAKING COMPANIES CAN REFUSE AN APPLICATION BY A COMPANY AREi

* THAT ITS ISSUED OR ITS PAID-UP CAPITAL ARE LESS THAN $5 MILLION OR $2.5 MILLION RESPECTIVELY (OR THE EQUIVALENT IN A FOREIGN CURRENCY)-

* THAT THE OBJECTS OF THE COMPANY DO NOT INCLUDE A BUSINESS OF TAKING DEPOSITS-

* THAT THE NAME OF THE COMPANY CONTAINS ANY WORD IN CONTRAVENTION OF ANY OTHER ORDINANCE- OR THAT IT APPEARS TO THE COMMISSIONER THAT, BY REASON OF ANY CIRCUMSTANCES WHATSOEVER, THE COMPANY IS NOT A FIT AND PROPER BODY TO BE REGISTERED.

THE DEPOSIT-TAKING COMPANIES (AMENDMENT) BILL 1981 PROPOSES

TO EMPOWER THE GOVERNOR TO DIRECT THE COMMISSIONER TO SUSPEND OR REFUSE THE REGISTRATION OF DEPOSIT-TAKING COMPANIES, EITHER GENERALLY OR IN ANY PARTICULAR CASE.

IT ALSO GIVES LEGAL EFFECT TO A DECISION BY THE GOVERNOR-INCOUNCIL ON MARCH 17 TO AUTHORISE THE COMMISSIONER TO SUSPEND CONSIDERATION OF APPLICATIONS FOR REGISTRATION UNTIL THE AMENDING LEGISLATION COMES INTO FORCE.

THE BILL WILL BE INTRODUCED INTO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL NEXT WEDNESDAY, WHEN THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY WILL STATE THE FUTURE POLICY RELATING TO THE REGISTRATION OF DEPOSIT-TAKING COMPANIES.

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/3.....

FRIDAY, MARCH 20, 1981


RECLAMATION PLANNED OFF TAI KOK TSUI * * * *

THE GOVERNMENT INTENDS TO RECLAIM ABOUT 41 HECTARES OF FORESHORE AND SEABED OFF TAI KOK TSUI.

PART OF THE RECLAMATION WILL BE USED FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF TWO BREAKWATER ARMS WHICH WILL ENCLOSE A NEW TYPHOON SHELTER. THE REMAINING AREA WILL PROVIDE LAND FOR CARGO HANDLING AREAS, GODOWNS, COMMERCIAL AND RESIDENTIAL AREAS, OPEN SPACE AND GOVERNMENT AND INSTITUTIONAL FACILITIES.

THE EXTENT OF THE AREA OF FORESHORE AND SEABED INVOLVED IS DESCRIBED IN A NOTICE IN THE GOVERNMENT GAZETTE TODAY. ANY PERSON HAVING OBJECTIONS TO THE PROPOSAL OR ANY CLAIM OF PRIVATE RIGHT SHOULD SUBMIT THESE IN WRITING TO THE DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC WORKS WITHIN TWO MONTHS FROM NOW.

THE NOTICE, IN BOTH ENGLISH AND CHINESE, WITH ITS RELATED PLAN CAN BE SEEN ON NOTICE BOARDS POSTED NEAR THE SITE.

THE PLAN SHOWING THE AREA OF FORESHORE AND SEABED INVOLVED MAY ALSO BE SEEN AT THE PORT WORKS DIVISION, 1ST FLOOR, MURRAY BUILDING, GARDEN ROAD, HONG KONG OR THE CROWN LANDS AND SURVEY OFFICE, 19TH FLOOR, MURRAY BUILDING, GARDEN ROAD, HONG KONG OR THE CROWN LANDS AND SURVEY OFFICE, 10TH FLOOR, KOWLOON GOVERNMENT OFFICES, 405 NATHAN ROAD, KOWLOON.

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

PROPOSED RECLAMATION OFF NE LANTAU ******

THE GOVERNMENT INTENDS TO RECLAIM AND GRANT CERTAIN AREAS WITHIN THE LIMITS OF APPROXIMATELY 19.5 HECTARES OF FORESHORE AND SEA BED AT NE LANTAU, WHICH WILL BE USED FOR INDUSTRIAL DEVELOPMENT PURPOSES.

THE AREA INVOLVED IS DESCRIBED IN A NOTIFICATION IN THE GOVERNMENT GAZETTE TODAY. ANY PERSON HAVING OBJECTIONS TO THE PROPOSAL OR ANY CLAIM OF PRIVATE RIGHT SHOULD SUBMIT THEM IN WRITING TO THE DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC WORKS WITHIN A PERIOD OF TWO MONTHS FROM TODAY.

THE NOTICE, WITH ITS RELATED PLAN, CAN BE SEEN ON NOTICE BOARDS POSTED NEAR THE SITE. THE PLAN SHOWING THE AREA OF FORESHORE AND SEA BED INVOLVED MAY ALSO BE SEEN AT THE PORT WORKS DIVISION, 1ST FLOOR, MURRAY BUILDING, GARDEN ROAD, HONG KONG OR THE CROWN LANDS AND SURVEY OFFICE, 19TH FLOOR, MURRAY BUILDING, GARDEN ROAD, HONG KONG, OR THE DISTRICT OFFICE, TSUEN WAN, 2ND FLOOR, FOU WAH CENTRE, TSUEN WAN, NEW TERRITORIES.

- 0 - -

/4

FRIDAY, MARCH 20, 1981

JANUARY’S ORDERS-ON-HAND FOR INDUSTRIES * * * M

THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT TODAY RELEASED THE FOLLOWING ORDERS-ON-HAND STATISTICS FOR JANUARY 1981 I

ORDERS-ON-HAND IN TERMS OF MONTHS

INDUSTRY GROUP

JAN 1980 DEC 1980 JAN 1981

WEARING APPAREL, EXCEPT FOOTWEAR 5.0 4.8 4.6

TEXTILES, EXCEPT WEARING APPAREL 2.9 2.2 2.3

PLASTIC PRODUCTS 4.7 3.8 3.6

FABRICATED METAL PRODUCTS, EXCEPT 4.2 3.7 3.6

MACHINERY AND EQUIPMENT ELECTRICAL AND ELECTRONIC MACHINERY, 5.0 5.0 4.9

APPARATUS, APPLIANCES AND SUPPLIES OTHERS 4.0 3.8 3.7

ALL MANUFACTURING 4.5 4.2 4.1

THE GENERAL DECREASE IN ORDERS-ON-HAND COMPARED WITH THE POSITION TWELVE MONTHS AGO MAY NOT SUGGEST A SUBSTANTIAL DECLINE IN BUSINESS VOLUMES BUT RATHER A TENDENCY FOR ORDERS RECEIVED BY THE MANUFACTURERS SURVEYED TO HAVE BECOME SHORTER AND MORE FREQUENT.

THE ABOVE STATISTICS ARE BASED ON AN UPDATED AND ENLARGED PANEL OF THE 200 LARGEST MANUFACTURING COMPANIES SELECTED BY REFERENCE TO THEIR EMPLOYMENT SIZE IN SEPTEMBER 1979. AS THE PANEL IS NOT A SCIENTIFICALLY DESIGNED SAMPLE. RESULTS OBTAINED WILL BE REPRESENTATIVE ONLY OF THE COMPANIES INCLUDED IN THE PANEL, BUT IT IS HOPED THAT THEY WILL GENERALLY INDICATE THE DIRECTION OF CHANGE IN THE PERFORMANCE OF THE MANUFACTURING INDUSTRY AS A WHOLE.

THIS SURVEY, WHICH IS CONDUCTED MONTHLY, ALSO ASKS QUESTIONS ON EMPLOYMENT AND PAYROLL AND COVERS THE CONSTRUCTION AND SELECTED SERVICES SECTORS BESIDES THE MANUFACTURING INDUSTRY.

THE SURVEY REPORT FOR JANUARY 1981 IS NOW ON SALE AT THE GOVERNMENT PUBLICATIONS CENTRE. GENERAL POST OFFICE, AT $1 PER COPY. ENQUIRIES ON THE SURVEY RESULTS MAY BE MADE TO THE INDUSTRIAL PRODUCTION STATISTICS SECTION OF THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT ON 5-274203.

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/5......

FRIDAY, MARCH 20, 1981

5

PUBLIC ENQUIRY SERVICE CENTRE BEING SET UP IN SHA TIN * * * * *

THE FIRST PUBLIC ENQUIRY SERVICE CENTRE IN SHA TIN IS BEING SET UP AT LEK YUEN ESTATE.

THE CENTRE IS ON THE GROUND FLOOR OF SAU CHUEN HOUSE, AND WILL ALSO BE USED AS THE DISTRICT ADVISORY BOARD SECRETARIAT AND AS AN AFTER OFFICE HOURS READING ROOM.

OFFICERS OF SHA TIN DISTRICT OFFICE HAVE BEEN ON DUTY AT THE CENTRE SINCE EARLY MARCH TO ANSWER ENQUIRIES ABOUT GOVERNMENT SERVICES, ALTHOUGH IT IS NOT DUE TO BE OFFICIALLY OPENED UNTIL NEXT MONTH.

SERVICES PROVIDED WILL BE EXPANDED TO INCLUDE ADMINISTERING STATUTORY DECLARATIONS AND DISTRIBUTING GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENT PAMPHLETS AND FORMS AFTER THE OFFICIAL OPENING.

A FREE LEGAL ADVICE SERVICE WILL ALSO BE AVAILABLE AT THE CENTRE EVERY MONDAY EVENING WHEN LAWYERS OF THE LAW SOCIETY WILL SEE RESIDENTS AND HELP THEM WITH LEGAL PROCEDURES.

A SHA TIN DISTRICT OFFICE SPOKESMAN SAID SETTING UP THE CENTRE WOULD MAKE ITS SERVICES MORE CONVENIENT TO THE 50 000 RESIDENTS OF LEK YUEN AND WO CHE ESTATES, WHO PREVIOUSLY HAD TO TRAVEL TO THE DISTRICT OFFICE AT TUNG LO WAN.

THE CENTRE OPENS FROM 8.30 AM TO 5 PM MONDAY TO FRIDAY, AND FROM 8.30 AM TO NOON ON SATURDAYS.

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

HELPING CHILDREN WITH HEARING PROBLEMS

*****

A ONE-DAY SEMINAR ON EFFECTIVELY INTEGRATING CHILDREN WITH HEARING PROBLEMS INTO ORDINARY SCHOOLS WILL BE HELD ON APRIL 24 FOR TEACHERS AND SOCIAL WORKERS.

♦TEACHERS AND SOCIAL WORKERS WHO HAVE HEARING IMPAIRED CHILDREN INTEGRATED INTO THEIR CLASSES OR CHILD CARE CENTRES WILL FIND THIS SEMINAR PARTICULARLY USEFUL BECAUSE IT WILL PROVIDE THEM WITH GUIDELINES FOR TACKLING SOME LEARNING AND BEHAVIOUR PROBLEMS OF THESE CHILDREN,* AN EDUCATION DEPARTMENT SPOKESMAN SAID TODAY.

THE SEMINAR WILL BE HELD AT CLEMENTI MIDDLE SCHOOL, IN NORTH POINT AND WILL BE CONDUCTED IN CANTONESE. IT WILL CONSIST OF TALKS, A FILM SHOW AND GROUP DISCUSSIONS.

TALKS WILL FOCUS ON BASIC CONCEPTS ABOUT HEARING IMPAIRMENT, REMEDIAL SERVICES FOR HEARING IMPAIRED PRE-SCHOOL CHILDREN, AND INTEGRATION PROBLEMS AND MANAGEMENT OF HEARING IMPAIRED CHILDREN.

/TEACHERS AND...

FRIDAY, MARCH 20, 1981

6

TEACHERS AND SOCIAL WORKERS WISHING TO PARTICIPATE IN THE SEMINAR SHOULD APPLY BEFORE APRIL 3 THROUGH THEIR HEADS OF SCHOOLS OR CHILD CARE CENTRES TO THE PRINCIPAL EDUCATION OFFICER, SPECIAL EDUCATION SECTION, EDUCATION DEPARTMENT, LEE GARDENS, HONG KONG.

FURTHER INFORMATION MAY BE OBTAINED FROM MRS EVA KWAN OF THE SPECIAL EDUCATION SECTION ON 5-7904679 EXT. 14.

URBAN CLEARWAY IN CENTRAL

X X

MOTORISTS ARE ADVISED THAT THE WESTBOUND SECTION OF CONNAUGHT ROAD CENTRAL BETWEEN MURRAY ROAD AND ICE HOUSE STREET WILL BE DESIGNATED AN URBAN CLEARWAY FROM 10 AM ON TUESDAY (MARCH 24).

EXCEPT FOR FRANCHISED BUSES, MOTOR VEHICLES WILL NOT BE ALLOWED TO STOP WITHIN THE CLEARWAY FOR PASSENGERS OR GOODS BETWEEN 7 AM AND 10 AM AND FROM 4 PM TO 7 PM DAILY.

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TEMPORARY ROAD CLOSURE

MMX

THE SLIP ROAD LEADING FROM GLOUCESTER ROAD TO MARSH ROAD WILL BE CLOSED TO ALL TRAFFIC ON MARCH 22 AND 29 FROM 8 AM TO 9 PM, THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCED TODAY.

THE TEMPORARY CLOSURE IS TO FACILITATE THE LAYING OF TELEPHONE DUCTS.

TRAFFIC REQUIRING ACCESS TO THE CARGO HANDLING AREA WILL BE DIVERTED TO USE TONNOCHY ROAD.

TRAFFIC SIGNS WILL BE POSTED TO GUIDE MOTORISTS.

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FIRING PRACTICE * X X

FIRING PRACTICE WILL TAKE PLACE IN RANGE ON FIVE DAYS NEXT MONTH (APRIL).

THE HA TSUEN/CASTLE PEAK

THE PRACTICE TIMES AREt FROM 8 AM TO 4 PM ON APRIL 7 AND FROM 8 AM TO 11 PM ON APRIL 15, 28, 29 AND 30.

MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC ARE WARNED NOT TO ENTER THE AREA WHEN RED FLAGS ARE FLYING.

0 - -

DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN

ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE. HONG KONG. TEL: 5-233191

SATURDAY, MARCH 21, 1?81

CONTENTS PAGE NO.

PRESS ARRANGEMENTS FOR VISIT OF DUKE OF EDINBURGH ON TUESDAY ................................. 1

310 MILLION BIRTHDAY GIFT .................................... 2

lady cater visits corkunity chest agencies ................... 3

PRISON SERVICE EARNS HIGH REPUTATION ......................... 3

NEW RESERVOIR FOR JORDAN VALLEY............................... 4

NEW PLAYGROUND FOR HO MAN TIN ................................ 4

NEW TERMINAL POINTS FDR THREE BUS ROUTES ..................... 5

NT NORTH DISTRICT FLOWER SHOT/ OPENS ......................... 5

SATURDAY, MARCH 21, 1981

1

NOTE TO EDITORSi

PRESS ARRANGEMENTS FOR THE FIRST STOP-OVER VISIT OF HRH THE DUKE OF EDINBURGH *****

THE FOLLOWING FACILITIES HAVE BEEN PREPARED FOR THE MEDIA TO COVER THE FIRST OF THE TWO STOP-OVER VISITS BY HRH PRINCE PHILIP, THE DUKE OF EDINBURGH, WHO IS SCHEDULED TO ARRIVE BY CATHAY PACIFIC AIRWAYS AT 9.35 AM ON TUESDAY (MARCH 24).

THERE WILL BE A PHOTOGRAPHIC FACILITY AT THE AIRPORT FOR PRESS PHOTOGRAPHERS AND CAMERAMEN TO TAKE PICTURES OF HIS ARRIVAL.

HIS ROYAL HIGHNESS WILL BE RECEIVED BY THE CHIEF SECRETARY, THE HON SIR JACK CATER, REPRESENTING THE GOVERNOR WHO WILL BE ATTENDING THE OPENING OF THE CONFERENCE OF EXECUTIVE HEADS OF COMMONWEALTH UNIVERSITIES AT THE SAME TIME AS PRINCE PHILIP ARRIVES.

MEDIA REPRESENTATIVES ASSIGNED TO COVER THE ARRIVAL ARE REQUESTED TO ASSEMBLE IN THE PRESS ROOM AT THE AIRPORT AT 8.30 AM. GIS OFFICERS WILL BE PRESENT TO ASSIST.

VISIT TO PRINCE PHILIP DENTAL HOSPITAL

THE MOTORCADE WITH PRINCE PHILIP AND THE GOVERNOR, SIR MURRAY MACLEHOSE, WILL ARRIVE AT THE HOSPITAL AT 2.30 PM THE SAME DAY. SIR MURRAY WILL PRESENT THE CHAIRMAN OF THE PRINCE PHILIP DENTAL HOSPITAL BOARD OF MANAGEMENT, THE HON LYDIA DUNN, TO PRINCE PHILIP. MISS DUNN WILL THEN PRESENT THE DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC WORKS, THE HON D.W. MCDONALD, THE DIRECTOR OF MEDICAL AND HEALTH SERVICES, DR THE HON K.L. THONG, THE SECRETARY FOR SOCIAL SERVICES, THE HON E.P. HO, AND THE DIRECTOR OF THE PRINCE PHILIP DENTAL HOSPITAL, PROFESSOR GEOFFREY L. HOWE, TO HIS ROYAL HIGHNESS.

THE PARTY WILL THEN TOUR THE HOSPITAL.

AT ABOUT 3.20 PM, THE PARTY WILL PROCEED TO THE ENTRANCE HALL WHERE THE GOVERNMENT ARCHITECT MR EDWIN WONG, THE CONSULTANT ARCHITECT, MR JOHN ROSS- THE SECRETARY TO THE DENTAL ACADEMIC ADVISORY COMMITTEE AND FORMER ADMINISTRATOR OF THE DENTAL STUDIES TEAM OF THE UNIVERSITY OF HONG KONG, MR A.P. WALKER- AND THE HOSPITAL’S COMPTROLLER, MR D.H. MACE, WILL BE PRESENTED TO PRINCE PHILIP. HIS ROYAL HIGHNESS WILL BE INVITED TO UNVEIL A COMMEMORATIVE PLAQUE AT THE HOSPITAL ENTRANCE.

THE DUKE AND SIR MURRAY WILL PROCEED DOWN THE STEPS TO RETURN TO GOVERNMENT HOUSE AT 3.30 PM.

THERE ARE NO PARKING FACILITIES IN THE VICINITY OF THE PRINCE PHILIP DENTAL HOSPITAL. ALL ACCREDITED MEDIA REPRESENTATIVES ARE REQUESTED TO MAKE THEIR OWN WAY TO THE HOSPITAL AND ASSEMBLE WITH GIS OFFICERS AT THE BOTTOM OF THE MAIN ENTRANCE STEPS BY 2 PM FOR COVERAGE OF THE ARRIVAL OF PRINCE PHILIP.

/W'lIxL ••••••••

SATURDAY, MARCH 21, 1?81

- 2

THERE WILL BE ANOTHER POSITION AT THE MAIN ENTRANCE FOR THE UNVEILING OF THE PLAQUE AT ABOUT 3.20 PM AND DEPARTURE. MEDIA REPRESENTATIVES ARE REQUESTED TO ASSEMBLE THERE WITH GIS STAFF NOT LATER THAN 3 PM.

GIS PHOTOGRAPHS OF PARTS OF PRINCE PHILIP’S TOUR OF THE HOSPITAL WILL BE MADE AVAILABLE TO ALL NEWSPAPERS, NEWS AGENCIES AND PERIODICALS.

DEPARTURE FOR AUSTRALIA

PRINCE PHILIP IS SCHEDULED TO LEAVE BY CATHAY PACIFIC AIRWAYS FOR MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA, AT 11.30 PM THE SAME DAY (TUESDAY). MEDIA REPRESENTATIVES WHO WISH TO COVER THIS EVENT SHOULD ASSEMBLE IN THE PRESS ROOM AT THE AIRPORT AT 10 PM.

--------o - -

$10 MILLION BIRTHDAY GIFT

* * * * *

WELL-KNOWN PHILANTHROPIST SIR SHIU-KIN TANG HAS MADE A $10 MILLION DONATION FOR COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT ON HIS 80TH BIRTHDAY TODAY (SATURDAY).

THE DONATION, PRESENTED TO THE GOVERNOR, SIR MURRAY MACLEHOSE, WILL BE USED TO BUILD AND EQUIP A GAMES HALL IN TSUEN WAN NEW TOWN.

THE GAMES HALL WILL BE BUILT BETWEEN SHEK YAM AND LEI MUK SHUE ESTATES, AND WORK IS EXPECTED TO START BEFORE THE END OF THE YEAR. THE PROJECT IS EXPECTED TO BE COMPLETED IN 1983.

THE TWO ESTATES HAVE A COMBINED POPULATION OF 70 000 PEOPLE. THE GAMES HALL WILL ALSO BE AVAILABLE TO THE 1 000 RESIDENTS OF NEARBY TAI PAK TIN, SHEUNG KWAI CHUNG, DA CHUEN PING AND CHUNG KWAI CHUNG VILLAGES.

THE GAMES HALL WILL HAVE PROVISION FOR BASKETBALL, VOLLEYBALL, BADMINTON, TABLE TENNIS, SQUASH, GYMNASTICS AND OTHER INDOOR SPORTS.

ALSO AT THE PRESENTATION AT GOVERNMENT HOUSE TODAY WERE THE SECRETARY FOR HOME AFFAIRS, MR DENIS BRAY AND THE SECRETARY FOR THE NEW TERRITORIES, MR DAVID AKERS-JONES.

THE DONATION IS THE THIRD SIR SHIU-KIN HAS MADE TO THE NEW TERRITORIES DURING THE PAST 12 MONTHS. IN MAY, HE DONATED $2 MILLION FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF A SPORTS GROUND IN TUEN MUN AND IN NOVEMBER, $3 MILLION FOR A SPORTS GROUND IN SAI KUNG, IN ADDITION TO PREVIOUS DONATIONS FOR SQUASH COURTS IN YUEN LONG AND THE LADY MACLEHOSE HOLIDAY VILLAGE AT PAK TAM CHUNG.

IN MAKING THESE DONATIONS SIR SHIU-KIN SAID, +1 AM VERY HAPPY TO SUPPORT THESE RECREATIONAL PROJECTS IN THE NEW TERRITORIES AND I HOPE THAT MANY OTHERS WILL ALSO GIVE THEIR SUPPORT .......+

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/3.......

SATURDAY, MARCH 21, 1981

3

LADY CATER VISITS COMMUNITY CHEST AGENCIES ft ft ft ft

PRESIDENT OF THE COMMUNITY CHEST, LADY CATER, VISITED TWO AGENCIES OF THE CHEST IN SAU MAU PING AND NORTH KWAI CHUNG YESTERDAY (FRIDAY) EVENING.

AT THE SPORTS ASSOCIATION FOR THE PHYSICALLY HANDICAPPED IN SAU MAU PING SHE WAS MET BY THE CHAIRMAN, MRS MAUREEN WAGG, AND OTHER OFFICIALS.

ACCOMPANIED BY THE DEPUTY EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF THE COMMUNITY CHEST, MR G.A. HENDERSON, LADY CATER TOURED THE ASSOCIATION’S HEADQUARTERS WHICH WAS OPENED IN MAY 1973.

THE ASSOCIATION STRIVES TO PROMOTE AND ORGANISE SPORTS AND PHYSICAL RECREATION FOR THE PHYSICALLY HANDICAPPED DURING THE PAST FEW YEARS. ITS MEMBERS HAVE WON MEDALS IN INTERNATIONAL COMPETITIONS FOR THE PHYSICALLY DISABLED.

LADY CATER LATER VISITED THE SHENG KUNG HUI LADY MACLEHOSE CENTRE IN NORTH KWAI CHUNG, WHICH WAS OPENED IN 1973.

ITS SERVICES COVER SOCIAL AND RECREATIONAL ACTIVITIES FOR THE YOUTH, LEADERSHIP TRAINING, COMMUNITY SERVICES, CULTURAL AND FESTIVAL ACTIVITIES FOR THE ELDERLY, AS WELL AS TALKS, COMPETITIONS AND EXHIBITIONS.

- - 0 - -

PRISON SERVICE EARNS HIGH REPUTATION ft ft ft ft ft

A TOTAL OF 83 PRISON RECRUITS COMPRISING SIX OFFICERS AND 77 ASSISTANT OFFICERS, WHO HAVE COMPLETED THEIR BASIC TRAINING, WERE PASSED OUT FROM THE PRISONS DEPARTMENT’S STAFF TRAINING INSTITUTE IN STANLEY TODAY (SATURDAY).

MR P.G. WILLIAMS, A FORMER UNOFFICIAL MEMBER OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL, TOOK THE SALUTE AND PRESENTED GOLDEN WHISTLES TO THE TWO BEST RECRUITS.

THE BEST RECRUITS WERE MR KO SAU-BIN AND MR YIP HING-SUM, BOTH ASSISTANT OFFICERS.

ADDRESSING THE PARADE, MR WILLIAMS SAID THE HONG KONG PRISON SERVICE HAS RIGHTLY EARNED A HIGH REPUTATION OVER THE YEARS.

HE SAID PRISON OFFICERS WERE GUARDIANS OF THE PUBLIC INTEREST AND THEIR DUTIES REQUIRED A HIGH DEGREE OF EFFICIENCY, ALERTNESS AND, AT TIMES, COURAGE.

MR WILLIAMS TOLD THE RECRUITSi +YOU ARE STILL DEALING WITH INDIVIDUAL PEOPLE AMONGST THE PRISONERS AND THEY MUST RECEIVE EVERY CONSIDERATION.

/+UKP02TONAT3LY, IN

satubday, mabch 21, 1981

4

♦UNFORTUNATELY, IN THIS WORLD NOT ALL CAN BE REDEEMED BUT MANY CAN AND IT IS THROUGH YOUR INTEREST AND INFLUENCE THAT THIS CAN BE ACHIEVED, AND MEN AND WOMEN RESTORED TO A HAPPY, NORMAL, FAMILY LIFE,+ HE SAID.

♦THESE AIMS CAN BE IN CONFLICT AND YOU WILL BE REQUIRED TO DEVELOP WISDOM AND UNDERSTANDING OVER THE YEARS,♦ HE ADDED.


NEW RESERVOIR FOR JORDAN VALLEY ft ft ft ft

TENDERS HAVE BEEN INVITED BY THE PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT FOR THE SITE FORMATION OF A REPLACEMENT SERVICE RESERVOIR AT JORDAN VALLEY.

THE SITE IS OFF SAU MAU PING ROAD AT THE SOUTH SIDE OF THE EXISTING DAM.

THE WORKS COMPRISE THE EXCAVATION OF SOME 48 OOO CUBIC METRES OF MATERIAL TO FORM A 2 800 SQUARE METRE PLATFORM FOR THE FUTURE REPLACEMENT RESERVOIR SITE, THE ASSOCIATED SLOPE PROTECTION WORKS, DRAINAGE WORKS AND AN ACCESS ROAD.

THE CONTRACT IS EXPECTED TO START IN MAY, 1981 AND WILL TAKE ABOUT 12 MONTHS TO COMPLETE.

THE WORKS HAVE BEEN DESIGNED AND WILL BE SUPERVISED BY THE DEVELOPMENT AND AIRPORT DIVISION OF CIVIL ENGINEERING OFFICE, PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT.

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

NEW PLAYGROUND FOR HO MAN TIN ft ft

RESIDENTS IN HO MAN TIN WILL HAVE ADDITIONAL RECREATIONAL FACILITIES WHEN THE KING’S PARK HIGH LEVEL SERVICE RESERVOIR PLAYGROUND IS COMPLETED LATER THIS YEAR.

THE PLAYGROUND WILL INCLUDE A FOOTBALL PITCH, A BASKETBALL COURT, A REST GARDEN WITH FLOWER BEDS AND BENCHES.

WORK ON THE PROJECT WILL START IN MAY AND WILL TAKE ABOUT SIX MONTHS TO COMPLETE.

TENDERS FOR THE PROJECT ARE BEING INVITED BY THE ARCHITECTURAL OFFICE OF THE PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT.

WHEN COMPLETED, THE PLAYGROUND WILL BE HANDED OVER TO THE URBAN COUNCIL FOR MANAGEMENT.

------0 - - - -

/5 ......

SATURDAY, MARCH 21, 1981

5

NEW TERMINAL POINTS FOR BUS ROUTES 1, 111 AND 121 M M M M *

CMB SUBURBAN ROUTE NO. 1 AND CROSS HARBOUR ROUTES NOS. Ill AND 121 WILL TERMINATE FROM MONDAY (MARCH 23) AT THE TEMPORARY MACAU FERRY BUS TERMINUS INSTEAD OF THE CLEVERLY STREET BUS TERMINUS IN CENTRAL, A SPOKESMAN FOR THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT SAID TODAY (SATURDAY).

AN ADDITIONAL STOP FOR THE ROUTES WILL BE SET UP AT THE EXISTING EASTBOUND BUS STOP CURRENTLY BEING OBSERVED BY ROUTE NOS. 3A, 4, 7, 7OM, 71, 37, 5M AND 44 ON CONNAUGHT ROAD CENTRAL OUTSIDE THE CLEVERLY STREET BUS TERMINUS.

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

NORTH DISTRICT FLOWER SHOW OPENS * * * * *

A FOUR-DAY FLOWER SHOW WITH MORE THAN 1 000 ENTRIES WAS OPENED AT FANLING SPORTSGROUND IN NORTH DISTRICT TODAY (SATURDAY).

THE WIDE SELECTION OF ENTRIES ARE GROUPED IN SIX COMPETITIVE CATEGORIES — CUT FLOWERS, SCENTED CUT FLOWERS, POT PLANTS, MINIATURE POT PLANTS, ORCHIDS AND BONSAI TYPE PLANTS.

THERE ARE ALSO NON-COMPETITIVE EXHIBITS PROVIDED BY 18 ORGANISATIONS, INCLUDING THE NEW TERRITORIES SERVICES DEPARTMENT, THE AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES DEPARTMENT, THE KADOORIE EXPERIMENTAL AND EXTENSION FARM, CHING CHUNG KOON TAOIST MONASTERY AND LOCAL FLOWER FARMS. A DISPLAY OF HIGH-CLASS ROSES IS BEING PUT ON BY TAI YUEN FISHING VILLAGE.

OFFICIATING AT TODAY’S OPENING CEREMONY, SECRETARY FOR THE NEW TERRITORIES, MR DAVID AKERS-JONES, SAID THE SHOW WAS A SIGN OF INCREASING INTEREST AND AWARENESS OF THE NEED FOR THE BEAUTY OF THE NATURAL WORLD IN THE MIDST OF THE BUSY INDUSTRIAL AND COMMERCIAL WORLD IN WHICH WE LIVE.

HE SAID IT ALSO EMPHASISED THE NEED TO RID THE ENVIRONMENT OF RUBBISH AND POLLUTION, AND THE NEED FOR THE SUPPORT OF ALL THE COMMUNITY TO CLEAN UP THE NEW TERRITORIES.

♦I URGE YOU ALL TO START LOOKING AROUND NOW TO SEE HOW YOUR OWN SURROUNDINGS MIGHT BE IMPROVED, AND TO SUPPORT THE CLEAN HONG KONG CAMPAIGN WHEN IT STARTS IN THE AUTUMN,+ NR AKERS-JONES SAID.

JOINING MR AKERS-JONES AT THE RIBBON CUTTING WERE THE DIRECTOR OF AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES, MR JOHN RIDDELL-SWAN-THE DIRECTOR OF NEW TERRITORIES SERVICES, MR JIMMY SWEETMAN-THE CHAIRMAN OF THE HEUNG YEE KUK, MR LAU WONG-FAT- AND THE CHAIRMAN OF THE SHOW COMMITTEE, MR LIU YUN-SUM.

/ths shot/ ........

SATURDAY, MAHCH 21, 1981

6

THE SHOW IS OPEN DAILY FROM 10 AM TO 6 PM.

TALKS ON BONSAI, ORCHID AND POT PLANT CULTIVATION WILL BE GIVEN AT 10 AM AND 3 PM TOMORROW (SUNDAY), AND AT 10 AM ON MONDAY.

VISITORS WILL ALSO BE GIVEN COLOUR CATALOGUES CONTAINING DETAILS OF THE EXHIBITS, AND ARTICLES ON FLOWER PLANTING TECHNIQUES.

FUNDS FOR THE SHOW, WHICH WAS FIRST HELD IN 1977, HAVE BEEN PROVIDED BY NORTH DISTRICT ADVISORY BOARD AND THROUGH LOCAL DONATIONS.

------0----

DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN

ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL: 5-233191

SUNDAY, MARCH 22, 1981

CONTENTS PAGE NO.

SWD MOBILE TEAMS DELIVER CASH RELIEF ...................... 1

SCHEME TO PROMOTE INTEGRATION OF DISABLED CHILDREN ........ 2

LABOUR RELATIONS WORKSHOPS ................................ 2

ADDITIONAL WATER FOR HEUNG YEUNG VILLAGE .................. 3

DSNT STARTS WALK-WITH-DISABLED COMPETITION ................ 4

FLYOVER EASES TRAFFIC FLOW ................................ 4

SAI KUNG CHOIR'S ANNIVERSARY CONCERT ...................... 5

NEW FIRE STATION FOR WONG TAI SIN.......................... 6

TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENT IN CENTRAL

6

SUNDAY, MARCH 22, 1981

1

SWD MOBILE TEAMS DELIVER CASH RELIEF * * * *

THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT PAYS OUT MORE THAN $47 MILLION TO SOME 270 000 PUBLIC ASSISTANCE AND SPECIAL NEEDS ALLOWANCES RECIPIENTS BY CASH COUPONS OR THROUGH BANKS’ AUTOPAY SYSTEMS EACH MONTH.

AND FOR ABOUT 3 700 RECIPIENTS, THE MONTHLY PAYMENTS ARE DELIVERED DIRECTLY INTO THEIR HANDS AT HOME, RESIDENTIAL INSTITUTIONS AND HOSPITALS BY SEVERAL MOBILE TEAMS OF THE DEPARTMENT’S PAYMENTS CONTROL SECTION.

THIS GROUP OF RECIPIENTS ARE THOSE WHO FIND IT DIFFICULT TO GO OUT TO CASH THEIR COUPONS OR DRAW MONEY FROM THE BANK BECAUSE THEY ARE EITHER DISABLED, OLD, INFIRM OR BED-RIDDEN.

FOR ABOUT 20 DAYS EACH MONTH, SEVEN MOBILE PAYMENT STAFF BREAK UP INTO TEAMS AND SET OFF IN THE MORNING WITH PACKETS OF CASH FOR THEIR DAY-LONG JOURNEYS. THEY GO NEAR AND FAR BY CAR, FERRY AND +KAI-TO* TO SCATTERED URBAN AND RURAL AREAS IN HONG KONG, KOWLOON, THE NEW TERRITORIES AND OUTLYING ISLANDS.

MR WONG KAI-YIU, HEAD OF THE PAYMENTS CONTROL SECTION, SAID TODAY (SUNDAY), +OUR MOBILE TEAMS GO OUT ON DELIVERIES REGARDLESS OF INCLEMENT WEATHER, EXCEPT WHEN TYPHOON NO. 8 SIGNAL IS HOISTED.♦

EACH MONTH, THEY DELIVER AN AVERAGE OF $740 000 AS PUBLIC ASSISTANCE, OLD AGE ALLOWANCE AND DISABILITY ALLOWANCE, HE SAID.

HE SAID CASES REQUIRING THE SERVICE OF THE TEAMS WERE REFERRED BY THE DEPARTMENT’S 26 SOCIAL SECURITY FIELD UNITS THROUGHOUT HONG KONG.

THE WORK OF THE MOBILE PAYMENT TEAMS HAS INCREASED CONSIDERABLY IN RECENT YEARS SINCE PUBLIC ASSISTANCE WAS INTRODUCED IN 1971 AND SPECIAL NEEDS ALLOWANCES IN 1973.

MR WONG RECALLED THAT IN JANUARY 1974, THE AMOUNTS DELIVERED BY THE TEAMS WERE JUST OVER $10 000 FOR PUBLIC ASSISTANCE AND $8 600 FOR SPECIAL NEEDS ALLOWANCES.

♦ IN JANUARY THIS YEAR, THE TEAMS PAID OUT $650 000 IN PUBLIC ASSISTANCE AND NEARLY $100 000 IN OLD AGE ALLOWANCE AND DISABILITY ALLOWANCE,* HE SAID.

APART FROM THE MOBILE PAYMENT SERVICE, THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT’S PAYMENTS CONTROL SECTION IS RESPONSIBLE FOR THE DELIVERY OF CASH COUPONS BY POST TO PUBLIC ASSISTANCE RECIPIENTS, AND ARRANGING SPECIAL NEEDS ALLOWANCES PAYMENTS THROUGH BANKS’ AUTOPAY SYSTEM.

CASH PAYMENTS ARE ALSO COLLECTED AT THE SECTION BY VICTIMS CF TRAFFIC ACCIDENTS AND CRIMES OF VIOLENCE.

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

/2.......

SUNDAY, MARCH 22, 1981

- 2 -

SCHEME TO PROMOTE INTEGRATION OF DISABLED CHILDREN * * *

A +SISTER SCHOOLS* SCHEME TO PROMOTE INTEGRATION OF HANDICAPPED CHILDREN INTO THE COMMUNITY IS BEING INTRODUCED BY THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT DURING THE INTERNATIONAL YEAR OF DISABLED PERSONS.

UNDER THE SCHEME, A SPECIAL SCHOOL MAY ADOPT ONE OR TWO ORDINARY SCHOOLS IN THE NEIGHBOURHOOD AS +SISTER SCHOOLS* FOR JOINT SOCIAL, RECREATIONAL AND EDUCATIONAL ACTIVITIES FOR THE BENEFIT OF HANDICAPPED AND ORDINARY CHILDREN.

THE DEPARTMENT HAS WRITTEN TO 62 SPECIAL SCHOOLS OUTLINING THE SCHEME TOGETHER WITH GUIDELINES FOR ITS OPERATION. FUNDS' FOR SCHOOLS REQUIRING FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE WILL BE PROVIDED BY LIONS CLUB INTERNATIONAL DISTRICT 303.

AN EDUCATION DEPARTMENT SPOKESMAN SAID TODAY (SUNDAY) THE SCHEME HAS A THREE-FOLD PURPOSE.

PUPILS OF ORDINARY SCHOOLS HE SAID, WILL HAVE A BETTER UNDERSTANDING OF HANDICAPPED CHILDREN THROUGH DIRECT CONTACT AND FRIENDSHIP.

SECONDLY, HANDICAPPED CHILDREN WILL HAVE MORE OPPORTUNIT IES IN SOCIAL INTERACTION WITH ORDINARY CHILDREN AND THIRDLY, BOTH HANDICAPPED AND ORDINARY CHILDREN CAN PARTICIPATE TOGETHER IN NEANINGFUL ACTIVITIES WHICH HANDICAPPED CHILDREN MAY FIND DIFFICULT TO UNDERTAKE WITHOUT DUE ASSISTANCE.

+IF THE SCHEME PROVES SUCCESSFUL, IT MAY BE ESTABLISHED ON A PERMANENT BASIS,* THE SPOKESMAN SAID.

ANY OF THE 62 SPECIAL SCHOOLS MAY APPROACH THE SPECIAL EDUCATION SECTION OF THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT, TELEPHONE 5-778311 EXT 147, FOR FURTHER INFORMATION OR ASSISTANCE.

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

LABOUR RELATIONS WORKSHOPS *****

THE LABOUR RELATIONS SERVICE OF THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT WILL ORGANISE A SERIES OF FOUR LABOUR RELATIONS WORKSHOPS FOR TRADE UNION OFFICIALS, PERSONNEL MANAGERS, MANAGEMENT PERSONNEL AND WORKERS NEXT MONTH (APRIL).

A SPOKESMAN FOR THE DEPARTMENT SAID TODAY (SUNDAY) THE WORKSHOPS ARE PART OF A +LABOUR AND STAFF RELATIONS DEVELOPMENT PROJECT* ORGANISED BY THE DEPARTMENT UNDER THE AUSPICES OF THE UNITED NATIONS DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME.

THE AIMS OF THE PROJECT ARE TO PROVIDE PARTICIPANTS WITH TRAINING ON LABOUR RELATIONS AND RELATED SUBJECTS A'D TO STRENGTHEN THE SYSTEM OF INDUSTRIAL RELATIONS IN HONG KO' 3 WITH THE HOPE Or ENSURING THE HARMONIOUS DEVELOPMENT OF THE ECONOMY AND SOCIAL PROGRESS.

/THE SPOKES'. IAN.........

SUNDAY, MARCH 22, 1981

3

THE SPOKESMAN SAID THE FIRST WORKSHOP, SCHEDULED TO START IN THE AFTERNOON ON APRIL 11 AT HOTEL FURAMA, CONSISTS OF FOUR EVENING SESSIONS OF TALKS ON LABOUR RELATIONS OR PERSONNEL MANAGEMENT. IT WILL BE IN CANTONESE FOR A MAXIMUM OF 50 PARTICIPANTS.

THE OTHER THREE WILL BE HELD LATER IN THE SAME MONTH.

SPEAKERS AT THE OPENING SESSION WILL BE MR DONALD CHAN, CHIEF LABOUR OFFICER (LABOUR RELATIONS), AND MR CHAN KAM-CHUEN, A MEMBER OF THE LABOUR ADVISORY BOARD.

AT THE OTHER SESSIONS WILL BE MR NG SEK-HONG, A LECTURER IN THE DEPARTMENT OF MANAGEMENT STUDIES, UNIVERSITY OF HONG KONG-W THOMAS W.C. KWONG, PERSONNEL OFFICER, CHINA LIGHT AND POWER COMPANY- MR ALFRED W.K. CHAN, SENIOR LABOUR OFFICER- MRS PAMELA CHING, EMPLOYEE AND COMMUNITY RELATIONS MANAGER, ESSO STANDARD OIL HONG KONG LTD- MR PETER P.W. NG, PERSONNEL MANAGER, PHILIPS HONG KONG LTD- AND MR TSUI TIM-FOOK, INDUSTRIAL RELATIONS ADVISOR, CABLE AND WIRELESS LTD.

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ADDITIONAL WATER FOR HEUNG YEUNG VILLAGE ******

RESIDENTS OF HEUNG YEUNG VILLAGE NEAR SHA TIN PASS ESTATE HAVE AN IMPROVED WATER SUPPLY WITH ADDITIONAL STANDPIPES THIS MONTH.

A SPOKESMAN FOR THE CITY DISTRICT OFFICE (WONG TAI SIN) SAID TODAY (SUNDAY) THE RESIDENTS NO LONGER HAVE TO QUEUE UP FOR A LONG TIME TO GET WATER EVEN DURING PEAK HOURS. AND, HE ADDED, THE DISTANCE TO THE NEAREST STANDPIPE IN SOME PARTS HAS BEEN SHORTENED.

THE CRY FOR MORE WATER CAME AS THE POPULATION OF THE SQUATTER AREA EXPANDED RAPIDLY DURING THE YEAR TO 2 500. THE EXISTING THREE STANDPIPES, LOCATED AT DIFFERENT POINTS, WERE FOUND INADEQUATE TO COPE WITH DEMAND. THE HILLY TERRAIN WHERE THE VILLAGE IS SITUATED ALSO MADE IT DIFFICULT TO FIND SUITABLE LOCATIONS FOR ADDITIONAL STANDPIPES.

HOWEVER, STAFF OF CDO (WTS) AND WATER SUPPLIES DEPARTMENT VISITED THE VILLAGE SEVERAL TIMES AND WITH THE ASSISTANCE OF HEUNG YEUNG VILLAGE MUTUAL AID COMMITTEE, WERE EVENTUALLY ABLE TO LOCATE TWO SITES WHERE ADDITIONAL STANDPIPES WERE INSTALLED AND PUT TO USE.

ELECTRICITY WILL ALSO BE PROVIDED TO THE VILLAGE AND THE CDO IS ASSISTING THE VILLAGE COMMITTEE IN TRYING TO OBTAIN ELECTRIC SUPPLY BEFORE THE END OF THE YEAR.

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

A.......

SUNDAY, MARCH 22, 1981

- 4 -

DSNT STARTS WALK-WITH-DISABLED COMPETITION * * * * *

DEPUTY SECRETARY FOR THE NEW TERRITORIES, MR AUGUSTINE CHUI KAM, OFFICIATED AT THE START OF A WALK-WITH-THE-DISABLED COMPETITION AT SAI KUNG THIS (SUNDAY) MORNING.

THE EVENT WAS ORGANISED BY THE HONG KONG PHYSICALLY HANDICAPPED AND ABLE-BODIED ASSOCIATION AS PART OF ITS PROGRAMME TO INTEGRATE DISABLED PERSONS INTO THE COMMUNITY.

MORE THAN 600 PEOPLE, INCLUDING 200 HANDICAPPED, TOOK PART IN THE COMPETITION OVER A FOUR-KILOMETRE COURSE AT THE WESTERN DAM OF HIGH ISLAND RESERVOIR.

ENTRANTS WERE DIVIDED INTO GROUPS OF THREE, EACH GROUP COMPRISING TWO ABLE-BODIED AND ONE HANDICAPPED PERSON. THE FIRST FOUR GROUPS TO FINISH THE COURSE WERE AWARDED TROPHIES.

SPEAKING AT THE PRIZE-PRESENTATION CEREMONY, MR CHUI SAID THE COMPETITION PROVIDED AN OPPORTUNITY FOR HANDICAPPED AND ABLE-BODIED PERSONS TO JOIN TOGETHER FOR RECREATIONAL ACTIVITIES, BETTER UNDERSTANDING AND STRONGER CO-CPERATION.

THIS WAS THE SEVENTH YEAR THE EVENT HAD BEEN HELD, AND THE NUMBER OF PARTICIPANTS HAD BEEN INCREASING EACH YEAR, MR CHUI SAID.

HE SAID GOVERNMENT HAD BEEN PUTTING A GREAT DEAL OF EFFORT INTO PROVIDING RECREATIONAL AND SPORTS FACILITIES IN URBAN AREAS AND IN THE NEW TERRITORIES, WITH MORE SWIMMING POOLS, SPORTSGROUNDS COUNTRY PARKS AND HOLIDAY CAMPS BEING BUILT.

♦SPORT AND RECREATION ARE IMPORTANT TO ALL, HANDICAPPED AND ABLE-BODIED ALIKE,+ MR CHUI SAID. +ACTIVITIES LIKE TODAY’S, WHEN ALL OF US CAN PURSUE LEISURELY COMPETITIONS IN THE BEAUTIFUL NATURAL ENVIRONMENT, ARE BENEFICIAL TO BOTH MIND AND BODY.

♦MUTUAL CONCERN AND MUTUAL-HELP ARE ENGENDERED THROUGH THE ACTIVITIES. WITH OUR JOINT EFFORTS, A WELL-ROUNDED SOCIETY WILL BE BUILT AND LIVES WILL BE MORE ENJOYABLE,+ HE SAID.

TODAY’S EVENT WAS HELD WITH THE ASSISTANCE OF THE RECREATION AND SPORT SERVICE.

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

FLYOVER EASES TRAFFIC FLOW * * * *

TRAFFIC FLOW IN TSUEN WAN NEW TOWN WILL BE EASED CONSIDERABLY WHEN A FLYOVER COMPLEX AT THE JUNCTION OF CASTLE PEAK ROAD AND TAXACO ROAD IS OPENED TO TRAFFIC AT THE END OF THIS MONTH.

MR H.S. KWONG, SENIOR ENGINEER OF THE HIGHWAYS (NEW TERRITORIES) DIVISION OF THE PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT, SAID TODAY (SUNDAY) THAT CIVIL ENGINEERING WORK ON THE COMPLEX AND ASSOClATtD ROADWORKS, HAS BEEN COMPLETED.

♦THE CONTRACTOR IS NOW PUTTING THE FINISHING TOUCHES TO THE MAIN FLYOVER OF THE COMPLEX,+ HE ADDED.

7LYO

SUNDAY, MARCH 22, 1981

5

THE FLYOVER COMPLEX IS PART OF THE COMPREHENSIVE DEVELOPMENT CF TSUEN WAN NEW TOWN.

HE SAID THAT GRADE SEPARATED PEDESTRIAN CROSSINGS, INCLUDING SUBWAYS AND A FOOTBRIDGE, WERE ALSO PROVIDED IN THE PROJECT TO ENSURE THE SAFETY OF PEDESTRIAN.

COMMENTING ON THE DESIGN OF THE FLYOVER COMPLEX, MR LEN CURRIE, ENGINEER OF THE STRUCTURAL DESIGN DIVISION OF THE HIGHWAYS OFFICE, SAID, +THE PRINCIPAL FEATURE OF THE FLYOVER COMPLEX IS THE MAIN FLYOVER ACROSS CASTLE PEAK ROAD WITH ITS UNIQUE BRANCHING SUPPORTS AND SLENDER DISH-SHAPED DECK, A DESIGN CONCEIVED ESPECIALLY FOR THIS LOCATION ADJACENT TO TAI WO HAU PARK.

♦THE OPEN SPACES UNDER AND AROUND THE FLYOVER WILL FORM AN EXTENSION OF THE PARK, WHICH WILL SHORTLY BE RE-INSTATED AS AN IMPORTANT RECREATION AREA,* HE SAID.

----0------

SAI KUNG CHOIR’S ANNIVERSARY CONCERT

******

SAI KUNG CHILDREN’S CHOIR CELEBRATED ITS FIRST ANNIVERSARY TODAY (SUNDAY) BY HOLDING A CONCERT AT TSUEN WAN TOWN HALL.

THE CHOIR WAS INAUGURATED LAST MARCH WITH A MEMBERSHIP OF 80. IT NOW HAS 160 MEMBERS AGED FROM SIX TO 14.

AT TODAY’S CONCERT, ATTENDED BY ABOUT 1 400 PEOPLE, THE CHOIR PRESENTED SIX ITEMS, INCLUDING THE +SAI KUNG SUITE*, WHICH WAS STAGED FOR THE FIRST TIME. THE SUITE INTRODUCES THE 82 VILLAGES CF SAI KUNG AND THE MAIN FEATURES OF THE DISTRICT.

OTHER HIGHLIGHTS DURING THE 90-MINUTE CONCERT INCLUDED CHINESE, WESTERN AND HAKKA SONGS, A CHILDREN’S OPERA AND THE +SAI KUNG FANTASIES*.

BEFORE THE CONCERT STARTED, THE BOARD OF CHOIR AFFAIRS WAS INAUGURATED TO MARK SUCCESSFUL REGISTRATION OF THE CHOIR AS AN INDEPENDENT BODY.

THE BOARD IS CHAIRED BY MR CHIU CHUN-BONG, A MEMBER OF SAI KUNG DISTRICT ADVISORY BOARD, AND INCLUDES REPRESENTATIVES FROM THE DISTRICT OFFICE, THE MUSIC OFFICE, THE RURAL COMMITTEES CF SAI KUNG DISTRICT AND COMMUNITY LEADERS.

OFFICIATING AT THE INAUGURATION, THE NEW TERRITORIES ADMINISTRATION SENIOR STAFF OFFICER, DR RICHARD BUTLER SAID THE CHOIR WOULD EE SINGING IN ITS OWN DISTRICT TOWN HALL BY 1982, CONSTRUCTION OF WHICH WAS ANOTHER SYMBOLIC ACHIEVEMENT REFLECTING THE UNITY, HARMONY AND CO-OPERATION OF THE SAI KUNG COMMUNITY.

THE CONCERT FEATURED A SPECIAL COMPOSITION DEDICATED TO LOCAL PEOPLE, THE MUSIC AND LYRICS OF WHICH WERE WRITTEN BY ASSISTANT TRAINING OFFICERS Oc THE MUSIC OFFICE, ' 1 KEN'ETH YIP AND MR CHAN LEE.

THE ASSISTANT DISTRICT OFFICER SAI KU'., MISS CARRIE TSANG, ALSO WROTE T< L' ICS F2 SCME OF THE SON ".

SUNDAY, MARCH 22, 1981

6

THE CHOIR WAS CONDUCTED BY TWO OF ITS TEACHERS, MR TONG SHIU-WAI AND MISS KO HIU-CHUN.

ALSO OFFICIATING WERE THE DISTRICT OFFICER SAI KUNG, MR CHAN SUI-JEUNG- THE MUSIC ADMINISTRATOR, MRS ELIZABETH WONG- THE PRINCIPAL ASSISTANT SECRETARY (RECREATION AND CULTURE), MR A.P. BENNETT- AND LOCAL COMMUNITY LEADERS.

-----0 - - - .

NEW FIRE STATION FOR WONG TAI SIN

*****

A NEW DIVISIONAL FIRE STATION WILL BE BUILT IN WONG TAI SIN TO PROVIDE ADDITIONAL FIRE COVER FOR THE DENSELY POPULATED AREA.

THE NEW STATION, AT FUNG TAK ROAD, WILL BECOME PART OF THE KOWLOON CENTRAL DIVISION PLANNED UNDER THE FIRE SERVICES DEVELOPMENT SCHEME.

WORK IS EXPECTED TO START IN MAY AND WILL TAKE ABOUT 16 MONTHS TO COMPLETE.

THE THREE-STOREY STATION WILL BE OF STANDARD DESIGN FOR 10 FIRE APPLIANCES. IT WILL HAVE ADDITIONAL SPACE FOR DUTY AND LECTURE ROOMS, OFFICES, BARRACK ACCOMMODATION FOR ESSENTIAL OPERATIONAL STAFF, DINING AND RECREATIONAL AREAS, A DRILL YARD AND A DRILL TOWER.

TENDERS FOR THE WORK ARE BEING INVITED BY THE PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT’S ARCHITECTURAL OFFICE.

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

TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENT IN CENTRAL * * *

THE LOOP ROAD OFF THE QUEENSWAY WESTBOUND CARRIAGEWAY FRONTING THE IMMIGRATION DEPARTMENT WILL BE REOPENED FOR ALL VEHICLES BETWEEN 7 PM AND 7 AM DAILY FROM 10 AM ON TUESDAY (MARCH 24).

ON TUESDAY (MARCH 24).

THIS ARRANGEMENT IS BEING MADE TO USE ADMIRALTY STATION.

ASSIST COMMUTERS WHO WISH TO

APPROPRIATE SIGNS WILL BE ERECTED TO GUIDE MOTORISTS.

- - 0 - -

DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN

ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE. HONG KONG. TEL 5-233191

MONDAY, MARCH 23, 19^1

CONTENTS PaGE HO,

0P5N HOUSE AT TWO TECHNICAL INSTITUTES ......................... 1

POSTAL TEAM VISITS CHINA........................................ 1

EDUCATION IS KEY TO INDUSTRIAL SAFETY........................... 2

BUSINESSMEN VISIT NEW TOWS...................................... 3

NEW PIPELINE TO BOOST WATER SUPPLY TO TSUEN WAN ................ 3

NO EMPLOYMENT CHANGE IN SHIP INDUSTRY........................... 4

SALT WATER CUT IN KWUN TONG..................................... 4

TEMPORARY CLOSURE ON Till HANG ROAD

4

MONDAY, MARCH 23, 1981

1

OPEN HOUSE AT TWO TECHNICAL INSTITUTES ft ft ft ft

TWO TECHNICAL INSTITUTES OF THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT WILL BE OPEN TO THE PUBLIC THIS WEEK TO SEE THE WORK OF THE STUDENTS.

AT THE KWAI CHUNG TECHNICAL INSTITUTE OPEN DAY ON THURSDAY (MARCH 26), VISITORS CAN TOUR THE FIVE TEACHING DEPARTMENTS OF CLOTHING INDUSTRIES, COMMERCIAL STUDIES, ELECTRICAL ENGINEERING, MECHANICAL ENGINEERING AND TEXTILE INDUSTRIES.

THE TOTAL STUDENT ENROLMENT IS 4 422, AND THEY ARE ATTENDING 17 FULL-TIME DAY CLASSES, 51 PART-TIME DAY-RELEASE CLASSES, 54 EVENING CLASSES AND 15 SHORT COURSES.

THE INSTITUTE, AT 20 HING SHING ROAD, KWAI CHUNG, WILL BE OPEN FROM 10 AM TO 12.30 PM, AND FROM 2 PM TO 4.30 PM.

LEE WAI LEE TECHNICAL INSTITUTE AT 30 RENFREW ROAD, KOWLOON TONG, WILL BE HOLDING ITS FIRST OPEN DAY ON MARCH 27 AND 28.

THE TOTAL STUDENT ENROLMENT AT THE INSTITUTE IS 5 244, AND THEY ARE ATTENDING 16 FULL-TIME DAY CLASSES, 38 PART-TIME DAY-RELEASE CLASSES AND 101 EVENING CLASSES.

THERE ARE FIVE DEPARTMENTS IN LEE WAI LEE TECHNICAL INSTITUTE, COMPRISING DESIGN, INDUSTRIAL TECHNOLOGY, MECHANICAL ENGINEERING, GENERAL STUDIES AND COMMERCIAL STUDIES.

THE INSTITUTE WILL BE OPEN TO RESERVED GROUP VISITS ON MARCH 27, AND TO THE PUBLIC ON MARCH 28 FROM 10 AM TO 5 PM.

A MACHINING SKILLS COMPETITION WILL ALSO BE HELD AT THE INSTITUTE ON MARCH 28 AMONG CRAFT STUDENTS FROM THE MECHANICAL ENGINEERING DEPARTMENTS OF ALL FIVE TECHNICAL INSTITUTES.

THERE WILL BE 10 CONTESTANTS, ALL STUDENTS OF PART-TIME DAYRELEASE CLASSES, AND THEY WILL BE COMPETING IN THE MANUFACTURE OF A SHAFT AND COLLAR.

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

POSTAL TEAM VISITS CHINA ft ft ft ft

A DELEGATION HEADED BY THE POSTMASTER GENERAL, HR A.C. HEATHCOTE, LEFT HONG KONG FOR GUANGZHOU TODAY (MONDAY) AT THE INVITATION OF MR LI QING-WAN, DIRECTOR OF GUANGDONG POST AND TELECOMMUNICATIONS ADMINISTRATIVE BUREAU.

THE PURPOSE OF THE VISIT IS TO DISCUSS SUBJECTS OF COMMON INTEREST RELATING TO POSTAL AND TELECOMMUNICATIONS SERVICES BETWEEN THE TWO AREAS.

MR HEATHCOTE REMARKED THAT PERSONAL CONTACTS WITH OFFICIALS IN GUANGZHOU WERE MOST VALUABLE IN MAINTAINING EFFICIENT POSTAL SERVICES TO AND FROM CHINA. HE SAID HE WAS LOOKING FORWARD TO MEETING MR LI AGAIN WITH WHOM HE EXPECTED TO DISCUSS A WIDE RANGE OF SUBJECTS.

- - - - 0 ----

/2.....

MONDAY, MARCH 23, 1981

2

EDUCATION IS KEY TO INDUSTRIAL SAFETY * * * *

DESPITE VIGOROUS EFFORTS TO PROMOTE INDUSTRIAL SAFETY BY GOVERNMENT AND INTERESTED ORGANISATIONS, THE NUMBER OF INDUSTRIAL ACCIDENTS IS STILL VERY HIGH AND EVERY ATTEMPT MUST BE MADE TO REDUCE IT.

THIS WAS STATED TODAY (MONDAY) BY THE COMMISSIONER FOR LABOUR, MR J.N. HENDERSON, AT THE FIFTH AND FINAL PRIZE PRESENTATION CF THE INDUSTRIAL SAFETY QUIZ COMPETITION.

MR HENDERSON STRESSED THAT THE GOVERNMENT WAS DETERMINED THAT WORKERS WOULD BE PROTECTED BY EFFECTIVE LEGISLATION.

HOWEVER, HE SAID THAT WHILE ENFORCEMENT HAD ITS PLACE, EDUCATION WAS PERHAPS THE BEST WAY OF PROTECTING WORKERS FROM ACCIDENTS AT THEIR PLACES OF WORK.

MR HENDERSON HOPED THAT WITH THE CONTINUED ASSISTANCE OF THE NEWS MEDIA IN PUBLICISING INDUSTRIAL SAFETY AND WITH CONCERTED EFFORTS BY BOTH MANAGEMENT AND WORKERS THE NUMBER OF INDUSTRIAL ACCIDENTS WOULD BE REDUCED.

THE COMPETITION, CO-SPONSORED BY THE HONG KONG DAILY NEWS AND RTV, IS AIMED AT INCREASING PUBLIC AWARENESS OF THE NEED TO IMPROVE STANDARDS OF INDUSTRIAL SAFETY.

SINCE THE FIRST COMPETITION IN SEPTEMBER LAST YEAR MORE THAN 21 OOO ENTRIES HAD BEEN RECEIVED. +THIS IS AN ENCOURAGING SIGN.+ W HENDERSON SAID. ’

MR HENDERSON PRESENTED THE FIRST PRIZE OF TWO RETURN AIR TICKETS TO THE PHILIPPINES, PLUS FREE FOOD AND LODGING - COURTESY OF THE HONG KONG DAILY NEWS - TO MISS CHAN HING-HUNG.

THE SECOND PRIZE, A COLOUR TELEVISION SET, AND THE THIRD PRIZE OF A WRIST WATCH WERE WON BY MISS CHAN PO-LING AND MR KAM WAH-ON RESPECTIVELY.

THE RTV SPECIAL PRIZE OF A MINIATURE GOLD SAFETY HELMET WAS PRESENTED TO MR WONG HOI-LING BY MRS ELEANOR MORRIS, SPECIAL ASSISTANT TO RTV’S MANAGING DIRECTOR.

TEN CONSOLATION PRIZES OF A RADIO EACH WERE PRESENTED BY W LAW BUN, PRESIDENT OF THE HONG KONG DAILY NEWS.

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

MONDAY, MARCH 23, 1981

- 3 -

BUSINESSMEN VISIT NEW TOWNS * * * *

COMMITTEE MEMBERS OF THE HONG KONG GENERAL CHAMBER OF COMMERPF OFDTHF(«N?ISIT£D THE NEW TERRIT0R,ES TO UPDATE THEIR KNOWLEDGE vf i nt New lUWriQa

« davEdERkers-johesG ?IESIS45p¥ MnWS'KS'&RE M'S mass,tra2sitRraRlwav°extehsRon.MAJOR L0CAL PR0JECT5-

IN TUEN MUN THEY WERE TOLD ABOUT THE TYPHOON SHELTER THE POWER STATION AT TAP SHEK KOK, PUBLIC AND PRIVATE HOUSING DEVELOPMENT, THE TEMPORARY PIER, FROM WHERE FERRY SERV CES WILL S0RWc^AteMN^ SUN CHUEN SIARTING TH,S SUM"E“

SITE eTxHlci??^TSl^cM WH"

™ ™E EA^?R'ES N0W IN OPERATION AND OTHERS BEING DEVELOPED ON I nt 45""HtCTARt SITE.

wcoc Jvm a^LC^LtWAS at sha tin where all the major DEVELOPMENTS WERE EXPLAINED TO THEM BY THE DISTRICT OFFICER, DR PATRICK HASE.

THE HONG KONG GENERAL CHAMBER OF COMMERCE VISITS THE NEW TERRITORIES EVERY YEAR “ ----- -------

TO KEEP MEMBERS AWARE OF THE PROGRESS BEING NEW TOWNS AND OTHER AREAS.

MADE ON DEVELOPING THE

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

NEW PIPELINE TO BOOST WATER SUPPLY TO TSUEN WAN

* * * *

THE PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT IS INVITING TENDERS FOR THE LAYING OF A 1 200 MM DIAMETER STEEL PIPELINE ALONG THE NORTHERN SIDE OF LOWER SHING MUN RESERVOIR.

THE WORK FORMS PART OF THE FIRST STAGE OF A SCHEME TO CATER FOR ADDITIONAL WATER FROM CHINA OVER THE NEXT 12 YEARS.

THE 2.1 KM LONG PIPELINE, DESIGNED TO MEET THE INCREASING DEMAND IN THE TSUEN WAN AREA, WILL BRING WATER FROM LOWER SHING MUN TO THE EXISTING CONDUIT SYSTEM SUPPLYING SHEK LEI PUI AND TSUEN WAN TREATMENT WORKS.

UNDER THE CONTRACT, ABOUT 1 500 METRES OF THE PIPELINE WILL BE LAID UNDERGROUND AND THE REMAINING PORTIONS ABOVE GROUND ON PIERS OR SADDLE SUPPORTS. OTHER WORKS WILL INCLUDE EARTHWORKS, CONSTRUCTION OF REINFORCED CONCRETE CHAMBERS, SURGE TANK AND LANDSCAPING.

WORK WILL START IN MAY AND TAKE ABOUT 17 MONTHS TO COMPLETE. ----------------------------o-------

MONDAY, MARCH 23, 1981

4

NO EMPLOYMENT CHANGE IN SHIP INDUSTRY * * * *

EMPLOYMENT IN THE SHIPBUILDING AND SHIP REPAIR INDUSTRY IN HONG KONG HAS REMAINED ALMOST UNCHANGED IN THE PAST TWO YEARS. ACCORDING TO THE FIFTH MANPOWER SURVEY CONDUCTED BY THE HONG KONG TRAINING COUNCIL IN JULY LAST YEAR.

THE SURVEY REVEALED THAT THERE WERE 10 505 WORKERS IRA INEES/APPRENTICES EMPLOYED IN THE INDUSTRY, COMPARED 10 624 IN 1978.

AND 740 WITH

A REPORT ON THE SURVEY, PUBLISHED BY THE SHIPBUILDING AND SHIP REPAIRS INDUSTRY TRAINING BOARD, INDICATES THAT THE INDUSTRY HAS BEEN STATIC BECAUSE OF THE DOWN TURN IN WORLD SHIPPING BUS INESS.

THE REPORT, IN CHINESE AND ENGLISH, IS NOW ON SALE AT $7 A COPY AT THE GOVERNMENT PUBLICATIONS CENTRE, GENERAL POST OFFICE.

IT ALSO DETAILS STATISTICAL INFORMATION ON THE EMPLOYMENT STRUCTURE OF THE INDUSTRY, THE NUMBER OF EMPLOYEES IN EACH PRINCIPAL JOB, A FORECAST OF THE TRAINING NEEDS OF THE INDUSTRY AND RECOMMENDATIONS ON MEASURES NECESSARY TO COPE WITH THE NEEDS.

SALT WATER CUT IN KWUN TONG * * * *

SALT WATER SUPPLY TO A NUMBER OF INDUSTRIAL PREMISES IN KWUN TONG WILL BE CUT OFF FOR NINE HOURS FROM 8 AM TO 5 PM ON

WEDNESDAY (MARCH 25) FOR PIPE TEST.

ALL PREMISES BETWEEN HOI YUEN ROAD AND KING YIP STREET WILL BE AFFECTED.

- - - - 0 ----

TEMPORARY CLOSURE ON TAI HANG ROAD * * * * *

THE SECTION OF TAI HANG ROAD BETWEEN STUBBS ROAD AND BLUE POOL ROAD WILL BE CLOSED TO TRAFFIC EARLY IN THE MORNING FOR FOUR DAYS TO FACILITATE CONSTRUCTION WORK FOR A FLYOVER.

THE CLOSURE WILL BE EFFECTIVE BETWEEN 12.30 AM AND 5.30 AM FROM WEDNESDAY TO SATURDAY (MARCH 25 - 28) INCLUSIVE, A SPOKESMAN FOR THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCED TODAY (MONDAY).

APPROPRIATE TRAFFIC SIGNS WILL BE ERECTED TO GUIDE MOTORISTS.

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DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN

ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE. HONG KONG. TEL: 5-233191

TUESDAY, MARCH 24, 1?81

CONTENTS PAGE NO.

HRH THE DUKE OF EDINBURGH OPENS DENTAL HOSPITAL ................ 1

HONG KONG-CHINA RELATIONS "ENTIRELY SATISFACTORY" ............ 2

PRESS ARRANGEMENT FOR LORD CARRINGTON'S VISIT .................. 3

BUDGET DEBATE RESUMES TOMORROW.................................. 4

GUIDE TO CHOOSE FORM IV PLACES ................................. 5

SWD SEES RESIDENTIAL SERVICE.................................... 6

HK REPRESENTED AT AIRPORT OPERATORS' CONFERENCE................. 7

NT LAND SALES FOR NEXT SIX MONTHS .............................. 7

NEW RESERVOIR FOR SHA TIN ...................................... 9

FOOTPATHS TO BE CLOSED FOR OCEAN PARK EXTENSION................. 9

WATER CUT IN PAT HEUNG AREA..................................   10

SALT WATER CUT IN NGAU TAU KOK ................................ 10

TUESDAY, MARCH 24, 1981

1

HRH THE DUKE OF EDINBURGH OPENS DENTAL HOSPITAL M M M M M

HRH THE DUKE OF EDINBURGH TODAY UNVEILED A PLAQUE TO OFFICIALLY OPEN THE 1200 MILLION PRINCE PHILIP DENTAL HOSPITAL IN SAI YING PUN.

PRINCE PHILIP, IN A JOVIAL MOOD, SPENT SOME TIME CHATTING AND JOKING WITH STUDENTS AND ACADEMIC STAFF DURING HIS HOUR LONG TOUR OF THE HOSPITAL.

AS CENTENNIAL PRESIDENT OF THE BRITISH DENTAL ASSOCIATION, HE SHOWED HIS KNOWLEDGE OF DENTISTRY TO STUDENTS AND STAFF AND SP^NT HALF OF HIS VISIT IN THE HOSPITAL’S PROSTHETICS DEPARTMENT AND TECHNOLOGY LABORATORY EXAMINING THE FACILITIES.

THE CHAIRMAN OF THE HOSPITAL’S BOARD OF MANAGEMENT, THE HON LYDIA DUNN WAS PRESENTED TO PRINCE PHILIP BY THE GOVERNOR. SIR MURRAY MACLEHOSE. THE DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC WORKS, THE HON D.W. MCDONALD- THE DIRECTOR OF MEDICAL AND HEALTH- DR THE HON K.L. THONG- THE SECRETARY FOR SOCIAL SERVICES, THE HON E.P. HO-AND THE DIRECTOR OF THE PRINCE PHILIP DENTAL HOSPITAL, PROF GEOFFREY L. HOWE WERE PRESENTED TO HRH BY MISS DUNN.

X ....

ON THE HOSPITAL’S FOURTH FLOOR, HE SAW VARIOUS SURGERIES, FORENSIC ODONTOLOGY, TOOTH ANEMALIES AND GENETICS, IMPRESSION^ AND WAX RECORDS, PLAQUE DISCLOSURE AND CONTROL AND RESEARCH LABORATORIES. /IN THE TECHNOLOGY UNIT HE SAW SURVEYING MODELS, POLISHING SKELETONS, PREPARATION OF DIES, WAXING OF DENTURES AND OTHER TECHNOLOGICAL SKILLS.

AFTER TOURING OTHER FLOORS OF THE HOSPITAL HE RECORDED THE FIRST SIGNATURE IN THE HOSPITAL’S VISITORS BOOK. THE GOVERNMENT ARCHITECT MR EDWIN WONG- THE CONSULTANT ARCHITECT, MR JOHN ROSS-THE HOSPITAL’S COMPTROLLER, MR D.H. MACE AND THE SECRETARY TO THE DENTAL ACADEMIC ADVISORY COMMITTEE, MR A.P. WALKER, WERE ALSO PRESENTED TO THE DUKE BY MISS DUNN.

AS THE PARTY WAS LEAVING THE HOSPITAL, SIR MURRAY THREW BACK THE ROOF OF THE OFFICIAL CAR TO ENABLE A LARGE APPLAUDING CROWD OF SPECTATORS TO HAVE A BETTER GLIMPSE OF THE ROYAL VISITOR.

PRINCE PHILIP LEAVES FOR AUSTRALIA TONIGHT AND WILL RETURN TO HONG KONG ON SATURDAY FOR ANOTHER BRIEF STOP-OVER VISIT.

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/2........

THUESDAI, MA2CH 24, 1981

2

HONG KONG-CHINA RELATIONS +ENTIRELY SATISFACTORY* * * * * * *

THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN HONG KONG AND CHINA IS NOW ENTIRELY SATISFACTORY AND GREATLY ASSISTED BY THE UNDERSTANDING ATTITUDE OF CHINA AND THE EXCELLENT RELATIONS BETWEEN THAT COUNTRY AND THE UNITED KINGDOM, THE GOVERNOR, SIR MURRAY MACLEHOSE SAID TODAY (TUESDAY).

HE WAS SPEAKING AT THE OPENING OF THE ASSOCIATION OF COMMONWEALTH UNIVERSITIES CONFERENCE OF EXECUTIVE HEADS AT THE UNIVERSITY OF HONG KONG.

HONG KONG’S COMMUNITY, SIR MURRAY SAID, STOOD ON THREE LEGS. THE FIRST WAS ITS OWN SELF-RELIANCE, ECONOMIC DYNAMISM AND SOCIAL COHESION- THE SECOND WAS THE SUPPORT OF THE BRITISH GOVERNMENT-AND THE THIRD WAS A CORRECT RELATIONSHIP WITH CHINA.

+IT IS THESE THREE THINGS THAT THE CONFIDENCE AND GROWTH THAT YOU SEE AROUND YOU IN HONG KONG ARE BASED,* HE SAID.

SIR MURRAY WENT ON TO TRACE HONG KONG’S ACHIEVEMENTS IN EDUCATION OVER THE YEARS AND SAID THAT WHILE EDUCATIONAL FACILITIES WERE TO BE FURTHER EXPANDED, HONG KONG COULD NOT HOPE TO BE SELF SUFFICIENT IN ALL FIELDS OF EDUCATION.

+NOR DO WE AIM TO BE, SINCE THE EXPERIENCE OF OVERSEAS EDUCATION IS HIGHLY BENEFICIAL. SO, MANY OF OUR STUDENTS WILL CONTINUE TO SEEK HIGHER EDUCATION IN INSTITUTIONS OVERSEAS.

+WE OF COURSE REGRET THE DISCOURAGING EFFECT ON THIS PROCESS OF THE NEW UNIVERSITY FEE STRUCTURE IN THE UK. OBVIOUSLY ITS BUDGETARY PROVISION IS ENTIRELY A MATTER FOR THE UNITED KINGDOM GOVERNMENT, BUT SINCE WE REGARD THESE TRADITIONAL ACADEMIC LINKS AS OF GREAT IMPORTANCE, WE HOPE THE PRESENT MEASURES WILL BE MODIFIED AS FINANCIAL PRESSURES EASE.

♦MEANWHILE, MY GOVERNMENT IS CONSCIOUS OF ITS DUTY TO MAINTAIN OUR STUDENTS’ OPPORTUNITIES FOR HIGHER EDUCATION OVERSEAS AND NOT ALLOW THESE LONG STANDING ACADEMIC LINKS TO WITHER BY DEFAULT,* SAID SIR MURRAY.

+SO, FOR THE TIME BEING, WE WILL TAKE WHATEVER FINANCIAL STEPS ARE NECESSARY TO EASE THE POSITION OF OUR STUDENTS AND KEEP THE OLD TRADITION GOING MEANWHILE.*

HE TOLD THE UNIVERSITY EXECUTIVES THAT HONG KONG PRESSING AHEAD WITH AN AMBITIOUS EXPANSION OF MEDICAL

WAS ALSO TRAINING.

SIR MURRAY CITED THE OPENING THIS AFTERNOON OF THE PRINCE PHILIP DENTAL HOSPITAL BY HRH THE DUKE OF EDINBURGH AND ADDED THAT A SECOND MEDICAL SCHOOL AT THE CHINESE UNIVERSITY WOULD START PRE-CLINICAL INTAKE IN SEPTEMBER AND AN ASSOCIATED PRINCE OF WALES TEACHING HOSPITAL AT SHA TIN WOULD OPEN IN 1982.

TUESDAY, MARCH 24, 1981

- 3 -

NOTE TO EDITORS*

PRESS ARRANGEMENTS FOR LORD CARRINGTON’S VISIT M * * *

THE FOLLOWING FACILITIES HAVE BEEN MADE FOR THE MEDIA TO COVER THE VISIT OF THE SECRETARY OF STATE FOR FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH AFFAIRS, THE RT HON THE LORD CARRINGTON, WHO IS SCHEDULED TO ARRIVE FROM ISLAMABAD, PAKISTAN, BY RAF VC-10 AT 8 PM ON SUNDAY (MARCH 29).

THERE WILL BE A PHOTOGRAPHIC FACILITY AT THE AIRPORT FOR PRESS PHOTOGRAPHERS AND CAMERAMEN TO TAKE PICTURES OF HIS ARRIVAL.

MEDIA REPRESENTATIVES ASSIGNED TO COVER THIS EVENT ARE REQUESTED TO ASSEMBLE IN THE PRESS ROOM AT THE AIRPORT AT 7 PM. GIS OFFICERS WILL BE PRESENT TO ASSIST.

VISIT TO KOWLOON ELECTRIC SUPPLY COMPANY’S SITE AT TAP SHEK KOK

ON MONDAY MORNING (MARCH 30), LORD CARRINGTON WILL VISIT THE KOWLOON ELECTRIC SUPPLY COMPANY’S SITE AT TAP SHEK KOK.

A PRESS FACILITY FOR BOTH REPORTERS AND PHOTOGRAPHERS WILL BE ARRANGED. ON ARRIVAL AT TAP SHEK KOK, THE PRESS PARTY WILL BE BRIEFED BY COMPANY OFFICIALS AND OFFERED REFRESHMENT. LORD CARRINGTON WILL ARRIVE BY CAR AT 12.45 PM. AFTER COVERING THE SECRETARY OF STATE’S VISIT, THE PRESS PARTY IS EXPECTED TO LEAVE TAP SHEK KOK AT ABOUT 1.15 PM.

MEDIA REPRESENTATIVES ASSIGNED TO COVER THIS EVENT ARE REQUESTED TO ASSEMBLE AT THE CGO CAR PARK AT 10 AM.

VISIT TO URBAN COUNCIL

ON TUESDAY MORNING (MARCH 31), LORD CARRINGTON WILL MEET hEMBERS OF THE URBAN COUNCIL.

A PHOTOGRAPHIC FACILITY WILL BE PROVIDED OUTSIDE THE URBAN COUNCIL CHAMBERS TO COVER LORD CARRINGTON’S ARRIVAL. PHOTOGRAPHERS AND CAMERAMEN ARE REQUESTED TO ASSEMBLE OUTSIDE THE COUNCIL CHAMBERS AT 10.45 AM.

VISIT TO SHUN LEE ESTATE

ON TUESDAY AFTERNOON, LORD CARRINGTON WILL VISIT SHUN LEE ESTATE, CLEAR WATER BAY ROAD, KOWLOON.

ONE COACH WILL LEAVE CGO CAR PARK FOR SHUN LEE ESTATE AT 2.45 PM.

PRESS CONFERENCE AT BEACONSFIELD HOUSE

ON TUESDAY EVENING (MARCH 31), LORD CARRINGTON WILL GIVE A PRESS CONFERENCE AT 6 PM IN THE GIS THEATRE, 5TH FLOOR, BEACONSFIELD

HOUSE.



TUESDAY, MABCH 24, 1981

*

CMELCO DINNER

LATER ON TUESDAY EVENING, THE SECRETARY OF STATE WILL ATTEND A DINNER TO BE GIVEN BY UNOFFICIAL MEMBERS OF THE EXECUTIVE AND LEGISLATIVE COUNCILS.

A PHOTOGRAPHIC FACILITY WILL BE ARRANGED FOR PRESS PHOTOGRAPHERS AND CAMERAMEN TO COVER HIS ARRIVAL AT JHEPEDDER STREET ENTRANCE TO SWIRE HOUSE. THOSE WHO WISH TO COVER THIS EVENT SHOULD ASSEMBLE OUTSIDE THE ENTRANCE AT 7.40 PM.

DEPARTURE FROM KAI TAK

LORD CARRINGTON WILL LEAVE FOR CHINA BY RAF VC-10 ON WEDNESDAY (APRIL 1) MORNING.

DETAILS WILL BE ANNOUNCED LATER.

-------0 - . - -

BUDGET DEBATE RESUMES TOMORROW * M * M

THE BUDGET DEBATE WILL RESUME IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TOMORROW (WEDNESDAY) WHEN NINE UNOFFICIAL MEMBERS WILL EXPRESS THEIR VIEWS ON THE BUDGET PROPOSALS. THE DEBATE WILL CONTINUE ON THURSDAY WITH 10 OTHER UNOFFICIAL MEMBERS SPEAKING.

TOMORROW’S SPEAKERS ARE THE HON O.V. CHEUNG, THE HON ROGER LOBO, THE HON LI FOOK-WO, DR THE HON FRANCIS TIEN, THE HON ALEX WU, REV THE HON JOYCE BENNETT, THE HON S.L. CHEN, THE HON LYDIA DUNN, AND DR THE HON HENRY HU.

THE OTHER 10 UNOFFICIAL MEMBERS WHO WILL SPEAK ON THURSDAY ARE THE HON PETER C. WONG, THE HON WONG LAM, THE HON ANDREW SO, DR THE HON HO KAM-FAI, Th£ HON ALLEN LEE, THE HON D.K. NEWSIGGING, THE HON F.K. HU, THE HON WONG PO-YAN, THE HON W.C.L. BROWN AND THE HON STEPHEN CHEONG.

OFFICIAL MEMBERS WILL REPLY TO POINTS RAISED BY THEIR UNOFFICIAL COUNTERPARTS ON APRIL 8 AND, IF NECESSARY, APRIL 9.

THE SITTINGS ON WEDNESDAY AND THURSDAY WILL BE BROADCAST LIVE BY RADIO TELEVISION HONG KONG ON RADIO 2 (CHINESE) AND RADIO 4 (ENGLISH) FROM 2.30 PM.

- - - - 0-----

TUESDAY, MARCH 24, 1981

5

GUIDE TO CHOOSE FORM IV PLACES * * * *

FORMS FOR SELECTING SCHOOLS UNDER THE JUNIOR SECONDARY EDUCATION ASSESSMENT (JSEA) SYSTEM TOGETHER WITH GUIDEBOOKS FOR PARENTS, WILL BE DISTRIBUTED TO FORM III STUDENTS THIS WEEK.

♦PARENTS WILL BE ASKED TO CHOOSE 15 SCHOOLS IN ORDER OF PREFERENCE FROM A FULL LIST OF SCHOOLS PROVIDING SUBSIDISED FORM IV PLACES. THEY WILL ALSO BE ASKED TO CHOOSE FIVE PREFERRED GEOGRAPHICAL AREAS,♦ AN EDUCATION DEPARTMENT SPOKESMAN SAID.

THE GUIDEBOOKS ARE PUBLISHED IN BOTH CHINESE AND ENGLISH, WITH SEPARATE VERSIONS FOR CHINESE MIDDLE SCHOOLS AND ANGLO-CHINESE SCHOOLS. PARENTS SHOULD READ THEM CAREFULLY BEFORE MAKING THEIR CHOICE OF SCHOOLS.

ALLOCATION OF SUBSIDISED FORM IV PLACES, BASED ON PARENTS’ CHOICE AND THE STUDENTS’ POSITION IN THE RELEVANT ORDER OF MERIT, WILL BE PERFORMED BY COMPUTER.

♦ELIGIBLE STUDENTS FROM SCHOOLS WITH SUBSIDISED FORM IV PLACES WHO HAVE MADE THEIR OWN SCHOOL THEIR FIRST CHOICE WILL BE ALLOCATED FIRST,+ THE SPOKESMAN SAID,

IF THERE ARE INSUFFICIENT FORM IV PLACES IN A SCHOOL TO ACCOMMODATE ALL SUCH STUDENTS, THE REMAINDER WHO CANNOT BE GIVEN PLACES WILL BE ALLOCATED NEXT. ELIGIBLE STUDENTS FROM SCHOOLS WITHOUT ANY SUBSIDISED FORM IV PLACES WILL BE GIVEN THE SAME PRIORITY AS THIS GROUP.

ELIGIBLE STUDENTS FROM SCHOOLS WITH SUBSIDISED FORM IV PLACES WHO HAVE NOT MADE THEIR OWN SCHOOL THEIR FIRST CHOICE WILL BE ALLOCATED LAST.

IN VIEW OF THE LIMITED NUMBER OF FORM IV PLACES IN PREVOCATIONAL SCHOOLS, THE SPOKESMAN SAID, ELIGIBLE STUDENTS IN THESE SCHOOLS MAY CHOOSE AN ANGLO-CHINESE GRAMMAR OR A TECHNICAL SCHOOL.

BUT STUDENTS WHO ARE NOT STUDYING IN FORM III OF A PREVOCATIONAL SCHOOL MAY NOT OPT TO GO TO FORM IV OF A PREVOCATIONAL SCHOOL.

♦PARENTS SHOULD MAKE SURE THAT THE SCHOOLS THEY CHOOSE DO NOT OFFER SUBJECTS DIFFERENT FROM THOSE THEIR CHILDREN HAVE BEEN STUDYING IN FORM 111,+ THE SPOKESMAN SAID.

♦THIS IS PARTICULARLY IMPORTANT IN RESPECT OF TECHNICAL SCHOOLS.+

STUDENTS CHOOSING TECHNICAL SCHOOLS MUST BE CAPABLE OF TAKING ON VARIOUS TECHNICAL SUBJECTS TAUGHT IN THESE SCHOOLS AT FORM IV LEVEL, HE SAID.

WHEN FILLING IN THE FORMS, PARENTS SHOULD NOTE THAT THE PUPIL REFERENCE NUMBER ENTERED INTO THE FORM SHOULD BE THE SAME AS THAT PRINTED ON THE PUPIL’S IDENTIFICATION FORM.

/+KACH SCHOOL ...

TUESDAY, MARCH 24, 198l

6

+EACH SCHOOL CODE IS IN THREE FIGURES AND IS PRINTED ON THE LEFT-HAND COLUMN OF THE LIST OF SCHOOLS IN THE GUIDEBOOK. ONLY CODE OF SCHOOLS LISTED IN THE GUIDEBOOK SHOULD BE INSERTED IN THE FORM,+ THE SPOKESMAN SAID.

RESULTS OF SELECTION AND ALLOCATION WILL BE RELEASED TOWARDS THE END OF JULY.

PARENTS SEEKING FURTHER INFORMATION SHOULD CONTACT THE JSEA SECTION OF THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT ON 5-276359.

----0----

SWD SEES RESIDENTIAL SERVICE * * * ft

THE DIRECTOR OF SOCIAL WELFARE, MR SELWYN ALLEYNE, TODAY (TUESDAY) INSPECTED THE SERVICES PROVIDED BY ONE OF HONG KONG’S LARGEST INSTITUTIONAL HOMES FOR ORPHANS AND CHILDREN — THE ST. CHRISTOPHER’S HOME IN TAI PO.

DURING HIS VISIT MR ALLEYNE STUDIED THE HOME’S DAILY PROGRAMMES AND LEARNED OF ITS PLANS TO- CREATE AN EXTRA 62 PLACES FOR CHILDREN AGED BELOW SIX YEARS. HE ALSO MET THE INSTITUTION’S SUPERINTENDENT, MR MICHAEL LAI, AND HONORARY SECRETARY, MR FRED LEE.

FOUNDED BY THE SHENG KUNG HUI IN 1935, THE GOVERNMENT-SUBVENTED INSTITUTION PROVIDES FREE SERVICES TO 312 CHILDREN AND YOUNG PEOPLE AGED UP TO 21 YEARS WHO ARE EITHER ORPHANS OR COME FROM BROKEN HOMES OR FAMILIES WITH OTHER PROBLEMS.

APART FROM PROVIDING BASIC CARE, THE HOME ASSISTS THE CHILDREN WITH THEIR DEVELOPMENT THROUGH SCHOOLING, SOCIAL WORK SERVICE, RECREATIONAL AND CULTURAL ACTIVITIES, TRAINING AND MEDICAL CARE.

ITS HOME STAFF KEEP CLOSE WATCH ON THE CHILDREN’S PROGRESS AND, TOGETHER WITH REFERRING SOCIAL WORKERS, ARRANGE TO REUNITE THEM WITH THEIR FAMILIES AT THE EARLIEST POSSIBLE MOMENT.

THE HOME ALSO ARRANGES ADOPTION OF ORPHANS UNDER CARE, AND HELPS OLDER CHILDREN, ON THEIR DISCHARGE, IN FURTHER STUDIES AND FINDING EMPLOYMENT.

0

TUESDAY, MARCH 24, 1981

7

HK REPRESENTED AT AIRPORT OPERATORS' CONFERENCE *****

THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT WILL BE REPRESENTED AT THE 1981 ECONOMIC SPECIALTY CONFERENCE SPONSORED BY THE AIRPORT OPERATORS COUNCIL INTERNATIONAL OPENING IN GULFPORT-BILOXI, MISSISSIPPI TOMORROW (WEDNESDAY).

MR C.E. JONES, SENIOR TREASURY ACCOUNTANT OF THE CIVIL AVIATION DEPARTMENT, WILL ATTEND THE THREE-DAY CONFERENCE WHICH IS SPECIALLY ORGANISED FOR DELEGATES REPRESENTING AIRPORTS, AIRLINES, CONCESSIONAIRES, CONSULTANTS, FINANCIERS, GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS AND OTHERS HAVING A DIRECT INTEREST IN THE ECONOMICS OF AIRPORTS.

THE CONFERENCE WILL MAINLY DEAL WITH AIRPORT FINANCING, AIRPORT LEASING AND PRICING POLICIES, GROUND TRANSPORTATION AND CONTRACT COMPLIANCE.

THERE WILL ALSO BE A SESSION ON THE ECONOMIC OUTLOOK FOR AIR TRANSPORTATION.

ABOUT 200 DELEGATES FROM AIRPORTS AND GOVERNMENTS WILL PARTICIPATE.

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

NT LAND SALES FOR NEXT SIX MONTHS

* * *

THE NEW TERRITORIES ADMINISTRATION ANNOUNCED TODAY (TUESDAY) THAT IT WILL OFFER MORE THAN 29 HECTARES OF LAND FOR SALE DURING THE SIX-MONTH PERIOD BEGINNING APRIL 1.

A SPOKESMAN FOR THE NTA SAID THIS WAS FIVE HECTARES MORE THAN THE AMOUNT OFFERED DURING THE PREVIOUS SIX MONTHS, NINE HECTARES MORE THAN THAT DURING THE SAME PERIOD LAST YEAR, AND DOUBLE THAT OFFERED 18 MONTHS AGO.

A TOTAL OF 32 SITES ARE TO BE PUT UP FOR SALE — 15 IN SHA TIN, SIX IN YUEN LONG, FIVE IN TUEN MUN, THREE IN ISLANDS, TWO IN TAI PO AND ONE IN TSUEN WAN.

THERE WILL BE AUCTIONS IN JULY, AUGUST AND SEPTEMBER AT WHICH A TOTAL OF 15 SITES MEASURING 6.6 HECTARES WILL BE SOLD.

ELEVEN SITES MEASURING 2.54 HECTARES WILL BE RESERVED FOR HOLDERS OF LAND EXCHANGE ENTITLEMENTS (LETTERS ’A’ AND ’B’) AND THE REMAINING SIX SITES MEASURING 20.2 HECTARES WILL BE SOLD BY CASH TENDER.

THE LAND TO BE SOLD IS FOR RESIDENTIAL, INDUSTRIAL, COMMERCIAL/RESIDENTIAL, NON-INDUSTRIAL, HOSPITAL, FISHPOND AND DANGEROUS GOODS STORAGE PURPOSES.

TUESDAY, MARCH 24, 1981

8

RESIDENTIAL

APART FROM THE FISHPOND, WHICH WILL OCCUPY 12 HECTARES OF LAND AT TAI 0 AND WHICH WILL BE SOLD BY CASH TENDER IN JULY. THE LARGEST AMOUNT OF LAND - MORE THAN 10 HECTARES - WILL BE FOR RESIDENTIAL DEVELOPMENT IN SHA TIN (10 SITES), ISLANDS (TWO SITES) AND TUEN MUN (ONE SITE).

THE BIGGEST OF THE RESIDENTIAL SITES IS AT SHA TIN, MEASURING OVER FOUR HECTARES. IT IS FOR A JOINT VENTURE PROJECT TO INCLUDE GOVERNMENT QUARTERS.

TWO OTHER SITES, ONE IN SHA TIN MEASURING 0.46 HECTARES AND THE OTHER IN TUEN MUN MEASURING 1.18 HECTARES, ARE FOR SIMILAR PROJECTS.

ANOTHER SITE IN SHA TIN, MEASURING MORE THAN TWO AND A QUARTER HECTARES, IS FOR PRIVATE RESIDENTIAL DEVELOPMENT.

SEVEN OF THE RESIDENTIAL SITES WILL BE AUCTIONED, THREE WILL BE FOR LETTER * A’ AND ’B’ HOLDERS AND THREE WILL BE SOLD BY CASH TENDER.

INDUSTR IAL

ON OFFER ARE 12 INDUSTRIAL SITES, MEASURING ABOUT 2.6 HECTARES, IN SHA TIN, YUEN LONG AND TUEN MUN.

THE LARGEST, COVERING 0.7 HECTARES, IS FOR LIGHT INDUSTRIAL DEVELOPMENT AT SHA TIN.

SIX OF THE INDUSTRIAL SITES MEASURING ABOUT 1.56 HECTARES WILL BE SOLD BY AUCTION AND THE OTHERS WILL BE SOLD UNDER THE LETTER ’A’ AND ’B* SYSTEM.

COMMERCIAL/RESIDENT IAL

THERE ARE THREE SITES FOR COMMERCIAL/RESIDENTIAL DEVELOPMENT MEASURING ABOUT 1.75 HECTARES. TWO ARE IN TAI PO AND THE OTHER IS IN TSUEN WAN. 1

NON-INDUSTRIAL

THE ONLY NON-INDUSTRIAL SITE MEASURING 0.3 HECTARES, IS IN YUEN LONG. IT WILL BE SOLD TO LAND EXCHANGE ENTITLEMENT HOLDERS FOR A MULTI-STOREY CAR PARK DEVELOPMENT.

HOSPITAL

THE HOSPITAL SITE IS IN SHA TIN AND WILL BE SOLD BY CASH TENDER. IT MEASURES 1.93 HECTARES.

/DANGEROUS GOODS.......

TUESDAY, MAUCH 24, 1981

9

DANGEROUS GOODS GODOWN

THE SITE FOR A DANGEROUS GOODS GODOWN IS IN YUEN LONG AND WILL ALSO BE SOLD BY CASH TENDER. IT MEASURES 0.45 HECTARES.

THE NTA SPOKESMAN, STRESSING THAT THE SALES PROGRAMME WAS PROVISIONAL AT THIS STAGE, SAID THE LAND TO BE OFFERED DURING THE NEXT SIX MONTHS WOULD BRING TO 87 HECTARES THE AMOUNT PUT UP FOR DISPOSAL IN THE NEW TERRITORIES IN THE LAST 18 MONTHS. THE NUMBER OF SITES OFFERED OVER THE SAME PERIOD WILL TOTAL 164.

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

NEW RESERVOIR FOR SHA TIN M * * *

THE PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT HAS INVITED TENDERS FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF A FRESH WATER SERVICE RESERVOIR AT AH KUNG KOK, AN AREA OPPOSITE THE SHA TIN RACECOURSE.

THE WORK WILL ALSO INCLUDE 1 500 METRES OF MAINLAYING.

THE RESERVOIR WILL HAVE A STORAGE CAPACITY OF 17 000 CUBIC f€TRES AND WILL BE CONSTRUCTED IN REINFORCED CONCRETE. THE MAINS WILL BE LAID TO FEED THE RESERVOIR AND CONVEY WATER FROM THE RESERVOIR TO A NEARBY AREA WHERE INDUSTRIAL DEVELOPMENT IS TAKING PLACE.

CONSTRUCTION WILL START IN MAY 1981 AND TAKE ABOUT 18 MONTHS TO COMPLETE.

FOOTPATHS TO BE CLOSED FOR OCEAN PARK EXTENSION

M M M M

THE GOVERNMENT HAS ANNOUNCED THAT IN CONNECTION WITH THE GRANT OF AN EXTENSION TO THE OCEAN PARK FOR THE PROVISION OF A SECOND ENTRANCE TO THE PARK’S HEADLAND, THOSE FOOTPATHS AFFECTED BY THE DEVELOPMENT WILL BE PERMANENTLY CLOSED.

A SPOKESMAN FOR THE PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT SAID THAT AS THE DEVELOPMENT WOULD BE IMPLEMENTED IN PHASES, IT WOULD NOT INTERFERE WITH THE EXISTING LOCAL FOOTPATH SYSTEM IN THE AREA UNTIL CONSTRUCTION WORK FOR THE RESPECTIVE PHASES COMMENCED.

♦IN ORDER TO ALLOW UNINTERRUPTED USE OF THE FOOTPATH SYSTEM, ALTERNATIVE ACCESS WILL, WHERE APPROPRIATE, BE PROVIDED,+ THE SPOKESMAN SAID.

ANY PERSON OBJECTING TO THE PROPOSED UNDERTAKING MUST SEND HIS OBJECTION IN WRITING TO THE DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC WORKS NOT LATER THAN APRIL 20, 1981. ANY CLAIM FOR COMPENSATION MUST REACH THE DIRECTOR BEFORE MAY 20, 1981.

------ 0 - - - .

/10......

TUESDAY, MARCH 24, 1981

10

WATER CUT IN PAT HEUNG AREA * * * *

FRESH WATER AND SHEK KONG IN FROM MIDNIGHT ON FOR LEAKAGE TEST.

SUPPLY TO A NUMBER OF AREAS IN KAM TIN, PAT HEUNG THE NEW TERRITORIES WILL BE CUT OFF FOR SIX HOURS THURSDAY (MARCH 26) TO 6 AM ON THE FOLLOWING DAY

THE AREAS TO BE AFFECTED WILL INCLUDE WING LUNG WAI, CHEUNG

che- sheuns che 4Ni1 the fib6 serv,ces

SALT WATER CUT IN NGAU TAU KOK

* * * *

SALT WATER SUPPLY TO A NUMBER OF PREMISES AROUND JORDAN VALLEY WILL BE CUT OFF FOR NINE HOURS FROM 8 AM TO 5 PM ON THURSDAY (MARCH 26) FOR PIPE TESTING.

THE AREAS TO BE AFFECTED INCLUDE JORDAN VALLEY ESTATE-LOWER NGAU TAU KOK ESTATE BLOCKS 8 - 14- NGAU TAU KOK ROAD BETWEEN JORDAN VALLEY NORTH ROAD AND CHOI WAN ROAD- AND PING SHEK ESTATE.

- - 0

DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN - SUPPLEMENT

ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE. HONG KONG TEL 5-233191

Speech by H E. The Governor on the Occasion of the Opening of the Association of Commonwealth Universities Conference of Executive Heads on Tuesday, March 1981

Hong Kong is honoured to be host to such a distinguished academic gathering. As the Vice-Chancellor has said, the occasion is unique, and I am proud and pleased to bid you welcome.

Your deliberations will be about the major problems that confront universities all over the world. But before you start let me tell you something about this city in which this conference is held.

Its outstanding feature has been rapid expansion of population from 600 000 just after the war to 2 million in 1950 and over

5 million today. Anywhere in the world such unnatural surges of immigration would have presented great problems of subsistence, shelter and employment. How much more so in a place almost.devoid of natural resources. The solution was found in the processing of imported materials and their export for sale in overseas markets, and so this great centre of industry emerged supported by a progressively larger financial sector, magnificent communications by sea and air, and a large tourist industry. It is a city built by the value its people have added to imported materials -literally by their sweat - and without a cent of outside aid. Its success is founded on an ethic of self-reliance, the industry and adaptability of its work force, the courage and imagination of its manufacturers and traders, and the ever present pressure of external events ip far away markets beyond its control.

The Government’s contribution has been the preservation of a stable economic and political environment free of unnecessary or doctrinaire controls.

/Since Hong .........

2

Since Hong Kong is dependent on external market forces the economy has had to be left to adjust to them, so there are no tariffs or quantitative restrictions on trade, nor are there subsidies or schemes of preference. For the same reason our tax structure is comparatively low and simple. The businessman is thus free within bounds dictated by prudence, safety and justice to risk his money and provide employment in the knowledge that his profit is his to keep. The recipe is well proven. Over the last ten years our Gross Domestic Product has increased by 138% and our trade by 170% and these figures are in real not money terms.

The. same decade has seen a growth in public spending of 210% again in real not money terms, achieved not through increases in taxation but through growth in wealth. Much of this expenditure has gone towards the building up of the social infrastructure swamped by press of population. Slowly at first but with increasing momentum the improvements have been made; housing; medical care; education; a welfare safety net for the less fortunate; provision for culture and recreation.. From time to time fresh influxes of immigration have threatened our hopes. None more serious than the 500 000 people who flooded into Hong Kong in the two years up to last October. Of course an emormous amount remains to be done.

This community, in which you are honoured guests, stands on 3 legs. The first is its own self-reliance, economic dynamism, and social cohesion, of this I have already spoken. The second is the support of the British Government. The third is a correct relationship with China. This is of course of particular importance. It is now entirely satisfactory and greatly assisted by the understanding attitude of China and by the excellent relations between that country and the United Kingdom. It is on these three things that the confidence and growth that you see around you in Hong Kong are based.

Your field is education so I will speak briefly about some of our efforts in this field. Since last year there has been 9 years of free and compulsory education for all children. Thereafter heavily subsidised places at form 4 and 5 level are or will be provided for about 60% of that age group. To put this in context, full primary education was not achieved until 1971. As an indication of the effort involved, in the last 5 years 136 000 additional secondary places have been provided by the Government; and in the last 7 years, 14 500 tertiary places.

/We have ......

3

We have two well established and flourishing universities and a younger but very robust polytechnic, and are pressing ahead with an ambitious expansion of medical training. This afternoon HRH the Dulce of Diinburgh will open a new and magnificently equipped Dental School in the Hong Kong University. A second medical school at the Chinese University will commence its pre-clinical intake in September this year and the associated Prince of Wales Teaching Hospital at Shatin will open in 1982*

Of course while we intend to expand further our educational facilities, we cannot hope to be self sufficient in all fields. Nor do we aim to be, since the experience of overseas education is highly beneficial. So, many of our students will continue to seek higher education in institutions overseas. We of course regret the discouraging effect on this process of the new university fee structure in the U.K. Obviously its budgetary provision is entirely a matter for the United Kingdom Government, but since we regard these traditional academic links as of great importance, we hope the present measures will be modified as financial pressures ease. Meanwhile my government is conscious of its duty to maintain our students’ opportunities for higher education overseas and not to allow these long-standing academic links to wither by default. So, for the time being, we will take whatever financial steps are necessary to ease the position of our students and keep the old tradition going meanwhile.

Fundamental to our planning has been the certain knowledge that our future well-being depends on the better education of all sections of our population. We have been greatly assisted by the deep-rooted conviction of the local community of the merit of self-improvement. This is reflected both in the sacrifices parents are prepared to make to secure their children’s education, and the concentration children apply to their studies. It is reflected too in the healthy critical interest of the community in our education policies.

We have now reached something of a quantitative plateau and are t?king stock. This is being done in two ways. Firstly we are conducting an internal review of post-secondary and technical education with a particular

/eye to .......

4

eye to the need for greater opportunity and emphasis on technical training. Secondly the whole structure and equilibrium of our educational system is to be examined by an International Panel of Visitors.

We must face questions which many of you will already have encountered; the balancing of academic choice against accountability for public funds; the financing of post graduate research; the involvement of industry; the role of the universities in contributing to and guiding public policies; the provision of greater opportunity for part-time learning. I have no doubt that your presence in Hong Kong will help to provide us with new insight into these problems.

Your programme is full, your speakers are distinguished and you are in for a stimulating week of discussion. The Commonwealth conncection which we all share provides a favourable background. The countries of the Commonwealth have rightly gone their own independent and. individual ways. But from their independent and individual standpoints most have freely concluded that they share much common ground which is precious and worth preserving. This is of particular value in an age all too prone to point up differences and ignore underlying agreement. Amongst the many areas of association in the Commonwealth that are strong and creative are the academic links to which this gathering of distinguished Vice-Chancellors bears witness. So too is the role of the Crown as Head of the Common wealthy It is therefore a particular pleasure and honour that His Royal Highness the Duke of Edinburgh is present in Hong Kong at the time of this gathering and will be meeting its members this evening.

In the spirit of the Commonwealth, I welcome you to Hong Kong, I wish you a successful conference, and have pleasure in declaring open the Association of Commonwealth Universities Conference of Executive Heads.

•--------o----------

DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN

ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE. HONG KONG. TEL: 5-233191

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 25, 1981

CONTENTS PAGE NO.

LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL: "BREATHING SPACE" IN DTC REGISTRATION ........................ ■]

NEED TO IMPROVE QUALITY OF LIFE ......................... 1

CAUTION URGED OVER PROPOSED REDEFINING OF 'BANKING BUSINESS' ...................................... 3

HOW TO TACKLE THE MYTHS OF MFA .......................... 5

REALISTIC ASSESSMENT NEEDED FOR OVERSEAS EDUCATION .. 7

NEED FOR SCHOOL VICE-PRINCIPALS STRESSED ................ 9

USE RESERVES TO HELP INDUSTRY .......................... 11

LAND SUBSIDIES FOR HOME OWNERSHIP ...................... 13

LET FREE ECONOMY TAKE ITS OWN COURSE ................... 17

FIVE NT SITES SOLD FOR 367.5 MILLION ......................... 18

NEW SECONDARY SCHOOLS FOR YUEN LONG AND LANTaU................ 19

OPEN DAYS FOR REHABILITATION CENTRES ......................... 19

WATER CUT IN MDNG KOK ........................................ 20

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 25, 1981

1

♦BREATHING SPACE+ IN DTC REGISTRATION

*****

THE DEPOSIT-TAKING COMPANIES (AMENDMENT) BILL WHICH CREATES A BREATHING SPACE IN THE REGISTRATION OF DEPOSIT-TAKING COMPANIES, WAS INTRODUCED IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).

SPEAKING ON THE SECOND READING OF THE BILL, THE HON THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY SIR PHILIP HADDON-CAVE SAID THE RECENT SHARP GROWTH IN THE NUMBER OF REGISTERED DEPOSIT-TAKING COMPANIES PROMPTED AN EXAMINATION OF WHETHER THERE IS A NEED FOR SOME FORM OF QUANTITATIVE CONTROL OVER REGISTRATION.

THE NUMBER OF REGISTERED DEPOSIT-TAKING COMPANIES HAD RISEN PARTICULARLY SHARPLY IN THE LAST TWO YEARS, HE NOTED, FROM 241 AT THE END OF 1978, TO 269 AT THE END OF 1979, TO 302 AT THE END OF 1980, AND TO 330 AS AT MARCH 23 THIS YEAR.

IT WAS PROPOSED, SIR PHILIP SAID TO LIMIT TEMPORARILY THE REGISTRATION OF NEW APPLICATIONS IN ORDER TO ALLOW TIME FOR THE IMPACT ON EXISTING DEPOSIT-TAKING COMPANIES OF THE VARIOUS LEGISLATIVE AMENDMENTS, IF APPROVED, TO BE OBSERVED AND, EQUALLY IMPORTANT, TO ALLOW TIME FOR THE COMMISSIONER OF DEPOSIT-TAKING COMPANIES TO SUPERVISE THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE NEW PROVISIONS OF THE ORDINANCE.

THE ARGUMENTS IN FAVOUR OF QUANTITATIVE CONTROL SUGGESTED THAT, DURING THE BREATHING SPACE, THE ONLY APPLICANTS WHICH SHOULD BE REGISTERED AS DEPOSIT-TAKING COMPANIES SHOULD BE COMPANIES WHICH ARE SUBSIDIARIES OF RECOGNISED BANKS.

ACCORDINGLY, HE SAID, IT WAS INTENDED TO EMPOWER THE COMMISSIONER ON THE DATE OF THE COMMENCEMENT OF THE AMENDMENT TO THE ORDINANCE TO REFUSE TO REGISTER ANY COMPANY UNLESS HE WAS SATISFIED THATs

(A) MORE THAN 50% OF ITS VOTING CAPITAL IS HELD BY A BANK WHICH IS RECOGNISED AS SUCH IN THE COUNTRY OR PLACE IN WHICH IT IS INCORPORATED- AND

(B) SUCH BANK IS ADEQUATELY SUPERVISED BY THE PRUDENTIAL SUPERVISORY AUTHORITIES OF THAT COUNTRY OR PLACE.+

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

NEED TO IMPROVE QUALITY OF LIFE *****

UNOFFICIAL LEGISLATIVE COUNCILLOR, THE HON R.H. LOBO, HAS URGED THE GOVERNMENT TO IMPROVE THE QUALITY OF LIFE OF HONG KONG PEOPLE - +OUR ONLY TANGIBLE ASSET+.

♦WE HAVE TO DO SOMETHING URGENTLY TO CREATE A BETTER BALANCE BETWEEN TREMENDOUS PHYSICAL DEVELOPMENT AND THE DETERIORATING QUALITY OF LIFE.+ HE SAID IN THE RESUMED BUDGET DEBATE.

/♦■~T70UT ','JCH . ...

WEDNESDAY, JIaRCH 25, 1981

2

♦WITHOUT SUCH AN EFFORT OUR EXPENDITURE ON PUBLIC WORKS AND PUBLIC SERVICE WHICH THE BUDGET PROPOSES WILL NOT BRING ABOUT PROGRESS IN REAL TERMS.*

AS WE DIRECT OUR ATTENTION TOWARDS THE FACTS AND FIGURES, HE TOLD COUNCIL, WE MUST ALSO TAKE INTO ACCOUNT THE VITAL FACTOR OF IMPROVEMENT IN THE QUALITY OF LIFE OF OUR COMMUNITY FOR A BALANCED, STABLE AND BETTER TOMORROW.

MR LOBO NOTED THAT A SUBSTANTIAL NUMBER OF PEOPLE IN HONG KONG FEEL THEMSELVES TO BE SANDWICHED BETWEEN THE AFFLUENT AND THE LOWER-INCOME GROUPS.

♦THEIR ECONOMIC PROBLEMS ARE EASILY OVERLOOKED BUT VERY REAL.

+THEY WISH TO BE HEARD AND HEEDED WHERE THEY BELIEVE THEY HAVE GOOD REASON TO COMPLAIN.*

HE GAVE AS AN EXAMPLE THE QUESTION OF COMMERCIAL RENTS AND THE SMALL BUSINESSMAN.

WHILE AGREEING THAT CONTROL OF COMMERCIAL RENTS WOULD NOT SOLVE THE PROBLEM AND THAT IT WAS NOT WORTH BREAKING A VITAL PRINCIPLE FOR A DOUBTFUL ADVANTAGE, MR LOBO RECOGNISED THAT THESE CONSIDERATIONS WERE NO COMFORT AT ALL IN CASES WHERE A FAMILY BUSINESS MAY BE WIPED OUT OR WHERE A NEIGHBOURHOOD PATTERN MAY BE PERMANENTLY DISRUPTED.

TOO OFTEN, HE SAID, THE ARGUMENTS WHICH SEEM COMPELLING IN STATISTICAL TERMS, SUCH AS SO MANY SQUARE METRES OF NEW COMMERCIAL SPACE AVAILABLE IN SOME OTHER LOCATION, ARE IRREVELANT IN HUMAN TERMS.

+WE ARE A SOCIETY WHICH HAS TREMENDOUS RESOURCES AND POTENTIAL.

♦OUR CAPACITY TO SOLVE THE PROBLEMS OF HOUSING, HEALTH, EDUCATION AND POVERTY IS LIMITED ONLY BY THE DECISIONS WE CHOOSE TO MAKE ABOUT PRIORITIES.

+BUT IF WE LOOK BACK OVER THESE LAST FEW YEARS OF GROWTH AND PROSPERITY, I THINK FAR TOO WIDE A GAP IS DEVELOPING BETWEEN WHAT IS STATISTICALLY SATISFACTORY AND WHAT IS PERSONALLY SATISFYING" BETWEEN WHAT IS GOOD FOR THE COMMUNITY TAKEN AS A WHOLE BUT MAY BE DISASTROUS FOR AN INDIVIDUAL,* HE SAID.

MR LOBO OBSERVED THAT THE VERY SCALE OF OUR PROGRESS MAKES IT ALL THE MORE LIKELY THAT VAST AND BENEFICIAL PUBLIC PROJECTS WILL BRING ABOUT SERIOUS PERSONAL DISRUPTION AND DISTRESS.

PUBLIC POLICIES, INCLUDING ECONOMIC AND FINANCIAL POLICIES, SHOULD BE EXPRESSED IN TERMS WHICH ARE UNIVERSALLY UNDERSTANDABLE AND THEIR IMPACT ON PEOPLE AS INDIVIDUALS MUST BE SEEN TO HAVE BEEN TAKEN INTO ACCOUNT.

♦WE MUST REMEMBER THAT THE MORE WE SPEND ON THE PHYSICAL DEVELOPMENT OF HONG KONG THE LESS WE CAN NEGLECT THOSE INTANGIBLE ELEMENTS WITHOUT WHICH LIFE WILL NEVER BE ENTIRELY SATISFYING OR OUR SOCIETY STABLE,* HE ADDED.

/TUR1T1NG TO ......

.7EDN3SDAY, MARCH 25, 1981

3

TURNING TO ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITIONS, MR LOBO SAID APART FROM A FLURRY OF ACTIVITY TEN YEARS AGO, THE STAND OF PUBLIC CLEANLINESS IN HONG KONG HAD BEEN SLIPPING RELENTLESSLY.

HE HOPED THE REVIVAL OF THE CLEAN A DETERMINED AND SUSTAINED EFFORT AND EXPENSIVE PUBLICITY EXERCISE.

HONG KONG CAMPAIGN WOULD BE NOT JUST A SHORT-TERM AND

THE FIRST STEP IN A SUCCESSFUL CAMPAIGN WOULD BE DETERMINED ACTION BY THE GOVERNMENT TO CLEAN ITS OWN HOUSE.

ROADS AND PAVEMENTS MUST BE KEPT FREE OF BUILDERS’ SPOIL AND RUBBLE, AND THE PUBLIC AREAS OF HOUSING ESTATES AS WELL AS SQUATTER AREAS MUST ALSO BE KEPT CLEAN.

♦WE MUST DO SOMETHING ABOUT THE SQUATTER AREAS TOO,+ MR LOBO SAID, +W'E CAN NO LONGER WITHHOLD PROPER PUBLIC SERVICES FROM THEM JUST BECAUSE WE DID NOT DIRECTLY CREATE THE SQUATTER AREAS AND WE . ISH THEY WERE NOT THERE.♦

ON RECREATIONAL SERVICES, MR LOBO REMARKED: *l DETECT A WIDENING GAP BETWEEN EXPENSIVE AND SOPHISTICATED FACILITIES IN THE CENTRAL AREAS, WHICH IN PRACTICE ARE ACCESSIBLE AND AVAILABLE ONLY T. . FEW, AND THE MISERABLY INADEQUATE RECREATIONAL FACILITIES IN Ctr- OTHER OLDER AND MORE DENSELY POPULATED CITY DISTRICTS.*

HE WAS HOPEFUL THAT +WE WILL NOT LOSE THE OPPORTUNITY, WHEN CO'TRUCTING THE ISLAND MTR, TO SNATCH BACK A FEW HECTARES FOR RECREATION FROM THE DEVELOPMENT BONANZA WHICH EVERYONE SEEMS TO EE EXPECTING.*

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

CAUTION URGED OVER PROPOSED REDEFINING OF ’BANKING BUSINESS’ *******

THE GOVERNMENT SHOULD RE-EXAMINE VERY CAREFULLY ALL THE IMPLICATIONS BEFORE ANY IRREVOCABLE DECISION IS MADE TO CREATE A THIRD TYPE OF FINANCIAL INSTITUTION IN HONG KONG, THE HON LI FOOK-WO SAID TODAY (WEDNESDAY).

HE WA3 COMMENTING ON THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY’S PROPOSAL TO AMEND LEGISLATION TO CREATE A NEW CATEGORY OF DEPOSIT-TAKING COMPANIES, WHICH MAY BE DESCRIBED AS +MERCHANT BANKS*, TO PREVENT LARGE DEPOSITS FROM BEING TRANSFERRED ABROAD.

COMPANIES LICENSED AS MERCHANT BANKS WOULD BE PERMITTED TO ACCEPT DEPOSITS OF S5OO 000 OR MORE WITH NO LIMITATION AS TO THEIR TERM OF MATURITY WHILE DEPOSIT-TAKING COMPANIES NOT LICENSED AS SUCH WOULD IN FUTURE BE RESTRICTED TO DEPOSITS OF S50 000 OR MORE, WITH ORIGINAL TERM OF MATURITY OF A MINIMUM OF THREE MONTHS.

THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY HAS REFERRED TO WHOLESALE DEPOSITS AS BEING VERY SENSITIVE TO INTEREST RATE CONSIDERATION.

/BUT ?5t.....

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 25, 1981

4

BUT MR LI POINTED OUT THAT SIR PHILIP APPEARS TO HAVE OVERLOOKED THE TENDENCY THAT EVEN SMALL DEPOSITORS ARE ALSO SENSITIVE TO INTEREST RATE CONSIDERATIONS.

EXCLUDING THAT IMPORTANT FACTOR, MR LI OBSERVED, THERE WILL BE TWO LIKELY CONSEQUENCES TO ANY SUCH AMENDMENT.

■••FIRSTLY, THE LICENSED BANKS WOULD BE GIVEN A CHANCE TO RECOVER FROM THE EXISTING DEPOSIT-TAKING COMPANIES A SECTOR OF THE DEPOSIT MARKET LOST IN FAIR COMPETITION OVER THE PAST YEARS.

♦SECONDLY, THE NEW CATEGORY OF 'MERCHANT BANKS’ WOULD BE ABLE TO DISREGARD THE INTEREST RATE AGREEMENT OF THE HONG KONG ASSOCIATION OF BANKS IN TAKING DEPOSITS OF $500 000 OR MORE WITH ANY MATURITY,+ SAID MR LI.

AS FAR AS HE WAS AWARE, THE FUNCTIONS OF A MERCHANT BANK MAY INCLUDE MANAGEMENT OF AND PARTICIPATION IN MEDIUM AND LONG TERM SYNDICATED LOANS, PROVISION OF CORPORATE FINANCE INCLUDING BOND ISSUES, ACCEPTANCE OF DEPOSITS IN ALL MAJOR CURRENCIES, FINANCIAL AND INVESTMENT CONSULTANCY SERVICES, MONEY MARKET ACTIVITIES, FOREIGN EXCHANGE TRANSACTIONS, TRADE FINANCING AND PROJECT FINANCE.

IT WAS OBVIOUS THAT A MERCHANT BANK WAS NOT JUST AN UPGRADED DEPOSIT-TAKING COMPANY, BUT A COMPLEX FINANCIAL INSTITUTION CAPABLE OF UNDERTAKING A MULTIPLICITY OF ACTIVITIES WHICH IN TURN WOULD REQUIRE A SOPHISTICATED SYSTEM OF PRUDENTIAL SUPERVISION.

♦IS IT THE INTENTION OF THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY TO LEGISLATE FOR ’MERCHANT BANKS’ AS SUCH, OR WAS HE MERELY THINKING IN TERMS OF A TOOL TO HELP REGULATE LOCAL INTEREST RATES?* MR LI ASKED.

IN HIS OPINION, THE DEPOSIT-TAKING SYSTEM IN HONG KONG, FOLLOWING RECENT AMENDMENTS, WORKED WELL ENOUGH AND DID NOT NEED SUCH A CHANGE.

♦WHETHER THE PRESENT PROPOSAL WILL PROVIDE A SATISFACTORY SOLUTION TO THE PROBLEMS MENTIONED BY THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY IS A MATTER OF CONFLICTING OPINION.

♦THE ACTIVITIES OF FINANCE COMPANIES OVER THE PAST DECADE HAVE GIVEN RISE TO A NUMBER OF ISSUES IN THE OVERALL MANAGEMENT CF THE ECONOMY.

♦TO AVOID A REPETITION OF THESE MISTAKES I MUST STRESS IT IS ESSENTIAL TO PROCEED WITH ALL DUE CAUTION, IF IN ANOTHER FEW YEARS WE ARE NOT TO FACE PROBLEMS SIMILAR TO THOSE NOW POSED BY THE DEPOSIT-TAKING COMPANIES,+ MR LI CAUTIONED.

TURNING TO FOREIGN CURRENCY DEPOSITS HELD IN HONG KONG, MR LI WELCOMED THE IDEA OF EXEMPTING THEM FROM INTEREST TAX.

THIS WOULD ALLOW HONG KONG NOT ONLY TO CONTINUE WITH THE SYNDICATION OF FOREIGN CURRENCY LOANS BUT ALSO TO COMPLETE THE FUNDING ARRANGEMENTS HERE WITHOUT OFFSHORE INTERVENTION.

/♦Having .tcg^io.....

W3DNBSDAY, KA2CH 25, 1981

5

♦HAVING REGARD TO THE LEAD TAKEN BY NEIGHBOURING TERRITORIES, TO THE BENEFIT OF THEIR FINANCIAL MARKETS AND THEIR ECONOMY AS A WHOLE I BELIEVE THIS TO BE A STEP IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION TOWARDS'FURTHER GROWTH OF HONG KONG AS A LEADING FINANCIAL CENTRE.

♦IT IS, HOWEVER, UNFORTUNATE THAT THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY HAS STILL NOT SEEN FIT TO CONSIDER ABOLISHING INTEREST TAX ALTOGETHER,* HE ADDED.

MR LI ALSO URGED THAT MORE GENEROUS ASSISTANCE BE PROVIDED FOR THOSE VOLUNTARY AGENCIES SUBVENTED ON A DISCRETIONARY GRANT BASIS.

MANY OF THESE ORGANISATIONS, HARD PRESSED BY ESCALATION IN COSTS WERE BEGINNING TO REDUCE THE SCALE AND SCOPE OF THE PROGRAMMES NOW OFFERED TO THE LESS PRIVILEGED PUBLIC.

♦THIS IS AN ALARMING TREND WHICH MUST CONTINUE,♦ HE SAID.

NOT BE ALLOWED TO

♦WITH THE LEVEL OF ,RGE GOVERNMENT TO TAKE THESE AGENCIES TO CARRY NEED.*

OUR RESERVES AT AN ALL-TIME HIGH, I WOULD IMMEDIATE STEPS TO MAKE IT POSSIBLE FOR ON WITH ALL THEIR SERVICES TO THOSE IN

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

HOW TO TACKLE THE MYTHS OF MFA *****

DR THE HON FRANCIS TIEN URGED THE GOVERNMENT TO SPEAK OUT REPEATEDLY AGAINST UNFAIR DEMANDS AND PRESSURES FROM MAJOR IMPORTING COUNTRIES. HONG KONG SHOULD ALSO ENCOURAGE OTHER DEVELOPING COUNTRIES TO DO THE SAME.

HE WAS COMMENTING ON THE FUTURE OF THE MULTI-FIBRE ARRANGEMENT WHICH HE SAID IS +THE MOST CRITICAL ISSUE IN 1981 AFFECTING THE FUTURE PROSPECTS FOR OUR EXTERNAL TRADE.*

ALTHOUGH NO GOVERNMENT HAS YET COME FORWARD WITH A DEFINITIVE STATEMENT OF WHETHER THEY WANT A SUCCESSOR TO THE .••FA OR WHAT THE NEW MFA SHOULD PROVIDE FOR, DR TIEN OBSERVED THAT IT HAS BECOME ABUNDANTLY CLEAR THAT THESE GOVERNMENTS HAVE TO CONTEND WITH A VARIETY OF ISSUES AND DEMANDS EXPRESSED BY THEIR LABOUR AND INDUSTRIAL CONSTITUENTS.

BY LOOKING AT A FEW CHOICE EXAMPLES SET OUT IN THE TEXTILE AND CLOTHING INDUSTRIES PAMPHLET +MYTHS, FACTS, APPLICATION*, HE SAID, ONE CAN SEE THAT SUCH DEMANDS AND PRESSURES FALL WITHIN TWO BROAD CATEGORIES.

THESE ARE:

'.ySDNSSDAY, NABOB 25, 1?E1

6 -

* THE MFA WAS NEVER DESIGNED TO DEAL WITH THE FRAUDULENT LABELLING IN EEC COUNTRIES OF TEXTILE PRODUCTS MADE IN EASTERN EUROPE, PARTICULARLY THOSE IMPORTED INTO AND FREELY CIRCULATED WITHIN THE EEC UNDER SPECIAL ARRANGEMENTS.

* THE MFA WAS NEVER DESIGNED TO DEAL WITH PROBLEMS ARISING FROM THE SUBSIDISATION OF THE EXPORT PRICES OF, SAY, AMERICAN STAPLE FIBRES- NOR WITH THE DUMPING OF ARTIFICIALLY LOW—°RICED PRODUCTS.

* THE MFA IS AN INSTRUMENT FOR REGULATING WORLD TRADE IN TEXTILE PRODUCTS, BUT IT IS MOST DECIDEDLY NOT A VEHICLE FOR ACHIEVING SOCIAL JUSTICE.

* THE MFA IS BEING BLAMED FOR NOT HELPING ARREST DECLINING EMPLOYMENT AND DECLINING PROFITABILITY IN THE TEXTILE INDUSTRIES OF THE MAJOR IMPORTING COUNTRIES.

* INDUSTRIAL PROTECTIONISTS ARE ARGUING THAT THEY ARE SUFFERING FROM EXTERNAL COMPETITION.

BUT WHAT THEY HAVE PATENTLY FAILED TO PERCEIVE IS THAT THE MFA HAS BEEN APPLIED WHOLLY AND EXCLUSIVELY AGAINST THE EXPORTS OF THE DEVELOPING COUNTRIES AND THEIR DIFFICULTIES HAVE MUCH WIDER ORIGINS,* DR TIEN NOTED.

THE SECOND CATEGORY OF ISSUES, HE WENT ON, ARE PERTINENT TO THE FUTURE OF THE MFA.

THE DEMANDS OF THE LABOUR AND INDUSTRIAL SECTORS OF THE MAJOR IMPORTING COUNTRIES CAN BE SUMMARISED IN THREE MAIN .POINTS: THE APPLICATION OF +GLOBALISATION+, THE RE-DISTRIBUTION CF QUOTAS IN FAVOUR OF THE NEW AND SMALL DEVELOPING COUNTRY SUPPLIERS, AND THE GROWTH RATE OF THEIR IMPORTS FROM THE DEVELOPING WORLD SHOULD BE RELATED TO THEIR ESTIMATION OF THE GROWTH RATE OF CONSUMPTION IN THEIR DOMESTIC COUNTRIES.

ON GLOBALISATION, HE POINTED OUT; +THE TERM ITSELF IS A MYTH. WE ALL KNOW IT REALLY MEANS THE APPLICATION OF THE MFA TO THE EXPORTS OF THE DEVELOPING WORLD ONLY.

IT IS NOT AS IT SHOULD BE, UNDER ARTICLE 19 OF THE GATT, DESIGNED TO OPERATE ON A TRULY WORLD-WIDE BASIS.

SUCH A POLICY WILL NOT HELP THE MAJOR IMPORTING COUNTRIES TO OVERCOME COMPETITION FROM OTHER, MORE EFFICIENT, DEVELOPED COUNTRIES.*

TURNING TO RE-DISTRIBUTION OF TEXTILE QUOTAS, DR TIEN QUERIED: +IF THEIR PROPOSAL IS TO RE-DISTRIBUTE QUOTAS IN THE PIOUS BELIEF THAT DEVELOPED IMPORTING COUNTRIES AND DEVELOPING EXPORTING COUNTRIES STAND IN A DONOR/BENEF IC I ARY RELATIONSHIP THEN WHY HAVE QUOTAS AT ALL?

WEDNESDAY, LA2CH 25, 1981

7

♦IF THIS VIEW WERE TO EE MAINTAINED, SURELY THE WORLD SHOULD RETURN TO -REE TRADE IN TEXTILES, WITH THE MAJOR IMPORTING COUNTRIES APPLYING ONLY GENERAL SCHEME OF PREFERENCES.+

BUT HE ADMITTED THAT THIS IS HARDLY A FEASIBLE PROPOSITION AS FAR AS THE MAJOR IMPORTING COUNTRIES ARE CONCERNED, AND THE POINT WHICH MUST BE MADE IS THAT THE DEVELOPING COUNTRIES ACCEPTED THE MFA IN EXCHANGE FOR VERY EXPLICIT GUARANTEES IN RESPECT OF THEIR RIGHTS OF ACCESS.

THE THIRD THEME PROPOUNDED BY THE MAJOR IMPORTING COUNTRIES HAS BEEN REPEATED EVERY TIME THE MFA CAME UP FOR RENEWAL, DR TIEN NOTED.

♦I MUST SAY CATEGORICALLY THAT THIS PROPOSAL IS THE RESULT OF A FURTHER MYTH.

♦FOR IT IS BASED ON AN INCORRECT ASSUMPTION, NAMELY THAT THE MINIMUM GROWTH AND MINIMUM FLEXIBILITY PROVISIONS IN THE '•FA WOULD OBLIGE THE DEVELOPED IMPORTING COUNTRIES TO ACCEPT A LEVEL OF IMPORTS FAR IN EXCESS OF BILATERALLY AGREED RESTRAINT LIMITS.+

POINTING OUT THAT THE DEMANDS ARE INTRINSICALLY UNFAIR AND FOUNDED ON UNJUSTIFIABLE PREMISES, DR TIEN SAID: +l WOULD LIKE, THEREFORE, TO SEEK AN ASSURANCE FROM THE GOVERNMENT THAT IT w ILL DO ALL IT CAN TO ATTACK THESE DEMANDS, BY ALL LEGITIMATE MEANS AT ITS DISPOSAL.

♦I WOULD ALSO LIKE TO SEEK AN ASSURANCE FROM THE GOVERNMENT THAT IT WILL PUT AT THE DISPOSAL OF THE DIRECTOR OF TRADE INDUSTRY AND CUSTOMS ALL THE RESOURCES HE REQUIRES FOR MAKING APPROPRIATE REPRESENTATIONS.*

SPEAKING FOR THE TEXTILE AND CLOTHING INDUSTRY, HE PLEDGED ALL NECESSARY SUPPORT TO THE GOVERNMENT AT EVERY IMPORTANT OPPORTUNITY THAT MAY EXIST FOR DISCUSSING THE MFA IN OPEN FORUM.

♦THE TEXTILE AND CLOTHING INDUSTRY IN HONG KONG DO NOT WISH TO DIE AND FINISH- MERELY TO CONTINUE IN THE BUSINESS OF DYEING, FINISHING AND EXPORTING,* HE ADDED.

--------O ---------

REALISTIC ASSESSMENT NEEDED FOR OVERSEAS EDUCATION

*****

THE HON ALEX WU TODAY (WEDNESDAY) CALLED FOR A REALISTIC ASSESSMENT OF THE CONTRIBUTION WHICH OVERSEAS UNIVERSITY EDUCATION MAKES TO OUR TOTAL EDUCATIONAL RESOURCES.

HE SAID NO MATTER HOW FAR WE MAY EVENTUALLY PROGRESS WITH THE DEVELOPMENT OF POST-SECONDARY EDUCATION HERE IN HONG KONG, Wc CAN NEVER HOPE TO BE SELF-SUFFICIENT.

AND IT WOULD NOT BE SENSIBLE, FROM THE EDUCATIONAL POINT OF VIEW, TO TRY.

8

MR WU WAS COMMENTING ON THE VALUES OF OVERSEAS POST-SECONDARY EDUCATION, PARTICULARLY UNIVERSITY EDUCATION IN BRITAIN, AT THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL MEETING.

+ IN PRACTICAL TERMS,+ HE SAID, +THERE WILL BE DISCIPLINES, PARTICULARLY IN THE SCIENCES, WHERE OUR INTERESTS MAY BE VITAL BUT NOT WIDESPREAD AND CERTAINLY NOT ENOUGH TO JUSTIFY THE ESTABLISHMENT OF A FULL COURSE.

+IN THESE FIELDS WE RELY ON EXPERTISE FROM ABROAD OR ON HONG KONG GRADUATES WHO HAVE STUDIED THESE SUBJECTS ABROAD AND HAVE RETURNED TO HONG KONG TO PRACTISE.

♦ IN A BROADER EDUCATIONAL SENSE IT WOULD BE UNREASONABLE AND DANGEROUS TO PRETEND THAT WE COULD CUT OURSELVES OFF FROM SOME DEGREE OF RELIANCE ON OVERSEAS EDUCATION.*

HE NOTED THAT THERE WAS A DROP OF 42 PER CENT OF HONG KONG STUDENTS IN BRITAIN LAST YEAR COMPARED WITH 1979.

QUOTING STATISTICS FROM THE HONG KONG ANNUAL REPORT, MR WU SAID THE EIG DROP SEEMED TO HAVE TAKEN PLACE IN SECONDARY SCHOOL STUDIES, DOWN FROM 1 617 TO 836, AND IN THE NUMBERS OF STUDENTS STUDYING POR ’O’ AND ’A’ LEVEL GENERAL CERTIFICATES OF EDUCATION, DOWN FROM 1 420 IN 1979 TO 715 LAST YEAR.

THE NUMBER OF FIRST DEGREE STUDENTS WAS ALSO DOWN, FROM 651 IN 1979 TO 389 IN 1980, ALTHOUGH THERE WAS A SLIGHT INCREASE IN POST-GRADUATE STUDENTS, FROM 183 TO 188.

+WE MAY BE DISMAYED BY THE EVIDENCE THAT BRITAIN IS ’DISTANCING’ HERSELF FROM HONG KONG - TO USE THE FASHIONABLE JARGON - IN SOME IMPORTANT DIMENSIONS, OF WHICH STUDENT FEES ARE ONLY ONE.

+BUT WE SHOULD NOT CONFUSE THE EXPEDIENT WITH THE

FUNDAMENTAL.*

HE POINTED OUT THAT WHAT BRITAIN DID ABOUT EXPENDITURE ON EDUCATION, HOW BRITAIN BEHAVED IN TRADE NEGOTIATION, EVEN HOW BRITAIN ARRANGED HER NATIONALITY AND IMMIGRATION AFFAIRS, COULD NOT BE LUMPED TOGETHER AS EVIDENCE OF A FUNDAMENTAL CHANGE IN THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN BRITAIN AND HONG KONG.

THERE IS NO EVIDENCE OF SUCH A CHANGE AND IT IS IMPORTANT FOR HONG KONG THAT WE SHOULD UNDERSTAND THE REAL MOTIVES OF BRITISH POLICIES, THE PROBLEMS WHICH BRITAIN FACES AND THE OPTIONS wHICH ARE OPEN TO HER POLITICIANS.

WITHOUT SUCH AN UNDERSTANDING, HE SAID, WE MAY FAIL TO IDENTIFY THE REALITIES OF BRITAIN’S COMMITMENT TO HONG KONG.

+FOR THESE REASONS, WE SHOULD REGARD STUDY IN BRITAIN AS SOMETHING TO BE ENCOURAGED.

+THERE ARE MORE PRACTICAL REASONS. IN SPITE OF RISING FEES, AND CONSIDERING OUR OBVIOUS ABILITY TO SUBSIDISE OUR STUDENTS IF WE HAVE TO, BRITISH UNIVERSITIES STILL PROVIDE THE EDUCATION *HICH IS MOST APPROPRIATE TO MANY OF OUR ACTIVITIES AND INSTITUTIONS.

♦EVEN IF THIS ENCOURAGEMENT GOES NO FURTHER THAN LOANS TO STUDENTS THERE IS A CASE FOR EVALUATING THEIR COURSES OF STUDY TO ENSURE THAT THERE IS AN OPTIMUM RETURN FOR THE COMMUNITY,* MR WU SA ID.

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

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 25, 1981

9

NEED FOR SCHOOL VICE-PRINCIPALS STRESSED

******

THE GOVERNMENT SHOULD RECOGNISE AGAIN THE NEED FOR VICEPRINCIPALS IN GOVERNMENT AND AIDED SECONDARY SCHOOLS, THE REV THE HON JOYCE M. BENNETT SAID IN LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).

SHE SAID THE FIFTH REPORT BY THE STANDING COMMISSION ON CIVIL SERVICE SALARIES AND CONDITIONS 0" SERVICE WAS A HEAVY BLOW TO THE TEACHING PROFESSION WHEN IT ABOLISHED THE SENIOR MASTER GRADE WHICH MADE THE VICE-PRINCIPAL’S POST REASONABLE AND RESPECTED.

SHE HAD ASKED THE DIRECTOR OF EDUCATION ABOUT THE ABOLITION IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL.

+1 AM NOT SATISFIED WITH HIS ANSWER THAT THERE IS NO FUNCTIONAL DIFFERENCE BETWEEN A SCHOOL VICE-PRINCIPAL AND THE SUBJECT HEAD OF A PANEL OF TEACHERS.

+FAILURE TO RECOGNISE ANY DISTINCTION BETWEEN SUCH POSTS REVEALS A SHOCKING FAILURE BY THE GOVERNMENT TO USE ITS PERSONNEL PROPERLY.+

FOLLOWING THE ABOLITION OF THE SM POSITION SAID, VICE-PRINCIPALS WERE IN EFFECT DEMOTED TO EQUIVALENT TO 12 OTHERS IN A STAFF OF 60.

IN SCHOOLS, SHE A POSITION

MISS BENNETT POINTED OUT THAT TEACHERS IN THE LOWER GRADES OF GOVERNMENT SERVICE, WHETHER GRADUATE OR NON-GRADUATE, HAVE FOUR AVENUES FOR PROMOTION, I.E. IN THE SCHOOLS THEMSELVES, IN THE INSPECTORATE, AS LECTURERS IN THE COLLEGES OF EDUCATION AND IN THE ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICES OF THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT.

BUT THE VAST MAJORITY OF TEACHERS IN THE AIDED SECTOR, NEARLY 23 003 MORE THAN IN THE GOVERNMENT SECTOR, HAD ONLY ONE AVENUE FOR PROMOTION, TO THAT OF PRINCIPAL.

+NOW THE SM GRADE IS ABOLISHED, THERE WILL EE ONLY ONE PROMOTION POST FOR ALL THOSE SENIOR GRADUATE TEACHERS.

+WHAT INDEED IS THE RATIONALE FOR PROVIDING FEW PROMOTION

POSTS FOR GRADUATE TEACHERS7+ SHE ASKED.

IN HER OPINION, A SCHOOL WITH ONE TO 17 CLASSES IN OPERATION NEEDED ONE VICE-PRINCIPAL, SCHOOLS WITH 18 TO 29 CLASSES NEEDED TWO VICE-PRINCIPALS WHILE SCHOOLS WITH 30 OR MORE CLASSES REQUIRED THREE VICE-PRINCIPALS, EXTRA TO THE ORDINARY STAFF ESTABLISHMENT.

MISS BENNETT ALSO CALLED FOR THE APPOINTMENT OF ONE CAREERS TEACHER TO EACH STANDARD SIZE SECONDARY SCHOOL IN ADDITION TO ThE PRESENT CLASS-TEACHER RATIO.

SHE CITED A CAREERS TEACHER WHO RETURNED FROM MASTERS’ SEMINAR DEMANDING TO TEACH FEWER PERIODS, CAREERS COUNSELLING AMONG THE 1 270 STUDENTS COULD MORE EFFECTIVELY THROUGHOUT THE YEAR.

THE 1980 CAREERS

SO THAT HER

BE CARP I ED OUT

■<VSDN3SDAY, LIABCH 25, 19$1

10 -

THE PRINCIPAL COULD NOT ACCEDE TO THIS REQUEST BECAUSE TO GIVE CNE TEACHER LESS TEACHING WOULD INCREASE THE TEACHING LOAD OF OTHERS, SHE SAID.

THE CAREERS TEACHER BECAME FRUSTRATED AS SHE INSPIRED BY THE POTENTIAL OF HER TASKS, BUT FOUND FULFIL HER DUTIES IN THE LIMITED TIME AVAILABLE.

HAD BEEN

IT IMPOSSIBLE TO

♦IN MANY COUNTRIES THE CAREERS COUNSELLOR TO THE TEACHING STAFF,+ SAID MISS BENNETT.

IS APPOINTED EXTRm

+THE STUDENTS IN OUR SCHOOLS NEED HELP AND ADVICE TO PLAN THEIR CAREERS.

♦HONG KONG NEEDS TO DEVELOP ITS RESOURCES TO THE FULL- WE MUST NOT CONTINUE TO WASTE OUR MANPOWER BY NOT PROMOTING PROPERLY THE CAREERS PROSPECTS OF OUR YOUNG PEOPLE.+

COMMENTING ON THE PROVISION OF LABORATORY TECHNICIANS IN GOVERNMENT AND AIDED SCHOOLS, MISS BENNETT RECALLED THAT AS LONG AGO AS DECEMBER 1978, SHE WAS ASSURED BY THE DIRECTOR OF EDUCATION THAT HIS DEPARTMENT WAS LOOKING INTO THE QUESTION OF INCREASING THE NUMBER OF LABORATORY TECHNICIANS IN THESE SCHOOLS.

SHE WAS FURTHER ASSURED BY THE DIRECTOR THAT HE HOPED TO RECEIVE THE REPORT FROM HIS WORKING PARTY ON THIS IN THE SPRING CF 1979.

♦I UNDERSTAND FROM LATER COMMUNICATIONS WITH THE DIRECTOR THAT FORMAL PROPOSALS WERE SUBMITTED TO THE GOVERNMENT SECRETARIAT ON AUGUST 12, 1980.

♦BUT WILL THERE BE THE MONEY FOR EXTRA LABORATORY TECHNICIANS AVAILABLE FOR THIS SEPTEMBER?* SHE ASKED.

ON THE SUBJECT OF LANGUAGE TEACHING, MISS BENNETT REITERATED HER CALLS FOR THE EMPLOYMENT OF MORE TEACHERS IN OUR SCHOOLS TO PRODUCE BETTER STANDARDS IN THE USE OF THE ENGLISH AND CHINESE LANGUAGES.

OUR TEACHERS ARE OVER-BURDENED WITH LARGE CLASSES OF CHILDREN WHO HAVE TO RELY ON THEIR TEACHERS FOR IMPROVING THEIR LANGUAGE SK ILLS.

♦READ THE REPORTS OF THE PERFORMANCE OF OUR STUDENTS IN THE PUBLIC EXAMINATIONS AND YOU WILL FIND CONTINUAL CRITICISMS OF THE FALLING STANDARDS.

♦HAS THE ADVISORY INSPECTORATE MADE POSITIVE SUGGESTIONS TO COMBAT THESE WEAKNESSES?*

IN SUMMING UP, MISS BENNETT SAID THAT SHE HAD BEEN WAITING rOR MANY YEARS FOR THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT TO DO SOMETHING TO IMPROVE THE STAFFING POSITION IN OUR SCHOOLS, BUT TO NO AVAIL.

SO WITH THE HELP OF THE SUBSIDISED SECONDARY CUE MADE HER OWN PRELIMINARY SURVEY TO ASSESS THE TEACHERS IN 19 OF THE SCHOOLS IN THAT COUNCIL.

SCHOOLS COUNCILS, WORKLOAD OF THE

;t2dn«;sday, march 25, 1921

QUOTING STATISTICS FROM HER SURVEY, MISS BENNETT SAID THE 253 GRADUATE TEACHERS WHO RESPONDED TO THE SURVEY SPENT, ON AVERAGE, 24.51 HOURS PER WEEK OUTSIDE SCHOOL HOURS IN SCHOOL *ORK DURING SCHOOL DAYS- THE 67 SENIOR GRADUATE TEACHERS SPENT AN AVERAGE OF 25.24 HOURS PER WEEK OUTSIDE SCHOOL HOURS IN SCHOOL DUTIES- AND THE 13 SENIOR MASTER TEACHERS PUT IN, ON AVERAGE, 2Q.5 HOURS EXTRA PER WEEK.

IN ADDITION, THE SM’S ON AVERAGE DURING THE YEAR WORKED 27 DAYS DURING THE SCHOOL HOLIDAYS, WHILE THE SGM’S ONLY USED 14.36 DAYS OF THEIR HOLIDAYS.

SHE WAS THEREFORE NOT SURPRISED THAT TEACHERS OF SPECIAL CLASSES FOR SLOW LEARNERS REQUESTED A FULL-TIME SOCIAL WORKER TO WORK AMONG THE 120 SLOW LEARNERS IN THEIR SIX CLASSES.

+1 HOPE I HAVE MADE IT CLEAR THAT THE TEACHERS IN OUR SCHOOLS ARE NOT IDLE, BUT OVERWORKED.

+OUR SCHOOLS NEED MORE STAFF TO COPE WITH THE STUDENTS’ PROBLEMS AND NEEDS.

+TODAY WE ARE EDUCATING A WIDE RANGE OF ABILITY.

+WE MAY HAVE MORE SCHOOL BUILDINGS, BUT IF WE DO NOT TAaE CARE OF WHAT GOES ON IN THOSE BUILDINGS, WE COULD BE BUILDING OPPORTUNITIES FOR EVIL TO GROW, INSTEAD OF SPREADING WIDE THE LAMP OF TRUE LEARNING,* MISS BENNETT CAUTIONED.

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

USE RESERVES TO HELP INDUSTRY

*****

TH- HON S.L. CHEN, TODAY URGED THE GOVERNMENT TO USE SOME OF HONG KONG’S +FREE+ FISCAL RESERVES TO PRODUCE MORE LAND AND TO ASSIST RE-EQUIPPING INDUSTRY.

SPEAKING AT THE RESUMED BUDGET DEBATE, HE SAID THE CAPITAL REVENUE IN OUR BUDGETS, WHICH IS DERIVED ALMOST ENTIRELY FROM LAND TRANSACTIONS, HAS INCREASED DRAMATICALLY FROM 5644 MILLION IN 1976-77 TO $10 626 MILLION IN 1980-81.

AS A RESULT, THE RATIO OF CAPITAL REVENUE TO TOTAL REVENUE INCREASED FROM 8.6 PER CENT TO 36.6 PER CENT.

♦THIS MEANS, WHETHER WE LIKE IT OR NOT, PUBLIC SECTOR FINANCE DURING THIS PERIOD HAS BECOME INCREAS INGLV DEPENDENT ON LAND RELATED CAPITAL CONTRIBUTION,* MR CHEN SAID.

+THIS BEING THE CASE, AND IF THIS IS THE INTENTION IN TrtE FUTURE, IT APPEARS OBVIOUS THAT THERE IS A NEED TO PRODUCE ..AND MORE EFFICIENTLY AND ECONOMICALLY.*

73Di;3S3AY, LX1CH 25, 1?S1

12

TO ACHIEVE THIS, MR CHEN SUGGESTED THAT AN ORGANISATION EE SET UP TO WORK IN CONJUNCTION WITH THE SPECIAL COMMITTEE ON LAND PRODUCTION TO IMPLEMENT THE GOVERNMENT LAND POLICY.

GIVEN AN EXTENDED TERMS OF REFERENCE AND ARMED WITH THE NECESSARY MUSCLES FOR ITS TASK, HE WAS CONVINCED THAT THE HONG KONG INDUSTRIAL ESTATES CORPORATION COULD FULFIL THIS ROLE.

♦INCREASING LAND PRODUCTION AS WELL AS ITS AVAILABILITY WOULD RESULT, AS FAR AS INDUSTRY IS CONCERNED, IN REDUCING OVERHEADS FOR INDUSTRIES ALREADY IN EXISTENCE IN HONG KONG AND ENCOURAGING NEW HIGH TECHNOLOGY INDUSTRIES TO COME TO HONG KONG.

♦MOREOVER, IT WILL COUNTER THE CRITICISM WHICH IS FREQUENTLY LEVELLED AT GOVERNMENT, RIGHTLY OR WRONGLY, THAT GOVERNMENT IS LIMITING AVAILABILITY OF LAND IN ORDER TO MAINTAIN HIGH LAND PR ICES,* HE ADDED.

MR CHEN DESCRIBED AS +A MOVE IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION* THE CONCESSION IN DEPRECIATION ALLOWANCES PROPOSED BY THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY TO ENCOURAGE MANUFACTURING INDUSTRIES TO RE-EQUIP AND UPGRADE THEIR PRODUCTION FACILITIES.

BUT HE ASKED: +IS IT ENOUGH?

♦IN MY OPINION, TO GIVE THE NECESSARY STIMULUS TO OUR FLAGGING INDUSTRY, SOMETHING MORE IS NECESSARY.*

HE NOTED THAT WHILE THE GOVERNMENT WAS UNWILLING TO SUBSIDISE ANV SECTOR OF THE COMMUNITY, MOST INDUSTRIALLY ADVANCED COUNTRIES I EUROPE SUBSIDISED THEIR INDUSTRIES BY PROVIDING LONG-TERM LOw-INTEREST FINANCE TO ENCOURAGE EXPORTS, ESPECIALLY EXPORTS OF HEAVY CAPITAL PLANT WHICH OFTEN REQUIRE FINANCING OVER LONG PER IODS.

+OUR INDUSTRIES’ NEEDS, HOWEVER, ARE NOT ASSISTANCE GIVEN TO EXPORTS BUT RATHER ASSISTANCE GIVEN TO PURCHASE OF MODERN PLANT AND MACHINERY.

+THIS IS NECESSARY BECAUSE ALMOST ALL OF OUR INDUSTRIAL ESTABLISHMENTS ARE, WITH DUE RESPECT, TOO SMALL TO QUALIFY INDIVIDUALLY FOR, AND TO ENJOY THE BENEFIT OF LONG-TERM LOW-INTEREST CREDITS OFFERED BY EXPORTING COUNTRIES.

♦IN MY OPINION, NO ONE BUT GOVERNMENT CAN AND SHOULD FULFIL THIS ROLE AND I WOULD LIKE TO SUGGEST THAT THIS IS ANOTHER AREA WHERE OUR ’FREE’ FISCAL RESERVES COULD PROFITABLY BE UTILISED,* HE SAID.

TOUCHING ON TECHNICAL MANPOWER DEVELOPMENT, MR CHEN SAID HE WAS PLEASED TO NOTE THAT THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY HOPED TO SEE A GREATER INVOLVEMENT OF PUBLIC FUNDS ON TECHNICAL EDUCATION.

+WHILE I AM NOT UNDULY DISAPPOINTED WITH THE INCREASE IN THE TOTAL PROVISION FOR EDUCATION IN 1981-82 OVER THE REVISED ESTIMATES FOR 1980-81 OF ONLY EIGHT PER CENT, I HOPE THAT AN ADEQUATE PROPORTION OF THIS WOULD EE AVAILABLE FOR INDUSTRIAL TRAINING WHICH I ASSUME WAS INCLUDED IN HIS USE OF THE PHRASE 'TECHNICAL EDUCATION’, A MATTER ON WHICH I HAVE EMPHASISED MORE THAN ONCE IN THE PAST,* MR CHEN SAID.

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 25, 1981

13

LAND SUBSIDIES FOR HOME OWNERSHIP

* * * *

THE HON LYDIA DUNN CRITICISED THE GOVERNMENT FOR INSISTING ON CHARGING FULL MARKET VALUE FOR LAND FOR THE HOME OWNERSHIP SCHEMES IN THE RESUMED BUDGET DEBATE IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY.

THE GOVERNMENT, SHE SAID, IS MAKING AVAILABLE VIRTUALLY *FREE* LAND TO PUBLIC HOUSING WHILE IT IS SELLING LAND AT FULL MARKET VALUE FOR PRIVATE RESIDENTIAL DEVELOPMENT, INCLUDING THE HOME OWNERSHIP AND PRIVATE SECTOR PARTICIPATION SCHEMES.

THAT THE POOR SHOULD BE HOUSED AT A SUBSIDY AND THE RICH SHOULD PAY THE FULL MARKET VALUE IS INDISPUTABLE. BUT, SHE ADDED EoTaEEN THESE TWO EXTREMES IS A GROWING NUMBER OF WOULD-BE HOME ’ owners in the middle income range who are excluded from public RENTED HOUSING BECAUSE THEIR INCOMES ARE IN EXCESS OF THE LIMITS O- ELIGIBILITY, AND YET PRIVATE SECTOR ACCOMMODATION IS BEYOND THE IR REACH.

+IF THE OBJECT OF THE HOME OWNERSHIP SCHEME AND THE PRIVATE StCTOR PARTICIPATION SCHEME IS TO MEET THE HOUSING NEEDS OF THE LOWER MIDDLE INCOME GROUP, THERE IS A STRONG CASE FOR AN ESSENTI DEGREE OF LAND SUBSIDY WITH, OF COURSE, APPROPRIATE SAFEGUARDS.

AL

♦FURTHERMORE, A LAND SUBSIDY BUILT INTO HOME OWNERSHIP SCHEMES WOULD BE A ONCE-FOR-ALL SUBSIDY WHICH MAY BE CONTRASTED wl,H THE RECURRENT NATURE OF THE SUBSIDY MADE SO READILY AVAILABLE FOR THOSE OCCUPYING RENTED HOUSING AUTHORITY FLATS,♦ SHE SAID.

THE HOME OWNERSHIP SCHEME WORKING PARTY SHOULD BE INSTRUCTED TO RECONSIDER THE QUESTION OF LAND PRICES.

MISS DUNN ALSO EXPRESSED MISGIVINGS THAT THE SUGGESTION FOR THE PRIVATE SECTOR TO PLAY A GREATER ROLE IN LAND PRODUCTION HAS ALWAYS BEEN MET WITH PASSIVE RESISTANCE BY THE GOVERNMENT, THOUGH WITH NO CONVINCING EXPLANATION.

+1 BELIEVE THAT ITS POTENTIAL ROLE IN THE PRODUCTION OF LAND SHOULD BE EXAMINED IN A MORE POSITIVE SPIRIT.

+1 CAN SEE NO REASON WHY PRIVATE DEVELOPERS SHOULD NOT BE OFFERED UNFORMED LAND IN SUITABLE LOCATIONS, THE GOVERNMENT HAVING FIRST DETERMINED THE BASIC PLANNING CRITERIA FOR DEVELOPMENT, INCLUDING ROADS AND OTHER INFRASTRUCTURAL FACILITIES.

♦THE PRIVATE SECTOR HAS THE EXPERIENCE, THE MOTIVATION AND ACCESS ’0 THE FINANCE TO PRODUCE RESULTS.+

ON REDEVELOPMENT OF OLD URBAN AREAS, MISS DUNN THOUGHT THE ROLE OF THE PRIVATE SECTOR IS ALSO UNDERSTATED.

SHE SUSPECTED THAT THE WAY IN WHICH MODIFICATION PREMIA AR-CALCULATED DISCOURAGES RATHER THAN ENCOURAGES THE REDEVELOPMENT OF OLD PROPERTIES IN PRIVATE HANDS.

iHt. SOUGHT AN ASSURANCE FROM THE GOVERNMENT THAT Th IS Io NOT SO AND TO REVIEW THE METHOD OF CALCULATION * IF THFR- --EVIDENCE TO THE CONTRARY.+

7SDNESD J', HA3CH 25, 1981

U

TURNING TO THE CIVIL SERVICE, MISS DUNN SAID SHE WAS WORRIED THAT THE SERVICE IS STILL UNDERMANAGED.

SHE NOTED THE INTRODUCTION OF THE POLICY SECRETARY CONCEPT IK 1974 WAS THE ONLY MAJOR REFORM OF THE GOVERNMENT’S ADMINISTRATIVE SYSTEM IN RECENT YEARS. THE SIZE OF THE SECRETARIAT HAS INCREASED RAPIDLY SINCE THEN.

THERE ARE NOW AS MANY AS 85 DIRECTORATE POSTS IN THE GOVERNMENT SECRETARIAT, WHICH IS THREE TIMES THE NUMBER IN THE EARLY 197OS.

BUT SHE QUESTIONED: +IS THE CONCEPT OF A CENTRAL SECRETARIAT STILL RELEVANT TO THE GOVERNMENT OF MODERN HONG KONG? IF SO, ARE THE STAFF THERE CORRECTLY DEPLOYED? ARE THEY IN SUFFICIENTLY CLOSE CONTACT WITH EXECUTIVE DEPARTMENTS?*

+PERSONALLY, I THINK THAT THE TIME HAS COME FOR SOME RECASTING OF THE CENTRAL MACHINERY OF GOVERNMENT AND A REAPPRAISAL CF THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN POLICY SECRETARIES AND HEADS OF DEPARTMENTS, THE LATTER SOMETIMES FEELING, PERHAPS, OUT OF TOUCH *ITH LOWER ALBERT ROAD,* SHE ADDED.

MISS DUNN ALSO OBSERVED THAT THERE ARE STRESSES AND STRAINS AT THE DEPARTMENTAL LEVEL DUE TO THE RANGE AND COMPLEXITY OF PROBLEMS WITH WHICH DEPARTMENTS ARE HAVING TO GRAPPLE.

SHE RECOGNISED THAT THE GROWTH AND DIVERSIFICATION OF OUR ECONOMY, AND THE NEW FOUND SOPHISTICATION OF OUR SOCIETY, MEAN THAT STRESSES AND STRAINS WILL EMERGE, PARTICULARLY AS THERE IS A LIMIT TO THE EXTENT TO WHICH THE GOVERNMENT CAN BE ANTICIPATORY.

+BUT THAT DOES NOT EXCUSE A LACK OF PERCEPTION AND A SLUGGISHNESS OF RESPONSE: AT THE RISK OF STATING THE OBVIOUS, BUT THE OBVIOUS IS SO EASILY OVERLOOKED, INTERNAL DEPARTMENTAL MANAGEMENT SYSTEMS NEED TO BE REVIEWED FREQUENTLY AND ADAPTED AND REINFORCED APPROPR IATELY.*

THE IMPLICATIONS OF THE EVOLVING ROLE OF UNOFFICIALS FOR THE MACHINERY OF GOVERNMENT ALSO NEED TO BE THOUGHT OUT, SHE SAID.

THE COMPLEXITY OF ISSUES ON WHICH UNOFFICIAL MEMBERS AS A BODY HAVE TO ADVISE AND TAKE A VIEW IS NOw SUCH THAT SOME STRENGTHENING OF THE UMELCO OFFICE IS REQUIRED.

ON THE BUDGET ITSELF, MISS DUNN NOTED THAT THE GROWTH RATE OF PUBLIC EXPENDITURE HAS BEEN CONSISTENTLY IN EXCESS OF THE GROWTH RATE OF OUR ECONOMY FOR FIVE YEARS AND IS PLANNED TO BE SO AGA IN IN 1981-82.

SHE ATTRIBUTED THIS TO THE +GROWING, AND RATHER ALARMING, INABILITY ON THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY’S PART TO PUT THEORY INTO PRACT ICE*.

QUOTING STATISTICS, MISS DUNN POINTED OUT THE RELATIVE SIZE OF THE -UBLIC SECTOR WILL BE AS LARGE AS 22.4 PER CENT IN 1981-82, HAVING BEEN ONLY 14.2 PER CENT IN 1976-77 AND 13 PER CENT 1 •-1970-71.

.L2DNSSDAY, MARCH 25, 1?L'1

15

IT IS TRUE THE PUBLIC SECTOR HAS BEEN CONSISTENTLY IN OVERALL SURPLUS, AND RECENTLY SUBSTANTIALLY SO!

IT IS TRUE ALSO THAT THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY WARNED US ALL SEVERELY THAT, IN THE NEW THREE YEARS FORECAST PERIOD, THERE wILL BE NO ROOM FOR FURTHER ENLARGEMENT.

♦BUT HE CANNOT ARGUE THAT 'THE CRITICAL TASK OF MANAGEMENT’ IS TO PROTECT THE ABILITY OF THE ECONOMY TO ACHIEVE GROWTH WITH STABILITY AND YET RUN THE RISK OF THE PUBLIC SECTOR BIDDING RESOURCES AWAY FROM THE PRIVATE SECTOR THEREBY CASUING FURTHER DAMAGE THROUGH DOMESTICALLY GENERATED INFLATION.

I ADMIT THAT EVEN I HAVE SUGGESTED MORE EXPENDITURE ON -FUSING, BUT I HASTEN TO TAKE REFUGE IN A PLEA FOR A MORE AUSTERE VIEW OF PR IOR IT IES.+

SHE SAID SHE WOULD AGREE THAT THE TRANSPORT INFRASTRUCTURE, TECHNICAL EDUCATION, LAND PRODUCTION AND HOUSING DESERVE SPECIAL ATTENTION, BUT THERE MUST BE SCOPE FOR ECONOMIES ELSEWHERE.

REFERRING TO THE FORTHCOMING RE-NEGOTIATION OF THE 'U_T'-FIBRE ARRANGEMENT, MISS DUNN WARNED THAT +THE TEXTILES -D CLOTHING TRADE AND INDUSTRY ARE CERTAINLY APPROACHING A IS IS*.

IN HONG KONG,+ SHE SAID, +TEXTILES AND CLOTHING STILL ACCOUNT FOR 40 PER CENT OF OUR DOMESTIC EXPORTS REFLECTING NOT ~0W WAGES AND SWEAT SHOP WORKING CONDITIONS BUT A CONTINUING PROCESS OF MODERNISATION OF PLANT AND EQUIPMENT, DIVERSIFICATION PRODUCTS AND MARKETS, AND A FLEXIBILITY OF RESPONSE TO FASHION CHANGES.

♦SO, VERY UNDERSTANDABLY, HONG KONG EXPORTERS AND MANUFACTURERS .ALIKE ARE FILLED WITH A SENSE OF FRUSTRATION, INDIGNATION AND APPREHENSION: INDIGNATED AT THE REPEATED REQUESTS FOR EXTRA RESTRICTIONS IN SPITE OF THE EXISTENCE OF BILATERAL AGREEMENTS: FRUSTRATED, BECAUSE THE MFA ITSELF IS TREATED SO CONTEMPTUOUSLY BY CERTAIN IMPORTING COUNTRIES- AND APPREHENDED, SINCE THE FUTURE IS SO UNCERTAIN.+

SHE CALLED ON THE GOVERNMENT TO DO ALL WITHIN ITS POWER TO ENSURE THAT ANY SUCCESSOR ARRANGEMENT TO THE PRESENT MFA w ILL EE A MEANINGFUL ONE.

SHE ALSO SAID IT WOULD BE HELPFUL IF THE BRITISH GOVERNMENT WOULD BE PRESSED TO LOCK AFTER HONG KONG’S INTERESTS IN THIS RESPECT.

MISS DUNN ALSO SPOKE AGAINST THE INTRODUCTION OF TOO MANY REFORM MEASURES IN A HURRY, NO MATTER HOw JUSTIFIED EACH MAY BE.

♦THE MARKET TENDS NOT TO LISTEN TO THE CASE FOR REFORMS AS CAREFULLY AS THE.F INANC IAL SECRETARY FORMULATES THEM AND SO IS EASILY UPSET,+ SHE CAUTIONED.

+IT IS ALSO IMPORTANT NOT TO OVERLOOK THE POSSIBILITY OF A NUMBER OF REFORM MEASURES, TAKEN TOGETHER, HAVING A CUMULATIVE EFFECT, ALTHOUGH I WOULD READILY ADMIT THAT I WOULD BE THE FIRST TO CRITICISE THE GOVERNMENT IF, IN A RAPIDLY DIVERSIFYING ECONOMY, IT FAILED TO KEEP THE INSTITUTIONAL AND REGULATORY FRAMEWORK UP TO DATE.

♦BUT, IN SAYING THAT, I WOULD CAUTION THE GOVERNMENT NOT TO EE SO PREOCCUPIED WITH THE IMPLICATIONS OF HONG KONG’S EMERGING STATUS AS AN INTERNATIONAL CITY, REQUIRING THE ALIGNMENT OF THAT FRAMEWORK WITH INTERNATIONALLY ACCEPTED STANDARDS, AS TO RUN THE RISK OF DAMAGING THE FREEDOMS OF OUR MARKET PLACE AND TO BE CARELESS OF LOCAL FEEL INGS.+

MISS DUNN PAID TRIBUTE TO SIR PHILIP FOR HIS ACHIEVEMENTS DURING HIS REIGN AS FINANCIAL SECRETARY FROM 1972-1981.

SHE RECALLED THAT DURING THE 10-YEAR PERIOD, NOT ALL OF SIR PHILIP’S DECISIONS AS FINANCIAL SECRETARY HAVE ALWAYS BEEN POPULAR WITH, OR UNDERSTOOD BY, ALL SECTIONS OF THE COMMUNITY, SHE SAID.

+ EUT HE HAS ALWAYS BEEN CONCERNED TO PURSUE THE BROAD PUBLIC INTEREST, WITHOUT FEAR OR FAVOUR, AND HAS ALWAYS BEEN AT PAINS TO EXPLAIN HIS THINKING - OFTEN AT SOME LENGTH - AND TO DEFINE WITH GREAT CARE A PHILOSOPHICAL FRAMEWORK FOR THE GOVERNMENT’S BUDGETARY AND RELATED POLICIES.

♦SO IT IS NO ACCIDENT THAT HONG KONG TODAY HAS A HIGHLY SOPHISTICATED AND DIVERSIFIED ECONOMY IN WHICH, FOR EXAMPLE, THE WORLD’S LARGEST BANKS AND BUSINESS HOUSES OPERATE SIDE BY SIDE WITH DOMESTICALLY BASED ENTERPRISES WHICH, IN SIZE AND SCOPE, NOW HAVE AN INTERNATIONAL DIMENSION OF THEIR OWN.+

THOSE WHO HAVE WORKED WITH SIR PHILIP, AND HAVE KNOWN HIM AS A FRIEND, ALSO KNOW THAT HE IS POSSESSED OF AN ALMOST INSTINCTIVE BELIEF IN THE IMPORTANCE OF LOYALTY TO THE SYSTEM AND AN ABILITY TC INSPIRE LOYALTY IN THOSE wHO WORK WITH AND FOR HIM, SHE NOTED.

+IN HIS. PRESENT POST, HE HAS BEEN EXPOSED AS FINANCIAL SECRETARY AS SUCH RATHER THAN A PERSON.

+THAT IS THE INESCAPABLE LOT OR A FINANCIAL SECRETARY.

♦YET HE IS A COMPASSIONATE MAN WITH A TOTAL DEDICATION TC HONG KONG.+ MISS DUNN ADDED.

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

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 25, 1981

- 17 -

LET FREE ECONOMY TAKE ITS OWN COURSE * * * *

THE GOVERNMENT SHOULD ENDEAVOUR TO BUILD ITS OWN OFFICES AND DOMESTIC ACCOMMODATION FOR CIVIL SERVANTS INSTEAD OF RENTING THEM FROM THE PRIVATE SECTOR, DR THE HON HENRY HU SAID.

HE SAID ONE FUNDAMENTAL REASON FOR HONG KONG’S SUCCESS IN THE LAST TEN YEARS IS ITS POLICY OF FREE MARKET ORIENTED ECONOMY.

♦HOWEVER,* SAID DR HU, +THE EXORBITANT RISE IN RENTS MIGHT BE ONE OR THE CAUSES OF HARDSHIP TO OUR WAGE-EARNERS.

+ IF GOVERNMENT STILL CONTINUES TO PURCHASE AND RENT BOTH OFFICE SPACES AND DOMESTIC FLATS IN LARGE QUANTITIES, IT WILL ONLY COMPETE WITH THE PRIVATE SECTOR AND THUS STIMULATE THE UNREASONABLE RISE IN RENTALS AND SELLING PRICES OF BOTH OFFICE AND DOMESTIC PREMISES.*

HE THOUGHT THAT IF THE GOVERNMENT COULD STOP THIS PRACTICE, THE RENTALS WOULD BE ADJUSTED AND REGULATED BY NATURAL MARKET "ORCES WITHOUT HAVING THE PAINFUL EFFECT OF ANY RENT-CONTROL.

♦LET THE FREE ECONOMY TAKE ITS OWN COURSE WITHOUT GOVERNMENT’S ‘EGATIVE INTERVENTION, I.E. RENTING AND BUYING COMMERCIAL AND DOMESTIC PREMISES IN THE OPEN MARKET,* HE URGED.

DR HU SAID ANOTHER MAJOR REASON FOR HONG KONG’S PHENOMENAL SUCCESS IS ITS GEOGRAPHICAL POSITION, IN THAT +HONG KONG HAS BENEFITED BY THE RESOURCES OF A VAST CONTINENT LYING BEHIND IT*.

BUT HE OBSERVED THAT WE HAVE NOT REALLY DERIVED FULL BENEFIT "ROM THAT POSITION YET.

+H0W TO CO-ORDINATE OUR ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AND GEAR IT TO THE FOUR-MODERNISATION PLAN OF CHINA FOR MUTUAL BENEFIT IS ONE OF THE WAYS THAT MAY LEAD US TO GREATER PROSPERITY.*

DR HU ALSO NOTED THAT HONG KONG’S INDUSTRIES HAVE ACHIEVED CORRESPONDING SUCCESSES BUT, IN TERMS OF GROWTH RATE, THE YEAR 1Q80 LAGGED BEHIND BY 15 PER CENT COMPARED WITH THE PREVIOUS YEAR.

ALTHOUGH HE WELCOMED THE INCREASE IN DEPRECIATION ALLOWANCE, DR HU SUGGESTED THE INITIAL DEPRECIATION ALLOWANCE FOR PLANT AND MACHINERY SHOULD BE RAISED TO 50 PER CENT INSTEAD OF THE 35 PER CENT PROPOSED BY THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY IN HIS BUDGET ADDRESS, IN ORDER TO ASSIST LQCAL INDUSTRIES.

HE URGED THE GOVERNMENT TO BUILD A REPLACEMENT AIRPORT AS SOON AS PRACTICABLE AS ITS DELAY WOULD AFFECT HONG KONG’S INDUSTRIAL DEVELOPMENT.

+WE ALSO NEED TO SPEND MORE FOR DIVERSIFICATION AND SOPHISTICATION CF OUR INDUSTRIES IN ORDER TO ENHANCE OUR COMPETITIVE POSITION IN THE WORLD MARKET.

+HIGH LEVEL AND SOPHISTICATED RESEARCH SHOUI-D BE PURSUED WITH VIGOUR AND MAY BE CONDUCTED, INDEPENDENT OF OUR EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTIONS,* HE SAID.


WEDNESDAY, MARCH 25, 1981

18

FIVE NT SITES SOLD FOR $67.5 MILLION * * *

GOOD PRICES WERE REALISED WHEN THE NEW TERRITORIES ADMINISTRATION SOLD FIVE SITES AT AN AUCTION LASTING 75 MINUTES AT the SHOUSON THEATRE THIS MORNING (WEDNESDAY).

AND WERE AT SHA T,N (T*'° 3ITES)» CHEUNG SHA, PENG CHAU

"'i»V uA I U ri o ,

THEY REALISED $67.5 MILLION.

nrvci FOR THE ONE AT SAI KUNG, WHICH WAS FOR INDUSTRIAL

DcVELOPMtNT, THE SITES WERE FOR HIGH CLASS RESIDENTIAL DEVELOPMENT.

cai n 2aa 2L ™E SHA SITES, MEASURING 8 025 SQUARE METRES w?hDTA0R<t3u:c MILLI0n (34 299 PER SQUARE METRE). LOCATEDAT KAtuT?’c-z1^a^A2 A BUILDING COVENANT OF $6.15 MILLION TO BE FULFILLED * IN FOUR YEARS. THE PURCHASER WAS KEEP LUCK INVESTMENTS LIMITED. BIDDING OPENED AT $24 MILLION.

'?4t31^ERHSQUARE METRE)IE'THESBUILDING COVENANT OF^l^ MILLION BV THE PURCH4SER- * “

eH. aItahE^i *xmE ME*SU*‘NG 9 354 SQUARE METRES WAS AT CHEUNG -AC LA.iTAU ISLAND. IT WAS BOUGHT BY PODWOOD COMPANY LIMITED

^aLL ,0N $9$ PER SQUARE METRE), BIDDING HAVING OPENED

IN FOUR Years’ THE BUILDING coveNANT IS $5 MILLION TO BE COMPLETED

THE PENG CHAU SITE SOLD FOR $1.1 MILLION ($1 476 PCR SQUARE METRE) AFTER SOME VERY KEEN BIDDING. THE PURCHASER WAs’tONIC INVESTMENT COMPANY LIMITED, WHO WILL BE REQUIRED TO FULFILL A >450 000 BUILDING COVENANT WITHIN THREE YEARS. BIDDING FOR ™ SITE 0PI£”E? AT 5500 °00- THE AUCTIONEER, MR TONY HARLAND, jAID: +WE DID AMAZINGLY WELL WITH THIS SITE.*

THE SAI KUNG SITE WAS THE LAST TO BE SOLD IN THE TUI MIN HOI AREA FOR INDUSTRIAL DEVELOPMENT FOR SOME TIME. IT MEASURES y?°A?QU4T£ METRES AND SMALL FACTORY UNITS, EACH WITH A FLOOR AREA OF NOT MORE THAN 75 SQUARE METRES, WILL BE BUILT ON THE SITE. THE PURCHASER WAS CONLEY INVESTMENT LIMITED, WHO PAID $15 1 MILLION nQ^R£ METRE), MORE THAN DOUBLE THE OPENING EID. THE ” FOUR YEAR BUILDING COVENANT IS $7.07 MILLION.

HARLAND SAID THE PRICES PAID WERE +GOOD, BUT NOT RECORD

THE SITES ARE THE LAST IN THE NE* TERRITORIES TO EE PUT ^THEMARkET TH,S FINANCIAL YEAR. YESTERDAY (TUESDAY) THE NEW TERRITORIES ADMINISTRATION ANNOUNCED ITS LAND SALES “ROGRAMME rOR THE NEXT SIX MONTHS, DURING WHICH 32 SITES MEASURING OVER 2° HECTARES WILL BE OFFERED.

- - 0 -

/19 •

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 25, 1981

1?

NEW StCONDARY SCHOOLS FOR YUEN LONG AND LANTAU

******

THE PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT HAS INVITED TENDERS FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF TWO SECONDARY SCHOOLS - ONE IN YUEN LONG AND ANOTHER ON LANTAU ISLAND.

THE YUEN LONG SCHOOL WILL BE BUILT NEAR FUK HING TSUEN.

IN ADDITION TO THE 24-CLASSR00M MAIN TEACHING BLOCK, THERE WILL BE ADMINISTRATION OFFICES AND CHANGING ROOMS, A BLOCK OF SPECIAL ROOMS PROVIDING FACILITIES FOR SCIENCE AND TECHNICAL SUBJECTS, A LIBRARY AND WORKSHOPS, AND SEPARATE ANCILLARY BUILDINGS AND MENIAL STAFF QUARTERS.

CONSTRUCTION WORK IS EXPECTED TO START IN MAY THIS YEAR AND COMPLETE IN SEPTEMBER 1982.

THE SCHOOL AT LANTAU WILL BE ON A 7 000 SQUARE-METRE SITE AT MUI WO NEAR THE FERRY PIER.

NAMED NEW TERRITORIES HEUNG YEE KUK MUI WO SECONDARY SCHOOL, IT WILL HAVE A 24-CLASSR00M MAIN TEACHING BLOCK WITH ^MINISTRATION OFFICES AND CHANGING ROOMS ON THE GROUND FLOOR.

THERE WILL BE AN ASSEMBLY HALL WITH COVERED PLAY AREA, J WELL AS A BLOCK OF SPECIAL ROOMS PROVIDING FACILITIES FOR SCIENCE AND TECHNICAL SUBJECTS, A LIBRARY AND WORKSHOPS. SEPARATE ANCILLARY BUILDINGS AND MENIAL STAFF QUARTERS, A ASKETBALL COURT, CAR PARK AND PLANTING AREAS WILL ALSO BE ROVIDED.

THIS PROJECT IS EXPECTED TO START IN MAY, 1981 AND WILL TAKE ABOUT 16 MONTHS TO COMPLETE.

- - 0 - -

OPEN DAYS FOR REHABILITATION CENTRES * * * * *

THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT WILL OPEN SEVEN OF ITS REHABILITATION CENTRES TO THE PUBLIC TOMORROW (THURSDAY) AND ON FRIDAY IN RESPONSE TO THE INTERNATIONAL YEAR OF DISABLED PERSONS.

ON THE CENTRES’ +OPEN DAYS*, MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC WILL BE BRIEFED ON THE DAILY PROGRAMMES AND TRAINING ACTIVITIES WHICH ARE GEARED TOWARDS RE-1NTEGRATI NG THE DISABLED INTO THE COMMUNITY.

THE CENTRES ARE THE ABERDEEN REHABILITATION CENTRE AND ITS ADJACENT KAI CHI CHILDREN’S CENTRE AT WELFARE ROAD, ABERDEEN- THE WORLD REHABILITATION FUND SHELTERED WORKSHOP AT 487 KWUN TONG ROAD THE KAI NANG TRAINING CENTRE AND THE KWUN TONG SETTLEMENT FOR THE SEVERELY DISABLED, BOTH AT TSUI PING ROAD, KWUN TONG- THE wONG TAI SIN BLIND WELFARE CENTRE AT BLOCK 25 LOWER WONG TAI SIN ESTATE AND THE LEK YUEN SHELTERED WORKSHOP AT BLOCK 1, WING SHU I HOUSE, LEK YUEN ESTATE, SHA TIN (OPEN DAY TOMORROW ONLY).

W3DNSSDAY, IM3H 25, 1?b1

- 20

MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC ARE WELCOME TO VISIT ANY OF THE SEVEN REHABILITATION CENTRES.

NOTE TO ED I TORSi

YOU ARE WELCOME TO SEND REPRESENTATIVES TO VISIT ANY OF THE REHABILITATION CENTRES ON THEIR OPEN DAYS.

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

WATER CUT IN MONG KOK

* * * *

FRESH WATER SUPPLY TO A NUMBER OF PREMISES IN MONG KOK WILL BE CUT OFF FOR SIX HOURS FROM MIDNIGHT ON FRIDAY (MARCH 27) TO 6 AM ON THE FOLLOWING DAY FOR LEAKAGE TEST.

THE AREA TO BE AFFECTED IS BOUNDED BY CANTON ROAD, NELSON STREET, NATHAN ROAD AND SHANGHAI STREET, INCLUDING SHANTUNG STREET, SOY STREET, CHANGSHA STREET AND PORTLAND STREET.

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DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN

ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL: 5-233191

THURSDAY, MARCH 26, 1981

CONTENTS PAGE NO.

NE5V ID CARD PLANNED; SIR JACK SQUASHED RUMOURS OF IMMIGRATION POLICY CHANGE ...................................... 1

PRESS ARRANGEMENTS FOR THE RETURN VISIT BY HRH THE DUKE OF EDINBURGH............................................... 2

LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL:

TRIBUTE TO SIR PHILIP ..................................... 3

HELP 'SANDWICHED CLASS' PLEA .............................. 3

LONG TERM POLICY ON GOVT OFFICE SPACE NEEDED .............. 4

MORE CARE FOR AGED AND DISABLED URGED ..................... 6

ESTATE CORPORATION NEEDS MORE WEIGHT.....................   7

Call to introduce cOi'Itributory insurance ................ 9

TECHNOLOGICAL RESEARCH HELPS INDUSTRY..................... 11

GREATER ROLE FOR PRIVATE SECTOR........................... 12

CONCERN OVER RAPID GROWTH RATE............................ 14

LAND FOR DYEING AND FINISHING INDUSTRY CALL .............. 15

COVERED NULLAHS IMPROVE HYGIBNE .......................... 17

PREVENTIVE HEALTH MEASURES - A RECORD OF SUCCESS .............. 18

CONSUMER PRICE INDEXES FOR FEBRUARY ........................... 20

TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS FOR CHING MING FESTIVAL .................. 22

NEED TO DEVELOP GOOD CHARACTER STRESSED ....................... 23

NEW SPORTS CENTRE FOR TSU0S WAN ............................... 23

EXPANSION PLAN FOR PREVOCATIONAL SCHOOLS ...................... 24

AUCTION OF SPECIAL CAR NUMBERS ................................ 25

TRANSPORT BOR DISABLED EXHIBITION OPENS ON SATURDAY ........... 26

PLB PROHIBITION AT KOWLOON CITY FERRY CONCOURSE ............... 26

THURSDAY, MARCH 26, 1981

1

NEW ID CARD PLANNED

SIR JACK SQUASHES RUMOURS OF IMMIGRATION POLICY CHANGE

******

THE CHIEF SECRETARY, SIR JACK CATER, TODAY ANNOUNCED THAT THE GOVERNMENT WOULD SOON PROPOSE THE ISSUE OF A NEW IDENTITY CARD •

AND HE WARNED THAT ANYONE WHO MIGHT NOW CONTEMPLATE OBTAINING A FALSE CARD WOULD NOT ONLY FIND HIMSELF IN TROUBLE. BUT WOULD HAVE WASTED HIS MONEY.

ADDRESSING THE 2OTH ANNIVERSARY PARADE OF THE IMMIGRATION SERVICE, SIR JACK SQUASHED FALSE RUMOURS CURRENT IN GUANGDONG AND MADE IT CLEAR THAT THE GOVERNMENT HAS NOT THE SLIGHTEST INTENTION OF CHANGING ITS IMMIGRATION POLICY.

♦THERE WILL BE NO NEW AMNESTY,+ HE DECLARED.

♦ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS WILL NOT GET ID CARDS.

♦EMPLOYERS WILL NOT BE ALLOWED TO TAKE ON NEW STAFF WHO DO NOT HAVE ID CARDS.

♦THOSE FOOLISH ENOUGH STILL TO COME, WILL BE TRACKED DOWN AND, SOONER OR LATER, WILL BE FOUND AND WILL BE RETURNED,+ HE STRESSED.

IN HIS DISCUSSIONS IN GUANGZHOU EARLIER THIS MONTH, SIR JACK SAID, THE AUTHORITIES HAD ASSURED HIM THAT THEY WOULD CONTINUE TO TAKE STERN MEASURES TO PREVENT ILLEGAL EMIGRATION.

♦FOR OUR PART, WE SHALL CONTINUE TO KEEP OUR GUARD UP : WE SHALL MAINTAIN OUR STRENGTH ON THE BORDER, WHERE THE PERMANENT MILITARY STRENGTH IS BEING INCREASED FROM FOUR TO FIVE BATTALIONS, AND AT SEA, WHERE THE EXPANSION OF THE MARINE POLICE IN PARTICULAR IS NOW PUTTING MORE VESSELS AT SEA THAN EVER BEFORE.+

THE MEASURES TAKEN LAST OCTOBER BY OURSELVES AND BY CHINA HAD SO FAR HAD ENCOURAGING RESULTS, HE SAID, NOTING THAT THE LEVEL OF ILLEGAL IMMIGRATION HAD DROPPED SUBSTANTIALLY SINCE THE +REACHED BASE+ POLICY WAS ENDED. LAST SEPTEMBER OVER 4QO ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS WERE BEING ARRESTED DAILY, WHEREAS THE AVERAGE SO FAR THIS YEAR WAS ABOUT 20.

♦BUT WE MUST NOT BE COMPLACENT,+ HE WARNED.

♦THE THREAT OF ILLEGAL IMMIGRATION IS STILL A GRAVE MENACE AND IT IS IMPERATIVE FOR THE WELL-BEING OF OUR COMMUNITY THAT WE, THE PEOPLE OF HONG KONG, AND THE GOVERNMENT CONTINUE TO MEET IT RESOLUTELY.

AS AN INDICATION OF THE CRITICAL EFFECT OF UNCONTROLLED IMMIGRATION ON OUR SOCIAL PROGRAMMES, SIR JACK NOTED THAT THE THEORETICAL COST OF THE ADDITIONAL SOCIAL EXPENDITURE REQUIRED TO PROVIDE FOR THE ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS WHO ARRIVED BETWEEN 1978 AND 1980 WAS $3 500 MILLION. BUT IN PRACTICE, HE ADDED, IT WOULD HAVE BEEN QUITE IMPOSSIBLE TO PROVIDE THE HOUSING, HOSPITALS AND SCHOOLS REQUIRED IN THE TIME, EVEN IF MONEY HAD BEEN NO OBJECT.

THURSDAY, MARCH 26, 1981

2

IT WAS ESSENTIAL FOR HONG KONG’S SURVIVAL, HE STRESSED, TO MAINTAIN OUR IMMIGRATION POLICY AND HE COUNTED ON THE SUPPORT OF THE IMMIGRATION SERVICE TO PERFORM THEIR DUTIES WITH RESOLUTION, FAIRNESS, CONSIDERATION AND KINDNESS.

THE DEPARTMENT, HE NOTED, SERVED THE PUBLIC IN A WIDE VARIETY OF WAYS, FROM REGISTERING ELECTORS TO CELEBRATING MARRIAGES. IT ISSUES OVER ONE MILLION TRAVEL DOCUMENTS TO HONG KONG RESIDENTS, RECEIVES MORE THAN 500 000 APPLICATIONS FOR VISAS OR PERMITS TO VISIT HONG KONG AND MORE THAN 20 MILLION PASSENGERS A YEAR PASS THROUGH ITS CONTROL POINTS AT KAI TAK, LO WU AND THE MACAU WHARF. AT LO WU, SIR JACK NOTED, THE RECENT GROWTH HAD BEEN PARTICULARLY DRAMATIC FROM SOME TWO MILLION PASSENGERS IN 1977 TO OVER SEVEN MILLION IN 1980.

BUT THE MAIN PRESSURE ON THE DEPARTMENT IN RECENT YEARS AROSE FROM THE STARTLING INCREASE IN ILLEGAL IMMIGRATION. THE NUMBERS ARRESTED INCREASED TEN-FOLD, FROM 800 IN 1976 TO OVER 8 000 IN 1978 AND THEN ANOTHER TEN-FOLD TO OVER 80 000 IN BOTH 1979 AND 1980, A HUNDRED-FOLD IN THREE YEARS.

SIR JACK SAID IMMIGRATION CONTROL HAD CHANGED GREATLY SINCE THE DAYS WHEN, AT KAI TAK AIRPORT, ONLY ONE OFFICER WAS REQUIRED. BUT THE MAIN PURPOSE OF THE DEPARTMENT REMAINED THE SAME AS WHEN IT WAS FIRST FOUNDED IN 1961 — TO PROTECT HONG KONG FROM TOO RAPID AN INCREASE IN POPULATION.

0

NOTE TO EDITORS:

PRESS ARRANGEMENTS FOR THE RETURN VISIT BY HRH THE DUKE OF EDINBURGH

*****

HRH THE DUKE OF EDINBURGH WILL BE MAKING A STOPOVER VISIT JOURNEY FROM AUSTRALIA*EEKEND (MARCH 28 AND 29) ON HIS HOMEWARD

THE CATHAY PACIFIC FLIGHT ON WHICH PRINCE PHILIP WILL BE TRAVELLING 13 DUE TO ARRIVE FROM MELBOURNE AT 9 PM ON SATURDAY (MARCH 28). PRESS PHOTOGRAPHERS AND CAMERAMEN ASSIGNED TO COVER ™e ARR»VAL ,AT THE ENTRANCE TO THE AIR BRIDGE ARE REQUESTED TO BE IN THE AIRPORT PRESS ROOM NOT LATER THAN 8 PM. GIS OFFICERS WILL BE ON HAND TO ASSIST MEDIA REPRESENTATIVES.

PRINCE PHILIP WILL STAY OVERNIGHT AT GOVERNMENT HOUSE.

ON SUNDAY (MARCH 29) THE DUKE WILL FULFIL A NUMBER OF PRIVATE ENGAGEMENTS, INCLUDING VISITS TO THE ROYAL NAVY AND THE 7TH DUKE OF EDINBURGH’S OWN GURKHA RIFLES.

Cil , ALSOONSUNDAY HE WILL ATTEND A PRESENTATION IN THE GRAND BALLROOM OF THE HILTON HOTEL ARRANGED BY THE WORLD WILDLIFE FUND (WwF). THE DUKE IS THE PRESIDENT-ELECT OF WWF INTERNATIONAL.

/HRH WILL....’

THURSDAY, MARCH 26, 1981

5

HRH WILL LEAVE HONG KONG FOR LONDON BY CATHAY PACIFIC AIRWAYS AT 10.40 PM THE SAME DAY. THERE WILL BE A PHOTOGRAPHIC FACILITY AND MEDIA REPRESENTATIVES ASSIGNED TO COVER HIS DEPARTURE AT THE ENTRANCE TO THE AIR BRIDGE SHOULD ASSEMBLE IN THE AIRPORT PRESS ROOM AT 9.15 PM SHARP. GIS OFFICERS WILL BE ON HAND TO ASSIST.

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

TRIBUTE TO SIR PHILIP * * * *

SPEAKING FOR ALL HIS COLLEAGUES, THE SENIOR UNOFFICIAL MEMBER OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL, THE HON OSWALD CHEUNG, PAID TRIBUTE TO SIR PHILIP HADDON-CAVE AND WISHED HIM EQUAL SUCCESS IN HIS NEW POST AS CHIEF SECRETARY.

HE SAID: + IT IS WELL KNOWN THAT DURING THE BUDGET PREPARATION SEASON HE LIVED IN PURDAH, WORKING LATE INTO THE EVENING, LOCKED IN SECRET CONCLAVE WITH OFFICERS OF FINANCE BRANCH, AND I’M TEMPTED TO ADD OFFICERS OF OTHER PARTS OF THE EMPIRE. WITH FUMES COMING FROM HIS PIPE, HE MAINTAINS A VERY TIGHT SECURITY ON HIS BUDGET PROPOSALS, aHICH SO FAR AS I KNOW HAS NEVER BEEN PENETRATED.+

SIR PHILIP, HE SAID, HAD ELSEWHERE STATED THAT DURING THE PAST 10 YEARS, NUMBERS OF BRIGHT IDEAS FLOWED IN TO HIM FROM ALL SIDES, SOME OF THEM NONE TOO HELPFUL.

♦BUT HE IS DEDICATED TO WHAT HE CALLS THE SYSTEM, AND AS PART OF IT, HE FELT IT HIS DUTY TO LISTEN TO UNOFFICIAL MEMBERS,* SAID MR CHEUNG, ADDING +THAT HE SOMETIMES DID NOT AGREE WAS INEVITABLE.*

♦AND AS A FINAL SALUTE TO SIR PHILIP’S SERIES OF BUDGETS, I PROPOSE TO SUPPORT HIS MOTION.*

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

HELP +SANDWICHED CLASS* PLEA

*****

THE GOVERNMENT SHOULD DEVISE MORE EFFECTIVE MEANS TO HELP THOSE WHO ARE ELIGIBLE FOR NEITHER PUBLIC HOUSING NOR HOME OWNERSHIP SCHEME FLATS, THE HON WONG LAM SUGGESTED TODAY (THURSDAY).

HE SAID THIS IS A PROBLEM WHICH AFFECTS MANY PEOPLE IN HONG KONG AND IS A MAJOR CHALLENGE TO THE GOVERNMENT.

TO BASE THE ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA FOR PUBLIC HOUSING OR HOME OWNERSHIP SCHEME SOLELY ON INCOME MAY NOT BE A FAIR POLICY.

+1 BELIEVE THAT SOME TENANTS OF PUBLIC HOUSING ESTATES ARE BETTER OFF THAN A LARGE NUMBER OF MIDDLE-INCOME EARNERS LIVING ELSEWHERE, BOTH IN TERMS OF GROSS INCOME AND OF NET INCOME AFTER DEDUCTION OF RENTALS.

7+THE GOVERNMENT.......

THURSDAY, MARCH 26, 1981

4

+THE GOVERNMENT SHOULD CONSIDER TAKING MORE RADICAL AND INNOVATIVE MEASURES, OR EVEN DO AWAY WITH THE TRADITIONAL APPROACH, TO SEEK NEW ARRANGEMENTS TO HELP THE SANDWICHED CLASS SOLVE THEIR HOUSING PROBLEM,* HE SAID.

ON SERVICES FOR THE PHYSICALLY HANDICAPPED, MR WONG URGED THE GOVERNMENT TO ACCELERATE THE EXPANSION OF SUCH SERVICES WHERE FINANCIAL CONDITIONS PERMIT.

♦FOR INSTANCE, CAN THE GOVERNMENT CONSIDER RELAXING THE PRESENT CRITERIA IN RESPECT OF THE ELIGIBILITY FOR DISABILITY ALLOWANCE?

+COULD WE NOT SPEED UP THE CONSTRUCTION OF HOMES FOR THE AGED AND THE EXPANSION OF THE HOME HELP SERVICE SCHEME?

♦AND ON THE SUBJECT OF REHABUS SCHEME, IS THE GOVERNMENT GENEROUS ENOUGH IN ITS PRESENT POLICY?* MR WONG ASKED.

ALTHOUGH THE GOVERNMENT HAS LAID DOWN AN OVERALL DEVELOPMENT PLAN FOR THESE SERVICES IN ITS VARIOUS WHITE PAPERS, HE BELIEVED THE GOVERNMENT, UNDER THE PRESENT FAVOURABLE SITUATION, IS CAPABLE OF IMPLEMENTING THEM MORE EXPEDITIOUSLY AND GENEROUSLY SO THAT THE UNFORTUNATE GROUP MAY BENEFIT FROM OUR COMMUNITY’S AFFLUENCE.

MR WONG ALSO PROPOSED THAT THE GOVERNMENT SHOULD CONSIDER THE INTRODUCTION OF SEPARATE ASSESSMENT AND TAXATION FOR MARRIED COUPLES.

HE THOUGHT THE ARGUMENT PUT FORWARD BY THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY TO HIS PROPOSAL ON THE SUBJECT LAST YEAR WAS NOT VERY CONVINCING.

UNDER THE PRESENT SYSTEM OF COMBINED ASSESSMENT, IT IS ESSENTIALLY THE MIDDLE-INCOME GROUP THAT SUFFERS, HE SAID.

+THOSE AT THE HIGHER OR LOWER ENDS OF THE INCOME SCALE ARE NOT AFFECTED, OR ONLY TO A VERY SMALL EXTENT.

+SINCE THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY HAS EVERY INTENTION TO MAKE THE TAX SYSTEM FAIR TO ALL CLASSES OF TAXPAYERS, I BELIEVE THAT RE-CONSIDERATION OF THIS ISSUE IS NECESSARY,* HE ADDED.

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

LONG TERM POLICY ON GOVT OFFICE SPACE NEEDED

* fc * *

THE GOVERNMENT SHOULD FORMULATE A LONG-TERM POLICY AIMED AT THE OPTIMUM PROVISION OF ITS OWN OFFICE PREMISES WITHIN A DEFINITE TIME SCHEDULE.

THIS WAS SUGGESTED BY THE HON PETER C. WONG AT THE RESUMED BUDGET DEBATE TODAY (THURSDAY).

HE NOTED THAT ALTHOUGH THE DRAFT ESTIMATES OF EXPENDITURE PROVIDE $550 MILLION FOR RENTS AND FITTING OUT OF PREMISES, THERE IS NO BREAKDOWN TO SHOW THE AMOUNT FOR LEASED OFFICE ACCOMMODATION OR FOR RENTED QUARTERS.

/+THE GOVERNMENT ...

5

xuuivjjuni, rULXtvn 1^0 1

♦THE GOVERNMENT, I UNDERSTAND, IS CURRENTLY RENTING SOME 2.7 MILLION SQUARE FEET OF OFFICE PREMISES AND BY THE END OF THE YEAR THIS FIGURE IS EXPECTED TO REACH 3.3 MILLION, ALMOST FIVE TIMES THE TOTAL LETTABLE FLOOR AREA OF CONNAUGHT CENTRE.

+THERE IS ALREADY AN ACUTE SHORTAGE OF OFFICE ACCOMMODATION.

+ IS THE GOVERNMENT COMPETING WITH THE PRIVATE SECTOR AND THUS INDUCING A STEEPER UPWARD SWING OF OFFICE RENTALS?* MR WONG ASKED.

HE ADMITTED IT WAS NEITHER POSSIBLE NOR DESIRABLE TO CONDUCT ALL GOVERNMENT BUSINESS IN GOVERNMENT BUILDINGS, BUT GIVEN THE PRESENT IMBALANCE IT WOULD BE PRUDENT TO REDUCE PROGRESSIVELY THE DEPENDENCE ON RENTED PREMISES.

ON CIVIL SERVICE TRAINING, MR WONG REMARKED THAT THE PROVISION OF $26.5 MILLION APPEARS TO BE A RELATIVELY SMALL AMOUNT IN VIEW OF THE SIZE OF THE CIVIL SERVICE.

BUT ENQUIRY REVEALS THAT THE BULK OF TRAINING EXPENDITURE IS PROVIDED DEPARTMENTALLY AND THE ACTUAL AMOUNT MIGHT WELL EXCEED 3100 MILLION.

+THIS ’HIDDEN’ EXPENDITURE IS CERTAINLY VERY SUBSTANTIAL AND, I PRESUME, WOULD BE SUFFICIENT TO CATER TO OUR TRAINING NEEDS,* SAID MR WONG.

+WHILE APPRECIATING THAT IT MAY NOT BE EASY TO ITEMIZE WITH ACCURACY EXPENDITURE OF THIS NATURE IN THE DEPARTMENTAL ESTIMATES, A NOTE SHOWING APPROXIMATE AMOUNTS TO BE INCURRED WOULD CERTAINLY BE DESIRABLE.

+SUCH INFORMATION WOULD, I AM SURE, BE USEFUL TO THE GOVERNMENT IN THE MANAGEMENT OF THE CIVIL SERVICE AND TO SERIOUS STUDENTS OF OUR AFFAIRS.*

MR WONG COMMENDED THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY FOR STEERING HONG KONG’S ECONOMY WITH OUTSTANDING SUCCESS DURING THE PAST 10 YEARS.

HE NOTED THAT SIR PHILIP’S ACHIEVEMENTS WERE MANY +BUT TO

MY MIND, HIS REFUSAL TO YIELD TO TEMPTATION AND INDEED PRESSURE TO ADOPT A POLICY OF INTERVENTION, SO POPULAR WITH MANY COUNTRIES IN THE 7O’S, IS A SINGULAR ACHIEVEMENT*.

MR WONG SAID THAT IN A WORLD OF UNCERTAINTIES, THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY’S CAUTIOUS OPTIMISM WAS MOST REASSURING.

ALTHOUGH RECENT EVENTS IN CERTAIN SECTORS OF OUR ECONOMY HAVE NOT BEEN ENCOURAGING, HE SAID HE WOULD VIEW THEM AS +CYCLICAL OR TECHNICAL ADJUSTMENTS, WHICH ARE NECESSARY AND DESIRABLE, IF OUR OBJECTIVE OF STABILITY WITH GROWTH IS TO BE ACHIEVED.*

+HOWEVER, THERE IS NO ROOM FOR COMPLACENCY, PARTICULARLY WHEN WE TAKE INTO ACCOUNT THE MULTIPLIER EFFECT.

+STATED SIMPLY, UPSWINGS AND DOWNSWINGS OF BUSINESS ACTIVITY TEND TO BE CUMULATIVE.

+A SMALL DECREASE IN ACTIVITY CAN BE MAGNIFIED INTO A MUCH LARGER DECREASE IN GDP.

+IT IS THEREFORE IMPORTANT THAT OUR MANAGEMENT OF THE ECONOMY, ESPECIALLY IN THE COMING MONTHS, SHOULD AS FAR AS POSSIBLE GUARD AGAINST THIS EFFECT,* HE CAUTIONED.

THURSDAY, MARCH 26, 1981

6

MORE CARE FOR AGED AND DISABLED URGED *****

HONG KONG HAS A SERIOUS SHORTAGE OF CARE AND ATTENTION HOMES FOR THE AGED AND THE SEVERELY MENTALLY DISABLED PEOPLE, THE HON F.K. HU SAID TODAY (THURSDAY).

DURING THE RESUMED BUDGET DEBATE, HE POINTED OUT THAT THE NUMBER OF PLACES IN CARE AND ATTENTION HOMES IN 1981-82 REMAINS AT 375 WITHOUT ANY INCREASE, AND IN RESIDENTIAL CARE FOR THE DISABLED, THE 12 PER CENT INCREASE IS MEANT TO CATER FOR ALL CATEGORIES OF THE HANDICAPPED.

WHILE AGREEING THAT THE ELDERLY AND HANDICAPPED PERSONS SHOULD BE ENCOURAGED TO REMAIN AND BE CARED FOR IN THEIR OWN FAMILIES AND COMMUNITIES THROUGH THE HELP OF PUBLIC ASSISTANCE AND SPECIAL NEEDS ALLOWANCES, HE CONSIDERED INSTITUTIONAL OR RESIDENTIAL CARE IS ESSENTIAL FOR THE MORE SEVERE CASES.

♦FOR EXAMPLE, IT IS IMPOSSIBLE FOR A FAMILY TO PROVIDE PROPER CARE AT HOME FOR A SENILE AND INFIRM OLD PERSON OR SEVERELY FENTALLY HANDICAPPED YOUNG ADULT WITHOUT SERIOUSLY DISRUPTING FAMILY LIFE AND THE ECONOMIC ACTIVITIES OF ITS FAMILY MEMBERS.+

MR HU URGED THAT MORE SHOULD BE DONE BY THE GOVERNMENT AND THE VOLUNTARY SECTOR IN THIS RESPECT, POINTING OUT THAT A LARGE NUMBER OF ELDERLY AND MENTALLY HANDICAPPED PERSONS HAVE BEEN WAITING FOR MANY YEARS AND CANNOT AFFORD TO WAIT ANY LONGER.

ANOTHER AREA WHERE HE THOUGHT IMPROVEMENT SHOULD BE MADE CONCERNED THE TREATMENT OF JUVENILE OFFENDERS.

+THE RESOURCES ALLOCATED TO THE PROGRAMME OF 'SERVICES FOR OFFENDERS’ IN THE SOCIAL WELFARE CONTEXT IS VERY MEAGRE ALTHOUGH IT IS APPRECIATED THAT MUCH IS BEING DONE BY OTHER DEPARTMENTS AND EFFORTS ARE ALSO BEING MADE TO TACKLE THIS PROBLEM IN OTHER SOCIAL WELFARE PROGRAMMES IN THE FORM OF PREVENTIVE WORK.

+HOWEVER, IT SEEMS A GOOD DEAL MORE CAN BE ACHIEVED THROUGH SOCIAL WORK SERVICES IN THE AREA OF TREATMENT.

♦THERE IS ROOM FOR IMPROVING OUR PROBATION SERVICE AND CORRECTIONAL INSTITUTIONS.

♦OTHER METHODS AND TECHNIQUES OF TREATMENT SHOULD BE CONSIDERED, DEVELOPED AND EXPERIMENTED BY VOLUNTARY AGENCIES TO CATER FOR THE DIFFERENT TYPES OF OFFENDERS,+ HE SAID.

ON THE SHORTAGE OF TRAINED SOCIAL WORKERS, MR HU SUGGESTED THAT A SPECIAL PROVISION EE MADE TO THE SOCIAL WORK TRAINING FUND FOR RE-ALLOCATION TO VARIOUS TRAINING INSTITUTIONS TO RUN A SPECIAL TRAINING PROGRAMME FOR A PERIOD OF FIVE YEARS.

BOTH THE GOVERNMENT AND VOLUNTARY AGENCIES SHOULD PARTICIPATE IN THE PLANNING OF THESE PROGRAMMES AND CONTRIBUTE RESOURCES IN TERMS OF TEACHERS, SUPERVISORS AND FIELD WORK PLACEMENT.

♦AT THE END OF THE PERIOD, THE MANPOWER NEED SHOULD EE RE-ASSESSED,+ HE SAID.

/♦THE PROGRAMMES ..

7 _ THURSDAY, MARCH 26, 1981

♦THE PROGRAMMES CAN THEN EITHER BE PHASED OUT OR GRADUALLY ABSORBED INTO THE REGULAR CURRICULUM OF THE TRAINING INSTITUTIONS.*

TURNING TO RECREATION, MR HU SAID HONG KONG STILL LACKS A COMPREHENSIVE LONG-TERM PLAN ON PROVISION OF RECREATIONAL FACIL IT IES.

HE ALSO EXPRESSED REGRET THAT THE SPECIAL SURVEY OF LEISURE PURSUIT WILL BE DELAYED FROM NOVEMBER 1981 TO THE SUMMER OF 1982.

♦EVERY EFFORT SHOULD BE MADE TO EXPEDITE THIS SURVEY SO AS TO FORMULATE AND IMPLEMENT THE OVERDUE LONG-TERM PLAN IN THE VERY NEAR FUTURE TO MEET THE PRESSING NEEDS FOR RECREATIONAL FACILITIES IN THE 198O’S DUE TO AN INCREASE IN AVAILABLE LEISURE TIME AND AN INCREASE IN DISPOSAL INCOME,+ URGED MR HU.

HE PROPOSED A NUMBER OF WAYS WHICH THE GOVERNMENT SHOULD TAKE ONCE THE PLAN IS FINALISED.

THESE INCLUDE THE ALLOCATION OF SPACE UNDERNEATH FLYOVERS TO THE URBAN COUNCIL- THE PROVISION OF FACILITIES BY THE HOUSING AUTHORITY INSIDE AND OUTSIDE HOUSING ESTATES AS A PACKAGE DEAL-THE INCLUSION OF SPECIAL RECREATIONAL REQUIREMENTS IN THE CONDITIONS OF GRANT FOR LAND SOLD BY PUBLIC AUCTIONS OR BY LETTER +B+ EXCHANGE- AND THE PROMOTION OF WATER SPORTS.

HE ALSO CALLED FOR THE SETTING UP OF A SPECIALIST COLLEGE TO PROVIDE A SUFFICIENT QUANTITY OF PHYSICAL EDUCATION TEACHERS AND RECREATION LEADERS.

♦IDEALLY, GOVERNMENT SHOULD TAKE THE INITIATIVE IN SETTING UP SUCH A COLLEGE,* HE SAID.

+ALTERNATIVELY, GOVERNMENT CAN ENCOURAGE NON-PROFIT MAKING PRIVATE ORGANISATIONS TO RUN SUCH AN INSTITUTION.*

ANOTHER POSSIBLE SOLUTION IS TO DEVELOP THE JUBILEE SPORTS CENTRE INTO A SPECIALIST COLLEGE FOR PHYSICAL EDUCATION AND RECREATION +SO THAT IT CAN PRODUCE TRAINED PHYSICAL EDUCATION TEACHERS, TRAINED RECREATION AND SPORTS PERSONNEL BESIDES TOP CLASS ATHLETES IN VARIOUS SPORTS*.

♦OTHERWISE, THERE COULD BE A RISK OF THIS EXCELLENT CENTRE BEING GREATLY UNDER-UTILISED,* HE SAID.

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

ESTATE CORPORATION NEEDS MORE WEIGHT

******

A CALL TO PLACE MORE WEIGHT ON THE HONG KONG INDUSTRIAL ESTATE CORPORATION TO ATTACT MORE TECHNOLOGY INTENSIVE INDUSTRIES TO INVEST IN ITS TWO INDUSTRIAL ESTATES CAME FROM THE HON ALLEN LEE TODAY (THURSDAY).

AND IF WE ARE UNABLE TO ATTRACT INVESTORS INTO HONG KONG, HE WARNED, OUR BASIC AIM OF DIVERSIFICATION OF INDUSTRIES WILL BE GREATLY JEOPARDISED.

MR LEE WAS COMMENTING ON THE POOR RESPONSE FROM INVESTORS TO INVEST IN THE TAI PO AND YUEN LONG INDUSTRIAL ESTATES.

/CITI"3 EXAMPLES ...

THURSDAY, MARCH 26, 1981

8

CITING EXAMPLES, HE SAID THE 29 SITES WHICH HAD BEEN UNDER CONSTRUCTION OR WERE EARMARKED FOR THE SUCCESSFUL APPLICANTS REPRESENTED APPROXIMATELY HALF OF THE FIRST TWO STAGES OF 45 HECTARES OF LAND IN TAI PO.

A THIRD STAGE OF DEVELOPMENT OF ANOTHER 20 HECTARES OF LAND IS PROPOSED WHILE A SECOND INDUSTRIAL ESTATE PROVIDING 72 HECTARES OF LAND IS BEING FORMED IN YUEN LONG.

♦JUDGING FROM THE NUMBER OF APPLICATIONS DURING THE LAST TWO YEARS, IT HAS NOT BEEN OVERWHELMING EVEN THOUGH I BELIEVE THE QUALITY OF APPLICATIONS HAD BEEN IMPROVED.

♦IF THE SAME PACE IS TO BE MAINTAINED, IT WILL BE EIGHT MORE YEARS BEFORE THE TAI PO INDUSTRIAL ESTATE WILL BE FILLED WITH FACTORIES, PROVIDED WE DO NOT RUN INTO PROBLEMS WITH THE LEASE CONDITION,+ HE SAID.

MR LEE CONSIDERED THE PROGRESS A BIT TOO SLOW, ADDING THAT THERE MIGHT BE A NUMBER OF FACTORS INVOLVED WHICH ARE NOT ATTRACTIVE TO INVESTORS OR PROHIBITS POTENTIAL INVESTORS FROM INVESTING IN THE ESTATE.

HE THEREFORE SUGGESTED THAT THE GOVERNMENT SHOULD RE-EXAMINE SUCH CRITICAL AREAS AS PROMOTION, CRITERIA AND CONDITIONS OF LEASE WITHOUT DELAY.

A

ANOTHER AREA THAT CAUSED MR LEE CONCERN RELATES TO THE INADEQUATE GOVERNMENT SUBVENTIONS TO THE HONG KONG INDUSTRIAL DESIGN AND PACKAGING COUNCILS.

HE CITIED A LIST OF MAJOR PROJECTS OF BOTH COUNCILS IN 1981 TO SHOW THAT ALL REQUIRED PROPER FINANCE.

+AS CHAIRMAN OF THE HONG KONG INDUSTRIAL DESIGN COUNCIL, I REJECTED THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR’S PROPOSAL OF REDUCING THE ACTIVITIES DUE TO LACK OF SUBVENTIONS FROM THE GOVERNMENT,+ SAID MR LEE.

+1 BELIEVE THESE ACTIVITIES MUST CONTINUE AND SHOULD BE STEPPED UP.

♦THEREFORE, I URGE THE GOVERNMENT TO CONSIDER INCREASING SUBVENTIONS FROM THE CURRENT $120 000 PER ANNUM, WHICH IS THE EIGHTH YEAR OF THE SAME AMOUNT, TO $250 000 PER ANNUM AS REQUESTED. WITHOUT THIS INCREASE, THE COUNCIL WILL BE IN DANGER OF CEASING EFFECTIVE OPERATION AND ALL THE INVESTMENTS TODAY WILL BE WASTED.+

MR LEE ALSO SPOKE IN SUPPORT OF THE EMERGENCY STUDENT LOAN FUND AND THE GOVERNMENT’S PROPOSAL TO PROVIDE A POSSIBLE LONG-TERM SCHEME OF ASSISTANCE TO ENABLE HONG KONG STUDENTS TO STUDY IN THE UNITED KINGDOM.

♦IT IS IMPORTANT THAT A PROPORTION OF OUR STUDENTS SHOULD ATTEND UNIVERSITIES AND POLYTECHNICS IN THE UNITED KINGDOM AS OUR RELATIONSHIP WITH THE UNITED KINGDOM MUST BE AS CLOSE AS EVER.

♦WHEN THESE STUDENTS RETURN TO HONG KONG, THEY WILL CERTAINLY CONTRIBUTE TO OUR ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL PROGRESS,+ HE SAID.

THURSDAY, MARCH 26, 1981

9

CALL TO INTRODUCE CONTRIBUTORY INSURANCE *******

THE GOVERNMENT HAS BEEN CALLED UPON TO MAKE AN EARLY DECISION ON THE INTRODUCTION OF A CONTRIBUTORY SICKNESS, INJURY AND DEATH BENEFIT SCHEME.

DR THE HON HO KAM-FAI TOLD THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL

TODAY (THURSDAY) THAT HE BELIEVED THE SCHEME, PROPOSED IN THE 1977 GREEN PAPER ENTITLED +HELP FOR THOSE LEAST ABLE TO HELP THEMSELVES: A PROGRAMME OF SOCIAL SECURITY DEVELOPMENT*, WOULD IN THE LONG TERM PROVIDE AN EFFECTIVE AND EQUITABLE METHOD OF PROVIDING INCOME SECURITY FOR THOSE UNEMPLOYED.

+THE INCREASE IN THE NUMBER OF INDUSTRIAL AND OCCUPATIONAL ACCIDENTS IN RECENT YEARS WHICH TOTALLED MORE THAN 70 000 CASES IN 1980, COUPLED WITH THE CONSIDERABLE STRESSES AND STRAINS AND ILLNESSES ASSOCIATED WITH URBAN CITY LIFE WOULD REDUCE THE NUMBER CF WORKING DAYS FOR THE AVERAGE WORKERS.

+ IN VIEW OF SUCH FACTORS AND THAT THE GOVERNMENT HAS TAKEN A RATHER LONG TIME TO CONSIDER THE SCHEME, I THEREFORE URGE THAT A DECISION BE MADE AS SOON AS PRACTICABLE,* HE SAID.

IN THE INTERIM, DR HO SAID, THE GOVERNMENT SHOULD CONSIDER A SCHEME TO PROVIDE SOME RELIEF FOR THOSE PERSONS WHO HAD BEEN FORCED TO BE ABSENT FROM WORK DUE TO UNEMPLOYMENT OR DISABLEMENT BUT WERE NOT ELIGIBLE FOR PUBLIC ASSISTANCE.

WHILE AFFIRMING THE PUBLIC ASSISTANCE SCHEME AS THE MAINSTAY OF HONG KONG’S SOCIAL SECURITY SYSTEM, HE PROPOSED THAT AN UNEMPLOYMENT ALLOWANCE, SIMILAR TO THE DISABILITY OR OLD AGE ALLOWANCE, BE IMPLEMENTED.

THE UNEMPLOYMENT ALLOWANCE, HE EXPLAINED, SHOULD BE BASED ON NEED ESTABLISHED BY REFERENCE TO THE CIRCUMSTANCES OF THE INDIVIDUAL, AND NOT BY REFERENCE OF LOW INCOME.

A FLAT-RATE, NON-MEANS-TESTED ALLOWANCE EQUIVALENT TO THE BASIC PUBLIC ASSISTANCE RATE FOR A SINGLE PERSON COULD BE MADE PAYABLE TO AN INVOLUNTARILY UNEMPLOYED PERSON, SUBJECT TO CERTAIN CONDITIONS BEING MET.

AS THE LEVEL OF THE ALLOWANCE IS RATHER LOW, DR HO THOUGHT IT WOULD NOT HAVE AN ADVERSE EFFECT ON THE INDIVIDUAL’S WORK INCENTIVE.

+THE PROVISION OF SUCH AN UNEMPLOYMENT ALLOWANCE WILL NO DOUBT PROVIDE A WELCOME RELIEF TO HONG KONG’S WAGE EARNERS.

+IT WILL NOT ONLY ALLEVIATE THE WORKERS’ FINANCIAL BURDEN ASSOCIATED WITH THE COSTS OF LIVING DEPRESSED BY LOSS OF INCOME ARISING FROM UNEMPLOYMENT, BUT WILL ALSO BE A CRUCIAL STABILIZING FORCE FOR THE HONG KONG COMMUNITY IN TIMES OF CRISIS AND ECONOMIC RECESSION,* HE SAID.

DR HO ALSO SPOKE EXTENSIVELY ON VOCATIONAL TRAINING AND JOB PLACEMENT SERVICES FOR THE MENTALLY RETARDED.

THURSDAY, MARCH 26, 1?81

10

THE OBJECT OF TRAINING IS TO TEACH THE MENTALLY SUB-NORMAL PEOPLE HOW TO USE SIMPLE TOOLS, TO EQUIP THEM WITH SOME SKILLS, TO DEVELOP IN THEM WORK HABITS AND TO ENHANCE SELF-RELIANCE.

BUT HE SAID THE CURRENT PROVISION OF VOCATIONAL TRAINING PLACES IN THE GOVERNMENT-RUN AND VOLUNTARY INSTITUTIONS FALLS FAR SHORT OF THE DEMAND FOR THEM.

HE HOPED THAT MORE RESOURCES BE ALLOCATED TO INCREASE THESE PLACES AND THE TYPES OF TRAINING PROVIDED MADE SUITABLE FOR THE CHANGING CHARACTERS OF HONG KONG’S INDUSTRIES.

ON JOB PLACEMENT, DR HO CITED A RECENT RESEARCH BY THE HONG KONG POLYTECHNIC SOCIAL WORK FACULTY WHICH SHOWED THAT 48 PER CENT OF THE MENTALLY RETARDED PERSONS WERE UNABLE TO SECURE EMPLOYMENT AFTER LEAVING THE TRAINING CENTRES.

AND THE EMPLOYMENT SITUATION OF THE OLDER MENTALLY HANDICAPPED PERSONS IS EVEN MORE UNSATISFACTORY, HE ADDED.

+APART FROM COMMUNITY EDUCATION AND PROMOTION CAMPAIGNS AS LONG-TERM REMEDIES, THE GOVERNMENT MUST TAKE IMMEDIATE MEASURES IN STRENGTHENING THE SOCIAL WORK AND JOB PLACEMENT STAFF IN THE TRAINING CENTRES AND IN THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT, AND IN UPGRADING THE FUNCTION OF THE SELECTIVE PLACEMENT SERVICE OF THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT TO PLACE MENTALLY RETARDED JOB-SEEKERS AS SOON AS PRACTICABLE,* DR HO STRESSED.

THE SURVEY FURTHER REVEALED THAT ALMOST 60 PER CENT OF THE DISABLED WORKERS ENGAGED IN OPEN EMPLOYMENT EARNED $400 OR MORE A MONTH WHEREAS ALMOST 90 PER CENT OF THOSE IN SHELTERED WORK EARNED $200 OR LESS A MONTH.

DESPITE THEIR LOWER WAGES, MOST OF THE HANDICAPPED WORKERS IN SHELTERED WORKSHOPS ARE NOT QUALIFIED FOR DISABILITY ALLOWANCE +BECAUSE THEIR DISABILITY IS NOT ASSESSED TO BE OF THE SEVERE GRADE*.

+WOULD IT BE FEASIBLE FOR THE GOVERNMENT TO CONSIDER RELAXING THE REQUIREMENTS FOR DISABILITY ALLOWANCE FOR THOSE MENTALLY RETARDED WORKERS IN SHELTERED WORKSHOPS?* HE ASKED.

WHILE THE DEVELOPMENT OF MORE OPEN EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES IS A LONG-TERM GOAL FOR THE GOVERNMENT, IT SHOULD TAKE MORE IMMEDIATE ACTION TO EXPAND JOB OPPORTUN IT IES IN SHELTERED WORK, DR HO REMARKED.

HE ALSO CALLED ON THE GOVERNMENT TO ALLOCATE MORE RESOURCES TO IMPROVE TRANSPORT FOR THE DISABLED, INCLUDING A GREATER SUBVENTION FOR THE HONG KONG SOCIETY FOR REHABILITATION TO EXPAND ITS REHABUS SCHEME.

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

/11 ......

-------- ,

THURSDAY, MARCH 26, 1931

11

TECHNOLOGICAL RESEARCH HELPS INDUSTRY *****

HONG KONG NEEDS TO DEVELOP URGENTLY RESEARCH FACILITIES, THE HON WONG PO-YAN COUNCIL TODAY (THURSDAY).

ITS OWN TECHNOLOGICAL SAID IN LEGISLATIVE

HE SAID THE RECENT ESTABLISHMENT OF

BOARD AND A NEW SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY DIVISION WITHIN THE TRADE. INDUSTRY AND CUSTOMS DEPARTMENT, THE SETTING UP OF THE CALIBRATION LABORATORY AND THE APPOINTMENT OF A SCIENCE ADVISER ARE INITIAL BUT IMPORTANT STEPS IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION.

THE INDUSTRIAL DEVELOPMENT

NONETHELESS, THESE MEASURES ARE IN THE MAIN CONCERNED WITH TAKING STOCK OF AND IMPROVING EXISTING FACILITIES AND SERVICES TO MEET THE SHORT AND MEDIUM TERM REQUIREMENTS OF OUR INDUSTRIES.*

RESEARCH, HE POINTED OUT, IS A COSTLY PROPOSITION AND THE RATE OF RETURN H SOMETIMES RATHER SLOW. IT IS A LONG-TERM INVESTMENT WHICH REQUIRES FAR-SIGHTEDNESS AND DETERMINATION.

♦I WOULD URGE THAT OUR GOVERNMENT SET OUT PLANS FOR ESTABLISING 4 CENTRAL BODY IN THE LONG TERM, WITH JOINT RESOURCES FROM THE PRIVATE SECTOR AND GOVERNMENT, FOR THE PLANNING, CO-ORDINATION AND CONDUCT OF SCIENTIFIC AND TECHNOLOGICAL RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT TO MEET THE NEEDS OF OUR INDUSTRIES.*

INITIALLY, SAID MR WONG, THE OFFICE OF THE SCIENCE ADVISER CAN FORM THE NUCLEUS FOR THE FUTURE RESEARCH BODY WHICH CAN BE MADE AN INDEPENDENT AGENCY, CO-ORDINATING SUCH FACILITIES AND SERVICES BY GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS, THE UNIVERSITIES, THE POLYTECHNIC AND OTHER INSTITUTIONS.

IN THE FUTURE, A POST OF SECRETARY FOR SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY IN THE GOVERNMENT SECRETARIAT MAY BE A LOGICAL DEVELOPMENT.

EXPLAINING THE NEED FOR SUCH A BODY, MR WONG OBSERVED THAT HONG KONG HAD IN RECENT YEARS BEGUN MANUFACTURING PRODUCTS REQUIRING HIGHER LEVEL OF SOPHISTICATION, SUCH AS ELECTRONIC WATCHES AND TOYS, AND COMPUTER COMPONENTS.

AS WE MOVE UP MARKET, WE WILL NEED THE BACK-UP OF MORE ADVANCED TECHNOLOGY.

+DIRECT TRANSFER OF TECHNOLOGY FROM OVERSEAS IS ONE OF THE WAYS AND MEANS OF ACQUIRING SUCH ADVANCED TECHNOLOGY.

THIS SEEMS TO BE A SUITABLE MEASURE FOR THE IMMEDIATE FUTURE, HE SAID, BUT CONTINUED RELIANCE ON OVERSEAS SOURCES OF TECHNOLOGY MAY SEVERELY RESTRICT FUTURE DEVELOPMENT OF OUR INDUSTRIAL CAPACITY AND POTENTIAL.

TO SUSTAIN OUR FLIGHT IN INDUSTRIAL TAKE-OFF, WE MUST SEEK TO DIVERSIFY AND BROADEN OUR INDUSTRIAL BASE TO ATTAIN NEW HEIGHTS OF ACH IEVEMENT.

+IN HER MODERNISATION PROGRAMME, CHINA ALSO LOOKS TO HONG KONG AS A SOURCE OF TECHNOLOGICAL KNOW-HOW.

A- ....

THURSDAY, MAUCH 26, 1981

12

+l STRONGLY BELIEVE THAT DEVELOPING FOUNDAMENTAL TECHNOLOGICAL RESEARCH TO MEET THE NEEDS OF OUR INDUSTRIES IS ONE OF THOSE FRUITFUL AREAS IN WHICH WE SHALL MUTUALLY BENEFIT.

+WE SHOULD ACT QUICKLY TO ENABLE US TO COPE WITH THE RAPID CHANGES AND CHALLENGES IN THE 8O’S,+ HE ADDED.

ON PREFERENTIAL INTEREST RATE FOR MANUFACTURERS, MR WONG SAID CONCESSION IN DEPRECIATION ALLOWANCES ALONE IS NOT ENOUGH IN THESE TIMES OF HIGH INFLATION AND INTEREST RATES, AND A GENERALLY DEPRESSED WORLD MARKET.

HE RECALLED THAT IN 1979 A NUMBER OF LEADING BANKS OFFERED PREFERENTIAL INTEREST RATE TO INDUSTRY FOR FINANCING IMPORTS OF RAW MATERIALS AND CAPITAL EQUIPMENT.

THIS ARRANGEMENT LAPSED WHEN INTEREST RATE TEMPORARILY DROPPED IN MID-1980 AND THERE WAS ALSO CONCERN THAT IT WAS DIFFICULT TO ENSURE THE LOANS EXTENDED ON SPECIAL TERMS WERE IN FACT USED TO 'NANCE MANUFACTURING AND NOT OTHER ACTIVITIES.

HOWEVER, MR WONG DID NOT ACCEPT THAT SUCH A SCHEME COULD SILY BE ABUSED SINCE +A PREFERENTIAL INTEREST RATE WOULD ONLY BE iNTED WHEN THE PURCHASE OF MACHINERY IS EVIDENCED BY A RECEIPTED VOICE.+

HE CALLED ON BANKERS TO RE-INSTATE THE SCHEME WHICH HE SAID JLD NO DOUBT GIVE NEW IMPETUS TO THE HARD PRESSED MANUFACTURING .jUSTRY.

♦LET US NOT FORGET THAT OUR ECONOMY STILL RELIES HEAVILY ON HE MANUFACTURING SECTOR TO GENERATE WEALTH AND MAINTAIN EMPLOYMENT ■E STRESSED.

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

GREATER ROLE FOR PRIVATE SECTOR

* * * *

THE PRIVATE SECTOR SHOULD BE OFFERED LARGE TRACTS OF LAND WITH THE OBLIGATION TO CARRY OUT PUBLIC PROJECTS TO HALT THE 20 PER CENT RISE IN THE PUBLIC SECTOR’S PROPORTION OF GDP, THE HON D.K. NEWBIGGING SAID.

AND IF THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY IS CONCERNED THAT SUCH PARTIAL DENATIONALISATION COULD LEAVE THE GOVERNMENT’S COFFERS EVEN MORE EMBARRASSINGLY FLUSH WITH CASH, HE ADDED, HE WAS SURE THE PRIVATE SECTOR WOULD RESPOND READILY TO AN OFFER OF +TERMS+.

SPEAKING AT THE RESUMED BUDGET DEBATE IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (THURSDAY), MR NEWBIGGING POINTED OUT THAT THE 156 ACRES OF LAND SOLD IN 1980/81 INCREASED DRAMATICALLY BY JUST OVER 100 PER CENT OVER THE PREVIOUS YEAR’S FIGURE.

+HOWEVER IN BOTH YEARS THE ACTUAL ACREAGE SOLD WAS SIGNIFICANTLY LESS THAN FORECAST - BY OVER 20 PER CENT IN EACH CASE.

+0F COURSE, IN TERMS OF REVENUE RAISED - $8.8 BILLION OR 70 PER CENT UP ON THE BUDGET ESTIMATES - THE VERY OPPOSITE IS TRUE, REFLECTING THE STEEP RISE IN PROPERTY PRICES LAST YEAR.+


THURSDAY, MARCH 26, 1981

13

MR NEWBIGGING SAID HE SHARED THE CONCERN OF THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY AT THE ABSENCE OF INROADS INTO THE HOUSING AUTHORITY’S WAITING LISTS, AND HOPED THAT +THE IMPROVED OUTLOOK FOR LAND PRODUCTION WILL RESULT IN THE SETTING OF HIGHER - PERHAPS SUBSTANTIALLY HIGHER - TARGETS THAN 35 OOO UNITS PER ANNUM FOR HOUSING IN THE MID-1980’S AND BEYOND UNTIL WE HAVE AT LEAST BROKEN THE BACK OF THIS MOST FUNDAMENTAL SOCIAL PROBLEM.*

TURNING TO TRADING WITH THE UNITED STATES, MR NEWBIGGING CONSIDERED THAT THE TIME IS NOW RIGHT, PARTICULARLY WITH THE RISING TIDE OF PROTECTIONISM WORLDWIDE, FOR A CONCERTED EFFORT ON THE PART OF THE GOVERNMENT +T0 CREATE THE RIGHT IMPACT AND TO DEVELOP RELATIONSHIPS AT THE TOP LEVEL IN THE UNITED STATES, TO NURTURE AN UNDERSTANDING OF WHY HONG KONG IS ONE OF THE MOST IMPORTANT CITIES IN ASIA, AND THUS TO BUILD UP THE CONFIDENCE UPON WHICH THE REALISATION OF OUR DESTINY IS SO DEPENDENT.*

HE NOTED THAT THE ECONOMIC DYNAMISM THAT HAS BEEN SO EFFECTIVELY PORTRAYED BY THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY, AND THE VIRILITY OF OUR SOCIETY THAT HAS MADE THESE ACHIEVEMENTS POSSIBLE, ARE HARDLY RECOGNISED IN THE UNITED STATES.

*FOR INSTANCE,* HE SAID, +EVEN SEASONED U.S. BUSINESSMEN ARE FLABBERGASTED WHEN TOLD THAT HONG KONG’S EXPORTS ARE ROUGHLY 10 PER CENT OF THOSE OF THE USA.

+THIS IGNORANCE OF TODAY’S REALITY IN HONG KONG, LET ALONE CF TOMORROW’S POTENTIAL, ON THE PART OF OUR LARGEST CUSTOMER AND CUR LARGEST INDUSTRIAL INVESTOR OUGHT TO BE A CAUSE FOR CONCERN.*

ALTHOUGH MEMBERS OF THE PRIVATE SECTOR AND GOVERNMENT-SUBVENTED ORGANISATIONS SUCH AS THE TRADE DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL AND THE HONG KONG TOURIST ASSOCIATION ARE PARTIALLY COMBATTING THE PROBLEM, THE IMPACT IS BOUND TO BE PIECEMEAL.

*AN EXCELLENT JOB HAS BEEN DONE IN FORGING AND STRENGTHENING SUCH RELATIONSHIPS WITH THE UNITED KINGDOM FOR VERY GOOD PAST, PRESENT AND FUTURE REASONS: I SUGGEST A SIMILAR EFFORT SHOULD NOW BE LAUNCHED TOWARDS THE USA,* SAID MR NEWBIGGING.

HE ALSO WARNED OF A DANGER OF +AN EQUALLY EXCESSIVE SWING OF THE PENDULUM IN THE OPPOSITE DIRECTION* FOLLOWING THE EUPHORIA CONCERNING THE +OPENING UP OF CHINA* THAT DEVELOPED IN THE LATE 1970’S, PARTICULARLY IN THE UNITED STATES.

HE SAID HE CONSIDERED TOTALLY MISPLACED A BELIEF THAT RECENT REALIGNMENTS IN CHINA’S ECONOMIC POLICIES WERE TAKEN TO MEAN THAT THE TASK OF MODERNISING CHINA WAS VIRTUALLY IMPOSSIBLE.

+HOWEVER, GIVEN THE INTIMATE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN PROGRESS IN CHINA AND PROSPERITY IN HONG KONG, THE PREVALENCE OF SUCH OPINIONS ADDS WEIGHT TO THE ARGUMENT FOR THE PRESENTATION OF MEASURED, AUTHORITATIVE VIEWS IN THE UNITED STATES ON THE REALITIES OF THE PRESENT SITUATION IN AND NEAR HONG KONG.*

ON FINANCIAL AND SECURITIES MARKETS, MR NEWBIGGING ASKED THE GOVERNMENT TO MAKE ITS OBJECTIVES CLEAR WHEN PROPOSING RELATED LEGISLATION AND TO BE TOTALLY CONFIDENT THAT IT WILL INDEED ACHIEVE THOSE OBJECTIVES.

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

/14 ....

THUBSDAY, MARCH 26, 1981

14

HE NOTED THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY HAS REFERRED IN HIS BUDGET SPEECH TO +PRESENT DAY REALITIES* AS CRITERIA FOR AMENDING LEGISLATION, AND ALSO TO THE NEED FOR +RESPECT TO BE PAID TO THE TWIN CONCEPTS OF THE MARKET DISCIPLINED ECONOMY AND THE FREE ENTERPRISE SYSTEM.*

+HOWEVER, THE SPATE OF PROPOSED NEW OR AMENDED LEGISLATION INVOLVING VARIOUS FORMS OF GOVERNMENT INTERVENTION IN THE FINANCIAL AND SECURITIES MARKETS THAT WAS FORESHADOWED IN THE BUDGET SPEECH AND ANNOUNCED SHORTLY THEREAFTER APPEARS TO RUN CONTRARY TO THIS PHILOSOPHY.

+WHETHER JUSTIFIED OR NOT, THIS HAS GIVEN RISE TO UNCERTAINTY AS TO THE GOVERNMENT’S TRUE MOTIVES AND OBJECTIVES - A FEAR OF THE UNKNOWN AND A FEELING OF ’WHERE WILL IT ALL END?’ - THAT COULD BE DAMAGING TO HONG KONG IF ALLOWED TO DEVELOP UNCHECKED,* MR NEWBIGGING SAID.

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

CONCERN OVER RAPID GROWTH RATE * * * * *

THE HON WILLIAM BROWN EXPRESSED CONCERN IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (THURSDAY) ABOUT THE RAPID GROWTH RATE OF THE PUBLIC ■■ECTOR AND THE CIVIL SERVICE AND WARNED THAT ANY SIGNIFICANT 'NCREASE IN BOTH AREAS MUST BE AVOIDED.

HE SAID THE FACT THAT WE HAVE A DYNAMIC AND SUCCESSFUL ECONOMY -CAME ACROSS LOUD AND CLEAR*.

+BUT THIS WAS ACCOMPANIED BY THE PICTURE OF AN ECONOMY OF GROWING COMPLEXITY WITH A CIVIL SERVICE RAPIDLY EXPANDING, IN BOTH SIZE AND COST, TO ADMINISTER A PUBLIC SECTOR UTILISING AN EVER INCREASING PROPORTION OF THE COMMUNITY’S RESOURCES,* HE SAID.

QUOTING STATISTICS FROM SIR PHILIP’S BUDGET SPEECH, MR BROWN NOTED THAT THE RELATIVE SIZE OF THE PUBLIC SECTOR WOULD HAVE INCREASED FROM 16.2 PER CENT IN 1975 TO 22.4 PER CENT IN 1981.

AND IF EXPENDITURE IS ALLOWED TO GROW AT THE 10 PER CENT GUIDELINE RATE, THIS PERCENTAGE WILL HAVE INCREASED TO THE UNACCEPTABLE LEVEL OF 24 PER CENT BY 1984-85.

+WHEN PRESENTING THESE STATISTICS THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY SOUNDED A NOTE OF WARNING WHICH WE WOULD DO WELL TO HEED.

♦WHILST I AGREE WITH HIM THAT OUR ECONOMY CAN SUSTAIN A PUBLIC SECTOR AT ITS PRESENT SIZE, I ALSO SHARE HIS BELIEF THAT ANY SIGNIFICANT INCREASE MUST BE AVOIDED AND, OUR AFFAIRS MUST BE ARRANGED ACCORDINGLY.*

TURNING TO THE GROWTH OF THE CIVIL SERVICE, HE POINTED OUT THAT THE PERSONAL EMOLUMENTS FORECAST AT $5 271 MILLION TO COVER AN APPROVED ESTABLISHMENT OF 125 831 POSTS ARE +VERY SUBSTANTIAL FIGURES, NOTWITHSTANDING THAT THE TOTAL COST REPRESENTS, AT 36 PER CENT OF RECURRENT EXPENDITURE, A REDUCTION ON THE HISTORICAL RATIO CF 40 PER CENT*.

/HE SAID ....

THURSDAY, MARCH 26, 1981

15

HE SAID THE GOVERNMENT FACES SIMILAR PROBLEMS TO THE SERVICE INDUSTRIES IN THE PRIVATE SECTOR, ADDING THAT THE VACANCY RATIO OF ABOUT 10 PER CENT IS EVIDENCE THAT THESE PROBLEMS ARE REAL ONES.

+ALL SERVICE INDUSTRIES, HOWEVER, NEED TO BE PARTICULARLY CAREFUL AS MODERN TECHNOLOGY IN THE OFFICE REVOLUTIONISES MANY OF THE TRADITIONAL METHODS OF CONDUCTING BUSINESS.

+SUCH PROGRESS MAY WELL TURN OUT TO BE FASTER THAN WE ANTICIPATE, AND WE MUST AVOID BUILDING UP A PERMANENT WORKFORCE TO A SIZE THAT IN THE FUTURE COULD BE DIFFICULT TO EMPLOY.

+1 WOULD ADD THAT IN THESE CIRCUMSTANCES IT IS ALSO FOR CONSIDERATION WHETHER GOVERNMENT AND THE PRIVATE SECTOR WOULD DERIVE MUTUAL BENEFIT FROM A GREATER DEGREE OF INTERCHANGE OF STAFF AT ALL LEVELS OF SENIORITY.*

ON THE ADAPTATION OF THE FINANCIAL INFORMATION SYSTEM TO PROVIDE A MODEL FOR FORECASTING PURPOSES IN CONNECTION WITH FUTURE DRAFT ESTIMATES, MR BROWN OPINED THAT IT IS VITAL THAT WE EQUIP OURSELVES WITH ADEQUATE TOOLS TO MANAGE OUR AFFAIRS IN THESE COMPLICATED TIMES.

BUT HE ALSO CALLED FOR THE PRODUCTION AND PUBLICATION OF SEASONALLY ADJUSTED ECONOMIC DATA, PARTICULARLY ON EXTERNAL TRADE, WHICH HE SAID +WOULD GO SOME WAY TO REDUCING THE DEGREE OF UNCERTAINTY IN THE MANAGEMENT OF SOME AREAS OF THE ECONOMY REFERRED TO IN THE (FINANCIAL SECRETARY’S) BUDGET SPEECH*.

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

LAND FOR DYEING AND FINISHING INDUSTRY CALL *****

A SUGGESTION THAT GOVERNMENT SHOULD MAKE LAND AVAILABLE TO THE DYEING AND FINISHING INDUSTRY WAS MADE BY THE HON STEPHEN CHEONG DURING THE RESUMED BUDGET DEBATE IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (THURSDAY).

HE NOTED THAT IF THE GROWING TREND TOWARDS PROTECTIONISM IN THE INDUSTRIALISED WORLD POSES A SERIOUS DEMAND-SIDE CONSTRAINT UPON OUR EXPORTS OF TEXTILES AND APPAREL, THE PRESENT WEAKNESS OF THE FINISHING SECTOR IS IN DANGER OF CREATING A SUPPLY-SIDE CONSTRAINT, PARTICULARLY FOR THE CLOTHING INDUSTRY.

♦ALL THAT THE GOVERNMENT NEEDS TO DO IS TO MAKE AVAILABLE A CERTAIN QUANTITY OF LAND, IN AN OFFENSIVE TRADES AREA, FOR SALE OR LEASE TO THE FINISHING MILLS AT A PRICE REFLECTING THE COST TO THE COMMUNITY OF PROVIDING THE LAND, AND WITH CONDITIONS THAT WOULD LIMIT THE USE OF THE LAND TO SPECIFIC USES.

+THE AREA NEEDS TO HAVE ADEQUATE WATER SUPPLY BEING THE MOST DESIRABLE

WATER SUPPLY - NATURAL - AND ADEQUATE DRAINAGE.*

MR CHEONG SAID FOUR MAJOR DYEING AND FINISHING MILLS HAVE CEASED TO OPERATE DURING THE PAST THREE YEARS, RESULTING IN A REDUCTION IN THE PRODUCTIVE CAPACITY OF THE ENTIRE FINISHING SECTOR AND A LOSS IN THE TECHNOLOGY THAT THE LARGE MILLS HAVE IN FINISHING HIGH-QUALITY FABRICS.

/ALTHOT^F CNE.......

THURSDAY, MARCH 26, 1981

16

ALTHOUGH ONE OF THE FOUR MILLS HAS SUCCESSFULLY RE-ESTABLISHED ITSELF AT SHENZHEN, MR CHEONG ASKED: +WHAT DEGREE CF RELIANCE CAN WE PLACE ON ENTERPRISES ESTABLISHED OUTSIDE OUR BORDERS?

+IS THERE NOT A GREATER RISK OF POSSIBLE INTERRUPTIONS AND STOPPAGES IN SUCH SOURCES OF SUPPLY?*

HE WAS CONCERNED THAT ABOUT 56 PER CENT OF LOCAL APPAREL SECTOR’S REQUIREMENT FOR FINISHED FABRICS COMES FROM EXTERNAL SOURCES OF SUPPLY, +AND THIS DEGREE OF EXTERNAL DEPENDENCE IS BY ANY STANDARDS FAIRLY SUBSTANTIAL.*

IN THIS REGARD, HE CALLED FOR +SOME DEGREE OF GOVERNMENT INTERVENTION* SO AS TO REDUCE THE APPAREL SECTOR’S DEPENDENCE ON EXTERNAL SOURCES OF SUPPLY.

+IF THIS PROPOSAL IS ACCEPTABLE, I ENVISAGE THAT INDIVIDUAL FINISHING MILLS WOULD POOL THEIR RESOURCES TOGETHER IN PLANNING AND INSTALLING CENTRALISED POLLUTION-CONTROL FACILITIES, PERHAPS EVEN ENERGY-SAVING, HEAT-RECYCLING AND WATER-RECYCLING FACILITIES.

+THE RESULT WOULD BE A MORE EFFICIENT FINISHING SECTOR AND, IN TURN, AN APPAREL SECTOR THAT WOULD BE LESS DEPENDENT ON EXTERNAL SOURCES OF SUPPLY,* HE ADDED.

ON THE FUTURE OF THE MULTI-FIBRE ARRANGEMENT, MR CHEONG STRESSED THAT HONG KONG MUST ENDEAVOUR TO DEVELOP A VIABLE POSITION OVER THE COMING MONTHS.

IN SO DOING, HE SAID, THE FOLLOWING THREE BASIC CONSIDERATIONS SHOULD BE TAKEN INTO ACCOUNT:

FIRST, AN OBJECTIVE APPRAISAL SHOULD BE MADE OF OUR REASONS FOR EITHER SUPPORTING OR NOT SUPPORTING A SUCCESSOR TO THE PRESENT ^FA, AND OF WHAT WE WOULD LIKE TO SEE PROVIDED FOR IN THE NEW ARRANGEMENT.

SECONDLY, AN APPRAISAL SHOULD BE MADE ON THE LEGITIMATE DEMANDS OF OUR MAJOR TRADING PARTNERS.

THIRDLY, AS HONG KONG HAVE BEEN REGARDED AS SETTERS OF TRENDS AND PRECEDENTS IN THE GATT AND IN THE TEXTILES COMMITTEE AND LOOKED UPON BY DEVELOPING COUNTRY SUPPLIERS TO SET AN EXAMPLE, IT IS THEREFORE IMPORTANT TO BEAR IN MIND THAT, WHATEVER POSITION WE MAY ADOPT, IT MUST NOT BE ONE THAT WOULD ALIENATE OURSELVES FROM THE REST OF THE DEVELOPING WORLD.

MR CHEONG ALSO SPOKE ON THE SIZE OF THE PUBLIC SECTOR RELATIVE TO THE SIZE OF THE G.D.P.

HE NOTED THE RELATIVE SIZE OF THE PUBLIC SECTOR HAS REGISTERED AN AVERAGE ANNUAL GROWTH RATE OF ABOUT 13.8 PER CENT AT CONSTANT PRICES IN THE YEARS 1976 TO 1980, AND TO OVER 21 PER CENT THIS YEAR DURING A PERIOD OF GROWTH.

'+WHTLST THE.......

THURSDAY, MARCH 26, 1981

17

+WHILST THE ECONOMY MAY HAVE GROWN LARGE ENOUGH TO BE ABLE TO ABSORB A LARGER PUBLIC SECTOR, I DO NOT BELIEVE THAT IT WOULD BE PRUDENT FOR THE PUBLIC SECTOR TO CONSUME RESOURCES AT THE RATE CF ADVANCE THAT WE HAVE EXPERIENCED OVER THE PAST FEW YEARS, PARTICULARLY WHEN WE HAVE TO CONSIDER AN ECONOMY AS EXTERNALLY-ORIENTED AND AS VULNERABLE TO FLUCTUATIONS IN EXTERNAL DEMAND AS OURS.+

HE URGED THE GOVERNMENT TO CONSIDER RE-ESTABLISHING A CEILING FOR THE RELATIVE SIZE OF THE PUBLIC SECTOR.

+THIS CEILING MIGHT SEEM TO BE WHOLLY ARBITRARY, I AGREE, BUT I PERSONALLY BELIEVE THAT, IN OUR CIRCUMSTANCES, IT WOULD BE PRUDENT TO HAVE ONE,* HE ADDED.

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

COVERED NULLAHS IMPROVE HYGIENE

******

THE GOVERNMENT HAS BEEN ASKED TO DEVISE AND IMPLEMENT WAYS AND MEANS TO DEAL WITH THE LARGE OPEN NULLAHS WHICH HAVE CAUSED ANNOYANCE TO MANY PEOPLE.

IN MAKING THE REQUEST THE HON ANDREW SO REFERRED PARTICULARLY TO THOSE AT KAI TAK, IN TUEN MUN, YUEN LONG, KAM TIN AND ABERDEEN.

+THEY OFTEN EMIT OFFENSIVE SMELLS AND BREED MOSQUITOES WHICH ADVERSELY AFFECT THE MENTAL AS WELL AS PHYSICAL HEALTH OF THE RESIDENTS IN THE NE IGHBOURHOOD,+ HE SAID.

IF POSSIBLE, MR SO SUGGESTED, THESE NULLAHS SHOULD BE COVERED UP.

+THIS WILL NOT ONLY IMPROVE ENVIRONMENTAL HYGIENE, BUT WILL ALSO PROVIDE MORE OPEN SPACES AND ROAD SURFACES AND, MOREOVER, HONG KONG CAN LIVE UP TO ITS NAME OF THE FRAGRANT HARBOUR.+

COMMENTING ON ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION, MR SO SAID : +OWING TO THE DENSE POPULATION, THE SMALL AREA AND THE SOPHISTICATED DEVELOPMENT OF COMMERCE, INDUSTRY AND THE COMMUNITY IN HONG KONG, IT IS SO MUCH MORE DIFFICULT TO CARRY OUT THE WORK OF PROTECTING THE ENVIRONMENT.

+ IN ACCEPTING REALITY THE HONG KONG PEOPLE HAVE SHOWN MAXIMUM TOLERANCE OF ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION.*

HE WAS HOPEFUL THAT THE ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY, SET UP IN NOVEMBER LAST YEAR, WILL CONTRIBUTE CONSIDERABLY IN FORMULATING POLICY AND GIVING ADVICE ON THE PROTECTION OF OUR ENVIRONMENT.

TO PREVENT THE ENVIRONMENT FROM BEING FURTHER POLLUTED, MR SO ADDED, THE GOVERNMENT HAS ALREADY INTRODUCED A NUMBER OF MEASURES INCLUDING THE IMPLEMENTATION IN THE NEAR FUTURE .r WATER QUALITY CONTROL- THE INTRODUCTION OF THE AIR POLLUTION CONTROL BILL AND NOISE ABATEMENT BILL, AND BY TIGHTENING CONTROL OVER POISONOUS GASES AND DUST AT CONSTRUCTION SiTES.

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

.THURSDAY, MARCH 26, 1981

- 18 -

PREVENTIVE HEALTH MEASURES - A RECORD OF SUCCESS

*****

PREVENTIVE HEALTH MEASURES TAKEN BY THE GOVERNMENT TO STOP THE IMPORTATION OF QUARANTINABLE DISEASES INTO THE TERRITORY HAVE CONTRIBUTED TO THE OUTSTANDING HEALTH OF THE COMMUNITY AND TO THE SUCCESSFUL CONTROL OF COMMUNICABLE DISEASES.

THIS WAS STATED BY THE DEPUTY DIRECTOR OF MEDICAL AND HEALTH SERVICES, DR S.F. LAM, IN A TALK TO MEMBERS OF THE ROTARY CLUB OF KOWLOON THIS AFTERNOON.

HE SAID PREVENTION OF COMMUNICABLE DISEASES IN HONG KONG IS ONLY PART OF THE PREVENTIVE HEALTH SERVICE PROVIDED BY THE MEDICAL AND HEALTH DEPARTMENT.

HE POINTED OUT THAT PREVENTIVE MEDICINE IS EQUALLY IMPORTANT AS CURATIVE AND REHABILITATIVE MEDICINES IN MEDICAL SERVICE, ALTHOUGH IT HAS OFTEN BEEN IGNORED.

+IT IS RATHER PARADOXICAL THAT THE MORE SUCCESSFUL PREVENTIVE MEDICINE IS, THE LESS IS KNOWN ABOUT IT - FOR ITS SUCCESS MEANS THE ABSENCE OF DISEASES- AND WITH ABSENCE IT IS SOON FORGOTTEN UNTIL THE DISEASE DECIDES TO REAR ITS UGLY HEAD AGAIN IN THE FORM OF AN EPIDEMIC,+ HE SAID.

DR LAM WENT ON TO EXPLAIN THAT THE PROCEDURE OF PROVIDING MEDICAL CARE IS TO PREVENT CONTRACTING A DISEASE, THEN TO CURE WHAT IS NOT PREVENTABLE AND LASTLY TO REHABILITATE WHEN CURING FAILS.

IN THE PROVISION OF MEDICAL SERVICES, HE SAID, THE GOVERNMENT TAKES AS A FIRST PRIORITY THE PREVENTION OF SMALLPOX, YELLOW FEVER, CHOLERA AND PLAGUE, WHICH ARE.CLASS IF I ED UNDER THE INTERNATIONAL HEALTH REGULATIONS AND WHICH ARE ENDEMIC IN NEIGHBOURING COUNTRIES BECAUSE OF WAR, FAMINE AND’’PESTILENCE.

OF THE FOUR QUARANTINABLE DISEASES, DR LAM SAID, SMALLPOX HAS BEEN COMPLETELY ERADICATED WORLD-WIDE AS A RESULT OF INTERNATIONAL COOPERATION.

OF YELLOW FEVER, HE SAID, THE PARTICULAR SPECIES OF MOSQUITO WHICH TRANSMITS THE DISEASE IS ABSENT IN HONG KONG AND TO PREVENT THE INSECT FROM ENTERING, AIRCRAFT ARE SPRAYED WITH DISINFECTANTS.

HE URGED VISITORS TO COUNTRIES WHERE YELLOW FEVER IS PREVALENT TO OBTAIN IMMUNISATION FROM THE DEPARTMENT’S PORT HEALTH OFFICES.

HONG KONG WAS FREE FROM CHOLERA LAST YEAR, WHICH OCCURRED IN SPORADIC OUTBREAKS IN THE PAST, SAID DR LAM.

STRICT OBSERVANCE OF PERSONAL HYGIENE AND ENVIRONMENTAL HYGIENE IS THE MOST EFFECTIVE WAY OF CONTROLLING THE DISEASE, HE ADDED.

DR LAM WENT ON TO SAY THAT THE LAST TWO CASES OF PLAGUE OCCURRED IN 1929 AND THE LAST EPIDEMIC OUTBREAK WAS IN 1922.

HE EXPLAINED THAT THERE ARE THREE MODES OF PRESENTATION OF THIS DISEASE - BUBONIC, SEPTICAEMIC AND PNEUMONIC VARIETIES.

THURSDAY, MARCH 26, 1981

19

UNTREATED BUBONIC PLAGUE, THE LEAST SERIOUS OF THEM ALL HAS A FATALITY RATE OF BETWEEN 25 AND 50 PER CENT AND PNEUMONIC VARIETY IS OFTEN LETHAL, THOUGH WITH MODERN THERAPY, THIS IS NOT SO IF RECOGNISED AND TREATED EARLY.

+THIS WORLD-WIDE DISEASE SHOWS ITS PRESENCE IN LARGE AREAS OF AFRICA, AMERICAS AND ASIA. IT HAS RECENTLY BEEN A SERIOUS HEALTH PROBLEM IN INDIA, BURMA, INDONESIA AND NEPAL AND SINCE 1962 VIETNAM HAS EXPERIENCED A MARKED INCREASE OF SEVERAL THOUSAND CASES,+ SAID DR LAM.

HE WARNED THAT THE RECENT INFLUX OF VIETNAMESE REFUGEES AND I' DREASING NUMBER OF TRAVELLERS FROM THESE SOUTH ASIAN COUNTRIES TO '-ONG KONG HAS MADE THIS A LOCAL PROBLEM.

HE EMPHASISED THAT OVER THE YEARS, WITH CLOSE COOPERATION FROM THE URBAN SERVICES DEPARTMENT, A STRICT SURVEILLANCE OF THE RAT -•PULATION IN THE AIRPORT, WHARF AND WATER-FRONT GODOWN AREAS HAD .-EE' KEPT AS ONE OF THE PREVENTIVE MEASURES TO KEEP PLAGUE OUT.

RATS SUSPECTED TO BE CARRYING PLAGUE FLEA ARE SENT TO Pa’HOLOGICAL LABORATORIES EITHER AT SAI YING PUN OR AT THE QUEEN ELIZABETH HOSPITAL FOR EXAMINATION.

IN ORDER TO ENSURE THAT THE REFUGEES WOULD NOT POSE A HEALTH HAZARD TO OUR LOCAL POPULATION, ALL NEW ARRIVALS ARE REQUIRED TO BE EXAMINED BY THE PORT HEALTH OFFICERS AND MEMBERS OF THE AUXILIARY 'EDICAL SERVICE AND TO BE QUARANTINED, SAID DR LAM.

THESE STRICT PREVENTIVE MEASURES HAVE PROVED TO BE EFFECTIVE IN STOPPING THE INTRODUCTION OF QUARANTINABLE DISEASES, HE SAID.

+ EVEN AT THE HEIGHT OF THE REFUGEE INFLUX WHEN WE HAD A TOTAL OF 73 700 IN 1979, THERE WAS NO OUTBREAK OF ANY SERIOUS COMMUNICABLE DISEASE IN HONG KONG.+ HE ADDED.

IN ADDITION TO THESE DIRECT PREVENTIVE MEASURES, THE MEDICAL AND HEALTH DEPARTMENT ALSO CARRIED OUT OTHER LONG TERM PROJECTS WHICH HAVE SHOWN GOOD RESULTS.

THE ELIMINATION OF POLIOMYELITIS AND THE CONTROL OF MANY CHILDHOOD COMMUNICABLE DISEASES SUCH AS DIPHTHERIA, MEASLES AND TUBERCULOSIS ARE THE OUTCOME OF THE ENFORCEMENT OF A COMPREHENSIVE IMMUNISATION PROGRAMME, HE SAID.

THE PROMOTION OF HEALTH CARE FOR THE ELDERLY, THE MOTHER AND THE CHILD, AND THE IMPLEMENTATION OF HEALTH EDUCATION ARE ALSO WITHIN THE SCOPE OF PREVENTIVE HEALTH SERVICES, HE ADDED.

- - 0 - -

/20......

THURSDAY, MARCH 26, 1981

20

CONSUMER PRICE INDEXES FOR FEBRUARY

******

THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT TODAY PUBLISHED THE CONSUMER PRICE INDEXES FOR FEBRUARY 1981. THE CONSUMER PRICE INDEX (A) AND THE CONSUMER PRICE INDEX (B) FOR FEBRUARY 1981 WERE BOTH 176.

COMPARED WITH THE PREVIOUS MONTH, CPI (A) INCREASED BY FIVE POINTS, OR 2.9 PER CENT AND CPI (B) BY SIX POINTS OR 3.5 PER CENT. THESE INCREASES ARE LARGELY SEASONAL, THE RESULT OF HIGH PRICES FOR FOOD DURING THE LUNAR NEW YEAR. THIS YEAR THE SEASONAL EFFECT HAS BEEN LESS MARKED. IN FEBRUARY 1980, CP I (A) INCREASED BY EIGHT POINTS OR 5.3 PER CENT AND CPI (B) BY SEVEN POINTS OR 4.7 PER CENT.

COMPARED WITH FEBRUARY 1980, CPI (A) IN FEBRUARY 1981 INCREASED BY 18 POINTS OR 11.4 PER CENT AND CPI (B) BY 19 -01 TS OR 12.1 PER CENT. THESE REPRESENT AN IMPROVEMENT THE SITUATION IN JANUARY 1981 WHEN THE CORRESPONDING "••‘PAR ISONS WERE AN INCREASE OF 21 POINTS OR 14.0 PER CENT -JR CPI (A) AND 20 POINTS OR 13.3 PER CENT FOR CPI (B).

7HE CPI (A) IS BASED ON WEIGHTS DERIVED FROM THE EXPENDITURE PATTERN OF HOUSEHOLDS SPENDING BETWEEN $400 AND $1 499 A MONTH AND THE CPI (B) FROM THOSE SPENDING BETWEEN SI 500 AND $2 999 A 0 TH, AS DETERMINED IN THE HOUSEHOLD EXPENDITURE SURVEY OF lQ7~/74.

THE INDEXES FOR FEBRUARY 1981 IN RESPECT OF THE NINE COMPONENTS •CF HOUSEHOLD EXPENDITURE DISTINGUISHED IN THE TWO CONSUMER PRICE INDEXES ARE GIVEN BELOW, TOGETHER WITH THOSE FOR JANUARY 1981 AND FEt’UARY 1980.

COMPONENT FEB 81 CPI (A) CPI (B) FEB 81 JAN 81 FEB 1

JAN 81 FEB 80

FOODSTUFFS HOUSING FUEL AND LIGHT ALCOHOL IC DR INKS AND TOBACCO CLOTHING AND FOOTWEAR DURABLE GOODS MISCELLANEOUS GOODS TRANSPORT AND VEHICLES SERVICES ALL ITEMS 168 166 318 196 128 140 175 220 1°1 176 162 162 298 190 127 139 173 214 188 171 152 148 259 181 118 131 165 191 165 158 171 164 301 189 126 135 174 222 196 176 165 159 283 184 126 134 171 216 104 170 154 148 244 174 116 128 164 191 168 157

THE INDEX FOR THE FOODSTUFFS COMPONENT IN CPI (B) INCREASED BY SIX POINTS. WITH THE PRIC ITEMS GENERALLY HIGHER DURING THE LUNAR NEW YE SIGNIFICANT INCREASES IN RESPECT OF FRESH VEGE FISH, SALT-WATER FISH, PORK AND LIVE POULTRY. BOTH CP ES 0” FR AR, THER TABLES, 1 (A) AND ESri FOOD E WERE FRESHWATER

THURSDAY, MARCH 26, 1981

21

SIGNIFICANT INCREASES WERE ALSO RECORDED IN THE AVERAGE RETAIL PRICES OF EGGS AND RICE, AND OF MEALS BOUGHT IN RESTAURANTS. THE EFFECTS OF THE MOVEMENTS IN THE RETAIL PRICES OF OTHER FOOD ITEMS ON THE INDEX FOR THE FOODSTUFFS COMPONENT WERE INSIGNIFICANT.

AS A RESULT OF INCREASES IN RENTS FOR PRIVATE DWELLINGS, THE INDEX FOR THE HOUSING COMPONENT IN CPI (A) INCREASED BY FOUR °OINTS AND THAT IN CPI (B) BY FIVE POINTS.

THE INDEX FOR THE FUEL AND LIGHT COMPONENT IN CPI (A) INCREASED BY 20 POINTS AND THAT IN CPI (B) BY 18 POINTS, REFLECTING THE FULL IMPACT OF THE RISES IN THE PRICES OF EROSENE AND LIQUEFIED PETROLEUM GAS SINCE JANUARY AS ELL AS THE HIGHER CHARGES FOR ELECTRICITY.

THE INDEX FOR THE ALCOHOLIC DRINKS AND TOBACCO COMPONENT 'RI (A) INCREASED BY SIX POINTS AND THAT IN CPI (B) BY i/E POINTS, REFLECTING THE FULL IMPACT OF THE RISE IN THE RICE OF CIGARETTES SINCE JANUARY.

HIGHER PRICES FOR WOMEN’S FOOTWEAR AS WELL AS HIGHER TAILORING CHARGES CAUSED THE INDEX FOR THE CLOTHING AND FOOTWEAR COMPONENT IN -’I (A) TO INCREASE BY ONE POINT. THE INDEX FOR THIS COMPONENT IN CPI (E) REMAINED UNCHANGED BECAUSE OF ROUNDING.

THE ONE-POINT INCREASE IN THE INDEX FOR THE DURABLE GOODS COMPONENT IN BOTH CPI (A) AND CPI (B) WAS ATTRIBUTABLE TO HIGHER PRICES FOR CROCKERY, EARTHENWARE, HARDWARE, IRONMONGERY AND CUTLERY.

THE INDEX FOR THE MISCELLANEOUS GOODS COMPONENT IN CPI (A) INCREASED BY TWO POINTS AND THAT IN CPI (B) BY THREE POINTS AS A RESULT OF HIGHER PRICES FOR PERIODICALS, SOFT FURNISHINGS, TOILET REQUISITES, FRESH FLOWERS, SOAP AND DETERGENTS.

FOLLOWING HIGHER PRICES FOR PUBLIC LIGHT BUS FARES DURING THE LUNAR NEa YEAR. THE INDEX FOR THE TRANSPORT AND VEHICLES COMPONENT IN BOTH CPI (A) AND CPI (B) INCREASED BY SIX POINTS.

THE INDEX FOR THE SERVICES COMPONENT IN CPI (A) INCREASED BY THREE POINTS AND THAT IN CPI (B) BY TWO POINTS DUE TO HIGHER CHARGES FOR MEDICAL TREATMENT AND CINEMA ENTERTAINMENT AS *ELL AS THE TRADITIONAL INCREASE IN HAIRDRESSING CHARGES IMMEDIATELY BEFORE THE LUNAR NEw YEAR.

DETAILS OF THESE PRICE MOVEMENTS ARE GIVEN IN THE +CONSUMER PRICE INDEX REPORT* FOR FEBRUARY 1981, WHICH IS NOW AVAILABLE ON SALE AT S2 A COPY AT THE GOVERNMENT PUBLICATIONS CENTRE, GENERAL POST OFFICE BUILD IMG, GROUND FLOOR, CONNAUGHT PLACE.

THURSDAY, MARCH 26, 1981

22

TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS FOR CHING MING FESTIVAL ******

VISITORS TO GRAVES IN THE NEW TERRITORIES ARE URGED TO MAKE THEIR CHING MING HOMAGE EARLY OR ON OTHER NON-FESTIVAL DAYS TO ALLEVIATE CONGESTION ON TAI PO ROAD, A SPOKESMAN FOR THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT SAID TODAY.

THOSE GOING TO THE NORTHERN PART OF THE NEW TERRITORIES SY CAR ARE ADVISED TO USE ROUTE TWISK AND FAN KAM ROAD OR CASTLE PEAK ROAD AND TUEN MUN HIGHWAY AS ALTERNATIVE ROUTES.

SPECIAL TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS WILL BE INTRODUCED IN TAI SO, SANDY RIDGE AND AT THE TSUEN WAN CEMETERY DURING THE FESTIVAL PERIOD.

ON MARCH 28, 29 AND APRIL 4, 5, 6, 11 AND 12 WO HOP SHEK OAD WILL BE CLOSED TO ALL VEHICULAR TRAFFIC (EXCEPT HEARSES D EMERGENCY VEHICLES) BETWEEN 5 AM AND 8 PM.

ON MARCH 29 AND APRIL 5, 6 AND 12, ALL GOODS VEHICLES ■.E1G.HING OVER 45 CWT WILL BE PROHIBITED FROM USING TAI PO ROAD ETAEEN THE SHAT IN RACECOURSE AND THE FANLING ROUNDABOUT.

TAI PO ROAD MAY BE ROUTED ONE-WAY NORTH FROM THE JUNCTION

LAM KAM ROAD (HONG LOK YUEN) TO THE FANLING ROUNDABOUT ON ■-4, 5 AND 6 FROM 8 AM UNTIL IT BECOMES POSSIBLE TO REVERT ~j ,NORMAL TWO-WAY TRAFFIC FLOW.

“HIS ONE-WAY SYSTEM MAY ALSO BE IMPLEMENTED ON OTHER DAYS JR ING THE FESTIVAL PERIOD SHOULD THE TRAFFIC SITUATION WORSEN. STOP(STS WISHING TO RETURN TO KOWLOON FROM FANLING MAY TAKE HE ROUTE FROM FANLING ROUNDABOUT TO SHA TAU KOK ROAD, LUK KENG HOAD, TING KOK ROAD AND INTO TAI PO ROAD IN TAI PO.

THEY MAY ALSO TAKE THE ROUTE FROM FANLING ROUNDABOUT ALONG TAI PO ROAD TO SHEUNG SHU I CROSS ROADS AND INTO CASTLE PEAK ROAD TO KOWLOON VIA YUEN LONG- OR FROM FANLING ROUNDABOUT ALONG TAI PO ROAD TO SHEUNG SHU I CROSS ROADS, THEN INTO FAN KAM ROAD TO PAT HEUNG (KAM TIN) AND THROUGH ROUTE TWISK TO CASTLE PEAK ROAD OR THROUGH LAM KAM ROAD TO TAI PO ROAD.

WITH THE EXCEPTION OF PUBLIC TRANSPORT AND VEHICLES WITH CLOSED ROAD PERMITS, NO VEHICULAR TRAFFIC WILL BE ALLOWED TO ENTER MAN KAM TO ROAD AT ITS JUNCTION WITH SAN FUNG AVENUE IN SHEUNG SHU I.

MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC ARE URGED NOT TO PROCEED TO THESE AREAS BY PRIVATE CAR AS PARKING SPACES IN SHEUNG SHUI ARE EXTREMELY LIMITED. THEY SHOULD USE PUBLIC TRANSPORT BETWEEN SHEUNG SHUI AND LO «U.

THE ACCESS ROADS TO THE TSUEN WAN CEMETERY WILL BE CLOSED TO ALL VEHICULAR TRAFFIC, EXCEPT HEARSES OR EMERGENCY VEHICLES, ON APRIL 4, 5, AND 6 AND ANY OTHER DAYS DURING THE FESTIVAL PERIOD IF THE TRAFFIC SITUATION SO REQUIRES.

SINGLE LANE NOSE-TO-TAIL PARKING WILL BE PERMITTED, UNDER POLICE SUPERVISION, ON THE NORTH AND SOUTH SIDES OF ThE DJAu CARRIAGEWAY OF TEXACS ROAD.

/A SPSriAL ......

THURSDAY, MARCH 26, 1981

2?

A SPECIAL KMB ROUTE 73R WILL BE OPERATED BETWEEN SHEUNG SHU I AND MAN KAM TO (SAN UK LING) EVERY 12 MINUTES AT A FARE OF 50 CENTS PER TRIP ON APRIL 5 AND 6.

MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC ARE ADVISED TO USE PUBLIC TRANSPORT AS THERE WILL BE ADDITIONAL TRAINS, BUSES AND PLB SERVICES.

THERE WILL BE NO PARKING FACILITIES AVAILABLE AND ANY VEHICLE FOUND PARKED ILLEGALLY ON THE ROAD OR PAVEMENT MAY BE TOwED AWAY WITHOUT WARNING'*

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

NEED TO DEVELOP GOOD CHARACTER STRESSED *****

THE ASSISTANT DIRECTOR OF SOCIAL WELFARE, MRS EVELYN DOE, TODAY (THURSDAY) REMINDED YOUNG PEOPLE NOT TO NEGLECT THE NEED TO DEVELOP A GOOD CHARACTER.

APART FROM ACQUIRING ACADEMIC KNOWLEDGE, THEY SHOULD ALSO MAKE GOOD USE OF FREE TIME AND GET TO KNOW THE IMPORTANCE OF GROUP SPIRIT, COURAGE AND FAIRNESS THROUGH VARIOUS ACTIVITIES AND SPORTS, SHE SAID.

SHE WAS SPEAKING AT A PRIZE-GIVING CEREMONY OF THE FIRST SPORTS MEET ORGANISED BY THE SOCIETY OF BOYS’ CENTRES AT THE KOWLOON CHAI SPORTS GROUND.

MRS DOE PRAISED THE SOCIETY FOR PROVIDING CARE AND EDUCATION FOR CHILDREN AGED FROM EIGHT TO 16 YEARS WHO, FOR ONE REASON OR ANOTHER, COULD NOT STAY AT HOME.

SHE ENVISAGED GREATER RESPONSIBILITIES FOR THE CARE OF YOUNG PEOPLE. +IT IS ONLY THROUGH CLOSER COOPERATION AMONG US THAT WE CAN ACHIEVE POSITIVE RESULTS IN THIS AREA,* SHE SAID.

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

NEW SPORTS CENTRE FOR TSUEN WAN * * * *

AN INDOOR SPORTS CENTRE IN THE HEART OF TSUEN WAN NEW TOWN WILL OPEN IN AUGUST.

SITUATED NEXT TO THE LADY GRANTHAM HEALTH CLINIC ALONG CASTLE PEAK ROAD, THE CENTRE WILL REPLACE THE EXISTING CHAI wAN KOK TEMPORARY SPORTS CENTRE, WHICH IS TO BE CLOSED AT THE END OF THIS MONTH TO MAKE wAY FOR A FLATTED FACTORY.

REPROVISIONING OF THE NEW CENTRE, TO BE RENAMED ’TSUEN WAN DISTRICT ADVISORY BOARD SDCRTS CENTRE’, WILL START EARLY NEXT MONTH AND TAKE FOUR MONTHS TO COMPLETE. THE COST IS ABOUT S50Q 330

THE NEW CENTRE WILL HAVE FOUR BADMINTON COURTS, 20 TABLE TENNIS TABLES, AN ARCHERY RANGE AND FAC IL.ITIES FOR FENCING, DANCING, TRAMPOLINING AND GYMNASTICS.

/IT '.■.ILL....

THURSDAY, MARCH 26, 198

- 24 -

IT ILL CONTINUE TO EE FINANCED BY TSUEN WAN DISTRICT ADVISORY BOARD AND MANNED BY STAFF OF THE RECREATION AND SPORT SERVICE.

IT W ILL BE OPEN TO THE PUBLIC FROM 9 AM TO 9 PM DAILY AND ALL FACILITIES WILL BE PROVIDED FREE.

A TSUEN WAN DISTRICT OFFICE SPOKESMAN SAID TODAY (THURSDAY) THE OPENING OF THE NEW CENTRE, TOGETHER WITH THE SEVEN POSSIBLE RECREATIONAL SITES RECENTLY IDENTIFIED IN THE AREA, SHOWED THAT EVERY EFFORT WAS BEING MADE TO MEET RECREATIONAL NEEDS.

HE SAID AFTER CLOSURE OF THE TEMPORARY CENTRE, SPORTING FACILITIES ORGANISED BY STAFF OF THE RECREATION AND SPORT SERVICE WOULD BE AVAILABLE AT A SCHOOL IN TSUEN WAN FROM 5.30 PM - 9 PM ON WEEKDAYS AND FROM 9 AM - 9 PM ON SUNDAYS AND PUBLIC HOLIDAYS.

HE AGREED THAT CLOSURE OF THE CENTRE WOULD RESULT IN SOME INCONVENIENCE TO USERS, BUT ADDED: +WE WILL CARRY ON UNTIL THE CENTRE IS READY, EVEN THOUGH WE MIGHT HAVE TO OPERATE AT A EDUCED SCALE.+

THE CHAI WAN KOK TEMPORARY SPORTS CENTRE CAME INTO USE TWO ~ARS AGO, OCCUPYING TWO FLOORS OF A VACATED GODOWN ON THE ■RONT. IT HAS PROVIDED SPORTING ACTIVITIES FOR STUDENTS, ERS AND PEOPLE FROM ALL kALKS OF LIFE IN THE AREA.

DURING ITS FIRST YEAR, MORE THAN 72 000 PEOPLE FROM OVER GAN ISATIONS USED THE CENTRE- THE NUMBERS HAVE NEARLY DOUBLED £ CURRENT YEAR.

’HE SITE WILL BE HANDED BACK TO THE HOUSING DEPARTMENT EARLY " ONTH FOR CONVERSION TO A FACTORY.

A FAREWELL PARTY AND SPORTING DAY WILL BE HELD AT THE CENTRE ON VARCH 29.

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

EXPANSION PLAN FOR PREVOCATIONAL SCHOOLS

*****

THE GOVERNMENT PLANS TO ALLOCATE S6.5 MILLION IN THE NEXT FINANCIAL YEAR TO DEVELOP PREVOCATIONAL EDUCATION IN SCHOOLS, >RS LOUISE MOK, DEPUTY CHIEF INSPECTOR OF SCHOOLS SAID TODAY (THURSDAY).

THE AMOUNT WILL BE SPENT TO MEET EQUIPMENT AND CONVERSION CHARGES ON TWO NEW SUBJECTS, ENGINEERING SCIENCE, AND ELECTRONICS AND ELECTRICITY, AT FORM IV LEVEL IN PREVOCATIONAL SCHOOLS, SHE ADDED.

SHE WAS SPEAKING ON THE DEVELOPMENT OF PREVOCATIONAL EDUCATION IN THE '80S AT THE HONG KONG PREVOCATIONAL SCHOOLS JOINT ATHLETIC CARNIVAL HELD AT THE GOVERNMENT STADIUM.

PREVOCAT IONAL SCHOOLS WILL START FORM IV CLASSES THIS SEPTEMBER, AND 53 MILLION HAD BEEN EARMARKED TO IM-ROVE THE STAFFING RATIO AND RECRUIT GRADUATE TEACHERS, MRS MOK SAID.

STUDENTS FROM THESE SCHOOLS WILL ENTER THE HONG KONG CERTIFICATE OF EDUCATION EXAMINATION FOR THE FIRST TIME IN MAY 1993.

/F0K?S .....

THURSDAY, MARCH 26, 19E1

25

FUNDS AMOUNTING TO $200 MILLION HAVE BUILDING ANOTHER 12 PREVOCATIONAL SCHOOLS

ALSO BEEN ALLOCATED FOR BETWEEN 1982 AND 1984.

♦BESIDES OFFERING A SOLID FOUNDATION PREVOCATIONAL SCHOOLS ALSO

IN GENERAL EDUCATION,

— -- - — -- DEVELOP THE REQUISITE

SKILLS TO BECOME CRAFTSMEN AND TECHNICIANS LATER 0N,+ MRS MOK

HELP PUPILS TO

SAID.

PREVOCATIONAL SCHOOLS HAD BEEN GAINING IN POPULARITY. SHE Sa ID, NOTING THAT MORE THAN 13 000 PRIMARY SCHOOL LEAVERS OR ABOUT ONE-SIXTH OF THE PRIMARY SIX POPULATION, HAD APPLIED FOR ADMISSION INTO PREVOCATIONAL SCHOOLS THIS SEPTEMBER.

----0------

AUCTION OF SPECIAL CAR NUMBERS X * X M

THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT WILL HOLD ANOTHER AUCTION OF SPECIAL CAR REGISTRATION NUMBERS ON SATURDAY (MARCH 28) AT 10 AM IN THE CITY HALL LECTURE HALL.

A TOTAL OF 35 SPECIAL CAR NUMBERS WILL BE AVAILABLE -GR BIDDING. THEY AREj

CJ 993 CH9002 CJ3111 CK1238 CJ7008

CJ1798 CJ 327 CJ 826 CK 338 CK3233

CC 63 AJ 77 AJ 11 CM 1 CM 71

CK 66 CL 353 1696 738 1889

CL1122 CH 4 HK 868 AA 93 CJ3666

CJ2006 CJ 138 CJ 148 CK 328 CK 883

CJ3238 CJ3138 CK2008 CJ3288 CM 924

SUCCESSFUL^ IDDERS MUST PAY IN CASH OR BY CHEQUE IMMEDIATELY

A TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT SPOKESMAN REMINDED BIDDERS THAT THE VEHICLE REGISTRATION NUMBER WOULD BE ASSIGNED ONLY TO A VEHICLE THE'AUCTIONTHE NAME °F ™E SUCCESSFUL B,DDER WITHIN 12 MONTHS OF

PROCEEDS OF THE AUCTION, THE 62KD ORGANISED BY THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT SINCE MAY 1973, WILL AS USUAL GO TO THE GOVERNMENT LOTTERIES FUND.

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

/25......

THURSDAY, MARCH 26, 1931

NOTE TO EDITORS:

TRANSPORT FOR DISABLED EXHIBITION OPENS ON SATURDAY

*****

THE DIFFICULTIES DISABLED PEOPLE FACE IN GETTING AROUND AND WAYS THEY CAN BE HELPED WILL BE THE THEME OF AN EXHIBITION TO BE HELD IN TUEN MUN FROM MARCH 23 TO APRIL 3.

THE OPENING CEREMONY WILL TAKE PLACE AT 3 PM ON SATURDAY (MARCH 28) AT TUEN MUN PLAYGROUND, HEUNG SZE WUI ROAD. OFFICIATING WILL BE LADY CATER, PRESIDENT OF THE HONG KONG COMMUNITY CHEST- MR DAVID AKERS-JONES, SECRETARY FOR THE NEW TERRITORIES- AND MR LAU WONG-FAT, CHAIRMAN OF THE HEUNG YEE KUK.

THE EXHIBITION WILL FEATURE PHOTOGRAPHIC DISPLAYS, POSTERS AND A MODEL OF ROADS AND ACCESSES IN WHICH VISITORS WILL BE ABLE 0 TRAVEL ON WHEELCHAIRS TO EXPERIENCE TRANSPORT PROBLEMS OF 0 CABLED PERSONS.

YOU ARE INVITED TO SEND REPRESENTATIVES TO COVER THE EVENT. G37;- <ENT TRANSPORT WILL LEAVE KO*LOON PUBLIC PIER AT 1.30 PM. ’ DONALD STRANGE OF THE NEW TERRITORIES ADMINISTRATION WILL BE =- ,'E 7 TO ASSIST.

- -■ - - 0 -----------------------------

PLB PROHIBITION AT KOWLOON CITY FERRY CONCOURSE *****

FROM 10 AM ON MARCH 28, ALL PUBLIC LIGHT BUSES, UNLESS UTHORISED, WILL BE PROHIBITED FROM ENTERING THE PUBLIC LIGHT BUS +MAXICAB+ STAND AT THE KOWLOON CITY FERRY CONCOURSE.

AT THE SAME TIME, THE EXISTING PUBLIC LIGHT BUS PROHIBITION «T THE FERRY CONCOURSE CAR PARK WILL BE RESCINDED.

APPROPRIATE TRAFFIC SIGNS. WILL BE ERECTED TO INDICATE THE ABOVE PROHIBITION.

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

DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN

ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE. HONG KONG. TEL: 5-233191

FRIDAY, MARCH 27, 1981

CONTENTS PAGE NO.

STUDENT LOANS TO COVER TUITION FEE INCREASES IN UK............. 1

GROWTH IN AIRBORNE TRADE ...................................... 3

PUBLIC TRANSPORT PRIORITY SCHEMES STUDIES ..................... 5

TB INCIDENCES LOW ............................................. 6

GOVERNMENT APPRENTICES RECEIVE CERTIFICATES ................... 7

FIRST URBAN DISTRICT BOARD APPOINTED .......................... 8

PRESS FACILITIES FOR THE INAUGURAL MEETING OF THE KWUN TONG DISTRICT BOARD ...................................... 8

NEW TERRITORIES LAND COMPENSATION INCREASED ................... 9

MORE STUDY ROOMS OPEN DURING EXAMINATION PERIOD ............... 9

SPECIAL TRAINS FOR CHING MING FESTIVAL ....................... 10

HONG KONG JING YING RETURNS FROM LONDON TOUR.................. 10

TSUEN WAN TOWN MANAGER CALLS FOR CHANGE OF ATTITUDE........... 11

TRAINING COURSE FOR INDUSTRIAL INSTRUCTORS ................... 12

SHORTAGE OF SCOUTS ACTIVITIES VENUES ......................... 13

NEW MAXICAB ROUTE IN TSUEN WAN ............................... 14

FRIDAY, MARCH 27, 1981

1

STUDENT LOANS TO COVER TUITION FEE INCREASES IN UK

* M M M M M

INTEREST-FREE LOANS WILL BE OFFERED BY THE GOVERNMENT TO COVER THE FULL INCREASE IN TUITION FEES EXPERIENCED BY HONG KONG STUDENTS IN THE UNITED KINGDOM AS A RESULT OF THE U.K. GOVERNMENT’S DECISION TO INCREASE FEES FOR OVERSEAS STUDENTS.

STUDENTS WHO COMMENCED STUDIES IN UNIVERSITIES AND POLYTECHNICS IN THE UNITED KINGDOM IN SEPTEMBER 1980 ARE ALREADY ELIGIBLE FOR LOANS OF UP TO 2 000 POUNDS STERLING UNDER AN EMERGENCY SCHEME INSTITUTED RECENTLY BY THE GOVERNMENT TO OFFER IMMEDIATE FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE TO THOSE SUFFERING HARDSHIP IN THE CURRENT ACADEMIC YEAR.

LOANS UNDER THE LONG-TERM SCHEME WILL ALSO BE MADE TO FULL-TIME STUDENTS ON FIRST-DEGREE OR EQUIVALENT POLYTECHNIC COURSES. THE LOAN SCHEME WILL BE EFFECTIVE FROM SEPTEMBER THIS YEAR, ALLOWING TIME FOR APPLICATIONS TO BE EXAMINED PROPERLY.

A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN SAID THE MAXIMUM ANNUAL LOAN WOULD 3E LIMITED TO THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN THE ACTUAL COURSE FEE CHARGED AND THE HOME STUDENT FEE. THE HOME STUDENT FEE FOR 1981/82 IS 900 POUNDS STERLING AND THIS COMPARES WITH THE RECENTLY ANNOUNCED MINIMUM FEES FOR OVERSEAS STUDENTS FOR THE FORTHCOMING ACADEMIC YEAR OF i

UNIVERSITY COURSES (IN POUNDS STERLING)

ARTS I 2 500

SCIENCE i 3 600

MEDICINE I 6 000

POLYTECHNIC COURSES

(IN POUNDS STERLING)

ARTS t 2 649

SCIENCE i 3 672

THIS MEANS THAT A UNIVERSITY ARTS STUDENT MAY BE GIVEN LOANS UP TO 1 600 POUNDS STERLING FOR 1981/82, WHEREAS A MEDICAL STUDENT MAY RECEIVE UP TO 5 100 POUNDS STERLING FOR THAT YEAR. LOAN ASSISTANCE FOR THE SUBSEQUENT YEARS OF HIS COURSE WILL BE RE-CALCULATED AT THAT TIME.

THE ACTUAL LOAN ISSUED WILL BE LIMITED TO THE AMOUNT NEEDED IN EACH PARTICULAR CASE. IT IS ESTIMATED THAT AROUND S22 MILLION MAY BE ISSUED IN THIS MANNER FOR 1981/82.

/the loan ....

FKEDAI, MABCH 27, 1981

2

THE LOAN SCHEME WILL BE REVIEWED IN A YEAR’S TIME TO TAKE ACCOUNT OF FURTHER INCREASES IN TUITION FEES AND ANY OTHER RELEVANT FACTORS WHICH MAY COME TO LIGHT.

COMMENTING ON THE SCHEME, THE SPOKESMAN SAID THAT THE GOVERNMENT RECOGNISED THE NEED TO MAINTAIN OPPORTUNITIES FOR HONG KONG STUDENTS TO SEEK HIGHER EDUCATION IN THE UNITED KINGDOM WITH WHICH HONG KONG HAD TRADITIONAL ACADEMIC LINKS.

♦PENDING THE CONCLUSIONS OF THE COMMITTEE TO REVIEW POST SECONDARY AND TECHNICAL EDUCATION, THE DECISION REPRESENTS THE GOVERNMENT’S CONCERN TO ASSIST THOSE HONG KONG STUDENTS WHO HAVE BEEN PLACED IN A DIFFICULT SITUATION,♦ THE SPOKESMAN SAID.

THE PROCEDURES TO DETERMINE THE SIZE OF THE LOANS, AND THE CONDITIONS ATTACHED, WILL BE SIMILAR AS FAR AS POSSIBLE, TO THOSE ADOPTED FOR THE LOCAL STUDENT FINANCE SCHEME. HOWEVER, THERE IS A BASIC DIFFERENCE BETWEEN THE TWO SCHEMES1 THE LOCAL SCHEME ENSURES THAT NO STUDENT WHO QUALIFIES FOR A PLACE AT THE TWO UNIVERSITIES OR THE POLYTECHNIC HAS TO TURN IT DOWN BECAUSE OF FINANCIAL NEED, WHEREAS THE UK SCHEME IS INTENDED TO AMELIORATE THE EFFECT OF THE INCREASE IN FEES FOR OVERSEAS STUDENTS AND THE FAMILIES CONCERNED MUST PROVIDE THE STUDENT’S LIVING EXPENSES IN BRITAIN AS WELL AS THE EQUIVALENT OF THE FEE CHARGEABLE TO BRITISH STUDENTS, WHICH TOGETHER WILL AMOUNT TO ABOUT 4 OOO POUNDS STERLING FOR 1981/82.

NEVERTHELESS, APPLICANTS WILL BE MEANS-TESTED TO ENSURE THAT ONLY NEEDY STUDENTS WILL RECEIVE HELP. THE AMOUNT OF EACH LOAN WILL DEPEND ON DISPOSABLE FAMILY INCOME.

LETTERS OF INDEMNITY WILL BE REQUIRED FROM AN APPLICANT’S PARENT AND ONE OTHER PERSON IN HONG KONG. LOANS WILL BE REPAYABLE BY 20 QUARTERLY INSTALMENTS OVER A PERIOD OF FIVE YEARS IMMEDIATELY AFTER THE COMPLETION OF THE STUDENT’S COURSE.

BECAUSE THE LOANS CONSTITUTE PART OF THE ANNUAL TUITION FEES, THEY WILL BE PAID DIRECT TO THE INSTITUTIONS CONCERNED.

THE EXAMINATION OF APPLICATION FORMS WILL BE UNDERTAKEN BY THE UNIVERSITY AND POLYTECHNIC GRANTS COMMITTEE OFFICE IN HONG KONG.

FRIDAY, MARCH 27, 1981

3

GROWTH IN AIRBORNE TRADE * * *

AIRBORNE MERCHANDISE TRADE IN 1980 WAS VALUED AT $46 177 MILLION, REPRESENTING AN INCREASE OF 26 PER CENT OVER 1979.

AIRBORNE DOMESTIC EXPORTS WERE VALUED AT 117 091 MILLION (UP 26 PER CENT), IMPORTS AT $20 846 MILLION (UP 23 PER CENT), AND RE-EXPORTS AT $8 240 MILLION (UP 36 PER CENT).

FOR THE YEAR AS A WHOLE, 25 PER CENT OF THE VALUE OF TOTAL DOMESTIC EXPORTS, 19 PER CENT OF TOTAL IMPORTS AND 27 PER CENT OF TOTAL RE-EXPORTS WERE DESPATCHED BY AIR.

SUMMARY TRADE STATISTICS ON AIRBORNE MERCHANDISE TRADE FOR 1980 WERE RELEASED BY THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT TODAY.

THE FOLLOWING TABLE ILLUSTRATES THE RELATIVE IMPORTANCE OF THE SIX MAJOR MARKETS FOR HONG KONG’S AIRBORNE DOMESTIC EXPORTSi

1980 (HK$ MN.) 1979 (HK$ MN.) INCREASE/DECREASE PERCENTAGE

(HK$ MN.) CHANGE

USA 6 703 5 631 ♦1 072 +19

F.R. OF GERMANY 1 972 1 609 + 362 ♦23

UK 1 516 975 ♦ 541 ♦55

JAPAN 920 1 039 - 119 -11

SWITZERLAND 541 397 ♦ 144 +36

FRANCE 522 317 ♦ 204 ♦64

BY COMMODITY, INCREASES IN AIRBORNE DOMESTIC EXPORTS WERE REGISTERED MAINLY IN WATCHES AND CLOCKS (BY $1 769 MILLION OR 46 PER CENT), CLOTHING (BY 1612 MILLION OR 14 PER CENT), AS WELL AS CONCENTRATES OF PRECIOUS METALS, WASTE SCRAP AND SWEEPINGS OF PRECIOUS METALS (OTHER THAN GOLD) (BY $312 MILLION OR 1 174 PER CENT).

HOWEVER, DECLINES WERE NOTED FOR BABY CARRIAGES, TOYS, GAMES AND SPORTING GOODS (BY 1102 MILLION OR 20 PER CENT), AS WELL AS PHOTOGRAPHIC APPARATUS AND EQUIPMENT (BY $72 MILLION OR 35 PER CENT).

FURTHER ANALYSIS OF COMMODITY BY COUNTRY REVEALED SIGNIFICANT GROWTH IN AIRBORNE DOMESTIC EXPORTS OF WATCHES AND CLOCKS TO THE USA (BY $525 MILLION OR 58 PER CENT), THE F.R. OF GERMANY (BY $138 MILLION OR 32 PER CENT) AND FRANCE (BY $126 MILLION OR 84 PER CENT)" AND OF CLOTHING TO THE F.R. OF GERMANY (BY $200 MILLION OR 25 PER CENT), THE USA (BY $173 MILLION OR 9 PER CENT) AND THE UK (BY $147 MILLION OR 47 PER CENT).

ON THE OTHER HAND, AIRBORNE DOMESTIC EXPORTS OF CLOTHING TO JAPAN DECLINED (BY $70 MILLION OR 15 PER CENT).

/AI2B0BNB IMPOSTS ........

IBIDAY, XABCH 2?, 1981

4

AIRBORNE IMPORTS FROM BELOW i

THE SIX MAJOR SUPPLIERS ARE SHOWN

1980 (HK$ MN.) 1979 (HK$ MN.) INCREASE/DECREASE PERCENTAGE (HK$ MN.) CHANGE

USA 4 722 3 386 ♦1 336 ♦39

JAPAN 4 661 3 586 ♦1 075 ♦30

SWITZERLAND 2 186 1 881 ♦ 305 ♦16

UK 1 012 998 14 ♦ 1

TAIWAN 981 736 + 246 ♦33

ISRAEL 975 900 + 75 ♦ 8

INCREASES WERE REGISTERED IN AIRBORNE IMPORTS OF WATCHES AND CLOCKS (BY 11 456 MILLION OR 36 PER CENT), AIRCRAFT AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT (BY $501 MILLION OR 116 PER CENT), AS WELL AS THERMIONIC, COLD CATHODE AND PHOTO-CATHODE VALVES AND TUBES, PHOTOCELLS AND TRANSISTORS (BY $401 MILLION OR 15 PER CENT).

IN CONTRAST, DECREASES WERE NOTED IN THE SUPPLY, BY AIR, OF INTERNAL COMBUSTION PISTON ENGINES (BY $155 MILLION OR 81 PER CENT), AS WELL AS PEARLS, PRECIOUS AND SEMI-PRECIOUS STONES (BY $111 MILLION OR 5 PER CENT).

GROWTH WAS RECORDED IN AIRBORNE IMPORTS OF WATCHES AND CLOCKS FROM JAPAN (BY $507 MILLION OR 32 PER CENT) AND SWITZERLAND (BY $238 MILLION OR 17 PER CENT). THE USA WAS THE LARGEST SUPPLIER CF AIRCRAFT AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT, SHOWING AN INCREASE OF $561 MILLION OR 177 PER CENT.

GROWTH WAS ALSO RECORDED IN AIRBORNE IMPORTS OF THERMIONIC, COLD CATHODE AND PHOTO-CATHODE VALVES AND TUBES, PHOTOCELLS AND TRANSISTORS FROM JAPAN (BY $83 MILLION OR 14 PER CENT), REPUBLIC OF KOREA (BY $65 MILLION OR 16 PER CENT) AND THE USA (BY $33 MILLION OR 5 PER CENT).

ABOUT 48 PER CENT OF THE VALUE OF THE AIRBORNE IMPORTS OF PEARLS, PRECIOUS AND SEMI-PRECIOUS STONES WERE FROM ISRAEL, REPRESENTING AN INCREASE OF $74 MILLION OR 8 PER CENT.

AIRBORNE RE-EXPORTS CONTINUED TO GROW IN I960. MAJOR REEXPORT ITEMS WITH SUBSTANTIAL INCREASES WERE WATCHES AND CLOCKS (BY $767 MILLION OR 68 PER CENT), SILVER, PLATINUM AND OTHER METALS CF THE PLATINUM GROUP (BY $149 MILLION OR 133 PER CENT), AS WELL AS THE THERMIONIC, COLD CATHODE AND PHOTO-CATHODE VALVES AND TUBES, PHOTOCELLS AND TRANSISTORS (BY $145 MILLION OR 17 PER CENT).

FOLLOWING THE SAME TREND AS AIRBORNE IMPORTS, AIRBORNE REEXPORTS OF PEARLS, PRECIOUS AND SEMI-PRECIOUS STONES DECLINED (BY $250 MILLION OR 18 PER CENT).

/THE USA .......

FRIDAY, MARCH 2?, 1981

5

THE USA OVERTOOK JAPAN AND BECAME THE LARGEST MARKET FOR HONG KONG’S AIRBORNE RE-EXPORTS, WITH A VALUE OF Si 070 MILLION (AN INCREASE OF $244 MILLION OR 29 PER CENT).

INCREASES IN AIRBORNE RE-EXPORTS WERE ALSO REGISTERED FOR THE UK (BY 398 MILLION OR 209 PER CENT), SINGAPORE (BY $3*5 MILLION OR 55 PER CENT), TAIWAN (BY $185 MILLION OR 23 PER CENT) AND SWITZERLAND (BY $134 MILLION OR 53 PER CENT). AIRBORNE RE-EXPORTS TO JAPAN CONTINUED TO DECLINE (BY $168 MILLION OR 14 PER CENT).

0

PUBLIC TRANSPORT PRIORITY SCHEMES STUDIES * * *

THE GOVERNMENT HAS APPOINTED A CONSULTANT FIRM TO INVESTIGATE gf? PUBL,C TRANSPORT PRIORITY SCHEMES WHICH

ARE CONSIDERED TO BE ESSENTIAL FOR THE IMPROVEMENT OF THE SERVICES.

AN AGREEMENT TO THIS EFFECT WAS SIGNED TODAY BETWEEN MR HAROLD BEATON, PRINCIPAL GOVERNMENT HIGHWAY ENGINEER OF THE PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT AND MR JOHN WHITEFIELD, A PARTNER OF MOTT, HAY AND ANDERSON FAR EAST.

UNDER THE AGREEMENT, THE CONSULTANT FIRM WILL CARRY OUT TRAFFIC STUDIES AT SOME 50 LOCATIONS WHERE BUS SERVICES ARE SAID TO HAVE EXPERIENCED DELAY AND WHERE PUBLIC TRANSPORT PRIORITY MEASURES ARE CONSIDERED ADVANTAGEOUS.

w,ll have 18 months TO COMPLETE ALL INVESTIGATION,

PLANNING, DESIGN AND SUPERVISION OF CONSTRUCTION WORKS FOR THOSE SCHEMES FOR WHICH IMPROVEMENTS ARE CONSIDERED FEASIBLE.

THE APPOINTMENT OF CONSULTANTS FOLLOWED A DECISION BY THE TRANSPORT ADVISORY COMMITTEE IN OCTOBER LAST YEAR THAT ALL THE SCHEMES SHOULD BE INVESTIGATED AND ALL THOSE FOUND FEASIBLE SHOULD BE IMPLEMENTED WITHIN 18 MONTHS.

♦THE NEED FOR THE PUBLIC TRANSPORT PRIORITY MEASURES STEMS FROM THE RAPID GROWTH IN VEHICULAR TRAFFIC IN HONG KONG,* SAID MR BEATON.

♦THE INCREASING VOLUME OF TRAFFIC HAS IN THE LEVEL OF SERVICE PROVIDED BY PUBLIC WHICH IS AN EFFICIENT USER OF ROAD SPACE.♦

RESULTED IN A DECLINE TRANSPORT, A MODE

- - o - -

/6

FRIDAY, MARCH 27, 1981

6

TB INCIDENCES LOW

* * * I

HONG KONG HAS KEPT THE INCIDENCE OF TUBERCULOSIS RELATIVELY LOW DURING THE PAST YEAR DESPITE THE INFLUX OF REFUGEES FROM VIETNAM AND ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS FROM CHINA, THE DIRECTOR CF MEDICAL AND HEALTH SERVICES, DR K.L. THONG SAID TODAY (FRIDAY).

THE TOTAL NOTIFICATIONS FOR TUBERCULOSIS IN 1980 WERE MAINTAINED AT PRACTICALLY THE SAME LEVEL AS IN 1979 DESPITE FEARS THAT EFFORTS TO COMBAT THE DISEASE MIGHT BE TAMPERED BY THE FLOW OF IMMIGRANTS.

+ INDEED DURING THE LAST QUARTER OF 1980, THERE WAS A SUBSTANTIAL FALL IN THE NUMBER OF NOTIFICATIONS, AND EVIDENCE NOW AVAILABLE TO US INDICATES THAT PROGRESS HAS AGAIN BEEN RESUMED,* HE SAID.

SPEAKING IN HIS CAPACITY AS PRESIDENT OF HONG KONG ANTITUBERCULOSIS, CHEST AND HEART DISEASES ASSOCIATION, AT ITS ANNUAL MEETING, DR THONG POINTED OUT THAT THERE WERE AN ESTIMATED 4 000 CASES OF TB NOTIFICATIONS AMONG VIETNAMESE REFUGEES AND ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS DURING THE PAST TWO YEARS.

THIS BURDEN WAS PLACED SQUARELY ON THE DEPARTMENT’S CHEST SERVICE, WHICH HANDLED THE PROBLEM WITH EFFICIENCY AND WITH THE LEAST FUSS, HE SAID.

IN DRUGS ALONE, HE ADDED, THE COST TO THE COMMUNITY WAS ABOUT $1.5 MILLION.

♦WITHOUT BEING COMPLACENT, I THINK IT SAYS A LOT FOR THE GOVERNMENT, ABLY SUPPORTED BY THE ASSOCIATION AND OTHER VOLUNTARY BODIES, WHICH HAVE MANAGED TO OVERCOME VERY REAL DIFFICULTIES THAT WERE SUDDENLY AND OVER-WHELMINGLY IMPOSED ON US,+ HE SAID.

DR THONG WENT ON TO SAY THAT HONG KONG HAS THE LARGEST NUMBER CF BABIES VACCINATED AT BIRTH WITH BCG IN THE WORLD.

THE COLLABORATION WITH THE MEDICAL RESEARCH COUNCIL OF THE UNITED KINGDOM HAS NEVER BEEN MORE FINELY ATTUNED, HE NOTED, ADDING THAT HONG KONG IS IN THE FOREFRONT OF SHORT-COURSE CHEMOTHERAPY BOTH IN RESEARCH AND ITS APPLICATION IN PRACTICE.

TURNING TO OTHER DISEASES OF THE CHEST, DR THONG POINTED OUT THAT OVER THE LAST 10 YEARS, THE NUMBER OF LUNG CANCER DEATHS HAS MORE THAN DOUBLED.

LAST YEAR ALONE, 1 800 PEOPLE DIED OF LUNG CANCER COMPARED WITH 550 OF TUBERCULOSIS.

LUNG CANCER IS BY FAR THE MOST COMMON IN HONG KONG AND IN SPITE OF EFFORTS BY CHEST PHYSICIANS AND SURGEONS, THE PROGNOSIS AS A WHOLE REMAINS POOR, HE SAID.

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

/7 ......

FRIDAY, MARCH 27, 1981

7

GOVERNMENT APPRENTICES RECEIVE CERTIFICATES *****

LEGISLATIVE COUNCILLOR, MR ALLEN LEE, TODAY CALLED ON THE GRADUATING GOVERNMENT APPRENTICES TO CONT IKUE THEIR QUEST FOR SKILL AND KNOWLEDGE EVEN AFTER fRAINING.’

THE CALL WAS MADE AT THE GRADUATION CEREMONY HELD AT MORRISON HILL TECHNICAL SCHOOL.

♦YOU SHOULD NOT IMAGINE THAT YOU HAVE REACHED YOUR FINAL GOAL AND BE CONTENT AT YOUR PRESENT LEVEL OF SKILL AND KNOWLEDGE,* W LEE SAID.

+AS SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY DEVELOP, DESIGNS OF ENGINEERING PLANTS AND EQUIPMENT ARE MORE AND MORE SOPHISTICATED IN ORDER TO OBTAIN HIGHER PRODUCTIVITY.

♦TO SUPPLEMENT THE TECHNOLOGISTS* EFFORTS TO ACHIEVE THESE, YOU GRADUATING APPRENTICES SHOULD DEVELOP YOUR SKILLS FURTHER AND KEEP YOURSELVES UP-TO-DATE WITH THE LATEST INFORMATION AND TECHNICAL KNOWLEDGE.♦

AT TODAY’S GRADUATION CEREMONY, MR LEE PRESENTED CERTIFICATES TO 23 TECHNICAL AND 50 CRAFT APPRENTICES.

HE SAID THE OCCASION MARKED YET ANOTHER YEAR OF EFFORT BY THE PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT, THE KOWLOON-CANTON RAILWAY, THE FIRE SERVICES DEPARTMENT AND THE ROYAL HONG KONG POLICE FORCE IN PROVIDING TRAINED TECHNICIANS AND CRAFTSMEN FOR THE GOVERNMENT AND THE INDUSTRY.

HE RECALLED THAT THE PWD AND THE KOWLOON-CANTON RAILWAY’S FORMAL INDENTURED TRADE APPRENTICE TRAINING WAS STARTED IN MID-195O’S.

♦THIS WAS RE-STRUCTURED IN 1969 TO INCLUDE TWO STREAMS TO PROVIDE TRAINING FOR CRAFTSMEN AND TECHNICIANS. THERE HAVE BEEN SOME 750 APPRENTICES GRADUATED UNDER THIS NEW SCHEME- MANY OF THEM ARE NOW HOLDING JOBS AS WORKS SUPERVISORS, INSPECTORS, OR ENGINEERS IN GOVERNMENT SERVICE AND SIMILAR POSITIONS IN THE PRIVATE INDUSTRIAL SECTOR,♦ HE SAID.

AT PRESENT, SOME 468 CRAFT AND 164 TECHNICAL APPRENTICES ARE SERVING THEIR APPRENTICESHIP IN GOVERNMENT.

MR LEE, WHO IS CHAIRMAN OF THE ELECTRONIC COMMITTEE OF THE HONG KONG GENERAL CHAMBER OF COMMERCE, WAS GLAD TO NOTE THAT GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS ARE MAKING A GREAT EFFORT IN THE PROVISION OF SKILLED MANPOWER WHICH IS SO NEEDED IN HONG KONG.

AT THE CEREMONY, MR LEE ALSO PRESENTED THE +BROWN+ CUP TO THE BEST TECHNICAL APPRENTICE, MR WONG KAI-MING, OF THE WATER SUPPLIES DEPARTMENT. THE +LAISHLEY+ CUP FOR THE BEST CRAFT APPRENTICE WAS PRESENTED TO MR YAU KWOK-KEUNG OF THE ELECTRICAL AND MECHANICAL OFFICE, PWD.

FRIDAY, MARCH 27, 1981

8

FIRST URBAN DISTRICT BOARD APPOINTED ******

MEMBERS TO THE FIRST DISTRICT BOARD IN THE URBAN AREA — AT KWUN TONG — HAVE BEEN APPOINTED BY THE GOVERNOR, SIR MURRAY MACLEHOSE.

THE APPOINTMENT OF 22 MEMBERS TO THE BOARD FOR 18 MONTHS FROM APRIL 1, APPEARED IN THE GAZETTE TODAY (FRIDAY).

THE BOARD WILL ALSO COMPRISE THREE URBAN COUNCILLORS AND REPRESENTATIVES FROM SIX GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS. IT WILL BE CHAIRED BY THE CITY DISTRICT COMMISSIONER, KWUN TONG.

SIR MURRAY WILL ATTEND THE INAUGURAL MEETING OF THE BOARD ON APRIL 2 AT THE LEUNG SHEK CHEE COLLEGE, SAU MAU PING.

THE APPOINTED MEMBERS ARE MESSRS CHAN WAI, CHAN KANG-CHOW, MADAM CHAN SIU, MESSRS CHEUNG SHEK-FU, CHEUNG TING-CHEONG, EDDIE LAMB, LAM HANG-FAI, LAM KIN-KWOK, LAM LEUNG-KEE, MADAM LEUNG FU-WING, MR LOO CHING-HO, MISS MONA LO, MR MAU KEI-ON, MRS NG CHU LEIN-FAN, MESSRS NG PING-TAK, TONG PO-KWAI, WONG KWAI-LUK, THE HON WONG LAM, MR WONG WAH-SANG, MRS AGNES YEUNG, MESSRS YEUNG KWOK-YIU AND YIP YAM-TONG.

ALSO SERVING ON THE BOARD TO SEPTEMBER 30, 1982 WILL BE URBAN COUNCILLORS MRS ELSIE ELLIOTT, MR AMBROSE K.C. CHOI AND W STEPHEN M.K. LAU WITH REPRESENTATIVES OF THE DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC WORKS, DIRECTOR OF URBAN SERVICES, DIRECTOR OF HOUSING, DIRECTOR OF SOCIAL WELFARE, COMMISSIONER FOR TRANSPORT AND COMMISSIONER FOR RECREATION AND CULTURE.

- . 0 - -

NOTE TO EDITORS*

PRESS FACILITIES FOR THE INAUGURAL MEETING OF THE KWUN TONG DISTRICT BOARD

* * * *

ARRANGEMENTS HAVE BEEN MADE FOR THE PRESS TO ATTEND THE INAUGURAL MEETING OF KWUN TONG DISTRICT BOARD, AT 3 PM ON THURSDAY (APRIL 2) AT THE LEUNG SHEK CHEE COLLEGE, 80 HIU KWONG ROAD, SAU MAU PING, KWUN TONG. THE GOVERNOR, SIR MURRAY MACLEHOSE, WILL ADDRESS THE MEETING.

THERE WILL BE A SHUTTLE SERVICE FROM THE CARPARK AT THE KWUN TONG DISTRICT BRANCH OFFICES BUILDING, TUNG YAN STREET, KWUN TONG TO LEUNG SHEK CHEE COLLEGE. MEDIA REPRESENTATIVES WHO WISH TO MAKE USE OF THIS TRANSPORT FACILITY ARE ADVISED TO ARRIVE AT THE CARPARK AT 2 PM.

MEDIA REPRESENTATIVES MAY COVER THE MEETING WHICH WILL BE PROVIDED WITH SIMULTANEOUS INTERPRETATION.

FRIDAY, MARCH 27, 1981

9

NEW TERRITORIES LAND COMPENSATION INCREASED

*****

THE NEW TERRITORIES ADMINISTRATION TODAY (FRIDAY) ANNOUNCED INCREASES IN COMPENSATION FOR LAND RESUMED IN THE NEW TERRITORIES.

FROM APRIL 1, OWNERS OF AGRICULTURAL LAND RESUMED WITHIN NEW TOWN DEVELOPMENT AREAS WILL BE COMPENSATED AT THE NEW FULL RATE CF $103 PER SQUARE FOOT, INSTEAD OF $89 PER SQUARE FOOT - AN INCREASE OF ABOUT 15 PER CENT.

AT THE SAME TIME, THE EX-GRATIA ALLOWANCE OFFERED TO OWNERS OF RESUMED BUILDING LAND WITHIN NEW TOWN DEVELOPMENT AREAS WILL BE AT THE NEW FULL RATE OF $220 PER SQUARE FOOT INSTEAD OF $200 PER SQUARE FOOT - AN INCREASE OF 10 PER CENT.

GIVING DETAILS OF THE NEW RATES, THE PRINCIPAL GOVERNMENT LAND AGENT OF NTA, MR FRANK ROOME, SAID THEY HAD BEEN DRAWN UP IN LINE WITH GOVERNMENT’S POLICY OF CONDUCTING HALF-YEARLY REVIEWS CF NEW TERRITORIES COMPENSATION RATES.

THIS POLICY WAS RECOMMENDED BY THE WORKING GROUP ON NEW TERRITORIES URBAN LAND ACQUISITION HEADED BY SIR YUET-KEUNG KAN.

MR ROOME SAID THE NEW RATES WOULD BE EFFECTIVE UP TO SEPTEMBER 30, WHEN A FURTHER REVIEW WOULD BE CARRIED OUT.

HE POINTED OUT THAT, UNDER THE REVISED GOVERNMENT LAND RESUMPTION POLICY IN THE NEW TERRITORIES, OWNERS OF RESUMED LAND OUTSIDE NEW TOWN DEVELOPMENT AREAS WOULD BE COMPENSATED AT A PROPORTIONATE PERCENTAGE OF THE NEW FULL RATES, DEPENDING ON THE LOCATION OF THE LAND RESUMED, AND MORE PARTICULARLY AS DEFINED IN A ZONAL PLAN AVAILABLE FOR PUBLIC INSPECTION AT THE EIGHT DISTRICT CFF ICES.

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

MORE STUDY ROOMS OPEN DURING EXAMINATION PERIOD *****

TEMPORARY STUDY ROOMS WILL BE OPENED IN THE EVENING IN< SCHOOLS THROUGHOUT HONG KONG FROM APRIL 1 TO JUNE 30 FOR PRIMARY AND SECONDARY SCHOOL STUDENTS.

♦THESE STUDY ROOMS WILL PROVIDE ALTERNATIVE FACILITIES FOR STUDENTS LIVING IN CROWDED AND NOISY ENVIRONMENT TO DO THEIR HOMEWORK AND PRIVATE STUDY,♦ AN EDUCATION DEPARTMENT SPOKESMAN SAID.

A TOTAL OF 6 400 PLACES WILL BE PROVIDED IN 64 STUDY ROOM CENTRES, HE SAID.

STUDY ROOM FACILITIES IN SECONDARY SCHOOLS WILL BE OPEN FROM 6 PM TO 9 PM EACH EVENING FROM MONDAY TO FRIDAY, AND THESE WILL BE STRICTLY FOR THE USE OF SECONDARY STUDENTS.

/ZaCILITIjsS JN.........

FBIDAY, KABCH 27, 1?81

10

FACILITIES IN PRIMARY SCHOOLS WILL BE OPEN FROM 7 PM TO 9 PM, AND WILL CATER FOR BOTH SECONDARY AND PRIMARY STUDENTS.

STUDY ROOMS WILL BE CLOSED ON PUBLIC HOLIDAYS, THE SPOKESMAN SAID.

POSTERS SHOWING THE DISTRIBUTION OF STUDY ROOM CENTRES AND STUDENT ADMISSION CARDS HAVE ALREADY BEEN DISTRIBUTED TO SCHOOLS, HE SAID.

SUPERVISORS WILL BE APPOINTED TO MAINTAIN ORDER IN STUDY ROOMS, BUT THEY WILL NOT BE GIVING TUITION TO THE STUDENTS.

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

SPECIAL TRAINS FOR CHING MING FESTIVAL *****

THE KOWLOON-CANTON RAILWAY WILL BE OPERATING SPECIAL TRAINS TO WO HOP SHEK DURING THE CHING MING FESTIVAL.

SPECIAL SERVICE WILL START THIS SUNDAY (MARCH 29) AND ON APRIL 5, 6 AND 12. TRAINS WILL RUN AT HOURLY INTERVALS EACH WAY BETWEEN KOWLOON AND WO HOP SHEK FROM 6.04 AM AND THE LAST TRAIN WILL LEAVE WO HOP SHEK AT 7.45 PM.

HOWEVER, ADDITIONAL TRAINS MAY BE PUT INTO OPERATION LATE IN THE EVENING IF THERE IS A DEMAND.

SPECIAL TRAINS WILL NOT PICK UP PASSENGERS AT MONG KOK STATION, A KCR SPOKESMAN SAID. THEY ARE EXPECTED TO BE HEAVILY LOADED AND PASSENGERS, ESPECIALLY THOSE TRAVELLING WITH YOUNG CHILDREN, ARE ADVISED TO EXERCISE SPECIAL CARE IN JOINING AND ALIGHTING FROM CARRIAGES.

EXTRA KCR STAFF AND THE POLICE WILL BE ON HAND AT BOTH KOWLOON AND WO HOP SHEK STATIONS TO ASSIST PASSENGERS.

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

HONG KONG JING YING RETURNS FROM LONDON TOUR * * * *

THE HONG KONG JING YING RETURNED TO HONG KONG THIS (FRIDAYS MORNING AFTER A SUCCESSFUL THREE-WEEK TOUR PERFORMANCE IN LONDON.

THE GROUP WAS MET AT KAI TAK AIRPORT BY THE COMMISSlONPR FOR RECREATION AND CULTURE, MR BARRIE WIGGHAM. C0MM,SSI0NER ____THE 17-MEMBER JING YING GROUP LEFT HONG KONG ON MARCH ta PERFORM AT THE DUKE OF EDINBURGH'S AWARD 25TH ANNIVERSARY COMMONWEALTH BALL AND THE CAMDEN FESTIVAL. ANN,VERSARY

/the ball

FBXDAY, MABCH 27, 1981

11

THE BALL THE PRINCIPAL SCHEME.

WAS HELD ON COMMONWEALTH DAY, MARCH 9, AS ONE OF EVENTS TO CELEBRATE THE 25TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE

THE JING INCLUDING THE

YING GROUP PERFORMED BEFORE SOME 800 GUESTS, DUKE OF EDINBURGH, THE LORD MAYOR OF LONDON SIR RONALD THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH

GARNER—THORPE, me niniaicn ur oiaic run ruKtlbN a _ _ _ _

ABAIRS MR PET£R BLAKER» THE LORD BISHOP OF LONDON, AND”' REPRESENTATIVES OF THE 44 MEMBER COUNTRIES OF THE COMMONWEALTH.

lo rep«eSENTED BY THE HONG KONG COMMISSIONER.

FORD, *ND THE H0NS KONG CHAIRMAN OF Th£ DUKE OF EDINBURGH’S AWARD SCHEME, MR ALEX WU.

Y,NS GROUP’S PERFORMANCE IN THE CAMDEN FESTIVAL 2h!2J^fEIVED HISH ACCLAIM FROM THE PEOPLE WHO ATTENDED THE FUNCTION.

V.uc PERFORMANCES IN THESE TWO EVENTS, THE JING

YING GROUP ALSO GAVE A PERFORMANCE AT THE YEHUDI MENUHIN SCHOOL IN SURREY WHERE THEY WERE WARMLY RECEIVED BY THE SCHOOL AUTHORITIES.

O/™EY WERE T*KEI1 0N * T0ur °F THE SCHOOL AND WERE GIVEN THE OPPORTUNITY TO SEE STUDENTS IN TUITION AND PRACTISING SESSIONS.

THE GROUP ALSO PERFORMED AT THE SHREWSBURY YOUTH MUSIC FESTIVAL •ME COMMONWEALTH INSTITUTE, THE HONG KONG STUDENT CENTRE, THE HAMMERHILL TOWN HALL, AND BROADCAST LIVE ON BBC’S POPULAR PEBBLE’S MILL SHOW.

-----0-----

TSUEN WAN TOWN MANAGER * *

CALLS FOR CHANGE OF ATTITUDE * O If

TSUEN WAN TOWN MANAGER, DR JAMES HAYES, TODAY (FRIDAY) CALLED for a ™ANeE ,N attitude by'government OFFICERS AND THE PUBLIC IN THEIR T0 STR,VE FOR A CONTENTED AND STABLE COMMUNITY

AND A BETTER TOWN.

DR HAYES SAID THE CHANGE WAS NEEDED ON BOTH SIDES, AND IT “HO *ERE THE KEY AGENTS IN BREAKING OUT CF THE ’CHICKEN AND EGG’ SITUATION.

t!E WAS SPEAKING AT THE ANNUAL TSUEN WAN LUNCH, ATTENDED BY MORE THAN 100 LOCAL DIGNITARIES AND GOVERNMENT OFFICERS.

* 0N OUR SIDE WE NEED INFORMATION AND ADVICE TO DO A BETTER JOB- MAKE OUR SYSTEM WORK TO MAXIMUM ADVANTAGE,* HE SAID.

BUT THE PUBLIC IS NOT USED TO PROVIDING THIS INPUT - FAR TOO FEW ORDINARY CITIZENS BRING THEIR LEGITIMATE COMPLAINTS TO OUR OFFICES AND PUBLIC ENQUIRY SERVICE CENTRES, NEVER MIND SUGGESTIONS.

/+ I DO..........

FBxDAY, MAECH 2?, 1981

12

I DO NOT THINK, FOR INSTANCE, THAT THE FIGURE OF 27 COMPLAINTS MADE TO THE TWO TOWN MANAGEMENT OFFICES AND EIGHT PES CENTRES IN THE PAST TWO MONTHS IS A SUFFICIENT RESPONSE TO OUR WILL AND ABILITY TO ACT ON BEHALF OF THE PUBLIC.

THIS WILL ONLY COME IF AND WHEN CITIZENS BELIEVE THAT GOVERNMENT OFFICERS WILL ACCEPT AND USE THEM IN THEIR DAILY WORK.

AS I SEE IT, IT IS THE GOVERNMENT OFFICERS WHO ARE THE KEY AGENTS IN BREAKING OUT OF THIS ’CHICKEN AND EGG’ SITUATION.

IF WE WANT PUBLIC CO-OPERATION WE MUST REGARD OURSELVES AS BEING HERE TO FACILITATE, NOT TO DICTATE, MUST WELCOME HELP AND ADVICE, AND GIVE OURS WITH TACT AND RESTRAINT.♦ TO MAKE IT MORE CONVENIENT FOR THE PUBLIC, TWO PES CENTRES IN TSUEN WAN AND KWAI CHUNG WOULD OPEN FROM 1 PM TO 9 PM IN THE NEAR FUTURE.

DR HAYES SAID THE PUBLIC COULD HELP IMPROVE GOVERNMENT’S WORK BY USING THE FACILITIES AND AVENUES OF APPROACH OFFERED TO THEM.

TO QUOTE A COLLEAGUE, THE CHINESE GENERALLY BELIEVE THAT SILENCE IS A VIRTUE, BUT TO BRING OUT POINTS OF DISCONTENT WITH A VIEW TO MAKING IMPROVEMENTS IS EVEN MORE VIRTUOUS,+ HE SAID.

HE CALLED ON THE PUBLIC TO HELP BY REGISTERING AS VOTERS IN THE COMING ELECTIONS TO THE DISTRICT BOARDS, WHICH WILL HELP TO PROVIDE A BIGGER AND WIDER INPUT TO THE WORK OF DEPARTMENTS IN THE TOWN.

WE REGARD THIS PARTICIPATION IN PUBLIC AFFAIRS AS VITAL TO OUR COMPLETE SUCCESS IN TOWN MANAGEMENT, AND URGE REGISTRATION AS THE DUTY OF ALL CITIZENS WHO CARE ABOUT TSUEN WAN,+ HE SAID.

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

TRAINING COURSE FOR INDUSTRIAL INSTRUCTORS » * I K If

TWO MORE BLOCK-RELEASE IN-SERVICE TRAINING COURSES WILL BE CONDUCTED BY THE HONG KONG TECHNICAL TEACHERS’ COLLEGE FOR INDUSTRIAL TRADE INSTRUCTORS IN MAY AND JUNE.

APPLICANTS SHOULD BE TRADE OR WORKSHOP INSTRUCTORS AND MUST BE FULLY SKILLED IN THEIR TRADES, AN EDUCATION DEPARTMENT SPOKESMAN SAID.

EXPERIENCED WORKERS WHO WILL TAKE UP INSTRUCTION DUTIES IN FUTURE MAY ALSO APPLY, HE SAID.

EACH COURSE WILL REQUIRE ATTENDANCE AT THE COLLEGE FOR TWO WEEKS FULL-TIME, AND WHEN THE COURSE IS COMPLETED TUTORS WILL VISIT STUDENTS AT THEIR PLACES OF EMPLOYMENT TO GIVE FURTHER ADVICE ON TEACHING METHODS.

/ths couhses......

FBXDAY, MABCH 27, 1981

13

THE COURSES ARE ON METHODS OF INSTRUCTION BASED ON EDUCATION THEORY AND EDUCATION PSYCHOLOGY, THE SPOKESMAN SAID.

THEY WILL BE CONDUCTED IN CANTONESE BUT SOME ENGLISH TERMINOLOGY WILL BE USED. FEES ARE $100 PER COURSE.

APPLICATION FORMS ARE OBTAINABLE FROM THE HONG KONG TECHNICAL TEACHERS’ COLLEGE, 373 QUEEN’S ROAD EAST, HONG KONG, AND COMPLETED FORMS SHOULD BE RETURNED TO THE COLLEGE ON OR BEFORE APRIL 11.

_ _ 0 - -

SHORTAGE OF SCOUTS ACTIVITIES VENUES * * M

THERE IS STILL A SERIOUS SHORTAGE OF VENUES AND FACILITIES FOR SEA ACTIVITIES FOR SCOUTS, DEPUTY SECRETARY FOR THE NEW TERRITORIES, MR AUGUSTINE CHUI KAM, SAID TODAY (FRIDAY).

SPEAKING AT A BALL HELD ON A FLOATING NIGHTCLUB TO RAISE FUNDS TO BUILD A SEA ACTIVITIES CENTRE AT PAK CHO WAN, CHEUNG CHAU, MR CHUI SAIDi +OWING TO NEW TOWN DEVELOPMENTS AND RAPID POPULATION INCREASES THE NEW TERRITORIES REGIONAL HEADQUARTERS OF THE SCOUTS ASSOCIATION SAW THE NEED TO POSITIVELY EXPAND ITS ACTIVITIES.*

IT HAS PLANS TO INCREASE SCOUT MEMBERSHIP FROM THE PRESENT 8 000 TO 14 000 IN FIVE YEARS, AND TO ORGANISE MORE ACTIVITIES AND BUILD MORE TRAINING CENTRES.

THE NEW TERRITORIES ADMINISTRATION PROVIDED SITES FOR SEA ACTIVITIES CENTRES, WHILE DISTRICT ADVISORY BOARDS ALLOCATED FUNDS FOR THESE ACTIVITIES, MR CHUI SAID.

THE SCOUTS ASSOCIATION SEA ACTIVITIES SUB-COMMITTEE HAD LONG BEEN LOOKING FOR A SITE FOR ANOTHER TRAINING CENTRE AND HAD FOUND THIS ONE ON CHEUNG CHAU.

HE PAID TRIBUTE TO THE SUB-COMMITTEE’S CHAIRMAN, MR LAM WAI-KEUNG, AND HIS COLLEAGUES FOR THEIR +STRENUOUS EFFORTS.*

ABOUT $100 000 WAS RAISED AT THE BALL. THE MONEY WILL BE USED TO BUILD THE CENTRE AND EQUIP IT WITH CANOES AND SAILING BOATS. THE CENTRE WILL BE OPEN LATER THIS YEAR.

- - 0 - -

FRIDAY, MARCH 27, 1981

14


NEW MAXICAB ROUTE IN TSUEN WAN

* * * * * *

A NEW PLB MAXICAB ROUTE NO 91 WILL OPERATE BETWEEN THE LAI KING HEADLAND AND TSUEN WAN (HAM TIN STREET) IN THE NEW TERRITORIES WITH EFFECT FROM SUNDAY (MARCH 29), A TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT SPOKESMAN ANNOUNCED TODAY (FRIDAY)*

THE MAXICABS ON THIS ROUTE WILL TRAVEL VIA LAI KONG STREET LA CHI LING ROAD, WAH YIU ROAD, LAI YIU STREET, LAI CHO ROAD ' JOINT STREET, LAI KING HILL ROAD, KWAI FUK ROAD, TEXACO ROAD ’ YEUNG UK ROA6, KWU HANG ROAD, SHA TSUI ROAD AND HAM TIN STREET.

THE RETURN TRIP WILL BE VIA HAM TIN STREET, YEUNG UK ROAD TEXACO ROAD, KWAI FUK ROAD, LAI KING HILL ROAD, JOINT STREET * MB EI? STREh’ "AH YIU R0‘D- LAi CHI UHSROAD

THE OPERATION HOURS WILL BE FROM 6.03 AM TO 11 22 PM DAHY

THE FARE WILL BE $1.00 PER SINGLE JOURNEY? ‘LY-

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DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN

ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE. HONG KONG TEL: 5-233191

SATURDAY, MARCH 28, 1981

CONTENTS PAGE NO,

PROVISIONAL TRADE FIGURES FOR FEBRUARY 1?81 .................. 1

DIAGNOSTIC LABORATORY FOR TSAN YUK HOSPITAL.................. 3

LADY CATER OPINS ACCESS WEEK IN THEN MUN ..................... 4

TSUEN WAN MARKET READY FOR USE................................ 6

SPECIAL CAR NUMBERS SALE BY AUCTION .......................... 7

PRISON OFFICERS PROMOTED ..................................... 8

TINDERS FOR TSU® WAN BYPASS .................................. 9

LIVING QUARTERS FOR POLICE BAND .............................. 9

DESIGN AND TECHNOLOGY COURSE FOR TEACHERS ................... 10

PROHIBITION OF LEARNER DRIVER ON PUI CHING ROAD ............. 11

RE-ROUTING OF SOMERSET ROAD ................................. 11

PLB PROHIBITION IN SAI KUNG ................................. 11

WATER CUT IN NORTH POINT .................................... 12

SATURDAY, MARCH 28, 1981

1 -

PROVISIONAL TRADE FIGURES FOR FEBRUARY 1981

*****

THE VALUE OF TOTAL EXPORTS FOR FEBRUARY 1981 WAS 16 817 MILLION, MADE UP OF DOMESTIC EXPORTS AT *3 938 MILLION AND RE-EXPORTS AT $2 878 MILLION, ACCORDING TO PROVISIONAL TRADE FIGURES PUBLISHED BY THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT TODAY (SATURDAY).

WITH IMPORTS AT >9 091 MILLION, FOR FEBRUARY WAS |2 274 MILLION.

THE VISIBLE TRADE DEFICIT

COMPARED WITH THE SAME MONTH IN 1980, THERE WAS A DECREASE OF >193 MILLION OR FIVE PER CENT FOR THE VALUE OF DOMESTIC EXPORTS. BUT THIS WAS MORE THAN OFFSET BY AN INCREASE OF 11 091 MILLION OR 61 PER CENT FOR THE VALUE OF RE-EXPORTS SO THAT THE VALUE OF TOTAL EXPORTS INCREASED BY >898 MILLION OR 15 PER CENT.

THE VALUE OF IMPORTS INCREASED BY >1 967 MILLION OR 28 PER CENT. THE VISIBLE TRADE +GAP*, THAT IS THE PROPORTION OF THE VALUE OF IMPORTS NOT COVERED BY THE VALUE OF TOTAL EXPORTS, WAS 25 PER CENT IN FEBRUARY THIS YEAR COMPARED WITH 16.9 PER CENT IN FEBRUARY 1980.

COMMENTING ON THE FIGURES, A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN AGAIN STRESSED THE IMPORTANCE OF NOT READING TOO MUCH INTO ONE MONTH’S STATISTICS PARTICULARLY SINCE, AT THE BEGINNING OF THE YEAR, THE FIGURES ARE AFFECTED BY THE TIMING OF THE LUNAR NEW YEAR.

HE EXPLAINED THAT EVERY YEAR THERE WAS A SUBSTANTIAL INCREASE IN DOMESTIC EXPORTS BEFORE THE LUNAR NEW YEAR FOLLOWED BY A LULL AFTER THE HOLIDAY. AS IN 1981 LUNAR NEW YEAR FELL IN EARLY FEBRUARY AND IN 1980 IN THE MIDDLE OF FEBRUARY, SLOW OR EVEN NEGATIVE GROWTH IN FEBRUARY WAS EXPECTED AFTER THE UNUSUALLY HIGH GROWTH IN DOMESTIC EXPORTS IN JANUARY.

PUTTING THE MONTH’S STATISTICS INTO CONTEXT, THE SPOKESMAN POINTED OUT THAT THE VALUE OF DOMESTIC EXPORTS FOR THE FIRST TWO MONTHS OF THIS YEAR WAS 13 PER CENT HIGHER THAN IN THE FIRST TWO MONTHS OF 1980. THE VALUE OF RE-EXPORTS WAS 62 PER CENT HIGHER AND SO THE VALUE OF TOTAL EXPORTS WAS 27 PER CENT HIGHER.

HOWEVER, HE ALSO POINTED OUT THAT THE VALUE OF IMPORTS WAS 33 PER CENT HIGHER, SUGGESTING THAT THE GROWTH RATE OF IMPORTS WAS FASTER THAN THAT OF TOTAL EXPORTS. THE VISIBLE TRADE *GAP* FOR THE FIRST TWO MONTHS OF 1981 WAS 16.6 PER CENT COMPARED WITH 15 PER CENT FOR THE FIRST TWO MONTHS OF I960.

COMPARING STATISTICS EXTENDING OVER A LONGER PERIOD, THE 12 MONTHS ENDING FEBRUARY THIS YEAR WITH THE 12 MONTHS ENDING FEBRUARY 1980, THE INCREASES BY VALUE WERE 18 PER CENT FOR DOMESTIC EXPORTS, 53 PER CENT FOR RE-EXPORTS, 27 PER CENT FOR TOTAL EXPORTS AND 29 PER CENT FOR IMPORTS.

THE FOLLOWING PROVISIONAL MERCHANDISE TRADE FIGURES FOR FEBRUARY 1980 HAS BEEN RELEASED BY THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT i

/MSHCHANDISS : .....

SATUHDAY, MAHCE 26, 19t1

2

MERCHANDISE 1 DOMESTIC EXPORTS RE-EXPORTS TOTAL EXPORTS IMPORTS TRADE BALANCE

1 S3 938 MILLION

1 $2 878 MILLION

1 16 817 MILLION

• $9 091 MILLION

1 S2 27* MILLION (IN DEFICIT)

COMPARATIVE FIGURES

LATEST 3 MONTHS DEC 1980 TO FEB 1981 DEC 1979 TO FEB 1980 INCREASE OR DECREASE

$ MN. 1 MN. s MN. %

DOMESTIC EXPORTS 16 541 14 717 1 823 ♦ 12.4

RE-EXPORTS 9 323 5 724 3 599 ♦62.9

TOTAL EXPORTS 25 864 20 441 5 423 ♦26.5

IMPORTS 31 051 23 569 7 482 ♦31.7

TRADE BALANCE 5 187 3 128 2 509

SAME MONTH LAST YEAR FEB 1981 FEB 1980 INCREASE OR DECREASE

$ MN. S HN. 1 MN. %

DOMESTIC EXPORTS (% OF TOTAL EXPORTS) 3 938 (57.8%) 4 131 (69.8%) 193 - 4.7

RE-EXPORTS 2 878 1 788 1 091 ♦ 61.0

TOTAL EXPORTS 6 817 5 919 898 ♦ 15.2

IMPORTS 9 091 7 124 1 967 ♦ 27.6

TRADE BALANCE - 2 274 - 1 205 a* 1 069

LAST MONTH FEB 1981 JAN 1981 INCREASE OR DECREASE

t MN. 1 MN. 9 MN. %

DOMESTIC EXPORTS (% OF TOTAL EXPORTS) 3 938 (57.8%) 6 346 (65.6%) - 2 408 -37.9

RE-EXPORTS 2 878 3 328 449 -13.5

TOTAL EXPORTS 6 817 9 674 - 2 857 -29.5

IMPORTS 9 091 10 685 - 1 595 -14.9

TRADE BALANCE - 2 274 - 1 011 - 1 263

Saturday, mahch 28, 1981

3

calendar year to-date JmiFEB JA19SOFEB ,N5lcRtAs?R

$ MN. S MN. $ MN. %

DOMESTIC EXPORTS (% OF TOTAL EXPORTS) 10 284 (62.4%) 9 128 (70.4%) * 1 157 *12.7

RE-EXPORTS 6 206 3 835 ♦ 2 371 *61.8

TOTAL EXPORTS 16 491 12 963 ♦ 3 528 *27.2

IMPORTS 19 776 15 256 ♦ 4 520 *29.6

trade balance - 3 285 - 2 293 992

MAR 1980 MAR 1979

LAST 12 MONTHS TO FEB 1981 TO FEB 1980 INCREASE OR DECREASF

$ MN. S MN. $ MN. %

DOMESTIC EXPORTS 69 327 58 754 + 10 574 *18.0

RE-EXPORTS 32 443 21 218 ♦ 11 225 *52.9

TOTAL EXPORTS 101 771 79 972 ♦ 21 799 ♦27.3

IMPORTS 116 170 90 045 ♦ 26 125 ♦29.0

trade balance 14 399 - 10 073 - 4 326

9 0-

DIAGNOSTIC LABORATORY FOR TSAN YUK HOSPITAL * * * * *

THE MEDICAL AND HEALTH DEPARTMENT IS TO SET UP A PRE-NATAL DIAGNOSTIC LABORATORY IN TSAN YUK HOSPITAL AS PART OF A LONG TERM PLAN TO PROVIDE MEDICAL GENETIC SERVICE TO THE PUBLIC.

THE MILLION-DOLLAR LABORATORY WITH HIGHLY SOPHISTICATED EQUIPMENT IS PARTLY FINANCED BY A PRIVATE DONATION OF $500 000 FROM A LOCAL PHILANTHROPIST, MR WU CHUNG. THE GOVERNMENT WILL BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE BALANCE OF THE COST AND THE RECURRENT EXPENDITURE INVOLVED IN THE OPERATION OF THE LABORATORY.

A SPOKESMAN FOR THE MEDICAL AND HEALTH DEPARTMENT EXPLAINED THAT THE PRIMARY OBJECTIVE IN STARTING THE LABORATORY WAS TO DETECT DURING EARLY PREGNANCY INDICATIONS OF A FOETUS DEVELOPING CONGENITAL DEFECTS SO AS TO TAKE REMEDIAL MEASURES.

/all oxldauc’js......

SATUxLuY, MA8CK 26, 1981

4

ALL EXAMINATIONS PERFORMED IN THE LABORATORY WILL HAVE THE EXPERT GUIDANCE OF THE PROFESSOR OF OBSTETRICS AND GYNAECOLOGY OF THE UNIVERSITY OF HONG KONG, WHO TOGETHER WITH A TEAM OF SPECIALLY TRAINED STAFF WILL DIRECTLY SUPERVISE THE OPERATION OF THE LABORATORY.

THE LABORATORY, WHICH WILL BE NAMED AFTER MRS WU CHUNG AS A TOKEN OF APPRECIATION FOR THE DONATION, WILL HAVE A SONAR MACHINE, A CELL-CULTURE ROOM AND ASSOCIATED LABORATORY FACILITIES.

THE SPOKESMAN POINTED OUT THAT THE SERVICE IS PARTICULARLY VALUABLE IN THE EARLY DETECTION OF CONGENITAL ABNORMALITIES +AS MANY OF THESE DEFECTS CAN BE DIAGNOSED BETWEEN 15 AND 20 WEEKS OF PREGNANCY.*

HE STRESSED THAT NOT ALL PREGNANT WOMEN NEED TO RECEIVE THIS SPECIALISED SERVICE, BUT ONLY THOSE WHO HAVE WELL DEFINED AND SPECIFIC INDICATIONS THAT A SERIOUS HANDICAP MAY AFFECT THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE FOETUS.

HE ADDED THAT A GENETIC COUNSELLING SERVICE IS ALSO BEING PROVIDED BY THE DEPARTMENT TO PREVENT THE BIRTH OF BABIES WITH CONGENITAL DEFECTS.

NOTE TO EDITORS:

THE PRE-NATAL DIAGNOSTIC LABORATORY IN TSAN YUK HOSPITAL WILL BE OFFICIALLY OPENED BY THE DIRECTOR OF MEDICAL AND HEALTH SERVICES, DR K.L. THONG AND MRS WU CHUNG.

YOU ARE INVITED TO SEND REPRESENTATIVES TO COVER THE EVENT WHICH WILL BE HELD AT 3 PM ON TUESDAY (MARCH 31).

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LADY CATER OPENS ACCESS WEEK IN TUEN MUN * * * *

IT IS QUITE ABSURD TO BUILD MODERN BUILDINGS AND FACILITIES WHERE THERE IS NO READY ACCESS FOR ALL, LADY CATER SAID TODAY (SATURDAY).

LADY CATER WAS SPEAKING AT THE OPENING OF +ACCESS WEEK* IN TUEN MUN THE THEME OF WHICH IS TO SHOW THE DIFFICULTIES DISABLED PEOPLE FACE IN GETTING AROUND AND WAYS THEY CAN BE HELPED.

+IT IS QUITE ABSURD, IS IT NOT, TO BUILD BUILDINGS WHERE SOME PEOPLE CANNOT GET TO THE SHOPS, TO PUBLIC BUILDINGS, TO VISIT FRIENDS OR USE PUBLIC TRANSPORT,* LADY CATER ASKED.

♦ANY ONE WHO HAS HAD TO USE CRUTCHES WILL KNOW WHAT A VAST NUMBER OF UPS AND DOWNS THERE ARE IN THE SIMPLEST JOURNEY, WHA TECHNIQUE IT TAKES TO USE AN ESCALATOR, LET ALONE GET ON A BUS.*

/access week ........

SATURDAY, MARCH 28, 19E1

5

ACCESS WEEK WAS THE START OF ON-GOING WORK TO BE UNDERTAKEN BY THE ACCESS TRANSPORT COMMITTEE, LADY CATER SAID.

IT WAS A PUBLICITY DRIVE- AND WHEN IT WAS OVER THE COMMITTEE. IN CO-OPERATION WITH ITS GOVERNMENT REPRESENTATIVES, WOULD TAKE IT AS THEIR CONTINUING RESPONSIBILITY TO ENSURE THAT ALL PUBLIC BUILDINGS, FACILITIES, PUBLIC PARKS AND PLACES OF ENTERTAINMENT IN TUEN MUN WERE ACCESSIBLE TO THE DISABLED.

AND THEY WOULD BE EQUALLY CONCERNED THAT THE DISABLED SHOULD BE ABLE TO USE WHATEVER PUBLIC TRANSPORT WAS MADE AVAILABLE FOR TUEN MUN.

LADY CATER SAID: +AS WE TOGETHER COMMEMORATE THE OPENING OF ACCESS WEEK IN THE INTERNATIONAL YEAR OF DISABLED PERSONS, WE ARE REMINDED THAT TODAY NOT ONLY MARKS THE OUTCOME OF MUCH THOUGHTFULNESS AND CARING ON THE PART OF MANY SENSIBLE AND DETERMINED CITIZENS OF TUEN MUN, MOST ABLY SUPPORTED- IT ALSO MARKS THE BEGINNING OF WHAT COULD WELL BE TERMED A NEW GRAND DESIGN.+

IN RECENT YEARS, PARTICULARLY SINCE THE WHITE PAPER ON RtHAB IL ITAT ION WAS PUBLISHED IN 1976, THERE HAD BEEN A NOTABLE INCREASE IN THE NUMBER AND VARIETY OF SERVICES PROVIDED FOR THE HANDICAPPED IN OUR COMMUNITY, SHE SAID.

HONG KONG HAD BEEN ABLE TO OBSERVE MODERN METHODS ADOPTED ELSEWHERE AND HAD BEEN ABLE TO LEARN FROM OTHER PEOPLE'S EXPERIENCE TOO, 30 THAT IN MANY WAYS, BY STARTING A BIT LATE IN THE BUSINESS, WE MIGHT JUST BE A BIT AHEAD IN THE END THROUGH AVOIDING THE MISTAKES OTHERS HAD MADE IN THEIR PIONEER WORK.

♦MORE IMPORTANT, EVEN, IS THAT HONG KONG HAS AN OPPORTUNITY WHICH IS UNIQUE, IN THE PROPER SENSE OF THAT WORD, TO INFLUENCE THE CREATION AND STRUCTURE OF ENTIRELY NEW TOWNS WHERE NO TOWN wAS BEFORE — SOMETIMES NOT EVEN THE LAND — AND TO MASTERMIND THE BEST POSSIBLE HUMAN ENVIRONMENTS AND SERVICES WITHIN THE BOUNDS CF OUR FINANCIAL, SPACIAL AND TECHNICAL L IM ITAT IONS,+ LADY CATER c a in '

SHE SAID SHE WAS VISITED THIS WEEK BY A FRIEND TRAVELLING IN A WHEEL CHA IR.

HE COULD WALK A LITTLE ON STICKS, BUT HE COULD NOT GO INTO MANY BUILDINGS WHERE THERE WERE STAIRS AND NO RAMPS OR LIFTS.

+AND WE HAD ENORMOUS DIFFICULTY CROSSING ROADS.♦

THE WEEK BEFORE, SHE HAD BEEN WATCHING THE INCREDIBLE SKILLS CF THE ATHLETES AT ONE OF THE CENTRES FOR THE PHYSICALLY HAND ICAPPED.

THEY WERE PLAYING TABLE TENNIS, BASKETBALL, FENCING- AND THEY EXCELLED IN SWIMMING AND ARCHERY TOO.

♦VERY OFTEN PHYSICAL DISABILITY SEEMS TO BE COMPENSATED BY EXTRA SPECIAL ABILITY IN OTHER WAYS: A GREAT MANY, FOR EXAMPLE, HAVING DEVELOPED TALENTS AND GIFTS OF MENTAL CAPACITY ABOVE WHAT ONE MAY CONSIDER THE ’NORMAL’ HAND-OUT,+ LADY CATER SAID.

SATURDAY, MARCH 28, 1981

6

♦WE SHALL ALL THANK GOD FOR THE ENRICHMENT SUCH FOLK BRING TO THE WORLD.*

LADY CATER SAID THE SLOGAN FOR ’ACCESS WEEK’ — A TOWN FOR ALL — WAS A SPLENDID ONE. NOTHING COULD BETTER EXPRESS THE SINCERE DETERMINATION OF THIS COMMUNITY WHICH OBVIOUSLY FIRMLY INTENDS TO BE A PROPERLY INTEGRATED, PROUD AND HAPPY COMMUNITY.

LADY CATER OFFERED HER BEST WISHES FOR +THE DESERVED GOOD FORTUNE OF THE RESIDENTS OF THIS NEW TOWN AND THE FUTURE HAPPINESS OF ALL WHO LIVE HERE -- AND IN DOING SO I EXPRESS MY UNBOUNDED ADMIRATION FOR THOSE CONCERNED WITH THE INTELLIGENT, CAREFUL PLANNING AND BUILDING OF THIS TOWN WHICH, BY ANY STANDARDS ANYWHERE IN THE WORLD, IS A MOST REMARKABLE ACHIEVEMENT IN SO VERY SHORT A TIME.*

LADY CATER WAS JOINED BY DEPUTY SECRETARY FOR THE NEW TERRITORIES, MR AUGUSTINE CHUI KAM, AND THE CHAIRMAN OF THE HEUNG YEE KUK, MR LAU WONG-FAT, AT THE RIBBON CUTTING CEREMONY.

AFTER THE CEREMONY THEY VISITED AN EXHIBITION AT ST SIMON LUI MING CHOI SECONDARY TECHNICAL SCHOOL, WHERE POSTERS, PHOTOGRAPHS AND A MODEL SHOWING DIFFICULT AND EASY ACCESS SITUATIONS TO BUILDINGS AND ON ROADS ARE DISPLAYED. WHEELCHAIRS, EYE-SHADES AND STICKERS ARE ALSO AVAILABLE TO ENABLE VISITORS TO EXPERIENCE FOR THEMSELVES THE PROBLEMS DISABLED PEOPLE FACE IN TRANSPORT.

BESIDES THE EXHIBITION, WHICH WILL OPEN TO THE PUBLIC DAILY FROM 9 AM TO 9 PM UNTIL FRIDAY (APRIL 2), OTHER ACTIVITIES DURING ACCESS WEEK INCLUDE A DRAWING AND ESSAY COMPETITIONS, TALKS AND SEMINARS.

THE ACTIVITIES ARE ORGANISED BY A COMMITTEE OF LOCAL RESIDENTS WITH ASSISTANCE FROM THE HONG KONG COUNCIL OF SOCIAL SERVICE. FUNDS ARE PROVIDED BY TUEN MUN DISTRICT ADVISORY BOARD AND LOCAL DONATIONS.

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

TSUEN WAN MARKET READY FOR USE * * *

WORK ON THE NEW TSUEN WAN MARKET IS VIRTUALLY COMPLETE.

THE TWO-STOREY MARKET, SITUATED AT THE CORNER OF CHUNG ON STREET AND HOI PA STREET, HAS A TOTAL OF 393 STALLS FOR THE SALE OF MEAT, FISH, POULTRY, VEGETABLES, FRUIT AND FLOWERS.

ON THE ROOF OF THE MARKET, THERE IS A PLAYGROUND FOR CHILDREN. QUARTERS FOR JUNIOR MARRIED OFFICERS AND BARRACKS ACCOMMODATION FOR SINGLE OFFICERS ARE ALSO PROVIDED IN THE BUILDING.

COVERING AN AREA OF 3 100 SQUARE METRES, THE MARKET WILL BE HANDED OVER TO THE NEW TERRITORIES SERVICES DEPARTMENT IN THE MIDDLE OF NEXT MONTH.

_-----0-------

/7 .......

SATURDAY, MARCH 28, 1981

1

SPECIAL CAR NUMBERS SALE BY AUCTION * * * *

THIRTY-FIVE SPECIAL VEHICLE REGISTRATION NUMBERS WERE SOLD BY AUCTION THIS MORNING (SATURDAY) FOR A TOTAL OF $807 800 WHICH WILL GO INTO THE GOVERNMENT LOTTERIES FUND FOR CHARITY PURPOSES.

THE AUCTION HELD AT LECTURE HALL OF THE CITY HALL, 8TH FLOOR, SAW THE REGISTRATION NUMBER CM1 FETCH THE HIGHEST PRICE OF $210 000.

ANOTHER NUMBER 738 WAS SOLD AT THE SECOND HIGHEST PRICE OF $89 000 WHILE THE LOWEST PRICE WAS $1 000 FOR CJ1798, CJ2006. CH9002, CJ327 AND CJ3666.

THE OTHER SPECIAL FOLLOWING PRICES x REGISTRATION NUMBERS WERE SOLD AT THE

$ $ < J

CJ 993 1 500 CC 63 75 000 CK 66 52 000

CL1122 11 000 CJ3238 8 000 AJ 77 22 000

CL 353 3 000 CH 4 7 000 CJ 133 14 500

CJ3138 5 500 CJ3111 1 500 CJ 826 4 500

AJ 11 41 000 1696 35 000 HK 868 66 000

CJ 148 3 500 CK2008 1 500 CK1238 6 000

CK 338 16 000 AA 93 20 000 CK 328 34 000

CJ3288 9 000 CJ7008 1 300 CK3233 5 000

CM 71 6 000 1889 47 000 CK 883 5 900

CM 924 1 100

THE NUMBERS AUCTIONED WILL BE ASSIGNED ONLY TO VEHICLES REGISTERED IN THE NAME OF THE SUCCESSFUL BIDDERS WITHIN 12 MONTHS OF THE DATE OF AUCTION.

TODAY’S SALE, THE 62ND ORGANISED BY THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT SINCE MAY 1973, BROUGHT THE TOTAL AMOUNT OF MONEY FOR CHARITY REALISED SO FAR TO $18 495 932.

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/s ......

SATURDAY, MARCH 28, 1981

8

PRISON OFFICERS PROMOTED * * * *

THE COMMISSIONER OF PRISONS, MR THOMAS GARNER, ANNOUNCED THE PROMOTION OF 121 PRISON OFFICERS DURING THE PRISONS DEPARTMENT’S ANNUAL STAFF DINNER LAST (FRIDAY) NIGHT.

THE OFFICERS WERE PROMOTED FROM ASSISTANT OFFICER II TO ASSISTANT OFFICER I, EFFECTIVE FROM THE BEGINNING OF APRIL.

AMONG THOSE PROMOTED WAS MR CHAN KAM-SHING WHO BECAME DISABLED DUE TO INJURY SUSTAINED ON DUTY IN 1978. SINCE THEN, HE HAS BEEN WORKING FROM A WHEELCHAIR IN THE COMMUNICATION ROOM AT VICTORIA PR ISON.

COMMENDATIONS WERE PRESENTED TO SIX OFFICERS FOR OUTSTANDING PERFORMANCE. THEY ARE ASSISTANT OFFICERS, MESSRS YU YUK-TONG, CHOI KWAI-FA I, LAU YAU-FOOK, WONG YAT-TONG AND LO CHIU-LAM- AND OFFICE ASSISTANT, MR LAW YIU-HOI.

MR YU WAS COMMENDED FOR PROMOTING OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY ACTIVITIES IN STANLEY PRISON HOSPITAL. HIS EFFORTS HAD WIDENED THE RANGE OF INTERESTS OPEN TO PATIENTS, INCLUDING PHYSICALLY HANDICAPPED PRISONERS.

MR CHOI WAS PRAISED FOR HIS ALERTNESS AND PUBLIC SPIRITED ACTION IN APPREHENDING A PERSON SUSPECTED OF SHOPLIFTING IN CENTRAL WHILE HE WAS OFF DUTY.

MR GARNER ALSO PRESENTED THE COMMISSIONER’S CUP FOR BEST PERFORMANCE AT THE DEPARTMENT’S ANNUAL PARADE TO THE STAFF TRAINING INSTITUTE AND THE PRESIDENT’S CUP TO TAI LAM CENTRE FOR WOMEN AS THE BEST CONTINGENT AT THE CEREMONIAL PARADE OF THE PRESENTATION OF CLASPS TO THE COLONIAL PRISON SERVICE MEDAL.

AT THE SAME TIME, MRS GARNER PRESENTED CUPS FOR THE BEST STALLS AT THE AUTUMN FAIR TO PIK UK PRISON AND HEI LING CHAU DRUG ADDICTION TREATMENT CENTRE.

THE MEETING WAS ATTENDED BY OVER 1 200 STAFF MEMBERS FROM VARIOUS CORRECTIONAL INSTITUTIONS.

/9 ........

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SATURDAY, MARCH 28, 1981

- 9 -

TENDERS FOR TSUEN WAN BYPASS * * * *

THE PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT INTENDS TO INVITE TENDERS WITHIN THE NEXT SIX MONTHS FROM PREQUALIFIED CONTRACTORS FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF THE SECOND STAGE OF TSUEN WAN BYPASS IN THE NEW TERRITORIES.

TSUEN WAN BYPASS STAGE II WILL CONNECT STAGE I OF THE BYPASS WITH TUEN MUN ROAD. THE TOTAL LENGTH OF STAGE II WILL BE 2.5 KM, INCLUDING A TWO KM FLYOVER ACROSS RECLAMATION AND OPEN WATER.

CONTRACTORS WHO ARE ON THE PWD LIST OF OVERSEAS CONTRACTORS WITH PREVIOUS EXPERIENCE OF MAJOR ELEVATED HIGHWAY PROJECTS WILL BE SENT FURTHER INFORMATION AND THE REQUIREMENTS FOR PREQUALIFICATION ON REQUEST TO i SCOTT WILSON KIRKPATRICK AND PARTNERS, CONSULTING ENGINEERS, 1720 OCEAN CENTRE, CANTON ROAD.

CONSTRUCTION IS EXPECTED TO START LATE THIS YEAR AND THE ROAD WILL OPEN TO TRAFFIC ABOUT THREE YEARS LATER.

THE CONTRACT IS BEING PREPARED AND WILL BE SUPERVISED BY SCOTT WILSON KIRKPATRICK AND PARTNERS ON BEHALF OF TSUEN WAN NEW TOWN DEVELOPMENT OFFICE OF PWD.

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

LIVING QUARTERS *

FOR POLICE BAND * *

TENDERS HAVE BEEN INVITED BY THE PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF A SPECIAL BLOCK FOR THE ROYAL HONG KONG POLICE BAND AT THE TRAINING SCHOOL AT WONG CHUK HANG.

THIS BLOCK WILL PROVIDE BARRACKS ACCOMMODATION FOR THE FORCE’S 116 BAND MEMBERS PLUS A MESS AND CANTEEN.

IN ADDITION, A TENNIS COURT WILL BE BUILT TO MEET TRAINING NEEDS ARISING OUT OF THE FORCE’S RAPID EXPANSION.

CONSTRUCTION IS DUE TO BEGIN IN MAY THIS YEAR AND COMPLETE BY AUGUST 1982.

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

*10 ........

SATURDAY, MARCH 28, 1981

10

DESIGN AND TECHNOLOGY COURSE FOR TEACHERS *****

AN OPPORTUNITY FOR SERVING NON-GRADUATE TEACHERS OF TECHNICAL SUBJECTS TO IMPROVE THEIR SKILL IN TEACHING DESIGN AND TECHNOLOGY IS BEING OFFERED FOR THE FIRST TIME BY THE HONG KONG TECHNICAL TEACHERS’ COLLEGE IN ACADEMIC YEAR 1981/82.

APPLICATIONS WHICH WILL CLOSE ON APRIL 16, ARE NOW BEING INVITED FOR THE ONE-YEAR FULL-TIME SUPPLEMENTARY COURSE. SUBJECT TO CERTAIN CONDITIONS, SUCCESSFUL APPLICANTS WILL HAVE THEIR COURSE FEES WAIVED IN ADDITION TO RECEIVING FULL PAY DURING STUDY.

CIRCULARS GIVING DETAILS OF THE COURSE AND OTHER RELEVANT INFORMATION HAVE BEEN SENT TO ALL SECONDARY SCHOOLS.

♦APPLICANTS MUST BE NON-GRADUATE TEACHERS SERVING IN AIDED SECONDARY SCHOOLS WHO HAVE PREVIOUSLY RECEIVED TWO YEARS FULL-TIME TRAINING IN TEACHING TECHNICAL SUBJECTS.

♦PREFERENCE WILL BE GIVEN TO THOSE WHO HAVE TWO-YEAR FULL-TIME POST-TRAINING TEACHING EXPERIENCE AND HAVE RECEIVED SOME TRAINING IN TEACHING DESIGN AND TECHNOLOGY,+ AN EDUCATION DEPARTMENT SPOKESMAN SAID.

EACH APPLICATION MUST BE ACCOMPANIED BY A RECOMMENDATION FROM THE SUPERVISOR OF THE APPLICANT’S SCHOOL TOGETHER WITH A GUARANTEE THAT THE TEACHER WILL BE GIVEN A POST IN THE SCHOOL ON COMPLETION OF THE COURSE.

SUCCESSFUL APPLICANTS WILL BE ASKED TO ACKNOWLEDGE, IN WRITING, WILLINGNESS TO ATTEND THE COURSE AND TO SIGN AN UNDERTAKING TO TEACH FULL-TIME IN HONG KONG SCHOOLS, ON COMPLETION OF THE COURSE, FOR A PERIOD OF NOT LESS THAN THREE YEARS.

♦GOVERNMENT WILL BE PREPARED TO PAY THE SALARY OF A TEMPORARY TEACHER TO SUBSTITUTE FOR THE TEACHER ACCEPTED ON THE COURSE,+ THE SPOKESMAN SAID.

COMPLETED APPLICATION FORMS MUST BE SUBMITTED VIA HEADS OF SCHOOLS TO THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT’S TECHNICAL EDUCATION DIVISION.

THE ONE-YEAR FULL-TIME COURSE WILL HAVE CORE STUDIES IN EDUCATION, EDUCATION TECHNOLOGY, LANGUAGE SKILLS AND CULTURAL ACTIVITIES PROGRAMME WHICH ALL STUDENTS MUST FOLLOW.

IN ADDITION, EACH STUDENT WILL STUDY, IN DEPTH, SUBJECTS RELATED TO TEACHING DESIGN AND TECHNOLOGY IN FORMS I TO III.

SATURDAY, MARCH 28, 1981

11

PROHIBITION OF LEARNER DRIVER ON PUI CHING ROAD *****

WITH EFFECT FROM 10 AM ON MONDAY (MARCH 30), LEARNER DRIVERS WILL BE PROHIBITED FROM ENTERING THE WEST-BOUND CARR I AGEWAY OF PUI CHING ROAD VIA FAT KWONG STREET, SHEUNG SHING STREET, SHEUNG HING STREET AND PRINCESS MARGARET ROAD, THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCED TODAY (SATURDAY).

THIS ARRANGEMENT IS TO IMPROVE TRAFFIC FLOW ON PUI CHING ROAD, A SPOKESMAN EXPLAINED.

APPROPRIATE TRAFFIC SIGNS WILL BE ERECTED TO GUIDE MOTORISTS.

-----0-----

RE-ROUTING OF SOMERSET ROAD *****

FROM 10 AM ON MONDAY (MARCH 30), SOMERSET ROAD IN KOWLOON TONG WILL REVERT TO TWO-WAY TRAFFIC FOLLOWING THE COMPLETION OF RO-aD WORKS IN THE AREA, A TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT SPOKESMAN ANNOUNCED TODAY (SATURDAY). PARKING SPACE ALONG THIS ROAD WILL ALSO BE RE I\STATED.

APPROPRIATE TRAFFIC SIGNS WILL BE ERECTED TO GUIDE MOTORISTS.

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

PLB PROHIBITION IN SAI KUNG * * * *

WITH EFFECT FROM 10 AM ON MONDAY (MARCH 30), PUBLIC LIGHT BUSES, UNLESS AUTHORISED, WILL BE PROHIBITED FROM PICKING UP OR SETTING DOWN PASSENGERS AND LOADING OR UNLOADING GOODS BETWEEN 7 AM AND 12 MID-NIGHT DAILY IN SEVERAL STREETS IN SAI KUNG TOWN. THE ARRANGEMENT IS TO IMPROVE TRAFFIC FLOW IN THE AREA.

THE ROADS CONCERNED ARE THE EXIT ROAD EAST OF THE PLB STAND AND BUS TERMINUS IN MAN NIN STREET- THE WESTBOUND CARRIAGEWAY OF MAN NIN STREET BETWEEN THE BUS TERMINUS EXIT ROAD AND PO TUNG ROAD- AND THE SOUTHBOUND CARRIAGEWAY OF AN 80-METRE SECTION OF PO TUNG ROAD SOUTH OF ITS JUNCTION WITH MAN NIN STREET.

APPROPRIATE TRAFFIC SIGNS WILL BE ERECTED TO GUIDE PUBLIC LIGHT BUS DRIVERS.

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

/12.....

SATURDAY, MARCH 28, 1981

12

WATER CUT IN NORTH POINT * * * * x*

FRESH WATER SUPPLY TO A NUMBER OF PREMISES IN NORTH POINT WILL BE CUT OFF FOR SEVEN HOURS FROM 11 PM ON MONDAY (MARCH 30) TO 6 AM

ON THE FOLLOWING DAY FOR A LEAKAGE TEST.

PREMISES TO BE AFFECTED ARE LOCATED IN THE AREA BOUNDED BY

58-328 KING’S ROAD, 4-32 AND 5-23 FORTRESS HILL ROAD, 95-97 TIN HAU

TEMPLE ROAD, AND 9-11 NORTH VIEW STREET, INCLUDING THOSE IN CHUNG ON TERRACE, COMFORT TERRACE, KIN WAH STREET, FORT STREET, CHEUNG HONG STREET AND CHING WAH STREET.

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

DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN

ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE. HONG KONG. TEL: 5-233191

SUNDAY, MARCH 29, 1981

CONTENTS PAGE NO.

EXTERNAL TRADE FOR JANUARY 1981 ..................... 1

UNIVERSITY GRANTS FOR 1981-84 APPROVED .............. 5

SCHOLARSHIPS FOR OVERSEAS MATRICULATION COURSE ...... 5

$28.6 MILLION PAID TO TRAFFIC ACCIDENT VICTIMS ...... 5

CLOSURE OF CHAI WAN KOK SPORTS CENTRE ............... 7

REST GARDEN FOR KWUN TONG ........................... 7

CHING MING - A STATUTORY HOLIDAY..................... 8

MACLEHOSE TRAIL ROUTE MAPS ON SALE................... 9

NEW TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS IN TSUEN WAN................ 9

REFUSE DUMPING GROUNDS TO BECOME GREEN PLOTS ....... 10

TEMPORARY CLOSURES OF STUBBS ROAD/TAI HANG ROaD ROUNDABOUT ....................................

11

SUNDAY, MARCH 29, 1981

1

EXTERNAL TRADE FOR JANUARY 1981 * * *

HONG KONG’S TOTAL MERCHANDISE TRADE FOR JANUARY 1981, VALUED AT $20 359 MILLION, SHOWED AN INCREASE OF 34 PER CENT AS COMPARED WITH THE CORRESPONDING MONTH IN I960.

DOMESTIC EXPORTS ROSE BY 27 PER CENT TO $6 346 MILLION, IMPORTS BY 31 PER CENT TO $10 685 MILLION AND RE-EXPORTS BY 63 PER CENT TO $3 328 MILLION. DOMESTIC EXPORTS AND RE-EXPORTS TOGETHER SHOWED AN INCREASE OF 37 PER CENT.

THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT RELEASED TODAY (SUNDAY) THE RELEVANT DETAILED TRADE STATISTICS.

THE CHANGES IN DOMESTIC EXPORTS TO THE 10 MAJOR OVERSEAS

MARKETS ARE AS FOLLOWS : PERCENTAGE CHANGE

JAN 1981 (HKS MN.) JAN 1980 (HKS MN.) INCREASE (HKS MN.)

USA 2 222 1 515 +707 +47

F.R. OF GERMANY 668 635 + 33 + 5

IX 555 528 + 27 + 5

AUSTRALIA 213 183 + 30 *16

CHINA 202 109 + 94 +86

JAPAN 198 181 + 16 ♦ 9

CANADA 163 119 ♦ 44 ♦37

NETHERLANDS 150 135 + 15 +11

SINGAPORE 147 132 + 16 +12

NIGER IA 134 68 + 66 +96

DOMESTIC EXPORTS TO THE U.S. CONTINUED TO GROW. SUBSTANTIAL

INCREASES WERE RECORDED IN CLOTHING (BY $440 MILLION OR 77 PER CENT), ELECTRICAL MACHINERY, APPARATUS AND APPLIANCES (BY $69 MILLION OR 53 PER CENT), AND WATCHES AND CLOCKS (BY $47 MILLION OR 57 PER CENT).

A SIGNIFICANT INCREASE WAS NOTED IN DOMESTIC EXPORTS OF CLOTHING TO WEST GERMANY (BY $54 MILLION OR 14 PER CENT). ON THE OTHER HAND, DOMESTIC EXPORTS OF TELECOMMUNICATIONS AND SOUND RECORDING AND REPRODUCING APPARATUS AND EQUIPMENT DECLINED (BY $16 MILLION OR 24 PER CENT).

AS FOR DOMESTIC EXPORTS TO THE UK, AN INCREASE WAS RECORDED IN ELECTRICAL MACHINERY, APPARATUS AND APPLIANCES (BY »16 MILLION CR 83 PER CENT)- BUT DECREASES WERE REGISTERED IN DOMESTIC EXPORTS CF TEXTILES (BY $10 MILLION OR 28 PER CENT).

C ZXTCT.DS .

SUNDAY, MARCH 29, 1981

2

DOMESTIC EXPORTS TO AUSTRALIA GREW STEADILY. INCREASES WERE REGISTERED IN CLOTHING (BY $7 MILLION OR 13 PER CENT) AND ELECTRICAL MACHINERY, APPARATUS AND APPLIANCES (BY 34 MILLION OR 52 PER CENT). DOMESTIC EXPORTS TO CHINA ALSO SHOWED SUBSTANTIAL GROWTH, THE MAJOR COMMODITIES BEING WATCHES AND CLOCKS (BY 321 MILLION OR 73 PER CENT) AND TELECOMMUNICATIONS AND SOUND RECORDING AND REPRODUCING APPARATUS AND EQUIPMENT (BY $21 MILLION OR 183 PER CENT).

AN ANALYSIS OF CHANGES IN DIVISION IS PRESENTED BELOW:

DOMESTIC EXPORTS BY MAJOR COMMODITY

JAN 1981 JAN 1980 INCREASE PERCENTAGE

(HK$ MN.) (HK$ MN.) (HK$ MN.) CHANGE

ARTICLES OF APPAREL AND CLOTHING ACCESSORIES 2 45 7 1 742 ♦715 ♦41

MISCELLANEOUS MANUFACTURED ARTICLES (MAINLY PLASTIC TOYS AND DOLLS) 890 791 + 99 +13

PHOTOGRAPHIC APPARATUS OPTICAL GOODS, WATCHES AND CLOCKS 561 434 +128 +29

TELECOMMUNICATIONS AND SOUND RECORDING AND REPRODUCING APPARATUS AND EQUIPMENT 422 409 + 13 + 3

ELECTRICAL MACHINERY, APPARATUS AND APPLIANCES (MAINLY TRANSISTORS AND DIODES AND HOUSEHOLD TYPE APPLIANCES) 420 320 +100 +31

TEXTILE YARN, FABRICS, MADE-UP ARTICLES AND RELATED PRODUCTS 399 372 + 27 + 7

/THE CHANGES

SUNDAY, MARCH 29, 1981

THE CHANGES AS FOLLOWS« IN IMPORTS FROM THE 10 MAJOR SOURCES ARE SUMMARISED

JAN 1981 (HK$ MN.) JAN 1980 (HK$ MN.) INCREASE (HKS MN.) PERCENTAGE CHANGE

JAPAN 2 254 1 600 +654 +41

CHINA 2 227 1 636 +591 +36

USA 1 120 873 +247 +28

SINGAPORE 973 697 +276 +40

TAIWAN 914 582 +332 +57

UK 470 436 + 33 ♦ 8

SOUTH KOREA 432 291 +141 +49

F.R. OF GERMANY 2$9 265 + 34 +13

SWITZERLAND 180 177 + 3 ♦ 2

AUSTRALIA 160 113 + 47 +41

LOCAL DEMAND FOR JAPANESE GOODS REMAINED STRONG. INCREASES WERE NOTED PARTICULARLY FOR TELECOMMUNICATIONS AND SOUND RECORDING AND REPRODUCING APPARATUS AND EQUIPMENT (BY $102 MILLION OR 67 PER CENT), ROAD VEHICLES (BY $99 MILLION OR 66 PER CENT), TEXTILES (BY $63 MILLION OR 33 PER CENT), AND WATCHES AND CLOCKS (BY $58 MILLION OR 42 PER CENT).

AS FOR IMPORTS FROM CHINA, INCREASES WERE RECORDED MAINLY IN CLOTHING (BY $130 MILLION OR 111 PER CENT), TEXTILES (BY $127 MILLION OR 43 PER CENT), VEGETABLES AND FRUIT (BY $44 MILLION OR 47 PER CENT), LIVE ANIMALS CHIEFLY FOR FOOD (BY $39 MILLION OR 36 PER CENT), AND MANUFACTURES OF METAL (BY $33 MILLION OR 151 PER CENT).

INCREASE IN IMPORTS FROM THE U.S. WERE LARGELY OF ORGANIC CHEMICALS (BY $44 MILLION OR 535 PER CENT), VEGETABLES AND FRUIT (BY $43 MILLION OR 90 PER CENT), OFFICE MACHINES AND AUTOMATIC DATA PROCESSING EQUIPMENT (BY $32 MILLION OR 36 PER CENT), IRON AND STEEL (BY $21 MILLION OR 400 PER CENT) AND MANUFACTURES OF METAL (BY $13 MILLION OR 114 PER CENT).

SIGNIFICANT INCREASES WERE RECORDED IN THE SUPPLY OF PETROLEUM AND RELATED PRODUCTS (BY $240 MILLION OR 48 PER CENT) FROM SINGAPORE, AS WELL AS TEXTILES (BY $172 MILLION OR 78 PER CENT) AND IRON AND STEEL (BY $33 MILLION OR 224 PER CENT) FROM TAIWAN.

/THE FOLLOWING ......

SUNDAY, MARCH 29, 1981

4

THE FOLLOWING TABLE ILLUSTRATES THE MORE IMPORTANT CHANGES IN IMPORTS BY COMMODITY SECTION:

JAN 1981 (HK$ MN.) JAN 1980 (HK$ MN.) INCREASE (HK$ MN.) PERCENTAGE CHANGE

MANUFACTURED GOODS CLASSIFIED CHIEFLY BY MATERIAL (MAINLY TEXTILE PRODUCTS, DIAMONDS, IRON AND STEEL, AND PAPER) 3 223 2 351 +872 ♦37

MACHINERY AND TRANSPORT EQUIPMENT 2 254 1 672 +582 +35

MISCELLANEOUS MANUFACTURED ARTICLES (MAINLY WATCHES AND CLOCKS, ARTICLES OF APPAREL) 1 545 1 □83 +461 +43

FOOD AND LIVE ANIMALS CHIEFLY FOR FOOD 1 186 881 ♦305 ♦35

MINERAL FUELS, LUBRICANTS AND RELATED MATERIALS 990 733 +258 +35

CHEMICALS AND RELATED PRODUCTS 775 690 + 85 +12

SUBSTANTIAL GROWTH WAS RECORDED IN RE-EXPORTS TO CHINA (BY $505 MILLION OR 250 PER CENT), USA (BY $185 MILLION OR 99 PER CENT), INDONESIA (BY $133 MILLION OR 89 PER CENT), SINGAPORE (BY $110 MILLION OR 70 PER CENT), JAPAN (BY $58 MILLION OR 37 PER CENT), NIGERIA (BY $58 MILLION OR 140 PER CENT), SOUTH KOREA (BY $32 MILLION OR 48 PER CENT), AND MACAU (BY $25 MILLION OR 33 PER CENT). ON THE OTHER HAND. A DECLINE WAS REGISTERED IN RE-EXPORTS TO SWITZERLAND (BY $47 MILLION OR 62 PER CENT).

MOST COMMODITIES RE-EXPORTED THROUGH HONG KONG EXHIBITED STRONG GROWTH, THE MORE SIGNIFICANT ONES BEING TEXTILES (BY $356 MILLION OR 163 PER CENT), TELECOMMUNICATIONS AND SOUND RECORDING AND REPRODUCING APPARATUS AND EQUIPMENT (BY $1141 MILLION OR 145 PER CENT), ELECTRICAL MACHINERY, APPARATUS AND WPPLIANCES (BY $108 MILLION OR 95 PER CENT), METALLIFEROUS ORES AND METAL SCRAP (BY $102 MILLION OR 185 PER CENT), ROAD VEHICLES (BY $92 MILLION OR 153 PER CENT), AND CLOTHING (BY $89 MILLION OR 88 PER CENT).

♦THE HONG KONG TRADE STATISTICS - SUMMARY+, A SUMMARY REPORT ON HONG KONG’S EXTERNAL TRADE IN JANUARY 1981, WILL SOON BE ON SALE AT THE GOVERNMENT PUBLICATIONS CENTRE AT HK$3 PER COPY. A MORE COMPREHENSIVE REPORT, +HONG KONG EXTERNAL TRADE*, WITH A DETAILED ANALYSIS OF THE MONTH’S IMPORTS, EXPORTS AND RE-EXPORTS, WILL BE PUBLISHED IN EARLY APRIL AND WILL ALSO BE AVAILABLE AT THE GOVERNMENT PUBLICATIONS CENTRE AT HK$10 PER COPY. ENQUIRIES CONCERNING SUBSCRIPTIONS TO THESE REPORTS MAY BE DIRECTED TO THE INFORMATION SERVICES DEPARTMENT AT BASKERVILLE HOUSE, HONG KONG. (TEL. NO. : 5-214375).

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/5......

SUNDAY, MARCH 29, 1981 -5-

UNIVERSITY GRANTS FOR 1981-84 APPROVED * * * *

AFTER CONSIDERATION OF THE UNIVERSITY AND POLYTECHNIC GRANTS COMMITTEE’S RECOMMENDATIONS, THE GOVERNMENT HAS APPROVED RECURRENT BLOCK GRANTS TOTALLING $1 840 MILLION TO THE TWO UNIVERSITIES AND THE POLYTECHNIC IN 1981-84 TRIENNIUM.

IN THE FINANCIAL YEAR 1981-82, THE GOVERNMENT WILL BE PROVIDING 3426 MILLION TOWARDS THE RUNNING COSTS OF THE THREE INSTITUTIONS. HOWEVER, THIS DOES NOT INCLUDE EXPENDITURE ON THE NEW DENTAL SCHOOL AT THE UNIVERSITY OF HONG KONG, WHICH IN THE NEXT YEAR WILL REACH 357 MILLION.

THE GOVERNMENT WILL ALSO BE PROVIDING $8 MILLION FOR NEW CAPITAL WORKS PROJECTS IN THE THREE INSTITUTIONS IN 1981-82, IN ADDITION TO THE 3182 MILLION WHICH IT IS PROVIDING FOR THE EXISTING 4PPR0VED DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME.

THIS CAPITAL EXPENDITURE IS IN LINE WITH THE GOVERNMENT’S OBJECTIVE OF PROVIDING, BY 1983/84, PLACES FOR 11 620 STUDENTS AT THE TWO UNIVERSITIES AND FOR 12 000 FULL-TIME EQUIVALENT STUDENTS aT THE POLYTECHNIC.

HOWEVER, THE CAPITAL DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME EXTENDS BEYOND 1983/84 AND ASSUMES CONTINUED ANNUAL GROWTH AT THE UNIVERSITIES OF FOUR 3ER CENT UP TO 1986/87. THIS GROWTH RATE IS BEING APPRAISED 'N THE CONTEXT OF HONG KONG’S OVERALL EDUCATIONAL REQUIREMENTS BY THE COMMITTEE SET UP TO REVIEW POST SECONDARY AND TECHNICAL EDUCATION, UNDER THE CHAIRMANSHIP OF MR KENNETH TOPLEY.

THE GRANTS INCLUDE PROVISION FOR DEGREE COURSES AT THE POLYTECHNIC IN A NUMBER OF SUBJECT AREAS. THESE DEGREE PROPOSALS WILL BE ASSESSED BY THE UK COUNCIL FOR NATIONAL ACADEMIC AWARDS AND ARE SUBJECT TO THE APPROVAL OF THE GOVERNOR-IN-COUNCIL.

THE GRANTS ALSO INCLUDE AN EARMARKED GRANT OF $4.6 MILLION FOR THE 1981-84 TRIENN IUM FOR THE INTRODUCTION OF PART-TIME DEGREES AT THE CHINESE UNIVERSITY OF HONG KONG IN SOCIAL WORK, ENGLISH AND CHINESE, BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION AND MUSIC.

0 -------

SCHOLARSHIPS FOR OVERSEAS MATRICULATION COURSE

* * *

HONG KONG STUDENTS WITH GOOD ACADEMIC RECORDS ARE INVITED TO APPLY FOR SCHOLARSHIPS DONATED BY LEADING LOCAL ORGANISATIONS FOR A TWO-YEAR MATRICULATION COURSE IN OVERSEAS INSTITUTIONS.

AN EDUCATION DEPARTMENT SPOKESMAN SAID THE SCHOLARSHIPS, EACH WORTH ABOUT $100 000 FOR TWO YEARS, ARE TENABLE THIS SEPTEMBER AT ATLANTIC COLLEGE IN THE UNITED KINGDOM OR PEARSON COLLEGE IN CANADA.

THE COURSE WILL LEAD TO THE INTERNATIONAL BACCALAUREATE, WHICH IS RECOGNISED FOR UNIVERSITY ENTRY IN HONG KONG AND IN MOST OTHER COUNTRIES, INCLUDING THE UNITED KINGDOM AND CANADA.

/SINCE THE ...

SUNDAY, MARCH 29, 1981

6

SINCE THE SCHOLARSHIPS WERE FIRST INTRODUCED TO HONG KONG IN 1972, A TOTAL OF 54 STUDENTS HAD BEEN GRANTED AWARDS UP TO SEPTEMBER LAST YEAR.

APPLICATION FORMS ARE OBTAINABLE FROM THE OVERSEAS STUDENTS AND SCHOLARSHIPS SECTION OF THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT, ROOM 1522, LEIGHTON CENTRE, 77 LEIGHTON ROAD, CAUSEWAY BAY, HONG KONG.

♦COMPLETED FORMS MUST BE RETURNED IN PERSON TO THE SECTION ON OR BEFORE APRIL 13,+ THE SPOKESMAN SAID.

APPLICANTS FOR THE SCHOLARSHIPS MUST BE OVER 16 AND UNDER 18 YEARS OF AGE ON SEPTEMBER 1, 1981, AND HOLD A HONG KONG CERTIFICATE OF EDUCATION WITH AT LEAST FIVE SUBJECTS AT GRADE C OR ABOVE, INCLUDING GOOD RESULTS IN THE ENGLISH LANGUAGE, OR EQUIVALENT.

APPLICANTS WHO WILL SIT FOR THE 1981 HONG KONG CERTIFICATE OF EDUCATION EXAMINATION MAY ALSO BE CONSIDERED.

SELECTION WILL BE BASED ON PAST ACADEMIC RECORDS, EXTRACURRICULAR ACTIVITIES, RECOMMENDATIONS OF SCHOOL HEADS, PERSONALITY AND PROFICIENCY IN ENGLISH.

♦SUCCESSFUL APPLICANTS WILL BE ADMITTED TO THE COLLEGES IN SEPTEMBER THIS YEAR. THE ACADEMIC AND ACTIVITIES PROGRAMMES IN THE COLLEGES ARE INTERWOVEN FOR STUDENTS’ DEVELOPMENT.

♦STUDENTS ARE ENCOURAGED TO TAKE PART IN A VARIETY OF ACTIVITIES INCLUDING COMMUNITY SERVICES,+ THE SPOKESMAN SAID.

THE $100 000 SCHOLARSHIP WILL COVER PART OF THE TUITION AND BOARDING FEES DURING THE TWO YEARS.

IT WILL, HOWEVER, NOT BE ADEQUATE TO COVER EXPENSES SUCH AS AIR FARES, PERSONAL ALLOWANCES AND OTHER ITEMS OF EXPENDITURE, AND INTENDING APPLICANTS ARE ADVISED TO ENSURE THAT THEY HAVE SUFFICIENT ADDITIONAL FUNDS TO MEET THESE EXPENSES.

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

$28.6 MILLION PAID TO TRAFFIC ACCIDENT VICTIMS *****

THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT HAS PAID OUT MORE THAN $28.6 MILLION AS QUICK CASH RELIEF TO 7 316 CASES UNDER THE +N0 FAULT+ TRAFFIC ACCIDENT VICTIMS ASSISTANCE (TAVA) SCHEME SINCE THE SCHEME STARTED IN MAY 1979.

MR SIU KING-CHIU, HEAD OF THE DEPARTMENT’S TAVA SECTION, SAID TODAY (SUNDAY) ANOTHER $375 000 HAD BEEN AUTHORISED FOR PAYMENT TO 163 CASES.

MR SIU SAID GRANTS ALREADY MADE WERE PAID TO 662 CASES INVOLVING DEATH, AND TO 6 654 CASES INVOLVING INJURIES CAUSING AT LEAST SEVEN DAYS’ LOSS OF EARNING.

PAYMENTS FOR DEATH GRANTS AMOUNTED TO NEARLY $5 MILLION, HE SAID WHILE INJURY PAYMENTS TOTALLED $23.6 MILLION, OF WHICH $5.8 MILLION WERE FOR FURTHER PAYMENTS TO THOSE WHO REQUIRED EXTENDED SICK LEAVE.

Arn -c-ytt

SUNDAY, MABCH 29, 1981

7

MR SIU SAID THE HIGHEST PAYMENT SO FAR WAS $26 100 IN ONE FATAL CASE, WHILE OTHER PAYMENTS RANGED FROM $800 TO $25 040.

+AT PRESENT, 269 APPLICATIONS ARE BEING PROCESSED AND THE APPLICANTS SHOULD BE ABLE TO RECEIVE PAYMENTS SHORTLY,+ HE SAID.

THE TAVA SCHEME IS NON-MEANS TESTED AND PROVIDES QUICK CASH RELIEF FOR TRAFFIC ACCIDENT VICTIMS OR THEIR DEPENDANTS REGARDLESS OF WHO WAS AT FAULT IN CAUSING THE ACCIDENT.

UNDER THE SCHEME, TRAFFIC ACCIDENTS MUST HAVE BEEN REPORTED TO THE POLICE.

PEOPLE INVOLVED CAN APPLY WITHIN SIX MONTHS OF THE ACCIDENT AT THE DEPARTMENT’S TAVA SECTION ON THE 14TH FLOOR OF THE WORLD TRADE CENTRE AT 280 GLOUCESTER ROAD, HONG KONG (TEL. NOS. 5-779421 AND 5-79O365O).

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

CLOSURE OF CHAI WAN KOK SPORTS CENTRE * * * *

WAN KOK SPORTS CENTRE TODAY

TWO SCHOOLS IN TSUEN WAN WILL BE USED AS TEMPORARY SPORTS CENTRES FOLLOWING CLOSURE OF CHAI (SUNDAY).

THEY WILL OPEN IN THE MIDDLE FACILITIES IN THE INTERIM UNTIL A THE HEART OF THE NEW TOWN IS READY

OF NEXT MONTH AND PROVIDE LIMITED REPLACEMENT SPORTS CENTRE IN FOR USE BY AUGUST.

ec„ SCHOOLS ARE THE PO ON COMMERCIAL ASSOCIATION WONG SIU CHING SECONDARY SCHOOL NEAR TSUEN WAN FERRY PIER AND THE HO CHUEN YIU MEMORIAL COLLEGE IN SHEK WAI KOK ESTATE.

ninGF0RT,NG activities SUCH AS FENCING, DANCING, ARCHERY, BADMINTON AND TABLE TENNIS WILL BE AVAILABLEi (I) AT HO CHUEN YIU MEMORIAL COLLEGE FROM 5.30 PM TO 9.30 PM EVERY MONDAY ^■DNESDAY AND FR,DAY“ (H) AT WONG SIU CHING SECONDARY SCHOOL THE oAME HOURS, BUT EVERY TUESDAY, THURSDAY AND SATURDAY.

BOTH SCHOOLS WILL ALSO OPEN FROM 9 AM TO 9 PM ON SUNDAYS AND ON PUBLIC HOLIDAYS.

MEMBERS OF CHARGE.

OF THE PUBLIC ARE WELCOME AND ALL FACILITIES ARE FREE

REST GARDEN FOR KWUN TONG

X * X *

TENDERS HAVE BEEN INVITED BY THE PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF A VACANT SITE AT THE JUNCTION OF KWUN TONG ROAD AND MAP WO STREET, KOWLOON, INTO A REST GARDEN.

THE GARDEN WILL HAVE A FEW ARBOURS, A CIRCULAR FLOWER BED AND SOME PARK BENCHES.

CONSTRUCTION WORK ON THE PROJECT, BEING FINANCED BY THE URBAN COUNCIL, WILL BEGIN IN MAY AND BE COMPLETED BY JULY.

SUNDAY, MARCH 29, 1981

8

CHING MING - A STATUTORY HOLIDAY

* * * *

A LABOUR DEPARTMENT SPOKESMAN TODAY (SUNDAY) REMINDED EMPLOYERS THAT THE CHING MING FESTIVAL WHICH FALLS ON SUNDAY APRIL 5 IS ONE OF THE 10 STATUTORY HOLIDAYS APPOINTED UNDER EMPLOYMENT ORDINANCE.

THAT SUNDAY, HE POINTED OUT, IS PROBABLY ALSO A REST DAY FOR MANY EMPLOYEES COVERED BY THE ORDINANCE, AND IF THIS IS THE CASE AN EMPLOYER MUST APPOINT AN ALTERNATIVE REST DAY BECAUSE A REST DAY CANNOT BE COUNTED AS A STATUTORY HOLIDAY.

IN THE CASE OF WOMEN AND YOUNG PERSONS EMPLOYED IN INDUSTRY, IF THE CHING MING STATUTORY HOLIDAY FALLS ON THEIR REST DAY, THE HOLIDAY SHOULD BE TAKEN ON THE DAY FOLLOWING THE REST DAY.

UNDER THE ORDINANCE ALL MANUAL EMPLOYEES, INCLUDING DOMESTIC SERVANTS, IRRESPECTIVE OF THEIR EARNINGS, AND ALL NON-MANUAL EMPLOYEES EARNING NOT MORE THAN $6 000 A MONTH, ARE ENTITLED TO THE HOLIDAY.

THEY MUST ALSO BE PAID FOR THE DAY OFF IF THEY HAVE WORKED CONTINUOUSLY FOR THREE MONTHS IMMEDIATELY PRECEDING THE STATUTORY HOLIDAY.

HOLIDAY PAY SHOULD BE EQUIVALENT TO THE EMPLOYEE’S EARNINGS, OTHER THAN OVERTIME PAY, ON A NORMAL WORKING DAY. WHERE THE EARNINGS VARY FROM DAY TO DAY, HOLIDAY PAY SHOULD BE THE AVERAGE OF THE DAILY EARNINGS DURING A PERIOD OF 28 DAYS PRECEDING THE HOLIDAY. PAYMENT SHOULD BE MADE ON THE NORMAL PAY DAY.

IF AN EMPLOYEE WAS REQUIRED TO WORK ON THE HOLIDAY, THE SPOKESMAN CONTINUED, HE MUST BE GIVEN AN ALTERNATIVE DAY OFF WITHIN 60 DAYS BEFORE OR AFTER THAT DAY.

IF THE ALTERNATIVE HOLIDAY WAS TO BE GRANTED BEFORE THE STATUTORY HOLIDAY, THE EMPLOYER MUST NOTIFY THE EMPLOYEE 48 HOURS IN ADVANCE OF THE ALTERNATIVE HOLIDAY. IF AN ALTERNATIVE HOLIDAY WAS TO BE GIVEN AFTER STATUTORY HOLIDAY, THE EMPLOYEE MUST BE NOTIFIED OF THE ARRANGEMENT AT LEAST 48 HOURS BEFORE THE STATUTORY HOLIDAY.

IF BOTH EMPLOYER AND EMPLOYEE AGREE, ANY DAY WITHIN 30 DAYS CF A STATUTORY HOLIDAY OR ALTERNATIVE HOLIDAY COULD BE TAKEN BY THE EMPLOYEE AS A SUBSTITUTED HOLIDAY, HE SAID.

ENQUIRIES ABOUT STATUTORY HOLIDAYS COULD BE MADE TO THE NEAREST BRANCH OFFICE OF THE LABOUR RELATIONS SERVICE. THE TELEPHONE NUMBERS ARE i 3-205638 FOR KOWLOON EAST- 3-201652 FOR KOWLOON WEST- 3-898520 FOR KWUN TONG- 12-422096 FOR TSUEN WAN-12-818443 FOR TUEN MUN AND 5-282523 EXT. 60 FOR HONG KONG ISLAND. --------------------------------0-------

SUNDAY, MARCH 29, 1981

9

MACLEHOSE TRAIL ROUTE MAPS ON SALE * * * *

LARGE ROUTE MAPS OF THE MACLEHOSE TRAIL GIVING DETAILS OF EACH OF THE 10 STAGES CAN NOW BE PURCHASED FROM THE AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES DEPARTMENT.

THE MAPS GIVE DETAILS OF THE LOCATION OF RECREATIONAL FACILITIES AS WELL AS THE DEGREE OF DIFFICULTY FOR HIKERS AT EACH STAGE.

THEY ALSO PROVIDE INFORMATION ON THE ESTIMATED TIME NEEDED TO COVER EACH STAGE.

ROUTES JOINING WITH THE TRAIL ARE ALSO SHOWN ON THE MAPS.

THE MAPS ARE SOLD BY THE STAGES AND EACH MAP COSTS $8.50. THE COMPLETE SET OF 10 MAPS COSTS $85.

THE MAPS SHOULD BE OF GREAT VALUE TO HIKERS AND GEOGRAPHY STUDENTS, WHO CAN MOUNT THEM FOR EASY REFERENCE.

THEY ARE OBTAINABLE FROM THE CARTOGRAPHIC OFFICE AT ROOM 1452 ON THE 14TH FLOOR OF THE CANTON ROAD GOVERNMENT OFFICES IN KOWLOON.

THE MACLEHOSE TRAIL IS HONG KONG’S FIRST LONG-DISTANCE HIKING TRAIL AND TRAVERSES THE NEW TERRITORIES FROM SAI KUNG IN THE EAST TO TUEN MUN IN THE WEST.

NEW TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS IN TSUEN WAN * * * *

NEW TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS WILL BE INTRODUCED IN TSUEN WAN FROM 11 AM ON TUESDAY (MARCH 31) FOR THE OPENING OF THE INTERCHANGE AT THE JUNCTION OF CASTLE PEAK ROAD AND TEXACO ROAD TO TRAFFIC.

EASTBOUND VEHICLES ON CASTLE PEAK ROAD PROCEEDING TO TSUEN WAN (NORTH) SHOULD TURN LEFT INTO SHING MUN ROAD AND TRAVEL ALONG TEXACO ROAD. THOSE HEADING FOR THE SECTION OF TEXACO ROAD TO THE SOUTH OF CASTLE PEAK ROAD SHOULD TURN LEFT INTO THE NEW LINK ROAD ABOUT 150 METRES DOWNSTREAM OF THE NEW FLYOVER AND PROCEED BY KWOK SHU I ROAD AND THE NEW FLYOVER.

THE UN-NAMED ROAD AT THE JUNCTION OF TAI WO HAU ROAD AND TEXACO ROAD LINKING TEXACO ROAD AND CASTLE PEAK ROAD WILL BE RE-ROUTED ONE-WAY TOWARDS CASTLE PEAK ROAD.

SHING MUN ROAD BETWEEN CASTLE PEAK ROAD AND TEXACO ROAD WILL BE RE-ROUTED TWO-WAY.

THE EXISTING TRAFFIC SIGNAL CONTROL AT THE JUNCTION OF SHING MUN ROAD AND CASTLE PEAK ROAD WILL BE REMOVED AND THE EXISTING GAPS AT THE CENTRAL DIVIDER OF CASTLE PEAK ROAD WILL BE PERMANENTLY CLOSED.

WESTBOUND TRAFFIC ON KWOK SHU I ROAD WILL ONLY BE ALLOWED TO TURN LEFT AT ITS JUNCTION WITH TEXACO ROAD.

/AT ABOUT ......

SUNDAY, MARCH 29, 1981

10

AT ABOUT 200 METRES NORTH OF THE NEW FLYOVER, NORTHBOUND VEHICLES ON TEXACO ROAD HEADING FOR CHEUNG SHAN ESTATE, LO WAI, SHEK WAI KOK ESTATE AND SHING ON ESTATE SHOULD USE THE NEW VEHICULAR UNDERPASS. RIGHT TURNING AT THIS LOCATION WILL BE BANNED.

ACCORDINGLY, THE ROUTES OF THE FOLLOWING KMB ROUTES WILL ALSO BE REVISED 1

* NOS. 32 AND 32A ON THEIR OUTWARD JOURNEYS WILL BE DIVERTED VIA TEXACO ROAD AND SHING MUN ROAD, AND VIA SHING MUN ROAD AND TEXACO ROAD ON THEIR INWARD JOURNEYS.

* 32B WILL BE DIVERTED VIA SHING MUN ROAD AND TEXACO ROAD ON ITS WAY TO TSUEN WAN FERRY PIER.

* NOS. 30, 46A AND 46B TO JORDAN ROAD, LAI YIU AND LAI KING HEADLAND WILL BE DIVERTED VIA TAI HO ROAD AND CASTLE PEAK ROAD INSTEAD OF SHA TSUI ROAD, TEXACO ROAD AND CASTLE PEAK ROAD.

* NOS. 31, 31A AND 35 TO SHEK LEI AND SHEK YAM WILL BE DIVERTED VIA TEXACO ROAD, SHING MUN ROAD AND CASTLE PEAK ROAD.

* NO 36 TO LEI MUK SHU WILL BE DIVERTED VIA TAI HO ROAD, CASTLE PEAK ROAD AND KWOK SHU I ROAD, AND VIA KWOK SHU I ROAD, TEXACO ROAD AND SHA TSUI ROAD ON ITS INWARD JOURNEY.

APPROPRIATE TRAFFIC SIGNS WILL BE PUT UP AND WILL BE ON HAND TO GUIDE MOTORISTS.

POLICE OFFICERS

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

REFUSE DUMPING GROUNDS TO BECOME GREEN PLOTS

* * * *

A NUMBER OF REFUSE DUMPING GROUNDS ALONG THE WATERFRONT OF CHEUNG CHAU ISLAND WILL BE TURNED INTO COLOURFUL AND PLEASANT LOOKING PLOTS SHORTLY.

WITH THE ASSISTANCE OF THE DISTRICT OFFICE OF ISLANDS, THE URBAN SERVICES OFFICE OF THE ISLANDS GAVE A FACE LIFT TO MORE THAN FIVE PLOTS OF LAND IMMEDIATELY AFTER THE RECENT MONTH-LONG CLEAN-UP, A SPOKESMAN FOR THE NEW TERRITORIES SERVICES DEPARTMENT SAID TODAY (SUNDAY).

THE SITES ARE BEING BRIGHTENED UP WITH THE PLANTING OF TREES AND SHRUBS BY STAFF OF THE NTSD.

THE CHAIRMAN OF CHEUNG CHAU RURAL COMMITTEE, MR FUNG PEI-TAI WHO IS ALSO CHAIRMAN OF THE ISLANDS DISTRICT KEEP HONG KONG CLEAN COMMITTEE, RECENTLY VISITED THE AREA AND WAS IMPRESSED BY THE CLEAN-UP AND GREENERY OPERATIONS. ACCOMPANYING MR FUNG ON THE TOUR WERE THE DISTRICT OFFICER OF ISLAND, MR ANDREW LUK, THE URBAN SERVICES OFFICER OF ISLANDS, MR YUNG CHING-FONG, AND THE DISTRICT AMENITIES OFFICER OF ISLANDS, MR NG SZE-KWONG.

0

/11.......

SUNDAY, MARCH 29, 1901

11 -

TEMPORARY CLOSURES OF STUBBS ROAD/TAI HANG ROAD ROUNDABOUT *****

THE SECTION OF TAI HANG ROAD BETWEEN STUBBS ROAD/TAI

HANG ROAD ROUNDABOUT AND BLUE POOL ROAD WILL BE CLOSED TO TRAFFIC FROM O.3O AM TO 5.30 AM ON TUESDAY (MARCH 31) AND WEDNESDAY (APRIL 1), THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCED TODAY (SUNDAY).

ON APRIL 2, 3, AND 4, A 300-METRE NORTH SECTION OF STUBBS ROAD/TAI HANG ROAD ROUNDABOUT WILL ALSO BE CLOSED TO TRAFFIC FROM 0.30 AM TO 5.30 AM.

MOTORISTS WISHING TO GO TO TUNG SHAN TERRACE AND CRAIGMOUNT wILL USE QUEEN’S ROAD EAST AND STUBBS ROAD. OTHER TRAFFIC WILL BE DIVERTED TO TAI HANG ROAD.

THE TEMPORARY CLOSURES ARE IMPOSED TO FACILITATE FLYOVER CONSTRUCTION WORK.

APPROPRIATE TRAFFIC SIGNS WILL BE ERECTED TO GUIDE MOTORISTS.

DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN

ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE. HONG KONG. TEL: 5-233191

MONDAY, MARCH ^O, 1981

CONTENTS PAGE NO

COMPENSATION RULE FOR VICTIMS OF VIOLENT CRIME RELAXED ... 1

GRANTS FOR NEEDY MATRICULATION STUDENTS .................... 2

PRESS CONFERENCE ON JUVENILE CRIME REPORT .................. 3

COMMUNITY CENTRE FOR TAI PO MARKET ......................... 5

REMINDER ON TRAVEL DOCUMENTS ............................... 4

CLOSURE OF SECTION OF ROUTE TWISK .......................... 4

TWO PWD OFFICERS RETIRE

5

MONDAY, MARCH 30, 1931

1

COMPENSATION RULE FOR VICTIMS OF VIOLENT CRIME RELAXED

*****

THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT TODAY (MONDAY) ANNOUNCED THAT A MAJOR ELIGIBILITY CRITERION OF THE CRIMINAL AND LAW ENFORCEMENT INJURIES COMPENSATION SCHEME HAS BEEN RELAXED.

COMPENSATION IS NOW PAYABLE FOR INJURIES WHICH HAVE CAUSED AT LEAST THREE DAYS’ LOSS OF EARNING OR EARNING CAPACITY. THE PREVIOUS MINIMUM PERIOD WAS SEVEN DAYS.

RULES ARE ALSO AMENDED TO REQUIRE CLAIMS UNDER THE SCHEME TO BE MADE WITHIN THREE YEARS OF THE DATE OF INCIDENT.

A SPOKESMAN FOR THE DEPARTMENT SAID BOTH CHANGES WERE INTRODUCED WITH EFFECT FROM MARCH 4 THIS YEAR.

THE SCHEME PROVIDES CASH RELIEF FOR PEOPLE INJURED AND FOR DEPENDANTS OF THOSE KILLED IN A CRIME OF VIOLENCE, OR THROUGH THE ACTION OF A LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICER IN THE COURSE OF HIS DUTIES.

IT IS ADMINISTERED BY TWO BOARDS OF COMMUNITY LEADERS APPOINTED BY THE GOVERNOR, WITH SECRETARIAT SUPPORT FROM THE DEPARTMENT.

THE SPOKESMAN SAID THE RELAXED CRITERION WAS ESTIMATED TO BENEFIT AN EXTRA 290 APPLICANTS AND COST AN ADDITIONAL $180 000 IN PAYMENTS PER ANNUM.

HE SAID THE TIME LIMIT OF THREE YEARS FOR APPLICATIONS WAS IN LINE wITH THE REQUIREMENT FOR LEGAL CLAIMS SEEKING DAMAGES FOR PERSONAL INJURIES, AS IT MAY BE DIFFICULT TO INVESTIGATE AND GET ENOUGH EVIDENCE FOR CLAIMS WHICH DATE BACK A VERY LONG TIME.

FROM LAST APRIL TO FEBRUARY THIS YEAR, NEARLY $1.4 MILLION WAS PAID TO 475 APPLICANTS UNDER THE SCHEME, BRINGING TO MORE THAN $9.5 MILLION THE TOTAL AMOUNT AWARDED SINCE THE SCHEME STARTED EIGHT YEARS AGO. DURING THE SAME PERIOD, 809 APPLICATIONS WERE RECEIVED, BRINGING TO 4 420 THE TOTAL NUMBER OF CLAIMS MADE SINCE 1Q73.

THE SCHEME RECEIVED ONLY 282 CLAIMS IN ITS FIRST YEAR OF OPERATION IN 1973-74.

THE SPOKESMAN SAID INJURIES, FOR WHICH CLAIMS WERE MADE, MUST HAVE BEEN REPORTED TO THE POLICE WITHOUT UNREASONABLE DELAY.

APPLICATIONS CAN BE MADE AT THE DEPARTMENT’S CRIMINAL AND LAW ENFORCEMENT INJURIES COMPENSATION SECTION ON 14TH FLOOR, WORLD TRADE CENTRE, 280 GLOUCESTER ROAD, HONG KONG (TEL. 5-7903349).

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MONDAY, MARCH 30, 1981

2

GRANTS FOR NEEDY MATRICULATION STUDENTS

*****

STUDENTS IN FORM/MIDDLE 5 AND FORM 6 CAN SOON APPLY FOR GOVERNMENT MAINTENANCE GRANTS IF THEY WISH TO PURSUE FULL-TIME MATRICULATION STUDIES IN THE NEXT ACADEMIC YEAR.

+THE GRANT AIMS TO HELP NEEDY STUDENTS CONTINUE THEIR ADVANCED OR HIGHER LEVEL EXAMINATIONS STUDIES,* AN EDUCATION DEPARTMENT SPOKESMAN SAID TODAY (MONDAY).

IN THE CURRENT ACADEMIC YEAR, MORE THAN 1 300 FORM/MIDDLE 6 AND FORM 7 STUDENTS ARE RECEIVING GOVERNMENT MAINTENANCE GRANTS AMOUNTING TO SOME S900 000, HE SAID.

APPLICATION FORMS WILL BE AVAILABLE FROM JUNE 1 AT THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT’S OVERSEAS STUDENTS AND SCHOLARSHIPS SECTION, ROOM 1522, 15TH FLOOR, LEIGHTON CENTRE, 77 LEIGHTON ROAD, CAUSEWAY BAY, HONG KONG.

FOR STUDENTS NOW STUDYING IN FORM/MIDDLE 5, THE FORMS MUST BE RETURNED THROUGH HEADS OF SCHOOLS TO THE SECRETARY, MAINTENANCE GRANTS COMMITTEE, NOT LATER THAN 10 DAYS AFTER THE PUBLICATION OF THE CERTIFICATE OF EDUCATION EXAMINATION RESULTS.

STUDENTS IN FORM 6 AND PROMOTING TO FORM 7 MUST RETURN THE APPLICATION FORMS THROUGH HEADS OF SCHOOLS TO THE SECRETARY NOT LATER THAN JULY 25.

+GRANTS ARE AWARDED YEARLY AND RENEWAL IS NOT AUTOMATIC. IF A RECIPIENT IN FORM 6 WISHES TO BE CONSIDERED FOR A GRANT ON PROMOTION TO FORM 7, HE MUST APPLY AGAIN,+ THE SPOKESMAN SAID.

STUDENTS IN FORM 6 WHO ARE NOT RECEIVING GRANTS IN THE CURRENT ACADEMIC YEAR ARE ALSO ELIGIBLE TO APPLY FOR GRANTS TO ENABLE THEM TO COMPLETE THE ADVANCED LEVEL EXAMINATION COURSE IN 1981/82, HE SAID.

GRANTS WILL BE PAID THROUGH HEADS OF SCHOOLS AT THE END OF EACH MONTH IN ARREARS FOR 10 MONTHS IN THE YEAR, AND THERE wILL BE NO PAYMENT FOR JULY AND AUGUST. IN RECENT YEARS THE AMOUNT OF GRANT AWARDED TO EACH STUDENT HAD BEEN IN THE REGION OF 5500 A YEAR.

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

/3.........

MONDAY, MARCH 30, 1981

3

NOTE TO EDITORS:

PRESS CONFERENCE ON JUVENILE CRIME REPORT

*****

THE WORKING GROUP FORMED LAST YEAR BY THE FIGHT CRIME COMMITTEE TO LOOK INTO THE CAUSES OF THE RISE IN JUVENILE CRIME HAS COMPLETED ITS REPORT.

DETAILS OF THE GROUP’S CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS WILL BE ANNOUNCED AT A PRESS CONFERENCE ON THURSDAY (APRIL 2) BY MR NIGEL FRENCH, CONVENOR OF THE WORKING GROUP, AND DR THE HON HO KAM-FAI, A MEMBER OF THE FIGHT CRIME COMMITTEE.

THE PRESS CONFERENCE WILL BEGIN AT 4.30 PM IN THE GIS THEATRE, 5TH FLOOR, BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, QUEEN’S ROAD CENTRAL.

COPIES OF THE FULL REPORT IN ENGLISH AND CHINESE, WILL BE PUBLISHED IN THREE OR FOUR WEEKS. HOWEVER, ADVANCE COPIES OF THE ENGLISH EDITION AND COPIES IN CHINESE OF THE REPORT’S CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS WILL BE AVAILABLE TO MEDIA REPRESENTATIVES BEFORE THE START OF THE CONFERENCE.

MEDIA REPRESENTATIVES ARE REQUESTED TO ARRIVE IN THE GIS THEATRE BY 4 PM ON THURSDAY SO THEY WILL HAVE SOME TIME TO GO THROUGH THE CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS BEFORE THE START OF THE CONFERENCE.

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

COMMUNITY CENTRE FOR TAI PO MARKET * * *

THE PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT HAS INVITED TENDERS FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF A COMMUNITY CENTRE AT TAI PO MARKET IN THE NEW TERRITORIES.

THE CENTRE, TO BE LOCATED AT THE JUNCTION OF HEUNG SZE WUI STREET AND PO HEUNG STREET, WILL HELP MEET THE NEEDS OF LOCAL RESIDENTS FOR COMMUNITY AND WELFARE FACILITIES.

IT WILL COMPRISE, WITHIN A SIX-STOREY BLOCK, A LIBRARY, A COFFEE BAR, A MULT I-SERV ICE CENTRE FOR THE ELDERLY, GROUP ACTIVITY ROOMS, STUDY ROOMS, ADMINISTRATION OFFICES AND A NURSERY wITH ROOF PLAY AREA.

A 500-SEAT HALL, COMPLETE WITH A STAGE, DRESSING ROOMS AND STORAGE AREA, WILL BE PROVIDED IN A BUILDING LINKED TO THE MAIN BLOCK. ON THE GROUND FLOOR OF THE BUILDING WILL BE CHANGING ROOMS AND A COVERED PLAYGROUND. A BASKETBALL COURT WILL BE BUILT NEXT TO THE CHANGING ROOMS.

WORK ON THE PROJECT IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN IN MAY AND BE COMPLETED A YEAR LATER.

MONDAY, MARCH 30, 1981

_ 4 -

REMINDER ON TRAVEL DOCUMENTS * * *

MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC ARE REMINDED THAT IT IS AN OFFENCE TO OBTAIN MORE THAN ONE PASSPORT, CERTIFICATE OF IDENTITY, DECLARATION OF IDENTITY OR RE-ENTRY PERMIT WITHOUT DECLARING THAT THEY HAVE BEEN ISSUED WITH SUCH DOCUMENTS PREVIOUSLY.

MAKING FALSE DECLARATION WHEN APPLYING FOR TRAVEL DOCUMENTS WOULD MAKE THEM LIABLE TO PROSECUTION, A SPOKESMAN FOR THE IMMIGRATION DEPARTMENT SAID TODAY (MONDAY).

THE SPOKESMAN POINTED OUT THAT IN MAKING AN APPLICATION FOR A TRAVEL DOCUMENT, THE APPLICANT IS REQUIRED TO DECLARE WHETHER OR NOT HE HAS BEEN ISSUED WITH ANY TRAVEL DOCUMENT- EVEN IF THE DOCUMENT HAS BEEN LOST OR HAS EXPIRED.

LAST YEAR, 802 PEOPLE WERE PROSECUTED FOR FURNISHING INCORRECT INFORMATION IN APPLYING FOR TRAVEL DOCUMENTS, AND THE MAJORITY OF THESE CASES INVOLVED APPLICANTS WHO WERE FOUND TO BE IN POSSESSION OF MORE THAN ONE RE-ENTRY PERMIT.

+THE MAXIMUM PENALTY FOR THIS OFFENCE IS A FINE OF HK$50 000 AND IMPRISONMENT FOR SEVEN YEARS,* HE SAID.

THE SPOKESMAN ALSO ADVISED THE PUBLIC TO SAFEGUARD THEIR TRAVEL DOCUMENTS. +LOST TRAVEL DOCUMENTS MAY FALL INTO THE WRONG -ANDS FOR UNLAWFUL USE. EXTENSIVE ENQUIRIES HAVE TO BE MADE EEFORE A REPLACEMENT MAY BE ISSUED.* HE ADDED.

----o------

CLOSURE OF SECTION * X

OF ROUTE TWISK

1), THE SECTION OF

... _ 11 AM 0N WEDNESDAY (APRIL 1), THE SECTION OF ROUTE 7w

IN TSUEN WAN FROM ITS JUNCTION WITH CASTLE PEAK ROAD TO THE YET UNNAMED NEW ROAD NEAR SHEK WAI KOK ESTATE WILL BE CLOSED Am“NCENJL?oJ?YT(5oNMY)RAFF'C’ ‘ TRANSP0RT ^R“™ENT SPOKESMAN

ROUTE TwISK

XVELWMEN^JJr^TSUe" "AD£ IN C0mCTI01* “'TH IE. TOUN

TRAFFIC HEADING EAST FROM TUEN MUN GOING TO ROUTE TwISK AMD SHEK KONG WILL BE RE-ROUTED VIA SHING MUN ROAD WHICH CONNECTS wITH CASTLE PEAK ROAD BESIDE THE TSUEN WAN POLICE STATION.

TRAFFIC HEADING WEST ALONG CASTLE PEAK ROAD FROM KOWI OON TO ROUTE TWISK SHOULD TURN LEFT INTO THE SPIRAL LOOP ROAD AND GO OVER THE FLYOVER OF THE TEXACO ROAD INTERCHANGE.

SOUTHBOUND TRAFFIC FROM ROUTE Tw'ISK TO TUEN MUN AND TSUEN wAN BE R£-R0UT“ OVER THE FLYOVER of THE TEXACO ROAD

I Im I tnlnANbt.

0 -

MONDAY, MARCH 30, 1981

5

TUEN MUN TRAFFIC SHOULD TURN RIGHT AT THE TRAFFIC LIGHTS AT THE END OF THE BRIDGE.

THE PART OF ROUTE TWISK AT THE CASTLE PEAK ROAD END WILL REMAIN OPEN FOR ACCESS TO MEI WAN STREET ONLY.

ALTERNATIVE ACCESS WILL BE PROVIDED FOR PEDESTRIANS FROM THE CLOSED ROUTE TWISK TO SHAN TSUEN ACCESS ROAD.

KMB ROUTE NO. 51 WILL ACCORDINGLY BE RE-ROUTED VIA CASTLE PEAK ROAD, TEXACO ROAD AND ROUTE TWISK ON ITS WAY TO YUEN LONG AND RE-ROUTED VIA ROUTE TWISK, TEXACO ROAD, KWOK SHU I ROAD AND CASTLE PEAK ROAD ON ITS WAY TO TAI KOK TSUI.

APPROPRIATE TRAFFIC SIGNS WILL BE ERECTED TO GUIDE MOTORISTS.

- - 0 - -

TWO PWD OFFICERS RETIRE * * *

TwO OFFICERS OF THE GEOTECHNICAL CONTROL OFFICE OF THE PUBLIC aORKS DEPARTMENT ARE RETIRING AFTER SERVING IN THE GOVERNMENT FOR A COMBINED TOTAL OF 63 YEARS.

THEY ARE MR CHEUK CHI-SUN, CHIEF TECHNICAL OFFICER AND MR CHU WING-HIN, SUPPLIES OFFICER.

MR CHEUK FIRST JOINED THE BUILDINGS ORDINANCE OFFICE OF THE PWD AS AN ASSISTANT BUILDING INSPECTOR IN 1952. HE WAS TRANSFERRED TO CIVIL ENGINEERING OFFICE WHERE HE BECAME INSPECTOR OF wORKS II IN 1965 AND INSPECTOR OF WORKS I IN 1973. HE WAS PROMOTED TO CHIEF TECHNICAL OFFICER IN 1978.

MR CHU JOINED THE GOVERNMENT SUPPLIES DEPARTMENT AS A HEAD WATCHMAN IN 1946 AND WAS PROMOTED TO STOREKEEPER IN 1953. HE BECAME ASSISTANT STORES OFFICER IN 1958 AND STORES OFFICER IN 1966. HIS POST WAS LATER RETITLED SUPPLIES OFFICER AND wAS TRANSFERRED TO THE PWD IN 1969.

AT A CEREMONY TODAY (MONDAY), MR R.H. PjLLING, CHIEF GEOTECHNICAL ENGINEER OF THE PWD PRESENTED THEM w ITH SOUVENIRS ON BEHALF OF THEIR COLLEAGUES.

- - 0 - -

DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN

ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE. HONG KONG. TEL: 5-233191

TUESDAY, MARCH 31, 1981

CONTENTS PAGE NO.

CORNERSTONE IN MEDICAL GENETIC SERVICE *..................      1

TRADE DESCRIPTIONS ORDINANCE EFFECTIVE TOMORROW ............... 2

SHA TIN COMPLEX NEAR COMPLETION ............................... 3

MORE STEPS TOWARDS METRICATION ................................ 4

OUTWARD PROCESSING ARRANGEMENTS AN AID TO TRADE............. 4

MOST OLD PEOPLE RECEIVE ALLOWANCE.............................. 5

EDUCATION ADVISER VISITS NEW TERRITORIES ...................... 6

ART WORK FOR EXHIBITION ....................................... 7

FANNING SWIMMING POOL REOPENS TOMORROW ........................ 8

WATER CUT IN TSIM SHA TSUI .................................... 8

WATER CUT IN SAI KUNG

8

TUESDAY, MARCH 31, 1981

1

CORNERSTONE IN MEDICAL GENETIC SERVICE

* M * *

DR K.L. THONG, DIRECTOR OF MEDICAL AND HEALTH SERVICES, TODAY (TUESDAY) OPENED THE MRS WU CHUNG PRE-NATAL DIAGNOSTIC LABORATORY AT TSAN YUK HOSPITAL IN SAI YING PUN.

THE LABORATORY IS AN IMPORTANT CORNERSTONE IN THE DEVELOPMENT OF A FULL MEDICAL GENETIC SERVICE IN HONG KONG, HE SAID.

THE MILLION-DOLLAR PROJECT, WITH SOPHISTICATED EQUIPMENT, IS DESIGNED FOR PRE-NATAL DIAGNOSTIC TESTS ON EXPECTANT MOTHERS WHO HAVE SPECIFIC INDICATIONS THAT A SERIOUS HANDICAP MAY AFFECT THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE FOETUS.

♦THE SERVICE IS OF GREAT VALUE IN THE EARLY DETECTION OF CONGENITAL ABNORMALITIES AS MANY OF THESE DEFECTS CAN NOW BE DIAGNOSED BETWEEN 15 AND 20 WEEKS OF PREGNANCY,♦ DR THONG SAID.

HE EXPLAINED THAT CONGENITAL ABNORMALITY DUE TO GENETIC HEREDITARY FACTOR IS AN IMPORTANT CAUSE OF DISABILITY. ^PREVENTION OF CONGENITAL DEFECTS IS THEREFORE EXPECTED TO HAVE IMPORTANT EFFECTS ON THE LEVEL OF REHABILITATION SERVICE REQUIRED.♦

DR THONG POINTED OUT THAT THE ROLE OF GENETIC COUNSELLING AND PRE- AND NEO-NATAL DIAGNOSIS IN PREVENTING DISABILITIES IS BEING INCREASINGLY RECOGNISED AND THE GOVERNMENT HAS PLANS TO IMPROVE AND DEVELOP EXISTING SERVICE.

♦THE LABORATORY MAY BE CONSIDERED AS PART OF GOVERNMENT’S OVERALL PLAN TO DEVELOP A FULL MEDICAL GENETIC SERVICE IN HONG KONG,+ HE SAID.

THE LABORATORY WILL BE OPERATED BY FULLY TRAINED STAFF UNDER THE GUIDANCE OF THE PROFESSOR OF OBSTETRICS AND GYNAECOLOGY OF THE UNIVERSITY OF HONG KONG.

DR THONG THANKED MR AND MRS WU CHUNG FOR DONATING S500 000 TOWARDS THE ESTABLISHMENT OF THE LABORATORY.

---o------

TUESDAY, MARCH 31, 1981

2

TRADE DESCRIPTIONS ORDINANCE EFFECTIVE TOMORROW * * * *

THE TRADE DESCRIPTIONS ORDINANCE, WHICH WAS ENACTED ON DECEMBER 3, 1980, WILL BE IMPLEMENTED TOMORROW (WEDNESDAY).

THIS LEGISLATION, WHICH REPLACES THE MERCHANDISE MARKS ORDINANCE, CLOSELY FOLLOWS THE PROVISIONS OF THE UK TRADE DESCRIPTIONS ACT. 1968 AS IT APPLIES TO GOODS AND AFFORDS GREATER PROTECTION GENERALLY TO THE CONSUMER. THE PRINCIPAL OBJECTIVES OF THE ORDINANCE AREi

* TO REPLACE AND EXTEND PREVIOUS LEGISLATION RELATING TO FALSE AND MISLEADING DESCRIPTIONS OF GOODS SUPPLIED IN THE COURSE OF TRADE AND TO PROVIDE SANCTIONS AGAINST MIS-STATEMENTS USED IN ADVERTISEMENT-

* TO CONFER POWER TO REQUIRE INFORMATION OR INSTRUCTIONS RELATING TO GOODS TO BE MARKED ON OR TO ACCOMPANY THE GOODS-

* TO RESTATE THE PREVIOUS LAW RELATING TO THE FORGERY OF TRADE MARKS AND THE APPLICATION OF FORGED TRADE MARKS TO GOODS- AND

* TO FACILITATE ENFORCEMENT OF THE REQUIREMENTS OF THE LAW BY CONFERRING WIDER POWERS ON AUTHORISED OFFICERS APPOINTED UNDER THE ORDINANCE.

THE NEW LEGISLATION, WHICH HAS BEEN DRAFTED TO SUIT LOCAL CONDITIONS, CREATES OFFENCES TO COVER MIS-STATEMENTS IN TWO MAIN AREASi THE FORGERY OF TRADE MARKS- AND THE APPLICATION OF FALSE TRADE DESCRIPTIONS.

THE AUTHORITY FOR ADMINISTERING AND ENFORCING THE LEGISLATION WILL REST SOLELY WITH THE DIRECTOR OF TRADE INDUSTRY AND CUSTOMS, WHO IS EMPOWERED TO AUTHORISE ANY PUBLIC OFFICER TO ENFORCE THE PROVISIONS OF THE LEGISLATION. TO THIS END, THE RESPONSIBILITY FOR ENFORCEMENT WILL FALL MAINLY ON THE TRADE INVESTIGATION BRANCH OF THE DEPARTMENT, WHICH HAS RECENTLY UNDERGONE A MAJOR RE-ORGANISATION IN ORDER TO TAKE ACCOUNT OF ADDITIONAL RESPONSIBILITIES EXPECTED TO ARISE FOLLOWING THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE ORDINANCE.

THE PENALTIES UNDER THE MERCHANDISE MARKS ORDINANCE HAVE BEEN INCREASED IN THE NEW TRADE DESCRIPTIONS ORDINANCE. THE MAXIMUM PENALTY FOR EACH OFFENCE HAS RISEN FROM $50 000 TO $100 000 ON CONVICTION IN A MAGISTRATES’ COURT, AND TWO YEARS IMPRISONMENT. THE MAXIMUM PENALTY FOR EACH OFFENCE ON CONVICTION IN A DISTRICT COURT HAS RISEN FROM $100 000 TO $500 000 AND IMPRISONMENT FOR FIVE YEARS.

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

/3......

TUESDAY, MARCH 31, 1981

- 3 -

SHA TIN COMPLEX NEAR COMPLETION

*****

A COMPLEX OF SWIMMING POOLS, SQUASH COURTS, TENNIS COURTS AND LANDSCAPED GARDENS ON 2.6 HECTARES OF LAND IN SHA TIN IS FAST GETTING READY FOR OPENING BEFORE THE EASTER HOLIDAY.

THE COMPLEX, LOCATED ON THE WEST BANK OF THE SHING MUN RIVER NEAR WO CHE AND LEK YUEN ESTATES, WILL BE NAMED THE SHA TIN JOCKEY CLUB PUBLIC SWIMMING POOL AND SQUASH COURTS, AND MANAGED BY THE NEW TERRITORIES SERVICES DEPARTMENT.

THE COST OF MORE THAN $25 MILLION HAS BEEN ENTIRELY FUNDED BY THE ROYAL HONG KONG JOCKEY CLUB, A SPOKESMAN FOR THE NTSD SAID.

THE PROJECT WAS DESIGNED BY PALMER AND TURNER IN CONSULTATION WITH THE ROYAL HONG KONG JOCKEY CLUB AND THE PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT, AND CONSTRUCTED BY GAMMON LIMITED.

♦BUILDING STARTED IN LATE 1979 AND HAS TAKEN LESS THAN 18 MONTHS TO COMPLETE,* THE SPOKESMAN SAID.

THE SWIMMING POOL COMPLEX, WHICH IS THE LARGEST OF ITS KIND IN THE CENTRAL AND EASTERN NEW TERRITORIES, COMPRISES A MAIN POOL OF STANDARD OLYMPIC SIZE FOR COMPETITIVE SWIMMING AND WATER-POLO MATCHES, A DIVING POOL, THREE ANCILLARY POOLS FOR TEACHING AND TRAINING AND A WADING POOL LOCATED OUTSIDE THE MAIN COMPLEX AREA WHICH WILL BE FREE OF CHARGE TO THE PUBLIC.

ALSO PROVIDED ARE A GRANDSTAND WITH A CAPACITY OF 800 SPECTATORS SPECIALLY DESIGNED TO FACE NORTH-EAST SO AS TO AVOID GLARE FROM REFLECTION OF SUNLIGHT FROM THE SURFACE OF THE SWIMMING POOL, A SWIMMER’S DECK, AND A CANTEEN FOR REFRESHMENT.

ONE OF THE SPECIAL FEATURES IS THE ARTIFICIAL TURF FOR SUNBATHING AND RELAXATION, WITH SHADES BUILT IN SELECTED AREAS ALONGSIDE THE POOLS.

REFERRING TO THE SQUASH COURT BUILDING WITH SIX COURTS, THE SPOKESMAN SAID IT IS THE LARGEST IN THE NEW TERRITORIES AND IS LIKELY TO BECOME A POPULAR VENUE FOR COMPETITION.

ALL COURTS HAVE FACILITIES FOR SPECTATORS AND TWO OF THEM HAVE GLASS REAR WALLS - THE FIRST PUBLIC COURTS OF THEIR KIND IN THE NEW TERRITORIES WHICH NOT ONLY HELP WITH COACHING AND TRAINING BUT ALSO ENHANCE VIEWING BY SPECTATORS.

THE LANDSCAPED AREA ADJACENT TO THE COMPLEX HAS BEEN RESERVED FOR POSSIBLE DEVELOPMENT IN FUTURE AS AN INDOOR HEATED SWIMMING POOL WITH SPECIAL FACILITIES FOR DISABLED SWIMMERS, THE SPOKESMAN SAID.

♦IN THE INTERIM, THE ROYAL HONG KONG JOCKEY CLUB HAS GENEROUSLY PLANTED OUT A PUBLIC GARDEN AND CONSTRUCTED THREE TENNIS COURTS TO PROVIDE ADDITIONAL VENUE FOR A SPORT THAT IS FAST BECOMING POPULAR IN SHA TIN,* THE SPOKESMAN SAID.

TUESDAY, MARCH 31, 1981

4

MORE STEPS TOWARDS METRICATION * * ft

MORE STEPS WILL BE TAKEN TOWARDS METRICATION IN THE COMING MONTHS TO TIE IN WITH GOVERNMENT’S METRICATION PROGRAMME.

STARTING TOMORROW (WEDNESDAY), THE PACKAGING AND LABELLING OF MOST PLASTIC PRODUCTS WILL BE IN METRIC.

A SPOKESMAN OF THE METRICATION COMMITTEE PLASTIC PRODUCTS WORKING GROUP SAID THE ♦SOFT CONVERSION+ WILL ONLY INVOLVE THE MEASURING OF PRODUCTS IN METRIC TERMS, AND WILL NOT AFFECT THE MANUFACTURING PROCESS OF THE PRODUCTS.

HOWEVER, HE POINTED OUT THAT THE FINAL GOAL OF THE PLASTIC INDUSTRY IN THE METRICATION PROCESS LIES IN ♦HARD CONVERSION* WHICH IS SCHEDULED TO TAKE PLACE IN APRIL, 1983. BY THEN, ALL RAW MATERIALS, DESIGN CONCEPTS, MANUFACTURING EQUIPMENT AND PRODUCTION WILL ALL BE METRIC ORIENTATED.

ALSO IN THE PIPELINE ARE PLANS FOR THE METRICATION OF NON-VEHICULAR PETROLEUM PRODUCTS.

WITH EFFECT FROM JULY, KEROSENE, INDUSTRIAL FUELS, HYDROCARBON SOLVENT AND CHEMICAL SOLVENTS WILL BE MEASURED IN ♦LITRES* INSTEAD OF +GALLONS*. LP GAS, RAW MATERIALS OF PLASTIC PRODUCTS AND WAX WILL BE CALIBRATED IN +KILOGRAMS+ INSTEAD OF ♦POUNDS* AND ♦TONS*.

TO ASSIST THE PUBLIC IN THE METRIC CHANGEOVER, THE METRICATION COMMITTEE IS PREPARING TWO SHORT FILMS ON THE USE OF +METRE+ AND ♦KILOGRAM+, THE BASIC UNITS FOR LENGTH AND CAPACITY. THIS WILL SUPPLEMENT THE ONE ON THE USE OF +LITRE* CURRENTLY BEING SCREENED ON TELEVISION.

PUBLICATIONS ON THE USE OF METRIC UNITS WILL ALSO BE AVAILABLE SOON FROM CITY DISTRICT OFFICES AND DISTRICT OFFICES IN THE NEW TERRITORIES.

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OUTWARD PROCESSING ARRANGEMENTS AN AID TO TRADE ft ft ft ft

THE NEW OUTWARD PROCESSING ARRANGEMENTS

MEAN THAT ORIGIN HONG KONG MANUFACTURERS ACROSS THE BORDER,

CERTIFICATION SERVICES WILL NOT BE DENIED TO WHO TAKE ADVANTAGE OF LOWER PRODUCTION COSTS _

PRINCIPAL TRADE OFFICER, MR WILLIAM KWOK, SAID TODAY (TUESDAY)

ADDRESSING A LUNCHEON MEETING OF THE ROTARY CLUB OF HONG KONG NORTHWEST, MR KWOK POINTED OUT THAT THE ARRANGEMENTS WOULD FACILITATE THE ISSUE OF CERTIFICATES OF HONG KONG ORIGIN FOR PRODUCTS WHICH HAVE HAD MINOR PROCESSING SUBCONTRACTED OUTSIDE HONG KONG, PROVIDED THE PRINCIPAL ORIGIN CONFERRING MANUFACTURING PROCESS IS CARRIED OUT IN HONG KONG.

/♦PREVIOUS ......

TUESDAY, MARCH J1, 1981

5

♦PREVIOUS CERTIFICATION RULES DID NOT ALLOW SUBCONTRACTION OUT OF HONG KONG OF A PART OF THE MANUFACTURING PROCESS FOR PRODUCTS CLAIMING HONG KONG ORIGIN,♦ SAID MR KWOK. NOW, GOODS THAT HAVE BEEN PARTIALLY WORKED IN HONG KONG NO LONGER LOSE THEIR IDENTITY WHEN EXPORTED TEMPORARILY FOR PROCESSING IN ANOTHER COUNTRY AND SUBSEQUENTLY RE-IMPORTED FOR FURTHER PROCESSING IN HONG KONG.

ANOTHER PURPOSE OF THE OUTWARD PROCESSING ARRANGEMENTS IS TO FACILITATE THE IMPORT OF GOODS, LABELLED OR MARKED ’HONG KONG’, TO BE FREE FROM CUSTOMS DETENTION AT THE POINT OF ENTRY PROVIDED SUCH GOODS MEET THE CRITERIA FOR THE ISSUE OF A CERTIFICATE OF HONG KONG ORIGIN, SAID MR KWOK. SUCH GOODS WITHOUT PRIOR REGISTRATION WITH THE DEPARTMENT ARE STILL LIABLE TO BE DETAINED AT THE BORDER FOR INVESTIGATION INTO A POSSIBLE FALSE TRADE DESCRIPTION OFFENCE.

MR KWOK POINTED OUT THAT THE CONCEPT OF OUTWARD PROCESSING IS NOT RESTRICTED TO HONG KONG. +IT IS A FAIRLY COMMON INTERNATIONAL CUSTOMS PRACTICE TO OPERATE OUTWARD PROCESSING ARRANGEMENTS FOR DUTY-RELIEF OF GOODS TEMPORARILY EXPORTED FOR PROCESSING WORK AND SUBSEQUENTLY RE-IMPORTED. FOR EXAMPLE, BOTH THE EEC AND JAPAN AT PRESENT OPERATE SUCH A SYSTEM.+

SO FAR THE DEPARTMENT HAS APPROVED 92 APPLICATIONS FOR REGISTRATION FOR OUTWARD PROCESSING. +OF THESE, NINE ARE IN THE TOY INDUSTRY, 23 IN THE TABLE AND KITCHEN METALWARE INDUSTRY, 22 IN THE KNIT GLOVE INDUSTRY AND 38 IN THE GARMENT AND ELECTRONICS INDUSTRIES. ABOUT 100 APPLICATIONS ARE IN THE PIPELINE,* MR KWOK SAID.

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MOST OLD PEOPLE RECEIVE ALLOWANCE * X * *

ALMOST 85 PER CENT OF PEOPLE AGED 70 YEARS AND OVER ARE RECEIVING OLD AGE ALLOWANCE, AND THE MAJORITY OF THEM ARE FEMALE.

THE DIRECTOR OF SOCIAL WELFARE, MR SELWYN ALLEYNE, SAID THIS TODAY (TUESDAY) DURING HIS VISIT TO THE PO CHING HOME FOR AGED WOMEN AND THE PO CHING CARE AND ATTENTION HOME IN FANLING.

MR ALLEYNE SAID THE DEPARTMENT HAD COMPILED A REPORT OF A SAMPLE STUDY CONDUCTED IN 1979 ON THE GENERAL BACKGROUND OF OLD AGE ALLOWANCE RECIPIENTS. AT THAT TIME THE TOTAL NUMBER OF RECIPIENTS REPRESENTED 82 PER CENT OF PEOPLE AGED 70 AND ABOVE.

♦IT IS NOW EVEN HIGHER AT 84.7 PER CENT AS THE CASELOAD HAS INCREASED BY 20 000 SINCE THEN. AT PRESENT, MORE THAN 157 000 OLD PEOPLE ARE RECEIVING ALLOWANCE PAYMENTS WHICH TOTAL OVER $20.5 MILLION A MONTH,♦ HE SAID.

MR ALLEYNE SAID THE STUDY SHOWED NEARLY 70 PER CENT OF THE RECIPIENTS WERE FEMALE AND THAT THE AVERAGE AGE WAS ♦YOUNGER* AS 47 PER CENT WERE WITHIN THE 70-74 AGE GROUP.

THIS IS BECAUSE OF THE LOWERING OF THE ELIGIBILITY AGE LIMIT FROM 75 TO 70 IN 1978, WHICH HAS SIGNIFICANTLY BOOSTED THE NUMBER OF RECIPIENTS, HE SAID.

/OTHER FINDINGS ...

TUESDAY, MAUCH 31, 1981

6

OTHER FINDINGS INDICATED THAT 99.6 PER CENT COLLECTED THEIR ALLOWANCE THROUGH BANKS* AUTOPAY SYSTEM, AND THEIR AVERAGE LENGTH OF RESIDENCE IN HONG KONG WAS 26.7 YEARS, HE ADDED.

OLD AGE ALLOWANCE IS A NON-MEANS TESTED MONTHLY PAYMENT OF $140 AS ADDITIONAL SUPPORT FOR A FAMILY TO LOOK AFTER AN ELDERLY MEMBER'S SPECIAL NEEDS. BASIC LIVING IS MET BY PUBLIC ASSISTANCE.

MR ALLEYNE SAID THAT SERVICES FOR THE ELDERLY, WITH THE SUPPORT OF VOLUNTARY AGENCIES, WERE EXPANDING ON ALL FRONTS, PARTICULARLY INSTITUTIONAL CARE.

HE SAID 17 CARE AND ATTENTION HOMES FOR THE ELDERLY WERE PLANNED TO PROVIDE 2 300 EXTRA PLACES BY MID-1980’S.

AT THE SAME TIME, THE EXISTING PROVISION OF 3 000 PLACES IN OLD PEOPLE’S HOMES IS EXPECTED TO DOUBLE BY 1985-66, WHILST AN EXTRA 5 000 HOSTEL PLACES WILL BE PROVIDED BY 1989.

MR ALLEYNE PAID TRIBUTE TO THE SPONSORING BODY OF THE TWO PO CHING HOMES, THE HEUNG HOI CHING KOK LIN ASSOCIATION, FOR ITS SERVICES OF LODGING, MEALS, RECREATION AND PERSONAL CARE TO OLD PEOPLE.

ACCOMPANIED BY THE ASSOCIATION CHAIRMAN, THE REV KWOK KWONG, HE INSPECTED THE FACILITIES OF THE HOMES WHICH TOGETHER LOOK AFTER 225 ELDERLY PEOPLE.

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EDUCATION ADVISER VISITS NEW TERRITORIES X * M M *

PROFESSOR PETER WILLIAMS, WHO IS IN HONG KONG TO ADVISE THE COMMITTEE TO REVIEW POST-SECONDARY AND TECHNICAL EDUCATION, SPENT A WHOLE DAY TODAY (TUESDAY) GOING ROUND THE NEW TERRITORIES.

PROFESSOR WILLIAMS, ACCOMPANIED BY HIS WIFE, WAS FIRST BRIEFED BY DEPUTY SECRETARY FOR THE NEW TERRITORIES, MR AUGUSTINE CHUI KAM, ON FUTURE EDUCATIONAL DEVELOPMENT IN THE NEW TERRITORIES.

HE THEN TRAVELLED TO TSUEN WAN FOR A TOUR OF VARIOUS DEVELOPMENTS AND A BRIEFING BY THE TOWN MANAGER, DR JAMES HAYES, AND THE CHIEF TOWN PLANNER, MR LO CHA I-WAN. MAJOR PROJECTS, SUCH AS THE MASS TRANSIT RAILWAY EXTENSION AND THE TSUEN WAN BY-PASS, WERE EXPLAINED.

IN TUEN MUN, PROFESSOR WILLIAMS WAS BRIEFED BY ASSISTANT DISTRICT OFFICER, MISS SARAH WU, ON PROJECTS INCLUDING THE TEMPORARY PIER FROM WHICH SERVICES TO MEI FOO SUN CHUEN AND CENTRAL WILL BEGIN IN A FEW MONTHS.

AFTER LUNCH AS GUEST OF THE DISTRICT OFFICER NORTH, MR PETER JOHNSON, PROFESSOR WILLIAMS TOURED TAI PO INDUSTRIAL ESTATE WHERE PROGRESS IN ATTRACTING LOCAL AND OVERSEAS COMPANIES TO SET UP VENTURES THERE WERE OUTLINED BY THE CHIEF EXECUTIVE OF THE INDUSTRIAL ESTATES CORPORATION, MR VIC MILLER.

/THE FINAL ......

TUESDAY, MARCH J1, 1981

7

F *t!AL CALL WAS TO SHA TIN WHERE PROFESSOR WILLIAMS WAS r»*PATo?r£ °F SEVERAL PROJECTS BY THE DISTRICT OFFICER, AM • A IK I UK HAot •

PROFESSOR WILLIAMS IS FROM LONDON UNIVERSITY'S INSTITUTE OF auCJTIOK. HE ARRIVED HERE OH MARCH 21 AND ISSTAYIM FOR THREE

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ART WORK FOR EXHIBITION

M *

SPECIAL EDUCATION STUDENTS ARE INVITED TO SEND IN THEIR ART AND CRAFT WORKS FOR SELECTION FOR DISPLAY AT THE HONG KONG ARTS CENTRE DURING THE SUMMER HOLIDAYS.

THE EXHIBITION WILL SHOW TO THE PUBLIC THE ACHIEVEMENTS IN ART OF HANDICAPPED STUDENTS IN SPECIAL SCHOOLS, SPECIAL CLASSES, HOSPITAL SCHOOLS, VOCATIONAL TRAINING CENTRES, TECHNICAL INSTITUTES, AND IN ORDINARY SCHOOLS, AN EDUCATION DEPARTMENT SPOKESMAN SAID.

IT IS ONE OF THE ACTIVITIES ORGANISED BY THE DEPARTMENT IN RESPONSE TO THE INTERNATIONAL YEAR OF DISABLED PERSONS, HE SAID.

SUBMISSIONS MAY INCLUDE PAINTING, DRAWING, PRINT-MAKING, PHOTOGRAPHY, GRAPHIC DESIGN, THREE-DIMENSIONAL DESIGN, CALLIGRAPHY, SCULPTURE, POTTERY, BATIK, TIE-DYE, MACRAME, EMBROIDERY AND OTHER CRAFTS.

VISUAL EXPERIMENTS IN VARIOUS MEDIA WILL ALSO BE CONSIDERED FOR INCLUSION IN THE EXHIBITION, THE SPOKESMAN SAID.

EACH CLASS MAY SEND IN NO MORE THAN FOUR PIECES OF ART WORK FOR SELECTION, AND ALL ENTRIES SHOULD BE SUBMITTED BY MAY 15, HE SAID.

SELECTED ART WORK WILL BE ON DISPLAY FROM JULY 25 TO AUGUST 4 AT THE HONG KONG ARTS CENTRE.

SOUVENIRS WILL BE AWARDED TO ALL PARTICIPATING SCHOOLS.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION, SCHOOLS CAN CONTACT THE ART SECTION OF THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT ON 5-621006.

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TUESDAY, MARCH 31, 1981

8

FANLING SWIMMING POOL REOPENS TOMORROW * * *

THE FANLING PUBLIC SWIMMING POOL WILL REOPEN TO THE PUBLIC EARLYRTHISWWEEKSDAY) AS THE ANNUAL MAINTENANCE WAS COMPLETED

A SPOKESMAN FOR THE NEW TERRITORIES SERVICES DEPARTMENT SAID THE SWIMMING POOL WILL BE OPEN TO SWIMMERS DAILY FROM 9.10 AM TO 11.45 AM, 12.15 PM TO 2.30 PM AND 3.00 PM TO 5.45 PM DURING THE MONTH OF APRIL.

------o - - - -

WATER CUT IN TSIM SHA TSUI

* * *

FRESH WATER SUPPLY TO A NUMBER OF PREMISES IN TSIM SHA TSUI WILL BE CUT OFF FOR SIX HOURS FROM MIDNIGHT ON THURSDAY (APRIL 2) TO 6 AM ON THE FOLLOWING DAY FOR A LEAKAGE TEST.

THE AREA TO BE AFFECTED IS BOUNDED BY NATHAN ROAD, AUSTIN ROAD, CHATHAM ROAD, AUSTIN AVENUE, OBSERVATORY ROAD AND KIMBERLEY ROAD, INCLUDING HILLWOOD ROAD.

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WATER CUT IN SAI KUNG

* * *

FRESH WATER SUPPLY TO A NUMBER OF PREMISES IN SAI KUNG WILL BE CUT OFF FOR 10 HOURS FROM 9 PM ON THURSDAY (APRIL 2) TO 7 AM ON THE FOLLOWING DAY TO FACILITATE WATER MAINS CONNECTION WORK.

THE PREMISES TO BE AFFECTED ARE LOCATED ALONG CLEAR WATER BAY ROAD BETWEEN PIK UK PRISON AND SHAW’S STUDIO- AND ALONG HIRAM’S HIGHWAY BETWEEN CLEAR WATER BAY ROAD AND PO TUNG ROAD, INCLUDING THOSE IN TAI PO TSAI SAN TSUEN, WO MEI, NAM WAI, PAK WAI, HO CHUNG, PAK SHA WAN, TAI CHUNG HAU, TUI MIN HOI, PO LO CHE, SAI KUNG MARKET AND SAI KUNG POLICE STATION.

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