DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL: 5-8428777
TUESDAY, MAUCH 1, 1988
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
HONG KONG HAS FOURFOLD ATTRACTION TO BUSINESS................... 1
GOVERNMENT CCMMITTED TO IMPROVING QUALITY OF LIFE .............. 2
FS DUTY VISIT TO U.K............................................ 3
JLG TO MEET IN HK THIS MONTH ................................. 3
MEMORIAL TO SIR EDWARD YOUDE.................................... 4
PADS STUDY LAUNCHED ............................................ 5
CONTRACT TO BE AWARDED TO IMPROVE NT CIRCULAR ROAD ............. 6
CUSTOMS WINS BATTLE AGAINST FAKE GOODS ......................... 8
ACCIDENTS INVOLVING LIGHT GOODS VEHICLES INCREASE ............. 10
FORUMS FOR TAI PG CANDIDATES .................................. 11
EMPLOYERS URGED TO RELEASE STAFF TO VOTE ...................... 12
FEAST FOR TUEN MUN ELDERLY .................................... 12
EASTERN DB TO DISCUSS FLYOVER PROJECT ......................... 13
KOWLOON CITY DB TO MEET ....................................... 14
SOCIAL SERVICES COMMITTEE TO MEET ............................. 15
KOWLOON CITY CHILDREN'S CHORUS TO HOLD CONCERT................. 15
DANCING, SINGING TO CLOSE NEW YEAR ACTIVITIES ................. 16
JOINT SPRING RECEPTION IN NORTH DISTRICT ...................... 17
SHA TIN SPRING RECEPTION ...................................... 18
KWUN TONG MUSIC GALA........................................... 18
GOVERNMENT PRIMARY SCHOOLS INVITE APPLICANTS .................. 19
TECHNICAL INSTITUTES HOLD OPEN DAYS ........................... 19
TEMPORARY ROAD CLOSURE IN TUEN MUN ............................ 20
TUESDAY, MARCH 1, 1988 1
HONG KONG HAS FOURFOLD ATTRACTION TO BUSINESS » * * * ♦
HONG KONG’S SENIOR REPRESENTATIVE IN NORIH AMERICA TODAY (TUESDAY, OTTAWA TIME) GAVE A CANADIAN AUDIENCE FOUR REASONS ON TOP OF ITS FREE TRADING STATUS WHY THE TERRITORY CONTINUED TO ATTRACT FOREIGN BUSINESSMEN.
SPEAKING AT A SEMINAR ORGANISED BY THE HONG KONG/CANADA BUSINESS ASSOCIATION IN OTTAWA, THE MINISTER FOR HONG KONG ECONOMIC AND TRADE AFFAIRS, MR PETER LO CITED HONG KONG’S GROWING ROLE AS A MARKET IN ITS OWN RIGHT; AS A LOCATION FOR MANUFACTURING COMPETITIVE PRODUCTS; AS A GATEWAY TO THE POTENTIALLY VAST ECONOMY OF CHINA; AND AS A BASE FROM WHICH TO DO BUSINESS WITH THE ASIA-PACIFIC REGION AS A WHOLE.
HE NOTED THAT IMPORTS FROM CANADA LAST YEAR INCREASED BY 39 PER CENT TO C$923 MILLION, WHILE EXPORTS TO CANADA ROSE BY 16 PER CENT TO C$396 MILLION. SOME 400 CANADIAN COMPANIES HAVE BUSINESS INTERESTS IN HONG KONG AND MOST OF CANADA’S MAJOR BANKS HAVE LOCATED THEIR REGIONAL HEADQUARTERS HERE.
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"OUR GEOGRAPHICAL POSITION IS IDEAL," HE SAID. "WE HAVE EXCELLENT TRANSPORT AND TELECOMMUNICATION LINKS. WE HAVE ONE OF THE WORLD’S BUSIEST CONTAINER PORTS.... WE ARE IN MANY WAYS A SERVICES CENTRE, IN PARTICULAR A FINANCIAL CENTRE, FOR THE REGION."
MR LO SAID THE TERMS OF THE SINO-BRITISH DECLARATION ON HONG KONG’S FUTURE HAD PROVED REASSURING TO BUSINESSMEN, ALLOWING FOR BUSINESS TO CONTINUE "JUST AS IT DOES TODAY".
ALREADY HONG KONG HAD BECOME A SEPARATE CONTRACTING PARTY TO GATT, A SEPARATE MEMBER OF THE CUSTOMS CO-OPERATION COUNCIL, HAD BEGUN NEGOTIATING ITS OWN AIR SERVICES AGREEMENTS, AND WAS SETTING UP ITS OWN SHIPPING REGISTER.
"ALL OF THESE ACHIEVEMENTS IN TRADE AND COMMUNICATIONS ARE, OF COURSE, VITAL TO UNDERPIN ONE OF THE MOST IMPORTANT OBJECTIVES OF THE JOINT DECLARATION -- THAT HONG KONG SHOULD MAINTAIN ITS INTERNATIONAL LINKS AND ITS OWN IDENTITY," HE SAID.
"THEY ARE THEREFORE IMPORTANT TO THE BUSINESSMAN CONSIDERING HIS DEALINGS WITH HONG KONG."
MR LO SAID HONG KING’S RECENT DECISIONS ON THE FURTHER DEVELOPMENT OF REPRESENTATIVE GOVERNMENT PROVIDED A FIRM BASIS FOR MAINTAINING HONG KONG’S HIGH DEGREE OF AUTONOMY AFTER THE TRANSITION IN 1997.
WHILE THERE WERE BOUND TO BE WORRIES ABOUT THE FUTURE, MR LO REFUTED SUGGESTIONS THAT HONG KONG WAS FACING "MASS EMIGRATION".
HE SAID A SIGNIFICANT NUMBER OF THOSE EMIGRATING DID SO TO OBTAIN AN INSURANCE POIICY IN 'UH FORM OF A NEW NATIONALITY SO \S TO "RETURN TO THEIR OWN CULTURE W I III AN INCREASED PEACE OF MIND”.
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"WE ARE AI,SO FORTUNATE IN THAT OUR STRONG ECONOMY AND STRATEGIC POSITION ALLOW US TO OFFSET ANY LO< \L LOSS WITH AN INCREASING NUMBER OF ’OVERSEAS BRAINS’ STAYING AND WORKING IN HONG KONG," HE ADDED. I
ON THE QUESTION OF CAPITAL OUTFLOW, MR LO SAID IT WAS A NATURAL PHENOMENON OF A STRONG ECONOMY THAT ENTREPRENEURS SHOULD DIVERSIFY, AND MUCH OF THE CAPITAL LEAVING HONG KONG WAS GOING INTO CHINA --ACCOUNTING FOR MORE INVESTMENT THERE THAN ALL OTHER EXTERNAL INVESTORS IN CHINA PUT TOGETHER.
AT THE SAME TIME, THERE HAD BEEN NO DEARTH OF CAPITAL INVESTMENT IN HONG KONG. ’’LAST YEAR," HE SAID, "240 NEW FOREIGN FUNDED COMPANIES WERE REGISTERED IN HONG KONG (WHILE) RETAINED IMPORTS OF CAPITAL GOODS GREW BY 25 PER CENT."
MR LO CONCLUDED: "THE CONTINUING IMPORTANCE AND DYNAMISM OF THE ASIA-PACIFIC REGION, AND THE POTENTIAL OF CHINA, PROVIDE A SOLID BASIS FOR THE CONTINUING PROSPERITY OF HOflG KONG."
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GOVERNMENT COMMITTED TO IMPROVING QUALITY OF LIFE
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THE GOVERNMENT IS COMMITTED TO IMPROVING THE QUALITY OF LIFE IN HONG KONG AND THIS MEANS, AMONG OTHER THINGS, THE CREATION OF A HEALTHY ENVIRONMENT FREE FROM POLLUTION.
THIS WAS STATED TODAY (TUESDAY) BY THE SECRETARY FOR HEALTH AND WELFARE, MR JOHN CHAMBERS, AT THF OPENING OF "INTERNATIONAL WATERTECH’’, THE FIRST WATER POLLUTION TECHNOLOGY EXHIBITION STAGED IN THE FAR EAST.
"AS COUNTRIES IN THE REGION BEGIN TO RECOGNISE THE HUMAN AND ECONOMIC COSTS OF POLLUTION, THERE IS AN INCREASING NEED FOR TECHNOLOGY TO HELP THEM COMBAT THE GROWING THREAT TO THE ENVIRONMENT," MR CHAMBERS SAID.
AS A RESULT, HE ADDED, THE ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION DEPARTMENT HAD INCREASED ITS STAFFING AND P\PFNI) I TUR I- B\ OVER FOUR TIMES IN RECENT YEARS.
"SPECIAL ATTENTION IS NOW BEING GIVEN TO CONTROLLING Till-DISCHARGE OF UNTREATED, SOMETIMES TOXIC, WASTES FROM FACTOR IES AND THE UNCONTROLLED DISPOSAL OF LIVESTOCK WASTE," HE SAID.
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TUESDAY, MARCH 1, 1988
MR CHAMBERS SAID SCHEMES WERE ALSO BEING PREPARED TO TACKLE THE SEWAGE PROBLEMS, PARTICULARLY IN THE OLDER URBAN AREAS, AND THE COST OE THE PROGRAMME WOULD BE AS MUCH AS $10 BILLION OVER TH! NEXT DECADE.
"INTERNATIONAL WATERTECH" WILL BE HELD FROM TODAY TO MARCH 4 AT THE HONG KONG EXHIBITION CENTRE, CHINA RESOURCES BUILDING, WAN CHAI .
ITS AIM IS TO BRINQ TOGETHER EXPERTS, IN THE FIELDS OF INDUSTRY AND GOVERNMENT FROM AROUND THE WORLD TO EXAMINE WAYS OF COMBATTING ASIA’S POLLUTION CONTROL AND WATER SUPPLY PROBLEMS.
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FS DUTY VISIT TO U.K. tit
ON
THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY, MR PIERS JACOBS, WILL LEAVE HONG KONG SATURDAY ImaS S> FOR A TWO-WEEK DUTY VISIT TO THE UNITED KINGDOM.
THE
WHILE IN LONDON, MR JACOBS WILL RENEW CONTACTS WITH THE BUSINESS COMMUNITY. AS WELL AS OFFICIALS IN THE j
THE BANK OF ENGLAND, THE FOREIGN AND COMMONWEAL1H OFFICE, DEPARTMENT OF TRADE AND INDUSTRY AND THE TREASURY.
HE WILL ALSO DELIVER A SPEECH ON "THE INVESTMENT OUTLOOK FOR
HONG KONG" TO THE HONG KONG ASSOCIATION.
MR JACOBS MADE SIMILAR VISITS TO LONDON IN 1986 AND 1987.
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JLG TO MEET IN HK THIS MONTH » ♦ ♦
THIS (TUESDAY) JOINT LIAISON
COMMONWEALTH OFFICE ANNOUNCED MFFTTNG OF THE SI NO-BRI1ISH
L TAKE PLACE IN HONG KONG FROM MARCH 8 TO 11.
THE FOREIGN AND MORNING THAT THE NINTH GROUP ON HONG KONG WIL
/OTHER MEMBERS
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OTHER MEMBERS OF THE BRITISH TEAM WILL BE THE SECRETARY FOR DISTRICT ADMINISTRATION, MR DONALD LIAO; THE POLITICAL ADVISER, MR DICK CLIFT; THE HEAD OF THE HONG KONG DEPARTMENT AT THE FCO, MR CHRISTOPHER HUM; AND A COUNSELLOR AT THE BRITISH EMBASSY IN PEKING, MISS ALYSON BAILES.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
MEMBERS OF THE BIRT1SH TEAM WILL BE ARRIVING BY FLIGHT BR 382, ETA 6.30 PM ON THURSDAY (MARCH 3) AND ARRANGEMENTS HAVE BEEN MADE FOR MEDIA REPRESENTATIVES TO COVER THEIR ARRIVAL.
MEDIA REPRESENTATIVES SHOULD ASSEMBLE AT THE AIRPORT PRESS ROOM ON THAT DAY AT 5.45 PM.
DETAILS OF OTHER PRESS ARRANGEMENTS FOR COVERING THE JLG MEETINGS WILL BE ANNOUNCED LATER.
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MEMORIAL TO SIR EDWARD YOUDE ♦ ♦ ♦ * ♦
LADY YOUDE AND THE GOVERNOR, SIR DAVID WILSON, TODAY (TUESDAY) ATTENDED A SERVICE AT ST JOHN’S CATHEDRAL WHICH MARKED THE DEDICATION OF A MEMORIAL TABLET TO THE LATE GOVERNOR, SIR EDWARD YOUDE.
THE BISHOP OF HONG KONG, THE RT REV PETER KWONG, OFFICIATED AI THE SERVICE, WHICH WAS ALSO ATTENDED BY MANY MEMBERS OF THE CIVIL SERVICE AND OTHER GUESTS.
THE MEMORIAL HAS BEEN INSTALLED IN ST JOHN’S CATHEDRAL WITH FUNDS RAISED WITHIN THE CIVIL SERVICE TO MARK SIR EDWARD’S OUTSTANDING LEADERSHIP OF THE CIVIL SERVICE DURING HIS I IMF AS GOVERNOR.
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PADS STUDY LAUNCHED * * *
A $44 MILLION STUDY TO PRODUCE A LONG TERM PORT AND AIRPORT DEVELOPMENT STRATEGY (PADS) FOR HONG KONG WAS LAUNCHED TODAY (TUESDAY) FOLLOWING THE SIGNING OF A CONSULTANCY AGREEMENT BY THE SECRETARY FOR LANDS AND WORKS, MR GRAHAM BARNES.
SIGNING ON BEHALF OF THE CONSULTANTS WAS MR JOHN WHITEFIELD, DIRECTOR OF MOTT, HAY AND ANDERSON HONG KONG LIMITED WHO ARE WORKING IN ASSOCIATION WITH SHANKLAND COX.
SPEAKING AT THE CEREMONY, MR BARNES SAID HONG KONG HAD FARED MIRACULOUSLY WELL WITH WHAT MANY HAD CONSIDERED FAR TOO LITTLE PLANNING, CERTAINLY MUCH BETTER THAN MANY COUNTRIES WHICH HAD ATTEMPTED TO PLAN MUCH MORE.
"SO THE AIM OF THIS STUDY TOO MUST NOT BE TO CHANNEL HONG KONG INTO AN ENORMOUS BOOM OR BUST SPECULATION PREDICATED ON A SUPPOSEDLY EVER-RISING PROSPERITY GRAPH, BUT TO PROVIDE A RANGE OF RATIONAL AND FEASIBLE COURSES OF ACTION AND A PROPER APPRECIATION OF THE CONSEQUENCES AND COSTS OF EACH.
"THAT WE HAVE TO INVEST HEAVILY AND EARLY IN BOTH PORT AND AT SOME STAGE THE AIRPORT IS BEYOND DOUBT, BUT THE EXTENT TO WHICH INVESTMENT CAN BE MADE TO SERVE THE TOTAL ECONOMY COULD WELL BE CRITICAL TO HONG KONG’S FUTURE.
"WITH THIS IN MIND A CRITICAL PART OF THESE STUDIES WILL BE THE INTERCHANGE WIT!' COMPREHENSIVE TRANSPORT STUDY AND ALSO THE METROPLAN," MR BARNES SAID.
THE ENTIRE STUDY WOULD TAKE 22 MONTHS TO COMPLETE BUT, OVER THAT TIME, THERE WOULD BE CERTAIN MILESTONE EVENTS WHICH WOULD CALL FOR HIGH LEVEL DECISIONS AND GUIDANCE.
"IN PARTICULAR, WE WILL NEED TO COME TO AN EARLY DECISION ON WHERE TO SITE CONTAINER TERMINALS 8 AND 9 IN ORDER TO KEEP APACE WITH OUR RAPIDLY ESCALATING PORT TRADE.
"THE NEED FOR AN EARLY STRATEGY FOR BACK-UP LAND FOR THE CONTAINER PORT IS ALSO A CRITICAL SUB-ITEM," MR BARNES SAID.
THE STUDY WILL ASSUME A TIME HORIZON OF 2011 AND WILL PRODUCE ALTERNATIVE STRATEGIES FOR TWO BROAD SCENARIOS. THE FIRST COMPRISES PORT EXPANSION AND THE RETENTION OF THE HONG KONG INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT AND THE SECOND COMPRISES PORT EXPANSION AND THE RELOCATION OF THE AIRPORT.
UNDER THE AIRPORT RELOCATION SCENARIO, TWO OPTIONS WILL BE EXAMINED.
/ONE WILL
TUESDAY, MARCH 1, 1988
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ONE WILL BE THE DEVELOPMENT OF A NEW AIRPORT AT CHEK LAP KOK, NORTH LANTAU, IN WHICH THE GOVERNMENT HAS PREVIOUSLY UNDERTAKEN DETAILED STUDIES AND WHICH WILL NOW BE UPDATED.
THE SECOND IS A SITE ON RECLAIMED LAND TO THE EAST OF LANTAU ISLAND, A CONCEPT ADVANCED IN LATE 1986 BY A CONSORTIUM LED BY HOPEWELL HOLDINGS LIMITED.
AS A FURTHER ELABORATION, THE IMPLICATIONS OF COMMISSIONING A NEW AIRPORT BY EITHER 2001 OR 2011 WILL BE EXAMINED.
THE PADS STUDY HAS BEEN INITIATED IN THE REALISATION THAT THE EMPHASIS OF INVESTMENT IN THE 1990'S MUST SWITCH TOWARDS ENSURING THAT THE TERRITORY CAN PROVIDE EFFICIENT SERVICES TO UNDERPIN ITS ECONOMIC GROWTH, WHICH IS LIKELY TO BE INCREASINGLY RELATED TO DEVELOPMENT IN THE WIDER HINTERLAND.
AT THE CONCLUSION OF THE STUDY, THERE COULD BE UP TO FIVE RECOMMENDED ALTERNATIVE STRATEGIES EACH OF WHICH WILL BE EVALUATED TO PROVIDE A BASIS FOR DECISION BY THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL, HAVING REGARD TO OVERALL DEVELOPMENT PRIORITIES AND POTENTIAL RESOURCE AVAILABILITY.
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CONTRACT TO BE AWARDED TO IMPROVE NT CIRCULAR ROAD « » * » »
THE HIGHWAYS DEPARTMENT WILL AWARD A $213 MILLION CONTRACT FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF A ROAD FROM FAIRVIEW PARK TO AU TAU AS PART OF THE NEW TERRITORIES CIRCULAR ROAD IMPROVEMENT PROJECT.
THE CONTRACT WILL BE SIGNED TOMORROW (WEDNESDAY) BETWEEN THE DIRECTOR OF HIGHWAYS, MR HAROLD BEATON, AND THE V1 (. E-PRESI DENT OF THE CHINA FUJIAN CORPORATION FOR INTERNATIONAL TECHNO-ECONOMIC CO-OPERATION, MR HUANG XUNGENG.
A HIGHWAYS DEPARTMENT SPOKESMAN SAID THAT THE $1.3 BILLION NEW TERRITORIES CIRCULAR ROAD IMPROVEMENT PROJECT WAS BEING CARRIED OUT IN FIVE PHASES.
THE FIRST FOUR PHASES INVOLVED THE CONSTRUCTION OF A 12-K1LOMETRE-LONG HIGH CAPACITY TRUNK ROAD FROM FAN KAM ROAD TO AU TAU RUNNING ALONG THE ALIGNMENT OF THE EXISTING CASTLE PEAK ROAD THROUGH KWU TUNG, SAN TIN, MAI PO AND SAN WAI. THE FIFTH PHASE WAS THE CONSTRUCTION OF THE AU TAU BYPASS.
THE WORKS COVERED BY THE NEW CONTRACT WOULD FORM THE FOURTH PHASE OF THE IMPROVEMENT PROJECT.
/THE ROAD
TUESDAY, MARCH 1, 1988
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THE ROAD UNDER THIS PHASE WOULD BE ABOUT THREE KILOMETRES LONG.
THE SECTION BETWEEN FAIRVIEW PARK AND THE FUTURE AU TAU BYPASS WAS DESIGNED AS A HIGH CAPACITY TRUNK ROAD WITH NO FRONTAGE ACCESS.
INITIALLY IT WOULD BE A DUAL TWO-LANE CARRIAGEWAY WITH A TWO-WAY SERVICE ROAD ON EACH SIDE.
PROVISION HAD BEEN MADE FOR ADDITIONAL LANES TO BE CONSTRUCTED AT A LATER DATE FOR WIDENING THE CARRIAGEWAY TO DUAL THREE-LANE.
THE REMAINING SECTION BETWEEN THE FUTURE AU TAU BYPASS AND AU TAU WAS DESIGNED AS A DISTRICT DISTRIBUTOR WITH A DUAL TWO-LANE CARRIAGEWAY.
A VEHICULAR UNDERPASS WOULD BE PROVIDED AT FUNG KAT HEUNG AND VEHICULAR OVERBRIDGES WOULD BE PROVIDED ACROSS THE KAM TIN RIVER AND THE FUTURE AU TAU BYPASS.
PEDESTRIAN CROSSING FACILITIES WOULD BE PROVIDED AT POK WAI, MO FAN TSUEN, SHA PO AND AU TAU.
OTHER ASSOCIATED WORK WOULD INCLUDE DRAINAGE IMPROVEMENTS, LANDSCAPING AND ROAD LIGHTING.
CONSTRUCTION WOULD START SOON AND BE COMPLETED IN LATE 1990.
THE FIRST PHASE OF THE NEW TERRITORIES CIRCULAR ROAD IMPROVEMENT PROJECT WAS FROM FAN KAM ROAD TO PAR SHEK AU. IT WAS OPENED TO TRAFFIC IN APRIL LAST YEAR.
THE SECOND PHASE, FROM PAR SHER AU TO MAI PO, AND THE THIRD PHASE, FROM MAI PO TO FAIRVIEW PARK, WERE UNDER CONSTRUCTION AND WERE EXPECTED TO BE COMPLETED BY EARLY 1989 AND EARLY 1990 RESPECTIVELY.
CONSTRUCTION OF THE FIFTH PHASE, AU TAU BYPASS WAS SCHEDULED TO START IN LATE 1989 FOR COMPLETION BY 1992.
UPON FULL COMPLETION, THE IMPROVEMENT PROJECT WOULD SIGNIFICANTLY RELIEVE CONGESTION ALONG CASTLE PEAK ROAD. IT WOULD BECOME PART OF A DIRECT ROUTE FOR TRAFFIC BETWEEN HONG KONG AND CHINA VIA THE BORDER CROSSING AT LOK MA (’HAU WHICH WAS BEING CONSTRUCTED AND DUE FOR COMPLETION AT THE SAME TIME AS THE SECOND PHASE, THE SPOKESMAN ADDED.
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CUSTOMS WINS BATTLE AGAINST FAKE GOODS ♦ ♦ * * *
THE CUSTOMS AND EXCISE DEPARTMENT’S EFFORTS AGAINST COMMERCIAL COUNTERFEITING HAVE NOT ONLY WON UNANIMOUS APPLAUSE ABROAD, BUT HAVE ALSO WIPED OUT HONG KONG’S NOTORIOUS NAME AS A CENTRE OF COUNTERFEIT GOODS.
THE DEPUTY COMMISSIONER OF CUSTOMS AND EXCISE, MR K.S. TONG, SAID THIS TODAY (TUESDAY) AT A LUNCHEON MEETING OF THE ROTARY CLUB OF HONG KONG NORTHWEST.
REVIEWING COUNTERFEITING ACTIVITIES IN HONG KONG, HE SAID COMMERCIAL COUNTERFEITING WERE NOT, AS RUMOURS ALLEGED, CONFINED ONLY TO HONG KONG OR SOUTHEAST ASIA. THE MANUFACTURING PLACES OF AND THE MARKETS FOR COUNTERFEITS SPREAD ALL OVER THE WORLD.
MR TONG ALSO COMPARED THE HARMFUL EFFECTS BROUGHT ABOUT BY COMMERCIAL COUNTERFEITING TO THOSE OF THE GLOBAL DRUG MENACE, NOTING THAT THE VOLUME OF COUNTERFEIT GOODS TRADE HAI) ACCOUNTED FOR ALMOST THREE PER CENT, OR US$60 BILLION, OF THE TOTAL GLOBAL TRADE IN RECENT YEARS.
HE POINTED OUT THAT THE DEPARTMENT HAD WALKED A THORNY PATH OVER THE PAST FEW YEARS IN FIGHTING COUNTERFEIT GOODS AND HAD MADE REMARKABLE ACHIEVEMENTS.
’’THE NUMBER OF PROSECUTIONS INVOLVING FAKE GOODS HAS INCREASED FROM 330 IN 1982 TO 889 LAST YEAR, AND THE VALUE OF SEIZURES INCREASED FROM $16 MILLION TO $56 MILLION.
’’MOST OF THE GOODS SEIZED ARE GARMENTS, LEATHER GOODS, WATCHES, FOOD STUFFS, ELECTRONIC CALCULATORS, COMPUTER PARTS, PATENT MEDICINES AND PLASTIC PRODUCTS. THEIR RETAIL PRICES IN THE LOCAL MARKET ARE 50 PER CENT TO 90 PER CENT CHEAPER THAN THE GENUINE ONES.”
COMMENTING ON THE ONCE SERIOUS PROBLEM OF HAWKING OF COUNTERFEIT GOODS, MR TONG SAID THE SELLING OF SUCH GOODS BY HAWKERS IN THE STREET WAS NOW CLOSE TO TOTAL ELIMINATION.
"THE YEAR 1985 WAS A VERY SUCCESSFUL YEAR IN STRIKING AT HAWKERS SELLING FAKE GOODS WHEN A MAJOR OPERATION WAS LAUNCHED IN APRIL AND A SPECIAL OPERATION UNIT SET UP IN MAY TO CONDUCT RAIDS ON HAWKERS.
"BY JULY 1985, NEARLY 90 PER CENT OF STREET HAWKERS NO LONGER TOOK PART IN THE SELLING OF COUNTERFEIT GOODS. A TOTAL OF 385 HAWKERS WERE PROSECUTED AND $1.6 MILLION WORTH OF COUNTERFEIT GOODS SEIZED DURING THE YEAR.
"AS A RESULT OF VIGOROUS CUSTOMS ACTIONS AGAINST MANUFACTURERS OF COUNTERFEIT GOODS IN 1985, SOME OF THEM WERE FORCED TO MOVE THEIR BASE TO (HINA, AND SMUGGLED THEIR PRODUCTS BACK FOR SALE OR RE-EXPORT.’’
/TURNING TO........
TUESDAY, MARCH 1, 1988
TURNING TO COMPUTER COUNTERFEITING, MR TONG NOTED THAT THE DEPARTMENT’S CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE CAMPAIGN AGAINST COUNTERFEIT COMPUTERS WERE UNEQUALLED THROUGHOUT THE WORLD.
"ACTIONS WERE TAKEN IN 1985 AND 1986 AGAINST SOME 200 SHOPS SELLING FAKE COMPUTERS, RESULTED IN THE SEIZURE OF COMPUTERS AND PARTS VALUED AT ABOUT $400,000."
HOWEVER, HE POINTED OUT THAT ONE OF THE GREATEST DIFFICULTIES IN TAKING CRIMINAL ACTIONS AGAINST COMPUTER COUNTERFEITERS WAS THE NEED TO ASCERTAIN THE LEGAL COPYRIGHT HOLDERS WHO MUST THEN WITNESS AGAINST THE IMITATORS AND ASSIST IN IDENTIFYING THE AUTHENTICITY OF GOODS.
"ONLY ABOUT 10 OUT OF THE EXISTING MORE THAN 50 GENUINE COMPUTER DEALERS IN THE WORLD ARE IN THE POSITION TO TESTIFY AGAINST THOSE ILLEGAL IMITATORS.
"THE SAME SITUATION ALSO HAPPENS TO THE PROPERTY RIGHT OWNERS OF SOME PRESTIGIOUS HANDBAGS AND GARMENTS. WITHOUT THEIR CO-OPERATION, OUR HANDS ARE TIED TOWARDS SOME KNOWINGLY COUNTERFEIT PRODUCTS AND OUR WORK CANNOT PROGRESS."
MR TONG WARNED THAT COMMERCIAL COUNTERFEITING WAS ALSO EXTENDED TO THE MARKET OF HOUSEHOLD NECESSITIES, POSING A THREAT TO THE HEALTH OF THE PUBLIC.
"SEVERAL SYNDICATES AND WORKSHOPS MANUFACTURING COUNTERFEIT PACKAGED RICE, DETERGENTS, SOYA SAUCE AND EVEN MINERAL WATER AND DISTILLED WATER WERE SMASHED BY CUSTOMS IN 1986," HE ADDED.
"THE VALUE OF COUNTERFEIT GOODS SEIZURES REACHED A RECORD HIGH OF $66 MILLION IN 1986 AND MORE RESOURCES WERE RE-ALLOCATED IN THE FOLLOWING YEAR TO ATTACK MANUFACTURERS AND SUPPLIERS OF SUCH GOODS.
"CONSEQUENTLY, A TOTAL OF 210 CASES OF MANUFACTURING OF FAKE GOODS WERE DETECTED IN 1987, WITH SEIZURES AMOUNTED TO $30 MILLION."
ALTHOUGH NEW WAYS IN THE MARKETING OF COUNTERFEIT GOODS WERE ADOPTED RECENTLY, MR TONG SAID SUCH ACTIVITIES WERE CLOSELY MONITORED AND WOULD BE GIVEN A HARD BLOW BY THE DEPARTMENT.
HE ALSO REMINDED THOSE WHO TRAVEL ABROAD NOT TO BRING BACK COUNTERFEIT GOODS, NOTING THAT SOME 200 INCOMING PASSENGERS WERE ARRESTED LAST YEAR FOR SUCH OFFENCES.
WITH THE CO-OPERATION AND SUPPORT OF THE PUBLIC AND PROPERTY RIGHT OWNERS OF GENUINE GOODS, MR TONG WAS CONFIDENT THAT THE DEPARTMENT COULD BE EVEN MORE SUCCESSFUL IN THE FIGHT AGAINST COMMERCIAL COUNTERFEITING IN HONG KONG.
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ACCIDENTS INVOLVING LIGHT GOODS VEHICLES INCREASE t » ♦ * »
THE INCREASE IN INVOLVEMENT OF LIGHT GOODS VEHICLES IN TRAFFIC ACCIDENTS INDICATES AN AREA WHERE GREATER ENFORCEMENT IS REQUIRED, MR PEDRO CHING, DEPUTY DIRECTOR OF TRAFFIC OF THE POLICE FORCE SAID TODAY (TUESDAY).
RELEASING THE TRAFFIC ACCIDENTS REPORT FOR LAST YEAR, MR CHING SAID THE NUMBER OF TRAFFIC ACCIDENTS INVOLVING LIGHT GOODS VEHICLES (5611) WAS THE HIGHEST AMONG ALL TYPES OF VEHICLES.
IN 1987, LIGHT GOODS VEHICLES ACCOUNTED FOR 23.4 PER CENT OF ALL ACCIDENTS AND 28.4 PER CENT OF ACCIDENTS INVOLVING FATALITIES, COMPARED Will! 20.1 PER CENT AND 25.4 PER CENT RESPECTIVELY IN 1986.
MR ('HING POINTED OUT THAT THERE WERE 17 FEWER FATAL ACCIDENTS IN 1987 THAN IN 1986 - 272 COMPARED WITH 289, OR A DROP OF 5.9 PER CENT.
THE NUMBER OF INDIVIDUALS WHO DIED IN TRAFFIC ACCIDENTS ALSO DECREASED FROM 310 TO 281, DOWN BY 9.4 PER CENT.
HOWEVER, OVERALL TRAFFIC ACCIDENTS CAUSING DEATH AND INJURY (16,037) INCREASED BY 8.8 PER CENT OVER THE PREVIOUS YEAR. THERE WAS ALSO AN II PER (’ENT RISE IN THE NUMBER OF CASUALTIES (21,563).
THESE WERE THE FIRST INCREASES SINCE 1982 AND CONFIRMED THAT THE FIGURES WHICH LEVELLED OFF TOWARDS THE END OF 1986 WERE NOW RISING AGAIN, MR CHING SAID.
PEDESTRIANS REMAIN THE HIGHEST GROUP AT RISK IN FATAL ACCIDENTS, ACCOUNTING FOR 77.6 PER CENT OF THE TOTAL FATALITIES AS AGAINST 68.7 PER CENT FOR 1986.
MR CHING SAID MOST PEDESTRIANS INVOLVED IN TRAFFIC ACCIDENTS WERE INJURED WHEN THEY WERE CROSSING THE ROADS.
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TUESDAY, MARCH 1, 1988 v
FORUMS FOR TAI ♦ t
PO CANDIDATES ♦ *
THE TAI PO DISTRICT OFFICE WILL HOLD SIX FORUMS FROM FRIDAY (MARCH 4) TO INTRODUCE CANDIDATES IN THE DISTRICT BOARD ELECTIONS TO VOTERS.
THE CANDIDATES WILL PRESENT THEIR PLATFORMS AND ANSWER
QUESTIONS FROM THE FLOOR.
RESIDENTS ARE WELCOME TO ATTEND THE FORUMS AND TO ASK
QUESTIONS.
DETAILS OF THE FORUMS ARE AS FOLLOWS:
CONSTITUENCY DATE/TIME VENUE CANDIDATE
TAI PO CENTRAL MARCH 4 (FRIDAY) 8 PM TAI YUEN COMMUNITY HALL, TAI YUEN ESTATE MR MR MR MR TANG PUI-TAT ' CHENG CHUN-PING WONG YUNG-KAN TSUI SIU-KEUNG
TAI PO EAST NORTH • MARCH 4 (FRIDAY) 8 PM SHUEN WAN EU TONG SEN SCHOOL, SHUEN WAN MR CHAN KOON-YAU MR CHEUNG TIN-FUK MR PETER LEE KEE-FAT
TAI PO SOUTH AND SAI KUNG NORTH • MARCH 5 (SATURDAY) 8 PM TAI PO COMMUNITY CENTRE, HEUNG SZE WUI STREET MR MR MR MR YAU FOOK-PING LAM CHUNG-KWONG HO TAI-WAI WONG MUK-LIN
TAI PO EAST MARCH 5 (SATURDAY) 8 PM FU SHIN COMMUNITY HALL, FU SHIN ESTATE MR MR MR MR SO CHI-KEUNG MO YUK-FAI TSUI SZE-KIT CHAN PING
TAI PO NORTH MARCH 7 (MONDAY) 8 PM LAM TSUEN PUBLIC SCHOOL FIRST SCHOOL, LAM TSUEN MR MR CHEUNG HOK-MING CHAN HING
TAI PO EAST SOUTH MARCH 7 (MONDAY) 8 PM KWONG FUK COMMUNITY HALL, KWONG FUK ESTATE MR CHOW FONG MR LEE HO-FAI MISS TONG SHUK-YIN MR WONG YIU-CHEE
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO
COVER THE FORUMS.
TUESDAY, MARCH 1, 1988
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EMPLOYERS URGED TO RELEASE STAFF TO VOTE ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦
THE KWUN TONG DISTRICT OFFICER, MR EDDY CHAN, TODAY (TUESDAY) CALLED ON EMPLOYERS IN THE DISTRICT TO RELEASE THEIR STAFF TO VOTE ON DISTRICT BOARD ELECTION DAY.
"IT IS A VALUABLE OPPORTUNITY FOR REGISTERED VOTERS TO EXERCISE THEIR CIVIC RIGHT TO ELECT A CANDIDATE WHO WOULD WORK TOWARDS IMPROVING THEIR WELL-BEING," MR CHAN SAID.
"THE VOTING PROCEDURE IS VERY SIMPLE AND WILL TAKE ONLY A FEW MINUTES, BUT THE IMPLICATIONS ARE SIGNIFICANT AND FAR-REACHING, HE STRESSED.
MR CHAN URGED EMPLOYERS TO SUPPORT THE ELECTIONS BY GIVING THEIR STAFF SOME TIME OFF DURING WORK TO VOTE SO THAT THEY COULD AVOID THE PEAK HOURS IN THE EVENING.
TWENTY-FOUR POLLING STATIONS IN THE DISTRICT WILL BE OPEN FROM 7.30 AM TO 10.30 PM ON MARCH 10.
LETTERS CONTAINING MR CHAN’S APPEAL HAVE BEEN SENT TO INDUSTRIAL ESTABLISHMENTS IN THE DISTRICT WHICH HAVE MORE THAN 200 WORKERS.
AT PRESENT, THERE ARE OVER 7,000 INDUSTRIAL ESTABLISHMENTS EMPLOYING MORE THAN 163,000 WORKERS IN KWUN TONG.
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FEAST FOR TUEN MUN ELDERLY ♦ ♦ ♦ * t
MORE THAN 1,100 OLD PEOPLE TONIGHT (TUESDAY) ATTENDED A BANQUET AND WERE TREATED TO A CANTONESE OPERATIC SONGS PERFORMANCE ORGANISED BY THE TUEN MUN DISTRICT RESPECT FOR THE AGED ASSOCIATION.
THE OLD FOLKS WERE ALSO EACH GIVEN A LAISEE PACKET AND \ G I FT PACK. THE OLDEST MALE AND FEMALE PARTICIPANTS, AGED 98 AND 94 YEARS RESPECTIVELY, WERE AWARDED A GOLDEN PEACH EACH WHILE THE 01 HER 20 OLDEST PEOPLE WERE PRESENTED WITH A SOUVENIR.
THE CHAIRMAN OF THE ASSOCIATION, MR WONG SHUE, SAID AT THE BANQUET THAT MEMBERS OF THE ASSOCIATION HAD PAID VISITS TO 150 SINGLE ELDERLY RECEIVING PUBLIC ASSISTANCE AND HELPED TO CLEAN 1IIE1R I' LA PS DURING THE PAST TWO MONTHS.
/HE SAID
TUESDAY, MARCH 1, 1988
- 13 -
HE SAID THE ASSOCIATION WOULD ALSO ORGANISE PHOTOGRAPHY, DRAWING AND SLOGAN COMPETITIONS FOR STUDENTS TO AROUSE THEIR LOVE AND CONCERN FOR THE ELDERLY LATER THIS YEAR.
ACTIVITIES CATERING FOR THE OLD PEOPLE WILL ALSO BE ORGANISED. THESE INCLUDE A GOOD FRIENDS AWARD SCHEME, A TRAINING SCHEME FOR THE AGED VOLUNTEERS AS WELL AS A SPORTS DAY ORGANISED IN CONJUNCTION WITH THE REGIONAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT AT THE END OF THE YEAR.
OFFICIATING AT TONIGHT’S FUNCTION WILL BE DISTRICT OFFICER, MR STEPHEN SELBY; LEGISLATIVE COUNCILLOR, MR LAU WONG-FAT; DISTRICT SOCIAL WELFARE OFFICER, MR LAM WING-CHEUNG; DISTRICT BOARD MEMBER, MR SIT HO-YIN- AND REV. HAU PO-WOON OF CHING CHUNG KOON TAOIST MONASTERY.
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EASTERN DB TO DISCUSS FLYOVER PROJECT » » ♦ * »
THE HIGHWAYS DEPARTMENT HAS STUDIED A NUMBER OF WAYS TO MODIFY THE PROPOSED LAU SIN STREET FLYOVER TO MINIMISE ITS POSSIBLE ADVERSE EFFECTS TO THE PUBLIC.
THE STUDY WAS CARRIED OUT IN RESPONSE TO RESIDENTS’ OBJECTION TO THE CONSTRUCTION OF THE FLYOVER. THE DEPARTMENT WILL SEEK THE VIEWS OF THE EASTERN DISTRICT BOARD ON THE SCHEME AT THE BOARD’S MEETING ON THURSDAY (MARCH 3) AFTERNOON.
THE MODIFICATIONS CONSIDERED INCLUDE CHANGING THE ROAD SURFACE FROM CONCRETE TO BITUMINOUS MATERIALS; CHANGING THE PROPOSED OPEN STEEL ROAD SAFETY BARRIERS TO SOLID CONCRETE SAFETY BARRIERS; ERECTING THREE-METRE HIGH NOISE SCREENS; AND ERECTING A TRANSLUCENT ENCLOSURE TO COVER THE SECTION OF FLYOVER YDJACENT TO THE RESIDENTIAL BUILDINGS.
ALSO, DR K.C. LAM, A CHINESE UNIVERSITY LECTURER IN CHARGE OF CONDUCTING A TRAFFIC NOISE SURVEY IN EASTERN DISTRICT, WILL PRESENT THE FINDINGS OF THE SURVEY AT THE MEETING.
THE SURVEY WAS ORGANISED BY THE NOISE POLLUTION SURVEY WORKING GROUP OF THE BOARD’S ENVIRONMENTAL IMPROVEMENT COMMITTEE TO ESTIMATE TRAFFIC NOISE EXPOSURE AND TO ASSESS THE DEGREE OF ANNOYANCE OF TRAFFIC NOISE TO RESIDENTS.
THE SENIOR HOUSING MANAGER (CLEARANCE), MR JACKIE CHAN, WILL ALSO BRIEF MEMBERS ON THE PROGRESS OF THE SHAU KEI WAN FOOTHILLS (WEST) CLEARANCE.
/OTHER ITEMS
TUESDAY, MARCH 1, 1988
OTHER ITEMS ON THE AGENDA INCLUDE THE POSTAL SERVICE IN QUARRY BAY AREA AND THE SECURITY PROBLEMS IN CONNECTION WITH THE DESIGN OF CORRIDORS IN PHASE III OF WAN TSUI ESTATE.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE EASTERN DISTRICT BOARD MEETING TO BE HELD AT 2.30 PM ON THURSDAY (MARCH 3) IN THE DISTRICT OFFICE CONFERENCE ROOM, FIRST FLOOR, 880-886 KING’S ROAD.
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KOWLOON CITY DB TO MEET
» * *
THE KOWLOON CITY DISTRICT BOARD WILL HOLD ITS CURRENT TERM’S LAST MEETING ON THURSDAY (MARCH 3) TO REVIEW A NIGHT-TIME TELEPHONE ENQUIRY RECORDING SERVICE TRIAL SCHEME.
THE PILOT SCHEME WAS INTRODUCED LAST SEPTEMBER AND UP TO FEBRUARY 12 THIS YEAR, A TOTAL OF 68 TELEPHONE CALLS WERE RECEIVED. OF THESE CALLS, 22 WERE GENUINE COMPLAINTS OR REQUESTS FOR ASSISTANCE AND WERE REFERRED TO DISTRICT BOARD MEMBERS.
OTHER ITEMS ON THE AGENDA INCLUDE THE STANDARDISATION OF FLOOR NUMBERING AND WATER WORKS AND FLUSH WATER SUPPLY IN MAN TAI STREET, HUNG HOM.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE KOWLOON CITY DISTRICT BOARD MEETING TO BE HELD AT 2.15 PM ON THURSDAY (MARCH 3) IN THE CONFERENCE ROOM OF THE DISTRICT OFFICE, 141 KAU PUI LUNG ROAD, TO KWA WAN.
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/15
TUESDAY, MARCH 1, 1988
- 15 -
SOCIAL SERVICES COMMITTEE TO MEET » » » *
THE YUEN LONG DISTRICT BOARD’S SOCIAL SERVICES COMMITTEE WILL MEET TOMORROW (WEDNESDAY) TO DISCUSS THE PROGRESS OF VARIOUS CIVIC EDUCATION ACTIVITIES IN THE DISTRICT.
THESE ACTIVITIES INCLUDE AN INTER-SCHOOL DEBATE CONTEST, AN EXHIBITION ON "AIDS", THE OPENING OF THE CIVIC EDUCATION RESOURCE CENTRE, A CHRISTMAS FUN FAIR AND DISTRIBUTION OF PUBLICITY MATERIAL ON CIVIC EDUCATION.
THE COMMITTEE WILL ALSO STUDY A PROGRESS REPORT ON DISTRICT BOARD-SPONSORED SOCIAL ACTIVITIES HELD IN YUEN LONG.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE MEETING OF THE SOCIAL SERVICES COMMITTEE OF THE YUEN LONG DISTRICT BOARD WHICH WILL BE HELD TOMORROW (WEDNESDAY) AT 3 PM IN THE CONFERENCE ROOM OF THE YUEN LONG DISTRICT BOARD, 13TH FLOOR, TAI KIU GOVERNMENT OFFICES BUILDING, 2 KIU LOK SQUARE, YUEN LONG.
0
KOWLOON CITY CHILDREN’S CHORUS TO HOLD CONCERT ♦ » ♦ ♦ »
THE KOWLOON CITY DISTRICT CHILDREN’S CHORUS WILL HOLD ITS FOURTH ANNUAL CONCERT AT THE KO SHAN THEATRE ON SUNDAY (MARCH 6) AFTERNOON.
FREE TICKETS ARE NOW AVAILABLE AT THE KOWLOON CITY DISTRICT OFFICE AT KAU PU1 LUNG ROAD; ITS SUB-OFFICES AT BULKELEY STREET AND HO MAN TIN ESTATE AND THE MUSIC OFFICE AT 13^ AUSTIN ROAD.
THE 30-MEMBER CHORUS WILL PERFORM 20 PIECES OF MUSIC INCLUDING FOLK SONGS, HYMN, CLASSICAL MUSIC AND A SPECIALLY-COMPOSED ’KOWLOON CITY SONG’, WHICH WILL BE SUNG OUT TOGETHER WITH DISTRICT BOARD MEMBERS AND GUESTS.
AIMED AT ENHANCING CHILDREN’S INTEREST AND STANDARD IN MUSIC, THE CHORUS WAS SET UP IN 1982 WITH THE SUPPORT OF THE KOWLOON CITY DISTRICT BOARD, VARIOUS GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS AND LOCAL COMMUNITY LEADERS.
/MEANWHILE, THE
TUESDAY, MARCH 1, 1?88
16 -
MEANWHILE, THE CHORUS IN INVITING CHILDREN AGED BETWEEN FOUR AND 16 RESIDING OR STUDYING IN KOWLOON CITY DISTRICT TO JOIN THE SINGING GROUP.
APPLICATION FORMS ARE AVAILABLE AT THE KOWLOON CITY DISTRICT OFFICE AND ITS TWO SUB-OFFICES. ENQUIRIES CAN BE MADE ON 3-7110171 EXTENSION 33.
i
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE KOWLOON CITY DISTRICT CHILDREN’S CHORUS ANNUAL CONCERT TO BE HELD AT 3 PM ON SUNDAY (MARCH 6) AT THE KO SHAN THEATRE, TO KWA WAN.
: • I
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DANCING,
'I
SINGING TO CLOSE NEW YEAR ACTIVITIES * * ♦ ♦ ♦
THE TAI PO DISTRICT LUNAR NEW YEAR PROGRAMME WILL BE CONCLUDED TOMORROW (WEDNESDAY) WITH A DANCING AND SINGING NIGHT AT THE TAI PO CIVIC CENTRE.
STARTING AT E PM, THE EVENT WILL FEATURE DANCES BY MEMBERS OF THE TAI PO DISTRICT ARTS ADVANCEMENT ASSOCIATION AND STUDENTS OF KINDERGARTENS AND SECONDARY SCHOOLS IN THE DISTRICT, AS WELL AS SONGS BY POP SINGERS.
THE LUNAR NEW YEAR PROGRAMME WAS ORGANISED BY DISTRICT ORGANISATIONS IN CONJUNCTION WITH THE TAI PO DISTRICT LUNAR NEW YEAR PROGRAMME (’O-ORD I NAT 1 NG COMMITTEE 1988. THE REGIONAL COUNCIL HAD GIVEN ASSISTANCE AND THE TAI PO DISTRICT BOARD HAD PROVIDED SPONSORSHIP.
THE PROGRAMME WAS AIMED AT PROMOTING A SENSE OF BELONGING AMONG RESIDENTS AND CULTIVATING A FESTIVE ATMOSPHERE DURING THE LUNAR NEW YEAR.
I
APART FROM TOMORROW’S SINGING AND DANCING NIGHT, THE LUNAR NEW YEAR PROGRAMME ALSO FEATURED NINE GALA AND CARNIVAL EVENTS, VARIETY SHOWS, A DISCO NIGHT, A PHOTOGRAPH AND ART EXHIBITION, AND A BANQUET FOR ABOUT 1,350 OLD PEOPLE.
/THE REGIONAL .......
TUESDAY, MARCH 1t 1988
- 17
THE REGIONAL SECRETARY FOR THE NEW TERRITORIES, MR MICHAEL SUEN, WILL OFFICIATE AT THE CLOSING CEREMONY AND THE SINGING AND DANCING NIGHT.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE EVENT TO BE HELD AT 8 PM TOMORROW (WEDNESDAY) AT THE TAI PO CIVIC CENTRE, ON PONG ROAD, TAI PO.
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JOINT SPRING RECEPTION IN NORTH DISTRICT » * ♦ ♦ »
A JOINT SPRING RECEPTION HOSTED BY THE NORTH DISTRICT OFFICE AND THE NORTH DISTRICT BOARD WILL BE HELD TOMORROW (WEDNESDAY) AT THE CHEUNG WAH COMMUNITY HALL IN FANLING.
THE REGIONAL SECRETARY FOR NEW TERRITORIES, WILL PROPOSE A TOAST AT THE RECEPTION.
MR MICHAEL SUEN,
ALSO OFFICIATING WILL BE NORTH DISTRICT OFFICER, MR MATTHEW CHEUNG AND CHAIRMAN OF THE NORTH DISTRICT BOARD, MR RAYMOND PANG.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO ATTEND THE JOINT SPRING RECEPTION WHICH WILL BEGIN AT 3.30 PM TOMORROW (WEDNESDAY) AT THE CHEUNG WAH COMMUNITY HALL, CHEUNG WAH ESTATE, FANLING.
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/18
TUESDAY, MARCH 1, 1988
SHA TIN SPRING RECEPTION * * »
A SPRING RECEPTION WILL BE GIVEN BY THE SHA TIN DISTRICT OFFICE AT THE TREASURE RESTAURANT, NEW TOWN PLAZA, ON THURSDAY (MARCH 3), BEGINNING AT 3.30 PM.
DURING THE FUNCTION, THE DISTRICT OFFICER, MR VICTOR YUNG, WILL SPEAK ON THE ACHIEVEMENTS IN THE DISTRICT LAST YEAR.
INVITED GUESTS INCLUDE REPRESENTATIVES OF LOCAL ORGANISATIONS, DISTRICT PERSONALITIES AND GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS. THE DEPUTY REGIONAL SECRETARY (NEW TERRITORIES), MR PETER NG, WILL BE THE GUEST OF HONOUR.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO ATTEND THE SPRING RECEPTION.
- 0 - -
KWUN TONG MUSIC GALA t t t
TWENTY-FIVE TEAMS OF YOUNG MUSICIANS IN KWUN TONG WILL DEMONSTRATE THEIR TALENTS IN THE FOURTH KWUN TONG DISTRICT MUSIC GALA TO BE HELD ON SATURDAY AND SUNDAY (MARCH 5 AND 6).
THE EVENT IS JOINTLY ORGANISED BY THE KWUN TONG DISTRICT OFFICE AND THE KWUN TONG CHILDREN’S CHORUS, WITH SPONSORSHIP FROM THE DISTRICT BOARD.
IT WILL BEGIN AT 3 PM AT THE DELIA MEMORIAL SCHOOL IN HIP WO STREET ON SATURDAY, AND AT THE SKH KEI HAU SECONDARY SCHOOL IN LAM TIN ON SUNDAY.
THE F’ROGRAMMES WILL INCLUDE BAND PERFORMANCES, HYMN AND CHORUS SINGING, AND PIANO AND FLUTE PERFORMANCES.
FREE ADMISSION TICKETS ARE NOW AVAILABLE AT THE KWUN TONG DISTRICT OFFICE AND ITS SUB-OFFICES.
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/19
TUESDAY, MARCH 1, 1988
- 19 -
GOVERNMENT PRIMARY SCHOOLS INVITE APPLICANTS
*****
ADMISSION TO PRIMARY 2 TO PRIMARY 6 OF ALL GOVERNMENT PRIMARY SCHOOLS FOR THE 1988-89 ACADEMIC YEAR WILL BE OPEN TO APPLICATION LATER THIS WEEK.
CHILDREN WHO ARE 6 YEARS 8 MONTHS AND ABOVE BY WESTERN RECKONING ON SEPTEMBER 1, 1988 MAY APPLY TO THE APPROPRIATE PRIMARY 2 TO PRIMARY 6 LEVELS.
ENQUIRIES SHOULD BE MADE DIRECT WITH INDIVIDUAL SCHOOLS TO SEE IF THERE ARE VACANCIES AT ANY LEVEL.
LEVELS OF CLASSES OPEN TO APPLICATION WILL BE CLEARLY SPECIFIED IN A NOTICE POSTED UP AT THE MAIN ENTRANCE OF INDIVIDUAL SCHOOLS.
APPLICATION FORMS MAY BE OBTAINED FROM GOVERNMENT PRIMARY SCHOOLS HAVING VACANCIES IN PRIMARY 2 TO PRIMARY 6 FROM FRIDAY (MARCH 4) TO MARCH 11, EXCLUDING GENERAL HOLIDAYS.
COMPLETED APPLICATION FORMS SHOULD BE RETURNED TO THE SCHOOL TO WHICH ADMISSION IS SOUGHT. SELECTION OF PUPILS WILL BE MADE ON MARCH 18 (FRIDAY).
CHILDREN WOULD NORMALLY BE ADMITTED TO SCHOOLS IN THE DISTRICT WHERE THEY LIVE, SAID A SPOKESMAN FOR THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT. WHO ADDED THAT (ARE WOULD BE TAKEN TO ENSURE THAT CHILDREN FROM THE SAME FAMILY WOULD NOT BE SEPARATED.
PARENTS/GUARDIANS ARE REQUESTED TO CO-OPERATE BY PROVIDING ALL THE PARTICULARS ASKED FOR IN THF APPLICATION FORM.
APPLICATION FORMS ARE FREE AND NO ENTRANCE FEE IS CHARGED FOR ADMISSION TO ANY GOVERNMENT SCHOOL.
PARENTS/GUARDI ANS ARE REMINDED THAI' \LL CHILDREN IN THE 6 TO 12 AGE GROUT WHO ARE NOT IN SCHOOL SHOULD APPLY FOR ADMISSION.
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TECHNICAL INSTITUTES HOLD OPEN DAYS ♦ t ♦ ♦ *
STUDENTS, PARENTS AND EMPLOYERS ARE INVITED TO VISIT THE SEVEN TECHNICAL INSTITUTES OF THE VOCATIONAL TRAINING COUNCIL ON THEIR OPEN DAYS THIS MONTH.
THE WORKSHOPS, LABORATORIES AND SPECIAL ROOMS OF THE INSTITUTES WILL BE OPEN TO THF PUBLIC’. GUIDED TOURS, EXHIBITIONS AND TALKS ON VARIOUS COURSES OE STUDY WILL ALSO BE ORGANISED FOR VISITORS BY INDIVIDUAL INSTITUTES.
/THE DATE........
TUESDAY, MARCH 1, 1988
- 20
THE DATE AND TIME OE THE OPEN DAYS ARE AS FOLLOWS:-
» MORRISON HILL TECHNICAL INSTITUTE
MARCH 4 9 AM - 5 PM
MARCH 5 9 AM - NOON
♦ KWAI CHUNG TECHNICAL INSTITUTE
MARCH 11 10 AM - 5 PM
* KWUN TONG TECHNICAL INSTITUTE
MARCH 4 10 AM - 5 PM
* HAKING WONG TECHNICAL INSTITUTE
MARCH 3 9.30 AM - 4.30 PM
* LEE WAI LEE TECHNICAL INSTITUTE
MARCH 4 2 PM - 5 PM
MARCH 5 10 AM - 5 PM
♦ TUEN MUN TECHNICAL.INSTITUTE
MARCH 6 10 AM - 5 PM
MARCH 7 10 AM - 5 PM
♦ CHAI WAN TECHNICAL INSTITUTE
MARCH 30 10 AM - 5 PM
ANOTHER TECHNICAL INSTITUTE OF THE VTC, THE SHA TIN TECHNICAL INSTITUTE, HAI) ALREADY HELI) ITS OPEN DAY IN FEBRUARY.
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TEMPORARY ROAD CLOSURE IN TUEN MUN ♦ ♦ ♦
THE SLIP ROAD LEADING FROM TSI NG WUN ROAD TO WONG CHU ROAD IN TUEN MUN WILL BE CLOSED TO TRAFFIC FROM 10 AM ON FRIDAY (MARCH 4) FOR ABOUT TWO WEEKS TO FACILITATE ROAD RECONSTRUCT 1ON WORKS.
MOTOR I STS ARE ADVISED TO DRIVE VIA PUI TO ROAD EASTBOUND, TUEN MUN HEUNG SZE WUI ROAD SOUTHROUND AND THE INTERNAL ROADS IN TUEN MUN AREA 16 TO WONG CHU ROAD.
0----
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL: 5-8428777
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 2, 1988
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
EFFECTIVE INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY REGIME VITAL TO ECONOMIC GROWTH ......................................... ••• 1
COMMISSIONER FOR NARCOTICS PaYS TRIBUTE TO AChN ..... 2
S21J MILLION CONTRACT aWnRDED TO IMPROVE NT CIRCULAR ROAD , 3
GROUND BREAKING FOR NEW PTU HEADQUARTERS ............. 3
REGIONAL SECRET.tRY URGES VOTERS TO ChST VOTES....... 4
DISTRICT PROBLEMS CONTAINED THROUGH CO-OPERaTION..... 4
SHA TIN DB TO DISCUSS WHITE P~PER ................... 6
DB TO DISCUSS ISSUES CONCERNING TSING YI ............ 7
BOE CHAIRMAN /lND MEMBERS VISIT NEW TOWN SCHOOLS..... 7
HEAVY VEHICLE BAN IN BOWRINGTON ROAD ................ 8
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 2, 1988
EFFECTIVE INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY REGIME VITAL TO ECONOMIC GROWTH
♦ » ♦ * »
THE GOVERNMENT RECOGNISES THAT THE PROVISION OF AN EFFECTIVE INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY REGIME IS ESSENTIAL TO HONG KONG’S ECONOMIC GROWTH AND TECHNOLOGICAL ADVANCEMENT, THE SECRETARY FOR TRADE AND INDUSTRY, MR HAMISH MACLEOD, SAID TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
SPEAKING AT THE OPENING OF A SYMPOSIUM ON INDUSTRIAL PROPERTY AND ECONOMIC AND TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENT, HE SAID A STRONG LEGISLATIVE/JUDICIAL FRAMEWORK WAS IMPORTANT TO PROMOTE LOCAL INNOVATION AND DEVELOPMENT.
’’EQUALLY IMPORTANT IS THE COMMITMENT TO EFFECTIVE ENFORCEMENT OF LEGISLATION AND IN THIS, HONG KONG HAS A VERY GOOD RECORD."
MR MACLEOD SAID HOWEVER THAT HONG KONG WAS NOT COMPLACENT AND WAS REVIEWING ITS EXISTING LEGISLATION AND ENFORCEMENT CONTROLS TO ENSURE THAT IT COULD CONTINUE TO MEET THE CHALLENGES OF THE FUTURE.
ON COPYRIGHT, HE SAID HONG KONG’S PRESENT LAW WAS BASED ON THE U.K. COPYRIGHT ACT OF 1956 WHICH HAD BEEN OVERTAKEN BY TECHNOLOGY IN A NUMBER OF IMPORTANT WAYS.
’’THE LAW REFORM COMMISSION IS NOW CONSIDERING IN DETAIL HONG KONG’S FUTURE REQUIREMENTS AND AS AN INTERIM MEASURE WE HAVE RECENTLY EXTENDED THE U.K. COPYRIGHT (COMPUTER SOFTWARE) AMENDMENT ACT 1985 TO HONG KONG TO ENSURE THAT COMPUTER PROGRAMMES ARE PROTECTED BY COPYRIGHT,” HE SAID.
AS TO PATENT PROTECTION, MR MACLEOD SAID A PATENT STEERING COMMITTEE HAD BEEN STUDYING HONG KONG’S FUTURE NEEDS SINCE THE BEGINNING OF LAST YEAR, AND HOPED TO REPORT IN THE MIDDLE OF THIS YEAR.
HE ALSO NOTED THAT AT PRESENT, REGISTERED DESIGNS PROTECTION IN HONG KONG COULD BE ACHIEVED BY REGISTERING DESIGNS IN THE U.K.
’’THIS IS A PARTICULARLY CONFUSED AREA OF THE LAW, AND BOTH THE LAW REFORM COMMISSION SUB-COMMITTEE STUDYING COPYRIGHT AND THE PATENT STEERING COMMITTEE HAVE IDEAS ON HOW THE POSITION SHOULD BE CLARIFIED.
’’THE TWO COMMITTEES WILL BE LIAISING ON THIS SUBJECT TO MAP OUT A WORKABLE SOLUTION.”
WHILE NOTING THAT HONG KONG WAS THE WORLD’S FOREMOST PRACTITIONER OF FREE TRADE, MR MACLEOD SAID THERE WERE PARALLELS BETWEEN FREE TRADE IDEALS AND INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY IDEALS.
HE ADDED THAT HONG KONG WAS COMMITTED TO THE IDEALS OF FREE TRADE AND THE PROTECTION OF INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY.
THE THREE-DAY SYMPOSIUM, WHICH IS ORGANISED BY THE WORLD INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY ORGANISATION AND THE JAPANESE PATENT OFFICE WITH THE ASSISTANCE OF THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT, IS ATTENDED PY MORE THAN 40 LOCAL DELEGATES AND REPRESENTATIVES OF 14 ASIAN-PACIFIC COUNTRIES.
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 2, 1988
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COMMISSIONER FOR NARCOTICS PAYS TRIBUTE TO ACAN * t » » »
THE POLITICAL WILL THAT EXISTS IN HONG KONG AND THE PRACTICAL CO-OPERATION OF ALL MEMBERS OF THE ACTION COMMITTEE AGAINST NARCOTICS ARE REASONS FOR THE TERRITORY’S ACHIEVEMENTS IN THE FIGHT AGAINST DRUGS, THE COMMISSIONER FOR NARCOTICS, MR GARETH MULLOY, SAID IN NEW YORK ON MONDAY (FEBRUARY 29, NEW YORK TIME).
HE SAID THIS WHEN ASKED WHY HONG KONG WAS CITED BY U.S. OFFICIALS AS A MODEL FOR THE U.S. AND OTHER COUNTRIES.
MR MULLOY MENTIONED, IN PARTICULAR, THE ROYAL HONG KONG POLICE FORCE AND CUSTOMS AND EXCISE OFFICERS, THE CORRECTIONAL SERVICES AND MEDICAL AND HEALTH DEPARTMENTS, THE SOCIETY FOR THE AID AND REHABILITATION OF DRUG ABUSERS (SARDA) AND VOLUNTARY ORGANISATIONS IN HONG KONG.
MR MULLOY WAS IN NEW YORK CITY EN ROUTE TO WASHINGTON, D.C. WHERE HE IS A PANELLIST IN THE WHITE HOUSE CONFERENCE FOR A DRUG FREE AMERICA BETWEEN FEBRUARY 28 AND MARCH 3.
IN HARLEM, HE VISITED THE INTERIM METHADONE CLINIC WHICH IS MODELLED PRECISELY ON THE LINES OF HONG KONG’S METHADONE CLINICS AND WHICH IS KNOWN AS AN "INNOVATIVE AIDS RISK REDUCTION PROJECT".
LATER, AT A WORKING LUNCH ORGANISED BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE BETH ISRAEL MEDICAL CENTER, DR ROBERT NEWMAN, MR MULLOY MET AND ADDRESSED A DISTINGUISHED GATHERING OF U.S. MEDICAL AUTHORITIES AND OFFICIALS INVOLVED IN THE FIGHT AGAINST DRUGS.
HE OUTLINED THE HISTORY OF HONG KONG’S DRUG TRAFFICKING AND ABUSE AND DETAILED THE VARIOUS SERVICES PROVIDED TO COMBAT DRUGS.
MANY MEMBERS OF THE AUDIENCE COMMENTED FAVOURABLY ON SEVERAL ASPECTS OF HONG KONG’S ANTI-DRUG PROGRAMME, IN PARTICULAR THE METHADONE CLINICS, THE CENTRAL REGISTRY OF DRUG ABUSE AND THE PREVENTIVE EDUCATION AND PUBLICITY PROGRAMMES.
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WEDNESDAY, MARCH 2, 1988
$213 MILLION CONTRACT AWARDED TO IMPROVE NT CIRCULAR ROAD » » » » *
THE HIGHWAYS DEPARTMENT TODAY (WEDNESDAY) AWARDED A $213 MILLION CONTRACT TO THE CHINA FUJIAN CORPORATION FOR INTERNATIONAL TECHNO-ECONOMIC CO-OPERATION (CFC) FOR BUILDING A ROAD AS PART OF THE NEW TERRITORIES CIRCULAR ROAD IMPROVEMENT PROJECT.
THE CONTRACT WAS SIGNED BETWEEN THE DIRECTOR OF HIGHWAYS, MR HAROLD BEATON, AND THE VICE-PRESIDENT OF CFC, MR HUANG XUNGENG.
THE CONTRACT MAINLY COVERS A THREE-KILOMETRE-LONG HIGH CAPACITY DUAL TWO-LANE TRUNK ROAD FROM FAIRVIEW PARK TO AU TAU.
CONSTRUCTION WILL START SOON AND BE COMPLETED IN LATE 1990.
THE NEW TERRITORIES CIRCULAR ROAD IMPROVEMENT PROJECT IS BEING CARRIED OUT IN FIVE PHASES AT A TOTAL COST OF $1.3 BILLION.
THE FIRST FOUR PHASES INVOLVE THE CONSTRUCTION OF A 12-KILOMETRE-LONG HIGH CAPACITY TRUNK ROAD FROM FAN KAM ROAD TO AU TAU, RUNNING ALONG THE ALIGNMENT OF THE EXISTING CASTLE PEAK ROAD THROUGH KWU TUNG, SAN TIN, MAI PO AND SAN WAI. THE FIFTH PHASE IS THE CONSTRUCTION OF THE AU TAU BYPASS.
THE WORKS COVERED BY THE NEW CONTRACT WILL FORM THE FOURTH PHASE OF THE IMPROVEMENT PROJECT.
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GROUND BREAKING FOR NEW PTU HEADQUARTERS ♦ ♦ t ♦ ♦
THE ACTING COMMISSIONER OF POLICE, MR LI KWAN-HA, TODAY (WEDNESDAY) OFFICIATED AT A GROUND BREAKING CEREMONY MARKING THE COMMENCEMENT OF THE PHASE II BUILDING CONTRACT FOR THE FUTURE POLICE TACTICAL UNIT (PTU) HEADQUARTERS AT VOLUNTEER SLOPES, FANLING.
THE NEW BASE, AT AN ESTIMATED COST OF $170 MILLION, WILL INCLUDE AN ADMINISTRATION BLOCK, BARRACKS, CLASSROOMS, RANGES, A GYMNASIUM, AND A SWIMMING POOL.
IT IS EXPECTED THAT THE PTU WILL MOVE INTO THE NEW COMPLEX IN EARLY 1990.
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A....
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 2, 1988
4
REGIONAL SECRETARY URGES VOTERS TO CAST VOTES
* * * * *
THE REGIONAL SECRETARY FOR THE NEW TERRITORIES, MR MICHAEL SUEN, TONIGHT (WEDNESDAY) URGED VOTERS IN THE TAI PO DISTRICT TO CAST THEIR VOTES IN THE DISTRICT BOARD ELECTIONS ON MARCH 10.
SPEAKING AT THE CLOSING CEREMONY OF THE TAI PO DISTRICT LUNAR NEW YEAR PROGRAMME AT THE TAI PO CIVIC CENTRE, MR SUEN SAID THAT BY VOTING, THEY WOULD BE ABLE TO ELECT PEOPLE WHO WERE WILLING TO SERVE THE PUBLIC TO HELP BUILD A SUCCESSFUL COMMUNITY.
DISTRICT BOARD MEMBERS HAD PROVIDED VALUABLE OPINIONS ON DISTRICT MATTERS TO THE GOVERNMENT SINCE THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE DISTRICT ADMINISTRATION SCHEME IN 1981, MR SUEN NOTED.
THE MEMBERS HAD ALSO PARTICIPATED ACTIVELY IN THE PLANNING AND LAUNCHING OF RECREATIONAL, SPORTS, CIVIC EDUCATION AND SOCIAL SERVICES ACTIVITIES.
NOTING THAT MANY DEVELOPMENTS IN THE TAI PO NEW TOWN WOULD BE COMPLETED WITHIN FIVE TO SEVEN YEARS, MR SUEN POINTED OUT THAT THE GOVERNMENT HAD TO SEEK RESIDENTS’ VIEWS IN ORDER TO ENSURE A BALANCED DEVELOPMENT FOR THE NEW TOWN.
THE DISTRICT BOARD HAD PLAYED A VERY IMPORTANT ROLE IN REFLECTING THESE VIEWS, HE SAID.
THE LUNAR NEW YEAR PROGRAMME WAS CONCLUDED WITH A SHOW FEATURING DANCE PERFORMANCES BY THE TAI PO DISTRICT ARTS ADVANCEMENT ASSOCIATION, KINDERGARTENS AND SECONDARY SCHOOLS IN THE DISTRICT, AND SINGING PERFORMANCES BY POPULAR SINGERS.
ABOUT 800 RESIDENTS ATTENDED THE FUNCTION WHICH WAS ORGANISED BY THE TAI PO DISTRICT LUNAR NEW YEAR PROGRAMME CO-ORDINATING COMMITTEE 1988 WITH ASSISTANCE FROM THE ARTS ADVANCEMENT ASSOCIATION AND THE REGIONAL COUNCIL. IT WAS SPONSORED BY THE DISTRICT BOARD.
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DISTRICT PROBLEMS CONTAINED THROUGH CO-OPERATION
* t ♦ »
THROUGH THE CO-OPERATION OF THE DISTRICT BOARD AND THE GOVERNMENT, VARIOUS PROBLEMS ENCOUNTERED BY THE NORTH DISTRICT HAVE BEEN CONTAINED, THE NORTH DISTRICT OFFICER, MR MATTHEW CHEUNG, SAID TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
SPEAKING AT A JOINT SPRING RECEPTION HOSTED BY THE DISTRICT OFFICE AND THE DISTRICT BOARD, MR CHEUNG SAID CONSTRUCTION OF THE 1,200-BED NORTH DISTRICT HOSPITAL WAS EXPECTED TO BE COMPLETED BY THE END OF 1996 TO MEET THE DISTRICT’S NEED FOR MEDICAL SERVICES.
/TRAFFIC CONGESTION
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 2, 1988
5 -
TRAFFIC CONGESTION AT MAN KAM TO ROAD, WHICH WAS NOW UNDER CONTROL, WOULD BE FURTHER ALLEVIATED WHEN THE FINAL STAGE OF ROAD WIDENING WAS COMPLETED IN APRIL OR MAY.
TO RELIEVE THE SHORTFALL OF SCHOOL PLACES IN THE DISTRICT, A NEW SECONDARY SCHOOL WOULD BE COMPLETED, TWO YEARS AHEAD OF SCHEDULE, IN 1989 IN SHEK WU HUI, SHEUNG SHUI, HE ADDED.
ON COMMUNITY BUILDING, HE NOTED THAT THE FORMATION OF THE NORTH DISTRICT LADIES’ ASSOCIATION SIGNIFIED A STEP FORWARD IN THE LOCAL COMMUNITY AND THE PRESENCE OF WOMEN LEADERS IN THE DISTRICT.
LOOKING AHEAD, MR CHEUNG INDICATED THAT THE GOVERNMENT WOULD SPEND $350 MILLION ON NEW PROJECTS IN THE FANLING-SHEUNG SHUI NEW TOWN.
WORK WOULD START SOON TO BUILD A $52 MILLION SEVEN-STOREY CENTRAL GOVERNMENT OFFICES BUILDING NEXT TO THE EXISTING TEMPORARY OFFICE PREMISES AT JOCKEY CLUB ROAD IN FANLING, HE SAID.
HE ADDED THAT CONSTRUCTION WORK ON THREE LARGE SPORTS VENUES IN THE DISTRICT, COSTING A TOTAL OF $100 MILLION, WOULD BE COMPLETED WITHIN THE NEXT TWO OR THREE YEARS.
THEY INCLUDED A SWIMMING POOL, AN INDOOR RECREATION CENTRE AND A STANDARD ATHLETIC GROUND WITH A 2,500-SPECTATOR STAND.
ON THE REDEVELOPMENT OF THE BORDER TOWNSHIP OF SHA TAU KOK, MR CHEUNG SAID THE FIRST TWO PHASES OF A RURAL PUBLIC HOUSING ESTATE WOULD BE COMPLETED THIS YEAR TO PROVIDE ACCOMMODATION FOR MORE THAN 1,000 PEOPLE FROM THE YIM LIU HA SQUATTER AREA.
IN ADDITION, A CENTRAL PRIMARY SCHOOL COSTING OVER $10 MILLION AND EQUIPPED WITH MODERN TEACHING FACILITIES WOULD BE OPENED THIS SEPTEMBER TO IMPROVE THE STANDARD OF RURAL EDUCATION IN SHA TAU KOK.
TO STRENGTHEN THE LINK AMONG THE DISTRICT BAORD, RURAL COMMITTEES AND LOCAL ORGANISATIONS, TWO AREA COMMITTEES WOULD BE SET UP IN SHEUNG SHUI AND FANLING IN SEPTEMBER, HE SAID. t
TURNING TO INDUSTRY, MR CHEUNG NOTED THAT THERE WAS ENCOURAGING DEVELOPMENT IN ON LOK TSUEN, SHOWING THAT THE PRIVATE SECTOR HAD AN INCREASING INTEREST IN THE DEVELOPMENT OF NEW TOWNS.
AT THE JOINT SPRING RECEPTION, HE THANKED THE DISTRICT BOARD MEMBERS, THE CO-OPTED MEMBERS OF THE BOARD’S FIVE COMMITTEES, THE RURAL COMMITTEE MEMBERS AND LOCAL ORGANISATIONS FOR THEIR SUPPORT TO THE GOVERNMENT ESPECIALLY TN THE DEVELOPMENT OF SHEUNG SHUI NEW TOWN AND THE REDEVELOPMENT OF SHA TAU KOK.
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WEDNESDAY, MARCH 2, 1988
6
SHA TIN DB TO DISCUSS WHITE PAPER * * « »
THE SHA TIN DISTRICT BOARD WILL DISCUSS THE WHITE PAPER ON THE DEVELOPMENT OF REPRESENTATIVE GOVERNMENT AT A MEETING ON FRIDAY (MARCH 4) MORNING.
A MEMBER, MR CHIU SIN-KUI, WILL ASK ABOUT THE KINDERGARTEN DEVELOPMENT PLANS FOR MA ON SHAN AREA IN THE YEARS, PARTICULARLY THE NUMBER OF SCHOOL PLACES AVAILABLE GRADES.
PRIMARY AND NEXT THREE IN VARIOUS
HE WILL ALSO ASK ABOUT MEASURES TO MINIMISE THE EXPERIENCED BY RESIDENTS IN QUEUING FOR PAYMENT AT OFFICE OF SHA TIN DISTRICT OFFICE.
INCONVENIENCE
THE SHROFF’S
ANOTHER MEMBER, MR LAU KWONG-WAH, WILL ENQUIRE ABOUT DECISION MAKING PROCEDURE INVOLVED IN THE INCREASE OF FARES BY KOWLOON-CANTON RAILWAY CORPORATION AND THE EFFECT CAUSED BY CONSTRUCTION OF LIGHT RAIL TRANSIT SYSTEM AND OTHER
THE THE THE
BASIC FACILITIES
ON THE TRAIN FARES.
THE BOARD WILL ALSO DISCUSS A PAPER TO BE HIGHWAYS DEPARTMENT ON STAGE III OF TAI PO ROAD BETWEEN SHA TIN AND TAI WO PING INTERCHANGE.
PRESENTED BY THE
IMPROVEMENT WORK
OTHER ITEMS ON THE AGENDA INCLUDE APPLICATION FOR FUNDS THE REGIONAL COUNCIL’S DISTRICT FESTIVAL SUBSIDY SCHEME, ESTIMATES FOR THE 1988-89 FINANCIAL YEAR
AND PROGRESS
CHAIRMEN OF VARIOUS DB COMMITTEES.
UNDER DRAFT
REPORTS
BY
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE SHA TIN DISTRICT BOARD MEETING ON FRIDAY (MARCH 4) IN THE DB CONFERENCE ROOM ON THE SIXTH FLOOR, KCR HOUSE, SHA TIN STATION. THE MEETING WILL START AT 9.30 AM.
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WEDNESDAY, MARCH 2, 1988
DB TO DISCUSS ISSUES CONCERNING TSING YI
*****
THE KWAI CHUNG AND TSING YI DISTRICT BOARD WILL DISCUSS A NUMBER OF ISSUES CONCERNING TSING YI AT THE LAST MEETING OF THIS TERM TO BE HELD TOMORROW (THURSDAY).
MEMBERS WILL ASK QUESTIONS CONCERNING THE PARKING OF CONTAINER TRUCKS, TRAFFIC NOISE, INDUSTRIAL AIR POLLUTION, AND THE OPERATION OF THE CHEUNG HONG HOSTEL BY THE SOCIETY OF BOYS’ CENTRES ON THE ISLAND.
OTHER QUESTIONS CONCERNING THE COMMERCIAL TENANCY OF GROUP B MARK III HOUSING ESTATES AND STATISTICS ON ROBBERY CASES OCCURRED INSIDE LIFTS WILL ALSO BE RAISED.
THE MEETING WILL ALSO DISCUSS THE HOUSING AUTHORITY’S NEW POLICY TO ALLEVIATE OVERCROWDING IN HOUSING UNITS AND ITS PRESENT POLICY ON TRANSIT CENTRES.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE KWAI TSING DISTRICT BOARD MEETING TOMORROW (THURSDAY) IN THE CONFERENCE ROOM, 1OTH FLOOR, KWAI HING GOVERNMENT OFFICES BUILDING (NEXT TO KWAI HING MTR STATION), KWAI CHUNG. THE MEETING WILL START AT 2.30 PM.
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BOE CHAIRMAN AND MEMBERS VISIT NEW TOWN SCHOOLS *****
THE CHAIRMAN AND FIVE MEMBERS OF THE BOARD OF EDUCATION (BOE) TODAY (WEDNESDAY) VISITED TWO SECONDARY SCHOOLS AT TUEN MUN TO TAKE A CLOSE LOOK AT THE EDUCATION SERVICES IN THE NEW TOWN.
THE CHARIMAN, MRS RITA FAN, AND MEMBERS, MISS BOW SUI-MAY, MR DAVID C.K. CHEUNG, TAM MAN-KWAN, MR DOMINIC S.W. WONG, AND THE REVEREND J.G. FOLEY, WERE ACCOMPANIED ON THE VISIT BY THE ASSISTANT DIRECTOR OF EDUCATION (SCHOOLS), MR S.W. WONG.
THE PARTY FIRST WENT TO SHUN TAK FRATERNAL ASSOCIATION LEUNG KAU KUI COLLEGE IN ON TING ESTATE WHICH. HAS BEEN OPERATING IN A STANDARD SECONDARY SCHOOL PREMISES SINCE SEPTEMBER 1981.
/THE VISITORS
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 2, 1988
8
THE VISITORS NOTED THAT THE SCHOOL WAS ONE OF THOSE REQUIRED TO INTRODUCE TWO ADDITIONAL FLOATING CLASSES OF SECONDARY 1 IN 1986 AS A TEMPORARY MEASURE TO RELIEVE THE SHORTAGE OF SCHOOL PLACES IN THE NEW TOWN. THE SCHOOL WILL RESUME THE CLASS STRUCTURE OF 6664422 IN 1989.
THE BOE CHAIRMAN AND MEMBERS LATER PROCEEDED TO THE TUNG WAH GROUP OF HOSPITALS YAU TZE TIN MEMORIAL COLLEGE AT SIU HONG COURT.
THEY HEARD THAT THE SCHOOL WOULD TAKE PART IN A PROJECT TO CONVERT PART OF THE COVERED PLAYGROUND INTO A CLASSROOM AND TWO REMEDIAL TEACHING ROOMS TO PROVIDE MORE TEACHING SPACE. THE GOVERNMENT WOULD BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE CONSTRUCTION COST.
DURING THEIR TOUR, THE VISITORS ALSO GAINED FIRST-HAND INFORMATION ABOUT THE WIDE RANGE OF EXTRA-CURRICULAR ACTIVITIES PROVIDED BY THE TWO SCHOOLS.
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HEAVY VEHICLE BAN IN BOWRINGTON ROAD *****
VEHICLES EXCEEDING FOUR TONNES GROSS WILL NOT BE ALLOWED TO ENTER ROWRINGTON ROAD IN CAUSEWAY BAY BETWEEN WAN CHAI ROAD AND HENNESSY ROAD FROM 10 AM ON SATURDAY I MARCH 5).
THIS MEASURE WILL LAST FOR ABOUT FOUR MONTHS BECAUSE OF ROAD WORKS.
- 0 -
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE. HONG KONG. TEL: 5-8428777
SUPPLEMENT
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 2, 1988
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
IMMEDIATE PROSPECTS FOR ECONOMY GOOD, SAYS FS............... 1
1987-88 SURPLUS STANDS AT S7.6 BILLION .................
1988 TO BE YEAR OF CONSOLIDATION .......................... 6
STRATEGY FOR PUBLIC FINANCES IS STABILITY .................. 7
PRIORITIES VITAL FOR SUSTaINED EXPENDITURE GROWTH .......... 9
MOVING TOWARDS .1 MORE ROBUST FISCAL REGIME ............... 12
HIGH SPENDING ON SOCIAL SERVICES TO CONTINUE............... 1J
11 PER CENT GROWTH IN REVENUE ............................. 16
REVENUE-RaISING MEASURES TO YIELD S390 MILLION ............ 17
INCREASE IN FEES .iND CH..RGES PROPOSED ................... 19
TAX BURDS'! OF MIDDLE-INCOME GROUP EASED .................. 20
WORKING WIVES TO GET TAX ALLOWANCE CONCESSION ............. 21
CONCESSIONS TO BENEFIT BUSINESSMEN, HOME BUYERS, TRAVELLERS 22
MOVES TO IMPLEMENT REVENUE PROPOS.\LS..................... 24-
'SOMETHING FOR ALL SECTORS OF OUR COMMUNITY' ............. 25
FS'S SPEECH CM TV hND RADIO............................... 27
BUDGET BRIEFING ........................................... 28
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 2, 1988
IMMEDIATE PROSPECTS FOR ECONOMY GOOD, SAYS FS
*****
A MOST ALL THE ECONOMIC INDICATORS SHOW THAT HONG KONG HAS DONE EXTRilFLY WELL IN THE LAST 12 MONTHS AND OUR IMMEDIATE PROSPECTS ARE GOOD, THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY, THE HON PIERS JACOBS, SAID TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
PRESENTING THE BUDGET FOR 1988-89 AT THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL, MR JACOBS SAID WHAT HE WOULD BE SAYING THIS AFTERNOON WOULD REVEAL THE EXTENT TO WHICH OUR BUOYANT ECONOMY WOULD ENABLE HIM NOT ONLY TO INCREASE THE PROVISION OF GOVERNMENT SERVICES BUT ALSO TO EASE THE TAX BURDEN ON THE COMMUNITY WITHOUT PUTTING OUR ECONOMY OR THE LONGER TERM STABILITY OF OUR BUDGETARY MANAGEMENT AT UNDUE RISK.
MR JACOBS SAID A BUDGET SPEECH GAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO EXAMINE OUR PERFORMANCE SINCE THE LAST BUDGET AND TO FORECAST WHAT THE ECONOMY MIGHT HAVE IN STORE FOR HONG KONG NEXT YEAR AND IN THE YEARS BEYOND.
"THIS APPROACH REFLECTS WHAT I BELIEVE SHOULD BE THE UNDERLYING THEME IN THE MANAGEMENT OF OUR PUBLIC FINANCES — THE CAREFUL PLANNING OF PUBLIC SERVICES IN THE LIGHT OF WHAT WE CAN AFFORD OVER THE LONGER TERM.
"I MUST STRESS THAT THE PRUDENT MANAGEMENT OF OUR PUBLIC FINANCES, GIVEN THE CYCLICAL NATURE OF OUR ECONOMY, DEPENDS TO A GREAT EXTENT ON OUR CONTINUING TO PAY CLOSE ATTENTION TO TRENDS AND ON TAKING EARLY ACTION WHERE NECESSARY TO AVOID MORE EXTREME MEASURES AT A LATER DATE," HE SAID.
LOOKING BACK AT THE ECONOMY IN 1987, MR JACOBS SAID THE TREND BEGUN IN 1986 OF STRONG EXPORT-LED GROWTH CONTINUED THROUGH 1987.
"THE SHARP RISE IN OUR DOMESTIC EXPORTS AND RE-EXPORTS IN TURN BOOSTED INCOMES AND DOMESTIC DEMAND. AS A RESULT, OUR GROSS DOMESTIC PRODUCT (GDP) RECORDED A GROWTH RATE OF ABOUT 13.5 PER CENT IN REAL TERMS.
"THUS WE HAVE ENJOYED TWO CONSECUTIVE YEARS OF DOUBLE-DIGIT GROWTH,” HE SAID.
MR JACOBS SAID THIS REMARKABLE ECONOMIC PERFORMANCE HAD BENEFITED HONG KONG IN A NUMBER OF WAYS.
"FIRST, THE BUOYANT ECONOMIC CONDITIONS LED TO A SUBSTANTIAL INCREASE IN CAPITAL INVESTMENT AND AN ACTIVE PROPERTY MARKET.
"SECONDLY, WITH THE UNEMPLOYMENT RATE STAYING AT A HISTORIC LOW LEVEL OF 1.8 PER CENT DURING MUCH OF 1987, WE HAD IN EFFECT FULL EMPLOYMENT THROUGHOUT THE YEAR.
/"THIRDLY, WAGES
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 2, 1988
- 2
"THIRDLY, WAGES AND SALARIES ROSE RAPIDLY, RESULTING IN A SIGNIFICANT INCREASE IN PERSONAL INCOMES, EVEN AFTER ALLOWING FOR INFLATION. THE COMMUNITY AT LARGE SHARED IN THE FRUITS OF OUR ECONOMIC SUCCESS," HE SAID.
MR JACOBS SAID THAT DURING THE YEAR HONG KONG’S IMPORTS ALSO INCREASED RAPIDLY IN LINE WITH THE STRONG GROWTH IN THE ECONOMY AND OVERALL THE VISIBLE TRADE ACCOUNT IN 1987 WAS ROUGHLY IN BALANCE.
"SO ALTHOUGH WE HAVE BEEN MAINTAINING TRADE SURPLUSES WITH MANY OF OUR MAJOR MARKETS WE HAVE USED OUR EXPORT EARNINGS TO BUY WHAT WE NEED FROM OUR MAJOR SUPPLIERS, WITH MANY OF WHOM WE RUN LARGE TRADE DEFICITS," HE SAID.
"WE DO NOT AMASS VAST SURPLUSES ON OUR VISIBLE TRADE ACCOUNTS. WE ARE FREE TRADERS IN THE FULL SENSE OF THAT TERM," HE ADDED.
MR JACOBS SAID HE DREW PARTICULAR ATTENTION TO OUR VISIBLE TRADE ACCOUNT AND OUR LARGE TRADE DEFICITS WITH A NUMBER OF ECONOMIES BECAUSE OUR TRADE SURPLUSES WITH SOME ECONOMIES, PARTICULARLY THE UNITED STATES, HAD BEEN CITED AS A REASON FOR CHANGING THE LINKED EXCHANGE RATE.
"OUR OVERALL VISIBLE TRADE BALANCE PROVIDES NO JUSTIFICATION WHATSOEVER FOR A CHANGE IN THE LINKED RATE, ESPECIALLY SINCE A CHANGE WOULD INVOLVE A REVALUATION OF THE HONG KONG DOLLAR AGAINST THE CURRENCIES OF TRADING PARTNERS WITH WHOM WE ALREADY HAVE LARGE VISIBLE TRADE DEFICITS," HE SAID.
IN THE LIGHT OF THE INTENSIVE SPECULATIVE PRESSURE TO WHICH THE EXCHANGE RATE HAD BEEN SUBJECTED FROM TIME TO TIME, MR JACOBS WISHED TO EMPHASISE THAT THE GOVERNMENT MUST HAVE REGARD TO THE LONG-TERM OVERALL INTERESTS OF HONG KONG AND ITS COMMUNITY.
"THE LINKED RATE SYSTEM IS A VITAL ELEMENT OF STABILITY FOR HONG KONG; AND IT PROVIDES A MECHANISM FOR MONETARY CONTROL.
"I HAVE NO INTENTION OF ALTERING THE CURRENT RATE," HE SAID.
MR JACOBS SAID THE ESSENCE OF THE SYSTEM WAS THAT ADJUSTMENTS DID NOT TAKE PLACE THROUGH THE EXCHANGE RATE ITSELF, BUT THROUGH CHANGES IN OTHER ASPECTS OF THE ECONOMY, A PROCESS WHICH MIGHT INCLUDE CHANGES IN THE RATE OF INFLATION.
HE SAID THE RECENT INFLATION RATE CREPT UP OVER THE COURSE OF 1987, BUT REMAINED FAIRLY MODERATE BY HISTORICAL STANDARDS.
"IN THE FOURTH QUARTER OF 1987, THE CONSUMER PRICE INDEX (A) WAS 6.7 PER CENT HIGHER THAN A YEAR EARLIER, WHILE FOR 1987 AS A WHOLE THE AVERAGE ANNUAL INCREASE WAS 5.5 PER CENT.
/"SOME OF
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 2, 1988
’’SOME OF THE INFLATION WAS IMPORTED, PARTLY REFLECTING THE WEAKENING OF THE HONG KONG DOLLAR AGAINST MOST OTHER MAJOR CURRENCIES, AND SOME AROSE FROM THE HIGH LIQUIDITY AND PRESSURE OF DEMAND WITHIN THE ECONOMY," HE SAID.
MR JACOBS SAID THAT WITH THE ECONOMY OPERATING AT FULL CAPACITY, LABOUR SHORTAGES BECAME WIDESPREAD IN 1987.
IN RESPONSE, HE SAID, LOCAL PRODUCERS HAD DISPLAYED A REMARKABLE DEGREE OF FLEXIBILITY AND INGENUITY IN INCREASING PRODUCTIVITY.
"THEY HAVE ALSO MADE SIGNIFICANTLY MORE USE OF OUTWARD PROCESSING FACILITIES IN CHINA. THIS INCREASED INTER-RELATIONSHIP OF OUR ECONOMY WITH THAT OF CHINA WAS A MARKED FEATURE OF LAST YEAR AND SEEMS LIKELY TO CONTINUE THIS YEAR.
’’THERE ARE BENEFITS FOR ALL IN THE DEVELOPMENT OF THIS RELATIONSHIP," HE SAID.
MR JACOBS SAID THE PRESSURE OF DEMAND AND THE RESULTING LABOUR SHORTAGES SET IN TRAIN THE ADJUSTMENT PROCESS, WHICH WAS BRINGING ABOUT A GRADUAL SLOWDOWN IN THE GROWTH RATE OF THE ECONOMY.
"IN THE LATER PART OF LAST YEAR, THE GROWTH RATE OF OUR EXPORTS EASED SOMEWHAT, AND MORE RECENTLY THERE HAVE BEEN SOME SIGNS THAT THE PRESSURE OF DEMAND ON RESOURCES IS BEGINNING TO SLACKEN," HE SAID,
TURNING TO THE EVENTS OF LAST OCTOBER IN THE WORLD’S STOCK MARKET, MR JACOBS SAID WHAT TOOK PLACE IN THE MARKET WAS IN PART A RESPONSE TO WORLD EVENTS AND THE SHARP FALLS WERE NOT A REFLECTION OF WEAKNESSES IN THE ECONOMY.
NEVERTHELESS, HE ADDED, THERE WAS NO DOUBT THAT OUR SYSTEMS WERE SHOWN TO BE LESS THAN ADEQUATE AND IT WAS FOR THIS REASON THAT THE SECURITIES REVIEW COMMITTEE WAS APPOINTED TO EXAMINE CRITICALLY THE RELEVANT STRUCTURES AND SYSTEMS WITH A VIEW TO RECOMMENDING IMPROVEMENTS.
"WE IN HONG KONG ARE NOT ALONE IN RECOGNISING THE NEED TO DRAW LESSONS FROM THE CRASH. OTHER MAJOR MARKETS, INCLUDING LONDON AND NEW YORK, ARE CONDUCTING SIMILAR REVIEWS," HE SAID.
IN THE MEANTIME, HE SAID, VARIOUS IMPROVEMENTS WERE BEING CARRIED OUT BY BOTH THE STOCK EXCHANGE AND FUTURES EXCHANGE IN ORDER TO DEAL WITH IMMEDIATE PROBLEMS THAT HAD BEEN IDENTIFIED.
"IT IS IMPORTANT THAT WHERE STEPS CAN BE TAKEN TO FURTHER SAFEGUARD INVESTORS THESE STEPS SHOULD NOT BE DELAYED PENDING THE RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE SECURITIES REVIEW COMMITTEE," HE SAID.
/’’THE GOVERNMENT........
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 2, 1988
4
"THE GOVERNMENT, FOR ITS PART," HE ADDED, "CONTINUES TO PUT TOGETHER PROPOSALS IN RELATION TO THE DISCLOSURE OF BENEFICIAL INTERESTS IN THE SHARES HELD BY DIRECTORS AND OTHER SUBSTANTIAL SHAREHOLDERS OF PUBLIC LISTED COMPANIES."
HE SAID COMMENTS ON THE PUBLISHED WHITE BILL HAD BEEN RECEIVED AND HE INTENDED TO SEEK THE ADVICE OF THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL IN THE NEAR FUTURE.
"THE SUBJECT OF INSIDER TRADING IS ALSO UNDER ACTIVE CONSIDERATION, AND AGAIN I AM ON THE POINT OF TAKING PROPOSALS TO THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL," HE SAID.
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1987-88 SURPLUS STANDS AT $7.6 BILLION * * » * «
THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY, THE HON PIERS JACOBS, HAS EXPECTED A MUCH HIGHER THAN BUDGETTED SURPLUS ON GENERAL REVENUE ACCOUNT OF SOME $6.1 BILLION FOR THE FINANCIAL YEAR 1987-88.
WHEN COMBINED WITH THE GOVERNMENT’S FUND ACCOUNTS, THE SURPLUS BECAME $7.6 BILLION, MR JACOBS TOLD THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY) WHEN PRESENTING HIS BUDGET SPEECH.
HE NOTED HOWEVER THAT "SUBSTANTIAL AS THIS SURPLUS MAY SEEM, IT MUST BE REMEMBERED THAT IT IS THE PRODUCT OF TWO YEARS OF EXCEPTIONAL ECONOMIC PERFORMANCE.”
HE SAID THAT THE ORIGINAL REVENUE ESTIMATES FOR THE YEAR WERE FORMED ON THE ASSUMPTION AT THAT TIME OF GDP GROWTH OF AROUND 8.5 PER CENT IN 1986 AND SIX PER CENT IN 1987.
"AS WE HAVE SEEN, ACTUAL ECONOMIC GROWTH HAS BEEN CONSIDERABLY BETTER.
"I NOW EXPECT THE REVENUE YIELD ON GERENAL REVENUE ACCOUNT TO BE NINE PER CENT ABOVE THE ORIGINAL ESTIMATE. COMBINING GENERAL REVENUE ACCOUNT AND FUND ACCOUNT REVENUE THE INCREASE ON THE ORIGINAL ESTIMATE IS 11 PER CENT."
MR JACOBS SAID THAT STAMP DUTY AT $5.0 BILLION WAS NEARLY DOUBLE THE ORIGINAL ESTIMATE; WHILST SALARIES TAX, PROFITS TAX, MOTOR VEHICLE FIRST REGISTRATION TAX AND LAND SALES REVENUE, ALL OF WHICH NORMALLY BENEFITTED FROM A STRONG ECONOMIC PERFORMANCE, ALSO HAD HIGHER THAN EXPECTED YIELDS.
/ON THE
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 2, 1988
ON THE PRESENT STATE OF THE GOVERNMENT’S PUBLIC FINANCES, HE SAID THE EXPECTED POSITION AT THE END OF THE FINANCIAL YEAR 1987-88 WAS ONE OF HIGHER THAN FORECAST REVENUE YIELDS BUT WITH EXPENDITURE CLOSE TO BUDGET.
"THE SURGE IN GOVERNMENT REVENUE WHICH BEGAN IN 1986-87 HAS CONTINUED THROUGH 1987-88. TWO YEARS OF DOUBLE-DIGIT ECONOMIC GROWTH HAVE LIFTED OUR REVENUE BASE SIGNIFICANTLY."
HE SAID THE REVISED ESTIMATE OF EXPENDITURE ON GENERAL REVENUE ACCOUNT OF $44.5 BILLION, INCLUDING TRANSFERS TO FUNDS, WAS CLOSE TO THE ORIGINAL ESTIMATE FOR THE YEAR.
"EXPENDITURE ON OUR VARIOUS FUNDS OF $11.3 BILLION IS ABOUT FIVE PER CENT ABOVE BUDGET, DUE MAINLY TO A PURCHASE OF QUARTERS FOR THE POLICE FORCE WHICH WAS NOT ALLOWED FOR IN THE ORIGINAL ESTIMATES.
"THEREFORE, SPENDING IN CASH TERMS ON GENERAL REVENUE ACCOUNT AND FUNDS TAKEN TOGETHER IS ABOUT ONE PER CENT ABOVE THE ORIGINAL ESTIMATES.
"NEVERTHELESS, HIGHER THAN EXPECTED INFLATION MEANS THAT ’REAL’ EXPENDITURE GROWTH FOR THE YEAR IS, IN FACT, SLIGHTLY BELOW THE BUDGETTED FIGURE," MR JACOBS SAID.
IN CONSOLIDATED ACCOUNT TERMS, HE SAID REAL EXPENDITURE GROWTH WAS NOW EXPECTED TO BE ABOUT 4.6 PER CENT COMPARED WITH AN ORIGINAL ESTIMATE OF 4.9 PER CENT.
"FURTHERMORE, AS A RESULT OF THE EXCEPTIONAL GROWTH RATE IN THE ECONOMY, CONSOLIDATED ACCOUNT EXPENDITURE AS A PROPORTION OF GDP HAS FALLEN FROM 16 PER CENT IN 1986-87 TO AROUND 15 PER CENT."
MR JACOBS ADDED THAT THE GROWTH IN THE ESTABLISHMENT OF THE CIVIL SERVICE AT JUST OVER THREE PER CENT WAS IN LINE WITH THE BUDGETTED FIGURE.
TRANSFERS TO THE VARIOUS FUNDS FROM GENERAL REVENUE ACCOUNT OF $6.6 BILLION WOULD BE AS BUDGETTED, HE ADDED.
-----0-----
/6........
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 2, 1988
6
1988 TO BE YEAR OF CONSOLIDATION *****
HONG KONG’S ECONOMIC PROSPECTS FOR 1988 WOULD BE ONE OF CONSOLIDATION, WITH A MORE BALANCED PATTERN OF GROWTH BETWEEN EXTERNAL AND DOMESTIC DEMAND, THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY, THE HON PIERS JACOBS, SAID TODAY (WEDNESDAY) WHEN PRESENTING HIS 1988-89 BUDGET TO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL.
"ECONOMIC FORECASTING IS ALWAYS DIFFICULT; THIS YEAR IT IS MADE EVEN MORE SO BY THE PREVAILING CLIMATE OF UNCERTAINTY IN THE WORLD ECONOMY," HE SAID.
MR JACOBS SAID THE DEMAND FOR HONG KONG’S PRODUCTS IN MAJOR OVERSEAS MARKETS REMAINED CRUCIAL TO THE OVERALL ECONOMIC PERFORMANCE.
"IN THE UNITED STATES, THE LIKELY SETBACK IN CONSUMER DEMAND CARRIES WITH IT THE EXPECTATION OF ONLY A SMALL GROWTH IN DOMESTIC EXPORTS TO OUR LARGEST OVERSEAS MARKET.
"AND, LOOKING FURTHER AHEAD, THE FORTHCOMING EXCLUSION OF OUR EXPORTS FROM THE U.S. GENERALISED SYSTEM OF PREFERENCES SEEMS LIKELY TO AFFECT ADVERSELY OUR ECONOMIC PERFORMANCE IN 1989.
"FORTUNATELY, Tli OUTLOOK IS BRIGHTER FOR OUR DOMESTIC EXPORTS TO JAPAN, THE FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF GERMANY AND THE UNITED KINGDOM," HE ADDED.
NOTWITHSTANDING CO;< ' ; NUED IMPORT CONTROLS, THE RECENT GROWTH TREND IN HONG KONE'S DOMESTIC EXPORTS TO CHINA WAS STILL STRONG, ALTHOUGH SOME REDUCTION R GROWTH DURING THE COURSE OF THIS YEAR SEEMED LIKELY AS A RESULT OF A SLOWER DEVELOPMENT IN OUTWARD PROCESSING, MR JACOBS SAID.
THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY FORECAST AN INCREASE IN DOMESTIC EXPORTS OF SIX "I.R CENT, WHILE RE-EXPORTS WERE EXPECTED TO GROW BY 12 PER CENT. "TOGETHER THESE TWO FORECASTS RESULT IN A FORECAST GROWTH RATE OF NINE PER CENT FOR TOTAL EXPORTS."
DOMESTICALLY, HE SAID, PRIVATE CONSUMPTION EXPENDITURE WAS EXPECTED TO GROW MORE MODERATELY IN 1988, ALTHOUGH AT A HIGHER RATE THAN THAT OF GDP, LARGELY REFLECTING THE RECENT RAPID GROWTH IN INCOMES.
CAPITAL EXPENDITURE ON BUILDING AND CONSTRUCTION WAS EXPECTED TO RISE MODERATELY WITH MOST OF, THE GROWTH ATTRIBUTABLE TO THE PRIVATE SECTOR, WHILE SPENDING ON PLANT AND MACHINERY WAS ALSO EXPECTED TO SHOW ONLY A MODEST INCREASE, FOLLOWING THE SUBSTANTIAL GROWTH RECORDED LAST YEAR, HE SAID.
THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY FORECAST A GROWTH RATE OF GDP FOR J988 OF FIVE PER CENT. f > \-
/MR JACOBS .......
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 2t 1988
- 7 -
MR JACOBS SAID THIS FORECAST LED HIM TO THE FOLLOWING CONCLUSIONS: THAT GIVEN THE TIGHT LABOUR MARKET IN 1987 THE UNEMPLOYMENT RATE WAS LIKELY TO REMAIN LOW THIS YEAR DESPITE A REDUCED RATE OF ECONOMIC GROWTH; THAT THE RATE OF INFLATION WAS EXPECTED TO AVERAGE ABOUT SEVEN PER CENT; AND THAT AS TOTAL FINAL DEMAND IN THE ECONOMY WAS LIKELY TO RISE FASTER THAN THE SUPPLY OF OUTPUT, SOME OF THIS GROWTH IN DEMAND WOULD HAVE TO BE MET BY ADDITIONAL IMPORTS.
’’THUS, OUR IMPORTS ARE FORECAST TO GROW BY 9.5 PER CENT, AND OUR RETAINED IMPORTS BY SLIGHTLY OVER SEVEN PER CENT,” HE SAID.
’’THIS, COUPLED WITH A SLIGHT FURTHER DETERIORATION IN THE TERMS OF TRADE, SHOULD RESULT IN AN INCREASED VISIBLE TRADE DEFICIT, GIVING FURTHER WEIGHT TO SOME OF THE ARGUMENTS I ADVANCED AGAINST REVALUATION OF OUR CURRENCY,” HE ADDED.
MR JACOBS FORECAST THE GROWTH RATE OF THE GDP IN MONEY TERMS AT ABOUT 13 PER CENT IN 1988.
"AT CURRENT PRICES, PER CAPITA GDP WOULD THUS REACH ABOUT $72,000, EQUIVALENT TO US$9,200,” HE SAID.
-----O-----
STRATEGY FOR PUBLIC FINANCES IS STABILITY ♦ * * ♦ *
COUNCIL
PRESENTING HIS BUDGET SPEECH IN THE LEGISLATIVE
__________ _________ TODAY
(WEDNESDAY), THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY, THE HON PIERS JACOBS, SAID THE AIM OF THE STRATEGY FOR PUBLIC FINANCES WAS TO MAINTAIN STABILITY IN
PUBLIC EXPENDITURE GROWTH.
’’THIS STRATEGY IS ESSENTIAL TO THE ORDERLY AND EFFICIENT DEVELOPMENT OF GOVERNMENT SERVICES AND THE STABILITY OF OUR TAX SYSTEM,” HE SAID.
CAREFUL MANAGEMENT, WHICH
THAT WE CAN ENSURE THAT THE THE INNATE VOLATILITY THAT
”IT IS ONLY THROUGH PRUDENT AND INVOLVES LOOKING AHEAD A NUMBER OF YEARS, GOVERNMENT’S FINANCES DO NOT ADD TO
AFFECTS OUR ECONOMY,” HE SAID.
MR JACOBS SAID
VOLATILITY AND UNCERTAINTY CONTINUED TO BE FACTS OF OUR ECONOMIC LIFE, AND ALMOST INEVITABLY, WE WOULD EXPERIENCE CONSIDERABLE YEAR TO YEAR VARIATION IN REVENUE DEPENDENT AS IT WAS ON THE PERFORMANCE OF OUR ECONOMY.
/DESPITE THE
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 2, 1988
8
DESPITE THE PACT THAT HONG KONG EXPERIENCED TWO YEARS OF DOUBLE-DIGIT ECONOMIC GROWTH, HE NOTED THAT THE NEGATIVE GROWTH IN 1985 WAS A SALUTARY WARNING THAT WE SHOULD NOT BE OVER-INFLUENCED BY RECENT RESULTS.
"FURTHERMORE, I HAVE ALREADY COMMENTED ON THE LIKELY IMPACT OF RECENT WORLDWIDE PROBLEMS.
"IN THE LIGHT OF THESE CONSIDERATIONS, I PREFER TO MAINTAIN THE 6.5 PER CENT TREND GROWTH RATE ASSUMPTION FOR THE PURPOSES OF THIS BUDGET," MR JACOBS SAID.
TURNING TO THE MEDIUM RANGE FORECAST, MR JACOBS SAID IT FORMED THE BASIS FOR HIS SPECIFIC BUDGET PROPOSALS AND DESERVED CAREFUL STUDY.
SOME OF THE MORE IMPORTANT FEATURES OF THE FORECAST WERE:
» FIRST, OUR AVERAGE SURPLUS OVER THE FORECAST PERIOD UP TO 1991-92 WOULD RUN AT ABOUT $5.9 BILLION A YEAR, IF NO FURTHER FISCAL MEASURES WERE TAKEN;
♦ SECONDLY, THIS LEVEL OF SURPLUS WAS WELL IN EXCESS OF THE $2 BILLION OR SO THAT WE NEEDED EACH YEAR JUST TO MAINTAIN THE REAL VALUE OF OUR RESERVES;
» AND THIRDLY, GOVERNMENT EXPENDITURE IN CONSOLIDATED ACCOUNT TERMS AS A PROPORTION OF GDP WAS FORECAST TO REMAIN SLIGHTLY BELOW THE 16 PER CENT MARK AND THE AIM OF NOT CROWDING OUT THE PRIVATE SECTOR WITH PUBLIC SECTOR DEMAND WAS BEING ACHIEVED.
MR JACOBS REITERATED THAT IF WE WERE TO MAINTAIN STABILITY IN OUR PUBLIC FINANCES, EXPENDITURE PLANS MUST BE RELATED TO OUR LONGER TERM PROSPECTS RATHER THAN SHAPED ON THE BASIS OF JUST TWO YEARS OF EXCEPTIONAL REVENUE YIELDS.
"IT FOLLOWS, THEREFORE, THAT ANY ADJUSTMENTS IN 1988-89 SHOULD RELATE PRIMARILY TO REVENUE.
"IN THE LIGHT OF THE RESULTS WE HAVE ACHIEVED AND TAKING ACCOUNT OF OUR PROJECTIONS OVER THE PERIOD OF THE MEDIUM RANGE FORECAST, SOME FURTHER LOWERING OF TAX RATES IS THUS POSSIBLE; IT HAS BEEN EARNED BY THE EFFORTS OF THE COMMUNITY," HE SAID.
-----0---------
/9........
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 2, 1988
- 9 -
PRIORITIES VITAL FOR SUSTAINED EXPENDITURE GROWTH » ♦ t * t
ATTENTION TO PRIORITIES AND TO THE EFFECTIVE DEPLOYMENT OF RESOURCES IS PARTICULARLY IMPORTANT IN A PERIOD OF SUSTAINED EXPENDITURE GROWTH, THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY, THE HON PIERS JACOBS, SAID IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
IN HIS BUDGET SPEECH, MR JACOBS SAID IT WAS THEREFORE ESSENTIAL THAT THE SYSTEMS FOR APPRAISING RESOURCE ALLOCATION BE FURTHER REFINED.
E AIM TO ENSURE THAT DECISIONS ARE MADE IN THE CONTEXT OF OR SEVERAL YEARS AHEAD,” HE SAID.
‘i JACOBS SAID AVERAGE ANNUAL GROWTH IN CONSOLIDATED ACCOUNT EXPENDITURE OVER THE FORECAST PERIOD WAS PROJECTED TO BE 5.4 PER CENT IN REAL TERMS.
"THIS IS JUST A LITTLE HIGHER THAN THE 5.0 PER CENT CONTAINED IN MY 1987-88 BUDGET STRATEGY, BUT REMAINS WITHIN THE TREND GROWTH RATE ASSUMPTION FOR GDP,” HE SAID.
HE SAID IT WAS IMPORTANT NOT TO LOSE SIGHT OF THE FACT THAT SUCH A GROWTH RATE IN EXPENDITURE MEANT THAT PUBLIC SECTOR EXPENDITURE WOULD ALMOST DOUBLE BY THE END OF THE NEXT DECADE.
MR JACOBS DREW ATTENTION TO THE FACT THAT THE DETAILED ESTIMATES WHICH HE PRESENTED TODAY MADE PROVISION FOR GROWTH IN THE SIZE OF THE CIVIL SERVICE OF SOME FOUR PER CENT IN 1988-89.
THIS IS LARGELY DUE TO THE STAFFING IMPACT OF SOME MAJOR NEW FACILITIES AND THE BUILD UP OF THE POLICE TACTICAL UNIT IN PREPARATION FOR TAKING OVER THE WORK OF THE BRITISH GARRISON.
"THESE AND OTHER FACTORS PUSH STAFF GROWTH BEYOND OUR TARGET OF 2.5 PER CENT A YEAR,” HE SAID.
MR JACOBS SAID THERE WERE POTENTIALLY SERIOUS IMPLICATIONS IF SUCH A HIGH GROWTH RATE OF FOUR PER CENT IN THE SIZE OF THE CIVIL SERVICE WERE TO CONTINUE.
HE SAID THE TOTAL LABOUR FORCE, WHICH EXPANDED BY AN AVERAGE OF 3.8 PER CENT IN THE 1970’8 AND 2.4 PER CENT IN THE FIRST PART OF THIS DECADE, WAS EXPECTED TO GROW BY ONLY 1.4 PER CENT FOR THE REMAINDER OF THIS DECADE.
"ALSO, THIS RAPID GROWTH IN THE SIZE OF THE CIVIL SERVICE OCCURS AT A TIME WHEN THE UNEMPLOYMENT RATE IS PARTICULARLY LOW," HE SAID.
"IT MAY BE UNAVOIDABLE IN THE SHORT TERM, BUT IT CANNOT BE PERMITTED TO CONTINUE INDEFINITELY," HE ADDED.
/TURNING TO
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 2t 1988
10
TURNING TO SOME OF THE MAJOR FEATURES OF THE EXPENDITURE STRATEGY, MR JACOBS SAID THERE WERE MEASURES TO IMPROVE WELFARE ASSISTANCE FOR THE ELDERLY AND THE DISABLED WHO REQUIRED CONSTANT ATTENDANCE, A PLANNED EXPANSION OF VARIOUS WELFARE SERVICES, AND MAJOR NEW FACILITIES COMING ON STREAM SUCH AS THE HONG KONG UNIVERSITY OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY, THE TUEN MUN HOSPITAL AND THE PAMELA YOUDE HOSPITAL AT SHAUKEIWAN.
"TAKEN TOGETHER THESE RESULT IN A GROWTH PATTERN IN RESPECT OF SOCIAL SERVICES THAT WILL ENSURE THIS SECTOR AN INCREASINGLY LARGE SLICE OF THE CAKE IN THE COMING YEARS," HE SAID.
HE SAID ALTHOUGH THIS TREND SHOULD BE ACCEPTED AS A REFLECTION OF THE ASPIRATIONS OF A DEVELOPING COMMUNITY AS IT GREW MORE PROSPEROUS, THE BURDEN ON THE BUDGET WAS SOMETHING THAT WE MUST RECOGNISED AND PLANNED FOR.
"ALSO," HE ADDED, "WHEN CONSIDERING MY REVENUE PROPOSALS, OR INDEED ANY POSSIBLE REVENUE MEASURES IN FUTURE, IT IS IMPORTANT TO BEAR IN MIND THAT THIS INCREASED EXPENDITURE LARGELY BENEFITS THE LESS AFFLUENT MEMBERS OF OUR COMMUNITY."
MR JACOBS SAID THAT FOR MANY YEARS, THE DRIVING FORCE BEHIND DEVELOPMENT PLANS HAD BEEN THE GOVERNMENT’S DETERMINATION TO ENSURE THAT ADEQUATE HOUSING WAS AVAILABLE FOR ALL.
"AS A FURTHER STEP IN THIS PROCESS IT IS INTENDED THAT THE HOUSING AUTHORITY WILL, WITH EFFECT FROM NEXT MONTH, ASSUME FULL FINANCIAL RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE HOME OWNERSHIP SCHEME, THE HOME PURCHASE LOAN SCHEME, TEMPORARY HOUSING AREAS AND COTTAGE AREAS.
"THE NEW ARRANGEMENTS WILL ENSURE THAT THE AUTHORITY IS ABLE TO PLAN A COMPREHENSIVE HOUSING PROGRAMME IN COOPERATION WITH THE PRIVATE SECTOR, AND WITH GREATER FLEXIBILITY THAN BEFORE.
"THE GOVERNMENT WILL, OF COURSE, CONTINUE TO SUPPORT THE HOUSING PROGRAMME WITH FINANCE AND LAND AS NECESSARY, RETAINING ITS OVERALL POLICY RESPONSIBILITY," HE SAID.
ON TRANSPORT, MR JACOBS SAID THE GOVERNMENT WAS COOPERATING CLOSELY WITH THE PRIVATE SECTOR IN THE PLANNING AND CONSTRUCTION OF SEVERAL MAJOR TRANSPORT PROJECTS SUCH AS THE EASTERN HARBOUR CROSSING AND THE TATE’S CAIRN TUNNEL.
HE SAID WE ALSO HAD TO ENSURE THAT HONG KONG'S EXTERNAL TRANSPORT LINKS — BY LAND, SEA AND AIR — REMAINED ADEQUATE FOR ECONOMIC NEEDS.
"WE ARE CONTINUING TO IMPROVE OUR CROSS BORDER ROAD LINKS; WE ARE EXPANDING THE EXISTING CONTAINER PORT, AND WE ARE DEVELOPING BETTER FACILITIES AT KAI TAK," HE SAID.
/’’BUT THERE
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 2, 1988
’’BUT THERE IS A NEED TO LOOK BEYOND THE SHORT AND MEDIUM TERM, TOWARDS THE POSSIBLE RELOCATION OF THE AIRPORT AND NEW PORT FACILITIES. THESE LONG TERM DEVELOPMENTS AND THEIR IMPLICATIONS ARB RECEIVING CLOSE GOVERNMENT SCRUTINY,” HE ADDED.
THUS, MR JACOBS CONTINUED, IT FOLLOWED THAT BEYOND THE PRESENT FORECAST PERIOD A HIGHER PROPORTION OF THE GOVERNMENT’S TOTAL SPENDING MIGHT HAVE TO BE DEVOTED TO TRANSPORT AND INFRASTRUCTURAL DEVELOPMENT EVEN THOUGH WE MIGHT LOOK TO THE PRIVATE SECTOR TO ASSUME SOME OF THE FINANCIAL BURDEN.
’’BEARING IN MIND OUR INCREASING COMMITMENTS TO THE SOCIAL SERVICES ANY ADDITIONAL PUBLIC SECTOR INVESTMENT ON OUR TRANSPORT INFRASTRUCTURE WILL NEED TO BE CAREFULLY COORDINATED IN ORDER TO ENSURE THAT OUR OVERALL EXPENDITURE GUIDELINES ARE NOT BREACHED, HE SAID.
AS REGARDS THE MANUFACTURING INDUSTRY, MR JACOBS SAID THE WELL-PUBLICISED RAPID GROWTH IN IMPORTANCE OF THE FINANCIAL AND OTHER SERVICES SECTORS HAD SOMETIMES OVERSHADOWED THE VITAL CONTRIBUTION THAT THE MANUFACTURING INDUSTRY HAD MADE TO HONG KONG’S ECONOMIC SUCCESS.
"INDUSTRY REMAINS A MAINSTAY OF OUR ECONOMY, ACCOUNTING FOR SOME 22 PER CENT OF OUR GROSS DOMESTIC PRODUCT AND 34 PER CENT OF TOTAL EMPLOYMENT,” HE SAID.
HE POINTED OUT THAT THE TIME HONOURED PHILOSOPHY WAS THAT MARKET FORCES SHOULD BE ALLOWED TO DETERMINE THE DIRECTION OF THE INDUSTRY AND BUSINESS DECISIONS SHOULD BE MADE BY BUSINESSMEN.
"NEVERTHELESS, THE GOVERNMENT ACCEPTS A RESPONSIBILITY TO ENSURE A FAVOURABLE ENVIRONMENT FOR INDUSTRY, WITH THE AVAILABILITY OF THE NECESSARY INFRASTRUCTURE AND SUPPORT SERVICES.”
SO, HE SAID, ON SERVICES RELATED TO INDUSTRIAL DEVELOPMENT, THE GOVERNMENT WAS PLANNING TO SPEND, SUBJECT TO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL’S APPROVAL, SIGNIFICANTLY MORE IN 1988-89 THAN IN EARLIER YEARS.
-------0----------
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 2, 1988
12 -
MOVING TOWARDS A MORE ROBUST FISCAL REGIME * « « * »
SPEAKING ON THE GOVERNMENT’S STRATEGY FOR PUBLIC REVENUE OVER THE NEXT FEW YEARS, THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY, THE HON PIERS JACOBS, SAID THE BALANCED TAXATION PACKAGE THAT HE PROPOSED WAS MORE THAN JUST A SIMPLE LOWERING OF SOME TAX RATES.
"THE PARTICULAR MEASURES I AM PROPOSING ARE DESIGNED TO MOVE OUR OVERALL FISCAL REGIME TOWARDS WHAT I BELIEVE WILL BE A MORE ROBUST AND EQUITABLE SHAPE FOR THE FUTURE," HE SAID.
THE PACKAGE OF TAXATION MEASURES WOULD OVERALL REDUCE THE GOVERNMENT’S RECURRENT REVENUE BY ABOUT FIVE PER CENT OF PRESENT YIELDS. THE EFFECT WOULD BE TO REDUCE THE AVERAGE OVERALL SURPLUS IN THE MEDIUM RANGE FORECAST PERIOD TO $2.7 BILLION A YEAR.
"THIS WILL STILL LEAVE A COMFORTABLE MARGIN TO MAINTAIN THE VALUE OF OUR RESERVES IN REAL TERMS AND TO PROVIDE A CUSHION FOR UNFORESEEN EVENTS," HE SAID.
MR JACOBS SAID WHEN LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL MEMBERS COMMENTED LAST YEAR ON HIS REMARKS ABOUT THE POTENTIAL VALUE OF A WIDER AND MORE STABLE TAX BASE, HE GAVE AN ASSURANCE THAT NOTHING WOULD BE PROPOSED TO ALTER THE BALANCE BETWEEN DIRECT AND INDIRECT TAXES WITHOUT THE MOST CAREFUL CONSIDERATION OF THE POTENTIAL EFFECTS.
HE ADDED THAT SINCE THEN, THE GOVERNMENT HAD BEEN WORKING TO IDENTIFY THE ADVANTAGES AND DISADVANTAGES OF DIFFERENT WAYS OF BRINGING ABOUT SUCH A MOVE TOWARDS INDIRECT TAXES.
"IN THIS REGARD, LET ME REMIND MEMBERS OF THE BASIC CRITERIA WHICH I CONSIDER ANY MAJOR NEW INDIRECT TAX SHOULD MEET," HE SAID.
"FIRST, IT SHOULD PRODUCE A STABLE AND WORTHWHILE REVENUE YIELD AT A LOW TAX RATE; SECONDLY, IT SHOULD CAUSE MINIMAL DISTORTION TO THE ECONOMY; AND THIRDLY, IT SHOULD BE SIMPLE AND CHEAP TO ADMINISTER."
MR JACOBS NOTED THAT WHILST THE GOVERNMENT’S RESEARCHES WERE FAR FROM COMPLETE, THEY HAD TENDED TO CONFIRM HIS BELIEF THAT A MEASURE OF TAX DIVERSIFICATION, TOGETHER WITH SOME RATIONALISATION OF EXISTING INDIRECT TAXES, WAS A PRACTICAL PROPOSITION.
"WHAT WE HAVE DONE SO FAR SUGGESTS THAT A FORM OF SALES TAX, THOUGH PROBABLY NOT AT THE RETAIL LEVEL, BEST MEETS THE CRITERIA I HAVE DESCRIBED.
"BUT THIS IS A COMPLEX AREA AND MANY FACTORS REMAIN TO BE CONSIDERED. THERE IS, THEREFORE, MUCH MORE TO BE DONE BEFORE I AM ABLE TO PRESENT ANY PROPOSALS FOR PUBLIC DEBATES," HE SAID.
/ON THE
WEDNESDAY. MARCH 2, 1988
ON THE GOVERNMENT’S CONSOLIDATED RESERVES, MR JACOBS SAID IT HAD RISEN FROM $40.5 BILLION AT THE END OF 1987-88 TO ABOUT $46.0 BILLION BY THE END OF 1988-89 AFTER ALLOWING FOR THE TAXATION PROPOSALS HE HAD PROPOSED TODAY.
HE SAID THE MEDIUM RANGE FORECAST SHOWED THAT MAINTENANCE OF THESE RESERVES IN REAL TERMS WOULD BE ACHIEVED OVER THE FORECAST PERIOD UP TO 1991-92.
HOWEVER, HE SAID OVER THIS PERIOD THE RESERVE BALANCES WOULD FALL AS A PERCENTAGE OF ANNUAL SPENDING FROM ABOUT 77 PER CENT TO 65 PER CENT.
"IN THIS RESPECT, OUR RESERVES HAVE BEEN HIGHER ONLY BRIEFLY IN THE EARLY YEARS OF THIS DECADE WHEN WE EXPERIENCED SUBSTANTIAL WINDFALL RECEIPTS FROM LAND SALES.”
MR JACOBS SAID THERE COULD BE NO ABSOLUTE GUIDELINE AS TO A SATISFACTORY LEVEL OF RESERVES.
’’NEVERTHELESS, THE PRESENT POSITION NOT ONLY PROVIDES ESSENTIAL COVER FOR OUR CONTINGENT LIABILITIES AND FOR FLUCTUATIONS IN OUR SHORT TERM CASH FLOW BUT ALSO ASSISTS US IN MAINTAINING FISCAL STABILITY OVER THE LONGER TERM,” HE NOTED.
-------0 -------
HIGH SPENDING ON SOCIAL SERVICES TO CONTINUE » * ♦ » *
SOCIAL SERVICES WILL CONTINUE TO RECEIVE A HIGHER PROPORTION OF OUR TOTAL RESOURCES IN THE COMING YEAR, THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY, THE HON PIERS JACOBS, TOLD THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL THIS AFTERNOON.
IN PARTICULAR, $6.1 BILLION WOULD BE SPENT ON MEDICAL SERVICES, INCREASING THE SHARE ON THE CONSOLIDATED ACCOUNT FROM 9.4 PER CENT TO 9.7 PER CENT, TO SERVICE SOME OF THE MAJOR NEW PROJECTS COMING ON STREAM.
ON SOCIAL WELFARE SERVICES, TOTAL SPENDING WAS ESTIMATED AT $3.9 BILLION, AN INCREASE IN THE SHARE FROM 5.7 PER CENT TO 6.3 PER CENT, MR JACOBS SAID.
"THIS IS PARTLY DUE TO THE IMPROVEMENTS IN WELFARE BENEFITS FOR THE ELDERLY AND FOR THE DISABLED WHO REQUIRE CONSTANT ATTENDANCE, BUT ALSO IS A RESULT OF THE EXPANSION OF VARIOUS WELFARE SERVICES," HE SAID.
/Taking into
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 2, 1988
14
TAKING INTO ACCOUNT THE IMPACT OF PAST BUDGETS, THE CUMULATIVE REAL INCREASE IN SPENDING ON MEDICAL AND SOCIAL WELFARE SERVICES SINCE 1983-84 WOULD BE 46 PER CENT AND 45 PER CENT RESPECTIVELY, HE ADDED.
IN THE DRAFT ESTIMATES OF EXPENDITURE FOR NEXT YEAR, EXPENDITURE ON GENERAL REVENUE ACCOUNT INCLUDING TRANSFERS TO FUNDS WOULD AMOUNT TO $50.0 BILLION. EXPENDITURE ON VARIOUS FUNDS WAS ESTIMATED TO BE $13.0 BILLION.
’’TAKING GENERAL REVENUE ACCOUNT AND FUNDS TOGETHER, BUT EXCLUDING TRANSFERS, THESE ESTIMATES REPRESENT AN INCREASE OF ABOUT 13 PER CENT IN CASH TERMS OVER THE REVISED ESTIMATE FOR 1987-88,” MR JACOBS SAID.
THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY SAID $3.8 BILLION WAS INCLUDED FOR ADDITIONAL COMMITMENTS TO COVER THE USUAL RANGE OF NEW AND UNFORSEEN ITEMS THAT AROSE EACH YEAR INCLUDING POSSIBLE SALARIES ADJUSTMENTS.
”IN ADDITION, THIS YEAR, THE PROVISION ALLOWS FOR PAYMENTS UNDER A NEW DEFENCE COST AGREEMENT WHEN A NEW AGREEMENT IS, IN FACT, CONCLUDED,” MR JACOBS SAID.
WHEN COUPLED WITH THE ESTIMATED EXPENDITURE OF OTHER PUBLIC BODIES SUCH AS THE HOUSING AUTHORITY AND THE URBAN AND REGIONAL COUNCILS, THE ESTIMATED GROWTH RATE ON CONSOLIDATED ACCOUNT WAS 15.7 PER CENT IN CASH TERM AND 7.0 PER CENT IN REAL TERMS, WHICH WAS 1.5 PERCENTAGE POINTS ABOVE THE BUDGETARY GUIDELINE, THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY SAID.
HOWEVER, THE KOWLOON WALLED CITY PROJECT ACCOUNTS FOR SOME 1.2 PERCENTAGE POINTS OF THIS REAL GROWTH IN CONSOLIDATED ACCOUNT EXPENDITURE.
"I AM, THEREFORE, SATISFIED THAT AFTER EXCLUDING THIS EXCEPTIONAL AND ONE-OFF PROJECT, THE REMAINING GROWTH IS BROADLY CONSISTENT WITH MY INTENTION OF KEEPING THE UNDERLYING TREND TO AROUND 5.5 PER CENT,” MR JACOBS SAID.
IN ARRIVING AT THESE FIGURES, FULL ALLOWANCE HAD BEEN MADE FOR THE COST OF RUNNING NEW FACILITIES AND FOR RESPONDING TO THE UNDERLYING GROWTH IN DEMAND FOR NUMEROUS SERVICES, MR JACOBS ADDED.
IN ADDITION, THERE HAD BEEN ROOM WITHIN THE GUILDLINES TO FINANCE A NUMBER OF MAJOR IMPROVEMENTS OR ENTIRELY NEW SERVICES.
”IN ALL, THE IMPROVEMENTS IN SERVICES PLANNED FOR 1988-89 WILL COST $560 MILLION IN THE BUDGET YEAR AND ABOUT $1.1 BILLION IN A FULL YEAR," MR JACOBS SAID.
/SPEEDING ON........
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 2, 1988
- 15 -
SPENDING । CAPITAL PROGRAMMES, INCLUDING THE KOWLOON WALLED CITY CLEARANCE, WAS FORECAST TO BE $16.9 BILLION — AN INCREASE OF ABOUT 19 PER CENT ON THE PREVIOUS YEAR IN CASH TERMS, THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY SAID.
MAJOR NEW PROJECTS TO START IN THE YEAR INCLUDE SEVERAL HIGHWAY DEVELOPMENTS IN BOTH THE NEW TERRITORIES AND URBAN AREAS, AND LAND FORMATION CONTRACTS IN RESPECT OF THE TIN SHUI WAI DEVELOPMENT.
ON HOUSING, THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY SAID THE ALLOCATION WAS 12.6 PER CENT OF THE CONSOLIDATED ACCOUNT EXPENDITURE.
" IN 1988-89, THE HOUSING AUTHORITY EXPECTS TO PRODUCE SOME 45,000 RENTAL FLATS, THE HIGHEST NUMBER OF SUCH FLATS EVER PRODUCED IN A SINGLE YEAR," MR JACOBS SAID.
IN ADDITION, 12,160 FLATS WERE EXPECTED TO BE PRODUCED UNDER THE HOME OWNERSHIP AND PRIVATE SECTOR PARTICIPATION SCHEMES NEXT YEAR, WHICH WAS 21 PER CENT OVER THE AVERAGE ANNUAL PRODUCTION TARGET UNDER THESE SCHEMES, HE SAID.
NET LAND PRODUCTION IN 1988-89 WAS EXPECTED TO BE 165 HECTARES COMPARED WITH A REVISED ESTIMATE OF 174 HECTARES FOR 1987-88. OVER THE THREE YEARS OF THE FORECAST PERIOD 1989-90 TO 1991-92, TOTAL PRODUCTION WAS EXPECTED TO 1,092 HECTARES, HE ADDED.
ON THE GOVERNMENT’S PROPOSAL TO INCREASE EXPENDITURE SIGNIFICANTLY IN SUPPORT OF THE MANUFACTURING INDUSTRY, MR JACOBS SAID MORE THAN $1 BILLION A YEAR HAD ALREADY BEEN COMMITTED ON SERVICES FOR INDUSTRY.
"OUR PLANS FOR INCREASED EXPENDITURE IN 1988-89 INCLUDE A GRANT TO THE HONG KONG PRODUCTIVITY COUNCIL FOR THE FIRST YEAR OF A NEW THREE-YEAR PROGRAMME FOR UPGRADING AND EXPANDING ITS PRODUCTIVITY ENHANCEMENT SERVICES, A GRANT TO ASSIST TOWARDS THE CREATION OF A PLASTICS TECHNOLOGY CENTRE BASED ON THE HONG KONG POLYTECHNIC AND ADDITIONAL APPROPRIATIONS TO ENABLE THE INDUSTRY DEPARTMENT TO IMPROVE ITS PROMOTIONAL ACTIVITIES," HE SAID.
"ALTHOUGH I AM SATISFIED THAT MY OVERALL EXPENDITURE PROPOSALS FOR 1988-89 CAN BE CONTAINED WITHIN MY BUDGETARY STRATEGY THIS MEANS A GROWTH IN THE CIVIL SERVICE ESTABLISHMENT OF ABOUT FOUR PER CENT, MR JACOBS SAID.
SOME 26 PER CENT OF THE STAFF GROWTH WOULD ACCRUE TO THE MEDICAL AND HEALTH DEPARTMENT AND 15 PER CENT TO THE POLICE.
"IT IS LIKELY THAT WE SHALL WITNESS A SIMILAR OVERALL GROWTH RATE IN 1989-9(1, BUT I SHALL LOOK FOR A MOVE TOWARDS OUR 2.5 PER CENT GUILDLINE THEREAFTER," HE SAID.
/IN THE
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 2, 1988
- 16 -
IN THE ESTIMATES, PROVISION HAD BEEN MADE iO TRANSFER $7.4 BILLION FROM THE GENERAL REVENUE ACCOUNT TO VARIOUS ;UNDS TO SUPPORT THE ACTIVITIES THEY FINANCED, THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY SAID.
"THE TRANSFERS ARE BROADLY SUFFICIENT TO ENSURE THAT THE BALANCES IN THE FUNDS ARE MAINTAINED IN REAL TERMS. I HAVE ALSO TAKEN INTO ACCOUNT A SWITCH OF CERTAIN ITEMS TO THE CAPITAL WORKS RESERVE FUND 1988-89 WHICH WERE PREVIOUSLY FUNDED FROM GENERAL REVENUE ACCOUNT, " MR JACOBS SAID.
"OVERALL, AS A RESULT OF THESE ESTIMATES, CONSOLIDATIED ACCOUNT EXPENDITURE AS A PROPORTION OF GDP IS ESTIMATED TO INCREASE FROM 15 PER CENT IN 1987-88 TO AROUND 15.5 PER CENT," HE ADDED.
0
11 PER CENT GROWTH IN REVENUE *****
TOTAL REVENUE ON GENERAL REVENUE ACCOUNT AND VARIOUS FUNDS FOR THE NEXT FISCAL YEAR IS ESTIMATED TO BE $62.9 BILLION, REPRESENTING A GROWTH RATE OF ABOUT 11 PER CENT, THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY, THE HON PIERS JACOBS, SAID IN HIS BUDGET SPEECH TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
HE SAID REVENUE IN 1988-89 WOULD STILL BE BENEFITING FROM TWO YEARS OF EXCEPTIONAL ECONOMIC PERFORMANCE IN 1986 AND 1987 ALTHOUGH HE HAD FORECAST A SLOWDOWN IN ECONOMIC GROWTH.
"IN PARTICULAR, YIELDS FROM PROFITS TAX, SALARIES TAX, VEHICLE FIRST REGISTRATION TAX AND MANY OF OUR FEES AND CHARGES ARE EXPECTED TO REMAIN BUOYANT.
"THE YIELD FROM RATES WILL BENEFIT FROM THE RECENTLY ANNOUNCED PROPERTY REVALUATION," MR JACOBS SAID.
HOWEVER, HE EXPRESSED CAUTION ON STAMP DUTY BECAUSE STOCK MARKET TURNOVER RECORDED IN THE FIRST HALF OF 1987-88 WAS EXCEPTIONALLY HIGH AND UNLIKELY TO BE REPEATED IN THE COMING YEAR.
"WHILST THE IMPACT OF THE SLOWDOWN IN ECONOMIC GROWTH ON LAND PRICES IS NOT YET CLEAR, I HAVE AGAIN PREFERRED TO USE RELATIVELY CONSERVATIVE ASSUMPTIONS AS TO LAND SALE YIELDS," MR JACOBS SAID.
IN TERMS OF THE PROPORTION OF DIRECT TO INDIRECT TAXES, MR JACOBS SAID THE DIRECT ELEMENT WAS FORECAST TO RISE SLIGHTLY TO ABOUT 61 PER CENT IN 1988-89, THE COMPARABLE REVISED ESTIMATE FOR 1987-88 WAS 58 PER CENT AND THE ACTUAL SHARE FOR 1986-87 WAS 60 PER CENT.
/TAKING THE
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 2, 1988
TAKING THE DRAFT ESTIMATES OF REVENUE AND EXPENDITURE FOR 1988-89 TOGETHER HE SAID THEY SHOWED A NET SURPLUS ON GENERAL REVENUE ScZ OF $5 6 BILLION AND AN INCREASE IN THE BALANCES OF THE FUNDS
OF $1.7 BILLION.
"IN TOTAL, THEREFORE, A POTENTIAL OVERALL SURPLUS FOR THE YEAR OF $7.3 BILLION IS INDICATED."
MR JACOBS NOTED THAT THERE WAS SCOPE FOR SOME REDUCTION IN TAXATION. "IN FORMULATING MY PROPOSALS, I HAVE LOOKED BEYOND 1988-89.
HE EMPHASISED THAT IT WOULD TAKE TIME BEFORE THE SLOWER ECONOMIC GROWTH THAT HE HAD FORECAST WOULD AFFECT THE REVENUE YIELDS.
THE FULL IMPACT ON REVENUE YIELDS OF ANY TAX CONCESSIONS WOULD NOT BE FELT UNTIL 1989-90, HE ADDED.
"WITH THESE CONSIDERATIONS IN MIND, I AM PROPOSING A PACKAGE OF MEASURES WHICH WILL REDUCE OUR REVENUE YIELDS BY $1.8 BILLION IN 1988-89, BUT MORE IMPORTANTLY, BY $2.7 BILLION IN A FULL YEAR,
THE FULL YEAR COST WAS EQUIVALENT TO ABOUT FIVE PER CENT OF RECURRENT REVENUE YIELDS, HE SAID.
"IN 1988-89, THESE PROPOSALS WILL, THEREFORE, REDUCE THE ESTIMATED OVERALL SURPLUS ON GENERAL REVENUE ACCOUNT FROM $5i.6 BILLION TO $3.8 Bii.i ON AND THE OVERALL SURPLUS, WHEN TAKEN TOGETHER J ROH $7.3 BILLION TO $5.5 BILLION," HE SAID.
WITH OUR FUNDS,
DIRECT AND
THE DIRECT
CENT OF TAX
IN TERMS INDIRECT TAXES,
OF THEIR IMPACT ON THE RATIO BETWEEN MR JACOBS SAID HIS PROPOSALS WOULD REDUCE ELEMENT IN 1988-89 FROM WHAT WOULD HAVE BEEN 61 PER REVENUE TO 60 PER CENT.
"PENDING THE FURTHER CONSIDERATION OF NEW INDIRECT SOURCES, TO WHICH I HAVE REFERRED, MY PROPOSALS ARE INTENDED MERELY TO CONTAIN IS A TENDENCY FOR THE NATURALLY BUOYANT DIRECT SOURCES TO INCREASE AS
A SHARE OF THE WHOLE," MR JACOBS SAID.
-------0----------
REVENUE-RAISING MEASURES TO YIELD $390 MILLION * » « *
THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY, THE HON PIERS JACOBS, TODAY (WEDNESDAY) PRESENTED A PACKAGE OF REVENUE-RAISING MEASURES DESIGNED TO YIELD $390 MILLION IN 1988-89.
THE ADDITIONAL REVENUE WOULD BE MORE THAN OFFSET BY TAX CONCESSIONS ESTIMATED TO COST $2.2 BILLION IN 1988-89.
/INCLUDED IN........
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 2, 1988
- 18
INCLUDED IN THE PACKAGE OF REVENUE-RAISING MEASURES WERE INCREASES IN DUTY RATES ON HYDROCARBON OILS, INTOXICATING LIQUOR AND IMPORTED ALCOHOL AND TOBACCO WHICH WERE EXPECTED TO YIELD $207 MILLION IN 1988-89.
MR JACOBS EXPLAINED THAT THE PRINCIPLE UNDERLYING THE REVISIONS CONTINUED TO BE THAT SPECIFIC DUTY RATES SHOULD BE MAINTAINED IN REAL TERMS BY MEANS OF REGULAR SMALL CHARGES BROADLY IN LINE WITH INFLATION.
ON HYDROCARBON OILS, HE PROPOSED TO INCREASE THE DUTY RATE ON MOTOR SPIRIT FROM $2.40 TO $2.55 A LITRE, AND ON DIESEL OIL FOR ROAD VEHICLES FROM $1.20 TO $1.27 A LITRE.
THE REFUND ON DIESEL OIL TO THE FRANCHISED BUS COMPANIES WOULD REMAIN AT 65 CENTS A LITRE, HE ADDED.
THE ADDITIONAL REVENUE YIELD FROM THESE TWO INCREASES WOULD BE $98 MILLION IN 1988-89.
MR JACOBS SAID HE HAD THREE PROPOSALS TO MAKE REGARDING INTOXICATING LIQUOR: FIRST, FOR CIDER AND PERRY, BEER, NON-EUROPEAN TYPE WINES AND CHINESE TYPE SPIRITS, AN INCREASE OF SIX PER CENT IN THE SPECIFIC DUTY ELEMENTS; SECONDLY, AN INCREASE IN THE BASIC RATES FOR IMPORTED ETHYL ALCOHOL AND METHYL ALCOHOL FROM $4.30 TO $4.55 A LITRE’ AND THIRD!,Y. TO REDUCE THE SPECIFIC DUTY RATE ON BRANDY BY $12 PER LITRE - FROM $67 TO $55 PER LITRE - WHILE LEAVING WHISKY, GIN, LIQUEURS, RUM, VODKA AND OTHER SPIRITUOUS LIQUORS AT THE EXISTING SPECIFIC DUTY RATE OF $48 PER LITRE. HOWEVER, TO PROTECT THE REAL REVENUE YIELD, THE AD VALOREM RATES FOR ALL THESE LIQUORS WOULD BE INCREASED FROM 20 PER CENT TO 30 PER CENT.
MR JACOBS EXPLAINED THAT THIS PROPOSAL WAS CONSISTENT WITH THE VIEW OF HIS PREDECESSOR THAT A PURCHASER OF A CHEAPER BRAND SHOULD NOT BE REQUIRED TO PAY THE SAME DUTY PER BOTTLE AS A PURCHASER OF A MORE EXPENSIVE BRAND.
THE EFFECT OF LOWERING THE DIFFERENTIAL BETWEEN THE DUTY RATES IMPOSED ON BRANDY AND WHISKY WILL MEAN THAT THE DUTY ON THE CHEAPER BRANDIES WILL BE REDUCED BY SOME 12.5 PER CENT, THAT IS $9 PER LITRE, WHEREAS THERE WILL BE A MODEST RISE IN THE DUTY ON THE CHEAPER WHISKIES.
NO CHANGES WERE PROPOSED TO EXISTING DUTY RATES FOR CHAMPAGNE AND SPARKLING OR STILL WINES.
MR JACOBS SAID THAT HE ESTIMATED THE ADDITIONAL REVENUE YIELD FROM ALL THESE CHANGES IN RATES TO BE $40 MILLION IN 1988-89 ASSUMING NO CONSUMER RESISTANCE.
/TURNING TO .......
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 2, 1988
- 19 -
TURNING TO TOBACCO, MR JACOBS SAID THAT HE PROPOSED TO INCREASE THE DUTY ON CIGARETTES FROM $165 TO $175 PER 1,000 STICKS. THE DUTY ON CIGARS WOULD BE INCREASED FROM $220 TO $233 A KILOGRAM; ON SMOKING TOBACCO FROM $200 TO $212 A KILOGRAM; AND ON CHINESE PREPARED TOBACCO FROM $43 TO $45.50 A KILOGRAM.
MR JACOBS ESTIMATED THE ADDITIONAL REVENUE YIELD FROM THESE INCREASES TO BE $69 MILLION IN 1988-89.
ALL THE CHANGES IN DUTY RATES WERE THE SUBJECT OF PUBLIC REVENUE PROTECTION ORDERS AND CAME INTO EFFECT THIS AFTERNOON.
---0------
INCREASE IN FEES AND CHARGES PROPOSED * « * * *
THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY, THE HON PIERS JACOBS, HAS PROPOSED INCREASES IN A NUMBER OF FEES AND CHARGES WHICH ARE EXPECTED TO YIELD ABOUT $100 MILLION TN REVENUE FOR 1988-89.
ADDITIONAL REVENUE OF ABOUT $81 MILLION IN 1988-89 IS EXPECTED FROM THE NORMAL REGULAR REVIEW OF SOME OTHER FEES AND CHARGES.
PRESENTING HIS BUDGET IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY), MR JACOBS SAID THESE PROPOSED INCREASES WERE IN RESPECT OF VEHICLE AND DRIVING LICENCE FEES; BANK AND DEPOSIT-TAKING COMPANY LICENCE AND REGISTRATION FEES; PASSENGER EMBARKATION AND BERTHING FEES, AND POSTAL AND TELECOMMUNICATION FEES AND CHARGES.
MR JACOBS PROPOSED THAT VEHICLE REGISTRATION AND DRIVING LICENCE FEES BE INCREASED WITH IMMEDIATE EFFECT BY ABOUT SIX PER CENT.
HE ESTIMATED THAT THE ADDITIONAL REVENUE ACCRUING FROM THESE INCREASES WOULD BE $62 MILLION IN 1988-89.
ON BANK AND DTC LICENCE AND REGISTRATION FEES, MR JACOBS PROPOSED AN EIGHT PER CENT INCREASE IN THESE AND RELATED FEES WITH EFFECT FROM APRIL 1, 1988. THE YIELD IN 1988-89 WOULD BE AROUND $11 MILLION.
AS REGARDS PASSENGER EMBARKATION AND BERTHING FEES, MR JACOBS SAID THAT IN RECENT YEARS THE GOVERNMENT HAD INVESTED CONSIDERABLE ADDITIONAL RESOURCES TO CATER FOR THE GROWTH IN PASSENGER FERRY TRAFFIC TO CHINA.
/"IN ACCORDANCE
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 2, 1988
20
"IN ACCORDANCE WITH OUR GENERAL POLICY OF COST RECOVERY, I PROPOSE THAT WHEN THE CHINA FERRY TERMINAL IN CANTON ROAD OPENS LATER THIS YEAR, THE PASSENGER EMBARKATION FEE OF $15 BE EXTENDED TO THOSE DEPARTING FROM THIS NEW TERMINAL," HE SAID.
HE ADDED THAT BERTHING FEES AT THE CHINA FERRY TERMINAL WOULD THEN BE SET AT THE SAME LEVEL AS THOSE FOR VESSELS USING THE MACAU FERRY TERMINAL.
"THESE FEES WILL BE REVIEWED REGULARLY IN LINE WITH THE EXISTING POLICY OF RECOVERING THE FULL OPERATING COSTS," HE SAID.
HE ESTIMATED THE TOTAL ADDITIONAL REVENUE YIELD FROM THESE FEES IN 1988-89 TO BE $6 MILLION, AND $12 MILLION IN A FULL YEAR.
IN RESPECT OF POSTAL AND TELECOMMUNICATION FEES AND CHARGES, MR JACOBS PROPOSED TO IMPLEMENT A PACKAGE OF MODERATE INCREASES IN THESE FEES AND CHARGES DURING THE NEXT FINANICAL YEAR TO RESTORE THEIR REAL VALUE. THE ADDITIONAL REVENUE YIELD IN 1988-89 IS ESTIMATED AT $23 MILLION, AND $70 MILLION IN A FULL YEAR.
MR JACOBS ADDED THAT A NUMBER OF OTHER FEES AND CHARGES, INCLUDING THOSE IN RELATION TO CERTAIN SERVICES PROVIDED BY THE IMMIGRATION DEPARTMENT, THE MEDICAL AND HEALTH DEPARTMENT, THE TRADE DEPARTMENT AND THE WATER SUPPLIES DEPARTMENT, WERE SCHEDULED FOR THEIR NORMAL REGULAR REVIEW IN 1988.
"FROM THESE SOURCES, I EXPECT ADDITIONAL REVENUE OF ABOUT $81 MILLION JN 1988-89, EQUIVALENT TO $145 MILLION IN A FULL YEAR,” HE SAID.
------0 ------
TAX BURDEN OF MIDDLE-INCOME GROUP EASED * « * t *
THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY, THE HON PIERS JACOBS TODAY (WEDNESDAY) PROPOSED A NUMBER OF TAX RELIEF MEASURES FOR PERSONAL-TAX PAYERS WHICH WOULD BE OF PARTICULAR ASSISTANCE TO THOSE IN THE MIDDLE-INCOME GROUP.
THE PROPOSED CONCESSIONS WERE:
♦ FIRST, TO REDUCE THE STANDARD TAX RATE FROM 16.5 PER CENT TO 15.5 PER CENT;
♦ SECONDLY, TO PROVIDE BOTH A LOWER INITIAL TAX RATE - FROM FIVE PER CENT AT PRESENT TO THREE PER CENT - AND A MORE GRADUAL PROGRESSION THROUGH THE VARIOUS MARGINAL RATES AS INCOME INCREASES. FURTHERMORE, THE POINT AT WHICH THE MAXIMUM 25 PER CENT MARGINAL RATE WOULD BEGIN TO APPLY WOULD BE RAISED BY $10,000;
A THIRDLY, TO
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 2, 1988
- 21
* THIRDLY, TO INCREASE THE ADDITIONAL PERSONAL ALLOWANCE FROM 15,000 TO $7,000 FOR A SINGLE PERSON, AND FROM $10,000 TO $14,000 FOR A f RRIED COUPLE. THUS, THE BASIC ALLOWANCE PLUS THE INCREASED ADDITIONAL ALLOWANCE WOULD TOTAL $36,000 FOR A SINGLE PERSON, AND $74,000 FOR A MARRIED COUPLE. BELOW THESE INCOME LEVELS THERE WOULD BE NO LIABILITY TO TAX. THE NEW ALLOWANCES AT THEIR MAXIMUM LEVELS WOULD BE NEARLY SIX PER CENT HIGHER THAN THE PRESENT BASIC AND ADDITIONAL PERSONAL ALLOWANCES;
* FOURTHLY, TO INCREASE THE CHILD ALLOWANCE, FOR A FIRST CHILD FROM $11,000 TO $12,000, AND FOR A SECOND CHILD FROM $8,000 TO $8,500; AND
» LASTLY, TO INCREASE ALLOWANCE FOR A DEPENDENT PARENT FROM $9,000 TO $10,000. THUS, THE TOTAL ALLOWANCE IN RESPECT OF A DEPENDENT PARENT RESIDING WITH A TAXPAYER WOULD BE $13,000.
MR JACOBS SAID HE INTENDED TO INTRODUCE THESE CONCESSIONS WITH EFFECT FROM THE YEAR OF ASSESSMENT COMMENCING APRIL 1 THIS YEAR.
"THEREFORE, THE FIRST OCCASION ON WHICH THEY WILL APPLY WILL BE TO PROVISIONAL AND FINAL SALARIES TAX ASSESSMENTS FOR 1988-89, AND ALSO TO 1988-89 PERSONAL ASSESSMENTS."
THE COST OF THE CONCESSIONS TO THE REVENUE IN 1988-89 WILL BE ABOUT $1.1 BILLION, AND FOR A FULL YEAR, $1.5 BILLION.
MR JACOBS SAID HIS PERSONAL TAXATION PACKAGE HAD BEEN CAREFULLY STRUCTURED TO SLOW DOWN THE RATE AT WHICH PEOPLE MOVE TO HIGHER TAX BRACKETS. AT THE SAME TIME, ALTHOUGH WLLOWANCES WOULD BE RAISED BROADLY IN LINE WITH INFLATION, THUS KEEPING A NUMBER OF PEOPLE OUTSIDE THE TAX NET, INCREASES IN REAL INCOME WOULD HAVE THE OVERALL EFFECT OF INCREASING THE NUMBER OF TAXPAYERS.
-------0 --------
WORKING WIVES TO GET TAX ALLOWANCE CONCESSION » » » * »
A TAX CONCESSION IN THE FORM OF AN ANNUAL ALLOWANCE OF UP TO $15,000 FOR WORKING WIVES WAS PROPOSED BY THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY, THE HON PIERS JACOBS, TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
IN HIS BUDGET SPEECH TO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL, HE SAID THIS WOULD COST A FURTHER $240 MILLION IN 1988-89, AND $340 MILLION IN A FULL YEAR.
/"AS THIS
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 2, 1988
"AS THIS CONCESSION WILL BE INTRODUCED WITH EFFECT FROM THE YEAR OF ASSESSMENT COMMENCING APRIL 1, 1988, THE FIRST OCCASION ON WHICH IT WILL APPLY WILL BE TO PROVISIONAL AND FINAL SALARIES TAX ASSESSMENTS FOR 1988-89, AND ALSO TO 1988-89 PERSONAL ASSESSMENTS."
MR JACOBS RECALLED THAT IN DEBATING HIS BUDGET PROPOSALS LAST YEAR, A NUMBER OF LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL MEMBERS CALLED FOR SEPARATE TAXATION FOR WORKING WIVES.
WHILE CONCLUDING THE DEBATE LAST YEAR, HE THEN EXPLAINED WHY HE DID NOT CONSIDER THAT SEPARATE TAXATION WAS APPROPRIATE.
"SINCE THAT TIME, THERE HAS BEEN CONTINUED PUBLIC DEBATE ON THIS SUBJECT; I AM ALSO AWARE OF THE TREND IN SOME OTHER TAX ADMINISTRATIONS IN THE DIRECTION OF SEPARATE TAXATION," HR SAID.
"IN ALL THE CIRCUMSTANCES, I AM NOW PREPARED TO CONSIDER FURTHER HOW SEPARATE TAXATION FOR WORKING WIVES MIGHT BEST BE INTRODUCED.
"I MUST WARN, HOWEVER, THAT THERE ARE A NUMBER OF DIFFICULT QUESTIONS TO BE RESOLVED NOT THE LEAST OF WHICH IS THE QUESTION OF TRANSFERABILITY OF ALLOWANCES BETWEEN SPOUSES.
"THIS IS A COMPLEX SUBJECT WITH MANY OPTIONS TO BE CONSIDERED IF WE ARE TO ENSURE BROADLY EQUITABLE TREATMENT. IT WOULD THEREFORE NOT BE FEASIBLE TO INTRODUCE SEPARATE TAXATION OVERNIGHT."
MR JACOBS ADDED THAT HE PROPOSED THE LATEST CONCESSION BECAUSE OF THE DIFFICULTIES INVOLVED IN IMPLEMENTING SEPARATE TAXATION AND SO THAT SOME BENEFIT COULD BE ENJOYED NOW.
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CONCESSIONS TO BENEFIT BUSINESSMEN, HOME BUYERS, TRAVELLERS
*****
CONCESSIONS HAVE BEEN PROPOSED IN THE 1988-89 BUDGET ESTIMATES WHICH WOULD BENEFIT BUSINESSMEN, PROPERTY OWNERS, HOME PURCHASERS AND TRAVELLERS, THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY, THE HON PIERS JACOBS, TOLD THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
"AS TO PROFITS TAX, I PROPOSE A REDUCTION IN THE RATE OF TAX ON CORPORATE PROFITS FROM 18 PER CENT TO 17 PER CENT," HE SAID.
THE COST OF THE REDUCTION PROPOSED WAS $370 MILLION IN 1988-89 AND, FOR A FULL YEAR, $760 MILLION. THE NEW CORPORATE RATE OF 17 PER CENT WOULD APPLY TO PROVISIONAL AND FINAL ASSESSMENTS FOR 1988-89, HE ADDED.
/MR JACOBS
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 2, 1988
- 23 -
MR JACOBS SAID SOME HAVE ARGUED THAT A STIMULUS SHOULD 3E PROVIDED TO THE MANUFACTURING SECTOR THROUGH AN INCREASE IN CAPITA' ALLOWANCES FOR EXPENDITURE INCURRED ON THE PROVISION OF PLANT AND MACHINERY.
“IN 1987 THERE WAS NO RELUCTANCE ON THE PART OF MANUFACTURERS TO INVEST. WE ARE SEEING MORE AND MORE EFFORT BEING MADE TO INCREASE CAPACITY, IMPROVE PRODUCTIVITY AND ENHANCE PROFITABILITY.
"I DO NOT BELIEVE THAT THE SELECTIVE INDUCEMENT OF AN INCREASE IN CAPITAL ALLOWANCES IS WHAT IS NEEDED THIS TIME,” HE SAID.
’’INSTEAD, I CONSIDER THAT THE PROPOSED REDUCTION IN THE RATE OF TAX ON CORPORATE PROFITS WILL PROVIDE APPROPRIATE AND PROPER ENCOURAGEMENT TO ALL THOSE IN BUSINESS.”
MR JACOBS SAID THAT THE REDUCTION PROPOSED IN THE STANDARD RATE FROM 16.5 PER TO 15.5 PER CENT CENT WOULD LOWER THE YIELDS FROM PROPERTY TAX, INTEREST TAX AND PROFITS TAX PAID BY UNINCORPORATED BUSINESSES.
’’TAKEN TOGETHER, I ESTIMATE THAT THIS WILL COST A FURTHER $70 MILLION IN 1988-89 AND $160 MILLION IN A FULL YEAR.
"THE NEW STANDARD RATE WILL APPLY TO PROVISIONAL AND FINAL PROFITS TAX AND PROPERTY TAX ASSESSMENTS FOR 1988-89; IT WILL APPLY ALSO TO FINAL INTEREST TAX ASSESSMENTS FOR THAT YEAR,” MR JACOBS SAID.
ON STAMP DUTY, THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY SAID THE CONCESSION WAS DESIGNED TO FACILITATE WIDER HOME OWNERSHIP AND ASSIST THE MIDDLE INCOME GROUP.
"AT PRESENT, THE RATE OF DUTY PAYABLE ON ASSIGNMENTS VARIES ACCORDING TO THE SALE PRICE OR MARKET VALUE OF THE PROPERTY, WHICHEVER IS THE HIGHER.
"I INTEND TO RELAX THE RATES APPLICABLE TO SMALL AND MEDIUM-SIZED PROPERTIES," MR JACOBS SAID.
"I PROPOSE WITH EFECT FROM APRIL 1, TO LIFT THE THRESHOLD AT WHICH 2.75 PER CENT RATE BEGINS TO APPLY FROM THE PRESENT $500,000 TO $1.5 MILLION; TO CUT THE RATE OF DUTY FOR PROPERTIES COSTING BETWEEN $250,000 AND $1.5 MILLION; AND TO INTRODUCE A NEW FORMULA FOR DETERMINING MARGINAL RELIEF, WHICH WILL PROVIDE A GREATER BENEFIT TO DUTY PAYERS AND HAVE THE EFFECT OF PUSHING THE VARIOUS DUTY RATE THRESHOLD UPWARD,” HE EXPLAINED.
"I ESTIMATE THAT SOME 100,000 PERSONS WILL BENEFIT FROM THESE PROPOSALS, WHICH WILL COST A FURTHER $300 MILLION IN 1988-89," HE SAID.
/MR JACOBS .......
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 2, 1988
MR JACOBS SAID THAT IN THE PAST THREE YEARS THE VALUE OF THE AIR PASSENGER DEPARTURE TAX, AT $120 FOR AN ADULT AND $60 FOR A CHILD, HAD BEEN ERODED BY INFLATION.
"BALANCING ONE FACTOR AGAINST ANOTHER, AND IN THE LIGHT OF MY OVERALL BUDGETARY STRATEGY, I PROPOSE THAT FROM APRIL 1, THE TAX ON PASSENGERS DEPARTING FROM HONG KONG BY AIR BE REVISED TO $100 FOR AN ADULT AND $50 FOR A CHILD," MR JACOBS SAID.
"THIS CONCESSION WILL COST $120 MILLION IN 1988-89,” HE ADDED.
"1 TRUST THAT NOT ONLY OUR OWN TRAVELLERS BUT ALSO OUR MANY VISITORS WILL WELCOME THIS REDUCTION," MR JACOBS SAID.
- O -
MOVES TO IMPLEMENT REVENUE PROPOSALS » * » «
THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY’S BUDGET PROPOSALS CONCERNING AIR PASSENGER DEPARTURE TAX, BANK AND DEPOSIT TAKING COMPANY LICENCE AND REGISTRATION FEES, DUTIABLE COMMODITIES, STAMP DUTY AND VEHICLE AND DRIVING LICENCE FEES, WERE CONTAINED IN PUBLIC REVENUE PROTECTION ORDERS SIGNED BY THE GOVERNOR THIS (WEDNESDAY) MORNING.
DURING THE CURRENT LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL SESSION, A BILL TO AMEND THE INLAND REVENUE ORDINANCE WILL BE INTRODUCED TO GIVE EFFECT TO THE PROPOSALS ON TAX CONCESSIONS.
"OTHER INCREASES IN FEES AND CHARGES WILL BE BROUGHT FORWARD DURING THE YEAR AS THE RELEVANT REVIEWS ARE COMPLETED," THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY, THE HON PIERS JACOBS, SAID IN HIS BUDGET SPEECH TODAY.
- - 0 - -
/25
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 2, 1988
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’SOMETHING FOR ALL SECTORS OF OUR COMMUNITY’ t t I » «
THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY, THE HON PIERS JACOBS, SAID TODAY (WEDNESDAY) THAT HIS REVENUE PROPOSALS OFFERED "SOMETHING FOR ALL SECTORS OF OUR COMMUNITY".
SUMMING UP HIS BUDGET SPEECH IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL, HE SAID, "WE HAVE ADHERED TO OUR POLICY OF CONTINUITY AND WE ARB BUILDING FOR THE FUTURE."
"THE TAX CONCESSIONS, PARTICULARLY FOR MIDDLE-INCOME EARNERS, AND THE EFFORTS WE ARE MAKING TO ASSIST THE LESS ADVANTAGED OF OUR COMMUNITY ARE ESPECIALLY WORTHY OF NOTE," HE SAID.
IN PUTTING TOGETHER HIS TAX PROPOSALS, MR JACOBS SAID HE HAD DELIBERATELY SOUGHT A BROADENING OF THE TAX BASE TO ACHIEVE GREATER FISCAL STABILITY.
"AS AND WHEN PEOPLE ENJOY A REAL INCREASE IN THEIR INCOME, IT IS NOT UNREASONABLE THAT THEY SHOULD CONTRIBUTE TO THE FUNDING OF OUR PUBLIC SERVICES," HE SAID.
MR JACOBS ALSO MENTIONED THAT WORK WAS BEING CARRIED OUT IN RELATION TO A BROADLY BASED INDIRECT TAX, BUT REITERATED THAT THERE WOULD NOT BE A RUSH INTO SOMETHING THAT DID NOT SUIT US.
"IT IS IN THE CONTEXT OF MY THEME OF CONTINUITY AND FORWARD PLANNING THAT I BELIEVE WE MUST REMIND OURSELVES OF THE NEED FOR PRUDENCE," HE SAID.
THE GOVERNANCE OF HONG KONG WAS BECOMING INCREASINGLY COMPLEX AND THE RANGE OF FUNCTIONS REQUIRED OF THE ADMINISTRATION WAS EXPANDING.
THE PRIVATE SECTOR, TOO, WAS PLAYING ITS PART PARTICULARLY IN THE PROVISION OF INFRASTRUCTURE, HE SAID.
"AND WE ARE MAKING GREATER USE OF STATUTORY AUTHORITIES," HE ADDED.
POINTING OUT THE NEED FOR CONTINUING VIGILANCE REGARDING THE GROWTH IN PUBLIC SECTOR EXPENDITURE, MR JACOBS SAID EXPERIENCE ELSEWHERE SHOWED THAT AN EXPANDING PUBLIC SECTOR IN RELATION TO THE ECONOMY AS A WHOLE WAS OFTEN A MAJOR FACTOR IN DAMPENING LONG-TERM ECONOMIC PROSPECTS.
HE SAID HE RECOGNISED THAT HIS OVERALL BUDGETARY PACKAGE COULD WELL PROVIDE A STIMULUS TO THE ECONOMY THIS YEAR, BUT HE BELIEVED THAT THE EFFECT WOULD BE TOLERABLE.
/"I HAVE
WEDNESDAY, MAUCH 2, 1988
- 26
"I HAVE NO DOUBT, HOWEVER, GIVEN THAT THE ECONOMY WILL STILL BE OPERATING AT NEAR FULL CAPACITY, THAT ANY FURTHER STIMULUS WOULD BE INAPPROPRIATE AND COULD WELL RESULT IN HIGHER INFLATION RATHER THAN GREATER REAL GROWTH," MR JACOBS SAID.
HE SAID HE WAS PARTICULARLY CONSCIOUS THAT HIS EXPENDITURE PROPOSALS IMPLIED REAL GROWTH IN SPENDING IN 1988-89 HIGHER THAN HIS FORECAST FOR ECONOMIC GROWTH.
"FURTHERMORE, THE INDICATIONS ARE THAT THE SIZE OF THE CIVIL SERVICE IS SET TO INCREASE, FOR AT LEAST THE NEXT FEW YEARS, AT A RATE FASTER THAN THAT OF HONG KONG’S LABOUR FORCE," HE ADDED.
HE SAID IT WAS INEVITABLE, HOWEVER, THAT IN SOME YEARS SPENDING WOULD BE ABOVE THE TREND.
"CONTINUING CARE IS NEEDED TO ENSURE THAT IN THE LONGER TERM WE MOVE BACK TO OUR PLANNING CRITERIA. IF WE FAIL IN THIS REGARD, WE MAY FIND OURSELVES LOCKED INTO HIGH EXPENDITURE GROWTH RATES THAT CANNOT BE REDUCED IF AND WHEN CIRCUMSTANCES TURN AGAINST US.
"WE COULD THEN FIND OURSELVES IN A POSITION OF BEING FORCED TO INCREASE TAXATION, AND, THROUGH THAT INCREASE, ERODE SIGNIFICANTLY OUR COMPETITIVE EDGE BEARING IN MIND THE MOVE TOWARDS LOWER TAX RATES WORLDWIDE," MR JACOBS ADDED.
"BUT LET ME NOT END ON SUCH A SOMBRE NOTE.
"HONG KONG HAS PROSPERED OVER THE LAST TWO YEARS AND I HAVE BEEN ABLE TO RETURN TO OUR COMMUNITY SOME OF THE FRUITS OF THAT PROSPERITY.
"IT IS A TASK I HAVE ENJOYED," MR JACOBS SAID.
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/27........
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 2, 1988
- 27 -
FS’S SPEECH ON TV AND RADIO » » » t t
FOLLOWING IS THE TEXT OF THE BUDGET SUMMARY DELIVERED BY THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY ON TELEVISION AND RADIO STATIONS THIS (WEDNESDAY) EVENING.
"THIS AFTERNOON I PRESENTED TO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL MY BUDGET PROPOSALS FOR THE COMING FINANCIAL YEAR. I WAS IN THE HAPPY POSITION OF BEING ABLE TO DO THIS AGAINST A BACKGROUND OF STRONG ECONOMIC PERFORMANCE AND SOUND PUBLIC FINANCES.
"IN 1987 WE EXPERIENCED AN ECONOMIC GROWTH RATE OF AROUND 13.5 PER CENT, A FURTHER IMPROVEMENT ON THE HEALTHY 11 PER CENT THAT WE ACHIVED IN 1986. THE GROWTH RATE WE HAVE ENJOYED, THE HIGHEST SINCE 1976, WAS SOLIDLY BASED ON OUR EXPORT PERFORMANCE. UNEMPLOYMENT HAS REMAINED LOW, AND WAGES AND PROFITS HAVE BOTH INCREASED SUBSTANTIALLY.
"IN PUTTING TOGETHER MY PROPOSALS, I HAVE TAKEN INTO ACCOUNT NOT ONLY THE PERFORMANCE OF THE ECONOMY LAST YEAR BUT ALSO WHAT I FORESEE FOR 1988 AND THE YEARS BEYOND. IT IS IMPORTANT THAT WE HAVE REGARD TO THIS LONGER TERM VIEW IN ORDER TO ENSURE STEADY PROGRESS IN OUR EXPENDITURE AND IN THE SERVICES THAT WE PROVIDE.
"I AM PLEASED TO SAY THAT AT THE MOMENT THE ECONOMY IS CONTINUING TO PERFORM WELL. BUT IT IS UNLIKELY THAT THE GROWTH RATE IN 1988 WILL BE AS STRONG AS IN 1987. IN VIEW OF THE ECONOMIC UNCERTAINTIES THROUGHOUT THE WORLD, I EXPECT A SLOWDOWN IN OUR ECONOMIC GROWTH TO AROUND 5 PER CENT. EVEN THOUGH THIS FIGURE FALLS SHORT OF LAST YEAR’S EXCEPTIONAL GROWTH, IT WOULD BE VERY RESPECTABLE BY WORLD STANDARDS.
"IN MY EXPENDITURE PROPOSALS I HAVE CONTINUED MY POLICY OF PROVIDING FOR THE STEADY GROWTH OF PUBLIC SERVICES TO MEET THE ASPIRATIONS OF OUR COMMUNITY. I MENTION IN PARTICULAR INCREASED EXPENDITURE ON MEDICAL AND SOCIAL WELFARE SERVICES, ON HELP FOR THE ELDERLY AND FOR THE DISABLED, AND ON THE EDUCATION OF OUR YOUNG PEOPLE.
"OUR CAPITAL PROGRAMMES IN 1988 WILL INCLUDE EXPENDITURE ON THE KOWLOON WALLED CITY CLEARANCE, NEW HOSPITALS, WELFARE FACILITIES AND A WIDE RANGE OF INFRASTRUCTURAL PROJECTS. IN ADDITION, WE ARE TURNING OUR ATTENTION TO THE LONGER TERM DEVELOPMENT OF OUR TRANSPORT SYSTEMS WHETHER BY LAND, SEA OR AIR.
"EVEN WITH THE PLANNED INCREASE IN EXPENDITURE THAT I HAVE DESCRIBED, THE STRENGTH OF OUR REVENUE POSITION HAS FOR THE SECOND YEAR IN SUCCESSION GIVEN ME THE OPPORTUNITY TO PROPOSE REDUCTIONS IN THE TAX BURDEN. I AM PROPOSING TAX CONCESSIONS THAT WILL COST THE REVENUE $3.2 BILLION IN A FULL YEAR. THIS WILL BE PARTLY OFFSET BY SOME RELATIVELY SMALL INCREASES IN A NUMBER OF INDIRECT TAXES AND CHARGES DESIGNED MAINLY TO RESTORE THEIR REAL VALUE.
/"THIS YEAR,
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 2, 1988
- 28 -
"THIS YEAR, IN PUTTING TOGETHER MY PACKAGE OF TAX CONCESSIONS, I HAVE SOUGHT PARTICULARLY TO ASSIST MIDDLE INCOME EARNERS. I HAVE PROPOSED BOTH A LOWER INITIAL TAX RATE AND A MORE GRADUAL PROGRESSION THROUGH THE VARIOUS TAX BANDS. IN ADDITION, I HAVE PROPOSED INCREASES IN ALLOWANCES TO PROTECT THEIR REAL VALUE.
"MORE GENERALLY, I HAVE ANNOUNCED THE LOWERING OF THE STANDARD RATE FOR SALARIES TAX, PROPERTY TAX AND INTEREST TAX BY ONE PERCENTAGE POINT; I HAVE ALSO ANNOUNCED A SIMILAR REDUCTION IN THE RATE OF PROFITS TAX ON CORPORATIONS. THIS MEANS THAT THE STANDARD RATE FOR SALARIES TAX WILL BE REDUCED TO 15.5 PER CENT, AND THE RATE ON CORPORATE PRFOFITS TO 17 PER CENT.
"THE IMPACT OF MY TAX CONCESSIONS ON A FAMILY OF FOUR WITH BOTH HUSBAND AND WIFE WORKING AND AN INCOME OF $14,000 A MONTH IS THAT THEIR TAX BILL WOULD BE ROUGHLY HALVED.
"AGAIN, TO ASSIST MIDDLE INCOME EARNERS, I HAVE PROPOSED A REDUCTION IN STAMP DUTY ON THE PURCHASE OF SMALL AND MEDIUM SIZED PROPERTIES. THIS WILL LESSEN THE FINANCIAL BURDEN FALLING ON THOSE WHO ARE SEEKING TO BUY THEIR OWN HOMES.
"SINCE MY LAST BUDGET I HAVE LISTENED CAREFULLY TO THE CONTINUING DEBATE ON SEPARATE TAXATION FOR WORKING WIVES. I HAVE ALSO BEEN WATCHING TRENDS ELSEWHERE. ALTHOUGH THERE ARE QUITE DIFFICULT PROBLEMS INVOLVED IN THE INTRODUCTION OF FULL SEPARATE TAXATION, I AM PREPARED TO CONSIDER HOW THEY MIGHT BEST BE OVERCOME. IN THE MEANTIME, I HAVE PROPOSED A WORKING WIFE’S ALLOWANCE OF UP TO $15,000.
"IN ACCORDANCE WITH MY GENERAL THEME OF LOWERING THE TAX BURDEN, I HAVE ALSO PROPOSED A REDUCTION OF THE AIR PASSENGER DEPARTURE TAX TO $100 FOR AN ADULT AND TO $50 FOR A CHILD.
"THUS, FOR THE SECOND YEAR RUNNING, I HAVE BEEN ABLE TO REDUCE TAXES WHILST INCREASING OUR EXPENDITURE ON THE MANY PUBLIC SERVICES WE PROVIDE. THIS HAS BEEN MADE POSSIBLE BY THE HARD WORK AND ENTERPRISE OF OUR COMMUNITY. DESPITE MY LOWER GROWTH FORECAST THIS YEAR, I AM CONFIDENT THAT AS LONG AS WE PAY ATTENTION TO LONG TERM TRENDS WE WILL BE ABLE TO SUSTAIN OUR POLICY OF THE STEADY EXPANSION OF PUBLIC SERVICES AND INVESTMENT FOR THE FUTURE."
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BUDGET BRIEFING » » »
THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY, MR PIERS JACOBS, WILL GIVE A PRESS BRIEFING ON THE BUDGET AT 3 PM TOMORROW (THURSDAY) IN THE GIS PRESS CONFERENCE ROOM, FIFTH FLOOR, BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, CENTRAL.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE BRIEFING.
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DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE. HONG KONG. TEL: 5-8428777
THURSDAY, MARCH 3, 1988
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
HK'S INVESTMENT IN SHENZHEN BENEFICAL TO BOTH SIDES......... 1
JLG TO REVIEW WORK OF EXPERT MEETINGS ...................... 2
FILM CENSORSHIP BILL 1988 TO BE GAZETTED.................... 3
HK'S ROLE IN COMBATTING INTERNATIONAL DRUG TRAFFICKING ..... 4
INCREASES IN POSTAL RATES AND FEES ......................... 5
LUNAR NEW YEAR BORDER CROSSING FIGURES RELEASED............. 6
IMPROVEMENTS AHEAD FOR SHA TIN DISTRICT..................... 8
ELECTION EXHIBITION OPENS AT MTR STATION.................... 9
CYCLING PARADE TO PROMOTE DB ELECTIONS ..................... 9
CARTOON CHARACTERS HELP SPREAD ELECTION MESSAGE ........... 11
EXHIBITION TO PUBLICISE DISTRICT BOARD ELECTIONS .......... 11
ELECTORS REMINDED TO CAST VOTES ........................... 12
SAI KUNG DB TO DISCUSS WHITE PAPER......................... 12
WORK OF ABERDEEN POLICE COMMENDED.......................... 13
IMPROVEMENT WORKS ON TSAN YUK HOSPITAL .................... 13
AUXILIARY AIR FORCE LOOKING FOR RECRUITS .................. 14
MULTI-PURPOSE MARKET COMPLEX FOR YAU MA TEI ............... 14
ILLEGAL STRUCTURES IN NORTH POINT TO BE DEMOLISHED ........ 1?
URBAN CLEARWAY RESTRICTION AND BRIDGE CLOSURE.............. 16
TEMPORARY RESTRICTED ZONES IN NORTH POINT.................. 16
THURSDAY, MARCH 3, 1988 1
HK’S INVESTMENT IN SHENZHEN BENEFICAL TO BOTH SIDES
* * * » *
HONG KONG’S INVESTMENT IN SHENZHEN, BELIEVED TO BE ABOUT 70 PER CENT IN THE SPECIAL ECONOMIC ZONE, IS BENEFICIAL TO BOTH SIDES, THE GOVERNOR, SIR DAVID WILSON, SAID TODAY (THURSDAY).
SPEAKING TO REPORTERS AFTER HIS RETURN FROM A ONE-DAY VISIT TO THE SEZ AT THE INVITATION OF THE MAYOR OF SHENZHEN, MR LI HAO, THE GOVERNOR SAID HE WAS STRUCK BY HOW MUCH SHENZHEN HAD DEVELOPED, INCLUDING THE SHEKOU AREA.
SIR DAVID SAID HE DISCUSSED MATTERS OF CO-OPERATION BETWEEN HONG KONG AND SHENZHEN.
"I WAS TOLD BY THE SHENZHEN AUTHORITIES THAT OVER 70 PER CENT OF THE INVESTMENT IN THE SPECIAL ECONOMIC ZONE COMES FROM HONG KONG," THE GOVERNOR SAID.
SIR DAVID SAID HE REFLECTED THAT IT WAS GOOD FOR BOTH SIDES THAT THERE WAS THIS INVESTMENT.
"THEY BENEFIT FROM IT. WE IN HONG KONG BENEFIT, PARTICULARLY NOW WHEN WE HAVE A LABOUR SHORTAGE AND WE HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY OF PROCESSING A LOT OF OUR GOODS IN QUANGDONG PROVINCE AND IN SHENZHEN.
"THAT’S ONE OF THE THINGS THAT HAS ENABLED US TO KEEP UP SUCH HIGH RATES OF GROWTH OVER THE LAST TWO YEARS," SIR DAVID SAID.
THE GOVERNOR ALSO DISCUSSED TRAFFIC CONDITIONS AT MAN KAM TO AND SHA TAU KOK BORDER CROSSINGS, WITH MAN KAM TO BEING VERY CROWDED.
"I WAS SUGGESTING THAT IT WOULD BE HELPFUL TO PUT SOME OF THE TRAFFIC ROUND SHA TAU KOK," SIR DAVID SAID.
"WE TALKED ABOUT PLANS FOR IMPROVING CUSTOMS FACILITIES AND PARKING FACILITIES ON THEIR SIDE, AT MAN KAM TO, AND OUR PLANS FOR WIDENING THE ROAD ON OUR SIDE," HE ADDED.
"WE ALSO TALKED ABOUT THE NEW BRIDGE AT LOK MA CHAU. THAT’LL COME INTO SERVICE NEXT YEAR. FIRST ONE BRIDGE AND THEN ABOUT NINE MONTHS LATER A SECOND BRIDGE IN THE SAME PLACE," SIR DAVID SAID.
"AT THAT POINT, THERE WILL BE CROSSING FACILITIES FOR ABOUT 50,000 VEHICLES A YEAR, WHICH WILL BE MORE THAN ADEQUATE TO MEET DEMAND," HF. SAID.
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THURSDAY. MARCH 3, 1988
- 2 -
JLG TO REVIEW WORK OE EXPERT MEETINGS » ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦
THE SINO-BRITISH JOINT LIAISON GROUP ON HONG KONG WILL IN THEIR FORTHCOMING MEETING REVIEW THE WORK DONE IN THE VARIOUS EXPERT MEETINGS WHICH HAVE TAKEN PLACE SINCE THE LAST MEETING OF THE JLG, THE SENIOR REPRESENTATIVE OF THE BRITISH TEAM, MR ROBIN MCLAREN, SAID TODAY (THURSDAY).
SPEAKING TO REPORTERS AT THE AIRPORT ON HIS ARRIVAL FROM LONDON, MR MCLAREN SAID THESE EXPERT MEETINGS INCLUDED ONE WHICH DEALT WITH THE RETURN OF FUGITIVE OFFENDERS BETWEEN HONG KONG AND FOREIGN COUNTRIES, ONE TO CONSIDER THE LOCALISATION OF CIVIL AVIATION LEGISLATIONS AND THE USUAL MEETING OF THE SUB-GROUP ON INTERNATIONAL RIGHTS AND OBLIGATIONS, WHICH CONSIDERED HONG KONG’S STATUS IN INTERNATIONAL ORGANISATIONS.
HE SAID: ”1 CAN ALSO SAY, BECAUSE IT IS VERY OBVIOUS, WE SHALL BE DISCUSSING PRACTICAL ARRANGEMENTS FOR THE PERIOD AFTER JULY 1 THIS YEAR WHEN THE JLG ESTABLISHES ITS PRINCIPAL BASE IN HONG KONG.
’’THAT IS NOT OF COURSE AN EXHAUSTIVE LIST BECAUSE AS I SAY, THE AGENDA IS CONFIDENTIAL, THERE ARE A LOT OF OTHER THINGS WHICH WE SHALL BE DISCUSSING. BUT AT LEAST THIS WILL GIVE YOU AN IDEA SOME OF THE THINGS WHICH WE’LL BE TALKING ABOUT,” HE NOTED.
DURING THE NEXT FEW DAYS, MR MCLAREN SAID HE WOULD BE ENGAGED IN VERY THOROUGH PREPARATION FOR THE JLG MEETING ALONG WITH THE MEMBERS OF THE BRITISH TEAM FROM LONDON, HONG KONG AND THE BRITISH EMBASSY IN PEKING.
HE SAID: ”WE SHALL BE WORKING VERY HARD TO ENSURE A GOOD JLG MEETING. NEXT WEEK, WE’RE VERY MUCH LOOKING FORWARD RENEWING CONTACT WITH AMBASSADOR KE ZAISHUO AND THE CHINESE MEMBERS OF THE TEAM.
’’AND I’M SURE WE’LL HAVE A VERY PRODUCTIVE MEETING,” HE ADDED.
IN REPLY TO A QUESTION, MR MCLAREN SAID THE JLG WOULD NOT DISCUSS HONG KONG’S DEFENCE COSTS AGREEMENT TALKS WITH BRITAIN AS THIS WAS A MATTER BETWEEN THE BRITISH AND HONG KONG GOVERNMENTS.
"AND IT’S NOT A SUBJECT FOR DISCUSSION IN THE JOINT LIAISON GROUP,” HE NOTED.
ARRIVING FROM LONDON Willi MR MCLAREN WERE MR CHRISTOPHER HUM, THE HEAD OF Till HONG KONG DEPARTMENT IN THE FOREIGN OFFICE AND A FULL MEMBER OF THE BRITISH SIDE OF THE JLG, AND MR CHRIS WOOD, A FORMER ASSISTANT POLITICAL ADVISER AND CURRENTLY A SECTION HEAD IN THE HONG KONG DEPARTMENT, ICO.
THEY WERE MET AT THE AIRPORT BY THE POLITICAL ADVISER. MR DICK CLIFT AND THE SECRETARY FOR GENERAL DUTIES. MR BARRIE W1GGIIAM.
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/3.......
THURSDAY, MARCH 3, 1988
- 3 -
FILM CENSORSHIP BILL 1988 TO BE GAZETTED *****
THE FILM CENSORSHIP BILL 1988, WHICH PROVIDES FOR THE INTRODUCTION OF A THREE-TIER SYSTEM OF FILM CLASSIFICATION, WILL BE PUBLISHED IN THE GAZETTE TOMORROW (FRIDAY). IT WILL BE INTRODUCED INTO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL ON MARCH 9.
A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN SAID THE BILL REFLECTED MANY OF THE VIEWS EXPRESSED DURING THE PUBLIC CONSULTATIVE PROCESS WHICH FIRST STARTED ON APRIL 3 LAST YEAR WITH THE PUBLICATION OF A DRAFT BILL FOR PUBLIC INFORMATION AND COMMENT.
"IN LIGHT OF THE COMMENTS RECEIVED A REVISED DRAFT BILL WAS PUBLISHED FOR FURTHER COMMENT ON NOVEMBER 5, 1987.
"THE PUBLISHED BILL IS THE PRODUCT OF THIS INTENSIVE CONSULTATIVE EXERCISE WHICH INVOLVED THE LEGCO AD HOC GROUP ON FILM CLASSIFICATION, AND CENSORSHIP, DISTRICT BOARDS, REPRESENTATIVES OF THE FILM INDUSTRY AND INTERESTED GROUPS AND MEMBERS OF THE COMMUNITY," HE SAID.
AS REGARDS THE FILM CLASSIFICATION SYSTEM, THE BILL PROPOSES THAT FILMS INTENDED FOR EXHIBITION WOULD BE CLASSIFIED BY THE CENSOR INTO THE FOLLOWING THREE CATEGORIES: -
CATEGORY I - APPROVED FOR EXHIBITION TO PERSONS OF ANY AGE;
CATEGORY 1T APPROVED FOR EXHIBITION TO PERSONS OF ANY AGE SUBJECT TO THE CONDITION THAT ANY ADVERTISING MATERIAL WHICH RELATES TO THE FILM SHALL CONTAIN THE FOLLOWING NOTICE OR A NOTICE TO THE LIKE EFFECT, IN BLOCK LETTERS AND CHINESE CHARACTERS PROMINENTLY AND LEGIBLY DISPLAYED - "NOT SUITABLE FOR CHILDREN".
CATEGORY 111 — APPROVED FOR EXHIBITION ONLY TO PERSONS WHO
HAVE ATTAINED THE AGE OF 18.
THE SPOKESMAN SAID THE CRITERIA FOR CENSORING FILMS HAD BEEN MODIFIED AND THE PROPOSALS REPRESENTED A MORE LIBERAL APPROACH.
"THE REQUIREMENT TO SUBMIT ADVERTISING MATERIAL IN THE FORM OF POSTERS, NEWSPAPER ADVERTISEMENTS AND SO ON FOR EXAMINATION OR EXEMPTION FROM EXAMINATION HAS BEEN DROPPED," HE SAID.
THE SPOKESMAN ADDED THAT THE PROPOSED CATEGORY 111 CALSSI FI CAT 1 ON WOULD PERMIT THE RESTRICTED VIEWING OF FILMS WHICH HITHERTO COULD NOT BE APPROVED FOR EXHIBITION.
THE BILL ALSO PROPOSES THE ESTABLISHMENT OF A BOARD OF REVIEW. CHAIRED BY A NON-OFFICIAL WITH NINE OTHER PERSONS (FIVE OF WHOM SHALL BE NON-OFFICTALS). FILM DISTRIBUTORS, THE FILM CENSORSHIP AUTHORITY AND MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC WILL HAVE ACCESS TO THE BOARD OF REVIEW.
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THURSDAY, MARCH 3, 1988
HK’S ROLE IN COMBATTING INTERNATIONAL DRUG TRAFFICKING
* * * * «
HONG KONG HAS A LONG RECORD OF CLOSE CO-OPERATION AND SUCCESS WITH U.S. LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCIES IN FIGHTING DRUG TRAFFICKING, THE ATTORNEY GENERAL, MR MICHAEL THOMAS, SAID IN WASHINGTON YESTERDAY (MARCH 2, WASHINGTON TIME).
SPEAKING BEFORE A DISTINGUISHED GATHERING OF LEADING INTERNATIONAL JURISTS AND NARCOTIC EXPERTS AT THE WHITE HOUSE CONFERENCE FOR A DRUG FREE AMERICA, MR THOMAS SAID HONG KONG LAW MADE PROVISION FOR TRACING ILL-GOTTEN GAINS.
"A HONG KONG COURT MAY COMPEL A BANK OFFICIAL TO GIVE EVIDENCE AND PRODUCE DOCUMENTS RELATING TO BANK ACCOUNTS RELEVENT TO CRIMINAL PROCEEDINGS THAT HAVE BEEN OR ARE LIKELY TO BE INSTITUTED IN A FOREIGN JURISDICTION," HE SAID.
"GENERALLY SPEAKING, HONG KONG’S BANKING SYSTEM IS NO MORE PROTECTIVE, BY WAY OF ’SECRECY’ PROVISIONS, THAN THE BANKING SYSTEMS OF OTHER JURISDICTIONS," HE ADDED.
MR THOMAS SAID HONG KONG WAS CURRENTLY DEALING WITH 20 SUCH REQUESTS FROM THE U.S., SIX OF THEM CONCERNING DRUG-RELATED MATTERS. IN THE LAST THREE YEARS HONG KONG HAD PROCESSED SIX EXTRADITION REQUESTS FROM THE U.S. INVOLVING DRUG TRAFFICKING OFFENDERS.
"HONG KONG IS FULLY COMMITTED TO THE INTERNATIONAL WAR AGAINST DRUG TRAFFICKING," HE SAID.
"WE ARE CURRENTLY WORKING ON A DRAFT OF A MUTUAL LEGAL ASSISTANCE TREATY WITH THE U.S., AND SUPPORTIVE LEGISLATION, WHICH WILL FURTHER ENHANCE THE EFFECTIVENESS OF THE ARRANGEMENTS WE ALREADY HAVE TO DEAL WITH DRUG-MONEY LAUNDERING."
THE ATTORNEY GENERAL ALSO NOTED THAT HONG KONG AND U.S. POLICE AND CUSTOMS AGENCIES CO-OPERATED INFORMALLY IN THE EXCHANGE OF INTELLIGENCE AND INFORMATION ON DRUG TRAFFICKING.
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/5........
THURSDAY, MARCH 3, 1988
- 5 -
INCREASES IN POSTAL RATES AND FEES
*****
CERTAIN POSTAL RATES, AND TELECOMMUNICATION AND MISCELLANEOUS FEES WILL BE INCREASED FROM SEPTEMBER 1 AS ANNOUNCED IN THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY’S BUDGET SPEECH YESTERDAY (WEDNESDAY).
THESE RATES AND FEES WERE LAST INCREASED ON SEPTEMBER 2, 1985.
THE RATES FOR ALL LOCAL AND SURFACE LETTER MAIL AND PRINTED PAPERS WILL BE INCREASED, THE BASIC RATE INCREASE BEING 10 CENTS.
THE ONLY CHANGE BEING MADE TO AIRMAIL RATES WILL BE A 10 CENT INCREASE AT ALL WEIGHT STEPS. THIS MEANS THAT THE BASIC RATES FOR ZONE 1 AND ZONE 2 WILL BE $1.40 AND $1.80 RESPECTIVELY.
THE EXPRESS FEE WILL BE INCREASED FROM $4 TO $5 AND THE REGISTRATION FEE FROM $5 TO $7.
ALL TELECOMMUNICATION FEES WILL BE INCREASED, FROM THE SAME DATE, INCLUDING THE FOLLOWING:
MOBILE RADIO SYSTEM
FIXED STATION - FROM $680 TO $750
MOBILE STATION - FROM $270 TO $300
RADIO PAGING SYSTEM
FIXED TRANSMITTING STATION - FROM $680 TO $750
RECEIVING STATION - FROM $70 TO $80
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/6........
THURSDAY, MARCH 3, 1988
- 6 -
LUNAR NEW YEAR BORDER CROSSING FIGURES RELEASED *****
DURING THE LUNAR NEW YEAR PERIOD FROM FEBRUARY 13 TO 21, 577,400 PEOPLE WENT TO CHINA AND 317,000 RETURNED TO HONG KONG BY CROSSING THE BORDER AT LOWU, AND ON FEBRUARY 21, A RECORD OF 129,000 PASSENGERS CROSSED THE BRIDGE.
REVEALING THE ABOVE FIGURE, MR CHAN PO-KWONG, POLICE DIVISIONAL COMMANDER, BORDER, SAID: +OUR OFFICERS HAVE EXERCISED FULLY THEIR CROWD CONTROL TECHNIQUES. ASSISTANCE WAS ALSO SOUGHT FROM POLICE TACTICAL UNIT, EMERGENCY UNIT AND AUXILIARY POLICE STAFF.
♦ ON AVERAGE, THE DAILY BORDER CROSSING MOVEMENT IS IN THE REGION OF 50,000 AND THE HIGHEST RECORDED WAS 140,000.
+THERE HAS BEEN AN UPWARD TREND IN THE TOTAL PASSENGER MOVEMENT FIGURE FOR THE PAST THREE YEARS. IT ROSE FROM 17,700,000 IN 1985 TO 18,800,000 IN 1986 AND 22,900,000 LAST YEAR.
♦ IN ADDITION TO THE PASSENGER TRAFFIC, SOME 60 PER CENT OF THE LIVESTOCK AND BULK OF CHINESE PRODUCTS IMPORTED INTO HONG KONG ARE BROUGHT ACROSS LO WU BRIDGE BY GOODS TRAINS.
+AND SOME 30 PER CENT ARE BROUGHT ACROSS THE BORDER BY VEHICLES USING MAN KAM TO BRIDGE.
♦ THE DAILY AVERAGE OF VEHICLES PASSING THE CROSSING POINT AT MAN KAM TO ROAD HAS INCREASED FROM SOME 4,000 TO 8,400 WITHIN 20 MONTHS.
♦ ON DECEMBER 31 LAST YEAR, A RECORD HIGH OF 9,460 VEHICLES WAS COUNTED, PROBABLY DUE TO THE FULFILMENT OF TRADING QUOTAS.+
INTRODUCING THE AREA, MR CHAN SAID: +THE POPULATION OF THE FRONTIER CLOSED AREA IS ABOUT 18,000. THE MAIN CONCENTRATIONS ARE IN SHA TAU KOK VILLAGE ON THE EAST COAST. THE MAJORITY ARE HAKKA FARMERS AND HOKLO FISHERMEN.
♦ THE REMAINDER OF THE AREA IS SPARSELY POPULATED WITH SOME 13,000 PEOPLE RESIDING IN 30 SMALL VILLAGES.
♦ MANY OF THE YOUNGER GENERATION HAVE EMIGRATED AND THE BULK OF POPULATION ARE ELDERLY WHO RELY MAINLY UPON REMITTANCES FROM ABROAD FOR THEIR EXISTENCE.+
ANYONE ENTERING THE CLOSED AREA IS REQUIRED TO POSSESS A FRONTIER CLOSED AREA PERMIT. A CURFEW IS MAINTAINED WITHIN THE CLOSED AREA BETWEEN MIDNIGHT AND 4 AM DAILY. CURFEW PASSES ARE REQUIRED IN CASES OF NECESSITY.
/PERMITS ARE .......
THURSDAY, MARCH 3, 1988
PERMITS ARE NORMALLY ISSUED AT FRONTIER POLICE HEADQUARTERS. HOWEVER, PERMITS CAN ALSO BE OBTAINED FROM POLICE HEADQUARTERS, ARSENAL STREET, AND RESIDENTS’ PERMITS CAN BE RENEWED AT THE APPROPRIATE FRONTIER SUB-DIVISIONAL POLICE STATIONS.
MR CHAN REGARDED THE BORDER FENCE AS SERVING AN EFFECTIVE COUNTER AGAINST ILLEGAL IMMIGRATION.
THE CURRENT MAIN BORDER FENCE, WHICH WAS COMPLETED IN 1983, IS 18 MILES LONG AND 15 FEET HIGH.
THE ENTIRE FENCE IS EQUIPPED WITH AN ALARM PROTECTION SYSTEM WITH MONITORING STATIONS MANNED BY THE MILITARY.
SAID MR CHAN: +ASSISTANT DIVISIONAL COMMANDER, OPERATIONS, ACTS AS A MILITARY LIAISON OFFICER. HE FREQUENTLY ATTENDS ARMY OPERATION MEETINGS, SO THAT BOTH HAVE UNDERSTANDING ON THE DEPLOYMENT OF STAFF AND TACTICS.
+REPATRIATION OF ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS IS OUR DAILY WORK. ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS WHO ARE DETAINED AT SAN UK LING HOLDING CENTRE ARE REPATRIATED TO CHINA AFTER THE IMMIGRATION DEPARTMENT HAS DONE THE NECESSARY DOCUMENTATION.
+THERE HAVE BEEN INCREASES IN REPATRIATION RATE FOR THE PAST THREE YEARS. IT HAS GROWN FROM 16,000 IN 1985 TO 19,900 IN 1986 AND 27,000 LAST YEAR.+
ON NEW DEVELOPMENT MR CHAN REVEALED: +A NEW SHA TAU KOK POLICE POST HAS JUST BEEN OPENED AND THE BUILDING OF THE BORDER DIVISIONAL HEADQUARTERS WILL ALSO BE COMPLETED THIS MONTH.
+A LOK MA CHAU CROSS BORDER BRIDGE TO CHINA WHICH STARTED CONSTRUCTION IN 1986 IS EXPECTED TO BE COMPLETED EARLY NEXT YEAR. THE CONSTRUCTION OF LOK MA CHAU BRANCH OF THE NEW TERRITORIES CIRCULAR ROAD IS UNDERWAY.
+BORDER AREA IS THE KEY POINT OF THE INCOMING AND OUTGOING OF PASSENGERS BETWEEN HONG KONG AND CHINA, AND OUR STAFF CONTINUE TO PLAY A SIGNIFICANT ROLE IN MAINTAINING THE LAW AND ORDER OF THIS IMPORTANT PLACE.+
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THURSDAY, MARCH 3, 1988
8
IMPROVEMENTS AHEAD FOR SHA TIN DISTRICT » * » »
THE SHA TIN DISTRICT OFFICER, MR VICTOR YUNG, TODAY (THURSDAY) CALLED ON THE 90,000 REGISTERED ELECTORS IN SHA TIN TO VOTE IN THE DISTRICT BOARD ELECTIONS.
SPEAKING AT A SPRING RECEPTION HOSTED BY THE DISTRICT OFFICE, MR YUNG SAID SHA TIN HAD SHOWN STEADY IMPROVEMENTS IN THE PAST YEAR AS A RESULT OF CO-OPERATION OF THE DISTRICT BOARD, LOCAL ORGANISATIONS, GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS AND RESIDENTS.
"AN IMPORTANT JOB OF THE DISTRICT OFFICE THIS YEAR IS TO STRENGTHEN THE LINK WITH GRASSROOT ORGANISATIONS AND STEP UP ITS WORK IN COMMUNITY BUILDING," HE SAID.
HE NOTED THAT UNTIL NOW, THE DISTRICT OFFICE HAD ASSISTED WITH THE SETTING UP OF MORE THAN 220 MUTUAL AID COMMITTEES AND 24 OWNERS CORPORATIONS, AND THAT MORE SUCH BODIES WOULD BE SET UP THIS YEAR.
LOOKING AHEAD, MR YUNG SAID PROBLEMS IN THE DISTRICT, INCLUDING POLLUTION IN SHING MUN RIVER, SHORTAGE OF SECONDARY SCHOOL PLACES AND CONGESTION AT LION ROCK TUNNEL WOULD BE IMPROVED.
"TO IMPROVE THE WATER QUALITY OF SHING MUN RIVER, DREDGING WORK AT THE RIVER HAS STARTED; THE DISCHARGE OF INDUSTRIAL EFFLUENT IS UNDER CONTROL; SLUDGE FROM THE SHA TIN WATER TREATMENT WORKS WILL BE TREATED FOR DISCHARGE IN TO THE SEA; AND THE LIVESTOCK WASTE CONTROL PROGRAMME WILL BE ENFORCED IN JUNE," HE SAID.
"ON THE PROVISION OF SECONDARY SCHOOL PLACES, 17 SCHOOLS WILL BE BUILT IN THE DISTRICT BY 1993. SHORT-TERM IMPORVEMENT MEASURES BEING TAKEN INCLUDE THE RUNNING OF MORE FORM ONE CLASSES, SETTING UP MORE REMEDIAL AND STANDARD CLASSROOMS, AND ADVANCING THE OPENING OF NEW SCHOOLS.
"IT IS EXPECTED THAT THE SHORTAGE OF SECONDARY SCHOOL PLACES WILL BE REDUCED FROM 2,300 IN 1987 TO ABOUT 880 BY 1993.
"ALSO, THE CONGESTION PROBLEM AT LION ROCK TUNNEL WILL BE RESOLVED WITH THE COMPLETION OF ROUTE 5 NEXT YEAR AND THE TATE’S CAIRN TUNNEL IN 1991."
TODAY’S SPRING RECEPTION WAS ATTENDED BY DISTRICT BOARD MEMBERS, REPRESENTATIVES OF LOCAL ORGANISATIONS, LOCAL DIGNITARIES, MEDIA REPRESENTATIVES AND GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS. THE DEPUTY REGIONAL SECRETARY FOR THE NEW TERRITORIES (SPECIAL DUTIES), MR LEO KWAN, WAS THE GUEST OF HONOUR.
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/9........
THURSDAY, MARCH 3, 1988
- 9 -
ELECTION EXHIBITION OPENS AT MTR STATION * « »
AN EXHIBITION PUBLICISING THE DISTRICT BOARD ELECTIONS ON MARCH 10 WAS OPENED TODAY (THURSDAY) AT THE MTR MONG KOK STATION.
OFFICIATING AT THE OPENING CEREMONY, THE MONG KOK DISTRICT OFFICER, MRS BRENDA FUNG, URGED VOTERS IN THE MONG KOK EAST, WEST AND TAI KOK TSUI CONSTITUENCIES TO CAST THEIR VOTE ON THE POLLING DAY.
”AS REGISTERED VOTERS, THEY SHOULD EXERCISE THEIR CIVIC RIGHT TO CHOOSE THEIR REPRESENTATIVES TO THE DISTRICT BOARD,” SHE SAID.
ELECTIONS WILL ONLY BE HELD IN THREE OF THE SIX CONSTITUENCIES IN MONG KOK AS THE FIVE CANDIDATES FROM MONG KOK SOUTH, NORTH AND SYCAMORE ARE OPPOSED.
MRS FUNG POINTED OUT THAT ELECTIONS WILL START FROM 7.30 AM TILL 10.30 PM, AND VOTERS CAN ONLY POLL AT THE SPECIFIED POLLING STATIONS.
SHE REMINDED VOTERS TO BRING ALONG THEIR IDENTITY CARDS AND POLL CARDS TO AVOID DELAY.
THE EXHIBITION, ORGANISED BY THE MONG KOK DISTRICT OFFICE, FEATURES PHOTOGRAPHS, GRAPHIC DISPLAYS, ILLUSTRATIONS AND VIDEO BROADCAST TO PROMOTE THE ELECTION MESSAGE.
THE EXHIBITS ALSO DEPICT THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE DISTRICT ADMINISTRATION SCHEME, ACHIEVEMENTS OF THE MONG KOK DISTRICT BOARD AND CHARACTERISTICS OF THE DISTRICT.
THE EXHIBITION WILL BE HELD UNTIL MARCH 9.
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CYCLING PARADE TO PROMOTE DB ELECTIONS
♦
♦ * * *
C
CYCLISTS AND RESIDENTS OF SHA PART IN A LARGE-SCALE CYCLING PARADE
TIN ARE BEING INVITED TO TAKE AT THE CYCLE PARK, TAI WAI, ON
SATURDAY (MARCH 5) MORNING TO PROMOTE ELECTIONS.
THE COMING DISTRICT BOARD
THE SENIOR MEMBER OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL, MISS LYDIA DUNN, WILL OFFICIATE AT THE PARADE, WHICH WILL FEATURE 1 I TEAMS COMPRISING TVB ARTISTES, REPRESENTATIVES OF AREA COMMITTEES AND SHA TIN DISTRICT OFFICE STAFF.
W
/ALL CYCLISTS .......
THURSDAY, MARCH 3, 1988
10 -
ALL CYCLISTS AND RESIDENTS WHO ATTEND THE FUNCTION WILL BE GIVEN SOUVENIRS BY THE SHA TIN DISTRICT OFFICER, MR VICTOR YUNG, AND TVB ARTISTES.
THE PARADE, WHICH WILL COVER THE NINE CONSTITUENCIES OF SHA TIN DISTRICT, WILL BE THE HIGHLIGHT OF A SERIES OF PUBLICITY ACTIVITIES ORGANISED BY THE SHA TIN DISTRICT OFFICE.
A DISTRICT OFFICE SPOKESMAN SAID BANNERS AND POSTERS HAD BEEN PUT UP IN STRATEGIC POINTS IN THE DISTRICT AND A PUBLICITY SIGNBOARD HAD BEEN ERECTED IN THE CYCLE PARK.
APPEAL LETTERS FROM THE DISTRICT OFFICER HAD BEEN SENT TO THE MUTUAL AID COMMITTEES, OWNERS CORPORATIONS, SCHOOLS, FACTORIES AND OTHER LOCAL ORGANISATIONS, IN ADDITION TO PUBLICITY MATERIALS SUCH AS POSTERS, MEMO PADS, BOOKMARKS AND ADDRESS BOOKS WHICH WERE SENT EARLIER.
ALL REGISTERED ELECTORS IN THE DISTRICT HAD ALSO RECEIVED A COPY OF A NEWSPA ER SUPPLEMENT ON THE COMING DB ELECTIONS, TOGETHER WITH THE CANDIDATES’ PLATFORMS, CONSTITUENCY MAPS AND NOTE TO VOTERS.
THE SPOKESMAN SAID A PUBLICITY VAN WOULD TOUR THE DISTRICT ON MARCH 6, 9 AND 10.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE CYCLING PARADE ORGANISED BY THE SHA TIN DISTRICT OFFICE AT THE CYCLE PARK, TAI WAI, ON SATURDAY (MARCH 5).
THE SHA TIN DISTRICT OFFICER, MR VICTOR YUNG, AND TVB ARTISTES WILL DISTRIBUTE SOUVENIRS AT 9.30 AM. THE OPENING CEREMONY, TO BE OFFICIATED BY THE SENIOR MEMBER OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL, MISS LYDIA DUNN, WILL TAKE PLACE AT 10 AM.
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/11 .......
THURSDAY, MARCH 3, 1988
CARTOON CHARACTERS HELP SPREAD ELECTION MESSAGE * » »
RESIDENTS OF YAU MA TEI WILL BE REMINDED TO VOTE ON MARCH 10 DURING A PARADE OF CARTOON CHARACTERS ON SATURDAY (MARCH 5) AFTERNOON.
A BUS DECORATED WITH BANNERS AND POSTERS WILL TAKE THE CARTOON CHARACTERS ON A DISTRICT TOUR. IT WILL STOP AT THE NEW WORLD CENTRE, URBAN COUNCIL CENTENARY GARDEN IN TSIM SHA TSUI EAST, STAR FERRY CONCOURSE, PARK LANE BOULEVARD AND ARTHUR STREET.
APPEAL MESSAGES AND THE ELECTION THEME SONG WILL BE BROADCAST AT THE VARIOUS STOPS WHILE PUBLICITY PAMPHLETS AND BALL-PENS BEARING A "SUPPORT THE ELECTIONS" SLOGAN WILL BE DISTRIBUTED.
THE PAMPHLETS CONTAINING INFORMATION ON THE VOTING PROCEDURES AND A MAP SHOWING THE DISTRICT’S SEVEN POLLING STATIONS ARE A HANDY GUIDE FOR ELECTORS.
- - 0 -
EXHIBITION TO PUBLICISE DISTRICT BOARD ELECTIONS
*****
AN EXHIBITION TO PUBLICISE THE DISTRICT BOARD ELECTIONS WILL BE HELD FROM TODAY (THURSDAY) TO MARCH 9 ON THE GROUND FLOOR OF CITYPLAZA, PHASE II, TAIKOO SHING.
MOUNTED BY THE EASTERN DISTRICT OFFICE, THE EXHIBITION WILL DISPLAY INFORMATION ON THE VOTING PROCEDURES AND ON THE DISTRICT’S 45 CANDIDATES.
MEANWHILE, A PUBLICITY LAUNCH WILL VISIT BOAT DWELLERS IN THE CAUSEWAY BAY TYPHOON SHELTER, ALDRICH BAY TYPHOON SHELTER AND CHAI WAN CARGO HANDLING BASIN ON MARCH 6 AND 10 TO REMIND REGISTERED ELECTORS TO CAST THEIR VOTES.
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THURSDAY, MARCH 3, 1988
12 -
ELECTORS REMINDED TO CAST VOTES t * * «
REGISTERED ELECTORS WILL BE REMINDED TO CAST THEIR VOTES IN THE DISTRICT BOARD ELECTIONS ON MARCH 10 THROUGH ANNOUNCEMENTS IN PUBLIC INTEREST (API’S) BROADCAST ON TELEVISION AND RADIO FROM TOMORROW (FRIDAY).
A SERIES OF SEVEN COUNT-DOWN API’S HAVE BEEN PRODUCED TO PROMOTE THE VOTING MESSAGE.
ALSO, A VIDEO WALL TO BROADCAST THE API’S AND THE DISTRICT BOARD THEME SONG WILL BE SET UP AT THE NEW WORLD CENTRE ON SATURDAY (MARCH 5) AND SUNDAY.
SIMILAR MESSAGES WILL BE BROADCAST BY A 72-MONITOR VIDEO WALL AT TUEN MUN TOWN PLAZA FROM TOMORROW UNTIL MARCH 10.
APART FROM THE TERRITORY-WIDE ACTIVITIES, VARIOUS PUBLICITY PROGRAMMES INCLUDING FORUMS, CARNIVALS AND EXHIBITIONS ARE BEING ORGANISED AT THE DISTRICT LEVEL.
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SAI KUNG DB TO DISCUSS WHITE PAPER ♦ * ♦ ♦ ♦
MEMBERS OF THE SAI KUNG DISTRICT BOARD WILL EXPRESS THEIR VIEWS ON THE WHITE PAPER ON THE DEVELOPMENT OF REPRESENTATIVE GOVERNMENT AT A MEETING TOMORROW (FRIDAY).
THEY WILL ALSO DISCUSS THE PROPOSED ACTIVITIES AND PUBLICITY PROGRAMME FOR THE WORLD ENVIRONMENT DAY.
OTHER ITEMS ON THE AGENDA INCLUDE A REPORT BY THE BOARD’S REPRESENTATIVE TO THE REGIONAL COUNCIL, MR WAN YUET-KAU; THE PROGRESS REPORT OF THE SAI KUNG DISTRICT MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE; AND THE FINANCIAL POSITION OF THE DISTRICT BOARD.
A MEMBER, MR HO KOON-SHUN, WILL RAISE A MOTION CONCERNING APPLICATIONS FOR DISTRICT BOARD FUNDS.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE SAI KUNG DISTRICT BOARD MEETING TOMORROW (FRIDAY) IN THE DB CONFERENCE ROOM, SECOND FLOOR, SAI KUNG GOVERNMENT OFFICES BUILDING, (’HAN MAN STREET, SAI KUNG TOWN. IT WILL START AT 10 AM.
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/13........
THURSDAY, MARCH 3, 1988
- 1? -
WORK OF ABERDEEN POLICE COMMENDED * * »
ABERDEEN POLICE WERE HONOURED TODAY (THURSDAY) FOR THEIR UNCEASING EFFORT IN IMPROVING THE LAW AND ORDER SITUATION IN WAH FU ESTATE.
AT A CEREMONY IN ABERDEEN POLICE STATION, REPRESENTATIVES OF THE WAH FU AREA COMMITTEE AND SEVERAL LOCAL DISTRICT BOARD MEMBERS PRESENTED SOUVENIR BANNERS AND PLAQUES TO VARIOUS OFFICERS, TO EXPRESS THEIR APPRECIATION.
THE BANNERS AND PLAQUES WERE RECEIVED BY THE DIVISIONAL COMMANDER, MR FRANK MURPHY; THE ASSISTANT DIVISIONAL COMMANDER, CRIME, MR YU MUN-WAH; THE ASSISTANT DIVISIONAL COMMANDER, OPERATION, MR GEORGE MUNRO; AND OFFICERS IN CHARGE OF THE UNIFORMED BRANCH AND CID SQUADS.
NOTING THAT A TOTAL OF 19 CRIMINAL CASES, MOST OF WHICH WERE BURGLARIES AND THEFTS FROM VEHICLES, HAD BEEN REPORTED IN WAH FU ESTATE IN SEPTEMBER LAST YEAR, CHIEF INSPECTOR YU MUN-WAH POINTED OUT THAT THE CRIME FIGURE IN THE AREA HAD DROPPED BY OVER 50 PER CENT IN THE LAST QUARTER OF 1987.
MR YU SAID THE DOWNWARD TREND REFLECTED THE CO-OPERATION BETWEEN POLICE AND LOCAL RESIDENTS IN FIGHTING CRIME.
HE REASSURED THE GATHERING THAT LAW ENFORCERS WOULD CONTINUE TO MAINTAIN CLOSE CONTACTS WITH THE RESIDENTS, IN A BID TO MAKE THE ESTATE A CRIME-FREE PLACE TO LIVE IN.
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IMPROVEMENT WORKS ON TSAN YUK HOSPITAL * * * *
TSAN YUK HOSPITAL IS SOON TO UNDERGO A TWO-AND-A-HALF-YEAR IMPROVEMENT PROGRAMME.
THE ARCHITECTURAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT IS INVITING TENDERS FOR THE IMPROVEMENT WORKS.
THE PROGRAMME WILL INVOLVE MODIFICATIONS AND ALTERATIONS TO THE HOSPITAL BUILDING AND BUILDING SERVICES LAYOUTS AND SYSTEMS, PROVISION OF NEW BUILDING SERVICES INSTALLATIONS, CONSTRUCTION OF A NEW LIFT CORE, AND CONSTRUCTION OF PLANT ROOM AND OFFICE EXTENSIONS.
TENDERS FOR THE WORKS, SCHEDULED TO START IN JUNE, MUST BE SUBMITTED BEFORE NOON ON MARCH 18.
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THURSDAY, MARCH 3, 1988
14 -
AUXILIARY AIR FORCE LOOKING FOR RECRUITS *****
THE ROYAL HONG KONG AUXILIARY AIR FORCE IS RECRUITING ADDITIONAL PERSONNEL TO BE TRAINED AS OBSERVER/CREWMAN ON ITS FLEET OF FIXED WING AIRCRAFT AND HELICOPTERS.
THE RECRUITS WILL BE REQUIRED TO UNDERGO AN TRAINING COURSE WHICH NORMALLY LASTS FOR ONE YEAR.
INITIAL INTENSIVE
INCLUDE LOADS,
PASSENGER
OPERATING
AND ACTING
THE RESPONSIBILITIES OF AN OBSERVER/CREWMAN
HANDLING, PREPARATION AND CARRIAGE OF UNDERSLUNG
AIRBORNE FIRE FIGHTING EQUIPMENT, CASUALTY EVACUATION
AS A WINCHMAN OR WINCH OPERATOR DURING SEARCH AND RESCUE OPERATIONS,
THE PAY SCALE FOR THE POST IS $4,895 TO $12,060 PER MONTH.
THE CANDIDATES ARE REQUIRED TO HAVE GRADE E OR ABOVE IN FIVE SUBJECTS INCLUDING ENGLISH LANGUAGE (SYLLABUS B), IN THE HONG KONG CERTIFICATE OF EDUCATION EXAMINATION, OR EQUIVALENT; AND THREE YEARS EXPERIENCE IN OPERATING AIRCRAFT OR ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT.
THEY SHOULD ALSO HAVE GOOD PHYSIQUE KNOWLEDGE OF FIRST AID, AND SHOULD BE FLUENT
AND EYE-SIGHT, GENERAL IN SPOKEN ENGLISH AND
CANTONESE.
WRITING TO THE FORCE, HONG KONG KOWLOON, BEFORE
APPLICATION FOR THE POST SHOULD BE MADE IN COMMANDING OFFICER, ROYAL HONG KONG AUXILIARY AIR INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT, AIRPORT TUNNEL EAST EXIT,
MARCH 7.
ENQUIRIES CAN BE MADE ON 3-7698418.
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MULTI-PURPOSE MARKET COMPLEX FOR YAU MA TEI » * * *
A MODERN MULTI-PURPOSE MARKET COMPLEX WILL BE BUILT IN YAU MA TEI FOR THE URBAN COUNCIL BY THE ARCHITECTURAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT.
THE DEPARTMENT IS INVITING TENDERS FOR THE CONSTRUCTION WORKS.
LOCATED ON A 3,216-SQUARE-METRE SITE AT KWUN CHUNG STREET IN YAU MA TEI, THE COMPLEX WILL BE KNOWN AS THE URBAN COUNCIL KWUN CHUNG COMPLEX.
/IT WILL .......
THURSDAY, MARCH 5, 1?88
IT WILL COMPRISE A HALF BASEMENT FOR PARKING, TWO STOREYS OF MARKET, ONE STOREY OF COOKED FOOD CENTRE, TWO STOREYS OF OFFICE SPACE AND TWO STOREYS OF SQUASH COURTS AND GAMES HALL.
THERE WILL ALSO BE AN INDOOR GAMES HALL AS WELL AS A LIGHT REFRESHMENT RESTAURANT.
THE MARKET AREA ALONE WILL EXCEED 6,000 SQUARE METRES.
WORK ON THE PROJECT IS EXPECTED TO START NEXT MONTH AND TAKE TWO YEARS TO COMPLETE.
TENDERS FOR THE PROJECT MUST BE SUBMITTED BEFORE NOON ON MARCH 18.
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ILLEGAL STRUCTURES IN NORTH POINT TO BE DEMOLISHED
* * » t »
THE BUILDING AUTHORITY IS SEEKING THE CLOSURE OF ILLEGAL STRUCTURES ON THE MAIN ROOF OF A BUILDING IN NORTH POINT SO THAT THEY CAN BE DEMOLISHED.
THIS FOLLOWS THE OWNERS’ FAILURE TO COMPLY WITH ORDERS ISSUED UNDER THE BUILDINGS ORDINANCE IN AUGUST LAST YEAR REQUIRING THE DEMOLITION OF THE ILLEGAL BUILDING WORKS.
THE STRUCTURES ARE ON THE MAIN ROOF OF A BUILDING AT 10-14 NORTH POINT ROAD, HONG KONG.
NOTICE OF INTENTION TO APPLY FOR CLOSURE ORDERS FROM THE HONG KONG DISTRICT COURT ON MAY 3 WAS POSTED ON THE STRUCTURES TODAY (THURSDAY).
IT IS EXPECTED THAT DEMOLITION WILL START ONCE THE CLOSURE ORDERS ARE MADE.
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/16........
THURSDAY, MARCH 3, 1988
- 16 -
URBAN CLEARWAY RESTRICTION AND BRIDGE CLOSURE
*****
FROM 10 AM ON SATURDAY (MARCH 5), THE EXISTING 7 AM TO MIDNIGHT DAILY PUBLIC LIGHT BUS URBAN CLEARWAY RESTRICTION ON THE SECTION OF CHUNG HAU STREET IN HO MAN TIN FROM ITS NORTHERN JUNCTION WITH HAU MAN STREET TO A POINT ABOUT 70 METRES NORTH OF ITS JUNCTION WITH CHUNG MAN STREET WILL BE CUT SHORT TO OPERATE BETWEEN 7 AM AND 7 PM ONLY.
WITHIN THE URBAN CLEARWAY, NO PUBLIC LIGHT BUSES WILL BE ALLOWED TO PICK UP OR SET DOWN PASSENGERS.
MEANWHILE, ON SUNDAY (MARCH 6), TSING YI BRIDGE WILL BE CLOSED FOR SEVERAL HOURS IN ORDER TO MONITOR ITS STRUCTURE.
THE CLOSING TIME WILL BE FROM 12.30 AM TO 2.30 AM, 6.30 AM TO 7.30 AM AND 3 PM TO 4 PM.
DURING THE CLOSURE, THE BRIDGE WILL BE RE-OPENED TO GENERAL TRAFFIC AT A FIVE-MINUTE INTERVAL AND IMMEDIATELY FOR EMERGENCY SERVICES.
--------o ---------
TEMPORARY RESTRICTED ZONES IN NORTH POINT
*****
TO FACILITATE ROAD WORKS, THE FOLLOWING ROAD SECTIONS IN NORTH POINT WILL BE DESIGNATED AS 7 AM TO 7 PM DAILY RESTRICTED ZONES FROM 10 AM ON SATURDAY (MARCH 5) DURING THE PERIODS SPECIFIED BELOW:
* FORT STREET FROM ITS JUNCTION WITH NORTH VIEW STREET TO A POINT ABOUT 57 METRES WEST OF THAT JUNCTION FOR ABOUT 10 WEEKS; AND
* THE WESTERN KERBSIDE LANE OF NORTH VIEW STREET FROM ITS JUNCTION WITH FORT STREET TO A POINT ABOUT SIX METRES SOUTH OF THAT JUNCTION FOR ABOUT FIVE WEEKS.
NO VEHICLES EXCEPT FRANCHISED BUSES WILL BE ALLOWED TO STOP FOR PASSENGERS OR GOODS WITHIN THE RESTRICTED AREAS.
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DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE. HONG KONG. TEL: 5-8428777
FRIDAY, MARCH 4, 1?88
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
FIGHT CRIME COMMITTEE REPORT RELEASED ....................... 1
SASI REPLACES STI IN LEGCO .................................. 3
BARNES APPOINTED TO LEGCO ................................... 3
CHINESE JLG TEAM DUE SUNDAY.................................. 4
GOVERNOR HOSTS DINNER FOR JLG TEAMS ......................... 4
DETAILS OF UK/HK SCHOLARSHIPS 1988-89 ANNOUNCED ............. 5
MOTION BY MR MARTIN .uEE RULED OUT OF ORDER.................. 6
LOCALISATION OF LEGISLATION ESSENTIAL ....................... 6
MAXIMUM FINES UNDER EMPLOYMENT ORDINANCE TO INCREASE ........ 7
NEW LICENCE, REGISTRATION FEES FOR EMPLOYMENT AGENCIES....... 8
PRIVATE STREETS IN HUNG HOM TO BE RESUMED AND RECONSTRUCTED . 9
NSW PARKING CHARGES AT HK INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT ............. 9
FIVE LOTS TO BE RESUMED FOR IMPROVEMENT PROJECT ............. 10
FOUR LOTS OFFERED FOR PUBLIC AUCTION ......................,. 11
SYMPOSIUM ON INDUSTRIAL PROPERTY USEFUL.............. 12
CARNIVAL AND EXHIBITION TO PUBLICISE DB ELECTIONS ....,...... 13
VARIETY SHOW TO PUBLICISE DB ELECTIONS ...................... 14
TUEN MUN CANDIDATES' FORUM ON SUNDAY......................... 14
DB COMMITTEE TO EXAMINE VIEWS ON TRAFFIC STUDY............... 15
PAINTING, CALLIGRAPHY, PHOTOGRAPH EXHIBITION IN NORTH DISTRICT...................................................... 16
NEW YEAR CARNIVAL FOR YAU MA TEI RESIDENTS .................. 16
NEW ELECTRONIC POSTAGE LABEL FOR YEAR OF DRAGON ............. 17
CONCERT BY MUSIC OFFICE INSTRUCTORS ......................... 18
SILVER JURTLEE REVIEW OF ROAD SAFETY PATROLS ON SUNDAY....... 19
GOVERNMENT SUPPLIES DEPARTMENT FAMILY DAY ................... 1^
WATER CUT IN TAI PO ......................................... 20
CLOSURE OF ACCESS ROAD TO WUN YIU ............................ 20
FRIDAY, MARCH 4, 1988
FIGHT CRIME COMMITTEE REPORT RELEASED *****
THE OVERALL CRIME SITUATION IN HONG KONG IS SATISFACTORY ALTHOUGH THERE WAS A SLIGHT INCREASE IN 1987, ACCORDING TO THE FIGHT CRIME COMMITTEE REPORT NO. 7 PUBLISHED TODAY (FRIDAY).
THE REPORT GIVES A DETAILED ACCOUNT OF THE WORK UNDERTAKEN BY
THE FIGHT CRIME COMMITTEE NOVEMBER 1986 TO DECEMBER 1987, AND THE ACTION IT IS PLANNING FOR THE FUTURE.
INTRODUCING THE REPORT TO THE PRESS, THE CHIEF CHAIRMAN OF THE FIGHT CRIME COMMITTEE, SIR DAVID FORD, TO REFLECT THE LAW AND ORDER STATE OF THE TERRITORY.
SECRETARY AND QUOTED FIGURES
"THE YEAR 1987 SAW A VERY SLIGHT INCREASE OF 1.8 PER CENT IN OVERALL CRIME AFTER THE WELCOME DROP OF THE YEAR BEFORE, AND THERE WAS ALSO A SLIGHT RISE IN THE NUMBER OF ROBBERIES REPORTED, AN INCREASE OF 1.7 PER CENT," SAID SIR DAVID.
HOWEVER, SIR DAVID SAID IT SHOULD BE NOTED THAT THE ROBBERY FIGURE FOR 1987 WAS STILL 3.5 PER CENT LOWER THAN THE CORRESPONDING FIGURE FOR 1978, AND WAS 40 PER CENT LOWER THAN THE HIGH POINT REACHED IN 1980.
"SIMILARLY THE FIGURE FOR VIOLENT CRIME IN 1987 SHOWS AN INCREASE OF 8.2 PER CENT FROM THE PREVIOUS YEAR, BUT IT IS STILL SUBSTANTIALLY LOWER THAN THE FIGURES FOR THE EARLY 1980S, AND IS 12.6 PER CENT LOWER IN COMPARISON WITH THE RECORD HIGH IN 1980."
FOR BURGLARIES, SIR DAVID SAID THE DOWNWARD TREND RECORDED SINCE 1986 HAD CONTINUED AND A DROP OF THREE PER CENT WAS CHALKED UP IN 1987.
"THIS IS PARTICULARLY TRUE IN THE CASE OF BURGLARIES IN DOMESTIC PREMISES WHERE THERE HAS BEEN A 25 PER CENT DECREASE SINCE 1985, AND AN 11 PER CENT DECREASE OVER 1986."
POINTING OUT THAT OVER 25 PER CENT OF ALL BURGLARY CASES IN 1987 DID NOT INVOLVE BREAKING-IN, SIR DAVID APPEALED TO MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC TO TAKE BASIC MEASURES TO PROTECT THEIR PROPERTY.
HE EXPRESSED PARTICULAR CONCERN OVER THE UPWARD TREND OF JUVENILE CRIME, SAYING THAT THE PROBLEM MUST BE TACKLED BEFORE IT GOT OUT OF CONTROL.
JUVENILE CRIME HAS SHOWN A SHARP INCREASE AFTER LAST YEAR'S DROP, AND CLOSELY ALLIED TO IT WAS A LARGE INCREASE IN THE NUMBER OF SHOP THEFT CASES.
/ON FUTURE .......
FRIDAY, MARCH 4, 1988
2 -
ON FUTURE PLANS, SIR DAVID SAID THIS YEAR’S FIGHT CRIME CAMPAIGN WOULD FOLLOW UP THE EFFORTS MADE IN 1987, TARGETTING THE SAME AREAS OF THE MENACE OF TRIADS, HOME SECURITY, AND SHOP THEFT.
"THE EMPHASIS WILL BE ON BRINGING THE MESSAGE TO OUR YOUNG PEOPLE TO URGE THEM TO AVOID INVOLVEMENT WITH TRIADS AND TO REPORT ANY APPROACHES THAT MAY BE MADE TO THEM.
"THE SHOP THEFT CAMPAIGN WILL BE STEPPED UP, AGAIN WITH THE EMPHASIS ON YOUNG PEOPLE, TO TRY AND HALT THE UPSURGE IN THIS OFFENCE.
"HOME WILL ALSO BE A PRIORITY TARGET , AND THERE WILL BE A FURTHER PHASED EXPANSION OF THE NEIGHBOURHOOD WATCH SCHEME,” SIR DAVID SAID.
SIR DAVID SAID THE FIGHT CRIME COMMITTEE, THROUGH ITS SUB-COMMITTEES AND WORKING GROUPS, HAD DONE A LOT IN TACKLING MANY OF THE SERIOUS LAW AND ORDER QUESTIONS FACING HONG KONG, AND IN TRYING TO FIND LASTING AND EFFECTIVE ANSWERS TO THEM.
HE ALSO PAID TRIBUTE TO THE GOOD WORK CARRIED OUT BY THE DISTIRCT FIGHT CRIME COMMITTEES, SAYING THAT THEIR SPECIALISED LOCAL KNOWLEDGE WAS OF GREAT VALUE AND THEIR OPINIONS CARRIED GREAT WEIGHT WITH THE CENTRAL COMMITTEE.
THE FCC REPORT NO. 7 CONTAINS 12 CHAPTERS ON THE CRIME SITUATION; PUBLICITY; WORKING GROUP ON GANGS; FOLLOW-UP WORK ON THE DISCUSSION DOCUMENT ON OPTIONS FOR CHANGES IN THE LAW AND IN THE ADMINISTRATION OF THE LAW TO COUNTER THE TRIAD PROBLEM; SECURITY PERSONNEL AND EQUIPMENT; CONTROL OF OBSCENE AND INDECENT ARTICLES, BILLIARD ESTABLISHMENTS, AND NUISANCES ASSOCIATED WITH PROSTITUTION; STANDING COMMITTEE ON UNRULY AND DELINQUENT BEHAVIOUR IN SCHOOLS; STANDING COMMITTEE ON YOUNG OFFENDERS; RESEARCH; SECURITY OF GOLDSMITH AND JEWELLERY SHOPS AND BANKS AND USE OF FIREARMS IN CRIME; COMMERCIAL CRIME AND DISTRICT FIGHT CRIME COMMITTEES.
THERE ARE ALSO APPENDICES ON CRIME STATISTICS.
COPIES OF THE REPORT, IN CHINESE AND ENGLISH, ARE NOW AVAILABLE FREE OF CHARGE FOR MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC AT ALL DISTRICT OFFICES.
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FRIDAY, MARCH 4, 1988
- J -
SASI REPLACES STI IN LEGCO * * *
THE GOVERNOR HAS APPOINTED THE SECRETARY FOR ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES AND INFORMATION, MR PETER TSAO, TO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL WITH EFFECT FROM TODAY (MARCH 4) IN PLACE OF THE SECRETARY FOR TRADE AND INDUSTRY, MR HAMISH MACLEOD.
A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN SAID THIS WAS THE FIRST CHANGE TO THE OFFICIAL MEMBERSHIP OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL MADE IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE POLICY ANNOUNCED IN THE WHITE PAPER "THE DEVELOPMENT OF REPRESENTATIVE GOVERNMENT: THE WAY FORWARD".
PARAGRAPH 42(A) OF THE WHITE PAPER SAYS THAT THE GOVERNOR MAY APPOINT DIFFERENT OFFICIALS TO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL FROM TIME TO TIME ACCORDING TO THE BUSINESS TO BE CONDUCTED DURING THE SESSION AND THE POLICY EXPERTISE REQUIRED.
"IN THE NEXT FEW MONTHS, THE GOVERNMENT WILL PRESENT TO THE Legislative council a heavy programme of measures, including the film CENSORSHIP BILL, THE BROADCASTING BILL AND THE RADIO TELEVISION HONG KONG BILL WHICH ARE THE RESPONSIBILITY OF THE SECRETARY FOR ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES AND INFORMATION, WHO IS NOT CURRENTLY A MEMBER OF LEGCO.
"HIS APPOINTMENT TO THE COUNCIL WILL FACILITATE THE EFFICIENT DESPATCH OF COUNCIL BUSINESS," THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
HE POINTED OUT THAT ON THE OTHER HAND, THE DUTIES IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL OF THE SECRETARY FOR TRADE AND INDUSTRY WERE EXPECTED TO BE LESS ONEROUS FOR THE REMAINDER OF THE SESSION.
"THIS ARRANGEMENT WILL MAINTAIN THE NUMBER OF OFFICIAL MEMBERS IN THE COUNCIL AT 10," HE SAID.
THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY WILL SPEAK IN THE COUNCIL ON BEHALF OF THE SECRETARY FOR TRADE AND INDUSTRY DURING THE LATTER'S ABSENCE.
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BARNES APPOINTED TO LEGCO *****
THE GOVERNOR HAS APPOINTED MR GEOFFREY BARNES AS AN OFFICIAL MEMBER OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL FROM FEBRUARY 29 IN HIS CAPACITY AS SECRETARY FOR SECURITY.
MR BARNES SUCCEEDED MR DAVID JEAFFRESON AS SECRETARY FOR SECURITY AND MR JEAFFRESON REPLACED MR BARNES AS COMMISSIONER, INDEPENDENT COMMISSION AGAINST CORRUPTION, ON FEBRUARY 29.
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A....
FRIDAY, MARCH 4, 1988
- 5 -
DETAILS OF UK/HK SCHOLARSHIPS 1988-89 ANNOUNCED
*****
DETAILS OF THE NEW UK/HK SCHOLARSHIPS FOR UNDERGRADUATE OR POST-GRADUATE STUDIES IN THE UNITED KINGDOM IN THE 1988-89 ACADEMIC YEAR WERE ANNOUNCED TODAY (FRIDAY) BY THE UK/HK SCHOLARSHIPS COMMITTEE.
THE SCHOLARSHIPS PROVIDE OPPORTUNITIES FOR FURTHER EDUCATION IN THE UNITED KINGDOM FOR OUTSTANDING LOCAL RESIDENTS WITH HIGH ACADEMIC PROWESS, STRONG LEADERSHIP QUALITIES AND FULL COMMITMENT TO HONG KONG AND TO ITS FUTURE WELL-BEING.
"WE EXPECT THOSE SELECTED TO HAVE A STRONG SENSE OF COMMITMENT TO CONTRIBUTE SIGNIFICANTLY TO MUTUAL UNDERSTANDING BETWEEN THE UNITED KINGDOM AND HONG KONG," A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN SAID.
"WE ALSO EXPECT THEM, ON RETURN FROM STUDIES IN THE UNITED KINGDOM, TO NUMBER AMONG THE FUTURE LEADERS, DECISION MAKERS, AND FORMERS OF OPINION IN HONG KONG," HE EXPLAINED.
THE SCHOLARSHIPS WILL BE ADMINISTERED BY THE UK/HK SCHOLARSHIPS COMMITTEE ON BEHALF OF THE UNITED KINGDOM AND HONG KONG GOVERNMENTS. THE COMMITTEE IS CHAIRED BY MR HENRY LITTON.
THE SCHOLARSHIPS WILL BE FOR UNDERGRADUATE STUDIES LEADING TO A FIRST DEGREE OR FOR POSTGRADUATE STUDIES LEADING TO A HIGHER DEGREE WHETHER BY RESEARCH AND/OR COURSEWORK.
SELECTION WILL BE BY MERIT. SELECTED SCHOLARS MAY PURSUE ANY COURSE OF STUDY AT ANY ACADEMIC INSTITUTIONS AT THE TERTIARY LEVEL IN THE PUBLIC SECTOR IN THE UNITED KINGDOM.
THE SCHOLARSHIP MONEY WILL COVER TUITION FEES, PERSONAL LIVING EXPENSES FOR THE ENTIRE DURATION OF AN APPROVED COURSE OF STUDY AND A RETURN PASSAGE.
APPLICATION FORMS AND DETAILED INFORMATION ARE NOW AVAILABLE FROM THE SECRETARY, UK/HK SCHOLARSHIPS COMMITTEE, C/O QUEENSWAY GOVERNMENT OFFICES, M/F, LOW BLOCK, 66 QUEENSWAY, HONG KONG (TEL. NO. : 5-8650438).
THE DEADLINE FOR APPLICATION IS APRIL 6, 1988.
FRIDAY, MARCH 4, 1988
- 6 -
MOTION BY MR MARTIN LEE RULED OUT OF ORDER * » * * »
THE PRESIDENT OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL HAS RULED OUT OF ORDER A MOTION PUT DOWN BY MR MARTIN LEE FOR DEBATE IN THE COUNCIL ON MARCH 9, 1988.
THE MOTION WAS IN THE FOLLOWING TERMS : "THIS COUNCIL REGRETS THE GOVERNMENT’S FAILURE TO ANSWER THE DETAILED AND COGENT CRITICISMS MADE IN PUBLIC WHICH DEMONSTRATED THE INVALIDITY OF THE FINDINGS OF THE TWO SURVEYS OF PUBLIC OPINION CONDUCTED BY AGB MCNAIR HK LTD ON BEHALF OF THE SURVEY OFFICE ON THE QUESTION OF WHETHER OR NOT DIRECT ELECTIONS SHOULD BE INTRODUCED TO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL IN 1988 (PUBLISHED IN THE SURVEY OFFICE REPORT ON OCTOBER 29, 1987), AND ACCORDINGLY URGES THE GOVERNMENT TO ANSWER THESE CRITICISMS IN DETAIL BEFORE THIS COUNCIL DEBATES THE GOVERNMENT’S DECISION OF NOT INTRODUCING DIRECT ELECTIONS IN 1988, AS ANNOUNCED IN PARAGRAPH 28 OF THE WHITE PAPER PUBLISHED ON 10 FEBRUARY 1988."
THE CLERK OF COUNCILS, MR ALISTAIR LANG, EXPLAINED THAT THIS DECISION HAD BEEN TAKEN BY THE PRESIDENT UNDER AUTHORITY CONFERRED BY LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL STANDING ORDER 22(2)(C). IN TAKING THE DECISION, THE PRESIDENT TOOK INTO ACCOUNT THE FACT THAT MR LEE’S MOTION ANTICIPATES A DEBATE BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL ON MARCH 16 AND 17, WHEN THERE WOULD BE FULL OPPORTUNITY TO AIR ALL THE POINTS IN THE MOTION PUT DOWN BY MR LEE.
"ANTICIPATING THAT DEBATE WOULD BE A MISUSE OF THE COUNCIL’S TIME," SAID MR LANG.
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LOCALISATION OF LEGISLATION ESSENTIAL » » » »
THE LOCALISATION OF LEGISLATION PRESENTLY DERIVED FROM THE UNITED KINGDOM IS ESSENTIAL TO GIVE EFFECT TO THE CONSTITUTIONAL CHANGES MENTIONED IN THE SINO-BRITISH JOINT DECLARATION.
THIS WAS SAID BY THE ATTORNEY GENERAL, MR MICHAEL THOMAS, IN CHICAGO TODAY (FRIDAY, CHICAGO TIME) AFTER ATTENDING THE WHITE HOUSE CONFERENCE FOR A DRUG FREE AMERICA IN WASHINGTON.
ADDRESSING A LUNCH MEETING JOINTLY HOSTED BY THE HONG KONG BUSINESS ASSOCIATION OF THE MIDWEST AND THE CHICAGO BAR ASSOCIATION, MR THOMAS EXPLAINED TO HIS AUDIENCE THE LEGAL CHANGES THAT WERE REQUIRED FOR A SMOOTH TRANSITION.
/"BY 1997 .......
FRIDAY, MARCH 1988
"BY 1997 HONG KONG’S LAWS MUST BE SELF-STANDING AND NOT DEPENDENT UPON UNITED KINGDOM LEGISLATION," HE SAID.
"EXAMPLES OF AREAS IN WHICH HONG KONG MUST LOCALISE ITS OWN LAWS AND CEASE TO RELY UPON UNITED KINGDOM LEGISLATION ARE TO BE FOUND IN THE FIELDS OF MERCHANT SHIPPING, CIVIL AVIATION, PATENTS AND COPYRIGHT.
"THESE SUBJECTS HAVE ALL BEEN MARKED DOWN BY THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT AS MATTERS FOR EARLY CONSIDERATION AND DRAFTING WORK HAS ALREADY BEGUN," THE ATTORNEY GENERAL SAID.
MR THOMAS ALSO SAID IT WAS DESIRABLE TO ESTABLISH A COURT OF FINAL APPEAL WELL BEFORE 1997 IN ORDER TO ENSURE A SMOOTH TRANSITION.
THE BILINGUAL LEGISLATION PROJECT, THE CODIFICATION OF CERTAIN AREAS OF THE LAW AND THE WORK RELATING TO THE JOINT LIAISON GROUP WERE AMONG THOSE TASKS WHICH THE ATTORNEY GENERAL REGARDED AS NECESSARY FOR THE TRANSITION.
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MAXIMUM Fl UES UNDER EMPLOYMENT ORDINANCE TO INCREASE
*****
A BILL WHICH SEEKS TO INCREASE THE MAXIMUM FINES THAT MAY BE IMPOSED IV A COURT FOR OFFENCES UNDER THE EMPLOYMENT ORDINANCE AND ITS SUBSIDIARY LEGISLATION WAS PUBLISHED IN THE GAZETTE TODAY (FRIDAY).
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT SAID THE PRESENT MAXIMUM FINES UNDER THE PRINCIPAL ORDINANCE AND THE EMPLOYMENT AGENCY REGULATIONS, THE WOMEN AND YOUNG PERSONS (INDUSTRY) REGULATIONS, AND THE EMPLOYMENT OF CHILDREN REGULATIONS WERE BASED ON THE LEVELS SET IN 1968 WHEN THE EMPLOYMENT ORDINANCE WAS ENACTED.
"IT IS THEREFORE CONSIDERED APPROPRIATE TO INCREASE THE MAXIMUM FINES SO AS TO MAINTAIN THE DETERRENT EFFECT OF THE VARIOUS PENALTY PROVISIONS," HE SAID.
THE SPOKESMAN EXPLAINED THAT UNDER THE EMPLOYMENT (AMENDMENT) BILL 1988, THE PROPOSED NEW MAXIMUM FINES WILL RANGE FROM $5,000 TO $20,000, DEPENDING ON THE NATURE OF THE OFFENCE.
FOR EXAMPLE, IN THE CASE OF LESS SERIOUS OFFENCES, SUCH AS FAILURE TO PROVIDE A WRITTEN STATEMENT OF SEVERANCE PAY OR LONG SERVICE PAYMENT TO EMPLOYEES, IT IS PROPOSED THAT THE MAXIMUM FINE SHOULD BE $5,000.
/BUT FOR .......
FRIDAY, MARCH 4, 1988
- 8
BUT FOR MORE SERIOUS OFFENCES, SUCH AS FAILURE TO GRANT REST DAYS, STATUTORY HOLIDAYS, ANNUAL LEAVE, MATERNITY LEAVE AND SICKNESS ALLOWANCE, OR TERMINATION OF THE EMPLOYMENT OF A FEMALE EMPLOYEE AFTER SHE HAS GIVEN NOTICE TO TAKE MATERNITY LEAVE, THE MAXIMUM FINE WILL BE $10,000.
FOR VERY SERIOUS OFFENCES THE MAXIMUM FINE WILL BE RAISED TO $20,000. THESE OFFENCES INCLUDE ANTI-UNION DISCRIMINATION, EMPLOYMENT OF CHILDREN UNDER 13 YEARS OF AGE, EMPLOYMENT OF WOMEN AND YOUNG PERSONS IN UNDERGROUND WORK OR IN DANGEROUS TRADES, AND OPERATING AN EMPLOYMENT AGENCY WITHOUT A LICENCE.
THE BILL IS EXPECTED TO BE INTRODUCED INTO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL FOR FIRST AND SECOND READING ON APRIL 27 THIS YEAR.
\
- - - - 0 -----
NEW LICENCE, REGISTRATION FEES FOR EMPLOYMENT AGENCIES
*****
THE LICENCE FEES FOR EMPLOYMENT AGENCIES AND THE REGISTRATION FEES CHARGEABLE TO JOB SEEKERS AND TO PROSPECTIVE EMPLOYERS WILL BE REVISED FROM TODAY (FRIDAY).
THE NEW FEES, WHICH HAVE BEEN APPROVED BY THE GOVERNOR IN COUNCIL, ARE CONTAINED IN THE EMPLOYMENT AGENCY (AMENDMENT) REGULATIONS 1988 PUBLISHED IN THE GAZETTE TODAY.
UNDER THE NEW REGULATIONS, THE FEE FOR THE ISSUE OR RENEWAL OF AN EMPLOYMENT AGENCY LICENCE HAS BEEN INCREASED FROM $400 TO $500.
THE MAXIMUM FEE WHICH MAY BE CHARGED BY AN EMPLOYMENT AGENCY FROM A JOB SEEKER ON FIRST REGISTRATION AND SUBSEQUENT RENEWALS OF REGISTRATION AFTER THREE MONTHS IS $5; AND THOSE FROM AN EMPLOYER ARE $35 AND $20 RESPECTIVELY.
A LABOUR DEPARTMENT SPOKESMAN SAID THE MAXIMUM COMMISSION CHARGEABLE TO A JOB SEEKER BY AN EMPLOYMENT AGENCY AFTER SUCCESSFUL PLACEMENT REMAINED AT 10 PER CENT OF HIS FIRST MONTH'S SALARY.
THE LABOUR ADVISORY BOARD HAD BEEN CONSULTED AND HAD AGREED TO THE INCREASES.
THE SPOKESMAN SAID ALL LICENSED EMPLOYMENT AGENCIES WOULD BE ADVISED OF THE NEW REGULATIONS BY LETTER SHORTLY.
FRIDAY, MARCH 4, 1988
- 9 -
PRIVATE STREETS IN HUNG HOM TO BE RESUMED AND RECONSTRUCTED
*****
THE GOVERNMENT PROPOSES TO RESUME AND RECONSTRUCT THE PRIVATE SECTIONS OF PO LOI STREET AND BAKER STREET IN HUNG HOM.
THE PROJECT COMPRISES THE RECONSTRUCTION OF THE CARRIAGEWAYS, FOOTWAYS AND THE IMPROVEMENT OF THE DRAINAGE.
THESE PRIVATE STREETS ARE AT PRESENT NOT PROPERLY MAINTAINED AND MANAGED BECAUSE THEY ARE UNDER MULTIPLE SUBDIVIDED OWNERSHIP. AS A RESULT, THEY ARE GENERALLY IN POOR CONDITION GIVING RISE TO SERIOUS ENVIRONMENTAL AND ACCESS PROBLEMS.
IT IS THEREFORE NECESSARY IN THE PUBLIC INTEREST TO RESUME THESE PRIVATE STREETS TO ENABLE PROPER MAINTENANCE AND USE.
RECONSTRUCTION WORK IS PROGRAMMED TO COMMENCE IN MID-1988 AND WILL TAKE ABOUT 12 MONTHS TO COMPLETE.
NOTICE OF THE PROPOSED WORKS IS GAZETTED TODAY (FRIDAY).
THE PLAN AND SCHEME MAY BE INSPECTED AT THE CENTRAL AND WESTERN DISTRICT OFFICE, CENTRAL ENQUIRY SUB-OFFICE, CENTRAL GOVERNMENT OFFICES, WEST WING, MAIN ENTRANCE LOBBY, HONG KONG; THE DISTRICT LANDS OFFICE, KOWLOON WEST, YAU MA TEI CAR PARK BUILDING, 10TH FLOOR, 250 SHANGHAI STREET, KOWLOON; AND THE KOWLOON CITY DISTRICT OFFICE, 141 KAU PUI LUNG ROAD, GROUND FLOOR, KOWLOON.
ANY PERSON OBJECTING TO THE PROPOSAL MUST SEND HIS OBJECTION IN WRITING TO THE SECRETARY FOR TRANSPORT, CENTRAL GOVERNMENT OFFICES, EAST WING, SECOND FLOOR, HONG KONG, BEFORE MAY 3 THIS YEAR.
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NEW PARKING CHARGES AT HK INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT *****
A NEW SCALE OF FEES WILL BE INTRODUCED FOR THE USE OF THE PUBLIC CAR PARK AND SPECIAL CAR PARK FACILITIES AT THE HONG KONG INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT FROM APRIL 1.
THE REVISED PARKING FEES FOR THE PUBLIC CAR PARK WILL BE $6 PER HOUR FOR THE FIRST TWO HOURS AND $12 PER HOUR THEREAFTER AS AGAINST THE PRESENT RATE OF $5 PER HOUR FOR THE FIRST TWO HOURS AND $10 PER HOUR FOR SUBSEQUENT HOURS.
/THE MONTHLY .......
FRIDAY, MARCH 4, 1988
10 -
THE MONTHLY FEE FOR THE USE OF SPECIAL PARKS WILL BE INCREASED FROM $450 TO $550 FOR A PRIVATE CAR AND FROM $650 TO $700 FOR A COMMERCIAL VEHICLE.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE AIRPORT MANAGEMENT DIVISION TODAY (FRIDAY) SAID THAT THE REVISED PARKING FEES FOR THE PUBLIC CAR PARK WOULD STILL BE LESS THAN THE RATES CHARGED IN MANY PUBLIC CAR PARKS.
HE ADDED THAT THE CURRENT RATE STRUCTURE PROVIDING FOR A DOUBLING OF THE HOURLY FEE AFTER THE FIRST TWO HOURS WAS INTENDED TO DISCOURAGE LONG-STAY PARKING AND TO MAKE AVAILABLE MORE PARKING SPACES FOR SHORT-TERM USERS.
THE CURRENT FEES HAVE BEEN IN FORCE SINCE MAY 1986, AND THE INCREASES ARE BEING MADE TO REFLECT THE CURRENT MARKET RATE AND TO COVER HIGHER OPERATING COSTS.
-------0 ---------
FIVE LOTS TO BE RESUMED FOR IMPROVEMENT PROJECT ♦ » * » *
FIVE PRIVATE LOTS IN SHEUNG WAN ARE TO BE RESUMED FOR THE IMPLEMENTATION OF AN URBAN IMPROVEMENT SCHEME.
A RESUMPTION NOTICE FOR THE PRIVATE PROPERTIES AT 127-133 HOLLYWOOD ROAD (ODD NUMBERS), 1 AND 2 TSUI ON LANE, AND 10 AND 11 CIRCULAR PATHWAY, WAS PUBLISHED IN THE GAZETTE TODAY (FRIDAY).
NOTICES HAVE BEEN SERVED ON THE AFFECTED PROPERTIES TO NOTIFY OWNERS AND OCCUPIERS THAT THEIR PROPERTIES WILL REVERT TO THE GOVERNMENT ON JUNE 4.
THE AFFECTED PROPERTIES ARE LOCATED IN THE PERIPHERY OF A LARGE STEEPLY SLOPING SITE OF ABOUT 4,050 SQUARE METRES BETWEEN QUEEN’S ROAD CENTRAL AND HOLLYWOOD ROAD.
THE RESUMED SITE WILL BE GRANTED TO THE HONG KONG HOUSING SOCIETY FOR THE IMPLEMENTATION OF AN URBAN IMPROVEMENT SCHEME.
CONSTRUCTION WORK IS EXPECTED TO COMMENCE IN OCTOBER.
THE HOUSING SOCIETY HAS STARTED INTERVIEWING RESIDENTS TO DETERMINE THEIR ELIGIBILITY FOR REHOUSING.
/WITH THE .......
FRIDAY, MARCH <♦, 1988
11
WITH THE EXCEPTION OF COMMERCIAL TENANTS, GENUINE OCCUPIERS AFFECTED BY THE SCHEME WILL BE OFFERED REHOUSING BY THE HOUSING SOCIETY IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CURRENT REHOUSING POLICY.
THE OWNERS OF THE AFFECTED PROPERTIES WILL BE ENTITLED TO CLAIM COMPENSATION FOR THE LOSS OF THEIR INTERESTS AND BONA FIDE OCCUPANTS MAY CLAIM EX-GRATIA CASH ALLOWANCES TO ASSIST THEIR REMOVAL.
--------0----------
FOUR LOTS OFFERED FOR PUBLIC AUCTION » » » »
THE LAST LAND AUCTION FOR THIS FINANCIAL YEAR WILL BE HELD ON MARCH 24 WITH FOUR LOTS BEING OFFERED BY THE BUILDINGS AND LANDS DEPARTMENT.
THE AUCTION WILL BE HELD IN THE THEATRE OF THE CITY HALL STARTING AT 2.30 PM.
THREE OF THE LOTS ARE FOR PRIVATE RESIDENTIAL AND ONE IS FOR INDUSTRIAL AND/OR GODOWN PURPOSES.
THE FIRST PRIVATE RESIDENTIAL SITE IS LOCATED IN AREA 44, TUEN MUN.
MEASURING ABOUT 13,200 SQUARE METRES, A GROSS FLOOR AREA OF NOT LESS THAN 24,000 SQUARE METRES HAS TO BE DEVELOPED ON THE SITE BEFORE MARCH 31, 1992.
THE SECOND SITE IS IN SHA TIN AREA 41A.
THE BUILDING COVENANT STIPULATES THAT AT LEAST 1,524 SQUARE METRES OF GROSS FLOOR AREA MUST BE DEVELOPED ON THE 7,181-SQUARE-METRE SITE ALSO BEFORE MARCH 31, 1992.
THE THIRD SITE, IN SHA HA, SAI KUNG, COVERS AN AREA OF ABOUT 2,601 SQUARE METRES.
ACCORDING TO THE BUILDING COVENANT, THE DEVELOPER HAS TO COMPLETE AT LEAST 937 SQUARE METRES OF GROSS FLOOR AREA BEFORE MARCH 31, 1991.
THE INDUSTRIAL SITE IS LOCATED IN AREA 25, ON LOK TSUEN, FANLING.
IT MEASURES ABOUT 3,372 SQUARE METRES AND IS FOR INDUSTRIAL AND/OR GODOWN PURPOSES, BUT EXCLUDING OFFENSIVE TRADE.
THE DEVELOPER HAS TO COMPLETE NOT LESS THAN 10,116 SQUARE METRES OF GROSS FLOOR AREA ON THE SITE BEFORE MARCH 31, 1992.
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FRIDAY, MARCH 4, 1988
12
SYMPOSIUM ON INDUSTRIAL PROPERTY USEFUL
*****
A THREE-DAY SYMPOSIUM THIS WEEK ON INDUSTRIAL PROPERTY AND ECONOMIC AND TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENT WAS MOST USEFUL IN HELPING GOVERNMENTS TO OVERCOME DIFFICULTIES IN THE AREA, THE ASSISTANT SECRETARY FOR TRADE AND INDUSTRY, MR STEVE BARCLAY, SAID TODAY (FRIDAY).
MORE THAN 150 REPRESENTATIVES FROM 14 ASIAN PACIFIC COUNTRIES AND 40 LO- i.ELGATES TOOK PART IN THE SYMPOSIUM WHICH WAS ORGANISED BY THE WORLD INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY ORGANISATION (WIPO) AND THE JAPANESE PATENT OFFICE, WITH THE ASSISTANCE OF THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT.
MR BARCLAY SAID THAT THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT HAD BEEN PLEASED TO FIND THAT ITS EXISTING LEGISLATION WAS HELD IN HIGH REGARD BY OTHER DELEGATES.
"EVEN MORE REASSURING WAS THE CONFIRMATION THAT OUR IDEAS FOR FUTURE DEVELOPMENTS OF OUR LEGISLATION APPEAR TO BE ON THE RIGHT TRACK," HE ADDED.
MR BARCLAY NOTED THAT THE TIMING OF THE WIPO SYMPOSIUM COULD NOT HAVE BEEN BETTER AS THE GOVERNMENT WAS PRESENTLY STUDYING MANY OF THE SUBJECTS DISCUSSED DURING THE SYMPOSIUM.
HF ALSO POINTED OUT THAT THE DIFFICULTIES THE GOVERNMENT HAD FACED HAD BEEN SHARED BY MANY COUNTRIES OVERSEAS.
"WE ARE SURE THAT THE SHARED EXPERIENCE WILL HELP US TO OVERCOME THESE DIFFICULTIES," HE SAID, ADDING THAT THE SPEAKERS AT THE SYMPOSIUM HAD CLEARLY BEEN EMINENT IN THEIR FIELD AND DEMONSTRATED A GREAT DEAL OF EXPERIENCE: AND PROFESSIONAL EXPERTISE.
THE WIPO SYMPOSIUM COVERED AREAS SUCH AS THE NATIONAL MANAGEMENT OF INDUSTRIAL PROPERTY SYSTEMS AND THEIR COUNTRIBUTION TO ECONOMIC AND TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENT; THE EFFECTIVE USE OF’ INDUSTRIAL PROPERTY BY THE ENTERPRISE SECTOR; AND THE GROWING IMPORTANCE OF CERTAIN AREAS IN THE FIELD OF INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY, INCLUDING THE PROTECTION AND LICENSING OF COMPUTER PROGRAMS AND INTEGRATED C1RCUITS AND OF BIOTECHNOLOGY.
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FRIDAY, MARCH 4, 1988
- 15 -CARNIVAL AND EXHIBITION TO PUBLICISE DB ELECTIONS * « * « »
A CARNIVAL AND AN EXHIBITION ON DISTRICT ADMINISTRATION WILL BE ORGANISED BY THE WAN CHAI DISTRICT OFFICE THIS WEEKEND TO PUBLICISE THE FORTHCOMING DISTRICT BOARD ELECTIONS AND TO REMIND RESIDENTS TO CAST THEIR VOTES ON MARCH 10.
A TWO-DAY EXHIBITION WILL BE HELD FROM TOMORROW (SATURDAY) AT THE ENTRANCE HALL OF HENNESSY CENTRE, CAUSEWAY BAY IN WHICH INFORMATION ON DISTRICT ADMINISTRATION, THE WORK OF THE WAN CHAI DISTRICT BOARD, AND THE FORTHCOMING DISTRICT BOARD ELECTIONS INCLUDING BACKGROUNDS AND PLATFORMS OF WAN CHAI CANDIDATES, LOCATIONS OF POLLING STATIONS IN THE DISTRICT AND PROCEDURES FOR VOTING WILL BE DISPLAYED.
A VIDEO WILL ALSO BE SHOWN TO EXPLAIN TO VIEWERS WHY THEY SHOULD VOTE AND HOW TO CAST A SENSIBLE VOTE.
ON SUNDAY AFTERNOON, A CARNIVAL WILL BE HELD AT THE SOUTHORN PLAYGROUND WHICH WILL FEATURE A NUMBER OF WELL-KNOWN POP SINGERS AND BANDS, AS WELL AS ARTISTES FROM RADIO AND TELEVISION HONG KONG. THERE WILL ALSO BE GAME STALLS OFFERING ATTRACTIVE PRIZES TO PARTICIPANTS.
THE CARNIVAL WILL BEGIN AT 2 PM AND WILL BE OPENED BY THE DISTRICT OFFICER, MR ALLAN CHOW.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE OPENING CEREMONY OF THE EXHIBITION ON DISTRICT ADMINISTRATION ORGANISED BY THE WAN CHAI DISTRICT OFFICE AT 2 PM TOMORROW (SATURDAY) AT THE ENTRANCE HALL OF HENNESSY CENTRE, CAUSEWAY BAY.
ASSISTANT DISTRICT OFFICER, MISS CARMAN CHIU, WILL OFFICIATE AT THE FUNCTION.
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/14 .......
FRIDAY, MARCH 4, 1988
14 -
VARIETY SHOW TO PUBLICISE DB ELECTIONS *****
A VARIETY SHOW ORGANISED BY THE ISLANDS DISTRICT OFFICE TO PROMOTE THE "VOTE ON MARCH 10" MESSAGE WILL BE HELD AT THE PAR TEI PLAYGROUND, CHEUNG CHAU, ON SUNDAY (MARCH 6).
THE SHOW, WITH PERFORMANCES BY A NUMBER OF POP SINGERS, WILL START AT 3 PM. ISLANDERS ARE WELCOME TO ATTEND. ADMISSION IS FREE.
DURING THE SHOW, THE ASSISTANT DISTRICT OFFICER, MR JOHN SHERWIN, WILL CALL ON ISLANDERS TO SUPPORT THE ELECTIONS.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE DB ELECTION VARIETY SHOW TO BE HELD AT THE PAK TEI PLAYGROUND, CHEUNG CHAU, ON SUNDAY (MARCH 6) AT 3 PM.
TRANSPORT WILL BE PROVIDED. THE LAUNCH "CLEMENTI" WILL LEAVE THE KOWLOON PUBLIC PIER, TSIM SHA TSUI, AT 10.30 AM FOR CHEUNG CHAU.
-------o --------
TUEN MUN CANDIDATES' FORUM ON SUNDAY * * * »
THE TUEN MUN DISTRICT OFFICE WILL ORGANISE A LARGE-SCALE ON SUNDAY (MARCH 6) FOR CANDIDATES RUNNING FOR THE DISTRICT ELECTIONS IN TUEN MUN TO ANSWER QUESTIONS FROM VOTERS.
FORUM
BOARD
THE FORUM WILL START AT 10.30 AM IN YAN 01 SQUARE, TUEN MUN TOWN CENTRE.
A DISTRICT OFFICE SPOKESMAN SAID A NUMBER OF FORUMS HELD IN THE DISTRICT’S NINE CONSTITUENCIES BETWEEN FEBRUARY 24 AND MARCH 5 HAD BEEN WELL-RECEIVED BY THE RESIDENTS.
THE CANDIDATES WERE MAINLY ASKED QUESTIONS ABOUT HOUSING, EDUCATION, TRANSPORT (ESPECIALLY THE LIGHT RAIL TRANSIT), MEDICAL AND SOCIAL SERVICES PROBLEMS.
/THE FORUM .......
FRIDAY, MARCH 4, 1988
THE FORUM ON SUNDAY WILL BE CHAIRED BY THE TUEN MUN DISTRICT OFFICER, MR STEPHEN SELBY, AND TWO MEMBERS OF THE MEDIA.
IN CASE OF INCLEMENT WEATHER, THE FORUM WILL BE HELD ON THE FIRST FLOOR OF TUEN MUN TOWN PLAZA.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE TUEN MUN CANDIDATES’ FORUM ON SUNDAY (MARCH 6) IN YAN 01 SQUARE OF TUEN MUN TOWN CENTRE. IT WILL START AT 10.30 AM.
- - 0 - -
DR COMMITTEE TO EXAMINE VIEWS ON TRAFFIC STUDY » » » »
THE TRAFFIC AND TRANSPORT COMMITTEE OF THE CENTRAL AND WESTERN DISTRICT BOARD WILL EXAMINE PUBLIC VIEWS EXPRESSED ON THE WESTERN DISTRICT TRAFFIC STUDY AT ITS LAST MEETING FOR THE CURRENT TERM ON MONDAY (MARCH 7).
THE COMMITTEE WILL ALSO DISCUSS MEASURES TO CLEAR OBSTRUCTIONS TO PAVEMENTS CAUSED BY ILLEGAL HAWKING ACTIVITIES AND DISPLAY OF GOODS.
THE CHAIRMAN OF THE COMMITTEE WILL REVIEW THE COMMITTEE’S WORK IN THE PAST THREE YEARS.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE MEETING OF THE CENTRAL AND WESTERN DISTRICT BOARD’S TRAFFIC AND TRANSPORT COMMITTEE ON MONDAY (MARCH 7) IN THE CONFERENCE ROOM, 14TH FLOOR, HARBOUR BUILDING, 38 PIER ROAD, CENTRAL. IT WILL START AT 2.30 PM.
- - 0 - -
/16
FRIDAY, MARCH 4, 1988
- 16 -
PAINTING, CALLIGRAPHY, PHOTOGRAPH EXHIBITION IN NORTH DISTRICT » » * * »
MORE THAN 300 PIECES OF CHINESE PAINTINGS, CALLIGRAPHY AND PHOTOGRAPHS WILL BE EXHIBITED AT THE NORTH DISTRICT TOWN HALL FROM TOMORROW (SATURDAY) UNTIL MARCH 7.
SPONSORED BY THE NORTH DISTRICT BOARD, THE THREE-DAY EXHIBITION IS JOINTLY ORGANISED BY THE NORTH DISTRICT ARTS ADVANCEMENT ASSOCIATION (NDAAA) AND THE REGIONAL COUNCIL TO PROMOTE THE APPRECIATION OF CHINESE ART AND PHOTOGRAPHY.
ON DISPLAY WILL BE WORKS BY LOCAL ARTISTS AND MEMBERS FROM THE NDAAA’S CHINESE PAINTING AND CALLIGRAPHY TRAINING CLASS. A DEMONSTRATION ON CHINESE PAINTING AND CALLIGRAPHY WILL ALSO BE HELD.
OFFICIATING AT THE OPENING CEREMONY WILL BE THE NORTH DISTRICT OFFICER, MR MATTHEW CHEUNG; DISTRICT BOARD CHAIRMAN, MR RAYMOND PANG; AND THE REGIONAL COUNCIL CHAIRMAN, MR CHEUNG YAN-LUNG.
THE EXHIBITION IS OPEN FROM 11 AM TO 5.30 PM TOMORROW, 9 AM TO 5.30 PM ON SUNDAY (MARCH 6), AND 9 AM TO 5 PM ON MONDAY (MARCH 7). ADMISSION IS FREE.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE OPENING CEREMONY OF THE CHINESE PAINTING, CALLIGRAPHY AND PHOTOGRAPH EXHIBITION TOMORROW (SATURDAY) AT 11 AM AT THE NORTH DISTRICT TOWN HALL, LUNG SUM AVENUE, SHEUNG SHU] .
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NEW YEAR CARNIVAL FOR YAU MA TEI RESIDENTS »***»»
YAU MA TEI RESIDENTS WILL BE TREATED TO A FUN-FILLED CARNIVAL ON MARCH 13 (SUNDAY) IN THE URBAN COUNCIL CENTENARY GARDEN, TSIM SHA TSUI EAST.
ORGANISED BY THE YAU MA TEI AND TSIM SHA TSUI CULTURE AND ARTS ASSOCIATION AND SPONSORED BY THE DISTRICT BOARD AND THE URBAN COUNCIL, THE EVENT IS TO PROVIDE FREE ENTERTAINMENT TO LOCAL RESIDENTS DURING THE LUNAR NEW YEAR.
/PROGRAMMES FOR .......
FRIDAY, MARCH A, 1988
PROGRAMMES FOR THE DAY INCLUDE SINGING, DANCING, ACROBATIC AND MAGIC PERFORMANCES
THERE WILL ALSO BE 10 GAMESTALLS SET UP BY AREA COMMITTEES AND LOCAL ORGANISATIONS. ANOTHER ATTRACTION IS FORTUNE TELLING.
FREE TICKETS FOR THE GAMESTALLS ARE AVAILABLE AT THE YAU MA TEI DISTRICT OFFICE AT 490 NATHAN ROAD AND ITS TSIM SHA TSUI SUB-OFFICE AT 40 CARNARVON ROAD; THE HENRY G. LEONG YAU MA TEI COMMUNITY CENTRE AT 60 PUBLIC SQUARE STREET; AND THE YAU MA TEI AND TSIM SHA TSUI CULTURE AND ARTS ASSOCIATION’S ACTIVITY CENTRE AT 33 SALISBURY ROAD.
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NEW ELECTRONIC POSTAGE LABEL FOR YEAR OF DRAGON *****
THE LABEL IMPRESSION OF THE ELECTRONIC POSTAGE LABEL ISSUING MACHINE WILL BE CHANGED FROM THE RABBIT DESIGN TO THE DRAGON DESIGN ON MARCH 23, THE POST OFFICE ANNOUNCED TODAY (FRIDAY).
A POST OFFICE SPOKESMAN SAID THAT NEW LABEL PAPER BEARING A DIFFERENT BACKGROUND PATTERN WILL ALSO BE INTRODUCED ON THE SAME DAY.
"BOTH THE LABEL IMPRESSION AND BACKGROUND PATTERN OF THE LABEL PAPER WERE DESIGNED BY MR LINUS NG CHING-MAN," THE SPOKESMAN ADDED.
FOR THE CONVENIENCE OF CUSTOMERS INTERESTED IN COLLECTING THE LABELS, PRE-PACKAGED SETS OF FOUR FIXED VALUES -- 10 CENTS, 50 CENTS, $1.30 AND $1.70 — WILL BE PUT ON SALE AT $3.60 PER SET AT THE FOLLOWING SIX PHILATELIC OFFICES:
HONG KONG ISLAND
GENERAL POST OFFICE BEACONSFIELD HOUSE POST OFFICE PEAK POST OFFICE
KOWLOON
TSIM SHA TSUI POST OFFICE
GRANVILLE ROAD POST OFFICE
AIRPORT POST OFFICE
"OFFICIAL FIRST DAY COVERS WILL NOT BE ISSUED ON MARCH 23," THE SPOKESMAN SAID, ADDING THAT ON THAT DAY, HOWEVER, A HAND-BACK SERVICE FOR PRIVATELY-MADE FIRST DAY COVERS WOULD BE AVAILABLE AT THE ABOVE SIX PHILATELIC OFFICES.
/IN ADDITION.........
FRIDAY, MARCH *♦, 1988
- 18 -
IN ADDITION, ADVANCE ORDERS FOR FIRST DAY TREATMENT OF PRIVATELY MADE FIRST DAY COVERS WILL BE ACCEPTED FROM MARCH 4 TO 18 AT ALL POST OFFICES.
’ "THE MINIMUM QUANTITY PER ORDER IS FIVE. CUSTOMERS WISHING TO AVOID CONGESTION ON THE FIRST DAY OF ISSUE ARE ADVISED TO MAKE USE OF THIS ORDER SERVICE," THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
THE POST OFFICE WILL CHANGE THE DESIGN OF THE LABELS AND LABEL IMPRESSION EVEY YEAR TO INCORPORATE THE LUNAR NEW YER ANIMAL. THE LAST ISSUE OF THIS ELECTRONIC POSTAGE LABEL SERIES WILL BE COMPLETED IN 1998.
------0--------
CONCERT BY MUSIC OFFICE INSTRUCTORS * * * *
THE MUSIC OFFICE WILL STAGE A CONCERT FEATURING TWO OF ITS INSTRUCTORS’ ORCHESTRAS AT THE TSUEN WAN TOWN HALL ON SUNDAY (MARCH 6) AT 3 PM.
THE CONCERT IS ONE OF THE ACTIVITIES ORGANISED UNDER THE "MUSIC FOR THE MILLIONS" (MFM) PROGRAMME TO INTRODUCE MUSIC TO NEW AUDIENCES.
SINCE ITS FORMATION IN 1977, THE MUSIC OFFICE HAS REGULARLY ORGANISED CONCERTS WHICH ARE SPECIALLY DESIGNED TO INTRODUCE VARIOUS ORCHESTRAL INSTRUMENTS WITH ILLUSTRATIONS IN BOTH CHINESE AND WESTERN MUS IC.
SO FAR MORE THAN 3,900 MFM CONCERTS HAVE BEEN HELD THROUGHOUT THE TERRITORY AND HAVE ATTRACTED AN AUDIENCE OF OVER 2.6 MILLION.
THE CONCERT ON SUNDAY WILL FEATURE COMPOSITIONS OF BOTH CHINESE AND WESTERN MUSIC. THE REPERTOIRE WILL INCLUDE HANDEL’S "WATER MUSIC", TCHAIKOVSKY’S "POLONAISE", FALLA’S "RITUAL FIRE DANCE , QIAN XIAOMAO’S "TRIUMPHAL FISHING BOAT SONG" AND LAW WAI-LUN S "REJOICE".
THE CONDUCTORS OF THE TWO ORCHESTRAS ARE ASSISTANT MUSIC ADMINISTRATOR (PROFESSIONAL), MR THOMAS WANG; SENIOR MUSIC OFFICER (CHINESE), MR TONG LEUNG-TAK; SENIOR MUSIC OFFICER (WIND), MR JOHN CHENG; AND SENIOR MUSIC OFFICER (STRING), MR LUI KI-LING.
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/19........
FRIDAY, MARCH 4, 1988
- 19 -
SILVER JUBILEE REVIEW OF ROAD
SAFETY PATROLS ON SUNDAY
♦ * ♦ t t t
THE ROAD SAFETY ASSOCIATION WILL HOLD ITS SILVER JUBILEE REVIEW OF THE ROAD SAFETY PATROLS ON SUNDAY (MARCH 6) AT 10.30 AM AT THE HONG KONG STADIUM IN SO KON PO.
THE GOVERNOR, SIR DAVID WILSON, WILL TAKE THE SALUTE AND PRESENT MEDALS TO MEMBERS OF THE ROAD SAFETY ASSOCIATION.
ROAD SAFETY PATROLS FROM MORE THAN 60 SCHOOLS THROUGHOUT THE TERRITORY WILL TAKE PART IN THE PARADE AND THE ROYAL HONG KONG POLICE BAND WILL PERFORM DURING THE MARCH.
MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC ARE WELCOME TO ATTEND. ADMISSION WILL BE FREE. SPECTATORS ARE REQUESTED TO BE SEATED BEFORE 10.15 AM.
-----0-----
GOVERNMENT APPLIES DEPARTMENT FAMILY DAY
*****
THE GOVERNMENT SUPPLIES DEPARTMENT WILL HOU) A FAMILY DAY FOR ITS STAFF AND THEIR FAMILIES ON SUNDAY (MARCH 6) IN THE COMPOUND OF THE DEPARTMENT’S HEADQUARTERS IN OIL STREET, NORTH POINT.
MORE THAN 1,800 CHILDREN ARE EXPECTED TO TAKE PART IN THE ANNUAL EVENT.
THE EVENT WILL START AT I PM WITH THE DOTTING OF A LION’S EYES BY THE DIRECTOR OF GOVERNMENT SUPPLIES, FOLLOWED BY A LION DANCE PERFORMED BY MEMBERS OF THE AUXILIARY MEDICAL SERVICES.
OTHER PROGRAMMES WILL INCLUDE SIDE-SHOWS, GAMESTALLS, DISPLAY OF FIRE ENGINES AND FIREARMS, CHINESE WORD PUZZLES AND A MAGIC AND ACROBATIC SHOW. THERE WILL ALSO BE A POLICE DOG DEMONSTRATION AND A CYCLING TECHNIQUE DEMONSTRATION.
MUSIC WILL BE PROVIDED BY THE AUXILIARY MEDICAL SERVICES BAND AND THE TAI TAM GIRLS’ PIPERS AND MARCHING TEAM.
A PRIZE PRESENTATION CEREMONY AND LUCKY DRAW WILL BE HELD AT THE END OF THE DAY.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE GOVERNMENT SUPPLIES DEPARTMENT FAMILY DAY ON SUNDAY (MARUI 6) IN THE COMPOUND OF THE DEPARTMENT’S HEADQUARTERS, 12 OIL STREET, NORTH POINT. IT WILL START AT 1 PM.
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/2O........
FRIDAY, MARCH 4, 1988
WATER CUT IN TAI PO
SALT WATER SUPPLY TO CERTAIN PREMISES IN TAI PO WILL BE TURNED OFF FROM 11 PM ON MONDAY (MARCH 7) TO 6 AM THE FOLLOWING DAY FOR LEAKAGE TEST.
THE MEASURE WILL AFFECT FU SHIN ESTATE, MING NGA COURT AND SUN HING GARDEN.
- - 0
CLOSURE OF ACCESS ROAD TO WUN YIU ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦
TO FACILITATE DEVELOPMENT WORKS IN TAI PO AREA 6, THE ACCESS ROAD LEADING FROM PAN CHUNG TO WUN YIU IN TAI PO WILL BE CLOSED TO TRAFFIC FROM 6 AW ON MONDAY (MARCH 7) UNTIL A LATER DATE TO BE ANNOUNCED.
DURING THE CLOSURE, ALL TRAFFIC TO AND FROM WUN YIU WILL BE DIVERTED VIA THE NEWLY OPENED ROAD L7/1 AND L37/1 ON THE SOUTHERN SIDE OF TAI PO KCR STATION.
- - 0 -
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL: 5-8428777
SATURDAY, MARCH 5, 1988
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
REPORTS ON LIFE TABLES AND 1986 BY-CENSUS PUBLISHED........... 1
PROVISION OF RECREATIONAL, SPORTS FACILITIES IMPROVED ........ 2
LYDIA DUNN CALLS ON ELECTORS TO VOTE.......................... 3
BUS PARADE IN YMT TO PROMOTE ELECTIONS ....................... 4
PUBLICITY TEAM TOURS SOUTHERN TO PROMOTE DB ELECTIONS ........ 4
MR MARTIN LEE'S MOTION ....................................... 5
SEMINAR FOR TV HOME VIEWING GROUPS ........................... 6
MONETARY STATISTICS FOR JANUARY PUBLISHED .................... 7
GROWING DEMANDS ON POLICE IN NT............................... 11
DIRECTOR OF IMMIGRATION MEETS HEAD OF PHILIPPINE OVERSEAS EMPLOYMENT ADMINISTRATION .................................... 14
MENTALLY HANDICAPPED PERSONS MAY BE TRAINED FOR EMPLOYMENT .. 14
NORTH DISTRICT ORGANISATION PRAISED FOR PROMOTING ARTS ....... 15
MANUAL OF TRAINING PROGRAMMES PUBLISHED ...................... 16
DB COMMITTEE TO DISCUSS ENVIRONMENTAL IMPROVEMENT REQUEST ... 1?
SYMPOSIUM ON ELDERLY IN SOUTHERN ........................... 17
TENDERS INVITED FOR KOWLOON STATION IMPROVEMENT WORKS......... 18
URBAN CLEARWAY RESTRICTION ON NGAU TAU KOK ROAD............... 18
WATER CUT IN EAST KOWLOON, WONG TAI SIN .................... 19
TEMPORARY ROAD CLOSURES IN WAN CHAI, YAU MA TEI .............. 19
SATURDAY, MARCH 5,
1988
REPORTS ON LIFE TABLES AND 1986 BY-CENSUS PUBLISHED
******
PEOPLE IN HONG KONG ARE LIVING LONGER THAN EVER BEFORE. THIS IS SUGGESTED BY A REPORT PUBLISHED RECENTLY BY THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT, ENTITLED "HONG KONG LIFE TABLES 1971 - 2006”.
THE EXPECTATION OF LIFE AT BIRTH FOR MALES IS EXPECTED TO INCREASE FROM 73.8 YEARS IN 1985 TO 77.3 YEARS IN 2006; FOR FEMALES, WHO USUALLY HAVE A LONGER LIFE EXPECTANCY, TO INCREASE FROM 79.2 YEARS TO 82.9 YEARS.
EXPECTATION OF LIFE AT BIRTH IS A SINGLE INDEX OF MORTALITY FOR DESCRIBING THE MORTALITY CONDITION OF THE POPULATION OVER TIME AND FOR COMPARISON.
ACCORDING TO THE MORTALITY CONDITION IN HONG KONG IN 1971, THE EXPECTATION OF LIFE AT BIRTH WAS 67.8 YEARS FOR MALES AND 75.3 YEARS FOR FEMALES.
THE INCREASE IN THE EXPECTATION OF LIFE AT BIRTH SUGGESTS A SUBSTANTIAL IMPROVEMENT IN MORTALITY OVER THE PERIOD 1971 - 85.
THE REPORT CONTAINS 20 SETS OF LIFE TABLES WHICH PORTARY PEOPLE’S SURVIVAL HISTORY AND LIFE EXPECTANCY ON THE BASIS OF PAST AND PROJECTED DEATH DATA. APART FROM OTHER RELATED STATISTICS, THE REPORT ALSO DESCRIBES THE METHOD OF CONSTRUCTION OF THE LIFE TABLE.
MEANWHILE, THE DEPARTMENT HAS ALSO PUBLISHED A REPORT SHOWING THE 1986 BY-CENSUS RESULTS IN STATISTICAL CHARTS.
THE REPORT, ENTITLED "HONG KONG 1986 BY-CENSUS - GRAPHIC GUIDE", IS A BILINGUAL PUBLICATION CONSISTING 31 CHARTS ON SUCH TOPICS AS POPULATION, AGE AND SEX, PLACE OF BIRTH, MARITAL STATUS, EDUCATION, ECONOMIC ACTIVITY, OCCUPATION, INCOME, HOUSING AND INTERNAL POPULATION MOVEMENT.
"THIS PUBLICATION, WHICH IS DESIGNED FOR THE GENERAL READERS, WILL BE A USEFUL REFERENCE FOR STUDENTS, TEACHERS AND ANYONE INTERESTED IN THE SOCIAL AND ECONOMIC CHARACTERISTICS OF HONG KONG’S POPULATION," A SPOKESMAN FOR THE DEPARTMENT SAID.
"STATISTICAL GRAPHS AND CHARTS ARE USED TO HIGHLIGHT THE SIGNIFICANT FINDINGS OF THE BY-CENSUS".
BOTH REPORTS ARE NOW ON SALE AT THE GOVERNMENT PUBLICATIONS CENTRE AT CONNAUGHT PLACE AND THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT.
THE "HONG KONG LIFE TABLES 1971 - 2006" IS PRICED AT $16 PER COPY AND THE "HONG KONG 1986 BY-CENSUS - GRAPHIC GUIDE" IS PRICED ATS 10 PER COPY.
SATURDAY, MARCH 5, 1988
2
PROVISION OF RECREATIONAL, SPORTS FACILITIES IMPROVED
»»»»»»
A SIGNIFICANT IMPROVEMENT HAS BEEN ACHIEVED IN THE PROVISION AND MANAGEMENT OF A WIDE RANGE OF RECREATIONAL AND SPORTS FACILITIES, THE SECRETARY FOR MUNICIPAL SERVICES, MR AUGUSTINE CHUI, SAID TODAY (SATURDAY).
NEVERTHELESS, IT WAS NECESSARY TO TAKE STOCK OF THE SITUATION TO TAKE A CRITICAL LOOK AT THE CURRENT STRUCTURE, ORGANISATION AND ADMINISTRATION OF SPORT AND PHYSICAL RECREATION SO AS TO CONSIDER THE BEST WAY TO PROCEED FURTHER, HE SAID.
SPEAKING AT THE OPENING OF A SEMINAR FOR SPORTS LEADERS AT THE SHA TIN JUBILEE SPORTS CENTRE THIS MORNING, MR CHUI SAID THE SEMINAR WOULD ENABLE A FRANK AND OBJECTIVE EXCHANGE OF VIEWS AND THAT HE WAS ENCOURAGED TO SEE INCREASING LIAISON AND CONSULTATION AMONG VARIOUS ORGANISATIONS.
HE PAID TRIBUTE TO THE MUNICIPAL COUNCILS, THE COUNCIL FOR RECREATION AND SPORT, THE AMATEUR SPORT FEDERATION AND THE OLYMPIC COMMITTEE OF HONG KONG FOR THEIR WORK IN ENHANCING THE QUALITY OF LIFE THROUGH PROMOTION OF RECREATION AND SPORTS ACTIVITIES IN THE TERRITORY.
THE JUBILEE SPORTS CENTRE, THE GOVERNING BODIES OF SPORT AND MANY OTHER ORGANISATIONS AND INSTITUTIONS HAD ALSO CONTRIBUTED IN VARIOUS WAYS TO THIS SUCCESS.
HE NOTED THAT THE URBAN COUNCIL NOW MANAGED OVER 500 HECTARES OF OPEN SPACE AND THE REGIONAL COUNCIL OVER 300 HECTARES.
"MANY MORE PROJECTS ARE UNDER CONSTRUCTION OR IN VARIOUS STAGES OF PLANNING.
"VERY SUBSTANTIAL EXPENDITURE, CAPITAL AND RECURRENT, ARE ALLOCATED TO THIS IMPORTANT AREA. FACILITIES INCLUDE PARKS AND PLAYGROUNDS OF VARIOUS SIZES, SWIMMING POOLS, BEACHES AND INDOOR GAMES HALLS," MR CHUI SAID.
HE SAID COUNTRYSIDE RECREATION WAS NOW ACCEPTED AS AN IMPORTANT PART OF OUR WAY OF LIFE.
"ABOUT 40 PER CENT OF OUR LAND AREA HAS BEEN DESIGNED AS COUNTRY PARKS WHICH ARE USED EXTENSIVELY FOR MORNING WALKING, TAI-CHI, JOGGING, AND OTHER ACTIVITIES. OVER 10 MILLION VISITS WERE MADE TO THEM IN 1987," HE ADDED.
IN ADDITION, MR CHUI POINTED OUT THAT CAMPS AND YOUTH HOSTELS RUN BY SUBVERTED VOLUNTARY AGENCIES WERE REGULARLY AND FULLY USED BY CHILDREN AND YOUNG PEOPLE.
/ALSO, THE ........
SATURDAY, MARCH 5. 1988
3 -
ALSO, THE HONG KONG OUTWARD BOUND SCHOOL PROVIDED LAND AND SEA BASED STRESS CHALLENGE PERSONAL DEVELOPMENT TRAINING PROGRAMMES.
TODAY’S SEMINAR WAS AIMED AT PROVIDING SPORTS LEADERS AN OPPORTUNITY TO EXCHANGE VIEWS ON THE DEVELOPMENT AND PROMOTION OF RECREATION AND SPORTS IN HONG KONG. ATTENDING THE SEMINAR WERE REPRESENTATIVES FROM GOVERNING BODIES OF SPORT.
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LYDIA DUNN CALLS ON ELECTORS TO VOTE *****
THE SENIOR MEMBER OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL, MISS LYDIA DUNN, TODAY (SATURDAY) CALLED ON ELECTORS TO VOTE IN THE DISTRICT BOARD ELECTIONS ON MARCH 10.
SPEAKING AT THE OPENING CEREMONY OF A LARGE-SCALE CYCLING PARADE ORGANISED BY THE SHA TIN DISTRICT OFFICE TO PROMOTE THE ELECTIONS, MISS DUNN SAID THE GOVERNMENT, WHILE IMPLEMENTING THE DISTRICT ADMINISTRATION SCHEME, HAD BEEN ENCOURAGING RESIDENTS TO PARTICIPATE IN COMMUNITY AFFAIRS.
"THE ACHIEVEMENT OF THE SCHEME IS EVIDENT IN RECENT YEARS," SHE SAID.
"THE SHA TIN DISTRICT BOARD, IN PARTICULAR, HAS BEEN DOING WELL IN ESTABLISHING GOOD RELATIONS WITH THE RESIDENTS TO PROMOTE VARIOUS COMMUNITY BUILDING PROJECTS AND CIVIC EDUCATION.
"I SINCERELY HOPE THAT BOTH INDIGENOUS AND NEW RESIDENTS OF SHA TIN WILL CAST THEIR VOTES ON MARCH 10.”
ELEVEN TEAMS PARTICIPATED IN THE CYCLING PARADE TODAY. THEY STARTED FROM THE CYCLE PARK IN TAI WAI AND RODE ALONG SHING MUN RIVER PASSING THROUGH ALL NINE CONSTITUENCIES OF THE DISTRICT.
TEAM MEMBERS, INCLUDING TVB ARTISTES, REPRESENTATIVES OF AREA COMMITTEES AND SHA TIN DISTRICT OFFICE STAFF, WERE CHEERED BY CYCLISTS AND SPECTATORS AS THEY APPEALED FOR VOTING ALONG THE WAY.
BEFORE THE PARADE, SHA TIN DISTRICT OFFICER, MR VICTOR YUNG, AND TVB ARTISTES DISTRIBUTED SOUVENIRS SUCH AS CAPS, BOOKMARKS AND POSTERS TO CYCLISTS AND RESIDENTS WHO ATTENDED THE FUNCTION.
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/•* ..........
SATURDAY, MARCH 5, 1988
4
BUS PARADE IN YMT TO PROMOTE ELECTIONS
» * » »
YAU MA TEI DISTRICT OFFICER, MR AUGUSTINE CHENG WENT ON A DISTRICT TOUR TODAY (SATURDAY) AND DISTRIBUTED PAMPHLETS TO REMIND RESIDENTS TO CAST THEIR VOTES ON THURSDAY (MARCH 10).
THROUGH DISTRICT BOARD MEMBERS, RESIDENTS CAN COMMUNICATE TO THE ADMINISTRATION THEIR VIEWS AND RECOMMENDATIONS ON PUBLIC FACILITIES, TRAFFIC AND TRANSPORT CONDITIONS AND MATTERS CONCERNING ENVIRONMENTAL HYGIENE AND BEAUTIFICATION, MR CHENG SAID.
ELECTORS SHOULD USE THIS OPPORTUNITY TO CHOOSE A COMPETENT REPRESENTATIVE FOR THE FURTHER IMPROVEMENT OF THEIR LIVING CONDITIONS AND WELFARE, HE ADDED.
DURING TODAY’S PARADE, 5,000 PUBLICITY PAMPHLETS AND 5,000 BALL-PENS BEARING A ’VOTE ON MARCH 10’ MESSAGE WERE DISTRIBUTED AT THE STOPS AT NEW WORLD CENTRE, UC CENTENARY GARDEN, STAR FERRY CONCOURSE, PARK LANE BOULEVARD AND ARTHUR STREET.
THE DISTRICT BOARD THEME SONG AND APPEAL MESSAGES WERE ALSO BROADCAST AT THE FIVE STOPS.
ON THE SAME DAY, A VIDEO WALL COMPRISING 16 MONITORS WAS ALSO SET UP IN THE NEW WORLD CENTRE TO BROADCAST UNTIL SUNDAY THE THEME SONG AND APPEAL MESSAGES CONCERNING THE ELECTIONS ON THURSDAY.
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PUBLICITY TEAM TOURS SOUTHERN TO PROMOTE DB ELECTIONS
*****
THE SOUTHERN DISTRICT OFFICER, MR SIMON LORD, AND STAFF OF THE SOUTHERN DISTRICT OFFICE WILL VISIT THE DISTRICT’S SEVEN CONSTITUENCIES TOMORROW (SUNDAY) TO PROMOTE THE DISTRICT BOARD ELECTIONS.
MR LORD AND HIS PUBLICITY TEAM WILL RIDE IN A DOUBLE-DECKER OPEN TOP BUS DECORATED WITH ELECTION MESSAGES AND STOP AT BUSY AREAS TO URGE ELECTORS TO CAST THEIR VOTES ON MARCH 10.
“THE BUS TOUR WILL START WITH THE ABERDEEN CONSTITUENCY AT 9.30 AM,” A DISTRICT OFFICE SPOKESMAN SAID.
THE BUS WILL THEN VISIT THE OTHER CONSTITUENCIES IN TURN, NAMELY, TIN WAN AND SHEK PAI WAN; WAH FU; POK FU LAM; AP LEI CHAU; WONG CHUK HANG; AND STANLEY, SHEK O AND BAYS.
THE DISTRICT’S YOUTH CHOIR WILL ASSIST IN THE PUBLICITY DRIVE BY PERFORMING THE DISTRICT BOARD ELECTION THEME SONG AT EACH STOP.
/WHILE THE........
SATURDAY, MARCH 5, 1988
- 5 -
WHILE THE DISTRICT OFFICER WILL APPEAL TO THE REGISTERED ELECTORS, THE CANDIDATES WILL ALSO BE PRESENT TO GREET ELECTORS AT THEIR RESPECTIVE CONSTITUENCY.
PUBLICITY MATERIALS SUCH AS LEAFLETS, BOOKMARKS, RULERS AND CALENDER CARDS WILL BE DISTRIBUTED ON THE SPOT.
APART FROM THE BUS TOUR, THE DISTRICT OFFICE HAS ALSO LINED UP A SERIES OF PROGRAMMES TO PUBLICISE THE ELECTIONS.
THESE INCLUDE CANDIDATES’ FORUMS, THE DISPLAY OF PUBLICITY BANNERS AND BUNTING THROUGHOUT THE DISTRICT AND THE DISTRIBUTION OF SOUVENIRS AT VARIOUS FUNCTIONS. ’
IN ADDITION, IT HAS PRODUCED SUPPLEMENT WHICH WILL BE DISTRIBUTED NEWSPAPER AND MAILED TO THE 79,900
110,000 COPIES OF ELECTION
ALONG WITH THE DISTRICT
REGISTERED ELECTORS IN THE
DISTRICT.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE DISTRICT PUBLICITY DRIVE IN THE SOUTHERN DISTRICT TOMORROW REPRESENTATIVES ARE REQUESTED TO ASSEMBLE BY 9.10 AM DISTRICT OFFICE, SHOP 25, GROUND FLOOR, MEI FUNG STREET, ABERDEEN CENTRE, ABERDEEN.
BOARD ELECTIONS (SUNDAY). MEDIA
AT THE SOUTHERN COURT, NAM NING
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MR MARTIN LEE’S MOTION
*****
THE PRESIDENT OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL SAW MR MARTIN LEE THIS (SATURDAY) MORNING. THE REQUEST FOR THE MEETING WAS MADE BY MR LEE.
FOLLOWING CONSIDERATION OF THE POINTS PUT TO HIM BY MR LEE THE PRESIDENT CONFIRMED HIS DECISION THAT MR LEE’S MOTION FOR A DEBATE IN THE COUNCIL ON MARCH 9, 1988 WAS OUT OF ORDER.
/6........
SATURDAY, MARCH 5, 1988
- 6 -
SEMINAR FOR TV HOME VIEWING GROUPS » » * » »
MEMBERS OF THE TELEVISION HOME VIEWING GROUPS FROM THE 19 DISTRICTS ATTENDED A SEMINAR AND SPRING RECEPTION HOSTED BY THE COMMISSIONER FOR TELEVISION AND ENTERTAINMENT LICENSING, MR DARWIN CHEN, TODAY (SATURDAY).
THE EVENT WAS ALSO ATTENDED BY THE CHAIRMAN AND MEMBERS OF THE BROADCASTING AUTHORITY AS WELL AS REPRESENTATIVES FROM THE TWO TELEVISION STATIONS.
IN HIS WELCOMING SPEECH, MR CHEN THANKED MEMBERS OF THE TV HOME VIEWING GROUPS FOR THEIR VALUABLE OPINIONS ON THE QUALITY OF TELEVISION BROADCAST OVER THE YEARS.
HE SAID THE PURPOSE OF THE SEMINAR WAS TO FOSTER A BETTER UNDERSTANDING AMONG MEMBERS AND TO PROVIDE AN OPPORTUNITY FOR THEM TO EXCHANGE VIEWS ON SPECIFIC ASPECTS RELATING TO THE QUALITY OF TELEVISION PROGRAMMES.
MR CHEN ALSO ISSUED LETTERS OF APPRECIATION TO REPRESENTATIVES FROM THE 19 DISTRICTS’ TV HOME VIEWING GROUPS IN RECOGNITION OF THEIR EFFORTS IN LIAISING WITH THEIR MEMBERS AND COLLECTING THEIR VIEWS ON TELEVISION BROADCAST.
CHAIRMAN OF THE BROADCASTING AUTHORITY, MR ALLEN LEE, SAID AT THE SEMINAR THAT THE TV HOME VIEWING GROUP MEMBERS HAD CONTRIBUTED SIGNIFICANTLY TOWARDS THE FORMULATION OF BROADCASTING POLICY, THE ASSESSMENT OF THE QUALITY OF TELEVISION BROADCAST AND THE SETTING OF APPROPRIATE REGULATORY STANDARDS BY THE AUTHORITY.
HE HOPED MEMBERS WOULD CONTINUE TO GIVE THEIR SUPPORT TO THE TV HOME VIEWING GROUPS SCHEME.
REPRESENTATIVES FROM THE TWO TELEVISION STATIONS ATTENDING THE SEMINAR WERE ALSO VERY APPRECIATIVE OF THE VIEWS PUT FORWARD BY MEMBERS OF THE HOME VIEWING GROUPS.
DURING THE SEMINAR, GROUP MEMBERS EXCHANGED VIEWS AMONG THEMSELVES AS WELL AS WITH MEMBERS OF THE BROADCASTING AUTHORITY AND REPRESENTATIVES FROM THE TELEVISION STATIONS.
THE TV HOME VIEWING GROUPS SCHEME WAS ESTABLISHED IN 1982. IT HELPS THE TELEVISION AND ENTERTAINMENT LICENSING AUTHORITY AND THE BROADCASTING AUTHORITY TO KEEP IN TOUCH WITH THE PUBLIC IN RESPECT OF TELEVISION PROGRAMMES AND ADVERTISING STANDARDS.
NINETEEN TV HOME VIEWING GROUPS HAVE BEEN ESTABLISHED, ONE IN EACH OF THE 19 DISTRICTS, AND MEMBERS COME FROM ALL WALKS OF LIFE.
/TWO REPRESENTATIVES........
SATURDAY, MARCH 5, 1988
7 -
TO ASSIST IN
TO THE THREE
AND THE NEW
TWO REPRESENTATIVES ARE APPOINTED FROM EACH GROUP LIAISING WITH GROUP MEMBERS AND TO REPORT THEIR VIEWS REGIONAL ADVISORY PANELS OF HONG KONG ISLAND, KOWLOON
TERRITORIES.
THE CHAIRMEN OF THE THREE REGIONAL ADVISORY PANELS ARE MEMBERS OF THE BROADCASTING AUTHORITY.
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MONETARY STATISTICS FOR JANUARY PUBLISHED * * * *
HONG KONG DOLLAR DEPOSITS GREW MORE SLOWLY THAN IN DECEMBER 1987, ACCORDING TO STATISTICS (SATURDAY) BY THE MONETARY AFFAIRS BRANCH.
IN JANUARY 1988 PUBLISHED TODAY
FOREIGN CURRENCY DEPOSITS, ON THE OTHER HAND, DECLINED IN JANUARY COMPARED WITH THE PREVIOUS MONTH.
IN LINE WITH THE SLOWDOWN IN THE GROWTH DEPOSITS, HONG KONG DOLLAR MONEY SUPPLY ON ALL LESS RAPIDLY IN JANUARY.
OF HONG KONG DOLLAR DEFINITIONS INCREASED
THE RATE OF INCREASE IN TOTAL LOANS AND ADVANCES DEPOSIT-TAKING INSTITUTIONS ALSO DECELERATED CONSIDERABLY
EXTENDED BY IN JANUARY.
LOANS FOR USE OUTSIDE HONG KONG, IMPETUS FOR GROWTH OF TOTAL LOANS AND DECLINED SLIGHTLY IN JANUARY.
WHICH PROVIDED AN IMPORTANT ADVANCES IN EARLIER MONTHS,
LOANS TO FINANCE HONG KONG’S VISIBLE TRADE SLIGHTLY DURING THE MONTH WHILE OTHER LOANS FOR USE IN MODERATELY.
ALSO DECLINED
HONG KONG GREW
OUT SUMMARY FIGURES FOR JANUARY 1988 AND MONTHS WILL BE SENT BY FACSIMILE AND BOXED.
A TABLE SETTING COMPARISONS WITH EARLIER
DEPOSITS
HONG KONG DOLLAR DEPOSITS GREW BY 2.9 PER CENT IN JA”UA£Y.1’ AFTER A FALL OF 0.7 PER CENT IN NOVEMBER AND AN INCREASE OF 6.4 PER
CENT IN DECEMBER 1987.
/WITHIN THESE .......
SATURDAY, MARCH 5, 1988
8
WITHIN THESE DEPOSITS, DEMAND DEPOSITS AND SAVINGS DEPOSITS INCREASED BY 3.5 PER CENT AND 8.2 PER CENT RESPECTIVELY, WHILE TIME DWOSITS FELL BY 3.5 PER CENT. DURING THE 12 MONTHS ENDING JANUARY 1988, TOTAL HONG KONG DOLLAR DEPOSITS GREW BY 28.1 PER CENT.
FOREIGN CURRENCY DEPOSITS DROPPED BY 3.1 PER CENT IN JANUARY 1988 FOLLOWING INCREASES OF 2.3 PER CENT AND 2.5 PER CENT IN NOVEMBER AND DECEMBER 1987 RESPECTIVELY.
AMONG THESE DEPOSITS, U.S. DOLLAR DEPOSITS FELL BY 6 PER C^NT WHILE NON-U.S. DOLLAR DEPOSITS EDGED UP BY 0.7 PER CENT. OVER THE YEAR, TOTAL FOREIGN CURRENCY DEPOSITS GREW BY 23.1 PER CENT.
CONTINUING THE TREND IN THE PREVIOUS TWO MONTHS, FOREIGN CURRENCY SWAP DEPOSITS DECREASED BY 25.1 PER CENT IN JANUARY.
WITH AN EASING OF THE MONEY MARKET INTEREST RATES IN THE LAST TWO MONTHS OF 1987 AND IN MOST OF JANUARY 1988, INTEREST YIELDS ON SWAP DEPOSITS FELL BELOW THE DEPOSIT RATES SET BY THE HONG KONG ASSOCIATION OF BANKS, THUS DISCOURAGING NEW DEPOSITS OF THIS TYPE. ADJUSTED TO INCLUDE THESE DEPOSITS, HONG KONG DOLLAR DEPOSITS ROSE 1 1 PER CENT IN JANUARY AND BY 20.8 PER CENT OVER THE YEAR.
BY
ON THE OTHER HAND, FOREIGN CURRENCY DEPOSITS, ADJUSTED TO EXCLUDE SWAP DEPOSITS, DECLINED BY 1.9 PER CENT IN JANUARY. OVER THE YEAR, IT ROSE BY 29.7 PER CENT.
DEPOSITS i CURRENCIES) WITH BANKS INCREASED BY 0.5 PER CENT IN JANUARY WHILE THOSE WITH DEPOSIT-TAKING COMPANIES DECREASED BY 10.4 PER CENT. DURING THE 12 MONTHS ENDING JANUARY 1988, THE FORMER INCREASED BY 28.4 PER CENT WHILE THE LATTER DROPPED BY 2.1 PER CENT.
MONEY SUPPLY
CONSISTENT WITH THE SLOWDOWN IN HONG KONG DOLLAR DEPOSITS, HONG KONG DOLLAR MONEY SUPPLY ON ALL DEFINITIONS ROSE LESS RAPIDLY IN JANUARY 1988. HK$M1, HK$M2 AND HK$M3 ROSE BY 3.2 PER CENT, 4,7 J^R CENT AND 3.1 PER CENT RESPECTIVELY, COMPARED WITH CORRESPONDING RATES OF 13.8 PER CENT, 8.2 PER CENT AND 6.5 PER CENT IN DECEMBER 1987.
DURING THE 12 MONTHS ENDING JANUARY 1988, HK$M1, M2 AND M3 GREW BY 31.4 PER CENT, 30.8 PER CENT AND 26.1 PER CENT RESPECTIVELY.
ADJUSTED TO TAKE ACCOUNT OF SWAP DEPOSITS, HK$M2 AND HK$M3 GREW BY 2.8 PER CENT AND 1.5 PER CENT RESPECTIVELY IN JANUARY 1988 AND BY 23.2 PER CENT AND 19.7 PER CENT RESPECTIVELY OVER THE YEAR.
/TOTAL M1 .......
SATURDAY, MARCH 5, "’988
TOTAL Ml AND TOTAL M2 GREW BY 4.2 PER CENT AND 0.7 PER CENT RESPECTIVELY IN JANUARY 1988, AFTER INCREASES OF 10.8 PER CENT AND 6.0 PER CENT IN DECEMBER 1987. HOWEVER, TOTAL M3 FELL BY 0.5 PER CENT, FOLLOWING AN INCREASE OF 4.3 PER CENT IN THE PRECEDING MONTH.
DURING THE 12 MONTHS ENDING JANUARY 1988, TOTAL Ml GREW BY 35.9 PER CENT, TOTAL M2 BY 27.4 PER CENT AND TOTAL M3 BY 23.9 FER CENT.
LOANS AND ADVANCES
TOTAL OUTSTANDING LOANS AND ADVANCES EXTENDED BY BANKS AND DEPOSIT-TAKING COMPANIES GREW BY 0.3 PER CENT IN JANUARY.
THIS REPRESENTED A CONSIDERABLE SLOWDOWN WHEN SET AGAINST THE RESPECTIVE GROWTH RATES OF 4.6 PER CENT AND 4.9 PER CENT IN NOVEMBER AND DECEMBER 1987.
OF THE TOTAL OUTSTANDING LOANS, THOSE DENOMINATED IN HONG KONG DOLLAR EDGED UP BY 1.3 PER CENT WHILE THOSE DENOMINATED IN FOREIGN CURRENCIES DROPPED BY 0.3 PER CENT.
LOANS FOR USE OUTSIDE HONG KONG DROPPED BY 0.6 PER CENT IN JANUARY 1988, FOLLOWING STRONG INCREASES OF 11.8 PER CENT AND 8.3 PER CENT IN THE PRECEDING TWO MONTHS; OVER THE YEAR, THESE LOANS GREW BY 87.7 PER CENT.
JOANS TO FINANCE VISIBLE TRADE OF HONG KONG DECLINED BY 0.1 PER CEN IN JANUARY AFTER INCREASES OF 1.0 PER CENT IN NOVEMBER AND 1.4 PER CENT IN DECEMBER; OVER THE YEAR, THESE LOANS GREW BY 20.4 PER CENT.
OTHER FOR USE IN HONG KONG ROSE BY 1.3 PER CENT IN JANUARY, A! ' I ECLINE OF 0.2 PER CENT IN NOVEMBER AND A RISE OF 1.7 PER CEN DECEMBER; OVER THE YEAR, THESE LOANS GREW BY 28.4 PER CENT.
NUMBER OF REPORTING INSTITUTIONS
THE NUMBER OF REPORTING LICENSED BANKS, LICENSED DEPOSIT-TAKING COMPANIES AND REGISTERED DEPOSIT-TAKING COMPANIES REMAINED UNCHANGED AT 154, 35 AND 232 RESPECTIVELY.
/10........
SATURDAY, MARCH 5. '’988
Jan 1930
10
MONETARY STATISTICS - JANUARY 1988
(Hksmn>
Money Supply
Dec 198
Ear 1i er (X change to
Oct 1987
months
J ar.uary
1997)
Jan 1937
Ml - HK* Foreign currency Total
M2 - HKt Foreign currency Total
M3 - HKS Foreign currency Total
Notes and coins in circulation o-F which held by public
Deposits
Demand deposits Savings deposits Time deposits with banks Time deposits with dtes HKS deposits USS deposits Other -foreign currency deposits All deposits
Foreign currency swap deposits
Loans and advances
76.189
9. 190
85.379
73,826
8. 07 6
356.252 681.881
333.608
385,716
739.324
310.910
366.132
42.847
74
( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( (
)
0.748
8. 766
4.764
(
(
59,958 195.781 389,041
55,454 318,402 209,208
181.109
403.439
61,924
309.543
( ( (
(-10.4
700,234
171,464 703,609
( ( ( (
15,834
To finance U.K.’s visible trade To -Finance merchandising trade not touching H.K.
Other loans -For use in H.K.
Other loans for use outside H.K
Other loans where the place o-F use is not known
Loans in HK$
Loans in foreign currencies Total loans and advances
44.224
6,979
44.25'
7,00
( (
357.264 310.651
62,120
313,247
467.989
781.237
SI2.530
62,308
309.345
469.436
778.791
( ( (
( ( (
Z1.4
66.279
4.E75
0.7
-0.5
-0
( (
( (
) )
7.)
7.)
1.3
0.6
-6.0 0.7
—0.5
4.2
4.7
1.3
0.3
4.9
8. 1
3.6
6.9
2.7
7.) 73,694 ( 15.9 7.) 62.842 ( 32. q '
7.) 287.356 ( 13.3 X) 249.029 ( 30.8
X) 349.216 ( 2.0 7.) i 24.5
7.) 636.571 ( 7.1 X) 535.262 < 27.4
Xi 323.380 ( 9.3 X) 280.358 ( 26. 1
7.) 382.139 ( 0.9 X) 316,343 ( 21.9
X) 705*519 < 4.8 X) 596,727 < 23. 9
7.) 26.342 ( 16.7 X) 29.294 ( r.o
7.) 23,021 ( 10.4 X) 25■367 ( c.z
7.) 50,674 ( 18.3 7.) 37,475 ( 60. 0
X) 146,069 ( 34.0 7.) 130.241 ( 50.3
7.) 407.337 ( -4.5 X) 334, .388 ( 16.3
7.) 64,646 (-14.2 7.) 56,658 ( -2. 1
7.) 292,880 ( 8.7 X) 248.477 ( 29. 1
X) 229.173 ( -8.7 7.) 202,978 ( 3. 1
7.) 146.673 ( 17.7 7.) 107,308 ( 60. 9
X) 668,726 ( 4.7 X) 558,763 ( 25.3
X) 34,912 (- -54.6 7.) 28,. 178 (• -43.8
7.) 43.230 ( 2.3 X) 36,717 ( 20. 4
X) 6,721 ( 3.8 7.) 4, 408 ( 58.3
X) 347.481 ( 2.8 X) 278,341 ( 28.4
( X) 258.153 ( 20.3 X) 165,510 ( 87.7
7.) 54,020 ( 15.0 X) 32,213 ( 92.8
: X) 312.607 ( 0.2 7.) 257,712 ( 21.5
; X) 396.998 < 17.9 7.) 259,476 ( 80.4
: X) 709.605 ( 10.1 7.) 517,188 ( 51.1
)
)
1
7.)
7.)
7.)
X> 7.) 7.) X) 7.)
X)
7.)
0
SATURDAY, MARCH 5, 1988
11 GROWING DEMANDS ON POLICE IN NT « » * t »
THE DRAMATIC GROWTH NOW TAKING PLACE THROUGHOUT THE NEW TERRITORIES IN TERMS OF POPULATION, TRAFFIC AND NEW TOWN DEVELOPMENT IS HAPPENING AT A RATE NEVER BEFORE EXPERIENCED IN HONG KONG.
NEW TERRITORIES POPULATION, NOW TWO MILLION, IS EXPANDING AT THE RATE OF 100,000 PEOPLE A YEAR AND VAST BUILDING, TRADE AND TRANSPORTATION DEVELOPMENTS ALSO PRESENT GROWING NEEDS IN POLICING THE REGION.
"THIS SORT OF GROWTH HAS NEVER BEEN SEEN BEFORE IN SUCH A SHORT TIME," SAID THE POLICE NEW TERRITORIES REGIONAL COMMANDER, MR RICHARD SMALLSHAW.
"IT IS PARALLEL TO THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT ESTABLISHING NEW TOWNS AND PART AND PARCEL OF THEIR DEVELOPMENT THAT WITH IT GROWS THE NEED TO KEEP ON TOP OF LAW AND ORDER."
MR. SMALLSHAW SAID THAT LAST YEAR SAW A 10 PER CENT INCREASE TN CRIME IN THE NEW TERRITORIES.
THE INCREASE IN CRIME IN THE REGION TOOK PLACE IN FOUR DISTRICTS WHERE DEVELOPMENT WAS AT ITS GREATEST - TUEN MUN, YUEN LONG, SHATIN AND TSUEN WAN.
"1 ANTICIPATE THAT WITH FUTURE INCREASES IN POPULATION WE ARE LIKELY TO SEE A FURTHER RISE IN CRIME. THAT IS WHY WE NEED TO INCREASE RESOURCES AND FACILITIES IN SUCH A BIG WAY OVER THE NEXT FEW YEARS."
MR. SMALLSHAW SPOKE AGAINST A BACKDROP OF FORCE EXPANSION ALREADY IN PROGRESS IN TERMS OF BUILDINGS AND MANPOWER AND IN PROPOSALS FOR THE FUTURE.
HE ALSO HIGHLIGHTED THE NEEDS FOR THE FUTURE IN TERMS OF THE CONTINUING GROWTH OF NEW TERRITORIES TRADE AND TRANSPORTATION INFRASTRUCTURE.
"I WOULD SAY THAT 1997 ALREADY HAS A BEARING ON US, IN THE DEVELOPMENT OF SHENZHEN ON THE OTHER SIDE OF THE HONG KONG-CHINA BORDER.
"THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE ECONOMIC ZONE HAS A BIG IMPACT ON US IN TERMS OF’ CROSS BORDER TRAFFIC WHICH WE NOW SEE IN THE REGION OF 11,000 VEHICLES EACH WAY DAILY AND UP TO 100,000 PEOPLE A DAY GOING IN AND OUT OF CHINA."
DEVELOPMENTS NOW TAKING PLACE AND THOSE IN GESTATION WOULD TAKE THE POLICING OF THE NEW TERRITORIES WELL INTO THE 1990S, HE SAID.
/FIVE MAJOR ......
SATURDAY, MARCH 5, 1988
12
FIVE MAJOR PROJECTS ALREADY IN PROCESS OF BECOMING REALITY WERE THE ESTABLISHMENT OF THE NEW TAI PO DISTRICT NOW OPERATIONAL; THE NEW SIU LEK YUEN DIVISION WITHIN SHATIN DISTRICT; THE NEW BORDER DIVISION HEADQUARTERS DUE TO OPEN THIS SUMMER; SHATAUKOK POLICE POST OPENED THIS MONTH; AND TSING YI ISLAND DIVISION, ALSO TO BECOME OPERATIONAL WITHIN THREE MONTHS.
FURTHER PLANS IN THE PIPELINE CULMINATED WITH THE DIVISION OF THE NEW TERRITORIES INTO NORTH AND SOUTH REGIONS FIVE YEARS HENCE.
LOOKING INTO THE FUTURE, MR. SMALLSHAW EXPLAINED: "SHATIN WILL EVENTUALLY BECOME A THREE DIVISION DISTRICT, COMPRISING SHATIN, TIN SUM AND SIU LEK YUEN.”
THE NEW POLICE STATION AT TSING YI, TO BE ESTABLISHED AS A NEW DIVISION OF KWAI CHUNG, WOULD EVENTUALLY BE UPGRADED AS A DISTRICT HEADQUARTERS FOR THE FAST GROWING INDUSTRIAL AND RESIDENTIAL ISLAND.
"IT’S A HUGE STATION BUILT TO TAKE INTO ACCOUNT THE ENORMOUS DEVELOPMENT ON THE ISLAND, WHICH IS RAPIDLY INCREASING IN POPULATION BUT HAS NOT YET REACHED THE SCALE FOR ITS POLICE HEADQUARTERS TO OPEN AS A DISTRICT.
TO COMPENSATE FOR THE ESTABLISHMENT OF THE NEW TSING YI DIVISION, SHEUNG KWAI CHUNG, NOW PART OF KWAI CHUNG DISTRICT, WOULD TRANSFER TO TSUEN WAN AS LEI MUK SHUE, GIVING THE DISTRICTS TWO DIVISIONS EACH.
TSUEN WAN DISTRICT WOULD MOVE INTO A NEW HEADQUARTERS BEING CONSTRUCTED ADJACENT TO NEW TERRITORIES TRAFFIC HEADQUARTERS AND EXPECTED TO BE READY FOR OCCUPATION IN TWO YEARS.
MR. SMALLSHAW WENT ON: "THERE IS A LOT OF URGENCY IN GETTING TSUEN WAN POLICE STATION FINISHED BECAUSE THE PRESENT BUILDING IS FAR TOO SMALL AND PARTICULARLY BECAUSE ITS PRESENT SITE IS THE SITE OF THE NEW REGIONAL SOUTH HEADQUARTERS.”
THE PROPOSED REGIONAL NORTH HEADQUARTERS WOULD BE AT TAI PO.
THE REGIONAL COMMANDER ADDED: "THE NEED TO INCREASE MANPOWER REQUIREMENTS IS WITH US ALL THE TIME - WE DON’T OFTEN GET FIVE POLICE STATIONS OPENING AT ONCE.
"BUT IT RECOGNISES THE POPULATION GROWTH IN THE NEW TERRITORIES, NOW 100,000 A YEAR, AND WE HAVE TO INCREASE COMMENSURATE WITH THAT."
FURTHER EXPANSION WOULD TAKE PLACE IN POLICE TACTICAL UNIT, WHEN POLICE TOOK OVER RESPONSIBILITIES AT THE BORDER NOW UNDERTAKEN BY THE ARMY, AND A SECOND NEW TERRITORIES EMERGENCY UNIT WOULD ALSO BE MOUNTED.
/FOLLOWING THE .......
SATURDAY, MARCH 5, 1988
FOLLOWING THE NEW TAI PO AND TSING YI DISTRICTS, THE ESTABLISHMENT OF A NEW MA ON SHAN DISTRICT AT THE END OF 1990 WILL SEE THE INCREASE FROM SEVEN TO NINE THE NUMBER OF POLICE DISTRICTS IN THE NEW TERRITORIES.
OTHER DEVELOPMENTS INCLUDED A NEW TAI HING DIVISION IN TUEN MUN AND POSSIBLY LAI KING DIVISION IN KWAI CHUNG, TIN SHUI WAI DIVISION IN YUEN LONG AND TSUEN WAN CENTRAL DIVISION.
VITAL LINKS BETWEEN NEW TOWNS IN THE REGION WOULD COME WITH THE COMPLETION OF NEW ROADS WHICH WOULD EVENTUALLY FORM A CONTINUOUS LINK FROM SAI KUNG IN THE EAST TO YUEN LONG IN THE WEST VIA THE NEW ROUTE FIVE.
’’THE VAST MAJORITY OF VEHICLES AND PEOPLE PASSING BETWEEN WONG KONG AND CHINA GO ACROSS AT LOWU AND MANKAMTO, WHERE THERE IS HEAVY CONGESTION. TO EASE IT THE GOVERNMENT IS BUILDING A ROAD CROSSING AT LOKMACHAU WHICH SHOULD OPEN EARLY NEXT YEAR.
"IT WILL REQUIRE A HEAVY POLICE COMMITMENT. WE HAVE REACHED SATURATION POINT AT MANKAMTO AND THERE IS A DESPERATE NEED FOR THE NEW CROSSING.
"THE NEW TERRITORIES SEGREGATED ROAD NETWORK WILL REQUIRE SPECIAL EXPERTISE."
TURNING TO THE CRIME PROBLEM, MR. SMALLSHAW SAID: "ALTHOUGH WE STILL HAVE 700 VILLAGES IN THE NEW TERRITORIES THEY ARE NOT THE PLACES WHICH GIVE US THE GREATEST HEADACHE.
"ONE OF OUR PROBLEMS IS THAT SO MANY PEOPLE ARE NEW TO THE AREA IN THE NEW TOWNS AND IT TAKES TIME TO BUILD UP THE COMMUNITY SPIRIT WHICH IS SO IMPORTANT TO GOOD POLICING.
"WE ARE HELPED TO A LARGE EXTENT BY THE DESIGN OF THE NEW TOWNS BEING MUCH BETTER, WITH RECREATION AND OTHER FACILITIES BUILT INTO THEM TO ALLOW AN OUTLET FOR THE PEOPLE - BUT THEY STILL NEED TO BE POLICED AND THE POPULATION INCREASES CONSIDERABLY AT WEEKENDS AND HOLIDAYS WITH VISITORS COMING FROM KOWLOON AND THE HONG KONG ISLAND."
ALSO RELEVANT TO POLICING THE REGION WAS THAT MANY PEOPLE HAD KEPT THEIR JOBS IN TOWN AND THERE WERE INSUFFICIENT SCHOOLS IN THE REGION. THE RESULT WAS HEAVY COMMUTING BY ADULTS AND CHILDREN. MANY CHILDREN HAD BOTH PARENTS WORKING.
"WE HAVE A SERIOUS JUVENILE CRIME PROBLEM. THIRTY-SEVEN PER CENT OF HONG KONG’S CHILDREN LIVE IN THE NEW TERRITORIES, YET WE HAVE 49 PER CENT OF JUVENILE CRIME.
"THE NEW TERRITORIES IS WHERE IT’S ALL HAPPENING TN HONG KONG TODAY. KEEPING PACE WITH THE EXPANSION IS DIFFICULT - BUT WE ARE KEEPING OUR HEADS ABOVE WATER."
SATURDAY, MARCH 5, 1988
14 -
DIRECTOR OF IMMIGRATION MEETS HEAD OF PHILIPPINE OVERSEAS EMPLOYMENT ADMINISTRATION t * » » *
THE DIRECTOR OF IMMIGRATION, MR ALAN CARTER, AND THE ACTING COMMISSIONER FOR LABOUR, MR HAROLD KWOK, TODAY (SATURDAY) MET THE HEAD OF THE PHILIPPINE OVERSEAS EMPLOYMENT ADMINISTRATION, MR TOMAS ACHACOSO.
ALSO PRESENT WERE THE DEPUTY ADMINISTRATOR OF POEA, MRS LUZVIMINDA PADILLA, AND THE LABOUR ATTACHE OF THE PHILIPPINE CONSULATE, MR DANTE SANTANA.
MR CARTER AND MR KWOK BRIEFED MR ACHACOSO ON THE POLICY AND PROCEDURES GOVERNING THE EMPLOYMENT OF DOMESTIC HELPERS FROM OVERSEAS.
THEY EXPLAINED TO MR ACHACOSO THE MECHANISMS FOR THE PROTECTION OF DOMESTIC HELPERS FROM OVERSEAS AND FOR SAFEGUARDING THEIR WELFARE UNDER HONG KONG’S LAWS.
IT WAS AGREED THAT MEETINGS BETWEEN OFFICIALS OF THE PHILIPPINE DEPARTMENT OF LABOUR AND EMPLOYMENT AND THE HONG KONG LABOUR AND IMMIGRATION DEPARTMENTS SHOULD BE HELD FROM TIME TO TIME TO DISCUSS MATTERS OF MUTUAL INTEREST.
THEY SHOULD ALSO CONSIDER THE POSSIBILITY OF SETTING OUT IN WRITTEN FORM THE SAFEGUARDS FOR FOREIGN DOMESTIC HELPERS.
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MENTALLY HANDICAPPED PERSONS MAY BE TRAINED FOR EMPLOYMENT ♦ ♦ ♦ *
RECENT EXPERIENCE IN OTHER COUNTRIES CONFIRMS THE BELIEF THAT MANY SEVERELY MENTALLY HANDICAPPED PERSONS MAY BE TRAINED, NOT ONLY IN SELF-CARE AND DAILY LIVING SKILLS, BUT EVEN TO COPE WITH SIMPLE REMUNERATIVE EMPLOYMENT.
THE SECRETARY FOR HEALTH AND WELFARE, MR JOHN CHAMBERS, MADE THIS REMARK TODAY (SATURDAY) AT THE OPENING CEREMONY OF THE ROUND TABLE NO. 3 DAY ACTIVITY CENTRE RUN BY ST. JAMES SETTLEMENT IN WAN CHAI .
THOUGH THE TRAINEES' PROGRESS MIGHT BE VERY SLOW, AND WAS MEASURED IN SMALL STEPS, THESE STEPS WERE STILL ACHIEVEMENTS AND SHOULD BE SEEN AS SUCH, HE SAID.
/HE SAID .......
SATURDAY, MARCH 5, 1988
HE SAID THAT DAY ACTIVITY CENTRES OF THIS KIND SERVED TO PROVIDE SERVICES FOR MENTALLY HANDICAPPED ADULTS WHO WERE UNABLE TO BENEFIT FROM VOCATIONAL TRAINING OR FROM SHELTERED OR OPEN EMPLOYMENT.
THE SERVICES AIMED TO ASSIST MENTALLY HANDICAPPED PEOPLE WHO LIVE AT HOME TO LEAD AS NORMAL LIVES AS POSSIBLE, TO HELP THEM TO BECOME MORE USEFUL MEMBERS OF THE COMMUNITY DESPITE THEIR DISABILITY, TO KNOW HOW TO LIVE A MORE MEANINGFUL AND ENJOYABLE LIFE AND ALSO TO BE LESS OF A BURDEN TO THEIR FAMILIES.
’’WITH THESE OBJECTIVES IN MIND, NEW MEMBERS’ DAILY LIVING SKILLS AND PSYCHOSOCIAL BEHAVIOUR ARE FIRST ASSESSED AND INDIVIDUALISED EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMMES ARE THEN DESIGNED FOR EACH TRAINEE ACCORDING TO HIS OR HER ABILITY.” MR CHAMBERS SAID.
THESE TRAINING PROGRAMMES COVERED A WIDE VARIETY OF SKILLS IN DAILY LIVING, SOCIAL RELATIONSHIP AS WELL AS READING, WRITING AND CULTIVATING HOBBIES.
SIMPLE WORK AND OCCUPATIONAL TRAINING WERE ALSO PROVIDED TO HELP TRAINEES ACQUIRE JOB SKILLS AND GOOD WORK HABITS.
-------0----------
NORTH DISTRICT ORGANISATION ♦ ♦ * ♦
PRAISED FOR PROMOTING ARTS « «
AN ORGANISATION THAT HAVE BEEN PLAYING A VITAL ROLE IN PROMOTING ART AND CULTURAL ACTIVITIES AT THE DISTRICT LEVEL WAS PRAISED TODAY (SATURDAY) BY THE NORTH DISTRICT OFFICER, MR MATTHEW CHEUNG.
SPEAKING AT THE OPENING OF THE CHINESE PAINTING, CALLIGRAPHY
AND PHOTOGRAPH EXHIBITION JOINTLY ORGANISED BY THE NORTH DISTRICT ARTS ADVANCEMENT ASSOCIATION (NDAAA) AND THE REGIONAL COUNCIL, MR CHEUNG SAID THE NDAAA WAS ACTIVE IN FOSTERING RESIDENTS’ INTEREST IN VARIOUS FORMS OF ARI'.
SINCE ITS ESTABLISHMENT IN 1980, THE ASSOCIATION FIVE COMMITTEES ON MUSIC, DANCE, DRAMA, CULTURE AND OFFERING A WIDE RANGE OF TRAINING COURSES, HE ADDED.
HAI) SET UP
HORTICULTURE,
WORKS P.V TUTORS AND STUDENTS OF A CHINESE PAINTING AND CALLIGRAPHY TRAINING CLASS ORGANISED BY THE CULTURE COMMITTEE ARE NOW DISPLAYED AT THE EXHIBITION WHICH IS SPONSORED BY HIE NORTH DISTRICT BOARD. ALSO ON DISPLAY ARE WORKS OF LOCAL ARTISTS.
MR CHEUNG NOTED THAT Till* PROMOTION OF ART AND CULTURAL ACTIVITIES WAS ONLY PART OF COMMUNITY BUILDING, WHICH DEPENDED ON RES I DENTS’ ACT I VE PART ICI PATION.
/HE SAID
SATURDAY, MARCH 5, 1988
16 -
HE SAID THE NORTH DISTRICT BOARD HAD BEEN INSTRUMENTAL IN IMPROVING RESIDENTS’ LIVELIHOOD AND THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE DISTRICT.
HE THEREFORE REITERATED HIS CALL THAT REGISTERED ELECTORS SHOULD VOTE ON MARCH 10 TO CHOOSE CANDIDATES WHOM THEY THOUGHT COULD REPRESENT THEM ON THE DISTRICT BOARD.
AISO OFFICIATING AT TODAY’S OPENING CEREMONY WERE THE CHAIRMAN OF THE REGIONAL COUNCIL, MR CHEUNG YAN-LUNG, AND THE CHAIRMAN OF THE NORTH DISTRICT BOARD, MR RAYMOND PANG.
THE EXHIBITION HELD AT THE NORTH DISTRICT TOWN HALL IN SHEUNG SHUI IS OPEN FROM 9 AM TO 5 PM UNTIL MONDAY (MARCH 7). ADMISSION IS FREE.
-----0------
MANUAL OF TRAINING PROGRAMMES PUBLISHED ♦ t ♦ » *
THE BUILDING AND CIVIL ENGINEERING INDUSTRY TRAINING BOARD OF THE VOCATIONAL TRAINING COUNCIL HAS COMPILED A MANUAL OF TRAINING PROGRAMMES FOR PRINCIPAL JOBS AT TECHNOLOGIST LEVEL IN THE INDUSTRY.
THE MANUAL CONTAINS TRAINING PROGRAMMES FOR 12 PRINCIPAL TECHNOLOGIST JOBS IN THE BUILDING AND CIVIL ENGINEERING INDUSTRY SUCH AS ARCHITECT, CIVIL ENGINEER, LAND SURVEYOR AND TOWN PLANNER.
PROGRAMMES LISTED IN THE MANUAL ARE MEANT TO BE USED AS GUIDELINES BY EMPLOYERS IN DRAWING UP DETAILED TRAINING PLANS FOR THEIR EMPLOYEES.
IN THE COURSE OF PREPARING THE PROGRAMMES,
THE TRAINING
REQUIREMENTS OF PROFESSIONAL INSTITUTIONS AS WELL ADVICE FROM RELEVANT GOVERNMENT OFFICES HAD CONSIDERATION," THE CHAIRMAN OF THE TRAINING BOARD,
AS BEEN
COMMENTS
TAKEN
MR JOHN LOK
AND
INTO SAID.
’’THE TRAINING BOARD RECOMMENDED THAT A TRAINEE SHOULD RECEIVE ADEQUATE TRAINING IN MOST, IF NOT ALL, OF THE ACTIVITIES LISTED IN THE PROGRAMMES.
"IT IS ALSO RECOMMENDED THAT ALL TRAINEES SHOULD BE SUPERVISED BY COMPETENT PERSONNEL AND INDUSTRIAL SAFETY SHOULD BE HIGHL1GHIF.D THROUGHOUT Till TRAINING PERIOD," HE ADDED.
THE MANUAL, ENTITLED 'TRAINING PROGRAMMES FOR THE PRINCIPAL JOBS IN THE BUILDING AND CIVIL ENGINEERING INDUSTRY - VOLUME TECHNOLOGIST JOBS' , IS NOW ON SALI AT THE GOVERNMENT PUBLICAllONf SALES CENTRE AT $11.50 A COPY.
--------0-----------
SATURDAY, MARCH 5, 1988
- 17 -
DB COMMITTEE TO DISCUSS ENVIRONMENTAL IMPROVEMENT REQUEST » t » » ♦
THE ENVIRONMENTAL IMPROVEMENT COMMITTEE OF THE TUEN MUN DISTRICT BOARD WILL DISCUSS A REQUEST FROM RESIDENTS FOR IMPROVING THE LIVING ENVIRONMENT AT SAN TSING STREET AT ITS MEETING ON MONDAY (MARCH 7).
A GROUP OF RESIDENTS HAVE REQUESTED THE AUTHORITIES CONCERNED TO WIDEN AND IMPROVE THE PAVEMENT OF SAN TSING STREET AND SOLVE THE PROBLEM OF DRAIN BLOCKAGE.
OTHER MATTERS TO BE DISCUSSED INCLUDE AN APPLICATION FOR DB FUNDS FROM THE CLEAN TUEN MUN CAMPAIGN COMMITTEE, PROGRESS OF LOCAL PUBLIC WORKS, AND THE FINANCIAL POSITION OF THE COMMITTEE.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE MEETING OF THE TUEN MUN DISTRICT BOARD’S ENVIRONMENTAL IMPROVEMENT COMMITTEE ON MONDAY (MARCH 7) IN THE DISTRICT BOARD CONFERENCE ROOM ON THE THIRD FLOOR, GOVERNMENT OFFICES BUILDING, 1 TUEN HI ROAD, TUEN MUN. THE MEETING WILL START AT 2.30 PM.
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SYMPOSIUM ON ELDERLY IN SOUTHERN ♦ t * »
A SYMPOSIUM ON HIP FRACTURES TN THE ELDERLY AND CARE FOR THE ELDERLY WILL BE HELD TOMORROW (SUNDAY) AT THE GRANTHAM HOSPITAL IN WONG CHUK HANG.
SPONSORED BY THE SOUTHERN DISTRICT BOARD, THE FUNCTION IS ORGANISED BY THE DEPARTMENT OF ORTHOPAEDIC SURGERY, UNIVERSITY OF HONG KONG.
THE SYMPOSIUM WILL BEGIN AT 10 AM. OFFICIATING AT THE OPENING CEREMONY AT 9.30 AM WILL BE THE DIRECTOR OF SOCIAL WELFARE, MRS FLI7ABFTH WONG’ DEAN OF THE MEDICAL FACULTY, UNIVERSITY OF HONG KONG, PROFESSOR J ^Y LEONG; AND MEDICAL SUPERINTENDENT OF GRANTHAM
HOSPITAL, DR K.L. TAM.
SCHOLARS AND PROFESSIONALS IN THE MEDICAL AND SOCIAL SERVICES SECTORS WILL GIVE TALKS ON EIGHT TOPICS COVERING VARIOUS ASPECTS OF ELDERLY HIP FRACTURES AND CARE FOR THE ELDERLY.
/MEANWHILE, A .......
SATURDAY, MARCH 5, 1988
18
MEANWHILE, A CARNIVAL WILL BE HELD FROM 11 AM TO 2 PM, IN THE HOSPITAL GROUNDS, OFFERING GAMES AND BLOOD PRESSURE MEASUREMENT SERVICES TO THE PUBLIC. ADMISSION IS FREE.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE SYMPOSIUM AND THE CARNIVAL.
-----o-----
TENDERS INVITED FOR KOWLOON STATION IMPROVEMENT WCRKS
* * * *
THE CIVIL ENGINEERING SERVICES DEPARTMENT IS INVITING TENDERS FOR IMPROVEMENT WORKS AT THE KCR KOWLOON STATION.
THE IMPROVEMENT PROJECT INVOLVES THE LAYING OF ABOUT 500 METRES OF WATER PIPES, THE CONSTRUCTION OF A BUS REGULATOR OFFICE AND THE RELOCATION OF A REFUSE COLLECTION POINT.
THE PROJECT FOLLOWS WORKS ON THE EXTENSION OF THE PODIUM WHICH INVOLVE THE CONSTRUCTION OF A BUS TERMINUS AND COACH PARK. THESE WORKS ARE DUE TO BE COMPLETED SOON.
IT IS EXPECTED THAT WORK ON THE IMPROVEMENT PROJECT WILL START IN MAY AND TAKE SIX MONTHS TO COMPLETE.
THE CLOSING DATE FOR SUBMITTING TENDERS IS NOON ON MARCH 25.
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URBAN CLEARWAY RESTRICTION ON NGAU TAU KOK ROAD ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦
THE EXISTING 24-HOUR URBAN CLEARWAY RESTRICTION ON NGAU TAU KOK ROAD EASTBOUND WILL BE MOVED EASTWARDS FOR ABOUT 40 METRES FROM 11 AM ON TUESDAY (MARCH 8).
THE NEW RESTRICTION WILL BE IMPOSED ON THE SECTION OF NGAU TAU KOK ROAD EASTBOUND FROM A POINT ABOUT 110 METRES EAST OF ITS JUNCTION WITH KWUN TONG ROAD TO A POINT ABOUT 220 METRES EAST OF THE SAME JUNCTION.
NO VEHICLES WILL BE ALLOWED TO STOP WITHIN THE URBAN CLEARWAY FOR PASSENGERS OR GOODS AT ANY TIME OF THE DAY.
-------0---------
/19........
SATURDAY, MARCH 5, 1988
- 19 -
WATER CUT IN EAST KOWLOON, WONG TAI SIN *****
SALT WATER SUPPLY TO CERTAIN PREMISES IN EAST KOWLOON WILL BE TURNED OFF ON TUESDAY (MARCH 8) FROM 9.30 AM TO 8 PM FOR WATER MAINS WORK.
THE SUSPENSION WILL AFFECT KWUN TONG, NGAU TAU KOK, KOWLOON BAY, NGAU CHI WAN, SAU MAU PING, SHUN CHI COURT, AND SHUN LEE TSUEN TEMPORARY HOUSING AREA.
ALSO AFFECTED WILL BE A NUMBER OF PUBLIC HOUSING ESTATES - NGAU TAU KOK, JORDAN VALLEY, SHUN LEE, SHUN TIN, SHUN ON, WO LOK, LAM TIN, KWUN TONG (LEI YUE MUN ROAD), CHOI WAN AND SAU MAU PING ESTATES.
MEANWHILE, FRESH WATER SUPPLY TO CERTAIN PREMISES IN WONG TAI SIN WILL BE CUT OFF FROM 11 PM ON WEDNESDAY (MARCH 9) TO 6 AM THE FOLLOWING DAY FOR LEAKAGE TEST.
THE AREA AFFECTED WILL BE TSZ WAN SHAN ROAD, WAN WAH STREET, PO KONG VILLAGE ROAD, YUK WAH STREET, YUK WAH CRESCENT, PO MING LANE, PO WAI LANE, PO TIN LANE, PO HANG LANE, PO YING LANE, PO KING LANE, PO FONG LANE, KOON WAH LANE, FONG WAH LANE AND TSZ WAH LANE.
ALL BLOCKS OF TSZ MAN ESTATE, AND ON YAN HOUSE, ON KEI HOUSE, ON YEE HOUSE AND ON KA HOUSE OF TSZ ON ESTATE WILL ALSO BE AFFECTED.
------0-------
TEMPORARY ROAD CLOSURES IN WAN CHAI, YAU MA TEI
*****
MOTORISTS ARE ADVISED TO WATCH OUT FOR ROAD CLOSURES IN WAN CHAI AND YAU MA TEI ON TUESDAY (MARCH 8).
IN WAN CHAI, A SECTION OF HARBOUR ROAD NEAR ITS JUNCTION WITH FENWICK STREET WILL BE CLOSED TO TRAFFIC FROM 1 AM TO 6 AM ON TUESDAY FOR CONSTRUCTION WORKS.
AT THE SAME TIME, HARBOUR ROAD BETWEEN FLEMING ROAD AND FENWICK STREET WILL BE CONVERTED INTO A CUL-DE-SAC. VEHICLES ON FENWICK PIER STREET EASTBOUND WILL BE DIVERTED VIA LUNG KING STREET, FENWICK PIER STREET WESTBOUND TO GLOUCESTER ROAD.
IN YAU MA TEI, THE SECTION OF YUNNAN LANE BETWEEN SHEK LUNG STREET AND MAN MING LANE WILL BE CLOSED FROM 10 AM ON TUESDAY.
THE MEASURE, WHICH WILL BE IN FORCE FOR ABOUT 10 WEEKS, IS TO FACILITATE ROAD RECONSTRUCTION WORKS.
- - 0 - -
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL: 5-8428777
t
SUNDAY, MARCH 6, 1*88
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
GOVERNOR PRAISES WORK OE ROAD SAFETY PATROLS ............. 1
DISTRICT OFFICER URGES RESIDENTS TO VOTE ................. 2
DB CANDIDATES' FORUM IN STANLEY, SHEK 0 AND BAYS AREA .... 3
GROWING CHALLENGES FOR POLICE IN BORDER DISTRICT ......... 3
ACTIVITIES TO CELEBRATE 1988 WORLD METEOROLOGICAL DAY .... 6
MORE ACTIVITIES FOR THE ELDERLY NEEDED ................... 7
EXPERTS HELP POLICE COMBAT COMMERCIAL CRIME.............. 8
TRAINING COURSES FOR KINDERGARTIN PRINCIPALS aND TEACHERS . 9
YAU MA TEI DB TO DISCUSS FIRE ESCaPE PROVISION ......... 11
MORE RECREaTIONaL FACILITIES IN TUEN MUN ............... 11
STUDY ROOMS FOR KWUN TONG STUDENTS ...................... 12
BRIDGE TO BE BUILT SOON TO CaRRY LIGHT RAIL VEHICLES .... 12
NEW IDENTITY CaRDS FOR MEN BORN IN 1957-58 .............. 15
SERVICE RESERVOIR TO BE BUILT aT AU TAU ................ 1*F
SUNDAY, MARCH 6, 1988
GOVERNOR PRAISES WORK OF ROAD SAFETY PATROLS * * ♦ » ♦
THE ROAD SAFETY PATROL SCHEME HAS MADE A GREAT CONTRIBUTION TO THE IMPORTANT TASK OF PROMOTING ROAD SAFETY SINCE IT BEGAN IN 1963, THE GOVERNOR, SIR DAVID WILSON, SAID TODAY (SUNDAY).
SPEAKING AT THE 25TH ANNIVERSARY ANNUAL REVIEW OF THE ROAD SAFETY PATROLS, SIR DAVID SAID BOTH PEDESTRIANS AND DRIVERS HAD BENEFFITTED FROM THE WORK OF THE PATROL TEAMS - THROUGH THEIR ASSISTANCE AT BUSY ROAD CROSSINGS AS WELL AS THROUGH ROAD SAFETY PUBLICITY CAMPAIGNS.
"THE SUCCESS OF THE SCHEME IS SHOWN BY THE FACT THAT MEMBERSHIP HAS GROWN FROM 48 WHEN IT STARTED TO OVER 12,000 TODAY,” SIR DAVID SAID, ADDING THAT THERE WERE, AT PRESENT, OVER 200 ROAD PATROLS ACTIVE EVERYDAY HELPING PEOPLE TO LEAD SAFER LIVES.
TURNING TO THE TRAFFIC ACCIDENT VICTIMS, THE GOVERNOR NOTED THAT SOME 20,000 PEOPLE WERE INJURED ON OUR ROADS EACH YEAR AND THAT SOME 300 OF THESE DIED.
THIS WAS OVER TWICE THE NUMBER WHO DIED EACH YEAR FROM CRIME OF VIOLENCE, SHOWING HOW SERIOUS THE IMPACT OF TRAFFIC ACCIDENTS WAS ON THE COMMUNITY.
’’THERE IS A HEAVY FINANCIAL COST TOO WHICH SOCIETY HAS TO BEAR. THE AVERAGE TRAFFIC ACCIDENT INJURY COSTS SOCIETY SOME $42,000,” SIR DAVID SAID.
"YET TOO MANY PEOPLE SEEM TO TREAT TRAFFIC ACCIDENTS AS THOUGH THEY WERE AN INEVITABLE AND UNREMARKABLE PART OF DAILY LIFE,” HE ADDED.
SIR DAVID STRESSED THAT THE GOVERNMENT PAID GREAT ATTENTION TO THE IMPORTANCE OF ROAD SAFETY.
’’WHEN A ROAD PROJECT IS BEING PLANNED, GREAT CARE IS TAKEN TO ENSURE THAT THE DESIGN INCORPORATE THE LATEST SAFETY FEATURES.
’’WHEREVER POSSIBLE, FOOTBRIDGES AND WALKWAYS ARE PROVIDED TO SEGREGATE PEDESTRIANS FROM VEHICULAR TRAFFIC.
”WE ARE CONSTANTLY REVIEWING OUR LEGISLATION TO ENSURE THAT VEHICLES ON THE ROADS ARE SAFE, AND THAT THE BEHAVIOUR OF ROAD USERS IS SUITABLY REGULATED,” HE EXPLAINED.
A COMPREHENSIVE ROAD SAFETY GUIDE FOR MOTORISTS AND PEDESTRIANS, THE ROAD USERS’ CODE, HAD RECENTLY BEEN PRODUCED. SO FAR, 340,000 COPIES OF THE CODE HAD BEEN DISTRIBUTED TO THE PUBLIC.
”OUR MAIN AIM, HOWEVER, MUST BE TO IMPROVE THE BEHAVIOUR OF ROAD USERS.
/•’THIS THE..........
SUNDAY, MARCH 6, 1988
"THIS THE GOVERNMENT HAS ATTEMPTED TO DO BY ANNUAL ROAD SAFETY CAMPAIGNS," SIR DAVID SAID.
HE POINTED OUT THAT THERE WAS ALSO A CONSTANT EFFORT TO PUBLICISE AND PROMOTE IDEAS OF ROAD SAFETY THROUGH TELEVISION AND RADIO, THE PRESS, POSTERS, CAMPAIGNS AND PROGRAMMES ORGANISED BY DISTRICT OFFICES.
"NONE OF THESE MEASURES CAN SUCCEED WITHOUT THE SUPPORT OF THE COMMUNITY AND THE HELP OF VOLUNTARY GROUPS SUCH AS THE ROAD SAFETY PATROLS.
"WHAT HAS BEEN DONE BY THE ROAD SAFETY ASSOCIATION, ITS PATROL OFFICIALS AND PATROL MEMBERS OVER »HE PAST 25 YEARS DESERVES THE HIGHEST PRAISE.
"NONE OF THIS COULD HAVE BEEN ACHIEVED WITHOUT THE HELP OF THE ROYAL HONG KONG POLICE FORCE, WHICH TRAINS THE PATROL MEMBERS, THE CO-OPERATION AND ENCOURAGEMENT OF SCHOOLS, AND THE GENEROUS DONATIONS MADE BY SPONSORING ORGANISATIONS,” THE GOVERNOR SAID.
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DISTRICT OFFICER URGES RESIDENTS TO VOTE
* » * » »
THE WAN CHAI DISTRICT OFFICER, MR ALLAN CHOW, TODAY (SUNDAY) URGED RESIDENTS TO SHOW SUPPORT FOR THE DISTRICT BOARD AND CAST THEIR VOTES ON MARCH 10.
SPEAKING AT THE OPENING CEREMONY OF A CARNIVAL ORGANISED BY THE DISTRICT OFFICE TO PUBLICISE THE DISTRICT BOARD ELECTIONS, MR CHOW SAID THE WAN CHAI DISTRICT BOARD HAD MADE MANY USEFUL SUGGESTIONS ON MATTERS AFFECTING THE DISTRICT AS WELL AS ON TERRITORY-WIDE ISSUES.
"OTHER THAN CONTRIBUTING VALUABLE IDEAS ON SUBJECTS SUCH AS TRAFFIC AND TRANSPORT AND ENVIRONMENTAL IMPROVEMENT, THE BOARD HAS ALSO PROVIDED MANY FREE RECREATIONAL AND CULTURAL PROGRAMMES FOR RESIDENTS.
"THE ACHIEVEMENTS OF THE BOARD ARE FOR ALL TO SEE," HE STRESSED.
THE CARNIVAL FEATURED PERFORMANCES BY POPULAR SINGERS AND BANDS, AS WELL AS DRAMA AND GAMESTALLS.
ALSO PRESENT AT THE CARNIVAL WERE POLICE DISTRICT COMMANDER, MR. MICHAEL PR.EW, AND DISTRICT LANDS OFFICER (HONG KONG WEST), MR THOMAS HO.
SUNDAY, MARCH 6, 1988
DB CANDIDATES’ FORUM IN STANLEY ♦ * » » »
SHEK O AND BAYS AREA
SOUTHERN DISTRICT RESIDENTS LIVING IN THE STANLEY, SHEK O AND BAYS AREA ARE INVITED TO ATTEND A PUBLIC FORUM TOMORROW (MONDAY) TO MEET CANDIDATES RUNNING FOR THE DISTRICT BOARD ELECTIONS IN THEIR CONSTITUENCY.
THE FORUM WILL START AT 8 PM AT THE ST STEPHEN’S COLLEGE, TUNG TAU WAN ROAD, STANLEY.
’’THE FORUM IS A GOOD OPPORTUNITY FOR ELECTORS TO LEARN MORE ABOUT THE CANDIDATES SO THAT THEY COULD SELECT THE ONES WHO BEST REPRESENT THEIR VIEWS,” A DISTRICT OFFICE SPOKESMAN SAID.
’’FREE TRANSPORT WILL BE PROVIDED TO TAKE RESIDENTS TO AND FROM THE FORUM VENUE," THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
A COACH WILL LEAVE THE SHEK O BEACH CAR PARK AT 7.10 PM AND WILL PICK UP RESIDENTS ON ITS WAY TO STANLEY. THERE WILL ALSO BE A SHUTTLE VAN SERVICE TO AND FROM STANLEY NEW STREET FROM 7.10 PM.
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GROWING CHALLENGES FOR POLICE IN BORDER DISTRICT ♦ ♦ * » ♦
LIKE PAINTING THE FORTH BRIDGE IN SCOTLAND, REPAIRING HOLES CUT IN THE 18 MILES OF FENCE AT THE HONG KONG-CHINA BORDER IS A CONTINUOUS JOB. EVERY DAY OF THE YEAR REPAIR TEAMS TRAVEL ALONG THE FENCE IN AN EFFORT TO KEEP OUT THE STEADY TIDE OF ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS EQUIPPED WITH WIRE CUTTERS.
ABOUT 200 HOLES APPEAR IN THE BORDER FENCE EVERY MONTH, CUT BY WOULD-BE IMMIGRANTS TO HONG KONG.
AS FAST AS THE HOLES APPEAR THEY ARE REPAIRED - AS QUICKLY AS THE ILLEGALS ARE ROUNDED UP AND SENT BACK TO CHINA EVERY DAY.
FOR YEARS POLICING THE FRONTIER HAS BEEN SYNONYMOUS WITH ILLEGAL IMMIGRATION. BUT TODAY THERE ARE PRESSURES OTHER THAN CHASING ILLEGALS FACING THE POLICE FRONTIER DISTRICT.
ON THE OTHER SIDE OF THE FENCE THE VIEW OF SHENZHEN SPECIAL ECONOMIC? ZONE BECOMES DAILY MORE LIKE A VIEW OF URBAN HONG KONG. GROWING RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN HONG KONG AND CHINA IS EASING THE MOVEMENT OF PEOPLE BETWEEN THE TWO TERRITORIES.
/A HUGE
SUNDAY, MARCH 6, 1988
A HUGE BUILD UP IN TRADE AND TRAFFIC IS BRINGING NEW ROADS, MORE POLICE PROBLEMS TO THE COUNTRYSIDE. CATCHING ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS AND STOPPING CRIME IS BECOMING MORE COMPLEX. THE RESULT WILL BE MORE WORK FOR THE POLICE, BOTH IN ANTI-CRIME OPERATIONS AND AT THE BORDER.
’’PEOPLE STILL THINK OF THE FRONTIER AS RATHER A BACKWATER,” SAID THE POLICE FRONTIER DISTRICT COMMANDER MR GWYN LLOYD. ’’BUT THEN THE ECONOMIC ZONE CAME WITH A RUSH AND SEVERAL BIG PROJECTS WERE PUSHED THROUGH VERY QUICKLY.
’’THE BORDER CHANGED ALMOST OVERNIGHT.”
BORDER DEVELOPMENTS INCLUDED A NEW CROSSING POINT AT SHA TAU KOK, A NEW LO WU BRIDGE, A CROSSING POINT AT MAN KAM TO. NOW A NEW POLICE POST HAS BEEN OPENED THIS MONTH AT SHA TAU KOK.
NEXT YEAR A NEW BORDER CROSSING POINT AT LOK MA CHAU WILL EVENTUALLY LINK THE AREA TO A NEW SUPER HIGHWAY TO GUANGDONG.
"ALL THESE THINGS HAVE HAPPENED IN THE LAST SEVEN YEARS,” MR LLOYD SAID.
THE CHANGES TO THE AREA CAUSED BY THE HONG KONG-CHINA DEVELOPMENT HAS COINCIDED WITH GROWTH IN THE INDIGENOUS POPULATION.
IN SHEUNG SHUT DIVISION THE POPULATION HAS RISEN BY 30 PER CENT IN FOUR YEARS, MANY OF THE NEWCOMERS HAVING MOVED TO THE NEW TERRITORIES FROM URBAN KOWLOON.
THEIR ARRIVAL HAS NOT BROUGHT WITH IT AN INCREASE IN CRIME.
"CRIME HAS ACTUALLY GONE DOWN," SAID MR LLOYD. "THIS IS PARTLY BECAUSE OF OUR EFFICIENCY BUT A BIG FACTOR IS THAT THE CONDITIONS UNDER WHICH THE PEOPLE ARE NOW LIVING ARE VERY GOOD.
"FORTY PER CENT OF THE NEW ARRIVALS COME FROM TEMPORARY HOUSING AREAS TN KOWLOON WHERE IT WAS VERY DIFFICULT FOR THEM TO LEAD DECENT LIVES. THEY’VE RESPONDED TO THE IMPROVEMENT.
"AT SHA TAU KOK THE POLICE WILL BE IN AT THE BEGINNING, THREE MONTHS BEFORE MORE PEOPLE ARE REHOUSED IN JUNE."
SOME 18,000 FRONTIER RESIDENTS LIVE IN THE RESTRICTED AREA ADJACENT TO THE BORDER, WHERE A CURFEW IS IMPOSED BETWEEN MIDNIGHT AND 4 AM DAILY.
"THERE’S NOT MUCH DEVELOPMENT THERE. IT’S MAINLY FARMLAND. BUT THERE IS SOME PRESSURE ON US TO REVIEW THE RESTRICTIONS TO SEE IF SOME CONCESSIONS CAN BE MADE, TO SHRINK THE AREA OR MAKE IT LESS RESTRICTIVE.
/’’UNFORTUNATELY ILLEGAL
LUNDAY, MARCH 6, 1988
5 -
"UNFORTUNATELY ILLEGAL IMMIGRATION IS STILL RISING AND IT’S EXTREMELY DIFFICULT TO DO MUCH TO THE PRESENT SYSTEM - WE MUST HAVE A BUFFER ZONE."
THE PICTURE IS DIFFERENT AT SHA TAU KOK WHERE CROSSING IS PERMITTED AT THE BORDER ACROSS CHUNG YING STREET, FROM SHENZHEN STRAIGHT INTO HONG KONG.
"IT’S GETTING MORE DIFFICULT TO DISTINGUISH BETWEEN RESIDENTS AND VISITORS. WITH SHENZHEN GETTING MORE LIKE A MINI-HONG KONG THE DRESS OF THE PEOPLE IS VERY SIMILAR. BUT IT’S EASIER FOR POLICE TO SPOT STRANGERS THAN THE ARMY BECAUSE THE CONSTABLES CAN RECOGNISE THE DIFFERENT DIALECT.
"I DON’T THINK ILLEGAL IMMIGRATION WILL REDUCE. I CAN ONLY SEE IT INCREASING."
A TOTAL OF 27,000 ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS WERE RETURNED TO CHINA LAST YEAR AND REPATRIATIONS TAKE PLACE AT 3 PM EVERY AFTERNOON.
"WE LIKE TO THINK THAT WE CATCH 75 PER CENT BUT IT’S DIFFICULT TO FIGURE IT OUT. THOSE WHO CLIMB THE FENCE FIND IT QUITE AN OBSTACLE, BUT IT CAN BE DONE IN I 4 SECONDS. WE’RE GETTING STRONGER WIRE AND MORE TECHNICAL AIDS."
ABOUT 5,000 SHOPPERS THRONG INTO SHA TAU KOK LEGALLY DAILY AND SOME OF THEM TOO ATTEMPT TO STAY.
ILLEGAL IMMIGRATION AND SMUGGLING ARE TWO MAJOR QUESTIONS IN THE GROWING FRIENDLY CONTACTS BETWEEN FRONTIER DISTRICT AND AUTHORITIES ON THE OTHER SIDE OF THE BORDER. THE TWO SIDES ARE IN REGULAR CONTACT OVER MATTERS OF MUTUAL INTEREST.
"THERE WERE 22 MILLION CROSSINGS AT LO WU LAST YEAR AND 9,500 LORRIES EITHER GOING INTO OR OUT OF CHINA EVERY DAY. OBVIOUSLY IT’S DIFFICULT TO CHECK ON THEM ALL."
TOLERATED BORDER CROSSERS, FARMERS WITH HOMES IN CHINA AND FIELDS IN HONG KONG, ARE A POTENTIAL SOURCE OF PROBLEMS AS SOME HAVE CEASED TO BE FARMERS AND ARE NOW "SHOPPERS" OR AGENTS. OTHERS CROSS THE BORDER TO FARM OTHER PEOPLE’S LAND.
THE CHIEF BORDER LIAISON OFFICER IN THE BORDER LIAISON GROUP OF POLICE, CUSTOMS AND IMMIGRATION OFF I ( I RS CONDUCTING REGULAR MEETINGS WITH CHINESE AUTHORITIES IS A POLICE OFFICER.
"INITIALLY IT WAS RATHER A STIFF RELATIONSHIP, BUT IT HAS RELAXED AND CO-OPERATION AND UNDERSTANDING HAVE GROWN INTO A CORDIAL WORKING RELATIONSHIP," SAJI) MR LLOYD.
"THERE IS A LOI OF RESPECT FOR THE ROYAL HONG KONG POLICE ON i UK OTHER SI DI- OF Till* I'.'•It’DI I?. THE\ WILL ACCEPT OUR WORD AND WE ACCEPT THEI RS."
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/6........
SUNDAY, MARCH 6, 1988
6 -
ACTIVITIES TO CELEBRATE 1988 WORLD METEOROLOGICAL DAY * » * » »
THE WORLD METEOROLOGICAL DAY ON MARCH 23 (WEDNESDAY) WILL BE CELEBRATED THE WORLD OVER TO COMMEMORATE THE COMING INTO FORCE IN 1950 OF THE CONVENTION OF THE WORLD METEOROLOGICAL ORGANISATION (WMO), AN INTERGOVERNMENTAL INSTITUTION FOSTERING AND MAINTAINING GLOBAL CO-OPERATION IN METEOROLOGY AND OPERATIONAL HYDROLOGY.
WMO HAS CHOSEN "METEOROLOGY AND THE MEDIA" AS THE THEME OF THE WORLD METEOROLOGICAL DAY CELEBRATION THIS YEAR.
THIS IS TO PAY TRIBUTE TO THE MASS MEDIA WHICH HAVE CO-OPERATED WITH METEOROLOGICAL SERVICES ALL OVER THE WORLD IN ENSURING THAT ESSENTIAL WEATHER INFORMATION, WARNINGS AND FORECASTS ARE BROUGHT TO THE ATTENTION OF THE PUBLIC.
TO CELEBRATE THE OCCASION, THE ROYAL OBSERVATORY WILL MOUNT A FIVE-DAY EXHIBITION ON "METEOROLOGY AND THE MEDIA" IN THE HEADQUARTERS’ CENTENARY BUILDING. IT WILL BE OPEN TO THE PUBLIC FROM MARCH 23 TO 27.
THE ROYAL OBSERVATORY WILL ALSO ORGANISE A WORLD METEOROLOGICAL DAY ESSAY COMPETITION WITH A CHINESE LANGUAGE NEWSPAPER.
UMBER OF THE XIJ I IIVE AND LEGISLATIVE COUNCILS, MR ALLEN LEE, AND Till SECRETARY I OR ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES AND INFORMATION, MR I'ETF.R TSAO, WILL OFF IC 1 AT. VI’ THE OPENING CEREMONY OF THE EXHIBITION AT 10.30 AM ON MARCH 23.
THE EXHIBITION WILL BE OPEN TO THE PUBLIC FROM 1.30 PM TO 5.30 PM ON MARCH 23 AND FROM 9.30 AM TO 5.30 PM BETWEEN MARCH 24 AND 27.
FREE ADMISSION TICKETS FOR THE EXHIBITION ARE OBTAINABLE BEFORE MARCH 16 BY WRITING TO THE ROYAL OBSERVATORY, 134A NATHAN ROAD, KOWLOON. THE NUMBER OF TICKETS WILL BE LIMITED TO TWO PER REQUEST ON A FIRST COME, FIRST SERVED BASIS.
MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC WISHING TO OBTAIN THE TICKETS SHOULD iARK ’’EXHIBITION TICKETS” AND THE PREFERRED DATE OF ATTENDANCE ON THE ENVELOPE CONTAINING THE REQUEST. THEY SHOULD ALSO INCLUDE A STAMPED SELF-ADDRESSED ENVELOPE.
FURTHER INFORMATION ON THE EXHIBITION AND THE ESSAY COMPETITION MAY BE OBTAINED ON 3-7329200 DURING OFFICE HOURS.
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SUNDAY, MARCH 6, 1988
MORE ACTIVITIES FOR THE ELDERLY NEEDED » * » *
THE DIRECTOR OF SOCIAL WELFARE, MRS ELIZABETH WONG, TODAY (SUNDAY) SAID THAT MORE ACTIVITIES SHOULD BE ARRANGED FOR THE ELDERLY SO AS TO ENHANCE PUBLIC AWARENESS OF SERVICES FOR OUR SENIOR CITIZENS.
SHE WAS SPEAKING AT THE OPENING CEREMONY OF A CARNIVAL FOR THE ELDERLY ORGANISED BY THE DEPARTMENT OF ORTHOPAEDIC SURGERY, UNIVERSITY OF HONG KONG WITH THE SPONSORSHIP OF THE SOUTHERN DISTRICT BOARD AT THE GRANTHAM HOSPITAL.
MRS WONG NOTED THAT THE GOVERNMENT STARTED A COMPREHENSIVE REVIEW OF WELFARE FOR THE ELDERLY IN THE EARLY 70’S WITH THE AIM OF ENCOURAGING THE SENIOR CITIZENS TO CONTINUE LIVING IN THE COMMUNITY THROUGH THE PROVISION OF A WIDE RANGE OF SERVICES.
THE GOVERNMENT AND VOLUNTARY AGENCIES WERE CURRENTLY PROVIDING FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE, HEALTH CARE, HOUSING, COMMUNITY SUPPORT, RECREATIONAL AND TRANSPORT SERVICES TO COPE WITH THE DIFFERENT NEEDS OF THE ELDERLY, SHE SAID.
"AT PRESENT, THERE ARE 114 SOCIAL CENTRES FOR THE ELDERLY, 12 MULTI-SERVICES CENTRES FOR THE ELDERLY, 46 HOME HELP TEAMS, FOUR DAY CARE CENTRES, 1,486 ELDERLY HOSTEL PLACES, 595 SHELTERED HOUSING PLACES, 5,492 AGED HOME PLACES AND 1,570 CARE-AND-ATTENTION HOME PLACES FOR THE ELDERLY," SHE SAID.
"THESE SERVICES WILL BE DEVELOPED AND EXPANDED GRADUALLY IN THE NEXT FIVE YEARS, BY WHICH TIME THE DEMAND WILL ALMOST BE FULLY MET.
"MOREOVER, THE GOVERNMENT HAS SET UP A COMMITTEE ON ELDERLY SERVICES IN JULY LAST YEAR, COMPRISING REPRESENTATIVES FROM A NUMBER OF GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS AND VOLUNTARY AGENCIES TO REVIEW AND DEVELOP SERVICES FOR THE ELDERLY SO AS TO ENABLE OUR SENIOR CITIZENS TO ENJOY A HAPPIER OLD AGE WITH BETTER SERVICES,” SHE SAID.
SHE NOTED THAT THE CARNIVAL, WHICH COMPRISED TALKS BY PROFESSIONALS ON VARIOUS THEMES, WOULD HELP TO ENHANCE PUBLIC’S AWARENESS OF HEALTH AND CARE FOR THE ELDERLY.
SUNDAY, MARCH 6, 1988
8
EXPERTS HELP POLICE COMBAT COMMERCIAL CRIME » * * t *
FROM THE BACK STREET FRAUD OF A SMALL TIME CONFIDENCE TRICKSTER TO THE ILLEGAL MONEY MANIPULATIONS OF A MULTI-MILLIONAIRE THEIR ACTIVITIES GO UNDER THE SCRUTINY OF OFFICERS OF THE POLICE COMMERCIAL CRIME BUREAU.
AND WITH THE METHODS OF COMMERCIAL CRIMINALS BECOMING INCREASINGLY MORE COMPLICATED AND SOPHISTICATED, 'CCB STAFF ARE CONSTANTLY UPDATING THEIR EXPERTISE IN DEALING WITH "WHITE COLLAR" CRIME.
WITH THE HELP OF EXPERTS IN THE PRIVATE SECTOR THE BUREAU IS CONDUCTING A SERIES OF IN-HOUSE COURSES TO TRAIN STAFF IN THE TECHNIQUES OF BANKING, INSURANCE, ACCOUNTANCY AND COMPUTER TECHNOLOGY.
THE BUREAU ALSO INVITED THE PARTICIPATION OF OFFICERS FROM SELECTED OTHER FORMATIONS, INCLUDING THE CRIMINAL INTELLIGENCE BUREAU, SPECIAL BRANCH AND NARCOTICS BUREAU.
SINCE THE TRAINING COURSE WAS INTRODUCED IN 1985, A TOTAL OF 10 INSPECTORATE OFFICERS, 30 OF THEM FROM CCB, HAVE ATTENDED.
TO ENCOURAGE MAXIMUM PARTICIPATION THE 80 HOUR COURSE IS RUN ONE MORNING EACH WEEK FOR FOUR MONTHS.
IHI' BUREAU ALSO ORGANISES ITS OWN TRAINING SCHEME FOR JUNIOR POLICE OFFICERS, WHO ATTEND FOR 30 HOURS DURING A TWO MONTH PERIOD.
LECTURERS FOR THE INSPECTORATE COURSE ARE ALL EXPERTS IN THE FIELDS OF BUSINESS WHERE COMMERCIAL CRIME OCCURS.
MR KEITH BRAITHWAITE, SENIOR SUPERINTENDENT IN COMMERCIAL CRIME BUREAU, EXPLAINED: "THE LECTURERS ARE NOT JUST ACADEMICS. THEY ARE ALL PRACTICAL PEOPLE, SUCH AS SOLICITORS, BANKERS, ACCOUNTANTS AND INSURANCE AGENTS.
"THE STUDENTS LEARN THE COMPLEXITIES OF THE TERMINOLOGY USED IN BANKING AND INSURANCE. THEY GAIN A BASIC UNDERSTANDING AND INSIGHT INTO THE SOURCES OF COMMERCIAL INFORMATION.
"WE ARE ALSO CONSTANTLY IMPROVING AND EXTENDING THE SCOPE OF HE COURSE TO KEEP ABREAST OF CHANGING TRENDS IN COMMERCIAL CRIME AND NEW LEGISLATION BEING INTRODUCED.
"WE ARE PLANNING TO INTRODUCE A SERIES OF CASE STUDIES FOR DISCUSSION ON THE LESSONS LEARNED FROM THEM.
"WE OWE OUR GRATITUDE TO THE EXPERTS WHO ARE PARTICIPATING IN THE TRAINING COURSES. WE HAVE A LOT OF SUPPORT FROM THE PRIVATE COMMERCIAL SECTOR AND FROM REGULATORY BODIES AND THE COURSE WOULD NOT BE POSSIBLE WITHOUT THEIR HELP."
/COMPUTER TRAINING
SUNDAY, MARCH 6, 1988
- 9 -
COMPUTER TRAINING ASPECTS OF THE COURSE ARE CONDUCTED THROUGH THE FORCE INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY BRANCH OF MANAGEMENT SERVICES WING.
THE FRAUD, COUNTERFEIT AND FORGERY CASES INVESTIGATED BY THE BUREAU ARE BECOMING INCREASINGLY COMPLICATED, TIME CONSUMING AND FREQUENTLY INVOLVE OVERSEAS ENQUIRIES, SAID MR BRAITHWAITE.
’’ALL IT TAKES TO TRANSFER A LARGE SUM OF MONEY FROM ONE PLACE TO ANOTHER IS TO PRESS A BUTTON. IT CAN BE VERY DIFFICULT TO TRACE MONEY FLOWS.”
MR BRAITHWAITE SAID THAT COUNTERFEITING WAS VERY SOPHISTICATED AND FRAUD A CONTINUING PROBLEM.
’’THE USE OF POST-DATED CHEQUES IS A VERY SIGNIFICANT FEATURE OF FRAUD CASES IN HONG KONG. IF THAT WERE CURTAILED AND SMALL BUSINESSES IN PARTICULAR MAINTAINED REASONABLE ACCOUNTS IT WOULD CONSIDERABLY EASE OUR INVESTIGATION OF A LARGE NUMBER OF FRAUDS.”
SINCE THE RECENT FALL OF THE HONG KONG STOCK MARKET THE BUREAU HAD RECEIVED 77 FILES RELATING TO ALLEGED LOSSES THROUGH FRAUD OF ABOUT $72 MILLION, ALTHOUGH MANY OF THE CASES WERE CIVIL MATTERS.
ALL OFFICERS SERVING IN CCB ARE VOLUNTEERS WHO HAVE TO BE PREPARED TO DEVOTE SEVERAL YEARS TO THE WORK, SAID MR BRAITHWAITE.
’’IT’S NOT SUITABLE FOR EVERYBODY. IT INVOLVES A LOT OF WADING THROUGH PAPERS AND TAKING A LOT OF COMPLICATED STATEMENTS. IT'S BY NO MEANS GLAMOROUS OR EXCITING.
IT’S DIFFICULT TO CREATE A CAREER STRUCTURE HERE BUT IT'S BEING LOOKED AT IN FORCE DEVELOPMENT PLANS. WE DON'T WANT TO LOSE TOO MANY PEOPLE ON PROMOTION.
“BUT OUR LOSS IS THE GAIN OF DISTRICTS, WHERE THEY NEED PEOPLE WITH A GENERAL KNOWLEDGE OF COMMERCIAL CRIME. THERE’S NO SHORTAGE OF VOLUNTEERS.”
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TRAINING COURSES FOR
KINDERGARTEN PRINCIPALS AND TEACHERS » * ♦ ♦ *
THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT WILL AGAIN ORGANISE A SERIES OF TRAINING COURSES FOR KINDERGARTEN PRINCIPALS AND TEACHERS IN 1HE 1988/89 SCHOOL YEAR.
SERVING KINDERGARTEN PRINCIPALS AND TEACHERS WHO ARE PROFESSIONALLY UNTRAINED ARE INVITED TO ATTEND THE TWO-YEAR PART-TIME DAY RELEASE COURSES, WHICH WILL BE CONDUCTED IN CHINESE OR ENGLISH LANGUAGE, OR THE 12-WEEK PART-TIME DAY OR EVENING COURSES.
/THE TWO-YEAR .......
SUNDAY, MARCH 6, 1988
10
THE TWO-YEAR COURSES WILL BE HELD AT THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT’S GRANTHAM COLLEGE OF EDUCATION. PARTICIPANTS WHO HAVE SUCCESSFULLY COMPLETED THE COURSES WILL BE AWARDED THE STATUS OF "QUALIFIED KINDERGARTEN TEACHERS" AND WILL BE ELIGIBLE FOR ADMISSION TO THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT’S REGISTER OF TEACHERS.
THE COURSES ARE ALSO OPEN TO GRADUATES OF THE 12-WEEK PART-TIME COURSES PROVIDED THEY MEET THE ENTRY REQUIREMENTS.
SERVING KINDERGARTEN PRINCIPALS WHO HAVE ACQUIRED THE 'QUALIFIED ASSISTANT KINDERGARTEN TEACHER’ STATUS THROUGH THE 12-WEEK PART-TIME COURSES WILL BE CONSIDERED APPROPRIATELY QUALIFIED FOR APPROVAL AS PRINCIPALS OF KINDERGARTEN UPON THE SUCCESSFUL COMPLETION OF THE COURSES.
THE 12-WEEK PART-TIME COURSE IN CHINESE WILL BE ORGANIZED BY THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT’S KINDERGARTEN SECTION OF THE ADVISORY INSPECTORATE TWICE A YEAR, WHILE THE 12-WEEK ENGLISH PART-TIME EVENING COURSE WILL BE OPERATED BY THE GRANTHAM COLLEGE OF EDUCATION.
PARTICIPANTS OF THE COURSES WILL BE REQUIRED TO UNDERGO A SIX-MONTH POST-COURSE SUPERVISED TEACHING.
THEY WILL BE AWARDED THE STATUS OF "QUALIFIED ASSISTANT KINDERGARTEN TEACHER" UPON SUCCESSFUL COMPLETION OF THE COURSE AND THE SUPERVISED TEACHING.
APPLICATION FORMS ARE NOW AVAILABLE FROM THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT HEADQUARTERS AT LEE GARDENS, THIRD FLOOR, HYSAN AVENUE, CAUSEWAY BAY; AND ITS SUB-OFFICE AT KOWLOON GOVERNMENT OFFICES, SIXTH FLOOR, 405 NATHAN ROAD, YAU MA TEI, AND THE GRANTHAM COLLEGE OF EDUCATION ANNEXE AT NINTH FLOOR, ARGYLE CENTRE, PHASE ONE, 688 NATHAN ROAD, MONG KOK, UNTIL MARCH 21.
MEANWHILE, SUPERVISORS AND PRINCIPALS OF KINDERGARTENS ARE REMINDED THAT NO NEW KINDERGARTEN PRINCIPALS WITHOUT THE APPROPRIATE QUALIFICATIONS SHOULD BE APPOINTED FROM THE BEGINNING OF THE 1989/90 SCHOOL YEAR UNDER THE EDUCATION ORDINANCE.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT SAID THE DIRECTOR OF EDUCATION MIGHT EXERCISE HIS AUTHORITY TO WITHDRAW HIS APPROVAL FOR KINDERGARTEN PRINCIPALS WITHOUT IHE APPROPRIATE QUALIFICATIONS IN THE BEGINNING OF THE 1994/95 SCHOOL YEAR.
FOR SERVING KINDERGARTEN PRINCIPALS WITHOUT APPROPRIATE QUALIFICATIONS INCLUDING THOSE APPOINTED BEFORE THE COMMENCEMENT OF THE 1989/90 SCHOOL YEAR, THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT WOULD PROVIDE THEM WITH TRAINING OPPORTUNITIES BETWEEN 1988 AND 1994 TO ENABLE THEM TO OBTAIN THE 'QUALIFIED KINDERGARTEN TEACHER’ STATUS.
FOR A KINDERGARTEN PRINCIPAL TO OBTAIN THE NECESSARY QUALIFICATIONS, 1992 WOULD BE THE LAST YEAR TO SEEK ADMISSION TO THE TWO-YEAR. COURSE, THE SPOKESMAN ADDED.
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/11 .......
SUNDAY, MARCH 6, 1988
11 -
YAU MA TEI DB TO DISCUSS FIRE ESCAPE PROVISION
» » » » »
QUESTIONS ON REGULATIONS GOVERNING THE PROVISION OF FIRE ESCAPES AND FIRE-FIGHTING EQUIPMENT IN GUEST HOUSES WILL BE RAISED AT THE MEETING OF THE YAU MA TEI DISTRICT BOARD’S ENVIRONMENT COMMITTEE TOMORROW (MONDAY).
THE BOARD WILL ALSO DISCUSS POSSIBLE WAYS OF STEPPING UP FIRE PREVENTION PUBLICITY IN CONJUNCTION WITH THE FIRE SERVICES DEPARTMENT.
OTHER ITEMS ON THE AGENDA INCLUDE THE LOCATIONS FOR PUTTING UP DISTRICT SIGNBOARDS, THE DISTRICT BOARD’S FINANCIAL POSITION, AND A REPORT ON MINOR ENVIRONMENTAL IMPROVEMENT PROJECTS IN THE DISTRICT.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE MEETING OF THE YAU MA TEI DISTRICT BOARD’S ENVIRONMENT COMMITTEE TOMORROW (MONDAY) IN THE DISTRICT OFFICE CONFERENCE ROOM, SECOND FLOOR, 490 NATHAN ROAD. IT WILL START AT 2.30 PM.
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MORE RECREATIONAL FACILITIES IN TUEN MUN
* * * »
A VARIETY OF RECREATIONAL FACILITIES IS TO BE BUILT IN TUEN MUN BETWEEN LUNG MUN ROAD AND TUEN MUN NULLAH TO PROVIDE ADDITIONAL RECREATION AND SPORTING FACILITIES FOR RESIDENTS OF THE NEW TOWN.
IT WILL OCCUPY AN AREA OF 10.9 HECTARES.
THE WORK WILL INCLUDE THE CONSTRUCTION OF THE OPEN SPACE WITH AN ARTIFICIAL TURF SOCCER PITCH, FOUR BASKETBALL COURTS, CYCLE HIRE AND CYCLING FACILITIES, A PLAY AREA FOR CHILDREN, A ROAD SAFETY TOWN AND A SERVICE BUILDING, ALL IN A 10.9 HECTARE LANDSCAPED PARK SETTING
A NEW CYCLING TRACK WILL ALSO BE CONSTRUCTED ALONG WU SHAN ROAD LINKING THE EXISTING TRACK ON LUNG MUN ROAD.
THE TERRITORY DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT IS INVITING TENDERS FOR THE PROJECT WHICH IS EXPECTED TO START IN MAY AND BE COMPLETED IN 18 MONTHS.
THE CLOSING DATE FOR SUBMITTING TENDERS IS NOON ON MARCH 18.
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SUNDAY, MARCH 6, 1988
12
STUDY ROOMS FOR KWUN TONG STUDENTS * * * *
KWUN TONG STUDENTS WILL BE ABLE TO MAKE USE OF THE TEMPORARY STUDY ROOMS FUNDED BY THE DISTRICT BOARD FROM LATER THIS MONTH TO MAY.
THE KWUN TONG DISTRICT BOARD HAS ALLOCATED $30,000 TO SEVEN VOLUNTARY AGENCIES FOR PROVIDING STUDY ROOM FACILITIES FOR STUDENTS TO PREPARE FOR THEIR EXAMINATIONS.
THE SEVEN STUDY ROOMS ARE PROVIDED BY THE HONG KONG FEDERATION OF YOUTH GROUPS YAU TONG YOUTH CENTRE (3-480339), HONG KONG EVANGELICAL CHURCH KO CHIU ROAD READING CENTRE (3-405489), ZION YOUTH SERVICE CENTRE (3-486031), THE KIN LOK MISSION COVENANT CHURCH (3-7588827), CARITAS SOCIAL CENTRE IN NGAU TAU KOK (3-7502727 EXT. 321), ASSEMBLIES OF GOD WA WAI CHURCH (3-440046) AND THE FRIENDS OF SCOUTING WO LOK CENTRE (3-448013).
STUDENTS CAN CONTACT THE RESPECTIVE AGENCIES CONCERNING THE OPENING DAYS AND HOURS.
THE TEMPORARY STUDY ROOM PROJECT HAS BEEN FUNDED BY THE DISTRICT BOARD SINCE 1983.
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BRIDGE TO BE BUILT SOON TO CARRY LIGHT RAIL VEHICLES * * * * »
THE TERRITORY DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT WILL BUILD AN 800-METRE-LONG BRIDGE IN THEN MUN TO CARRY LIGHT RAIL VEHICLES.
THE BRIDGE WILL BE BUILT BETWEEN PRIME VIEW GARDEN AND SIU HONG COURT, ACROSS CASTLE PEAK ROAD AND THE NULLAH.
IT WILL FORM PART OF THE TOWN CENTRE TO TUEN MUN (NORTH-EAST) REGIONAL LINK OF THE LIGHT RAIL TRANSIT SYSTEM.
ASSOCIATED WITH THE BRIDGEWORKS, THE EASTERN SPAN OF AN EXISTING FOOTBRIDGE NEARBY WILL BE MODIFIED TO CONNECT IT TO THE FUTURE LRT STOP ON THE LRT BRIDGE.
WORK IS SCHEDULED TO COMMENCE IN MAY AND TAKE ABOUT TWO YEARS TO COMPLETE.
THE DEPARTMENT IS INVITING TENDERS WHICH SHOULD BE SUBMITTED BY NOON ON MARCH 31.
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/1J
SUNDAY, MARCH 6, 1988
- 15 -
NEW IDENTITY CARDS FOR * t *
MEN BORN IN 1957-58 * t
MEN BORN IN 1957 AND 1958 ARE REQUIRED TO APPLY FOR NEW IDENTITY CARDS FROM MARCH 7 TO APRIL 23.
THEY SHOULD CALL AT ANY ONE OF THE EIGHT NEW IDENTITY CARD ISSUE OFFICES DURING THIS PERIOD.
"THESE OFFICES SUNDAYS AND PUBLIC DEPARTMENT SAID.
ARE OPEN FROM 8 AM TO 9.30
HOLIDAYS," A SPOKESMAN FOR
PM DAILY, EXCEPT THE IMMIGRATION
"AS THE OFFICES ARE VERY CROWDED IN THE ARE ADVISED TO GO IN THE MORNINGS AND AFTERNOONS
EVENINGS, APPLICATNTS TO AVOID THE QUEUES."
APPLICANTS MAY ALSO MAKE USE OF THE ARRANGE FOR AN APPOINTMENT BY CALLING THE OFFICE
PHONE-IN OF THEIR
SERVICE CHOICE.
TO
THE ADDRESSES AND TELEPHONE NUMBERS OF THE ISSUE OFFICES ARE AS FOLLOWS:
HONG KONG BASEMENT, 151 GLOUCESTER ROAD, WAN CHAI. TEL. NO. 5-747070
EAST KOWLOON AMOY PLAZA, SECOND FLOOR, 77 NGAU TAU KOK ROAD. TEL. NO. 3-7553679
WEST KOWLOON CAMTON ROAD GOVERNMENT OFFICES, SECOND FLOOR 393 CANTON ROAD, YAU MA TEI. TEL. NO. 3-7232424
TSUEN WAN : EAST ASIA COMMERCIAL CENTRE, GROUND FLOOR, 29-37 TSUEN FU STREET. TEL. NO. 0-4981259
SHA TIN : SHA TIN CENTRE, PODIUM FLOOR, 2-16 WANG POK STREET. TEL. NO. 0-6059108
YUEN LONG : HOP YICK CENTRE, SECOND FLOOR, 31 HOP YICK ROAD. TEL. NO. 0-793291
TUEN MUN : CHI LOK COMMERCIAL CENTRE, GROUND FLOOR, CHI LOK FA YUEN. TEL. NO. 0-4580862
SHEUNG SHUT
TSUEN WO TAI LAU, GROUND FLOOR, 82-84 SAN FUNG AVENUE, SHEK WU HUI. TEL. NO. 0-927155
THE SPOKESMAN REITERATED THAT THERE WOULD BE NO AMNESTY FOR ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS.
______O-------- /1U....................
SUNDAY, MARCH 6, 1988
-IN-
SERVICE RESERVOIR TO BE BUILT AT AU TAU ♦ * * *
A SERVICE RESERVOIR WILL BE BUILT AT AU TAU TO HELP MEET THE INCREASING DEMAND FOR POTABLE WATER IN THE YUEN LONG DISTRICT.
IT WILL BE LOCATED ON THE HILLSIDE ABOUT 650 METRES SOUTH-EAST OF THE AU TAU PUMPING STATION.
HAVING A STORAGE CAPACITY OF 30,000 CUBIC METRES, THE NEW SERVICE RESERVOIR IS REQUIRED FOR THE STORAGE OF TREATED WATER FROM THE PROPOSED AU TAU WATER TREATMENT WORKS TO BE BUILT ADJACENT TO AND SOUTH-EAST OF THE PUMPING STATION.
ALSO INCLUDED IN THE PROJECT WILL BE THE CONSTRUCTION OF AN ACCESS ROAD OF ABOUT 990 METRES LONG AND LAYING OF TREATED WATER MAINS.
WORK IS EXPECTED TO START IN MAY AND TAKE ABOUT 21 MONTHS TO COMPLETE.
THE WATER SUPPLIES DEPARTMENT IS INVITING TENDERS FOR THIS PROJECT AND TENDERS SHOULD BE SUBMITTED ON OR BEFORE NOON ON MARCH 31.
-----0 ---------
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL: 5-8428777
MONDAY, MARCH 7, 1988
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
ACTING FS: SENSIBLE TO RESOLVE ISSUE ...................... 1
PIONEERING MOVE BY NORTH DISTRICT WORKS SECTION ........... 1
56 NOMINATIONS RECEIVED FOR DEMONSTRATION PROJECTS ........ 3
CITES OFFICIAL SEES LOCAL CONSERVATION EFFORTS ............ 3
COMPANIES FINED FOR BREACHING IMPORT REQUIREMENTS ......... 5
NEW CLINIC TO OPEN IN SAI KUNG ............................ 5
RECLAMATION WORK PROPOSED IN TUEN MUN, KWUN TONG........... 6
SIXTEEN TO CONTEST YMT SINGING CONTEST FINAL .............. 7
SAI KUNG COMMITTEE TO DISCUSS FUNDING ..................... 8
WAN CHAI TRAFFIC, TRANSPORT COMMITTEE TO MEET ............. 8
PILING CONTRACT FOR CHEUNG CHAU MARKET COMPLEX ............ 9
CONTRACT LET FOR LAND DEVELOPMENT ......................... 9
EARTH DUMP OPENING HOURS CHANGED .......................... 9
BUS ROUTE PROPOSED FOR INDUSTRIAL ESTATE .................. 15
TEMPORARY CLOSURE OF SHIP STREET .......................... 10
WATER STORAGE FIGURE
10
MONDAY, MARCH 7, 1988
ACTING FS: SENSIBLE TO RESOLVE ISSUE
» t » « *
THE GOVERNMENT WAS PREPARED TO INTRODUCE LEGISLATION ON THE "SPECIFIED RATE RULES" INTRODUCED BY THE HONG KONG ASSOCIATION OF BANKS AND PROVIDING FOR CHARGING "NEGATIVE INTEREST" ON LARGE CUSTOMER DEPOSITS, IF ALL THE NECESSARY POWERS DID NOT ALREADY EXIST, THE ACTING FINANCIAL SECRETARY, MR DAVID NENDICK, SAID TODAY (MONDAY).
IN RESPONSE TO QUESTIONS FROM REPORTERS BUSINESS WORKSHOP AT THE UNIVERSITY OF HONG KONG, "I SAID ALL THE NECESSARY POWERS BECAUSE I
AFTER ATTENDING A MR NENDICK ADDED:
DON’T THINK THAT
EVERYTHING THAT IS PROPOSED TO BE IMPLEMENTED IS BEING CAST INTO DOUBT. IT’S ONLY CERTAIN ASPECTS OF IT.”
"THE HONG KONG ASSOCIATION OF BANKS AND GOVERNMENT ARE OF THE VIEW THAT THERE ARE PERFECTLY LEGAL GROUNDS FOR INTRODUCING IT.
"BUT GIVEN THAT IT’S NOW BEING QUESTIONED, IT’S SENSIBLE TO RESOLVE THE ISSUE," MR NENDICK SAID.
-------0----------
PIONEERING MOVE BY NORTH DISTRICT WORKS SECTION ♦ I * * *
THE WORKS SECTION OF THE NORTH DISTRICT OFFICE HAS BROKEN NEW GROUND BY AWARDING A CITY AND NEW TERRITORIES ADMINISTRATION DISTRICTLEVEL WORKS CONTRACT TO A COMPANY ON THE LANDS AND WORKS BRANCH’S LIST OF APPROVED CONTRACTORS.
IT IS THE FIRST 1) I STR I CT-LEVEL WORKS CONTRACT TO BE AWARDED IN THIS WAY BY A DISTRICT OFFICE WORKS SECTION.
"THE $0.78 MILLION PROJECT, WHICH WAS DESIGNED BY THE WORKS SECTION, IS PART OF THE URBAN FRINGE IMPROVEMENT PROGRAMME IN THE DISTRICT," SAID THE OFFICER IN CHARGE OF THE WORKS SECTION, MR CHOW KING-SHING.
WORKS INCLUDE THE RECONSTRUCTION OF A VAN TRACK IN TSUNG PAK LONG VILLAGE, SIIEUNG SHU I, TO PROVIDE A 3.5-METRE-WI DE CARRIAGEWAY WITH PASSING PLACES AND TURNING AREAS, AND ASSOCIATED DRAINAGE.
WHEN COMPLETED, THE TRACK WILL PROVIDE IMPROVED ACCESS FROM CASTLE PEAK ROAD VIA AN EXISTING SERVICE ROAD TO TSUNG PAK LONG.
THE CONTRACT FOR THE PROJECT WAS SIGNED TODAY (MONDAY) AT THE NORTH DISTRICT OFFICE.
/CONSTRUCTION WORK
MONDAY, MARCH 7, 1988
2
CONSTRUCTION WORK WILL BEGIN LATER THIS MONTH, AND TAKE AROUND FOUR MONTHS TO COMPLETE.
MR CHOW EXPLAINED THAT ONLY CONTRACTORS ON THE CITY AND NEW TERRITORIES ADMINISTRATION’S DISTRICT CONTRACTORS LIST WERE EMPLOYED ON CONTRACTS WORTH UP TO $0.5 MILLION.
THERE WAS PROVISION FOR CONTRACTORS ON THE LANDS AND WORKS BRANCH’S LIST TO CARRY OUT CONTRACTS VALUED AT BETWEEN $0.5 MILLION AND $1.5 MILLION AND SUCH A CONTRACT HAD NOW BEEN AWARDED BY THE WORKS SECTION IN LINE WITH A NEW SET OF PROCEDURES THAT TOOK EFFECT LAST APRIL.
MR CHOW SAID THAT THE PROCEDURE WAS FOR A PROJECT TO BE SUBMITTED TO THE ENGINEER AT THE CITY AND NEW TERRITORIES ADMINISTRATION HEADQUARTERS FOR TECHNICAL ADVICE, AND THEN TO THE RELEVANT WORKS DEPARTMENT FOR COMMENTS.
NOTICES INVITING TENDERS WOULD BE GAZETTED IN DUE COURSE.
THE PROJECT WOULD BE SUPERVISED BY THE DISTRICT WORKS SECTION, AND ON SATISFACTORY COMPLETION, IT WOULD BE TAKEN OVER BY THE RELEVANT LANDS AND WORKS BRANCH DEPARTMENT FOR FUTURE MAINTENANCE.
THE NORTH DISTRICT OFFICE’S WORKS SECTION HAS A STAFF ESTABLISHMENT OF 13, HEADED BY AN INSPECTOR OF WORKS I, MR CHOW.
MR CHOW SAID THAT DURING 1987-88, THE SECTION HAS IMPLEMENTED AROUND 60 PROJECTS INVOLVING LOCAL PUBLIC WORKS, 20 ON ENVIRONMENTAL IMPROVEMENT, 10 ON SQUATTER AREA IMPROVEMENT, AND 22 PROJECTS FUNDED BY OTHER GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS.
THE SECTION UNDERTAKES PREPARATION OF DRAWING, SPECIFICATIONS, COST ESTIMATES, TENDER/CONTRACT DOCUMENTS, AND ALSO SUPERVISES THE WORKS.
APART FROM TECHNICAL SUPPORT, IT IS RESPONSIBLE FOR TENDERING MATTERS, CONTRACT ADMINISTRATION AND PAYMENT.
- O - -
/3
MONDAY, MARCH 7, 1988
5 -
56 NOMINATIONS RECEIVED FOR DEMONSTRATION PROJECTS
* » » » *
THE STEERING GROUP OF THE LIVESTOCK WASTE DISPOSAL CONSULTATIVE COMMITTEE HAS RECEIVED 56 NOMINATIONS FOR PRELIMINARY ASSESSMENT TO TAKE PART IN THE DEMONSTRATION PROJECTS ON PRIVATE FARMS.
AT THEIR MEETING TODAY (MONDAY), A REPRESENTATIVE FROM THE ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION DEPARTMENT (EPD) SAID THAT AFTER INITIAL SITE VISITS AND ASSESSMENT, THE DEPARTMENT HAD IDENTIFIED 39 FARMS WHICH MET THE BASIC CRITERIA.
FURTHER ASSESSMENT WAS THEN CONDUCTED AND THE NUMBER WAS SHORTLISTED TO 24, WHICH COMPRISED OF 11 PIG FARMS, NINE CHICKEN FARMS AND FOUR MIXED FARMS.
THE EPD REPRESENTATIVE ALSO EXPLAINED THAT A CONSULTANT, WHO WOULD BE APPOINTED IMMEDIATELY AFTER THE APPROVAL OF FUNDS IN MID-MARCH, WOULD CARRY OUT A COMPREHENSIVE ASSESSMENT OF NOMINATED FARMS IN ORDER TO SELECT 12 FARMS FOR DEMONSTRATION PURPOSE.
"THE CONSULTANT WILL SUBMIT A LIST OF SELECTED FARMS FOR THE STEERING GROUP’S APPROVAL BEFORE THE COMMENCEMENT OF THE CONSTRUCTION OF THE DEMONSTRATION PROJECTS,” HE ADDED.
EPD WILL BRIEF MEMBERS OF THE GROUP ON THE PROGRESS OF THE DEMONSTRATION PROJECTS, AFTER WHICH THEY WILL SUBMIT THE CONSULTANT’S REPORT FOR MEMBERS' COMMENT.
-------o---------
CITES OFFICIAL SEES LOCAL CONSERVATION EFFORTS
* » * t »
THE STATISTICAL AND INFORMATION CO-ORDINATOR OF THE CONVENTION ON INTERNATIONAL TRADE IN ENDANGERED SPECIES OF WILD FAUNA AND FLORA ((’ITES) SECRETARIAT, MR CHRIS HUXLEY, VISITED THE AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES DEPARTMENT THIS (MONDAY) MORNING TO DISCUSS ENDANGERED SPECIES PROTECTION MATTERS WITH SENIOR DEPARTMENTAL OFFICIALS.
MR HUXLEY IS IN HONG KONG FOR A TWO-DAY VISIT AS AN INTEGRAL PART OF HIS FAMILIARISATION TOUR OF ASIAN COUNTRIES.
ON ARRIVAL AT THE DEPARTMENTAL HEADQUARTERS, HE WAS MET BY THE ASSISTANT DIRECTOR (CONSERVATION AND COUNTRY PARKS), MR K.C. IU, AND THE SENIOR CONSERVATION OFFICER, MR M.K. CHEUNG.
/HE STARTED
MONDAY, MARCH 7, 1988
HE STARTED HIS VISIT BY CALLING ON THE DIRECTOR OF AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES, DR LAWRENCE LEE, FOR A BRIEFING ON THE DEPARTMENT’S WORK IN PROTECTING THE ENDANGERED SPECIES AND IN CONTROLLING THEIR COMMERCIAL TRADES.
MR HUXLEY WAS TOLD THAT THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT HAD BEEN IMPLEMENTING TO THE BEST OF ITS ABILITY THE RESOLUTIONS ADOPTED BY CITES ACKNOWLEDGING THE NEED FOR A PRACTICAL AND REASONABLE APPROACH TO THE CONTROL OF THE ENDANGERED SPECIES THAT WOULD NOT IMPEDE LEGITIMATE TRADE.
HE ALSO LEARNED THAT HONG KONG HAD TOTALLY BANNED THE IMPORT OF RHINO PARTS AND DERIVATIVES SINCE 1979 AND THEIR EXPORT SINCE 1986 AND WAS NOW PROPOSING FURTHER CONTROL BY WAY OF BANNING THE LOCAL SALE OF PRE-CONVENT ION STOCK OF RHINO PARTS AND DERIVATIVES.
A BAN ON THE SALE OF MANUFACTURED PRODUCTS INCLUDING MEDICINAL PRODUCTS CONTAINING RHINO INGREDIENTS IS ALSO BEING ACTIVELY CONSIDERED.
LATER IN THE MORNING, MR HUXLEY HELD A MEETING WITH MR IU AND SENIOR STAFF OF THE DEPARTMENT’S CONSERVATION DIVISION ON HONG KONG’S ENFORCEMENT WORK IN THE INTERNATIONAL EFFORTS IN CONSERVING ENDANGERED SPECIES.
IN THE AFTERNOON, MR HUXLEY CALLED ON THE SECRETARY FOR ECONOMIC SERVICES, MRS ANSON CHAN, FOR AN EXCHANGE OF VIEWS ON VARIOUS ISSUES OF MUTUAL INTEREST.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
MR HUXLEY WILL MEET REPRESENTATIVES OF THE MEDIA TO TALK ABOUT HIS VISIT AND HIS VIEWS ON HONG KONG’S ROLE IN THE WORLDWIDE EFFORTS IN CONSERVING ENDANGERED SPECIES.
THE "MEET-THE-MEDI A” SESSION WILL TAKE PLACE ON WEDNESDAY (MARCH 9) AT 3 PM AT AFI) HEADQUARTERS CONFERENCE ROOM, 14TH FLOOR, CANTON ROAD GOVERNMENT OFFICES, 393 CANTON ROAD, KOWLOON.
AFD INFORMATION STAFF WILL BE ON HAND TO ASSIST MEDIA REPRESENTATIVES.
-------0---------
/5.......
MONDAY, MARCH 7, 1988
COMPANIES FINED FOR BREACHING IMPORT REQUIREMENTS
*****
A TOTAL OF 21 COMPANIES WERE CONVICTED LAST YEAR FOR FAILING TO COMPLY WITH THE PRIOR LICENSING REQUIREMENT FOR TEXTILES IMPORTED INTO HONG KONG. FINES IMPOSED TOTALLED $69,750.
LEGAL PROCEEDINGS WERE TAKEN AGAINST THE COMPANIES FOLLOWING INVESTIGATIONS BY THE CUSTOMS AND EXCISE DEPARTMENT, IN CONJUNCTION WITH THE TRADE DEPARTMENT, INTO CASES WHERE COMPANIES HAD IMPORTED TEXTILES AND CLOTHING INTO THE TERRITORY WITHOUT VALID TEXTILES IMPORT LICENCES.
UNDER THE IMPORT AND EXPORT (GENERAL) REGULATIONS, IMPORTS OF TEXTILES REQUIRE VALID IMPORT LICENCES ISSUED BY THE DIRECTOR OF TRADE BEFORE ARRIVAL OF THE GOODS.
FAILURE TO COMPLY WITH THE REGULATIONS MAY RESULT IN A FINE OF UP TO $500,000 AND IMPRISONMENT FOR TWO YEARS.
- - 0 - -
NEW CLINIC TO OPEN IN SAI KUNG *****
RESIDENTS IN SAI KUNG WILL BE PROVIDED WITH ENHANCED MEDICAL SERVICES WHEN A NEW CLINIC OPENS ON WEDNESDAY (MARCH 9).
THE NEW CLINIC, NAMED AFTER MADAM MONA FONG, DIRECTOR OF SHAW BROTHERS (UK) LIMITED, OCCUPIES AN AREA OF 4,183 SQUARE METRES AND IS LOCATED AT MAN NIN STREET, SAI KUNG, ADJACENT TO THE SAI KUNG GOVERNMENT OFFICES.
THE SHAW FOUNDATION DONATED $3 MILLION TOWARDS ITS CONSTRUCTION.
THE FOUR-STOREY CLINIC PROVIDES GENERAL OUT-PATIENT SERVICE, ACCIDENT AND EMERGENCY SERVICE, OPHTHALMIC, CHEST AND DENTAL SERVICES. IT ALSO HAS A MATERNITY WARD WITH 12 BEDS.
/THE EXISTING
MONDAY, MARCH 7, 1988
- 6
THE EXISTING SAI
DISPENSARY WILL BE CLOSED
KUNG GOVERNMENT CLINIC AND SAI KUNG DOWN WHEN THE NEW CLINIC BEGINS OPERATION.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
A CEREMONY WILL BE HELD AT 3.30 PM ON WEDNESDAY TO MARK THE OFFICIAL OPENING OF THE MONA FONG CLINIC.
OFFICIATING WILL BE THE DIRECTOR OF MEDICAL AND HEALTH SERVICES, DR K.L. THONG; SIR RUN RUN SHAW OF THE SHAW FOUNDATION; AND THE DIRECTOR OF SHAW BROTHERS (HK) LTD, MADAM MONA FONG.
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE EVENT.
A GOVERNMENT VAN (AM4774) WILL PICK UP MEDIA REPRESENTATIVES FROM OUTSIDE THE KOWLOON PUBLIC PIER, TSIM SHA TSUI, ON WEDNESDAY. IT WILL LEAVE FOR SAI KUNG AT 2.30 PM.
-------0 ---------
RECLAMATION WORK PROPOSED IN TUEN MUN,
*****
KWUN TONG
THE GOVERNMENT INTENDS TO RECLAIM ABOUT FIVE HECTARES OF FORESHORE AND SEABED TN TUEN MUN TO PROVIDE LAND FOR INDUSTRIAL USE.
IT ALSO INTENDS TO CONSTRUCT A NEW BREAKWATER IN KWUN TONG IN CONNECTION WITH BUILDING OF THE KWUN TONG BYPASS, PHASE TWO.
IN TUEN MUN, RECLAMATION WILL BE CARRIED OUT AT THE FORESHORE AND SEABED NEAR LUNG MUN ROAD IN AREA 18.
THE PROJECT INCLUDES THE CONSTRUCTION OF A RIVER WALL ABOUT 370 METRES LONG, DREDGING OF THE RIVER BED AND RECLAMATION BEHIND THIS RIVER WALL.
WORK IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN IN THE MIDDLE OF THE YEAR AND TAKE ABOUT 18 MONTHS TO COMPLETE.
TN KWUN TONG, WORK WILL BE CARRIED OUT WITHIN AN AREA OF ABOUT 21.95 HECTARES OF FORESHORE AND SEABED AT THE EASTERN END OF Till' KWUN TONG TYPHOON SHELTER.
IT WILL INCLUDE THE CONSTRUCTION OF A NEW BREAKWATER, EXTENSION OF THE EXISTING OUTER BREAKWATER, DEMOLITION OF THE EXISTING INNER BREAKWATER AND DREDGING.
/WORK IS
MONDAY, MARCH 7» 1988
WORK IS EXPECTED TO START IN JULY AND BE COMPLETED
NEXT YEAR.
THE EXTENT OF THE AREAS AFFECTED HAS
BEEN PUBLISHED IN THE
LATEST GAZETTE.
ANY PERSON WHO CONSIDERS THAT HE HAS AN INTEREST, EASEMENT IN OR OVER THE FORESHORE AND SEABED INVOLVED MAY WRITTEN OBJECTION TO THE DIRECTOR OF BUILDINGS AND LANDS BY
-------0---------
IN AUGUST
RIGHT OR
SUBMIT A
MAY 3.
SIXTEEN TO CONTEST ♦
YMT SINGING CONTEST FINAL ♦ » » ♦
SIXTEEN FINALISTS IN A SINGING CONTEST JOINTLY ORGANISED BY THE YAU MA TEI AND TS1M SHA TSUI CULTURE AND ARTS ASSOCIATION AND THE MUSK’ OFFICE WILL COMPETE FOR TOP HONOURS AT THE HENRY G. LEONG YAU MA TEI COMMUNITY CENTRE ON SATURDAY (MARCH I2).
TEN WILL CONTEST THE POPULAR SONG SECTION WHILE THE OTHERS WILL COMPETE IN THE CLASSICAL SECTION.
THE FINALISTS WERE CHOSEN FROM OVER 150 PARTICIPANTS IN A PRELIMINARY ROUND HELD ON FEBRUARY 27.
CASH COUPONS WORTH $800, $500 AND $300 WILL BE AWARDED TO THE FIRST THREE PRIZE-WINNERS IN EACH SECTION.
THE CHIEF ADJUDICATOR WILL BE MISS HUI PUI AND OFFICIATING GUESTS WILL BE THE YAU MA TEI ASSISTANT DISTRICT OFFICER, MISS MARY (’HOW, AND AN URBAN COUNCILLOR, MR KWAN LIM-IIO.
RESIDENTS WHO WISH TO ATTEND THE FINAL CAN OBTAIN FREE ADMISSION TICKETS FROM THE YAU MA TEI DISTRICT OFFICE AT 490 NATHAN ROAD; TSIM SHA TSUI SUB-OFFICE AT 40 CARNARVON ROAD; HENRY G. LEONG YAU MA TEI COMMUNITY CENTRE AT 60 PUBLIC SQUARE STREET; AND THE ASSOCIATION’S ACTIVITY CENTRE AT 33 SALISBURY ROAD.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE SINGING CONTEST FINAL TO START AT 8 PM ON SATURDAY (MARCH 12) AT THE HENRY G. LEONG YAU MA TEI COMMUNITY CENTRE.
-------0 -------- /8......................
MONDAY, MARCH 7, 1988
8
SAI KUNG COMMITTEE TO DISCUSS FUNDING
* » » »
MEMBERS OF THE SAI KUNG DISTRICT BOARD’S CULTURE, RECREATION AND SPORTS COMMITTEE WILL MEET TOMORROW (TUESDAY) TO DISCUSS APPLICATIONS FOR DISTRICT BOARD FUNDS AND A REPORT ON DISTRICT ACTIVITIES.
THEY WILL ALSO DISCUSS THE PROPOSED WORK PLANS PRESENTED BY LOCAL ORGANISATIONS FOR 1988-89.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE MEETING, TO BEGIN AT 10 AM IN THE CONFERENCE ROOM OF THE SAI KUNG DISTRICT BOARD, SECOND FLOOR, SAI KUNG GOVERNMENT OFFICES BUILDING, CHAN MAN STREET, SAI KUNG TOWN.
-------o --------
WAN CHAI TRAFFIC, TRANSPORT COMMITTEE TO MEET *****
THE TRAFFIC AND TRANSPORT COMMITTEE OF THE WAN CHAI DISTRICT BOARD WILL DISCUSS PROPOSALS TO IMPROVE PEDESTRIAN ACCESS FACILITIES TO THE WAN CHAI RECLAMATION AREA AT A MEETING TOMORROW (TUESDAY).
MEMBERS WILL ALSO CONSIDER A CONSULTATIVE DOCUMENT ON WAYS TO SOLVE THE PROBLEM OF OBSTRUCTIONS ON PUBLIC FOOTWAYS.
WRITTEN QUESTIONS ON THE PROVISION OF ZEBRA CROSSINGS, MOTORCYCLE PARKING SPACES AND THE LOCATION OF TRAFFIC LIGHTS WILL ALSO BE DISCUSSED.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE MEETING OF THE WAN CHAI DISTRICT BOARD’S TRAFFIC AND TRANSPORT COMMITTEE TO BEGIN TOMORROW (TUESDAY) AT 4 PM IN THE CONFERENCE ROOM OF THE WAN CHAI DISTRICT OFFICE, EIGHTH FLOOR, TUNG WAH MANSION, WAN CHAI.
- - 0 -
/9
MONDAY, MARCH 7, 1988
- 9 -
PILING CONTRACT FOR CHEUNG CHAU MARKET COMPLEX ♦ * ♦ » ♦
THE ARCHITECTURAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT HAS FOR THE DESIGN AND CONSTRUCTION OF PILING FOR THE COMPLEX.
AWARDED A CONTRACT
CHEUNG CHAU MARKET
WORTH $6.4 MILLION, THE CONTRACT CALLS F^a™U^JTI§hE(jng
WORK
BE CARRIED OUT ON A 3,600 SQUARE METRE
SITE
TO CHAU
FERRY PIER, IN TAI HING TAI ROAD.
WORK WILL START THIS MONTH AND TAKE SIX MONTHS TO COMPLETE.
TENDERS FOR THE CONTRACT TO BUILD THE MARKET SUPERSTRUCTURE WILL BE INVITED IN MID-JUNE.
------0--------
CONTRACT LET FOR LAND DEVELOPMENT » * * * »
A CONTRACT HAS BEEN AWARDED BY THE TERRITORY DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT FOR LAND DEVELOPMENT WORKS IN CONNECTION WITH THE BUILDING OF FANL1NG/SHEK WU HUI NEW TOWN.
THE WORKS INCLUDE SITE FORMATION IN FANLING AREA 3, CONSTRUCTION OF A FLOOD STORAGE POND, A LOCAL DISTRIBUTOR ROAD (L6A) BETWEEN .JOCKEY CLUB ROAD AND ROAD L6, CARPARKS, ACCESS ROADS, AND STORMWATER AND SEWAGE WORKS.
THESE WORKS WILL SERVE THE FUTURE VILLAGE-TYPE DEVELOPMENT IN THE AREA.
WORK, COSTING ABOUT $34 MILLION, IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN THIS MONTH AND TAKE 18 MONTHS TO COMPLETE.
------0-------
EARTH DUMP OPENING HOURS CHANGED » * * ♦
THE PUBLIC EARTH DUMP AT ALDRICH BAY, SAI WAN HO, WILL OPERATE UNDER NEW HOURS FROM TODAY (MONDAY 7).
THE OPENING HOURS ARE CHANGED FROM 8 AM - 6 PM TO 8.30 AM 6 PM ON WEEKDAYS.
THE DUMP WILL BE CLOSED ON SUNDAYS AND PUBLIC HOLIDAYS OR WHEN A TYPHOON SIGNAL IS HOISTED.
A DUMPING PERMIT TO PORT WORKS DIVISION, SERVICES DEPARTMENT, ON TS1M SHA TSUI EAST.
IS REQUIRED AND CAN BE OBTAINED BY APPLYING CIVIL ENGINEERING OFFICE, CIVIL ENGINEERING THE EIGHTH FLOOR, EMPIRE CENTRE, 68 MODY ROAD,
/10........
MONDAY, MARCH 7, 1988
10 -
BUS ROUTE PROPOSED FOR INDUSTRIAL ESTATE *****
THE YUEN LONG DISTRICT BOARD'S COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY COMMITTEE WILL MEET TOMORROW (TUESDAY) TO DISCUSS THE FEASIBILITY OF ADDING A BUS ROUTE LINKING YUEN LONG TOWN TO THE YUEN LONG INDUSTRIAL ESTATE IN WANG CHAU.
IT IS PROPOSED THAT THE ROUTE WOULD ALSO SERVE LONG PING ESTATE IN YUEN LONG TOWN WEST.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY COMMITTEE MEETING OF THE YUEN LONG DISTRICT BOARD TOMORROW (TUESDAY). IT WILL BEGIN AT 10 AM IN THE CONFERENCE ROOM OF THE YUEN LONG DISTRICT BOARD, 13TH FLOOR, TAI KIU GOVERNMENT OFFICES BUILDING, 2 KIU LOK SQUARE, YUEN LONG.
------0 -------
TEMPORARY CLOSURE OF SHIP STREET
*****
SHIP STREET IN WAN CHAI WILL BE CLOSED TO TRAFFIC BETWEEN 7 AM AND 11 PM ON THURSDAY (MARCH 10) TO FACILITATE OPERATION OF A POLLING STATION IN THE DISTRICT BOARD ELECTIONS.
DURING THE CLOSURE, VEHICLES ON JOHNSTON ROAD WILL BE DIVERTED VIA LI CHIT STREET TO JOIN QUEEN’S ROAD EAST.
----o------
WATER STORAGE FIGURE * * *
STORAGE IN HONG KONG'S RESERVOIRS AT 9 AM TODAY (MONDAY) STOOD AT 50.4 PER CENT OF CAPACITY OR 295.407 MILLION CUBIC METRES.
THIS TIME LAST YEAR THE RESERVOIRS CONTAINED 319.11 I MILLION CUBIC METRES OF WATER, REPRESENTING 54.4 PER CENT OF CAPACITY.
_ _ _ _ o ------------
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE. HONG KONG. TEL: 5-8428777
TUESDAY, MARCH 8, 1988
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
HONG KONG GOES TO THE POLLS ON THURSDAY ................. 1 MORE SUPPORT SERVICES FOR INDUSTRY TO MOVE UP-MARKET ... 2 WORKING HOURS FOR WOMEN CLARIFIED................................................. 4 CENTRAL ALLOCATION OF PRIMARY 1 PLACES ..................
LEGCO MEMBERS TO aSK 14 QUESTIONS ........................ 5 FUNDS AVAILABLE FOR COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT PROJECTS ....... 6 BALLOON TO PUBLICISE TSUEN WAN DB ELECTIONS.............................. 6 WORK STARTS ON POLICE HQ SUPERSTRUCTURE................... 7 FIVE GOVERNMENT LOTS TO LET BY TENDER ................................................................................ 7 VTT.T.ftGF. HOUSES TO BE BUILT ON TSING YI................................ 8 SENTENCE COMMUTED ......................................... 8 MORE LAND TO BE FORMED IN JUNK BAY'........................ 9 TRAFFIC CHANGES IN THE NEW TERRITORIES .................... 9 ROAD IN YUEN LONG CLOSED FOR ELECTION ....................... 10
TUESDAY, MARCH 8, 1988
1
HONG KONG GOES TO THE POLLS ON THURSDAY * * * *
THE 1988 DISTRICT BOARD ELECTIONS WILL BE HELD ON THURSDAY (MARCH 10), MARKING ANOTHER IMPORTANT MILESTONE IN THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE DISTRICT ADMINISTRATION SCHEME, THE DEPUTY SECRETARY FOR DISTRICT ADMINISTRATION, MR BOWEN LEUNG TOLD A PRESS CONFERENCE TODAY (TUESDAY).
MR LEUNG URGED ALL ELECTORS TO EXERCISE THEIR RIGHTS BY CASTING THEIR VOTES ON THE POLLING DAY.
HE HOPED THAT THE VOTER TURNOUT RATE COULD EXCEED 37.5 PER CENT WHICH WAS RECORDED IN THE LAST DISTRICT BOARD ELECTIONS IN 1985.
MR LEUNG SAID THAT A TOTAL OF 493 CANDIDATES HAVE ACCEPTED NOMINATION TO STAND FOR THE ELECTIONS.
’’THE MESSAGE IS CLEAR THAT THE PEOPLE OF HONG KONG HAVE PLEDGED THEIR SUPPORT TO THE DISTRICT ADMINISTRATION SCHEME.
”IT IS NOW TIME FOR THE VOTERS TO SHOW IN A POSITIVE WAY THEIR CONCERN FOR THE COMMUNITY AND THEIR SUPPORT FOR THOSE THEY WISH TO REPRESENT THEM,” MR LEUNG SAID.
OVER THE YEARS, HE SAID DISTRICT BOARDS HAD MADE A FINE RECORD OF ACHIEVEMENTS.
’’THEY HAVE EFFECTIVELY REFLECTED TO THE GOVERNMENT THE ASPIRATIONS AND CONCERNS OF THE LOCAL COMMUNITY. THEY HAVE ALSO PROVIDED A FOCAL POINT FOR THE DIRECT PARTICIPATION OF LOCAL RESIDENTS IN A WIDE RANGE OF COMMUNITY AFFAIRS.
’’WITH YEARS OF SOLID WORK AND ACHIEVEMENTS BEHIND THEM, THE DISTRICT BOARDS HAVE PROVEN THEIR WORTH AND DESERVE THE SUPPORT OF THE COMMUNITY.
’’REGISTERED ELECTORS SHOULD FULFIL THEIR CIVIC RESPONSIBILITY BY TURNING OUT AT THE POLLS,” MR LEUNG SAID.
OF THE 1.6 MILLION ELECTORS, 1.4 MILLION CAN CAST THEIR VOTES ON THE POLLING DAY. THE REMAINING 200,000 DO NOT HAVE TO VOTE BECAUSE SEATS IN THEIR CONSTITUENCIES ARE UNCONTESTED.
VOTING IS A SIMPLE PROCESS AND TAKES ONLY A FEW MINUTES, ACCORDING TO THE PRINCIPAL EXECUTIVE OFFICER AT THE CONSTITUTIONAL AND ELECTORAL AFFAIRS DIVISION, MR Y.S. WAN.
EXPLAINING THE VOTING PROCEDURES AT THE PRESS CONFERENCE, MR WAN SAID THAT A TOTAL OF 292 POLLING STATIONS THROUGHOUT THE TERRITORY WOULD BE OPEN FROM 7.30 AM TO 10.30 PM ON THE POLLING DAY.
/THE DIVISION
TUESDAY, MARCH 8, 1988
THE DIVISION HAVE ALREADY MAILED THE POLL CARDS TO THE ELECTORS, INFORMING THEM WHERE TO VOTE. ELECTORS ARE ASKED TO BRING ALONG BOTH THEIR IDENTITY CARDS AND POLL CARDS.
A BALLOT PAPER WILL BE ISSUED TO THE ELECTOR AFTER THE POLLING OFFICER HAS LOCATED HIS ENTRY IN THE REGISTER OF ELECTORS. ALTHOUGH IT WAS NOT ABSOLUTELY NECESSARY FOR VOTERS TO BRING ALONG THEIR POLL CARDS, IT WILL SAVE A LOT OF TIME AND AVOID UNNECCESSARY DELAY IF THEY WILL DO SO.
VOTING IS BY SECRET BALLOT. HAVING RECEIVED A BALLOT PAPER, THE VOTER SHOULD GO INTO A POLLING BOOTH AND MARK A CROSS (X) IN THE SPACE OPPOSITE TO THE NAME OF THE CANDIDATE FOR WHOM HE MAY WISH TO VOTE.
ELECTORS MAY VOTE FOR NOT MORE THAN ONE CANDIDATE IN A SINGLE-SEAT CONSTITUENCY AND NOT MORE THAN TWO CANDIDATES IN A DOUBLE-SEAT CONSTITUENCY.
TO GIVE ELECTORS A BETTER IDEA OF WHETHER THEY SHOULD VOTE FOR ONE OR TWO CANDIDATES, DIFFERENT COLOURED BALLOT PAPERS, BLUE FOR SINGLE-SEAT CONSTITUENCIES AND RED FOR DOUBLE-SEAT CONSTITUENCIES, WILL BE ISSUED TO THE ELECTORS.
IF ELECTORS HAVE ANY DOUBT OR PROBLEM, PRESIDING OFFICERS AT ALL THE POLLING STATIONS WILL BE ON HAND TO ASSIST.
-------0----------
MORE SUPPORT SERVICES FOR INDUSTRY TO MOVE UP-MARKET
*****
THE GOVERNMENT IS CONSIDERING FURTHER EXPANSION OF THE MANPOWER TRAINING PROGRAMMES INTO THOSE AREAS OF TECHNOLOGY WHICH THE TERTIARY INSTITUTIONS ARF, NOT YET CAPABLE OF TEACHING, THE DIRECTOR OF INDUSTRY, MR K.Y. YEUNG, SAID TODAY (TUESDAY) IN PARIS.
COUNCIL
SPEAKING AT A SEMINAR ORGANISED BY THE FRENCH NATIONAL OF EMPLOYERS, MR YEUNG SAID THE CURRENT PILO1 SCHEME ENGINEERS ABROAD TO LEARN THE TECHNIQUES OF DESIGNING AND APPLICATIONS SPECIFIC INTEGRATED CIRCUITS MAY BE FURTHER EXTENDED TO
TO
SEND
USING
OTHER CORE TECHNOLOGIES.
/HE ALSO........
TUESDAY, MARCH 8, 1988
HE ALSO POINTED OUT THAT UNDER A NEW DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME STARTING IN 1988-89, THE HONG KONG PRODUCTIVITY COUNCIL PLANNED TO SET UP A QUALITY MANAGEMENT CONSULTANCY DIVISION, A NEW TEXTILE DIVISION AND FOUR NEW LABORATORIES, TWO IN METALS DEVELOPMENT AND TWO IN ELECTRONICS.
’’THE NEW SERVICES ARE PART OF THE EFFORTS MADE BY THE GOVERNMENT THROUGH THE HKPC TO PROVIDE MANUFACTURING-WIDE AND INDUSTRY-SPECIFIC SERVICES TO HELP MANUFACTURERS ACHIEVE HIGHER LEVEL OF PRODUCTIVITY.”
HE ADDED THAT THE INDUSTRY DEPARTMENT ALSO PROVIDED SERVICES THAT HELP MANUFACTURERS TO BUILD QUALITY INTO THEIR DESIGN, MANAGEMENT AND PRODUCTION THROUGH ITS INFORMATION AND ADVISORY SERVICE ON PRODUCT STANDARDS, THE STANDARDS AND CALIBRATION LABORATORY AND THE LABORATORY ACCREDITATION SCHEME.
"WE ARE ALSO MAKING PLANS TO ENCOURAGE MANUFACTURERS TO ADOPT SOUND QUALITY MANAGEMENT SYSTEMS AS THEY MAY WISH TO GAIN INTERNATIONAL RECOGNITION FOR THIS QUALITY.
"TO OBTAIN EXTERNAL RECOGNITION FOR OUR QUALITY SUPPORT SERVICES, WE HOPE TO WORK MORE CLOSELY WITH THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITY IN THE NEAR FUTURE IN SUCH AREAS AS STANDARDS, METROLOGY SERVICES AND LABORATORY ACCREDITATION."
MR YEUNG POINTED OUT THAT THE GOVERNMENT’S INDUSTRIAL POLICIES ARE NOT FOUNDED UPON ANY ESTABLISHED POLITICAL DOCTRINE AND ITS SUPPORT FOR THE MANUFACTURING INDUSTRIES IS ESSENTIALLY PRAGMATIC.
"WE MAINTAIN A CONTINUOUS PROGRAMME OF STUDIES WHICH TELLS US A GOOD DEAL ABOUT OUR INDUSTRIES’ STRENGTHS AND WEAKNESSES, AS WELL AS HOW THE WEAKNESSES MIGHT BE OVERCOME.
"WE PROVIDE BOTH INFRASTRUCTURAL AND DEVELOPMENTAL SUPPORT TO THE MANUFACTURING INDUSTRIES TO HELP THEM OVERCOME OBSTACLE TO THEIR GROWTH."
HE ALSO NOTED THAT THERE HAS BEEN A NOTICEABLE SHIFT OF PREFERENCE OVER THE PAST FEW YEARS AMONG MANUFACTURERS TO MOVE UP-MARKET AND TO EMPLOY NEWER EQUIPMENT, NEW PROCESSES AND MANAGEMENT METHODS.
"THE RESULT HAS BEEN A SHIFT IN DEMAND FOR ACCOMMODATION IN MULTI-STOREY FACTORY BUILDINGS, IN WHICH THE PRODUCTION IS RELATIVELY LABOUR INTENSIVE, TO DEMAND FOR LAND FOR PURPOSE-BUILT FACTORY BUILDINGS, IN WHICH PRODUCTION TENDS TO BE MORE EFFICIENT AND THE SCOPE FOR APPLYING HIGHER TECHNOLOGIES IS GREATER."
TO HELP INDUSTRY MOVE UP-MARKET, HE SAID THE GOVERNMENT LAUNCHED AN INWARD INVESTMENT PROMOTION PROGRAMME, AIMING AT THOSE FOREIGN COMPANIES WHO FEEL THEY WOULD DO WELL IN HONG KONG’S FREE MARKET ECONOMY, AND WHO HAVE USEFUL TECHNOLOGIES TO INTRODUCE TO THE LOCAL INDUSTRIAL COMMUNITY.
TUESDAY, MARCH 8, 1988
- 4 -
WORKING HOURS FOR WOMEN CLARIFIED *****
A LABOUR DEPARTMENT SPOKESMAN TODAY (TUESDAY) CLARIFIED CERTAIN PROVISIONS UNDER THE WOMEN AND YOUNG PERSONS (INDUSTRY) (AMENDMENT) REGULATIONS 1988 WHICH CAME INTO OPERATION ON FEBRUARY 26 THIS YEAR.
THIS FOLLOWS COMMENTS MADE BY SEVERAL LABOUR ORGANISATIONS IN THE PRESS, IN PARTICULAR THE PROVISION WHICH ALLOWED WOMEN EMPLOYED IN INDUSTRY TO WORK UP TO 11 PM.
THE SPOKESMAN EXPLAINED THAT THIS PROVISION WAS NOT A NEW FEATURE ADDED TO THE AMENDMENT REGULATIONS.
"UNDER THE EXISTING REGULATIONS, WOMEN IN FACTORIES OPERATING A SHIFT SYSTEM MAY WORK UP TO 11 PM," HE SAID.
"HOWEVER, WOMEN IN FACTORIES NOT OPERATING A SHIFT SYSTEM ARE PREVENTED BY THE REGULATION FROM WORKING BEYOND 8 PM.
"DURING THE DRAFTING PROCESS THE ADMINISTRATION FORMED THE VIEW THAT SINCE THE 11 PM LIMIT HAD BEEN WELL-ACCEPTED AS FAR AS SHIFT-WORK IS CONCERNED, THERE IS NO LONGER ANY NEED TO RETAIN THE 8 PM LIMIT FOR NON-SHIFT WOMEN WORKERS."
AS THIS WAS ONLY A MINOR ADJUSTMENT WHICH SHOULD HAVE A MINIMAL EFFECT IN PRACTICE, IT WAS NOT CONSIDERED NECESSARY TO REFER IT BACK TO THE LABOUR ADVISORY BOARD FOR ADVICE.
THE SPOKESMAN STRESSED THAT THE NEW REGULATIONS STILL PRESCRIBED THAT THE TOTAL HOURS WORKED ONE DAY MUST NOT EXCEED 10 HOURS, INCLUDING OVERTIME.
AS FOR YOUNG PERSONS BETWEEN THE AGE OF 15 AND 17, THE LATEST HOUR OF EMPLOYMENT REMAINS UP TO 7 PM AND THAT THEY ARE STILL PROHIBITED FROM WORKING OVERTIME.
-----0------
CENTRAL ALLOCATION OF PRIMARY 1 PLACES
*****
PARENTS OF CHILDREN WHO HAVE APPLIED FOR A PUBLIC SECTOR PRIMARY ONE PLACE BUT HAVE NOT SECURED A DISCRETIONARY PLACE WILL BE CENTRALLY ALLOCATED A PLACE IN A GOVERNMENT OR AIDED PRIMARY SCHOOL, A SPOKESMAN FOR THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT SAID TODAY (TUESDAY).
THEY WILL RECEIVE A LETTER FROM THE PRIMARY ONE ADMISSION UNIT OF THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT REQUESTING THEM TO GO TO A SPECIFIED DISTR IBUTION/COLLECTI ON CENTRE TO COLLECT A "CHOICE OF SCHOOLS" FORM AND A LIST OF ALL GOVERMENT AND AIDED PRIMARY SCHOOLS IN THEIR OWN SCHOOL DISTRICT.
AHIS MUST......
TUESDAY, MARCH 8, 1988
5 -
THIS MUST BE DONE BETWEEN SUNDAY (MARCH 13) AND THURSDAY (MARCH 17), EXCEPT THE SCHOOL HOLIDAY ON MONDAY (MARCH 14), BETWEEN 9 AM AND 4 PM DAILY.
"COMPLETED FORMS SHOULD BE RETURNED TO THE SAME CENTRE WITHIN THE SAME PERIOD," THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
PARENTS ARE REMINDED THAT IF THEY HAD NOT RECEIVED THE LETTER FROM THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT BY MARCH 13, THEY SHOULD CONTACT THE PRIMARY ONE ADMISSION UNIT ON 5-724383 AS SOON AS POSSIBLE.
OWING TO THE UNEVEN DISTRIBUTION OF PUBLIC SECTOR PRIMARY SCHOOLS, A NUMBER OF SCHOOL DISTRICTS WHICH DO NOT HAVE SUFFICIENT PLACES HAVE BEEN ASSIGNED PLACES FROM SCHOOLS IN NEIGHBOURING DISTRICTS TO MAKE GOOD THE SHORTFALL.
THE SPOKESMAN ASSURED PARENTS THAT THIS ARRANGEMENT WAS NECESSARY AND PLANNED IN SUCH A WAY AS TO ENABLE CHILDREN TO BE ALLOCATED TO A SCHOOL AS NEAR TO THEIR HOME AS POSSIBLE.
THE CENTRAL ALLOCATION IS SOLELY BASED ON PARENTS’ CHOICES WITH NO REFERENCE TO THE POINTS SYSTEM.
WHEN A SCHOOL IS OVERSUBSCRIBED, RANDOM ALLOCATION WILL BE ADOPTED TO ENSURE FAIRNESS TO ALL.
PARENTS WHO HAVE MOVED HOUSE RECENTLY OR ARE PLANNING TO MOVE HOUSE IN THE NEAR FUTURE MUST INFORM THE PRIMARY ONE ADMISSION UNIT S'। I’I'.T ARRANGEMENTS CAN BE MADE TO ALLOCATE A PLACE TO THEIR (illLDRF.l IN THEIR NEW HOME DISTRICT.
RE.Sl I TS nr THE CENTRAL ALLOCATION OF PLACES WILL BE ANNOUNCED IN JUNE, TUP SI IKI SMAN SAID.
------o--------
LEGCO MEMBERS TO ASK 14 QUESTIONS ♦ « » « *
LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL MEMBERS WILL ASK A TOTAL OF 14 QUESTIONS IND CONSIDER FOUR BILLS AT THEIR MEETING TOMORROW (WEDNESDAY).
OF THE FOUR BILLS, THE EDUCATION SCHOLARSHIPS FUND (AMENDMENT) BILL 1988, THE FILM CENSORSHIP BILL 1988 AND THE HOUSING (AMENDMENT) BILL 1988 WILL BE INTRODUCED FOR FIRST AND SECOND READING, WHILE DEBATE ON THE SOCIAL WORK TRAINING FUND (AMENDMENT) BILL 1988 WILL BE RESUMED.
THE SOCIAL WORK TRAINING FUND (AMENDMENT) BILL 1988 WILL ALSO GO THROUGH THE COMMITTEE STAGE AND THIRD READING.
IN ADDITION, THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY WILL MOVE TWO MOTIONS ONE ON THE RATING ORDINANCE AND THE OTHER ON THE TELEPHONE ORDINANCE.
-----0------
/6........
TUESDAY, MARCH 8, 1988
- 6 -
FUNDS AVAILABLE FOR COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT PROJECTS r * * * *
MA TEI WISHING TO ORGANISE ACTIVITIES BETWEEN MAY AND P FROM THE DISTRICT BOARD.
LOCAL ORGANISATIONS IN YAU COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT PROJECTS OR SEPTEMBER CAN NOW APPLY FOR SPONSORSHI
PROJECTS OR ACTIVITIES SEEKING SPONSORSHIP SHOULD OF THE FOLLOWING THEMES: ’TO BUILD UP AND KNOW MORE ABOUT COMMUNITY’, OR ’TO PROMOTE RECREATIONAL, SPORTS ACTIVITIES (INCLUDING THOSE FOR ELDERLY AND YOUTH) .
FEATURE ONE
THE LOCAL
AND
CULTURAL
APPLICATION FORMS ARE NOW AVAILABLE AT THE YAU MA IE I DISTRICT BOARD SECRETARIAT, 14TH FLOOR, 490 NATHAN ROAD. COMPLETJ U FORMS SHOULD BE RETURNED TO THE SECRETARIAT BEFORE MARCH 31.
FURTHER ENQUIRIES CAN BE MADE ON 3-7700424.
-------0 ---------
BALLOON TO PUBLICISE TSUEN WAN DB ELECTIONS
* * * ♦
A HELIUM BALLOON CARRYING A VOTING MESSAGE WILL BE HOISTED TOMORROW (WEDNESDAY) AT SHA TSUI ROAD PLAYGROUND IN TSUEN WAN TO PUBLICISE THE DISTRICT BOARD ELECTIONS ON THURSDAY (MARCH 10).
TO MARK THE HOISTING, THE REGIONAL SECRETARY FOR THE NEW TERRITORIES, MR MICHAEL SUEN, WILL OFFICIATE AT A SHORT CEREMONY AT 11 AM. AMONG THOSE PRESENT WILL BE MISS ASIA-PACIFIC, MISS DOROTHY YAU.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE EVENT WHICH WILL BE HELD AT 11 AM TOMORROW (WEDNESDAY) AT SHA TSUI ROAD PLAYGROUND, TSUEN WAN.
TRANSPORT WILL BE PROVIDED FOR THE PRESS. A GOVERNMENT VAN WILL LEAVE KOWLOON PUBLIC PIER, TSIM SHA TSUI, AT 10 AM. G1S OFFICERS WILL BE ON HANI) TO ASSIST.
-------0----------
/7
TUESDAY, MARCH 8, 1988
7
WORK STARTS ON POLICE HQ SUPERSTRUCTURE *****
WORK HAS BEGUN ON BUILDING THE SUPERSTRUCTURE OF THE NEW POLICE HEADQUARTERS COMPLEX, PHASE I, WHICH IS NEXT TO THE EXISTING HEADQUARTERS IN ARSENAL STREET, WAN CHAI.
PHASE I OF THE CONTRACT WORKS, WORTH MORE THAN $111 MILLION, INVOLVES THE CONSTRUCTION OF A SEVEN-STOREY BUILDING WHICH WILL PROVIDE ALMOST 35,000 SQUARE METRES OF FLOOR AREA.
IT WILL HOUSE THE POLM1L HEADQUARTERS, THE HONG KONG ISLAND REGIONAL COMMAND AND CONTROL CENTRE, COMPUTER SUITE, THE EXPLOSIVES AND ORDNANCE DEPARTMENT, TWO INDOOR FIRING RANGES, FITNESS TRAINING FACILITIES, THE COMMUNICATIONS BRANCH WORKSHOP, PARKING AND VEHICLE SERVICING FACILITIES AND A PARADE GROUND ON THE ROOF TOP.
THE PHASE I WORKS, WHICH WILL ALSO PROVIDE A SINGLE-LEVEL BASEMENT, ARE EXPECTED TO BE COMPLETED IN 17 MONTHS. THESE WILL BE FOLLOWED BY PHASE II WORKS WHICH WILL BE CARRIED OUT UNDER A SEPARATE CONTRACT.
THE NEW HEADQUARTERS WILL BE BUILT IN THREE PHASES. IT IS PROPOSED THAT TWO 38-STOREY TOWERS WILL BE BUI LT UNDER THE LATTER TWO PHASES.
UPON COMPLETION OF THE PROJECT IN LATE 1992, THE TOTAL FLOOR AREA PROVIDED WILL EXCEED 110,000 SQUARE METRES.
-----0------
FIVE GOVERNMENT LOTS TO LET BY TENDER * * * *
FIVE GOVERNMENT LOTS, FOUR IN THE NEW TERRITORIES AND ONE ON HONG KONG ISLAND, ARE BEING LET ON SHORT TERM TENANCIES BY THE BUILDINGS AND LANDS DEPARTMENT.
A SITE IN AREA 9, TUEN MUN NEW TOWN, MEASURING ABOUT 2,631 SQUARE METRES, IS FOR COMMERCIAL CAR PARKING PURPOSE.
THE SECOND SITE AT LAI PING ROAD, KAU TO, SHA TIN, WITH AN AREA OF ABOUT 1,120 SQUARE METRES, IS FOR REPAIR AND MAINTENANCE OF MOTOR VEHICLES.
THE THIRD SITE AT HOLY CROSS PATH, SHAU KEI WAN, WITH AN AREA OF ABOUT 570 SQUARE METRES, IS FOR STORAGE OF GOODS (EXCLUDING UNLICENSED MOTOR VEHICLES) OR WORKS AREA (EXCLUDING CONCRETE BATCH ING).
/THE DEADLINE
TUESDAY, MARCH 8, 1988
8
THE DEADLINE FOR THE SUBMISSION OF TENDERS FOR THE THREE SITES IS AT NOON ON MARCH 18.
THE FOURTH SITE IN AREA MEASURING ABOUT 23,650 SQUARE MARINE ACCESS).
38, TUEN MUN NEW TOWN, TUEN METRES, IS FOR OPEN STORAGE
MUN, (WITH
THE FIFTH SITE AT PAR KOK TSUI ROAD, WITH AN AREA OF ABOUT 980 SQUARE METRES, IS GOODS ONLY.
ON CHEUNG
FOR STORAGE
CHAU ISLAND, OF DANGEROUS
THE CLOSING DATE FOR SUBMITTING TENDERS FOR THESE TWO SITES IS AT NOON ON MARCH 25.
THE TENANCIES ON THE FIVE SITES VARY FROM BETWEEN ONE AND FIVE
YEARS.
-------0 --------
VILLAGE HOUSES TO BE BUILT ON TSING YI » * ♦ ♦ ♦
WORK WILL SOON START ON BUILDING 40 THREE-STOREY VILLAGE HOUSES AT FUNG SHUE WO ON TSING YI ISLAND.
THE WORKS CONTRACT, WORTH ABOUT $22 MILLION, HAS RECENTLY BEEN AWARDED BY THE ARCHITECTURAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT.
THE HOUSES ARE BUILT FOR HOUSE OWNERS PREVIOUSLY MOVED FROM THE NEARBY AREA TO MAKE WAY FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE TOWN CENTRE.
OTHER FACILITIES IN THE PROJECT WILL INCLUDE A BASKETBALL COURT, A REFUSE COLLECTION POINT AND A PARKING AREA.
THE WORK IS EXPECTED TO BE COMPLETED IN MARCH NEXT YEAR.
------0 ------
SENTENCE COMMUTED ♦ * *
ADVICE PASSED
THE GOVERNOR, AFTER TAKING INTO CONSIDERATION THE THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL, HAS DECIDED THAT THE DEATH SENTENCE LEE SHEK-CHING ON JANUARY 7, 1986 SHOULD BE COMMUTED TO A ^E^,EN(.E LIFE IMPRISONMENT. LEE WAS FOUND GUILTY OF THE MURDER OF LI YIU-WING.
OF ON OF
/9
- - 0 - -
TUESDAY, MARCH 8, 1988
- 9 -
MORE LAND TO BE FORMED IN JUNK BAY * t ♦ * t
A FURTHER OF 30 HECTARES OF LAND ARE TO BE RECLAIMED AT THE COASTAL AREAS OF AP TSAI WAN AND THE EASTERN HALF OF HANG HAU IN JUNK BAY NEW TOWN.
THE LAND TO BE FORMED WILL ACCOMMODATE PUBLIC
SECTOR PARTICIPATION SCHEME HOUSING, RENTAL PUBLIC HOUSING, VILLAGE DEVELOPMENT, COMMERCIAL/RESIDENTIAL BLOCKS AND GOVERNMENT/INSTITUTIONAL/COMMUNITY FACILITITES.
IN ASSOCIATION WITH THE RECLAMATION WILL BE MAJOR DRAINAGE WORKS INCLUDING 1.8 KILOMETRES OF MULTICELL STORMWATER CULVERT, 4.5 KILOMETRES OF NEW ROADS AND A TEMPORARY BREAKWATER.
ABOUT 3.8 MILLION CUBIC METRES OF FILLING MATERIAL TO BE PROVIDED BY PUBLIC DUMPING, EXCAVATION FROM WITHIN THE SITE AND FROM THE EXCAVATIONS FOR THE EXTENSION TO LAM TIN SOUTH ESTATE WILL BE REQUIRED BY THE RECLAMATION WORK.
WORK IS EXPECTED TO START IN MAY.
THE TERRITORY DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT IS INVITING TENDERS FOR THE PROJECT WHICH WILL TAKE 36 MONTHS TO COMPLETE.
-----0------
TRAFFIC CHANGES IN THE NEW TERRITORIES ♦ t * * ♦
THE SPEED LIMIT ON THE SECTION OF TAI PO ROAD BETWEEN TOLO HIGHWAY NEAR SHA TIN RACECOURSE AND A POINT ABOUT 80 METRES SOUTH OF THE ACCESS ROAD TO WONG YI AU IN TAI PO WILL BE CHANGED FROM 70 KILOMETRES PER HOUR TO 50 KILOMETRES PER HOUR FROM 10 AM ON FRIDAY (MARCH 11).
AT THE SAME TIME, NO PUBLIC LIGHT BUSES WILL BE ALLOWED TO ENTER SEVEN ROAD SECTIONS IN TUEN MUN AT ANY TIME OF THE DAY.
THESE ROAD SECTIONS ARE: TUEN SHING STREET, STREET G FROM CASTLE PEAK ROAD NORTHBOUND TO TUEN FAT ROAD, SAM SHING STREET, TSI NG HOI CIRCUIT, TSING WUI STREET, ROAD LA 39A (OPPOSITE THE NORTHERN ARM OF TSING HOI CIRCUIT), AND ROAD LA 39B (OPPOSITE THE SOUTHERN ARM OF TSING HOI CIRCUIT).
--------0 ---------
/1O........
TUESDAY, MARCH 8, 1988
- 10 -
ROAD IN YUEN LONG CLOSED FOR ELECTION » ♦ ♦ ♦ *
BETWEEN
BOARD
BE CLOSED TO TRAFFIC
nN SHUN STREET IN YUEN LONG WILL
7 AM AND 11 PM ON THURSDAY IN CONNECTION WITH THE 1988 DISTRICT
ELECTION.
TT TS BECAUSE THE NEARBY YUEN LONG LUTHERAN MIDDLE SCHOOL WILL HF USED AS A POLLING STATION FOR THE YUEN LONG TOWN WEST CONSTITUENCY. THE CLOSURE OF ON SHUN STREET WILL ENABLE BETTER CONTROL OF CROWD AND SMOOTH RUNNING OF THE ELECTION.
- - 0 - -
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL: 5.-8428777
WEDNESDAY, NaRCH 9, 1988
contents page no.
LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL MEETING
BILL GIVES -HOUSING -AUTHORITY MORE FLEXIBILITY.......... 1
STRONG EVTDENOE COMMUNITY SUPPORTS VIEWING CONSTRAINTS . 2
FRESH LOOK -aT 'TRAINING -FUND COMMITTEE................. 4
CONCERN OVER-SOCIAL- WORK TRAINING-FUND .COMMITTEE ....... 5
CHANGE IN CHAIRMANSHIP PROPOSED ......................... 6
PRIVATE BILE -ON FOREIGN -BANK MERGER. . ................ 7
AMENDMENTS-?©-ROYaL INSTRUCTIONS PROPOSED ............... 8
SUMMARY OF CHANGES TO ESTIMATES ...................... 10
....... -.......w • ....... . • • . - . . .
CHANGES PROPOSED IN PaYPHONE RENT.iL.................... 10
• •••••■ ..........
MOTION ON TENEMENT RATEABLE VALUE APPROVED ............. 11
...........
ONE BILL PASSED......................................... 12
FIRE-FIGHTING VESSELS C^RRY RESCUE EQUIPMENT ........... 12
TRAFFIC SIGNS PROVIDED TO HELP DRIVERS ................. 13
RESTRICTIONS ON MaIDS LIKELY TO BE LIFTED .............. 14
GREAT MAJORITY OF REFUGEES LaW .iBIDING ................ 15
PRIVATISATION OF HOS MANAGEMENT SERVICES A SUCCESS ..... 16
/STUDIES MADE ......
STUDIES MADE CW URB/lN WATER POLLUTION
17
USEFULNESS OF COUNSELLING DEPENDS ON INDIVIDUAL OFFENDER 18
GOVT ASSISTS IN FUNDING REFUGEE VOCATIONAL TRhINING .... 19
NUISANCE TELEPHONE CALLS INVESTIGATED ..................... 19
EMPLOYMENT LAW STIPULATES BASIC OBLIGATIONS ............... 19
WAX NOW USED IN SCHOOL SCIENCE EXPERIMENTS................. 20
TASK FORCE TO STUDY GUEST HOUSE FIRE HAZARDS .............. 21
PRIOR APPROVE 'TO JOIN PRIVATE SECTOR NOT REQUIRED..... 25
$900 MILLION SPENT ON REFUGEES SINCE 1979 ................. 24
LIAO URGES ’ ELECTORS ’ TO VOTE’.............................. 25
KOWLOON CITY VOTERS URGED TO SUPPORT DB ELECTIONS ............ 25
AIRY MESSAGE FOR’ VOTERS....... .............................. 26
GOVERNOR STRESSES IMPORT;JICE OF TRADE WITH JaPaN........ 27
PRICE, VOLUME’MOVEMENTS'OF EXTERNAL TRADE IN 1987, aND
DECEMBER ................................................... 28
RESIGNATIONS FROM CIVIL SERVICE STEADY ..................... 53
NEW MEDICAL CLINIC OPENS IN S;\I KUNG ....................... 53
AFD HEAD TO HOST SPRING RECEPTION ............................ 54
• • • • •••••• • ,
PRISONERS P.JSS PUBLIC EXAMINATIONS .......................... 55
TSUEN WAN DB COMMITTEE TO MEET ............................... 56
VEHICLE BaN IN CENTRAL TO BE RELAXED ........................ 56
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 9, 1988
BILL GIVES HOUSING AUTHORITY MORE FLEXIBILITY *****
A BILL ENABLING THE HONG KONG HOUSING AUTHORITY TO UNDERGO A REORGANISATION OF ITS STRUCTURE AND FINANCIAL ARRANGEMENTS WITH EFFECT FROM APRIL 1 WAS READ A SECOND TIME IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
THE REORGANISATION WOULD FACILITATE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE LONG TERM HOUSING STRATEGY.
“UNDER THE STRATEGY, THE PROVISION OF PUBLIC HOUSING WILL BECOME MORE DEMAND-LED, ’’THE ACTING SECRETARY FOR LANDS AND WORKS, THE HON ROBIN SAUNDERS, SAID IN MOVING THE SECOND READING OF THE HOUSING (AMENDMENT) BILL 1988.
’’INCREASED OPPORTUNITIES WILL BE PROVIDED FOR FAMILIES ASPIRING TO BUY THEIR OWN HOMES, WHILE RENTAL HOUSING WILL CONTINUE TO BE AVAILABLE TO THOSE WHO NEED IT.”
MR SAUNDERS SAID THE AUTHORITY WOULD REGULARLY MONITOR DEMAND AND SUPPLY IN ALL HOUSING SECTORS.
IT WOULD THEN ADJUST ITS OWN CONSTRUCTION PROGRAMME TO CO-ORDINATE WITH WHAT WAS BEING PRODUCED BY THE PRIVATE SECTOR SO AS TO ENSURE THAT DEMAND WAS MET MOST EFFECTIVELY.
THE LONG TERM HOUSING STRATEGY WOULD REQUIRE THE AUTHORITY TO BE ABLE TO RESPOND WITH GREATER FLEXIBILITY AND EFFECTIVENESS TO MEET FUTURE HOUSING NEEDS, HE SAID.
"A PACKAGE OF PROPOSALS HAS THEREFORE BEEN DEVISED TO GIVE THE AUTHORITY THE FREEDOM IT NEEDS TO DEAL WITH ITS DUTIES IN A MORE FLEXIBLE MANNER AND THE FINANCIAL FLEXIBILITY TO BE ABLE TO PUT ITS RESOURCES WHERE ITS PRIORITIES ARE,” MR SAUNDERS SAID.
’’THESE MEASURES WILL BE IMPLEMENTED THROUGH ADMINISTRATIVE CHANGES TO THE ORGANISATION AND FINANCES OF THE AUTHORITY AND THROUGH THE BILL WHICH MAKES SEVERAL NECESSARY AMENDMENTS TO THE HOUSING ORDINANCE. ’’
MR SAUNDERS STRESSED THAT THE PROPOSALS WERE NOT INTENDED TO REDUCE THE GOVERNMENT’S COMMITMENT TO PUBLIC HOUSING.
"ALTHOUGH THE AUTHORITY WILL HAVE GREATER FREEDOM TO MAKE DECISIONS ON OPERATIONAL MATTERS, GOVERNMENT WILL CONTINUE TO MONITOR THE WORK OF THE AUTHORITY AND WILL REMAIN RESPONSIBLE FOR SETTING THE MAJOR POLICY GUIDELINES WITHIN WHICH THE AUTHORITY WILL OPERATE," HE SAID.
/REFERRING TO
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 9t 1988
REFERRING TO THE GOVERNMENT’S CONTINUING FINANCIAL COMMITMENT TO THE AUTHORITY, MR SAUNDERS SAID IT WOULD BE HANDING OVER THE CLOSING BALANCE OF THE HOME OWNERSHIP FUND AND NOT REQUIRING REPAYMENT OF THE OUTSTANDING LOANS MADE TO THE AUTHORITY BY THE DEVELOPMENT LOAN FUND.
IN ADDITION, THE GOVERNMENT WOULD IF NECESSARY INJECT CASH TO GUARANTEE THE AUTHORITY’S FINANCIAL SOLVENCY AND FACILITATE ITS CASH FLOW.
THESE SUMS WOULD BECOME THE GOVERNMENT’S PERMANENT CAPITAL IN THE AUTHORITY.
THE GOVERNMENT WOULD ALSO CONTINUE TO PROVIDE LAND TO THE AUTHORITY ON CONCESSIONARY TERMS TO ENABLE IT TO DEVELOP HOUSING AT AFFORDABLE RENTS AND PRICES.
REFERRING TO CONCERNS AS TO THE EFFECT THAT THE REORGANISATION WOULD HAVE ON RENT LEVELS, MR SAUNDERS SAID THAT ’’THE AUTHORITY WILL OPERATE WITHIN EXISTING RENT AND PRICING POLICIES AND WILL BE REQUIRED TO SEEK THE APPROVAL OF THE GOVERNOR IN COUNCIL BEFORE MAKING ANY CHANGES.”
HE ALSO SAID THAT THE AUTHORITY’S GREATER OPERATIONAL FREEDOM WOULD NOT REDUCE ITS PUBLIC ACCOUNTABILITY.
THE AUTHORITY’S ANNUAL PROGRAMME AND ESTIMATES WOULD CONTINUE TO BE SUBMITTED FOR APPROVAL BY THE GOVERNOR AND ITS AUDITED ACCOUNTS AND ANNUAL REPORT WOULD CONTINUE TO BE TABLED IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL.
’’QUARTERLY REPORTS WILL KEEP GOVERNMENT INFORMED OF THE AUTHORITY’S ACTIONS AND DECISIONS, WHILE THE APPOINTMENT OF OFFICIALS TO THE AUTHORITY AND ITS COMMITTEES WILL ENSURE THAT GOVERNMENT’S VIEWS ARE KNOWN TO THE AUTHORITY,” MR SAUNDERS ADDED.
DEBATE ON THE BILL WAS ADJOURNED.
- 0 - -
STRONG EVIDENCE COMMUNITY SUPPORTS VIEWING CONSTRAINTS * » » * t
THERE IS STRONG EVIDENCE THAT THE LOCAL COMMUNITY SUPPORTS AND INDEED DEMANDS CONSTRAINTS ON WHAT MAY BE PUBLICLY VIEWED, THE SECRETARY FOR ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES AND INFORMATION, THE HON PETER TSAO, SAID IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
MOVING THE SECOND READING OF THE FILM CENSORSHIP BILL 1988, MR TSAO SAID THAT FOR OVER 35 YEARS FILM CENSORSHIP HAD BEEN ACCEPTED BY THE PUBLIC AS A GOVERNMENT RESPONSIBILITY.
/AND HE
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 9, 1988
- 5 -
I
AND HE STRESSED THAT THE BILL WAS NOT AIMED AT CORRECTING ANY DEFICIENCIES IN THE PRESENT LEGISLATION BECAUSE THE LATTER WAS IN GOOD ORDER.
"RATHER IT SEEKS TO CONSTRAIN CENSORSHIP AND ALLOW THE SCREENING OF FILMS WHICH CANNOT BE APPROVED FOR VIEWING AT PRESENT," HE SAID.
"IT EXPANDS THE COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT IN THE CENSORIAL PROCESS, THUS ENSURING THAT CENSORSHIP STANDARDS BETTER REFLECT THE COMMUNITY’S VIEWS ON WHAT IS ACCEPTABLE OR OTHERWISE."
MR TSAO SAID THAT THERE WAS NO DOUBT THAT CENSORSHIP ON GROUNDS OF SEX AND VIOLENCE REFLECTED THE COMMUNITY’S EXPECTATIONS AT LARGE.
POLITICAL CENSORSHIP WAS ALSO NECESSARY FOR THE PROTECTION OF THE WELL-BEING OF THE COMMUNITY, HE SAID, WHICH WAS WHY IT HAD ALWAYS BEEN PART OF THE FILM CENSORSHIP PROCESS.
"HONG KONG MUST NOT ALLOW ITSELF TO BE USED AS A BASE FOR PROPAGATING PROPAGANDA. I BELIEVE THIS POINT IS WELL UNDERSTOOD AND ACCEPTED IN HONG KONG," HE SAID.
AT THE INSTIGATION OF THE LEGCO AD HOC GROUP ON FILM CLASSIFICATION AND CENSORSHIP, IT WAS NOW PROPOSED TO PROVIDE FOR CENSORSHIP WHERE "THERE IS A LIKELIHOOD THAT THE EXHIBITION OF THE FILM WOULD SERIOUSLY DAMAGE GOOD RELATIONS WITH OTHER TERRITORIES".
UNDER THE BILL, THE FUTURE SYSTEM FOR FILM CLASSIFICATION WOULD BE:
CATEGORY I - FOR GENERAL EXHIBITION;
CATEGORY II - APPROVED FOR EXHIBITION WITH THE CAUTION THAT IT IS NOT SUITABLE FOR CHILDREN;
CATEGORY III - APPROVED FOR EXHIBITION ONLY TO PERSONS WHO HAVE ATTAINED THE AGE OF 18 YEARS.
MR TSAO SAID THIS NEW CLASSIFICATION WOULD ALLOW THE EXHIBITION OF FILMS WHICH MIGHT BE ENJOYED BY MATURE OR RESTRICTED AUDIENCES AND WHICH HAD HITHERTO HAD TO BE BANNED OR SEVERELY CUT TO THE DETRIMENT OF THE STORY FLOW.
"THE PROPOSED THREE-TIER S IM WILL MAKE IT POSSIBLE FOR MORE THAN ONE VERSION OF A FILM TO BE APPROVED FOR EXHIBITION TO DIFFERENT AUDIENCES," HE SAID.
WHILE IT WOULD BE AN OFFENCE TO EXHIBIT A CATEGORY III FILM TO A PERSON UNDER THE AGE OF 18 YEARS UNLESS ALL REASONABLE PRECAUTIONS HAD BEEN TAKEN TO PREVENT ITS HAPPENING, MR TSAO SAID THAT THE GOVERNMENT WAS NOT PROPOSING TO MAKE THE VIEWING OF A CATEGORY III FILM BY AN UNDERAGE PERSON A CRIMINAL OFFENCE.
/HOWEVER, HE .......
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 9. 1988
HOWEVER, HE SAID THAT THE AUTHORITY WOULD ADVISE PARENTS IN WRITING WHEN THEIR CHILDREN WERE FOUND AT SUCH SCREENINGS.
THE AUTHORITY WOULD HAVE POWER TO APPOINT INSPECTORS TO UNDERTAKE CHECKS OF ALL CINEMAS TO ENFORCE THE FILM CLASSIFICATION SYSTEM AND TO INITIATE PROSECUTIONS AGAINST OFFENDING OPERATORS, HE ADDED. '
MR TSAO ALSO SAID THAT FILM ADVERTISING MATERIAL WHICH WAS REQUIRED TO BE SUBMITTED TO THE CENSORSHIP AUTHORITY FOR EXAMINATION UNDER THE PRESENT LEGISLATION WOULD BE EXCLUDED FROM THE CENSORSHIP REQUIREMENTS OF THE BILL.
BUT IT WOULD FALL WITHIN THE AMBIT OF THE CONTROL OF OBSCENE AND INDECENT ARTICLES ORDINANCE, HE SAID.
ON PRACTICAL PROBLEMS FOR THE FILM INDUSTRY THAT MIGHT ARISE AS A RESULT OF THIS, MR TSAO SAID THAT HE WAS PREPARED TO CONTINUE THE DIALOGUE WITH THE INDUSTRY WITH A VIEW TO RESOLVING THESE PROBLEMS AS FAR AS POSSIBLE.
TURNING TO GREATER PUBLIC INVOLVEMENT IN THE CENSORIAL PROCESS, MR TSAO SAID A PANEL OF ADVISERS REPRESENTING A CROSS-SECTION OF THE COMMUNITY WOULD BE APPOINTED BY THE FILM CENSORSHIP AUTHORITY TO ADVISE THE CENSORS.
THE APPEAL MECHANISM WOULD ALSO BE REVAMPED BY REPLACING THE, OFFICIAL-DOMINATED REVIEW BOARD WITH A BOARD COMPRISING A MAJORITY OF NON-OFFICIAL MEMBERS AND A CHAIRMAN APPOINTED FROM AMONG THEM.
MR TSAO ALSO THANKED THE LEGCO AD HOC GROUP AND ALL THOSE GROUPS AND INDIVIDUALS WHO HAD CONTRIBUTED ADVICE AND COMMENTS DURING THE CONSULTATIVE PERIOD, ADDING THAT MANY OF THEIR VIEWS WERE REFLECTED IN THE BILL PUT BEFORE THE COUNCIL.
DEBATE ON THE BILL WAS ADJOURNED.
------o-------
FRESH LOOK AT TRAINING FUND COMMITTEE * * ♦ »
THE GOVERNMENT INTENDS TO LOOK AFRESH AT THE COMPOSITION AND TERMS OF REFERENCE OF THE SOCIAL WORK TRAINING FUND COMMITTEE TO DETERMINE WHETHER CHANGES ARE APPROPRIATE TO REFLECT CHANGING CIRCUMSTANCES SINCE ITS ESTABLISHMENT IN 1961.
THE SECRETARY FOR HEALTH AND WELFARE, THE HON JOHN CHAMBERS, SAID THIS WHEN WINDING UP DEBATE ON THE SOCIAL WORK TRAINING FUND (AMENDMENT) BILL 1988 IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
/HE AGREED
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 9, 1988
- 5 -
ME AGREED THAT THERE WAS A CONTINUING NEED FOR THE SHARING OF EXPERIENCE IN PROMOTING THE TRAINING PROSPECTS OF SOCIAL WORKERS AND rN i DEVELOPMENT OF INDIGENOUS TEACHING MATERIALS, THOUGH HE NOTED TH "... WAS A FORUM FOR THIS IN THE ADVISORY COMMITTEE ON SOCIAL WORK TRAINING.
"SO FAR AS THE CRITERIA ADOPTED BY THE COMMITTEE FOR SPONSORING INDIVIDUALS FOR SOCIAL WORK TRAINING ARE CONCERNED, DETAILS ARE IN ACT GIVEN IN THE FUND’S ANNUAL REPORT WHICH IS TABLED EACH YEAR IN THIS COUNCIL, AND WHICH IS AVAILABLE TO ANYONE WHO MAY BE INTERESTED," HR SAID.
"SO THE COMMITTEE, WHICH ALREADY INCLUDES MEMBERS ACTIVE IN THE : ■ JAL WORK TRAINING FIELD, IS NOT QUITE SO INSCRUTABLE."
MR CHAMBERS ALSO PAID TRIBUTE TO THE ROYAL HONG KONG JOCKEY CLUB FOR MAKING A $6 MILLION DONATION TO THE FUND LAST YEAR.
'THIS GENEROUS GESTURE WILL ENABLE US TO DO MORE TO PROVIDE t SOCIAL WORK TRAINING OPPORTUNITIES BOTH LOCALLY AND ABROAD," HE ADDED.
-------o----------
RN OVER SOCIAL WORK TRAINING FUND COMMITTEE * » » *
I Ai. SERVICE FUNCTIONAL CONSTITUENCY IS CONCERNED OVER i) TERMS OF REFERENCE OF THE SOCIAL WORK TRAINING . HE HON HUI YIN-FAT SAID IN THE LEGISLATE COUNCIL
TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
•nil WORK TRAINING FUND COMMITTEE SHOULD BE CHAIRED BY A PERSON WHO A: NOT A GOVERNMENT OFFICIAL, MR HUI SAID WHEN SPEAKING IN SUPPORT 0 THE SOCIAL WORK TRAINING FUND (AMENDMENT) BILL 1988.
THIS WAS IN LINE WITH A RECOMMENDATION BY THE SOCIAL WELFARE •DVISORY COMMITTEE AND THE ADVISORY COMMITTEE ON SOCIAL WORK TRAINING, HE NOTED IN THE RESUMED DEBATE ON THE BILL.
FURTHERMORE, MR HUI SUGGESTED THAT APPOINTING MEMBERS TO THE COMMITTEE ON A CHANGED.
INSTEAD, DELEGATES SHOULD BE REPRESENTATIVE ORGANISATIONS SUCH AS THE ASSOCIATION, AND THE HONG KONG COUNCIL OF AGENCIES EMPLOYED A LARGE NUMBER OF CONCERNED WITH TRAINING PROSPECTS.
THE EXISTING PRACTICE OF PERSONAL BASIS SHOULD BE
ACCEPTED FROM VARIOUS HONG KONG SOCIAL WORKERS' SOCIAL SERVICE WHOSE MEMBER SOCIAL WORKERS, AND WERE
/"GIVING VOLUNTARY
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 9. 1988
6 -
"GIVING VOLUNTARY AGENCIES REPRESENTATION ON THE COMMITTEE WOULD DEFINITELY STRENGTHEN THE CO-OPERATION BETWEEN GOVERNMENT AND VOLUNTARY AGENCIES AS WELL AS THE COMMITTEE'S ACCOUNTABILITY," HE SAID.
"IN THE LIGHT OF RAPID DEVELOPMENT IN THE FIELD OF SOCIAL WELFARE AND SOCIAL WORK TRAINING, WE ALSO BELIEVE THAT MORE INDIGENOUS TEACHING MATERIALS OUGHT TO BE DEVELOPED FOR THE TRAINING OF LOCAL SOCIAL WORKERS,” MR HUI SAID.
"IN THIS RESPECT, THE ROLE OF THE COMMITTEE IN IMPROVING TRAINING FACILITIES OUGHT TO BE EXPANDED AND MORE TRAINING RESOURCES SHOULD BE DEVELOPED LOCALLY AND ABROAD."
HE ALSO SAID THAT VOLUNTARY AGENCIES WERE CONCERNED THAT THEY WERE NOT FULLY APPRISED OF THE PRIORITY SET BY THE COMMITTEE FOR SUBSIDISING SOCIAL WORK TRAINING ACTIVITIES AND OF THE CRITERIA FOR SPONSORING INDIVIDUALS FOR FORMAL SOCIAL WORK TRAINING OVERSEAS. THE COMMITTEE WAS INSCRUTABLE ON THESE POINTS.
"IT IS IMPORTANT FOR VOLUNTARY AGENCIES TO BE PRIVY TO SUCH STANDARDS IN PLANNING THEIR STAFF DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMMES FOR IMPROVEMENT OF SERVICE QUALITY," HE STRESSED.
FINALLY, MR HUT SAID IT WAS TIME THAT THE COMMITTEE PROVIDED AN OPEN CHANNEL FOR THE SHARING OF EXPERIENCE, KNOWLEDGE, AND INFORMATION IN IMPROVING THE TRAINING AND SKILLS OF SOCIAL WORKERS AND IN MAKING EFFECTIVE USE OF VALUABLE MANPOWER RESOURCES.
THE OBJECTS OF THE FUND ARE TO MAKE GRANTS TO INDIVIDUALS FOR THE PURPOSE OF STUDY AND TRAINING AS SOCIAL WORKERS; AND GENERALLY TO CONTRIBUTE TO THE TRAINING OF SOCIAL WORKERS IN HONG KONG.
THE AMENDMENT BILL PROPOSED CHANGES TO SOME OF THE ADMINISTRATIVE DETAILS OF THE SOCIAL WORK TRAINING FUND WHICH WAS ESTABLISHED AS A STATUTORY FUND IN 1961.
------0-------
CHANGE IN CHAIRMANSHIP PROPOSED
*****
THE GOVERNMENT’S DECLARED POLICY IS THAT, WHEREVER FEASIBLE, PEOPLE OTHER THAN OFFICIALS SHOULD CHAIR ITS ADVISORY BOARDS AND COMMITTEES, THE SECRETARY FOR EDUCATION AND MANPOWER, THE HON RON BRIDGE, TOLD THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
MOVING THE SECOND READING OF THE EDUCATION SCHOLARSHIPS FUND (AMENDMENT) BILL 1988, MR BRIDGE SAID THAT THE BILL ACCORDINGLY PROVIDED FOR PEOPLE OTHER THAN THE DIRECTOR OF EDUCATION OR HIS REPRESENTATIVE TO CHAIR THE EDUCATION SCHOLARSHIPS FUND COMMITTEE.
/"THE BILL .......
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 9, 1988
7
"THE BILL ALSO PROVIDES FOR ACCOUNTS AND RECORDS OF THE EDUCATION SCHOLARSHIPS FUND TO BE KEPT AS THE DIRECTOR OF ACCOUNTING SERVICES MAY REQUIRE," HE ADDED.
THE EDUCATION SCHOLARSHIPS FUND ORDINANCE WAS ENACTED IN 1955, PROVIDING FOR THE ESTABLISHMENT AND ADMINISTRATION OF A TRUST FUND KNOWN AS THE EDUCATION SCHOLARSHIPS FUND.
MR BRIDGE SAID THE ORDINANCE PROVIDED FOR THE APPOINTMENT OF THE DIRECTOR OF EDUCATION OR HIS REPRESENTATIVE AS CHAIRMAN OF THE FUND COMMITTEE.
"APART FROM SOME VERY OLD SCHOLARSHIPS, THE DONORS OF WHICH CANNOT BE TRACED, ALL DONORS AND HEADS OF SCHOOLS HAVE AGREED TO THE PROPOSED CHANGE OF CHAIRMANSHIP.
"THE CHANGES PROPOSED IN THE BILL ARE DESIRABLE AND STRAIGHTFORWARD AND IT IS INTENDED TO BRING THEM INTO EFFECT AS SOON AS THE BILL IS ENACTED," HE ADDED.
DEBATE ON THE BILL WAS ADJOURNED.
------0 ------
PRIVATE BILL ON FOREIGN BANK MERGER
» » t » «
A PRIVATE BILL RELATING TO A GERMAN BANK MERGER WAS INTRODUCED
TO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY) BY THE HON DAVID LI WHO DESCRIBED IT AS A WELCOME BILL THAT WOULD SHOW HONG KONG WAS MOST RESPONSIBLE IN AFFORDING CERTAINTY OF OPERATION TO FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS AND CUSTOMERS ALIKE.
THE BILL WAS THE DEUTSCHE BANK (MERGER) BILL 1988, WHICH MR LI ALSO DESCRIBED AS TECHNICAL IN NATURE AND UNCONTROVERSIAL. IT WAS GIVEN A SECOND READING.
MR LI SAID THE BILL WAS NECESSARY BECAUSE, UNDER THE LAW OF THE FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF GERMANY, DEUTSCHE BANK WOULD ABSORB DEUTSCHE BANK ASIA (D.B. ASIA) WHICH WAS ITS WHOLLY-OWNED SUBSIDIARY, ON APRIL 5 THIS YEAR.
"D.B. ASIA WILL CEASE TO EXIST AND, UNDER GERMAN LAW, ALL ITS BUSINESS, ASSETS AND LIABILITIES WILL BE TRANSFERRED TO DEUTSCHE BANK," HE SAID.
NOTING THAT THE EFFECT OF THIS MERGER UNDER GERMAN LAW WAS NOT CLEAR UNDER HONG KONG LAW, MR LI SAID THAT THE BILL SOUGHT TO CLARIFY ALL MATTERS ARISING FROM THE MERGER IN A MANNER WHICH AFFORDED ERTAINTY TO D.B. ASIA AND ITS CUSTOMERS IN HONG KONG.
/"D.B. ASIA
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 9, 1988
8
"D.B. ASIA HAS A SUBSTANTIAL BANKING PRACTICE IN HONG KONG AND HONG KONG HAS AN INTEREST IN AFFORDING CERTAINTY AND SECURITY OF BUSINESS TO INTERNATIONAL BANKS OPERATING HERE," HE ADDED.
MR LI SAID THE BILL WAS NOT WITHOUT PRECEDENT. IT WAS MODELLED ON THE LLOYDS BANK (MERGER) ORDINANCE 1985 BY WHICH EFFECT WAS GIVEN IN HONG KONG TO THE MERGER UNDER ENGLISH LAW OF LLOYDS BANK AND LLOYDS BANK INTERNATIONAL.
HE ALSO SAID THAT NO STAMP DUTY WOULD BE SAVED BY THE BILL AND THERE WAS NO INTENTION BY D.B. ASIA AND DEUTSCHE BANK TO AVOID STAMP DUTY BY MEANS OF IT.
-------0----------
AMENDMENTS TO ROYAL INSTRUCTIONS PROPOSED *****
THE GOVERNMENT PROPOSES THAT THREE PROVISIONS IN THE ROYAL INSTRUCTIONS SHOULD BE AMENDED.
THE ATTORNEY GENERAL, THE HON MICHAEL THOMAS, TOLD THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY) THE FIRST AMENDMENT CONCERNED THE DATE OF DISSOLUTION OF THE COUNCIL.
HE SAID ROYAL INSTRUCTION XXVIIIA AT PRESENT PROVIDED THAT THE ,.J1 SLAT IVE COUNCIL "SHALL STAND DISSOLVED ON THE NINETIETH DAY BEFORE THE THIRD ANNIVERSARY OF THE FIRST SITTING OF THE COUNCIL FOLLOWING THE LATEST ELECTION FOR ALL THE ELECTED MEMBERS OF THE COUNCIL".
THIS MEANT, IN EFFECT, THAT, IN THIS PARTICULAR YEAR, THE COUNCIL WOULD HAVE TO DISSOLVE ON AUGUST 1 AND THAT HONG KONG WOULD THEN BE WITHOUT A LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL FOR NEARLY THREE MONTHS.
"THE PROVISION HAS A NUMBER OF DRAWBACKS," MR THOMAS SAID.
"FIRST, IT ALLOWS NO FLEXIBILITY IN FIXING A DATE FOR THE COUNCIL TO DISSOLVE.
"SECONDLY, WHEN TAKEN TOGETHER WITH THE PROVISION IN THE ROYAL INSTRUCTION XXIA THAT THE PERIOD BETWEEN THE LAST SITTING OF THE SESSION AND THE FIRST SITTING OF THE NEXT SESSION SHALL NOT EXCEED THREE MONTHS, IT GIVES RISE TO THE SITUATION WHEREBY, OVER TIME, THE OPENING DATE FOR EACH NEW SESSION TENDS TO CREEP FURTHER FORWARD.
"THIS RESULTS IN FURTHER DIFFICULTIES IN KEEPING TO OUR NORMAL ELECTORAL CYCLE WHICH ENVISAGES ELECTIONS IN SEPTEMBER AND A RESUMPTION OF THE COUNCIL IN EARLY TO MID-OCTOBER.
/THIRDLY, AND
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 9» 1988
THIRDLY, AND THIS WAS PERHAPS THE MOST IMPORTANT POINT, THIS LACK OF FLEXIBILITY ON DATES MEANT THAT, WHEN TAKEN IN CONJUNCTION WITH NECESSARY PRE- AND POST-ELECTION MEASURES, THERE WOULD BE NO LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL FOR AN UNDESIRABLY LONG TIME.
MR THOMAS SAID IT WAS PROPOSED THE ROYAL INSTRUCTIONS BE AMENDED TO PROVIDE THAT THE GOVERNOR SHALL APPOINT A DATE FOR THE DISSOLUTION WHICH SHALL BE NOT EARLIER THAN 60 DAYS OR LATER THAN 30 DAYS BEFORE THE THIRD ANNIVERSARY OF THE PRECEDING ELECTION AND AT A LATER STAGE TO INTRODUCE LEGISLATION TO ABRIDGE THE TIME FOR ACCEPTANCE OF OFFICE BY ELECTED MEMBERS.
HE SAID THAT THESE MEASURES, TAKEN TOGETHER, WOULD REMOVE ALL THE DRAWBACKS MENTIONED.
IF THESE CHANGES WERE ACCEPTABLE, IT WAS LIKELY THE GOVERNOR WOULD APPOINT THURSDAY, AUGUST 25, 1988 AS THE DATE OF DISSOLUTION OF THE PRESENT COUNCIL AND THE SUBSEQUENT ELECTIONS WOULD TAKE PLACE ON THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 22.
THE NEW COUNCIL WOULD THEN MEET FOR THE FIRST TIME ON WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 12.
MR THOMAS SAID THE SECOND AMENDMENT TO THE ROYAL INSTRUCTIONS WOULD PROVIDE THAT ANY BILL WHICH HAD NOT COMPLETED ALL ITS STAGES THROUGH THE COUNCIL WOULD LAPSE UPON A DISSOLUTION.
AT PRESENT, THE ROYAL INSTRUCTIONS PROVIDED THAT THE '
CONSIDERATION OF A BILL OR OTHER BUSINESS WOULD NOT BE AFFECTED BY THE TERMINATION OF A SESSION.
"ALTHOUGH IT MAY BE THE CASE THAT THIS PROVISION DOES NOT APPLY TO THE TERMINATION OF THE FINAL SESSION IN THE TERM OF A LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL BEFORE DISSOLUTION, THE POSITION IS NOT AS CLEAR AS IT COULD BE," HE SAID.
"THIS MATTER SHOULD BE PUT BEYOND DOUBT BY AMENDING THE RELEVANT PROVISION IN THE ROYAL INSTRUCTIONS.
"IT IS UNREASONABLE TO EXPECT MEMBERS OF A NEW LEGISLATURE TO PICK UP AND COMPLETE THE UNFINISHED BUSINESS OF THE OLD."
MR THOMAS SAID THAT THIRDLY, IT WAS PROPOSED TO DELETE FROM ROYAL INSTRUCTIONS XXV(2) AND XXVII THE REQUIREMENT TO INCLUDE MARGINAL NOTES ALONGSIDE EACH CLAUSE OF AN ORDINANCE.
HE SAID THE NEED FOR NOTES IN THE MARGINS CAUSED SECRETARIAL AND PRINTING DIFFICULTIES, PARTICULARLY IN PRINTING CHINESE TEXTS.
IT WAS PROPOSED THAT THE PRESENT PRACTICE OF USING MARGINAL NOTES BE REPLACED BY THE USE IMMEDIATELY ABOVE EACH CLAUSE OF LEFT MARGIN BOLD HEADINGS. THIS WAS A COMMONLY USED FORM IN LEGISLATION ELSEWHERE.
MR THOMAS SAID THAT FOLLOWING THE DEBATE ON THE WHITE PAPER ON MARCH 16 AND 17, THE GOVERNMENT WOULD PROPOSE CHANGES TO THE LETTERS PATENT WHICH WOULD NEED TO BE MADE IN CONSEQUENCE OF THE POLICY SET OUT IN THE WHITE PAPER FOR THE 1988 ELECTIONS TO THE NEXT LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL.
- - 0------------
/1O.......
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 9, 1988
10 -
SUMMARY OF CHANGES TO ESTIMATES t * ♦
A SUMMARY OF ALL CHANGES MADE TO THE APPROVED ESTIMATES OF EXPENDITURE FOR THE SECOND QUARTER OF THE 1987-88 FINANCIAL YEAR WAS TABLED FOR MEMBERS' INFORMATION BY THE ACTING FINANCIAL SECRETARY, THE HON DAVID NENDICK, IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
SUPPLEMENTARY PROVISION OF $149.1 MILLION WAS APPROVED AND IT WAS FULLY OFFSET EITHER BY SAVINGS UNDER THE SAME HEAD OF EXPENDITURE OR BY THE DELETION OF FUNDS UNDER THE ADDITIONAL COMMITMENTS SUBHEADS, HE SAID.
APPROVED NON-RECURRENT COMMITMENTS WERE INCREASED BY $199.6 MILLION DURING THE PERIOD, AND NEW NON-RECURRENT COMMITMENTS OF $121.2 MILLION WERE ALSO APPROVED.
IN THE SAME PERIOD, A NET INCREASE OF 1,412 POSTS WERE APPROVED.
MR NENDICK NOTED THAT ITEMS IN THE SUMMARY HAD BEEN APPROVED EITHER BY THE FINANCE COMMITTEE OR UNDER DELEGATED AUTHORITY.
------0-------
CHANGES PROPOSED IN PAYPHONE RENTAL
* * * * »
THE HONGKONG TELEPHONE COMPANY LIMITED PROPOSED TO ALTER ITS CHARGING ARRANGEMENTS FOR THE RENTAL OF ITS PRIVATE PAYPHONE IN TWO RESPECTS, THE ACTING FINANCIAL SECRETARY, THE HON DAVID NENDICK, SAID IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
MOVING A MOTION TO AMEND PART III OF THE SCHEDULE TO THE TELEPHONE ORDINANCE, MR NENDICK SAID THAT FIRST THE COMPANY WISHED TO REDUCE THE ANNUAL TARIFF FROM $6,600 TO $2,400.
SECONDLY, IT SOUGHT TO SHARE CALL CHARGE REVENUE WITH THE PRIVATE PAYPHONE RENTER ON AN EQUAL BASIS.
CURRENTLY, ALL CHARGE REVENUE WAS RETAINED BY THE PRIVATE PAYPHONE RENTER.
MR NENDICK SAID THAT TAKEN TOGETHER, THESE TWO PROPOSALS REPRESENTED A FAIRER SYSTEM FOR CHARGING THE PRIVATE PAYPHONE RENTER THAN THE CURRENT SINGLE HIGH RENTAL CHARGE, WHICH TOOK NO ACCOUNT OF THE USE OF THE TELEPHONE NETWORK.
/’’THE PROPOSED.......
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 9» 1988
11
"THE PROPOSED NEW RENTAL TARIFF, WHICH REPRESENTS A MONTHLY CHARGE OF $200, WOULD GIVE THE COMPANY A REASONABLE RETURN ON ITS COSTS OTHER THAN WITH RESPECT TO THE USE OF THE NETWORK, WHICH WOULD BE ACCOUNTED FOR BY THE PROPOSED REVENUE-SHARING ARRANGEMENT," HE SAID.
THESE PROPOSALS WERE EXPECTED TO YIELD ADDITIONAL REVENUE OF APPROXIMATELY $10 MILLION OVER THE NEXT TWO YEARS.
HOWEVER, THE COMPANY HAD UNDERTAKEN TO USE THIS EXTRA REVENUE TO HELP FUND LESS PROFITABLE BUT SOCIALLY DESIRABLE PUBLIC SERVICES SUCH AS PUBLIC PAYPHONES IN LOW USAGE AREAS AND EMERGENCY HELPLINES.
MR NENDICK NOTED THAT REVENUE FROM PRIVATE PAYPHONE RENTAL WAS COVERED BY THE SCHEME OF CONTROL.
"WHILST SOME CURRENT PRIVATE PAYPHONE RENTERS WOULD HAVE THEIR REVENUE FROM PRIVATE PAYPHONES REDUCED AS A RESULT OF THESE PROPOSALS, MOST PRIVATE PAYPHONE RENTERS WOULD NEVERTHELESS CONTINUE TO MAKE AN ATTRACTIVE NET RETURN AND THOSE WITH PRIVATE PAYPHONES IN LOW USAGE SITES WOULD HAVE AN IMPROVED RETURN," HE SAID.
"THERE ARE CURRENTLY ABOUT 900 PRIVATE PAYPHONES IN SERVICE. THE CALL CHARGE FOR THESE PAYPHONES WILL REMAIN UNCHANGED, THAT IS, $1 PER CALL AS AT PRESENT."
MR NENDICK EXPLAINED THAT ALL AMENDMENTS TO THE SCHEDULE OF CHARGES OF THE TELEPHONE ORDINANCE REQUIRED A RESOLUTION OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL AND HE ADDED THAT THE PROPOSED NEW CHARGING ARRANGEMENTS HAD BEEN EXAMINED BY THE ADMINISTRATION AND WERE CONSIDERED EQUITABLE.
THE MOTION WAS APPROVED.
--------o----------
MOTION ON TENEMENT RATEABLE VALUE APPROVED
*****
THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY) APPROVED A MOTION UNDER THE RATING ORDINANCE TO INCREASE THE MINIMUM RATEABLE VALUE OF TENEMENTS FROM $1,000 TO $1,200, FROM APRIL 1 THIS YEAR.
MOVING THE MOTION, THE ACTING FINANCIAL SECRETARY, THE HON DAVID NENDICK, SAID THAT UNDER THE RELEVANT SECTION OF THE ORDINANCE ANY TENEMENT THE RATEABLE VALUE OF WHICH DID NOT EXCEED AN AMOUNT PRESCRIBED BY A LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL RESOLUTION WAS EXEMPT FROM ASSESSMENT TO RATES.
/THE PURPOSE
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 9. 1988
12
THE PURPOSE OF THE SECTION WAS PRIMARILY TO REDUCE ADMINISTRATIVE COST. IT WAS NOT INTENDED AS A MEASURE OF EXEMPTION FOR SMALL TENEMENTS ON SOCIAL OR OTHER GROUNDS.
THE EXISTING PRESCRIBED AMOUNT OF $1,000 WAS INTRODUCED IN 1984, HE SAID.
"IT IS ESTIMATED THAT THE COST OF COLLECTING RATES AND MAINTAINING AN ASSESSMENT IN THE VALUATION LIST WILL REACH $80 IN 1988-89, WHILE THE RATES COLLECTED FROM A TENEMENT WITH A RATEABLE VALUE OF $1,000 WILL ONLY BE $60 AT THE PREVAILING RATE.
"IN VIEW OF THE NEED TO OPTIMISE RECOVERY AND HAVING REGARD TO THE OVERALL INCREASE OF 17 PER CENT IN RATEABLE VALUES, THE MINIMUM RATEABLE VALUE SHOULD BE INCREASED FROM $1,000 TO $1,200."
------o-------
ONE BILL PASSED
* * *
THE SOCIAL WORK TRAINING FUND (AMENDMENT) BILL 1988 WAS PASSED IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
THE EDUCATION SCHOLARSHIPS FUND (AMENDMENT) BILL 1988, THE FILM CENSORSHIP BILL 1988 AND THE HOUSING (AMENDMENT) BILL 1988 WERE INTRODUCED FOR FIRST AND SECOND READINGS. DEBATE ON THESE WAS ADJOURNED.
TWO MOTIONS WERE ALSO PASSED. ONE WAS UNDER THE RATING ORDINANCE, AND THE OTHER WAS UNDER THE TELEPHONE ORDINANCE.
-----O------
FIRE-FIGHTING VESSELS CARRY RESCUE EQUIPMENT » * * »
THE GOVERNMENT MUST RELY CHIEFLY FOR SPECIAL EQUIPMENT AND SKILLS ON THE FIRE SERVICES DEPARTMENT AND ASSISTANCE FROM THE ROYAL NAVY IN SERIOUS MARINE ACCIDENTS, THE SECRETARY FOR SECURITY, THE HON GEOFFREY BARNES, TOLD THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
HE WAS REPLYING TO A QUESTION FROM DR THE HON CHIU HIN-KWONG, WHO REFERRED TO THE ACCIDENT INVOLVING A CHINESE CARGO VESSEL WHICH CAPSIZED AT KUP SHUI MUN ON FEBRUARY 7, LEAVING THREE CREWMEN DEAD AND ONE MISSIING.
/MR BARNES
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 9, 1?88
- V -
MR BARNES SAID THE FIRE SERVICES DEPARTMENT HAD SEVEN FIRE-FIGHTING VESSELS WHICH CARRIED RESCUE EQUIPMENT AND THE DEPARTMENT ALSO HAD FIVE TEAMS OF FIVE DIVERS AVAILABLE AT ANY TIME.
’’THE TEAMS ARE DEPLOYED ON LAND THROUGHOUT THE TERRITORY AND HAVE A LIMITED UNDERWATER RESCUE CAPABILITY IN WATER UP TO 15 METRES DEEP,” HE SAID.
MR BARNES POINTED OUT THAT THE ROYAL NAVY HAD A DIVING UNIT WHICH WAS TRAINED TO THE HIGHEST STANDARDS IN A WIDE RANGE OF UNDERWATER WORK INCLUDING RESCUE. IT ALSO HAD SPECIALIST UNDERWATER CUTTING EQUIPMENT.
’’THE DIVING UNIT CAN BE AVAILABLE IN ABOUT ONE HOUR PROVIDED THEY ARE NOT DEPLOYED ON OTHER TASKS,” HE ADDED.
MR BARNES SAID THE MARINE DEPARTMENT HAD NO EQUIPMENT WHICH COULD BE USED IN SUCH ACCIDENTS.
”A NUMBER OF COMMERCIAL ORGANISATIONS OPERATE SPECIALISED • SALVAGE EQUIPMENT WHICH COULD BE CALLED ON TO ASSIST BUT THIS IS EQUIPMENT DESIGNED FOR SALVAGE RATHER THAN RESCUE WORK,” HE ADDED.
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TRAFFIC SIGNS PROVIDED TO HELP DRIVERS ♦ * * * ♦
TRAFFIC SIGNS ARE PROVIDED TO HELP DRIVERS TO USE THE ROADS SAFELY, THE SECRETARY FOR TRANSPORT, THE HON MICHAEL LEUNG, TOLD THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
THE SIGNS ALSO SERVED TO CONTROL THE EFFECTIVE USE OF THE ROADS.
REPLYING TO A QUESTION FROM DR THE HON HENRIETTA IP, MR LEUNG ASSURED HER THAT NO TRAFFIC SIGNS WERE EVER SO PLACED AS TO ’’TRAP” DRIVERS.
”NO STUDIES HAVE BEEN MADE OF THE EXTENT TO WHICH THE POOR LOCATION OF SIGNS IS A CONTRIBUTARY FACTOR TO THEIR CONTRAVENTION.
’’THIS WAS BECAUSE THERE IS ALREADY A WELL ESTABLISHED SYSTEM TO ENSURE THAT TRAFFIC SIGNS ARE DISPLAYED AND LOCATED PROPERLY,” HE SAID.
MR LEUNG SAID THAT ROAD SIGNS AND MARKINGS IN HONG KONG FOLLOWED INTERNATIONAL CONVENTIONS AND USAGE.
/STANDARDS AND
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 9. *>988
14
STANDARDS AND GUIDANCE WERE PROVIDED TO TRAFFIC ENGINEERS AND TECHNICIANS IN THE GOVERNMENT INVOLVED IN THE PLANNING AND INSTALLATION OF TRAFFIC SIGNS TO ENSURE THAT THEY WERE USED AND LOCATED PROPERLY.
TWO IMPORTANT FACTORS WERE CONSIDERED:
» A SIGN’S LOCATION RELATIVE TO A JUNCTION, RESTRICTION, HAZARD OR OTHER FEATURES TO WHICH IT APPLIED; AND
» THAT THE SIZE OF THE SIGN WAS APPROPRIATE TO THE PHYSICAL CONDITIONS AT THE SITE AND THE SPEED OF THE VEHICLES USING THE ROAD.
SITE INSPECTIONS WERE CONDUCTED BOTH BEFORE SIGNS WERE ERECTED TO ENSURE DESIGN WAS COMPATIBLE WITH SITE CONDITIONS AND AFTERWARDS TO ENSURE THEY WERE ERECTED PROPERLY.
TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT STAFF ALSO INSPECTED REGULARLY EXISTING SIGNS TO ENSURE THAT THEY WERE MAINTAINED IN GOOD CONDITION AND WERE . COMPATIBLE TO ANY CHANGES TO ROAD AND TRAFFIC CONDITIONS, MR LEUNG SAID.
--------0----------
RESTRICTIONS ON MAIDS LIKELY TO BE LIFTED
*****
THE SECRETARY FOR EDUCATION AND MANPOWER, THE HON RON BRIDGE, SAID TODAY (WEDNESDAY) THAT THERE WAS A GOOD CHANCE THAT THE PHILIPPINES GOVERNMENT'S RESTRICTIONS ON ITS NATIONALS FROM TAKING UP EMPLOYMENT IN HONG KONG WOULD BE LIFTED.
IN REPLY TO A QUESTION BY THE HON ROSANNA TAM IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL, MR BRIDGE SAID LABOUR LEGISLATION IN HONG KONG ALREADY AFFORDED A HIGH LEVEL OF PROTECTION TO EMPLOYEES, WHETHER LOCAL OR FROM OVERSEAS, WHATEVER THEIR OCCUPATION.
"THIS HAS BEEN CAREFULLY EXPLAINED TO PHILIPPINES GOVERNMENT REPRESENTATIVES BOTH THROUGH THE BRITISH EMBASSY IN MANILA AND IN DIRECT CONTACTS WITH PHILIPPINES GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS IN HONG KONG.
"THE MOST RECENT OF THESE DISCUSSIONS WAS BETWEEN THE DIRECTOR OF IMMIGRATION AND THE ACTING COMMISSIONER FOR LABOUR AND MR ACHACOSO, DIRECTOR OF THE PHILIPPINES OVERSEAS EMPLOYMENT AGENCY," HE SAID.
/NOTINO THAT
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 9» 1988
- 15 -
NOTING THAT THESE DISCUSSIONS WERE HELD LAST SATURDAY MORNING, MR BRIDGE SAID THEY APPEARED TO GO WELL AND HE BELIEVED THERE WAS NOW A VERY GOOD CHANCE THAT THE RESTRICTIONS ON EMPLOYMENT IN HONG KONG WOULD BE LIFTED.
MR BRIDGE SAID THAT THE TEMPORARY RESTRICTIONS IMPOSED BY THE PHILIPPINES GOVERNMENT ON THE OVERSEAS EMPLOYMENT OF ITS NATIONALS WERE INTENDED TO PROTECT THEM FROM EXPLOITATION.
THEY APPLIED WITH EFFECT FROM MARCH 1, 1988 TO CONTRACTS
ENTERED INTO AFTER FEBRUARY 15, 1988 AND DID NOT AFFECT ANY EXISTING CONTRACT OR RENEWAL OF AN EXISTING CONTRACT BETWEEN THE SAME EMPLOYER AND EMPLOYEE, HE SAID.
MR BRIDGE ADDED THAT THE RESTRICTIONS HAD NOT SO FAR HAD ANY NOTICEABLE EFFECT ON THE LOCAL JOB MARKET OR ON MAIDS EMPLOYED IN HONG KONG, THOUGH PROSPECTIVE EMPLOYERS HAD TO RUSH TO PROCESS THEIR APPLICATIONS BEFORE THE CUT OFF DATE ON FEBRUARY 15.
"I THINK WE HAVE GOOD REASON TO HOPE THAT THEIR FUTURE EFFECTS MAY ALSO BE MINIMAL, SINCE, AS I HAVE SAID, THE RECENT DISCUSSIONS WENT WELL AND IT SEEMS LIKELY THAT THE RESTRICTIONS WILL BE LIFTED, HE SAID.
- - 0----------
GREAT MAJORITY OF REFUGEES ARE LAW ABIDING » » » » *
THE CR Tl! RATE AMONG VIETNAMESE REFUGEES IN THE OPEN CENTRE HAS BEEN CO s; -NTLY HIGHER THAN THAT FOR THE POPULATION AS A WHOLE OVER THE PAST FIVE YEARS, THE SECRETARY FOR SECURITY, THE HON GEOFFREY BARNES, TOLD THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
THIS COMPARISON WAS EXPRESSED IN TERMS OF THE NUMBER OF OFFENDERS PER 1,000 OF THE POPULATION AGED SEVEN OR OVER, HE SAID.
REPLYING TO A QUESTION FROM THE HON SELINA CHOW, MR BARNES CAUTIONED THAT A DIRECT COMPARISON WAS DIFFICULT SINCE THE VIETNAMESE REFUGEE POPULATION HAD A HIGHER PROPORTION OF MALES IN THE 16 - 30 AGE RANGE THAN THERE WAS IN THE COMMUNITY GENERALLY.
HE STRESSED THAT ALTHOUGH THE FIGURES REFLECTED A HIGHER THAN USUAL INVOLVEMENT IN CRIMINAL ACTIVITY AMONG REFUGEES IN THE OPEN CENTRE THE OVERALL NUMBERS WERE RELATIVELY SMALL AND THE GREAT MAJORITY OF REFUGEES WERE LAW-ABIDING.
HF ALSO POINTED OUT THAT FIGURES FOR THE OFFENDER RATES BY AGE GROUPS IN HONG KONG SHOWED A RELATIVELY LARGE NUMBER OF OFFENDERS IN THE 16-30 AGE BRACKET.
/"A FURTHER
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 9, 1988
16
"A FURTHER FACTOR, WHICH CUMULATIVE EFFECT OF A LONG STAY IN
CANNOT BE DISCOUNTED, IS A REFUGEE CAMP," HE ADDED.
THE
MOST OF THE CRIMES COMMITTED AND MINOR ASSAULTS, HE NOTED.
BY THE REFUGEES WERE PETTY
THEFTS
STATISTICS DID
MR BARNES EXPLAINED THAT THE
NEED FOR ANY CHANGE IN THE GOVERNMENT’S OVERALL FARLY RESETTLEMENT AND OTHER DURABLE SOLUTIONS, CLOSED CENTRE POLICY HAD THEREFORE TO CONTINUE.
not suggest the POLICY OF SEEKING PENDING WHICH THE
CRIME
mr RARNFS ALSO PROVIDED THE FOLLOWING TABLE ON THE
VIETNAMESE REFUGEES AS COMPARED WITH THAT FOR THE ^()^^ATlp A WHOLE, ON THE BASIS OF THE NUMBER OF OFFENDERS PER 1,000 POPULATION AGED SEVEN OR OVER:
AMONG
RATE AS
THE
ALL OFFENDERS
VR OFFENDERS
1983 55.3 7.6
1984 60.2 7.8
1985 77.6 8.7
1986 83.6 8.3
1987 86.2 8.4
-------0 ---------
PRIVATISATION OF HOS MANAGEMENT SERVICES A SUCCESS
*****
THE TRIAL SCHEME BY WHICH THE HOUSING AUTHORITY CONTRACTS^OUT I sSFand SEp7lTSscSemI will be extended to a further FOUR COURTS OVER THE NEXT FEW MON IHS.
THE ACTING SECRETARY ^FOR ^ANDS^AhoN^HUNC PUI-LAM ™U?™B!eg!s[at™E COUNCIL 'today (WEDNESDAY).
’’THE PILOT SCHEME, Wil[ I CH ^^agEMENT ACHIEVED HAS BEEN
BY THE HOUSrKO DEPARTMENT’S IN-HOUSE
STAFF,** MR SAUNDERS SAID.
/HE ADDED
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 9t 19$$
- -»7 -
HE ADDED THAT IT WAS THE HOUSING AUTHORITY'S LONG-TERM OBJECTIVE THAT HOS OWNERS SHOULD EVENTUALLY TAKE OVER RESPONSIBILITY FOR THEIR OWN MANAGEMENT. THE PILOT SCHEME WAS INTENDED TO BE A STEP IN THAT DIRECTION.
MR SAUNDERS SAID A CRITERION FOR SELECTING PRIVATE MANAGEMENT COMPANIES FOR HOS COURTS WAS THAT A COMPANY MUST HAVE HAD A MINIMUM OF FIVE YEARS' EXPERIENCE IN PROPERTY MANAGEMENT.
IT MUST ALSO HAVE UNDER ITS MANAGEMENT 2,000 OR MORE PROPERTIES, INCLUDING AT LEAST ONE RESIDENTIAL ESTATE OF NO FEWER THAN 500 UNITS.
------0--------
STUDIES MADE ON URBAN WATER POLLUTION t * ♦ ♦
SEVERAL LA GE SCALE STUDIES OF THE SOURCES OF WATER POLLUTION IN URBAN AREAS HAVE BEEN CARRIED OUT BY THE ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION DEPARTMENT SINCE IT WAS ESTABLISHED IN APRIL 1986, THE SECRETARY FOR HEALTH AND WELFARE, THE HON JOHN CHAMBERS, TOLD THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
HE SAID A SURVEY OF POLLUTION SOURCES IN THE CATCHMENT AREA OF THE WONG CHUK HANG NULLAH WAS UNDERTAKEN DURING JULY AND AUGUST LAST YEAR AND THE FINDINGS WERE REPORTED TO THE ENVIRONMENT COMMITTEE OF THE SOUTHERN DISTRICT BOARD IN JANUARY.
MR CHAMBERS, WHO WAS REPLYING TO A QUESTION FROM THE HON LIU LIT-FOR, SAID THAT DURING THE SURVEY, 1,373 FACTORIES WERE INSPECTED AND 34 WERE FOUND TO PRODUCE POLLUTING EFFLUENTS.
’’TWELVE OF THESE FACTORIES WERE DISCHARGING DIRECTLY INTO STORMWATER DRAINS WHICH FLOW INTO THE NULLAH THUS CAUSING SERIOUS POLLUTION OF THE NULLAH,” HE SAID.
’’WARNING LETTERS HAVE BEEN SENT TO THESE OFFENDERS REQUIRING THEM TO DISCHARGE THE EFFLUENTS TO FOUL SEWERS.
"THEY HAVE ALSO BEEN ADVISED TO APPOINT AUTHORISED PERSONS TO DESIGN AND SUPERVISE THE NECESSARY DRAINAGE CONSTRUCTION WORKS.”
MR CHAMBERS SAID THAT IN ADDITION TO INDUSTRIAL POLLUTION, THE NULLAH ALSO RECEIVED FROM THE SQUATTER VILLAGES OF YAU SHEUNG CHUEN, WONG CHUK HANG PATH VILLAGE AND SUN WAI CHUEN, THE DOMESTIC SEWAGE OF ABOUT 4,000 PEOPLE AND LIVESTOCK WASTE FROM SEVERAL PIG FARMS.
LIVESTOCK KEEPING WOULD BE BANNED ON HONG KONG ISLAND AFTER JUNE 24 THIS YEAR WHEN THE AREA BECAME A PROHIBITION AREA UNDER THE WASTE DISPOSAL (AMENDMENT) ORDINANCE 1987.
’’THE RAW SEWAGE FROM THE SQUATTER POPULATION WILL BE CONTROLLED EITHER BY THE PROVISION OF SEWERAGE FACILITIES OR BY SQUATTER CLEARANCE WHICH IS SCHEDULED TO BEGIN IN YAU SHEUNG CHUEN IN JUNE,” HE ADDED.
------0------- /18.....................
- 18 -
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 9, 1988
USEFULNESS OF COUNSELLING DEPENDS ON INDIVIDUAL OFFENDER ♦ t » » ♦ I
IT IS IMPOSSIBLE TO SPECIFY PRECISELY WHAT TYPE OR TYPES OF OFFENDERS ARE LIKELY TO BENEFIT FROM COUNSELLING, THE SECRETARY FOR HEALTH AND WELFARE, THE HON JOHN CHAMBERS, SAID IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
IN REPLY TO A 4 jKSTION FROM THE HON CHAN YING-LUN, MR CHAMBERS SAID THAT MANY OF THOSE CONVICTED Ol; MINOR OFFENCES DID NOT NEED SUCH A SERVICE WHILE FOR OTHERS, SUCH AS RECIDIVISTS, COUNSELLING WAS UNLIKELY TO BE VERY EFFECTIVE.
"IN GENERAL, EXPERIENCE INDICATES THAT COUNSELLING WORKS BEST WITH THOSE WHO HAVE COMMITTED A CRIME AS A RESULT OF SOCIAL PRESSURES SUCH AS FAMILY AND F.XANCIAL PROBLEMS OR ASSOCIATING WITH ANTI-SOCIAL ELEMENTS," HE SAID.
"AT PRESENT WE DO N' ' PROPOSE TO SEEK ADDITIONAL RESOURCES SPECIFICALLY FOR THIS PUR ’O: • ■ , ALTHOUGH FUNDS HAVE BEEN EARMARKED FOR THE CREATION OF ADDITIONAL POSTS TO REDUCE THE CASE-LOADS OF THE SOCIAL WORKERS V.liO WORK IN THE FAMILY SERVICE CENTRES."
MR CHAMBER’S POINTED OUT THERE WERE A NUMBER OF CIRCUMSTANCES UNDER WHICH AN OFFENDER GIVEN A NON-CUSTODIAL SENTENCE MIGHT RECEIVE REHABILITATIVE COUNSELLING.
FIRSTLY, PERSONS SUBJECT TO PROBATION ORDERS OR COMMUNITY SERVICE ORDERS WERE REQUIRED TO UNDERGO REHABILITATIVE COUNSELLING . PROVIDED BY STAFF OF THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT.
SECONDLY, A COURT MIGHT REFER OFFENDERS TO THE DEPARTMENT FOR COUNSELLING OR OTHER WELFARE SERVICES.
"AN OFFENDER MAY ALSO RECEIVE COUNSELLING AT HIS OWN REQUEST, IN WHICH CASE THE SERVICE MAY BE PROVIDED BY EITHER THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT OR BY A VOLUNTARY AGENCY," HE SAID.
IN ADDITION, THE SOCIETY FOR THE REHABILITATION OF OFFENDERS HAD SINCE APRIL LAST YEAR BEEN OPERATING A PILOT PROJECT TO PROVIDE COUNSELLING FOR OFFENDERS WHO WERE GIVEN NON-CUSTODIAL SENTENCES.
MR CHAMBERS ALSO SAID THE TYPE OF REHABILITATIVE COUNSELLING PROVIDED DEPENDED ON THE NEEDS OF THE INDIVIDUAL CONCERNED.
"THE USUAL APPROACH IS FOR THE SOCIAL WORKER TO DISCUSS ANY PROBLEMS THAT THE OFFENDER MAY HAVE WHILST TRYING TO DELVE INTO THE SITUATION WHICH LED TO THE CRIME BEING COMMITTED.
"ONCE A RAPPORT HAS BEEN ESTABLISHED, THE SOCIAL WORKER CAN PROVIDE GUIDANCE AND ADVICE ON MATTERS SUCH AS THE IMPROVEMENT OF SOCIAL SKILLS OR SOCIAL BEHAVIOUR, AND WAYS IN WHICH THE OFFENDER CAN AVOID BECOMING INVOLVED IN ANY FURTHER CRIMINAL ACTIVITY.
"ARRANGEMENTS CAN ALSO BE MADE FOR OFFENDERS TO BE PROVIDED WITH OTHER FORMS OF ASSISTANCE AS APPROPRIATE, SUCH AS SOCIAL SECURITY PAYMENTS OR HELP WITH EMPLOYMENT OR EDUCATION," HE SAID.
-----0------
/19........
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 9, 1988
- 19 -
GOVT ASSISTS IN FUNDING REFUGEE VOCATIONAL TRAINING *****
VOCATIONAL TRAINING, LIKE OTHER EDUCATIONAL SERVICES FOR VIETNAMESE REFUGEES IN HONG KONG, IS PROVIDED BY VOLUNTARY AGENCIES USING THEIR OWN RESOURCES ASSISTED BY FUNDS FROM THE UNITED NATIONS HIGH COMMISSION FOR REFUGEES AND THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT.
THE SECRETARY FOR SECURITY, THE HON GEOFFREY BARNES, SAID THIS IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY) IN REPLY TO A QUESTION FROM THE HON JACKIE CHAN.
"VOCATIONAL TRAINING PROGRAMMES FOR VIETNAMESE REFUGEES IN OTHER PLACES OF FIRST ASYLUM IN THE REGION ARE PROVIDED, IF AT ALL, BY VOLUNTARY AGENCIES SUPPORTED IN PART BY UNHCR FUNDING," MR BARNES ADDED.
-------0---------
NUISANCE TELEPHONE CALLS INVESTIGATED * * * *
THE POLICE INVESTIGATE ALL COMPLAINTS OF NUISANCE TELEPHONE CALLS, THE SECRETARY FOR SECURITY, THE HON GEOFFREY BARNES, TOLD THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
IN A WRITTEN REPLY TO A QUESTION FROM THE IION POON CHI-FAI, MR BARNES EXPLAINED THAT THE POLICE DID NOT TRACE OR MONITOR SUCH CALLS.
"BUT, WITH THE COMPLAINANT’S WRITTEN CONSENT, THEY MAY SEEK THE ASSISTANCE OF THE HONGKONG TELEPHONE COMPANY," HE ADDED.
NEITHER THE POLICE NOR THE TELEPHONE COMPANY CHARGED FOR ANY ASSISTANCE PROVIDED OR ACTION TAKEN, HE ADDED.
------0-------
EMPLOYMENT LAW STIPULATES BASIC OBLIGATIONS
*****
THE EMPLOYMENT ORDINANCE REGULATES GENERAL CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT AND STIPULATES EMPLOYERS’ BASIC OBLIGATIONS AND EMPLOYEES’ BASIC BENEFIT ENTITLEMENTS, THE SECRETARY FOR EDUCATION AND MANPOWER, THE HON RON BRIDGE, SAID IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
IN A WRITTEN REPLY TO THE HON PANG CHUN-HOI, MR BRIDGE SAID FURTHER OBLIGATION MIGHT BE PROVIDED FOR IN EMPLOYMENT CONTRACTS AND IT WAS ALWAYS OPEN TO EMPLOYERS TO PROVIDE ADDITIONAL BENEFITS ABOVE THOSE REQUIRED BY STATUTE OR CONTRACT.
/"IN THE ....
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 9, 1988
20
"IN THE NATURE OF THINGS THESE ADDITIONAL BENEFITS ARE AT THE EMPLOYER’S DISCRETION.
"ANY EMPLOYEE WHO FEARS THAT HIS EMPLOYER MAY NOT ABIDE BY HIS PROMISES SHOULD ENSURE THAT THE TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF HIS EMPLOYMENT ARE CLEARLY STATED IN THE EMPLOYMENT CONTRACT. THIS AFFORDS SUFFICIENT LEGAL PROTECTION," HE SAID.
MR BRIDGE SAID THE EMPLOYMENT ODRINANCE WAS KEPT UNDER CONSTANT REVIEW BY THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT IN CONSULTATION WITH THE LABOUR ADVISORY BOARD.
"IT IS AMENDED FROM TIME TO TIME SO AS TO PROVIDE IMPROVED BENEFITS AND ELIMINATE LOOPHOLES.
"IF MEMBERS HAVE SPECIFIC SUGGESTIONS FOR FURTHER IMPROVEMENTS THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT WILL ALWAYS BE HAPPY TO CONSIDER THEM," HE ADDED.
0 - -
WAX NOW USED IN SCHOOL SCIENCE EXPERIMENTS
*****
THE SCIENCE SYLLABUS FOR SECONDARY 1-3 HAS RECENTLY BEEN UPDATED AND EXPERIMENTS TO DETERMINE THE MELTING POINT OF A SUBSTANCE NOW USE WAX INSTEAD OF NAPHTHALENE, THE SECRETARY FOR HEALTH AND WELFARE, THE HON JOHN CHAMBERS, TOLD THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
IN A WRITTEN REPLY TO A QUESTION FROM DR THE HON CHIU HJN-KWONG, MR CHAMBERS SAID THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT WAS AWARE THAT EXPOSURE TO NAPHTHALENE MIGHT CAUSE HAEMOLYSIS (DESTRUCTION OF BLOOD CELLS) IN CHILDREN WHO SUFFERED FROM A G6PD (GLUCOSE-6-PHOSPHATE DEHYDROGENASE) DEFICIENCY.
THE PHYSICS SYLLABUS FOR SECONDARY 4-5 HAD ALSO BEEN REVIEWED AND EXPERIMENTS INVESTIGATING THE COOLING CURVE OF NAPHTHALENE (A SUBSTANCE USED IN, FOR EXAMPLE, MOTHBALLS) HAD BEEN REPLACED WITH AN EXPERIMENT BASED ON THE USE OF N-OCTADECYL ALCOHOL.
"THESE CHANGES WILL BE REFLECTED TN THE REVISED SYLLABUS WHICH WILL BE READY FOR DISTRIBUTION TO SCHOOLS THIS SUMMER," HE SAID.
MR CHAMBERS SAID THAT, IN ADDITION, PUBLISHERS OF SCHOOL TEXT BOOKS WERE REGULARLY ADVISED TO AVOID MAKING REFERENCES TO EXPERIMENTS USING NAPHTHALENE.
/SCHOOL INSPECTORS
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 9. 1988'
21
SCHOOL INSPECTORS CONSTANTLY REMINDED SCIENCE TEACHERS OF THE HAZARDOUS NATURE OF NAPHTHALENE AND ADVISED THEM TO USE SAFER ALTERNATIVES.
"SCHOOLS WILL ALSO BE ADVISED TO REQUEST PARENTS TO NOTIFY THEM IF THEIR CHILDREN ARE SUFFERING FROM G6PD DEFICIENCY AS WELL AS OTHER ACUTE ALLERGIES SO THAT PRECAUTIONARY MEASURES CAN BE TAKEN," HE SAID.
"IN THIS CONTEXT, ALL BABIES BORN IN PUBLIC SECTOR HOSPITALS AND INSTITUTIONS ARE SCREENED TO DETECT DEFECTS IN G6PD ACTIVITIES, AND THOSE BORN IN PRIVATE HOSPITALS ARE SCREENED ON A VOLUNTARY BASIS.
"THE PARENTS OF THE CHILDREN FOUND TO HAVE G6PD DEFICIENCY ARE NOTIFIED AND GIVEN COUNSELLING ON THE PRECAUTIONS TO BE TAKEN CONCERNING EXPOSURE TO FOOD AND OTHER SUBSTANCES.
"G6PD DEFICIENT PERSONS CARRY A SPECIAL CARD ADVISING THEM OF SUBSTANCES TO BE AVOIDED."
-------0---------
TASK FORCE TO STUDY GUEST HOUSE
*****
FIRE HAZARDS
AN INTERDEPARTMENTAL TASK FORCE WILL
PROBLEM OF FIRE HAZARDS TO THE RESIDENTS OF --------------------------------- THg SECREtaRY
BUILDINGS LIKE CHUNGKING MANSIONS,
HON GEOFFREY (WEDNESDAY).
BARNES, SAID
IN
BE SET UP TO GUEST HOUSES
FOR
RESOLVE
SITUATED SECURITY,
THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL
THE IN
THE
TODAY
QUESTION FROM THE HON HILTON MEASURES WOULD BE TAKEN FOLLOWING TS1M SHA TSUI, ON FEBRUARY 21.
MR BARNES WAS REPLYING TO A CHEONG-LEEN, WHO ASKED WHAT REMEDIAL THE FATAL FIRE IN CHUNGKING MANSIONS,
IN HIS WRITTEN REPLY MR BARNES SAID REMEDIAL MEASURES ALSO INCLUDED THE ONGOING MEASURES TAKEN BY THE FIRE SERVICES DEPARTMENT TO PROTECT THE LIVES AND PROPERTY OF BOTH RESIDENTS AND TOURISTS FROM
FIRE.
/"THESE INCLUDE
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 9, 198B
22 -
"THESE INCLUDE EDUCATING THE PUBLIC THROUGH THE MASS MEDIA AND FIRE PREVENTION CAMPAIGNS, AND THE INCREASED VIGILANCE OF OPERATIONAL CREWS RESPONSIBLE FOR INSPECTING THE COMMON AREAS AND MEANS OF ESCAPE IN BUILDINGS," HE SAID.
BETWEEN JANUARY 1985 AND FEBRUARY THIS YEAR, THERE WERE 29 FIRE INCIDENTS IN CHUNGKING MANSIONS, HE SAID.
THE CAUSES OF THESE FIRES WERE: ELECTRICAL SHORT CIRCUITS, 10; SMOKING MATERIALS, 2; NAKED FLAMES FROM COOKING STOVES, 2; UNKNOWN CAUSES, 15.
MR BARNES SAID THAT AMONG THE 15 FIRES OF UNKNOWN CAUSE, THE CIRCUMSTANCES OF THREE FIRES, INCLUDING THE ONE ON FEBRUARY 21, APPEARED SUSPICIOUS AND WERE REFERRED TO THE POLICE FOR INVESTIGATION.
TWO DAYS AFTER THE FIRE ON FEBRUARY 21, THE FIRE SERVICES DEPARTMENT CONDUCTED AN INSPECTION OF THE FIRE SERVICES INSTALLATIONS, THE COMMON AREAS AND THE MEANS OF ESCAPE IN THE BUILDINGS OF CHUNGKING MANSIONS.
"ACTION IS BEING TAKEN TO PROSECUTE EIGHT OFFENDERS FOR CAUSING OBSTRUCTION TO THE MEANS OF ESCAPE,” HE SAID.
"FIRE HAZARD ABATEMENT NOTICES HAVE ALSO BEEN SERVFD UPON 72 OFFENDERS IN CHUNGKING MANSIONS FOR MINOR OFFENCES SUCH AS THE WEDGING OPEN, OR THE REMOVAL, OF SMOKE LOBBY DOORS."
A SECOND INSPECTION WAS CONDUCTED ON MARCH 3 TO FOLLOW UP ON THE IRREGULARITIES FOUND IN THE FIRST INSPECTION AND TO IDENTIFY ANY CHANGE OF USE IN THE RESIDENTIAL SECTION OF THE BUILDINGS.
"THE FIRE SERVICES DEPARTMENT IS GENERALLY SATISFIED WITH THE PROGRESS WHICH THE OFFENDERS HAVE MADE IN CORRECTING THE IRREGULARITIES," MR BARNES SAID.
"AS REGARDS RESIDENTIAL UNITS USED FOR OTHER PURPOSES, THE FIRE SERVICES DEPARTMENT IDENTIFIED 16 UNREGISTERED FACTORIES AND 17 UNLICENSED FOOD PREMISES.
"DETAILS OF THESE HAVE BEEN REFERRED TO THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT AND TO THE URBAN SERVICES DEPARTMENT RESPECTIVELY FOR NECESSARY ACTION.
"FURTHER INSPECTIONS WILL BE CONDUCTED ON THE EXPIRY OF INDIVIDUAL ABATEMENT NOTICES. THEREAFTER, THE BUILDINGS WILL BE INSPECTED ABOUT EVERY SIX MONTHS."
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 9, 1988
- 25 -
PRIOR APPROVAL TO JOIN PRIVATE SECTOR NOT REQUIRED » » » * »
OFFICERS OTHER THAN PENSIONERS EMPLOYED BY THE GOVERNMENT ON AGREEMENT (CONTRACT) TERMS ARE NOT REQUIRED TO OBTAIN PRIOR APPROVAL TO JOIN THE PRIVATE SECTOR UPON EXPIRY OF THEIR AGREEMENTS, SIR DAVID FORD TOLD THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
THE IMPOSITION OF RULES SIMILAR TO THOSE GOVERNING PENSIONABLE OFFICERS ON AGREEMENT OFFICERS WOULD GIVE RISE TO LEGAL QUESTIONS APART FROM ACTING AS A POSSIBLE DISINCENTIVE TO RECRUITMENT, SIR DAVID SAID IN A WRITTEN REPLY, IN HIS CAPACITY AS CHIEF SECRETARY, TO A QUESTION FROM THE HON JACKIE CHAN.
’’LEGAL ADVICE IS THAT, IN THE EVENT OF LEGAL ACTION, ANY RESTRICTIONS OF THE KIND WOULD BE EXAMINED STRICTLY BY THE COURTS FOR THEIR REASONABLENESS IN RELATION TO THE CIRCUMSTANCES OF THE PARTICULAR INDIVIDUAL,” HE SAID.
’’CONSISTENT APPLICATION OF SUCH RESTRICTIONS COULD THEREFORE BE DIFFICULT TO ACHIEVE."
SIR DAVID SAID THAT AS AT JANUARY 1 THIS YEAR, 299 OUT OF 1,024 DIRECTORATE OFFICERS WERE EMPLOYED ON AGREEMENT TERMS.
"OF THOSE EMPLOYED ON AGREEMENT TERMS, 77 WERE RETIRED OFFICERS RE-EMPLOYED ON AGREEMENT TERMS.
"AS THESE 77 OFFICERS WERE PREVIOUSLY EMPLOYED ON PENSIONABLE TERMS, THEY ARE GOVERNED BY THE RULES ON POST-RETIREMENT APPLICABLE TO PENSIONABLE OFFICERS," HE SAID.
SIR DAVID SAID THE RULES REQUIRED THEM TO SEEK PERMISSION TO TAKE UP OUTSIDE EMPLOYMENT WITHIN THE TWO-YEAR PERIOD AFTER EXPIRY OF THEIR FINAL AGREEMENT.
HE ALSO ASSURED MEMBERS THAT THE GOVERNMENT ALREADY TOOK MEASURES TO ENSURE THE SUFFICIENT SUPPLY OF SUITABLE OFFICERS THROUGH ANNUAL DIRECTORATE SUCCESSION PLANNING.
"IN THIS PROCESS, WHICH THE CIVIL SERVICE BRANCH CO-ORDINATES, OFFICERS WITH POTENTIAL, AVENUES FOR THEIR ADVANCEMENT, AND THEIR TRAINING NEEDS ARE IDENTIFIED AND THEIR DEVELOPMENT PATH IS PLANNED," HE SAID.
"AT THE SAME TIME, THE PROMOTION AND TRANSFER OF STAFF TO FILL SENIOR POSTS IS FORECAST AND PLANNED.
"FURTHERMORE, THE GOVERNMENT’S EXISTING PRACTICE IS THAT THE RENEWAL OF THE CONTRACTS OF AGREEMENT OFFICERS IS NORMALLY ARRANGED, WHERE APPROPRIATE, EIGHT TO 10 MONTHS BEFORE EXPIRY.
"THIS NORMALLY PROVIDES SUFFICIENT LEAD TIME TO ENABLE REPLACEMENTS TO BE IDENTIFIED LN GOOD TIME IN CASES WHERE CONTRACTS ARE NOT BEING RENEWED."
------0------- /2h..................
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 9, 1988
- 24 -
$900 MILLION SPENT ON REFUGEES SINCE 1979
* * » »
TOTAL GOVERNMENT EXPENDITURE iamuARY 1979 TO DATE WAS APPROXIMATELY i’OR SECURITY. THE HON GEOFFREY BARNES, TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
FROM
ON VIETNAMESE REFUGEES MILLION, THE SECRETARY LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL
$900 TOLD
THE
IN A WRITTEN REPLY TO A ' md ratjnfs GAVE THE FOLLOWING EXPENDITURE ON VIETNAMESE REFUGEES
QUESTION FROM BREAKDOWN OF
j UP TO MARCH THIS YEAR:
THE HON RITA FAN, THE GOVERNMENT’S
YEAR EXPENDITURE
JANUARY 1979 TO JUNE 1982 (PRIOR TO IMPLEMENTATION OF CLOSED CENTRE POLICY) $271.9M •
JUNE 1982 TO MARCH 1983 $80.6M
1983/84 $98 . IM
1984/85 $102.8M
1985/86 $117.8M
1986/87 1987/88 $122.7M $126.ON (ESTIMATE)
$919.9M
MR BARNES SAID THE ANNUAL BREAKDOWN OF COSTS PRIOR TO JUNE
1982 WAS NOT AVAILABLE.
_______0----------
/25
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 9, 1988
- 2? -
LIAO URGES ELECTORS TO VOTE *****
THE SECRETARY FOR DISTRICT ADMINISTRATION, MR DONALD LIAO, TODAY (WEDNESDAY) CALLED ON ALL ELECTORS TO CAST THEIR VOTES IN OMORROW’S DISTRICT BOARD ELECTIONS.
MR LIAO SAID THAT HONG KONG’S SYSTEM OF DISTRICT ADMINISTRATION HAD EVOLVED FROM A FINE TRADITION AND DEVELOPED OVER THE YEARS TO MEET THE CHANGING NEEDS OF THE COMMUNITY.
”WE NEED BOTH THE COLLECTIVE STRENGTH OF OUR COMMUNITY AND THE WISDOM OF OUR RESIDENTS TO HELP ITS FURTHER DEVELOPMENT,” HE SAID.
ELECTIONS WERE PART OF THIS PROCESS TO SELECT THOSE WHO WOULD REPRESENT AND SPEAK FOR THE COMMUNITY ON THE DISTRICT BOARDS, HE SAID.
”WE SHOULD TAKE PART IN THIS PROCESS,” MR LIAO ADDED.
HE NOTED THAT THE SUCCESS OF DISTRICT BOARDS DEPENDED TO A GREAT EXTENT ON THE CONTINUED SUPPORT OF THE COMMUNITY.
’’THERE IS NO BETTER WAY TO PLEDGE OUR SUPPORT THAN TURNING OUT TO VOTE TOMORROW,” HE SAID.
MR LIAO WILL BE FOLLOWING DEVELOPMENTS OF THE ELECTIONS CLOSELY TOMORROW ALTHOUGH HE WILL HAVE TO ATTEND A MEETING OF THE SI NO-BRITISH JOINT LIAISON GROUP, WHICH IS BEING HELD IN HONG KONG.
HE WILL VISIT A POLLING STATION IN HAPPY VALLEY EARLY IN THE MORNING BEFORE ATTENDING THE JLG MEETING, HE WILL RETURN TO THE ELECTION CONTROL CENTRE AFTER THE MEETING IS COMPLETED.
------0-------
KOWLOON CITY VOTERS URGED TO SUPPORT DB ELECTIONS ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ »
KOWLOON CITY DISTRICT OFFICER,, MR ALEX FONG, TODAY (WEDNESDAY) APPEALED TO THE DISTRICT’S 100,000 REGISTERED VOTERS TO CAST THEIR VOTES IN TOMORROW’S 1988 DISTRICT BOARD ELECTIONS.
”BY CASTING YOUR VOTE YOU ARE NOT ONLY ELECTING YOUR REPRESENTATIVES TO THE DISTRICT BOARD BUT ARE ALSO EXERCISING YOUR CIVIC RIGHTS AND RESPONSIBILITIES,” HE SAID.
HE ADDED THAT THE KOWLOON CITY DISTRICT BOARD HAD BECOME AN IMPORTANT DISTRICT CONSULTATION ORGANISATION IN PROVIDING A LINK BETWEEN RESIDENTS AND THE GOVERNMENT.
/"IN THE
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 9, 1988
- 26 -
"IN THE PAST FEW YEARS, THE DISTRICT BOARD HAD ACTIVELY IMPLEMENTED AND GIVEN ADVICES ON PROJECTS CONCERNING LOCAL ENVIRONMENTAL HYGIENE, RECREATION AND SPORT, TRAFFIC AND TRANSPORT, AS WELL AS COMMUNITY AFFAIRS. VARIOUS GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS OFTEN TAKE SERIOUS CONSIDERATION ON VIEWS EXPRESSED BY DISTRICT BOARD MEMBERS," MR FONG SAID.
HE SAID THAT THE SUCCESS OF THE DISTRICT BOARD DEPENDED VERY MUCH ON ENTHUSIASTIC DISTRICT BOARD MEMBERS, AND THEREFORE ELECTORS SHOULD EXERCISE THEIR CIVIC RIGHT TO ELECT THEIR REPRESENTATIVES TO THE BOARD.
THE KOWLOON CITY DISTRICT HAS EIGHT CONSTITUENCIES WITH 16 SEATS. EXCEPT THOSE IN HO MAN TIN NORTH, SOME 100,000 REGISTERED VOTERS IN THE OTHER SEVEN CONSTITUENCIES ARE URGED TO CAST THEIR VOTES TOMORROW AT DESIGNATED POLLING STATIONS WHICH WILL BE OPEN BETWEEN 7.30 AM AND 10.30 PM.
IN ORDER TO REMIND RESIDENTS TO VOTE TOMORROW, THE DISTRICT OFFICE HAS ORGANISED A PUBLICITY BUS AND FOUR BROADCASTING VANS TO TOUR AROUND BUSY LOCATIONS FROM 10 AM TO 9 PM AT PUBLIC AND PRIVATE HOUSING ESTATES, SHOPPING COMPLEXES, AN MTR STATION, FERRY CONCOURSES AND THEATRES IN THE DISTRICT.
-------0----------
AIRY MESSAGE FOR VOTERS * i » * »
A HELIUM BALLOON CARRYING A VOTING MESSAGE WAS FLOATED AT THE SHA TSUI ROAD PLAYGROUND TN TSUEN WAN TODAY (WEDNESDAY) TO REMIND REGISTERED ELECTORS TO CAST THEIR BALLOTS IN THE 1988 DISTRICT BOARD ELECTIONS TOMORROW.
A BRIEF CEREMONY, OFFICIATED BY THE REGIONAL SECRETARY FOR THE NEW TERRITORIES, MR MICHAEL SUEN, WAS HELD PRIOR TO THE BALLOON -LAUNCHING AS PART OF A PUBLICITY CAMPAIGN FOR TOMORROW’S ELECTIONS.
TO HELP SPREAD THE ELECTIONS MESSAGE, VARIOUS ACTIVITIES WERE HELD IN THE PAST MONTH INCLUDING THE DISPLAY OF POSTERS AT PROMINENT LOCATIONS, THE SETTING UP OF VIDEO WALLS AND THE BROADCAST OF ANNOUNCEMENTS IN PUBLIC INTEREST (API'S) ON TELEVISION AND RADIO.
STARTING TODAY, PASSENGERS AT KCR TRAIN STATIONS WILL ALSO BE REMINDED OF THE ELECTION DAY THROUGH THE PUBLIC ADDRESS SYSTEM.
/FOR TOMORROW’S
WEDNESDAY, KARCH 9t 1988
27 -
FOR TOMORROW’S ELECTIONS, ANOTHER HELIUM BAI ON WITH A ’VOTE TODAY* MESSAGE WILL BE FLOATED AT STATUE SQUARE Wil ILb ADVERTISEMENTS WILL APPEAR IN MAJOR NEWSPAPERS TO REMIND REGISTERED ^KCTORS TO BRING ALONG THEIR ID CARD AND POLL CARD AND TO CAST THEIR BALLOT IN PERSON AT THEIR DESIGNATED POLLING STATION.
ALL POLLING STATIONS WILL BE OPEN FROM 7.30 AM TO 10.30 PM TOMORROW.
ENQUIRIES CAN BE MADE ON 5-8653911.
-----0------
GOVERNOR STRESSES
IMPORTANCE OF * ♦ * » *
TRADE WITH JAPAN
TO PROMOTING HONG KONG TRADE HIGH-POWERED DELEGATION TO
MUCH IMPORTANCE HAD BEEN ATTACHED
S!/ ™ SAJS-S.3 («BmS0AV, HORNING.
SPEAKING TO REPORTERS BEFORE LEAVING FOR TOKYO, THE GOVERNOR SAID JAPAN WAS VERY IMPORTANT TO HONG KONG IN TERMS OF TRADE.
"WE ARK BEGINNING TO MAKE INROADS INTO THE JAPANESE MARKET," HR SAID.
"OUR EXPORTS WENT UP BY SOME 53 PER CENT LAST YEAR. BUT WE HAVE
mvou"abU
TO US EXPORTING TO JAPAN,' HE ADDED.
... EPF! SURE THAT THE WORK THAT WILL BE DONE BV THE HONG KONG/JAPAN BUSINESS CO-OPERATION COMMITTEE WILL BE VERY L.E TO PROMOTING TRADE," SIR DAVID SAID.
SIR DAVID WAS ACCOMPANIED BY LADY WILSON i HONG KONG/JAPAN BUS! NESS CO-OPERATION COMMITTEE, *
PURVES,
CHUNG, MISS LYDIA DUNN, MR WILLIAM MR HAMISH MACLEOD, MR JACK TANG, MR MR DENNIS TING, MR SETO FAT AND MR JACK SO.
JAMES
WU,
AND MEMBERS OF THE INCLUDING SIR S.Y.
1 THOMAS CLYDESDALE, MR MARTIN BARROW,
SEEING THE GOVERNOR OFF WERE THE CHIEF SECRETARY. SIR DAVID FORD, AND THE ACTING CONSUL-GENERAL OF JAPAN, MR MASAKI SAIT .
"I WILL BE GETTING A REPORT ON THE ELECTIONS WHEN JAPAN,” HE SAID.
AM IN
/28........
[This page is blank in the original document]
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 9. 1988
AS CAN BE SEEN FROM TABLE 1, THE DOMESTIC EXPORT VOLUME OF MOST COMMODITY GROUPS INCREASED IN 1987 WHEN COMPARED WITH 1986.
THE MORE SUBSTANTIAL INCREASES WERE IN METAL ORES AND SCRAP (+54 PER CENT); TEXTILE FABRICS (+43 PER CENT); TEXTILE YARN AND THREAD (+28 PER CENT); METAL MANUFACTURES (+27 PER CENT); ELECTRONIC COMPONENTS (+20 PER CENT); WATCHES AND CLOCKS (+18 PER CENT) AS WELL AS CLOTHING (+17 PER CENT).
NEVERTHELESS, A DECREASE IN DOMESTIC EXPORT VOLUME WAS RECORDED IN TRAVEL GOODS, HANDBAGS AND SIMILAR ARTICLES (-1 PER CENT).
PRICES OF DOMESTIC EXPORTS OF MOST COMMODITY GROUPS INCREASED OVER THE SAME PERIOD.
THESE INCLUDED CLOTHING (+7 PER CENT); TEXTILE FABRICS (+6 PER CENT); TEXTILE YARN AND THREAD (+5 PER CENT); TRAVEL GOODS, HANDBAGS AND SIMILAR ARTICLES (+4 PER CENT); METAL ORES AND SCRAP (+4 PER CENT); FOOTWEAR (+4 PER CENT); RADIOS OF ALL KINDS (+4 PER CENT); TEXTILE MADE-UPS AND RELATED ARTICLES (+4 PER CENT); DOMESTIC ELECTRICAL APPLIANCES (+3 PER CENT); METAL MANUFACTURES (+2 PER CENT) AS WELL AS WATCHES AND CLOCKS (+1 PER CENT).
HOWEVER, A DECREASE IN DOMESTIC EXPORT PRICES WAS REGISTERED FOR ELECTRONIC COMPONENTS (-2 PER CENT).
THE CHANGES IN THE VALUE, UNIT VALUE AND VOLUME OF IMPORTS BY END-USE CATEGORY FOR DECEMBER AND THE WHOLE OF 1987 AS COMPARED WITH THE CORRESPONDING PERIODS IN 1986 ARE SHOWN IN TABLE 2.
AS PRESENTED IN TABLE 2, IMPORTED FOODSTUFFS INCREASED BY 12 PER CENT IN VOLUME IN 1987 COMPARED WITH 1986. SIGNIFICANT GROWTH WAS RECORDED IN SUGAR; FISH AND FISH PREPARATIONS; FRUIT AS WELL AS MEAT AND MEAT PREPARATIONS.
HOWEVER, DECREASES IN IMPORT VOLUME WERE REGISTERED FOR TEA AND COFFEE AS WELL AS SOYA BEAN OIL, PEANUT OIL AND LARD.
OVER THE SAME PERIOD, THE IMPORT VOLUME OF CONSUMER GOODS INCREASED BY 36 PER CENT, THE ITEMS WITH MORE SUBSTANTIAL INCREASES BEING HOUSEHOLD ELECTRICAL APPLIANCES; FOOTWEAR; RADIOS, TELEVISION SETS, GRAMOPHONES, RECORDS, TAPE RECORDERS AND AMPLIFIERS AS WELL AS CAMERAS, FLASHLIGHT APPARATUS AND SUPPLIES FOR PHOTOGRAPHY.
/The import
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 9t 1?88
THE IMPORT VOLUME OF RAW MATERIALS AND SEMI-MANUFACTURES ROSE BY 33 PER CENT IN 1987 COMPARED WITH 1986. THE MAJOR INCREASES WERE RECORDED IN RAW COTTON; MAN-MADE FIBRES; WOOD, LUMBER AND CORK; PLASTIC MOULDING MATERIALS AS WELL AS CRUDE ANIMAL AND VEGETABLE MATERIALS.
IMPORTS OF FUELS INCREASED BY 3 PER CENT IN VOLUME IN 1987 AS COMPARED WITH 1986.
IN THE CAPITAL GOODS CATEGORY, THE IMPORT VOLUME INCREASED BY 35 PER CENT IN 1987 OVER 1986. THERE WERE SUBSTANTIAL INCREASES IN TRANSPORT EQUIPMENT; TEXTILE MACHINERY AS WELL AS OFFICE MACHINES.
IMPORT PRICES OF ALL END-USE CATEGORIES ROSE IN 1987 AS COMPARED WITH 1986, RANGING FROM 2 PER CENT FOR FOODSTUFFS TO 7 PER CENT FOR CAPITAL GOODS.
THE CHANGES IN THE VALUE, UNIT VALUE AND VOLUME OF RE-EXPORTS BY END-USE CATEGORY FOR DECEMBER AND THE WHOLE OF 1987 AS COMPARED WITH THE CORRESPONDING PERIODS IN 1986 ARE SHOWN IN TABLE 3.
AS PRESENTED IN TABLE 3, THE RE-EXPORT VOLUME OF MOST END-USE CATEGORIES INCREASED SUBSTANTIALLY IN 1987 WHEN COMPARED WITH 1986, RANGING FROM 16 PER CENT FOR FOODSTUFFS TO 53 PER CENT FOR CONSUMER GOODS. HOWEVER, THE VOLUME OF RE-EXPORTS OF FUELS DECREASED BY 13 PER CENT.
PRICES OF RE-EXPORTS OF FUELS INCREASED BY 11 PER CENT IN 1987 OVER 1986. THOSE OF CONSUMER GOODS AND RAW MATERIALS AND SEMI-MANUFACTURES ROSE BY 2 PER CENT AND 3 PER CENT RESPECTIVELY, WHILE THE PRICES OF FOODSTUFFS DROPPED BY 1 PER CENT.
FURTHER DETAILS ARE CONTAINED IN THE DECEMBER 1987 ISSUE OF THE ’’HONG KONG TRADE INDEX NUMBERS” AVAILABLE FOR SALE AT THE GOVERNMENT PUBLICATIONS CENTRE AROUND MARCH 14 AT $2.50 PER COPY.
ENQUIRIES REGARDING REGULAR SUBSCRIPTION TO THIS REPORT MAY BE DIRECTED TO THE INFORMATION SERVICES DEPARTMENT AT FRENCH MISSION BUILDING, HONG KONG (TEL. 5-8428802) AND ENQUIRIES IN TRADE INDEXES TO THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT (TEL. 5-8234918).
/Table 1: ......
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 9, 1988
TABLE 1: INCREASES TN DOMESTIC EXPORTS BY COMMODITY GROUP.
COMMODITY GROUP COMPARING JAN-DEC 1987 WITH JAN-DEC 1986 COMPARING DEC. 1987 WITH DEC. 1986
VALUE % UNIT VALUE % VOLUME % VALUE % UNIT VALUE % VOLUME %
CLOTHING 25 7 17 13 7 6
TEXTILE FABRICS 51 6 43 37 6 29
TEXTILE YARN AND THREAD 35 5 28 23 8 14
TEXTILE MADE-UPS AND RELATED ARTICLES 10 4 6 7 2 5
RADIOS OF ALL KINDS 13 4 8 -15 9 -22
ELECTRONIC COMPONENTS 18 -2 20 50 -2 53
FOOTWEAR 19 4 14 26 6 19
METAL MANUFACTURES 30 2 27 39 3 35
METAL ORES AND SCRAP 61 4 54 88 5 79
WATCHES AND CLOCKS 18 1 18 34 3 30
TRAVEL GOODS, HANDBAGS AND SIMILAR ARTICLES 4 4 -I 7 6 1
DOMESTIC ELECTRICAL APPLIANCES 16 3 1 3 6 3 3
ALL COMMODITIES 27 3 23 23 3 19
NOTES FOR TABLES 1 TO 3:
» insignificant,
l.E. LESS THAN 0.5 PER CENT
PERCENTAGE CHANGES ARI- CALCULATED FROM TRADE INDEXES MORE DECIMAL PLACES THAN THOSE TO BE PUBLISHED TRADE INDEX NUMBERS". THEY MAY THEREFORE I) IFFER CHANGES TO BE COMPUTED DIRECTLY FROM THE FIGURES
IN FROM
THE
TAKEN TO
HONG KONG
THE PERCENTAGE
TO BE PUBLISHED.
/TABLE 2s
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 9. 1988
TABLE 2: INCREASES IN IMPORTS BY END-USE CATEGORY
END-USE CATEGORY COMPARING JAN-DEC 1987 WITH JAN-DEC 1986 COMPARING DEC. 1987 WITH DEC. 1986
VALUE % UNIT VALUE % VOLUME % VALUE % UNIT VALUE % VOLUME %
FOODSTUFFS 14 2 12 32 3 28
CONSUMER GOODS 41 4 36 42 5 36
RAW MATERIALS AND SEMI-MANUFACTURES 38 4 33 37 6 30
FUELS 7 3 3 22 16 5-
CAPITAL GOODS 44 7 35 60 10 45
ALL COMMODITIES 37 4 32 41 6 33
TABLE 3: INCREASES IN RE-EXPORTS BY END- ■USE CATEGORY
COMPARING JAN-DEC 1987 WITH JAN-DEC 1986 COMPARING DEC. 1987 WITH DEC. 1986
END-USE CATEGORY VALUE % UNIT VALUE % VOLUME % VALUE % UNIT VALUE % VOLUME %
FOODSTUFFS 15 -1 16 37 ♦ 37
CONSUMER GOODS 56 2 53 50 2 47
RAW MATERIALS AND SEMI-MANUFACTURES 48 3 4 3 50 6 41
FUELS -4 1 1 -13 44 17 22
CAPITAL GOODS 49 ♦ 49 61 1 59
ALL COMMODITIES 49 2 46 51 4 46
/»......
-------o----------
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 9, 1988
- » -
RESIGNATIONS FROM CIVIL SERVICE STEADY » » » * *
RESIGNATIONS FROM THE CIVIL SERVICE WERE STEADY, AVERAGING 1.89 PER CENT OF THE STRENGTH OVER A FIVE YEAR PERIOD, THE DEPUTY SECRETARY FOR THE CIVIL SERVICE, MR TONY EASON, SAID TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
AND THERE WAS NO REASON TO DOUBT THAT FINAL FIGURES OF RESIGNATIONS FOR THE 1987/88 FISCAL YEAR WOULD VARY FROM THAT TREND, HE SAID.
MR EASON WAS COMMENTING ON A NEWSPAPER REPORT THAT CIVIL SERVANT RESIGNATIONS IN THE FIRST NINE MONTHS OF 1987/88 HAD INCREASED BY 34 PER CENT COMPARED TO THE FULL 12 MONTHS OF 1986/87.
WHILE NOT DISPUTING THE CONCLUSION OF THE ARITHMETIC INVOLVED, MR EASON SAID THE RESIGNATIONS HAD TO BE TAKEN IN THE CONTEXT OF THE SIZE OF THE CIVIL SERVICE AS A WHOLE.
IN 1982/83, FOR EXAMPLE, THE STRENGTH OF THE CIVIL SERVICE WAS 154,034 AND RESIGNATIONS TOTALLED 3,943, REPRESENTING 2.56 PER CENT. RESIGNATIONS TN THE SUCCEEDING FOUR YEARS WERE 1.93 PER CENT, 1.98 PER CENT, 1.56 PER CENT AND 1.43 PER CENT RESPECTIVELY.
MR EASON CONFIRMED THAT FROM APRIL 1987 TO THE END OF JANUARY THIS YEAR THERE HAD BEEN 3,334 RESIGNATIONS (INCLUDING FIVE DIRECTORATE LEVEL STAFF) BUT LIKENED THAT TO 3,336 RESIGNATIONS IN 1981/85 WHICH ALSO INCLUDED FIVE DIRECTORATE STAFF. HE NOTED THAT 13 DIRECTORATE LEVEL STAFF RESIGNED IN THE FOLLOWING YEAR.
"Till NUMBER OF RESIGNATIONS THIS YEAR IS BY NO MEANS UNUSUAL," HE SAID.
------0-------
NEW MEDICAL CLINIC OPENS IN SAI KUNG * < < * *
MEDICAL SERVICES AND FACILITIES IN SAI KUNG WILL BE FURTHER UPGRADED WITH THE OPENING OF A NEW CLINIC IN THE DISTRICT TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
THE NEW CLINIC, LOCATED IN MAN NIN STREET IN SAI KUNG TOWN, IS NAMED AFTER MADAM MONA FONG, DIRECTOR OF SHAW BROTHERS (HK) LIMITED, IN APPRECIATION OF THE $3 MILLION DONATION MADE BY THE SHAW FOUNDATION TOWARDS THE CAPITAL COST OF THE PROJECT.
/MADAM FONG
WEDNESDAY, MARCH % 1988
MADAM FONG THIS AFTERNOON OFFICIATED AT THE OPENING CEREMONY WITH THE DIRECTOR OF MEDICAL AND HEALTH SERVICES, DR K.L. THONG, AND SIR RUN RUN SHAW OF THE SHAW FOUNDATION.
IN HIS ADDRESS, DR THONG SAID IT WAS THE GOVERNMENT’S POLICY TO BRING THE MEDICAL FACILITIES CLOSE TO THOSE USING SUCH SERVICES.
’’TODAY, THIS CLINIC, BUILT AS IT IS IN THE CENTRE OF SAI KUNG, WILL MAKE THE SERVICES IT PROVIDES ACCESSIBLE TO ALL RESIDENTS OF THIS AREA,” HE SAID.
AT THE SAME TIME, IT WOULD ALSO BOOST THE MEDICAL AND HEALTH FACILITIES IN THE NEW TERRITORIES, AS IT HAD BEEN NECESSARY TO EXPAND SUCH SERVICES TO MEET THE NEEDS OF THE NEW TOWNS.
IN THANKING THE SHAW FOUNDATION FOR ITS TIMELY GESTURE, DR THONG SAID THE DONATION WAS ANOTHER EXAMPLE OF CONSTANT CO-OPERATION BETWEEN PHILANTHROPISTS SUCH AS SIR RUN RUN AND THE GOVERNMENT IN IMPROVING MEDICAL SERVICES.
MADAM FONG SAID SHE WAS PARTICULARLY PLEASED TO BE INVOLVED IN THE WORTHY PROJECT, BECAUSE IT WAS A PUBLIC SERVICE FOR THE SAI KUNG DISTRICT WHERE SHE HAD LIVED FOR MANY YEARS.
AFTERWARDS, MADAM FONG UNVEILED A COMMEMORATIVE PLAQUE.
THE MONA FONG CLINIC IS A FOUR-STOREY BUILDING OCCUPYING AN AREA OF 4,183 SQUARE METRES.
IT PROVIDES GENERAL OUT-PATIENT SERVICES, ACCIDENT AND EMERGENCY SERVICE (FROM 9 AM TO 5 PM DAILY), OPHTHALMIC, CHEST AND DENTAL SERVICES. IT ALSO HAS A 12-BED MATERNITY WARD.
-----0------
AFD HEAD TO HOST SPRING RECEPTION ♦ ♦ * * »
THE DIRECTOR OF AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES, DR LAWRENCE LEE, WILL HOST A SPRING RECEPTION ON FRIDAY (MARCH 11) FOR RURAL AND FARMERS’ LEADERS AND PROMINENT FIGURES IN THE PRIMARY PRODUCTION INDUSTRIES AND WHOLESALE MARKETING BUSINESS.
THE RECEPTION WILL TAKE PLACE AT THE OCEAN PALACE RESTAURANT IN OCEAN CENTRE, TSTM SHA TSUI, KOWLOON, FROM 4.30 PM TO 6.30 PM.
GUESTS INVITED TO THE RECEPTION ALSO INCLUDE SENIOR GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS AND MEMBERS OF THE LEGCO AD-HOC GROUP FORMED TO STUDY THE WASTE DISPOSAL (AMENDMENT) BILL 1987.
/PHE GUESTS
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 9,
1988
- 55 -
THE GUESTS WILL BE INVITED TO TAKE PART IN PIGS RAISED UNDER THE INNOVATIVE EFFLUENT-FREE PIG AND UNDER THE CONVENTIONAL METHOD.
TASTING PORK FROM
RAISING TECHNIQUE
TWO SPECIAL DISHES - ROASTED PIG AND FRIED PORK FILLET BE PREPARED FOR THE OCCASION.
VERDICTS ON THE TASTING SESSION WILL BE GIVEN BEFORE (TIE END OF THE RECEPTION.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE SPRING RECEPTION ON FRIDAY (MARCH 11). THE PORK TASTING SESSION WILL BEGIN AT 5.15 PM.
-------0---------
PRISONERS PASS PUBLIC EXAMINATIONS
t » * »
TWENTY-THREE PRISONERS
(WEDNESDAY) OFFERED BY UNIVERSITY.
FOR THE
PASSING PUBLIC
WERE PRESENTED EXAMINATIONS AND
EXTRAMURAI. STUD1ES
DEPARTMENT
THE
THE PRESENTATION
SIK CHI-WAI OF PO CEREMONY HELD AT SHEK
OF THE 23
CERTIFICATES COMPLETING
OF
THE
TODAY COURSES CHINESE
LIN MONASTERY PIK PRISON.
OFFICIATED AT
SUBJECTS AND
ONE ACHIEVED PASSES IN SIX
A DISTINCTION IN ENGLISH LANGUAGE IN LAST YEAR’S HONG
another received
KONG SCHOOL OF EDUCATION EXAMINATION.
SEVEN OTHER INMATES PASSED THE PITMAN <^DON)
ENGLISH AS A FOREIGN LANGUAGE. MERIT PASS.
FOUR OF THEM
EXAMINATION IN A FIRST CLASS
FOR COMPLETING COURSES ON
DRAWING OFFERED BY THE
THE REST WERE PRESENTED CERTIFICATES
ESS FOR SIX HOHTHS.
REV .
-------0----------
/56
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 9, 1988
TSUEN WAN DB COMMITTEE TO MEET * * ♦ ♦
MEMBERS OF THE ENVIRONMENTAL AND TRANSPORT AFFAIRS COMMITTEE OF THE TSUEN WAN DISTRICT BOARD WILL BE BRIEFED ON THE PROGRESS OF THE ENVIRONMENTAL IMPROVEMENT PROJECTS IN THE DISTRICT AT A MEETING ON FRIDAY.
A REPORT ON THE LATEST PROGRESS OF WORKS FOR WATER SUPPLY TO MA WAN WILL BE TABLED.
QUESTIONS ON THE PROVISION OF A PEDESTRIAN CROSSING ON YEUNG UK ROAD WILL ALSO BE RAISED.
THE MEETING WILL BEGIN AT 2.30 PM IN THE MAIN CONFERENCE ROOM OF THE REGIONAL COUNCIL, SECOND FLOOR, TSUEN WAN STATION MULTI-STOREY CARPARK BUILDING, 174-208 CASTLE PEAK ROAD, TSUEN WAN.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE MEETING.
0 - -
VEHICLE BAN IN CENTRAL TO BE RELAXED ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦
THE EXISTING RESTRICTION UNDER WHICH VEHICLES EXCEPT TAXIS AND PRIVATE CARS ARE BANNED FROM ENTERING THE LAYBY IN CONNAUGHT PLACE IN CENTRAL, ADJACENT TO THE EXCHANGE SQUARE, WILL BE RELAXED FROM 10 AM ON SATURDAY (MARCH 12).
MOTORCYCLES WILL ALSO BE ALLOWED TO ENTER THE LAYBY FROM THAT
TIME.
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL: 5-8428777
THURSDAY, MARCH 10, 1988
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
HEALTHY TURNOUT AT DB ELECTIONS : SIR DAVID.............. 1
VOTER TURNOUT WAS SATISFACTORY : LIAO................... 1
CHIEF SECRETARY VISITS POLLING STATION .................. 2
DON'T FORGET TO VOTE, SAYS SDA .......................... 3
SDA VISITS POLLING STATION .............................. 3
GOVERNMENT ATTACHES GREkT IMPORTANCE TO DB'S ............ 4
ELECTORS URGED TO EXERCISE CIVIC RIGHT BY VOTING.. 4
HONG KONG WELCOMES JAPAN'S OPENING UP - GOVERNOR ........ 5
WASTE DISPOSAL REGULATIONS TO BE GAZETTED NEXT WEEK ..... 8
NEW EQUIPMENT TO DETECT HEPATITIS VIRUS IN SHELLFISH. 9
PROCESSING OF TAXI TINDERS COMPLETED.................... 11
EXTERNAL TRADE STATISTICS FOR JANUARY RELEASED ......... 11
PROVISIONAL RESULTS OF RETAIL SaLES SURVEY FOR DECEMBER 1987 RET .EASED ...................................... 18
THURSDAY, MARCH 10, 1988
HEALTHY TURNOUT AT DB ELECTIONS : SIR DAVID
*****
THE CHIEF SECRETARY, SIR DAVID FORD, DESCRIBED AS A GOOD HEALTHY TURNOUT, THE INCOMING FIGURES AS THE DISTRICT BOARD ELECTIONS DREW NEARER THE POLLS CLOSING TIME THIS (THURSDAY) EVENING.
SPEAKING TO REPORTERS AFTER VISITING THE DISTRICT BOARD ELECTIONS PRESS CENTRE, SIR DAVID SAID THERE WERE MANY FACTORS WHY THE FIGURES MIGHT HAVE CHANGED FROM THE 1985 ELECTIONS.
"I DON’T THINK WE HAVE ESTABLISHED A TREND OF VOTER TURNOUT FOR DISTRICT BOARD ELECTIONS YET.
"CERTAINLY, I DON'T THINK ONE SHOULD REGARD THIS AS A DISAPPOINTING TURNOUT. FOR A DISTRICT ELECTION ANYWHERE IN THE WORLD THIS IS STILL A GOOD TURNOUT, AND WE’RE WELL PLEASED," SIR DAVID SAID.
IN REPLY TO A QUESTION, THE CHIEF SECRETARY SAID THERE WERE NO REASONS TO BELIEVE THAT THE TURNOUT WAS ANY SORT OF INDICATION OF WHAT PEOPLE BELIEVED ABOUT THE POLITICAL SITUATION IN HONG KONG.
"THERE ARE A VAST NUMBER OF REASONS WHY PEOPLE MAY OR MAY NOT TURN OUT ON THIS OCCASION.
"THERE ARE A NUMBER OF INCUMBENT CANDIDATES THIS TIME. THERE ARE A NUMBER OF UNCONTESTED SEATS. THERE ARE ALL SORTS OF REASONS AND I THINK THE ANALYSIS OF WHY PEOPLE VOTE AND WHY PEOPLE DON’T ARE VERY COMPLICATED AND CAN’T BE REDUCED TO SIMPLISTIC TERMS ABOUT WHAT PEOPLE FEEL ABOUT THE POLITICAL SITUATION IN HONG KONG," SIR DAVID SAID.
THE CHIEF SECRETARY STRESSED THAT THE DISTRICT BOARDS HAD A VERY IMPORTANT ROLE TO PLAY IN HONG KONG.
-------0 --------
VOTER TURNOUT WAS SATISFACTORY : LIAO
* * * * *
THE SECRETARY FOR DISTRICT ADMINISTRATION, MR DONALD LIAO, DESCRIBED THE VOTER TURNOUT RATE OF 30.3 PER CENT AS VERY SATISFACTORY WITH MORE THAN 420,000 ELECTORS COMING OUT TO CAST THEIR BALLOTS.
MR LIAO SAID ALTHOUGH THE OVERALL FIGURE MIGHT BE CONSIDERED LOW COMPARED WITH 1985 ELECTIONS, THE ACTUAL PERCENTAGE IN SOME DISTRICTS WAS HIGH.
"IN SOME OF THE NEWLY ESTABLISHED AREAS WHERE THE POPULATION HAS INCREASED, THE ACTUAL NUMBER OF PEOPLE TURNING OUT TO VOTE WAS TN FACT GREATER," HE SAID.
/"THERE ARE
THURSDAY, MARCH 10, 1988
- 2 -
"THERE ARE SOME DISTRICTS WHERE ELECTORS IS LARGER, THE ABSOLUTE NUMBER OF CAST THEIR VOTES WAS ALSO LARGER," MR LIAO
THE NUMBER OF REGISTERED ELECTORS TURNING OUT TO SAID.
"SO THE DROP IN NUMBERS IS NOT ACROSS THE BOARD," HE ADDED.
MR LIAO SAID THE TURNOUT RATE WAS VERY SATISFACTORY BY ANY STANDARDS.
"IN HONG KONG’S CONTEXT, TO HAVE OVER 420,000 PEOPLE TO VOTE IN A DISTRICT BOARD ELECTION IS VERY SATISFACTORY," HE ADDED.
--------o----------
CHIEF SECRETARY VISITS POLLING STATION
*****
THE CHIEF SECRETARY, SIR DAVID FORD, VISITED THE POLLING STATION AT WAH FU ESTATE IN THE SOUTHERN DISTRICT AT 6 O’CLOCK THIS (THURSDAY) EVENING.
SPEAKING TO REPORTERS AFTER TOURING THE POLLING STATION, SIR DAVID SAID IT WAS A BIT EARLY TO COMMENT ON THE RESULT OF THIS YEAR’S DISTRICT BOARD ELECTIONS AND HE WOULD HAVE TO WAIT TO SEE THE OUTCOME BY THE END OF THE EVENING.
HE SAID, "I DON’T THINK ONE SHOULD DRAW TOO MANY COMPARISONS, IN ANY EVENT, WITH 1985. THAT WAS THE FIRST YEAR OF THE NEW STYLE DB ELECTION AND NO PATTERN HAS CLEARLY BEEN ESTABLISHED.
"I DON’T THINK THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN ONE ELECTION AND ANOTHER IS PARTICULARLY SIGNIFICANT IN ANY CASE."
REPLYING TO A PRESS QUESTION, THE CHIEF SECRETARY SAID THAT THERE IS NO REASON AT ALL WHY THE WHITE PAPER SHOULD HAVE ANY EFFECT ON THESE ELECTIONS.
"I CERTAINLY DON’T SEE WHY IT SHOULD HAVE DONE AT ALL AND THESE DB ELECTIONS HAVE NOT BEEN AFFECTED BY THE WHITE PAPER. ANY CHANGES WHICH ARE MADE TO THE DISTRICT BOARDS DON'T TAKE EFFECT ANYWAY UNTIL 1991,” HE SAID.
WHEN ASKED TO COMMENT IF THE DROP IN THE TURNOUT HAD RESULTED BY THE DECISION NOT TO INTRODUCE DIRECT ELECTIONS NEXT YEAR, SIR DAVID SAID HE CERTAINLY WOULD NOT DRAW THAT CONCLUSION.
"I SHOULD BE VERY SURPRISED IF THAT HAD HAPPENED. THERE IS NO CONNECTION BETWEEN THE DB ELECTIONS AND THE ELECTIONS TO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL," SIR DAVID ADDED.
/HE NOTED
THURSDAY, MARCH 101 1988
HE NOTED THAT WAH FU WAS AN INTERESTING CONSTITUENCY WITH THREE VERY ENTHUSIASTIC CANDIDATES.
IT PREVIOUSLY HAD THE HIGHEST TURNOUT IN THE URBAN AREA YEAR AND IT WAS RUNNING VERY WELL AGAIN THIS YEAR TOO, SIR DAVID
LAST SAID.
-----0------
DON’T FORGET TO VOTE, SAYS SDA » * ♦ ♦
THE SECRETARY FOR DISTRICT ADMINISTRATION, MR DONALD LIAO, APPEALED TO REGISTERED VOTERS TO GO TO THE DISTRICT BOARD ELECTION POLLING STATIONS AS SOON AS THEY FINISHED WORK TODAY.
SPEAKING AT A PRESS BRIEFING THIS (THURSDAY) AFTERNOON, MR LIAO NOTED THAT EXPERIENCE IN PREVIOUS DISTRICT BOARD ELECTIONS HELD IN 1982 AND 1985 SHOWED THAT USUALLY THE LARGEST NUMBER OF ELECTORS VOTED IN THE FINAL TWO HOUR OF POLLING.
HE NOTED THAT BY 4.30 PM KWUN WONG, WONG TAI SIN AND YUEN LONG HAD THE LARGEST VOTER TURNOUTS WHILE ISLANDS, SAI KUNG AND NORTH HAD THE HIGHEST TURNOUT RATES.
-----0------
SDA VISITS POLLING STATION ♦ ♦ * t ♦
THE SECRETARY FOR DISTRICT ADMINISTRATION, MR DONALD LIAO, THIS (THURSDAY) MORNING URGED ALL ELECTORS TO EXERCISE THEIR CIVIC RIGHTS BY CASTING THEIR VOTES.
"I HOPE THAT THE VOTER TURNOUT RATE COULD EXCEED 37.5 PER CENT WHICH WAS RECORDED IN THE LAST DISTRICT BOARD ELECTIONS IN 1985,” MR LIAO SAID THIS DURING A VISIT TO A POLLING STATION IN HAPPY VALLEY.
AT 9.30 AM, 45,611 VOTERS HAD CAST THEIR VOTES, REPRESENTING 3.3 PER CENT OF THE TOTAL NUMBER OF 1,401,690 REGISTERED VOTERS.
-------0 --------
THURSDAY, MARCH 10, 1988
- U -
GOVERNMENT ATTACHES GREAT IMPORTANCE TO DB’S * * * * *
THE DEPUTY CHIEF SECRETARY, MR JOHN CHAN, VISITED THE CO-ORDINATION CENTRE AT CNTA HEADQUARTERS EARLIER THIS
ELECTION (THURSDAY)
EVENING.
SPEAKING TO NEWSMEN AFTER THE TOUR, GOVERNMENT HAD DONE WHAT IT SHOULD HAVE DONE FOR THE CURRENT DISTRICT BOARD ELECTIONS AND WHETHER THEY WOULD EXERCISE THEIR RIGHTS.
MR CHAN SAID THAT THE
IN MAKING ARRANGEMENTS
IT WAS UP TO THE VOTERS
REPLYING TO A QUESTION ON POSSIBLE EFFECTS OF IN THE WHITE PAPER ON THE TURNOUT RATE, MR CHAN DECISIONS COULD NOT HAVE HAD ANYTHING TO DO WITH
DECISIONS MADE
SAID THAT THE
THE PRESENT DB
ELECTIONS.
THE GOVERNMENT ATTACHED GREAT IMPORTANCE TO THE DB’S WHICH FORMED A VERY IMPORTANT PART OF OUR THREE-TIER SYSTEM, HE ADDED.
--------0 ---------
ELECTORS URGED TO EXERCISE CIVIC RIGHT BY VOTING
*****
REGISTERED VOTERS SHOULD EXERCISE THEIR CIVIC RIGHT BY CASTING THEIR VOTES IN TODAY’S DISTRICT BOARD ELECTIONS TO ELECT THOSE WHO CAN REPRESENT THEN, THE REGIONAL SECRETARY FOR HONG KONG AND KOWLOON, MR T.H. CHAU, SAID.
SPEAKING AT A PRESS BRIEFING THIS (THURSDAY) MORNING, MR CHAU SAID VOTERS’ SUPPORT WOULD ENABLE THE DISTRICT ADMINISTRATION SCHEME TO DEVELOP FURTHER.
HF CALLED ON ELECTORS TO CAST THEIR VOTES AS EARLY AS POSSIBLE IN ORDER TO AVOID A LAST MINUTE RUSH IN THE EVENING.
ACCORDING TO MR CHAU, 37,856 VOTERS HAD TURNED OUT AT THE POLLING STATIONS IN THE URBAN AREA DURING THE FIRST THREE HOURS OF POLLING REPRESENTING A TURNOUT RATE OF 4.2 PER CENT.
AMONG THE 10 URBAN DISTRICTS, SOUTHERN DISTRICT HAD THE HIGHEST TURNOUT RATE OF 5.4 PER CENT WHILE KWUN TONG HAD THE HIGHEST VOTER TURNOUT OF 6,984 PEOPLE.
IN THE NEW TERRITORIES, THE REGIONAL SECRETARY FOR THE NEW TERRITORIES, MR MICHAEL SUEN, SAID FOR THE FIRST THREE HOURS, 31,768 ELECTORS HAD TURNED OUT AT THE POLLING STATIONS IN THE AREA, REPRESENTING A TURNOUT RATE OF 6.5 PER CENT.
SAI KUNG HAD THE HIGHEST TURNOUT RATE OF 12.5 PER CENT WHILE KWAI TSI NG HAD THE HIGHEST VOTER TURNOUT OF 5,864.
- 0 - -
THURSDAY, MARCH 10, 1988
HONG KONG WELCOMES JAPAN’S OPENING UP * * * ♦ *
GOVERNOR
HONG KONG WELCOMES THE EFFORTS MADE BY JAPAN TO OPEN ITS MARKETS AND RECOGNISES THE NEED TO MAKE EVEN GREATER EFFORTS TO PROMOTE ITS EXPORTS TO JAPAN, THE GOVERNOR, SIR DAVID WILSON, SAID IN TOKYO TODAY (THURSDAY).
SPEAKING AT A LUNCHEON HOSTED BY THE JAPAN-HONG KONG SOCIETY DURING HIS FOUR-DAY VISIT TO JAPAN, SIR DAVID SAID ALTHOUGH TRADE BETWEEN HONG KONG AND JAPAN HAD INCREASED BY 92 PER CENT TO ALMOST 1,700 BILLION YEN BETWEEN 1983 AND 1987, AND HAD GONE UP 32 PER CENT LAST YEAR ALONE, HONG KONG STILL HAD A MASSIVE TRADE DEFICIT WITH JAPAN, TOTALLING A RECORD 973 BILLION YEN IN 1987.
HONG KONG NOW IMPORTED FROM JAPAN MORE THAN SEVEN TIMES AS MUCH AS THE COUNTRY IMPORTED FROM HONG KONG, HE SAID.
SIR DAVID EMPHASISED THAT HONG KONG BELIEVED IN FREE AND OPEN MULTILATERAL TRADE.
HE SAID: "WE RECOGNISE THAT DIFFERENCES IN SIZE, OUTPUT AND NEED MAKE IT IMPOSSIBLE TO HAVE A TRADE BALANCE WITH EACH INDIVIDUAL TRADING PARTNER. WE WOULD NEVER ATTEMPT TO ACHIEVE THIS ARTIFICIALLY.
’’THERE ARE NO TARIFF OR NON-TARIFF BARRIERS TO IMPORTS INTO HONG KONG. WE WELCOME JAPANESE EXPORTS TO HONG KONG, BECAUSE WE VALUE YOUR COUNTRY AS A SOURCE OF SUPPLY OF HIGH QUALITY AND RELIABLE PRODUCTS.
"NEVERTHELESS, WE ARE CONCERNED AT THE SIZEABLE TRADE GAP BETWEEN US."
SIR DAVID SAID THAT IN THE LAST TWO YEARS, THE GROWTH OF HONG KONG’S DOMESTIC EXPORTS TO JAPAN, WHICH HAD GONE UP BY 112 PER CENT, HAD BEEN VERY ENCOURAGING IN PERCENTAGE TERMS.
"THIS IS GOOD NEWS. BUT WE MUST RECOGNISE THAT THE VOLUME FIGURES ARE STILL SMALL," HE NOTED.
"IT IS FOR THESE REASONS THAT WE WELCOME THE EFFORTS BEING MADE BY JAPAN TO OPEN ITS MARKETS FURTHER," HE ADDED.
SIR DAVID CITED THE ACTION PROGRAMME FOR IMPROVED MARKET ACCESS INTRODUCED BY JAPAN IN MID-1985 AS AN EXAMPLE OF THESE EFFORTS.
"WE HAVE ALSO WATCHED WITH GREAT INTEREST THE CURRENT EFFORTS TO RESTRUCTURE THE JAPANESE ECONOMY TO ENCOURAGE DOMESTIC DEMAND," HE SAID.
SIR DAVID CONTINUED: "WE BELIEVE THAT A FURTHER REDUCTION OF TARIFF RATES IN PARTICULAR WOULD BE BENEFICIAL BOTH TO THE JAPANESE CONSUMER AND TO JAPAN’S IMAGE AS A LEADING WORLD TRADING NATION.
/’’IF WE
THURSDAY, MARCH 10, 1988
6
"IF WE ARE ALL TO AVOID A PROTECTIONIST BACKLASH, THESE EFFORTS MUST CONTINUE AND MUST BE SEEN TO BEAR FRUIT."
ON PROMOTION OF HONG KONG’S EXPORTS TO JAPAN, SIR DAVID SAID HONG KONG WAS CONSCIOUS OF THE NEED FOR CAREFUL AND PERSISTENT RESEARCH TO ASSESS WHAT WOULD SELL WELL IN THE JAPANESE MARKET.
"IN ALL THESE AREAS, THE TWO BUSINESS COOPERATION COMMITTEES AND THE HONG KONG TRADE DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL HAVE MADE CONSIDERABLE PROGRESS IN THE LAST TWO YEARS."
IN HIS SPEECH, SIR DAVID GAVE AN ACCOUNT OF HONG KONG’S ADVANTAGES AS A PLACE FOR JAPANESE INVESTMENT IN TERMS OF GEOGRAPHICAL, ECONOMIC AND POLITICAL FACTORS.
HE ALSO EMPHASISED THAT HONG KONG WAS COMMITTED TO A FREE MARKET ECONOMY WHICH WAS THE BEST SYSTEM FOR SUSTAINED COMMERCIAL AND INDUSTRIAL DEVELOPMENT.
HE SAID: "INDUSTRIALISTS, LOCAL AND FOREIGN ALIKE, ARE FREE TO IMPORT RAW MATERIALS, SEMI-MANUFACTURES AND CAPITAL EQUIPMENT. THERE ARE NO LOCAL CONTENT REQUIREMENTS OR OTHER RESTRICTIONS.
"FREEDOM OF CAPITAL MOVEMENT MEANS THAT THERE IS NO DIFFICULTY IN REPATRIATING EARNINGS. OUR EXPORTS ENJOY MOST-FAVOURED-NATION TREATMENT IN WORLD MARKETS THROUGH OUR MEMBERSHIP OF THE GATT."
SIR DAVID ADDED THAT ALTHOUGH THE GOVERNMENT WAS MAKING EFFORTS TO IMPROVE THE ENVIRONMENT FOR INDUSTRY, HONG KONG HAD LESS GOVERNMENTAL INTERFERENCE IN INDUSTRY - FEWER PETTY RULES AND REGULATIONS - THAN ANY OTHER IMPORTANT TRADING ENTITY IN THE WORLD.
"AND WE INTEND TO KEEP IT THAT WAY," HE SAID.
REFERRING TO THE ECONOMIC TIES BETWEEN HONG KONG AND JAPAN, SIR DAVID SAID THAT BESIDES BEING HONG KONG’S SECOND LARGEST SUPPLIER, JAPAN WAS ALSO THE SECOND LARGEST SOURCE OF HONG KONG'S OVERSEAS INDUSTRIAL INVESTMENT, PROVIDING ABOUT ONE-FIFTH OF HONG KONG’S INVESTMENT.
"A SIGNIFICANT PROPORTION OF OUR CAPITAL WORKS PROGRAMME IS BEING CARRIED OUT BY CONSORTIA WITH STRONG JAPANESE INVOLVEMENT," HE SAID, CITING THE EXAMPLES OF THE SECOND CROSS HARBOUR TUNNEL AND THE TATE’S CAIRN TUNNEL PROJECT.
HONG KONG, ON THE OTHER HAND, WAS JAPAN’S FIFTH LARGEST EXPORT MARKET, HE SAID.
"IN 1987 EVERY MAN, WOMAN AND CHILD IN HONG KONG BOUGHT THE EQUIVALENT OF 156,000 YEN IN JAPANESE GOODS. THIS FIGURE IS SIGNIFICANTLY LARGER THAN PURCHASES OF JAPANESE GOODS IN OTHER MAJOR MARKETS : IT COMPARES WITH ABOUT 50,000 YEN PER CAPITA IN THE UNITED STATES AND 17,000 YEN IN THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITY."
/SIR DAVID
THURSDAY, MARCH 10, 1988
SIR DAVID NOTED THAT THE TIES BETWEEN HONG KONG AND JAPAN WERE BECOMING CLOSER EACH YEAR.
"WE WELCOME THE GOODS YOU SELL US AND THE CONFIDENCE THAT YOUR BUSINESSMEN HAVE SHOWN BY INVESTING IN OUR MANUFACTURING AND SERVICES SECTORS.
"GIVEN THE CHANCE, I FEEL SURE THAT HONG KONG WILL PROVE ITSELF TO BE A COMPETITIVE SUPPLIER OF GOODS TO THE JAPANESE MARKET, A DEVELOPMENT WHICH CAN ONLY BE IN THE INTERESTS OF THE JAPANESE CONSUMER," HE SAID.
TURNING TO HONG KONG’S FUTURE, SIR DAVID SAID THIS ISSUE HAD GREAT SIGNIFICANCE NOT ONLY FOR PEOPLE LIVING AND WORKING IN HONG KONG, BUT FOR THOSE THROUGHOUT THE WORLD WHO HAD TRADE, INVESTMENT OR OTHER TIES WITH HONG KONG.
HE SAID THAT THE SINO-BRITISH JOINT DECLARATION ON HONG KONG’S FUTURE PROVIDED THAT, IN ALL THE KEY ASPECTS OF ITS ECONOMIC SYSTEMS, HONG KONG AS A SPECIAL ADMINISTRATIVE REGION OF THE PEOPLE’S REPUBLIC OF CHINA WOULD CONTINUE TO FUNCTION AS IT DID NOW FOR 50 YEARS AFTER 1997, ALTHOUGH SOVEREIGNTY WOULD OF COURSE PASS FROM THE UNITED KINGDOM TO THE PEOPLE’S REPUBLIC OF CHINA.
"GOOD PROGRESS HAS BEEN MADE IN IMPLEMENTING THE PROVISIONS OF THE JOINT DECLARATION IN THE THREE YEARS SINCE IT CAME INTO EFFECT," HE SAID.
THIS INCLUDED THE ACHIEVEMENTS MADE IN TRADE, TRAVEL AND COMMUNICATIONS; AGREEMENT REACHED ON HONG KONG’S SEPARATE MEMBERSHIP IN THE GENERAL AGREEMENT ON TARIFFS AND TRADE AND THE CUSTOMS COOPERATION COUNCIL; AND THE WORK ON NEGOTIATING HONG KONG’S OWN AIR SERVICES AGREEMENTS AND ESTABLISHING ITS OWN SHIPPING REGISTER.
THERE WAS ALSO THE AGREEMENT ON A RANGE OF TRAVEL DOCUMENTS THAT HONG KONG PEOPLE MAY USE UP TO AND AFTER 1997; AND THE WORK PROCEEDING TO ENSURE HONG KONG’S CONTINUED PARTICIPATION AFTER 1997 IN THE HUNDREDS OF INTERNATIONAL AGREEMENTS AND ORGANISATIONS IN WHICH IT CURRENTLY PARTICIPATED.
"MUCH OF COURSE REMAINS TO BE DONE. A SIGNIFICANT EVENT WILL BE THE PUBLICATION IN MAY OF THE DRAFT BASIC LAW WHICH WILL SET OUT IN DETAIL THE CONSTITUTIONAL FRAMEWORK OF THE FUTURE HONG KONG SPECIAL ADMINISTRATIVE REGION," HE SAID.
"BUT A GOOD START HAS ALREADY BEEN MADE. AND THERE ARE PLENTY OF SIGNS OF CONFIDENCE IN THE ECONOMIC FUTURE OF HONG KONG."
SIR DAVID NOTED THAT HONG KONG’S ECONOMY HAD MADE A STRONG RECOVERY FROM ITS MODEST PERFORMANCE IN 1982 AND 1983, WHEN UNCERTAINTY ABOUT HONG KONG’S FUTURE WAS AT ITS HEIGHT.
/"WE WERE
THURSDAY, MARCH 10, 1988
8
"WE WERE CERTAINLY NOT EXEMPT FROM THE WORLD STOCK MARKET CRASHES LAST OCTOBER. WE MAY STILL FEEL ITS AFTER EFFECTS THIS YEAR," HE WENT ON.
"NEVERTHELESS IT IS A FACT THAT FOR TWO CONSECUTIVE YEARS, WE HAVE RECORDED DOUBLE DIGIT GROWTH.
"THE PRIVATE SECTOR IS FINANCING A NUMBER OF LARGE-SCALE CAPITAL PROJECTS, SUCH AS A SECOND CROSS-HARBOUR TUNNEL, WHICH CAN ONLY OFFER RETURNS WELL AFTER 1997. THERE IS SUSTAINED INVESTMENT IN PLANT AND MACHINERY AND STRONG DEMAND FOR RESIDENTIAL, COMMERCIAL AND INDUSTRIAL PROPERTY.
"FOR ITS PART, THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT IS HEAVILY COMMITTED IN THE TERRITORY’S FUTURE - BUILDING ROADS, EXTENDING OUR CONTAINER PORT AND AIRPORT FACILITIES AND INVESTING IN THE HUMAN RESOURCES THAT WE WILL NEED TO MEET TOMORROW’S DEMANDS," SIR DAVID SAID.
-------0---------
WASTE DISPOSAL REGULATIONS TO BE GAZETTED NEXT WEEK *****
THE WASTE DISPOSAL (LIVESTOCK WASTE) REGULATIONS 1988 WHICH PRESCRIBE THE CONTROLS ON THE STORAGE, TREATMENT, TRANSPORT AND DISPOSAL OF LIVESTOCK WASTE IN CONTROL AREAS WILL BE PUBLISHED IN THE GOVERNMENT GAZETTE ON FRIDAY, MARCH 18.
THE REGULATIONS WERE MADE RECENTLY BY THE GOVERNOR IN COUNCIL FOLLOWING CONSULTATIONS WITH THE LEGCO AD HOC GROUP TO STUDY THE WASTE DISPOSAL (AMENDMENT) BILL 1987 AND THE LIVESTOCK WASTE DISPOSAL CONSULTATIVE COMMITTEE WHICH INCLUDES REPRESENTATIVES OF THE GOVERNMENT, FARMERS AND THE AD HOC GROUP.
"A NUMBER OF AMENDMENTS HAVE BEEN MADE AS A RESULT OF THE CONSULTATIONS," A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN SAID.
THE SPOKESMAN POINTED OUT THAT AT THE REQUEST OF THE LIVESTOCK FARMERS, THE GOVERNMENT HAD NOW AGREED TO SET UP DEMONSTRATION PROJECTS ON ABOUT A DOZEN PRIVATE FARMS TO SHOW FARMERS HOW VARIOUS WASTE TREATMENT METHODS WOULD WORK AND HOW MUCH THEY WOULD COST. A REVIEW WILL BE CONDUCTED AFTER THE PROJECTS ARE IN FULL OPERATION.
"THE REGULATIONS WILL BE IMPLEMENTED IN THE FIRST THREE CONTROL AREAS (THE TOLO HARBOUR AND CHANNEL, MUI WO AND ANGLER'S BEACH AREAS) ON JUNE 24 THIS YEAR AS A PILOT SCHEME AND CONTROLS WILL NOT BE EXTENDED FOR THE TIME BEING TO OTHER CONTROL AREAS, PENDING THE COMPLETION OF A REVIEW OF THE DEMONSTRATION SCHEME.
/"IF NECESSARY
THURSDAY, MARCH 10, 1988
9 -
"IF NECESSARY THE REGULATIONS COULD BE AMENDED IN THE LIGHT OF THIS REVIEW," SAID THE SPOKESMAN.
A STEERING GROUP CONSISTING OF GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS, FARMERS’ REPRESENTATIVES AND MEMBERS OF THE LEGCO AD HOC GROUP HAS BEEN SET UP TO SELECT FARMS FOR THE PROJECT AND TO MONITOR PROGRESS.
PENDING THE COMPLETION OF THE REVIEW, IT IS NECESSARY TO DEFER THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE FOURTH CONTROL AREA BY A FEW MONTHS. A NOTICE WILL BE GAZETTED TOMORROW TO AMEND THE IMPLEMENTATION DATE OF THE RIVER INDUS AREA FROM SEPTEMBER 1, 1988 TO JANUARY 1, 1989.
"SUBJECT TO THE APPROVAL OF FUNDS BY THE FINANCE COMMITTEE, THE GOVERNOR IN COUNCIL HAS ALSO APPROVED THAT LIVESTOCK FARMERS WHO HAVE RECEIVED CAPITAL GRANTS AND LOANS AND WHO SUBSEQUENTLY HAVE TO CEASE BUSINESS SHOULD BE ALLOWED TO APPLY FOR EX-GRATIA ALLOWANCES," HE SAID.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
MR STEPHEN FISHER, ASSISTANT SECRETARY, HEALTH AND WELFARE BRANCH, WILL BE AVAILABLE FOR INTERVIEWS TOMORROW (FRIDAY) AT 10 AM IN HIS OFFICE AT ROOM 716, SEVENTH FLOOR, CENTRAL GOVERNMENT OFFICES, LOWER ALBERT ROAD.
------0 -------
NEW EQUIPMENT TO DETECT HEPATITIS VIRUS IN SHELLFISH
* « « * *
THE ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION DEPARTMENT WILL SOON RECEIVE NEW EQUIPMENT TO DETECT THE EXISTENCE OF HEPATITIS VIRUS IN SHELLFISH, AND TO DETERMINE THE AMOUNT, THE ACTING ASSISTANT DIRECTOR OF THE DEPARTMENT, MR PAUL HOLMES, SAID TODAY (THURSDAY).
SPEAKING AT A LUNCHEON MEETING OF THE ROTARY CLUB OF KOWLOON, MR HOLMES SAID THE EQUIPMENT WAS NEEDED TO CHECK HOW MUCH RISK TO HEALTH THERE WAS IN EATING SHELLFISH WHICH MIGHT HAVE BEEN POLLUTED.
HE EXPLAINED THAT THE DEPARTMENT HAI) RECOGNISED THE NEED FOR THIS SEVERAL YEARS AGO, BUT THE TECHNIQUE WAS SO NEW THAT IT HAD ONLY JUST BECOME AVAILABLE.
SO FAR, ONLY SIX LABORATORIES IN THE WORLD HAI) USED THIS NEW EQUIPMENT.
THE DEPARTMENT WOULD REQUIRE SEVERAL WEEKS TO SET UP THE EQUIPMENT, AND THE FIRST RESULTS WERE EXPECTED IN MAY.
/HR HOLMES .......
THURSDAY, MARCH 10, 1?88
10 -
MR HOLMES SAID THERE WAS REASON TO SUPPOSE THAT CONTAMINATED SHELLFISH MIGHT BE PARTLY TO BLAME FOR THE SPREAD OF THE PRESENT HEPATITIS OUTBREAK.
SHELLFISH WERE KNOWN TO BE POLLUTED BY SEWAGE AND BACTERIA WHICH CAME FROM SEWAGE WERE OFTEN FOUND IN THEM.
BACTERIA, HE EXPLAINED, WERE VERY MUCH EASIER TO RECOGNISE THAN THE VIRUS WHICH CAUSED HEPATITIS, BUT WHERE ONE WAS KNOWN TO EXIST THE OTHER MIGHT ALSO EXIST.
APART FROM MEASURING HEPATITIS VIRUS, THE NEW EQUIPMENT WOULD ALSO BE USED TO FIND OUT WHETHER SHELLFISH COULD BE CLEANED BY KEEPING THEM FOR SEVERAL WEEKS IN DISINFECTED WATER - A PROCESS KNOWN AS DEPURATION, WHICH THE DEPARTMENT HAD ADVOCATED SEVERAL YEARS AGO, MR HOLMES SAID.
THERE WOULD ALSO BE OTHER USES FOR THE NEW EQUIPMENT.
MR HOLMES SAID THE GOVERNMENT HAD INVESTED A LARGE SUM OF MONEY IN SEWAGE TREATMENT WORKS TO MINIMISE THE RISKS OF POLLUTION AFFECTING SHELLFISH.
HOWEVER, HE ACKNOWLEDGED THAT MUCH MORE WAS NEEDED. HE SAID THE DEPARTMENT WAS WORKING ON NEW SCHEMES WHICH WOULD ULTIMATELY REQUIRE THE INVESTMENT OF $10 BILLION.
EXPLAINING THE MOST RECENT RESULTS FROM THE DEPARTMENT’S INVESTIGATIONS INTO THE POLLUTION OF BATHING BEACHES, HE SAID THAT THIS YEAR, 37 GAZETTED BEACHES OUT OF A TOTAL OF 42 HAD BEEN RECOMMENDED FIT FOR SWIMMING.
LAST YEAR 38 OUT OF 41 WERE RECOMMENDED FIT FOR SWIMMING.
TWO-THIRDS OF THE NEW TERRITORIES BEACHES WERE ON AN IMPROVING TREND, BUT BEACHES ON HONG KONG ISLAND HAD BEEN BECOMING WORSE DURING THE PAST FIVE YEARS, OWING TO A SHIFT IN POPULATION.
MEANWHILE, THE DEPARTMENT IS ANALYSING MORE THAN 20,000 QUESTIONNAIRES AS PART OF A STUDY ON THE LINK BETWEEN POLLUTION AND HEALTH RISKS TO SWIMMERS.
THIS STUDY HAS INITIALLY SHOWN THAT THE RISKS ARE COMPARATIVELY LOW. HOWEVER, WHEN THE FINDINGS ARE COMPLETE, THE COMMUNITY WILL HAVE TO DECIDE HOW MUCH RISK IS ACCEPTABLE, ACCORDING TO THE DEPARTMENT.
- - 0-----------
/11
THURSDAY, MARCH 10, 1988
11 PROCESSING OF TAXI TENDERS COMPLETED * * * * *
THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT HAS COMPLETED PROCESSING THE LATEST TENDERS FOR 168 URBAN TAXI LICENCES.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE DEPARTMENT SAID TODAY (THURSDAY) THAT A TOTAL OF 980 TENDERS HAD BEEN RECEIVED WHEN THE OFFER CLOSED ON FEBRUARY 5. "THE HIGHEST TENDER ACCEPTED WAS $600,889 AND THE LOWEST $600,882,” HE SAID.
THE AVERAGE PREMIUM OF $600,886 MARKED AN INCREASE OF 0.8 PER CENT COMPARED WITH THE LAST TENDER EXERCISE IN JULY LAST YEAR.
DETAILS OF SUCCESSFUL TENDERERS AND THE AMOUNTS OFFERED WILL BE PUBLISHED IN TOMORROW’S GOVERNMENT GAZETTE.
THE SPOKESMAN EXPLAINED THAT THE GOVERNOR IN COUNCIL DECIDED IN JULY, 1986 THAT THE TOTAL NUMBER OF VEHICLES WHICH MIGHT BE REGISTERED AND LICENSED AS URBAN TAXIS WOULD REMAIN AT 14,400 UNTIL JULY THIS YEAR.
SINCE THEN, THE ISSUE OF NEW LICENCES FOR URBAN TAXIS HAS BEEN RESTRICTED TO 200 PER YEAR. THIS MEASURE WILL CONTINUE UNTIL JULY.
THE TOTAL NUMBER OF LICENCES ALLOCATED BY THE END OF LAST YEAR WAS 14,132. IT WOULD HAVE BEEN 14,200 BUT FOR THE FAILURE OF SIX SUCCESSFUL TENDERERS TO PAY THE PREMIUM FOR A TOTAL OF 68 LICENCES IN THE TENDER EXERCISE LAST JULY.
THESE 68 UNALLOCATED LICENCES HAVE BEEN INCLUDED IN THE CURRENT TENDER EXERCISE.
------0-------
EXTERNAL TRADE STATISTICS FOR JANUARY RELEASED * t » * *
THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT TODAY (THURSDAY ) RELEASED TRADE VALUE STATISTICS FOR JANUARY 1988.
COMPARED WITH JANUARY 1987, TOTAL MERCHANDISE TRADE IN JANUARY 1988, AT $67,991 MILLION, GREW RY 37 PER CENT IN VALUE TERMS.
COMPARED WITH JANUARY 1987, DOMESTIC EXPORTS INCREASED IN VALUE TERMS BY 17 PER CENT TO $16,477 MILLION IN JANUARY 1988 WHILE RE-EXPORTS ROSE RY 53 PER CENT TO $18,364 MILLION, BRINGING TOTAL EXPORTS IN JANUARY 1988 TO $34,841 MILLION, WHICH WAS 34 PER CENT HIGHER THAN IN JANUARY 1987.
/ON THE
THURSDAY, MARCH 10, 1988
12
ON THE SAME BASIS OF COMPARISON, IMPORTS INCREASED IN VALUE TERMS BY 41 PER CENT TO $33,150 MILLION IN JANUARY 1988.
DOMESTIC EXPORTS TO ALL MAJOR MARKETS INCREASED IN VALUE TERMS BETWEEN JANUARY 1987 AND JANUARY 1988.
SUBSTANTIAL GROWTH WAS RECORDED IN DOMESTIC EXPORTS TO SINGAPORE, BY 46 PER CENT, CHINA BY 44 PER CENT, FRANCE BY 32 PER CENT, THE FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF GERMANY BA 29 PER CENT, AND THE UNITED KINGDOM BY 19 PER CENT.
A 5 PER CENT GROWTH WAS RECORDED FOR DOMESTIC EXPORTS TO HONG KONG’S LARGEST MARKET, THE USA.
BETWEEN JANUARY 1987 AND JANUARY 1988, THE VALUE OF IMPORTS FROM ALL MAJOR SUPPLIERS INCREASED, ESPECIALLY THOSE FROM SWITZERLAND (+107 PER CENT), SINGAPORE (+81 PER CENT), THE REPUBLIC OF KOREA (+57 PER CENT), THE USA (+50 PER CENT) AND FRANCE (+45 PER CENT).
DURING THE SAME PERIOD, RE-EXPORTS TO JAPAN, THE FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF GERMANY, AUSTRALIA, THE UNITED KINGDOM AND TAIWAN INCREASED SUBSTANTIALLY IN VALUE TERMS BY 90 PER CENT, 89 PER CENT, 68 PER CENT, 65 PER CENT AND 63 PER CENT RESPECTIVELY.
CARE SHOULD BE EXERCISED IN INTERPRETING THE CHANGES IN THE VALUE OF BILATERAL TRADE IN ANY SINGLE MONTH, AS THE RESPECTIVE GROWTH RATES FOR INDIVIDUAL MONTHS MAY BE SUBJECT TO CONSIDERABLE FLUCTUATIONS.
IN PARTICULAR, THE TRADE FIGURES IN THE FIRST TWO MONTHS OF THE YEAR WERE USUALLY AFFECTED BY THE TIMING OF THE LUNAR NEW YEAR HOLIDAYS, WHICH OCCURRED IN LATE JANUARY LAST YEAR, WHILE THIS YEAR THEY OCCURRED IN MID-FEBRUARY.
EXTENDING THE PERIOD OF COMPARISON TO THE 12 MONTHS ENDING JANUARY 1988 WITH THE 12 MONTHS ENDING JANUARY 1987, DOMESTIC EXPORTS INCREASED BY 26 PEE CENT TO $197,678 MILLION. THE VALUE OF RE-EXPORTS AT $189,140 MILLION WAS 50 PER CENT HIGHER.
TAKING DOMESTIC EXPORTS AND RE-EXPORTS TOGETHER, TOTAL EXPORTS ROSE BY 36 PER CENT.
IMPORTS INCREASED Bl 38 PER CENT TO $387,582 MILLION.
AS A WHOLF, TOTAL MERCHANDISE TRADE INCREASED BY 37 PER CENT.
ALL TRADE STATISTICS PRESENTED HERE ARE MEASURED AT CURRENT PRICES AND NO ACCOUNT HAS BEEN TAKEN OF THE CHANGES IN PRICES BETWEEN THE PERIODS OF COMPARISON. A SEPARATE ANALYSIS OF THE PRICE AND VOLUME MOVEMENTS OF EXTERNAL TRADE IN JANUARY 1988 WILL BE RELEASED IN EARLA' APRIL 1988.
/THE CHANGES .......
THURSDAY, MARCH 10, 1988
THE CHANGES IN DOMESTIC EXPORTS TO HONG KONG’S 10 MAJOR MARKETS
ARE SHOWN IN TABLE 1.
COMPARING JANUARY 1988 WITH JANUARY 1987, INCREASES IN DOMESTIC EXPORTS TN VALUE TERMS WERE RECORDED IN ALL MAJOR COMMODITY DIVISIONS.
THE MORE NOTABLE ONES INCLUDED CLOTHING (BY $595 MILLION OR 12 PER CENT); PHOTOGRAPHIC APPARATUS, EQUIPMENT AND SUPPLIES AND OPTICAL GOODS, WATCHES AND CLOCKS (BY $348 MILLION OR 32 PER CENT); ELECTRICAL MACHINERY, APPARATUS AND APPLIANCES AND ELECTRICAL PARTS THEREOF (BY $332 MILLION OR 35 PER CENT); AS WELL AS OFFICE MACHINES AND AUTOMATIC DATA PROCESSING EQUIPMENT (BY $274 MILLION OR 43 PER CENT).
ON THE OTHER HAND, DECREASES WERE RECORDED IN TRAVEL GOODS, HANDBAGS AND SIMILAR CONTAINERS (BY $16 MILLION OR 11 PER CENT); AS WELL AS VEGETABLES AND FRUIT (BY $10 MILLION OR 56 PER CENT).
TABLE 2 ILLUSTRATES THE CHANGES IN DOMESTIC EXPORTS BY MAJOR
COMMODITY DIVISION.
THE CHANGES IN IMPORTS FROM HONG KONG’S 10 MAJOR SUPPLIERS ARE SUMMARISED IN TABLE 3.
COMPARING JANUARY 1988 WITH IN VALUE TERMS WERE REGISTERED FOR
JANUARY 1987, INCREASES IN SEVERAL CATEGORIES.
IMPORTS
THESE WERE ELECTRICAL MACHINERY, APPARATUS AND APPLIANCES AND ELECTRICAL PARTS THEREOF (BY $1,098 MILLION OR 54 PER CENT); PHOTOGRAPHIC APPARATUS, EQUIPMENT AND SUPPLIES AND OPTICAL GOODS, WATCHES AND CLOCKS (BY $661 MILLION OR 56 PER CENT); MISCELLANEOUS MANUFACTURED ARTICLES (BY $601 MILLION OR 49 PER CENT); AS WELL AS ARTIFICIAL RESINS AND PLASTIC MATERIALS, AND CELLULOSE ESTERS AND ETHERS (BY $593 MILLION OR 104 PER CENT).
HOWEVER, DECREASES WERE RECORDED IN OIL SEEDS AND OLEAGINOUS FRUIT (BY $14 MILLION OR 28 PER CENT); AS WELL AS MISCELLANEOUS EDIBLE PRODUCTS AND PREPARATIONS (BY $8 MILLION OR 6 PER CENT).
TABLE 4 ILLUSTRATES THE CHANGES IN IMPORTS BY MAJOR COMMODITY
DIVISION.
THE CHANGES IN RE-EXPORTS TO HONG KONG’S 10 MAJOR MARKETS ARE SHOWN IN TABLE 5.
/COMPARING JANUARY
14
THURSDAY, MARCH 10, 1988
COMPARING JANUARY 1988 WITH JANUARY 1987, INCREASES IN RE-EXPORTS IN VALUE TERMS WERE REGISTERED FOR ELECTRICAL MACHINERY, APPARATUS AND APPLIANCES AND ELECTRICAL PARTS THEREOF (BY $792 MILLION OR 86 PER CENT); MISCELLANEOUS MANUFACTURED ARTICLES (BY $680 MILLION OR 70 PER CENT); CLOTHING (BY $576 MILLION OR 36 PER CENT) AND TEXTILES (BY $507 MILLION OR 29 PER CENT).
HOWEVER, DECREASES WERE RECORDED IN BEVERAGES (BY $8 MILLION OR 17 PER CENT); AS WELL AS OIL SEEDS AND OLEAGINOUS FRUIT (BY $7 MILLION OR 20 PER CENT).
TABLE 6 ILLUSTRATES THE CHANGES IN RE-EXPORTS BY MAJOR
COMMODITY DIVISION.
DETAILED STATISTICS ON TRADE VALUE BY COMMODITY AND BY COUNTRY ARE AVAILABLE IN TRADE STATISTICS REPORTS.
THE JANUARY 1988 ISSUE OF THE "HONG KONG TRADE STATISTICS SUMMARY” WILL BE AVAILABLE FOR SALE AROUND MARCH 20, AT THE GOVERNMENT PUBLICATION CENTRE AT $9.50 PER COPY.
A MORE COMPREHENSIVE REPORT, "HONG KONG EXTERNAL TRADE", WITH A DETAILED ANALYSIS OF IMPORTS, EXPORTS AND RE-EXPORTS IN JANUARY 1988 WILL BE AVAILABLE IN EARLY APRIL AT $17.50 PER COPY.
ENQUIRIES REGARDING REGULAR SUBSCRIPTIONS TO THESE REPORTS MAY BE DIRECTED TO THE INFORMATION SERVICES DEPARTMENT AT FRENCH MISSION BUILDING, 1 BATTERY PATH, HONG KONG (TEL. 5-8428802) AND ENQUIRIES ON TRADE STATISTICS TO THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT (TEL. 5-8234915).
TABLE 1: MAJOR MARKET DOMESTIC EXPORTS BY 10 MAJOR MARKETS PERCENTAGE INCREASE (%)
JANUARY 1988 (HKD MN.) JANUARY 1987 (HKD MN.) INCREASE (HKD MN.)
U.S.A. 5,595 5,313 283 5
CHINA 2,479 1,726 753 44
F.R. OF GERMANY 1 ,554 1,202 352 29
U.K. 1,057 891 166 19
JAPAN 749 649 101 16
CANADA 513 458 56 12
NETHERLANDS 376 341 34 10
SINGAPORE 360 247 114 46
FRANCE 339 257 82 32
AUSTRALIA 305 265 40 15
/TABLE 2:
THURSDAY, MARCH 10, 1988
TABLE 2:
DOMESTIC EXPORTS BY MAJOR COMMODITY DIVISION
COMMODITY DIVISION JANUARY 1988 JANUARY 1987 (HKD MN.) INCREASE (HKD MN. PERCENTAGE INCREASE ) (%)
( HKD MN.)
ARTICLES OF APPAREL AND CLOTHING ACCESSORIES 5,564 4,969 595 12
MISCELLANEOUS MANUFACTURED ARTICLES (MAINLY BABY CARRIAGES, TOYS, GAMES AND SPORTING GOODS) 2,171 2,082 88 4
PHOTOGRAPHIC APPARATUS, EQUIPMENT AND SUPPLIES OPTICAL GOODS, WATCHES AND CLOCKS > 1,422 1,074 348 32
ELECTRICAL MACHINERY, APPARATUS AND APPLIANCES, AND ELECTRICAL PARTS THEREOF 1,289 957 332 35
TELECOMMUNICATION AND SOUND RECORDING AND REPRODUCING APPARATUS AND EQUIPMENT 1,213 1 , 142 71 6
TEXTILE YARN, FABRICS, MADE-UP ARTICLES AND RELATED PRODUCTS 1,137 1,049 87 8
TABLE 3: IMPORTS FROM 10 MAJOR SUPPLIERS
MAJOR SUPPLIER JANUARY 1988 (HKD MN.) JANUARY INCREASE 1987 (HKD MN.) (HKD MN.) PERCENTAGE INCREASE (%)
CHINA 10 ,933 7 ,868 3,065 39
JAPAN 5 ,476 4 ,233 1,243 29
TAIWAN 2 ,924 2 ,203 721 33
/U.S.A
THURSDAY, MARCH 10, 1988
- 16
U.S.A. 2,655 1,767 888 50
REPUBLIC OF KOREA 1,648 1,052 596 57
SINGAPORE 1,501 828 673 81
U.K. 1,038 745 293 39
F.R. OF GERMANY 869 657 212 32
SWITZERLAND 631 305 325 107
FRANCE 536 370 166 45
TABLE 4: IMPORTS BY MAJOR COMMODITY DIVISION
COMMODITY DIVISION JANUARY 1988 (HKD MN.) JANUARY 1987 (HKD MN.) INCREASE (HKD MN.) PERCENTAGE INCREASE (%)
TEXTILE YARN, FABRICS, MADE-UP ARTICLES AND
RELATED PRODUCTS 3,951 3,442 508 15
ELECTRICAL MACHINERY, APPARATUS AND APPLIANCES, AND ELECTRICAL PARTS THEREOF 3,134 2,037 1,098 54
ARTICLES OF APPAREL AND CLOTHING ACCESSORIES 2,451 1,909 541 28
TELECOMMUNICATIONS AND SOUND RECORDING AND REPRODUCING APPARATUS AND EQUIPMENT 1 ,861 1,293 569 44
PHOTOGRAPHIC APPARATUS, EQUIPMENT AND SUPPLIES, OPTICAL GOODS, WATCHES AND CLOCKS 1,834 1,173 661 56
MISCELLANEOUS MANUFACTURED ARTICLES (MAINLY BABY CARRIAGES, TOYS, GAMES AND SPORTING GOODS) 1,822 1 , 221 601 49
/TABLE 5: .......
17
THURSDAY, MARCH 10, 1988
TABLE 5: RE-EXPORTS BY 10 MAJOR MARKETS PERCENTAGE INCREASE (%)
MAJOR MARKET JANUARY JANUARY INCREASE (HKD MN.)
1988 (HKD MN.) 1987 (HKD MN.)
CHINA 5,782 3,790 1,992 53
U.S.A. 3,549 2,545 1,003 39
JAPAN 1,095 576 520 90
TAIWAN 983 602 381 63
REPUBLIC OF ] KOREA 789 584 205 35
SINGAPORE * 648 453 195 43
F.R, OF GERMANY 590 311 278 89
U.K. 365 221 144 65
MACAU 302 215 87 40
AUSTRALIA 291 173 118 68
TABLE COMMODITY 6: RE-EXPORTS BY MAJOR JANUARY COMMODITY JANUARY DIVISION INCREASE PERCENT-
DIVISION 1988 (HKD MN.) 1987 (HKD MN.) (HKD MN.) AGE INCREASE (%)
TEXTILE YARN, FABRICS,
MADE-UP ARTICLES AND RELATED PRODUCTS 2,257 1,750 507 29
ARTICLES OF APPAREL AND CLOTHING ACCESSORIES 2,183 1,607 576 36
ELECTRICAL MACHINERY, APPARATUS AND APPLIANCES, AND ELECTRICAL PARTS THEREOF 1,710 918 792 86
1ISCELLANEOUS MANUFACTURED ARTICLES (MAINLY BABY CARRIAGES, TOYS, GAMES AND SPORTING GOODS) 1,655 975 680 70
TELECOMMUNICATIONS AND SOUND RECORDING AND REPRODUCING APPARATUS AND EQUIPMENT 1,103 677 426 63
TRAVEL GOODS, HANDBAGS AND SIMILAR CONTAINERS 760 - 0 - 426 333 /18 78
THURSDAY, MARCH 10, 1988
- 18
PROVISIONAL RESULTS OF RETAIL SALES SURVEY FOR DECEMBER 1987 RELEASED
* * » ♦ t
THE VALUE OF TOTAL RETAIL SALES IN DECEMBER 1987, ESTIMATED AT $8,384 MILLION, WAS 17 PER CENT HIGHER THAN IN DECEMBER 1986 WHILST THEIR VOLUME WAS 8 PER CENT HIGHER, ACCORDING TO THE PROVISIONAL RESULTS OF A SURVEY RELEASED TODAY (THURSDAY) BY THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT.
THIS INCREASE WAS IN LINE WITH THE GROWTH IN RETAIL SALES IN 1987 WHICH INCREASED BY 17 PER CENT IN VALUE AND 9 PER CENT IN VOLUME AS COMPARED WITH 1986.
ANALYSED BY MAJOR TRADE GROUPS, RETAIL SALES OF FUELS INCREASED BY 21 PER CENT TN VALUE AND 12 PER CENT IN VOLUME IN DECEMBER 1987 WHEN COMPARED WITH DECEMBER 1986. FOODSTUFFS, ALCOHOLIC DRINKS AND TOBACCO ROSE BY 17 PER CENT IN SALES VALUE AND 6 PER CENT IN SALES VOLUME.
ON THE SAME BASIS OF COMPARISON, RETAIL SALES OF CLOTHING, FOOTWEAR AND ALLIED PRODUCTS AND "OTHER CONSUMER GOODS" BOTH INCREASED BY 18 PER CENT IN VALUE AND 8 PER CENT IN VOLUME. CONSUMER DURABLES WENT UP BY 14 PER CENT IN SALES VALUE AND 7 PER CENT IN SALES VOLUME.
ANALYSED BY SELECTED TRADES, WHICH FORM PART OF THE RELEVANT MAJOR TRADE GROUPS, SALES BY DEPARTMENT STORES INCREASED SUBSTANTIALLY BY 33 PER CENT IN VALUE AND 23 'PER CENT IN VOLUME.
MOTOR VEHICLES AND PARTS ROSE BY 31 PER CENT IN SALES VALUE AND 21 PER CENT IN SALES VOLUME. SUPERMARKETS SALES INCREASED BY 24 PER CENT IN VALUE AND 17 PER CENT IN VOLUME. CONSUMER DURABLES OTHER THAN MOTOR VEHICLES AND PARTS INCREASED BY 7 PER CENT IN SALES VALUE AND 2 PER CENT IN SALES VOLUME.
COMPARING THE YEAR 1987 WITH THE PRECEEDING YEAR, FOODSTUFFS, ALCOHOLIC DRINKS AND TOBACCO INCREASED BY 11 PER CENT IN SALES VALUE AND 5 PER CENT IN SALES VOLUME. FUELS WENT UP BY 5 PER CENT IN SALES VALUE AND 4 PER CENT IN SALES VOLUME.
ON THE SAME BASIS OF COMPARISON, RETAIL SALES OF "OTHER CONSUMER GOODS" AND CONSUMER DURABLES INCREASED BY 21 PER CENT AND 18 PER CENT RESPECTIVELY IN VALUE AND 13 PER CENT AND 10 PER CENT RESPECTIVELY IN VOLUME. CLOTHING, FOOTWEAR AND ALLIED PRODUCTS WENT UP BY 15 PER CENT IN SALES VALUE AND 9 PER CENT IN SALES VOLUME.
ANALYSED BY SELECTED TRADES, SALES OF MOTOR VEHICLES AND PARTS INCREASED SUBSTANTIALLY BY 43 PER CENT IN VALUE AND 30 PER CENT IN VOLUME. SALES BY DEPARTMENT STORES AND SUPERMARKETS WENT UP BY 29 PER CENT AND 20 PER CENT RESPECTIVELY IN VALUE AND 21 PER CENT AND 15 PER CENT RESPECTIVELY IN VOLUME.
/CONSUMER DURABLES
THURSDAY, MARCH 10, 1988
- 19
CONSUMER DURABLES OTHER THAN MOTOR VEHICLES AND PARTS INCREASED BY 9 PER CENT IN SALES VALUE AND 3 PER CENT IN SALES VOLUME.
WHEN COMPARED WITH NOVEMBER 1987, AND BEARING IN MIND THAT THIS COMPARISON IS AFFECTED BY SEASONAL FACTORS, TOTAL RETAIL SA! . FOR DECEMBER 1987 ROSE BY 11 PER CENT IN VALUE AND 10 PER CENT IN VOLUME.
FOODSTUFFS, ALCOHOLIC DRINKS AND TOBACCO INCREASED BY 20 PER CENT IN SALES VALUE AND 17 PER CENT IN SALES VOLUME. FUELS WENT UP BY 12 PER CENT IN SALES VALUE AND 11 PER CENT IN SALES VOLUME.
OVER THE SAME MONTH, RETAIL SALES OF CLOTHING, FOOTWEAR AND ALLIED PRODUCTS ROSE BY 12 PER CENT IN VALUE AND 11 PER CENT IN VOLUME. "OTHER CONSUMER GOODS" WENT UP BY 10 PER CENT IN SALES VALUE AND 9 PER CENT IN SALES VOLUME. CONSUMER DURABLES INCREASED BY 2 PRR CENT IN BOTH SALES VALUE AND VOLUME.
ANALYSED BY SELECTED TRADES, SALES OF DEPARTMENT STORES INCREASED BY 29 PER CENT IN BOTH VALUE AND VOLUME. SUPERMARKETS SALES WENT UP BY 24 PER CENT IN VALUE AND 23 PER CENT IN VOLUME.
CONSUMER DURABLES OTHER THAN MOTOR VEHICLES AND PARTS INCREASED BY 5 PER CENT IN SALES VALUE AND 6 PER CENT IN SALES VOLUME. MOTOR VEHICLES AND PARTS DROPPED BY 4 PER CENT IN SALES VALUE AND 5 PER CENT IN SALES VOLUME.
TABLE 1 PRESENTS THE REVISED TOTAL RETAIL SALES FIGURE FOR NOVEMBER 1987 AND THE PROVISIONAL FIGURE FOR DECEMBER 1987.
TABLE 2 SHOWS THE VALUE AND VOLUME INDEXES OF RETAIL SALES IN NOVEMBER 1987 AND DECEMBER 1987 (A) FOR ALL RETAIL TRADES, (B) BY MAJOR TRADE GROUPS AND (C) BY SELECTED TRADES (WHICH FORM PART OF THE RELEVANT MAJOR TRADE GROUPS), WITH AVERAGE MONTHLY RETAIL SALES FROM OCTOBER 1984 TO SEPTEMBER 1985 TAKEN AS 100.
COMPARISONS OF DECEMBER 1987 RESULTS WITH THOSE FOR NOVEMBER 1987 AND WITH THOSE FOR DECEMBER 1986 AND COMPARISONS OF RETAIL SALES IN THE YEAR 1987 WITH THE YEAR 1986 ARE ALSO GIVEN.
THE REPORT CONTAINING THE ANALYSIS OF THE DECEMBER 1987 SURVEY RESULTS IS NOW ON SALE AT THE GOVERNMENT PUBLICATIONS CENTRE, GENERAL POST OFFICE BUILDING, CONNAUGHT PLACE, AT $1 PER COPY.
ENQUIRIES ABOUT THE SURVEY RESULTS MAY BE MADE TO THE WHOLESALE AND RETAIL TRADE STATISTICS SECTION OF THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT ON 5-8234941.
■'TABLE
THURSDAY, MARCH 10, 1988
- 20
TABLE 1 I TOTAL RETAIL BALES
Tfctal Retail Sal®, for December 198? (Provision-! Figure) - HK$8.1& million for November 1987 (l*vlo®d Figure) • HW7.588 Billion
TARLE 2 I VALUE AND VOLUME IHDKXES OF RETAIL SALES ___________FOR NOVEMBER AND 1ECEMHER 198?,__________ (Monthly average of Oct.-8k - Sept. 85 • 100)
■*"*•*•■ — Index of — December 1%S7 Da comber 198? Jan. • Dec. 87
November December compared vith compnrcd with compared with
Item netail Gales ■>987 1987 November 1987 December 1986 Jan. - LYc. 06
(Xevioed (Provisional Points > Points Points ♦
figures) figures)
(A) FOK all retail trades Value 135 150 ♦ 14 ♦11 ♦22 ♦17 ♦18
Volume 118 12$ ♦ 11 ♦10 ♦ 9 ♦ 8 ♦ 10 * 9
BI MAJOR TRAMS GRUUFS
Foodstuffs, alcoholic Value 112 13* ♦22 ♦20 ♦19 ♦17 ♦11 ♦ 11
drinks and tobacco Volume 10k 121 ♦17 ♦ 17 ♦ 7 ♦ 6 ♦ 6 ♦ 5
Fuels Value * 105 ♦ 11 ♦ 12 ♦ 18 ♦21 • 5 * 5
Volume 103 114 ♦ 11 ♦11 ♦ 12 ♦ 12 ♦ A ♦ k
Clothing, footveer Value 160 179 ♦ 19 ♦12 ♦27 ♦18 ♦18 ♦15
and allied products Volume 132 1*7 ♦15 ♦11 ♦12 ♦ 8 ♦ 10 ♦ 9
Concucer durables Value 137 139 ♦ 3 ♦ 2 ♦17 ♦ Ik ♦20 .18
Volume 115 117 ♦ 3 ♦ 2 ♦ 8 ♦ 7 ♦ 10 .10
Other coneutnor goodo Value 1A9 163 ♦1A ♦ 10 ♦25 . ♦ 18 ♦23 .21
Volume 127 138 ♦11 ♦ 9 ♦10 ♦ 8 ♦1> ♦13
(C) BI SELECTED TRADES
Supermarketa Value 127 159 ♦31 ♦2k ♦31 ♦2k ♦23 *20
Volume 117 1*k ♦27 ♦23 ♦21 ♦ 17 *17 •15
Motor vehicles Value 201 192 - 9 . k ♦*5 ♦31 ♦53 t*3
and parts Volume 151 1kk - 7 - 5 ♦25 ♦21 ♦3? •30
Consumer durablea Value 117 123 ♦ 6 ♦ 5 ♦ 8 ♦ 7 ♦10 * 9
other than motor vehicles and parts Volume 10? 109 ♦ 6 ♦ 6 ♦ 2 ♦ 2 ♦ k ♦ 5
Department stores Value 163 211 ♦L8 ♦29 ♦52 ♦33 ♦31
Volume 136 176 ♦AO ♦29 ♦33 ♦23 ♦21 • 21
Notaa i 1. In order to an-lye. th. sales of certain trade, within major trade groups, th. vain, nnd volume indexes in respect of th. following elected tr.dee are compiled :
(a) ••Supermarket.” - • trad, in th. "Foodstuff., alcoholic drink, .nd tobacco” group.
(b) "Motor vehicles and parts" - a tr.d. in the "Consumer durable." group.
(c) "Consumer durables other then motor vehicle, and part." - • trade in the Consume durable.” group.
(d) "Department .tore.” - a trad, in the '•Other conmimer goods” group.
2. Figures denoting changes ar. derived fro. th® unrounded index figures.
J. ••••• denotes change of less than O.J.
-----o------
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL: 5-8428777
FRIDAY, MARCH 11, 1988
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
NINTH MEETING OF THE SINO-BRITISH JOINT LIAISON GROUP .... 1
SUCCESSFUL JLG MEETING, SAYS HEAD OF BRITISH TEAM ........ 2
SDA CONGRATULATES SUCCESSFUL DB CANDIDATES ............... 4
VOTER TURNOUT WAS SATISFACTORY : LIAO .................... 5
KEEN COMPETITION FOR DB SEATS, SAYS CHAU ................. 5
RETIRING HOUSING SECRETARY PRAISES HOUSING DEPaRTMJKT .... 6
STANDING COMMISSION PUBLISHES 7TH PROGRESS REPORT......... 7
SCIENCE MUSEUM TO OPFN IN AUGUST 1988..................... 9
HEUNG YEE KUK BILL GAZETTED ............................. 10
AFD DIRECTOR PAYS TRIBUTE TO COMMUNITY ................. 10
TWO CAD DIRECTORATE STAFF TO RETIRE ..................... 11
OLD AGE .JLOWaNCE TO BE RAISED IN aPRIL ................. 12
POSTER DESIGN COMPETITION RESULTS ANNOUNCED ............. 13
STAMPS ON BIRDS TO BE ISSUED............................. 14
BELGIUM CaN PLAY BIGGER ROLE IN HK TRADE................. 15
FORMER POSTMaN aWaRDED ISM .............................. 16
POST-SECONDaRY DEBaTE FINAL ON SUNDAY ................... 17
TENDERS INVITED FOR aIRPORT INSURANCE SHOP............... 18
DRAMA SHOW TO CONCLUDE ANTI-TRLd) CAMPAIGN............... 18
PART-TIME LECTURERS SOUGHT FOR ADULT EDUCaTION .......... 19
TWO RECLAMATION PROJECTS PROPOSED ....................... 20
WATER CUTS IN TUEN MUN, EAST KOWLOON, WONG TAI SIN....... 21
FRIDAY, MARCH 11, 1988
NINTH MEETING OF THE SINo-BRITISH JOINT LIAISON GROUP *****
FOLLOWING IS THE COMMUNIQUE OF THE NINTH MEETING OF THE SINO-BRITISH JOINT LIAISON GROUP
THE SINO-BRITISH JOINT LIAISON GROUP HELD ITS NINTH MEETING IN HONG KONG FROM MARCH 8 TO 11. POSITIVE RESULTS WERE ACHIEVED.
ON THE BASIS OF WORK DONE BY THE SUB-GROUP ON INTERNATIONAL RIGHTS AND OBLIGATIONS, THE JOINT LIAISON GROUP REACHED AGREEMENT ON HONG KONG’S CONTINUED PARTICIPATION IN THE ACTIVITIES OF THE WORLD HEALTH ORGANISATION REGIONAL COMMITTEE FOR THE WESTERN PACIFIC, THE INTERNATIONAL HYDROGRAPHIC ORGANISATION AND THE INTERNATIONAL ATOMIC ENERGY AGENCY.
THE JOINT LIAISON GROUP DISCUSSED THE QUESTION OF FUTURE ARRANGEMENTS FOR THE SURRENDER OF FUGITIVE OFFENDERS BETWEEN HONG KONG AND RELEVANT COUNTRIES AND REACHED PRELIMINARY UNDERSTANDING. THE TWO SIDES AGREED THAT DISCUSSIONS ON THIS SUBJECT SHOULD CONTINUE AT EXPERT LEVEL.
THE TWO SIDES DISCUSSED THE FURTHER PROGRESS MADE IN CONCLUDING HONG KONG’S AIR SERVICE AGREEMENTS.
THE BRITISH SIDE EXPLAINED THEIR PROPOSALS FOR THE ESTABLISHMENT OF A COURT OF FINAL APPEAL IN HONG KONG. THE GROUP AGREED THAT EXPERTS WOULD STUDY THE MATTER.
THE TWO SIDES HAD A PRELIMINARY EXCHANGE OF VIEWS ON TRANSITIONAL ARRANGEMENTS FOR SEAMEN'S TRAVEL DOCUMENTS.
THE GROUP REVIEWED THE PROGRESS MADE IN DISCUSSIONS AT EXPERT LEVEL RELATED TO THE LOCALISATION OF LEGISLATION AND AGREED THAT EXCHANGES SHOULD CONTINUE ON THIS MATTER.
THE TWO SIDES CONTINUED THEIR DISCUSSION ON THE DEFENCE OF HONG KONG AND THE MAINTENANCE OF ITS PUBLIC ORDER AND AGREED ON PRACTICAL ARRANGEMENTS FOR FURTHER WORK ON THIS QUESTION.
IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE PROVISION IN ANNEX II TO THE JOINT DECLARATION THAT THE JLG SHALL TAKE HONG KONG AS ITS PRINCIPAL BASE FROM JULY 1, 1988, THE GROUP DISCUSSED ARRANGEMENTS FOR THE ESTABLISHMENT IN HONG KONG OF THE TWO SIDES' PERMANENT OFFICES AND RELATED MATTERS AND REACHED A COMMON VIEW. THE SENIOR REPRESENTATIVES OF.THE TWO SIDES WILL MEET IN HONG KONG ON JULY 1.
THE JOINT LIAISON GROUP DECIDED THAT ITS NEXT MEETING WOULD TAKE PLACE IN LONDON FROM SEPTEMBER 20 TO 23, 1988.
-----0 -
FRIDAY, MARCH 11, 1988
2
SUCCESSFUL JLG MEETING, SAYS HEAD OF BRITISH TEAM ♦ ♦ ♦ * *
THE FOLLOWING IS THE STATEMENT BY MR ROBIN MCLAREN, SENIOR REPRESENTATIVE OF THE BRITISH TEAM OF THE .JOINT LIAISON GROUP, AT A PRESS RECEPTION TODAY (FRIDAY) AFTER THE NINTH JLG MEETING:
IT HAD BEEN A SUCCESSFUL MEETING. I HOPE YOU WILL AGREE HAVING SEEN THE COMMUNIQUE.
LET ME TAKE YOU THROUGH THE COMMUNIQUE AND EXPLAIN WHAT IT MEANS FOR HONG KONG.
FIRSTLY, YOU WILL SEE AGREEMENT WAS REACHED ON HONG KONG’S CONTINUED PARTICIPATION IN THREE MORE INTERNATIONAL ORGANISATIONS.
WHY IS THE WORLD HEALTH ORGANISATION REGIONAL COMMITTEE FOR THE WESTERN PACIFIC IMPORTANT? ALMOST SELF EVIDENT - ALL SORTS OF REGIONAL COOPERATION ON HEALTH MATTERS. TO GIVE YOU ONE EXAMPLE, THE OUTBREAK OF HEPATITIS IN EASTERN CHINA. WHO HAS ARRANGED A SPECIAL MEETING WHICH INCLUDED HONG KONG EXPERTS TO CONSIDER WHAT MEASURES CAN BE TAKEN TO PREVENT A SPREAD OF THIS OUTBREAK.
1HO (INTERNATIONAL HYDROGRAPHIC ORGANISATION): THAT’S ALL ABOUT CHARTS. HONG KONG HAS A SPECIAL PROBLEM IN THAT THE SHAPE OF THE HARBOUR KEEPS CHANGING. SO ITS CHARTS HAVE TO BE KEPT UP TO DATE. HONG KONG WILL SOON BE PRODUCING AND PUBLISHING ITS OWN CHARTS. AGREEMENT MEANS THAT HONG KONG WILL BE ABLE TO GO ON DOING SO AFTER 1997.
IAEA (INTERNATIONAL ATOMIC ENERGY AGENCY): THERE IS AN OBVIOUS INTEREST IN HONG KONG ON NUCLEAR SAFETY MATTERS. IAEA IS THE INTERNATIONAL BODY WHICH DEALS WITH THAT SORT OF THING. HONG KONG NOW HAS A PLACE AT THE CONFERNCE TABLE AS PART OF THE UK DELEGATION. IT WILL BE ABLE TO PARTICIPAETE AS PART OF THE CHINESE DELEGATION AFTER 1997 .
THE NEXT PARAGRAPH REFERS TO EXTRADITION: AT PRESENT EXTRADITION IN HONG KONG IS CONDUCTED ON THE BASIS OF THE UK S EXTRADITION ARRANGEMENTS. GIVEN HONG KONG’S IMPORTANCE AS AN INTERNATIONAL COMMERCIAL AND FINANCIAL CENTRE, A PRACTICAL NEED EXISTS TO MAKE EARLY PLANS FOR CONTINUATION OF EXTRADITION ARRANGEMENTS WITH FOREIGN COUNTRIES. STEPS WILL NEED TO BE TAKEN TO MAINTAIN THEM BEYOND 1997 IN CONSULTATION WITH THE CHINESE SIDE. THIS IS WHAT WE WILL BE DISCUSSING FURTHER.
THE NEXT PARAGRAPH DEALS WITH AIR SERVICE AGREEMENTS. THIS REFERS TO THE PROCESS OF SEPARATING HONG KONG’S AIR SERVICE AGREEMENTS FROM THOSE OF THE UK. THE PROCESS IS GOING STEADILY. AN AGREEMENT WAS SIGNED WITH SWITZERLAND SINCE THE LAST JLG MEETING. OTHERS ARE IN THE PIPELINE.
/COURT OF
FRIDAY, MARCH 11, 1988
COURT OF FINAL APPEAL: THE JOINT DECLARATION PROVIDES THAT THE POWER OF FINAL JUDGMENT OF THE HONG KONG SAR SHALL BE VESTED IN COURT OF FINAL APPEAL IN THE HONG KONG SAR. OBVIOUSLY IT IS USEFUL FOR A SMOOTH TRANSITION IF SUCH A COURT COULD BE ESTABLISHED IN HONG KONO BEFORE 1997. WE HAVE PUT FORWARD PROPOSALS. DISCUSSIONS WILL BE CARRIED FURTHER BETWEEN EXPERTS.
SEAMEN’S TRAVEL DOCUMENTS: THIS, THE LAST IN THE SERIES OF TRAVEL DOCUMENTS USED BY HONG KONG PEOPLE WHICH THE JLG HAS DISCUSSED. THERE ARE TWO TYPES OF THEM, USED BY AROUND 20,000 SEAMEN IN ALL. WE COULD NOT GET ON TO THIS UNTIL NOW BECAUSE THESE DOCUMENTS ARE ISSUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH AN ILO (INTERNATIONAL LABOUR ORGANISATION) CONVENTION. YOU WILL REMEMBER THAT AT THE LAST JLG MEETING WE AGREED WITH THE CHINESE SIDE ON CONTINUED APPLICATION OF ILO CONVENTIONS TO HONG KONG.
LOCALISATION OF LAWS: YOU ALL KNOW THAT A LOT OF LEGISLATION IN HONG KONG NOW IS BRITISH LEGISLATION. THIS CANNOT CONTINUE AFTER 1997 AND WILL HAVE TO BE REPLACED. OUR DISCUSSION ON THIS IS PROCEEDING STEADILY. IT IS A BIG TASK.
DEFENCE AND PUBLIC ORDER: ANOTHER CONSTRUCTIVE DISCUSSION. CONTACTS WILL CONTINUE AT WORKING LEVEL. FURTHER EXPERT EXCHANGES ARE EXPECTED TO TAKE PLACE SHORTLY IN HONG KONG. IN ORDER TO BETTER ACQUAINT CHINESE OFFICIALS WITH THE SITUATION IN HONG KONG, OPPORTUNITY WILL BE TAKEN TO SHOW THEM RELEVANT SITES AND FACILITIES WHILE THEY ARE HERE.
JLG AFTER JULY 1: AS YOU KNOW, THE JOINT DECLARATION ENVISAGES THE JLG WILL HAVE ITS PRINCIPAL BASE IN HONG KONG AFTER JULY 1 THIS YEAR. THIS MEANS THAT BOTH SIDES WILL OPEN OFFICES HERE BY THAT DATE. WE HAD A GENERAL DISCUSSION ABOUT WHAT THIS WOULD MEAN IN PRACTICE AND HOW WE WOULD WORK TOGETHER. AS THE COMMUNIQUE SAYS, WE REACHED A COMMON VIEW.
THE JOINT DECLARATION OF COURSE MAKES IT VERY CLEAR WHAT THE
JLG WILL AND WILL NOT DO. IT IS A BODY FOR LIAISON AND NO MORE THAN
THAT.
PATTERNS OF WORK WILL OF COURSE BE AFFECTED TO SOME EXTENT.
THERE WILL BE RATHER MORE FREQUENT CONTACTS BETWEEN SENIOR
REPRESENTATIVES AND OF COURSE BETWEEN TWO OFFICES, ONCE ESTABLISHED. BUT FOR THE TIME BEING PLENARY MEETINGS WILL CONTINUE AT ROUGHLY THE PRESENT FREQUENCY. MEETINGS WILL STILL BE HELD IN ALL THREE PLACES: LONDON, PEKING AND HONG KONG.
YOU WILL HAVE NOTICED THAT THE NEXT PLENARY SESSION WON'T BE
HELD UNTIL SEPTEMBER BUT YOU WILL ALSO HAVE NOTICED THAT I WILL BE
COMING TO HONG KONG FOR A MEETING WITH AMBASSADOR KE ZAISHUO ON
JULY 1. SO THERE WILL BE NO SLACKENING IN THE PACE OF OUR WORK.
ONE OTHER IMPORTANT POINT I WISH TO EMPHASISE. AT PRESENT THE BRITISH SIDE’S POSITIONS ARE PREPARED IN CLOSEST POSSIBLE COOPERATION WITH THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT AND INDEED, A GREAT BULK OF THE WORK IS DONE BY OFFICIALS FROM THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT, WHO HAVE EXPERTISE. NOTHING ABOUT THE NEW ARRANGEMENTS WILL CHANGE THAT. THE NEW BRITISH OFFICE WILL WORK VERY CLOSELY INDEED WITH I HE GENERAL DUTIES BRANCH IN THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT.
FRIDAY, MARCH 11, 1988
- 4 -
SDA CONGRATULATES SUCCESSFUL DB CANDIDATES « * » » »
THE SECRETARY FOR DISTRICT ADMINISTRATION, MR DONALD LIAO, TODAY (FRIDAY) CONGRATULATED THE 264 CANDIDATES WHO WERE ELECTED IN THE 1988 DISTRICT BOARD ELECTIONS, AND EXPRESSED HIS SPECIAL WELCOME TO THE 101 NEW MEMBERS.
SPEAKING AT A PRESS CONFERENCE TO SUM UP THE DISTRICT BOARD POLLING RESULTS, MR LIAO SAID OF THE 212 SERVING DISTRICT BOARD MEMBERS WHO TOOK PART IN YESTERDAY’S ELECTIONS, 163 WERE RETURNED.
"THIS PROVED THE EFFECTIVENESS OF THE ELECTORAL SYSTEM. ELECTORS ARE CASTING THEIR VOTES TO THOSE WHO HAVE PERFORMED WELL SO AS TO SHOW THEIR SUPPORT," HE SAID.
HE NOTED THAT THE COMPETITION THIS TIME WAS VERY KEEN. IN SOME CASES, THE DIFFERENCE IN THE NUMBER OF VOTES WAS VERY SMALL.
THE AGE OF SUCCESSFUL CANDIDATES WAS YOUNGER THIS YEAR WITH 59 PER CENT BEING UNDER THE AGE OF 40, AS COMPARED TO 55.7 PER CENT IN THE 1985 ELECTIONS, HE SAID.
THE EDUCATION BACKGROUND WAS HIGHER THIS TIME, HE NOTED, ADDING THAT NEARLY 40 PER CENT OF THOSE ELECTED WERE EITHER UNIVERSITY OR COLLEGE GRADUATES, AS COMPARED WITH 31.7 PER CENT LAST TIME.
MR LIAO POINTED OUT THAT THERE WERE MORE WOMEN THIS TIME AND 27 WOMEN CANDIDATES WERE ELECTED AS COMPARED WITH 17 IN THE 1985 ELECTIONS. SUCCESSFUL MALE CANDIDATES NUMBERED 237.
AS FOR PROFESSIONAL BACKGROUND, HE SAID THERE WERE 53 EXECUTIVES, 51 BUSINESSMEN, 40 EDUCATIONALISTS, 39 SOCIAL WORKERS AND 36 OTHER PROFESSIONALS.
MR LIAO SAID THAT ALTHOUGH THE ELECTIONS HAD JUST BEEN COMPLETED, THE CITY AND NEW TERRITORIES ADMINISTRATION WOULD BE BUSY IN PREPARING FINAL RECOMMENDATIONS FOR THE APPOINTMENT OF DISTRICT BOARD MEMBERS AS THE LIST OF APPOINTED MEMBERS WOULD HAVE TO BE ANNOUNCED TOWARDS THE END OF THIS MONTH.
AFTER THAT THE VARIOUS DISTRICT OFFICES WOULD BE ASSISTING THE NEW DISTRICT BOARDS TO ARRANGE THEIR FIRST MEETINGS, DURING WHICH THE Chairmen would be elected, he said.
CONCLUDING THE PRESS CONFERENCE, MR LIAO TOOK THE OPPORTUNITY TO CONVEY HIS BEST WISHES TO ALL SUCCESSFUL CANDIDATES AND HOPED THAT THEY WOULD BE ABLE TO CARRY OUT THEIR WORK SMOOTHLY TO ENHANCE THE BETTER DEVELOPMENT OF REPRESENTATIVE GOVERNMENT.
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/5........
FRIDAY, MARCH 11, 1988
5 -
VOTER TURNOUT WAS SATISFACTORY : LIAO » t * * *
THE SECRETARY FOR DISTRICT ADMINISTRATION, MR DONALD LIAO, DESCRIBED THE VOTER TURNOUT RATE OF 30.3 PER CENT AS VERY SATISFACTORY WITH MORE THAN 420,000 ELECTORS COMING OUT TO CAST THEIR BALLOTS.
MR LIAO SAID ALTHOUGH THE OVERALL FIGURE MIGHT BE CONSIDERED LOW COMPARED WITH 1985 ELECTIONS, THE ACTUAL PERCENTAGE IN SOME DISTRICTS WAS HIGH.
"IN SOME OF THE NEWLY ESTABLISHED AREAS WHERE THE POPULATION HAS INCREASED, THE ACTUAL NUMBER OF PEOPLE TURNING OUT TO VOTE WAS IN FACT GREATER," HE SAID.
"THERE ARE SOME DISTRICTS WHERE THE NUMBER OF REGISTERED ELECTORS IS LARGER, THE ABSOLUTE NUMBER OF ELECTORS TURNING OUT TO CAST THEIR VOTES WAS ALSO LARGER," MR LIAO SAID.
"SO THE DROP IN NUMBERS IS NOT ACROSS THE BOARD," HE ADDED.
MR LIAO SAID THE TURNOUT RATE WAS VERY SATISFACTORY BY ANY STANDARDS.
"IN HONG KONG’S CONTEXT, TO HAVE OVER 420,000 PEOPLE TO VOTE IN A DISTRICT BOARD ELECTION IS VERY SATISFACTORY," HE ADDED.
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KEEN COMPETITION FOR DB SEATS, SAYS CHAU * » » » *
THE SMALL DIFFERENCE IN THE NUMBER OF VOTES CAST
SUCCESSFUL AND UNSUCCESSFUL CANDIDATES IN MANY CONSTITUENCIES REFLECTED THE KEEN COMPETITION IN YESTERDAY’S DISTRICT BOARD
ELECTIONS, THE REGIONAL SECRETARY FOR HONG KONG AND KOWLOON, MR T.H.
CHAU, SAID AT A PRESS BRIEFING THIS (FRIDAY) MORNING.
SPEAKING AT THE SAME BRIEFING, THE DEPUTY SECRETARY FOR DISTRICT ADMINISTRATION, MR BOWEN LEUNG, NOTED THAI CHE KUNG MIU CONSTITUENCY IN SHA TIN WAS THE MOST KEENLY CONTESTED CONS I IIUENCY WITH A SUCCESSFUL CANDIDATE WINNING BY ONLY ONE VOTE.
ON THE POLLING RESULTS, MR CHAU NOTED THAT MORE THAN 40 INCUMBENT DISTRICT BOARD MEMBERS SEEKING RE-ELECTION WERE NO 1 ELF.I I I D THIS TIME.
THIS REFLECTED THE VIEW THAT Till': ELECTORAL SYSTEM EFFECTIVE BECAlisF EVERS THREE YEARS THE DISTRICT BOARD MEMBERS’ PERFORMANCE WOULD BE REVIEWED AND ELECTORS WOULD NOT VOTE FOR I HOSE WHOSE PERFORMANCE WAS NOT CONSIDERED SATISFACTORY, HE EXPLAINED.
/HR CHAU.........
FRIDAY, MARCH 11, 1988
MR CHAU NOTED THAT OF THE TWO APPOINTED DB MEMBERS CONTESTING THE ELECTIONS, ONE WAS SUCCESSFUL, AND OF THE EIGHT URBAN COUNCILLORS SEEKING A DB SEAT, SIX WERE ELECTED.
THE REGIONAL SECRETARY FOR THE NEW TERRITORIES, MR MICHAEL SUEN, POINTED OUT THAT ONLY ONE OF THE TWO RURAL COMMITTEE CHAIRMEN WHO STOOD FOR ELECTION WAS SUCCESSFUL WHILE NINE OUT OF THE 10 REGIONAL COUNCILLORS WERE ELECTED.
MR NG MING-YUM, TUEN MUN, WAS THE CANDIDATE WHO GAINED THE HIGHEST NUMBER OF VOTES, MR SUEN SAID.
HE ADDED THAT AMONG THE SUCCESSFUL CANDIDATES, THE OLDEST WAS IN NORTH DISTRICT, MR LIU SUN-IP (79), AND THE YOUNGEST WAS A TUEN MUN CANDIDATE, MR LEE YIU-HUNG (24).
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RETIRING HOUSING SECRETARY PRAISES HOUSING DEPARTMENT
A * * * *
THE EFFICIENCY OF THE HOUSING DEPARTMENT IN RESPONDING QUICKLY TO REQUESTS FOR FACTS AND FIGURES AND IN QUICKLY ADJUSTING ITS PROCEDURES TO MEET NEW NEEDS WAS PRAISED BY THE RETIRING SECRETARY FOR HOUSING, MR JOHN TODD.
HIS ASSESSMENT OF THE DEPARTMENT’S EFFICIENCY WAS SHARED BY OTHER GOVERNMENT BRANCHES AND DEPARTMENTS, HE SAID.
MR TODD, WHO WILL GO ON PRE-RETIREMENT LEAVE ON APRIL 1, WAS SPEAKING AT A RECENT FAREWELL DINNER ORGANISED BY THE HOUSING DEPARTMENT.
THE HOUSING AUTHORITY AND THE DEPARTMENT, HE SAID, HAVE CREATED AND ARE MANAGING HOUSING PROGRAMMES OF WHICH HONG KONG IS RIGHTLY PROUD.
THE HOUSING PROGRAMMES SHOWED WHAT CAN BE ACHIEVED IN PUBLIC HOUSING AND HAVE BEEN ADMIRED, AND AT TIMES ENVIED BY OTHER COUNTRIES, HE SAID.
REVIEWING THE ACHIEVEMENTS DURING HIS TWO-YEAR TERM OF OFFICE, MR TODD SAID THE HOUSING BRANCH AS WELL AS THE HOUSING DEPARTMENT HAD MANAGED TO GIVE FINAL SHAPE TO THE AUTHORITY’S RENTAL POLICIES.
/"WE HAVE
FRIDAY, MARCH 11, 1988
"WE HAVE ALSO MANAGED TO SET OUT FUTURE PLANS IN THE LONG TERM HOUSING STRATEGY WHICH IS NOT SO MUCH NEW AS A LOGICAL EXTENSION OF THE EXCELLENT PROGRAMMES WHICH THE DEPARTMENT HAS EVOLVED OVER THE YEARS," HE ADDED.
BIDDING FAREWELL TO MR TODD ON BEHALF OF THE HOUSING DEPARTMENT, THE DIRECTOR OF HOUSING, MR FRED PANG, SAID THAT THERE HAD BEEN MANY ACHIEVEMENTS TO MR TODD’S CREDIT.
"AND PERHAPS OF THE GREATEST IMPORTANCE HAD BEEN THE INITIATIVE HE TOOK TO REVIEW THE BASIC POLICY OBJECTIVES OF HOUSING," HE SAID.
THE REVIEW CULMINATED IN THE LONG TERM HOUSING STRATEGY WHICH WAS PUBLISHED AS A POLICY STATEMENT IN APRIL 1987.
THE STRATEGY HAS SUBSEQUENTLY BEEN ENDORSED BOTH BY THE GOVERNMENT R AND THE HOUSING AUTHORITY AS THE PRINCIPAL GUIDELES FOR THE FUTURE DEVELOPMENT OF PUBLIC HOUSING UP TO THE YEAR 2001.
OTHER MAJOR POLICIES HAD ALSO BEEN THE SUBJECT OF SCRUTINY AND REVIEW, AND NEW PRINCIPLES HAVE BEEN ESTABLISHED FOR THE SETTING OF DOMESTIC RENTS AND FOR THE PROVISION OF SUBSIDISED HOUSING TO BETTER-OFF TENANTS, MR PANG SAID.
TURNING TO THE RE-ORGANISATION OF THE HOUSING AUTHORITY, MR PAND SAID THIS WOULD PLACE ADDITIONAL RESPONSIBILITIES ON THE STAFF IN HIS DEPARTMENT.
"WE ARE GRATEFUL FOR THE CONFIDENCE WHICH THE GOVERNMENT HAS SHOWN IN OUR ABILITY TO COPE WITH THESE CHANGES SUCCESSFULLY," HE SAID.
LATER, MR PANG ON BEHALF OF THE DEPARTMENT PRESENTED MR TODD A CHINESE SCROLL AND AN ALBUM CONTAINING PHOTOGRAPHS OF HIS ACTIVITIES DURING HIS TWO-YEAR TERM OF OFFICE AS SECRETARY FOR HOUSING.
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STANDING COMMISSION PUBLISHES 7TH PROGRESS REPORT * » * * »
THE STANDING COMMISSION ON CIVIL SERVICE SALARIES AND CONDITIONS OF SERVICE HAS PUBLISHED ITS SEVENTH PROGRESS REPORT WHICH GIVES AN ACCOUNT OF ITS WORK IN 1987.
THE YEAR WAS ANOTHER ACTIVE ONE FOR THE COMMISSION. IT COMPLETED ITS WORK ON THE 1986 PAY LEVEL SURVEY AND PUBLISHED A REPORT (REPORT NO. 18) IN FEBRUARY LAST YEAR.
/THE COMMISSION
FRIDAY, MARCH 11, 1988
8
THE COMMISSION ALSO COMPLETED ITS REVIEW OF LEAVE AND PASSAGE ARRANGEMENTS FOR SERVING OFFICERS IN THE CIVIL SERVICE AND PUBLISHED ANOTHER REPORT (REPORT NO. 19) IN JULY.
AT THE REQUEST OF THE ADMINISTRATION, THE COMMISSION BEGAN A REVIEW OF THE CIVIL SERVICE CONSULTATIVE MACHINERY.
IN THE LIGHT OF THE RESULTS OF THE 1986 PAY LEVEL SURVEY, THE COMMISSION COMPLETED A REVIEW OF THE TOTAL PACKAGE FOR MODEL SCALE 1 STAFF.
IT ALSO MADE PROPOSALS FOR THE FURTHER REFINEMENT OF THE 1987-88 PAY TREND SURVEY METHODOLOGY.
HAVING REGARD TO THE FINDINGS OF A CONSULTANCY STUDY, THE COMMISSION TENDERED ADVICE ON THE NEW PENSION SCHEME FOR THE CIVIL SERVICE.
IT ALSO ENDORSED THE ADMINISTRATION’S PROPOSAL TO ENGAGE A CONSULTANT TO UNDERTAKE AN OVERALL REVIEW OF HOUSING BENEFITS FOR CIVIL SERVANTS.
IN ADDITION, IT CARRIED OUT REVIEWS ON A NUMBER OF INDIVIDUAL GRADES IN THE LIGHT OF CHANGED CIRCUMSTANCES.
THE PROGRESS REPORT ALSO CONTAINS AN ACCOUNT OF THE ACTIVITIES OF THREE COMMITTEES, NAMELY:
(A) THE (1986) PAY LEVEL SURVEY ADVISORY COMMITTEE WHICH ADVISED THE COMMISSION ON MATTERS RELATING TO THE 1986 PAY LEVEL SURVEY;
(B) THE (1986) PAY LEVEL SURVEY STEERING GROUP WHICH MONITORED THE WORK OF THE CONSULTANTS ENGAGED TO UNDERTAKE THE 1986 PAY LEVEL SURVEY; AND
(C) THE PAY TREND SURVEY COMMITTEE WHICH MONITORED THE CONDUCT OF THE 1986-87 PAY TREND SURVEY AND ADVISED THE COMMISSION ON THE FURTHER REFINEMENT OF THE PAY TREND SURVEY METHODOLOGY.
THE PROGRESS REPORT ALSO INCLUDES AN ACCOUNT OF THE WORK OF THE PAY SURVEY AND RESEARCH UNIT, WHICH IS UNDER THE ADMINISTRATIVE CONTROL OF THE COMMISSION.
THE MAIN ACTIVITY OF THE UNIT DURING Till' YEAR WAS THE CONDUCT OF THE 1986-87 PAY TREND SURVEY BETWEEN DECEMBER 1986 AND FEBRUARY 1987 .
THE PROGRESS REPORT IS NOW ON SALE AT $35 PER COPY AT THE GOVERNMENT PUBLICATIONS CENTRE AT THE GENERAL POST OFFICE BUILDING, CONNAUGHT PLACE, CENTRAL.
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/9........
FRIDAY, MARCH 11, 1988
- 9 -
SCIENCE MUSEUM TO OPEN IN AUGUST 1988 * * * * *
HONG KONG PEOPLE WILL BE ABLE TO VISIT THEIR MUSEUM OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY, BEING BUILT ON A PRIME SITE AT TSIM SHA TSUI EAST, FROM AUGUST 1, 1990, THE CHAIRMAN OF THE URBAN COUNCIL, MR H.M.G. FORSGATE SAID TODAY (FRIDAY).
SPEAKING AT THE GROUND-BREAKING CEREMONY FOR THE $277 MILLION URBAN COUNCIL PROJECT, MR FORSGATE SAID THE WORLD-CLASS MUSEUM WOULD PLAY AN IMPORTANT ROLE IN HELPING RESIDENTS KEEP ABREAST OF DEVELOPMENTS IN SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY AND WOULD PREPARE YOUNG HONG KONG PEOPLE TO MEET THE CHALLENGE OF THE FUTURE.
"THIS PROJECT IS BEING BUILT AT ABOUT THE SAME TIME AS THE UNIVERSITY OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY AND I AM SURE THE MUSEUM AND UNIVERSITY WILL COMPLEMENT EACH OTHER TN THEIR RESPECTIVE EDUCATIONAL ROLES,” HE ADDED.
VISITORS TO THE FOUR-STOREY BUILDING WILL BE ABLE TO TOUCH AND OPERATE MOST OF THE EXHIBITS — ABOUT HALF OF WHICH WILL BE BASED ON THOSE IN THE BEST MUSEUMS AROUND THE WORLD AND THE OTHER HALF "ORIGINALS” CREATED JOINTLY BY LOCAL AND OVERSEAS DESIGNERS.
THESE EXHIBITS WILL EMPHASISE BASIC SCIENTIFIC PRINCIPLES AND PHENOMENA, TO HIGHLIGHT THE MODERN TECHNOLOGY USED IN HONG KONG AND VIEW IT AGAINST CHINA’S TECHNOLOGICAL HERITAGE.
THE MUSEUM WILL BE THE ONLY ONE IN THE WORLD THAT IS "OPEN" TO THE OUTSIDE WORLD IN THAT A VISITOR INSIDE THE BUILDING WILL BE ABLE TO PARTICIPATE IN ACTIVITIES TAKING PLACE BEYOND ITS WALLS.
FOR EXAMPLE, A VISITOR WILL BE ABLE TO STEP ON TO A BALCONY WITH A RADAR GUN TO MEASURE THE SPEED OF AN APPROACHING CAR OR STUDY THE READING OF A SEISMOGRAPH AS A HEAVY DOUBLE-DECKER BUS PASSES BY.
EACH FLOOR OF THE MUSEUM WILL DEAL WITH A DIFFERENT THEME: PHYSICAL SCIENCE AND LIFE SCIENCE, COMPUTER TECHNOLOGY, COMMUNICATION AND TRANSPORT, AND SCIENCE AROUND US.
SPACE HAS BEEN RESERVED BETWEEN THE SECOND AND THE THIRD FLOORS FOR THE HISTORIC DC-3 AIRCRAFT "BETSY" DONATED IN 1983 BY CATHAY PACIFIC AIRWAYS AND "IN WHICH I HAVE FLOWN," MR FORSGATE SAID.
HE ALSO THANKED THE SHELL COMPANY, THE ROYAL HONG KONG JOCKEY CLUB AND HONG KONG TELECOMMUNI CAT ION LTD FOR THEIR CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE MUSEUM PROJECT.
"1 WOULD LIKE TO MAKE A PLEA FOR INDIVIDUALS AND PRIVATE COMPANIES TO FOLLOW THEIR FINE EXAMPLE BY OFFERING TO SPONSOR EXHIBITS," MR FORSGATE ADDED.
0 -
/1O
FRIDAY, MARCH 11, 1988
10 -
HEUNG YEE KUK BILL GAZETTED » » t
A BILL WHICH SEEKS TO EXPAND THE MEMBERSHIP OF THE FULL COUNCIL AND EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE OF THE HEUNG YEE KUK WAS PUBLISHED IN THE GOVERNMENT GAZETTE TODAY (FRIDAY).
THE HEUNG YEE KUK (AMENDMENT) BILL 1988 PROVIDES FOR AN INCREASE IN THE MEMBERSHIP OF THE FULL COUNCIL AND EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE BY UP TO 15 PEOPLE.
THESE ADDITIONAL MEMBERS, TO BE KNOWN AS CO-OPTED COUNCILLORS, CANNOT BE MEMBERS OF A RURAL COMMITTEE BUT ARE OTHERWISE UNRESTRICTED AS TO THEIR ELIGIBILITY FOR OFFICE.
THIS NEW CATEGORY OF MEMBERSHIP HAS BEEN PROPOSED BY THE HEUNG YEE KUK IN ORDER TO WIDEN ITS REPRESENTATION AND TO ENHANCE ITS CAPABILITY IN THE FURTHERANCE OF ITS OBJECTIVES.
THE CO-OPTED COUNCILLORS HAVE TO BE NOMINATED BY THE CHAIRMAN OR VICE-CHAIRMAN AND FOUR OTHER EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE MEMBERS OF THE KUK AND APPROVED BY THE SECRETARY FOR DISTRICT ADMINISTRATION, THEREAFTER TO BE CONFIRMED BY THE FULL COUNCIL.
THEY WILL ENJOY THE SAME RIGHTS AS ALL OTHER MEMBERS OF THE KUK BUT THEY WILL NOT BE ELIGIBLE FOR ELECTION AS CHAIRMAN OR VICE-CHAIRMAN.
THE BILL ALSO INTRODUCES SOME TECHNICAL AMENDMENTS TO THE PRINCIPAL ORDINANCE WHICH ARE CONSIDERED NECESSARY FOR THE SMOOTH OPERATION OF THE KUK AND THE ORDERLY CONDUCT OF ELECTIONS.
THE KUK HAS ITSELF REQUESTED THE PROPOSED AMENDMENTS AND HAS BEEN CONSULTED THROUGHOUT THE DRAFTING OF THE BILL.
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AFD DIRECTOR PAYS TRIBUTE TO COMMUNITY » * » » »
THE DIRECTOR OF AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES, DR LAWRENCE LEE, THIS (FRIDAY) AFTERNOON PAID TRIBUTE TO FARMERS, FISHERMEN, TRADERS DEALING AT HIS DEPARTMENT’S WHOLESALE MARKETS, HIKERS’ GROUPS AND USERS OF COUNTRY PARK FACILITIES FOR THEIR GOOD SUPPORT AND CO-OPERATION IN THE PAST YEAR.
DR LEE SAID THAT THE VERY AIM OF II IS DEPARTMENT WAS TO BETTER SERVE THE FARMING AND FISHING COMMUNITIES AND THE PEOPLE OF HONG KONG.
/WITH THIS
FRIDAY, MARCH 11, 1988
11
WITH THIS IN MIND, HE SAID, "I LOOK FORWARD TO THEIR CONTINUED SUPPORT IN THE YEAR AHEAD TO ENABLE US TO WORK TOWARDS THIS GOAL.
DR LEE MADE THESE REMARKS WHEN TOASTING MORE THAN 200 GUESTS AT A SPRING RECEPTION WHICH HE HOSTED.
AMONG THE GUESTS WERE RURAL AND FARMER LEADERS, PROMINENT FIGURES IN THE PRIMARY PRODUCTION AND WHOLESALE MARKETING BUSINESSES, SENIOR GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS AND MEMBERS OF THE LEGCO AD-HOC GROUP FORMED TO STUDY THE WASTE DISPOSAL (AMENDMENT) BILL 1987.
AT THE RECEPTION, GUESTS WERE INVITED TO TAKE PART IN TASTING PORK FROM TWO PIGS OF THE SAME BREED WHICH HAD BEEN FED WITH THE SAME DIET BUT REARED UNDER TWO DIFFERENT METHODS - THE NEW EFFLUENT-FREE PIG RAISING TECHNIQUE AND THE CONVENT IONAL METHOD.
AFTER TASTING THE TWO SPECIAL DISHES - ROASTED PIG AND FRIED PORK FILLET IN CHINESE STYLE - PREPARED FOR THE OCCASION, 29 OF THE 72 PARTICIPANTS FAVOURED PORK FROM THE PIG RAISED UNDER THE NEW SYSTEM WHILE 16 FAVOURED THE OTHER SAMPLE.
THE REMAINING 27 FELT THAT PORK FROM BOTH PIGS TASTED THE SAME.
THE INNOVATIVE TECHNIQUE HAS BEEN TESTED ON GROWER PIGS WITH CONSIDERABLE SUCCESS. FURTHER TESTS WILL BE CONDUCTED ON PREGNANT SOWS, FARROWING SOWS AND SUCKLING PIGS ON BOTH GOVERNMENT AND PRIVATE FARMS.
IF PROVEN SUCCESSFUL, IT WILL PROVIDE AN ECONOMICALLY VIABLE ALTERNATIVE TO THE TRADITIONAL HUSBANDRY METHOD WITH THE ADDED ADVANTAGE OF PRODUCING NO EFFLUENT OF PIG WASTE AND NO NOTICEABLE EMISSION OF BAD SMELL.
------O-------
TWO CAD DIRECTORATE
* * *
THE DEPUTY DIRECTOR OF CIVIL BID FAREWELL TO HONG KONG ON MONDAY ALMOST 26 YEARS OF SERVICE WITH THE
AFTER SERVICE IN THE ROYAL BOATS AND IN THE NEW ZEALAND GOVERNMENT, IN 1962 AND BEGAN HIS CAREER IN Till' CIVIL AVIATION TRAFFIC CONTROL OFFICER.
STAFF TO RETIRE *
AVIATION, MR NORMAN LATHAM, WILL (MARCH 14) ON RETIREMENT AFTER GOVERNMENT.
AIR FORCE ON SUNDERLAND FLYING MR LATHAM CAME TO HONG KONG
DEPARTMENT AS AIR
/HE GAINED
FRIDAY, MARCH 111 19M
12 -
HE GAINED PROMOTION IN THE HIGHLY TECHNICAL FIELD OF AIR TRAFFIC CONTROL, AND LATER MOVED INTO THE SPECIALISED AREA OF AIR SERVICES. HE WAS PROMOTED TO ASSISTANT DIRECTOR IN CHARGE OF THE AIR SERVICES DIVISION IN 1978.
MR LATHAM WAS APPOINTED DEPUTY DIRECTOR IN 1984 AND HAS ACTED AS DIRECTOR OF CIVIL AVIATION ON MANY OCCASIONS.
HE HAS REPRESENTED THE GOVERNMENT IN VARIOUS ROUNDS OF NEGOTIATIONS FOR AIR SERVICES WITH FOREIGN STATES, AND PLAYED A PROMINENT ROLE IN ESTABLISHING THE BASE FOR HONG KONG’S POLICY ON AIR SERVICES.
HE IS TO BE SUCCEEDED BY MR PETER LOK, ASSISTANT DIRECTOR OF CIVIL AVIATION.
ALSO RETIRING IS THE CONTROLLER OF AVIATION SAFETY, MR IAN HUTCHINSON, WHO HAS BEEN WITH THE DEPARTMENT FOR 17 YEARS.
MR HUTCHINSON WAS A FIGHTER PILOT IN THE ROYAL AIR FORCE, BEFORE BECOMING AN AIR TRAFFIC CONTROL OFFICER IN THE BRITISH GOVERNMENT.
HE JOINED THE CIVIL AVIATION DEPARTMENT AS AIR TRAFFIC CONTROL OFFICER IN 1970, LATER TRANSFERRED TO OPERATIONS OFFICER IN 1975 AND WAS PROMOTED TO HEAD THE AVIATION SAFETY DIVISION AS ASSISTANT DIRECTOR OF CIVIL AVIATION IN 1982.
HE IS HELD IN HIGH ESTEEM BY COLLEAGUES IN THE DEPARTMENT AND AVIATION PROFESSIONALS, FOR HIS EXPERTISE AND DEDICATED SERVICES IN MAINTAINING STANDARDS, AMID THE FAST-EXPANDING AVIATION INDUSTRY IN HONG KONG.
MR PETER BIRKETT, CHIEF OPERATIONS OFFICER, WILL TAKE OVER AS CONTROLLER OF AVIATION SAFETY.
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OLD AGE ALLOWANCE TO BE RAISED IN APRIL *****
THE OLD AGE ALLOWANCE FOR SENIOR CITIZENS AGED 70 OR ABOVE WILL BE INCREASED FROM $255 A MONTH TO $320 FROM APRIL 1, THE REGIONAL SOCIAL WORK OFFICER (NEW TERRITORIES), MR CARLOS LEUNG, SAID TODAY (FRIDAY).
MR LEUNG WAS SPEAKING AT A SPRING PARTY OF WONG FUNG TING HOSTEL FOR THE ELDERLY AND LEUNG LEE SAU YU RECREATIONAL CENTRE FOR THE ELDERLY OF THE WOMEN’S WELFARE CLUB, EASTERN DISTRICT, HONG KONG, IN SHEUNG SHUT.
/MR LEUNG
FRIDAY, MARCH 11, 19^8
- 13 -
MR LEUNG SAID THAT THE GOVERN'*i<NT HAD BEEN PAYING CLOSE ATTENTION TO THE WELFARE OF THE ELDERLY AND TH'.T 'I AGE CRITERION FOR THE ALLOWANCE WOULD BE EXTENDED DOWNWARDS ] ICES.
’’STARTING FROM SEPTEMBER 1, THE AGE CRITERION WILL BE LOWERED TO 68, AND TO 67 BY APRIL 1, 1989. BY APRIL 1, 1991, PEOPLE AGED BETWEEN 65 AND 69 WILL BE QUALIFIED FOR A MONTHLY ALLOWANCE Ob $280, MR LEUNG SAID.
ON RESIDENTIAL SERVICES FOR THE ELDERLY, HE SAID THAT FOUR MORE CARE-AND-ATTENTION HOMES FOR THE ELDERLY WOULD BE COMPLETED iN 1988, PROVIDING 580 PLACES.
"ALSO, ANOTHER 60 SELF-CARE PLACES, OVER 200 NEW PLACES IN AGED HOME CUM CARE-AND-ATTENT1ON-UNITS AND 940 MORE AGED HOSTEL PLACES WILL BE PROVIDED THIS YEAR," HE SAID.
HE SAID THAT TH GOVERNMENT WAS VERY CONCERNED ABOUT SERVICES FOR THE ELDERLY PROVIDED BY PRIVATE AGED HOMES AND WAS CONSIDERING WHETHER LEGISLATION WAS NECESSARY FOR THESE INSTITUTIONS ORDER IO SAFEGUARD THE WELFARE OF THE ELDERLY.
MOREOVER, TN A BID TO ENCOURAGE THESE HOMES TO COMPLY WITH THE CODE OF PRACTICE FOR PRIVATE HOMES FOR THE ELDERLY, IT HAD BEEN RECOMMENDED THAT CONSIDERATION BE GIVEN TO VARIOUS OF I IONS.
THESE INCLUDED FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE, BUYING PLACES, TRAINING FOR IN-SERVICE STAFF OF REGISTERED HOMES, REFERRAL OF CASES, ANDAS A LONGER TERM MEASURE, GRANTING OF LAND AT REDUCED PREMIUM FOR BlILD » ELDERLY HOMES SO AS TO PROVIDE BETTER AND MORE ADEQUATE SERVICES FOR OLD PEOPLE IN NEED.
MR LEUNG COMMENDED THE WOMEN’S WELFARE CLUB, EASTERN DISTRICT, HONG KONG FOR ITS SERVICES FOR THE ELDERLY.
-----O-----
POSTER DESIGN COMPETITION RESULTS ANNOUNCED t ♦ ♦ * *
WINNERS IN THE 20TH INDUSTRIAL COMPETITION ARE TO RECEIVE THEIR PRIZES AT LATER THIS MONTH.
SAFETY POSTER DESIGN A CEREMONY TO BE HELD
ANNOUNCING THIS TODAY (FRIDAY), A LABOUR DEPARTMENT SPOKESMAN cath THF GRAND PRIZE OF $3,000 IN DIVISION A FOR STUD.L!- IN POST-SECONDARY INSTITUTIONS WAS AWARDED TO CHENG KIT-YEE OF THE KWUN TONG VOCATIONAL TRAINING CENTRE.
THE FIRST PRIZE OF $1,500 IN STUDENTS WENT TO WONG KWOK-HUNG ASSOCIATION PREVOCATIONAL SCHOOL.
DIVISION B FOR SECONDARY SCHOOL OF THE CHINESE MANUFACTURERS’
/THERE WERE
FRIDAY, MARCH 11, 1988
14
THERE WERE ALSO 10 CONSOLATION PRIZES OF $600 EACH FOR DIVISION A AND 10 OF $300 EACH FOR DIVISION B.
THE COMPETITION WAS ORGANISED BY THE LABOUR ADVISORY BOARD’S INDUSTRIAL SAFETY AND HEALTH COMMITTEE AND SPONSORED BY THE NEW ISLAND PRINTING COMPANY LIMITED.
"IT WAS AIMED AT ENHANCING THE SAFETY AWARENESS AMONGST STUDENTS AS WELL AS DEVELOPING THEIR DESIGN TALENTS," THE SPOKESMAN ADDED.
THE WINNERS WERE SELECTED FROM MORE THAN 500 ENTRIES BY A PANEL OF ADJUDICATORS FROM THE HONG KONG POLYTECHNIC, LEE WAI LEE TECHNICAL INSTITUTE, INFORMATION SERVICES DEPARTMENT, EDUCATION DEPARTMENT AND THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT.
AS IN PREVIOUS YEARS, THE WINNING ENTRIES WILL BE USED BY THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT IN PROMOTING INDUSTRIAL SAFETY.
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STAMPS ON BIRDS TO BE ISSUED
*****
A SET OF STAMPS FEATURING FOUR SPECIES OF BIRDS FOUND IN HONG KONG WILL BE ISSUED ON APRIL 20, A POST OFFICE SPOKESMAN SAID TODAY (FRIDAY).
THE STAMPS TO BE ISSUED WILL FEATURE THE WHITE-BREASTED KINGFISHER (HALCYON SMYRNENSIS), THE FUKIEN NILTAVA (NILTAVA DAVIDI), BLACK KITE (MILVUS MIGRANS) AND PIED KINGFISHER (CERYLE RUDIS), AND WILL BE OF 50 CENTS, $1.30, $1.70 AND $5 DENOMINATIONS RESPECTIVELY.
THE WHITE-BREASTED KINGFISHER IS A DISTINCTIVE RESIDENT OF HONG KONG AND BREEDS HERE, AND THE FUKIEN NILTAVA IS A WINTER VISITOR TO HONG KONG AND IS FOUND MOSTLY IN TAI PO KAU NATURE RESERVE.
THE BLACK KITE IS HONG KONG’S MOST FAMILIAR LARGE BIRD AND THE COMMONEST BIRD OF PREY. IT IS EASILY RECOGNISED BY ITS BROWN CO!/ 'UR AND SLIGHTLY FORKED TAIL.
IT IS PRESENT THROUGHOUT THE YEAR BUT MIGRANTS SWELL THE NUMBER IN AUTUMN AND WINTER WHEN SEVERAL HUNDREDS OF THEM ARE OFTEN SEEN CIRCLING OVERHEAD AT DUSK.
THE PIED KINGFISHER IS A RESIDENT BIRD FREQUENTLY SEEN HOVERING OVER THE FISH PONDS. ALTHOUGH ONCE WIDESPREAD, IT IS NOW VIRTUALLY CONFINED TO THE DEEP BAY AREA AND STARLING INLET.
/OCCASIONALLY, SOME
FRIDAYt MARCH 111 1988
- 15 -
OCCASIONALLY, SOME OE THEM CAN BE SEEN ELSEWHERE AROUND THE COAST DURING MIGRATION.
THE STAMPS WERE DESIGNED BY MISS KAREN PHILLIPPS AND PRINTED IN AUSTRALIA.
A SET OE FOUR POSTCARDS SHOWING AN ENLARGEMENT OF EACH STAMP WILL ALSO BE ISSUED.
OFFICIAL FIRST DAY COVERS, AT 50 CENTS EACH AND POSTCARDS AT $1 EACH, WILL BE ON SALE AT ALL POST OFFICES ON APRIL 6. FURTHER DETAILS WILL BE ANNOUNCED CLOSER TO THE DAY OF ISSUE.
-------0----------
BELGIUM CAN PLAY BIGGER ROLE IN HK TRADE
*****
THE DIRECTOR OF INDUSTRY. MR k.Y. YEUNG, VISITED THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT OFFICE IN BRUSSELS AND SPOKE TO THE BELGIAN PRESS ON* WEDNESDAY (MARCH 9).
HE HAI) JUST ATTENDED A SEMINAR ORGANISED BY THE FRENCH NATIONAL COUNCIL OF EMPLOYERS WHICH TOOK PLACE IN PARIS ON THE THEME OF "HONG KONG: BASE FOR PURCHASING AND PRODUCTION IN THE REGIONAL AND WORLD MARKETS".
MR YEUNG'S PURPOSE DLR,NG THE SEMINAR WAS TO STRESS HONG KONG'S POSITION AS AN OFFSHORt- MANUFACTURING LOCATION AND AS A GATEWAY TO CHINA FOR OVERSEAS INVESTORS. HE SAID THERE HAD BEEN AN UPSURGE IN INVESTMENT INTEREST COMING FROM WESTERN EUROPE, ESPECIALLY FROM FRANCE.
INVESTMENT IN HONG KONG HAI) UP TO NOW BEEN MAINLY CONCENTRATED IN THE SERVICE SECTOR BUT HAD REMAINED LOW IN THE MANUFACTURING SIDE.
FRANCE WAS ONLY NUMBER 11 ON THE LIST OF INVESTING COUNTRIES IN VALUE TERMS.
SO FAR THE LARGEST INVESTORS HAD BEEN THE UNITED STATES (30 PER CENT), JAPAN (21 PER CENT), (’HINA (15 PER CENT) AND THE UK (8 PER CENT).
AS FAR AS BELGIUM WAS CONCERNED, THE COUNTRY HAI) TO DATE ONLY SET UP THREE FACTORIES.
MR YEUNG EMPHASISED THAT HONG KONG WAS NOW VERY KEEN TO ATTRACT TECHNOLOG I CAL INVESTMENT. AS IT WAS A SMALL TERRITORY ITS INDUSTRIAL SPECTRUM WAS THEREFORE NARROW.
/HONG KONG .......
FRIDAY, MARCH 11, 1988
16
HONG KONG TENDED TO CONCENTRATE ON CONSUMER GOODS. RECENTLY THERE HAD BEEN AN
THE MANUFACTURE OF LIGHT OBVIOUS "UP-MARKET SURGE".
TO CONSOLIDATE THIS, THE TERRITORY NEEDED MODERN MANAGEMENT, TECHNOLOGIES, DESIGN, PROCESSES AND INNOVATION. THIS "INNOVATION" WAS ESPECIALLY RELEVANT TO THE GARMENT INDUSTRY.
OWING TO THE INDUSTRY’S SHORT PRODUCTION RUNS AND LABOUR INTENSITY, IT WAS PARTICULARLY PROBLEMATIC IN THE FIELD OF AUTOMATISATION, HE SAID. IT WAS IN THIS AREA THAT BELGIUM AND OTHER EUROPEAN INVESTORS COULD MAKE THE BEST CONTRIBUTION.
MR YEUNG WENT ON TO SAY THAT THE EUROPEAN MEDIA SOMETIMES GAVE AN IMAGE OF HONG KONG AS A "LAISSEZ-FAIRE" ECONOMY, WITH THE GOVERNMENT UNWILLING TO SUPPORT INDUSTRY. THIS, HE EMPHASISED, WAS A FALSE IMPRESSION.
WHILE IT WAS TRUE THAT THE GOVERNMENT GAVE INDUSTRY A FREE HAND TO RUN ITS AFFAIRS, IT DID EVERYTHING IT COULD TO SUPPORT IT. THIS SUPPORT FELL INTO TWO CATEGORIES: SUPPORT OF INFRASTRUCTURE AND DEVELOPMENT.
MR YEUNG FELT THAT HONG KONG INDUSTRY HAD TO "UPGRADE TO SURVIVE" AND OVERSEAS INVESTORS COULD PLAY A SIGNIFICANT PART IN THIS MOVE UP-MARKET. THE VALUE OF OVERSEAS INVESTMENT WAS IMPORTANT NOT, ONLY IN THE SPHERE OF JOB CREATION BUT ALSO IN THE TRANSFER AND DIFFUSION OF BENEFICIAL TECHNOLOGIES.
THUS, HE CONCLUDED, EVEN RELATIVELY SMALL COUNTRIES SUCH AS BELGIUM AND THE NETHERLANDS COULD DO THEIR BIT IN THIS CAPACITY.
-------0---------
FORMER POSTMAN AWARDED ISM *****
A FORMER POSTMAN, MR CHAN CHUNG-KWONG, HAS BEEN AWARDED THE IMPERIAL SERVICE MEDAL BY THE QUEEN FOR HIS LOYAL AND INDUSTRIOUS SERVICE IN THE POST OFFICE.
MR CHAN WAS WITH THE POST OFFICE FOR OVER 34 YEARS.
MR CHAN (60) JOINED THE POST OFFICE IN 1953. HE BECAME A POSTMAN CLASS II IN 1956 AND WAS REGRADED TO POSTMAN IN 1975. HE COMPLETED HIS SERVICE LAST MONTH.
A POST OFFICE SPOKESMAN SAID TODAY (FRIDAY) THAT MR CHAN’S LONG SERVICE WAS MARKED BY LOYALTY, DILIGENCE AND EFFICIENCY.
/"HE WAS
FRIDAY, MARCH 11, 1988
- 17 -
"HE WAS COMMENDED TWICE FOR VIGILANCE HE DISPLAYED IN
SAFEGUARDING THE SECURITY OF MAI
"THROUGHOUT THE YEARS, MR CHAN'S UNDIMINISHED ENTHUSIASM AND DEDICATION TO WORK WAS A VERY GOOD EXAMPLE FOR STAFF OF THE YOUNGER GENERATION," THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
MR CHAN RECEIVED WARMEST CONGRATULATIONS FROM HIS COLLEAGUES ON HIS WELL DESERVED HONOUR.
-----0------
POST-SECONDARY DEBATE FINAL ON SUNDAY
*****
THE FINAL OF THE RADIO TELEVISION HONG KONG POST-SECONDARY SCHOOL DEBATING CONTEST WILL BE HELD AT VICTORIA PARK, CAUSEWAY BAY, ON SUNDAY (MARCH 13) AFTERNOON
THE VENUE OF THE DEBATE, WHICH WILL START AT 3 PM, IS NEAR TO THAT OF THE REGULAR "CITY FORUM".
THE DEBATE IS BETWEEN TEAMS FROM THE UNIVERSITY OF HONG KONG AND THE BAPTIST COLLEGE. THE TOPI WILL BE ON EITHER THE BASIC LAW OR THE POLITICAL STRUCTURE.
THE PANEL OF ADJUDICATORS WILL COMPRISE MISS MARIA TAM, A MEMBER OF THE EXECUTIVE AND LEGIS ATIVE COUNCILS; MR BENJAMIN YU, A MEMBER OF THE HONG KONG BAR ASSOCIATION; MR JOHN C.H. LAM, LIBRARIAN OF THE UNIVERSITY OF EAST ASIA, MACAU; DR H.C. KUAN, DIRECTOR OF THE CENTRE FOR CONTEMPORARY ASIAN STUDIES OF THE CHINESE UNIVERSITY OF HONG KONG; AND MR SIMON LUN, ASSISTANT DIRECTOR OF BROADCASTING (RADIO).
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO SEND A REPORTER/PHOTOGRAPHER TO COVER THE DEBATE.
-------0 ---------
/18
FRIDAY, MARCH 11, 1988
- 18 -
TENDERS INVITED FOR AIRPORT INSURANCE AND SHOP * * ♦ ♦ ♦
THE DIRECTOR OF CIVIL AVIATION TODAY (FRIDAY) INVITED TENDERS FOR THE PROVISION OF STANDARD AIRPORT OWNERS AND OPERATORS LIABILITY INSURANCE, CONTRACTORS THIRD PARTY LIABILITY INSURANCE AND AIRPORT USERS VEHICLE THIRD PARTY LIABILITY INSURANCE WHICH COVER THE OPERATION OF HONG KONG INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT.
THE THREE-YEAR CONTRACT WILL BEGIN ON OR ABOUT MAY 1.
ALSO FOR TENDER IS THE TENANCY OF RETAIL SHOP Al IN THE ARRIVALS HALL OF THE PASSENGER TERMINAL BUILDING.
THE NATURE OF BUSINESS TO BE CONDUCTED IN THE SHOP PREMISES WILL BE FOR THE SALE OF TOBACCO, CIGARETTES, CONFECTIONERY, NEWSPAPERS AND PHOTOGRAPHIC FILMS.
THE TENANCY WILL ALSO BE FOR A PERIOD OF THREE YEARS BEGINNING ON OR ABOUT JUNE 1.
FORMS OF TENDER AND FURTHER PARTICULARS MAY BE OBTAINED FROM THE CIVIL AVIATION DEPARTMENT, 46TH FLOOR, QUEENSWAY GOVERNMENT OFFICES.
COMPLETED TENDER FORMS MUST BE PLACED IN THE GOVERNMENT SECRETARIAT TENDER BOX ON THE LOWER GROUND FLOOR OF CENTRAL GOVERNMENT OFFICES (EAST WING), LOWER ALBERT ROAD.
THE CLOSING DATES ARE MARCH 31 (THURSDAY) FOR THE SHOP TENANCY AND APRIL 8 (FRIDAY) FOR AIRPORT INSURANCE, BEFORE 12 NOON.
--------0 ----------
DRAMA SHOW TO CONCLUDE ANTI-TRIAD CAMPAIGN
* * * * ♦
A DRAMA AND SINGING SHOW TO ROUND OFF AN ANTI-TRIAD CAMPAIGN IN WONG TAI SIN WILL BE HELD AT 2.15 PM TOMORROW (SATURDAY) AT THE PODIUM OF LOK FU CENTRE.
THE EVENT, ORGANISED BY THE WONG TAI SIN DISTRICT FIGHT CRIME COMMITTEE, WILL INCLUDE A PRIZE PRESENTATION CEREMONY FOR WINNERS OF AN ESSAY COMPETITION, SLOGAN COMPETITION, POSTER DESIGN COMPETITION, COLOUR SHADING COMPETITION AND A CROSSWORD PUZZLE HELD IN THE LAST TWO MONTHS.
/OFFICIATING AT
FRIDAY, MARCH 11, 1988
- 19 -
OFFICIATING AT THE CEREMONY WILL BE THE CHAIRMAN OF THE DISTRICT’S FIGHT CRIME COMMITTEE, MR ALBERT LI; WONG PAI SIN ASSISTANT DISTRICT OFFICER, MISS MARION CHAN; DEPUTY POLICE DISTRICT COMMANDER (WONG TAI SIN), MR P.J. THOMPSON; AND ICAC REGIONAL OFFICER (KOWLOON CENTRAL), MR TONG WAI-PING.
THE SHOW IS THE ROUND-UP EVENT OF THIS YEAR’S FIGHT CRIME ACTIVITIES HELD IN THE DISTRICT.
EARLIER, THE DISTRICT’S FIGHT CRIME COMMITTEE HAS ORGANISED A NUMBER OF SEMINARS, A CARNIVAL, EXHIBITIONS, AND SEMINAR CAMPS TO PUT ACROSS THE ANTI-TRIAD MESSAGE.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE WELCOME TO COVER THE ANTI-TRIAD DRAMA AND SINGING SHOW TO BE HELD AT 2.15 PM TOMORROW (SATURDAY) AT THE PODIUM OF THE LOK FU CENTRE, KOWLOON.
-----0------
PART-TIME LECTURERS SOUGHT FOR ADULT EDUCATION » * * » *
Till- ADULT EDUCATION SECTION OF THE EDUCATION 1 INVITING APPLICATIONS FOR EVENING PART-TIME LECTURERS IN COURSBS^OPKRATBO BV THE SECTION IN THE 19BS-B9 SESSION.
QUALIFIED PERSONS SHOULD SUBMIT APPLICATION FORMS THE ADULT EDUCATION SECTION CURRENTLY ADMINISTERS COURSES.
DEPARTMENT
IS
THE VARIOUS
BY MARCH 31.
A NUMBER OF
tupqr APR THE EVENING SCHOOL OF HIGHER CHINESE STUDIES, TPACumq' COURSES ENGLISH COURSE, GOVERNMENT EVENING SECONDARY S^oSl COURSE JdUL? EDUCATION COURSES (GENERAL AND PRACTICAL BACKGROUND) AS WELL AS COURSES CONDUCTED IN THE ADULT EDUCATION
AND
RECREATION CENTRES.
APPLICANTS SHOULD NORMALLY BE QUALIFIED TEACHERS WITH GENUINE INTEREST IN THE PART-TIME TEACHING OF YOUNG ADULTS IN EVENING.
A THE
/preference will
FRIDAY, MARCH 11, 1988
20
PREFERENCE WILL BE GIVEN TO APPLICANTS IN POSSESSION OF A DIPLOMA/CERTIFICATE IN EDUCATION OR ADVANCED CERTIFICATE IN TEACHER TRAINING AS WELL AS EXPERIENCE/SPECIAL TRAINING IN THE FOLLOWING SUBJECTS:
A) ENGLISH LANGUAGE, CHINESE LANGUAGE, SOCIAL OR SCIENCE SUBJECTS IN THE SENIOR SECONDARY LEVELS.
B) ENGLISH LANGUAGE, CHINESE CULTURAL/CLASSICAL SUBJECTS AT POST-SECONDARY LEVELS.
C) MUSIC, PUTONGHUA, FOLK DANCE, ORIENTAL DANCE, ART AND CRAFT, SEWING AND KNITTING OR COOKERY.
APPLICANTS FOR POSTS OF HOBBY INSTRUCTORS IN SINGING, MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS PLAYING AND CONDUCTING, SOCIAL DANCE, AEROBIC DANCE, PAINTING, HAIR-STYLING, JAPANESE, PUTONGHUA AND HANDICRAFTS IN THE ADULT EDUCATION AND RECREATION CENTRES SHOULD BE HOLDERS OF A SECONDARY EDUCATION CERTIFICATE OR EQUIVALENT, WITH SPECIAL SKILLS IN THE RESPECTIVE SUBJECTS OR HOBBIES.
SERVING TEACHERS WITH ABILITY AND EXPERIENCE IN ORGANISING RECREATIONAL ACTIVITIES OR EXPERIENCED COMMUNITY WORKERS WILL BE GIVEN PRIORITY. »
THE PRESENT LEVELS OF REMUNERATION FOR PART-TIME LECTURING PER HOUR ARE : POST-SECONDARY LEVEL $150; SENIOR SECONDARY LEVEL $125; JUNIOR SECONDARY LEVEL $100; PRIMARY LEVEL $90 AND HOBBY GROUPS $85.
APPLICATION FORMS ARE OBTAINABLE FROM THE ADULT EDUCATION SECTION OF THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT AT LEE GARDENS, FIFTH FLOOR, HYSAN AVENUE, CAUSEWAY BAY.
COMPLETED FORMS SHOULD REACH THE ADULT EDUCATION SECTION BY MARCH 31. ENQUIRIES MAY BE MADE TO THE SECTION ON 5-8392309.
------0 ------
TWO RECLAMATION PROJECTS PROPOSED * » * * *
THE GOVERNMENT PROPOSES TO CONSTRUCT A BARGE LOADING AREA AT TSING LUNG TAU, TSUEN WAN, AND ALSO TO EXTEND THE EXISTING FINGER PIER OF THE KOWLOON-CANTON RAILWAY CORPORATION IN HUNG HOM.
IN ASSOCIATION WITH THE DEVELOPMENT OF KWAI CHUNG CONTAINER TERMINAL 7, ARRANGEMENTS WILL BE MADE WITH THE SUCCESSFUL TENDERER TO RECLAIM AN AREA OF ABOUT 7,900 SQUARE METRES OF FORESHORE AND SEABED AT TSING LUNG TAU FOR ((INSTRUCTING A BARGE LOADING AREA.
/THE LOADING
FRIDAY, MARCH 11 f 1988
THE LOADING AREA WILL FACILITATE THE SHIPMENT OF ROCK FILL MATERIALS, PRODUCED IN THE BORROW AREA AT TSING LUNG TAU, TO THE TERMINAL SITE.
TN ORDER TO EXPAND THE EXISTING KOWLOON RAILWAY GOODS YARD, THE GOVERNMENT PROPOSES TO RECLAIM ABOUT 2.9 HECTARES OF SEABED IN HUNG HOM BAY.
THIS WILL PROVIDE ABOUT 7,200 SQUARE METRES OF LAND FOR EXTENDING THE KCRC FINGER PIER.
WORK IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN LATER THIS YEAR AND BE COMPLETED BY MID-1990.
THE EXTENT OF THE AREAS AFFECTED WAS PUBLISHED IN THE GAZETTE TODAY (FRIDAY).
ANY PERSON WHO CONSIDERS THAT HE HAS AN INTEREST, RIGHT OR EASEMENT IN OR OVER THE FORESHORE AND SEABED INVOLVED SHOULD SUBMIT A WRITTEN OBJECTION TO THE DIRECTOR OF BUILDINGS AND LANDS BY MAY 10.
------0-------
WATER CUTS TN TUEN MUN, EAST KOWLOON, WONG TAI SIN ♦ ♦ * ♦ ♦
SALT WATER SUPPLY TO ALL PREMISES TN TUEN MUN WILL BE TURNED OFF FROM 10 PM ON MONDAY (MARCH 14) TO 8 AM THE NEXT DAY FOR MAINS WORK.
THE SUSPENSION WILL AFFECT THE WHOLE OF TUEN MUN.
IT WILL INCLUDE FU TEI, MONG HAU SHEK, SIU HONG COURT, STU ON COURT, SIU SHAN COURT, PAK KOK AND WU KING TEMPORARY HOUSING AREAS, MELODY GARDEN, PRIME VIEW GARDEN, AREAS 4B, 4C, 9, 10, 11, 12, 26, 36, 37A, 37B, 39 AND 44, SAM SHING, TAI IITNG, SHAN KING, SAN FAT, ON TING, YAU Ol, BUTTERFLY AND WU KING ESTATES.
THE SAME DAY, FRESH WATER SUPPLY TO CERTAIN PREMISES IN EAST KOWLOON WILL BE REDUCED IN PRESSURE FROM 9 PM TO 8 AM THE NEXT DAY FOR MAINS WORK.
THE AREA AFFECTED WILL BE KOWLOON CITY, SAN PO KONG, CHOI HUNG, PING SHEK, NGAU CHI WAN, DIAMOND HILL, PART OF NGAU TAU KOK NEAR JORDAN VALLEY NORTH ROAD, AND TUNG TAU ESTATE.
ON WEDNESDAY (MARCH 16), FRESH WATER SUPPLY TO CERTAIN PREMISES IN WONG TAI SIN WILL BE CUT OFF FROM 11 PM TO 6 PM THE NEXT DAY FOR LEAKAGE TESTS.
THE SUSPENSION WILL AFFECT ALL BLOCKS OF TSZ CHING ESTATE AND TSZ Ol ESTATE.
-------0----------
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE. HONG KONG. TEL: 5-8428777
' SATURDAY, MARCH 12, 1988
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
JAPAN A LARGE MARKET TO PENETRATE - GOVERNOR ................ 1
COLD AND CLOUDY IN FEBRUARY.................................. 2
IDEAS ON LOCAL MARINE CRAFT REVIEW WELCOME .................. 5
HAWKER LICENSING BECOMES COMPUTERISED NEXT MONTH ............ 5
HK FORTUNATE TO HAVE LOW JUVENILE CRIME RATE ................ 6
APPLICATIONS INVITED FOR YOUTH PROJECT GRANTS ............... 8
CROSS COUNTRY RACE IN NORTH DISTRICT ........................ 9
NEW YEAR CARNIVAL FOR YAU MA TEI RESIDENTS .................. 10
SEWAGE TREATMENT, DISPOSAL SCHEME FOR NORTHWEST KOWLOON ..... 11
COMPUTER EDUCATION CENTRE OPEN TO SCHOOL USERS .............. 11
WSD FAMILY FUN FAIR FOR STAFF................................ 12
road closures and restricted zone............................
TEMPORARY TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS IN SHAU KEH WAN .............. 1^
SATURDAY, MARCH 12, 1988
JAPAN A LARGE MARKET TO
PENETRATE - GOVERNOR
* * t ♦ ♦
JAPAN IS, AND STILL WILL BE A VERY IMPORTANT MARKET FOR HONG KONG AND PERSISTENT EFFORTS MUST BE MADE TO PENETRATE THIS MARKET, THE GOVERNOR, SIR DAVID WILSON SAID TODAY (SATURDAY).
SPEAKING AT THE AIRPORT TO REPORTERS ON HIS RETURN FROM JAPAN, SIR DAVID DESCRIBED HIS VISIT TO JAPAN WITH MEMBERS OF THE HONG KONG-JAPAN BUSINESS COOPERATION COMMITTEE A VERY USEFUL ONE.
’’VISITS LIKE THIS WHERE HONG KONG GETS A LOT OF HIGH LEVEL ATTENTION, A GOOD DEAL OF MEDIA ATTENTION AND WHERE WE HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY TO DISCUSS WITH THE JAPANESE SIDE ANY PROBLEMS WHICH ARE ARISING...ARE VERY USEFUL,” HF SAID.
"SO TOO IS THE SORT OF STALL PROMOTION OF HONp KONG WHICH WE ALL ATTENDED THIS MORNING IN OSAKA AND THE PRESENTATION OF HONG KONG FASHION IN OSAKA WHICH WE ALL ATTENDED LAST NIGHT," HE ADDED.
SIR DAVID SAID HE RELIEVED THAT HONG KONG HAD EVERY REASON TO BE GRATEFUL TO SIR S.Y. CHUNG AND THE OTHER MEMBERS OF THE HONG KONG-JAPAN BUSINESS COOPERATION COMMITTEE FOR THEIR HARD WORK IN TRYING TO PROMOTE THE ECONOMIC RELATIONS BETWEEN HONG KONG AND JAPAN.
ASKED TO COMMENT ON HIS REMARK MADE IN OSAKA ABOUT THE SECOND AIRPORT, SIR DAVID SAID IT WAS ESSENTIAL THAT HONG KONG SHOULD HAVE THE TYPE OF AIRPORT THAT WOULD MEET ITS NEEDS RIGHT UP INTO THE NEXT CENTURY.
ASKED WHETHER THE GOVERNMENT WAS GOING TO BUILD A SECOND AIRPORT, HE SAID THERE WAS A SERIES OF STUDIES BEING DONE AT THE MOMENT.
"FIRST OF ALL, ON THE COPACITY OF KAI TAK, AND THEN A PORT AND AIRPORT DEVELOPMENT STUDY LOOKING INTO THE WHOLE QUESTION OF THE EXPANSION OF THE HARBOUR AND THE POSSIBILITY OF A NEW AIRPORT, AND HOW THOSE TWO THINGS MIGHT BE PUT TOGETHER.
"IT REQUIRES VERY EXTENSIVE STUDY BEFORE YOU MAKE A DECISION OF SUCH ENORMOUS SIGNIFICANCE AND SUCH ENORMOUS COST AS THAT,’’ HE SAID.
ASKED TO COMMENT ON THE TURNOUT RATE OF VOTERS AT THE DISTRICT BOARD ELECTIONS, SIR DAVID SAID HE WAS PLEASED THAT THE ELECTIONS TOOK PLACE IN AN ATMOSPHERE WHERE THERE WAS GREAT ENTHUSIASM AND WHERE THEY WERE ALSO CARRIED OUT IN AN ORDERLY FASHION.
"THE TURNOUT WAS A REASONABLE ONE FOR DISTRICT BOARD ELECTIONS. OVER TIME, I WOULD HOPE THAT THERE WOULD BE A SUSTAINED TURNOUT AT THE ELECTIONS OF THIS SORT. I BELIEVE THAT WHEN WE COME IN 1991 TO 6IRECT ELECTIONS TO LEGCO, WE HAVE EVERY REASON TO EXPECT A SLIGHTLY HIGHER TURNOUT THAN WE HAD AT THE DISTRICT BOARD ELECTIONS," HE SAID.
/IN REPLY .......
2
SATURDAY, MARCH 12, 1988
IN REPLY TO ANOTHER QUESTION, SIR DAVID SAID HE DID NOT BELIEVE THAT THE WHITE PAPER ON THE DEVELOPMENT OP REPRESENTATIVE GOVERNMENT RELEASED LAST MONTH WOULD HAVE AFFECTED Till1 ELECTION TURNOUT IN ANY ADVERSE FASHION.
"AFTER ALL THE DISTRICT BOARDS WILL STILL BE ELECTING THROUGH THE ELECTORAL COLLEGE MEMBERS Ob THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL. I SEE NO REASON AT ALL WHY THAT SHOULD HAVE ANY ADVERSE IMPACT ON THE TURNOUT.
"THE REASONS FOR WHICH PEOPLE TURNED OUT TO VOTE ARF VARIOUS AND IT’S VERY HARD TO PIN THEM DOWN ON ONE PARTICULAR CAUSE," HE NOTED.
SIR DAVID ADDED THAI’ IT WAS DIFFICULT TO PIN DOWN THE PRECISE REASONS WHY ON ANY GIVEN DA'. SOMEBODY WENT TO THE POLLING BOOTH AND WHY SOME OTHER PEOPLE DIDN’T.
"BUT I DON’T THINK WE HAVE ANY REASON TO FEEL GREAT DISAPPOINTMENT TO THAT SORT OF IGURE. AS I SAID ALSO, WHEN WE COME TO DIRECT ELECTIONS FOR LEGCO IN 1991, I PERSONALLY WOULD EXPECT TO SEE A HIGHER TURNOUT THAN THAT," HE ADDED.
SIR DAVID WAS RECEIVED AT THE AIRPORT BY THE CH IEF SIR DAVID FORD, AND THE ACTING CONSUL-GENERAL Ob JAPAN, SAITO.
SECRETARY, MR MASAKI
-------0----------
COLD AND CLOUDY IN FEBRUARY ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦
A SURGE OF THE WINTER MONSOON ARRIVED DURING THE LUNAR NEW YEAR HOLIDAYS AND BROUGHT THE TEMPERATURE DOWN TO ID.I DEGREES CELSIUS ON FEBRUARY 19, THE LOWEST FIGURE RECORDED AT THE ROYAL OBSERVATORY FROM JANUARY 1 UP TO THE END OF FEBRUARY, THE OBSERVATORY REPORTED TODAY (SATURDAY).
* , t
CLOUDY SKIES PREVAILED DURING MOST OF THE MONTH. GIVING A MEAN CLOUD AMOUNT OF 81 PER (’ENT, WHICH WAS 10 PER (ENT ABOVE NORMAL FOR FEBRUARY.
HOWEVER, THE TOTAL RAINFALL AMOUNT WAS ONLY 11.9 MILLIMETRES, AGAINST A NORMAL AMOUNT Ob 4 1.9 MILLIMETRES. FOR THE FIRST TWO MONTHS OF 1988, THE RAINFALL WAS 81 PER CENT BELOW NORMAL.
WITH THE EASTERLY WINDS MAINTAINING Till IR STRENGTH. THE WEATHER WAS CLOUDY WITH LIGHT RAIN ON FEBRUARY 1.
FEBRUARY 2 WAS BRIGHTER WHEN THE EASTERLIES WEAKENED TEMPORARILY. HOWEVER. \ FRESH SURGE OF THE NORTHEAST MONSOON ARRIVED THAT EVENING, GIVING RISE TO STRONG WINDS OFFSHORE AND SOME LIGHT RAIN OVERNIGHT.
/CLOUDY WEATHER
SATURDAY, MARCH 12, 1?88
5
CLOUDY WEATHER PERSISTED UNTIL FEBRUARY 5 WHEN THE MONSOON WEAKENED AND THE WEATHER BECAME FINE.
APART FROM SOME CLOUDY PERIODS OVERNIGHT, THE WEATHER CONTINUED TO BE GENERALLY FINE ON FEBRUARY 6. SUNSHINE DURING THE DAY TOOK THE TEMPERATURE UP TO A MAXIMUM OF 23.5 DEGREES WHICH WAS THE HIGHEST FOR THE MONTH.
A SURGE OF THE NORTHEAST MONSOON REACHED THE SOUTH CHINA COAST ON THE EVENING OF FEBRUARY 6 AND THE WEATHER BECAME CLOUDY WITH OCCASIONAL STRONG WINDS OFFSHORE.
DURING THE STRONG WINDS A DREDGER WAS STRANDED OFF LAMMA ISLAND. A PATROLLING POLICE MOTORCYCLIST EXPERIENCED STRONG GUSTS ON TUEN MUN ROAD NEAR SHAM TSENG AND HIS MACHINE WAS BLOWN OVER.
EARLY ON FEBRUARY 8, THE WINDS CHANGED FROM EASTERLY TO NORTHERLY. HOWEVER EASTERLIES RETURNED AGAIN OVERNIGHT ON FEBRUARY 8 AND LASTED TILL FEBRUARY 10 WHEN THE WINDS AGAIN TURNED NORTHERLY.
CLOUDY CONDITIONS PREVAILED UNTIL FEBRUARY 12. THE WEATHER IMPROVED THE FOLLOWING DAY. THERE WERE SUNNY PERIODS ON FEBRUARY 13 AND 14.
ANOTHER SURGE OF THE WINTER MONSOON BROUGHT MORE CLOUDY WEATHER ON FEBRUARY 15 AND 16.
NORTHERLY WINDS ON LUNAR NEW YEAR’S DAY CAUSED THE TEMPERATURE TO DROP FROM A HIGH OF 18.2 DEGREES ON LUNAR NEW YEAR'S EVE (FEBRUARY 16) TO A LOW OF 11.6 DEGREES BY MIDNIGHT ON NEW YEAR’S DAY (FEBRUARY 17) .
TEMPERATURES REMAINED LOW DURING THE NEXT FEW DAYS WITH OVERCAST SKIES.
ON THE EVENING OF FEBRUARY 19, AN UPPER MR DISTURBANCE CAUSED SOME RAIN OVER THE TERRITORY AND THE TEMPERATURE FELL FURTHER TO A MINIMUM OF 10.1 DEGREES WHICH WAS THE LOWEST READING FOR THE MONTH.
RAIN CONTINUED OVERNIGHT BUT THE WEATHER CLEARED RAPIDLY THE NEXT MORNING.
TOWARDS THE EVENING ON FEBRUARY 21, EASTERLY WINDS FRESHENED IN HONG KONG RESULTING IN CLOUDY WEATHER AND SOME LIGHT RAIN THE NEXT DAY. THERE WERE SUNNY' PERIODS LATER ON FEBRUARY 22 AND IT REMAINED FINE ON FEBRUARY 23 AND 24.
CLOUDY TO OVERCAST SKIES PREVAILED THROUGHOUT THE DAY ON FEBRUARY 25. WINDS TURNED SOUTHEASTERLY LATER ON FEBRUARY 26, BRINGING WARM AND HUMID AIR. COASTAL FOG DEVELOPED AND NISI' WAS REPORTED IN THE HARBOUR.
MISTY AND FOGGY CONDITIONS LASTED UNTIL FEBRUARY 28 WHEN WINDS FRESHENED FROM THE EAST. HOWEVER, THE WEATHER REMAINED CLOUDY WITH OCCASIONAL DRIZZLE.
/FOGGY AND .......
SATURDAY, MARCH 12, 1988
FOGGY AND OVERCAST CONDITIONS RETURNED AGAIN ON THE LAST DAY OF FEBRUARY. DURING THE FOGGY WEATHER, THE FERRY SERVICE BETWEEN TAP MUN AND MA LIU SHUI WAS SUSPENDED.
DURING THE MONTH OF FEBRUARY, NO TROPICAL CYCLONE OCCURRED OVER THE WESTERN NORTH PACIFIC AND THE SOUTH CHINA SEA AND ONLY ONE AIRCRAFT WAS DIVERTED FROM HONG KONG DUE TO ADVERSE WEATHER.
THE YELLOW FIRE DANGER WARNING WAS IN EFFECT ON FEBRUARY 7, 8, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 23, 24 AND 28.
SIGNALS HOISTED DURING THE MONTH WERE AS FOLLOWS:
WEATHER SYSTEM SIGNAL DATE AND TIME OF HOISTING DATE AND TIME OF LOWERING
WINTER STRONG FEBRUARY 3 MONSOON MONSOON 1 AM WINTER STRONG FEBRUARY 6 MONSOON MONSOON 6 PM THE MONTH’S FIGURES AND DEPARTURES FROM FEBRUARY 3 10 AM FEBRUARY 7 10 AM NORMAL WERE:
TOTAL BRIGHT 76.6 HOURS ; 32.1 HOURS BELOW
SUNSHINE MEAN DAILY GLOBAL 9.44 MJ/SQUARE METRE ; NORMAL 1.65 MJ/SQUARE
SOLAR RADIATION TOTAL RAINFALL 11.9 MM ; METRE BELOW NORMAL 30.0 MM BELOW NORMAL
MEAN AMOUNT OF 81 PER CENT ; 10 PER CENT MORE
CLOUD MEAN RELATIVE 81 PER CENT ; THAN NORMAL 3 PER CENT HIGHER
HUMIDITY MEAN DAILY MAXIMUM 18.3 DEGREES CELSIUS ; THAN NORMAL 0.5 DEGREE CELSIUS
AIR TEMPERATURE MEAN AIR TEMPERATURE 16.3 DEGREES CELSIUS ; BELOW NORMAL 0.4 DEGREE CELSIUS
MEAN DAILY MINIMUM 14.7 DEGREES CELSIUS ; ABOVE NORMAL 1.0 DEGREE CELSIUS
AIR TEMPERATURE MEAN DEW POINT 12.9 DEGREES CELSIUS ; ABOVE NORMAL 1.2 DEGREE CELSIUS
TOTAL EVAPORATION 64.8 MM ; ABOVE NORMAL 17.1 MM BELOW NORMAL
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SATURDAY, MARCH 12, 1988
- 5 -
IDEAS ON LOCAL MARINE CRAFT REVIEW WELCOME
*****
THE MARINE DEPARTMENT WELCOMES INPUT AND IDEAS ON THE CURRENT LOCAL CRAFT REGULATIONS REVIEW FROM ALL THOSE CONCERNED IN THE FIELD, SUCH AS BOAT CLUBS AND THEIR MEMBERS.
THE DIRECTOR OF MARINE, MR GERRY HIGGINSON, SAID THIS AT THE OPENING OF THE "PUMA HONG KONG IN-WATER BOAT SHOW 1988" AT THE CLUB MARINA COVE, SAI KUNG, THIS (SATURDAY) MORNING.
MR HIGGINSON SAID THE DEPARTMENT WAS REVIEWING MANY OF THE STANDARDS AND PROCEDURES IN AN ATTEMPT TO REMOVE SOME OF THE MORE LONG-STANDING BUREAUCRATIC CONTSRAINTS.
"WE WANT TO MAKE THE WHOLE SYSTEM OF LICENSING AND INSPECTION OF VESSELS, AND INDEED OF EXAMINATIONS FOR CERTIFICATES OF COMPETENCY, LESS RIGID AND MORE IN KEEPING WITH TODAY’S NEEDS WHILST, AT THE SAME TIME, MAINTAINING THOSE ESSENTIAL STANDARDS OF SAFETY," HE SAID.
"IN CONDUCTING OUR REVIEW, WE WELCOME INPUT AND IDEAS FROM ALL THOSE DIRECTLY CONCERNED IN THIS FIELD, SUCH AS THE MAJOR BOAT CLUBS AND THEIR USER MEMBERS."
-------0 - - - -
HAWKER LICENSING BECOMES COMPUTERISED NEXT MONTH
*****
HAWKER LICENSING RECORDS WILL BECOME COMPUTERISED NEXT MONTH FOLLOWING THE COMPLETION OF THE $3.2 MILLION COMPUTER SYSTEM.
"THE COMPUTERISED LICENSING SYSTEM WILL KEEP AN ACCURATE RECORD OF SOME 20,000 LICENSED HAWKERS AND 12,000 HAWKER PITCHES WHICH ARE AT PRESENT HANDLED MANUALLY BY THE HAWKER RECORDS OFFICES OF THE URBAN SERVICES DEPARTMENT," AN URBAN COUNCIL SPOKESMAN SAID TODAY.
"LICENCE AND PITCH RECORDS AND ALL RELATED INFORMATION WILL IN FUTURE BE STORED IN THE DATA-BASE OF THE COMPUTER SYSTEM. THIS WILL BE UP-DATED ON-LINE, GREATLY SPEEDING UP SUCH NECESSARY WORK AND FACILITATING THE MANAGEMENT OF PITCHES AND LICENCE HOLDERS," HE SAID.
AS PART OF THE COMPUTERISATION, THE SPOKESMAN SAID, AN IDENTITY-CARD TYPE "BADGE" WILL BE ISSUED WITH EVERY LICENCE, TO BE WORN OR DISPLAYED BY ALL LICENSED HAWKERS FOR EASY IDENTIFICATION.
/THE SPOKESMAN
SATURDAY, MARCH 12, 1988
6 -
THE SPOKESMAN SAID THAT THIS WAS A PARTICULARLY TIMELY PROJECT WHEN THE COUNCIL WAS REVIEWING ITS POLICIES ON HAWKERS.
"COMPUTER TERMINALS ARE BEING INSTALLED AT THE USD HEADQUARTERS, THE TWO HAWKER RECORDS OFFICES ON BOTH SIDES OF THE HARBOUR AND THE 11 DISTRICT OFFICES OF THE DEPARTMENT," HE SAID.
"A CENTRAL, ON-LINE DATA-BASE CONTAINING HAWKER LICENCE RECORDS WILL BE SET UP AT THE COUNCIL’S ELECTRONIC DATA PROCESSING CENTRE.
"THE COMPUTER SYSTEM WILL MAKE HAWKER MANAGEMENT MORE EFFICIENT BY AUTOMATING THE PRODUCTION OF LICENCES AND ACCOUNTING RECORDS, AND PROVIDING MUCH-NEEDED INFORMATION FOR MANAGEMENT AND ANALYSIS.”
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HK FORTUNATE TO HAVE LOW JUVENILE CRIME RATE
*****
HONG KONG IS FORTUNATE TO HAVE LOW RATES OF JUVENILE CRIME WHEN COMPARED WITH OTHER CITIES AROUND THE WORLD WHERE INCIDENTS OF REBELLIOUS BEHAVIOUR BY YOUNG PEOPLE SEEM TO BE ON THE INCREASE.
AND THIS IS PARTICULARLY TRUE GIVEN THAT HONG KONG IS A HEAVILY POPULATED AND COMPETITIVE CITY, AND LIKE OTHER URBAN ENVIRONMENTS HAS ITS FAIR SHARE OF SOCIAL PROBLEMS, THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF THE HONG KONG BANK, MR P. J. WRANGHAM, SAID TODAY (SATURDAY).
SPEAKING AT THE PRESENTATION CEREMONY OF THE 1987 HONG KONG BANK JUNIOR POLICE CALL AWARDS SCHEME AT THE POLICE OFFICERS’ CLUB, MR WRANGHAM COMMENDED THE JPC FOR MAKING A VERY SIGNIFICANT CONTRIBUTION TO MAINTAINING THE HIGHLY COMMENDABLE ATTITUDES AMONGST HONG KONG’S YOUNGER GENERATION.
"THE JPC PHILOSOPHY ENCOURAGES MOTIVATION, ALTRUISM AND A SENSE OF COMMUNITY RESPONSIBILITY IN OUR YOUNGSTERS; QUALITIES WHICH, TAKEN COLLECTIVELY, LEAD TO SELF-FULFILMENT AND A HEALTHIER OUTLOOK ON LIFE," HE SAID.
NOTING THAT THE JPC WAS THE LARGEST AND MOST PRESTIGIOUS YOUTH ORGANISATION IN HONG KONG, MR WRANGHAM SAID IT HAD SUCCEEDED IN CHANNELLING THE ENERGIES AND POTENTIAL OF LOCAL YOUNGER CITIZENS IN A POSITIVE AND CONSTRUCTIVE WAY.
/"TO A .......
SATURDAY, MARCH 12, 1988
"TO A LARGE EXTENT, THE FUTURE WELL-BEING OF OUR TERRITORY WILL BE DETERMINED BY THE ABILITIES AND VALUES OF THE YOUNGER GENERATION.
"THIS APPLIES NOT ONLY TO THE DILIGENCE WITH WHICH THEY PURSUE THEIR EDUCATION, BUT ALSO TO THEIR WILLINGNESS TO DO WHAT IS BEST FOR THE COMMUNITY AS A WHOLE," HE SAID.
MR WRANGHAM DISCLOSED THAT THE HONG KONG BANK WOULD STRENGTHEN ITS ASSOCIATION WITH THE JPC. IN ADDITION TO THE AWARDS SCHEME, IT WOULD SPONSOR THE RE-INTRODUCTION OF AN ENGLISH LANGUAGE PAGE TO JPC’S MONTHLY NEWSPAPER.
THE AIM WAS TO ENCOURAGE JPC MEMBERS TO BECOME BILINGUAL, MR WRANGHAM SAID.
I
ALSO SPEAKING AT THE CEREMONY WAS THE POLICE CHIEF STAFF OFFICER, PUBLIC RELATIONS, MR JOHN DUNN, WHO SAID THAT THE AIMS OF THE JPC REMAINED, AS THEY WERE 14 YEARS AGO, THE PROVISION OF HEALTHY RECREATION, THE FOSTERING OF CIVIC PRIDE AND COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT, AND THE FORGING OF CLOSER LINKS BETWEEN YOUNG PEOP1.E AND THE POLICE.
"OVER THE YEAR 1 BELIEVE THAT JPC HAS GONE A LONG WAY TOWARDS REALISING THESE VERY WORTHY OBJECTIVES AND IS PROVIDING A MUCH-NEEDED SERVICE FOR THE YOUNG PEOPLE OF HONG KONG."
THE JPC AWARDS SCHEME, SPONSORED BY THE HONG KONG BANK FOR THE SECOND YEAR, IS ORGANISED ANNUALLY TO GIVE DUE RECOGNITION TO JPC MEMBERS’ ACTIVE PARTICIPATION, REMARKABLE PERFORMANCE AND ACHIEVEMENT IN COMMUNITY SERVICE. IT HAS BEEN HELD FOR NINE YEARS.
WINNERS OF THE FOUR CATEGORIES - BEST MEMBERS, BEST LEADERS, BEST DISTRICT COUNCILS AND BEST CLUBS - WERE AWARDED CASH PRIZES TOTALLING 474,000.
ALSO OFFICIATING AT THE CEREMONY WERE THE ACTING COMMISSIONER OF POLICE, MR LI KWAN-HA; THE DEPUTY COMMISSIONER OF POLICE (MANAGEMENT), MR GEORGE HINDHAUGH; THE DEPUTY COMMISSIONER OF POLICE (OPERATIONS), MR JOHN SHEPPARD; AND THE SENIOR MANAGER/BRANCHES OF THE HONG KONG BANK, MR EDWIN LAU.
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/8 .......
SATURDAY, MARCH 12, 1988
- 8
APPLICATIONS INVITED FOR YOUTH PROJECT GRANTS
*****
THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT TODAY (SATURDAY) CALLED ON YOUTH GROUPS PLANNING INNOVATIVE COMMUNITY SERVICE PROJECTS TO .APPLY FOR GRANTS UNDER THE "OPPORTUNITIES FOR YOUTH SCHEME” (OYS).
APPLICATION FOR GRANTS AND DETAILS OF PROJECT PROPOSALS SHOULD REACH THE DEPARTMENT’S SOCIAL WORK OFFICERS (YOUTH AND COMMUNITY) BEFORE APRIL 30.
YOUTH GROUPS ARE EXPECTED TO PLAN THEIR PROJECTS FOCUSING ON THE MOTTO OF THE SCHEME - "ACTUALISE YOUR IDEALS, SERVE YOUR COMMUNITY" - AND THE MAXIMUM SUBSIDY FOR AN APPROVED PROJECT IS $4,500.
"THE OBJECTIVES OF THE SCHEME ARE TO PROMOTE PERSONAL AND SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT OF YOUNG PEOPLE; TO ENCOURAGE PARTICIPATION IN COMMUNITY ACTIVITIES IN ORDER TO PROMOTE A SENSE OF SOCIAL CONSCIOUSNESS AND RESPONSIBILITY; AND TO HELP DEVELOP THE SPIRIT OF CO-OPERATION AND MUTUAL HELP," A SPOKESMAN FOR THE DEPARTMENT SAID.
ELABORATING, HE SAID: "YOUNG PEOPLE WILL BE HELPED TO REALISE THEIR PLANNED PROJECTS WHICH ARE CONDUCIVE TO THEIR PERSONAL AND SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT AS WELL AS THE BENEFIT OF THE COMMUNITY.
"THROUGH THE PROCESS OF WORKING TOGETHER FOR THE COMMON GOAL, THE OYS OFFERS A GOOD OPPORTUNITY FOR THE YOUNG PEOPLE TO BROADEN THEIR SCOPE OF KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE, TO HAVE MORE UNDERSTANDING ABOUT PEOPLE AND THE COMMUNITY, AND BE ABLE TO ACHIEVE THE NECESSARY SATISFACTION FOR PERSONAL GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT.
"THESE ARE ALL ESSENTIAL ELEMENTS FOR BECOMING GOOD AND CONTRI BUT IVE MEMBERS OF THE COMMUNITY.” .
EACH PARTICIPATING GROUP SHOULD HAVE AT LEAST SEVEN MEMBERS AGED BETWEEN 15 AND 25; AND SHOULD BE SPONSORED BY A SCHOOL, YOUTH AGENCY, INDUSTRIAL OR COMMERCIAL ORGANISATION.
GROUPS WITHOUT SPONSORS MAY ALSO APPLY WITH THE APPROVAL OF THE SOCIAL, WORK OFFICER (YOUTH AND COMMUNITY) OF THEIR DISTRICT.
UPON COMPLETION OF THE PROJECTS, EACH DISTRICT WILL SELECT ITS MOST OUTSTANDING PROJECT TO COMPETE FOR THE "HONG KONG BEST OYS AWARD".
ASSESSMENT CRITERIA WILL INCLUDE THE EXTENT OF YOUTH INVOLVEMENT AND DEVELOPMENT, Till- EXTENT OF COMMUNITY BENEFITS, FEASIBILITY OF THE PROJECT, AND OPTIMUM USE OF RESOURCES AND INNOVATION.
INFORMATION AND APPLICATION FORMS OF THE SCHEME ARE OBTAINABLE FROM THE DEPARTMENT’S VARIOUS YOUTH AND COMMUNITY OFFICES.
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/9........
SATURDAY, MARCH 12, 1988
CROSS COUNTRY RACE IN NORTH DISTRICT ♦ * ♦ ♦ ♦
HUNDREDS OF RUNNERS AGED BETWEEN 12 AND 60 FROM ALL PARTS OF THE TERRITORY WILL COMPETE IN AN ANNUAL CROSS COUNTRY RACE IN NORTH DISTRICT TOMORROW (SUNDAY).
SPONSORED BY THE NORTH DISTRICT BOARD, THE RACE HAS BEEN ORGANISED BY THE SHEUNG SHUI SPORTS ASSOCIATION TO PROMOTE AN INTEREST IN SPORT.
THE RACE HAS BEEN HELD SINCE 1964, AS PART OF LUNAR NEW YEAR ACTIVITIES, WITH THE NUMBER OF PARTICIPANTS RISING FROM AN INITIAL 30 TO OVER 500 LAST YEAR.
THE RACE WILL BE DIVIDED INTO WOMEN’S AND MEN’S SECTIONS, WITH WOMEN COVERING EIGHT KILOMETRES AND MEN 10 KILOMETRES.
WOMEN RUNNERS WILL START AT 3.15 PM IN HUNG LING VILLAGE, AT THE ENTRANCE TO PING CHE ROAD.
MEN WILL BEGIN 15 MINUTES LATER FROM THE SING PING PUBLIC SCHOOL IN TA KWU LING.
THEY WILL ALL FINISH AT THE SHEK WU HUI PLAYGROUND IN SHEUNG SHUI .
THE NORTH DISTRICT OFFICER, MR MATTHEW CHEUNG, WILL PRESENT PRIZES TO WINNERS AT THE FINISHING POINT. THIS WILL BE AROUND 4.45 PM.
GUESTS WILL INCLUDE THE CHAIRMAN OF THE NORTH DISTRICT BOARD, MR RAYMOND PANG; CHAIRMAN OF THE REGIONAL COUNCIL, MR CHEUNG YAN-LUNG, AND THE INCOMING POLICE DISTRICT COMMANDER, FRONTIER, MR MICHAEL WATSON.
IN ANOTHER LUNAR NEW YEAR ACTIVITY, A FUN DAY WILL ALSO BE HELD TOMORROW BY THE CHINESE NEW YEAR PROGRAMME ORGANISING COMMITTEE APPOINTED BY THE SHEUNG SHUI RURAL COMMITTEE WITH SPONSORSHIP FROM THE NORTH DISTRICT BOARD.
THE FUN DAY WILL INCLUDE A SPORTS CARNIVAL, CO-ORGANISED BY THE REGIONAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT, WHICH WILL BEGIN AT 10 AM IN THE BASKETBALL AND VOLLEYBALL COURTS IN TIN PING ESTATE.
GAMESTALLS FOR CHILDREN WILL BE OPEN AT THE SHEK WU HUI PLAYGROUND AT 11 AM AND AT THE CHOI PO COURT PLAYGROUND AT 2 PM.
/THERE WILL.......
SATURDAY, MARCH 12, 1988
10 -
THERE WILL ALSO BE A VARIETY SHOW FEATURING DRAMA AND POPULAR SONGS AT THE SHEK WU HUI PLAYGROUND, BEGINNING AT 7.30 PM. ADMISSION IS FREE. 1
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE NORTH DISTRICT CROSS COUNTRY RACE AND THE SHEUNG SHUI FUN DAY TOMORROW (SUNDAY). THE CROSS COUNTRY RACE WILL START AT 3.15 PM AND THE FUN DAY WILL BEGIN AT 10 AM.
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NEW YEAR CARNIVAL FOR YAU MA TEI RESIDENTS
* » » * »
A LUNAR NEW YEAR CARNIVAL WILL BE ORGANISED BY THE YAU MA TEI AND TSIM SHA TSUI CULTURE AND ARTS ASSOCIATION IN THE URBAN COUNCIL CENTENARY GARDEN IN TSIM SHA TSUI EAST TOMORROW (SUNDAY) AFTERNOON.
STARTING AT 1.45 PM, THE CARNIVAL WILL FEATURE DANCING AND SINGING PERFORMANCES, ACROBATIC AND MAGIC SHOWS. OTHER ATTRACTIONS WILL BE WORD PROPHECY AND FORTUNE TELLING AS WELL AS GAMESTALLS.
THE YAU MA TEI DISTRICT OFFICER, MR AUGUSTINE CHENG, WILL OFFICIATE AT THE OPENING.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE CARNIVAL WHICH WILL START AT 1.45 PM TOMORROW (SUNDAY) IN THE UC CENTENARY GARDEN, TSIM SHA TSUI EAST.
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11
SATURDAY, MARCH 12, 1988 i
SEWAGE TREATMENT, DISPOSAL SCHEME FOR NORTHWEST KOWLOON
*****
THE CIVIL ENGINEERING SERVICES DEPARTMENT l8 TO BUILD A NETWORK OF SEWAGE PIPES AND TREATMENT WORKS TO CONVEY SEWAGE GENERATED ALONG THE NORTHWEST COAST OF KOWLOON TO STONECUTTERS ISLAND FOR TREATMENT AND DISCHARGE.
THE DRAINAGE (CONSTRUCTION) DIVISION, CIVIL ENGINEERING OFFICE, PROPOSES TO INVITE TENDERS IN JULY FROM PRE-QUALIFIED CONTRACTORS TO CARRY OUT SOME OF THE WORKS.
THESE WILL INVOLVE CIYLFL ' ENGINEERING AND BUILDING WORKS, INCLUDING LAYING OF SUBMARINE PRESSURE MAINS FROM CHEUNG SHA WAN IN KOWLOON TO STONECUTTERS ISLAND,“ AND BUILDING SEWAGE TREATMENT FACILITIES ON STONECUTTERS ISLAlg).*
DETAILS OF THE WORKS ARE GIVEN IN THE LATEST GOVERNMENT GAZETTE.
UPON COMPLETION OF THE PROJECT IN LATE 1990, SEWAGE NOW BEING DISCHARGED AFTER BASIC SCREENING OFF THE COAST OF NORTHWEST KOWLOON WILL BE CONVEYED TO THE NEW TREATMENT FACILITIES ON STONECUTTERS ISLANp.
1 ;
' IT WILL THEN BE DISCHARGED THROUGH SUBMARINE OUTFALLS ABOUT 350 METRES WEST OF STONECUTTERS ISLAND.
COMPLETED PRE-QUALIFICATION SUBMISSIONS SHOULD BE MADE BY NOON ON MAY 6. TENDERS FOR THE REMAINING WORKS ARE EXPECTED TO BE CALLED A FEW MONTHS LATER.
ANY PERSON WHO BELIEVES THAT HE HAS AN INTEREST, RIGHT OR EASEMENT IN OR OVER APPROXIMATELY 10.5 HECTARES OF FORESHORE OR SEABED THAT COULD BE AFFECTED BY THE PROPOSED WORKS SHOULD WRITE TO THE DIRECTOR OF BUILDINGS AND LANDS., BY MAY 10.
0'-
COMPUTER EDUCATION CENTRE OPEN TO SCHOOL USERS
*****
PRIMARY AND SECONDARY SCHOOLS ARE AGAIN INVITED TO REGISTER AS USERS OF THE COMPUTER. EDUCATION CENTRE OF THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT.
THE COMPUTER EDUCATION CENTRE, LOCATED AT 19 HOK YUEN STREET, HUNG HOM, IS A TRAINING AND RESOURCE CENTRE FOR TEACHERS OF ANY SUBJECT FROM BOTH PRIMARY AND SECONDARY SCHOOLS WHO ARE INTERESTED IN GAINING AN UNDERSTANDING AND EXPERIENCE IN COMPUTERS.
/THE CENTRE .......
12
J —
SATURDAY, MARCH 12, 1?88
THE CENTRE IS EQUIPPED WITH A SUBSTANTIAL NUMBER OF MICROCOMPUTERS, EDUCATIONAL SOFTWARE PACKAGES, AND CONTROL TECHNOLOGY DEVICES, AS WELL AS A RANGE OF ELECTRONIC AND AUDIO-VISUAL EQUIPMENT FOR TRAINING AND RESEARCH PURPOSES.
IT ALSO HAS A GOOD COLLECTION" OF BOOKS AND JOURNALS ON COMPUTER SCIENCE AND COMPUTER EDUCATION.
ALL REGISTERED PRIMARY AND SECONDARY SCHOOLS ARE ELIGIBLE TO REGISTER AS USERS OF THE CENTRE. AROUND 640 SCHOOLS HAVE SO FAR REGISTERED WITH THE CENTRE AS USER-SCHOOLS.
ONLY TEACHERS OF REGISTERED USER SCHOOL ARE ALLOWED TO VISIT THE CENTRE DURING THE OPENING HOURS BETWEEN 9 AM TO 12.45 PM AND BETWEEN 2.15 PM TO 4.30 PM MONDAY TCUfcft J DAY, AND FROM 9 AM TO 12 NOON ON SATURDAY, APART FROM PUBLIC HOLIDAYS.
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WSD FAMILY FUN FAIR FOR STAFF *****
THE WATER SUPPLIES DEPARTMENT WILL HOLD ITS 26TH ANNUAL LUNAR NEW YEAR CHILDREN’S FUN FAIR FOR STAFF AND THEIR FAMILIES TOMORROW (SUNDAY).
*
THE FAIR WILL BE HELD AT THE WAH YAN COLLEGE, WATERLOO ROAD, KOWLOON, FROM 12.30 PM TO 4 PM.
THE DIRECTOR OF WATER SUPPLIES, MR K.L. WONG, WILL OFFICIATE AT THE OPENING CEREMONY.
THE PROGRAMME INCLUDES BAND* DRILL, DRAGON AND LION DANCES, ACROBATIC AND MAGIC SHOWS, SONGS /YND COMEDIES, COMPETITIVE EVENTS AND A VARIETY OF GAMES STALLS.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE EVENT.
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SATURDAY, MARCH 12, 1988
- 15 -
ROAD CLOSURES AND RESTRICTED ZONE * » ♦ * ♦
MOTORISTS ARE ADVISED TO WATCH OUT FOR TEMPORARY ROAD CLOSURES IN TSING YI AND HUNG HOM FROM TUESDAY (MARCH 15).
IN TSING YI, THE SECTION OF TSING YIP STREET BETWEEN TSING LUK STREET AND FUNG SHU WO ROAD WILL BE CLOSED TO TRAFFIC DAILY BETWEEN 1 AM AND 5.30 AM FROM TUESDAY TO SATURDAY (MARCH 19).
DURING THE CLOSURE, TSING YIP STREET WILL BE RE-OPENED TO GENERAL TRAFFIC AT 1 O-MINUTE INTERVALS AND IMMEDIATELY FOR EMERGENCY SERVICES.
THE CLOSURE IS TO FACILITATE THE CONSTRUCTION OF A FOOTBRIDGE.
IN HUNG HOM, THE WUHU VEHICULAR UNDERPASS LEADING FROM NORTHBOUND CHATHAM ROAD NORTH TO SOUTHBOUND GILLIES AVENUE WILL ALSO BE CLOSED TO TRAFFIC DAILY BETWEEN 1 AM AND 5 AM FROM TUESDAY TO THURSDAY (MARCH 17).
THE CLOSURE IS NECESSARY IN ORDER TO CONDUCT A SKID RESISTANCE TEST ON THE ROAD SURFACE OF THE UNDERPASS.
MOTORISTS FROM TSIM SHA TSUI, YAU MA TEI AND THE CROSS HARBOUR TUNNEL HEADING FOR HUNG HOM AREA WILL HAVE TO USE EITHER CHATHAM ROAD SOUTH, CHEONG WAN ROAD, ON WAN ROAD, CHEONG WAH ROAD AND GILLIES AVENUE’ OR GASCOIGNE ROAD, CHATHAM ROAD SOUTH, CHATHAM ROAD NORTH, PAK KUNG STREET, SHUN YUNG STREET, FAT KWONG STREET AND MA TAU WAI ROAD.
IN ANOTHER MEASURE, FROM 10 AM ON TUESDAY (MARCH 15), A 15-MF.TRE STRETCH OF TEMPLE STREET NORTH OF ITS JUNCTION WITH AUSTIN ROAD IN YAU MA TEI WILL BE MADE A PEAK HOUR (7 TO 10 AM AND 4 TO 7 PM) DAILY URBAN CLEARWAY.
NO VEHICLES .WILL BE ALLOWED TO STOP WITHIN THE URBAN CLEARWAY FOR GOODS OR PASSENGERS.
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SATURDAY, MARCH 12, 1988
- 14
TEMPORARY TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS IN SHAU KEI WAN
*****
TEMPORARY TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS WILL BE IMPLEMENTED IN SHAU KEI WAN FROM 10 AM ON TUESDAY (MARCH 15) TO 10 AM ON MARCH 24 FOR TRAM TRACK RENEWAL WORK.
THE FOLLOWING ROAD SECTIONS WILL BE DESIGNATED AS 7 AM TO 7 PM DAILY RESTRICTED ZONES:
♦ FACTORY STREET BETWEEN SHAU KEI WAN MAIN STREET EAST AND WANG WA STREET;
* WANG WA STREET BETWEEN FACTORY STREET AND KAM WA STREET; AND
♦ KAM WA STREET BETWEEN WANG WA STREET AND SHAU KEI WAN MAIN STREET EAST.
NO VEHICLES WILL BE ALLOWED TO STOP FOR PASSENGERS OR GOODS WITHIN THE RESTRICTED AREAS.
AT THE SAME TIME, VEHICLES ON NORTHBOUND SHAU KEI WAN MAIN STREET EAST HEADING FOR A KUNG NGAM ROAD WILL BE DIVERTED VIA FACTORY STREET, WANG WA STREET AND KAM WA STREET.
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DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE. HONG KONG. TEL: 5-8428777
SUNDAY, MARCH 1?, 1988
CONTENTS PAGS NO.
QUEEN'S COMMONWEALTH DAY MESSAGE............................... 1
LATEST YEARBOOK HIGHLIGHTS DRAMATIC IMPACT OF BUILDING WORKS 2
GROWING INTEREST IN TOWN PLANNING ............................. 3
OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH EXHIBITION TO BE HELD IN TAIKOO SHING ... 4
FUNDS FOR SUMMER YOUTH ACTIVITIES IN NORTH DISTRICT ............ 5
REFRESHER TRAINING COURSE FOR SERVING TEACHERS................. 6
PIANO MASTERCLASS BY ARGENTINIAN VIRTUOSO ...................... 7
TENDERS INVITED FOR FANLING SOUTH DEVELOPMENTS ................. 8
RIGHT-TURN BAN IN NEW CLEAR WATER BAY ROAD...................... 8
SUNDAY. MARCH 13, 1988
QUEEN’S COMMONWEALTH DAY MESSAGE * * * *
FOLLOWING IS THE TEXT OF THE QUEEN’S COMMONWEALTH DAY MESSAGE, WHICH IS EMBARGOED UNTIL 1 AM TOMORROW (MONDAY):
"THIS SECOND MONDAY IN MARCH IS THE DAY WHICH WE CELEBRATE EVERY YEAR AS COMMONWEALTH DAY. IT IS OUR SPECIAL OPPORTUNITY TO THINK ABOUT THIS GROUP OF NATIONS AND WHAT IT MEANS TO US. ON THIS DAY WE SHOULD ALL LOOK BEYOND OUR OWN HORIZONS AND STRETCH OUR UNDERSTANDING OF THE VALUE OF THE COMMONWEALTH.
"ITS STRENGTH LIES NOT JUST IN ITS NUMBERS - WE ARE A WORLDWIDE FAMILY OF A BILLION PEOPLE - BUT RATHER IN ITS SHARED IDEALS, ITS EMPHASIS ON DISCUSSION AND ITS DISPOSITION TO CO-OPERATE. THIS VOLUNTARY ORGANISATION, THE GROUP IN WHICH WE CAN FEEL COMFORTABLE, IS WHERE WE CAN LOOK TO OUR FRIENDS FOR SUPPORT AND UNDERSTANDING AND FOR HELP IN FINDING THE ANSWERS TO OUR COMMON PROBLEMS.
"EVERY YEAR THERE ARE MANY COMMONWEALTH MEETINGS. THESE BRING TOGETHER ALL SORTS OF PEOPLE - MINISTERS AND MARINERS, TEACHERS AND TRADERS, PHARMACISTS AND FARMERS - ALL WORKING TOGETHER THE MORE EASILY BECAUSE THEY SHARE A COMMON LANGUAGE. AGREEMENT ON ALL SUBJECTS MAY NOT ALWAYS BE POSSIBLE BUT UNDERSTANDING AND MUTUAL BENEFIT ARE ALWAYS THE GOALS.
"AT THE COMMONWEALTH HEADS OF GOVERNMENT MEETING IN VANCOUVER LAST YEAR THIS SEARCH FOR CO-OPERATIVE EFFORT BROUGHT PRACTICAL DECISIONS IN MANY AREAS INCLUDING MORE HELP FOR THOSE IN NEED OF FOOD AND SHELTER. I WAS SPECIALLY INTERESTED IN THE DECISION TO CREATE A COMMONWEALTH-WIDE DISTANCE LEARNING SYSTEM AT COLLEGE AND UNIVERSITY LEVEL TO BRING NEW OPPORTUNITIES FOR HIGHER EDUCATION TO OUR YOUNG PEOPLE AND ADULTS THROUGHOUT THE COMMONWEALTH.
"FOR THE FUTURE, WE MUST LISTEN AS WELL AS SPEAK TO EACH OTHER AND SO LEARN TOLERANCE THROUGH UNDERSTANDING. IF WE ALWAYS LOOK FOR THOSE THINGS WHICH UNITE US, WHETHER SHARED HOPES OR SHARED FEARS, THE COMMONWEALTH LINK WILL COME TO MEAN EVEN MORE TO US.
"I URGE YOU TO KEEP FAITH IN THE COMMONWEALTH: IT CAN AND WILL CONTINUE TO SERVE THE WORLD WELL."
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SUNDAY, MARCH 13, 1988
- 2 -
LATEST YEARBOOK HIGHLIGHTS DRAMATIC IMPACT OF BUILDING WORKS ♦ ♦ * ♦ ♦
HONG KONG’S DYNAMISM, AS SEEN THROUGH ITS RELENTLESS DEVOTION TO THE CONSTRUCTION OF BOTH PRIVATE AND PUBLIC WORKS AND PROJECTS, IS THE THEME OF THE REVIEW CHAPTER OF THE 1988 HONG KONG ANNUAL REPORT.
BEARING THE TITLE ’’HONG KONG — BUILDING FOR THE FUTURE”, THE ARTICLE PLACES EMPHASIS ON WHAT IS DESCRIBED AS ”A 30-YEAR FRENZY OF CONSTRUCTION WHICH HAS COMPLETELY TRANSFORMED THE WHOLE FACE OF THE TERRITORY FROM THE CENTRAL BUSINESS DISTRICT TO SOME OF THE REMOTER PARTS OF THE NEW TERRITORIES.”
ALL THIS, AS AUTHOR DEREK JONES POINTS OUT, IS THE RESULT OF THE COMPLEMENTARY ROLES OF BOTH THE PUBLIC AND PRIVATE SECTORS IN THE OVERALL DEVELOPMENT OF HONG KONG.
THE PRIVATE SECTOR HAS PROVIDED THE INVESTMENT FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF INDUSTRY, COMMERCE, FINANCE AND MUCH RESIDENTIAL BUILDING; THE GOVERNMENT, IN TURN, HAS PROVIDED THE BASIC ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL INFRASTRUCTURE, INCLUDING ROADS AND RAILWAYS, THE AIRPORT, WATER SUPPLIES AND HOSPITALS.
THIS COMBINED EFFORT OVER THE YEARS UNDERLINES THEIR CONFIDENCE IN THE FUTURE OF HONG KONG AND THEIR FAITH IN THE FUTURE OF ITS ECONOMY AND SOCIETY, THE ARTICLE STATES.
IN THE AREA OF ECONOMIC ACTIVITY, THE READER IS REMINDED THAT HONG KONG IS A COMPLETELY OPEN ECONOMY, GUIDED BY WORLD MARKET FORCES IN ALMOST ALL THAT IT DOES.
TRADE IN THE BROADEST SENSE IS ITS LIFEBLOOD AND IT MAKES THE GOODS OR PERFORMS THE SERVICES WHICH, WHEN SOLD IN WORLD MARKETS, BRING IN THE BEST PROFIT. LIKEWISE IT BUYS WHAT IT NEEDS FROM OUTSIDE AS CHEAPLY AS IT CAN.
THE GROWING INTER-RELATIONSHIP OF THE ECONOMIES OF HONG KONG AND CHINA IN THE PAST FEW YEARS IS ALSO EXAMINED.
THE ARTICLE IS WELL-ILLUSTRATED BY AN END-PAPER MAP GIVING GRAPHIC, EASY-TO-READ INFORMATION ON MANY CONSTRUCTION PROJECTS, BOTH PRIVATE AND PUBLIC, THAT HAVE RECENTLY BEEN BUILT, AND ARE BEING BUILT NOW AND INTO THE FUTURE.
FOLLOWING THE PATTERN OF LAST YEAR, THE BOOK INCLUDES 10 BEAUTIFUL COLOUR SECTIONS ON DIFFERENT ASPECTS OF HONG KONG LIFE AND ACTIVITY.
TO ROUND OFF A PUBLICATION COMPRISING 380 PAGES, THERE IS ALSO AN EXTENSIVE SERIES OF APPENDICES PROVIDING USEFUL WIDE-RANGING STATISTICS.
/THESE AND ......
SUNDAY, MARCH 13, 1988
5 -
THESE AND THE OTHER CHAPTERS TAKEN TOGETHER COMBINE TO PROVIDE A WEALTH OF INFORMATION ON HONG KONG WHICH HAS MADE THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT’S ANNUAL REPORT A REGULAR BEST-SELLER.
HONG KONG 1988, WHICH COVERS THE EVENTS OF 1987, WILL BE ON SALE AT $38 TOMORROW (MONDAY) AT THE GOVERNMENT PUBLICATIONS CENTRE, GPO BUILDING, CONNAUGHT PLACE, CENTRAL, HONG KONG, AND SHORTLY AFTER AT ALL LEADING BOOKSTORES.
0
GROWING INTEREST IN TOWN PLANNING ♦ » ♦ * »
THE PUBLIC IS SHOWING KEENER INTEREST IN TOWN PLANNING MATTERS AND BECOMING MORE KNOWLEDGEABLE ABOUT THE VARIOUS DEVELOPMENTAL CONSTRAINTS WHICH COULD AFFECT THE QUALITY OF THEIR LIVES.
FIGURES JUST RELEASED BY THE CENTRAL INFORMATION UNIT OF THE TOWN PLANNING OFFICE, BUILDINGS AND LANDS DEPARTMENT, SHOWED A STEADY INCREASE IN THE NUMBER OF ENQUIRIES CONCERNING LAND DEVELOPMENT AND TOWN PLANNING RECEIVED BY THE UNIT IN RECENT YEARS.
LAST YEAR, A TOTAL OF 3,060 ENQUIRIES WERE RECORDED, WHICH REPRESENTED AN INCREASE OF NEARLY 70 PER CENT OVER THE PRECEDING YEAR’S FIGURE OF 1,819.
THE NUMBERS WERE UP COMPARED TO 1,613 ENQUIRIES RECEIVED IN 1985, 1,120 IN 1984 AND 915 IN 1983.
ANALYSIS OF THE ENQUIRIES SHOWED THEY NO LONGER CAME ALMOST EXCLUSIVELY FROM PROFESSIONAL OR COMMERCIAL ORGANISATIONS.
WHILE THE MAJORITY WERE ATTRIBUTABLE TO PROFESSIONAL AGENCIES AND PROPERTY COMPANIES WHICH ACCOUNTED FOR 31 PER CENT AND 18 PER CENT RESPECTIVELY OF THE TOTAL, PRIVATE INDIVIDUALS AND STUDENTS ACCOUNTED FOR 19 PER CENT AND 12 PER CENT RESPECTIVELY.
A TOWN PLANNER, MR RAYMOND WONG, SAID: ’’THE TYPE OF QUESTIONS BEING ASKED BY PRIVATE INDIVIDUALS AND STUDENTS INDICATED A KEEN INTEREST AND CONCERN ABOUT THEIR LIVING ENVIRONMENT.
’’FOR EXAMPLE, WOULD-BE HONE BUYERS ARE
ABOUT EXISTING AND FUTURE DEVELOPMENTS IN PROSPECTIVE HOMES, AND ABOUT FACILITIES TO AREAS."
INTERESTED IN LEARNING THE VICINITY OF THEIR BE PROVIDED IN NEARBY
MR WONG NOTED THAT HONG KONG HAS SOME LAND USE CONSTRAINTS DUE TO THE SCARCITY OF SOME OF ITS ESTABLISHED OLD URBAN AREAS ARE
OF THE MOST DIFFICULT
LEVEL GROUND AND THAT
AMONG THE MOST DENSELY
POPULATED IN THE WORLD.
/"OUT ACHIEVEMEWTS .......
SUNDAY, MARCH 1J, 1988
"OUT ACHIEVEMENTS IN TOWN PLANNING HAVE BEEN HELD IN HIGH ESTEEM BY OUR OVERSEAS COUNTERPARTS - INCLUDING UNIVERSITY LECTURERS, GOVERNMENT TOWN PLANNERS AND MAJOR PRIVATE DEVELOPERS," HE SAID.
"LAST YEAR, THE TOWN PLANNING OFFICE RECEIVED 14 VISITING DELEGATIONS FROM JAPAN, ISRAEL, SINGAPORE, INDIA, FRANCE, WEST GERMANY AND CHINA.
"THEY ALL TOOK A KEEN INTEREST IN OUR WORK AND THERE WERE MANY FRUITFUL PROFESSIONAL EXCHANGES THROUGH LECTURES, SEMINARS, TALKS, DISCUSSIONS AND GUIDED TOURS."
APART FROM PROVIDING A TELEPHONE (5-8482402) ENQUIRIES SERVICE MANNED DURING OFFICE HOURS, THE TOWN PLANNING OFFICE HAS ALSO PUBLISHED A NUMBER OF INFORMATION LEAFLETS AND BOOKLETS.
THESE DEAL WITH PLANNING SYSTEMS AND ORGANISATION, PLANNING APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS AND PROCEDURES, BASIC DATA RELATED TO TOWN PLANNING, AND PLANNING STANDARDS AND GUIDELINES, AND SO ON.
THE LEAFLETS ARE DISTRIBUTED FREE BY THE CENTRAL INFORMATION UNIT AT MURRAY BUILDING, FOURTH FLOOR, GARDEN ROAD, CENTRAL, AND THROUGH THE DISTRICT OFFICES AND PUBLIC ENQUIRIES CENTRES OF THE CITY AND NEW TERRITORIES ADMINISTRATION.
-------0 ---------
OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH EXHIBITION TO BE HELD IN TAIKOO SHING
******
A WEEK-LONG EXHIBITION ON OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH WILL BE OPENED AT THE CITYPLAZA IN TAIKOO SHING ON FRIDAY (MARCH 18).
ORGANISED BY THE OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH DIVISION OF THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT AND SPONSORED BY 3M (FAR EAST) LTD, IT AIMS AT ENHANCING PUBLIC AWARENESS THE IMPORTANCE OF OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH IN THE WORKPLACE.
THROUGH AUDIO-VISUAL PRESENTATIONS AND STATIC DISPLAYS, THE EXHIBITION WILL INTRODUCE TO THE PUBLIC THE NINE MOST COMMON OCCUPATIONAL HAZARDS AND DISEASES ASSOCIATED WITH INDUSTRY IN HONG KONG.
THESE INCLUDE ASBESTOS, SILICOSIS, OCCUPATIONAL DERMATITIS, CHEMICAL GASES AND MIST, DECOMPRESSION SICKNESS, NON-IONIZING RADIATION, SOLVENT VAPOURS, AND LEAD POISONING.
/THERE WILL ......
SUNDAY, MARCH 1J, 1988
- 5 -
I
THERE WILL BE A DISPLAY OF MODERN EQUIPMENT USED TO MEASURE THE LEVEL OF HEALTH HAZARDS IN THE WORKPLACE AND DEMONSTRATIONS OF THEIR USE. }
"IT IS HOPED THAT THE EVENT, THE FIRST TO BE ORGANISED BY THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT, WILL GIVE THE PUBLIC A BETTER UNDERSTAND I ifl OF VARIOUS OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH HAZARDS AND OCCUPATIONAL DISEASES, AS WELL AS THE PREVENTIVE MEASURES WHICH CAN BE TAKEN," A DEPARTMENT SPOKESMAN SAID. /
THROUGHOUT THE EXHIBITION PERIOD, OCCUPATIONAL HYGIENISTS AND MEDICAL STAFF FROM THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT WILL BE ON HAND TO ANSWER ENQUIRIES.
; <
THE EVENT WILL BE OPENED BY AN EXECUTIVE AND LEGISLATIVE COUNCILLOR, DR CHIU HIN-KWONG; THE SECRETARY FOR EDUCATION AND MANPOWER, MR RON BRIDGE; THE DEPUTY DIRECTOR OF MEDICAL AND HEALTH SERVICES, DR S.H. LEE; AND THE COMMISSIONER FOR LABOUR, MR TONY HAMMOND.
IT WILL BE OPEN TO THE PUBLIC BETWEEN 10 AM AND 8 PM ON SATURDAY (MARCH 19) AND SUNDAY (MARCH 20), AND FROM 11 AM TO 7 PM DURING WEEKDAYS.
I
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE OPENING CEREMONY AT THE CENTRE BRIDGE, 2ND FLOOR, CITYPLAZA, TAIKOO SHING, AT 3 PM ON FRIDAY (MARCH 18).
-------0---------
FUNDS FOR SUMMER YOUTH * *
ACTIVITIES IN NORTH DISTRICT * * » *
SCHOOLS, VOLUNTARY AGENCIES AND LOCAL ORGANISATIONS IN NORTH DISTRICT ARE INVITED TO APPLY FOR FUNDS TO ORGANISE YOUTH ACTIVITIES THIS SUMMER.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE NORTH DISTRICT SUMMER YOUTH PROGRAMME CO-ORDINATING COMMITTEE ’88 SAID TODAY (SUNDAY), "THE THEME FOR THIS YEAR’S PROGRAMME WILL BE 'SHARE THE FUN, SERVE THE COMMUNITY', AND THE TARGET GROUP WILL BE THOSE AGED BETWEEN SIX AND 25."
PROJECTS PROPOSED WOULD BE FUNDED ENTIRELY BY THE ROYAL HONG KONG JOCKEY CLUB, THE SPOKESMAN ADDED.
/THE PROJECTS .......
SUNDAY, MARCH 1J, 1988
THE PROJECTS SHOULD BE NON-PROFIT MAKING AND DESIGNED TO PROVIDE OPPORTUNITIES FOR YOUNG PEOPLE TO BENEFIT THEMSELVES DURING THE SUMMER THROUGH ACTIVE PARTICIPATION IN RECREATIONAL AND COMMUNITY ACTIVITIES.
THE NORTH DISTRICT’S 1987 SUMMER YOUTH PROGRAMME WAS A SUCCESS. OVER 20,000 YOUNGSTERS TOOK PART IN 63 EVENTS ORGANISED BY 30 PARTICIPATING AGENCIES.
TO ENCOURAGE PARTICIPATION IN THE 1988 PROGRAMME, INVITATION LETTERS HAVE BEEN SENT TO VARIOUS ORGANISATIONS, AS WELL AS SCHOOLS AND MUTUAL AID COMMITTEES, IN THE DISTRICT.
APPLICATION FORMS ARE ALSO AVAILABLE AT THE NORTH DISTRICT OFFICE AT JOCKEY CLUB ROAD, FANLING, AND ITS SUB-OFFICES.
DEADLINE FOR APPLICATIONS IS APRIL 8. ENQUIRIES CAN BE MADE ON 0-901358.
0 - -
REFRESHER TRAINING COURSE FOR SERVING TEACHERS
*****
THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT WILL AGAIN ORGANISE A SERIES OF REFRESHER TRAINING COURSES FOR TEACHERS STARTING IN SEPTEMBER THIS YEAR.
THE PURPOSE IS TO ACQUAINT SERVING SECONDARY SCHOOL TEACHERS WITH CONTEMPORARY METHODS AND APPROACHES TO TEACHING IN SCHOOLS AND TO PROMOTE FURTHER UNDERSTANDING OF THE USE OF RESOURCES AND NEW CONCEPTS IN CURRICULUM DEVELOPMENT.
THE. REFRESHER COURSES, TO BE HELD AT THE NORTHCOTE COLLEGE OF EDUCATION, WILL BE SUBJECT-BASED AND BE OPERATED OVER A PERIOD OF SEVEN WEEKS BETWEEN SEPTEMBER AND JUNE NEXT YEAR.
SUBJECTS OFFERED WILL BE ART AND DESIGN, ENGLISH, ECONOMICS AND PUBLIC AFFAIRS, SOCIAL STUDIES, CHINESE, CHINESE HISTORY, HOME ECONOMICS, STUDENT COUNSELLING AND GUIDANCE, MATHEMATICS, MUSIC, SCIENCE, GEOGRAPHY, HISTORY AND PHYSICAL EDUCATION.
THE COURSES ARE OPEN TO ALL GRADUATED AND NON-GRADUATED SECONDARY SCHOOL TEACHERS WHO HAD COMPLETED THEIR BASIC TRAINING COURSE AT LEAST FIVE YEARS AGO.
PARTICIPANTS WILL BE PROVIDED WITH OPPORTUNITIES TO RECOGNISE THE CHANGING AND BROADENING ROLES OF AUDIO-VISUAL MATERIALS IN TEACHING, TO SELECT AND USE READY-MADE INSTRUCTIONAL MEDIA AND TO DEVELOP FUNDAMENTAL SKILLS IN THE PRODUCTION OF HOME-MADE INSTRUCTIONAL MEDIA.
/THERE WILL
SUNDAY, MARCH 13, 1988
THERE WILL BE LECTURES, GROUP DISCUSSIONS AND SEMINARS.
THE TOPICS WILL INCLUDE TEACHER EFFECTIVENESS, ADOLESCENT DEVELOPMENT, CURRICULUM PLANNING AND INNOVATION, CHILD GUIDANCE, VOCATIONAL GUIDANCE AND STUDENT COUNSELLING, CIVIC EDUCATION, MORAL EDUCATION, SEX EDUCATION, CLASS MANAGEMENT AND DISCIPLINE AND CLASSROOM GROUP PROCESS.
SCHOOL HEADS ARE ADVISED TO SEND NOMINATIONS TO THE COLLEGE OF EDUCATION JOINT SELECTION BOARD, NORTHCOTE COLLEGE OF EDUCATION, 9A BONHAM ROAD, HONG KONG, BEFORE APRIL 15.
-----0------
PIANO MASTERCLASS BY ARGENTINIAN VIRTUOSO
*****
THE MUSIC OFFICE WILL PRESENT A PIANO MASTERCLASS FROM 5 PM TO 7 PM ON THURSDAY (MARCH 17) AT THE MONG KOK MUSIC CENTRE.
THE MASTERCLASS WILL BE CONDUCTED BY A RENOWNED ARGENTINE PIANIST AND COMPOSER, MISS PIA SEBASTIANI.
OVER THE PAST THREE DECADES, MISS SEBASTIANI HAS GIVEN NUMEROUS PERFORMANCES IN EUROPE AND AMERICA. SHE HAS RECEIVED MANY INTERNATIONAL FELLOWSHIPS AND PRIZES AS WELL AS DECORATIONS, NOMINATIONS AND HONOURS FROM THE GOVERNMENTS OF FRANCE, BELGIUM, BOLIVIA AND HER OWN COUNTRY.
AT THE MASTERCLASS, FOUR LOCAL YOUNG PIANISTS WILL PERFORM, UNDER MISS SEBASTIANI’S GUIDANCE, COMPOSITIONS OF CHOPIN, MENDELSSOHN AND SCHUBERT. SHE WILL SPEAK ON THE VARIOUS TECHNIQUES OF PIANO PLAYING.
ADMISSION TO THE MASTERCLASS IS FREE AND OPEN TO THE PUBLIC. RESERVATIONS AND ENQUIRIES CAN BE MADE ON 3-7149255.
-----0-----
/8 .......
SUNDAY, MARCH 13, 1988
8
TENDERS INVITED FOR FANLING SOUTH DEVELOPMENTS * * * «
ROAD WORKS, DRAINAGE WORKS AND SITE FORMATION WILL BE CARRIED OUT IN TO TOP SHEK IN FANLING SOUTH AS PART OF THE CONTINUING PROGRAMME FOR DEVELOPMENT OF FANLING/SHEUNG SHUI NEW TOWN.
THE WORK COMPRISES IMPROVEMENTS TO THE EXISTING WO HOP SHEK INTERCHANGE, CONSTRUCTION OF A 600-METRE LOCAL DISTRIBUTOR ROAD, A BUS TERMINUS, TWO CAR/LORRY PARKS, TWO PEDESTRIAN/CYCLIST SUBWAYS AND TWO FOOTBRIDGES.
ASSOCIATED STORMWATER AND FOUL DRAINAGE WORKS WILL ALSO BE CARRIED OUT.
THE PROJECT INCLUDES THE FORMATION OF SITES FOR A HOME OWNERSHIP COURT AND A SECONDARY SCHOOL IN THE AREA.
WORK IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN IN MAY AND TAKE ABOUT 27 MOMHS TO COMPLETE.
THE TERRITORY DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT IS INVITING TENDERS FOR THE PROJECT.
THE DEADLINE FOR SUBMISSION OF TENDERS IS NOON ON APRIL 15.
-----0-----
RIGHT-TURN BAN IN NEW CLEAR WATER BAY ROAD
*****
TO IMPROVE TRAFFIC FLOW, NO VEHICLES IN NEW CLEAR WATER BAY ROAD WILL BE ALLOWED TO TURN RIGHT INTO LEE ON ROAD IN KWUN TONG FROM 10 AM ON TUESDAY (MARCH 15).
MOTORISTS IN NEW CLEAR WATER BAY ROAD NORTHWEST-BOI ND HEADING FOR LEE ON ROAD WILL BE DIVERTED VIA SAN LEE STREET, WHILE THOSE IN SHUN LEE TSUEN ROAD WESTBOUND HEADING FOR LEE ON ROAD WILL HAVE TO USE SHUN ON ROAD.
- O - -
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL: 5-8428777
MONDAY, MARCH 14, 1988
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
UNEMPLOYMENT, UNDEREMPLOYMENT STATISTICS FOR NOVEMBER-JANUARY ...................................................... 1
PROPOSAL TO REMOVE WAGE CEILING DISCUSSED BY LAB........... 3
SCHOLARSHIPS AND FELLOWSHIPS FOR OVERSEAS STUDIES ANNOUNCED 4 EPD SENDS LETTERS TO FARMERS IN CONTROL AREAS ............. 6
TAC TO MEET TOMORROW ...................................... 7
VTC ENGINEERING COURSE ACCEPTABLE TO MARINE DEPT .......... 7
NORTH DB TO DISCUSS WHITE PAPER ........................... 8
DB COMMITTEE TO DISCUSS TRAFFIC MATTERS ................... 8
DB COMMITTEE TO DISCUSS FUND APPLICATION .................. 9
SAI KUNG DB COMMITTEE TO MEET ............................. 9
BOOKLET ON RADIATION PUBLISHED ............................ 10
IMMIGRATION OFFICERS TO UNDERGO TRAINING IN BRITAIN ....... 10
ILLEGAL STRUCTURES TO BE REMOVED .......................... 11
WANG TAU HOM TRAFFIC MEASURES REARRANGED FOR ROAD WORKS ... 11
TEMPORARY CLOSURE OF MaRSH ROAD ........................... 12
TRAFFIC CHANGES IN HUNG HOM ............................... 13
WATER STORAGE FIGURE....................................... 13
MONDAY, MARCH 14, 1988
1
UNEMPLOYMENT, UNDEREMPLOYMENT STATISTICS FOR NOVEMBER-JANUARY
*****
IN THE THREE MONTHS NOVEMBER 1987-JANUARY 1988, BOTH THE UNEMPLOYMENT AND UNDEREMPLOYMENT RATES REMAINED STABLE AT A LOW LEVEL, COMPARED WITH THE THREE MONTHS ENDING OCTOBER 1987, ACCORDING TO THE LATEST LABOUR FORCE STATISTICS RELEASED TODAY (MONDAY) BY THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT.
THESE FIGURES INDICATE THAT THE LABOUR MARKET CONDITIONS HAVE REMAINED TIGHT, WITH THE LOCAL WORKFORCE FULLY EMPLOYED.
THE SEASONALLY ADJUSTED UNEMPLOYMENT RATE FOR NOVEMBER 1987-JANUARY 1988 WAS 1.8 PER CENT, COMPARED WITH 1.9 PER CENT FOR THE THREE MONTHS ENDING OCTOBER 1987 AND 2.0 PER CENT FOR THE SAME PERIOD A YEAR EARLIER.
THE DECREASE OF 0.1 PERCENTAGE POINT BELOW THE PREVIOUS THREE MONTH PERIOD IS STATISTICALLY NOT SIGNIFICANT, WHILE THE DECREASE OF 0.2 PERCENTAGE POINT BELOW THE SAME PERIOD A YEAR EARLIER IS STATISTICALLY SIGNIFICANT.
THE NUMBER OF UNEMPLOYED PERSONS IN NOVEMBER 1987-JANUARY 1988 WAS ESTIMATED AT 48,900, COMPARED WITH 52,900 FOR THE THREE MONTHS ENDING OCTOBER 1987 AND 54,600 FOR THE THREE MONTHS ENDING JANUARY 1987.
THE UNDEREMPLOYMENT RATE FOR NOVEMBER 1987-JANUARY 1988 WAS 0.9 PER CENT, WHICH COMPARES WITH 1.0 PER CENT FOR THE THREE MONTHS ENDING OCTOBER 1987. THE RATE FOR NOVEMBER 1986-JANUARY 1987 WAS 1.2 PER CENT.
THE DECREASE OF 0.1 PERCENTAGE POINT BELOW THE PREVIOUS THREE MONTH PERIOD IS STATISTICALLY NOT SIGNIFICANT WHILE THE DECREASE OF 0.3 PERCENTAGE POINT BELOW A YEAR EARLIER IS STATISTICALLY SIGNIFICANT.
THE ESTIMATED NUMBER OF UNDEREMPLOYED PERSONS FOR NOVEMBER 1987-JANUARY 1988 WAS 26,000, COMPARED WITH 28,100 FOR THE THREE MONTHS ENDING OCTOBER 1987 AND 31,700 FOR THE THREE MONTHS ENDING JANUARY 1987.
CONSISTENT WITH THE CURRENT RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE INTERNATIONAL LABOUR ORGANISATION (ILO), PERSONS WHO WORKED LESS THAN 35 HOURS A WEEK DUE TO ECONOMIC REASONS (SUCH AS SLACK WORK, MATERIAL SHORTAGE, MECHANICAL BREAKDOWN AND INABILITY TO FIND FULL-TIME WORK) WERE REGARDED AS UNDEREMPLOYED ONLY IF THEY WERE EITHER SEEKING OR AVAILABLE FOR MORE WORK.
COMMENTING ON THESE FIGURES, THE COMMISSIONER FOR CENSUS AND STATISTICS SAID THAT BECAUSE THE PROPORTION OF FIRST-TIME JOB-SEEKERS (FOR EXAMPLE, PEOPLE WHO HAVE JUST LEFT SCHOOL) VARIES FROM MONTH TO MONTH, UNEMPLOYMENT RATES THAT HAD BEEN SEASONALLY ADJUSTED TO TAKE ACCOUNT OF THE VARIATIONS IN THE NUMBER OF FIRST-TIME JOB-SEEKERS SHOULD BE USED IN MAKING COMPARISONS OVER TIME.
/THE COMMISSIONER
MONDAY, MARCH 14, 1988
- 2 -
THE COMMISSIONER ADDED THAT, BASED ON A SYSTEM OF MANUAL EXTRACTION OF INFORMATION FROM SURVEY QUESTIONNAIRES FOR THE LATEST MONTH, PROVISIONAL UNEMPLOYMENT AND UNDEREMPLOYMENT RATES COVERING THE LATEST THREE-MONTH PERIOD COULD BE MADE AVAILABLE WITHIN TWO WEEKS AFTER THE SURVEY.
THESE PROVIDE AN EARLY INDICATION OF THE LATEST TREND IN THE UNEMPLOYMENT AND UNDEREMPLOYMENT SITUATION.
THE PROVISIONAL SEASONALLY ADJUSTED UNEMPLOYMENT RATE FOR DECEMBER 1987-FEBRUARY 1988 WAS 1.6 PER CENT AND THE PROVISIONAL UNDEREMPLOYMENT RATE WAS 0.8 PER CENT.
THE LOW UNEMPLOYMENT RATE, AVERAGED OVER THE THREE MONTHS, WAS DUE TO THE RATHER LOW RATE FOR FEBRUARY, 1988, WHICH WAS PROBABLY RESULTED FROM FEWER JOB SEEKERS LOOKING FOR WORK DURING THE LUNAR NEW YEAR PERIOD, WHO WOULD OTHERWISE BE CLASSIFIED AS UNEMPLOYED.-
THE UNEMPLOYMENT AND UNDEREMPLOYMENT STATISTICS WERE OBTAINED FROM A CONTINUOUS GENERAL HOUSEHOLD SURVEY CONDUCTED BY THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT.
THIS SURVEY COVERS A QUARTERLY SAMPLE OF SOME 14,000 HOUSEHOLDS OR 49,000 PERSONS, SELECTED SCIENTIFICALLY TO REPRESENT THE LAND-BASED CIVILIAN NON-INSTITUTIONAL POPULATION IN HONG KONG.
PERSONAL AND LABOUR FORCE DATA WERE OBTAINED IN THE SURVEY BY INTERVIEWING EACH INDIVIDUAL MEMBER AGED 15 AND ABOVE IN THE HOUSEHOLDS SAMPLED.
IN THE SURVEY, THE DEFINITIONS USED IN MEASURING UNEMPLOYMENT AND UNDEREMPLOYMENT FOLLOW CLOSELY THOSE RECOMMENDED BY THE ILO.
DETAILED ANALYSIS OF LABOUR FORCE CHARACTERISTICS IS GIVEN IN THE REPORT ON THE GENERAL HOUSEHOLD SURVEY WHICH IS PUBLISHED FOUR TIMES A YEAR.
THE NEXT REPORT COVERING THE QUARTER ENDING DECEMBER 1987 SHOULD BE AVAILABLE FROM THE GOVERNMENT PUBLICATIONS CENTRE AROUND MARCH 20 AT $9.50 PER COPY.
-----0------
MONDAY, MARCH 14, 1988
PROPOSAL TO REMOVE WAGE » *
CEILING DISCUSSED BY LAB
» * «
THE LABOUR ADVISORY BOARD MET TODAY (MONDAY) TO DISCUSS A PROPOSAL TO REMOVE THE WAGE CEILING FOR NON-MANUAL EMPLOYEES UNDE7. THE EMPLOYMENT ORDINANCE.
AT PRESENT THE LAW APPLIES TO ALL MANUAL EMPLOYEES IRRESPECTIVE OF WAGES AND TO NON-MANUAL EMPLOYEES WHOSE WAGES DO NOT EXCEED $11,500 A MONTH. IT IS ESTIMATED THAT ABOUT TWO PER CENT OF THE TOTAL NUMBER OF EMPLOYEES ARE OUTSIDE THE SCOPE OF THE ORDINANCE.
USEFUL VIEWS WERE EXPRESSED BY EMPLOYERS’ AND EMPLOYEES’ REPRESENTATIVES AT THE MEETING.
ALTHOUGH OPINIONS WERE DIVIDED, MOST MEMBERS WERE IN FAVOUR OF THE PROPOSAL TO REMOVE THE WAGE CEILING FOR NON-MANUAL EMPLOYEES AND TO SET A LIMIT FOR THE PURPOSE OF CALCULATING SEVERANCE PAYMENT AND LONG SERVICE PAYMENT FOR THIS GROUP OF EMPLOYEES, AND FOR THIS LIMIT TO BE REVISED AS AND WHEN NECESSARY BY RESOLUTION OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL.
HOWEVER, SOME MEMBERS EXPRESSED CONCERN ABOUT THE DISTINCTION BETWEEN MANUAL AND NON-MANUAL EMPLOYEES IN THE EMPLOYMENT ORDINANCE. IT WAS AGREED THAT FURTHER CONSIDERATION WOULD BE GIVEN TO THIS QUESTION.
THE BOARD ALSO AGREED TO SEND A TRIPARTITE DELEGATION TO ATTEND THE 75TH SESSION OF THE INTERNATIONAL LABOUR CONFERENCE TO BE HELD IN GENEVA IN JUNE THIS YEAR.
THE HONG KONG DELEGATION WOULD COMPRISE AN ASSISTANT COMMISSIONER FOR LABOUR, A REPRESENTATIVE OF EMPLOYERS AND A REPRESENTATIVE OF EMPLOYEES.
AT THE END OF THE MEETING, THE CHAIRMAN OF THE BOARD, MR TONY HAMMOND, GAVE A VOTE OF THANKS TO A RETIRING MEMBER, MR J.A. CHEETHAM. MR CHEETHAM HAS BEEN A MEMBER OF THE LABOUR ADVISORY BOARD SINCE 1975.
- 0 -
A
MONDAY, MARCH 14, 1988
- -SCHOLARSHIPS AND FELLOWSHIPS FOR OVERSEAS STUDIES ANNOUNCED *****
THE SIR EDWARD YOUDE MEMORIAL FUND COUNCIL TODAY (MONDAY) ANNOUNCED AWARDS FOR THREE SCHOLARSHIPS AND TWO FELLOWSHIPS FOR HONG KONG STUDENTS TO PURSUE COURSES OVERSEAS IN THE 1988-89 ACADEMIC YEAR
AFTER FINAL INTERVIEWS HELD ON FEBRUARY 29, APPLICANTS TO BE OFFERED AWARDS ARE -
SCHOLARSHIPS
♦ MR CHUI WAI-HO, A FORM 7 STUDENT AT DIOCESAN BOYS* SCHOOL. MR CHUI PROPOSES TO STUDY ELECTRICAL AND ELECTRONIC ENGINEERING AT THE MASSACHUSETTS INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY OR STANFORD UNIVERSITY IN THE UNITED STATES. MR CHUI SCORED NINE A GRADE RESULTS IN THE HONG KONG CERTIFICATE OF EDUCATION EXAMINATION IN 1986.
♦ MR HUI YUI, A FORM 7 STUDENT AT QUEEN’S COLLEGE♦ MR HUI PROPOSES TO READ MEDICINE AT CAMBRIDGE UNIVERSITY ENGLAND AND HAS BEEN PROVISIONALLY AWARDED A PRINCE PHILIP SCHOLARSHIP BY THE FRIENDS OF CAMBRIDGE UNIVERSITY IN HONG KONG. MR HUI ALSO SCORED NINE A GRADE RESULTS IN THE HONG KONG CERTIFICATE OF EDUCATION EXAMINATION IN 1986.
* MISS YOUNG WAI-MUN, A FORM 7 STUDENT AT SACRED HEART CANOSSIAN COLLEGE. MISS YOUNG PROPOSES TO READ LAW AT OXFORD UNIVERSITY OR BIRMINGHAM UNIVERSITY IN ENGLAND. MISS YOUNG SCORED EIGHT A GRADE AND ONE B GRADE RESULTS IN THE HONG KONG CERTIFICATE OF EDUCATION EXAMINATION IN 1986.
FELLOWSHIPS
» MISS NG MEE-KAM, AN ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICER IN GOVERNMENT SERVICE. MISS NG HAS A MSC DEGREE IN URBAN PLANNING FROM HONG KONG UNIVERSITY. SHE PROPOSES TO OBTAIN A PHD DEGREE FROM THE UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA AT BERKELEY OR LOS ANGELES BY CONDUCTING RESEARCH IN THE FIELD OF URBAN AND REGIONAL PLANNING.
♦ MR PAUL HSIEH WING-TAI, A POST-GRADUATE LAW STUDENT AT HONG KONG UNIVERSITY. MR HSIEH GRADUATED WITH A FIRST IN LAW FROM CAMBRIDGE UNIVERSITY IN 1987 AND PROPOSES TO UNDERTAKE A POST-GRADUATE DEGREE IN CIVIL LAW AT OXFORD UNIVERSITY IN ENGLAND.
THE CHAIRMAN OF THE COUNCIL, MR STEPHEN CHEONG, SAID: ’’THESE STUDENTS WERE CHOSEN FROM AMONG SOME 250 APPLICATIONS RECEIVED IN NOVEMBER LAST YEAR.
/’’THE! HAYS
MONDAY, MARCH 14, 1988
- 5 -
"THEY HAVE GONE THROUGH A RIGOROUS SELECTION PROCESS INVOLVING SHORTLISTING, PRELIMINARY INTERVIEWS AND FINAL INTERVIEWS. I CONGRATULATE THEM ON THEIR SUCCESS.
"AS I SAID BEFORE, OUR AIM FOR MAKING THESE AWARDS IS TO PROVIDE OPPORTUNITIES FOR THE EDUCATION OF SOME OF OUR BRIGHTEST STUDENTS IN THE BEST INSTITUTIONS IN THE WORLD.
”1 THINK WE HAVE ACHIEVED OUR AIM VERY WELL, AS CAN BE SEEN FROM THE RESULT OF OUR SELECTION."
"I THANK LADY YOUDE, MY COLLEAGUES ON THE COUNCIL AS WELL AS THOSE WHO HAVE ASSISTED US FOR THE CARE THEY HAVE TAKEN IN ENSURING THIS VERY SATISFACTORY RESULT," MR CHEONG ADDED.
LADY YOUDE, WHO PARTICIPATED IN THE FINAL SELECTION INTERVIEWS SAID: "I AM VERY GLAD TO HAVE BEEN ABLE TO MEET THE CANDIDATES AND DISCUSS WITH THEM THEIR PLANS FOR THE FUTURE.
"THEY ARE ALL EXCELLENT CANDIDATES WITH HIGH STANDARDS AND GREAT POTENTIAL.
"I AM SURE THAT THEY WILL PROFIT FROM THE OPPORTUNITIES PROVIDED BY THE SCHOLARSHIPS AND FELLOWSHIPS WHICH THEY WON AND HELP BRING FURTHER SUCCESS TO HONG KONG."
THE TOTAL VALUE OF THE SCHOLARSHIPS AND FELLOWSHIPS GRANTED FOR OVERSEAS STUDIES IN 1988-89 AMOUNTS TO ABOUT $755,000. THIS IS MADE UP OF AT LEAST $120,000 A YEAR FOR EACH SCHOLARSHIP AND AT LEAST $135,000 A YEAR FOR EACH FELLOWSHIP.
"THESE ANNUAL AMOUNTS SHOULD ENABLE OUR SCHOLARS AND FELLOWS TO MEET EXPENSES FOR FEES, MAINTENANCE AND NECESSARY AIR TRAVEL," MR CHEONG EXPLAINED.
"HOWEVER, WE DO NOT WISH TO SEE THEM HAVING TO WORRY ABOUT FINANCES DURING THEIR STUDIES. THE COUNCIL WILL ON APPLICATION AND IN INDIVIDUAL CASES CONSIDER MAKING ADJUSTMENT TO THE AMOUNT PAYABLE.
"AT THE SAME TIME, WE DO NOT WISH TO PREVENT OUR SCHOLARS AND FELLOWS FROM ACCEPTING OTHER AWARDS GIVEN IN RECOGNITION OF MERIT. THE COUNCIL WILL ALLOW THEM TO HOLD ANY SUCH OTHER AWARDS CONCURRENTLY PROVIDED THAT THEY ARE NOT FULL-COST AWARDS.
"OUR SCHOLARS AND FELLOWS WILL BE ASKED TO REPORT TO THE COUNCIL ANY OTHER AWARDS WHICH THEY MAY RECEIVE AND THE COUNCIL WILL TAKE THEM INTO CONSIDERATION IN DETERMINING THE ANNUAL AMOUNTS PAYABLE."
/fHE COUNCIL
MONDAY, MARCH 141 1988
THE COUNCIL ALSO ANNOUNCED A SCHEME OF SPE IAL AWARDS FOR DISABLED STUDENTS AT THE LOCAL TERTIARY INSTITUTIONS. THE AIM IS TO GIVE ENCOURAGEMENT TO THESE STUDENTS AND TO ASSIST THEM TC OVERCOME THE EXTRA DIFFICULTIES WHICH ARISE BECAUSE OF THEIR DISABILITIES.
”WE HAVE BEEN ADVISED BY THE COMMISSIONER FOR REHABILITATION THAT THESE DIFFICULTIES WHICH THE DISABLED STUDENTS FACED IN THE LEARNING PROCESS CAN BE ALLEVIATED BY THE USE OF SUITABLE TECHNICAL AIDS OR SERVICES DESIGNED TO MEET THEIR SPECIAL NEEDS, ’ MR CHEONG SAID.
“BUT THESE AIDS OR SERVICES AfiE SOMETIMES EXPENSIVE OR NOT GENERALLY AVAILABLE TO ALL WHO NEED THEM.
"WE WILL THEREFORE ASSIST THEM ON AN INDIVIDUAL BASIS WITH A ONE-OFF GRANT TO ENABLE THEM TO ACQUIRE SUCH TECHNICAL AIDS OR SERVICES FOR THEIR PERSONAL USE DURING.AND AFTER THEIR STUDIES.’'
THE COUNCIL WILL MAKE AVAILABLE UP TO $100,000 A YEAR STARTING FROM THE 1988-89 ACADEMIC YEAR FOR THIS PURPOSE AND WILL IN DUE COURSE INVITE HEADS OF THE TERTIARY INSTITUTIONS TO FORWARD NOMINATIONS FOR ITS CONSIDERATION.
- - 0 - -
EPD SENDS LETTERS TO FARMERS IN CONTROL AREAS * » ♦ ♦ t
THE ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION DEPARTMENT (EPD) HAS SENT LETTERS TO FARM OPERATORS OF STAGE 1 OF THE LIVESTOCK WASTE CONTROL AREAS INFORMING THEM THAT THEY CAN APPLY FOR EX-GRATIA ALLOWANCE IF THEY CHOOSE TO CEASE LIVESTOCK KEEPING OPERATION.
STAGE 1 OF THE CONTROL AREAS COVERS THE TOLO HARBOUR AND CHANNEL AREA, MUI WO AND ANGLER'S BEACH AREAS.
AS SET OUT IN THE WASTE DISPOSAL (LIVESTOCK WASTE) REGULATIONS 1988, LIVESTOCK KEEPING WILL BE CONTROLLED IN THE ABOVE AREAS -ITH EFFECT FROM JUNE 24 THIS YEAR.
FARMERS IN THESE AREAS CAN CHOOSE TO OPT OUT OF BUSINESS OR TO CONTINUE LIVESTOCK KEEPING OPERATION. THOSE WHO WISH TO CEASE OPERATION SHOULD INFORM THE EPD THE DATE ON WHICH THEY PROPOSE TO CEASE BUSINESS.
FARMERS WHO HAVE QUERIES CAN CONTACT THE DEPARTMENT EITHER IN WRITING OR BY TELEPHONING 3-7332285, 3-7332286, OR 3-7332292.
- O -
HOKDAi, KARCH 14, 1988
- 7 -
TAC TO MEET TOMORROW
* * *
THE TRANSPORT ADVISORY COMMITTEE WILL MEET TOMORROW (TUESDAY) TO DISCUSS THE FIVE-YEAR PLANS, 1988-1992, OF THE CHINA MOTOR BUS COMPANY AND THE KOWLOON MOTOR BUS COMPANY.
IN ADDITION, THE COMMITTEE WILL LOOK INTO THE CONGESTION PROBLEM AT THE CROSS HARBOUR TUNNEL.
ALSO ON THE AGENDA IS THE PROPOSED EXTENSION OF SEAT BELT LEGISLATION.
THE MEETING WILL BEGIN AT THE CENTRAL GOVERNMENT OFFICES AT 2.30 PM.
-----o------
VTC ENGINEERING COURSE ACCEPTABLE TO MARINE DEPT
*****
UNDER A NEW ARRANGEMENT BETWEEN THE VOCATIONAL TRAINING COUNCIL AND THE MARINE DEPARTMENT, DIPLOMA HOLDERS IN MARINE ENGINEERING AND FABRICATION, AFTER UNDERGOING TWO YEARS OF RELEVANT PRACTICAL TRAINING, WILL BE QUALIFIED FOR ENTRY INTO THE MARINE ENGINEER CERTIFICATION EXAMINATION SYSTEM.
THE ARRANGEMENT WAS OUTLINED TODAY (MONDAY) BY THE HEAD OF THE MARINE ENGINEERING AND FABRICATION DEPARTMENT, MR C.M. CHAN.
"THIS MEANS THAT THE TWO-YEAR DIPLOMA PROGRAMME BEING OFFERED BY THE DEPARTMENT OF MARINE ENGINEERING AND FABRICATION OF THE HAKING WONG TECHNICAL INSTITUTE IS ACCEPTABLE TO THE MARINE DEPARTMENT AS PART OF THE INITIAL TRAINING REQUIREMENT FOR ENTRY INTO THE EXAMINATION SYSTEM FOR MARINE ENGINEERS," HE SAID.
THE RECOGNITION WAS GIVEN BY THE MARINE DEPARTMENT AS A RESULT OF THE MODIFICATION OF THE INSTITUTE’S WORKSHOP FACILITIES AND THE COURSE CONTENT AS WELL AS THE REVALIDATION OF THE COURSE PROGRAMME BY THE UNITED KINGDOM BUSINESS AND TECHNICIAN EDUCATION COUNCIL.
IT WAS ALSO DECIDED THAT THE RECOGNITION WOULD BE RETROSPECTIVE TO JULY LAST YEAR. A TOTAL OF 28 STUDENTS WHO HAD GRADUATED BY THEN WILL BENEFIT FROM THIS.
MR CHAN SAID THESE DIPLOMA GRADUATES WOULD HAVE THEIR INITIAL TRAINING PERIOD SHORTENED BY TWO YEARS IF THEY WISHED TO TAKE THE EXAMINATIONS LEADING TO MARINE ENGINEER OFFICER QUALIFICATIONS.
/THE MARINE
MONDAY, MARCH 14, 1988
8
THE MARINE DEPARTMENT SPECIFIES THAT THE INITIAL TRAINING PERIOD FOR ENTRY INTO THE EXAMINATION SYSTEM IS FOUR YEARS.
THUS DIPLOMA GRADUATES OF THE COURSE NEED ONLY TO UNDERTAKE EITHER TWO YEARS OF SHIPBOARD SERVICE OR TWO YEARS’ TRAINING IN AN APPROVED SHORE-BASED ENGINEERING WORKSHOP BEFORE BEING QUALIFIED TO SIT FOR THE EXAMINATION.
"THE NEW ARRANGEMENT IS A MARVELLOUS INCENTIVE FOR OUR STUDENTS TO JOIN THE MERCHANT NAVY AND CONSEQUENTLY ENHANCES THE QUANTITY AND QUALITY OF THE WORKFORCE OF THE SHIPPING INDUSTRY," MR CHAN SAID.
-------0---------
NORTH DB TO DISCUSS WHITE PAPER
*****
THE NORTH DISTRICT BOARD WILL HOLD A SPECIAL (TUESDAY) TO DISCUSS THE WHITE PAPER ON "THE REPRESENTATIVE GOVERNMENT: THE WAY FORWARD".
MEETING TOMORROW
DEVELOPMENT OF
THE PURPOSE OF THE WHITE PAPER IS TO CHART THE COURSE OF FURTHER DEVELOPMENT OF REPRESENTATIVE GOVERNMENT BETWEEN NOW AND 1991.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE NORTH DISTRICT BOARD’S SPECIAL MEETING TOMORROW (TUESDAY) IN THE CONFERENCE ROOM OF THE NORTH DISTRICT OFFICE, JOCKEY CLUB ROAD, FANLING. IT WILL BEGIN AT 10 AM.
-----0-----
DB COMMITTEE TO DISCUSS TRAFFIC MATTERS
*****
THE TRAFFIC BOARD WILL DISCUSS PUBLIC FOOTWAYS IN
AND TRANSPORT COMMITTEE OF THE EASTERN DISTRICT THE POSSIBLE MEASURES TO CLEAR OBSTRUCTIONS ON THE DISTRICT AT A MEETING TOMORROW (TUESDAY)
AFTERNOON.
THE FORMS OF OBSTRUCTIONS INCLUDE ILLEGAL HAWKING ACTIVITIES; DISPLAY OF GOODS; USE OF FOOTWAY BY TRADERS FOR REPAIRING ACTIVITIES; AND USE OF FOOTWAY BY BUILDING CONTRACTORS.
THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT WILL PRESENT A PAPER TO ' REVIEW THE "NOSTOPPING" RESTRICTIONS ALONG KING’S ROAD CORRIDOR BETWEEN TIN HAU TEMPLE ROAD AND WESTLANDS ROAD.
/MEMBERS WILL
MONDAY, MARCH 14, 1988
MEMBERS WILL ALSO DISCUSS A PROPOSAL TO PREVENT TRAFFIC ACCIDENTS CAUSED BY STONES THROWN UP BY WHEELS IN MOTION AND A PROPOSAL TO PROVIDE A PEDESTRIAN CROSSING AT THE SECTION OF KING’S ROAD FRONTING KORNHILL GARDENS.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE MEETING OF THE EASTERN DISTRICT BOARD’S TRAFFIC AND TRANSPORT COMMITTEE TOMORROW (TUESDAY) IN THE DISTRICT OFFICE CONFERENCE ROOM, FIRST FLOOR, 880-886 KING’S ROAD. THE MEETING WILL START AT 2.30 PM.
------0-------
DB COMMITTEE TO DISCUSS FUND APPLICATION ♦ » * * »
THE CULTURE AND RECREATION COMMITTEE OF THE WAN CHAI DISTRICT BOARD WILL DISCUSS AT A MEETING TOMORROW (TUESDAY) AN APPLICATION FOR FUNDS TO ORGANISE A CAUSEWAY BAY CENTRAL DAY TO PROMOTE THE AREA AS A GOOD PLACE TO VISIT DURING WEEKENDS.
THE COMMITTEE WILL ALSO EXAMINE A REPORT ON ITS FINANCIAL POSITION.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE MEETING OF THE WAN CHAI DISTRICT BOARD’S CULTURE AND RECREATION COMMITTEE TOMORROW (TUESDAY) IN THE CONFERENCE ROOM OF THE WAN CHAI DISTRICT OFFICE, EIGHTH FLOOR, TUNG WAH MANSION, WAN CHAI. THE MEETING WILL BEGIN AT 4 PM.
------0-------
SAI KUNG DB COMMITTEE TO MEET *****
MEMBERS OF THE SAI KUNG DISTRICT BOARD’S COMMUNITY AFFAIRS COMMITTEE WILL MEET TOMORROW (TUESDAY) TO DISCUSS THE APPLICATIONS FOR DISTRICT BOARD FUNDS.
THE MEETING WILL BEGIN AT 10 AM IN THE CONFERENCE ROOM OF THE SAI KUNG DISTRICT BOARD, SECOND FLOOR, SAI KUNG GOVERNMENT OFFICES BUILDING, CHAN MAN STREET, SAI KUNG TOWN.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE MEETING.
-----0------
/10........
MONDAY, MARCH 14,
1988
10 -
BOOKLET ON RADIATION PUBLISHED * * * *
A BOOKLET TO ENHANCE PUBLIC UNDERSTANDING ON VARIOUS ASPECTS OF RADIATION HAS JUST BEEN RELEASED.
THE 16-PAGE BOOKLET CONSISTS OF EIGHT CHAPTERS LISTING THE TYPES AND SOURCES OF RADIATION, ITS APPLICATIONS AND HEALTH EFFECTS ON PEOPLE.
IT ALSO CONTAINS INFORMATION ON THE BACKGROUND RADIATION MONITORING PROGRAMME INTRODUCED BY THE ROYAL OBSERVATORY IN 1984. THE PROGRAMME WAS INTRODUCED TO ESTABLISH THE EXISTING VALUES OF RADIATION LEVELS AND TO ASSESS CHANGES BROUGHT ABOUT BY ANY OTHER RADIATION SOURCES.
THE BOOKLET -- IN CHINESE AND ENGLISH — IS PRODUCED AS PART OF THE GOVERNMENT’S PROGRAMME OF PUBLIC EDUCATION ON NUCLEAR MATTERS.
"COPIES OF THE BOOKLETS WILL BE SENT TO SCHOOLS AND THE PUBLIC LIBRARIES," A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN SAID.
FREE COPIES ARE ALSO AVAILABLE AT ALL DISTRICT OFFICES AND THE GOVERNMENT PUBLICATIONS CENTRE IN THE GENERAL POST OFFICE BUILDING, CONNAUGHT PLACE, CENTRAL.
------o-------
IMMIGRATION OFFICERS TO UNDERGO TRAINING IN BRITAIN
*****
FIVE IMMIGRATION OFFICERS WILL LEAVE FOR BRITAIN THIS WEEK FOR A SIX-WEEK ATTACHMENT TRAINING PROGRAMME WITH THE UNITED KINGDOM IMMIGRATION SERVICE.
THE OFFICERS ARE ACTING SENIOR IMMIGRATION OFFICERS MR SO CHUN-KUEN, MR LEE KAM-MAN AND MS CHU MAN-KUEN, IMMIGRATION OFFICER MISS ELAINE SIU AND ACTING IMMIGRATION OFFICER MR CHAN CHI-KIN. THEY WILL VISIT BRANCHES OF THE HOME OFFICE HANDLING IMMIGRATION AND NATIONALITY MATTERS AS WELL AS IMMIGRATION OFFICES AND PORTS.
AT A BRIEFING TODAY (MONDAY), THE DIRECTOR OF IMMIGRATION, MR ALAN CARTER, SAID THAT IMMIGRATION WORK HAD BECOME MORE COMPLEX AND MEMBERS OF THE SERVICE WERE REQUIRED TO BE VIGILANT AND ALERT TOWARDS CHANGES THAT HAD TAKEN PLACE.
HE ALSO POINTED OUT THAT THE IMMIGRATION DEPARTMENT PLACED GREAT IMPORTANCE ON GIVING ITS STAFF PROFESSIONAL TRAINING.
MR CARTER SAID HE HOPED THAT THE ATTACHMENT WOULD ENABLE THE OFFICERS TO HAVE A BETTER UNDERSTANDING OF THE WORK OF THEIR COUNTERPARTS IN THE UNITED KINGDOM.
-----0------
MONDAY, MARCH 14,
1988
- 11 -
ILLEGAL STRUCTURES TO BE REMOVED
« » » *
THE BUILDING AUTHORITY IS TO SEEK A CLOSURE ORDER TO CLOSE ILLEGAL STRUCTURES IN THE LANE AT THE REAR OF 8 JAVA ROAD/1 HEI WO STREET IN NORTH POINT, SO THAT THE STRUCTURES CAN BE DEMOLISHED WITHOUT DANGER TO THE OCCUPANTS AND TO THE PUBLIC.
THE CLOSURE IS PART OF AN EXERCISE TO ENFORCE ORDERS ISSUED UNDER THE BUILDINGS ORDINANCE ON AUGUST 27 LAST YEAR, REQUIRING THE REMOVAL OF THESE ILLEGAL STRUCTURES.
NOTICE OF INTENTION TO APPLY FOR A CLOSURE ORDER FROM THE HONG KONG DISTRICT COURT ON APRIL 11 WAS POSTED ON THE STRUCTURES TODAY (MONDAY).
IT IS EXPECTED THAT DEMOLITION WORK WILL START ONCE THE CLOSURE ORDER IS OBTAINED.
-----o------
WANG TAU HOM TRAFFIC MEASURES REARRANGED FOR ROAD WORKS
*****
FOLLOWING THE COMPLETION OF THE STAGE I RECONSTRUCTION WORK OF FU MEI STREET IN WANG TAU HOM AND THE IMMEDIATE COMMENCEMENT OF THE STAGE II WORK, TRAFFIC MEASURES IN THE AREA WILL BE REARRANGED FROM 10 AM ON WEDNESDAY (MARCH 16).
THE NEW ARRANGEMENTS WILL BE IN FORCE FOR ABOUT TWO-AND-A-HALF MONTHS. MOTORISTS ARE ADVISED TO FOLLOW TRAFFIC DIRECTIONAL SIGNS AND DRIVE WITH CARE.
UNDER THE ARRANGEMENTS, FU MEI STREET EASTBOUND BETWEEN FU YUE STREET AND WANG TAU HOM EAST ROAD, WHICH HAD BEEN CLOSED FOR STAGE I WORK, WILL CONTINUE TO BE CLOSED TO TRAFFIC.
IN ADDITION, THE SECTION OF FU MEI STREET EASTBOUND BETWEEN JUNCTION ROAD AND FU YUE STREET WILL ALSO BE CLOSED.
MOTORISTS ON JUNCTION ROAD HEADING FOR FU MEI STREET WILL HAVE TO PROCEED ALONG JUNCTION ROAD BEFORE TURNING ON TO WANG TAU HOM EAST ROAD.
HOWEVER, THE SECTION OF FU MEI STREET EASTBOUND BETWEEN WANG TAU HOM EAST ROAD AND FUNG MO STREET, AND THE SECTION OF WANG TAU HOM EAST ROAD NORTHBOUND BETWEEN FU MEI STREET AND WANG TAU HOM CENTRAL ROAD WILL BE RE-OPENED TO TRAFFIC.
/AT THS
MONDAY, MARCH iH, 1988
AT THE SAME TIME, LEFT TURN MOVEMENTS FROM WANG TAU HOM CENTRAL ROAD ON TO WANG TAU HOM EAST ROAD, AND FROM WANG TAU HOM EAST ROAD SOUTHBOUND ON TO FU MEI STREET EASTBOUND WILL BE ALLOWED.
AS FOR PUBLIC TRANSPORT SERVICES, KMB ROUTES NO. 2F, 3C, 7M AND 11C AND CROSS HARBOUR BUS ROUTE NO. 103 WILL BE DIVERTED TO OPERATE VIA LOK FU BUS TERMINUS, WANG TAU HOM EAST ROAD, FU MEI STREET AND FUNG MO STREET.
ROUTINGS OF THREE GREEN MINIBUS ROUTES WILL ALSO BE DIVERTED.
ROUTE NO. 53M ON ITS JOURNEYS TO TIN MA COURT WILL BE DIVERTED VIA FU KEUNG STREET, WANG TAU HOM CENTRAL ROAD, WANG TAU HOM EAST ROAD, FU MEI STREET AND FUNG MO STREET.
ON ITS JOURNEYS TO HUNG HOM, ROUTE NO. 13 WILL TRAVEL ALONG JUNCTION ROAD ONLY, WITHOUT PASSING THROUGH FU MEI STREET, FU KEUNG STREET, WANG TAU HOM CENTRAL ROAD AND WANG TAU HOM EAST ROAD.
AS FOR ROUTE NO. 13A, IT WILL OPERATE VIA JUNCTION ROAD, WANG TAU HOM EAST ROAD AND WANG TAU HOM SOUTH ROAD ON ITS JOURNEYS TO LOK FU.
-----o------
TEMPORARY CLOSURE OF MARSH ROAD
* t » »
MARSH ROAD NORTHBOUND BETWEEN JAFFE ROAD AND GLOUCESTER ROAD SERVICE ROAD IN WAN CHAI WILL BE CLOSED TO TRAFFIC FROM 10 AM ON THURSDAY (MARCH 17).
AT THE SAME TIME, JAFFE ROAD BETWEEN TONNOCHY ROAD AND MARSH ROAD WILL BE RE-ROUTED FROM ONE-WAY EASTBOUND TO ONE-WAY WESTBOUND.
VEHICLES WILL BE DIVERTED VIA JAFFE ROAD, TONNOCHY ROAD TO JOIN GLOUCESTER ROAD SERVICE ROAD.
THESE MEASURES WILL BE IN FORCE FOR ABOUT TWO WEEKS FOR DRAINAGE WORK.
-------0 ---------
/13........
MONDAY, MARCH 14, 1988
TRAFFIC CHANGES IN HUNG HOM * * »
FROM 10 AM ON WEDNESDAY (MARCH 16), VEHICLES ON YAN FUNG STREET IN HUNG HOM WILL ONLY BE ALLOWED TO TURN LEFT INTO FAT KWONG STREET.
MOTORISTS IN CHATHAM ROAD NORTH CURRENTLY TRAVELLING VIA YAN FUNG STREET TO SHUN YUNG STREET WILL HAVE TO PROCEED ALONG CHATHAM ROAD NORTH BEFORE TURNING TO PAK KUNG STREET AND SHUN YUNG STREET.
WATER STORAGE FIGURE * * *
STORAGE IN HONG KONG’S RESERVOIRS AT 9 AM TODAY (MONDAY) STOOD AT 47.9 PER CENT OF CAPACITY OR 280.798 MILLION CUBIC METRES.
THIS TIME LAST YEAR THE RESERVOIRS CONTAINED 304.519 MILLION CUBIC METRES OF WATER, REPRESENTING 52 PER CENT OF CAPACITY.
- - 0 - -
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE. HONG KONG. TEL: 5-8428777
TUESDAY, MARCH 15, 1988
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
CHANGES CONCERNING TERMS OE NEW TV BROADCASTING LICENCES ANNOUNCED ..................................................... 1
TAC ACCEPTS FIVE-YEAR PLANS OF CMB, KMB ...................... 3
RISE IN WATER CHARGES FROM APRIL 1 .......................... 4
CS TO MOVE MOTION ON WHITE PAPER ............................ 5
NEW DIRECTOR OF TECHNICAL EDUCATION, INDUSTRIAL TRAINING .... 6
INDUSTRIES HAVE SCOPE TO IMPROVE PRODUCTIVITY ............... 6
HK WORKS HARD TO LIBERALISE WORLD TRADE ..................... 7
U.S. EXPORT AUTHORISATION CALL RECEIVED ..................... 8
EDUCATION THE UNDERLYING FORCE FOR SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT ....... 9
'WALK AND PLANT' PUBLICITY TO BEGIN ON SATURDAY.............. 10
DISTRICT DANCE TROUPE TO BE FORMED........................... 12
UNICEF CHILDREN'S PAINTING COMPETITION ...................... 12
GOVERNMENT PROPERTIES FOR SALE............................... 1?
BOTANICAL GARDEN, LOCAL OPIN SPACE FOR TUIN MUN ............. 14
AUCTION OF SPECIAL CAR NUMBERS............................... 15
TEMPORARY TRAFFIC CHANGES IN TSIM SHA TSUI .................. 15
TUESDAY, MARCH 15, 1988
1
CHANGES CONCERNING TERMS OF NEW TV BROADCASTING LICENCES ANNOUNCED » t t t t
THE GOVERNMENT TODAY (TUESDAY) ANNOUNCED MAJOR CHANGES, BASED ON THE BROADCASTING AUTHORITY’S RECOMMENDATIONS ON THE TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF NEW TELEVISION BROADCASTING LICENCES.
THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL HAD APPROVED RECOMMENDATIONS RELATING TO OWNERSHIP AND CONTROL OF LICENSEE COMPANIES, FOREIGN OWNERSHIP AND CONTROL.
THE SECRETARY FOR ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES AND INFORMATION, MR PETER TSAO, SAID AT A PRESS CONFERENCE THAT THE BASIC PREMISES ACCEPTED BY THE BROADCASTING REVIEW BOARD, THE BROADCASTING AUTHORITY AND THE ADMINISTRATION HAD BEEN THAT THE AIR-WAVES WERE A PUBLIC AND LIMITED RESOURCE AND TELEVISION WAS A PERVASIVE AND INFLUENTIAL MEDIUM.
“LICENSEE COMPANIES WHICH ARE IN EFFECT GIVEN THE MONOPOLY TO BROADCAST TV OFF AIR THEREFORE HAVE A CONSIDERABLE RESPONSIBILITY AND PUBLIC DUTY AND WHILST THE INTENTION IS NOT TO RESTRICT THEM UNDULY, THEY MUST ACCEPT THE INEVITABILITY OF CERTAIN CONTROLS ON THE WAY IN WHICH THEY OPERATE,” HE SAID.
MR TSAO ADDED THAT WHEN THE NEW LICENCES ARE ISSUED, THE LICENSEE COMPANIES WOULD NOT BE ABLE TO BE HELD BY A HOLDING COMPANY AND SHOULD NOT BE PERMITTED TO HOLD SHARES IN ANY COMPANY DOING BUSINESS UNRELATED TO TELEVISION BROADCASTING.
THE NEW CONDITIONS REFERRING TO THE OWNERSHIP AND CONTROL OF LICENSEE COMPANIES INCLUDE:
♦ IT MAY NOT HOLD DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY ANY SUBSIDIARY COMPANY UNLESS TWO CONDITIONS ARE MET: (A) THE BUSINESS OF WHICH IS CONNECTED OR ASSOCIATED WITH TELEVISION BROADCASTING; AND (B) THE HOLDING OF A SUBSIDIARY COMPANY IS APPROVED BY THE BROADCASTING AUTHORITY; AND
♦ A LICENSEE COMPANY SHALL NOT BE HELD IN ANY FORM BY A HOLDING COMPANY.
ON FOREIGN OWNERSHIP AND CONTROL THE NEW CONDITIONS STIPULATE:
» MORE THAN 51 PER CENT OF THE ISSUED SHARES IN A TELEVISION LICENSEE COMPANY SHALL BE HELD AT ALL TIMES ABSOLUTELY AND BENEFICIALLY BY PERSONS WHO ARE PERMANENT RESIDENTS OF, AND ORDINARILY RESIDENT IN, HONG KONG;
» FOREIGN INTERESTS WILL BE ALLOWED TO OWN OR CONTROL UNDER 49 PER CENT OF THE ISSUED SHARES IN A LICENSEE COMPANY (THE 49 PER CENT RULE) ;
/• NOT MORE .......
TUESDAY, MARCH 15, 1988
2 -
* NOT MORE THAN 10 PER CENT OF THE ISSUED SHARES IN A LICENSEE COMPANY SHALL BE OWNED OR CONTROLLED BY ANY SINGLE FOREIGN SHAREHOLDER (THE 10 PER CENT RULE);
» WHERE A FOREIGN SHAREHOLDER OWNS OR HAS INTEREST IN TWO PER CENT OR MORE OF THE ISSUED SHARES IN A LICENSEE COMPANY, THE LICENSEE SHALL FORTHWITH NOTIFY AND SEEK APPROVAL FROM THE BROADCASTING AUTHORITY (THE TWO PER CENT RULE);
* ANY FOREIGN SHAREHOLDER HOLDING INTERESTS IN A LICENSEE COMPANY OR ITS HOLDING COMPANY EXCEEDING THESE LIMITS MAY APPLY TO THE AUTHORITY TO RETAIN HIS SHAREHOLDING WHICH HE HAD AS AT NOVEMBER 24, 1987 (IT WAS ON THIS DATE WHEN THE GOVERNMENT MADE PUBLIC ITS INTENTION TO DEAL WITH THE ISSUE OF FOREIGN OWNERSHIP). HOWEVER, IF HIS SHAREHOLDING WERE TO BE REDUCED IN FUTURE, HE WOULD NOT BE PERMITTED TO REBUILD HIS HOLDING, OTHER THAN IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE NEW RULES;
* NO LIMIT SHALL BE IMPOSED ON THE MAXIMUM PERCENTAGE OF SHARES AN INDIVIDUAL CAN HOLD IN A LICENSEE COMPANY PROVIDED THAT THE INDIVIDUAL IS A PERMANENT RESIDENT OF, AND ORDINARILY RESIDENT IN, HONG KONG; AND
» A MAJORITY OF THE DIRECTORS OF A LICENSEE COMPANY SHALL BE PERMANENT RESIDENTS OF, AND ORDINARILY RESIDENT IN, HONG KONG.
ON FOREIGN OWNERSHIP AND CONTROL OF TELEVISION STATIONS, THE AUTHORITY NOTED THAT LEGISLATION IN MANY OVERSEAS COUNTRIES SUCH AS AUSTRALIA, U.K., U.S.A. AND NEW ZEALAND WAS MUCH STRICTER THAN THAT PROPOSED BY THE AUTHORITY.
IT RECOMMENDED THAT A LOCAL PERSON SHOULD BE THE HOLDER OF A PERMANENT HONG KONG IDENTITY CARD AND ORDINARILY RESIDENT IN HONG KONG. ANYONE WHO FAILED TO MEET THAT CRITERIA WOULD BE REGARDED AS A "FOREIGNER" FOR THE PURPOSES OF THE TELEVISION ORDINANCE. AND IN THE CASE OF COMPANIES, A LOCAL COMPANY WOULD BE CONTROLLED BY PEOPLE WHO WERE PERMANENT RESIDENTS AND ORDINARILY RESIDENT IN HONG KONG.
MR TSAO SAID THAT THE TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF THE LICENCE, IF ACCEPTED, WERE INTENDED TO APPLY THROUGHOUT THE 12-YEAR LICENCE PERIOD. THERE SHOULD BE A MID-TERM REVIEW IN 1994.
-------0----------
TUESDAY, MARCH 16, 1988
- 3 -
TAC ACCEPTS FIVE-YEAR PLANS OF CMB, KMB » ♦ » « »
THE TRANSPORT ADVISORY COMMITTEE (TAC) TODAY (TUESDAY) ACCEPTED IN PRINCIPLE THE FIVE-YEAR FORWARD PLANNING PROGRAMMES OF THE CHINA MOTOR BUS COMPANY (CMB) AND THE KOWLOON MOTOR BUS COMPANY (KMB) FOR 1988-1992.
ON ROUTE DEVELOPMENT, CMB PROPOSED NINE NEW ROUTES, ONE SERVICE WITHDRAWAL, 23 FREQUENCY IMPROVEMENTS AND TWO FREQUENCY REDUCTIONS WHICH HAD BEEN EXAMINED BY THE RELEVANT TRAFFIC AND TRANSPORT COMMITTEES OF DISTRICT BOARDS.
THE TAC CONSIDERED THAT THE COMPANY’S ROUTE DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME WAS GENERALLY ACCEPTABLE AND ITS SERVICES WERE EXPECTED TO IMPROVE FURTHER IN THE NEXT FIVE YEARS. THE FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS OF CMB’S FIVE-YEAR PLAN WERE ALSO NOTED.
HOWEVER, THE COMMITTEE CONSIDERED THAT CMB’S PROGRAMME FOR REPLACEMENT OF ITS OLDER BUSES SHOULD BE SPEEDED UP, AND THAT SUCH PROVISION SHOULD BE INCLUDED IN CMB’S NEXT FORWARD PLAN.
KMB’S ROUTE I VELOPMENT PROGRAMME PROPOSED A TOTAL OF 408 BUS SERVICE CHANGES OVER THE NEXT FIVE YEARS.
THESE COMPRISED: INTRODUCTION OF 51 NEW SERVICES, WITHDRAWAL OF 14 EXISTING SERVICES, 191 ROUTE FREQUENCY IMPROVEMENTS, 23 ROUTE FREQUENCY REDUCTIONS, 42 CHANGES OF SERVICE TERMINAL POINTS, 24 ROUTE CHANGES AND 63 CASES OF BUS TYPE REPLACEMENT BY HIGHER CAPACITY VEHICLES.
THE TAC CONCLUDED THAT KMB’S PROGRAMME WAS GENERALLY SATISFACTORY, AND THAT ITS FLEET DEVELOPMENT PLAN WAS REASONABLE AND ACCEPTABLE ON ECONOMIC GROUNDS. IT ALSO NOTED THE FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS OF THE FIVE-YEAR PLAN.
OTHER MATTERS CONSIDERED BY THE TAC INCLUDED THE PROPOSAL TO EXTEND THE LEGISLATION ON THE WEARING OF SEAT BELTS BY DRIVERS AND FRONT SEAT PASSENGERS TO COVER TAXIS AND LIGHT BUSES.
MEMBERS DELIBERATED WHETHER THE PROPOSAL FOR LIMITING THE VICARIOUS LIABILITY OF TAXI AND LIGHT BUS DRIVERS FOR THE FAILURE OF FRONT SEAT PASSENGERS TO WEAR A SEAT BELT TO PASSENGERS UNDER THE AGE OF 15 SHOULD BE EXTENDED TO PRIVATE MOTORISTS.
MEMBERS, HOWEVER, AGREED THAT THE EXISTING LIABILITY OF PRIVATE MOTORISTS FOR THE WEARING OF SEAT BELTS BY FRONT SEAT PASSENGERS SHOULD NOT BE CHANGED.
/THE PROPOSAL .......
TUESDAY, MARCH 15/1988
4
THE PROPOSAL ALSO SOUGHT TO SET THE PENALTY FOR FAILURE TO DISCHARGE THE VICARIOUS RESPONSIBILITY AT A FIXED PENALTY OF $100 OR A MAXIMUM FINE OF $2,000 ON CONVICTION AFTER PROSECUTION BY SUMMONS FOR ALL DRIVERS.
THE TAC ALSO LOOKED INTO THE TRAFFIC CONGESTION PROBLEMS AT THE CROSS HARBOUR TUNNEL AND THE POSSIBLE REMEDIAL MEASURES TO ALLEVIATE THEM.
-----0-----
RISE IN WATER CHARGES FROM APRIL 1
*****
THERE IS TO BE AN INCREASE IN WATER CHARGES FROM APRIL • 1, A SPOKESMAN FOR THE WATER AUTHORITY ANNOUNCED TODAY (TUESDAY).
HE SAID THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL HAD THIS MORNING APPROVED AN AVERAGE RISE OF SEVEN AND A HALF PER CENT FROM APRIL 1 FOLLOWING THE SIXTH IN A SERIES OF ANNUAL REVIEWS.
THE SPOKESMAN POINTED OUT THAT 17 PER CENT OF ALL DOMESTIC CONSUMERS WOULD CONTINUE TO PAY NOTHING FOR THE WATER THEY CONSUMED.
A FURTHER 60 PER CENT WOULD PAY LESS THAN AN ADDITIONAL 50 CENTS PER WEEK.
ONLY 23 PER CENT WOULD PAY MORE THAN 50 CENTS EXTRA PER WEEK AND ONLY SEVEN PER CENT OF THOSE WOULD PAY MORE THAN $1 PER WEEK EXTRA.
AS FOR TRADE USERS, THE MAJORITY WOULD PAY NO MORE THAN 50 CENTS EXTRA PER WEEK.
THE SPOKESMAN SAID CHARGES FOR WATER WERE AIMED AT RECOVERING THE COST OF WATERWORKS OPERATION, AND THE ANNUAL REVIEWS WERE INTENDED TO AVOID MAJOR INCREASES IN CHARGES AT ONE TIME.
"IN DOLLAR TERMS THE MAJORITY OF CONSUMERS WILL HAVE VERY LITTLE ADDED TO THEIR WATER BILLS," HE SAID.
HE SAID SALT WATER FOR FLUSHING WOULD REMAIN FREE AND THE SAME QUANTITY OF FRESH WATER FOR FLUSHING - 30 UNITS - WOULD CONTINUE TO BE PROVIDED FREE.
THE INCREASE WOULD NOT HAVE A SIGNIFICANT IMPACT ON BUSINESS OPERATIONS AS WATER CHARGES REPRESENTED A SMALL PART OF THE OPERATING COSTS OF TRADE AND INDUSTRY, HE SAID.
/THE FOLLOWING .......
TUESDAY, MARCH 15, 1988
- 5
THE FOLLOWING TABLE GIVES A COMPARISON ON THE EXISTING AND NEW WATER CHARGES:
WATER AMOUNT PRESENT RATES NEW RATES
(PER CUBIC METRE)
DOMESTIC SUPPLY 0 - 18 CUBIC METRES FREE FREE
RATE FOR FOUR 18 - 36 CUBIC METRES $1.23 $1.32
MONTHLY PERIOD 36 - 64 CUBIC METRES $2.22 $2.39
64 - 92 CUBIC METRES $3.44 $3.70
OVER 92 CUBIC METRES $4.83 $5.19
TRADE SUPPLY EACH CUBIC METRE $2.22 $2.39
RATE 0-
CS TO MOVE MOTION ON WHITE PAPER
♦ ♦ ♦ * ♦
THE CHIEF SECRETARY, SIR DAVID FORD, WILL MOVE A MOTION ON THE WHITE PAPER ’’THE DEVELOPMENT OF REPRESENTATIVE GOVERNMENT: THE WAY FORWARD” IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TOMORROW (WEDNESDAY).
THE MOTION STATES THAT "THIS COUNCIL TAKES NOTE OF THE PLANS AND INTENTIONS” CONTAINED IN THE WHITE PAPER.
A DEBATE ON THE MOTION WILL FOLLOW, AND CONTINUE ON THURSDAY, WITH 43 MEMBERS EXPECTED TO SPEAK.
DURING THE TWO-DAY MEETING, THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY WILL MOVE A MOTION ON THE PUBLIC FINANCE ORDINANCE.
THE HEUNG YEE KUK (AMENDMENT) BILL 1988 WILL BE INTRODUCED FOR FIRST AND SECOND READINGS, AND THE HOUSING (AMENDMENT) BILL 1988 IS DUE TO GO THROUGH THE COMMITTEE STAGE AND BE READ A THIRD TIME.
-----0-----
TUESDAY, MARCH 15,
1988
- 6 -
NEW DIRECTOR OF TECHNICAL EDUCATION, INDUSTRIAL TRAINING t * t * *
THE GOVERNMENT ANNOUNCED TODAY (TUESDAY) THE APPOINTMENT OF MR H.R. KNIGHT AS THE DIRECTOR OF TECHNICAL EDUCATION AND INDUSTRIAL TRAINING.
MR KNIGHT, AGED 54, JOINED THE CIVIL SERVICE AS AN EDUCATION OFFICER (TECHNICAL) IN SEPTEMBER 1965.
HE BECAME A SENIOR TRAINING OFFICER (APPRENTICESHIP) IN JUNE 1969 AND WAS PROMOTED TO ASSISTANT COMMISSIONER FOR LABOUR IN DECEMBER 1973.
HE WAS APPOINTED ON TRANSFER AS ASSISTANT DIRECTOR OF
TECHNICAL EDUCATION AND INDUSTRIAL TRAINING IN APRIL 1982.
MR KNIGHT HAS ACTED AS DIRECTOR OF TECHNICAL EDUCATION AND
INDUSTRIAL TRAINING ON A NUMBER OF OCCASIONS.
-----0------
INDUSTRIES HAVE SCOPE TO IMPROVE PRODUCTIVITY ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦
A STUDY COMMISSIONED BY THE GOVERNMENT LAST YEAR ON THE CONSTRAINTS AND DETERMINANTS OF GROWTH IN THE CLOTHING AND TEXTILES INDUSTRIES CONCLUDED THAT WHILE BOTH INDUSTRIES HAD MADE SIGNIFICANT STRIDES IN RECENT YEARS, THERE WAS STILL CONSIDERABLE SCOPE FOR IMPROVING THEIR PRODUCTIVITY, THE SECRETARY FOR TRADE AND INDUSTRY, MR HAMISH MACLEOD, SAID TODAY (TUESDAY).
SPEAKING AT THE OPENING OF THE CLOTHING TECHNOLOGY FAIR, MR MACLEOD SAID THE GOVERNMENT HAD AGREED TO PROVIDE FUNDING SO THAT THE PRODUCTIVITY COUNCIL COULD ESTABLISH A TEXTILES DIVISION THIS YEAR, TO ADVISE MANUFACTURERS ON WAYS OF IMPROVING THEIR EFFICIENCY.
’’OVER THE NEXT FEW YEARS, THE NEW DIVISION WILL GRADUALLY EXPAND ITS SERVICES TO PROVIDE ADVICE AND TRAINING ON MACHINERY, AUTOMATION AND MANAGEMENT TECHNIQUES SPECIFICALLY TAILORED TO THE NEEDS OF CLOTHING AND TEXTILES MANUFACTURERS.
’’THE INDUSTRY DEVELOPMENT BOARD WILL ALSO BE CONSIDERING OTHER RECOMMENDATIONS STEMMING FROM THE CONSULTANCY, INCLUDING IMPROVED MANPOWER TRAINING AND BETTER INFRASTRUCTURAL SUPPORT," HE SAID.
/MR MACLEOD .......
TUESDAY, MARCH 15, 1988
MR MACLEOD NOTED THAT ALTHOUGH HONG KONG WAS THE WORLD’S LARGEST EXPORTER OF CLOTHING, THE ENVIRONMENT IN WHICH CLOTHING MANUFACTURERS OPERATED WAS A DIFFICULT ONE.
THEY HAD TO OPERATE AGAINST A BACKGROUND OF RISING COSTS, GROWING THREATS OF PROTECTIONIST MEASURES FROM MAJOR MARKETS AND INCREASING COMPETITION FROM NEIGHBOURING COUNTRIES.
"THEY MUST CONSTANTLY STRIVE TO UPGARDE THE QUALITY OF THEIR PRODUCTS, IMPROVE THEIR PRODUCTION AND MARKETING TECHNIQUES, AND INCREASE PRODUCTIVITY, IF THEY ARE TO MAINTAIN THEIR COMPETITIVENESS," HE SAID.
MR MACLEOD SAID THE GOVERNMENT RECOGNISED THAT IT HAD AN IMPORTANT ROLE IN HELPING THE CLOTHING AND TEXTILES INDUSTRIES TO OVERCOME THE BARRIERS TO GROWTH.
"WHILE THE GOVERNMENT IS DETERMINED TO DO ALL IT CAN TO COMBAT THE THREAT OF PROTECTIONIST MEASURES IN OUR OVERSEAS MARKETS, WE ARE ALSO KEEN TO REMOVE OTHER MORE TECHNICAL BARRIERS TO EXPANSION BY THE CLOTHING INDUSTRY," HE ADDED.
-----o-----
HK WORKS HARD TO LIBERALISE WORLD TRADE *****
HONG KONG IS WORKING HARD IN THE GATT’S CURRENT URUGUAY ROUND OF MULTILATERAL TRADE NEGOTIATIONS TO LIBERALISE WORLD TRADE, IMPROVE MARKET ACCESS AND STRENGTHEN DISCIPLINE IN THE MULTILATERAL TRADING SYSTEM, THE DIRECTOR OF TRADE, MR MICHAEL SZE, SAID TODAY (TUESDAY).
IN A SPEECH TO THE CHINESE ASSOCIATION OF DEPOSIT-TAKING COMPANIES, MR SZE SAID ANY INTENSIFICATION OF PROTECTIONIST MEASURES WOULD AFFECT PROSPECTS FOR HONG KONG’S EXPORTS AND WORLD TRADE GENERALLY.
"PROTECTIONISM ABOUNDS - NOT ONLY IN THE FORM OF QUOTAS AND TARIFFS BUT IN ’VOLUNTARY’ EXPORT RESTRAINTS; ORDERLY MARKETING ARRANGEMENTS; OBSCURE DISTRIBUTION SYSTEM; AND ADMINISTRATIVE GUIDANCE," HE SAID.
ON THE TRADE PROSPECTS FOR 1988, MR SZE NOTED THAT THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY HAS FORECAST AN OVERALL INCREASE IN HONG KONG’S DOMESTIC EXPORTS OF ONLY SIX PER CENT.
"WITHIN THIS FIGURE, THE OUTLOOK IS RELATIVELY BRIGHTER FOR TWO MARKETS: JAPAN AND CHINA," HE SAID.
/HE SAID .......
TUESDAY, MARCH 1988
8
HE SAID THE GROWTH RATE OF HONG KONG DOMESTIC EXPORTS FOR BOTH JAPAN AND CHINA WAS EXPECTED TO BE OF THE ORDER OF 14 PER CENT.
AS FOR THE UNITED STATES, MR SZE SAID DOMESTIC EXPORTS WERE LIKELY TO GROW BY ONLY 2.5 PER CENT THIS YEAR.
’’THE FORTHCOMING EXCLUSION OF OUR EXPORTS FROM THE U.S. GENERALISED SYSTEM OF PREFERENCES MAY FURTHER ADVERSELY AFFECT OUR EXPORT PERFORMANCE IN 1989,” HE SAID.
MR SZE NOTED THAT DOMESTIC EXPORTS TO ALL MAJOR MARKETS GREW IN 1987.
”AT A GROWTH RATE OF 52 PER CENT, DOMESTIC EXPORTS TO CHINA RECORDED THE FASTEST INCREASE, DOMESTIC EXPORTS TO JAPAN, THE FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF GERMANY AND THE UNITED KINGDOM, ALSO RECORDED SUBSTANTIAL REAL GROWTH, BY ABOUT 41 PER CENT, 27 PER CENT AND 27 PER CENT RESPECTIVELY.
"ON THE OTHERHAND, THE REAL GROWTH RATE OF DOMESTIC EXPORTS TO THE UNITED STATES WAS ONLY 10 PER CENT.
"AS A RESULT OF THIS GROWTH PATTERN, THE U.S.A., THOUGH STILL BY FAR THE LARGEST MARKET FOR OUR DOMESTIC EXPORTS, HAS DECLINED SOMEWHAT IN RELATIVE IMPORTANCE FROM A 42 PER CENT SHARE IN 1986 TO 37 PER CENT IN 1987.”
MR SZE ALSO NOTED THAT DESPITE SOME DIVERSIFICATION, HONG KONG’S EXPORTS HAD REMAINED HEAVILY DEPENDENT ON LIGHT CONSUMER GOODS INDUSTRIES, SUCH AS CLOTHING, TEXTILES, ELECTRONIC PRODUCTS, WATCHES AND CLOCKS, AND TOYS AND DOLLS.
U.S. EXPORT AUTHORISATION CALL RECEIVED ♦ ♦ » ♦ *
THE TRADE DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCED TODAY (TUESDAY) THE IMMEDIATE SUSPENSION OF THE ISSUING OF EXPORT AUTHORISATIONS FOR CATEGORY 611 (STAPLE ARTIFICIAL FABRICS (85 PER CENT OR MORE BY WEIGHT)) FOR THE U.S. MARKET, PENDING CONSULTATIONS WITH THE U.S. GOVERNMENT.
THE SUSPENSION WAS ANNOUNCED FOLLOWING THE RECEIPT OF A REQUEST FROM THE U.S. GOVERNMENT FOR CONSULTATIONS ON THAT CATEGORY.
THE DEPARTMENT WILL, HOWEVER, CONTINUE TO APPROVE AND ISSUE EXPORT LICENCES FOR THE ABOVE CATEGORY AGAINST VALID EXPORT AUTHORISATIONS ALREADY APPROVED.
-----0-----
/9........
TUESDAY, MARCH 15, 1988
- 9 -
EDUCATION THE UNDERLYING FORCE FOR SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT *****
EDUCATION IS THE UNDERLYING FORCE FOR SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT AND WILL ALSO HELP THE TRAINING OF CHARACTER AND MORAL INTEGRITY -ELEMENTS WHICH ARE CONDUCIVE TO THE STABILITY OF THE COMMUNITY.
LEGISLATIVE COUNCILLOR MR CHAN KAM-CHUEN SAID THIS TODAY (TUESDAY) AT A PRESENTATION CEREMONY OF BURSARY CERTIFICATES OF THE CORRECTIONAL SERVICES CHILDREN’S EDUCATION TRUST AT THE DEPARTMENT’S STAFF TRAINING INSTITUTE IN STANLEY.
SPEAKING IN HIS CAPACITY AS CHAIRMAN OF THE EDUCATION TRUST COMMITTEE, MR CHAN SAID IT WAS ONLY WHEN A SOCIETY HAD EQUIPPED ITSELF WITH ADEQUATE AND SUFFICIENT MANPOWER THAT IT WOULD PROGRESS ON A STEADY, CONSTRUCTIVE AND PROSPEROUS PATH.
"RECENTLY THERE WERE OVER 100 PAGES OF ADVERTISEMENTS OF JOBS IN A LOCAL NEWSPAPER. THIS UNDERLINES THE IMPORTANCE OF TRAINING MORE MANPOWER AT ALL LEVELS WITH VARIOUS SKILLS TO SATISFY THE IMMEDIATE AND FUTURE REQUIREMENTS OF HONG KONG," MR CHAN ADDED.
SEEN IN THIS LIGHT, MR CHAN SAID FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE GIVEN TO STUDENTS WAS MONEY WELL SPENT.
THE CORRECTIONAL SERVICES CHILDREN’S EDUCATION TRUST WAS SET UP IN 1983 TO PROVIDE FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE FOR CHILDREN OF ASSISTANT OFFICERS AND EQUIVALENT GRADES TO PURSUE HIGHER EDUCATION.
IT ALSO AIMS TO ENCOURAGE THE CHILDREN TO PURSUE AND STRIVE HARD IN THEIR STUDIES, FOR THEIR OWN GOOD AND FOR THE WELL-BEING OF THE COMMUNITY.
THE TRUST WAS INITIALLY FUNDED BY A GENEROUS DONATION FROM MR WILLIAM MONG, THE PRESIDENT OF THE CORRECTIONAL SERVICES OFFICERS’ ASSOCIATION.
AN INVESTMENT ADVISORY BOARD HAS BEEN SET UP WITH SIR OSWALD CHEUNG, A FORMER MEMBER OF THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL, AS CHAIRMAN, AND DR PETER VINE AND MR AUBREY LI AS MEMBERS, TO ADVISE THE TRUST COMMITTEE ON INVESTMENT OF THE FUND. THE INCOME EARNED IS USED AS BURSARIES.
AT TODAY’S CEREMONY, THE COMMISSIONER OF CORRECTIONAL SERVICES, MR CHAN WA-SHEK, SPEAKING AS TRUSTEE OF THE EDUCATION TRUST, THANKED THE INVESTMENT ADVISORY BOARD FOR THEIR SOUND ADVICE CONCERNING INVESTMENT.
HE ALSO EXPRESSED APPRECIATION TO THE TRUST COMMITTEE FOR PROVIDING ADMINISTRATIVE SUPPORT AND FOR ENSURING THAT THE GRANTS WERE ALLOCATED IN A FAIR AND EFFECTIVE MANNER.
ELEVEN STAFF MEMBERS RECEIVED THE BURSARY CERTIFICATES AND CHEQUES FROM MRS WILLIAM MONG DURING THE CEREMONY.
- 0 - -
/10
TUESDAY, MARCH 16,
198f
- 10 -
’WALK AND PLANT’ PUBLICITY TO BEGIN ON SATURDAY * t » t t
A MAJOR PUBLICITY DRIVE WILL BE MOUNTED LATER THIS WEEK TO ENCOURAGE PUBLIC SUPPORT FOR TREE PLANTING AND THE WIDER USE OF THE FAMILY WALKS RECENTLY ESTABLISHED IN HONG KONG’S COUNTRY PARKS.
ORGANISED BY THE AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES DEPARTMENT IN CONJUNCTION WITH THE INFORMATION SERVICES DEPARTMENT, THE DRIVE WILL BE SPEARHEADED BY A LARGE-SCALE ’WALK AND PLANT' OUTDOOR ACTIVITY TO BE HELD AT 10.30 AM ON SATURDAY (MARCH 19) AT PAK TAM AU IN SAI KUNG COUNTRY PARK.
THE CHIEF SECRETARY, SIR DAVID FORD, AND LADY FORD WILL START OFF THE MONTH-LONG PROMOTIONAL PROJECT. THEY WILL BE JOINED BY THE SECRETARY FOR MUNICIPAL SERVICES, MR AUGUSTINE CHUI, AND THE DIRECTOR OF AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES, DR LAWRENCE LEE.
ANNOUNCING THIS TODAY (TUESDAY), THE DEPARTMENT'S ASSISTANT DIRECTOR (CONSERVATION AND COUNTRY PARKS), MR K.C. IU, SAID THE .THEME OF THE DRIVE WAS FAMILY INVOLVEMENT IN HELPING TO IMPROVE THE COUNTRYSIDE ENVIRONMENT THROUGH TREE PLANTING AND IN HEALTHY PURSUITS SUCH AS OUTINGS TO THE FAMILY WALKS IN COUNTRY PARKS.
A FAMILY WALK IS A TRAIL WHICH IS LOCATED AT A SCENIC SPOT IN COUNTRY PARK AREA AND IS EASILY ACCESSIBLE BY VEHICULAR TRANSPORT. VARYING FROM 1 KM TO 3.5 KM IN LENGTH, IT IS SPECIALLY DESIGNED FOR HIKING AND STROLLING BY THE WHOLE FAMILY AND THE GRADIENT IS USUALLY VERY GENTLE.
“WITH THESE AIMS IN MIND, THE ’WALK AND PLANT' ACTIVITY WAS SO PLANNED THAT IT WOULD MARK THE LAUNCHING OF THE 1988 COMMUNITY TREE PLANTING SCHEME AND THE OFFICIAL OPENING OF THE FIRST 13 FAMILY WALKS IN THE COUNTRY PARKS.
”WE ARE GRATEFUL TO SIR DAVID AND LADY FORD FOR THEIR SUPPORT WHICH WILL UNDOUBTEDLY SET A VERY GOOD EXAMPLE FOR THE COMMUNITY TO FOLLOW,” MR IU SAID.
AT THE FUNCTION, SIR DAVID AND LADY FORD WILL LEAD SOME 100 GUESTS WHICH INCLUDE POPULAR ARTISTES FROM THE TELEVISION BROADCASTS LIMITED, AND ABOUT 1,000 FAMILY GROUPS AND SCHOOL CHILDREN IN PLANTING THE FIRST TREES AT PAK TAM AU.
THEY WILL ALSO WALK ALONG THE NEARBY 1.8 KM-LONG PAK TAM FAMILY WALK WHICH PASSES THROUGH A SCENIC AREA IN THE SAI KUNG COUNTRY PARK.
MR IU SAID THE ACTIVITY WOULD BE FOLLOWED BY TREE PLANTING DAYS FOR THE PUBLIC TO BE HELD ON ALL SUNDAYS AND PUBLIC HOLIDAYS FROM MARCH 20 TO APRIL 30.
/ON EACH .......
TUESDAY, MARCH 15, 1988
11
ON EACH TREE PLANTING DAY, FREE TREE SEEDLINGS WILL BE AVAILABLE FOR PLANTING BY INTERESTED RESIDENTS AT EIGHT DESIGNATED SITES IN THE COUNTRY PARKS AT TAI MO SHAN, TAI TONG, BRIDE’S POOL, CLEARWATER BAY, PAK TAM CHUNG, POK FU LAM, QUARRY BAY AND MUI WO FROM 9 AM TO 4 PM.
AFD STAFF WILL BE ON DUTY TO PROVIDE THE SEEDLINGS, TOOLS AND TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE.
APART FROM INDIVIDUAL MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC, ARRANGEMENTS HAVE BEEN MADE FOR ABOUT 3,800 STUDENTS AND YOUTHS TO TAKE PART IN THE PROGRAMME IN GROUPS.
ANY ORGANISATION INTERESTED IN PARTICIPATING IN THE PROJECT MAY CONTACT THE DEPARTMENT’S CONSERVATION EDUCATION UNIT ON 3-7332121 FOR REGISTRATION.
“I HOPE MORE PEOPLE WILL COME FORWARD TO JOIN THIS MEANINGFUL PROJECT TO ACHIEVE A BETTER ATTENDANCE RECORD THAN LAST YEAR’S 17,300 PEOPLE,” MR IU ADDED.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE EVENT.
PRESS TRANSPORT WILL BE PROVIDED AND WILL LEAVE AFD HEADQUARTERS, CANTON ROAD GOVERNMENT OFFICES, 393, CANTON ROAD, KOWLOON AT 9.15 AM.
AS PAK TAM AU IS WITHIN THE COUNTRY PARK AREA WHERE PUBLIC VEHICULAR ACCESS IS RESTRICTED, ANY MEDIA REPRESENTATIVE OR TELEVISION CREW WISHING TO ARRANGE FOR THEIR OWN TRANSPORT SHOULD CONTACT THE AFD INFORMATION UNIT ON 3-7332176 BEFORE NOON ON FRIDAY (MARCH 18) FOR VEHICULAR PERMITS. LATE APPLICATIONS WILL NOT BE ENTERTAINED.
TUESDAY, MARCH 15, 1988
- 12 -
DISTRICT DANCE TROUPE TO BE FORMED
*****
A CHILDREN’S DANCE TROUPE WILL BE FORMED IN THE CENTRAL AND WESTERN DISTRICT TO PROMOTE INTEREST IN DANCING AND TO IMPROVE DANCING STANDARDS.
THE DISTRICT ASSOCIATION FOR CULTURE AND ARTS (CENTRAL AND WESTERN) IS NOW RECRUITING MEMBERS FOR THE TROUPE. YOUNGSTERS BETWEEN SIX AND 14 YEARS OLD WHO ARE LIVING OR STUDYING IN THE DISTRICT ARE WELCOME TO TAKE PART.
TROUPE MEMBERS WOULD RECEIVE TRAINING IN ORIENTAL DANCE, AND WOULD ALSO LEARN BALLET AND MODERN DANCE TECHNIQUES, THE MANAGER OF THE TROUPE, MISS LUK YUN-MEE, SAID.
"EXPERIENCED INSTRUCTORS WILL USE A LIVELY APPROACH TO STIMULATE CHILDREN’S INTEREST AND MUCH EMPHASIS WILL BE PUT ON AESTHETIC TRAINING," SHE ADDED.
MEMBERS ARE REQUIRED TO ATTEND CLASSES ON SATURDAY AFTERNOONS. THEY WILL HAVE THE CHANCE TO PERFORM AFTER SIX MONTHS’ TRAINING.
ENROLMENT FORMS ARE AVAILABLE AT THE CENTRAL AND WESTERN DISTRICT OFFICE, 11TH FLOOR, HARBOUR BUIDLING, 38 PIER ROAD, CENTRAL. AUDITIONS WILL BE ARRANGED LATER.
FOi< ENQUIRIES, PLEASE CONTACT MISS BETSY LAI ON 5-8523489 OR 5-8523499.
-------0----------
UNICEF CHILDREN’S PAINTING COMPETITION
*****
SCHOOL CHILDREN ARE INVITED TO TAKE PART IN THE UNITED NATIONS CHILDREN’S FUND (UNICEF) CHILDREN’S PAINTING COMPETITION WHICH AIMS TO FOSTER CULTURAL EXCHANGES AND ENCOURAGE LOCAL CHILDREN TO EXTEND THEIR CONCERN TO CHILDREN IN OTHER COUNTRIES.
THE COMPETITION IS ORGANISED BY THE HONG KONG COMMITTEE FOR UNICEF. THE FIRST PRIZE OF THE INTERMEDIATE AND SENIOR GROUPS OF THE CONTEST WILL BE A FREE TRIP TO VISIT UNICEF PROJECTS IN CHINA WITH ONE PARENT/GUARDIAN, AND THE WINNER OF THE JUNIOR GROUP WILL RECEIVE A BOOK PRIZE OF $2,000.
/THE WINNING .......
TUESDAY, MARCH 15, 1988
THE WINNING PAINTINGS WILL BE SENT TO THE UNICEF ART COMMITTEE IN NEW YORK FOR SELECTION. IF SELECTED, THE PAINTINGS WILL BE PRINTED AS UNICEF GREETING CARDS TO BE SOLD WORLDWIDE FOR THE BENEFIT OF CHILDREN AND MOTHERS IN DEVELOPING COUNTRIES.
THE THEME OF ENTRIES SHOULD BE "THE CHILD, AS HE SEES HIMSELF, TOMORROW". THERE WILL BE THREE CATEGORIES IN THE COMPETITION - THE JUNIOR GROUP FOR SCHOOL CHILDREN AGED FOUR TO SEVEN, INTERMEDIATE GROUP FOR THOSE AGED EIGHT TO 11, AND THE SENIOR GROUP FOR THOSE AGED 12 TO 14.
ENTRIES SHOULD BE IN A4 SIZE (210 MM X 297 MM) AND ANY FORM OF TWO-DIMENSIONAL WORK WILL BE ACCEPTABLE. ALL ENTRIES SHOULD BE SENT THROUGH SCHOOL HEADS, WITH ENTRY FORMS, TO THE ORGANISER OF THE COMPETITION, POST OFFICE BOX 70100, BEFORE MARCH 24.
- - 0 -
GOVERNMENT PROPERTIES FOR SALE
*****
THE GOVERNMENT IS TO PUT UP FIVE PROPERTIES FOR SALE BY PUBLIC AUCTION ON THURSDAY (MARCH 17) IN THE HALL OF THE HENRY G. LEUNG YAUMATEI COMMUNITY CENTRE, KOWLOON. THE AUCTION WILL START AT 2.30 PM.
ALL THE PROPERTIES ARE FOR DOMESTIC PURPOSES AND THEIR LOCATIONS ARE:
» SECOND FLOOR OF 20 WAN ON STREET, KOWLOON, WITH AN AREA OF ABOUT 41.9 SQUARE METRES;
» SECOND FLOOR (FRONT BLOCK) OF 103 TAI NAN STREET, KOWLOON, WITH AN AREA OF ABOUT 60.9 SQUARE METRES;
* THIRD FLOOR OF 135 TAI NAN STREET, WITH AN AREA OF ABOUT 52.6 SQUARE METRES;
* FIRST FLOOR OF 137 TAI NAN STREET, WITH AN AREA OF ABOUT
52.6 SQUARE METRES; AND
* THIRD FLOOR OF 137 TAI NAN STREET, WITH AN AREA OF ABOUT
52.6 SQUARE METRES.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE PUBLIC AUCTION
- - O - -
/14
TUESDAY, MARCH 15, 1988
14
BOTANICAL GARDEN, LOCAL OPEN SPACE FOR TUEN MUN
*****
TUEN MUN RESIDENTS AND STUDENTS WILL HAVE THEIR OWN EDUCATIONAL FACILITY ON BOTANY WHEN A LARGE BOTANICAL GARDEN IS COMPLETED BY THE TERRITORY DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT IN APRIL NEXT YEAR.
ENCIRCLED BY SHAN KING ESTATE, YEUNG SIU HANG VILLAGE, TUEN MUN TECHNICAL INSTITUTE AND TSING WUN ROAD, THE 2.5-HECTARE GARDEN WILL ALSO SERVE AS A MAJOR RECREATIONAL VENUE FOR THE CENTRAL AREA OF WESTERN TUEN MUN.
IT WILL HAVE A VISITORS’ CENTRE AND SERVICE BUILDING, A PLANT COLLECTION AREA, A ROCK GARDEN, A TERRACE GARDEN, A FOUNTAIN CASCADE AND POOLS, PERGOLAS AND PAVILIONS, A CHILDREN’S PLAY AREA, A TAI CHI AREA AND SITTING-OUT AREAS, ALL INTER-CONNECTED BY WELL-LIT FOOTPATHS.
OTHER FACILITIES WILL INCLUDE TOILETS AND STOREROOMS.
THE WHOLE GARDEN WILL BE SURROUNDED BY EXTENSIVE PLANTED AREAS.
THE TERRITORY DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT IS NOW INVITING TENDERS FOR CARRYING OUT SITE FORMATION AND BUILDING WORK FOR THE PROJECT.
CONSTRUCTION HAS BEEN SCHEDULED TO BEGIN NEXT MONTH.
ALSO, THE ARCHITECTURAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT IS CALLING FOR TENDERS FOR BUILDING A LOCAL OPEN SPACE ON A 4,000-SQUARE-ME1RE-SITE AT CASTLE PEAK ROAD, TUEN MUN.
IT WILL HAVE FOUR TENNIS COURTS, A ROLLER SKATING RINK, CHANGING/TOILET/SHOWER FACILITIES AND A SMALL SITTING-OUT AREA.
WORK IS EXPECTED TO START IN AUGUST AND WILL TAKE 10 MONTHS TO COMPLETE.
-----o-----
/15........
TUESDAY, MARCH 15, 1988
AUCTION OF SPECIAL CAR NUMBERS
* » »
THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT WILL HOLD ANOTHER AUCTION OF SPECIAL CAR REGISTRATION NUMBERS ON SATURDAY (MARCH 19) AT 10 AM IN THE CITY HALL RECITAL HALL.
A TOTAL OF 40 SPECIAL CAR NUMBERS WILL BE AVAILABLE FOR
BIDDING. THEY ARE:
DS163 DR8823 DS198 DR1628
AU8068 DS911 CN1 DR2178
BV1 DT33 DS6686 8468
DS3278 DS328 DS3880 DM938
HK58 DR178 DD68 DR13
DS8382 DS6682 AA7202 BP1128
CL7628 DS3328 DS9888 AF172
AD3399 AW1623 BC883 DR8885
DS172 DB6 DR2388 AK105
DD18 DU339 XX133 DT6898
SUCCESSFUL BIDDERS MUST PAY IN CASH OR BY CHEQUE IMMEDIATELY
AFTER THE BIDDING.
A TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT SPOKESMAN REMINDED BIDDERS THAT THE VEHICLE REGISTRATION NUMBER WOULD BE ASSIGNED ONLY TO A VEHICLE REGISTERED IN THE NAME OF THE SUCCESSFUL BIDDER WITHIN 12 MONTHS OF THE AUCTION.
PROCEEDS OF THE AUCTION WILL AS USUAL GO TO THE GOVERNMENT LOTTERIES FUND.
THE COMING AUCTION WILL BE THE 122ND ORGANISED BY THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT SINCE MAY 1973.
-----o-----
TEMPORARY TRAFFIC CHANGES IN TSIM SHA TSUI
*****
TO FACILITATE ROAD RECONSTRUCTION WORKS, THE SECTION YEE STREET BETWEEN KIMBERLEY STREET AND GRANVILLE ROAD IN TSUI WILL BE CLOSED TO TRAFFIC FROM 10 AM ON FRIDAY (MARCH ABOUT THREE MONTHS.
OF SHUN
TSIM SHA
18) FOR
SHUN YEE WESTBOUND.
AT THE SAME TIME, KIMBERLEY STREET TO THE WEST OF STREET WILL BE RE-ROUTED FROM ONE-WAY EASTBOUND TO ONE-WAY
MOTORISTS ON KIMBERLEY STREET TO THE EAST OF SHUN WILL NOT BE ALLOWED TO TURN LEFT INTO SHUN YEE STREET, BUT TO TRAVEL STRAIGHT AHEAD VIA KIMBERLEY STREET TO CARNARVON
YEE STREET
WILL HAVE
ROAD.
-----o-----
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY. GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL: 5-8428777
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 16, 1988
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
r w ..... . i, •
LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL MEETING:
I ....
CS: POSITIVE OVERALL REACTION TO WHITE PAPER............... 1
f . V. . J _
CONFIDENCE AND UNITY VITAL FOR FUTURE...................... 4
PRAGMATISM GAINS WIDESPREAD SUPPORT ....................... 6
K .........
COMMITMENT TO DIRECT ELECTIONS A SIGNIFICANT STEP ......... 8
REALISTIC DOCUMENT AT THIS TIME......................... 9
TIME FOR PEOPLE TO WORK TOGETHER .......................
REALISTIC, PRACTICAL WAY FORWARD ....................... 13
DIVERSITY OF VIEWS HEALTHY FOR COMMUNITY ............... 16
COMMITMENT PUTS END TO UNCERTAINTY........................ 17
GRADUAL AND PRUDENT APPROACH TO EVOLUTIONARY CHANGES.... 20
WELL-BALANCED OBJECTIVES SHOULD BE WELCOMED ................. 21
SELECT COMMITTEE STRUCTURE PROPOSED........................ 25
STEADY APPROACH ESSENTIAL DURING TRANSITION ............... 25
PEOPLE URGED TO STUDY BASIC LAW ............................. 28
NO INDICATION HOW NEW SYSTEM WILL WORK....................... 30
HOUSING BILL PASSED.......................................... 33
GOVT WILL REMAIN ACCOUNTABLE ON HOUSING ..................... 33
/TIMING OF .......
TIMING OF HOUSING AUTHORITY APPOINTMENT FAULTED ............. 35
INDEPINDENT TRUST FUND ADVOCATED............................. 36
COMMITMENT TO PUBLIC HOUSING UNCHANGED..........-.......... 37
MERIT IN HOUSING AUTHORITY REORGANISATION ................. 3^
MOTION ON FUNDING APPROVED................................ 39
HEUNG YEE KUK SEEKS WIDER MEMBERSHIP ...................... 39
REGULATIONS MAY HELP EASE WORKER SHORTAGE..........-......... . 41 ...
YEAR OF ACHIEVEMENT FOR BAPTIST COLLEGE...................... 41
JUSTICE BARKER RESIGNS ...................................... 4?
CROWN ORDERED TO PAY S36M IN COSTS......................... 4j
CROSS-BORDER COACH TRAFFIC TO INCREASE FURTHER ................ 44
CIVIC EDUCATION THROUGH EXTRA-CURRICULAR ACTIVITIES ........... 45
GOVERNMENT HOUSE GARDENS OPEN TO PUBLIC ....................... 46
ILLEGAL STRUCTURES IN MONG KOK CLEARED....................... 46
NORTH DISTRICT FIGHT CRIME, ANTI-NARCOTICS VARIETY SHOW ....... 4?
FINANCIAL EXHIBITION FOR THEN MUN RESIDENTS ................. 48
SPRING RECEPTION FOR ELDERLY AT TAI 0........................ 49
TRAFFIC RESTRICTIONS ON HONG KONG ISLAND...................... 49
SHAU KEI WAN RESTRICTIONS LIFTED ............................ 50
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 16, 1988
1
CS: POSITIVE OVERALL REACTION TO WHITE PAPER * ♦ » * ♦
OVERALL REACTION TO THE WHITE PAPER, "THE DEVELOPMENT OF REPRESENTATIVE GOVERNMENT : THE WAY FORWARD", HAS BEEN POSITIVE, THE CHIEF SECRETARY, SIR DAVID FORD, SAID IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
"THE BROAD JUDGEMENT OF THE COMMUNITY REFLECTED THROUGH OUR MANY CONTACTS AND THE MEDIA IS THAT THE MAIN THRUST OF THE WHITE PAPER IS RIGHT, AND HAS THE SUPPORT OF MOST PEOPLE IN HONG KONG," HE SAID.
HE WAS MOVING A MOTION THAT THE COUNCIL TAKE NOTE OF THE PLANS AND INTENTIONS CONTAINED IN THE WHITE PAPER.
SIR DAVID SAID THAT WHILE MANY OF THE PEOPLE WHO WERE CONTENT WITH THE GOVERNMENT’S POLICY DID NOT DRAW ATTENTION TO THEIR SATISFACTION, IT WAS UNDERSTANDABLE THAT THOSE WHO DISAGREED WITH ONE OR ANOTHER OF THE DECISIONS IN THE WHITE PAPER SHOULD VOICE THEIR OBJECTIONS FORCEFULLY.
"THEIR VIEWS ARE GIVEN JUST AS MUCH ATTENTION BY THE GOVERNMENT," HE SAID.
SIR DAVID POINTED OUT THAT THE PURPOSE OF THE WHITE PAPER WAS TO CHART THE COURSE OF THE DEVELOPMENT OF REPRESENTATIVE GOVERNMENT BETWEEN NOW AND 1991.
AND THE GOAL WAS TO DEVELOP A SYSTEM WHICH MET THE WISHES AND ASPIRATIONS OF THE PEOPLE OF HONG KONG AND ALSO TOOK ACCOUNT OF THE NEED FOR A SMOOTH TRANSITION IN 1997.
SIR DAVID NOTED THAT THERE WERE A NUMBER OF ISSUES WHICH HAD BEEN THE SUBJECT OF A GREAT DEAL OF COMMENT SINCE THE PUBLICATION OF THE WHITE PAPER.
ONE WAS THE PACE OF DEVELOPMENT IN GENERAL AND THE TIMING OF INTRODUCING DIRECT ELECTIONS INTO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL.
SIR DAVID SAID SOME FOUND IT DIFFICULT TO ACCEPT THE FACT THAT MANY PEOPLE IN HONG KONG WERE WARY OF MOVING TOO FAR TOO FAST TOWARDS A FULLY-FLEDGED PARLIAMENTARY STYLE DEMOCRACY.
HOWEVER, THERE WERE MANY OTHER PEOPLE WHO SAID THAT THEY COULD NOT UNDERSTAND WHY THERE SHOULD BE SUCH A FUSS OVER THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN 1988 AND 1991 AND THAT THE REAL SIGNIFICANCE WAS THE FACT OF THE INTRODUCTION INTO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL OF DIRECTLY ELECTED MEMBERS.
"ANYONE WHO IS PREPARED TO VIEW OUR DEVELOPMENT IN TRUE PERSPECTIVE WILL AGREE THAT WE ARE MAKING A MAJOR ADVANCE TOWARDS A MORE REPRESENTATIVE GOVERNMENT," HE SAID.
/HE POINTED........
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 16, 1988
2
HE POINTED OUT THAT WITH 10 DIRECTLY ELECTED SEATS IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL IN 1991, HONG KONG WOULD HAVE MOVED FROM A LEGISLATURE WHICH WAS ENTIRELY APPOINTED TO . ONE WITH A SIGNIFICANT PROPORTION OF DIRECTLY ELECTED MEMBERS IN A MATTER OF SIX YEARS.
SIR DAVID SAID THAT MANY OF THOSE WHO ARGUED THAT THE GOVERNMENT WAS WRONG IN NOT INTRODUCING DIRECT ELECTIONS IN 1988 SEEMED TO BE UNWILLING TO ACCEPT THAT THERE WAS A VERY REAL DIVISION OF VIEWS AS TO WHETHER DIRECT ELECTIONS SHOULD BE INTRODUCED IN 1988 OR LATER.
HE QUOTED A NUMBER OF STATISTICS TO SHOW THAT THIS DIVISION OF VIEWS WAS A FACT.
IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL DEBATE ON THE GREEN PAPER, 18 MEMBERS WERE FOR DIRECT ELECTIONS IN 1988 AND 18 AGAINST, WHILE THE NUMBERS IN THE MUNICIPAL COUNCILS AND THE DISTRICT BOARDS WERE 19 FOR AND NINE AGAINST AND 121 FOR AND 123 AGAINST RESPECTIVELY.
INDIVIDUAL SUBMISSIONS TO THE SURVEY OFFICE SHOWED THAT SOME 39,000 PEOPLE WERE IN FAVOUR OF INTRODUCING DIRECT ELECTIONS IN 1988 AND SOME 91,000 PEOPLE WERE AGAINST.
OF THE GROUP SUBMISSIONS, 229 WERE FOR AND 352 AGAINST. THE TWO AGB MCNAIR SURVEYS SHOWED, RESPECTIVELY, 15 PER CENT FOR, 19 PER CENT AGAINST IN THE FIRST SURVEY AND 12 PER CENT FOR, 21 PER CENT AGAINST IN THE SECOND SURVEY.
OTHER TERRITORY-WIDE, RANDOM SAMPLE SURVEYS SHOWED A RANGE OF RESULTS, GENERALLY IN FAVOUR OF 1988 ON BALANCE, WHILE SIGNATURE CAMPAIGNS WERE ALMOST ALL IN FAVOUR OF 1988.
"IT IS BECAUSE, AND ONLY BECAUSE, OF THIS SHARP DIVISION OF VIEWS ON TIMING THAT THE GOVERNMENT HAS CONCLUDED THAT IT WOULD NOT BE RIGHT TO INTRODUCE DIRECT ELECTIONS IN 1988,” HE SAID.
AS DIRECT ELECTIONS TO THE LEGISLATURE REPRESENTED A MAJOR CONSTITUTIONAL CHANGE, THE GOVERNMENT MUST THEREFORE BE SURE THAT THEIR INTRODUCTION HAD THE CLEAR SUPPORT OF THE COMMUNITY AS A WHOLE.
TURNING TO CRITICISM OF THE TWO OPINION SURVEYS CONDUCTED BY AGB MCNAIR HK LTD, SIR DAVID REPEATED THAT THERE WERE INEVITABLY DIFFERENT JUDGEMENTS ON HOW SURVEYS OF THIS NAUTRE SHOULD BE CONDUCTED.
BUT HE ALSO ADDED THAT COMMENTS ON THE SURVEYS, WHETHER CRITICAL OR OTHERWISE, HAD BEEN FULLY TAKEN INTO ACCOUNT WHEN THE SURVEY RESULTS WERE CONSIDERED.
"I WISH TO EMPHASISE THAT THE GOVERNMENT HAS TAKEN INTO ACCOUNT ALL VIEWS AND NOT JUST ANY PARTICULAR SURVEY OR ANY PARTICULAR FORM OF SUBMISSION," HE ADDED.
/’’INDEED IT.........
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 16, 1988
"INDEED IT SEEMS TO ME THAT IT IS OUR CRITICS WHO HAVE TRIED TO RELY ON ONE PARTICULAR SET OF SURVEYS TO PROVE THEIR POINT AND HAVE CHOSEN TO IGNORE THE OVERALL IMPLICATIONS OF THE VIEWS RECORDED IN THE SURVEY OFFICE REPORT, WHICH WERE CLEARLY THAT THE COMMUNITY IS DIVIDED ON THE QUESTION OF TIMING OF DIRECT ELECTIONS TO LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL."
ON THE DECISION TO PROVIDE TWO ADDITIONAL FUNCTIONAL CONSTITUENCY SEATS IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL IN 1988 AFTER CONSIDERING SOME 50 REQUESTS, SIR DAVID GAVE AN ASSURANCE THAT ALL CLAIMS HAD BEEN GIVEN CAREFUL CONSIDERATION.
HOWEVER, HE SAID THAT SOME EXPLANATION ON THE POSITION OF THE HEUNG YEE KUK WAS DUE, BECAUSE IT WAS THE BODY WHICH RECEIVED THE MOST SUPPORT FOR ITS RECOGNITION AS A FUNCTIONAL CONSTITUENCY, AND BECAUSE THE QUESTION HAD BEEN RAISED AS TO THE IMPORTANCE WHICH THE GOVERNMENT ATTACHED TO THE ROLE OF THE HEUNG YEE KUK.
IT WAS CONSIDERED INAPPROPRIATE TO FIT THE KUK INTO THE ROLE OF A FUNCTIONAL CONSTITUENCY BECAUSE THESE CONSTITUENCIES WERE DESIGNED TO REPRESENT PROFESSIONAL AND OCCUPATIONAL GROUPS WITH A TERRITORY-WIDE SIGNIFICANCE, HE SAID.
THE DECISION SHOULD IN NO WAY BE INTERPRETED AS PLAYING DOWN THE IMPORTANCE OF ITS ROLE, SIR DAVID SAID.
HE MENTIONED THAT IN HIS LETTER TO THE CHAIRMAN OF THE KUK ON MARCH 11, HE HAD WRITTEN: ’THE GOVERNMENT FULLY RECOGNISES THE KUK’S OVERALL CONCERN IN NEW TERRITORIES AFFAIRS AND ITS IMPORTANT ROLE IN THE REPRESENTATION OF THE INTERESTS OF THE NEW TERRITORIES INDIGENOUS POPULATION. IT IS, THEREFORE, THE GOVERNMENT’S FIRM INTENTION TO ENSURE THAT THESE INTERESTS WILL BE PROPERLY REPRESENTED IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL.’
ON THE INTRODUCTION OF REPRESENTATIVE MEMBERS OF THE URBAN DISTRICT BOARDS TO THE URBAN COUNCIL, SIR DAVID SAID THAT PUBLIC OPINION SURVEYS SHOWED A WIDE RANGE OF RESULTS, WITH THE OVERALL PICTURE BEING IN FAVOUR OF EXPANDING THE URBAN COUNCIL TO INCLUDE DISTRICT BOARD REPRESENTATIVES.
HE NOTED THAT THE CHANGE ALSO MEANT THAT THE URBAN COUNCIL, WITH FULL RESPONSIBILITY FOR LARGE AREAS OF PUBLIC POLICY, WOULD HAVE, FOR THE FIRST TIME, A MAJORITY OF ELECTED MEMBERS.
THE NEW ARRANGEMENTS IN THE WHITE PAPER REPRESENTED A RATIONALISATION OF THE THREE-TIER STRUCTURE BY PROVIDING FOR REPRESENTATIVES OF DISTRICT BOARDS TO BE ELECTED TO THE MUNICIPAL COUNCILS, AND FOR REPRESENTATIVES OF THE MUNICIPAL COUNCILS TO BE ELECTED TO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL, HE SAID.
THE PRESENT DISTRICT-BASED ELECTORAL COLLEGE SEATS IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL WOULD, IN 1991, BE REPLACED BY DIRECTLY ELECTED SEATS.
/HOWEVER, THE .......
WEDNESDAY, March 16, 1988
HOWEVER, THE ABOLITION OE GEOGRAPHICAL ELECTORAL COLLEGE SEATS IN NO WAY AFFECTED THE ROLE AND IMPORTANCE OF DISTRICT BOARDS.
SIR DAVID SAID THAT THE GOVERNMENT DID NOT EXPECT THAT EVERYONE IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL CHAMBER, NOR THE COMMUNITY AS A WHOLE, SHOULD SUPPORT EACH AND EVERY CLAUSE OF THE WHITE PAPER.
'THAT IS WHY THE MOTION WHICH 1 HAVE PROPOSED TODAY SEEKS MEMBERS' AGREEMENT THAT WE SHOULD TAKE NOTE OF THE PLANS AND INTENTIONS CONTAINED IN IT," HE SAID.
IN CONCLUDING, HE SAID THAT IT WAS THE DUTY OF THE GOVERNMENT, IN CONSIDERING THE WAY FORWARD FOR POLITICAL DEVELOPMENT IN HONG KONG, TO SEEK A CONSENSUS VIEWS THAT WOULD MEET THE NEEDS OF THE COMMUNITY AS A WHOLE AND SATISFY A MAJORITY OF THE PEOPLE.
"I AM IN NO DOUBT WHATSOEVER THAT THE BROAD POLICIES CONTAINED IN THE WHITE PAPER ARE IN THE BEST INTERESTS OF THE PEOPLE OF HONG KONG, AND HAVE THEIR SUPPORT," HE SAID.
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CONFIDENCE AND UNITY VITAL FOR FUTURE * * * * *
THE SENIOR MEMBER OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL, THE HON LYDIA DUNN, TODAY (WEDNESDAY) URGED THE PEOPLE OF HONG KONG TO FACE THE FUTURE POSITIVELY AND CONFIDENTLY, AND TO WORK TOGETHER IN IMPLEMENTING THE JOINT DECLARATION.
MISS DUNN WAS SPEAKING IN THE COUNCIL IN SUPPORT OF THE PLANS AND INTENTIONS IN THE WHITE PAPER ON THE DEVELOPMENT OF REPRESENTATIVE GOVERNMENT.
"THE WHITE PAPER BRINGS US ONE STEP NEARER TO THAT GOAL," SHE SAID IN LEADING OFF THE DEBATE ON THE MOTION MOVED BY THE CHIEF SECRETARY.
MISS DUNN POINTED OUT THAT ALL LEGISLATIVE COUNCILLORS AND EVERYONE INVOLVED IN PUBLIC AFFAIRS HERE CARRIED A HEAVY RESPONSIBILITY FOR HONG KONG’S PEOPLE.
"WE OWE IT TO THEM TO WORK TOGETHER FOR THE FUTURE WELL-BEING OF US ALL," SHE SAID.
SHE STRESSED THE IMPORTANCE OF THE PEOPLE BECOMING MUCH MORE UNITED.
/"ONLY THSi
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 16, 1988
- 5 -
"ONLY THEN WILL WE CARRY CONVICTION WHEN WE STAND UP FOR THE RIGHTS AND WAY OF LIFE THAT HAVE BEEN PLEDGED TO US BY THE JOINT DECLARATION," SHE SAID.
WITHOUT THE JOINT DECLARATION, HONG KONG WOULD FACE THE CERTAIN REVERSION TO CHINESE SOVEREIGNTY WITH NO PROMISE OF AUTONOMY.
"IF WE DO NOT PULL OURSELVES TOGETHER WE RISK BECOMING A FRAGMENTED COMMUNITY PARALYSED BY CONFUSION, SELF-DOUBT AND SUSPICION," SHE SAID.
"IF WE CANNOT RECONCILE OUR DIFFERENCES, WHAT CHANCE HAVE WE OF BUILDING A FUTURE TOGETHER?"
SHE SAID IT WAS ALL VERY WELL FOR INDIVIDUALS TO PURSUE IDEAL SOLUTIONS, BUT WHEN ALL HAD HAD THEIR SAY, THEY MUST BE PREPARED TO ACCEPT THE OUTCOME ENDORSED BY THE MAJORITY.
MISS DUNN SAID THAT TWO POINTS HAD CLEARLY EMERGED FROM THE GREEN PAPER CONSULTATION EXERCISE.
FIRST, THE PEOPLE DID WANT MORE REPRESENTATIVE GOVERNMENT, AND SECONDLY, NEARLY ALL SAW THE INTRODUCTION OF DIRECTLY ELECTED MEMBERS INTO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL A.S THE NEXT STAGE IN THE DEVELOPMENT OF HONG KONG’S SYSTEM OF GOVERNMENT.
HOWEVER, THE OUTCOME OF THE DEBATE ON THE TIMING OF THAT NEXT STEP HAD BEEN "DIVISIVE". ANALYSIS OF THE RESULTS OF THE SURVEY REPORT HAD SHOWN THAT PUBLIC OPINION ON THIS ISSUE WAS "OBVIOUSLY SPLIT".
MISS DUNN EMPHASISED THAT IF THE VIEWS OF THE COMMUNITY ON THIS ISSUE HAI) BEEN AS DECISIVE AS THOSE ON ALL THE OTHER KEY ISSUES IN THE GREEN PAPER, AND HAD CLEARLY SUPPORTED THE DEMANDS FOR DIRECT ELECTIONS IN 1988, MEMBERS OF THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL WOULD HAVE ADVISED THE GOVERNOR TO INTRODUCE DIRECT ELECTIONS THIS YEAR.
"CONTROVERSIAL CHANGES NEED A BROAD CONSENSUS TO SUSTAIN THEM," SHE SAID. "NO RESPONSIBLE GOVERNMENT CAN MAKE, OR SHOULD ATTEMPT TO MAKE, RADICAL CONSTITUTIONAL CHANGES WITHOUT CLEAR COMMUNITY SUPPORT.
"IT IS NOT A SIMPLE QUESTION OF WHETHER MORE PEOPLE WERE FOR AND LESS AGAINST, BUT WHETHER THE GOVERNMENT COULD IGNORE THE GENUINE RESERVATIONS OF SO MANY IN THE COMMUNITY WHO WERE AGAINST CHANGE IN 1988."
MISS DUNN FELT THAT PEOPLE SHOULD NOW DEVOTE MORE THOUGHT AND DISCUSSION TO THE SORT OF DIRECT ELECTIONS HONG KONG SHOULD HAVE: HOW A FULLY ELECTED LEGISLATURE WOULD OPERATE IN THE FUTURE; AND THE CONTENT OF THE BASIC LAW.
"THE BASIC LAW IS TO BE THE BLUEPRINT FOR OUR CAPITALIST SYSTEM, OUR LIFE-STYLE, OUR FREEDOMS IN THE YEARS TO COME. WE MUST HELP THE BASIC LAW DRAFTING COMMITTEE TO GET IT RIGHT.
/"AND TO ......
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 16, 1988
’’AND TO DO THAT EFFECTIVELY, WE NEED TO SPEAK WITH ONE VOICE ON THE THINGS THAT REALLY MATTER,” SHE SAID.
MISS DUNN ALSO CALLED ON BOTH THE BRITISH AND CHINESE GOVERNMENTS TO BE MORE SENSITIVE TO THE ANXIETIES AND ASPIRATIONS OF THE PEOPLE OF HONG KONG IN PREPARATION FOR A TRANSFER OF SOVEREIGNTY FROM A NATION WITH A LONG ESTABLISHED TRADITION OF LIBERAL AND DEMOCRATIC VALUE TO A MODERN SOCIALIST STATE.
•’CHINA’S WELL PUBLICISED ATTITUDE TO DIRECT ELECTIONS IN 1988 AND RECENT STATEMENTS ABOUT THE RIGHT OF THIS COUNCIL TO DEBATE THE DRAFT BASIC LAW HAVE NOT HELPED.
’’EQUALLY, THE BRITISH GOVERNMENT'S TREATMENT OF SUCH ISSUES AS VIETNAMESE REFUGEES AND TOUGH BARGAINING OVER DEFENCE COSTS HAVE CALLED INTO QUESTION THEIR UNDERSTANDING OF HONG KONG’S SPECIAL CONCERNS,” SHE SAID.
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PRAGMATISM GAINS WIDESPREAD SUPPORT ♦ t ♦ * ♦
IN VIEW OF THE PRAGMATIC NATURE OF THE DECISIONS ON POLITICAL DEVELOPMENT, THE WHITE PAPER ON THE DEVELOPMENT OF REPRESENTATIVE GOVERNMENT HAS GAINED WIDESPREAD AND STRONG SUPPORT FROM THE COMMUNITY AT LARGE.
THIS WAS STATED BY DR THE HON HO KAM-FAI DURING THE DEBATE ON THE WHITE PAPER IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
”AS A MATTER OF FACT, THE MARKETING DECISION RESEARCH CONDUCTED A POLL AFTER THE PUBLICATION OF THE WHITE PAPER AND FOUND THAT TWO-THIRDS OF THE RESPONDENTS ENDORSED DIRECT ELECTIONS TO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL IN 1991,” HE SAID.
E
"A SEPARATE SURVEY, CARRIED OUT BY A YOUTH AGENCY, LIKEWISE INDICATED THAT ALMOST 70 PER CENT OF THE RESPONDENTS ACCEPTED THE TIMING OF DIRECT ELECTIONS AS RECOMMENDED IN THE WHITE PAPER.”
DR HO SAID THE WHITE PAPER WOULD USHER HONG KONG INTO AN ERA OF DIRECT ELECTIONS FOR THE FIRST TIME IN ITS HISTORY.
’’THIS IS A FUNDAMENTAL, STRUCTURAL CHANGE IN THE GOVERNMENT SYSTEM, AND IS THE SPEARHEAD OF THE DEMOCRAT1SATION PROCESS AT THE CENTRAL GOVERNMENT LEVEL.
/’’COMPARED WITH.........
WKWOBDAY, MARCH 16, 1988
"COMPARED WITH THE ISSUE OF DIRECT ELECTIONS, THE NUMBER OF DIRECTLY ELECTED SEATS TO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL IS A CHANGE OF A MUCH LESSER SIGNIFICANCE," HE SAID.
DR HO NOTED THAT DIRECT ELECTION TO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL WAS A MUCH PREFERRED FORM OF ELECTION TO INDIRECT ELECTION THROUGH THE DISTRICT BOARD ELECTORAL COLLEGE.
HOWEVER, AS THE DIRECTLY ELECTED ELEMENTS WERE INCREASED AS HONG KONG APPROACHED 1997, HE WOULD LIKE TO SEE A SEAT TO BE RETURNED TO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL FROM EACH OF THE 19 DISTRICT BOARDS.
DR HO SAID NOW THAT THE WHITE PAPER WAS PUBLISHED, WITH A FIRM GOVERNMENT COMMITMENT TO DIRECT ELECTIONS IN 1991, IT WOULD SERVE NO USEFUL PURPOSE TO KEEP ON CRITICISING ITS PLANS AND MOBILISE OPPOSITION TO DISCREDIT THESE PLANS.
"RATHER, IT WOULD BE IN THE BEST INTEREST OF HONG KONG IF WE, REGARDLESS OF IDEOLOGIES AND BACKGROUND, PUT ASIDE OUR DIFFERENT VIEWS AND JOIN TOGETHER OUR HEART AND HEAD TO TRANSLATE THE PROMISES IN THE WHITE PAPER INTO REALITIES AND TO MAKE DIRECT ELECTIONS WORK IN 1991," HE SAID.
NOTING THAT A THREE-YEAR PERIOD WAS A SHORT SPAN OF TIME IN TERMS OF POLITICAL DEVELOPMENT, DR HO URGED: "LET US START WORKING TOGETHER NOW TO BUILD UP A TERRITORY-WIDE ATMOSPHERE CONDUCIVE TO MORE ENTHUSIASTIC PARTICIPATION AND A HIGH VOTER TURNOUT RATE.
"LET US ALSO BE VIGILANT IN MONITORING THE PROVISIONS IN THE FORTHCOMING DRAFT BASIC LAW TO SEE IF THEY ARE CONSISTENT WITH THE INTENTION AND SPIRIT OF THE JOINT DECLARATION.
"IT IS THIS UNITY OF STRENGTH AND PURPOSE OF ALL SECTORS OF THE COMMUNITY THAT WILL ENABLE HONG KONG TO STEER STEADILY AND SMOOTHLY THROUGH THE TRANSITION, WHILE MAINTAINING STABILITY AND PROSPERITY AT THIS CRUCIAL MOMENT IN OUR HISTORY."
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WEDNESDAY, MARCH 16, 1988
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COMMITMENT TO DIRECT ELECTIONS A SIGNIFICANT STEP
* * » *
THE SIGNIFICANCE OF THE WHITE PAPER ON REPRESENTATIVE GOVERNMENT LIES IN THE GOVERNMENT’S COMMITMENT TO INTRODUCE DIRECT ELECTIONS IN 1991 FOR 10 LEGISLATIVE'COUNCIL SEATS, THE HON ALLEN LEE TOLD THE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
SPEAKING IN THE DEBATE ON THE WHITE PAPER, MR LEE SAID HE BELIEVED THAT THE GOVERNMENT’S COMMITMENT WAS A RESULT OF PUBLIC RESPONSE.
"AFTER STUDYING THE RESULTS OF THE SURVEY OFFICE REPORT CAREFULLY. I CAN ONLY SAY WITH A CLEAR CONSCIENCE THAT OUR COMMUNITY IS SPLIT ON THE SUBJECT OF DIRECT ELECTION IN 1988," HE SAID.
AND HE FELT THAT FACED WITH THIS DIVISION OF OPINION AMONG THE PUBLIC ON THE TIMING OF DIRECT ELECTIONS, THE GOVERNMENT HAD MADE A HISTORIC DECISION TO INTRODUCE AN ELEMENT OF DIRECT ELECTIONS IN 1991.
"I HAVE FOUGHT FOR A COMMITMENT TO DIRECT ELECTION SINCE 1983 AND 1 ADVOCATED THE INTRODUCTION IN 1988. EVEN THOUGH IT IS NOW GOING TO BE IN 1991, I MUST SAY 1 AM GLAD TO SEE THAT IT HAS FINALLY HAPPENED.
"IT MEANS THAT INSTEAD OF SPENDING THE NEXT THREE YEARS ARGUING AND SPECULATING OVER WHETHER THERE SHOULD BE DIRECT ELECTION OK NOT, WE CAN START WORKING CONSTRUCTIVELY TOWARDS DIRECT ELECTION AS A PART OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL IN 1991," MR LEE SAID.
"AND EQUALLY IMPORTANT, WE CAN CONCENTRATE ON THE BUSINESS OF THE COUNCIL: THE PASSING OF LEGISLATION TO IMPROVE THE WAY OUR COMMUNITY WORKS."
MR LEE SAID THAT WHEN THE BASIC LAW WAS PROMULGATED IN 1990, THERE WOULD BE IMPORTANT ISSUES TO SORT OUT OTHER THAN JUST DIRECT ELECTIONS TO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL.
FOR EXAMPLE, THERE WAS THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN THE LEGISLATURE AND THE EXECUTIVE, AND ENSURING A SMOOTH TRANSFER FROM THE PRESENT SYSTEM TO THE SYSTEM THAT WOULD COME INTO BEING IN 1997.
"IT IS VITAL THAT THE SINGLE ISSUE OF DIRECT ELECTION SHOULD NOT BE ALLOWED TO DISPLACE ALL THE OTHER IMPORTANT ISSUES THAT WE HAVE TO CONSIDER," MR LEE EMPHASISED.
WHILE EXPRESSING REGRET THAT SOME INDIVIDUALS WERE NOW USING THEIR POSITION TO DISCREDIT THE GOVERNMENT, MR LEE POINTED OUT THAT IT WAS ALWAYS EASIER TO DESTROY THAN TO BUILD.
/"I HOPE .......
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 16, 1988
"1 HOPE THAT THE PEOPLE OP HONG KONG CONTINUE TO CONTRIBUTE AND TO BUILD A BETTER HONG KONG AND NOT TO LET A FEW VOCAL MINORITIES DESTROY WHAT WE ARE TRYING SO HARD TO ACHIEVE FOR THE PEOPLE OF HONG KONG," HE SAID.
IN CONCLUSION, MR LEE REITERATED HIS VIEW THAT THE WHITE PAPER WAS A WELL THOUGHT OUT DOCUMENT WHICH HAD TAKEN THE INTERESTS OF HONG KONG FULLY INTO CONSIDERATION.
0 - -
REALISTIC DOCUMENT AT THIS TIME * * ♦ » »
THE WHITE PAPER ON THE DEVELOPMENT OF REPRESENTATIVE GOVERNMENT COULD BE REGARDED AS A REALISTIC DOCUMENT WHICH MET THE NEEDS OF HONG KONG AT THIS STAGE, THE HON F.K. HU SAID IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
SPEAKING DURING THE DEBATE ON THE WHITE PAPER, MR HU SAID THAT ON THE ONE HAND, THE WHITE PAPER PROVIDED FOR CHANGES TO DEMOCRATISE THE POLITICAL STRUCTURE, WHILE ON THE OTHER, THE PROPOSED STEPS WERE PRUDENT AND CAUTIOUS ENOUGH TO PRESERVE THE TERRITORY’S STABILITY, WHICH WAS IMPORTANT IN THIS PERIOD OF TRANSITION.
FURTHERMORE, THE CHANGES PROPOSED IN THE DOCUMENT WERE DISCREET ENOUGH TO AVOID IMPINGING ON THE BASIC LAW WHICH WAS STILL BEING DRAFTED, AND WOULD THUS ENSURE THAT DEVELOPMENTS AT THIS STAGE WOULD CONVERGE WITH THE POLITICAL STRUCTURE TO BE ADOPTED AFTER 1997.
MR HU SAID HE WAS PARTICULARLY GLAD THAT THE WHITE PAPER ENABLED HONG KONG TO UNTANGLE ITSELF FROM THE "DIRECT ELECTION FOR 1988" CONTROVERSY AND MOVE AHEAD, WITH CHANGES THAT WERE ACCEPTABLE TO THE MAJORITY OF THE COMMUNITY.
HE SAID THE PLANNED INTRODUCTION OF DIRECT ELECTIONS TO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL BY 1991 WAS A REASONABLE SOLUTION TO BRIDGE SHARPLY DIVIDED PUBLIC OPINION OVER TIMING.
COMMENTING THAT THE WHITE PAPER HAD, HOWEVER, OVERLOOKED A NUMBER OF STEPS IN THE PROCESS BETWEEN NOW AND THE INTRODUCTION OF DIRECT ELECTIONS IN 1991, MR HU SAID THAT DIRECT ELECTIONS COULD BE CARRIED OUT IN TWO STAGES.
IN THE FIRST "WARMING-UP" STAGE, NOMINATION OF CANDIDATES WOULD HAVE TO BE RECOMMENDED BY DISTRICT BOARD MEMBERS TO ENSURE THAT THE QUALITY OF CANDIDATES HAD REACHED A CERTAIN STANDARD.
/"AT THE
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 16, 1988
10 -
"AT THE SECOND STAGE THERE CAN BE DIRECT NOMINATIONS FROM THE DISTRICTS TO ENSURE THAT ANYONE WHO INTENDS TO STAND FOR ELECTION WILL HAVE A FAIR CHANCE OF DOING SO," HE SAID.
MR HU SAID HE BELIEVED THAT THE EXISTING ELECTORAL COLLEGE SYSTEM SHOULD BE ABOLISHED EVENTUALLY.
THE REPLACEMENT OF 10 ELECTORAL COLLEGE SEATS BY GEOGRAPHICALLY BASED DIRECTLY ELECTED SEATS IN 1991 WAS ONLY THE FIRST STEP, AND IT SHOULD BE FOLLOWED BY THE ABOLITION OF THE TWO SEATS ALLOCATED TO THE URBAN AND REGIONAL COUNCILS.
HE ALSO SAW A NEED IN THE FUTURE FOR THE EXISTING THREE-TIER SYSTEM TO BE MERGED INTO A TWO-TIER ONE - AT CENTRAL AND DISTRICT LEVELS -WITH CLEARLY DEFINED ROLES.
"HONG KONG IS TOO SMALL A PLACE TO ALLOW TOO COMPLICATED A SYSTEM TO OPERATE. A CUMBERSOME STRUCTURE WILL ONLY REDUCE EFFICIENCY AND RESULT IN WASTE OF RESOURCES," HE SAID.
BEFORE 1997, HOWEVER, THE EXISTING SYSTEM SHOULD BE RETAINED TO AV1OD DESTABILISING THE PRESENT SYSTEM UNNECESSARILY IN THE TRANSITION PERIOD, HE ADDED.
MR HU ALSO URGED THE GOVERNMENT TO WORK OUT AS SOON AS POSSIBLE DETAILED ARRANGEMENTS FOR DIRECT ELECTIONS IN 1991, SUCH AS FURTHER DEFINING FUNCTIONAL CONSTITUENCIES AND REDRAWING CONSTITUENCY BOUNDARIES FOR GEOGRAPHICALLY BASED DIRECT ELECTIONS.
SUPPORTING THE ARGUMENT THAT IT WAS UNDESIRABLE TO HAVE TWO PARALLEL SYSTEMS OF GEOGRAPHICAL REPRESENTATION IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL OPERATING DIRECTLY AND THROUGH DISTRICT BOARDS, MR HU SAID THAT THE CROSS MEMBERSHIP ARRANGEMENT SHOULD NOT BE APPLIED TO THE URBAN COUNCIL DISTRICT BOARD RELATIONSHIP EITHER.
HOWEVER, HE ACCEPTED THAT THE ARRANGEMENT BETWEEN THE REGIONAL COUNCIL AND THE DISTRICT BOARDS SHOULD REMAIN INTACT FOR THE TIME BEING, WHILE THE GOVERNMENT EXPLORED WAYS TO STRENGTHEN THE LINKS BETWEEN THE DISTRICT BOARDS AND THE URBAN COUNCIL.
HE ADDED THAT, IN THE LONG RUN, ALL COUNCIL AND BOARD MEMBERS SHOULD BE ELECTED, BE LT THROUGH DIRECT ELECTIONS OR INDIRECT ELECTIONS.
MR HU SAID HE WAS DISAPPOINTED THAT THE WHITE PAPER HAD NOT GONE FURTHER INTO THE PROPOSED BROADLY-BASED ELECTORAL COLLEGE.
HE SAID HONG KONG NEEDED A LEGISLATURE WHICH HAD A BALANCED VIEW AND REPRESENTED THE INTERESTS OF ALL SECTORS OF THE COMMUNITY. BUT THIS COULD NOT BE ACHIEVED IF THE FUTURE LEGISLATURE ONLY COMPRISED MEMBERS DIRECTLY ELECTED OR ELECTED THROUGH THE FUNCTIONAL CONSTITUENCIES.
/’’THE PROPOSED.......
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 16, 1988
’’THE PROPOSED BROAD-BASED ELECTORAL COLLEGE WILL BE A PRACTICE’ amp —TIVB VEHICLE TO ENSURE THAT WE WILL HAVE A BALANCED LEGISLATURE IN THE FUTURE,” HE SAID.
HE THEREFORE ASKED THE GOVERNMENT TO SCRUTINISE THE IDEA MORE CLOSELY.
TIME FOR PEOPLE TO WORK TOGETHER * » ♦ ♦ ♦
PEOPLE SHOULD WORK TOGETHER IN A CONCERTED EFFORT TO BUILD UP A BETTER HONG KONG, THE HON STEPHEN CHEONG SAID IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
TO DWELL ON ONE OR TWO ISSUES WOULD NOT BE HELPFUL AND MIGHT INSTEAD LEAD TO ADVERSE CONSEQUENCES, HE SAID DURING THE DEBATE ON THE WHITE PAPER ON REPRESENTATIVE GOVERNMENT.
INSTEAD, PEOPLE SHOULD CO-OPERATE IN ORDER TO MAINTAIN STABILITY AND PROSPERITY DURING THE TRANSITION PERIOD AS WELL AS FOR THE FUTURE AND THE WELL-BEING OF THE MAJORITY OF HONG KONG PEOPLE WHO WOULD STAY BEHIND AFTER 1997.
”1 LOVE HONG KONG AND HOPE THAT ALL HONG KONG PEOPLE CAN LIVE AND WORK IN HARMONY IN A STABLE ENVIRONMENT FOREVER, WITH A RISING STANDARD OF LIVING AND IMPROVING QUALITY OF LIFE,” HE ADDED.
MR CHEONG SAID THAT LED BY THE GOVERNMENT, THE PEOPLE OF HONG KONG HAD BEEN LIVING AND WORKING IN A PEACEFUL AND PROSPEROUS SOCIETY.
”OUR SOCIETY IS, OF COURSE, NOT WITHOUT FLAWS. HOWEVER, THE GOVERNMENT HAS BEEN AND IS TRYING HARD TO OVERCOME THE SHORTCOMINGS AND MAKE IMPROVEMENTS,” HE SAID.
EVERYONE, EXCEPT A FEW, RECOGNISED AND ACKNOWLEDGED THE ENDEAVOURS OF THE GOVERNMENT.
IN THE LONGER TERM, PEOPLE MIGHT BE CONCERNED THAT THE CHINESE GOVERNMENT MIGHT REVERT FROM THE PRESENT OPEN POLICY TO THE PREVIOUS CLOSED DOOR POLICY. QUITE A NUMBER OF HONG KONG PEOPLE THEREFORE CHOSE TO EMIGRATE IF THEY COULD AFFORD TO DO SO.
MR CHEONG WISHED THESE PEOPLE ALL THE BEST BUT BELIEVED THAT THE MAJORITY OF HONG KONG PEOPLE COULD NOT AFFORD TO EMIGRATE.
HE ALSO TOOK THE OPPORTUNITY TO DECLARE THAT HE DID HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO EMIGRATE BUT WOULD NEVER MAKE SUCH A CHOICE.
/"I WILL
WEDNESDAY, MAUCH 16, 1988
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"I WILL STAY IN HONG KONG AND DO WHAT I CAN TO SERVE MY BELOVED HOME TOWN IN THE HOPE THAT EVERYONE CAN LIVE IN PEACE AND PROSPERITY," HE SAID.
DEALING WITH THE WHITE PAPER, HE SAID HE FULLY SUPPORTED THE SPIRIT IN WHICH THE GOVERNMENT DEVELOPED THE REPRESENTATIVE SYSTEM.
HE SAID THE PROPOSAL TO REPLACE THE ELECTORAL COLLEGE SEATS WITH DIRECTLY ELECTED SEATS WAS LOGICAL AND PROGRESSIVE. AND YET SOME POEPLE HARPED ON THE ARGUMENT THAT THE GOVERNMENT WAS NOT GIVING DISTRICT BOARDS DUE RESPECT.
HE SAID THEIR ARGUMENTS DID NOT HAVE A WELL THOUGHT OUT AND LOGICAL BASIS.
IF BOTH DIRECTLY ELECTED SEATS AND ELECTORAL COLLEGE SEATS WERE PROVIDED IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL, IT WAS PROBABLY THAT THE BALANCE IN REPRESENTATION, WHICH WAS SO VITAL TO THE COMPOSITION OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL, MIGHT BE UPSET.
MR CHEONG SAID THAT THE CHAPTER ON DIRECT ELECTIONS IN THE WHITE PAPER WAS WELL-PRESENTED, EXCEPT THAT IT FAILED TO GO INTO THE DETAILS RELATINGTO IMPLEMENTATION.
HE URGED THE GOVERNMENT TO CARRY OUT PUBLIC CONSULTATION AS SOON AS POSSIBLE AND WORK OUT THE DETAILS SO THAT A SOLID FOUNDATION FOR SUCCESSFUL IMPLEMENTATION COULD BE BUILT.
HE ALSO SUPPORTED THE POINT WHICH HAD BEEN RAISED BY ANOTHER COUNCILLOR THAT CONSIDERATION SHOULD BE GIVEN TO ALLOWING DIFFERENT FUNCTIONAL CONSTITUENCIES TO HAVE DIFFERENT LIMITS OF EXPENDITURE FOR THE 1988 LEGCO ELECTIONS.
THE REASON WAS THAT THE NUMBER OF ELIGIBLE VOTERS VARIED WITH DIFFERENT CONSTITUENCIES.
MR CHEONG OBSERVED THAT THE MAJORITY OF THE PEOPLE WERE ONLY CONCERNED WITH DIRECT ELECTIONS, AND THEREFORE THEY WERE TEMPTED TO TURN TO CHAPTER 4 OF THE WHITE PAPER FOR AN ANSWER.
BUT FOR HIS PART, HE FOUND PARAGRAPHS 2, 3 AND 4 OF THE "INTRODUCTION" IN CHAPTER 1 MOST INSPIRING AND THOUGHT-PROVOKING. IN ONLY A FEW HUNDRED WORDS, THESE PARAGRAPHS SET OUT IN PLAIN AND CONCISE LANGUAGE THE UNIQUE SITUATION OF HONG KONG.
"IT IS MY WISH THAT ALL OF US WOULD PONDER ON THE MEANING OF THESE FEW PARAGRAPHS AND THINK HARD ABOUT THE PROPER COURSE WE SHOULD TAKE IN ORDER TO ACHIEVE THE ULTIMATE OBJECTIVE OF MAINTAINING STABILITY AND PROSPERITY IN HONG KONG OVER THE NEXT 60 YEARS," HE SAID.
/TO ACHIEVE .......
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 16, 1988
TO ACHIEVE THAT OBJECTIVE, A STABLE AND SECURE SOCIETY WAS NEEDED TO CONVINCE INVESTORS THAT THEY COULD SAFELY CARRY ON THEIR ECONOMIC ACTIVITIES IN HONG KONG.
FURTHERMORE, IN ORDER TO REDUCE TO A MINIMUM POSSIBLE INTERVENTION FROM CHINA, IT WAS NECESSARY FOR HONG KONG TO CONTINUE DEVELOPING ITSELF INTO AN INTERNATIONAL CENTRE FOR TRADING, FINANCIAL, AND TOURIST ACTIVITIES.
MR CHEONG ADDED THAT THE KEY TO .THE SUCCESS OF THE ONE-COUNTRY, TWO-SYSTEMS CONCEPT WAS WHETHER THE SAR GOVERNMENT WAS ABLE TO MAINTAIN A GOOD UNDERSTANDING AND CONSTRUCTIVE RELATIONSHIP WITH THE CHINESE GOVERNMENT.
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REALISTIC, PRACTICAL WAY FORWARD ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ *
THERE HAS BEEN A GENERAL ACCEPTANCE OF THE WHITE PAPER ON REPRESENTATIVE GOVERNMENT AS A WORKABLE POLICY PAPER BOTH IN MOVEMENT AND IN BALANCE POINTING TO A REALISTIC AND PRACTICAL WAY FORWARD, THE HON SELINA CHOW SAID IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
THESE WERE THE FINDINGS EITHER THROUGH DIRECT CONTACT WITH PEOPLE OF VARIOUS SECTORS OF THE COMMUNITY, OR FROM THE INDEPENDENT SURVEYS CONDUCTED BY INTERESTED AND DISINTERESTED BODIES, MRS CHOW SAID IN THE DEBATE ON THE WHITE PAPER.
"1 SHARE THE VIEW THAT IN ANY DEMOCRATIC PROCESS, AMPLE OPPORTUNITY MUST BE GIVEN FOR ALL VIEWS TO BE AIRED AND DEBATED,” SHE SAID.
"BUT IN THAT SAME DEMOCRATIC PROCESS, THERE MUST COME A TIME WHEN DECISIONS HAVE TO BE MADE, EVEN TO THE DISPLEASURE OF SOME, BEARING IN MIND NO DECISION CAN PLEASE EVERYONE.”
MRS CHOW SAID THAT TO PROTRACT PUBLIC DEBATE BEYOND THAT POINT BY CASTING DOUBTS ON THE WISDOM AND INTEGRITY OF THOSE DECISIONS AND THE PEOPLE WHO MADE THEM COULD ONLY RESULT IN A DESTABILISING EFFECT ON THE COMMUNITY.
SHE SAID SHE BELIEVED A CAMPAIGN WAS AFOOT TO CREATE ON THE INTERNATIONAL SCENE AN IMPRESSION, AND A FALSE ONE, THAI THE HONG KONG PEOPLE WERE BEING SHORTCHANGED BY THE DECISIONS TAKEN IN THE WHITE PAPER.
SHE REFERRED TO PEOPLE WHOM SHE HAD MET IN LONDON OVER LUNAR NEW YEAR WHO HAD BEEN GIVEN A MISLEADING IMPRESSION BY NEWSPAPER REPORTS.
/’’THIS I..........
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 16, 1988
- 14
"THIS I AM SURE COMES AS GOOD NEWS TO THOSE WHO WORKED HARD TO ACHIEVE THE EXTENSIVE COVERAGE," SHE SAID.
"DO THEY NOT REALISE THAT LN THEIR HEADSTRONG EFFORT TO BE HEARD, THAT THEY ARE DOING A TREMENDOUS DISSERVICE TO HONG KONG BY DISTORTING THE TRUTH AND BY CREATING AN UGLY IMAGE OF INSTABILITY TOTALLY UNCHARACTERISTIC OF OUR COMMUNITY, AN IMAGE WHICH WOULD BE SO VERY HARMFUL TO INTERNATIONAL CONFIDENCE IN HONG KONG WHICH AT THIS STAGE IN OUR HISTORY WE MUST ALL WANT AND SEEK TO MAINTAIN AND BUILD?
"DO THEY REALLY BELIEVE THEIR ACTION IS IN HONG KONG’S INTEREST? BEFORE THEY COME UP IN THEIR OWN DEFENCE THAT THEY ONLY DID IT FOR A MORE DEMOCRATIC HONG KONG, I SUGGEST THEY ASK THEMSELVES WHETHER WHAT THEY HAVE DONE, AND WHAT THEY HAVE ACHIEVED, REFLECT THE WISHES OF OUR PEOPLE, AND WHETHER THEY HAVE CONTRIBUTED TO THE WELL-BEING OF OUR BELOVED COMMUNITY."
MRS CHOW SAID SOME ACTIVISTS HAD DENOUNCED THE WHITE PAPER NOT ONLY FOR NOT INTRODUCING DIRECT ELECTIONS IN 1988, BUT ALSO FOR PROPOSING TO REPLACE THE DISTRICT BOARD ELECTORAL COLLEGE IN 1991 BY DIRECT ELECTIONS.
"WE DO NOT NEED LONG MEMORY TO RECALL THAT ONLY IN 1985, IMMEDIATELY AFTER THE FIRST ROUND OF ELECTORAL COLLEGE ELECTIONS' THAT THE SAME PEOPLE CRITICISED THE EXISTING INDIRECT METHOD AS DIVISIVE AND HARMFUL TO THE HARMONIOUS CO-OPERATION WITHIN THE DISTRICT BOARDS, AND ADVOCATED THAT IT SHOULD THEREFORE GIVE WAY TO DIRECT ELECTIONS," SHE SAID.
"NOW THAT SUCH VIEWS HAVE BEEN ACCEPTED BY GOVERNMENT AS THE BASIS FOR THE SUBSTITUTE OF INDIRECT BY DIRECT POPULIST ELECTIONS, THE ORIGINAL ADVOCATES HAVE BECOME ITS CRITICS.
"NO RATIONALE HAS BEEN GIVEN FOR THIS U-TURN. NONE EXISTS. TO REPLACE ONE WITH THE OTHER RENDERS THE METHOD AND THE SYSTEM SIMPLER, CLEANER AND THEREFORE MORE EFFECTIVE.
"IT ELIMINATES THE QUESTION OF DOUBLE LOYALTY. THE REPRESENTATIVES SO ELECTED ARE HELD DIRECTLY ACCOUNTABLE TO THE ELECTORATE."
MRS CHOW SAID THERE WAS A VIEW AT PRESENT CHAMPIONED BY ACADEMIC AND POLITICAL ORGANISATIONS THAT THE WHITE PAPER WAS THE CAUSE FOR THE LOW TURNOUT OF VOTERS IN LAST WEEK’S DISTRICT BOARD ELECTIONS.
SHE SAID SUCH AN OPINION MUST BE BASED ON THE ASSUMPTION THAT MOST CANDIDATES WHO JOINED Till DISTRICT BOARD ELECTIONS HAD THEIR EYE ON A SEAT IN THE LEGISLATURE.
/"I WONDER .......
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 16, 1988
"I WONDER HOW SUCH AN ASSUMPTION CAN BE SUBSTANTIATED, FOR THE VAST MAJORITY OF DISTRICT BOARD MEMBERS I HAVE MET HAVE BEEN DEDICATED SOLELY TO IMPROVING THE QUALITY OF LIFE IN THEIR OWN DISTRICTS, RATHER THAN TREATING THEIR ROLE AS THE STEPPING STONE TO LEGCO.”
MRS CHOW SAID THE DISTRICT BOARDS COULD SERVE AS EXCELLENT TRAINING GROUND FOR TALENTED PEOPLE WHO HAD A POLITICAL ASPIRATION TO ACHIEVE HIGHER THINGS.
"HOWEVER, AS IT STANDS, I DO NOT THINK GOVERNMENT IS BEING PROGRESSIVE ENOUGH IN NURTURING THE RIGHT SENSE OF RESPONSIBILITY BY LETTING GO THE APPROPRIATE PROPORTION OF AUTHORITY TO DISTRICT BOARD MEMBERS.
”UP TO THIS POINT THERE IS STILL NO OFFICIAL CHANNEL FOR PROPER CO-ORDINATION BETWEEN THE BOARDS AND THEIR PARALLEL DISTRICT MANAGEMENT COMMITTEES.”
SHE SAID THERE WAS RESISTANCE AMONG OFFICIALS TO HAVING BOARD MEMBERS OR EVEN CHAIRMEN, PARTICIPATE, EVEN AS OBSERVERS, ON A DISTRICT MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE.
"THIS MUST CHANGE. IT IS ONLY BY BREAKING DOWN THE BARRIER BETWEEN THE NON-OFFICIAL ADVISERS AND THE LOCAL OFFICIALS THAT THE WORRYING TENDENCY OF THE ENERGY OF DISTRICT BOARDS BEING GRADUALLY CHANNELLED TO A PRESSURE-GROUP MENTALITY DUE TO CONTINUOUS FRUSTRATION CAN BE REVERSED." < l'V
MRS CHOW SAID SHE HOPED THE WHITE PAPER WOULD HERALD A NEW AGE OF CO-OPERATION AND GOODWILL, OF CONSTRUCTIVE CRITICISM AND TOLERANCE, OF TEAMWORK DEDICATED TO THE SINGLE COURSE OF MAKING A BETTER FUTURE FOR THE TERRITORY. i-T *
"TO PREPARE OURSELVES FOR THE ADVENT OF DIRECT ELECTIONS IN 1991, WE MUST PROVE THAT WE CAN RESOLVE DIFFERENCES AND CONTROVERSIES IN A DEMOCRATIC AND RESPONSIBLE MANNER, ALWAYS AIMING AT SOLUTION RATHER THAN CREATION OF PROBLEMS, GOING FOR COMPROMISE RATHER THAN POLARISATION," SHE SAID.
/16........
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 16, 1988 ’
- 16 -
DIVERSITY OF VIEWS HEALTHY FOR COMMUNITY ♦ * * *
THE DIVERSITY OF VIEWS AND FREEDOM OF SPEECH ARE HEALTHY FOR A COMMUNITY, DR THE HON HENRIETTA IP SAID IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
DR IP SAID WHAT WAS EVEN HEALTHIER, HOWEVER, WAS THE ABILITY OF A GOVERNMENT, AT THE END OF THE DAY, TO MAKE A DECISION, STAND BY IT AND CARRY IT THROUGH, FIRMLY AND CONSCIENTIOUSLY DESPITE THE DIVERSITY OF VIEWS AND DEMANDS.
’’THE RECENT TREND OF INCREASING DEMANDS HAS MADE THE GOVERNMENT’S TASK DIFFICULT," SHE OBSERVED DURING THE DEBATE ON THE WHITE PAPER ON REPRESENTATIVE GOVERNMENT.
"FOR THOSE WHO TREASURE A STRONG AND DECISIVE GOVERNMENT, MORE SUPPORT CAN BE GIVEN TO IT AS LONG AS ITS PROPOSALS IN THE WHITE PAPER ARE SAFE, WORKABLE AND HEADING IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION ACCORDING TO THE WISHES OF THE PEOPLE," SHE SAID.
"AND IN MY OPINION IT IS," SHE SAID, ADDING THAT "THERE IS ALWAYS ROOM FOR FURTHER CHANGES IN THE FUTURE."
DR IP SAID SHE WAS GRATEFUL THAT THE MAJORITY OF HER REQUESTS MADE IN THE GREEN PAPER DEBATE LAST YEAR WERE FULFILLED.
THESE INCLUDED THE INTRODUCTION OF ACCOUNTANTS, DENTISTS, AND PARAMEDICAL PROFESSIONALS INTO EXPANDED FUNCTIONAL CONSTITUENCIES, AND ADOPTION OF AN ABSOLUTE MAJORITY WITH PREFERENTIAL VOTING IN THE FUNCTIONAL CONSTITUENCIES.
"I WOULD LIKE TO MAKE A SPECIAL NOTE OF PRAISE, FOR THE INGENIOUS WAY IN WHICH THE GOVERNMENT HAS TACKLED THE DIFFICULTY IN INTRODUCING AN ABSOLUTE MAJORITY METHOD IN THE FUNCTIONAL CONSTITUENCY ELECTIONS BY USING THE PREFERENTIAL ELIMINATION SYSTEM OF VOTING," SHE SAID.
"THE BEAUTY LIES IN OBTAINING AN ABSOLUTE MAJORITY, YET ALLOWING COMPLETE FREEDOM FOR VOTERS TO ENTER ONE OR MORE PREFERENTIAL VOTES, AND EXPEDITING THE TASK WITHOUT THE NEED FOR RE-VOTING."
DR IP SAID SOME OF HER PROPOSALS HAD NOT YET BEEN MET, AND IT WAS A MATTER OF TIME BEFORE THE TOTAL NUMBER OF LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL MEMBERS AS WELL AS THE LENGTH OF THEIR TERM WOULD BE INCREASED.
ON THE WAY FORWARD, IN THE LIGHT OF THE GOVERNMENT’S DECLARED POLICY TO INTRODUCE DIRECT ELECTIONS FROM THE DISTRICTS IN 1991, SHE SAID MOVES MUST BE MADE CAUTIOUSLY.
/•'THE NUMBER..........
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 16, 1988
- 17 -
"THE NUMBER OK CANDIDATES STANDING FOR DIRECT ELECTION IN A DISTRICT MUST, IN SOME WAYS, BE LIMITED TO A REASONABLE NUMBER AND THEIR QUALITIES AND ABILITIES MUST SOMEHOW BE SCREENED," DR IP SAID.
"I CANNOT FORESEE HOW BOTH THESE REQUIREMENTS CAN BE ACHIEVED EXCEPT THROUGH NOMINATION OF SOME WIND BY THE RESPECTIVE DISTRICT BOARDS."
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COMMITMENT PUTS END TO UNCERTAINTY » » ♦
THE FIRM COMMITMENT MADE IN THE WHITE PAPER TO INTRODUCE DIRECT ELECTIONS IN 1991 IS WELCOMED BY MANY PEOPLE AS IT PUTS A STOP TO SPECULATION AND UNCERTAINTY, THE HON RITA FAN SAID IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
SPEAKING IN THE DEBATE ON THE WHITE PAPER ON REPRESENTATIVE GOVERNMENT, MRS FAN SAID IT WAS NOW TIME TO START PREPARING FOR THESE DIRECT ELECTIONS TO MAKE THEM MEANINGFUL AND REPRESENTATIVE.
SHE SAID SHE DID NOT BELIEVE THAT THE MAJORITY OF PEOPLE WOULD NECESSARILY AGREE WITH THE VIEW THAT THE SUCCESS OF HONG KONG WAS DEPENDENT ON THE INTRODUCTION OF DIRECT ELECTIONS IN 1988.
"VARIOUS SURVEY REPORTS HAVE SHOWN THAT THE MAJORITY WOULD LIKE TO SEE AN ELEMENT OF DIRECT ELECTION IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL, BUT THEY DO NOT INSIST THAT THIS MUST HAPPEN IN 1988," SHE SAID.
THE EFFORTS OF SOME COUNCILLORS IN DEMANDING DIRECT ELECTIONS IN 1988 DID DESERVE RECOGNITION.
"THEY HAVE MOBILISED CONSIDERABLE SUPPORT FOR THEIR CAUSE THROUGH SHEER PERSISTENCE AND ORGANISATIONAL POWER," SHE SAID.
"THEIR SUCCESS WILL NOT GO UNNOTICED. BUT IS IT NECESSARY TO BE SO RIGID ON THE TIMING PARTICULARLY WHEN THE COMMUNITY OF HONG KONG IS PREPARED TO ACCEPT 1991?"
MRS FAN SAID COUNCILLORS MUST REMEMBER THAT HONG KONG PEOPLE WERE REALISTIC AND PRAGMATIC.
"WE MUST RECOGNISE THAT THE DEVELOPMENT OF REPRESENTATIVE GOVERNMENT CAN WELL PROGRESS AFTER 1997," SHE SAID.
"UNDER SUCH CIRCUMSTANCES, THE TIMING OF 1991 OR 1988 DOES NOT REALLY MAKE THAT MUCH DIFFERENCE."
/MRS FAN .......
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 16, 1988
- 18 -
MRS FAN SAID THAT IN THE GREEN PAPER DEBATE LAST JULY, SHE HAD ADVOCATED AN INCREASE IN FUNCTIONAL CONSTITUENCY SEATS AND THE REPLACEMENT OF INDIRECTLY ELECTED SEATS BASED ON GEOGRAPHICAL ELECTORAL COLLEGES BY DIRECTLY ELECTED SEATS.
"I AM PLEASED TO SEE THAT RELEVANT STEPS HAVE BEEN TAKEN IN THE WHITE PAPER.”
SHE SAID THE FUNCTIONAL CONSTITUENCY SYSTEM WAS CRITICISED BY SOME PEOPLE AS BEING UNDEMOCRATIC AND DIVISIVE.
HOWEVER, EXPERIENCE OVER THE PAST 26 MONTHS HAD PROVED THAT MEMBERS RETURNED BY FUNCTIONAL CONSTITUENCIES WERE NOT ONLY CONCERNED WITH THE INTEREST OF THEIR OWN CONSTITUENCY, BUT ALSO WITH TERRITORY-WIDE ISSUES.
’’MOREOVER, VIEWS FROM DIFFERENT PROFESSIONS AND TRADES HAVE ENRICHED DICUSS1ON IN THIS COUNCIL AND ENABLED LEGISLATION TO BE MORE THOROUGHLY SCRUTINISED.
"WHILE RESPECTING THE THEORETICAL AND ACADEMIC ARGUMENTS ON POSSIBLE SHORTFALLS OF THE FUNCTIONAL CONSTITUENCY SYSTEM, 1 BELIEVE FURTHER EXPANSION OF SEATS IN THIS CATEGORY IS WELL SUPPORTED BY ACTUAL EXPERIENCE IN THIS COUNCIL AS A SUITABLE ELEMENT IN. THE LEGISLATURE OF HONG KONG.
"IN PARTICULAR, I WOULD LIKE TO SEE THE INCLUSION OF THE TOURIST INDUSTRY AS A FUNCTIONAL CONSTITUENCY AT A FUTURE DATE, IN VIEW OF ITS SIGNIFICANT AND SUBSTANTIAL CONTRIBUTION TO OUR ECONOMY."
MRS FAN SAID THE PROPOSAL TO REPLACE THE 10 SEATS CURRENTLY ALLOCATED TO GEOGRAPHICAL ELECTORAL COLLEGES BY DIRECTLY ELECTED SEATS WAS CRITICISED BY SOME AS A RETROGRESSIVE STEP.
"I BELIEVE THAT THIS IS A PROGRESSIVE STEP TOWARDS DEMOCRACY. IT IS REASONABLE AND NATURAL TO REPLACE INDIRECT ELECTION BY DIRECT ELECTION AFTER THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE FORMER FOR A PERIOD OF TIME."
SHE SAID THAT SOME PEOPLE PREDICTED THAT THE STATUS OF DISTRICT BOARDS WOULD BE LOWERED AS \ RESULT OF THE REMOVAL OF GEOGRAPHICAL ELECTORAL COLLEGES.
"THIS RESERVATION IS UNDERSTANDABLE BUT THE PREDICTION IS NOT NECESSARILY CORRECT. IN FACT, ANY FAR-SIGHTED DISTRICT BOARD MEMBER WOULD WORK EVEN HARDER AT THE DISTRICT LEVEL SO THAT THEIR PERFORMANCE CAN HELP TO PAVE THE WAY FOR DIRECT ELECTION IN 1991."
WHILE THE NUMBER OF DIRECTLY ELECTED LEGCO SEATS WOULD BE 10 IN 1991, SHE DID NOT SEE WHY THIS NUMBER COULD NOT BE INCREASED AFTER 1991 TO COVER EACH OF THE 19 DISTRICTS.
/MRS FAN .......
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 16, 1988
- 19 -
MRS FAN ALSO SAID SHE HAD BEEN APPROACHED BY LOBBYISTS WHOSE MAIN CONCERN WAS THAT PUBLIC OPINION HAD BEEN IGNORED, AND THAT THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT HAD BOWED TO PRESSURE FROM CHINA.
’’ALTHOUGH I APPRECIATE THEIR FEELINGS AND THEIR SINCERITY, I DO NOT SHARE THE SAME VIEW,” SHE SAID.
SHE SAID THAT CONTRARY TO THE LOBBYISTS' BELIEF THAT THE GOVERNMENT HAD USED THE AGB MCNAIR SURVEYS TO MISLEAD THE PUBLIC, SHE BELIEVED THAT THE GOVERNMENT HAD GENUINELY CONSIDERED THE OPINIONS EXPRESSED BY ALL SECTORS OF THE COMMUNITY. THE EMPHASIS PLACED ON THE AGB MCNAIR SURVEYS BY THE LOBBYISTS WAS MISPLACED.
IN ADDITION, TO TAKE INTO ACCOUNT THE VIEWS EXPRESSED BY OFFICIALS IN CHINA, WHICH DID HAVE AN EXCEPTIONALLY CLOSE RELATIONSHIP WITH HONG KONG, WAS WHAT ONE WOULD EXPECT A SENSIBLE AND RESPONSIBLE GOVERNMENT TO DO.
IN REJECTING LOBBYISTS’ CLAIMS THAT THE GOVERNMENT tfAS A LIABILITY TO THE PEOPLE, MRS FAN POINTED TO THE SOCIAL STABILITY AND ECONOMIC PROSPERITY OF THE COMMUNITY.
”HOW CAN.A GOVERNMENT WHICH HAS ACHIEVED SUCH RESULTS BE A LIABILITY?” SHE ASKED.
HER CONCLUSION WAS THAT THE WHITE PAPER SHOULD BE SUPPORTED.
MRS FAN SAID THERE WERE BOUND TO BE DIFFERENCES OF OPINION AMONG MEMBERS. ’’BUT IN THE MIDST OF HEATED DEBATE, LET US ALL TAKE NOTE THAT THE PEOPLE OF HONG KONG WANT A LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL THAT WORKS FOR THE INTEREST OF THE WHOLE COMMUNITY,” SHE ADDED.
’’DURING THE TRANSITION PERIOD, HONG KONG NEEDS ALL ITS TALENTS TO WORK IN CLOSE CO-OPERATION FOR A BETTER FUTURE. LIKE IT OR NOT, WE ARE ALL IN THE SAME BOAT.
"THEREFORE, SHOULD WE NOT ILLUSTRATE BY OUR DEEDS WORDS THAT WE ARE HERE TO SERVE THE PEOPLE, TO ENHANCE THEIR IN EVERY ASPECT, AND THAT WE CAN WORK IN HARMONY?”
AND OUR INTEREST
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/20........
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 16, 1988
- 20 -
GRADUAL AND PRUDENT APPROACH TO EVOLUTIONARY CHANGES ♦ » * ♦ »
THE OBJECTIVES OF THE DEVELOPMENT OF REPRESENTATIVE GOVERNMENT AS SET OUT IN THE WHITE PAPER WERE ENTIRELY AGREED BY THE HON PETER POON TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
SPEAKING IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL DURING THE DEBATE ON THE WHITE PAPER ON REPRESENTATIVE GOVERNMENT, MR POON POINTED OUT THAT HONG KONG WAS A UNIQUE PLACE.
THE ADOPTION OF ANY SINGLE SYSTEM OF GOVERNMENT IN THE WORLD MIGHT NOT BE SUITABLE TO HONG KONG OR IN THE BEST INTERESTS OF THE COMMUNITY.
"I FIRMLY BELIEVE WE SHOULD STRIVE FOR EVOLUTIONARY CHANGES WITH A GRADUAL AND PRUDENT APPROACH,” HE SAID.
HE SAID HONG KONG HAD NO NATURAL RESOURCES APART FROM ITS HARDWORKING PEOPLE AND THEREFORE SHOULD NOT VENTURE ANY CHANGES WITHOUT THE PEOPLE’S WIDE SUPPORT, AND WITHOUT RECOGNITION OF THE POLITICAL REALITIES AS WELL AS THE CONSEQUENCES OF ANY SUCH CHANGES ON THE COMMUNITY AS A WHOLE AND THE SMOOTH TRANSITION TO 1997 AND BEYOND.
HE ADDED THAT THERE WAS NO DOUBT THAT THE MAJORITY OF THE PEOPLE OF HONG KONG WERE IN FAVOUR OF DIRECT ELECTIONS. THE ONLY QUESTION WAS WHEN WOULD BE THE BEST TIME FOR THEIR INTRODUCTION.
MR POON NOTED THAT THERE HAD BEEN A STRONG LOBBY FOR DIRECT ELECTIONS IN 1988.
’’HOWEVER, FROM MY OWN OBSERVATIONS, OPINIONS AND SURVEYS DIFFER AS TO WHETHER THERE IS AN OVERWHELMING SUPPORT FOR SUCH A MOVE,” HE SAID.
AFTER CONSIDERING ALL THE CIRCUMSTANCES, HE ACCEPTED THAT IT WOULD BE BETTER TO HAVE DIRECT ELECTIONS IN 1991. HE SAID HE WAS PLEASED TO SEE THE GOVERNMENT’S COMMITMENT IN THIS REGARD.
HE SAID HONG KONG PEOPLE SHOULD NOW CONCENTRATE THEIR EFFORTS TO SUCCESSFULLY INTEGRATE THE CONCEPT OF DIRECT ELECTIONS INTO THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE REPRESENTATIVE SYSTEM.
"WE SHOULD ALSO BE DIRECTING OUR ATTENTION TO THE PROPOSALS IN THE FORTHCOMING DRAFT OF THE BASIC LAW WHICH WILL EVENTUALLY BE THE BLUEPRINT OF OUR POLITICAL STRUCTURE AFTER 1997,” HE SAID.
/MR POON ........
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 16, 1988
- 21 -
MR POON ADDED THAT HE WAS PLEASED TO NOTE THAT THE WHITE PAPER PROPOSED AN ENLARGED FINANCIAL CONST1TUENC” BY GRANTING ONE ADDITIONAL REPRESENTATIVE IN LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL WHO WOULD COME FROM THE ACCOUNTANCY PROFESSION, AND TO RENAME THE NEW CONSTITUENCY "FINANCE AND ACCOUNTANCY" CONSTITUENCY.
HE POINTED OUT THAT THERE WERE NEARLY 4,000 PROFESSIONAL ACCOUNTANTS AND 12,000 ACCOUNTANCY STUDENTS REGISTERED WITH THE HONG KONG SOCIETY OF ACCOUNTANTS. THEY WERE ENGAGED IN PUBLIC PRACTICE, AS WELL AS IN THE FINANCIAL, COMMERCIAL, INDUSTRIAL, GOVERNMENT AND EDUCATION SECTORS.
ACCOUNTANTS WERE SERVING A WIDE SPECTRUM OF THE COMMUNITY AND HAD MADE SIGNIFICANT CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE GROWTH AND PROSPERITY OF HONG KONG, HE SAID.
"AS HONG KONG IS A MAJOR FINANCIAL CENTRE, PROFESSIONAL ACCOUNTANTS OUGHT TO HAVE THEIR OWN REPRESENTATION IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL THROUGH THE FUNCTIONAL CONSTITUENCY SYSTEM," HE SAID.
TURNING TO OTHER ASPECTS OF THE WHITE PAPER, MR POON WELCOMED THE RETENTION OF THE THREE-TIER SYSTEM OF GOVERNMENT.
HE SAID THE SUGGESTED RATIONALISATION AND IMPROVEMENT OF THE THREE TIERS’ STRUCTURE AND EFFECTIVENESS HAD BEEN CAREFULLY CONSIDERED AND WAS REASONABLE AT THIS STAGE OF HONG KONG’S CONSTITUTIONAL DEVELOPMENT.
THE CLARIFICATION OF THEIR RESPECTIVE RESPONSIBILITIES AND GUIDELINES TO THE ADMINISTRATION TO IMPLEMENT AS FAR AS POSSIBLE THE SUGGESTIONS OF DISTRICT BOARDS WERE TIMELY AND WOULD GREATLY ASSIST THE WORK OF DISTRICT BOARD MEMBERS.
-------O ---------
WELL-BALANCED OBJECTIVES SHOULD BE WELCOMED t *
THE WHITE PAPER ON THE DEVELOPMENT OF REPRESENTATIVE GOVERNMENT IS WELL-BALANCED AND ITS OBJECTIVES SHOULD BE WELCOMED AND ENDORSED, THE HON YEUNG PO-KWAN SAID IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
SPEAKING IN THE DEBATE ON THE WHITE PAPER, MR YEUNG SAID THERE WERE FOUR OBJECTIVES.
THESE WERE THAT THE SYSTEM OF GOVERNMENT SHOULD CONTINUE TO EVOLVE; ITS DEVELOPMENT SHOULD BE PRUDENT AND GRADUAL; ANY REFORMS SHOULD HAVE WIDE SUPPORT; AND THE CHANGES IN THE GOVERNMENT SYSTEM SHOULD PERMIT A SMOOTH TRANSITION IN 1997.
/THE INTENTION .......
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 16, 1988
- 22 -
THE INTENTION AND CONCEPT BEHIND THESE OBJECTIVES WERE IN LINE WITH THE NEEDS AND ACTUAL CIRCUMSTANCES 01 HONG KONG TODAY, HE NOTED.
MR YEUNG SAID THAT IN DEVELOPING HONG KONG'S POLITICAL SYSTEM, CHINA, BRITAIN AND HONG KONG SHARED A COMMON INTEREST TN THE POLITICAL AND ECONOMIC ASPECTS, AND THAT A GRADUAL EVOLUTION WOULD BE WIDELY WELCOMED AS A CAUTIOUS MOVE WHICH WOULD ENHANCE PEOPLE'S CONFIDENCE.
“WHAT HONG KONG NEEDS NOW IS A 'RATIONAL MAINSTREAM’ TO BRING THINGS INTO CONFORMITY WITH REASON," HE SAID.
ON DIRECT ELECTIONS, MR YEUNG SAID THAT THE ADOPTION OF DIRECT ELECTIONS WAS A HISTORICAL DECISION AND THAT THE WHITE PAPER HAD CHOSEN TO IMPLEMENT DIRECT ELECTIONS IN 1991 AFTER TAKING INTO ACCOUNT THE ACTUAL SITUATION DURING THE TRANSITION PERIOD.
’’WITH DIRECT ELECTIONS BEING INTRODUCED IN 1991 AND IF FUTURE DEVELOPMENT MEETS THE ASPIRATION OF THE PUBLIC AND IS WITHIN THE PROVISIONS OF THE BASIC LAW, THE ISSUE OF SMOOTH TRANSITION AND SMOOTH TRANSFER WHICH HAVE CAUSED SO MUCH PUBLIC CONCERN WILL BE EASILY RESOLVED," HE ADDED.
HOWEVER, MR YEUNG POINTED OUT THAT ALTHOUGH THE WHITE PAPER HAD ALREADY STATED THAT DIRECT ELECTIONS WOULD BE INTRODUCED IN 1991, THE METHODS OF DIRECT ELECTIONS AND THE DETAILS OF THE ELECTION SYSTEM ITSELF HAD NOT YET BEEN CLEARLY DEFINED.
"THE ONUS LIES WITH THE GOVERNMENT. IT SHOULD PROMPTLY WORK OUT A DETAILED PROGRAMME OF DIRECT ELECTIONS TO BE IMPLEMENTED IN 1991 AND ELUCIDATE ITS METHODS OF INTRODUCTION SO AS TO ENSURE THAT DIRECTLY ELECTED CANDIDATES CAN BE RETURNED UNDER A FULLY DEMOCRATIC SYSTEM," HE SAID.
CONSIDERATION SHOULD ALSO BE GIVEN BY THE GOVERNMENT TO INCREASING THE NUMBER OF DIRECTLY ELECTED SEATS BY PHASES AFTER 1991 AND TO STRENGTHEN ITS EFFORTS IN GROOMING POTENTIAL CANDIDATES TO PARTICIPATE IN GOVERNMENT AND POLITICAL AFFAIRS, HF ADDED.
MR YEUNG SAID THAT FROM NOW UNTIL 1991, HONG KONG H\D THREE YEARS TO GET ITSELF ACQUAINTED WITH THE CONCEPT OF’ DIRECT ELECTIONS AND TO LOOK FOR THE RIGHT CANDIDATES TO FILL THE SEATS.
"ONLY IN THIS WAY CAN THE REAL MEANING OF DIRECT ELECTIONS BE BROUGHT INTO FULL PLAY," HE SAID.
LASTLY, MR YEUNG NOTED THAT HISTORY WAS ITSELF AN ONGOING PROCESS AND POLITICS WAS A MATTER OF COMPROMISE.
HE ADVISED THAT "WE MUST THEREFORE FACE THE REALITY AND TAKE A POSITIVE ATTITUDE TOWARDS THE FUTURE.
/’’BY TAKING.......
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 16, 1?88
- 25 -
"BY TAKING A PRAGMATIC’ AND PRACTICAL APPROACH, THE WHITE PAPER HAS DEPICTED CLEARLY THE POLITICAL SITUATION IN HONG KONG AND PRESENTED US A BROAD GUIDELINE AS TO WHAT COURSE OUR POLITICAL REEORM SHOULD FOLLOW," HE SAID.
"WHAT WE SHOULD DO NOW IS TO ACTIVELY COMMIT OURSELVES TO THE PRACTICAL WORK OF DEVELOPING A FUTURE POLITICAL SYSTEM FOR HONG KONG WITHIN THE FRAMEWORK PRESCRIBED IN THE WHITE PAPER," HE ADDED.
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SELECT COMMITTEE STRUCTURE PROPOSED ♦ ♦ » t
SERIOUS CONSIDERATION SHOULD BE GIVEN TO INTRODUCING A SELECT COMMITTEE STRUCTURE FOR THE LEGISLATURE, EVOLVING FROM THE EXISTING LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL PANELS, DR THE HON KIM CHAM SAID IN THE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
SPEAKING DURING THE DEBATE ON THE WHITE PAPER ON REPRESENTATIVE GOVERNMENT, DR CHAM SAID THAT LOOKING AHEAD/ MORE THOUGHT MUST BE GIVEN TO DEVELOPING A GOVERNMENT STRUCTURE IN CONFORMITY WITH THE ELECTED LEGISLATURE PROVIDED FOR IN THE JOINT DECLARATION.
HE SAID THE GOVERNMENT STRUCTURE MUST BE ACCOUNTABLE TO THE PUBLIC AND RESPONSIVE TO COMMUNITY NEEDS. ABOVE ALL, WHEN ITS PERFORMANCE FELL BELOW PUBLIC EXPECTATION, SOME DISCIPLINE MUST BE IMPOSED.
EXISTING LEGCO PANELS ALREADY EXAMINED SPECIAL ISSUES IN DEPTH AND ALSO LOOKED AT LEGISLATION AFTER BILLS WERE PUBLISHED, HE NOTED.
AS A FIRST STEP TOWARDS CHANGE, HE SUGGESTED THAT THE CHAIRMAN OF A SELECT COMMITTEE SHOULD INTRODUCE BILLS INTO THE COUNCIL. THIS WOULD ENSURE THAT A BILL HAD SUPPORT BEFORE ITS INTRODUCTION.
AS A SECOND STEP, Till' SELECT COMMITTEE CHAIRMAN SHOULD ANSWER QUESTIONS IN THE LEGISLATURE. THIS WOULD AVOID THE PITFALL OF HAVING COUNCILLORS WHO SERVED ONLY TO CRITICISE THE GOVERNMENT.
"THIS DIRECT INVOLVEMENT WILL ENSURE THAT COUNCILLORS WILL BE MONITORED AND RESPONSIBLE FOR LEGISLATION AS WELL AS IMPLEMENTATION, HE SAID.
HE SAID HIS EXPERIENCE IN THE URBAN COUNCIL WAS THAT A SELECT COMMITTEE DID WORK WELL WHEN SUPPORTED BY A CAPABLE TEAM OF OFFICERS.
/THE GROUP
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 16, 1988
24 -
THE GROUP ACTION OP A SELECT COMMITTEE WOULD ENSURE THAT THE ENACTMENT AND IMPLEMENTATION OF LEGISLATION WAS CONSIDERED AND MONITORED THOROUGHLY.
DR CHAM NOTED THAT AT THE MUNICIPAL LEVEL, THE GOVERNMENT HAD DECIDED THAT IN MARCH, 1989, 10 URBAN DISTRICT BOARDS WOULD EACH ELECT A REPRESENTATIVE TO SIT ON THE URBAN COUNCIL WHILE URBAN COUNCILLORS WOULD CEASE TO BE EX-OFFICIO MEMBERS OF THE URBAN DISTRICT BOARDS.
HE SAID THAT CURRENTLY THERE WAS CONSIDERABLE INPUT FROM DISTRICT BOARDS TO THE URBAN COUNCIL.
FOR INSTANCE, EACH YEAR THE URBAN COUNCIL CAPITAL WORKS PROGRAMME WAS PLACED BEFORE EACH DISTRICT BOARD, AND PRIORITIES WITHIN THE PROGRAMME WERE ADJUSTED TO MEET DISTRICT BOARD NEEDS.
THIS WAS DONE TO ENSURE THAT ALL MEMBERS OF DISTRICT BOARDS WERE CONSULTED ON IMPORTANT PROGRAMMES SUCH AS CAPITAL WORKS.
HE ADDED THAT AS URBAN COUNCIL SELECT COMMITTEES WERE ORGANISED ON A FUNCTIONAL BASIS, THE FUNCTIONAL SELECT COMMITTEE CONCERNED ALSO MONITORED POINTS RAISED AT DISTRICT BOARD MEETINGS. HENCE, CONSIDERATION ON A TWO-PRONG BASIS WAS GIVEN TO ANY MATTERS RAISED BY DISTRICT BOARDS CONCERNING THE URBAN COUNCIL.
DR CHAM SAID THAT ALL THESE POINTS MUST BE LOOKED AT IN THE LIGHT OF THE OPERATING ENVIRONMENT IN THE URBAN DISTRICT, WHICH DIFFERED FROM THAT OF THE REGIONAL COUNCIL.
THE NEW TOWNS IN THE NEW TERRITORIES WERE MANY MILES APART WHEREAS IN THE URBAN DISTRICTS THE PHYSICAL SEPARATION BETWEEN DISTRICTS COULD BE AS CLOSE AS THE NEXT STREET.
"IN THIS CONTEXT, DESPITE PROSPECTS OF INTRODUCING INEFFICIENCIES AND CONTROVERSIES INTO THE URBAN COUNCIL, ONE MIGHT BE TEMPTED TO TRY OUT THE IDEA OF ONE REPRESENTATIVE PER DISTRICT BOARD ON THE URBAN COUNCIL," DR CHAM SAID.
HOWEVER, IT WOULD BE SENSIBLE TO ADOPT A PHASED APPROACH FOR THE CESSATION OF URBAN COUNCILLORS’ EX-OFFICIO MEMBERSHIP ON DISTRICT BOARDS.
"WHERE THE INTRODUCTION OF DISTRICT BOARD REPRESENTATIVES ON THE URBAN COUNCIL CAN BE EFFECTED IN MARCH, 1989, THE CESSATION OF EX-OFFICIO MEMBERSHIP OF URBAN COUNCILLORS IN THE DISTRICT BOARD COULD BE REVIEWED BEFORE 1991 WHEN THE NEXT DISTRICT BOARD ELECTION IS TO BE HELD,” HE SUGGESTED.
THIS PHASING-IN AND PHASING-OUT PROCESS WOULD PERMIT EVOLUTION, NOT REVOLUTION, OF THE URBAN COUNCIL SYSTEM, HE SAID.
/TURNING TO .......
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 16, 1?88
- 25 -
TURNING TO DIRECT ELECTIONS, DR CHAM SAID THAI’ HAVING WITNESSED ELECTION CAMPAIGNS FOR THE DISTRICT BOARD ELECTIONS LAST WEEK, HE FELT THAT AMPLE TINE WAS REQUIRED FOR CANDIDATES TO ORGANISE THEMSELVES DILIGENTLY FOR THE 1991 ELECTIONS.
“THE THREE YEARS AHEAD WILL BE APPROPRIATE FOR CANDIDATES TO PREPARE THEMSELVES TO ACHIEVE A GOOD STANDARD OF ORGANISATION AS WAS EXHIBITED LN THE DISTRICT BOARD ELECTIONS LAST WEEK, HE SAID.
DR CHAM ALSO WELCOMED THE INTRODUCTION OF A SEAT FOR THE ACCOUNTING PROFESSION, SAYING 1T WAS MOST DESERVING MOVE.
-------0---------
STEADY APPROACH ESSENTIAL DURING TRANSITION ♦ ♦ » » ♦
IN DRAFTING THE WHITE PAPER, THE GOVERNMENT HAD TAKEN FULL ACCOUNT OF PUBLIC OPINION, THE PROVISIONS SET OUT IN THE JOINT DECLARATION AND THE FACT THAT ANY DEVELOPMENTS IN REPRESENTATIVE GOVERNMENT SHOULD CONVERGE WITH THE BASIC LAW.
THE HON CHENG HON-KWAN SAID THIS IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY) WHEN SPEAKING IN SUPPORT OF THE WHITE PAPER ON REPRESENTATIVE GOVERNMENT.
HE SAID THAT NONE OF THESE FACTORS WAS DISPENSABLE WHEN IT CAME TO MAINTAINING THE PROSPERITY AND STABILITY OF HONG KONG DURING THIS PERIOD OF TRANSITION.
“TODAY’S HONG KONG CANNOT WITHSTAND ANY SUDDEN CHANGES WITHOUT ADEQUATE PREPARATION. IT IS HIGH TIME THAT WE, PEOPLE OF HONG KONG, AFTER ALL THESE HEATED DEBATES AND DISCUSSIONS ON A WIDE VARIETY_______OF ISSUES, SHOULD NOW PUT OUR HEADS AND HEARTS TOGETHER TO BUILD A BE'll ER HONG KONG.
“TO ACHIEVE THIS, A STEADY AND GRADUAL APPROACH IS ESSENTIAL FOR HONG KONG TO MAINTAIN POLITICAL STABILITY AND ECONOMIC PROSPER11Y AS WE HEAD TOWARDS 1997,“ HE SAID.
ON DIRECT ELECTIONS, MR CHENG SAID WHILE THERE WERE DIVIDED VIEWS WITHIN HIS CONSTITUENCY REGARDING THE TIMING OF THE INTRODUCTION OF DIRECT ELECTIONS, PEOPLE SHARED \ COMMON VIEW - 1 HAI DIRECT ELECTIONS SHOULD EVENTUALLY BE HELD.
HE SAID THIS WAS IN LINE WITH THE TERNS OF THE JOINT DECLARATION AND WOULD PREPARE HONG KONG FOR A SMOOTH TRANS 1 HON IN 1997.
/MR CHJSIG...........
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 16, 1988
- 26 -
MR CHENG SAID THAT IN SPEAKING ON THE GREEN PAPER LAST JULY, HE HAD QUERIED THE WISDOM OF INTRODUCING SWEEPING CHANGES TO THE PRESENT SYSTEM OF REPRESENTATIVE GOVERNMENT WHICH HAD BEEN IN OPERATION FOR A MERE TWO YEARS.
"I THEN SAID, ’I AM ALSO OPPOSED TO MAKING MAJOR CHANGES TO A SYSTEM WHICH HAS NOT BEEN ADEQUATELY TESTED.1
’’AND INDEED, AS REFLECTED IN THE WHITE PAPER, TWO YEARS TS AN ABNORMALLY SHORT TESTING TIME LN SUCH A SIGNIFICANT AREA - AN AREA WHICH WILL HAVE FAR-REACHING CONSEQUENCES ON THE FUTURE OF HONG KONG AND ON THE LIVELIHOOD OF ITS PEOPLE.
”1 THEREFORE AGREE, WITHOUT HESITATION OR RESERVATION, THAT DIRECT ELECTIONS SHOULD NOT BE INTRODUCED THIS YEAR. AND I AM HAPPY TO SEE THAT THE VIEWS EXPRESSED IN THE WHITE PAPER ARE SIMILAR."
MR CHENG SAID 1991 WAS THE APPROPRIATE TIME TO INTRODUCE DIRECT ELECTIONS TO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL BECAUSE BY THEN THE EXISTING STRUCTURE OF REPRESENTATIVE GOVERNMENT, INTRODUCED IN 1985, WOULD HAVE HAD SUFFICIENT TIME TO BE TESTED.
’’SIX YEARS, 1 WOULD SAY, IS A REASONABLE DURATION TO ALLOW A NEW SYSTEM TO BE ADEQUATELY SCREENED AND IT WOULD THEREFORE BE MORE SENSIBLE TO MAKE FURTHER CHANGES TO THE SYSTEM AT THAT POINT IN TIME."
MR CHENG SAID HE ALSO THOUGHT 1991 WAS A SUITABLE TIME FOR INTRODUCING DIRECT ELECTIONS BECAUSE IT WAS HIS FIRM BELIEF THAT ANY CHANGES TO A SYSTEM AS IMPORTANT AND AS VITAL AS THE POLITICAL SYSTEM SHOULD BE EVOLUTIONARY AND GRADUAL.
"THIS WOULD NOT ONLY ELIMINATE THE POSSIBILITY OF PUTTING OUR SYSTEM AT RISK - A RISK WHICH WE CAN HARDLY AFFORD - BUT WOULD ALSO BE CONSISTENT WITH THE SPIRIT OF THE JOINT DECLARATION WHICH PLACES GREAT EMPHASIS ON THE CONTINUITY AND A STEP-BY-STEP EVOLUTION OF OUR STRUCTURE.
"FURTHERMORE, AS I POINTED OUT IN MY EARLIER SPEECH LN JULY, ANY ATTEMPT TO MAKE SUBSTANTIAL INNOVATIONS AT THIS STAGE WOULD ALMOST CERTAINLY BE INTERPRETED AS PRE-EMPTING THE FUTURE BASIC LAW FOR HONG KONG . *’
MR CHENG SAID HE BELIEVED THAT LOCAL PEOPLE WOULD AGREE UNANIMOUSLY THAT IT WAS OF PARAMOUNI IMPORTANCE TO ACHIEVE A SMOOTH TRANSITION IN 1997 IN ORDER TO MAINTAIN THE PROSPERITY AND STABILITY OF THE TERRITORY.
"IN DOING SO, IT IS ESSENTIAL TO ENSURE THAT DEVELOPMENTS BEFORE 1997 ARE COMPATIBLE WITH THE FRAMEWORK TO BE ESTABLISHED IN THE BASIC LAW WHICH IS DUE TO BE PROMULGATED IN 1990. IT IS THEREFORE WISE NOT TO INTRODUCE MAJOR (RANGES TO THE LEGISLATURE THIS YEAR.
/ON THE .......
WLTJ.HSDAT, NABOB 16, 1988
- 27 -
ON THE NUMBER OF DIRECTLY ELECTED SEATS IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL IN 1991, MR CHENG SAID HE HAD NO OBJECTION TO THE PROPOSED FIGURE OF 10 WHICH HE DEEMED SENSIBLE AND REASONABLE AS A BEGINNING.
"NOR DO I HAVE ANY OBJECTION TO THE BASIS ON WHICH DIRECT ELECTIONS ARE TO BE CARRIED OUT - THE SINGLE-SEAT GEOGRAPHICAL CONSTITUENCIES."
MR CHENG SAID THAT MORE EFFORTS SHOULD BE MADE BETWEEN NOW AND 1991 TO INTENSIFY THE PROCESS OF CIVIC EDUCATION TO PREPARE PEOPLE FOR THE CHANGE.
ON DISTRICT BOARDS AND THE MUNICIPAL COUNCILS, HE SAID THE PROVISION SET OUT IN THE WHITE PAPER ALLOWED EACH OF THE URBAN DISTRICT BOARDS TO ELECT A REPRESENTATIVE TO THE URBAN COUNCIL AND THIS MOVE WAS WORTHY OF SUPPORT.
"I HAVE ALWAYS BEEN IN FAVOUR OF REPRESENTATIVES FROM THE URBAN DISTRICT BOARDS BEING ELECTED TO THE URBAN COUNCIL TO ENHANCE CROSS-MEMBERSHIP.
"THIS, I BELIEVE, WILL ENSURE THAT THE VIEWS AND CONCERNS AT EACH LEVEL OF GOVERNMENT ARE ADEQUATELY REPRESENTED AT THE NEXT HIGHER LEVEL AND WILL, IN TURN, ENABLE OUR PRESENT THREE-TIER STRUCTURE TO OPERATE EVEN MORE EFFECTIVELY," HE SAID.
MR CHENG ALSO SAID HE AGREED THAT THE GOVERNOR SHOULD CONTINUE TO PRESIDE OVER THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL, AND THAT THE NUMBER OF OFFICIAL MEMBERS SHOULD BE MAINTAINED AND THE NUMBER OF APPOINTED MEMBERS BE FURTHER REDUCED.
HOWEVER, HE SAID HE WAS DISAPPOINTED THAT THE GOVERNMENT HAD NOT PROVIDED AN ADDITIONAL SEAT FOR ARCHITECTS, SURVEYORS AND PLANNERS WHO HE SAID WERE OUTNUMBERED BY ENGINEERS WITHIN HIS CONSTITUENCY.
"I EARNESTLY HOPE THAT THE GOVERNMENT WOULD STRIKE A FAIR BALANCE BETWEEN THESE PROFESSIONALS IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL WHEN FUTURE APPOINTMENTS ARE MADE."
HE WAS ALSO DISAPPOINTED THAT THE GOVERNMENT HAD NOT TAKEN NOTE OF THE SUBSTANTIAL CONTRIBUTION MADE TO HONG KONG’S ECONOMY BY MEMBERS OF THE REAL ESTATE DEVELOPERS ASSOCIATION AND THE BUILDING CONTRACTORS’ ASSOCIATION.
MEMBERS OF THESE TWO BODIES SHOULD BE REPRESENTED ON THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL, HF. SAID.
-----0-----
/28........
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 16, 1988
28
PEOPLE URGED TO STUDY BASIC LAW *****
HONG KONG PEOPLE SHOULD STUDY THE DRAFT BASIC LAW AND MAKE THEIR VIEWS KNOWN TO CHINA IF THEY WANT TO KEEP THEIR LIFE-STYLE AND PUSH FOR GREATER DEMOCRACY, STABILITY AND PROSPERITY.
THIS WAS STATED BY THE HON HILTON CHEONG-LEEN IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY) DURING THE DEBATE ON THE WHITE PAPER ON THE DEVELOPMENT OF REPRESENTATIVE GOVERNMENT.
MR CHEONG-LEEN DESCRIBED THE WHITE PAPER AS, IN FRANK TERMS, PRIMARILY A HOLDING OPERATION PENDING THE ADOPTION OF THE BASIC LAW IN 1990.
"THE PEOPLE OF HONG KONG WILL FROM NOW ON HAVE TO FOCUS -THEIR CONCERTED ATTENTION ON STUDYING THE DRAFT BASIC LAW WHICH WILL BE PROMULGATED IN MAY FOR PUBLIC COMMENT," HE SAID.
"TO THE EXTENT THAT THE BASIC LAW INCORPORATED DIRECT ELECTIONS TO THE LEGISLATURE WILL IT BE FEASIBLE FOR THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TO HAVE IT FROM 1991 ONWARDS?" HE ASKED.
MR CHEONG-LEEN SAID HE THOUGHT IT FAIR TO SAY THAT THE AGB MCNAIR QUESTIONNAIRE ON DIRECT ELECTIONS TO LEGCO WAS NOT TOO EASILY UNDERSTOOD.
HOWEVER, HE POINTED OUT THAT EVEN IF THE MCNAIR REPORT HAD INDICATED THAT 50 PER CENT OR MORE OF THE POPULATION WERE IN FAVOUR OF DIRECT ELECTIONS IN 1988, THE FACT REMAINED THAT CHINA DID NOT WANT DIRECT ELECTIONS UNTIL AFTER THE BASIC LAW WAS PASSED IN 1990.
"THIS IS A SITUATION OF REALPOLITIK WHICH THE PEOPLE OF HONG KONG HAVE TO FACE UP TO IN A REALISTIC WAY AND WITHOUT LOSING HOPE THAT THE PROCESS OF DEMOCRATISATION WILL CONTINUE TO DEVELOP STEADILY DURING THE TRANSITION PERIOD," HE SAID.
STRESSING THAT HE PERSONALLY WOULD HAVE PREFERRED DIRECT ELECTIONS TO BE INTRODUCED IN LEGCO THIS YEAR, MR CHEONG-LEEN NOTED THAT A SIZEABLE PORTION OF THE POPULATION WAS IN FAVOUR OF 1991, ALTHOUGH TO WHAT EXTENT CHINA’S ATTITUDE DID INFLUENCE PUBLIC OPINION IN THIS RESPECT WAS DIFFICULT TO QUANTIFY.
"IT WOULD SEEM THEREFORE THAT HAVING DIRECT ELECTIONS TO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL IS TODAY STILL HIGHLY CONTROVERSIAL, WHILE PUTTING IT FORWARD TO 1991 WOULD BE NOT SO PROGRESSIVE BUT LESS CONTROVERSIAL AND ATTRACT LESS OBJECTION FROM CERTAIN INFLUENTIAL SECTIONS OF THE COMMUNITY AND FROM CHINA," HE SAID.
/NEVERTHELESS, MR .......
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 16, 1988
- 29 -
NEVERTHELESS, MR CHEONG-LEEN EXPRESSED SUPRISE AT THE CONSERVATIVE PROPOSAL THAT THERE SHOULD BE ONLY l 0 DIRECTLY ELECTED SEATS IN 1991 TO REPLACE THE DISTRICT BOARD ELECTORAL COLLEGE SEATS.
"IN TERMS OF POPULATION, THE DISTRICT BOARD ELECTORAL COLLEGE SEATS ARE TOO DISPROPORTIONATELY DIVIDED. I WOULD HAVE THOUGHT THAT THE MINIMUM NUMBER OF DIRECTLY ELECTED SEATS TO START OFF WITH SHOULD BE 12 IN THE PROPORTION OF ONE ELECTED SEAT REPRESENTING ABOUT 500,000 POPULATION," HE SUGGESTED.
ON THE ABOLITION OF ELECTORAL COLLEGE SEATS IN 1991, HE WONDERED IF THIS FORESHADOWED THAT THE ELECTORAL COLLEGE SYSTEM WOULD BE REPLACED BY A GRAND ELECTORAL COLLEGE.
HE HOPED FURTHER CONSIDERATION WOULD BE GIVEN TO EXPANDING THE BASE OF THE ELECTORAL COLLEGE SYSTEM.
THUS WHILE DISTRICT BOARDS WOULD STILL BE ABLE TO ELECT MEMBERS TO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL, ALTHOUGH REDUCED IN NUMBER, OTHER ELECTORAL COLLEGE SEATS WOULD BE ALLOCATED TO TERRI TORY-WIDE GROUPS, INCLUDING ADVISORY GROUPS AND NON-GOVERNMENT ORGANISATIONS.
CONCERNING FUNCTIONAL CONSTITUENCIES, MR CHEONG-LEEN SAID HE WAS SURPRISED THAT IT WAS NOT THOUGHT FIT TO EXPAND THE EDUCATION CONSTITUENCY TO INCLUDE AN ADDITIONAL SEAT FOR THE TERTIARY LEVEL.
ON THE WHITE PAPER PROPOSALS THAT URBAN DISTRICT BOARDS SHOULD IN 1989 ELECT 10 REPRESENTATIVES TO THE URBAN COUNCIL AND THAT URBAN COUNCILLORS LOSE THEIR EX-OFFICIO DISTRICT BOARD SEATS AT THE SAME TIME, HE URGED THE GOVERNMENT TO POSTPONE IMPLEMENTATION FROM 1989 UNTIL 1991.
SUCH POSTPONEMENT WOULD ENABLE URBCO TO REBUILD ITS EXISTING CHAMBERS IN ORDER TO ACCOMMODTE THE ADDITIONAL COUNCILLORS.
IT WOULD ALSO GIVE URBCO A REASONABLE PERIOD OF TIME TO ADJUST TO THIS SIGNIFICANT EXPANSION IN MEMBERSHIP, BEARING IN MIND THAT THERE WOULD BE CHANGES IN THE COUNCIL’S MEMBERSHIP IN 1989 ON BOTH THE ELECTED AND APPOINTED SIDES, HE EXPLAINED.
COMMENTING ON EMIGRATION OF TALENTED PEOPLE FROM HONG KONG. IR CHEONG-LEEN STRESSED THAT CHINA WOULD HAVE TO \1M FOR A BASIC I. \W THAT WOULD BE ACCEPTABLE TO ALL SEGMENTS OF THE COMMUNITY, \ND NOT TO JUST ONF INFLUENTIAL SEGMENT.
THIS WOULD HELP ENSURE THAT AFTER THE BASIC LAW WAS ADOPTED IN 1990, HONG KONG PEOPLE WOULD BE MORE THAN EVER WILLING TO REGARD HONG KONG \S THEIR PERMANENT HOMI',.
MOREOVER, HE SAID BOTH CHINA AND BRITAIN WOULD HAVE TO BE SEEN TO BE GIVING FULL RECOGNITION AND RESPECT TO THE VIEWS OF ALL STRATA OF PUBLIC OPINION IN HONG KONG.
/"JUDGING FROM .......
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 16, 1988
"JUDGING FROM THE PUBLIC COMMENTS ON THE 1987 GREEN PAPER AND THE 1988 WHITE PAPER, MANY YOUNG PROFESSIONALS AND YOUNG INTELLECTUALS ARE DISILLUSIONED OVER BRITAIN'S COMMITMENT TO DEVELOP BY 1997 A SYSTEM OF REPRESENTATIVE GOVERNMENT ROOTED IN THE PEOPLE AND THE COMMUNITY," HE SAID.
"UNLESS THE BRITISH AND CHINESE GOVERNMENTS SHOW GREATER SENSITIVITY TO PUBLIC OPINION, THE LEVEL OF EMIGRATION, ESPECIALLY FROM THIS IMPORTANT SEGMENT OF THE COMMUNITY, COULD REACH VERY WORRYING PROPORTIONS IN THE EARLY 1990’S, AND PUT HONG KONG’S ECONOMIC GROWTH AND EVEN CHINA’S MODERNISATION PLANS AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT IN SOME JEOPARDY."
- - 0 - -
NO INDICATION HOW NEW SYSTEM WILL WORK * * » * *
THE WHITE PAPER ON REPRESENTATIVE GOVERNMENT IS NOT REALLY A WAY FORWARD, ONLY A STEP SIDEWAYS INTO WHAT COULD BE A BLIND ALLEY, DR THE HON HELMUT SOHMEN SAID IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
SPEAKING DURING THE DEBATE ON THE WHITE PAPER, DR SOHMEN SAID WHERE HE DID "PART COMPANY" WITH THE WHITE PAPER, IN QUESTIONING THE PRACTICABILITY OF ITS RECOMMENDATIONS, WAS ON THE OVERALL COMPOSITION OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL, AND ON THE TOTAL LACK OF ANY INDICATION OR DIRECTION AS TO HOW THE NEW SYSTEM WOULD WORK OR HOW IT WOULD PROGRESS BEYOND 1991.
HE SAID THAT IN CONFRONTING THE WHITE PAPER ON THIS POINT HE FELT LIKE ALICE IN LEWIS CARROLL’S THROUGH THE LOOKING GLASS: "SOMEHOW IT SEEMS TO FILL Ml HEAD WITH IDEAS -- ONLY I DON’T KNOW EXACTLY WHAT THEY ARE!"
HE SAID THAT OF COURSE, AS A GRADUALIST WHO HAD CONSISTENTLY ARGUED FOR A CAUTIOUS APPROACH TO PROGRESS ON THESE VERY COMPLEX AND FUNDAMENTAL ISSUES, HE WAS PLEASED THAT ANY MAJOR CHANGES TO THE POLITICAL STRUCTURE HAD BEEN DEFERRED AT LEAST UNTIL 1991.
THE DESPERATE URGENCY SUGGESTED BY SOME LEGCO MEMBERS AND OTHERS IN THE COMMUNITY FOR CHANGES WITHIN THIS YEAR HAD ALWAYS BEEN A MYTH.
SO WAS THEIR CLAIM THAT A SIGNIFICANT MAJORITY OF THE HONG KONG POPULATION WAS IN FAVOUR OF THE INTRODUCTION OF DIRECT ELECTIONS TO THE LEGISLATURE IN 1988.
/DR SOHMEN
vamw, mabch 16, 1988
DR SOHMEN SAID THAT IF PROOF WAS NEEDED THAT THE PUBLIC WAS NOT YET FULLY AWARE OR CONVINCED OF THE BENEFITS OF DEMOCRATIC PARTICIPATION IN THE POLITICAL PROCESSES, THE RECENT DISTRICT BOARD ELECTIONS SHOULD HAVE PROVIDED IT.
"IF, AS THE PROPONENTS OF THE EARLY INTRODUCTION OF DIRECT ELECTIONS CLAIM, THE PEOPLE OF HONG KONG WERE NOW SO TERRIBLY ANXIOUS TO HAVE A CHANCE TO EXPRESS THEIR POLITICAL WILL THROUGH UNIVERSAL SUFFRAGE, WHY DID THE VOTERS NOT MAKE USE OF THIS READY OPPORTUNITY TO DEMONSTRATE THIS DESIRE CONVINCINGLY ONCE AND FOR ALL?
"THE STARK TRUTH IS THAT THE POLITICAL ACTIVISTS IN OUR MIDST DO NOT HAVE THE BROAD-BASED SUPPORT WHICH THEY CITE AS JUSTIFICATION FOR THEIR ATTACKS ON GOVERNMENT AND ON THE FINDINGS OF THE SURVEY OFFICE," HE SAID.
IF THE ACTIVISTS WISHED TO BE SEEN AS RESPONSIBLE POLITICIANS, THEY MUST LEARN TO SHOW A BETTER UNDERSTANDING AND ACCEPTANCE OF MAJORITY SENTIMENT, HE SAID.
WHILE IN THE ORIENT THE BURNING OF PAPER MIGHT WELL BE A RITE OF PURIFICATION OR EXORCISM, THE PUBLIC DEMONSTRATIONS IN FRONT OF THE GOVERNMENT SECRETARIAT AND IN THE NEW TERRITORIES IMMEDIATELY FOLLOWING THE PUBLICATION OF THE WHITE PAPER BROUGHT TO HIS MIND MEMORIES OF ONE OF THE MOST EVIL TOTALITARIAN SYSTEMS THE WORLD HAD EVER PRODUCED.
THESE SCENES STRENGTHENED HIS CONVICTION THAT HONG KONG STILL HAD A LONG WAY TO GO ON THE ROAD OF POLITICAL EDUCATION, AND THAT PRECIPITOUS CHANGES IN THE GOVERNMENT STRUCTURES AND PROCESS WITHOUT ADEQUATE PREPARATION COULD EASILY BACKFIRE.
DR SOHMEN ALSO COMMENTED THAT THE CONTROVERSY SURROUNDING THE CONTENTS OF THE WHITE PAPER HAD GIVEN BIRTH TO THE STIGMATIC LABELS OF "DEMOCRATS" AND "ANTI-DEMOCRATS" OR "CONSERVATIVES" AND "LIBERALS".
HE SAID THESE CATEGORISATIONS WERE INAPPROPRIATE AND TENDED TO LARGELY CONFUSE THE ISSUES AND MISREPRESENT THE VIEWS OF THE PROTAGONISTS, PARTICULARLY OUTSIDE HONG KONG.
THE PRACTICAL ATTRIBUTES OF WESTERN DEMOCRACY UNDOUBTEDLY EXISTED IN HONG KONG ALTHOUGH THEY WERE NOT INSTITUTIONALISED IN THE SAME FORM AS IN THE PRESENT MOTHER COUNTRY.
AND IT WAS SIMPLISTIC AND MISLEADING TO ARGUE THAT A SYSTEM OF UNIVERSAL SUFFRAGE BY ITSELF WOULD READILY ENSURE "GREATER" LOCAL DEMOCRACY, BETTER REPRESENTATION, A HIGHER DEGREE OF ACCOUNTABILITY, OR GREATER AUTONOMY AFTER 1997.
THESE SUPERFICIAL GENERALISATIONS ALSO OVERLOOKED THE PRESENT LACK OF A COMPOSITE PICTURE FOR THE FUTURE FORM OF HONG KONG GOVERNMENT.
/THE CURRENT........
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 16, 1?88
- 32 -
THE CURRENT DEBATE SHOULD BE SEEN MAINLY AS ONE BETWEEN PRAGMATISTS AND IDEALISTS, AND SOME OF ITS CONFRONTATIONAL CHARACTER MIGHT BE DEFUSED IF THE OTHER LABELS WERE DROPPED, DR SOHMEN SUGGESTED.
HE SAID THAT SINCE THE MAJORITY VIEW HAD EXPRESSED ITSELF IN FAVOUR OF DIRECT ELECTIONS, HE NATURALLY ACCEPTED THIS VERDICT.
"BUT PUBLIC OPINION WAS NOT AT ALL DEFINITE ABOUT THE TIMING OF DIRECT ELECTIONS AFTER 1988, AND CLEARLY NOT FULLY CONVERSANT WITH THE POTENTIAL DRAWBACKS IN THE CREATION OF A CONFRONTATIONAL STYLE OF GOVERNMENT IN A SMALL AND SO FAR VERY COHESIVE COMMUNITY THAT HAS PROSPERED UNDER THE UMBRELLA OF CONSENSUS," HE SAID.
DR SOHMEN ALSO QUESTIONED THE LOGIC OR THE ATTRACTION OF HAVING "PARTIAL" DIRECT ELECTIONS, CREATING AN IMPOTENT MINORITY OF LEGISLATORS BUT WHO WERE PERSONALLY ACCOUNTABLE TO THE ELECTORATE AT LARGE, IF ULTIMATELY ALL LEGISLATORS HAD TO BE ELECTED ANYWAY TO SATISFY THE JOINT DECLARATION.
HE CRITICISED THE GOVERNMENT FOR NOT MAKING ANY REAL EFFORT TO ANALYSE THE PROS AND CONS AND TO PRESENT A PROGRESSIVELY EXPANDING SYSTEM OF INDIRECT ELECTIONS AS AN ADDITIONAL OPTION FOR PUBLIC CONSIDERATION.
THE EXPRESSED PUBLIC PREFERENCE FOR HAVING DIRECT ELECTIONS IN ADDITION TO, RATHER THAN INSTEAD OF, INDIRECT ELECTIONS BY THE ELECTORAL COLLEGE WAS ALSO SIMPLY IGNORED IN THE WHITE PAPER PROPOSALS.
BY JUST REACTING TO THE CONCENTRATED PRESSURE ON A SINGLE ISSUE, HE BELIEVED THE GOVERNMENT HAD LET ITSELF BE PUSHED UNNECESSARILY TOWARDS A DEADLINE COMMITMENT AND HAD MISSED AN OPPORTUNITY TO ACT MORE DELIBERATELY, CREATIVELY, AND DECISIVELY.
"AT SOME RISK TO ITS CREDIBILITY, THE ADMINISTRATION HAS FOREGONE THE CHANCE TO DESIGN A COMPREHENSIVE AND INHERENTLY CONSISTENT PLAN FOR REPRESENTATIVE GOVERNMENT BASED ON THE CONSULTATIVE SYSTEM, AND ONE THAT WOULD BE BOTH PRACTICAL AND TRULY SUITED TO HONG KONG’S UNIQUE ENVIRONMENT, IN FAVOUR OF JUST ANOTHER SHORT-TERM AND IMPRACTICAL EXPEDIENT," DR SOHMEN SAID.
THE RESULT WAS NOT GREATER CERTAINTY AS TO WHERE HONG KONG WAS HEADING BUT ADDED CONFUSION AND CONTINUED DISSATISFACTION ACROSS THE WHOLE DOMESTIC POLITICAL SPECTRUM, HE SAID.
HE HOPED THAT THE BASIC LAW WOULD PRODUCE MORE DEFINITE PLANS AND CLEARER SIGNPOSTS FOR THE FUTURE.
/DR SOHMEN .......
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 16, 1988
- 33 -
DR SOHMEN ADDED THAT THE •’IDEALISTS" COULD ASSIST IN THE DELIBERATION ON THE BASK' LAW BY NOW CONCENTRATING THEIR EEFORTS AND THEIR ENERGIES ON HELPING TO EDUCATE THE WIDER PUBLIC ON THE NEED TO TAKE A MORE ACTIVE INTEREST IN THE WORKINGS AND BENEFITS OF THE PRESENT POLITICAL SYSTEM.
THEY COULD ALSO HAVE AN INTENSIVE AND CONSTRUCTIVE INVOLVEMENT IN THE COMMENTARY ON THE DRAFT PROVISIONS OF THE BASIC LAW.
-------0---------
HOUSING BILL PASSED ♦ * ♦
THE HOUSING (AMENDMENT) BILL 1988 WAS PASSED IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY) AFTER IT HAD BEEN READ Y THIRD TIME.
A PRIVATE BILL - THE DEUTSCHE BANK (MERGER) BILL 1988 - WAS
ALSO PASSED.
A MOTION MOVED UNDER THE PUBLIC FINANCE ORDINANCE WAS APPROVED.
THE HEUNG YEE KUK (AMENDMENT) BILL 1988 WAS INTRODUCED FOR THE FIRST AND SECOND READINGS YND DEBATE ON IT WAS ADJOURNED.
-----0-----
GOVT WILL REMAIN ACCOUNTABLE ON HOUSING t ♦ ♦ I ♦
Till REORGANISATION OE Till- HOUSING AUTHORITY WILL GIVE IT GREATER FREEDOM OF OPERATION BUT THE GOVERNMENT WILL STILL BE ACCOUNTABLE TO Till PUBLIC FOR THE AUTHORITY’S ACTION.
THE SECRETARY FOR LANDS YND WORKS, THE HON GRAHAM BYRNES, REASSURED MEMBERS ON THIS POIN’J IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY) WHEN WINDING UP DEBATI ON THE HOUSING (AMENDMENT) Bill 1 988 .
MR BYRNES SAID HIE BILL WOULD GIVE THE AUTHOR I TV GREATER FREEDOM TO CONDUCT ITS DAY-TO-DAY AFFAIRS WITHOUT REDUCING THE GOVERNMENT’S PUBLIC OBLIGATIONS.
/IT WOULD .......
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 16, 1988
IT WOULD RETAIN ITS PRESENT RELATIONSHIP WITH LEGCO AND THE OMELCO HOUSING PANEL.
"HOUSING WILL REMAIN A MAJOR SOCIAL COMMITMENT, CONTINUING TO BE PROVIDED ON THE BASIS OE NEED AND CHARGED ON THE BASIS OF AFFORDABILITY," MR BARNES SAID.
THIS WAS DESPITE THE FACT THAT THE FUTURE AUTHORITY WOULD COMPRISE FEWER OFFICIAL MEMBERS AND THESE WOULD NO LONGER BE ABLE TO FORM A QUORUM OR A MAJORITY.
OTHER MEMBERS WOULD REFLECT A WIDE RANGE OF INTERESTS AND EXPERTISE, INCLUDING ESTATE TENANTS, PROFESSIONALS, DISTRICT BOARD MEMBERS AND LEGCO MEMBERS.
HE ADDED THAT THE BILL WAS THE END PRODUCT OF A PROCESS WHICH BEGAN WITH THE PUBLICATION OF GOVERNMENT’S LONG TERM HOUSING STRATEGY IN APRIL 1987 AND A DEBATE IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL LAST
THE REORGANISATION OF THE AUTHORITY WAS AN INTEGRAL PART OF THE STRATEGY AND THE REASON FOR THE BILL.
MR BARNES ALSO REFERRED TO CRITICISM CONCERNING TIMING OF THE ANNOUNCEMENT OF THE HOUSING AUTHORITY’S CHAIRMAN-DESIGNATE.
"WE ACCEPT THAT IT WOULD HAVE BEEN BETTER TO HAVE MADE THE LAW AND THE ANNOUNCEMENT IN THAT ORDER," HE SAID.
"I CAN ONLY SAY THAT WE WERE ANXIOUS TO MEET THE TIMETABLE OF INTRODUCING THE NEW ARRANGEMENTS ON APRIL 1, AND IN PARTICULR TO GIVE THE CHAIRMAN-DESIGNATE, WHO WAS, INCIDENTALLY, APPOINTED UNDER EXISTING POWERS, THE OPPORTUNITY TO PREPARE HIMSELF FOR HIS NFW RESPONSIBILITIES."
CERTAINLY, NO DISRESPECT TO THE COUNCIL WAS INTENDED BUT NEVERTHELESS THE POINT MADE WAS ACCEPTED, HE ADDED.
-------0 ---------
/35........
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 16, 1988
- 35 -
TIMING OF HOUSING AUTHORITY APPOINTMENT FAULTED
*****
THE APPOINTMENT OF SIR DAVID AKERS-JONES AS CHAIRMAN OF THE HOUSING AUTHORITY HAS BEEN SEEN AS A PRE-EMPTIVE MOVE BY THE ADMINISTRATION, THE HON SELINA CHOW SAID IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY) DURING THE RESUMED DEBATE ON THE HOUSING (AMENDMENT) BILL 1988.
THE ADMINISTRATION HAD PRESUMED PASSAGE OF THE BILL BEFORE CONCLUSION OF DELIBERATIONS BY THE OMELCO HOUSING PANEL AND OF DEBATE IN THE COUNCIL ITSELF, SHE SAID.
MRS CHOW, CONVENOR OF THE LEGCO AD HOC GROUP FORMED TO STUDY THE BILL, SAID THE TIMING OF THE ANNOUNCEMENT OF SIR DAVID’S APPOINTMENT AS THE HOUSING AUTHORITY’S FIRST UNOFFICIAL CHAIRMAN WAS REGRETTABLE.
"WE WOULD LIKE TO ADVISE THE ADMINISTRATION THAT AS A PRINCIPLE IT IS BEST THAT STEPS ARE NOT TAKEN IN ANTICIPATION OF THE PASSAGE OF A BILL," SHE SAID.
MEMBERS OF HER GROUP TOOK THIS VIEW EVEN THOUGH THEY ACKNOWLEDGED THAT THEY HAD BEEN INFORMED OF THE GOVERNMENT’S INTENTION TO INTRODUCE THE PROPOSED CHANGES TO THE HOUSING AUTHORITY WHEN THE STATEMENT ON THE LONG TERM HOUSING STRATEGY WAS PUBLISHED LAST YEAR.
IN ADDITION, THE OMELCO HOUSING PANEL HAD BEEN INFORMED OF THE BILL’S INTENDED LEGISLATIVE TIME-TABLE.
ON THE APPOINTMENT OF THE VICE CHAIRMAN OF THE HOUSING AUTHORITY, MRS CHOW SAID THAT MEMBERS OF THE OMELCO HOUSING PANEL WERE UNANIMOUS IN THEIR SUPPORT FOR THE PROVISION OF MORE FLEXIBILITY.
"THERE IS NO OBJECTION TO THE DIRECTOR OF HOUSING TAKING UP THIS ROLE AT THIS POINT, BUT IT WAS AGREED THAT THERE OUGHT TO BE ENOUGH SCOPE FOR CHANGE SHOULD THE NEED ARISE WITH CHANGING CIRCUMSTANCES IN THE FUTURE," SHE SAID.
SHE SAID THE PANEL ALSO AGREED THAT THERE SHOULD NOT BE ANY OBJECTION TO AN EX-CIVIL SERVANT BEING APPOINTED TO THE CHAIRMANSHIP OF THE HOUSING AUTHORITY.
BUT THE APPROPRIATENESS OF APPOINTING EX-CIVIL SERVANTS TO CHAIRMANSHIP OF SIMILAR AUTONOMOUS AUTHORITIES SHOULD BE CONSIDERED INDIVIDUALLY AND SEPARATELY.
/ON A
WEDNBBDAT, MARCH 16, 1988
- 36 -
ON A CLAUSE IN THE BILL EMPOWERING THE AUTHORITY TO MAKE ALLOCATION TO RESERVES AND THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY TO DIRECT THE AUTHORITY TO PAY ANY SURPLUS TO THE GOVERNMENT, MRS CHOW SAID THAT MEMBERS ACCEPTED THE FORMER AS AN OPERATIONAL NECESSITY AND FOUND THE LATTER AN ACCEPTABLE PROVISION.
IT WOULD ENSURE A BALANCE BETWEEN THE INTEREST OF THE AUTHORITY IN TERMS OF THE PUBLIC IT SERVED AND THE INTEREST OF THE WIDER PUBLIC.
-----0-----
INDEPENDENT TRUST FUND ADVOCATED ♦ » » »
THE GOVERNMENT SHOULD ESTABLISH AN INDEPENDENT TRUST FUND FOR CHANNELLING ACCRUED SURPLUSES OF THE HOUSING AUTHORITY INTO DEVELOPING BETTER PUBLIC HOUSING AND OTHER SOCIAL SERVICE AMENITIES, THE HON HUI YIN-FAT ADVOCATED TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
HE FURTHER RECOMMENDED THAT THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL BE GIVEN THE AUTHORITY TO EXAMINE AND APPROVE THE HOUSING AUTHORITY’S BUDGET ESTIMATES FOR THE 1988-89 FINANCIAL YEAR.
SPEAKING IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL, MR HUI SUPPORTED THE HOUSING (AMENDMENT) BILL 1988 BUT EXPRESSED DISAPPOINTMENT THAT THE BILL DID NOT .PROVIDE FOR SUFFICIENT CITIZEN PARTICIPATION IN FORMULATION OF HOUSING POLICIES.
HE COMMENTED THAT, WITH THE REORGANISATION OF THE HOUSING AUTHORITY, THE APPOINTMENT OF AN UNOFFICIAL TO BE THE CHAIRMAN WAS ABOUT THE ONLY MAJOR CHANGE IN THE AUTHORITY’S MEMBERSHIP STRUCTURE.
"ONE WOULD HAVE HOPED THAT AN OVERALL RESTRUCTURING OF THE HOUSING AUTHORITY WOULD BRING ABOUT SOME ELECTED MEMBERS AS WELL AS APPOINTED MEMBERS REPRESENTING A WIDER SPECTRUM OF THE PUBLIC HOUSING POPULATION," HE SAID.
MR HUI ALSO SAID THAT THE WHOLE ISSUE HAD BROUGHT UP THE QUESTION OF THE EFFECTIVENESS OF THE GOVERNMENT'S CONSULTATIVE MACHINERY AND PROCEDURES, AND HE CRITICISED THE ADMINISTRATION FOR NOT KEEPING A PROMISE TO CONSULT THE OMELCO HOUSING PANEL ON THE REORGANISATION OF THE HOUSING AUTHORITY BEFORE LEGISLATIVE PROCEEDINGS.
"MOREOVER, THE APPOINTMENT OF AN EX-CIVIL SERVANT TO BE THE HOUSING AUTHORITY CHAIRMAN PRIOR TO THE PASSING OF THE AMENDMENT BILL BY THIS COUNCIL NOT ONLY TENDS TO REINFORCE THE HOUSING AUTHORITY’S SUSCEPTIBILITY TO TOE THE GOVERNMENT LINE, BUT ALSO CREATES A LOOPHOLE IN OUR LEGISLATIVE PROCEDURES," HE SAID.
/MR HUI
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 16, 1988
- 37 -
MR HUI NOTED THAT WITH THE REMOVAL OF Till SECRETARY FOR HOUSING WHO WAS PREVIOUSLY ANSWERABLE TO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL, THE MONITORING FUNCTION OF THE OMELCO HOUSING PANEL HAD ALSO BEEN UNDERMINED.
HE SAID IT WOULD SEEM NECESSARY FOR A NEW CHANNEL OF COMMUNICATION TO BE ESTABLISHED FOR LEGCO MEMBERS TO MAKE ENQUIRIES ABOUT THE HOUSING AUTHORITY’S ACTIVITIES AND TO CONDUCT OPEN HEARINGS WHEREVER NECESSARY.
"IDEALLY, THE HOUSING AUTHORITY SHOULD EVENTUALLY BE ACCOUNTABLE TO THIS COUNCIL WHICH SHOULD ASSUME GREATER RESPONSIBILITY WHICH IS NOW CONFINED TO ENDORSING THE HOUSING AUTHORITY’S ANNUAL REPORTS," HE SAID.
-----0-----
COMMITMENT TO PUBLIC HOUSING UNCHANGED *****
THE HOUSING AMENDMENT BILL 1988 IS AIMED AT INCREASING THE FLEXIBILITY OF THE HOUSING AUTHORITY TO FULFIL ITS FUNCTIONS AND TO ACCOMPLISH THE LONG TERM HOUSING STRATEGY, THE HON EDWARD HO SAID IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
THE BILL INTRODUCED AMENDMENTS TO THE HOUSING ORDINANCE IN RESPECT OF THE HOUSING AUTHORITY’S ESTABLISHMENT AND CONSTITUTION AND OTHER MATTERS, HE NOTED WHEN SPEAKING IN SUPPORT OF THE MEASURE.
THE PROPOSED AMENDMENTS DID NOT CHANGE THE FACT THAT THE HOUSING AUTHORITY MUST ABIDE BY THE POLICIES IN HOUSING THAT HAD BEEN APPROVED B\ THE GOVERNMENT AND THIS WAS NO DIFFERENT UNDER THE HOUSING ORDINANCE AS AT PRESENT.
MR HO REFERRED TO SUGGESTIONS BY SOME MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC THAT THE REORGANISATION OF THE HOUSING AUTHORITY WAS AN INDICATION THAT THE GOVERNMENT WOULD DIMINISH ITS COMMITMENT TO PUBLIC HOUSING.
HE STRESSED THAT THERE WAS NOTHING IN THE BILL OR IN THE PROPOSED REORGANISATION OF THE HOUSING AUTHORITY TO SUGGEST THAT THAT WOULD BE THE CASE.
"ON THE CONTRARY, IT IS ENCOURAGING TO NOTE THAT THE LONG TERM HOUSING STRATEGY WILL ENHANCE THE SCOPE OF GUI? HOUSING PROGRAMME," MR HO SAID.
/WE MAIN.........
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 16, 1988
THE MAIN OBJECTIVES OF THE LONG TERM HOUSING STRATEGY WERE TO ENSURE THAT ADEQUATE HOUSING AT AN AFFORDABLE PRICE OR RENT WAS AVAILABLE FOR ALL HOUSEHOLDS, AND TO PROMOTE AND SATISFY THE GROWING DEMAND OF HOME PURCHASERS BY THE YEAR 2001.
THE STRATEGY WOULD MAKE THE MOST EFFECTIVE USE OF THE RESOURCES OF THE PRIVATE SECTOR IN ADDITION TO THOSE OF THE PUBLIC SECTOR IN HOUSING PRODUCTION.
”IN SO DOING, IT WILL REQUIRE A HIGH DEGREE OF SENSITIVITY IN GAUGING THE CHANGING NEEDS AND ASPIRATIONS OF THE COMMUNITY IN HOUSING AS WELL AS THE CONSTANT EVALUATION OF THE CAPABILITIES IN HOUSING PRODUCTION OF BOTH THE PUBLIC AND PRIVATE SECTORS TO MEET THESE DEMANDS.
"IT IS BECAUSE OF THIS THAT CERTAIN CHANGES HAVE TO BE MADE TO THE ORGANISATION OF THE HOUSING AUTHORITY, ESPECIALLY IN ITS FINANCIAL ARRANGEMENTS, SO THAT THE HOUSING AUTHORITY CAN HAVE THE DEGREE OF FLEXIBILITY AND FINANCIAL AUTONOMY TO IMPLEMENT THE LONG TERM HOUSING STRATEGY," HE EXPLAINED.
NOTING THAT PUBLIC HOUSING IN HONG KONG AS A SOCIAL SERVICE WAS A VITAL ELEMENT IN THE COMMUNITY, MR HO SAID LEGCO MEMBERS WOULD MONITOR AND ENSURE THAT THE GOVERNMENT WOULD CONTINUE ITS COMMITMENT TO PUBLIC HOUSING THROUGH THE HOUSING AUTHORITY.
-----0-----
MERIT IN HOUSING AUTHORITY REORGANISATION ♦ ♦ t ♦ ♦
THE HOUSING (AMENDMENT) BILL 1988, WHICH WAS DESIGNED TO ENABLE THE HOUSING AUTHORITY TO MORE EFFECTIVELY IMPLEMENT THE GOVERNMENT’S LONG TERM HOUSING STRATEGY, WAS WORTH SUPPORTING, THE HON HILTON CHEONG-LEEN SAID TODAY.
SPEAKING DURING THE DEBATE ON THE BILL IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL, MR CHEONG-LEEN SAID THAT UNDER THE BILL, THE REORGANISED HOUSING AUTHORITY -- WITH ITS WIDER RESPONS IB1LIT1ES AND CHAIRED B\ A NON-OFFICIAL -- SHOULD PROVIDE MORE AND BETTER QUALITY PUBLIC HOUSING
UP TO THE END OF THE CENTURY-.
NOTING THAT THERE WAS A STRONG DEMAND FOR HOME OWNERSHIP AS A RESULT OF RISING INCOMES AND ASPIRATIONS, MR CHEONG-LEEN SAID THE HOUSING AUTHORITY SHOULD NOT SOLEL\ GIVE PRIORITY TO THE PROVISION OF PUBLIC RENTAL HOUSING ON THE BASIS OF NEED.
/’’THE GOVERNMENT.......
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 16, 1?88
"THE GOVERNMENT MUST REMAIN TOTALLY COMMITTED IN ITS POLICY
TO ENCOURAGE MORE HOME OWNERSHIP SO THAT BY THE END OF THE CENTURY, 80 PER CENT OF OUR CITIZENS WOULD BE LIVING IN THEIR OWN HOMES, HE SAID.
"IN THIS CONNECTION, THE GOVERNMENT SHOULD MAKE CONTINUOUS EFFORTS TO KEEP MORTGAGE RATES ON HOME OWNERSHIP SCHEMES FOR OUR MIDDLE AND LOWER INCOME GROUPS AS STEADY AND AFFORDABLE AS POSSIBLE.'
MR CHEONG-LEEN SAID THAT ANOTHER AREA OF PRIORITY FOR THE HOUSING AUTHORITY CONCERNED THE REDEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME FOR THE OLDER PUBLIC RENTAL ESTATES WHERE 125,000 FAMILIES NOW RESIDED.
NOTING THAT THIS REDEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME WAS LIKELY TO CONTINUE INTO THE NEXT CENTURY, HE URGED THE HOUSING AUTHORITY TO SPEED UP THE TASK AND TO SEEK THE SUPPORT AND CO-OPERATION OF THE PRIVATE SECTOR IN DOING THIS.
MOTION ON FUNDING APPROVED * * * *
A MOTION MOVED BY THE ACTING FINANCIAL SECRETARY, THE HON DAVID NENDICK, SEEKING $17,427,373,000 ON ACCOUNT TO ENABLE THE GOVERNMENT TO CARRY ON EXISTING SERVICES BETWEEN THE START OF THE NEW FINANCIAL YEAR ON APRIL 1 AND THE ENACTMENT OF THE APPROPRIATION BILL, WAS APPROVED BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
- - 0
HEUNG YEE KUK SEEKS WIDER MEMBERSHIP * * * *
THE HEUNG YEE KUK (AMENDMENT) BILL 1988, WHICH SEEKS TO ENHANCE THE HEUNG YEE KUK’S EFFICIENCY AND CAPABILITY, WAS INTRODUCED INTO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY) BY THE SECRETARY FOR DISTRICT ADMINISTRATION, THE HON DONALD LIAO.
MOVING THE SECOND READING OF THE BILL, MR LIAO SAID THE BILL WAS THE RESULT OF EXTENSIVE DISCUSSION BETWEEN THE ADMINISTRATION AND THE HEUNG YEE KUK ON THE KUK’S PROPOSAL TO NAME SOME EX-MEMBERS AS NON-VOTING PERMANENT ADVISERS AND TO EXPAND THE MEMBERSHIP OF ITS EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE BY ADDITIONAL CO-OPTED COUNCILLORS.
/HE NOTED
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 16,
1988
40
HE NOTED THAT IT HAD ALWAYS BEEN THE KUK’S INTENTION TO WIDEN ITS REPRESENTATION AND TO RECRUIT MORE MEMBERS SO AS TO ENHANCE THEIR CAPABILITY AND EFFICIENCY.
MR LIAO SAID THE KUK HAD THEREFORE SUGGESTED TO THE ADMINISTRATION THAT ITS CONSTITUTION BE AMENDED TO ALLOW FOR THE RECRUITMENT OF 15 MORE MEMBERS WHO NEED NOT BE SELECTED FROM AMONGST THE INDIGENOUS NEW TERRITORIES POPULATION.
"HOWEVER, THE KUK WOULD TAKE CARE IN IDENTIFYING PERSONALITIES WHO HAVE LONG STANDING CONNECTIONS WITH THE NEW TERRITORIES AND ARE THUS CAPABLE OF CONTRIBUTING TO THE WELL-BEING OF NEW TERRITORIES RESIDENTS," HE ADDED.
"THE SELECTION OF CO-OPTED COUNCILLORS WILL BE CLOSELY SCRUTINISED. THE CANDIDATES FOR SELECTION WILL HAVE TO BE NOMINATED BY FIVE MEMBERS OF THE KUK’S EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE, ONE OF WHOM BEING THE CHAIRMAN OR A VICE-CHAIRMAN.
"THE NOMINATIONS WILL THEN BE VETTED AND APPROVED BY MYSELF BEFORE THEY ARE FINALLY PUT TO THE FULL COUNCIL OF THE KUK FOR CONFIRMATION," MR LIAO EXPLAINED.
TO GIVE RECOGNITION TO LONG SERVING MEMBERS AND IN ORDER THAT EXPERIENCE AND KNOWLEDGE COULD BE RETAINED, MR LIAO SAID IT WAS' ALSO PROPOSED THAT MEMBERS OF THE KUK’S EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE WHO HAD SERVED FOR TWO CONSECUTIVE TERMS AND ALL PAST CHAIRMEN SHOULD BE MADE PERMANENT ADVISERS OF THE KUK.
HE POINTED OUT THAT BESIDES THE EXPANSION IN MEMBERSHIP AND INTRODUCTION OF PERMANENT ADVISERS, THE BILL ALSO INTRODUCED SOME TECHNICAL AMENDMENTS TO FAC I 1.1 TATE THE ORDERLY CONDUCT OF ELECTIONS AND SMOOTH OPERATION OF THE KUK.
DEBATE ON THE BILL WAS ADJOURNED.
----o------
/41 .......
WENDESDAY, MARCH 16, 1988
- 41
REGULATIONS MAY HELP EASE WORKER SHORTAGE ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦
THE WOMEN AND YOUNG PERSONS (INDUSTRY) (AMENDMENT) REGULATIONS 1988 WHICH HE HOPED MIGHT RELIEVE THE TEMPORARY ACUTE SHORTAGE OF WORKERS IN INDUSTRY, WAS SUPPORTED IN PRINCIPLE BY THE HON CHAN KAM-CHUEN IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
MR CHAN, CONVENOR OF THE LEGCO AD HOC GROUP FORMED TO STUDY THE REGULATIONS, WAS NEVERTHELESS CONCERNED WITH THE SAFETY OF FEMALE WORKERS RETURNING HOME LATE AT NIGHT.
HE SUGGESTED THAT FAMILY MEMBERS OF THE WORKERS, AND PATROLLING POLICE IF REQUESTED, SHOULD ACCOMPANY THEM UP LIFTES AND STAIRWAYS TO ENSURE THEY REACHED HOME SAFELY.
MR CHAN ALSO URGED THE GOVERNMENT TO CARRY OUT AN ANNUAL REVIEW ON THE EFFECTS OF THESE REGULATIONS AND IMPROVE ON THEM WHERE NECESSARY.
"IN THE MEANTIME, INTENSIVE PUBLICITY WILL HELP TO (’LEAR UP THE MISUNDERSTANDING 01 WORKERS," HE ADDED.
-----0 - -
YEAR OF ACHIEVEMENT FOK BAPTIST COLLEGE * ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦
THE HONG KONG BAPTIST COLLEGE HAD MADE A NUMBER OF ACHIEVEMENTS IN THE YEAR 1986-87, THE HON WONG PO-YAN SAID IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
MR WONG WAS TABLING THE ANNUAL REPORT AND STATEMENT OF ACCOUNTS OF THE COLLEGE FOR THE YEAR.
HE SAID DURING 1986-87, THE COLLEGE ADMITTED STUDENTS INTO THE FIRST GROUP OF TWO BACHELOR DEGREE COURSES EVER INTRODUCED IN ITS HISTORY OF OVER THREE DECADES. THESE DEGREE COURSES WERE IN COMBINED SCIENCES AND SOCIAL WORK.
/HE ALSO .......
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 16, 1988
- 42 -
HE ALSO NOTED THAT THE YEAR’S ENROLMENT INCREASED BY ABOUT NINE PER CENT TO REACH A TOTAL OF AROUND 2,350.
THE NUMBER OF QUALIFIED APPLICANTS TO ALL COURSES ROSE BY 30 PER CENT OVER THE PREVIOUS YEAR, AND THOSE APPLYING TO THE DEGREE COURSES INCREASED BY 80 PER CENT.
FURTHERMORE, TWO OTHER NEW DEGREE COURSES WERE SUCCESSFULLY ACCREDITED BY THE UK COUNCIL FOR NATIONAL ACADEMIC AWARDS DURING THE SAME YEAR, HE SAID.
MR WONG STATED THAT THE YEAR’S TOTAL BUDGET OF RESOURCES FOR RECURRENT ITEMS, INCLUDING PUBLIC FUNDING AND TUITION INCOME, WAS $99.9 MILLION - AN INCREASE OF 19.5 PER CENT.
HE ADDED THAT THE INCREASE IN PUBLIC FUNDING WAS MATCHED BY AN ENCOURAGING INCREASE IN THE SUPPORT RECEIVED FROM THE PRIVATE SECTOR.
MR WONG POINTED OUT THAT DURING 1986-87, THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL AGREED THAT THE LIMIT FOR THE PROPORTION OF THE COLLEGE’S STUDENTS ON DEGREE COURSES SHOULD BE LIFTED TO 75 PER CENT OF THE TOTAL ENROLMENT, AND AT THE SAME TIME GAVE THE UNIVERSITY AND POLYTECHNIC GRANTS COMMITTEE THE DISCRETION TO LIFT THAT LIMIT FURTHER.
"THIS BLESSING OF THE GOVERNMENT WILL INDEED GO A LONG WAY TOWARDS PROMPTING THE COLLEGE TO WORK EVEN HARDER TO CONTRIBUTE ITS PART FOR BUILDING A BETTER TOMORROW FOR HONG KONG THROUGH THE PROVISION OF QUALITY HIGHER EDUCATION TO OUR ASPIRING AND DESERVING YOUTH," HE SAID.
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/4?........
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 16, 1988
- *5 -
JUSTICE BARKER RESIGNS * * * *
MR JUSTICE BARKER HAS RESIGNED HIS OFFICE WITH EFFECT FROM JANUARY 1, 1989. THE GOVERNOR iAS ACCEPTED HIS RESIGNATION.
IT IS INTENDED THAT THE JUDGE’S TERMINAL LEAVE WILL BE TAKEN BEFORE THIS DATE.
"UNTIL THE JUDGE PROCEEDS ON SUCH TERMINAL LEAVE, IT IS EXPECTED THAT HE WILL PERFORM "NON-JUDICIAL DUTIES".
0
CROWN ORDERED TO PAY $36M IN COSTS * * * *
THE CROWN WAS TODAY (WEDNESDAY) ORDERED TO PAY ABOUT $36 MILLION IN COSTS TO MR DAVID BEGG AND MR ANTHONY LO WHO WERE ACQUITTED BY MR JUSTICE BARKER TN THE CARRIAN TRIAL.
SOLICITORS FOR THE PAIR HAD ORIGINALLY SOUGHT ALMOST $51 MILLION IN COSTS BUT THE CROWN HAS CONTESTED THE SIZE OF THE CLAIM.
IN ACQUITTING THE TWO IN SEPTEMBER, MR JUSTICE BARKER ORDERED THAT THE COSTS BE TAXED BY A MASTER OF THE SUPREME COURT IF THE PARTIES DID NOT AGREE ON THEM AND DEPUTY REGISTRAR, MASTER COLIN PERR1OR, HAS BEEN HEARING ARGUMENTS FROM BOTH PARTIES SINCE MARCH 7.
THE TAXATION ENDED TODAY WITH MASTER PERRIOR ORDERING THAT THE CLAIM AGAINST THE CROWN SHOULD BE REDUCED BY ABOUT $15 MILLION.
MR PERRIOR REFUSED TO ALLOW SOLICITORS FOR MR BEGG AND MR LO THEIR COSTS OF PREPARING THE BILL OR THEIR APPEARANCE AT THE TAXATION BECAUSE OF THE LARGE AMOUNT OF COSTS DISALLOWED.
THIS IS IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE GENERAL PRACTICE THAT A BILL OF COSTS WHICH IS REDUCED BY ONE-SIXTH OR MORE AFTER TAXATION RESULTS IN THE SOLICITORS NOT GETTING THE COSTS OF THE TAXATION PROCEEDINGS THEMSELVES.
MR BEGG AND MR LO WERE ACQUITTED ON ONE COUNT OF CONSPIRACY TO DEFRAUD CREDITORS AND SHAREHOLDERS OF CARRIAN INVESTMENTS LTD THROUGH PUBLISHING MISLEADING STATEMENTS IN THE COMPANY’S 1981 ACCOUNTS.
LEGAL DEPARTMENT CONSULTANT, MR CLIVE GROSSMAN, APPEARED WITH SENIOR CROWN COUNSEL, MR PATRICK HAMLIN, FOR THE CROWN.
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 16, 1988
CROSS-BORDER COACH TRAFFIC TO INCREASE FURTHER
*****
PASSENGERS CARRIED BY COACHES ACROSS THE BORDER HAVE INCREASED 30 TIMES IN THE LAST SEVEN YEARS, THE COMMISSIONER FOR TRANSPORT, MR JAMES SO, SAID TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
"LAST YEAR, CROSS-BORDER COACHES CARRIED OVER ONE MILLION PASSENGERS AS COMPARED TO ONLY 33,000 IN 1981," HE SAID.
MR SO WAS OFFICIATING AT A CEREMONY TO LAUNCH CITYBUS’S LATEST MODEL OF DELUXE DOUBLE-DECK COACHES WHICH HAS FULL AIR-CONDITIONING AND TOILET FACILITIES. THE NEW BUS WILL BE USED ON THE COMPANY’S CROSS-BORDER SERVICES.
WITH THE OPENING OF THE THIRD CROSS-BORDER CONTROL POINT AT LOK MA CHAU SOMETIME NEXT YEAR, MR SO ANTICIPATED THAT COACH TRAFFIC ACROSS THE BORDER WOULD INCREASE FURTHER.
"WITH THE MANY ROAD PROJECTS CURRENTLY UNDER CONSTRUCTION OR BEING PLANNED IN GUANGDONG, TRAVELLING BY ROAD BETWEEN HONG KONG AND CHINA WILL BE EASIER AND WILL BECOME MORE ATTRACTIVE.
"THERE IS THUS A CLEAR NEED TO PROVIDE A MORE COMFORTABLE AND LUXURIOUS COACH SERVICE TO CATER FOR THE MORE UP-MARKET TRAVELLERS WISHING TO TRAVEL LONGER DISTANCE BY COACH, AND THE NEW LUXURY DOUBLE-DECK COACH LAUNCHED TODAY IS JUST WHAT IS NEEDED," HE ADDED.
MR SO NOTED THAT CROSS-BORDER COACH SERVICES HAD GREATLY EXPANDED SINCE ITS INTRODUCTION IN MID-1981.
IN 1981, THERE WAS ONLY ONE OPERATOR WITH A FLEET OF 30 BUSES PROVIDING 26 CROSSINGS DAILY THROUGH MAN KAM TO CONTROL POINT.
BY THE TIME THE CONTROL POINT AT SHA TAU KOK WAS OPENED IN MARCH 1985, THE NUMBER OF OPERATORS HAD INCREASED TO 16, DEPLOYING A TOTAL OF 99 BUSES TO PROVIDE OVER 70 DAILY CROSSINGS.
TODAY, A TOTAL OF 147 COACHES CROSS THE BORDER CARRYING, ON AVERAGE, SOME 3,000 PASSENGERS A DAY.
- - O - -
A5
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 16, 1988
- *5 -
CIVIC EDUCATION THROUGH EXTRA-CURRICULAR ACTIVITIES
*****
THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT TAKES ITS RESPONSIBILITY OF PROMOTING CIVIC EDUCATION IN SCHOOLS VERY SERIOUSLY IN THE HOPE THAT ALL OF THE 1.25 MILLION YOUNG PEOPLE NOW IN SCHOOL WOULD EVENTUALLY BECOME USEFUL AND RESPONSIBLE CITIZENS, THE DIRECTOR OF EDUCATION, MR Y.T. LI, SAID TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
SPEAKING AT THE ROTARY CLUB OF HONG KONG ISLAND EAST LUNCHEON MEETING, MR LI SAID: "IN PERFORMING OUR TASK, WE HAVE BEEN VERY CONSCIOUS OF THE NEED TO DEVELOP A STRATEGY WHICH IS BOTH EDUCATIONALLY SOUND AND OPERATIONALLY FEASIBLE.
"AFTER A GREAT DEAL OF THOUGHT AND CONSULTATION, WE FINALLY CAME TO THE CONCLUSION THAT THE BEST WAY OF PROMOTING CIVIC EDUCATION IS NOT TO TEACH IT FORMALLY AS A SEPARATE SUBJECT BUT TO ADOPT A MUCH BROADER APPROACH AND FOSTER CIVIC EDUCATION THROUGH THE MANY OTHER RELEVANT SUBJECTS NOW TAUGHT IN THE SCHOOLS AND THROUGH EXTRA-CURRICULAR ACTIVITIES.
"THIS IS WHAT WE CALL THE 'WHOLE-SCHOOL’ APPROACH WHICH HAS ALREADY PROVED TO BE VERY SUCCESSFUL IN THE PROMOTION OF MORAL EDUCATION AND SEX EDUCATION," HE SAID.
CITING AN EXAMPLE, MR LI SAID THE VERY POPULAR EXTRA-CURRICULAR ACTIVITY WHICH WAS VERY CLOSELY CONNECTED WITH THE DEVELOPMENT OF CIVIC EDUCATION AMONG SCHOOL CHILDREN WAS THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT'S COMMUNITY YOUTH CLUB (CYC) SCHEME.
THE CYC SCHEME INAUGURATED IN 1973 WAS SCHOOL-BASED, MR LI SAID, ADDING THAT THERE WERE CURRENTLY MORE THAN 234,000 MEMBERS IN ABOUT 930 PARTICIPATING PRIMARY AND SECONDARY SCHOOLS.
"THE CYC AIMS AT ORGANISING YOUNG PEOPLE WITHIN THE SCHOOL SYSTEM TO ACTIVELY ENGAGE IN ACTIVITIES WHICH CONTRIBUTE TOWARDS THE WELL-BEING OF THE COMMUNITY - BY PARTICIPATING IN COMMUNITY SERVICE PROJECTS, CO-OPERATING WITH OTHER CIVIC GROUPS IN SERVING THE COMMUNITY, PROMOTING CIVIC CONSCIOUSNESS AMONG FELLOW CITIZENS AND SETTING GOOD EXAMPLES BY THEIR OWN ACTIONS," MR LI SAID.
ON THE CYC’S WIDE RANGE OF ACTIVITIES, MR LI SAID THE MAJOR EVENTS LAST YEAR INCLUDED AN EDUCATIONAL VISIT BY 24 OUTSTANDING MEMBERS TO SINGAPORE, A FOUR-DAY CAMP AT WU KAI SHA FOR 700 MEMBERS, A GRAND PARADE WITH MORE THAN 10,000 PARTICIPANTS, A FUN DAY FOR 900 ELDERLY PEOPLE AND A SERIES OF 13 TELEVISION PROGRAMMES LASTING 15 MINUTES EACH.
/HE SAID .......
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 16, 1988
- %
HE SAID THE MOST UNUSUAL EVENT WAS THE PAINTING AND ASSEMBLING OF A GIANT POSTER MEASURING 2,582 SQUARE METRES WHICH WAS RECOGNISED BY THE GUINNESS BOOK OF RECORDS AS THE LARGEST POSTER IN THE WORLD.
"THE POSTER WAS SUBSEQUENTLY CUT INTO 60,000 PIECES AND SOLD AS COMMEMORATIVE CHRISTMAS CARDS FOR A TOTAL OF $270,000. THE PROCEEDS WERE DISTRIBUTED TO 18 CHARITABLE ORGANISATIONS," MR LI ADDED.
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GOVERNMENT HOUSE GARDENS OPEN TO PUBLIC * * * *
THE GARDENS OF GOVERNMENT HOUSE WILL BE OPEN TO THE PUBLIC ON SUNDAY (MARCH 20) FROM 10 AM TO 5 PM TO ENABLE RESIDENTS TO SEE THE AZALEAS IN BLOOM.
THE OPEN DAY HAS BEEN AN ANNUAL EVENT SINCE 1968.
PEOPLE WISHING TO VISIT THE GARDENS OF GOVERNMENT HOUSE 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.
-----0-----
ILLEGAL STRUCTURES IN MONG KOK CLEARED *****
ABOUT 40 ILLEGAL STRUCTURES IN THE REAR LANES IN MONG KOK WERE DEMOLISHED IN A CLEARANCE OPERATION TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
THESE STRUCTURES, LOCATED IN THE REAR LANES OF TAI KOK TSUI ROAD AND SYCAMORE STREET, WERE USED FOR DOMESTIC, STORAGE AND COOKED FOOD STALL PURPOSES.
/NINETEEN FAMILIES .......
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 16, 1988
^7
NINETEEN FAMILIES COMPRISING 27 PERSONS WERE AFFECTED. OF THESE, FOUR FAMILIES WERE RESETTLED IN PERMANENT HOUSING AND EIGHT IN TEMPORARY HOUSING. THE OPERATOR OF A COOKED FOOD STALL WAS OFFERED EX-GRATIA ALLOWANCES.
THIS WAS THE LAST OF A SERIES OF SIX REAR LANE CLEARANCE OPERATIONS CO-ORDINATED BY THE MONG KOK DISTRICT OFFICE IN THIS FINANCIAL YEAR. THE CLEARANCES WERE JOINTLY CARRIED OUT BY THE POLICE AND THE HOUSING AND BUILDINGS AND LANDS DEPARTMENTS.
A TOTAL OF 100 STRUCTURES HAD BEEN CLEARED DURING FIVE EARLIER OPERATIONS IN THE REAR LANES OF SAI YEUNG CHOI STREET, FA YUEN STREET, ANCHOR STREET, OAK STREET AND SHANGHAI STREET.
FOR THE COMING FINANCIAL YEAR, A NUMBER OF REAR LANES WILL BE IDENTIFIED TO CLEAR THE ILLEGAL STRUCTURES THERE.
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NORTH DISTRICT FIGHT CRIME, ANTI-NARCOTICS VARIETY SHOW
THE NORTH DISTRICT FIGHT CRIME COMMITTEE WILL HOLD A GRAND VARIETY SHOW ON SATURDAY (MARCH 19) EVENING TO MARK THE CLOSING OF THE 1987-88 FIGHT CRIME AND ANTI-DRUG ADDICTION PROGRAMMES.
'’THE SHOW AT FANLING RECREATION GROUND WILL BE PRODUCED AND BROADCAST LIVE BY ASIA TELEVISION LIMITED TO ENSURE THAT ITS MESSAGE WILL REACH THE WIDEST AUDIENCE,” SAID THE CHAIRMAN OF THE NORTH DISTRICT FIGHT CRIME COMMITTEE, MR TAO MAN-KWONG.
THE SHOW WOULD BE FUNDED BY THE NORTH DISTRICT BOARD, THE ACTION COMMITTEE AGAINST NARCOTICS ALONG WITH DONATIONS FROM LOCAL ORGANISATIONS AND INDIVIDUALS, MR TAO ADDED.
THE PROGRAMME WILL INCLUDE PERFORMANCES BY POPULAR SINGERS, MOTOR-CYCLING AND GYMNASTIC DEMONSTRATIONS, AND A SKIT. TELEVISION ARTISTES WILL PERFORM ACROBATIC ACTS.
THERE WILL ALSO BE APPEAL MESSAGES BY MEMBERS OF THE NORTH DISTRICT FIGHT CRIME COMMITTEE AND PROMINENT LOCAL PERSONALITIES.
ABOUT 15,000 SPECTATORS ARE EXPECTED TO WILL ATTEND THE SHOW. FREE ADMISSION TICKETS ARE NOW OBTAINABLE FROM THE NORTH DISTRICT OFFICE AT JOCKEY CLUB ROAD, FANLING; ITS COMMUNITY AFFAIRS BRANCH OFFICE IN CHOI YUEN ESTATE, SHEUNG SHUI; ITS PUBLIC ENQUIRY SERVICE CENTRES AT SAN FUNG AVENUE, SHEUNG SHUI, AND IN CHEUNG WAH ESTATE, FANLING; AND FROM THE FOUR RURAL COMMITTEES IN THE DISTRICT.
/PRIOR TO .......
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 16, 1988
- 48
PRIOR TO THE SHOW, PRIZES WILL BE PRESENTED TO RECIPIENTS OF THE "NORTH DISTRICT HELP THE POLICE SCHEME : GOOD CITIZEN AWARD", AND WINNERS OF AN INTER-SCHOOL ESSAY COMPETITION ON THE FIGHT CRIME THEME.
THE SHOW WILL BE BROADCAST LIVE ON ATV-GOLD FROM 8.05 PM TO 9.25 PM ON SATURDAY.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE PRIZE PRESENTATION CEREMONY AND THE NORTH DISTRICT FIGHT CRIME AND ANTI-NARCOTICS VARIETY SHOW ON SATURDAY (MARCH 19) AT THE FANL1NG RECREATION GROUND. PRIZE PRESENTATION WILL START AT 7 PM, FOLLOWED BY THE VARIETY SHOW.
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FINANCIAL EXHIBITION FOR TUEN MUN RESIDENTS
*****
THE COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY COMMITTEE OF THE TUEN MUN DISTRICT BOARD WILL DISCUSS THE HOLDING OF AN EXHIBITION AND A SEMINAR ON CONSUMER FINANCIAL SERVICES IN M1D-APR1L AT ITS MEETING TOMORROW (THURSDAY).
THE EXHIBITION WILL COVER SUCH AREAS AS RETAIL BANKING, INSURANCE, INVESTMENT BANKING, STOCK EXCHANGE AND REAL ESTATE WHILE THE SEMINAR WILL FOCUS ON MODERN RETAIL BANKING SERVICES, INSURANCE FOR BUSINESS AND HOME-OWNERS, LIFE INSURANCE SCHEMES AND UNIT TRUSTS.
MEMBERS OF THE COMMITTEE WILL ALSO BE BRIEFED ON A REPORT ON THE SALE AND OCCUPANCY OF FLATTED FACTORY UNITS IN TUEN MUN.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE MEETING OF THE TUEN MUN DISTRICT BOARD’S COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY COMMITTEE TOMORROW (THURSDAY) IN THE DISTRICT BOARD CONFERENCE' ROOM ON THE THIRD FLOOR, TUEN MUN GOVERNMENT OFFICES, 1 TUEN HI ROAD. IT WILL START AT 2.30 PM.
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A9.....
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 16,
1988
SPRING RECEPTION FOR ELDERLY AT TAI 0 * * *
MORE THAN 400 SENIOR RESIDENTS OF TAI O ON LANTAU WILL ATTEND A SPRING RECEPTION TO BE HELD AT THE PO LIN MONASTERY TOMORROW (THURSDAY).
THE SPRING RECEPTION IS JOINTLY ORGANISED BY THE TAI O RURAL COMMITTEE AND LOCAL ORGANISATIONS TO HONOUR THE ELDERLY. SIMILAR ACTIVITIES HAVE BEEN HELD EARLIER IN OTHER RURAL AREAS OF THE ISLANDS DISTRICT.
THE ISLANDS DISTRICT OFFICER, MR JONATHAN NG, WILL OFFICIATE AT THE SPRING RECEPTION WHICH WILL START AT NOON.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE TAI 0 SPRING RECEPTION FOR THE ELDERLY TO BE HELD AT NOON TOMORROW (THURSDAY) AT THE PO LIN MONASTERY ON LANTAU.
THE PRESS LAUNCH "CLEMENTI" WILL LEAVE THE MARINE DEPARTMENT PIER, CENTRAL, AT 10 AM. INFORMATION OFFICER, MR RAYMOND TAM, WILL BE ON HAND TO ASSIST.
- - 0 - -
TRAFFIC RESTRICTIONS ON HONG KONG ISLAND » * » t
TWO SECTIONS OF QUEEN’S ROAD CENTRAL WILL BE DESIGNATED URBAN CLEARWAYS 24 HOURS DAILY FROM 10 AM ON SATURDAY (MARCH 19). THE TWO ROAD SECTIONS ARE:
* THE NORTHERN KERBSIDE LANE OF QUEEN’S ROAD CENTRAL FROM A POINT ABOUT 40 METRES WEST OF ITS JUNCTION WITH ICE HOUSE STREET TO A POINT ABOUT 120 METRES WEST OF THE SAME JUNCTION; AND
* THE SOUTHERN KERBSIDE LANE OF QUEEN’S ROAD CENTRAL FROM A POINT ABOUT 60 METRES WEST OF ITS JUNCTION WITH DUDDELL STREET TO A POINT ABOUT 100 METRES WEST OF THE SAME JUNCTION.
/AT THE
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 16, 1988
AT THE SAME TIME, THE WESTBOUND CARRIAGEWAY OF KING’S ROAD FROM A POINT ABOUT 41 METRES EAST OF ITS JUNCTION WITH OIL STREET TO A POINT ABOUT 61 METRES WEST OF THAT JUNCTION WILL BE DESIGNATED URBAN CLEARWAY 24 HOURS DAILY.
THE RESTRICTION WILL BE IN FORCE FOR A PERIOD OF ABOUT ONE YEAR TO FACILITATE SLOPE WORKS.
DURING THE SAME PERIOD, THE EXISTING URBAN CLEARWAY IMPLEMENTED FROM 7 AM TO 10 AM AND FROM 4 PM TO 7 PM DAILY ON THE SAME ROAD SECTION WILL BE RESCINDED.
WITHIN THE ABOVE URBAN CLEARWAYS, NO VEHICLES, EXCEPT FRANCHISED BUSES, WILL BE ALLOWED TO STOP FOR GOODS OR PASSENGERS.
IN ANOTHER CHANGE, O’BRIEN ROAD BETWEEN GLOUCESTER ROAD AND LOCKHART ROAD WILL BE TEMPORARILY DESIGNATED A PROHIBITED ZONE TO ALL VEHICLES OR COMBINATIONS OF VEHICLES OVER 10 METRES LONG FOR ABOUT THREE WEEKS. THE RESTRICTION WILL FACILITATE DRAINAGE WORK.
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SHAU KEI WAN RESTRICTIONS LIFTED ♦ * * t ♦
TRAFFIC RESTRICTIONS ON TWO ZONES IN HOI AN STREET IN SHAU KEI WAN WILL BE LIFTED FROM 10 AM ON SATURDAY (MARCH 19).
THEY ARE:
THE PEAK HOUR (7 - 10 AM AND 4-7 PM) DAILY RESTRICTED ZONE IN HOI AN STREET FROM ITS JUNCTION WITH SHAU KEI WAN ROAD TO A POINT ABOUT 24 METRES NORTH OF THAT JUNCTION; AND
THE 7 AM TO MIDNIGHT DAILY PUBLIC LIGHT BUS RESTRICTED ZONE IN HOI AN STREET BETWEEN SHAU KEI WAN ROAD AND HING MAN STREET.
THE RESTRICTIONS WILL BE LIFTED FOR ABOUT TWO MONTHS FOR ROAD WORKS.
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DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE. HONG KONG. TEL: 5-8428777
CONTENTS
THURSDAY, MARCH
17, 1*88 PAGE NO.
LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL MEETING :
CS: PRUDENT, GRADUAL APPROACH IN HK'S BEST INTERESTS
1
DIRECT ELECTION IN 1991 A SOUND
MOVE
5
6
APPEAL TO HELP MAKE
SYSTEM WORK
WHITE PAPER CONCURS
WITH PUBLIC
OPINION
8
SUPPORT FOR ROLE OF
DISTRICT BOARDS
9
CS DEFENDS INTEGRITY OF SURVEY OFFICE
12
DOCUMENT DOES NOT REFLECT PEOPLE'S WISHES
13
DEVELOPMENTS IN OVERALL INTERESTS OF HK
WORDING OF MOTION CRITICISED
15
16
WISE TO ADOPT CAUTIOUS APPROACH TO CHANGE
17
CONSTITUENCY CHANGE A NATURAL DEVELOPMENT
<9
"NOW OR NEVER" THEORY DISPROVED
21
TRIBUTES PAID TO ATTORNEY GENERAL
DATA PROTECTION PRINCIPLES AND GUIDELINES ISSUED
24
HK TO DO ITS BEST IN URUGUAY ROUND
TUNNEL BUS UNE nND TIDnL-FLOW SCHEME TO BE EXTENDED Sale OF FIVE GOVERNMENT PROPERTIES FETCHED S1.8M ...
25
26
28
WORK ON NEW POLICE HELiDQUj-JiTERS BEGINS EPD SETS UP hDVISORY TEAMS ....................
29
DECLINE IN VICE ACTIVITIES IN MONG KOK ......... OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH EXHIBITION OPENS TOMORROW .. TATE'S CaIRN TUNNEL WORKING GROUP MEETS TOMORROW
31
32
33
FEAST FOR ELDERLY
IN NORTH DISTRICT
BOE MEMBERS VISIT
PREVOCATIOIUL SCHOOL
34
SPEEDPOST SERVICE
EXTENDS TO DJIBOUTI
JOCKEY CLUB MUSIC
FUND INVITES APPLICATIONS
TWO GOVERNMENT SITES TO LET BY TENDER
35
36
36
ILLEGAL STRUCTURES FACE DEMOLITION
JAVA RO. J) PLB RESTRICTED ZONES RESCINDED TEMPORARY CLOSURE aT HO MAN TIN HILL ROAD
water cut in m kok tsui
37
37
38
38
THURSDAY, MARCH 17, 1988
CS: PRUDENT, GRADUAL APPROACH IN HK’S BEST INTERESTS ♦ t * t t
THE CHIEF SECRETARY, SIR DAVID FORD, SAID IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TONIGHT (THURSDAY) THAT HE IS MORE THAN EVER CONVINCED THAT THE PRUDENT AND GRADUAL APPROACH ADOPTED IN THE WHITE PAPER ON DEVELOPMENT OF REPRESENTATIVE GOVERNMENT IS IN THE BEST INTERESTS OF HONG KONG.
SPEAKING AT THE END OF THE TWO-DAY DEBATE ON THE WHITE PAPER, SIR DAVID SAID IT WAS CLEAR THAT MOST MEMBERS OF THE COUNCIL NOW ACCEPTED THAT IT WAS RIGHT TO INTRODUCE DIRECT ELECTIONS IN 1991.
"I AM GREATLY ENCOURAGED BY THE SUPPORT THAT SO MANY MEMBERS HAVE GIVEN TO THE PROPOSALS IN THE WHITE PAPER, AND TO THE RECOGNITION THAT THE COURSE ON WHICH WE HAVE EMBARKED IN FURTHER DEVELOPING REPRESENTATIVE GOVERNMENT IS THE RIGHT ONE," HE SAID.
SIR DAVID SAID HE HAD BEEN STRUCK BY TWO BROAD THEMES THAT HAD EMERGED.
THE FIRST RELATED TO THE QUESTION OF "WHERE WE GO FROM HERE".
SIR DAVID SAID THAT AS MANY MEMBERS HAD SAID, DECISIONS HAD BEEN TAKEN. THE GOVERNMENT HAD GIVEN A FIRM AND UNEQUIVOCAL COMMITMENT TO INTRODUCE 10 DIRECTLY ELECTED SEATS TO THE COUNCIL IN 1991, AND PLANNING FOR THOSE ELECTIONS SHOULD START NOW.
BUT HE SAID THERE WERE SOME WHO SEEMED TO FEEL THAT THE FIGHT FOR DIRECT ELECTIONS IN 1988 MUST CONTINUE.
"THAT WILL FRANKLY BE RATHER POINTLESS AND UNPRODUCTIVE AND I WOULD ALSO ASK THOSE WHO ARE THAT WAY INCLINED TO CONSIDER THE CONSEQUENCES OF CONTINUING THEIR CAMPAIGN," HE SAID.
SIR DAVID WENT ON: "I DO NOT QUESTION THE MOTIVES OF THE YOUNG PEOPLE INVOLVED, BUT IT IS A FACT THAT PRESS PICTURES OF THE DEMONSTRATIONS OUTSIDE THIS CHAMBER HAVE GONE AROUND THE WORLD ON THE INTERNATIONAL WIRE SERVICES.
"AND NO ONE INSIDE OR OUTSIDE THIS CHAMBER CAN KNOW FOR SURE WHAT EFFECT THE PICTURES WILL HAVE ON THE IMAGE OF HONG KONG OVERSEAS."
SIR DAVID SAID THE SECOND THEME THAT HAD EMERGED WAS THAT THE DEVELOPMENT OF REPRESENTATIVE GOVERNMENT WOULD NOT STOP IN 1991.
"AS 1 HAVE EXPLAINED, THERE WILL BE ROOM TO INCREASE THE DIRECTLY ELECTED ELEMENT IN THIS COUNCIL BETWEEN 1991 AND 1997," HE SAID.
/"IN ADDITION,
THURSDAY, MARCH 17, 1988
- 2 -
"IN ADDITION, BY 1991 THE BASIC LAW WILL HAVE BEEN PROMULGATED AND THE FRAMEWORK FOR THE STRUCTURE OF THE HONG KONG SAR GOVERNMENT WILL BE KNOWN.
"AS THE WHITE PAPER EXPLAINS, WE SHALL NEED TO TAKE ACCOUNT OF THE PROVISIONS OF THE BASIC ’AW IN FURTHER DEVELOPING OUR SYSTEM OF GOVERNMENT IF WE ARE TO ENSURE A SMOOTH TRANSITION IN 1997.
"MAJOR ISSUES REMAIN TO BE RESOLVED SUCH AS THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN THE EXECUTIVE AND LEGISLATIVE COUNCILS AND THESE WILL NEED TO BE CONSIDERED AGAINST THE PROVISIONS OF THE BASIC LAW."
THE DRAFTING OF THE BASIC LAW WAS A MATTER FOR THE CHINESE GOVERNMENT, BUT THAT GOVERNMENT’S INTENTION TO CONSULT THE PEOPLE OF HONG KONG ON THE FIRST DRAFT WAS MOST WELCOME.
"1 HOPE THE PUBLIC WILL RESPOND TO THAT INVITATION WITH THE SAME ENTHUSIASM WITH WHICH THEY HAVE RESPONDED TO THE GREEN PAPER ON THE DEVELOPMENT OF REPRESENTATIVE GOVERNMENT," HE SAID.
TURNING TO OTHER POINTS RAISED BY MEMBERS, SIR DAVID SAID THE HON JACKIE CHAN, THE HON MARTIN LEE AND OTHERS HAD ACCUSED THE GOVERNMENT OF BETRAYING THE PEOPLE OF HONG KONG BY IGNORING PUBLIC OPINION AND BREAKING PROMISES.
NOTHING COULD BE FURTHER FROM THE TRUTH. ANYONE WHO HAD STUDIED THE WHITE PAPER COULD SEE THAT VERY CAREFUL CONSIDERATION HAD BEEN GIVEN TO PUBLIC OPINION AND EVERY PROMISE MADE IN THE 1984 WHITE PAPER HAD BEEN HONOURED.
"I WOULD REPEAT THAT ANY SUGGESTION THAT THIS GOVERNMENT HAS BROKEN THE PROMISES IN THE 1984 WHITE PAPER HAS NO BASIS IN FACT," HE SAID.
"AND ON THE MANY OTHER POINTS THAT MR LEE HAS MADE, AT CONSIDERABLE LENGTH, IT IS NOT THAT HE HAS NOT HAD THE ANSWERS: IT IS SIMPLY THAT HE IS NOT PREPARED TO LISTEN TO THEM.
"IT IS DIFFICULT TO REGARD ALL THESE ACCUSATIONS OF BAD FAITH, WHICH ARE COMPLETELY UNJUSTIFIED, AS ANYTHING MORE THAN THE LAST RESORT OF THOSE WHO HAVE FAILED TO GET THEIR OWN WAY.
"THEY CERTAINLY DO NOTHING TO FURTHER THE INTERESTS OF THE PEOPLE OF HONG KONG. I STRONGLY REFUTE THE ACCUSATIONS."
DR THE HON CONRAD LAM HAD SUGGESTED THAT THE RECEPTION OF THE WHITE PAPER WITHIN THE COUNCIL WAS DIFFERENT FROM THAT OUTSIDE, HE SAID.
/"I CANNOT .......
THURSDAY, MARCH 17, 1988
3 -
"I CANNOT AGREE WITH THAT SUGGESTION. IT IS QUITE TRUE THAT THERE ARE PEOPLE OUTSIDE THIS COUNCIL WHO ARE UNHAPPY ABOUT THE WHITE PAPER; BUT IT IS ALSO TRUE THAT, AS I SAID . YESTERDAY, THE OVERALL REACTION HAS BEEN POSITIVE.
"INDEED, FROM ALL OUR CONTACTS WITH PEOPLE AND BODIES OUTSIDE THIS COUNCIL, MY CLEAR IMPRESSION IS THAT THE DEBATE IN THIS COUNCIL YESTERDAY AND TODAY CLOSELY REFLECTS THE FEELINGS OF THE COMMUNITY -THAT IS TO SAY, SOME PEOPLE ARE SATISFIED, SOME ARE NOT, BUT ON THE WHOLE PEOPLE ACCEPT THE WHITE PAPER AS A GOOD BASIS ON WHICH TO MOVE FORWARD."
SIR DAVID SAID THE HON F.K. HU AND OTHERS HAD ADVISED THAT EARLY PREPARATIONS SHOULD BE MADE FOR DIRECT ELECTIONS IN 1991.
"1 CAN ASSURE THEM THAT DETAILED ARRANGEMENTS FOR THE ELECTIONS WILL BE WORKED OUT IN GOOD TIME," HE SAID.
"I HAVE NOTED THE POINTS THEY HAVE MADE REGARDING THE CONDUCT OF THESE ELECTIONS.
"WE MUST OBVIOUSLY WORK OUT ARRANGEMENTS WHICH WILL STRIKE THE RIGHT BALANCE BETWEEN DISCOURAGING FRIVOLOUS CANDIDATES AND ENSURING THAT THE ELECTIONS WILL BE AS OPEN AS POSSIBLE, SO THAT THE OPPORTUNITY IS AVAILABLE TO ALL THOSE WHO SERIOUSLY WISH TO PART ICI PATE."
SIR DAVID SAID SEVERAL MEMBERS HAD REFERRED TO THE INCREASE IN EMIGRATION.
"WE ARE VERY CONSCIOUS OF THIS INCREASE AND THAT IT IS A MATTER OF CONCERN TO THE COMMUNITY," HE SAID.
THE SITUATION WHICH HAD ARISEN WAS DUE TO A NUMBER OF FACTORS, INCLUDING EXTERNAL ONES SUCH AS COUNTRIES MAKING IT EASIER FOR CERTAIN CATEGORIES OF PEOPLE TO SETTLE THERE.
A FURTHER FACTOR, HOWEVER, AND IT WOULD BE UNREALISTIC TO DENY IT, WAS CONCERN ABOUT THE FUTURE.
WHATEVER THE REASONS, IT SHOULD NEVER BE FORGOTTEN THAT FREEDOM OF MOVEMENT WAS A FUNDAMENTAL RIGHT OF THE PEOPLE OF HONG KONG; A RIGHT WHICH WAS GUARANTEED FOR THE FUTURE BY THE JOINT DECLARATION.
"WHAT WE MUST DO IS TO BUILD A SOCIETY IN WHICH PEOPLE ARE HAPPY TO LIVE AND WORK, AND TO WHICH PEOPLE WHO HAVE EMIGRATED ARE ATTRACTED TO RETURN," SIR DAVID SAID.
"AT THE SAME TIME WE MUST ENSURE, THROUGH OUR EDUCATION SYSTEM, THAT HONG KONG HAS A REGULAR SUPPLY OF THE EXPERTISE IT NEEDS TO CONTINUE TO PROSPER."
/SIR DAVID
THURSDAY, MARCH 17, 1988
- 4 -
SIR DAVID SAID THE DEBATE HAD ONCE AGAIN DEMONSTRATED THE INTEREST AND STRENGTH OF FEELING AMONGST MEMBERS IN THE DEVELOPMENT OF REPRESENTATIVE GOVERNMENT.
"I HOPE OVER THE MONTHS AND YEARS AHEAD WE CAN ALSO ACHIEVE A UNITY OF VIEW ON THE BEST WAY FORWARD," HE SAID.
"THIS IS NOT TO SAY THAT I AM TRYING TO STIFLE CRITICISM OF THE GOVERNMENT OR ITS POLICIES.
"THE FREEDOM OF EXPRESSION IS PRECIOUS TO HONG KONG AND THIS GOVERNMENT IS COMMITTED TO PRESERVING IT NOW AND IN THE FUTURE."
BUT HE POINTED OUT THAT THE DEBATE MARKED THE END OF A VERY LONG PERIOD OF PUBLIC CONSULTATION AND DISCUSSIONS WHICH STARTED WITH PUBLICATION OF THE GREEN PAPER NEARLY A YEAR AGO.
"WE NOW HAVE CLEARLY ESTABLISHED POLICIES AND PLANS TO TAKE US FORWARD UNTIL 1991.
"THERE IS STILL MUCH TO BE DONE IN PRACTICAL TERMS TO ENSURE THAT THOSE POLICIES AND PLANS ARE CARRIED THROUGH TO THE SATISFACTION OF THE COMMUNITY AS A WHOLE.
"THAT PROCESS TOO WILL INVOLVE CONSULTATION AND DISCUSSION.
"BUT I HOPE WE CAN PUT BEHIND US THE ARGUMENTS ABOUT THE BROAD THRUST OF OUR POLICIES AND PLANS AND THE TIMING OF THEM," HE SAID.
THE COMMITMENTS IN THE WHITE PAPER WERE CLEAR; THERE WOULD BE NO RETREAT FROM THEM.
"WE BELIEVE THEY HAVE THE SUPPORT OF A BROAD MAJORITY WITHIN THE COMMUNITY AND CERTAINLY A CLEAR MAJORITY OF MEMBERS OF THIS COUNCIL WOULD ENDORSE THAT VIEW."
SIR DAVID SAID LEGCO MEMBERS HAD A STRONG TRADITION OF UPHOLDING THE INTERESTS OF HONG KONG PEOPLE.
SOME PEOPLE OUTSIDE THE COUNCIL HAD CALLED INTO QUESTION THE MOTIVATION OF ITS MEMBERS.
"IN SO DOING THEY DO A GRAVE DISSERVICE TO THE TRADITION OF PUBLIC SERVICE IN HONG KONG, A TRADITION OF WHICH WE CAN BE TRULY PROUD.
"LIKE SO MANY OTHER ASPECTS OF HONG KONG SOCIETY IT IS UNIQUE AND THE ENVY OF MANY OTHER COMMUNITIES," HE SAID.
SIR DAVID ALSO SAID THAT "AS WE MOVE FORWARD TO CHANGES IN THIS COUNCIL", HE SINCERELY HOPED THAT MEMBERS, HOWEVER THEY CAME TO BE THERE, WOULD WORK TOGETHER FOR THE GOOD OF HONG KONG.
/HE ADDED: ........
THURSDAY, MARCH 17, 1988
- 5 -
HE ADDED: "WE DO NEED UNITY OF PURPOSE IF WE ARE TO STEER HONG KONG THROUGH THE YEARS WHICH LIE AHEAD.
’’I HOPE AND TRUST WE CAN NOW FIND THAT UNITY IN THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE PLANS CONTAINED IN THE ‘n-iTE PAPER - ’THE DEVELOPMENT OF REPRESENTATIVE GOVERNMENT; THE WAY FORWARD’.”
THE MOTION THAT THE COUNCIL TAKE NOTE OF THE PLANS AND INTENTIONS CONTAINED IN THE WHITE PAPER WAS PASSED BY VOICE VOTE.
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DIRECT ELECTION IN 1991 A SOUND MOVE * ♦ * * *
DIRECT ELECTION IN 1991 REPRESENTS THE BEST THAT THE GOVERNMENT CAN PROVIDE AT THIS STAGE IN VIEW OF THE CONSTRAINTS AND LIMITATIONS OF HONG KONG’S UNIQUE POLITICAL SITUATION, DR THE HON CHIU HIN-KWONG SAID IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (THURSDAY).
SPEAKING ON 'HIE SECOND DAY OF THE DEBATE ON THE WHITE PAPER ON THE DEVELOPMENT OF REPRESENTATIVE GOVERNMENT, DR CHIU SAID THE GOVERNMENT COULD HARDLY BE BLAMED FOR TAKING A CAUTIOUS STEP TOWARDS THE INTRODUCTION OF POLITICAL CHANGES AT A TIME WHEN IT WAS UNSURE WHETHER’ Till CHANGES WOULD PUT THE FUTURE OF' HONG KONG AT RISK.
THOUGH THE TIM!LG THE INTRODUCTION OF DIRECT ELECTION IN 1991 DOI . NOT •IFEI 'XPECTATIONS OF EVERYBODY, SOME PEOPLE BELIEVE THAT EVEN THIS DECISION IS HARD TO COME BY," HE NOTED.
IIO'. ; CONSOLIDATE AND LEGALISE THE HARD-WON DIRECT ELECTION ELEMENT IN TH! POLITICAL SYSTEM WAS AN URGENT TASK AND IT WAS UP TO LEGCO MEMBERS TO MAKE IT WORK EFFICIENTLY, HE SAID.
DR CHIU SAID HE HAD CONSIDERED 1988 THE BEST TIME FOR INTRODUCING NEW POLITICAL ARRANGEMENTS, BUT III WAS DISHEARTENED BY THE UNSATISFACTORY VOTING RATE IN LAST WEEK’S DISTRICT BOARD ELECTIONS AND FELT THAT CIVIC EDUCATION SHOULD BE STEPPED UP.
ON THE WHITE PAPER’S PROPOSAL TO ENLARGE THE EXISTING MEDICAL FUNCTIONAL CONSTITUENCY TO EMBRACE HEALTH CARE TEAMS, HE SAID THIS WAS WARMLY WELCOMED BY THE MEDICAL AND HEALTH SECTOR.
DR CHIU ALSO POINTED OUT THAT THE DIFFERENCE OF OPINION AMONG MEMBERS MIGHT GIVE THE PUBLIC AN IMPRESSION THAT LEGCO WAS SPLIT AND THAT A SPLIT LEGISLATURE MIGHT NOT BE IN T(IE BEST INTEREST OF SOCIETY, ESPECIALLY IN THIS TRANSITIONAL PERIOD.
"SINCE WE HAVE A COMMON OBJECTIVE, WHY DO WE, INSTEAD OF GOING FORWARD IN A FRIENDLY AND CO-OPERATIVE MANNER, WASTE OUR VALUABLE TIME ON SOME MINOR QUESTIONS?" HE ASKED.
DIFFERENT VIEWPOINTS SHOULD NOT TURN INTO PERSONAL CONFLICTS, HE ADDED.
THURSDAY, MARCH J7, 1988
- 6 -
APPEAL TO HELP MAKE SYSTEM WORK
* « * »
THE WHITE PAPER ON REPRESENTATIVE GOVERNMENT PROVIDES FOR A SYSTEM OF GOVERNMENT WITH WHICH MOST OF THE COMMUNITY WILL AGREE OR, AT THE VERY LEAST, WITH WHICH THE COMMUNITY WILL NOT DISAGREE, THE HON THOMAS CLYDESDALE SAID IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (THURSDAY).
"ONCE THE SYSTEM HAS BEEN ADOPTED AND THE PROCESS OF CHANGE OUTLINED IN THE WHITE PAPER HAS BEGUN, LET US ALL WORK TOGETHER WITH GOODWILL AND DEDICATION TO CARRY OUT SUCCESSFULLY THE TASK OF MOULDING A SYSTEM OF GOVERNMENT WHICH WILL PROTECT AND PROMOTE OUR VITAL INTERESTS.
"IT IS CERTAINLY WITHIN OUR CAPACITY TO DO SO," HE SAID WHEN SPEAKING IN THE DEBATE ON THE WHITE PAPER.
MR CLYDESDALE SAID THE POLICY DECISIONS SET OUT WERE CLOSELY IN LINE WITH THE VIEWS EXPRESSED BY MEMBERS OF HIS CONSTITUENCY; THE HONG KONG GENERAL CHAMBER OF COMMERCE, IN THE CHAMBER’S SUBMISSION TO THE SURVEY OFFICE.
"IN PARTICULAR, THE DECISION TO SUPPORT THE PRINCIPLE OF DIRECT ELECTIONS AND TO BEGIN THIS PROCESS IN 1991 IS, I AM SURE, BOTH WISE AND HELPFUL TO THE DEVELOPMENT OF A SYSTEM OF GOVERNMENT FOR HONG KONG WHICH WILL PROVIDE BALANCED REPRESENTATION FOR ALL SECTORS OF THE ECONOMY AND THE SOCIETY," HE SAID.
HE POINTED OUT Till' CONSULTATION ON THE 1987 GREEN PAPER HAD BEEN INTENSIVE, AND EXTENSIVE, NOT ONLY AMONG THE GENERAL POPULATION BUT ALSO AT THE INSTITUTIONAL LEVEL.
"THIS INCLUDED, OF COURSE, THE GENERAL CHAMBER WHICH DID A GREAT DEAL OF WORK TO OBTAIN, AS FAR AS WAS POSSIBLE, THE GENUINE VIEWS OF ITS MEMBERS ON THE MANY IMPORTANT, AND I MUST SAY SOME RELATIVELY UNIMPORTANT, ISSUES SET OUT IN THE GREEN PAPER," HE SAID.
A SPECIAL COMMITTEE OF THE CHAMBER STUDIED THESE ISSUES CAREFULLY AND A DETAILED SURVEY WAS CARRIED OUT TO OBTAIN INDIVIDUAL MEMBERS’ VIEWS AND THE RESULTS WERE FULLY PUBLISHED, TOGETHER WITH THE QUESTIONS, AND AN ASSESSMENT OF THE ANSWERS.
"THE CHAMBER’S GENERAL COMMITTEE ENDORSED AND APPROVED THE FINDINGS OF THE SURVEY WHICH THEN FORMED THE BASIS OF A SUBMISSION TO THE SURVEY OFFICE."
MR CLYDESDALE SAID THE CHAMBER’S MEMBERSHIP REPRESENTED DIVERSE ETHNIC, NATIONAL AND ECONOMIC INTERESTS; 70 PER CENT OF THE MEMBER COMPANIES WERE IN SERVICE INDUSTRIES AND 30 PER CENT IN MANUFACTURING; 70 PER CENT WERE HONG KONG-CHINESE OWNED AND OPERATED AND 30 PER CENT REPRESENTED FOREIGN INTERESTS.
/"I BELIEVE
THURSDAY, MARCH 17, 1988
"I BELIEVE IT CAN BE CLAIMED THAT THE CHAMBER, MORE PERHAPS THAN ANY OTHER TRADE OR INDUSTRIAL ORGANISATION, IS FULLY REPRESENTATIVE OF ALL SECTORS OF HONG KONG BUSINESS AND INDUSTRY, ALSO THAT LOCAL AND INTERNATIONAL INTERESTS AND VIEWS ARE QUITE WELL BALANCED,” HE SAID.
THE CHAMBER’S SURVEY ATTRACTED A GOOD RESPONSE AND WAS ABOUT EVENLY DIVIDED BETWEEN CHINESE AND NON-CHINESE RESPONDENTS.
EIGHTY PER CENT OF THE RESPONDENTS SUPPORTED THE GENERAL CONCEPT OF DIRECT ELECTIONS ALTHOUGH A MAJORITY THOUGHT THAT THE INTRODUCTION OF THESE SHOULD WAIT UNTIL 1991 OR AFTER, IN OTHER WORDS AFTER THE BASIC LAW WAS PROMULGATED.
’’FROM ALL THE OTHER RESULTS OF THE SURVEY, IT WAS CLEAR THAT, WHILE CHAMBER MEMBERS AGREED THAT CHANGES IN THE SYSTEM OF GOVERNING HONG KONG AFFAIRS ARE NECESSARY, THEY WERE STRONGLY IN FAVOUR OF A GRADUAL AND PRAGMATIC PACE OF CHANGE, TESTING EACH STEP OF THE WAY AND ADJUSTING TO NEW CIRCUMSTANCES AS NECESSARY,” HE SAID.
”THE CHAMBER VOTED IN STRENGTH FOR A CONTINUATION OF THE HIGHLY SUCCESSFUL ECONOMIC, TRADE, INDUSTRIAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE SYSTEM WHICH HAS SERVED HONG KONG SO WELL. IN OTHER WORDS,. CHANGE WHEN CHANGE IS NECESSARY BUT NOT CHANGE FOR THE SAKE OF CHANGE.”
MR CLYDESDALE SAID HE DID NOT AGREE WITH SOME COUNCILLORS WHO HAD SUGGESTED THAT THE GREAT MAJORITY OF HONG KONG PEOPLE WERE DEMANDING DIRECT ELECTIONS IN 1988.
”1 THINK THE TRUTH OF THE MATTER IS THAT THE GREAT MAJORITY OF THE PEOPLE DID NOT EXPRESS ANY PARTICULAR VIEW BUT RATHER WAITED TO SEE HOW THE VARIOUS VIEWS WOULD DEVELOP, HOPING THAT THE OUTCOME, WHATEVER IT MIGHT BE, WOULD BE BENEFICIAL TO THEIR FUTURE STABILITY AND PROSPERITY,” HE SAID.
”1 DO NOT ACCEPT EITHER THAT ANY MEMBER OF THIS COUNCIL SPEAKS FOR THE SO-CALLED MAN IN THE STREET. NO COUNCILLOR IN THIS CHAMBER WAS ELECTED TO DO SO AND ANY CLAIM THAT ONE OR A GROUP OF COUNCILLORS PRESENTLY REPRESENT THE VIEWS OF A MAJORITY OF HONG KONG’S COMMUNITY IS NONSENSE.
’’SURELY THE WHITE PAPER WILL BRING US NEARER TO THAT POSSIBILITY IN 1991,” HE ADDED.
ON OTHER ASPECTS OF THE WHITE PAPER, MR CLYDESDALE SAID THAT JUST AS IT PROVIDED FOR ELECTION OF 10 DISTRICT BOARD MEMBERS TO THE URBAN COUNCIL, THERE SHOULD BE CONTINUED PROVISION FOR THE APPOINTMENT OF URBAN COUNCIL MEMBERS TO THE DISTRICT BOARDS.
’’THERE SEEMS NO GOOD REASON FOR ELIMINATING THIS VERY USEFUL LINK WHICH WILL ENHANCE THE CLOSE TWO-WAY FUNCTIONAL RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN THESE TWO TIERS OF ADMINISTRATION,” HE SAID.
/"I ASK
THURSDAY, MARCH 17, 1988
8
”1 ASK THAT THE GOVERNMENT CONSIDER PERMITTING ONE URBAN COUNCILLOR TO SERVE ON EACH DISTRICT BOARD, EITHER BY ELECTION OR BY APPOINTMENT."
MR CLYDESDALE ALSO SUGGESTED THAT, IF THE EXPERIMENT OF DIRECT ELECTIONS IN 1991 WORKED WELL, EARLY PROVISION SHOULD BE MADE TO EXTEND THE PRINCIPLE OF UNIVERSAL SUFFRAGE IN 1994 BY INCREASING THE NUMBER OF SEATS IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL FOR DIRECTLY ELECTED PERSONS.
"PERHAPS MORE OF THE SEATS AT THAT TIME OCCUPIED BY APPOINTED MEMBERS SHOULD BE MADE AVAILABLE FOR DIRECTLY ELECTED PERSONS," HE SUGGESTED.
"EVERY MAJOR DISTRICT IN THE TERRITORY SHOULD HAVE ITS OWN DIRECTLY ELECTED MEMBER BY 1994. IN THAT WAY THE VOICE OF THE PEOPLE WILL BE FULLY REPRESENTED AND WILL BE EFFECTIVELY HEARD."
-----0------
WHITE PAPER CONCURS WITH PUBLIC OPINION ♦ ♦ t ♦ ♦
THE WHITE PAPER ON REPRESENTATIVE GOVERNMENT AS A WHOLE CONCURS WITH PUBLIC OPINION AND IS BOTH RESPONSIVE TO THE PREVAILING SITUATION AND PRUDENT IN ITS APPROACH.
THIS WAS SAID BY THE HON HO SA1-CHU DURING THE DEBATE ON THE WHITE PAPER IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (THURSDAY).
MR HO SAID HE HAD ALWAYS HELD THE VIEW THAT THE DEVELOPMENT OF REPRESENTATIVE GOVERNMENT IN HONG KONG SHOULD BE GRADUAL AND EVOLUTIONARY, TAKING INTO ACCOUNT THE QUESTION OF CONVERGENCE WITH THE BASK LAW OF THE FUTURE SAR GOVERNMENT.
WITH THIS IN VIEW, HE SAID HE TOOK THE STAND THAT DIRECT ELECTIONS SHOULD BE INTRODUCED INTO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL AFTER 1990, AND NOT IN HASTE BEFORE THAT.
AS REGARDS THE NUMBER OF ELECTED SEATS, MR HO SAID IT WAS ESSENTIAL THAT THESE SHOULD BE INCREASED GRADUALLY, TO THE FULL EXTENT AFFORDED BY THE BASIC LAW.
NOTING THAT A DECISION HAD ALREADY BEEN MADE ON THE TREND OF DEVELOPMENT OF THE GOVERNMENT SYSTEM BETWEEN NOW AND 1991, MR HO SAID THAT PEOPLE SHOULD NOT DWELL ON OLD ISSUES.
HE SAID WHAT MEMBERS SHOULD DO NOW WAS TO CONCENTRATE ON THE PRACTICAL SIDE OF THINGS AND PREPARE THE COMMUNITY FOR THE INTRODUCTION OF DIRECT ELECTIONS IN 1991.
THIS WOULD HELP ENSURE THAT THOSE CANDIDATES WHO WERE GENUINELY CONCERNED ABOUT THE WELL-BEING OF HONG KONG PEOPLE WOULD BE ELECTED.
------0 ------- /9....................
THURSDAY, MARCH 17,
1988
- 9
SUPPORT FOR ROLE OF DISTRICT BOARDS
*****
WHILE IT IS UNDERSTANDABLE THAT A STABLE POLITICAL STRUCTJRE IS CRUCIAL TO THE SUCCESS OF HONG KONG, SOMETHING HAS TO BE DONE NEVERTHELESS TO PROVIDE FOR A SMOOTH TRANSITION THROUGH 1997, DR THE HON RICHARD LAI SAID IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (THURSDAY).
SPEAKING IN THE DEBATE ON THE WHITE PAPER ON REPRESENTATIVE GOVERNMENT, DR LAI SAID THE DOCUMENT REPEATEDLY HIGHLIGHTED "STABILITY" AND "PRUDENT CHANGES", BUT IT POINTED TO NO DIRECTION BUT THE BASIC LAW.
HE ALSO STRESSED THE IMPORTANCE OF THE ROLE OF Di STRICT BOARDS IN DEVELOPING REPRESENTATIVE GOVERNMENT.
DR LAI SAID IT WAS NOT SURPRISING THAT THERE WAS NO DIRECT ELECTION IN 1988, AS THE SURVEY OFFICE REPORT LAST NOVEMBER HAD FORESHADOWED THE GOVERNMENT’S DECISION.
"ALTERNATIVELY, 10 DIRECTLY ELECTED SEATS BASED ON GEOGRAPHICAL CONSTITUENCIES ARE TO BE INTRODUCED INTO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL IN 1991,” HR SAID.
"WHILE I WELCOME THE INTRODUCTION OF DIRECT ELECTIONS IN GENERAL, J CANNOT SUPPORT ITS TIMING, AND MOREOVER, ITS REPLACEMENT OF EXISTING SEATS FROM THE DISTRICT BOARDS."
DR LAI SAID THAT DURING THE CONSULTATION PERIOD, AND AS SET OUT IN THE LAST CHAPTER IN THE WHITE PAPER, IT HAD BEEN WIDELY ADVOCATED THAT THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE FUTURE GOVERNMENT OF THE SPECIAL ADMINISTRATIVE REGION HAD TO PROCEED IN LINE WITH THE BASIC LAW PROVISIONS.
"THE BASIC LAW WILL BE PROMULGATED IN 1990. IT IS DOUBTFUL WHETHER THE DISPLACEMENT OF ELECTORAL COLLEGES WILL CONVERGE WITH WHAT WILL BE PROVIDED IN THE BASIC LAW," HE SAID.
"EVEN THE FIRST DRAFT OF THE BASIC LAW WILL ONLY BE RELEASED FOR PUBLIC CONSULTATION THIS MAY. IT GIVES CAUSE FOR CONCERN THAT CHINA AND BRITAIN HAVE REACHED MUTUAL UNDERSTANDING REGARDING THE FUTURE SET-UP OF THE SAR GOVERNMENT.
"IF NOT, WHAT IS THE JUSTIFICATION FOR REAFFIRMING ON ONE HAND THE NEED TO COPE WITH THE BASIC LAW PROVISION, AND ON THE OTHER HAND MAKE SUCH A DECISION WELL BEFORE THE PROMULGATION OF THE BASIC LAW?"
DR LAI SAID HE WAS SURPRISED THAT THE PRESENT DISTRICT BOARD ELECTORAL COLLEGES WERE TO BE REPLACED BY SEATS DIRECTL ELECTED FROM 10 DISTRICT-BASED CONSTITUENCIES.
/"THE WHITE
THURSDAY, MARCH 17, 1988
10 -
"THE WHITE PAPER SUGGESTS THAT THERE WOULD BE DOUBLE REPRESENTATION IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL. IT IS NOT NECESSARILY SO, PROVIDED THERE IS A DIFFERENT METHOD IN DRAWING UP CONSTITUENCY BOUNDARIES," HE SAID.
"AFTER ALL, WE HAVE DIRECTLY ELECTED MEMBERS AS WELL AS MEMBERS ELECTED AMONG DB MEMBERS IN OUR MUNICIPAL COUNCILS NOW.
"DISTRICT BOARD-BASED ELECTIONS AND DIRECT ELECTIONS TO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL SHOULD BE SEEN AS 'TWO SYSTEMS OF GEOGRAPHICAL REPRESENTATION IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL’, UNLIKE WHAT IS REFERRED TO IN THE WHITE PAPER AS ONLY TWO PARALLEL SYSTEMS.
"A MEMBER FROM AN ELECTORAL COLLEGE AND DISTRICT-BASED CONSTITUENCY, SAY, THE NEW TERRITORIES, HAS DIFFERENT GROUPS OF PEOPLE TO BE RESPONSIBLE TO AND DIFFERENT SCOPES OF DISTRICT-RELATED MATTERS TO BE TENDED TO. DOUBLE REPRESENTATION CANNOT BE AN EXCUSE TO DISPLACE ELECTORAL COLLEGES."
DR LAI SAID THE INTRODUCTION OF ELECTORAL COLLEGES TO THE LEGCO ELECTION SYSTEM IN 1985 HAD PROVIDED A DIRECT LINK BETWEEN DISTRICT BOARDS AND LEGCO, AND OPENED UP A CHANNEL FOR POLITICAL PARTICIPATION BY THE PUBLIC UNDER THE THREE-TIER SYSTEM.
BUT THE NEW ARRANGEMENT WOULD CONFINE DB’S TO PURELY AN ADVISORY ROLE WITH NO REAL INFLUENCE.
BY KEEPING THE ELECTORAL COLLEGE ROUTE OPEN AND BY GIVING THE DISTRICT BOARDS SOME MEANINGFUL POWERS, MORE PEOPLE WOULD BE ATTRACTED TO BECOMING INVOLVED IN DISTRICT MATTERS.
"LOOKING AT THE LOW RECENT DB ELECTIONS’ VOTING RATE OF 30.3 PER CENT ONE MIGHT COME TO THE CONCLUSION THAT BECAUSE OF THE PROVISIONS IN THE WHITE PAPER, THE GENERAL PUBLIC IS LOSING INTEREST IN THE ROLE PLAYED BY THE DISTRICT BOARDS. AND I’M AFRAID JUSTIFIABLY SO, BECAUSE THERE IS VERY LITTLE THE DB’S CAN DO."
DR LAI SAID A QUESTIONNAIRE SURVEY ON THE WHITE PAPER CONDUCTED BY HIS OFFICE HAD SHOWED THAT TWO-THIRDS OF THE RESPONDENTS DISAPPROVED OF THE DECISION TO REPLACE ELECTED SEATS FROM THE ELECTORAL COLLEGE IN 1991.
"THIS ARRANGEMENT WAS ALSO REJECTED BY DISTRICT BOARDS, IN WHICH THE MAJORITY SUPPORT THE EXECUTIVE ROLE OF DISTRICT BOARDS," HE SAID.
HE ALSO SUGGESTED THAT EVEN THOUGH THE THREE-TIER SYSTEM WAS WORKING, A TWO-TIER SYSTEM AS OUTLINED IN THE NOW AMALGAMATED OMELCO CONSTITUTIONAL AFFAIRS PANEL’S REPORT MIGHT BE MORE SUITABLE TO HONG KONG IN THE LONG-TERM DEVELOPMENT OF REPRESENTATIVE GOVERNMENT.
/REFERRING TO
THURSDAY, MARCH 17, 1988
11
REFERRING TO THE EXPANSION OF FUNCTIONAL CONSTITUENCIES FOR THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL, DR LAI SAID IT WAS SURPRISING THAT THE HEUNG YEE KUK DID NOT HAVE A SEAT IN THE COUNCIL.
"IF IT IS IMPOSSIBLE TO INCLUDE IT IN THE FUNCTIONAL CONSTITUENCIES, THEN AT LEAST ITS REPRESENTATION IN THE COUNCIL SHOULD BE GUARANTEED. AFTER ALL, HOW MANY FUNCTIONAL CONSTITUENCIES CAN CLAIM TO REPRESENT 500,000 PEOPLE?" HE ASKED.
DR LAI SAID AN ELECTED REPRESENTATIVE WAS ACCOUNTABLE TO THOSE WHO ELECTED HIM. MEMBERS ELECTED FROM FUNCTIONAL CONSTITUENCIES WERE ONLY ACCOUNTABLE TO A SPECIFIC TRADE OR BUSINESS.
THE INTERESTS OF A FUNCTIONAL CONSTITUENCY WERE TOO NARROWLY-BASED. BY CONTRAST, DISTRICT-BASED CONSTITUENCIES COULD MUCH BETTER REPRESENT THE PUBLIC’S INTERESTS.
ANOTHER PROBLEM CONCERNED THE REPRESENTATIVENESS OF THE FUNCTIONAL CONSTITUENCY SYSTEM, IN DECIDING WHICH TRADE WAS TO BE INCLUDED AND WHICH WAS TO BE LEFT OUT.
"OF COURSE MANY PROFESSIONS SEE THEMSELVES AS WORTHY OF SEATS IN THE COUNCIL; ARBITRARILY GRANTING SEATS TO THEM IN TURN CREATES CONFLICTS AND FURTHER DEMAND FOR SEATS FROM THOSE WHO ARE EXCLUDED," HE SAID.
"I CERTAINLY HOPE THAT THE EXPANSION OF FUNCTIONAL CONSTITUENCY SEATS TODAY IS NOT A PRELUDE TO THE ’GRAND ELECTORAL COLLEGE’ SYSTEM IN LATER YEARS."
DR LAI ALSO SAID THAT SINCE THE GOVERNMENT HAD DECIDED TO HAVE DIRECT ELECTIONS IN 1991, IT WAS ADVISABLE TO GET EVERYTHING PREPARED AT LEAST ONE YEAR BEFORE THE ELECTION DATE.
"DETAILS LIKE NOMINATION QUALIFICATIONS, CONSTITUENCY BOUNDARIES, NUMBER OF SEATS ALLOCATED IN EACH CONSTITUENCY MUST BE CAREFULLY THOUGHT OUT TO AVOID CONFUSION.
"AN EARLY RELEASE OF THESE ARRANGEMENTS WILL ENABLE A CANDIDATE TO FULLY PREPARE HIMSELF TO STAND FOR ELECTION."
DR LAI SAID HE FELT THAT THE WHITE PAPER FAILED TO PROVIDE FOR MORE CHANGES TO PREPARE FOR FUTURE DEVELOPMENT OF REPRESENTATIVE GOVERNMENT AS THE APPOINTMENT SYSTEM WOULD HAVE TO CEASE BY 1997.
"THE 10 OFFICIAL MEMBERS REMAIN. THE NUMBER OF APPOINTED MEMBERS ONLY REDUCES BY TWO. AS I HAVE SUBMITTED EARLIER, ’GRADUAL CHANGE’ IS ESSENTIAL TO MAINTAIN STABILITY. HOWEVER, THE ’GRADUAL CHANGES' IN 1988 WILL HAVE TO BE FOLLOWED BY AN ’ABRUPT CHANGE’ BETWEEN 1991 AND 1997," HE SAID.
THURSDAY, MARCH 17, 1988
12 -
CS DEFENDS INTEGRITY OF SURVEY OFFICE
* » ♦ * ♦
THERE IS NOT ONE SHRED OF EVIDENCE TO SUPPORT THE ARGUMENTS THAT THE INTEGRITY OF THE SURVEY OFFICE WAS IN DOUBT OR THAT WHATEVER THE SURVEY REPORT CONTAINED, THE ADMINISTRATION WOULD NOT HAVE INTRODUCED DIRECT ELECTIONS IN 1988 FOR FEAR OF DISPLEASING CHINA.
THIS WAS STATED BY THE CHIEF SECRETARY, SIR DAVID FORD, IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (THURSDAY) WHEN SPEAKING AGAINST AN AMENDMENT THAT THE HON MARTIN LEE PROPOSED SHOULD BE MADE TO THE MOTION ON THE WHITE PAPER ON DEVELOPMENT OF REPRESENTATIVE GOVERNMENT.
THE AMENDMENT WAS DEFEATED BY 42 VOTES TO SEVEN, WITH ONE ABSTENTION.
SIR DAVID SAID THAT FROM THE TIME THE GREEN PAPER WAS PUBLISHED LAST YEAR, THE GOVERNMENT HAD MADE IT CLEAR THAT THE VIEWS OF THE PEOPLE OF HONG KONG WOULD BE THE MOST IMPORTANT FACTOR TO BE TAKEN INTO ACCOUNT WHEN CONSIDERING THE WAY FORWARD FOR POLITICAL DEVELOPMENTS.
HE REFERRED TO THE REMARK BY THE HON LYDIA DUNN YESTERDAY THAT IF THE SURVEY OFFICE REPORT HAD REFLECTED THE DEGREE OF SUPPORT FOR DIRECT ELECTION IN 1988 AS IT DID FOR THE PRINCIPLE OF INTRODUCING DIRECT ELECTIONS, THEN THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL WOULD HAVE ADVISED THE GOVERNOR THAT DIRECT ELECTIONS SHOULD INDEED BE INTRODUCED THIS YEAR.
SIR DAVID SAID THE SURVEY OFFICE REPORT CLEARLY SHOWED A SHARP DIVISION OF OPINION ON THE QUESTION OF TIMING AND NOTHING THAT MR LEE HAD SAID THIS AFTERNOON HAD ALTERED THAT REALITY.
"IT WAS ON THAT BASIS THEREFORE THAT THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL RECOMMENDED TO THE GOVERNOR THAT DIRECT ELECTIONS SHOULD BE INTRODUCED IN 1991."
COMMENTING ON WHAT MR LEE HAD SAID, SIR DAVID SAID THE COUNCILLOR HAD CONTINUED TO MAKE GREAT PLAY OF THE CRITICISMS OF THE AGB MCNAIR SURVEYS AS IF THEY WERE THE ONLY BASIS ON WHICH PUBLIC OPINION WAS ASSESSED.
"INDEED, HE HAS DESCRIBED THE AGB MCNAIR SURVEYS AS THE CORNERSTONE OF THE GOVERNMENT’S ASSESSMENT. THIS REALLY IS AN ABSURD SUGGESTION," THE CHIEF SECRETARY SAID.
SIR DAVID SAID THE ARGUMENTS ON WHAT INTERPRETATION AND WHAT WEIGHT SHOULD BE GIVEN TO ANY PARTICULAR FORM OF EXPRESSION OF OPINION COULD GO ON ENDLESSLY, AND HE EMPHASISED THAT THE GOVERNMENT HAD TAKEN INTO ACCOUNT ALL VIEWS IN ITS DECISION.
"IT SEEMS TO ME THAT LT IS MR LEE WHO IS BEING SELECTIVE AND WHO IS AGAIN FOCUSSING ON AGB MCNAIR AND NOT OURSELVES," HE ADDED.
/SIR DAVID
THURSDAY, MARCH 1?, 1988
- 13 -
SIR DAVID ALSO REITERATED THAT THE GOVERNMENT DID NOT EXPECT EVERY MEMBER OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TO SUPPORT EVERYTHING IN THE WHITE PAPER.
"THE ORIGINAL MOTION OFFERS MEMBERS THE OPPORTUNITY TO DEBATE ANY OF THE ISSUES TO WHICH IT REFERS.
"TO AMEND IT TO DRAW ATTENTION TO ONE PARTICULAR ASPECT IS, IN MY VIEW, BOTH UNNECESSARY AND UNCONSTRUCTIVE," HE SAID.
WHILE HE DID NOT QUESTION THE RIGHT OF INDIVIDUALS TO SPEAK THEIR MIND OPENLY AND FORCEFULLY, HE SAID THAT AS IN ANY DEMOCRATIC SOCIETY THE VIEW OF THE MAJORITY MUST BE ACCEPTED AND RESPECTED.
SIR DAVID WENT ON TO SAY THAT THE GOVERNMENT HAD MADE AN IRREVOCABLE COMMITMENT TO THE INTRODUCTION OF 10 DIRECTLY ELECTED SEATS INTO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL IN 1991, AND THE TIME HAD COME TO LOOK FORWARD POSITIVELY AND ENTHUSIASTICALLY TO THAT MAJOR STEP FORWARD IN HONG KONG’S POLITICAL DEVELOPMENT.
••
"HONG KONG HAS NOT BUILT ITS SUCCESS ON LOOKING BACKWARDS OR REGRETTING WHAT MIGHT HAVE BEEN. WE ARE A FORWARD LOOKING COMMUNITY IN A FORWARD LOOKING PLACE,” HE SAID.
”WE HAVE MUCH TO DO. WE HAVE NO TIME FOR REGRETS.”
THE MOTION MOVED BY SIR DAVID YESTERDAY READ THAT "THIS COUNCIL TAKES NOTE OF THE PLANS AND INTENTIONS CONTAINED IN THE WHITE PAPER”.
------0 -------
DOCUMENT DOES NOT REFLECT PEOPLE’S WISHES *****
THE WHITE PAPER ON REPRESENTATIVES GOVERNMENT FAILED TO REFLECT THE TRUE WISHES OF THE PEOPLE, AND THE MOTION BY THE CHIEF SECRETARY CONCERNING THE DOCUMENT WAS MEANINGLESS, THE HON DESMOND LEE YU-TAI SAID IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (THURSDAY).
SPEAKING IN THE DEBATE ON THE WHITE PAPER, MR LEE SAID THE TITLE OF THE WHITE PAPER ’’THE DEVELOPMENT OF REPRESENTATIVE GOVERNMENT: THE WAY FORWARD” DID NOT MATCH THE CONTENTS AND WAS A DECEPTION IN ITSELF.
HE SAID THE CHANGES SET OUT THE WHITE PAPER WERE BUT TOKEN GESTURES AND DID NOT PROVIDE FOR ANY REAL PROGRESS.
/THE WHITE
THURSDAY, MARCH 17, ^88
14
THE WHITE PAPER WAS, IN FACT, A STOP SIGN TO THE DEVELOPMENT OF REPRESENTATIVE GOVERNMENT.
TO CALL THE WHITE PAPER ’’THE WAY FORWARD” WAS TO FOLLOW AN ’’OSTRICH POLICY’’, DECEIVING ONESELF BY PLUGGING ONE’S EAR WHILE STEALING A BELL.
MR LEE NOTED THAT THE GOVERNMENT HAD ALL ALONG ATTACHED MUCH IMPORTANCE TO THE THREE-TIER STRUCTURE. BUT THE WHITE PAPER WENT AGAINST THE WISHES OF THE PEOPLE IN THIS RESPECT, HE SAID.
ONLY A FEW DAYS AGO, MORE THAN 50 DISTRICT BOARD MEMBERS HAD JOINTLY SUBMITTED A DECLARATION TO OMELCO, PROTESTING AGAINST DECISION NOT TO INTRODUCE DIRECT ELECTIONS IN 1988 AND TO ABOLISH THE DISTRICT BOARD ELECTORAL COLLEGE.
URBAN COUNCILLORS WERE OPPOSED TO THE REMOVAL OF THEIR EX-OFFICIO SEATS ON DISTRICT BOARDS AND ALSO TO THE INTRODUCTION OF INDIRECTLY ELECTED MEMBERS INTO THE URBAN COUNCIL.
IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL, VIEWS ON THE WHITE PAPER WERE DIVERSE AND HE BELIEVED THAT QUITE A NUMBER OF COUNCILLORS WERE OPPOSED TO SOME INDIVIDUAL ITEMS CONTAINED IN THE WHITE PAPER.
MR LEE ALSO SAID THAT THE VOTER TURNOUT RATE IN LAST WEEK’S DISTRICT BOARD ELECTIONS SHOWED THAT ONE IN EVERY FIVE VOTERS WHO CAST THEIR VOTES IN THE 1985 ELECTIONS HAD SHUNNED THE LATEST POLLS.
HE NOTED THAT A CALLER TO A RADIO STATION’S PHONE-IN PROGRAMME HAD INDICATED THAT HE DID NOT TURN OUT TO CAST HIS VOTE BECAUSE HE WAS NOT HAPPY WITH THE CONTENTS OF THE WHITE PAPER.
ALTHOUGH THIS KIND OF BOYCOTT MIGHT NOT BE THE SOLE REASON FOR THE DROP IN VOTER TURNOUT, IT SHOULD NOT BE TAKEN LIGHTLY AND THE GOVERNMENT SHOULD DO SOME SOUL-SEARCHING AND MAKE EVERY EFFORT TO WIN BACK THE SUPPORT OF THE PEOPLE, HE SAID.
TURNING TO CAMPAIGN ACTIVITIES DURING DISTRICT BOARD ELECTIONSt MR LEE SAID IF VOTERS WITH A HIGHER EDUCATIONAL STANDARD STAYED AWAY FROM VOTING WHEREAS THOSE WHO DID NOT HAVE A STRONG STAND WERE HUDDLED INTO POLLING STATIONS BY ENTHUSIASTIC CAMPAIGN HELPERS, SOME VOTES MIGHT NOT BE CAST IN A RATIONAL MANNER.
SUCH ACTIVITIES MIGHT DETERMINE THE OUTCOME OF ELECTIONS, PARTICULARLY IF THE VOTER TURNOUT RATE WAS LOW.
HE THEREFORE SUGGESTED THAT PUBLICITY AND LOBBYING ACTIVITIES AT THE POLLING STATIONS SHOULD BE BANNED ON THE DAY OF VOTING, AND THAT ONLY THE CANDIDATES THEMSELVES OR A SINGLE REPRESENTATIVE SHOULD BE PERMITTED TO BE PRESENT.
/ON DIRECT
THURSDAY, MARCH 17, 1988
- 15 -
ON DIRECT ELECTIONS, ME LEE SAID PARAGRAPH 25 OF THE 1984 WHITE PAPER HAD GIVEN A FIRM COMMITMENT TO THE INTRODUCTION OF DIRECT ELECTIONS IN 1988.
HE BELIEVED THAT THE GOVERNMENT ACTUALLY HAD WISHED TO GO FOR DIRECT ELECTIONS IN 1988. UNFORTUNATELY, BOTH THE BRITISH AND THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENTS FAILED TO REACT PROPERLY TO PRESSURE FROM CHINA, HE SAID.
"ALTHOUGH I HAVE SYMPATHY WITH THE SITUATION OF THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT, 1 AM WORRIED THAT MANY HONG KONG PEOPLE HAVE BECOME SUSPICIOUS AND FEARFUL OF CHINA,” HE SAID.
THE FACT THAT THE GOVERNMENT HAD GONE BACK ON ITS WORD ON DIRECT ELECTIONS MIGHT FURTHER ERODE THE CONFIDENCE OF THESE PEOPLE, HE ADDED.
-----0------
DEVELOPMENTS IN OVERALL INTERESTS OF HK *****
DEVELOPMENTS SET OUT IN THE WHITE PAPER ON REPRESENTATIVE GOVERNMENT CLEARLY ARE POINTING TOWARDS A GOAL THAT WILL BE IN THE OVERALL INTERESTS OF HONG KONG.
THE HON NGAI SHIU-KIT SAID THIS IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (THURSDAY) DURING THE DEBATE ON THE WHITE PAPER.
NGAI
FOCUS THE
SUPPORTING THE FUNDAMENTAL SPIRIT OF THE WHITE PAPER, MR SAID THE ECONOMIC SUCCESS OF HONG KONG - WHICH HAD BECOME THE OF ATTENTION INTERNATIONALLY - HAD OVER THE YEARS HINGED ON OPERATION OF AN EFFECTIVE POLITICAL AND ECONOMIC STRUCTURE.
"THERE IS NO NEED AT ALL FOR ANY DRASTIC POLITICAL CHANGES IN OUR SOCIETY," HR SAID.
"THE MAIN CONCERN FOR THE MAN IN THE STREET IN HONG KONG IS IO FIND A SATISFYING JOB AND SETTLE DOWN HAPPILY, AND IT IS NOT TO GET INVOLVED IN POLITICAL ACTIVITIES.
"THIS CAN BE WITNESSED BY THE LOW TURNOUT RATE IN THE RECENT DISTRICT BOARD ELECTIONS," HE ADDED.
POINTING OUT THAT THE FACTS SPOKE FOR THEMSELVES, MR NGAI SAID.^ "IF THERE WAS NOT A CONTINUOUSLY STABLE POLITICAL AND ECONOMIC ENVIRONMENT AND OUR GOVERNMENT WAS UNREALISTIC AND INDULGED IN EMPTY TALK, IT WOULD BE VERY SURPRISING INDEED THAT WE COULD CREATE SUCH ECONOMIC MIRACLES."
/HE SAID
THURSDAY, MARCH 17, 1988
16
HE SAID HE DID NOT SEE ANY REASON WHY SOME PEOPLE SPARED NO EFFORT TO DISCREDIT THE GOVERNMENT AND INTENTIONALLY CREATE AN "IMBECILE IMAGE” OF THE GOVERNMENT.
IN ADDITION, HE DID NOT SEE HOW SUCH CRITICAL WORDS AND DEEDS COULD MAKE A CONSTRUCTIVE CONTRIBUTION TO THE STABILITY OF SOCIETY.
INFLAMMATORY' SPEECHES AND HARSH REMARKS, ENTHUSIASTIC AND RADICAL ACTIONS, AS COVERED BY THE MEDIA AND THROUGH PHOTOGRAPHIC FACSIMILE, HAD GIVEN OVERSEAS INVESTORS THE FALSE IMPRESSION OF PANIC AND CONFUSION IN HONG KONG.
THE DAMAGE THAT HAD BEEN DONE FAR EXCEEDED THE BENEFITS WHICH IT WAS CLAIMED THE INTRODUCTION OF DIRECT ELECTIONS IN 1988 WOULD BRING.
ON DIRECT ELECTIONS, MR NGAI SAID THAT NO MATTER WHICH YEAR, 1988 OR 1991, DIRECT ELECTIONS WERE INTRODUCED, THE SYSTEM OF GOVERNMENT AFTER 1997 COULD POSSIBLY NOT BE AFFECTED IN ANY WAY.
AS TO THE MOST SUITABLE PACE THAT DEVELOPMENT IN THE GOVERNMENT SYSTEM SHOULD TAKE, HE BELIEVED THAT THERE WAS NO ABSOLUTE ANSWER TO THAT.
"IN MY MIND, TIMING OF CHANGES IN OUR SYSTEM IS SIMPLY' SOME SORI' OF CONCEPTION AND PLAN. AND ANY PLAN SHOULD BE AMENDED TO COPE WITH THE TREND OF THE TIMES," HE ADDED.
HE SAID SINCE PEOPLE HAD RECOGNISED THAT THE PRESENT SYSTEM SHOULD BE DEVELOPED FURTHER, IT WAS MORE IMPORTANT THAT A NEW SYSTEM WOULD EVOLVE SMOOTHLY.
THIS WOULD REQUIRE THE COMBINED EFFORTS OF ALL SIDES, AND THUS THROUGH CONSENSUS LAY A SOUND FOUNDATION FOR FURTHER DEVELOPMENT.
MR NGAI ADDED THAT HE SUPPORTED THE VIEW OF THE SENIOR MEMBER, THE HON LYDIA DUNN, THAT COUNCILLORS SHOULD WORK TOGETHER FOR THE FUTURE WELL-BEING OF THE WHOLE COMMUNITY.
-------0----------
WORDING OF MOTION CRITICISED ♦ ♦ « ♦
THE WORDING OF THE CHIEF SECRETARY’S MOTION ON THE WHITE PAPER ON DEVELOPMENT OF REPRESENTATIVE GOVERNMENT WAS CRITICISED BY THE HON PANG CHUN-HOI IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (THURSDAY).
THE WORDING OF THE MOTION -- THAT THE COUNCIL "TAKE NOTE OF THE PLANS AND INTENTIONS CONTAINED IN THE WHITE PAPER" — WAS REGRETTABLE, MR PANG SAID DURING THE DEBATE ON THE MOTION.
/HE ALSO
THURSDAY, MARCH 17» 1988
- 17 -
HE ALSO SAID HE WAS AGAINST PRODUCTION OF THE DOCUMENT "FOR THE SOLE PURPOSE OF CONVERGENCE WITH THE BASIC LAW".
MR PANG NOTED THAT THE WHITE PAPER RULED OUT INTRODUCTION OF DIRECTLY ELECTED SEATS IN LEGCO THIS YEAR ON THE GROUND THAT PUBLIC OPINION ON THE ISSUE OF TIMING WAS DIVIDED.
FURTHERMORE, THE WHITE PAPER HAD NOTHING TO SAY ON THE COMPOSITION OF THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL, HE SAID.
MR PANG ALSO NOTED THAT ALL DISTRICT BOARDS AND THE MUNICIPAL COUNCILS WOULD RETAIN ONE-THIRD OF THEIR SEATS FOR APPOINTED MEMBERS; AND THAT THE LEGCO ELECTORAL COLLEGE SEATS FOR DISTRICT BOARDS WOULD BE ABOLISHED AND BE REPLACED BY 10 GEOGRAPHICALLY-BASED SEATS RETURNED THROUGH DIRECT ELECTIONS IN 1991.
THF WHITE PAPER ALSO MAKES CLEAR THAT THERE WILL BE 14 SEATS FOR THE FUNCTIONAL CONSTITUENCIES; ONE SEAT EACH FOR THE REPRESENTATIVES FROM THE URBAN COUNCIL AND THE REGIONAL COUNCIL; 20 APPOINTED SEATS AND 10 SEATS FOR OFFICICAL MEMBERS," HE SAID. ”
"IN OTHER WORDS, THE GOVERNMENT MAY STILL HAVE CONTROL OVER THE MAJORITY OF SEATS IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL UNTIL 1994.
"THIS IS BY NO MEANS A PROGRESSIVE DEVELOPMENT. IT IS MARKING TIME, HAVING NO ADVANCEMENT AT ALL."
MR PANG ADDED THAT IN VIEW OF THESE PLANS AND PROPOSALS THE WHITE PAPER WAS DISAPPOINTING.
-----0------
WISE TO ADOPT CAUTIOUS APPROACH TO CHANGE
*****
POLITICAL REFORM NEEDS TO EVOLVE GRADUALLY FROM THE UNIQUE SYSTEM THAT HAS BEEN SERVING HONG KONG SO WELL AND THE PACE OF REFORM SHOULD NOT BE FORCED AT THE EXPENSE OF THE TERRITORY’S STABILITY AND PROSPERITY, PROF THE HON POON CHUNG-KWONG SAID IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (THURSDAY).
SPEAKING DURING THE DEBATE ON THE WHITE PAPER ON REPRESENTATIVE GOVERNMENT, PROF POON SAID HE WAS PLEASED TO SEE THE DOCUMENT HAD ADOPTED A CAUTIOUS APPROACH IN EFFECTING CHANGES AND THAT DIRECT ELECTIONS TO THE LEGISLATURE WOULD BE INTRODUCED IN 1991.
SEVERAL OPINION POLLS CONDUCTED SOON AFTER THE PUBLICATION OF THE WHITE PAPER SHOWED A CLEAR MAJORITY SUPPORT FOR THIS MOVE, HE NOTED.
/"NO POLITICAL .......
THURSDAY, MARCH 17, 1988
- 18 -
"NO POLITICAL MOVE CAN SATISFY EVERYBODY, AND WE SHOULD ALL PURSUE DEMOCRACY BY RESPECTING THE PRINCIPLE OF MAJORITY RULE.
"NOISE, AFTER ALL, DOES NOT NECESSARILY REPRESENT THE VOICE OF THE SILENT MAJORITY," PROF POON SAID.
HE WELCOMED DIRECT ELECTIONS ON THE BASIS OF SINGLE-SEAT GEOGRAPHICAL CONSTITUENCIES, AND THE 10 DIRECTLY ELECTED SEATS - ONE FROM EACH OF 10 DISTRICT-BASED CONSTITUENCIES - REPLACING THE SEATS CURRENTLY FILLED BY ELECTORAL COLLEGES FROM 1991 ONWARD.
"THERE REALLY IS NO NEED TO HAVE BOTH DIRECTLY ELECTED AND INDIRECTLY ELECTED LEGISLATIVE COUNCILLORS COMING FROM THE SAME DISTRICT OR GEOGRAPHICAL CONSTITUENCY," HE SAID.
"HOWEVER, AFTER WE HAVE A CHANCE TO REVIEW AND REFLECT THE OUTCOME OF THE BASIC LAW, I WOULD LIKE TO SEE THE NUMBER OF DIRECTLY ELECTED SEATS GRADUALLY INCREASED AS WE MOVE TOWARDS 1997."
ON FUNCTIONAL CONSTITUENCIES, PROF POON SAID THE HEUNG YKE KUK AS A BODY HAD PLAYED A FAIRLY SIGNIFICANT AND PERHAPS UNIQUE ROLE IN HONG KONG AND THAT ITS CONTINUOUS INVOLVEMENT IN SHAPING THE FUTURE WAS DESIRABLE.
THOUGH HE HAD RESERVATION ON WHETHER IT WAS PROPER TO PROVIDE THE KUK WITH A SEAT IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL BY CLASSIFYING IT AS A FUNCTIONAL CONSTITUENCY, HE FELT THAT IT WAS REASONABLE TO HAVE THE KUK REPRESENTED IN THE COUNCIL.
HE RECOMMENDED THAT THE GOVERNMENT SHOULD FURTHER STUDY THE MATTER.
PROF POON ALSO SAID HE AGREED THAT IN ORDER TO FACILITATE THE BUSINESS IN THE COUNCIL, THE GOVERNOR MIGHT FROM TIME TO TIME APPOINT DIFFERENT OFFICIALS TO THE COUNCIL ACCORDING TO THE BUSINESS TO BE CONDUCTED DURING THE SESSION AND THE POLICY EXPERTISE REQUIRED.
HE EMPHASISED THAT IT WAS TIME TO BEGIN CREATING MORE POLITICALLY CONSCIOUS AND POLITICALLY MATURE VOTERS BY STRENGTHENING CIVIC EDUCATION AND TO NURTURE MORE POLITICAL LEADERS BY GROOMING THOSE INTERESTED MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC FOR DIRECT ELECTIONS IN 1991.
IN HIS SPEECH, PROF POON SAID THAT, LIKE SOME OF HIS COLLEAGUES IN THE COUNCIL, HE TOO HAD BEEN ASKED BY PEOPLE OVERSEAS WHETHER HONG KONG WAS STILL A SAFE PLACE TO VISIT AND TO INVEST IN.
HE SAID: "IF SOME POLITICIANS CONTINUE THEIR OUT-OF-CONTEXT, OVER-DRAMATISED CRITICISM; IF THE VERY SMALL GROUP OF PEOPLE CONTINUE TO DEMONSTRATE AND BURN THE WHITE PAPER; AND IF SOME MEDIA CONTINUE TO EMPHASISE THE DRAMATIC ACTS OF THE 500 ODD DEMONSTRATORS BUT CHOOSE TO IGNORE THE SILENT PURSUIT FOR LIVELIHOOD OF FIVE MILLION TRANQUILITY LOVING PEOPLE, THEY WILL BE VERY SUCCESSFUL IN SCARING AWAY FOREIGN INVESTORS, TRADERS AND VISITORS."
/HE URGED
THURSDAY, MARCH 17, 1988
- 19 -
HE URGED THAT THOSE PEOPLE THINK ALSO OF THE DAMAGE THEY MIGHT BE CAUSING.
"POLITICS HAS ALWAYS BEEN, AT MOST, AN INSIGNIFICANT PART OF HONG KONG PEOPLE’S LIVES. PLEASE LET HONG KONG STAY PEACEFUL. PLEASE LET HONG KONG LIVE," HE SAID.
--------o ---------
CONSTITUENCY CHANGE A NATURAL DEVELOPMENT
*****
THE CHANGE FROM THE SYSTEM OF INDIRECT TO DIRECT ELECTIONS BASED ON GEOGRAPHICAL CONSTITUENCIES IS A NATURAL AND PROGRESSIVE DEVELOPMENT, THE CHIEF SECRETARY, SIR DAVID FORD, REITERATED IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (THURSDAY).
"THE CHANGE IS ALSO ENTIRELY CONSISTENT WITH THE RATIONALISATION THAT WE ARE SEEKING TO BRING ABOUT TO THE THREE-TIER STRUCTURE OF OUR SYSTEM OF REPRESENTATIVE GOVERNMENT," SIR DAVID SAID DURING THE DEBATE ON THE WHITE PAPER ON THE DEVELOPMENT OF REPRESENTATIVE GOVERNMENT.
THE CHIEF SECRETARY WAS SPEAKING AGAINST AN AMENDMENT, PROPOSED BY THE HON SEZTO WAH, TO THE MOTION UNDER DEBATE - THAT THE COUNCIL "TAKE NOTE OF THE PLANS AND INTENTIONS CONTAINED IN THE WHITE PAPER".
THE AMENDMENT WAS DEFEATED BY VOICE VOTE.
"TO HAVE TWO PARALLEL SYSTEMS OF GEOGRAPHICAL REPRESENTATION IN THE CENTRAL COUNCIL OF GOVERNMENT, WITH MEMBERS ELECTED BY BOTH DIRECT AND INDIRECT METHODS, IS NOT ONLY UNNECESSARY BUT ALSO LIKELY TO BE PROBLEMATIC," SIR DAVID SAID.
"IT COULD, FOR INSTANCE, GIVE RISE TO INVIDIOUS COMPARISONS BETWEEN THE REPRESENTATIVE STATUS OF THE TWO GROUPS OF MEMBERS: BOTH ARE SUPPOSED TO REPRESENT THE RESIDENTS OF THEIR RESPECTIVE CONSTITUENCIES, BUT EACH WILL PROBABLY CLAIM TO BE MORE REPRESENTATIVE THAN THE OTHER."
/SIR DAVID
THURSDAY, MARCH 17, 1988
- 20 -
SIR DAVID SAID THE HON MARTIN LEE HAD SUGGESTED RATHER INGENIOUSLY THAT THERE WOULD BE TWO DIFFERENT CONSTITUENCIES FOR PEOPLE COMING FROM THE SAME DISTRICT. BUT HE HAD OVERLOOKED TWO SALIENT POINTS.
"FIRSTLY, THE DISTRICT BOARDS MAY ELECT TO THEIR CONSTITUENCIES MEMBERS WHO ARE NOT MEMBERS OF DISTRICT BOARDS.
"SECONDLY, ALTHOUGH MR LEE HAS SUGGESTED THAT DIRECT ELECTIONS IN THE CONSTITUENCIES ARE LIKELY TO ATTRACT WHAT HE DESCRIBED AS 'HONG KONG MEMBERS’, MAY BE WITH AN ELEMENT OF WISHFUL THINKING, NEVERTHELESS THEY WILL NEED TO SEEK THEIR VOTE FROM THE DISTRICT CONSTITUENCIES IN WHICH THEY STAND, AND THAT WILL BE THEIR ELECTORATE."
SIR DAVID SAID THE REPLACEMENT, IN 1991, OF DISTRICT-BASED ELECTORAL COLLEGE SEATS BY DIRECTLY ELECTED SEATS SHOULD NOT BE LOOKED AT IN ISOLATION.
IT SHOULD BE VIEWED IN THE CONTEXT OF THE OVERALL AND PROGRESSIVE DEVELOPMENT OF A MORE REPRESENTATIVE SYSTEM OF GOVERNMENT, AND IN THE CONTEXT OF THE RATIONALISATION OF THE THREE-TIER STRUCTURE.
SIR DAVID SAID MR SZETO’S AMENDMENT ALSO EXPRESSED REGRET THAT ONLY 10 DIRECTLY ELECTED SEATS WOULD BE INTRODUCED IN 1991.
"A THEME WHICH HAS EMERGED FROM THIS DEBATE SO FAR IS THAT THE DEVELOPMENT OF REPRESENTATIVE GOVERNMENT SHOULD NOT, AND WILL NOT, STOP IN 1991," HE SAID.
"THE FINAL CHAPTER OF THE WHITE PAPER MAKES IT ABSOLUTELY CLEAR THAT THERE WILL BE FURTHER DEVELOPMENT BETWEEN 1991 AND 1997.
"THE LATEST DRAFT OF THE BASIC LAW CONTAINS A NUMBER OF OPTIONS FOR THE COMPOSITION OF THE FUTURE HONG KONG SAR LEGISLATURE.
"ALL OF THEM PROVIDE FOR AT LEAST 25 PER CENT OF THE MEMBERS OF THE LEGISLATURE TO BE DIRECTLY ELECTED.
"THERE WILL THEREFORE BE ROOM TO INCREASE THE DIRECTLY ELECTED ELEMENT IN THIS COUNCIL BETWEEN 1991 AND 1997."
SIR DAVID POINTED OUT THAT IN SPEAKING AGAINST THE EARLIER AMENDMENT PROPOSED BY MR LEE, HE REMARKED ON THE UNDESIRABILITY OF AMENDMENT MOTIONS HAVING THE EFFECT OF FOCUSSING ON PARTICULAR ASPECTS OF THE WHITE PAPER.
"I MUST THEREFORE OPPOSE THE AMENDMENT PROPOSED BY MR SZETO ON THE SAME GROUNDS," HE SAID.
0---------
/21 ........
21
THURSDAY, MARCH 17, 1988
"NOW OR NEVER" THEORY DISPROVED *****
THE WHITE PAPER ON THE DEVELOPMENT OF REPRESENTATIVE GOVERNMENT HAS GIVEN A COMMITMENT TO AN ELEMENT OF DIRECT ELECTION IN 1991 AND HAS THUS DISPROVED THE "NOW OR NEVER" THEORY, THE HON EDWARD HO SAID TODAY (THURSDAY).
SPEAKING DURING THE DEBATE ON THE WHITE PAPER IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL, MR HO REITERATED HIS OPPOSITION TO THE INTRODUCTION OF DIRECT ELECTIONS TO LEGCO THIS YEAR.
HE STRESSED THAT THE WHITE PAPER’S PROVISION FOR A NUMBER OF DIRECTLY ELECTED SEATS IN 1991 WOULD GIVE HONG KONG THREE YEARS IN WHICH TO PREPARE FOR THE CHANGE.
IT WOULD ALSO GIVE HONG KONG THE TIME IT NEEDED BETTER TO PROMOTE CIVIC EDUCATION AND POLITICAL AWARENESS SO THAT MORE PEOPLE WOULD TRULY PARTICIPATE IN THE ELECTION PROCESS.
MR HO ACCEPTED THE ARGUMENT IN THE WHITE PAPER THAT THERE WAS NO ADVANTAGE IN HAVING TWO PARALLEL SYSTEMS OF GEOGRAPHICAL REPRESENTATION IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL.
HE FELT THAT, IN ORDER NOT TO UPSET THE BALANCE OF THE LEGISLATURE AT THIS STAGE BY INCREASING MORE SEATS IN THE FUNCTIONAL CONSTITUENCIES TO TAKE CARE OF THE ASPIRATIONS OF SOME GROUPS WHICH WANT! D TO BE REPRESENTED, A REVIEW OF THE PROPOSED SYSTEM OF GOVERNMENT SHOULD BE CARRIED OUT BEFORE 1991, ONCE THE BASIC LAW WAS PROMULGATED.
"BY 1991, WE SHOULD HAVE A COMPREHENSIVE SYSTEM OF GOVERNMENT THAT CAN BE EVOLVED SMOOTHLY AND PROGRESSIVELY TOWARDS THE GOVERNMENT SYSTEM FOR THE HONG KONG SPECIAL ADMINISTRATIVE REGION," HE SAID.
IN THE MEANTIME, MR HO URGED ALL PEOPLE IN HONG KONG TO DEVOTE THEIR ENERGY AND ATTENTION TO STUDYING THE FIRST DRAFT OF THE BASIC LAW, AND TO MAKE CONSTRUCTIVE COMMENTS ON IT.
"WE MUST REMEMBER THAT WE ARE NOW DEBATING ON MATTERS WHICH RE TRANSITIONAL TO A DATE IN 1997; BUT THE BASIC LAW WILL GOVERN US rOR 50 YEARS THEREAFTER.
"IN THIS, WE HAVE A GRAVE RESPONSIBILITY TOWARDS OUR NEXT GENERATION. WE SIMPLY CANNOT AFFORD TO REMAIN SILENT," HE SAID.
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/22
THURSDAY, MARCH 17,
1988
- 22 -
TRIBUTES PAID TO ATTORNEY GENERAL
*****
THE GOVERNOR, SIR DAVID WILSON, AND THE SENIOR MEMBER, THE HON LYDIA DUNN, PAID TRIBUTE TO THE OUTGOING ATTORNEY GENERAL, THE HON MICHAEL THOMAS, IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (THURSDAY).
IT WAS THE LAST SITTING OF THE COUNCIL TO BE ATTENDED BY MR THOMAS.
IN HIS VALEDICTORY SPEECH, SIR DAVID THANKED MR THOMAS FOR HIS OUTSTANDING CONTRIBUTION NOT ONLY TO THE WORK OF THE COUNCIL BUT ALSO TO THE PEOPLE OF HONG KONG.
"FEW WOULD DENY THAT THE FIVE YEARS SINCE THE ATTORNEY GENERAL JOINED THIS COUNCIL HAVE BEEN MOMENTOUS YEARS," HE SAID.
"NOT MANY WILL PERHAPS REALISE THE BURDEN THAT THEY HAVE PLACED ON HIM.
"IN PARTICULAR, HE MADE A SIGNIFICANT CONTRIBUTION TO THE NEGOTIATIONS WHICH RESULTED IN THE SINO-BRITISH JOINT DECLARATION.
"THIS REQUIRED INTENSIVE WORK BY DAY AND, OFTEN, BY NIGHT OVER TWO GRUELLING YEARS.
"THE FINAL SHAPE OF THAT DOCUMENT OWES MUCH TO HIS TIRELESS ENERGY, 1NCISTVENESS AND INTELLECTUAL STAMINA."
SIR DAVID SAID THE CONCLUSION OF THE JOINT DECLARATION SET IN TRAIN A FORMIDABLE PROGRAMME OF WORK IN PREPARATION FOR THE ESTABLISHMENT OF THE HONG KONG SPECIAL ADMINISTRATIVE REGION IN 1997.
AT ITS HEART, THIS PROGRAMME HAD INVOLVED IMPORTANT QUESTIONS OF LAW.
"IN ADDITION TO THE NORMAL DUTIES OF AN ATTORNEY GENERAL, MICHAEL THOMAS HAS PLAYED A PIVOTAL ROLE IN GUIDING THE WORK OF HIS DEPARTMENT AND IN EXPLAINING TO THIS COUNCIL WHAT HAS BEEN AND WHAT NEEDS TO BE DONE," HE SAID.
MR THOMAS HAD ALSO TAKEN A STRONG LEAD IN THE PROCESS OF MODERNISING AND REVISING HONG KONG’S LAWS.
/"WITH THE
THURSDAY, MARCH 17, 1988
- 23 -
’’WITH THE ACTIVE HELP OF MEMBERS OF THIS OFFICE HAS SEEN SUBSTANTIAL ADVANCES IN ALMOST INCLUDING COMMERCIAL, CRIMINAL AND FAMILY LAW,"
COUNCIL, HIS EVERY FIELD HE SAID.
TERM OF OF LAW,
’’WHERE HE BELIEVED THAT CHANGES WERE REQUIRED IN THE INTERESTS OF GOOD LAW AND OF THE COMMUNITY, HE HAS NEVER HESITATED TO PROPOSE THEM, HOWEVER DIFFICULT AND CONTROVERSIAL THE ISSUES MAY HAVE BEEN."
SIR DAVID ADDED THAT MR THOMAS HAD BROUGHT TO THE COUNCIL A STYLE AND A WIT WHICH WOULD BE GREATLY MISSED.
IN HER VALEDICTORY SPEECH, MISS DUNN PRAISED MR THOMAS FOR HIS TALENT AS A PUBLIC SPEAKER.
"1 HAVE NO NEED TO REMIND MEMBERS OF HIS ELOQUENCE AND QUICK-WITTEDNESS AND FAST FOOTWORK IN DEBATE AND AT QUESTION TIME -AND, NO DOUBT, SOME OF THESE QUALITIES HAVE STOOD HIM IN GOOD STEAD IN THE LAW COURTS AND BEFORE THE PRIVY COUNCIL," SHE SAID.
MEMBERS WOULD PARTICULARLY REMEMBER MR THOMAS FOR HIS "IMPORTANT AND FAR-SIGHTED INITIATIVES", SUCH AS THE BILINGUAL LAWS PROJECT AND HIS EFFORTS TO IMPROVE THE TRIAL OF COMPLEX COMMERCIAL CRIMES.
"WE SHALL ALSO REMEMBER THE NUMEROUS REFORMS HE MADE TO OUR LEGAL AND PENAL SYSTEM DURING HIS TERM OF OFFICE," SHE SAID.
SHE CITED SUCH EXAMPLES AS THE ABOLITION OF IMPRISONMENT OF CIVIL DEBTORS, THE REHABILITATION OF OFFENDERS ORDINANCE AND THE COMMUNITY SERVICE ORDERS.
SHE COMMENDED THE ATTORNEY GENERAL FOR HIS EFFORTS IN BRINGING HOME TO THE PEOPLE THE IMPORTANCE OF THE RULE OF LAW AND OF THEIR LEGAL SYSTEM AS A BULWARK OF THEIR FREEDOMS AND WAY OF LIFE.
MISS DUNN DESCRIBED MR THOMAS AS Bl ING "PATIENT, ATTENTIVE AND COURTEOUS" IN HIS CONTACTS WITH FEI LOW LFGUO MEMBERS.
"Will LI. HF HAS STATED II IS OWN VIEW' h I I'll CONVICTION, HE HAS ALWAYS SOUGHT TO RESPOND POSITIVELY TO OUR SUGGESTIONS AND RECOMMENDAT IONS , " Sill SA I I).
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/24........
THURSDAY, MARCH 17, 1988
24 -
DATA PROTECTION PRINCIPLES AND GUIDELINES ISSUED * * * * *
THE GOVERNMENT’S ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES AND INFORMATION BRANCH HAS ISSUED A GUIDANCE BOOKLET TO COMPUTER USERS ON THE HANDLING AND PROCESSING OF PERSONAL INFORMATION.
THE GUIDANCE RECOGNISES THE POTENTIAL DANGER TO PRIVACY WHICH COMPUTERS CAN POSE THROUGH THEIR ABILITY TO STORE AND CORRELATE VAST AMOUNTS OF PERSONAL INFORMATION.
THE ISSUE OF THE BOOKLET - "DATA PROTECTION PRINCIPLES AND GUIDELINES" - IS INTENDED TO PROMOTE GOOD DATA PROTECTION PRACTICE BY COMPUTER USERS IN THE PRIVATE SECTOR, GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS AND AGENCIES IN ADVANCE OF THE INTRODUCTION OF DATA PROTECTION LEGISLATION.
ORGANISATIONS AND INDIVIDUAL COMPUTER USERS ALREADY ACTING RESPONSIBLY IN THEIR HANDLING OF PERSONAL INFORMATION SHOULD HAVE NO DIFFICULTY IN FOLLOWING THE GUIDELINES WHICH AT THIS STAGE HAVE NO LEGISLATIVE BACKING: COMPUTER USERS ARE BEING INVITED TO COMPLY WITH THE GUIDELINES ON A VOLUNTARY BASIS.
IN ITS APPROACH TO DATA PROTECTION AND THE NEED FOR LEGISLATION, THE GOVERNMENT HAS DECLARED ITS ALERTNESS TO THE NEED TO STRIKE THE RIGHT BALANCE BETWEEN THOSE WHO MAKE USE OF PERSONAL INFORMATION IN THEIR EVERYDAY BUSINESS, THOSE WHO ARE THE SUBJECT OF THE INFORMATION AND THE COMMUNITY AT LARGE.
THE GUIDANCE BOOKLET LISTS NINE DATA PROTECTION A BASIS FOR GOOD DATA PROTECTION PRACTICE.
PR INC1PLES AS
THEY SPECIFY REQUIREMENTS FOR OPENNESS ABOUT DEVELOPMENTS, PRACTICES AND POLICIES RELATING TO PERSONAL INFORMATION OR DATA; THE NEED TO SPECIFY PURPOSES FOR WHICH DATA ARE COLLECTED AND USED; AND LIMITATIONS AS REGARDS COLLECTION, RETENTION AND DISCLOSURE OF PERSONAL DATA.
THEY ALSO SPECIFY THE NEED FOR RELEVANCE AND ACCURACY; ACCESSIBILITY BY THOSE WHO ARE THE SUBJECT OF THE DATA; AND THE NIED FOR SECURITY SAFEGUARDS TO PREVENT UNAUTHORISED ACCESS TO OR ACCIDENTAL LOSS OR DESTRUCTION OF DATA.
GUIDANCE IS GIVEN ON HOW ORGANISATIONS MIGHT GO ABOUT ENSURING THAT COMPLIANCE WITH THE PRINCIPLES IS SECURED.
FOR EXAMPLE, THE BOOKLET ADVOCATES INDIVIDUALS REQUIRED TO PROVIDE DATA ABOUT THEMSELVES BEING TOLD THE PURPOSES FOR WHICH THE DATA WILL BE USED AND TO WHOM SUCH DATA MAY' BE DISCLOSED; MORE SPECIFICALLY IT ADVOCATES CONSIDERATION BEING GIVEN TO DATA COLLECTION FORMS SETTING OUT THIS INFORMATION CONCISELY.
/IT ALSO
THURSDAY, MARCH 17, 19&?
- 25 '
IT ALSO RECOMMENDS THAT WITHIN AN ORGANISATION ACCESS TO PER I AL DATA SHOULD BE ON A "NEED TO KNOW" BASIS.
FREE BILINGUAL COPIES OF THE BOOKLET ARE BEING DISTRIBUTED TO ORGANISATIONS OPERATING MAJOR COMPUTER SYSTEMS IN HONG KONG, AND TO ORGANISATIONS CONSULTED IN THE ASSESSMENT OF DATA PROTECTION REQUIREMENTS IN THE PRIVATE SECTOR.
THE GUIDELINES HAVE ALSO BEEN ISSUED TO GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS AND AGENCIES REPLACING ADMINISTRATIVE GUIDELINES ORIGINALLY PROMULGATED IN 1985.
THE GOVERNMENT IS CURRENTLY EXAMINING DIFFERENT MODELS OF DATA PROTECTION LEGISLATION IN OTHER COUNTRIES WITH A VIEW TO IDENTIFYING WHAT MIGHT BE THE MOST APPROPRIATE FOR HONG KONG.
ENQUIRIES ON MATTERS RELATING TO THE PRINCIPLES AND GOOD PRACTICE OF DATA PROTECTION MAY BE MADE TO THE DEPARTMENTS AND GENERAL DIVISION OF THE ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES AND INFORMATION BRANCH AT ROOM 140, FIRST FLOOR, CENTRAL GOVERNMENT OFFICES, EAST WING, LOWER ALBERT ROAD, HONG KONG, (TEL. NO. 5-8102037).
-----0------
HK TO DO ITS BEST IN URUGUAY ROUND
*****
HONG KONG WILL BE DOING ITS BEST IN THE URUGUAY ROUND TO FIND A SATISFACTORY SOLUTION TO THE PROBLEM OF RESTRAINTS ON EXPORTS OF TEXTILES AND GARMENTS TO MOST DEVELOPED COUNTRIES UNDER THE UMBRELLA OF THE MULTI FIBRE ARRANGEMENT (MFA), THE SECRETARY FOR TRADE AND INDUSTRY, MR HAMISH MACLEOD, SAID TODAY (THURSDAY).
"IN THE URUGUAY ROUND, THE GENERAL AGREEMENT ON TARIFFS AND TRADE (GATT) IS LOOKING AGAIN AT HOW BEST TO LIBERALISE TRADE IN TEXTILES AND IN PARTICULAR HOW BEST TO IMPROVE THE EXISTING GATT RULES ON ’SAFEGUARD ACTION’ SO THAT THEY FORM A CREDIBLE ALTERNATIVE TO THE MFA," HE SAID.
SPEAKING AT A TEXTILE SEMINAR ORGANISED BY THE AMERICAN CHAMBER OF COMMERCE, MR MACLEOD SAID WHILE IT WAS TOO EARLY TO FORECAST WHETHER THESE EFFORTS WOULD SUCCEED, THE U.S. AND THE EUROPEAN ECONOMIC COMMUNITY WOULD PLAY A KEY ROLE, WHICH IN TURN WOULD BE INFLUENCED BY THEIR INTERNAL ECONOMIC AND POLITICAL SITUATIONS.
"AS THE ROUND IS SUPPOSED TO FINISH AROUND 1990 AND THE MFA EXPIRES IN 1991, IT REALLY DOES MATTER IN THE NEXT FEW YEARS HOW MUCH SUCCESS THE U.S. HAS IN TACKLING ITS TRADE AND BUDGET DEFICITS; HOW SUCCESSFUL THE EEC IS IN TACKLING THE EMPLOYMENT PROBLEM; WHO WINS ELECTIONS, AND SO ON."
> f/HR MACLEOD
THURSDAY, MARCH 17, 198-'
26 -
MR MACLEOD NOTED THAT TEXTILES, UNDER THE MFA, WAS EXCEPTION TO THE NORMAL GATT RULES AND THAT THE DOMESTIC U.S. AND EUROPEAN INDUSTRIES WERE SO PROTECTED THAT THEY HAD GOT USED TO THIS SITUATION.
"THEY HAVE IN THE PROCESS UNFORTUNATELY BECOME EXPERT AT INFLUENCING AND MANIPULATING LEGISLATORS, GOVERNMENTS, PUBLIC OPINION.
"AND SO WE CAN CONFIDENTLY PREDICT THAT THE U.S. TEXTILE LOBBY WILL NEVER GIVE UP. ALSO, THE EEC INDUSTRY IS GENERALLY CONTENT TO KEEP PROTECTION AS LONG AS POSSIBLE."
AS TO THE DANGER OF UNILATERAL LEGISLATION, HE SAID RISKS WOULD UNDOUBTEDLY CONTINUE, ADDING THAT EFFORTS WERE GENUINELY BEING MADE IN THE URUGUAY ROUND WHILE THE STOCK MARKET CRASH IN OCTOBER HAD A SOBERING EFFECT, UNDERLINING THE INTERDEPENDENCE OF ECONOMIES AND THE FRAGILITY OF THE SYSTEM.
MR MACLEOD HOWEVER SAID THE CONCLUSION TO BE DRAWN WAS NOT DEFEATISM.
”WE NEED TO CONTINUE TO DO ALL WE CAN TO ENSURE WE ARE QUICK AND FLEXIBLE, AND ABLE TO MAKE THE BEST OF A CRISIS SITUATION.
’’ONE SAVING GRACE OF THE PRESENT SYSTEM IS THAT BECAUSE RESTRAINTS ARE IN VOLUME TERMS, THERE IS AN IN-BUILT INCENTIVE TO UPGRADE THE PRODUCT. THIS TREND HAS BEEN VERY EVIDENT IN HONG KONG.”
ON THE GOVERNMENT'S PART, HE SAID IT WOULD CONTINUE TO PLACE A VERY HIGH PRIORITY ON DOING ALL IT COULD TO INFLUENCE EVENTS.
"WE HAVE A VERY GOOD STORY TO TELL. THE U.S. TEXTILE LOBBIES ARE UNDOUBTEDLY VERY STRONG, BUT THEY ARE NOT ALL-POWERFUL; THERE ARE FORCES OF RESTRAINT AND REASON ON THE OTHER SIDE.”
-----0------
TUNNEL BUS LANE AND TIDAL-FLOW SCHEME TO BE EXTENDED » ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦
THE EXISTING BUS-ONLY LANE ON THE KOWLOON-BOUND CARRIAGEWAY OF LION ROCK TUNNEL ROAD WILL BE EXTENDED FROM 7.30 AM ON MONDAY (MARCH 21) AS ONE OF THE MEASURES TO REDUCE BUS JOURNEY TIME ALONG THE TUNNEL CORRIDOR, THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCED TODAY (THURSDAY).
AT THE SAME TIME, FROM MONDAY TO MARCH 31, EXCEPT SATURDAY AND SUNDAY, THE TIDAL-FLOW ARRANGEMENT CARRIED OUT AT THE LION ROCK TUNNEL BETWEEN 6 AM AND 7.30 AM WILL BE EXTENDED BY 10 MINUTES TO END AT 7.40 AM.
/THE BUS
THURSDAY, MARCH 17, 1988
- 27 -
THE BUS LANE WILL BE EXTENDED TO INCLUDE THE KERBSIDE LANES OF CHE KUNG MIU ROAD SOUTHBOUND FROM CHUI TIN STREET TO HUNG MUI KUK ROAD, AND HUNG MUI KUK ROAD EASTBOUND FROM CHE KUNG MIU ROAD TO CHUNG PAK ROAD.
"HOWEVER, THE HUNG MUI KUK INTERCHANGE WILL NOT BE INCLUDED, PENDING THE COMPLETION OF ROAD WIDENING WORK SCHEDULED IN JUNE THIS YEAR," A SPOKESMAN FOR THE DEPARTMENT SAID.
"THE OPERATING HOURS OF THE BUS LANE WILL REMAIN THE SAME, FROM 7.30 AM TO 9 AM EXCEPT SUNDAYS AND PUBLIC HOLIDAYS," HE ADDED.
THE BUS LANE WAS INTRODUCED IN MAY LAST YEAR ON THE KOWLOON-BOUND CARRIAGEWAY OF THE LION ROCK TUNNEL ROAD BETWEEN THE TUNNEL'S TOLL PLAZA AND WORLD-WIDE GARDENS.
"THE NEW EXTENSION AIMS AT FURTHER IMPROVING THE OPERATION OF BUSES TRAVELLING VIA THE LION ROCK TUNNEL TO KOWLOON," THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
"SURVEYS CONDUCTED BY THE DEPARTMENT SHOW THAT DURING PEAK HOURS, OVER 300 BUSES MAKE USE OF THE EXISTING BUS LANE EACH HOUR, AND THEIR JOURNEY TIME HAS BEEN REDUCED BY ABOUT 1.5 MINUTES.
"IT IS ESTIMATED THAT THE TWO NEW SECTIONS OF BUS LANES WILL BRING ABOUT A FURTHER REDUCTION OF THREE TO FOUR MINUTES IN BUS JOURNEY TIME."
THE EXTENSION OF THE TIDAL-FLOW ARRANGEMENT WILL BE ON A TRIAL BASIS, WITH THE PURPOSE OF EVALUATING ITS IMPACT ON TRAFFIC CONDITIONS ON THE TUNNEL APPROACH ROADS IN BOTH SHA TIN AND KOWLOON.
DURING THE TRIAL, SPECIAL TRAFFIC MEASURES WILL BE ADOPTED BETWEEN 7.15 AM AND 7.50 AM AT THE JUNCTION OF WATERLOO ROAD NORTHBOUND WITH THE SLIP ROAD LEADING FROM LUNG CHEUNG ROAD WESTBOUND.
IN THE FIRST WEEK, FROM MARCH 21 TO 25, TRAFFIC CONES WILL BE PLACED ON THE NORTHBOUND CARRIAGEWAY OF WATERLOO ROAD TO GIVE VEHICLES COMING FROM LUNG CHEUNG ROAD WESTBOUND AN EXCLUSIVE LANE.
IN THE SECOND WEEK, FROM MARCH 28 TO 31, TRAFFIC LIGHTS WHICH HAVE BEEN ERECTED AT THAT JUNCTION WILL START TO OPERATE, THUS IMPROVING THE FLOW OF VEHICLES FROM LUNG CHEUNG ROAD.
"THE EFFECTIVENESS OF THESE TWO METHODS IN IMPROVING TRAFFIC FLOW AT THAT JUNCTION WILL BE EVALUATED," THE SPOKESMAN ADDED.
HE ALSO POINTED OUT THAT A NEW 550-METRE STRETCH OF LANE MARKING WILL BE INTRODUCED PERMANENTLY ON LUNG CHEUNG ROAD WESTBOUND EAST OF THE WATERLOO ROAD FLYOVER TO PREVENT VEHICLES FROM THE OUTER LANE JUMPING THE QUEUE INTO THE WATERLOO ROAD SLIP ROAD.
"AS A RESULT, VEHICLES ON THE OUTER LANE WILL BE PROHIBITED FROM CUTTING INTO THE CENTRAL LANE, THUS ENSURING SMOOTHER TRAFFIC FLOW," HE EXPLAINED.
- - 0 - -
/28........
THURSDAY, MARCH 17, 1988
- 28 -
SALE OF FIVE GOVERNMENT PROPERTIES FETCHED $1.8M
* » « » *
THE SALE OF FIVE GOVERNMENT PROPERTIES AT A PUBLIC AUCTION BY THE BUILDINGS AND LANDS DEPARTMENT TODAY (THURSDAY) FETCHED A TOTAL OF $1,817 MILLION IN PREMIUM.
THE PROPERTIES ARE FIVE RESIDENTIAL PREMISES IN KOWLOON.
THE FIRST ONE IS SITUATED AT 20 WAN ON STREET, SECOND FLOOR, WITH AN AREA OF ABOUT 41.9 SQUARE METRES.
BIDDING OPENED AT $140,000 AND THE PROPERTY WAS BOUGHT BY MR YU YAT-CHEUNG FOR $271,000.
THE SECOND ONE IS AT 103 TAI NAN STREET, SECOND FLOOR, FRONT, WITH AN AREA OF ABOUT 60.9 SQUARE METRES.
BIDDING STARTED AT $220,000 AND THE PROPERTY WAS SOLD TO MR WONG KIN-KEE FOR $483,000.
THE THIRD ONE IS AT 135 TAI NAN STREET, THIRD FLOOR, WITH AN AREA OF ABOUT 52.6 SQUARE METRES.
BIDDING OPENED AT $145,000 AND THE PROPERTY WAS BOUGHT BY MADAM CHAN WAI-FONG AND MADAM CHING PO-CHUN FOR $313,000.
THE FOURTH ONE IS AT 137 TAI NAN STREET, FIRST FLOOR, WITH AN AREA OF ABOUT 52.6 SQUARE METRES.
BIDDING STARTED AT $170,000 AND PROPERTY WAS SOLD TO MR LAM KIN-TONG FOR $430,000.
THE FIFTH ONE IS AT 137 TAI NAN STREET, THIRD FLOOR, WITH AN AREA OF ABOUT 52.6 SQUARE METRES.
BIDDING OPENED AT $145,000 AND THE PROPERTY WAS BOUGHT BY MADAM TANG KWAI-KING FOR $320,000.
THE AUCTION, HELD AT THE HALL OF HENRY G. LEONG YAU MA TEI COMMUNITY CENTRE, WAS CONDUCTED BY CHIEF ESTATE SURVEYOR, MR DAVID PANNACH.
THURSDAY, MARCH 17, 1988
- 29 -
WORK ON NEW POLICE HEADQUARTERS BEGINS
» * » »
THE "HOLE IN THE GROUND" AT THE NEW POLICE HEADQUARTERS DEVELOPMENT SITE IN ARSENAL YARD, WAN CHAI, HAS DISAPPEARED AND WORK BEGUN ON THE SUPERSTRUCTURE OF THE $200 MILLION SIX FLOOR PHASE ONE HEADQUARTERS BUILDING.
ALMOST 35,000 SQUARE METRES OF FLOOR AREA WILL BE PROVIDED BY THE NEW BUILDING WHICH WILL FORM THE HUB OF THE MASSIVE THREE PHASE COMPLEX.
AMER THE COMPLETION OF THE FIRST PHASE, TWO TOWER BLOCKS EACH OF BETWEEN 30 AND 35 STOREYS WILL BE ERECTED AT THE SITE. THE ENTIRE PROJECT IS DUE FOR COMPLETION IN LATE 1992.
THE FIRST PHASE NOW "OFF THE GROUND" IN ARSENAL YARD L HOUSE POLM1L HEADQUARTERS, HONG KONG ISLAND REGIONAL COMMAND AN» CONTROL CENTRE, THE COMPUTER SUITE, THE EXPLOSIVE ORDANCE DISPO9A' UNIT, TWO INDOOR SHOOTING RANGES, FITNESS TRAINING FAC1LITI IS, COMMUNICATIONS BRANCH WORKSHOP, PARKING AND VEHICLE SERVICi FACILITIES AND A ROOFTOP PARADE GROUND.
MR AL PHILIP, CHIEF STAFF OFFICER, IN PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT BRANCH, SAID: "THE HOLE IN THE GROUND HAS DISAPPEARED AND THE BASEMENT IS COMPLETE TO HOUSE ALL SERVICES REQUIRED FOR THE TOTAL COMPLEX.
"WE HAVE LAID THE BASIS FOR WHAT WILL BE HEADQUARTERS OF THE FUTURE."
THE POLICE
CONTRACT COMPLETION OF PHASE ONE IS DUE IN JULY 1989.
IN OCTOBER THIS YEAR WORK WILL BE UNDERWAY IN IDENTIFYING THE TOTAL REQUIREMENTS FOR THE COMMENCEMENT OF WORK ON PHASE TWO, WHICH WILL BE AN OFFICE BLOCK AND ALSO ACCOMMODATE CID AND SPECIAL BRANCH.
"WE EXPECT FUNDING TO BE MADE AVAILABLE FOR THE SECOND PHASE IN THE FINANCIAL YEAR 1989/90," MR PHILIP SAID.
THE THIRD PHASE, WHICH WILL BE KNOWN AS THE COMMISSIONER OF POLICE’S BLOCK, WILL INCLUDE HEADQUARTERS DEPARTMENTS AND ALL UNITS NOW OCCUPYING LEASED ACCOMMODATION OUTSIDE HEADQUARTERS.
/"IT WILL
THURSDAY, MARCH 17, 1988
- 30 -
"XT WILL ENABLE A COMPLETE CENTRALISATION OF THE FORCE WITHIN THE COMPLEX," MR PHILIP ADDED.
THE EXISTING MAY HOUSE BUILDING WILL BECOME HONG KONG ISLAND REGIONAL HEADQUARTERS, SUBJECT TO LONG TERM PLANNING.
THE FUTURE OF CAINE HOUSE IS UNDETERMINED IN TERMS OF ITS CONTINUED USE.
MR PHILIP EMPHASISED THAT THE NEW COMPLEX WOULD CONTAIN FULL RECREATION, MESS AND OTHER NECESSARY FACILITIES, INCLUDING IMPROVED SHOWER AND FITNESS REQUIREMENTS.
"THE DEVELOPMENT TEAM IS FULLY AWARE OF FORCE ASPIRATIONS FOR THE RECREATIONAL ASPECTS OF THE BUILDING AND EVERY EFFORT IS BEING MADE TO PROVIDE EQUIPMENT AND FACILITIES OF THE HIGHEST STANDARD AVAILABLE."
------o ------
EPD SETS UP ADVISORY TEAMS
♦ * * * *
Till ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION DEPARTMENT (EPD) HAS SET UP EIGHT ADVISORY TEAMS TO VISIT FARMS IN THE STAGE I LIVESTOCK WASTE CONTROL AREAS TO PROVIDE TECHNICAL ADVICE ON LIVESTOCK WASTE MANAGEMENT.
THE ADVISORY TEAMS WILL ASSESS INDIVIDUAL FARMS AND ADVISE ON LIVESTOCK WASTE TREATMENT METHODS. THIS IS TO HELP FARMERS WHO INTEND TO CONTINUE LIVESTOCK KEEPING ACTIVITIES.
STAGE I OF THE LIVESTOCK WASTE CONTROL AREAS COVERS THE TOLO HARBOUR AND CHANNEL AREA, AND THE HINTERLANDS OF MUI WO AND ANGLER’S BEACH.
TO HELP LIVESTOCK FARMERS ACQUIRE SUITABLE EQUIPMENT FOR THE WASTE TREATMENT SYSTEMS, THE EPD WILL PREPARE A LIST OF POTENTIAL SUPPLIERS.
MEANWHILE, ANY FIRM WHICH SUPPLIES EQUIPMENT OR MATERIALS FOR LIVESTOCK WASTE TREATMENT AND WISHES TO HAVE ITS NAME INCLUDED ON THE LIST CAN WRITE TO THE DIRECTOR OF ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION, 17TH FLOOR, SINCERE BUILDING, 173 DES VOEUX ROAD CENTRAL. .
SUITABLE ITEMS INCLUDE WATER PUMPS, SLUDGE PUMPS, AERATORS, MECHANICAL SCREENS, ELECTRICAL CONTROL PANELS, SOAKAWAY PIPES, SLATTED FLOORING, BACTERIAL PRODUCTS FOR COMPOSTING METHODS AND OTHER BUILDING MATERIAL.
ENQUIRIES CONCERNING EQUIPMENT CAN BE DIRECTED TO MR MICHAEL WU, SENIOR ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION OFFICER, ON 3-7332291.
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/31.........
THURSDAY, MARCH 1?, 1988
- 31 -
DECLINE IN VICE ACTIVITIES IN MONG KOK * t * »
SHOCK TACTICS AND CUT THE DISTRICT’S THREE
STRONG ACTION BY MONG KOK CRIME FIGHTERS HAS MAJOR VICE ACTIVITIES BY HALF WITHIN A YEAR.
THE 12 MONTHS TO THE END OF FEBRUARY THIS YEAR MARKED A SIGNIFICANT DECLINE IN FISHBALL STALLS, UNLICENSED MASSAGE ESTABLISHMENTS AND PORNOGRAPHIC VIDEO CENTRES.
BUT VICE STILL FLOURISHES IN ONE WOMAN BROTHELS, APARTMENT HOUSES, LADY BARBER SHOPS, ESCORT COMPANIES AND DANCE HALLS.
CHIEF INSPECTOR LEUNG LAU-ON, POLICE MONG KOK DISTRICT OPERATIONS OFFICER, SAID "WE ARE PUTTING A STRONG EFFORT INTO THE FIGHT AGAINST CRIME INVOLVING WOMEN AND JUVENILES.
"DURING 1987 WE LAUNCHED OVER 6,000 RAIDS WHICH RESULTED IN 1,601 PERSONS BEING CHARGED, 148 UNDERAGED GIRLS BEING LOCATED AND 109 FOREIGN PROSTITUES BEING DISCOVERED. 4
"WE IDENTIFIED 639 ILLEGAL PREMISES AND DISMANTLED 1,654 SIGNBOARDS ADVERTISING PROSTITUTION."
BETWEEN NOVEMBER LAST YEAR AND THE END OF JANUARY THIS YEAR MONG KOK POLICE LOCATED 77 FOREIGN PROSTITUTES, MOSTLY FROM MALAYSIA, THAILAND AND THE PHILIPPINES. AND IN THE FEVERISH APPROACH OF THE LUNAR NEW YEAR A TOTAL OF 122 PROSTITUTES WERE ARRESTED IN FEBRUARY ALONE.
THE SUCCESSFUL ELIMINATION OF VICE ESTABLISHMENTS FOLLOWED THE STEPPING UP OF WOMAN AND JUVENILE RAIDS FROM 30 TO 70 A DAY, SAID MR LEUNG.
"BY DOING SO, WE HAVE LOCATED MORE UNDERAGED GIRLS, MORE PROSTITUTES AND DISCOURAGED MORE CUSTOMERS. THE REMOVAL OF VICE SIGHBOARDS SERVED AS A GREAT DETERRENT AND THE FREQUENT PRESENCE OF POLICE ALSO BROUGHT RESULTS."
ON FIGHTING DANGEROUS DRUGS TRAFFICKING, MR LEUNG SAID: "THE COMMON DRUGS HERE ARE NUMBER THREE HEROIN AND MANDRAX. LAST YEAH WE SEIZED OVER 4,600 GRAMS OF HEROIN AND PROSECUTED 413 PERSONS.
/"THE DRUG .......
THURSDAY, MARCH 17t 1988
- 52 -
’’THE DRUG TRAFFICKING ACTIVITIES ARE MOSTLY IN PARKS AND UNDER FLYOVERS. BESIDES KEEPING AN EYE ON THOSE PLACES, WE ALSO LIAISE WITH STAFF OF THE LI PO CHUN METHADONE CLINIC IN THE DISTRICT.”
ON THE GAMBLING FRONT, MONG KOK OFFICERS RAIDED 38 GAMBLING ESTABLISHMENTS INCLUDING 11 BOOK-MAKING OFFICES LAST YEAR. BETWEEN JANUARY AND FEBRUARY THIS YEAR, SEVEN GAMBLING ESTABLISHMENTS WERE RAIDED.
"THOSE ESTABLISHMENTS ARE OFTEN OPERATED AT NIGHT WITH FAMILIAR CUSTOMERS. OPERATORS FREQUENTLY CHANGE THEIR LOCATIONS TO AVOID ARRESTS. SO WE RELY ON INFORMATION PROVIDED AND OUR KEEN OBSERVATION IN CRACKING DOWN ON GAMBLING ACTIVITIES.”
TACKLING THE DIFFICULT VICE PROBLEMS IN MONG KOK ARE 54 OFFICERS IN FIVE SPECIAL DUTIES SQUAD UNDER THE COMMAND OF CHIEF INSPECTOR LEUNG. ON AVERAGE THEY ALL WORK OVER 12 HOURS A DAY.
"THEY ARE ALL WORKING UNDER EXTREME PRESSURE, ” SAID MR LEUNG.
"I CAN FEEL IT MYSELF. 1 HAVE LOST 20 POUNDS IN WEIGHT DURING THE PAST FOUR MONTHS.”
- 0----------
OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH EXHIBITION OPENS TOMORROW * * * * *
VISITORS TO THE OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH EXHIBITION TO BE OPENED TOMORROW (FRIDAY) AT THE CITYPLAZA, TAIKOO SHING, CAN HAVE THEIR LUNGS EXAMINED FREE.
THIS IS PART OF A RANGE OF PROGRAMMES DURING THE WEEK-LONG EXHIBITION ORGANISED BY THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT TO ENHANCE PUBLIC AWARENESS OF HEALTH AND SAFETY AT WORK.
THROUGH DISPLAYS AND AUDIO-VISUAL PRESENTATIONS, MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC WILL BE ABLE TO GET A BETTER PICTURE OF THE NINE MOST COMMON OCCUPATIONAL HAZARDS AND DISEASES ASSOCIATED WITH INDUSTRY IN HONG KONG.
STAFF OF THE DEPARTMENT’S OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH DIVISION WILL DEMONSTRATE THE USE OF VARIOUS ADVANCED EQUIPMENTS IN CHECKING THE LEVEL OF HEALTH HAZARDS IN DIFFERENT WORK ENVIRONMENT.
VOLUNTEERS FROM THE HONG KONG RED CROSS WILL ALSO DEMONSTRATE THEIR FIRST All) SKILLS LN DEALING WITH INDUSTRIAL ACCIDENTS.
/THE EXHIBITION
THURSDAY, MARCH 17, 1988
- 33 -
THE EXHIBITION WILL BE OPENED BY AN EXECUTIVE AND LEGISLATIVE COUNCILLOR, DR CHIU HIN-KWONG; THE SECRETARY FOR EDUCATION AND MANPOWER, MR RON BRIDGE; THE DEPUTY DIRECTOR OF MEDICAL AND HEALTH SERVICES, DR S.H. LEE; AND THE COMMISSIONER FOR LABOUR, MR TONY HAMMOND, AT 3 PM AT THE CENTRE BRIDGE, SECOND FLOOR, CITYPLAZA.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE OPENING CEREMONY TOMORROW (FRIDAY).
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TATE’S CAIRN TUNNEL WORKING GROUP MEETS TOMORROW * » » * t
MEMBERS OF THE WONG TAI SIN DISTRICT BOARD'S WORKING GROUP ON THE TATE’S CAIRN TUNNEL WILL MEET TOMORROW (FRIDAY) TO DISCUSS THE RATES OF EX-GRATIA ALLOWANCE FOR COMMERCIAL OPERATORS IN THE AREA AND AN ASSESSMENT ON THE ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT OF THE CONSTRUCTION OF THE TUNNEL.
THE RESPONSE OF THE LANDS AND WORKS BRANCH TO SUGGESTIONS MADE BY THE WORKING GROUP AT AN EARLIER MEETING WILL BE MADE KNOWN TO MEMBERS.
THEY WILL ALSO CONSIDER A PROPOSAL TO RELOCATE THE EXISTING CHOI HUNG BUS TERMINUS TO MAKE WAY FOR CONSTRUCTION OF TUNNEL APPROACH ROADS.
A PROGRESS REPORT ON THE TUNNEL CLEARANCE WILL BE DISCUSSED.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE MEETING OF THE WONG TAI SIN DISTRICT BOARD’S WORKING GROUP ON TATE'S CAIRN TUNNEL TO BE HELD TOMORROW (FRIDAY) IN THE CONFERENCE ROOM OF THE WONG TAI SIN DISTRICT OFFICE, FOURTH FLOOR, SAN PO KONG GOVERNMENT OFFICES BUILDING, KING FUK STREET, SAN PO KONG. THE MEETING WILL BEGIN AT 2.30 PM.
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/3*........
THURSDAY, MARCH 17, 1988
- -
FEAST FOR ELDERLY IN NORTH DISTRICT ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦
ABOUT 1,200 ELDERLY RESIDENTS OF NORTH DISTRICT, ALL AGED ABOUT 65, WILL BE TREATED TO A FEAST TOMORROW (FRIDAY) AFTERNOON.
SPONSORED BY THE NORTH DISTRICT BOARD, THE FEAST IS ORGANISED BY THE DISTRICT’S CO-ORDINATING COMMITTEE FOR ELDERLY ACTIVITIES AS A TOKEN OF RESPECT TO SENIOR RESIDENTS IN THE DISTRICT.
THE PROMGRAMME WILL INCLUDE CANTONESE OPERA AND SONGS AS WELL AS A LUCKY DRAW. GIFTS WILL BE DISTRIBUTED TO ALL PARTICIPANTS.
AMONG THOSE OFFICIATING AT THE OPENING CEREMONY WILL BE THE NORTH DISTRICT OFFICER, MR MATTHEW CHEUNG; DISTRICT BOARD CHAIRMAN, MR RAYMOND PANG; FRONTIER POLICE DISTRICT COMMANDER, MR MICHAEL WATSON; AND THE DISTRICT SOCIAL WELFARE OFFICER, MR STEPHEN CHAU.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE FEAST FOR THE ELDERLY TO BE HELD TOMORROW (FRIDAY) AT 4 PM IN THE CHOI WAH PALACE RESTAURANT, CHEUNG WAH ESTATE, FANL1NG.
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BOE MEMBERS VISIT PREVOCATIONAL SCHOOL ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦
THE CHAIRMAN AND EIGHT MEMBERS OF THE BOARD OF EDUCATION (BOE) TODAY (THURSDAY) VISITED A PREVOCATIONAL SCHOOL TO SEE HOW IT PREPARES STUDENTS FOR CRAFT APPRENTICESHIP AND TECHNICIAN COURSES IN THE TECHNICAL INSTITUTES OR POLYTECHNICS.
TAKING PART IN THE VISIT TO THE CHURCH OF CHRIST IN CHINA (CCC) ROTARY PREVOCATIONAL SCHOOL AT LUNG CHEUNG ROAD WERE MRS RITA FAN, MR CHAN YING-LUN, MISS BOW SUI-MAY, PROFESSOR BRIAN COOKE, DR JOHN T.S. CHEN, MR TIMOTHY HA, PROFESSOR TAM SHANG-WAI, MR ANDREW SO KWOK-WING AND MR DOMINIC WONG.
ACCOMPANYING THEM WERE THE SENIOR EDUCATION OFFICER (SCHOOL) OF THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT, MR K.S. TSE, AND BOE SECRETARY, MISS ROSE LAU.
THE CCC ROTARY PREVOCATIONAL SCHOOL, WHICH CAME INTO OPERATION IN 1972, IS THE LARGEST OF THE EXISTING 18 PREVOCATIONAL SCHOOLS IN HONG KONG.
/IT IS
THURSDAY, MARCH 17, 1988
- 55 -
IT IS VERY POPULAR IN THE WONG TAI SIN DISTRICT AND HAD RECEIVED MORE THAN 2,000 APPLICATIONS FROM PRIMARY SIX PUPILS FOR ITS 340 SECONDARY ONE PLACES IN THE 1987-88 SCHOOL YEAR.
IN HIS BRIEFING, THE SCHOOL PRINCIPAL MR KWOK HIN-WAH TOLD THE VISITORS THAT THE SCHOOL PROVIDED A 10 PER CENT TECHNICAL CURRICULUM FOR SECONDARY ONE TO THREE AND A 30 PER CENT TECHNICAL CURRICULUM FOR SECONDARY FOUR TO FIVE.
THE TECHNICAL SUBJECTS BEING OFFERED ARE PRINTING, FASHION AND CLOTHING, ACCOMMODATION AND CATERING SERVICES, RETAILING AND COMMERCIAL KNOWLEDGE.
THE SCHOOL HAS 20 CLASSROOMS, 11 WORKSHOPS AND NINE SPECIAL ROOMS. IT HAS AN ENROLMENT OF 1,160 STUDENTS.
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SPEEDPOST SERVICE EXTENDS TO DJIBOUTI » * » » »
THE SPEEDPOST SERVICE WILL BE EXTENDED TO DJIBOUTI FROM MONDAY, MARCH 21, A SPOKESMAN FOR THE POST OFFICE ANNOUNCED TODAY (THURSDAY).
THIS WILL BRING TO 55 THE NUMBER OF COUNTRIES INCLUDED IN THE SPEEDPOST NETWORK SERVED FROM HONG KONG.
SPEEDPOST ITEMS WILL BE ACCEPTED FOR TRANSMISSION TO DJIBOUTI (THE CAPITAL), AL1 SAB1EH, DIKH1L, OBOCK AND TADJOURAH IN DJ1 BOU 11.
"SPEEDPOST ITEMS POSTED ON MONDAY, WEDNESDAY AND FRIDAY WILL BE DELIVERED ON THE THIRD WORKING DAY WHILE THOSE POSTED ON TUESDAY AND SATURDAY WILL BE DELIVERED ON THE SECOND WORKING DAY," THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
"ITEMS POSTED ON THURSDAY WILL BE DELIVERED ON THE FOURTH WORKING DAY AFTER POSTING."
THE MAXIMUM WEIGHT LIMIT IS 20 KG AND THERE WILL BI- A FREE PICK UP SERVICE Bl THE POST OFFICE FROM CUSTOMER’S PREMISES. IHE POSTAGE RATES ARE AS FOLLOWS:
ITEMS WEIGHING UNDER 250 G $ 1
ITEMS WEIGHING BETWEEN 250 G AND 500 G $135
EACH SUBSEQUENT ADDITIONAL 500 G 545
"THE SPEEDPOST SERVICE IS A FAST AND RELIABLE MEANS FOR FORWARDING DOCUMENTS, SAMPLES AND MERCHANDISE OVERSEAS," THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
INFORMATION ABOUT THE SPEEDPOST SERVICE TO DJIBOUTI AND THE SPEEDPOST SERVICE IN GENERAI CAN BE OBTAINED FROM THE POSTAL SERVICES REPRESENTATIVES ON 5-8683868.
/56......
- - 0 -
THURSDAY, MARCH 17, 1988
- 56 -
JOCKEY CLUB MUSIC FUND INVITES APPLICATIONS *****
REGISTERED NON-PROFIT MAKING ORGANISATIONS CAN NOW APPLY FOR GRANTS FROM THE HONG KONG JOCKEY CLUB MUSIC FUND FOR THE YEAR 1988-89 WHICH ARE PRIMARILY FOR EDUCATION AND TRAINING IN THE FIELDS OF MUSIC, DANCE AND OTHER ASSOCIATED ACTIVITIES.
IN THE PAST FEW YEARS, GRANTS WERE MADE TO SCHOOLS, AND MUSIC AND DANCE ORGANISATIONS FOR THE PURCHASE OF MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS, DANCE EQUIPMENT, MUSIC SCORES AND PARTS, PAYMENT OF INSTRUCTORS’ FEES, AS WELL AS EXPENDITURES IN ORGANISING CONCERTS, MUSIC CAMPS AND DANCE WORKSHOPS.
GRANTS MAY ALSO BE PROVIDED FOR OTHER ACTIVITIES WHICH CONFORM WITH THE OVERALL EDUCATIONAL AIMS OF THE FUND.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE MUSIC FUND SAID A TOTAL OF $1.12 MILLION WERE GRANTED IN 1987-88, BENEF1TT1NG 138 SCHOOLS AND ORGANISATIONS.
APPLICATION FORMS AND INFORMATION PAMPHLETS ARE NOW AVAILABLE AT THE HONG KONG JOCKEY CLUB MUSIC FUND SECRETARIAT ON THE 25TH FLOOR OF WAN CHAI TOWER I, 12 HARBOUR ROAD, WAN CHAI, HONG KONG; AND AT THE MUSIC CENTRES OF THE MUSIC OFFICE.
THE DEADLINE FOR APPLICATIONS IS APRIL 22. FURTHER ENQUIRIES CAN BE MADE ON 5-8235343.
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TWO GOVERNMENT SITES TO LET BY TENDER
*****
TWO SITES, ONE IN KOWLOON AND ONE IN THE NEW TERRITORIES, ARE TO BE LET BY TENDER ON SHORT TERM TENANCY BY THE BUILDINGS AND LANDS DEPARTMENT.
THE FIRST SITE AT PO KONG VILLAGE ROAD, KOWLOON, MEASURING ABOUT 2,340 SQUARE METRES, IS FOR STORAGE OF GOODS, VEHICLES, CONSTRUCTION EQUIPMENT AND MATERIALS BUT NOT FOR CONCRETE/ASPHALT BATCHING.
THE TENANCY IS FOR THREE YEARS, RENEWABLE QUARTERLY THEREAFTER.
THE CLOSING DATE FOR SUBMITTING TENDERS IS NOON ON MARCH 31.
THE OTHER SITE NEAR PLOVER COVE ROAD, AREA 1, TAI PO MARKET, WITH AN AREA OF ABOUT 7,500 SQUARE METRES, IS FOR A FEE-PAYING PUBLIC CAR PARK FOR THE PARKING OF MOTOR VEHICLES, EXCLUDING CONTAINER TRACTORS AND TRAILERS.
THE TENANCY IS FOR ONE YEAR, RENEWABLE QUARTERLY AFTERWARDS.
THE CLOSING DATE FOR ACCEPTANCE OF TENDERS IS NOON ON APRIL 15.
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/37........
THURSDAY, MARCH 17, 1988
- 37 -
ILLEGAL STRUCTURES FACE DEMOLITION * * * *
THE BUILDING AUTHORITY IS SEEKING CLOSURE OF TWO ILLEGAL STRUCTURES IN A BUILDING AT 172 ELECTRIC ROAD, CAUSEWAY BAY, SO THAT DEMOLITION CAN BE CARRIED OUT WITHOUT CAUSING DANGER TO THE OCCUPIERS OR MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC.
THE STRUCTURES ARE ON THE ROOFS ADJACENT TO FLAT 6, 15TH FLOOR, BLOCK B OF THE BUILDING.
A NOTICE OF INTENTION TO APPLY FOR A CLOSURE ORDER IN THE HONG KONG DISTRICT COURT AT 9.30 AM ON APRIL 7 WAS POSTED ON A CONSPICUOUS PART OF THE STRUCTURES TODAY (THURSDAY).
THE CLOSURE IS PART OF AN EXERCISE TO ENFORCE THE ORDER ISSUED UNDER THE BUILDINGS ORDINANCE IN DECEMBER 1985 REQUIRING DEMOLITION OF THE STRUCTURES.
DEMOLITION WORK WILL BE CARRIED OUT IMMEDIATELY AFTER THE CLOSURE ORDER IS OBTAINED.
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JAVA ROAD PLB RESTRICTED ZONES RESCINDED ♦ t t t *
THE EXISTING PUBLIC LIGHT BUS RESTRICTED ZONES (FROM 7 AM TO MIDNIGHT DAILY) ON TWO SECTIONS OF JAVA ROAD WILL BE TEMPORARILY RESCINDED FROM 10 AM ON SATURDAY (MARCH 19).
THE RELAXATION WILL LAST FOR ABOUT SIX MONTHS TO FACILITATE ROAD WORKS.
THE TWO RESTRICTED ZONES ARE:
* THE NORTHERN KERBSIDE LANE CF JAVA ROAD FROM A POINT ABOUT 55 METRES EAST OF ITS JUNCTION WITH TIN CHIU STREET TO A POINT ABOUT 108 METRES EAST OF THAT JUNCTION; AND
* THE SOUTHERN KERBSIDE LANE OF JAVA ROAD FROM A POINT ABOUT 35 METRES EAST OF ITS JUNCTION WITH TIN CHIU STREET TO A POINT ABOUT 108 METRES EAST OF THAT JUNCTION.
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/38........
THURSDAY, MARCH 17, 1988
TEMPORARY CLOSURE AT HO MAN TIN HILL ROAD ♦ ♦ ♦ * ♦
SECTION OF HO MAN.TIN HILL ROAD ABOUT 60 METRES LONG NEAR
A SECTION OF HO MAN TIN HILL kuau advui uv
HOUSE NO. 23 HAS BEEN CLOSED TO TRAFFIC FOR BOTH DIRECTIONS DUE TO A WATER MAIN BURST EARLIER TODAY (THURSDAY).
THE ROAD CLOSURE WILL BE IN FORCE FOR ABOUT ONE WEEK TO FACILITATE EMERGENCY REPAIR WORKS.
- - 0 - -
WATER CUT IN TAI KOK TSUI ♦ ♦ ♦ t t
FRESH WATER SUPPLY TO CERTAIN PREMISES IN TAI KOK TSUI WILL BE TURNED OFF FROM 8 PM ON MONDAY (MARCH 21) TO 8 AM THE FOLLOWING DAY FOR WATER MAINS WORK.
THE AREA AFFECTED IS BOUNDED BY CHERRY STREET, TONG MEI ROAD, LAI CHI KOK ROAD, YEE KUK STREET, K1U KIANG STREET AND THE SEAFRONT.
0 - -
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE. HONG KONG. TEL: 5-8428777
FRIDAY, MARCH 18, 1^88
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
GOVERNOR DEPARTS FOR VISIT TO LONDON ........................ 1
COMMITTEE ON SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY SET UP................... 2
OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH ACCORDED HIGH PRIORITY .................. 3
TAC MEMBERS APPOINTED........................................
MARINE FISH MARKETING LAW COMES INTO FORCE................... 6
GOVERNMENT HOUSE GARDENS OPEN TO PUBLIC ..................... 7
LAND COMMISSION TO MEET...................................... ■ 7
NAMES OF SUCCESSFUL DB CANDIDATES GAZETTED .................. 8
YAU MA TEI DISTRICT RENAMED.................................. 8
BILL SEEKS TO AVOID COURT TRANSLATION DELAYS ................ 9
PROPRIETORS PEMTNDED GF CONSEQUENCES OF TAX EVASION.......... 10
EMPLOYMENT SE..UICF FOR SOCIALLY HANDICAPPED WORKING SMOOTHLY 10 ULTRA-MODERN MUNICIPAL COMPLEX FOR RESIDENTS OF WESTERN
........................................................... 12
PLEA FOR PRECAUTIONS IN SCHOOL SPORTS MEETS ................. 12
PUBLIC URGED TO REPORT DANGEROUS fiD SIGNS .................. 13
INCREASES IN ANIMAL LICENCE FEIS ANNOUNCED................... 1^
JANUARY ORDERS-O1'-HAND, EMPLOYMENT. PAYROLL FIGURES RELEASED 17
LONG SERVICE MEDALS TOR Ij “7LT-EN........................... 21
PAST AND PRESENT OF CUSTOMS SERVICE.......................... 21
TRAFFIC, TRANSPORT ARRANGEMENTS FOR CHING MING FESTIVAL ..... 2J
SERVICES FOB ELD7TLY NOR'TI DISTRICT......................... 25
SPORTS WINNERS TO GET THEIR PRIZES .......................... 26
GOOD CITIZENS HONOURED IN TSUjN WAN ......................... 27
KEEP CLEAN CAMPAIGN PRIZE PRESENTATION ...................... 28
EIGHTY TO RECEIVE BUILDING MANAGEMENT CERTIFICATES .......... 28
OPERATION HOURS OF PARKING METERS SHORTENED.................. 29
TEMPORARY RESTRICTIONS IN NORTH POINT AND SHEUNG WAN......... 30
FRIDAY, MARCH 18, 1988
GOVERNOR DEPARTS FOR VISIT TO LONDON
*****
THE GOVERNOR, SIR DAVID WILSON, LEFT HONG KONG TONIGHT (FRIDAY) FOR A SEVEN-DAY VISIT TO LONDON.
IT WAS ANOTHER OF THE SERIES OF REGULAR VISITS TO LONDON BY THE GOVERNOR. HE LAST WENT THERE IN OCTOBER 1987.
SPEAKING TO REPORTERS BEFORE HIS DEPARTURE, SIR DAVID SAID THAT THE PURPOSE OF THE VISIT WAS TO MEET THE FOREIGN SECRETARY AND OTHER MINISTERS.
"I WILL BE TALKING ABOUT GENERAL MATTERS, RELATIONS BETWEEN HONG KONG AND UNITED KINGDOM, AND GENERAL DEVELOPMENTS HERE IN HONG KONG. I WILL BE RAISING THE SUBJECT OF VIETNAMESE REFUGEES,” THE GOVERNOR SAID.
"AND I AM ALSO TAKING THE OPPORTUNITY TO MEET MEMBERS OF PARLIAMENT WHILE I AM IN LONDON," HE ADDED.
IN REPLY TO A QUESTION ON THE VISIT BY MR LU PING YESTERDAY MORNING, SIR DAVID SAID THAT IT WAS A COURTESY CALL BUT THE OPPORTUNITY WAS TAKEN TO TALK ABOUT THE GENERAL STATE OF RELATIONS, MATTERS AFFECTING HONG KONG AND CHINA, AND TO LOOK AT PROGRESS OVER THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE JOINT DECLARATION.
ASKED IF HE WOULD BE DISCUSSING THE DEFENCE COSTS WITH U.K. OFFICIALS, SIR DAVID SAID THAT HE DID EXPECT THAT TO COME UP SINCE THE DEFENCE COSTS HAD NOT YET BEEN FINALLY NEGOTIATED.
"BUT I DON’T EXPECT TO BE GOING INTO DETAILED NEGOTIATION MYSELF," HE ADDED.
SIR DAVID WILL ALSO GIVE A TALK AT THE ROYAL INSTITUTE OF INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS DURING HIS VISIT TO LONDON. HE IS DUE TO RETURN TO HONG KONG NEXT THURSDAY (MARCH 2'1).
THE GOVERNOR WAS SEEN OFF AT THE AIRPORT BY THE CHIEF SECRETARY, SIR DAVID FORD; THE SENIOR MEMBER OF EXECUTIVE COUNCIL, SIR S.Y. CHUNG; AND THE SENIOR MEMBER OF LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL, MISS LYDIA DUNN.
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FRIDAY, MARCH 18, 1988
2
COMMITTEE ON SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY SET UP
*****
THE GOVERNMENT TODAY (FRIDAY) ANNOUNCED THE APPOINTMENT OF A COMMITTEE ON SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY TO ADVISE IT ON SCIENTIFIC AND TECHNOLOGICAL ISSUES.
A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN EXPLAINED THAT THE SETTING UP OF A CENTRAL COMMITTEE TO ADVISE THE GOVERNMENT ON SCIENTIFIC AND TECHNOLOGICAL ISSUES WAS NEEDED AS SUCH ISSUES WERE ASSUMING INCREASING IMPORTANCE IN HONG KONG’S ECONOMY AND GENERAL DEVELOPMENT.
THE SPOKESMAN SAID SUCH A NEED HAD ALREADY BEEN ENUNCIATED BY THE GOVERNOR IN HIS POLICY ADDRESS TO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL LAST OCTOBER.
THE GOVERNOR SAID: "THE TASK OF THE COMMITTEE ON SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY WILL BE TO SEEK OUT AND DEVELOP NEW SCIENTIFIC IDEAS OF RELEVANCE TO HONG KONG AND TO ADVISE GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS ON HOW THEY MIGHT BEST BE APPLIED."
THE TERMS OF REFERENCE OF THE COMMITTEE ARE:
(A) TO ACT AS THE CATALYST FOR THE EXCHANGE AND DEVELOPMENT OF SCIENTIFIC AND TECHNOLOGICAL IDEAS APPLICABLE TO THE CIRCUMSTANCES OF HONG KONG;
(B) WHERE AND WHEN APPROPRIATE TO RECOMMEND THE DEVELOPMENT AND APPLICATION OF THESE IDEAS THROUGH THE RELEVANT DEPARTMENT OR AGENCY;
(C) TO OFFER ADVICE ON GOVERNMENT’S SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY POLICY; AND
(D) TO REPORT REGULARLY TO THE CHIEF SECRETARY.
THE COMMITTEE, HEADED BY PROFESSOR POON CHUNG-KWONG, COMPRISES 14 MEMBERS FROM AMONG HEADS OF GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS, ACADEMIC INSTITUTIONS AND VARIOUS SECTORS OF THE COMMUNITY.
MEMBERS OF THE COMMITTEE WERE ANNOUNCED IN THE GAZETTE TODAY. MEMBERS FROM THE PRIVATE SECTOR ARE MISS LILY CHIANG, MR STEPHEN LAU KA-MEN, MR LEUNG TIN-PUI, PROFESSOR ARTHUR LI KWOK-CHEUNG, MR STEVEN POON KWOK-LIM, MR TAM CHUNG-DING AND DR DONALD FRANK TAYLOR.
MEMBERS FROM GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS ARE THE DATA PROCESSING MANAGER, THE DIRECTOR OF AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES, THE DIRECTOR OF ELECTRICAL AND MECHANICAL SERVICES, THE DIRECTOR OF ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION, THE DIRECTOR OF INDUSTRY, THE DIRECTOR OF ROYAL OBSERVATORY, AND THE GOVERNMENT CHEMIST OR THEIR REPRESENTATIVES.
/THE MEMBERS •••••••
FRIDAY, MARCH 18, 1988
- 5 -
THE MEMBERS HAVE BEEN APPOINTED FOR A PERIOD OF TWO YEARS.
THE SECRETARY OF THE COMMITTEE IS THE PRINCIPAL ASSISTANT SECRETARY (SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY) OF THE OFFICE OF THE DEPUTY CHIEF SECRETARY.
THE SPOKESMAN POINTED OUT THAT THE MULTI-DISCIPLINARY TEAM ON THE COMMITTEE WOULD ENSURE THAT SCIENTIFIC AND TECHNOLOGICAL ISSUES AND PROPOSALS WERE ASSESSED PROPERLY AND GIVEN DUE WEIGHT IN THE FORMULATION OF GOVERNMENT POLICIES.
-------0 - - - -
OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH ACCORDED HIGH PRIORITY
*****
OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH IS A FIELD OF MEDICAL SCIENCE WHICH IS GROWING RAPIDLY ALL OVER THE WORLD, THE COMMISSIONER FOR LABOUR, MR TONY HAMMOND, SAID TODAY (FRIDAY).
IT IS ALSO AN AREA OF WORK TO WHICH THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT HAS ACCORDED HIGH PRIORITY, HE ADDED.
SPEAKING AT THE OPENING OF THE FIRST OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH EXHIBITION ORGANISED BY THE DEPARTMENT, MR HAMMOND NOTED THAT TO PROTECT THE HEALTH OF WORKERS, THE DEPARTMENT’S OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH DIVISION CONDUCTED MANY FIELD SURVEYS ON SPECIAL PROBLEMS ENCOUNTERED BY THE FACTORY INSPECTORATE.
"IN ADDITION, SEVERAL SURVEYS, SUCH AS THE LARGE-SCALE STUDIES ON WAYS AND MEANS TO REDUCE THE PROBLEM OF SILICOSIS IN MINES, QUARRIES AND CONSTRUCTION SITES AND HAZARDS CAUSED BY COTTON DUST IN THE TEXTILE INDUSTRY ARE PROGRESSING STEADILY," HE SAID.
"MEMBERS OF THE DIVISION ALSO PAY REGULAR VISITS TO INDUSTRIAL UNDERTAKINGS, NOT ONLY TO PREVENT OCCUPATIONAL HAZARDS BUT ALSO TO PROMOTE THE GENERAL HEALTH OF THE WORKERS AND TO ADVISE ON IMPROVING WORK PROCESSES TO PROTECT THE WORKERS’ HEALTH."
LAST YEAR, THERE WERE 379 CASES OF CONFIRMED OCCUPATIONAL DISEASES, AN INCREASE OF 100 OVER THE PREVIOUS YEAR’S TOTAL.
THE NEED FOR A COMPREHENSIVE PROGRAMME TO RAISE THE STANDARDS OF OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY AND HEALTH AT WORK WAS OBVIOUS, HE STRESSED.
ALSO SPEAKING AT THE OPENING CEREMONY WAS EXECUTIVE AND LEGISLATIVE COUNCILLOR DR CHIU HIN-KWONG.
/DR CHIU
FRIDAY, MARCH 18, 1988
DR CHIU POINTED OUT THAT THE 2.7 MILLION WORKERS WHO WERE SPENDING AT LEAST EIGHT HOURS A DAY IN THE WORKPLACE, WERE CONFRONTED WITH VARIOUS HAZARDS TO HEALTH.
HE NOTED THAT WITH THE RAPID DIVERSIFICATION OF INDUSTRY IN RECENT YEARS, PRODUCTION PROCESSES WERE BECOMING MORE AND MORE SOPHISTICATED AND NEW KINDS OF RAW MATERIALS AND CHEMICAL SUBSTANCES WERE NOW IN USE WHICH UNDOUBTEDLY AFFECTED WORKERS’ HEALTH.
"AT PRESENT, THE LAW IDENTIFIES 37 TYPES OF OCCUPATIONAL DISEASES FOR WHICH COMPENSATION IS PAYABLE.
"BUT I BELIEVE THAT AS TECHNOLOGY DEVELOPS, MORE TYPES OF DISEASES WILL HAVE TO BE INCLUDED IN THE LIST OF OCCUPATIONAL DISEASES.
"IT IS FAIR TO SAY, THEREFORE, THAT WITH THESE ADVANCES IN INDUSTRIAL PROCESSES, OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY AND HEALTH MUST NO*T BE OVERLOOKED," DR CHIU SAID.
THE EXHIBITION, WHICH IS BEING HELD AT THE CITYPLAZA IN TAIKOO SHING, WAS JOINTLY OPENED BY DR CHIU, MR HAMMOND, THE SECRETARY FOR EDUCATION AND MANPOWER, MR RON BRIDGE, AND THE DEPUTY DIRECTOR OF MEDICAL SERVICES, DR S.H. LEE.
IT IS AIMED TO ENHANCE PUBLIC AWARENESS OF THE IMPORTANCE OF OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH IN THE WORKPLACE, AND TO ACQUAINT EMPLOYERS AND WORKERS WITH THE VARIOUS OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH HAZARDS AND OCCUPATIONAL DISEASES, AS WELL AS THE PREVENTIVE MEASURES WHICH CAN BE TAKEN.
THROUGH VISUAL AND AUDIO DISPLAYS, MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC WILL BE ABLE TO GET A BETTER PICTURE OF THE NINE MOST COMMON OCCUPATIONAL HAZARDS AND DISEASES ASSOCIATED WITH INDUSTRY IN HONG KONG. THESE INCLUDE SILICOSIS, DECOMPRESSION SICKNESS, INFLAMMATION OF THE SKIN AND GAS POISONING.
THE EXHIBITION WILL BE OPEN TO THE PUBLIC FROM 10 AM TO 8 PM TOMORROW (SATURDAY) AND ON SUNDAY, AND FROM 11 AM TO 7 PM DAILY BETWEEN MARCH 21 AND 24.
TAC MEMBERS APPOINTED t « * «
THE GOVERNOR HAS RE-APPOINTED MISS MARIA TAM AS CHAIRMAN OF THE TRANSPORT ADVISORY COMMITTEE (TAC) FOR A TERM OF TWO YEARS FROM APRIL 1 THIS YEAR.
A NEW MEMBER, MR STEVEN POON KWOK-LIM, WILL REPLACE MR VINCENT LO WHO WILL BE RETIRING FROM THE COMMITTEE AT THE END OF THIS MONTH AFTER TWO YEARS' SERVICE.
/MR POON.........
FRIDAY, MARCH 18, I988
„„ , ”R POON' director and general manager of china light
LJD’ has been a MEMBER of the planning committee for
KONG UNIVERSITY OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY SINCE 1986 AND A THE HONG KONG EXAMINATIONS AUTHORITY SINCE PPOINTMENT WILL BE FOR TWO YEARS FROM
1987.
APRIL 1.
HIS
& POWER THE HONG MEMBER OF TERM OF
THE TAC COMPRISES 18 MEMBERS, SIX OF WHOM OFFICIALS. THE FULL LIST OF MEMBERSHIP FROM APRIL 1 IS
ARE GOVERNMENT AS FOLLOWS -
MISS MARIA TAM WAI-CHU
THE SECRETARY FOR TRANSPORT
(CHAIRMAN)
(VICE-CHAIRMAN)
DR CONRAD LAM KUI-SHING
MR LIU LIT-FOR
MR RICHARD LAI SING-LUNG
MR TAI CHIN-WAH
MR JACKIE CHAN CHAI-KEUNG
MR FAN SAI-YEE
DR LEUNG CHI-KEUNG
MR STEPHEN CHENG WUI-YAU
MR MAN SA I-CHEONG
DR STEPHEN TANG LUNG-WAI
MR STEVEN POON KWOK-LIM
THE SECRETARY FOR DISTRICT ADMINISTRATION OR HIS REPRESENTATIVE
THE SECRETARY FOR ECONOMIC SERVICES
OR HER REPRESENTATIVE
THE COMMISSIONER OF POLICE OR HIS REPRESENTATIVE
THE COMMISSIONER FOR TRANSPORT
THE DIRECTOR OF HIGHWAYS
-----0------
FRIDAY, MARCH 18, 1988
- 6 -
MARINE FISH MARKETING LAW COMBS INTO FORCE
*****
THE GOVERNMENT GAZETTE TODAY (FRIDAY) ANNOUNCED THE COMING INTO EFFECT OF THE NEW AMENDMENT REGULATIONS ENACTED TO COUNTER ILLEGAL WHOLESALING OF MARINE FISH IN HONG KONG.
THE MARINE FISH (MARKETING AND EXPORTATION) (AMENDMENT) REGULATIONS 1988, WHICH WERE APPROVED BY THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL EARLY f’HIS MONTH, PROVIDE FOR MORE STRINGENT CONTROL OVER THE LANDING AND TRANSPORTATION OF MARINE FISH AND PRESCRIBE MUCH HEAVIER FINES FOR BREACHING THESE PROVISIONS.
UNDER THE AMENDMENT REGULATIONS, ALL MARINE FISH MUST BE LANDED ONLY AT A WHOLESALE MARKET OF THE FISH MARKETING ORGANISATION EXCEPT WITH A PERMIT ISSUED BY THE DIRECTOR OF MARKETING.
IN ADDITION, THE AMENDMENT REGULATIONS PROHIBIT THE TRANSPORTATION OF MARINE FISH IN QUANTITIES GREATER THAN 60 KILOGRAMS BY SEA ON ANY VESSEL OTHER THAN FISHING VESSEL. TRANSPORTATION ON LAND IN QUANTITIES GREATER THAN 60 KILOGRAMS MUST BE AUTHORISED BY THE DIRECTOR OF MARKETING.
CONTRAVENTION OF THESE PROVISIONS IS PUNISHABLE BY A MAXIMUM FINE OF $10,000 - 10 TIMES THE PREVIOUS LEVEL OF $1,000 - AND IMPRISONMENT FOR SIX MONTHS.
COMMENTING ON THE AMENDMENT REGULATIONS, THE ASSISTANT DIRECTOR (FISHERIES) OF THE AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES DEPARTMENT, DR CHRISTOPHER LEE, SAID THE NEW CONTROL PROVIDED BY THESE REGULATIONS SERVED TO PLUG A LOOPHOLE IN THE OLD LAW.
THIS HAD HITHERTO ALLOWED THE LANDING OF MARINE FISH TO BE DONE RELATIVELY FREELY EXCEPT IN THE URBAN AREAS, THUS ENCOURAGING ILLEGAL LANDING AND MARKETING.
"THE PREVIOUS PENALTY IS CONSIDERED FAR FROM SUFFICIENT TO ACHIEVE A DETERRENT EFFECT. WITH THE TENFOLD INCREASE IN FINES, IT IS HOPED THAT THE COURT WILL TAKE THE MAXIMUM FINES INTO CONSIDERATION WHEN IMPOSING FINES ON CONVICTED OFFENDERS.
"BY DETERRING ILLEGAL MARKETING, IT SHOULD STRENGTHEN THE ORDERLY AND EFFICIENT WHOLESALE MARKETING OF MARINE FISH IN THE TERRITORY, THEREBY PROTECTING THE INTERESTS OF FISHERMEN AND CONSUMERS," HE SAID.
-------o - -
FRIDAY, MARCH 18, 1988
- 7 -
GOVERNMENT HOUSE GARDENS OPEN TO PUBLIC ♦ ♦ ♦
THE GARDENS OF GOVERNMENT HOUSE WILL BE OPEN TO THE PUBLIC ON SUNDAY (MARCH 20) FROM 10 AM TO 5 PM TO ENABLE RESIDENTS TO SEE THE AZALEAS IN BLOOM.
THE OPEN DAY HAS BEEN AN ANNUAL EVENT SINCE 1968.
PEOPLE WISHING TO VISIT THE GARDENS OF GOVERNMENT HOUSE 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.
APART FROM THE GARDENS, THE MAIN HALL OF GOVERNMENT HOUSE WILL ALSO BE OPEN.
SCOUTS AND POLICEMEN WILL BE PRESENT AND VISITORS ARE ASKED TO CO-OPERATE WITH THEM TO AVOID OVERCROWDING.
-------0---------
LAND COMMISSION TO MEET ♦ » » *
THE TWO SIDES OF THE SINO-BRITISH LAND COMMISSION HAVE AGREED THAT THE COMMISSION’S 15TH MEETING WILL BE HELD ON MONDAY (MARCH 21).
THE MEETING, BEGINNING AT 10 AM, WILL DISCUSS THE 1988-89 LAND DISPOSAL PROGRAMME.
THIS WILL BE THE LAST MEETING ATTENDED BY THE SECRETARY FOR HOUSING, MR J.R. TODD, WHO WILL RETIRE FROM THE CIVIL SERVICE AT THE END OF THE MONTH.
HE WILL BE REPLACED AS THE SENIOR REPRESENTATIVE OF THE BRITISH SIDE OF THE LAND COMMISSION BY THE SECRETARY FOR LANDS AND WORKS, MR GRAHAM BARNES, WHO HAS BEEN DESIGNATED AS A MEMBER OF THE LAND COMMISSION WITH EFFECT FROM APRIL 1 THIS YEAR.
---0------
R
/8
FRIDAY, MARCH 18, 1988
NAMES OF SUCCESSFUL DB CANDIDATES GAZETTED * * * *
THE NAMES OF 230 CANDIDATES WHO WERE ELECTED IN THE DISTRICT BOARD ELECTIONS HELD ON MARCH 10 WERE PUBLISHED IN AN EXTRA ORDINARY ISSUE OF THE GAZETTE TODAY (FRIDAY).
THE 230 SUCCESSFUL CANDIDATES, TOGETHER WITH 34 OTHER CANDIDATES WHO HAVE BEEN RETURNED UNOPPOSED, WILL SERVE A THREE-YEAR TERM IN THE 19 DISTRICT BOARDS STARTING APRIL 1 THIS YEAR.
THE NAMES OF THE 34 CANDIDATES WHO WERE RETURNED UNOPPOSED HAVE BEEN GAZETTED EARLIER.
- - 0 - -
YAU MA TEI DISTRICT RENAMED * « » »
YAU MA TEI DISTRICT WILL BE RENAMED YAU TSIM DISTRICT FROM APRIL 1 THIS YEAR, A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN ANNOUNCED TODAY (FRIDAY).
THE SPOKESMAN EXPLAINED THAT THE NEW NAME, THE SHORT FORM OF YAU MA TEI AND TSIM SHA TSUI, WAS TO REMOVE ANY MISCONCEPTION THAT TSIM SHA TSUI WAS AN ADMINISTRATIVE DISTRICT SEPARATE FROM YAU MA TEI.
THE PROPOSAL TO RENAME THE DISTRICT WAS INITIATED BY THE TSIM SHA TSUI AREA COMMITTEE AND WAS ENDORSED UNANIMOUSLY BY THE YAU MA TEI DISTRICT BOARD AFTER CONSULTATION WITHIN THE DISTRICT.
AS A RESULT, THE NAME OF THE YAU MA TEI DISTRICT BOARD WILL BE CHANGED ACCORDINGLY. BUT THE EXISTING BOUNDARY OF THE DISTRICT WILL REMAIN UNCHANGED.
A NUMBER OF AMENDMENT ORDERS WERE PUBLISHED IN THE GAZETTE TODAY TO GIVE EFFECT TO THE NEW NAME.
THEY ARE: THE DECLARATION OF DISTRICTS (AMENDMENT) ORDER 1988, THE DECLARATION OF CONSTITUENCIES (DISTRICT BOARDS) (AMENDMENT) ORDER 1988, THE DECLARATION OF URBAN COUNCIL AREA AND REGIONAL COUNCIL AREA (AMENDMENT) ORDER 1988 AND THE DECLARATION OF CONSTITUENCIES (URBAN COUNCIL) (AMENDMENT) ORDER 1988.
FRIDAY, MARCH 18, 1988
- 9 -
BILL SEEKS TO AVOID COURT TRANSLATION DELAYS
t » * » »
A BILL WHICH SEEKS TO AMEND THE PROCEDURE FOR THE ADMISSION INTO EVIDENCE OF STATEMENTS WHICH HAVE BEEN GIVEN IN A LANGUAGE OTHER THAN ENGLISH WAS PUBLISHED IN THE GOVERNMENT GAZETTE TODAY (FRIDAY).
THE CRIMINAL PROCEDURE (AMENDMENT) BILL 1988 PROVIDES THAT IF A STATEMENT TENDERED IN EVIDENCE IS MADE IN A LANGUAGE OTHER THAN ENGLISH, IT SHALL BE ACCOMPANIED BY AN ENGLISH TRANSLATION, WHICH SHALL BE CERTIFIED UNLESS OTHERWISE AGREED BY OR ON BEHALF OF THE PROSECUTOR AND THE DEFENDANT.
"THUS IF ALL PARTIES ARE IN AGREEMENT AS TO THE CONTENT OF THE TRANSLATED STATEMENT, THE CERTIFICATION REQUIREMENT CAN BE DISPENSED WITH," A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN SAID.
AT PRESENT, THE ADMISSION INTO EVIDENCE OF WRITTEN STATEMENTS IN A CRIMINAL PROCEEDING, OTHER THAN A COMMITTAL, IS ALLOWED IF CERTAIN CONDITIONS ARE MET.
ONE IS THAT A STATEMENT IN A LANGUAGE OTHER THAN ENGLISH MUST BE ACCOMPANIED BY AN ENGLISH TRANSLATION CERTIFIED BY A COURT TRANSLATOR.
THIS HAS CAUSED PROBLEMS AT TRIAL BECAUSE OF DELAYS EXPERIENCED WHILE THE COURT TRANSLATION SERVICE, WHICH IS UNDER PRESSURE, PRODUCES A CERTIFIED TRANSLATION.
DESCRIBING THE PROPOSED AMENDMENT AS A PROCEDURAL REFORM, THE SPOKESMAN SAID IT WAS FELT THAT WHERE ALL THE PARTIES ARE IN AGREEMENT THAT AN AVAILABLE TRANSLATION IS SATISFACTORY, NO USEFUL PURPOSE IS SERVED BY REQUIRING THE COURT TO CERTIFY THE TRANSLATION.
TIME MAY BE LOST AND COSTS INCURRED WHILE WAITING FOR IT TO DO SO.
- - 0 -
/10
1J
FRIDAY, MARCH 18,
1988
-10 -
PROPRIETORS REMINDED OF CONSEQUENCES OF TAX EVASION * ♦ ♦ * ♦
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE INLAND REVENUE DEPARTMENT TODAY (FRIDAY) REMINDED PROPRIETORS THAT EVASION OF PROFITS TAX COULD LEAD TO HEAVY FINES AND IMPRISONMENT.
THIS FOLLOWED A COURT CASE IN WHICH A PROPRIETOR OF A PLASTICWARE AND METAL FACTORY WAS FINED A TOTAL OF $347,000 AND SENTENCED TO TERMS OF IMPRISONMENT RANGING FROM TWO WEEKS TO THREE MONTHS ON EIGHT CHARGES OF WILFUL INTENT TO EVADE TAX BETWEEN 1983-84 AND 1986-87.
THE TERMS OF IMPRISONMENT ARE TO BE SERVED CONCURRENTLY.
A TOTAL OF $964,913 IN PROFITS WAS OMITTED BY THE PROPRIETOR WHEN MAKING TAX RETURNS, RESULTING IN AN EVASION OF PROFITS TAX TOTALLING $160,858.
-----0-----
EMPLOYMENT SERVICE FOR SOCIALLY HANDICAPPED WORKING SMOOTHLY
♦ * » » *
EMPLOYERS WHO WERE SUPPORTIVE IN EMPLOYING THE SOCIALLY HANDICAPPED THROUGH THE EMPLOYMENT SERVICE OF THE HONG KONG COUNCIL OF SOCIAL SERVICE WERE TODAY (FRIDAY) PRESENTED WITH SOUVENIRS BY THE DIRECTOR OF SOCIAL WELFARE, MRS ELIZABETH WONG.
SPEAKING AT THE PRESENTATION CEREMONY, MRS WONG EXPRESSED HER APPRECIATION FOR THE MEANINGFUL WORK PERFORMED BY THE EMPLOYMENT SERVICE AND HER GRATITUDE FOR THE VALUABLE SUPPORT OF MANY EMPLOYERS WHO ENABLED THE SERVICE TO ACHIEVE ITS OBJECTIVES.
SHE NOTED THAT THE EMPLOYMENT SERVICE HAD A LONG HISTORY DATING BACK TO 1959 WHEN IT AIMED AT HELPING "MEMBER AGENCIES TO FIND EMPLOYMENT FOR CLIENTS WHO ARE CONSIDERED TO BE IN NEED OF SPECIAL ATTENTION".
IT WAS LATER REORGANISED IN 1970 WHEN BOTH THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT AND THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT AGREED TO PROVIDE JOB PLACEMENTS FOR THE PHYSICALLY AND MENTALLY HANDICAPPED, WHILE THE EMPLOYMENT SERVICE CONCENTRATED ITS WORK ON THE EMPLOYMENT NEEDS OF THE SOCIALLY HANDICAPPED.
"TODAY, THE EMPLOYMENT SERVICE ASSISTS THE SOCIAL AND ECONOMIC REHABILITATION OF SOCIALLY HANDICAPPED PEOPLE BY PROVIDING THEM WITH EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES," MRS WONG SAID.
/"IN EFFECT, ........
FRIDAY, MARCH 18 1988
EFFECT, IT HELPS PROBATIONERS, DISCHARGED PRISONERS, CURED IS AND SOME OTHERS WHO HAVE PERSONALITY PROBLEMS WHICH ' ' 'EM UNABLE TO FIND WORK, TO SETTLE DOWN IN WORK OR TO FIND 1 UNPRATIVE EMPLOYMENT.
"THE GOVERNMENT IS WELL AWARE OF THE CONTRIBUTION OF THIS ICE TO THE REHABILITATION OF THESE PEOPLE AND CONSIDERS THAT THE SUBVENTION OF SOME $1.16 MILLION FOR THE SERVICE IS WELL SPENT," SHE ADDED.
SHE SAID SHE WAS ALSO GLAD THAT HER DEPARTMENT HAD BECOME A CLOSE WORKING PARTNER WITH THE EMPLOYMENT SERVICE IN THIS USEFUL WORK.
AN EXAMPLE OF THIS PARTNERSHIP WAS THE ATTEMPT BY THE EMPLOVMEL’ J' SERVICE AND THE DEPARTMENT TO CONDUCT GUIDANCE PROJECTS IN i- ' .ENT’S CORRECTIONAL HOMES.
MRS WONG SAID THE ULTIMATE GOAL OF THESE PROJECTS WAS TO i' iii ; PREPARE RESIDENTS OF THESE INSTITUTIONS THROUGH A SERIES SESSIONS INVOLVING PARTICIPATION OF CONCERNED PARTIES, '’I ’ 1 ' PROSPECTIVE PLACES OF WORK; AND TRAINING OF INTERVIEW
SKILLS.
PROJECTS ALSO AIMED TO ENSURE THAT THESE PEOPLE WERE U i I ’, I i , ICED IN WORK THAT BEST FITTED THEIR INDIVIDUAL APTITUDES SKILL AND ALSO MOTIVATED THEM TO MOVE ON, SHE SAID.
SHE FURTHER POINTED OUT THAT OVER THE LAST FIVE TO SIX YEARS, BETWEEN 1980-81 AND 1986-87, A TOTAL OF 3,067 CASES WERE REFERRED TO THE EMPLOYMENT SERVICE BY VARIOUS UNITS OF THE DEPARTMENT.
IN 1986-87 ALONE, SHE SAID, OF THE 614 REFERRALS TO THE SERVICE, 463 CASES, REPRESENTING 75.4 PER CENT, CAME FROM THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT.
"THE ENCOURAGING ACHIEVEMENT WAS THAT 529 OUT OF 614 CASES REGISTERED FOR EMPLOYMENT WERE MATCHED WITH JOBS, REPRESENTING A SUCCESS RATE OF 86.16 PER CENT - THE HIGHEST RECORD SINCE 1971," SHE ADDED.
MRS WONG ENVISAGED THAT THE EMPLOYMENT SERVICE WOULD MOVE FROM STRENGTH TO STRENGTH IN THE YEARS TO COME WITH MORE AND MORE SUPPORT FROM THE EMPLOYERS.
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/12
FRIDAY, MARCH 18,
1988
12
ULTRA-MODERN MUNICIPAL COMPLEX FOR RESIDENTS OF WESTERN DISTRICT • • • • ♦
THE URBAN COUNCIL’S 3192.6-MILLION ULTRA-MODERN SHEUNG WAN COMPLEX, WHICH IS NEARING COMPLETION, WILL PROVIDE RESIDENTS OF WESTERN DISTRICT WITH A SUPERB VENUE FOR THEIR MARKETING, RECREATION AND CULTURAL PURSUITS, ALL UNDER ONE ROOF.
THE CHAIRMAN OF THE COUNCIL’S CAPITAL WORKS SELECT COMMITTEE, MR PAO PING-WING, SAID THIS TODAY AFTER LEADING COMMITTEE MEMBERS ON AN INSPECTION TOUR OF THE MULTI-PURPOSE PROJECT.
’’THE COMPLEX IS NOT ONLY THE FIRST IN WESTERN DISTRICT BUT THE LARGEST UC COMPLEX EVER BUILT, WITH A TOTAL AREA OF 3,670 SQUARE METRES,” HE SAID.
’’THE 13-STOREY COMPLEX IS LOCATED AMID A HEAVILY POPULATED AREA AND WILL CERTAINLY BE VERY POPULAR WHEN IT OPENS BY THE END OF JULY.”
MR PAO SAID SPECIAL AMENITIES WOULD INCLUDE A CIVIC CENTRE ON THE FOURTH, FIFTH AND SIXTH FLOORS PROVIDING SUCH FACILITIES AS AN AIR-CONDITIONED AUDITORIUM WITH SEATING FOR MORE THAN 500, A LECTURE HALL AND A DISPLAY CENTRE.
"LN ADDITION, THE MARKET AND COOKED-FOOD CENTRE ON THE LOWER FLOORS WILL BE WELL SERVED WITH ESCALATORS, GIVING EASY ACCESS TO CUSTOMERS,” SAID MR PAO.
- 0-----------
PLEA FOR PRECAUTIONS IN SCHOOL SPORTS MEETS t » * * ♦
THE DIRECTOR OF EDUCATION, MR Y.T. LI, TODAY (FRIDAY) CALLED ON SCHOOLS TO MINIMISE THE RISKS OF INJURY TO STUDENTS DURING PHYSICAL ACTIVITIES AND SPORTS MEETS BY FOLLOWING THE PROPER PROCEDURES AND TAKING THE NECESSARY PRECAUTIONS.
SPEAKING AT THE FINALS OF INTER-SCHOOL ATHLETICS CHAMPIONSHIPS (DIVISION ONE) AT WAN CHAI SPORTS GROUND, MR LI SAID THE RISK OF INJURY HAD INCREASED BECAUSE OF A HIGHER PARTICIPATION RATE IN PHYSICAL ACTIVITIES.
’’THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT HAS ISSUED GUIDELINES ON THE MEASURES TO BE TAKEN TO ENSURE THE SAFETY OF STUDENTS AND THESE GUIDELINES WILL BE MADE MORE COMPREHENSIVE TO PROVIDE SCHOOLS WITH FURTHER ASSISTANCE,” MR LI SAID.
/WHILE COMPLIMENTING .......
FRIDAY, MARCH 18, 1988
WHILE COMPLIMENTING THE ORGANISERS AND PARTICIPANTS OF TODAY’S EVENT ON THE WAY IN WHICH THEY HAD DEMONSTRATED THAT INJURY COULD BE AVOIDED BY OBSERVING BASIC RULES OF SAFETY IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT’S GUIDELINES, MR LI URGED ALL SCHOOLS TO FOLLOW THEIR GOOD EXAMPLE.
"PHYSICAL EDUCATION IS AN INTEGRAL PART OF EDUCATION AND I AM GLAD TO SAY THAT ITS IMPORTANCE IS INCREASINGLY BEING RECOGNISED," MR LI SAID.
"WITH THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT’S ENCOURAGEMENT, SCHOOLS ARE PAYING MORE AND MORE ATTENTION TO THE ORGANISATION OF SPORTS, GYMNASTICS AND OTHER PHYSICAL ACTIVITIES IN BOTH THE FORMAL AND INFORMAL CURRICULUM, AND MORE AND MORE STUDENTS ARE TAKING PART IN SUCH ACTIVITIES."
ON THE FURTHER DEVELOPMENT OF PHYSICAL EDUCATION IN SCHOOL", MR LI SAID PHYSICAL EDUCATION WOULD BE OFFERED AS A SUBJECT IN THE HONG KONG CERTIFICATE OF EDUCATION EXAMINATION.
IN ADDITION, MR LI SAID, A SPECIALIST SCHOOL FOR PHYSICAL EDUCATION AND ART WOULD BE SET UP IN SHA TIN TO PROVIDE STUDENTS WHO HAVE AN APTITUDE IN SPORTS WITH ENHANCED OPPORTUNITIES FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF THEIR TALENT.
MORE THAN 22,000 SECONDARY SCHOOL STUDENTS HAD REGISTERED FOR COMPETITION IN AT LEAST ONE OF THE 15 SPORTS EVENTS ORGANISED BY THE INTER-SCHOOL ATHLETICS CHAMPIONSHIPS (DIVISION ONE). OF THESE, SOME 12,500 STUDENTS FROM 156 MEMBER SCHOOLS PARTICIPATED IN ATHLETICS ALONE.
-------o---------
PUBLIC URGED TO REPORT DANGEROUS AD SIGNS ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦
DANGEROUS OR POTENTIALLY DANGEROUS ADVERTISEMENT SIGNS ARE PUBLIC HAZARDS, AND THEY SHOULD BE REPORTED TO THE DANGEROUS SIGNS UNIT OF THE BUILDINGS ORDINANCE OFFICE ON 5-8482487.
COPIES OF A POSTER, ILLUSTRATING "DANGEROUS" AND "POTENTIALLY DANGEROUS" SIGNS, HAVE BEEN PUT UP ON GOVERNMENT POSTER SITES THROUGHOUT THE TERRITORY TO ALERT THE PUBLIC TO THE HAZARD.
THE POSTER, IN CARTOON FORM, DEPICTS ADVERTISEMENT SIGNS IN VARIOUS STATES OF DILAPIDATION, AND POSING A HAZARD TO THE PUBLIC.
/A SPOKESMAN .......
FRIDAY, MARCH 18, 1988
- 14 -
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE DANGEROUS SIGN UNIT, WHICH WAS SET UP IN APRIL LAST YEAR, SAID THE PRIMARY CONCERN WAS TO REMOVE THESE DANGEROUS/POTENTIALLY DANGEROUS SIGNS TO ENSURE THEY DID NOT INJURE MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC.
BY MARCH 1, ACTION BY THE DANGEROUS SIGNS UNIT HAD RESULTED IN THE REMOVAL OR REPAIR OF 2,047 SIGNS.
THE UNIT REMOVED 667 SIGNS BY ITSELF AND OTHERS WERE REMOVED BY OWNERS.
THOSE REMOVED BY THE UNIT WERE IN THE MAIN "ABANDONED SIGNS". OWNERS MAY REMOVE SIGNS VOLUNTARILY, FAILING WHICH ORDERS CAN BE SERVED ON THEM.
THE UNIT HAS COMPLETED SURVEYS IN 16 URBAN LOCATIONS TO. SEEK OUT AND REMOVE DANGEROUS SIGNS, AND SIMILAR SURVEYS IN 28 MORE URBAN LOCATIONS WILL BE CARRIED OUT THIS YEAR.
-------0---------
INCREASES IN ANIMAL LICENCE FEES ANNOUNCED ♦ ♦ t t t
THE FEE LEVELS OF SIX LICENCES AND PERMIT ISSUED UNDER THE PUBLIC HEALTH (ANIMALS AND BIRDS) ORDINANCE WILL BE INCREASED FROM APRIL 1 THIS YEAR, THE AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCED TODAY (FRIDAY).
WITH EFFECT FROM THE SAME DATE, NEW FEES WILL BE IMPOSED FOR THE FIRST TIME ON PERMITS/SPEC1 AL PERMITS ISSUED FOR THE REMOVAL FROM A VESSEL OR AIRCRAFT OF ANIMALS AND BIRDS DESTINED FOR HONG KONG OR FOR TRANSHIPMENT PURPOSES.
THE CHANGES, PRESCRIBED IN A SERIES OF NEW AMENDMENT REGULATIONS TO THE ORDINANCE, WERE APPROVED BY THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL LAST WEEK. A NOTICE TO THIS EFFECT WAS PUBLISHED IN THE GAZETTE TODAY.
THE SIX LICENCES AND PERMIT ARE ANIMAL TRADER LICENCE, DAIRY LICENCE, EXHIBITION LICENCE, TEMPORARY EXHIBITION PERMIT, BOARDING ESTABLISHMENT LICENCE AND RIDING ESTABLISHMENT LICENCE. THE LEVELS OF THE FEES CHARGED IN RESPECT OF THESE LICENCES AND PERMIT HAVE NOT BEEN REVISED FOR MORE THAN 14 YEARS.
/THEIR EXISTING .......
*
FRIDAY, MARCH 18, 1988
- 15 - THEIR EXISTING AND REVISED FEE LEVELS ARE AS FOLLOWS:
EXISTING LEVEL ANIMAL TRADER LICENCE $500 PER YEAR REVISED LEVEL $700 PER YEAR
$250 PER HALF YEAR $350 PER HALF YEAR
DAIRY LICENCE $12 PER COW $25 PER COW
OR $480 PER DAIRY EXHIBITION LICENCE $500 PER YEAR OR $1,000 PER DAIRY $2,000 PER YEAR
$250 PER HALF YEAR $1,000 PER HALF
TEMPORARY EXHIBITION PERMIT $100 PER EXHIBITION YEAR $200 PER EXHIBITION
BOARDING ESTABLISHMENT $500 PER YEAR $1,200 PER YEAR
LICENCE $250 PER HALF YEAR $600 PER HALF YEAR
RIDING ESTABLISHMENT LICENCE $500 PER YEAR $1,200 PER YEAR
$250 PER HALF YEAR $600 PER HALF YEAR
THE FEES INTRODUCED FOR PERMITS/SPECIAL PERMITS ISSUED FOR THE REMOVAL OF ANIMALS AND BIRDS WILL BE CALCULATED ACCORDING TO THE CATEGORY OF ANIMAL OR BIRD AND THE NUMBER OF UNITS OF EACH CATEGORY REQUIRED TO BE REMOVED FROM A VESSEL OR AIRCRAFT.
THE FOLLOWING DETAILS THE FEES PRESCRIBED FOR SUCH PERMITS:
CATEGORY OF ANIMAL OR BIRD SIZE OF UNIT FEE PER UNIT (OR PART THEREOF) FEE PER EACH ADDITIONAL UNIT (OR PART THEREOF
CATTLE 50 ANIMALS $240 $100
SHEEP, GOATS 100 ANIMALS $240 $100
AND PIGS
EQUINES 1 ANIMAL $130 $20
DAY-OLD POULTRY 500 BIRDS $60 $20
BIRDS (OTHER 50 BIRDS $60 $20
THAN DAY-OLD POULTRY)
/REPTILES (OTHER .......
FRIDAY, AfiCH 18, 1988
- 16 -
......
REPTILES (OTHER 200 ANIMALS $60 $20
THAN TURTLES FOR FOOD)
RODENTS AND LAGOMORPHS 50 ANIMALS $60 $20
DOOS AND CATS 1 ANIMAL $60 $20
TURTLES FOR FOOD 200 KG $60 $20
OTHER ANIMALS 1 ANIMAL $60 $20
NOT SPECIFIED
ABOVE
ANNOUNCING THESE DETAILS, THE ASSISTANT DIRECTOR (AGRICULTURE) OF THE AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES DEPARMENT, DR THOMAS YIP, SAID INCOME FROM THE EXISTING FEES CHARGED DID NOT COVER THE COST OF PROVIDING THE SERVICES.
"TO REDUCE THE SHORTFALL BETWEEN FEE INCOME AND THE COST OF THE SERVICES, THE GOVERNMENT, AFTER EXAMINING CAREFULLY THE CURRENT FEE LEVELS WITH DUE CONSIDERATION OF THE NATURE AND SCALE OF BUSINESSES INVOLVED, DECIDED TO PHASE IN THE INCREASES OVER A PERIOD OF THREE YEARS STARTWG FROM APRIL 1 THIS YEAR," HE SAID.
HE SAID THE INTENTION WAS TO RECOVER THE FULL COSTS BY 1990.
DR YIP SAID THE PERMITS/SPEC1AL PERMITS FOR THE REMOVAL OF ANIMALS AND BIRDS FROM A VESSEL OR AIRCRAFT WERE HITHERTO ISSUED FREF OF CHARGE.
"AS THE SERVICE INVOLVES ADMINISTRATIVE WORK AS WELL AS PHYSICAL INSPECTION OF IMPORTING CONSIGNMENT, IT WAS DECIDED THAT A FEE SHOULD BE CHARGED TO RECOVER THE COST,” HE SAID.
"THE PENALTY FOR CONTRAVENING THE PUBLIC HEALTH (ANIMALS AND BIRDS) REGULATIONS WOULD ALSO BE INCREASED FROM THE SAME DATE FROM $1,000 TO $2,000 SO AS TO DETER WOULD BE OFFENDERS," DR YIP ADDED.
- 0 - -
/17
FRIDAY, MARCH 18, 1988
- 17 -
JANUARY ORDERS-ON-HAND,
EMPLOYMENT, PAYROLL FIGURES RELEASED ******
IN JANUARY 1988, THE AVERAGE VOLUME OF ORDERS-ON-HAND REPORTED BY THE 200 LARGEST FIRMS IN THE MANUFACTURING SECTOR REMAINED ABOUT THE SAME AS IN DECEMBER 1987 BUT SHOWED SOME DECREASE COMPARED WITH JANUARY 1987, ACCORDING TO THE RESULTS OF A SURVEY RELEASED TODAY (FRIDAY) BY THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT.
THE AVERAGE VOLUME OF ORDERS-ON-HAND, MEASURED IN TERMS OF THE NUMBER OF MONTHS, REFERS TO THE POSITION AS AT THE END OF THE REFERENCE MONTH.
COMPARED WITH DECEMBER 1987, THE ORDERS POSITION IN THE PLASTIC PRODUCTS INDUSTRY IMPROVED SUBSTANTIALLY IN JANUARY 1988, BUT WAS STILL CONSIDERABLY BELOW THAT IN JANUARY 1987.
THE WEARING APPAREL INDUSTRY REPORTED SOME DECREASES IN THE AVERAGE VOLUME OF ORDERS COMPARED WITH BOTH DECEMBER 1987 AND JANUARY 1987.
THE OTHER INDUSTRIES SURVEYED SHOWED NO CHANGE IN THEIR ORDERS POSITION WHEN COMPARED WITH DECEMBER 1987 BUT MOST INDUSTRIES REPORTED SOME DECREASES WHEN COMPARED WITH JANUARY 1987. THE ELECTRICAL AND ELECTRONIC PRODUCTS INDUSTRY, HOWEVER, RECORDED A SLIGHT INCREASE IN ORDERS COMPARED WITH JANUARY 1987.
EMPLOYMENT IN THE MANUFACTURING SECTOR DECREASED SLIGHTLY IN JANUARY 1988 WHEN COMPARED WITH BOTH DECEMBER 1987 AND JANUARY 1987.
COMPARING JANUARY 1988 WITH DECEMBER 1987, EMPLOYMENT IN THE WEARING APPAREL, TEXTILES AND ELECTRICAL AND ELECTRONIC PRODUCTS INDUSTRIES DECREASED, WHILE THAT IN THE FOOD AND DRINKS, PLASTIC PRODUCTS AND FABRICATED METAL PRODUCTS INDUSTRIES SHOWED SOME INCREASES.
COMPARING WITH JANUARY 1987, EMPLOYMENT IN JANUARY 1988 DROPPED IN THE WEARING APPAREL AND PLASTIC PRODUCTS INDUSTRIES. PARTLY OFFSETTING THESE DECREASES WERE THE INCREASES IN EMPLOYMENT RECORDED IN THE FOOD AND DRINKS AND FABRICATED METAL PRODUCTS INDUSTRIES.
IN JANUARY 1988, BOTH PAYROLL AND PER CAPITA EARNINGS IN THE MANUFACTURING SECTOR INCREASED SUBSTANTIALLY OVER DECEMBER 1987 BUT DECREASED WHEN COMPARED WITH JANUARY 1987.
CAUTION SHOULD BE EXERCISED IN INTERPRETING THE FIGURES ON PAYROLL AND PER CAPITA EARNINGS FOR THE FIRST TWO MONTHS OF THE YEAR, IN VIEW OF THE TIMING OF THE LUNAR NEW YEAR HOLIDAYS, WHICH OCCURRED TN LATE JANUARY LAST YEAR BUT TOOK PLACE IN MID-FEBRUARY THIS YEAR.
/THIS HAS .......
FRIDAY, MARCH 18, 1988
- 18
THIS HAS AFFECTED THE TIMING OF THE ISSUE OF DOUBLE PAY AND ANNUAL BONUSES BY EMPLOYERS TO THEIR WORKERS.
COMPARING JANUARY 1988 WITH DECEMBER 1987, SUBSTANTIAL INCREASES IN PAYROLL AND PER CAPITA EARNINGS WERE RECORDED IN MOST INDUSTRIES SURVEYED MAINLY BECAUSE OF THE ISSUE OF DOUBLE PAY AND ANNUAL BONUSES IN SOME MANUFACTURING FIRMS.
THE INCREASES WERE LARGEST IN THE FOOD AND DRINKS, FABRICATED METAL PRODUCTS AND ELECTRICAL AND ELECTRONIC PRODUCTS INDUSTRIES.
COMPARED WITH JANUARY 1987, HOWEVER, BOTH PAYROLL AND PER CAPITA EARNINGS IN JANUARY 1988 DECREASED SUBSTANTIALLY IN MOST INDUSTRIES SURVEYED, WITH THE LARGEST DECREASES RECORDED IN THE TEXTILES AND PLASTIC PRODUCTS INDUSTRIES.
IN THE CONSTRUCTION SECTOR, EMPLOYMENT IN JANUARY 1988 WAS ABOUT THE SAME AS IN DECEMBER 1987, WHILE PAYROLL AND PER CAPITA EARNINGS INCREASED SIGNIFICANTLY OVER THE SAME PERIOD.
COMPARED WITH JANUARY 1987, EMPLOYMENT IN THE CONSTRUCTION SECTOR INCREASED SLIGHTLY WHILE PAYROLL AND PER CAPITA EARNINGS DECREASED SIGNIFICANTLY.
IN THE SERVICES SECTORS SURVEYED, THE OVERALL LEVEL OF EMPLOYMENT IN JANUARY 1988 REMAINED ABOUT THE SAME AS IN DECEMBER 1987, WHILE PAYROLL AND PER CAPITA EARNINGS SHOWED SOME INCREASES.
HOTELS, IN PARTICULAR, REPORTED SUBSTANTIAL INCREASES IN PAYROLL AND PER CAPITA EARNINGS DUE TO THE ISSUE OF DOUBLE PAY AND ANNUAL BONUSES.
ON THE OTHER HAND, SUBSTANTIAL DECREASES IN PAYROLL AND PER CAPITA EARNINGS WERE RECORDED IN BANKS FOLLOWING SHARP INCREASES IN THE PRECEDING MONTH.
COMPARED WITH JANUARY 1987, EMPLOYMENT IN THE SERVICES SECTORS AS A WHOLE SHOWED AN INCREASE IN JANUARY 1988. PAYROLL ALSO INCREASED BUT PER CAPITA EARNINGS DECREASED SLIGHTLY.
OVER THE SAME PERIOD, DECREASES IN BOTH PAYROLL AND PER CAPITA EARNINGS WERE RECORDED IN BANKS AND HOTELS, WHILE INCREASES WERE RECORDED IN PUBLIC UTILITIES.
THE PERCENTAGE CHANGES IN ORDERS-ON-HAND, EMPLOYMENT AND PER CAPITA EARNINGS ARE SHOWN IN TABLES 1 AND 2 BELOW.
THE SURVEY COVERED A PANEL OF THE 200 LARGEST MANUFACTURING COMPANIES AND THE 50 LARGEST COMPANIES IN THE CONSTRUCTION AND SELECTED SERVICES SECTORS, CHOSEN BY REFERENCE TO THEIR EMPLOYMENT SIZES IN SEPTEMBER 1986.
/AS THE
FRIDAY, MARCH 18, 1988
- 19 -
AS THE SAMPLE WAS NOT DRAWN ON A RANDOM BASIS, THE DEPARTMENT CAUTIONED THAT THE MAGNITUDE OF CHANGE INDICATED BY THE SURVEY MIGHT NOT REFLECT THE EXPERIENCE OF THE ECONOMY AS A WHOLE.
NEVERTHELESS, THESE RESULTS ARE EXPECTED TO PROVIDE A USEFUL INDICATION OF THE DIRECTION OF CHANGE FOR A QUICK ASSESSMENT OF DEVELOPMENTS IN THE ECONOMY IN THE SHORT TERM.
THE SURVEY REPORT FOR JANUARY 1988 IS NOW ON SALE AT THE GOVERNMENT PUBLICATIONS CENTRE, GENERAL POST OFFICE BUILDING, AND AT THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT PUBLICATIONS SALES COUNTER, 19TH FLOOR, WAN CHAI TOWER I, 12 HARBOUR ROAD, WAN CHAI, AT $1.50 PER COPY.
ENQUIRIES ABOUT THE SURVEY RESULTS MAY BE MADE TO ' THE INDUSTRIAL PRODUCTION STATISTICS SECTION OF THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT ON 5-8234820.
TABLE 1: ORDERS-ON-HAND IN MANUFACTURING INDUSTRIES
INDUSTRY ORDERS-ON-HAND CHANGE FOR JAN. 1988 DEC. 87 (MONTH) (%) WHEN COMPARED WITH JAN. 87 <%>
ALL INDUSTRIES 4.33 » -2
WEARING APPAREL 4.75 -3 -1
TEXTILES 2.83 » -6
PLASTIC PRODUCTS 3.15 +21 -19
FABRICATED METAL PRODUCTS 4.23 * -5
ELECTRICAL AND ELECTRONIC PRODUCTS 4.96 ♦ + 1
OTHERS 4.19 * -3
/TABLE 2: .......
FRIDAY, MARCH 18, 1988
20
TABLE 2: EMPLOYMENT AND EARNINGS
INDUSTRY/ SERVICES PERSONS ENGAGED AT THE END OF JANUARY 1988 PER CAPITA EARNINGS
• CHANGE WHEN COMPARED WITH DEC. 87 JAN. 87 CHANGE IN JAN. 88 WHEN COMPARED WITH DEC. 87 JAN. 87
(X) (X) (HK$) (X) (X)
MANUFACTURING -1 -2 4,967 + 18 -12
FOOD AND DRINKS + 1 + 3 5,747 + 13 -11
WEARING APPAREL -1 -7 4,055 + 10 -7
TEXTILES -1 ♦ 4,534 + 3 -32
PLASTIC PRODUCTS +2 -5 3,975 + 9 -37
FABRICATED METAL PRODUCTS +1 + 3 4,992 + 30 -5
ELECTRICAL AND ELECTRONIC PRODUCTS -2 ♦ 4,921 + 23 -2
OTHERS -1 -3 7,012 + 29 -8
# CONSTRUCTION ♦ + 2 6,590 + 11 -12
SERVICES ♦ + 2 9,053 +2 -1
BANKS ♦ + 3 8,194 -20 -4
HOTELS ♦ + 1 9,306 + 65 -4
PUBLIC UTILITIES » -1 9,041 + 4 + 9
OTHERS + 1 + 9 10,009 + 16 -7
» CHANGES WITHIN +/- 0.5%
# PERSONS ENGAGED COVER COMPANY EMPLOYEES ONLY; SITE WORKERS EMPLOYED BY LABOUR-ONLY SUB-CONTRACTORS ARE NOT INCLUDED.
NOTE: UNLIKE "ORDERS-ON-HAND” AND "PER CAPITA EARNINGS" WHICH ARE AVERAGE FIGURES AMONGST THE FIRMS SURVEYED, THE TOTAL NUMBER OF PERSONS ENGAGED BY THE FIRMS SURVEYED IS NOT MEANINGFUL INFORMATION ON ITS OWN (BECAUSE THIS IS A PANEL SURVEY) AND IS THEREFORE NOT SHOWN.
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/21
FRIDAY, MARCH 18,
1988
LONG SERVICE MEDALS FOR 15 FIREMEN * » *
FIFTEEN FIREMEN FROM THE HEADQUARTERS COMMAND WERE PRESENTED FIRE BRIGADE LONG SERVICE MEDALS BY THE ACTING CHIEF FIRE OFFICER, MR PETER CHEUNG, TODAY (FRIDAY).
SPEAKING AT A CEREMONY AT THE FIRE SERVICES HEADQUARTERS IN TSIM SHA TSUI, MR CHEUNG SAID THE AWARDS REPRESENTED MANY YEARS OF CONSISTENT DEDICATION AND HARD WORK BY THE RECIPIENTS.
HE SAID THE FIRE SERVICES HAD ATTAINED ITS PRESENT REPUTATION THROUGH THE UNSELFISH DEVOTION OF ITS STAFF.
"EACH OF YOU, THROUGH YOUR LOYALTY AND DEDICATION TO DUTY. HAD
CONTRIBUTED IN MANY WAYS YOUR SHARE IN BUILDING UP THIS BRIGADE. •
"THE LONG SERVICE AWARDS ARE DUE RECOGNITION OF YOUR MANY YEARS OF LOYAL SERVICE TO THE COMMUNITY," MR CHEUNG SAID.
THIS YEAR, A TOTAL OF 46 FIRE AND AMBULANCE PERSONNEL WHO HAVE SERVED THE DEPARTMENT BETWEEN 18 AND 30 YEARS HAVE BEEN AWARDED FIRE BRIGADE LONG SERVICE MEDALS.
- - 0 -
PAST AND PRESENT OF CUSTOMS SERVICE * * t » *
THE CUSTOMS AND EXCISE DEPARTMENT WILL EMBARK UPON ANOTHER MAJOR STRUCTURAL REFORM TO MAXIMISE THE DEPLOYMENT OF ITS RESOURCES, COUPLED WITH A THOROUGH REVIEW OF REVENUE CONTROL AND IMPLEMENTATION OF A COMPUTERISED SYSTEM, THE DEPUTY COMMISSIONER OF CUSTOMS AND EXCISE, MR K.S. TONG, SAID TODAY (FRIDAY).
EXPLAINING THE CHANGING ROLE AND DEVELOPMENTS OF THE DEPARTMENT OVER THE YEARS AT A LUNCHEON MEETING OF THE LIONS CLUB OF HONG KONG (HOST), MR TONG POINTED OUT THAT HONG KONG WOULD MAINTAIN A SEPARATE CUSTOMS ADMINISTRATION AFTER 1997 WHEN IT BECAME A SPECIAL ADMINISTRATIVE REGION OF CHINA.
HE SAID THE DEPARTMENT HAD FIRMLY ESTABLISHED ITS INTERNATIONAL REPUTATION IN THE FIELD OF MUTUAL CUSTOMS CO-OPERATION SINCE ITS ACCESSION TO THE CUSTOMS CO-OPERATION COUNCIL AS A FULL MEMBER AND PARTICIPATION IN THE CCC REGIONAL LIAISON OFFICE FOR THE CO-ORDINATION OF NARCOTICS INTELLIGENCE AMONG CUSTOMS SERVICES OF THE ASIA PACIFIC REGION LAST YEAR.
/"THE DEPARTMENT'S
FRIDAY, 41ARCH 18, 1988
22
"THE DEPARTMENT'S ROLE IN CONSUMER PROTECTION WILL ALSO BE FURTHER EXPANDED, INCLUDING NEW RESPONSIBILITIES IN ENFORCING WEIGHTS AND MEASURES AND THE SALE OF UNSAFE PRODUCTS.
"OTHER OBJECTIVES INCI UDE FURTHERING OUR EFFICIENCY IN THE SUPPRESSION OF NARCOTICS TRAFFICKING AND SMUGGLING BETWEEN HONG KONG AND CHINA, MAINTENANCE OF THE LICENSING AND CERTIFICATION SYSTEM AND THE COLLECTION OF A LARGER REVENUE ARISING FROM RECENT INCREASES IN DUTIES ON DUTIABLE COMMODITIES."
MR TONG ALSO NOTED THAT THE CUSTOMS AND EXCISE SERVICE WAS UNIQUE IN THE SENSE THAT IT WAS PERHAPS THE ONLY DISCIPLINED CUSTOMS FORCE IN THE WORLD, OPERATING UNDER A STATUTORY CODE OF DISCIPLINE.
"THERE IS ALSO AN ELEMENT OF CONTINUITY IN THE WORK OF THE DEPARTMENT IN HISTORY," HE ADDED.
"THE PRESENT CUSTOMS AND EXCISE DEPARTMENT HAS ITS ROOTS IN THE PREVENTIVE SERVICE ESTABLISHED IN 1909 UNDER THE THEN IMPORT AND EXPORT DEPARTMENT, THE COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY DEPARTMENT AND THE TRADE, INDUSTRY AND CUSTOMS DEPARTMENT SUCCESSIVELY.
"THE SERVICE BEGAN AS A COLLECTOR AND PROTECTOR OF DUTY ON INTOXICATING LIQUORS. THE LIST WAS EXTENDED IN TIME TO INCLUDE TOBACCO, MOTOR SPIRITS, METHYL ALCOHOL AND, MORE RECENTLY, COSMETICS AND NON-ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES, DERIVING AN ANNUAL REVENUE OF NEARLY $4 BILLION TODAY."
MR TONG EXPLAINED THAT THE SERVICE’S OPERATIONS HAD ALSO FOCUSSED ON FIVE OTHER MAJOR AREAS OF RESPONSIBILITY OVER THE YEARS.
"THEY INCLUDE, FIRSTLY, THE CONTROL OF THE IMPORT AND EXPORT OF PROHIBITED ARTICLES OCCASIONED BY THE OUTBREAK OF WORLD WAR I, FOLLOWED BY THE DUTY TO PRESERVE HONG KONG’S TRADING INTEGRITY AFTER THE INTRODUCTION OF THE PREFERENTIAL TARIFF SYSTEM IN 1932.
"OTHER RESPONSIBILITIES INCLUDE THE INTERDICTION OF NARCOTIC DRUGS AFTER WORLD WAR II, THE ENFORCEMENT OF THE NEW COPYRIGHT LAW ENACTED IN 1973 AND THE PROTECTION OF INDUSTRIAL PROPERTY UNDER THE TRADE DESCRIPTIONS ORDINANCE AS FROM 1981.
"THE DEPARTMENT HAS UNDERGONE SIGNIFICANT STAGES DURING ITS LONG PROCESS OF EVOLUTION, CHARACTERISED BY MAJOR ORGANISATION RE-CONSTRUCTIONS AND UNEQUALLED ENFORCEMENT ACTIVITIES IN EACH STAGE, BEFORE IT BECAME A HIGHLY PROFESSIONAL AND MULTI-FACETED ENFORCEMENT AGENCY OF TODAY.
"AMONG THEM, THE MORE IMPORTANT ONES WERE THE OUTBREAK OF THE KOREAN WAR WITH ITS SUBSEQUENT TRADE EMBARGO, THE UPSURGE IN GOLD SMUGGLING AND OPERATION OF ILLICIT STILL FOR CHINESE WINE IN THE 1950'S AND 1960’S, THE ENACTMENT OF THE PREVENTIVE SERVICE ORDINANCE IN 1963 AND NEW RESPONSIBILITY FOR ANT I-NARCOTIC OPERATIONS ON LAND AND PROTECTION OF COPYRIGHT IN 1972 AND 1973 RESPECTIVELY.
/"WITH THE .......
FRIDAY, .IARCH 18, 1988
SI
- -
"WITH THE DEFEDERATION OF THE THEN TRADE, INDUSTRY AND CUSTOMS DEPARTMENT IN 1982, THE CUSTOMS AND EXCISE DEPARTMENT FINALLY BECAME FULLY INDEPENDENT."
FROM A TEAM OF ONLY 26 OFFICERS, MR TONG SAID, THE CUSTOMS AND EXCISE DEPARTMENT HAD NOW GROWN TO A FORCE OF 3,827 OFFICERS.
IT IS MADE UP OF TWO COMPONENT PARTS, THE DISCIPLINED CUSTOMS AND EXCISE SERVICE AND THE CIVILIAN TRADE CONTROLS GROUP, WITH ENFORCEMENT RESPONSIBILITY FOR SOME 35 ORDINANCES.
-------0---------
TRAFFIC, TRANSPORT ARRANGEMENTS FOR CHING MING FESTIVAL
* » » » «
SPECIAL TRAFFIC AND TRANSPORT ARRANGEMENTS WILL BE IMPLEMENTED IN THE NEW TERRITORIES FOR THE CHING MING FESTIVAL, THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCED TODAY (FRIDAY). V);
8.
THE ARRANGEMENTS WILL INCLUDE CLOSURE OF ROADS IN WO HOP SHEK, FANLING AND TSUEN WAN AS WELL AS STRENGTHENING OF PUBLIC TRANSPORT SERVICES.
AS TRAFFIC CONGESTION IS EXPECTED ON ROADS NEAR THE CEMETERIES, GRAVE-SWEEPERS ARE ADVISED TO EXERCISE UTMOST CARE AND PATIENCE, OR TO VISIT THE CEMETERIES EARLY OR TO GO THERE ON OTHER, NON-FESTIVAL DAYS.
ROAD CLOSURES:
BETWEEN 4 AM AND 8 PM ON SUNDAY (MARCH 20), MARCH 27, APRIL 1 TO 5, 10 AND 17, THE SECTION OF WO HOP SHEK ROAD FROM WO HOP SHEK MINI-ROUNDABOUT TO THE JUNCTION OF ROAD D6 WILL BE CLOSED TO ALL PRIVATE VEHICLES INCLUDING VEHICLES ACCOMPANYING HEARSES.
AT THE SAME TIME, K1U TAU ROAD AND THE SECTION OF WO HOP SHEK ROAD BEYOND ITS JUNCTION WITH ROAD D6 WILL BE CLOSED TO TRAFFIC (INCLUDING VEHICLES ACCOMPANYING HEARSES) EXCEPT FRANCHISED BUSES, EMERGENCY VEHICLES AND HEARSES.
Ui
FROM 7 AM TO 6 PM ON THE SAME DAYS, THE SLIP ROAD AT WO HOP SHEK CONNECTION FROM NORTHBOUND NT CIRCULAR ROAD LEADING TO WO HOP SHEK MINI-ROUNDABOUT WILL BE CLOSED TO ALL TRAFFIC EXCEPT EMERGENCY VEHICLES AND FRANCHISED BUSES.
AT THE SAME TIME, FANLING PLAYGROUND ROAD WILL ALSO BE CLOSED TO TRAFFIC EXCEPT FRANCHISED BUSES, GREEN MINIBUSES, EMERGENCY VEHICLES AND RESIDENTS FOR LOCAL ACCESS.
/IN ADDITION, ........
n
FRIDAY, MARCH 18, 1?88 n
- 24 -
IN ADDITION, THE FANLING KCR FORECOURT WILL ALSO BE CLOSED TO TRAFFIC AT ITS ACCESS FROM ROAD D5, EXCEPTING FRANCHISED BUSES, GREEN MINIBUSES AND EMERGENCY VEHICLES.
IN TSUEN WAN, LO WAI ROAD WILL BE CLOSED TO TRAFFIC EXCEPT EMERGENCY VEHICLES FROM 7 AM TO 4 PM ON MARCH 27, APRIL 1 TO 5, AND APRIL 10.
THE LO WAI END TERMINATING POINT FOR NT GREEN MINIBUS ROUTES NO. 81 AND 81M WILL BE RELOCATED TO THE LO WAI BUS TERMINUS.
FROM 7 AM TO 7 PM ON MARCH 27, APRIL 1 TO 5, AND APRIL 10, WING SHUN STREET BETWEEN TSUEN WAN CEMETERY AND KWAI HEI STREET IN * KWAI CHUNG WILL BE CLOSED TO TRAFFIC EXCEPT HEARSES AND EMERGENCY VEHICLES. *
AS ROAD CLOSURE MEASURES WILL BE ENFORCED BY POLICE OFFICERS AT THE JUNCTION OF WING SHUN STREET, KWAI HEI STREET AND KWAI YUE STREET, GRAVE-SWEEPERS ARE ADVISED TO TAKE THE MTR AND ALIGHT AT KWAI FONG STATION.
PUBLIC TRANSPORT SERVICES
ON MARCH 20, 27, APRIL 1 TO 5, 10 AND 17, KCR TRAIN SERVICES WILL OPERATE AT FANLING AT A FIVE-MINUTE INTERVAL DURING THE PEAK PERIOD FROM 7 AM TO 9 AM AND FROM 5 PM TO 7 PM.
FROM 9 AM TO 5 PM ON THE SAME DAYS, TRAIN SERVICES WILL OPERATE AT A FREQUENCY OF SEVEN-AND-A-HALF MINUTES OR EIGHT-AND-A-HALF MINUTES.
A SPECIAL SHUTTLE BUS SERVICE, ROUTE 70R, WILL OPERATE BETWEEN FANLING KCR STATION AND WO HOP SHEK AT ABOUT THREE MINUTES FREQUENCY ON MARCH 20, 27, APRIL 3, 4, 10 AND 17.
ON THE SAME DAYS, ANOTHER SPECIAL BUS SERVICE, ROUTE 70S, WILL OPERATE FROM JORDAN ROAD FERRY BUS TERMINUS TO WO HOP SHEK VIA TOLO HIGHWAY AT INTERVALS OF ABOUT SIX MINUTES.
MEANWHILE, SERVICES ON KMB ROUTES NO. 70, 70K, 70X, 73 AND 73A WILL ALSO BE STRENGTHENED DURING THE FESTIVAL PERIOD.
GRAVE-SWEEPERS WISHING TO GO TO SANDY RIDGE CAN EITHER TAKE THE REGULAR BUS SERVICE, ROUTE 73K, PLYING BETWEEN SHEUNG SHU1 AND SAN UK LING OR THE TRAIN SERVICE TO LO WU.
DURING THE FESTIVAL PERIOD, PUBLIC LIGHT BUSES (PLB’S), TAXIS AND COACHES CARRYING PASSENGERS WILL ONLY BE ALLOWED TO SET DOWN PASSENGERS AT DESIGNATED LOCATIONS AND WAITING WILL NOT BE PERMITTED.
/PLB'S AND .......
FRIDAY, MARCH 18, 1988
25
PLB’S AND PRIVATE CARS WILL NOT BE ALLOWED TO SET DOWN OR PICK UP PASSENGERS WITHIN ONE KILOMETRE ON TAI WO SERVICE ROAD (WEST) ON EITHER SIDE OF WO HOP SHEK ROAD; AND ALSO WITHIN 300 METRES ON TAI WO SERVICE ROAD (WEST) ON EITHER SIDE OF KIU TAU ROAD.
AS THERE WILL BE NO PARKING FACILITIES IN WO HOP SHEK AND PARKING SPACES IN SHEUNG SHUI, FANLING AND TSUEN WAN CEMETERY ARE EXTREMELY LIMITED, MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC ARE URGED TO USE PUBLIC TRANSPORT TO GO TO THE CEMETERIES.
GRAVE-SWEEPERS ARE ADVISED TO FOLLOW THE PEDESTRIAN ROUTE FROM THE SOUTH SIDE OF FANLING KCR STATION AND TO WALK ALONG ROAD D6.
-----0-----
SERVICES FOR ELDERLY IN NORTH DISTRICT ♦ t » *
APPROPRIATE ARRANGEMENTS HAVE BEEN MADE BY THE GOVERNMENT TO MEET THE DEMAND FOR ELDERLY SERVICES IN THE NORTH DISTRICT, THE DISTRICT OFFICER, MR MATTHEW CHEUNG, SAID THIS (FRIDAY) AFTERNOON.
HE WAS SPEAKING AT A FEAST FOR THE ELDERLY ORGANISED BY THE DISTRICT’S CO-ORDINATING COMMITTEE FOR ELDERLY ACTIVITIES.
MR CHEUNG NOTED THAT OF THE 150,000 POPULATION IN THE DISTRICT, ABOUT 17,000 WERE OVER 60 YEARS OLD, REPRESENTING MORE THAN 10 PER CENT OF THE TOTAL POPULATION THERE.
OUTLINING THE SERVICES FOR THE ELDERLY, HE SAID THE FUNG YING SIN KOON LIMITED SOCIAL CENTRE FOR THE ELDERLY IN CHEUNG WAH ESTATE, FANLING, HAD COMMENCED OPERATION IN JANUARY.
ANOTHER SOCIAL CENTRE FOR THE ELDERLY WOULD BE SET UP IN TIN PING ESTATE, SHEUNG SHUI, IN THE NEXT TWO YEARS.
BY 1990, A HOSTEL FOR THE ELDERLY AND A HOME/CARE AND ATTENTION UNIT WOULD BE IN OPERATION IN TIN PING ESTATE AND IN FANLING’S WAH MING ESTATE RESPECTIVELY, HE ADDED.
TO MEET THE DEMAND FROM THE GROWING POPULATION IN FANLING SOUTH, A MULTI-SERVICES CENTRE AND A DAY CARE CENTRE FOR THE ELDERLY WILL BE SET UP IN 1990-91.
MR CHEUNG PRAISED THE EFFORTS OF THE NORTH DISTRICT CO-ORDINATING COMMITTEE FOR ELDERLY ACTIVITIES, LED BY MR TSUI CHIN-WAN, IN ORGANISING A WIDE RANGE OF ACTIVITIES TO PROMOTE RESPECT FOR THE ELDERLY.
/THE ACTIVITIES .......
FRIDAY, MARCH 18, 1988
THE ACTIVITIES INCLUDED VISITS TO INSTITUTIONS FOR THE ELDERLY, FREE MEDICAL CHECK-UP, MID-AUTUMN CELEBRATION ACTIVITIES AND A CARNIVAL. IT HAD ALSO DISTRIBUTED ABOUT 720 UMBRELLAS TO SENIOR RESIDENTS IN THE DISTRICT.
MR CHEUNG ALSO THANKED LOCAL ORGANISATIONS AND INDIVIDUALS FOR THEIR FINANCIAL SUPPORT TO MEET PART OF THE PROGRAMME EXPENSES WHICH TOTALLED $130,000.
SPORTS WINNERS TO GET THEIR PRIZES ♦ t * »
WINNERS OF COMPETITIONS HELD BY THE TAI PO SPORTS ASSOCIATION IN 1987-88 WILL RECEIVE PRIZES AT AN ANNUAL PRESENTATION CEREMONY TO BE HELD AT THE ASSOCIATION’S LI FOOK LAM INDOOR SPORTS CENTRE ON SUNDAY (MARCH 20).
WITH ALLOCATIONS TOTALLING ABOUT $150,000 FROM THE TAI PO DISTRICT BOARD, THE ASSOCIATION ORGANISED DURING THE YEAR 20 COMPETITIONS BY ITSELF OR IN CONJUNCTION WITH THE REGIONAL COUNCIL.
THESE INCLUDED TABLE-TENNIS, BADMINTON, TENNIS, VOLLEYBALL, BASKETBALL AND FOOTBALL COMPETITIONS, A LONG-DISTANCE RUN AND AN ATHLETIC MEET.
THE PRESENTATION, WHICH WILL BEGIN AT 5.30 PM, WILL BE FOLLOWED BY A BASKETBALL MATCH BETWEEN REPRESENTATIVES OF THE DISTRICT BOARD AND ARTISTES FROM TELEVISION BROADCASTS LIMITED.
OFFICIATING AT THE CEREMONY WILL BE THE TAI PO DISTRICT OFFICER, MR JOHN BURRETT, AND COMMUNITY LEADERS.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE EVENT ON SUNDAY (MARCH 20) AT THE LI FOOK LAM INDOOR SPORTS CENTRE AT 2 ON CHEUNG ROAD, TAI PO.
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/27
FRIDAY, MARCH 18, 1988
- 27 -
GOOD CITIZENS HONOURED IN TSUEN WAN
t ♦ * * ♦
THE TSUEN WAN DISTRICT FIGHT CRIME COMMITTEE WILL HOLD A PRIZE PRESENTATION CEREMONY FOR ITS GOOD CITIZEN AWARD SCHEME ON SUNDAY (MARCH 20).
RECIPIENTS UNDER THE AWARD SCHEME WERE SELECTED FROM NOMINATIONS AMONG CIVIC-MINDED PEOPLE IN THE DISTRICT WHO HAVE ASSISTED POLICE IN FIGHTING CRIME.
THE CEREMONY WILL BEGIN AT 2.30 PM AT THE PRINCESS ALEXANDRA COMMUNITY CENTRE.
OFFICIATING WILL BE THE TSUEN WAN DISTRICT OFFICER, MR WILLIAM SHIU; POLICE DISTRICT COMMANDER, MR JOHN HUI; AND CHAIRMAN OF THE DISTRICT FIGHT CRIME COMMITTEE, MR CHOW KWAN-SING.
WINNERS OF THE FIGHT CRIME POSTER DESIGN COMPETITION, RELATING TO A LIFT DISPLAY PROJECT, WILL ALSO RECEIVE THEIR PRIZES.
AFTER THE CEREMONY, RESIDENTS WILL BE TREATED TO A STREET PLAY JOINTLY ORGANISED BY THE FIGHT CRIME COMMITTEE AND THE FRINGE CLUB.
THE 30-MINUTE PLAY, CONVEYING AN ANTI-TRIAD MESSAGE, DEPICTS HOW TRIADS TRY TO INFILTRATE SCHOOLS AND HIGHLIGHTS THE SERIOUS CONSEQUENCES OF ANYONE WHO GETS INVOLVED IN TRIAD ACTIVITIES.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE GOOD CITIZEN AWARD PRESENTATION CEREMONY AND ANTI-TRIAD PLAY TO BE HELD ON SUNDAY AT THE PRINCESS ALEXANDRA COMMUNITY CENTRE, 60 TAI HO ROAD IN TSUEN WAN. THE PRESENTATION BEGINS AT 2.30 PM.
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/28........
FRIDAY, MARCH 18, 1988
- 28 -
KEEP CLEAN CAMPAIGN PRIZE PRESENTATION
♦ » ♦ ♦ *
A PRIZE PRESENTATION CEREMONY OF THE 1987-88 ISLANDS DISTRICT KEEP CLEAN CAMPAIGN WILL BE HELD TOMORROW (SATURDAY) AT THE BUDDHIST WAI YAN MEMORIAL COLLEGE ON CHEUNG CHAU.
THE ISLANDS DISTRICT OFFICER, MR JONATHAN NG, AND THE CHAIRMAN OF THE KEEP CLEAN CAMPAIGN COMMITTEE, MR YIU KAI-HANG, WILL OFFICIATE AT THE CEREMONY WHICH WILL START AT 10 AM.
A DANCE PERFORMANCE BY STUDENTS OF THE DISTRICT WILL FOLLOW THE CEREMONY.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE 1987-88 ISLANDS DISTRICT KEEP CLEAN CAMPAIGN PRIZE PRESENTATION CEREMONY TO BE HELD AT THE BUDDHIST WAI YAN MEMORIAL COLLEGE ON CHEUNG CHAU TOMORROW (SATURDAY) AT 10 AM.
THE PRESS LAUNCH ’’CLEMENTI” WILL LEAVE THE KOWLOON PUBLIC PIER, TSIM SHA TSUI, FOR CHEUNG CHAU AT 8.30 AM. INFORMATION OFFICER, MR RAYMOND TAM, WILL BE ON HAND TO ASSIST.
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EIGHTY TO RECEIVE BUILDING MANAGEMENT CERTIFICATES
♦ * ♦ » ♦
ABOUT 80 PEOPLE WHO ARE MEMBERS OF INDUSTRIAL BUILDING OWNERS1 CORPORATIONS OR FACTORY OWNERS WILL BE AWARDED CERTIFICATES IN INDUSTRIAL BUILDING MANAGEMENT ON SUNDAY (MARCH 20).
THE MEMBERS ATTENDED A COURSE ON INDUSTRIAL BUILDING MANAGEMENT IN JANUARY AND FEBRUARY.
THE COURSE COVERED SUCH TOPICS AS DEEDS OF MUTUAL COVENANT, FINANCE CONTROL, ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AND FIRE PREVENTION.
IT WAS ORGANISED BY THE INDUSTRIAL BUILDING MANAGEMENT TEAM OF THE KWAI TSING DISTRICT OFFICE, THE ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION DEPARTMENT, FIRE SERVICES DEPARTMENT AND THE KWAI TSING DISTRICT BOARD.
/A SEMINAR .......
FRIDAY, MARCH 18, 1988
A SEMINAR WILL BE HELD BEFORE THE CERTIFICATES ARE PRESENTED.
THIS WILL ENABLE COURSE MEMBERS TO ASK FURTHER QUESTIONS ON INDUSTRIAL BUILDING MANAGEMENT AND TO DISCUSS THEIR EXPERIENCES IN THIS MATTER.
THE KWAI TSING DISTRICT OFFICE AND THE DISTRICT BOARD HAVE MADE A PIONEER MOVE BY JOINTLY PRODUCING A HANDBOOK ON INDUSTRIAL BUILDING MANAGEMENT.
THE HANDBOOK WILL BE DISTRIBUTED TO OWNERS’ CORPORATIONS OF INDUSTRIAL BUILDINGS AND TO FACTORY OWNERS.
OFFICIATING AT THE PRESENTATION OF CERTIFICATES WILL BE THE KWAI TSING DISTRICT OFFICER, MR BRIAN COAK; ASSISTANT DIVISIONAL OFFICER OF THE FIRE SERVICES DEPARTMENT, MR TSUI KWOK-KEI; ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION OFFICER, MS BETTY CHEUNG; CHAIRMAN OF INSTITUTE OF HOUSING (HONG KONG BRANCH), MR PETER YIP; HOUSING MANAGER, MR LEE KANG-SUM; AND DISTRICT BOARD MEMBERS, MR CHAN KWOK-WAI AND MR CHAN KWOK-WAH.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE CERTIFICATE PRESENTATION CEREMONY OF INDUSTRIAL BUILDING MANAGEMENT COURSE AND THE SEMINAR TO BE HELD ON SUNDAY (MARCH 20) IN THE ACTIVITIES ROOM OF WONDERLAND VILLA. PRESS REPRESENTATIVES SHOULD GATHER AT 3.30 PM AT GROUND FLOOR OF KWAI HING GOVERNMENT OFFICES BUILDING (NEXT TO KWAI HING MTR STATION), KWAI CHUNG. TRANSPORT WILL BE PROVIDED.
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OPERATION HOURS OF PARKING METERS SHORTENED « » » ♦ *
THE OPERATING HOURS FOR THE GOODS VEHICLE PARKING METERS IN CHEUNG SHA WAN INDUSTRIAL AREA WILL BE SHORTENED FROM THE EXISTING 16 HOURS TO 12 HOURS WITH EFFECT FROM MONDAY (MARCH 21).
THE NEW OPERATING HOURS WILL BE FROM 8 AM TO 8 PM INSTEAD OF FROM 8 AM TO MIDNIGHT.
THE AFFECTED METERS ARE LOCATED AT KING LAM STREET, WING HONG STREET, YU CHAU WEST STREET, YEE. KUK WEST STREET AND TUNG CHAU WEST STREET.
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/JO
FRIDAY, MARCH 18, 1988
- 50 -
TEMPORARY RESTRICTIONS IN NORTH POINT AND SHEUNG WAN ♦ ♦ * ♦ *
FROM 10 AM TOMORROW (MARCH 19), JAVA ROAD FROM A POINT ABOUT 73 METRES EAST OF ITS JUNCTION WITH TIN CHIU STREET TO A POINT ABOUT. 108 METRES EAST OF THE SAME JUNCTION WILL BE DESIGNATED A 24-HOUR DAILY URBAN CLEARWAY FOR ABOUT SIX MONTHS TO FACILITATE ROAD WORKS.
STREET DAILY WILL
SHING
IN SHEUNG WAN, THE SOUTHERN KERBSIDE LANE OF KO
BETWEEN HOUSE NOS. 22 AND 48C WILL BE DESIGNATED A 7 AM TO 7 PM URBAN CLEARWAY FROM 10 AM ON MONDAY (MARCH 21). THE RESTRICI ION BE IN FORCE FOR ABOUT THREE WEEKS TO FACILITATE ROAD RECONSTRUCTION
WORKS.
NO VEHICLES, EXCEPT FRANCHISED BUSES, WILL BE ALLOWED TO STOP WITHIN THE ABOVE URBAN CLEARWAYS FOR GOODS OR PASSENGERS.
MEANWHILE, THE EXISTING RESTRICTED ZONE ON THE NORTHERN KERBSIDE LANE OF KO SHING STREET BETWEEN HOUSE NOS. 19 AND 77 IMPLEMENTED DAILY FROM 7 AM TO 7 PM WILL BE RESCINDED.
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DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL: 5-8428777
SATURDAY, MARCH 19, 1988
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
SIR DAVID STARTS "WALK AND PLANT" PROMOTION .................... 1
TUNNEL BUS LANE AND TIDAL-FLOW SCHEME TO BE EXTENDED............ 2
TRANSPORT COMPLAINTS UNIT ISSUES 3RD QUARTER REPORT ............ 4
MORE CHILD CARE CENTRES IN TUEN MUN ............................ 6
DRAFT ESTIMATES OF EXPENDITURE TO BE EXAMINED................... 7
NEIGHBOURHOOD WATCH PROVES EFFECTIVE IN WAN CHAI ............... 7
NEW LAMBETH WALK FOOTBRIDGE OPENS TOMORROW ..................... 8
SCHOLARSHIPS FOR MATRICULATION COURSES ......................... 9
SPECIAL CAR NUMBERS SOLD BY AUCTION ........................... 10
SERVICES TO BEGIN AT MONA FONG CLINIC.......................... 11
POPULAR COIN COLLECTION STILL AVAILABLE ....................... 11
CORRECTIONAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT SPORTS MEET .................. 12
TREE PLANTING TO COMMEMORATE WORK OF DB ....................... 1?
FUN FAIR FOR EMSD STAFF....................................... I1*
KEEPING ISLANDS CLEAN AN ON-GOING TASK........................ 1**
WELFARE PAYMENT DATES REARRANGED .............................. 15
JETTY PLANNED FOR LOADING SLUDGE............................... 16
URBAN CLEARWAY AND TURNING MOVEMENT RESTRICTIONS............... 16
SATURDAY, MARCH 19, 1988
1
SIR DAVID STARTS "WALK AND PLANT” PROMOTION t * t t t
THE DEPUTY TO THE GOVERNOR, SIR DAVID FORD, TODAY (SATURDAY) CALLED ON THE COMMUNITY TO HELP CONSERVE THE NATURAL ENVIRONMENT AND TO SHOW CONCERN FOR THE COUNTRYSIDE BY PARTICIPATING IN TREE PLANTING ACTIVITIES IN THE COMING WEEKS.
"IT IS OF GREAT SADNESS TO ME THAT ALTHOUGH THE VALUE OF HAVING COUNTRY PARKS IS WELL ACCEPTED BY THE COMMUNITY, THEY ARE STILL DREADFULLY DAMAGED EACH YEAR BY HILL FIRES, MANY OF WHICH WERE CAUSED BY NEGLIGENCE,” SIR DAVID SAID.
"HILL FIRES ARE EASY TO START BUT EXTREMELY DIFFICULT TO PUT OUT. PREVENTJON IS ALWAYS THE KEY.
"MAY 1 THEREFORE REMIND OUR COUNTRY PARK VISITORS TO BE EVER MINDFUL OF THEIR RESPONSIBILITY TO HELP KEEP OUR COUNTRYSIDE SAFE AND TO PROTECT OUR NATURAL ENVIRONMENT."
SIR DAVID WAS ADDRESSING 100 INVITED GUESTS AND 1,000 PARTICIPANTS FROM FAMILY GROUPS AND SCHOOLS ATTENDING A "WALK AND PLANT" ACTIVITY AT PAK TAM AU IN SAI KUNG COUNTRY PARK.
JOINING SIR DAVID IN OFFICIATING AT THE EVENT WERE LADY FORD; THE DIRECTOR OF AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES, DR LAWRENCE LEE; THE COMMISSIONER FOR RECREATION AND CULTURE, MR CLIVE OXLEY XND THE GENERAL MANAGER OF TELEVISION BROADCASTS LIMITED, MR ROBERT CHAN.
ALSO OFFICIATING WERE THE CHAIRMAN OF THE COUNTRY PARKS BOARD’S PUBLIC RELATIONS COMMITTEE, MR WILLIAM WAN; AND THE MARKETING DIRECTOR OF SWIRE BOTTLERS LIMITED, MR STEVE MASON, WHOSE COMPANY IS THE SPONSOR OF THE EVENT.
THE EVENT WAS ALSO ATTENDED BY AROUND 20 HOSTELLERS FROM NEIGHBOURING ASIAN COUNTRIES NOW ATTENDING AN ASIAN DEVELOPMENT SEMINAR LN HONG KONG ON YOUTH HOSTELS.
THE AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES DEPARTMENT AND THE GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES ORGANISED THE EVENT IN CONJUNCTION WITH TELEVISION BROADCASTS LIMITED.
IT MARKED THE OFFICIAL OPENING OF THE FIRST 13 FAMILY WALKS IN THE COUNTRY PARK SYSTEM AND THE LAUNCHING OF A PROMOTIONAL DRIVE TO ENCOURAGE WIDER PUBLIC USE OF THESE FACILITIES.
A FAMILY WALK IS A TRAIL LOCATED AT A SCENIC COUNTRY PARE AREA. IT PROVIDES NOT ONLY A WAY FOR A FAMILY TO TAKE EXERCISE IN BEAUTIFUL SURROUNDINGS BUT ALSO GIVES THEM AN OPPORTUNITY TO LEARN MORL ABOUT LOCAL PLANTS AND WILDLIFE.
/TODAY’S EVENT........
k
SATURDAY, MARCH 19, 1988
- 2 -
TODAY’S EVENT ALSO LAUNCHED THE 1988 COMMUNITY TREE PLANTING SCHEME WHICH THIS YEAR CELEBRATES ITS 31ST ANNIVERSARY.
"TREE PLANTING IS ESSENTIAL IN KEEPING OUR COUNTRYSIDE GREEN AND IN REPLENISHING THE STOCK OF TREES DAMAGED BY HILL FIRES," SIR DAVID SAID.
"PROMOTING COMMUNITY PARTICIPATION IN TREE PLANTING HELPS PEOPLE TO LEARN ABOUT THE DELICATE ECOLOGY OF OUR COUNTRYSIDE AND SERVES TO REMIND US OF OUR OBLIGATION TO HELP IN PRESERVING IT."
HE SAID THAT STARTING FROM TOMORROW UNTIL THE END OF APRIL, ON ANY SUNDAY AND PUBLIC HOLIDAY IN THE PERIOD, TREE SEEDLINGS WOULD BE PROVIDED FREE IN EIGH'I DESIGNATED PLANTING SITES IN VARIOUS COUNTRY PARKS.
"PLEASE DO TAKE THIS OPPORTUNITY TO SHOW YOUR CONCERN FOR OUR COUNTRYSIDE,” HE SAID IN A GENERAl. APPEAL TO PARK VISITORS.
SIR DAVID LATER LED THE GUEST PARTI AND TH! PARTICIPANTS IN PLANTING Till' FIRST TREES 01 Till' YEAR AND THEN WALKED THROUGH THE NEARBY 1.8 KILOMETRE PAK TAM FAMILY WALK.
THE EIGHT SITES WHFRI- TREE SEEDLINGS WILL BE AVAILABLE ON THE SCHEDULED TREE PI ANTING DAYS FOR PLANTING BY INTERESTED PEOPLE ARI TAI MO SHAN, TAI TONG, BRIDE'S POOL, CLEARWATER BAY, PAK TAM CHUNG, POK FU LAM, QUARRY BAY AND MUI WO.
AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES DEPARTMENT STAFF WILL BE ON DUTY BETWEEN 9 AM AND 4 PM TO PROVIDE TREE SEEDLINGS, TOOLS AND TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE.
IN ADDITION TO SERVING INDIVIDUAL MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC, ARRANGEMENTS CAN BE MADE FOR GROUP PARTICIPATION. INTERESTED ORGANISATIONS ARE ADVISED TO CONTACT THE DEPARTMENT’S CONSERVATION EDUCATION UNIT AT 3-7332121 FOR REGISTRATION.
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TUNNEL BUS LANE AND TIDAL-FLOW SCHEME TO BE EXTENDED
*****
THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT TODAY (SATURDAY) REMINDED MOTORISTS THAT THE EXISTING BUS-ONLY LANE ON THE KOWLOON-BOUND CARRIAGEWAY OF LION ROCK TUNNEL ROAD WILL BE EXTENDED FROM 7.30 AM ON MONDAY (MARCH 21) TO REDUCE BUS JOURNEY TIME ALONG THE TUNNEL CORRIDOR.
AT THE SAME TIME, FROM MONDAY TO MARCH 31, EXCEPT SATURDAY AND SUNDAY, THE TIDAL-FLOW ARRANGEMENT CARRIED OUT AT THE LION ROCK TUNNEL BETWEEN 6 AM AND 7.30 AM WILL BE EXTENDED BY 10 MINUTES TO END AT 7.40 AM.
/THE BUS ......
SATURDAY, MARCH 19, 1988
- 3 -
THE BUS LANE WILL BE EXTENDED TO INCLUDE THE KERBSIDE LANES OF CHE KUNG MUI ROAD SOUTHBOUND FROM CHUI TIN STREET TO HUNG MUI KUK ROAD AND HUNG MUI KUK ROAD EASTBOUND FROM CHE KUNG MIU ROAD TO CHUNG PAK ROAD.
IT WILL OPERATE FROM 7.30 AM TO 9 AM, EXCEPT SUNDAYS AND PUBLIC HOLIDAYS.
"HOWEVER, THE HUNG MUI KUK INTERCHANGE WILL NOT BE INCLUDED, PENDING THE COMPLETION OF ROAD WIDENING WORK SCHEDULED IN JUNE THIS YEAR," A SPOKESMAN FOR THE DEPARTMENT SAID.
"SURVEYS CONDUCTED BY THIS DEPARTMENT SHOW THAT DURING PEAK HOURS, OVER 300 BUSES MAKE USE OF THE EXISTING BUS LANE EACH HOUR, AND THEIR JOURNEY TIME HAS BEEN REDUCED BY ABOUT ONE-AND-A-HALF MINUTES.
"IT IS ESTIMATED THAT THE TWO NEW SECTIONS OF BUS LANES WILL BRING ABOUT *A FURTHER REDUCTION OF 'THREE TO FOUR MINUTES IN BUS JOURNE5 TIME," HE ADDED.
THE EXTENSION OF THE TIDAL-FLOW ARRANGEMENT WILL BE ON A TRIAL BASIS, WITH THE PURPOSE OF EVALUATING ITS IMPACT ON TRAFFIC CONDITIONS ON THE TUNNEL APPROACH ROADS IN BOTH SHA TIN AND KOWLOON.
DURING THE TRIAL, SPECIAL TRAFFIC MEASURES WILL BE ADOPTED BETWEEN 7.15 AM AND 7.50 AM AT THE JUNCTION OF WATERLOO ROAD NORTHBOUND WITH THE SLIP ROAD LEADING FROM LUNG CHEUNG ROAD WESTBOUND.
IN THE FIRST WEEK, FROM MARCH 21 TO 25, TRAFFIC CONES WILL BE PLACED ON THE NORTHBOUND CARRIAGEWAY OF WATERLOO ROAD TO GIVE VEHICLES COMING FROM LUNG CHEUNG ROAD WESTBOUND AN EXCLUSIVE LANE.
IN THE SECOND WEEK, FROM MARCH 28 TO 31, TRAFFIC LIGHTS WHICH HAVE BEEN ERECTED AT THAT JUNCTION WILL START TO OPERATE, THUS IMPROVING THE FLOW OF VEHICLES FROM LUNG CHEUNG ROAD.
"THESE TWO METHODS WILL BE EVALUATED ON THEIR EFFECTIVENESS IN IMPROVING TRAFFIC FLOW AT THAT JUNCTION," THE SPOKESMAN ADDED.
HE ALSO POINTED OUT THAT A NEW 550-METRE STRETCH OF LANE MARKING WILL BE INTRODUCED PERMANENTLY ON LUNG CHEUNG ROAD WESTBOUND EAST OF THE WATERLOO ROAD FLYOVER TO PREVENT VEHICLES FROM THE OUTER LANE JUMPING THE QUEUE INTO THE WATERLOO ROAD SLIP ROAD.
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SATURDAY, MARCH 19, 1988
- 4 -
TRANSPORT COMPLAINTS UNIT ISSUES 3RD QUARTER REPORT * » * » »
DURING THE THIRD QUARTER OF 1987-88, THE TRANSPORT COMPLAINTS UNIT (TCU) RECEIVED A TOTAL OF 1,991 COMPLAINTS, ACCORDING TO ITS QUARTERLY REPORT TODAY (SATURDAY).
THE REPORT COVERS THE PERIOD FROM OCTOBER 1 TO DECEMBER 31.
THE TCU WAS SET UP UNDER THE TRANSPORT ADVISORY COMMITTEE TO RECEIVE AND MONITOR COMPLAINTS AND SUGGESTIONS ON TRANSPORT MATTERS.
COMPARED WITH THE FIGURE OF 1,985 RECORDED IN THE PREVIOUS QUARTER, THERE WAS A 0.3 PER CENT INCREASE IN THE NUMBER OF INDIVIDUAL COMPLAINTS.
IN THE CORRESPONDING PERIOD OF THE PRECEDING YEAR, A TOTAL OF 1,564 COMPLAINTS WERE REGISTERED.
COMPLAINTS ABOUT PUBLIC TRANSPORT SERVICES NUMBERED 888, OR APPROXIMATELY 45 PER CENT OF ALL THE COMPLAINTS RECEIVED. THEY ARE STILL THE LARGEST SINGLE GROUP OF COMPLAINTS HANDLED BY THE TCU.
REGARDING THE ADEQUACY OF PUBLIC TRANSPORT SERVICE, 193 COMPLAINTS WERE RECEIVED. THEY AROSE FROM PROPOSALS TO INCREASE THE EXISTING FREQUENCY OF SERVICE OR TO INTRODUCE NEW ROUTES AND EXTEND EXISTING ROUTES.
THERE WERE 22 COMPLAINTS ABOUT THE ADEQUACY OF BUS SERVICE ON HONG KONG ISLAND WHICH WERE MAINLY ABOUT INADEQUATE BUS FREQUENCIES IN SOUTHERN DISTRICT.
IN KOWLOON AND THE NEW TERRITORIES, THE 82 COMPLAINTS ABOUT THE ADEQUACY OF BUS SERVICE WERE MAINLY ABOUT THOSE SERVING KOWLOON WEST, KWUN TONG AND SHA TIN NEW TOWN.
COMPLAINTS CONCERNING THE STANDARD OF SERVICE OF THE VARIOUS MODES OF PUBLIC TRANSPORT MADE UP 663 CASES OR 75 PER CENT OF THE CASES INVOLVING PUBLIC TRANSPORT SERVICES.
THESE COMPLAINTS WERE TAKEN UP INDIVIDUALLY WITH THE TRANSPORT OPERATORS CONCERNED (THE BUS COMPANIES, FERRY COMPANIES AND RAILWAY CORPORATIONS) OR THE RELEVANT AUTHORITIES (TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT IN RESPECT OF IRREGULARITIES IN GREEN MINIBUS SERVICES AND THE POLICE IN RESPECT OF TAXI MALPRACTICES).
COMPLAINTS ABOUT ERRATIC BUS SERVICE ON HONG KONG ISLAND WERE MAINLY DIRECTED AT BUS ROUTES SERVING SOUTHERN DISTRICT.
IN KOWLOON AND THE NEW TERRITORIES, COMPLAINTS ABOUT BUSES NOT KEEPING TO SCHEDULED FREQUENCY WERE LEVELLED MAINLY AT EXTERNAL BUS ROUTES IN KOWLOON WEST, KWUN TONG AND SHA TIN.
/REGARDING GREEN .......
SATU2CAI, MAUCH 19, 1938
5
REGARDING GREEN MINIBUS SERVICES, THE MAIN COMPLAINTS WERE MINIBUSES NOT ADHERING TO APPROVED SCHEDULE OR ROUTING, AND MISCONDUCT BY DRIVERS.
COMPLAINTS ABOUT TAXI SERVICE RECEIVED BY THE TCU IN THE QUARTER TOTALLED 287 CASES COMPARED WITH 392 CASES RECORDED IN THE PREVIOUS QUARTER, A DECLINE OF 37 PER CENT.
AS IN THE PREVIOUS QUARTER, MOST OF THE COMPLAINTS ABOUT TAXI SERVICE CONCERNED MALPRACTICES AND MISCONDUCT BY DRIVERS.
THESE INCLUDED DRIVERS REFUSING HIRE OR SOLICITING PASSENGERS, NOT TAKING THE MOST DIRECT ROUTING, FAILING TO DRIVE TO DESTINATIONS AND OVERCHARGING.
COMPLAINTS CONCERNING ROUTES OPERATED BY THE HONG KONG AND YAUMATI FERRY COMPANY TOTALLED 22 CASES IN THE QUARTER UNDER REVIEW. THERE WAS ONE COMPLAINT AGAINST THE STAR FERRY COMPANY.
THE MAIN AREAS OF COMPLAINT WERE REGULARITY OF SERVICE, CONDUCT OF STAFF, AND PASSENGER FACILITIES.
COMPLAINTS ABOUT ROAD CONGESTION TOTALLED 375 CASES, DISTRIBUTED AS FOLLOWS: 102 CASES ON HONG KONG ISLAND, 151 CASES IN KOWLOON, 80 CASES IN THE NEW TERRITORIES AND 42 CASES IN TUNNEL AREAS.
FACTORS WHICH WERE ATTRIBUTABLE TO ROAD CONGESTION INCLUDED LOADING AND UNLOADING ACTIVITIES AT KERBSIDE, TRAFFIC ENGINEERING MATTERS, INADEQUATE ROAD CAPACITY AND ROAD WORKS.
OF ALL CASES CONCERNING VEHICLE OBSTRUCTION CAUSING CONGESTION, 24 CASES (29 PER CENT) AND 27 CASES (33 PER CENT) WERE DIRECTED AT LORRIES AND PUBLIC LIGHT BUSES RESPECTIVELY.
COMPLAINTS ABOUT TRAFFIC MANAGEMENT MEASURES DECLINED FROM 87 TO 86. THE MAJOR AREAS OF CONCERN WERE TRAFFIC LIGHT PHASING AND TRAFFIC LANE ARRANGEMENT AT VARIOUS LOCATIONS THROUGHOUT THE TERRITORY.
COMPLAINTS CONCERNING THE MAINTENANCE OF ROADS AND ROAD FITTINGS DECREASED FROM 176 CASES IN THE PREVIOUS QUARTER TO 166 THIS QUARTER.
THE MAJOR AREAS OF COMPLAINT WERE DEFECTIVE ROAD SURFACES, MALFUNCTIONING TRAFFIC LIGHTS AND DAMAGED TRAFFIC SIGNS/A1DS.
TRAFFIC ENFORCEMENT CASES DROPPED FROM THE PREVIOUS QUARTER’S 250 CASES TO 213 CASES THIS QUARTER. THEY WERE MAINLY RELATED TO REQUESTS FOR ENFORCEMENT ACTION AGAINST ILLEGAL PARKING, ABANDONED VEHICLES AND OTHER TRAFFIC OFFENCES.
SATURDAY, MARCH 19, 1988
- 6 -
MORE CHILD CARE CENTRES IN THEN MUN » » » » »
SIX MORE CHILD CARE CENTRES LOCATED IN DIFFERENT PARTS OF TUEN MUN WILL BE COMPLETED IN THE NEXT THREE YEARS TO COPE WITH THE URGENT DEMAND FOR CHILD CARE SERVICES BROUGHT ABOUT BY THE RAPID INCREASE IN POPULATION IN THE DISTRICT.
THE REGIONAL SOCIAL WORK OFFICER (NEW TERRITORIES), MR CARLOS LEUNG, SAID THIS TODAY (SATURDAY).
HE WAS SPEAKING AT THE OPENING CEREMONY OF THE ST SIMON’S SHAN KING DAY NURSERY RUN BY THE O.M.S. ST SIMON HOME FOR FISHERMEN’S AND WORKMEN’S CHILDREN IN TUEN MUN.
MR LEUNG NOTED THAT THERE WERE AT PRESENT. 15 GOVERNMENT-SUBVENTED AND TWO PRIVATELY-RUN CHILD CARE CENTRES AND ONE GOVERNMENT-SUBVENTED SPECIAL CHILD CARE CENTRE IN THE DISTRICT, PROVIDING 2,044 PLACES.
"ON THE TERRITORY-WIDE BASIS, THE GOVERNMENT’S CURRENT TARGET IS TO ASSIST VOLUNTARY AGENCIES TO RUN 16 CHILD CARE CENTRES THROUGH SUBVENTION SO AS TO PROVIDE 1,600 PLACES EACH FINANCIAL YEAR," MR LEUNG SAID.
"THERE IS MUCH MORE TO A SATISFACTORILY-RUN CHILD CARE CENTRE THAN CATER'NG FOR THE BASIC NEEDS OF YOUNG CHILDREN THROUGH THE PROVISION OF SAFE AND PROPER CARE OR AN ADEQUATE AND BALANCED DIET.
"IT SHOULD ENSURE THE CHILDREN’S OVERALL DEVELOPMENT THROUGH A COMPREHENSIVE PROGRAMME OF ACTIVITIES AND LEARNING, TAKING INTO CONSIDERATION THEIR INTELLECTUAL, EMOTIONAL AND SOCIAL GROWTH ACCORDING TO THEIR AGE, INTEREST AND ABILITY," HE SAID.
"THE CENTRE SHOULD ALSO CO-OPERATE CLOSELY WITH PARENTS SO AS TO ENHANCE THE CHILDREN’S BASIC KNOWLEDGE, HELP THEM DEVELOP PROPER HABITS AND AROUSE THEIR INTEREST IN LEARNING SO THAT THEY WILL GROW UP INTO MENTALLY AND PHYSICALLY HEALTHY, GOOD-NATURED AND SOCIABLE ADULTS," HE ADDED.
HE COMMENDED THE ST SIMON AGENCY FOR ITS NUMEROUS CONTRIBUTIONS TOWARDS PROVIDING RESIDENTIAL, MEDICAL, SOCIAL AND EDUCATIONAL SERVICES SINCE ITS ESTABLISHMENT IN 1954.
THE AGENCY IS CURRENTLY OPERATING A CHILD CARE CENTRE AT TAI HING ESTATE, PROVIDING CARE FOR 100 CHILDREN AGED BETWEEN TWO AND SIX. ANOTHER. CHILD CARE CENTRE WILL COME INTO SERVICE IN THE MIDDLE OF THIS YEAR.
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SATURDAY, MARCH 19, 1988
DRAFT ESTIMATES OF EXPENDITURE TO BE EXAMINED
» ♦ » ♦ *
THE FINANCE COMMITTEE WILL EXAMINE IN PUBLIC THE DRAFT ESTIMATES OF EXPENDITURE 1988-89 AT FOUR SPECIAL MEETINGS ON MARCH 22, 23, 24, AND 29.
DURING THE MEETINGS, SENIOR GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS WILL BE CALLED UPON TO GIVE EVIDENCE IN PERSON ON THOSE HEADS AND SUBHEADS OF THE DRAFT ESTIMATES FOR WHICH THEY ARE RESPONSIBLE.
EACH MEETING WILL START AT 2.30 PM IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL CHAMBER ON A PARTICULAR ASPECT OF THE DRAFT ESTIMATES:
♦ MARCH 22 (TUESDAY) — SECURITY SERVICES
♦ MARCH 23 (WEDNESDAY) -- SOCIAL SERVICES
♦ MARCH 24 (THURSDAY) -- ECONOMIC AND COMMUNITY SERVICES
♦ MARCH 29 (TUESDAY) — GENERAL SERVICES
NOTE TO EDITORS:
COPIES OF THE WRITTEN REPLIES PROVIDED BY CONTROLLING OFFICERS TO QUESTIONS RAISED BY MEMBERS OF THE FINANCE COMMITTEE WILL BE AVAILABLE TO MEDIA REPRESENTATIVES FROM THE GIS NEWSROOM, SIXTH FLOOR, BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, CENTRAL, IN THE MORNING OF EACH MEETING DAY.
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NEIGHBOURHOOD WATCH PROVES EFFECTIVE IN WAN CHAI ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦
THE NEIGHBOURHOOD WATCH SCHEME IN WAN CHAI HAS PROVED TO BE A SUCCESS SINCE ITS INTRODUCTION IN 1985, THE WAN CHAI POLICE DISTRICT COMMANDER, MR MICHAEL PREW, SAID TODAY (SATURDAY).
HE WAS SPEAKING AT THE INAUGURATION CEREMONY OF THE FIFTH PHASE OF THE NEIGHBOURHOOD WATCH SCHEME IN THE DISTRICT.
THERE HAD BEEN A GENERAL IMPROVEMENT IN THE CRIME SITUATION IN THE 17 BUILDINGS HOUSING 1,056 FAMILIES WHICH HAD JOINED THE SCHEME IN ITS FIRST FOUR PHASES, MR PREW SAID.
FAMILIES PARTICIPATING IN THE PROJECT WOULD FORM NEIGHBOURHOOD WATCH UNITS TO KEEP AN EYE ON THE PROPERTY OF THEIR IMMEDIATE NEIGHBOURS, HE EXPLAINED.
/’’IT IS
SATURDAY, MARCH 1% 1988
8
”IT IS HOPED THAT THROUGH MUTUAL ASSISTANCE BETWEEN NEIGHBOURS, CRIMES, PARTICULARLY BURGLARY AND THEFT, WILL BE REDUCED.”
THE DISTRICT OFFICER, MR ALLAN CHOW, NOTED THAT THE BASIC AIM OF THE SCHEME WAS TO PROMOTE THE FORMATION OF CLOSELY KNIT GROUPS AMONG NEIGHBOURS IN ORDER TO PREVENT CRIME.
POSITIVE EFFECTS HAD ALREADY BEEN ACHIEVED, HE ADDED.
THE CHAIRMAN OF THE DISTRICT FIGHT CRIME COMMITTEE, MR CHENG HOK-YIN, REMARKED THAT GOOD RESULTS HAD BEEN ACHIEVED IN THE FOURTH PHASE OF THE SCHEME WHICH BEGAN LAST SEPTEMBER AND INVOLVED SIX BUILDINGS.
A TOTAL OF THREE BUILDINGS ARE TAKING PART IN THE LATEST PHASE.
THEY ARE FU WING COURT, FRIENDSHIP MANSION AND HYDE PARK MANSION.
REPRESENTATIVES OF THE BLOCKS WERE PRESENTED MEMORIAL PLATES AT TODAY’S CEREMONY.
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NEW LAMBETH WALK FOOTBRIDGE OPENS TOMORROW ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦
AN EXTENSION TO THE ELEVATED WALKWAY SYSTEM IN LAMBETH WALK AND QUEENSWAY WILL BE OPEN FROM TOMORROW (SUNDAY).
THE EXTENSION INCLUDES THE LAMBETH WALK/MURRAY ROAD FOOTBRIDGE WHICH IS SITUATED ADJACENT TO THE NORTHERN FACE OF THE MURRAY ROAD MULTI-STOREY CARPARK BUILDING AND CROSSES MURRAY ROAD TO CHATER GARDEN.
THE EASTERN END OF THIS FOOTBRIDGE IS LINKED TO BOTH THE NEW FOOTBRIDGE ACROSS LAMBETH WALK TO HUTCHISON HOUSE AND BANK OF AMERICA TOWER AND THE EXISTING FOOTBRIDGE ACROSS COTTON TREE DRIVE TO QUEENSWAY PLAZA AND BOND CENTRE.
THE EXTENSION ALSO INCLUDES A WALKWAY THROUGH THE WESTERN END OF THE FIRST FLOOR OF THE MURRAY ROAD CARPARK, LINKING THE LAMBETH WALK/MURRAY ROAD FOOTBRIDGE TO THE FOOTPATH ON THE GARDEN ROAD FLYOVER.
THE EXTENSION WAS CONSTRUCTED AS PART OF THE HIGHWAYS DEPARTMENT’S UPGRADED CONNAUGHT ROAD AND ANCILLARY ROADWORKS PROJECT.
CONSTRUCTION STARTED IN SEPTEMBER 1986 AT AND COST $5.5 MILLION.
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/9
SATURDAY, MARCH 19, 1988
SCHOLARSHIPS FOR MATRICULATION COURSES » * » » *
A LIMITED NUMBER OF SCHOLARSHIPS DONATED BY LEADING ORGANISATIONS WILL BE OFFERED TO LOCAL BOYS AND GIRLS FOR A TWO-YEAR MATRICULATION COURSE LEADING TO THE INTERNATIONAL BACCALAUREATE WHICH IS RECOGNISED FOR UNIVERSITY ENTRY PURPOSES IN HONG KONG AND IN MOST COUNTRIES, INCLUDING BRITAIN AND CANADA.
THE SCHOLARHIPS ARE OPERATED BY THE UNITED WORLD COLLEGES COMPRISING FOUR CO-EDUCATIONAL RESIDENTIAL COLLEGES - ATLANTIC COLLEGE IN BRITAIN, PEARSON COLLEGE IN CANADA, AMERICAN WEST COLLEGE IN THE UNITED STATES AND ADRIATIC COLLEGE IN ITALY.
THEY AIM TO PROMOTE INTERNATIONAL UNDERSTANDING THROUGH EDUCATION.
AN INTERNATIONAL COUNCIL AND AN INTERNATIONAL BOARD OF DIRECTORS ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR DEVELOPING THE PROJECTS AND FOR THE PLANNING AND CO-ORDINATION OF NEW COLLEGES.
ENTRY TO EACH COLLEGE IS HIGHLY COMPETITIVE AND IS BASED ON ACADEMIC ABILITY AND PERSONAL QUALITIES. THE STUDENT BODY AND TEACHING STAFF OF THE COLLEGES ARE FULLY INTERNATIONAL.
STUDENTS WILL BE REQUIRED TO TAKE A MINIMUM OF SIX SUBJECTS FOR THE 1NTERNTAIONAL BACCALAUREATE - THREE AT THE HIGHER LEVEL AND THREE AT THE SUBSIDIARY LEVEL.
APPLICANTS MUST BE OVER 16 AND UNDER 18 YEARS OF AGE ON SEPTEMBER 1 THIS YEAR AND POSSESS A HONG KONG CERTIFICATE OF EDUCATION EXAMINATION (HKCEE) SHOWING AT LEAST FIVE SUBJECTS OF GRADE C OR ABOVE OR HAVE A GOOD CHANCE OF OBTAINING SIMILAR RANK IN THE 1988 HKCEE.
SUCCESSFUL STUDENTS WILL BE ADMITTED TO THE COLLEGES IN SEPTEMBER THIS YEAR FOR THE TWO-YEAR COURSE.
INTENDING APPLICANTS ARE ADVISED THAT EACH SCHOLARSHIP WILL NORMALLY COVER PART OF THE TUITION AND BOARDING FEES DURING THE TWO YEARS.
IT WILL NOT BE ADEQUATE TO COVER OTHER NECESSARY EXPENSES SUCH AS RETURN AIR TICKETS, MAINTENANCE DURING LONG VACATIONS, PERSONAL ALLOWANCE, AND SO ON. SUCCESSFUL APPLICANTS SHOULD HAVE SUFFICIENT FUNDS TO MEET THESE EXPENSES.
APPLICATION FORMS ARE NOW OBTAINABLE FROM THE OVERSEAS STUDENTS AND SCHOLARSHIPS SECTION, EDUCATION DEPARTMENT, LEE GARDENS, ROOM 530, HYSAN AVENUE, CAUSEWAY BAY.
COMPLETED APPLICATION FORMS MUST BE RETURNED BY SCHOOL HEADS TO THE SAME OFFICE BEFORE APRIL 8 (FRIDAY).
/10........
SATURDAY, MARCH 19, 1988
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SPECIAL CAR NUMBERS SOLD BY AUCTION * « » » t
FORTY SPECIAL VEHICLE REGISTRATION NUMBERS WERE PUT UP FOR AUCTION THIS (SATURDAY) MORNING FOR A TOTAL OF $827,000 WHICH WILL GO TO THE GOVERNMENT LOTTERIES FUND FOR CHARITY PURPOSES.
THE AUCTION, HELD IN THE CITY HALL RECITAL HALL, SAW THE REGISTRATION NUMBER DD 18 FETCH THE HIGHEST PRICE OF $90,000.
ANOTHER NUMBER CN 1 WAS SOLD AT THE SECOND HIGHEST PRICE OF $85,000 WHILE THE LOWEST PRICE WAS $1,000 FOR CL 7628.
FOLLOWING ARE THE RESULTS OF TODAY’S AUCTION:
$ $ $ $
DS163 20,000 DR8823 2,000 DS198 21,000 DR1628 6,000
AU8068 5,000 DS911 43,000 CN1 85,000 DR2178 6,000
BV1 WITHDRAWN DT33 70,000 DS6686 4,000 8468 25,000
DS3278 9,000 DS328 53,000 DS3880 6,000 DM938 7,000
HK58 26,000 DR178 19,000 DD68 50,000 DR13 42,000
DS8382 4,000 DS6682 9,000 AA7202 4,000 BP1128 5,000
CL7628 1,000 DS3328 20,000 DS9888 18,000 AF172 5,000
AD3399 14,000 AW1623 3,000 BC883 12,000 DR8885 3,000
DS 172 5,000 DB6 60,000 DR2388 8,000 AK105 5,000
DD18 90,000 DU339 18,000 XX133 40,000 DT6898 4,000
AUCTION ONE SPECIAL 1. REGISTRATION MARK , BV1, WAS WITHDRAWN FROM THE
SUCCESSFUL BIDDERS WERE REQUIRED TO PAY IN CASH OR BY CHEQUE IMMEDIATELY AFTER THE BIDDING.
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 122ND ORGANISED BY THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT SINCE MAY 1973, BROUGHT THE TOTAL AMOUNT OF MONEY FOR CHARITY REALISED SO FAR TO $58,225,032.
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SATURDAY, MARCH 19, 1988
11 SERVICES TO BEGIN AT MONA FONG CLINIC ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ *
THE MEDICAL AND HEALTH DEPARTMENT TODAY (SATURDAY) ANNOUNCED THAT THE MONA FONG CLINIC IN SAI KUNG WILL BEGIN OPERATION ON MONDAY (MARCH 21).
THE SAI KUNG DISPENSARY AND SAI KUNG GOVERNMENT CLINIC WILL BE CLOSED DOWN AS THEIR SERVICES WILL BE REPROVISIONED AT THE MONA FONG CLINIC.
THE NEW CLINIC IS LOCATED IN MAN NIN STREET, ADJACENT TO THE SAI KUNG GOVERNMENT OFFICES.
THE CLINIC WILL PROVIDE GENERAL OUT-PATIENT SERVICE, ACCIDENT AND EMERGENCY SERVICE (9 AM TO 5 PM DAILY), CHEST AND MATERNAL AND CHILD HEALTH SERVICES.
OPENING HOURS OF THE FOUR-STOREY CLINIC WILL BE FROM 9 AM TO 1 PM AND 2 PM TO 5 PM MONDAYS TO FRIDAYS AND FROM 9 AM TO 1 PM ON SATURDAYS.
THE EXISTING SAI KUNG HEALTH OFFICE, LOCATED ON THE FIFTH FLOOR OF THE SAI KUNG GOVERNMENT OFFICES, WILL ALSO BE MOVED TO THE MONA FONG CLINIC ON MONDAY.
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POPULAR COIN COLLECTION STILL AVAILABLE ♦ ♦ ♦
THE HONG KONG COLLECTORS’ COIN COLLECTION, A NUMISMATIC ITEM RECENTLY LAUNCHED BY THE GOVERNMENT, HAS PROVED POPULAR WITH COIN COLLECTORS, AND PROOF SETS HAVE BEEN SOLD OUT.
HOWEVER, MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC WHO ARE INTERESTED IN OBTAINING A SET MAY STILL BUY THE UNCIRCULATED COLLECTION.
THIS IS STILL AVAILABLE AT $100 PER SET, A SPOKESMAN FOR THE MONETARY AFFAIRS BRANCH SAID TODAY (SATURDAY).
THE UNCIRCULATED COINS ARE OF BRILLIANT QUALITY; EACH ONE CAREFULLY SELECTED BY THE ROYAL MINT.
THEY ARE PACKAGED AND SEALED WITHIN A COLOURFUL PRESENTATION FOLDER, WHICH CONTAINS A BOOKLET GIVING THE HISTORY OF EACH COIN.
/LIKE THE ......
SATURDAY, MARCH 19, 1988
12
LIKE THE PROOF SET, THE BRILLIANT UNCIRCULATED COLLECTION COMPRISES SEVEN COINS, INCLUDING THE FIVE-CENT COIN, WHICH WAS LAST MINTED IN 1980 AND WHICH IS NO LONGER IN CIRCULATION.
"THE FIVE-CENT COIN INCLUDED IN THIS 1988 COLLECTION IS SPECIALLY MADE IN LIMITED NUMBERS, WHICH MEANS THAT IT MAY WELL BE THE LAST FIVE-CENT COIN TO BE MINTED,” THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
THE UNCIRCULATED COLLECTION WILL CONTINUE TO BE AVAILABLE FROM THE MAIN BRANCHES OF THE HONGKONG BANK AND ALL BRANCHES OF THE OVERSEAS TRUST BANK AS LONG AS STOCK LASTS.
PROCEEDS FROM THE PROMOTION OF THIS COIN COLLECTION WILL GO TO COMMUNITY SERVICES.
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CORRECTIONAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT SPORTS MEET * * * * *
MORE THAN 300 CORRECTIONAL SERVICES STAFF PARTICIPATED IN THE DEPARTMENT’S ANNUAL SPORTS MEET HELD AT THE FOOTBALL FIELD ADJACENT TO STANLEY PRISON TODAY (SATURDAY).
THEY COMPETED IN ABOUT 20 TRACK AND FIELD EVENTS, INCLUDING SHOT-PUT, HIGH JUMP, LONG JUMP, DISCUS, JAVELIN, RUNNING AND INTER-INSTITUTIONAL RELAY.
HIGHLIGHTS OF THE DAY WERE THE 4 X 100 METRE INVITATION RELAY, IN WHICH TEAMS FROM FOUR OTHER GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS - CUSTOMS AND EXCISE, IMMIGRATION, LANDS AND WORKS AND THE POLICE - TOOK PART; AND THE SLALOM RACE FOR A GROUP OF DISABLED PEOPLE FROM THE MARGARET TRENCH MEDICAL REIIABIL1TAT1ON CENTRE.
THE WINNERS WERE PRESENTED WITH PRIZES BY MRS FRANSCIA CHAN, WIFE OF THE COMMISSIONER OF CORRECTIONAL SERVICES.
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SATURDAY, MARCH 19, 1988
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TREE PLANTING TO COMMEMORATE WORK OF DB *****
ABOUT 30 MEMBERS OF THE EASTERN DISTRICT BOARD WILL PLANT TREES IN THE TIN HAU TEMPLE GARDEN IN CAUSEWAY BAY TOMORROW (SUNDAY) MORNING TO COMMEMORATE THE CURRENT TERM OF THE DISTRICT BOARD.
ORGANISED BY THE DISTRICT BOARD, THE TREE PLANTING EXERCISE IS ALSO AIMED AT BEAUTIFYING THE ENVIRONMENT IN THE VICINITY, A SPOKESMAN FOR THE BOARD SAID.
"A TOTAL OF 10 DRAGON JUNIPER TREES WILL BE PLANTED IN THE GARDEN WHICH IS DUE TO BE COMPLETED SOON,” HE SAID.
"THE EAST!RN DISTRICT BOARD HAS DONE MUCH TO IMPROVE THE DISTRICT'S ENVIRONMENT, SUCH AS CLEARING ILLEGAL STRUCTURES IN BACK LANES; BUILDING SITTING-OUT AREAS, FOOTPATHS AND RAIN SHELTERS; PROVIDING COMMUNAL LETTER BOXES AND GUARD RAILS IN SQUATTER AREAS.
"THE BOARD’S WORK IN COMMUNITY BUILDING INCLUDES PROVIDING RECREATION AND CULTURAL PROGRAMMES FOR RESIDENTS BY ORGANISING ACTIVITIES SUCH AS THE DISTRICT FESTIVAL, AND INTRODUCING THE MEDICAL SCHEME AND THE GREEN MINIBUS PREFERENTIAL SCHEME FOR THE ELDERLY.
"THE BOARD HAS ALSO ADVISED THE GOVERNMENT ON VARIOUS POLICIES ON TRAFFIC, HAWKING AND OTHER ISSUES THAT AFFECT THE WELL-BEING OF LOCAL RESIDENTS," HE ADDED.
OFFICIATING AT TOMORROW’S TREE PLANTING CEREMONY WILL BE THE EASTERN DISTRICT OFFICER, MR GARY YEUNG; DISTRICT BOARD CHAIRMAN, MR SHUM CHOI-SANG; URBAN COUNCILLOR, MR MAN SAI-CHEONG; CHIEF MANAGER (LEISURE SERVICES), URBAN COUNCIL, MR R.F. POLLARD; AND CHAIRMEN OF THE THREE COMMITTEES OF THE BOARD.
TWO AWARDS WILL BE PRESENTED TO WINNERS OF THE EASTERN DISTRICT OUTSTANDING CIVIC EDUCATION ACTIVITY AWARD SCHEME BY THE DISTRICT BOARD CHAIRMAN AT THE CEREMONY.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE TREE PLANTING CEREMONY TO COMMEMORATE THE CURRENT TERM OF THE EASTERN DISTRICT BOARD AT 10 AM TOMORROW (SUNDAY) IN THE GARDEN NEXT TO THE TIN HAU TEMPLE IN TIN HAU TEMPLE ROAD, CAUSEWAY BAY.
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SATURDAY, MARCH 19, 1988
14
FUN FAIR FOR EMSD STAFF * » » » »
THE OPEN YARD AT DEPARTMENT HEADQUARTERS IN
THE ELECTRICAL AND MECHANICAL SERVICES CAROLINE HILL ROAD WILL BE TURNED INTO A
RECREATIONAL GROUND TOMORROW (SUNDAY) FOR
THE DEPARTMENT’S STAFF
AND THEIR FAMILIES TO ENJOY A DAY OF FUN.
THE FUN FAIR, THE SIXTH DEPARTMENT’S STAFF CLUB, WILL START
OF ITS KIND ORGANISED BY AT 10 AM AND CLOSE AT 4.30 PM.
THE
THERE WILL BE 22 GAMESTALLS, A BEST STALL DESIGN COMPETITION, A MERRY-GO-ROUND, BAND AND MARCHING PERFORMANCE, LION DANCE AND KUNb FU PERFORMANCE, X BEER-DRINKING CONTEST, LUCKY DRAW AND A PRIZE PRESENTATION CEREMONY.
THE DIRECTOR, MR GRAHAM OSBORNE, WILL OFFICIATE AT A RIBBON-CUTTING CEREMONY. ALSO PRESENT WILL BE OTHER SENIOR OFFICERS OF THE DEPARTMENT.
LAST YEAR, MORE THAN 1,500 STAFF AND THEIR FAMILY MEMBERS ATTENDED THE FUN FAIR.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE ELECTRICAL AND MECHANICAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT’S FUN FAIR TO BE HELD FROM 10 AM TO 4.30 PM ON TOMORROW (SUNDAY) IN THE OPEN YARD OF THE DEPARTMENT’S HEADQUARTERS, 98 CAROLINE HILL ROAD, CAUSEWAY BAY.
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KEEPING ISLANDS CLEAN AN ON-GOING TASK ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦
THE ISLANDS DISTRICT KEEP CLEAN CAMPAIGN, WITH THE SUPPORT OF LOCAL ORGANISATIONS AND ACTIVE PARTICIPATION OF RESIDENTS, WILL BECOME A CONTINUING MOVEMENT TO FURTHER DEVELOP THE DISTRICT’S ENVIRONMENT.
THE DISTRICT OFFICER, MR JONATHAN NG, SAID THIS TODAY (SATURDAY) AT THE PRIZE-PRESENTATION CEREMONY OF THE DISTRICT’S 1987-88 KEEP CLEAN CAMPAIGN.
MR NG SAID A CLEAN ENVIRONMENT WOULD HELP TO HEIGHTEN THE DISTRICT’S TOURISM POTENTIAL AS WELL Ai BENEFIT RESIDENTS.
/KEEP CLEAN
SATURDAY, MARCH 19, 1988
- 15 -
KEEP CLEAN MESSAGES HAD ALREADY BEEN DISTRIBUTED TO DIFFERENT SECTORS OF THE COMMUNITY THROUGH VARIOUS ACTIVITIES ORGANISED BY THE KEEP CLEAN CAMPAIGN COMMITTEE OVER RECENT MONTHS.
HE THANKED COMMITTEE MEMBERS, RURAL COMMITTEE CHAIRMEN, SCHOOLS, COMMUNITY ORGANISATIONS AND RESIDENTS FOR THEIR GOOD SUPPORT.
THE KEEP CLEAN CAMPAIGN COMMITTEE CHAIRMAN, MR YIU KAI-HANG, SAID HE HOPED THAT ISLANDERS WOULD UNDERSTAND THE TASK OF KEEPING THE ENVIRONMENT CLEAN WAS NEVER ENDING AND REQUIRED CONSTANT CO-OPERATION FROM THE COMMUNITY.
HE NOTED THAT KEEPING THE ISLANDS CLEAN WAS IMPORTANT BOTH FOR THE HEALTH OF RESIDENTS AS WELL AS FOR THE DISTRICT’S PROSPERITY.
TODAY’S CEREMONY, HELD AT THE BUDDHIST WAI YAN MEMORIAL COLLEGE ON CHEUNG CHAU, WAS ATTENDED BY WINNERS OF THE BOOKMARK DESIGN COMPETITION, CLEANING FOR CHARITY DAY FUND-RAISING CONTEST AND THE DWELLING BOAT CLEANING COMPETITION.
AFTER THE CEREMONY, DANCES WERE PERFORMED BY STUDENTS FROM VARIOUS PRIMARY AND SECONDARY SCHOOLS IN THE DISTRICT TO ENTERTAIN THE AUDIENCE.
OTHER OFFICIATING GUESTS INCLUDED ISLANDS DISTRICT BOARD CHAIRMAN, MR LAM WA1-KEUNG; CHEUNG CHAU RURAL COMMITTEE CHAIRMAN, MR FUNG PAK-TAI; DISTRICT HYGIENE SUPERINTENDENT, MR IP KI-TIT; AND DISTRICT EDUCATION OFFICER, MR CHAN CHUN-MO.
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WELFARE PAYMENT DATES REARRANGED « » » * t
RECIPIENTS OF PUBLIC ASSISTANCE HOLDING CASH ORDER BOOKS MAY RECEIVE EARLIER WELFARE PAYMENT IF THEIR PAYMENT DATES FALL ON THE EASTER HOLIDAYS AND CHING MING FESTIVAL, APRIL 1 TO 5.
A SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT SPOKESMAN TODAY (SATURDAY) SAID THEY MAY CASH THEIR COUPONS ON MARCH 25, 28, 29, 30, 31 RESPECTIVELY OR AFTER AT THE DESIGNATED POST OFFICES, NEW TERRITORIES DISTRICT OFFICES AND TREASURY SUB-OFFICES.
MEANWHILE, RECIPIENTS OF SPECIAL NEEDS ALLOWANCE UNDER THE BANK PAYMENT SYSTEM WITH PAYMENT DATES ON APRIL 1 OR 5 WILL RECEIVE THEIR PAYMENTS ON APRIL 6 AND 7 RESPECTIVELY WHILE THEIR COUNTERPARTS HOLDING CASH ORDER BOOKS WITH PAYMENT DATES BETWEEN APRIL 1 AND 5 MAY CASH THEIR COUPONS ON OR AFTER APRIL 6.
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/16 .......
SATURDAY, MARCH 19, 1988
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JETTY PLANNED FOR LOADING SLUDGE * * * »
THE GOVERNMENT IS PROPOSING TO CONSTRUCT A JETTY, FOR THE LOADING OF SLUDGE, WITHIN 6.5 HECTARES OF FORESHORE AND SEABED AT THE SHA TIN SEWAGE TREATMENT WORKS.
IN CONNECTION WITH THE PROPOSAL, THE GOVERNMENT PLANS TO ERECT A NAVIGATION AID NEAR PAK SHA TAU TSUI, TAI PO, FOR DIRECTING VESSELS TRANSPORTING SLUDGE FROM THE SHA TIN SEWAGE TREATMENT WORKS.
THIS PROJECT WILL INVOLVE CONSTRUCTION OF A LIGHT BUOY THAT WILL FLOAT WITHIN A RADIUS OF 50 METRES. ABOUT 7,854 SQUARE METRES OF FORESHORE AND SEABED WILL BE AFFECTED.
THE EXTENT OF THE AFFECTED AREAS HAS BEEN DESCRIBED IN NOTICES PUBLISHED IN THE LATEST GOVERNMENT GAZETTE.
ANY WRITTEN OBJECTIONS TO THE PROPOSALS MUST BE SENT TO THE DIRECTOR OF BUILDINGS AND LANDS BY MAY 17.
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URBAN CLEARWAY AND TURNING MOVEMENT RESTRICTIONS * ♦ * * »
TWO SECTIONS OF HIU KWONG STREET IN KWUN TONG WILL BE MADE 24-HOUR URBAN CLEARWAYS FROM 10 AM ON TUESDAY (MARCH 22> IN ORDER TO IMPROVE TRAFFIC FLOW.
THE TWO SECTIONS ARE:
HIU KWONG STREET EASTBOUND FROM A POINT ABOUT 205 METRES EAST OF ITS JUNCTION WITH SAU LAI STREET TO A POINT ABOUT 270 METRES EAST OF THE SAME JUNCTION, AND
HIU KWONG STREET WESTBOUND FROM A POINT ABOUT 215 METRES EAST OF ITS JUNCTION WITH SAU LAI STREET TO A POINT ABOUT 280 METRES EAST OF THE SAME JUNCTION.
NO VEHICLES WILL BE ALLOWED TO STOP WITHIN THE URBAN CLEARWAYS FOR PASSENGERS OR GOODS.
MEANWHILE, TO FACILITATE THE CONSTRUCTION OF A FLYOVER AT THE EASTERN JUNCTION OF YUEN LONG NORTHERN BYPASS WITH CASTLE PEAK ROAD (YUEN LONG SECTION), ALL RIGHT-TURN MOVEMENTS AT THIS JUNCTION WILL BE BANNED BETWEEN 12.30 AM AND 5 AM FROM TUESDAY (MARCH 22) TO THURSDAY (MARCH 24).
AT THE SAME TIME, ALL STRAIGHT-AHEAD MOVEMENTS AT THIS JUNCTION, EXCEPT THOSE FROM CASTLE PEAK ROAD WESTBOUND ON TO YUEN LONG ON LOK ROAD, WILL ALSO BE BANNED.
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DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE. HONG KONG. TEL: 5-8428777
SUNDAY, MARCH 20, 1988
CONTENTS PAGE NO,
FARM VISITS ESTABLISH EFFECTIVE COMMUNICATION LINK ........ 1
WAITING LIST APPLICATION PUBLICITY CAMPAIGN ............... 2
TAXI VOUCHER SCHEME TRIAL TO END THIS MONTH ............... 3
EASTERN CROSS HikRBOUR MmIN LAYING WORK AUTHORISED......... 4
EMPLOYERS URGED TO TAKE OUT INSURANCE POLICIES............. 4
TOWN PLANNER RETIRES AFTER 27 YEARS........................ 5
FUNDS AVAILABLE FOR SUMMER YOUTH ACTIVITIES................ 6
INDUSTRIAL BUILDING M-iNAGEMENT COURSE COMPLETED........... 7
FUNDS AVAILABLE FOR SAI KUNG YOUTH ACTIVITIES.............. 8
PRIMARY SCHOOL CHILDREN’S PAINTING COMPETITION ............ 8
GENERAL HOUSEHOLD SURVEY QU^TERLY REPORT PUBLISHED......... 9
TEMPORARY SUSPENSION OF PARKING SPACES IN CENTRAL.......... 9
PARTIAL LANE CLOSURE IN TUEN MUN ROAD...................... 9
WATER CUT IN WONG Tai SIN ................................. 9
SUNDAY, MARCH 20, 1988
FARM VISITS ESTABLISH EFFECTIVE COMMUNICATION LINK
* » » ♦ »
VISITING PIG AND POULTRY FARMS IN THE NEW TERRITORIES EVERY DAY CAN BE RIGOROUS WORK.
HOWEVER, SEVERAL PEOPLE FIND THE DAILY ROUTINE REWARDING AS THEIR EFFORTS HAVE PROVED SUCCESSFUL IN ESTABLISHING AN EFFECTIVE COMMUNICATION LINK BETWEEN THE GOVERNMENT AND LIVESTOCK BREEDERS ON AN ENVIRONMENTAL IMPROVEMENT SCHEME.
EACH MORNING, STAFF FROM THE LIAISON SECTION OF THE SPECIAL DUTIES DIVISION, CITY AND NEW TERRITORIES ADMINISTRATION, WILL SET OUT FOR PIG AND POULTRY FARMS IN AREAS SUCH AS TOLO HARBOUR/CHANNEL, ANGLER’S BEACH NEAR SHAM TSENG AND MUI WO ON LANTAU.
THEIR MISSION IS TO EXPLAIN TO FARM OPERATORS DETAILS OF THE LIVESTOCK WASTE CONTROL SCHEME, WHICH WILL BE IMPLEMENTED FROM JUNE 24 THIS YEAR.
MR FONG SIU-CHOI, SENIOR LIAISON OFFICER OF THE SECTION, SAID THAT WHILE MOST OF THESE FARMS WERE EASILY ACCESSIBLE, SOME WERF LOCATED IN REMOTE AREAS.
’’SOMETIMES, WE HAVE TO DRIVE A LONG WAY AND THEN WALK FOR OVER HALF AN HOUR TO REACH A FARM. WITH LUCK, WE COULD BE ABLE TO MEET THE FARM OPERATORS THE FIRST TIME, OTHERWISE, WE WOULD HAVE TO MAKE A SECOND TRIP.
"IT IS NOT UNCOMMON THAT WE HAVE TO MAKE SEVERAL TRIPS BEFORE WE CAN GET IN TOUCH WITH THE FARM OPERATORS,” MR FONG ADDED.
DOGS MAY POSE A PROBLEM FOR MEMBERS OF THE LIAISON TEAM. MR FONG SAID HE AND HIS COLLEAGUES HAVE HAD THE EXPERIENCE OF BEING CONFRONTED BY BARKING DOGS FOR SOME TIME BEFORE BEING ABLE TO ALERT THEIR MASTERS.
THERE ARE OTHER POTENTIAL HAZARDS, SUCH AS FALLEN OR PROTRUDING TREE BRANCHES, AND RUGGED HILL PATHS REQUIRE CARE.
PATIENCE IS A MUST FOR MEMBERS OF THE LIAISON TEAM. ACCORDING TO MR FONG, SOME FARM OPERATORS Dll) NOT SPEAK CANTONESE AND WERE ADVANCED IN YEARS. THEY HAI) DIFFICULTY IN EXPRESSING THEMSELVES.
IN SUCH A CASE, MEMBERS OF THE LIAISON TEAM WOULD SPEND CONSIDERABLE TIME IN HELPING THEM UNDERSTAND THE ISSUE.
MR FONG NOTED THAT THE VISIT PROGRAMME WAS VERY SUCCESSFUL AND THE FARM OPERATORS WERE CO-OPERATIVE. THROUGH PERSON TO PERSON CONTACT, FARMERS WIRE WELL BRIEFED ON THE LIVESTOCK WASTE CONTROL SCHEME, THEIR QUESTIONS ANSWERED AND MOST OF THEIR WORRIES ALLAYED.
/A TOTAL
SUNDAY, MARCH 20, 1988
2
A TOTAL OF 390 LIVESTOCK FARMS HAVE BEEN VISITED. THE LIAISON TEAM HAS ALREADY STARTED VISITING FARMS LN OTHER DISTRICTS TO ENSURE THAT EVERY FARM AFFECTED BY THE ENVIRONMENTAL IMPROVEMENT SCHEME WILL BE VISITED.
THE LIAISON TEAM HAS ALSO DISTRIBUTED TO THE FARMERS OVER 1,000 LEAFLETS CONTAINING INFORMATION ON THE CONTROL SCHEME.
APART FROM FARM VISITS, THE LIAISON TEAM IS ALSO RESPONSIBLE FOR ANSWERING TELEPHONE ENQUIRIES.
MR FONG NOTED THAT THE THREE HOTLINES IN THE CNTA HEADQUARTERS, YUEN LONG AND NORTH DISTRICT OFFICES HAD RECEIVED MORE THAN 200 ENQUIRIES SINCE ITS INSTALLATION LAST DECEMBER. THE ISSUES RAISED MOSTLY CONCERNED THE IMPLEMENTATION DATE AND EX-GRATIA ALLOWANCES.
THE THREE TELEPHONE HOTLINES ARE:
CNTA HEADQUARTERS 3-7241771
YUEN LONG LIAISON OFFICE 0-792261 EXT. 186
NORTH DISTRICT LIAISON OFFICE 0-6754664
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WAITING LIST APPLICATION PUBLICITY CAMPAIGN
* * » * »
A PUBLICITY CAMPAIGN ON APPLYING FOR PUBLIC HOUSING THROUGH THE GENERAL WAITING LIST WAS LAUNCHED TODAY AT THE YAU MA TEI TYPHOON SHELTER.
HOUSING DEPARTMENT OFFICERS, ASSISTED BY THE YAU MA TEI DISTRICT OFFICE AND MARINE DEPARTMENT, VISITED ALL BOATS ANCHORED IN THE SHELTER AND DISTRIBUTED WAITING LIST APPLICATION FORMS AND INFORMATION LEAFLETS.
A TAPED MESSAGE WAS ALSO BROADCAST, URGING PEOPLE IN THE TYPHOON SHELTER TO JOIN THE THOUSANDS OF MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC WHO HAVE ALREADY MADE USE OF THIS MEANS TO ACQUIRE SUBSIDISED HOUSING.
THIS MESSAGE WILL BE BROADCAST CONTINUOUSLY DURING THE PUBLICITY CAMPAIGN PERIOD WHICH WILL END ON MARCH 31.
AT THE SAME TIME, HOUSING STAFF WILL BE STATIONED AT THE NEARBY YAU MA TEI MARINE LICENSING OFFICE TO HELP THOSE WHO NEED ASSISTANCE IN FILLING THE APPLICATION FORMS. THIS SERVICE WILL ALSO END ON MARCH 31.
/"APPLICATION FORMS
SUNDAY, NABOB 20, 1988
- 5 -
"APPLICATION FORMS WILL ALSO BE MADE AVAILABLE
FLOATING POPULATION AT THE DISTRICT MARINE LICENSING OFFICES THROUGHOUT THE TERRITORY," A HOUSING SPOKESMAN SAID. 1
HE SAID THAT COMPLETED APPLICATION FORMS COULD BE RETURNED TO THE HOUSING STAFF AT THE MARINE LICENSING OFFICES WHO WILL THEN FORWARD THEM TO THE APPLICATIONS SECTION FOR FURTHER PROCESSING.
APPLICANTS MAY ALSO MAIL THE COMPLETED APPLICATION FORMS DIRECT TO THE APPLICATIONS SECTION AT 1 MA TAU KOK ROAD.
ALL WAITING LIST APPLICANTS WILL BE ISSUED A BLUE CARD BEARING A G-NUMBBR, WHICH IS THE REGISTRATION NUMBER IN THE WAITING LIST, AFTER INITIAL SCREENING BY THE APPLICATIONS SECTION.
ELIGIBLE APPLICANTS WILL BE APPROACHED FOR INVESTIGATION WHEN THEIR REGISTRATION NUMBER MATURES FOR PUBLIC HOUSING ALLOCATION.
----o------
TAXI VOUCHER SCHEME TRIAL TO END THIS MONTH ♦ « « « »
THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT TODAY (SUNDAY) REMINDED THOSE HAVE BEEN ISSUED TAXI VOUCHERS WITH VALIDITY FROM OCTOBER 1, 1987
MARCH 31, 1988 THAT THEY MUST MAKE USE OF THE VOUCHERS BEFORE THE OF THIS MONTH.
WHO
TO END
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE DEPARTMENT SAID THE TAXI VOUCHER SCHEME, INTRODUCED IN APRIL LAST YEAR FOR A TRIAL PERIOD OF 12 MONTHS, WOULD EXPIRE AT THE END OF MARCH.
"ALL VOUCHERS WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED AFTER THAT DATE," HE STRESSED.
HOWEVER, TAXI DRIVERS CAN STILL CASH THESE VOUCHERS DURING THE THREE-MONTH PERIOD AFTER THEIR EXPIRY, UP TO JUNE 30.
DEPARTMENT’S FOUR LICENSING AND THREE TAXI ASSOCIATIONS -OWNERS ASSOCIATION, THE KOWLOON OPERATORS ASSOCIATION.
CASH-IN CENTRES INCLUDE THE OFFICERS, THE STUDENT TRAVEL OFFICE, THE HONG KONG KOWLOON TAXI AND LORRY TAXI OWNERS ASSOCIATION AND THE TAXI
"PROGRESS OF THE SCHEME HAS BEEN MONITORED BY THE WORKING GROUP ON THE REVIEW OF THE PILOT TAXI VOUCHER SCHEME, WHICH WILL ALSO LOOK INTO THE POSSIBILITY AND PRACTICABILITY OF INTRODUCING A LONG TERM SCHEME,” THE SPOKESMAN ADtlED.
A....
SUNDAY, MARCH 20, 1988
EASTERN CROSS HARBOUR MAIN LAYING WORK AUTHORISED ♦ » « » »
AUTHORISATION HAS BEEN GIVEN FOR THE GOVERNMENT TO CONSTRUCT A CROSS HARBOUR SUBMARINE FRESH WATER PIPELINE WITHIN AN AREA OF ABOUT EIGHT HECTARES OF FORESHORE AND SEABED BETWEEN CHA KWO LING AND QUARRY BAY.
THE PIPELINE WILL BE USED TO TRANSFER TREATED WATER FROM PAK KONG TREATMENT WORKS IN KOWLOON TO SHAU KEI WAN SERVICE RESERVOIR ON HONG KONG ISLAND.
WORK IS EXPECTED TO START THIS MONTH AND BE COMPLETED BY JANUARY NEXT YEAR.
THE EXTENT OF THE AFFECTED AREA HAS BEEN DESCRIBED IN A NOTICE PUBLISHED IN THE LATEST ISSUE OF THE GOVERNMENT GAZETTE.
CLAIMS FOR COMPENSATION SHOULD BE SUBMITTED IN WRITING TO THE DIRECTOR OF BUILDINGS AND LANDS BY MARCH 17, 1989.
-----o------
EMPLOYERS URGED TO TAKE OUT INSURANCE POLICIES » * » » *
THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT TODAY (SUNDAY) REMINDED EMPLOYERS TO TAKE OUT INSURANCE POLICIES FOR ALL THEIR EMPLOYEES.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE DEPARTMENT SAID THAT UNDER THE EMPLOYEE’S COMPENSATION ORDINANCE, EMPLOYERS MUST TAKE OUT INSURANCE POLICIES TO COVER THEIR FULL LIABILITIES TO COMPENSATE THE EMPLOYEES FOR INJURIES AND DRATH SUSTAINED AT WORK.
"THIS IS TO ENSURE THAT AN INJURED EMPLOYEE WOULD OBTAIN COMPENSATION WHICH HE IS ENTITLED TO UNDER THE LAW," HE ADDED.
HE STRESSED THAT ANY EMPLOYER WHO CONTRAVENED THE ORDINANCE COMMITTED AN OFFENCE AND WOULD BE LIABLE TO A MAXIMUM FINE OF $50,000 AND TWO YEARS’ IMPRISONMENT.
THE ORDINANCE ALSO STIPULATES THAT EMPLOYERS MUST BEAR THE FULL COST OF THE POLICIES AND ARE NOT ALLOWED TO DEDUCT IT FROM THE EARNINGS OF THEIR EMPLOYEES.
TN ADDITION, THEY ARE REQUIRED TO DISPLAY TN CONSPICUOUS PLACES SPECIFIC FORMS SHOWING THE PARTICULARS OF THE INSURANCE POLICIES.
/THE SPOKESMAN
SUNDAY, MARCH 20, 1988
5 -
THE SPOKESMAN REITERATED THAT THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT WOULD MAKE REGULAR CHECKS TO SEE IF THE EMPLOYERS HAD COMPLIED WITH THE LAW.
LAST YEAR, SOME 130 PROSECUTIONS AGAINST EMPLOYERS WERE MADE BY THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT UNDER VARIOUS PROVISIONS OF THE EMPLOYEE’S COMPENSATION ORDINANCE RESULTING IN A TOTAL FINE OF $126,800.
OF THE CASES, 108 RELATED TO FAILURE TO TAKE OUT INSURANCE POLICIES, 11 CONCERNED FAILURE TO DISPLAY THE INSURANCE POLICIES, AND THE REST INVOLVED FAILURE TO PRODUCE INSURANCE POLICIES FOR INSPECTIONS.
FURTHER ENQUIRIES ON MATTERS RELATING TO EMPLOYEES’ COMPENSATION MAY BE DIRECTED TO THE EMPLOYEES’ COMPENSATION DIVISION OF THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT ON 5-8521030.
-----0---------
TOWN PLANNER RETIRES AFTER 27 YEARS
» » » t »
THE MAN WHO COULD CLAIM SOME SHARE OF THE CREDIT FOR THfe SUCCESS OF OUR NEW TOWNS RETIRED LAST WEEK AS THE PRINCIPAL GOVERNMENT TOWN PLANNER. I
DR J.M. WIGGLESWORTH, WHO FIRST QUALIFIED AS AN ARCHITECT AND DECIDED HE COULD NOT BE GOOD AT IT "BECAUSE I WAS NOT A GOOD BUSINESSMAN - A NECESSARY ATTRIBUTE TO GET JOBS" BEFORE QUALIFYING AS A TOWN PLANNER, WAS PLEASED AT THE CAREER OPPORTUNITY OFFERED HIM IN 1961 BY THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT.
HE RECALLED: "THE MOST IMPORTANT THING GOING FOR A TOWN PLANNER HERE WAS THAT WE HAVE A STRONG CENTRAL GOVERNMENT AND UNLIKE IN UK, TOWN PLANNING HERE WAS NOT INFLUENCED BY LOCAL POLITICS."
"NEVERTHELESS, WE MUST NOT BE TOO AUTOCRATIC IN OUR APPROACH AND MINDLESSLY TRY TO IMPOSE WESTERN STANDARDS OF TOWN PLANNING IN A COMMUNITY WHICH HAS DIFFERENT CULTURAL VALUES AND PRIORITIES.
"WE CANNOT, FOR EXAMPLE, IGNORE THE ECONOMIC ANGLE BY SUDDENLY OUTLAWING ALL MANUFACTURING ACTIVITIES IN CERTAIN PARTS OF THE CITY PURELY TO FIT IN WITH AN IDEAL GRAND TOWN PLANNING SCHEME.
"BY THE SAME TOKEN, BY NECESSITY IF NOT BY CULTURAL UPBRINGING, WE CANNOT ARBITRARILY IMPOSE SIMILAR WESTERN STANDARDS OF NOISE POLLUTION AND TRAFFIC FLOW CONTROLS WHICH COULD GRAVELY AFFECT OUR ECONOMIC ACTIVITIES," HE SAID.
/YET, IN ........
6
SUNDAY, MARCH 20, 1988
YET, IN SPITE OF HIS SELF-IMPOSED RESTRICTIONS, DR WIGGLESWORTH BELIEVED THAT ACHIEVEMENTS BY LOCAL TOWN PLANNERS ARE HELD IN SUCH HIGH ESTEEM THAT THEIR WORKS HAVE BECOME THE SUBJECT FOR EMULATION AND STUDY BY OVERSEAS ACADEMICS, DEVELOPERS AND TOWN PLANNERS.
V
HE CITED ^HE NEW TOWNS - IN PARTICULAR SHA TIN, TUEN MUN AND TAI PO - AS THE CROWNING ACHIEVEMENTS OF LOCAL TOWN PLANNERS, "MADE POSSIBLE ONLY BECAUSE THEY HAVE BEEN GIVEN A CLEAN SHEET TO WORK ON. THE FACT THAT THE NEW TOWNS ARE BEING ACCEPTED BY THE PUBLIC IS NO LONGER IN DOUBT."
"THE IMPETUS AND SUCCESS FOR THE NEW TOWN DEVELOPMENT, OF COURSE, WAS HINGED ON THE PUBLIC HOUSING PROGRAMME LAUNCHED IN THE 196O’S. THAT WAS WHEN TOWN PLANNERS WERE GIVEN THE OPPORTUNITY TO CREATE ENTIRE NEW TOWNSHIPS OUT OF NOWHERE."
PLANNING FOR THE NEW TOWNS GAVE DR WIGGLESWORTH SPECIAL SATISFACTION BECAUSE OF THE TRAUMATIC EXPERIENCE HE SUFFERED FROM WITNESSING THE WORLD WAR II BOMBING OF LONDON.
"IT WAS IN THAT EXPERIENCE THAT THE SEEDS WERE SOWN FOR ME TO BECOME AN ARCHITECT AND TOWN PLANNER," HE MUSED.
NOW 59, HE RETURNS TO ENGLAND WHERE BEFORE DECIDING ON HIS NEXT CAREER MOVE. IT WITH THE ARTISTIC WORLD. SOMETHING WHICH I PAINTING THEATRE BACKDROPS AND WHICH I HOPE OR ANOTHER," HE QUIPPED.
HE WILL "TAKE ONE YEAR
WILL HAVE SOMETHING TO DO
BEGAN IN WORLD WAR II
TO RESUME IN ONE CAPACITY
-----0------
FUNDS AVAILABLE FOR SUMMER YOUTH ACTIVITIES * » * * t
LOCAL ORGANISATIONS AND VOLUNTARY AGENCIES DISTRICT CAN NOW APPLY FOR FUNDS FROM THE DISTRICT PROGRAMME CO-ORDINATION COMMITTEE TO ORGANISE YOUTH SUMMER.
IN THE SOUTHERN 'S SUMMER YOUTH ACTIVITIES THIS
"ALL PROJECTS OR ACTIVITIES SEEKING SPONSORSHIP SHOULD TARGET YOUTHS IN THE DISTRICT WHO ARE AGED BETWEEN SIX AND 25 AND FEATURE THE THEME OF THIS YEAR’S SUMMER YOUTH PROGRAMME," A SPOKESMAN FOR THE SOUTHERN DISTRICT OFFICE SAID.
THE THEME IS "SHARING THE FUN AND SERVING THE COMMUNITY".
/APPLICATIONS TO
SUNDAY, MARCH 20, 1988
- 7
APPLICATIONS TO THE CO-ORDINATION COMMITTEE SHOULD REACH THE SOUTHERN DISTRICT OFFICE ON THE SECOND FLOOR, MEI FUNG COURT, NAM NING STREET, ABERDEEN CENTRE, BY 5 PM ON APRIL 8, THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
APPLICATION FORMS ARE NOW AVAILABLE AT THE SOUTHERN DISTRICT OFFICE AND ITS SUB-OFFICES IN ABERDEEN CENTRE, LEI TUNG ESTATE, WAH FU ESTATE AND STANLEY VILLAGE ROAD.
ENQUIRIES CAN BE MADE ON 5-540271.
--------o - -
INDUSTRIAL BUILDING MANAGEMENT COURSE COMPLETED * » » » »
AN INDUSTRIAL BUILDING MANAGEMENT COURSE JOINTLY ORGANISED BY THE KWAI TSING INDUSTRIAL BUILDING MANAGEMENT TEAM, KWAI TSING DISTRICT BOARD, ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION DEPARTMENT AND THE FIRE SERVICES DEPARTMENT WAS COMPLETED TODAY (SUNDAY).
THE COURSE COVERED SUCH TOPICS AS DEEDS OF MUTUAL COVENANT, FINANCE CONTROL, ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AND FIRE PREVENTION.
IT PROVED TO BE POPULAR AMONG KWAI TSING DISTRICT FACTORY OWNERS AND MEMBERS OF INDUSTRIAL BUILDING OWNERS’ CORPORATIONS.
AROUND 80 PEOPLE WHO ACHIEVED AN ATTENDANCE RECORD OF 75 PER CENT OR ABOVE DURING THE COURSE, WHICH WAS SPREAD OVER TWO MONTHS, WERE AWARDED CERTIFICATES AT A CEREMONY TODAY.
BEFORE THE CEREMONY, THEY TOOK PART IN A SEMINAR IN WHICH THEY SHARED EXPERIENCES IN INDUSTRIAL BUILDING MANAGEMENT.
THEY WERE ALSO GIVEN ADVICE BY REPRESENTATIVES OF THE ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION DEPARTMENT, FIRE SERVICES DEPARTMENT, AND THE HOUSING DEPARTMENT AS WELL AS BY LEGAL EXPERTS.
MEANWHILE, A HANDBOOK ON INDUSTRIAL BUILDING MANAGEMENT HAS BEEN JOINTLY PUBLISHED BY THE KWAI TSING DISTRICT OFFICE AND THE DISTRICT BOARD.
ABOUT 3,000 COPIES WILL BE DISTRIBUTED TO OWNERS’ INCORPORATIONS OF INDUSTRIAL BUILDINGS IN THE DISTRICT SHORTLY TO ENHANCE THE CONCEPT OF GOOD MANAGEMENT AND TO GIVE ADVICE ON HOW TO TACKLE PROBLEMS.
/8........
SUNDAY, MARCH 20, 1988
- 8 -
FUNDS AVAILABLE FOR SAI KUNG YOUTH ACTIVITIES
*****
SCHOOLS, ORGANISATIONS, VOLUNTARY AGENCIES AND MUTUAL AID COMMITTEES IN SAI KUNG ARE INVITED TO APPLY FOR JOCKEY CLUB FUNDS TO ORGANISE ACTIVITIES FOR THIS YEAR’S SUMMER YOUTH PROGRAMME.
THE ACTIVITIES SHOULD BE HELD IN JULY AND AUGUST WITH THE THEME OF SHARING THE JOY OF SERVING THE COMMUNITY. YOUNG PEOPLE AGED BETWEEN SIX AND 25 WILL BE THE MAIN TARGET OF ALL ACTIVITIES.
THE AIMS ARE TO FOSTER A SENSE OF RESPONSIBILITY AMONG YOUNG PEOPLE AND TO WIDEN THEIR KNOWLEDGE OF THE COMMUNITY.
A CO-ORDINATING COMMITTEE UNDER THE AUSPICES OF THE SAI KUNG DISTRICT OFFICE HAS BEEN SET UP TO CO-ORDINATE AND ALLOCATE RESOURCES FOR THE ACTIVITIES.
APPLICATION FORMS ARE NOW AVAILABLE AT THE SAI KUNG DISTRICT OFFICE, SECOND FLOOR, SAI KUNG GOVERNMENT OFFICES, CHAN MAN STREET, SAI KUNG TOWN.
FURTHER ENQUIRIES CAN BE DIRECTED TO MR CH IM CHUN-YUEN ON 3-7924455 (EXT. 25). THE DEADLINE FOR APPLICATIONS FOR FUNDS IS APRIL 6.
------0-------
PRIMARY SCHOOL CHILDREN’S PAINTING COMPETITION
*****
PRIMARY SCHOOL PUPILS ARE BEING INVITED TO TAKE PART IN A SCHOOL CHILDREN'S PAINTING COMPETITION TO PROMOTE CHILDREN’S LOVE AND RESPECT FOR THEIR MOTHERS.
THE THEME OF THE COMPETITION, ORGANISED BY THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT AND SPONSORED BY THE ZONTA CLUB OF KOWLOON, IS "MUM WORKING FOR US".
IT IS DIVIDED INTO IWO GROUPS. PRIMARY ONE TO THREE PUPILS MAY TAKE PART IN GROUP A AND PRIMARY FOUR TO SIX PUPILS IN GROUP B.
CONTESTANTS CAN MAKE USE OF PAINT, COLLAGE, OR ANY OTHER TWO-DIMENSIONAL UNMOUNTED WORK BUT THE ENTRIES MUST BE IN A3 (297 MM X 420 MM) SIZE.
THERE WILL BE 25 PRIZES FOR EACH GROUP AND EACH WINNER WILL BE AWARDED BOOK COUPONS WORTH $200 AT A PRIZE-GIVING CEREMONY IN MAY.
SCHOOL HEADS SHOULD COLLECT THE ENTRIES FROM THEIR PUPILS AND SEND THEM TO THE INSPECTOR (ART AND CRAFT) OF THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT BEFORE APRIL 22.
-------o ---------
/9........
SUNDAY, MARCH 20, 1988
- 9 -
GENERAL HOUSEHOLD SURVEY QUARTERLY REPORT PUBLISHED » » » * *
THE REPORT ON THE GENERAL HOUSEHOLD SURVEY FOR OCTOBER-DECEMBER 1987, CONTAINING STATISTICS ON EMPLOYMENT, UNEMPLOYMENT AND UNDEREMPLOYMENT FOR THE QUARTER, IS NOW AVAILABLE.
THE REPORT ALSO CONTAINS DETAILED ANALYSIS OF THE
CHARACTERISTICS OF MEMBERS OF THE LABOUR FORCE.
THESE INCLUDE THEIR AGE AND SEX, EDUCATIONAL ATTAINMENT, ACTIVITY STATUS, OCCUPATION, INDUSTRY, HOURS WORKED PER WEEK, MONTHLY EMPLOYMENT EARNINGS AS WELL AS REASON FOR UNEMPLOYMENT AND DURATION OF UNEMPLOYMENT FOR THE UNEMPLOYED.
THE REPORT, AT $9.50 PER COPY, CAN BE OBTAINED FROM THE GOVERNMENT PUBLICATIONS CENTRE, GENERAL POST OFFICE BUILDING, CONNAUGHT PLACE, CENTRAL.
------o-------
TEMPORARY SUSPENSION OF PARKING SPACES IN CENTRAL t » « * »
MOTORISTS ARE ADVISED THAT CAR PARKING SPACES NUMBERED 92 THROUGH 152 AT THE MURRAY BARRACKS OPEN-AIR CAR PARK IN CENTRAL WILL BE SUSPENDED TEMPORARILY FROM 8 AM ON THURSDAY (MARCH 24) TO MIDNIGHT ON SUNDAY (MARCH 27).
THE SUSPENSION OF CAR PARKING SPACES WILL FACILITATE REPAINTING OF THE PARKING SPACES.
------0-------
PARTIAL LANE CLOSURE IN TUEN MUN ROAD » * * * »
TO FACILITATE THE REPAIR OF AND CENTRAL LANES OF TUEN MUN ROAD TEMPORARILY CLOSED FROM 10 AM TO 4 THURSDAY (MARCH 24).
------0
A TRAFFIC GANTRY SIGN, THE SLOW NORTHBOUND NEAR SAM SHING WILL BE PM ON WEDNESDAY (MARCH 23) AND
WATER CUT IN WONG TAI SIN » * « » «
FRESH WATER SUPPLY TO CERTAIN PREMISES IN TURNED OFF FROM 11 PM ON WEDNESDAY (MARCH 23) IO DAY FOR LEAKAGE TEST.
WONG TAI SIN WILL BE 6 AM THE FOLLOWING
THE SUSPENSION WILL AFFECT BLOCKS 4 TO 32 OF TSZ LOK ESTATE.
- - 0 -
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL: 5-8428777
MONDAY, MARCH 21, 1988
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
GOVERNOR EXPLAINS VALUE OF HK-CHINa ECONOMIC TIES ... 1
LAND COMMISSION HOLDS 15TH MEETING .................. 5
CONTINUOUS GOVERNMENT EFFORTS TO IMPROVE RURAL LIFE . 6
TUNG WAH'S SERVICES FOR ELDERLY PRAISED ............. 7
RESIDENTS REMINDED NOT TO OVERLOAD LIFTS ............ 8
RECRUITMENT OF TEMPORARY LIFE GUARDS ................ 8
PROPOSED DREDGING AT LANTAU AND Ma WAN .............. 9
QUEEN MARY HOSPITAL MORTUARY TO BE EXPANDED.......... 9
WATER STORAGE FIGURE................................. 10
TEMPORARY TRAFFIC CHANGES IN HUNG HOM ............... 10
MONDAY, MARCH 21, 1988
GOVERNOR EXPLAINS VALUE OF HK-CHINA ECONOMIC TIES
*****
THE HIGH DEGREE OF ECONOMIC INTERDEPENDENCE THAT NOW EXISTS BETWEEN HONG KONG AND CHINA IS A RELATIONSHIP OF IMMENSE VALUE TO BOTH SIDES, THE GOVERNOR, SIR DAVID WILSON, SAID IN LONDON TODAY (MONDAY).
IN A WIDE-RANGING ADDRESS TO THE ROYAL INSTITUTE OF INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS, SIR DAVID EXPLAINED THAT MUCH OF HONG KONG’S RECENT SUCCESS -- VERY HIGH GROWTH RATES, BOOMING PORT BUSINESS --WAS BECAUSE OF THE INCREASING IMPORTANCE OF CHINA TO THE HONG KONG ECONOMY.
FOR CHINA, THIS ECONOMIC RELATIONSHIP MIGHT ACCOUNT FOR AS MUCH AS ONE THIRD OF ALL FOREIGN EXCHANGE EARNINGS.
"IT IS AGAINST THIS BACKGROUND THAT ONE HAS TO SEE THE 1984 S1NO-BRITISH JOINT DECLARATION ON THE QUESTION OF HONG KONG,” SIR DAVID SAID.
"THE POINT I WOULD LIKE TO MAKE IS THAT THE ECONOMIC SUCCESS OF HONG KONG, AND ITS INCREASING VALUE TO CHINA, IS THE BEST •GUARANTEE OF ITS FUTURE."
IN HIS SPEECH ON "HONG KONG IN TRANSITION", SIR DAVID SAID THE RESUMPTION OF CHINESE SOVEREIGNTY IN 1997 HAD NOT SURPRISINGLY COME TO DOMINATE INTERNATIONAL COVERAGE OF THE TERRITORY, BUT IT WAS IN FACT ONLY ONE OF MANY IMPORTANT DEVELOPMENTS.
HE POINTED TO THE GREAT CHANGES THAT HAD TAKEN PLACE IN HONG KONG SINCE THE 196O’.S AND 1970’S.
"IT HAS GROWN, DEVELOPED, MATURED FAR FASTER THAN PERHAPS ANY OTHER SOCIETY ON EARTH. IT IS CONTINUING TO DEVELOP AND TO CHANGE AT A GREAT PACE," HE SAID.
"IT IS IN THIS CONTEXT THAT WE SHOULD LOOK AT HONG KONG. WHAT IT IS NOW. HOW IT IS CHANGING. AND WHAT IT WILL BE IN 1997 AND BEYOND."
ON ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT, SIR DAVID DESCRIBED THE POSTWAR GROWTH OF THE MANUFACTURING INDUSTRY, AND HOW THE ECONOMY HAD EXPANDED AMAZINGLY SINCE THE 1960'S.
CITING FIGURES, HE REFERRED TO THE NEARLY TWENTY-FOLD INCREASE IN THE GROSS DOMESTIC PRODUCT -- FROM US$2.5 BILLION IN 1967 TO OVER US$46 BILLION IN 1987.
TOTAL VISIBLE TRADE HAD RISEN THIRTY-FOLD — FROM US$3.3 BILLION IN 1967 TO US$97 BILLION IN 1987; IN REAL TERMS AMOUNTING TO NEARLY 12 PER CENT GROWTH YEARLY FOR 20 YEARS.
/HONG KONG
MONDAY, MARCH 21, 1?88
- 2 -
HONG KONG NOW RANKED 13TH IN THE WORLD’S TRADING ECONOMIES; AND IN A RECENT DEVELOPMENT ITS CONTAINER PORT HAD BECOME THE WORLD’S BUSIEST, OVERTAKING ROTTERDAM.
"THIS GROWTH IS CONTINUING,” SIR DAVID SAID, AND THOUGH 1988 WOULD NOT MATCH LAST YEAR’S 13 PER CENT ECONOMIC GROWTH RATE, A STRONG PERFORMANCE WAS STILL EXPECTED.
THE GOVERNOR POINTED OUT HOW NOT ONLY THE SIZE BUT THE NATURE OF THE ECONOMY HAD CHANGED RADICALLY, AND SO HAD THE PATTERN OF TRADE.
"HONG KONG IS NOW A WORLD LEADER IN WATCHES AND CLOCKS, ELECTRONIC GOODS AND FASHIONABLE CLOTHES, PRINTING AND DESIGN.
’’THE OPENING UP OF CHINA’S ECONOMY IN RECENT YEARS HAS MEANT THE RESURGENCE OF HONG KONG’S ROLE AS AN ENTREPOT, A TRANSHIPMENT CENTRE; AND A GATEWAY FOR CHINA TRADE.”
AS A RESULT, CHINA WAS HONG KONG’S SECOND LARGEST EXPORT MARKET, AFTER THE UNITED STATES.
BUT HE EMPHASISED THAT OTHER ASIAN ECONOMIES WERE ALSO TAKING A MUCH GREATER PROPORTION OF HONG KONG TRADE, AND HEADWAY AT LAST WAS BEING MADE IN JAPAN.
”WE LOOK FORWARD TO MUCH MORE TRADE BETWEEN HONG KONG AND OUR NEAR NEIGHBOURS IN THE ASIA-PACIFIC REGION, TO BALANCE OUR TRADITIONAL MARKETS IN NORTH AMERICA AND EUROPE,” HE SAID.
HE POINTED TO THE EVOLUTION OF HONG KONG’S ROLE IN THE ASIA-PACIFIC REGION AS X MOST IMPORTANT ELEMENT IN THE TERRITORY’S ECONOMIC TRANSITION.
"AS WELL AS A TRADING AND A MANUFACTURI NG CENTRE, WE HAVE BECOME, PARTICULARLY OVER ’Till- LAST DECADE OR SO, A CENTRE FOR BUSINESS SERVICES.
"HONG KONG HAS BECOME A PLACE THROUGH Will (’ll TO DO BUSINESS WITH THE COUNTRIES OF THE WHOLE REGION -- A PLACF TO HAVE ONE’S REGIONAL HEADQUARTERS," HE SAID, NOTING THAI’ OVER 2,200 INTERNATIONAL COMPANIES NOW OPERATED IN THE TERRITORY.
SIR DAVID ALSO REFERRED TO HONG KONG’S EMERGENCE AS AN INTERNATIONAL FINANCIAL CENTRE, A ROLE FOR WHICH IT WAS ADMIRABLY SUITED, WITH MORE THAN 100 LICENSED BANKS AND DEPOSIT-TAKING INSTITUTIONS HAVING SET UP OPERATIONS HERE.
SUCH A RAPID ECONOMIC TRANSITION DID CREATE SOME PROBLEMS, SIR DAVID SAID. MANUFACTURERS HAD CONSTANTLY TO LOOK FOR WAYS TO STAY COMPETITIVE AND TRADERS FACED THREATS OF PROTECTIONISM IN OLD MARKETS AND EXISTING BARRIERS IN NEW ONES.
/IN THE
MONDAY, MARCH 21, 1988
IN THE FINANCIAL SECTOR, THE STOCK MARKET WAS BUFFETTED LAST YEAR, AS HAPPENED ELSEWHERE, AND WEAKNESSES WERE SHOWN UP THAT WERE PARTLY THE RESULT OF THE SPEED AT WHICH THE STOCK AND FUTURES MARKETS HAD DEVELOPED.
IT WAS CLEAR THAT A HARD LOOK NEEDED TO BE TAKEN AT THE WHOLE SECURITIES SYSTEM, AGAINST THE BACKGROUND OF HONG KONG’S NEW AND DEVELOPING ROLE AS AN INTERNATIONAL FINANCIAL CENTRE, AND A REVIEW COMMITTEE DOING THAT WOULD REPORT IN MAY.
TURNING TO SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT, SIR DAVID OUTLINED THE PROGRESS MADE IN EDUCATION, HOUSING AND PUBLIC HEALTH SERVICES, AND POINTED OUT THAT "WITH INCREASED AFFLUENCE AND THE SATISFACTION OF BASIC NEEDS COME INCREASED DEMANDS" FOR EVEN BETTER SERVICES.
"THE CHALLENGE FOR THE GOVERNMENT IS TO MEET THESE GROWING ASPIRATIONS -- AND AT THE SAME TIME TO KEEP TAXES LOW SO AS NOT TO CONSTRAIN THE INDIVIDUAL DRIVE AND INITIATIVE WHICH HAVE PUT HONG KONG WHERE IT IS TODAY," HE SAID.
SIR DAVID REFERRED TO HOW THESE CHANGING ASPIRATIONS WERE ALSO REFLECTED IN SUPPORT FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF MORE REPRESENTATIVE GOVERNMENT. THERE WAS NOW STRONG INTEREST IN POLITICAL DEVELOPMENT, PARTICULARLY AMONG THE NEW LARGE PROFESSIONAL AND MIDDLE CLASS.
HE DESCRIBED HOW OVER THE PAST SEVEN YEARS A THREE-TIER SYSTEM OF REPRESENTATIVE GOVERNMENT HAD BEEN INTRODUCED: DISTRICT BOARDS, MUNICIPAL COUNCILS, AND THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL.
A CONSULTATION EXERCISE THAT BEGAN LAST YEAR HAD SHOWN THAT A SUBSTANTIAL MAJORITY OF THE POPULATION WANTED SOME ELEMENT OF DIRECT ELECTIONS TO Till LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL, BUT VIEWS WERE SHARPLY DIVIDED ON WHEN THIS STEP SHOULD BE MADE.
IT HAD BEEN DECIDED THAT, FOR THE FIRST TIME, THE COUNCIL WOULD HAVE SOME ELECTED MEMBERS IN 1991; 10 SEATS, OR ABOUT IS PER CENT OF THE COUNCIL.
"WHATEVER VIEWS ARE TAKEN, THIS MOVE SHOULD BE RECOGNISED FOR WHAT IT IS -- AN IMPORTANT, INDEED AN HISTORIC DECISION -- AND ONE WHICH HAS BEEN WIDELY WELCOMED IN HONG KONG," HE SAID.
SIR DAVID SAID THERE WOULD CERTAINLY BE FURTHER CHANGE, AND HE ADDED THAT THE BASIC LAW NOW BEING DRAFTED BY THE CHINESE GOVERNMENT FOR THE FUTURE HONG KONG SPECIAL ADMINISTRATIVE REGION LOOKED CERTAIN TO PROVIDE FOR AT LEAST 25 PER CENT TO BE DIRECTLY ELECTED AND FOR FURTHER EVOLUTION BEYOND THAT POINT AFTER 199".
THE GOVERNOR DISCUSSED THE RELATIONSHIP WITH CHINA AS THE THIRD ASPECT OF DEVELOPMENT WHICH MADE THE IIONG KONG OF TODAY A GREATLY CHANGED PLACE.
/SAYING’ "A
MONDAY, MARCH 21, 1988
SAYING ”A LITTLE HISTORICAL PERSPECTIVE TELLS A REMARKABLE STORY”, HE EXPLAINED HOW EVEN ONLY A DECADE AGO CHINA WAS A MINOR MARKET FOR HONG KONG GOODS, WITH MAINLY FOOD COMING IN RETURN, AND THERE WAS LITTLE MOVEMENT OF PEOPLE ACROSS THE BORDER AT LO WU.
TODAY, HONG KONG WAS CHINA’S LARGEST MARKET AND ITS LARGEST SOURCE OF FOREIGN INVESTMENT, AND CHINA HAD HUGE AND GROWING INVESTMENTS IN HONG KONG.
HONG KONG PEOPLE NOW MADE AROUND 14 MILLION VISITS A YEAR TO CHINA, AND OVER 400,000 CHINESE VISITORS CAME ANNUALLY TO HONG KONG; AND TRANSPORT LINKS NOW INCLUDED FERRY SERVICES, AND AIR SERVICES TO OVER 20 CHINESE CITIES, BESIDES TRAINS.
“ONE NEEDS TO GO TO THE SHENZHEN ECONOMIC ZONE, ACROSS THE BORDER FROM HONG KONG, TO THE TOWNS OF THE PEARL RIVER DELTA, AND TO THE CITY OF CANTON ITSELF TO FULLY APPRECIATE WHAT IS HAPPENING,” HR SAID.
HONG KONG INTERESTS WERE NOW ESTIMATED TO BE EMPLOYING, DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY, WELL OVER A MILLION WORKERS IN THE PEARL RIVER DELTA AREA.
"AND THE OTHER AREAS OF CHINA, INCLUDING THE KEY MUNICIPALITY OF SHANGHAI, ARE BECOMING MORE AND MORE INTERESTED IN CO-OPERATION WITH HONG KONG.
"AN INCREASING NUMBER OF CHINESE CITIES AND PROVINCES ARE DEVELOPING A CLOSE VESTED INTEREST IN HONG KONG’S CONTINUED ECONOMIC' SUCCESS AND ECONOMIC AUTONOMY."
NOTING THAT THERE WERE THOSE WHO CAST DOUBT ON WHETHER CHINA WOULD ADHERE TO THE JOINT DECLARATION, SIR DAVID SAID HE BELIEVED THAT THE CHINESE GOVERNMENT WAS FULLY AWARE OF THE VALUE OF HONG KONG, AND OF THE BENEFITS THAT IT COULD AND DID OBTAIN FROM IT.
"1 BELIEVE THAT THEY ALSO RECOGNISE THAT THIS VALUE AND THESE BENEFITS WILL ONLY CONTINUE IF HONG KONG IS PERMITTED TO MAINTAIN ITS PRESENT WAY OF LIFE AND ITS PRESENT WAY OF DOING BUSINESS," HE SAID.
"I BELIEVE THAT IT S FOR THIS REASON THAT THEY DEVISED THE IMAGINATIVE CONCEPT OF ’ONI- COUNTRY, TWO SYSTEMS’ AND WERE PREPARED TO SET OUT IN SUCH DETAIL HOW THE SEPARATENESS OF THE HONG KONG SAR WOULD BE PRESERVED FOR 50 YEARS AFTER 1997."
SIR DAVID ALSO REFERRED TO EMIGRATION, AND SAID THAT ALTHOUGH THIS HAD BEEN A FACT OF LIFE IN HONG KONG FOR MANY YEARS, WHAT HAD TO BE DONE NOW WAS TO ENSURE THAT HONG KONG REMAINED A PLACE IN WHICH PEOPLE WANTED TO LIVE, BOTH TODAY AND AFTER 1997.
”A CRUCIAL ELEMENT IN THIS WILL BE THE MAINTENANCE OF A STRONG ECONOMY," HE STRESSED.
/THIS WAS .......
MONDAY, MARCH 21, 1988
THIS WAS SO AT PRESENT, WITH TRADE BOOMING AND INVESTMENT
BOUYANT, AND THERE WAS NO GREAT OUTFLOW OF CAPITAL.
"PIECE BY PIECE THE 1997 JIGSAW IS BEING PUT TOGETHER IN A WAY THAT WILL ALLOW HONG KONG'S PROSPERITY TO CONTINUE," HE SAID.
"INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS INTEREST IN HONG KONG IS STRONG, AS IS INTERNATIONAL POLITICAL SUPPORT FOR THE ARRANGEMENTS OVER THE FUTURE," SIR DAVID SAID, ADDING THAT THERE WAS NO SERIOUS RIVAL TO HONG KONG AS THE BUSINESS SERVICES CENTRE FOR THE REGION.
- 0 -
LAND COMMISSION HOLDS 15TH MEETING * ♦ ♦ * »
THE 15TH MEETING OF THE SINO-BR1TISH LAND COMMISSION WAS HELD IN HONG KONG TODAY (MONDAY).
THE TWO SIDES AGREED THAT THE LAND DISPOSAL PROGRAMME FOR THE 1988-89 FINANCIAL YEAR SHOULD AMOUNT TO 94.5 HECTARES.
THE PROGRAMME COMPRISES 22 HECTARES FOR COMMERCIAL RESIDENTIAL AND INDUSTRIAL DEVELOPMENTS; 22 HECTARES FOR HOME OWNERSHIP, PRIVATE SECTOR. PARTICIPATION SCHEMES, HONG KONG HOUSING SOCIETY PUBLIC RENTAL HOUSING AND VILLAGE HOUSING; 19 HECTARES FOR PUBLIC UTILITIES, EDUCATIONAL, WELFARE, RELIGIOUS, RECREATIONAL AND OTHER USES; AND 31.5 HECTARES FOR CONTAINER TERMINAL 7 AS A SPECIAL REQUIREMENT.
IN ADDITION, THE LAND COMMISSION HAS AGREED THAT A FURTHER FIVE HECTARES OF LAND MAY BE RELEASED FOR COMMERCIAL, RESIDENTIAL AND INDUSTRIAL DEVELOPMENT IN THE COURSE OF THE YEAR, IF THERE IS A DEMAND FOR IT.
THESE SITES WILL BE PUBLISHED IN THE FORM OF A LAND APPLICATION LIST WHICH WILL BE REVIEWED QUARTERLY.
THE LAND COMMISSION RECOGNISED THE Nl ED TO PROCEED WITH THE THIRD UNIVERSITY PROJECT IN 1988-89 AND AGREED TO CONSIDER LAND ALLOCATION ONCE DETAILS OF REQUIREMENT HAVE BEEN FINALISED.
- - 0 - -
MONDAY, MARCH 21, 1988
- 6 -
CONTINUOUS GOVERNMENT EFFORTS TO IMPROVE RURAL LIFE ♦ ♦ t ♦ ♦
CONTINUOUS EFFORTS ARE BEING MADE BY THE AUTHORITIES TO CARRY OUT VARIOUS PROJECTS IN THE RURAL AREAS IN THE NEW TERRITORIES TO IMPROVE THE ENVIRONMENT AND THE QUALITY OF LIFE THERE, THE REGIONAL SECRETARY FOR THE NEW TERRITORIES, MR MICHAEL SUEN, SAID THIS (MONDAY) EVENING.
SPEAKING AT A NEW TERRITORIES ROTARY CLUB MEETING, MR SUEN SAID WITH THE BASIC PLANNING FRAMEWORK NEAR COMPLETION, THE TIME HAD COME TO SPEED UP THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THESE IMPROVEMENT PROJECTS, MOST OF WHICH WERE ENGINEERING WORK RELATED TO VILLAGE EXPANSION AND DRAINAGE AND FLOOD CONTROL.
HE NOTED THAT THE AUTHORITIES PLANNED TO ALLOCATE MORE FUNDS AND HAD ALREADY CARRIED OUT MANY PROJECTS TO IMPROVE THE WORKING AND LIVING ENVIRONMENT OF VILLAGERS.
IN 1987-88, THE CITY AND NEW TERRITORIES ADMINISTRATION (CNTA) HAD COMPLETED 175 LOCAL PUBLIC WORKS PROJECTS COSTING $13 MILLION AND THE AUTHORITIES HAD SET ASIDE $14 MILLION FOR 190 SIMILAR PROJECTS IN 1988-89, HE SAID.
THE CNTA WAS ALSO INVOLVED IN URBAN FRINGE IMPROVEMENT PROGRAMMES UNDERTAKEN BY THE TERRITORY DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT WITH THE SUPPORT OF THE CIVIL ENGINEERING SERVICES DEPARTMENT THE AND HIGHWAYS DEPARTMENT.
THESE PROGRAMMES WERE FIRST IMPLEMENTED IN THE CURRENT FINANCIAL YEAR DURING WHICH 22 PROJECTS COSTING $5.8 MILLION HAD BEEN COMPLETED. THE AUTHORITIES HAD SET ASIDE $21 MILLION FOR CARRYING OUT 24 OTHER PROJECTS IN 1988-89.
OUTLINING THE WATER SUPPLY SITUATION FOR VILLAGES IN THE NEW TERRITORIES, MR SUEN SAID METERED WATER SUPPLY WAS NOW AVAILABLE TO 531 VILLAGES AND A FURTHER 25 VILLAGES WOULD BE ABLE TO ENJOY THIS FACILITY WHEN THE WATER SUPPLIES DEPARTMENT COMPLETED THEIR WORKS IN HAND.
IN A FIVE-YEAR PLAN STARTING 1988-89, THE WATER SUPPLIES DEPARTMENT WOULD SPEND $30 MILLION TO PROVIDE METERED WATER SUPPLY TO 85 REMOTE VILLAGES, HE ADDED.
OTHER GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS, INCLUDING THE HOUSING DEPARTMENT AND THE AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES DEPARTMENT, WERE ALSO ENGAGED IN WORKS TO IMPROVE THE LIVELIHOOD OF VILLAGERS AND FARMERS.
PROJECTS BEING CARRIED OUT IN THE NEW TOWNS WOULD ALSO CONTRIBUTE TO THE IMPROVEMENT OF THE RURAL ENVIRONMENT.
’’THE AUTHORITIES HAVE DRAWN UP A COMPREHENSIVE DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME FOR RURAL AREAS AND SET UP A NUMBER OF WORKING GROUPS TO STUDY DETAILS OF THE VARIOUS PROPOSALS.
/’•IT IS
MONDAY, MARCH 21, 1988
"IT IS HOPED THAT THE GROUPS CAN FINISH THEIR STUDIES WITHIN ONE YEAR AND THEN SEEK THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL’S APPROVAL FOR THE PROGRAMMES AND THE PROVISION OF THE NECESSARY RESOURCES.
"THE HEUNG YEE KUK, RURAL COMMITTEES AND DISTRICT BOARDS WILL BE CONSULTED BEFORE THE DEVELOPMENT PROJECTS ARE FINALISED," MR SUEN CONCLUDED.
-----0---------
TUNG WAH’S SERVICES FOR ELDERLY PRAISED
*****
THE SECRETARY FOR HEALTH AND WELFARE, MR JOHN CHAMBERS, TODAY (MONDAY) PAID TRIBUTE TO THE TUNG WAH GROUP OF HOSPITALS FOR ITS IMPORTANT ROLE IN THE PROVISION OF SERVICES FOR THE ELDERLY.
HE WAS OFFICIATING AT THE FOUNDATION-STONE LAYING CEREMONY OF THE TUNG WAH GROUP OF HOSPITALS’ WU YORK YU CARE AND ATTENTION HOME FOR THE ELDERLY IN SHUEN WAN, TAI PO.
MR CHAMBERS DESCRIBED THE PROJECT AS YET ANOTHER EXAMPLE OF THE GROUP’S COMMITMENT TO THE NEEDS OF ELDERLY PEOPLE WHO WERE NO LONGER CAPABLE OF LOOKING AFTER THEMSELVES.
THE IDEA TO USE THE PIECE OF LAND IN SAM MUN CHAI ROAD, OVERLOOKING SCENIC PLOVER COVE, TO PROVIDE CARE AND ATTENTION PLACES FOR THE ELDERLY WAS CONCEIVED SOME 10 YEARS AGO.
"JUNE 1985 SAW THE COMPLETION OF STAGE 1 OF THIS PROJECT, WHEN THE PAO SIU LOONG CARE AND ATTENTION BUILDING WITH ACCOMMODATION FOR 188 ELDERLY RESIDENTS WAS OPENED," MR CHAMBERS SAID.
"TODAY’S CEREMONY MARKS THE START OF WORK ON PHASE II OF THIS PROJECT WHICH WILL, IN DUE COURSE, PROVIDE ANOTHER CARE AND ATTENTION HOME WITH SOME 250 PLACES.
"THIS DEVELOPMENT IS BY FAR THE LARGEST OF ITS KIND IN HONG KONG AND WILL MAKE A SIGNIFICANT CONTRIBUTION TO THE PROVISION OF CARE AND ATTENTION PLACES FOR THE ELDERLY."
MR CHAMBERS POINTED OUT THAT THE GOVERNMENT HAD LONG PROMOTED THE CONCEPT OF "CARE IN THE COMMUNITY" AND PROVIDED SUPPORT AND ENCOURAGEMENT FOR FAMILIES TO CONTINUE TO CARE FOR THEIR ELDERLY MEMBERS IN THEIR OWN HOMES.
"SOMETIMES THIS IS NO LONGER POSSIBLE EITHER BECAUSE OF THE INCREASING FRAILTY OF THE ELDERLY OR BECAUSE OF THE INABILITY OF THEIR FAMILY MEMBERS TO PROVIDE THE NECESSARY CARE AND SUPPORT," HE SAID.
"IN SUCH CIRCUMSTANCES PLACEMENT IN A RESIDENTIAL HOME BECOMES THE ONLY ALTERNATIVE.”
-----0------
/8........
MONDAY, MARCH 21, 1988
- 8 -
RESIDENTS REMINDED NOT TO OVERLOAD LIFTS » * ♦ * »
RESIDENTS ARE REMINDED THAT THEY SHOULD NOT OVERLOAD LIFTS.
THE REMINDER WAS GIVEN TODAY (MONDAY) BY A SPOKESMAN FROM THE ELECTRICAL AND MECHANICAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT.
’’ALL LIFTS, BE THEY PASSENGER, CARGO OR SERVICE LIFTS, ARE DESIGNED TO CARRY A CERTAIN WEIGHT AND IT COULD BE DANGEROUS IF THIS LIMIT IS EXCEEDED,” HE STRESSED.
TO ALERT THE PUBLIC TO THE DANGER OF LIFT OVERLOADING, THE GOVERNMENT HAS PRODUCED A POSTER AND A STICKER. A SIMILAR MESSAGE WILL ALSO BE BROADCAST OVER THE RADIO.
IN ADDITION, A LEAFLET ADVISING ON THE SAFE USE OF LIFTS AND ESCALATORS HAS ALSO BEEN PRODUCED. COPIES ARE AVAILABLE FROM ALL DISTRICT OFFICE ENQUIRY COUNTERS.
THE SPOKESMAN SAID THE MAIN POINTS LISTED IN THE LEAFLET WERE BASICALLY COMMON SENSE AND THE PUBLIC SHOULD HAVE NO DIFFICULTY IN FOLLOWING THEM.
THE LEAFLET ALSO OUTLINED THE RESPONSIBILITIES OF OWNERS OF LIFTS AND ESCALATORS, INCLUDING CARGO AND SERVICE LIFTS, AS REQUIRED UNDER THE AMENDMENTS TO THE LIFTS AND ESCALATORS (SAFETY) ORDINANCE.
THE AMENDMENTS, WHICH CAME INTO EFFECT LAST NOVEMBER, REQUIRE OWNERS TO KEEP A LOG BOOK FOR LIFTS AND ESCALATORS TO RECORD DETAILS OF ALL MAINTENANCE WORK, CARRY OUT ANNUAL EXAMINATION ON SERVICE LIFTS AND REPORT ACCIDENTS INVOLVING LIFTS AND ESCALATORS.
------0 ------
RECRUITMENT OF TEMPORARY LIFE GUARDS ♦ » » » ♦
THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT IS RECRUITING TEMPORARY LIFE GUARDS THE URBAN SERVICES AND THE REGIONAL SERVICES DEPARTMENTS, TO GAZETTED BEACHES AND SWIMMING POOLS OVER THE TERRITORY DURING SWIMMING SEASON THIS YEAR.
FOR MAN THE
APPLICANTS SHOULD BE PREFERABLY AGED UNDER 35, OF GOOD PHYSIQUE AND GOOD EYE-SIGHT AND SHOULD POSSESS A BRONZE MEDALLION CERTIFICATE ISSUED BY THE ROYAL LIFE SAVING SOCIETY.
THE JOB, OFFERING A MONTHLY SALARY OF $3,795 OR A DAILY WAGE OF $153, IS OPEN TO BOTH MEN AND WOMEN.
MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC WHO ARE INTERESTED IN THE POST MAY APPROACH ANY OF THE LOCAL EMPLOYMENT SERVICE BRANCH OFFICES OF THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT OR TELEPHONE 5-270622, 3-695525, 3-265123 AND 0-4920154.
. - 0 - -
/9
MONDAY, MARCH 21, 1988
- 9 -
PROPOSED DREDGING AT LANTAU AND MA WAN » » * » *
THE GOVERNMENT PROPOSED TO DREDGE WITHIN THREE AREAS OF FORESHORE AND SEABED AT LANTAU ISLAND AND MA WAN TO EXTRACT MARINE SAND TO SERVE AS FILL FOR THE RECLAMATION AT THE WESTERN COAST OF TSING YI ISLAND.
TWO AREAS OF FORESHORE AND SEABED AT NORTH LANTAU, MEASURING 249.01 HECTARES AND 99.25 HECTARES, AND AN AREA OF 93.542 HECTARES OF FORESHORE AND SEABED TO THE SOUTH OF MA WAN, WILL BE AFFECTED.
THE EXTENTS OF THE AREAS AFFECTED HAVE BEEN PUBLISHED IN THE LATEST ISSUE OF THE GAZETTE.
ANY PERSON WHO CONSIDERS THAT HE HAS AN INTEREST, RIGHT OR EASEMENT IN OR OVER THE FORESHORE AND SEABED INVOLVED MAY SUBMIT HIS OBJECTION IN WRITING TO THE DIRECTOR OF BUILDINGS AND LANDS ON OR BEFORE MAY 17.
-------o ---------
QUEEN MARY HOSPITAL MORTUARY TO BE EXPANDED * » » » »
WORK TO UPGRADE AND EXPAND THE MORTUARY AT QUEEN MARY HOSPITAL WILL START EARLY NEXT MONTH.
THIS WAS ANNOUNCED BY THE ARCHITECTURAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT WHICH HAS JUST AWARDED A $10 MILLION CONTRACT FOR THE IMPROVEMENT WORKS WHICH WOULD CONSTITUTE PART OF QUEEN MARY HOSPITAL EXTENSIONS AND IMPROVEMENTS, STAGE III.
LIAISON ARCHITECT, MR WILSON LEE, SAID THE WORK WOULD INVOLVE MAINLY INTERNAL REFURBISHMENT AND SERVICES UPGRADING OF THE EXISTING MORTUARY AND THE ADDITION OF A THREE-STOREY PLANT ROOM EXTENSION.
THE HOSPITAL IS UNDERGOING A MAJOR EXTENSION PROGRAMME WHICH BEGAN IN 1982. LAST APRIL, A $389 MILLION EXTENSION TO THE HOSPITAL WAS TOPPED OUT.
ON COMPLETION OF THE STAGE II OF THE PROGRAMME IN MID-1989, 844 BEDS WILL BE ADDED TO THE HOSPITAL, BRINGING THE TOTAL NUMBER TO OVER 2,100.
--------0----------
/1O........
MONDAY, MARCH 21, 1988
- 10 -
WATER STORAGE FIGURE » * »
STORAGE IN HONG KONG'S RESERVOIRS AT 9 AM TODAY (MONDAY) STOOD AT 45.4 PER CENT OF CAPACITY OR 266.044 MILLION CUBIC METRES.
THIS TIME LAST YEAR THE RESERVOIRS CONTAINED 307.279 MILLION
CUBIC METRES OF WATER, REPRESENTING 52.4 PER CENT OF CAPACITY.
-----0-----
TEMPORARY TRAFFIC CHANGES IN HUNG HOM t t t * *
TO FACILITATE THE CONSTRUCTION OF MA TAU WAI ROAD FLYOVER, SPECIAL TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS WILL BE IMPLEMENTED IN HUNG HOM BETWEEN MARCH 24 (THURSDAY) AND 27.
FROM 11 PM TO 6 AM THE FOLLOWING DAY ON MARCH 24, 25 AND 26, MAN LOK STREET AND MAN YUE STREET WILL BE CLOSED TO TRAFFIC EXCEPT THOSE FOR LOCAL ACCESS.
MOTORISTS ON MA TAU WAI ROAD SOUTHBOUND HEADING FOR FAT KWONG STREET WILL BE DIVERTED VIA WUHU STREET, DOCK STREET, BULKELEY STREET, MARSH STREET, WUHU STREET AND MA TAU WAI ROAD NORTHBOUND.
IN ADDITION, THE SECTION OF FAT KWONG STREET EASTBOUND BETWEEN WO CHUNG STREET AND MA TAU WAI ROAD WILL BE CLOSED BETWEEN 12.30 AM AND 6 AM ON MARCH 25, 26 AND 27.
VEHICLES TRAVELLING ALONG FAT KWONG STREET EASTBOUND HEADING FOR MA TAU WAI ROAD WILL HAVE TO TRAVEL VIA WO CHUNG STREET, CHATHAM ROAD NORTH AND WUHU STREET.
- - 0 -
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL: 5-8428777
[This page is blank in the original document]
1
TUESDAY, MARCH 22, 1988
1
CAUTIOUS APPROACH IN PROTECTING PERSONAL INFORMATION *****
THE GOVERNMENT WILL PROCEED CAUTIOUSLY AND ADOPT AS FAR AS POSSIBLE THE GENERAL NON-INTERVENTIONIST PHILOSOPHY IN ITS APPROACH TO PROTECTING THE PRIVACY OF PERSONAL INFORMATION PROCESSED BY COMPUTERS, THE SECRETARY FOR ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES AND INFORMATION, MR PETER TSAO, SAID TODAY (TUESDAY).
HE WAS SPEAKING AT THE ROTARY CLUB OF KOWLOON EAST LUNCHEON MEETING.
MR TSAO POINTED OUT THAT THE GOVERNMENT HAD ACCEPTED THAT IN PRINCIPLE DATA PROTECTION LEGISLATION SHOULD BE INTRODUCED IN HONG KONG AFTER HAVING MONITORED OVER THE LAST FEW YEARS THE TREND IN MANY COUNTRIES WHICH HAD BROUGHT IN DATA PROTECTION LEGISLATION.
"WE RECOGNISE HOWEVER THAT THE SUBJECT IS COMPLEX, THAT THE EXPERIENCE OF OTHER COUNTRIES IN IMPLEMENTING DATA PROTECTION LEGISLATION HAS NOT ALWAYS BEEN A HAPPY ONE, AND THAT IT IS ALMOST IMPOSSIBLE TO SATISFY EVERYONE," MR TSAO SAID.
"FOR HONG KONG IN PARTICULAR, DEPENDENT AS IT IS ON SUCCESSFUL BUSINESS ENTERPRISE, IT IS OF PARAMOUNT IMPORTANCE TO STRIKE THE BEST POSSIBLE BALANCE BETWEEN THE INTERESTS OF THOSE WHO USE PERSONAL INFORMATION IN THEIR EVERYDAY BUSINESS AND THOSE WHO ARE THE SUBJECT OF THAT INFORMATION, WHILE NOT FORGETTING THE INTERESTS OF THE COMMUNITY AT LARGE."
BESIDES SHARING THE CONCERNS OF OTHER COUNTRIES IN THIS REGARD, MR TSAO NOTED THAT THERE ARE TWO MAJOR REASONS WHY THE GOVERNMENT IS CONSIDERING LEGISLATION.
FIRST, THE INTERNATIONAL COVENANT ON CIVIL AND POLITICAL RIGHTS, TO WHICH HONG KONG SUBSCRIBES THROUGH THE UNITED KINGDOM, PROVIDES THAT NO ONE SHALL BE SUBJECTED TO ARBITRARY OR UNLAWFUL INTERFERENCE WITH HIS PRIVACY AND THAT EVERYONE HAS THE RIGHT TO THE PROTECTION OF THE LAW AGAINST SUCH INTERFERENCE.
"THE GOVERNMENT TAKES THE VIEW THAT DATA PROTECTION IS A MATTER DESERVING ATTENTION IN ITS OWN RIGHT, DIVORCED FROM OTHER ASPECTS OF PRIVACY," MR TSAO SAID.
THE SECOND CONSIDERATION IS THAT HONG KONG’S POSITION AS A FINANCIAL AND COMMERCIAL CENTRE COULD BE JEOPARDISED IF THERE WERE RESTRICTIONS IMPOSED ON THE FREE FLOW OF PERSONAL DATA TO THE TERRITORY FROM ABROAD.
MR TSAO SAID THE GOVERNMENT COULD NOT IGNORE THIS ALTHOUGH HOW LIKELY SUCH A THREAT WOULD BE TO HONG KONG WAS NOT YET KNOWN.
"THERE IS HOWEVER NO INDICATION OF ANY IMMEDIATE THREAT TO HONG KONG," HE SAID.
/"IT IS
TUESDAY, MARCH 22, 1988
2 -
"IT IS A MATTER ON WHICH I AM CONSULTING WITH THE AUTHORITIES IN OTHER COUNTRIES.
"AND I EXPECT THE PERCEPTION FROM ABROAD AS TO THE SAFETY OF PERSONAL DATA IN HONG KONG TO DEPEND AS MUCH ON EVIDENCE OF GOOD DATA PROTECTION PRACTICE AS ON THE PRESENCE OR OTHERWISE OF LEGISLATION."
MR TSAO POINTED OUT THAT THE BOOKLET "DATA PROTECTION PRINCIPLES AND GUIDELINES", ISSUED LAST WEEK, SOUGHT TO PROMOTE GOOD DATA PROTECTION PRACTICE, BOTH BY GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS AND IN THE PRIVATE SECTOR.
"IT PROVIDES FAIRLY COMPREHENSIVE GUIDANCE FOR COMPUTER USERS, ALBEIT IN GENERAL TERMS, WITHOUT INTRODUCING ANY BIG STICK TO ENFORCE COMPLIANCE, AND WITHOUT AT THIS STAGE CREATING ANY NEW RIGHTS FOR INDIVIDUALS."
MR TSAO STRESSED THAT THE GOVERNMENT WAS NOT RUSHING TO LEGISLATE, NEITHER WAS IT PROCRASTINATING.
"DATA PROTECTION IS A COMPLEX SUBJECT AND I WANT ANY EVENTUAL LEGISLATION TO STRIKE THE BEST POSSIBLE BALANCE, COMPATIBLE WITH OUR CIRCUMSTANCES.
"OVER THE NEXT YEAR, A WORKING GROUP WILL EXAMINE CRITICALLY OTHER COUNTRIES’ LEGISLATION AND THEIR EXPERIENCE IN IMPLEMENTING IT, WITH A VIEW TO ASSESSING WHAT MIGHT BEST SUIT HONG KONG AND, PERHAPS EVEN MORE IMPORTANTLY, IDENTIFYING FEATURES TO AVOID," MR TSAO ADDED.
-------0 ---------
INDEPENDENT COMMITTEE TO REVIEW DISCIPLINED SERVICES’ PAY AND CONDITIONS *****
AT THE REQUEST OF THE GOVERNMENT, THE STANDING COMMISSION ON CIVIL SERVICE SALARIES AND CONDITIONS OF SERVICE HAS COMMISSIONED AN INDEPENDENT REVIEW COMMITTEE TO REVIEW THE PAY AND CONDITIONS OF THE DISCIPLINED SERVICES, A SPOKESMAN FOR THE STANDING COMMISSION SAID TODAY (TUESDAY).
THE REVIEW WILL HAVE REGARD TO RECENT AND FUTURE DEVELOPMENTS IN THE RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE DISCIPLINED SERVICES AND WILL CONSIDER APPROPRIATE LEVELS OF REMUNERATION IN RELATION TO THE REST OF THE CIVIL SERVICE.
THE REVIEW IS TO BE CONDUCTED AS FAR AS POSSIBLE IN TWO DISTINCT PARTS, DEALING FIRST WITH THE POLICE AND THEREAFTER WITH THE OTHER DISCIPLINED SERVICES.
/THE REVIEW
TUESDAY, MARCH 22, 1988
THE REVIEW COMMITTEE WILL SUBMIT ITS FINDINGS AND RECOMMENDATIONS TO THE GOVERNOR VIA THE STANDING COMMISSION ON CIVIL SERVICE SALARIES AND CONDITIONS OF SERVICE.
THE STANDING COMMISSION HAS APPOINTED MR A.L. RENNIE, A RETIRED SENIOR CIVIL SERVANT FROM THE UNITED KINGDOM, AS CHAIRMAN OF THE INDEPENDENT REVIEW COMMITTEE.
MR RENNIE HAS SERVED IN NUMEROUS SENIOR POSITIONS IN THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH FOR SCOTLAND; AS PRIVATE SECRETARY TO THE SECRETARY OF STATE FOR SCOTLAND; AS REGISTRAR GENERAL FOR SCOTLAND AND AS AN UNDER SECRETARY AT THE SCOTTISH OFFICE.
HE RETIRED IN 1984 AS SECRETARY, SCOTTISH HOME AND HEALTH DEPARTMENT. MR RENNIE WAS HEAD OF THE DEPARTMENT DURING DISCUSSIONS ON POLICE AND PRISON PAY, AND IN RETIREMENT, HAS BEEN INVOLVED IN THE COMMITTEE ON MERIT AWARDS IN THE NATIONAL HEALTH SERVICE.
MR RENNIE IS DUE TO ARRIVE IN HONG KONG AT THE END OF THIS MONTH.
THE OTHER TWO MEMBERS OF THE REVIEW COMMITTEE HAVE BEEN APPOINTED LOCALLY. THEY ARE SIR ROGER LOBO, WHO PREVIOUSLY SERVED AS A MEMBER OF THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL AND AS SENIOR MEMBER OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL, AND MRS RITA FAN, CURRENTLY A MEMBER OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL.
THE REVIEW COMMITTEE WILL BE SERVED BY AN INDEPENDENT SECRETARIAT COMPRISING A TEAM OF CIVIL SERVANTS SECONDED FROM THE GOVERNMENT.
THE SECRETARIAT WILL BE HEADED BY A DIRECTORATE GRADE ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICER, MR ROGER GARCIA, WHO HAS BEEN SPECIALLY SECONDED FROM THE GOVERNMENT SECRETARIAT FOR THE REVIEW.
-------0---------
STOCK EXCHANGE OF HONG * *
KONG LIMITED ANNUAL FEE * * *
AN ANNUAL FEE OF $14.5 MILLION IS PAYABLE BY THE STOCK EXCHANGE OF HONG KONG LIMITED TO THE GOVERNMENT FOR THE PERIOD APRIL 2, 1988 TO APRIL 1, 1989, A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN ANNOUNCED TODAY (TUESDAY).
HE SAID THAT UNDER THE STOCK EXCHANGES UNIFICATION ORDINANCE, THE EXCHANGE COMPANY WAS GIVEN THE EXCLUSIVE RIGHT TO ESTABLISH AND OPERATE A STOCK MARKET IN HONG KONG AND THE COMPANY WAS REQUIRED TO PAY TO THE GOVERNMENT AN ANNUAL FEE IN RESPECT OF THAT EXCLUSIVE RIGHT.
/THE ANNUAL
TUESDAY, MARCH 22, 1988
THE ANNUAL FEE IS DETERMINED BY THE GOVERNOR IN COUNCIL.
"FOR THE THIRD YEAR OF OPERATION, THAT IS, 1988-89, THE ANNUAL FEE HAS BEEN SET AT $14.5 MILLION.
"THIS FEE HAS BEEN CALCULATED TO RECOVER COSTS INCURRED BY THE OFFICE OF THE COMMISSIONER FOR SECURITIES IN REGULATING THE ACTIVITIES OF THE STOCK EXCHANGE," THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
HE ADDED THAT THE SECURITIES COMMISSION HAD BEEN CONSULTED AND CONSIDERED THE FEE APPROPRIATE.
"IN ADDITION TO PROVIDING EXECUTIVE SUPPORT TO THE SECURITIES COMMISSION, THE COMMISSIONER’S OFFICE IS RESPONSIBLE FOR REGULATING THE TRADING AND OTHER ACTIVITIES OF THE STOCK EXCHANGE.
"WHILE FEES ARE LEVIED ON SOME OF THESE SERVICES INCLUDING THE REGISTRATION OF BROKERS AND DEALERS, NO FEE IS LEVIED ON OTHER SERVICES SUCH AS THE PROCESSING OF APPLICATION UNDER THE STATUTORY LISTING RULES AND MATTERS CONCERNING TAKEOVERS, MARKET SURVEILLANCE AND INVESTIGATIONS.
"THE FEE OF $14.5 MILLION WILL RECOVER THE COST OF PROVIDING SUCH SERVICES," THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
THE SPOKESMAN POINTED OUT THAT IN DETERMINING THE FEE FOR THIS YEAR, FULL ACCOUNT HAD BEEN TAKEN OF THE FINANCIAL POSITION OF THE EXCHANGE COMPANY AND IT SHOULD NOT LEAD TO AN INCREASE IN THE RATE OF TRANSACTION LEVY PRESENTLY BORNE BY INVESTORS.
------0-------
TRAINING HELPS SPUR JEWELLERY INDUSTRY
* » * * *
TRAINING IN BETTER CRAFTSMANSHIP FOR WORKERS PROVIDED BY THE JEWELLERY INDUSTRY TRAINING CENTRE OF THE VOCATIONAL TRAINING COUNCIL IS ONE OF THE FACTORS ACCOUNTING FOR THE SUCCESS OF HONG KONG’S JEWELLERY INDUSTRY, THE SECRETARY FOR TRADE AND INDUSTRY, MR HAMISH MACLEOD, SAID TODAY (TUESDAY).
THE CENTRE, WHICH RUNS INDUSTRY-WIDE TRAINING COURSES IN GOLDSMITH TECHNIQUES AND IN PRECIOUS STONE SETTING, AT PRESENT PROVIDES PLACES FOR 105 CRAFTSMEN BUT EVENTUALLY WILL PROVIDE TRAINING FACILITIES FOR 150 CRAFTSMEN EACH YEAR.
SPEAKING AT THE HONG KONG JEWELLERY SHOW GALA EVENING ORGANISED BY THE HONG KONG TRADE DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL, MR MACLEOD NOTED THAT HONG KONG HAD NOW BECOME A MAJOR AND INTERNATIONALLY RECOGNISED JEWELLERY MANUFACTURING CENTRE.
/"TBE SIZE .......
TUESDAY, MARCH 22, 1988
5 -
“THE SIZE OF THE JEWELLERY INDUSTRY HAS MORE THAN TRIPLED, AND THE VALUE OF ITS EXPORTS HAS INCREASED AT AN AVERAGE ANNUAL RATE OF 24 PER CENT FOR THE LAST 10 YEARS," HE SAID.
HONG KONG’S FREE PORT STATUS ALSO ENABLED MANUFACTURERS TO BE ABLE TO SOURCE MATERIAL AT COMPETITIVE PRICES.
"THE SUCCESS OF HONG KONG’S JEWELLERY INDUSTRY IS DUE TO THE FLEXIBILITY AND IMAGINATION OF ITS MANUFACTURERS WHO HAVE DEMONSTRATED THEIR ABILITY TO KEEP ABREAST OF THE LATEST MARKET TRENDS AND STYLES."
HONG KONG COULD NOW OFFER A WIDE RANGE OF REASONABLY-PRICED, WELL-MADE AND FASHIONABLE JEWELLERY PRODUCTS, HE SAID.
THERE WERE 1,300 FACTORIES WITH A TOTAL WORKFORCE OF OVER 17,000. THE TOTAL VALUE OF GOODS EXPORTED NOW AMOUNTED TO $4,600 MILLION.
------0-------
24 FARMS CHOSEN FOR FURTHER ASSESSMENT t ♦ * * *
THE STEERING GROUP OF THE LIVESTOCK WASTE DISPOSAL CONSULTATIVE COMMITTEE HAS ENDORSED 24 NOMINATIONS FOR FURTHER ASSESSMENT FOR PARTICIPATION IN THE LIVESTOCK WASTE TREATMENT DEMONSTRATION PROJECTS ON PRIVATE FARMS.
AT THE GROUP’S MEETING THIS (TUESDAY) AFTERNOON, REPRESENTATIVES FROM THE ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION DEPARTMENT (EPD) SUBMITTED A LIST OF 24 LIVESTOCK FARMS FOR MEMBERS’ DISCUSSION.
THESE FARMS WERE LOCATED MAINLY IN SHEUNG SHUI, FANLING, TAI PO AND SHA TIN, WHICH WOULD BE AFFECTED BY THE LIVESTOCK WASTE CONTROL SCHEME.
AN EPD OFFICIAL SAID THAT PENDING THE APPROVAL OF FUNDS, THE DEPARTMENT WOULD APPOINT A CONSULTANT AS SOON AS POSSIBLE TO CARRY OUT A FURTHER SITE INVESTIGATION AND ASSESSMENT TO SHORT-LIST 12 TO 15 FARMS FOR DEMONSTRATION OF THE DRY MUCK-OUT, WET MUCK-OUT, HYBRID AND PIG-ON-LITTER TREATMENT METHODS.
HE EXPLAINED THAT OF THE 24 NOMINATIONS, 11 WERE PIG FARMS, NINE WERE POULTRY FARMS AND FOUR WERE MIXED FARMS.
/GROUP MEMBERS
TUESDAY, MARCH 22, 1988
- 6 -
GROUP MEMBERS ALSO DISCUSSED THE FORMAT OF LISTING THE DETAILED COST ESTIMATES OF THE TREATMENT METHODS. THEY UNANIMOUSLY AGREED THAT THE PROPOSED FORMAT WOULD BE ABLE TO GIVE LIVESTOCK BREEDERS A GENERAL IDEA OF THE COST OF THE TREATMENT METHODS SO AS TO HELP THEM DECIDE WHICH ONE THEY SHOULD OPT FOR IN THE DEMONSTRATION SCHEME.
MEANWHILE, THE CHAIRMAN OF THE LIVESTOCK WASTE DISPOSAL CONSULTATIVE COMMITTEE, MR LEO KWAN, SAID THE LIVESTOCK WASTE CONTROL SCHEME WOULD BE IMPLEMENTED AS A PILOT SCHEME IN THE TOLO HARBOUR, TOLO CHANNEL, ANGLER’S BEACH AND MUI WO AREAS FROM JUNE 24 THIS YEAR.
HE REITERATED THAT BEFORE THE COMPLETION OF THE DEMONSTRATION PROJECTS, CONTROLS WOULD NOT BE GENERALLY APPLIED TO THE NORTH DISTRICT AND OTHER CONTROL AREAS.
"IF NECESSARY, THE REGULATIONS CAN BE AMENDED IN THE LIGHT OF A REVIEW ON THE DEMONSTRATION PROJECTS," MR KWAN SAID.
HE ALSO EXPLAINED THAT THE GOVERNMENT HAD ATTACHED GREAT IMPORTANCE TO THE VIEWS EXPRESSED BY MEMBERS OF THE CONSULTATIVE COMMITTEE.
A NUMBER OF RECOMMENDATIONS INCLUDING THE CARRYING OUT OF DEMONSTRATION PROJECTS ON PRIVATE FARMS HAD BEEN ACCEPTED, HE ADDED.
- 0----------
RG ON LIQUIDATION OF DEAK PERERA FAR EAST LIMITED
» * * » »
THE REGISTRAR GENERAL, MR NOEL GLEESON, AS OFFICIAL RECEIVER AND LIQUIDATOR OF DEAK PERERA FAR EAST LIMITED ("DPFE"), NOTED THAT THE PAYMENT THIS WEEK OF $82.9 MILLION INTO THE LIQUIDATION OF DEAK & CO. (MACAU) LIMITED WILL MARK AN IMPORTANT STAGE IN FINALISING THE LIQUIDATION OF DPFE.
THE PAYMENT REPRESENTS A DIVIDEND OF 45 CENTS IN THE DOLLAR TO THE MACAU COMPANY WHICH IS A CREDITOR OF DPFE. THE OTHER ORDINARY CREDITORS OF DPFE RECEIVED THEIR DIVIDEND OF 45 CENTS IN THE DOLLAR IN FEBRUARY 1987.
THE DIVIDEND TO DEAK & CO. (MACAU) LIMITED WAS ALSO DECLARED IN FEBRUARY 1987 BUT PAYMENT WAS POSTPONED, BY AGREEMENT WITH THE MACAU LIQUIDATOR, PENDING RECOGNITION BY THE MACAU COURT OF THE CLAIMS OF NUMEROUS FORMER CUSTOMERS OF THE MACAU COMPANY, MOSTLY HONG KONG RESIDENTS.
/THEIR DIVIDEND
TUESDAY, MARCH 22, 1988
- 7 -
THEIR DIVIDEND DUE IN THE LIQUIDATION OF THE MACAU COMPANY WILL BE PRINCIPALLY MADE UP OF THE DIVIDEND FROM HONG KONG TOGETHER WITH OTHER MONEY HELD BY THE MACAU LIQUIDATOR.
MR GLEESON RECALLED THAT DPFE WAS WOUND UP BY COURT ORDER ON THE PETITION OF THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY IN FEBRUARY 1985.
A 100 PER CENT PREFERENTIAL DIVIDEND WAS PAID BY THE OFFICIAL RECEIVER IN EARLY 1986, IN ADVANCE OF THE FEBRUARY 1987 DIVIDEND TO ORDINARY CREDITORS.
ACTIVITY IN THE WINDING UP OF DPFE WAS CONTINUING, INCLUDING A LAWSUIT AGAINST FORMER DPFE DIRECTORS AND BANKERS, FOR US$2.3 MILLION, BUT IT WAS NOT POSSIBLE AT THIS STAGE TO SAY IF THERE WOULD BE ANY FURTHER DIVIDEND FOR CREDITORS.
-------0 ---------
SAFETY PRECAUTIONS IN OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES URGED
*****
THE DIRECTOR OF EDUCATION, MR Y.T. LI, TODAY (TUESDAY) SPOKE AGAIN OF THE NEED TO OBSERVE CLOSELY ALL THE NECESSARY SAFETY PRECAUTIONS WHEN TAKING PART IN SPORTS AND OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES.
SPEAKING AT THE 45TH SILVER AWARD PRESENTATION OF THE DUKE OF EDINBURGH’S AWARD SCHEME, MR LI URGED PARTICIPANTS AND LEADERS, ESPECIALLY THOSE IN THE EXPEDITION AND PHYSICAL RECREATION SECTIONS, TO HEED SAFETY RULES.
THIS WOULD ENSURE THAT ALL CONCERNED WOULD BE ABLE TO UNDERGO TRAINING AND ASSESSMENT IN A CHALLENGING BUT SAFE SETTING.
MR LI NOTED THAT THE SCHEME WAS INTRODUCED BY THE DUKE OF EDINBURGH IN 1956 WITH THE AIM OF FOSTERING YOUNG PEOPLE’S ENTHUSIASM AND READINESS TO ACCEPT CHALLENGE THROUGH A PROGRAMME OF ACTIVITIES OPEN TO ALL PERSONS BETWEEN THE AGES OF 14 AND 25.
HE SAID THE SCHEME WAS ALSO INTENDED TO HELP THESE YOUNG PEOPLE TO DEVELOP MATURITY, CIVIC AWARENESS, AND SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY WHICH WOULD BENEFIT THEM THROUGHOUT THEIR LIVES.
THIS WOULD APPLY IN THEIR HOMES, IN THEIR JOBS AND IN THEIR RELATIONSHIPS WITH OTHER PEOPLE, WHATEVER THEIR ABILITIES OR CIRCUMSTANCES.
’’THROUGH THE PROGRAMME OF THE AWARD SCHEME, WE ARE ABLE TO DEVELOP YOUNG PEOPLE’S POTENTIAL AND CHARACTER, AND MORE IMPORTANTLY, WE ARE ABLE TO HELP THOSE WHO HAVE ENCOUNTERED SETBACKS TO REBUILD THEIR SELF CONFIDENCE,” MR LI SAID.
’’THUS THE SCHEME IS SUITABLE FOR ALL STUDENTS AND YOUNG PEOPLE OF WHATEVER ABILITIES, AND FOR ALL ADULTS WHO WISH TO LEND A HAND,” HE ADDED.
------0------- /8.....................
TUESDAY, MARCH 22,
1988
- 8 -ALLOWANCES UNDER LEGAL AID LEGISLATION INCREASED ♦ ♦ ♦ * ♦
THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL TODAY (TUESDAY) APPROVED AMENDMENTS TO THE LEGAL AID (ASSESSMENT OF RESOURCES AND CONTRIBUTIONS) REGULATIONS WHICH WILL INCREASE THE PERSONAL ALLOWANCES SET AGAINST INCOME AND CAPITAL IN DETERMINING ELIGIBILITY FOR LEGAL AID IN CIVIL AND CRIMINAL CASES.
THESE AMENDMENTS ARE IN LINE WITH A REVIEW OF THE PUBLIC ASSISTANCE SCHEME BASIC RATES AND COME INTO FORCE ON APRIL 1 THIS YEAR.
THE AMENDMENTS ARE AS FOLLOWS:
INCOME
A) AN APPLICANT WITH NO DEPENDANTS.
B) AN APPLICANT WITH ONE DEPENDANT.
INCREASED FROM $510 TO $560.
C) AN APPLICANT WITH TWO OR THREE DEPENDANTS.
D) AN APPLICANT WITH MORE THAN THREE DEPENDANTS.
INCREASED FROM $380 FOR HIMSELF AND $380 FOR THE DEPENDANT TO $420 FOR HIMSELF AND $420 FOR DEPENDANT.
INCREASED FROM $370 TO $410 FOR THE SECOND AND THIRD DEPENDANTS IN ADDITION TO B).
INCREASED FROM $360 TO $400 FOR EACH OF THE ADDITIONAL DEPENDANTS IN ADDITION TO B) AND C).
CAPITAL
A) AN APPLICANT WITH NO DEPENDANTS.
B) AN APPLICANT WITH DEPENDANTS
I) THE APPLICANT HIMSELF
INCREASED FROM $6,450 TO $7,100.
II) IN RESPECT OF EACH DEPENDANT
INCREASED FROM $4,300 TO $4,730.
INCREASED FROM $4,300 TO $4,730.
FURTHER INFORMATION MAY BE
DEPARTMENT, 24TH FLOOR, QUEENSWAY GO
OBTAINED FROM THE LEGAL AID RNMENT OFFICES, HONG KONG.
-----O------
/9......♦
TUESDAY, MARCH 22, 1988
- 9 -
FULL OPERATION OF PSYCHOTROPIC DRUG ABUSERS’ CENTRE IN APRIL
» * » t »
THE FIRST COUNSELLING CENTRE FOR PSYCHOTROPIC DRUG ABUSERS WILL BECOME FULLY OPERATIONAL FROM APRIL 15 WITH THE PROVISION OF WALK-IN SERVICES.
THIS WAS ANNOUNCED BY THE CHAIRMAN OF THE ACTION COMITTEE AGAINST NARCOTICS (ACAN), DR GERALD CHOA, AT A PRESS CONFERENCE TODAY (TUESDAY).
"THE CENTRE, RUN BY THE HONG KONG CHRISTIAN SERVICE (HKCS) AS A Tlhl E-YFAR PILOT PROJECT, IS LOCATED AT THE HKCS HEADQUARTERS AT 33 GRANVILLE ROAD, TSIM SHA TSUI," HE SAID.
"THE HKCS HAS ADOPTED A SHORT ('ODE NAME TO MAKE THE CENTRE MORE WIDELY KNOWN AMONG YOUNGER PEOPLE.
"THE CO! : NAME IS ’PS3.3’ WHICH STANDS FOR PROFESSIONAL SERVICES FOR PSYCHOTROPIC SUBSTANCE ABUSERS AT 33 GRANVILLE ROAD."
DR CHOA SAID INFORMATION, ADVICE, COUNSELLING, RECREATION AND ALTERNATIVE PURSUITS AS WELL AS REFERRAL SERVICES WOULD BE PROVIDED TO DRUG ABUSERS WHO ASKED FOR ASSISTANCE OR WHO WERE REFERRED TO j'HE CENTRE BY OTHER AGENCIES.
ALTHOUGH NO MEDICAL TREATMENT SERVICES WOULD BE AVAILABLE, THE CENTRE WOULD MAKE REFERRALS TO THE MEDICAL AND HEALTH DEPARTMENT AND PROVIDE MEDICAL ADVICE TO ABUSERS, SOCIAL WORKERS AND TEACHERS WHERE NECESSARY, HE ADDED.
"THE CENTRE HAS ALREADY STARTED OPERATION SINCE MARCH 1 AND PROVIDED INITIAL SERVICES THROUGH REFERRALS FROM OTHER AGENCIES AND THROUGH APPOINTMENTS," DR CHOA CONTINUED.
"STARTING FROM APRIL 15, WALK-IN CASES WILL ALSO BE ENTERTAINED FROM 7 PM TO 10 PM ON MONDAYS, AND FROM 2 PM TO 5,30 PM AND 7 PM TO 10 PM ON TUESDAYS TO SATURDAYS.
"TELEPHONE ENQUIRIES MADE TO THE CENTRE’S HOTLINE, 3-688269, WILL BE ANSWERED BY TRAINED STAFF BETWEEN 9 AM AND 10 PM DURING WEEKDAYS AND ON SATURDAYS. TELEPHONE RECORDING SERVICE WILL BE ARRANGED IN THE REMAINING HOURS AND ON SUNDAYS AND PUBLIC HOLIDAYS.”
COSTING MORE THAN $2.2 MILLION, THE PROJECT IS FUNDED DY THE LOTTERIES FUND. THE NECESSARY GOVERNMENT APPROVAL HAS BEEN OBTAINED WITH SUPPORT FROM ACAN AND THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT.
REVIEWING THE DRUG SITUATION, THE COMMISSIONER FOR NARCOTICS, MR GARETH MULLOY, SAID AT THE PRESS CONFERENCE THAT THE YEAR 1987 SAW SOME POSITIVE SIGNS IN THE FIGHT AGAINST DRUG ABUSE IN HONG KONG.
/"THE DOWNWARD
TUESDAY, MARCH 22, 1988
I
- 10 -
’’THE DOWNWARD TREND IN THE NUMBER OF PERSONS NEWLY REPORTED TO THE CENTRAL REGISTRY OF DRUG ABUSE, WHICH HAD BEGUN LN 1984, CONTINUED.
’’THE NUMBER OF PERSONS OF ALL AGES NEWLY REPORTED DECREASED BY 13.5 PER CENT, FROM 2,747 TO 2,377, AS COMPARED WITH 1986.
"THE NUMBER OF NEWLY REPORTED YOUNG PERSONS UNDER THE AGE OF 21 DROPPED BY 10.5 PER CENT, FROM 788 TO 705.
"THE TOTAL NUMBER OF PERSONS PROSECUTED FOR ALL DRUG OFFENCES DECREASED BY 9.9 PER CENT, FROM 12,494 TO 11,252.
"PROSECUTION OF YOUNG PERSONS AGED UNDER 21 ALSO SHOWED A DECREASE FROM 1,035 TO 772, REPRESENTING A FALL OF 25.4 PER CENT.
"THERE WAS, HOWEVER, A SLIGHT INCREASE OF 1.6 PER CENT, FROM
5,745 TO 5,839, IN THE NUMBER OF PERSONS PROSECUTED FOR MAJOR DRUG
OFFENCES," MR MULLOY SAID.
HE SAID THE POLICE AND CUSTOMS LAST YEAR SEIZED A TOTAL OF 745
KILOGRAMS OF ILLICIT OPIATES, AGAINST 649 KILOGRAMS IN THE PREVIOUS
YEAR.
"DURING THE YEAR, WHILST THERE WAS A SIGNIFICANT INCREASE IN THE SEIZURE OF NO. 4 HEROIN AND CANNABIS, THE AMOUNT OF MANDRAX TABLETS SEIZED DECREASED CONSIDERABLY TO 73,899 FROM 273,745 IN 1986.
"THIS MAY BE ATTRIBUTED TO CHINA’S NEW CONTROLS ON THE MANUFACTURE AND DISTRIBUTION OF MANDRAX."
THE COMMISSIONER ADDED THAT THE DECLINE IN BOTH THE PREVALENCE AND INCIDENCE OF DRUG ABUSE LAST YEAR ALSO SUGGESTED THAT HONG KONG’S INTEGRATED POLICY FOR TREATMENT AND REHABILITATION AS WELL AS PREVENTIVE EDUCATION WERE CONTINUING TO SHOW GOOD RESULTS.
"IT IS HEARTENING TO NOTE THAT HONG KONG IS GOING AGAINST THE WORLD TREND IN DRUG ABUSE."
ABOUT THE PREVENTIVE EDUCATION AND PUBLICITY PROGRAMMES FOR THE COMING FINANCIAL YEAR, MR MULLOY NOTED THAT EMPHASIS WOULD BE PLACED ON THE HARMFUL EFFECTS OF PSYCHOTROPIC SUBSTANCES, SUCH AS MANDRAX AND CANNABIS, AND AROUSING PARENTAL AWARENESS AND INVOLVEMENT IN PREVENTING DRUG ABUSE.
"PUBLICITY WILL BE CARRIED OUT ON AN UNDIMINISHED SCALE THROUGH THE ELECTRONIC AND PRINTED MEDIA, DISPLAYS AT POPULAR VENUES, DISTRICT CAMPAIGNS AND VARIOUS KINDS OF EDUCATIONAL AND ENTERTAINMENT ACTIVITIES.
"AN ANTI-DRUG WEEK IS PLANNED TO BE HELD IN THE THIRD WEEK OF OCTOBER TO HIGHLIGHT THE YEAR’S PROGRAMMES SO AS TO CREATE MAXIMUM IMPACT AND AWARENESS."
HOWEVER, HE CONCLUDED THAT WE SHOULD NOT NEGLECT THE MAIN PROBLEM WHICH WAS STILL THE ABUSE OF HEROIN.
-----0-----
/11........
TUESDAY, MARCH 22,
1988
11
WAN APPOINTED TUEN MUN DISTRICT OFFICER *****
MR JOHN WAN WILL TAKE UP OFFICE AS DISTRICT OFFICER IN TUEN MUN FROM NEXT MONDAY (MARCH 28), SUCCEEDING MR STEPHEN SELBY, THE CITY AND NEW TERRITORIES ADMINISTRATION ANNOUNCED TODAY (TUESDAY).
MR WAN JOINED THE CIVIL SERVICE IN JUNE 1970 AS EXECUTIVE OFFICER II AND WAS PROMOTED TO EXECUTIVE OFFICER 1 AND TO SENIOR EXECUTIVE OFFICER IN APRIL 1975 AND JANUARY 1979 RESPECTIVELY.
AFTER JOINING THE ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICER GRADE IN APRIL 1981, MR WAN WORKED IN THE CITY AND NEW TERRITORIES ADMINISTRATION AND OMELCO BEFORE TAKING A COURSE AT OXFORD UNIVERSITY IN 1984-85.
HE SERVED AS SECRETARY OF THE TELEVISION ADVISORY BOARD AND THEN WAS APPOINTED SECRETARY OF THE NEWLY FORMED BROADCASTING AUTHORITY.
-----0------
DB FOCUS ON CHEUNG CHAU INDOOR CENTRE ♦ » ♦ » ♦
THE CULTURE, RECREATION AND SPORTS COMMITTEE OF THE ISLANDS DISTRICT BOARD WILL MEET TOMORROW (WEDNESDAY) TO DISCUSS A PROPOSAL TO BUILD AN INDOOR RECREATION CENTRE ON CHEUNG CHAU.
MEMBERS WILL BE BRIEFED ON THE CONSTRUCTION PLAN WHICH CALLS FOR WORK TO BEGIN IN MID-1988 AND BE COMPLETED IN TWO YEARS.
THEY WILL ALSO DISCUSS THE ALLOCATION OF FUNDS FOR DIFFERENT TYPES OF ACTIVITIES IN 1988-89 AND CONSIDER THE APPLICATIONS RECOMMENDED BY A WORKING GROUP.
OTHER ITEMS ON THE AGENDA INCLUDE REPORTS ON CULTURAL, RECREATIONAL AND SPORTS ACTIVITIES.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE ISLANDS DISTRICT BOARD CULTURE, RECREATION AND SPORTS COMMITTEE MEETING TO BE HELD TOMORROW (WEDNESDAY) IN THE CONFERENCE ROOM OF THE ISLANDS DISTRICT OFFICE, 20TH FLOOR, HARBOUR BUILDING, 38 PIER ROAD, CENTRAL. IT WILL BEGIN AT 10.30 AM-
-------0----------
TUESDAY, MARCH 22, 1988
TSUEN WAN DB TO REPORT ON YEAR’S WORK
*****
THE TSUEN WAN DISTRICT BOARD WILL SUMMARISE ITS WORK DURING THE PAST YEAR AT A CONFERENCE TO BE ATTENDED BY REPRESENTATIVES FROM LOCAL ORGANISATIONS ON THURSDAY (MARCH 24) EVENING.
MEMBERS FROM RURAL COMMITTEES, AREA COMMITTEES, MUTAL AID COMMITTEES AND COMMUNITY ORGANISATIONS IN THE DISTRICT HAVE BEEN INVITED TO ATTEND.
THE CONFERENCE WILL BE HELD IN THE CULTURAL ACTIVITIES HALL OF THE TSUEN WAN TOWN HALL, AND BEGIN AT 8 PM.
THE CHAIRMAN OF THE DISTRICT BOARD, MR CHAU HOW-CHEN, AND CHAIRMEN OF THE BOARD’S COMMITTEES WILL ADDRESS THE GATHERING, REPORT ON THE WORK DONE AND ANSWER ANY QUESTIONS FROM THE FLOOR.
THE REGIONAL SECRETARY FOR THE NEW TERRITORIES, MR MICHAEL SUEN, HAS ALSO BEEN INVITED TO ATTEND THE CONFERENCE AND PRESENT CERTIFICATES OF APPRECIATION TO PEOPLE WHO HAVE ASSISTED THE DISTRICT OFFICE AND THE DISTRICT BOARD IN ORGANISING VARIOUS ACTIVITIES.
THE DISTRICT OFFICER, MR WILLIAM SHIU, WILL PRESENT CERTIFICATES TO PARTICIPANTS IN ARTS AND SPORTS NURTURE SCHEMES ORGANISED BY THE DISTRICT BOARD.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE CONFERENCE
- - 0 -
FINAL REPORT ON KENNEDY TOWN INCINERATOR *****
A WORKING GROUP TO LOOK INTO THE EMISSION FROM THE INCINERATOR AND ABATTOIR IN KENNEDY TOWN WILL SUBMIT THEIR FINAL REPORT TO THE CENTRAL AND WESTERN DISTRICT BOARD’S ENVIRONMENT AND WORKS COMMITTEE AT THE COMMITTEE’S MEETING ON THURSDAY (MARCH 24).
THE REPORT RECOMMENDS A NUMBER OF MEASURES TO ALLEVIATE POLLUTION CAUSED BY THE PLANTS.
MEMBERS WILL DISCUSS A PROPOSAL TO IMPROVE THE SEWAGE SYSTEM IN KENNEDY TOWN.
/ALSO ON
TUESDAY, MARCH 22, 1988
ALSO ON THE AGENDA ARE A REVIEW OF THE COMMITTEE’S WORK IN THE PAST THREE YEARS AND A PROGRESS REPORT ON MINOR ENVIRONMENTAL IMPROVEMENT PROJECTS IN THE DISTRICT.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE MEETING WESTERN DISTRICT BOARD’S ENVIRONMENT AND WORKS (MARCH 24) IN THE CONFERENCE ROOM, 14TH FLOOR, PIER ROAD, CENTRAL. IT WILL BEGIN AT 2.30 PM.
------0 -------
OF THE CENTRAL AND COMMITTEE ON THURSDAY HARBOUR BUILDING, 38
DEATH SENTENCES COMMUTED ♦ * ♦
THE GOVERNOR HAS DECIDED THAT THE DEATH SENTENCES PASSED ON HUI STNG-KEUNG AND CHIU CHEUNG ON AUGUST 26, 1986 AND MARCH 5, 1986 RESPECTIVELY SHOULD BE COMMUTED TO A RESPECTIVE SENTENCE OF LIFE IMPRISONMENT AND 12 YEARS’ IMPRISONMENT.
THE DECISION WAS MADE AFTER TAKING INTO CONSIDERATION THE ADVICE OF THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL.
HUI WAS FOUND GUILTY OF THE MURDER OF CHENG KWOK-CHI AND CHIU WAS FOUND GUILTY OF THE MURDER OF HIS THREE YEARS OLD SON CHIU KOON-HUNG AND ATTEMPTED MURDER OF HIS FIVE YEARS OLD DAUGHTER CHIU SUK-CHING.
-----0------
NOTIFICATION REQUIREMENTS FOR FACTORIES t t ♦ t ♦
PROPRIETORS WHO INTEND TO SET UP FACTORIES ARE REMINDED THEY MUST NOTIFY THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT OF THE PARTICULARS BEFORE THEY START AN INDUSTRIAL PROCESS OR CARRS ON AN INDUSTRIAL OPERATION.
SUCH NOTIFICATION ALSO APPLIES TO CHANGES IN COMPANY NAME, ADDRESS, MANAGEMENT OR THE NATURE OF THE INDUSTRIAL PROCESSES ORIGINALLY CONDUCTED WHEN THE FACTORY WAS FIRST NOTIFIED TO THE DEPARTMENT.
/’’FACTORY OWNERS
TUESDAY, MARCH 22, 1988
14
"FACTORY OWNERS WHO FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENT TO GIVE THE PARTICULARS, IN A PRESCRIBED FORM OF A NOTIFIABLE WORKPLACE OR A RELEVANT CHANGE IN THE PARTICULARS, COMMIT AN OFFENCE AND ARE LIABLE TO A MAXIMUM FINE OF $10,000 ON CONVICTION," A LABOUR DEPARTMENT SPOKESMAN SAID TODAY (TUESDAY).
NOTIFICATION FORMS CAN BE OBTAINED FREE OF CHARGE FROM ANY BRANCH OFFICES OF THE FACTORY INSPECTORATE DIVISION OF THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT.
FURTHER ENQUIRIES CAN BE MADE ON 5-8150678.
------0 -------
NEW FIRE STATION AT MID-LEVELS
WORK HAS JUST STARTED ON THE CONSTRUCTION OF A FIRE STATION AT THE JUNCTION OF KOTEWALL ROAD AND PO SHAN ROAD I’O IMPROVE FIRE PROTECTION FOR THE MID-LEVELS OF HONG KONG ISLAND.
THIS FOLLOWS THE AWARD OF A $3.88 MILLION CONTRACT BY THE ARCHITECTURAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT FOR THE WORKS WHICH WILL TAKE ABOUT 14 MONTHS TO COMPLETE.
THE CONTRACT COVERS THE CONSTRUCTION OF A FOUR-STOREY BUILDING CONSISTING OF A THREE-BAY APPLIANCE ROOM, OFFICES, CONTROL AND STORE ROOMS, BARRACKS WITH ABLUTIONS, A DINING ROOM AND A DRYING ROOM.
THERE WILL ALSO BE A DRILL YARD, AN UNDERGROUND OIL TANK AND A GENERATOR ROOM.
------0-------
GOVERNMENT SITE TO LET BY TENDER » * » »
A SITE IN KOWLOON IS BEING LET BY TENDER ON SHORT TERM TENANCY BY THE BUILDINGS AND LANDS DEPARTMENT.
THE SITE AT NAM CHEONG STREET, COVERING AN AREA OF ABOUT 5,050 SQUARE METRES, IS FOR OPEN STORAGE AND/OR PARKING OF MOTOR VEHICLES BUT EXCLUDING CONTAINER VEHICLES WITH THEIR TRAILERS/CHASSIS ATTACHED.
THE TENANCY IS FOR ONE YEAR, RENEWABLE MONTHLY THEREAFTER.
TENDER FORM AND NOTICE MAY BE OBTAINED FROM THE DISTRICT LANDS OFFICE, KOWLOON WEST, YAU MA TEI CAR PARK BUILDING, 10TH FLOOR, 250 SHANGHAI STREET, KOWLOON AND THE BUILDINGS AND LANDS DEPARTMENT, 14TH FLOOR. MURRAY BUILDING, GARDEN ROAD, HONG KONG.
THE CLOSING DATE FOR SUBMITTING TENDERS IS NOON ON APRIL 8.
- - 0 - -
/15
TUESDAY, MARCH 22, 1988
- 15 -
WATER CUT IN SHEUNG SHUI
♦ » ♦ ♦ *
FRESH WATER SUPPLY TO CERTAIN PREMISES IN SHEUNG SHUI WILL BE TURNED OFF FROM 8 PM ON FRIDAY (MARCH 25) TO 7 AM THE FOLLOWING DAY FOR WATER MAINS WORK.
THE AREA AFFECTED IS ALONG CASTLE PEAK ROAD FROM SHEUNG SHUI ROUNDABOUT TO PAK SHEK AU AND ALONG FAN KAM ROAD FROM SHEUNG SHUI ROUNDABOUT TO TA SHEK WU, INCLUDING TSUNG PAK LONG TSUEN, YIN KONG TSUEN, KAM TSIN TSUEN, HANG TAU TSUEN, KWU TUNG TSUEN, HO SHEUNG HEUNG TSUEN, CHAU TAU TSUEN, LOK MA CHAU, PAK SHEK AU, PING KONG TSUEN, TONG KUNG LENG TSUEN, LIN TONG MEI TSUEN, TSIU KENG TSUEN AND YING PUN TSUEN.
-------0 ---------
TEMPORARY TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS IN WAN CHAI, CENTRAL
♦ ♦ ♦ * »
THE WESTBOUND SECTION OF GLOUCESTER ROAD BETWEEN O' BRIEN ROAD AND FENWICK PIER STREET IN WAN CHAI WILL BE TEMPORARILY CLOSED TO TRAFFIC FROM 1 AM TO 6 AM ON FRIDAY (MARCH 25) TO FACILITATE THE ERECTION OF TRAFFIC GANTRY SIGNS.
DURING THE ROAD CLOSURE, VEHICLES ON GLOUCESTER ROAD WESTBOUND HEADING FOR CENTRAL WILL BE DIVERTED TO TRAVEL VIA GLOUCESTER ROAD SERVICE ROAD, FENWICK STREET AND HENNESSY ROAD.
IN CENTRAL, KENNEDY ROAD WESTBOUND BETWEEN A POINT ABOUT 35 METRES EAST OF ITS JUNCTION WITH THE SLIP ROAD LEADING FROM COTTON TREE DRIVE AND A POINT ABOUT 55 METRES WEST OF THE SAME JUNCTION WILL BE DESIGNATED A 7 AM TO 10 AM AND 4 PM TO 7 PM DAILY URBAN CLEARWAY FROM 10 AM ON SATURDAY (MARCH 26).
THE RESTRICTION WILL BE IN FORCE FOR ABOUT FIVE WEEKS.
NO VEHICLES, EXCEPT FRANCHISED BUSES, WILL BE ALLOWED TO STOP WITHIN THE URBAN CLEARWAY FOR GOODS OR PASSENGERS.
-----0------
16
TUESDAY, MARCH 22, 1988
LEFT-TURN BAN, PLB RESTRICTED ZONE ♦ * ♦ t
TO IMPROVE ROAD SAFETY, NO VEHICLES ON LAI CHI KOK ROAD NORTHBOUND IN MONG KOK WILL BE ALLOWED TO TURN LEFT ON TO PRINCE EDWARD ROAD WEST WESTBOUND OR RECLAMATION STREET FROM 10 AM ON FRIDAY (MARCH 25).
AT THE SAME TIME, THE LEFT TURNING MOVEMENT FROM LAI CHI KOK ROAD SOUTHBOUND ON TO PRINCE EDWARD ROAD WEST EASTBOUND WILL ALSO BE BANNED.
MOTORISTS ON NATHAN ROAD NORTHBOUND HEADING FOR PRINCE EDWARD ROAD WEST WESTBOUND OR RECLAMATION STREET WILL NOT DE ABLE TO TRAVEL VIA LAI CHI KOK ROAD NORTHBOUND.
VEHICLES TRAVELLING ON LAI CHI KOK ROAD SOUTHBOUND, HEADING FOR PRINCE EDWARD ROAD WEST EASTBOUND AND PORTLAND STREET, WILL HAVE TO USE ARRAN STREET, NATHAN ROAD NORTHBOUND, PRINCE EDWARD ROAD WEST AND PORTLAND STREET.
ALSO FROM 10 AM ON FRIDAY, TWO SECTIONS OF CASTLE PEAK ROAD IN TSUEN WAN WILL BE MADE 24-HOUR PUBLIC LIGHT BUS RESTRICTED ZONES.
THE TWO ROAD SECTIONS ARE:
♦ CASTLE PEAK ROAD EASTBOUND FROM ITS JUNCTION WITH SAI LAU KOK ROAD TO A POINT ABOUT 100 METRES EAST OF ITS JUNCTION WITH TAI HO ROAD; AND
» CASTLE PEAK ROAD EASTBOUND FROM A POINT ABOUT 120 METRES EAST OF ITS JUNCTION WITH TAI HO ROAD TO ITS JUNCTION WITH SHING MUN ROAD.
IN ADDITION, CASTLE PEAK ROAD EASTBOUND FROM A POINT ABOUT 100 METRES EAST OF ITS JUNCTION WITH TAJ HO ROAD TO A POINT ABOUT 120 METRES EAST OF THE SAME JUNCTION WILL BECOME 7 AM TO 7 PM PUBLIC LIGHT BUS RESTRICTED ZONE.
NO PUBLIC LIGHT BUSES WILL BE ALLOWED TO PICK UP OR SET DOWN PASSENGERS WITHIN THE ABOVE RESTRICTED ZONES.
- - 0 -
TRAFFIC CHANGES IN CHEUNG SHA WAN, SHA TIN * » * * ♦
TO IMPROVE TRAFFIC FLOW, THE SECTION OF CHEUNG LAI STREET IN CHEUNG SHA WAN BETWEEN CHEUNG YEE STREET AND CHEUNG SHA WAN ROAD WILL BE RE-ROUTED FROM TWO-WAY TRAFFIC INTO ONE-WAY NORTHBOUND FROM 10 AM ON THURSDAY (MARCH 24).
AT THE SAME TIME, NO VEHICLES WILL BE ALLOWED TO TURN LEFT FROM CHEUNG SHA WAN ROAD WESTBOUND ON TO CHEUNG LAI STREET.
MEANWHILE, FROM 10 AM ON FRIDAY (MARCH 25), ALL VEHICLES EXCEPT FRANCHISED BUSES WILL BE BANNED FROM ENTERING THE HIN KENG BUS TERMINUS IN SHA TIN AT ANY TIME OF THE DAY.
- - 0 - -
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL: 5-8428777
WEDNESDAY, MaRCH 23, 1988
CONTENTS PaGE NO.
DEFENCE MINISTER TO VISIT HONG KONG .................. 1
HK'S TRhDING PATTERN LIKELY TO CHaNGE ...................... 2
GOVT PROVIDES ENVIRONMENT FOR TRADE TO FLOURISH............. 3
INDUSTRIALISTS REMINDED TO REGISTER ........................ U
I
NEW STREETS aND PLaCES GUIDE BOOK .......................... 5
THEME aND DESIGN MaKE SPECIAL STAMPS aTTRaCTIVE ............ 6
CONSUMER PRICE INDEXES FOR FEBRUARY RELEASED .............. 8
ILLEGAL STRUCTURES CLEARED IN TO KWA W..N................... 11
EMSD SEMINaR ON ENHANCING ELECTRICAL WIRING SilFETY......... 11
FOUR LOTS PUT UP FOR SALE................................... 12
NIGHT CLOSURE OF SHaM SHUI PO UNDERPASS .................... 13
TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS IN CENTRAL, NORTH POINT ............... 13
RIGHT-TURN BAN IN KOWLOON TONG ............................. 13
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 23, 1988
DEFENCE MINISTER TO VISIT HONG KONG
*****
THE SECRETARY OF STATE FOR DEFENCE, MR GEORGE YOUNGER, WILL ARRIVE IN HONG KONG TOMORROW (THURSDAY) TO PAY A SHORT VISIT TO THE TERRITORY.
THE MINISTER IS MAKING A ROUTINE VISIT TO THE FAR EAST AND HIS ITINERARY ALSO INCLUDES MALAYSIA, BRUNEI AND KOREA.
TO MARK HIS VISIT, A PARADE, WITH THE JOINT SERVICE GUARD OF HONOUR TAKING PART, WILL BE HELD AT 10.30 AM ON FRIDAY (MARCH 25) AT HMS TAMAR.
AT 3 PM THE SAME DAY, MR YOUNGER WILL MEET THE PRESS AT THE OFFICERS MESS, HEADQUARTERS BRITISH FORCES, HMS TAMAR.
MR YOUNGER WILL ALSO TOUR THE BORDER AND PAY A COURTESY CALL ON THE GOVERNOR, SIR DAVID WILSON, DURING HIS STAY.
HE WILL LEAVE ON SUNDAY (MARCH 27).
NOTE TO EDITORS:
MEDIA REPRESENTATIVES ARE INVITED TO COVER THE CEREMONY TO BE HELD AT 10.30 AM AND THE PRESS CONFERENCE TO BE HELD AT 3 PM ON FRIDAY (MARCH 25).
FOR SECURITY REASONS, THOSE WISHING TO COVER THE TWO EVENTS ARE REQUESTED TO SUBMIT THEIR NAMES TO JSPRS (5-8633314 OR 5-284724) BEFORE 3 PM TOMORROW (THURSDAY).
THEY SHOULD ASSEMBLE AT THE MAIN GATE OF HMS TAMAR BEFORE 9.45 AM ON FRIDAY (MARCH 25) FOR THE PARADE AND BEFORE 2 PM ON THE SAME DAY FOR THE PRESS CONFERENCE.
STRINGENT SECURITY MEASURES WILL BE IN FORCE.
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WEDNESDAY, MARCH 23, 1988
- 2 -
HE’S TRADING PATTERN LIKELY TO CHANGE
t t * * *
THE ASIA-PACIFIC REGION HAS EMERGED AS A DYNAMIC ECONOMIC FORCE IN RECENT YEARS AND IT IS LIKELY THAT HONG KONG'S TRADING PATTERN WILL CHANGE ACCORDINGLY, THE DIRECTOR OF TRADE, MR MICHAEL SZE, SAID TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
SPEAKING AT A LUNCHEON MEETING OF THE HONG KONG EXPORTERS’ ASSOCIATION, MR SZE SAID WITH A RATE OF ECONOMIC EXPANSION WHICH HAD FAR ECLIPSED THAT OF TRADITIONAL WESTERN POWERS, THE ASIA-PACIFIC REGION HAD BEEN GAINING AN INCREASING SHARE OF INTERNATIONAL TRADE.
"IT PROBABLY NOW ACCOUNTS FOR AROUND 20 PER CENT OF WORLD TRADE IN VALUE TERMS," HE SAID.
MR SZE SAID GROWTH IN THE REGION AS A WHOLE HAD IN RECENT YEARS BEEN PARALLELED BY GROWTH IN TRADE BETWEEN ASIA-PACIFIC NEIGHBOURS ALTHOUGH RELIANCE ON THE U.S. AS A MARKET FOR THE REGION’S EXPORTS STILL REMAINED STRONG.
"GIVEN THE WORLD ECONOMIC OUTLOOK, THE LIKELY SLOWDOWN IN U.S. IMPORTS, AND THE ASIA-PACIFIC’S STILL ENORMOUS ECONOMIC POTENTIAL, THIS RELIANCE IS LIKELY TO BE CUT BACK.
"ADDED TO THAT ARE PROTECTIONIST PRESSURES. IN THE U.S. ANb THE EXCLUSION AS FROM 1989 OF THE EXPORTS OF HONG KONG, SINGAPORE, TAIWAN AND SOUTH KOREA FROM THE U.S. GENERALISED SYSTEM OF PREFERENCES".
HE SAID SOME DIVERSIFICATION IN EXPORT MARKETS IN FAVOUR OF THE ASIA-PACIFIC REGION WAS INEVITABLE AND THE FOCUS OF THAT DIVERSIFICATION WOULD BE JAPAN.
MR SZE NOTED THAT THE CHANGE HAD ALREADY BEGUN AND EXPORTS TO JAPAN FROM HONG KONG, TAIWAN, SOUTH KOREA AND SINGAPORE SOARED LAST YEAR TO US$18.83 BILLION, UP 51 PER CENT OVER 1986 WHILE JAPAN’S EXPORTS TO THEM ROSE BY 31 PER CENT.
IN CONCLUSION, MR SZE SAID WITH AN OPEN, FREE-TRADING ECONOMY, HONG KONG’S PATTERN OF TRADE WAS BASED ON OPPORTUNITY AND HAD TO GO IN SEARCH OF NEW MARKETS AS OLDER ONES CONTRACTED.
"THE IDEAL WOULD BE THAT OTHERS FOLLOW HONG KONG’S EXAMPLE AND TRADE WITHOUT BARRIERS.
"THE ASIA-PACIFIC REGION HAS GREAT POTENTIAL FOR FURTHER GROWTH, BUT IN THE LONG RUN THIS GROWTH CANNOT BE SUSTAINED UNLESS ALL TRADING PARTNERS PURSUE A FREE AND OPEN TRADE POLICY," HE ADDED.
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WEDNESDAY, MARCH 23,
1988
- 3 -
GOVT PROVIDES ENVIRONMENT FOR TRADE TO FLOURISH *****
THE GOVERNMENT BELIEVES THAT AS FAR AS POSSIBLE, BUSINESSMEN SHOULD BE ALLOWED TO MAKE THEIR OWN DECISIONS ON BUSINESS MATTERS FREE OF GOVERNMENT DIRECTION OR BUREAUCRATIC INTERFERENCE, THE DEPUTY DIRECTOR OF TRADE, MR TONY MILLER, SAID TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
ADDRESSING THE CHINESE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE ON THE TOPIC OF "HOW THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT PROMOTES TRADE", MR MILLER SAID THE GOVERNMENT PROVIDED A FRAMEWORK OR AN ENVIRONMENT IN WHICH TRADE COULD FLOURISH.
NOTING THAT THE GOVERNMENT PLAYED A DIRECT ROLE IN FACILITATING TRADE THROUGH THE WORK OF THE TRADE DEPARTMENT, MR MILLER SAID THE TRADE DEPARTMENT WAS RESPONSIBLE FOR HONG KONG’S COMMERCIAL RELATIONS WITH FOREIGN GOVERNMENTS.
IT PRESERVED HONG KONG’S ACCESS TO WORLD MARKETS, ISSUED THE NECESSARY LICENCES FOR IMPORT AND EXPORT AND ADMINISTERED THE QUOTA ARRANGEMENTS FOR GOODS UNDER RESTRAINT, HE SAID.
"THOUGH THE GOVERNMENT FACILITATES TRADE, IT DOES NOT INTERVENE IN THE ECONOMY UNLESS THERE IS A POSITIVE REASON FOR DOING SO. "
AS FOR TRADE PROMOTION, MR MILLER SAID IT WAS MAINLY THE RESPONSIBILITY OF THE HONG KONG TRADE DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL AND ITS WORK WAS COMPLEMENTED BY THE WORK OF SOME OTHER NON-GOVERNMENT ORGANISATIONS.
"AS HONG KONG BELIEVES IN AND IS DEPENDENT ON FREE TRADE, IT IS THEREFORE VITALLY IMPORTANT THAT IT PROTECTS ITS ACCESS TO OVERSEAS MARKETS, THROUGH ITS MEMBERSHIP OF THE GENERAL AGREEMENT ON TARIFFS AND TRADE.
"IT ALSO MAINTAINS OFFICES IN GENEVA, BRUSSELS, LONDON AND THE UNITED STATES, WHICH ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR HONG KONG’S EXTERNAL ECONOMIC RELATIONS.
"THESE OFFICES KEEP A CLOSE EYE ON ACTIONS TAKEN BY THE GOVERNMENTS OF HONG KONG’S MAJOR MARKETS IN RELATION TO TRADE AND DISCUSS BILATERAL TRADE AND ECONOMIC PROBLEMS WITH THEM.”
MR MILLER EXPLAINED THAT UNDER THE GATT, HONG KONG WAS ALSO A SIGNATORY OF THE MULTI FIBRE ARRANGEMENT AND A NUMBER OF BILATERAL TEXTILE AGREEMENTS HAD BEEN NEGOTIATED BY HONG KONG WITH ITS TRADING PARTNERS UNDER THE MFA.
"IT IS THE RESPONSIBILITY OF THE TRADE DEPARTMENT TO NEGOTIATE THESE AGREEMENTS AND TO ENSURE THAT THEY ARE IMPLEMENTED SMOOTHLY, AND ABOUT HALF OF THE STAFF OF THE TRADE DEPARTMENT ARE INVOLVED IN ADMINISTERING TRADE CONTROLS ARISING FROM THESE AGREEMENTS."
/HE ALSO
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 23, 1988
HE ALSO POINTED OUT THAT ALMOST ALL QUOTA AVAILABLE UNDER THE BILATERAL AGREEMENTS WAS ALLOCATED TO HONG KONG MANUFACTURERS ON THE BASIS OF PAST PERFORMANCE, NOT AUCTIONED OR SOLD TO MANUFACTURERS.
"SUBJECT TO A FEW SIMPLE RULES, MANUFACTURERS MAY TRANSFER HALF OF THE QUOTA ALLOCATED TO THEM EITHER TEMPORARILY OR PERMANENTLY, BECAUSE THE AMOUNT OF QUOTA AVAILABLE IS LIMITED AND IT IS IMPORTANT THAT ALL OF IT BE USED."
TURNING TO THE VOLUME AND PATTERN OF HONG KONG’S TRADE, HE SAID THE TOTAL VALUE OF HONG KONG’S TRADE LAST YEAR WAS $756 BILLION.
"IT INCLUDES $378 BILLION WORTH OF IMPORTS, $195 BILLION DOMESTIC EXPORTS, $84 BILLION RE-EXPORTS OF GOODS OF CHINESE ORIGIN AND $99 BILLION RE-EXPORTS OF OTHER GOODS.
"THE BULK OF HONG KONG DOMESTIC EXPORTS GO TO NORTH AMERICA AND EUROPE AND ABOUT 14 PER CENT TO THE PEOPLE’S REPUBLIC OF CHINA.
"HONG KONG’S ENTREPOT TRADE, IN PARTICULAR, HAS GROWN WITH EXTRAORDINARY SPEED IN RECENT YEARS, BY SOME 22 TIMES IN EIGHT YEARS.
"RE-EXPORTS TO CHINA GREW FROM ABOUT $200 MILLION IN 1978 TO OVER $60,170 MILLION IN 1987, AND RE-EXPORTS FROM CHINA GREW FROM ABOUT $3,700 MILLION TO OVER $84,266 MILLION IN THE SAME PERIOD," MR MILLER SAID.
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INDUSTRIALISTS REMINDED TO REGISTER
* * * * *
THE ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION DEPARTMENT (EPD) TODAY (WEDNESDAY) REMINDED ELIGIBLE INDUSTRIALISTS THAT TIME WAS RUNNING OUT FOR THEM TO REGISTER FOR EXEMPTIONS UNDER POLLUTION CONTROL LEGISLATION WHICH WILL TAKE EFFECT FROM APRIL 1.
THE ASSISTANT DIRECTOR, MR ROBERT LAW, SAID THAT FACTORIES THAT WERE ENTITLED TO EXEMPTIONS FROM LICENSING REQUIREMENTS UNDER THE SPECIFIED PROCESSES PROVISIONS OF THE AIR POLLUTION CONTROL ORDINANCE HAD BEEN INFORMED SEVERAL TIMES THAT THEY MUST REGISTER WITH THE DEPARTMENT BEFORE APRIL 1, BUT MANY HAD NOT YET DONE SO.
"IF THEY DO NOT REGISTER BEFORE THE CUTOFF DATE, THEY WILL FACE A FINE OF $5,000 AND WILL HAVE TO OBTAIN A LICENCE FROM US OR HAVE TO SUSPEND OPERATIONS," MR LAW SAID.
"THE PENALTY FOR NOT COMPLYING WITH THE ORDINANCE IS MUCH MORE SEVERE IF FACTORIES OPERATE A SPECIFIED PROCESS WITHOUT A LICENCE OR AN EXEMPTION AFTER APRIL 1.
/"IN THESE
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 2J, 1988
- 5 -
"IN THESE CIRCUMSTANCES THE FACTORY OWNERS COULD BE FINED $50,000," MR LAW CONTINUED.
ON ANOTHER FRONT, THE EPD IS CONCERNED THAT OWNERS OF FACTORIES AND PRIVATE SEWAGE TREATMENT PLANTS, IN OPERATION PRIOR TO APRIL 1, LAST YEAR IN THE TOLO WATER CONTROL ZONE, HAVE BEEN EQUALLY SLOW IN REGISTERING FOR EXEMPTIONS FROM WASTEWATER LICENSING CONTROLS UNDER THE WATER POLLUTION CONTROL ORDINANCE.
THE CUTOFF DATE FOR REGISTERING FOR EXEMPTIONS FROM THESE CONTROLS IS ALSO APRIL 1.
AS FROM APRIL 1 THE DISCHARGE OF WASTEWATER IN SHA TIN, TAI PO AND NEARBY AREAS WITHOUT AN EXEMPTION OR A LICENCE WILL BECOME AN OFFENCE, WITH A MAXIMUM PENALTY OF $50,000.
"WE HAVE GONE OUT OF OUR WAY TO ADVISE EVERYONE OF THEIR RIGHTS, AND NOW TIME IS RUNNING OUT," MR LAW SAID.
"IF THEY DO NOT APPLY FOR EXEMPTION, AND CONTINUE TO OPERATE WITHOUT A LICENCE AFTER APRIL I, THEY WILL DEFINITELY BE PROSECUTED. THEY SHOULD REGISTER AND APPLY NOW, BOTH FOR THEIR OWN GOOD AND THE GOOD OF THE COMMUNITY.
APPLICATION FORMS ARE AVAILABLE FROM THE EPD.
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NEW STREETS AND PLACES GUIDE BOOK » ♦ » » »
A TWO-VOLUME LOCAL GUIDE BOOK THAT HAS PROVEN TO BE ONE OF HE MOST POPULAR PUBLICATIONS AMONG TOURISTS, LOCAL RESIDENTS AND DRIVERS HAS BEEN UPDATED AND COMBINED INTO A SINGLE COMPACT VOLUME.
RENAMED "HONG KONG GUIDE - STREETS AND PLACES", THE NEW EDITION WAS PUBLISHED BY THE SURVEY AND MAPPING OFFICE OF THE BUILDINGS AND LANDS DEPARTMENT.
IT REPLACES THE EXISTING "HONG KONG STREETS AND PLACES GUIDE BOOKS - VOLUMES 1 AND II". AT $32 PER COPY, IT IS ALSO CHEAPER THAN THE CURRENT TWO-VOLUME ISSUE, WHICH COSTS $47.
"AT 21CM X 15CM X 1.25CM, IT IS SMALL ENOUGH TO BE KEPT IN HANDBAGS, BRIEFCASES OR GLOVE COMPARTMENTS OF CARS FOR EASY ACCESS.
"THROUGH THE USE OF HIGH QUALITY THIN PAPER, IT IS EVEN SLIMMER THAN VOLUME II OF THE PRESENT GUIDE BOOKS," THE SENIOR CARTOGRAPHER, MR P.L. LEUNG, EXPLAINED.
/IMPROVEMENTS HAVE
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 23, 1988
- 6 -
IMPROVEMENTS HAVE BEEN MADE IN ITS FORMAT OF PRESENTATION AND USEFUL NEW INFORMATION HAVE BEEN INTRODUCED.
"THE MAPS ARE GROUPED BY REGION - HONG KONG, KOWLOON AND NEW TOWNS - AND IDENTIFIED BY COLOUR CODED MARGINS TO FACILITATE SEARCHING OF DESTINATIONS.
"ALL MAPS ARE PRESENTED IN FULL COLOUR AND BUILDINGS HAVE BEEN ADDED TO THE SPECIFICATION WITH SELECTED HOUSE NUMBERS SHOWN TO FACILITATE LOCATING, ESPECIALLY ALONG LONG ROADS AND WHERE THERE ARE ISOLATED BLOCKS OF BUILDINGS.
"MTR STATION NAMES HAVE ALSO BEEN ADDED AND THERE IS AN INCREASED USE OF SYMBOLiSATION TO SAVE DESCRIBING COMMON AMENITIES IN TWO LANGUAGES.
"THE WORDS ARE PRINTED IN CLEARER TYPEFACES AND MORE BUILDING AND AMENITIES NAMES ARE INCLUDED THAN IN EARLIER EDITIONS," MR LEUNG SAID.
THE NEW GUIDE BOOK IS NOW ON SALE AT ALL DISTRICT SURVEY OFFICES AND MAP SALES COUNTERS OF THE BUILDINGS AND LANDS DEPARTMENT AS WELL AS THE GOVERNMENT PUBLICATIONS CENTRE.
INFORMATION ON THE NEAREST SALES OUTLET CAN BE OBTAINED ON 5-8482480.
_ _ - - 0 ---------
THEME AND DESIGN MAKE SPECIAL STAMPS ATTRACTIVE *****
A PROPER THEME, PORTRAYED IN AN EXQUISITE SPECIAL STAMP MORE ATTRACTIVE TO STAMP COLLECTORS. FOR THE SUCCESS OF HONG KONG’S SPECIAL STAMPS.
DESIGN, MAKES A THIS ALSO ACCOUNTS
IN ORDER TO ALL SPECIAL STAMPS COMMITTEE.
ATTAIN A HIGH STANDARD, THE THEMES AND DESIGNS OF ARE CAREFULLY SELECTED BY THE STAMP ADVISORY
"THE COMMITTEE IS A NON-STATUTORY BODY SIT UP IN 1973 WITH THE POSTMASTER GENERAL AS CHAAIRMAN," SAID MR ALBERT LEUNG, WHO IS I HE SECRETARY OF THE COMMITTEE.
"THE COMMITTEE ALSO COMPRISES TWO EX-OFFICIO MEMBERS AND FIVE MEMBERS APPOINTED BY THE GOVERNOR."
/THE EX-OFFICIO
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 23♦ 1988
THE EX-OFFICIO MEMBERS INCLUDE THE PRINCIPAL ASSISTANT SECRETARY (INFORMATION) OF THE ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES AND INFORMATION BRANCH AND THE COMMISSIONER FOR CHINESE LANGUAGE, WHILE THE OTHER MEMBERS INCLUDE A PHILATELIST, THE HEAD OF A DESIGN SCHOOL, A CURATOR OF A UNIVERSITY ART GALLERY, A LEGISLATIVE COUNCILLOR AND A BUSINESSMAN.
“THIS COMPOSITION ENABLES THE COMMITTEE TO MAKE GOOD AND FAIR JUDGEMENT WHEN SELECTING THE THEMES AND DESIGNS,” MR LEUNG NOTED.
BETWEEN MARCH AND APRIL EVERY YEAR, THE POST OFFICE INVITES ALL GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS, DISTRICT BOARDS AND THE HONG KONG TOURIST ASSOCIATION TO SUGGEST THEMES FOR STAMPS TO BE ISSUED OVER THE NEXT 18 TO 30 MONTHS.
“GENERALLY, 70 TO 80 SUGGESTIONS ARE RECEIVED EVERY YEAR AND THEY ARE ALL PASSED TO THE STAMP ADVISORY COMMITTEE FOR SELECTION, ' MR LEUNG SAID.
HE ALSO POINTED OUT SOME OF THE CRITERIA IN SELECTING A THEME. THE THEME MUST BE RELATED TO HONG KONG AND SHOULD PORTRAY A GOOD IMAGE OF THE CITY. ALSO, THE THEMES ADOPTED SHOULD NOT BE REPEATED TOO OFTEN.
“ONCE APPROVAL OF A THEME IS GIVEN, WE START TO INVITE DESIGNS,” HE SAID.
THE POST OFFICE HAS ON ITS RECORD ABOUT 40 DESIGNERS, EITHER PROFESSIONAL OR AMATEUR, ALL OF WHOM ARE INTERESTED IN DESIGNING STAMPS.
NORMALLY, THREE DESIGNERS ARE INVITED FOR EACH PARTICULAR THEME. EACH ONE IS REQUESTED TO SUBMIT A SET OF DESIGNS FOR STAMPS IN THE DENOMINATIONS OF, IN GENERAL, 50 CENTS, $1.30, $1.70 AND $5.
“SELECTION WORK IS NOT ALWAYS AN EASY TASK," MR LEUNG STRESSED.
“SOMETIMES THE COMMITTEE MAY FIND THE DESIGNS UNSATISFACTORY. IN THIS CASE, ANOTHER THREE DESIGNERS WILL HAVE TO BE INVITED TO THINK OF OTHER DESIGNS. AN EXAMPLE OF THIS IS THE SET OF ’MEDICAL CENTENARY’ SPECIAL STAMPS.
“THE COMMITTEE, IN AN EXTREME CASE, MAY EVEN WITHDRAW A CHOSEN THEME IF IT CANNOT BE SATISFACTORILY REFLECTED BY THE DESIGNS. AN EXAMPLE IS THE THEME OF ’NATURAL ROCK FORMATION IN HONG KONG*.
“EVEN WHEN THE COMMITTEE HAS SELECTED A DESIGN, THE DESIGNER CONCERNED MAY BE REQUESTED TO MAKE CERTAIN CHANGES,” THE SPOKESMAN ADDED.
ONCE AN INITIAL ARTWORK IS ACCEPTED, THE DESIGNER WILL HAVE TO SUBMIT FINAL ARTWORK.
/TURNING TO
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 2J, 1988
- 8 -
TURNING TO THE PRINTING WORK, MR LEUNG SAID ALL STAMPS WERE PRINTED OVERSEAS AS THE PRINTING OF STAMPS REQUIRED SPECIAL MACHINES WHICH WERE NOT AVAILABLE IN HONG KONG.
"THE PRINTER IS SELECTED BY TENDER. THE CROWN AGENTS PHILATELIC CO. LTD IN THE UNITED KINGDOM IS ENTRUSTED TO INVITE TENDERS FROM PRINTERS ALL OVER THE WORLD," HE CONTINUED.
ALL SPECIAL STAMPS ARE ON SALE FOR ONLY 15 MONTHS AFTER THE DATE OF ISSUE AND ARE AVAILABLE IN ALL POST OFFICES WITHIN THE FIRST MONTH.
AFTER THIS PERIOD, SALE IS CONFINED TO SIX PHILATELIC POST OFFICES — THE PHILATELIC CENTRE AT THE GENERAL POST OFFICE, AND POST OFFICES AT BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, THE PEAK, TSIM SHA TSUI, GRANVILLE ROAD AND THE "1RPORT — FOR ANOTHER 14 MONTHS.
"AFTER THAT, ALL SPECIAL STAMPS THAT ARE UNSOLD WILL BE DESTROYED," THE SPOKESMAN ADDED.
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CONSUMER PRICE INDEXES FOR FEBRUARY RELEASED
*****
THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT TODAY (WEDNESDAY) PUBLISHED THE CONSUMER PRICE INDEXES FOR FEBRUARY 1988.
THE CPI (A) AND CPI (B) (OCT. 84/SEP. 85 = 100) FOR FEBRUARY 1988 WERE BOTH 114.0, REPRESENTING INCREASES OF 6.9 PER CENT AND 6.8 PER CENT RESPECTIVELY OVER FEBRUARY 1987.
COMPARED WITH JANUARY 1988 AND BEARING IN MIND THAT THIS COMPARISON MAY BE AFFECTED BY SEASONAL FACTORS, THE CPI (A) INCREASED BY 1.3 PER CENT AND THE CPI (B), BY 1.1 PER CENT.
THE AVERAGE CPI (A) AND AVERAGE CPI (B) FOR THE 12 MONTHS ENDED FEBRUARY 1988, AT 110.5 AND 110.7 RESPECTIVELY, WERE 5.9 PER CENT AND 5.7 PER CENT RESPECTIVELY HIGHER THAN THE AVERAGE FOR THE 12 MONTHS ENDED FEBRUARY 1987.
DURING THE THREE-MONTH PERIOD ENDED FEBRUARY 1988, THE SEASONALLY ADJUSTED CPI (A) AND CPI (B) BOTH INCREASED AT AN AVERAGE RATE OF 0.6 PER CENT PER MONTH.
THE CPI (A) AND THE CPI (B) ARE BASED ON THE EXPENDITURE PATTERNS OF 50 PER CENT AND 30 PER CENT, RESPECTIVELY, OF URBAN HOUSEHOLDS IN HONG KONG, WHICH WERE DERIVED FROM THE 1984/85 HOUSEHOLD EXPENDITURE SURVEY.
/THE CPI
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 25, 1986
- 9 -
THE CPI (A) REFERS TO HOUSEHOLDS SPENDING BETWEEN A2 000 Af.D $6,499 A MONTH AT THAT TIME AND THE CPI (B) BETWEEN $6,500 AND $9,909 A MONTH.
CHANGES IN THE INDEXES FOR FEBRUARY 1988 IN RESPECT OF TEE NINE COMMODITY/SERVICE SECTIONS IN THE TWO CONSUMER PRICE INDEXES, AS COMPARED WITH JANUARY 1988 AND FEBRUARY 1987, ARE GIVEN BELOW
(OCTOBER 1984 TO SEPTEMBER 1985 AVERAGE = li.'O)
CPI(A) CPI(B)
SECTION INDEX FOR FEB.88 % CHANGE OVER JAN.88 % CHANGE OVER FEB.87 INDEX FOR FEB.88 % CHANGE OVER JAN.88 X CHANGS OVER FEB.87
FOODSTUFFS 112.1 + 2.6 + 8.6 112.8 + 2.4 + 8$6
HOUSING 111.6 + 0.1 + 2.8 109.1 + 0.1 + 2.3
FUEL AND LIGHT 93.5 + 0.8 + 2.7 94.1 + 1.0 + 2.7
ALCOHOLIC DRINKS AND TOBACCO (FOR HOME CONSUMPTION) 117.4 -0.0* + 5.7 118.1 -0.0* +6.4
CLOTHING AND FOOTWEAR 117.1 -2.1 + 8.9 118.4 -2.5 +9.6
DURABLE GOODS 114.7 + 0.2 + 5.7 113.5 + 0.1 + 5.5
MISCELLANEOUS GOODS 119.6 -0.3 + 6.9 119.5 -0.1 + 7.3
TRANSPORT AND VEHICLES 117.7 + 0.2 + 4.7 116.7 + 0.3 + 5.4
SERVICES 124.7 + 2.4 + 9.0 124.6 + 2.8 + 9.8
ALL ITEMS 114.0 + 1.3 + 6.9 114.0 + 1.1 + 6.8
* LESS THAN 0.05 PER CENT
COMPARED WITH JANUARY 1988, THE INDEX FOR FOODSTUFFS INCREASED BY 2.6 PER CENT IN CPI (A) AND BY 2.4 PER CENT IN CPI (B).
/THIS WAS
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 2J, 1988
10 T
THIS WAS MAINLY DUE TO INCREASES IN THE AVERAGE RETAIL PRICES OF FRESH VEGETABLES, FRESH-WATER FISH, LIVE POULTRY AND SALT-WATER FISH AROUND THE CHINESE NEW YEAR, AND IN THE AVERAGE CHARGE FOR MEALS IN RESTAURANTS AND OTHER EATING PLACES.
THE INDEX FOR FUEL AND LIGHT INCREASED BY 0.8 PER CENT IN CPI (A) AND BY 1.0 PER CENT IN CPI (B) DUE TO HIGHER CHARGES FOR TOWNGAS.
THE INDEX FOR CLOTHING AND FOOTWEAR DECREASED BY 2.1 PER CENT IN CPI (A) AND BY 2.5 PER CENT IN CPI (B) AS A RESULT OF LOWER PRICES OF OUTERCLOTHING.
THE INDEX FOR SERVICES INCREASED BY 2.1 PER CENT IN CPI (A) AND BY 2.8 PER CENT IN CPI (B) DUE TO HIGHER CHARGES FOR HAIRDRESSING, PACKAGE TOURS AND CINEMA ENTERTAINMENT AROUND THE CHINESE NEW YEAR HOLIDAYS.
FIGURES HEREIN REFER TO CPI SERIES NOT SEASONALLY ADJUSTED UNLESS OTHERWISE SPECIFIED. ALL PERCENTAGE CHANGES ARE DERIVED FROM CPI FIGURES TAKEN TO MORE THAN ONE DECIMAL PLACE.
MORE DETAILS ARE GIVEN IN THE "CONSUMER PRICE INDEX REPORT" FOR FEBRUARY 1988, WHICH IS AVAILABLE AT $3.50 PER COPY FROM THE GOVERNMENT PUBLICATIONS CENTRE, GENERAL POST OFFICE BUILDING, GROUND FLOOR, CONNAUGHT PLACE, CENTRAL; OR FROM THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT, 19TH FLOOR, WANCHAI TOWER I, 12 HARBOUR ROAD, WAN CHAI; OR FROM THE INFORMATION SERVICES DEPARTMENT, FRENCH MISSION BUILDING, 1 BATTERY PATH, HONG KONG FOR LOCAL AND OVERSEAS MAILINGS.
ENQUIRIES ABOUT THE INDEXES MAY BE MADE TO THE CONSUMER PRICE INDEX SECTION OF THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT ON 5-8235089.
THE HANG SENG CPI WAS 117.4 IN FEBRUARY 1988, UP BY 0.9 PER CENT OVER JANUARY 1988 AND UP BY 7.7 PER CENT OVER FEBRUARY 1987.
THE HANG SENG CPI IS BASED ON THE EXPENDITURE PATTERN OF THE 10 PER CENT OF URBAN HOUSEHOLDS IN HONG KONG THAT SPENT $ 10,OOO-$24,999 A MONTH DURING THE 1984/85 HOUSEHOLD EXPENDITURE SURVEY.
FURTHER DETAILS REGARDING THIS INDEX ARE INCLUDED IN THE HANG SENG CPJ REPORT ISSUED BY THE ECONOMIC RESEARCH DEPARTMENT OF HANG SENG BANK LTD.
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/11
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 23, 1988
- 11 -
ILLEGAL STRUCTURES CLEARED IN TO KWA WAN
*****
EIGHTEEN REAR LANE ILLEGAL STRUCTURES IN TO KWA WAN WERE CLEARED TODAY (WEDNESDAY) IN AN ENVIRONMENTAL IMPROVEMENT CLEARANCE OPERATION.
THE STRUCTURES WERE LOCATED IN TWO REAR LANES WHICH ARE BOUNDED BY THE KOWLOON CITY VEHICULAR FERRY PIER, LONG YUET STREET, YUK YAT STREET, SHUN FUNG STREET AND KING WAN STREET.
OF THE STRUCTURES, EIGHT WERE USED FOR DOMESTIC PURPOSES AND THE OTHER 10 FOR STORAGE. NINE FAMILIES, COMPRISING 14 PEOPLE, WERE AFFECTED BY THE OPERATION.
THE OPERATION WAS THE FOURTH ONE CARRIED OUT IN THE KOWLOON CITY DISTRICT IN THE CURRENT FINANCIAL YEAR. A TOTAL OF STRUCTURES AND OVERSIZED CANOPIES HAD BEEN REMOVED IN THREE PREVIOUS OPERATIONS.
TODAY’S CLEARANCE WAS CO-ORDINATED BY THE KOWLOON CITY DISTRICT OFFICE AND JOINTLY CARRIED OUT BY THE BUILDINGS AND LANDS DEPARTMENT, HOUSING DEPARTMENT, URBAN SERVICES DEPARTMENT AND THE POLICE.
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EMSD SEMINAR ON ENHANCING ELECTRICAL WIRING SAFETY *****
AN "INSTALLATION IMPROVEMENT SEMINAR” TO PROMOTE THE USE OF RESIDUAL CURRENT DEVICES (RCD’S) IN ELECTRICAL WIRING INSTALLATIONS TO MINIMISE DANGER ARISING FROM ELECTRICITY LEAKAGE WILL BE HELD BY THE ELECTRICAL AND MECHANICAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT ON FRIDAY (MARCH 25).
THE ASSISTANT DIRECTOR OF THE DEPARTMENT, MR TONG KIN-WAH, WILL OFFICIATE AT THE OPENING CEREMONY AND HE WILL ALSO GIVE AN ADDRESS.
REPRESENTATIVES FROM THE HONGKONG ELECTRIC COMPANY LIMITED AND THE CHINA LIGHT AND POWER COMPANY LIMITED HAVE BEEN INVITED TO PRESENT FOUR TECHNICAL PAPERS ON THE FOLLOWING TOPICS:
* EFFECT OF LEAKAGE CURRENT THROUGH THE HUMAN BODY;
♦ APPLICATION OF RCD’S FOR PROTECTION AGAINST LEAKAGE CURRENT;
* APPLICATION OF RCD’S IN NEW INSTALLATIONS; AND
* APPLICATION OF RCD’S IN EXISTING INSTALLATIONS.
/THE PAPERS
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 2J, 1988
- 12 -
THE PAPERS WILL BE PRESENTED IN CONJUNCTION WITH A SLIDE SHOW.
ABOUT 300 ELECTRICAL CONTRACTORS, MAINLY MEMBERS OF THE HONG KONG ELECTRICAL CONTRACTORS’ ASSOCIATION, WILL PARTICIPATE IN THE SEMINAR.
THEY WILL BE ENCOURAGED TO ADVISE CONSUMERS TO PLACE RCD’S IN THEIR EXISTING INSTALLATIONS FOR ADDITIONAL SAFETY.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE SEMINAR WHICH WILL BE HELD AT THE CITY HALL THEATRE FROM 9.30 AM TO 12.30 PM.
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FOUR LOTS PUT UP FOR SALE t * * *
THE BUILDINGS AND LANDS DEPARTMENT IS OFFERING FOUR LOTS FOR SALE BY PUBLIC AUCTION TOMORROW (THURSDAY) IN THE CITY HALL THEATRE. THE AUCTION WILL START AT 2.30 PM.
THREE OF THE LOTS ARE FOR PRIVATE RESIDENTIAL PURPOSES. THEY ARE LOCATED AT:
« AREA 44, TUEN MUN NEW TOWN, WITH AN AREA OF ABOUT 13,200 SQUARE METRES)
♦ AREA 41A, SHA TIN, WITH AN AREA OF ABOUT 7,181 SQUARE METRES; AND
* SHA HA, SAI KUNG, WITH AN AREA OF ABOUT 2,601 SQUARE METRES.
THE REMAINING LOT IS AN INDUSTRIAL LOT LOCATED IN AREA 25, ON LOK TSUEN, FANLING.
THE AREA OF THIS LOT IS ABOUT 3,372 SQUARE METRES AND IS FOR INDUSTRIAL AND/OR GODOWN PURPOSES, BUT EXCLUDING OFFENSIVE TRADE.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE LAND AUCTION.
-------o----------
/13........
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 23, 1988
- 13 -
NIGHT CLOSURE OF SHAM SHUI PO UNDERPASS
*****
THE LUNG CHEUNG ROAD/NAM CHEONG STREET VEHICULAR UNDERPASS IN SHAM SHUI PO LEADING FROM LUNG CHEUNG ROAD EASTBOUND TO NAM CHEONG STREET SOUTHBOUND WILL BE CLOSED TO TRAFFIC FROM 1 AM TO 5 AM ON SATURDAY (MARCH 26).
THE CLOSURE IS TO FACILITATE CLEANING OF THE UNDERPASS. MOTORISTS ON LUNG CHEUNG ROAD EASTBOUND HEADING FOR NAM CHEONG STREET SOUTHBOUND WILL BE DIVERTED VIA LUNG PING ROAD, FLYOVER AND NAM CHEONG STREET SOUTHBOUND.
-------o --------
TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS IN CENTRAL, NORTH POINT
*****
HARBOUR VIEW STREET IN CENTRAL WILL BE CLOSED TO TRAFFIC FROM 1.15 AM TO 5.30 AM DAILY FROM SATURDAY (MARCH 26) FOR ABOUT EIGHT DAYS BECAUSE OF FOOTBRIDGE WORKS.
AFFECTED VEHICLES WILL BE DIVERTED VIA CONNAUGHT ROAD CENTRAL.
FROM 10 AM ON THE SAME DAY, SHELL STREET IN NORTH POINT FROM ITS JUNCTION WITH KING’S ROAD TO A POINT ABOUT THREE METRES WEST OF THE SAME JUNCTION WILL BE DESIGNATED A 7 AM TO 10 AM AND 4 PM TO 7 PM DAILY URBAN CLEARWAY.
NO VEHICLES EXCEPT FRANCHISED BUSES WILL BE ALLOWED TO STOP WITHIN HE URBAN CLEARWAY FOR GOODS OR PASSENGERS.
-----0------
RIGHT-TURN BAN IN KOWLOON TONG
*****
FROM 10 AM ON FRIDAY (MARCH 25), NO VEHICLES WILL BE ALLOWED TO TURN RIGHT FROM JUNCTION ROAD EASTBOUND ON TO RENFREW ROAD IN KOWLOON TONG.
THE RESTRICTION WILL BE IN FORCE FOR ABOUT THREE MONTHS BECAUSE OF ROAD WORKS.
MOTORISTS ON WATERLOO ROAD SOUTHBOUND HEADING FOR RENFREW ROAD WILL HAVE TO TRAVEL VIA HEREFORD ROAD.
-------0----------
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL: 5-8428777
THURSDAY, MARCH 24, 1988
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
SATIFACTORY BASIS FOR NEW DCA REACHED ..................... 1
MORE FLEXIBILITY FOR NEW HOUSING AUTHORITY ................ 2
NEW HOUSING AUTHORITY MEMBERSHIP ANNOUNCED ................ 4
APPOINTMENTS TO THE 19 DISTRICT BOARDS .................... 6
PROVISIONAL TRADE FIGURES FOR FEBRUARY RELEASED ........... 7
FIRST SHELTERED HOUSING FOR THE ELDERLY IN HENG ON ESTATE.. 10
HAPPY COMMUNITY AT MA ON SHAN: SIR DAVID FORD ............ 11
SALE OF FOUR LOTS FETCHES $273.5 MILLION ................. 12
OBJECTION PERIOD FOR NEW RATEABLE VaLUES ENDS SOON ....... 13
HOLIDAY MAIL DELIVERY .................................... 14
DB COMMITTEE TO CONSIDER SAI KUNG TRAFFIC FLOW............ 15
EXHIBITION ON PACKAGING /UTO PRODUCT DESIGN .............. 15
PRESENTATION OF SERVICE MEDALS TO CORRECTIONAL SERVICES STAFF ................................................... 16
MEDICAL SCHEME FOR ELDERLY IN SOUTHERN .................. 16
ID CARD REMINDER FOR MEN BORN IN 1957-58 ................. 17
PERFORMANCE BY DANCE CONTEST WINNERS ..................... 19
SPECIAL TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS FOR RUGBY TOURNAMENT ........ 19
PROHIBITED ZONE, U-TURN BAN .............................. 20
THURSDAY, MARCH 24, 1988
SATISFACTORY BASIS FOR NEW DCA REACHED
*****
FOLLOW-UP DISCUSSIONS BY THE GOVERNOR, SIR DAVID WILSON, IN LONDON ON THE DEFENCE COSTS AGREEMENT HAS RESULTED IN A SATISFACTORY BASIS FOR A NEW AGREEMENT, SIR DAVID SAID THIS (THURSDAY) EVENING.
SPEAKING TO REPORTERS AT THE AIRPORT ON HIS RETURN FROM A WEEKLONG VISIT IN ENGLAND, HE ADDED THAT EXPERTS ON BOTH SIDES WOULD BE MEETING SOON TO WRITE DOWN DETAILS OF THE NEW AGREEMENT.
ASKED HOW MUCH LESS HONG KONG WOULD HAVE TO PAY IN THE NEW AGREEMENT, SIR DAVID SAID: "I CAN’T AT THE MOMENT GO INTO THE DETAILS OF IT UNTIL THE FINE PRINT HAS BEEN WRITTEN DOWN AND APPROVED.
"WHAT I CAN SAY THOUGH IS THAT WHEN MR GEORGE YOUNGER, THE DEFENCE SECRETARY, COMES HERE LATER TODAY, THERE WON'T BE ANY NEGOTIATIONS WITH HIM.
"IT’S NOW A QUESTION OF THE EXPERTS WRITING DOWN THE FINE PRINT," SIR DAVID SAID.
ASKED WHEN THE NEW AGREEMENT WOULD BE REACHED, THE GOVERNOR SAID: "1 HOPE WE WILL GET ONE VERY SOON, THE PRESENT AGREEMENT RUNS OUT AT THE END OF THE MONTH. WE WANT TO WRITE DOWN DETAILS OF A NEW AGREEMENT AND GET THAT APPROVED."
DESCRIBING HIS VISIT AS "SHORT BUT USEFUL, SIR DAIVD SAID IT GAVE HIM THE OPPORTUNITY TO SEE THE FOREIGN SECRETARY AND SENIOR FOREIGN OFFICE OFFICIALS AND TO BRING THEM UP-TO-DATE ON DEVELOPMENTS IN HONG KONG.
"I ALSO SAW THE HOME SECRETARY, MR DOUGLAS HURD AND I SPOKE TO HIM ABOUT THE CONTINUING AND GROWING PROBLEM OF VIETNAMESE REFUGEES HERE IN HONG KONG, AND THE NECESSITY OF THE INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY HELPING TO FIND BOTH A LONG TERM SOLUTION TO THIS PROBLEM, AND PENDING THAT LONG TERM SOLUTION, CONTINUING RESETTLEMENT," SIR DAVID SAID.
ASKED TO COMMENT ON A CALL FROM ASEAN COUNTRIES TO FIND A COMMON SOLUTION TO THE REFUGEE PROBLEM, SIR DAVID SAID: "THE COMMENT I’D MAKE ON THAT IS THAT WE DO SHARE A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THE COUNTRIES OF SOUTHEAST ASIA.
"WE’RE ALL SUFFERING FROM THE FACT THAT VIETNAM IS RUNNING ITS ECONOMY IN SUCH A BAI) WAY THAT PEOPLE ARE RISKING THEIR LIVES TO LEAVE THE COUNTRY, AND THAT IS AFFECTING US AS IT IS AFFECTING THE COUNTRIES OF SOUTHEAST ASIA," HE ADDED.
"IT’S A VERY GOOD THING THAT WE SHOULD DISCUSS DIRECTLY WITH THEM WAYS IN WHICH THE PROBLEM SHOULD BE TACKLED," HE SAID.
/THE GOVERNOR .......
THURSDAY, MARCH 24, 1988
2
THE GOVERNOR SAID THAT DURING HIS VISIT TO LONDON HE ALSO MET MEMBERS OF PARLIAMENT FROM THE HONG KONG PARLIAMENTARY GROUP.
"I WAS VERY PLEASED TO NOTICE THAT THERE IS GREAT INTEREST IN WHAT IS HAPPENING IN HONG KONG AMONGST MEMBERS OF PARLIAMENT," SIR DAVID SAID.
THE GOVERNOR WAS MET ON HIS ARRIVAL BY THE CHIEF SECRETARY, SIR DAVID FORD; THE SENIOR MEMBER OF THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL, SIR S.Y. CHUNG; AND THE SENIOR MEMBER OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL, MISS LYDIA DUNN.
-------0 - -
MORE FLEXIBILITY FOR NEW HOUSING AUTHORITY
♦ * ♦ ♦ »
THE LEGISLATIVE AND ORGANISATIONAL CHANGES BEING MADE TO CREATE A MORE AUTONOMOUS HOUSING AUTHORITY WILL GIVE THE AUTHORITY MORE OPERATIONAL FLEXIBILITY TO ACHIEVE ITS TARGETS, THE DEPUTY TO THE GOVERNOR, SIR DAVID FORD SAID TODAY (THURSDAY).
SPEAKING AT THE OPENING CEREMONY OF HENG ON ESTATE AND THE HOME OWNERSHIP KAM ON COURT IN MA ON SHAN, SIR DAVID SAID THE GOVERNMENT HAD PROPOSED THESE CHANGES NOT IN ANY WAY TO REDUCE ITS COMMITMENT TO PUBLIC HOUSING, AS SOME CRITICS HAD SPECULATED.
"WE SHALL CONTINUE TO PROVIDE THE FUNDS AND THE LAND NECESSARY FOR THE AUTHORITY TO CARRY OUT ITS PROGRAMMES," SIR DAVID SAID.
THE GOVERNMENT, HE SAID, REMAINED AS COMMITTED AS EVER TO ITS OBJECTIVE OF PROVIDING ADEQUATE PERMANENT HOUSING FOR THE PEOPLE OF HONG KONG.
SIR DAVID SAID MUCH HAD BEEN ACHIEVED IN PUBLIC HOUSING AND THE HOUSING AUTHORITY COULD BE JUSTLY PROUD OF ALL ITS EFFORTS.
NOTING THAT MUCH REMAINED TO BE DONE, HE SAID THE HOUSING AUTHORITY HAI) DEMONSTRATED ITS AWARENESS OF THE NEED TO CONTINUE TO INTENSIFY ITS EFFORTS BY FORMULATING THE LONG TERM HOUSING STRATEGY.
HE SAID: "THE STRATEGY PROVIDES FOR THE DEMAND FOR RENTAL HOUSING TO BE MET BY THE MID-1990S, AND THE DEMAND FOR HOME OWNERSHIP SOME FIVE YEARS LATER.
"IT IS AN AMBITIOUS PROGRAMME, AND WE NEED MORE OPERATIONAL FLEXIBILITY FOR THE AUTHORITY TO ACHIEVE ITS TARGETS.
/’’THIS IS
THURSDAY, MARCH 24, 1988
3
"THIS IS WHY LEGISLATIVE AND ORGANISATIONAL CHANGES ARE BEING MADE TO CREATE A MORE AUTONOMOUS HOUSING AUTHORITY WHICH WILL COME INTO BEING IN EIGHT DAYS’ TIME, UNDER THE LEADERSHIP OF ITS NEW CHAIRMAN, SIR DAVID AKERS-JONES."
SIR DAVID NOTED THAT THE OPENING OF THE HENG ON ESTATE WAS A SIGNIFICANT OCCASION, FOR AROUND THIS FIRST MAJOR URBAN SETTLEMENT, A WHOLE TOWN WOULD DEVELOP.
SIR DAVID SAID HENG ON ESTATE MARKED THE BEGINNING OF A NEW ERA FOR MA ON SHAN.
"IT REPRESENTS YET ANOTHER ACHIEVEMENT OF THE HOUSING AUTHORITY AND A FURTHER TESTIMONY TO GOVERNMENT’S CONTINUING EFFORTS TO PROVIDE A PERMANENT HOME FOR ALL THOSE WHO NEED ONE," HE NOTED.
HE SAID THAT THE 7 050 FLATS IN HENG ON ESTATE AND KAM ON COURT ONLY REPRESENTED A SMALL PART OF THE 160 000 NEW FLATS NOW UNDER DEVELOPMENT BY THE HOUSING AUTHORITY.
"IN THE COMING FINANCIAL YEAR ALONE, THE AUTHORITY WILL BE PROVIDING NEW HOMES FOR 230 000 PEOPLE," HE SAID.
SIR DAVID ALSO TOOK THE OCCASION TO THANK THE RETIRING SECRETARY FOR HOUSING, MR JOHN TODD, FOR THE TREMENDOUS CONTRIBUTION HE HAD MADE NOT ONLY TO HOUSING BUT ALSO TO PUBLIC SERVICE.
ALSO SPEAKING AT THE OPENING CEREMONY, MR TODD SAID THE $585 MILLION HENG ON ESTATE AND KAM ON COURT WERE REPRESENTATIVE OF MODERN PUBLIC HOUSING ESTATES.
"THE FLATS IN THE RENTAL ESTATE PROVIDE A FLOOR AREA OF BETWEEN 35 AND 49 SQ METRES WHILE THE HOME OWNERSHIP FLATS EXTEND TO 60 SQ METRES."
HE SAID THAT EACH FLAT WAS SELF-CONTAINED AND PROVIDED WITH ESSENTIAL SERVICES.
"A MEDIUM-SIZED FAMILY FLAT CAN BE RENTED FOR $700 A MONTH, WELL WITHIN THE LEVELS THAT FAMILIES IN THE ESTATE CAN AFFORD."
MR TODD ADDED THAT THE RESIDENTS WERE ALSO ABLE TO FIND ALL OF THEIR DAILY NEEDS IN THE WIDE RANGE OF SHOPS AND THE MARKET IN THE ESTATE.
THERE WERE THREE KINDERGARTENS, TWO PRIMARY SCHOOLS AND A SECONDARY SCHOOL, WITH MORE SCHOOLS PLANNED FOR THE FUTURE, HE SAID.
THERE IS ALSO A LARGE INDOOR RECREATION CENTRE AND A WIDE RANGE OF WELFARE FACILITIES, INCLUDING THE FIRST SHELTERED HOUSING FOR THE ABLE-BODIED ELDERLY IN A PUBLIC HOUSING ESTATE.
NOTING THAT PEOPLE WHO WALKED AROUND THE ESTATE WOULD BE ABLE TO SEE JUST HOW MUCH THE QUALITY OF LIFE FOR PUBLIC HOUSING TENANTS HAD BEEN IMPROVED, MR TODD SAID THE HOUSING AUTHORITY WAS PROUD TO OFFER THIS FINE ESTATE TO THE PEOPLE OF HONG KONG FOR THEIR ENJOYMENT AND BENEFIT.
-------O--------- /4........
THURSDAY, MARCH 24, 1988
NEW HOUSING AUTHORITY MEMBERSHIP ANNOUNCED
*****
MEMBERSHIP OF THE RE-ORGANISED HOUSING AUTHORITY AND ITS INCREASED NUMBER OF COMMITTEES WAS ANNOUNCED TODAY.
HEADING THE AUTHORITY FROM APRIL 1 THIS YEAR WILL BE SIR DAVID AKERS-JONES, THE FIRST NON-OFFICIAL MEMBER TO BE APPOINTED AS CHAIRMAN.
THE DIRECTOR OF HOUSING, MR FRED PANG, HAS BEEN APPOINTED AS VICE-CHAIRMAN.
ALSO APPOINTED AS A MEMBER OF THE AUTHORITY FOR TWO YEARS 18 DR PHILIP Y.H. WONG.
HE IS CURRENTLY A CO-OPTED MEMBER OF THE HOME OWNERSHIP AND FINANCE COMMITTEES AND AN ALTERNATE MEMBER OF THE APPEALS COMMITTEE.
DR WONG WILL CONTINUE TO SIT IN THE HOME OWNERSHIP COMMITTEE, THE TENANCY APPEALS COMMITTEE, THE RETITLED ESTABLISHMENT AND FINANCE COMMITTEE, AND ALSO THE NEW COMPLAINTS COMMITTEE, AND THE BUILDING COMMITTEE.
THE SECRETARY FOR HOUSING, MR JOHN TODD WILL RETIRE AS CHAIRMAN OF THE AUTHORITY. ALSO RETIRING WILL BE MR LAWRENCE H.L. FUNG.
RETIRING AS MEMBERS OF THE AUTHORITY FROM APRIL 1 WILL BE THE SECRETARY FOR TRANSPORT AND THE DIRECTOR OF SOCIAL WELFARE. THIS IS IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE RECENTLY PASSED HOUSING ORDINANCE WHICH STIPULATED REDUCTION IN THE MEMBERSHIP OF OFFICIALS FROM SIX TO THREE.
ALSO UNDER THE RE-ORGANISED HOUSING AUTHORITY, A COMMERCIAL PROPERTIES COMMITTEE WILL BE ESTABLISHED ON APRIL 1 AND WILL BE HEADED BY Ml. CHAN YING-LUN, CURRENTLY A FULL-MEMBER OF THE AUTHORITY.
THERE WILL ALSO BE A DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE AND A COMPLAINTS COMMITTEE, WHILE THE FINANCE COMMITTEE WILL BECOME THE ESTABLISHMENT AND FINANCE COMMITTEE.
THE AD HOC COMMITTEE ON EXTENDED REDEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME WILL BE DISBANDED FROM APRIL 1. ITS WORK WOULD BECOME PART OF THE COMPREHENSIVE REDEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME UNDER THE DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE.
FIVE PEOPLE HAVE BEEN APPOINTED AS CO-OPTED MEMBERS. THEY ARE:
PROFESSOR YEUNG YUE-MAN, THE REGISTRAR OF THE CHINESE UNIVERSITY OF HONG KONG (MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE);
» MR NICK MacANDREW, THE MANAGING DIRECTOR OF SCHRODERS ASIA LTD (ESTABLISHMENT AND FINANCE COMMITTEE);
A MR L.S
THURSDAY, MARCH 24, 1988
5 -
* MR L.S. MILLER, THE MANAGING DIRECTOR OF PEAT MARWICK MITCHELL AND CO (ESTABLISHMENT AND FINANCE COMMITTEE);
» MR WILLIAM C.W. CHAU, AN EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF SEVERAL COMPANIES (COMMERCIAL PROPERTIES COMMITTEE);
AND
* MR DAVID P.Y. LUNG, A LECTURER IN ARCHITECTURE OF THE UNIVERSITY OF HONG KONG (COMMERCIAL PROPERTIES COMMITTEE).
RE-APPOINTED AS MEMBERS OF THE HOUSING AUTHORITY FOR TWO MORE YEARS ARE:
♦ MR CHARLES SIN WHO WILL RETIRE FROM THE BUILDING COMMITTEE BUT WILL CONTINUE TO BE CHAIRMAN OF THE MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE AND CONTINUE TO SIT AS A MEMBER OF THE RETITLED ESTABLISHMENT AND FINANCE COMMITTEE. HE WILL ALSO JOIN THE NEW COMMERCIAL PROPERTIES AND DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEES;
» MR F.K. HU WHO WILL CONTINUE TO BE CHAIRMAN OF THE SPECIAL COMMITTEE ON CLEARANCE OF KOWLOON WALLED CITY. HE WILL CONTINUE TO SERVE IN THE HOME OWNERSHIP AND MANAGEMENT COMMITTEES AND WILL JOIN THE DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE;
» DR PHILIP C.K. KWOK WHO WILL CONTINUE TO BE CHAIRMAN OF THE HOME OWNERSHIP COMMITTEE AND CONTINUE TO SIT AS A MEMBER OF THE RETITLED ESTABLISHMENT AND FINANCE COMMITTEE. HE WILL ALSO JOIN THE DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE;
» MR LAU WAH-SUM WHO WILL CONTINUE TO BE CHAIRMAN OF THE RETITLED ESTABLISHMENT AND FINANCE COMMITTEE, AND ALSO JOIN THE DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE;
» MRS SELINA CHOW WHO WILL CONTINUE TO SIT AS A MEMBER OF THE MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE AND THE RETITLED ESTABLISHMENT AND FINANCE COMMITTEE;
» MR HUI YIN-FAT WHO WILL CONTINUE TO SIT AS A MEMBER OF THE MANAGEMENT AND OPERATIONS COMMITTEES;
» MR POON Clll-FAI WHO WILL CONTINUE TO SIT AS A MEMBER OF THE OPERATIONS AND APPEALS COMMITTEES, AND ALSO JOIN THE NEW COMPLAINTS COMMITTEE.; AND
» MR EDWARD S.T. HO WHO WILL CONTINUE TO BE THE CHAIRMAN OF THE BUILDING COMMITTEE AND A MEMBER OF THE HOME OWNERSHIP COMMITTEE. HE WILL JOIN THE DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE.
/FOLLOWING ARE
THURSDAY, MARCH 24, 1988
- 6
FOLLOWING ARE BRIEF BIOGRAPHIES OF THE FIVE CO-OPTED MEMBERS:
PROFESSOR YEUNG YUE-MAN - PROFESSOR YEUNG, 50, IS THE REGISTRAR OF THE CHINESE UNIVERSITY OF HONG KONG. HE WAS A CO-OPTED MEMBER OF THE COMMITTEE ON REVIEW OF DOMESTIC RENT FROM 1985 TO 1987. PROFESSOR YEUNG IS ALSO A MEMBER OF THE HONG KONG EXAMINATIONS AUTHORITY.
MR NICK MacANDREW - MR MacANDREW, 40, IS THE MANAGING DIRECTOR OF SCHRODERS ASIA LTD.
MR L.S. MILLER - MR MILLER, 19, IS THE MANAGING DIRECTOR OF PEAT MARWICK MITCHELL AND CO. HE IS ALSO A MEMBER OF VARIOUS COMMITTEES OF THE HONG KONG SOCIETY OF ACCOUNTANTS.
MR WILLIAM C.W. CHAU - MR CHAU, 34, IS THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF SEVERAL COMPANIES. HE IS ALSO A MEMBER OF THE REGIONAL COUNCIL AND AN ADJUDICATOR ON THE OBSCENE ARTICLES TRIBUNAL.
MR DAVID P.Y. LUNG - MR LUNG, 40, IS A LECTURER IN ARCHITECTURE OF THE UNIVERSITY OF HONG KONG. MR LUNG IS A REPRESENTATIVE ON THE EXAMINATION BOARD (BUILDINGS) AND A MEMBER OF THE SENATE OF UNIVERSITY OF HONG KONG. MR LUNG IS ACTIVELY INVOLVED IN VARIOUS SOCIAL AND COMMUNITY ORGANISATIONS.
-------0---------
APPOINTMENTS TO THE 19 DISTRICT BOARDS * * * * *
A TOTAL OF 141 PEOPLE FROM A WIDE CROSS-SECTION OF THE COMMUNITY HAVE BEEN APPOINTED TO THE 19 DISTRICT BOARDS.
THEY WILL SERVE ON THE BOARDS FOR THREE YEARS STARTING FROM APRIL 1 THIS YEAR TOGETHER WITH THE 264 NEWLY ELECTED MEMBERS.
THE APPOINTMENTS WILL BE PUBLISHED IN THE GAZETTE TOMORROW (FRIDAY ) .
OF THE APPOINTEES, 88 ARE SERVING APPOINTED MEMBERS AND FIVE ARE SERVING ELECTED MEMBERS.
THE REMAINING 48 OR 34 PER CENT ARE NEW MEMBERS WHO COME FROM A WIDE RANGE OF BACKGROUNDS.
COMMENTING ON THE APPOINTMENTS, A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN SAID THAT THE OVERALL OBJECTIVE IS TO ACHIEVE, AS FAR AS POSSIBLE AND PRACTICABLE, A BALANCED REPRESENTATION ON EACH BOARD WITH REGARD TO SEX, AGE, SOCIAL AND EDUCATIONAL BACKGROUNDS OF MEMBERS.
/"CONSIDERATION IS
THURSDAY, MARCH 24, 1988
"CONSIDERATION IS GIVEN ON INDIVIDUAL BOARD BASIS AND ACCOUNT IS TAKEN OF THE APPOINTEES’ PERFORMANCE IN COMMUNITY SERVICE AND THEIR LINKS WITH THE DISTRICT.
"RESULTS OF THE ELECTIONS AND THE NEED TO INJECT NEW BLOOD INTO THE DISTRICT BOARDS ARE ALSO CONSIDERED," THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
SEVENTY-SEVEN MEMBERS HAVE BEEN APPOINTED TO BOARDS IN THE URBAN AREAS AND 64 IN THE NEW TERRITORIES, AN INCREASE OF A TOTAL OF NINE APPOINTED MEMBERS WHEN COMPARED WITH THE FIGURE FOR THE CURRENT TERM.
-------0 ----------
PROVISIONAL TRADE FIGURES
* * *
FOR FEBRUARY RELEASED * *
HONG KONG’S EXTERNAL TRADE CONTINUED TO GROW RAPIDLY IN FEBRUARY THIS YEAR, ACCORDING TO THE PROVISIONAL TRADE FIGURES RELEASED TODAY (THURSDAY) BY THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT.
AMONG THE VARIOUS TRADE AGGREGATES, THE YEAR-ON-YEAR GROWTH RATE OF DOMESTIC EXPORTS IN FEBRUARY WAS CONSIDERABLY HIGHER THAN IN JANUARY 1988 AND THAT OF RE-EXPORTS WAS BROADLY SIMILAR, WHILE THAT OF IMPORTS WAS SUBSTANTIALLY LOWER.
HOWEVER, CAUTION SHOULD BE EXERCISED IN INTERPRETING FIGURES FOR ANY INDIVIDUAL MONTH IN ISOLATION, IN VIEW OF THE FLUCTUATIONS THAT MAY OCCUR FROM MONTH TO MONTH.
THE VALUE OF DOMESTIC EXPORTS IN FEBRUARY 1988 WAS 413,641 MILLION, 36.5 PER CENT OR $3,649 MILLION HIGHER THAN IN FEBRUARY 1987, WHILE THE VALUE OF RE-EXPORTS INCREASED BY 49.9 PER CENT OR $5,298 MILLION TO $15,914 MILLION.
THE VALUE OF TOTAL EXPORTS (DOMESTIC EXPORTS PLUS RE-EXPORTS), AT $29,555 MILLION IN FEBRUARY 1988, WAS 43.4 PER CENT OR $8,947 MILLION HIGHER THAN IN FEBRUARY 1987.
THE VALUE OF IMPORTS GREW BY 18 PER CENT OR $4,352 MILLION OVER THE SAME PERIOD, TO $28,470 MILLION IN FEBRUARY 1988.
AS THE VALUE OF TOTAL EXPORTS IN FEBRUARY 1988 WAS LARGER THAN THAT OF IMPORTS, A VISIBLE TRADE SURPLUS OF $1,085 MILLION, EQUIVALENT TO 3.8 PER CENT OF THE VALUE OF IMPORTS, WAS RECORDED FOR THE MONTH.
IN VIEW OF THE TIMING OF THE LUNAR NEW YEAR HOLIDAYS, THE FIGURES FOR JANUARY AND FEBRUARY COMBINED PROVIDE A MORE MEANINGFUL PICTURE.
/THE VALUE
THURSDAY, MARCH 2<+, 1988
- 8 -
THE VALUE OF TOTAL EXPORTS FOR THE FIRST TWO MONTHS OF 1988 WAS $64,395 MILLION, MADE UP OF DOMESTIC EXPORTS OF $30,117 MILLION AND RE-EXPORTS OF $34,278 MILLION.
COMPARED WITH THE FIRST TWO MONTHS OF 1987, THE VALUE OF TOTAL EXPORTS GREW BY $17,730 MILLION OR 38 PER CENT, THAT OF DOMESTIC EXPORTS BY $6,072 MILLION OR 25.3 PER CENT, AND THAT OF RE-EXPORTS BY $11,658 MILLION OR 51.5 PER CENT.
OVER THE SAME PERIOD, THE VALUE OF IMPORTS GREW BY $13,986 MILLION OR 29.4 PER CENT, TO $61,620 MILLION. A VISIBLE TRADE SURPLUS OF $2,775 MILLION, EQUIVALENT TO 4.5 PER CENT OF THE VALUE OF IMPORTS, WAS RECORDED FOR THE FIRST TWO MONTHS OF 1988.
COMMENTING ON THESE FIGURES, A GOVERNMENT SECRETARIAT SPOKESMAN SAID THAT WHILE THE GROWTH RATE OF DOMESTIC EXPORTS IN THE FIRST TWO MONTHS OF THIS YEAR WAS STILL RAPID, SOME DECELERATION IN GROWTH HAD OCCURRED SINCE THE FOURTH QUARTER OF LAST YEAR.
HE ADDED THAT THE STRONG GROWTH IN RE-EXPORTS WAS A REFLECTION OF THE FLOURISHING ENTREPOT TRADE.
HOWEVER, HE POINTED OUT THAT THE SLOWER GROWTH IN IMPORTS IN FEBRUARY MIGHT SIGNAL A FURTHER DECELERATION IN THE GROWTH RATE OF DOMESTIC EXPORTS IN THE COMING MONTHS.
THE FOLLOWING TABLE PRESENTS THE PROVISIONAL MERCHANDISE TRADE FIGURES FOR FEBRUARY 1988.
PROVISIONAL MERCHANDISE
MERCHANDISE: DOMESTIC EXPORTS
RE-EXPORTS TOTAL EXPORTS IMPORTS TRADE BALANCE
TRADE FIGURES FOR FEBRUARY, 1988
: $13,641 MILLION
: $15,914 MILLION
: $29,555 MILLION
: $28,470 MILLION
; $ 1,085 MILLION [IN SURPLUS]
COMPARATIVE FIGURES
DEC 87 DEC 86 INCREASE
TO TO
LATEST 3 MONTHS FEB 88 FEB 87 •
HK$ MN. HK$ MN. HK$ MN. %
DOMESTIC EXPORTS 48,967 39,413 9,554 24.2
RE-EXPORTS 53,334 35,247 18,087 51.3
TOTAL EXPORTS 102,301 74,660 27,641 37.0
IMPORTS 100,438 75,102 25,336 33.7
TRADE BALANCE 1,863 -442 2,305
/SAME MONTH
THURSDAY, MARCH 24, 1988
- 9
SAME MONTH LAST YEAR FEBRUARY 1988 HK$ MN. FEBRUARY 1987 HK$ MN. INCREASE HK$ MN. %
DOMESTIC EXPORTS (% OF TOTAL EXPORTS) 13,641 (46.2%)( 9,992 48.5%) 3,649 36.5
RE-EXPORTS 15,914 10,616 5,298 49.9
TOTAL EXPORTS 29,555 20,608 8,947 43.4
IMPORTS 28,470 24,118 4,352 18.0
TRADE BALANCE 1,085 -3,510 4,595
LAST MONTH FEBRUARY 1988 HK$ MN. JANUARY 1988 HK$ MN. INCREASE HK$ MN. %
DOMESTIC EXPORTS (% OF TOTAL EXPORTS) 13,641 (46.2%) 16,477 (47.3%) -2,836 -17.2
RE-EXPORTS 15,914 18,364 -2,450 -13.3
TOTAL EXPORTS 29,555 34,841 -5,286 -15.2
IMPORTS 28,470 33,150 -4,680 -14.1
TRADE BALANCE 1,085 1,691 -606
CALENDAR YEAR TO-DATE JAN-FEB 1988 IIK$ MN. JAN-FEB 1987 HK$ MN. INCREASE HK$ MN. %
DOMESTIC EXPORTS (% OF TOTAL EXPORTS) 30,117 (46.8%) 24,045 (51.5%) 6,072 25.3
RE-EXPORTS 34,278 22,620 11,658 51.5
TOTAL EXPORTS 64,395 46,665 17,730 38.0
IMPORTS 61,620 47,634 13,986 29.4
TRADE BALANCE 2,775 -969 3,744
/LAST 12 MONTHS
10
THURSDAY, MARCH 24, 1?88
MAR 87 TO MAR 86 TO INCREASE
LAST 12 MONTHS FEB 88 FEB 87
HK$ MN. HK$ MN. HK$ MN. %
DOMESTIC EXPORTS 201,327 159,152 42,175 26.5
RE-EXPORTS 194,438 129,727 64,711 49.9
TOTAL EXPORTS 395,765 288,879 106,886 37.0
IMPORTS 391,934 287,800 104,134 36.2
TRADE BALANCE 3,831 1,079 2,752
-----0------
FIRST SHELTERED HOUSING FOR THE ELDERLY IN HENG ON ESTATE ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦
MORE THAN 100 ELDERLY PEOPLE BECAME THE FIRST TENANTS OF A NEW TYPE OF HOUSING PROVIDED BY THE HOUSING AUTHORITY FOR HONG KONG'S SENIOR CITIZENS.
THE ELDERLY PEOPLE ARE NOW LIVING IN HENG ON ESTATE IN MA ON SHAN, THE AUTHORITY'S FIRST OF A SERIES OF SHELTERED HOUSING WHICH INCLUDED WARDEN SERVICE.
THE SHELTERED HOUSING FOR THE ELDERLY SCHEME MARKED THE BEGINNING OF A PROGRAMME TO PROVIDE A HOUSING FOR ABLE-BODIED ELDERLY IN NEW RENTAL ESTATES CONTAINING MORE THAN 3 000 FLATS.
THE ELDERLY TENANTS IN HENG ON, ALL AGED 60 OR OVER, COME FROM CLEARANCES, COMPASS 1 ONATE REHOUS 1 NG, MANAGEMENT TRANSFERS, REDEVELOPMENT OF MARK 1 AND II ESTATES, SINGLE PERSON WAITING LISI AND THE ELDERLY PRIORITY SCHEME.
LOCATED ON FIRST AND SECOND FLOORS OF HENG FUNG HOUSE, 1HIS NEW HOUSING SCHEME FOR ELDERLY PEOPLE IS DESIGNED TO GIVE MAXIMUM PRIVACY TO CO-TENANTS IN EACH FLAT.
THE HENG ON PROJECT COMPRISES 42 DOMESTIC FLATS WITH A TOTAL OF 138 ROOMS FOR 145 ELDERLY PERSONS. EACH FLAT CONSISTS OF THREE TO FOUR ROOMS.
INDIVIDUAL TENANTS ARE ALLOCATED ROOMS FOR SINGLE PERSONS WHILE COUPLES OR CLOSE RELATIVES OR FRIENDS CAN SHARE ROOMS ON A VOLUNTARY BASIS.
SEPARATE LIGHTING AND GAS SUPPLY METERS ARE PROVIDED.
/THERE ARE
THURSDAY, MARCH 24, 1988 I
11
THERE ARE ALSO SEPARATE MAIL BOXES FOR EACH ROOM, WHICH ARE LOCATED IN THE LIFT LOBBY OF EACH OF THE TWO FLOORS.
ALTHOUGH THEY ARE CAPABLE OF SELF-HELP MOST OF THE TIME, WARDENS OF THE SHELTERED HOUSING, WHO ARE ON DAY AND NIGHT SHIFT, ARE ALWAYS READY TO ATTEND TO ANY REQUEST OR ENQUIRY.
APART FROM OVERSEEING ORDER AND CLEANLINESS AND ENSURING THE PROPER FUNCTIONING OF ALL FACILITIES, THE WARDENS ALSO MAKE REFERRALS FOR MEDICAL AND WELFARE SERVICES AND CONTACT THEIR NEXT-OF-KIN IF NECESSARY.
A PANIC ALARM SYSTEM CONNECTING EACH ROOM AND THE WARDENS' OFFICE AND QUARTERS IS INSTALLED TO OFFER ROUND-THE-CLOCK EMERGENCY SERVICE TO TENANTS.
ON RECREATIONAL FACILITIES, THERE IS A COMMON ROOM ON EACH FLOOR WHERE TENANTS CAN GATHER OR WATCH TELEVISION. THEY ARE ALSO ENCOURAGED TO PARTICIPATE IN ACTIVITIES ORGANISED BY VOLUNTARY AGENCIES.
UNDER THE SHELTERED HOUSING PROGRAMME ENDORSED BY HOUSING AUTHORITY IN 1985, ANOTHER 14 SHELTERED HOUSING FOR THE ELDERLY WILL BE SET UP WITHIN THE NEXT FIVE YEARS.
BY THIS ARRANGEMENT, THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT AND VOLUNTARY AGENCIES CAN DEVOTE THEIR RESOURCES TO THE CARE OF THOSE ELDERLY PERSONS WHO REQUIRE MORE INTENSIVE CARE AND ATTENTION.
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HAPPY COMMUNITY AT MA ON SHAN: SIR DAVID FORD * * * * *
THE DEPUTY TO THE GOVERNOR, SIR DAVID FORD, SAID TODAY (THURSDAY) THAT HE WAS EXCITED TO RETURN TO MA ON SHAN IN SHA TIN TO SEE IT HAD DEVELOPED INTO A COMMUNITY WITH HAPPY PEOPLE AND MARVELOUS FACILITIES.
SIR DAVID HAD EARLIER OFFICIATED AT THE OPENING OF THE HENG ON ESTATE AND KAM ON COURT AT MA ON SHAN.
SPEAKING TO REPORTERS AFTER A TOUR OF HENG ON ESTATE, SIR DAVID SAID: "THE LAST TIME 1 HAD ANYTHING TO DO WITH THIS ESTATE IT WAS A SMALL MODEL ON A TABLE WHEN 1 WAS DIRECTOR OF HOUSING, AND WE WERE MOVING THE MODELS AROUND TO SEE WHAT THAT BUILDING BLOCKS WOULD LOOK LIKE."
/"I DO
THURSDAY, MARCH 24, 1988
- 12 -
"I DO THINK WE’VE GOT A TREMENDOUS AMOUNT TO BE PROUD OF IN OUR HOUSING HERE, WITH AN OLD PEOPLE’S HOME AND A MARVELOUS SHOPPING CENTRE WHICH IS DOING WELL ALREADY," HE SAID.
"IT’S A GOOD EXAMPLE OF EVERYTHING THAT THE HOUSING AUTHORITY IS DOING AND I THINK WE ALL SHOULD BE VERY PROUD OF IT,” HE ADDED.
IN REPLY TO A QUESTION ON HIS FORTHCOMING VISIT TO ENGLAND, SIR DAVID SAID IT WAS MAINLY A PRIVATE VISIT.
"BUT I’M TAKING THE OPPORTUNITY WHILE I’M IN LONDON TO MEET A FEW PEOPLE AT THE FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH OFFICE WHILE I'M THERE, THAT’S ABSOLUTELY STANDARD.
"I DON'T THINK ANY OF US CAN EVER GO TO LONDON WITHOUT FITTING IN A BIT OF WORK INTO THE VISIT," HE ADDED.
ASKED WHETHER HE WOULD BE DISCUSSING THE DEFENCE COSTS AGREEMENT, SIR DAVID SAID: "I DON’T THINK I SHALL BE DISCUSSING DEFENCE COSTS AGREEMENT. THAT’S REALLY THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY’S SIDE OF THE HOUSE."
---------0-----------
SALE OF FOUR LOTS FETCHES $273.5 MILLION *****
A TOTAL PREMIUM OF $273.5 MILLION WAS REALISED IN THE LAST LAND AUCTION OF THIS FINANCIAL YEAR HELD IN THE CITY HALL THEATRE TODAY (THURSDAY).
THE LOTS INCLUDE THREE FOR PRIVATE RESIDENTIAL AND ONE FOR INDUSTRIAL AND/OR GODOWN PURPOSES.
ONE OF THE PRIVATE RESIDENTIAL LOTS IS LOCATED IN AREA 44 IN TUEN MUN NEW TOWN.
BIDDING OPENED AT $140 MILLION AND THE SITE WAS BOUGHT BY PRESTIGE DEVELOPMENT LIMITED FOR $213 MILLION.
ACCORDING TO THE BUILDING COVENANT, THE PURCHASER HAS TO DEVELOP A GROSS FLOOR AREA OF NOT LESS THAN 24,000 SQUARE METRES ON THIS 13,200-SQUARE-METRE SITE BEFORE MARCH 31, 1992.
THE SECOND PRIVATE RESIDENTIAL SITE, WITH AN AREA OF ABOUT 7,181 SQUARE METRES, IS LOCATED IN AREA 41A IN SHA TIN.
BIDDING STARTED AT $12 MILLION AND THE SITE WAS BOUGHT BY BEST HEALTH HOLDINGS DEVELOPMENT LIMITED FOR $21.5 MILLION.
/THE DEVELOPER
THURSDAY, MARCH 24, 1988
THE DEVELOPER IS REQUIRED TO COMPLETE A GROSS FLOOR AREA OF AT LEAST 1,524 SQUARE METRES ON THE SITE BEFORE MARCH 31, 1992.
THE LAST SITE FOR THE SAME PURPOSE IS IN SHA HA IN SAI KUNG.
WITH AN AREA OF ABOUT 2,601 SQUARE METRES, THE BUYER HAS TO COMPLETE AT LEAST 937 SQUARE METRES OF GROSS FLOOR AREA ON THE SITE BEFORE MARCH 31, 1991.
BIDDING OPENED AT $6 MILLION AND THE SITE WAS SOLD TO BEAUTY PALACE COMPANY LIMITED FOR $11.5 MILLION.
THE INDUSTRIAL SITE IS LOCATED IN AREA 25, ON LOK TSUEN -IN FANLING.
IT MEASURES ABOUT 3,372 SQUARE METRES AND IS FOR INDUSTRIAL AND/OR GODOWN PURPOSES, BUT EXCLUDING OFFENSIVE TRADE.
BIDDING STARTED AT $20 MILLION AND THE SITE WAS SOLD TO AMPERE INDUSTRIAL LIMITED FOR $27.5 MILLION.
THE DEVELOPER IS REQUIRED TO COMPLETE NOT LESS THAN 10,116 SQUARE METRES OF GROSS FLOOR AREA ON THE SITE BEFORE MARCH 31, 1992.
TODAY’S AUCTION WAS CONDUCTED BY A GOVERNMENT LAND AGENT OF THE BUILDINGS AND LANDS DEPARTMENT, MR ROGER NISSIM.
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OBJECTION PERIOD FOR NEW RATEABLE VALUES ENDS SOON
*****
RATEPAYERS ARE REMINDED THAT THEY MUST SERVE A PROPOSAL ON THE COMMISSIONER OF RATING AND VALUATION ON OR BEFORE THURSDAY, MARCH 31, IF THEY WISH TO OBJECT TO THE NEW RATEABLE VALUE OF THEIR PROPERTIES FOR THE YEAR COMMENCING APRIL 1, A SPOKESMAN FOR THE RATING AND VALUATION DEPARTMENT SAID TODAY (THURSDAY).
THEY HAVE BEEN NOTIFIED OF THE NEW RATEABLE VALUE EARLY THIS MONTH.
THE PROPOSAL SHOULD BE MADE ON FORM R.20A AND BE DELIVERED BY HAND OR BY POST TO THE DEPARTMENT AT HENNESSY CENTRE, 17TH FLOOR, 500 HENNESSY ROAD, CAUSEWAY BAY. IT SHOULD REACH THE OFFICE BY MARCH 31.
THE FORMS ARE AVAILABLE FROM THE DEPARTMENT OR ANY DISTRICT OFFICE.
/THE SPOKESMAN
THURSDAY, MARCH 24, 1988
THE SPOKESMAN STRESSED THAT PROPOSALS SERVED AFTER MARCH 31 WOULD NOT BE ACCEPTED.
RATEPAYERS WHO HAVE NOT RECEIVED THE NOTICE OF RATEABLE VALUE SHOULD CONTACT THE DEPARTMENT AS SOON AS POSSIBLE EITHER IN PERSON, OR BY CALLING 5-8957888.
RESIDENTS ARE WELCOME TO CONTACT THE DEPARTMENT IF THEY HAVE ANY QUERIES REGARDING THE RATEABLE VALUE. THEY MAY ALSO MAKE AN APPOINTMENT WITH THE VALUER FOR THEIR PARTICULAR DISTRICT.
- 0 - -
HOLIDAY MAIL DELIVERY
* » * »
THERE WILL BE ONE DELIVERY OF LETTERS ON APRIL 2 (SATURDAY) AND ON APRIL 4 (MONDAY) DURING THE EASTER AND CHING MING FESTIVAL HOLIDAYS (APRIL 1 TO 5), A POST OFFICE SPOKESMAN ANNOUNCED TODAY (THURSDAY).
HE SAID THAT ALL POST OFFICES WILL BE CLOSED FOR SERVICE DURING THE HOLIDAYS, EXCEPT ON APRIL 2 AND APRIL 4 WHEN 42 POST OFFICES WILL BE OPEN FROM 9 AM TO NOON.
THE 42 POST OFFICES INCLUDE THE GENERAL POST OFFICE ON HONG KONG ISLAND, THE KOWLOON CENTRAL AND TSIM SHA TSUI POST OFFICES IN KOWLOON, AND THE TSUEN WING STREET, SHA TIN CENTRAL AND TAI PO POST OFFICES IN THE NEW TERRITORIES.
DETAILS OF THE 42 POST OFFICES CAN BE OBTAINED FROM ANY POST OFFICE OR FROM THE POST OFFICE ENQUIRY BUREAU ON 5-231071.
- - 0 -
/15
THURSDAY, MARCH 24, 1988
- 15 -
DB COMMITTEE TO CONSIDER SAI KUNG TRAFFIC FLOW » * * t »
MEMBERS OF THE SAI KUNG DISTRICT BOARD'S TRAFFIC AND TRANSPORT COMMITTEE WILL MEET TOMORROW (FRIDAY) TO DISCUSS MEASURES TO DEAL WITH THE INCREASED TRAFFIC FLOW IN THE DISTRICT.
THEY WILL ALSO DISCUSS THE NEW ROADWORKS AT THE NORTHERN PART OF JUNK BAY NEW TOWN.
THESE ROADWORKS ARE INTENDED TO IMPROVE ACCESS TO THE NEW HOUSING ESTATES AND OTHER FACILITIES IN THE AREA.
OTHER ITEMS ON THE AGENDA INCLUDE THE PROPOSED NORTHERN ACCESS ROAD TO THE HONG KONG UNIVERSITY OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY AND THE PROPOSED IMPROVEMENTS TO HIRAM’S HIGHWAYS.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE MEETING TOMORROW (FRIDAY) IN THE CONFERENCE ROOM OF THE SAI KUNG DISTRICT BOARD, SECOND FLOOR, SAI KUNG GOVERNMENT OFFICES, CHAN MAN STREET, SAI KUNG TOWN. IT WILL BEGIN AT 2.30 PM.
-------o---------
EXHIBITION ON PACKAGING AND PRODUCT DESIGN * * * * *
A TWO-DAY EXHIBITION AND SEMINAR ON PACKAGING AND PRODUCT DESIGN FOR INDUSTRIALISTS WILL BEGIN TOMORROW (FRIDAY) IN THE CULTURAL ACTIVITIES HALL OF THE TSUEN WAN TOWN HALL.
THE EVENT IS JOINTLY ORGANISED BY THE INDUSTRY AND COMMERCE COMMITTEE OF THE TSUEN WAN DISTRICT BOARD, THE DESIGN AND PACKAGING CENTRE OF THE FEDERATION OF HONG KONG INDUSTRIES AND THE TSUEN WAN OFFICE OF THE TRADE DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL.
THE TSUEN WAN DISTRICT OFFICER, MR WILLIAM SHIU, AND THE DISTRICT BOARD CHAIRMAN, MR CHAU HOW-CHEN, WILL OFFICIATE AT THE OPENING CEREMONY OF THE EXHIBITION AT 2.30 PM.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE EXHIBITION.
------0--------- /16 ••»••••
THURSDAY, MARCH 24, 1988
- 16
PRESENTATION OF SERVICE MEDALS TO CORRECTIONAL SERVICES STAFF
*****
THE COMMISSIONER OF CORRECTIONAL SERVICES, MR CHAN WA-SHEK, WILL PRESENT CLASPS TO THE COLONIAL PRISON SERVICE MEDAL TO 33 STAFF AT A CEREMONY TOMORROW (FRIDAY) AFTERNOON AT THE DEPARTMENT’S STAFF TRAINING INSTITUTE IN STANLEY.
ALTOGETHER, THE RECIPIENTS HAVE A TOTAL OF 914 YEARS OF EXEMPLARY SERVICE WITH THE DEPARTMENT.
THERE WILL ALSO BE A PASSING OUT PARADE OF 52 RECRUIT OFFICERS WHO HAVE COMPLETED SIX MONTHS’ BASIC TRAINING.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE PRESENTATION OF CLASPS TO THE COLONIAL PRISON SERVICE MEDAL AND THE PASSING OUT PARADE AT 4 PM TOMORROW (FRIDAY) AT THE CORRECTIONAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT’S STAFF TRAINING INSTITUTE, TUNG TAU WAN ROAD, STANLEY.
PRESS TRANSPORT WILL BE PROVIDED. MEDIA REPRESENTATIVES SHOULD ASSEMBLE AT THE DEPARTMENT’S PUBLIC RELATIONS UNIT, 23RD FLOOR, WAN CHAI TOWER 1, 12 HARBOUR ROAD, WAN CHAI, AT 3 PM.
THERE WILL BE A FIXED POSITION FOR THE PRESS AT THE CEREMONY VENUE. PHOTOGRAPHERS ARE ADVISED TO BRING TELEPHOTO LENSES.
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MEDICAL SCHEME FOR ELDERLY IN SOUTHERN
*****
ELDERLY PEOPLE IN SOUTHERN DISTRICT CAN ENJOY PRIORITY IN TREATMENT FROM PRIVATE DOCTORS AND DENTISTS AT A REDUCED COST, THANKS TO A COMMUNITY MEDICAL SCHEME ORGANISED BY THE SOUTHERN DISTRICT BOARD.
"TO BENEFIT FROM THIS MEDICAL SCHEME WHICH HAS BEEN IN EFFECT FOR TWO YEARS, ALL THEY HAVE TO DO IS TO APPLY TO THE SOUTHERN DISTRICT OFFICE," A DB SPOKESMAN SAID.
"ALL SENIOR CITIZENS AGED 60 OR ABOVE WHO ARE LIVING OR WORKING IN THE DISTRICT ARE ELIGIBLE TO JOIN THE SCHEME," HE ADDED.
THE COMMUNITY MEDICAL SCHEME WAS INITIATED BY THE DISTRICT BOARD’S SOCIAL SERVICES COMMITTEE. IT QUICKLY PROVED POPULAR AND ATTRACTED MORE THAN 1,000 PARTICIPANTS LAST YEAR.
/APPLICATIONS TO
THURSDAY, MARCH 24, 1988
- 17 -
APPLICATIONS TO JOIN THE SCHEME SHOULD BE MADE IN PERSON TO THE SOUTHERN DISTRICT OFFICE IN ABERDEEN CENTRE OR TO ITS SUB-OFFICES IN LEI TUNG ESTATE, WAH FU ESTATE AND STANLEY VILLAGE ROAD.
APPLICANTS SHOULD BRING ALONG WITH THEM THEIR IDENTITY CARDS AND ALSO DOCUMENTS WHICH COULD PROVE THAT THEY RESIDE OR WORK IN THE DISTRICT.
THOSE WHO ARE RECEIVING ANY FORM OF ALLOWANCES FROM THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT SHOULD ALSO BRING ALONG RELEVANT DOCUMENTS.
OLD MEMBERS WHO HAD JOINED THE SCHEME IN PREVIOUS YEARS ARE REMINDED THAT THEY HAVE TO RENEW THEIR REGISTRATION WITH THE DISTRICT OFFICE THIS YEAR.
SUCCESSFUL APPLICANTS WILL BE ISSUED A SPECIAL CARD FOR PRESENTATION TO THE DOCTOR OR DENTIST WHEN SEEKING TREATMENT.
THE CARD ALSO INDICATES WHETHER THE HOLDER IS A RECIPIENT OF SOCIAL WELFARE ALLOWANCES SO THAT THE DOCTOR CAN FULLY ASSESS NEEDS.
"THE SCHEME HAS THE SUPPORT OF MANY REGISTERED DOCTORS AND DENTISTS IN THE DISTRICT AND SOME IN SHAU KEI WAN AND CHAI WAN WHO HAVE AGREED TO RENDER THEIR SERVICES TO THE ELDERLY WITH CONSIDERABLE CONCESSIONS," THE SPOKESMAN ADDED.
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ID CARD REMINDER FOR
« » »
MEN BORN IN 1957-58
t t
IN
THE IMMIGRATION DEPARTMENT 1957 AND 1958 TO APPLY FOR NEW
TODAY (THURSDAY) REMINDED MEN IDENTITY CARDS BEFORE APRIL 24.
BORN
"THERE WILL BE A LONG STRETCH OF PUBLIC HOLIDAYS DURING EASTER AND IT IS ANTICIPATED THAT THE ISSUE OFFICES WILL BE VERY CROWDED AFTER THESE HOLIDAYS," A SPOKESMAN FOR THE DEPARTMENT SAID.
"TO AVOID THE LAST-MINUTE RUSH, MEN OF THIS AGE GROUP WHO HAVE NOT YET APPLIED FOR A NEW IDENTITY CARD SHOULD COME FORWARD WITHOUT DELAY.
"FAILURE TO APPLY FOR A NEW IDENTITY CARD WITHIN THE SPECIFIED PERIOD IS AN OFFENCE LIABLE TO A MAXIMUM FINE OF $3,000."
APPLICANTS CAN GO TO ANY ONE OF THE EIGHT NEW IDENTITY CARD ISSUE OFFICES TO RENEW THEIR IDENTITY CARDS.
/THESE OFFICES
THURSDAY, MARCH 24, 1988
- 18 -
THESE OFFICES ARE OPEN FROM 8 AM TO 9.30 PM DAILY, EXCEPT SUNDAYS AND PUBLIC HOLIDAYS.
"AS THE ISSUE OFFICES ARE VERY CROWDED IN THE EVENINGS, APPLICANTS ARE ADVISED TO GO THERE IN THE MORNINGS AND AFTERNOONS TO AVOID HAVING TO QUEUE UP FOR A LONG TIME OR TO COME BACK ON ANOTHER DAY,” THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
THEY MAY MAKE USE OF THE PHONE-IN SERVICE TO ARRANGE FOR AN APPOINTMENT BY CALLING THE OFFICE OF THEIR CHOICE.
THE ADDRESSES AND TELEPHONE NUMBERS OF THE ISSUE OFFICES ARE:
HONG KONG : BASEMENT, 151 GLOUCESTER ROAD, WAN CHAI. TEL. NO. 5-747070
EAST KOWLOON : AMOY PLAZA, SECOND FLOOR, 77 NGAU TAU KOK ROAD. TEL. NO. 3-7553679
WEST KOWLOON : CANTON ROAD GOVERNMENT OFFICES, SECOND FLOOR, 393 CANTON ROAD, YAU MA TEI. TEL. NO. 3-7232424
TSUEN WAN : EAST ASIA COMMERCIAL CENTRE, GROUND FLOOR, 29-37 TSUEN FU STREET. TEL. NO. 0-4981259
SHA TIN : SHATIN CENTRE, PODIUM FLOOR, 2-16 WANG POK STREET. TEL. NO. 0-6059108
YUEN LONG ; HOP YICK CENTRE, SECOND FLOOR, 31 HOP YICK ROAD. TEL. NO. 0-793291
TUEN MUN : CHI LOK COMMERCIAL CENTRE, GROUND FLOOR, CHI LOK FA YUEN. TEL. NO. 0-4580862
SHEUNG SHUI : TSUEN WO TAI LAU, GROUND FLOOR, 82-84 SAN FUNG AVENUE, SHEK WU HUI. TEL. NO. 0-927155
THE SPOKESMAN ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS. REITERATED THAT THERE WOULD BE NO AMNESTY FOR
----o ---------
/19........
THURSDAY, MARCH 24, 1988
- 19 -
PERFORMANCE BY DANCE CONTEST WINNERS » * » * *
FOURTEEN WINNING TEAMS OF THE 17TH OPEN DANCE CONTEST WILL PERFORM AT THE CITY HALL CONCERT HALL IN THE EVENING OF APRIL 4 (MONDAY).
DURING THE TWO-HOUR SHOW, THE WINNERS, SELECTED FROM 107 TEAMS IN THE TERRITORY-WIDE CONTEST HELD IN JANUARY, WILL PERFORM A VARIETY OF DANCES, INCLUDING WESTERN, ORIENTAL, CLASSICAL AND MODERN.
TICKETS FOR THE SHOW, AT $10, $20 AND $30, ARE AVAILABLE AT ROOM 309 OF THE KWUN TONG DISTRICT OFFICE IN TUNG YAN STREET.
THE OPEN DANCE CONTEST WAS JOINTLY ORGANISED BY THE KWUN TONG DISTRICT OFFICE AND THE KWUN TONG DISTRICT CULTURE AND RECREATION PROMOTION ASSOCIATION WITH ASSISTANCE FROM THE URBAN COUNCIL. IT WAS SPONSORED BY THE KWUN TONG ROTARY CLUB.
------O-------
SPECIAL TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS FOR RUGBY TOURNAMENT ♦ * t * »
THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT HAS ANNOUNCED THAT SPECIAL TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS WILL BE IMPLEMENTED IN HAPPY VALLEY ON SATURDAY (MARCH 26) AND SUNDAY (MARCH 27) FOR THE RUGBY TOURNAMENT AT THE HONG KONG STADIUM.
THE FOLLOWING ARRANGEMENTS WILL BE IMPLEMENTED FROM 8.30 AM ON BOTH DAYS AND WILL REMAIN IN FORCE UNTIL THE CROWDS HAVE DISPERSED AT AROUND 7.30 PM:
» CAROLINE HILI, ROAD BETWEEN LINK ROAD AND STADIUM PATH WILL BE ROUTED ONE-WAY SOUTHBOUND;
» CAROLINE HILL ROAD BETWEEN EASTERN HOSPITAL ROAD AND COTTON PATH WILL BE CLOSED TO TRAFFIC EXCEPT VEHICLES FOR LOCAL ACCESS;
t CAROLINE HILL ROAD BETWEEN COTTON PATH AND LEIGHTON ROAD/PENNINGTON STREET WILL BE ROUTED ONE-WAY NORTHBOUND;
» EASTERN HOSPITAL ROAD BETWEEN STADIUM PATH AND TUNG LO WAN ROAD WILL BE ROUTED ONE-WAY NORTHBOUND; BUT VEHICLES MAY PROCEED TO THE ST PAUL’S HOSPITAL CARPARK FROM TUNG LO WAN ROAD;
/X ON SATURDAY
THURSDAY, MARCH 24, 1988
20
* ON SATURDAY ONLY, LOWER BROADWOOD ROAD BETWEEN UPPER BROADWOOD ROAD AND WONG NAI CHUNG ROAD WILL BE ROUTED ONE-WAY UPHILL; VEHICLES FROM UPPER BROADWOOD ROAD AND LEIGHTON HILL SHALL PROCEED DOWN VIA LINK ROAD TO CAROLINE HILL ROAD, AND VEHICLES COMING DOWN FROM LINK ROAD TO CAROLINE HILL ROAD MUST TURN LEFT TO LEIGHTON ROAD;
♦ ON SUNDAY, LINK ROAD BETWEEN CAROLINE HILL ROAD AND HAPPY VIEW TERRACE WILL BE ROUTED ONE-WAY UPHILL; VEHICLES FROM UPPER SECTION OF BROADWOOD ROAD, HAPPY VIEW TERRACE AND LEIGHTON HILL SHALL PROCEED DOWN VIA BROADWOOD ROAD TO WONG NAI CHUNG ROAD.
♦ AT THE BEGINNING OF THE LAST MATCH, ONLY COACHES OR BUSES WILL BE ALLOWED TO ENTER EASTERN HOSPITAL ROAD NORTHBOUND FOR STACKING PURPOSES.
BETWEEN 7 AM AND 8 PM ON THE TWO DAYS, MATHESON STREET,
RUSSELL STREET AND SHARP STREET EAST WILL BE PROHIBITED TO LEARNER
DRIVERS.
ALL LEARNER DRIVERS WILL NOT BE ALLOWED TO TURN LEFT FROM
PERCIVAL STREET SOUTHBOUND INTO LEIGHTON ROAD EASTBOUND OR ENTER TUNG
LO WAN ROAD FROM CAUSEWAY ROAD.
DURING THE SAME PERIODS, ALL ON-STREET CAR PARKING SPACES IN SUN WUI ROAD, STADIUM PATH, AND THE UNNAMED SERVICE ROAD AROUND THE STADIUM WILL BE SUSPENDED.
PUBLIC LIGHT BUSES WILL BE PERMITTED TO STOP FOR WAITING AT SUN WUI ROAD AS DIRECTED BY THE POLICE.
0
PROHIBITED ZONE, U-TURN BAN » ♦ ♦ ♦ »
FROM 5 AM ON SATURDAY (MARCH 26), ALL VEHICLES EXCEPT FRANCHISED BUSES WILL' BE BANNED FROM ENTERING THE TAI PO KCR STATION BUS TERMINUS AT ANY TIME OF THE DAY.
MEANWHILE, FROM 9 AM ON SUNDAY (MARCH 27) TO 6 AM ON THURSDAY (MARCH 31), MOTORISTS ON WATERLOO ROAD SOUTHBOUND WILL NOT BE ALLOWED TO MAKE U-TURNS ON TO WATERLOO ROAD NORTHBOUND OUTSIDE THE KOWLOON HOSPITAL.
THE MEASURE WILL FACILITATE RECONSTRUCTION OF THE PRINCESS MARGARET ROAD FLYOVER. THE SAME ARRANGEMENT WILL BE IN FORCE AGAIN FROM 10 PM ON THURSDAY TO 6 AM THE NEXT DAY.
MOTORISTS ON WATERLOO ROAD SOUTHBOUND HEADING FOR WATERLOO ROAD NORTHBOUND WILL BE DIVERTED VIA PRINCESS MARGARET ROAD, SHEUNG HING STREET, PUI CHING ROAD AND WATERLOO ROAD NORTHBOUND.
- - 0---------
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE. HONG KONG. TEL: 5-8428777
FRIDAY, MARCH 25, 1988
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
NORTH DISTRICT: A SLEEPING GIANT WITH VAST POTENTIAL........ 1
EASY TRAVEL SCHEME TO BENEFIT MORE PEOPLE...................... 3
HALL TO ACT AS DIRECTOR OF MARINE .............................. 4
BRIEFINGS BEING HELD FOR LIVESTOCK FARMERS ..................... 5
WORK OF CORRECTIONAL PANEL TO BE EXPANDED....................... 5
DEVICE TO MINIMISE ELECTRICITY LEAKAGE DANGERS ................. 7
SPORTS AID FOUNDATION INVITES APPLICATIONS ..................... 8
EX-GRATIA COMPENSATION RaTES FOR NT LAND RAISED................. 9
PASSING OUT PARADE OF IMMIGRATION RECRUITS ..................... 9
HK'S FIRE SERVICES AN EFFICIENT BRIGADE........................ 10
MORE AIDED NURSERIES IN PIPELINE.............................. .11
SURVEY OF EMPLOYMENT, VACANCIES, PAYROLL STARTED .............. 12
LIST OF 1989 GENERAL HOLIDAYS PUBLISHED........................ 13
NEWSPAPER, NEWS AGENCY REGISTRATION FEES REVISED .............. 14
ROaD WORKS TO IMPROVE ACCESS TO F.-JILING RAILWAY STATION ... 15
REGULATIONS CONCERNING PLATINUM MARKING GAZETTED .............. 16
FIRING PRACTICE IN APRIL....................................... 17
AMENDMENTS TO THE DRAFT OUTLINE ZONING PLaN ................... 18
HK ISLAND TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS FOR CHING MING.................. 18
TEMPORARY ROAD CLOSURE AT AIRPORT ............................. 20
TEMPORARY NIGHT CLOSURE OF TSING LUN ROAD ..................... 20
FRIDAY, MARCH 25, 1988
NORTH DISTRICT: A SLEEPING GIANT WITH VAST POTENTIAL t ♦ » ♦ »
NORTH DISTRICT, WHICH COMPRISES SHEUNG SHU1 , FANLING, SHA TAD KOK AND TA KWU LING, IS A SLEEPING GIANT, A DEVELOPING AND PULSAT1VE AREA WITH VAST POTENTIAL FOR DEVELOPMENT, THE DISTRICT OFFICER, MR MATTHEW CHEUNG, SAID TODAY (FRIDAY).
SPEAKING AT THE ANNUAL SPEECH DAY OF THE SHA TAU KOK GOVERNMENT SECONDARY SCHOOL, MR CHEUNG REVIEWED THE DISTRICT'S OVERALL DEVELOPMENTS, AND LOOKED AHEAD INTO THE FUTURE.
’’NORTH DISTRICT IS FAR FROM BEING THE BACKWATER OF HONG KONG. NOR IS IT SIMPLY A QUIET RURAL COMMUNITY TUCKED AWAY AT THE RELATIVELY INACCESSIBLE BORDER AREA," HE STRESSED.
’’INDEED, WITH THE DEVELOPMENT OF SHA TIN AND TAJ PO MORE OR LESS COMPLETED, THE THRUST OF DEVELOPMENT HAS SHIFTED NORTHWARDS ALONG THE RAIL LINE TO NORTH DISTRICT," HE SAID.
OUTLINING THE REDEVELOPMENT OF THE BORDER TOWNSHIP OF SHA TAU KOK WITHIN THE FRONTIER CLOSED AREA, HE SAID A LOW DENSITY RURAL TOWNSHIP COMPLETE WITH DECENT AND LOW-COST PUBLIC HOUSING, MODERN AMENITIES AND FACILITIES WAS TAKING SHAPE.
’’THE $200 MILLION FACELIFT WILL SUBSTANTIALLY UPGRADE THE LIVING CONDITIONS OF THE 3,900 PEOPLE LIVING IN THE TWO SHANTY SQUATTER SETTLEMENTS OF YIM LIU HA AND TSOI YUEN KOK," HE ADDED.
CONSTRUCTION OF PHASE I OF THE SHA TAU KOK RURAL PUBLIC HOUSING WILL BE COMPLETED IN JUNE, PROVIDING DECENT ACCOMMODATION AT A VERY LOW RENTAL FOR 1,500 PEOPLE FROM YIM LIU HA.
PHASE II IS SCHEDULED FOR COMPLETION IN DECEMBER, WHILE THE REMAINING TWO PHASES WILL COME ON STREAM IN MARCH 1989 AND EARLY 1990 RESPECTIVELY.
A $11 MILLION CENTRAL PRIMARY SCHOOL, EQUIPPED WITH MODERN FACILITIES, WOULD OPEN IN SEPTEMBER TO CATER FOR PUPILS FROM THE EXISTING SHA TAU KOK FISH MARKETING ORGANISATION SCHOOL AND FOUR RURAL SCHOOLS OUTSIDE THE FRONTIER CLOSED AREA, MR CHEUNG SAID.
"TRANSPORT SUBSIDIES WILL BE PROVIDED BY THE GOVERNMENI I* OR PUPILS LIVING OUTSIDE THE CLOSED AREA TO ATTEND THIS SCHOOL, IN EI NE WITH THE GOVERNMENT'S POLICY FOR CENTRAL PRIMARY SCHOOLS IN REMOTER PARTS OF THE NEW TERRITORIES," HE ADDED.
THERE WILL ALSO BE AN AIR-CONDITIONED COMMUNITY HALL WITH A PUBLIC ENQUIRY SERVICE CENTRE IN SHA TAU KOK TOWN BY THE END OF THIS YEAR.
THE HALL WOULD PROVIDE A BASE FOR IHE NORTH DISTRICT OFFICE TO BRING ITS SERVICE ’1’0 IHE DOORSTEPS OF THE RESIDENTS WIIHIN IHE FRONTIER CLOSED AREA AND IIS N EIGIIBOUR1 NG ISLANDS, HE NOTED.
/TO RELIEVE .......
FRIDAY, MARCH 25, 1988
2
TO RELIEVE THE SHORTAGE OF RECREATIONAL AND SPORTS AMENITIES IN SHA TAU KOK TOWN, A SIZABLE RECREATIONAL GROUND PROVIDING A SEVEN-A-SIDE SOCCER PITCH, TWO BASKETBALL COURTS, A CHILDREN’S PLAY AREA AND A JOGGING TRAIL IS NEARING COMPLETION.
A SEWAGE TREATMENT PLANT WILL BE IN OPERATION IN JUNE TO TIE IN WITH THE REDEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME.
FOR THE BENEFIT OF THE FISHING FLEET IN SHA TAU KOK, A PERMANENT SHELTERED ANCHORAGE WILL ALSO BE PROVIDED.
TURNING TO THE DEVELOPMENT OF FANLING/SHEUNG SHU1 NEW TOWN WHICH CURRENTLY ACCOMMODATED 110,000 PEOPLE, MR CHEUNG NOTED THAT THE GOVERNMENT HAD SPENT OVER $3 BILLION SO FAR, AND ANOTHER $3 BILLION WOULD BE INVESTED IN THE NEXT FEW YEARS.
HE SAID ON FULL DEVELOPMENT BY THE TURN OF THE CENTURY, THE POPULATION OF NORTH DISTRICT, WHICH AT PRESENT STOOD AT 150,000, WOULD RISE TO A STAGGERING 320,000.
ON TRANSPORT FACILITIES, MR CHEUNG SAID THE NEW TOWN’S ACCESSIBILITY TO THE METROPOLITAN AREA HAD BEEN GREATLY IMPROVED UPON COMPLETION OF THE 3.9 KILOMETRE FANLING BYPASS IN MID-1985 AT A COST OF $180 MILLION.
ANOTHER SECTION OF THE NEW TERRITORIES CIRCULAR ROAD FROM FAN KAM IN SIIEUNG SHU1 TO AU TAU IN YUEN LONG WAS COMPLETED UP TO KAM TSIN AND KWU TUNG IN SIIEUNG SHU I IN APRIL LAST YEAR, HF. ADDED.
THIS WILL EVENTUALLY LINK UP WITH THE ACCESS ROAD TO THE FUTURE NEW BORDER CROSSING POINT AT LOK M\ (HAU.
IN ADDITION, WIDENING Ol MAN KAM TO ROAD INTO A STANDARD THREE-LANE CARRIAGEWAY WITH I WO LANES FOR CH I NA-BOUND TRAFFIC AND ONE LANE FOR HONG KONG-BOUND TRAFFIC WILL BE COMPLETED BY MAY.
WORK WILL START EARLY NEXT YEAR TO UPGRADE SHA TAU KOK ROAD TO A STANDARD DUAL CARRIAGEWAY.
WITH REGARD TO HOUSING, MR CHEUNG SAID NEARLY 60 PER CENT OF THE FANL ING-SHEUNG SIIU1 NEW I OWN POPULATION WERE BEING ACCOMMODATED IN THE PUBLIC HOUSING SECTOR.
TWO PUBLIC HOUSING ESTATES ARE NOW UNDER CONSTRUCTION AND WORK ON ANOTHER ONE WILL BEGIN EARLY NEXT YEAR.
TO KEEP ABREAST WITH THE NEEDS OF A GROWING POPULATION IN THE NEW TOWN, III-' SAID, A FULL RANGE OF COMMUNITY FACILITIES INCLUDING A 1,200-BED DISTRICT HOSPITAL NEAR Clio I YUEN ESTATE AND A $100 MILLION MAJOR SPORTS COMPLEX NEAR SHEK WU HUI IN SIIEUNG SHU I WOULD BE BUILT.
THERE WILL ALSO BE A 13-HECTARE TOWN PARK WITH AN ORIENTAL-STYLE ARTIFICIAL LAKE, SPORTS GROUND AND SITTING-OUT AREAS STRADDLING SHEK WU HUI \ND LUEN WO HUI IN FANLING.
/HE ADDED .......
FRIDAY, MARCH 25, 1988
HE ADDED THAT ON COMPLETION OF A $52-MJLLION SEVEN-STOREY NORTH DISTRICT GOVERNMENT OFFICES BUILDING IN FANLING IN MID-1990, IT WOULD BRING UNDER ONE ROOF NEARLY ALL GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENT OFFICES INVOLVED IN THE SMOOTH OPERATION OF DISTRICT AFFAIRS.
MR CHEUNG STRESSED THAT IN REDEVELOPING SHA TAU KOK TOWN AND DEVELOPING FANLING-SHEUNG SHU I NEW TOWN, THE GOVERNMENT HAD NEVER DISREGARDED THE NEED TO IMPROVE THE ENVIRONMENT OF THE I 16 VILLAGES IN NORTH DISTRICT AS A PARALLEL EXERCISE.
MUCH HAD ALREADY BEEN DONE
THE PAST THROUGH THE LOCAL
PUBLIC WORKS PROGRAMME ADMINISTERED BY THE NORTH DISTRICT OFFICE. MORE WILL BE DONE IN THE FUTURE,” HE CONCLUDED.
- 0 -
EASY TRAVEL SCHEME TO BENEFIT MORE PEOPLE t ♦ ♦ t ♦
FROM APRIL 1, ADULT HOLDERS OF VALID HONG KONG PERMANENT IDENTITY CARDS WHICH DO NOT BEAR THE SYMBOL WILL ALSO BE EXEMPTED FROM PRODUCING THEIR TRAVEL DOCUMENTS WHEN PASSING THROUGH HONG KONG’S COMPUTERISED CONTROL POINTS ON JOURNEYS TO AND FROM CHINA AND MACAU
THIS WAS ANNOUNCED BY THE IMMIGRATION DEPARTMENT TODAY (FRIDAY).
UNDER THE CURRENT EASY TRAVEL SCHEME (ETS), ALL TRAVELLERS USING HONG KONG PERMANENT IDENTITY CARDS (HKPIC) OR HONG KONG IDENTITY CARDS (HKIC) AT COMPUTERISED CONTROL POINTS DO NOT HAVE TO COMPLETE ARRIVAL/DEPARTURE CARDS.
BUT ONLY THOSE HOLDING IDENTITY CARDS WITH SYMBOL CAN FURTHER BENEFIT FROM THE SCHEME BY BEING EXEMPTED FROM PRODUCING A HONG KONG RE-ENTRY PERMIT.
’’AFTER NECESSARY ADJUSTMENTS TO THE SYSTEM, HOLDERS OF VALID PERMANENT IDENTITY CARDS WITHOUT THE ♦ »» SYMBOL WHO ARE OF THE AGE OF 18 OR OVER, CAN NOW ALSO BE EXEMPTED FROM PRODUCING THEIR TRAVEL DOCUMENTS WHEN PASSING THROUGH HONG KONG’S COMPUTERISED CONTROL POINTS ON THEIR WAY TO AND FROM CHINA AND MACAU," A SPOKESMAN FOR THE DEPARTMENT SAID.
’’HOWEVER, TRAVELLERS IN THIS CATEGORY ARE REMINDED THAT THEY SHOULD ENSURE THAT THEY ARE PROPERLY DOCUMENTED FOR THEIR DESTINATIONS.”
/HE ADDED
FRIDAY, MARCH 25, 1988
4
HE ADDED THAT TRAVELLERS WHO DO NOT USE THEIR HKPIC'S OR HKIC’S WHEN PASSING THROUGH COMPUTERISED CONTROL POINTS SHOULD PRODUCE TRAVEL DOCUMENTS AND COMPLETE ARRIVAL/DEPARTURE CARDS.
THE EASY TRAVEL SCHEME TO MACAU HAS BEEN IN OPERATION AT THE MACAU FERRY TERMINAL AND SHAM SHUI PO PIER SINCE MAY 1 LAST YEAR.
IT IS ALSO OPERATIONAL AT LO WU, HUNG HOM, MAN KAM TO AND SHA TAU KOK IMMIGRATION CONTROL POINTS FOR TRAVEL TO CHINA.
IT IS, HOWEVER, NOT AVAILABLE AT THE TAI KOK TSUI PIER AND HONG KONG-CHINA FERRY TERMINAL IN CENTRAL AS THESE ARE ONLY TEMPORARY IMMIGRATION CONTROL POINTS AND THEREFORE WOULD NOT BE COMPUTERISED.
’’ALL CHILDREN UNDER 18 AND ADULTS WHOSE IDENTITY CARDS HAVE BEEN PERFORATED, DEFACED, LOST OR THOSE WHO ARE EXEMPTED FROM IDENTITY CARDS SHOULD TRAVEL ON PROPER TRAVEL DOCUMENTS WHEN PASSING THROUGH THE COMPUTERISED CONTROL POINTS,” THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
”TO HELP REDUCE WAITING TIME AT CONTROL POINTS, PARENTS ARE REQUESTED TO COMPLETE ARR1VAL/DEPARTURE CARDS ON BEHALF OF THEIR CHILDREN WHO DO NOT YET HAVE IDENTITY CARDS.”
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HALL TO ACT AS DIRECTOR OF MARINE ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦
THE GOVERNMENT ANNOUNCED TODAY (FRIDAY) THAT MR DERICK A. HALL WILL BE APPOINTED TO ACT AS DIRECTOR OF MARINE ON APRIL 1 THIS YEAR WHEN MR GERALD HIGGINSON LEAVES THE DEPARTMENT. MR HALL IS CURRENTLY DEPUTY DIRECTOR OF MARINE.
FOLLOWING ARE BRIEF BIOGRAPHICAL NOTES ON MR HALL:
AGED 50. MR HALL JOINED THE CIVIL SERVICE IN NOVEMBER 1965 AS A SURVEYOR OF SHIPS IN THE MARINE DEPARTMENT. HE WAS PROMOTED TO DEPUTY DIRECTOR IN NOVEMBER 1984.
MR HALL HAS ACTED AS DIRECTOR OF MARINE ON MANY PREVIOUS OCCASIONS.
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/5
FRIDAY, MARCH 25, 1988
BRIEFINGS BEING HELD FOR LIVESTOCK FARMERS » * t ♦ ♦
THE GOVERNMENT HAS ORGANISED A SERIES OF BRIEFING SESSIONS FOR LIVESTOCK FARMERS IN CONNECTION WITH THE LIVESTOCK WASTE CONTROL SCHEME, WHICH WILL BE INTRODUCED ON JUNE 21 THIS YEAR.
THE FIRST BRIEFING WAS HELD IN THE MUI WO RURAL COMMITTEE OFFICE, LANTAU, THIS (FRIDAY) MORNING.
THIRTY LIVESTOCK FARMERS WERE BRIEFED BY OFFICERS FROM THE ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION DEPARTMENT ON LATEST DEVELOPMENTS UNDER THE CONTROL SCHEME.
A SECOND BRIEFING HAS BEEN ARRANGED FOR LIVESTOCK FARMERS IN ANGLER’S BEACH ON MONDAY (MARCH 28) IN THE PAI MIN KOK VILLAGE OFFICE.
SIMILAR BRIEFINGS ARE IN THE PIPELINE FOR LIVESTOCK FARMERS IN TAJ PO LAM CHUEN, TAJ PO KAU, KWUN YUM SHAN, MAU TSO NGAM AND MAU TAK VILLAGE. THEY ARE PLANNED FOR NEXT MONTH.
A CITY AND NEW TERRITORIES ADMINISTRATION SPOKESMAN SAID THAT FOLLOWING PROMULGATION OF THE LIVESTOCK WASTE DISPOSAL REGULATIONS, CONCERNED DEPARTMENTS HAD RECEIVED A CONSIDERABLE NUMBER OF ENQUIRIES FROM FARMERS.
THIS BRIEFING EXERCISE WOULD GIVE FARMERS A CHANCE TO ASK QUESTIONS DIRECTLY AND ALSO PROVIDE A VENUE FOR GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS TO EXPLAIN TO FARMERS THE LATEST DEVELOPMENTS UNDER THE CONTROL SCHEME.
THE BRIEFING EXERCISE HAS BEEN JOINTLY ORGANISED BY THE LIAISON SECTION OF CNTA SPECIAL DUTIES DIVISION AND THE ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECT I ON DEPARTMENT.
- - 0 -
WORK OF CORRECTIONAL PANEL TO BE EXPANDED t t » * *
THE WORK OF THE YOUNG OFFENDER ASSESSMENT PANEL WILL BE EXPANDED TO COVER ALL COURTS, THE COMMISSIONER OF CORRECTIONAL SERVICES, MR CHAN WA-SHEK, SAID TODAY (FRIDAY).
SPEAKING AT A CORRECTIONAL STAFF PARADE HELD AT THE STAFF TRAINING INSTITUTE IN STANLEY, MR CHAN SAID THE YOUNG OFFENDER ASSESSMENT PANEL AT PRESENT DEALT ONLY WITH CASES FROM THE CENTRAL MAGISTRACY AND THE JUVENILE COURTS.
/IT WAS
FRIDAY, MARCH 25, 1988
IT WAS SET UP LAST APRIL OT RECOMMEND APPROPRIATE SENTENCES AND TREATMENT FOR YOUNG OFFENDERS.
"IN 1987, THE PANEL HANDLED A TOTAL OF 133 CASES AND, IN VIEW OF ITS SUCCESS, PLANS ARE IN HAND TO EXPAND ITS ACTIVITIES TO COVER ALL COURTS," MR CHAN SAID.
MEMBERS OF THE PANEL INCLUDE PROFESSIONALS FROM THE CORRECTIONAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT AND THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT.
THE COMMISSIONER ALSO SAID THE REVAMPED YOUNG OFFENDER’S PROGRAMME TO IMPROVE FURTHER EDUCATION AND VOCATIONAL TRAINING FOR INMATES, INTRODUCED BY THE DEPARTMENT LAST YEAR, WAS MAKING GOOD PROGRESS.
"IT IS ENCOURAGING TO KNOW THAT INMATES CONTINUE TO PERFORM VERY WELL INDEED IN PUBLIC EXAMINATIONS," HE SAID.
MR CHAN SAID THE INCLUSION OF SCOUTING IN TRAINING CENTRES IN THE PAST TWO YEARS HAD ALSO YIELDED PROMISING RESULTS.
THE SCOUTS HAD DONE WELL IN THE HONG KONG ANNUAL SCOUT RALLY LAST YEAR.
MR CHAN NOTED THAT TWO SCOUTS FROM TRAINING CENTRES WERE SELECTED TO TAKE PART IN THE 16TH WORLD JAMBOREE HELI) IN AUSTRALIA IN DECEMBER.
IN ADDITION, 24 OTHERS HAI) SUCCESSFULLY COMPLETED THE "YOUTH AT RISK" PROGRAMME CONDUCTED BY THE OUTWARD BOUND SCHOOL, A PIONEER COURSE ORGANISED FOR INMATES.
THE COMMISSIONER REFERRED TO PROGRESS IN ADOPTING TWO REHABILITATION PROGRAMMES FOR PRISONERS - THE RELEASE UNDER SUPERVISION SCHEME AND THE PRE-RELEASE EMPLOYMENT SCHEME.
PREPARATORY WORK ON THE SCHEMES WAS UNDERWAY AND BOTH WERE EXPECTED TO BEGIN OPERATION IN JULY.
THE SCHEMES ARE.INTENDED TO HELP PRISONERS TO RE-INTEGRATE INTO THE COMMUNITY.
"APPLICANTS WILL BE CAREFULLY SCREENED, AND I MUST STRESS THAT PRISONERS SO DISCHARGED WILL Bl- UNDER CLOSE SUPERVISION," MR CHAN SAID.
HE ALSO DISCLOSED THAI' THE DEPARTMENT HAD LAUNCHED A NUMBER OF RESEARCH PROJECTS DURING THE YEAR TO FURTHER EXPLORE DIFFERENT ASPECTS OF OFFENDERS’ BEHAVIOUR, RESPONSES TO TREATMENT, RECIDIVISM AND OTHER RELATED AREAS.
THE FINDINGS HAD CONTRI BUTE!) CONSIDERABLY TOWARDS FURTHER REFINEMENT OF EXISTING CORRECTIONAL PROGRAMMES.
/’’ONE OF
FRIDAY, MARCH 25 • 1988
’’ONE OF THE AREAS BEING LOOKED INTO CONCERNS THE SERVICES AVAILABLE TO EX-ADULT OFFENDERS FOLLOWING THEIR RELEASE FROM PRISON, AND THIS IS BELIEVED TO HAVE SOME BEARING ON RECIDIVISM,” MR CHAN ADDED. J
AT TODAY’S CEREMONY, THE COMMISSIONER PRESENTED CLASPS TO THE COLONIAL PRISON SERVICE MEDAL TO 33 VETERAN STAFF. THE RECIPIENTS HAVE A TOTAL OF 914 YEARS OF EXEMPLARY SERVICE WITH I HE DEPARTMENT.
IN ADDITION, THERE WAS A PASSING-OUT OF 51 RECRUIT OFFICERS WHO HAVE COMPLETED SIX MONTHS OF BASIC TRAINING AT THE DEPARTMENT’S STAFF TRAINING INSTITUTE.
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DEVICE TO MINIMISE ELECTRICITY LEAKAGE DANGERS ♦ t ♦ ♦ ♦
THE DANGERS OF ELECTRICITY LEAKAGE CAN BE GREATLY MINIMISED BY THE INSTALLATION OF A RESIDUAL CURRENT DEVICE (RCD).
THIS WAS STATED TODAY (FRIDAY) BY THE ASSISTANT TUI FLFCTRICAL AND MECHANICAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT, MR TONG V|THF OPENING CEREMONY OF AN "INSTALLATION IMPROVEMENT ORGANISED BY THE DEPARTMENT AT THE CITY HALL THEATRE.
DIRECTOR OF
KIN-WAH, SEMINAR”
MR TONG EXPLAINED THAT J'HE SAFETY DEVICE ELECTRICITY SUPPLY WHEN IT DETECTED A LEAKAGE UP PREDETERMINED LEVEL. HENCE, CONSUMERS WERE, TO A PROTECTED FROM THE RISK OF BEING ELECTROCUTED.
CUT OFF THE
TO A CERTAIN
LARGE EXTENT,
HF SAID ELECTRICITY LEAKAGE WAS THE MAJOR CAUSE OF MANY ELECTRICAL ACCIDENTS, RESULTING IN ELECTROCUTION AND SHOCK.
THIS APPLIED TO ALL TYPES OF ELECTRICAI DOMESTIC, COMMERCIAL AND INDUSTRIAL BUILDINGS AND CONSTRUCTION SITES WHERE RISKS WERE THE HIGHEST.
INSTALLATIONS
IN PARTICULAR,
IN IN
IT IS ENCOURAGING TO
ELECTRICAL ACCIDENTS OCCURRED PROPER!.Y INSTALLED AND FUNCTIONING,
FIND AT
FROM PAST INSTALLATIONS MR TONG SAID.
RECORDS THAT
WHERE RCD’S
FEW
WERE
AI THOUGH UNDER THE SUPPLY COMPANIES’ SUPPLY RULES, SOCKET OUTIFTS OF ALL NEW INSTALLATIONS AFTER JANUARY 1, 1985, WERE REQUIRED yiTimmu S E™. OVBB A HXLLIOH EXISTING INSTALLATIONS HAD NOT YET HAD THE SAFETY DEVICE INSTALLED.
/ATTENDING TODAY’S
FRIDAY, MARCH 2?, 1988
- 8
ATTENDING- TODAY’S SEMINAR WERE ABOUT 300 LOCAL ELECTRICAL CONTRACTORS, MOST OF THEM MEMBERS OF THE HONG KONG ELECTRICAL CONTRACTORS ’ ASSOC I AT J ON.
THEY WERE GIVEN AN IN-DEPTH LECTURE ON THE USE OF THE SAFETY DEVICE AND WERE ENCOURAGED TO ADVISE THEIR CONSUMERS TO INSTALL RCD’S FOR THEIR ADDED SAFETY.
REPRESENTATIVES OF THE TWO MAIN POWER COMPANIES ALSO PRESENTED TECHNICAL PAPERS ON THE SUBJECT.
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SPORTS AID FOUNDATION INVITES APPLICATIONS » » » » »
LOCAL AMATEUR SPORTSMEN REQUIRING FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE CAN NOW APPLY TO THE SPORTS AID FOUNDATION, A SPOKESMAN FOR THE NEWLY FORMED SPORTS AID COMMITTEE OF THE COUNCIL FOR RECREATION AND SPORT ANNOUNCED TODAY (FRI DAY I.
SET UP WITH A $10 MILLION DONATION FROM THE ROYAL HONG KONG JOCKEY CLUB, THE FOUNDATION AIMS TO ASSIST ATHLETES WITH PROVEN ABILITY, OR WHO ARE CONSIDERED TO HAVE THE NECESSARY POTENTIAL, TO ACHI EVI' HIGHER STANDARDS IN THEIR CHOSEN SPORT.
THE SPOKESMAN SAID ASSISTANCE WILL BE AVAILABLE TO MEET A VARIETY OF EXPENSES, INCLUDING THE PURCHASE OF EQUIPMENT, AND EXPENSES CONNECTED WITH TRAINING AND ATTENDANCE IN COMPETITIONS, EITHER LOCALLY OR OVERSEAS.
APPLICATION FORMS CAN BE OBTAINED FROM THE SECRETARY OF THE SPORTS AID COMMITTEE, 11TH FLOOR, WING ON CENTRE, ill CONNAUGHT ROAD CENTRAL, HONG KONG; OR FROM GOVERNING BODIES OF SPORT. ENQUIRIES CAN BE MADE ON 5-4 5851 1 .
COMPLETED FORMS SHOULD NORMALLY BE SUBMITTED TO THE SPORTS AID COMMITTEE THROUGH THE APPROPRIATE GOVERNING BODY. THE FIRST BATCH OF APPLICATIONS WILL BE CONSIDERED IN APRIL AND GRANTS WILL BE DISBURSED THE SAME MONTH, THE SPOKESMAN ADDED.
THE SPORTS AID COMMITTEE OF THE COUNCIL FOR RECREATION AND SPORT ALSO ADMINISTERS THE SPORTS AID FOR THE DISABLED FUND, WHICH PROVIDES SIMILAR ASSISTANCE TO DISABLED ATHLETES.
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/9........
FRIDAY, MARCH 25, 1988
EX-GRATIA COMPENSATION RATES FOR NT LAND RAISED
* * * » *
THE GOVERNMENT TODAY (FRIDAY) ANNOUNCED THAT EX-GRATIA COMPENSATION RATES FOR THE ACQUISITION OF LAND IN THE NEW TOWN DEVELOPMENT AREAS OF THE NEW TERRITORIES WILL BE INCREASED FROM APRIL 1.
THE RATE FOR AGRICULTURAL LAND WILL BE $127.2 PER SQUARE FOOT, COMPARED WITH THE PRESENT RATE OF $109.2 PER SQUARE FOOT.
THE RATE FOR BUILDING LAND WILL BE INCREASED FROM THE PRESENT RATE OF $218.4 PER SQUARE FOOT TO $258 PER SQUARE FOOT.
THE GOVERNMENT ALSO ANNOUNCED THAT THE NEW CURRENCY VALUES OF NEW TERRITORIES LAND EXCHANGE ENTITLEMENTS (LETTERS A/D) WOULD COME INTO EFFECT FROM APRIL 1.
THE VALUES REPRESENT AN AVERAGE INCREASE OF 10 PER CENT OVER THE PRESENT CURRENCY VALUES, DEPENDING ON THE YEAR THE LETTER B WAS ISSUED.
------o ------
PASSING OUT PARADE OF IMMIGRATION RECRUITS * * * * *
THE SECRETARY FOR SECURITY, MR GEOFFREY BARNES, TODAY (FRIDAY) INSPECTED A BATCH OF 136 IMMIGRATION SERVICE RECRUITS AT THE DEPARTMENT’S PASSING OUT PARADE HELD AT THE AUXILIARY POLICE HEADQUARTERS IN KOWLOON BAY.
THIRTY-TWO ASSISTANT IMMIGRATION OFFICERS AND 104 IMMIGRATION ASSISTANTS HAVE COMPLETED INDUCTION COURSES WHICH COVERED A VARIETY OF SUBJECTS RANGING FROM IMMIGRATION LAWS AND PROCEDURES TO PHYSICAL EXERCISE AND FOOT-DRILL.
SPEAKING AT THE CEREMONY, MR BARNES SAID MEMBERS OF THE IMMIGRATION SERVICE WOULD CERTAINLY NEED TO BE PHYSICALLY FIT AND MENTALLY ALERT TO MEET THE CHALLENGE OF DUTIES THAT HAD BECOME - AND CONTINUED TO GROW - MORE COMPLEX.
HE NOTED THAT THEY HAD TO FACE AN INCREASING WORKLOAD OF LEGAL AND ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS AS WELL AS A SIGNIFICANT INCREASE IN TOURISTS. THERE WERE ALSO OTHER, LESS WELCOME TRAVELLERS COMING TO ENGAGE IN ILLEGAL ACTIVITIES.
ALSO, THEY HAD TO DEAL WITH THE MORE PREVALENT USE OF FORGED TRAVEL DOCUMENTS, THE PROBLEM OF VIETNAMESE REFUGEES AND MANY OTHER DELICATE ISSUES.
/WITH THE
FRIDAY, MARCH 25 • 1988
10 -
WITH THE INTRODUCTION OF NEW IDENTITY CARDS, THE NEW BRITISH NATIONAL (OVERSEAS) PASSPORT AND THE ’’EASY TRAVEL SCHEME”, THE RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE IMMIGRATION SERVICE HAD CHANGED TO EMBRACE NEW TECHNOLOGIES AND THE APPLICATION OF COMPLICATED LEGISLATION WHICH TOUCHED THE LIVES OF EVERYONE IN HONG KONG, MR BARNES ADDED.
WHILE CONGRATULATING THE RECRUITS FOR THEIR SMART BEARING AND TURNOUT IN THE PARADE, HE REMINDED THEM THAT AS LAW-ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS, THEY WOULD BE WORKING UNDER PRESSURE - THE PRESSURE OF TIME AND THE PRESSURE OF THE LAW ITSELF.
THEY WOULD BE EXPECTED TO BE PROFICIENT AND TO COMBINE THEIR PROFESSIONAL SKILLS WITH, HUMANITY, COURTESY AND FLEXIBILITY, MR BARNES SAID.
DURING THE CEREMONY, BEST RECRUIT SHIELDS WERE PRESENTED TO THE BEST ALL-ROUND RECRUIT OF EACH OF THE SEVEN PASSING-OUT SQUADS ON PARADE.
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HK'S FIRE SERVICES AN EFFICIENT BRIGADE » ♦ * ♦ ♦
THE FINE REPUTATION OF THE HONG KONG FIRE SERVICES AS ONE OF THE MOST EFFICIENT FIRE BRIGADES IN THE WORLD IS THE RESULT OF HARD WORK AND EFFORTS OF THEIR PREDECESSORS, 26 GRADUATING STATION OFFICERS WERE TOLD TODAY (FRIDAY).
ADDRESSING A PASSING OUT PARADE OF THE OFFICERS HELD AT THE FIRE SERVICES TRAINING SCHOOL AT PAT HEUNG, NEW TERRITORIES, A LEADING BUSINESSMAN, DR CHENG YU-TUNG, SAID THAT MORE THAN 5,000 MEMBERS OF THE FIRE AND AMBULANCE SERVICES HAD PASSED OUT FROM THE TRAINING SCHOOL SINCE 1968.
“ALL OF THEM HAVE GREAT POTENTIAL, AND A HIGH STANDARD OF SKILL AND KNOWLEDGE AND ARE DECISIVE AND DEVOTED TO THEIR DUTIES,” HE SAID.
“THESE CAPABLE OFFICERS IN EACH AND EVERY GENERATION MADE IT POSSIBLE FOR THE FIRE SERVICES DEPARTMENT TO GROW AND EXPAND.”
“YOU MUST UPHOLD THIS EXCELLENT TRADITION,” DR CHENG ADDED.
AFTER REVIEWING THE PARADE, DR CHENG PRESENTED THE BEST RECRUIT AWARD TO STATION OFFICER KWOK CHI-FUNG.
- 0---------
FRIDAY, MARCH 25, 1988
- 11 -
MORE AIDED NURSERIES IN PIPELINE
*****
A FURTHER 48 AIDED NURSERIES ARE PLANNED TO START OPERATION DURING THE NEXT THREE YEARS, TAKING THE TOTAL NUMBER OF NURSERY PLACES TO WELL OVER 30,000, THE SECRETARY FOR HEALTH AND WELFARE, MR JOHN CHAMBERS, SAID TODAY (FRIDAY).
HE WAS OFFICIATING AT THE OPENING OF THE FONG TAM YUEN LEUNG NURSERY; WHICH IS THE 20TH NURSERY OPERATED BY THE PO LEUNG KUK.
MR CHAMBERS NOTED THERE WAS A GROWING DEMAND FOR NURSERY PLACES, MAINLY BECAUSE AN INCREASING NUMBER OF MOTHERS WITH YOUNG CHILDREN WERE WORKING.
AT PRESENT, THERE WERE 223 NURSERIES, OF WHICH 146 WERE AIDED, PROVIDING DAY CARE SERVICES FOR ABOUT 26,000 CHILDREN BETWEEN TWO AND SIX YEARS OLD.
"THESE NURSERIES OFFER YOUNG CHILDREN A HAPPY AND SECURE ENVIRONMENT WHERE THEY CAN PLAY TOGETHER UNDER THE SUPERVISION OF QUALIFIED CHILD CARE WORKERS," MR CHAMBERS SAID.
"WITH CREATIVE AND IMAGINATIVE PROGRAMMES, NURSERIES CAN ALSO PROVIDE CHILDREN WITH A VALUABLE FORM OF PRE-SCHOOL EDUCATION.
"THEY THEREFORE PLAY AN IMPORTANT ROLE IN SUPPLEMENTING PARENTAL CARE FOR YOUNG CHILDREN, PARTICULARLY IN SITUATIONS WHERE BOTH PARENTS GO OUT TO WORK, OR WHERE A SINGLE PARENT HAS TO SUPPORT YOUNG CHILDREN."
THE OPENING OF THE FONG TAM YUEN LEUNG NURSERY WILL PROVIDE 100 DAY CARE PLACES FOR CHILDREN OF FAMILIES MOVING INTO BELVEDERE GARDEN.
MR CHAMBERS THANKED THE PO LEUNG KUK FOR ITS VALUABLE CONTRIBUTION TO THE PROVISION OF DAY CARE SERVICES FOR YOUNG CHILDREN.
"1 WOULD ALSO LIKE TO THANK THE FONG SHU FOOK TONG FOUNDATION FOR THE GENEROUS DONATION OF $200,000, WHICH HAS BEEN USED TO PURCHASE THE FURNITURE AND EQUIPMENT FOR THE NURSERY," HE ADDED.
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FRIDAY, MARCH 25, 1988
- 12 -
SURVEY OF EMPLOYMENT, VACANCIES, PAYROLL STARTED ♦ * » * »
THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT HAS STARTED TO CONDUCT THE MARCH 1988 ROUND OF THE SURVEY OF EMPLOYMENT, VACANCIES AND PAYROLL IN MAJOR SECTORS OF THE ECONOMY TO COLLECT INFORMATION ON i?MPLOYMENT, VACANCIES AND PAYROLL IN RESPECT OF THE FIRST QUARTER OF 1988.
THIS SURVEY IS CONDUCTED QUARTERLY AND THE SURVEY RESULTS ARE USEFUL IN PROVIDING SHORT-TERM ECONOMIC INDICATORS AS WELL AS INFORMATION ON THE STRUCTURAL CHANGES IN THE LABOUR MARKET IN HONG KONG.
AS FROM THIS ROUND, NEWLY DESIGNED FORMS WILL BE USED TO COLLECT MORE DETAILED EMPLOYMENT AND PAYROLL DATA.
THIS ROUND OF THE SURVEY COVERS ABOUT 94,000 ESTABLISHMENTS WHICH ARE DRAWN FROM VARIOUS SECTORS INCLUDING THE DISTRIBUTIVE TRADES SECTOR (WHOLESALE, RETAIL, IMPORT AND EXPORT TRADES, RESTAURANTS AND HOTELS)* THE INDUSTRIAL SECTOR (MINING AND QUARRYING; MANUFACTURING; ELECTRICITY AND GAS).
THERE WILL BE FULL ENUMERATION OF ESTABLISHMENTS IN THE SERVICES SECTOR • (TRANSPORT, STORAGE AND COMMUNICATION; FINANCING, INSURANCE, REAL ESTATE AND BUSINESS SERVICES; COMMUNITY, SOCIAL AND PERSONAL SERVICES).
INFORMATION ON THE NUMBER OF PERSONS ENGAGED AND EXISTING VACANCIES ON MARCH 30 THIS YEAR WILL BE SOUGHT FROM EACH SAMPLE ESTABLISHMENT.
SOME 10,000 ESTABLISHMENTS ARE RANDOMLY SELECTED FROM THIS SAMPLE TO PROVIDE ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ON PAYROLL IN EACH OF THE THREE MONTHS DURING THE REFERENCE PERIOD OF JANUARY TO MARCH 1988.
ESTABLISHMENTS IN THE SERVICES SECTOR (TRANSPORT, STORAGE AND COMMUNICATION; FINANCING, INSURANCE, REAL ESTATE, AND BUSINESS SERVICES; COMMUNITY, SOCIAL AND PERSONAL SERVICES) WILL ALSO BE REQUESTED TO FURTHER PROVIDE INFORMATION ON THE MAJOR KIND OF Business activities carried out during the past 12 months ending MARCH 1988.
questionnaires are being mailed to individual sample establishments.
IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS ORDER 1982 (LEGAL NOTICE NO. 69 OF 1982, GAZETTED ON MARCH 5, 1982), ESTABLISHMENTS RECEIVING QUESTIONNAIRES ARE REQUIRED TO COMPLETE AND RETURN THEM TO THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT WITHIN THE SPECIFIED PERIOD.
SHOULD RESPONDENTS FIND DIFFICULTIES IN COMPLETING THE FORMS, THEY ARE WELCOME TO CONTACT THE DEPARTMENT FOR ASSISTANCE ON 5-8235076.
/AS FOR
FRIDAY, MARCH 25, 1988
- 13 -
AS FOR THOSE ESTABLISHMENTS KNOWN TO THE DEPARTMENT DURING JANUARY TO MARCH 1988, THEY WILL ALSO BE ENUMERATED IN ORDER TO MAKE THE SURVEY RESULTS COMPLETE.
FIELD OFFICERS OF THE DEPARTMENT, EACH BEARING A GOVERNMENT IDENTITY CARD, WILL CALL ON THESE ESTABLISHMENTS TO SOLICIT INFORMATION ON THE NUMBER OF PERSONS ENGAGED, EXISTING VACANCIES, TYPE OF OWNERSHIP, NATURE OF BUSINESS AND DATE ON WHICH BUSINESS COMMENCED.
ENQUIRIES REGARDING THESE FIELD VISITS MAY BE DIRECTED TO THE DEPARTMENT ON 5-8234770.
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LIST OF 1989 GENERAL HOLIDAYS PUBLISHED » * t » »
THE LIST OF 1989 GENERAL HOLIDAYS WAS PUBLISHED TODAY (FRIDAY). IN THE GAZETTE
FOLLOWING IS A LIST OF THE GENERAL HOLIDAYS FOR 1989:
EVERY SUNDAY
THE FIRST WEEK-DAY IN JANUARY MONDAY JANUARY 2
LUNAR NEW YEAR’S DAY MONDAY FEBRUARY 6
THE SECOND DAY OF LUNAR NEW YEAR TUESDAY FEBRUARY 7
THE THIRD DAY OF LUNAR NEW YEAR WEDNESDAY FEBRUARY 8
GOOD FRIDAY FRIDAY MARCH 24
THE DAY FOLLOWING GOOD FRIDAY SATURDAY MARCH 25
EASTER MONDAY MONDAY MARCH 27
CHING MING FESTIVAL WEDNESDAY APRIL 5
TUEN NG FESTIVAL THURSDAY JUNE 8
THE BIRTHDAY OF HER MAJESTY THE QUEEN SATURDAY JUNE 17
THE MONDAY FOLLOWING THE QUEEN’S BIRTHDAY MONDAY JUNE 19
/THE SATURDAY
FRIDAY, MARCH 25, 1988
MB 14 BM
THE SATURDAY PRECEDING THE MONDAY IN AUGUST LAST SATURDAY AUGUST 26
LIBERATION DAY, BEING THE MONDAY IN AUGUST LAST MONDAY AUGUST 28
THE DAY FOLLOWING THE CHINESE MID-AUTUMN FESTIVAL FRIDAY SEPTEMBER 15
THE DAY FOLLOWING CHUNG YEUNG FESTIVAL MONDAY OCTOBER 9
CHRISTMAS DAY MONDAY DECEMBER 25
THE FIRST WEEK-DAY AFTER CHRISTMAS DAY TUESDAY DECEMBER 26
m • m 0 - MB M mb
NEWSPAPER, NEWS AGENCY REGISTRATION FEES REVISED
*****
THE GOVERNMENT TODAY (FRIDAY) PUBLISHED A NUMBER OF AMENDMENT REGULATIONS RELATING TO FEES, AVENUES OF APPEALS AND THE AMOUNT OF PERSONAL PARTICULARS REQUIRED IN THE REGISTRATION FOR LOCAL NEWSPAPERS AND NEWS AGENCIES.
THEY ARE THE NEWS AGENCIES REGISTRATION (AMENDMENT) REGULATIONS 1988, THE NEWSPAPERS REGISTRATION AND DISTRIBUTION (AMENDMENT) REGULATIONS 1988 AND THE PRINTED DOCUMENTS (CONTROL) (AMENDMENT) REGULATIONS 1988.
THESE AMENDMENT REGULATIONS WERE MADE UNDER THE REGISTRATION OF LOCAL NEWSPAPERS ORDINANCE AND PUBLISHED IN TODAY’S GAZETTE.
UNDER THE AMENDMENT REGULATIONS, THE DEPOSIT OF $1,000 REQUIRED FOR THE REGISTRATION OF NEWS AGENCIES UNDER THE ORIGINAL REGULATIONS WAS REMOVED.
"THIS IS IN LINE WITH THE REMOVAL OF THE REQUIREMENT FOR DEPOSITS TO BE MADE PRIOR TO THE REGISTRATION NEWSPAPERS UPON THE ENACTMENT OF THE REGISTRATION OF LOCAL NEWSPAPERS ORDINANCE IN MARCH LAST YEAR," A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN SAID.
THE ANNUAL REGISTRATION FEES FOR NEWSPAPERS AND NEWS AGENCIES WILL BE RAISED FROM $100 TO $150. ANCILLARY CHARGES FOR SEARCHES, EXTRACTS AND CHANGES OF PARTICULARS WILL BE REVISED AT $15, $65 AND $45 RESPECTIVELY.
/"THESE FEES
FRIDAY, MARCH 25, 1988
"THESE FEES HAVE BEEN BROUGHT INTO LINE WITH THE OVERALL POLICY OF RECOVERING ADMINISTRATIVE COSTS,” THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
THE SPOKESMAN SAID THE AMENDMENTS PROVIDED FOR A UNIFORM PROCESS OF APPEAL TO THE GOVERNOR BY WAY OF PETITION.
UNDER THE AMENDING LEGISLATION, HE ADDED, THE POWERS OF EXEMPTION IN RESPECT OF ALL THREE SETS OF REGULATIONS WOULD BE VESTED IN THE REGISTAR OF NEWSPAPERS.
-----0------
ROAD WORKS TO IMPROVE ACCESS TO FANLING RAILWAY STATION
* ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦
THE GOVERNMENT IS PLANNING TO CARRY OUT ROAD WORKS IN THE VICINITY OF THE KOWLOON CANTON RAILWAY FANLING STATION TO PROVIDE VEHICULAR AND PEDESTRIAN ACCESS TO THE STATION AND ADJACENT NEW DEVELOPMENTS.
THE PROPOSED WORKS, WHICH ARE PART OF THE CONTINUING PROGRAMME FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF FANLING AND SHEUNG SHUI NEW TOWNS, INVOLVE THE CONSTRUCTION OF AN ACCESS ROAD, FOOTPATHS, CYCLE TRACKS, FOOTBRIDGES, AND GREEN MINIBUS TERMINUS.
THEY ALSO INVOLVE THE MODIFICATION OF AN EXISTING FOOTBRIDGE TO ACCOMMODATE A CYCLE TRACK AND TO REPLACE AN EXISTING TEMPORARY STAIRCASE WITH A PERMANENT ONE.
PERMANENT ALTERNATIVE ACCESS WILL BE PROVIDED TO CATER FOR THE EXISTING ACCESS THAT HAS TO BE CLOSED.
DURING THE CONSTRUCTION PERIOD, TRAFFIC AND PEDESTRIAN ACCESS WILL BE MAINTAINED SO THAT ANY INCONVENIENCE TO THE PUBLIC WILL BE MINIMISED.
ALSO, THE TEMPORARY STAIRCASE OF THE EXISTING FOOTBRIDGE WILL BE MAINTAINED UNTIL THE COMPLETION OF THE CORRESPONDING PERMANENT STAIRCASE.
A NOTICE CONCERNING THE PROPOSED WORKS WAS PUBLISHED IN THE GAZETTE TODAY (FRIDAY).
A PLAN SHOWING THE PROPOSED WORKS CAN BE SEEN AT THE CENTRAL AND WESTERN DISTRICT OFFICE, CENTRAL ENQUIRY SUB-OFFICE, CENTRAL GOVERNMENT OFFICES, WEST WING, MAIN ENTRANCE LOBBY, HONG KONG; AND AT THE NORTH DISTRICT LANDS OFFICE AND THE NORTH DISTRICT OFFICE IN JOCKEY CLUB ROAD, FANLING.
ANY PERSON OBJECTING TO THE PROPOSAL MUST SEND HIS OBJECTION IN WRITING TO THE SECRETARY FOR TRANSPORT, CENTRAL GOVERNMENT OFFICES, EAST WING, SECOND FLOOR, LOWER ALBERT ROAD, HONG KONG BY MAY 24 THIS YEAR.
------0 ------ /16.....................
FRIDAY, MARCH 25, 1988
- 16 -
REGULATIONS CONCERNING PLATINUM MARKING GAZETTED *****
THE TRADE DESCRIPTIONS (MARKING) (PLATINUM) ORDER 1988 AND THE TRADE DESCRIPTIONS (DEFINITION OF PLATINUM) REGULATIONS 1988 x MADE RESPECTIVELY UNDER SECTION 4(1) AND SECTION 33 OF THE TRADE DESCRIPTIONS ORDINANCE WERE GAZETTED TODAY (FRIDAY).
THEY WILL COME INTO OPERATION ON APRIL 1 NEXT YEAR. THE GRACE PERIOD WILL ALLOW THE TRADE TO DISPOSE OF EXISTING STOCK OR TO HAVE IT MARKED.
THE TRADE DESCRIPTIONS (MARKING) (PLATINUM) ORDER 1988 WHICH IS SIMILAR TO THE TRADE DESCRIPTIONS (MARKING) (GOLD AND GOLD ALLOY) ORDER, WILL PROHIBIT THE SUPPLY OF ANY ARTICLE AS PLATINUM IF IT IS OF A FINENESS LESS THAN 850 PARTS OF PLATINUM IN 1,000 PARTS BY WEIGHT OF ALLOY.
PLATINUM ARTICLES WILL BE REQUIRED TO BEAR A MARK INDICATING THE FINENESS IN ACCORDANCE WITH STANDARDS SPECIFIED IN THE FIRST SCHEDULE.
TRADITIONALLY, THE CHINESE MARK "CHUK PAK KAM” HAS BEEN USED BY THE TRADE TO REPRESENT PURE PLATINUM AND HAS BEEN ACCEPTED AS SUCH BY CONSUMERS.
ACCORDINGLY "CHUK PAK KAM" WILL BE A MARK OF STIPULATED FINENESS, REPRESENTING NOT LESS THAN 990 PARTS BY WEIGHT OF PLATINUM IN 1,000 PARTS.
THE TRADE DESCRIPTIONS (MARKING) (PLATINUM) ORDER 1988 ALSO STIPULATES THAT THE MARKING OF ARTICLES OF DIFFERENT FINENESS SHOULD INDICATE EITHER THE FINENESS OF THE ARTICLE AS A WHOLE, OR THAT EACH PART SHOULD BE MARKED SEPARATELY.
IN THE CASE OF AN ARTICLE COMPRISING PARTS MADE OF PLATINUM AND OTHER METAL, THE ORDER STIPULATES THAT THE PARTS OF PLATINUM SHOULD BE MARKED SEPARATELY AND THE OTHER PARTS DESCRIBED IN THE INVOICE OR RECEIPT.
THE ORDER MAKES PROVISIONS FOR THE MINIMUM STANDARDS OF FINENESS OF THE SOLDER WHICH, FOR TECHNICAL REASONS, MAY BE LESS THAN THAT OF THE MAIN BODY OF THE ARTICLE.
THE ORDER REQUIRES A SUPPLIER TO GIVE HIS CUSTOMER A RECEIPT CONTAINING DETAILS OF THE TRANSACTION AND TO DISPLAY IN HIS PREMISES A NOTICE AS SPECIFIED IN THE THIRD SCHEDULE.
THE TRADE DESCRIPTIONS (MARKING) (PLATINUM) ORDER 1988 AND THE TRADE DESCRIPTIONS (DEFINITION OF PLATINUM) REGULATIONS 1988 STIPULATE THAT IN A MARKING INDICATION SURFACE TREATMENT OF PLATINUM, ANY WORD IN ADDITION TO THE WORD "PLATINUM" (THAT IS "PLATED") SHOULD NOT BE LESS PROMINENT THAN THE WORD "PLATINUM".
UNDER THE ORDER AND THE REGULATIONS AN ARTICLE WITH A PLATINUM SURFACE CANNOT BE MARKED AS PLATINUM.
THE SECOND SCHEDULE OF THE ORDER EXEMPTS THE SAME ITEMS AS THOSE EXEMPTED FROM THE DEFINITION REGULATIONS.
------o ------ /17.....................
FRIDAY, MARCH 25,
1988
- 17 -
FIRING PRACTICE IN APRIL » » » »
FIRING PRACTICE WILL TAKE PLACE IN THE HA TSUEN-CASTLE PEAK RANGE ON 17 DAYS DURING THE MONTH OF APRIL.
THE PUBLIC IS WARNED NOT TO ENTER THE AREA WHEN RED FLAGS ARE HOISTED.
THE DATES AND TIMES OF THE PRACTICE ARE:
DATE TIME
APRIL 11 (MONDAY) 8.30 AM - 5 PM
APRIL 12 (TUESDAY) 8.30 AM - 5 PM
APRIL 13 (WEDNESDAY) 8.30 AM - 5 PM
APRIL 14 (THURSDAY) 8.30 AM - 11.59 PM
APRIL 15 (FRIDAY) 0.01 AM - 11.59 PM
APRIL 16 (SATURDAY) 8.30 AM - 5 PM
APRIL 18 (MONDAY) 8.30 AM - 5 PM
APRIL 19 (TUESDAY) 8.30 AM - 5 PM
APRIL 20 (WEDNESDAY) 8.30 AM - 5 PM
APRIL 21 (THURSDAY) 8.30 AM - 5 PM
APRIL 22 (FRIDAY) 8.30 AM - 11.59 PM
APRIL 23 (SATURDAY) 0.01 AM - 5 PM
APRIL 25 (MONDAY) 8.30 AM - 11.59 PM
APRIL 26 (TUESDAY) 0.01 AM - 11.59 PM
APRIL 27 (WEDNESDAY) ' 0.01 AM - 11.59 PM
APRIL 28 (THURSDAY) 0.01 AM - 5 PM
APRIL 29 (FRIDAY) 8.30 AM - 5 PM
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/18
FRIDAY, MARCH 25, 1988
- 18
AMENDMENTS TO THE DRAFT OUTLINE ZONING PLAN
* * * * *
THE TOWN PLANNING BOARD TODAY (FRIDAY) ANNOUNCED AMENDMENTS TO THE DRAFT OUTLINE ZONING PLAN FOR TSZ WAN SHAN, DIAMOND HILL AND SAN PO KONG.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE BOARD SAID THAT LAND USE PROPOSALS IN THE DIAMOND HILL AND TAI HOM AREA WILL BE AMENDED TO DOVETAIL WITH THE REVISION IN THE ALIGNMENT OF THE PROPOSED TATE’S CAIRN TUNNEL AND ITS APPROACH ROADS.
"OPPORTUNITY IS ALSO TAKEN TO AMEND THE NORTHERN BOUNDARY OF THE PLANNING SCHEME AREA TO ACCORD WITH THE DISTRICT BOARD BOUNDARY AND OTHER LAND USE CHANGES OUTSIDE TAI HOM AND DIAMOND HILL AREAS," THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
DETAILS OF THE AMENDMENTS, WHICH WERE PUBLISHED IN THE LATEST GAZETTE, CAN ALSO BE INSPECTED AT THE WONG TAI SIN DISTRICT OFFICE, AND THE TOWN PLANNING OFFICE OF BUILDINGS AND LANDS DEPARTMENT ON THE SIXTH FLOOR, MURRAY BUILDING, GARDEN ROAD, CENTRAL.
ANY PERSON AFFECTED BY THE AMENDMENTS TO THE DRAFT PLAN MAY PRESENT OBJECTIONS IN WRITING TO THE SECRETARY OF THE TOWN PLANNING BOARD BY APRIL 15 THIS YEAR.
-------O----------
HK ISLAND TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS FOR CHING MING
*****
SPECIAL TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS WILL BE IMPLEMENTED IN CHAI WAN, POK FU LAM AND ABERDEEN FOR THE CHING MING FESTIVAL, THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCED TODAY (FRIDAY).
UNLESS OTHERWISE SPECIFIED, THE SPECIAL ARRANGEMENTS WILL BE IN FORCE BETWEEN 7 AM AND 6 PM ON SUNDAY (APRIL 3) THROUGH TUESDAY (APRIL 5).
THE SAME ARRANGEMENTS MAY ALSO BE IMPLEMENTED ON MARCH 27, APRIL 2, 9 AND 10 IF NECESSARY.
AS TRAFFIC CONGESTION IS EXPECTED ON ROADS NEAR THE CEMETERIES, GRAVE-SWEEPERS ARE ADVISED TO EXERCISE UTMOST CARE AND PATIENCE, OR TO VISIT THE CEMETERIES EARLY IN THE DAY.
/IN CHAI WAN, .......
FRIDAY, MARCH 25, 1988
- 19 -
IN CHAI WAN, THE FOLLOWING ROADS WILL BE CLOSED TO TRAFFIC:
* CAPE COLLINSON ROAD EAST OF LIN SHING ROAD, EXCEPT FOR HEARSES!
* THE SLIP ROAD LEADING TO THE GARDEN OF REMEMBRANCE AND CREMATORIUM FROM CAPE COLLINSON ROAD, EXCEPT FOR HEARSES AND VEHICLES CARRYING PASSENGERS TO SERVICES AT THE CREMATORIUM;
* THE SLIP ROAD LEADING TO CHAI WAN CHINESE PERMANENT CEMETERY.
IF NECESSARY, CAPE COLLINSON ROAD AND LIN SHING ROAD MAY ALSO BE CLOSED TO TRAFFIC WITHOUT PRIOR NOTIFICATION.
MEANWHILE, CAPE COLLINSON ROAD BETWEEN LIN SHING ROAD AND SHEK O ROAD WILL BE RE-ROUTED ONE-WAY WESTBOUND; LIN SHING ROAD BETWEEN WAN TSUI ROAD AND CAPE COLLINSON ROAD WILL BE RE-ROUTED ONE-WAY SOUTHBOUND; AND THE EASTERN SECTION OF WAN TSUI ROAD BETWEEN CHAI WAN ROAD AND FEI TSUI ROAD WILL BE RE-ROUTED ONE-WAY.
NO PARKING WILL BE ALLOWED ON WAN TSUI ROAD, CAPE COLLINSON ROAD, LIN SUING ROAD AND SHEK O ROAD BETWEEN CAPE COLLINSON TRAINING CENTRE AND TAI TAM ROAD.
IN POK FU LAM, CONSORT RISE BETWEEN VICTORIA ROAD AND BTSNEY ROAD WILL BE RE-ROUTED ONE-WAY SOUTHBOUND.
IN ABERDEEN, PEEL RISE IN THE VICINITY OF ABERDEEN CHINESE CEMETERY WILL BE CLOSED TO TRAFFIC. THE SLIP ROAD FROM SHEK PAI WAN ROAD LEADING TO THE CEMETERY WILL ALSO BE CLOSED.
CONCERNING BUS SERVICES, CMB ROUTE NO. 89 WILL OPERATE FROM SHAU KEI WAN BUS TERMINUS TO CHAI WAN CEMETERY (CIRCULAR) VIA CHAI WAN MIR STATION BETWEEN 7 AM AND 6 PM AT INTERVALS OF FIVE OR II) MINUTES.
ON APRIL 1, CMB ROUTE NO. 57 WILL OPERATE FROM CENTRAL (EXCHANGE SQUARE) TO CHINESE CHRISTIAN CEMETERY (CIRCULAR) BETWEEN 7 AM AND 5.52 PM AT A' FREQUENCY OF SEVEN OR EIGHT MINUTES.
CMB ROUTES NO. 80, 81, 81M, 82, 83, 84, 780 AND CROSS HARBOUR ROUTE NO. 106 WILL BE RE-ROUTED, WHILE GMB ROUTES NO. 16M AND 18H WILL ALSO BE DIVERTED.
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/2O........
FRIDAY, MARCH 25, 1988
20 -
TEMPORARY ROAD CLOSURE AT AIRPORT * ♦ ♦ » »
TO FACILITATE ROAD WORKS, THE UPRAMP LEADING TO DEPARTURE CIRCUIT OF THE HONG KONG INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT WILL BE CLOSED TO TRAFFIC FROM MIDNIGHT TODAY (FRIDAY) TO 5 AM TOMORROW.
THE MEASURE WILL BE IMPLEMENTED DAILY BETWEEN MIDNIGHT AND 5 AM THE FOLLOWING DAY FOR ABOUT 19 DAYS UNTIL APRIL 12.
DURING THE ROAD CLOSURE, VEHICLES HEADING FOR THE AIRPORT WILL HAVE TO USE ARRIVALS ROAD.
-------o----------
TEMPORARY NIGHT CLOSURE OF TSING LUN ROAD * » ♦ t *
IN CONNECTION WITH CIVIL ENGINEERING WORKS REQUIRED FOR THE LIGHT RAIL TRANSIT TRAFFIC MANAGEMENT PROJECT, TSING LUN ROAD IN TUEN MUN, AT ITS JUNCTION WITH CASTLE PEAK ROAD, WILL BE CLOSED TO TRAFFIC FROM 9 PM ON MONDAY (MARCH 28) TO 5 AM THE NEXT DAY.
MOTORISTS ARE ADVISED TO USE ROAD P2, TSUN WEN ROAD AND TSING CHUNG KOON ROAD TO AND FROM TSING LUN ROAD.
KMB ROUTES NO. 59B AND 67M WILL BE DIVERTED VIA ROAD P2, TSUN WEN ROAD, TSING CHUNG KOON ROAD AND TSING LUN ROAD TO AND FROM SIU HONG COURT.
ROUTES NO. 61 AND 61A WILL HAVE TO OPERATE VIA ROAD P2 AND CASTLE PEAK ROAD TO AND FROM YUEN LONG.
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DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL: 5-8428777
SATURDAY, MARCH 26, 1988
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
FEBRUARY FIGURES ON POLICE RAIDS ....................... 1
SUBSTANTIVE PROMOTIONS ANNOUNCED ....................... 1
PRIVATE TENANCY ALLOWANCES REVISED ..................... 2
IMPROVEMENTS MADE TO CHILDREN AND YOUTH CENTRES ........ 4
SACRED HEART, ST PAUL'S TAKE DANCE HONOURS ............. 5
EXHIBITION OF TEACHING MATERIALS IN CHINESE LANGUAGE.. 6
PLB RESTRICTED ZONES, ROAD CLOSURE ..................... 7
TAXI VOUCHER SCHEME TO END THIS MONTH ................ 8
WATER CUTS IN SHA TAU KOK, TUEN MUN, KWUN TONG ........ 9
SATURDAY, MARCH 26, 1988
FEBRUARY FIGURES ON POLICE RAIDS
*****
POLICE ARRESTED 1,619 PEOPLE IN 3,309 RAIDS ON ILLEGAL GAMBLING ESTABLISHMENTS, DRUG AND VICE DENS IN FEBRUARY.
IN THE CONTINUING CAMPAIGN AGAINST GAMBLING, DANGEROUS DRUGS AND VICE ACTIVITIES, POLICE CONDUCTED 549 RAIDS ON HONG KONG ISLAND, RESULTING IN 455 ARRESTS; 2,472 RAIDS IN KOWLOON WITH 801 ARRESTS, AND 270 RAIDS IN THE NEW TERRITORIES WITH 354 ARRESTS.
A POLICE SPOKESMAN NOTED THAT DURING THE SAME MONTH, NARCOTICS BUREAU OFFICERS ARRESTED NINE PEOPLE IN 18 OPERATIONS.
ON ANTI-GAMBLING, POLICE CONDUCTED 187 RAIDS AND ARRESTED 867 PEOPLE. STAKE MONEY AND BETTING SLIPS TOTALLING $888,000 WERE SEIZED IN THE OPERATIONS.
AS TO POLICE ACTION AGAINST VICE ESTABLISHMENTS, HE SAID 2,073 RAIDS WERE CONDUCTED, RESULTING IN THE ARREST OF 109 PERSONS, AND THE SEIZURE OF 19 OBJECTIONABLE MAGAZINES AND 75 OBSCENE VIDEO TAPES.
IN THE DRIVE AGAINST DRUG TRAFFICKERS AND PEDDLERS, POLICE ARRESTED 643 PEOPLE IN 1,049 RAIDS ON PREMISES AND STREET OPERATIONS.
NARCOTICS SEIZED DURING THE MONTH INCLUDED 2.4 KG OF NO. 4 HEROIN, 11.8 KG OF NO. 3 HEROIN AND A SMALL QUANTITY OF OPIUM, HE ADDED.
SUBSTANTIVE PROMOTIONS ANNOUNCED * * * *
THE GOVERNMENT ANNOUNCED TODAY (SATURDAY) THE FOLLOWING SUBSTANTIVE PROMOTIONS TO SENIOR RANKS IN THE ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICE:
TO SECRETARY, GOVERNMENT SECRETARIAT
MRS ANSON CHAN
SECRETARY FOR ECONOMIC SERVICES
MR MICHAEL LEUNG MAN-KIN
SECRETARY FOR TRANSPORT
MR HAMISH MACLEOD
SECRETARY FOR TRADE AND INDUSTRY
MR GEOFFREY BARNES
SECRETARY FOR SECURITY
/TO ADMINISTRATIVE
SATURDAY, MARCH 26, 1988
- 2 -
TO ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICER STAFF GRADE A
MR ALEXANDER PURVES DIRECTOR OF URBAN SERVICES
MR CHAU TAK-HAY REGIONAL SECRETARY
(HONG KONG AND KOWLOON)
MR MICHAEL SUEN MING-YEUNG REGIONAL SECRETARY
(NEW TERRITORIES)
MR JOHN CHAN CHO-CHAK DEPUTY CHIEF SECRETARY
------0-------
PRIVATE TENANCY ALLOWANCES REVISED
*****
THE FINANCE COMMITTEE HAS APPROVED INCREASES IN THE BASIC RATES OF CIVIL SERVICE PRIVATE TENANCY ALLOWANCES BY 11 TO 14 PER CENT WITH EFFECT FROM APRIL 1 THIS YEAR.
A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN EXPLAINED THAT IT WAS THE POLICY OF THE ADMINISTRATION TO REVIEW THE BASIC RATES ANNUALLY TO ENSURE THAT THEY REMAINED BROADLY IN LINE WITH MARKET RENTALS.
’’USING THE SAME METHODOLOGY AND GEOGRAPHICAL AREAS AS FOR THE LAST REVIEW OF THE ALLOWANCES, THE COMMISSIONER OF RATING AND VALUATION HAS CONDUCTED A SURVEY OF THE RENTAL INDICES FOR THE THIRD QUARTER OF 1987 AND HAS ADVISED THAT THE EXISTING BASIC RATES SHOULD BE INCREASED BY BETWEEN 11 PER CENT AND 14 PER CENT,’’ THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
IT IS ESTIMATED THAT THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE REVISED RATES WOULD RESULT IN AN ADDITIONAL FINANCIAL COMMITMENT OF ABOUT $23.5 MILLION A YEAR IF APPLIED TO ALL EXISTING PRIVATE TENANCIES.
"HOWEVER, THIS WILL NOT ARISE SINCE EXISTING TENANCIES ARE GOVERNED BY LEASES AND BY LANDLORD AND TENANT LEGISLATION. THUS, THE FULL EFFECT OF THE INCREASES WILL NOT BE FELT UNTIL ALL EXISTING PRIVATE TENANCY LEASES HAVE EXPIRED," THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
"THE ADDITIONAL FINANCIAL COMMITMENT IN 1988-89 IS ESTIMATED TO BE $9 MILLION,”
PRIVATE TENANCY ALLOWANCES ARE GRANTED TO OVERSEAS OFFICERS, AND TO LOCAL OFFICERS WHO ARE ELIGIBLE FOR NON-DEPARTMENTAL QUARTERS (THAT IS, THOSE ON POINT 48 OF THE MASTER PAY SCALE OR EQUIVALENT AND ABOVE), TO ENABLE THEM TO LEASE ACCOMMODATION PRIVATELY WHEN THE SUPPLY OF NON-DEPARTMENTAL QUARTERS IS INSUFFICIENT.
/THE ALLOWANCES .......
SATURDAY, MARCH 26, 1988
- 5 -
THE ALLOWANCES ARE ALSO GRANTED TO LOCAL OFFICERS ON SALARIES FROM POINTS 38 TO 47 OF THE MASTER PAY SCALE WHO ARE NOT ELIGIBLE FOR NON-DEPARTMENTAL QUARTERS.
FOLLOWING IS A TABLE SHOWING THE RATES OF PRIVATE TENANCY ALLOWANCES:
PRESENT AND REVISED BASIC
MARRIED OFFICERS MARRIED OFFICERS
WITH CHILDREN WITHOUT CHILDREN
SINGLE OFFICERS
GRADE OF ELIGIBILITY FOR QUARTER
PRESENT BASIC RATE REVISED BASIC RATE PRESENT BASIC RATE REVISED BASIC RATE PRESENT BASIC RATE REVISED BASIC RATE
$ $ $ $ $ $
A 12,150 13,500 10,935 12,150 9,720 10,800
B 10,200 11,300 9,180 10,170 8,160 9,040
C 8,400 9,600 7,560 8,640 6,720 7,680
CD 7,150 8,150 6,435 7,335 5,720 6,520
D 5,650 6,400 5,085 5,760 4,520 5,120
E 4,750 5,400 4,275 4,860 3,800 4,320
F 4,100 4,650 3,690 4 , 185 3,280 3,720
G 3,550 4,000 3,195 3,600 2,840 3,200
-----0-----
SATURDAY, MARCH 26, 1988
- 4
IMPROVEMENTS MADE TO CHILDREN AND YOUTH CENTRES
A SERIES OF IMPROVEMENTS RECENTLY INTRODUCED TO CHILDREN AND YOUTH CENTRES WAS OUTLINED BY THE DIRECTOR OF SOCIAL WELFARE, MRS ELIZABETH WONG, TODAY (SATURDAY).
SPEAKING AT THE OPENING CEREMONY OF THE YMCA-KWUN TONG CENTRE AT TSUI PING ESTATE, SHE SAID THE DEPARTMENT COMPLETED A REVIEW LAST YEAR ON THE PLANNING RATIO FOR THESE CENTRES.
IT RECOMMENDED A MORE FLEXIBLE APPROACH OF PROVIDING ONE CENTRE FOR EVERY 20,000 TO 30,000 POPULATION TO MEET THE DEMANDS OF INDIVIDUAL DISTRICTS.
THE RECOMMENDATION WAS SUBSEQUENTLY ENDORSED BY THE SOCIAL WELFARE ADVISORY COMMITTEE.
IN THE AREAS OF STAFFING AND FACILITIES, MRS WONG NOTED THAT AN ADDITIONAL WELFARE WORKER POST HAD BEEN CREATED FOR ALL CHILDREN AND YOUTH CENTRES WHILE ADDITIONAL SUPERVISOR POSTS WOULD BE CREATED TO STEP UP THE SUPERVISION AND MANAGEMENT OF THESE CENTRES.
’’FURTHERMORE, THE EXTENSION OF THE ’STANDARD COST’ SUBVENTION SYSTEM MEANS THAT NEWLY-COMPLETED AND REPROVISIONED CENTRES WILL HAVE GREATER FLEXIBILITY IN ACQUIRING SUITABLE AND NECESSARY EQUIPMENT AND FURNITURE.
"ALSO, ALLOCATION IS AVAILABLE FROM THE ROYAL HONG KONG JOCKEY CLUB TO PROVIDE AIR-CONDITIONING BEFORE THIS SUMMER FOR 20 NEW CENTRES AS WELL AS FOR THE READING AND STUDY ROOMS IN 68 EXISTING CENTRES," SHE SAID.
"IN ADDITION, THE DEPARTMENT WILL GRADUALLY ARRANGE REPROVISIONING FOR CENTRES, THE SIZES OF WHICH ARE SUB-STANDARD OR WHICH ARE LOCATED AT ROOF-TOPS OF OLD HOUSING ESTATES," MRS WONG SAID, NOTING THAT THE KWUN TONG CENTRE WAS THE FIRST YMCA ROOF-TOP CENTRE REPROVISIONED TO A NEW HOUSING ESTATE.
SIMILAR ARRANGEMENTS WOULD BE PROVIDED FOR THREE MORE YMCA ROOF-TOP CENTRES IN 1988-89 WHILE ANOTHER EIGHT CENTRES WOULD BE REPROVISIONED TO PREMISES OF STANDARD SIZE WITHIN THE NEXT TWO YEARS, SHE SAID.
SHE STRESSED THAT TO FOSTER THE PROPER DEVELOPMENT OF THE NEXT GENERATION, IT WAS NECESSARY TO CONSTANTLY REVIEW THE YOUTH POLICY AND TO IMPROVE THE QUALITY OF SERVICES PROVIDED BY CHILDREN \ND YOUTH CENTRES.
/CHILDREN AND .......
SATURDAY, MARCH 26, 1988
- 5 -
CHILDREN AND YOUTH CENTRES, WHICH WERE SET UP ON A DISTRICT BASIS, AIMED TO HELP YOUNG PEOPLE DEVELOP THEIR SOCIAL SKILLS, GOOD HABITS AND POTENTIALS AND GROOM THEIR LEADERSHIP QUALITIES THROUGH ACTIVITIES ORGANISED BY PROFESSIONAL SOCIAL WORKERS SO THAT THEY WOULD GROW UP TO BE RESPONSIBLE CITIZENS, SHE SAID.
MRS WONG COMMENDED THE YMCA FOR ITS UNCEASING EFFORTS IN PROMOTING YOUTH SERVICES SINCE ITS ESTABLISHMENT IN 1901.
-----o------
SACRED HEART, ST PAUL’S TAKE DANCE HONOURS
»*»»»*
SACRED HEART CANOSS1AN COLLEGE AND ST PAUL’S CONVENT SCHOOL (PRIMARY SECTION) EMERGED AS OVERALL WINNERS IN THE 24TH SCHOOL DANCE FESTIVAL.
SACRED HEART WAS CHAMPION IN THE SECONDARY SECTION AND ST PAUL’S WON THE PRIMARY SECTION CHAMPIONSHIP.
FIRST AND SECOND RUNNERS-UP IN THE SECONDARY SCHOOL SECTION WERE Till S.K.H. BISHOP MOK SAP TSENG SECONDARY SCHOOL AND BISHOP HALL JUBILEE SCHOOL, RESPECTIVELY.
YYUMATl CATHOLIC PRIMARY AM SCHOOL WAS FIRST RUNNER-UP IN THE PRIMARY SCHOOL SECTION.
TOJ SHAN ASSOCIATION PRIMARY PM SCHOOL AND DR CATHERINE F. WOO MEMORIAL AM SCHOOL TIED FOR THIRD PLACE.
THE 24TH SCHOOLS DANCE FESTIVAL WAS JOINTLY ORGANISED BY THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT, HONG KONG SCHOOLS SPORTS COUNCIL, THE URBAN COUNCIL AND THE REGIONAL COUNCIL EARLY THIS YEAR.
THE FESTIVAL ATTRACTED 378 DANCE I EAMS FROM 253 SECONDARY, PRIMARY AND SPECIAL SCHOOLS. ALTOGETHER, 3,861 DANCERS TOOK PART.
THE HIGH STANDARD OF THE TEAMS WAS REFLECTED IN THE FACT 22 TEAMS WON YN HONOURS AWARD.
ANOTHER 141 WERE HIGHLY COMMENDED AND 172 WERE COMMENDED IN VARIOUS SELECTIONS OF CHINESE, ORIENTAL, WESTERN AND CREATIVE DANCES.
SEVENTEEN SCHOOL TEAMS WON A CHOREOGRAPHY AWARD.
A SERIES OF PRIZE PRESENTATIONS AND WINNERS’ PERFORMANCES WILL TAKE PLACE BETWEEN APRIL I AND 17, STARTING AT 7.30 PM EACH DAY.
/TICKETS AT .......
SATURDAY, MARCH 26, 1988
6 -
TICKETS AT $10, $15 AND $20 ARE NOW AVAILABLE AT URBTIX OUTLETS OF THE SHA TIN TOWN HALL, TSUEN WAN TOWN HALL, TUEN MUN TOWN HALL, CITY HALL, QUEEN ELIZABETH STADIUM, SPACE MUSEUM, HONG KONG COLISEUM, NGAU CHI WAN CIVIC CENTRE, HONG KONG ART CENTRE, HONG KONG ACADEMY FOR PERFORMING ARTS AND TOM LEE MUSIC COMPANY LIMITED.
THE CHAIRMAN OF THE HONG KONG FOOTBALL ASSOCIATION, MR HUI CHUN-FU1; THE CHAIRMAN OF SHA TIN DISTRICT BOARD, MR NG CHAN-LAM; AND REGIONAL COUNCILLOR, DR HO MAN-WUI WILL PRESENT PRIZES TO WINNING TEAMS AT PRESENTATIONS AT SHA TIN TOWN HALL BETWEEN APRIL 1 AND 3.
THE DIRECTOR OF REGIONAL SERVICES, MR HAIDER BARMA, WILL OFFICIATE AT THE PRESENTATION CEREMONY AT TSUEN WAN TOWN HALL ON APRIL 8.
PRESENTATIONS WILL BE HELD AT THE CITY HALL CONCERT HALL ON APRIL 12, 13, 14, 15, 16 AND 17.
OFFICIATING ON THESE DAYS WILL BE, RESPECTIVELY, THE ASSISTANT DIRECTOR OF EDUCATION (CHIEF INSPECTOR OF SCHOOLS), MR F.C. SO; URBAN COUNCILLOR, MR LO KING-MAN; CHAIRMAN OF LAWS’ FOUNDATION TRUST, MR LAW TING-PONG; DIRECTOR OF EDUCATION, MR Y.T. LI, SECRETARY FOR EDUCATION AND MANPOWER, MR RON BRIDGE; AND LEGISLATIVE COUNCILLOR, MRS RITA FAN.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE EVENTS.
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EXHIBITION OF TEACHING MATERIALS IN CHINESE LANGUAGE ♦ ♦ t t ♦
THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT WILL HOLD AN EXHIBITION MATERIALS AND RESOURCES FOR REMEDIAL TEACHING OF CHINESE SECONDARY LEVEL, BETWEEN MARCH 29 AND 31.
OF TEACHING
LANGUAGE AT
TEACHERS OF CHINESE LANGUAGE, PARTICULARLY THOSE WHO ARE IN CHARGE OF REMEDIAL CHINESE LANGUAGE TEACHING, ARE WELCOME TO ATTEND THE EXHIBITION AT THE ADVISORY INSPECTORATE TEACHING CENTRES AT 4 PAK FUR ROAD, NORTH POINT.
Till* EXHIBITION WILL BE OPEN FROM 10 AM TO 12.30 PM AND 2 PM TO 4.30 PM ON MARCH 29 (TUESDAY), AND FROM 9 AM TO 12.30 PM AND 2 PM TO 4.30 PM ON MARCH 30 AND 31 (WEDNESDAY AND THURSDAY).
/ON DISPLAY .......
SATURDAY, MARCH 26, 1988
ON DISPLAY WILL BE MATERIALS ON THE COORDINATION OF WORK AMONG MEMBERS OF THE PANEL ON REMEDIAL TEACHING; SCHEDULES OF WORK ON THE TEACHING OF PRESCRIBED TEXTS, WRITING AND SUPPLEMENTARY READING; AND HOW TO DESIGN EXERCISES BASED ON PUPILS’ LANGUAGE ABILITY.
THE ASSISTANT DIRECTOR (CHIEF INSPECTOR OF SCHOOLS), MR F.C. SO, WILL OFFICIATE AT THE OPENING CEREMONY OF THE EXHIBITION ON MARCH 29 AT 10 AM.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE OPENING CEREMONY OF THE EXHIBITION.
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PLB RESTRICTED ZONES, ROAD CLOSURE t ♦ t ♦
TO IMPROVE TRAFFIC FLOW, A NUMBER OF ROAD SECTIONS IN WONG TAI SIN WILL BE MADE PUBLIC LIGHT BUS RESTRICTED ZONES FROM 10 AM ON TUESDAY (MARCH 29).
HAMMER HILL ROAD NORTHBOUND AND THE SECTION OF CHOI HUNG ROAD EASTBOUND FROM ITS JUNCTION WITH LUNG CHEUNG ROAD TO A POINT ABOUT 12 METRES WEST OF THE ROUNDABOUT AT THE JUNCTION OF CHOI HUNG ROAD AND HAMMER HILL ROAD WILL BECOME 7 AM TO MIDNIGHT RESTRICTED ZONES.
AT THE SAME TIME, TWO ROAD SECTIONS WILL BE DESIGNATED RESTRICTED ZONES OPERATING DAILY BETWEEN 7 AM AND 7 PM.
THE TWO ROAD SECTIONS ARE SHAT IN PASS ROAD BETWEEN CHOI HUNG ROAD AND TUNG TAU TSUEN ROAD, AND A 85-METRE STRETCH OF WAI WAH STREET EASTBOUND WEST OF ITS JUNCTION WITH TSZ WAN SHAN ROAD.
SECTIONS OF TAI.TUNG STREET AND TAI SHING STREET WILL ALSO BECOME PEAK-HOUR (7 TO 10 AM AND 1 TO 7 PM) RESTRICTED ZONES.
THEY ARE A 25-METRE STRETCH OF TAI TUNG STREET SOUTH OF ITS JUNCTION WITH TAI SHING STREET, AND THE SOUTHERN KERBSIDE OF TAI SHING STREET FROM A POINT ABOUT SIX METRES WEST OF ITS JUNCTION WITH TAI TUNG STREET TO A POINT ABOUT 90 METRES WEST OF CHOI HUNG ROAD.
ALL PUBLIC LIGHT BUSES WILL NOT BE ALLOWED TO PICK UP OR SET DOWN PASSENGERS WITHIN THE ABOVE RESTRICTED ZONES.
/MEANWHILE, TO .......
SATURDAY, MARCH 26, 1988
- 8
MEANWHILE, TO FACILITATE RESURFACING WORK AT THE JUNCTION OF YAN FUNG STREET AND FAT KWONG STREET IN HUNG HOM, YAN FUNG STREET WILL BE CLOSED TO TRAFFIC FROM 1 AM TO 5.45 AM ON BOTH TUESDAY (MARCH 29) AND WEDNESDAY (MARCH 30).
VEHICLES ON CHATHAM ROAD NORTH HEADING FOR FAT KWONG STREET WILL BE DIVERTED VIA PAK KUNG STREET AND SHUN YUNG STREET.
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TAXI VOUCHER SCHEME TO END THIS MONTH » » ♦ ♦
THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT TODAY (SATURDAY) REMINDED THOSE WHO HAVE BEEN ISSUED TAXI VOUCHERS WITH VALIDITY FROM OCTOBER 1, 1987 TO MARCH 31, 1988 THAT THEY MUST MAKE USE OF THEIR VOUCHERS BEFORE THE END OF THIS MONTH.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE DEPARTMENT SAID THAT THE TAXI VOUCHER SCHEME, INTRODUCED IN APRIL LAST YEAR FOR A TRIAL PERIOD OF 12 MONTHS, WOULD END ON MARCH 31.
’’ALL VOUCHERS WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED AFTER THAT DATE,” HE STRESSED.
HOWEVER, TAXI DRIVERS CAN STILL CASH THESE VOUCHERS DURING THE THREE-MONTH PERIOD AFTER THEIR EXPIRY, UP TO JUNE 30 THIS YEAR.
CASH-IN CENTRES INCLUDE THE DEPARTMENT’S FOUR LICENSING OFFICES, THE STUDENT TRAVEL OFFICE, AND THREE TAXI ASSOCIATIONS --THE HONG KONG KOWLOON TAXI AND LORRY OWNERS ASSOCIATION, THE KOWLOON TAXI OWNERS ASSOCIATION AND THE TAXI OPERATORS ASSOCIATION.
’’PROGRESS OF THE SCHEME HAS BEEN MONITORED BY THE WORKING GROUP ON THE REVIEW OF THE PILOT TAXI VOUCHER SCHEME, WHICH WILL ALSO LOOK INTO THE POSSIBILITY AND PRACTICABILITY OF INTRODUCING A LONG TERM SCHEME," THE SPOKESMAN ADDED.
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/9........
I t
SATURDAY, MARCH 26, 1988
- 9 -
WATER CUTS IN SHA TAU KOK, TUEN MUN, » ♦ ♦ ♦ *
KWUN TONG
FRESH WATER SUPPLY TO CERTAIN PREMISES IN SHA TAU KOK WILL BE TURNED OFF ON TUESDAY (MARCH 29) FROM 10 AM TO 5 PM FOR WATER MAINS WORK.
THE SUSPENSION WILL AFFECT SHA TAU KOK AREA, INCLUDING TAM SHU1 HANG TSUEN, SHAN TSUI TSUEN, KONG HA TSUEN, CHOI YUEN KOK TSUEN AND SHA TAU KOK MARKET.
MEANWHILE, SALT WATER SUPPLY TO CERTAIN PREMISES IN TUEN MUN WILL BE CUT OFF ON TUESDAY (MARCH 29) FROM 10 PM TO 8 AM THE NEXT DAY FOR WATER MAINS WORK.
THE AREA AFFECTED WILL BE THE WHOLE AREA OF TUEN MUN, INCLUDING SIU HONG COURT, SIU ON COURT, SIU SHAN COURT, MELODY GARDEN, PRIME VIEW GARDEN, PAK KOK AND WU KING TEMPORARY HOUSING AREAS, AREAS 4B, 4C, 9, 10, 11, 12, 26, 36, 37A, 37B, 39 AND 44 AND TAI HING, SHAN KING, SAN FAT, ON TING, YAU 01, BUTTERFLY, AND WU KING ESTATES.
IN ADDITION, FRESH WATER SUPPLY TO CERTAIN PREMISES IN KWUN TONG WILL BE TURNED OFF ON WEDNESDAY (MARCH 30) FROM 11 PM TO 6 AM THE NEXT DAY FOR LEAKAGE TESTS.
THE AREA AFFECTED IS BOUNDED BY WAN HON STREET, HIP WO STREET, KWUN TONG ROAD, HONG NING ROAD AND HONG NING ROAD RECREATION GROUND, INCLUDING SHUNG YAN STREET, SHUI WO STREET, MUT WAH STREET, FU YAN STREET, YAN SHUN LANE, YUE MAN SQUARE, TUNG YAN STREET AND KA LOK STREET.
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DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL: 5-8428777
SUNDAY, MARCH 27, 1988
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
45 NEW BUILDING PLANS APPROVED IN JANUARY ............. 1
NEW TEXTAB MEMBERSHIP ................................. 2
GOVERNOR TO OPEN CHAI WAN TECHNICAL INSTITUTE.......... 3
MONG KOK DISTRICT BOARD REPORT PUBLISHED .............. 3
FIVE SCHOOLS TO BE BUILT IN NT ........................ 4
CENTRALISED SCHEME OF MUSIC TRAINING FOR SECONDARY STUDENTS 5
REMINDER ON CHING MING HOLIDAY ........................ 6
TEMPORARY TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS ON HONG KONG ISLAND..... 7
SUNDAY, MARCH 27, 1988
45 NEW BUILDING PLANS APPROVED IN JANUARY *****
THE BUILDINGS ORDINANCE OFFICE APPROVED 45 NEW BUILDING PLANS IN JANUARY THIS YEAR.
THE MAJORITY OF THE APPROVED PLANS, TOTALLING 26, WERE FOR APARTMENT/COMMERC1AL, APARTMENT AND RESIDENTIAL DEVELOPMENTS.
A BASE STATION FOR A TRAIN RADIO COMMUNICATION SYSTEM FOR THE KOWLOON-CANTON RAILWAY CORPORATION AND A PERMANENT BUS DEPOT AT KOWLOON BAY WERE ALSO APPROVED.
OF THE PLANS APPROVED, 16 WERE ON HONG KONG ISLAND, SIX IN KOWLOON AND 23 IN THE NEW TERRITORIES.
DURING THE MONTH, THE OFFICE GAVE CONSENT FOR WORK TO START ON 38 PROJECTS.
THE TOTAL FLOOR AREA OF THESE PROJECTS WAS 259,829.9 SQUARE METRES, OF WHICH 105,090 SQUARE METRES WERE FOR DOMESTIC USE.
USABLE FLOOR AREA OF NEW BUILDINGS COMPLETED DURING THE MONTH TOTALLED 200,867.5 SQUARE METRES, OF WHICH 78,294 SQUARE METRES WERE FOR DOMESTIC AND THE REMAINDER FOR NON-DOMESTIC PURPOSES.
THE COST OF NEW BUILDINGS COMPLETED IN THE MONTH WAS $646.8 MILLION.
4LSO DURING THE MONTH, THE OFFICE ISSUED 52 OCCUPATION PERMITS. ELEVEN OF THESE WERE ON HONG KONG ISLAND, NINE IN KOWLOON AND 32 IN THE NEW TERRITORIES.
IN ADDITION, THE OFFICE ISSUED 27 DEMOLITION ORDERS AFFECTING 59 BUILDINGS.
DURING THE MONTH, THE CONTROL AND ENFORCEMENT DIVISION RECEIVED 385 COMPLAINTS REGARDING ILLEGAL BUILDINGS AND ILLEGAL 3UILDING WORKS, CARRIED OUT 1,158 INSPECTIONS AND ISSUED 91 REMOVAL ORDERS.
THE DANGEROUS BUILDINGS SECTION INSPECTED 364 BUILDINGS AND OBTAINED ONE CLOSURE ORDER.
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SUNDAY, MARCH 27, 1988
2 -
NEW TEXTAB MEMBERSHIP * » t *
THE TERMS OF 13 MEMBERS CURRENTLY SERVING ON THE TEXTILES ADVISORY BOARD (TEXTAB) HAVE BEEN EXTENDED FOR ANOTHER YEAR WITH EFFECT FROM APRIL 1 THIS YEAR.
IN ADDITION, FOUR NEW MEMBERS - MR CLEMENT CHEN, MR CHAN WING-KEE, MS LUCY LAU AND DR HARRY LEE - HAVE BEEN APPOINTED TO THE BOARD WHILE TWO INCUMBENT MEMBERS - MR NELSON SOUSA AND MR LINCOLN YUNG - WILL RETIRE IN APRIL.
THE MEMBERSHIP OF THE BOARD FOR THE YEAR BEGINNING APRIL 1 WILL BE GAZETTED ON MARCH 31.
THE CHANGE IS IN LINE WITH THE GOVERNMENT’S POLICY OF INJECTING NEW BLOOD INTO ITS ADVISORY BODIES FROM TIME TO TIME.
THE SECRETARY FOR TRADE AND INDUSTRY, MR HAMISH MACLEOD, WHO IS ALSO THE CHAIRMAN OF TEXTAB, PAID TRIBUTE TO THE OUTGOING MEMBERS FOR THE VALUABLE SERVICE THEY HAVE RENDERED.
MR SOUSA AND MR YUNG HAVE SERVED ON TEXTAB FOR FIVE AND SEVEN YEARS RESPECTIVELY.
ONE OF THE FOUR NEW MEMBERS, MR CLEMENT CHEN (32), IS THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF TAI HING COTTON MILL LTD. HE IS A MEMBER OF THE HONG KONG POLYTECHNIC ADVISORY COMMITTEE ON TEXTILE AND CLOTHING INDUSTRIES.
MR CHAN WING-KEE (41), IS THE MANAGING DIRECTOR OF YANGTZEKIANG GARMENT MANUFACTURING CO., LTD.
HE IS ALSO MEMBER OF THE CLOTHING INDUSTRY TRAINING AUTHORITY AND VICE-CHAIRMAN OF THE FEDERATION OF HONG KONG GARMENT MANUFACTURERS, THE CLOTHING AND FOOTWEAR INSTITUTE AND THE HONG KONG EXPORTERS’ ASSOCIATION.
MS LUCY LAU (37) IS THE MANAGING DIRECTOR OF ASIA EXPERT LTD HILE DR HARRY LEE (45) IS THE MANAGING DIRECTOR OF TAL APPAREL LTD. DR LEE IS ALSO MEMBER' OF THE CLOTHING INDUSTRY TRAINING BOARD OF THE VOCATIONAL TRAINING COUNCIL AND OF THE HONG KONG POLYTECHNIC ADVISORY COMMITTEE ON TEXTILE AND CLOTHING INDUSTRIES.
THE TEXTILES ADVISORY BOARD, COMPOSED PREDOMINANTLY OF NON-OFF1C1AL MEMBERS, IS CONSULTED ON ALL MATTERS (OTHER THAN LABOUR MATTERS), AFFECTING THE TEXTILES AND GARMENT INDUSTRIES.
THE MEMBERS WHO CURRENTLY SERVE ON THE BOARD AND WHO HAVE BEEN REAPPOINTED ARE: MR SAM CHEN, MR CHRISTOPHER CHENG, MR STEPHEN CHEONG, MR FRED K.T. CHIN, MR DAVID CHU, MR WILLIAM FUNG, DR RICHARD LAI, MR STEPHEN LAU, MR FRANK LIN, MR HENRY TANG, MR JAMES TIEN, MISS ELEANOR WONG AND DR JAMES WONG.
THE EX-OFFICIO MEMBERS COMPRISE THE SECRETARY FOR TRADE AND INDUSTRY, THE DIRECTOR OF TRADE, THE DIRECTOR OF INDUSTRY AND THE COMMISSIONER OF CUSTOMS AND EXCISE.
______0------- /5....................
SUNDAY, MARCH 27, 1988
- 5 -
GOVERNOR TO OPEN CHAI WAN TECHNICAL INSTITUTE » » * » *
THE GOVERNOR, SIR DAVID WILSON, WILL OFFICIATE AT THE OPENING CEREMONY OF THE VOCATIONAL TRAINING COUNCIL’S NEWEST AND LARGEST TECHNICAL INSTITUTE, THE CHAI WAN TECHNICAL INSTITUTE, ON TUESDAY, MARCH 29.
THE INSTITUTE BECAME OPERATIONAL IN SEPTEMBER LAST YEAR, OFFERING 73 COURSES IN SIX TEACHING DEPARTMENTS - APPLIED SCIENCE, COMMERCIAL STUDIES, COMPUTING STUDIES, ELECTRICAL ENGINEERING, GENERAL STUDIES AND MECHANICAL ENGINEERING.
LOCATED ON A 1.9 HECTARE SITE AND WITH A TOTAL FLOOR AREA OF 21,000 SQUARE METRES, THE INSTITUTE CAN ACCOMMODATE 2,700 STUDENTS AT ANY ONE TIME.
ALSO OFFICIATING AT THE CEREMONY WILL BE THE COUNCIL’S CHAIRMAN, MR CHAN KAM-CHUEN, AND EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, MR H.R. KNIGHT.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE OPENING CEREMONY OF THE CHAI WAN TECHNICAL INSTITUTE IN SHING TAI ROAD, CHAI WAN ON TUESDAY (MARCH 29) AT 2.15 PM. THE INSTITUTE IS WITHIN WALKING DISTANCE OF HENG FA CHUEN MTR STATION.
------o-------
MONG KOK DISTRICT BOARD REPORT PUBLISHED » * ♦ » »
THE MONG KOK DISTRICT BOARD REPORT ON ITS WORK FROM 1985 TO 1988.
THE FULL COLOUR 40-PAGE REPORT OF THE DISTRICT ADMINISTRATION SCHEME THE DISTRICT BOARD.
HAS PUBLISHED A COMPREHENSIVE
ALSO OUTLINES THE DEVELOPMENT
AND DESCRIBES THE OPERATIONS OF
THE REPORT INDICATES THAT THE BOARD HAS SHOWN GREAT CONCERN OVER A WIDE RANGE OF TERRITORY-WIDE POLICIES AND DISTRICT ISSUES.
IT HELD MEETINGS TO DISCUSS, AND REFLECT PUBLIC VIEWS ON, VARIOUS ISSUES CONCERNING TRANSPORT, HOUSING, EDUCATION, POLITICAL REFORMS, AND ON OTHER CONSULTATION DOCUMENTS.
/THE BOARD
SUNDAY, MAUCH 27, 1988
THE BOARD INITIATED STUDIES ON VARIOUS LOCAL PROBLEMS, SUCH AS MULTI-STOREY BUILDING MANAGEMENT, THE PROLIFERATION OF OBJECTIONABLE PUBLICATIONS, THE AWARENESS OF CIVIC EDUCATION, COMMUNITY FACILITIES FOR YOUTHS, AS WELL AS THE EFFECTS OF VIDEO GAMES CENTRES AND VICE ESTABLISHMENTS.
IT ALSO ALLOCATED FUNDS TO PROVIDE SITTING-OUT AREAS, ORGANISE AND SPONSOR RECREATIONAL ACTIVITIES, WIDEN ROADS, AND TO REMOVE ABANDONED SIGNBOARDS TO IMPROVE THE ENVIRONMENT AND LIVING CONDITIONS IN THE DISTRICT.
IN HIS FOREWORD TO THE REPORT, MONG KOK DISTRICT BOARD CHAIRMAN, MR CHOW CHUN-FAI, SAID THE REPORT WOULD ENABLE RESIDENTS TO BETTER UNDERSTAND THE WORK OF THE DISTRICT BOARD AND THE EFFORTS OF ITS MEMBERS.
THIS WOULD HELP AROUSE THEIR INTEREST IN SUPPORTING THE DISTRICT ADMINISTRATION SCHEME AS WELL AS IN TAKING PART IN COMMUNITY AFFAIRS.
"ALTHOUGH THE BOARD HAS PUT IN A GREAT DEAL OF EFFORT, SUCH PROBLEMS AS VICE ESTABLISHMENTS, THE INADEQUACY OF COMMUNITY FACILITIES, HAWKER NUISANCES AND POOR BUILDING MANAGEMENT HAVE REMAINED UNSOLVED.
"I HOPE THE NEW BOARD WILL CARRY ON THE WORK TO BRING A SOLUTION TO THESE PROBLEMS,” HE NOTED.
MR CHOW ALSO THANKED THOSE LOCAL ORGANISATIONS AND GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS WHICH HAD ASSISTED IN THE BOARD’S WORK.
COPIES OF THE REPORT WILL BE DISTRIBUTED TO LOCAL RESIDENTS’ ORGANISATIONS, COMMUNITY BODIES AND VOLUNTARY AGENCIES FOR REFERENCE.
FREE COPIES CAN BE OBTAINED ON A FIRST COME, FIRST SERVED BASIS AT THE PUBLIC ENQUIRY COUNTERS OF THE MONG KOK DISTRICT OFFICE AT 157 PRINCE EDWARD ROAD OR ITS TAI KOK TSUI BRANCH OFFICE AT 85 IVY STREET.
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FIVE SCHOOLS TO BE BUILT IN NT *****
TENDERS ARE BEING INVITED BY THE ARCHITECTURAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT FOR CONSTRUCTION OF FOUR SECONDARY SCHOOLS AND A PRIMARY SCHOOL IN THE NEW TERRITORIES TO MEET INCREASING LOCAL DEMAND.
TWO SECONDARY SCHOOLS WILL BE BUILT IN AREAS 92 AND 103, MA ON SHAN AND THE OTHER TWO AT MEI LAM ESTATE, SHA TIN.
/EACH SCHOOL
SUNDAY, MARCH 27, 1988
- 5
EACH SCHOOL WILL HAVE 24 CLASSROOMS, 12 SPECIAL CLASSROOMS, AN ASSEMBLY HALL AND A BASKETBALL COURT.
CONSTRUCTION OF THE SCHOOLS IS DUE TO START IN JUNE AND TAKE ABOUT 14 MONTHS TO COMPLETE.
AT THE SAME TIME, A STANDARD PRIMARY SCHOOL IS TO BE BUILT IN YUEN LONG.
SITUATED AT FUNG KAM STREET, THE SCHOOL WILL CONSIST OF 24 CLASSROOMS, THREE SPECIAL ROOMS, AN ASSEMBLY HALL AND A BASKETBALL COURT.
WORK IS EXPECTED TO START IN MAY AND BE COMPLETED IN JUNE NEXT YEAR.
THE DEADLINE FOR SUBMISSION OF TENDERS IS NOON ON APRIL 15.
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CENTRALISED SCHEME OF MUSIC TRAINING FOR SECONDARY STUDENTS * t » » »
THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT WILL AGAIN OFFER THREE MUSIC TRAINING COURSES IN SEPTEMBER THIS YEAR UNDER THE CENTRALISED SCHEME OF MUSIC TRAINING TO MEET THE NEEDS OF STUDENTS WHO WOULD LIKE TO TAKE THIS SUBJECT IN THEIR SENIOR SECONDARY AND SIXTH FORM STUDIES.
STUDENTS WHO ARE CURRENTLY IN SECONDARY THREE ARE ADVISED TO APPLY FOR THE TWO-YEAR CERTIFICATE OF EDUCATION MUSIC COURSE WHICH FOLLOWS THE SYLLABUS REQUIREMENTS OF THE CERTIFICATE OF EDUCATION EXAMINATION IN MUSIC.
THE ONE-YEAR HIGHER LEVEL MUSIC COURSE AND THE TWO-YEAR ADVANCED LEVEL MUSIC COURSE WHICH FOLLOW THE SYLLABUS REQUIREMENTS OF THE HIGHER LEVEL AND ADVANCED LEVEL EXAMINATIONS IN MUSIC RESPECTIVELY ARE OPEN TO STUDENTS WHO ARE ENTERING SIXTH FORM IN SEPTEMBER THIS YEAR.
THE COURSES WILL BE HELD ON SATURDAY MORNINGS THROUGHOUT THE SCHOOL YEAR AND AN ADDITIONAL SESSION WILL BE CONDUCTED ON A WEEKDAY AFTER SCHOOL FOR ADVANCED LEVEL CLASSES AT THE GRANTHAM COLLEGE OF EDUCATION AND A NUMBER OF GOVERNMENT SECONDARY SCHOOLS.
/NO FEES
SUNDAY, MARCH 2?, 1988
6
NO FEES WILL BE CHARGED BUT STUDENTS ATTENDING THE COURSES ARE EXPECTED TO PURCHASE PRESCRIBED STUDY SCORES AND RELATED RECORDINGS FOR PRIVATE STUDY.
SCHOOL HEADS ARE REQUESTED TO MAKE NOMINATIONS IN CONSULTATION WITH THEIR MUSIC TEACHERS.
APPLICATION FORMS ARE NOW AVAILABLE TO ALL SECONDARY SCHOOLS AND COMPLETED FORMS SHOULD BE RETURNED TO THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT AS EARLY AS POSSIBLE.
MORE THAN 240 SENIOR SECONDARY STUDENTS ARE NOW ATTENDING COURSES UNDER THE CENTRALISED SCHEME FOR MUSIC TRAINING.
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REMINDER ON CHING MING HOLIDAY
*****
CHING MING FESTIVAL, WHICH FALLS ON MONDAY, APRIL 4, IS ONE OF THE 11 STATUTORY HOLIDAYS.
UNDER THE EMPLOYMENT ORDINANCE, ALL MANUAL WORKERS AND THOSE NON-MANUAL WORKERS EARNING NOT MORE THAN $11,500 A MONTH ARE ENTITLED TO THE HOLIDAY.
THEY MUST BE PAID FOR THE DAY OFF IF THEY HAVE WORKED CONTINUOUSLY FOR THE SAME EMPLOYER FOR THREE MONTHS IMMEDIATELY PRECEDING THE STATUTORY HOLIDAY.
HOLIDAY PAY SHOULD BE EQUIVALENT TO AN EMPLOYEE’S EARNINGS ON A NORMAL WORKING DAY AND SHOULD INCLUDE BASIC WAGES AS WELL AS ALLOWANCES THAT CAN BE EXPRESSED IN MONEY TERMS SUCH AS MEALS AND COST OF LIVING ALLOWANCES.
WHERE THE EARNINGS VARY FROM DAY-TO-DAY, HOLIDAY PAY SHOULD BE THE AVERAGE DAILY EARNINGS DURING EVERY COMPLETE WAGE PERIOD, WHICH COULD BE BETWEEN 28 DAYS AND 31 DAYS PRECEDING THE HOLIDAY.
ENQUIRIES ABOUT STATUTORY HOLIDAYS MAY BE MADE AT ALL BRANCH OFFICES OF THE LABOUR RELATIONS SERVICE.
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/7
SUNDAY, MARCH 27, 1988
- 7 -
TEMPORARY TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS ON HONG KONG ISLAND *****
TO FACILITATE TRAM TRACK RENEWAL WORK AT THE SHAU KEI WAN TRAM TERMINUS, A NUMBER OF ROAD SECTIONS WILL BE TEMPORARILY DESIGNATED 7 AM TO 7 PM DAILY URBAN CLEARWAYS FROM 10 AM ON MARCH 29 (TUESDAY) TO APRIL 4.
THE ROAD SECTIONS ARE:
* FACTORY STREET BETWEEN SHAU KEI WAN MAIN STREET EAST AND WANG WA STREET;
» WANG WA STREET BETWEEN FACTORY STREET AND KAM WA STREET; AND
» KAM WA STREET BETWEEN WANG WA STREET AND SHAU KEI WAN MAIN STREET EAST.
NO VEHICLES, EXCEPT FRANCHISED BUSES, WILL BE ALLOWED TO STOP WITHIN THE ABOVE URBAN CLEARWAYS FOR GOODS OR PASSENGERS.
AT THE SAME TIME, VEHICLES ON SHAU KEI WAN MAIN STREET EAST NORTHBOUND HEADING FOR A KUNG NGAM ROAD WILL BE DIVERTED TO TRAVEL VIA FACTORY STREET, WANG WA STREET AND KAM WA STREET.
THE DIVERSION WILL BE IN FORCE UNTIL 10 AM ON APRIL 5.
MEANWHILE, HORNSEY ROAD IN MID-LEVELS WILL BE CLOSED TO TRAFFIC EXCEPT EMERGENCY VEHICLES BETWEEN 8 AM AND 6 PM DAILY FROM MARCH 29 FOR ABOUT ONE WEEK BECAUSE OF DRAINAGE WORK.
VEHICLES HEADING FOR CONDUIT ROAD WILL BE DIVERTED VIA ROBINSON ROAD.
IN CENTRAL, EDINBURGH PLACE NORTH BETWEEN QUEEN’S PIER AND HMS TAMAR WILL BE TEMPORARILY CLOSED FROM 7 AM ON THE SAME DAY TO 6 PM ON MARCH 31 TO FACILITATE A HELICOPTER DISPLAY.
- 0 -
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL: 5-8428777
MONDAY, MAUCH 28, 1988
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
MONETARY STATISTICS FOR FEBRUARY PUBLISHED ................. 1
SIR S.Y. CHUNG TO CHAIR PROVISIONAL HOSPITAL AUTHORITY .... 5
COMMITTEE DISCUSSES SURROGACY QUESTIONS .................... 5
'THINK TANK' GETS TO WORK .................................. 6
REVISED CARE-AND-ATTENTION PLACES PLANNING RATIO ENDORSED . 6
STUDY ROOMS FOR TUTU MUN STUDENTS .......................... 7
AWARDS FOR SAFETY POSTER DESIGN WINNERS..................... 8
PLAYGROUND FOR HUNG HCM RESIDENTS .......................... 8
TRAFFIC MEASURES IN WAN CHAI, CENTRAL ...................... 9
BUS-ONLY LANE ON LAI CHI KOK RO^D .......................... 9
MORE PiJRKING SPACES IN SHAU KEI WAN ....................... 10
KOWLOON B.,Y RIGHT-TURN BAN TO BE LIFTED ................... 10
WATER STORAGE FIGURE........................................ 10
MONDAY, MARCH 28, 1988
1
MONETARY STATISTICS FOR FEBRUARY PUBLISHED ♦ * t » »
STATISTICS PUBLISHED TODAY (MONDAY) BY THE MONETARY AFFAIRS BRANCH SHOWED THAT HONG KONG DOLLAR DEPOSITS FELL IN FEBRUARY COMPARED WITH THE PREVIOUS MONTH.
THE SUBSIDENCE OF THE SPECULATIVE INFLOW INTO THE HONG KONG DOLLAR WAS PROBABLY A MAJOR FACTOR ACCOUNTING FOR THIS DECLINE.
FOREIGN CURRENCY DEPOSITS, ON THE OTHER HAND, RECORDED A SMALL INCREASE IN FEBRUARY.
LEGAL TENDER NOTES AND COINS HELD BY THE PUBLIC GREW RAPIDLY IN FEBRUARY, REFLECTING THE SURGE IN DEMAND FOR CASH DUE TO THE LUNAR NEW YEAR.
AS THE INCREASE IN CASH HOLDING OFFSET THE DECLINE IN HONG KONG DOLLAR DEPOSITS, HONG KONG DOLLAR MONEY SUPPLY ON VARIOUS DEFINITIONS STILL REGISTERED SLIGHT INCREASES IN FEBRUARY.
TOTAL LOANS AND ADVANCES EXTENDED BY DEPOSIT-TAKING INSTITUTIONS DECLINED IN FEBRUARY COMPARED WITH JANUARY, MAINLY ATTRIBUTABLE TO THE FALL IN OFFSHORE LOANS.
ON THE OTHER HAND, LOANS TO FINANCE HONG KONG’S VISIBLE TRADE AND OTHER LOANS FOR USE IN HONG KONG GREW MODERATELY IN FEBRUARY.
DEPOSITS
HONG KONG DOLLAR DEPOSITS FELL BY 0.6 PER CENT IN FEBRUARY, FOLLOWING INCREASES OF 6.4 PER CENT AND 2.9 PER CENT IN DECEMBER 1987 AND JANUARY 1988 RESPECTIVELY.
WITHIN THESE DEPOSITS, DEMAND DEPOSITS AND SAVINGS DEPOSITS DECREASED BY 4.3 PER CENT AND 3.0 PER CENT RESPECTIVELY, WHILE TIME DEPOSITS INCREASED BY 3.9 PER CENT.
DURING THE 12 MONTHS ENDING FEBRUARY 1988, TOTAL HONG KONG DOLLAR DEPOSITS GREW B^ 24.4 PER CENT.
FOREIGN CURRENCY DEPOSITS GREW BY 0.9 PER CENT IN FEBRUARY, FOLLOWING AN INCREASE OF 2.5 PER CENT IN DECEMBER 1987 AND A FALL OF 3.1 PER CENT IN JANUARY 1988.
/AMONG THESE .......
MONDAY, MARCH 28, 1988
2 -
AMONG THESE DEPOSITS, U.S. DOLLAR DEPOSITS AND NON-U.S. DOLLAR DEPOSITS RECORDED THE SAME GROWTH RATE IN FEBRUARY, OF 0.9 PER CENT.
OVER THE YEAR, TOTAL FOREIGN CURRENCY DEPOSITS ROSE BY 21.3 PER CENT.
FOREIGN CURRENCY SWAP DEPOSITS INCREASED BY 13.8 PER CENT IN FEBRUARY, AFTER DECLINES OF 24.1 PER CENT AND 25.1 PER CENT IN DECEMBER 1987 AND JANUARY 1988 RESPECTIVELY.
ADJUSTED TO INCLUDE THESE DEPOSITS, HONG KONG DOLLAR DEPOSITS RECORDED ZERO GROWTH IN FEBRUARY. OVER THE YEAR, THEY GREW BY 19.2 PER CENT.
ON THE OTHER HAND, FOREIGN CURRENCY DEPOSITS, ADJUSTED TO EXCLUDE SWAP DEPOSITS, INCREASED BY 0.3 PER CENT IN FEBRUARY AND BY 26 PER CENT OVER THE YEAR.
DEPOSITS (ALL CURRENCIES) WITH BANKS INCREASED BY 0.3 PER CENT IN FEBRUARY WHILE THOSE WITH DEPOSIT-TAKING COMPANIES DECREASED BY 1.3 PER CENT.
DURING THE 12 MONTHS ENDING FEBRUARY 1988, THE FORMER INCREASED BY 25.2 PER CENT WHILE THE LATTER DROPPED BY 1.3 PER CENT.
MONEY SUPPLY
HK$M1, HK$M2 AND HK$M3 ROSE BY 1.4 PER CENT, 0.8 PER CENT AND 0.6 PER CENT RESPECTIVELY IN FEBRUARY, COMPARED WITH CORRESPONDING INCREASES OF 3.2 PER CENT, 4.7 PER CENT AND 3.1 PER CENT IN JANUARY.
DURING THE 12 MONTHS ENDING FEBRUARY, HK$M1, M2 AND M3 GREW BY 41.9 PER CENT, 30.5 PER CENT AND 26.1 PER CENT RESPECTIVELY.
ADJUSTED TO TAKE ACCOUNT OF SWAP DEPOSITS, HK$M2 AND HK*M3 GREW BY 1.4 PER CENT AND 1.2 PER CENT RESPECTIVELY IN FEBRUARY AND BY 24.7 PER CENT AND 21.2 PER CENT RESPECTIVELY OVER THE YEAR.
TOTAL Ml, M2 AND M3 GREW BY 1.9 PER CENT, 0.9 PER CENT AND 0.7 PER CENT RESPECTIVELY IN FEBRUARY, COMPARED WITH CORRESPONDING RATES OF 4.2 PER CENT, 0.7 PER CENT AND -0.5 PER CENT IN JANUARY.
DURING THE 12 MONTHS ENDING FEBRUARY, TOTAL Ml GREW BY 46.2 PER CENT, TOTAL M2 BY 26.1 PER CENT AND TOTAL M3 BY 23.1 PER CENT.
/LOANS AND ADVANCES
MONDAY, MARCH 28, 1988
LOANS AND ADVANCES
TOTAL OUTSTANDING LOANS AND ADVANCES EXTENDED BY BANKS AND DEPOSIT-TAKING COMPANIES DROPPED BY 0.1 PER CENT IN FEBRUARY
FOLLOWING INCREASES OF 4.9 PER CENT AND 0.3 PER CENT IN DECEMBER 1987 AND JANUARY 1988.
OF THE TOTAL OUTSTANDING LOANS, THOSE DENOMINATED IN HONG KONG DOLLAR EDGED UP BY 0.6 PER CENT, WHILE THOSE DENOMINATED IN FOREIGN CURRENCIES DROPPED BY 0.6 PER CENT.
LOANS FOR USE OUTSIDE HONG KONG DECREASED BY 2.4 PER CENT IN FEBRUARY 1988 AFTER AN INCREASE OF 8.3 PER CENT IN DECEMBER 1987 AND A FALL OF 0.6 PER CENT IN JANUARY 1988; OVER THE YEAR, THESE LOANS GREW BY 83.1 PER CENT.
LOANS TO FINANCE VISIBLE TRADE OF HONG KONG GREW BY 1.7 PER CENT IN FEBRUARY AFTER AN INCREASE OF 1.4 PER CENT IN DECEMBER AND A DROP OF 0.1 PER CENT IN JANUARY; OVER THE YEAR, THESE LOANS GREW BY 24.1 PER CENT.
OTHER LOANS FOR USE IN HONG KONG ROSE BY 1.2 PER CENT IN FEBRUARY, AFTER INCREASES OF 1.7 PER CENT AND 1.3 PER CENT IN DECEMBER AND JANUARY RESPECTIVELY; OVER THE YEAR, THESE LOANS GREW BY 26.8 PER CENT.
NUMBER OF REPORTING INSTITUTIONS
THE NUMBER OF REPORTING LICENSED BANKS INCREASED BY ONE TO 155. THE NUMBER OF LICENSED DEPOSIT-TAKING COMPANIES REMAINED UNCHANGED AT 35 WHILE THAT OF REGISTERED DEPOSIT-TAKING COMPANIES DECREASED BY ONE TO 231.
/MONETARY STATISTICS
— 4 MONDAY, MARCH 28, 1988 I
Money Supply Feb 1988 MONETARY Jan 1988 STATISTICS (X - FEPURARY Earlier change to Nov 1987 1988 months February : 1988) Feb 1987 (HKSrr.n)
Ml - HK$ 77,288 76,189 ( 1.4 %) 64,890 ( 19.1 X) 54,473 ( 41.9 X)
Foreign currency 9,711 9,190 ( 5.7 X) 9,029 ( 7.6 X) 5.046 ( 92.4 t)
Total 86,999 85.379 ( 1.9 X) 73,919 ( 17.7 %) 59,519 ( 46.2 X)
M2 - HK$ 328,158 325.630 ( 0.8 X) 287,258 ( 14.2 X) 251.490 ( 30.5 X)
Foreign currency 359,861 356,252 ( 1.0 X) 357,292 ( 0.7 X) 294,225 ( 22.3 Zv )
Total 688,019 681,881 ( 0.9 X) 644,550 ( 6.7 X) 545,714 ( 26.1 %)
M3 - HK$ 355,787 353.608 ( 0.6 X) 321,827 ( 10.6 X) 282.105 ( 26. 1 x )
Foreign currency 388,875 385.716 ( 0.8 * ) 390,992 ( -0.5 X) 323.041 ( 20.4
Total 744,662 739,324 ( 0.7 X) 712,819 ( 4.5 X) 605,145 ( 23.1 *)
Notes and coins in circulation 33,092 30,748 ( 7.6 •) 26,672 ( 24.1 X) 23,914 ( 38.4 X)
of which held by public 28,716 CJ OJ ■sr U-) CJ ( 13.0 X) 23,183 ( 23.9 X) 20,998 ( 36.8 X}
Deposits
Demand deposits 58,284 59,958 ( -2.8 X) 50,736 ( 14.9 X) 38,521 ( 51.3 X)
Savings deposits 190,868 195,781 ( -2.5 X) 157,472 ( 21.2 %) 136,541 ( 39.8 X)
Time deposits with banks 397,721 389,041 ( 2.2 X) 403,426 ( -1.4 %) 341,407 ( 16.5 %)
Time deposits with dtcs 54,731 55,454 ( -1.3 X) 63,854 ( -14.3 X) 55,432 ( -1 .3 X)
HK$ deposits 316,336 318,402 ( -0.6 X) 290,853 ( 8.8 X) 254,208 ( 24.4 x)
USS deposits 211,167 209,208 ( 0.9 X) 221,357 ( -4.6 X) 202,962 ( 4.0 X‘
Other foreign currency deposits 174,101 172,624 ( 0.9 X) 163,279 ( 6.6 X) 114,730 ( 51.7 X)
' All deposits 701,604 700,234 ( 0.2 X) 675,488 ( 3.9 X) 571,901 ( 22.7 X)
Foreign currency swap deposits 18,014 15,834 ( 13.8 X) 27,876 ( -35.4 X) 26,225 (■ -31.3 X)
Loans and advances
To finance H.K.’s visible trade 44,965 44,224 ( 1.7 X) 43,645 ( 3.0 X) 36,228 ( 24.1 X) X)
To finance merchandising trade not touching H.K. 7,847 6,979 ( 12.4 X) 6,585 ( 19.2 X) 4,558 ( 72.2
Other loans for use in H.K. 361,572 357.264 ( 1.2 346.768 ( 4.3 X) 285,110 ( 26.8 X)
Other loans for use outside H.K. 303,234 310,651 ( -2.4 X) 288,636 ( 5.1 X) 165,597 ( 83.1 X)
1 Other loans where the place of use is not known 62,515 62.120 ( 0.6 X) 56.888 ( 9.9 %) 32,250 ( 93.8 X)
Loans in HKS 315,058 313,247 ( 0.6 %) 309,386 ( 1.8 X) 263,659 ( 19.5 X)
Loans in foreign currencies 465,074 467,989 ( -0.6 *) 433,136 ( 7.4 X) 260,084 ( 78.8 X)
Total loans and advances 780,133 781,237 ( -0.1 • 0 - X) 742.522 ( 5.1 %) 523,743 /5 ( 49.0 X) •
MONDAY, MARCH 28, 1988
- 5 -
SIR S.Y. CHUNG TO CHAIR PROVISIONAL HOSPITAL AUTHORITY
THE GOVERNMENT ANNOUNCED TODAY (MONDAY) THAT THE GOVERNOR HAD APPOINTED SIR S.Y. CHUNG TO BE CHAIRMAN OF THE PROVISIONAL HOSPITAL AUTHORITY.
THE PROVISIONAL HOSPITAL AUTHORITY WILL BE RESPONSIBLE FOR OVERSEEING THE LEGISLATIVE AND ADMINISTRATIVE ARRANGEMENTS NECESSARY FOR THE FORMAL ESTABLISHMENT OF THE STATUTORY HOSPITAL AUTHORITY AS RECOMMENDED BY THE AUSTRALIAN CONSULTANTS.
SIR S.Y. CHUNG WILL NOT BE AVAILABLE TO TAKE UP THE POST UNTIL LATER IN THE YEAR AND THE PROVISIONAL AUTHORITY IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN ITS WORK ON OCTOBER I.
THE NAMES OF THE OTHER MEMBERS WILL BE ANNOUNCED AT A LATER STAGE.
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COMMITTEE DISCUSSES SURROGACY QUESTIONS ♦ t * * »
THE COMMITTEE ON SCIENTIFICALLY ASSISTED HUMAN REPRODUCTION TODAY (MONDAY) AGREED THAT SURROGACY SHOULD NOT BE BANNED IN TOTAL, BUT SHOULD BE SUBJECT TO STRINGENT CONDITIONS, POSSIBLY TO BE LAID DOWN BY LEGISLATION.
THIS WAS STATED BY THE CHAIRMAN OF THE COMMITTEE, DR C.H. LEONG, WHEN HE MET THE PRESS AFTER THE COMMITTEE’S THIRD MEETING TODAY.
AT THE MEETING, MEMBERS CONSIDERED, IN A LOCAL CONTEXT, A PAPER WHICH SETS OUT THE VARIOUS FORMS OF SURROGACY, VIEWS AND RECOMMENDATIONS MADE BY VARIOUS COMMITTEES OR COMMISSIONS IN UK, USA AND CANADA, THE ARGUMENTS FOR AND AGAINST IT, AND SUBMISSIONS AND LETTERS FROM THE PUBLIC ON THE ISSUE.
DR LEONG SAID THE STRINGENT CONDITIONS SHOULD INCLUDE ABSOLUTE MEDICAL NEED, INVOLVING ONLY A CHILD GENETICALLY RELATED TO BOTH PARENTS, CAREFUL COUNSELLING OF Till COMMISSIONING COUPLES AND THE SURROGATE MOTHER, PREVENTION OF EXPLOITATION OF WOMEN AND PROHIBITION OF A COMMERCIAL AGENCY IN Till PROCESS.
EMPHASIS DURING THE DISCUSSION WAS PLACED ON Till HELP WHICH A NEW SCIENTIFIC TECHNIQUE CAN GIVE TO A MARRIED COUPLE TO HAVE THEIR GENETIC CHILI), AS WELL AS THE INTEREST OF THE CHILD TO BE BORN BY SURROGACY.
THE COMMITTEE WILL WELCOME VIEWS FROM THE PUBLIC WHICH CAN BE SENT TO IT THROUGH THE HEALTH AND WELFARE BRANCH, GOVERNMENT SECRETARIAT, LOWER ALBERT ROAD, HONG KONG.
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MONDAY, MARCH 28, 1988
- 6 -
1 THINK TANK’ GETS TO WORK ♦ * * ♦ *
THE COMMITTEE ON SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY HAS DECIDED TO HOLD A ’’BRAINSTORMING SESSION” BY THE END OF NEXT MONTH AT WHICH EVERY MEMBER OF THE COMMITTEE WILL CONTRIBUTE HIS OR HER OWN IDEAS.
THIS WAS SAID TODAY (MONDAY) BY THE COMMITTEE’S CHAIRMAN, PROFESSOR POON CHUNG-KWONG, AT A PRESS CONFERENCE HELD IMMEDIATELY AFTER THE INAUGURAL MEETING OF THE COMMITTEE.
PROF POON NOTED THAT THE COMMITTEE’S 15 MEMBERS - EIGHT NON-OFFICIALS AND SEVEN OFFICIALS - HAD BEEN APPOINTED BY THE GOVERNOR TO FORM A THINK TANK ON SCIENTIFIC AND TECHNOLOGICAL ISSUES OF RELEVANCE TO HONG KONG.
HE SAID THE COMMITTEE COMPRISED A GOOD MIX OF EXPERTS FROM MANY DIFFERENT FIELDS IN SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY.
"BECAUSE OF THE COMPLEXITY OF SCIENTIFIC AND TECHNOLOGICAL ISSUES AND A WIDE VARIETY OF ISSUES THAT THE COMMITTEE CAN LOOK INTO -BOTH OF IMMEDIATE INTEREST AND MEDIUM AND LONG-TERM INTEREST, THE COMMITTEE HAS DECIDED TO HOLD A BRAINSTORMING SESSION BY THE END OF NEXT MONTH," HE SAID.
"EVERY MEMBER WILL MAKE KNOWN HIS OR HER VIEWS ON HOW THE COMMITTEE CAN WORK AND FUNCTION, AND WHICH PROJECT THE COMMITTEE CAN CONSIDER FURTHER.
"WITH A VARIETY OF PROJECTS, IDEAS AND PROPOSALS PUT BEFORE THE COMMITTEE, WE CAN THEN DECIDE ON A SET OF CRITERIA, BASED ON WHICH WE CAN SET A PRIORITY."
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REVISED CARE-AND-ATTENTION PLACES PLANNING RATIO ENDORSED ♦ * ♦ ♦ ♦
THE SOCIAL WELFARE ADVISORY COMMITTEE TODAY (MONDAY) ENDORSED THE REVISION OF THE PLANNING RATIO FOR CARE-AND-ATTENTION PLACES FROM FIVE PLACES TO EIGHT PLACES PER THOUSAND POPULATION AGED 60 OR ABOVE.
IT ACCEPTED THE NEW RATIO AFTER CONSIDERING THE CURRENT SITUATION ON THE CENTRAL WAITING LIST, ENROLMENT IN THF EXISTING CARE-AND-ATTENTION HOMES AND THE HIDDEN DEMAND FACTOR.
THE COMMITTEE ALSO AGREED THAI’, RESOURCES PERMITTING, THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT SHOI LD CONDUCT A STUDY IN 1989 TO EXAMINE THE DEMAND FOR CARE-AND-ATTENTI ON PLACES.
/HOWEVER, IT ........
MONDAY, MARCH 28, 1988
7
HOWEVER, IT WAS OF THE VIEW THAT THE SUBJECT SHOULD NOT BE EXAMINED IN ISOLATION BUT SHOULD BE STUDIED AGAINST THE WHOLE SPECTRUM OF RESIDENTIAL CARE FOR THE ELDERLY.
ALSO DISCUSSED AT TODAY’S MEETING WAS A PROPOSAL TO AMEND THE REFORMATORY SCHOOLS ORDINANCE FOR THE PURPOSE OF ACHIEVING EFFICIENT AND EFFECTIVE OPERATION OF THE TWO REFORMATORY SCHOOLS RUN BY THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT.
THE COMMITTEE ACCEPTED THAT THE MAXIMUM DETENTION PERIOD IN A REFORMATORY SCHOOL BE REDUCED TO THREE YEARS FROM FIVE YEARS WHICH WAS CONSIDERED TOO LONG COMPARED WITH OTHER TRAINING CENTRES AND COULD IN FACT BE COUNTER-PRODUCTIVE IN THE REHABILITATION OF YOUNG OFFENDERS.
THE COMMITTEE NEXT EXAMINED A PROGRESS REPORT ON THE PILOT SCHEME FOR COMMUNITY SERVICE ORDERS.
IT NOTED THAT THE SCHEME, WHICH WAS INTRODUCED FROM JANUARY I LAST YEAR, HAD BEEN OPERATING SMOOTHLY, AT THE CENTRAL, KWUN TONG AND TSUEN WAN MAGISTRACIES.
THE COMMITTEE WAS ALSO INFORMED THAT LATER THIS YEAR, TOWARDS THE END OF THE PILOT SCHEME’S TWO-YEAR LIFE, A FULL REVIEW OF THE SCHEME WOULD BE CARRIED OUT WITH THE VIEW TO MAKING A RECOMMENDATION WHETHER IT SHOULD BE EXTENDED TO ALL MAGISTRATES’ COURTS.
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STUDY ROOMS FOR TUEN MUN STUDENTS
* » » » »
THE CONFERENCE ROOMS AT SHAN KING COMMUNITY HALL AND BUTTERFLY ESTATE COMMUNITY CENTRE WILL BE OPEN TO STUDENTS AS STUDY ROOMS FROM APRIL TO JUNE, A SPOKESMAN FOR THE TUEN MUN DISTRICT OFFICE SAID TODAY (MONDAY).
THE STUDY ROOM AT SHAN KING COMMUNITY HALL WILL BE OPEN FROM 9 AM TO 10 PM ON MONDAYS AND WEDNESDAYS, AND FROM 9 AM TO 1 PM AND 6 PM TO 10 PM ON SATURDAYS.
AS FOR BUTTERFLY ESTATE COMMUNITY CENTRE, THE STUDY ROOM WILL BE OPEN ON MONDAYS AND THURSDAYS FROM 2 PM TO 6 PM.
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/8........
MONDAY, MARCH 28, 1988
- 8 -
AWARDS FOR SAFETY POSTER DESIGN WINNERS » * » » *
WINNERS OF THE 20TH INDUSTRIAL SAFETY STUDENT POSTER DESIGN COMPETITION WILL RECEIVE THEIR PRIZES AT A CEREMONY TO BE HELD TOMORROW (TUESDAY >.
OFFICIATING AT THE CEREMONY WILL BE THE DEPUTY COMMISSIONER FOR LABOUR, MR HAROLD KWOK, AND A- SOUTHERN DISTRICT BOARD MEMBER, MRS SO CHOW YIM-PING.
THEY WILL PRESENT CASH PRIZES AMOUNTING TO #13,500 TO THE WINNERS WHO ARE STUDENTS FROM POST-SECONDARY INSTITUTIONS AND SECONDARY SCHOOLS.
THE EVENT, ORGANISED BY THE INDUSTRIAL SAFETY AND HEALTH COMMITTEE OF THE LABOUR ADVISORY BOARD AND SPONSORED BY NEW ISLAND PRINTING CO. LTD., IS AIMED TO ENHANCE STUDENTS' AWARENESS OF VARIOUS ASPECTS OF INDUSTRIAL SAFETY AND TO DEVELOP THEIR DESIGN TALENTS.
AS IN PREVIOUS YEARS, THE WINNING POSTERS WILL BE USED BY THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT IN PROMOTING INDUSTRIAL SAFETY.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
THE PRIZE PRESENTATION CEREMONY WILL BE HELD AT 3 PM TOMORROW (TUESDAY) AT THE ACADEMY ROOM, HOLIDAY INN HARBOUR VIEW HOTEL, TSIM SHA TSUI EAST. YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE EVENT.
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PLAYGROUND FOR HUNG HOM RESIDENTS » t * »
A PLAYGROUND IS TO BE BUILT AT WINSLOW STREET IN HUNG HOM TO SERVE RESIDENTS IN THE AREA.
IT WILL OCCUPY AN AREA OF ABOUT 700 SQUARE METRES ADJACENT TO THE WINSLOW STREET VEHICULAR UNDERPASS. FACILITIES TO BE PROVIDED WILL INCLUDE PLANTERS, ARBOURS, SITTING BENCHES AND PLAY EQUIPMENT.
WORK IS EXPECTED TO START IN MAY AND BE COMPLETED IN SIX MONTHS.
THE ARCHITECTURAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT IS INVITING TENDERS FOR THE PROJECT. THE DEADLINE FOR SUBMITTING TENDERS IS NOON ON APRIL 22.
MONDAY, MARCH 28, 1988
9 -
TRAFFIC MEASURES IN WAN CHAI, CENTRAL
♦ » * «
TAI YUEN STREET BETWEEN JOHNSTON ROAD AND QUEEN’S ROAD EAST IN WAN CHAI WILL BE RE-ROUTED FROM TWO-WAY TO ONE-WAY NORTHBOUND FROM 10 AM ON THURSDAY (MARCH 31).
THE RE-ROUTING IS BEING INTRODUCED TO IMPROVE TRAFFIC CIRCULATION IN THE AREA.
FROM 10 AM THE FOLLOWING DAY (FRIDAY), STEWART ROAD NORTHBOUND BETWEEN JAFFE ROAD AND GLOUCESTER ROAD WILL BE TEMPORARILY CLOSED TO ALL TRAFFIC FOR ABOUT TWO WEEKS, TO FACILITATE DRAINAGE WORK.
DURING THE CLOSURE, VEHICLES ON STEWART ROAD NORTHBOUND HEADING FOR CENTRAL WILL BE DIVERTED VIA JAFFE ROAD AND TONNOCHY ROAD TO JOIN GLOUCESTER ROAD SERVICE ROAD.
AT THE SAME TIME, THE SOUTHERN KERBSIDE LANE OF CONNAUGHT ROAD CENTRAL WESTBOUND BETWEEN JUBILEE STREET AND GILMAN STREET WILL BE DESIGNATED AN URBAN CLEARWAY FROM 7 AM TO 7 PM DAILY FOR ABOUT FOUR MONTHS.
NO VEHICLES EXCEPT FRANCHISED BUSES WILL BE ALLOWED TO STOP WITHIN THE URBAN CLEARWAY FOR GOODS OR PASSENGERS.
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BUS-ONLY LANE ON LAI CHI KOK ROAD t » t * *
FROM 10 AM TOMORROW (TUESDAY), THE KERBSIDE LANE OF NORTHBOUND LAI CHI KOK ROAD, FROM ITS JUNCTION WITH PRINCE EDWARD ROAD WEST TO A POINT ABOUT 25 METRES SOUTH OF THE SAME JUNCTION, WILL BE MADE A 7 AM TO 11 PM DAILY BUS-ONLY LANE.
NO VEHICLES OTHER THAN FRANCHISED BUSES WILL BE ALLOWED TO ENTER THE BUS LANE DURING THE RESTRICTED PERIOD.
AT THE SAME TIME, VEHICLES ON THE CENTRAL LANE OF LAI CHI KOK ROAD NORTHBOUND WILL NOT BE ALLOWED TO TRAVEL STRAIGHT AHEAD THROUGH ITS JUNCTION WITH PRINCE EDWARD ROAD WEST.
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/10........
MONDAY, MARCH 28, 1988
MORE PARKING SPACES IN SHAU KEI WAN ♦ ♦ ♦ * ♦
MORE PARKING FACILITIES WILL BE AVAILABLE IN SHAU KEI WAN WITH THE OPENING OF A NEW MULTI-STOREY CARPARK ON FRIDAY (APRIL 1).
THE CARPARK, LOCATED AT PERFECT MOUNT GARDENS IN MONG LUNG STREET ADJACENT TO THE SHAU KEI WAN MTR STATION, WILL BE THE TWELFTH GOVERNMENT MULTI-STOREY CARPARK MANAGED BY WILSON PARKING (HONG KONG) PTY LTD, A TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT SPOKESMAN SAID.
THE CARPARK WILL BE ABLE TO ACCOMMODATE 400 VEHICLES. PARKING FEES WILL BE $4 PER HOUR, WHILE MONTHLY PASSES WILL BE SOLD AT $550 EACH.
KOWLOON BAY RIGHT-TURN BAN TO BE LIFTED ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ »
THE TRAFFIC SIGNALS AT THE JUNCTION OF WANG CHIU ROAD AND KAI LAI ROAD IN KOWLOON BAY WILL START TO OPERATE FROM 10 AM ON THURSDAY (MARCH 31 I .
AT THE SAME TIME, THE BANNING OF RIGHT-TURN MOVEMENTS FROM KAI LAI ROAD EASTBOUND ON TO WANG CHIU ROAD SOUTHBOUND, IMPLEMENTED SINCE DECEMBER LAST YEAR FOR ROAD SAFETY REASONS, WILL BE LIFTED TO IMPROVE TRAFFIC FLOW.
- 0 - -
WATER STORAGE FIGURE ♦ ♦ t I
STORAGE IN HONG KONG’S RESERVOIRS AT 9 AM TODAY (MONDAY) STOOD AT 42.9 PER CENT OF CAPACITY OR 251.704 MILLION CUBIC METRES.
THIS TIME LAST YEAR THE RESERVOIRS CONTAINED 298.913 MILLION CUBIC METRES OF WATER, REPRESENTING 51 PER CENT OF CAPACITY.
- O - -
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE. HONG KONG. TEL.: 5-8428777
TUESDAY, MARCH 29, 1988
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
GOVERNOR PLEDGES SUPPORT FOR VOCATIONAL TRAINING .......... 1 EXCO APPROVES RDCCMMENDnTIONS CONCERNING TV BROADCASTING
LICENCES ................. .............................. 3
SEVEN MORE AIDS CARRIERS FOUND IN FEBRUARY ................ 6 SUPPORT FOR INDUSTRY UNDER STUDY .......................... 9 GROWING ROLE FOR CHILD CaRE CENTRES ....................... 10 MORE BUILDING MANAGEMENT TEAMS PLhNNED .................... 11 MORE STaFF SOUGHT FOR LIAISON WITH MAC'S, OC'S............. 12 ADDITION, i STAFF FOR DB SECRETARIATS SOUGHT .............. 13 INCREASED FUNDING FOR CIVIC EDUCATION ..................... 13 CNTA ENQUIRY SERVICE MEETS REQUESTS ....................... 1*» LIVESTOCK WASTE COLLECTION SERVICES IN MUI WO ............. 15 SURVEY ON LEISURE ACTIVITIES OF YOUTHS .................... 15 REPORT ON TSUEN WAN DB PUBLISHED .......................... 16 LAM TIN SUB-OFFICE ON THE MOVE ............................ 1? NEGLIGENCE CAUSES INDUSTRIAL OCCIDENTS..................... 17 LABOUR HEAD VISITS SHOE FACTORY ........................... 18 GRAVE-WORSHIPPERS URGED TO USE PUBLIC TRANSPORT ........... 19 HILL FIRE WARNING FOR GRAVE WORSHIPPERS ................... 20 ILLEGAL STRUCTURES TO BE CLOSED ........................... 20 TRAFFIC RESTRICTIONS ON HONG KONG ISLAND .................. 21 TEMPORARY CLOSURES OF IEC, EDINBURGH PLaCE NORTH........... 22
ACCESS TO JhCKSON ROaD AFFECTED............................ 22 CHANGE IN ROUTE 102 TUNNEL BUS SERVICE .................... 23 TEMPORARY ROAD CLOSURE IN SHAM SHUT PO..................... 24 DEATH SENTENCE COMMUTED .................................... 24
TUESDAY, MARCH 29, 1988
1 GOVERNOR PLEDGES SUPPORT FOR VOCATIONAL TRAINING « » * » »
THE GOVERNOR, SIR DAVID WILSON, TODAY (TUESDAY) PLEDGED SUPPORT FOR VOCATIONAL TRAINING, AND SAID EMPLOYERS MUST RECOGNISE THE IMPORTANCE OF CONTINUALLY IMPROVING THE LEVEL OF SKILLS OF THEIR WORKERS.
SPEAKING AT THE OPENING CEREMONY OF THE VOCATIONAL TRAINING COUNCIL’S NEWEST TECHNICAL INSTITUTE, THE CHAI WAN TECHNICAL INSTITUTE, SIR DAVID SAID THE GOVERNMENT HAD DECIDED TO BUILD UP TECHNICAL TRAINING CAPABILITIES AS EARLY AS 1979.
THIS WAS NECESSARY BECAUSE A LARGE NUMBER OF FIRMS IN HONG KONG LACKED IN-HOUSE TRAINING FACILITIES AND COMPETITORS IN THE REGION WERE FAST DEVELOPING THEIR ECONOMIES.
"THE WORLD IN WHICH WE COMPETE FOR A LIVING BECOMES EVER MORE COMPLEX AND TECHNICALLY SOPHISTICATED. CONSEQUENTLY INDUSTRY’S DEMAND FOR SKILLED TECHNICIANS AND CRAFTSMEN BECOMES EVER GREATER," HE SAID.
HE EMPHASISED THAT EMPLOYERS MUST RECOGNISE THE IMPORTANCE OF CONTINUALLY IMPROVING THE LEVELS OF SKILL OF THEIR EMPLOYEES, AND EMPLOYEES MUST BE ENCOURAGED TO DEVELOP THEIR SKILLS TO THE FULLEST EXTENT.
"ALSO, THE NATURE OF HONG KONG'S INDUSTRIAL SECTOR HAS CHANGED GREATLY AND WE ARE CONSTANTLY MOVING UP-MARKET.
"IF HONG KONG IS TO CONTINUE TO SUCCEED, THIS UPGRADING PROCESS MUST CONTINUE, ' HE ADDED.
A SURVEY CONDUCTED LAST YEAR SHOWED THAT SOME 24 PER CENT OF TECHNICAL INSTITUTE GRADUATES WENT ON TO FURTHER FULL-TIME EDUCATION.
NO LESS THAN 62 PER CENT OF THOSE WHO FOUND JOBS CONTINUED WITH PART-TIME COURSES, EITHER IN THE EVENINGS OR ON DAY-RELEASE.
"THIS DEMONSTRATES THAT THESE IMPORTANT LESSONS ARE BEING LEARNT," SIR DAVID SAID.
THE GOVERNOR PRAISED THE COUNCIL FOR ITS SUCCESS IN TARGETTING THE TRAINING COURSES TO THE NEEDS OF INDUSTRY AND COMMERCE.
HE SAID THE CLEAR EVIDENCE OF THE SUCCESS WAS THAT A VERY HIGH PROPORTION OF THE COUNCIL’S GRADUATES WERE FINDING JOBS AND PUTTING THEIR TRAINING TO GOOD USE.
/WITH THE
TUESDAY, MARCH 29, 1988
WITH THE COMPLETION OF THE CHAI WAN TECHNICAL INSTITUTE, THE LARGEST OF EIGHT, THERE ARE NOW 10,500 FULL-TIME PLACES AT CRAFT AND TECHNICIAN LEVELS COMPARED WITH 4,000 IN 1982.
PART-TIME PLACES HAVE ALSO INCREASED BY MORE THAN HALF IN THE LAST SIX YEARS.
BY SEPTEMBER 1989, THE TOTAL STUDENT POPULATION IN TECHNICAL INSTITUTES WILL REACH 66,000.
"THE VOCATIONAL TRAINING COUNCIL HAS PLAYED A VITAL ROLE IN GUIDING THIS REMARKABLE EXPANSION," SIR DAVID SAID.
IN HIS SPEECH AT THE CEREMONY, THE CHAIRMAN OF THE COUNCIL, MR CHAN KAM-CHUEN, SAID THE COUNCIL WAS GRATEFUL FOR THE GENEROUS SUPPORT IT RECEIVED FROM GOVERNMENT.
"THE SUPPORT CAN ONLY BE INTERPRETED AS THE DETERMINATION OF GOVERNMENT TO BRING ABOUT AN INTEGRATED SYSTEM OF TECHNICAL EDUCATION AND INDUSTRIAL TRAINING CAPABLE OF SUPPORTING THE GROWTH OF HONG KONG’S ECONOMY," HE SAID.
LIKE THE SHA TIN AND TUEN MUN TECHNICAL INSTITUTES, THE CHAI WAN TECHNICAL INSTITUTE WAS BUILT AND EQUIPPED ENTIRELY FROM FUNDS MADE AVAILABLE BY THE GOVERNMENT.
IT IS LOCATED ON A 1.9 HECTARE SITE AND HAS A TOTAL FLOOR AREA OF 21,000 SQUARE METRES. THE INSTITUTE CAN AT ANY ONE TIME ACCOMMODATE 2,700 STUDENTS.
IT OFFERS 73 COURSES IN SIX TEACHING DEPARTMENTS - APPLIED SCIENCE, COMMERCIAL STUDIES, COMPUTING STUDIES, ELECTRICAL ENGINEERING, GENERAL STUDIES AND MECHANICAL ENGINEERING.
O -
TUESDAY, MARCH 29, 1988
EXCO APPROVES RECOMMENDATIONS CONCERNING TV BROADCASTING LICENCES *****
THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL TODAY (TUESDAY) APPROVED RECOMMENDATIONS RELATING TO THE REVOCATION AND SUSPENSION OF TELEVISION BROADCASTING LICENCES, AND ROYALTY PAYMENTS AND CAPITAL INVESTMENTS OF LICENSEE COMPANIES.
THE DECISIONS WERE MADE FOLLOWING EARLIER APPROVAL BY EXCO ON OTHER TERMS AND CONDITIONS FOR THE RENEWAL OF TELEVISION BROADCASTING LICENCES.
THIS WAS ANNOUNCED TODAY (TUESDAY) BY THE DEPUTY SECRETARY FOR ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES AND INFORMATION, MISS ELAINE CHUNG.
SHE SAID THE EXCO HAD ACCEPTED THE RECOMMENDATION BY THE BROADCASTING AUTHORITY THAT WHEN THE GOVERNOR IN COUNCIL HAD TAKEN A DECISION TO REVOKE THE LICENCE OF A LICENSEE COMPANY UNDER THE TELEVISION ORDINANCE, A PERIOD OF NOTICE OF NOT LESS THAN 60 DAYS SHOULD BE GIVEN TO THE LICENSEE COMPANY.
AT PRESENT THE TELEVISION ORDINANCE PROVIDES THAT WHERE THE GOVERNOR IN COUNCIL CONSIDERS THAT THERE MAY BE CAUSE FOR REVOKING A LICENCE, HE MAY ORDER THE BROADCASTING AUTHORITY TO CONDUCT AN INQUIRY AND SUBMIT RECOMMENDATIONS CONCERNING THE REVOCATION OF THE LICENCE.
AFTER CONSIDERING SUCH RECOMMENDATIONS, THE GOVERNOR IN COUNCIL MAY REVOKE THE LICENCE AND THE REVOCATION WILL TAKE EFFECT SUBJECT TO A PERIOD OF NOTICE OF 18 MONTHS.
"IN RECOMMENDING THE DELETION OF THE PROVISION OF 18 MONTHS’ NOTICE FOR THE REVOCATION OF A LICENCE, THE BROADCASTING AUTHORITY WAS OF THE VIEW THAT THIS PROVISION ALLOWS TOO LONG A PERIOD FOR A LICENSEE TO CONTINUE TO BROADCAST AFTER THE GOVERNOR IN COUNCIL HAS DECIDED THAT THERE IS SUFFICIENT CAUSE TO REVOKE THE LICENCE.
"ON THE OTHER HAND, IT WOULD BE UNREASONABLE NOT TO GIVE ANY NOTICE AT ALL TO THE LICENSEE," MISS CHUNG EXPLAINED.
THE PROPOSAL TO EMPOWER THE BROADCASTING AUTHORITY TO SUSPEND A LICENCE FOR A MAXIMUM PERIOD OF ONE MONTH WAS ACCEPTED BY THE EXCO.
AT PRESENT, THE POWER TO SUSPEND A LICENCE IS NOT PROVIDED FOR IN THE TELEVISION ORDINANCE. FAILURE TO COMPLY WITH LEGAL REQUIREMENT BY A LICENSEE COMPANY MAY BE SANCTIONED BY FINANCIAL PENALTIES.
"BECAUSE OF THE SERIOUSNESS OF A DECISION TO SUSPEND, IT SHOULD ONLY BE MADE AFTER THE BROADCASTING AUTHORITY HAS CONDUCTED A PROCEDURE SIMILAR TO THAT APPLICABLE TO REVOCATION.
/"THE PERIOD
TUESDAY, MARCH 29, 1988
’’THE PERIOD OF SUSPENSION SHOULD HAVE REGARD TO THE SERIOUSNESS OF THE BREACH AS WELL AS THE ADVERSE EFFECTS OF FAILURE TO FULFIL CONTRACTUAL OBLIGATIONS AND DISRUPTION OF SERVICE TO THE PUBLIC," MISS CHUNG SAID.
ON ROYALTY PAYMENT, IT HAS BEEN DECIDED THAT ROYALTY SHOULD BE CHARGED ON A SLIDING SCALE BASED ON GROSS RECEIPTS FROM TELEVISION ADVERTISING AND LICENSING OF PROGRAMME RIGHTS, SUBJECT TO A MAXIMUM OF 10 PER CENT ON THE TOTAL RECEIPTS FROM THESE TWO SOURCES OF REVENUE.
OTHER SOURCES OF REVENUE FROM ACTIVITIES PERMITTED BY THE BROADCASTING AUTHORITY WILL NOT BE SUBJECT TO ROYALTY.
MISS CHUNG POINTED OUT THAT IN OCTOBER 1986, THE GOVERNOR IN COUNCIL HAD CONSIDERED THE RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE BROADCASTING REVIEW BOARD (BRB) RELATING TO THE REGULATION OF THE BROADCASTING INDUSTRY.
IT WAS DIRECTED THAT BRB’S RECOMMENDATION TO CALCULATE ROYALTY PAYABLE BY THE TELEVISION LICENSEE COMPANIES ON THE BASIS OF GROSS RECEIPTS SHOULD BE ADOPTED IN THE NEW LICENCE PERIOD AFTER DECEMBER 1, 1988, SUBJECT TO A REVIEW IN 1994.
SUBJECT TO A CEILING OF 10 PER CENT OF THE TOTAL TURNOVER PAYABLE AS ROYALTY, THE FOLLOWING SLIDING SCALE OF PERCENTAGES ON ANNUAL GROSS RECEIPTS AS PROPOSED BY BRB WILL BE ADOPTED FOR THE PURPOSE OF CALCULATING ROYALTY PAYMENTS:
ON THE FIRST ' $100 MILLION 1 PER CENT
ON THE NEXT $100 MILLION 5 PER CENT
ON THE NEXT $100 MILLION 10 PER CENT
ON THE NEXT $100 MILLION 1 5 PER CENT
ON THE NEXT $100 MILLION 20 PER CENT
ON THE NEXT $100 MILLION 25 PER CENT
IN ORDER TO ENCOURAGE TELEVISION STATIONS TO IMPROVE THEIR QUALITY OF PROGRAMMES, THE EXCO HAS ENDORSED A RECOMMENDATION BY THE BROADCASTING AUTHORITY THAT AS A CONDITION FOR RENEWAL OF THE TWO LICENCES, THE LICENSEE COMPANIES SHOULD SUBMIT A PROGRAMME OF CAPITAL INVESTMENTS FOR THE NEXT SIX YEARS TO THE BROADCASTING AUTHORITY TO ENSURE A STANDARD OF BROADCAST1 NG ACCEPTABLE TO THE BROADCASTING AUTHORITY.
RECOMMENDATIONS TO IMPROVE THE BALANCE AND STANDARD OF TELEVISION PROGRAMMES BY SETTING DOWN MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS FOR BROADCASTING DOCUMENTARIES, CURRENT AFFAIRS, CHILDREN AND NEWS PROGRAMMES WERE ACCEPTED BY THE COUNCIL.
/IN RELATION .......
TUESDAY, MARCH 29, 1988
- 5
IN RELATION TO CHILDREN’S PROGRAMMES THE LICENSEE COMPANIES WILL HE REQUIRED TO BROADCAST A BLOCK OF SUCH PROGRAMMES FOR AT LEAST ONE-AND-A-HALF HOURS DAILY ON EACH LANGUAGE SERVICE BETWEEN 4 PM AND 7 PM. ON THE CHINESE SERVICE, AT LEAST 30 MINUTES DAILY SHOULD BE LOCALLY PRODUCED AND ON THE ENGLISH SERVICE, THERE SHOULD BE AT LEAST TWO HALF-HOUR LOCALLY-PRODUCED PROGRAMMES PER WEEK.
A MINIMUM OF 60 MINUTES OF DOCUMENTARY PROGRAMMES - OF WHICH AT LEAST 30 MINUTES MUST BE MADE LOCALLY - TOGETHER WITH A MINIMUM OF TWO HALF-HOUR CURRENT AFFAIRS PROGRAMMES ARE TO BE BROADCAST ON EACH SERVICE WEEKLY.
THE NEW LICENCE CONDITIONS STIPULATE THAT THE STATIONS WOULD BROADCAST PROGRAMMES FOR SCHOOLS AS REQUIRED BY THE BROADCASTING AUTHORITY, AND SUCH BROADCASTS SHOULD NOT EXCEED FOUR HOURS A DAY UNLESS OTHERWISE REQUIRED BY THE AUTHORITY.
THE BROADCAST MAY BE PART OF AN ENGLISH LANGUAGE SERVICE UNLESS DIRECTED BY THE AUTHORITY TO THE CONTRARY.
FAMILY VIEWING HOURS HAVE BEEN DECLARED BETWEEN 4 PM AND 8.30 PM DAILY DURING WHICH NO PROGRAMMES OR ADVERTISEMENTS UNSUITABLE FOR CHILDREN WILL BE BROADCAST.
THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL HAS ALSO ENDORSED RECOMMENDATIONS PROHIBITING LIQUOR ADVERTISING BETWEEN 4 PM AND 8.30 PM AND TOBACCO ADVERTISING BETWEEN 4 PM AND 10.30 PM.
THE TOBACCO ADVERTISING BAN HAS BEEN MOVED FORWARD HALF AN HOUR TO TAKE ACCOUNT OF CHILDREN AND FAMILY VIEWING TIME STARTING AT 4 PM.
OTHER ADVERTISING RECOMMENDATIONS ENABLE A LICENSEE COMPANY TO BROADCAST CLASSIFIED ADVERTISEMENTS, TO INTRODUCE TELOPING (THE CARRIAGE OF WRITTEN MESSAGES SIMILAR TO SUBTITLES IN FILMS) AND TO ACCEPT SPONSORSHIP OF NEWS PROGRAMMES SUBJECT TO THE APPROVAL OF THE AUTHORITY.
/6........
-------O----------
TUESDAY, MARCH 29, 1988
- 6
SEVEN MORE AIDS CARRIERS FOUND IN FEBRUARY t ♦ * ♦ ♦
ANOTHER SEVEN PERSONS IN HONG KONG WERE FOUND IN .FEBRUARY TO HAVE BEEN INFECTED BY THE AIDS (ACQUIRED IMMUNE DEFICIENCY SYNDROME) VIRUS.
THIS WAS ANNOUNCED TODAY (TUESDAY) BY THE MEDICAL AND HEALTH DEPARTMENT WHEN IT RELEASED THE LATEST MONTHLY STATISTICS ON THE AIDS SURVEILLANCE PROGRAMME.
THE TOTAL NUMBER OF AIDS CASES REMAINS AT 12 WITH NO NEW CASES CONFIRMED.
THE AIDS SURVEILLANCE PROGRAMME IS CARRIED OUT BY THE DEPARTMENT TO MONITOR THE SPREAD OF THE DISEASE IN HONG KONG. THE HIGH RISK GROUPS TESTED FOR THE HIV (HUMAN IMMUNODEFICIENCY VIRUS) ANTIBODY INCLUDE HAEMOPHILIACS, INTRAVENEOUS DRUG ABUSERS AND SEXUALLY PROMISCUOUS PEOPLE.
THE LATEST FIGURE BRINGS TO 117 THE TOTAL NUMBER OF PERSONS FOUND TO BE INFECTED BY THE HIV. THIS FIGURE INCLUDES THE 12 CONFIRMED AIDS CASES OF WHICH 10 OF THE PATIENTS HAD DIED.
SINCE THE INCEPTION OF THE HIV SCREENING PROGRAMME IN APRIL 1985, A TOTAL OF 82,530 PERSONS HAVE BEEN TESTED FOR THE AIDS ANTIBODY.
OF THE 117 PERSONS FOUND TO BE HIV POSITIVE, 52 WERE HAEMOPHILIACS, 28 WERE REFERRALS FROM GOVERNMENT HOSPITALS AND CLINICS, 28 WERE REFERRALS FROM PRIVATE AND SUBVENTED SECTORS AND NINE WERE PATIENTS OF THE SOCIAL HYGIENE (SEXUALLY TRANSMITTED DISEASE) CLINICS.
LAST MONTH, THE HONG KONG RED CROSS BLOOD TRANSFUSION SERVICE SCREENED A TOTAL OF 10,611 UNITS OF BLOOD AND ONLY ONE OF THE DONOR UNITS WAS FOUND TO BE POSITIVE OF THE HIV ANTIBODY AND THIS WAS INCLUDED IN THE MHD’S FEBRUARY STATISTICS.
SINCE THE RED. CROSS COMMENCED ITS SCREENING PROGRAMME OF DONATED BLOOD FOR THE PRESENCE OF AIDS VIRUS IN AUGUST 1985, A TOTAL OF 373,198 BLOOD UNITS HAVE BEEN SCREENED. SIX OF THESE WERE DETECTED TO BE POSITIVE FOR THE HIV ANTIBODY.
/BREAKDOWN OF .......
7
TUESDAY, MARCH 29. 1988
*
BREAKDOWN OF AIDS STATISTICS FOB FEBRUARY 1988
I
AIDS VUTW^(^V^tlbody Testing
Medical 1 Health Depart—nt
Virus Unit
• • April 85 - Dec 87 Feb 88 Total
Ho. tested Ho. ♦ve Ho. tested Ho. ♦vs Ho. tested Ho. ♦ve
Referrals froa Oort hospitals and clinics Referrals froa private h 526 25 27»» 3 H 800 28
1 185 2h 35 U 1 520 28
practitioners and subvented hospitals Attendances at social 7< 261 9 2 233 0 । 73 W 9
hygiene clinics Hseaophlliacs IV drug abusers . 297 52 0 301* 52
1 822 0 37 0 1 859 0
Referrals from 123 0 0 0 123 0
Fanily Planning Association Health care personnel ‘m u 0 11 0 *»33 0
Total 79 936 110 2 59*» 7 82 530 117
This indicates the number of specimens and not persons as tests are repeated for certain individuals.
AL& m.i ah Aft * t £
. August 85 - Jan 88 Feb 88 Total
NO. No. No. No. No. No.
tested ♦ve tested ♦ve tested ♦ve
Hong Kong Red Cross 362 58u 5 10 6i« 1 373 198 6
Blood Transfusion Service
/Analysis of
TUESDAY, MARCH 29, 1988
8
Analysis of Alps cnsca in hong Kong
1« ’Total no. of cftseo ’ se of 23.2.89 12 •8 Of a.3<83 12
2. Total no. of deaths!*Jot 10 10
3. RI ok fan tor 5-1 •
sexually acqui red Ilfjtj 9 9
unknown J- L|- 3 3
■——
12 12
4« Sex tt M
naJo T, 11 11
female 1 1
——
5* Age-4^1 12 12
Adult u\ 'f-A. 12 12
6. Nationality .
Chinone 'j* 1^] 5 5
Non-Chineso r|^ r|» 7 7
12 12
-------0---------
/9.......
TUESDAY, MARCH 29, 1988
- 9 -
SUPPORT FOR INDUSTRY UNDER STUDY
» * * »
THE INDUSTRY DEVELOPMENT BOARD IS STUDYING AREAS ON WHICH THE GOVERNMENT SHOULD FOCUS ITS SUPPORT FOR MANUFACTURING INDUSTRIES, THE DIRECTOR OF INDUSTRY, MR K.Y. YEUNG, SAID TODAY (TUESDAY).
MR YEUNG WAS SPEAKING AT A JOINT MEETING OF THE LIONS CLUB OF SOUTH KOWLOON AND THE BEACON HILL LIONESS CLUB.
"THE GOVERNMENT’S INDUSTRIAL POLICIES ARE SUPPORTIVE, NOT INTERVENTIONIST, AND THEY ARE NOW MUCH MORE ACTIVE THAN IN RECENT YEARS," HE SAID.
THE INDUSTRY DEVELOPMENT BOARD WAS NOW LOOKING AT GOVERNMENT SUPPORT FOR MANUFACTURING INDUSTRIES, HE SAID.
SAYING THAT HE WAS SPEAKING PERSONALLY, AND NOT ON BEHALF OF BOARD MEMBERS, MR YEUNG SAID THERE WERE SEVERAL AREAS OF ACTIVITY REQUIRING PRIORITY CONSIDERATION.
"ONE OF THESE IS THE PROVISION OF AN ADEQUATE SUPPLY OF INDUSTRIAL LAND.
"A SECOND IS MANPOWER TRAINING, PARTICULARLY WITH A VIEW TO CREATING A LARGER POOL OF PEOPLE WHO COULD HELP OVERCOME THE MANAGEMENT AND TECHNICAL DIFFICULTIES INVOLVED IN THE PROCESS OF MOVING UP-MARKET.
"A THIRD AREA SEEMS TO ME TO BE THE PROMOTION OF A MORE EXTENSIVE DEGREE OF INDUSTRIAL AUTOMATION, AS A MEANS OF ACHIEVING HIGHER LEVELS OF PRODUCTIVITY AND OF MAXIMISING OUR LIMITED MANPOWER RESOURCES.
"FINALLY, IT SEEMS THAT THERE IS SCOPE FOR ENCOURAGING OUR MANUFACTURERS TO BECOME MORE CONSCIOUS OF THE NEED FOR ACHIEVING QUALITY, NOT JUST IN TESTING OE' PRODUCTS BUT IN EVERY ASPECT OF THEIR ACTIVITY RANGING FROM DESIGN TO PRODUCT I ON AND TO MARKETING.
'THIS IS BECAUSE CONSUMERS AND GOVERNMENTS ALIKE IN OUR MAJOR OVERSEAS MARKETS ARE INCREASINGLY BECOMING QUAL1TY-CONSC J OUS AND IT WILL NOT BE LONG BEFORE THEY WILL BUY ONLY THOSE GOODS WHERE THE MANUFACTURER HAS BUILT QUALITY INTO THE DESIGN AND PRODUCTION."
MR YEUNG SAID MANUFACTURING WAS THE LIFEBLOOD OF THE COMMUNITY, ACCOUNTING FOR 920,000 JOBS OR ABOUT 31 PER CENT OF TOTAL EMPLOYMENT IN 1987.
THE GOVERNMENT’S INDUSTRIAL POLICIES ARE NOT FOUNDED UPON ANY ESTABLISHED POLITICAL DOCTRINE AND ITS SUPPORT FOR THE MANUFACTURI NG INDUSTRIES IS ESSENTIALLY PRAGMATIC.
/A CONTINUOUS
TUESDAY, MARCH 29, 1988
10 -
A CONTINUOUS PROGRAMME OF STUDIES KEEPS THE GOVERNMENT IN TOUCH WITH THE STRENGTHS AND WEAKNESSES OF INDUSTRY AND POINIS TO HOW THE LATTER MIGHT BE OVERCOME.
"IN THE LIGHT OF THESE FINDINGS, AND THE ADVICE OF THE INDUSTRY DEVELOPMENT BOARD, THE GOVERNMENT HAS BECOME MUCH MORE ACTIVE IN HELPING OUR MANUFACTURING INDUSTRIES TO OVERCOME OBSTACLES TO THEIR GROWTH," MR YEUNG SAID.
-------0---------
GROWING ROLE FOR CHILD CARE CENTRES t * t *
HONG KONG NOW HAS 275 REGISTERED CHILD CARE CENTRES, PROVIDING A TOTAL OF 29,100 PLACES, THE DIRECTOR OF SOCIAL WELFARE, MRS ELIZABETH WONG, SAID TODAY (TUESDAY).
OF THEM, 146 ARE GOVERNMENT-SUBVENTED AND 35 ARE GOVERNMENT-AIDED, MRS WONG SAID AT THE OPENING CEREMONY OF THE TUNG WAH GROUP OF HOSPITALS KWAN FONG CHILD CARE CENTRE AT KWONG WAH HOSPITAL.
SHE NOTED THAT THE DEMAND FOR CHILD CARE SERVICES HAD INCREASED GREATLY IN RECENT YEARS AS MORE JOB OPPORTUNITIES AROSE FOR WOMEN AND MORE MARRIED WOMEN BECAME INTERESTED IN WORKING.
AS THERE WERE MORE NUCLEAR FAMILIES, SHE SAID, YOUNG MOTHERS COULD NO LONGER RELY ON THEIR ELDERLY FAMILY MEMBERS FOR SUPPORT AND ASSISTANCE IN CARING FOR THEIR YOUNG CHILDREN SO THEY MIGHT HAVE TO LEAVE THEIR CHILDREN UNATTENDED AT HOME WHILE THEY WENT OUT TO WORK OR TO TEND TO OTHER BUSINESS.
"RECENT CASES OF INJURIES OR EVEN DEATHS OF SOME CHILDREN LEFT UNATTENDED AT HOME HAVE PROMPTED THE GOVERNMENT TO FACE THIS PROBLEM SQUARELY," MRS WONG SAID.
"APART FROM ORGANISING TERRITORY-WI DE HOME SAFETY EDUCATION ACTIVITIES, THE GOVERNMENT IS ACTIVELY EXPANDING CHILD CARE SERVICES.
"THE TARGET IS TO ASSIST VOLUNTARY AGENCIES TO OPERATE 16 MORE CHILD CARE CENTRES EVERY YEAR, PROVIDING 1,600 PLACES FOR CHILDREN AGED BETWEEN TWO AND SIX, THROUGH DIFFERENT FORMS OF SUBVENTION SUCH AS LAND GRANTS, AND FINANCING THE CENTRE’S RENT, RATES AND CONSTRUCT I ON COSTS."
SHE POINTED OUT THAT IN ORDER TO ASSIST LOW-INCOME FAMILIES, A FEE ASSISTANCE SCHEME HAD BEEN INTRODUCED IN 1982 TO LESSEN THE FINANCIAL BURDEN ON PARENTS IN SENDING THEIR CHILDREN TO THESE CENTRES.
/THE TUNG
TUESDAY, MARCH 29, 1988
11
THE TUNG WAH GROUP OF HOSPITALS NOW OPERATES 10 CHILD CARE CENTRES, PROVIDING 1,120 PLACES.
THE KWAN FONG CHILD CARE CENTRE, AN EXPERIMENTAL PROJECT, WILL PROVIDE CHILD CARE AND BABY-SITTING SERVICES ON AN HOURLY BASIS AT KWONG WAH HOSPITAL SO THAT MOTHERS DO NOT HAVE TO MISS THEIR MEDICAL APPOINTMENTS BECAUSE THEY HAVE TO STAY HOME TO LOOK AFTER THEIR YOUNG CHILDREN.
MRS WONG COMMENDED THE GROUP FOR ITS CONTRIBUTIONS IN A WIDE RANGE OF SOCIAL SERVICES, INCLUDING EDUCATION, MEDICAL AND SOCIAL WELFARE SERVICES.
-----0-----
MORE BUILDING MANAGEMENT TEAMS PLANNED » » » » »
THE CITY AND NEW TERRITORIES ADMINISTRATION PLANS TO ESTABLISH SEVEN MORE BUILDING MANAGEMENT CO-ORDINATION TEAMS IN THE NEXT TWO YEARS.
THE PROPOSAL WAS EXAMINED BY THE FINANCE COMMITTEE TODAY (TUESDAY).
THE COMMITTEE WAS TOLD THAT SEVEN SUCH CO-ORDINATION TEAMS ARE ALREADY IN OPERATION AND SIX OF THE ADDITIONAL TEAMS WILL BE DEPLOYED IN DISTRICTS WHILE THE REMAINING ONE WILL BE BASED IN CNTA HEADQUARTERS.
A TYPICAL DISTRICT BUILDING MANAGEMENT CO-ORDINATION TEAM CONSISTS OF A HOUSING MANAGER, ASSISTANT HOUSING MANAGER AND TWO HOUSING ASSISTANTS.
THE MAIN TASK OF THE DISTRICT BUILDING MANAGEMENT CO-ORDINATION TEAMS IS TO PROVIDE ADVICE AND ASSISTANCE TO MANAGEMENT BODIES AND RESIDENTS IN DEALING WITH BUILDING MANAGEMENT PROBLEMS.
THIS IS ACHIEVED THROUGH PUBLIC SEMINARS AND EDUCATION PROGRAMMES, REGULAR LIAISON WITH MUTUAL AID COMMITTEES AND OWNERS CORPORATIONS AND CO-ORDINATION OF INTER-DEPARTMENTAL EFFORTS FOR ENFORCEMENT ACTION AGAINST IRREGULARITIES.
THE EXISTING SEVEN TEAMS ARE DEPLOYED IN YAU MA TEI, EASTERN, MONG KOK, KWAI TSING, WAN CHAI, CENTRAL AND WESTERN AND KWUN TONG.
FOLLOWING THE FORMATION OF THE TEAMS, SIGNIFICANT IMPROVEMENTS IN MANAGEMENT HAVE BEEN MADE IN 180 BUILDINGS IN VARIOUS DISTRICTS.
THE TOTAL ESTIMATED ANNUAL STAFF COST OF 13 DISTRICT TEAMS AND ONE HEADQUARTERS TEAM IS $15.2 MILLION.
THE COST OF OPERATING 19 DISTRICT TEAMS AND ONE HEADQUARTERS TEAM IS PUT AT $21.8 MILLION.
TUESDAY, MARCH 29, 198ft
12 -
MORE STAFF SOUGHT FOR LIAISON WITH MAC’S, OC1S ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦
THE CITY AND NEW TERRITORIES ADMINISTRATION IS PROPOSING TO CREATE 77 NEW POSTS TO STRENGTHEN LIAISON SERVICES TO AREA COMMITTEES, MUTUAL AID COMMITTEES AND OWNERS CORPORATIONS.
THIS IS PART OF THE GOVERNMENT’S CONTINUING EFFORT IN PROVIDING BETTER SERVICES TO THESE ORGANISATIONS.
THERE WERE 1,296 MAC’S AND 3,117 OC ’ S LISTED BY THE END OF LAST YEAR.
AT A FINANCE COMMITTEE MEETING TODAY (TUESDAY), MEMBERS LEARNT THAT MORE THAN 250 MAC’S AND OC’S WERE FORMED IN THE CURRENT FINANCIAL YEAR.
APART FROM ASSISTING IN THEIR FORMATION, THE LIAISON STAFF OF THE DISTRICT OFFICES HAVE BEEN SERVICING THE MAC’S AND OC’S ON A REGULAR BASIS.
THESE INCLUDE VISITS TO EACH OF THE BODIES AT LEAST TWICE A MONTH, ASSISTANCE IN ORGANISING ACTIVITIES OR SOLVING BUILDING MANAGEMENT PROBLEMS AND IN ORGANISING THEIR BIENNIAL ELECTIONS.
IN TERMS OF FINANCIAL SUPPORT, THE GOVERNMENT HAS OFFERED ANNUAL ASSISTANCE TO EACH MAC OF UP TO $2,800 TO COVER NECESSARY EXPENSES IN CONNECTION WITH THE RUNNING OF ITS OFFICE AND THERE IS ALSO AN ANNUAL GRANT OF $100,000 FROM THE GENERAL CHINESE CHARITIES FUND.
THIS WOULD BE USED BY MAC’S TO RENOVATE OR FURNISH THEIR OFFICE AND BY MAC’S AND OC’S TO ORGANISE ACTIVITIES IN CONNECTION WITH GOVERNMENT CAMPAIGNS.
THE MAC’S AND OC’S MAY ALSO RECEIVE A SUBSIDY FROM THE DISTRICT OFFICE’S SERVICES VOTE AND DISTRICT BOARD FUNDS FOR ORGANISING COMMUNITY BUILDING ACTIVITIES.
ASSISTANCE MAY ALSO COME FROM THE SIR DAVID TRENCH FUND FOR RECREATION TO PURCHASE SPORTS AND RECREATIONAL EQUIPMENT.
-------0--------
/15........
TUESDAY, MARCH 29, 1988
- 13 -
ADDITIONAL STAFF FOR DB SECRETARIATS SOUGHT ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ *
AN ADDITION OF 19 POSTS FOR THE DISTRICT BOARD SECRETARIATS IS REQUIRED TO COPE WITH THE INCREASING WORKLOAD, THE FINANCE COMMITTEE WAS TOLD TODAY (TUESDAY).
THESE 19 POSTS ARE CLERICAL OFFICERS, ONE FOR EACH DISTRICT BOARD SECRETARIAT.
THE INCREASED WORKLOAD IS EXPECTED WITH THE NUMBER OF BOARD MEMBERS TO BE INCREASED FROM 426 IN THE 1985-88 'I ERM TO 4 56 IN THE COMING TERM.
THE NUMBER OF MEETINGS OF THE DISTRICT BOARDS AND THEIR SUB-COMMITTEES AND WORKING GROUPS HAVE ALSO RISEN FROM 1,430 IN THE 1986-87 FINANCIAL YEAR TO 1,773 IN 1987-88.
FURTHERMORE, THE BOARDS HAVE HANDLED 2,780 SCHEME CASES IN 1987-88, AS COMPARED WITH 2,607 CASES YEAR.
MEET-THE-PUBLIC
IN THE PREVIOUS
ALSO, THERE WILL BE MORE COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT ACTIVITIES AND ENVIRONMENTAL IMPROVEMENT PROJECTS WITH THE PROVISION OF ADDITIONAL FUNDS TO THE BOARDS IN THE COMING TERM.
-------0----------
INCREASED FUNDING FOR CIVIC EDUCATION » » » ♦ *
OVER $1 MILLION WILL BE ALLOCATED IN THE COMING FINANCIAL YEAR FOR THE PROMOTION OF CIVIC EDUCATION.
THE FIGURE OF $1,084,000 IS ALMOST DOUBLE LAST YEAR’S PROVISION OF $584,000.
THE FINANCE • COMMITTEE WAS EXPENDITURE PROPOSED BY THE CITY AND FOR ACTIVITIES TO BE IMPLEMENTED BY CIVIC EDUCATION.
BRIEFED TODAY (TUESDAY) ON
N EW TERRITORIES ADMINISTRATION
THE COMMITTEE ON PROMOTION OF
WITH EMPHASIS ON COMMUNITY PARTICIPATION, CENT, WOULD BE SPENT ON SPONSORING CIVIC IMPLEMENTED BY COMMUNITY ORGANISATIONS.
$600,000, OR 55 PER
EDUCAT 1ON PROJ ECTS
THESE WOULD INCLUDE YOUTH GROUPS, SOCIAL
SERVICE GROUPS AND
OTHER VOLUNTARY AGENCIES.
/TO PROMOTE .......
TUESDAY, MARCH 29, 1988
TO PROMOTE PUBLIC CIVIC AWARENESS, $300,000 (28 PER CENT) HAS BEEN EARMARKED FOR ORGANISING LARGE-SCALE PROJECTS.
ACTIVITIES TO PROMOTE THE PUBLIC'S PARTICIPATION INI THE ADMINISTRATION OF HONG KONG AND TO FOSTER MUTUAL HELP AND RESPECT IN THE COMMUNITY, IN THE CONTEXT OF GOOD CITIZENSHIP, WOULD ALSO BE CONSIDERED.
THE COMMITTEE WOULD ALSO SET ASIDE $53,000 TO ORGANISE CONFERENCES, SEMINARS AND GATHERINGS.
THE AIM WOULD BE TO FACILITATE EXCHANGE OF VIEWS AND EXPERIENCE IN PROMOTING THE CAMPAIGN.
A SUM OF $67,000 WOULD GO TOWARDS THE PURCHASE AND PRODUCTION OF REFERENCE MATERIALS FOR THE COMMITTEE'S RESOURCE CENTRE.
IN ADDITION, $64,000 WOULD BE SPENT ON FUNDING THE ANNUAL OUTSTANDING CIVIC EDUCATION PROJECT AWARD SCHEME.
THE OBJECTIVE OF CHE SCHEME IS TO ENCOURAGE, THROUGH CASH AWARDS, PARTICIPATING ORGANISATIONS TO PRODUCE PROJECTS OF HIGH QUALITY.
- - 0 -
CNTA ENQUIRY SERVICE MEETS REQUESTS t ♦ ♦ • ♦ *
THE NUMBER OF PUBLIC ENQUIRY SERVICE CENTRES OF THE CITY AND NEW TERRITORIES ADMINISTRATION IS REVIEWED AND INCREASED FROM TIME TO TIME TO MEET THE DEMANDS ARISING FROM NEW POPULATION CENTRES AND TO MAKE THE SERVICE MORE CONVENIENT TO THE PUBLIC, THE FINANCE COMMITTEE WAS TOLD TODAY (TUESDAY).
THE COMMITTEE ALSO HEARD THAT BY AND LARGE THE CNTA HAD BEEN ABLE TO MEET ALL REQUESTS FOR ITS ENQUIRY SERVICE.
LAST YEAR, THE 67 PUBLIC ENQUIRY SERVICE CENTRES HANDLED 16,226,227 CASES, OF WHICH ABOUT 60 PER CENT INVOLVED DISTRIBUTION OF GOVERNMENT FORMS, LEAFLETS AND CONSULTATIVE DOCUMENTS.
THIRTY-FIVE PER CENT INVOLVED ENQUIRIES ON TELEPHONE NUMBERS, ADDRESSES, OFFICE HOURS OF GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS, GOVERNMENT VACANCIES AND DISTRICT FUNCTIONS.
MEANWHILE, THE CENTRES HAI) HANDLED 733,219 CASES OF ADMINISTERING DECLARATIONS AND OATHS, 17,152 CASES OF REFERRALS TO THE RENT OFFICER SCHEME, 6,463 CASES OF SIMPLE COMPLAINTS AGAINST GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS AND 2,933 CASES OF REFERRALS TO THE FREE LEGAL ADVICE SCHEME.
O -
/15
TUESDAY, MARCH 29, 1988
- 15 -
LIVESTOCK WASTE COLLECTION SERVICES IN MUI WO
* « * » *
THE DEPUTY REGIONAL SECRETARY (SPECIAL DUTIES/NEW TERRITORIES) AND CHAIRMAN OF THE LIVESTOCK WASTE DISPOSAL CONSULTATIVE COMMITTEE, MR LEO KWAN, VISITED MUI WO ON LANTAU THIS (TUESDAY) MORNING TO TAKE A CLOSER LOOK AT THE PROGRESS OF LIVESTOCK WASTE COLLECTION SERVICES THERE.
TO COPE WITH THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE LIVESTOCK WASTE CONTROL SCHEME ON JUNE 24 THIS YEAR, THE ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION DEPARTMENT HAS PROVIDED COLLECTION SERVICES IN MUI WO WHERE THERE ARE MORE THAN 30 LIVESTOCK FARMS.
ACCOMPANIED BY THE ISLANDS DISTRICT OFFICER, MR JONATHAN NG, MR KWAN VISITED A NUMBER OF PIG AND POULTRY FARMS AND COLLECTION POINTS.
DURING THE VISIT, MR KWAN WAS INFORMED THAT THE COLLECTION SERVICES WERE WELL PATRONISED, WITH THE EPI) CONTRACTORS COLLECTING SOME 0.8 TONNE OF DEHYDRATED LIVESTOCK WASTE EVERY DAY.
HE ALSO LEARNED THAT SINCE THE PROVISION OF THE COLLECTION SERVICES, THE GENERAL ENVIRONMENT IN MUI WO HAS GREATLY IMPROVED.
SIMILAR SERVICES WILL ALSO BE PROVIDED IN THE NORTH DISTRICT, WHERE THE EPD HAS IDENTIFIED OVER 280 SITES FOR THE SETTING UP OF COLLECTION POINTS BY THE MIDDLE OF THE YEAR.
THE CONTROL IN THE NORTH DISTRICT WILL TAKE EFFECT FROM JANUARY NEXT YEAR.
------0-------
SURVEY ON LEISURE ACTIVITIES OF YOUTHS » ♦ » ♦ ♦
THE COMMUNITY BUILDING COMMITTEE PLANNING GROUP OF THE EASTERN DISTRICT BOARD AND THE CENTRE FOR HONG KONG STUDIES OF THE CHINESE UNIVERSITY OF HONG KONG HAVE COMPLETED A SURVEY ON THE LEISURE ACTIVITIES OF YOUTHS IN THE EASTERN DISTRICT.
THF SURVEY IS AIMED AT FINDING OUT THE LEISURE ACTIVITIES OF YOUTHS AS WELL AS THEIR ACTIVITIES AND RELATED FACILITIES.
BASIC PATTERN OF THE EXPECTATION OF THESE
DETAILED FINDINGS OF THE SURVEY WILL BE ANNOUNCED AT \ PRESS CONFERENCE ON THURSDAY (MARCH 31) IN THE CONFERENCE ROOM OF THE EASTERN DISTRICT OFFICE. THE PRESS CONFERENCE WILL BEGIN AT 3 PM.
/THE CHAIRMAN
TUESDAY, MARCH 291 1988
16
THE CHAIRMAN OF THE PLANNING GROUP, MR MAN SAI-CHEONG, AND THE SENIOR LECTURER OF THE UNIVERSITY’S SOCIOLOGY DEPARTMENT, DR PEDRO NG, WILL SPEAK AT THE PRESS CONFERENCE.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO ATTEND THE PRESS CONFERENCE AT 3 PM ON THURSDAY (MARCH 31) IN THE CONFERENCE ROOM OF THE EASTERN DISTRICT OFFICE, FIRST FLOOR, 880-886 KING'S ROAD.
-----0------
REPORT ON TSUEN WAN DB PUBLISHED ♦ ♦ ♦ *
A COMPREHENSIVE REPORT ON THE WORK OF THE TSUEN WAN DISTRICT BOARD OVER THE PAST THREE YEARS HAS BEEN PUBLISHED.
THE 64-PAGE REPORT IS ILLUSTRATED WITH COLOUR PHOTOGRAPHS AND INCLUDES CHARTS AND TABLES.
IT HAS BEEN PREPARED BY A WORKING GROUP OF THE BOARD’S SOCIAL SERVICES AND COMMUNITY INFORMATION COMMITTEE.
IN A FOREWORD, THE CHAIRMAN OF THE DISTRICT BOARD, MR CHAU HOW-CHEN, OUTLINES THE WORK AND DEVELOPMENT OF THE BOARD SINCE 1985.
HE ALSO PAYS TRIBUTE TO RESIDENTS AND ORGANISATIONS FOR THEIR CONTRIBUTIONS IN COMMUNITY BUILDING.
THE REPORT GIVES DETAILS OF THE WORK AND ACTIVITIES OF THE BOARD’S SIX COMMITTEES AND THERE IS A CHAPTER ON THE MEET THE PUBLIC SCHEME.
THE BOARD’S STUDY TOUR TO THE UNITED STATES AND CANADA IN AUGUST LAST YEAR IS ALSO COVERED. DURING THE 12-DAY VISIT, MEMBERS PAID PARTICULAR ATTENTION TO ENVIRONMENT, TRANSPORT AND HOUSING MATTERS.
THE REPORT, IN CHINESE, WILL BE DISTRIBUTED TO COMMUNITY ORGANISATIONS, GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS, SCHOOLS AND PUBLIC LIBRARIES.
(OPIES ARE ALSO AVAILABLE TO THE PUBLIC, ON REQUEST, AT THE TSUEN WAN DISTRICT BOARD SECRETARIAT AND PUBLIC ENQUIRY SERVICE CENTRES OF THE TSUEN WAN DISTRICT OFFICE.
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/17
TUESDAY, MARCH 29, 1988
- 17 -
LAM TIN SUB-OFFICE ON THE MOVE t ♦ t *
THE LAM TIN SUB-OFFICE OF THE KWUN TONG DISTRICT OFFICE WILL MOVE OUT OF ITS PREMISES AT BLOCK 17, LAM TIN ESTATE TOMORROW (MARCH 30).
AS THE SUB-OFFICE’S NEW PERMANENT PREMISES AT BLOCK 15 OF THE ESTATE ARE NOW BEING RENOVATED, THE OFFICE WILL BE TEMPORARILY ACCOMMODATED IN THE LAM TIN (EAST) ESTATE COMMUNITY CENTRE (OPPOSITE BLOCK 17) FOR ABOUT THREE MONTHS.
THE TELEPHONE NUMBERS OF THE OFFICE'S PUBLIC ENQUIRY SERVICE CENTRE (3-404855) AND MAIN EXCHANGE (3-400131) WILL REMAIN UNCHANGED.
-----0------
NEGLIGENCE CAUSES INDUSTRIAL ACCIDENTS * ♦ » t
EMPLOYERS AND EMPLOYEES ARE URGED TO BE MORE OBSERVANT IN PREVENTING INDUSTRIAL ACCIDENTS.
THE APPEAL WAS MADE BY THE DEPUTY COMMISSIONER FOR LABOUR, MR HAROLD KWOK, TODAY (TUESDAY) AT THE PRIZE PRESENTATION CEREMONY OF THE 20TH INDUSTRIAL SAFETY STUDENT POSTER DESIGN COMPETITION.
HE POINTED OUT THAT ALTHOUGH THE NUMBER OF INDUSTRIAL ACCIDENTS HAD CONTINUED TO INCREASE IN THE PAST YEARS, IT WAS FOUND THAT MOST OF THE CASES WERE MINOR ONES AND CAUSED BY NEGLIGENCE.
’’THE NEED TO FURTHER AROUSE THE SAFETY AWARENESS OF EMPLOYERS AND EMPLOYEES IS OBVIOUS,” HE SAID.
MR KWOK NOTED THAT BESIDES MAKING REGULAR INSPECTIONS ON FACTORIES, THE LABOUR.DEPARTMENT ALSO PLACED GREAT EMPHASIS ON THE PROMOTION OF INDUSTRIAL SAFETY.
THE POSTER DESIGN COMPETITION, ONE OF THE PROMOTIONAL ACTIVITIES, SERVED TO DEVELOP STUDENTS' CREATIVE TALENTS AND ENHANCE THEIR AWARENESS TOWARDS SAFETY, HE ADDED.
ALSO SPEAKING AT THE CEREMONY WAS MRS SO CHOW YIM-PING, A MEMBER OF THE SOUTHERN DISTRICT BOARD.
/SHE PRAISED
TUESDAY, MARCH 29, 1988
- 18 -
SHE PRAISED THE PARTICIPATING STUDENTS FOR THEIR CREATIVITY AS WELL AS THEIR ENTHUSIASM IN PROMOTING INDUSTRIAL SAFETY.
"AN ATTRACTIVE AND WELL-DESIGNED POSTER WHICH BRINGS OUT THE SAFETY MESSAGE CLEARLY IS ONE OF THE MOST EFFECTIVE MEANS IN DRAWING ATTENTION TO SAFETY AT WORK," SHE SAID.
THE COMPETITION WAS ORGANISED BY THE INDUSTRIAL SAFETY AND HEALTH COMMITTEE OF THE LABOUR ADVISORY BOARD AND SPONSORED BY THE NEW ISLAND PRINTING CO. LTD.
AT TODAY’S PRESENTATION, CHENG KIT-YEE OF THE KWUN TONG VOCATIONAL TRAINING CENTRE, WHO WON THE GRAND PRIZE IN DIVISION A FOR POST-SECONDARY INSTITUTIONS STUDENTS, WAS AWARDED $3,000.
THE FIRST PRIZE OF $1,500 IN DIVISION B FOR SECONDARY SCHOOL STUDENTS WENT TO WONG KWOK-HUNG OF THE CHINESE MANUFACTURERS’ ASSOCIATION PREVOCATIONAL SCHOOL.
IN ADDITION, THERE WERE 10 CONSOLATION PRIZES OF $600 EACH FOR DIVISION A AND $300 EACH FOR DIVISION B.
THE WINNING POSTERS WHICH WERE SELECTED FROM MORE THAN 500 ENTRIES WILL BE REPRODUCED BY THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT FOR DISTRIBUTION TO FACTORIES AND OTHER CONCERNED ORGANISATIONS.
-----0------
LABOUR HEAD VISITS SHOE FACTORY
« » » «
THE COMMISSIONER FOR LABOUR, MR TONY HAMMOND, VISITED A SHOE MANUFACTURING FACTORY IN SHAM SHUI PO TODAY (TUESDAY).
ON ARRIVAL AT THE PO SHING CO. LTD., HE WAS BRIEFED BY THE COMPANY’S MANAGING DIRECTOR, MR LOK PING-CHEONG, AND THE MANAGER, MR LOK PING-CHO.
HE WAS LATER SHOWN AROUND VARIOUS PARTS OF THE FACTORY WHICH EMPLOYS ABOUT 110 WORKERS.
THE FACTORY MANUFACTURES LEATHER FOOTWEAR FOR MILITARY AND INDUSTRIAL USE FOR EXPORT MAINLY TO THE MIDDLE EAST AND AFRICA. IT IS ALSO THE MAJOR SUPPLIER OF BOOTS AND SHOES FOR VARIOUS DISCIPLINARY SERVICES IN HONG KONG.
MR HAMMOND CONCLUDED HIS VISIT WITH A DISCUSSION WITH THE MANAGEMENT ON A RANGE OF SUBJECTS INCLUDING LABOUR LEGISLATION, INDUSTRIAL SAFETY AND STAFF WELFARE.
TUESDAY, MARCH 29, 1988
- 19 -
GRAVE-WORSHIPPERS URGED TO USE PUBLIC TRANSPORT * * t ♦ ♦
POLICE TODAY REMINDED GRAVE-WORSHIPPERS TO MAKE FULL USE OF PUBLIC TRANSPORT DURING THE CHING MING FESTIVAL PERIOD.
A POLICE SPOKESMAN SAID PARKING FACILITIES IN THE VICINITY OF CEMETERIES WOULD BE EXTREMELY LIMITED AND ALL VEHICLES PARKED ILLEGALLY ON ROADS AND PAVEMENTS WOULD BE TOWED AWAY WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING.
DURING THE FESTIVAL PERIOD FROM APRIL 1 TO 5 AND ON APRIL 10 AND 17, THE SECTION OF WO HOP SHEK ROAD FROM WO HOP SHEK MIN I-ROUNDABOUT TO THE JUNCTION OF ROAD D6 WILL BE CLOSED BETWEEN 4 AM AND 8 PM DAILY TO ALL PRIVATE VEHICLES INCLUDING VEHICLES ACCOMPANYING HEARSES.
KIU TAU ROAD, THE SECTION OF WO HOP SHEK ROAD BEYOND ITS JUNCTION WITH ROAD D6 AND THE SLIP ROAD FROM NORTHBOUND NT CIRCULAR ROAD LEADING TO WO HOP SHEK MINI-ROUNDABOUT WILL ALSO BE CLOSED.
IN FANLING, FANLING PLAYGROUND ROAD AND THE FANLING KCR FORECOURT WILL BE CLOSED TO TRAFFIC.
IN TSUEN WAN, LO WAI ROAD WILL BE CLOSED TO TRAFFIC FROM 7 AM TO 4 PM ON APRIL 1 - 5 AND APRIL 10.
FROM 7 AM TO 7 PM ON THE SAME DAYS, WING SHUN STREET BETWEEN TSUEN WAN CEMETERY AND KWAI HEI STREET WILL ALSO BE CLOSED.
THE SPOKESMAN ADVISED GRAVE-SWEEPERS GOING TO TSUEN WAN CEMETERY TO TAKE THE MTR AND ALIGHT AT KWAI FONG STATION BECAUSE ROAD CLOSURE MEASURES WOULD BE ENFORCED AT THE JUNCTION OF WING SHUN STREET, KWAI HEI STREET AND KWAI YUE STREET.
IN KOWLOON, SPECIAL TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENT WILL BE IMPLEMENTED IN A NUMBER OF ROADS LEADING TO THE ROMAN CATHOLIC CEMETERY ABOVE CHING CHEUNG ROAD IN CHEUNG SHA WAN AND HAMMER HILL CEMETERY IN WONG TAI SIN.
ON HONG KONG ISLAND, SOME ROADS IN THE VICINITY OF CEMETERIES IN ABERDEEN, POL FU LAM AND CHAI WAN WILL BE CLOSED OR RE-ROUTED TO ONE WAY ON APRIL 3-5.
THE SPOKESMAN URGED MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC TO EXERCISE RESTRAINT AND TO BE COURTEOUS TO THE ELDERLY AND CHILDREN IN CROWDED PLACES AND ON PUBLIC TRANSPORT.
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/2O
TUESDAY, MARCH 29, 1988
20
HILL FIRE WARNING FOR GRAVE WORSHIPPERS » » » ♦
PEOPLE VISITING ANCESTRAL GRAVES IN THE COUNTRYSIDE DURING THE CHING MING FESTIVAL PERIOD WERE TODAY (TUESDAY) URGED TO TAKE SPECIAL PRECAUTIONS AGAINST CAUSING HILL FIRES.
THE COUNTRY PARKS PROTECTION OFFICER OF THE AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES DEPARTMENT, MR C.W. LAI, NOTED THAT 32 HILL FIRES WERE REPORTED OVER THE LAST CHING MING AND CHUNG YEUNG FESTIVALS, DAMAGING 1,000 TREES AND 62 HECTARES OF PLANTATION.
THESE FIRES WERE ALL CAUSED BY NEGLIGENCE.
’’ALTHOUGH THE WEATHER IS GETTING MORE HUMID NOW, THERE IS STILL A NEED FOR THE PUBLIC TO BE CAREFUL WITH FIRE. THEY CAN DO SO JUST BY OBSERVING A FEW SIMPLE RULES," MR LAI SAID.
THESE RULES ARE:
♦ BURN WORSHIPPING ITEMS IN METAL CONTAINERS;
* DO NOT LEAVE LIGHTED CANDLES, JOSS STICKS AND PAPERS UNATTENDED; AND
♦ MAKE SURE ALL BURNING ITEMS ARE EXTINGUISHED BEFORE LEAVING THE GRAVE SITE.
MR LAI ALSO REMINDED PICNICKERS THAT THEY SHOULD LIGHT FIRES ONLY AT DESIGNATED BARBECUE AREAS.
"ILLEGAL LIGHTING OF FIRES INSIDE COUNTRY PARKS MAY LEAD TO A MAXIMUM FINE OF $5,000 AND ONE YEAR’S IMPRISONMENT, AND A FINE UP TO $2,000 MAY BE IMPOSED FOR CAUSING FIRES IN THE COUNTRYSIDE," HE POINTED OUT.
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ILLEGAL STRUCTURES TO BE CLOSED » t » ♦
THE BUILDING AUTHORITY IS TO SEEK THE CLOSURE OF THE ILLEGAL STRUCTURES ON THE FLAT ROOFS ADJACENT TO FLAT G, FIRST FLOOR, EVORA BUILDING, 3 UPPER LASCAR ROW AND 68 LOK KU ROAD, HONG KONG, SO THAT THEY CAN BE DEMOLISHED WITHOUT DANGER TO THE OCCUPIERS OR THE PUBLIC.
THE CLOSURE IS PART OF THE EXERCISE TO ENFORCE AN ORDER ISSUED UNDER THE BUILDINGS ORDINANCE ON OCTOBER 31, 1984, REQUIRING THE DEMOLITION OF THESE ILLEGAL STRUCTURES.
/NOTICE OF
TUESDAY, MARCH 299 1988
- 21
NOTICE OF INTENTION TO APPLY FOR A CLOSURE ORDER IN THE HONG KONG DISTRICT COURT ON MAY 10 WAS POSTED ON THE STRUCTURES TODAY (TUESDAY).
IT IS INTENDED THAT DEMOLITION WORK WILL BE CARRIED OUT IMMEDIATELY AFTER THE CLOSURE ORDER IS MADE.
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TRAFFIC RESTRICTIONS ON ♦ * » *
HONG KONG ISLAND *
TWO ROAD SECTIONS IN CAUSEWAY BAY WILL BE DESIGNATED 24-HOUR URBAN CLEARWAYS FROM 10 AM ON FRIDAY (APRIL 1).
THE TWO ROAD SECTIONS ARE:
♦ THE WESTERN KERBSIDE LANE OF PENNINGTON STREET BETWEEN JARDINE’S BAZAAR AND YEE WO STREET; AND
♦ THE WESTBOUND SECTION OF YEE WO STREET FROM ITS JUNCTION WITH PENNINGTON STREET TO A POINT ABOUT 30 METRES WEST OF THE SAME JUNCTION.
THE TEMPORARY RESTRICTION WILL BE IN FORCE FOR ABOUT FOUR DAYS TO FACILITATE ROAD WORK.
NO VEHICLES EXCEPT FRANCHISED BUSES WILL BE ALLOWED TO STOP WITHIN THE URBAN CLEARWAYS FOR GOODS OR PASSENGERS.
ALSO FROM 10 AM ON FRIDAY, ICE HOUSE STREET IN CENTRAL BETWEEN A POINT ABOUT 35 METRES NORTH OF ITS JUNCTION WITH QUEEN’S ROAD CENTRAL AND ITS JUNCTION WITH CHATER ROAD WILL BE DESIGNATED A RESTRICTED ZONE FOR GOODS VEHICLES FROM 7 AM TO 10 AM AND FROM 4 PM TO 7 PM DAILY.
ALL GOODS VEHICLES WILL NOT BE PERMITTED TO STOP WITHIN THE ZONE FOR GOODS OR PASSENGERS.
MEANWHILE, THE MACAU FERRY BUS TERMINUS WILL BE DESIGNATED A 24-HOUR PROHIBITED ZONE FOR ALL VEHICLES EXCEPT FRANCHISED BUSES.
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TUESDAY, MARCH 29, 1988
- 22 -
TEMPORARY CLOSURES OF 1EC, EDINBURGH PLACE NORTH » ♦ t » »
TWO SECTIONS OF ISLAND EASTERN CORRIDOR WILL BE TEMPORARILY CLOSED TO ALL TRAFFIC FROM 10 PM ON THURSDAY (MARCH 31) TO 9 AM THE FOLLOWING DAY.
THE TEMPORARY ROAD CLOSURE IS TO FACILITATE THE CONSTRUCTION OF A FOOTBRIDGE. IT WILL BE IMPLEMENTED ON:
» THE EASTBOUND SECTION OF ISLAND EASTERN CORRIDOR BETWEEN
QUARRY BAY INTERCHANGE AND KORNHILL INTERCHANGE; AND
♦ THE WESTBOUND SECTION OF ISLAND EASTERN CORRIDOR BETWEEN
CHAI WAN ROAD AND TAIKOO SHING INTERCHANGE.
DURING THE ROAD CLOSURE, VEHICLES ON EASTBOUND ISLAND EASTERN CORRIDOR HEADING FOR TAIKOO SHING OR TRAVELLING FURTHER EAST WILL BE DIVERTED VIA QUARRY BAY INTERCHANGE SLIP ROAD, JAVA ROAD AND KING’S ROAD.
VEHICLES ON WESTBOUND CHAI WAN ROAD HEADING FOR TAIKOO SHING WILL BE DIVERTED VIA SHAU KEI WAN ROAD AND KING’S ROAD.
IN CENTRAL, EDINBURGH PLACE NORTH BETWEEN QUEEN’S PIER AND HMS TAMAR WILL BE TEMPORARILY CLOSED FROM 9 AM ON FRIDAY (APRIL 1) TO 7 PM ON SATURDAY (APRIL 2) TO FACILITATE THE HOLDING OF THE ROUND TABLE EASTER FAIR.
-------o----------
ACCESS TO JACKSON ROAD AFFECTED » t « * *
HONGKONG TRAMWAYS WILL CARRY OUT TRAM TRACK RENEWAL WORK ON DES VOEUX ROAD CENTRAL NEAR ITS JUNCTION WITH JACKSON ROAD NEXT MONTH, THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT SAID TODAY (TUESDAY).
THE RENEWAL WORK, TO BE CARRIED OUT BETWEEN APRIL 1 AND 24, WILL AFFECT THE RIGHT-TURNING MOVEMENTS OF VEHICLES ON WESTBOUND DES VOEUX ROAD CENTRAL ON TO JACKSON ROAD. EASTBOUND VEHICLES HEADING FOR JACKSON ROAD WILL NOT BE AFFECTED.
THE WORK WILL BEGIN WITH THE RENEWAL OF THE SECTION OF TRAM TRACK NEAR THE EASTBOUND TRAM SHELTER ISLAND. DURING THIS EARLY STAGE, ACCESS FROM DES VOEUX ROAD CENTRAL WESTBOUND ON TO JACKSON ROAD WILL REMAIN AS NORMAL.
/HOWEVER, FROM
TUESDAY, MARCH 29, 1988
- 23 -
HOWEVER, FROM APRIL 6, THE WORK AREA WILL BE EXTENDED EASTWARDS FOR ABOUT 23 METRES TO COVER THE JUNCTION WITH JACKSON ROAD.
IN ORDER TO ENTER JACKSON ROAD, WESTBOUND VEHICLES ON DES VOEUX ROAD CENTRAL WILL HAVE TO DRIVE THROUGH THE WORK AREA WHERE AN ACCESS ROAD WILL BE MAINTAINED.
APPROPRIATE TRAFFIC CONES AND TRAFFIC DIRECTIONAL SIGNS WILL BE PROVIDED TO GUIDE MOTORISTS.
-------0---------
CHANGE IN ROUTE 102 TUNNEL BUS SERVICE *****
FROM FRIDAY (APRIL 1), CROSS HARBOUR BUS ROUTE NO. 102 ON ITS HONG KONG-BOUND JOURNEYS WILL NOT OPERATE VIA TAI KOK TSUI AREA DURING MORNING PEAK HOURS.
THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT SAID FIVE SPECIAL DESPATCHES OF ROUTE 102 HAVE BEEN OPERATING VIA TAI KOK TSUI AREA BETWEEN 7.30 AM XND 8.30 AM MONDAYS TO SATURDAYS SINCE NOVEMBER LAST YEAR.
HOWEVER, OWING TO CONTINUOUS LOW PATRONAGE, IT HAS BEEN DECIDED TO CANCEL THE ARRANGEMENT.
FOUR BUS STOPS SERVING THESE SPECIAL DESPATCHES WILL BE CANCELLED.
THE STOPS ARE LOCATED AT LAI CHI KOK ROAD OUTSIDE HOUSE NO. 338, BOUNDARY STREET WESTBOUND NEAR TAI KOK TSUI ROAD, TAI KOK TSUI ROAD SOUTHBOUND NEAR LARCH STREET AND CHERRY STREET EASTBOUND NEAR OAK STREET.
PASSENGERS IN TAI KOK TSUI AREA WHO WISH TO GO TO HONG KONG ISLAND CAN TAKE THE FERRY SERVICE PLYING BETWEEN TAI KOK TSUI AND CENTRAL.
ALTERNATIVELY, THEY CAN ALSO TAKE GREEN MINIBUS ROUTES NO. 3 AND NO. 12 TO MONG KOK AND THEN CHANGE TO ROUTE 102 OR OTHER CROSS HARBOUR BUS ROUTES.
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/2U........
TUESDAY, MARCH 29, 1988
TEMPORARY ROAD CLOSURE IN SHAM SHUT PO * * * *
TO FACILITATE ROAD RESURFACING WORKS, THE FLYOVER LEADING FROM TAI PO ROAD EASTBOUND TO CHING CHEUNG ROAD WESTBOUND IN SHAM SHUI PO WILL BE CLOSED TO TRAFFIC FROM 10 AM ON APRIL 1 (FRIDAY) TO 9 AM ON APRIL 6 (WEDNESDAY).
VEHICLES ON TAI PO ROAD EASTBOUND HEADING FOR CHING CHEUNG ROAD WESTBOUND, INCLUDING KMB ROUTE 48A PLYING BETWEEN CHUN SHEK AND TSUEN WAN FERRY, WILL BE DIVERTED VIA LUNG CHEUNG ROAD EASTBOUND, LUNG CHEUNG ROAD/NAM CHEONG STREET UNDERPASS, NAM CHEONG STREET SOUTHBOUND, NAM CHEONG STREET/CORNWALL STREET ROUNDABOUT, NAM CHEONG STREET NORTHBOUND, TAI WOH PING INTERCHANGE AND CHING CHEUNG ROAD WESTBOUND.
- - 0 - -
DEATH SENTENCE COMMUTED ♦ t t
THE GOVERNOR, AFTER TAKING INTO CONSIDERATION THE ADVICE OF THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL, HAS DECIDED THAT THE DEATH SENTENCE PASSED ON CHAN CHI-ON ON FEBRUARY 4, 1987 SHOULD BE COMMUTED TO A SENTENCE OF 20 YEARS’ IMPRISONMENT.
CHAN WAS FOUND GUILTY OF THE MURDER OF MISS SEE MEI-HIN.
- - 0 - -
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL: 5-8428777
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 30, 1988
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
PRESS FREEDOM KEY ELEMENT OF HK SOCIETY: GOVERNOR.............. 1
GOVERNOR VISITS IMMIGRATION CHECKPOINTS ....................... 2
FS EXPLAINS OBJECTIVE IN REGULATING FINANCIAL SECTOR .......... 3
FS: POTENT SANCTIONS BEING CONSIDERED ......................... 5
GOVT DETERMINED TO ENSURE FINANCIAL MARKETS' INTEGRITY .... 6
LADY WILSON VISITS TWO CENTRES ................................ 7
NEW WAYS TO TACKLE UNAUTHORISED BUILDING WORKS ................ 8
COMPUTERISED HAWKER LICENCES FROM APRIL 6 ..................... 9
EPD INVITES APPLICATION FOR GRANT AND LOAN ................... 10
FURTHER IMPROVEMENTS TO SOCIAL SECURITY SCHEMES............... 11
75^3
CLEAN-UP OPERATIONS aT PUBLIC CnRGO WORKING jJIEAS............ 1?
CLEAN HONG KONG STEERING COMMITTEE MEETS TOMORROW............. 14
SPECIAL STAMPS ON BIRDS ...................................
SECOND JOB BaZaAR IN MAY ..................................... 16
CLEARANCES IN WAN CHAI ....................................... 17
APPLICATIONS INVITED FOR TAI PO DRaGON BOAT RACE.............. 18
POSTFaX SERVICE EXTENDED TO KENYA ............................ 18
GOVERNMENT LaND TO LET BY TENDER ............................. 19
HOLIDAY CLINIC SERVICE ....................................... 20
SPECIAL TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS FOR CHING MING .................. 20
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 30, 1988
PRESS FREEDOM KEY ELEMENT OF UK SOCIETY: GOVERNOR » » t t »
PRESS FREEDOM IS A KEY ELEMENT OF HONG KONG’S SOCIETY, BOTH FOR ITS PEOPLE AND IN TERMS OF INTERNATIONAL CONFIDENCE, THE GOVERNOR, SIR DAVID WILSON, SAID THIS (WEDNESDAY) EVENING.
SPEAKING AT THE 20TH ANNIVERSARY DINNER OF THE HONG KONG JOURNALISTS ASSOCIATION, SIR DAVID SAID HONG KONG HAD A LIVELY AND ACTIVE LOCAL PRESS WITH NO FEWER THAN 68 NEWSPAPERS AND 549 PERIODICALS BEING REGISTERED IN THE TERRITORY.
"MANY INTERNATIONAL AGENCIES USE HONG KONG AS A BASE FOR THE SOUTHEAST ASIAN REGION.
"THIS IS A TRIBUTE NOT ONLY TO HONG KONG’S STRATEGIC LOCATION AND EXCELLENT COMMUNICATIONS, BUT ALSO TO THE RECEPTIVE ATMOSPHERE OF OUR SOCIETY," HE SAID.
"THIS IS A PLACE WHERE PEOPLE CAN - AND DO - SPEAK THEIR MINDS FREELY.
IT IS IMPORTANT THAT THIS SHOULD CONTINUE TO BE THE CASE.”
SIR DAVID NOTED THAT STEPS WERE TAKEN LAST YEAR TO LIBERALISE THE LAWS CONTROLLING THE PRESS - LAWS THAT WERE OUT OF DATE AND WHICH HAD SCARCELY EVER BEEN USED.
"WE RETAINED ONE PROVISION WHICH HAS CAUSED A CERTAIN AMOUNT OF CONTROVERSY, WE HAVE COMMITTED OURSELVES TO REVIEWING THIS AT THE ENI) OF THIS YEAR," HE SAID, STATING THAT THE GOVERNMENT RECOGNISED THAT THE ISSUE OF PRESS FREEDOM WAS VITALLY IMPORTANT.
REFERRING TO THE ROLE OF JOURNALISTS IN SOCIETY, SIR DAVID SMI) THE MEDIA HAI) PLAYED AN IMPORTANT PART DURING THE LAST 20 YEARS WHICH HAD BEEN MOMENTOUS ONES FOR HONG KONG - RECORDING EVENTS FOR POSTERITY, HIGHLIGHTING SUCCESSES AND FAI LURES, REFLECTING SOCIETY AND YET XT THE SAME TIME HELPING TO SHAPE IT.
HOWEVER, HE SUGGESTED THAT IN HONG KONG MORE ATTENTION SHOULD BE PAID TO OTHER ASPECTS OF THE JOURNALIST’S TRADE IN ADDITION TO THE EXCITEMENT OF TRYING TO GET A SCOOP.
"OF COURSE, GETTING AN EXCLUSIVE STORY ON TO THE FRONT PAGE IS IMPORTANT. THAT IS WHAT SELLS NEWSPAPERS. AND IMMEDIATE NEWS IS THE ESSENTIAL ELEMENT OF THE JOURNALIST’S TASK."
BUT, SIR DAVID SAID, THERE COULD BE MORE TO IT THAN THAT.
"VERY MANY IMPORTANT DEVELOPMENTS WILL TAKE PLACE OVER THE NEXT FEW YEARS, BOTH BEFORE AND AFTER 1997. ALL THIS NEEDS TO BE REPORTED," HE CONTINUED.
/"BUT IT
WEDNESDAY, MARCH JO, 1988
2 -
’’BUT IT ALSO NEEDS TO BE PUT INTO ITS CONTEXT. THE
IMPLICATIONS OF WHAT IS HAPPENING NEED TO BE ANALYSED CAREFULLY.
"MY IMPRESSION IS THAT MORE COULD BE DONE IN THIS AREA.
"I WOULD LIKE TO SEE US BUILDING UP OUR ABILITY TO ASSESS AND OMMBNT THOUGHTFULLY ON HOW HONG KONG IS GOING TO EVOLVE, WHAT PROBLEMS WE WILL FACE AND, MOST IMPORTANT, HOW WE SHOULD DEAL WITH THEM," HE SAID.
"THE PRESS HAS ENORMOUS POWER. THE WORDS YOU WRITE ARE READ BY MILLIONS OF PEOPLE EVERY DAY.
"YOU CAN CONTRIBUTE PERHAPS BETTER THAN ANYONE TO ENSURING THAT POLITICAL DEBATE - IN THE WIDEST SENSE OF THE TERM - IS CARRIED OUT AT A HIGH AND INFORMED LEVEL AND THAT THE PEOPLE OF HONG KONG HAVE A CLEAR UNDERSTANDING OF THE ISSUES OF THE FUTURE AS WELL AS THOSE OF THE PRESENT," SIR DAVID SAID.
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GOVERNOR VISITS IMMIGRATION CHECKPOINTS ♦ ♦ t ♦ »
THE GOVERNOR, SIR DAVID WILSON, TODAY (WEDNESDAY) VISITED THE HONG KONG-MACAU FERRY TERMINAL, MAN KAM TO TERMINAL AND LO WU TERMINAL OF THE IMMIGRATION DEPARTMENT AND WAS BRIEFED ON THEIR OPERATIONS \ND DEVELOPMENTS.
HE WAS ACCOMPANIED BY THE DIRECTOR OF IMMIGRATION, MR ALAN CARTER.
SIR DAVID WAS TOLD THAT THE HONG KONG-MACAU TERMINAL HANDLED 9.7 MILLION PASSENGERS IN 1987. THIS WAS A 21 PER CENT INCREASE OVER 1986.
WITH THE INTRODUCTION OF COMPUTERISED IMMIGRATION CONTROL IN MAY LAST YEAR, THE AVERAGE TIME TO PROCESS A PASSENGER HOLDING A HONG KONG* IDENTITY CARD WITH THREE ASTERISKS (SOME 70 PER CENT OF THE TOTAL TRAFFIC) HAS BEEN REDUCED FROM 38 SECONDS TO 22 SECONDS.
THE GOVERNOR THEN TRAVELLED TO THE MAN KAM TO TERMINAL, THE MAIN VEHICULAR CROSSING POINT BETWEEN HONG KONG AND CHINA.
LAST YEAR, THE TERMINAL HANDLED 2.8 MILLION VEHICLES, REPRESENTING A 33 PER CENT INCREASE OVER 1986. COMPUTERISED IMMIGRATION CONTROL WAS INTRODUCED AT MAN KAM TO ON NOVEMBER 1 LAST YEAR.
/SIR DAVID
WEDNESDAY, MARCH V), 1988
SIR DAVID ENDED HIS VISIT BY TOURING THE LO WU TERMINAL, THE LARGEST PASSENGER TERMINAL AT THE BORDER.
HE WAS TOLD THAT LAST YEAR, 22.9 MILLION PASSENGERS PASSED THROUGH LO WU, AN INCREASE OF NEARLY 22 PER CENT OVER 1986.
COMPUTERISED IMMIGRATION CONTROL WAS INTRODUCED AT LO WU ON AUGUST 1 LAST YEAR. ABOUT 85 PER CENT OF THE PASSENGERS THERE ARE HONG KONG RESIDENTS USING THREE-ASTERISK HONG KONG IDENTITY CARDS.
’’THE EVER INCREASING NUMBER OF PEOPLE AND VEHICLES MOVING BETWEEN HONG KONG AND CHINA SHOWS HOW MUCH ECONOMIC RELATIONS ARE IMPROVING,” SIR DAVID SAID.
"WE MUST MAKE SURE THAT WE HAVE THE FACILITIES TO COPE WITH THE CONSTANTLY INCREASING DEMAND.
"THE SIMPLIFIED IMMIGRATION CONTROL SCHEME HAS BEEN A GREAT SUCCESS AND A GREAT BENEFIT TO TRAVELLERS."
--------0----------
FS EXPLAINS OBJECTIVE IN REGULATING FINANCIAL SECTOR ♦ * ♦ * ♦
CHANGES WILL HAVE TO BE MADE TO BRING HONG KONG’S FINANCIAL REGULATORY FRAMEWORK AND MARKET STRUCTURES FULLY UP TO THE STANDARDS NOW EXPECTED OF A MAJOR INTERNATIONAL FINANCIAL CENTRE, THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY, MR PIERS JACOBS, SAID TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
LESSONS HAD BEEN LEARNT AND THE GOVERNMENT WAS DETERMINED TO OVERHAUL THE REGULATORY SYSTEM WITHOUT DELAY SO THAT THE INTEGRITY OF THE MARKETS WOULD BE PROTECTED AND HONG KONG’S CONTINUING SUCCESS AS A FINANCIAL CENTRE WOULD BE ENSURED, HE SAID.
MR JACOBS WAS ADDRESSING A LUNCHEON MEETING OF THE HONG KONG MANAGEMENT ASSOCIATION’S FINANCE MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE.
REGULATION OF THE SECURITIES MARKET HAD TRADITIONALLY BEEN CONDUCTED WITHIN THE FRAMEWORK OF THE SECURITIES ORDINANCE ENACTED IN 1974, A TIME WHEN HONG KONG’S SECURITIES MARKET WAS VERY DIFFERENT FROM WHAT IT WAS TODAY, MR JACOBS SAID.
SINCE THEN, THE RAPID GROWTH IN BUSINESS HAD BEEN FAR BEYOND EXPECTATIONS, AND THE INFLUX OF INTERNATIONAL STOCKBROKING HOUSES HAD HELPED TO TURN A LARGELY DOMESTIC MARKET INTO AN INTERNATIONAL ONE.
/’’CLEARLY, A
WEDNESDAY, MARCH JO, 1988
’’CLEARLY, A REGIME BUILT AROUND A 14 YEAR OLD ORDINANCE HAS HAD DIFFICULTIES IN COPING WITH THE PACE OF RECENT DEVELOPMENTS,” HE SAID.
"BUT THE EXTENT OF THOSE DIFFICULTIES WAS NOT IMMEDIATELY APPARENT DURING THE HEIGHT OF THE BULL MARKET.
"THE STOCK MARKET CRASH AND SUBSEQUENT EVENTS HAVE, HOWEVER, SERVED TO SHOW UP WEAKNESSES IN THE EXISTING SYSTEM.”
WHILE OBSERVING THAT THE COLLAPSE OF SHARE PRICES IN OCTOBER WAS A RESPONSE TO WORLD EVENTS AND NOT TO PROBLEMS IN HONG KONG'S OWN ECONOMY, MR JACOBS SAID RE-EXAMINATION OF THE MARKETS AND THE REGULATORY SYSTEMS WAS NECESSARY.
’’THE SECURITIES REVIEW COMMITTEE WAS APPOINTED LAST NOVEMBER TO REVIEW THE MARKET AND REGULATORY SYSTEMS AND TO RECOMMEND CHANGES TO ENSURE THE INTEGRITY OF THE MARKETS AND TO PROTECT INVESTORS,” HE SAID.
"THE APPOINTMENT OF THIS COMMITTEE IS AN INDICATION OF THE GOVERNMENT’S RESOLVE TO TAKE ALL NECESSARY MEASURES TO CONTINUE HONG KONG’S DEVELOPMENT AS A MAJOR INTERNATIONAL FINANCIAL CENTRE."
MR JACOBS ALSO NOTED THAT, IN RELATION TO THE PROTECTION OF SHAREHOLDERS IN HONG KONG, THE STANDING COMMITTEE ON COMPANY LAW REFORM HAI) RECOMMENDED THAT THERE SHOULD BE FULL DISCLOSURE OF THE BENEFICIAL OWNERSHIP OF SHARES OF DIRECTORS AND SUBSTANTIAL SHAREHOLDERS OF PUBLICLY LISTED COMPANIES AND OF THEIR SHARE DEALINGS.
’’SUCH DISCLOSURE REQUIREMENTS WOULD REVEAL WHO ACTUALLY CONTROLS A COMPANY AND THUS MAKE INSIDER DEALING AND CREEPING TAKEOVERS MORE DIFFICULT,” HE SAID.
JUDGING FROM COMMENTS RECEIVED FROM PROFESSIONAL AND CONCERNED BODIES AND INDIVIDUALS, THERE WAS A GENERAL CONSENSUS THAT MORE DISCLOSURE WOULD BE TN THE PUBLIC INTEREST.
IT WAS INTENDED THAT A BILL WOULD BE INTRODUCED INTO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL IN LATE APRIL OR EARLY MAY, HE SAID.
COMMENTING THAT INSIDER DEALING HAD CAUSED INCREASING CONCERN IN HONG KONG, MR JACOBS SAID "THE LAW AS PRESENTLY FRAMED IS BASED ON THE CONCEPT OF ’ CULPAB1 LI TY ’ OF CONDUCT BY INSIDERS, AND THF. TASK OF DETERMINING WHETHER THERE H \S BEEN INSIDER TRADING FALLS UPON THF INSIDER DEALING TRIBUNAL.”
TWO POSSIBLE OPTIONS IN TACKLING THE PROBLEM HAD BEEN IDENTIFIED, HE SAJI).
/THE FIRST .......
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 30, 1988
- 5 -
THE FIRST WAS TO BUILD UPON THE EXISTING TRIBUNAL SYSTEM AND INTRODUCE MORE POTENT SANCTIONS AND THE SECOND WAS TO MAKE INSIDER DEALING A CRIMINAL OFFENCE.
BOTH OPTIONS HAD THEIR MERITS AND DEMERITS AND HE NOTED THAT BOTH THE STANDING COMMITTEE ON COMPANY LAW REFORM AND THE SECURITIES COMMISSION HELD DIVIDED VIEWS ON THEM. THE GOVERNMENT WAS IN THE PROCESS OF FINALISING ITS OWN VIEWS IN ANTICIPATION OF THE SECURITIES REVIEW COMMITTEE FINDINGS.
IT WAS INTENDED THAT A BILL TACKLING THE PROBLEM OF INSIDER DEALING WOULD BE INTRODUCED FOLLOWING THE RELEASE OF THE COMMITTEE’S REPORT, MR JACOBS SAID.
THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY ADDED THAT A BILL WOULD ALSO BE GAZETTED VERY SHORTLY TO AMEND THE SECURITIES ORDINANCE TO ENABLE THE COMMISSIONER FOR SECURITIES TO PASS ON RELEVANT INFORMATION OBTAINED IN THE COURSE OF HIS DUTIES TO OTHER REGULATORY AUTHORITIES IN HONG KONG AND TO PARALLEL REGULATORY BODIES OVERSEAS.
’’THIS WILL ENABLE THE REGULATORY AGENCIES HERE AND OVERSEAS TO CARRY OUT THEIR FUNCTIONS MORE EFFECTIVELY AND THUS PROVIDE BETTER PROTECTION FOR THE INVESTING PUBLIC.”
MR JACOBS ALSO REFERRED TO THE GOVERNMENT’S FREE MARKET PHILOSOPHY, AND SAID THE MAIN PURPOSE OF GOVERNMENT REGULATION WAS TO MAINTAIN THE INTEGRITY OF THE MARKETS AND TO PROTECT THOSE INVESTING IN THEM.
"WE ARE ACUTELY CONSCIOUS OF THE NEED TO AVOID OVER-REGULATION BECAUSE EXCESSIVE INTERFERENCE WILL ONLY STIFLE INNOVATION AND INHIBIT MARKET FORCES," HE SAID.
"OUR OBJECTIVE THEREFORE IS TO STRIKE THE RIGHT BALANCE BETWEEN THE MARKET REQUIREMENT FOR THE MINIMUM OF REGULATION AND THE NEED TO PROTECT INVESTORS ADEQUATELY."
-------0----------
FS: POTENT SANCTIONS BEING CONSIDERED t ♦ ♦ t ♦
THE GOVERNMENT IS CONSIDERING INTRODUCING SUFFICIENT SANCTIONS TO ERADICATE INSIDER DEALING FROM THE MARKET PLACE, THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY, MR PIERS JACOBS, SAID THIS (WEDNESDAY) AFTERNOON.
SPEAKING TO REPORTERS AFTER ADDRESSING A HONG KONG MANAGEMENT ASSOCIATION LUNCHEON, MR JACOBS SAID THESE SANCTIONS WOULD BE POTENT AND INCLUDE FINANCIAL PENALTIES AND PENALTIES THAT WOULD BAR INSIDERS FROM HOLDING CERTAIN OFFICES.
/”WE ARE
WEDNESDAY, MARCH JO, 1988
”WE ARE THINKING OF BARRING PEOPLE FROM HOLDING DIRECTORSHIPS OF COMPANIES; ENABLING THE TRIBUNAL OR COURT TO ORDER DISGORGEMENT OF PROFITS; OR IMPOSING PENALTIES IN THE FORM OF ORDERS OF COSTS, OR ORDERS THAT AN INSIDER PAYS, FOR EXAMPLE, TRIPLE DAMAGES, OR SOMETHING ALONG THOSE LINES,” MR JACOBS SAID.
IN RESPONSE TO A QUESTION WHICH STATED THAT THE UNITED KINGDOM WAS MAKING INSIDER DEALING A CRIMINAL OFFENCE, MR JACOBS SAID HE DID NOT THINK THAT IMPRISONMENT WAS THE ONLY SUITABLE PENALTY FOR SOMEONE FOUND GUILTY OF INSIDER DEALING.
”1 THINK THERE ARE OTHER THINGS YOU CAN DO TO HIM THAT WOULD PROVE TO BE SUFFICIENT DETERRENT. WHAT WE ARE TRYING TO DO IS TO ERADICATE INSIDER DEALING FROM OUR MARKET PLACE. SO THE SENSIBLE APPROACH IS TO ADOPT A LEGAL PROCESS THAT WILL HAVE THAT EFFECT,” HE SAID.
MR JACOBS SAID AN ANNOUNCEMENT WOULD BE MADE NEARER THE TIME OF THE PUBLICATION OF THE SECURITIES REVIEW COMMITTEE REPORT.
------0-------
GOVT DETERMINED TO ENSURE FINANCIAL MARKETS’ INTEGRITY * ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦
THE GOVERNMENT IS DETERMINED TO SEE THAT THE INSTITUTIONAL AND REGULATORY FRAMEWORK FOR THE FINANCIAL MARKETS OF HONG KONG ENSURES THE INTEGRITY OF THE MARKET PLACE AND THAT THE INTERESTS OF INVESTORS ARE PROPERLY SAFEGUARDED, THE SECRETARY FOR MONETARY AFFAIRS, MR DAVID NENDICK, SAID TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
HE WAS SPEAKING AT THE OPENING OF THE EXHIBITION ON FINANCE ORGANISED BY THE HONG KONG MANAGEMENT ASSOCIATION.
MR NENDICK SAID THE REPORT OF THE SECURITIES REVIEW COMMITTEE WHICH WOULD BE AVAILABLE IN MAY WOULD PROVIDE A VALUABLE BLUEPRINT, IDENTIFYING IMPORTANT CHANGES WHICH WOULD BE NECESSARY IF HONG KONG WAS TO MAINTAIN ITS STANDING AS A MAJOR INTERNATIONAL FINANCIAL CENTRE OVER THE YEARS ’AHEAD.
"THE EVENTS OF LAST OCTOBER, THOUGH UNFORTUNATE IN THEMSELVES, HAVE PROVIDED THE CATALYST FOR CHANGE, AND 1 BELIEVE THAT WE WILL BE ABLE TO ATTRACT A BROAD CONSENSUS OF SUPPORT FOR IMPLEMENTING THE COMMITTEE’S RECOMMENDATIONS,” HE SAID.
MR NENDICK SAID HONG KONG'S GROWTH AS A MAJOR INTERNATIONAL FINANCIAL CENTRE HAD BEEN RAPID AND THE FINANCIAL SERVICES INDUSTRY HERE HAD BECOME INCREASINGLY INTEGRATED AND COMPLEX.
/HE ADDED .......
WEDNESDAY, MARCH ^0, 1988
HE ADDED THAT THE RAPID GROWTH IN THE RANGE OF PRODUCTS AND SERVICES ON OFFER TO BOTH INDIVIDUAL AND INSTITUTIONAL CLIENTS HAD BEEN MOST IMPRESSIVE.
"ALL THIS MUST NOT, HOWEVER, BE A CAUSE FOR COMPLACENCY," HE SAID.
"TO MAINTAIN HONG KONG'S POSITION AS A MAJOR FINANCIAL CENTRE, MARKET PARTICIPANTS MUST CONTINUE TO UPGRADE THE PRODUCTS THEY HAVE ON OFFER AND THEIR PROFESSIONAL STANDARDS."
-----0------
LADY WILSON VISITS TWO CENTRES ♦ » » » ♦
LADY WILSON, WIFE OF THE GOVERNOR, VISITED A PRE-SCHOOL CENTRE AND A CENTRE FOR THE AGED THIS (WEDNESDAY) AFTERNOON.
ACCOMPANIED BY THE DIRECTOR OF SOCIAL WELFARE, MRS ELIZABETH WONG, SHE FIRST VISITED THE SHEK KIP MEI PRE-SCHOOL CENTRE RUN BY THE SPASTICS ASSOCIATION OF HONG KONG.
LADY WILSON WAS BRIEFED BY THE CENTRE SUPERVISOR ON THE CONTENT OF THE TRAINING PROGRAMME WHICH WAS SPECIALLY DESIGNED TO DEVELOP THE FUNDAMENTAL SKILLS OF DISABLED CHILDREN.
SHE ALSO CHATTED WITH MOTHERS WHO WERE PARTICIPATING IN THESE TRAINING SESSIONS WHICH WOULD HELP THEM IN LOOKING AFTER THEIR CHILDREN AT HOME.
LADY WILSON NEXT VISITED THE CARITAS CHEUNG SHA WAN MULTI-SERVICES CENTRE FOR THE ELDERLY.
SHE SAW THE ELDERLY PEOPLE TAKING PART IN A VARIETY OF ACTIVITIES, INCLUDING CALLIGRAPHY, HANDICRAFT AND SINGING AND WAS GREETED WARMLY BY THEM.
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 30, 1988
- 8 -
NEW WAYS TO TACKLE UNAUTHORISED BUILDING WORKS
*****
ANY PERSONS CONTEMPLATING BUILDING A STRUCTURE ON THE ROOF OF THEIR BUILDING, OR IN THE SIDE LANE OR AN EXTENSION FROM THE OUTSIDE < ! THEIR FLAT, SHOULD DROP THE IDEA PROMPTLY.
WITHOUT HAVING AUTHORITY FROM THE BUILDINGS ORDINANCE OFFICE, THEY WOULD LAND IN A SPOT OF TROUBLE AND, VERY LIKELY, BE VERY MUCH OUT OF POCKET.
THE BOO HAS SET UP A "PRIORITY UNIT" TO DEAL WITH SUCH UNAUTHORISED BUILDING WORKS (UBW) AND IT CAN GO INTO ACTION WITHIN 48 HOURS.
OWNERS OF SUCH STRUCTURES WOULD BE TOLD TO DEMOLISH THEM. IF NOT, THE PRIORITY UNIT WOULD MOVE IN AND DEMOLISH THEM AND CHARGE THE OWNERS.
THE DIRECTOR OF BUILDINGS AND LANDS, MR CHAU CHAM-SON, SAID AT A PRESS CONFERENCE THIS (WEDNESDAY) AFTERNOON THAT A NEW SYSTEM TO TACKLE UNAUTHORISED BUILDING WORKS HAS HAD TO BE DEVISED BECAUSE OF THE DANGER THEY POSE TO THE COMMUNITY.
"NEW CASES AND DANGEROUS CASES WILL BE TACKLED FIRST AS A MATTER OF PRIORITY," HE SAID.
"OTHERS THAT POSE ENVIRONMENTAL AND SOCIAL PROBLEMS WILL ALSO BE I KALT WITH, EVEN THOUGH FULL SOLUTIONS ARE NOT TO BE EXPECTED IN THE SHORT TERM."
DEPENDING ON MANPOWER RESOURCES, THE BUILDINGS ORDINANCE OFFICE WILL EMBARK UPON LARGE-SCALE CLEARANCES OF UNAUTHORISED BUILDING WORKS ON A DISTRICT-BY-DISTRICT BASIS.
COMPREHENSIVE CLEARANCE PROGRAMMES WILL BE PREPARED EITHER ON THE BOO’S OWN INITIATIVE OR AS A RESULT OF RECOMMENDATIONS RECEIVED FROM PUBLIC BODIES.
THESE INCLUDE DISTRICT BOARDS, ENVIRONMENTAL IMPROVEMENT COMMITTEES AND BUILDING MANAGEMENT CO-ORDINATION COMMITTEES.
HOWEVER, MR CHAU GAVE AN ASSURANCE THAT THERE WILL BE WIDE CONSULTATION BEFORE THE IMPLEMENTATION OF ANY CLEARANCE PROGRAMMES.
-----0------
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 30, 1988
- 9 -
COMPUTERISED HAWKER LICENCES EROM APRIL 6
THE ISSUING OF HAWKER LICENCES BY THE URBAN SERVICES DEPARTMENT WILL BE COMPUTERISED FROM APRIL 6.
THE DEPARTMENT IS WRITING TO SOME 20,000 LICENSED HAWKERS TO TELL THEM INDIVIDUALLY THAT THE MANUAL METHOD OF ISSUING LICENCES WILL BE REPLACED BY COMPUTERISATION.
"AS FROM APRIL 6, WHEN HAWKERS RENEW THEIR LICENCES THEY WILL ALSO BE ISSUED AN IDENTITY-CARD TYPE BADGE CONTAINING THEIR PHOTOGRAPHS AND LICENCE DETAILS," SAID A SPOKESMAN FOR THE COUNCIL TODAY.
"THE BADGE WILL BE OF LAMINATED PLASTIC DESIGNED FOR WEARING DURING TRADING HOURS FOR EASY IDENTIFICATION.”
THE SPOKESMAN SAID THAT ALTHOUGH INITIALLY HAWKERS WOULD NOT BE BOUND BY LAW TO DISPLAY THEIR BADGES DURING TRADING, IT WOULD BE IN THEIR INTERESTS TO DO SO TO DISTINGUISH THEMSELVES FROM ILLEGAL HAWKERS WHO ARE SUBJECT TO ARREST.
"MEASURES ARE BEING TAKEN TO AMEND THE LEGISLATION TO MAKE IT A STATUTORY REQUIREMENT FOR LICENSED HAWKERS TO PROMINENTLY DISPLAY THE BADGES DURING TRADING, WITH PROVISIONS FOR PROSECUTION AND FINES FOR NOT DOING SO." HE SAID.
ON APPLYING FOR RENEWAL OF THEIR LICENCES, HAWKERS ARE REQUIRED TO BRING ALONG TWO RECENT PHOTOGRAPHS SIZED 38MM X 26MM, THEIR HONG KONG IDENTITY CARD, THEIR EXPIRED LICENCES AND PRESCRIBED FEES.
THE SPOKESMAN SAID THE $3.2 MILLION COMPUTERISED HAWKER LICENCE SYSTEM WOULD KEEP AN ACCURATE RECORD OF ALL LICENSED HAWKERS AND MAKE HAWKER MANAGEMENT MORE EFFICIENT BY AUTOMATING THE PRODUCTION OF LICENCES AND ACCOUNTING RECORDS, AS WELL AS PROVIDING MUCH-NEEDED INFORMATION FOR MANAGEMENT AND ANALYSIS.
"IT IS A PARTICULARLY TIMELY PROJECT WHEN THE COUNCIL IS REVIEWING ITS POLICIES ON HAWKERS," HE SAID.
"COMPUTER TERMINALS ARE BEING INSTALLED AT THE USD HEADQUARTERS, THE TWO HAWKER RECORDS OFFICES ON BOTH SIDES OF THE HARBOUR AND THE 11 DISTRICT OFFICES OF THE DEPARTMENT.
"A CENTRAL, ON-LINE DATA-BASE CONTAINING HAWKER LICENCE RECORDS WILL BE SET UP AT THE COUNCIL’S ELECTRONIC DATA PROCESSING CENTRE."
-----0------
/1O
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 30, 1988
10 -
EPD INVITES APPLICATION FOR GRANT AND LOAN ♦ ♦ ♦ * *
THE ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION DEPARTMENT (EPD) IS SENDING OUT LETTERS TO OPERATORS OF FARMS IN STAGE I OF THE LIVESTOCK WASTE CONTROL AREAS INVITING THEM TO APPLY FOR CAPITAL GRANTS AND LOANS.
THE FUNDS ARE AVAILABLE TO FARMERS TO HELP THEM INSTALL APPROPRIATE ON-FARM WASTE TREATMENT FACILITIES IN ORDER TO COMPLY WITH THE CONTROL REQUIREMENTS.
THE WASTE DISPOSAL (LIVESTOCK WASTE) REGULATIONS 1988 WILL BE IMPLEMENTED IN THE THREE STAGE I CONTROL AREAS, NAMELY TOLO HARBOUR AND CHANNEL AREA, MUI WO AND ANGLER’S BEACH AREAS, FROM JUNE 24.
AT PRESENT, THE EPD IS PROVIDING AN ADVISORY SERVICE TO LIVESTOCK FARMERS WHO WISH TO STAY IN BUSINESS IN THE ABOVE CONTROL AREAS IN ORDER TO ASSIST THEM IN ADOPTING THE LIVESTOCK WASTE MANAGEMENT METHODS MOST APPROPRIATE TO THEIR INDIVIDUAL FARMS.
FARMERS IN THESE AREAS CAN NOW APPLY FOR CAPITAL GRANTS FROM THE EPD AND LOW INTEREST LOANS FROM THE AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES DEPARTMENT.
THE CAPITAL GRANT CAN COVER UP TO 50 PER CENT OF THE CAPITAL COST OF INSTALLING LIVESTOCK WASTE MANAGEMENT FACILITIES, WHILST THE REMAINING 50 PER CENT CAN BE MET BY THE LOAN SCHEME.
ANY FARM OPERATOR WHO HAS OPTED FOR THE CAPITAL GRANT IN THE FIRST INSTANCE WILL BE ALLOWED TO APPLY FOR EX-GRAT1A ALLOWANCE WITHIN A PERIOD OF 12 MONTHS FROM RECEIPT OF THE GRANT IF THE LATER DECIDES TO CEASE BUSINESS.
IN THAT CASE, THE FARMER WILL THEN BE GIVEN THE BALANCE BETWEEN THE EX-GRATIA ALLOWANCE AND THE OUTSTANDING LOAN AND GRANT.
TO ENABLE FARMERS AND THE PUBLIC TO UNDERSTAND THE DETAILS OF THE LIVESTOCK WASTE CONTROL SCHEME, AN ADVISORY LEAFLET IS AVAILABLE FROM THE EPD.
ENQUIRIES CAN BE MADE ON 3-7332286, 3-7332292 AND 3-7332285.
- - 0
/11
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 30, 1988
FURTHER IMPROVEMENTS TO SOCIAL SECURITY SCHEMES » * t * »
FOLLOWING THE INTRODUCTION OF ENHANCED PAYMENTS FOR LARGE FAMILIES ON PUBLIC ASSISTANCE FROM THE BEGINNING OF THIS YEAR, ANOTHER PACKAGE OF IMPROVEMENTS TO THE SOCIAL SECURITY SCHEMES WILL COME INTO EFFECT ON APRIL 1, A SPOKESMAN FOR THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT SAID TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
THE PAYMENT RATES OF THE PUBLIC ASSISTANCE SCHEME WILL BE INCREASED BY 10 PER CENT. DETAILS ARE AS FOLLOWS:
BASIC SCALE RATES PER MONTH
FAMILY SIZE CURRENT SCALE ($) NEW SCALE ($)
SINGLE PERSON 510 560
FAMILY: 1
1ST MEMBER 380 420
2ND MEMBER 380 420
3RD MEMBER I 370 410
4TH MEMBER ' 370 410
5TH AND EACH ADDITIONAL MEMBER 360 400
CORRESPONDINGLY, OTHER SUPPLEMENTARY PAYMENTS UNDER THE SCHEME WILL ALSO BE INCREASED.
THE OLD AGE SUPPLEMENT PER MONTH FOR THOSE AGED BELOW 70 WILL BE INCREASED FROM $255 TO $280 WHILE THOSE AGED 70 OR ABOVE WILL RECEIVE A BIGGER INCREASE, FROM $255 TO $320.
THE DISABILITY SUPPLEMENT WILL LIKEWISE BE INCREASED TO $280, REPLACING THE EXISTING RATE OF $255.
THE NEW ANNUAL LONG TERM SUPPLEMENT WILL BE $710 FOR A SINGLE PERSON; $1,420 FOR A FAMILY WITH TWO TO FOUR ELIGIBLE MEMBERS AND $2 130 FOR A FAMILY WITH FIVE OR MORE ELIGIBLE MEMBERS, AS COMPARED WITH THE EXISTING RATES OF $645, $1,290 AND $1,935 RESPECTIVELY.
IMPROVEMENTS TO Till SPECIAL NEEDS ALLOWANCE SCHEME INCLUDE THE INTRODUCATION OF A HIGHER DISABILITY ALLOWANCE AND A 10 PER CENT INCREASE IN THE RATE OF THE EXISTING "NORMAL” DISABILITY ALLOWANCE.
/THE NORMAL........
WEDNESDAY, MARCH JO, 1988
12
THE NORMAL ALLOWANCE RATE WILL BE $560 AS COMPARED ^ITH THE EXISTING $510 WHILE THF HIGHER ALLOWANCE WILL BE $1,120, OR DOUBLE THE NORMAL RATE.
THE SPOKESMAN SAID THAT THE HIGHER
ALLOWANCE IS INTENDED AS
WITH SEVERELY
ADDITIONAL FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE TO FAMILIES
PERSONS WHO NEED CONSTANT ATTENDANCE, BUT ARE NOT RECEIVING
DISABLED
IT IN A
GOVERNMENT OR SUBVERTED INSTITUTION.
THE RECIPIENT
MUST
"TO QUALIFY FOR THIS HIGHER ALLOWANCE,
AGED 60 OR ABOVE, CERTIFIED TO BE IN NEED OF CONSTANT ATTENDANCE; NOT RESIDING IN A GOVERNMENT OR SUBVENTED INSTITUTION.
BE AND
"HOWEVER, CASES IN PRIVATE INSTITUTIONS OR DAY CARE CENTRES AKE ELIGIBLE," HE EXPLAINED.
EXISTING DISABILITY ALLOWANCE RECIPIENTS WHO ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA FOR THIS HIGHER RATE ARE REQUESTED THEIR RESPECTIVE CASEWORKERS.
MEET THE
TO CONTACT
APPLICATIONS FROM ELIGIBLE PERSONS NOT CURRENTLY IN RECEIPT OF ANY DISABILITY ALLOWANCE CAN BE MADE TO THE DEPARTMENT’S FIELD UNITS.
THE OLD AGE ALLOWANCE, WHICH IS AT PRESENT PAYABLE AGED 70 OR ABOVE, WILL BE INCREASED FROM $255 TO $320.
TO THOSE
EXTENSION <
AND 69 AGE
IN SEPTEMBER, THE FIRST PHASE OF AN ALLOWANCE WILL BE IMPLEMENTED TO COVER THE 68 HOWEVER, RECIPIENTS WILL RECEIVE THE NEW NORMAL RAIF OF BE SUBJECT TO AN INCOME DECLARATION REQUIREMENT.
OF THIS
GROUPS.
$280 AND WILL
FURTHER EXTENSION OF THE ALLOWANCE TO THE 67 AGE INTRODUCED FROM 1989-90. THE 66 AGE GROUP WILL BE 1990-91 AND THE 65 AGE GROUP FROM 1991-92.
GROUP WILL BE
COVERED FROM
- 0 - -
$42.68 MILLION EARMARKED FOR DB PROJECTS ♦ » » » »
THE CITY AND NEW TERRITORIES ADMINISTRATION PLANS TO SPEND <842 68 MILLION IN THE 1988-89 FINANCIAL YEAR TO IMPROVE THE QUALITY OF LIFE OF LOCAL RESIDENTS AND TO RUN COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT PROJECTS.
THF SUM EARMARKED FOR ENVIRONMENTAL IMPROVEMENT AND COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT PROJECTS, HAS BEEN INCLUDED IN THE CNTA’S DRAM ESTIMATES OF EXPENDITURE FOR 1988-89. THE PROVISION IS $3.88 MILLION MORE 1 HAN THAT FOR 1987-88.
/SUBJECT TO
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 30, 1988
- 1? -
SUBJECT TO THE APPROVAL OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL, $19.72 MILLION WILL BE ALLOCATED TO THE 10 DISTRICTS ON HONG KONG ISLAND AND IN KOWLOON AND $22.96 MILLION TO THE NINE DISTRICTS IN THE NEW TERRITORIES.
IN 1987, A TOTAL OF 306 ENVIRONMENTAL IMPROVEMENT PROJECTS WERE IMPLEMENTED BY DISTRICT BOARDS, COMPARED WITH 359 IN 1986 AND 356 IN 1985.
THE PROJECTS INCLUDED THE PROVISION OF SITTING-OUT AREAS, FOOTPATHS, AMENITY SPOTS AND IMPROVEMENTS TO MINOR ACCESS ROADS AND PATHS.
THROUGH THE SUPPORT AND CO-OPERATION OF AREA COMMITTEES, MUTUAL AID COMMITTEES AND OTHER LOCAL ORGANISATIONS, ALTOGETHER 4,006 COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT PROJECTS AND PROGRAMMES WERE IMPLEMENTED IN 1987, COMPARED WITH 2,832 IN 1986 AND 3,015 IN 1985.
---0------
CLEAN-UP OPERATIONS AT PUBLIC CARGO WORKING AREAS t t ♦ * ♦
OPERATORS OF CARGO VESSELS AND PUBLIC TRANSPORT AS WELL AS VEGETABLE MERCHANTS WILL CARRY OUT A SERIES OF CLEAN-UP OPERATIONS AT PUBLIC CARGO WORKING AREAS FROM TOMORROW (THURSDAY).
THE OPERATIONS ARE BEING UNDERTAKEN IN RESPONSE TO THE CALL BY THE JOINT URBAN COUNCIL/REGIONAL COUNCIL KEEP HONG KONG CLEAN STEERING COMMITTEE FOR GREATER PUBLIC PARTICIPATION.
TO LAUNCH THE OPERATIONS, A DEMONSTRATIVE CLEAN-UP WILL BE HELD TOMORROW AT THE YAU MA TEI PUBLIC CARGO WORKING AREA.
A SHORT CEREMONY MARKING THE START OF THIS NEW SERIES OF ACTIVITIES WILL PRECEDE THE CLEAN-UP.
THE JOINT URBAN COUNCIL/REGIONAL COUNCIL KEEP HONG KONG CLEAN STEE'RING COMMITTEE HAS PRINTED A POSTER APPEALING TO USERS OF THESE AREAS TO TAKE THE INITIATIVE IN KEEPING THEM CLEAN.
THE POSTER WILL BE DISPLAYED PROMINENTLY WITHIN PUBLIC CARGO WORKING AREAS.
AN URBAN COUNCILLOR AND MEMBER OF THE JOINT URBAN COUNC1L/REG1ONAL COUNCIL KEEP HONG KONG CLEAN STEERING COMMITTEE, MR TONG KAM-BIU, WILL BE JOINED BY A SENIOR MARINE OFFICER, MR R.A. KENT, AND FIVE REPRESENTATIVES OF BUSINESS OPERATORS IN TOMORROW’S FUNCTION.
/THE KEEP
WEDNESDAY, MARCH JO, 1988
14
THE KEEP PUBLIC CARGO WORKING AREA CLEAN OPERATION IS ONE OF THE ACTIVITIES WITHIN THE COMMUNITY PARTICIPATION CAMPAIGN, WHICH HAS ALREADY ENJOYED FAVOURABLE SUPPORT FROM THE PRIVATE SECTORS, INCLUDING PUBLIC SERVICE ORGANISATIONS AND COMMERCIAL CONCERNS.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE CEREMONY AND THE DEMONSTRATIVE CLEAN-UP, WHICH ARE TO BE HELD TOMORROW (THURSDAY), BEGINNING AT 3 PM, IN THE YAU MA TEI PUBLIC CARGO WORKING AREA, FERRY STREET, KOWLOON.
------0-------
CLEAN HONG KONG STEERING COMMITTEE MEETS TOMORROW t * ♦ » ♦
THE JOINT URBAN COUNCIL/REGIONAL COUNCIL KEEP HONG KONG CLEAN STEERING COMMITTEE WILL MEET TOMORROW (THURSDAY) TO REVIEW THE PROGRESS OF KEEP HONG KONG CLEAN ACTIVITIES DURING THE PAST TWO MONTHS AND TO DISCUSS COMING EVENTS.
THE MEETING WILL ALSO DISCUSS PREPARATIONS FOR LAUNCHING THE 1988-89 CAMPAIGN IN MAY.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE MEETING WHICH WILL BEGIN AT 10 AM IN THE MAIN CONFERENCE ROOM OF REGIONAL COUNCIL CHAMBERS, SECOND FLOOR, TSUEN WAN MTR STATION MULTI-STOREY CARPARK, TSUEN WAN.
------0--------
SPECIAL STAMPS ON BIRDS * » ♦
A SET OF SPECIAL STAMPS FEATURING FOUR SPECIES OF BIRDS FOUND IN HONG KONG WILL BE ISSUED ON APRIL 20, THE POST OFFICE ANNOUNCED TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
THE STAMPS , FEATURING THE WHITE-BREASTED KINGFISHER, FUKIEN NILTAVA, BLACK KITE AND PIED KINGFISHER, ARE IN DENOMINATIONS OF 50 CENTS, $1.30, $1.70 AND $5 RESPECTIVELY.
/IN ADDITION,
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 50, 1988
- 15 -
IN ADDITION, A SET OF FOUR POSTCARDS SHOWING AN ENLARGEMENT OF EACH STAMP DESIGN WILL BE ISSUED.
THE STAMPS, DESIGNED BY MISS KAREN PHILLlt>PS, WERE PRINTED IN AUSTRALIA BY CPE AUSTRALIA LTD.
THE POST OFFICE, THE HONG KONG PHILATELIC SOCIETY AND THE HONG KONG CHINA PHILATELIC ASSOCIATION WILL HOLD A JOINT EXHIBITION OF BIRD STAMPS ISSUED WORLDWIDE.
THE EXHIBITION WILL BE HELD AT THE SHA TIN NEW TOWN PLAZA ON APRIL 9 AND 10, THE CITYPLAZA IN TA1KOO SHING ON APRIL 17, AND THE PHILATELIC CENTRE ON THE FIRST FLOOR OF THE GENERAL POST OFFICE AND IN THE TSIM SHA TSUI POST OFFICE FROM APRIL 11.
OFFICIAL FIRST DAY COVERS AT 50 CENTS EACH AND POSTCARDS AT $1 EACH WILL BE AVAILABLE FOR SALE ON APRIL 6.
ADVANCE ORDERS FOR FIRST DAY TREATMENT OF FIRST DAY COVERS AND POSTCARDS (IN SETS) WILL BE ACCEPTED FROM APRIL 6 TO 13 AT ALL POST OFFICES.
THE MINIMUM QUANTITY PER ORDER IS FIVE FIRST DAY COVERS AND/OR POSTCARDS. CUSTOMERS WISHING TO AVOID CONGESTION ON THE FIRST DAY OF ISSUE ARE ADVISED TO MAKE USE OF THIS ADVANCE ORDER SERVICE.
FOR THE CONVENIENCE OF CUSTOMERS, FIRST DAY COVERS AND SETS OF POSTCARDS PRE-AFFIXED WITH A SET OF THE STAMPS AND CANCELLED WITH THE PHILATELIC BUREAU DATESTAMP WILL ALSO BE AVAILABLE FOR SALE AT DESIGNATED COUNTERS OF THE FOLLOWING OFFICES ON APRIL 20:
HONG KONG ISLAND
BEACONSFIELD HOUSE POST OFFICE CUASEWAY BAY POST OFFICE GENERAL POST OFFICE PEAK POST OFFICE TSAT TSZ MUI POST OFFICE
KOWLOON
AIRPORT POST OFFICE CHEUNG SHA WAN POST OFFICE GRANVILLE ROAD POST OFFICE KOWLOON CENTRAL POST OFFICE TSIM SHA TSUI POST OFFICE
/NEW TERRITORIES
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 50, 1988
- 16 -
NEW TERRITORIES
SHA TIN CENTRAL POST OFFICE TAI PO POST OFFICE SHEK WU HUI POST OFFICE TSUEN WING STREET POST OFFICE TUEN MUN SAN HUI POST OFFICE YUEN LONG POST OFFICE
THE "SERVICED” FIRST DAY COVERS WILL BE SOLD AT $10 EACH AND THE "SERVICED” POSTCARDS AT $13.50 PER SET.
----0------
SECOND JOB BAZAAR IN MAY ♦ ♦ » ♦
THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT IS ORGANISING A SECOND JOB BAZAAR, ON HONG KONG ISLAND, IN MAY.
THIS FOLLOWS THE SUCCESS OF THE FIRST BAZAAR HELD IN THE NEW TOWN PLAZA, SHA TIN, TWO MONTHS AGO.
A DEPARTMENT SPOKESMAN SAID THE SECOND JOB BAZAAR WOULD BE HELD AT CITYPLAZA, TA I KOO SHING, BETWEEN MAY 28 AND 31.
THE VENUE IS EXPECTED TO ACCOMMODATE ABOUT 20 PARTICIPATING COMPANIES.
EMPLOYERS WHO WISH TO TAKE PART IN THE EVENT ARE ADVISED TO CONTACT THE EMPLOYMENT SERVICES DIVISION OF THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT.
ENQUIRIES CAN ALSO BE MADE ON 5-8524157.
THE SPOKESMAN DESCRIBED THE JOB BAZAAR AS A NEW CONCEPT INTRODUCED BY THE DEPARTMENT TO HELP EMPLOYERS PUBLICISE THEIR JOB OPPORTUNITIES AND TO ATTRACT MORE JOB-SEEKERS TO TAKE UP EMPLOYMENT.
SIXTEEN FIRMS REPRESENTING 13 TRADES AND INDUSTRIES TOOK PART IN THE FIRST JOB BAZAAR.
"IT WAS WELL RECEIVED BY BOTH EMPLOYERS AND JOB-SEEKERS AS IT PROVIDED AN ARRAY OF JOB OPPORTUNITIES AND OTHER LABOUR MARKET INFORMATION,” THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
/’’IT ALSO
WEDNESDAY, MARCH JO, 1988
"IT ALSO BROUGHT ABOUT AN IMMEDIATE, CORDIAL AND DIRECT CONTACT BETWEEN EMPLOYERS AND JOB-SEEKERS, THEREBY REDUCING THE TIME IT TAKES TO FILL VACANT POSTS OR TO FIND EMPLOYMENT."
DURING THE THREE-DAY PERIOD, MORE THAN 75,700 APPLICATION FORMS WERE DISTRIBUTED BY THE PARTICIPATING COMPANIES, 9,100 ENQUIRIES WERE RECORDED, 510 ON-THE-SPOT INTERVIEWS WERE CONDUCTED, AND 410 FOLLOW-UP INTERVIEWS WERE ARRANGED.
"IN VIEW OF THE VERY FAVOURABLE RESPONSE, THE DEPARTMENT CONSIDERS IT WORTHWHILE FOR A SECOND BAZAAR TO BE ORGANISED ON HONG KONG ISLAND SO AS TO PROMOTE EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES AND STAFF RECRUITMENT IN THE URBAN AREAS," THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
"IT IS ALSO HOPED THAT THE EVENT WILL CONTRIBUTE TOWARDS SOLVING THE LABOUR SHORTAGE PROBLEM."
O - -
CLEARANCES IN WAN CHAI ♦ ♦ » ♦
A TOTAL OF 21 ILLEGAL STRUCTURES IN WAN CHAI WERE DEMOLISHED IN TWO ENVIRONMENTAL CLEARANCE OPERATIONS CO-ORDINATED BY THE DISTRICT OFFICE IN THE PAST WEEK.
THE CLEARANCES, CARRIED OUT LAST FRIDAY AND TODAY (WEDNESDAY) IN STAR STREET AND AT A REAR LANE IN MORRISON HILL ROAD, WERE THE LAST TWO OF SUCH OPERATIONS IN THE DISTRICT FOR 1987-88.
SIX CLEARANCES HAD BEEN CARRIED OUT IN THE PAST YEAR.
A DISTRICT OFFICE SPOKESMAN SAID THE ILLEGAL STRUCTURES DEMOLISHED IN THE TWO OPERATIONS WERE USED FOR BOTH STORAGE AND DOMESTIC PURPOSES.
TWENTY-FOUR PEOPLE WERE AFFECTED BY THE EXERCISE, AND RE-HOUSING ARRANGEMENTS HAD BEEN MADE, HE ADDED.
- - O - -
/18
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 30, 1988
- 18 -APPLICATIONS INVITED FOR TAI PO DRAGON BOAT RACE » » * » »
APPLICATIONS ARE BEING INVITED FOR TEAMS TO TAKE PART IN THE TAI PO DRAGON BOAT RACE ON JUNE 18 TO CELEBRATE THE TUEN NG FESTIVAL.
THE RACE IS BEING ORGANISED BY THE TAI PO DISTRICT DRAGON BOAT RACE COMMITTEE AND CO-SPONSORED BY THE REGIONAL COUNCIL AND THE TAI PO DISTRICT BOARD.
THE RACE WILL BE DIVIDED INTO MEN’S OPEN, WOMEN'S OPEN, MIXED INVITATION AND INDUSTRIAL CUP SECTIONS AND WILL TAKE PLACE ALONG THE WATERFRONT BY THE TAI PO INDUSTRIAL ESTATE IN THE MORNING.
EACH TEAM SHOULD CONSIST OF 27 MEMBERS COMPRISING 24 PADDLERS, DRUMMER, GONG-BEATER AND COXSWAIN.
COMPETING TEAMS WILL BE PROVIDED WITH DRAGON BOATS AND OTHER EQUIPMENT AND WILL BE ALLOCATED PRACTICE TIME.
LETTERS WILL BE SENT TO VARIOUS ORGANISATIONS TO INVITE THEIR PARTICIPATION.
APPLICATION FORMS WILL BE AVAILABLE FROM APRIL 6 AT THE OFFICE OF THE TAI PO RURAL COMMITTEE AT 1 HEUNG SZE WU1 STREET, THE TAI PO SPORTS ASSOCIATION’S LI FOOK LAM INDOOR SPORTS CENTRE AT 2 ON CHEUNG ROAD AND THE TAI PO DISTRICT OFFICE AT 1 TING KOK ROAD.
THE DEADLINE FOR APPLICATIONS IS APRIL 30. ENQUIRIES CAN BE MADE ON 0-6577111, EXT 254 OR 258.
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POSTFAX SERVICE EXTENDED TO KENYA » ♦ » »
POSTFAX SERVICE, A JOINT POST OFFICE AND CABLE AND WIRELESS (HK) LTD PUBLIC FACSIMILE SERVICE, WILL BE EXTENDED TO KENYA FROM FRIDAY (APRIL 1), THE POST OFFICE HAS ANNOUNCED.
POSTFAX ITEMS HANDED IN AT THE GENERAL POST OFFICE BEFORE 6 PM WILL BE ACCORDED SAME-DAY DELIVERY IN MOMBASA AND NAIROBI.
DOCUMENTS (HANDWRITTEN OR TYPED), DRAWINGS AND DIAGRAMS UP TO A4 SIZE WILL BE ACCEPTED FOR TRANSMISSION.
ALL POSTFAX ITEMS ARE HANDLED WITH CARE AND IN CONFIDENCE.
/THE CHARGES .......
WEDNESDAY, MARCH JO, 1988
- 19 -
THE CHARGES FOR THE SERVICE ARE:
"SHORT MESSAGE" FACILITY $60
FOR THE FIRST SIDE OF AN A4 DOCUMENT $75
FOR EACH SUBSEQUENT A4 SIDE SENT TO THE $30
SAME ADDRESSEE AT THE SAME TIME
CUSTOMERS WISHING TO MAKE USE OF THIS SERVICE CAN HAND IN THEIR DOCUMENTS AT ANY ONE OF THE 30 ACCEPTANCE POST OFFICES OR THE TWO CABLE AND WIRELESS SALES OFFICES AT EXCHANGE SQUARE AND HERMES HOUSE.
POSTFAX SERVICE OFFERS HIGH-SPEED FACSIMILE TRANSMISSION BETWEEN HONG KONG AND OVER 70 COUNTRIES.
ALL THE IMPORTANT TRADING PARTNERS OF HONG KONG ARE INCLUDED IN THE SERVICE NETWORK, SUCH AS THE U.S.A., THE UNITED KINGDOM, THE FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF GERMANY, CHINA, JAPAN AND AUSTRALIA.
FOR SPEEDIER TRANSMISSION AND AT NO EXTRA COST, FACSIMILE MACHINE OWNERS IN HONG KONG CAN FAX THEIR MESSAGES TO THE POST OFFICE UNDER SPECIAL ARRANGEMENTS FOR ONWARD TRANSMISSION TO ADDRESSEES ABROAD WHO DO NOT HAVE THEIR OWN FACSIMILE EQUIPMENT.
FURTHER INFORMATION ON THE SERVICE MAY BE OBTAINED FROM THE POSTFAX MANAGER ON 5-8471148.
-------0------
GOVERNMENT LAND TO LET BY TENDER
*****
A PIECE OF GOVERNMENT LAND ON HONG KONG ISLAND IS TO BE LET BY TENDER ON SHORT TERM TENANCY BY THE BUILDINGS AND LANDS DEPARTMENT.
MEASURING ABOUT 1,730 SQUARE METRES, THE LAND AT WAN SHING STREET, WAN CHAI, IS FOR COMMERCIAL GARDEN PURPOSE.
THE TENANCY IS FOR NINE MONTHS, RENEWABLE MONTHLY AFTERWARDS.
TENDER FORM AND NOTICE MAY BE OBTAINED FROM THE DISTRICT LANDS OFFICE, HONG KONG WEST, 12TH FLOOR, HARBOUR CENTRE, 25 HARBOUR ROAD, HONG KONG; THE BUILDINGS AND LANDS DEPARTMENT, 14TH FLOOR, MURRAY BUILDING, GARDEN ROAD, HONG KONG; AND THE DISTRICT LANDS OFFICES KOWLOON, YAU MA TEI CARPARK BUILDING, 10TH FLOOR, 250 SHANGHAI STREET, KOWLOON.
THE CLOSING DATE FOR SUBMITTING TENDERS IS NOON ON APRIL 15.
-----0----------
/20........
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 30, 1988
- 20 -
HOLIDAY CLINIC SERVICE » » * «
EIGHT GOVERNMENT OUT-PATIENT CLINICS WILL STAY OPEN DURING THE EASTER HOLIDAYS AND CHING MING FESTIVAL BETWEEN APRIL 1 AND APRIL 5.
THE EIGHT CLINICS WHICH WILL BE OPEN FROM 9 AM TO 1 PM ARE THE VIOLET PEEL HEALTH CENTRE AND SHAU KEI WAN JOCKEY CLUB CLINIC ON HONG KONG ISLAND; KWUN TONG JOCKEY CLUB HEALTH CENTRE, ROBERT BLACK HEALTH CENTRE AND YAU MA TEI JOCKEY CLUB CLINIC IN KOWLOON; AND THE LADY TRENCH POLYCLINIC, YUEN LONG JOCKEY CLUB HEALTH CENTRE AND SHEK WU HUI JOCKEY CLUB CLINIC IN THE NEW TERRITORIES.
ALL OTHER OUT-PATIENT AND EVENING CLINICS WILL BE CLOSED.
---0------
SPECIAL TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS FOR CHING MING » » « * *
THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT TODAY (WEDNESDAY) REMINDED MEMBERS OF HE PUBLIC THAT SPECIAL TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS WILL BE IMPLEMENTED IN KOWLOON AND THE NEW TERRITORIES DURING THE CHING MING FESTIVAL PERIOD.
IN THE NEW TERRITORIES, BETWEEN 4 AM AND 8 PM FROM APRIL 1 TO
5 AND ON APRIL 10 AND 17, THE SECTION OF WO HOP SHEK ROAD FROM WO HOP
SHEK MIN I-ROUNDABOUT TO THE JUNCTION OF ROAD D6, KIU TAU ROAD AND THE
SECTION OF WO HOP SHEK ROAD BEYOND ITS JUNCTION WITH ROAD D6 WILL BE
CLOSED TO TRAFFIC.
FROM 7 AM TO 6 PM ON THE SAME DAYS, THE SLIP ROAD AT WO HOP
SHEK CONNECTION FROM NORTHBOUND NT CIRCULAR ROAD LEADING TO WO HOP
SHEK MINI-ROUNDABOUT, FANLING PLAYGROUND ROAD, AND THE FANLING KCR FORECOURT AT ITS ACCESS FROM ROAD D5 WILL ALSO BE CLOSED.
IN TSUEN WAN, LO WAI ROAD WILL BE CLOSED TO TRAFFIC BETWEEN
AM AND 4 PM FROM APRIL 1 TO 5 AND ON APRIL 10. THE LO WAI END TERMINATING POINT FOR NT GREEN MINIBUS ROUTES NO. 81 AND 81M WILL BE RELOCATED TO THE LO WAI BUS TERMINUS.
FROM 7 AM TO 7 PM ON THE SAME DAYS, WING SHUN STREET BETWEEN TSUEN WAN CEMETERY AND KWAI HEI STREET IN KWAI CHUNG WILL BE CLOSED TO TRAFFIC EXCEPT HEARSES AND EMERGENCY VEHICLES.
/AS ROAD .......
I
WEDNESDAY, MARCH JO, 1988
21 -
AS ROAD CLOSURE MEASURES WILL BE ENFORCED BY POLICE OFFICERS AT THE JUNCTION OF WING SHUN STREET, KWAI HEI STREET AND KWAI YUE STREET, GRAVE-SWEEPERS ARE ADVISED TO TAKE THE MTR AND GET OFF AT KWAI FONG STATION.
TO IMPROVE TRAFFIC FLOW ON TAI SHU HA NULLAH-BUND ROAD IN YUEN LONG DURING THE CHING MING FESTIVAL, THE NORTHERN NULLAH-BUND ROAD FROM TAI KEI LENG TO TAI SHU HA WILL BE RE-ROUTED ONE-WAY EASTBOUND, WHILE THE SOUTHERN NULLAH-BUND ROAD WILL BECOME ONE-WAY WESTBOUND FROM 7 AM TO 10 PM ON APRIL 4 (MONDAY).
AS A RESULT, NEW TERRITORIES GREEN MINIBUS ROUTE NO. 73 WILL HAVE TO TRAVEL ALONG THE SOUTHERN NULLAH-BUND ROAD ON ITS JOURNEYS TO YUEN LONG TOWN.
IN SHAM SHUI PO, WING MING STREET WILL BE CLOSED BETWEEN 7 AM AND 7 PM FROM APRIL 1 TO 5. AT THE SAME TIME, THE ON-STREET PARKING SPACES IN YEE KUK WEST STREET, YU CHAU WEST STREET, KING LAM STREET, WING HONG STREET AND TAI NAN WEST STREET WILL BE SUSPENDED.
DURING THE CLOSURE, GRAVE-SWEEPERS GOING TO THE ROMAN CATHOLIC CEMETERY ARE ADVISED TO USE CASTLE PEAK ROAD, YEE KUK WEST STREET AND KING LAM STREET.
MOTORISTS GOING TO HAMMER HILL CEMETERY IN WONG TAI SIN WILL HAVE TO USE LUNG CHEUNG ROAD, PO KONG VILLAGE INTERCHANGE AND PO KONG VILLAGE ROAD.
ON PUBLIC TRANSPORT SERVICES, BOTH KCR AND KMB WILL STEP UP THEIR SERVICES DURING THE FESTIVAL PERIOD. ON APRIL 3, 4, 10 AND 17, TWO SPECIAL KMB ROUTES NO. 70R AND 70S WILL OPERATE RESPECTIVELY FROM FANL1NG KCR STATION AND JORDAN ROAD FERRY BUS TERMINUS TO WO HOP SHEK.
-------0 ---------
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE. HONG KONG. TEL: 5-8428777
THURSDAY, MARCH J1, 1988
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
MORE INDUSTRIAL ACCIDENTS BUT FEWER FATALITIES IN 198? .......... 1
SPECIAL ARRANGEMENTS PROPOSED FOR REGISTERING OF ELECTORS ... 3
SECURITIES (AMENDMENT) BILL 1988 GAZETTED ....................... 4
CONTINUED ROLE SEEN FOR BOARD OF REVIEW........................ 5
INSURANCE COMPANIES (AMENDMENT) BILL 1988 GAZET1
6
STRACHAN TO BE MARINE DEPUTY DIRECTOR .......................... 8
SPECIAL STAMPS TO RAISE FUNDS FOR CHEST ........................ 8
ANTI-MOSQUITO EDUCATION CAMPAIGN STARTS TOMORROW ............... 9
CLEAN PUBLIC CARGO WORKING AREAS CAMPAIGN COMMENCES ........... 11
1986 BY-CENSUS MAIN REPORT PUBLISHED .......................... 12
TREE PLANTING SCHEME GETS GOOD SUPPORT ........................ 12
YOUTH LEISURE ACTIVITIES SURVEYED.............................. 1J
SOUTHERN DISTRICT YOUTH CEOIP LOOKS FOR NEW MEMBERS ........... 14
NEW DEVICE FOR FEEDING FISH FRY ............................... 15
TRANSFER OF DTC LICENCE........................................ 16
NEW TELEPHONE NUMBER FOR HK AND ISLANDS REGION OF WSD........ 16
ANNUAL REPORT ON 198? CONSUMER PRICE INDEX PUBLISHED .......... 16
TWO NEW MEMBERS APPOINTED TO FIGHT CRIME COMMITTEE ............ 17
MANUAL OF TRAINING PROGRAMMES PUBLISHED ....................... 1?
NEW RANK INSIGNIA FOR CUSTOMS SERVICE.......................... 18
TENDERS INVITED FOR AIRPORT CONCESSION ........................ 18
ILLEGAL STRUCTURE FACES DEMOLITION ............................ 19
SECTION OF CASTLE PEAK ROAD TO BE WIDENED ..................... 19
THURSDAY, MARCH 31, 1988
1
MORE INDUSTRIAL ACCIDENTS BUT FEWER FATALITIES IN 1987
*****
THE NUMBER OF INDUSTRIAL ACCIDENTS REPORTED LAST YEAR SHOWED A SLIGHT INCREASE OF SIX PER CENT WHILE THE NUMBER OF FATALITIES REGISTERED A DECREASE OF 12 PER CENT.
DURING 1987, THERE WERE 57,403 ACCIDENTS WITH 80 FATALITIES IN ALL INDUSTRIES COMPARED WITH 54,138 ACCIDENTS AND 91 FATALITIES IN THE PREVIOUS YEAR.
OF THE TOTAL, THE CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY ACCOUNTED FOR 23,846 ACCIDENTS WITH 55 FATALITIES AS AGAINST 20,970 ACCIDENTS WITH 60 FATALITIES IN 1986.
COMMENTING ON THE ACCIDENT STATISTICS RELEASED TODAY (THURSDAY), THE CHIEF FACTORY INSPECTOR OF THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT, MR YIP YUK-LUN, SAID THE INCREASE IN THE NUMBER OF ACCIDENTS LAST YEAR WAS MAINLY DUE TO A SIGNIFICANT RISE IN MINOR INJURIES.
THESE INCLUDED 17,759 CASES INVOLVING WORKERS STEPPING ON OR STRIKING AGAINST OBJECTS AND 7,547 CASES RELATING TO HANDLING WITHOUT MACHINERY. THEY REPRESENTED AN INCREASE OF 57 PER CENT AND 31 PER CENT RESPECTIVELY OVER THE PREVIOUS YEAR’S STATISTICS.
SOME OTHER TYPES OF ACCIDENTS, ALTHOUGH THEY REGISTERED A DECREASE AS AGAINST THE 1986 FIGURES, CONTINUED TO BE THE SOURCE OF THE LARGEST NUMBER OF ACCIDENTS AND FATALITIES.
THESE WERE THE 9,851 CASES (WITH 20 FATALITIES) INVOLVING MACHINERY, 6,531 CASES (WITH 30 FATALITIES) RELATING TO FALL OF PERSONS, 4,091 CASES (WITH FOUR FATALITIES) CONCERNING FALLING OBJECTS, 3,020 CASES DUE TO USE OF HAND TOOLS, 1,680 CASES INVOLVING HOT OR CORROSIVE SUBSTANCES, AND 1,346 CASES (WITH FOUR FATALITIES) CONCERNING TRANSPORT.
"A STUDY OF THE ACCIDENTS SHOWED THAT IF THE BASIC SAFETY RULES WERE SCRUPULOUSLY OBSERVED BY BOTH THE EMPLOYERS AND EMPLOYEES, THE ACCIDENT RATE COULD BE CUT DRAMATICALLY," MR YIP SAID.
"OBVIOUSLY THERE IS EVERY NEED FOR THE DEPARTMENT TO CONTINUE TO STRENGTHEN ITS EFFORTS TO PROMOTE A SPIRIT OF CO-OPERATION AND OF SAFETY-MINDEDNESS AMONG EMPLOYERS AND EMPLOYEES," HE ADDED.
MR YIP REVEALED THAT TO SHOW THE REAL OVERALL ACCIDENT TREND, THE DEPARTMENT WAS COMPILING A NEW SET OF STATISTICS WHEREBY MAJOR AND MINOR ACCIDENTS WERE IDENTIFIED SEPARATELY.
A MAJOR ACCIDENT IS DEFINED BY REFERENCE TO THE LENGTH OF ABSENCE FROM WORK OR DEGREE OF INCAPACITY SUFFERED BY AN INJURED WORKER.
/ALTHOUGH THE .......
THURSDAY, MARCH ?1, 1988
- 2 -
ALTHOUGH THE EXACT PERCENTAGE OF MAJOR ACCIDENTS IN 1987 HAS YET TO BE WORKED OUT, MR YIP BELIEVED IT WOULD BE ABOUT THE SAME AS FOR 1985 (12.4 PER CENT) AND 1986 (12.6 PER CENT).
"I THINK ONE OF THE MOST IMPORTANT AND SIGNIFICANT INDICATORS OF THE EFFECTIVENESS OF THE FACTORY INSPECTORATE'S WORK IS THE NUMBER OF MAJOR ACCIDENTS WHICH OCCUR.
"THESE NEW STATISTICS ON MAJOR ACCIDENTS SHOULD BE A GREAT HELP IN IMPROVING OUR INDUSTRIAL SAFETY EFFORTS."
TURNING TO PROSECUTIONS UNDER THE FACTORIES AND INDUSTRIAL UNDERTAKINGS ORDINANCE AND ITS SUBSIDIARY REGULATIONS, MR YIP SAID THE NUMBER INCREASED BY 25 PER CENT LAST YEAR.
DURING THE 12-MONTH PERIOD, THERE WERE 2,026 CONVICTIONS IN THE COURTS WITH TOTAL FINES OF MORE THAN $6.5 MILLION BEING IMPOSED ON THEM. THESE FIGURES COMPARED WITH 1,617 CONVICTIONS AND $4.5 MILLION IN FINES DURING 1986.
THE AVERAGE FINES FOR 1986 AND 1987 WERE $2,800 AND $3,200 RESPECTIVELY.
MR YIP EXPLAINED THAT IN RECENT YEARS THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT HAD BEEN CONCENTRATING ON THE MORE SERIOUS OFFENCES.
"IN THE PAST, PROSECUTIONS WERE TAKEN OUT IN A LOT OF FAIRLY MINOR CASES," HE SAID.
"BUT WE FEEL IT IS MORE MEANINGFUL IN MINOR CASES TO EDUCATE AND ADVISE THE EMPLOYERS AND EMPLOYEES AND CONCENTRATE OUR PROSECUTION EFFORTS ON BLATANT OFFENDERS AND WORK SITES WITH BAD ACCIDENT RECORDS."
HE DISCLOSED THAT PROSECUTIONS WERE LEVELLED MAINLY AT EMPLOYERS, BUT IN SOME CASES, OPERATIVES WERE ALSO CHARGED FOR BREACHES OF THE SAFETY REGULATIONS.
THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT IS AT PRESENT DRAFTING SOME AMENDMENTS To THE FACTORIES AND INDUSTRIAL UNDERTAKINGS ORDINANCE WHICH WILL SPELL OUT MORE CLEARLY THE GENERAL DUTIES OF BOTH EMPLOYERS AND EMPLOYEES AS REGARDS SAFETY AND HEALTH AND WILL INTRODUCE CUSTODIAL SENTENCES FOR VERY SERIOUS OFFENCES.
HOWEVER, HE REITERATED THAT ALTHOUGH LEGISLATION BY THE GOVERNMENT WAS FUNDAMENTAL, IT SUFFICIENT TO ENSURE INDUSTRIAL SAFETY.
ENFORCEMENT OF THE WAS NOT BY ITSELF
"IN SHORT, THERE MUST BE CO-OPERATION BETWEEN GOVERNMENT, EMPLOYER AND EMPLOYEE TO FOSTER AN ATTITUDE OF MIND FAVOURABLE TO SAFE PRACTICES IN THE WORKPLACE.
"OUR WHOLE APPROACH HAS BEEN BASED UPON A COMBINATION OF ENFORCEMENT, EDUCATION AND PERSUASION WHICH I THINK IS THF CORRECT AND MOST PRACTICABLE APPROACH," MR YIP STRESSED.
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/3........
THURSDAY, MARCH 31,
1988
SPECIAL ARRANGEMENTS PROPOSED FOR REGISTERING OF ELECTORS
*****
THE GOVERNMENT PROPOSES TO MAKE SPECIAL ARRANGEMENTS FOR INDIVIDUAL MEMBERS OF THE RELEVANT PROFESSIONS TO BE REGISTERED AS ELECTORS IN THE FUNCTIONAL CONSTITUENCIES FOR THE 1988 LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL ELECTIONS.
DRAFT LEGISLATION TO PROVIDE FOR THE SPECIAL ARRANGEMENTS WILL BE INTRODUCED INTO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL AS SOON AS POSSIBLE.
IN ANNOUNCING THIS INTENTION, A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN EXPLAINED THAT, UNDER EXISTING LEGISLATION, AN INDIVIDUAL IS NOT ENTITLED TO BE REGISTERED AS AN ELECTOR FOR THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL ELECTIONS UNLESS HE IS ALREADY REGISTERED AS AN ELECTOR IN THE GENERAL ELECTORAL ROLL (GER).
ENTRIES IN THE CURRENT GER WERE CLOSED ON NOVEMBER 20, 1987 AND NEW ENTRIES WILL NOT TAKE EFFECT UNTIL JANUARY 1989.
THE SPOKESMAN SAID THE GOVERNMENT HAD RECEIVED SEVERAL REQUESTS FOR SPECIAL ARRANGEMENTS TO BE MADE, SO THAT INDIVIDUALS WHO ARE NOT REGISTERED AS ELECTORS ON THE GER MAY STILL BE REGISTERED ON THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL ELECTORAL ROLL IF THEY MEET THE OTHER REQUIREMENTS.
THESE REQUESTS HAVE COME FROM ORGANISATIONS REPRESENTING PROFESSIONAL BODIES TO BE INCLUDED FOR THE FIRST TIME IN THE EXPANDED MEDICAL AND HEALTH CARE FUNCTIONAL CONSTITUENCY.
THE SPOKESMAN EXPLAINED THAT THE PROPOSED SPECIAL ARRANGEMENTS WERE INTENDED TO APPLY TO POTENTIAL ELECTORS IN ALL FUNCTIONAL CONSTITUENCIES.
THEY WERE AIMED AT ENABLING AS MANY AS POSSIBLE TO PARTICIPATE IN THE 1988 LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL ELECTIONS, SO AS TO ENSURE THAT THE SUCCESSFUL CANDIDATES ARI AS BROADLY REPRESENTATIVE OF THEIR RESPECTIVE CONSTITUENCIES AS POSSIBLE.
THE SPOKESMAN EMPHASISED THAT THE PROPOSED SPECIAL ARRANGEMENTS WIRE SUBJECT TO Till APPROVAL OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL, AND WOULD BE MADE ON A ONE-OFF BASIS.
INDIVIDUALS WHO BENF.FITTED WOULD HAVE TO BE PROPERLY REGISTERED ON THE GER AT THE NEXT OPPORTUNITY IF THEY WISHED TO REMAIN ON THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL ELECTORAL ROLL AFTER THE SEPTEMBER 1988 ELECTIONS.
"WE HOPE THAT THE NECESSARY LEGISLATION CAN BE PASSED BEFORE THE FINAL REGISTRATION PERIOD FOR THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL ELECTIONS, WHICH RUNS FROM JUNE 17 TO JULY I," THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
- 0-----------
A....
THURSDAY, MARCH 31, 1988
- 4 -
SECURITIES (AMENDMENT) BILL 1988 GAZETTED t t t t t
THE GOVERNMENT HAS PROPOSED TO AMEND THE SECURITIES ORDINANCE TO PERMIT GREATER DISCRETION FOR THE SECURITIES COMMISSION AND COMMISSIONER FOR SECURITIES IN THE DISCLOSURE OF INFORMATION IN SPECIFIED CIRCUMSTANCES.
EXPLAINING THE PURPOSE OF THE SECURITIES (AMENDMENT) BILL 1988, WHICH WAS PUBLISHED IN THE GAZETTE TODAY (THURSDAY), A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN SAID SECTION 19 OF THE SECURITIES ORDINANCE CONTAINED A GENERAL SECRECY PROVISION PROHIBITING THE DISCLOSURE OF INFORMATION OBTAINED BY OFFICIALS UNDER THE ORDINANCE.
"HOWEVER, THE SECTION IS RESTRICTIVE AND HAS IN THE PAST PROHIBITED, FOR EXAMPLE, THE TRANSFER OF INFORMATION FROM THE
SECURITIES COMMISSION AND COMMISSIONER FOR SECURITIES TO LAW
ENFORCEMENT AGENCIES IN HONG KONG, AS WELL AS TO SECURITIES REGULATORY AUTHORITIES OVERSEAS," HE SAID.
THE SPOKESMAN ADDED THAT WITH THE INCREASING INTERNATIONALISATION OF Till- SECURITIES MARKETS, IT WAS ALSO BECOMING ESSENTIAL FOR REGULATORY AUTHORITIES IN DIFFERENT JURISDICTIONS TO BE ABLE TO CO-OPERATE FULLY WITH EACH OTHER IN THE GENERAL INTEREST OF INVESTORS.
"IT IS THEREFORE PROPOSED TO CLARIFY THE POSITION OF THE COMMISSION AND THE COMMISSIONER WITH RESPECT TO DISCLOSURE OF INFORMATION OBTAINED IN THE COURSE OF THEIR STATUTORY DUTIES," HE SAID.
THE SPOKESMAN SAID THAT SUBJECT TO THE GENERAL OBLIGATION OF SECRECY, THE COMMISSIONER FOK SECURITIES MIGHT BE PERMITTED TO DISCLOSE INFORMATION IN SPECIFIC CIRCUMSTANCES INCLUDING INFORMATION IN THE FORM OF A SUMMARY, FOR THE PURPOSES OF ANY INVESTIGATION OF CRIMINAL PROCEEDINGS IN HONG KONG, \ND CIVIL PROCEEDINGS UNDER THE SECURITIES ORDINANCE.
HE ADDED THAI DISCLOSURE OF INFORMATION WOULD BE RESTRICTED TO THE FOLLOWING PERSONS/BODIES: THE INSIDER DEALING TRIBUNAL; THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY; THE SECRETARY FOR MONETARY AFFAIRS; THE REGISTRAR GENERAL OR OTHER AUTHORISED PUBLIC OFFICER; THE COMMODITIES TRADING COMMISSION; THE FUTURES EXCHANGE; OVERSEAS REGULATORY BODIES WHICH EXERCISE FUNCTIONS SIMILAR TO THOSE OF THE COMMISSION, COMMISSIONER AND THE COMMODITIES TRADING COMMISSION; AND SPECIFIED PROFESSIONAL AND SEMI-PROFESSIONAL BODIES.
"PROVISION IS ALSO MADE TO ALLOW THE DISCLOSURE OF NOTES AND INFORMATION OBTAINED BY INSPECTORS IN THE COURSE OF INVESTIGATION TO SPECIFIED PUBLIC OFFICERS," THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
/the spokesman........
THURSDAY, MARCH J1, 1988
- 5 -
THE SPOKEMAN SAID THAT GIVEN THE CLOSE INTER-RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN THE SECURITIES AND OTHER FINANCIAL MARKETS, THESE PROPOSED AMENDMENTS WOULD GREATLY FACILITATE THE TRANSFER OF INFORMATION OBTAINED BY PUBLIC OFFICERS IN THE COURSE OF CARRYING OUT THEIR STATUTORY DUTIES UNDER THE SECURITIES ORDINANCE TO OTHER BODIES FOR BETTER REGULATION OF THE Fl NAM I AL MARKETS.
"THE PROPOSALS TO PASS INFORMATION TO OVERSEAS REGULATORY AUTHORITIES \ND ORGANISATIONS WOULD ALSO BENEFIT HONG KONG THROUGH ENHANCED INTERNATIONAL CO-OPERATION W|TIIOl'T WHICH MALPRACTICES COULD GO UNDETECTED MORE EASILY."
THE SPOKESMAN STRESSED THAT THE PROPOSALS CONTAINED IN THE AMENDMENT Bl 1.1. WOULD NOT ERODE THE SECRECY PROVISIONS.
"WHERE INFORMATION IS DISCLOSED TO PUBLIC OFFICIALS OR OTHER BODIES, EITHER THE COMMISSION OR COMMISSIONER FOR SECURITIES WOULD HAVE TO BE SATISFIED THAI' IT IS DESIRABLE OR EXPEDIENT THAT THE INFORMATION SHOULD BE SO DISCLOSED," THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
"THE SECURITIES COMM ISSI ON/COMM ISSI ONER WILL EXAMINE CAREFULLY THE REASONS BEHIND EVERY YPPLK \TION FOR INFORMATION," HF ADDED.
HE POINTED OUT HI AT PERSONS RECEIVING THE INFORMATION WOULD NOT BE PERMITTED TO DISCLOSE IT TO A THIRD PARTY WITHOUT THE CONSENT OF THE COMMISSION OR THE COMMISSIONER, AND UNAUTHORISED DISCLOSURE WOULD BE AN OFFENCE WITH LIABILITY ON CONVICTION TO A FINE OF $10,000 AND TO IMPRISONMENT FOR SIX MONTHS.
THE BILL IS EXPECTED TO BE INTRODUCED INTO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL ON APRIL 27 THIS YEAR.
COMMENTS ON THE BILL MAY BE SENT TO THE SECRETARY FOR MONETARY AFFAIRS XT ADMIRALTY CENTRE, TOWER II, 18 HARCOURT ROAD, OR THE OMELCO OFFICE XT JACKSON ROAD.
-------0---------
CONTINUED ROLE SEEN FOR BOARD OF REVIEW
*****
A SPECIAL WORKING GROUP HAS CONCLUDED IN A REPORT TO THE GOVERNMENT THAT THERE REMAIN JUSTIFICATIONS FOR THE CONTINUED EXISTENCE OF THE BOARD OF REVIEW ON LONG TERM PRISON SENTENCES DESPITE OTHER PLANNED AVENUES OF REVIEW OF PRISONERS.
THIS INTERDEPARTMENTAL WORKING GROUP WAS ESTABLISHED BY THE ATTORNEY GENERAL AT THE END OF FEBRUARY LAST YEAR TO CARRY OUT A COMPREHENSIVE REVIEW OF THE WORK OF THE BOARD.
/THE GROUP .......
THURSDAY, MARCH 31, 1988
6
THE GROUP WAS CHAIRED BY THE SOLICITOR GENERAL AND COMPRISED REPRESENTATIVES OF THE SECURITY BRANCH, CORRECTIONAL SERVICES, SOCIAL WELFARE AND LEGAL DEPARTMENTS.
' OTHER MAJOR RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE GROUP INCLUDE THE FOLLOWING:
1. TEN YEAR SENTENCES SHOULD BE ADOPTED AS THE THRESHOLD FOR THE REVIEW OF DETERMINATE SENTENCES BY THE BOARD AND THAT SENTENCES OF 10 YEARS OR MORE SHOULD BE REVIEWED AFTER FIVE YEARS, AND EVERY TWO YEARS THEREAFTER.
2. THE CASES OF YOUNG PRISONERS SHOULD CONTINUE TO BE 1 REVIEWED AFTER ONE YEAR AND EVERY YEAR THEREAFTER UNTIL THE AGE OF 21 AND THEREAFTER EVERY TWO YEARS.
3. WHEN THE MENTAL HEALTH REVIEW TRIBUNAL IS ESTABLISHED, THE BOARD SHOULD CEASE TO REVIEW CASES OF PRISONERS WHO HAVE BEEN FOUND GUJLTY BUT INSANE AND DETAINED UNTIL HER MAJESTY’S PLEASURE BE KNOWN.
THE BOARD OF REVIEW ON LONG TERM PRISON SENTENCES WAS ESTABLISHED iN 1959 TO RECOMMEND TO THE GOVERNOR THE REVIEW OF THE SENTENCES OF ALL LONG TERM PRISONERS, INCLUDING PRISONERS DETAINED UNDER HER MAJESTY’S PLEASURE.
-------o - - - -
i
INSURANCE COMPANIES (AMENDMENT) BILL 1988 GAZETTED »»♦»*»
THE GOVERNMENT PROPOSES TO CLARIFY THE RIGHTS AND OBLIGATIONS OF THE INSURANCE AUTHORITY ON THE DISCLOSURE OF INFORMATION TO OTHER OFFICIAL BODIES AND OVERSEAS REGULATORY AUTHORITIES.
DETAILS OF THE PROPOSAL WERE CONTAINED IN THE INSURANCE COMPANIES (AMENDMENT) BILL 1988 PUBLISHED IN THE GAZETTE TODAY (THURSDAY).
EXPLAINING THE PURPOSE OF THE AMENDING LEGISLATION, A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN POINTED OUT THAT UNLIKE THE BANKING ORDINANCE AND SECURITIES ORDINANCE THERE WERE AT PRESENT NO PROVISIONS IN THE INSURANCE COMPANIES ORDINANCE ON OFFICIAL SECRECY.
"THE INSURANCE AUTHORITY’S POSITION WITH REGARD TO THE DISCLOSURE OF INFORMATION IS UNCERTAIN, AND THE PROPOSED AMENDMENTS TO THE INSURANCE COMPANIES ORDINANCE WILL ENABLE THE INSURANCE AUTHORITY TO DISCLOSE INFORMATION UNDER SPECIFIED CIRCUMSTANCES TO SPECIFIED OFFICIALS AND AUTHORITIES IN HONG KONG AND OVERSEAS, HE SAID.
/ON THE .......
THURSDAY, MARCH , 1988
ON THE CIRCUMSTANCES UNDER WHICH INFORMATION COULD BE DISCLOSED, THE SPOKESMAN SAID IT WAS PROPOSED THAT INFORMATION COULD BE GENERALLY MADE t>UBLIC WHEN THIS INFORMATION TOOK THE FORM OF A SUMMARY OF DATA, FOR EXAMPLE, FOR STATISTICAL PURPOSES, BUT SUBJECT TO THE PARTICULARS OF ANY INDIVIDUAL INSURER NOT BEING DISCLOSED.
OTHERWISE, HE ADDED, INFORMATION COULD ONLY BE DISCLOSED IN CERTAIN COURT PROCEEDINGS AND TO SPECIFIED OFFICIALS.
THE SPOKESMAN SAID THE OFFICIALS TO WHICH INFORMATION COULD BE DISCLOSED WOULD BE CONFINED TO THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY, SECRETARY FOR MONETARY AFFAIRS, OTHER AUTHORISED PUBLIC OFFICERS, AND CERTAIN OVERSEAS SUPERVISORY AUTHORITIES.
’’WHERE INFORMATION IS DISCLOSED TO PUBLIC OFFICIALS AND OVERSEAS BODIES, THE INSURANCE AUTHORITY MUST BE SATISFIED THAT IT IS IN THE INTERESTS OF EXISTING OR POTENTIAL POLICY HOLDERS THAT INFORMATION SHOULD BE DISCLOSED,” HE SAID.
THE SPOKESMAN SAID THE BILL ALSO CONTAINED PROVISIONS TO AMEND SECTION 12(1) OF THE INSURANCE COMPANIES ORDINANCE.
UNDER THE PRESENT LEGISLATION, HE SAID, THE INSURANCE AUTHORITY IN AUTHORIS;NG A COMPANY TO CARRY ON ANY CLASS OF BUSINESS COULD IMPOSE CERTAIN CONDITIONS ON THE INSURER AND SECTION 12(1) PROVIDED THAT SUCH CONDITIONS WOULD AUTOMATICALLY CEASE TO HAVE EFFECT FIVE YEARS AFTER THE AUTHORISATION.
THE INSURANCE AUTHORITY DOES AT TIMES, FOR THE BETTER PROTEC’ IN OF POLICY HOLDERS, IMPOSE CONDITIONS WHICH ARE OF A CONTINUING NATURE AND THE PROPOSED AMENDMENT WILL GIVE THE INSURANCE AUTHORITY DISCRETION AS TO WHEN THE CONDITIONS IMPOSED SHOULD BE REVOKED.
’’THIS WILL ALLOW A DISTINCTION TO BE DRAWN BETWEEN CONDITIONS IMPOSED FOR AN INITIAL PERIOD AND THOSE INTENDED TO BE OF A CONTINUING NATURE,” THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
THE SPOKESMAN SAID ANOTHER PROPOSED AMENDMENT WAS IN RESPECT OF SECTION 40 WHICH EMPOWERED THE INSURANCE AUTHORITY TO WITHDRAW AUTHORISATION FOR ANY CLASS OF INSURANCE BUSINESS UNDER CERTAIN CONDITIONS.
’’THE REFERENCE TO A CLASS OF BUSINESS IS RESTRICTIVE; FOR EXAMPLE, A PARTICULAR CLASS OF BUSINESS MIGHT INCLUDE, AS PART OF THAT CLASS, TYPES OF INSURANCE POLICIES THAT THE INSURED IS REQUIRED BY LAW TO EFFECT,” HE SAID.
’’THE OPPORTUNITY IS TAKEN TO AMEND SECTION 40 TO EMPOWER THE INSURANCE AUTHORITY TO WITHDRAW AUTHORISATION FOR A PART OF A CLASS OF INSURANCE BUSINESS UNDER CERTAIN CIRCUMSTANCES,” HE ADDED.
/THE INSURANCE .......
THURSDAY, MARCH J1t 1988
THE INSURANCE ADVISORY COMMITTEE, THE INSURANCE COUNCIL OF HONG KONG AND THE LIFE INSURANCE COUNCIL OF HONG KONG HAVE BEEN CONSULTED AND SUPPORT THE BILL WHICH WILL BE INTRODUCED INTO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL ON APRIL 27 THIS YEAR.
COMMENTS ON THE BILL MAY BE SENT TO THE SECRETARY FOR MONETARY AFFAIRS AT ADMIRALTY CENTRE, TOWER II, 18 HARCOURT ROAD, OR THE OMELCO OFFICE AT JACKSON ROAD.
- 0 - -
STRACHAN TO BE MARINE DEPUTY DIRECTOR ♦ * » »
THE GOVERNMENT ANNOUNCED TODAY (THURSDAY) THAT MR IAN STRACHAN IS TO TAKE UP THE POST OF DEPUTY DIRECTOR OF MARINE.
MR STRACHAN, WHO IS AN ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICER STAFF GRADE B WILL JOIN THE MARINE DEPARTMENT IN MAY UPON COMPLETION OF A CURRENT
ASSIGNMENT.
- - 0 - -
SPECIAL STAMPS TO RAISE FUNDS FOR CHEST ♦ » » ♦ ♦
THE POST OFFICE IS TO ISSUE A SPECIAL SET OF CHARITY POSTAGE STAMPS LATER THIS YEAR TO RAISE FUNDS FOR THE COMMUNITY CHEST OF HONG
THE CHARITY STAMP ISSUE WILL BE THE FIRST OF ITS KIND PRODUCED
THE SET WILL BE ISSUED ON NOVEMBER 30 AND EACH OF THE FOUR ^'NOMINATIONS WILL BEAR, IN ADDITION TO THE POSTAGE, A DONATION TO BE GIVEN TO THE COMMUNITY CHEST.
APPROVAL FOR THE POSTMASTER GENERAL TO ISSUE THIS SPECIAL SET WAS GIVEN BY THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL RECENTLY, A POST OFFICE SPOKESMAN SAID TODAY (THURSDAY). orunnnnAiN
CHARIPY STAMPS ARE ISSUED BY A NUMBER OF POSTAL AMD Q w t i Akin PUBLIC OF GERMANY, NEW ZEALAND
AND SWITZERLAND.
/A DONATION
THURSDAY, MARCH J1, 1988
A DONATION ELEMENT IS ADDED TO THE NORMAL POSTAGE VALUE AND BOTH AMOUNTS ARE SHOWN CLEARLY ON THE STAMPS.
PURCHASE OF THE CHARITY STAMPS WILL BE VOLUNTARY AND NORMAL POSTAGE STAMPS WILL REMAIN ON SALE FOR THOSE WHO DO NOT WISH TO MAKE A DONATION.
THE AMOUNT OF DONATION IS AS FOLLOWS:
CHARITY STAMPS
POSTAGE DONATION SOLD AT
60 CENTS 10 CENTS 70 CENTS
$1.40 20 CENTS $1.60
$1.80 30 CENTS $2.10
$5 $1 $6
THE POSTMASTER GENERAL WILL ADD A 50 CENTS DONATION TO THE NORMAL 50 CENTS CHARGE FOR AN OFFICIAL FIRST DAY COVER AND INDICATE THIS ON THE COVER.
IT IS ANTICIPATED THAT THE COMMUNITY CHEST WILL RECEIVE $1 MILLION FROM SALES OF THE CHARITY STAMPS ON THE FIRST DAY OF ISSUE.
THE STAMPS WERE DESIGNED BY MR MICHAEL TUCKER. MR TUCKER CAME TO HONG KONG IN 1977 AND WORKED WITH THE SCHOOL OF DESIGN AT THE HONG KONG POLYTECHNIC. IN 1985 HE FORMED HIS OWN DESIGN COMPANY.
A BILL WILL BE INTRODUCED IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL IN LATE APRIL SEEKING AN AMENDMENT TO THE POST OFFICE ORDINANCE TO EMPOWER THE POSTMASTER GENERAL TO ISSUE CHARITY POSTAGE STAMPS WITH THE APPROVAL OF THE GOVERNOR IN COUNCIL.
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ANTI-MOSQUITO EDUCATION CAMPAIGN STARTS ♦ lit*
TOMORROW
THb ANNI'Ai. TERR I TORY-W I DE ANT I -MOSQU I TO EDUCATION CAMPAIGN ORGANISED BY THE HEALTH EDUCATION UNIT OF THE MUNICIPAL SERVICES BRANCH WILL START TOMORROW (FRIDAS).
WITH THE \PPROACH OF THE HOT AND HUMID WEATHER, A 24-HOUR HOTLINE 5-8916113 WILL START OPERATION TOMORROW TO GIVE ADVICE ON MOSQUITO PREVENTION.
/EMPHASISING THE .......
THURSDAY, MARCH J1t 1988
10 -
EMPHASISING THE MESSAGE OF "NO STAGNANT WATER, NO MOSQUITO BREEDING", THE UNIT’S SENIOR HEALTH INSPECTOR, MR CHEUNG KAI-CHUEN, SUGGESTED THE FOLLOWING PRECAUTIONARY MEASURES TO MINIMISE THE CHANCE OF MOSQUITO BREEDING:
♦ TO KEEP ALL TINS, BOTTLES, RECEPTACLES AND OUTER TYRES AWAY FROM OPEN SPACES SUCH AS ROOFS, YARDS AND CANOPIES, AND TO TURN UPSIDE DOWN ALL LARGE RECEPTACLES WHICH CANNOT BE MOVED READILY;
* TO COVER WATER STORAGE TANKS AND SEE THAT THEY ARE IN GOOD REPAIR;
♦ TO ENSURE THAT DRAINAGE IS IN ORDER; AND
* TO RENEW WATER IN VASES AT LEAST ONCE WEEKLY AND TO MAKE SURE THAT NO WATER ACCUMULATES IN TRAYS OF FLOWER POTS FOR MORE THAN SEVEN DAYS.
MR CHEUNG ALSO URGED BUILDING CONTRACTORS TO FREQUENTLY INSPECT THEIR SITES AND TO REMOVE ALL STAGNANT WATER, OR TO SPRAY AT LEAST ONCE WEEKLY A LAYER OF LIGHT DIESEL ON THE SURFACE OF WATER WHICH COULD NOT BE ELIMINATED.
"DISTRICT HEALTH STAFF OF BOTH THE URBAN SERVICES AND REGIONAL SERVICES DEPARTMENTS ARE ALWAYS WILLING TO OFFER ADVICE AND ASSISTANCE," HE ADDED.
STAFF OF THE UNIT WILL ALSO SEND LETTERS WITH SUPPORTING PUBLICITY MATERIALS TO BUILDING CONTRACTORS, OWNERS’ CORPORATIONS, MUTUAL AID COMMITTEES AND MANAGEMENT OFFICES OF LARGE PRIVATE HOUSING ESTATES TO APPEAL FOR THEIR CO-OPERATION.
"TO AROUSE PUBLIC AWARENESS OF THE ANTI-MOSQUITO MESSAGE, POSTERS AND LEAFLETS WILL BE DISTRIBUTED TO SCHOOLS AND DISTRICT OFFICES FOR DISPLAY,” MR CHEUNG SAID.
"BROADCASTING VANS WILL ALSO TOUR THE DISTRICTS TO SPREAD THE MESSAGE," HE SAID.
UNDER THE PUBLIC HEALTH AND MUNICIPAL SERVICES ORDINANCE, ANYONE WHO ALLOWS MOSQUITO BREEDING IN HIS PREMISES IS LIABLE TO A MAXIMUM FINE OF $10,000.
-------O---------
THURSDAY, MARCH 31,
1988
CLEAN PUBLIC CARGO WORKING AREAS CAMPAIGN COMMENCES * * « « «
PUBLIC SUPPORT IS VITAL TO THE SUCCESS OF THE CONCERTED EFFORT AIMED AT KEEPING HONG KONG CLEAN.
THIS WAS EMPHASISED TODAY (THURSDAY) BY AN URBAN COUNCILLOR '.ND MEMBER OF THE JOINT URBAN COUNCIL/REGIONAL COUNCIL KEEP HONG KONG CLEAN STEERING COMMITTEE, MR TONG KAM-BIU.
MR TONG WAS SPEAKING AT A DEMONSTRATIVE CLEAN-UP OPERATION HELD AT THE YAU MA TEI PUBLIC CARGO WORKING AREA.
HE SAID THE STEERING COMMITTEE RECOGNISED THE SIGNIFICANCE OF UNDERTAKING A MASS EFFORT FOR THE KEEP HONG KONG CLEAN CAMPAIGN.
IN THIS CONNECTION IT DECIDED TO APPEAL FOR MORE DETERMINED SUPPORT FROM VARIOUS PARTS OF THE PRIVATE SECTOR.
JOINING MR TONG IN TODAY’S OPERATION WERE A SENIOR MARINE OFFICER, MR R.A KENT, AND FIVE REPRESENTATIVES FROM OPERATORS OF CARGO VESSELS AND PUBLIC TRANSPORT, AND VEGETABLE MERCHANTS, WHO ARE FREQUENT USERS OF PUBLIC CARGO WORKING AREAS.
THE CLEAN-UP OPERATION WAS PRECEDED BY A RIBBON-CUTTING UEMONY, WHICH MARKED THE START OF A CAMPAIGN TO URGE USERS OF BLIC CARGO WORKING AREAS TO TAKE THE INITIATIVE IN KEEPING THESE AREAS CLEAN.
POSTER, CARRYING A RELEVANT APPEAL MESSAGE, IS NOW DISPLAYED AT PROMINENT LOCATIONS IN THESE AREAS.
A SERIES OF CLEAN-UP ACTIVITIES WILL ALSO BE CARRIED OUT BY OPERATORS ON THEIR OWN INITIATIVE.
THE MINI CAMPAIGN IS AMONG PROGRAMMES BEING UNDERTAKEN AS PART OF THE WIDER KEEP HONG KONG CLEAN COMMUNITY PARTICIPATION CAMPAIGN.
THESE HAVE BEEN ORGANISED BY THE STEERING COMMITTEE TO FOSTER A ENSE OF PARTICIPATION AMONG THE PUBLIC.
THY HAVE ATTRACTED FAVOURABLE SUPPORT FROM THE PRIVATE .SECTOR, INCLUDING PUBLIC SERVICE ORGANISATIONS AND COMMERCIAL CONCERNS.
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/12........
THURSDAY, MARCH 31, 1988
1986 BY-CENSUS MAIN REPORT PUBLISHED
*****
MAIN FINDINGS OF THE 1986 BY-CENSUS, IN THE FORM OF DETAILED STATISTICAL TABLES, WERE RELEASED TODAY (THURSDAY) IN A REPORT PUBLISHED BY THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT.
THE REPORT ENTITLED "HONG KONG 1986 BY-CENSUS MAIN REPORT: VOLUME 2" IS THE LATEST IN A SERIES OF PUBLISHED REPORTS ON THE 1986 BY-CENSUS.
"THE REPORT CONTAINS A COMPREHENSIVE SET OF DETAILED TABLES COVERING THE BROAD RANGE OF SOCIAL, ECONOMIC AND DEMOGRAPHIC CHARACTERISTICS OF THE POPULATION, SUCH AS THEIR SEX AND AGE, MARITAL STATUS, PLACE OF BIRTH, EDUCATION, LABOUR FORCE STATUS, EARNINGS AND INTERNAL MOVEMENT," A SPOKESMAN FOR THE DEPARTMENT SAID.
"IT ALSO CONTAINS INFORMATION ON HOUSEHOLDS AND HOUSING AND THE POPULATION OF THE NEW TOWNS.
"DETAILED ANALYSES AND INTERPRETATION OF THE BY-CENSUS RESULTS ARE NOT INCLUDED. THEY WILL BE PRESENTED IN VOLUME 1 OF THE 1986 BY-CENSUS MAIN REPORT TO BE PUBLISHED NEXT MONTH."
THE REPORT IS NOW ON SALE AT THE GOVERNMENT PUBLICATIONS CENTRE AND THE PUBLICATION OFFICE OF THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT AT $200 PER COPY.
TREE PLANTING SCHEME GETS GOOD SUPPORT *****
THE ANNUAL COMMUNITY TREE PLANTING SCHEME ORGANISED FOR THE 31ST CONSECUTIVE YEAR BY THE AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES DEPARTMENT HAS MET WITH ENTHUSIASTIC RESPONSE FROM THE PUBLIC, PARTICULARLY FROM SCHOOL CHILDREN AND MEMBERS OF ORGANISED GROUPS.
SINCE ITS LAUNCHING ON MARCH 19, MORE THAN 4,500 PEOPLE HAVE PARTICIPATED IN THE PROJECT TO PLANT ABOUT 5,000 TREES. AND ANOTHER 6,500 FROM 130 SCHOOLS AND ORGANISED GROUPS HAVE MADE BOOKINGS FOR THEIR TURNS TO PLANT TREES IN THE COMING WEEKS.
THE DEPARTMENT’S ASSISTANT DIRECTOR (CONSERVATION AND COUNTRY PARKS), MR K.C. IU, TODAY (THURSDAY) DESCRIBED THE GOOD TURNOUT AS A REFLECTION OF THE GROWING PUBLIC CONCERN FOR THE CONSERVATION OF TREES AND THE COUNTRYSIDE ENVIRONMENT.
/HE EXPECTED
THURSDAY, MARCH J1, 1988
HE EXPECTED THAT MORE PEOPLE WOULD TAKE PART IN TREE PLANTING ACTIVITIES DURING THE EASTER HOLIDAYS WHICH START TOMORROW.
"INTERESTED RESIDENTS SHOULD GO TO THE EIGHT DESIGNATED PLANTING SITES AT TAI MO SHAN, TAI TONG, BRIDE’S POOL, CLEARWATER BAY, PAK TAM CHUNG, QUARRY BAY, POK FU LAM AND MUI WO,” MR IU SAID.
"AFD STAFF WILL BE ON DUTY BETWEEN 9 AM AND 4 PM TO PROVIDE FREE TREE SEEDLINGS, TOOLS AND TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE."
THE COMMUNITY TREE PLANTING SCHEME IS A GOVERNMENT CONSERVATION EDUCATION PROGRAMME DESIGNED TO PROMOTE PUBLIC CARE FOR THE TREES AND THE COUNTRYSIDE ENVIRONMENT THROUGH PHYSICAL INVOLVEMENT IN PLANTING TREES TO RESTOCK THOSE DAMAGED BY HILL FIRES.
THIS YEAR, TREE PLANTING DAYS FOR THE PUBLIC HAVE BEEN SCHEDULED FOR ALL SUNDAYS AND PUBLIC HOLIDAYS FROM MARCH 20 TO THE END OF APRIL.
WHILE SERVING INDIVIDUAL MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC, INTERESTED GROUPS CAN MAKE ADVANCE BOOKINGS FOR PARTICIPATION IN THE SCHEME BY CONTACTING THE DEPARTMENT’S CONSERVATION EDUCATION UNIT ON 3-7332121 DURING OFFICE HOURS.
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YOUTH LEISURE ACTIVITIES SURVEYED » * » ♦ »
A SURVEY IN EASTERN DISTRICT ON YOUNG PEOPLE’S LEISURE ACTIVITIES INDICATED THAT WATCHING TELEVISION IS THE MOST COMMON LEISURE ACTIVITY FOR THOSE AGED BETWEEN 12 AND 17.
THE SURVEY WAS JOINTLY ORGANISED BY THE COMMUNITY BUILDING COMMITTEE PLANNING GROUP OF THE EASTERN DISTRICT BOARD AND THE CENTRE FOR HONG KONG STUDIES OF THE CHINESE UNIVERSITY OF HONG KONG; AND CO-ORGANLSRD BY THE GROUP AND COMMUNITY WORK SERVICE OF CARITAS.
RELEASING THE FINDINGS OF THE SURVEY AT A PRESS CONFERENCE TODAY (THURSDAY), THE CHAIRMAN OF THE SURVEY’S WORKING GROUP, MR MAN SAI-CHEONG, SAID THAT THE AIM OF THE SURVEY WAS TO IDENTIFY THE BASIC PATTERN OF YOUNG PEOPLE’S LEISURE ACTIVITIES AND THEIR EXPECTATIONS OF THESE ACTIVITIES.
A TOTAL OF 252 INTERVIEWS WITH YOUNG PEOPLE AGED BETWEEN 12 AND 25 WERE CARRIED OUT IN EASTERN DISTRICT BY CHINESE UNIVERSITY STUDENTS BETWEEN DECEMBER AND FEBRUARY.
/THE FINDING .......
THURSDAY, MARCH J1, 1988
14
THE FINDING SHOWED THAT THOSE AGED BETWEEN 18-25 AND 12-17 HAD BASICALLY THE SAME AVERAGE AMOUNT OF LEISURE TIME - ABOUT THREE HOURS ON WEEKDAYS AND EIGHT HOURS ON SUNDAYS.
OVER HALF OF THOSE IN BOTH GROUPS FELT THAT THEIR LEISURE TIME WAS "JUST RIGHT", ALTHOUGH SOME RESPONDENTS IN THE OLDER GROUP EXPRESSED THE VIEW THAT THEY HAD TOO LITTLE LEISURE TIME.
THE FINDING ALSO SHOWED THAT THE YOUNG PEOPLE’S INTEREST AND PARTICIPATION WERE HIGHEST IN SOCIAL’ ACTIVITIES, IN COMPARISON WITH PHYSICAL ACTIVITIES, AND CULTURAL ACTIVITIES.
AMONG THE YOUNGER GROUP IN THE DISTRICT, THE MOST POPULAR LEISURE ACTIVITIES WERE WATCHING MOVIES, GOING OUT, AND CAMPING; WHILE THE OLDER GROUP PREFERED TRAVELLING OUTSIDE HONG KONG, CAMPING AND RESTING.
THE SURVEY REPORT WILL BE DISCUSSED IN A COMMUNITY BUILDING COMMITTEE MEETING AND FURTHER RECOMMENDATIONS WILL BE SUBMITTED FOR CONSIDERATION TO THE GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS CONCERNED.
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SOUTHERN DISTRICT YOUTH CHOIR LOOKS FOR NEW MEMBERS » « * » »
YOUNG MUSIC LOVERS IN SOUTHERN DISTRICT WHO ARE 18 YEARS OLD OR ABOVE ARE WELCOME TO JOIN THE SOUTHERN DISTRICT YOUTH CHOIR.
THE CHOIR, WHICH HAS JUST CELEBRATED ITS FIFTH ANNIVERSARY, IS MANAGED BY THE DISTRICT’S ARTS AND CULTURE ASSOCIATION AND SPONSORED BY THE SOUTHERN DISTRICT BOARD, THE DISTRICT OFFICE AND THE URBAN COUNCIL.
"THE CHOIR IS OPEN TO ALL YOUNGSTERS LIVING, STUDYING OR WORKING TN THE DISTRICT.
"IT IS, IN PARTICULAR, LOOKING FOR PEOPLE WHO HAVE BASIC KNOWLEDGE IN MUSIC THEORY, VOCALISM OR CAN PLAY MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS," A DISTRICT OFFICE SPOKESMAN SAID.
IT HOLDS WEEKLY PRACTICE SESSIONS ON SUNDAYS FROM 7 PM TO 9 PM, AT EITHER THE URBAN COUNCIL ABERDEEN CIVIC CENTRE OR THE AP LEI CHAU COMMUNITY HALL.
APART FROM GIVING CONCERTS IN THE CITY HALL AND PERFORMING IN DISTRICT FUNCTIONS, THE CHOIR ALSO PARTICIPATES ACTIVELY IN COMMUNITY SERVICES SUCH AS SINGING IN HOSTELS FOR THE ELDERLY AND THE DISABLED.
APPLICATIONS TO JOIN THE CHOIR CAN BE MADE TO THE SOUTHERN DISTRICT ARTS AND CULTURE ASSOCIATION’S OFFICE ON THE GROUND FLOOR OF LEI CHAK HOUSE, AP LEI CHAU ESTATE.
ENQUIRIES CAN BE MADE ON 5-550187.
------0-------
Z15......
THURSDAY, MARCH 31, 1988
* - 15 -
NEW DEVICE FOR FEEDING FISH FRY « * » *
THE AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES DEPARTMENT TODAY (THURSDAY) INTRODUCED TO MARICULTURISTS A NEW DEVICE FOR THE MORE EFFICIENT FEEDING OF FISH FRY UNDER CULTURE IN FISH CULTURE ZONES TO ENHANCE GROWTH AND SURVIVAL RATES.
THE NEW DEVICE, A FISH FRY FEEDER DEVELOPED BY THE DEPARTMENT’S MARICULTURE DEVELOPMENT SECTION, REPRESENTS A BIG IMPROVEMENT ON THE CONVENTIONAL FEEDING TECHNIQUE.
IT HAS THE ADVANTAGES OF SAVING LABOUR AND REDUCING THE CHANCES OF INFECTION, THEREBY MINIMISING FISH MORTALITY.
THE CONSTRUCTION OF THE DEVICE WAS EXPLAINED TO AROUND 20 MARICULTURISTS ATTENDING A SEMINAR ON MARICULTURE TECHNIQUES AND MANAGEMENT.
THE DEPARTMENT’S FISHERIES OFFICER (MARICULTURE DEVELOPMENT), MR RICKY LUK, TOLD THE MARICULTURISTS THE FEEDER BASICALLY CONSISTED OF A FINE MESH NYLON NETTING MOUNTED ON A CYLINDRICAL SKELETON MADE OF GALVANISED WIRE NETTING.
"THE COST OF THE CONSTRUCTION OF THE FEEDER IS RELATIVELY INEXPENSIVE AND ITS OPERATION IS SIMPLE," HE SAID.
"AFTER SMEARINC A PASTE OF MINCED FISH EVENLY AND FIRMLY ON TO ITS SURFACE, THE FEEDER CAN BE LOWERED INTO THE FISH CAGE BY MEANS OF A POLYETHYLENE ROPE. AND THE FISH FRY CAN FEED ON THE ENTIRE SURFACE OF THE FEEDING CYLINDER." '\
M). LUK SAID THAT UNDER THE CONVENTIONAL METHOD MOST MARICULTURISTS FED THEIR YOUNG FISH STOCK BY SCATTERING SMALL BITS OF MINCED FISH INTO THE FISH CAGE BY HAND WHILE SOME USED A PERFORATED PLASTIC TRAY FOR HOLDING THE MINCED FISH AS FEED.
"THESE PRACTICES HAVE PROVED NOT VERY EFFICIENT AS THE MINCED FISH TISSUES ARE EASILY SCATTERED ON TO THE SEA BOTTOM. THE DETERIORATION OF THESE PIECES MAY IMPAIR THE WATER QUALITY AND LEAD TO OXYGEN DEPLETION, SUBSEQUENTLY CAUSING FISH KILL," HE SAID.
MR LUK ALSO SAID THE NEW DESIGN NOT ONLY SOLVED THE PROBLEMS EXPERIENCED BY THE CONVENTIONAL METHOD BUT ALSO ACHIEVED THE EFFECT OF MINIMISING FEED WASTAGE AND ENSURING EVEN FEED DISTRIBUTION, THEREBY REDUCING THE PRODUCTION COST CONSIDERABLY.
TODAY’S SEMINAR ALSO INCLUDED TALKS ON THE CHOICE OF AERATION DEVICES AND ON THE OXYGEN DETECTION KIT DESIGNED TO PREVENT FISH MORTALITY CAUSED BY OXYGEN DEPLETION.
0
/16........
THURSDAY, MARCH 31, 1988
TRANSFER OF DTC LICENCE » * » * »
THE COMMISSIONER OF BANKING ANNOUNCED THAT THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY HAS GRANTED UNDER SECTION 42 OF THE BANKING ORDINANCE THE TRANSFER OF THE LICENCE AS A DEPOSIT-TAKING COMPANY FROM BARING BROTHERS ASIA LIMITED TO BARING BROTHERS & CO., LIMITED.
THE TRANSFER OF LICENCE HAS BEEN EFFECTED AT THE CLOSE OF BUSINESS TODAY (MARCH 31).
- - 0 - -
NEW TELEPHONE NUMBER FOR HK AND ISLANDS REGION OF WSD ♦ ♦ » * *
THE TELEPHONE NUMBER OF THE HONG KONG AND ISLANDS REGION OF THE WATER SUPPLIES DEPARTMENT IN BULLOCK LANE, MVAN CHAI, WILL BE CHANGED FROM 5-726311 TO 5-8323600 AS FROM TOMORROW (FRIDAY).
HOWEVER, THE TELEPHONE NUMBER OF THE TECHNICAL COMPLAINT CENTRE FOR THE REGION REMAINS 5-757789.
FOR WATER ACCOUNTS ENQUIRIES, CONSUMERS MAY CONTINUE TO DIAL 5-8900222 DURING OFFICE HOURS.
- - 0 - -
ANNUAL REPORT ON 1987 CONSUMER PRICE INDEX PUBLISHED ♦ t » * »
AN ANNUAL REPORT ON THE CONSUMER PRICE INDEX (CPI) FOR 1987, GIVING A COMPREHENSIVE ACCOUNT OF THE MOVEMENTS OF THE CPI’S DURING THE YEAR, WAS RECENTLY PUBLISHED BY THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT.
IT INCLUDES FOUR CHARTS AND FIVE TABLES SHOWING MOVEMENTS OF THE 1984/85-BASED CPI(A) AND CPI(B) BY SECTION AND GROUP OF COMMODITY/ SERVICE AS WELL AS THEIR CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE OVERALL CHANGE IN THE INDICES.
THE REPORT IS NOW ON SALE, AT $15 A COPY, AT THE GOVERNMENT PUBLICATIONS CENTRE, GENERAL POST OFFICE BUILDING, GROUND FLOOR, CONNAUGHT PLACE, AND THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT, 19TH FLOOR, WAN CHAI TOWER I, 12 HARBOUR ROAD, WAN CHAI, HONf KONG.
ENQUIRIES CONCERNING THE REPORT CAN BE DIRECTED TO THE CONSUMER PRICE INDEX SECTION OF THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT ON 5-8235089.
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/17
THURSDAY, MARCH 31, 1988
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TWO NEW MEMBERS APPOINTED TO FIGHT CRIME COMMITTEE » » » »
THE GOVERNMENT ANNOUNCED SAU-CHI AND MR JUSTEIN C WONG HAD CRIME COMMITTEE. THE APPOINTMENTS
TODAY (THURSDAY) THAT MR BEEN APPOINTED MEMBERS OF THE WILL TAKE EFFECT ON APRIL 1.
LEUNG FIGHT
MR LEUNG, A HEADMASTER, MARKETING MANAGER, HAVE WIDE DISTRICT FIGHT CRIME MATTERS.
AND MR WONG, A COMPUTER SALES AND COMMUNITY INTERESTS, PARTICULARLY IN
SINCE APRIL 1986 MR LEUNG HAS SERVED AS THE CHAIRMAN EASTERN DISTRICT FIGHT CRIME COMMITTEE AND MR WONG HAS BEEN A OF THE SHA TIN DISTRICT FIGHT CRIME COMMITTEE.
OF THE MEMBER
THE FOUR EXISTING NON-OFFICIAL MEMBERS COMMITTEE - MR PETER C WONG, DR HO KAM-FAI, MRS MARTIN LEE - HAVE ALSO BEEN RE-APPOINTED TO THE WITH EFFECT FROM APRIL 1.
OF THE FIGHT CRIME ROSANNA TAM AND MR FIGHT CRIME COMMITTEE
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MANUAL OF TRAINING PROGRAMMES PUBLISHED » * » * *
THE PRINTING INDUSTRY TRAINING BOARD OF THE VOCATIONAL TRAINING COUNCIL HAS COMPILED A MANUAL OF JOB SPECIFICATIONS FOR PRINCIPAL JOBS AT TECHNICIAN AND CRAFTSMAN LEVELS IN THE INDUSTRY.
THE MANUAL CONTAINS DETAILED TRADE SKILLS AND THEORIES AS WELL AS TRAINING PROGRAMMES FOR 18 PRINCIPAL JOBS IN THE PRINTING INDUSTRY SUCH AS PRINTER’S ESTIMATOR, QUALITY CONTROLLER, PROCESSOR CAMERA OPERATOR AND OFFSET LITHOGRAPHIC PLATEMAKER.
IT IS DESIGNED TO ESTABLISH NECESSARY STANDARDS OF SKILL FOR THE PRINCIPAL JOBS IN THE INDUSTRY AND TO ASSIST PRINTERS TO DRAW UP SYSTEMATIC ON-THE-JOB TRAINING PROGRAMMES FOR THEIR APPRENTICES, TRAINEES AS WELL AS TO ASSESS THE COMPETENCE OF THEIR EMPLOYEES.
THE MANUAL ENTITLED "JOB SPECIFICATIONS FOR PRINCIPAL JOBS IN THE PRINTING INDUSTRY" IS NOW ON SALE AT THE GOVERNMENT PUBLICATIONS CENTRE AT $12.50 A COPY.
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/18 .......
THURSDAY, MARCH 31, 1988
- 18 -
NEW RANK INSIGNIA FOR CUSTOMS SERVICE *****
THE TRADITIONAL NAVAL RANK INSIGNIA USED BY MOST RANKS IN THE CUSTOMS AND EXCISE SERVICE WILL BE REPLACED FROM TOMORROW (FRIDAY) BY A NEW SET BASED ON THE MILITARY, SIMILAR TO THOSE NOW USED BY OTHER DISCIPLINED SERVICES.
THE NEW RANK INSIGNIA, IN GOLD COLOUR ANODISED METAL AND WITHOUT EPAULETTES, WILL BE USED BY ALL OFFICERS OF THE INSPECTORATE AND ABOVE, WHILE THOSE CURRENTLY USED BY OTHER JUNIOR RANKS WILL REMAIN UNCHANGED.
IN ADDITION, A NEW SERVICE CAP BADGE AND COLLAR BADGE FOR ALL RANKS, MODELLED ON A NEW DEPARTMENTAL LOGO, WILL ALSO COME INTO USE TOMORROW.
COMPLEMENTARY TO THE CHANGES, THE SERVICE WILL ADOPT A MILITARY-STYLE SALUTING TO REPLACE THE EXISTING NAVAL ONE.
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TENDERS INVITED FOR AIRPORT CONCESSION
*****
THE CIVIL AVIATION DEPARTMENT IS INVITING TENDERS FOR THE TENANCY OF THE WEST GENERAL MERCHANDISE CONCESSION IN THE AIRSIDE DEPARTURES HALL OF THE PASSENGER TERMINAL BUILDING AT THE HONG KONG INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT.
Illi TENANCY WILL BE FOR A PERIOD OF FOUR YEARS COMMENCING ON SEPTEMBER 1, 1988.
THE NATURE OF BUSINESS TO BE CONDUCTED IN THE SHOP PREMISES SHOULD BE THE SALE OF GENERAL MERCHANDISE.
TENDER FORMS AND FURTHER PARTICULARS MAY BE OBTAINED FROM THE CIVIL AVIATION DEPARTMENT, QUEENSWAY GOVERNMENT OFFICES, 46TH FLOOR, QUEENSWAY (TELEPHONE NO. 5-8624299) OR THE AIRPORT MANAGEMENT AT THE HONG KONG INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT (TELEPHONE NO. 3-7698482).
COMPLETED TENDER. FORMS MUST BE PLACED IN THE GOVERNMENT SECRETARIAT TENDER BOX ON THE LOWER GROUND FLOOR OF CENTRAL GOVERNMENT OFFICES (EAST WING), LOWER ALBERT ROAD, BEFORE NOON ON APRIL 29 (FRIDAY).
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/19........
THURSDAY, MARCH 31,
1988
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ILLEGAL STRUCTURE FACES DEMOLITION ♦ ♦ ♦ »
THE BUILDING AUTHORITY IS TO SEEK A CLOSURE ORDER AGAINST AN ILLEGAL STRUCTURE ON THE ROOF OF A BUILDING IN TAI PO MARKET.
THE STRUCTURE IS ON THE ROOF OF A FLAT ON THE FIFTH FLOOR OF 13-15 SUI ON STREET.
A CLOSURE ORDER WILL ALLOW DEMOLITION TO PROCEED WITHOUT ENDANGERING ANYONE.
THE ACTION IS BEING TAKEN TO ENFORCE ORDERS ISSUED UNDER THE BUILDINGS ORDINANCE IN JANUARY LAST YEAR REQUIRING THE REMOVAL OF THE ILLEGAL STRUCTURE.
NOTICE OF INTENTION TO APPLY FOR A CLOSURE ORDER FROM THE SHA TIN DISTRICT COURT ON JUNE 2 WAS POSTED ON THE STRUCTURE TODAY (THURSDAY).
IT IS EXPECTED THAT DEMOLITION WORK WILL START ONCE THE CLOSURE ORDER IS OBTAINED.
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SEC I ION OF CASTLE PEAK ROAD TO BE WIDENED » » t ♦ *
THE GOVERNMENT PROPOSES
FROM SAM SHING ESTATE TO So'kWUN^WAT^TO .^Ali
DEVELOPMENTS IN THE AREA. sbkvk 1HE EXISTING AND
ROAD
FUTURE
developmentSofEtuen°mun nfTtoSn. ™E CONT1NUING programme FOR THE
BECAUSE OF THE PROPOSED ROADWORKS, CASTLE PEAK ROAD AND CONNECTING ROAD BE CLOSED.
PORTIONS OF THE EXISTING JUNCTIONS AND PARTS THEREOF WILL
OF PRIVATE
LAND.
IT IS ALSO PROPOSED TO RESUME
THE FOLLOWING PIECES
» DD 376/LOT 60 (PORTION) 240 SQUARE METRES
» DD 374/LOT 599RP 1942 SQUARE METRES
♦ TMTL 238 (PORTION) 864 SQUARE METRES
/• PSIL 5 (PORTION) ........
Thursday, march 31, 1988
20 -
» PSIL 5 (PORTION) 584 SQUARE METRES
* TMTL 317 (PORTION) 1603 SQUARE METRES
DETAILS OF THE PROPOSAL WERE PUBLISHED IN THE GAZETTE TODAY (THURSDAY). A NOTICE HAS BEEN POSTED ON NOTICE BOARDS NEAR THE SITE OF THE PROPOSED WORKS.
PLANS FOR THE PROPOSED WORKS SHOWING THE AREAS OF THE EXISTING ROADS AND FOOTPATHS TO BE AFFECTED CAN BE SEEN AT THE CENTRAL AND WESTERN DISTRICT OFFICE, CENTRAL ENQUIRY SUB-OFFICE, CENTRAL GOVERNMENT OFFICES, WEST WING, MAIN ENTRANCE LOBBY, HONG KONG.
THEY MAY ALSO BE SEEN AT THE DISTRICT LANDS OFFICE, TUEN MUN, ON THE SIXTH FLOOR OF THE TUEN MUN GOVERNMENT OFFICES, AS WELL AS THE TUEN MUN DISTRICT OFFICE ON THE SECOND FLOOR OF THE TUEN MUN GOVERNMENT OFFICES, 1 TUEN HI ROAD, TUEN MUN.
ANY PERSON OBJECTING TO THE PROPOSAL MUST SEND HIS OBJECTION IN WRITING TO THE SECRETARY FOR TRANSPORT, CENTRAL GOVERNMENT OFFICES, EAST WING, SECOND FLOOR, LOWER ALBERT ROAD, HONG KONG BEFORE MAY 30 THIS YEAR.
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