DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED. BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE. HONG KONG. TEL: 5-8428777
TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 1, 1988
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
PROPOSAL FOR EXPO IN 1997 NOT TO BE PURSUED ............... 1
12 QUESTIONS ON LEGCO AGENDA .............................. 6
MONETARY STATISTICS TOR SEPTEMBER PUBLISHED ............... 7
HEALTH EXHIBITION TO OPEN IN TAIKOO SHING ................. 12
APPLICATIONS FOR WAbTE DISPOSAL PERMITS INVITED ........... 12
TEACHING KITS WARN STUDENTS ON TRIADS, SHOPTHEFT .......... 13
PROVISIONAL RESULTS OF RETAIL SALES SURVEY FOR AUGUST...... 14
FIRST DIVIDEND PAYMENT TO ORDINARY CREDITORS OF CUL ....... 17
DB COMMITTEE TO DISCUSS CHAI WaN HAWKER PROBLEMS........... 18
BRIEFINGS FOR YUEN LONG DB COMMITTEE ...................... 18
EXCHANGE OF VIEWS ON RECREATION, CULTURE IN TUEN MUN....... 19
MONG KOK ANTI-TRIAD DISCO NITE ............................ 20
YOUTH CHINESE MUSIC FESTIVAL STARTS ON SATURDAY............ 20
KWAI CHUNG LOT TO LET BY TENDER............................ 21
AUCTION OF SPECIAL CAR NUMBERS ............................ 22
PRIMARY SCHOOL ATHLETICS MEETING IN SHa TIN ............... 23
CLOSURE OF UNAUTHORISED BUILDING SOUGHT ................... 23
TRAFFIC PLAN FOR TWILIGHT RACE MEETING .................... 24
URBAN CLEARWAYS IN CENTRAL, TSUEN WAN ..................... 28
TEMPORARY URB/uN CLEARWAYS IN WESTERN DISTRICT............. 29
URBaN CLKJRWnYS IN KWUN TONG .............................. 29
TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 1, 1988
1
PROPOSAL FOR EXPO IN 1997 NOT TO BE PURSUED * * * *
HAVING CAREFULLY CONSIDERED ALL THE IMPLICATIONS OF HOLDING A WORLD EXPOSITION IN HONG KONG IN 1997, THE GOVERNOR IN COUNCIL TODAY (TUESDAY) DECIDED THAT THE PROPOSAL SHOULD NOT BE PURSUED.
IN REACHING THIS DECISION, THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL TOOK FULL ACCOUNT OF THE VIEWS EXPRESSED DURING THE LEGCO DEBATE HELD ON OCTOBER 20, AND IN VARIOUS DISTRICT BOARD MEETINGS, AS WELL AS PUBLIC AND MEDIA REACTIONS.
THE COUNCIL NOTED THAT MANY DIFFERENT VIEWS WERE EXPRESSED IN ALL THE FORUMS IN WHICH THE SUBJECT WAS DISCUSSED.
A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN SAID TODAY THAT THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL WELCOMED THE INITIATIVE AND ENTHUSIASM OF THOSE CONCERNED IN BRINGING FORWARD SUCH AN IMAGINATIVE PROPOSAL.
"THE PROPOSAL HAS GENERATED CONSIDERABLE INTEREST IN THE COMMUNITY AND CARRIES WITH IT MANY POSITIVE FEATURES.
"THESE INCLUDE PROVIDING AN OPPORTUNITY TO FOCUS WORLD ATTENTION ON HONG KONG AT A SIGNIFICANT MOMENT IN ITS HISTORY, AND PROJECTING HONG KONG AS A DYNAMIC, PROSPEROUS, AND EFFICIENT CITY," HE SAID.
HOWEVER, THE SPOKESMAN POINTED OUT THAT RESERVATIONS EXPRESSED EARLIER OVER THE PROPOSAL, INCLUDING WHETHER RESOURCES SHOULD BE DIVERTED FROM ESSENTIAL PROJECTS, WHETHER EXPO COULD BECOME A TRULY INTERNATIONAL EVENT GIVEN THE CONSTRAINTS OF THE AIRPORT, AS WELL AS THE FINANCIAL VIABILITY OF THE PROJECT, STILL REMAINED VALID.
"ESTIMATED RESOURCES LIKELY TO BE AVAILABLE UP TO THE YEAR 1997-98 WOULD BE OUTSTRIPPED BY ESTIMATED REQUIREMENTS FOR ONGOING A WELL AS NEW CAPITAL INFRASTRUCTURAL PROJECTS," THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
ON DIVERSION OF RESOURCES, THE SPOKESMAN SAID HONG KONG WOULD BE COMMITTED TO A NUMBER OF MAJOR INFRASTRUCTURAL PROJECTS WHICH WOULD BE OF LONG-LASTING BENEFIT TO THE COMMUNITY IN THE MID-NINETIES.
"THE ESTIMATED EXPENDITURE ON CONSTRUCTION IN HONG KONG THIS YEAR IS $37 BILLION, OF WHICH $11.5 BILLION IS IN THE PUBLIC SECTOR. EVEN IF DIRECT PUBLIC EXPENDITURE COULD BE REDUCED BY INVOLVING THE PRIVATE SECTOR IN SOME OF THE NEW PROJECTS, THE TOTAL CONSTRUCTION WORKLOAD FOR PUBLIC SECTOR PROJECTS WOULD STILL BE TWICE THE PRESENT WORKLOAD IN 1993-94, 1994-95 AND IN 1995-96.
"IF AN EXPO WERE TO BE HELD IN 1997, THESE WOULD BE THE CRITICAL YEARS WHEN MOST OF THE RELATED WORKS WOULD HAVE TO BE CARRIED OUT.
/"THE STRAIN
TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 1, 1988
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"THE STRAIN ON THE BUILDING AND CONSTRUCTION SECTOR WOULD INCREASE CONSTRUCTION COSTS TO AN EXTENT THAT DEFERMENTS BEYOND THOSE REQUIRED TO MEET BUDGETARY GUIDELINES WOULD ALMOST CERTAINLY BE NECESSARY.
"AND THE WORKS INVOLVED IN ADVANCING OR ADJUSTING VARIOUS WORKS PROGRAMMES TO PROVIDE A SITE AND TO CONSTRUCT FACILITIES FOR THE EXPO WOULD ONLY AGGRAVATE THE PROBLEM," HE SAID.
AS FOR CONSTRAINTS AT THE AIRPORT, THE SPOKESMAN POINTED OUT THAT KAI TAK COULD NOW HANDLE 14.4 MILLION PASSENGERS A YEAR.
WITH VARIOUS IMPROVEMENTS TO FACILITIES AND MEASURES TO SHIFT DEMAND TO NON-PEAK HOURS, THIS CAPACITY COULD BE INCREASED TO ABOUT 23 MILLION PASSENGERS.
"WITH THE EXPECTED GROWTH IN AIR TRAFFIC, KAI TAK WILL BE OPERATING AT FULL CAPACITY BY 1996," HE SAID.
"IT WOULD NOT BE ABLE TO COPE IF AN EXPO IN 1997 WERE TO ATTRACT A SUBSTANTIAL NUMBER OF VISITORS ON TOP OF THE NORMAL TOURIST AND BUSINESS TRAFFIC.
"AND THERE IS NO POSSIBILITY OF HAVING A NEW AIRPORT FULLY OPERATIONAL BY 1997.
"THESE CONSTRAINTS WOULD MAKE IT IMPOSSIBLE TO BRING IN LARGE NUMBERS OF ADDITIONAL OVERSEAS VISITORS, SO THAT THE IMPORTANT INTERNATIONAL ELEMENT OF AN EXPO WOULD BE LOST.
"AND IF A LARGE NUMBER OF REGULAR VISITORS AND BUSINESSMEN WERE PREVENTED FROM COMING TO HONG KONG BECAUSE AN EXPO WAS BEING HELD, THE PUBLIC RELATIONS IMPACT COULD BE QUITE NEGATIVE."
APART FROM THE LIMITATIONS AT KAI TAK, THE SPOKESMAN SAID HOLDING AN EXPO IN 1997 WOULD ALSO PUT TREMENDOUS STRAIN ON HONG KONG’S INTERNAL TRANSPORT SYSTEM.
"OUR CURRENT PROJECTION IS THAT BY 1996, TRANSPORT BOARDINGS WILL INCREASE BY 28 PER CENT OVER
DAILY PUBLIC 1986," HE SAID.
"THESE PROJECTIONS ALSO SHOW THAT BY 1996, EVEN WITHOUT AN EXPO, TRAFFIC ON MAJOR ROADS ON BOTH SIDES OF THE HARBOUR WILL BE SEVERELY CONGESTED.
"FOR EXAMPLE, ON HONG KONG ISLAND, THE VOLUME OF VEHICULAR TRAFFIC IS FORECAST TO EXCEED THE CAPACITY OF GLOUCESTER ROAD B' 10 PER CENT AND VICTORIA PARK ROAD BY 60 PER CENT.
"THE CAPACITY OF THE CROSS HARBOUR TUNNEL IS EXPECTED TO BI EXCEEDED BY 70 PER CENT, AND KWUN TONG ROAD BY 40 PER CENT."
THE SPOKESMAN SAID MAJOR TRANSPORT PROJECTS HAD BEEN PLANNED IN CONJUNCTION WITH THE MAIN RECLAMATIONS AGAINST THIS BACKGROUND OF CONTINUED GROWTH IN TRAFFIC DEMAND.
/"IF THE
TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 1, 1988
"IF THE RECLAMATIONS IN CENTRAL/WAN CHAI OR WEST KOWLOON WERE TO BE USED FOR AN EXPO, IT WOULD MEAN A DELAY IN TACKLING THE GROWING CONGESTION PROBLEM."
THE SPOKESMAN ADDED THAT THE CONSULTANTS FOR THE EXPO PRE-FEASIBILITY STUDY HAD ESTIMATED THAT ABOUT 50', 000 PEOPLE WOULD ENTER AND 20,000 WOULD LEAVE THE EXPO SITE IN THE EVENING PEAK HOUR.
"THIS WILL UNDOUBTEDLY AGGRAVATE THE TRAFFIC CONGESTION PROBLEM AND PUT A HEAVY STRAIN ON THE TRANSPORT SYSTEM IN THE URBAN AREA,” HE SAID.
TURNING TO FINANCIAL VIABILITY, THE SPOKESMAN WITH NO ADDITIONAL CAPACITY TO BRING IN OVERSEAS AIRPORT, THE SUCCESS OF EXPO WOULD RELY HEAVILY ON LOCAL POPULATION AS WELL AS VISITORS FROM CHINA.
"THIS, TOGETHER WITH AN AVERAGE COST OF ENTRY OF $80 PER PERSON, CASTS DOUBT ON THE ATTENDANCE FIGURES PUT FORWARD BY THE CONSULTANTS," THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
REITERATED THAT VISITORS AT THE VISITS FROM THE
"IF ATTENDANCE WERE TO BE SIGNIFICANTLY LOWER THAN ESTIMATED, THE SAR GOVERNMENT COULD BE BURDENED WITH A FINANCIAL DEBT POSSIBLY RUNNING INTO BILLIONS OF DOLLARS IN ITS FIRST YEAR OF OPERATION.
ON THE ECONOMIC IMPLICATIONS OF HOLDING AN EXPO, THE SPOKESMAN POINTFD OUT THAT THE ADDITIONAL CAPITAL OUTLAYS REQUIRED IN SUPPORT OF THE PROJECT WERE DIFFICULT TO QUANTIFY PRECISELY, BUT WOULD UNDOUBTEDLY EXCEED THE $2 BILLION QUOTED BY THE PROPONENTS OF THE SCHEME.
"THE COST OF THE EXHIBITS THEMSELVES INCLUDING THE FITTING OUT OF THE PAVILION WOULD AMOUNT TO A FURTHER $1 BILLION," HE SAID.
"AND ASSUMING THAT PRIVATE INVESTORS WOULD FINANCE HOTELS WHICH WOULD FACE LOW OCCUPANCY RATES ONCE EXPO WAS OVER, THE BUILDING COSTS, EXCLUDING LAND COSTS, OF THE ADDITIONAL 5,500 HOTEL ROOMS REQUIRED COULD BE ABOUT $2.75 BILLION.
"IN ADDITION, THERE WOULD BE THE SUBSTANTIAL COST PROVIDING THE EXTRA INFRASTRUCTURE THAT WOULD BE NEEDED SOLELY EXPO, FOR EXAMPLE, THE NEED TO HANDLE THE LARGE CROWDS GOING TO FROM THE SITE."
OF FOR AND
AS FOR LAND COSTS OF THE EXPO SITE, THE EFFECT OF HOLDING AN EXPO WOULD BE TO REQUIRE A FORMED EARLIER THAN IT WOULD OTHERWISE BE, AVAILABILITY FOR ITS INTENDED LONG-TERM USE.
SPOKESMAN SAID THE
GIVEN SITE TO BE
OR TO DELAY ITS
"IN BOTH CASES, AN EXPO WOULD IMPOSE COSTS ON THE COMMUNI1Y, HE SAID.
/"GIVEN THE
TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 1, 1988
- U -
"GIVEN THE CAPACITY OF THE BUILDING AND CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY, BRINGING FORWARD PROJECTS OR INTRODUCING NEW PROJECTS CAN ONLY BE ACHIEVED BY DELAYING OTHER PUBLIC PROJECTS OR BY CROWDING OUT, THROUGH INCREASED TENDER PRICES, PRIVATE SECTOR PROJECTS.
"IN ADDITION, ANY DELAYS TO MAKING SITES AVAILABLE AND ANY ADDITIONAL COMPETITION FOR SITES RESULTING FROM THE NEED TO BUILD, FOR EXAMPLE, AN ADDITIONAL EIGHT HOTELS WILL TEND TO DRIVE UP LAND PRICES AND CAUSE SOME PROJECTS TO BE CANCELLED OR DELAYED.
"THE EFFECT ON THE PRICES OF PRIME COMMERCIAL AND RESIDENTIAL SITES WOULD BE PARTICULARLY MARKED IF THE EXPO SITE WERE IN CENTRAL/WAN CHAI."
ON WIDER ECONOMIC IMPLICATIONS, THE SPOKESMAN SAID IT WAS NOT CLEAR WHAT LONG-TERM BENEFITS AN EXPO MIGHT BRING TO AN ECONOMY SUCH AS HONG KONG’S WHICH WAS ALREADY WELL-DEVELOPED.
"THE MAIN OBJECTIVE OF HOLDING EXPOS IN OTHER PLACES, SUCH AS VANCOUVER AND BRISBANE, WAS TO STIMULATE THEIR ECONOMIES PRIMARILY THROUGH A GROWTH IN TOURISM," HE SAID.
"IN OUR CASE TOURISM IS GROWING NATURALLY AT A RATE WHICH IS ALREADY STRAINING RESOURCES, AND FURTHER UNRESTRAINED DEVELOPMENT OF THE TOURIST MARKET IS NOT REQUIRED OR DESIRABLE UNTIL THE NEW AIRPORT IS IN OPERATION."
AS FOR BENEFITS TO TRADE, THE SPOKESMAN POINTED OUT THAT EXPOS DID NOT PROVIDE THE SAME SORT OF FORUM FOR INTERNATIONAL TRADING CONTACT AS DEDICATED TRADE FAIRS.
"EXPOS ARE NOT DESIGNED AS A MEANS OF STIMULATING TRADE," HE SAID.
"HONG KONG’S NETWORK FOR DEVELOPING TRADING BUSINESS LINKS WITH THE REST OF THE WORLD IS IN ANY EVENT ALREADY WELL-ESTABLISHED.
"THE BENEFITS OF SHORT-TERM EVENTS SUCH AS AN EXPO TO THE GRADUAL PROCESS OF INDUSTRIAL DEVELOPMENT ARE GENERALLY NOT SIGNIFICANT."
THE SPOKESMAN ADDED THAT A SIX-MONTH-LONG EXPO, DESIGNED TO ATTRACT MORE THAN THREE MILLION ADDITIONAL VISITORS TO HONG KONG, WOULD ALSO PLACE SEVERE STRAINS ON THE MANPOWER RESOURCES OF THE POLICE, IMMIGRATION AND CUSTOMS AND EXCISE SERVICES.
"THE POLICE WOULD HAVE TO BE DEPLOYED FOR CONTINUOUS, LARGE-SCALE CROWD CONTROL AND CRIME PREVENTION DUTIES AT THE EXPO SITE, MAJOR TRANSPORT MODES FEEDING THE SITE AS WELL AS MAIN HOTEL AND ENTERTAINMENT AREAS, AND BORDER CROSSING POINTS," HE SAID.
"IN ADDITION, THERE WOULD BE A MAJOR COMMITMENT TO VIP PROTECTION DUTIES.
"THESE TASKS COULD ONLY BE DONE AT THE EXPENSE OF SERVICES ELSEWHERE.
/"MORE IMMIGRATION
TUESDAY, N0VD4BER 1, 1988
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’’MORE IMMIGRATION AND CUSTOMS STAFF WOULD BE NEEDED TO DEAL WITH VISA APPLICATIONS AND IMMIGRATION AND CUSTOMS CLEARANCES AT ENTRY POINTS.
"IT IS ESTIMATED THAT AT LEAST 200 EXTRA STAFF WOULD BE NEEDED FOR THE IMMIGRATION DEPARTMENT ALONE.”
APART FROM THE STRAIN ON THE DISCIPLINED SERVICES, THE SPOKESMAN SAID OTHER PUBLIC SERVICE STAFF WOULD ALSO BE INVOLVED IF AN EXPO WERE TO BE HELD.
"EVEN IF THE BUSINESS SIDE OF THE EXPO WERE TO BE RUN BY A SEPARATE CORPORATION, THE GOVERNMENT WOULD, AS HOST FOR THE EVENT, HAVE TO RETAIN RESPONSIBILITY FOR ALL CEREMONIAL, SECURITY AND DIPLOMATIC FUNCTIONS," HE SAID.
THE SPOKESMAN ADDED THAT IN THE LIGHT OF ALL THESE CONSIDERATIONS THE GOVERNOR IN COUNCIL HAD DECIDED NOT TO REGISTER AN INTEREST WITH THE BUREAU INTERNATIONALE DES EXPOSITIONS (BIE).
b
THE GOVERNOR IN COUNCIL TOOK THE VIEW THAT TO PROCEED TO REGISTER IN THE KNOWLEDGE OF ALL THE SERIOUS RESERVATIONS HELD ABOUT THE PROPOSAL WOULD BE TO MISLEAD THE BIE AND THE PEOPLE OF HONG KONG," HE SAID.
*
"THESE RESERVATIONS ARE BASED ON FUNDAMENTAL POLICY DECISIONS ON PRIORITIES, AND FURTHER STUDIES COULD NOT HELP IN RESOLVING THEM," HE ADDED.
HE POINTED OUT THAT UNDER BIE RULES, IF HONG KONG REGISTERED AN INTEREST, IT WOULD BE REQUIRED TO MAKE A PRESENTATION TO THE FULL COUNCIL IN MID-DECEMBER.
"CLEARLY, HONG KONG WOULD NEED TO PRESENT STRONG ARGUMENTS TO SUPPORT AN APPLICATION TO HOST A WORLD EXPOSITION 1997. AGAINST THE BACKGROUND OF PRESENT UNCERTAINTIES ABOUT THE PROJECT, IT WOULD BE DIFFICULT TO MAKE A CONVINCING PRESENTATION TO THE BIE," HE SAID.
THE SPOKESMAN ADDED THAT THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL ALSO GAVE CAREFUL CONSIDERATION TO THE ALTERNATIVE OF STAGING AN EXPO IN 2001, BUT FELT THAT MANY OF THE RESERVATIONS ABOUT AN EXPO IN 1997 WOULD ALSO APPLY TO THIS PROPOSAL.
/’’IT IS...........
TUESDAY, NOVBMBER 1, 1988
"IT IS CLEAR THAT MANY OF THE UNCERTAINTIES ON INFRASTRUCTURAL DEVELOPMENTS WILL NOT BE RESOLVED BEFORE THE DEADLINE FOR REGISTRATION (NOVEMBER 20, 1988). FOR EXAMPLE, A
DECISION ON THE AIRPORT WILL NOT BE TAKEN UNTIL TOWARDS THE END OF NEXT YEAR," HE SAID.
"IN THE LIGHT OF THESE RESERVATIONS, THE GOVERNOR IN COUNCIL HAS DECIDED NOT TO REQUEST THE CHINESE GOVERNMENT TO CONSIDER REGISTERING AN INTEREST ON BEHALF OF THE HONG KONG SAR BEFORE NOVEMBER 20 WITH THE BIE TO HOST AN EXPO IN 2001. 4
’’HOWEVER, THE OPTION OF HOSTING AN EXPO BEYOND THE YEAR 2001 WAS CLEARLY ONE WHICH COULD BE CONSIDERED AT AN APPROPRIATE TIME.
”AN EXPO TO BE HELD BEYOND 2001 WOULD NOT NEED TO BE REGISTERED NOW AND THERE WILL BE PLENTY OF*TIME FOR THIS IMAGINATIVE IDEA TO BE LOOKED AT IN THE YEARS AHEAD."
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12 QUESTIONS ON LEGCO AGENDA ♦ * * ♦
MEMBERS OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL WILL ASK A TOTAL OF 12 QUESTIONS AND CONSIDER FOUR BILLS AT THE COUNCIL’S MEETING TOMORROW (WEDNESDAY).
THE FOUR BILLS ARE THE COMPANIES (AMENDMENT) (NO. 3) BILL 1988, THE INLAND REVENUE (AMENDMENT) (NO. 2) BILL 1988, THE MOTOR VEHICLES (FIRST REGISTRATION TAX) (AMENDMENT) BILL 1988 AND THE LANDLORD AND TENANT (CONSOLIDATION) (AMENDMENT) BILL 1988.
ALL THE BILLS WILL BE INTRODUCED FOR FIRST AND SECOND READINGS WHILE THE LANDLORD AND TENANT (CONSOLIDATION) (AMENDMENT) BILL 1988 WILL PROCEED TO THE THIRD READING.
IN ADDITION, THE SECRETARY FOR HEALTH AND WELFARE WILL PRESENT THE "HONG KONG COUNCIL ON SMOKING AND HEALTH ANNUAL REPORT: 1987-1988".
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TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 1, 1988
MONETARY STATISTICS FOR SEPTEMBER PUBLISHED ♦ * * * *
BOTH HONG KONG DOLLAR AND FOREIGN CURRENCY DEPOSITS INCREASED IN SEPTEMBER COMPARED WITH AUGUST, ACCORDING TO STATISTICS PUBLISHED TODAY (TUESDAY) BY THE MONETARY AFFAIRS BRANCH.
IN LINE WITH THE RISE IN HONG KONG DOLLAR DEPOSITS, HONG KONG DOLLAR MONEY SUPPLY ON ALL DEFINITIONS REGISTERED INCREASES IN SEPTEMBER.
THE GROWTH IN TOTAL LOANS AND ADVANCES EXTENDED BY AUTHORISED INSTITUTIONS SLOWED DOWN SLIGHTLY IN SEPTEMBER COMPARED WITH THE PRECEDING MONTH, MAINLY ATTRIBUTABLE TO THE MODERATION IN THE GROWTH RATES OF OFFSHORE LOANS AND LOANS TO FINANCE VISIBLE TRADE. LOANS FOR USE IN HONG KONG, ON THE OTHER HAND, GREW MORE RAPIDLY IN SEPTEMBER THAN IN AUGUST.
THE ACCOMPANYING TABLE 1 SETS OUT SUMMARY FIGURES FOR SEPTEMBER 1988 AND COMPARISONS WITH EARLIER MONTHS. TABLE 2 PRESENTS FIGURES FROM THE QUARTERLY ANALYSIS OF LOANS AND ADVANCES FOR USE IN HONG KONG BY SECTOR.
DEPOSITS
HONG KONG DOLLAR DEPOSITS WITH AUTHORISED INSTITUTIONS ROSE BY 0.4 PER CENT IN SEPTEMBER FOLLOWING DECLINES OF 0.1 PER CENT IN JULY AND 0.4 PER CENT IN AUGUST. OF THESE DEPOSITS, DEMAND AND TIME DEPOSITS INCREASED BY 1.2 PER CENT AND 1.3 PER CENT RESPECTIVELY, WHILE SAVINGS DEPOSITS FELL BY 1.3 PER CENT. DURING THE 12 MONTHS ENDING SEPTEMBER 1988, TOTAL HONG KONG DOLLAR DEPOSITS GREW BY 9.6 PER CENT.
FOREIGN CURRENCY DEPOSITS WITH AUTHORISED INSTITUTIONS GREW BY 2.2 PER CENT IN SEPTEMBER FOLLOWING INCREASES OF 3.5 PER CENT AND 1.1 PER CENT IN JULY AND AUGUST RESPECTIVELY. OF THESE DEPOSITS, U.S. DOLLAR DEPOSITS ROSE BY 3.2 PER CENT WHILE NON-U.S. DOLLAR DEPOSITS GREW BY 1.1 PER CENT. OVER THE YEAR, TOTAL FOREIGN CURRENCY DEPOSITS ROSE BY 29.7 PER CENT.
FOREIGN CURRENCY SWAP DEPOSITS INCREASED BY 3.3 PER CENT IN SEPTEMBER, AFTER INCREASES OF 6.3 PER CENT AND 7.3 PER CENT IN JULY AND AUGUST RESPECTIVELY.
/ADJUSTED TO
TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 1, 1988
8
ADJUSTED TO INCLUDE THESE DEPOSITS, HONG KONG DOLLAR DEPOSITS GREW BY 0.7 PER CENT IN SEPTEMBER AND BY 10 PER CENT OVER THE YEAR. ON THE OTHER HAND, FOREIGN CURRENCY DEPOSITS, ADJUSTED TO EXCLUDE SWAP DEPOSITS, INCREASED BY 2.1 PER CENT IN SEPTEMBER AND BY 31.4 PER CENT OVER THE YEAR.
DEPOSITS OF ALL CURRENCIES WITH BANKS GREW BY 1.7 PER CENT IN SEPTEMBER WHILE THOSE WITH DEPOSIT-TAKING COMPANIES FELL BY 1.4 PER CENT. DURING THE 12 MONTHS ENDING SEPTEMBER 1988, THEIR RESPECTIVE GROWTH RATES WERE 22.2 PER CENT AND 5.4 PER CENT.
MONEY SUPPLY
HK$M1, HK$M2 AND HK$M3 GREW BY 1.6 PER CENT, 0.8 PER CENT AND 0.6 PER CENT RESPECTIVELY IN SEPTEMBER. THESE COMPARED WITH CORRESPONDING RATES OF 0.9 PER CENT, -0.4 PER CENT AND -0.4 PER CENT IN AUGUST.
DURING THE 12 MONTHS ENDING SEPTEMBER, HK$M1, HK$M2 AND HK$M3 GREW BY 19.3 PER CENT, 13.9 PER CENT AND 11.7 PER CENT RESPECTIVELY.
ADJUSTED TO TAKE ACCOUNT OF SWAP DEPOSITS, HK$M2 GREW BY 1.1 PER CENT WHILE HK$M3 ROSE BY 0.8 PER CENT IN SEPTEMBER. OVER THE YEAR, THEIR CORRESPONDING GROWTH RATES WERE 13.8 PER CENT AND 11.9 PER CENT.
TOTAL Ml, M2 AND M3 GREW BY 1.5 PER CENT, 1.8 PER CENT AND 1.6 PER CENT RESPECTIVELY IN SEPTEMBER. THEIR CORRESPONDING GROWTH RATES IN AUGUST WERE 1.3 PER CENT, 0.5 PER CENT AND 0.5 PER CENT. DURING THE 12 MONTHS ENDING SEPTEMBER, TOTAL Ml GREW BY 21.5 PER CENT, TOTAL M2 BY 22.7 PER CENT AND TOTAL M3 BY 20.7 PER CENT.
LOANS AND ADVANCES
TOTAL OUTSTANDING LOANS AND ADVANCES EXTENDED BY BANKS AND DEPOSIT-TAKING COMPANIES GREW BY 3 PER CENT IN SEPTEMBER, COMPARED WITH INCREASES OF 0.6 PER CENT AND 3.5 PER CENT IN JULY AND AUGUST RESPECTIVELY.
OF THE TOTAL OUTSTANDING LOANS, THOSE DENOMINATED IN HONG KONG DOLLARS GREW BY 2.1 PER CENT, WHILE THOSE DENOMINATED IN FOREIGN CURRENCIES GREW BY 3.8 PER CENT.
/LOANS TO .......
TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 1, 1988
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LOANS TO FINANCE VISIBLE TRADE OF HONG KONG GREW BY 0.6 PER CENT IN SEPTEMBER, COMPARED WITH INCREASES OF 2.5 PER CENT AND 1.4 PER CENT IN JULY AND AUGUST RESPECTIVELY; OVER THE YEAR, THESE LOANS GREW BY 24.9 PER CENT.
OTHER LOANS FOR USE IN HONG KONG GREW BY 2.1 PER CENT IN SEPTEMBER FOLLOWING GROWTH RATES OF 1.3 PER CENT AND 1.8 PER CENT IN JULY AND AUGUST RESPECTIVELY. OVER THE YEAR, THESE LOANS GREW BY 22.8 PER CENT.
LOANS FOR USE OUTSIDE HONG KONG INCREASED BY ‘2.2 PER CENT IN SEPTEMBER, AFTER INCREASES OF 0.3 PER CENT AND 6.2 PER CENT IN JULY AND AUGUST RESPECTIVELY. OVER THE YEAR, THESE LOANS GREW BY 42.3 PER CENT.
QUARTERLY ANALYSIS OF LOANS AND ADVANCES FOR USE IN HONG KONG BY SECTOR
IN THE THIRD QUARTER OF 1988, LOANS AND ADVANCES EXTENDED TO THE MANUFACTURING SECTOR ROSE BY 7.9 PER CENT AFTER AN INCREASE OF 8.8 PER CENT IN THE PREVIOUS QUARTER. OVER THE YEAR, THESE LOANS GREW BY 33.1 PER CENT.
LOANS TO THE WHOLESALE AND RETAIL TRADES INCREASED BY 2.9 PER CENT THIS QUARTER, FOLLOWING AN INCREASE OF 13.4 PER CENT IN THE SECOND QUARTER. OVER THE YEAR, THESE LOANS GREW BY 31.3 PER CENT.
LOANS TO THE BUILDING AND CONSTRUCTION SECTOR INCREASED BY 4.1 PER CENT IN THE THIRD QUARTER, FOLLOWING A GROWTH OF 4.2 PER CENT IN THE PRECEDING QUARTER. OVER THE YEAR, THESE LOANS INCREASED BY 17.1 PER CENT.
LOANS TO INDIVIDUALS FOR THE PURCHASE OF RESIDENTIAL PROPERTY (OTHER THAN FLATS IN THE HOME OWNERSHIP SCHEME) GREW BY 6.3 PER CENT THIS QUARTER, AFTER AN INCREASE OF 9.2 PER CENT IN THE PREVIOUS QUARTER. OVER THE YEAR, THESE LOANS GREW BY 30.9 PER CENT.
LOANS TO FINANCIAL CONCERNS (OTHER THAN BANKS AND DTC'S) ROSE BY 11.9 PER CENT THIS QUARTER, FOLLOWING AN INCREASE OF 13.4 PER CENT IN THE SECOND QUARTER. OVER THE YEAR, THESE LOANS GREW BY 30.2 PER CENT.
NUMBER OF REPORTING INSTITUTIONS
THE NUMBER OF REPORTING LICENSED BANKS REMAINED UNCHANGED AT 158. THE NUMBER OF LICENSED DEPOSIT-TAKING COMPANIES INCREASED BY ONE TO 36, WHILE THAT OF REGISTERED DEPOSIT-TAKING COMPANIES DECREASED FURTHER BY THREE TO 219.
/TABLE 1 .......
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TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 1, 1988
TABLE 1 : MONETARY STATISTICS - SEPTEMBER 1988
Sep 1988 Earlier months
(X change to September 1988)
Money Supply Aug 1988 Jun 1988 Sep 1987
Ml - HK$ — — _
75,009 73,834 ( 1.6 X) 73,920 ( 1.5 X) 62,876 ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( 19.3 X)
Foreign currency 9,409 9,298 ( 1.2 X) 8,783 ( 7.1 X) 6,581 43.0 X)
Total 84,418 83,132 ( 1.5 X) 82,703 ( 2.1 X) 69,456 21.5 X) X)
M2 HK$ 324,671 322,016 ( 0.8 X) 324,297 ( 0.1 X) 285,026 13.9
Foreign currency 433,681 422,576 ( 2.6 %) 405.033 ( 7. 1 X) 332,932 30.3 X)
Total M3 - HK$ 758,352 744,591 ( 1.8 X) 729.330 ( 4.0 %) 617,958 22.7 X)
357,261 355,204 ( 0.6 X) 356,355 ( 0.3 X) 319,732 11.7 X)
Foreign currency 465,925 455.163 ( 2.4 %) 435,067 ( 7.1 X) 362,031 28.7 %)
Total 823,186 810,367 ( 1.6 X) 791,422 ( 4.0 %) 681,763 20.7 X)
Notes and coins in circulation 31,549 30,899 ( 2.1 %) 30,493 ( 3.5 X) 25,343 ( ( 24 5 %)
of which held by public 27,563 26,930 ( 2.4 %} 26,736 ( 3.1 X) 22,287 23.7 X)
Total Deposits
Total Demand deposits 56,855 56,202 ( 1.2 %) 55,967 ( 1.6 X) 47,169 ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( 20 5 X) X) X) X) X)
Total Savings deposits 162,590 164,770 ( -1.3 X) 172,513 ( ( -5.8 %) 148,736 390,275 9 3
Total Time deposits with banks 496.856 483,227 ( 2.8 %) 460,649 7.9 X) 27 3
Total Time deposits with dtcs 62,781 63,701 ( -1.4 %) 60,109 ( 4.4 X) 59,577 5 4
HK$ deposits 317,813 316.687 ( 0.4 X) 318,225 ( -0.1 X) 289,980 9.6
USS deposits 248,013 240,324 ( 3.2 X) 231,617 ( 7.1 X) 224,197 10.6 X)
Other foreign currency deposits 213,256 210,890 ( 1.1 %) 199,396 ( 7.0 X) 131,579 62.1 %)
All deposits 779,082 767,900 ( 1.5 X) 749,237 ( 4.0 X) 645,756 20.6 X)
Foreign currency swap deposits 39,527 38,267 ( 3.3 X) 33,540 ( 17.9 X) 34,879 ( 13.3 X)
Total Loans and advances
To finance H.K.’s visible trade 53,010 52,694 ( 0.6 X) 50,696 ( 4.6 X) 42,429 ( ( 24 9 X)
To finance merchandising trade not touching H.K. 6,719 6,352 ( 5.8 X) 5,212 ( 28.9 X) 7^908 -15.0 X)
Other loans for use in H.K. 418,022 409,458 ( 2.1 X) 396.895 ( 5.3 X) 340,534 ( ( ( 22.8 X)
Other loans for use outside H.K. 353,784 ’ 346,210 ( 2.2 X) 325,034 ( 8.8 X) 248,596 42.3 X)
Other Joans where the place of use is not known 64,430 54,736 ( 17.7 X) 57,272 ( 12.5 %) 56,372 14.3 X)
Loans in HKS 372,506 , 365,012 ( 2.1 X) 350,448 ( 6.3 X) 308,684 ( ( ( 20 7 X) X) X)
Loans in foreign currencies 523,460 504,438 ( 3.8 %) 484,660 ( ( 8.0 X) 387156 35 2
Total loans and advances 895,966 869,450 ( 3.0 X) 835,108 7.3 X) 695,839 28^8
/TABLE 2 .......
TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 1, 1988
TA®^_2_-_«UARTERLY_ANA[,YSIS OF LOANS FOR USE IN HONG KONG BY SECTOR - SEPTEMBER 1988
(HK$mn)
Sep 1988
Earlier quarters (% change to September 1988)
Jun 1988 Mar 1988 Sep 1987
Manufacturing 37 324 34,591 ( 7.9 8) 31,795 ( 17.4 X) 28,034 ( 33.1 8)
Transport and transport 23 140 equipment * ’ 22,472 ( 3.0 %) 20,156 ( 14.8 X) 19,110 ( 21.1 X)
Building, construction and 44 697 property development 42,934 ( 4.18) 41.187 ( 8.5 X) 38,185 ( 17.1 X)
Wholesale and retail trade 51,579 50,125 ( 2.98) 44.212 ( 16.7 X) 39,270 ( 31.3 X)
Financial concerns* 45 37Q 41,436 ( 11.9 8) 36,554 ( 26.9 X) 35,610 ( 30.2 X)
Individuals:
to purchase flats in the Home 8,147 Ownership Scheme and Private 7,569 ( 7.6 8) 7.498 ( 8.7 X) 7,335 ( 11.1 X)
Sector Participation Scheme
to purchase other residential 71,710 property 67,461 ( 6.3 8) 61,772 ( 16.1 X) 54,782 ( 30.9 X)
other purposes 52,100 48,750 ( 6.9 X) 45,263 ( 15.1 X) 42,599 ( 22.3 X)
Othera 82,955 81,556 ( 1.7 8) 76,072 ( 9.0 X) 75,609 ( 9.7 X)
Total 418,022 396,895 ( 5.3 8) 364.510 ( 14.7 X) 340,534 ( 22.8 X)
♦ This excludes funds advanced to banks
and deposit-taking companies
--------0 ---------
/12........
TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 1, 1988 ♦
- 12 -
HEALTH EXHIBITION TO OPEN IN TAIKOO SHING * * * » »
A SEVEN-DAY "HEALTH FOR ALL, ALL FOR HEALTH" EXHIBITION WILL OPEN AT THE CITYPLAZA IN TAIKOO SHING ON FRIDAY (NOVEMBER 4) AT 3 PM.
ORGANISED BY THE CENTRAL HEALTH EDUCATION UNIT OF THE MEDICAL AND HEALTH DEPARTMENT, THE EXHIBITION AIMS TO PROMOTE PUBLIC AWARENESS ON NON-COMMUNICABLE DISEASES AND TO KEEP PEOPLE BETTER INFORMED ON THE PREVENTION OF SUCH DISEASES AND GENERAL HEALTH CARE.
THE EXHIBITION WILL BE OPENED BY THE REGIONAL DIRECTOR OF THE NEW TERRITORIES WEST REGION, DR K.H. PANG.
PROGRAMMES WILL INCLUDE A HEALTH QUIZ COMPETITION, A SLOGAN RECITAL COMPETITION, BALLOON GAMES AND A PRIZE PRESENTATION FOR WINNERS OF THE SLOGAN TRANSLATION COMPETITION AND BOOKMARK DESIGN COMPETITION.
THERE WILL ALSO BE A VIDEO SHOW ON THREE MAJOR KILLER DISEASES - CANCER, HEART DISEASES AND STROKE, AND FREE DISTRIBUTION OF HEALTH INFORMATION LEAFLETS.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO SEND REPRESENTATIVES TO COVER THE OPENING CEREMONY OF THE "HEALTH FOR ALL, ALL FOR HEALTH" EXHIBITION TO BE HELD AT THE CITYPLAZA, TAIKOO SHING, ON FRIDAY (NOVEMBER 4).
PRESS REPRESENTATIVES ARE ADVISED TO ARRIVE BEFORE 3 PM AT THE EAST LINK BRIDGE, SECOND FLOOR, PHASE I, CITYPLAZA.
------0 ------
APPLICATIONS FOR WASTE DISPOSAL PERMITS INVITED
*****
THE ELECTRICAL AND MECHANICAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT IS INVITING APPLICATIONS FOR THE DISPOSAL OF COMMERCIAL AND DOMESTIC WASTE AT GOVERNMENT INCINERATORS NEXT YEAR.
THE COMMERCIAL SOLID WASTES TO BE DISPOSED OF AT THE INCINERATION PLANTS AT KENNEDY TOWN AND LAI CHI KOK SHALL BE RESTRICTED TO DOCUMENT, PRINTOUT, TEXTILE AND WOOD PRODUCT ONLY.
APPLICATION FORMS FOR COMMERCIAL WASTE DISPOSAL PERMITS ARE AVAILABLE AT THE KENNEDY TOWN AND LAI CHI KOK INCINERATION PLANTS OR BY MAIL FROM THE OFFICE OF THE DIRECTOR OF ELECTRICAL AND MECHANICAL SERVICES, ELECTRICAL AND MECHANICAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT, 98 CAROLINE HILL ROAD, HONG KONG.
/COMPLETED APPLICATION
TUESDAY, NOVIMiiER 1, 1988
COMPLETED APPLICATION FORMS SHOULD REACH THE DEPARTMENT NOT LATER THAN NOVEMBER 18, 1988.
APPLICATIONS ARE ALSO INVITED FROM PRIVATE OPERATORS FOR PERMISSION TO DISPOSE OF DOMESTIC SOLID WASTES AT THE KENNEDY TOWN INCINERATION PLANT NEXT YEAR.
WASTES NOT ACCEPTABLE TO THE PLANT ARE: EXPLOSIVE SUBSTANCES, SAWDUST, CORROSIVE WASTES, POISONOUS SUBSTANCES, SUBSTANCES GIVING OFF INFLAMMABLE VAPOURS, SUBSTANCES RENDERED DANGEROUS BY INTERACTION WITH WATER, HIGHLY COMBUSTIBLE MATERIALS, COMPRESSED GASES, ROTTEN FRUIT AND VEGETABLES, CHEMICALS, CONSTRUCTION SITE MATERIALS, RADIOACTIVE WASTES AND ANY OTHER SUBSTANCES WHICH MAY CAUSE DAMAGE TO THE INCINERATION PLANT.
APPLICATION FORMS FOR DOMESTIC WASTES DISPOSAL PERMITS ARE AVAILABLE AT THE DISTRICT OFFICES OF THE URBAN SERVICES DEPARTMENT.
COMPLETED APPLICATION FORMS SHOULD REACH THE DISTRICT HEALTH INSPECTOR (CLEANSING) OF THE DEPARTMENT’S DISTRICT OFFICES NOT LATER THAN NOVEMBER 18, 1988.
THE EFFECTIVE DATES OF BOTH TYPES OF PERMITS WILL BE JANUARY, 1989.
-------0----------
TEACHING KITS WARN STUDENTS ON TRIADS, SHOPTHEFT
*****
TO HEIGHTEN STUDENTS’ AWARENESS OF THE DANGERS POSED BY TRIADS AND SHOPTHEFT, THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT HAS PRODUCED TEACHING KITS ON THESE TWO MATTERS FOR SCHOOLS.
THE TEACHING KITS ON ANTI-TRIADS AND ANTI-SHOPTHEFT HAVE BEEN PRODUCED WITH THE ASSISTANCE OF THE SECURITY BRANCH, POLICE, CORRECTIONAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT, SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT, THE HONG KONG COUNCIL OF SOCIAL SERVICE, AND PRIMARY AND SECONDARY SCHOOL HEADS.
THE ASSISTANT DIRECTOR OF EDUCATION (CHIEF INSPECTOR OF SCHOOLS), MR SO FAI-CHO, WILL CHAIR AT A PRESS CONFERENCE AT THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT HEADQUARTERS ON WEDNESDAY (TOMORROW) TO INTRODUCE THE TEACHING KITS TO THE MEDIA.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE PRESS CONFERENCE TOMORROW AT THE CONFERENCE ROOM 4A, FOURTH FLOOR, EDUCATION DEPARTMENT HEADQUARTERS, LEE GARDENS, HYSAN AVENUE, CAUSEWAY BAY. IT WILL BEGIN AT 3 PM.
-------0---------
/14........
TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 1, 1988
14
PROVISIONAL RESULTS OF RETAIL SALES SURVEY FOR AUGUST
*****
THE VALUE OF TOTAL RETAIL SALES IN AUGUST 1988, ESTIMATED AT $8,717 MILLION, WAS 19 PER CENT HIGHER THAN IN AUGUST 1987 WHILST THEIR VOLUME WAS 10 PER CENT HIGHER, ACCORDING TO THE PROVISIONAL RESULTS OF A SURVEY RELEASED TODAY (TUESDAY) BY THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT.
COMPARING AUGUST 1988 WITH AUGUST 1987, RETAIL SALES OF FUELS WENT UP BY 14 PER CENT IN VALUE AND 13 PER CENT IN VOLUME. FOODSTUFFS, ALCOHOLIC DRINKS AND TOBACCO INCREASED BY 7 PER CENT IN SALES VALUE BUT DROPPED BY 3 PER CENT IN SALES VOLUME.
ON THE SAME BASIS OF COMPARISON, RETAIL SALES OF "CLOTHING, FOOTWEAR AND ALLIED PRODUCTS" AND "OTHER CONSUMER GOODS" ROSE BY 28 PER CENT AND 25 PER CENT RESPECTIVELY IN VALUE AND 16 PER CENT AND 17 PER CENT RESPECTIVELY IN VOLUME. CONSUMER DURABLES INCREASED BY 16 PER CENT IN SALES VALUE AND 7 PER CENT IN SALES VOLUME.
ANALYSED BY SELECTED TRADES, RETAIL SALES OF DEPARTMENT STORES AND "MOTOR VEHICLES AND PARTS" ROSE BY 33 PER CENT AND 29 PER CENT RESPECTIVELY IN VALUE AND BY 20 PER CENT AND 18 PER CENT RESPECTIVELY IN VOLUME.
SUPERMARKETS SALES WENT UP BY 13 PER CENT IN VALUE AND 3 PER CENT IN VOLUME WHILST SALES FOR CONSUMER DURABLES OTHER THAN MOTOR VEHICLES AND PARTS INCREASED BY 9 PER CENT IN VALUE AND 3 PER CENT IN VOLUME.
COMPARING THE PERIOD JANUARY TO AUGUST 1988 WITH THE SAME PERIOD IN 1987, TOTAL RETAIL SALES INCREASED BY 24 PER CENT IN VALUE AND 14 PER CENT IN VOLUME. ANALYSED BY MAJOR TRADE GROUPS, FUELS WENT UP BY 7 PER CENT IN SALES VALUE AND 3 PER CENT IN SALES VOLUME. SALES OF FOODSTUFFS, ALCOHOLIC DRINKS AND TOBACCO INCREASED BY 6 PER CENT IN VALUE BUT DROPPED BY 2 PER CENT IN VOLUME.
ON THE SAME BASIS OF COMPARISON, RETAIL SALES OF "OTHER CONSUMER GOODS" ROSE BY 36 PER CENT IN VALUE AND 26 PER CENT IN VOLUME. "CLOTHING, FOOTWEAR AND ALLIED PRODUCTS" AND CONSUMER DURABLES INCREASED BY 26 PER CENT AND 20 PER CENT RESPECTIVELY IN SALES VALUE, AND 14 PER CENT AND 12 PER CENT RESPECTIVELY IN SALES VOLUME.
ANALYSED BY SELECTED TRADES, SALES OF DEPARTMENT STORES WENT UP BY 50 PER CENT IN VALUE AND 37 PER CENT IN VOLUME, WHILE THE CORRESPONDING INCREASES FOR MOTOR VEHICLES AND PARTS WERE 38 PER CENT AND 26 PER CENT. SUPERMARKETS SALES ROSE BY 15 PER CENT IN VALUE AND 6 PER CENT IN VOLUME.
CONSUMER DURABLES OTHER THAN MOTOR VEHICLES AND PARTS INCREASED BY 13 PER CENT IN SALES VALUE AND 6 PER CENT IN SALES VOLUME.
/WERE COMPARED
TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 1, 1988
WHEN COMPARED WITH JULY 1988, AND BEARING IN MIND THAT THIS COMPARISON IS LIKELY TO BE AFFECTED BY SEASONAL FACTORS, TOTAL RETAIL SALES FOR AUGUST 1988 INCREASED BY 3 PER CENT BOTH IN VALUE AND VOLUME.
HOWEVER, SALES OF FOODSTUFFS, ALCOHOLIC DRINKS AND TOBACCO RECORDED DECREASES OF 2 PER CENT IN VALUE AND 4 PER CENT IN VOLUME, AND SALES OF FUELS RECORDED DECREASES OF 3 PER CENT ' IN VALUE AND 1 PER CENT IN VOLUME.
ON THE SAME BASIS OF COMPARISON, RETAIL SALES OF CLOTHING, FOOTWEAR AND ALLIED PRODUCTS INCREASED BY 6 PER CENT IN VALUE AND 7 PER CENT IN VOLUME. CONSUMER DURABLES WENT UP BY 6 PER CENT IN BOTH SALES VALUE AND SALES VOLUME. "OTHER CONSUMER GOODS" ROSE BY 4 PER CENT IN SALES VALUE AND 5 PER CENT IN SALES VOLUME.
ANALYSED BY SELECTED TRADES, DEPARTMENT STORES RECORDED INCREASES OF 16 PER CENT IN SALES VALUE AND 17 PER CENT IN SALES VOLUME. CONSUMER DURABLES OTHER THAN MOTOR VEHICLES AND PARTS WENT UP BY 8 PER CENT IN BOTH SALES VALUE AND SALES VOLUME. MOTOR VEHICLES AND PARTS ROSE BY 4 PER CENT IN SALES VALUE AND 3 PER CENT IN SALES VOLUME.
HOWEVER, THERE WAS A DROP OF 2 PER CENT IN VALUE AND 3 PER CENT IN VOLUME IN SUPERMARKETS SALES.
TABLE 1 PRESENTS THE REVISED TOTAL RETAIL SALES FIGURE FOR JULY 1988 AND THE PROVISIONAL FIGURE FOR AUGUST 1988.
TABLE 2 SHOWS THE VALUE AND VOLUME INDEXES IN JULY AND AUGUST 1988 (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 RETAIL SALES FROM OCTOBER 1984 TO SEPTEMBER 1985 TAKEN AS 100.
COMPARISONS OF AUGUST 1988 RESULTS WITH THOSE FOR JULY 1988 AND WITH THOSE FOR AUGUST 1987 AND COMPARISONS OF RETAIL SALES IN THE PERIOD JANUARY TO AUGUST 1988 WITH THE SAME PERIOD IN 1987 ARE ALSO GIVEN.
THE REPORT CONTAINING THE ANALYSIS OF THE AUGUST 1988 SURVEY RESULTS IS NOW ON SALE AT THE GOVERNMENT PUBLICATIONS CENTRE, GENERAL POST OFFICE BUILDING, CONNAUGHT PLACE, CENTRAL, AT $1 PER COPY.
ENQUIRIES ABOUT THE SURVEY RESULTS MAY BE DIRECTED TO THE WHOLESALE AND RETAIL TRADE STATISTICS SECTION OF THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT ON TEL. 5-8234941.
/TABLE 1 .......
TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 1, 1988
- 16 -
TABLE I : TOTAL RETAIL SALES
Total Retail Sales for August 1988 (Provisioaal figure) « HKS8,717 mi Ilion
for July 198G (Revised figure) » HKS8,440 million
TABLE 2 : VALUE AMD VOLUME IMDEIES OF RETAIL SALES FOR JULT 1983 ANO AUGUST l?S9
(Itanthly average of Oct. 34 - Sept. 35 = 100)
J Index of 1 • • 1 I August 1983. ! August 1938 ! Jan. - Aug. 1988
Item Retail : July ! August ; conoared with I compares with I compared with
’ Sales : 1988 1 1998 J July 1988 I August 1987 1 Jan. - Aug. 1987
। (Revised J (Provisional J Points X ! Paints I ! Points I
• figures) J figures) 1 :
(A) FOR ALL RETAIL TRADES 1 । 1 । • । • । •
: Value : 151 156 : 5 3 : 25 19 28 24
Volute 1 125 129 J 4 3 : 12 10 15 14
IB) 3Y MAJOR TRACE GROUPS I 1
Fooastutfs. alc2Mli: Value 129 -I -2 13 7 7 6
artnks ano tocacca Volune IIO 105 -4 -4 I -3 -3 •3 "2
Fuel s Value 111) 107 -3 -5 J 13 14 6 7
Volume 117 116 -2 -1 I 13 13 3 3
Clothing, footwear Value 158 167 9 6 1 37 23 33 26
and allied products Volume 12b 125 9 7 5 19 lb 14 14
Consuaer durables Value 159 ’ 169 10 5:2: IS 2£ 20
Volume 12b 133 3 6 19 7 13 12
Other consuaer goods Value 165 172 7 4 1 34 25 43 26
Volume 134 141 7 5 1 20 17 23 25
C) BY SELECTED TRADES । ।
(see note I below) 1
Suoermarkets Value 169 165 -4 -2 ; 18 13 20 15
Volume 145 140 -4 -3 5 3 8 5
Motor vehicles Value 258 267 9 4 I 59 29’ 62 33
and parts Volume 182 188 b 3 1 29 18 33 2b
Consuaer durables ! Value ! 129 139 : 10 8 I 12 9 : 15 13
other than aotor ! Volume 1 108 117 I 3 8 1 3 3 1 6 6
vehicles and parts I 1 • • * • 1 । 1 1 । 1 । «
I Deoartaent stores ! Value ! 179 : 207 28 16 I 51 33 I 61 50
• Volume I 144 : 169 : 25 17 I 28 20 I 41 37
NOTES : 1. In order to analyse the sales of certain trades WITHIN major trade groups, the value and volute indexes in respect of the following selected trades are compiled :
(a) ’Supermarkets' - a trade in the 'Foodstuffs, alcoholic drinks and tobacco' group.
(b) 'Motor vehicles and parts* • a trade io the 'Consumer durables' group.
(c) 'Consumer durables other than aotor vehicles and parts* - a trade in the 'Consumer durables* group.
(d) 'Department stores' - a trade in the 'Other consular goods' group.
2. Figures denoting changes are derived froa the unrounded index figures.
3. denotes a figure within 10.5.
-----------0--------------- /17...................................
TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 1, 1988
- 17 -
FIRST DIVIDEND PAYMENT TO ORDINARY CREDITORS OF CUL ♦ ♦ ♦ *
THE REGISTRAR GENERAL AND OFFICIAL RECEIVER, MR NOEL GLEESON, TODAY (TUESDAY) ANNOUNCED THE PAYMENT OF A FIRST DIVIDEND TO THE ORDINARY CREDITORS OF CHINA UNDERWRITERS LIFE AND GENERAL INSURANCE COMPANY LIMITED (IN LIQUIDATION) (“CUL’’).
THE DIVIDEND, WHICH WILL BE PAYABLE ON NOVEMBER 8, WILL BE 21.3 PER CENT OF ADMITTED DEBTS.
SEPARATE NOTICES HAVE BEEN SENT TO ALL 2,896 CREDITORS WITH PARTICULARS OF THEIR DIVIDEND AND ARRANGEMENTS FOR PAYMENT.
THE FIRST DIVIDEND REPRESENTS A DISTRIBUTION OF $25,000,000 FROM THE ASSETS OF CUL WHICH HAVE BEEN REALISED BY THE OFFICIAL RECEIVER.
MR GLEESON SAID THAT A FURTHER DIVIDEND IS LIKELY IN THE FUTURE BUT IT IS NOT YET POSSIBLE TO STATE THE AMOUNT OR TIMING OF A FURTHER DIVIDEND.
A SUBSTANTIAL RESERVE HAS BEEN RETAINED BY THE OFFICIAL RECEIVER TO MEET POSSIBLE EXPENSES OF LITIGATION IN WHICH CUL IS INVOLVED, INCLUDING ONE LARGE CLAIM FOR ABOUT $400 MILLION AGAINST BBMB FINANCE (HONG KONG) LIMITED (FORMERLY BUMIPUTRA MALAYSIA FINANCE LIMITED).
THAT CLAIM, WHICH IS EXPECTED TO BE HEARD IN THE SUPREME COURT OF HONG KONG NEXT YEAR, ARISES OUT OF THE INVOLVEMENT OF BBMB IN THE PURCHASE OF CUL BY CARRIAN INVESTMENTS.
CUL WAS ORDERED TO BE WOUND UP BY COURT ORDER, ON THE PETITION OF THE REGISTRAR GENERAL (AS INSURANCE AUTHORITY), IN MAY 1984. THE COMPANY HAD BEEN ACQUIRED BY CARRIAN INVESTMENTS LIMITED IN 1981.
THE WINDING UP PETITION FOLLOWED AN INVESTIGATION IN 1983 INTO THE CUL’S FINANCIAL POSITION.
THE LIQUIDATION OF CUL BY THE OFFICIAL RECEIVER HAS INVOLVED THE LIQUIDATION OF A NUMBER OF SUBSIDIARY COMPANIES AND THE SALE OF ASSETS IN HONG KONG, SINGAPORE, THAILAND AND AUSTRALIA.
A DIVIDEND OF 100 PER CENT WAS PAID TO PREFERENTIAL CREDITORS OF CUL IN NOVEMBER 1984.
-------O ---------
/i 8
TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 1, 1988
- 18
DB COMMITTEE TO DISCUSS CHAI WAN HAWKER PROBLEMS
*****
MEMBERS OF THE ENVIRONMENTAL IMPROVEMENT COMMITTEE OF THE EASTERN DISTRICT BOARD WILL DISCUSS THE PROBLEM OF ILLEGAL HAWKING ACTIVITIES IN CHAI WAN AT THEIR MEETING ON THURSDAY (NOVEMBER 3).
ACCORDING TO A DISTRICT BOARD MEMBER, ILLEGAL HAWKING ACTIVITIES HAVE BEEN ESPECIALLY WIDESPREAD OUTSIDE CHAI WAN TEMPORARY MARKET, YUE WAN MARKET AND ON THE FLYOVER OPPOSITE THE NEW JADE GARDEN.
THE COMMITTEE WILL DISCUSS AN APPLICATION FOR DISTRICT BOARD FUNDS FOR THE IMPLEMENTATION OF FIVE MINOR ENVIRONMENTAL IMPROVEMENT PROJECTS.
THESE PROJECTS RANGE FROM THE ERECTION OF RAILINGS AND CONSTRUCTION OF A FOOTPATH AT TAI TAM CATCHWATER TO THE CONSTRUCTION OF RAINSHELTERS AT LAI TAK TSUEN ROAD AND NEAR CAPE COLLINSON ROAD.
PLACEMENT OF CONCRETE PLANTERS AT VARIOUS SPOTS IN CHAI WAN IS
ALSO PROPOSED.
OTHER ITEMS ON THE AGENDA INCLUDE PROBLEMS CAUSED BY PAVEMENT MAINTENANCE WORKS AND THE IMPROVEMENT OF THE SURFACE OF MOUNT PARKER ROAD.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO ATTEND THE ENVIRONMENTAL IMPROVEMENT COMMITTEE MEETING OF THE EASTERN DISTRICT BOARD BEGINNING AT 2.30 PM ON THURSDAY (NOVEMBER 3) IN THE CONFERENCE ROOM OF THE EASTERN DISTRICT OFFICE, FIRST FLOOR, 880-886 KING’S ROAD.
-------0 --------
BRIEFINGS FOR YUEN LONG DB COMMITTEE
*****
THE INDUSTRY, COMMERCE AND AGRICULTURE COMMITTEE OF THE YUEN LONG DISTRICT BOARD WILL HOLD ITS FOURTH MEETING ON THURSDAY (NOVEMBER 3).
MEMBERS WILL BE BRIEFED BY REPRESENTATIVES OF THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT ON THE FACTORIES AND INDUSTRIAL UNDERTAKINGS (DANGEROUS SUBSTANCES) REGULATIONS 1988.
/A BRIEFING
TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 1, 1988
- 19 -
A BRIEFING ON TEXTILE EXPORT LICENSING WILL BE GIVEN BY REPRESENTATIVES OF THE TRADE DEPARTMENT.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE MEETING WHICH WILL BEGIN AT 10 AM IN THE CONFERENCE ROOM OF THE YUEN LONG DISTRICT BOARD,. 13TH FLOOR, k YUEN LONG GOVERNMENT OFFICES, 2 KIU LOK SQUARE, YUEN LONG.
-------0----------
EXCHANGE OF VIEWS ON RECREATION, CULTURE IN TUEN MUN ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ *
. THE CULTURE, RECREATION AND SPORTS COMMITTEE OF THE TUEN MUN
DISTRICT BOARD WILL EXCHANGE VIEWS ON PROMOTING RECREATION AND CULTURE IN THE DISTRICT WITH MAJOR LOCAL ORGANISATIONS AT A MEETING TOMORROW (WEDNESDAY).
THE ORGANISATIONS ARE THE TUEN MUN ARTS PROMOTION ASSOCIATION, TUEN MUN SPORTS ASSOCIATION AND TUEN MUN CHILDREN CHOIR.
MEMBERS OF THE COMMITTEE WILL ALSO STUDY THE REPORT OF THE WORKING GROUP ON GUIDELINES ON RECOMMENDING CULTURE, RECREATION AND 1 SPORTS PROJECTS AND THE VETTING REPORT OF THE DISTRICT BOARD SECRETARY.
IN ADDITION, 14 APPLICATIONS FOR DISTRICT BOARD FUNDS FOR . ORGANISING CULTURE, RECREATION AND SPORTS ACTIVITIES WILL BE TABLED FOR MEMBERS' CONSIDERATION.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE MEETING OF THE TUEN MUN DISTRICT BOARD’S CULTURE, RECREATION AND SPORTS COMMITTEE TO BE HELD TOMORROW ’ (WEDNESDAY) IN THE DISTRICT BOARD CONFERENCE ROOM ON THE THIRD FLOOR, GOVERNMENT OFFICES BUILDING, NO. 1 TUEN HI ROAD, TUEN MUN. THE MEETING WILL BEGIN AT 2.30 PM.
-------0----------
*
/2O........
TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 1, 1988
- 20 -
MONG KOK ANTI-TRIAD DISCO NITE ♦ * ♦ * *
THE MONG KOK DISTRICT FIGHT CRIME COMMITTEE WILL HOLD AN "ANTI-TRIAD DISCO NITE" AT HONG KONG AND KOWLOON CHIU CHOW SCHOOL ON SUNDAY (NOVEMBER 6) TO FURTHER PUBLICISE THE ANTI-TRIAD MESSAGE.
THE FUNCTION, SPONSORED BY THE MONG KOK DISTRICT BOARD, ALSO INCLUDES A PRESENTATION OF GOOD CITIZENS AWARDS AND PRIZES TO WINNERS OF A BOOK MARK DESIGN COMPETITION. IT WILL START AT 7 PM AND FINISH AT 10.30 PM AT THE PLAYGROUND OF THE SCHOOL.
TICKETS FOR THE FUNCTION WILL BE DISTRIBUTED THROUGH THE MONG KOK POLICE PUBLIC RELATIONS OFFICE, AND MONG KOK DISTRICT OFFICE AT 157 PRINCE EDWARD ROAD, KOWLOON.
-----0------
YOUTH CHINESE MUSIC FESTIVAL STARTS ON SATURDAY
*****
THE 1988 HONG KONG YOUTH CHINESE MUSIC FESTIVAL, ORGANISED BY THE MUSIC OFFICE, WILL START THIS WEEKEND (NOVEMBER 5).
DURING ITS NINE-DAY COURSE, A NUMBER OF CONCERTS, SEMINARS AND MASTER CLASSES, CONDUCTED BY BOTH LOCAL AND CHINESE MUSICIANS, WILL BE ARRANGED.
THE FESTIVAL'S OPENING CONCERT WILL BE HELD AT THE ACADEMIC COMMUNITY HALL AT 8 PM ON SUNDAY (NOVEMBER 6).
UNDER THE BATONS OF THREE RENOWNED MUSICIANS, MR TONG T FUNG TAK MS CHAN MAN-CHONG AND MR HO MAN-CHUEN, THE 80-STRONG YOU'IH c51S™iic"ls™N»m. TREAT.THE AUDIENCE JO * SUPERB ™SIC [BOORAHME COMPRISING NEW COMPOSITIONS^ -“AN^KAM-BILL POSBVII.I.B_,
WAI-LAP’S 'TURMOIL 'GENESIS'.
THE ORCHESTRA THE FESTIVAL PERIOD.
CLIMAX OF THE
WILL ALSO PERFORM IN THREE OTHER CONCERTS DURING
FESTIVAL WILL BE THE CONCERT JOINTLY PRESENTED ORCHESTRA AND THE HONG KONG CHINESE ORCHESTRA AI
BY THE YOUTH CHINESE ------ n
THE ELIZABETH STADIUM IN WAN CHAI ON NOVEMBER 9.
/THE YOUTH
TUESDAY, NOVIMBER 1, 1988
21
THE YOUTH CHINESE ORCHESTRA IS IN FACT NO STRANGER TO MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC. SINCE ITS ESTABLISHMENT IN 1978, IT HAS BEEN TAKING PART IN NUMEROUS CULTURAL AND MUSICAL ACTIVITIES SUCH AS THE HONG KONG ARTS FESTIVAL AND THE HONG KONG INTERNATIONAL YOUTH FESTIVAL.
BESIDES LOCAL CONCERTS, THE ORCHESTRA HAS ALSO TRAVELLED ABROAD PERFORMING IN THE UNITED KINGDOM, FRANCE, SINGAPORE AND AUSTRALIA WHERE THEY WERE WIDELY ACCLAIMED BY THE MUSIC CRITICS, f
TICKETS FOR THE OPENING CONCERT AT $10 EACH ARE NOW AVAILABLE AT ALL URBTIX OUTLETS.
FURTHER ENQUIRIES CAN BE MADE ON 5-739595 OR 0-6065753.
--------0----------
KWAI CHUNG LOT TO LET BY TENDER *****
THE BUILDINGS AND LANDS DEPARTMENT IS OFFERING TO LET BY TENDER A LOT IN KWAI CHUNG FOR THE PARKING OF CONTAINER TRACTORS AND TRAILERS.
LOCATED IN AREA 26E, THE 4,100-SQUARE-METRE SITE WILL BE FOR A FEE-PAYING PUBLIC CARPARK FOR THE PARKING OF CONTAINER TRACTORS AND TRAILERS.
THE LEASE IS FOR ONE YEAR AND RENEWABLE QUARTERLY.
THE DEADLINE FOR SUBMISSIONS OF TENDERS IS NOON, NOVEMBER 11.
FORMS OF TENDER, TENDER NOTICE AND CONDITIONS MAY BE OBTAINED FROM AND TENDER PLANS INSPECTED AT, THE DISTRICT LANDS OFFICE, KWAI TSING, 11TH FLOOR, TSUEN WAN STATION MULTI-STOREY CARPARK BUILDING, 174-208 CASTLE PEAK ROAD, TSUEN WAN, NEW TERRITORIES, THE- BUILDINGS AND LANDS DEPARTMENT, 14TH FLOOR, MURRAY BUILDING, GARDEN ROAD, HONG KONG AND THE DISTRICT LANDS OFFICE KOWLOON, 10TH FLOOR, YAU MA TEI CARPARK BUILDING, 250 SHANGHAI STREET, KOWLOON.
- O - -
TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 1, 1988
- 22 -
AUCTION OF SPECIAL CAR NUMBERS
*****
THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT VEHICLE REGISTRATION NUMBERS ON HALL RECITAL HALL.
A TOTAL OF 60 SPECIAL BIDDING.
WILL HOLD ANOTHER AUCTION OF SPECIAL SATURDAY (NOVEMBER 5) AT THE CITY
CAR NUMBERS WILL BE AVAILABLE FOR
» FROM 10 AM TO 10.45 AM:
DX861 AS209
DX1345 AW8876
DD3836 DY930
DY285 AG677
DX650 AL735
CE2218 DX7830
AT2684 HK3743
DV809 AK9876
DA821 DY1468
DW4013 DW3864
* FROM 11 AM TO 11.45 AM:
AE7792
DX760
DW865
BB1885
DV1798
DW3376
DY524
DX8119
CD391
AV1517
DV2316
CC285
AP894
BN4001
DW415
AZ8230
AJ568
AA906
DT5258
DY235
DX750 DX8881
DY6872 DM3690 DV6522 DV841
CK2405
DZ314
DY957 DW8218
HK1972
DY372
DV6023
DX935
BB4O7O
DY8885
DW2717
DY1686
DY3020
BB3836
SUCCESSFUL BIDDERS MUST PAY BY CHEQUE IMMEDIATELY AFTER THE
BIDDING.
A TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT SPOKESMAN REMINDED BIDDERS vpHTrif registration number would be assigned only to ZlSTBBED IN™E Sms OF THE SUCCESSFUL BIDDER WITHIN 12.
THAT THE A VEHICLE MONTHS OF
THE AUCTION.
THE CERTIFICATE OF INCORPORATION MUST BE PRODUCED AFTER ™ aSS IF THE VEHICLE REMSTRATION MARK REGISTERED UNDER THE NAME OF A
BODY CORPORATE.
PROCEEDS OF THE AUCTION WILL AS LOTTERIES FUND.
THE COMING AUCTION WILL DEPARTMENT SINCE MAY 1973.
IMMEDIATELY
IS TO BE
USUAL GO TO THE GOVERNMENT
BE THE 131ST ORGANISED BY THE TRANSPORT
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/25........
TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 1, 1988
PRIMARY SCHOOL ATHLETICS MEETING IN SHA TIN ♦ * * * *
A RECORD NUMBER OF 2,000 PUPILS FROM 55 PRIMARY SCHOOLS IN SHA TIN WILL TAKE PART IN THE 11TH SHA TIN INTER-PRIMARY SCHOOL ATHLETIC MEET ORGANISED BY THE SHA TIN BRANCH OF THE NEW TERRITORIES SCHOOLS SPORTS ASSOCIATION.
AIMED AT PROMOTING HEALTHY LIFE AND SPORTSMANSHIP AMONG THE DISTRICT'S YOUNG POPULATION, THE EVENT WILL BE HELD AT THE SHA TIN SPORTS GROUND, YUEN WO ROAD TOMORROW (WEDNESDAY) AND ON THURSDAY. i
TO ADD ATMOSPHERE TO THE OCCASION, THE SHA TIN YOUTH BASEBALL TEAM WILL GIVE A TRAINING DEMONSTRATION TOMORROW, BEGINNING AT 12 NOON.
OFFICIATING AT A PRIZE PRESENTATION BEGINNING AT 4 PM ON THURSDAY WILL BE THE SHA TIN DISTRICT OFFICER, MR VICTOR YUNG; PRINCIPAL EDUCATION OFFICER (NEW TERRITORIES), MR CHAN YAM-PANG; AND SHA TIN DISTRICT BOARD CHAIRMAN, MR NG CHAN-LAM.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE PRIZE-PRESENTATION CEREMONY OF THE 11TH SHA TIN INTER-PRIMARY SCHOOL ATHLETIC MEET TO BEGIN AT 4 PM ON THURSDAY (NOVEMBER 3) AT THE SHA TIN SPORTS GROUND, YUEN WO ROAD, SHA TIN.
--------o----------
CLOSURE OF UNAUTHORISED BUILDING SOUGHT *****
THE BUILDING AUTHORITY IS TO SEEK THE CLOSURE OF FLAT A3 AND ROOF OVER 12TH FLOOR, 31 CONDUIT ROAD, HONG KONG SO THAT AN UNAUTHORISED BUILDING ON THE ROOF CAN BE DEMOLISHED WITHOUT DANGER TO THE OCCUPIERS AND TO THE PUBLIC.
THE CLOSURE IS PART OF THE EXERCISE TO ENFORCE AN ORDER ISSUED UNDER THE BUILDING ORDINANCE ON APRIL 10, 1985 REQUIRING THE REMOVAL OF THE UNAUTHORISED BUILDING.
NOTICE OF INTENTION TO APPLY FOR A CLOSURE ORDER FROM THE HONG KONG DISTRICT COURT ON DECEMBER 13, 1988 WAS POSTED ON CONSPICUOUS PARTS OF THE BUILDING TODAY (TUESDAY).
IT IS INTENDED THAT DEMOLITION AND REINSTATEMENT WORKS WILL BE CARRIED OUT IMMEDIATELY AFTER THE CLOSURE ORDER IS OBTAINED.
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/24........
TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 1, 1988
2<+
TRAFFIC PLAN FOR TWILIGHT RACE MEETING * * * *
SPECIAL TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS WILL BE IMPLEMENTED IN HAPPY VALLEY FOR A TWILIGHT RACE MEETING BETWEEN 4 PM AND 7.30 PM ON SATURDAY (NOVEMBER 5).
THE ARRANGEMENTS, UNLESS OTHERWISE INDICATED, WILL BE IMPLEMENTED UNTIL CROWDS HAVE DISPERSED AFTER THE RACE MEETING.
IN GENERAL, THE SAME ARRANGEMENTS WILL .APPLY FOR LATER TWILIGHT MEETINGS.
RE-ROUTEING AND ROAD CLOSURES
THE FOLLOWING MEASURES WILL COME INTO EFFECT TWO HOURS BEFORE THE START OF THE FIRST RACE:
* MORRISON HILL ROAD BETWEEN QUEEN’S ROAD EAST AND LEIGHTON ROAD WILL BE RE-ROUTED ONE-WAY NORTHEAST-BOUND.
THE SOUTHBOUND CARRIAGEWAY BETWEEN WAN CHAI ROAD AND LEIGHTON ROAD WILL BE CLOSED TO ALL VEHICLES EXCEPT FRANCHISED BUSES.
ALL VEHICLES EXCEPT FRANCHISED BUSES ENTERING FROM WAN CHAI ROAD WILL BE DIVERTED TO HENNESSY ROAD VIA TIN LOK LANE.
* LEIGHTON ROAD BETWEEN MORRISON HILL ROAD AND WONG NAI CHUNG ROAD WILL BE RE-ROUTED ONE-WAY EASTBOUND.
* BROADWOOD ROAD BETWEEN WONG NAI CHUNG ROAD AND LINK ROAD WILL BE ROUTED UPHILL.
HOWEVER, BETWEEN THE END OF THE FIRST RACE AND ONE HOUR BEFORE THE LAST RACE, VEHICLES WILL BE ALLOWED TO TRAVEL DOWNHILL ALONG BROADWOOD ROAD TO WONG NAI CHUNG ROAD.
* SHAN KWONG ROAD BETWEEN KING KWONG STREET AND VILLAGE ROAD WILL BECOME ONE-WAY NORTHBOUND. VEHICLES CAN TURN RIGHT TO YIK YAM STREET UNTIL NORMAL ROUTEING OF SHAN KWONG ROAD IS RESUMED.
* VILLAdE ROAD BETWEEN SHAN KWONG ROAD AND WONG NAI CHUNG ROAD WILL BECOME ONE-WAY NORTHBOUND. ON COMPLETION OF THE LAST RACE, ALL TRAFFIC ON VILLAGE ROAD WILL BE HELD SOUTH OF ITS JUNCTION WITH WONG NAI CHUNG ROAD.
TRAFFIC WILL RESUME WHEN WONG NAI CHUNG ROAD IS CLEAR OF RACEGOERS.
WONG NAI CHUNG
TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 1, 1988
* WONG NAI CHUNG ROAD BETWEEN VILLAGE ROAD AND QUEEN’S ROAD EAST WILL BE RE-ROUTED ONE-WAY NORTHBOUND. THE UP RAMP ON WONG NAI CHUNG ROAD OUTSIDE ROYAL HONG KONG JOCKEY CLUB (RHKJC) LEADING TO ABERDEEN TUNNEL WILL BE CLOSED AND TRAFFIC HEADING FOR ABERDEEN TUNNEL WILL BE DIVERTED TO USE CANAL ROAD FLYOVER. I
ONE HOUR BEFORE THE FINAL RACE, THE DOWN RAMP FROM ABERDEEN TUNNEL LEADING TO WONG NAI CHUNG ROAD WILL CLOSED TO ALL VEHICLES EXCEPT FRANCHISED BUSES. AFTER THE LAST RACE, WONG NAI CHUNG ROAD BETWEEN SING WOO ROAD AND MORRISON HILL ROAD WILL BE CLOSED TO TRAFFIC IF NECESSARY.
ON COMPLETION OF THE LAST RACE AND AFTER THE MAJORITY OF RACEGOERS HAVE CLEARED THE RACE COURSE, NORMAL TRAFFIC ROUTEING ON WONG NAI CHUNG ROAD WILL RESUME.
* SPORTS ROAD WILL BE CLOSED TO ALL VEHICLES EXCEPT THOSE REQUIRING ACCESS TO THE RHKJC CLUBHOUSE, THE ROYAL HONG KONG REGIMENT (THE VOLUNTEERS) (RHKR) AND HONG KONG
FOOTBALL CLUB. SUCH VEHICLES WILL ENTER SPORTS ROAD FROM THE WEST.
ONE HOUR BEFORE THE FINAL RACE, TRAFFIC FLOW ON SPORTS ROAD WILL BE ROUTED WESTBOUND BUT THE ROAD WILL REMAIN CLOSED TO ALL VEHICLES EXCEPT FRANCHISED BUSES.
* 01 KWAN ROAD CIRCUIT EXCEPT ITS SECTION BETWEEN WING CHEUNG
STREET AND TANG SHIU KIN HOSPITAL, WILL BE RE-ROUTED ONE-WAY ANTI-CLOCKWISE.
* CANAL ROAD FLYOVER:
(I) TRAFFIC FROM CROSS HARBOUR TUNNEL HEADING FOR QUEEN’S ROAD EAST WILL USE THE DOWN RAMP LEADING TO MORRISON HILL ROAD AND TURN RIGHT AT THE JUNCTION OF SPORTS ROAD, MORRISON HILL ROAD AND QUEEN’S ROAD EAST.
(II) TRAFFIC HEADING FOR THE JOCKEY CLUB SHOULD USE THE CANAL ROAD EAST RAMP, TURN LEFT INTO LEIGHTON ROAD AND WONG NAI CHUNG ROAD.
(Ill) TRAFFIC FROM QUEEN’S ROAD EAST OR WONG NAI CHUNG ROAD HEADING FOR CROSS HARBOUR TUNNEL, CENTRAL AND NORTH POINT WILL USE THE UP RAMP AT THE JUNCTION OF QUEEN’S ROAD EAST WITH MORRISON HILL ROAD.
(IV) TRAFFIC FROM QUEEN'S ROAD EAST HEADING FOR WAN CHAI AND HAPPY VALLEY WILL TURN LEFT TO MORRISON HILL ROAD.
/(V) TRAFFIC FROM
TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 1, 1988
- 26 -
(V) TRAFFIC FROM ABERDEEN TUNNEL WILL BE PERMITTED TO USE THE DOWN RAMP INTO WONG NAI CHUNG ROAD UNTIL ONE HOUR BEFORE THE LAST RACE, BUT WILL BE RESTRICTED TO TURN LEFT INTO QUEEN’S ROAD EAST. HOWEVER, FRANCHISED BUSES AND GREEN MINIBUSES ARE NOT UNDER THE RESTRICTION.
(VI) THIRTY MINUTES BEFORE THE COMMENCEMENT OF THE LAST RACE, THE SOUTHBOUND DOWN RAMP TO QUEEN’S ROAD EAST WILL BE CLOSED TO ALL TRAFFIC. SOUTHBOUND TRAFFIC FOR QUEEN’S ROAD EAST WILL BE DIVERTED VIA THE DOWN RAMP TO CANAL ROAD EAST AND THEN VIA LEIGHTON ROAD AND WONG NAI CHUNG ROAD TO QUEEN’S ROAD EAST.
» BLUE POOL ROAD NORTHBOUND BETWEEN VENTRIS ROAD AND WONG NAI CHUNG ROAD WILL BE CLOSED TO TRAFFIC.
» EXCEPT DURING THE PERIOD BETWEEN THE END OF THE FIRST RACE AND ONE HOUR BEFORE THE FINAL RACE, NO VEHICLES WILL BE ALLOWED TO TURN LEFT FROM VENTRIS ROAD TO BROADWOOD ROAD WESTBOUND.
THE FOLLOWING MEASURES WILL COME INTO EFFECT ABOUT 30 MINUTES BEFORE THE LAST RACE UNTIL THE RACEGOERS HAVE DISPERSED AFTER THE RACE MEETING.
♦ THE JUNCTION OF QUEEN’S ROAD EAST, WONG NAI CHUNG ROAD AND MORRISON HILL ROAD WILL BE CLOSED TO TRAFFIC, AND EASTBOUND VEHICLES ON QUEEN’S ROAD EAST WILL BE DIVERTED TO TURN LEFT INTO MORRISON HILL ROAD VIA THE SLIP ROAD.
♦ YIU WAH STREET WILL BE CLOSED TO TRAFFIC.
♦ MATHESON STREET WILL BE CLOSED TO TRAFFIC AND THE ACCESS TO THE LEIGHTON CENTRE CAR PARK WILL BE SUSPENDED. VEHICLES LEAVING THE CAR PARK WILL BE UNDER POLICE CONTROL AND DIRECTED VIA MATHESON STREET AND SHARP STREET EAST TO CANAL ROAD EAST.
LEARNER DRIVERS PROHIBITIONS
THE FOLLOWING MOVEMENTS BY LEARNER DRIVERS WILL BE BANNED BETWEEN 2 PM AND 9.30 PM:
* LEFT-TURNING FROM CAROLINE HILL ROAD OUTSIDE PO LEUNG KUK TO LEIGHTON ROAD;
* ENTERING SHAN KWONG ROAD BETWEEN YIK YAM STREET AND WONG NAI CHUNG ROAD;
» ENTERING VILLAGE ROAD BETWEEN ITS UPPER AND LOWER JUNCTIONS WITH SHAN KWONG ROAD;
/* ENTERING PERCIVAL .........
•?-
TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 1, 1988
- 27 -
* ENTERING PERCIVAL STREET BETWEEN HENNESSY ROAD AND LEIGHTON ROAD;
♦ ENTERING CANAL ROAD EAST;
♦ ENTERING THE SERVICE ROAD LEADING TO CANAL ROAD FLYOVER FROM GLOUCESTER ROAD.
PARKING
PARKING SPACES ON WONG NAI CHUNG ROAD, SPORTS ROAD, YIU WAH STREET, AND SECTIONS OF VILLAGE ROAD AND 01 KWAN ROAD WILL BE SUSPENDED FROM 1.30 PM TO 9.30 PM.
PUBLIC TRANSPORT
BUS SERVICES
* THE BUS STOP OPPOSITE THE RHKJC MAIN ENTRANCE WILL BE SUSPENDED ONE HOUR PRIOR TO THE FIRST RACE AND WILL BE REINSTATED 15 MINUTES AFTER THE FIRST RACE. THE BUS STOP WILL BE SUSPENDED AGAIN 30 MINUTES BEFORE THE LAST RACE AND REINSTATED WHEN TRAFFIC FLOW RESUMES NORMAL OPERATION.
* STARTING FROM THE FOURTH RACE, CROSS HARBOUR TUNNEL ROUTES 101R AND 102R WILL CONTINUE OPERATION UNTIL APPROXIMATELY ONE HOUR AFTER THE LAST RACE.
(I) BUSES ON ROUTE 101R (HAPPY VALLEY RACE COURSE TO KWUN TONG) WILL ENTER SPORTS ROAD FROM THE EASTERN END AND QUEUE UP EAST OF THE ENTRANCE TO THE RHKR PREMISES.
(II) BUSES ON ROUTE 102R (HAPPY VALLEY RACE COURSE TO MEI FOO) WILL WAIT FOR PASSENGERS ON THE SOUTHBOUND CARRIAGEWAY OF WONG NAI CHUNG ROAD SOUTH OF ITS JUNCTION WITH SPORTS ROAD.
* CMB ROUTE IM WILL BE OPERATED BETWEEN ADMIRALTY MTR STATION (EAST) AND HAPPY VALLEY TWO HOURS PRIOR TO THE COMMENCEMENT OF THE FIRST RACE.
STARTING FROM THE FOURTH RACE, -BUSES ON THIS ROUTE WILL WAIT IN MORRISON HILL ROAD OUTSIDE THE RHKR AND WILL DEPART WHEN FULLY LOADED.
ROUTEINGS OF CMB ROUTES NO. 5B, 10, 38, 42, 72, 75, 76, 90, 92, 97, 260 AND CROSS HARBOUR ROUTES NO. 101, 107, 109, 110, 111, 112,
113, 116 AND 170, AS WELL AS GREEN MINIBUS ROUTES NO. 4A, 4B, 4C, 6,
7, 25, 25A, 28, 28A AND 35M WILL BE DIVERTED.
/THE TRAM
TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 1, 1988
- 28 -
THE TRAM STOP ON WONG NAI CHUNG ROAD OUTSIDE COLONIAL CEMETERY WILL BE SUSPENDED ONE HOUR PRIOR TO THE FIRST RACE UNTIL TRAFFIC ON WONG NAI CHUNG ROAD RESUMES NORMAL OPERATION.
AS FOR PUBLIC LIGHT BUSES (PLB’S), THEY WILL BE BANNED FROM ENTERING HAU TAK LANE, CHEUNG WOO LANE, AND THE SECTION OF WAN CHAI ROAD BETWEEN TIN LOK LANE AND BOWRINGTON STREET TWO HOURS BEFORE THE START OF THE FIRST RACE.
ALSO FROM 6.30 PM, NO PLB WILL BE ALLOWED TO ENTER WONG NAI CHUNG ROAD BETWEEN BLUE POOL ROAD AND VILLAGE ROAD.,
PLB’S PROCEEDING SOUTH ON WQNG NAI CHUNG ROAD WILL BE DIVERTED ALONG BLUE POOL ROAD AND BE DIRECTED TO THE TEMPORARY PLB STAND ON VILLAGE ROAD VIA SING WOO ROAD TO PICK UP PASSENGERS.
MOREOVER, ONE HOUR BEFORE THE LAST RACE AND UNTIL THE RESUMPTION OF NORMAL TRAFFIC FLOW, ALL EMPTY TAXIS WILL BE BANNED FROM ENTERING WONG NAI CHUNG ROAD BETWEEN BLUE POOL ROAD AND VILLAGE ROAD, SHAN KWONG ROAD BETWEEN VILLAGE ROAD AND WONG NAI CHUNG ROAD AND EASTBOUND QUEEN’S ROAD EAST BETWEEN STUBBS ROAD AND MORRISON HILL ROAD.
A TAXI STAND WILL BE DESIGNATED AT 01 KWAN ROAD NEAR THE JUNCTION OF SUNG TAK STREET.
HOWEVER, THE TAXI STAND AT BLUE POOL ROAD WILL BE SUSPENDED FROM 1.30 PM TO 9.30 PM.
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URBAN CLEARWAYS IN CENTRAL, TSUEN WAN » * * ♦ ♦
THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCED THAT THE FOLLOWING SECTIONS OF LAMBETH WALK IN CENTRAL WILL BE DESIGNATED 7 AM TO 7 PM DAILY URBAN CLEARWAYS FROM 10 AM ON SATURDAY (NOVEMBER 5).
» THE NORTHERN KERBSIDE LANE EXCLUDING THE LAY-BYS OUTSIDE HUTCHISON HOUSE AND BANK OF AMERICA TOWER.
♦ THE SOUTHERN KERBSIDE LANE FROM ITS JUNCTION WITH MURRAY ROAD TO THE EXIT OF MURRAY ROAD MULTI-STOREY CARPARK.
AT THE SAME TIME, THE SOUTHERN KERBSIDE LANE OF TSUEN WAN MARKET STREET BETWEEN ITS JUNCTION WITH YAN CHAI STREET AND A POINT ABOUT 30 METRES EAST OF THE SAME JUNCTION WILL BECOME AN URBAN CLEARWAY ROUND-THE-CLOCK.
NO VEHICLES EXCEPT FRANCHISED BUSES WILL BE ALLOWED TO STOP FOR PASSENGERS OR GOODS WITHIN THE RESTRICTED AREAS.
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/29.......
TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 1, 1988
- 29
TEMPORARY URBAN CLEARWAYS IN WESTERN DISTRICT
*****
THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCED THAT THE FOLLOWING ROAD SECTIONS IN WESTERN DISTRICT WILL BE DESIGNATED URBAN CLEARWAYS ROUND-THE-CLOCK FROM 10 AM ON FRIDAY (NOVEMBER 4) FOR ABOUT FIVE WEEKS TO FACILITATE TRAM TRACK ALTERATIONS:
* THE SOUTHERN KERBSIDE LANE OF CONNAUGHT ROAD WEST FROM A POINT ABOUT 12 METRES WEST OF ITS JUNCTION WITH CHIU KWONG STREET TO A POINT ABOUT 12 METRES EAST OF THE SAME JUNCTION.
* CHIU KWONG STREET BETWEEN ITS JUNCTION WITH CONNAUGHT ROAD WEST AND A POINT ABOUT 15 METRES SOUTH OF THE SAME JUNCTION.
NO VEHICLES EXCEPT FRANCHISED BUSES WILL BE ALLOWED TO STOP FOR PASSENGERS OR GOODS WITHIN THE RESTRICTED AREAS.
------o ------
URBAN CLEARWAYS IN KWUN TONG *****
THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCED THAT THE FOLLOWING ROAD SECTIONS IN KWUN TONG WILL BE DESIGNATED URBAN CLEARWAYS FROM 10 AM ON FRIDAY (NOVEMBER 4):
* THE EASTERN KERBSIDE LANE OF TSUN YIP STREET BETWEEN ITS JUNCTION WITH WAI YIP STREET AND A POINT ABOUT 70 METRES SOUTH OF THE SAME JUNCTION WILL BECOME A RESTRICTED ZONE ROUND-THE-CLOCK.
* THE SOUTHERN KERBSIDE LANE OF SHING YIP STREET BETWEEN A POINT ABOUT 42 METRES WEST OF ITS JUNCTION WITH KING YIP STREET AND A POINT ABOUT 179 METRES WEST OF THE SAME JUNCTION WILL BE MADE A 7 AM TO 9 PM DAILY RESTRICTED ZONE.
* THE SOUTHERN KERBSIDE LANE OF SHING YIP STREET BETWEEN ITS JUNCTION WITH HOI YUEN ROAD AND A POINT ABOUT 47 METRES EAST OF THE SAME JUNCTION WILL BE DESIGNATED A 7 AM TO 7 PM DAILY RESTRICTED ZONE.
* THE SOUTHERN KERBSIDE LANE OF SHING YIP STREET BETWEEN A POINT ABOUT 179 METRES WEST OF ITS JUNCTION WITH KING YIP STREET AND A POINT ABOUT 216 METRES WEST OF THE SAME JUNCTION WILL BECOME A PEAK HOUR (7 - 10 AM AND 4-7 PM) DAILY RESTRICTED ZONE.
* THE EASTERN KERBSIDE LANE OF TSUN YIP STREET BETWEEN ITS JUNCTION WITH HOI BUN ROAD AND A POINT ABOUT 45 METRES NORTH OF THE SAME JUNCTION WILL ALSO BECOME A PEAK HOUR DAILY RESTRICTED ZONE.
NO VEHICLES EXCEPT FRANCHISED BUSES WILL BE ALLOWED TO STOP FOR PASSENGERS OR GOODS WITHIN THE RESTRICTED AREAS.
------o-------
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL: 5-8428777
WEDNESDAY, NOVJNBER 2, 1988
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL MEETING :
BILL PROVIDES FOR BETTER ADMINISTRATION OF COMPANY LAW . 1
TAX EXEMPTION FOR TRAINING BUSES PROPOSED ................ 3
INCREASE IN BOARD OF REVIEW MEMBERSHIP PROPOSED .......... 4
CONSULTATION EXERCISE ON ANTI-SMOKING MEASURES............ 5
LANDLORD AND TENANT BILL PASSED .......................... 5
CO-OPERATION WILL HELP MAINTAIN LAW AND ORDER............. 6
EFFORTS MADE TO CO-ORDINATE ROaD EXCaVaTION WORKS ........ 7
CNTA ASSUMES RESPONSIBILITY FOR LICENSING GUEST HOUSES . 8
UNQUALIFIED PERSONS PROHIBITED FROM GIVING TREATMENT ... 9
ORIENTATION PROGRAMME BEING UNDERTAKEN FOR REFUGEES .... 11
INCREASING NUMBER OF APPLICATIONS TOR NEW COMP/NY NAMES 12
CONTROL STRATEGIES ON VEGETABLE CONSIGNMENTS UNDER
REVIEW ................................................ 13
REPORTS MAKE REFERENCES TO PUBLIC ORDER ORD IN. JiCE.. 14
STAFFING OF NEW HOSPITALS PLANNED IN ADVANCE............. 15
STUDY ON TRAN SLATING COURT DOCUMENTS ................... 16
REVIEW OF LEGAL ..ID ELIGIBILITY LIMIT PLANNED........... 17
MEASURES TO REDUCE RIVER POLLUTION ...................... 17
WIDE RANGE OF SUBJECTS TO BE DISCUSSED IN CHINA: GOVERNOR . 18
SEPARATE SnLiRY SCaLE FOR JUDICIAL OFFICERS ................ 19
CIVIL SERVICE OFFERS CHALLENGING C.JiEER: SES .............. 19
PROVIDING REGULATORS WITH TOOLS TO GET THE JOB DONE:
SECURITIES CONSULTANT .................................... 20
SECURITIES M..RKETS MEET INTERNATIONAL STANDARDS: SNA ...... 23
TEACHING KITS W..RN TO..INST TRI.1DS, SHOPTHEFT ............ 25
HONG KONG/.JJSTRIA TEXTILES AGREEMENT ..MENDED ............. 26
labour relations conference opens tomorrow ................. 26
BILL RAISES LEVEL OF PERMITTED RENT ........................ 27
DB TO DISCUSS L.J4D USE ................................... 28
NORTH DB COMMITTEE TO CONSIDER FUND .APPLICATIONS .......... 28
REPROVISION PROJECT AT HOUSING ESTATES ON .'.GENDA ......... 29
SPECIAL TR.JFIC ..RR.J1GEMENTS FOR SCOUT RaLLY ............. 30
CLOSURE OF MING F..T ST, HUNG MUI KUK RD ................... 31
TEMPORARY URB.J1 CLE^RWaY IN KING KWONG STREET ............. 32
WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 2, 1988
BILL PROVIDES FOR BETTER ADMINISTRATION OF COMPANY LAW ♦ ♦ * ♦ t
A BILL CONTAINING A NUMBER OF MISCELLANEOUS AMENDMENTS TO THE COMPANIES ORDINANCE WAS INTRODUCED INTO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
MOVING THE SECOND READING Oh THE COMPANIES (AMENDMENT) (NO. 3) BILL, THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY, THE HON PIERS JACOBS, SAID ITS PURPOSE WAS TO PROVIDE FOR THE BETTER ADMINISTRATION OF COMPANY LAW IN HONG KONG.
"THESE AMENDMENTS REFLECTED RECOMMENDATIONS MADE BY THE STANDING COMMITTEE ON COMPANY LAW REFORM, THE INSURANCE ADVISORY COMMITTEE, THE LAW REFORM COMMISSION AND BY THE REGISTRAR GENERAL," MR JACOBS SAID.
"THE OPPORTUNITY HAS ALSO BE TAKEN TO CORRECT MINOR TEXTUAL ERRORS IN THE ORDINANCE AND TO DEAL WITH SOME PROCEDURAL MATTERS."
EXPLAINING THE MAIN AMENDMENTS, MR JACOBS SAID SECTION 265(1) PROVIDED THAT PAYMENT OF WAGES, SALARIES AND OTHER BENEFITS TO EMPLOYEES AND WORKMEN AND STATUTORY CROWN DEBTS TOOK PRIORITY OVER OTHER DEBTS IN THE WINDING UP OF A COMPANY.
THERE WAS, HOWEVER, NO PROVISION FOR PREFERENTIAL TREATMENT OF PERSONS WITH INSURANCE CLAIMS AGAINST AN INSURANCE COMPANY IN LIQUIDATION, WHO WERE REGARDED AS GENERAL UNSECURED CREDITORS.
"THIS SITUATION CAN GIVE RISE TO HARDSHIP WHERE, AS IS OFTEN THE CASE, THE LIQUIDATION PROCESS IS LENGTHY OR THE ASSETS INSUFFICIENT TO MEET THE CLAIMS OF ALL CREDITORS," MR JACOBS SAID.
"WHILE THE INSURANCE COMPANIES ORDINANCE GIVES SOME PROTECTION TO CLAIMANTS UNDER CONTRACTS OF LIFE INSURANCE, THERE IS NO EQUIVALENT PROTECTION GIVEN TO CLAIMANTS UNDER CONTRACTS OF GENERAL, THAT IS NON-L1FE INSURANCE."
TO RELIEVE POSSIBLE HARDSHIP, MR JACOBS SAID CLAUSE 9 OF THE BILL SOUGHT TO AMEND SECTION 265 TO ESTABLISH A HIERARCHY OF PREFERRED CLAIMS IN THE EVENT OF THE WINDING UP OF AN INSURANCE COMPANY.
UNDER THE NEW HIERARCHY, THE FIRST CLASS WOULD CONTINUE TO BE EXISTING CLAIMS UNDER SECTION 265(1), WHILE A NEW SECOND CLASS WOULD BE CLAIMS UNDER AN INSURANCE CONTRACT WRITTEN BY AN AUTHORISED INSURER IN HONG KONG.
/’’THIS WILL..........
WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 2, 1988
"THIS WILL COVER DIRECT INSURANCE BUSINESS AND IS DESIGNED TO GIVE THE GREATEST PROTECTION TO INDIVIDUAL CLAIMANTS, THAT IS POLICY HOLDERS AND ENTITLED THIRD PARTIES," MR JACOBS SAID.
TO AVOID DOUBLE BENEFITS, CLAIMS ELIGIBLE FOR RELIEF UNDER INSOLVENCY COMPENSATION SCHEMES SUCH AS THE MOTOR INSURERS’ BUREAU INSOLVENCY FUND WOULD BE EXCLUDED.
"A NEW THIRD CLASS OF PRIORITY CLAIMS WILL BE CLAIMS UNDER CONTRACTS OF RE-INSURANCE, AFTER OFFSETTING ALL RECEIVABLES, MR JACOBS SAID, ADDING THAT THESE CLAIMANTS WOULD USUALLY BE OTHER ( INSURANCE COMPANIES.
ALSO TO AVOID DOUBLE BENEFITS, BOTH NEW RELATE ONLY TO GENERAL INSURANCE BUSINESS, ACCORDED PRIORITY IN ANOTHER JUR ISDICTION.
CLASSES, WHICH WOULD
WOULD EXCLUDE CLAIMS
TURNING TO FILING OF ANNUAL RETURNS, MR JACOBS SAID CLAUSE 13 SOUGHT TO AMEND SECTION 109 OF THE COMPANIES ORDINANCE SO THAT ALL RETURNS SUBMITTED TO THE REGISTRAR OF COMPANIES FOR REGISTRATION WITHIN 42 DAYS OF A COMPANY’S ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING, WOULD AI I RAC I A FEE OF $50.
AT PRESENT, THE FEE PAYABLE UPON DELIVERY OF THE ANNUAL RETURN WAS $50 FOR A PRIVATE COMPANY AND $100 FOR ANY OTHER COMPANY.
LN ADDITION, CLAUSE 13 INTRODUCED A SCALE OF FEES, RANGING FROM $500 FOR DELIVERY MORE THAN 42 DAYS AFTER BUT WITHIN THREE MONTHS OF THE ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING TO $1,500 FOR RETURNS FILED AFTER SIX MONTHS.
MR JACOBS SAID THE REGISTRAR OF COMPANIES HAD MOUNTED SEVERAL PROSECUTIONS BUT THESE HAD PROVED TO BE VERY TIME-CONSUMING.
"WE CONSIDER THAT A MORE EFFECTIVE WAY’ TO TACKLE THE GROWING PROBLEM OF DEFAULTS IS TO INTRODUCE PENALTY RATES UPON LATE FILING."
ON COMPANY PROSPECTUSES, THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY SAID THE BILL SOUGHT TO LIFT THE PROHIBITION AGAINST USING PHOTOGRAPHS OR ILLUSTRATIONS OF A PICTORIAL OR GRAPHIC NATURE IN THESE PUBLICATIONS.
IN LINE WITH THE LAW REFORM COMMISSION’S RECOMMENDATION, THE BILL ALSO SOUGHT TO LOWER THE MINIMUM AGE FOR APPOINTMENT AS A COMPANY DIRECTOR FROM 21 TO 18.
DEBATE ON THE BILL WAS ADJOURNED.
-------0---------
WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER Z, 1988
- 5 -
TAX EXEMPTION FOR TRAINING BUSES PROPOSED *****
A BILL INTRODUCED INTO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY) WOULD EXEMPT BUSES USED SOLELY EOR THE TRAINING OF BUS DRIVERS FROM FIRST REGISTRATION TAX AND REMOVE AN ANOMALY LN THE LAW BY MAKING SPECIAL PURPOSE VEHICLES SUBJECT TO THIS TAX.
THE SECOND READING OF THE MOTOR VEHICLES (FIRST REGISTRATION TAX) (AMENDMENT) BILL 1988, WAS MOVED BY THE SECRETARY FOR TRANSPORT, THE HON MICHAEL LEUNG.
BUSES USED BY FRANCHISED BUS COMPANIES AND FHE KOWLOON-CANTON RAILWAY CORPORATION FOR OPERATING A PUBLIC BUS SERVICE WERE EXEMPTED FROM FIRST REGISTRATION TAX, MR LEUNG SAID.
HOWEVER, THIS TAX WAS IMPOSED ON BUSES USED FOR TRAINING DRIVERS BECAUSE THESE VEHICLES WERE CLASSIFIED AS PRIVATE BUSES.
MR LEUNG SAID THAT THESE VEHICLES SHOULD ALSO BE EXEMPTED FROM THE TAX BECAUSE TRAINING DRIVERS WAS ESSENTIAL TO THE OPERATION OF A PUBLIC BUS SERVICE.
MR LEUNG ALSO EXPLAINED THE AMENDMENT TO REMOVE AN ANOMALY IN THE PRESENT MOTOR VEHICLES (FIRST REGISTRATION TAX) ORDINANCE.
HE SAID THAT SPECIAL PURPOSE VEHICLES SUCH AS MOBILE CRANES, BULLDOZERS AND FORK-LIFT TRUCKS WERE FORMERLY INCLUDED IN THE GENERAL DEFINITION OF ’’MOTOR VEHICLES" UNDER THE ORDINANCE AND SUBJECI 10 A 15 PER CENT FIRST REGISTRATION TAX.
HOWEVER, WHEN SEPARATE DEFINITIONS FOR DIFFERENT CLASSES OF VEHICLES WERE INTRODUCED INTO I'HE ORDINANCE IN 1983, THE DEFIN IT ION FOR THIS TYPE OF VEHICLES WAS UNINTENTIONALLY OMITTED.
THIS RESULTED IN THEIR BEING EXCLUDED FROM THE TAX IN LAW ALTHOUGH IN PRACTICE THEY CONTINUED TO BE SUBJECT TO SUCH A TAX.
AS REGARDS SPECIAL PURPOSE VEHICLES REGISTERED AFTER MAY 13, 1983 AND BEFORE THE ENACTMENT OF THE PRESENT BILL, 1'1’ WAS CONSIDERED APPROPRIATE TO REFUND THE TAX TO VEHICLE OWNERS UPON APPLICATION, HE ADDED.
DEBATE ON THE BILL WAS ADJOURNED.
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A....
WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 2, 1988
- 4 -
INCREASE IN BOARD OE REVIEW MEMBERSHIP PROPOSED » ♦ » t »
THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY, THE HON PIERS JACOBS, INTRODUCED INTO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY) A BILL INTENDED TO AMEND THE INLAND REVENUE ORDINANCE TO INCREASE THE MEMBERSHIP OF THE INLAND REVENUE BOARD OF REVIEW AND TO FACILITATE THE COLLECTION OF PROFITS TAX FROM NON-RESIDENT PERSONS.
MOVING THE SECOND READING OF THE INLAND REVENUE (AMENDMENT) (NO. 2) BILL 1988, MR JACOBS SAID THE INLAND REVENUE BOARD OF REVIEW WAS AN ADMINISTRATIVE TRIBUNAL RESPONSIBLE FOR DEALING WITH APPEALS FROM TAXPAYERS DISSATISFIED WITH DETERMINATIONS MADE BY THE
COMMISSIONER OF INLAND REVENUE.
"AT PRESENT, THERE IS A SUBSTANTIAL BACKLOG IN THE NUMBER OF APPEAL CASES AWAITING HEARING," HE SAID.
THE BILL SOUGHT TO INCREASE THE NUMBER OF DEPUTY CHAIRMEN OF THE BOARD FROM SIX TO 10 AND THE MAXIMUM SIZE OF THE PANEL OF MEMBERS FROM 100 TO 150, HE SAID.
"THE INCREASE WILL ENABLE MORE SITTINGS TO BE HELD SO THAT THE BOARD COULD CARRY OUT ITS WORK MORE EXPEDITIOUSLY."
TURNING TO THE SECOND ASPECT OF THE BILL, MR JACOBS EXPLAINED THAT THE PRINCIPAL ORDINANCE PROVIDED THAT NON-RESIDENTS SHOULD BE CHARGEABLE TO TAX EITHER DIRECTLY OR IN THE NAME OF AN AGENT IN HONG KONG.
HOWEVER, CERTAIN ADMINISTRATIVE DIFFICULTIES HAD ARISEN FOLLOWING A HIGH COURT DECISION IN WHICH THERE WAS A FINDING AGAINST THE COMMISSIONER OF INLAND REVENUE IN A CASE WHERE HE SOUGHT TO TAX A NON-RESIDENT PERSON IN THE NAME OF A HONG KONG COMPANY.
"ESSENTIALLY THE DECISION AGAINST THE COMMISSIONER TURNED ON THE INTERPRETATION OE' THE DEFINITION OF ’AGENT’ IN RELATION TO A NON-RESIDENT PERSON UNDER THE ORDINANCE," HE SAID.
THE PROPOSED AMENDMENT WOULD ENABLE A NON-RESIDENT TO BE CHARGED IN THE NAME OF A PERSON IN HONG KONG WHERE THAT PERSON, ALTHOUGH NOT AN AGENT OF THE NON-RESIDENT, WAS, NEVERTHELESS, A PERSON FROM WHOM THE NON-RESIDENT WAS IN RECEIPT OF PROFITS OR INCOME ARISING IN HONG KONG.
"IT IS ALSO MADE CLEAR THAT A HONG KONG PERSON TAX IN RESPECT OF A NON-RESIDENT IS REQUIRED TO DEDUCT PAID OR CREDITED BY HIM TO THE NON-RESIDENT AN AMOUNT PRODUCE THE TAX DUE," HE SAID.
CHARGEABLE TO FROM ANY SUM SUFFICIENT TO
MR JACOBS EMPHASISED THAT THIS AMENDMENT WOULD NOT ALTER THE PRESENT TAXATION POLICY OR ITS APPLICATION.
IT WAS DESIGNED TO RESTORE THE POSITION TO THAT WHICH WAS THOUGHT TO EXIST PRIOR TO THE HIGH COURT DECISION, HE SAID.
DEBATE ON THE BILL WAS ADJOURNED.
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V ... - -
41
ri ri
WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 2, 1988
- 5 -
CONSULTATION EXERCISE ON ANTI-SMOKING MEASURES
* * * * *
THE GOVERNMENT WILL SOON EMBARK ON A CONSULTATION EXERCISE 'IO SOLICIT THE COMMUNITY'S VIEWS ON RECOMMENDATIONS MADE BY THE HONG KONG COUNCIL ON SMOKING AND HEALTH, THE SECRETARY FOR HEALTH AND WELFARE, THE HON T.H. CHAU, TOLD THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
MR CHAU WAS PRESENTING THE ANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS OF THE HONG KONG COUNCIL ON SMOKING AND HEALTH FOR THE FINANCIAL YEAR ENDING MARCH 31 THIS YEAR.
HE SAID THE COUNCIL’S RECOMMENDATIONS COVERED, AMONG OTHER THINGS, RESTRICTIONS ON SMOKING IN PLACES OF EN'I ER'I A1NMEN I AND PUBLIC TRANSPORT VEHICLES, AS WELL AS ON THE SALE AND ADVERTISING OF TOBACCO PRODUCTS.
MR CHAU POINTED OUT THAT AS A STATUTORY BODY SET UP IN 1987, THE COUNCIL’S MAJOR FUNCTIONS WERE TO ADVISE THE GOVERNMENT ON, THE IMPLEMENTATION AND DEVELOPMENT OF ANT I-SMOKING MEASURES AS WELL AS IO EDUCATE THE PUBLIC ON THE HARMFUL EFFECTS OF SMOKING.
"ONE OF THE ACHIEVEMENTS OF THE COUNCIL SO FAR HAS BEEN THE FORMULATION OF' A PACKAGE OF PROPOSED MEASURES DESIGNED TO S1RENG1HEN THE GOVERNMENT’S ANTI-SMOKING POLICY," HE SAID.
L
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K
N« LANDLORD AND TENANT BILL PASSED t t » *
THE LANDLORD AND TENANT (CONSOLIDATION) (AMENDMENT) BILL 1988 WAS PASSED IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
THREE BILLS WERE INTRODUCED FOR FIRST AND SECOND READINGS. THEY ARE THE COMPANIES (AMENDMENT) (NO. 3) BILL 1988, THE INLAND REVENUE (AMENDMENT) (NO. 2) BILL 1988 AND THE MOTOR VEHICLES (FIRST REGISTRATION TAX) (AMENDMENT) BILL 1988.
DEBATES ON THESE BILLS WERE ADJOURNED.
Illi
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/6........
WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 2, 1988
- 6 -
CO-OPERATION WILL HELP MAINTAIN LAW AND ORDER t ♦ * ♦ *
WITH ADEQUATE CO-OPERATION, FOREBEARANCE AND GOOD SENSE ON ALL SIDES, THE GRADUAL LIBERALISATION OF VIETNAMESE CLOSED CENTRES SHOULD NOT ADVERSELY AFFECT THE QUALITY OF LAW AND ORDER IN THE C0MM^NT^» THE SECRETARY FOR SECURITY, THE HON GEOFFREY BARNES, SAID IN I HE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
REPL\ING TO A QUESTION FROM THE HON DAVID CHEUNG, SAID THAT THE OVERALL NUMBERS OF REFUGEES WERE RELATIVELY MOST OF THEM WERE LAW-ABIDING.
MR BARNES
SMALL AND
BUT HE NO'I’ED THAT THE PRESENCE OF ADDITIONAL VIETNAMESE REFUGEES IN THE COMMUNITY WOULD HAVE SOME IMPLICATIONS FOR LAW AND ORDER, ADDING THAT THE EXTENT OF THESE WERE IMPOSSIBLE TO PREDICT.
"WE SHALL OBVIOUSLY HAVE TO SEE HOW THE SITUATION DEVELOPS WHILE AT THE SAME TIME TAKING CERTAIN PRECAUTIONARY STEPS," HE SAID.
MR BARNES SAID THAT THROUGH DISTRICT POLICE COMMANDERS AND THEIR POLICE COMMUNITY RELATIONS OFFICERS, AN EDUCATION PROGRAMME OF LIVE AND VIDEO-TAPED LECTURES ON THE LAWS OF HONG KONG HAD BEEN INTRODUCED FOR VIETNAMESE REFUGEES.
THESE LECTURES HIGHLIGHTED THE REFUGEES’ RESPONSIBILITIES IN THE REPORTING OF CRIME, CRIME PREVENTION, ROAD SAFETY AND MANY 01 HER ASPECTS OF HONG KONG LIFE WITH WHICH THE REFUGEES WOULD COME IN 10 CONTACT WHEN THEY LEFT THE CAMPS.
"THESE PROGRAMMES WILL BE OPERATED IN ALL FORMER CLOSED CENTRES,"•HE SAID.
MR BARNES SAID THAT AS THE CAMPS WERE LIBERALISED ADDITIONAL POLICE RESOURCES WOULD BE DEPLOYED TO ENSURE SUFFICIENT POLICE BEA1 PATROLS.
"FOR EXAMPLE, BOTH TUEN MUN AND CASTLE PEAK DIVISIONS ARE BEING STRENGTHENED TO PROVIDE ADDITIONAL COVERAGE OF AREAS CLOSE TO THE CAMPS AND BUSY PARTS OF THE TOWN.
"DISTRICT COMMANDERS WILL KEEP A CLOSE WATCH ON DEVELOPMENTS AND WILL DEPLOY FURTHER MANPOWER AS NECESSARY," HE SAID.
MR BARNES ADDED THAT THE PROGRAMMES BEING UNDERTAKEN BY THE POLICE WOULD BE REINFORCED BY PROGRAMMES OF OTHER AGENCIES WHICH WOULD BE WELCOMED BY THE REFUGEES AS PART OF THE TRUST BEING PUI IN THEM IN RELAXING THE CLOSED CENTRE RESTRICTIONS.
HE ALSO NOTED THAT. 1 NEV1TABLY ONE HAD TO RELY ON THE GOOD SENSE OF THE COMMUNITY IN GENERAL TO ASSIST REFUGEES WHO MIGHT NOT BE FULLY FAMILIAR WITH THE WAYS OF’ LIFE AND PERHAPS SOME OF THE CONCEPIS OF LAW AND ORDER. WHICH HONG KONG PEOPLE TOOK FOR GRANTED.
"WE SHALL BE RELYING ON THE AGENCIES CONCERNED, THE UNHCR, THE PUBLIC AND THE REFUGEES THEMSELVES TO CO-OPERATE IN SEEING THAT LAW AND ORDER. IS MAINTAINED," HE SAID.
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WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 2, 1988
EFFORTS MADE TO CO-ORDINATE ROAD EXCAVATION WORKS ♦ * * * *
SOME 20 PER CENT OF ROAD EXCAVATIONS ARE EMERGENCE OPENINGS AND THESE MAY HAVE NEGATED THE CO-ORDINATION INTENDED TO MINIMISE THE INCONVENIENCE CAUSED BY ROAD OPENINGS PLANNED IN ADVANCE.
THE SECRETARY FOR LANDS AND WORKS, THE HON GRAHAM BARNES, SAID THIS IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY) IN RESPONSE TO A QUESTION FROM THE HON CHENG TAK-KIN.
MR BARNES SAID THE FACT WAS THAT HIGHWAYS HAD TO PERFORM A DUAL ROLE.
THEY WERE A ROUTE FOR VEHICLES AND PEDESTRIANS ABOVE AND FOR INSTALLATION OF ESSENTIAL UTILITY SERVICES UNDERNEATH.
"ON AVERAGE, 100 NEW ROAD OPENINGS ARE STARTED EVERY WORKING DAV, OF WHICH, AGAIN ON AVERAGE, SOME 80 PER CENT ARE PLANNED AND THEIR IMPLEMENTATION CO-ORDINATED BY THE HIGHWAYS REGIONAL ROAD OPENING CO-ORDINATING COMMITTEES," MR BARNES SAID.
"THESE COMMITTEES INCIDENTALLY INCLUDE REPRESENTATIVES OF ALL THE PUBLIC UTILITY BODIES.
"BUT SOME 20 PER CENT OF EXCAVATIONS ARE EMERGENCY OPENINGS AND THESE, IMPOSED ON TOP OF THE PLANNED OPENINGS, MAY SOMETIMES SEEM TO NEGATE MUCH OF THE CO-ORDINATION.
"BUT BROKEN OR BREAKING UTILITIES MUST BE REPAIRED AND I CAN ONLY SAY THAT WITHOUT THE CO-ORDINATION THE SITUATION WOULD BE INFINITELY WORSE."
MR BARNES ALSO SAID THAT PROPOSALS FOR THE COMMON DUCTING OF UTILITIES HAD BEEN REJECTED BECAUSE OF THE ADDITIONAL COST OF WHAT WOULD LN MOST CASES BE A VERY SUBSTANTIAL TUNNEL, AND BECAUSE OF THE INCOMPATIBILITY OF CERTAIN DIFFERENT TYPES OF UTILITY.
"IT SEEMED, MOREOVER, INEVITABLE THAT EXCAVATIONS WOULD STILL BE INVOLVED FOR UTILITY CONNECTIONS FROM THE DUCTS TO BUILDINGS," HE SA I D.
"WHEN WE LOOKED AT THE PROBLEM AGAIN, THESE PROBLEMS STILL SEEMED INTRACTABLE, AND IN ANY CASE IN THE NEW TOWNS IT HAS BEEN FOUND POSSIBLE TO DIRECT A SUBSTANTIAL NUMBER OF THE UTILITIES INTO AMENITY STRIPS, SO THAT THE EXCAVATIONS BECOME A TEMPORARY ENVIRONMENTAL RATHER \ THAN TRAFFIC AND AN ENVIRONMENTAL PROBLEM."
MR BARNES SAID THERE WAS NO REAL POSSIBILITY OF ANY FUNDAMENTAL IMPROVEMENT OF THIS KIND IN THE CROWDED URBAN AREAS, ALTHOUGH EVEN NOW IN MAJOR RECONSTRUCTIONS OF BUSY INTER SECTIONS, THE HIGHWAYS DEPARTMENT SOMETIMES COULD YND DID CONSTRUCT DUCTS WHICH COULD CARRY AT LEAST SOME OF Till UTILITIES.
/"ON THE .......
WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 2, 1988
8
"ON THE NEW CENTRAL AND WAN CHAI RECLAMATION, MOREOVER, THE CONSULTANTS HAVE BEEN SPECIFICALLY ASKED TO PLAN THE CONSTRUCTION OF ROADS SO AS TO MINIMISE THE PROBLEMS FROM UTILITIES’ EXCAVATIONS," HE SAI D.
"THE METROPLAN WILL ALSO DEVOTE PARTICULAR ATTENTION TO UTILITIES IN URBAN REPLANNING SCHEMES FROM WHICH SOME GRADUAL IMPROVEMENT MAY EVENTUALLY BE EXPECTED."
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CNTA ASSUMES RESPONSIBILITY FOR LICENSING GUEST HOUSES
*****
THE CITY AND NEW TERRITORIES ADMINISTRATION, WHICH HAD RESPONSIBILITIES FOR BUILDING MANAGEMENT, WOULD ASSUME THE LICENSING RESPONSIBILITY A TASK FORCE RECOMMENDED FOR GUEST HOUSES AND SIMILAR ACCOMMODATION, THE SECRETARY FOR SECURITY, THE HON GEOFFREY BARNES, TOLD THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
MR BARNES WAS REPLYING TO A QUESTION FROM THE HON CHUNG PUI-LAM WHO ASKED ABOUT THE CAUSES OF THE TWO SERIOUS FIRES WHICH BROKE OUT IN GUEST HOUSES OPERATED IN PRIVATE RESIDENTIAL BUILDINGS RECENTLY AND WHAT MEASURES WOULD BE TAKEN BY THE GOVERNMENT TO PREVENT SIMILAR INCIDENTS.
ON THE QUESTION OF PREVENTIVE MEASURES, MR BARNES SAID A TASK FORCE UNDER THE CHAIRMANSHIP OF A SECURITY BRANCH OFFICER WAS SET UP AFTER THE FIRE IN CHUNG KING MANSION IN FEBRUARY TO LOOK INTO THE PROBLEM OF FIRE HAZARDS IN GUEST HOUSES.
"THE TASK FORCE COMPLETED ITS WORK IN JULY AND RECOMMENDED THE INTRODUCTION OF A LICENSING SYSTEM FOR GUEST HOUSES AND SIMILAR ACCOMMODATION," MR BARNES SAID.
"THIS RECOMMENDATION HAS BEEN ACCEPTED BY THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL," HE SAID.
MR BARNES ADDED THAT FIRE SERVICES OFFICERS HAD MEANWHILE VISITED A LARGE NUMBER OF KNOWN GUEST HOUSES AND HAI) GIVEN ADVICE AND DIRECTIONS ON A RANGE OF FIRE PREVENTION MEASURES COVERING THE REMOVAL OF FIRE HAZARDS, THE INSTALLATION OF EXIT SIGNS, PORTABLE FIRE EXTINGUISHERS AND FIRE ALARM SYSTEMS.
/"OPERATORS HAVE........
WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 2, 1988
- 9 -
’’OPERATORS HAVE BEEN GIVEN TWO TO FOUR MONTHS TO COMPLY WITH THESE REQUIREMENTS. FURTHER VISITS WILL CONTINUE AS A MATTER OF PRIORITY TO OTHER KNOWN GUEST HOUSES,” HE SAID.
ON THE QUESTION OF THE CAUSES OF THE TWO MAJOR FIRES TN RECENT MONTHS IN COMPOSITE BUILDINGS, THAT IS MIXED COMMERCIAL AND RESIDENTIAL BUILDINGS, WHICH CONTAIN ALSO GUEST HOUSES, MR BARNES EXPLAINED THAT THE FIRST FIRE OCCURRED IN MIRADOR MANSIONS, NATHAN ROAD ON AUGUST 7 AND MAINLY INVOLVED THE SHOPPING ARCADES ON THE LOWER FLOORS.
HE SAID THAT NO GUEST HOUSES WERE DIRECTLY AFFECTED BY THE FIRE ALTHOUGH OCCUPANTS WERE EVACUATED TOGETHER WITH OTHER PEOPLE IN THE BUILDING.
’’THE CORONER IS STILL CONSIDERING WHETHER OR NOT A DEATH INQUEST SHOULD TAKE PLACE AND IT IS THEREFORE NOT APPROPRIATE AT PRESENT TO RELEASE THE CAUSE OF THE FIRE,” MR BARNES CONTINUED.
MR BARNES ALSO EXPLAINED THAT THE SECOND FIRE OCCURRED IN CHATHAM ROAD ON SEPTEMBER 14. IT INVOLVED MAINLY THE ELEVENTH FLOOR OF THE BUILDING WHERE THE BACCARAT HOTEL WAS LOCATED AND WAS CAUSED BY AN ELECTRICAL SHORT CIRCUIT IN THE WIRING IN THE CORRIDOR.
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UNQUALIFIED PERSONS PROHIBITED FROM GIVING TREATMENT
*****
IT IS ILLEGAL FOR AN UNQUALIFIED PERSON TO DIAGNOSE AND TREAT PATIENTS USING LASER, ULTRASONIC WAVES, SHORTWAVES, MICROWAVES, MAGNETIC RESONANCE AND ELECTRICAL STIMULATION, THE SECRETARY FOR HEALTH AND WELFARE, THE HON T.H. CHAU, SAID IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
REPLYING TO A QUESTION FROM DR THE HON HENRIETTA IP, MR CHAU STATED THAT UNDER SECTION 28(2) OF THE MEDICAL REGISTRATION ORDINANCE, IT WAS AN OFFENCE FOR ANY PERSON TO PRACTISE MEDICINE OR SURGERY WHEN NOT REGISTERED OR PROVISIONALLY REGISTERED OR EXEMPTED FROM REGISTRATION.
/HOWEVER, HE
WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 2, 1988
10 -
HOWEVER, HE NOTED THAT UNDER SECTION 28(3) OF THE SAME ORDINANCE, SECTION 28(2) SHOULD NOT APPLY TO TREATMENT:
(A) BY WAY OF DENTISTRY PERFORMED BY A REGISTERED DENTIST;
(B) BY WAY OF THE DISPENSATION OF MEDICINE OR POISON BY A REGISTERED PHARMACIST;
(C) BY WAY OF THE DISPENSATION OF POISON BY A SELLER OF POISONS LISTED UNDER THE PHARMACY AND POISONS ORDINANCE;
(D) IN THE COURSE OF PRACTICE OF ONE OF THE PROFESSIONS LISTED IN THE SCHEDULE TO THE SUPPLEMENTARY MEDICAL PROFESSIONS ORDINANCE GIVEN BY A REGISTERED OR LICENSED PERSON;
(E) BY WAY OF MASSAGE GIVEN IN A MASSAGE ESTABLISHMENT BY OR UNDER THE SUPERVISION OF A PERSON LICENSED TO OPERATE THE MASSAGE ESTABLISHMENT;
(F) BY WAY OF CHIROPODY, CHIROPRACTIC OR OSTEOPATHY; AND
(G) BY WAY OF FIRST AID.
"SECTION 31 OF THE MEDICAL REGISTRATION ORDINANCE PERMITS A PERSON OF CHINESE RACE TO PRACTISE MEDICINE OR SURGERY ACCORDING TO PURELY CHINESE METHODS; BUT SUCH A PERSON IS NOT ALLOWED TO DIAGNOSE OR TREAT DISEASES OF THE EYE IF HE IS NOT A REGISTERED MEDICAL PRACTITIONER," MR CHAU ADDED.
EVEN THOUGH THERE WAS AT PRESENT NO LEGISLATIVE CONTROL ON THE IMPORT, POSSESSION OR USE OF DEVICES INVOLVING LASER, ULTRASONIC WAVES, SHORTWAVES, MICROWAVES, MAGNETIC RESONANCE AND ELECTRICAL STIMULATION, THE PUBLIC WAS GENERALLY AWARE OF THE FACT THAT THE DIAGNOSIS AND TREATMENT OF PATIENTS BY UNQUALIFIED PERSONS WAS UNLAWFUL.
THE GOVERNMENT WAS NOT AWARE OF ANY WIDESPREAD ABUSE OF SUCH DEVICES FOR THE UNLAWFUL DIAGNOSIS AND TREATMENT OF PATIENTS, MR CHAU SAID.
THERE SEEMED TO BE NO NEED TO LICENSE THE APPLICATION OF THE DEVICES OR METHODS IN QUESTION, BUT THE MEDICAL AND HEALTH DEPARTMENT WOULD CONTINUE TO MONITOR THE SITUATION.
MR CHAU ADDED THAT AS NO SPECIFIC COMPLAINTS HAD BEEN RECEIVED, THERE HAD NOT BEEN ANY PROSECUTIONS OF PERSONS INVOLVED IN SUCH UNLAWFUL DIAGNOSIS OR TREATMENT.
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WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 2, 1988
11
ORIENTATION PROGRAMME BEING UNDERTAKEN FOR REFUGEES » * » » »
THE GOVERNMENT, WITH THE ASSISTANCE OF THE UNITED NATIONS HIGH COMMISSIONER FOR REFUGEES, VOLUNTARY AGENCIES AND THE PRIVATE SECTOR, IS EMBARKING ON A MAJOR ORIENTATION PROGRAMME FOR VIETNAMESE REFUGEES IN HONG KONG, THE SECRETARY FOR SECURITY, THE HON GEOFFREY BARNES, SAID TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
IN REPLY TO A QUESTION FROM THE HON LAU WONG-FAT IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL, MR BARNES STRESSED THAT THE PROGRAMME’S SUCCESS WOULD ENHANCE THE RESETTLEMENT PROSPECTS OF REFUGEES.
IT WOULD ALSO HELP THEM TO BECOME MORE PRODUCTIVE AND USEFUL MEMBERS OF THE COMMUNITY WHILE AWAITING RESETTLEMENT.
OUTLINING THE MEASURES TAKEN TO HELP VIETNAMESE ADAPT TO THE LIFE OUTSIDE THE CLOSED CENTRES, MR BARNES SAID ARRANGEMENTS WERE MADE BY THE GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS CONCERNED TO BRIEF THEM ON VARIOUS ASPECTS OF LIFE.
THE TOPICS INCLUDED LAW AND ORDER, ROAD SAFETY, INDUSTRIAL SAFETY, LABOUR RELATIONS, COMMUNITY RELATIONS, ANTI-CORRUPTION AND NARCOTICS.
"AT THE SAME TIME, UNHCR AND VOLUNTARY AGENCIES ARE CONDUCTING CULTURE ORIENTATION COURSES, HEALTH AND HYGIENE COURSES, CANTONESE CLASSES, FAMILIARISATION VISITS AND VOCATIONAL TRAINING FOR THE BENEFIT OF THE REFUGEES," MR BARNES SAID.
"AMONG THEM, THE CARITAS PLANS TO LAUNCH A HOST FAMILY PROJECT WHEREBY VOLUNTEER LOCAL FAMILIES WILL ENTERTAIN VIETNAMESE FAMILIES IN THEIR SPARE TIME WITH A VIEW TO PROMOTING A BETTER UNDERSTANDING BETWEEN THE REFUGEE COMMUNITY AND THE LOCAL COMMUNITY."
SOME AGENCIES WERE ALSO RUNNING A SOCIAL ADAPTATION PROGRAMME INCLUDING CANTONESE COURSES AND ORIENTATION VISITS, MR BARNES ADDED.
NOTING THAT MANY OF THESE PROGRAMMES WERE TAILOR-MADE TO SUIT PARTICULAR NEEDS, HE CITED THE JOB PLACEMENT AGENCY WHICH. PROVIDED ESCORTS FOR REFUGEES GOING OUT TO WORK FOR AT LEAST A DAY OR TWO TO SORT OUT ANY ADAPTATION PROBLEMS WITH EMPLOYEES AND EMPLOYERS.
"A NUMBER OF PRIVATE SECTOR EMPLOYERS ALSO OFFER TO PROVIDE ORIENTATION PROGRAMMES FOR THEIR VIETNAMESE EMPLOYEES," HE SAID.
"LOCAL BANKS HAVE BEEN INVITED TO BRIEF REFUGEES ON THE BANKING FACILITIES TO WHICH THE REFUGEES WILL HAVE ACCESS," MR BARNES SAID, NOTING THAT THIS WOULD BE ESPECIALLY IMPORTANT WHEN THE REFUGEES STARTED EARNING MONEY.
MR BARNES SAID SOME OF THE PROGRAMMES WERE ALREADY UNDERWAY AND HE WAS PLEASED WITH THE CO-OPERATION RECEIVED SO FAR FROM THE AGENCIES AND THE PRIVATE SECTOR.
"I HOPE THAT THIS CO-OPERATION WILL CONTINUE BECAUSE IT WILL HELP THE REFUGEES, THE UNITED NATIONS AND THE GOVERNMENT TO OVERCOME MANY OF THE PROBLEMS WHICH WE ARE NOW FACING," HE SAID.
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/12........
WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 2, 1988
12 -
INCREASING NUMBER OF APPLICATIONS FOR NEW COMPANY NAMES *****
ABOUT 22,000 APPLICATIONS FOR NEW COMPANY NAMES ARE NOW RECEIVED BY THE COMPANIES REGISTRY EACH MONTH AND THIS IS A CONSIDERABLE INCREASE OVER EARLIER YEARS, THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY, THE HON PIERS JACOBS, SAID IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
IN REPLY TO A QUESTION FROM THE HON WONG HONG-YUEN, MR JACOBS SAID THE NUMBER OF NEW COMPANIES INCORPORATED LAST YEAR INCREASED BY 60 PER CENT AND THE NUMBER OF SEARCHES BY 10 PER CENT.
MR WONG ASKED WHY THE COMPANIES REGISTRY NEEDED TO TAKE SEVEN WEEKS TO APPROVE NEW COMPANY NAMES AND WHETHER IT WOULD CONSIDER REDUCING THE TIME REQUIRED.
"THE PROBLEM IS FURTHER COMPOUNDED BY A SIGNIFICANT INCREASE IN WORKLOAD IN OTHER AREAS OF THE COMPANIES REGISTRY. HENCE THE DELAYS," MR JACOBS SAID.
IN DEALING WITH AN APPLICATION FOR A COMPANY NAME THE REGISTRAR HAD TO CONSIDER WHETHER IT SO CLOSELY RESEMBLED THE NAME OF AN EXISTING COMPANY AS TO CAUSE CONFUSION IN THE PUBLIC MIND.
"THE DECISION IS NOT EASY SINCE THERE ARE NOW OVER 200,000 REGISTERED COMPANIES AND MORE THAN 50,000 RESERVATIONS OF COMPANY NAMES, WHICH ALSO HAVE TO BE CHECKED," MR JACOBS NOTED.
HE SAID ADDITIONAL POSTS HAD BEEN CREATED IN THE COMPANY REGISTRY TO HELP COPE WITH THE WORKLOAD.
FURTHERMORE, THE PROBLEM HAD BEEN REFERRED TO THE STANDING COMMITTEE ON COMPANY LAW REFORM FOR REVIEW.
AFTER CONSIDERING THE SYSTEM OF REGISTRATION EMPLOYED IN OTHER JURISDICTIONS, THE STANDING COMMITTEE HAD RECOMMENDED THAT THE UNITED KINGDOM SYSTEM SHOULD BE ADOPTED.
UNDER THE SYSTEM, A NAME WAS REGISTRABLE PROVIDED THAT IT WAS NOT IDENTICAL TO THAT OF AN EXISTING COMPANY, AND THERE WAS NO RESERVATION SYSTEM.
"THE STANDING COMMITTEE’S RECOMMENDATION IS NOW UNDER ACTIVE CONSIDERATION BY THE GOVERNMENT.
"SUBJECT TO THE ADVICE OF THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL, IT IS OUR INTENTION TO INTRODUCE INTO THIS COUNCIL AN AMENDMENT TO THE COMPANIES ORDINANCE, HOPEFULLY IN THE CURRENT SESSION," MR JACOBS SAID.
"AT THE SAME TIME, STEPS WILL BE TAKEN TO UPGRADE THE CAPACITY OF THE PRESENT COMPUTER SYSTEM IN THE COMPANIES REGISTRY IN ORDED TO PROVIDE ADEQUATE PUBLIC SEARCH FACILITIES," HE ADDED.
WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 2, 1988
- "I? -
CONTROL STRATEGIES ON VEGETABLE CONSIGNMENTS UNDER REVIEW *****
THE GOVERNMENT WILL CONTINUE TO REVIEW CONTROL STRATEGIES, IN CO-OPERATION WITH THE SHENZHEN AUTHORITIES, TO REDUCE THE RISK OF FURTHER OUTBREAKS OF FOOD POISONING CAUSED BY CONTAMINATED VEGETABLES, THE SECRETARY FOR HEALTH AND WELFARE, THE HON T.H. CHAU, SAID IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY). t
REPLYING TO A QUESTION FROM THE HON LEUNG WAI-TUNG, MR CHAU SAID SINCE THE START OF THE CURRENT OUTBREAK, THE MUNICIPAL SERVICES BRANCH HAD OBTAINED THE SHENZHEN IMPORT AND EXPORT COMMODITY INSPECTION BUREAU’S AGREEMENT TO PROHIBIT, WITH EFFECT FROM NOVEMBER 1, THE EXPORT OF UNTAGGED VEGETABLE CONSIGNMENTS TO HONG KONG.
"THIS MEASURE APPLIES TO ALL VEGETABLE CONSIGNMENTS EXPORTED TO HONG KONG THROUGH SHENZHEN, INCLUDING THOSE PRODUCED IN OT^ER PARTS OF CHINA OUTSIDE SHENZHEN," HE ADDED.
OUTLINING THE MEASURES TAKEN BY THE GOVERNMENT SINCE A PREVIOUS OUTBREAK OF SIMILAR FOOD POISONING CASES LAST YEAR, MR CHAU SAID THE MUNICIPAL SERVICES BRANCH HAD KEPT THE SITUATION UNDER REVIEW.
"IT HAS INTENSIFIED INSPECTION AND SAMPLING AT THE POINTS OF ENTRY.
"IT HAS ALSO OBTAINED THE CO-OPERATION OF THE SHENZHEN IMPORT AND EXPORT COMMODITY INSPECTION BUREAU," HE SAID.
BOTH THE MUNCIPAL SERVICES BRANCH AND THE BUREAU AGREED THAT CONTROL WAS BEST EXERCISED AT THE SOURCE OF PRODUCTION AND AN IMPROVED SYSTEM OF EXPORT CONTROL SHOULD BE INTRODUCED.
"FARMERS IN SHENZHEN ARE NOW REQUIRED TO SUBMIT TO THE BUREAU WRITTEN DECLARATIONS OF THE DATES ON WHICH PESTICIDE WAS SPRAYED, THE KIND AND CONCENTRATION OF PESTICIDE USED, AS WELL AS THE DATES OF HARVEST," MR CHAU SAID.
"THESE CONTROL MEASURES ARE SUPPLEMENTED BY RANDOM -TESTS FOR RESIDUES. SUBJECT TO THE BUREAU’S CLEARANCE, EXPORT CONSIGNMENTS ARE TAGGED FOR IDENTIFICATION," HE NOTED.
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WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 2, 1988
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REPORTS MAKE REFERENCES TO PUBLIC ORDER ORDINANCE
*****
THE ATTORNEY GENERAL, THE HON JEREMY MATHEWS, SAID IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY) REFERENCES TO THE PUBLIC ORDER ORDINANCE HAVE BEEN MADE IN HONG KONG’S REPORTS TO THE UNITED NATIONS HUMAN RIGHTS COMMITTEE.
MR MATHEWS WAS ASKED BY DR THE HON LEONG CHE-HUNG WHY HONG KONG’S REPORT SUBMITTED TO THE HUMAN RIGHTS COMMITTEE FAILED TO MENTION THE "FALSE NEWS" PROVISION IN THE PUBLIC ORDER (AMENDMENT) ORDINANCE WHICH WAS PASSED IN MARCH LAST YEAR.
"A GENERAL REFERENCE TO THE PUBLIC ORDER ORDINANCE AS IT AFFECTS THE PRESS WAS INCLUDED IN PARAGRAPH 154 OF HONG KONG’S SECOND PERIODIC REPORT SUBMITTED LAST YEAR," HE SAID.
"IN ADDITION, A MORE SPECIFIC REFERENCE TO THE ’FALSE NEWS’ PROVISION IN SECTION 27 OF THE PUBLIC ORDER ORDINANCE WAS INCLUDED IN PARAGRAPH 15 OF A FURTHER REPORT WHICH SETS OUT THE UP-TO-DATE POSITION IN RESPECT OF THE ISSUES MENTIONED IN LAST YEAR’S MAIN REPORT."
MR MATHEWS SAID PARAGRAPH 15 STATED THAT A REVIEW OF SECTION 27 WHICH DEALT WITH FALSE NEWS WAS SCHEDULED FOR THE END OF THIS YEAR.
HE EXPLAINED THAT UNDER ARTICLE 40 OF THE INTERNATIONAL COVENANT ON CIVIL AND POLITICAL RIGHTS, PARTIES TO THE COVENANT, WHEN REQUESTED BY THE HUMAN RIGHTS COMMITTEE, WERE REQUIRED TO SUBMIT REPORTS ON THE MEASURES THEY HAD ADOPTED WHICH GAVE EFFECT TO THE RIGHTS RECOGNISED IN THE COVENANT.
THIS HAD NOW BEEN DONE BY THE UNITED KINGDOM IN RESPECT OF HONG KONG AND THE OTHER DEPENDENT TERRITORIES.
HE SAID THE REPORTS ON HONG KONG WOULD BE CONSIDERED TOMORROW BY THE HUMAN RIGHTS COMMITTEE AS PART OF ITS HEARINGS AT PRESENT TAKING PLACE IN GENEVA.
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/15
WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 2, 1988
STAFFING OF NEW HOSPITALS PLANNED IN ADVANCE
*****
IN STAFFING NEW HOSPITAL PROJECTS IT IS THE NORMAL PRACTICE TO PLAN FOR THE PROVISION OF NEW STAFF REQUIRED SOME TWO OR THREE YEARS IN ADVANCE OF A HOSPITAL’S COMPLETION DATE, THE SECRETARY FOR HEALTH AND WELFARE, THE HON T.H. CHAU, TOLD THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
MR CHAU WAS REPLYING TO A QUESTION FROM THE HON RONALD CHOW ON THE GOVERNMENT'S POLICY REGARDING THE STAFFING ARRANGEMENTS OF HOSPITALS BOTH CURRENTLY AND OVER THE PAST FIVE YEARS AND WHETHER EFFORTS WOULD BE MADE TO MEET EXISTING AS WELL AS FUTURE NEEDS.
HE SAID, "AS AT OCTOBER 1, 1,537 REGISTERED NURSES POSTS HAD BEEN CREATED FOR THE COMMISSIONING OF THE TUEN MUN HOSPITAL AND THE QUEEN MARY HOSPITAL EXTENSION PROJECTS."
ON REGISTERED AND STUDENT NURSES, MR CHAU SAID THEY FORMED THE LARGEST CATEGORY OF STAFF IN THE MEDICAL AND HEALTH DEPARTMENT, WITH A CURRENT ESTABLISHMENT OF 9,262.
THE SHORTAGE AGAINST THIS ESTABLISHMENT AT APRIL 1988 WAS 108, OR 1.2 PER CENT, HE SAID.
OVER THE LAST FIVE YEARS, THE LOWEST SHORTAGE RECORDED WAS 7, OR 0.1 PER CENT IN 1986-87 AND THE HIGHEST WAS 120, OR 1.6 PER CENT IN 1985-86.
"DURING THE FIRST SIX MONTHS OF 1988-89, A TOTAL OF 317 NURSES AND STUDENT NURSES LEFT THE SERVICE AND A TOTAL OF 213 WERE RECRUITED.
"DURING THE PREVIOUS FIVE YEAR PERIOD, THE LOWEST NUMBER OF LEAVERS, SOME 286, WAS RECORDED IN 1985-86 AND THE HIGHEST, A TOTAL OF 479 IN 1987-88," MR CHAU SAID.
THE WASTAGE RATE FOR THE FIRST SIX MONTHS OF 1988 WAS 3.5 PER CENT AND DURING THE LAST FIVE-YEAR PERIOD HAD RANGED FROM A MINIMUM OF 3.8 PER CENT IN 1985-86 TO A MAXIMUM OF 5.6 PER CENT IN 1987-88, HE NOTED.
ON THE TRAINING OF NURSES, MR CHAU SAID IN THE FIRST SIX MONTHS OF 1988-89 A TOTAL OF 1,897 NURSES UNDERTOOK SOME FORM OF TRAINING, EITHER LOCALLY OR OVERSEAS.
"OVER THE PRECEDING FIVE YEARS THE RESPECTIVE NUMBERS WERE 1,898; 2,319; 2,769; 3,333 AND 4,150.
/"THESE FIGURES .......
WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 2, 1988
- 16 -
“THESE FIGURES REPRESENT APPROXIMATELY 35 TO 40 PER CENT OF THE TOTAL ESTABLISHMENT DURING THE PERIOD. SOME 15 TO 20 NURSES WERE TRAINED OVERSEAS EACH YEAR,” HE SAID.
TURNING TO THE MEDICAL TECHNOLOGIST GRADE, MR CHAU NOTED THAT AS AT APRIL 1, THE ESTABLISHED STRENGTH OF THE GRADE WAS 222 AGAINST WHICH 24 POSTS REMAINED UNFILLED.
“SINCE 1983, 15 OFFICERS HAVE LEFT THE GRADE, THE GREATEST NUMBER BEING RECORDED IN THE CURRENT FINANCIAL YEAR.
“AS AT OCTOBER 1, SIX OFFICERS HAD LEFT THE GRADE, COMPARED TO AN AVERAGE OF TWO PER YEAR FOR THE PREVIOUS THREE YEARS.
“THE ANNUAL WASTAGE RATES IN THIS GRADE HAVE REMAINED RELATIVELY LOW AT AROUND 1 TO 2 PER CENT PER ANNUM," HE SAID.
DURING THE LAST FIVE YEARS, MR CHAU SAID, A
OFFICERS UNDERTOOK LOCAL TRAINING COURSES AND 51 OVERSEAS, REPRESENTING, ON AVERAGE, SOME 28 PER CENT CENT OF THE GRADE RESPECTIVELY.
TOTAL OF 322
WERE TRAINED
AND FIVE PER
POINTING OUT THAT IT HAD NOT BE POSSIBLE TO COMPILE INFORMATION REQUESTED BY MR CHOW IN THE TIME AVAILABLE, SAID HE WOULD PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION IN WRITING ON THE CATEGORIES OF HEALTH STAFF.
ALL THE
MR CHAU
REMAINING
-------0 ---------
STUDY ON TRANSLATING COURT DOCUMENTS
*****
THE GOVERNMENT WILL CONSIDER THE FEASIBILITY OF COURT DOCUMENTS SUBMITTED IN CHINESE UPON COMPLETION OF A SECRETARY FOR ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES AND INFORMATION, THE TSAO, SAID IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
TRANSLATING
STUDY, THE
HON PETER
IN A WRITTEN REPLY TO A QUESTION FROM THE HON MR TSAO SAID THAT A WORKING PARTY SET UP BY THE FORMER HAD RECOMMENDED THAT MORE USE OF THE CHINESE LANGUAGE SHOULD BE ENCOURAGED.
TAM YIU-CHUNG, CHIEF JUSTICE IN THE COURTS
“A SUB-COMMITTEE OF THE WORKING PARTY WILL CARRY OUT A DETAILED STUDY ON THE RESOURCES TO IMPLEMENT THE RECOMMENDATION,” H
SAID.
“THE STUDY WILL BEGIN WITH THE LOWER COURTS AND END UP WITH THE COURT OF FINAL APPEAL.
“IT IS EXPECTED TO BE COMPLETED IN A FEW MONTHS’ TIME.’
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/17 .. • ♦ o
WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 2, 1988
- 17 -
REVIEW OF LEGAL AID ELIGIBILITY LIMIT PLANNED
*****
THE GOVERNMENT IS AWARE OF THE DESIRABILITY OF EXTENDING LEGAL AID TO A WIDER SECTOR OF THE PUBLIC AND IS CONSCIOUS OF THE RISING COST OF LITIGATION.
THE SECRETARY FOR ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES AND INFORMATION, THE HON PETER TSAO, SAID THIS IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY) IN A WRITTEN REPLY TO A QUESTION FROM THE HON TAI CHIN-WAH.
MR TSAO SAID THAT THE LIMIT OF ELIGIBILITY FOR LEGAL AID HAD BEEN REVIEWED FROM TIME TO TIME.
ANOTHER REVIEW WAS PLANNED TO TAKE PLACE BEFORE THE END OF THIS YEAR.
’’THE LEVEL OF DISPOSABLE CAPITAL ALLOWED FOR IN THE FORMULA FOR DETERMINING ELIGIBILITY WAS LAST INCREASED IN 1984 FROM $10,000 TO $15,000; AND THE LEVEL OF DISPOSABLE INCOME WAS INCREASED IN 1986 FROM $1,500 TO $2,200 PER MONTH," HE SAID.
"AT THE SAME TIME, THE LEVEL OF DEDUCTIBLE PERSONAL ALLOWANCES IS KEPT UNDER CONSTANT REVIEW AND ADJUSTMENTS ARE MADE AS NECESSARY.
’’THE LEVEL WAS INCREASED TWICE IN 1988 IN LINE WITH SIMILAR ADJUSTMENTS MADE TO THE SCALE OF BASIC RATES OF ALLOWANCES PAYABLE UNDER THE PUBLIC ASSISTANCE SCHEME."
-----O-------
MEASURES TO REDUCE RIVER POLLUTION
*****
NO DEFINITE CONNECTION HAS BEEN ESTABLISHED BETWEEN THE RECENT INCIDENT IN SAI KUNG IN WHICH A NUMBER OF PRIMARY SCHOOL PUPILS WERE AFFECTED BY AN UNIDENTIFIED GASEOUS EMISSION AND THE DUMPING OF INDUSTRIAL AND LIVESTOCK WASTES INTO THE HO CHUNG RIVER.
THE SECRETARY FOR LANDS AND WORKS, THE HON GRAHAM BARNES, SAID THIS IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY) IN A WRITTEN REPLY TO A QUESTION FROM THE HON TAM YIU-CHUNG.
MR BARNES SAID THAT ALTHOUGH OFFICERS OF THE ENVIRONMENT PROTECTION DEPARTMENT WERE ON THE SCENE WITHIN 45 MINUTES OF RECEIVING A REPORT OF THE INCIDENT, THEY WERE UNABLE TO DETERMINE ITS CAUSE, BECAUSE WHEN THE AREA WAS INSPECTED, NO STRANGE SMELLS WERE DETECTED.
"HOWEVER, MEMBERS MAY BE INTERESTED TO KNOW THAT OF THE FOUR FACTORIES WHICH HAVE POLLUTED THE HO CHUNG RIVER FOR MANY YEARS, TWO HAVE CEASED OPERATION AS A RESULT OF LEASE ENFORCEMENT ACTION.
"THE OTHER TWO FACTORIES HAVE INSTALLED TREATMENT PLANTS. AND WHEN THESE ARE OPERATING PROPERLY, AND AFTER PROPOSALS FOR PREVENTING THE COLOURING OF THE RIVER WATER HAVE BEEN CARRIED OUT, POLLUTION IN THE HO CHUNG RIVER WILL BE REDUCED TO AN ACCEPTABLE LEVEL," MR BARNES SAID.
------o ------- /18....................
WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 2, 1988 •
- 18
WIDE RANGE OF SUBJECTS TO BE DISCUSSED IN CHINA: GOVERNOR ♦ * * * *
THE GOVERNOR, SIR DAVID WILSON, SAID TODAY (WEDNESDAY) THAT HE EXPECTED TO DISCUSS WITH SENIOR CHINESE * OFFICIALS A WIDE RANGE OF SUBJECTS INCLUDING THE BASIC LAW AND ITS RE-DRAFTING DURING HIS VISIT TO CHINA.
SPEAKING TO REPORTERS BEFORE HIS DEPARTURE TO PEKING AT THE AIRPORT, SIR DAVID SAID HE WOULD BE SEEING CHINESE PREMIER, LI PENG; MR JT PENGFEI AND OTHER SENIOR GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS AT THE HONG KONG AND MACAU AFFAIRS OFFICE OF THE STATE COUNCIL; VICE FOREIGN MINISTER, MR ZHOU NAN AND VICE MINISTER, MR SHEN JUEREN OF THE MINISTRY OF FOREIGN ECONOMIC RELATIONS AND TRADE.
HE SAID: "I HOPE THE CHINESE WILL BRIEF ME ON WHERE THEY ARE GETTING TO ON THE QUESTION OF THE BASIC LAW AND RE-DRAFTING OF THE FIRST DRAFT, TO TAKE ACCOUNT OF THE POINTS WHICH HAVE BEEN MADE HERE; DEALING WITH THE QUESTION OF IMPLEMENTATION OF THE JOINT DECLARATION AND WORK THAT HAS BEEN DONE IN THE JOINT LIAISON GROUP AND ELSEWHERE; AND ALSO WITH ISSUES LIKE ECONOMIC RELATIONS BETWEEN HONG KONG AND CHINA."
SIR DAVID SAID HE REGARDED THESE VISITS AS BEING A VERY USEFUL MEANS FOR KEEPING IN TOUCH WITH SENIOR CHINESE LEADERS AND UPDATING THEM ON HAPPENINGS AND, IF NECESSARY, ANY OF THEIR CONCERNS IN HONG KONG-.
ASKED WHETHER HE WOULD EMPHASISE THE NEED FOR THE SPECIAL ADMINISTRATIVE REGION GOVERNMENT TO BE IN PLACE BEFORE 1997, SIR DAVID SAID: "I HOPE WE WILL BE ABLE TO CONTINUE DISCUSSIONS ABOUT HOW TO MAKE SURE WHEN THE TRANSFER OF SOVEREIGNTY TAKES PLACE IN 1997 AND THE SETTING UP OF THE FIRST SAR GOVERNMENT THAT THE PROCESS SHOULD BE SMOOTH, TROUBLE-FREE AND NON-DISRUPTIVE AS POSSIBLE."
HE SAID THE PRACTICAL ARRANGEMENTS FOR A SMOOTH TRANSFER OF SOVEREIGNTY REQUIRED A GREAT DEAL OF DISCUSSION, ADDING THAT THERE WAS A LOT OF CO-OPERATION ON THE ISSUE.
SIR DAVID WILL ALSO PAY A BRIEF VISIT TO FUJIAN PROVINCE BEFORE RETURNING TO HONG KONG ON NOVEMBER 7.
THE GOVERNOR IS ACCOMPANIED ON HIS VISIT BY LADY WILSON; THE POLITICAL ADVISER, MR RICHARD CLIFT; AND HIS PRIVATE SECRETARY, MR RICHARD HOARE.
THEY WERE SEEN OFF AT THE AIRPORT BY THE CHIEF SECRETARY, SIR DAVID FORD; THE SENIOR MEMBER OF THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL, MISS LYDIA DUNN; THE SENIOR MEMBER OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL, MR ALLEN LEE; THE SENIOR CHINESE REPRESENTATIVE OF THE S1NO-BRITISH JOINT LIAISON GROUP, MR KE ZAISHUO; AND VICE-DIRECTOR OF THE NEW CHINA NEWS AGENCY, MR ZHENG HUA.
- - 0------------
/19........
WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 2, 1988
- 19 -
SEPARATE SALARY SCALE FOR JUDICIAL OFFICERS » * * ♦ ♦
THE FINANCE COMMITTEE TODAY (WEDNESDAY) APPROVED THE RECOMMENDATION BY STANDING COMMITTEE ON JUDICIAL SALARIES AND CONDITIONS OF SERVICE TO ADOPT A SEPARATE SALARY SCALE FOR JUDICIAL OFFICERS IN ORDER TO DISTANCE THE JUDICIARY FROM THE CIVIL SERVICE AND TO DEMONSTRATE ITS INDEPENDENCE.
THE “JUDICIAL OFFICERS SALARY SCALE’’ AS IT IS CALLED WOULD PROVIDE THAT JUDICIAL SALARIES WERE SIMPLY LISTED AND WERE NOT FIXED BY REFERENCE TO ANY SCALE. THIS WOULD INTRODUCE GREATER FLEXIBILITY AND ALLOW A FINER ADJUSTMENT OF RELATIVE REMUNERATION FOR EACH JUDICIAL POST.
MEMBERS OF THE FINANCE COMMITTEE WERE TOLD THAT FOR JUDICIAL SALARIES, THE MASTER PAY SCALE AND DIRECTORATE JUDICIARY/LEGAL GRADINGS WERE TOO WIDELY SPACED TO ACCURATELY REFLECT THE COMPARATIVE FUNCTIONS OF JUDICIAL POSTS.
THE ESTABLISHMENT OF ’’JUDICIAL OFFICERS SALARY SCALE” WOULD SUBSEQUENTLY REDUCE THE SCOPE OF THE DIRECTORATE JUDICIARY/LEGAL (DJL) SALARY SCALE WHICH WOULD THEN BE RETITLED DIRECTORATE LEGAL (DL) SALARY SCALE.
IN THE SCALE, SALARIES FOR JUDICIAL OFFICERS WOULD BE STATED IN SIMPLE MONETARY TERMS AND THE LEVEL OF SALARIES WOULD INITIALLY REMAIN THE SAME.
THESE SALARIES WOULD BE SUBJECT TO AN ANNUAL REVIEW SEPARATE FROM THAT CARRIED OUT IN RESPECT OF THE REST OF THE CIVIL SERVICE.
THE PRINCIPLES GOVERNING SUCH A REVIEW MIGHT, INITIALLY, BE THOSE APPLICABLE TO THE REVIEW OF CIVIL SERVICE SALARIES BUT WERE LIKELY TO BE VARIED IN DUE COURSE AS SPECIAL FACTORS AFFECTING THE JUDICIARY WERE IDENTIFIED.
-----0------
CIVIL SERVICE OFFERS CHALLENGING CAREER: SES
*****
THE SECRETARY FOR ECONOMIC SERVICES, MRS ANSON CHAN, TODAY (WEDNESDAY) TOLD PARTICIPANTS IN THE 1988 CIVIL SERVICE CAREERS EXHIBITION THAT THE CIVIL SERVICE WOULD CONTINUE TO OFFER A REWARDING AND CHALLENGING CAREER UP TO AND WELL BEYOND 1997.
"FOR GOVERNMENT PLANNING DOES NOT FINISH IN 1997: INDEED MY OWN STAFF ARE HELPING TO PLAN FOR OUR MAJOR INFRASTRUCTURAL ASSETS - THE PORT AND THE AIRPORT - TO TAKE US WELL INTO THE NEXT CENTURY,” MRS CHAN SAID.
/SPEAKING AT
WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 2, 1988
- 20 -
SPEAKING AT THE OPENING CEREMONY OF THE EXHIBITION JOINTLY ORGANISED BY THE CHINESE UNIVERSITY APPOINTMENTS SERVICE AND THE CIVIL SERVICE BRANCH, SHE SAID THAT PLANNING FOR THE FUTURE IN AN INCREASINGLY COMPLEX WORLD REQUIRED A CONSTANT INFLUX OF FRESH MINDS AND NEW IDEAS.
SHE ADDED THAT THE GOVERNMENT LOOKED TO THE GRADUATES OF THE CHINESE UNIVERSITY AND OTHER TERTIARY INSTITUTIONS TO SUPPLY THE PRINCIPAL SOURCE OF THIS INFLUX.
"THESE ARE EXCITING TIMES FOR HONG KONG. WITH CONTINUED ECONOMIC GROWTH AND SIGNIFICANT POLITICAL DEVELOPMENT AHEAD, THE CHALLENGE FOR THE CIVIL SERVICE WILL CONTINUE TO BE CONSIDERABLE.
"SO WILL THE REWARDS IN TERMS OF JOBS SATISFACTION AND OF BEING A PART OF THE HONG KONG COMMUNITY," SHE ADDED.
SOME 27 GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS AND BRANCHES ARE TAKING PART IN THE TWO-DAY EXHIBITION WHICH DISPLAYS INFORMATION ON VARIOUS DEGREE ENTRY GRADES WITHIN THE CIVIL SERVICE.
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PROVIDING REGULATORS WITH TOOLS TO GET THE JOB DONE: SECURITIES CONSULTANT » » * *
DRAFT PROVISIONS OF THE SECURITIES AND FUTURES COMMISSION BILL ARE AIMED AT GIVING THE REGULATOR THE TOOLS WHICH ARE TRULY NECESSARY TO 1)0 HIS JOB IN THE PRACTICAL CIRCUMSTANCES PREVAILING IN HONG KONG, THE GOVERNMENT SECURITIES CONSULTANT, MR ROBERT OWEN, SAID TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
SPEAKING AT A LUNCH MEETING OF THE FINANCIAL EXECUTIVES INSTITUES (HONG KONG) LIMITED, MR OWEN SAID AT PRESENT THERE WAS A COMPLETE ABSENCE OF DETAILED POWERS OF INVESTIGATION GIVEN TO THE COMMISSIONER FOR SECURITIES IN ANY OF THE ORDINANCES WHICH IT WAS HIS DUTY TO ENFORCE.
MR OWEN SAID ALTHOUGH SECTION 124 OF THE SECURITIES ORDINANCE GAVE THE COMMISSIONER POWER TO "MAKE SUCH INVESTIGATION AS HE THINKS EXPEDIENT" INTO BREACHES OF TRUST, DEFALCATIONS, FRAUD, MISFEASANCE, INSIDER TRADING AND OTHER OFFENCES, THERE WAS NO MENTION OF WHAT HE MIGHT ACTUALLY DO OR NOT DO IN THE PROCESS OF CARRYING OUT SUCH INVESTIGATIONS.
"THE SECTION HAS THEREFORE PROVED WORTHLESS IN PRACTICE AND THE COMMISSIONER HAS BEEN UNABLE TO LAUNCH ANY MAJOR INVESTIGATION UNDER IT," HE SAID.
Air owen.........
WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 2, 1988
21
MR OWEN SAID ANOTHER SERIOUS FLAW IN THE EXISTING LEGISLATION LAY IN THE AREA OF INSPECTION OF BOOKS AND RECORDS OF REGISTERED PERSONS.
’’OBVIOUSLY IT IS FUNDAMENTAL THAT ANY REGULATOR OF REGISTERED PERSONS MUST HAVE ADEQUATE POWERS TO INSPECT THEIR BOOKS AND RECORDS," HE SAID.
HOWEVER, HE ADDED, THE COMMODITIES TRADING ORDINANCE GAVE NO POWER TO THE COMMISSIONER IN THIS IMPORTANT AREA WHILE THE SECURITIES ORDINANCE GAVE CERTAIN LIMITED POWERS UNDER SECTIONS 122 AND 123, BUT THESE PROVISIONS WERE SERIOUSLY INADEQUATE.
ONE FURTHER EXAMPLE WAS SECTION 122 OF THE SECURITIES ORDINANCE WHICH GAVE THE COMMISSIONER POWERS TO INSPECT DOCUMENTS OF REGISTERED PERSON AND TO MAKE COPIES AND TAKE EXTRACTS FROM THOSE DOCUMENTS, BUT THERE WAS NO SPECIFIC POWER AUTHORISING THE COMMISSIONER TO ENTER BUSINESS PREMISES FOR THAT PURPOSE, HE SAID.
THE NEW PROVISIONS AIM TO CLOSE THESE SERIOUS GAPS IN THE EXISTING STATUTORY POWERS WHICH HAD FRUSTRATED STAFF OF THE OFFICE OF COMMISSIONER FOR SECURITIES IN THEIR ATTEMPTS TO UNDERTAKE INVESTIGATIONS.
ON THE RIGHT TO ENTER AND SEARCH PREMISES WITHOUT A MAGISTRATE’S WARRANT WHICH HAD ATTRACTED CONSIDERABLE MEDIA COMMENTS RECENTLY, MR OWEN SAID IT HAD BEEN MADE QUITE CLEAR THAT WHAT WAS BEING PROPOSED WAS THAT ENTRY TO THE PREMISES OF PERSONS OTHER THAN THOSE REGISTERED WITH THE SECURITIES AND FUTURES COMMISSION (SFC) WOULD REQUIRE A WARRANT.
ALSO, THERE IS SIMPLY NO SUGGESTION THAT THE REGULATOR SHOULD HAVE ACCESS TO RESIDENTIAL PREMISES WITHOUT A WARRANT, HE SAID.
”1 DO NOT THINK ANY REASONABLE PERSON COULD QUARREL WITH THE REGULATOR’S HAVING AN EXPLICIT, AUTOMATIC RIGHT OF UNIMPEDED ACCESS TO THE BUSINESS PREMISES OF REGISTERED PERSONS TO DEMAND PRODUCTION OF AND INSPECT BOOKS AND RECORDS AND TO ASK QUESTIONS OF SUCH PERSONS ABOUT MATTERS RELATED TO THEIR COMPLIANCE WITH ANY PROVISIONS OF THE RELEVANT ORDINANCES.
’’THIS IS A WHOLLY NORMAL PRIVILEGE OF REGULATORS IN OTHER JURISDICTIONS. INDEED, IT IS DIFFICULT TO SEE HOW THEY CAN DO THEIR JOB WITHOUT IT,” HE STRESSED.
MR OWEN SAID THE ISSUE TO DEBATE WAS WHAT HAPPENED WHEN OFFICERS OF THE COMMISSION WERE OBSTRUCTED IN THE COURSE OF AN INVESTIGATION OR DISCOVERED PR IMA FACIE EVIDENCE OF A SERIOUS OFHENCE AND WISHED TO PRESERVE DOCUMENTS FROM DESTRUCTION OR REMOVE THEM FROM THE PREMISES.
’’EXPERIENCE HAS SHOWN THAT IN THE TIME IT TAKES TO OBTAIN A MAGISTRATE’S WARRANT TO SEIZE SUCH DOCUMENTS (USUALLY TW TO FOUR HOURS) THE EVIDENCE HAS A TENDENCY TO DISAPPEAR," HE SAID.
/’’IN Tt
WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 2, 1988
22 -
"IN THE LIGHT OF REPRESENTATIONS RECEIVED, WE ARE NOW ATTEMPTING TO FIND A MEANS OF ENSURING THAT THE COMMISSION CAN PREVENT THE DESTRUCTION OF REMOVAL OF RECORDS PENDING THE ISSUE OF A MAGISTRATE’S WARRANT FOR SEIZURE OF DOCUMENTS OR DETENTION OF PERSONS INTEND ON REMOVING THEM FROM THE PREMISES."
TURNING TO THE POWERS TO REQUIRE PERSONS BEING QUESTIONED IN THE COURSE OF INVESTIGATIONS TO ANSWER QUESTIONS PUT TO THEM, AND THE RELATED ISSUE OF THE USE WHICH CAN BE MADE OF THE EVIDENCE GIVEN BY THEM, MR OWEN SAID THERE WERE TWO POINTS INVOLVED.
FOR THE RIGHT OF SILENCE PER SE, THERE IS ALREADY PROVISION IN MANY ORDINANCES AND ACTS IN BOTH HONG KONG AND THE UK OBLIGING PERSONS TO ANSWER TRUTHFULLY ALL QUESTIONS PUT TO THEM IN THE COURSE OF AN INVESTIGATION, HE ADDED.
EXAMPLES IN HONG KONG LEGISLATION INCLUDED THE COMPANIES ORDINANCE (SECTION 145(3A)), THE PRESENT SECURITIES ORDINANCE (SECTION 127(8)) AND THE SECURITIES (DISCLOSURE OF INTERESTS) ORDINANCE (SECTION 36(4)).
"SIMILAR PROVISIONS EXIST IN THE 1986 UK FINANCIAL SERVICES ACT AND 1987 BANKING ACT.
"BOTH OF THESE UK ACTS HAVE AN ADDITIONAL PROVISION WHICH EXPLICITLY STATES THAT ANY STATEMENT BY A PERSON QUESTIONED MAY BE USED IN EVIDENCE AGAINST HIM," HE POINTED OUT.
HE SAID IT WAS THIS SECOND PROVISION WHICH WOULD RE NEW IN THE CONTEXT OF HONG KONG, THOUGH IT WAS IN LINE WITH THE GENERAL TREND OF CRIMINAL JUSTICE IN THE UK AND DID NOT AROUSE EXCITEMENT WHEN EITHER OF THESE ACTS WAS TAKEN THROUGH PARLIAMENT IN THE UK.
"WE ARE NEVERTHELESS SENSITIVE TO THE STRONG REPRESENTATIONS WHICH HAVE BEEN MADE BY SOME PARTIES ON THIS POINT, BEARING IN MIND THE SPECIAL CIRCUMSTANCES OF HONG KONG, AND WE DO NOT PLAN TO PRESS THE POINT ABOUT THE USE MADE OF EVIDENCE," HE SAID.
AS REGARDS APPEALS AGAINST DECISIONS OF THE COMMISSION ON LICENSING MATTERS AND ON USE OF INTERVENTION POWERS, MR OWEN SAID THE PRESENT DRAFT OF THE BILL PROVIDING FOR A BOARD OF APPEAL CONSISTING OF THE NON-EXECUT1VE DIRECTORS OF THE COMMISSION HAD BEEN CRITICISED AS BEING "INCESTUOUS OR NOT SUFFICIENTLY INDEPENDENT."
HE POINTED OUT THAT IN DRAFTING THE CONSULTATIVE PROVISIONS THE AUTHORITIES DID START OFF WITH THE CONCEPT OF AN EXTERNAL TRIBUNAL BUT RECONSIDERED THIS BECAUSE EXPERIENCE HERE HAD SHOWN THAT A TRIBUNAL SYSTEM COULD BE CUMBERSOME AND SLOW, AND THIS COULD WORK TO THE DISADVANTAGE OF THE APPELLANT AS WELL AS OF THE REGULATOR AND THE PUBLIC.
/ANOTHER REASON
WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 2, 1988
- 23 -
ANOTHER REASON WAS THAT IT WAS NOT EASY IN HONG KONG TO FIND SUITABLE PEOPLE WILLING AND WITH THE TIME AVAILABLE TO SERVE ON SUCH TRIBUNALS, WHO WERE SUFFICIENTLY CONVERSANT WITH THE SUBJECT MATTER AND YET DID NOT HAVE A POTENTIAL DIRECT OR INDIRECT INTEREST IN ANY PARTICULAR CASE.
MR OWEN ADDED THAT VIEWS ABOUT THE APPEALS PROCEDURE AMONG MARKET PARTICIPANTS CONSULTED VARIED FROM FULL AGREEMENT WITH THE INTERNAL APPEALS SYSTEM PROPOSED TO EQUALLY STRONG ADVOCACY OF AN INDEPENDENT TRIBUNAL AND/OR APPEAL TO THE COURTS ON THE MERITS OF THE CASE.
"WE ARE PRESENTLY WEIGHING THE VARIOUS VIEWS WE HAVE RECEIVED AND WILL BE PUTTING FORWARD A RECOMMENDATION TO EXCO IN DUE COURSE," HE SAID.
MR OWEN SAID A KEY PART OF THE REGULATOR’S ROLE WAS TO TAKE A LEAD IN PROMOTING THE DEVELOPMENT OF MARKETS AND TO KEEP IN SIGHT LONGER-TERM STRATEGIC OBJECTIVES.
HE NOTED THAT THE CONCENTRATION OF PUBLIC DEBATE IN RECENT WEEKS ON ISSUES SUCH AS POWERS OF ENTRY AND THE RIGHT OF SILENCE HAD TENDED TO CREATE THE IMPRESSION THAT THE SFC WAS SEEN PURELY AS A LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCY AND THAT HALF THE PARTICIPANTS IN THE MARKETS WERE VIEWED AS POTENTIAL CROOKS.
"THIS IS VERY FAR FROM THE TRUTH. BUT LAWS ARE ALL ABOUT THE POLICING ASPECTS OF THE REGULATOR’S JOB AND MUST ENABLE HIM TO DO THIS PROPERLY.
"THE PROMOTIONAL OR DEVELOPMENTAL ROLE IS ONE WHICH DERIVES FROM THE WAY THE ORGANISATION IS LED AND MANAGED, RATHER THAN LAW," HE SAID.
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SECURITIES MARKETS MEET INTERNATIONAL STANDARDS: SMA » ♦ ♦ ♦ *
THE GOVERNMENT IS FIRMLY COMMITTED TO ENSURING HONG KONG’S SECURITIES MARKETS FULLY MEASURE UP TO INTERNATIONAL STANDARDS, THE SECRETARY FOR MONETARY AFFAIRS, MR DAVID NEND1CK, TOLD AN AUDIENCE OF STOCKBROKERS AND OTHER MEMBERS OF THE FINANCIAL COMMUNITY IN SAN FRANCISO ON TUESDAY.
ADDRESSING A LUNCHEON MEETING SPONSORED BY THE PACIFIC STOCK EXCHANGE AND THE HONG KONG ASSOCIATION OF NORTHERN CALIFORNIA ON THE FIRST LEG OF HIS NORTH AMERICAN TOUR, MR NENDICK SAID THAT IT WAS ENSHRINED IN THE JOINT DECLARATION THAT HONG KONG WOULD REMAIN AN INTERNATIONAL FINANCIAL CENTRE BEYOND 1997.
/'•THE HONG KONG...........
WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 2, 1988
- 24 -
"THE HONG KONG DOLLAR WILL CONTINUE TO BE A FREELY CONVERTIBLE CURRENCY AND THE SAR GOVERNMENT WILL ON ITS OWN DETERMINE ITS MONETARY AND FINANCIAL POLICIES," MR NENDICK ASSURED HIS AUDIENCE.
LOOKING BACK AT THE WORLDWIDE STOCK MARKET EVENTS IN OCTOBER LAST YEAR, MR NENDICK SAID THE CRASH IN HONG KONG’S STOCK MARKET AND FUTURES MARKET WAS IN FACT A GREAT CATALYST FOR CHANGE.
IT ALSO EXPOSED THE WEAKNESSES IN THE SYSTEM; THE INADEQUATE SUPERVISORY PRESENCE; UNREPRESENTATIVE MARKET STRUCTURES; AND LACK OF STRONG, INDEPENDENT PROFESSIONAL ADMINISTRATION OF THE EXCHANGES.
"WE HAVE BEEN GIVEN A VALUABLE OPPORTUNITY TO BRING THE MARKETS FULLY UP TO INTERNATIONAL STANDARDS SINCE THE EVENTS OF OCTOBER 1987 AND WE BELIEVE IT IS IN THE INTERESTS OF HONG KONG AS AN INTERNATIONAL FINANCIAL CENTRE TO REACT PROMPTLY," HE SAID.
MR NENDICK EXPLAINED THAT THE GOVERNMENT-APPOINTED SECURITIES REVIEW COMMITTEE REPORTED WITHIN SIX MONTHS AND THE GOVERNMENT PROMPTLY ACCEPTED THE GENERAL THRUST OF ITS RECOMMENDATIONS.
"IN PARTICULAR, THE GOVERNMENT AGREED TO THE SETTING UP OF THE SECURITIES AND FUTURES COMMISSION, A NEW REGULATORY AUTHORITY OUTSIDE THE CIVIL SERVICE. GOOD PROGRESS HAS BEEN MADE AND THE COMMISSION IS EXPECTED TO BE FULLY OPERATIONAL EARLY NEXT YEAR," HE SAID.
"THE SECURITIES REVIEW COMMITTEE ALSO RECOMMENDED FUNDAMENTAL REVISIONS TO THE CONSTITUTION AND INTERNAL MANAGEMENT OF BOTH THE STOCK AND FUTURES EXCHANGES," MR NENDICK SAID, NOTING THAT A NEW STRUCTURE FOR THE STOCK EXCHANGE WAS PUT IN PLACE LAST MONTH, WITHIN A YEAR OF THE CRASH.
"THE FUTURE EXCHANGE IS ALSO AT AN ADVANCED STAGE OF IMPLEMENTING A NEW CLEARING AND RISK MANAGEMENT SYSTEM WHICH MEMBERS WILL VOTE ON AT THE END OF NOVEMBER OR IN DECEMBER," HE SAID.
MR NENDICK SAID THAT OTHER LEGISLATION WAS ALSO IN TRAIN INCLUDING SUBSTANTIALLY ENHANCED PENALTIES AGAINST INSIDER DEALING AND DISCLOSURE OF BENEFICIAL OWNERSHIP OF STOCKS AND SHARES WITH SANCTIONS AGAINST NON-ADHERENCE.
IN ADDITION, WHILST A NUMBER OF RECOMMENDATIONS FOR THE SECURITIES MARKETS MADE IN THE HAY DAVISON REPORT HAD ALREADY BEEN IMPLEMENTED, A ROLLING PROGRAMME WAS EXPECTED TO IMPLEMENT THE OTHER RECOMMENDATIONS TOTALLING WELL OVER 100 WITHIN TWO YEARS.
WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 2, 1988
TEACHING KITS WARN AGAINST TRIADS, SHOPTHEFT
*****
THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT HAS PRODUCED TWO SEPARATE TEACHING KITS - ONE ON ANTI-TRIADS AND THE OTHER ON ANTI-SHOPTHEFT - AS PART OF ITS CONTINUING EFFORTS TO ASSIST SCHOOLS TO BRING HOME MESSAGES ON THESE TWO TOPICS TO STUDENTS.
THE ANTI-TRIADS KIT CONSISTS MAINLY OF A SET OF COLOUR SLIDES WITH COMMENTARY ON A CASSETTE TAPE, FIVE POSTERS, A TEACHER’S MANUAL ON HOW TO USE THE KIT AND AN EXPLANATORY NOTE ON HOW TO ORGANISE ACTIVITIES IN CONNECTION WITH THE TEACHING OF THIS TOPIC.
THE KIT HAS TWO DIFFERENT EDITIONS WHICH VARY MAINLY IN THE DEPTH OF LITERATURE AND APPROACH TO CATER FOR PRIMARY AND SECONDARY LEVELS SEPARATELY.
THE ANTI-SHOPTHEFT KIT, WHICH ALSO HAS TWO DIFFERENT EDITIONS FOR PRIMARY AND SECONDARY SCHOOLS RESPECTIVELY, CONTAINS MAINLY A 20-MINUTE VIDEO DRAMA PROGRAMME, A SET OF SLIDES WITH SOUND COMMENTARY, TWO POSTERS, A TEACHERS’ MANUAL, AND WORKSHEETS FOR PUPILS.
THE TWO KITS ARE BEING DISTRIBUTED FREE OF CHARGE TO ALL PRIMARY AND SECONDARY SCHOOLS IN HONG KONG.
A SPOKESMAN. FOR THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT SAID THE TWO TEACHING KITS WERE PRODUCED BY THE ADVISORY INSPECTORATE DIVISION WITH ASSISTANCE AND ADVICE FROM RELEVANT GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS INCLUDING THE POLICE, SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT, CORRECTIONAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT AND SECURITY BRANCH, AS WELL AS THE HONG KONG COUNCIL OF SOCIAL SERVICE AND SCHOOL HEADS.
"THE KITS AIM TO HEIGHTEN STUDENTS’ AWARENESS OF THE PROBLEMS OF SHOP-LIFTING AND TRIADS.
"THEY ALSO OFFER THOUGHT-SEARCHING SUGGESTIONS TO COMBAT THESE TWO PROBLEMS WHICH WOULD DO A LOT OF HARM TO STUDENTS IF THEY FELL PREY TO THEM," HE SAID.
TO ASSIST SCHOOL TEACHERS TO GAIN A BETTER UNDERSTANDING OF HOW TO USE THE TWO TEACHING KITS AND TO COLLECT INITIAL FEEDBACK AND SUGGESTIONS FROM THEM, THE ADVISORY INSPECTORATE DIVISION WILL HOLD A NUMBER OF SEMINARS FOR BOTH PRIMARY AND SECONDARY TEACHERS LATER THIS MONTH.
THERE ARE ALSO PLANS TO EVALUATE THE EFFECTIVENESS OF THE KITS WITH A VIEW TO UPDATING AND IMPROVING THE CONTENTS FOR SCHOOL USE, THE SPOKESMAN ADDED.
THE EVALUATION FORMS HAVE BEEN INCLUDED IN THE TEACHING KITS AND SCHOOL HEADS ARE REQUESTED TO COMPLETE AND RETURN THE FORMS TO THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT.
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/z6......
WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 2, 1988
* - 26 -
HONG KONG/AUSTRIA TEXTILES AGREEMENT AMENDED *****
HONG KONG AND AUSTRIA HAVE AGREED ON CERTAIN AMENDMENTS TO THE HONG KONG/AUSTRIA TEXTILES AGREEMENT WHICH RUNS FROM FEBRUARY 1, 1987 TO JANUARY 31, 1990, A TRADE DEPARTMENT SPOKESMAN ANNOUNCED TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
THE AMENDMENTS, WHICH WILL TAKE EFFECT ON NOVEMBER 7, 1988, INCLUDE REMOVING QUOTA RESTRAINT ON KNITTED DRESSES OF SYNTHETIC FIBRE, WHICH ARE CURRENTLY PART OF QUOTA ITEM NO. 4, AND PLACING THEM UNDER EXPORT AUTHORISATION SURVEILLANCE.
ANOTHER AMENDMENT IS THE INTRODUCTION OF QUOTA RESTRAINT FOR MEN’S AND BOYS’ WOVEN ANORAKS (INCLUDING SKI-JACKETS), WIND-CHEATERS AND WIND-JACKETS OF COTTON AND MAN-MADE FIBRES, WHICH ARE CURRENTLY SUBJECT TO THE EXPORT AUTHORISATION SYSTEM.
TO TIE IN WITH THIS ARRANGEMENT, THE TRADE DEPARTMENT HAS SUSPENDED, WITH IMMEDIATE EFFECT AND UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE, THE ACCEPTANCE OF EXPORT AUTHORISATION APPLICATIONS FOR THE CONCERNED PRODUCTS.
DETAILS ON THE REVISED CONTROL ARRANGEMENTS FOR THE AFFECTED ITEMS WILL BE ANNOUNCED TO THE TRADE THROUGH NOTICE TO EXPORTERS, THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
AGREEMENT ON THE ABOVE AMENDMENTS WAS REACHED THIS AFTERNOON AFTER THREE DAYS OF CONSULTATIONS IN HONG KONG.
THE HONG KONG DELEGATION WAS LED BY MR STUART HARBINSON, DEPUTY DIRECTOR OF TRADE. THE AUSTRIAN DELEGATION WAS LED BY MR JOSEF MAYER, DIRECTOR, FEDERAL MINISTRY FOR ECONOMIC AFFAIRS.
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LABOUR RELATIONS CONFERENCE OPENS TOMORROW * ♦ » » »
LABOUR RELATIONS ’88, A ONE-AND-A-HALF-MONTH PROGRAMME TO PROMOTE HARMONIOUS LABOUR-MANAGEMENT RELATIONS IN HONG KONG, BEGINS TOMORROW (THURSDAY) WITH THE OPENING OF A LARGE-SCALE CONFERENCE AT THE CITY HALL CONCERT HALL.
THE SENIOR MEMBER OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL, MR ALLEN LEE, WILL OFFICIATE AT THE OPENING CEREMONY.
/OTHER OFFICIATING
WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 2, 1988
I - 27 -
OTHER OFFICIATING GUESTS INCLUDE THE CHAIRMAN OF THE LABOUR RELATIONS '88 ORGANISING COMMITTEE, MR CHAN SUI-KAU, AND THE COMMISSIONER FOR LABOUR, MR TONY HAMMOND.
FOLLOWING THE OPENING, 26 PROMINENT GUEST SPEAKERS WILL DELIVER TALKS ON SUCH TOPICS AS REVIEW OF LABOUR RELATIONS IN HONG KONG, LABOUR RELATIONS AND PRODUCTIVITY, LABOUR MANAGEMENT RELATIONS IN A MULTINATIONAL FIRM, AND THE ROLE OF TRADE UNIONS IN ESTABLISHING POSITIVE INDUSTRIAL RELATIONS.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE OPENING CEREMONY OF THE HONG KONG LABOUR RELATIONS CONFERENCE AT 9 AM TOMORROW (THURSDAY).
MEDIA REPRESENTATIVES ARE REQUESTED TO ASSEMBLE AT THE CITY HALL CONCERT HALL LOBBY BEFORE 8.45 AM.
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BILL RAISES LEVEL OF PERMITTED RENT * t * * *
THE LANDLORD AND TENANT (CONSOLIDATION) (AMENDMENT) BILL 1988, WHICH WAS PASSED IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY), RAISES THE PERMITTED RENT OF CONTROLLED PRE-WAR DOMESTIC PREMISES.
THE RAISING OF THE PERMITTED RENT FROM 35 TO 39 TIMES THE STANDARD RENT - THAT PAYABLE AS AT DECEMBER 25, 1941 - WOULD AFFECT ABOUT 1,700 PRE-WAR DOMESTIC PREMISES EFFECTIVELY UNDER CONTROL, A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN EXPLAINED.
THIS WOULD RESULT IN AN AVERAGE INCREASE OF 17 PER CENT OR $229 PER MONTH, ON CURRENT PERMITTED RENTS, BRINGING SUCH RENTS TO ABOUT 76 PER CENT OF THE PREVAILING MARKET LEVEL, HE SAID.
THE BILL ALSO MAKES SOME TECHNICAL AMENDMENTS TO FACILITATE THE ADMINISTRATION OF PART II OF THE ORDINANCE.
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/28........
WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 2, 1988
- 28 -
DB TO DISCUSS LAND USE * * ♦
MEMBERS OF THE KWAI TSING DISTRICT BOARD WILL DISCUSS THE OVERALL LAND USE IN TSING YI AT A BOARD MEETING TO BE HELD TOMORROW (THURSDAY).
THE BOARD WILL ALSO BE BRIEFED ON THE REDEVELOPMENT OF KWAI HING ESTATE BY THE HOUSING DEPARTMENT AND THE RELOCATION OF MOBI' OIL DEPOTS IN TSING YI BY THE DISTRICT LANDS OFFICE.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE MEETING TO BEGIN AT 2.30 PM TOMORROW AT THE CONFERENCE ROOM, 10/F, KWAI HING GOVERNMENT OFFICES BUILDING, KWAI CHUNG.
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NORTH DB COMMITTEE TO CONSIDER FUND APPLICATIONS
*****
THE RECREATION AND CULTURE COMMITTEE OF THE NORTH DISTRICT BOARD WILL CONSIDER AT ITS MEETING TOMORROW (THURSDAY) APPLICATIONS FOR FUNDS FOR ORGANISING RECREATIONAL AND SPORTS ACTIVITIES.
MEMBERS WILL ALSO REVIEW THE USAGE OF MAJOR RECREATIONAL FACILITIES IN THE DISTRICT AND ATTENDANCE AT CULTURAL PRESENTATIONS STAGED AT THE TOWN HALL DURING THE PAST TWO MONTHS.
OTHER ITEMS ON THE AGENDA INCLUDE THE REGIONAL COUNCIL’S ENTERTAINMENT PROGRAMME FOR THE DISTRICT IN NOVEMBER AND DECEMBER, AND A REPORT FROM THE NORTH DISTRICT ARTS ADVANCEMENT ASSOCIATION.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE MEETING OF THE NORTH DISTRICT BOARD’S RECREATION AND CULTURE COMMITTEE TOMORROW (THURSDAY) IN THE CONFERENCE ROOM OF THE NORTH DISTRICT OFFICE, JOCKEY CLUB ROAD, FANLING. IT WILL BEGIN AT 2.30 PM.
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/29
WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 2, 1988
- 29 -
REPROVISION PROJECT AT HOUSING ESTATES ON AGENDA * » * * *
THE HOUSING DEPARTMENT WILL BE ASKED TO REPORT ON THE PROGRESS OF A LARGE SCALE REPROVISIONING PROJECT IN SIX PUBLIC HOUSING ESTATES IN SHAM SHUI PO AT THE MEETING OF THE SHAM SHUI PO DISTRICT BOARD’S ENVIRONMENT COMMITTEE TOMORROW (THURSDAY).
THE PURPOSE OF THIS PROJECT IS TO OBTAIN SOME 600 VACANT UNITS TO REHOUSE SINGLETONS AND TWO-PERSON FAMILIES AFFECTED BY THE PHASE IV REDEVELOPMENT OF THE LEI CHENG UK ESTATE.
IN ADDITION, MEMBERS WILL BE ASKED TO CONSIDER TWO MOTIONS CONCERNING THE REDEVELOPMENT OF THE SHAM SHUI PO COMPLEX AT PEI HO STREET BY THE URBAN COUNCIL.
OTHER ITEMS FOR DISCUSSION INCLUDE THE PROBLEM OF FOOD PROCESSING AND VENDING ON PAVEMENTS IN THE DISTRICT, NOISE NUISANCE AT THE HING WAH STREET TEMPORARY HOUSING AREA, NOISE NUISANCE ASSOCIATED WITH RENOVATION OF THE CHEUNG SHA WAN POLICE QUARTERS, AND PROBLEMS ARISING FROM AFTERNOON REFUSE COLLECTION IN PUBLIC HOUSING ESTATES.
FUNDS WILL ALSO BE SOUGHT FROM THE COMMITTEE TO CARRY OUT SEVEN ENVIRONMENTAL IMPROVEMENT PROJECTS IN THE DISTRICT.
THE MEETING WILL THEN HEAR REPORTS ON THE PROJECTS FUNDED BY THE 1988-89 ENVIRONMENTAL IMPROVEMENT VOTE AND ON THE WORK OF THE WORKING GROUP ON KEEP HONG KONG CLEAN CAMPAIGN.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE MEETING OF THE SHAM SHUI PO DISTRICT BOARD ENVIRONMENT COMMITTEE TO BE HELD TOMORROW (THURSDAY) AT THE CHEUNG SHA WAN COMMUNITY CENTRE, 55 FAT TSEUNG STREET, BEGINNING AT 2.15 PM.
I
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/JO........
WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 2, 1988
- JO -
SPECIAL TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS FOR SCOUT RALLY » » * « *
THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT URGED MOTORISTS TO WATCH OUT FOR THE SPECIAL TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS TO BE IMPLEMENTED IN HAPPY VALLEY AND CAUSEWAY BAY ON SATURDAY (NOVEMBER 5) FOR THE SCOUT RALLY AT HONG KONG STADIUM.
TRAFFIC DIVERSIONS
THE FOLLOWING ARRANGEMENTS WILL COME INTO EFFECT AT 2 PM AND BE IN FORCE UNTIL SPECTATORS HAVE DISPERSED:
* CAROLINE HILL ROAD BETWEEN LINK ROAD AND STADIUM PATH WILL BE RE-ROUTED ONE-WAY SOUTHBOUND;
» CAROLINE HILL ROAD BETWEEN EASTERN HOSPITAL ROAD AND LEIGHTON ROAD/PENNINGTON STREET WILL BE CLOSED TO TRAFFIC EXCEPT THOSE VEHICLES REQUIRING ACCESS TO PREMISES;
» CAROLINE HILL ROAD BETWEEN COTTON PATH AND LEIGHTON ROAD/PENNINGTON STREET WILL BE RE-ROUTED ONE-WAY NORTHBOUND;
* EASTERN HOSPITAL ROAD BETWEEN STADIUM PATH AND TUNG LO WAN ROAD WILL BE RE-ROUTED ONE-WAY NORTHBOUND; BUT VEHICLES WILL STILL BE ALLOWED TO ENTER ST PAUL’S HOSPITAL CARPARK FROM TUNG LO WAN ROAD;
* LINK ROAD WILL BE RE-ROUTED ONE-WAY DOWNHILL. VEHICLES HEADING FOR LEIGHTON HILL, HAPPY VIEW TERRACE AND UPPER BROADWOOD ROAD WILL BE DIVERTED VIA WONG NAI CHUNG ROAD AND BROADWOOD ROAD;
» WESTBOUND VEHICLES ON HYSAN AVENUE WILL BE DIVERTED TO TURN LEFT TO LEIGHTON ROAD EASTBOUND;
* SOUTHBOUND VEHICLES ON SUN WUI ROAD WILL BE PROHIBITED FROM TURNING RIGHT TO LEIGHTON ROAD WESTBOUND;
* THE SERVICE ROAD AROUND THE STADIUM WILL BE CLOSED TO TRAFFIC;
* TRAFFIC CONES WILL BE PLACED ALONG LEIGHTON ROAD BETWEEN HYSAN AVENUE AND CAROLINE HILL ROAD FOR TWO-LANE EASTBOUND TRAFFIC.
FIFTEEN MINUTES BEFORE COMPLETION OF THE EVENT, THE FOLLOWING ARRANGEMENTS WILL BE IMPLEMENTED AND REMAIN IN FORCE UNTIL SPECTATORS HAVE LEFT THE STADIUM:
* CAROLINE HILL ROAD BETWEEN STADIUM PATH AND LEIGHTON ROAD WILL BE RE-ROUTED ONE-WAY NORTHBOUND;
/* CAROLINE HILL ........
WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 2, 1988
- 51 -
* CAROLINE HILL ROAD BETWEEN LEIGHTON ROAD AND COTTON PATH WILL BE CLOSED TO TRAFFIC;
t LINK ROAD WILL BE CLOSED TO TRAFFIC. VEHICLES TO AND FROM UPPER BROADWOOD ROAD, HAPPY VIEW TERRACE, LEIGHTON HILL AND THE LOCAL PREMISES IN LINK ROAD WILL BE DIVERTED VIA WONG NAI CHUNG ROAD AND BROADWOOD ROAD.
LEARNER DRIVERS PROHIBITION
ALL LEARNER DRIVERS WILL NOT BE ALLOWED TO ENTER MATHESON STREET, RUSSELL STREET AND SHARP STREET EAST FROM NOON TO 9.30 PM.
ALSO, THEY WILL NOT BE ALLOWED TO TURN LEFT FROM PERCIVAL STREET SOUTHBOUND TO LEIGHTON ROAD EASTBOUND OR TO ENTER TUNG LO WAN ROAD FROM CAUSEWAY ROAD.
PARKING SPACES
ALL PARKING SPACES IN SUN WUI ROAD, STADIUM PATH AND THE UNNAMED SERVICE ROAD AROUND THE STADIUM WILL BE SUSPENDED FROM NOON TO MIDNIGHT.
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CLOSURE OF HING FAT ST, HUNG MUI KUK RD « * » t »
THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCED THAT HING FAT STREET IN CAUSEWAY BAY BETWEEN LAU LI STREET AND CAUSEWAY ROAD WILL BE CLOSED TO TRAFFIC FROM 1 AM TO 2.30 AM ON FRIDAY (NOVEMBER 4) AND FROM 30 MINUTES PAST MIDNIGHT TO 6 AM ON NOVEMBER 6.
THESE MEASURES WILL FACILITATE CONSTRUCTION WORKS AT TIN HAU MTR STATION.
DURING THE CLOSURE, EASTBOUND VEHICLES ON CAUSEWAY ROAD HEADING FOR THE ISLAND EASTERN CORRIDOR AND ELECTRIC ROAD WILL BE DIVERTED VIA KING’S ROAD, TSING FUNG STREET AND HING FAT STREET.
MEANWHILE, WESTBOUND VEHICLES ON KING’S ROAD HEADING FOR VICTORIA PARK ROAD AND GLOUCESTER ROAD WILL BE DIVERTED VIA TSING FUNG STREET FLYOVER.
/THE TRANSPORT
WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 2, 1988
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THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT ALSO REMINDED MOTORISTS THAT THE WESTBOUND MIDDLE LANE OF HUNG MUI KUK ROAD IN SHA TIN, FROM ITS JUNCTION WITH TIN SAM STREET TO A POINT ABOUT 50 METRES EAST OF THE SAME JUNCTION, WILL BE CLOSED TO TRAFFIC FROM NOVEMBER 6 TO 26 TO FACILITATE ROAD RECONSTRUCTION WORKS.
AS CONGESTION IS EXPECTED DURING THE CLOSURE, MOTORISTS ARE ADVISED TO AVOID USING THE AFFECTED ROAD SECTIONS. THEY SHOULD ALSO WATCH OUT FOR TEMPORARY TRAFFIC SIGNS AND DRIVE WITH EXTRA CARE AND PATIENCE.
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TEMPORARY URBAN CLEARWAY IN KING KWONG STREET
*****
THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCED THAT THE EXISTING 7 AM TO 7 PM DAILY URBAN CLEARWAY ALONG THE NORTHERN SIDE OF KING KWONG STREET IN HAPPY VALLEY WILL CONTINUE TO BE EFFECTIVE FOR ANOTHER SIX WEEKS FROM 10 AM ON FRIDAY (NOVEMBER 4) BECAUSE OF ROAD RECONSTRUCTION WORKS.
NO VEHICLES EXCEPT FRANCHISED BUSES WILL BE ALLOWED TO STOP FOR PASSENGERS OR GOODS THERE.
- 0 -
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL: 5-8428777
THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 5, 1988
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
FS: WORKING PAPER NEXT YEAR ON SALES TAX PROPOSALS .......... 1
STEADY AND CONSTRUCTIVE CONSULTATION ON SALES TAXES: FS...... 5
MUTUAL CO-OPERATION RESULTS IN ECONOMIC ACHIEVEMENT.......... 6
NEW CHINA FERRY TERMINAL OPERATES NEXT WEEK.................. 8
URBAN REDEVELOPMENT - A BOOST TO YAU MA TEI ................. 10
MORE RESOURCES FOR LESS BRIGHT STUDENTS ..................... 11
ANOTHER GROUP OF VIETNAMESE BOAT PEOPLE SCREENED............. 13
OLI ORGANISES LOGO DESIGN COMPETITION........................ 14
DB TUNNEL WORKING GROUP TO MEET TOMORROW..................... 14
COMMITTEE TO DISCUSS SERVICES FOR THE ELDERLY................ 15
*
LAUNCHING OF C AND W CULTURAL AND ARTS FESTIVAL.............. 16
TWO MORE SECONDARY SCHOOLS FOR SHA TIN ...................... 17
TSUEN WAN SPORTS FESTIVAL STARTS SATURDAY ................... 1?
GOVERNMENT LAND TO LET BY TINDER ............................ 18
CSD AUTUMN FAIR AT STANLEY................................... 19
TEMPORARY CLOSURE OF CHATER ROAD PEDESTRIAN PRECINCT......... 19
RE-ROUTEING, GMB FARE ADJUSTMENT............................. 20
TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS IN MID-LEVELS, YUEN LONG ............... 20
THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 3, 1988
FS: WORKING PAPER NEXT YEAR ON SALES TAX PROPOSALS * ♦ ♦ ♦ t
THE GOVERNMENT INTENDS TO PRODUCE A WORKING PAPER EARLY NEXT YEAR AND START CONSULTING THE PUBLIC ON SALES TAX PROPOSALS, THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY, MR PIERS JACOBS, SAID TODAY (THURSDAY).
SPEAKING AT A LUNCHEON MEETING OF THE KOWLOON ROTARY CLUB, MR JACOBS POINTED OUT THAT THERE HAD BEEN GROWING PUBLIC AWARENESS IN RECENT MONTHS OF THE POTENTIAL IMPORTANCE OF TAX DIVERSIFICATION TO THE ECONOMY, AND HE WELCOMED THE PUBLIC DEBATE THAT THIS AWARENESS HAD GENERATED.
HE SAID THE ADMINISTRATION HAD RECENTLY BEEN EXAMINING IN SOME DETAIL THE NATURE AND SCOPE OF A POSSIBLE SALES TAX BUT HE WAS NOT PROPOSING TO INTRODUCE IT IN THE IMMEDIATE FUTURE, CERTAINLY NOT IN HIS 1989 BUDGET.
"IN FACT, AT THIS STAGE I AM NOT WORKING TO A TIMETABLE. BUT WHAT I AM DOING IS ENDEAVOURING TO GENERATE SOME INTELLIGENT DISCUSSION ON THIS SUBJECT; DESPITE THE COMPLEXITY OF THE ISSUES INVOLVED I AM ENCOURAGED BY THE THOUGHTFUL RESPONSES SO FAR," HE SAID.
HE SAID IT WAS HIS INTENTION TO START SEEKING PUBLIC VIEWS BY APPROACHING A NUMBER OF ORGANISATIONS AND BODIES THAT WERE LIKELY TO BE IN A POSITION TO ENGAGE IN DETAILED DEBATE ON THE PROPOSALS.
"DEPENDING ON HOU WE PROGRESS, I SHALL THEN BE IN A POSITION TO DECIDE WHETHER OR NOT TO TAKE MORE FORMAL PROPOSALS TO THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL,' HI* ADDED
HE EXPLAINED THAT THE OBJECT OF A SHIFT FROM DIRECT TO INDIRECT TAXES WAS THE DEVELOPMENT OF A MORE STABLE REVENUE BASE WHICH WOULD HE LESS VULNERABLE TO ECONOMIC CYCLES, AND BETTER ABLE TO MEET AND SUSTAIN EXPENDITURE ON A RANGE OF GOVERNMENT FUNDED PROGRAMMES AND SERVICES.
HE SAID THE TAX BASE IN HONG KONG WAS VERY NARROW AS ONLY ONE IN FOUR OF THE LABOUR FORCE PAID SALARIES TAX WHILE ABOUT 50,000 TAXPAYERS PROVIDED OVER 50 PER (ENT OF THE SALARIES TAX REVENUE.
SOME 20 PER CENT OF PROFITS TAX REVENUE WAS MET BY THE TOP 30 COMPANIES AND THIS YEAR, SALARIES TAX AND PROFITS TAX TOGETHER WOULD ACCOUNT FOR NEARLY HALF OF GENERAI REVENUE. HE ADDED.
TO SWEEP ASIDE THE NEED TO BROADEN THE TAX BASE WAS IGNORING BASIC ECONOMIC REALITIES, MR JACOBS SAID.
"IN HONG KONG, WE ARE ALMOST BOUND TO SEE GREATER VOLATILITY IN THE BUSINESS CYCLE THAN IN THE PAST.
/’’WITH THAT..........
THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 5, 1988
- 2
"WITH THAT VOLATILITY, WE ARE LIKELY TO SEE CONSIDERABLE FLUCTUATIONS IN GOVERNMENT REVENUE. BUT ONE THING THAT DOES NOT FLUCTUATE IS PUBLIC EXPENDITURE ON A RECURRENT BASIS,” HE SAID.
MR JACOBS SAID THAT IF THERE WERE TO BE A DOWN-TURN, PUBLIC EXPENDITURE WOULD STILL HAVE TO BE FINANCED SOMEHOW AND THE GOVERNMENT WOULD THEN HAVE A CHOICE OF INCREASING DIRECT TAXES, BORROWING, OR DRAWING DOWN ITS FISCAL RESERVES.
’’ALL THESE OPTIONS CARRY WITH THEM CERTAIN RISKS. IN PARTICULAR, IF WE WERE FORCED TO INCREASE DIRECT TAXES SIGNIFICANTLY, OUR TRADITIONAL ATTRACTIVENESS AS A LOW TAX TERRITORY COULD BE ERODED.
"THIS COULD HAVE AN ADVERSE EFFECT ON INVESTMENT, PARTICULARY OVERSEAS INVESTMENT, AND IN THESE CIRCUMSTANCES, THE YIELD FROM DIRECT TAXES COULD CORRESPONDINGLY SHRINK IN REAL TERMS, THEREBY EXACERBATING THE PAIN," HE SAID.
MR JACOBS SAID ONGOING RESEARCHES WITHIN THE ADMINISTRATION TENDED TO CONFIRM HIS BELIEF THAT A MEASURE OF TAX DIVERSIFICATION COULD WELL LEAD TO A MORE STABLE TAX REGIME WHICH WOULD BE BETTER ABLE TO WITHSTAND DIFFICULT TIMES WITHOUT MAJOR ADJUSTMENTS, EITHER IN RATES OF TAX OR SOURCES OF REVENUE.
"FURTHERMORE, A WIDER TAX BASE MIGHT ALSO PROVIDE AN OPPORTUNITY FOR RATIONALISING SOME EXISTING INDIRECT TAXES," HE SAID.
"PROVIDED WE KEEP THE RATE OF TAX MODEST, THE INFLATION IMPACT WOULD BE NEGLIGIBLE," HE ADDED.
HE NOTED THAT IN MANY TAX ADMINISTRATIONS THROUGHOUT THE WORLD, THE GOVERNMENTS HAD CHOSEN TO INTRODUCE SOME FORM OF SALES TAX.
"SOME OF THESE TAXES ARE VERY COMPLICATED AND DIFFICULT TO ADMINISTER AND OTHERS TRY TO ACHIEVE GREAT EQUITY BUT AT CONSIDERABLE COST.
"I DO NOT BELIEVE THAT HONG KONG SHOULD BLINDLY FOLLOW WHAT HAS BEEN INTRODUCED ELSEWHERE, ALTHOUGH WE ARE CERTAINLY LOOKING AT OTHERS’ EXPERIENCE TN ORDER TO HELP TO FIND SOMETHING TO SUIT OUR CIRCUMSTANCES," HE SAID.
MR JACOBS SAID THERE WERE THREE CRITERIA WHICH WERE OF PARAMOUNT IMPORTANCE IF HONG KONG WERE TO INTRODUCE A SALES TAX.
FIRST, IT HAD TO BE DEMONSTRATED THAT A SALES TAX COULD PRODUCE A STABLE AND WORTHWHILE REVENUE YIELD AT A LOW TAX RATE, HE SAID.
"SECONDLY, THE TAX SHOULD CAUSE MINIMAL DISTORTION TO THE ECONOMY.
/••AND THIRDLY, .......
THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 3, 1988
3 -
"AND THIRDLY, WE SHOULD BE ABLE TO SATISFY OURSELVES THAT THE TAX WOULD BE SIMPLE AND CHEAP TO ADMINISTER," HE SAID.
TURNING TO THE OPTIONS WHICH THE ADMINISTRATION HAD EXAMINED, THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY SAID HE DID NOT CONSIDER IT SUITABLE FOR HONG KONG TO EMPLOY THE VAT.
"I AM EVEN DOUBTFUL WHETHER A SALES TAX AT THE RETAIL LEVEL IS RIGHT FOR US BECAUSE OF THE LARGE NUMBER OF BUSINESSES INVOLVED," HE SAID, ADDING THAT THE ADMINISTRATION OF SUCH A TAX WOULD BE COMPLICATED, THE SYSTEM MIGHT BE SUSCEPTIBLE TO EVASION AND IRREGULARITIES WOULD OFTEN BE DIFFICULT TO DETECT.
WHILE A TAX AT THE IMPORT/MANUFACTURING LEVEL MIGHT POSSIBLY MEET THE THREE BASIC CRITERIA, IT WAS ANTICIPATED THAT ADMINISTRATIVE DIFFICULTIES COULD ARISE IN SEEKING TO DISTINGUISH THOSE IMPORTED OR LOCALLY MANUFACTURED GOODS TO BE USED IN THE MANUFACTURING PROCESS AND THOSE TO BE SOLD FOR LOCAL CONSUMPTION.
THE OPTION OF A SINGLE STAGE WHOLESALE SALES TAX (REFERRED TO AS "SALES TAX" BELOW) MET ALL THREE OF THE BASIC CRITERIA ALTHOUGH IT MIGHT SHARE SOME OF THE PROBLEMS MENTIONED ABOVE, HE SAID.
"OUR CURRENT THINKING IS THAT THE ’SALES TAX’ UNDER THIS SYSTEM WOULD FALL ON SALES BY MANUFACTURERS AND WHOLESALERS TO RETAILERS. LIABILITY WOULD ARISE WHEN THE TRANSFER OF OWNERSHIP OF GOODS FROM THE LAST WHOLESALER TO THE RETAILER TOOK PLACE," MR JACOBS SAID.
"AN IMPORTANT ADMINISTRATIVE FEATURE OF THIS TAX WOULD BE THE NEED FOR MANUFACTURERS AND WHOLESALERS TO BE REGISTERED.
"ON REGISTRATION THEY WOULD BE GIVEN A CERTIFICATE NUMBER WHICH, WHEN QUOTED TO ANOTHER REGISTERED PERSON, WOULD PERMIT THE TAX-FREE HANDLING OF GOODS AT THE INTERMEDIATE STAGES OF DISTRIBUTION BEFORE THE TAXING POINT, THEREBY PREVENTING DOUBLE, OR MULTIPLE, COUNTING OF THE TAXABLE VALUE OF GOODS."
LIABILITY TO THIS KIND OF "SALES TAX" WOULD THEREFORE ONLY ARISE WHEN A SALE HAD BEEN MADE TO A PERSON WHO HAD NOT BEEN REGISTERED, HE EXPLAINED.
TURNING TO THE COVERAGE OF THE TAX ON WHICH MOST PUBLIC INTEREST WOULD FOCUS, MR JACOBS SAID AT THIS STAGE IT WOULD BE COUNTER-PRODUCTIVE FOR HIM TO SPECULATE AS TO THE LIKELY COVERAGE OF ANY FUTURE "SALES TAX" IN HONG KONG.
"OBVIOUSLY THE EXTENT OF COVERAGE WOULD DEPEND LARGELY ON THE ECONOMIC CONDITIONS AND SOCIAL VALUES PREVAILING IF AND WHEN SUCH A TAX WERE INTRODUCED.
/"AND INCIDENTALLY, ........
THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 1988
"AND INCIDENTALLY, I HOLD THE VIEW THAT DIFFERENTIAL RATES OF TAX SHOULD, IF POSSIBLE, BE AVOIDED," HE SAID, POINTING OUT . THAT THESE WOULD LEAD TO CONSIDERABLE ADMINISTRATIVE DIFFICULTIES IN CLASSIFYING GOODS.
GIVEN THE NUMBER OF VARIABLES, IT WOULD BE DIFFICULT AT THIS STAGE TO MAKE A RELIABLE ESTIMATE OF THE LIKELY POTENTIAL YIELD FROM A FUTURE "SALES TAX" IN HONG KONG.
"INDEED, THERE ARE A NUMBER OF DIFFERENT METHODS OF ESTIMATING THE POTENTIAL FUTURE TAX YIELD, SUCH AS BASING IT ON THE VALUE OF TOTAL WHOLESALE TRANSACTIONS, OR EXTRAPOLATING IT FROM PRIVATE CONSUMPTION EXPENDITURE IN THE GDP ESTIMATES," HE SAID.
"THE PROS AND CONS OF WHICH METHOD TO ADOPT ARE CURRENTLY BEING EXAMINED.
"HOWEVER, BASING ON THE VALUE OF TOTAL WHOLESALE TRANSACTIONS, AND PROVIDING FOR A FAIRLY BROAD AMBIT, I ESTIMATE THAT EACH PERCENTAGE POINT OF ’SALES TAX’ LEVIED WOULD YIELD SOME $1.25 BILLION AT 1987-88 PRICES.
"PURELY BY WAY OF EXAMPLE, YOU MAY WISH TO NOTE THAT THE YIELD FROM A FIVE PER CENT ’SALES TAX’ APPROXIMATES TO THE TOTAL 1988-89 ESTIMATE FOR SALARIES TAX, OR SOME 45 PER CENT OF THE 1988-89 ESTIMATE FOR PROFITS TAX.
"A ONE PER CENT ’SALES TAX’ WOULD YIELD OVER THREE TIMES THE TOTAL 1988-89 ESTIMATE OF REVENUE FROM NON-ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES AND COSMETICS."
MR JACOBS STRESSED THAT HE WAS NOT SUGGESTING THAT FIVE PER CENT OR ONE PER CENT WERE THE RATES HE WAS THINKING ABOUT. "I JUST WANT YOU TO GET SOME IDEA OF THE FIGURES, HOWEVER BROAD BRUSH."
"SO FAR, OUR RESEARCHES HAVE INDICATED THAT THE INTRODUCTION OF A ’SALES TAX’ IN HONG KONG IS FEASIBLE. BUT WE HAVE YET TO PERSUADE PEOPLE THAT IT IS DESIRABLE.
"I AGREE WITH VARIOUS STATEMENTS THAT HAVE BEEN MADE THAT IT IS TIME THAT WE SHOULD PUT MORE DETAILED PROPOSALS TO THE PUBLIC FOR CONSIDERATION," HE SAID.
-------0----------
THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 3, 1988
- 5 -
STEADY AND CONSTRUCTIVE CONSULTATION ON SALES TAXES: FS ♦ * * » ♦
CONSULTATION FOR THE SALES TAX PROPOSALS HAS TO BE CARRIED THROUGH STEADILY AND IN A CONSTRUCTIVE MANNER, THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY, MR PIERS JACOBS, SAID TODAY (THURSDAY).
ELABORATING TO REPORTERS ON THE CONSULTATION PROCESS AFTER HIS LUNCHEON SPEECH ON THE SUBJECT OF SALES TAX, MR JACOBS SAID THE GOVERNMENT INTENDED TO ISSUE A CONSULTATIVE DOCUMENT EARLY NEXT YEAR TO A NUMBER OF GROUPS WHO WERE LIKELY TO HELP THE GOVERNMENT IN ITS DELIBERATIONS.
THE FIRST TASK WAS TO TAKE SOME DETAILED PROPOSALS TO PROFESSIONAL GROUPS, BUSINESS GROUPS WHO WOULD BE ABLE TO HELP US IN PUTTING TOGETHER OUR IDEAS, HE SAID.
’’THE SUBJECT IS QUITE TECHNICAL. HONG KONG IS A SOCIETY WITH ITS OWN CHARACTERISTICS AND IT MAY BE THAT THERE ARE SOME ASPECTS OF WHAT WE HAVE BEEN WORKING UPON THAT WOULD NOT BE SUITABLE FOR HONG KONG.
"SO WE CAN ONLY TEST THAT BY TALKING TO PEOPLE IN THE MARKET PLACE," HE SAID.
HE ADDED THAT DEPENDING ON THE RESULTS, HE WOULD THEN BE IN A POSITION TO DECIDE WHETHER HE SHOULD SEEK THE ADVICE OF THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL.
MR JACOBS SAID THE PUBLIC WOULD BE CONSULTED ON THE PROPOSALS AT A LATER STAGE.
HE SAID THE PROPOSALS, IF FOUND TO BE WORTHWHILE INTRODUCING, WOULD THEN GO TO THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL AND LATER WOULD BE PUBLISHED FOR PUBLIC DISCUSSION.
"WE ARE NOT IN A HURRY. BUT THE PUBLIC, OF COURSE, WILL HAVE AMPLE OPPORTUNITY OF LOOKING AT THE PROPOSALS, CONSIDERING THEM AND THE EFFECT AND IMPACT OF THOSE PROPOSALS ON THEIR LIFESTYLE," HE SAID.
LN REPLY TO ANOTHER QUESTION ON THE LEVEL OF SALES TAX THE GOVERNMENT WOULD GO FOR IF SALES TAX WAS TO BE INTRODUCED, MR JACOBS SAID IT WAS MUCH TOO EARLY TO SAY WHICH RATE THE GOVERNMENT SHOULD ACTUALLY GO FOR.
HE SAID THE FIGURES OF BETWEEN ONE AND FIVE PER CENT WERE PURELY ILLUSTRATIVE TO SHOW WHAT SORT OF YIELD WE COULD LOOK FOR.
"PART OF THE CONSULTATION PROCESS WOULD BE DEVOTED TO THIS SORT OF THING. 1 WANT TO UNDERSTAND IN MY OWN MIND VERY CLEARLY WHAT SORT OF IMPACT A PARTICULAR RATE WOULD BE LIKELY TO HAVE AT THE RETAIL LEVEL," HE SAID.
/’’TO
MAKE........
THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 5, 1988
- 6 -
"TO MAKE THAT DECISION, YOU HAVE TO HAVE A GOOD UNDERSTANDING OE THE STRUCTURE OF TRADE LN HONG KONG, THE STRUCTURE OF THE RETAIL TRADE IN PARTICULAR," HE ADDED.
"I’M CONVINCED THAT I SHOULD LOOK AT THIS THING WELL AHEAD OF THE DATE WHEN I MIGHT WANT TO INTRODUCE LT. IT’S A COMPLICATED SUBJECT AND ONE SHOULD TAKE ONE'S TIME OVER IT SO LT’S A QUESTION OF LOOKING AT IT OVER A PERIOD OF TIME," HE SAID.
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MUTUAL CO-OPERATION RESULTS IN ECONOMIC ACHIEVEMENT *****
MORE COMMUNICATION, CONTACT AND UNDERSTANDING BETWEEN EMPLOYERS AND EMPLOYEES WERE NEEDED TO CULTIVATE HARMONIOUS LABOUR RELATIONS, THE SENIOR MEMBER OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL, MR ALLEN LEE, SAID TODAY (THURSDAY).
SPEAKING AT THE OPENING OF THE FIRST-EVER HONG KONG LABOUR RELATIONS CONFERENCE AT THE CITY HALL CONCERT HALL, MR LEE STRESSED THAT THE OUTSTANDING ECONOMIC ACHIEVEMENTS OF HONG KONG IN THE PAST 30 YEARS WERE THE RESULT OF MUTUAL CO-OPERATION BETWEEN THE EMPLOYERS AND EMPLOYEES.
"THE SHREWDNESS OF THE PROPRIETORS OF VARIOUS ENTERPRISES, THEIR KEEN INSIGHT INTO THE WORLD MARKET, AND THE ENORMOUS INVESTMENT ON MACHINERY AS WELL AS UTILITIES ARE THE DRIVING FORCES OF OUR ECONOMY," HE SAID.
"ON THE OTHER HAND, THE MERITORIOUS SERVICES PROVIDED BY THE 2.4 MILLION SKILLED, EFFICIENT AND ALWAYS DILIGENT EMPLOYEES ARE ALSO INDISPENSABLE."
MR LEE NOTED THAT HONG KONG'S ECONOMY WAS ENTERING INTO A TRANSITION PERIOD WHEREBY THE MANUFACTURING INDUSTRY WAS SHIFTING ITS FOCUS FROM THE PRODUCTION OF LOW VALUE ADDED PRODUCTS TO HIGH VALUE ADDED PRODUCTS, AND ITS EXPORT FROM CHEAP PRODUCTS TO MANAGEMENT TECHNIQUE AND PRODUCTION TECHNOLOGY.
IN ADDITION, THE RELATIVE IMPORTANCE OF THE SERVICE INDUSTRY AND THE DEMANDS OF THE CUSTOMERS WERE EVER INCREASING.
IN ORDER TO COPE WITH SUCH CHANGES, HE SAID, ONE COULD NOT WORK OUT A SOLUTION PRIMARILY BY IMPROVING THE MACHINERY.
"IT IS MORE IMPORTANT TO TRAIN AND DEPLOY WISELY QUALIFIED PERSONNEL WITH A VIEW TO TACKLING THE PROBLEM."
/ENLIGHTENED PERSONNEL........
THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 3, 1988
ENLIGHTENED PERSONNEL POLICIES AND HARMONIOUS LABOUR RELATIONS WERE BENEFICIAL IN ENCOURAGING EMPLOYEES TO WORK POSITIVELY AND ENHANCING THE QUALITY OF THE PRODUCTS AS WELL AS THE SERVICES.
’’THE PROFITS OF THE COMPANIES MAY THUS BE INCREASED; THEREFORE, IMPROVEMENTS IN EMPLOYEE WELFARE, HOLIDAYS AND WORKING HOURS ARE INVESTMENTS WITH RETURN.
"THIS IS A NEW DEMAND IN THE NEW STAGE IN WHICH OUR PRODUCTION PRINCIPLE SHIFTS FROM ’QUANTITY IS OF MOST IMPORTANCE WHILE QUALITY IS OF THE LEAST’ TO ’QUANTITY AND QUALITY ARE OF EQUAL IMPORTANCE’," MR LEE ADDED.
ALSO OFFICIATING AT THE OPENING OF THE CONFERENCE WHICH MARKED THE LAUNCHING OF LABOUR RELATIONS ’88 WERE THE COMMISSIONER FOR LABOUR, MR TONY HAMMOND, AND THE CHAIRMAN OF THE LABOUR RELATIONS '88 ORGANISING COMMITTEE, MR CHAN SU1-KAU.
IN HIS WELCOMING SPEECH, MR HAMMOND SAID HONG KONG WHICH WAS ENJOYING A VERY HARMONIOUS STATE OF LABOUR RELATIONS, HAD ONE OF THE WORLD’S LOWEST RATES OF WORKING DAYS LOST DUE TO STRIKES AND WORK STOPPAGES.
"INDEED, LAST YEAR, ONLY 2,773 WORKING DAYS WERE LOST AS A RESULT OF INDUSTRIAL DISPUTES, WHICH WAS A FIGURE SUBSTANTIALLY BELOW THE AVERAGE IN MOST INDUSTRIALISED COUNTRIES," HE SAID.
"HOWEVER, 1 AM NOT COMPLACENT ABOUT THE SITUATION BECAUSE I RECOGNISE THAT THERE IS STILL MUCH ROOM FOR IMPROVEMENT IN THE HONG KONG LABOUR RELATIONS SCENE."
MR HAMMOND TOLD THE GATHERING THAT A POSITIVE LABOUR RELATIONS CLIMATE RELIED HEAVILY ON THE ACTIVE PARTICIPATION OF EMPLOYERS, WORKERS AND THE GOVERNMENT.
LABOUR RELATIONS ’88 IS JOINTLY ORGANISED BY THE LABOUR RELATIONS PROMOTION SUB-COMMITTEE OF THE LABOUR ADVISORY BOARD AND THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT.
IT IS AIMED AT AROUSING PUBLIC AWARENESS OF THE IMPORTANCE OF GOOD LABOUR RELATIONS; SHARING EXPERIENCES OF SUCCESS COMPANIES WHICH PRACTISE ENLIGHTENED PERSONNEL POLICIES; AND (’HEATING OPPORTUNITIES FOR EMPLOYERS AND EMPLOYEES, MANAGERS AND TRADE UNION LEADERS, AND ACADEMICS AND GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS TO MEET AND EXCHANGE VIEWS AND EXPERIENCES.
"THROUGH THE ORGANISATION OF THESE PROJECTS, AND JOINT PARTICIPATION IN THE VARIOUS ACTIVITIES AND COMPETITIONS, WE HOPE TO ACHIEVE BETTER MUTUAL UNDERSTANDING AND GREATER TRUST, WHICH WILL IN TURN PAVE THE WAY FOR EVEN CLOSER CO-OPERATION IN THE FUTURE, HE ADDED.
/MR CHAN .......
THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 7>, 1988
- 8 -
MR CHAN SUI-KAU, IN HIS VOTE OF THANKS, SAID THE EVENT REFLECTED A COMMON DESIRE AMONG THE SPONSORS, INCLUDING LEADING EMPLOYERS’ ASSOCIATIONS AND TRADE UNION FEDERATIONS, TO ESTABLISH POSITIVE LABOUR RELATIONS TO THE BENEFIT OF ALL PARTIES CONCERNED.
HE CALLED ON MANAGEMENT STAFF TO ENCOURAGE THEIR EMPLOYEES TO PARTICIPATE IN THE WIDE RANGE OF ACTIVITIES DUE TO TAKE PLACE IN THE NEXT ONE-AND-A-HALF MONTHS.
"EMPLOYEES’ PARTICIPATION COUPLED WITH ENCOURAGEMENT FROM THE ADMINISTRATORS WOULD CERTAINLY BRING SOME LIGHTER ATMOSPHERE TO THE BUSTLING AND TENSE WORKING ATMOSPHERE," SAID MR CHAN.
"THE RELATION BETWEEN SUPERVISORS AND THEIR SUBORDINATES, AS A RESULT, COULD BE IMPROVED AS WELL."
TODAY’S CONFERENCE WAS ATTENDED BY SOME 800 PEOPLE. TWENTY-SIX PROMINENT GUEST SPEAKERS DELIVERED TALKS ON THE REVIEW OF LABOUR RELATIONS LN HONG KONG, LABOUR RELATIONS AND PRODUCTIVITY, MANAGEMENT RELATIONS IN A MULTI NAT1ONAL FIRM, AND THE ROLE OF TRADE UNIONS LN ESTABLISHING POSITIVE INDUSTRIAL RELATIONS.
AMONG THE SPEAKERS WAS AN EXPERT LN INDUSTRIAL RELATIONS FROM THE INTERNATIONAL LABOUR ORGANISATION OF THE UNITED NATIONS, MR MICHIO HAMADA, WHO FLEW TO HONG KONG SPECIALLY FOR THE EVENT.
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NEW CHINA FERRY TERMINAL OPERATES NEXT WEEK
*****
THE NEU, PERMANENT CHINA FERRY TERMINAL WILL BE OPERATIONAL AS FROM 6 AM ON NOVEMBER «, THE MARINE DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCED TODAY (THURSDAY).
MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC ARE ADVISED THAT ALL BUT ONE FERRY SERVICE BETWEEN HONG KONG AND CHINA WILL OPERATE FROM THE NEW ('HINA FERRY TERMINAL, WHICH IS LOCATED WITHIN CH INA HONG KONG CITY AT CANTON ROAD, TS1M SHA TSUI.
THE HONG KONG-SHEKOl FERRY SERVICE WILL, HOWEVER, OPERATE FROM THE MACAU FERRY TERMINAL IN CENTRAL.
ON THE SAME DAY, THE TEMPORARY CHINA FERRV TERMINALS IN CENTRAL AND TAI KOK TSUI WILL CEASE OPERATIONS.
SENIOR MARINE OFFICER (TERMINALS), MR NG KWING-KEE SAID THE NEW CHINA FERRY TERMINAL WOULD PROVIDE BETTER AND MORE MODERN FACILITIES, NONE OF WHICH EXISTED \T THE PRESENT TEMPORARY TERMINALS.
/THESE INCLUDE:
THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 3, 1988
THESE INCLUDE:
* ENHANCED IMMIGRATION AND CUSTOMS FACILITIES AS WELL AS LARGER WAITING AREAS WHICH ARE FULLY AIR-CONDITIONED;
* MECHANICAL BAGGAGE HANDLING SYSTEM;
» SAILING INFORMATION DISPLAY SYSTEM;
» BERTHING CONTROL SYSTEM; AND
* SECURITY CONTROL SYSTEM.
’’ALSO UNLIKE THE EXISTING TERMINALS, CONVENTIONAL FERRIES WITH A DISPLACEMENT OF UP TO 25,000 TONNES AND A DRAFT OF UP TO 10 METRES WILL BE ABLE TO BERTH ALONGSIDE THE MAIN PIER OF THE NEW TERMINAL FOR DIRECT EMBARKATION OR DISEMBARKATION OF PASSENGERS,” SAID MR NG.
IN ADDITION, HE SAID A TOTAL OF 64 IMMIGRATION COUNTERS WOULD BE PROVIDED AT THE TERMINAL, OF WHICH 38 WERE FOR ARRIVAL PASSENGERS AND 26 FOR DEPARTURE.
THE IMMIGRATION DEPARTMENT WOULD ALSO IMPLEMENT ITS "EASY TRAVEL SCHEME” AT THE NEW TERMINAL ON NOVEMBER 8.
”IT IS ESTIMATED THAT THE TERMINAL CAN HANDLE A MAXIMUM OF 19 MILLION PASSENGERS PER ANNUM, WITH SUFFICIENT CAPACITY TO MEET DEMANDS INTO THE NEXT CENTURY,” MR NG SAID.
LAST YEAR, A TOTAL OF 2.8 MILLION PASSENGERS WENT THROUGH THE EXISTING TEMPORARY TERMINALS, COMPARED WITH MORE THAN 1.5 MILLION FOR THE FIRST SIX MONTHS OF THIS YEAR.
MR NG NOTED THAT ALTHOUGH THE NEW TERMINAL HAD BEEN DESIGNED FOR 24-HOUR OPERATION, THE PRESENT DEMAND FOR FERRY SERVICES ONLY REQUIRED IT TO BE OPEN FROM 6 AM TO 10 PM DA ILY.
HE SAID AT PRESENT EIGHT FERRY COMPANIES WERE OPERATING SERVICES TO 21 DIFFERENT PORTS IN CHINA, INCLUDING GUANGZHOU, SHANGHAI, XIAMEN AND HUANGPU, USING BOTH CONVENTIONAL PASSENGER VESSELS AND MODERN DYNAMICALLY SUPPORTED CRAFT.
THE MARINE DEPARTMENT IS RESPONSIBLE FOR THE MANAGEMENT OF THE TERMINAL. OTHER USER DEPARTMENTS INCLUDE IMMIGRATION, CUSTOMS AND EXCISE, POLICE, MEDICAL AND HEALTH, ELECTRICAL AND MECHANICAL SERVICES, ARCHITECTURAL SERVICES AND CIVIL ENGINEERING SERVICES.
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THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 3, 1988
10
URBAN REDEVELOPMENT - A BOOST TO YAU MA TEI *****
THE LIVING ENVIRONMENT AND COMMUNITY FACILITIES IN THE DENSELY-POPULATED YAU MA TEI AREA WOULD BE GREATLY IMPROVED WITH THE COMPLETION OF TWO MAJOR URBAN REDEVELOPMENT PROJECTS, THE REGIONAL SECRETARY FOR HONG KONG AND KOWLOON, MR DAVID LAN, SAID TODAY (THURSDAY).
HE POINTED OUT THAT THE PLANNED WEST KOWLOON RECLAMATION PROJECT WOULD ENHANCE THE DEVELOPMENT POTENTIAL OF YAU MA TEI AREA, AND WOULD PROVIDE ADDITIONAL COMMUNITY FACILITIES.
MR LAN WAS BRIEFED ON THE LATEST PROGRESS OF OFFICERS OF THE YAU TSIM DISTRICT OFFICE DURING
VISIT TO THE YAU TSIM DISTRICT THIS AFTERNOON.
SPEAKING AFTER THE VISIT, MR LAN SAID BUILDINGS IN SIX STREETS IN THE YAU MA TEI NORTH REDEVELOPED BY THE HONG KONG HOUSING SOCIETY IMPROVEMENT SCHEME" TO PROVIDE MODERN ACCOMMODATION
THESE PROJECTS BY
A FAMILIARISATION
122 OLD TENEMENT
AREA WERE BEING UNDER AN "URBAN FOR 5,900 PEOPLE.
THE SCHEME WOULD ALSO PROVIDE VARIOUS COMMUNITY FACILITIES, INCLUDING A DAY CARE CENTRE FOR THE ELDERLY, A CHILDREN AND YOUTH CENTRE, A CENTRE FOR THE MENTALLY HANDICAPPED, A NURSERY, A KINDERGARTEN, AND AN 8,000-SQUARE-METRE PUBLIC OPEN SPACE.
THE CLEARANCE FOR PHASE I OF THE SCHEME WAS CARRIED OUT SMOOTHLY IN JUNE THIS YEAR, WITH DEMOLITION OF BUILDINGS STARTING THE FOLLOWING MONTH.
PHASE I WAS SCHEDULED TO BE COMPLETED IN 1990, TO BE FOLLOWED IMMEDIATELY BY PHASE II.
MR LAN WENT ON TO SAY THAT THE LAND DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION HAD IDENTIFIED A SITE COMPRISING TWO STREET BLOCKS OF SIX-STOREY OLD TENEMENT BUILDINGS AT YUNNAN LANE FOR AN URBAN REDEVELOPMENT SCHEME.
"SOME SHOP OWNERS AND RESIDENTS ARE OBJECTING TO THE SCHEME; AND THE YAU TSIM DISTRICT OFFICE IS, THEREFORE, ASSISTING THE TOWN PLANNING OFFICE IN ARRANGING A MEETING WITH THEM TO EXPLAIN THE SCHEME IN DETAIL," HE NOTED.
SPEAKING ABOUT THE WEST KOWLOON RECLAMATION, MR LAN SAID THE PROPOSED AREA FOR THE PROJECT COVERED OVER 300 HECTARES OF LAND TO BE RECLAIMED OFF THE EXISTING WEST KOWLOON COAST, STRETCHING FROM YAU MA TEI TO LAI CHI KOK.
ONE OF THE PRIMARY PLANNING OBJECTIVES OF THE PROJECT WAS TO PROVIDE AN INTEGRATED AND BALANCED HOUSING DEVELOPMENT WITH ADEQUATE EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES, OPEN SPACE, RECREATIONAL AND COMMUNITY FACILITIES WHICH WERE REQUIRED TO SUSTAIN A POPULATION OF 60,000 TO 120,000.
/"THE WEST ......
THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 3, 1988
11
’’THE WEST KOWLOON RECLAMATION IS CURRENTLY UNDER DETAILED PLANNING AND A NUMBER OF STUDIES HAVE ALREADY BEEN INITIATED TO LOOK INTO THE VARIOUS ASPECTS OF THIS LARGE SCALE PROJECT. THESE INCLUDE PLANNING, ENGINEERING, TRANSPORT, AND HYDRAULIC AND WATER QUALITY STUDIES,” HE ADDED.
DURING HIS VISIT, MR LAN ALSO TOURED THE FERRY POINT AREA, WHERE HE WAS BRIEFED ON EFFORTS BY THE AREA COMMITTEE TO IMPROVE THE ENVIRONMENT AND TRAFFIC, AND TO ENCOURAGE RESIDENTS’ PARTICIPATION IN COMMUNITY AFFAIRS.
HE ALSO TOOK A CRUISE IN THE YAU MA TEI TYPHOON SHELTER, WHICH WILL BECOME A RESTRICTED ZONE FOR DWELLING BOATS IN JULY 1989.
MR LAN POINTED OUT THAT VOLUNTARY REHOUSING EXERCISES CONDUCTED BY THE HOUSING DEPARTMENT OVER THE YEARS HAD REDUCED THE DWELLING BOAT POPULATION IN THE TYPHOON SHELTER FROM 547 FAMILIES (WITH 2,518 PERSONS) IN SEPTEMBER 1984 TO 50 FAMILIES (WITH 220 PERSONS) LATE LAST MONTH.
*
’’RECENTLY, THE HOUSING AUTHORITY HAS ACCEPTED A GOVERNMENT PROPOSAL TO CLEAR THE REMAINING LICENSED DWELLING BOATS IN THE TYPHOON SHELTER BY JULY 7, 1989, BY WHICH TIME THE SHELTER WILL BE GAZETTED AS A CLOSED. AREA FOR DWELLING VESSELS.
"THE LICENSED BOAT DWELLERS WILL THEREFORE HAVE TO LEAVE THE TYPHOON SHELTER, AND THE HOUSING AUTHORITY WILL OFFER URBAN REHOUSING TO THE ELIGIBLE CLEAREES.
’’THE DISTRICT BOARD HAS BEEN CONSULTED ON THIS PROPOSAL, AND HAS GIVEN ITS SUPPORT,” MR LAN CONCLUDED.
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MORE RESOURCES FOR
LESS BRIGHT STUDENTS
******
THE DIRECTOR OF EDUCATION, MR Y.T. LI SAID HE WOULD STRIVE TO OBTAIN MORE RESOURCES FOR SECONDARY SCHOOLS CATERING. MAINLY FOR LOWER-BAND CHILDREN WHO ARE MOST IN NEED OF ENCOURAGEMENT AND ASSISTANCE.
SPEAKING AT THE SPEECH DAY OF ST MARK’S SCHOOL IN SHAU KEI WAN TODAY (THURSDAY), MR LI SAID THIS DID NOT MEAN THAT THE INTERESTS OF BRIGHT STUDENTS SHOULD BE NEGLECTED BECAUSE HE FIRMLY BELIEVED THAT THERE WAS A CONTINUING NEED TO STIMULATE THESE STUDENTS AND TO LOOK AFTER THEM AS MUCH, AND AS WELL, AS POSSIBLE.
HE SAID MANY PEOPLE HAD A STRONG NAGGING FEELING THAT THE QUALITY OF EDUCATION HAD GONE DOWN.
/BUT, IF ........
12 -
THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 3, 1988 <
BUT, IF ONE COMPARED THE PRESENT SITUATION WITH THAT 25 YEARS AGO, ONE WOULD FIND THAT HONG KONG NOW HAD MUCH BETTER SCHOOL BUILDINGS, BETTER TEACHING FACILITIES, BETTER TRAINED TEACHERS, A MUCH RICHER CURRICULUM AND MUCH MORE INTERESTING EXTRA-CURRICULAR ACTIVITIES AS WELL AS MUCH BETTER SUPPORTING SERVICES FOR BOTH OUR TEACHERS AND STUDENTS, HE NOTED.
"SINCE IT IS THESE THINGS THAT MAKE UP THE QUALITY OF EDUCATION WE PROVIDE, IT IS OBVIOUSLY UNTRUE THAT THE LATTER HAS DETERIORATED," HE SAID.
"WHILE THE QUALITY OF EDUCATION HAS NOT DETERIORATED, GENERALLY SPEAKING, AVERAGE STANDARDS APPEAR TO HAVE GONE DOWN BECAUSE AS A RESULT OF THE INTRODUCTION OF UNIVERSAL AND COMPULSORY EDUCATION, CHILDREN WHO ARE ACADEMICALLY WEAK AND WHO WOULD NOT OTHERWISE HAVE BEEN IN SCHOOL ARE NOW IN SCHOOL."
"IT IS THIS IMPACT WHICH HAS CAUSED THE . UNEASINESS," MR LI SAID.
ON THE QUESTION OF HOW TO DEAL WITH THIS SITUATION, MR LI SAID THE FIRST AND FOREMOST THING WAS FOR PEOPLE TO ACCEPT THE REALITIES OF UNIVERSAL AND COMPULSORY EDUCATION, TO RECOGNISE THAT NOT ALL CHILDREN ARE BORN EQUAL IN TERMS OE’ ABILITY AND INTEREST AND TO RE-INTERPRET OUR EDUCATIONAL OBJECTIVES INCLUDING THE OBJECTIVE OF ACHIEVING EXCELLENCE IN EDUCATION AS IN THE GOOD OLD DAYS.
"EXCELLENCE IN EDUCATION, IN A UNIVERSAL EDUCATION SITUATION, SHOULD BE DEFINED AS PERSONAL EXCELLENCE RATHER THAN NARROWLY AS ABSOLUTE EXCELLENCE."
"WHILE WE SHOULD APPLAUD SCHOOLS WHICH TURN OUT THE BEST SCHOLARS OF HONG KONG, WE SHOULD PAY EQUAL, PERHAPS EVEN GREATER, TRIBUTE TO THOSE SCHOOLS WHICH SUCCEED IN HELPING WEAKER CHILDREN TO DEVELOP TO THEIR FULL INDIVIDUAL POTENTIAL."
"THESE CHILDREN MAY NOT BECOME DOCTORS OR LAWYERS, BUT WITH HELP, THEY CAN BECOME EQUALLY USEFUI CITIZENS, CONTRIBUTING IN THEIR OWN WAY TO A SUCCESSFUL HONG KONG OF THE FUTURE," MR LI SAID.
-------0 - - - -
/13........
I
THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 3, 1988
. - 13 -
ANOTHER GROUP OF VIETNAMESE BOAT PEOPLE SCREENED *****
THE GOVERNMENT HAS COMPLETED ITS SCREENING PROCEDURES DETERMINING THE STATUS OF ANOTHER 41 VIETNAMESE ASYLUM SEEKERS HAVE ARRIVED IN HONG KONG AFTER JUNE 15 THIS YEAR.
FOR
WHO
OF THE GROUP SCREENED, ONE PERSON AND HAS BEEN TRANSFERRED TO A REFUGEE OVERSEAS.
WAS FOUND TO BE A REFUGEE CAMP PRIOR TO RESETTLEMENT
THE OTHER 40, COMPRISING EIGHT FOUND NOT TO BE REFUGEES. THEY WILL PENDING REPATRIATION TO VIETNAM.
GROUPS AND 19 INDIVIDUALS, WERE BE HELD IN DETENTION CENTRES
’’DETERMINATION NOTICES HAVE BEEN SERVED ON THE ASYLUM SEEKERS BY IMMIGRATION DEPARTMENT STAFF,” A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN SAID.
’’THOSE FOUND NOT T?) BE REFUGEES HAVE BEEN ADVISED OF THEIR RIGHT TO OBJECT TO THE RESULT UNDER THE IMMIGRATION ORDINANCE, AS WELL AS THEIR RIGHT TO LEGAL ADVICE IN PREPARING THEIR OBJECTIONS.
’’THE UNHCR WILL MAKE ARRANGEMENTS TO ENSURE THAT LEGAL ADVICE IS MADE AVAILABLE TO ALL THOSE WHO NEED IT.”
THE SPOKESMAN POINTED OUT THAT THE SCREENING PROCEDURES WERE BASED ON THE UNHCR PROCEDURES AND CRITERIA FOR DETERMINING REFUGEE STATUS ESTABLISHED UNDER THE 1951 CONVENTION AND THE 1967 PROTOCOL, AND TOOK INTO ACCOUNT THE SPECIAL SITUATION OF ASYLUM SEEKERS FROM VIETNAM.
"STAFF OF THE UNHCR WERE PRESENT DURING SOME OF THE INTERVIEWS AS OBSERVERS,” HE SAID.
SO FAR, SCREENING PROCEDURES HAVE BEEN COMPLETED FOR 89 ASYLUM SEEKERS. OF THEM, EIGHT WERE FOUND TO BE REFUGEES WHILE 81 WERE FOUND NOT TO THE REFUGEES.
- 0 -
THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 3, 1988
OLI ORGANISES LOGO DESIGN COMPETITION * * * * *
THE PLANNING COMMITTEE OF THE OPEN LEARNING INSTITUTE IS INVITING MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC TO TAKE PART IN AN OPEN COMPETITION TO DESIGN A LOGO FOR THE NEW OPEN LEARNING INSTITUTE OF HONG KONG (OLI).
THE OLI WILL BE A STATUTORY BODY AND THE SIXTH DEGREE GRANTING INSTITUTION IN HONG KONG. IT WILL CATER FOR THE NEEDS OF THOSE WHO HAVE NOT HAD THE OPPORTUNITY TO BENEFIT FROM HIGHER EDUCATION OR WHO WISH TO LEARN NEW SKILLS.
THE OLI WILL BE LOCATED AT ARGYLE CENTRE TOWER II AND THE FIRST STUDENT INTAKE IS EXPECTED IN SEPTEMBER NEXT YEAR.
ENTRIES WILL BE ACCEPTED UP TO NOVEMBER 30. THEY SHOULD BE SENT TO THE SECRETARY, PLANNING COMMITTEE FOR THE OPEN LEARNING INSTITUTE ON THE 12TH FLOOR, WEST WING, CENTRAL GOVERNMENT OFFICES, ICE HOUSE STREET, HONG KONG.
ALL RESIDENTS ARE ELIGIBLE TO SUBMIT- DESIGNS. EACH PERSON MAY SUBMIT TWO ENTRIES. THE SIZE IS 60 CM X 60 CM AND THE COLOUR IS EITHER BLACK AND WHITE OR FULL COLOUR.
THERE ARE THREE PRIZES. THE FIRST PRIZE IS $15,000, THE SECOND PRIZE IS $8,000 AND THE THIRD PRIZE IS $4,000.
THE WINNING DESIGN MAY OR MA\ NOT BE ADOPTED AS THE OLI LOGO. THE PLANNING COMMITTEE RESERVES THE RIGHT TO USE AT ITS DISCRETION ANY OF THE AWARD WINNING DESIGNS SUBMITTED.
A PANEL OF JUDGES WILL BE FORMED OF MEMBERS OF THE PLANNING COMMITTEE AND OTHER INVITED INDIVIDUALS.
THE RESULTS OF THE COMPETITION WILL BE ANNOUNCED IN EARLY JANUARY.
DB TUNNEL WORKING GROUP TO MEET TOMORROW *****
THE WORKING GROUP ON TATE'S CAIRN TUNNEL UNDER THE WONG TAI SIN DISTRICT BOARD WILL MEET TOMORROW (FRIDAY).
AT THE MEETING, MEMBERS WILL HEAR VARIOUS REPORTS ON THE PROGRESS OF THE TATE’S CAIRN TUNNEL PROJECT MADE SINCE THE WORKING GROUP’S LAST MEETING IN JUNE. THEY INCLUDE REPORTS ON THE CLEARANCE PROGRAMME, WORK PROGRESS, LAND ACQUISITION AND COMPENSATION.
/MEMBERS WILL .......
THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 3, 1988
MEMBERS WILL ALSO DISCUSS THE RE-ROUTEING OF BUS SERVICES IN CONNECTION WITH THE RELOCATION OF CHOI HUNG BUS TERMINUS, AND THE TEMPORARY TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS ON PRINCE EDWARD ROAD EAST IN CONNECTION WITH THE CONSTRUCTION OF THE TATE’S CAIRN TUNNEL APPROACHES.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE MEETING OF THE WORKING GROUP ON TATE’S CAIRN TUNNEL, BEGINNING AT 2.30 PM TOMORROW (FRIDAY) IN THE CONFERENCE ROOM ON THE FOURTH FLOOR OF THE WONG TAI SIN DISTRICT OFFICE IN KING FUK STREET.
- 0 -
^COMMITTEE TO DISCUSS SERVICES FOR THE ELDERLY
*****
THE SOCIAL SERVICES COMMITTEE UNDER THE KWUN TONG DISTRICT BOARD WILL DISCUSS SERVICES FOR THE ELDERLA AT ITS MEETING TOMORROW (FRIDAY).
THE MEETING WILL CONSIDER A REPRESENTATION FROM FOUR DISTRICT BOARD MEMBERS, SUGGESTING THAT THE GOVERNMENT SHOULD REVIEW THE PRESENT POLICY REGARDING SERVICES FOR THE ELDERLY AND CONSULT DISTRICT BOARDS BEFORE THE INTRODUCTION OF A NEW POLICY,
MEMBERS WILL ALSO BE BRIEFED ON THE FAMILY LIFE EDUCATION SERVICE PROVIDED IO THE HONG KONG COUNCI L Ol- SOCIAL SERVICE, AND WILL LEARN OF THE DEVELOPMENT AND PROVISION OF SOCIAL WELFARE SERVICES IN KWUN TONG FROM A COMPREHENSIVE REPORI PREPARED IO THE SO( JAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT.
IN ADDITION, THE MEETING WILL 'ONSIDER \ REQUEST FROM THE COUNCIL ON SMOKING AND HEALTH, INVITING THE DISTRICT BOARD To JOINTLY ORGANISE A VARIETY OF EDUCATIONAL AND PUBLICITY ACTIVITIES WITH ANTI-SMOKING AS THE THEME.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVEL* THE MEETING OF THE KWUN TONG DISTRICT BOARD’S SOCIAL SERVICES COMMITTEE BEGINNING AT 2.30 PM TOMORROW (FRIDAY) IN THE CONFERENCE ROOM ON THE TH I RD FLOOR OF THE KWLN TONG GOVERNMENT BRANCH OFFICES BUILDING IN TUNG VAN STREET.
- 0 - -
/16
THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 3, 1988
- 16
launching’ISf c and w cultural and arts festival
* * * * *
A WIDE-RANGE OF PROGRAMMES OFFERED UNDER THEjU^NTRAL AND WESTERN DISTRICT’S CULTURAL AND ARTS FESTIVAL WILL BE ■•iCHED THIS SUNDAY (NOVEMBER 6). V
THE MONTH-LONG FESTIVAL IS JOINTLY ORGANISED BY THE CENTRAL AND WESTERN DISTRICT OFFICE, THE DISTRICT ASSOCIATION FOR CULTURE AND ARTS (CENTRAL AND WESTERN) AND THE DISTRICT BOARD WITH AN AIM TO ENCOURAGE GREATER COMMUNITY PARTICIPATION.
TO MARK THE OPENING OF THE FESTIVAL, A CEREMONY WILL BE HELD AT 2.30 PM AT CHATER GARDENS IN CENTRAL.
OFFICIATING AT THE OPENING CEREMONY WILL BE THE CENTRAL AND WESTERN DISTRICT OFFICER, MR STEPHEN FISHER; CHAIRMAN OF THE DISTRICT ASSOCIATION FOR CULTURE AND ARTS (CENTRAL AND WESTERN), MR WONG CHUNG-YING AND CHAIRMAN OF THE DISTRICT BOARD, MR AMBROSE LAU.
OTHER OFFICIATING GUESTS INCLUDED THE CHAIRMAN OF THE' WORKING GROUP ON THE OPENING CEREMONY CUM CARNIVAL OF. >1988 CENTRAL AND WESTERN DISTRICT CULTURAL AND ARTS FESTIVAL, MR NGA I WAI-MI NG; POLICE DISTRICT COMMANDER OF THE CENTRAL DISTRICT, MR W.H. K1RKHOPE; URBAN .COUNCILLOR, MR CHOW WAI-KEUNG AND THE VICE CHAIRMAN OF THE DISTRICT ASSOCIATION FOR CULTURE AND ARTS (CENTRAL AND WESTERN)*, MR YUEN BUN-KEUNG.
TO TIE IN WITH THE OPENING OF THE FESTIVAL, THE ORGANISERS WILL HOLD AN ART BONANZA OFFERING OPPORTUNITIES FOR PARTICIPANTS TO TRY OUT VARIOUS KINDS OF INTERESTING HANDICRAFT INCLUDING PAPER CLAY, CERAMICS, KNITTING, FLOUR DOLL-MAKING AND PAPER SCULPTURE.
ADMISSION IS FREE AND RESIDENTS ARE WELCOME TO ATTEND THE OPENING CEREMONY AND THE ART BONANZA.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE EVENT TO BEGIN SUNDAY (NOVEMBER 6) AT CHATER GARDENS IN CENT/MI
ON
2.30 PM
- 0
THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 3, 1988
- 17 -
TWO MORE SECONDARY SCHOOLS FOR SHA TIN
*****
EDUCATIONAL FACILITIES IN SHA TIN WILL BE BOOSTED BY TWO NEW SECONDARY SCHOOLS EXPECTED TO BE BUILT IN MID-1990.
THE ARCHITECTURAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT IS INVITING TENDERS FOR THEIR CONSTRUCTION.
THE TWO FULL-INTERLOCKED SCHOOLS - EACH WITH THEIR OWN ASSEMBLY HALL BUILT ONE ON TOP OF THE OTHER - WILL BE LOCATED IN AREA 5A, POK HONG ESTATE.
EACH WILL HAVE ONE CLASSROOM BLOCK MADE UP OF 24 CLASSROOMS, ONE SPECIAL CLASSROOM BLOCK TO HOUSE VARIOUS TYPES OF LABORATORIES, INTEREST CLASSES AND OTHER USES.
CONSTRUCTION IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN IN JANUARY AND TAKE ABOUT 18 MONTHS TO COMPLETE.
TENDERS FOR THE PROJECT SHOULD BE SUBMITTED BY NOON ON NOVEMBER 25.
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TSUEN WAN SPORTS FESTIVAL STARTS SATURDAY *****
THE TSUEN WAN SPORTS FESTIVAL WILL BE LAUNCHED WITH A GRAND OPENING CEREMONY AND A SOCCER INVITATION MATCH ON SATURDAY (NOVEMBER 5) .
THE MONTH-LONG FESTIVAL WILL BE CELEBRATING ITS 10TH ANNIVERSARY THIS YEAR.
OFFICIATING AT THE OPENING CEREMONY AT 8 PM IN THE TSUEN WAN YEUNG UK ROAD SPORTS GROUND WILL BE THE REGIONAL SECRETARY FOR THE NEW TERRITORIES, MR MICHAEL SUEN.
THE SOCCER INVITATION MATCH WILL FEATURE THE CHINESE NATIONAL WOMEN’S TEAM AGAINST THE HONG KONG TV AND FILM STARS TEAM.
THIS MAIN MATCH WILL BE PRECEDED BY A CURTAIN RAISER STARTING AT 6 PM WITH THE JAPAN KAGOSHIMA TEAM AGAINST THE TSUEN WAN TEAM.
PROGRAMMES IN THE 1OTH TSUEN WAN SPORTS FESTIVAL INCLUDE PERFORMANCES BY THE CHINESE NATIONAL MARTIAL ARTS TEAM, THE SHENZHEN WRESTLING TEAM (MONGOLIAN STYLE), THE JIANGSU ACRO AND RHY'IHMIC GYMNASTIC TEAM AND THE JIANGSU BADMINTON TEAM AS WELL AS A CELEBRITY TENNIS DEMONSTRATION MATCH.
/THERE WILL ......
THURSDAY,^NOVEMBER 5, 1988
- 18 -
THERE WILL ALSO BE A WIDE RANGE OE EVENTS, SUCH AS ARCHERY, MINI-SOCCER, FIVE-A-SIDE SOCCER, BASKETBALL, VOLLEYBALL, HANDBALL, TENNIS, AEROBIC DANCE, GO-KART RACING AND A CROSS-COUNTRY MARATHON, HELD AT VARIOUS VENUES THROUGHOUT THE DISTRICT.
THE FESTIVAL WILL ALSO HAVE SPECIAL EVENTS FOR THE HANDICAPPED AND THE ELDERLY.
FREE ADMISSION TICKETS AND COPIES OF THE PROGRAMMES ARE AVAILABLE AT THE PUBLIC ENQUIRY SERVICES CENTRES OF THE TSUEN WAN DISTRICT OFFICE.
THE 10TH TSUEN WAN SPORTS FESTIVAL IS PRESENTED BY THE TSUEN WAN DISTRICT BOARD, DISTRICT OFFICE AND THE FEDERATION OF THE TSUEN WAN DISTRICT SPORTS AND RECREATION ASSOCIATION AS A JOINT EFFORT TO BOOST SPORTS ACTIVITIES AND TO PROMOTE THE STANDARD OF SPORTS IN THE DISTRICT.
THE ESTIMATED EXPENDITURE INVOLVED IS ABOUT $900,000 WITH A SUBSIDY OF $300,000 EACH FROM THE DISTRICT BOARD AND THE REGIONAL COUNCIL, WITH THE REMAINDER BEING MET BY LOCAL DONATIONS.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE OPENING OF THE 10TH TSUEN WAN SPORTS FESTIVAL AT THE TSUEN WAN YEUNG UK ROAD SPORTS GROUND ON SATURDAY (NOVEMBER 5). THE CURTAIN RAISER SOCCER MATCH WILL BEGIN AT 6 PM WHILE THE GRAND OPENING AND THE MAIN MATCH WILL BEGIN AT 8 PM.
-----o-----
GOVERNMENT LAND TO LET BY TENDER
*****
THE BUILDINGS AND LANDS DEPARTMENT IS OFFERING A SITE IN TUEN MUN TO LET BY TENDER.
THE SITE, MEASURING ABOUT 4,106 SQUARE METRES IN AREA, IS LOCATED IN AREA 40, TUEN MUN NEW TOWN. IT IS TO BE USED FOR OPEN STORAGE, INCLUDING LOADING AND UNLOADING OF CONTAINERS.
THE TENANCY IS FOR ONE YEAR CERTAIN AND THEREAFTER QUARTERLY.
TENDER DOCUMENTS ARE AVAILABLE AT THE DISTRICT LANDS OFFICE. TUEN MUN; 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 ACCEPTANCE OF TENDERS IS NOON ON NOVEMBER 18 .
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THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 3, 1988
- 19 -
CSD AUTUMN FAIR AT STANLEY *****
STUFFED TOYS AND HANDICRAFT ITEMS AT "DISCOUNT" PRICES ARF AMONG THE MANY ATTRACTIONS OF THE 36TH AUTUMN FAIR OF THE CORRECTIONAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT TO BE HELD AT STANLEY THIS SATURDAY (NOVEMBER 5).
THE FAIR MARKS THE ANNUAL SALE OF ARTS AND HANDICRAFTS MADE BY INMATES DURING THEIR DETENTION IN VARIOUS PENAL INSTITUTIONS UNDER THE CARE OF THE DEPARTMENT.
THE NUMEROUS PRODUCTS ON DISPLAY GIVE AN INDICATION OF THE MANY SKILLS THAT INMATES ACQUIRE DURING TIME IN CUSTODY AND PROVIDE THEM WITH AN OPPORTUNITY TO RAISE FUNDS FOR CHARITY.
PROCEEDS FROM THE SALES WILL BE DONATED TO CHARITABLE ORGANISATIONS.
THE CHIEF JUSTICE, SIR T1 LIANG YANG, WILL OFFICIALLY OPEN THE FAIR AT 12 NOON ON SATURDAY AT THE FOOTBALL FIELD NEXT TO STANLEY PRISON. THE FAIR WILL LAST UNTIL 5 PM.
A VARIETY OF PRODUCTS, INCLUDING STUFFED TOYS, HANDICRAFTS, RATTAN AND WOODEN FURNITURE, WILL BE ON SALE AT SOME 30 STALLS. ADMISSION IS FREE AND THE PUBLIC ARE WELCOME TO ATTEND.
WHILE BROWSING THROUGH THE FAIR STALLS VISITORS WILL ALSO BE ABLE TO ENJOY A VARIED PROGRAMM1 OF ENTERTAINMENT, INCLUDING MOTOR-CYCLE DISPLAY BY THE 29 SQUADRON MOTOR-CYCLE DISPLAY TEAM AND FOLK DANCE PERFORMANCE BY TAI TAM GIRL PIPERS AND MARCHING TEAM. THERE WILL ALSO BE GAME AND SNACK STALLS FOR CHILDREN.
AS PARKING PLACES ARE LIMITED, VISITORS ARE ADVISED TO USE PUBLIC TRANSPORT. BUS ROUTE NOS. 6 YND 260 (STARTING FROM CENTRAL), NO. 73 (FROM WAH FU ESTATE), NO. 63 (FROM NORTH POINT) AND NO. 14 I FROM SAI WAN HO) ARE CONVENIENT WAYS OF GETTING TO THE FAIR.
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TEMPORARY CLOSURE OF CHATER ROAD PEDESTRIAN
*****
PREU I NC I
THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCED THAT THE CHATER ROAD PEDESTRIAN PRECINCT WILL BE CLOSED EARLIER To TRAFFIC THIS SUNDAY (NOVEMBER 6) FROM 5 AM INSTEAD OF THE USUAL 7 AM ON SUNDAYS YND PUBLIC HOLIDAYS.
I'HE PERIOD OF CLOSURE HAS BEEN 1.1 ■'.!.(; TIIENED TO FACILITATE THE HOLDING OF THE INTERNATIONAL RICKSHAW DERBY 19H8 ON THAT DAY.
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/?O........
THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 3,
1988
20 -
RE-ROUTEING, GMB FARE ADJUSTMENT *****
THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCED THAT TOWN PARK ROAD NORTH AND TOWN PARK ROAD SOUTH IN YUEN LONG WILL BE RE-ROUTED FROM TWO-WAY TO ONE-WAY CLOCKWISE ON SUNDAY (NOVEMBER 6).
THIS MEASURE WILL BE IN FORCE FROM 7 AM TO 7 PM ON THAT DAY FOR THE OPENING DAY OF THE REGIONAL COUNCIL FESTIVAL 1988.
MEANWHILE, THE FARE FOR THE GREEN MINIBUS ROUTE 7, PLYING BETWEEN KOWLOON CITY (WYLER GARDENS) AND TS1M SHA TSUI EAST, WILL BE INCREASED BY 30 CENTS TO $2.80 PER SINGLE JOURNEY FROM TOMORROW (FRIDAY).
THE FARE FOR THIS CIRUCLAR ROUTE IS BEING ADJUSTED OWING TO LOW PATRONAGE.
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TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS IN MID-LEVELS, YUEN LONG ♦ * ♦ *
THE TR/XNSPORT DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCED THAT ALL VEHICLES EXCEEDING THREE TONNES GROSS WILL BE BANNED FROM PEEL STREET BETWEEN STAUNTON STREET AND CAINE ROAD IN THE MID-LEVELS FROM 10 AM ON SATURDAY (NOVEMBER 5).
AT THE SAME TIME, TO FACILITATE THE CONSTRUCTION OF NEW TERRITORIES CIRCULAR ROAD PHASE II], CASTLE PEAK ROAD (MAT PO I IN YUEN LONG, FROM A POINT ABOUT 200 METRES NORTH OF ITS JUNCTION WITH NGAU TAM MEI ROAD TO A POINT ABOUT 1,300 METRES NORTH OF THE SAME JUNCTION, WILL BE CLOSED TO TRAFFIC.
A NEW ROAD, SR-3C, WILL BE OPENED TO REPLACE THIS SECTION OF CASTLE PEAK ROAD.
MOREOVER, KMB ROUTE 76K AND GREEN MINIBUS ROUTES 75 AND 76 WILL BE DIVERTED TO OPERATE VIA THIS NEW ROAD. V
IN ADDITION, THE SPEED LIMIT ON THE FOLLOWING SECTIONS OF CASTLE PEAK ROAD IN YUEN LONG WILL BE REDUCED FROM 70 TO 50 KILOMETRES PER HOUR:
* CASTLE PEAK ROAD (NGAU TAM MEI) FROM A POINT ABOUT 200 METRES SOUTH OF ITS JUNCTION WITH FAIRVIEW PARK BOULEVARD TO A POINT ABOUT 390 METRES SOUTH OF THE SAME JUNCTION.
* CASTLE PEAK ROAD (NGAU TAM MEI) FROM ITS JUNCTION WITH NGAU TAM MEI ROAD TO A POINT ABOUT 270 METRES SOUTH OF THE SAME JUNCTION.
* CASTLE PEAK ROAD (MAI PO) I-ROM ITS JUNCTION WITH NGAU TAM MEI ROAD TO A POINT ABOUT 1,250 METRES NORTH OF THE SAME JUNCTION.
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DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE. HONG KONG. TEL: 5-8428777
FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 4, 1988
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
VACANCIES AT BUILDING AND CONSTRUCTION SITES ................. 1
FS EXPLAINED ESTABLISHMENT OF HOSPITAL AUTHORITY............... 3
ECC SINGLE MARKET OTTERS OPPORTUNITIES FOR HK.................. 5
POLICY TO PROMOTE BILINGUALISM IN SCHOOLS ..................... 6
ROUTINE DISCUSSIONS FOR JLG NEXT WEEK.......................... 7
ADVISORY COMMITTEE ON BUILDING MANAGEMENT FORMED .............. 7
AMENDMENT LEGISLATION ON ELECTORAL CHANGES GAZETTED ........... 9
NON-COMMUNICABLE DISEASES PREVENTABLE........................ -ft
FS VISITS TWO DEPARTMENTS .................................
SECRETARY FOR THE CIVIL SERVICE VISITS CNTA HQ................ 12
LONG SERVICE INSIGNIA FOR IMMIGRATION OFFICERS ............... 1J
CONSULTANCY STUDY ON LEACHATE DISPOSAL........................ 13
RECLAMATION aT TSING YI PROPOSED.............................. 14
REVISION OF ANIMAL LICENCE FEES .............................. 15
SOUTHERN DISTRICT BOaRD HOLDS JUN DaY TOMORROW................ 16
CARNIVAL TO PROMOTE RO.kD SaEETY CAMPAIGN..................... 17
MUSICI.kNS ARRIVE FROM CHINA FOR MUSIC FESTIVAL............... 18
SELECTIVE PLACEMENT OFFICE TO MOVE............................ 18
FOUR SITES FOR ShLE BY PUBLIC AUCTION......................... 18
new i.d. Cards for women born in 1960-62 ..................... 20
TEMPORARY LINE CLOSURES ON TCLO HIGHWAY ...................... 21
TEMPORARY CLOSURE OF T.I PO RO..D............................. 21
M DAY, NOVEMBER 4, 1988
I
1
VACANCIES AT BUILDING AND CONSTRUCTION SITES ♦ t t ♦ *
THE TOTAL NUMBER OF MANUAL WORKERS ENGAGED ON BUILDING AND CONSTRUCTION SITES IN MARCH 1988 WAS 74,126 AND THE TOTAL NUMBER OF VACANCIES WAS 6,003, ACCORDING TO A NEW SURVEY OF VACANCIES AT CONSTRUCTION SITES CONDUCTED BY THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT.
THE SURVEY COVERED SOME 395 PUBLIC SECTOR SITES AND 877 PRIVATE SECTOR SITES WHICH WERE ACTIVE IN MARCH 1988. FINDINGS OF THE SURVEY WERE RELEASED TODAY (FRIDAY).
THE VACANCY RATE, WHICH IS THE NUMBER OF VACANCIES EXPRESSED AS A PERCENTAGE OF THE SUM TOTAL OF THE NUMBER OF MANUAL WORKERS ENGAGED AND THE NUMBER OF VACANCIES, WAS 7.5 PER CENT IN MARCH 1988.
OF THE 6,003 VACANCIES REPORTED FROM THE SITES ENUMERATED, 4,708 WERE FOUND IN PUBLIC SECTOR SITES AND 1,295 IN PRIVATE SECTOR SITES.
THE VACANCY RATES FOR THE PUBLIC SECTOR AND PRIVATE SECTOR SITES WERE RESPECTIVELY 14.2 PER CENT AND 2.8 PER CENT.
A SUMMARY OF THE SURVEY FINDINGS IS GIVEN IN THE TABLE BELOW:-
PUBLIC . SECTOR SITES PRIVATE SECTOR SITES TOTAL
NO. OF ACTIVE SITES 395 877 1272
NO. OF MANUAL WORKERS 28,342 45,784 74,126
AVERAGE NO. OF’ WORKERS PER SITE 71.8 52.2 58.3
NO. OF VACANCIES 4,708 1 ,295 6,003
AVERAGE NO. OF VACANCIES PER SITE 11.9 1.5 4.7
VACANCY RATE C%) 14.2 2.8 7.5
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT SAID DEPARTMENT HAS BEEN PUBLISHING EMPLOYMENT AND VACANCY STATISTICS COVERING THE MAJOR ECONOMIC SECTORS ON A QUARTERLY BASIS SINCE MARCH 1976.
VACANCY STATISTICS FOR THE CONSTRUCTION SITES WERE, HOWEVER, NOT AVAILABLE. IN ORDER TO PROVIDE SUCH STATISTICS, THE DEPARTMENT CONDUCTED A SPECIAL SURVEY OF VACANCIES AT CONSTRUCTION Si IES IN MARCH 1988.
IT IS INTENDED TO REPEAT THE SURVEY IN EVERY MARCH AND SEPTEMBER IN FUTURE.
/IN THE
FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 4, 1?88
IN.THE NEW SURVEY, ALL PRIVATE SECTOR SITES REGISTERED IN THE BUILDINGS ORDINANCE OFFICE OF BUILDINGS AND LANDS DEPARTMENT AND PUBLIC SECTOR SITES UNDER THE CHARGE OF THE ARCHITECTURAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT, CIVIL ENGINEERING SERVICES DEPARTMENT, HIGHWAYS DEPARTMENT, TERRITORY DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT, WATER SUPPLIES DEPARTMENT AND HOUSING DEPARTMENT ARE COVERED.
IN ADDITION, SITES UNDER THE CONTROL OF THE MASS TRANSIT RAILWAY CORPORATION AND KOWLOON-CANTON RAILWAY CORPORATION ARE ALSO INCLUDED.
CONSTRUCTION PROJECTS FOR VILLAGE-TYPE HOUSES IN THE NEW TERRITORIES AND MINOR ALTERATIONS, REPAIRS, MAINTENANCE AND INTERIOR DECORATION OF EXISTING BUILDINGS ARE, HOWEVER, NOT INCLUDED.
DATA WERE COLLECTED BY PERSONAL INTERVIEWS. DURING THE SURVEY PERIOD, FIELD OFFICERS OF THE DEPARTMENT PAID VISITS TO EACH CONSTRUCTION SITE IN THE PRIVATE SECTOR. TO SOLICIT THE REQUIRED INFORMATION DIRECTLY FROM SITE AGENTS OF THE MAIN CONTRACTOR OR SUB-CONTRACTORS.
FOR THE PUBLIC SECTOR SITES, *DATA WERE SOLICITED FROM THE RESPONSIBLE RESIDENT ENGINEER OR CLERK OF WORKS, WHO OBTAINED THE INFORMATION FROM THE CONTRACTORS.
THE SPOKESMAN POINTED OUT THAT BECAUSE OF THE DIFFICULTIES IN DEFINING AND OBTAINING ACCURATE INFORMATION ON THE NUMBER OF VACANCIES AT CONSTRUCTION SITES, READERS ARE ADVISED TO TAKE DUE NOTE OF THE DEFINITION OF VACANCY ADOPTED AND THE LIMITATIONS OF THE SURVEY WHEN INTERPRETING THE SURVEY RESULTS.
IN THE SURVEY, VACANCIES REFER TO THOSE UNFILLED, IMMEDIATELY AVAILABLE JOB OPENINGS FOR WHICH ACTIVE STEPS ARE BEING TAKEN TO RECRUIT THE WORKERS. THIS DEFINITION IS CONSISTENT WITH THAT ADOPTED IN OTHER SURVEYS CONDUCTED BY THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT.
HOWEVER, IT IS BELIEVED THAT THERE ARE SUBSTANTIAL SUBSTITUTION AND RE-SCHEDULING POSSIBILITIES IN THE EMPLOYMENT OF WORKERS AT CONSTRUCTION SITES, IN RESPONSE TO CHANGES IN LABOUR SUPPLY AND WORK REQUIREMENTS.
CONSEQUENTLY, VACANCIES CARRY A MUCH LOOSER SENSE AS FAR AS BUILDING CONTRACTORS ARE CONCERNED. THIS MEANS THAT VACANCY DATA SUPPLIED BY CONTRACTORS OR SUB-CONTRACTORS ARE LIKELY TO BE SUBJECT TO LARGE VARIATIONS IN REPORTING BEHAVIOUR.
AMONG THE SITES SURVEYED IN MARCH 1988, MANY WERE FOUND TO HAVE NO VACANCIES AT THE TIME OF THE SURVEY. IT IS DIFFICULT TO DETERMINE WHETHER IN THESE SITES THE CONTRACTORS WERE ABLE TO FILL ALL VACANCIES OR THEY HAD IN FACT DELAYED THE PROJECTS INSTEAD.
/DETAILS OF .......
FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 4, 1988
- 3 -
DETAILS OF THE SURVEY FINDINGS, TOGETHER WITH A DESCRIPTION OF THE METHODOLOGY, ARE PUBLISHED IN A "REPORT OF VACANCIES AT CONSTRUCTION SITES". COPIES OF THIS REPORT ARE AVAILABLE Al $5 PER COPY AT THE GOVERNMENT PUBLICATIONS CENTRE, GPO BUILDING, GROUND FLOOR, CONNAUGHT PLACE, CENTRAL, HONG KONG.
ENQUIRIES ABOUT THE SURVEY MAY BE DIRECTED TO THE EMPLOYMENT \ND EARNINGS STATISTICS SECTION OF THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT ON TEL. 5-8234753 OR 5-8234751.
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FS EXPLAINED ESTABLISHMENT OF HOSPITAL AUTHORITY ♦ ♦ ♦ * *
THE DECISION TO SET UP THE HOSPITAL AUTHORITY IS PART OF THE WIDER PROCESS OF INCREASING THE EFFICIENCY AND COST-EFFECTIVENESS OF government services, the financial secretary, mr piers jacobs, said
THIS (FRIDAY) EVENING.
SPEAKING AT’ THE ANNUAL DINNER OF THE HONG KONG THE PHARMACEUTICAL INDUSTRY, MR JACOBS SAID HF HOPED ' THE HOSPITAL SYSTEM,
ASSOCIATION
1'HAT
ACHIEVEMENT OF GREATER EFFICIENCY IN
THE PUBLIC WOULD, OVER THE YEARS,
RECEIVE AN IMPROVED
WITH MEMBERS
AND
OF THE
OF MORE
EFFECTIVE
SERVICE
HE SAID THE GOVERNMENT HAD IN RECENT YEARS BECOME CONSCIOUS OF THE VALUE FOR MONEY CONCEPT AND IT WAS LAYING EMPHASIS ON THE NEED FOR MANAGERS THROUGHOUT SERVICE TO BE AWARE OF Till COSTS THEY WERE INCURRING.
MUCH MORE
INCREASINGLY
THE PUBLIC
"WE YRE ASKING CONTROLLING OFFICERS TO PLAY A FULLER ROLE IN IMPROVING THE OVERALL COST-EFFECT IVENESS OF THE ADMINISTRATION.
"CHANGES TO THE GOVERNMENT FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT ALSO BEEN 1NTROUCED TO GIVI- HEADS OF J)KP^’r^NT‘Xw SECRETAR!ES GREATER SCOPE IN THEIR SEARCH IOR \ YLI E FOR
SYSTEM HAVE
AND POLICY
MONEY," HE
SAID.
THAT
WERE
MR JACOBS SAID THE YIM OF THE HOSPITAL AUTHORITY WAS Till- VERY SUBSTANTIAL RESOURCES ALLOCATED TO Till MEDKAI USED IN THE MOST EFFICIENT YND (’OST-EFFECT I V h MANNER.
TO ENSURE
PROGRAMME
EXPLAINING HOW SAID THAT FIRST, SUBYE UNDER Till AEGIS OF Till-BETTER UTILISATION OF REDUCE OVERCROWD I NG IN
THIS OBJECTIVE WOULD BE ACHIEVED, MR
NTEl) YND GOVERNMENT HOSPITALS WOULD BE
HOSPITAL AUTHORITY, WHICH SHOULD RESIL SUBVENTED HOSPITALS, AND TH IS IN TURN
GOVERNMENT HOSP J TALS.
JACOBS BROUGHT
IN A
SHOULD
/’’PATIENTS AND.........
T
FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 4, 1988
"PATIENTS AND STAFF WORKING LN THE HOSPITAL. SYSTEM WILL BOTH BENEFIT FROM THIS MORE EFFECTIVE USE OF RESOURCES," HE SAID.
SECONDLY, HE SAID, A STRONG REGIONAL AND HOSPITAL MANAGEMENT STRUCTURE WOULD BE INTRODUCED TO ENSURE THAT RESOURCES WERE DEPLOYED TO THEIR BEST ADVANTAGE.
"THIRDLY," HE ADDED, "WITH PUBLIC REPRESENTATION ON BOTH THE HOSPITAL AUTHORITY AND ON REGIONAL BOARDS, IIOSPTIAL SERVICES WILL BECOME MORE RESPONSIVE TO PUBLIC NEEDS."
MR JACOBS POINTED OUT THAT THERE WAS, PERHAPS, A MISCONCEPTION HOWEVER ABOUT THE REASONS WHY THE HOSPITAL AUTHORITY WAS TO BE ESTABLISHED, AND THERE MIGHT BE FEARS THAT THE DECISION WAS MOTIVATED LN SOME WAY BY A WISH ON THE PART OF THE GOVERNMENT TO DISTANCE ITSELF FROM RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE PROVISION OF MEDICAL SERVICES.
"NOTHING COULD BE FURTHER FROM THE TRUTH," MR JACOBS SAID.
"THE PUBLIC HOSPITAL SYSTEM IS AND WILL REMAIN HEAVILY SUBSIDISED. AND THE GOVERNMENT WILL, OF COURSE, RETAIN OVERALL POLICY RESPONSIBILITY," HE ADDED.
MR JACOBS SAID HONG KONG HAD ONE OF THE LOWEST INFANT MORTALITY RATES IN THE WORLD AND THE LIFE EXPECTANCY OF ITS POPULATION WAS AS GOOD AS THAT ENJOYED IN MOST DEVELOPED COUNTRIES.
BUT, HE SAID, IF WE WERE TO MAINTAIN OUR REMARKABLE TRACK-RECORD IN THE FIELD OF HEALTH CARE, FRESH INITIATIVES WERE NEEDED.
"THE HOSPITAL AUTHORITY REPRESENTS A BOLD MOVE FORWARD, AND I BELIEVE A MOVE IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION.
"I AM SURE THE YUTHORITY WILL PROVIDE THE APPROPRIATE FRAMEWORK FOR THE SUCCESSFUL OPERATION AND GROWTH OF OUR HOSPITAL SERVICES THROUGHOUT THE 1990’S YND BEYOND," HE SAID.
0--------
/5.......
FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 4, 1988
- 5 -
ECC SINGLE MARKET OFFERS OPPORTUNITIES FOR HK
HONG KONG HAS GOOD REASON TO BE EXCITED ABOUT THE OPPORTUNITIES FOR GROWTH PRESENTED BY THE EUROPEAN ECONOMIC COMMUNITY’S SINGLE MARKET PROGRAMME, THE SECRETARY FOR TRADE AND INDUSTRY, MR HAMISH MACLEOD, SAID TODAY (FRIDAY).
SPEAKING AT THE OPENING OF A CONFERENCE ON EUROPE 1992, THE FIRST EVER HELD IN HONG KONG, MR MACLEOD SAID THE STATED OBJECTIVES OF THE PROGRAMME WAS FIRST AND FOREMOST ABOUT GROWTH.
"IT AIMS TO ACHIEVE GROWTH THROUGH DISMANTLING INTERNAL BARRIERS TO TRADE, STIMULATING COMPETITION, LIBERALISING THE MOVEMENT OF CAPITAL AND THE PROVISION OF FINANCIAL SERVICES, AND DE-REGULATION," HE SAID.
"IT IS ALSO A MOVE WHICH IS THOROUGHLY FAMILIAR AND WELCOME TO HONG KONG AS THE WORLD’S MOST MARKET-ORIENTED ECONOMY.
"IF THE COMMUNITY SUCCEEDS IN ACHIEVING A LEAP IN ECONOMIC GROWTH THROUGH STIMULATING COMPETITION AND ENTERPRISE, THE BENEFITS THAT PROJECT 1992 WOULD BRING TO WORLD TRADE, AND HENCE TO WORLD ECONOMIC GROWTH WOULD BE SIGNIFICANT.
"OUR OPEN TRADING SYSTEM AND OUR MARKET-ORIENTED ECONOMY HAVE WORKED EXTREMELY WELL FOR US, AND DESPITE OUR SMALL SIZE, WE HAVE BECOME THE WORLD’S 13TH LARGEST TRADING ECONOMY."
HOWEVER, MR MACLEOD TOLD THE CONFERENCE, ORGANISED BY THE TRADE DEPARTMENT AND TRADE DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL AT THE HOTEL VICTORIA, THAT HONG KONG DID HAVE CONCERNS ABOUT THE 1992 PROJECT.
IT NEEDED MORE INFORMATION ABOUT THE THEORETICAL UNDERPINNINGS OF THE PROGRAMME AND THE WAY THE COMMUNITY WOULD GO ABOUT IMPLEMENTING IT.
"THERE IS CONCERN LEST IN THE COURSE OF REMOVING INTERNAL BARRIERS, THE COMMUNITY GIVES IN TO DEMANDS FOR INCREASED PROTECTION EROM SPECIFIC SECTORS, OR GOES FURTHER DOWN THE PATH OF BILATERAL OR REGIONAL DEALS, WHICH WOULD BE DETRIMENTAL TO THE MULTILATERAL SYSTEM," HE SAID.
"IT WOULD INDEED BE DAMAGING IF, WHILE TEARING DOWN THE INTERNAL BARRIERS, THE COMMUNITY ENDS UP DISCOURAGING TRADE WITH THE REST OF THE WORLD."
MR MACLEOD REITERATED THAT HONG KONG WAS COMMITTED TO FREE TRADE AS WAS EVIDENCED BY ITS OPEN TRADING SYSTEM AND STRONG SUPPORT OF THE MULTILATERAL SYSTEM AT THE GENERAL AGREEMENT ON TRADE AND TARIFFS (GATT).
THE TERRITORY IMPORTED MORE FROM THE COMMUNITY THAN DID CHINA, SINGAPORE, SOUTH KOREA OR TAIWAN, HE ADDED.
o - -
/6 .....
FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 4, 1988
- 6 -
POLICY TO PROMOTE BILINGUALISM IN SCHOOLS » * « «
TO PRESERVE HONG KONG’S POSITION AS AN INTERNATIONAL TRADE AND FINANCIAL CENTRE, IT HAS BEEN GOVERNMENT POLICY TO PROMOTE BILINGUALISM IN SCHOOLS WITH A VIEW TO MAKING THE YOUNGER GENERATION PROFICIENT IN BOTH CHINESE AND ENGLISH LANGUAGES, THE DIRECTOR OF EDUCATION, MR Y.T. LI, SAID TODAY (FRIDAY).
SPEAKING AT THE SPEECH DAY OF THE NEW ASIA MIDDLE SCHOOL, MR LI SAID THE EDUCATION COMMISSION RECOMMENDED IN ITS REPORT NO. 1 IN 1984 THAT SECONDARY SCHOOLS WHICH USED CHINESE AS THE INSTRUCTION MEDIUM SHOULD BE GIVEN ADDITIONAL RESOURCES TO STRENGTHEN THE TEACHING OF ENGLISH TO AVERT ANY CONSEQUENTIAL DROP IN THE STANDARD OF ENGLISH DUE TO REDUCED EXPOSURE.
AS A RESULT, TWO ADDITIONAL TEACHERS OF ENGLISH, INCLUDING ONE GRADUATE AND ONE NON-GRADUATE, WERE PROVIDED TO EACH SCHOOL WHICH ADOPTED WIDER USE OF THE CHINESE LANGUAGE IN SEPTEMBER THIS YEAR, MR LI SAID.
IN ADDITION, A SECOND WIRE-FREE INDUCTION LOOP SYSTEM, A ONE-OFF LIBRARY GRANT FOR THE PURCHASE OF ADDITIONAL READING MATERIALS IN ENGLISH AS WELL AS OTHER TEACHING AIDS WERE MADE AVAILABLE TO SCHOOLS, MR LI SAID.
HE ADDED THAT MORE FUNDS WERE ALSO PROVIDED TO THESE SCHOOLS FOR PARTITIONING CLASSROOMS INTO SMALLER ROOMS FOR SPLIT CLASS TEACHING.
ON THE TEACHING OF CHINESE LANGUAGE, MR LI SAID AN ADDITIONAL GRADUATE TEACHER IN CHINESE WOULD BE PROVIDED TO EACH SECONDARY SCHOOL WITH 18 CLASSES OR MORE STARTING NEXT SCHOOL YEAR AS ANNOUNCED BY THE GOVERNOR IN HIS ADDRESS AT THE OPENING OF THE NEW SESSION OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL.
THE PROVISION OF THESE ADDITIONAL RESOURCES WOULD FURTHER AROUSE STUDENTS’ INTEREST IN LANGUAGE LEARNING AND WOULD FURTHER IMPROVE THE STANDARD OF ENGLISH OF STUDENTS, HE ADDED.
MR LI ALSO SAID THE LANGUAGE MEDIUM USED BY A CANDIDATE AS INDICATED IN THE HONG KONG CERTIFICATE OF EDUCATION EXAMINATION HAD BEEN REMOVED BY THE HONG KONG EXAMINATIONS AUTHORITY IN 1986.
THE CURRENT INDICATION IN NAME TO SHOW WHETHER IT WAS AN ANGLO-CHINESE OR A CHINESE MIDDLE SCHOOL HAD ALSO BEEN DROPPED BY A NUMBER OF SCHOOLS, HE SAID.
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/7........
FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 4, 1988
ROUTINE DISCUSSIONS FOR JLG NEXT WEEK
MR ROBIN MCLAREN, THE BRITISH SENIOR REPRESENTATIVE, SINO-BRITISH JOINT LIAISON GROUP, WILL BE IN HONG KONG NEXT WEEK FOR ROUTINE DISCUSSIONS WITH THE CHINESE SENIOR REPRESENTATIVE, AMBASSADOR KE ZAISHUO.
HE WILL ARRIVE ON THE EVENING OF NOVEMBER 7 AND HOLD AN INFORMAL MEETING WITH AMBASSADOR KE IN COLVIN HOUSE ON THE MORNING OF NOVEMBER 9.
WHILE IN HONG KONG, MR MCLAREN WILL TAKE THE OPPORTUNITY TO CONSULT WITH HONG KONG GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS ON A RANGE OF JLG AND OTHER BUSINESS.
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ADVISORY COMMITTEE ON BUILDING MANAGEMENT FORMED ♦ t ♦ ♦ *
AN ADVISORY COMMITTEE HAS BEEN SET UP TO ADVISE THE GOVERNMENT ON MATTERS RELATING TO THE MANAGEMENT OF PRIVATE BUILDINGS, THE REGIONAL SECRETARY FOR HONG KONG AND KOWLOON, MR DAVID LAN, SAID TODAY (FRIDAY).
SPEAKING AT A PRESS BRIEFING, MR KAN POINTED OUT THAT THE ESTABLISHMENT OF THE COMMITTEE REPRESENTED ANOTHER MAJOR EFFORT BY THE GOVERNMENT TO IMPROVE BUILDING MANAGEMENT IN HONG KONG.
OTHER EFFORTS BEING MADE INCLUDED IMPROVING THE MULTI-STOREY BUILDINGS (OWNERS INCORPORATION) ORDINANCE AND REMOVING UNFAIR PROVISIONS IN EXISTING DEEDS OF MUTUAL COVENANTS (DMCS).
HE ALSO SAID THAT CONTROL ON GUESTHOUSES WAS IN THE PIPELINE.
MR LAN SAID THAT THE TERMS OF REFERENCE OF THE -ADVISORY COMMITTEE ON PRIVATE BUILDING MANAGEMENT" WERE TO REVIEW THE EFFECTIVENESS OF EXISTING POLICIES ON MANAGEMENT OF PRIVATE BUILDINGS AND TO RECOMMEND APPROPRIATE MEASURES TO IMPROVE THE MANAGEMENT OF THESE BUILDINGS.
/CHAIRED BY .......
FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 4, 1988
- 8 -
• CHAIRED BY MR CHUNG PUI-LAM, THE COMMITTEE HAS NINE NON-OEFICIAL AND SEVEN OFFICIAL MEMBERS. THEY ARE:
MR AMBROSE LAU HON-CHUEN
DR RAYMOND HO CHUNG-TAI
MR LEUNG CHUN-YING
MR VICTOR SO HING-WOH
MR JOSEPH CHAN WAI-WANG
MR ANTHONY LEE ON
MR JUSTIN CHIU KWOK-HUNG
MR TONY KAN CHUNG-NIN
MR ANTHONY YUEN TAK-TIM
ATTORNEY GENERAL
REGISTRAR GENERAL
DIRECTOR OF BUILDINGS AND LANDS
DIRECTOR OF HOUSING
COMMISSIONER FOR RATING AND VALUATION
REGIONAL SECRETARY (HONG KONG AND KOWLOON)
REGIONAL SECRETARY (NEW TERRITORIES)
MR LAN SAID THAT THE IMMEDIATE TASKS FACING THE COMMITTEE WOULD BE:
(A) CONSIDERING THE RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE INTER-DEPARTMENTAL WORKING GROUP TASKED TO ADDRESS THE QUESTION OF UNFAIR DEEDS OF MUTUAL COVENANTS DRAWN UP BEFORE DECEMBER 1987;
(B) REVIEWING THE EFFECTIVENESS OF THE GUIDELINES ADOPTED IN DECEMBER 1987 BY THE REGISTRAR GENERAL'S DEPARTMENT AND THE LAW SOCIETY FOR DRAWING UP NEW DEEDS OF MUTUAL COVENANTS; AND
(C) ENCOURAGING GREATER PUBLIC PARTICIPATION IN BUILDING MANAGEMENT.
MR LAN SAID A DRAFT AMENDMENT TO MULTI-STOREY BUILDINGS (OWNERS INCORPORATION) ORDINANCE, WHICH SEEKS MAINLY TO FACILITATE THE FORMATION OF OWNERS' CORPORATIONS AND PRESCR1BJ NG MINIMUM MANAGEMENT STANDARDS AND OPERATION PROCEDURES TO BE FOLLOWED BY THE MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE OF AN OWNERS’ CORPORATION, WAS EXPECTED TO BE SUBMITTED TO THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL EARLY NEXT YEAR.
’’DISTRICT BOARDS WERE CONSULTED ON THE PROPOSED AMENDMENTS I AST YEAR. THEIR COMMENTS HAVE BEEN TAKEN INTO CONSIDERATION BY THE GOVERNMENT. THE PUBLIC WILL BE •ABLE TO COMMENT ON THE BILL WHEN IT IS GAZETTED,” MR LAN ADDED.
REFERRING TO UNFAIR CLAUSES IN EXISTING DEEDS OF MUTUAL (.’OVENANTS, MR LAN SAID A WORKING GROUP WAS NOW FINALISING ITS RECOMMENDATIONS FOR SUBMISSION TO THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL WITHIN THE NEXT TWO MONTHS.
/TURNING TO .......
FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 4, 1?88
- 9 -
TURNING TO THE CONTROL OF GUESTHOUSES, MR LAN SAID THAT THE CITY AND NEW TERRITORIES ADMINISTRATION WOULD BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE LICENSING OF GUESTHOUSES TO ENSURE THAT ACCEPTABLE STANDARDS OF FIRE SAFETY, STRUCTURAL SAFETY AND ENVIRONMENTAL HYGIENE WERE OBSERVED.
HE SAID THAT WORK WAS IN HAND TO PREPARE THE NECESSARY DRAFT LEGISLATION.
"IF ALL GOES WELL, THE ENABLING LEGISLATION WILL BE ENACTED IN ABOUT 10 MONTHS’ TIME. MEANWHILE, ALL GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS CONCERNED WILL MAINTAIN A VIGILANT WATCH OVER THE OPERATION OF GUESTHOUSES," MR LAN ADDED.
MR LAN ALSO SPOKE ON THE PROGRESS OF MEASURES TAKEN BY THE GOVERNMENT TO ASSIST LOCAL RESIDENTS IN TACKLING MANAGEMENT PROBLEMS IN THEIR RESIDENTIAL BUILDINGS.
0--------
AMENDMENT LEGISLATION ON ELECTORAL CHANGES GAZETTED
(FRIDAY) GAZETTED AMENDMENT BILLS ELECTORAL CHANGES ANNOUNCED IN THE 1988 OF REPRESENTATIVE GOVERNMENT: THE WAY
THE GOVERNMENT TODAY SEEKING TO INTRODUCE CERTAIN WHITE PAPER "THE DEVELOPMENT
FORWARD".
THESE ARE THE URBAN REGIONAL COUNCIL (AMENDMENT) (AMENDMENT)(NO. 2) BILL 1988.
COUNCIL (AMENDMENT) BILL 1988
BILL 1988, AND THE DISTRICT
THE BOARD
THEY IMPLEMENT CHANGES ANNOUNCED IN THE WHITE PAPER:-
TO EXPAND THE MEMBERSHIP OI THE FROM APRIL 1, 1989, TO INCLUDE BY THE MEMBERS OF EACH DISTRICT DISTRICT BOARDS;
URBAN COUNCIL, WITH EFFECT •
ONE REPRESENTATIVE ELECTED
BOARD FROM THE 10 URBAN
t TO CAUSE URBAN COUNCIL MEMBERS TO CEASE TO BE EX-OI* F I( 1IO MEMBERS OF URBAN DISTRICT BOARDS WITH EI-FE( I FROM AIR IL 1989; AND
OF THE
COUNCIL
YEARS
*
TO INTRODUCE A NEW SEQUENCE OF ELECTIONS, ONI. EFFECTS OF WHICH IS THAT THE NEXT TERM OF THE URBAN AND REGIONAL COUNCIL WILL RUN FOR A LITTLE OVER 'IWO
INSTEAD OF THE NORMAL THREE YEARS.
/THE AMENDING .......
FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 4, 1988
10 -
THE AMENDING LEGISLATION WILL BE INTRODUCED INTO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL LATER THIS MONTH. IT WILL BE NECESSARY TO ENACT ALL OF THE BILLS BEFORE NOMINATIONS FOR THE MUNICIPAL COUNCIL ELECTIONS ARE CALLED FOR IN EARLY JANUARY NEXT YEAR.
THE URBAN COUNCIL (AMENDMENT) BILL 1988 PROVIDES FOR THE ELECTION OF REPRESENTATIVE MEMBERS OF URBAN DISTRICT BOARDS TO THE URBAN COUNCIL. IT ALSO ADJUSTS THE TERMS OF MEMBERS ELECTED IN THE ELECTIONS TO BE HELD IN MARCH 1989 TO TWO YEARS AND TWO WEEKS SO THAT THEY END ON APRIL 14, 1991.
THE REGIONAL COUNCIL (AMENDMENT) BILL 1988 ADJUSTS THE TENURE OF MEMBERS ELECTED IN THE ELECTIONS TO BE HELD IN MARCH 1989 SO THAT IT ENDS ON APRIL 14, 1991.
THE BILLS ALSO PROVIDE FOR ARRANGEMENTS FOR THE ELECTION OF REPRESENTATIVE MEMBERS AND THE ELECTION OF A CHAIRMAN AND VICE-CHAIRMAN IN 1991.
THEY PROVIDE FOR A PERSON TO DECLINE APPOINTMENT OR ELECTION PRIOR TO TAKING UP OFFICE AS A MEMBER, OTHERWISE HE/SHE IS DEEMED TO BE ELECTED; THIS REMOVES THE REQUIREMENT FOR AN ELECTED MEMBER TO DECLARE ACCEPTANCE OF OFFICE IN WRITING.
THE DISTRICT BOARDS (AMENDMENT) (NO. 2) BILL 1988 MEANS THAT WITH EFFECT FROM APRIL 1, 1989, ELECTED URBAN COUNCIL MEMBERS WILL NO LONGER BE EX-OFFICIO MEMBERS OF DISTRICT BOARDS IN THE URBAN AREA. IT ALSO REMOVES THE RIGHT OF THE URBAN COUNCIL TO NOMINATE APPOINTED URBAN COUNCIL MEMBERS TO BE URBAN DISTRICT BOARD MEMBERS.
THE 1988 WHITE PAPER STATED THAT THE ELECTIONS TO DISTRICT BOARDS, MUNICIPAL COUNCILS AND THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL SHOULD BE HELD IN THAT ORDER AND THAT ALL THREE SETS OF ELECTIONS SHOULD BE HELD WITHIN THE SPACE OF 12 MONTHS.
THE 1988 WHITE PAPER STATED THAT THE TERMS OF OFFICE OF ELECTED LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL MEMBERS SHOULD CONTINUE TO BE THREE YEARS FOR THE TIME BEING. SOME INTERIM ADJUSTMENTS TO THE TERMS OF OFFICE OF THE DISTRICT BOARDS AND THE MUNICIPAL COUNCILS ARE THEREFORE NECESSARY TO PREPARE FOR THE NEW SEQUENCE OF ELECTIONS.
THE INTERIM ADJUSTMENTS, RESULTING IN DISTRICT BOARD AND MUNICIPAL COUNCIL ELECTIONS BEING HELD CONCURRENTLY IN 1991, IS A ONE-OFF EXERCISE, AND THE GOVERNMENT WILL MAKE EVERY EFFORT TO REDUCE ANY CONFUSION WHICH MIGHT ARISE, A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN SAID.
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/11 .......
FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 4, 1988
11
NON-COMMUNICABLE DISEASES PREVENTABLE » » * ♦
THE TOP THREE KILLER DISEASES - CANCER, HEART DISEASES AND STROKE - WHICH ARE CLOSELY RELATED TO OUR LIVING HABITS, ARE PREVENTABLE.
THIS WAS EMPHASISED BY THE REGIONAL DIRECTOR OF THE NEW TERRITORIES WEST, MEDICAL AND HEALTH DEPARTMENT, DR K.H. PANG, WHEN HE OFFICIATED AT THE OPENING CEREMONY THIS (FRIDAY) AFTERNOON OF ’’HEALTH FOR ALL, ALL FOR HEALTH” EXHIBITION BEING HELD Al THE CITYPLAZA, TAIKOO SHING.
THE EXHIBITION, ORGANISED BY THE CENTRAL HEALTH EDUCATION UNIT OF THE MEDICAL AND HEALTH DEPARTMENT, AIMS TO PROMOTE PUBLIC AWARENESS OF NON-COMMUNICABLE DISEASES. IT WILL ALSO KEEP PEOPLE BETTER INFORMED ABOUT THE PREVENTION OF SUCH DISEASES AND GENERAL HEALTH CARE.
"THESE DISEASES CAN BE GREATLY REDUCED IF PEOPLE ARE MORE AWARE OF PREVENTIVE MEASURES SUCH AS A HEALTHY LIFESTYLE,” DR PANG SAID.
AFTER THE OPENING CEREMONY, DR PANG TOURED THE EXHIBITION, ACCOMPANIED BY DR C.M. NGAN, SENIOR MEDICAL OFFICER OF THE CENTRAL HEALTH EDUCATION UNIT.
THE PROGRAMME FOR THE EXHIBITION OPENING INCLUDED A HEALTH QUIZ COMPETITION, A SLOGAN RECITAL COMPETITION, BALLOON GAMES AND A PRIZE PRESENTATION TO WINNERS OF A SLOGAN TRANSLATION COMPETITION AND A BOOKMARK DESIGN COMPETITION.
THE EXHIBITION WILL BE OPEN TO THE PUBLIC UNTIL NOVEMBER 10. INFORMATION LEAFLETS ON VARIOUS HEALTH TOPICS WILL BE DISTRIBUTED TO VISITORS.
-----0------
FS VISITS TWO DEPARTMENTS ♦ ♦ ♦ t »
THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY, MR PIERS JACOBS VISITED THE OFFICE OF THE COMMISSIONER OF BANKING AND THE REGISTRAR GENERAL’S DEPARTMENT THIS (FRIDAY) AFTERNOON TO UPDATE HIMSELF WITH THE LATEST DEVELOPMENTS OF THE TWO DEPARTMENTS.
MR JACOBS FIRST MET THE COMMISSIONER OF BANKING, MR TONY NICOLLE AND SENIOR OFFICERS FOR AN EXCHANGE OF VIEWS ON THE WORKINGS OF THE BANKING SYSTEM.
/HE NOTED .......
FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 4, 1938
12
HE NOTED THE PROGRESS MADE IN THE ENHANCEMENT OF THE PRIME COMPUTER SYSTEM AND THE INTRODUCTION OF OFFICE AUTOMATION EQUIPMENT WHICH WERE ESSENTIAL FOR THE OFFICE TO DISCHARGE ITS DUTIES EFFICIENTLY.
THESE IMPROVED COMPUTER FACILITIES ARE REQUIRED TO ACCOMMODATE FURTHER STATISTICAL INFORMATION PROVIDED BY INSTITUTIONS IN CONNECTION WITH THE GENERAL DEVELOPMENT OF BANKING SUPERVISION AND IN PARTICULAR WITH THE REVISED CAPITAL ADEQUACY RATIO.
MR JACOBS THEN TOURED THE OFFICE AND MET BANK EXAMINERS BEFORE PROCEEDING TO THE REGISTRAR GENERAL’S DEPARTMENT.
THE REGISTRAR GENERAL, MR NOEL GLEESON BROUGHT THE FINANICAL SECRETARY UP-TO-DATE ON KEY ACTIVITIES IN VARIOUS DIVISIONS, INCLUDING THE OFFICIAL RECEIVER’S OFFICE, THE INSURANCE DIVISION, THE COMMER1CAL DIVISION, THE COMPANIES REGISTRY, THE TRADE MARKS REGISTRY AND THE LAND OFFICE.
-------o----------
SECRETARY FOR THE CIVIL SERVICE VISITS CNTA HQ » » » » »
THE SECRETARY FOR THE CIVIL SERVICE, MR HARNAM GREWAL, VISITED THE CITY AND NEW TERRITORIES ADMINISTRATION HEADQUARTERS IN WORLD SHIPPING CENTRE, TS1M SHA TSUI, THIS (FRIDAY) MORNING TO FAMILIARISE HIMSELF WITH THE WORK OF THE DEPARTMENT.
MR GREWAL BEGAN HIS VISIT BY MEETING THE REGIONAL SECRETARY FOR THE NEW TERRITORIES, MR MICHAEL SUEN , REGIONAL SECRETARY FOR HONG KONG AND KOWLOON, MR DAVID LAN; DEPUTY SECRETARY FOR DISTRICT ADMINISTRATION, MR BOWEN LEUNG; AND THE DEPUTY SECRETARY FOR DISTRICT ADMINISTRATION (SPECIAL DUTIES), MR H.T. LUI.
HE LATER TOURED THE OFFICES OF CNTA HEADQUARTERS AND THE TWO REGIONAL HEADQUARTERS TO SEE THE DAILY OPERATION OF THE DEPARTMENT.
HE THEN HAD A MEETING WITH STAFF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE DEPARTMENT AND LISTENED TO THEIR VIEWS ABOUT THEIR WORK.
CONCLUDING HIS VISIT, MR GREWAL MET THE SECRETARY FOR DISTRICT ADMINISTRATION, MR DONALD LIAO, AND DISCUSSED WITH HIM MATTERS RELATING TO THE WORK OF CNTA.
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/13.......
FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 4, 1988
- 15 -
JLONG SERVICE INSIGNIA FOR IMMIGRATION OFFICERS ♦ * t * *
IN A PRESENTATION CEREMONY HELD AT THE IMMIGRATION HEADQUARTERS TODAY (FRIDAY), 37 MEMBERS OF THE IMMIGRATION SERVICE WERE AWARDED THE LONG SERVICE INSIGNIA BY THE DIRECTOR OF IMMIGRATION, MR ALAN CARTER.
FIRST CLASPS, SIGNIFYING 25 YEARS OF SERVICE, WERE PRESENTED TO SENIOR IMMIGRATION OFFICER, MR SYLVESTER KWAN KWOK-LEUNG AND FOUR OTHER OFFICERS.
ANOTHER 32 OFFICERS INCLUDING ONE ASSISTANT PRINCIPAL IMMIGRATION OFFICER, FOUR CHIEF IMMIGRATION OFFICERS, AND 27 SENIOR IMMIGRATION OFFICERS AND IMMIGRATION OFFICERS, RECEIVED THE HONG KONG DISCIPLINED SERVICES MEDALS.
AT THE CEREMONY, MR CARTER SAID THE AWARD OF THE HONG KONG DISCIPLINED SERVICES MEDAL WAS TO HONOUR THOSE#WHO HAVE RENDERED LONG AND MERITORIOUS SERVICE AS MEMBERS OF THE IMMIGRATION SERVICE IN HONG KONG.
HE ALSO CONGRATULATED ALL RECEIP1ENTS AND THANKED THEM FOR THEIR MANY YEARS OF LOYALTY AND DEDICATION TO THE IMMIGRATION SERVICE.
-----0------
CONSULTANCY STUDY ON LEACHATE DISPOSAL ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦
THE ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION DEPARTMENT (EPD) TODAY (FRIDAY) SIGNED A CONTRACT WITH A CONSULTANT TO STUDY THE DISPOSAL OF LEACHATE FROM THE PROPOSED NORTH EAST NEW TERRITORIES LANDFILL (NENT LANDFILL).
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE EPD SAID THE CONSULTANCY STUDY WOULD IDENTIFY THE PREFERRED METHOD OF TREATMENT AND DISPOSAL OF THE CONTAMINATED WATER CALLED LEACHATE WHICH IS DISCHARGED FROM THE LANDFILL, AND PRODUCE DESIGNS FOR THE LEACHATE TREATMENT PLANT WHICH WILL BE THE FIRST OF ITS KIND IN HONG KONG. «
THE NENT LANDFILL, LOCATED IN WONG MAU HANG SHAN, TO THE NORTHEAST OF FANLING, IS ONE OF THREE LARGE-CAPACITY LANDFILLS INTENDED TO BE PROVIDED FOR THE ENTIRE TERRITORY AS PART OF THE LONG-TERM WASTE DISPOSAL STRATEGY.
ACCORDING TO AN ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT ASSESSMENT (E1A) STUDY ON THE PROPOSED LANDFILL COMPLETED IN APRIL THIS YEAR, A FULLY ENGINEERED CONTAINMENT LINER SHOULD BE INSTALLED TO PREVENT LEACHATE FROM MIGRATING OFF THE SITE. THE LEACHATE SHOULD BE COLLECTED AND TREATED PRIOR TO DISPOSAL.
/LOCAL COMMUNITIES
FRIDAY, NOVEMBER lt, 1988
LOCAL COMMUNITIES IN WONG MAU HANG SHAN HAD EXPRESSED CONCERN OVER THE LOSS OF IRRIGATION WATER AND WORSENING OF FLOODING PROBLEMS.
THE SPOKESMAN SAID THE EIA STUDY HAD RECOMMENDED THE PUMPING OF WATER FROM DEEP WELLS TO REPLACE THE LOST IRRIGATION WATER.
PUMPING TRIALS WERE THEREFORE CARRIED OUT IN EARLY SEPTEMBER, WHICH INDICATED A SUITABLE SUPPLY. FURTHER PUMPING TRIALS WOULD BE CARRIED OUT TO CONFIRM AVAILABILITY OF THIS SUPPLY ON A YEAR-ROUND BASIS.
THE FLOODING PROBLEM WOULD BE ADDRESSED UNDER A SEPARATE CONSULTANCY TO BE COMMISSIONED SOON BY CIVIL ENGINEERING SERVICES DEPARTMENT FOR THE DETAILED DESIGN OF THE LANDFILL. DESIGN OF STREAM TRAINING WORKS AND FLOOD DIVERSION CHANNELS WOULD ALSO BE INCLUDED.
IN CONJUNCTION WITH THE LANDFILL PROJECT, ADDITIONAL UPGRADING WORKS FOR THE VILLAGES IN THE VICINITY OF THE LANDFILL WOULD BE IMPLEMENTED.
THE TA KWU LING RURAL CENTRE WOULD BE BUILT AS PART OF THE VILLAGE UPGRADING WORKS.
RELEVANT GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS ARE IN THE PROCESS OF FINALISING THE LAYOUT PLAN AND DEVELOPMENT STRATEGY OF THE RURAL CENTRE.
A CONSULTANCY TO BE MANAGED BY THE ARCHITECTURAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT FOR THE DETAILED DESIGN IS PROGRAMMED TO BEGIN EARLY NEXT YEAR.
THE TA KWU LING RURAL CENTRE AND OTHER VILLAGE UPGRADING WORKS ARE PROGRAMMED TO BE COMPLETED PRIOR TO THE OPENING OF THE LANDFILL IN LATE 1993 OR EARLY 1994.
0 - -
RECLAMATION AT TSING YI PROPOSED t * * * *
THE GOVERNMENT IS CONSIDERING GRANTING A LEASE TO MOBIL OIL HONG KONG LIMITED WITHIN AN AREA OF ABOUT 18.37 HECTARES OF FORESHORE AND SEA-BED AT THE SOUTH-WEST COAST OF TSING YI ISLAND.
RECLAMATION WOULD BE CARRIED OUT THERE TO PROVIDE LAND FOR THE BULK STORAGE AND DISTRIBUTION OF PETROLEUM PRODUCTS AND PETROCHEMICALS. A PIER WILL ALSO BE BUILT.
THE WORK WILL START IN 1989 AND BE COMPLETED IN ABOUT 1991.
/THE EXTENT
FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 4, 198b
THE EXTENT OF THE AREA AFFECTED IS DESCRIBED IN A NOTICE PUBLISHED IN THE GAZETTE TODAY (FRIDAY).
ANY PERSON WHO CONSIDERS THAT HE HAS AN INTEREST, RIGHT OR EASEMENT IN OR OVER THE FOREDHORE AND SEA-BED INVOLVED MAY SUBMIT A WRITTEN OBJECTION TO THE DIRECTOR OF BUILDINGS AND LANDS ON OR BEFORE JANUARY 3, 1989.
THE NOTICE AND THE RELATED PLAN COULD BE INSPECTED AT NOTICE BOARDS NEAR THE SITE; THE BUILDINGS AND LANDS DEPARTMENT, SURVEY AND MAPPING OFFICE AT 14TH FLOOR, MURRAY BUILDING, GARDEN ROAD, HONG KONG (WHERE COPIES OF THE PLAN ARE AVAILABLE FOR PURCHASE ON ORDER) AND THE KWAI TSING DISTRICT OFFICES.
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REVISION OF ANIMAL LICENCE FEES ♦ * ♦ ♦ ♦
REVISED FEE LEVELS FOR TWO LICENCES AND ONE PERMIT ISSUED UNDER THE PUBLIC HEALTH (ANIMALS AND BIRDS) ORDINANCE WILL BE INTRODUCED ON JANUARY 1 NEXT YEAR, THE AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCED TODAY (FRIDAY).
THE DOCUMENTS ARE THE ANIMAL TRADER LICENCE, DAIRY LICENCE, AND TEMPORARY EXHIBITION PERMIT.
THE LEVELS OF THESE FEES WILL BE REVISED AS FOLLOWS:
EXISTING LEVEL REVISED LEVEL
ANIMAL TRADER LICENCE
$700 PER YEAR $800 PER YEAR
$350 PER 1/2 YEAR $400 PER 1/2 YEAR
DAIRY LICENCE
$25 PER COW PER YEAR OR
$1,000 PER DAIRY PER YEAR
$30 PER COW PER YEAR OR
$1,200 PER DAIRY PER YEAR
TEMPORARY EXHIBITION PERMIT
$200 PER EXHIBITION $300 PER EXHIBITION
/THE REVISIONS, ........
FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 4, 1988
16 -
THE REVISIONS, PRESCRIBED IN A SERIES OF AMENDMENT REGULATIONS UNDER THE ORDINANCE, WERE APPROVED BY THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL ON TUESDAY. A NOTICE TO THIS EFFECT WAS PUBLISHED IN TODAY’S GAZETTE.
ANNOUNCING THESE DETAILS, THE DEPARTMENT’S SENIOR VETERINARY OFFICER, DR NORMAN CHENG, SAID THE FEE REVISION WAS THE SECOND PHASE IN THE RECOVERY OF COSTS REQUIRED FOR ADMINISTERING THE VARIOUS LICENCE AND PERMIT REQUIREMENTS UNDER THE ORDINANCE.
"THE LEVELS OF FEES CHARGED FOR THE ISSUE OF THESE LICENCES AND PERMIT HAD NOT BEEN INCREASED FOR MORE THAN 14 YEARS,” HE SAID.
"IN MARCH THIS YEAR, THE GOVERNMENT, AFTER EXAMINING CAREFULLY THE PREVAILING FEE LEVELS WITH DUE CONSIDERATION OF THE NATURE AND SCALE OF BUSINESSES INVOLVED, DECIDED TO INCREASE THE FEES TO COVER THE FULL COST OF PROVIDING THE SERVICES BY PHASES ON APRIL 1, 1988, JANUARY 1, 1989 AND JANUARY 1, 1990 RESPECTIVELY.
"HENCE THE NEW FEES - FORMING PHASE TWO - WERE APPROVED FOR INTRODUCTION ON JANUARY 1 NEXT YEAR."
THE PUBLIC HEALTH (ANIMALS AND BIRDS) ORDINANCE PROVIDES FOR THE PREVENTION OF DISEASE AMONG ANIMALS AND BIRDS AND FOR THE PROTECTION AND SAFETY OF THE PUBLIC AT PLACES WHERE ANIMALS OR BIRDS ARE KEPT.
UNDER THE ORDINANCE, A LICENCE IS REQUIRED FOR TRADING IN LIVE ANIMALS AND BIRDS, MAINTAINING A DAIRY OR FOR THE TEMPORARY EXHIBITION OF \N1MALS AND BIRDS.
-------0----------
SOUTHERN DISTRICT BOARD HOLDS FUN DAY TOMORROW ♦ * t ♦ *
’HIE SOUTHERN DISTRICT BOARD WILL HOLD A FUN DAY TOMORROW (SATURDAY) TO FURTHER STRENGTHEN LINKS BETWEEN BOARD MEMBERS AND GOVERNMENT REPRESENTATIVES THROUGH SPORTS COMPETITIONS AND TELEMATCHES.
DI STR ICT BOARD MEMBERS, REPRESENTATIVES FROM VARIOUS GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS SITTING ON THE OUTHERN DISTRICT MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE, AND STAFF OF THE SOUTHERN DISTRICT OFFICE WILL FORM TEAMS TO TAKE PART IN THE FUN DAY.
/THEY WILL .......
FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 4, 1988
- 17 -
THEY WILL COMPETE AGAINST EACH OTHER IN VARIOUS SPORTS EVENTS, INCLUDING BASKETBALL, TABLE TENNIS AND TELEMATCHES.
THE DEPUTY REGIONAL SECRETARY FOR HONG KONG AND KOWLOON, MR PAUL S.W. LEUNG, WILL ATTEND THE FUN DAY AND OFFICIATE AT THE PRIZE PRESENTATION CEREMONY.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE SOUTHERN DISTRICT BOARD FUN DAY WHICH WILL TAKE PLACE FROM 3 PM TO 6 PM TOMORROW (SATURDAY) AT THE URBAN COUNCIL ABERDEEN INDOOR GAMES HALL IN WONG CHUK HANG. THE PRIZE PRESENTATION CEREMONY WILL BE HELD AROUND 5.30 PM.
AN INFORMATION OFFICER, MR ALEX LI, WILL BE ON HAND TO ASSIST.
------0--------
CARNIVAL TO PROMOTE ROAD SAFETY CAMPAIGN » » » »
THE KOWLOON CITY DISTRICT ROAD SAFETY CARNIVAL WILL BE HELD AT ARGYLE STREET PLAYGROUND ON SUNDAY (NOVEMBER 6) TO PUBLICISE ROAD
SAFETY AND ALSO PROVIDE AN AFTERNOON OF FUN FOR LOCAL RESIDENTS.
THE CARNIVAL WILL BEGIN AT 2 PM AND WILL INCLUDE GAME STALLS, FOOTDRILL BY SCHOOL ROAD SAFETY PATROL TEAMS, AND PERFORMANCES BY THE JUNIOR POLICE CALL ROTARY BAND. THERE WILL ALSO BE AN INFLATABLE "BEAR" FOR CHILDREN TO PLAY WITH.
A ROAD SAFETY EXHIBITION BUS AND A MOBILE ROAD WILL BE AN DISPLAY AT THE VENUE. IN THE MORNING, A PUBLICITY BUS WILL TOUR THE DISTRICT TO SPREAD THE
SAFETY TOWN ROAD SAFETY ROAD SAFETY
MESSAGE.
THE CARNIVAL IS JOINTLY ORGANISED BY THE KOWLOON CITY DISTRICT ROAD SAFETY CAMPAIGN COMMITTEE AND THE DISTRICT OFFICE. IT IS SPONSORED BY THE KOWLOON CITY DISTRICT BOARD.
OFFICIATING AT THE CARNIVAL WILL BE KOWLOON CITY DISTRICT BOARD CHAIRMAN, MR WONG SIK-KONG; DISTRICT OFFICER, MR ALEX FONG; KOWLOON CITY DISTRICT POLICE COMMANDER, MRS WONG LEUNG KAM-SHAN, AND KOWLOON CITY DISTRICT BOARD'S TRAFFIC AND TRANSPORT COMMITTEE CHAIRMAN, MR CHAN Clll-KWAN.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE KOWLOON CITY DISTRICT ROAD SAFETY CARNIVAL TO BE HELD AT THE ARGYLE STREET PLAYGROUND ON SUNDAY (NOVEMBER 6), BEGINNING AT 2 PM.
- 0-----------
/18........
FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 4, 1988
- 18 -
MUSICIANS ARRIVE FROM CHINA FOR MUSIC FESTIVAL * * * * *
THREE WELL-KNOWN MUSICIANS FROM CHINA, LI XIAO-GANG, XIAO JIAN-SHENG AND SUN GUI-SHENG ARRIVED HONG KONG THIS (FRIDAY) AFTERNOON TO TAKE PART IN THE *1988 HONG KONG YOUTH CHINESE MUSIC FESTIVAL’.
ANOTHER MUSICIAN QU AU-HUA WHO IS RENOWNED IN ERHU WILL ALSO ARRIVE TOMORROW.
THEY WILL GIVE THEIR DEBUT PERFORMANCES AT THE JING YING CONCERT TO BE HELD AT THE CITY HALL THEATRE AT 8 PM NEXT THURSDAY (NOVEMBER 10).
APART FROM PERFORMANCES, THE FOUR GUEST MUSICIANS WILL ALSO CONDUCT A SERIES OF MASTER CLASSES, LECTURES AND DEMONSTRATIONS AT VARIOUS MUSIC CENTRES OF THE MUSIC OFFICE DURING THE NINE-DAY FESTIVAL.
-----0------
SELECTIVE PLACEMENT OFFICE TO MOVE
*****
THE HONG KONG OFFICE OF THE LABOUR. DEPARTMENT’S SELECTIVE PLACEMENT DIVISION, CURRENTLY SITUATED ON THE GROUND FLOOR OF DOMINION CENTRE IN QUEEN’S ROAD EAST, WILL MOVE TO NEW PREMISES ON MONDAY (NOVEMBER 7).
THE NEW OFFICE IS LOCATED ON THE GROUND FLOOR OF HARBOUR BUILDING, WEST WING, 38 PIER ROAD, CENTRAL. THE TELEPHONE NUMBER IS 5-8524114.
------0--------
FOUR SITES FOR SALE BY PUBLIC' AUCTION
*****
FOUR LOTS ARE BEING OFFERED FOR SALE RY PUBLIC AUCTION ON NOVEMBER 29 BY THE BUILDINGS AND LANDS DEPARTMENT.
THE AUCTION WIL' TAKE PLACE AT 2.30 PM IN THE SHOUSON THEATRE OF HONG KONG ARTS CENTRE, 2 HARBOUR ROAD.
ONE OF THE LOTS IS LOCATED AT HOI BUN ROAD IN KWUN TONG. IT IS FOR NON-INDUSTRI AL PURPOSES INCLUDING A MULTI-STOREY CAR PARK, BUT EXCLUDING RESIDENTIAL, HOTEL AND GODOWN.
/THE AREA
FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 4, 1988
- 19 -
THE AREA £S ABOUT 4,500 SQUARE METRES. THE DEVELOPER IS REQUIRED TO COMPLETE NOT LESS THAN 29,000 SQUARE METRES OF GROSS FLOOR AREA ON THE SITE BEFORE DECEMBER 31, 1992.
THE SECOND LOT IS AT BAILEY STREET IN HUNG HOM.
MEASURING ABOUT 2,472 SQUARE METRES IN AREA, NON-INDUSTRIAL PURPOSES EXCLUDING GODOWN AND HOTEL.
THE LOT IS FOR
THE BUILDING COVENANT REQUIRES THE DEVELOPER TO COMPLETE A GROSS FLOOR AREA OF NOT LESS THAN 10,600 SQUARE METRES BEFORE DECEMBER 31, 1991.
THE THIRD LOT, WHICH IS FOR PRIVATE RESIDENTIAL PURPOSES, IS LOCATED AT TAT CHEE AVENUE, YAU YAT TSUEN.
THE AREA OF THE LOT IS ABOUT 1,250 SQUARE METRES, AND THE DEVELOPER IS REQUIRED TO COMPLETE NOT LESS THAN 5,400 SQUARE METRES OF GROSS FLOOR ARFA BEFORE DECEMBRE 31, 1992.
THE LAST LOT IS IN THE TUNG TAU INDUSTRIAL AREA IN YUEN LONG.
WITH A SITE AREA OF ABOUT 1,735 SQUARE METRES, THE LOT IS FOR INDUSTRIAL AND/OR GODOWN PURPOSES EXCLUDING OFFENSIVE TRADE.
THE BUILDING COVENANT STIPULATES THAT THE DEVELOPER HAS TO COMPLETE A GROSS FLOOR AREA OF NOT LESS THAN 8,328 SQUARE METRES BEFORE DECEMBER 31, 1992.
CONDITIONS OF SALE ARE AVAILABLE AND SALE
FULL PARTICULARS AND PLANS SEEN AT THE BUILDINGS BUILDING, GARDEN ROAD, HONG OFFICE, CENTRAL ENQUIRY SUB-OFFICE, CENTRAL GOVERNMENT ---------__
WING ENTRANCE; AND THE DISTRICT LANDS OFFICES KOWLOON, YAU MA TEI PARK BUILDING, 10TH FLOOR, 250 SHANGHAI STREET, KOWLOON.
AND LANDS DEPARTMENT, 14TH FLOOR,
KONG; THE
CENTRAL AND WESTERN
MURRAY DISTRICT
OFFICES
WEST
CAR
CONDITIONS OF SALE ARE ALSO AVAILABLE AT THE DISTRICT LANDS OFFICES IN THE NEW TERRITORIES.
XS REQUIRED BY THE MANAGEMENT OF HONG KONG ARTS CENTRE, ADMISSION TO SHOUSON THEATRE WILL ONLY BE GIVEN TO TICKET HOLDERS.
REQUESTED TO FOR ADMISSION A FIRST-COME
PROSPECTIVE PURCHASERS ATTENDING THIS AUCTION ARE COME EARLY AS THE NUMBER OF SEATS IS LIMITED. TICKETS WILL BE ISSUED FREE OF CHARGE AT THE ENTRANCE ON
FIRST-SERVED BASIS.
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/2O.......
FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 4, 1988
- 20 -
NEW I.D. CARDS FOR WOMEN BORN IN 1960-62 * * * * *
THE IMMIGRATION DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCED TODAY (FRIDAY) THAT BORN IN 1960, 1961 OR 1962 WERE REQUIRED TO APPLY FOR NEW I.D. FROM NOVEMBER 14 TO JANUARY 14.
WOMEN
CARDS
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE IMMIGRATION DEPARTMENT SAID: ABOVE AGE GROUP CAN CALL AT ANY ONE OF THE EIGHT NEW I. OFFICES DURING THIS PERIOD."
’’WOMEN OF THE
D. CARD ISSUE
THE OFFICES ARE OPEN FROM 8 AM TO 9.30 PM DAILY, EXCEPT SUNDAYS AND PUBLIC HOLIDAYS.
HE SAID: "THE ISSUE OFFICES ARE VERY CROWDED TO AVOID HAVING TO QUEUE UP FOR A LONG TIME AT THE TO COME BACK ON ANOTHER DAY, APPLICANTS ARE ADVISED OFFICES IN THE MORNINGS AND AFTERNOONS.
IN THE EVENINGS.
ISSUE OFFICES OR
TO GO TO THESE
APPLICANTS MAY ALSO 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, 2ND FLOOR, 77 NGAU TAU KOK ROAD TEL. NO. 3-7553679
WEST KOWLOON : CANTON ROAD GOVERNMENT OFFICES, 2ND 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 • SHOP 8A, 2/F, CHANWAY SHOPPING CENTRE, 11-17, SHAT IN CENTRE STREET, SHA TIN TEL. NO. 0-6059108
YUEN LONG : HOP Y1CK CENTRE, 2ND 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 SHU I
: TSUEN WO TAI LAP, GROUND FLOOR, 82-84 SAN FUNG AVENUE, SHEK WU HUI. TEL. NO. 0-927191
/THE SPOKESMAN .......
FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 1988
21 -
THE SPOKESMAN REMINDED WOMEN BORN IN 1963 OR 1964 WHO HAVE NOT APPLIED FOR THEIR NEW I.D. CARDS TO COME FORWARD WITHOUT FURTHER DELAY AS THERE IS ONLY ONE MORE WEEK LEFT BEFORE THE CURRENT PHASE CLOSES ON NOVEMBER 12.
HE POINTED OUT THAT FAILURE TO APPLY FOR A NEW I.D. CARD WITHIN THE SPECIFIED PERIOD IS AN OFFENCE LIABLE TO A MAXIMUM FINE OF $3,000.
THE SPOKESMAN REITERATED THAT THERE WOULD BE NO AMNESTY FOR ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS.
-----0------
TEMPORARY LANE CLOSURES ON TOLO HIGHWAY ♦ ♦ ♦ * »
THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCED THAT TO FACILITATE ROAD MAINTENANCE WORKS, TEMPORARY LANE CLOSURES ON TOLO HIGHWAY, BETWEEN SHUI WAI INTERCHANGE AND WO HOP SHEK INTERCHANGE IN TAI PO, WILL BE IMPLEMENTED DURING THE FOLLOWING PERIODS:
» THE INNER-MOST LANE OF TOLO HIGHWAY NORTHBOUND NEAR SHUI
WAI INTERCHANGE WILL BE CLOSED ON NOVEMBER 7 (MONDAY) AND 8.
♦ THE OUTER-MOST LANE OF TOLO HIGHWAY NORTHBOUND NEAR HONG
LOK YUEN ROUNDABOUT Will, BE CLOSED ON NOVEMBER 14 AND 15.
♦ THE INNER-MOST LANE OF TOLO HIGHWAY NORTHBOUND BETWEEN
HONG LOK YUEN ROUNDABOUT XNI) WO HOP SHEK INTERCHANGE WILL BE CLOSED ON NOVEMBER 28 AND 29.
---------0------------
TEMPORARY CLOSURE OF TAI PO ROAD ♦ » t ♦ ♦
THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCED THAI’ SECTIONS OF THE SLOW AND MIDDLE LANES OF TAI PO ROAD NORTHBOUND NEAR TOLO HIGHWAY^ IN SHA TIN WILL BE CLOSED TO TRAFFIC FROM H PM ON MONDAY (NOVEMBER 7) TO 8 AM THE NEXT DAY.
THE ROAD SECTIONS, ABOUT 250 METRES IN LENGTH, WILL BE CLOSED TO FACILITATE WEIGHBRIDGE MAINTENANCE WORKS.
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DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL: 5-8428777
SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 5, 1988
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
EK’S FUTURE ROLE AS MAJOR SERVICE CENTRE FOR SOUTH CHINA 1
LAND REHABILITATION SCHEME MAKES GOOD PROGRESS............. 3
MULTI-PRONGED APPROACH ON BUILDING MANAGEMENT ............. 4
CONSTRUCTION OUTPUT STATISTICS FOR SECOND QUARTER OF 1988 . 6
COMPREHENSIVE MUNICIPAL FACILITIES FOR MONG KOK RESIDENTS . 8
SIR DAVID INSPECTS CUSTOMS PARADE ......................... 9
FAMILY ATMOSPHERE IN HOMES FOR AGED........................ 10
FUN DAY BOOSTS TIES BETWE^ DB MEMBERS AND OFFICIALS........ 10
HEALTH DAY PROGRAMME ON CHEK LAP KOK....................... 11
SPECIAL CaR NUMBERS SOLD AT AUCTION ....................... 12
SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 5, 1988
1
HE’S FUTURE ROLE AS MAJOR SERVICE CENTRE FOR SOUTH CHINA *****
HONG KONG SEES ITS FUTURE ROLE AS BEING THE MAJOR SERVICE CENTRE FOR SOUTH CHINA IN GENERAL AND THE PEARL RIVER DELTA REGION IN PARTICULAR, THE SECRETARY FOR MONETARY AFFAIRS, MR DAVID NENDICK, SAID TODAY (SATURDAY).
ADDRESSING THE PACIFIC CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICERS INSTITUTE'S 1988 ROUNDTABLE IN CALIFORNIA, MR NENDICK SAID THE GOVERNMENT WOULD DO ITS BEST TO CREATE THE APPROPRIATE ENVIRONMENT FOR THIS.
HE SAID THIS MEANT MAKING SURE THAT THE FINANCIAL MARKETS WERE ABLE TO MEET THE NEEDS OF HONG KONG, CHINA AND THE ASIA-PACIFIC REGION AND THAT THE PHYSICAL INFRASTRUCTURE, PARTICULARLY PORT AND AIRPORT FACILITIES, COULD KEEP PACE WITH INCREASING DEMAND.
THIS ALSO MEANT MAKING SURE THAT OUR PEOPLE HAD THE NECESSARY SKILLS AND EXPERTISE TO SUSTAIN OUR ECONOMIC GROWTH AND TO ASSIST IN CHINA’S DEVELOPMENT, THROUGH THE TRANSFER OF TECHNOLOGY AND BUSINESS AND MANAGEMENT SKILLS, HE SAID.
■ MR NENDICK SAID THE GOVERNMENT WAS ADDRESSING ALL THESE ISSUES.
"WE ARE CONDUCTING A SERIES OF STUDIES WHICH WILL ALLOW US TO TAKE SOME MAJOR DECISIONS IN THE NEAR FUTURE ON A SECOND AIRPORT AND FURTHER PORT DEVELOPMENT AND OTHER LONG-TERM INFRASTRUCTURAL PROJECTS.
"WE ARE INCREASING THE NUMBER OF STUDENT PLACES AT TERTIARY LEVEL INSTITUTIONS AND WE ARE TAKING FIRM ACTION TO REMEDY SHORTCOMINGS REVEALED BY THE STOCK MARKET CRASH IN OCTOBER 1987," HE SAID.
MR NENDICK SAID THE GOVERNMENT WAS DETERMINED TO MAINTAIN AND DEVELOP HONG KONG’S POSITION AS AN INTERNATIONAL FINANCIAL CENTRE, AND URGED INTERNATIONAL INVESTORS TO HAVE CONFIDENCE IN THE EFFICIENCY AND INTEGRITY OF OUR MARKETS.
MR NENDICK SAID HONG KONG HAD OVER THE PAST YEAR BUILT ON THE EXPERIENCE GAINED LAST OCTOBER.
"WHILST WE ARE CONSCIOUS OF THE NEED TO AVOID OVER-REGULATION THERE ARE FURTHER SAFEGUARDS WHICH WE ARE IN THE PROCESS OF PUTTING IN PLACE TOO," HE SAID.
HE SAID LEGISLATION WAS PASSED LAST JULY REQUIRING MAJOR SHAREHOLDERS, DIRECTORS AND CHIEF EXECUTIVES OF PUBLICLY LISTED COMPANIES TO DISCLOSE THE EXTENT OF THEIR BENEFICIAL HOLDINGS AND ENABLING LISTED COMPANIES TO DISCOVER THE BENEFICIAL OWNERSHIP OF ANY SHARE HOLDING.
/"WE ARE
SATURDAY, NOVJUBER 5, 1988
- 2 -
"WE ARE ALSO PLANNING TO INTRODUCE LEGISLATION TO INCREASE SUBSTANTIALLY THE SANCTIONS AGAINST INSIDER DEALERS UNDER OUR EXISTING TRIBUNAL SYSTEM.
"WE ARE FIRMLY OF THE VIEW THAT INSIDER DEALING UNDERMINES THE FAIRNESS OF THE MARKET AND WE ARE DETERMINED TO DO OUR BEST TO SEE THAT IT DOES NOT OCCUR.
"WE AIM TO BRING BOTH MEASURES INTO FORCE IN THE COURSE OF NEXT YEAR WHEN THE NEW SECURITIES AND FUTURES COMMISSION IS IN BEING AND HAS RESOURCES AVAILABLE TO ENSURE PROPER ENFORCEMENT," HE SAID.
MR NENDICK SAID ONE KEY FACTOR BEHIND HONG KONG’S DEVELOPMENT AS AN INTERNATIONAL FINANCIAL AND BUSINESS CENTRE WAS ITS LOCATION.
"HONG KONG IS SEEN AS THE GATEWAY TO CHINA, IDEALLY PLACED FOR TRADE AND INVESTMENT IN CHINA," HE SAID.
MR NENDICK SAID HONG KONG HAD OVER THE PAST DECADE PLAYED AN IMPORTANT ROLE IN HELPING CHINA TO CARRY OUT ITS MODERNISATION PROGRAMME.
"IT IS OUR HOPE AND EXPECTATION THAT WE CAN CONTINUE TO BE, NOT ONLY A SOURCE OF TRADE AND INVESTMENT, BUT ALSO AN ECONOMIC AND FINANCIAL CENTRE LINKING CHINA WITH THE REST OF THE WORLD.
"THIS WILL BE TO THE MUTUAL BENEFIT OF BOTH HONG KONG AND CHINA. THUS HONG KONG WILL REMAIN AN EXCELLENT BASE FOR EXPLOITING THE CHINA MARKET," HE SAID.
HONG KONG IS, AND WILL CONTINUE TO BE, AN EXCELLENT PLACE IN WHICH TO INVEST AND TO DO BUSINESS, MR NENDICK STRESSED.
"IT IS NOW THE MOST IMPORTANT SOURCE OF TRADE AND INVESTMENT IN CHINA AND HAS A CRUCIAL ROLE TO PLAY IN CHINA'S ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT," HE SAID.
THE CONFERENCE IN LOS ANGELES IS BEING ATTENDED BY CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICERS OF SOME 100 TOP AMERICAN AND ASIAN CORPORATIONS.
OTHER SPEAKERS AT THE "PACIFIC STRATEGIES" ROUNDTABLE INCLUDE MR STEPHEN SOLARZ, CHAIRMAN OF THE U.S. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES SUB-COMMITTEE ON ASIAN AND PACIFIC AFFAIRS; FORMER SECRETARIES OF STATE, DR HENRY KISSINGER; MR EDMUND MUSKIE AND MR ALEXANDER HAIG; U.S. AMBASSADOR TO CHINA, MR WINSTON LORD; JAPANESE VICE-MINISTER OF FINANCE, MR TOYOO GYONTEN; AND THE GOVERNOR OF THE CENTRAL BANK OF THE PHILIPPINES, MR JOSE FERNANDEZ.
- 0 - -
SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 5, 1988
- 3 -
LAND REHABILITATION SCHEME MAKES GOOD PROGRESS *****
THE AGRICULTURAL LAND REHABILITATION SCHEME - A GOVERNMENT PILOT PROJECT DESIGNED TO BRING FALLOW FARM LAND IN THE NEW TERRITORIES BACK TO CULTIVATION - IS MAKING ENCOURAGING HEADWAY DESPITE MANY OBSTACLES ENCOUNTERED, THE ASSISTANT DIRECTOR (AGRICULTURE) OF THE AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES DEPARTMENT, DR THOMAS YIP, SAID TODAY (SATURDAY).
HE SAID THAT THESE OBSTACLES INCLUDED FRAGMENTATION OF LAND, MULTIPLE LAND OWNERSHIP AND UNTRACEABLE LANDOWNERS.
WITH THE PARTICIPATION OF THE VEGETABLE MARKETING ORGANISATION (VMO), DR YIP SAID, THE SCHEME HAS, SINCE ITS INCEPTION IN JULY THIS YEAR, RENTED SOME 22,000 SQUARE METRES OF FALLOW AGRICULTURAL LAND FROM LANDOWNERS AT CHEUNG PO IN YUEN LONG AND HOK TAU IN FANLING.
THESE TWO LOCATIONS HAVE BEEN IDENTIFIED TO HAVE THE GREATEST POTENTIAL FOR THE AGRICULTURAL LAND REHABILITATION PROGRAMME. IN THESE TWO AREAS, 42 OUT OF 112 HECTARES OF AGRICULTURAL LAND ARE LYING FALLOW.
DR YIP MADE THE COMMENTS WHEN HE ATTEND THE EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE MEETING OF THE PAT HEUNG RURAL COMMITTEE TO BRIEF ITS MEMBERS OF THE PROGRESS OF THE REHABILITATION SCHEME.
HE SAID: "IN THE ENDORSEMENT OF VMO’S PARTICIPATION, THE MARKETING ADVISORY BOARD HAS APPROVED THE PROVISION OF $5 MILLION AS AN AGRICULTURAL DEVELOPMENT FUND TO MEET THE NECESSARY EXPENDITURE ARISING FROM IMPLEMENTING THE PILOT PROJECT.
"APART FROM THE INVOLVEMENT OF THE VMO, THE GOVERNMENT WILL PROVIDE SUCH NECESSARY INPUT AS THE IMPROVEMENT OF THE AGRICULTURAL INFRASTRUCTURE INCLUDING IRRIGATION, DRAINAGE AND FARM ACCESS."
FOR THE IMPROVEMENT WORK IN 1988-89 IN THE TWO PILOT AREAS, HE SAID, $700,000 HAD BEEN APPROVED BY THE GOVERNMENT.
DR YIP SAID THAT SO FAR 10,000 SQUARE METRES OF FARM LAND RENTED BY THE VMO HAD BEEN SUB-LET TO FARMERS.
HE EXPECTED THAT FURTHER PROGRESS COULD BE ACHIEVED BECAUSE MORE CONTACTS AND NEGOTIATIONS WITH LANDOWNERS AND POTENTIAL TENANT FARMERS WERE IN HAND AND MORE LANDOWNERS HAD EXPRESSED INTEREST TN JOINING THE SCHEME.
IN EXPLAINING LAND USES IN RELATION TO THE LAND REHABILITATION SCHEME, DR YIP SAID: "THE USAGES ARE STIPULATED IN THE LAND LEASE AGREEMENT AND LANDOWNERS HAVE THE RIGHT TO USE THE LAND IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE TERMS AND CONDITIONS LAID DOWN IN THE LEASE.
/"THERE IS
SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 5t 1988
’’THERE IS NO CAUSE FOR CONCERN THAT THE POTENTIAL USES OF LAND WILL BE RESTRICTED AS A RESULT OF THE LAND REHABILITATION SCHEME.”
TODAY’S VISIT WAS PART OF THE CONSULTATION PROCESS IN SUPPORT OF THE LAND REHABILITATION SCHEME INITIATED BY THE AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES DEPARTMENT.
ACCOMPANYING DR YIP ON HIS VISIT TO THE PAT HEUNG RURAL COMMITTEE WERE THE DEPARTMENT’S SENIOR AGRICULTURAL OFFICER, MR C.C. CHAN, AND REPRESENTATIVES OF THE YUEN LONG DISTRICT OFFICE AND THE DISTRICT LAND OFFICER.
------0-------
MULTI-PRONGED APPROACH ON BUILDING MANAGEMENT ♦ * » t *
THE GOVERNMENT IS ADOPTING A MULTI-PRONGED APPROACH TO TACKLE THE PROBLEMS OF BUILDING MANAGEMENT IN HONG KONG, THE REGIONAL SECRETARY FOR HONG KONG AND KOWLOON, MR DAVID LAN, SAID TODAY (SATURDAY).
MR LAN WAS ADDRESSING A LUNCHEON MEETING OF THE LIONS CLUB DISTRICT 303.
HE SAID AN AGREEMENT HAD BEEN REACHED WITH THE LAW SOCIETY THAT WITH EFFECT FROM DECEMBER 1, 1987, ALL NEW DEEDS OF MUTUAL CONVENANT (DMC) FOR NON-INDUSTRIAL BUILDINGS WOULD BE DRAWN UP BASED ON A SET OF GUIDELINES.
THESE GUIDELINES AIMED AT IMPROVING THE MANAGEMENT OF COMMON AREAS IN A BUILDING AND ACHIEVING A BETTER BALANCE OF INTERESTS BETWEEN THE DEVELOPERS AND OWNERS.
MR LAN SAID THREE MORE BUILDING MANAGEMENT CO-ORDINATION TEAMS (BMCT’S) WOULD BE FORMED LATER THIS MONTH TN SHAM SHUI PO, KOWLOON CITY AND TSUEN WAN TO ASSIST MORE PEOPLE IN MANAGING THEIR RESIDENTIAL BUILDINGS.
APART FROM LEGISLATION, MR DEPENDED UPON THE MOTIVATION AND THERE WAS A NEED TO PROVIDE HELP,
LAN CONTINUED, BUILDING MANAGEMENT
EFFORT OF INDIVIDUAL OWNERS, AND
ADVICE AND ENCOURAGEMENT TO THE
RESIDENTS OF MULTI-STOREY BUILDINGS.
WITH THIS IN MIND, THE CITY AND NEW TERRITORIES ADMINISTRATION HAD FORMED A DISTRICT TEAM COMPRISING REPRESENTATIVES FROM A NUMBER OF DEPARTMENTS IN 1982 AS A PILOT SCHEME.
/THE SCHEME
SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 5, 1988
THE SCHEME WAS SO SUCCESSFUL THAT THE GOVERNMENT DECIDED IN LATE 1984 THAT BUILDING MANAGEMENT CO-ORDINATION TEAMS (BMCT’S) BE ESTABLISHED IN DISTRICTS TO ASSIST RESIDENTS IN IMPROVING THE MANAGEMENT OF THEIR BUILDINGS AND TO CO-ORDINATE INTER-DEPARTMENTAL ACTION ON MATTERS RELATING TO BUILDING MANAGEMENT.
EACH BMCT CONSISTED OF ONE HOUSING MANAGER, ONE ASSISTANT HOUSING MANAGER AND TWO HOUSING ASSISTANTS SECONDED FROM THE HOUSING DEPARTMENT.
IN CONSULTATION WITH DISTRICT BOARDS, THE TEAMS IDENTIFIED BUILDINGS WHICH SUFFERED FROM POOR MANAGEMENT, AND CARRIED OUT ADVISORY AND INSPECTION VISITS TO THESE TARGET BUILDINGS.
MR LAN SAID THAT AT PRESENT SEVERAL UNRELATED ORDINANCES, ENFORCED BY SEPARATE DEPARTMENTS, APPLIED TO MULTI-STOREY BUILDINGS, AND THEREFORE A HIGH DEGREE OF INTER-AGENCY CO-OPERATION WAS REQUIRED TO ENSURE A CONCERTED AND EFFECTIVE APPROACH TO ENFORCEMENT.
THIS ROLE WAS BEING’ CARRIED OUT BY THE BMCT’S UNDER THE SUPERVISION QF THE DISTRICT BUILDING MANAGEMENT CO-ORDINATION COMMITTEES, WHICH COMPRISED GOVERNMENT REPRESENTATIVES FROM VARIOUS ENFORCEMENT AGENCIES AND DEPARTMENTS INVOLVED IN BUILDING MANAGEMENT MATTERS.
SINCE 1985-86, SEVEN DISTRICT BMCT’S HAD BEEN DEPLOYED IN THE EASTERN, WAN CHAI, CENTRAL AND WESTERN, YAU TSIM, MONG KOK, KWUN TONG AND KWAI TSING DISTRICT OFFICES.
THE FIRST FIVE TEAMS DEALT WITH DOMESTIC BUILDINGS, WHILE THE TEAMS IN KWUN TONG AND KWAI TSING CONCENTRATED MAINLY ON PROBLEMS IN MULTI-STOREY INDUSTRIAL BUILDINGS.
THREE MORE TEAMS WOULD BE ESTABLISHED IN SHAM SHUI PO, KOWLOON CITY AND TSUEN WAN LATER THIS MONTH.
"BY THEN THE 10 DISTRICT TEAMS WILL BE SERVING ABOUT 1.9 MILLION PEOPLE LIVING IN SOME 475,000 PRIVATE RESIDENTIAL UNITS," MR LAN NOTED.
CURRENTLY, MR LAN SAID, THERE WERE 219 TARGET BUILDINGS IN THE TARGET LIST OF THE BMCT’S. SINCE THEIR ESTABLISHMENT IN MAY 1985, THE BMCT’S HAD BROUGHT ABOUT SUBSTANTIAL IMPROVEMENTS IN 74 TARGET
BUILDINGS.
"WE, THEREFORE, INTEND TO EXPAND THE SCHEME TO COVER THE
REMAINING DISTRICTS AS AND WHEN RESOURCES BECOME AVAILABLE," HE NOTED.
MR LAN SAID THERE WAS A LIMIT TO WHAT THE GOVERNMENT COULD DO IN TACKLING "THIS PROBLEM OF URBAN DECAY, AND MUCH
RESPONSIBILITY LIES WITH THE COMMUNITY ITSELF, IN PARTICULAR WITH
INDIVIDUAL OWNERS OF PROPERTY.
/"INDEED, IT
SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 5. 1988
"INDEED, IT IS IN THE INTEREST OF THE PROPERTY OWNERS TO MANAGE AND MAINTAIN THEIR PROPERTIES PROPERLY AS THE PHYSICAL ENVIRONMENT WILL INEVITABLY BE REFLECTED IN THE PRICES OF THEIR PROPERTIES,” HE NOTED.
MR LAN POINTED OUT THAT IN FORMULATING SOLUTIONS TO TACKLE BUILDING MANAGEMENT PROBLEMS, THE GOVERNMENT HAD TO CAREFULLY CONSIDER THE RIGHTS AND OBLIGATIONS OF ALL PARTIES CONCERNED, AND TO STRIKE A PROPER BALANCE ACCEPTABLE TO THE MAJORITY.
THE FORMATION OF THE "PRIVATE BUILDING MANAGEMENT ADVISORY COMMITTEE", WHICH HE ANNOUNCED AT A PRESS BRIEFING YESTERDAY (NOVEMBER 4), WAS, THEREFORE, AIMED AT GETTING THE COMMUNITY MORE INVOLVED IN POLICY DEVELOPMENT WORK.
"WE SHOULD ALL PLAY OUR PART TOWARDS BUILDING A BETTER ENVIRONMENT TOMORROW SO AS TO ACHIEVE GREATER PROSPERITY FOR OURSELVES AND FOR OUR CHILDREN," MR LAN CONCLUDED.
-----0------
CONSTRUCTION OUTPUT STATISTICS FOR SECOND QUARTER OF 1988
*****
THE GROSS VALUE OF CONSTRUCTION WORK PERFORMED BY MAIN CONTRACTORS (INCLUDING WORK CARRIED OUT AT CONSTRUCTION SITES, AT ERECTED BUILDINGS AND STRUCTURES, AND AT OTHER MINOR WORK LOCATIONS) IN THE SECOND QUARTER OF 1988 AMOUNTED TO $9,900 MILLION.
THIS WAS 3.8 PER CENT HIGHER THAN IN THE PRECEDING QUARTER AND 33.7 PER CENT HIGHER THAN IN THE SECOND QUARTER OF 1987, ACCORDING TO THE RESULTS OF THE QUARTERLY SURVEY OF CONSTRUCTION OUTPUT RELEASED TODAY (SATURDAY) BY THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT.
THE INDEX OF GROSS VALUE OF CONSTRUCTION WORK PERFORMED BY MAIN CONTRACTORS FOR THE SECOND QUARTER OF 1988 WAS 150.3, WITH THE QUARTERLY AVERAGE OF 1982 BEING TAKEN AS 100.
THE CORRESPONDING INDEXES FOR THE FIRST QUARTER OF 1988 AND THE SECOND QUARTER OF 1987 WERE 144.8 AND 112.4 RESPECTIVELY.
WITH REGARD TO THE SUBSTANTIAL INCREASE OF 33.7 PER CENT IN THE VALUE OF CONSTRUCTION WORK PERFORMED IN THE SECOND QUARTER OF 1988 OVER THAT IN THE SECOND QUARTER OF 1987, A SPOKESMAN FOR THE DEPARTMENT POINTED OUT THAT THIS WAS LARGELY DUE TO A MARKED INCREASE IN CONSTRUCTION COSTS.
/HE SAID
SATURDAY, NOVBffiER 5, 1988
HE SAID THAT THE VOLUME OF CONSTRUCTION WORK PERFORMED, AFTER DISCOUNTING COST INCREASES, ACTUALLY GREW MUCH MORE SLOWLY THAN WHAT IS IMPLIED BY THE NOMINAL CONSTRUCTION VALUES REPORTED IN THIS PRESS RELEASE. READERS SHOULD BEAR THIS POINT IN MIND WHEN INTERPRETING THE SURVEY RESULTS.
THE GROSS VALUE OF CONSTRUCTION WORK PERFORMED BY MAIN CONTRACTORS AT CONSTRUCTION SITES IN THE SECOND QUARTER OF 1988 WAS $7,771 MILLION. THIS WAS 5.2 PER CENT HIGHER THAN IN THE PRECEDING QUARTER AND 39.3 PER CENT HIGHER THAN IN THE SECOND QUARTER OF 1987.
APART FROM WORK PERFORMED AT CONSTRUCTION SITES, THE GROSS VALUE OF CONSTRUCTION WORK PERFORMED BY MAIN CONTRACTORS AT ERECTED BUILDINGS AND STRUCTURES AND OTHER MINOR WORK LOCATIONS WAS $2,129 MILLION, WHICH WAS 1.3 PER CENT LOWER THAN IN THE PRECEDING QUARTER BUT 16.6 PER CENT HIGHER THAN IN SECOND QUARTER OF 1987.
OF THE GROSS VALUE OF CONSTRUCTION WORK PERFORMED BY MAIN CONTRACTORS AT CONSTRUCTION SITES, $2,552 MILLION WAS RELATED TO CONSTRUCTION PROJECTS OF THE PUBLIC SECTOR (INCLUDING HONG KONG GOVERNMENT, MASS TRANSIT RAILWAY CORPORATION AND KOWLOON-CANTON RAILWAY CORPORATION).
THIS REPRESENTED INCREASES OF 6.9 PER CENT AND 44.1 PER CENT WHEN COMPARED WITH THE PRECEDING QUARTER AND THE SECOND QUARTER OF 1987 RESPECTIVELY.
AS FOR CONSTRUCTION PROJECTS OF THE PRIVATE SECTOR, THE GROSS VALUE OF CONSTRUCTION WORK PERFORMED BY MAIN CONTRACTORS AT CONSTRUCTION SITES WAS $5,219 MILLION, WHICH WAS 4.5 PER CENT HIGHER THAN IN THE PRECEDING QUARTER AND 37.1 PER CENT HIGHER THAN IN THE SECOND QUARTER OF 1987.
WHEN ANALYSED BY END-USE OF BUILDINGS AND STRUCTURES, THE GROSS VALUE OF CONSTRUCTION WORK PERFORMED BY MAIN CONTRACTORS AT CONSTRUCTION SITES IN RESPECT OF RESIDENTIAL BUILDINGS (WHICH INCLUDE COMBINED RESIDENTIAL AND NON-RESIDENTIAL BUILDINGS) AND TRANSPORT PROJECTS IN THE SECOND QUARTER OF 1988 WAS $3,613 MILLION AND $1,164 MILLION RESPECTIVELY.
THESE REPRESENTED INCREASES OF 11.4 PER CENT AND 6.8 PER CENT RESPECTIVELY WHEN COMPARED WITH THE PRECEDING QUARTER, AND INCREASES OF 34.9 PER CENT AND 33.8 PER CENT RESPECTIVELY OVER THE SECOND QUARTER OF 1987.
THE GROSS VALUE OF CONSTRUCTION WORK PERFORMED BY MAIN CONTRACTORS AT CONSTRUCTION SITES IN RESPECT OF COMMERCIAL BUILDINGS WAS $1,141 MILLION IN THE SECOND QUARTER OF 1988, REPRESENTING A DECREASE OF 15.0 PER CENT WHEN COMPARED WITH THE PRECEDING QUARTER BUT AN INCREASE OF 62.3 PER CENT OVER THE SECOND QUARTER OF 1987.
/THE GROSS .......
SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 5» 1988
- 8 -
THE GROSS VALUE OF CONSTRUCTION WORK PERFORMED BY MAIN CONTRACTORS AT CONSTRUCTION SITES IN RESPECT OF INDUSTRIAL AND STORAGE BUILDINGS IN THE SECOND QUARTER OF 1988 WAS $753 MILLION, WHICH SHOWED INCREASES OF 14.8 PER CENT AND 48.2 PER CENT WHEN COMPARED WITH THE PRECEDING QUARTER AND THE SECOND QUARTER OF 1987 RESPECTIVELY.
OWING TO THE WIDESPREAD SUB-CONTRACTING PRACTICE IN THE CONSTRUCTION SECTOR, A CONSTRUCTION ESTABLISHMENT CAN BE A MAIN CONTRACTOR FOR ONE CONTRACT BUT A SUB-CONTRACTOR FOR ANOTHER CONTRACT SIMULTANEOUSLY.
THE GROSS VALUE OF CONSTRUCTION WORK PERFORMED BY MAIN CONTRACTORS REFERS TO THE OUTPUT OF THOSE CONSTRUCTION ESTABLISHMENTS IN THE PROJECTS IN WHICH THEY TAKE THE ROLE OF A MAIN CONTRACTOR, AND THUS INCLUDES THE CONSTRUCTION OUTPUT OF ALL THE SUB-CONTRACTORS EMPLOYED.
MORE DETAILED INFORMATION ON CONSTRUCTION OUTPUT IS GIVEN IN THE "REPORT ON THE QUARTERLY SURVEY OF CONSTRUCTION OUTPUT, 2ND QUARTER 1988", WHICH IS ON SALE AT $2.50 A COPY AT THE GOVERNMENT PUBLICATIONS CENTRE, GPO BUILDING, CONNAUGHT PLACE, OR AT THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT PUBLICATION SALES COUNTER, WANCHAI TOWER I, 19/F., 12 HARBOUR ROAD, WAN CHAI. REGULAR SUBSCRIPTION MAY ALSO BE ARRANGED.
ENQUIRIES FOR FURTHER INFORMATION ABOUT THE SURVEY MAY BE DIRECTED TO THE BUILDING, CONSTRUCTION AND REAL ESTATE STATISTICS SECTION OF THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT AT TELEPHONE NUMBER 5-8234860.
-------0--------
COMPREHENSIVE MUNICIPAL FACILITIES FOR MONG KOK RESIDENTS ♦ ♦ * ♦ *
RESIDENTS IN MONG KOK WILL BE ABLE TO ENJOY A WIDE RANGE OF MODERN MUNICIPAL FACILITIES WHEN THE URBAN COUNCIL’S $79 MILLION FA YUEN STREET COMPLEX COMES ON STREAM BY THE END OF THIS YEAR.
RE-DEVELOPMENT OF THE FA YUEN STREET A 13-STOREY MODERN COMPLEX WITH A
GAMES HALL,” THE CHAIRMAN OF THE
COMMITTEE, MR PAO PING-WING, SAID
"THE PROJECT INVOLVES THE MARKET AND HAWKER BAZAAR INTO MARKET, A LIBRARY AND AN INDOOR COUNCIL’S CAPITAL WORKS SELECT
TODAY.
•’THE COMPLEX IS CENTRALLY LOCATED, COVERING AN AREA OF 1 700 SQUARE METRES BOUNDED BY FA YUEN STREET, MONG KOK ROAD, FIFE STREET AND TUNG CHOI STREET.
/"THE MARKET
SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 5, 1988
9
"THE MARKET WILL BE ON THE FIRST THREE FLOORS WITH 360 STALLS INCLUDING MINI STALLS FOR FISH, VEGETABLES, MEAT AND POULTRY PLUS A COOKED-FOOD CENTRE WITH 26 STALLS ON THE THIRD FLOOR.
"THE MARKET FLOORS AND THE COOKED-FOOD CENTRE WILL BE LINKED BY ESCALATORS FOR THE CONVENIENCE OF HOUSEWIVES AND SHOPPERS.
ON THE FOURTH AND FIFTH FLOORS, THERE WILL BE A DISTRICT LIBRARY PROVIDING A FULL RANGE OF LIBRARY FACILITIES INCLUDING »AN AUDIO-VISUAL LIBRARY AND AN EXTENSION ACTIVITIES HALL.
FLOORS WILL HAVE A
BASKETBALL COURT, A
HALL ON THE TOP FOUR
MULTI-PURPOSE ARENA WHICH CAN BE USED FOR A „„„„„
VOLLEYBALL COURT OR THREE BADMINTON COURTS^ THREE GAMES ROOMS, SEVEN »» SAID MR PAO.
THE INDOOR GAMES
SQUASH COURTS
, A DANCE ROOM AND A FITNESS ROOM,
"AS THE COMPLEX IS SITED AMIDST RESIDENTIAL AREA, IT IS EXPECTED TO BECOME RESIDENTS IN THE DISTRICT."
A DENSELY-POPULATED
VERY POPULAR AMONG
CAPTION: PHOTOGRAPH SHOWS THE COUNCIL’S $79 MILLION FA YUEN STREET OPEN BY THE END OF THIS YEAR.
GENERAL VIEW OF THE URBAN
COMPLEX IN MONG KOK DUE TO BE
-------0 ---------
SIR DAVID INSPECTS CUSTOMS PARADE
» * » * «
WORK IN THE CUSTOMS AND EXCISE SERVICE IS BECOMING MORE AN/) MORE SOPHISTICATED AND DEMANDING, THE DEPUTY TO THE GOVERNOR, SIR DAVID FORD, SAID TODAY (SATURDAY) AT A CUSTOMS PASSING-OUT PARADE.
ADDRESSING THE PARADE WHICH TOOK PLACE AT THE CUSTOMS AND EXCISE TRAINING SCHOOL AT TAI LAM CHUNG, SIR DAVID SAID OPENING SUITCASES AND CARGO WAS NO LONGER ENOUGH IN PREVENTING SMUGGLING, FRAUD AND EVASION OF EXCISE DUTY.
"YOU HAVE TO LEARN TO MASTER AND TO MAKE FULL USE OF MODERN TECHNIQUES AND EQUIPMENT, AND MUST ALWAYS PERFORM YOUR DUTIES WITH DILIGENCE, HONESTY, INTEGRITY AND PERSEVERANCE AND UNDERTAKE THEM WITHOUT FEAR OR FAVOUR.
"AS MEMBERS OF THE SERVICE, YOUR ATTITUDE AND BEHAVIOUR WILL BE CONSTANTLY EXPOSED TO PEOPLE IN ALL WALKS OF LIFE, AND THEY WILL REFLECT UPON, NOT ONLY THE SERVICE ITSELF, BUT THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT AS A WHOLE," HE SAID.
SIR DAVID SAID HE WAS HIGHLY IMPRESSED BY THE SMART TURN-OUT AND BEARING OF THE PASSING-OUT SQUADS WHICH COMPRISED 14 CUSTOMS INSPECTORS AND 119 CUSTOMS OFFICERS. i
THE RECRUIT INSPECTORS AND CUSTOMS OFFICERS HAVE RESPECTIVELY COMPLETED A 27-WEEK AND 13-WEEK RESIDENTIAL TRAINING PROGRAMME AT THE CUSTOMS AND EXCISE TRAINING SCHOOL IN TAI LAM CHUNG, NEW IERRTTORIES.
______0------- /1°.....................
SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 5, 1988
FAMILY ATMOSPHERE IN HOMES FOR AGED *****
INSTITUTIONAL CARE IS AN ESSENTIAL ELEMENT IN SERVICES FOR THE ELDERLY, PARTICULARLY FOR THOSE WHO CANNOT BE CARED FOR BY THEIR FAMILIES BECAUSE OF VARIOUS REASONS OR WHO HAVE LOST SELF-CARE ABILITY, THE ACTING DIRECTOR OF SOCIAL WELFARE, MR STEPHEN LAW, SAID TODAY (SATURDAY).
MR LAW WAS SPEAKING AT THE OPENING CEREMONY OF THE SHENG KUNG HUI GOOD SHEPHERD HOME FOR THE ELDERLY IN NGAU TAU KOK.
HE NOTED THAT THE OLD CONCEPT OF A HOME FOR THE AGED AS A PLACE PROVIDING AN UNINTERESTING AND CONTROLLED LIFE HAD BECOME A THING OF THE PAST.
NOWADAYS, HOMES FOR THE ELDERLY ENABLED SENIOR CITIZENS TO LEAD A HAPPY AND POSITIVE LIFE IN GROUPS, HE SAID.
"HOMES FOR THE ELDERLY MUST HAVE A FAMILY ATMOSPHERE IN ORDER TO MAKE THEM A HAPPY PLACE TO LIVE IN," MR LAW SAID.
THUS, THE HOMES SHOULD BE DECORATED AND FURNISHED LIKE THE OLD
“•PEOPLE’S OWN HOMES WITH THE MINIMUM OF RESTRICTIONS SO THAT THE RESIDENTS COULD FEEL THAT THEY WERE BEING RESPECTED AND CARED FOR.
WHILE THE ELDERLY PEOPLE SHOULD THEMSELVES CARE FOR AND SUPPORT ONE ANOTHER, FAMILY MEMBERS SHOULD VISIT THEM MORE FREQUENTLY AND THE COMMUNITY SHOULD TAKE THE INITIATIVE TO BEFRIEND THEM.
"OUR CURRENT POLICY IS TO SET UP RESIDENTIAL HOMES FOR THE ELDERLY WITHIN THE COMMUNITY SUCH AS IN PUBLIC HOUSING ESTATES SO THAT THE OLD PEOPLE CAN CONTINUE TO LIVE IN A FAMILIAR ENVIRONMENT WHILE RECEIVING OTHER SUPPORT SERVICES," HE SAID.
WITH THE OPENING OF THE HOME TODAY — IT PROVIDES 144 PLACES — THERE ARE NOW SOME 5,700 PLACES IN HOMES FOR THE AGED IN HONG KONG.
MR LAW COMMENDED THE SHENG KUNG HUI FOR ITS NUMEROUS CONTRIBUTIONS IN SOCIAL SERVICES.
- - 0 - -
FUN DAY BOOSTS TIES BETWEEN DB MEMBERS AND OFFICIALS
*****
MEMBERS OF THE SOUTHERN DISTRICT BOARD (SDB) AND ITS COMMITTEES, GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS OF THE SOUTHERN DISTRICT MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE AND STAFF OF THE SOUTHERN DISTRICT OFFICE TODAY (SATURDAY) PUT ASIDE THEIR HEAVY OFFICE WORK AND HAD AN AFTERNOON OF FUN, GAMES AND SPORTS ACTIVITIES.
THE THREE TEAMS COMPETED IN BASKETBALL, TABLE TENNIS AND TELEMATCHES IN A FUN DAY ORGANISED BY THE DISTRICT BOARD TO STRENGTHEN THE TIES BETWEEN DB MEMBERS AND GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS.
/THE DB
SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 5, 1988
THE DB SECRETARY, MR MARIUS CHAN, SAID: "TODAY'S FUNCTION HAS BEEN A SUCCESS IN THAT IT NOT ONLY GIVES DB MEMBERS AND GOVERNMENT REPRESENTATIVES A CHANCE TO RELAX, BUT AT THE SAME TIME HELPS IMPROVE THEIR RELATIONSHIP."
"THE WORK OF THE DISTRICT BOARD WILL CERTAINLY BE FACILITATED BY A BETTER MUTUAL UNDERSTANDING BETWEEN DB MEMBERS AND GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS."
AFTER KEEN COMPETITIONS IN THE ABERDEEN INDOOR GAMES HALL, THE DB TEAM PROVED TO BE THE STRONGEST AND SWEPT THE SDB CUP, THE SDB CHAIRMAN CUP AND THE SOUTHERN DISTRICT OFFICER CUP FOR THEIR CHAMPIONSHIPS IN ALL THREE EVENTS.
THE DEPUTY REGIONAL SECRETARY CUP FOR THE OVERALL CHAMPION, WHICH WAS DONATED AND PRESENTED BY THE DEPUTY REGIONAL SECRETARY FOR HONG KONG AND KOWLOON, MR PAUL LEUNG, ALSO WENT TO THE DB TEAM.
OTHER OFFICIATING GUESTS AT THE PRIZE PRESENTATION CEREMONY INCLUDED THE SOUTHERN DISTRICT OFFICER, MRS MAUREEN CHAN, AND SDB CHAIRMAN, MR HUI YUNG-CHUNG.
-------0 ---------
HEALTH DAY PROGRAMME ON CHEK LAP KOK « « « » «
ELDERLY ISLANDERS OF CHEK LAP KOK WILL BE GIVEN FREE MEDICAL CHECK-UPS AT A "HEALTH DAY" PROGRAMME TOMORROW (SUNDAY).
THE PROGRAMME IS ORGANISED BY THE ISLANDS DISTRICT OFFICE WITH THE ASSISTANCE FROM THE MEDICAL SOCIETY OF THE UNIVERSITY OF HONG KONG.
A SERVICE CENTRE WILL BE SET UP AT THE CHEK LAP KOK VILLAGE AND IT WILL START OPERATION AT 10.45 AM.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE "HEALTH DAY" PROGRAMME.
PRESS REPRESENTATIVES MAY TRAVEL BY THE LAUNCH "CLEMENTI" WHICH WILL LEAVE THE MARINE DEPARTMENT PIER IN CENTRAL AT 9 AM. IT IS EXPECTED TO RETURN TO CENTRAL AT ABOUT 4 PM.
- 0 -
/12........
SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 5, 1988
12
SPECIAL CAR NUMBERS SOLD AT AUCTION
* i » *
SIXTY SPECIAL VEHICLE REGISTRATION NUMBERS WERE PUT UP FOR AUCTION THIS (SATURDAY) MORNING FOR A TOTAL OF $180,700 WHICH WILL GO TO THE GOVERNMENT LOTTERIES FUND FOR CHARITY PURPOSES.
THE AUCTION, HELD AT THE CITY HALL RECITAL HALL, SAW THE REGISTRATION NUMBER AA906 FETCH THE HIGHEST PRICE OF $26,000.
ANOTHER NUMBER DX935 WAS SOLD AT THE SECOND HIGHEST PRICE OF $15,000 WHILE THE LOWEST PRICE WAS $1,000.
FOLLOWING ARE THE RESULTS OF TODAY’S AUCTION:
DX861 $ 2,000 AS209 $ 3,500 AE7792 $ $ 1,000 DV2316 1,000
DX1345 1,000 AW8876 1,000 DX760 1,000 CC285 6,500
DD3836 2,000 DY930 13,000 DW865 1,000 AP894 1,000
DY285 2,000 AG677 6,000 BB1885 6,000 BN4001 1,000
DX650 1,000 AL735 4,000 DV1798 DW415 1,000
CE2218 1,000 DX783O 1,000 DW3376 1,000 AZ8230 2,500
AT2684 1,000 HK3743 3,500 DY524 1,000 AJ568 9,000
DV809 5,500 AK9876 6,000 DX81 19 3,500 AA906 26,000
DD821 3,000 DY1468 1,000 CD391 2,000 DT5258 1,000
DW4O13 1,000 DW3864 — AV1517 DY235 1,000
DX750 2,000 DX8881 5,000 DY6872 1,000 DM3690 1,000
DV6522 1,000 DV841 1,000 CK2405 1,000 DZ314 1,000
DY957 1,000 DW8218 1,000 HK1972 3,500 DY372 1,000
DV6023 1,000 DX935 15,000 BB4070 DY8885 2,500
DW2717 1,000 DY1686 6,000 DY3020 3,500 BB3836 3,200
DW3864, AV1517, DV1798 AND BB4O7O WERE WITHDRAWN AND THE
DEPOSIT $4,000 WAS FOREFEITED TO THE TOTAL REALISED.
SUCCESSFUL BIDDERS WERE REQUIRED TO PAY BY CHEQUE IMMEDIATELY AFTER THE BIDDING.
THE NUMBERS AUCTIONED WILL BE ASSIGNED ONLY TO VEHICLES REGISTERED IN THE NAME OF THE SUCCESSFUL BIDDERS WITH 12 MONTHS OF THE DATE OF AUCTION.
TODAY'S SALE, THE 131ST ORGANISED BY THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT SINCE MAY 1973, BROUGHT THE TOTAL AMOUNT OF MONEY FOR CHARITY REALISED SO FAR TO $67,393,032.00.
- 0-----
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
%
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES
BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL.: 5-8428777
SUNDAY, NOVEMJER 6, 1988 contents PAGE NO.
MARINE WATER QUALITY REPORT ON SALE......................... 1
EASY TRAVEL SCHEME OPERATES AT NEW CHINA FERRY TERMINAL... 2
SEMINARS, EXHIBITIONS TO PROMOTE LABOUR RELATIONS ........ J
THREE HOTELS AMONG NEV/ BUILDING PLANS APPROVED ............ 4
AUTHORISATION FOR TWO GOVERNMENT PROJECTS .................. 5
OPIN-MINDED ATTITUDE NEEDED TO FACE GREAT CHANGES .......... 6
CONTESTS TO PROMOTE 'ANTI-TRIAD AND ANTI-SHOPTHEFT' ........ 8
INTRIES INVITED FOR SAI KUNG POSTER DESIGN CONTEST.......... 9
MONG KOK RESIDENTS HELP TO FIGHT CRIME...................... 9
MARINE DEPARTMINT TO TAKE PART IN EXPOSHIP '88 ............ 11
EXHIBITION TO PROMOTE SAFE LOADING OF VEHICLES ............ 12
SLOGAN AND POSTER DESIGN COMPETITIONS IN SSP .............. 1J
AREA COMMITTEE HOLDS SEMINAR ON DISTRICT AFFAIRS ........ 1J
REMOTE ISLANDERS GET FREE HEALTH ADVICE.................... 14
MORE CULTURAL AND ARTS ACTIVITIES FOR RESIDENTS ........... 15
CARNIVAL IN KOWLOON CITY TO PROMOTE ROAD SAFETY ........... 16
EXHIBITION OF PAINTING AND CALLIGRAPHY AT CITY HALL........ 17
MUSIC COMPETITION TO PROMOTE FAMILY LIFE EDUCATION......... 13
EMERGENCY MEDICAL SERVICES ON AGENDA....................... 19
PROMOTION COMMITTEE TO MEET................................ 19
SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 6, 1988
MARINE WATER QUALITY REPORT ON SALE » ♦ * » »
A COMPREHENSIVE REPORT ON THE MARINE WATER QUALITY IN HONG KONG, PUBLISHED BY ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION DEPARTMENT'S (BPD) WATER POLICY GROUP, IS AVAILABLE FOR SALE.
THE 89-PAG.E ’’MARINE WATER QUALITY IN HONG KONG 1988”, COMPILED IN ENGLISH, GIVES A REVIEW OF THE CURRENT STATE OF WATER QUALITY AND MARINE SEDIMENT CHARACTERISTICS IN THE COASTAL WATERS OF THE TERRITORY.
AN EPD SPOKESMAN SAID THE REPORT SUMMARISED THE RESULTS OF THE DEPARTMENT’S MARINE WATER QUALITY MONITORING PROGRAMME IN 1987.
THE PROGRAMME COVERS 100 WATER QUALITY MONITORING STATIONS LOCATED AT STRATEGIC LOCATIONS IN THE COASTAL WATERS OF HONG KONG.
ALSO, THE NUMBER OF SEDIMENT MONITORING STATIONS HAS BEEN SIGNIFICANTLY INCREASED FROM 19 IN 1986 TO 53 IN 1987.
AT EACH OF THE MONITORING STATIONS, A WIDE RANGE OF PHYSICOCHEMICAL, BIOLOGICAL AND BACTERIOLOGICAL PARAMETERS HAVE BEEN MEASURED TO PROVIDE A COMPREHENSIVE COVERAGE OF ESSENTIAL INFORMATION ON MARINE WATER QUALITY AND MARINE SEDIMENT CHARACTERISTICS.
ACCORDING TO THE REPORT, THE WATER QUALITY IN THE MORE OPEN MARINE WATERS INCLUDING THE EASTERN WATERS IN MIRS BAY AND OUTER PORT SHELTER, THE NORTH WESTERN WATERS AND THE SOUTHERN WATERS WAS STILL GOOD DURING 1987 DUE TO FASTER WATER MOVEMENT IN THESE AREAS AND SMALL AMOUNT OF POLLUTION LOADS DISCHARGING INTO THEM.
HOWEVER, THE WATER QUALITY IN VICTORIA HARBOUR AND THE INNER PARTS OF SEMI-ENCLOSED EMBAYMENT SUCH AS TOLO HARBOUR, PORT SHELTER, HEBE HAVEN, JUNK BAY AND DEEP BAY WAS UNSATISFACTORY.
THE POLLUTION PROBLEMS IN TOLO HARBOUR, VICTORIA HARBOUR AND DEEP BAY HAVE BEEN EXEMPLIFIED IN THE FORM OF SEVERE DISSOLVED OXYGEN DEPLETION AND ALGAL BLOOMS IN THE FORM OF RED TIDES.
FURTHERMORE, INDUSTRIAL POLLUTION HAS ALSO BEEN IDENTIFIED IN THESE AREAS AS INDICATED BY THE HIGH CONTENTS OF MICRO-POLLUTANTS IN THE SEDIMENTS.
IT IS ALSO WORRYING THAT THERE WAS AN INCREASING TREND OF POLLUTION IN THESE AREAS. FURTHERMORE, THE RELATIVELY UNPOLLUTED WATERS APPEAR TO HAVE FAIRLY HIGH NUTRIENT CONTENTS WITH A HIGH EUTROPHIC POTENTIAL INDICATING IMMINENT WATER POLLUTION PROBLEMS, THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
/THE LOADING .......
SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 6, 1988
2
THE LOADING OF WASTE DISCHARGES FROM VARIOUS SOURCES INTO THE COASTAL WATERS OF HONG KONG MUST BE CONTROLLED IN ORDER TO ARREST FURTHER DETERIORATION IN THE POLLUTED AREAS AND TO MAINTAIN GOOD WATER QUALITY IN THE UNPOLLUTED WATERS, HE ADDED.
THE MARINE WATER QUALITY REPORT CONTAINS USEFUL INFORMATION FOR PROFESSIONALS SUCH AS SCIENTISTS, ENGINEERS AND TOWN PLANNERS WHOSE WORK RELATES TO MARINE WATER QUALITY.
IT ALSO SERVES AS A REFERENCE BOOK FOR RESEARCHERS, TEACHERS, UNDERGRADUATES AND HIGHER FORM SECONDARY SCHOOL STUDENTS. AS THE REPORT IS PRESENTED IN A COMPREHENSIVE WAY, IT IS ALSO SUITABLE FOR THE PUBLIC WHO ARE INTERESTED IN WATER POLLUTION PROBLEMS.
THE REPORT, AT $35 A COPY, IS AVAILABLE AT THE GOVERNMENT PUBLICATIONS CENTRE ON THE GROUND FLOOR OF GENERAL POST OFFICE BUILDING IN CENTRAL.
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EASY TRAVEL SCHEME OPERATES AT NEW CHINA FERRY TERMINAL *****
WITH THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE EASY TRAVEL SCHEME AT THE NEW CHINA FERRY TERMINAL ON TUESDAY (NOVEMBER 8), TRAVELLERS USING HONG KONG IDENTITY CARDS FOR IMMIGRATION CLEARANCE AT THE TERMINAL ARE NOT REQUIRED TO FILL OUT ARRIVAL/DEPARTURE CARDS, A SPOKESMAN FOR THE IMMIGRATION DEPARTMENT SAID TODAY (SUNDAY).
"UNDER THE SCHEME, HOLDERS OF HONG KONG PERMANENT IDENTITY CARDS, AGED 18 OR OVER, AND HOLDERS OF HONG KONG IDENTITY CARDS WITH *** SYMBOL WILL BE FURTHER EXEMPTED FROM PRODUCING TRAVEL DOCUMENTS WHEN LEAVING OR ARRIVING AT THE TERMINAL.
"BUT TRAVELLERS ARE REMINDED THAT THEY SHOULD BE PROPERLY DOCUMENTED FOR CHINA," HE SAID.
THE NEW CHINA FERRY TERMINAL, AT 33 CANTON ROAD, WILL HAVE 64 IMMIGRATION COUNTERS TO FACILITATE TRAVEL TO AND FROM CHINA.
THE SPOKESMAN SAID TRAVELLERS WHO DO NOT USE THEIR HONG KONG IDENTITY CARDS WHEN PASSING THROUGH THE NEW TERMINAL SHOULD PRODUCE TRAVEL DOCUMENTS AND COMPLETED ARRIVAL/DEPARTURE CARDS.
"TO HELP REDUCE WAITING TIME, PARENTS ARE ADVISED TO COMPLETE ARRIVAL/DEPARTURE CARDS ON BEHALF OF THEIR CHILDREN WHO DO NOT YET HAVE IDENTITY CARDS," HE SAID.
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/3.......
SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 6, 1988
SEMINARS, EXHIBITIONS TO PROMOTE LABOUR RELATIONS
**»«*»
A SERIES OF HALF-DAY SEMINARS AND MOBILE EXHIBITIONS ON LABOUR RELATIONS WILL BE ORGANISED AT DISTRICT LEVEL THROUGHOUT THE TERRITORY UNTIL MID-DECEMBER.
THE EVENTS, WHICH FORM PART OF THE CONTINUING ACTIVITIES OF LABOUR RELATIONS ’88, ARE AIMED AT PROMOTING HARMONIOUS LABOUR-MANAGEMENT RELATIONS.
THE SEMINARS, INCLUDING TALKS, DISCUSSIONS AND CASE STUDIES, WILL CONCENTRATE ON COMMUNICATION BETWEEN EMPLOYERS AND EMPLOYEES.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE LABOUR RELATIONS ’88 ORGANISING COMMITTEE SAID: "EACH OF THESE SEMINARS WILL FEATURE PROMINENT SPEAKERS FROM VARIOUS BUSINESS SECTORS AND EMPLOYEES’ ORGANISATIONS.
"THEY WILL SHARE THEIR EXPERIENCES AND EXCHANGE VIEWS WITH PARTICIPANTS ON LABOUR RELATIONS."
THE SEMINARS DUE TO TAKE PLACE ARE AT:
» NOVEMBER 9 - GRAND TOWER HOTEL, MONG KOK
» NOVEMBER 11 - REGAL AIRPORT HOTEL, KOWLOON CITY AND HILLTOP COUNTRY CLUB, TSUEN WAN
* NOVEMBER 18 - REGAL AIRPORT HOTEL, KOWLOON CITY AND
REGAL RIVERSIDE HOTEL, SHA TIN
» NOVEMBER 24 - NEW WORLD HOTEL, TSIM SHA TSUI
» NOVEMBER 30 - MANDARIN ORIENTAL HOTEL, CENTRAL AND TUEN MUN TOWN HALL, TUEN MUN
t DECEMBER 9 - RUBY RESTAURANT, CAUSEWAY BAY
THE SPOKESMAN CALLED ON EMPLOYERS, MANAGEMENT STAFF AND TRADE UNIONISTS WHO WISHED TO ATTEND ANY OF THESE SEMINARS TO CONTACT ANY BRANCH OFFICE OF THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT’S LABOUR RELATIONS DIVISION OR TELEPHONE 5-8523511.
TO SUSTAIN THE MOMENTUM OF THE TERRITORY’S FIRST-EVER LARGE SCALE LABOUR RELATIONS PROMOTIONAL EVENT, AN EXHIBITION ON LABOUR RELATIONS AND LABOUR LAWS WAS HELD AT THE CITYPLAZA, TAIKOO SHING, OVER THE WEEKEND.
"THIS WILL BE FOLLOWED BY A SERIES OF EIGHT MOBILE EXHIBITIONS TO BE HELD IN THE COMING SIX WEEKS IN VARIOUS DISTRICTS," THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
/THE EXHIBITION .......
SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 6, 1988
THE EXHIBITION COVERS VARIOUS PROVISIONS OF THE EMPLOYMENT ORDINANCE INCLUDING CONTRACT OF PAYMENT, PAID ANNUAL LEAVE, HOLIDAY WITH PAY, MATERNITY LEAVE, LONG SERVICE AND SEVERANCE PAYMENTS AND PROTECTION OF WAGES.
OTHER AREAS TO BE COVERED ARE: LABOUR-MANAGEMENT COMMUNICATION, PERSONNEL POLICY, TRAINING, GRIEVANCE AND DISCIPLINARY PROCEDURES, AND PROVIDENT FUNDS.
THE DATES AND VENUES OF THE EXHIBITIONS ARE:
1 NOVEMBER 12-13 — TUEN MUN TOWN PLAZA
♦ NOVEMBER 16-18 - NEW TOWN PLAZA, SHA TIN
♦ NOVEMBER 28-29 - CENTRAL MTR STATION
* NOVEMBER DECEMBER 30-1 - KWUN TONG MTR STATION
* DECEMBER 2-3 - MONG KOK MTR STATION
* DECEMBER 4-5 - CHAI WAN MTR STATION
* DECEMBER 6-8 - KWAI FONG MTR STATION
DECEMBER 13-14 - CHINA HONG KONG CITY, TSIM SHA TSUI
OTHER EDUCATIONAL RELATIONS ’88 INCLUDE TELEVISION SPECIAL. AND ENTERTAINING ACTIVITIES OF COMPETITIONS, QUIZZES, TOURNAMENTS LABOUR AND A
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THREE HOTELS AMONG NEW BUILDING PLANS APPROVED « » » » »
THREE HOTELS WERE AMONG 65 NEW BUILDING PLANS APPROVED BY THE BUILDINGS ORDINANCE OFFICE IN AUGUST.
OF THE APPROVED PLANS, 26 WERE FOR APARTMENT APARTMENT/COMMERCIAL OR RESIDENTIAL DEVELOPMENT, 11 WERE FOR COMMERICAL DEVELOPMENT AND EIGHT WERE FOR FACTORY, WAREHOUSE, GODOWN OR WORKSHOP.
TWENTY-THREE OF THE APPROVED PLANS WERE ON HONG KONG ISLAND, 14 IN KOWLOON AND 28 WERE IN NEW TERRITORIES.
/CONSENT TO .......
SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 6, 1988
- 5 -
CONSENT TO.START WORK WAS GIVEN*TO 42 PROJECTS, WITH A TOTAL FLOOR AREA OF ABOUT 308,000 SQUARE METRES, ABOUT 204,000 SQUARE METRES OF WHICH WERE FOR DOMESTIC USE.
THE TOTAL FLOOR AREA OF BUILDINGS COMPLETED DURING THE MONTH WAS ABOUT 393,000 SQUARE METRES, OF WHICH 137,000 WERE FOR DOMESTIC AND THE REMAINDER FOR NON-INDUSTRIAL USES.
THE TOTAL DECLARED COST OF NEW BUILDINGS COMPLETED DURING THE MONTH WAS ABOUT S1,537 MILLION.
ALSO DURING THE MONTH, THE OFFICE ISSUED 51 OCCUPATION PERMITS, 17 ON HONG KONG ISLAND, 14 IN KOWLOON AND 20 IN THE NEW TERRITORIES.
IN ADDITION, THE OFFICE ISSUED 28 DEMOLITION CONSENTS AFFECTING 73 BUILDINGS.
THE CONTROL AND ENFORCEMENT DIVISION RECEIVED 645 COMPLAINTS REGARDING ILLEGAL STRUCTURES AND ILLEGAL BUILDING WORKS DURING THE MONTH, CARRIED OUT 932 INSPECTIONS AND ISSUED 99 REMOVAL ORDERS.
THE DANGEROUS BUILDING SECTION INSPECTED 495 BUILDINGS AND OBTAINED ONE EMERGENCY CLOSURE ORDER.
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AUTHORISATION FOR TWO GOVERNMENT PROJECTS *****
AUTHORISATION HAS BEEN GIVEN FOR GOVERNMENT TO CONSTRUCT DOLPHINS FOR THE NEW SHAU KEI WAN TYPHOON SHELTER.
THE DOLPHINS WILL BE BUILT WITHIN THE LIMITS OF APPROXIMATELY 1.705 HECTARES OF FORESHORE AND SEA-BED NORTH OF THE EXISTING ALDRICH BAY TYPHOON SHELTER, SHAU KEI WAN.
ON COMPLETION, THE DOLPHINS WILL PROVIDE CONTROL OVER THE MOORING AND MOVEMENT OF VESSELS WITHIN THE NEW TYPHOON SHELTER.
WORK WILL COMMENCE IN FEBRUARY 1989 AND WILL TAKE ABOUT ONE YEAR TO COMPLETE.
DURING THE CONSTRUCTION PERIOD, ADEQUATE MEASURES WILL BE TAKEN TO AVOID DISRUPTION TO SEA TRAFFIC IN THE VICINITY.
AUTHORISATION HAS ALSO BEEN GIVEN TO RECLAIM AN AREA OF APPROXIMATELY 5.70 HECTARES OF FORESHORE AND SEA-BED AT SAI KUNG CREEK TO PROVIDE LAND FOR A VILLAGE DEVELOPMENT, RURAL PUBLIC HOUSING AND ASSOCIATED ROADS, AMENITY AREAS AND OPEN SPACE.
/WORK IS .......
SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 6, 1988
WORK IS SCHEDULED TO COMMENCE IN APRIL 1989 AND IS EXPECTED TO BE COMPLETED IN ABOUT 30 MONTHS.
THE EXTENT OF THE AREAS AFFECTED WAS DESCRIBED IN A NOTICE OF AUTHORISATION PUBLISHED IN THE LATEST ISSUE OF THE GAZETTE.
ANY PERSON WHO CONSIDERS THAT HIS INTEREST, RIGHT OR EASEMENT IN OR OVER THE FORESHORE AND SEA-BED INVOLVED WILL BE INJURIOUSLY AFFECTED BY THE ABOVE UNDERTAKING MAY DELIVER TO THE DIRECTOR OF BUILDINGS AND LANDS A WRITTEN CLAIM FOR COMPENSATION ON OR BEFORE NOVEMBER 3, 1989.
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OPEN-MINDED ATTITUDE NEEDED TO FACE GREAT CHANGES
* * * * *
HONG KONG IS ON THE THRESHOLD OF GREAT CHANGES, AND IT IS IMPERATIVE THAT WE SHOULD, IF WE ARE TO GROW AND FLOURISH, ALWAYS BE RECEPTIVE TO OUTSIDE INFLUENCES, WHILST RETAINING THE TRADITIONS AND ETHOS WHICH WE TREASURE. THE CHIEF JUSTICE, SIR TI LIANG YANG, SAID THIS (SUNDAY) EVENING.
ANOTHER MATTER OF EQUAL IMPORTANCE IS, IN AN AGE WHERE MUCH ATTENTION IS FOCUSSED ON THE QUEST OF BENEFIT FOR ONESELF, IT MAY NOT BE OUT OF PLACE ON AN OCCASION SUCH AS THIS TO DEVOTE A MOMENT OR TWO TO THE RENDERING OF BENEFITS TO OTHERS OR TO THE COMMUNITY IN WHICH WE LIVE, SIR TI LIANG SAID WHEN ADDRESSING LAW STUDENTS AT THE UNIVERSITY OF HONG KONG LAW ASSOCIATION’S ANNUAL BALL.
SIR TI LIANG SAID THAT ONE OF THE REASONS WHY HONG KONG PROSPERED, WAS ITS RECEPTION OF THE EXPERTISE AND EXPERIENCE OF PEOPLE COMING FROM ALL OVER THE GLOBE WHO HAD MADE THEIR CONTRIBUTION HERE.
"THROUGH THIS CONTACT WITH PEOPLE FROM OUTSIDE HONG KONG, WE HAVE OVER MANY, MANY DECADES, DEVELOPED AN OUTWARD-LOOKING MENTALITY, READY TO ADAPT FOREIGN METHODS AND ATTITUDES TO OUR OWN NEEDS," HE SAID.
HE SAID THAT IN THE LEGAL FIELD, HONG KONG HAD LAWYERS FROM VARIOUS COMMON LAW JURISDICTONS, PRINCIPALLY AUSTRALIA, NEW ZEALAND AND IRELAND. THE LAWYERS FROM THE U.S.A., TOGETHER WITH A NUMBER OF LAWYERS FROM THE CONTINENTAL LEGAL SYSTEMS HAD ALSO ENRICHED THE LEGAL SYSTEM IN AN INDIRECT WAY.
"IT IS MY WISH THAT THIS COSMOPOLITANISM WILL CONTINUE, AND WE SHALL ALWAYS BE OPEN-MINDED AND LEARN FROM WHAT IS BEST IN OTHER PARTS OF THE WORLD", HE SAID.
/"AN INWARD-LOOKING .......
SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 6, 1988
"AN INWARD-LOOKING SOCIETY WHICH IS ISOLATED AND TOO PROUD TO LEARN FROM OTHERS IS BOUND TO FAIL."
SIR TI LIANG RECALLED, WHEN HE WAS ADMITTED TO THE BAR IN HONG KONG SOME 32 YEARS’ AGO, THERE WERE BUT 70-ODD SOLICITORS AND 20 OR 30 BARRISTERS AND THE PROFESSIONS WERE ALREADY COMPLAINING OF BEING "OVER-CROWDED AND FLOODED".
THE POPULATION HAD SLIGHTLY MORE THAN DOUBLED SINCE THEN BUT THE NUMBER OF LAWYERS HAS GROWN MANY MORE TIMES THE NUMBER THAT EXISTED IN 1955.
"IT MEANS THAT IN A GENERATION, WE HAVE A POPULATION WHO TAKES ADVANTAGE OF OUR LEGAL SERVICES MUCH MORE THAN THEIR PARENTS DID," HE SAID.
"IN THOSE THREE DECADES, OUR BUSINESS ACTIVITIES HAVE BECOME MORE COMPLEX AND MUCH LARGE IN SCALE, THUS REQUIRING MORE AND BETTER EXPERTISE IN THE LEGAL FIELD. THE VAST INCREASE IN THE NUMBER OF LAWYERS IS THEREFORE IN RESPONSE TO THE NEW DEMANDS MADE UPON THEM."
ON THE WORK OF THE LAWYERS, SIR TI LIANG SAID THAT IT HAD BECOME MORE COMPLICATED BECAUSE OF THE MORE DIFFICULT ISSUES INVOLVED IN THE CASES THEY HAD TO HANDLE, BUT WITH THE DITTICULTIES WAS ALSO THE SATISFACTION OF FACING NEW AND GREATER CHALLENGES.
"THE MATERIAL REWARDS ARE MORE THAN ATTRACTIVE AND THERE IS STILL PLENTY OF SCOPE FOR GOOD MEN TO MAKE FULL USE OF THEIR TALENTS."
AS TO THE ROLE OF LAWYERS IN SOCIETY, THE CHIEF JUSTICE SAID THAT IN HIS VIEW IT WAS PRIMARILY ONE IN WHICH THEY SHOULD UPHOLD THE LAW, AND ENSURE THAT IT WAS UNDERSTOOD, RESPECTED AND OBEYED BY THE GOVERNMENT, BY THE BIG CORPORATION AND BY THE MAN IN THE STREET.
"IT IS AN AWESOME TASK, BECAUSE IF WE FAIL IN OUR DUTIES, THEN THE WHOLE FABRIC OF SOCIETY WILL GRADUALLY DISINTEGRATE," HE SAID.
"WHEN THAT HAPPENS, THE REWARDS WE HOPE TO ATTAIN WILL NO LONGER BE ATTAINABLE."
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/8........
SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 6, 1988
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CONTESTS TO PROMOTE 'ANTI-TRIAD AND ANTI-SHOPTHEFT’ « t * « »
TO AROUSE YOUNG PEOPLE’S AWARENESS OF THE SOCIAL EVILS CAUSED BY TRIAD SOCIETIES AND THE PRICE TO BE PAID FOR SHOPLIFTING, THE EASTERN DISTRICT FIGHT CRIME COMMITTEE IS ORGANISING TWO CONTESTS FOR SECONDARY SCHOOL STUDENTS IN THE DISTRICT.
ENTRIES CARRYING EITHER "ANTI-TRIAD" OR "ANTI-SHOPTHEFT" MESSAGES ARE BEING INVITED FOR THE POSTER DESIGN CONTEST.
THERE WILL BE A JUNIOR GROUP FOR SECONDARY 1 TO 3 STUDENTS AND A SENIOR GROUP FOR STUDENTS AT SECONDARY 4 AND ABOVE.
ENTRIES CAN BE IN ANY FORM AND THERE ARE NO RESTRICTIONS ON THE NUMBER OF ENTRIES. BUT THE SIZE OF EACH WORK SHOULD NOT BE LESS THAN 45 CM X 30 CM.
IN ADDITION, THERE WILL BE A CHINESE SLOGAN DESIGN CONTEST. PARTICIPANTS ARE REQUIRED TO DESIGN A SLOGAN OF NOT MORE THAN 16 WORDS WITH ANTI-TRIAD OR ANTI-SHOPTHEFT MESSAGES.
APPLICATION FORMS ARE OBTAINABLE FROM THE EASTERN DISTRICT OFFICE AND ITS SUB-OFFICES.
STUDENTS INTENDING TO PARTICIPATE IN THE CONTESTS ARE ADVISED TO SUBMIT ENTRIES BEFORE NOVEMBER 30.
RESULTS OF THE TWO CONTESTS WILL BE ANNOUNCED IN EARLY JANUARY NEXT YEAR.
A PRIZE PRESENTATION CEREMONY WILL BE HELD TOGETHER WITH THE EASTERN DISTRICT FIGHT CRIME CARNIVAL ON FEBRUARY 26 AT VICTORIA PARK.
THE CONTESTS ARE JOINTLY ORGANISED BY THE EASTERN DISTRICT FIGHT CRIME COMMITTEE, EASTERN DISTRICT OFFICE, WITH THE ASSISTANCE OF THE EASTERN DISTRICT SCHOOL LIAISON COMMITTEE AND THE SPONSORSHIP OF THE EASTERN DISTRICT BOARD.
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SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 6,
1988
- 9 -
ENTRIES INVITED FOR SAI KUNG POSTER DESIGN CONTEST * * * ♦ *
PRIMARY AND SECONDARY SCHOOL STUDENTS IN SAI KUNG DISTRICT ARE BEING INVITED TO TAKE PART IN AN ANTI-SHOPTHEFT POSTER DESIGN COMPETITION.
ORGANISED BY THE SAI KUNG DISTRICT FIGHT CRIME COMMITTEE, THE COMPETITION AIMS AT AROUSING LOCAL STUDENTS’ CONCERN IN COMBATTING SHOPTHEFT AND AT THE SAME TIME DEVELOPING THEIR TALENTS IN DESIGN AND DRAWING.
THE COMPETITION IS DIVIDED INTO TWO SECTIONS - PRIMARY AND SECONDARY.
STUDENTS WHO ARE LIVING OR STUDYING IN SAI KUNG DISTRICT ARE WELCOME TO TAKE PART.
PRIZES IN THE FORM OF BOOK COUPONS AND TROPHIES WILL BE AWARDED TO WINNERS OF THE COMPETITION.
THE DEADLINE FOR JOINING THE COMPETITION IS NOVEMBER 23. APPLICATION FORMS ARE NOW AVAILABLE AT THE SAI KUNG DISTRICT OFFICE, SAI KUNG GOVERNMENT OFFICES, CHAN MAN STREET, SAI KUNG TOWN.
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MONG KOK RESIDENTS HELP TO FIGHT CRIME » ♦ * ♦ ♦
TWO FEMALE MONG KOK RESIDENTS, AGED 13 AND 59, WERE AMONG THE 19 PEOPLE WHO RECEIVED THEIR GOOD CITIZENS AWARDS AT THE MONG KOK "ANTI-TRIAD DISCO NITE" HELD TONIGHT (SUNDAY).
THEY WERE THE YOUNGEST AND OLDEST IN A GROUP OF "GOOD CITIZENS", ALL OF WHOM HAD SHOWED COURAGE AND NEIGHBOURLY SPIRIT IN HELPING TO FIGHT CRIME.
THE CHAIRMAN OF THE ANTI-TRIAD CAMPAIGN IN MONG KOK, MRS GRACE TAM CHEUNG KIT-YING, SAID AT THE PRESENTATION CEREMONY THAT THE RECIPIENTS HAD ALL SET A GOOD EXAMPLE TO MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC IN THE ERADICATION OF CRIME.
MISS WONG WAI-LING, A 13-YEAR-OLD STUDENT, WAS HONOURED FOR HER BRAVE ACTION IN JANUARY WHEN SHE HELPED CATCH A MAN WHO HAD INDECENTLY ASSAULTED A WOMAN.
MISS WONG CHASED THE MAN UNTIL HE WAS INTERCEPTED BY ANOTHER PERSON. THE CULPRIT WAS CONVICTED AND FINED IN COURT.
/THE NEIGHBOURLY........
SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 6, 1988
10
THE NEIGHBOURLY SPIRIT OF 59-YEAR-OLD MADAM LAU YUK-PING HELPED TO FOIL A BURGLARY.
ON AN AFTERNOON IN MARCH, MADAM LAU FOUND A MAN TRYING TO OPEN THE DOOR OF HER NEIGHBOUR WITH VARIOUS KEYS. SHE REPORTED TO THE POLICE AFTER FAILING TO GET A SATISFACTORY ANSWER FROM THE SUSPECT. THE MAN FLED BEFORE POLICE ARRIVED.
TWO OTHER ’’GOOD CITIZENS” WERE STUDENTS AGED 14 AND 15. THEY WERE ASSAULTED AND ROBBED BY FOUR YOUTHS BUT THEN HELPED THE POLICE TO CATCH THE CULPRITS RED-HANDED.
THE CASE HAPPENED IN JANUARY WHEN THE VICTIMS WERE APPROACHED BY THE CULPRITS WHO TOOK THEM TO THE ROOF-TOP OF A BUILDING, ASSAULTED THEM, AND ROBBED THEM OF $30.
THE TWO STUDENTS LATER FOLLOWED THE FOUR YOUTHS AND SAW THEM APPROACH TWO OTHER BOYS AND TAKE THEM TO THE SAME BUILDING.
THEY REPORTED THE CASE TO A PATROLLING POLICEMAN. AS A RESULT, TWO OTHER ROBBERIES WERE ALSO SOLVED AND ONE MORE BOY WAS ARRESTED AS WELL.
THE AWARD PRESENTATION AND DISCO NIGHT, ORGANISED BY THE MONG KOK DISTRICT FIGHT CRIME COMMITTEE AT THE HONG KONG AND KOWLOON CHIU CHOW SCHOOL, ATTRACTED HUNDREDS OF YOUNG PEOPLE. THE FUNCTION WAS SPONSORED BY THE MONG KOK DISTRICT BOARD.
MRS TAM POINTED OUT THAT THE DISCO NIGHT WAS PART OF THE DISTRICT’S EFFORT IN ERADICATING TRIAD ELEMENTS.
’’YOUNG PEOPLE ARE THE FUTURE OF OUR SOCIETY, BUT ON THE OTHER HAND THEY ARE ALSO THE TARGET OF TRIAD SOCIETIES RECRUITING THEM AS MEMBERS,” MRS TAM SAID.
SHE SAID THE DISTRICT’S FIGHT CRIME COMMITTEE HOPED THAT THROUGH VARIOUS FUNCTIONS YOUNG PEOPLE IN THE DISTRICT COULD BE BOUND TOGETHER TO COUNTER-ACT THE INFILTRATION OF TRIADS.
TONIGHT’S CEREMONY, WHICH PRECEDED THE DISCO NIGHT, ALSO INCLUDED PRESENTATION OF PRIZES TO WINNERS OF A BOOKMARK DESIGN COMPETITION. - .
THE CEREMONY WAS ATTENDED BY THE MONG KOK DISTRICT OFFICER, MRS LORNA MA; MONG KOK POLICE DISTRICT COMMANDER, MR JIM WALKER; AND CHAIRMAN OF THE MONG KOK DISTRICT BOARD, MR CHOW CHUN-FAI.
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SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 6, 1988
11
MARINE DEPARTMENT TO TAKE PART IN EXPOSHIP ’88
*****
THE MARINE DEPARTMENT WILL PARTICIPATE IN THE EXPOSHIP FAR EAST '88 TO BE HELD AT THE HONG KONG EXHIBITION CENTRE IN WAN CHAI BETWEEN NOVEMBER 15 AND 18.
THE EXPOSHIP, AN INTERNATIONAL MARITIME EXHIBITION HELD IN HONG KONG BIENNIALLY, IS ORGANISED BY THE SEATRADE FAR EAST AND CO-SPONSORED BY A NUMBER OF SHIPPING ASSOCIATIONS AND THE HONG KONG GENERAL CHAMBER OF COMMERCE.
A SEMINAR, WHICH WILL BE OPENED BY THE GOVERNOR, SIR DAVID WILSON, WILL ALSO BE HELD IN CONJUNCTION WITH THE EXPOSHIP.
EXPOSHIP FAR EAST ’88, CARRYING THE THEME OF "HONG KONG - HUB OF THE ASIAN MARITIME COMMUNITY", WILL PROVIDE A VENUE FOR THOSE FROM ALL SECTORS OF THE MARITIME TRADE TO MEET, TO UPDATE AND TO ACQUAINT THEMSELVES WITH THE LATEST DEVELOPMENTS IN THE MARITIME FIELD.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE MARINE DEPARTMENT SAID TODAY (SUNDAY) THAT THE DEPARTMENT’S PARTICIPATION IN THE EXPOSHIP WOULD TAKE THE FORM OF A DISPLAY STAND.
HE SAID THE MAIN FEATURE OF THE STAND WOULD BE A 12-MINUTE VIDEO ENTITLED "THE PORT OF HONG KONG" WHICH DESCRIBED COMPREHENSIVELY THE FACILITIES AND SERVICES AVAILABLE IN THE PORT AS WELL AS ITS FUNCTIONS AND ADMINISTRATION.
THE PORT OF HONG KONG, WHICH IS WELL-KNOWN FOR ITS EFFICENCY AND FLEXIBILITY, NOW STANDS AT THE HEAD OF THE WORLD’S LEAGUE TABLE IN TERMS OF CONTAINER THROUGHPUT.
OTHER MAJOR WORK UNDERTAKEN BY THE MARINE DEPARTMENT WOULD ALSO BE DISPLAYED IN THE FORMS OF PHOTOGRAPHS, MODELS, MAPS AND CHARTS, THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
THESE INCLUDE THE VESSEL TRAFFIC MANAGEMENT SYSTEM WHICH WILL COME INTO OPERATION NEXT YEAR, THE MACAU FERRY TERMINAL AND THE NEW CHINA FERRY TERMINAL, POLLUTION CONTROL, PUBLIC CARGO WORKING AREAS, PORT PLANNING, PROVISIONS OF AIDS TO NAVIGATION AND MOORING BUOYS, TYPHOON SHELTERS, GOVERNMENT DOCKYARD, MARITIME SEARCH AND RESCUES AND THE SHIPPING REGISTER.
"IT IS HOPED THAT THROUGH THESE COLOURFUL VISUAL DISPLAYS THE INDUSTRY AND THE PUBLIC WILL HAVE A BETTER UNDERSTANDING OF THE FUNCTIONS OF THE PORT AND THE MARINE DEPARTMENT,” THE SPOKESMAN ADDED.
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SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 6, 1988
1?
EXHIBITION TO PROMOTE SAFE LOADING OF VEHICLES
*****
OPERATORS AND DRIVERS OF GOODS VEHICLES AS WELL AS THE PUBLIC WILL HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY TO LEARN THE PROPER WAYS OF LOADING A VEHICLE AT AN EXHIBITION OF SAFE LOADING OF VEHICLES.
THE EXHIBITION, ORGANISED BY THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT, WILL BE HELD BETWEEN 1 PM AND 5 PM ON NOVEMBER 20 (SUNDAY) AT THE DEPARTMENT’S KOWLOON BAY VEHICLE EXAMINATION CENTRE.
TO PROMOTE THE SAFETY OF LOADING, THE DEPARTMENT PUBLISHED A CODE OF PRACTICE FOR THE LOADING OF VEHICLES IN SEPTEMBER.
"THE EXHIBITION IS BEING HELD TO FURTHER PUBLICISE THE IMPORTANCE OF THE SAFETY RULES TO PEOPLE ENGAGED IN THE TRADE," A SPOKESMAN FOR THE DEPARTMENT SAID.
THE DEMONSTRATION WILL INCLUDE AN EXHIBITION OF STATIONARY EXHIBITS OF VARIOUS CORRECTLY LOADED VEHICLES, SLIDE-VISUAL DISPLAY OF GOOD AND BAD LOADING PRACTICE AND DISPLAY STANDS.
SHORT INFORMAL TALKS ON SAFE LOADING WILL BE GIVEN BY OFFICERS OF THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT AND THE POLICE.
POLICE OFFICERS WILL ALSO DEMONSTRATE THE USE OF SCALES FOR WEIGHING GOODS VEHICLES.
VISITORS TO THE EXHIBITION WILL BE GIVEN FREE COPIES OF THE CODE OF PRACTICE FOR THE LOADING OF VEHICLES.
ALSO AVAILABLE WILL BE COPIES OF A LEAFLET ON "HOW TO LOAD YOUR VEHICLE", A FACT SHEET ON "HOW TO DETECT OVERLOADING" AND A COLOUR POSTER ON THE SAFE LOADING OF VEHICLES.
IN ORGANISING THE EXHIBITION, THE DEPARTMENT HAS OBTAINED SUPPORT AND ASSISTANCE FROM GOODS VEHICLE OPERATORS’ ASSOCIATIONS INCLUDING THE GOODS VEHICLE FLEET OWNERS’ ASSOCIATION, THE KOWLOON TRUCK MERCHANTS ASSOCIATION AND THE MOTOR TRANSPORT WORKERS’ GENERAL UNION.
"AS BADLY DISTRIBUTED LOADS COULD BE EXTREMELY DANGEROUS FOR DRIVERS AND WORKERS ON THE VEHICLE AS WELL AS OTHER ROAD USERS, IT IS ESSENTIAL FOR LORRY DRIVERS AND OPERATORS TO KNOW THE PROPER WAYS OF LOADING A VEHICLE. THE EXHIBITION PROVIDES A VALUABLE OPPORTUNITY FOR PEOPLE IN THE TRADE TO LEARN THE GOOD LOADING PRACTICE," THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
FREE TRANSPORT SERVICES WILL BE PROVIDED FOR VISITORS TO THE EXHIBITION. FREE SHUTTLE BUS SERVICE WILL BE OPERATED BETWEEN THE KOWLOON BAY MTR STATION AT TELFORD GARDENS AND THE KOWLOON BAY VEHICLE EXAMINATION CENTRE BETWEEN 12.30 PM AND 5.30 PM ON THE DAY OF THE EXHIBITION.
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/13........
E
SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 6, 1988
SLOGAN AND POSTER DESlftN COMPETITIONS IN SSP
»»»»«» Y
THE SHAM SHUI PO DISTRICT CIVIC EDUCATION COMMITTEE IS ORGANISING COMPETITIONS IN SLOGAN AND POSTER DESIGN FOR THOSE WHO ARE LIVING, WORKING OR STUDYING IN SHAM SHUI PO DISTRICT.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE COMMITTEE SAID THESE TWO COMPETITIONS WOULD HELP DEVELOP PARTICIPANTS’ CREATIVITY AND ENHANCE THEIR UNDERSTANDING OF THE COMMUNITY. THEY WERE PART OF THE COMMITTEE’S YEAR-ROUND EFFORTS IN PROMOTING CIVIC EDUCATION.
REQUIREMENTS FOR THE SLOGAN COMPETITION ARE THAT EACH SLOGAN SHOULD CONSIST OF NOT MORE THAN TWO SENTENCES BUT THERE IS NO RESTRICTION ON THE NUMBER OF WORDS TO BE USED IN EACH SENTENCE.
THE BEST SLOGAN WILL BE PRINTED ON RULERS TO BE DISTRIBUTED AT THE SHAM SHUI PO FESTIVAL IN JANUARY NEXT YEAR.
THE SIZE OF POSTERS SHOULD MEASURE 30 CM BY 42 CM. WINNING ENTRIES WILL BE USED AS PUBLICITY MATERIALS IN FUTURE CIVIC EDUCATION CAMPAIGNS. N
* )
ALL ENTRIES SHOULD REACH THE SHAM SHUI PO DISTRICT OFFICE OR ITS SUB-OFFICES BY NOVEMBER 30 AND RESULTS WILL BE ANNOUNCED IN JANUARY.
ENQUIRIES CAN BE DIRECTED TO MR ADRIAN LAU ON 3-7295334.
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AREA COMMITTEE HOLDS SEMINAR ON DISTRICT AFFAIRS * » » » «
THE WAH FU AREA COMMITTEE IN SOUTHERN DISTRICT WILL HOLD A SEMINAR ON TUESDAY (NOVEMBER 8) EVENING FOR MEMBERS OF RESIDENTS’ ORGANISATIONS TO EXCHANGE VIEWS ON DISTRICT AFFAIRS.
JOINTLY ORGANISED BY THE SOUTHERN DISTRICT OFFICE AND THE AREA COMMITTEE, THE EVENT IS THE FIRST IN A SERIES OF SEMINARS ARRANGED FOR THE DISTRICT’S SEVEN CONSTITUENCIES.
"SEMINARS OF SIMILAR NATURE WOULD ALSO BE HELD IN THE COMING MONTHS IN ABERDEEN AND HARBOUR, POK FU LAM, TIN WAN AND SHEK PAI WAN, WONG CHUK HANG, AP LEI CHAU, AS WELL AS STANLEY, SHEK O AND BAYS AREAS," A DISTRICT OFFICE SPOKESMAN SAID.
/"FURTHERMORE, A .......
SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 6, 1988
14
"FURTHERMORE, A SEMINAR FOR DISTRICT BOARD MEMBERS AND THE AREA COMMITTEES WILL BE ORGANISED EARLY NEXT YEAR AS A CONCLUDING EVENT FOR THE PROGRAMME OF STRENGTHENING TIES AMONG THE DISTRICT BOARD, AREA COMMITTEES, MUTUAL AID COMMITTEES AND RESIDENTS' BODIES IN SOUTHERN DISTRICT," HE ADDED.
TUESDAY’S SEMINAR WILL TAKE PLACE FROM 7.45 PM TO 10 PM AT THE WAH FU COMMUNITY HALL IN WAH FU ESTATE.
IT WILL INCLUDE A VIDEO PROGRAMME INTRODUCING THE DISTRICT FEATURES AND VARIOUS ASPECTS OF THE DISTRICT BOARD’S WORK. THERE WILL ALSO BE GROUP DISCUSSIONS ON TRANSPORT, ENVIRONMENTAL IMPROVEMENT AND COMMUNITY BUILDING MATTERS.
ALL ISSUES RAISED AT THE SEMINAR WILL BE NOTED AND WILL BE FOLLOWED UP BY THE AREA COMMITTEE.
COMMITTEES, PART IN THE RESIDENTS.
WILL ALSO
ABOUT 50 REPRESENTATIVES FROM WAH FU’S MUTUAL AID OWNERS CORPORATIONS AND RESIDENTS’ BODIES WILL TAKE SEMINAR, WHICH IS ALSO OPEN TO ALL INTERESTED REPRESENTATIVES FROM DIFFERENT GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS
ATTEND THE SEMINAR.
SOUTHERN ASSISTANT’ DISTRICT OFFICER, OFFICIATE AT THE OPENING OF THE SEMINAR.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO SEND REPRESENTATIVES
MR DAVID LEUNG, WILL
TO COVER THE SEMINAR.
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REMOTE ISLANDERS GET FREE HEALTH ADVICE
* t * » »
ELDERLY RESIDENTS OF CHEK LAP KOK WERE TODAY (SUNDAY) GIVEN FREE MEDICAL CHECK-UPS BY A MEDICAL TEAM FROM THE UNIVERSITY OF HONG KONG AT A "HEALTH DAY" PROGRAMME ORGANISED BY THE ISLANDS DISTRICT OFFICE.
ISLANDERS AGED 60 AND OVER, WHO MIGHT HAVE DIFFICULTY TRAVELLING A LONG DISTANCE TO SEEK HEALTH ADVICE, WERE GIVEN PRIORITY.
AS HIGH BLOOD PRESSURE AND DIABETES ARE COMMON PROBLEMS IN THE ELDERLY, THE MEDICAL TEAM CONCENTRATED ON CHECKING BLOOD PRESSURE AND SCREENING FOR DIABETES AT A CENTRE SET UP AT CHEK LAP KOK VILLAGE.
/THE “HEALTH .......
SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 6, 1988
THE "HEALTH DAY" PROJECT WAS PART OF THE DISTRICT IMPROVEMENT PROGRAMME IMPLEMENTED BY THE COMMUNITY BUILDING CO-ORDINATING COMMITTEE OF THE ISLANDS DISTRICT.
"THE HEALTH COMMITTEE OF THE MEDICAL SOCIETY, UNIVERSITY OF HONG KONG STUDENT UNION, HAS BEEN RENDERING CONTINUOUS SUPPORT TO THE PROJECT AND THE VOLUNTARY SERVICES THEY PROVIDE ARE ESSENTIAL FOR THE SUCCESS OF THE PROGRAMME," A SPOKESMAN FOR THE ISLANDS DISTRICT OFFICE SAID.
"LAST YEAR, SIMILAR ACTIVITIES WERE ORGANISED AT TUNG CHUNG AND SHA LO WAN ON LANTAU AND AS FAR AWAY AS PO TOI ISLAND," HE SAID.
"RESPONSES TO THE HEALTH DAY PROJECT WERE GOOD AS IT PROVED TO BE BENEFICIAL TO THE ISLANDERS AND THE DISTRICT OFFICE WELCOMES OTHER ORGANISATIONS TO JOIN IN THIS KIND OF MEANINGFUL ACTIVITY."
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MORE CULTURAL AND ARTS ACTIVITIES FOR RESIDENTS ******
RESIDENTS IN CENTRAL AND WESTERN DISTRICT WILL BE ABLE TO ENJOY A PACKAGE OF WIDE-RANGING CULTURAL AND ARTS ACTIVITIES INCLUDING AN ART FAIR, PHOTOGRAPHY EXHIBITION, CONCERT AND DANCING PERFORMANCE THIS MONTH AND NEXT MONTH.
THE CHAIRMAN OF THE CENTRAL AND WESTERN CULTURAL AND ARTS FESTIVAL, MR WONG CHUNG-YING SAID THIS WHEN HE OFFICIATED AT THE OPENING CEREMONY AND CARNIVAL OF THE FESTIVAL HELD IN CHATER GARDEN TODAY (SUNDAY).
THE FESTIVAL IS JOINTLY ORGANISED BY THE CENTRAL AND WESTERN DISTRICT OFFICE, THE DISTRICT ASSOCIATION FOR CULTURE AND ARTS (CENTRAL AND WESTERN) AND THE DISTRICT BOARD WITH THE AIM OF ENCOURAGING GREATER COMMUNITY PARTICIPATION.
FEATURED IN TODAY’S CARNIVAL WERE TRADITIONAL BRITISH FOLK DANCES BY THE HONG KONG MORRIS IN EXOTIC COSTUMES.
AN ADDED ATTRACTION OF THE CARNIVAL WAS AN ART BONANZA IN WHICH MORE THAN 2,000 VISITORS WERE GIVEN THE OPPORTUNITY TO TRY OUT A NUMBER OF FASCINATING ARTS AND CRAFT WORKS INCLUDING PAPER CLAY, CERAMICS, FLOUR DOLL-MAKING AND PAPER SCULPTURE.
/ALSO OFFICIATING ......
SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 6, 1?88
- 16 -
ALSO OFFICIATING AT THE CEREMONY WERE THE CENTRAL AND WESTERN DISTRICT OFFICER, MR STEPHEN FISHER; DISTRICT BOARD CHA RMANMR AMBROSE LAU; VICE CHAIRMAN OF THE DISTRICT ASSOCIATION FOR ^LTURE AND ARTS (CENTRAL AND WESTERN), MR YUEN BUN-KEUNG; CHAIRMAN OF T .. WORKING GROUP ON THE OPENING CEREMONY AND CARNIVAL OF THE FESTIVAL, MR NGAI WAI-MING; THE POLICE DISTRICT COMMANDER FOR CENTRAL, MR W.H. KIRKHOPE, AND URBAN COUNCILLOR, MR CHOW WAI-KEUNG.
A SERIES OF COMPETITIONS WILL BE DIFFERENT AGE GROUPS AND INTERESTS.
HELD FOR RESIDENTS OF
A CHILDREN’S DRAWING (SUNDAY) WITH MORE THAN 300 AND BOTANICAL GARDENS.
COMPETITION WILL BE HELD ON NOVEMBER 13 PARTICIPANTS AT THE HONG KONG ZOOLOGICAL
THERE WILL ALSO BE A CHILDREN’S AND DANCING TALENT QUESTS, TRANSLATION BETWEEN LATE NOVEMBER AND MID-DECEMBER
STORY-TELLING CONTEST, SINGING AND CALLIGRAPHY COMPETITIONS
A PHOTOGRAPHY EXHIBITION AT
RESIDENTS WILL BE ABLE TO ENJOY
THE NEW SHEUNG WAN CIVIC CENTRE FROM NOVEMBER 19 TO 27.A POP
CONCERT
WILL TAKE PLACE AT THE LOKE YEW HALL OF THE UNIVERSITY OF HONG KONG ON
NOVEMBER 12.
APPLICATION FORMS AND ADMISSION TICKETS FOR THE VARIOUS EVENTS OF THE FESTIVAL ARE OBTAINABLE AT THE CENTRAL AND WESTERN DISTRICT OFFICE ON 11TH FLOOR, HARBOUR BUILDING, 38 PIER ROAD, CENTRAL.
ENQUIRIES CAN BE MADE ON 5-8523002.
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CARNIVAL IN KOWLOON CITY TO PROMOTE ROAD SAFETY ******
A ROAD SAFETY CARNIVAL TO PROMOTE THE IMPORTANCE OF ROAD SAFETY AND PROVIDE AN AFTERNOON OF FUN TO THOUSANDS OF KOWLOON CITY RESIDENTS WAS HELD AT THE ARGYLE STREET PLAYGROUND THIS (SUNDAY) AFTERNOON.
THE CARNIVAL WAS THE HIGHLIGHT OF A TWO-MONTH ROAD SAFETY CAMPAIGN WHICH AIMED AT PROMOTING ROAD SAFETY AWARENESS WITH SPECIAL EMPHASIS ON ELDERLY PEOPLE.
IT WAS SPONSORED BY THE KOWLOON CITY DISTRICT BOARD AND JOINTLY ORGANISED BY KOWLOON CITY DISTRICT OFFICE AND THE POLICE.
STARTING FROM SEPTEMBER, A NUMBER OF ACTIVITIES WERE ORGANISED TO EDUCATE THE PUBLIC AND DRIVERS ON THE IMPORTANCE OF ROAD SAFETY.
THESE INCLUDED A COLOURING COMPETITION, VISITS TO ELDERLY CENTRES TO DISSEMINATE ROAD SAFETY MESSAGES, AND SELECTION OF MODEL PEDESTRIANS, AND MODEL DRIVERS AT TRAFFIC BLACKSPOTS.
/IN ORDER ......
SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 6, 1988
IN ORDER TO WIDELY PUBLICISE THE ROAD SAFETY MESSAGE, 20 BANNERS WITH ROAD SAFETY SLOGANS WERE PUT UP AT VARIOUS TRAFFIC BLACKSPOTS IN THE DISTRICT.
THE CARNIVAL PROGRAMME INCLUDED GAME STALLS, A ROAD SAFETY BUS EXHIBITION, MOBILE ROAD SAFETY TOWN, ROAD SAFETY EXHIBITION AND A VIDEO SHOW ON ROAD SAFETY FOR THE ELDERLY.
THERE WERE ALSO FOOT DRILLS BY SCHOOL ROAD SAFETY PATROL TEAMS, PERFORMANCES BY THE JUNIOR POLICE CALL ROTARY BAND AND AN INFLATABLE •’BEAR” FOR CHILDREN.
OFFICIATING AT TODAY’S OPENING CEREMONY WERE KOWLOON CITY DISTRICT BOARD CHAIRMAN, MR WONG SIK-KONG; DISTRICT OFFICER, MR ALEX FONG; KOWLOON CITY DISTRICT POLICE COMMANDER, MRS WONG LEUNG KAM-SHAN; CHAIRMAN OF THE KOWLOON CITY DISTRICT TRAFFIC AND TRANSPORT COMMITTEE, MR CHAN CHI-KWAN; AND THE DISTRICT’S ROAD SAFETY CAMPAIGN CHAIRMAN, MR CHIANG SAI-CHEONG.
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EXHIBITION OF PAINTING AND CALLIGRAPHY AT CITY HALL
AN EXHIBITION OF ABOUT 500 PIECES OF PAINTINGS AND CALLIGRAPHY WILL BE HELD FOR FOUR DAYS AT THE CITY HALL EXHIBITION HALL FROM TUESDAY (NOVEMBER 8).
THE EXHIBITION IS ORGANISED BY THE YAU MA TEI AND TSIM SHA TSUI CULTURE AND ARTS ASSOCIATION.
THE EXHIBITS ARE A SELECTION OF HIGH STANDARD PAINTINGS AND CALLIGRAPHY ACCUMULATED OVER THE LAST SEVEN YEARS FROM THE ANNUAL GATHERINGS OF CHINESE PAINTERS AND CALLIGRAPHISTS ORGANISED BY THE ASSOCIATION.
OFFICIATING AT THE OPENING CEREMONY OF THE EXHIBITION AT 2.30 PM ON TUESDAY WILL BE THE REGIONAL SECRETARY (HONG KONG AND KOWLOON), MR DAVID LAN.
THE EXHIBITION WILL BE OPEN TO THE PUBLIC FROM 4 PM TO 6.30 PM ON TUESDAY AND FROM 10 AM TO 6.30 PM FOR THE THREE DAYS FOLLOWING. ADMISSION IS FREE.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE OPENING CEREMONY OF THE EXHIBITION OF PAINTINGS AND CALLIGRAPHY ORGANISED BY THE YAU MA TEI AND TSIM SHA TSUI CULTURE AND ARTS ASSOCIATION TO BEGIN AT 2.30 PM ON TUESDAY (NOVEMBER 8) AT THE CITY HALL EXHIBITION HALL.
- - O - -
/18........
SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 6, 1988
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MUSIC COMPETITION TO PROMOTE FAMILY LIFE EDUCATION
*»*♦«» *
RESIDENTS OF TUEN MUN ARE BEING INVITED TO TAKE PART IN A MUSIC SELECTION COMPETITION TO BE HELD IN JANUARY WITH THE AIM OF FOSTERING HARMONIOUS FAMILY RELATIONSHIPS AND MUTUAL UNDERSTANDING THROUGH PARTICIPATION IN MUSIC AMONG FAMILY MEMBERS.
UNDER THE AUSPICES OF THE TUEN MUN DISTRICT BOARD AND A LOCAL DEPARTMENT STORE, THE COMPETITION IS JOINTLY ORGANISED BY THE MUSIC OFFICE, FAMILY LIFE EDUCATION PUBLICITY CAMPAIGN COMMITTEE AND THE COMPETITION'S ORGANISING COMMITTEE FOR THE DISTRICT.
EACH PARTICIPATING GROUP SHOULD CONSIST OF AT LEAST TWO MEMBERS WHO ARE RELATED. IN ADDITION, TWO GROUP MEMBERS ARE REQUIRED TO BE NEXT OF KIN OF ONE FAMILY.
THE CONTESTANTS ARE FREE TO CHOOSE THE KIND OF MUSIC PERFORMANCE WITH THE THEME PERTAINING TO THE OBJECTIVE OF THE COMPETITION.
AUDITIONS WILL BE HELD ON NOVEMBER 26 (SATURDAY) AT THE SCHOOL HALL OF ST SIMON’S LUI MING CHOI SECONDARY SCHOOL IN TUEN MUN HEUNG SZE WUI ROAD.
ALL QUALIFIED GROUPS WILL COMPETE FOR THE CHAMPIONSHIP ON JANUARY 14 AT THE TUEN MUN TOWN HALL CULTURAL ACTIVITIES HALL.
THE WINNING TEAM WILL JOIN IN A GRAND FINAL FOR 19 DISTRICTS ON MARCH 24 AT THE HONG KONG ACADEMY FOR PERFORMING ARTS.
AS AN ENCOURAGEMENT FOR PARTICIPANTS, A CASH COUPON AND A TROPHY WILL BE AWARDED TO THE THREE BEST GROUPS IN THE DISTRICT QUALIFYING ROUND AS WELL AS IN THE GRAND FINAL.
INTERESTED PARTIES CAN OBTAIN APPLICATION FORM AND DETAILS OF THE COMPETITION FROM THE TUEN MUN DISTRICT OFFICE AND ITS SUB-OFFICES AT ON TING, TAI HING, SIU HONG AND BUTTERFLY ESTATES AS WELL AS FROM THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT'S OFFICE AT THE TUEN MUN GOVERNMENT OFFICES BUILDING.
COMPLETED APPLICATION FORMS SHOULD BE RETURNED TO THE ABOVE OFFICES BEFORE THE AUDITION DAY.
ENQUIRIES CAN BE MADE ON 0-4513133 AND 0-750465.
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/19........
SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 6, 1988
- ^9 -
EMERGENCY MEDICAL SERVICES ON AGENDA ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ *
THE SOCIAL SERVICES COMMITTEE OF THE TAI PO DISTRICT BOARD WILL MEET ON TUESDAY (NOVEMBER 8) TO DISCUSS THE EMERGENCY MEDICAL SERVICES IN THE DISTRICT.
MEMBERS WILL ALSO EXPRESS VIEWS ON THE REHABILITATION SERVICES OF TAI PO. OTHER ITEMS ON THE AGENDA INCLUDE THE REPORT ON A SURVEY ON YOUTH PROBLEMS AND A REPORT ON A PROJECT FOP THE ELDERLY.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE MEETING TO BE HELD IN THE CONFERENCE ROOM OF THE TAI PO DISTRICT BOARD SECRETARIAT, ON THE THIRD FLOOR OF TAI PO COMMERCIAL CENTRE, 152 KWONG FUK ROAD, ON TUESDAY (NOVEMBER 8). THE MEETING WILL START AT 2.30 PM.
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PROMOTION COMMITTEE TO MEET * * * ♦
MEMBERS OF THE PROMOTION AND PUBLICITY COMMITTEE OF THE TAI PO DISTRICT BOARD WILL DISCUSS A NUMBER OF ISSUES AT A MEETING ON TUESDAY (NOVEMBER 8).
ITEMS ON THE AGENDA INCLUDE REPORTS BY THE WORKING GROUP ON THE DISTRICT NEWSPAPER AND BY THE WORKING GROUP CONCERNED WITH A WELCOME TO TAI PO SIGN.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE MEETING TO BE HELD IN THE CONFERENCE ROOM OF THE TAI PO DISTRICT BOARD SECRETARIAT ON THE THIRD FLOOR OF TAI PO COMMERCIAL CENTRE, 152 KWONG FUK ROAD ON TUESDAY (NOVEMBER 8). THE MEETING WILL START AT 9.30 AM.
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DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL: 5-8428777
MONDAY, NOVEMBER 7, 1988
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
COMMON APPROACH TO TRANSITIONAL ARRANGEMENTS: GOVERNOR .... 1
PROPOSED DEFER FOR SALE OF SHARES BY CWPLC, CWFE AND FSI .. 2
ADVISER ON NEW SECURITIES LEGISLATION TO ARRIVE ...... 6
FARM VISIT TO SEE PROGRESS OF DEMONSTRATION PROJECTS . 6
WORKING GROUP TO DISCUSS IMPACT OF HYPOXIC LAYER ON MARICULTURE.............................................. 7
TWO MORE SECONDARY SCHOOLS FOR TUEN MUN .............. 8
1982 PRIVATE CARS COME UNDER INSPECTION SCHEME ....... 8
ACTIVITIES TO PROMOTE CIVIC EDUCATION IN EASTERN DISTRICT . 9
DISCUSSION ON DEVELOPING NORTHERN SAI KUNG INTO RECREATIONAL ZONE....................................... 10
NORTH DB COMMITTEE TO CONSIDER PROVIDING LIGHTING FACILITIES ............................................. 11
WAN CHAI TRAFFIC AND TRANSPORT COMMITTEE TO MEET ..... 12
CHRISTMAS CELEBRATION PROGRAMME FOR TSUEN WAN ........ 12
TEMPORARY URBAN CLEARWAY IN WELLINGTON STREET ........ 1?
TEMPORARY LaNE CLOSURES ON LION ROCK TUNNEL ROAD...... 1?
INTERRUPTION TO FRESH WATER SUPPLY ................... 14
WATER STORaGE FIGURE ................................. 14
f
I
MONDAY, NOVEMBER 7, 1988
1
COMMON APPROACH TO TRANSITIONAL ARRANGEMENTSJ GOVERNOR ♦ ♦ ♦ » ♦ . ’
BOTH THE BRITISH AND CHINESE GOVERNMENTS HAVE A COMMON APPROACH TO THE TRANSITIONAL ARRANGEMENTS FOR HONG KONG, THE GOVERNOR SIR DAVID WILSON, SAID TODAY (MONDAY).
THE GOVERNOR WAS SPEAKING TO REPORTERS AT THE AIRPORT ON HIS RETURN FROM A SIX-DAY VISIT TO CHINA.
SIR DAVID SAID THAT ON ONE HAND THERE MUST BE PROPER RECOGNITION OF THE FACT THAT SOVEREIGNTY WAS BEING TRANSFERRED TO CHINA AT THAT POINT IN TIME AND THEN ON THE OTHER THERE MUST BE PROPER ARRANGEMENTS FOR A SMOOTH TRANSITION.
NOTING THAT THE BASIC LAW HAD TO COVER THE PROVISIONS FOR SETTING UP THE FIRST SAR GOVERNMENT, SIR DAVID SAID THERE WAS A GREAT DEAL OF WORK BEING DONE ON THE CHINESE SIDE ON THAT.
HE SAID THE CHINESE WERE STILL IN THE PROCESS OF DRAFTING AND RE-DRAFTING THE BASIC LAW AND THEY WOULD HAVE MEETINGS OF SPECIAL SUB-GROUPS LATER THIS MONTH.
SIR DAVID SAID HIS VISIT TO CHINA HAS BEEN A USEFUL ONE.
"IT HAS GIVEN ME A CHANCE IN PEKING TO BE IN TOUCH WITH CHINESE LEADERS AND SENIOR OFFICIALS DEALING WITH HONG KONG AFFAIRS," HE SAID.
"AND THEN THE LAST TWO DAYS IN FUJIAN WAS AN INTERESTING EXPERIENCE FOR ME. WHAT WAS VERY STRIKING WAS TO HEAR ABOUT THEIR PLANS FOR ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AND ALSO WHAT A LARGE ROLE HONG KONG INVESTMENT AND TRADE PLAY IN THEIR OWN DEVELOPMENT.
"ONE STRIKING STATISTIC FROM THE MAYOR OF XIAMEN WAS THAT TRADE WITH HONG KONG IN THE FIRST 10 MONTHS OF THIS YEAR IS ALREADY ALMOST DOUBLE WHAT IT WAS FOR THE WHOLE OF 1987. SO THERE IS CLEARLY GREAT INTEREST IN FUJIAN IN TRADE AND ECONOMIC LINKS WITH HONG KONG."
THE GOVERNOR WAS MET AT THE AIRPORT TODAY BY THE CHIEF SECRETARY, SIR DAVID FORD; THE SENIOR MEMBER OF THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL, MISS LYDIA DUNN; THE SENIOR MEMBER OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL, MR ALLEN LEE; THE SENIOR CHINESE REPRESENTATIVE OF THE SINO-BRITISH JOINT LIAISON GROUP, MR KE ZAISHUO; AND THE DEPUTY DIRECTOR OF THE XINHUA NEWS AGENCY (U.K. BRANCH), MR ZHENG HUA.
RETURNING FROM CHINA WITH SIR DAVID WERE LADY WILSON, THE POLITICAL ADVISER, MR RICHARD CLIFT; AND THE PRIVATE SECRETARY, MR RICHARD HOARE.
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/2........
MONDAY, NOVEMBER 7, 1988
- 2 -
PROPOSED OFFER FOR SALE OF SHARES BY CWPLC, CWFE AND FSI » « « ♦ »
'the DIRECTORS OF HONG KONG TELECOMMUNICATIONS LIMITED ("HONG KONG TELECOM" OR "THE COMPANY"), CABLE AND WIRELESS PLC ("CWPLC”) AND CABLE AND WIRELESS (FAR EAST) LIMITED (CWFE) AND THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY INCORPORATED (FSI) ANNOUNCE THE PROPOSED OFFER FOR SALE OF SHARES IN HONG KONG TELECOM BY CWFE, A WHOLLY OWNED SUBSIDIARY OF CWPLC, AND FSI (TOGETHER THE "VENDORS").
THE VENDORS PROPOSE TO OFFER FOR SALE IN EQUAL PROPORTIONS, SUBJECT TO MARKET CONDITIONS, AN AGGREGATE OF BETWEEN 712.5 MILLION AND 787.5 MILLION SHARES (THE "OFFER SHARES"), REPRESENTING A TOTAL OF BETWEEN 6.4 AND 7.1 PER CENT OF HONG KONG TELECOM’S ISSUED SHARE CAPITAL.
IT IS PROPOSED THAT THE OFFER (THE "COMBINED OFFER") WILL CONSIST OF AN OFFER FOR SALE IN HONG KONG (THE "HONG KONG OFFER"), A PUBLIC OFFERING IN THE UNITED STATES (THE "U.S. OFFER") AND AN INTERNATIONAL OFFERING COVERING OTHER PARTS OF THE WORLD (THE "INTERNATIONAL OFFER").
THE SHARES OF HKS0.50 EACH IN THE CAPITAL OF HONG KONG TELECOM (THE "SHARES") ARE ALREADY LISTED ON THE STOCK EXCHANGE OF HONG KONG LIMITED AND APPLICATION WILL BE MADE TO LIST THE SHARES, IN THE FORM OF AMERICAN DEPOSITARY SHARES ("ADSs”), ON THE NEW YORK STOCK EXCHANGE.
THE EXACT SIZE OF EACH OFFER AND THE PRICE WILL NOT BE FINALLY DECIDED UNTIL EARLY DECEMBER WHEN IT IS INTENDED THAT THE PROSPECTUSES IN RESPECT OF EACH OFFER WILL BE PUBLISHED.
THE COMBINED OFFER .
THE PURPOSE OF THE COMBINED OFFER WILL BE TO WIDEN HONG KONG TELECOM’S LOCAL AND OVERSEAS SHAREHOLDER BASE AND, PURSUANT TO AN UNDERSTANDING REACHED WITH THE STOCK EXCHANGE OF HONG KONG LIMITED, TO INCREASE PUBLIC PARTICIPATION IN HONG KONG TELECOM, AND TO REDUCE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT’S EQUITY INVESTMENT IN LINE WITH ITS STATED POLICY.
THE HONG KONG OFFER IS EXPECTED INITIALLY TO COMPRISE BETWEEN 425 MILLION AND 500 MILLION OFFER SHARES AND WILL BE STRUCTURED AS A COMBINATION OF A PLACING WITH CERTAIN FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS AND A PUBLIC OFFER FOR SALE.
UNDER THE U.S. OFFER, IT IS INTENDED THAT 187.5 MILLION SHARES, REPRESENTED BY ADSs, WILL BE PUBLICLY OFFERED IN THE USA. THE INTERNATIONAL OFFER OF 100 MILLION SHARES WILL BE DIRECTED AT INVESTORS IN VARIOUS OTHER JURISDICTIONS.
/IN ORDER
MONDAY, NOVEMBER 7. 1988
IN ORDER TO MAXIMISE THE FLEXIBILITY OF THE COMBINED OFFER, IT IS INTENDED THAT THE HONG KONG OFFER MAY BE INCREASED BY UP TO 20 PER CENT AND THE U.S. AND INTERNATIONAL OFFERS CORRESPONDINGLY REDUCED IN ORDER TO SATISFY IN WHOLE OR IN PART APPLICATIONS FROM THE GENERAL PUBLIC.
AT PRESENT APPROXIMATELY 79 PER CENT OF THE ISSUED CAPITAL OF HONG KONG TELECOM IS OWNED BY CWFE AND CWPLC, APPROXIMATELY 11 PER CENT IS OWNED BY FSI AND APPROXIMATELY 10 PER CENT IS OWNED BY THE GENERAL PUBLIC.
ON THE BASIS STATED ABOVE, IMMEDIATELY AFTER THE COMBINED OFFER, CWPLC AND CWFE WOULD OWN IN AGGREGATE APPROXIMATELY 76 PER CENT OF THE ISSUED SHARE CAPITAL, THE GENERAL PUBLIC WOULD OWN APPROXIMATELY 17 PER CENT AND FSI WOULD OWN APPROXIMATELY 7 PER CENT.
SUBJECT TO CERTAIN LIMITED EXCEPTIONS, EACH OF THE VENDORS AND CWPLC WILL AGREE NOT TO DISPOSE OF ANY FURTHER SHARES, AND HONG KONG TELECOM WILL AGREE NOT TO ISSUE ANY NEW SHARES, FOR A PERIOD OF 15 MONTHS AFTER THE COMBINED OFFER.,
PREFERENTIAL APPLICATION RIGHTS
THE VENDORS INTEND TO GIVE THOSE SHAREHOLDERS OF HONG KONG TELECOM (OTHER THAN CWPLC, CWFE AND FSI) WITH REGISTERED ADDRESSES IN HONG KONG ON NOVEMBER 29, 1988, PREFERENTIAL RIGHTS UNDER THE HONG KONG OFFER TO APPLY AT THE OFFER PRICE FOR ONE OFFER SHARE FOR EVERY TEN SHARES THEN HELD.
THESE RIGHTS WILL BE NON-TRANSFERABLE AND WILL REQUIRE APPLICANTS TO GIVE APPROPRIATE DECLARATIONS AS TO COMPLIANCE WITH ANY APPLICABLE OVERSEAS LAWS.
PREFERENTIAL RIGHTS ARE ALSO INTENDED TO BE GIVEN IN RESPECT OF APPLICATIONS IN THE HONG KONG OFFER AT THE OFFER PRICE BY HONG KONG RESIDENT EMPLOYEES OF THE HONG KONG TELECOM GROUP (OTHER THAN DIRECTORS AND EMPLOYEES SECONDED FROM CWPLC) FOR BETWEEN APPROXIMATELY 42.5 MILLION AND 50 MILLION OFFER SHARES, BEING 10 PER CENT OF THE HONG KONG OFFER.
FOR THE PURPOSES OF DETERMINING THE SHAREHOLDERS ENTITLED TO THE BENEFIT OF THE PREFERENTIAL RIGHTS THE REGISTER OF HONG KONG TELECOM WILL BE CLOSED AT 4 PM ON NOVEMBER 24, 1988 AND WILL BE REOPENED ON NOVEMBER 30, 1988.
PROFIT FORECAST
THE DIRECTORS OF HONG KONG TELECOM ANNOUNCED ON NOVEMBER 4, 1988 THAT THE PROFIT ATTRIBUTABLE TO SHAREHOLDERS FOR THE SIX MONTH PERIOD ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 1988 WAS HKS1,723.0 MILLION. THEY ALSO ANNOUNCED AN INTERIM DIVIDEND OF HKSO.ll PER SHARE PAYABLE ON JANUARY 25, 1989.
/IN CONNECTION
MONDAY, NOVEMBER 7, 1988
IN CONNECTION WITH THE PROPOSED COMBINED OFFER, A PROFIT FORECAST OF HONG KONG TELECOM HAS BEEN PREPARED.
THE DIRECTORS ARE FORECASTING THAT, ON CERTAIN BASES AND ASSUMPTIONS WHICH WILL BE SET OUT IN THE PROSPECTUSES FOR THE COMBINED OFFER AND IN THE ABSENCE OF UNFORESEEN CIRCUMSTANCES, THE PROFIT ATTRIBUTABLE TO SHAREHOLDERS OF HONG KONG TELECOM FOR THE YEAR ENDING MARCH 31, 1989 IS UNLIKELY TO BE LESS THAN HK$3,590 MILLION.
THIS WOULD REPRESENT HKS0.323 PER SHARE ON THE BASIS OF 11,099,274,768 SHARES, BEING THE WEIGHTED AVERAGE NUMBER OF SHARES EXPECTED TO BE TN ISSUE FOR THAT YEAR, EXCLUDING ANY SHARES WHICH MAY BE ISSUED PURSUANT TO THE SCRIP DIVIDEND SCHEME IN RESPECT OF THE HONG KONG TELECOM INTERIM DIVIDEND.
THE PROFIT FORECAST TAKES INTO ACCOUNT AN INCREASE, WITH EFFECT FROM OCTOBER 1, 1988, IN THE RATE OF ROYALTY PAYABLE TO HONG KONG GOVERNMENT BY CABLE AND WIRELESS (HONG KONG) LIMITED UNDER ITS LICENCE TO 9 PER CENT FROM THE PREVIOUS RATE OF 7 PER CENT WHICH HAD BEEN UNCHANGED SINCE 1981. THE NEW RATE OF ROYALTY WILL NEXT BE SUBJECT TO REVIEW AFTER FIVE YEARS, IN 1993.
DIVIDEND FORECAST
ON THE BASIS OF THE PROFIT FORECAST AND TAKING ACCOUNT OF THE INTERIM DIVIDEND OF HK$0.11 PER SHARE, THE DIRECTORS INTEND TO RECOMMEND A FINAL DIVIDEND OF HK$0.115 PER SHARE, PAYABLE IN SEPTEMBER 1989, IN RESPECT OF THE YEAR ENDING MARCH 31, 1989.
THIS WOULD REPRESENT A DISTRIBUTION OF 70 PER CENT OF THE COMPANY’S EARNINGS AVAILABLE FOR DISTRIBUTION TO SHAREHOLDERS IN RESPECT OF THE YEAR ENDING MARCH 31, 1989, BASED UPON THE PROFIT FORECAST.
FINANCIAL ADVISERS AND UNDERWRITERS
PURDENTIAL ASIA CAPITAL LIMITED IS ACTING AS THE FINANCIAL ADVISER TO CWFE AND BARING BROTHERS & CO., LIMITED AS THE FINANCIAL ADVISER TO FSI.
IT IS INTENDED THAT THE HONG KONG OFFER WILL BE UNDERWRITTEN BY PRUDENTIAL ASIA CAPITAL LIMITED, BARING BROTHERS & CO., LIMITED AND WARDLEY CORPORATE FINANCE LIMITED.
IT IS INTENDED THAT THE LEAD MANAGERS OF THE U.S. OFFER WILL BE PURDENTIAL-BACHE CAPITAL FUNDING, BARING SECURITIES INC., GOLDMAN, SACHS & CO. AND MERRILL LYNCH CAPITAL MARKETS AND THAT THE LEAD MANAGERS OF THE INTERNATIONAL OFFER WILL BE PRUDENTIAL-BACHE CAPITAL FUNDING AND BARING BROTHERS & CO., LIMITED.
/BY ORDER
MONDAY, NOVEMBER 7, 1988
- 5
BY ORDER OF THE BOARD HONG KONG TELECOMMUNICATIONS LIMITED K.K. CLAYDON SECRETARY
HONG KONG, NOVEMBER 7, 1988
BY ORDER OF THE COURT OF CABLE AND WIRELESS R.E. MCALISTER SECRETARY
LONDON, NOVEMBER 7,
DIRECTORS
PLC
1988
BY ORDER OF THE BOARD
CABLE AND WIRELESS (FAR EAST) LIMITED K.K. CLAYDON SECRETARY
HONG KONG, NOVEMBER 7, 1988
THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY INCORPORATED THE HONOURABLE THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY P. JACOBS, OBE, JP HONG KONG, NOVEMBER 7, 1988
THE DIRECTORS OF HONG KONG TELECOM, CWPLC AND CWFE, AND FSI HAVE TAKEN ALL REASONABLE CARE TO ENSURE THAT, SO FAR AS CONCERNS HONG KONG TELECOM, CWPLC, CWFE AND FSI RESPECTIVELY, THE FACTS STATED HEREIN ARE ACCURATE AND THE OPINIONS EXPRESSED HAVE BEEN ARRIVED AT AFTER DUE AND CAREFUL CONSIDERATION AND NO MATERIAL FACTORS HAVE BEEN OMITTED.
THE DIRECTORS OF HONG KONG TELECOM, CWPLC AND CWFE, AND FSI SEVERALLY ACCEPT RESPONSIBILITY ACCORDINGLY.
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/6........
MONDAY, NOVEMBER 7, 1988
- 6
ADVISER ON NEW SECURITIES LEGISLATION TO ARRIVE
*****
MR GEOFFREY LEWIS, HEAD OF INTERNATIONAL FINANCE HERBERT SMITH IN LONDON, IS ARRIVING LATER THIS WEEK TO TAKE UP A ONE-YEAR APPOINTMENT AS ADVISER ON NEW SECURITIES LEGISLATION TO THE PROPOSED NEW SECURITIES AND FUTURES COMMISSION (SFC).
UNTIL FORMATION OF THE SFC, HE WILL BE ATTACHED TO THE PROVISIONAL SECURITIES AND FUTURES COMMISSION LIMITED (PSFC).
MR LEWIS WILL PLAY A LEADING ROLE IN THE COMPREHENSIVE OVERHAUL OF HONG KONG’S SECURITIES AND FUTURES LEGISLATION WHICH WAS RECOMMENDED BY THE SECURITIES REVIEW COMMITTEE IN ITS REPORT RELEASED IN JUNE THIS YEAR.
THE FIRST PHASE OF SUCH LEGISLATIVE REFORM IS THE BILL ESTABLISHING THE SFC, THE FIRST DRAFT OF WHICH IS NOW AT AN ADVANCED STAGE OF PREPARATION.
THE DECISION TO SECURE THE LEGAL EXPERTISE OF MR LEWIS WAS MADE SHORTLY AFTER THE INCORPORATION OF THE PSFC TO FACILITATE THE EARLY ESTABLISHMENT OF THE SFC.
MR LEWIS WAS SENIOR PARTNER OF HERBERT SMITH IN HONG KONG FROM 1983 TO 1986.
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FARM VISIT TO SEE PROGRESS OF DEMONSTRATION PROJECTS *****
THE CONSTRUCTION WORK OF DEMONSTRATION PROJECTS IN LIVESTOCK WASTE DISPOSAL ON PRIVATE FARMS HAS COMMENCED AND THE FIRST BATCH OF FARMS WILL BE OPERATIONAL IN FEBRUARY.
MEMBERS OF THE STEERING GROUP ON DEMONSTRATION PROJECTS ON PRIVATE FARMS OF THE LIVESTOCK WASTE DISPOSAL CONSULTATIVE COMMITTEE VISITED A LIVESTOCK FARM IN MA ON SHAN THIS (MONDAY) AFTERNOON TO SEE FOR THEMSELVES THE PROGRESS OF THE BUILDING WORKS.
THE VISIT WAS ORGANISED BY THE ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION DEPARTMENT.
THE MA ON SHAN FARM, WHICH HAS 400 PIGS, WAS SELECTED FOR THE DEMONSTRATION OF HYBRID TREATMENT METHOD.
/A TOTAL
MONDAY, NOVEMBER 7, 1988
- 7 -
A TOTAL OF NINE LIVESTOCK FARMS COMPRISING SIX PIG FARMS AND THREE CHICKEN FARMS IN SHEUNG SHU1 , FANL1NG, MA ON SHAN AND SHA TAU KOK HAVE BEEN SELECTED TO CARRY OUT DEMONSTRATION ON DRY-MUCK-OUT, WET-MUCK-OUT, PIG-ON-LITTER AND HYBRID TREATMENT METHODS TO COPE WITH THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE LIVESTOCK WASTE DISPOSAL CONTROL SCHEME.
EARLIER, GROUP MEMBERS WERE BRIEFED BY EPD REPRESENTATIVES ON THE LATEST DEVELOPMENT OF THE DEMONSTRATION PROJECTS.
THEY WERE TOLD THAT ARRANGEMENTS WOULD BE MADE FOR INTERESTED LIVESTOCK FARMERS TO VISIT THE PRIVATE FARMS PARTICIPATING IN THE PROJECTS DURING A SIX-MONTH DEMONSTRATION PERIOD TO ENABLE THEM TO HAVE A CLEARER PICTURE ON HOW THESE FACILITIES WORK.
MR LEO KWAN, CHAIRMAN OF THE STEERING GROUP, SAID THAT TO ENSURE THE DEMONSTRATION PROJECTS WERE CARRIED OUT SMOOTHLY, MEMBERS WILL VISIT THE DEMONSTRATION FARMS REGULARLY TO MONITOR THESE OPERATIONS CLOSELY.
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WORKING GROUP TO DISCUSS IMPACT OF HYPOXIC LAYER ON MARICULTURE *****
THE TAI PO DISTRICT BOARD'S AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES WORKING GEOI'P WILL DISCUSS THE IMPACT OF THE PRESENCE OF HYPOXIC LAYER ON MARICULTURE AT A MEETING ON WEDNESDAY (NOVEMBER 9).
MEMBERS WILL ALSO DISCUSS FACTORS CAUSING THE POLLUTION OF THE TOLO HARBOUR AND MEASURES TAKEN BY THE GOVERNMENT TO MITIGATE THE PROBLEM.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE MEETING OF THE TAI PO DISTRICT BOARD’S AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES WORKING GROUP AT 10 AM IN THE CONFERENCE ROOM OF THE TAI PO DISTRICT BOARD SECRETARIAT ON THE THIRD FLOOR OF TAJ PO COMMERCIAL CENTRE, 152 KWONG FUK ROAD ON WEDNESDAY (NOVEMBER 9).
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/8........
MONDAY, NOVEMBER 7, 1988
8
TWO MORE SECONDARY SCHOOLS FOR TUEN MUN * * t ♦ »
TENDERS ARE BEING INVITED BY THE ARCHITECTURAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT FOR THE CONSTRUCTION FOR TWO STANDARD SECONDARY SCHOOLS IN TUEN MUN.
THE FULL-INTERLOCKED SCHOOLS - EACH WITH THEIR OWN ASSEMBLY HALL LOCATED ONE ON TOP OF THE OTHER - WILL BE LOCATED IN AREA 14.
THEY WILL ALSO EACH HAVE ONE CLASSROOM BLOCK TO ACCOMMODATE 25 CLASSROOMS AND ONE SPECIAL CLASSROOM BLOCK TO HOUSE LABORATORIES OF VARIOUS DISCIPLINES.
CONSTRUCTION WORK IS EXPECTED TO START IN JANUARY AND TAKE ABOUT 18 MONTHS TO COMPLETE.
TENDERS FOR THE PROJECT MUST BE SUBMITTED BEFORE 12 NOON, NOVEMBER 18.
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1982 PRIVATE CARS COME t *
UNDER INSPECTION SCHEME * t *
PRIVATE CARS MANUFACTURED IN 1982 WHICH REQUIRED A NEW LICENCE COMMENCING ON OR AFTER APRIL 1 NEXT YEAR MUST PASS A ROADWORTHINESS TEST PRIOR TO LICENCE RENEWAL, THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCED TODAY (MONDAY).
"UNDER THE PRIVATE CAR INSPECTION SCHEME WHICH CAME INTO EFFECT ON JANUARY 2, 1986, ALL SIX-YEAR-OLD PRIVATE CARS MUST FIRST OBTAIN A CERTIFICATE OF ROADWORTHINESS FROM A GOVERNMENT-DESIGNATED CAR TESTING CENTRE BEFORE THEIR LICENCES CAN BE RENEWED," A DEPARTMENT SPOKESMAN EXPLAINED.
"WITH THE APPROACH OF 1989, IT IS ONLY NATURAL THAT 1982 CARS SHOULD BE INCLUDED IN THE INSPECTION SCHEME," HE SAID.
THERE ARE 17 DESIGNATED CAR TESTING CENTRES ON BOTH SIDES OF THE HARBOUR AND APPOINTMENTS FOR INSPECTION MAY BE MADE FOUR MONTHS BEFORE THE EXPIRY DATE OF THE VEHICLE LICENCE.
THE PARTS INSPECTED INCLUDE: THE BRAKING AND STEERING SYSTEM, SUSPENSION, WHEELS AND TYRES, ENGINE AND TRANSMISSION, ELECTRICAL FITTINGS AND LIGHTING, BODYWORK AND GENERAL ITEMS SUCH AS NUMBER PLATES, WINDSCREEN WIPERS AND WASHERS AND SEAT BELTS.
/OF THE
MONDAY, NOVEMBER 7, 1988
- 9 -
OF THE 48,031 VEHICLES WHICH UNDERWENT THEIR FIRST INSPECTIONS UNDER THE SCHEME IN THE FIRST NINE MONTHS OF THIS YEAR, ABOUT 75 PER CENT PASSED, COMPARED WITH A PASS RATE OF 69 PER CENT AMONG THE 52,079 FIRST INSPECTIONS IN 1987. A TOTAL OF 129,046 INSPECTIONS HAD BEEN CARRIED OUT UP TO SEPTEMBER 1988.
THE SPOKESMAN STRESSED THAT THE CERTIFICATE OF ROADWORTHINESS FOR ANY PRIVATE CAR WHICH HAS PASSED THE TEST MUST BE PRESENTED TO THE DEPARTMENT WITHIN FOUR MONTHS OF THE ISSUE DATE FOR RELICENSING A VEHICLE, OTHERWISE ITS VALIDITY WILL LAPSE.
THE FEE FOR A CAR INSPECTION IS $160 AND A RE-CHECK FEE OF $50 IS CHARGED WHEN DEFECTS FOUND IN THE ORIGINAL INSPECTION ARI. REMEDIED AND EXAMINED WITHIN 14 DAYS. IN CASES OF SPECIFIED MINOR FAULTS, THE RE-CHECK IS FREE OF CHARGE.
SHOULD A CAR OWNER DISAGREE WITH THE RESULT OF A TEST, HE CAN APPEAL TO THE DEPARTMENT FOR A FRESH, INDEPENDENT EXAMINATION.
"TO AVOID UNNECESSARY INCONVENIENCE, CAR OWNERS SHOULD HAVE THEIR VEHICLES CHECKED AND REPAIRED BEFORE THE INSPECTION APPOINTMENT WITH CAR TESTING CENTRES," THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
ENQUIRIES MAY BE MADE ON 5-200933.
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ACTIVITIES TO PROMOTE CIVIC EDUCATION IN EASTERN DISTRICT * » » * ♦
THE CIVIC EDUCATION PROMOTION WORKING GROUP OF THE EASTERN DISTRICT BOARD PLANS TO ORGANISE A CIVIC EDUCATION CAMPAIGN IN THE DISTRICT DURING NOVEMBER AND DECEMBER.
A SERIES OF EDUCATIONAL AND PUBLICITY PROGRAMMES WILL BE LAUNCHED THROUGH THE JOINT EFFORTS OF THE DISTRICT BOARD, EASTERN DISTRICT OFFICE, ICAC AND VOLUNTARY AGENCIES.
THE ICAC WILL ASSIST IN ORGANISING A TRAM PARADE TO PR°MOTE THE CONCEPT OF FAIRNESS. CARTOON DRAWINGS, GAMES AND A DRAMA PERFORMANCE WILL BE STAGED ON THE TRAM ON NOVEMBER 19 AND 26.
A QUIZ WILL ALSO BE ORGANISED IN EARLY DECEMBER TO MESSAGE OF FAIR PLAY AMONG PRIMARY SIX STUDENTS.
CONVEY THE
DECEMBER 17 OF THE CIVIC
A TWO-DAY CAMP ON CIVIC EDUCATION TO BE HELD ON AND 18 AT LEI YUE MUN PARK, WILL BE THE HIGHLIGHT
EDUCATION CAMPAIGN.
/ABOUT 150
MONDAY, NOVEMBER 7, 1988
10
ABOUT 150 YOUNG PEOPLE AGED BETWEEN 16 AND 35 ARE EXPECTED TO TAKE PART IN THE TWO-DAY CAMP.
PROGRAMMES IN THE CAMP INCLUDE A DB ELECTION SIMULATION GAME CARRYING THE MESSAGE OF CIVIC AWARENESS ON THE FIRST DAY AND A TOUR TO CIVIC EDUCATION VILLAGE. FREE DISCUSSION, 'DEMOCRACY WALL’, 'WISHING TREE’, GAME STALLS AND QUIZ, WILL BE FEATURED IN THE TOUR PROGRAMME ON THE SECOND DAY OF THE CAMP.
TO MAINTAIN GOOD WORKING RELATIONSHIP AND TO CO-ORDINATE EFFORTS IN ORGANISING CIVIC EDUCATION ACTIVITIES WITH THE 13 AREA COMMITTEES IN EASTERN DISTRICT, MEMBERS OF THE WORKING GROUP WILL VISIT THEM WHEN THEY HOLD MEETINGS DURING NOVEMBER AND DECEMBER.
IN ORDER TO INTRODUCE THE EASTERN DISTRICT BOARD TO NEW RESIDENTS, A TOTAL OF 50,000 INFORMATION CARDS WHICH CONTAIN CORRESPONDENCE ADDRESSES AND TELEPHONE NUMBERS OF DB MEMBERS, GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS AND A CALENDAR OF 1989, WILL BE PUBLISHED BY THE WORKING GROUP AND THE DISTRICT OFFICE FOR DISTRIBUTION TO THE PUBLIC IN MID NOVEMBER.
THE EASTERN DISTRICT OFFICE HAS RECENTLY PRODUCED 10 SETS OF EASTERN DISTRICT CIVIC EDUCATION INFORMATION KITS WHICH COMPRISE A VIDEO ON EASTERN DISTRICT, A SLIDE PRESENTATION AND CASSETTE TAPE ABOUT EASTERN DISTRICT, 1988-91 EASTERN DISTRICT STRATEGY, DB ANNUAL REPORT AND AN INFORMATION CARD.
THE KITS WILL BE AVAILABLE FOR LOAN AT THE EASTERN DISTRICT CIVIC EDUCATION INFORMATION CENTRE IN HING WAH COMMUNITY HALL. LOCAL SCHOOLS, ORGANISATIONS AND VOLUNTARY AGENCIES ARE WELCOME TO MAKE BOOKING ARRANGEMENTS AT THE CENTRE BEGINNING MID NOVEMBER.
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DISCUSSION ON DEVELOPING NORTHERN SAI KUNG INTO RECREATIONAL ZONE
» » i » *
THE RECREATION, SPORTS AND CULTURAL AFFAIRS COMMITTEE OF THE TAI PO DISTRICT BOARD WILL MEET ON WEDNESDAY (NOVEMBER 9) TO STUDY THE FEASIBILITY OF DEVELOPING THE SAI KUNG NORTH REGION INTO A MAJOR RECREATIONAL ZONE.
IN CONNECTION WITH THIS DISCUSSION, MEMBERS WILL ALSO NOTE THE EXISTING AND PLANNED PROVISION OF RECREATION, SPORTS AND CULTURAL FACILITIES IN THE REGION.
/OTHER ITEMS
MONDAY, NOVEMBER 7, 1988
OTHER ITEMS ON THE AGENDA INCLUDE A REPORT BY THE WORKING GROUP ON THE RECREATION, SPORTS AND CULTURAL FACILITIES IN TAI PO AND THE COMMUNITY ACTIVITIES PLANNED BY GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENT FOR THE DISTRICT IN NOVEMBER AND DECEMBER.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE MEETING OF THE RECREATION, SPORTS AND CULTURAL AFFAIRS COMMITTEE OF THE TAI PO DISTRICT BOARD AT 2.30 PM IN THE CONFERENCE ROOM OF THE TAI PO DISTRICT BOARD SECRETARIAT ON THE THIRD FLOOR OF TAI PO COMMERCIAL CENTRE, 152 KWONG FUK ROAD ON WEDNESDAY (NOVEMBER 9).
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NORTH DB COMMITTEE TO CONSIDER PROVIDING LIGHTING FACILITIES t ♦ t ♦ *
MEMBERS OF THE NORTH DISTRICT BOARD’S ENVIRONMENTAL IMPROVEMENT COMMITTEE WILL MEET TOMORROW (TUESDAY) TO DISCUSS A PROPOSAL TO PROVIDE LIGHTING FACILITIES FOR SIX ENDORSED PROJECTS IN THE DISTRICT.
TO UPGRADE THE STANDARD OF THESE PROJECTS, IT IS PROPOSED THAT FLOODLIGHT SHOULD BE INSTALLED AT A BASKETBALL COURT IN TA KWU LING AND LIGHTING BE PROVIDED FOR FIVE SITTING-OUT AREAS IN FANLING, SHA TAU KOK AND TA KWU LING.
MEMBERS WILL ALSO CONSIDER RECONSTRUCTING A FOOTPATH IN THE OUTLYING ISLAND OF KAT O, SHA TAU KOK.
OTHER ITEMS ON THE AGENDA INCLUDE SITUATION REPORTS ON PROJECTS OF LOCAL PUBLIC WORKS, MINOR ENVIRONMENTAL IMPROVEMENT AND SQUATTER AREA IMPROVEMENT AS WELL AS THE VILLAGE LIGHTING PROGRAMME.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE MEETING OF THE NORTH DISTRICT BOARD’S ENVIRONMENTAL IMPROVEMENT COMMITTEE AT 9.30 AM TOMORROW (TUESDAY) IN THE CONFERENCE ROOM OF THE NORTH DISTRICT OFFICE, JOCKEY CLUB ROAD, FANLING.
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/12........
MONDAY, NOVEMBER 7, 1988
- 12 -
WAN CHAI TRAFFIC AND TRANSPORT COMMITTEE TO MEET
» » * »
THE TRAFFIC AND TRANSPORT COMMITTEE OF THE WAN CHAI DISTRICT BOARD WILL DISCUSS THE REVISED LAYOUT PLAN OF THE FOOTBRIDGE ACCESS TO HENNESSY ROAD AT PERCIVAL STREET SUBMITTED BY THE HIGHWAYS DEPARTMENT AT A MEETING TOMORROW (TUESDAY).
SEVERAL MEMBERS WILL ALSO RAISE QUESTIONS ON THE SERVICE OF GREEN MINI-BUS NO. 14M; ILLEGAL PARKING AT JOHNSTON ROAD NEAR LUARD ROAD, AND TRAFFIC IMPROVEMENT MEASURES IN HAPPY VALLEY AT THE MEETING.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE MEETING OF THE WAN CHAI DISTRICT BOARD’S TRAFFIC AND TRANSPORT COMMITTEE TO BE HELD TOMORROW (TUESDAY) AT 4 PM IN THE CONFERENCE ROOM OF THE WAN CHAI DISTRICT OFFICE, EIGHTH FLOOR, TUNG WAH MANSION, 201 HENNESSY ROAD, HONG KONG.
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CHRISTMAS CELEBRATION PROGRAMME FOR TSUEN WAN » t * * *
THE TSUEN WAN DISTRICT BOARD’S CULTURE AND ENTERTAINMENT COMMITTEE WILL CONSIDER THE BUDGET AND DETAILS OF THE CHRISTMAS CELEBRATION PROGRAMME THIS YEAR AT A MEETING ON WEDNESDAY (NOVEMBER 9) AFTERNOON.
MEMBERS WILL ALSO CONSIDER APPLICATIONS FOR FUNDS FROM THE TSUEN WAN CULTURE AND RECREATION CO-ORDINATION ASSOCIATION, THE PRINCESS ALEXANDRA COMMUNITY CENTRE AND OTHER LOCAL ORGANISATIONS.
PROGRESS REPORTS OF VARIOUS EXECUTIVE COMMITTEES AND WORKING GROUPS WILL ALSO BE PRESENTED AT THE MEETING.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE MEETING OF THE TSUEN WAN DISTRICT BOARDS’S CULTURE AND ENTERTAINMENT COMMITTEE TO BEGIN AT 2.30 PM ON WEDNESDAY (NOVEMBER 9) 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.
MONDAY, NOVEMBER 7, 1988
- 13 -
TEMPORARY URBAN CLEARWAY IN WELLINGTON STREET » » » ♦ *
THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCED THAT WELLINGTON STREET IN CENTRAL BETWEEN HOUSE NOS. 98 AND 114 WILL BE DESIGNATED A 7 AM TO 7 PM DAILY URBAN CLEARWAY FROM 10 AM ON THURSDAY (NOVEMBER 10).
THE RESTRICTION WILL LAST FOR ABOUT TWO WEEKS TO FACILITATE ROAD RECONSTRUCTION WORKS.
NO VEHICLES EXCEPT FRANCHISED BUSES WILL BE ALLOWED TO STOP FOR PASSENGERS OR GOODS THERE.
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TEMPORARY LANE CLOSURES ON LION ROCK TUNNEL ROAD
*****
THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCED THAT TO FACILITATE ROAD MAINTENANCE WORKS, SECTIONS OF LION ROCK TUNNEL ROAD IN SHA TIN WILL BE CLOSED FROM ONE MINUTE PAST MIDNIGHT TO 6 AM ON THE FOLLOWING DATES:
* NOVEMBER 9 - FAST LANE OF LION ROCK TUNNEL ROAD NORTHBOUND BETWEEN LION ROCK TUNNEL TOLL PLAZA AND HUNG MUI KUK INTERCHANGE.
* NOVEMBER 16 - FAST LANE OF LION ROCK TUNNEL ROAD NORTHBOUND BETWEEN HUNG MUI KUK INTERCHANGE AND SUN TIN WAI ESTATE.
* NOVEMBER 23 - SLOW LANE OF LION ROCK TUNNEL ROAD NORTHBOUND BETWEEN LION ROCK TUNNEL TOLL PLAZA AND HUNG MUI KUK INTERCHANGE.
♦ NOVEMBER 30 - SLOW LANE OF LION ROCK TUNNEL ROAD NORTHBOUND BETWEEN HUNG MUI KUK INTERCHANGE AND SUN TIN WAI ESI ATE.
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/14........
MONDAY, NOVEMBER 7, 1988
- 14 -
INTERRUPTION TO FRESH WATER SUPPLY
*****
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE WATER SUPPLIES DEPARTMENT TODAY (MONDAY) ANNOUNCED THE FOLLOWING DISRUPTIONS TO FRESH WATER SUPPLY DUE TO WATER WORKS:
* THE SUPPLY TO PREMISES IN THE AREA BOUNDED BY AUSTIN ROAD, NATHAN ROAD, SALISBURY ROAD AND CHEONG WAN ROAD IN TSIM SHA TSUI WILL EXPERIENCE WEAK WATER PRESSURE BETWEEN 8 PM TODAY (MONDAY) (NOVEMBER 7) AND 7 AM ON TUESDAY.
* THE SUPPLY TO ALL BLOCKS OF CHOI HUNG ESTATE WILL BE CUT OFF
BETWEEN 11 PM ON THURSDAY (NOVEMBER 10) TO 6 AM THE NEXT DAY.
« THE SUPPLY TO PREMISES AT 66-82 GLOUCESTER ROAD, 99-123 AND
94-122 JAFFE ROAD, 87-147 AND 88-148 LOCKHART ROAD,
18-20 LUARD ROAD, 87-147 HENNESSY ROAD AND 2A-34 O’BRIEN ROAD WILL BE SUSPENDED FROM 11 PM ON FRIDAY (NOVEMBER 11) TO 6 AM THE NEXT DAY.
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WATER STORAGE FIGURE *****
STORAGE IN HONG KONG’S RESERVOIRS AT 9 AM TODAY (MONDAY) STOOD AT 42.3 PER CENT OF CAPACITY OR 247.858 MILLION CUBIC METRES.
THIS TIME LAST YEAR THE RESERVOIRS CONTAINED 394.689 MILLION CUBIC METRES OF WATER, REPRESENTING 67.3 PER CENT OF CAPACITY.
- - 0 - -
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE. HONG KONG. TEL.: 5-8428777
TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 8, 1988
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
HK PLAYS VITAL PaRT Di GATT GROUP ...................... 1
LINK BETWEEN INDUSTRY AND HIGHER EDUCATION EMPHASISED .. 2
TRIANGULhR LDIK OFFERS GOLDEN OPPORTUNITY FOR TRADE..... 5
SNA ASSURES CHICAGO DiVESTORS ABOUT HK MARKETS.......... 4
PRICE, VOLUME MOVEMENTS OF EXTERNAL TRADE DI AUGUST .... 5
LEGCO TO DEBATE GOVERNOR'S ADDRESS ..................... 10
CENTRAL KOWLCON TRAFFIC STUDY COFMISSIONED ............. 10
NEw BUS SERVICE FOR CHINA FERRY TERMINAL................ 11
CLOSURE OF ILLEGAL STRUCTURES SOUGHT ................... 12
U.S. STUDY TOUR FOR LEADING FISHERMEN .................. 12
COMMITTEE TO DISCUSS ASBESTOS IN PUBLIC HOUSING ........ 1J
BEAUTIFYING CENTRAL WALKWAYS ........................... 14
FIGHT CRIME Sj-UINaR IN SAI KUNG DISTRICT .............. 14
RESIDENTS TO DISCUSS DISTRICT MATTERS .................. 15
COMPETITIONS TO PROMOTE CIVIC EDUCATION ................ 16
APPLICATIONS INVITED FOR TOURISM TRAINING COURSES ...... 17
TEMPORARY Lu'JJE CLOSURE ON LION ROCK TUNNEL RO..D...... 17
TEMPORARY URBAN CLEARWAYS IN WESTERN DISTRICT .......... 18
URBjLN CLEaRWAYS IN YUEN LONG .......................... 18
master classes and concert by renoi/ned Chinese musicians .. 19
INTERRUPTION TO FRESH W-.TER SUPPLY .................... 19
TUESDAY. NOVEMBER 8, 1988
HK PLAYS VITAL. PART IN GATT GROUP * t t » t
A HONG KONG TRADE OFFICIAL IS IN GENEVA THIS WEEK TO CHAIR A MEETING OF AN IMPORTANT GROUP INVOLVED IN LAYING THE GROUNDWORK FOR THE FUTURE WORLD INTERNATIONAL TRADING SYSTEM.
THE DEPUTY SECRETARY FOR TRADE AND INDUSTRY, MR MICHAEL CARTLAND, IS CHAIRING A MEETING OF THE NEGOTIATING GROUP LOOKING AT SUBSIDIES AND COUNTERVAILING DUTIES AS PART OF THE URUGUAY ROUND OF TALKS UNDER THE GENERAL AGREEMENT ON TARIFFS AND TRADE (GATT).
COMPLICATED NEGOTIATIONS WERE INVOLVED BEFORE THE GATT NATIONS AGREED TO THE CHAIRMANSHIPS OF THE 14 GROUPS ESTABLISHED TO COVER A WHOLE RANGE OF SUBJECTS.
THE FACT THAT HONG KONG CHAIRED SUCH AN IMPORTANT GROUP WAS AN INDICATION THAT IT WAS WELL REGARDED AND WAS SEEN AS BEING IMPARTIAL ON MANY ISSUES, MR CART!AND SAID.
"SUBSIDIES HAS BEEN AN AREA OF MUCH DISPUTE OVER THE YEARS, IT CONTAINS SOME FAIRLY INTRACTABLE PROBLEMS," HE SAID.
"SUBSIDY WARS MAY BREAK OUT BETWEEN LARGE NATIONS OR GROUPS BUT THESE ALSO CREATE PROBLEMS FOR SMALLER SUPPLIES WHO ARE DISPLACED FROM THESE MARKETS AND FROM THIRD COUNTRY MARKETS."
MR CARTLAND EXPLAINED THAT THE GROUP WAS LOOKING AT BOTH SUBSIDIES, AND AT COUNTERVAILING DUTIES WHICH WERE USED BY NATIONS TO COUNTER THE EFFECTS OF SUBSIDIES BY OTHERS. THE GROUP HAD BEEN MEETING REGULARLY OVER THE PAST TWO YEARS AND THIS WEEK’S MEETING WAS THE FIFTH THIS YEAR.
"THE MAIN PURPOSE THIS WEEK IS TO REACH AGREEMENT ON A GROUP REPORT WHICH, ALONG WITH THE REPORTS OF THE OTHER GROUPS, WILL BE SENT TO THE MONTREAL MID-TERM REVIEW OF THE URUGUAY ROUND IN DECEMBER," HE SAID.
EACH OF THE GROUPS WORKED OUT A NEGOTIATING PLAN AT THE START OF THE ROUND.
THE SUBSIDIES GROUP STARTED ITS WORK BY EXAMINING ALL THE BACKGROUND MATERIAL AND TAKING SUBMISSIONS FROM DELEGATIONS, AS WE'.J. BACKGROUND MATERIAL AND TAKING SUBMISSIONS FROM DELEGATIONS, AS WEL
"NOW THE GROUP HAS IDENTIFIED FROM THIS MATERIAL A COMPEMDH OF ISSUES FOR NEGOTIATION," MR CARTLAND SAID.
"DURING THIS WEEK’S MEETING WE WILL BE DRAWING UP A REPORT IN WHICH WE WILL STATE FACTUALLY WHAT WE HAVE DONE SO FAR AND HOW WE WILL PROCEED IN THE NEXT TWO YEARS WHEN WE WILL ENGAGE IN TUI SUBSTANTIVE NEGOTIATIONS.
/"THE DIFFICULTY
TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 8t 1988
2 -
’’THE DIFFICULTY IS THAT SOME OF THE PARTIES INVOLVED IN THE NEGOTIATIONS HAVE DIAMETRICALLY OPPOSED VIEWS.
"IT IS DIFFICULT TO DEMONSTRATE PROGRESS WHEN CONSTANTLY TRYING TO SQUARE OPPOSING POSITIONS - BUT AS LONG AS THE SEARCH FOR NEGOTIATED SOLUTIONS CONTINUES, THE DANGER OF DAMAGING UNILATERAL TRADE ACTION IS REDUCED.
"THIS IS ONE OF THE MAJOR FUNCTIONS AND BENEFITS OF THE MULTILATERAL PROCESS."
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LINK BETWEEN INDUSTRY AND HIGHER EDUCATION EMPHASISED * ♦ * * *
THE GOVERNMENT HOPES TO FOSTER CLOSER LINKS BETWEEN INDUSTRY AND THE INSTITUTIONS OF HIGHER EDUCATION BECAUSE OF THE NEED FOR A GREATER EMPHASIS ON THE USE OF TECHNOLOGY IN INDUSTRY, THE DIRECTOR OF INDUSTRY, MR K.Y. YEUNG SAID TODAY (TUESDAY).
SPEAKING AT THE OPENING OF A NEW PLANT OF CHIAPHUA-SHINKO COPPER ALLOY CO. LTD., MR YEUNG SAID THE EXPERT KNOWLEDGE EMBEDDED IN THE TERTIARY INSTITUTIONS NEEDS TO BE HARNESSED TO HELP INDUSTRY MAKE THE TRANSITION FROM LABOUR INTENSIVE TO TECHNOLOGY INTENSIVE MANUFACTURING.
"INDEED ONE OF THE PRIMARY REASONS FOR THE CHOICE OF JUNK BAY AS THE SITE FOR THE THIRD INDUSTRIAL ESTATE WAS THE CLOSE PROXIMITY OF THE NEW UNIVERSITY OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY.
"THE GOVERNMENT IS ALSO EXPLORING WAYS TO IMPROVE THE OPPORTUNITIES FOR CONTRACT RESEARCH TO BE CARRIED OUT BY THE TERTIARY INSTITUTIONS ON BEHALF OF INDUSTRY.
"ANOTHER OPTION BEING CONSIDERED IS THE ESTABLISHMENT OF SCIENCE PARKS AND TECHNOLOGY CENTRES WHERE BRIGHT IDEAS CAN, BY COOPERATION BETWEEN THE TERTIARY INSTITUTIONS AND INDUSTRIALISTS, BE TURNED INTO PRACTICAL WORTHWHILE PRODUCTS OR PROCESSES.
"IT IS POSSIBLE THAT, IN THE LONGER TERM, THERE MAY BE SCOPE FOR A SCIENCE PARK OR TECHNOLOGY CENTRE TO BE LOCATED IN JUNK BAY."
TURNING TO THE RECENT MOVEMENT OF LABOUR INTENSIVE MANUFACTURING OPERATIONS TO CHINA, MR YEUNG POINTED OUT THAT IF THE TREND CONTINUED, IT WOULD POSE A CHALLENGE FOR LOCAL MANUFACTURERS IN THE LONGER TERM.
"HONG KONG’S INDUSTRIES MUST UPGRADE TO COMPETE FOR A GREATER SHARE OF THE EXPANDING PROFITS THAT ARE BEING MADE BY OTHER REGIONAL MANUFACTURERS OF HIGHER PRICED AND MORE TECHNOLOGY INTENSIVE PRODUCTS," HE SAID.
------0------- /5.....................
TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 8, 1988
TRIANGULAR LINK OFFERS GOLDEN OPPORTUNITY FOR TRADE
*****
THE TRIANGULAR LINK BETWEEN AUSTRALIA, HONG KONG AND CHINA OFFERS A GOLDEN OPPORTUNITY FOR TRADE, THE DEPUTY DIRECTOR OF INDUSTRY, MR ANDREW LEUNG, SAID IN MELBOURNE YESTERDAY (MONDAY).
MR LEUNG SAID THE LINK FORMED A GOLDEN TRIANGLE FOR TRADE, CUTTING ACROSS THE ASIA-PACIFIC REGION WHICH WAS ONE OF THE MOST ECONOMICALLY VIBRANT REGIONS OF THE WORLD.
IN ADDITION, THE REGION WAS HEADING TOWARDS AN EVEN MORE PROMINENT POSITION IN WORLD TRADE BY THE YEAR 2000, MR LEUNG SAID IN AN ADDRESS TO THE HONG KONG-AUSTRALIA BUSINESS ASSOCIATION.
DURING HIS WEEK-LONG VISIT TO AUSTRALIA, MR LEUNG IS MEETING REPRESENTATIVES FROM A NUMBER OF TRADE AND INDUSTRIAL ORGANISATIONS, INCLUDING THE AUSTRALIAN CHAMBER OF MANUFACTURERS AND THE CANBERRA DEVELOPMENT BOARD.
HE DESCRIBED HONG KONG AS AN IDEAL LOCATION FOR AUSTRALIAN BUSINESSMEN TO SET UP A MANUFACTURING BASE, WITHIN EASY REACH OF THEIR MAJOR EXPORTING DESTINATIONS SUCH AS JAPAN, CHINA, SOUTH KOREA AND TAIWAN.
"TAKING INTO ACCOUNT THE IMPORTANT ASIA-PACIFIC MARKET FOR AUSTRALIA AND THE ALREADY WELL-ESTABLISHED AUSTRALIAN PRESENCE IN HONG KONG IN OTHER AREAS OF BUSINESS, THERE ARE REAL PROSPECTS FOR MORE AUSTRALIAN MANUFACTURERS TO SET UP OPERATION," HE SAID.
MR LEUNG EMPHASISED THAT HONG KONG BELIEVED IN FREE TRADE AND A FREE ECONOMY AS THE CORNERSTONE OF ITS ECONOMIC SUCCESS AND THE GOVERNMENT HAD SUPPORTED INDUSTRY IN TWO MAIN AREAS, NAMELY INFRASTRUCTURAL AND DEVELOPMENTAL.
"IN LINE WITH CREATING A FAVOURABLE INFRASTRUCTURE, THE GOVERNMENT CONSTANTLY IMPROVED THE FRAMEWORK WITHIN WHICH MANUFACTURING ENTERPRISE CAN OPERATE SUCESSFULLY AND BECOME MORE COMPETITIVE," HE ADDED.
HE ALSO SAID THAT AS CHINA’S INDUSTRIALISATION GATHERED PACE, THE SYMBIOTIC RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN HONG KONG AND CHINA NOT ONLY REINFORCED HONG KONG'S POSITION AS A MAJOR INTERNATIONAL FINANCIAL AND COMMERICAL CENTRE BUT ALSO UNDERLAY ITS DEVELOPMENT IN SUCH TYPES OF MANUFACTURING AS THOSE INVOLVING HIGH QUALITY, HIGH VALUE-ADDED AND CAPITAL AND TECHNOLOGY INTENSIVE PROCESSES.
"FOR THIS DEVELOPMENT, HONG KONG OFFERS AN EXCELLENT INFRASTRUCTURE. AUSTRALIAN ENTERPRENEURS ARE WELL-PLACED IN TERMS OF GEOGRAPHY, TECHICAL EXPERTISE, AND EXPERIENCE OF OPERATING IN HONG KONG TO GRASP THE BUSINESS OPPORTUNITIES," HE SAID.
/TURNING TO
TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 8, 1988
TURNING TO HONG KONG’S FUTURE, MR LEUNG SAID THAT THE SINO-BRITISH JOINT DECLARATION PRESERVED THE ESSENTIAL INGREDIENTS WHICH ACCOUNTED FOR THE TERRITORY’S SUCCESS AS A LEADING INTERNATIONAL FINANCIAL, COMMERCIAL AND MANUFACTURING CENTRE.
MR LEUNG WILL ALSO GIVE AN ADDRESS TO THE HONG KONG-AUSTRAL'A BUSINESS ASSOCIATION IN SYDNEY TOMORROW.
-------o----------
SMA ASSURES CHICAGO INVESTORS ABOUT HK MARKETS * » » * »
SECRETARY FOR MONETARY AFFAIRS, DAVID NENDICK, YESTERDAY (MONDAY) ASSURED A GROUP OF LEADING CHICAGO BUSINESSMEN THAT REFORMS IN THE SECURITIES AND FUTURES MARKETS WHICH HAD BEEN INSTITUTED SINCE THE WORLDWIDE STOCK MARKET CRASH LAST YEAR, MADE IT EXTREMELY UNLIKELY THAT A REPETITION OF EVENTS THAT FORCED THE CLOSURE OF THE HONG KONG STOCK MARKET WOULD EVER OCCUR AGAIN.
SPEAKING BEFORE AN AUDIENCE OF THE MID-AMERICA COMMITTEE, A GROUP COMPRISING THE CHIEF EXECUTIVES OF LEADING MIDWESTERN UNITED STATES MULTINATIONAL COMPANIES, MR NENDICK OUTLINED THE VARIOUS MEASURES ALREADY ADOPTED, OR WHICH WERE IN THE COURSE OF BEING IMPLEMENTED, FOLLOWING THE REPORT OF THE SECURITIES REVIEW COMMITTEE PUBLISHED LAST JUNE.
THESE INCLUDED THE RECONSITUTION OF THE STOCK EXCHANGE COMMITTEE AND INTERNAL MANAGEMENT STRUCTURE, FORTHCOMING CHANGES AT THE FUTURES EXCHANGE AND THE NEW AUTONOMOUS SUPERVISORY STRUCTURE NOW BEING PUT INTO PLACE BY THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT.
TRACING THE BACKGROUND TO LAST OCTOBER’S CLOSURE OF THE MARKETS IN HONG KONG, MR NENDICK NOTED THAT SINCE THE UNIFIED STOCK EXCHANGE BEGAN OPERATING IN APRIL 1986 ITS TRADING VOLUME HAD INCREASED 20-FOLD AND MARKET CAPITALISATION INCREASED TWO-AND-A-HALF TIMES UP TO OCTOBER 1987.
HE ESTIMATED FOREIGN INVESTMENT IN THE HONG KONG STOCK EXCHANGE HAD CLIMED TO MORE THAN HALF OF THIS TOTAL.
HE ALSO POINTED OUT THAT TRADING OF THE HANG SENG STOCK INDEX FUTURES ON THE HONG KONG FUTURES EXCHANGE HAD BECOME THE WORLD’S MOST ACTIVELY TRADED SUCH CONTRACT OUTSIDE OF ITS EQUIVALENT IN CHICAGO.
"FRANKLY, THE REGULATORY ENVIRONMENT AND STRUCTURE OF OUR MARKETS COULD NOT KEEP PACE WITH THESE CHANGES," HE SAID.
/"FURTHER, THERE
TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 8, 1988
- 5 -
« "FURTHER, THERE WAS SUCH A BACKLOG OF SETTLEMENTS DURING THE CRASH THAT IT WAS DECIDED THAT A BREATHER WAS REQUIRED. IT WAS THEN
THAT THE PROBLEMS OF THE FUTURES MARKET--BASICALLY, IT WAS
TECHNICALLY INSOLVENT--BECAME APPARENT."
MR NENDICK OUTLINED THE MEASURES AND THE RESCUE PACKAGE THAT
THE GOVERNMENT PUT TOGETHER TO SAVE THE MARKETS FOR HONG KONG’S LONG
TERM FUTURE AS A MAJOR INTERNATIONAL FINANCIAL CENTER.
HE DESCRIBED THE BANK OF CHINA’S PARTICPATION IN THE RESCUE PACKAGE AS A REFLECTION OF CHINA’S COMMITMENT TO HONG KONG AND PARTICULARY TO HONG KONG AS AN INTERNATIONAL FINANCIAL CENTER.
EARLIER IN THE DAY, MR NENDICK VISITED THE CHICAGO BOARD OF TRADE WHERE HE WAS TAKEN ON A TOUR OF THE TRADING FLOOR BY LAWRENCE C. DORF, A MANAGING DIRECTOR OF THE BOARD OF TRADE.
HE ALSO HELD DISCUSSIONS WITH OTHER SENIOR OFFICIALS AT THE BOARD OF TRADE INCLUDING THE DIRECTOR OF ECONOMIC ANALYSIS AND PLANNING, MR THOMAS C. COLEMAN.
IN THE AFTERNOON, MR NENDICK ALSO HELD DISCUSSIONS WITH THE BRITISH CONSUL GENERAL IN CHICAGO, MR RAY MINGAY, AND LATER IN THE EVENING HE WAS THE GUEST OF HONOUR AT A DINNER HOSTED BY THE NORTHERN TRUST BANK AND ATTENDED BY A GROUP OF SENIOR CORPORATE AND BUSINESS EXECUTIVES.
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PRICE, VOLUME MOVEMENTS OF EXTERNAL TRADE IN AUGUST
*****
GREW BY 8 PER MONTHS OF 1988 TO STATISTICS DEPARTMENT.
THE VOLUME OF DOMESTIC EXPORTS AND RE-EXPORTS CENT AND 43 PER CENT RESPECTIVELY IN THE FIRST EIGHT AS COMPARED WITH THE SAME PERIOD LAST YEAR, ACCORDING RELEASED TODAY (TUESDAY) BY THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS
TAKING THEM TOGETHER, THERE WAS AN OVERALL INCREASE OF 25 PER CENT IN THE VOLUME OF TOTAL EXPORTS. IMPORTS ALSO INCREASED BY 25 PER CENT IN VOLUME TERMS.
THE GROWTH IN THE VOLUME OF TRADE IS DERIVED FROM THE GROWTH IN TRADE VALUES, HAVING DISCOUNTED THE EFFECT OF PRICE CHANGES.
AS REGARDS PRICE CHANGES OVER THE SAME THE PRICES OF DOMESTIC EXPORTS AND RE-EXPORTS WHILE THOSE OF IMPORTS ROSE BY I PER CENT. AS TRADE INDEX (EXPRESSED AS A RATIO OF TOTAL IMPORT PRICE INDEX) DROPPED BY 1 PER CENT.
PERIOD OF COMPARISON, BOTH ROSE BY 3 PER CENT, A RESULT, THE TERMS OF EXPORT PRICE INDEX TO
/PRICES ARE .......
TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 8, 1988
PRICES ARE BASED ON UNIT VALUES WHICH DO NOT TAKE INTO ACCOUNT CHANGES IN THE COMPOSITION OR QUALITY OF GOODS TRADED, EXCEPT FOR SOME SELECTED COMMODITIES FOR WHICH SPECIFICATION PRICE INDEXES ARE AVAILABLE.
COMPARING THE MONTH OF AUGUST 1988 WITH AUGUST 1987, THE VOLUME OF DOMESTIC EXPORTS AND RE-EXPORTS INCREASED BY 10 PER CENT AND 53 PER CENT RESPECTIVELY. HENCE, TAKING DOMESTIC EXPORTS AND RE-EXPORTS TOGETHER, TOTAL EXPORTS GREW BY 30 PER CENT IN VOLUME TERMS. IMPORT VOLUME INCREASED BY 32 PER CENT.
DURING THE SAME PERIOD OF COMPARISON, THE PRICES OF DOMESTIC EXPORTS AND RE-EXPORTS ROSE BY 1 PER CENT AND 3 PER CENT RESPECTIVELY. PRICES OF IMPORTS ROSE BY 1 PER CENT.
THE CHANGES IN THE VALUE, UNIT VALUE AND VOLUME OF DOMESTIC EXPORTS BY COMMODITY GROUP FOR AUGUST 1988 AS COMPARED WITH AUGUST 1987 ARE SHOWN IN TABLE 1. %
AS CAN BE SEEN FROM TABLE 1, THE DOMESTIC EXPORT VOLUME OF MANY COMMODITY GROUPS INCREASED IN AUGUST 1988 COMPARED WITH AUGUST 1987.
I
THESE INCLUDED ELECTRONIC COMPONENTS (+53 PER CENT); METAL MANUFACTURES (+31 PER CENT); WATCHES AND CLOCKS (+19 PER CENT); TEXTILE MADE-UPS AND RELATED ARTICLES (+15 PER CENT); TEXTILE YARN AND THREAD (+11 PER CENT); AND FOOTWEAR (+4 PER CENT).
HOWEVER, DECREASES IN DOMESTIC EXPORT VOLUME WERE RECORDED IN RADIOS OF ALL KINDS (-35 PER CENT); DOMESTIC ELECTRICAL APPLIANCES (-10 PER CENT); TRAVEL GOODS, HANDBAGS AND SIMILAR ARTICLES (-9 PER CENT); TEXTILE FABRICS (-8 PER CENT); METAL ORES AND SCRAP (-3 PER CENT); AND CLOTHING (-1 PER CENT).
PRICES OF DOMESTIC EXPORTS OF MANY COMMODITY GROUPS INCREASED (N AUGUST 1988 COMPARED WITH AUGUST 1987.
THESE INCLUDED METAL MANUFACTURES (+5 PER CENT); DOMESTIC ELECTRICAL APPLIANCES (+4 PER CENT); METAL ORES AND SCRAP (+4 PER CENT); TEXTILE MADE-UPS AND RELATED ARTICLES (+4 PER CENT); WATCHES AND CLOCKS (+3 PER CENT); AND FOOTWEAR (+1 PER CENT).
HOWEVER, DECREASES IN DOMESTIC EXPORT PRICES WERE RECORDED IN ELECTRONIC COMPONENTS (-5 PER CENT); TRAVEL GOODS, HANDBAGS AND SIMILAR ARTICLES (-4 PER CENT); RADIOS OF ALL KINDS (-2 PER CENT); AND TEXTILE YARN AND THREAD (-1 PER CENT). PRICES OF CLOTHING AND TEXTILE FABRICS REMAINED UNCHANGED.
THE CHANGES IN THE VALUE, UNIT VALUE AND VOLUME OF IMPORTS BY END-USE CATEGORY FOR AUGUST 1988 AS COMPARED WITH AUGUST 1987 ARE SHOWN IN TABLE 2.
/AS PRESENTED
TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 8, 1988
AS PRESENTED IN TABLE 2, IMPORTED FOODSTUFFS INCREASED BY 14 PER CENT IN VOLUME TERMS IN AUGUST 1988 COMPARED WITH AUGUST 1987.
SIGNIFICANT GROWTH WAS RECORDED IN TEA AND COFFEE; AND WHEAT AND FLOUR. HOWEVER, DECREASES IN IMPORT VOLUME WERE REGISTERED FOR SOYA BEAN OIL, PEANUT OIL AND LARD; AND CEREALS AND CEREAL PREPARATIONS OTHER THAN RICE, WHEAT. AND FLOUR.
OVER THE SAME PERIOD, THE IMPORT VOLUME OF CONSUMER GOODS INCREASED BY 35 PER CENT. THE COMMODITY ITEMS WITH MORE SUBSTANTIAL INCREASES INCLUDED PASSENGER MOTOR CARS; AND RADIOS, TELEVISION SETS, GRAMOPHONES, RECORDS, TAPE RECORDERS AND AMPLIFIERS. A DECREASE IN IMPORT VOLUME WAS RECORDED IN ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES.
THE IMPORT VOLUME OF RAW MATERIALS AND SEMI-MANUFACTURES ROSE BY 30 PER CENT IN AUGUST 1988 COMPARED WITH AUGUST 1987.
THE MAJOR INCREASES WERE RECORDED IN SILK FABRICS; BASE METALS OTHER THAN IRON AND STEEL; PLASTIC MOULDING MATERIALS; AND THERMIONIC CATHODE VALVES AND TUBES, DIODES, TRANSISTORS AND ELECTRICAL MICROCIRCUITS.
DECREASES IN IMPORT VOLUME WERE NOTED FOR MAN-MADE FIBRES, COTTON YARN AND THREAD; WOOL AND OTHER ANIMAL HAIR; AND RAW COTTON.
IMPORTS OF FUELS INCREASED BY 29 PER CENT IN VOLUME TERMS IN AUGUST 1988 AS COMPARED WITH AUGUST 1987.
IN THE CAPITAL GOODS CATEGORY, THE IMPORT VOLUME INCREASED BY 42 PER CENT IN AUGUST 1988 OVER AUGUST 1987. THERE WERE SUBSTANTIAL INCREASES IN THE IMPORT VOLUME OF CONSTRUCTION MACHINERY; OFFICE MACHINES; AND ELECTRICAL MACHINERY.
IMPORT PRICES OF MOST END-USE CATEGORIES ROSE IN AUGUST 1988 AS COMPARED WITH AUGUST 1987, WITH THE PERCENTAGE INCREASES RANGING FROM 3 PER CENT FOR FOODSTUFFS TO 5 PER CENT FOR CAPITAL GOODS. HOWEVER, PRICES OF IMPORTS OF FUELS DECREASED BY 7 PER CENT.
THE CHANGES IN THE VALUE, UNIT VALUE AND VOLUME OF RE-EXPORTS BY END-USE CATEGORY FOR AUGUST 1988 AS COMPARED WITH AUGUST 1987 ARE SHOWN IN TABLE 3.
AS DEPICTED IN TABLE 3, THE RE-EXPORT VOLUME OF ALL END-USE CATEGORIES INCREASED IN AUGUST 1988 WHEN COMPARED WITH AUGUST 1987, WITH THE PERCENTAGE INCREASE RANGING FROM 38 PER CENT FOR FOODSTUFFS TO 173 PER CENT FOR FUELS.
PRICES OF RE-EXPORTS OF CAPITAL GOODS INCREASED BY 6 PER CENT IN AUGUST 1988 WHEN COMPARED WITH AUGUST 1987. RE-EXPORT PRICES OF RAW MATERIALS AND SEMI-MANUFACTURES INCREASED BY 4 PER CENT. PRICES OF FOODSTUFFS ROSE BY 3 PER CENT, WHILE THOSE OF CONSUMER GOODS INCREASED BY 2 PER CENT. ON THE OTHER HAND, PRICES OF RE-EXPORTS OF FUELS DROPPED BY 18 PER CENT.
/FURTHER DETAILS
TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 8, 1988
- 8
FURTHER DETAILS ARE CONTAINED IN THE AUGUST 1988 ISSUE OF THE "HONG KONG TRADE INDEX NUMBERS" WHICH WILL BE ON SALE AT THE GOVERNMENT PUBLICATIONS CENTRE, GPO BUILDING, CONNAUGHT PLACE, CENTRAL, AROUND NOVEMBER 10 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 ON TRADE INDEXES TO THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT (TEL. 5-8234918).
TABLE 1: INCREASES IN DOMESTIC EXPORTS BY COMMODITY GROUP.
COMPARING AUGUST 1988 WITH AUGUST 1987 COMPARING JAN-AUG 1988 WITH JAN-AUG 1987
COMMODITY GROUP VALUE % UNIT VALUE % VOLUME % VALUE % UNIT VALUE % VOLUME %
CLOTHING -1 ♦ -1 t 3 -3 '
TEXTILE FABRICS -8 ♦ -8 -2 3 -5
TEXTILE YARN AND THREAD 10 -1 11 -4 2 -6
TEXTILE MADE-UPS AND RELATED ARTICLES 20 4 15 1 5 -4
RADIOS OF ALL KINDS -36 -2 -35 -31 2 -32
ELECTRONIC COMPONENTS 46 -5 53 39 -2 41
FOOTWEAR 4 1 4 2 4 -2
METAL MANUFACTURES 38 5 31 29 5 23
METAL ORES AND SCRAP 1 4 -3 22 5 17
WATCHES AND CLOCKS 23 3 19 24 3 21
TRAVEL GOODS, HANDBAGS AND SIMILAR ARTICLES -12 -4 -9 -8 1 -9
DOMESTIC ELECTRICAL APPLIANCES -6 4 -10 2 2 *
ALL COMMODITIES 11 1 10 11 3 8
/NOTES FOR .......
TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 8, 1?88
NOTES FOR TABLES 1 TO 3:
* INSIGNIFICANT, I.E. LESS THAN 0.5 PER CENT
PERCENTAGE CHANGES ARE CALCULATED FROM TRADE INDEXES WITH DECIMAL PLACES. THEY MAY DIFFER FROM THE PERCENTAGE CHANGES COMPUTED DIRECTLY FROM THE ROUNDED FIGURES IN THE PUBLICATION "HONG KONG TRADE INDEX NUMBERS".
TABLE 2: INCREASES IN IMPORTS BY END-USE CATEGORY
END-USE CATEGORY COMPARING AUGUST 1988 WITH AUGUST 1987 UNIT COMPARING JAN-AUG 1988 WITH JAN-AUG 1987
VALUE % UNIT VALUE % VOLUME %
VALUE % VALUE % VOLUME %
FOODSTUFFS 18 3 14 21 3 17
CONSUMER GOODS 10 4 35 34 3 29
RAW MATERIALS AND SEMI-MANUFACTURES 35 4 30 29 5 23
FUELS 19 -7 29 5 ♦ 6
CAPITAL GOODS 49 5 42 37 6 29
ALL COMMODITIES 37 4 32 31 4 25
TABLE 3: INCREASES IN RE-EXPORTS BY END -USE CATEGORY
COMPARING AUGUST 1988 WITH AUGUST 1987 COMPARING JAN-AUG 1988 WITH JAN-AUG 1987
END-USE CATEGORY VALUE % UNIT VALUE % VOLUME % VALUE % UNIT VALUE % VOLUME %
FOODSTUFFS 42 3 38 45 1 43
CONSUMER GOODS 60 2 57 47 2 44
RAW MATERIALS AND SEMI-MANUFACTURES 50 4 45 49 4 42
FUELS 122 -18 173 29 -7 39
CAPITAL GOODS 7 3 6 63 52 4 46
ALL COMMODITIES 57 3 53 48 3 43
0 - _ a. /IO .... • • •
TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 8, 1988
- 10 -
LEGCO TO DEBATE GOVERNOR’S ADDRESS * » t * »
FORTY-FIVE MEMBERS ARE LISTED TO SPEAK IN THE POLICY DEBATE TO BEGIN IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TOMORROW (WEDNESDAY).
THE DEBATE, ON A MOTION OF THANKS FOR THE GOVERNOR'S ANNUAL ADDRESS, WILL CONTINUE ON THURSDAY.
TWENTY-TWO MEMBERS ARE LISTED TO SPEAK TOMORROW AND 23 ON THURSDAY,
THE MOTION, TO BE MOVED BY THE SENIOR MEMBER, THE HON ALLEN LEE, READS: "THAT THIS COUNCIL THANKS THE GOVERNOR FOR HIS ADDRESS".
IN ADDITION, THE HON SZETO WAH WILL ALSO MOVE A MOTION WHICH READS: "THAT THE PERIOD REFERRED TO IN SECTION 34(2) OF THE INTERPRETATION AND GENERAL CLAUSES ORDINANCE FOR AMENDING SUBSIDIARY LEGISLATION LAID ON THE TABLE OF THE COUNCIL BE EXTENDED IN RELATION TO THE FILM CENSORSHIP REGULATIONS 1988 FOR A FURTHER PERIOD OF 21 DAYS UNTIL 30TH NOVEMBER 1988".
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CENTRAL KOWLOON TRAFFIC STUDY COMMISSIONED « » » » »
THE GOVERNMENT HAS COMMISSIONED A STUDY TO ASSESS THE REQUIREMENTS FOR TRANSPORT INFRASTRUCTURE AND TRAFFIC MANAGEMENT SCHEMES IN CENTRAL KOWLOON TO COPE WITH DEVELOPMENTS IN THE AREA.
THE $2.3 MILLION CONTRACT FOR THE STUDY, WHICH WAS AWARDED TO MVA CONSULTANCY, WAS SIGNED TODAY (TUESDAY) BY THE DEPUTY COMMISSIONER FOR TRANSPORT, MR RICHARD SCURFIELD, AND A REPRESENTATIVE OF THE CONSULTANCY, MR FRED BROWN.
THE STUDY AREA COVERS THE WHOLE OF CENTRAL KOWLOON WHICH EXTENDS EAST TO THE COASTLINE; NORTH TO BOUNDARY STREET LINKING WITH OLYMPIC AVENUE AND SUNG WONG TOI ROAD; AND WEST TO KCR LINE INCLUDING THE HUNG HOM INTERCHANGE AND THE KOWLOON STATION.
THE STUDY ALSO AIMS AT DEVELOPING A SUB-REGIONAL TRAFFIC MODEL FOR FUTURE UPDATING OF TRAFFIC CIRCULATION AND FORMULATION OF NEW IMPROVEMENT MEASURES. IT WILL COVER THE DESIGN YEARS OF 1991 AND 1996.
THE STUDY WILL START IN THE MIDDLE OF NOVEMBER AND WILL TAKE ABOUT ONE YEAR TO COMPLETE.
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/11
TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 8, 1988
11
NEW BUS SERVICE FOR CHINA FERRY TERMINAL • " A NEW CIRCULAR COACH SERVICE WILL BE INTRODUCED TO TIE IN WITH THE OPERATION OF THE NEW CHINA FERRY TERMINAL, A SPOKESMAN FOR THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT SAID TODAY (TUESDAY).
THE NEW SERVICE, WHICH WILL COME INTO OPERATION ON NOVEMBER 16 (WEDNESDAY) AT THE LATEST, WILL LINK THE NEW CHINA FERRY TERMINAL WITH THE JORDAN ROAD BUS TERMINUS, THE TSIM SHA TSUI MTR STATION AND THE STAR FERRY BUS TERMINUS.
THE CIRCULAR ROUTE WILL OPERATE FROM 6.30 AM TO 10.30 PM DAILY AT A 12-MINUTE FREQUENCY. THE FARE WILL BE $1.50 PER SINGLE JOURNEY.
IN ADDITION, A NEW BUS STOP IN CANTON ROAD, OUTSIDE THE TERMINAL, WILL BE DESIGNATED FOR THE EXISTING BUS ROUTE 8A WHICH OPERATES BETWEEN JORDAN ROAD FERRY AND WHAMPOA GARDENS. THE BUS STOP WILL COME INTO OPERATION NEXT MONDAY.
MEANWHILE, THE TRANSPORT INTERCHANGE INSIDE THE TERMINAL HAS PROVISIONS FOR NON-FRANCHISED COACH SERVICES AND TAXIS TO FACILITATE MOVEMENT OF FERRY PASSENGERS.
THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT WILL MONITOR THE SITUATION CLOSELY AND WILL STRENGTHEN PUBLIC TRANSPORT SERVICES IF NECESSARY, THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT BEGAN IMPLEMENTING A NUMBER OF TRAFFIC MANAGEMENT MEASURES SEVERAL MONTHS AGO TO COPE WITH THE EXPECTED ADDITIONAL TRAFFIC GENERATED BY THE OPENING OF THE FERRY TERMINAL.
IN MAY, THE SECTION OF CANTON ROAD BETWEEN KOWLOON PARK DRIVE AND HAIPHONG ROAD WAS CONVERTED TO ONE-WAY SOUTHBOUND TO ENABLE MOTORISTS TO BECOME FAMILIAR WITH THE NEW TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENT.
IN SEPTEMBER, THE JUNCTION LAYOUT OF CANTON ROAD AND KOWLOON PARK DRIVE WAS MODIFIED, AND A SIGNAL CONTROLLED CROSSING AT THE ACCESS TO THE FERRY TERMINAL WAS INSTALLED TO FACILITATE MOVEMENT OF PEDESTRIAN TRAFFIC.
TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 8, 1988
12 -
CLOSURE OF ILLEGAL STRUCTURES SOUGHT * * * * *
THE BUILDING AUTHORITY IS TO SEEK THE CLOSURE OF ILLEGAL STRUCTURES ON THE MAIN ROOF OF NOS. 24 TO 26, TONKIN STREET, KOWLOON SO THAT THEY CAN BE DEMOLISHED WITHOUT DANGER TO THE OCCUPIERS A'.D THE PUBLIC.
THE CLOSURE IS PART OF AN EXERCISE TO ENFORCE THE ORDERS ISSUED UNDER THE BUILDINGS ORDINANCE IN MAY 1988, MARCH 1988 AND MAY 1985 REQUIRING THE DEMOLITION OF THE ILLEGAL STRUCTURES.
NOTICES OF INTENTION TO APPLY FOR CLOSURE ORDERS FROM THE TSUEN WAN DISTRICT COURT ON MARCH 7, 1989 WERE POSTED ON CONSPICIOUS PARTS OF THE STRUCTURES TODAY (TUESDAY).
IT IS INTENDED THAT THE DEMOLITION WORK WILL BE CARRIED OUT 1MMEDIATEDLY AFTER THE CLOSURE ORDERS ARE OBTAINED.
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U.S. STUDY TOUR FOR LEADING FISHERMEN *****
A GROUP OF 12 LEADING FISHERMEN WILL LEAVE FOR THE UNITED STATES NEXT WEEK TO STUDY THE ADVANCED TECHNOLOGY AND MARKETING SYSTEM OF THEIR AMERICAN COUNTERPARTS.
THEY WILL LEAVE ON MONDAY (NOVEMBER 14) ON AN 11-DAY STUDY TOUR ORGANISED BY THE AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES DEPARTMENT AND THE FISH MARKETING ORGANISATION.
THE STUDY TOUR IS THE SEVENTH ORGANISED SINCE 1981, AND THE FIRST TO THE UNITED STATES.
VISITS WERE MADE EARLIER TO SINGAPORE, SOUTH KOREA, JAPAN, CHINA, UNITED KINGDOM, NORWAY AND AUSTRALIA.
TO MARK THE DEPARTURE OF THE GROUP, THE DIRECTOR OF AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES, DR LAWRENCE LEE, THIS (TUESDAY) MORNING PRESENTED A BANNER TO THE DELEGATION LEADER AT THE DEPARTMENT’S CONFERENCE ROOM.
SPEAKING AT THE CEREMONY, PR LEE SAID THAT THESE TOURS PROVIDED AN OPPORTUNITY FOR LOCAL FISHERMEN TO VISIT OTHER COUNTRIES TO SEE THEIR MODERN FISHING TECHNOLOGIES AND MARKETING SYSTEMS \ND TO EXCHANGE EXPERIENCE WITH THEIR COUNTERPARTS OVERSEAS.
/"I HOPE ......
TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 8, 1988
"I HOPE THAT THEY WILL MAKE GOOD USE OF THIS GAIN UP-TO-DATE FISHING KNOWLEDGE AND TO SHARE THE THEIR FELLOW FISHERMEN WHEN THEY RETURN," HE SAID.
OPPORTUNITY TO
EXPERIENCE WITH
THE DELEGATION WILL VISIT THE OCEANIC INSTITUTE OF HONOLULU, THE HONOLULU FISHERIES LABORATORY AND A WHOLESALE FISH MARKET IN HONOLULU.
THEY WILL ALSO CALL AT THE NATIONAL MARINE FISHERIES SERVICES OFFICE, A FISHERMEN ASSOCIATION, SOME FISHING PORTS AND FISHING GEAR MANUFACTURERS AND SHOPS IN SEATTLE.
IN SAN DIEGO, THE FISHERMEN WILL VISIT FISH FACILITIES AND BOATYARDS AS WELL AS A PACIFIC MARINE EXPO.
PROCESSING
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COMMITTEE TO DISCUSS ASBESTOS IN PUBLIC HOUSING
*****
MEMBERS OF THE KOWLOON CITY DISTRICT BOARD’S ENVIRONMENTAL IMPROVEMENT COMMITTEE WILL MEET TOMORROW (WEDNESDAY) TO DISCUSS THE PRESENCE OF ASBESTOS IN PUBLIC HOUSING.
TWO DISTRICT BOARD MEMBERS - MR CHAN CHI-KWAN AND MRS SO CHIU LAI-CHING WILL ASK DEPARTMENTS CONCERNED TO EXPLAIN THE EFFECTS OF ASBESTOS ON HEALTH AND THE WAYS OF AVOIDING INHALING ASBESTOS FIBRES.
ANOTHER DISTRICT BOARD MEMBER, MS SIU YUEN-SHEUNG, WILL ASK HOW ENVIRONMENTAL AND SAFETY PROBLEMS CAUSED BY "COOLING TOWERS" ATTACHED TO THE EXTERNAL WALLS OF INDUSTRIAL BUILDINGS IN HUNG HOM AREA WILL BE TACKLED.
OTHER ITEMS ON THE AGENDA INCLUDE THE PROVISION OF AN ADDITIONAL RAINSHELTER AT KOWLOON TSAI PARK AND SITTING OUT FACILITIES AT KOWLOON CITY FERRY PIER.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE KOWLOON CITY DISTRICT BOARD'S ENVIRONMENTAL IMPROVEMENT COMMITTEE MEETING TO BEGIN AT 2.15 I'M TOMORROW (WEDNESDAY) IN THE CONFERENCE ROOM OF THE DISTRICT OFFICE, 141 KAU PUT LUNG ROAD, TO KWA WAN.
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/14 .......
TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 8,
1988
14 -
BEAUTIFYING CENTRAL WALKWAYS *****
THE ENVIRONMENT AND WORKS COMMITTEE OF THE CENTRAL AND WESTERN DISTRICT BOARD WILL MEET ON THURSDAY (NOVEMBER 10) TO DISCUSS A MEMBER’S PROPOSAL FOR BEAUTIFYING THE ELEVATED WALKWAY SYSTEM IN CENTRAL WITH MORE PLANTS.
MEMBERS WILL ALSO EXPRESS THEIR VIEWS ON THE QUESTION OF PROVIDING TEMPORARY SITES FOR HAWKERS IN SAI YING PUN MARKET.
THE ISSUE OF THE DRAINAGE AND SEWAGE SYSTEM IN PRIVATE STREETS WILL ALSO BE DISCUSSED AT THE MEETING.
OTHER ITEMS FOR DISCUSSION INCLUDE THE PROPOSED ENVIRONMENTAL IMPROVEMENT PROJECT IN ON WO LAN SITTING-OUT AREA, THE REVISED COST ESTIMATE FOR THE PROVISION OF A WATER POINT AT LUNG WAH LOWER LANE AND THE REPLACEMENT OF THE DISTRICT BOARD’S ’WELCOME’ SIGNBOARD.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE ENVIRONMENT AND WORKS COMMITTEE MEETING OF THE CENTRAL AND WESTERN DISTRICT BOARD WHICH BEGINS 2.30 PM ON THURSDAY (NOVEMBER 10) IN THE CONFERENCE ROOM OF THE DISTRICT BOARD, 14TH FLOOR, HARBOUR BUILDING, 38 PIER ROAD, CENTRAL.
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FIGHT CRIME SEMINAR IN SAI KUNG DISTRICT
*****
RESIDENTS AND REPRESENTATIVES OF VILLAGES, MUTUAL AID COMMITTEES, OWNERS CORPORATIONS AND LOCAL ORGANISATIONS IN THE SAI KUNG DISTRICT WILL ATTEND A FIGHT CRIME SEMINAR ON THURSDAY (NOVEMBER 10).
THE SEMINAR IS ORGANISED BY THE SAI KUNG DISTRICT FIGHT CRIME COMMITTEE WITH THE AIM OF ENHANCING RESIDENTS’ UNDERSTANDING OF CRIME PREVENTION AND ENCOURAGING THEM TO MAINTAIN CLOSER CO-OPERATION WITH THE POLICE.
DURING THE SEMINAR, DIVISIONAL COMMANDER OF SAI KUNG DIVISIONAL POLICE STATION, MR TO KIN-CHUNG AND CRIME PREVENTION OFFICER OF WONG TAI SIN DISTRICT, MR CHEUNG YUK-HUNG WILL BE PRESENT TO BRIEF RESIDENTS ON WAYS TO PREVENT CRIME AND THE PROCEDURES FOR CRIME REPORTING.
THEY WILL ALSO DISCUSS AND EXCHANGE VIEWS WITH RESIDENTS ON THE LATEST CRIME SITUATION IN THE DISTRICT. SLIDES AND VIDEOS WILL BE SHOWN TO SPREAD THE FIGHT CRIME MESSAGE.
THE SEMINAR WILL START AT 8 PM IN THE SAI KUNG DISTRICT BOARD CONFERENCE ROOM, SECOND FLOOR, SAI KUNG GOVERNMENT OFFICES, CHAN MAN STREET, SAI KUNG TOWN.
- O -
TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 8, 1988
- 15 -
RESIDENTS TO DISCUSS DISTRICT MATTERS
*****
THE WONG CHUK HANG AREA COMMITTEE WILL HOLD A SEMINAR ON THURSDAY (NOVEMBER 10) FOR REPRESENTATIVES OF LOCAL RESIDENTS’ ORGANISATIONS TO EXPRESS THEIR VIEWS ON DISTRICT AFFAIRS.
THE SEMINAR, JOINTLY ORGANISED BY THE SOUTHERN DISTRICT OFFICE AND THE AREA COMMITTEE, WILL BE HELD FROM 8.30 PM TO 10.30 PM AT THE TANG SHIU KIN PRIMARY SCHOOL IN WONG CHUK HANG ESTATE.
SOUTHERN ASSISTANT DISTRICT OFFICER, MR DAVID LEUNG, WILL GIVE A SPEECH AT THE OPENING OF THE SEMINAR AND CHAIRMAN OF THE WONG CHUK HANG AREA COMMITTEE, MR KO KAM-CHEUNG, WILL REPORT ON THE WORK OF THE AREA COMMITTEE.
THE SEMINAR WILL ALSO FEATURE A VIDEO PROGRAMME ENTITLED "HAPPY AND SWEET HOME IN SOUTHERN DISTRICT" PRODUCED BY THE SOUTHERN DISTRICT BOARD TO INTRODUCE THE DISTRICT CHARACTERISTICS AND VARIOUS ASPECTS OF THE BOARD’S WORK.
THIS WILL BE FOLLOWED BY GROUP DISCUSSIONS ON TRANSPORT, ENVIRONMENTAL IMPROVEMENT AND COMMUNITY BUILDING MATTERS. ALL THE ISSUES RAISED DURING THE DISCUSSIONS WILL BE NOTED AND FOLLOWED UP BY THE AREA COMMITTEE.
ABOUT 60 REPRESENTATIVES FROM MUTUAL AID COMMITTEES, OWNERS’ CORPORATIONS AND RESIDENTS’ ASSOCIATIONS ARE EXPECTED TO ATTEND THE SEMINAR ALONG WITH REPRESENTATIVES FROM VARIOUS GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS.
ALL RESIDENTS OF THE WONG CHUK HANG AREA ARE ALSO WELCOME TO ATTEND.
A SIMILAR SEMINAR WAS HELD FOR THE WAH FU AREA EARLIER THIS WEEK AND BE ORGANISED FOR THE REMAINING CONSTITUENCIES OF SOUTHERN DISTRICT IN COMING MONTHS TO STRENGTHEN TIES AMONG LOCAL ORGANISATIONS.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO SEND REPRESENTATIVES TO COVER THE SEMINAR WHICH WILL BEGIN AT 8.30 PM ON THURSDAY (NOVEMBER 10) IN TANG SHUI KIN PRIMARY SCHOOL IN WONG CHUK HANG ESTATE.
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TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 8, 1988
16 -
COMPETITIONS TO PROMOTE CIVIC EDUCATION ♦ * * * *
THE WONG TAI SIN WORKING GROUP ON THE PROMOTION OF CIVIC EDUCATION IS ORGANISING PHOTOGRAPHIC, POSTER-DESIGN AND SLOGAN COMPETITIONS WITH THE AIM OF FOSTERING A SPIRIT OF MUTUAL HELP AMONG WONG TAI SIN RESIDENTS.
ENTRY FORMS FOR THE COMPETITIONS ARE NOW AVAILABLE AT THE WONG TAI SIN DISTRICT OFFICE AND ITS SAN PO KONG, CHOI WAN, LOK FU AND TSZ WAN SHAN SUB-OFFICES.
EACH COMPETITION IS DIVIDED INTO TWO SECTIONS - ONE FOR THOSE AGED OVER 21 WHO LIVE OR STUDY IN WONG TAI SIN, AND THE OTHER FOR THOSE BELOW THE AGE OF 21.
EACH SECTION CARRIES THREE PRIZES, AND THE WINNERS AND RUNNERS-UP WILL BE INFORMED INDIVIDUALLY.
ENTRIES FOR THE COMPETITIONS SHOULD BE HANDED IN AT THE WONG TAI SIN DISTRICT OFFICE OR ITS SUB-OFFICES BEFORE DECEMBER 9.
FOR THE POSTER-DESIGN COMPETITION, THE SIZE OF AN ENTRY IS LIMITED TO 38.1 BY 50.8 CENTIMETRES (15 BY 20 INCHES), AND THERE IS NO LIMIT ON THE USE OF COLOURS.
AS REGARDS THE SLOGAN COMPETITION, EACH ENTRY SHOULD CARRY NOT MORE THAN 20 CHINESE CHARACTERS.
PARTICIPANTS IN BOTH COMPETITIONS CANNOT SUBMIT MORE THAN ONE ENTRY.
ENTRIES TO THE PHOTOGRAPHIC COMPETITION MUST BE IN COLOUR PRINTS, AND THEIR SIZES MAY BE IN THE RANGE OF 3R TO 20.32 BY 25.4 CENTIMETRES (EIGHT BY 10 INCHES).
EACH PARTICIPANT MAY NOT SUBMIT MORE THAN TWO ENTRIES.
-----O------
/17.......
TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 8, 1988
- 17 -
APPLICATIONS INVITED FOR TOURISM TRAINING COURSES *****
TOURISM PERSONNEL ARE BEING INVITED TO ENROL IN TWO COURSES TO BE OFFERED BY THE DIVISION OF CONTINUED EDUCATION OF HONG KONG BAPTIST COLLEGE AT THE REQUEST OF THE HOTEL, CATERING AND TOURISM TRAINING BOARD OF THE VOCATIONAL TRAINING COUNCIL.
THE "TRAVEL AGENCY OPERATION AND PROFESSIONAL TOUR GUIDING" COURSE IS DESIGNED FOR NEW ENTRANTS OF THE INDUSTRY. CLASSES WILL BEGIN ON DECEMBER 7 AND MEET EVERY WEDNESDAY AND FRIDAY EVENINGS FOR 25 TIMES.
THE OTHER COURSE IS THE "TRAVEL AGENCY OPERATION AND AIRLINE TICKETING AND TARIFF" WHICH INCLUDES 12 MEETINGS TO BE HELD ON FRIDAY EVENINGS STARTING ON DECEMBER 9.
ALL APPLICATIONS SHOULD HAVE COMPLETED FORM 5 AND BE SPONSORED BY EMPLOYERS.
AN ATTENDANCE CERTIFICATE WILL ALSO BE AWARDED TO SATISFACTORY PARTICIPANTS UPON COMPLETION OF THE COURSES. CLOSING DATE FOR ENROLMENT IS NOVEMBER 29.
FURTHER DETAILS CAN BE OBTAINED FROM THE SECRETARY OF THE BOARD, MISS CHAN, ON 5-8932341, EXT. 282.
--------o ---------
TEMPORARY LANE CLOSURE ON LION ROCK TUNNEL ROAD
*****
TO FACILITATE WATERWORKS, A 120-METRE STRETCH ALONG THE SLOW LANE OF LION ROCK TUNNEL ROAD SOUTHBOUND NEAR SUN TIN WAI ESTATE WILL BE CLOSED FROM 9.30 PM ON THURSDAY (NOVEMBER 10) TO 6 AM THE FOLLOWING DAY, THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCED.
MOTORISTS ARE URGED TO DRIVE WITH CARE AND PATIENCE.
APPROPRIATE TRAFFIC AIDS WILL BE PROVIDED TO GUIDE MOTORISTS.
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/18........
TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 8, 1988
- 18 -
TEMPORARY URBAN CLEARWAYS IN WESTERN DISTRICT * * I * *
THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCED THAT THE FOLLOWING ROAD SECTIONS IN WESTERN DISTRICT WILL BE DESIGNATED URBAN CLEARWAYS FROM 10 AM ON FRIDAY (NOVEMBER 11) TO FACILITATE WATERMAIN DIVERSION WORKS:
♦ THE SOUTHERN KERBSIDE LANE OF CONNAUGHT ROAD WEST BETWEEN EASTERN STREET AND WILMER STREET WILL BECOME A PEAK HOUR (I.E. 7 - 10 AM AND 4-7 PM) DAILY URBAN CLEARWAY FOR ABOUT TWO WEEKS.
* THE NORTHERN KERBSIDE LANE OF CONNAUGHT ROAD WEST FROM ITS JUNCTION WITH WILMER STREET TO A POINT ABOUT 50 METRES WEST OF THE SAME JUNCTION WILL BE MADE 7 AM TO 7 PM DAILY URBAN CLEARWAY FOR ABOUT SIX WEEKS.
NO VEHICLES EXCEPT FRANCHISED BUSES WILL BE ALLOWED TO STOP FOR PASSENGERS OR GOODS WITHIN THE RESTRICTED AREAS.
--------0----------
URBAN CLEARWAYS IN YUEN LONG t * ♦ *
THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCED THAT TWO ROAD SECTIONS IN YUEN LONG WILL BE DESIGNATED 7 AM TO MIDNIGHT DAILY URBAN CLEARWAYS FROM FRIDAY (NOVEMBER 11).
THEY ARE:
* THE SOUTHBOUND CARRIAGEWAY OF KIK YEUNG ROAD FROM ITS JUNCTION WITH CASTLE PEAK ROAD (YUEN LONG) TO A POINT ABOUT 20 METRESNORTH OF THE SAME JUNCTION; AND
* THE NORTHBOUND CARRIAGEWAY OF KIK YEUNG ROAD : POM ITS JUNCTION WITH CASTLE PEAK ROAD (YUEN LONG) TO \ P< 1 ABOUT 90 METRES NORTH OF THE SAME JUNCTION.
NO VEHICLES EXCEPT FRANCHISED BUSES WILL BE ALLOWED IO STOP FOR PASSENGERS OR GOODS WITHIN THE RESTRICTED AREAS.
O
/19
TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 8, 1988
MASTER CLASSES AND CONCERT BY RENOWNED CHINESE MUSICIANS
*****
A SERIES OF MASTER CLASSES ON YANG-QIN, SAN-XIAN, ERHU AND DONG-XIAO WILL BE ORGANISED BY THE MUSIC OFFICE OF THE MUNICIPAL SERVICES BRANCH TO ADD COLOUR TO THE 1988 HONG KONG YOUTH CHINESE FESTIVAL WHICH BEGAN ON SATURDAY (NOVEMBER 5).
THE MASTER CLASSES WILL BE CONDUCTED BY FOUR RENOWNED MUSICIANS FROM CHINA, MR LI XIAO GANG, MR XIAO JIAN SHENG, MR QU AN HUA AND MR SUN GUI SHENG AT VARIOUS MUSIC CENTRES OF THE MUSIC OFFICE TOMORROW (WEDNESDAY) AFTERNOON.
APART FROM CONDUCTING MASTER CLASSES, THE MUSICIANS, TOGETHER WITH THE YOUTH CHINESE ORCHESTRA OF THE MUSIC OFFICE, WILL PERFORM AT THE "JING YING" CONCERT TO BE STAGED AT THE CITY HALL THEATRE AT 8 PM ON THURSDAY (NOVEMBER 10).
THE AUDIENCE WILL BE TREATED TO A SUPERB PROGRAMME INCLUDING COMPOSITIONS SUCH AS "THE GENERAL'S ORDER", "GENTLE BREEZE" AND "SPRING DRIZZLE".
THE MASTER CLASSES ARE OPEN TO THE PUBLIC. ADMISSION IS FREE. A LIMITED NUMBER OF TICKETS FOR THE JING YING CONCERT AT $10 AND $15 EACH ARE NOW AVAILABLE AT ALL URBTIX OUTLETS.
FURTHER ENQUIRIES CAN BE MADE ON 5-283257.
- - 0 -
INTERRUPTION TO FRESH WATER SUPPLY
*****
THE WATER SUPPLIES DEPARTMENT TODAY (TUESDAY) ANNOUNCED THAT SOME PERMISES IN TSIM SHA TSUI WILL BE SUBJECTED TO WEAK WATER PRESSURE FROM 10 PM ON FRIDAY (NOVEMBER 11) TO 7 AM THE NEXT DAY TO FACILITATE WATER WORKS.
THE AFFECTED AREA IS BOUNDED BY AUSTIN ROAD, NATHAN ROAD, SALISBURY ROAD AND CHEONG WAN ROAD.
- 0 -
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE. HONG KONG. TEL: 5-8428777
. : • . •'
WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 9, 1988
• • • • • • » • •
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
LEGISLATIVE CanfCTL MEETING :
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT THE KEY PRIORITY ................... 1
CALL FOR' GOVT TO BE MORE OPEN .......................... 2
EQUAL STATUS FOR CHINESE MEDICAL PRACTICE URGED ......... 4
T
POLICY SPEECH 'DEVOID OF VISION' ........................ 6
DON'T EQUATE EMIGRATION WITH DRAIN DRAIN ................ 10
INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON VR PROBLEM WELCOMED.......... 11
CONCERN OVER RISE IN INFLATION .......................... 1^
SUPPORT FOR TECHNOLOGY COMMITTEE URGED .................. 15
DEPARTMENT ON TOWN PLANNING ADVOCATED ................... 18
LIMITATIONS HAMPER ADVISORY COMMITTEES .................. 19
TECHNOLOGY THE ANSWER TO LABOUR SHORTAGE ................ 21
HK INDUSTRY SHOULD GO HIGH-TECH ......................... 24
■EYE-OPENER' IN MANAGING PUBLIC AFFAIRS ................. 26
22 MEMBERS SPEAK IN LEGCO DEBATE ........................ 27
MOTION OR EXTENSION APPROVED ............................ 28
PROPOSALS ON FOREIGN LAW FIRMS AIMED AT IMPROVEMINTS........ 29
MARINE INTERESTS CONSIDERED AT CRUCIAL PLANNING STaGES: DIRECTOR OF MARINE.......................................... 51
/FREE TRADE .......
FREE TRADE CREATES MORE WEALTH ................................ 33
INCOME LIMITS aND HOME PURCHASE LOAN SCHEME TO BE REVIEWED 34
WHOLESALER FINED 17,000 FOR SELLING CONTAMINATED VEGET.J5LES ................................................. 36
PUBLIC TRjJM'SPORT TO CHIN.-. FERRY TERMINAL STRENGTHENED.... 36
GOVERNMENT L.iND TO LET BY TENDER ............................. 37
1.6 MILLION VOTERS REGISTERED ................................. 38
SOUTHERN DB TO DISCUSS TaXI F..RE INCREASE..................... 39
DB COMMITTEE TO MAKE RECOMMENDATIONS ON TAXI SERVICES ..... 40
HOUSING COMMITTEE TO BE BRIEFED ON REDEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME 40
HEALTH SEMIN.J? FOR REST.JJRaNT WORKERS ...................... 41
DB COMMITTEE TO DISCUSS CIVIC EDUCATION PROGIUulME............. 42
FESTIV.iL FOR THE ELDERLY...................................... 42
COMMITTEE TO DISCUSS COMMUNITY BUILDING PROJECTS .............. 43
NORTH DISTRICT OFFICER BEGINS COURTESY VISITS ................. 43
HKUST .APPOINTMENT TO GENERaL EDUCATION CENTRE ................ 44
TEMPORARY URBAN CLEARWAYS IN EASTERN DISTRICT ................ 45
LEFT-TURN BAN ON CONNaUGHT ROAD CENTRAL........................ 46
WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 9, 1988
ECONOMK DEVELOPMENT lib KEY PRIORITY ♦ t ♦ • t
HONG KONG MUST STEP UP ITS EFFORTS IN MANPOWER TRAINING AND TECHNOLOGY ADVANCEMENT TO COPE WITH AN EMERGING NEW ERA, THE HON ALLEN LEE SAID IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
OPENING THE DEBATE ON HIS MOTION, "THAT THIS COUNCIL THANKS THE GOVERNOR FOR HIS ADDRESS', MR LEE, THESENIOR MEMBER OF THE COUNCIL, LISTED ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AS THE NUMBER ONE PRIORITY FOR HONG KONG.
HE SAID HE HAD NOTICED A NEW TREND IN THE DEVELOPMENT IN HONG KONG’S ECONOMY OVER THE PAST FEW YEARS.
FOR EXAMPLE, THE BASIS OF THE ECONOMY HAD BEGUN TO SHIFT FROM DEPENDING HEAVILY ON EXPORT PERFORMANCE TO A MUCH MORE SERVICE ORIENTED ECONOMY.
THE MANUFACTURING BASE HAD SHIFTED TO THE PEARL RIVER DELTA AREA WITH APPROXIMATELY TWO MILLION WORKERS THERE, COMPARED WITH THE LABOUR FORCE OF 850,000 IN HONG KONG.
MR LEE SAID HE CONSIDERED THIS AS A GOOD MOVE IN THE SHORT TERM BECAUSE IT GAVE HONG KONG A COMPETITIVE EDGE WHILE PROVIDING THE ECONOMY AN OPPORTUNITY TO ADJUST.
IN THE LONGER TERM, HE ENVISAGED THAT THERE WOULD BE FURTHER MOVEMENT OF THE PRODUCTION OF MORE SOPHISTICATED PRODUCTS TO THE MAINLAND AND HONG KONG'S ROLE AS A PRODUCTION CENTRE OF LIGHT INDUSTRIAL GOODS WOULD GRADUALLY BE REDUCED.
HE ALSO EXPECTED TO SEE GROWTH IN HONG KONG'S TERTIARY SERVICES SECTOR IN THE YEARS TO COME.
"IN THE FACE OF THIS TRANSFORMATION, HONG KONG MUST PREPARE ITSELF IN MANPOWER TRAINING AND TECHNOLOGY TO COPE WITH THE NEW ERA AHEAD OF US," HE SAID.
MR LEE EMPHASISED THE IMPORTANCE OF EDUCATION AND TRAINING FOR HONG KONG PEOPLE.
HE MAINTAINED THAT HONG KONG SHOULD PROVIDE AS MANY PLACES AS POSSIBLE FOR ITS YOUNG PEOPLE IN UNIVERSITIES AND POLYTECHNICS.
"WE MUST ALSO BEAR IN MIND THAT WHAT WE NEED IS MORE
SUPERVISORS AND MANAGERS, SALES AND MARKETING SPECIALISTS,
TECHNOLOGISTS AND PROFESSIONALS BECAUSE IF WE ARE TO SUCCEED IN THE
FUTURE DEVELOPMENT OF HONG KONG, WE WILL REQUIRE THESE TALENTS," HE SAID.
HE ALSO SAID THAT HONG KONG MUST INVEST IN THOSE PEOPLE WHO HAD CHOSEN TO MAKE THE PLACE THEIR HOME.
/’’HUMAN RESOURCES.......
WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 9, 1988
- 2 -
’’HUMAN RESOURCES DEVELOPMENT IS A SLOW PROCESS BUT THIS INVESTMENT WILL BE PAID OFF IN THE LONG RUN,” HE SAID.
MR LEE PRESSED THE GOVERNMENT TO SET UP A SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY DEPARTMENT BECAUSE HONG KONG COULD NOT COMPETE WITH OTHER PLACES WITHOUT TECHNOLOGY.
”IT IS BECOMING MORE EVIDENT THAN EVER THAT IF WE DO NOT SURGE AHEAD AND PAY ATTENTION TO TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENT, WE WILL BE SO FAR BEHIND THAT WE WILL NOT BE ABLE TO CATCH UP,” HE SAID.
MR LEE ALSO SUGGESTED THAT AN ENVIRONMENTAL BRANCH BE ESTABLISHED TO TACKLE THE PROBLEM OF ENVIRONMENTAL IMPROVEMENT WHICH WAS AN IMPORTANT SUBJECT BOTH IN THE SHORT AND THE LONG TERM.
TURNING TO ANOTHER MATTER, ON BEHALF OF MEMBERS OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL MR LEE URGED THE GOVERNMENT TO MAKE REPRESENTATION TO THE BRITISH GOVERNMENT TO RESOLVE THE QUESTION OF BRITISH PASSPORTS FOR THE WIVES AND WIDOWS OF EX-SERVICEMEN.
HE POINTED OUT THAT MANY MEMBERS FELT STRONGLY THAT THESE PEOPLE SHOULD BE GRANTED BRITISH PASSPORTS.
’’AFTER ALL, THESE ARE THE WIVES AND WIDOWS OF HONG KONG’S WAR HEROES WHO FOUGHT AND RISKED THEIR LIVES FOR THE BRITISH GOVERNMENT AND THERE ARE NOT TOO MANY SUCH PERSONS \LIVE,” HE SAID.
-------o----------
CALL FOR GOVT TO BE MORE OPEN ♦ ♦ ♦ *
THE GUIDING PRINCIPLE FOR THE CONDUCT OF THE GOVERNMENT IN THE WAY AHEAD MUST BE TO BE MORE OPEN, MORE RESPONSIVE AND MORE RESPONSIBLE, THE HON STEPHEN CHEONG SAID IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
’’OPEN SO THAT THE GOVERNMENT POLICY-MAKING PROCESS AND PROCEDURE CAN BE MORE EASILY SCRUTINISED; OPEN SO THAT GOVERNMENT POLICIES ARE PROPERLY EXPLAINED WITH ENOUGH FACTS AND FIGURES TO BACK UP THE RATIONALE; AND OPEN SO THAT THE COMMUNITY IS FULLY APPRAISED OF THE REAL DIFF I CULT IES AND IMPLICATIONS OF THE DECISIONS,” MR CHEONG SAID.
’’RESPONSIBLE SO THAT THE INTEREST OF THE COMMUNITY IS GIVEN DUE CONSIDERATION RATHER THAN MERE LIP SERVICE. RESPONSIVE SO THAT WHATEVER GENUINE AND REASONABLE DEMANDS FOR ALLOCATION OF RESOURCES ARE GIVEN DUE OBJECTIVE AND FAIR CONSIDERATION.”
/SPEAKING IN .......
WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 9, 198b
SPEAKING IN THE POLICY DEBATE, MR CHEONG NOTED THAT THE PAST FEW YEARS HAD SEEN MORE INFORMATION BEING RELEASED, MORE EXPLANATION BY THE GOVERNMENT OF ITS POLICIES AND MORE INITIATIVE TO INTERACT WITH THE PUBLIC BY WAY OF CONSULTATION.
THE DIRECTION WAS RIGHT, BUT THE PACE OF OPENING UP WAS SOMEWHAT SLOW, HE SAID.
INFORMATION WAS PROVIDED, BUT THAT HAD NOT BEEN FORTHCOMING ENOUGH; EXPLANATIONS WERE GIVEN, BUT THEY HAD NOT BEEN FULL ENOUGH; CONSULTATIONS WERE DONE, BUT THESE HAD NOT BEEN THOROUGH ENOUGH, HE ADDED.
MR CHEONG SAID THE GOVERNMENT NEEDED TO COME CUT OF ITS OLD AIR-TIGHT ARMOUR SUIT WHICH MIGHT SERVE WELL TO FEND OFF FLAK BUT WOULD ALSO INHIBIT ITS FLUID MOVEMENT.
THIS, HE SAID, WAS PERHAPS ONE OF THE FIRST ISSUES FOR THE PROPOSED THINK TANK TO DO SOME GOOD THINKING ABOUT.
TURNING TO THE CIVIL SERVICE, HE SAID IT MUST BE UNDERSTOOD THAT CIVIL SERVANTS WERE JUST HUMAN BEINGS AND THEY WERE EQUALLY WORRIED ABOUT THEIR FUTURE.
THIS MIGHT BE PARTICULARLY SO WITH THE TOP ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICERS. MANY OF THEM MIGHT BE THINKING OF TAKING OUT INSURANCE POLICIES IN A FEW YEARS’ TIME OR SETTLING FOR GOOD IN WHEREVER THEY FANCIED.
THIS FRAME OF MIND, PLAGUED BY UNCERTAINTY, HARDLY CONTRIBUTED TO THE LONG-TERM COMMITMENT NECESSARY IN DEALING WITH THE TERRITORY’S LONG-TERM PROBLEMS.
“WOULD SUCH NEGATIVE FRAME OF MIND HAVE INFLUENCED THEIR JUDGEMENT WHEN THEY TOOK VIEWS ON POLICIES THAT MAY HAVE LONG-TERM EFFECTS ON HONG KONG? COULD THERE BE A POSSIBILITY THAT POLICY COMMITMENTS WHICH HAVE LONGER TERM EFFECTS GET UNDUE DELAY OR EVEN PUSHED ASIDE?” HE QUESTIONED.
HOW TO PUT THE HEARTS OF CIVIL SERVANTS AT EASE AND HENCE STABILISE THE CIVIL SERVICE - THE BACKBONE OF HONG KONG’S FUTURE - WAS ONE OF THE BURNING ISSUES TO BE ADDRESSED BY ALL PARTIES CONCERNED -CHINA, THE UK AND HONG KONG, HE SAID.
REFERRING TO THE PROBLEM OF A LABOUR SHORTAGE, MR CHEONG URGED THE GOVERNMENT TO SET UP IMMEDIATELY A WORKING PARTY COMPRISING LEADERS FROM GOVERNMENT, BUSINESS AND LABOUR SECTORS.
THE WORKING PARTY WOULD EXAMINE THE PROBLEM TN FULL AND DEVISE CONCRETE PROPOSALS FOR FURTHER CONSIDERATION THAT WOULD BE IN THE LONG-TERM INTEREST OF HONG KONG’S CONTINUED ECONOMIC DEVELOPME T.
/INDUSTRIALISTS WERE
WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 9i 1988
INDUSTRIALISTS WERE ALREADY HARD HIT, AND IF THEY HAD TO CLOSE DOWN BUSINESS, JOB OPPORTUNITIES WOULD DIMINISH AND THIS CERTAINLY WAS NOT GOOD FOR THE LABOUR FORCE, HE SAID.
ON THE QUESTION OF VIETNAMESE BOAT PEOPLE, MR CHEONG SAID HE DID NOT THINK IT UNREASONABLE TO ASK A WORLD POWER LIKE THE UK FOR A FIRM COMMITMENT TO TAKE IN AND RESETTLE A MINIMUM OF 1,000 UNFORTUNATE PEOPLE FROM VIETNAM FOR THE NEXT FIVE YEARS.
HE NOTED THAT FROM JANUARY 1, 1984 TO SEPTEMBER 30, 1988, THE U.S. HAD TAKEN 5,197 VIETNAMESE REFUGEES, CANADA HAD TAKEN 4,958, AUSTRALIA 2,542.
THE UK HAD TAKEN A MERE 88 IN 1984, 44 IN 1985, 474 IN 1986, 156 IN 1987 AND 166 IN 1988.
"WHAT HOPE DOES HONG KONG HAVE IN TRYING TO PERSUADE OTHER COUNTRIES TO HELP US MORE IF OUR SOVEREIGN STATE CONTINUES TO TAKE SUCH AN UNCARING NONCHALANT ATTITUDE?’'
MR CHEONG ALSO CALLED FOR MORE GOVERNMENT FUNDING FOR RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT TO PROVIDE NEW TECHNOLOGY FOR HONG KONG’S INDUSTRIAL DEVELOPMENT.
HE NOTED THAT THERE WAS NO RELIABLE STATISTICS ON HONG KONG’S EXPENDITURE ON RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT. BUT IT WAS LIKELY THAT THE FIGURE WAS PITIFULLY SMALL COMPARED WITH THE U.S., TAIWAN AND CHINA.
HONG KONG WAS UNIQUELY POOK IN NATURAL RESOURCES WHILE RICH IN HUMAN RESOURCES.
ONLY THROUGH HIGH QUALITY RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT WOULD HONG KONG BE ABLE TO UTILISE ITS HUMAN TALENTS TO MAINTAIN ITS ECONOMIC POSITION IN THE MODERN WORLD, HE SAID.
------0-------
EQUAL STATUS FOR CHINESE MEDICAL PRACTICE URGED * t t * ♦
CHINESE TRADITIONAL MEDICAL PRACTICE SHOULD BE GIVEN EQUAL STATUS WITH WESTERN-STYLE MEDICINE AS BOTH TYPES OF PRACTICE CURE DISEASE AND ALLEVIATE DISCOMFORT, DR THE HON HENRIETTA IP SAID TODAY (WEDNESDAY)
SPEAKING IN THE POLICY DEBATE IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL, DR IP NOTED THAT LEGISLATION WAS ENACTED IN 1957, WITH NO FURTHER AMENDMENTS, ALLOWING ANY PERSON OF CHINESE RACE TO PRACTISE CHINESE MEDICINE IN THE TRADITIONAL WAY.
/’•WHILST ALLOWING
WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 9, 1988
5
"WHILST ALLOWING CHINESE TRADITIONAL MEDICINE TO BE PRACTISED WITHOUT QUALIFICATIONS, ARE WE REALLY ALLOWING THEM SPECIAL PRIVILEGES OR ARE WE IN FACT UNDERMINING THE PROFESSIONALISM OF THAT ART, AND OVERSHADOWING THE EXPERTS WITH THE QUACKS?" SHE ASKED.
DR IP POINTED OUT THAT CHINESE TRADITIONAL MEDICAL PRACTICE HAD MADE SIGNIFICANT ADVANCEMENTS SINCE 1957.
FOR EXAMPLE, MAJOR ADVANCEMENT IN ACUPUNCTURE NOW INCLUDED THE APPLICATION OF INJECTION, ELECTRICAL STIMULATION AS WELL AS LASER USE.
"IN FACT, THF PRACTICE HAD NOW ADVANCED TO A DEGREE THAT IT HAD "BECOME DANGEROUS IN UNTRAINED HANDS".
"IF GOVERNMENT INTENDS TO KEEP ITS ARCHAIC LEGISLATION BUT RESTRICT THE PRACTICE OF CHINESE TRADITIONAL MEDICINE TO THAT AS PRACTISED IN 1957, THE GOVERNMENT MIGHT BE SEEN TO BE ACTING AGAINST THE DEVELOPMENT OF CHINESE TRADITIONAL MEDICINE," DR IP SAID.
"TO BELIEVE THAT CHINESE TRADITIONAL MEDICINE CAN HAVE AN EFFECT ON THF HUMAN BODY AND THEREBY CURE IT OF DISEASE, ONE MUST ALSO ACCEPT THAT WHEN GIVEN BY THE WRONG HANDS, IT CAN ALSO MAIM AND KILL."
NOTING THAT SHE HAD TRIED IN VAIN TO CONVINCE THE ADMINISTRATION THROUGH DIFFERENT CHANNELS TO LOOK INTO THE PRACTICE OF CHINESE TRADITIONAL MEDICINE, I’R IP APPEALED TO THE GOVERNMENT TO INCLUDE THE ISSUE AS A SUBJECT FOR STUDY BY THE PROPOSED CENTRAL POLICY UNIT.
FAILING THAT, SHE SUGGESTED THAT A MULTI-DISCIPLINARY COMMITTEE SHOULD BE SET UP TO LOOK INTO THE ISSUE.
THIS COMMITTEE COULD DETERMINE WHETHER LEGISLATIVE AMENDMENTS WERE NECESSARY AND WHETHER QUALIFICATIONS, REGISTRATION AND LICENSING SHOULD BE REQUIRED PRIOR TO PRACTICE, AS WELL AS ASSESSING THE IMPLICATIONS AND FEASIBILITY OF SUCH MOVES.
ON the; PROMOTION of PHYSICAL recreation, dr ip said that too MANY PEOPLE IN HONG KONG SUFFERED FROM TENSION HEADACHES, GASTROINTESTINAL DISTURBANCE, INSOMNIA, OBESITY, LISTLESSNESS, BACK ACHES, NECK ACHES AND FATIGUE.
SHE MAINTAINED THAT FHE IMPORTANCE OF PHYSICAL RECREATION TO HEALTH NEEDED TO BE "ADVERTISED AND PREACHED", JUST LIKE THE ANNUAL MILLION DOLLAR ANT I-SMOKING CAMPAIGN.
DR IP SAID SHE HOPED THF GOVERNMENT WOULD ATTACH IMPORTANCE TO THE REPORT ON PHYSICAL RECREATION AND HEALTH WHICH WOULD SOON BE RELEASED BY A SUB-COMMITTEE WHICH SHE CHAIRED UNDER THE AUSPICES OF THE COUNCIL FOR RECREATION AND SPORTS.
/THE REPORT
WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 9, 1988
6
THE REPORT ADVOCATED HEALTH THROUGH THE ACTIVE PROMOTION OF PHYSICAL RECREATION, AND INCLUDED RECOMMENDATIONS FOR THE ESTABLISHMENT OF A CENTRE TO PROMOTE PHYSICAL RECREATION FOR ALL.
ON LAND DEVELOPMENT, DR IP NOTED THAT EXCELLENT PROGRESS HAD BEEN MADE BY THE LAND DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION IN INITIATING SEVERAL REDEVELOPMENT PROJECTS IN THE PAST NINE MONTHS.
HOWEVER, SHE WAS CONCERNED THAT THIS PROGRESS WOULD NOT BE MAINTAINED IF THERE WERE UNNECESSARY DELAYS WHEN DEALING WITH GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS AT VARIOUS PLANNING STAGES.
FOR THE CORPORATION TO ACHIEVE ITS OBJECTIVES, IT WAS VITAL THAT ALL GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS, IN PARTICULAR THE TOWN PLANNING BOARD, GAVE PRIORITY TO THEIR DEALINGS WITH THE CORPORATION.
DR IP ALSO WELCOMED THE NEW POLICIES OUTLINED BY THE GOVERNOR, IN PARTICULAR THE CREATION OF A DRAINAGE SERVICES DEPARTMENT AND THE CENTRAL POLICY UNIT, THE AIM OF PHASING OUT BISESSIONAL SCHOOLS, AND BUILDING A HOLIDAY CENTRE FOR THE ELDERLY.
SHE ADDED THAT BY APPLYING THE SAME PRINCIPLE A SIMILAR CENTRE SHOULD BE SET UP FOR THE SEVERELY HANDICAPPED.
-------0 ---------
POLICY SPEECH 'DEVOID OF VISION’ ♦ t * » ♦
THE GOVERNOR HAD FAILED TO PROVIDE ANY PERSPECTIVE AND HIS POLICY ADDRESS WAS DEVOID OF VISION, THE HON MARTIN LEE SAID IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
MR LEE SAID THE BRITISH AND CHINESE GOVERNMENTS HAD ACHIEVED MUCH ON A NUMBER OF IMPORTANT MATTERS THROUGH THE JOINT LIAISON GROUP AND THE LAND COMMISSION.
BUT THESE ACHIEVEMENTS PALED INTO INSIGNIFICANCE WHEN VIEWS IN THE LIGHT OF EVEN MORE IMPORTANT THINGS WHICH SHOULD HAVE BEEN DONE BUT WERE NOT DONE, HE SAID.
FOR, IN TERMS OF DEMOCRATISATION, THE GOVERNMENT HAD FAILED MISERABLY BY RENEGING ON ITS EARLIER PROMISE OF BUILDING UP A FIRMLY BASED, DEMOCRATIC ADMINISTRATION IN HONG KONG BEFORE 1997 - A PROMISE WHICH HE SAID THE BRITISH GOVERNMENT HAD MADE IN THE HOUSE OF COMMONS IN 1984.
/HE SAID
WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 9, 1988
HE SAID THE PEOPLE OF HONG KONG SAW THE TOTAL IMPOTENCE ON THE PART OF THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT TO STAND UP TO THE INTERVENTIONS OF THE CHINESE GOVERNMENT.
’’THEY ASK THAT IF THESE THINGS ARE HAPPENING UNDER A BRITISH ADMINISTRATION TODAY, WHAT CHANCES DO THEY HAVE AFTER 1997 WHEN HONG KONG WILL BE ADMINISTERED BY HONG KONG PEOPLE?”
THAY THEREFORE DECIDED TO LEAVE HONG KONG, AND THEIR NUMBERS HAD INCREASED DRASTICALLY IN THE LAST TWO YEARS, MR LEE SAID.
BUT DURING THIS TIME, THE HONG KONG AND THE BRITISH GOVERNMENTS MADE A CONCERTED EFFORT IN DENYING THAT THERE WAS A PROBLEM WITH EMIGRATION. IT WAS ONLY RECENTLY THAT THE GOVERNOR ACKNOWLEDGED THAT THE PROBLEM EXISTED.
’’NOW THAT THE EMIGRATION PROBLEM HAS BEEN ACKNOWLEDGED, WHAT CAN OUR GOVERNMENT DO ABOUT LT? THE SIMPLE ANSWER IS: NOTHING,” HE SAID.
HE DID NOT BELIEVE THAT THE PROPOSED MEASURE OF BUILDING MORE INTERNAT1ONAL SCHOOLS AND TO KEEP IN CLOSE CONTACT WITH HONG KONG SETTLERS OVERSEAS COULD IMPROVE THE SITUATION.
MR LEE SAID THE PUBLIC PERCEPTION WAS THAT THE GOVERNMENT WAS A LAME-DUCK ADMINISTRATION, AND THAT CHINA DID INTERFERE IN THE ADMINISTRATION OF HONG KONG. EVERY TIME CHINA INTERVENED, IT HURT CONFIDENCE AND SENT MORE PEOPLE TO JOIN THE LONG QUEUES OF EMIGRANTS.
TOP OFFICIALS IN BOTH THE BRITISH AND HONG KONG GOVERNMENTS HAD COMPLAINED ABOUT THIS. BUT THEIR COMPLAINT WAS THAT "PLEASE DO NOT INTERVENE SO OPENLY BUT PLEASE DO SO BEHIND CLOSED DOORS. PLEASE GIVE US FACE OR WE WILL LOSE CREDIBILITY WITH OUR PEOPLE".
ON THE FAILINGS OF THE GOVERNMENT, MR LEE SAID THAT, FIRST, THE GOVERNMENT DID NOT APPEAR TO BE EXERCISING THE HIGH DEGREE OF AUTONOMY THAT IT USED TO DO BEFORE THE INITIALLING OF THE JOINT DECLARATION.
SECONDLY, THE RULE OF LAW WAS SEEN TO HAVE BEEN WHITTLED DOWN RECENTLY.
HE CITED AS AN EXAMPLE THE REPORT OF JUSTICES OF PEACE ON COMPLAINTS CONCERNING THE TREATMENT OF VIETNAMESE BOAT PEOPLE ON HEI LING (’HAU.
HE SAID HE COULD NOT UNDERSTAND HOW THE GOVERNMENT COULD LEGITIMATELY HAVE RULED OUT THE POSSIBILITY OF BRINGING CRIMINAL CHARGES AGAINST ONE OR MORE OF THE OFFICERS OF THE CORRECTIONAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT IF THEY HAD COMMITTED THE OFFENCE OF CRIMINAL ASSAULT ON SOME VIETNAMESE BOAT PEOPLE.
/"AND DOES
WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 9, 1988
8
’’AND DOES THIS NOT SMACK OF THE PRACTICE ADOPTED IN CHINA IN DEALING WITH MEMBERS OF THEIR ARMED FORCES AND LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCIES?” HE ASKED.
HE SAID ANOTHER EXAMPLE WAS THE WAY IN WHICH THE GOVERNMENT DEALT WITH THE CHINESE OFFICIAL OR SEMI-OFFICIAL CORPORATIONS TRADING IN HONG KONG WHICH ENGAGED IN CORRUPT AND OTHER ILLEGAL PRACTICES.
WE MUST BE CAREFUL TO ENSURE THAT THERE WOULD NOT BE TWO SEPARATE SYSTEMS OF JUSTICE IN HONG KONG: ONE FOR COMMUNIST CADRES AND THEIR CLOSE FAMILY MEMBERS, AND ANOTHER FOR THE COMMON CITIZENS, HE SAID.
IF THE RULE OF LAW WAS TO BE MAINTAINED IN HONG KONG AFTER 1997, WE MUST MAKE SURE NOW THAT IF ANY COMMUNIST CADRE COMMITTED AN OFFENCE IN HONG KONG, HE MUST BE DEALT WITH IN THE USUAL WAY, HE ADDED.
ON THE PROPOSALS TO ALLOW U.S. LAW FIRMS TO SET UP PRACTICE IN HONG KONG BY EMPLOYING LOCALLY QUALIFIED LAWYERS, MR LEE SAID THAT TO ALLOW THEM TO DO SO WOULD BE ALLOW SOMEONE WHO WAS NOT QUALIFIED TO PRACTISE HONG KONG LAW TO DO SO BY EMPLOYING LOCALLY QUALIFIED LAWYERS TO DO THE WORK FOR HIM.
IF THAT LOGIC WAS CORRECT, ANY WELL-KNOWN FIGURE IN HONG KONG COULD SET UP A FIRM TO PRACTISE LAW, MEDICINE, ENGINEERING AND ARCHITECTURE UNDER THE NAME OF, SAY, ALLEN LEE AND CO, BY EMPLOYING QUALIFIED PERSONS TO WORK FOR HIM, HI SAID.
MR LEE SAID YET ANOTHER FAILING OF THE GOVERNMENT WAS THAT IT HAD FAILED TO GROOM LEADERS FOR THE FUTURE.
HE QUESTIONED WHY THE HEADS OF SO MANY IMPORTANT INSTITUTIONS WERE DRAWN FROM FORMER MEMBERS OF THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL AND RETIRED SENIOR CIVIL SERVANTS.
SURELY THE GOVERNMENT HAD A CASE TO ANSWER AND BE ACCOUNTABLE TO THE MILLIONS OF PEOPLE WHO WOULD STAY HERE AFTER 1997.
TURNING TO HONG KONG’S IMAGE ABROAD, HE NOTED THAT AT THE RECENT UNITED NATIONS HUMAN RIGHTS COMMITTEE HEARING IN GENEVA, THE UK AND HONG KONG GOVERNMENTS HAD COME UNDER STRONG CRITICISMS FROM COMMITTEE MEMBERS FOR POSSIBLE BREACHES OF THE U.N. CONVENTION ON HUMAN RIGHTS ON A NUMBER OF ISSUES, INCLUDING THE PUBLIC ORDER ORDINANCE AND THE FILM CENSORSHIP ORDINANCE.
HE ADDED THAT HONG KONG’S TREATMENT OF THE VIETNAMESE BOAT PEOPLE HAS ALSO ATTRACTED A LOT OF ADVERSE CRITICISM FROM THE INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY.
HE SAID THAT TO MANY, THE FUTURE WAS BLEAK INDEED. BUT IT WOULD BE UNREALISTIC TO EXPECT THE CURE TO COME FROM THE BRITISH ADMINISTRATION IN HONG KONG. NOR WAS IT REALISTIC TO PIN ALL HO°ES ON CHINA.
/FOR MANY
WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 9, 1988
- 9
FOR MANY CHINESE CADRES, HONG KONG WAS ONLY THE PERFECT PLACE OF RECREATION AFTER MANY YEARS OF LOYAL SERVICE WITH THE CHINESE GOVERNMENT.
INDEED, THE SLOGAN "DANCING AND HOESE RACING WILL CONTINUE" WAS VERY INDICATIVE OF THEIR PERCEPTION OF HONG KONG, AND THEIR RATIONALE FOR WISHING HONG KONG TO EXIST UNDER A DIFFERENT SYSTEM.
LITTLE DID THEY KNOW THAT MANY PEOPLE IN HONG KONG WERE OFFENDED BY THAT SLOGAN, HE SAID.
HE SUGGESTED THAT IN ORDER TO HAVE A BETTER HONG KONG, WHAT WE NEEDED WAS A REVOLUTION IN OUR MINDS: OF BASIC VALUES AND OF FUNDAMENTAL PHILOSOPHY ON LIFE.
WHAT WE HAD IN HONG KONG WAS FAR FROM PERFECT, AND MANY THING WOULD HAVE TO BE CHANGED BEFORE 1997, HE SAID. IMPROVING THE QUALITY OF LIFE THROUGH ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION WAS ONE AREA OF CHANGE.
CHANGES MUST ALSO BE BROUGHT TO SOME OF THE DRACONIAN AND OUTDATED LAWS WHICH INHIBITED THE VARIOUS FREEDOMS AND RIGHTS OF HONG KONG PEOPLE.
THESE LAWS INCLUDED THE PUBLIC ORDER ORDINANCE, THE LAWS ON LOITERING, THE LAWS REQUIRING PEOPLE TO CARRY WITH THEM PROOF OF IDENTITY AND THE FILM CENSORSHIP ORDINANCE.
HE ALSO SUGGESTED THAT THE POWER OF MAGISTRATES NOT TO RECORD A CONVICTION SHOULD BE REINSTATED, AND THAT THE LAWS ON THE SPENT CONVICTION SCHEME BE AMENDED SO THAT THE POLICE WOULD DISCONTINUE GIVING PARTICULARS OF CONVICTIONS WHICH WERE CONSIDERED TO BE SPENT UNDER THE SCHEME.
MR LEE URGED THE GOVERNMENT TO INTRODUCE "RIGHT TO KNOW" LEGISLATION. THE' PRINCIPLE OF ACCOUNTABILITY WOULD REMAIN FOREVER MERELY A PIOUS ASPIRATION UNLESS THE PUBLIC HAD ACCESS TO A RELEVANT INFORMATION.
THERE SHOULD BE AN OVERALL REVIEW AND CODIFICATION OF THE LAW RELATING TO THE POWERS OF ARREST, DETENTION AND INTERROGATION BY ALL DISCIPLINARY AGENCIES.
MR LEE SAID IT WAS THE DUTY OF THE GOVERNOR AS THE HEAD OF THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT TO PROVIDE OPPORTUNITIES FOR A TOTALLY DIFFERENT CROP OF LEADERS FOR THE FUTURE : PEOPLE WITH PRINCIPLE, DEDICATION, COURAGE, CONVICTION, COMMITMENT, AND ABOVE ALL, PEOPLE WHO WERE WILLING TO GOVE TO THE COMMUNITY AND NOT TO TAKE FROM IT.
"WHAT WE MUST DO NOW AS A MATTER OF URGENCY IS TO ESTABLISH IN HONG KONG A TRULY DEMOCRATIC AND REPRESENTATIVE GOVERNMENT BEFORE 1997 SO AS TO MAKE ROOM FOR THESE PEOPLE TO REACH THE TOP,” HE SAID.
/AS FOR........
WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 9f 1988
10
AS FOR CHINA, WHAT IT COULD DO WAS TO GIVE THE PEOPLE OF HONG KONG A GOOD BASIC LAW, WHICH MUST PROVIDE FOR A TRULY DEMOCRATIC FRAMEWORK OF GOVERNMENT FOR THE ENTIRE PERIOD OF 50 YEARS FROM 1997 TO 2047.
WITH SUCH A BASIC LAW, BRITAIN COULD IMMEDIATELY IMPLEMENT IT BY ESTABLISHING A DEMOCRATIC GOVERNMENT EVEN BEFORE 1997.
AND, IN THIS WAY THE RIGHT PEOPLE WOULD BE ELECTED TO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL, SO AS TO ENSURE THAT THE GOVERNMENT WOULD BE ACCOUNTABLE TO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL EVEN BEFORE 1997 AND IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE PROVISIONS OF THE JOINT DECLARATION.
UNLESS ALL THESE THINGS WERE DONE, AND DONE NOW, EVEN MORE PEOPLE WOULD LEAVE HONG KONG IN THE NEAR FUTURE, HE ADDED.
-----0-----
DON’T EQUATE EMIGRATION WITH BRAIN DRAIN * ♦ * * t
EMIGRATION MUST NOT BE BLINDLY EQUATED WITH A BRAIN DRAIN BECAUSE TO DO SO COULD CREATE THE WRONG IMPRESSION THAT ONLY THOSE WHO EMIGRATE ARE THE BRAINS AND THAT THOSE WHO CHOOSE TO STAY ARE NOT, DR THE HON DANIEL TSE TOLD THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
”1 DON’T DOUBT THAT HONG KONG HAS LOST SOME BRAINY PEOPLE THROUGH EMIGRATION, BUT I CANNOT SAY THAT EVERYONE WHO HAS LEFT IS A BRAIN, AND I AM NOT EVEN SURE THAT EVERYONE WHO HAS LEFT IS NECESSARILY A LOSS TO HONG KONG,” DR TSE SAID IN THE POLICY DEBATE.
THEREFORE, AS MUCH AS WE WANTED TO FIND WAYS TO RETAIN PEOPLE AND TO ATTRACT THOSE WHO HAD LEFT TO COME BACK, WE MUST NOT DO IT IN SUCH A WAY AS TO MAKE THOSE WHO WERE COMMITED TO STAY FEEL THAT THEY WERE INFERIOR TO THOSE WHO HAD LEFT, HE SUGGESTED.
DR TSE AGREED THAT HONG KONG SHOULD FIND WAYS TO MAKE THOSE TALENTED PEOPLE WHO HAD LEFT HONG KONG BUT STILL CONSIDERED IT THEIR HOME TO FEEL WELCOME IN THE LOCAL COMMUNITY.
”WE SHOULD NOT TREAT THEM AS RENEGADES, BUT NEITHER SHOULD WE GO OVERBOARD TO TREAT THEM AS PRIVILEGED OR SUPERIOR CLASS," HE SAID.
IN THE FINAL ANALYSIS, IF A PERSON WERE ATTRACTED TO COME BACK PURELY ON MATERIAL GAINS AND SPECIAL PRIVILEGES, NO AMOUNT OF MATERIAL INCENTIVES WOULD BE ENOUGH TO KEEP THE PERSON HERE WHENEVER ANYTHING SEEMED TO GO WRONG IN HONG KONG, HE SAID.
/THE LONG-TERM
WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 9t 1988
11
*
THE LONG-TERM SOLUTION TO THE PROBLEM, HE SAID, MUST BE TO IMPROVE THE QUALITY OF LIFE SO THAT HONG KONG WOULD BECOME A BETTER PLACE IN WHICH TO LIVE, TO WORK AND TO BRING UP THE NEXT GENERATION.
DR TSE ALSO CALLED FOR STEPPED-UP LIAISON WORK AMONG STUDENTS FROM HONG KONG WHO WERE STUDYING OVERSEAS.HE BELIEVED THAT MANY OF THESE YOUNG PEOPLE HAD VERY SCANTY AND UNBALANCED INFORMATION ABOUT THEIR HOME TOWN.
HE URGED THE GOVERNMENT TO INCREASE THE STAFF IN THE HONG KONG OFFICE IN LONDON TO FURTHER STRENGTHEN STUDENT LIAISON WORK.
THE SAME SHOULD BE DONE IN OTHER OVERSEAS COUNTRIES SO THAT THIS LARGE POOL OF ’’BRAINS” MIGHT BE DRAINED BACK.
TURNING TO HOUSING, DR TSE SAID THE RENTAL OR THE PURCHASE PRICE FOR PRIVATE HOUSING HAD GONE UP MUCH FASTER THAN SALARY RISES.
HE SAID THE GOVERNMENT MUST BE CAREFUL TO AVOID HAVING GOVERNMENT POLICIES THAT WOULD INADVERTENTLY ENCOURAGE MARKET SPECULATION OR MANIPULATION.
DR TSE ALSO URGED THE GOVERNMENT TO TAKE A CAREFUL LOOK AT ITS TRANSPORT POLICIES TO SEE WHETHER THERE WAS NEED FOR CHANGE. THE TAXI LICENCE TENDER SYSTEM WAS A GOOD CASE IN POINT, HE ADDED.
ON EDUCATION, HE SAID ONE OF THE IMPORTANT POLICIES WHICH REQUIRED A GOVERNMENT REVIEW WAS TEACHER TRAINING AT THE NON-GRADUATE LEVEL.
IF NORMAL EDUCATIONAL EXPERIENCE WAS ANY GUIDE, IT SHOULD BE MUCH HEALTHIER TO LET TEACHER TRAINING, WHICH SHOULD BE A TERTIARY LEVEL EDUCATION, DEVELOP MORE INDEPENDENTLY WITHOUT DIRECT GOVERNMENT CONTROL.
------0--------
INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON VR PROBLEM WELCOMED » t ♦ » ♦
THE NEWS THAT THE UNITED NATIONS HIGH COMMISSIONER FOR REFUGEES IS NOW WORKING TOWARDS AN INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON THE VIETNAMESE REFUGEE PROBLEM NEXT APRIL WAS WELCOMED BY THE HON RITA FAN IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
SPEAKING IN THE POLICY DEBATE, MRS FAN SAID THE VIETNAMESE BOAT PEOPLE REPRESENTED AN INTERNATIONAL PROBLEM WHICH REQUIRED AN INTERNATIONAL SOLUTION.
/THE UNDERSTANDING
WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 9, 1988
12
THE UNDERSTANDING REACHED AT THE 1979 GENEVA CONFERENCE WAS SIMPLY NOT WORKING ANY MORE, SHE SAID.
IN SEPTEMBER LAST YEAR, LEGCO MEMBERS HAD ALREADY SEEN THE NECESSITY OF ANOTHER INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE INVOLVING VIETNAM, COUNTRIES OF FIRST ASYLUM AND COUNTRIES OF RESETTLEMENT TN ORDER TO FIND A DURABLE SOLUTION TO THE PROBLEM.
’HONG KONG HAS ALWAYS CONSIDERED ITSELF A MEMBER OF THE INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY, AND, AS SUCH, IS PREPARED TO CONTRIBUTE ITS FAIR SHARE TOWARDS THE SOLUTION OF ANY INTERNATIONAL PROBLEM.
”IN THE CASE OF VIETNAMESE BOAT PEOPLE, WE HAVE DONE MORE THAN OUR FAIR SHARE. WHAT IS NEEDED NOW IS REASONABLE CO-OPERATION FROM RESETTLEMENT COUNTRIES ON INCREASED ’RESETTLEMENT* AND FROM VIETNAM ON SPEEDY ’REPATRIATION’,” SHE SAID.
MRS FAN ALSO ACCUSED THE UNITED KINGDOM GOVERNMENT OF NOT ACCEPTING MORE VIETNAMESE BOAT PEOPLE FROM HONG KONG.
SHE SAID HONG KONG’S POPULATION DENSITY WAS 22 TIMES THAT OF THE UK AND ITS SOCIAL SERVICES AND FACILITIES NEVER SEEMED TO CATCH UP WITH THE NEEDS OF ITS SIX MILLION POPULATION.
”1 THEREFORE FIND IT HARD TO ACCEPT THE REASONS GIVEN BY THE UK FOR NOT INCREASING ITS INTAKE OF REFUGEES FROM HONG KONG FROM 20 TO 60 A MONTH AS RFCOMMENDED BY THE BRITISH REFUGEE COUNCIL*” MRS FAN SAID.
IN THE PAST FIVE YEARS, SHE SAID, BRITAIN HAD TAKEN LESS THAN 1,000 VIETNAMESE REFUGEES FROM HONG KONG WHILE IN THE SAME PERIOD, BOTH CANADA AND THE U.S.A. HAD TAKEN IN FIVE TIMES THAT FIGURE.
"SURELY BRITAIN CAN DO GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS HOPE TO VIETNAMESE REFUGEES FROM HONG DISMAL,” SHE ADDED.
BETTER THAN THIS. HOW CAN BRITISH PERSUADE OTHER COUNTRIES TO ACCEPT KONG WHEN THEIR OWN RECORD IS SO
"IT IS APPRECIATED THAT AN INCREASE IN INTAKE OF VIETNAMESE REFUGEES BY THE BRITISH GOVERNMENT MAY NOT BE A POPULAR MOVE IN THE UK, BUT THIS MUST BE BALANCED AGAINST THE RESPONSIBILITY BRITAIN HAS TOWARDS HONG KONG, AND THE WA\ BRITAIN’S ATTITUDE IS INTERPRETED BY OTHER RESETTLEMENT COUNTRIES.
"ONE OPTION THAT I WOULD SUGGEST FOR THE BRITISH GOVERNMENT’S CONSIDERATION IS TO MAKE A COMMITMENT OF ANNUAL INTAKE OVER A PERIOD OF FIVE YEARS. IF THE NUMBER IS SET AT 700 PER ANNUM, THEN A TOTAL Ol 3,500 REFUGEES CAN BE GRADUALLY RESETTLED IN BRITAIN BETWEEN NOW ANl 1993. ”
MRS FAN ADDED THAT SUCH A COMMITMENT WOULD GIVE CONSIDERABLE HOPE TO THE VIETNAMESE REFUGEES IN HONG KONG, AND WOULD MOTIVATE THEM TO PREPARE THEMSELVES BETTER IN VOCATIONAL SKILLS AND LANGUAGES FOR INTEGRATION IN THE UK.
/’’IT WILL
WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER % ^988
- n -
"IT.WILL ALSO GIVE THE INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY A TO FOLLOW. BRITAIN WILL BE TAKING THE LEAD ONCE REAFFIRMING ITS COMMITMENT TO HONG KONG," MRS FAN SAID.
GOOD EXAMPLE
AGAIN, AND
TURNING TO THE TOPIC OF CIVIC EDUCATION, MRS FAN SAID CIVIC EDUCATION FOR THE PUBLIC WAS \S IMPORTANT AS EVER. SHE SAID THE INTRODUCTION OF DIRECT ELECTIONS TO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL IN 1991 WOULD REPRESENT \N HISTORIC STEP FORWARD IN THE DEVELOPMENT OF REPRESENTATIVE GOVERNMENT IN HONG KONG.
IT WOULD BE THE FIRST TIME EVER THAT HONG KONG’S HIGHEST LAW-MAKI NG BODY WAS TO HAVE MEMBERS DIRECTLY RETURNED BY AN OPEN FRANCHISE CONSISTING OF ABOUT 1.6 MILLION REGISTERED VOTERS.
"THE GOVERNMENT HAS BEFORE IT A GREAT AND URGENT TASK OF ENSURING THE WIDEST POSSIBLE PARTICIPATION OF THE VOTERS IN THE ELECTIONS.
"OF NO LESS IMPORTANCE IS THE NEED TO DRIVE HOME THE MESSAGE THAT EACH VOTE COUNTS AND THAT VOTING IS A SACROSANCT CIVIC RIGHT AND DUTY WHICH HAS TO BE EXERCISED WITH A DUE SENSE OF RESPONSIBILITY.
"THERE SHOULD BE PUBLIC EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMMES INTRODUCING THE VOTING SYSTEM AND HIGHLI GUT I NG SOME ESSENTIAL FACTORS WHICH ONE NEEDS TO TAKI' INTO ACCOUNT INDEPENDENTLY WHEN DECIDING TO WHOM THE VOTE SHOULD GO, ' SHE SAID.
"THIS, LIKE OTHER FORMS OF EDUCATION, IS EASIER SAID THAN DONE. BUT I AM SURE THAT THE GOVERNMENT, ON THE ADV ICE OF THE COMMITTEE ON THE PROMOTION OF CIVIC EDUCATION, WILL BE YBLE TO COME UP WITH INNOVATIVE, PRACTICAL SUGGESTIONS AS TO HOW THIS SHOULD BE DONE.
"THE NEED TO DO THIS CAN HARDLY BE DISPUTED, AND THE SOONER WE START MOVING AHEAD ON I'll IS FRONT, THE BETTER."
ON EDUCATION, MRS FAN SAID SHE WELCOMED THE COMMITMENT BY THE GOVERNMENT TO GRADUALLY PHASE OUT Bl SESSIONAL SCHOOLS.
THOUGH 1)1 Fl-I CULT IES WOULD BE ENCOUNTERED, SHE SAID AN URGENT TASK THAT NEEDED TO BE TACKLED IMMEDIATELY WAS HOW To OFFER UN1SESS1ONAL SCHOOLS TO PRIMARY 1, 5 \ND 6 STUDENTS, AND IF THAT WAS NOT POSS I BLI , HOU TO OFFER MEANINGFUL ACTIVITIES TO THESE STUDENTS P THE FREE HALF DAY.
THIS WOULD ENSURE THAT THEY RECEIVED THE NECESSARY GUIDANCE AND SUPPORT TO DEVELOP A POSITIVE ATTITUDE TOWARDS LEARNING, AND LIVING IN THIS SOCIETY.
IN OTHER WORDS, GIVE THEM A FIRM BASE TO BUILD THEIR FUTURl ON," SHE NOTED.
/IN ADDITION, .......
WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 9t 1988
14
IN ADDITION, MRS FAN SAID THE CODES OF AID SHOULD LOOKED AT WITH THE VIEW TO PROVIDING MORE FLEXIBILITY ------------------------------- ----- WORK, CUTTING
TO THE SCHOOLS, REDUCING THE PAPER PROCEDURES, BUT AT THE SAME TIME EFFECTIVELY UTILISED AND PROPERLY ACCOUNTED FOR.
ENSURING THAT
AND
OUT
BE CLOSELY DISCRETION CUMBERSOME
SUBSIDY WAS
THEREFORE, SHE SUGGESTED THAT THE GOVERNMENT SETTING UP A TASK FORCE WITH EXPERTS FROM DIFFERENT EXPLORE WAYS OF CUTTING ACROSS RED TAPE, PROMOTING HELPING SCHOOLS.
SHOULD CONSIDER DEPARTMENTS TO EFFICIENCY AND
-----o------
CONCERN OVER RISE IN INFLATION
*****
A LEGISLATIVE COUNCILLOR EXPRESSED CONCERN TODAY (WEDNESDAY) THAT INFLATION IN HONG KONG THIS YEAR MIGHT BE HIGHER THAN THE ESTIMATED SEVEN PER CENT.
’’LET US HOPE THAT THE EXPECTED SLOWING DOWN OF ECONOMIC GROWTH ALL OVER THE WORLD MAY LEAVE MARKET FORCES TO ADJUST ANY EXCESSES IN INFLATION,” THE HON PETER POON SAID IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL POLICY DEBATE.
AN ECONOMIC SLOWDOWN, HOWEVER, WOULD HIT HONG KONG’S EXPORT TRADE. HONG KONG MUST THEREFORE INCREASE THE CAPACITY AND COMPETITIVENESS OF ITS MANU’FACTORING INDUSTRY IF IT WAS TO KEEP UP ITS STRONG ECONOMIC DRIVING FORCE, MR POON SAID.
”WE CAN SURVIVE \NI) PROSPER ONLY IF OUR GOODS ARE WELCOMED BY OTHER COUNTRIES BECAUSE OF THEIR QUALITY AND REASONABLE PRICES AND ALSO KEEP UP OUR FIGHT AGAINST PROTECTIONISM,” HE SAID.
MR POON SAID THE GOVERNMENT SHOULD DO MORE TO ENCOURAGE RESEARCH AND TECHNOLOGY TRANSFER BECWSE HONG KONG WAS LAGGING BEHIND TAIWAN, KOREA XND SINGAPORE IN HIGH TECHNOLOGY.
"THE ESTABLISHMENT OF THE COMMITTEE ON SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY AND THE FORMATION OF THE UNIVERSITY OF SCIENCE AND ’IECHNOLOG ARE VERY WELCOME STEPS TOWARDS ACHIEVE TH IS END, HE SAID.
TURNING TO THE REGULATION OF THE FINANCIAL AND COMMERCIAL SECTORS, MR POON SAID THERE MUS’!’ BE SUFFICIENT POWER AND SAFEGUARDS TO PROTECT INVESTORS, I SPECIALLY IN CASE OF SUDDEN CRISIS, AND IO ENSURE INTERNATIONAL CONFIDENCE IN THE INTEGRITY OF HONG KONG.
/•’NEVERTHELESS, WE
WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 9, 1988
15 -
"NEVERTHELESS, WE MUST AVOID OVER-REGULATION WHICH WOULD STIFLE GROWTH AND EFFICIENCY OF OUR FREE MARKET ECONOMY," HE STRESSED. HE SAID HE WAS SURE THAT A PROPER BALANCE COULD BE STRUCK.
ON PUBLIC FINANCES, MR POON SAID HE ENVISAGED MORE PRIVATISATION OR HIVING OFF OF SOME SERVICES IF IT WOULD BE MORE EFFICIENT AND COST-EFFECTIVE TO DO SO.
WHERE IT AFFECTED THE PUBLIC AT LARGE, THE GOVERNMENT WOULD NO DOUBT WISH TO RETAIN A MEASURE OF CONTROL TO SEE THAT SUCH SERVICES WERE PROPERLY MANAGED AND NOT UNREASONABLY PRICED, HE ADDED.
TURNING TO THE GOVERNMENT’S PLAN TO SET UP A THINK TANK, MR POON SAID THE CONCEPT HAD WORKED WELL IN OTHER COUNTRIES.
NON-GOVERNMENT MEMBERS IN THE THINK TANK SHOULD BE HIGHLY TALENTED PEOPLE WITH GREAT EXPERTISE AND DEEP UNDERSTANDING OF HONG KONG.
THEY SHOULD BE INDEPENDENT, NOT AFFECTED BY POLITICAL PRESSURE AND MUST HAVE INTEGRITY AND A SINCERE COMMITMENT TO FURTHER THE INTERESTS OF HONG KONG, HE ADDED.
MR POON BELIEVED THAT THE THINK TANK WOULD NOT ERODE THE FUNCTIONS OF THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL.
RATHER, IT SHOULD BE AN ADDITIONAL AVENUE TO COLLATE KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERTISE QUICKLY TO ASSIST THE GOVERNMENT AND THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL IN ACTING PROMPTLY, MORE EFFICIENTLY AND EFFECTIVELY.
ON OTHER MATTERS, HE ALSO SAID THAT EFFORTS TO REDUCE ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION MUST BE IMPLEMENTED AS SOON AS POSSIBLE.
-------0 ---------
SUPPORT FOR TECHNOLOGY COMMITTEE URGED
♦ t * » »
THE GOVERNMENT SHOULD PROVIDE THE COMMITTEE ON SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY WITH BACK-UP FACILITIES SO THAT IT COULD OPERATE MORE EFFECTIVELY, PROF THE HON C.K. POON SAID IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
SPEAKING IN THE POLICY DEBATE, PROF POON EXPRESSED CONCERN OVER THE ADMINISTRATION’S ABILITY TO CATCH UP WITH THE COMMITTEE’S WORK IN TERMS OF INFRASTRUCTURAL OR TECHNICAL BACK-UP.
/HE SAID
WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 9» 1988
16
HE SAID THE COMMITTEE DID NOT HAVE ANY SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY DEPARTMENT WHICH COULD PROVIDE CENTRALISED SUPPORT. BETTER TECHNICAL SECRETARIAT BACK-UP FOR THE COMMITTEE WAS REQUIRED.
SUCH PROBLEMS COULD BE SOLVED BY ADJUSTING AND SIMPLIFYING THE EXISTING BUREAUCRACY AND IMPROVING COMMUNICATION AMONG THE PARTIES CONCERNED.
PROF POON ALSO URGED THE GOVERNMENT IMMEDIATELY TO PROVIDE THE COMMITTEE WITH AN ANNUAL BUDGET WHICH WOULD BE "REALISTICALLY ADEQUATE" TO ENABLE THE COMMITTEE TO ACHIEVE ITS OBJECTIVES. AT PRESENT, THE COMMITTEE HAD NO CAPITAL GRANT OR INDEPENDENT VOTE.
"WHILE THERE IS NO LACK OF ENTHUSIASM OR ABILITY ON THE COMMITTEE’S PART TO FULFIL ALL THESE OBJECTIVES, WE CANNOT DEVELOP AND IMPLEMENT NEW IDEAS AND ORGANISE EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMMES BY WAVING A MAGIC WAND," HE SAID.
THERE WAS A NEED TO PROMOTE PUBLIC AWARENESE OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY THROUGH PUBLICITY CAMPAIGNS.
"ALL OUR EFFORTS TO MAKE SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY WORK FOR HONG KONG WOULD ONLY BE WORTHWHILE IF THE MESSAGE GETS THROUGH TO OUR FACTORY WORKERS, HOUSEWIVES AND OUR YOUNG PEOPLE. AFTER ALL, THIS IS WHAT POPULAR SCIENCE EDUCATION IS ALL ABOUT," HE SAID.
A GREATER DEGREE OF CO-ORDINATION COULD ACHIEVE BETTER RESULTS.
PROF POON PRAISED THE GOVERNMENT FOR MOVING TOWARDS ESTABLISHMENT OF HONG KONG’S FIRST TECHNOLOGY CENTRE, DESCRIBING THIS AS "ONE OF THE MOST EXCITING PROJECTS" AND "A LAUDABLE MOVE".
BUT HE LISTED A NUMBER OF FACTORS THAT WOULD DETERMINE ITS EVENTUAL SUCCESS OR OTHERWISE IN ENCOURAGING INNOVATION IN INDUSTRY.
"ONE OF THESE FACTORS IS THE ADEQUATE INPUT OF IDEAS CONCERNING THE APPLICATION OF NEW TECHNOLOGIES IN INDUSTRY," HE SAID.
HE BELIEVED THAT ONE VERY EFFECTIVE WAY TO PRODUCE THESE IDEAS WOULD BE TO HOLD REGULAR INTERNATIONAL TECHNOLOGY EXCHANGE FAIRS TN HONG KONG, A PROPOSAL WHICH WAS CURRENTLY UNDER ACTIVE CONSIDERATION BY THE COMMITTEE.
"THROUGH THE ORGANISATION OI THESE FAIRS, HONG KONG WOULD GRADUALLY ACHIEVE INTERNATIONAL RECOGNITION AS A CENTRE FOR TECHNOLOGY EXCHANGE," HE SAID.
HE THEREFORE URGED ALL PARTIES CONCERNED, SUCH AS THE TRADE DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL, TO GIVE FULL SUPPORT TO THE PROPOSAL.
TURNING TO THE ENVIRONMENT, PROF POON MENTIONED MAJOR CONCERNS WHICH HE FELT HAD NOT BEEN ADDRESSED PROPERLY.
/HE SAID
WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 9, 1988
17 -
POLLUTION WOULD
WERE EFFECTIVELY
SITUATION IN HONG
SMALL INDUSTRIES
HE SAID THE FIGHT AGAINST ENVIRONMENTAL PRODUCE RESULTS ONLY IF LEGISLATIVE SANCTIONS IMPLEMENTED, TAKING INTO CONSIDERATION THE UNIQUE KONG WHERE OVER 95 PER CENT OF ITS INDUSTRY WERE
WITH A SMALL FACTORY SPACE.
CANNOT BE
HAVE THE AVAILABLE
"SOLUTIONS TO ENVIRONMENTAL PROBLEMS OVERSEAS BLINDLY APPLIED IN HONG KONG. MANY FACTORIES SIMPLY DO NOT SPACE TO ACCOMMODATE EXTRA POLLUTION-PREVENTIVE EQUIPMENT
IN SHOPS,” HE SAID.
HE URGED THE GOVERNMENT TO CONSIDER SERVICES OR STRENGTHENING SUCH SERVICES IN AGENCIES, ON A NON-PROFIT MAKING BASIS, MANUFACTURING ENTERPRISES, IN PARTICULAR IDENTIFY WAYS TO REDUCE POLLUTANTS.
ESTABLISHING CONSULTANCY SOME GOVERNMENT-SUBVENTED TO HELP INDUSTRIAL AND THE SMALL OPERATORS, TO
"IN THE END, THIS WILL PROVE A FAR MORE COST-EFFECTIVE WA'i TO COMBAT ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION FROM INDUSTRY," HE SAID.
PROF POON ALSO URGED THE GOVERNMENT COMMUNITY TO WAGE WAR AGAINST SOURCES OF UNDERSTOOD THAT EVERY PERSON HAD A SENSE TOWARDS ONE’S ENVIRONMENT.
TO CALL ON THE ENTIRE POLLUTION BY MAKING IT OF SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY
HE WAS TRAFFIC NOISE ENVIRONMENTAL
DISAPPOINTED THAT THE PREVALENT PROBLEM OF GENERAL WAS COMPLETELY LEFT OUT OF THE SCHEME TO COMBAT POLLUTION. HE URGED THE GOVERNMENT TO ADDRESS PROPERLY THIS COMPLEX PROBLEM, ESPECIALLY IN PLANNING FOR BETTER CONTROL IN
FUTURE.
PROF POON QUESTIONED THE GOVERNMENT ON THE POSITION REGARDING THE MUCH PUBLICISED LIVESTOCK WASTE CONTROL SCHEME.
HF RELIEVED THAT IN ORDER TO RETAIN CREDIBILITY, IT WAS IMPERATIVE THAT THE DEMONSTRATION PROJECTS PROMISED BY THE GOVERNMENT SHOULD GO AHEAD WITHOUT ANY UNNECESSARY DELAV.
-----0------
/18........
WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 9, 1988
- 18 -
DEPARTMENT ON TOWN PLANNING ADVOCATED *****
A STRONG CASE EXISTS FOR SETTING UP A TOWN PLANNING DEPARTMENT SO THAT ALL IMPORTANT PROCESSES IN TOWN PLANNING ARE CONDUCTED IN AN INTEGRATED CONTEXT RATHER THAN PIECEMEAL, THE HON CHENG HON-KWAN SAID TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
SPEAKING IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL POLICY DEBATE, MR CHENG SAID FOR MORE THAN A DECADE TOWN PLANNERS HAD FELT THAT BECAUSE OF ORGANISATIONAL CONSTRAINTS AND DIFFUSED DEPLOYMENT OF STAFF THEY HAD BEEN INHIBITED FROM MAKING THE FULLEST POSSIBLE CONTRIBUTION TO THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE TERRITORY.
WELCOMING THE CREATION OF A NEW POLICY BRANCH IN GOVERNMENT RESPONSIBLE FOR BOTH PLANNING AND ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AND THE SETTING UP OF A NEW DRAINAGE SERVICES DEPARTMENT, MR CHENG NOTED THAT THE GOVERNOR HAD IN HIS POLICY SPEECH POINTED TO THE CLOSE CORRELATION BETWEEN PLANNING AND MEASURES TO PROTECT THE ENVIRONMENT.
HE FELT THAT THIS LINK WAS SO IMPORTANT THAT IT WAS TIME THAT THE PLANNERS* ROLE SHOULD BE MORE CLEARLY RECOGNISED AND IDENTIFIED IN THE GOVERNMENT STRUCTURE. A NEW TOWN PLANNING DEPARTMENT COULD, LIKE THE ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION DEPARTMENT AND THE NEW DRAINAGE SERVICES DEPARTMENT, COME UNDER THE GUIDANCE OF THE NEW POLICY BRANCH DEALING WITH ENVIRONMENT.
MR CHENG ALSO NOTED THAT THE 49-YEAR-OLD TOWN PLANNING ORDINANCE, WHICH OBVIOUSLY COULD NOT COPE WITH PRESENT AND FUTURE SOCIO-ECONOMIC AND POLITICAL CONDITIONS, WAS BEING REVIEWED.
’’THIS ORDINANCE SHOULD BE ENVIRONMENT-ORIENTED AND SHOULD PROVIDE FOR PROPER AND EFFICIENT TOWN PLANNING TAKING INTO CONSIDERATION OVERALL AS WELL AS DISTRICT IMPLICATIONS; MORE PUBLIC INVOLVEMENT IN THE PLANNING PROCESSES; EFFECTIVE ENFORCEMENT OF PLANNING PROPOSALS; AND FAIRER PLANNING SYSTEM, COMMENSURATE WITH THE TERRITORY’S UNIQUE SITUATION," HE SAID.
ON THE LABOUR SHORTAGE, MR CHENG SAID THE SOLUTION DID NOT LIE SIMPLY IN THE PROVISION OF MORE WORKERS, BUT MORE REALISTICALLY IN HONG KONG’S NEED TO TAKE A QUANTUM LEAP TOWARDS IMPROVING PRODUCTIVITY AND EFFICIENCY.
HE THEREFORE SUGGESTED THAT THE GOVERNMENT SHOULD TAKE A HARD LOOK AT THE EXISTING SYSTEM TO SEE IF IT WERE NOT BY MODERN STANDARDS INEFFICIENT AND INEFFECTIVE.
TURNING TO INFLATION, MR CHENG SAID HE WAS PARTICULARLY WORRIED ABOUT THE RATE AT WHICH COMMERCIAL AND RESIDENTIAL RENTALS HAD BEEN RISING.
/'•IF WE
WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 9» 19&6
- 19 -
"IF WE ARE NOT ABLE TO INCREASE OUR STOCK OF OFFICE AND RESIDENTIAL ACCOMMODATION AND TO IMPROVE OUR EXISTING STOCK, WE CANNOT HOPE TO CONTINUE TO ATTRACT INTERNATIONAL COMPANIES TO BASE THEMSELVES HERE NOR CAN WE CONTROL THE CURRENT RENTAL SPIRAL WHICH, TOO, WILL DETER NEWCOMERS AND CAUSE COMPANIES ALREADY HERE TO RE-EXAMINE THE COST-EFFECTIVENESS OF HONG KONG VERSUS OUR ASIAN NEIGHBOURS."
HE SUGGESTED THAT ONE WAY OF INCREASING THE STOCK OF UP-TO-DATE BUILDINGS WAS TO CARRY OUT FAR-REACHING REFURBISHMENT TO EXISTING BUILDINGS, CHANGING THEM IN EVERY RESPECT WITH A MINIMUM INPUT OF TIME, MANPOWER AND CONSTRUCTION RESOURCES.
THE MORE QUICKLY THAT ADDITIONAL LAND COULD BE MADE AVAILABLE BY THE GOVERNMENT FOR COMMERCIAL DEVELOPMENT, THE SOONER THE DISQUIETING INFLATIONARY TREND COULD BE CURBED.
ON EDUCATION, MR CHENG SAID HE WELCOMED THE HIGH PRIORITY WHICH THE GOVERNMENT WOULD CONTINUE TO GIVE TO THE EXPANSION OF HIGHER EDUCATION.
HOWEVER, HE HOPED THAT THE PERCENTAGE OF YOUNG PEOPLE IN THE RELEVANT AGE GROUP TO BE PROVIDED WITH FIRST-DEGREE COURSE PLACES COULD BE SET HIGHER.
HE ALSO CALLED FOR HIGHER TARGETS AND GREATER COMMITMENT IN THE FIELD OF RESEARCH, PART ICULARLY TECHNOLOGICAL AND SCIENTIFIC RESEARCH AT THE TERTIARY LEVEL.
"SURELY WE CAN GIVE MORE EFFECTIVE SUPPORT TO STUDIES WHICH, DIRECTLY AND INDIRECTLY, SHOULD YIELD SUBSTANTIAL BENEFITS TO THE COMMUNITY, ECONOMICALLY AS WELL AS ACADEMICALLY,” HE SAID.
MR (.’HENG ADDED THAT HE SUPPORTED SETTING UP A CENTRAL POLICY UNIT.
- - 0 - -
LIMITATIONS HAMPER ADVISORY COMMITTEES t ♦ ♦ r ♦
THE 400-PLUS STATUTORY AND NON-STATUTORY ADVISORY COMMITTEES SET UP BY THE GOVERNMENT CAN BE LIKENED TO A PUPPET SHOW IN COMMITTEE MEMBERS ACT ACCORDING TO THE SCRIPT PREPARED BY THE GOVERNMENT, THE HON HUI YIN-FAI SAID TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
THEIR FUNCTIONS, COMPOSITION NOT SUCCESSFULLY PLAYED THEIR HUI SAID IN THE LEGISLATIVE
OWING TO LIMITATIONS IMPOSED ON AND PROCEDURES, THESE COMMITTEES HAD ROLE AS A SURROGATE FOR DEMOCRACY, MR COUNC1L POL ICY DEBATE.
/’’ALTHOUGH THE
WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 9, 1988
20
’’ALTHOUGH THE GOVERNMENT CLAIMS THAT MEMBERSHIP OF ITS ADVISORY COMMITTEES IS DRAWN FROM DIFFERENT SECTORS OF THE COMMUNITY, IN PRACTICE THE GOVERNMENT TENDS TO DO THE CASTING OF THE SHOW, ' HE SAID.
THE EXCLUSION OF HON SZETO WAH FROM THE BOARD OF EDUCATION AND THE EDUCATION COMMISSION WAS A WASTE OF MR SZETO*S INVALUABLE EXPERIENCE, EXPERT KNOWLEDGE AND LONG YEARS OF SERVICE IN THE FIELD OF EDUCATION, THUS MAKING A MOCKERY OF THE GOVERNMENT’S CONSULTATIVE SYSTEM, HE SAID.
MR HUI ALSO NOTED THAT OF THE 14 NON-GOVERNMENT MEMBERS OF LEGCO WHO SERVED AS CHAIRMEN OF PUBLIC BODIES LAST YEAR, 12 WERE APPOINTED MEMBERS.
’’THE APPOINTMENT OF THE CHAIRMAN OF THE ADVISORY COMMITTEE ON SOCIAL WORK TRAINING, A PSYCHIATRY PROFESSIONAL IN HER OWN RIGHT, WHO HAS NO EXPERIENCE AND BACKGROUND LN SOCIAL WORK TRAINING, OFFERS A GLARING EXAMPLE OF THE INCONCEIVABLE CRITERIA BY WHICH THE GOVERNMENT APPOINTS ITS ADVISORY COMMITTEE MEMBERS," HE SAID.
TO IMPROVE THE SITUATION, MR HUI SUGGESTED THAT THE ADMINISTRATION SHOULD EXAMINE THE NEED TO GIVE ADVISORY COMMITTEES "REAL POWERS" AND A SAY IN POLICY MAKING, AND THIS SHOULD BE BUILT INTO THEIR TERMS OF REFERENCE.
HE ALSO SUGGESTED THAT THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN THE RECENTLY SET UP INDEPENDENT AUTHORITIES — HOUSING AUTHORITY, PROVISIONAL HOSPITAL AUTHORITY AND BROADCASTING AUTHORITY — AND THE RELEVANT OMELCO PANELS SHOULD BE CLEARLY DEFINED.
THESE ADVISORY COMMITTEES, IF THEY WERE REALLY DETERMINED, WOULD BE ABLE TO MONITOR TO SOME EXTENT GOVERNMENT PERFORMANCE AND ALLOCATION OF RESOURCES WITH SUBSTANTIAL IMPACT ON GOVERNMENT ACTION AND THINKING.
HE ALSO SUGGESTED THAT THESE ADVISORY COMMITTEES SHOULD CONSIDER HOLDING OPEN MEETINGS TO ENSURE THAT MEMBERS WOULD BE ACCOUNTABLE TO THE PUBLIC.
TURNING TO THE PROVISION OF SOCIAL WELFARE SERVICES, MP HUI SAID HE SHARED A DISAPPOINTMENT THAT THE POLICY ADDRESS LACKED THE BROAD VISION OF A PRECURSOR.
THE IMPROVEMENTS TO EXISTING SERVICES AS ANNOUNCED BY THE GOVERNOR, SUCH AS THE EXTENSION OF OLD AGE AND DISABILITY ALLOWANCES AND THE PROPOSED LEGISLATION FOR PRIVATE HOMES FOR THE ELDERLY, WERE ALL SOCIAL POLICIES THAT SHOULD HAVE BEEN IMPLEMENTED SOME YEARS AGO, HE SAID.
/THE TWO
WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 9t 19$®
- 21 -
THE TWO MOST URGENT TASKS IN HAND WERE AN EARLY IMPLEMENTATION OF AN IMPROVED MANNING RATIO IN WELFARE ORGANISATIONS AS ENDORSED BY THE SOCIAL WELFARE ADVISORY COMMITTEE, AND THE FORMULATION OF A LONG-TERM SOCIAL WORK MANPOWER POLICY.
ON THE PROBLEM OF VIETNAMESE BOAT PEOPLE, MU HUI SAID THAT BRITAIN WAS BOUND BOTH MORALLY AND IN DUTY TO ALLEVIATE HONG KONG S PLIGHT BY ACCEPTING MORE VIETNAMESE REFUGEES FROM THE TERRITORY.
"IF IMMEDIATE ACTION IS NOT TAKEN, HONG KONG WILL HAVE NO ALTERNATIVE BUT TO EXPOUND TO THE WHOLE WORLD THE UNITED KINGDOM S GROSSLY UNFAIR TREATMENT TOWARDS HONG KONG OVER THE VIETNAMESE REFUGEE ISSUE," HE SAID.
---0------
TECHNOLOGY THE
ANSWER TO LABOUR SHORTAGE *****
BETTER TECHNOLOGY IS SHORTAGE, THE HON DAVID LI (WEDNESDAY).
THE SINGLE BEST SOLUTION TO THE LABOUR SAID IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY
GOVERNMENT
TO TO
SPFAK1NG IN THE POLICY DEBATE, MR LI URGED THE
BE FIRM IN SETTING PRIORITIES FOR INFRASTRUCTURAL PR°^CT® A §BLAY ENSURE THAT SHORTAGES IN AREAS REQUIRING KEY SKILLS DID NOT DELAY
ESSENTIAL PROJECTS.
"THIS MAY REQUIRE RELAXING IMMIGRATION ALLOWING SELECTED SKILLS TO WORK IN HONG KONG FOR HE SAID.
REGULATIONS, AND LIMITED PERIODS,"
RATHER,
LABOUR.
TO LOOK
HONG KONG SHOULD NOT, HOWEVER, IMPORT UNSKILLED THE GOVERNMENT SHOULD ACTIVELY ENCOURAGE C0N’IRrCT“R‘r .lR_oAVIN0 __ ESPECIALLY TO JAPAN AND NORTH AMERICA -- FOR LABOUR SAVING
PREFABRICATION AND CONSTRUCTION TECHNIQUES.
"TECHNOLOGY-LINKED TAX INCENTIVES MIGHT BE WORTH MR LI SUGGESTED.
CONSIDERING,"
ON •ESTABLISHING A
TECHNOLOGYCENTRE, MR LI STRESSED THE NEED TO IMPROVE DRAMATICALLY ™ — to
WHILE WELCOMING THE
RECOMMENDATION
INDUSTRY.
/"WE MUST
WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER % 1988
- 22 -
"WE MUST SIGNIFICANTLY STRENGTHEN THE TECHNOLOGICAL AND TECHNICAL COMPONENTS IN OUR EDUCATIONAL SYSTEM, WHICH ARE NOW GROSSLY INADEQUATE.
"WE SHOULD HELP PRODUCERS TO MOVE UPMARKET. IF WE DO NOT, WE RISK THE COLLAPSE OF OUR INDUSTRIAL SECTOR," HE SAID.
ON LEGISLATION FOR THE SECURITIES INDUSTRY NOW BEING DISCUSSED, MR LI FEARED THAT THIS WOULD GIVE REGULATORS SWEEPING POWERS, IN SOME INSTANCES IN DIRECT CONTRAVENTION TO THE PRINCIPLES OF NATURAL JUSTICE ON WHICH HONG KONG’S ECONOMIC SYSTEM DEPENDED SO GREATLY FOR ITS SURVIVAL.
"THERE IS A FINE LINE BETWEEN PAST UNDER-REGULATION, WHICH ENCOURAGED ABUSES, AND OVER-REGULATION, THAT STIFLES FINANCIAL CREATIVITY," HE SAID.
THE ESTABLISHMENT OF AN IMPARTIAL, INDEPENDENT APPEALS PROCEDURE SHOULD BE PROVIDED UNDER THE NEW STRUCTURE FOR THE SECURITIES INDUSTRY.
TURNING TO THE BANKING INDUSTRY, MR LI SAID HE WAS PLEASED THE GOVERNMENT WAS REVIEWING A PROPOSAL TO AMEND THE BANKING ORDINANCE 1986 TO ESTABLISH SUCH AN INDEPENDENT APPEALS PROCEDURE FOR THAT SECTOR.
"WE NEED TO ENSURE THAT WHEN DIFFERENCES OF OPINION OCCUR BETWEEN THE BANKING COMMISSIONER AND A BANK, THE BANK HAS AN AVENUE OF APPEAL THAT IS IMPARTIAL AND INDEPENDENT, BOTH IN FACT AND APPEARANCE.
"IF WE FAIL IN THIS, IT COULD DETER BANKS FROM COMMITTING THEIR RESOURCES TO THIS MARKET AND LEAD TO A DECLINE IN HONG KONG’S ROLE AS AN INTERNATIONAL FINANCIAL CENTRE," HE NOTED.
MR LI ALSO SAW THE NEED TO SHIFT CONTROL OVER THE CLEARING HOUSE TO THE EXCHANGE FUND.
THE PRESENT SYSTEM INVOLVED SERIOUS CONFLICTS OF INTERESTS, WHICH COULD UNDERMINE HONG KONG’S DEVELOPMENT AND CREDIBILITY AS AN INTERNATIONAL FINANCIAL CENTRE.
AS WITH THE SECURITIES MARKETS, THE "CLOSED CLUB" APPROACH WAS NO LONGER APPROPRIATE, HE SAID.
ON THE BRAIN DRAIN ISSUE, MR LI SAID MUCH OF THE GOVERNMENT'S FOCUS SEEMED TO BE LURING EMIGRANTS BACK.
HE WARNED AGAINST OFFERING TOO MANY PRIVILEGES TO THESE EMIGRANTS LEST THEY SHOULD GENERATE HOSTILITY BETWEEN THOSE WITH FOREIGN PASSPORTS AND THOSE WITHOUT, AND SEND THE WRONG SIGNAL TO THOSE UNDECIDED ABOUT STAYING OR LEAVING.
/MR LI .......
WEDNESDAY, NOVQffiER 9, 1988
- 23 -
MR LI FELT THAT IS ORDER TO ENCOURAGE PEOPLE TO STAY LN OR TO RETURN TO HONG KONG, THE TERRITORY HAD TO BE COMPETITIVE IN THE LIFESTYLE IT OFFERED.
"MANY OF THE 'PERKS’ OF MIDDLE CLASS LIFE ELSEWHERE ARE HARD TO COME BY HERE.
"WHILE WE CANNOT RELAX MEASURES TO CONTROL THE NUMBER OF MOTOR CARS, WE COULD CONSIDER THE DEDUCTIBILITY OF MORTGAGE INTEREST FOR RESIDENTS’ OWN HOMES.
"THIS WOULD ENABLE PEOPLE WHO STAY IN HONG KONG TO IMPROVE THEIR LIVING CONDITIONS, HF SAID.
"UNDOUBTEDLY, THE BRAIN DRAIN WILL CHANGE THE WAY HONG KONG DOES BUSINESS AND THE WAY HONG KONG IS ADMINISTERED.
"THE GOVERNMENT -- WITH A CIVIL SERVICE WASTAGE RATE OF OVER FOUR PER CENT LAST YEAR -- MUST DEVELOP A NEW GENERATION OF BETTER-TRAINED, COST-EFFECTIVE PUBLIC SERVANTS. ADMINISTRATIVE PROCEDURES WILL HAVE TO CHANGE. WE CANNOT AFFORD ANY MORE RED TAPE.”
NOTING THAT HONG KONG'S ONLY RESOURCE WAS ITS PEOPLE, MR LI URGED THE GOVERNMENT TO INVEST MUCH MORE HEAVILY IN CONTINUING EDUCATION PROGRAMMES TO UPGRADE THE SKILLS OF THOSE ALREADY IN THE WORKFORCE AND TO HELP FRESH GRADUATES ACQUIRE ADDITIONAL SKILLS.
HE DESCRIBED AS TIMELY THE GOVERNMENT’S DECISION TO MOVE FORWARD WITH AN OPEN LEARNING INSTITUTE.
ON THE GOVERNMENT’S "NEW-FOUND ZEAL" TO TACKLE POLLUTION, MR LI CAUTIONED THAT WHAT HONG KONG NEEDED NOW WAS PRACTICAL ACTION, NOT GRANDIOSE SCHEMES WHICH COULD FURTHER TAX LIMITED MANPOWER RESOURCES.
HE HOPED THE GOVERNMENT WOULD ADDRESS THE CRITICISM THAT IT WAS UNDERMINING POLLUTION CONTROL BY PASSING RESPONSIBILITY TO THE DEPARTMENT THAT CREATED THE PAST ABUSE.
IN WELCOMING THE PROPOSAL FOR A CENTRAL POLICY UNIT, MR LI SAID THE GOVERNMENT MUST RECRUIT INDEPENDENTLY MINDED TALENT TO THE UNIT, WHICH SHOULD HAVE THE CLEAR MANDATE TO ANTICIPATE WHERE HONG KONG MUST GO AND TIME TO EXAMINE THE OPTIONS.
HE HOPED THE UNIT WOULD NOT BECOME JUST ANOTHER ADVISORY BOARD TO RUBBER STAMP DECISIONS.
MR LI ALSO URGED THE GOVERNMENT TO MAKE BETTER USE OF THE EXPERTISE AND COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT THAT WAS NOW REPRESENTED IN LEGCO.
HE SUGGESTED THAT A SYSTEM OF SELECT COMMITTEES BE SET UP TO WORK WITH EACH POLICY SECRETARY.
SUCH COMMITTEES, HE BELIEVED, WOULD BE ABLE TO EXPRESS THE NEEDS OF THE COMMUNITY AND TO PRODUCE POLICIES THAT WOULD COMMAND GENERAL ACCEPTANCE.
-------0---------
/2U........
WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 9, 1988
- 24
HK INDUSTRY SHOULD GO HIGH-TECH * * * *
HONG KONG INDUSTRY SHOULD MOVE TOWARDS HIGH-VALUED AND TECHNOLOGY-BASED PRODUCTION, IN VIEW OF THE STIFF COMPETITION FROM NEIGHBOURING COUNTRIES WITH LOWER PRODUCTION COSTS AND CHEAPER LABOUR, AND FROM ESTABLISHED COUNTRIES WITH HIGHER PRODUCTIVITY, BETTER QUALITY AND INNOVATION, THE HON TAI CHIN-WAH SAID TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
SPEAKING IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL POLICY DEBATE, MR TAI SAID TO ACHIEVE THAT AIM HONG KONG SHOULD REDUCE ITS DEPENDENCE ON THE LABOUR INTENSIVE SECTOR.
HE NOTED THAT WHILE THE TWO INDUSTRIAL ESTATES IN TAI PO AND YUEN LONG OFFERED SUITABLE INDUSTRIAL LAND TO BIG MANUFACTURERS, THE OPPORTUNITIES FOR LOCAL EMPLOYMENT WERE RATHER LIMITED.
MR TAI URGED THE GOVERNMENT TO FORMULATE A BETTER LAND POLICY FOR THE USE OF AGRICULTURE LAND TO CATER FOR INDUSTRIAL NEEDS, SO AS TO CREATE EMPLOYMENT REGIONALLY AND LESSEN THE EVER INCREASING TRANSPORTATION AND FAMILY PROBLEMS IN THE NEW TOWNS.
"TOWN PLANNERS AND LAND ADMINISTRATORS SHOULD TAKE A REALISTIC URGENT LOOK AT THE OVERALL SITUATION AND RECOMMEND MEANINGFUL SOLUTION TO REDRESS THE PROBLEMS," HE SAID.
HE SAID THAT SUITABLE MEASURES COULD BE MADE, SUCH AS TO STREAMLINE THE PROCESSING OF APPLICATIONS AND MODIFICATION OF CRITERIA IMPOSED BY THE ADMINISTRATION ON LAND USE.
TURNING TO YOUTH CRIME, WHICH HE MAINTAINED WAS LARGELY A RESULT OF OVERCROWDED LIVING CONDITIONS, LACK OF RECREATIONAL FACILITIES AND LACK OF PARENTAL CARE, MR TAI SAID THAT THE GOVERNMENT SHOULD STRENGTHEN POLICE MANPOWER AND ESTABLISH A DIVISION TO WORK CLOSELY WITH OUTREACHING SOCIAL WORKERS BY PROVIDING SPEEDY AND EFFECTIVE ASSISTANCE.
RECALLING THAT THE WHITE PAPER ON THE DEVELOPMENT OF REPRESENTATIVE GOVERNMENT HAD MADE PROVISION FOR THE GOVERNMENT TO CONSULT A PARTICULAR DISTRICT BOARD ABOUT ALL DISTRICT MATTERS, MR TAI REGRETTED THAT THE OPEN CAMP POLICY RELATING TO VIETNAMESE REFUGEES, WHICH LARGELY AFFECTED THE TUEN MUN DISTRICT, WAS INTRODUCED WITHOUT PRIOR CONSULTATION WITH THE LOCAL DISTRICT BOARD.
HE SAID THE EXTENT AND THE DEGREE IN IMPLEMENTING THE OPEN CAMP POLICY SHOULD BE EXERCISED WITH CAUTION AND BE REVIEWED FROM TIME TO TIME.
/MOREOVER, THE
WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 9» 1988
MOREOVER, THE ADMINISTRATION SHOULD PROVIDE CLEAR AND DETAILED INFORMATION AS TO THE ARRANGEMENTS.
ON THE LIGHT RAIL TRANSIT (LRT), MR TAI NOTED THAT THE SERIES OF ACCIDENTS HAD REVEALED THAT THERE HAD BEEN A TREMENDOUS INCREASE IN POPULATION AND TRAFFIC VOLUME IN TUEN MUN, AND A DECREASE IN ROAD SURFACES FOR VEHICULAR TRAFFIC, BECAUSE SOME ROAD SPACE HAD BEEN EXCLUSIVELY RESERVED FOR LRT TRACKS.
ON ENVIRONMENTAL PROBLEMS, MR TAI URGED THE GOVERNMENT TO DRAW UP PLANS TO IMPROVE FOUL WATER SEWAGE SYSTEMS IN THE TERRITORY WHICH, IN HIS OPINION, WERE ESSENTIAL FOR THE COLLECTION OF FOUL WATER FROM RESIDENTIAL, INDUSTRIAL AND RURAL AREAS.
AS TO INDUSTRIAL POLLUTION, HE SAID A BALANCE MUST BE STRUCK BETWEEN PRODUCTION COSTS AND ENVIRONMENTAL EFFECTS.
THE OVERALL PROBLEMS OF POLLUTION CAUSED BY THE INDUSTRIAL SECTOR COULD HAVE BEEN MITIGATED TREMENDOUSLY WITH MORE TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE AND ADVICE FROM THE ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION DEPARTMENT.
ON TOWN PLANNING AND NEW TERRITORIES DEVELOPMENT, MR TAI STRESSED THAT A REGIONAL LAYOUT PLAN WAS OF GREAT SIGNIFICANCE; AND THAT THE DISTRICT OFFICES AND THE DISTRICT BOARDS SHOULD BE WELL CONSULTED BEFORE THE PREPARATION OF THE DRAFT PLAN SO THAT THE NEEDS OF THE PARTICULAR COMMUNITY COULD BE CATERED FOR.
STATING THAT URBAN FRINGE AND RURAL PLANNING DEVELOPMENT AND IMPROVEMENT HAD BEEN A FAILURE IN THE PAST DECADE, MR TAI SUGGESTED THAT SOME NEW ADMINISTRATIVE ARRANGEMENTS BETWEEN THE DISTRICT OFFICE, THE DISTRICT LANDS OFFICE, AND TOWN PLANNERS COULD BE MADE TO IMPROVE LAND ADMINISTRATION.
PARTICULAR EMPHASIS SHOULD BE PUT ON THE QUESTION OF IMPLEMENTING TOWN PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT PLANS.
PUBLIC ENGINEERING WORK WAS EVIDENTLY NEEDED TO REDRESS THE DEFICIENCY, WHICH MIGHT NECESSARILY ENTAIL LAND RESUMPTION.
NOTING THAT SUCH ENGINEERING WORK WOULD NORMALLY TAKE THREE TO FOUR YEARS TO MATERIALISE, HE URGED THE GOVERNMENT TO GIVE PRIORITY AND URGENT ATTENTION TO THE WORK IF APPROVED.
-------0---------
/26........
WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 9, 1988
26 -
'EYE-OPENER' IN MANAGING PUBLIC AFFAIRS *****
THE GOVERNOR’S POLICY SPEECH WAS AN EYE-OPENER IN THE ART AND SCIENCE OF MANAGING PUBLIC AFFAIRS IN HONG KONG, THE HON ANDREW WONG SAID IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
SPEAKING IN THE POLICY DEBATE, MR WONG NOTED THAT FOR THE FIRST TIME THE MOTION OF THANKS WAS MOVED BY A NON-GOVERNMENT MEMBER.
HE SAID THAT WHAT WAS SO STRIKING ABOUT THE POLICY ADDRESS WAS NOT THE GOVERNOR’S DETERMINATION TO THINK LONG TERM AND GIVE AN ENERGETIC LEAD TO THE EFFORTS OF THE PEOPLE TO IMPROVE THE LIFE OF THE COMMUNITY.
NOR WAS IT THE ASSESSMENT THAT "WE IN HONG KONG DO HAVE THE ABILITY TO CONFRONT THE PROBLEMS WHICH FACE US". THAT WOULD BE PAINTING A VERY ROSY PICTURE INDEED, MR WONG SAID.
INSTEAD, WHAT THE GOVERNOR HAD DONE IN HIS POLICY SPEECH WAS TO PAINT THE PICTURE AS IT WAS, WARTS AND ALL, AND REMINDING THE PEOPLE THAI' NO SOCIETY WAS WITHOUT PROBLEMS.
"WHAT A REFRESHING APPROACH TO A GUBERNATORIAL POLICY ADDRESS," HE SAID.
MR WONG SAID HE WAS PARTICULARLY HEARTENED BY THE INCLUSION IN THE POLICY SPEECH OF SUCH PROBLEMS AS THE PLIGHT OF THE ELDERLY, THE DISABLED AND THE VULNERABLE, THE PROBLEM OF URBAN SLUMS, AND THE LACK OF BASIC AMENITIES AND THE INACCESSIBILITY OF RURAL VILLAGES.
"IN DETERMINING POLICY PRIORITIES, A SIMPLE RULE SHOULD BE THAT THE MINIMISATION OF SUFFERING OUGHT TO TAKE PRECEDENCE OVER THE MAXIMISATION OF HAPPINESS," HE SUGGESTED.
MR WONG SAID HE WAS NOT A SUBSCRIBER TO THE "FREE LUNCH PHILOSOPHY". WHAT HE WAS AGAINST WAS THE UNFAIR, NOT UNEQUAL, DISTRIBUTION OF RESOURCES.
"WHAT 1 ADVOCATE IS A RULE WHICH MAKES GOVERNMENT MORALLY DEFENSIBLE IN THE EYES OF THOSE WHO BELIEVE THAT GOVERNMENT IS A NECESSARY EVIL," HE SAID.
MR WONG ALSO OBSERVED THAT WHEN DISCUSSING THE PROBLEM OF THE BRAIN DRAIN, THE GOVERNOR HAD, IN A SENSE, HINTED AT A THREE-STEP PROCESS IN PUBLIC POLICY MAKING: FIRST, TO HAVE A BETTER IDEA OF THE PROBLEM; SECOND, TO ANALYSE THE PROBLEM CAREFULLY AND ACCURATELY; AND THIRD, TO DECIDE WHAT WE CAN AND SHOULD DO ABOUT IT.
/HE SAID
WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 9, 1988
- 27 -
OUGHT I THE WHICH
HE SAID THAT THE SECOND STEP - EVALUATION AND ANALYSIS - < TO PERVADE ALL THREE STEPS, OR ELSE THE DECISIONS MADE AND POLICIES PURSUED WOULD MERELY BE WHITE ELEPHANTS OR COMPROMISES
DID NOT SOLVE THE PROBLEM.
MR WONG BELIEVED THAT THE DECISION TO CREATE A THINK TANK WAS MADE PRECISELY AND SIMPLY TO ENHANCE THE POLICY ANALYSIS ABILITY OF THE GOVERNMENT.
HE ADDED THAT HE BELIEVED THE DECISION WAS BASED ON THE TO HAVE A TEAM OF PEOPLE WHO WERE NOT INVOLVED IN THE DAY TO OPERATION OF THE FUNCTIONAL BRANCHES, AND THUS CAPABLE OF LOOKING MORE INNOVATIVE PERSPECTIVES.
NEED DAY AT
SUCH PROBLEM FROM BROADER
AND
THE THN1K TANK - THE CENTRAL POLICY UNIT - AND THE BRANCHES SHOULD INTERACT IN ORDER TO GIVE THE EXECUTIVE THE BEST ADVICE AND RECOMMENDATIONS, AND THE LEGISLATIVE AND THE GOVERNMENT SHOULD INTERACT SO THAT THE DECISIONS TAKEN DID TRULY SOLVE PUBLIC PROBLEMS, HE ADDED.
POLICY COUNCIL COUNCIL FINALLY
-----0------
22 MEMBERS SPEAK IN LEGCO DEBATE * t * t *
TWENTY-TWO MEMBERS LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY
SPORE IN THE FIRST DAY OF DEBATE (WEDNESDAY) ON THE GOVERNOR'S ANNUAL
IN THE
ADDRESS.
THE SITTING BEGAN AT 2.30 PM AND ENDED AT ABOUT 9 PM.
A FURTHER 23 MEMBERS ARE LISTED TO SPEAK WHEN THE RESUMES TOMORROW.
DEBATE
THE MOTION BEFORE THE COUNCIL, THAT THE FOR HIS ANNUAL ADDRESS, WAS MOVED BY THE SENIOR
GOVERNOR BE THANKED MEMBER, THE HON ALLEN
LEE.
IN ADDITION, THE COUNCIL PASSED A AMENDING THE FILM CENSORSHIP REGULATIONS TOMORROW --- BE EXTENDED FOR A FURTHER
MOTION THAT THE --- WHICH COME
PERIOD OF 21
PERIOD FOR INTO FORCE DAYS UNTIL
NOVEMBER 30.
THIS MOTION WAS MOVED BY THE HON SZETO WAH.
- 0----------
/28........
WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 9, 1988
- 28 -
MOTION ON EXTENSION APPROVED * » * * *
THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY) PASSED A MOTION TO EXTEND THE PERIOD FOR AMENDING THE FILM CENSORSHIP REGULATIONS 1988 FOR A FURTHER PERIOD OF 21 DAYS UNTIL NOVEMBER 30.
THE AMENDMENT PERIOD WAS SCHEDULED TO CLOSE TODAY UNDER SECTION 34(2) OF THE INTERPRETATION AND GENERAL CLAUSES ORDINANCE, WHICH PROVIDES 28 DAYS FOR AMENDING SUBSIDIARY LEGISLATION.
THE FILM CENSORSHIP REGULATIONS 1988 WERE LAID BEFORE THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL ON OCTOBER 12.
SUPPORTING THE MOTION TABLED BY THE HON SZETO WAH, THE SECRETARY FOR ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES AND INFORMATION, THE HON PETER TSAO, SAID HE UNDERSTOOD THE MOTION WAS PUT FORWARD IN ANTICIPATION OF COMMENTS ON THE REGULATIONS POSSIBLY RAISED BY THE FILM INDUSTRY.
NOTING THAT THE FILM CENSORSHIP ORDINANCE 1988 AND THE FILM CENSORSHIP REGULATIONS 1988 WOULD COME INTO FORCE TOMORROW, MR TSAO SAID MANY IN THE FILM INDUSTRY HAD MADE COMMERCIAL PLANS AND DISPOSITIONS IN ANTICIPATION OF THIS EVENT. *
"SO IN ORDER NOT TO UPSET THESE PLANS, THE ADMINISTRATION HAS DECIDED NOT TO SEEK TO DELAY THE COMING INTO FORCE OF THE ORDINANCE," HE SAID.
GIVEN THAT THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL MIGHT BE ASKED TO CONSIDER CHANGES TO THE REGULATIONS BETWEEN NOW AND NOVEMBER 30 UNDER THE MOTION, MR TSAO SAID THE FILM INDUSTRY WOULD EXPERIENCE SOME UNCERTAINTY.
"1 UNDERSTAND THAT SUCH AMENDMENTS, IF ANY, WILL BE PROPOSED FOR THE BENEFIT OF THE FILM INDUSTRY. I THEREFORE ASSUME THAT THEY WILL ACCEPT THE UNCERTAINTY THAT MIGHT RESULT," HE SAID.
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/29
WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 9, 1988
- 29 -
PROPOSALS ON FOREIGN LAW FIRMS * t * t
AIMED AT IMPROVEMENTS ♦
THE GOVERNMENT’S PROPOSALS ON FOREIGN LAW FIRMS ARE AIMED AT BRINGING ABOUT QUALITATIVE IMPROVEMENTS TO THE LEGAL SYSTEM, THE DEPUTY SOLICITOR GENERAL, MR ERIC MARTIN, SAID THIS EVENING (WEDNESDAY).
SPEAKING AT A FORUM ORGANISED BY THE HONG KONG UNIVERSITY LAW ASSOCIATION ON THE ISSUE OF FOREIGN LAW FIRMS, MR MARTIN SAID THE GOVERNMENT HAD BEEN ASKED WHY IT FELT A NEED FOR CHANGE FROM THE PRESENT ARRANGEMENTS.
IN OTHER WORDS, SAID MR MARTIN: ’’THE ARGUMENT AGAINST CHANGE IS THAT ’IF IT AIN’T BROKE WHY FIX IT?’
"FAR FROM SUGGESTING THAT ANYTHING IS BROKEN, WE ARE PROPOSING TO MAKE WHAT IS GOOD EVEN BETTER."
MR MARTIN, WHO OPENED THE DEBATE, SAJD GOVERNMENTS WERE OFTEN ACCUSED OF HAVING THEIR HEADS BURIED IN THE SAND: "BUT ON THIS OCCASION AT LEAST WE HAVE FIRMLY PLUCKED OUR HEAD FROM THE SAND AND HAVE CLEARLY IN SIGHT THE FURTHER ELEVATION OF HONG KONG ON THE WORLD STAGE."
HE SAID MUCH OF THE CRITICISMS AGAINST THE PROPOSALS WERE BASED ON A MISUNDERSTANDING OF THE ISSUE.
"THE GOVERNMENT’S PROPOSAL IS TO INTRODUCE FORMAL CRITERIA, WHERE NONE NOW EXIST, TO PERMIT THE REGISTRATION THROUGH THE COURTS' OF FOREIGN LAWYERS AND FOREIGN LAW FIRMS, THEREAFTER TO PERMIT THOSE FIRMS, IF THEY SO WISH TO TAKE IN HONG KONG QUALIFIED SOLICITORS TO PRACTISE HONG KONG LAW AND TO IMPOSE A FORMAL REGIME OF DISCIPLINE OVER THOSE FIRMS THROUGH THE LAW SOCIETY," MR MARTIN SAID.
"IN OTHER WORDS, IT CONSISTS OF THREE ELEMENTS. THE FIRST IS TO FORMALISE THE ADMISSION OF FOREIGN LAWYERS WHICH IS A TIGHTENING OF EXISTING MEASURES.
"THE SECOND ELEMENT IS TO PERMIT THOSE FOREIGN LAWYERS TO HIRE IN-HOUSE HONG KONG SOLICITORS.
"THE THIRD IS TO ENABLE THE LAW SOCIETY TO DISCIPLINE FOREIGN FIRMS THROUGH CLEARLY LAID DOWN POWERS Ob DISCIPLINE," HI SAID.
"IF YOU BEAR IN MIND THESE ELEMENTS, IT WILL BE SEEN THAT MUCH OF THE CRITICISMS OF THE PROPOSALS IS IN FACT BASED ON A MISUNDERSTANDING Ob IT.
"THERE HAS BEEN \ SUGGESTION THAT THE PROPOSAL IS ABOUT FOREIGN LAWYERS PRACTISING HONG KONG LAW. THAT IS NOT THE PROPOSAL.
/’’FOREIGN LAWYERS
WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 9, 1988
- 50 -
"FOREIGN LAWYERS WILL NOT BE PERMITTED UNDER THESE PROPOSALS TO PRACTISE HONG KONG LAW. THERE IS IN THIS CASE NO CHANGE FROM THE PRESENT POSITION," MR MARTIN STRESSED.
"IT HAS BEEN SUGGESTED THAT THE PROPOSAL WILL OPEN THE FLOODGATES TO FOREIGN LAWYERS.
"THAT IS NOT THE PROPOSAL, FOREIGN LAWYERS ARE HERE ALREADY. THE CRITERIA THEY PRESENTLY HAVE TO SATISFY WILL NOT BE LESSENED, IN FACT THEY WILL BE FORMALISED AND TIGHTENED," HE NOTED.
IT HAS BEEN SUGGESTED THAT THE PROPOSAL INTERFERES WITH THE LAW SOCIETY’S RIGHT OF SELF-REGULATION.
"THAT IS NOT THE PROPOSAL, IT WILL IN FACT STRENGTHEN THIS AS, FOR THE FIRST TIME, THE LAW SOCIETY WILL HAVE CLEARLY DEFINED POWERS OF DISCIPLINE OVER FOREIGN LAWYERS AS THEY PRESENTLY HAVE OVER HONG KONG SOLICITORS," MR MARTIN SAID.
"IT HAS BEEN SUGGESTED THAT THE GOVERNMENT HAS BOWED TO THE PRESSURE OF TRADE SANCTIONS. WE REPEAT THAT THIS IS NOT TRUE. IT HAS PLAYED NO PART WHATSOEVER IN OUR DELIBERATIONS," HE SA-ID.
THE DEPUTY SOLICITOR GENERAL ALSO REFUTED SUGGESTIONS THAT THE PROPOSALS ARE RADICAL.
"THEY ARE NOT. THEY WILL EXTEND TO FOREIGN LAW FIRMS WHO SATISFY THE ENTRY CRITERIA SIMILAR RIGHTS TO PRACTISE MULTI-JURISDICTIONAL LAW THAT ARE CURRENTLY ENJOYED BY SOME OF THE LARGER FIRMS OF HONG KONG SOLICITORS," HE SAID.
MR MARTIN SAID THERE HAD ALSO BEEN SUGGESTIONS THAT THE PROPOSALS WOULD, IN SOME DAY, LOWER THE ETHICAL STANDARDS OF THE PROFESSION IN HONG KONG.
"FAR FROM BEING THE CASE, FOREIGN LAWYERS - AND I MUST STRESS THAT WE ARE NOT TALKING ONLY ABOUT AMERICAN LAWYERS - WILL NEED TO FOLLOW HONG KONG ETHICAL STANDARDS WHICH WILL BE ENFORCED THROUGH THE LAW SOCIETY’S POWERS OF DISCIPLINE," HE SAID.
MR MARTIN SAID IT WAS EASY TO REGARD THE DEBATE OVER THE GOVERNMENT’S PROPOSALS AS SIMPLY ONE BETWEEN LAWYERS BUT IN FACT WIDER ISSUES WERE INVOLVED.
"WE MUST NOT LOSE SIGHT OF THE. PUBLIC INTEREST, HONG KONG’S POSITION AS A MAJOR AND INTERNATIONAL FINANCIAL AND COMMI- ICC I \L CENTRE AND THE DEVELOPING INTERNATIONALISATION OF HONG KONG.
"LAWYERS IN HONG KONG HAVE A VERY IMPORTANT ROLI TO PLAY IN THIS BUT IT IS THE ROLE OF PROFESSIONAL ADVISER. LAW IS \ SERVICE INDUSTRY," HE SAID.
/The main .......
WEDNESDAY, NOVBffiER 9, 1988
- 51 -
THE MAIN PLAYERS ON THIS INTERNATIONAL STAGE ARE NOT LAWYERS BUT’BUSINESSMEN WITH MULTI-NATIONAL INTERESTS.
"WHAT IS IMPORTANT IS WHAT THE PIPER WANTS BECAUSE HE CALLS THE TUNE. AT THE END OF THE DAY, THE ECONOMIC REALITIES ARE THAT WE MUST HAVE THE RIGHT CHOIR TO SING THE PIPER’S TUNE," MR MARTIN SAID.
HE SAID THE RESULT OF THE GOVERNMENT’S PROPOSALS WAS LIKELY TO BE AN IMPROVEMENT IN THE RANGE OF AVAILABLE LEGAL SERVICES AND GREATER INTERNATIONAL LEGAL EXPERTISE.
AN INCREASE IN INTERNATIONAL FINANCE, COMMERCE AND . INVESTMENT WAS LIKELY TO FOLLOW AND THERE WOULD BE MORE SPIN-OFF WORK FOR LOCAL LAWYERS, HE NOTED.
LOCAL LAWYERS WOULD ALSO HAVE GREATER OPPORTUNITIES OF BECOMING MORE DIRECTLY INVOLVED IN GENERAL INTERNATIONAL PRACTICE THUS INCREASING THEIR POTENTIAL AS SUCCESSFUL LAWYERS AND THEIR CONTRIBUTION TO THE COMMUNITY AS A WHOLE, MR MARTIN SAID.
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MARINE INTERESTS CONSIDERED AT CRUCIAL PLANNING STAGES: DIRECTOR OF MARINE
* * » * *
MARINE INTERESTS WERE CONSIDERED AT THE CRUCIAL INITIAL PLANNING STAGES BEFORE PROJECTS GAINED MOMENTUM AND BECAME UNSTOPPABLE, THE DIRECTOR OF MARINE, MR DERICK HALL, SAID TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
AND TO MEET THE CHALLENGE OF THE FUTURE THE MARINE DEPARTMENT HAD A DEDICATED PORT PLANNING BRANCH WHICH WERE INVOLVED IN ALL ASPECTS OF HONG KONG PLANNING WHERE THERE WAS A MARINE DIMENSION, HE SAID.
SPEAKING AT THE LUNCHEON MEETING OF THE INSTITUTE OF CHARTERED SHIPBROKERS AT THE FURAMA HOTEL, MR HALL SAID THAT ONE OF .THE MORE DIFFICULT JOBS OF THE MARINE DEPARTMENT WAS TO RECONCILE CONFLICTING INTERESTS BETWEEN PORT USERS AND OPERATORS.
"OFTEN THIS IS IMPOSSIBLE," MR HALL SAID. "THE MIDDLE WAY SOMETIMES SIMPLY PLEASES NO ONE."
HE CITED RECLAMATION AS AN EXAMPLE AND SAID HARBOUR RECLAMATION HAD LONG BEEN REGARDED AS A PRIME SOURCE OF NEW LAND.
/"THE HARBOUR
WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 9, 1988
- 52 -
’’THE HARBOUR IS OFTEN QUOTED AS BEING ONE OF HONG KONG’S GREATEST NATURAL ASSETS. YET FOR THE LAST 100 YEARS WE HAVE BEEN BUSILY FILLING IT IN,” HE SAID.
HE POINTED OUT THAT RECLAMATION REDUCED ANCHORAGE AND MOORING SPACE AND RESTRICTED THE AREA AVAILABLE FOR NAVIGATION.
"AS WELL AS BEING THE MAIN ARTERY FOR HONG KONG’S COMMERCE, THE PORT ALSO FORMS A MUNICIPAL HIGHWAY WHICH IS GETTING STEADILY SMALLER,” HE ADDED.
MR HALL SAID THERE WERE OF COURSE OTHER CONSIDERATIONS AND IT WAS GOVERNMENT’S FUNCTION TO STRIKE A BALANCE BETWEEN MANY COMPETING SOCIAL AND ECONOMIC REQUIREMENTS.
"IT IS MY JOB HOWEVER TO PUT THE MARINE SIDE AS VIGOROUSLY AND FORCIFULLY AS POSSIBLE," MR HALL SAID. "WITHOUT AN EXTENSION OF THE AREA OF SHELTERED WATER, E.G. BY BREAKWATERS ETC., IT IS DIFFICULT TO SEE THERE IS ROOM FOR ANY FURTHER HARBOUR RECLAMATION BEYOND THOSE
ALREADY PLANNED.”
ANOTHER CONFLICT WAS THAT BETWEEN THE EXPLOITATION OF THE SEABED AND THE AVAILABILITY OF SAFE ANCHORAGES AND MOORINGS.
MR HALL SAID THAT THERE WERE VAST RESERVES OF SAND SUITABLE FOR USE AS RECLAMATION-FILL OR FOR CONSTRUCTION PURPOSES AND THAT MODERN DREDGING TECHNIQUES COULD "HOOVER” UP MILLIONS OF TONS OF SEABED.
"BUT IT CANNOT BE PERMITTED TO DESTROY OUR ANCHORAGES BY DREDGING-OUT HOLDING GROUNDS TO UNACCEPTABLE DEPTHS.
"AMPLE RESERVES OF SAND HAD BEEN IDENTIFIED IN OTHER AREAS AND THAT THE INTERESTS OF ALL COULD BE SATISFIED,” SAID MR HALL.
TURNING TO THE PLANNING OF FUTURE DEVELOPMENT OF THE PORT, MR HALL SAID THAT THERE WERE A LARGE NUMBER OF GOVERNMENT CONSULTANCIES UNDER WAY.
REFERRING TO "SOME RATHER. UNKIND THINGS" SAID ABOUT GOVERNMENT CONSULTANCIES, MR HALL EXPLAINED THAT THIS WAS THE AGE OF THE SPECIALIST AND AS TECHNOLOGIES BECAME MORE AND MORE VARIED AND COMPLICATED THERE WAS INCREASING COMPARTMENTALISATION OF KNOWLEDGE.
"IT WOULD NOT BE REALISTIC FOR. GOVERNMENT TO RETAIN ON ITS PAYROLL EVERY SPECIALIST IT MIGHT CONCEIVABLY NEED.
"CONSULTANTS THEREFORE PROVIDE A COST-EFFECT SOLUTION. THEY ARE HIRED ONLY WHEN REQUIRED,” HE SAID.
/ONE OF
WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 9, 1988
- 33 -
ONE OF THE LARGEST CONSULTANCIES WAS THE PORT AND AIRPORT DEVELOPMENT STRATEGY STUDY (PADS) WHICH WAS EXPECTED TO MAKE PROPOSALS FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE PORT AND AIRPORT TO THE YEAR 2011 .
’’ALTHOUGH PADS IS EXPECTED TO MAKE RECOMMENDATIONS SHORTLY REGARDING THE LOCATION OF CONTAINER PORTS 8 AND 9, THE Fl
RECOMMENDATIONS WILL NOT BE AVAILABLE UNTIL MID 1989,” HE ADDED.
AS TO WHAT WAS BEING DONE IN THE SHORT TERM, MR HALL SAID ADDITIONAL MOORINGS WERE PLANNED TO PROVIDE A SHORT TERM INCREASE IN CAPACITY BY ABOUT 20 PER CENT.
"THIS TOGETHER WITH A MORE SOPHISTICATED BOOKING SYSTEM AND BETTER UTILISATION CAN (EVEN WITH PRESENT GROWTH FIGURES) BE SUFFICIENT UNTIL THE MID 1990’S,” HE SAID.
HE STRESSED THAT ALTHOUGH THE BUOY SYSTEM WAS APPROACHING CAPACITY IT WAS BY NO MEANS AT SATURATION LEVEL.
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FREE TRADE CREATES MORE WEALTH ♦ ♦ * » *
THE OPEN TRADING SYSTEM IN HONG KONG WILL RESULT IN THE CREATION OF MORE WEALTH, THE DIRECTOR OF TRADE, MR MICHAEL SZE, SAID TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
SPEAKING AT THE OPENING OF INTERSTOFF ASIA ’88, MR SZE SAID THE GOVERNMENT FIRMLY BELIEVED THAT FREE OPPORTUNITIES FOR BUYING AND SELLING BETWEEN COUNTRIES AND TERRITORIES WITH COMPARATIVE ADVANTAGE IN DIFFERENT PRODUCTS WOULD RESULT IN THE CREATION OF MORE WEALTH ALL ROUND.
’’ARTIFICIAL PROTECTIVE MEASURES, SUCH AS QUANTITATIVE RESTRICTIONS WHICH PUT AN ARBITRARY CEILING ON IMPORTS OR SWINGEING IMPORT DUTIES, ONLY SERVE TO DISTORT TRADE AND WILL ADVERSELY AFFECT THE CREATION OF WEALTH IN THE LONG RUN.
'SUCH MEASURES MIGHT BENEFIT SPECIFIC SECTORS IN THE SHORT-TERM, BUT THEIR DAMAGE TO THE MULTILATERAL TRADING SYSTEM AND THE CREATION OF WEALTH FOR EVERYBODY IN THE LONGER TERM FAR OUTWEIGHED THE IMMEDIATE AND SECTORAL BENEFITS BROUGHT ABOUT BY THEM,” MR SZE SAID.
/ON THE
'r,‘ n
' ■;‘l WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 9, 1988
- JU -
ON THE SETTING UP OF THE SINGLE EUROPEAN MARKET, MR SZE PROMISED THAT THE GOVERNMENT WOULD MONITOR THE SITUATION VERY CLOSELY THOUGH THERE HAD BEEN WELCOME STATEMENTS FROM AUTHORITATIVE SOURCES SAYING THAT UPON COMPLETION OF THE SINGLE MARKET IN 1992, EUROPE WOULD FULFIL ITS INTERNATIONAL OBLIGATIONS AND WOULD NOT TURN INTO A "FORTRESS".
INTERSTOFF ASIA '88 HAD BROUGHT TO HONG KONG 150 FABRICS MANUFACTURERS FROM 20 FOREIGN COUNTRIES AND TERRITORIES ALL OVER THE WORLD.
MR SZE SAID HE WAS PLEASED THAT LOCAL MANUFACTURERS COULD HAVE THE CHANCE TO CAREFULLY SURVEY THE WIDE SELECTION OF HIGH FASHION FABRICS AND YARNS ON DISPLAY AND EXCHANGED VIEWS WITH THEIR COUNTERPARTS.
-----0------
INCOME LIMITS AND HOME PURCHASE LOAN SCHEME TO BE REVIEWED *****
THE HOUSING AUTHORITY WILL BE REVIEWING IN ONE EXERCISE THE CURRENT INCOME LIMITS FOR BOTH THE HOME OWNERSHIP SCHEME AND THE WAITING LIST AND THE AMOUNT, QUOTA AND THE ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA OF THE HOME PURCHASE LOAN SCHEME, THE DIRECTOR OF HOUSING, MR FREDDIE PANG, SAID TODAY.
SPEAKING AT THE REGULAR MEETING OF THE LIONS CLUB OF HONG KONG NORTH THIS EVENING, MR PANG SAID THE REVIEWING EXERCISE WAS AIMED TO BE COMPLETED BY EARLY 1989.
HE SAID THAT WAITING LIST INCOME LIMITS FOR PUBLIC RENTAL HOUSING WERE REVIEWED ANNUALLY, AND REVISIONS TO THE LIMITS MIGHT BE MADE AFTER TAKING INTO CONSIDERATION THE EFFECT OF A NUMBER OF FACTORS INCLUDING INFLATION, REAL INCOME GROWTH AND SO ON.
"GIVEN THE MOVEMENT OF PRICES AND HOUSEHOLD INCOMES IN THE LAST YEAR OR SO, THE TIME HAS COME FOR US TO TAKE A FRESH LOOK AT THESE LIMITS," HE SAID.
MR PANG POINTED OUT THAT THERE WERE ADVANTAGES IN HAVING THE TWO INCOME LIMITS AND THE LOAN SCHEME REVIEWED AS ONE EXERCISE BECAUSE THEY WERE INTER-RELATED AND HAD IMPLICATION ON THE HOUSING DEMAND.
RECOMMENDATIONS WILL BE PUT FORWARD TO THE HOUSING AUTHORITY FOR IMPLEMENTATION AS FROM APRIL 1 NEXT YEAR, MR PANG ADDED.
ON DOMESTIC RENT POLICY, MR PANG SAID RECENT REPORTS THAT THE MEDIAN RENT-INCOME RATIO WOULD BE RAISED TO 20 PER CENT WAS PURELY SPECULATION BECAUSE A REVIEW OF THE CURRENT DOMESTIC RENT POLICY HAD YET TO BE CONDUCTED.
/HOWEVER, HE .......
WEDNESDAY, NOVJXBEH 9, 1988
- 55 -
HOWEVER, HE POINTED OUT THAT SINCE THIS POLICY WOULD HAVE BEEN IN OPERATION FOR SOME TIME BY 1989-90, IT WAS APPROPRIATE TO ADVISE THE AUTHORITY TO RECONVENE THE SPECIAL COMMITTEE FOR A REVIEW OF THE CURRENT DOMESTIC RENT POLICY NEXT YEAR.
TURNING TO OTHER HOUSING RELATED TOPICS, MR PANG SAID SOME REAL PROGRESS WAS BEING MADE IN SQUATTER CLEARANCES.
BY NEXT YEAR, A TOTAL OF 32 000 SQUATTERS OF THE TWO LARGEST REMAINING URBAN SQUATTER AREAS AT SHAU KEI WAN AND DIAMOND HILL WOULD HAVE BEEN CLEARED, HE SAID.
IN ADDITION, A GOOD START HAD BEEN MADE IN THE CLEARANCE OF THE KOWLOON WALLED CITY.
"AFTER THESE MAJOR CLEARANCES, AND BARRING UNFORESEEN CIRCUMSTANCES, WE ARE CONFIDENT THAT OUR TARGET OF CLEARING ALL URBAN SQUATTERS BY THE MID-90S CAN BE MET," MR PANG SAID.
ON THE LABOUR SHORTAGE, HE SAID ITS FULL EFFECTS ON PRODUCTION TARGETS UNDER THE LONG TERM HOUSING STRATEGY HAD YET TO BE ASSESSED, BUT THE HOUSING DEPARTMENT IS DOING WHAT IT COULD TO ENCOURAGE GREATER MECHANISATION IN THE CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY.
HOWEVER, HE SAID THAT FOR THIS FINANCIAL YEAR, THE AUTHORITY’S PRODUCTION WAS EXPECTED TO REACH ABOUT 60 000 FLATS WHICH SHOULD BE MORE THAN SUFFICIENT TO MAKE UP LAST YEAR’S SHORTFALL.
FURTHER MORE, THIS FIGURE WOULD REPRESENT THE HIGHEST NUMBER OF FLATS EVER COMPLETED WITHIN A SINGLE YEAR SINCE THE ESTABLISHMENT OF THE HOUSING AUTHORITY.
TO DATE, ABOUT 55 PER CENT OF HOUSING AUTHORITY’S PROJECTS ARE RUNNING BEHIND SCHEDULE.
BUT, MR PANG SAID AS MOST OF THESE WERE ONLY MINOR DELAYS, RANGING FROM AN APPROXIMATE AVERAGE OF THREE TO SIX MONTHS, HE WAS CONFIDENT THAT IN THE LONG RUN THE OVERALL PRODUCTION TARGETS SHOULD BE ACHIEVABLE, GIVEN APPROPRIATE INCENTIVES AND SUITABLE ADJUSTMENTS TO THE PROGRAMMES.
ON REDEVELOPMENT, MR PANG SAID THE COMPREHENSIVE REDEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME AIMED TO REDEVELOP OVER 500 OLDER PUBLIC HOUSING BLOCKS BETWEEN NOW AND 2001.
"FOR THOSE BLOCKS WHICH ARE NOT YET DUE OR SCHEDULED FOR REDEVELOPMENT, WE HAVE A CONTINUING RESPONSIBILITY TO MAINTAIN AND INTRODUCE IMPROVEMENTS," MR PANG SAID.
HE SAID DURING THE PAST TWO YEARS, ABOUT 170 000 TENANTS IN 42 000 FLATS AND BENEFITTED FROM THE REPAIRS AND IMPROVEMENT PROGRAMME.
IN THE NEXT FIVE YEARS, A FURTHER TOTAL OF 70 000 FLATS INVOLVING SOME 280 000 TENANTS IN VARIOUS ESTATES WOULD ALSO BE RENOVATED, HE ADDED.
------O------- /36..................
WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 9, 1988
- 36 -
WHOLESALER FINED $7,000 FOR SELLING CONTAMINATED VEGETABLES * * * * »
THE MUNICIPAL SERVICES BRANCH TODAY (WEDNESDAY) WARNED VEGETABLE TRADERS NOT TO SELL VEGETABLES CONTAINING THE BANNED PESTICIDE "METHAMIDOPHOS" OR ELSE THEY WOULD BE LIABLE TO A MAXIMUM FINE OF $5,000 PLUS THREE MONTHS’ IMPRISONMENT.
IF THE VEGETABLES WERE PROVEN TO HAVE CAUSED POISONING IN PEOPLE, THE MAXIMUM PENALTY WOULD BE $25,000 AND SIX MONTHS’ IMPRISONMENT.
THIS WARNING FOLLOWS A CASE IN FANLING MAGISTRACY YESTERDAY WHEN A VEGETABLE WHOLESALER AT THE SHEUNG SHUI WHOLESALE VEGETABLE MARKET WAS FINED A TOTAL OF $7,000 FOR SELLING "CHOI SUM" (FLOWERING WHITE CABBAGE) AND "PAK CHOI" (WHITE CABBAGE) CONTAINING THE BANNED PESTICIDE "METHAMIDOPHOS".
THE COURT WAS TOLD THAT FOOD INSPECTORS FROM THE MUNICIPAL SERVICES BRANCH WENT TO THE SHEUNG SHUI WHOLESALE VEGETABLE MARKET ON JULY 6 AND TOOK SAMPLES OF THE "CHOI SUM" AND "PAK CHOI" FROM A TRADER, WONG SUI-WAH, OF 115 SAN SHING AVENUE, SHEUNG SHUI, FOR CHEMICAL TESTING.
THE RESULT OF THE CHEMICAL ANALYSIS SHOWED THAT THE SAMPLES CONTAINED RESPECTIVELY 0.5 AND 0.3 MILLIGRAM OF "METHAMIDOPHOS" PER KILOGRAM OF VEGETABLES.
WONG WAS THEN CHARGED UNDER SECTION 52(1) OF THE PUBLIC HEALTH AND MUNICIPAL SERVICES ORDINANCE WITH HAVING SOLD FOOD "NOT OF THE SUBSTANCE DEMANDED BY THE PURCHASER".
WONG WAS ALSO ORDERED TO PAY COSTS OF $434 FOR ANALYSIS OF THE SAMPLES.
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PUBLIC TRANSPORT TO CHINA FERRY TERMINAL STRENGTHENED
*****
PUBLIC TRANSPORT TO THE NEW CHINA FERRY TERMINAL WILL BE STRENGTHENED TOMORROW (THURSDAY) WITH THE INTRODUCTION OF A NEW CIRCULAR COACH SERVICE AND IMPROVEMENT OF EXISTING SERVICES, THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCED TODAY.
THE NEW CIRCULAR COACH SERVICE, ORIGINALLY SCHEDULED TO BEGIN OPERATION FROM NEXT WEDNESDAY, HAS BEEN ADVANCED TO START FROM 6.30 AM TOMORROW TO MEET PASSENGER DEMAND GENERATED BY THE OPENING OF THE FERRY TERMINAL.
/THE NEW
WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 9, 1988
- 57 -
THE NEW KMB SERVICE, ROUTE NO. 202, WILL LINK THE NEW CHINA FERRY TERMINAL WITH THE JORDAN ROAD BUS TERMINUS, THE TSIM SHA 1’SUl MTR STATION AND THE TSIM SHA TSUI FERRY INTERCHANGE.
THE ROUTE STARTS FROM CANTON ROAD AND TRAVELS VIA JORDAN ROAD FERRY BUS TERMINUS, CANTON ROAD, AUSTIN ROAD, NATHAN ROAD, SALISBURY ROAD, STAR FERRY BUS TERMINUS, SALISBURY ROAD, KOWLOON PARK DRIVE AND CANTON ROAD.
THE SERVICE WILL OPERATE FROM 6.30 AM TO 10.30 PM DAILY AT A 12-MINUTE FREQUENCY. THE FARE WILL BE $1.50 PER SINGLE JOURNEY.
ALSO FROM TOMORROW, TWO BUS STOPS IN CANTON ROAD OUTSIDE THE NEW CHINA FERRY TERMINAL WILL BE DESIGNATED FOR THE EXISTING KMB BUS ROUTE 8A, WHICH OPERATES BETWEEN JORDAN ROAD AND WHAMPOA GARDENS.
AN EXTRA VEHICLE WILL BE ADDED TO GREEN MINIBUS ROUTE NO. 6, WHICH OPERATES BETWEEN WHAMPOA GARDENS AND HANKOW ROAD AND SERVES THE CHINA FERRY TERMINAL EN-ROUTE ON CANTON ROAD, TO IMPROVE SERVICE FREQUENCY.
-----O------
GOVERNMENT LAND TO LET BY TENDER * * » ♦ »
FIVE PIECES OF GOVERNMENT LAND ARE BEING OFFERED TO LET BY TENDER BY THE BUILDINGS AND LANDS DEPARTMENT.
FOUR ARE LOCATED AT FUNG SHING STREET, NGAU CHI WAN, KOWLOON.
THE SITES MEASURING 12,770, 3,770, 2,830 AND 2,730 SQUARE
METRES RESPECTIVELY, ARE FOR OPEN STORAGE, EXCLUDING CONTAINERS.
TENANCIES FOR THE SITES ARE FOR TWO YEARS, RENEWABLE QUARTERLY AFTERWARDS.
THE FIFTH SITE, MEASURING ABOUT 880 SQUARE METRES, IS FOR MOTOR VEHICLE REPAIR WORKSHOP WITH ANCILLARY OFFICES.
IT IS LOCATED IN AREA 26, ON LOK TSUEN, FANLING, NEW TERRITORIES.
TENANCY FOR THIS SITE IS THREE YEARS, RENEWABLE QUARTERLY AFTERWARDS.
THE DEADLINE FOR SUBMITTING TENDERS IS NOON ON NOVEMBER 25 THIS YEAR.
- - 0 - -
/58
WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 9, 1988
- 38 -
1.6 MILLION VOTERS REGISTERED *****
ABOUT 1.6 MILLION PEOPLE WILL BE ELIGIBLE TO VOTE IN THE URBAN COUNCIL AND REGIONAL COUNCIL ELECTIONS TO BE HELD ON MARCH 9 NEXT YEAR.
PARTICULARS OF THESE REGISTERED VOTERS ARE CONTAINED IN THE PROVISIONAL REGISTER OF ELECTORS WHICH WILL BE AVAILABLE FOR PUBLIC INSPECTION FROM FRIDAY (NOVEMBER 11) UNTIL NOVEMBER 21 AT DISTRICT OFFICES AND THE REGISTRATION AND ELECTORAL DIVISION (RED).
PEOPLE WHO ARE ELIGIBLE TO VOTE BUT FAILED TO REGISTER BEFORE THE DEADLINE ON SEPTEMBER 30 THIS YEAR WILL NOW HAVE UNTIL NOVEMBER 21 TO SUBMIT THEIR APPLICATION FOR REGISTRATION IF THEY WISH TO TAKE PART IN THE MARCH ELECTIONS.
MORE THAN 31,500 NEW APPLICANTS HAVE BEEN ACCEPTED FOR THE GENERAL ELECTORAL ROLL DURING THIS YEAR’S REGISTRATION EXERCISE.
THE BIGGEST INCREASE IN NUMBER WAS RECORDED IN SHA TIN DISTRICT WHERE 10,086 PEOPLE WERE REGISTERED, FOLLOWED BY TUEN MUN DISTRICT WITH 2,148 PEOPLE AND SAI KUNG DISTRICT WITH 1,869 PEOPLE.
THERE WAS AN OFFSETTING REDUCTION OF 40,781 ELECTORS AS A RESULT OF THE ANNUAL VETTING EXERCISE, THE REGISTRATION OFFICER OF RED, MR LAI KWAN-TAT, SAID.
THE DELETIONS CONSIST OF 5,656 DEATH CASES, 1,588 CASES OF EMIGRATION, 25,418 CASES WHERE THE RED FAILED TO ESTABLISH CONTACT, 113 DUPLICATE ENTRIES, 314 OMISSIONS AT THE REQUEST OF THE ELECTORS AND 7,692 ENTRIES WITH DOUBTFUL ADDRESSES.
MR LAI SAID: "THE SCREENING OF ENTRIES WITH DOUBTFUL ADDRESSES WAS MADE POSSIBLE BY A LISTING OF ELECTORS IN THE SEQUENCE OF THEIR RESIDENTIAL ADDRESSES."
OTHER EFFORTS HAD ALSO BEEN MADE TO UPDATE THE RECORDS.
FOR DOUBTFUL CASES INVOLVING RESIDENTS OF HOUSING ESTATES MANAGED BY THE HOUSING AUTHORITY OR THE HONG KONG HOUSING SOCIETY, THE UPDATED RESIDENTIAL ADDRESSES OF SUCH PERSONS WERE OBTAINED FROM THE ESTATE MANAGEMENT, AND MORE THAN 17,500 RECORDS HAD BEEN SO AMENDED.
IN ADDITION, 5,226 CORRECTIONS WERE MADE THROUGH CONFIRMATION WITH VOTERS BY TELEPHONE OR AT POLLING STATIONS DURING THE RECENT DISTRICT BOARD ELECTIONS, MR LAI ADDED.
HE ALSO POINTED OUT THAT 486 VOTERS AT THE RECENT LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL ELECTIONS HAVE YET 1'0 APPLY FOR REGISTRATION ON THE GENERAL ELECTORAL ROLL.
/THEY WILL
WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 9t 1988
- 59 -
THEY WILL BE REMINDED BY LETTERS TO DO SO WITHOUT DELAY, OTHERWISE THEY WILL NOT BE ABLE TO REMAIN AS LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL ELECTORS.
"ELECTORS ARE ALSO URGED TO REPORT ANY CHANGE OF RESIDENTIAL ADDRESS FOR NOTIFICATIONS MADE BY DECEMBER 10, AMENDMENTS WILL RE INCORPORATED IN THE FINAL REGISTER TO BE PUBLISHED ON JANUARY 13, 1989." MR LAI SAID.
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SOUTHERN DB TO DISCUSS TAXI FARE INCREASE
MEMBERS OF THE SOUTHERN DISTRICT BOARD WILL MEET TOMORROW (THURSDAY) TO DISCUSS THE INCREASE IN FARES FOR BOTH URBAN AND NEW TERRITORIES TAXIS AS RECENTLY PROPOSED BY TAXI OPERATORS TO THE GOVERNMENT.
THE MEMBERS WILL ALSO EXPRESS THEIR VIEWS ON GOVERNMENT’S MOVES IN LIBERALIZING THE CLOSED CENTRES FOR VIETNAMESE REFUGEES AND VARIOUS RELATED ISSUES.
AT THE MEETING, THEY WILL ALSO BE TOLD OF THE URBAN COUNCIL’S REPLY TO A PROPOSAL MADE BY THE BOARD ON AUGUST 15 ON THE PROVISION OF A COVERED WALKWAY THROUGH THE CONSTRUCTION SITE OF A UC AMENITY PROJECT AT THE ABERDEEN WATERFRONT.
A NEWLY PRODUCED VIDEO PROGRAMME "HAPPY AND SWEET HOME IN SOUTHERN DISTRICT", WHICH WAS FUNDED BY THE DISTRICT BOARD AT A COS 1 OF $40,000, WILL BE SCREENED AT THE MEETING.
THE VIDEO FEATURES THE DEVELOPMENT OF DISTRICT ADMINISTRATION IN RESPECT OF SOUTHERN DISTRICT AND THE WORK OF THE DISTRICT BOARD AND ITS COMMITTEES.
OTHER ITEMS ON THE AGENDA INCLUDE A DOCUMENT ON THE CLOSURE OF UNLICENSED FOOD PREMISES AND REPORTS OF THE DISTRICT BOARD’S VARIOUS COMMITTEES AND AREA COMMITTEES.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO SEND REPRESENTATIVES TO COVER THE SOUTHERN DISTRICT BOARD MEETING WHICH WILL BEGIN AT 2.30 PM TOMORROW (THURSDAY) IN THE DB CONFERENCE ROOM, SECOND FLOOR, MEI FUNG COURT, ABERDEEN CENTRE, NAM NING STREET, ABERDEEN.
- O ---------
Ao
WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 9, 1988
- AO -
DB COMMITTEE TO MAKE RECOMMENDATIONS ON TAXI SERVICES
* » * * »
THE TRAFFIC AND TRANSPORT COMMITTEE OF THE SHAM SHUI PO DISTRICT BOARD WILL MAKE RECOMMENDATIONS ON IMPROVING TAX! SERVICES AND COMMENT ON THE TRADE’S PROPOSED FARE INCREASES AT THE COMMITTEE’S MEETING TOMORROW (THURSDAY).
MEMBERS WILL ALSO ASK THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT TO PROVIDE RELEVANT INFORMATION FOR IT TO DISCUSS KMB’S APPLICATION FOR FARE INCREASES.
IN ADDITION, THE MEMBERS WILL CONSIDER A PAPER PROPOSING THE INTRODUCTION OF FEE-PAYING METERED PARKING SPACES IN THE YAU YAT CHUEN AREA ON SUNDAYS AND PUBLIC HOLIDAYS.
ALSO ON THE AGENDA ARE THE LAI CHI KOK ROAD IMPROVEMENT SCHEME AND APPLICATION FOR FUNDS FOR THE SHAM SHUI PO ROAD SAFETY CAMPAIGN CARNIVAL 1988-89.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE TRAFFIC AND TRANSPORT COMMITTEE MEETING OF THE SHAM SHUI PO DISTRICT BOARD TO BE HELD TOMORROW (THURSDAY) AT THE CHEUNG SHA WAN COMMUNITY CENTRE, 55 FAT TSEUNG STREET. THE MEETING WILL BEGIN AT 2.30 PM.
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HOUSING COMMITTEE TO BE BRIEFED ON REDEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME
* » * * *
MEMBERS OF THE HOUSING COMMITTEE OF THE KWUN TONG DISTRICT BOARD WILL BE BRIEFED AT A MEETING TOMORROW (THURSDAY) ON THE COMPREHENSIVE REDEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME ANNOUNCED BY THE HOUSING AUTHORITY IN JUNE, UNDER WHICH MOST MARKS III TO VI AND FORMER GOVERNMENT LOW COST HOUSING ESTATES WIL/. BE AFFECTED.
A LIST OF THE AFFECTED BLOCKS IN KWUN TONG WILL BE TABLED AT THE MEETING.
IN ADDITION, A CHIEF MAINTENANCE SURVEYOR OF THE HOUSING DEPARTMENT, MR R.N. CARPENTER, WILL ATTEND THE MEETING TO REPORT ON THE PROGRESS OF THE WORK OF THE WORKING GROUP ON ASBESTOS.
/THE MEETING
WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 9, 1988
THE MEETING WILL ALSO REVIEW THE PROGRESS OF VARIOUS HOUSING PROJECTS IN KWUN TONG.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE KWUN TONG DISTRICT BOARD’S HOUSING COMMITTEE MEETING, WHICH BEGINS AT 2.30 PM TOMORROW (THURSDAY) IN THE CONFERENCE ROOM ON THE THIRD FLOOR OF KWUN TONG DISTRICT GOVERNMENT BRANCH OFFICES BUILDING IN TUNG YAN STREET.
- 0 - -
HEALTH SEMINAR FOR RESTAURANT WORKERS » » » « »
MORE THAN 150 TSIM SHA TSUI RESTAURANT WORKERS TODAY (WEDNESDAY) WERE BRIEFED ON THE CORRECT METHODS OF DISPOSING OF OILY SUBSTANCES AND FOOD RESIDUE AT A SEMINAR ORGANISED AS PART OF THE YAU TSIM DISTRICT ENVIRONMENTAL IMPROVEMENT CAMPAIGN.
AT THE SEMINAR, SPONSORED BY THE YAU TSIM DISTRICT OFFICE, A SENIOR HEALTH INSPECTOR FROM THE MUNICIPAL SERVICES BRANCH EXPLAINED THE USE OF "OIL TRAPS" TO DISPOSE OF GREASY SUBSTANCES.
HE ALSO BRIEFED THE WORKERS ON EFFICIENT METHODS OF REFUSE DISPOSAL SO AS TO KEEP RESTAURANTS CLEAN AND FREE OF RATS.
TODAY’S SEMINAR WAS THE THIRD HELD BY THE ORGANISING COMMITTEE OF THE CAMPAIGN WITH THE AIM OF PREVENTING CHOKAGE OF DRAINS, AND KEEPING THE ENVIRONMENT CLEAN. A TOTAL OF OVER 350 WORKERS A’l FENDED THE FIRST TWO SEMINARS HELD LAST MONTH.
A BOOKLET CONTAINING SPEAKING NOTES OF THE SEMINARS HAD BEEN COMPILED BY THE COMMITTEE FOR DISTRIBUTION TO RESTAURANTS IN THE DISTRICT.
THE CAMPAIGN IS SPONSORED BY THE YAU TSIM DISTRICT BOARD.
- - 0 - -
/4Z
WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 9, 1988
- 42 -
DB COMMITTEE TO DISCUSS CIVIC EDUCATION PROGRAMME » » » » «
THE ISLANDS DISTRICT BOARD’S COMMUNITY AFFAIRS COMMITTEE WILL DISCUSS THE CIVIC EDUCATION PROGRAMME 1988-89 OF THE DISTRICT AT ITS MEETING TOMORROW (THURSDAY).
THE PROPOSED PROGRAMME, TO BE CO-ORGANISED BY THE COMMITTEE, THE ISLANDS DISTRICT OFFICE AND ICAC REGIONAL OFFICE (HONG KONG WEST/ISLANDS), WILL COMPRISE FOUR CARNIVALS TO BE HELD ON LANTAU, CHEUNG CHAU, PENG CHAU AND LAMMA ISLANDS AND A QUIZ AS THE CONCLUDING EVENT.
MEMBERS’ ENDORSEMENT OF THE RECOMMENDATIONS BY A WORKING GROUP TO ALLOCATE FUNDS FOR LOCAL ORGANISATIONS TO HOLD CIVIC EDUCATION ACTIVITIES WILL BE SOUGHT.
THEY WILL ALSO DISCUSS THE PROPOSED HOSTEL AND SOCIAL CLUB FOR THE ELDERLY IN TAI O, THE PROGRESS OF THE DISTRICT’S KEEP HONG KONG CLEAN CAMPAIGN AND THE FUNDING FOR THE ISLANDS ENVIRONMENTAL CONSERVATION CAMPAIGN 1988.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE ISLANDS DISTRICT BOARD’S COMMUNITY AFFAIRS COMMITTEE MEETING TO BE HELD TOMORROW (THURSDAY) IN THE CONFERENCE ROOM OF THE ISLANDS DISTRICT OFFICE, 20TH FLOOR, HARBOUR BUILDING, 38 PIER ROAD, CENTRAL. THE MEETING WILL START AT 2.15 PM.
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FESTIVAL FOR THE ELDERLY
* t » t
ELDERLY RESIDENTS IN THE CENTRAL AND WESTERN DISTRICT WILL BE ABLE TO ENJOY A CANTONESE OPERA FILM SHOW AND A VARIETY SHOW DURING THE FESTIVAL FOR THE ELDERLY THIS MONTH.
THE EVENTS ARE ORGANISED BY THE WORKING GROUP ON THE 1988 CENTRAL AND WESTERN DISTRICT FESTIVAL FOR THE ELDERLY ACTIVITIES IN SUPPORT OF THE HONG KONG COUNCIL OF SOCIAL SERVICE’S FESTIVAL FOR THE ELDERLY 1988.
A CANTONESE OPERA FILM WILL BE SHOWN AT 10 AM ON SUNDAY (NOVEMBER 13) AT THE KING’S THEATRE IN CENTRAL FOR SENIOR CITIZENS AGED 55 OR ABOVE.
/M FIBERS OF
WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 9t 1988
- -
MEMBERS OF ELDERLY CENTRES IN THE DISTRICT WILL BE INVITED TO ATTEND A VARIETY SHOW AND A DINNER ON NOVEMBER 25 (FRIDAY).
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE FESTIVAL SAID THE EVENTS WERE AIMED AT EXPRESSING GRATITUDE TO SENIOR CITIZENS WHO HAD TAKEN AN ACTIVE PAR IN COMMUNITY AFFAIRS.
THE FESTIVAL IS FUNDED BY THE CENTRAL AND WESTERN DISTRICT BOARD AT A COST OF ABOUT $67,300.
------o--------
COMMITTEE TO DISCUSS COMMUNITY BUILDING PROJECTS
* * « » *
THE COMMUNITY BUILDING COMMITTEE OF THE KOWLOON CITY DISTRICT BOARD WILL MEET TOMORROW (THURSDAY) TO DISCUSS APPLICATIONS FOR DISTRICT BOARD FUNDS TO ORGANISE COMMUNITY BUILDING PROJECTS.
THESE PROJECTS INCLUDE A "PRIVILEGED MEDICAL
TREATMENT SCHEME THE ELDERLIES BY
FOR THE ELDERLY" IN KOWLOON CITY, VISITS TO
VOLUNTEER WORKERS, A "CHILDREN'S CHORUS ANNUAL CONCERT AND PARENTS GATHERING", THE KOWLOON CITY DISTRICT HANDBOOK AND
THE PRODUCTION OF
A VIDEO ON FAMILY EDUCATION.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE COMMUNITY MEETING TO BE HELD AT 2.15 PM TOMORROW (THURSDAY) ROOM OF THE KOWLOON CITY DISTRICT OFFICE, 141 KAU
BUILDING COMMITTEE IN THE CONFERENCE PUI LUNG ROAD, TO
KWA WAN.
------0--------
NORTH DISTRICT OFFICER BEGINS COURTESY VISITS *****
THE NEWLY APPOINTED NORTH DISTRICT OFFICER, MR WILLIAM HUI, WILL BEGIN A ROUND OF COURTESY/FAMIL1ARISATION VISITS TO RURAL COMMITTEES, LOCAL ORGANISATIONS AND COMMUNITY BODIES TOMORROW (THURSDAY).
THE VISITS ARE AIMED AT ENHANCING BETTER UNDERSTANDING BETWEEN THE DISTRICT OFFICE AND LOCAL ORGANISATIONS.
/MR HUI
WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 9, 1988
- 44 -
MR HUI WILL FIRST VISIT THE SHEUNG SHUI RURAL COMMITTEE AT 2.30 PM TOMORROW.
HE WILL ALSO CALL ON THE FANLING RURAL COMMITTEE AS WELL AS THE LUEN WO CHAMBER OF COMMERCE ON FRIDAY (NOVEMBER 11) AFTERNOON.
ON NOVEMBER 15 (TUESDAY), MR HUI WILL VISIT THE TA KWU LING RURAL COMMITTEE AND THE SHA TAU KOK RURAL COMMITTEE AT 10 AM AND 11.30 AM RESPECTIVELY.
AT 2.30 PM ON THE SAME DAY, HE WILL CALL ON THE SHEK WU HUI CHAMBER OF COMMERCE FOLLOWED BY A COURTESY VISIT TO THE SHEUNG SHUI FEDERATION OF SOCIETIES AT 3.30 PM.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE VISITS BY THE NORTH DISTRICT OFFICER, MR WILLIAM HUI TOMORROW (THURSDAY) AND ON NOVEMBER 11 AND 15.
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HKUST APPOINTMENT TO GENERAL EDUCATION CENTRE
* ♦ * ♦ #
THE HONG KONG UNIVERSITY OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY TODAY (WEDNESDAY) ANNOUNCED THE APPOINTMENT OF PROFESSOR MAURICE CRAFT AS DEAN OF THE UNIVERSITY’S GENERAL EDUCATION CENTRE.
PROFESSOR CRAFT IS CURRENTLY PROFESSOR OF EDUCATION RESPONSIBLE FOR ADVANCED STUDIES AT NOTTINGHAM UNIVERSITY WHERE HE IS CHAIRMAN OF THE SCHOOL OF EDUCATION, AND WHERE HE RECENTLY COMPLETED A FOUR-YEAR TERM AS PRO-VICE-CHANCELLOR.
HAVING GRADUATED FROM LONDON UNIVERSITY WITH A B.SC.ECONOMICS DEGREE, HE WENT ON TO OBTAIN POSTGRADUATE QUALIFICATIONS IN EDUCATION AT LONDON AND DUBLIN, AND A DOCTORATE IN SOCIOLOGY AT LIVERPOOL UNIVERSITY.
SINCE THEN HE HAS HAD A DISTINGUISHED CAREER IN TERTIARY EDUCATION AT UNIVERSITIES IN ENGLAND AND AUSTRALIA.
HE WAS FOR TWO YEARS PROFESSOR OF EDUCATION AT LA TROBE UNIVERSITY, MELBOURNE BEFORE BECOMING GOLDSMITHS’ PROFESSOR OF EDUCATION AT THE INSTITUTE OF EDUCATION, UNIVERSITY OF LONDON IN 1976.
HE WENT TO NOTTINGHAM IN 1980 AND WAS SEQUENTIALLY DEAN OF THE FACULTY OF EDUCATION, CHAIRMAN OF THE SCHOOL OF EDUCATION AND PRO-VICE-CHANCELLOR.
/PROFESSOR CRAFT
WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 9, 1988
- '*5 -
PROFESSOR CRAFT HAS PUBLISHED A LARGE NUMBER OF BOOKS AND PAPERS AND CARRIED OUT RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT WORK IN THE SOCIOLOGICAL ASPECTS OF EDUCATION.
IN ADDITION TO A GREAT DEAL OF ADMINISTRATIVE EXPERIENCE AT SENIOR LEVELS IN FOUR UNIVERSITIES, HE HAS BEEN NATIONALLY INVOLVED IN A RANGE OF MAJOR POLICY ISSUES IN HIGHER EDUCATION IN BRITAIN. HE IS A REGULAR VISITOR TO HONG KONG.
PROFESSOR CRAFT'S WIFE, MRS ALMA CRAFT, ALSO HAS A SUCCESSFUL CAREER IN THE EDUCATION FIELD HAVING MOST RECENTLY BEEN PRINCIPAL PROFESSIONAL OFFICER WITH THE SCHOOL CURRICULUM DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE, AND ITS SUCCESSOR, THE NATIONAL CURRICULUM COUNCIL, IN BRITAIN.
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TEMPORARY URBAN CLEARWAYS IN EASTERN DISTRICT * » * * t
THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCED THAT THE FOLLOWING TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS WILL BE INTRODUCED IN SHAU KEI WAN FROM 10 AM ON SATURDAY (NOVEMBER 12) TO 6 AM ON MONDAY (NOVEMBER 14) TO FACILITATE ROADWORKS:
* THE EASTERN KERBSIDE LANE OF HOI AN STREET BETWEEN SHAU KEI WAN ROAD AND SAI WAN HO STREET AND THE SOUTHERN KERBSIDE LANE OF SAI WAN HO STREET BETWEEN HOI AN STREET AND HOI NING STREET WILL BECOME 7 AM TO 7 PM DAILY URBAN CLEARWAYS.
* SAI WAN HO STREET BETWEEN HOI NING STREET AND HOLY CROSS PATH WILL BE MADE URBAN CLEARWAY ROUND-THE-CLOCK.
* ALL VEHICLES ON HOI NING STREET WILL BE BANNED FROM TURNING RIGHT TO SHAU KEI WAN ROAD WESTBOUND.
DURING THE SAME PERIOD, THE EXISTING TRAM-ONLY LANE ON SHAU KEI WAN ROAD WESTBOUND FROM A POINT ABOUT 50 METRES EAST OF ITS JUNCTION WITH HOI LEE STREET TO A POINT ABOUT SEVEN METRES EAST OF ITS JUNCTION WITH HOI NING STREET WILL BE LIFTED.
MEANWHILE, THE WESTERN KERBSIDE LANE OF ELECTRIC ROAD IN NORTH POINT FROM ITS JUNCTION WITH WHITFIELD ROAD TO A POINT ABOUT 54 METRES SOUTH OF THE SAME JUNCTION WILL BE DESIGNATED 7 AM TO 7 PM DAILY URBAN CLEARWAY FROM 10 AM ON SATURDAY (NOVEMBER 12) FOR ABOUT FOUR WEEKS TO FACILITATE ROADWORKS.
NO VEHICLES EXCEPT FRANCHISED BUSES WILL BE ALLOWED TO STOP FOR PASSENGERS OR GOODS WITHIN THE RESTRICTED AREAS.
/46........
WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 9, 1988
- 46 -
LEFT-TURN BAN ON CONNAUGHT ROAD CENTRAL ♦ » * » ♦
THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCED THAT FROM 2.30 PM ON FRIDAY (NOVEMBER 11), ALL VEHICLES OVER TEN METRES LONG WILL NOT BE ALLOWED TO TURN LEFT FROM CONNAUGHT ROAD CENTRAL EASTBOUND TO THE HONG KONG -MACAU FERRY TERMINAL, ADJACENT TO THE JUNCTIONS OF MORRISON STREET AND CLEVERY STREET.
THE LEFT-TURN BAN WILL LAST FOR ABOUT SIX MONTHS TO FACILITATE ROAD RECONSTRUCTION WORKS.
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DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE. HONG KONG. TEL: 5-8428777
THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 10, 1988
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL MEETING :
HEARTENING CONCERT; FOR QUALITY OF LIFE .................. 1
LABOUR SHORTAGE SHOULD NOT CONTINUE UNaBaTED ............. 4
PLEA TO GET NEW AIRPORT PROJECT UNDERWAY ................. 6
NEED TO PROMOTE FREE TRADE................................ 8
PROPER YOUTH POLICY NEEDED ............................... 10
MEDICaL ,JID HEALTH services need revamping .............. 11
TAX RATE REDUCTION URGED.................................. 15
HK MUST MOVE AHEAD AS CHINa DEVELOPS ..................... 16
FIRM COMMITMENT TO LONG-TERM IMPROVEMENTS ................ 17
CALL TO ATTRnCT EXPATRIATES TO HK ........................ 19
labour shortage delaying m^jor projects .................. 21
HONG KONG FACING 'LABOUR FAMINE' ......................... 24
CONCERN OVER ROLE OF NEW POLICY BRaNCH ................... 26
25 MORE MEMBERS SPEAK IN LEGCO DEBaTE .................... 27
GOVERNOR PRaISES DEDICATION ..ND COMMITMENT OF CAS.......... 28
WATER POLLUTION CONTROL LEGISLATION TO BE STRENGTH ,JNED .... 29
ACADEMY OF MEDICINE PROPOSED ............................... 50
SECOND CROSS HaRDCUR PUBLIC TRANSPORT STUDY COMMISSIONED .. 52
FREE TRADE EQUATES WITH GRE..TER PROSPERITY ................ 52
DISKETTE SUBMISSION SCHEME ................................. 54
DEVELOPMENT PL. JI FOR YEUNG SIU H_JIG VILLAGE.............. 55
MOTION CN CHE.kPER F.iRES FOR ELDERLY ...................... 56
KWAI TSING CIVIC EDUCATION ..CTIVITIES ..................... 57
KWUN TONG TO LAUNCH DISTRICT FESTIVAL....................... 57
YAU TSIH C-RNIV.iL TO SPREAD FIGHT CRIME MESSAGE............ 58
APPLICATIONS FOR FUNDS ON aGENDa ........................... 59
CHINESE ORCHESTR. TO PERFORM FOR SOUTHERN RESIDENTS ........ 59
SPECIAL TRAFFIC aRRaNGEWENTS FOR REHiiMBR.»NCE SUNDaY....... 40
HIGHT CLOSURE OF TWO STREETS IN HUNG HOM ................... 41
INTERRUPTION TO FRESH WaTER SUPPLY ......................... 42
THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 10, 1988
HEARTENING CONCERN FOR QUALITY OF LIFE
« * * * *
THE GOVERNOR’S CONCERN FOR THE IMPROVEMENT OF THE QUALITY OF LIFE FOR THE PEOPLE OF HONG KONG IS HEARTENING, THE HON EDWARD HO SAID TODAY (THURSDAY).
SPEAKING ON THE SECOND DAY OF THE POLICY DEBATE IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL, MR HO PUT EMPHASIS ON LIVING CONDITIONS.
NOTING THAT MANY RESIDENTS STILL LIVED IN CRAMMED OR MAKESHIFT ACCOMMODATION DESPITE THE MASSIVE PUBLIC HOUSING PROGRAMME, HE SAID LONG-TERM HOUSING STRATEGY MUST DEPEND ON THE PRODUCTION OF THE PRIVATE SECTOR AND THE BUILDING OF AFFORDABLE PUBLIC HOUSING BY THE HOUSING AUTHORITY.
HOWEVER, THE LABOUR SHORTAGE IN THE CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY HAD SERIOUSLY IMPEDED THE PROGRESS OF PUBLIC HOUSING PRODUCTION IN 1987-88.
BESIDE THIS, PUBLIC HOUSING CONSTRUCTION COSTS HAD RISEN BY OVER 35 PER CENT IN THE LAST YEAR AND IT WAS INCREASINGLY DIFFICULT TO OBTAIN AN ACCEPTABLE LEVEL OF QUALITY FROM EVEN THE MOST MAJOR CONTRACTORS.
"IF OUR COMMUNITY IS CONCERNED WITH THE PROGRESS OF OUR PUBLIC HOUSING PROGRAMME, THERE IS CERTAINLY JUSTIFICATION TO CONSIDER LIMITED AND SHORT-TERM IMPORTATION OF CONSTRUCTION WORKERS," HE SAID.
TURNING TO OLD ESTATES, MR HO SAID 500 BLOCKS, WHICH HOUSED MORE THAN HALF A MILLION PEOPLE, WOULD HAVE TO BE REDEVELOPED IN THE NEXT 13 YEARS. IF THIS WERE NOT DONE, MAJOR EXPENDITURE WOULD STILL BE NEEDED ON MAINTENANCE AND REPAIRS.
HE ADDED THAT HE COULD NOT AGREE WITH ANOTHER MEMBER’S PROPOSAL TO CEASE THE REPAIR WORKS ON THE OLD ESTATE BLOCKS AND INSTEAD REDEVELOP THEM.
HE EXPLAINED THAT IF THESE BLOCKS WERE TOTALLY REDEVELOPED WITHOUT AFFECTING THE CLEARANCE PROGRAMME AND THOSE ON THE WAITING LIST FOR PUBLIC HOUSING, IT WOULD POSSIBLY MEAN THAT THE ANNUAL PRODUCTION FIGURE HAD TO BE DOUBLED, WHICH WAS CLEARLY BEYOND AVAILABLE CAPACITY OF HUMAN, FINANCIAL AND LAND RESOURCES.
ON LAND SUPPLY, MR HO SAID THE PROBLEM LAY NOT IN A SHORTAGE OF LAND FOR PRODUCTION OF PUBLIC HOUSING BUT IN THE PRODUCTION OF SERVICED LAND WITH THE REQUISITE TRANSPORT LINKAGE AND INFRASTRUCTURE AT THE RIGHT LOCATIONS AT THE RIGHT TIME.
THIS AVAILABILITY OF LAND SUPPLY IN THE RIGHT LOCATION WOULD BECOME MUCH MORE CRITICAL FOR THE PUBLIC HOUSING PROGRAMME FROM 1990 TO 1995, WHEN LAND WOULD HAVE TO BE FOUND IN THE URBAN AREA.
/THIS WOULD .......
THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 1Ot 1988
2 -
THIS WOULD BE NECESSARY IN ORDER TO PROVIDE RECEPTION ACCOMMODATION FOR RESIDENTS BEFORE REDEVELOPMENT OF THE OLDER ESTATES WAS POSSIBLE.
MR HO SAID A LARGE AMOUNT OF LAND WOULD HAVE TO BE FORMED BETWEEN 1995-2001.
AS THE LEAD TIME REQUIRED FROM LAND FORMATION TO BUILDING COMPLETION WAS ESTIMATED TO BE SEVEN YEARS, THE PROGRAMME FOR LAND PRODUCTION HAD TO BE COMMITTED ALMOST RIGHT AWAY, HE ADDED
FOR THOSE LIVING IN PUBLIC HOUSING ESTATES, MR HO SAID WHAT WAS OF IMMEDIATE CONCERN TO THEM WAS THE ENVIRONMENT IN WHICH THEY LIVED, AND THEREFORE DESIGNS AND STANDARDS MUST BE PLANNED TO MEET LONG-TERM NEEDS AND TO ANTICIPATE RISING ASPIRATIONS.
"THE INTRODUCTION OF A NEW GENERATION OF STANDARD BLOCKS WITH IMPROVED LAYOUT AND ENHANCED LIVING SPACE, AND THE FACT THAT THEY HAVE BEEN DESIGNED TO BE CONSTRUCTED IN A LESS LABOUR INTENSIVE MANNER, IS TO BE WELCOMED,” HE SAID.
WITH REGARD TO TRANSPORT, MR HO SAID THE SECOND COMPREHENSIVE TRAFFIC STUDY HOPEFULLY WOULD PROVIDE SOME USEFUL ANSWERS TO TRANSPORT PROBLEMS.
BUT, OWING TO THE DENSITY OF BUILT-UP AREAS AND THE LIMITED ROAD SPACE, IT WAS APPARENT THAT MAJOR ROAD PROJECTS, THOUGH OF VITAL IMPORTANCE, SERVED ONLY TO TRANSPORT PEOPLE AND GOODS BETWEEN MAJOR DESTINATIONS.
THEY WOULD BRING VERY LITTLE IMPROVEMENT IN CONGESTION IN THE MAIN URBAN AREA.
HE SUPPORTED THE VIEW THAT MORE EFFECTIVE USE COULD BE MADE OF WATER-BORNE TRANSPORT.
COMMENTING THAT THE GOVERNMENT WAS ONCE AGAIN CONSIDERING PRIORITIES FOR ROAD USAGE, AND PRIVATE TRANSPORT WOULD BE THE ONE TO GIVE WAY, MR HO SAID IT WOULD BE WRONG TO RESTRICT THE MOVEMENT OF PRIVATE CARS WITHOUT PROVIDING AN ALTERNATIVE MODE OF CONVENIENT AND COMFORTABLE PUBLIC TRANSPORT.
ON LABOUR, MR HO SAID BETTER WORKING CONDITIONS WOULD HAVE TO BE CREATED IF WE WERE TO ATTRACT YOUNG PEOPLE TO WORK IN THE MANUFACTURING INDUSTRY, AND ESPECIALLY IN THE CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY.
WITH RISING ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL ASPIRATIONS, THE DAYS OF CHEAP AND ABUNDANT LABOUR WERE OVER, AND IT WAS TIME THAT INDUSTRY STUDIED SERIOUSLY HOW PRODUCTIVITY AND WORKMANSHIP COULD RE IMPROVED WITH CONSTRUCTION METHODS THAT WOULD BE LESS DEPENDENT ON LABOUR.
/HE PRAISED .......
THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 10, 1988
- 5 -
HE PRAISED THE HOUSING AUTHORITY FOR ADOPTING SEMI-MECHANISED METHODS FOR ITS CONTRACTS AND FOR ITS NEW DESIGN FOR STANDARD BLOCKS WHICH FURTHER EXPLOITED THE ADVANTAGES OF MODULAR COMPONENTS IN CONSTRUCTION.
IN THE LONG TERM, HOWEVER, MR HO SAID THE SOLUTION TO THE LABOUR SHORTAGE PROBLEM IN THE CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY LAY IN SYSTEMS THAT RELIED ON THE EMPLOYMENT OF SKILLED LABOUR.
THIS MEANT THERE WOULD BE GRADUAL PHASING OUT OF UNSKILLED LABOUR, TO BE REPLACED BY PEOPLE WHO WOULD BE BETTER TRAINED, FEWER IN NUMBER, BUT WHO WOULD RECEIVE BETTER INCOME AND WOULD BE WORKING IN CONDITIONS THAT WERE SAFER AND MORE AGREEABLE.
ON TOWN PLANNING, MR HO SAID HE SUPPORTED THE CREATION OF A SPECIAL POLICY BRANCH OF PLANNING AND ENVIRONMENT, SINCE TOWN PLANNING HAD A DIRECT IMPACT ON ENVIRONMENT, AND ENVIRONMENT CONSIDERATIONS SHOULD FORM AN INTRINSIC PART OF THE PLANNING PROCESS.
HE BELIEVED THAT THIS WOULD PROVIDE A MORE CENTRAL FOCUS IN THE PLANNING OF OUR TERRITORIES AND OUR ENVIRONMENT.
MR HO ALSO SAID IT WAS NOW APPARENT THAT THE ROLE OF THE TOWN PLANNING BOARD SHOULD BE RE-EXAMINED.
ITS FUNCTION SHOULD BE UPGRADED TO CONSIDER PLANNING AT TERRITORIAL AND SUB-REGIONAL LEVELS, AND PART OF ITS PRESENT FUNCTION SHOULD BE DEVOLVED SO THAT PLANNING AT DISTRICT AND LOCAL LEVELS WOULD BE PERFORMED BY A SMALL NUMBER OF STATUTORY LOCAL PLANNING BODIES.
REFERRING TO EDUCATION AND CULTURE, MR HO SUGGESTED THAT THE GOVERNMENT SHOULD CONSIDER THE ESTABLISHMENT OF A SPECIAL VOCATIONAL SCHOOL FOR THE PERFORMING ARTS, SO THAT THERE WAS AN AVAILABLE SOURCE OF SUITABLY PREPARED STUDENTS FOR THE ACADEMY FOR PERFORMING ARTS.
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A....
THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 10, 1988
LABOUR SHORTAGE SHOULD NOT CONTINUE UNABATED
*****
THE GOVERNMENT SHOULD REVERSE ITS POLICY ON THE IMPORTATION OF FOREIGN LABOUR AS THE LABOUR SHORTAGE, IF ALLOWED TO CONTINUE UNABATED, WILL MAKE HONG KONG UNCOMPETITIVE AND UNATTRACTIVE, THE HON RONALD ARCULLI SAID TODAY (THURSDAY).
SPEAKING ON THE SECOND DAY OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL POLICY DEBATE, MR ARCULLI SAID THE LABOUR SHORTAGE NOT ONLY DROVE UP COSTS BUT ALSO CAUSED EXTENSIVE DELAY AND LOWERING OF QUALITY.
HE WAS CONVINCED THAT THE CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY WAS ONE OF THE AREAS EXPERIENCING SEVERE SHORTAGE.
TURNING TO THE PROPOSED SECURITIES AND FUTURES COMMISSION (SFC) BILL, HE NOTED THAT THERE HAD BEEN A FAIR AMOUNT OF PUBLIC DEBATE ON THREE PARTICULAR ASPECTS.
THESE WERE THE RIGHT OF THE SFC TO REQUIRE A PERSON UNDER INVESTIGATION TO PROVIDE INFORMATION WHICH MAY USED AS EVIDENCE AGAINST HIM, THE RIGHT OF THE SFC TO ENTER BUSINESS PREMISES TO HAVE ACCESS TO BOOKS RECORDS ETC. KEPT THERE AND TO REMOVE THEM IF NEED BE; AND THE ABSENCE OF AN APPEAL TO AN INDEPENDENT PANEL OUTSIDE THE SFC BY A PERSON AGGRIEVED BY A DECISION OF THE COMMISSION.
’’THERE IS A GREAT BODY OF PUBLIC OPINION INCLUDING PROFESSIONAL BODIES THAT SAY THAT SUCH POWERS ARE UNNECESSARY, FAR TOO WIDE AND SWEEPING.
"UNLESS SUCH OBJECTIONS ARE GROUNDLESS THE PROVISION OF EXCESSIVE POWERS IS NOT ONLY FUNDAMENTALLY UNSOUND BUT ALSO CREATES SUSPICION," HE SAID.
WEAKNESSES THAT WERE EXPOSED IN THE FINANCIAL MARKETS A YEAR AGO NEEDED TO BE CORRECTED AND IMPROVED BUT OVER-CORRECTION COULD STIFLE THE MARKETS, HE SAID.
ON INFRASTRUCTURAL DEVELOPMENT, MR ARCULLI SAID THERE WAS NO ROOM FOR DISPUTING THAT HONG KONG NEEDED A NEW AIRPORT, ADDITIONAL PORT FACILITIES AND A TRANSPORT NETWORK,
"THESE ARE ALL MAJOR UNDERTAKINGS THAT WILL REQUIRE TENS OF BILLIONS OF DOLLARS BUT IF WE ARE TO CONTINUE TO GROW AND PROSPER WE MUST NOT BE TIMID IN MAKING THESE COMMITMENTS," HE SAID.
IN THIS RESPECT, HE SUGGESTED THAT BRINGING THE PRIVATE SECTOR INTO MAJOR PROJECTS WAS EFFECTIVE AND EFFICIENT AND MADE A GOOD DEAL OF COMMERCIAL SENSE.
MOREOVER, THERE WAS THE INTANGIBLE BENEFITS OF A TREMENDOUS VOTE OF CONFIDENCE BY THE PRIVATE SECTOR "PUTTING ITS MONEY WHERE ITS MOUTH IS".
/OH THE
THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 10, 1988
5
ON HAD BORNE TOO LONG.
THE VIETNAMESE BOAT PEOPLE ISSUE, HE SAID THAT HONG MORE THAN ITS FAIR SHARE OF THIS UNFORTUNATE PROBLEM
KONG FOR
HE
FIRMLY BELIEVED THAT FOR HONG KONG TO BE SUCCESSFUL IN
RESETTLEMENT EFFORTS
INTAKE SUBSTANTIALLY FROM CURRENT LEVELS.
IT WAS CRITICAL THAT THE UK SHOULD INCREASE
ITS
ITS
ON THE QUESTION OF A BRAIN DRAIN
HE BELIEVED THAT
MAJORITY OF PEOPLE EMIGRATED BECAUSE OF THEIR FUTURE AND THE BULK OF THIS GROUP WERE SIMPLY OUT POLICY, NAMELY, A FOREIGN PASSPORT.
CONCERN TO GET AN
THE GREAT
ABOUT THE
INSURANCE
HE SUGGESTED THAT HONG KONG SHOULD DO MORE TOUCH WITH THESE PEOPLE AND IN THIS AREA THE COUNCIL THROUGH ITS EXTENSIVE NETWORK OF OFFICES COULD PERHAPS EXAMINE WHETHER THE TERRITORY COULD
TOWARDS TRADE ROUND
KEEPING IN DEVELOPMENT
THE
DO SOME
WORLD, BUSINESS
WITH THEM
EVEN IF THEY DID NOT RETURN.
MR ARCULLI BELIEVED THAT THE PERMANENT SOLUTION TO THE BRAIN DRAIN LAY IN FOSTERING A STRONG SENSE OF BELONGING AMONG YOUNG PEOPLE ----------------------------------------------- TO PARTICIPATE MORE IN
AND THIS COULD BE ACHIEVED BY ENCOURAGING THEM ENDEAVOURS AND PROJECTS UNDERTAKEN TO IMPROVE LIVES HERE.
THE QUALITY OF THEIR
IN OTHER MATTERS, WHILE BACKING THE SCHEME FOR PRIVATE HOMES FOR THE ELDERLY AND A
VOLUNTARY REGISTRATION
HOLIDAY CENTRE FOR
ELDERLY, MR ARCULLI HOPED THE SOCIAL WELFARE ACCELERATE THEIR PLANS FOR THE AGED AND WHENEVER THE PRIVATE SECTOR TO GIVE SUPPORT.
AUTHORITIES
THE WOULD
POSSIBLE ENCOURAGE
ON THE DRAFT BASIC LAW, HE FELT THAT THE PEOPLE OF HONG KONG SHOULD BE ENCOURAGED TO CONTINUE TO TAKE AN ACTIVE INTEREST IN THE WHEN IT WAS PUBLISHED FOR FURTHER
SECOND DRAFT OF CONSULTATION.
THE DOCUMENT
FINALLY, THE 30 OR SO
HE URGED THE UK ELDERLY WIVES
REQUIRING THEM TO RESIDE IN THE
GOVERNMENT TO GRANT UK PASSPORTS TO OR WIDOWS OF EX-SERVICEMEN WITHOUT UK FOR EITHER THREE OR FIVE YEARS.
- - 0 - -
/6
THUR^^Y, NOVEMBER 10, 1988
- 6 -
PLEA TO GET NEW AIRPORT PROJECT UNDERWAY
***** ,
THE GOVERNMENT SHOULD PULL OUT ALL THE STOPS AND GET THE NEW AIRPORT PROJECT UNDERWAY NOW SO THAT IT COULD BE COMPLETED WITHIN THE SEVEN YEARS OF A 1989 DECISION ON LOCATION AND FINANCING, THE HON MARTIN BARROW SAID IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (THURSDAY).
SPEAKING ON THE SECOND DAY OF THE POLICY DEBATE, MR BARROW SAID THE NEED FOR AN EARLY DECISION ON A NEW AIRPORT WAS THE KEY ISSUE FACING THE TOURISM INDUSTRY.
"I ACCEPT THAT THE QUESTIONS OF WHERE AND HOW ARE STILL TO BE SETTLED BUT SURELY THERE NEED BE NO FURTHER QUESTION ABOUT WHEN," HE SAID, ADDING THAT A FIRM DECISION ON THE ISSUE COULD ACT AS A CONFIDENCE BOOSTER.
MR BARROW SAID HE WAS DISAPPOINTED THAT AFTER A YEAR OF TECHNICAL EVALUATION, FINANCIAL EVALUATIONS WERE ONLY NOW STARTING AND THESE WOULD TAKE A FURTHER NINE MONTHS. JE WONDERED WHETHER THESE EVALUATIONS COULD HAVE RUN CONCURRENTLY.
ASSUMING THAT A CERTAIN AMOUNT OF CONSULTATION WITH CHINA ON THE PROJECT WAS NECESSARY, MR BARROW SUGGESTED THAT HONG KONG SHOULD AT LEAST BRING THE CHINESE AUTHORITIES UP TO DATE ON WHERE MATTERS STOOD AND KEEP THEM INFORMED OF DEVELOPMENTS.
HE SAID THAT IF AN "AIRPORT AUTHORITY ROUTE BECOMES THE ADMINISTRATION’S MAINLINE PROPOSAL", DELAYS IN SETTING UP THAT ORGANISATION AND RECRUITING A CHIEF EXECUTIVE MUST ALSO BE AVOIDED.
MR BARROW SAID HE WELCOMED THE GOVERNMENT’S COMMITMENT TO CONTINUE IMPROVEMENTS AT KAI TAK AS THESE WERE ESSENTIAL IF HONG KONG WERE TO MAINTAIN ITS REPUTATION AS A TOURIST DESTINATION.
WITH THE OPENING OF THE CONVENTION AND EXHIBITION CENTRE AT THE END OF THIS YEAR, MR BARROW SAID HE HOPED THE GOVERNMENT WOULD CONTINUE EASING THE PATH FOR EAST EUROPEAN VISITORS TO COME TO THE TERRITORY.
MR BARROW SAID THE STEPS BEING TAKEN BY THE TWO MUNICIPAL COUNCILS TO DEVELOP CULTURE AND RECREATION WERE ALSO IMPORTANT TO TOURISM. . k
"WE MUST CONTINUE TO COME UP WITH NEW FACILITIES AND ACTIVITIES WHICH APPEAL TO LOCAL PEOPLE AND FOREIGN VISITORS ALIKE," HE SAID.
"PRESERVATION OF OUR CULTURAL HER E IS VITAL SO THAT THE ESSENTIAL CHARACTER OF HONG KONG CAN BE ERVED."
/THE RURAL
THURSDAY, NOVJ24BER 10, 1988
- 7 -
THE RURAL PLANNING WHICH THE GOVERNOR HAD MENTIONED WAS ALSO SIGNIFICANT IN ENSURING THAT RURAL AREAS COULD BE OPENED UP AND AT THE SAME TIME BE PRESERVED.
HE PLEDGED THAT THE TOURIST ASSOCIATION WOULD PLAY A MAJOR ROLE IN SUPPORTING THESE LOCAL DEVELOPMENTS, WHICH COULD PROVIDE A SOLID FOUNDATION FOR THE YEARS AHEAD WHEN THE OPENING OF THE NEW AIRPORT WOULD GIVE A FURTHER BOOST TO THE INDUSTRY.
TURNING TO THE LABOUR SHORTAGE, MR BARROW OBSERVED THAT PRACTICALLY EVERY SECTOR OF THE ECONOMY — MANUFACTURING, RETAILING, CONSTRUCTION, HOTELS, UTILITIES AND WHOLESALING — WAS FACED WITH THE PROBLEM, WITH THE MOST SEVERELY HIT SECTOR BEING THE CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY.
"UNLESS WE TAKE ACTION TO REDUCE THE SIZE OF THE LABOUR SHORTAGE PROBLEM, THE VERY PEOPLE WHO ARE BENEFITTING IN THE SHORT TERM WILL BE AMONG THOSE WHO WILL EVENTUALLY SUFFER FROM THE SHARP INCREASE IN INFLATION, LOSS OF INTERNATIONAL COMPETITIVENESS, AND AN EVENTUAL CONSEQUENTIAL DOWNTURN IN THE ECONOMY," HE SAID.
"NOBODY IN THE PRIVATE SECTOR IS PROPOSING THE IMPORT OF LABOUR TO SUCH AN EXTENT THAT IT WOULD DISCOURAGE PRODUCTIVITY INCREASES. CERTAINLY HONG KONG MUST NOT RETURN TO A SWEATSHOP IMAGE. WHAT IS NEEDED IS THE OPENING OF A VALVE TO RELIEVE SOME OF THE PRESSURE."
MR BARROW SAID THERE WAS WIDESPREAD DISAPPOINTMENT THAT THE ADMINISTRATION’S EARLIER CONCLUSION WAS NOT TO PURSUE A CHANGE OF POLICY, PARTICULARLY FOR THE CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY.
HE ALSO SUPPORTED THE PROPOSAL ON THE IMMEDIATE FORMATION OF A HIGH-LEVEL WORKING GROUP TO EXPAND THE LONG-TERM MACRO-ECONOMIC PROJECTIONS FOR THE ECONOMY IN SO FAR AS THEY RELATED TO LABOUR SUPPLY AND DEMAND.
THE WORKING GROUP COULD PRODUCE IDEAS FOR IMPROVING PRODUCTIVITY, ASCERTAIN WHETHER OR NOT THE SIZE OF THE LABOUR FORCE COULD BE INCREASED AND EXAMINE DETAILED PROPOSALS FOR IMPORTED LABOUR.
"THIS GROUP, WHICH MUST INCLUDE PRIVATE SECTOR REPRESENTATIVES, SHOULD COMPLETE ITS WORK BY THE CHINESE NEW YEAR IN FEBRUARY 1989," HE SAID.
ON THE CHINA DIMENSION, MR BARROW WELCOMED THE WIDER LINKS WHICH HAD BEEN DEVELOPED BETWEEN HONG KONG AND CHINA BOTH AT THE SENIOR LEVEL, INCLUDING THE GOVERNOR’S REGULAR VISITS, AS WELL AS THROUGH THE WORKING LEVEL EXCHANGES.
WITH REGARD TO THE DRAFT BASIC LAW, HE DEEMED IT IMPORTANT THAT THERE SHOULD BE SUSTAINED INTEREST IN THE DOCUMENT BY LEGCO AS WELL AS BY THE ADMINISTRATION AND THE COMMUNITY AS A WHOLE.
/SHARING THE
THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 10, 1988
- 8 -
SHARING THE GOVERNOR’S CONFIDENCE IN THE ONGOING ROLE WHICH HONG KONG WOULD PLAY IN CHINA’S MODERNISATION, MR BARROW SAID THE VISION OF A DYNAMIC HONG KONG AT THE CENTRE OF A GREATER CHINA, ENCOMPASSING THE SOUTHERN PART OF THE MAINLAND, TAIWAN, HONG KONG AND MACAU, PLAYING A VITAL ROLE IN SUSTAINING THIS DEVELOPMENT, WAS AN EXCITING ONE.
"THE HONG KONG COMMUNITY, AND I MEAN ALL THE COMMUNITY - THE PEOPLE OF HONG KONG, THE PRIVATE SECTOR, THE ADMINISTRATION - MUST HAVE THE SELF-CONFIDENCE TO TAKE US THROUGH THE NEXT 10 YEARS AND BEYOND. LET US VIEW 1997 AS A TIME OF OPPORTUNITY," HE CONCLUDED.
-------0----------
NEED TO PROMOTE FREE TRADE *****
HONG KONG MUST MAINTAIN ITS STANDING AS THE UNDISPUTED LEADING COMMERCIAL AND FINANCIAL CENTRE IN THE ASIA-PACIFIC REGION, WITH FULL COMMITMENT TOWARDS THE PROMOTION OF FREE AND FAIR TRADE, THE HON PAUL CHENG SAID IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (THURSDAY).
ANOTHER OBJECTIVE WAS TO CREATE AND DEVELOP A QUALITY STANDARD OF LIVING ENVIRONMENT WHEREBY RESIDENTS FROM BOTH THE LOCAL AND INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITIES, WHO BY CHOICE REGARDED HONG KONG AS THEIR HOME, COULD WORK AND LIVE IN HARMONY WITH EQUAL OPPORTUNITY, MR CHENG SAID IN THE POLICY DEBATE.
DESPITE A SLOWDOWN IN THE RATE OF GROWTH, THE LOCAL ECONOMY WAS IN GOOD SHAPE COMPARED WITH THE ECONOMIES OF MOST COUNTRIES AROUND THE WORLD, HE SAID.
HOWEVER, WITH GLOBAL ECONOMIC UNCERTAINTIES AHEAD OF HONG KONG, WE COULD NOT AFFORD TO BE COMPLACENT. PROTECTIONIST SENTIMENTS WERE STILL LURKING ABROAD.
"EVEN WITH A FREE TRADE ADVOCATE LIKE THE U.S. PRESIDENT-ELECT GEORGE BUSH, HE STILL HAS TO CONTEND WITH A HOUSE OF, REPRESENTATIVES AND A SENATE IN WASHINGTON WHICH ARE BOTH DOMINATED BY THE DEMOCRATS," HE COMMENTED.
PROTECTIONIST TRADE BILLS, PARTICULARLY IN THE TEXTILES SECTOR, MIGHT WELL RAISE THEIR UGLY HEADS AGAIN.
HONG KONG MUST THEREFORE CONTINUE ITS EFFORT TO PROMOTE ITS FREE TRADE IMAGE AND TO ELIMINATE ANY PRACTICES WHICH MIGHT BE CONSTRUED AS UNFAIR, INCLUDING THOSE IN THE PROFESSIONAL SERVICE SECTOR.
/NR CHENG .......
THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 10, 1988
MR CHENG SAID THAT OVER THE PAST FEW YEARS, HONG KONG HAD DONE A LOT TO DEVELOP ITS EXPORTS TO EUROPE AND JAPAN, AND BOTH THE TRADE DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL AND THE DEPARTMENTS OF TRADE AND INDUSTRY HAD WORKED CLOSELY IN PROMOTING TRADE DEVELOPMENT.
"THERE IS, HOWEVER, STILL SOME CONFUSION ABROAD ON THEIR RESPECTIVE ROLES. THIS SITUATION REQUIRES FURTHER REVIEW TO ENSURE EFFORTS AND RESOURCES ARE BEING UTILISED ON A COST-EFFECTIVE BASIS," HE SAID.
MR CHENG ALSO SUGGESTED THAT MORE TRADE DELEGATIONS BE ORGANISED WITH A BROADER-BASED PARTICIPATION THAN BEFORE.
"WE NEED TO ASSEMBLE PEOPLE AT SENIOR OPERATING LEVELS FROM TRADE, MANUFACTURING AS WELL AS SERVICE SECTORS. THIS WILL RESULT IN A HIGHER SUCCESSFUL CONVERSION RATE IN FOREIGN INVESTMENT AND IN INCREASED TRADE," HE SAID.
ON THE LABOUR SHORTAGE, MR CHENG SAID THE GOVERNMENT SHOULD KEEP AN OPEN MIND AND EVALUATE PROVEN IDEAS FROM OTHER PLACES SUCH AS THOSE IMPLEMENTED IN SINGAPORE AND IN GUAM.
"FOR EXAMPLE, ANY FOREIGN INVESTOR WHO DECIDES TO BUILD A HOTEL IN GUAM, I WAS TOLD, CAN BRING IN A CONSTRUCTION TEAM TO WORK ON THE PROJECT WITH THE CONDITION THAT THE TEAM MUST LEAVE UPON THE COMPLETION OF THE PROJECT," HE SAID.
ON THE WORK OF THE COMMITTEE ON SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY, MR CHENG SAID THE COMMITTEE SHOULD LOOK MORE AT NEW AREAS, SUCH AS BIOTECHNOLOGY, RATHER THAN TRYING TO PLAY "A CATCH-UP GAME".
WITH MORE AND MORE MANUFACTURING MOVING ACROSS THE BORDER, THERE WAS ALSO AN OPPORTUNITY FOR HONG KONG TO BECOME THE DESIGN AND QUALITY CONTROL CENTRE FOR MANY PRODUCTS EXPORTED FROM THIS PART OF THE WORLD TO NORTH AMERICA AND EUROPE.
REFERRING TO IMPROVEMENTS TO THE QUALITY OF LIFE AND ENVIRONMENT, MR CHENG SUGGESTED THAT HONG KONG NEEDED A "TIGER" PROGRAMME WITH "REAL TEETH" TO COMBAT POLLUTION.
IN THE AREA OF CULTURE, RECREATION AND SPORTS, HE SAID AT THE FIRST FINANCE COMMITTEE MEETING HE WAS SURPRISED HOW EASY IT WAS FOR TWO SUBSIDISED CULTURAL ORGANISATIONS TO OBTAIN MILLIONS IN ADDITIONAL FUNDS BECAUSE THEY HAD FAILED TO MAKE ENDS MEET.
IN THE BUSINESS WORLD, ONE WAS SACKED FOR NOT DELIVERING ACCORDING TO BUDGET. "I MUST QUESTION THE CREDIBILITY OF THE MANAGEMENT CONCERNED," HE SAID.
-------0---------
THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 10, 1988
10 -
PROPER YOUTH POLICY NEEDED
» » » »
HONG KONG NEEDS A YOUTH POLICY THAT IS DESIGNED SO THAT THE POTENTIALS, ABILITIES AND OTHER ADMIRABLE QUALITIES OF ITS YOUNG PEOPLE ARE CHANNELLED INTO THE RIGHT PATHS FOR PROPER DEVELOPMENT, THE HON CHEUNG CHI-KONG SAID IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (THURSDAY).
SPEAKING IN THE POLICY DEBATE, MR CHEUNG CALLED ON ALL IN LEADERSHIP POSITIONS TO WORK TOGETHER DILIGENTLY TO CREATE A SOCIETY AND A SOCIAL ATMOSPHERE FOR YOUNG PEOPLE.
THIS WOULD ALLOW THEM TO GROW UP FEELING SECURE, HAPPY AND INCULCATED WITH SUCH VIRTUES AS SELF-RESPECT, DECENCY, HONESTY, COURTESY AND INTEGRITY, AND THUS WELL ABLE TO FACE THE FUTURE.
SUCH AN ATMOSPHERE COULD ALSO HELP SHIFT THE MAIN CONCERN OF LIFE AWAY FROM GAUDINESS, LAVISHNESS, CREATURE COMFORTS AND MATERIALISTIC PURSUITS, HE ADDED.
MR CHEUNG SAID THERE HAD BEEN A DECLINE IN THE PERFORMANCE OF OUR YOUNG PEOPLE IN SPORTS. HE SUGGESTED THAT FOR A MORE BALANCED DEVELOPMENT OF THE YOUNG A WAY MUST BE FOUND TO BRING THEM BACK TO THE SPORTS FIELD AND THE GYMNASIA.
NOTING THAT YOUNG PEOPLE TODAY WERE SO ENGROSSED IN THE PURSUIT AND MAINTENANCE OF SUCH A LIFESTYLE THAT THEIR PRIORITIES WERE OFTEN IN A TOPSY-TURVY STATE, MR CHEUNG URGED THE GOVERNMENT AND ALL CONCERNED TO GIVE SERIOUS THOUGHT TO THE ISSUE.
THEY SHOULD CONSIDER WHAT ADULTS COULD DO TO TRANSFORM THEIR SOCIAL ATMOSPHERE AND INCLINATIONS, ASPIRATIONS AND VALUES, AND SHOW YOUNG PEOPLE BY EXAMPLE HOW THEY SHOULD LIVE.
"ACCURATE ASSESSMENT MUST ALSO BE MADE OF THE REAL SITUATION OUR YOUTHS ARE IN SO THAT WE CAN COME UP WITH A SENSIBLE AND WORKABLE YOUTH POLICY SOON,” HE SAID.
HE SAID THAT THE POLICY MUST NOT ONLY ADDRESS THE NEEDS OF YOUTH BUT MUST PINPOINT THEIR SHORTCOMINGS, THEIR INADEQUACIES, THEIR SEEMINGLY MISCONCEIVED WAY OF LIFE, AS WELL AS THEIR RESPONSIBILITIES TOWARDS THEMSELVES, THEIR FAMILIES AND SOCIETY AT LARGE.
ON EDUCATION, MR CHEUNG REITERATED THAT THE MAIN FAULTS IN THE SYSTEM INCLUDED THE LACK OF OPPORTUNITIES FOR HIGHER EDUCATION AND STUDENTS HAVING TO LEARN IN A LANGUAGE IN WHICH THEY WERE NOT PROFICIENT.
HE HOPED THAT ALL CONCERNED WOULD DO WHATEVER POSSIBLE TO INCREASE TERTIARY PLACES AND TO REAPPRAISE THE LANGUAGE STRATEGY.
/"NO ONE,
THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 10, 1988
"NO ONE, MYSELF INCLUDED, WOULD CHALLENGE THE IMPORTANCE OF ENGLISH TO A CITY LIKE HONG KONG, BUT IS IT NOT AXIOMATIC THAT LEARNING ENGLISH IS VASTLY DIFFERENT FROM LEARNING IN ENGLISH?" HE ASKED.
"WHILE EVERY EFFORT SHOULD BE MADE TO MAKE EVERY CHILD LEARN AS MUCH ENGLISH AS POSSIBLE AND STRIVE TO MAINTAIN A REASONABLY HIGH OVERALL STANDARD OF ENGLISH, WE MUST SIMULTANEOUSLY CREATE AN ATMOSPHERE IN WHICH CHILDREN WHO CHOOSE TO BE EDUCATED IN THE MOTHER TONGUE IN OTHER SUBJECTS AND FULFILL REQUIREMENTS IN THE SUBJECT OF ENGLISH, SHOULD NOT BE UNDULY HANDICAPPED IN TERMS OF EMPLOYMENT PROSPECTS AND FURTHER EDUCATION."
STRESSING THAT HALF-DAY PRIMARY SCHOOL WAS EDUCATIONALLY UNDESIRABLE, MR CHEUNG ALSO SAID THAT THE PACE OF CONVERSION OF HALF-DAY PRIMARY SCHOOLS TO WHOLE-DAY COULD BE QUICKENED.
0 - -
MEDICAL AND HEALTH SERVICES NEED REVAMPING
« « * * *
THE GOVERNMENT WAS TODAY (THURSDAY) CRITICISED FOR LACKING VISION OR A WORKABLE POLICY IN EXPANDING ITS MEDICAL AND HEALTH SYSTEM.
SPEAKING IN THE POLICY DEBATE IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL, DR THE HON LEONG CHE-HUNG SAID IT WAS THE "BLIND" EXPANSION OF THE PUBLIC HOSPITAL SYSTEM THAT RESULTED IN THE PRESENT "SORRY STATE".
DR LEONG SAID THE MEDICAL SYSTEM HAD SERVED ITS TIME, AND THERE WAS A "DIRE NEED" TO REVAMP SERVICES.
SUPPORTING THE SETTING UP OF THE HOSPITAL AUTHORITY, DR LEONG SAID HE SAW THE BODY MORE AS "CORPORATISATION", LIKE THE HOUSING AUTHORITY, AIMED AT ACHIEVING MORE FLEXIBILITY AND BETTER MANAGEMENT.
"FORMATION OF THE HOSPITAL AUTHORITY WILL BE A MAMMOTH TASK," HE SAID. "THE NEW SYSTEM HAS TO SATISFY A STAFF OF OVER 40,000. IT ALSO HAS TO LOCATE THE NECESSARY FINANCIAL RESOURCES."
DR LEONG SAID IN VIEW OF THE HIGH MEDICAL COST, THE PRESENT ONE-OFF PAYMENT OF A TOKEN FEE OF $26 PER DAY IN HOSPITAL TO INCLUDE EVERYTHING WAS NO LONGER WORKABLE, UNLESS THE GOVERNMENT WAS WILLING TO INCREASE UNCONDITIONALLY THE BUDGET FOR MEDICAL SERVICES.
HE ADVISED THE GOVERNMENT TO DEFINE THE OBJECTIVES TO BE ACHIEVED IN HEALTH CARE WITH THE RESOURCES IT WOULD PROVIDE.
/"A BASELINE
i
THURSDAY,, NOVEMBER 10, 1988 *
12 -
"A BASELINE MUST BE DETERMINED AS TO THE TYPE AND EXTENT OF SERVICE GOVERNMENT CAN SHOULDER FOR THE WHOLE COMMUNITY," HE SAID.
"DISTINCTION MUST BE MADE AS TO WHICH SECTOR OF THE COMMUNITY THAT THE FUTURE HOSPITAL AUTHORITY WILL PROVIDE COMPREHENSIVE SERVICE ON A HEAVILY SUBSIDISED BASIS.
"FURTHERMORE, PROVISIONS MUST BE MADE TO EXPLORE POSSIBILITIES TO INCREASE RESOURCES."
HOWEVER, DR LEONG STRESSED THAT IT WAS THE GOVERNMENT'S RESPONSIBILITY TO ENSURE THAT THE HIGHEST POSSIBLE STANDARD OF MEDICAL CARE BE AFFORDED TO THE POOR AND INDIGENT, AND THAT THE QUALITY OF MEDICAL SERVICES SHOULD NEVER BE COMPROMISED.
ACCORDING TO DR LEONG, ONE POSSIBLE SOLUTION TO THE PROBLEM WAS FOR THE GOVERNMENT TO DO AWAY WITH THE PRIMARY HEALTH CARE SERVICE AND LEAVE IT ALL TO THE PRIVATE SECTOR.
"SUCH A SYSTEM SHOULD BE BENEFICIAL TO ALL; FOR ONE, THE PATIENTS WILL BE MORE SATISFIED AS THEY CAN SEEK MEDICAL ADVICE AND CARE FROM DOCTORS OF THEIR CHOICE; FOR ANOTHER, THERE IS NO INCREASE IN THE FINANCIAL BURDEN OF THE GOVERNMENT,” HE SAID.
HOWEVER, HE CAUTIONED THAT A VERY DETAILED SCHEME OF ADMINISTRATION AND IMPLEMENTATION WOULD HAVE TO BE WORKED OUT TO AVOID POSSIBLE ABUSES.
DR LEONG CRITICISED THE GOVERNMENT FOR PAYING TOO LITTLE ATTENTION TO DENTAL HEALTH CARE AND SERVICE.
"GOVERNMENT HAS NEVER TAKEN A POSITIVE STEP TO MAKE THE PUBLIC AWARE OF DENTAL HEALTH AND THE NEED FOR PREVENTING RATHER THAN CURING DENTAL PROBLEMS," HE SAID.
HE PROPOSED THAT THE ADMINISTRATION SHOULD EMBARK ON A TERRITORY-WIDE EDUCATION PROGRAMME ON THE NEED FOR PROPER DENTAL CARE AND DENTAL HYGIENE.
CONSIDERATION SHOULD ALSO BE GIVEN TO EXTENDING THE SCHOOL DENTAL SERVICE BY TRAINED DENTISTS TO KINDERGARTENS AND ALL SECONDARY SCHOOL STUDENTS, OR EVEN UP TO UNIVERSITY.
"IT IS ONLY WITH SUCH PROPERLY DEFINED POLICY THAT THE PROVISIONAL HOSPITAL AUTHORITY COULD SETTLE DOWN TO WORK OUT ITS OWN OBJECTIVES AND PRIORITIES FOR THE SETTING UP OF THE FUTURE HOSPITAL AUTHORITY," HE SAID.
DR LEONG POINTED OUT THAT HOSPITAL SERVICE FORMED ONLY A PART OF THE INTEGRAL STRUCTURE OF A TOTAL HEALTH CARE SYSTEM.
/PRIMARY HEALTH .......
THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 10, 1988
PRIMARY HEALTH CARE PERHAPS CONTRIBUTED AN EVEN MORE IMPORTANT ASPECT, BECAUSE A PROPERLY RUN AND AN EFFICIENT PRIMARY HEALTH CARE SYSTEM WOULD DECREASE THE NEED FOR HOSPITAL SERVICE.
"UNFORTUNATELY, THE CURRENT PRIMARY HEALTH CARE SYSTEM OF OUT-PATIENT CLINICS RUN BY GOVERNMENT IS INADEQUATE," HE SAID.
"IT FAILS TO PROVIDE THE CARE, CONFIDENCE AND TREATMENT THAT ANY SUFFERER YEARNS FOR,” HE ADDED.
DR LEONG SUGGESTED THAT WHILST REVAMPING THE HOSPITAL SERVICE, THE ADMINISTRATION SHOULD TAKE A MORE REALISTIC LOOK AT PRIMARY HEALTH CARE, AND THIS WAS PERHAPS AN AREA THAT THE "THINK TANK" COULD LOOK INTO.
DR LEONG WAS ALSO CONCERNED ABOUT THE OVER-SUPPLY OF MANPOWER IN THE DENTAL PROFESSION. HE REFERRED TO A RECENT ANALYSIS BY THE DENTAL SUBCOMMITTEE OF THE MEDICAL DEVELOPMENT ADVISORY COMMITTEE, WHICH SHOWED THAT IF THE RATE OF GROWTH OF DENTISTS REMAINED UNCHANGED, THERE WOULD BE AN EXCESS OF OVER 400 DENTISTS IN HONG KONG BY THE YEAR 2000.
HE CONSIDERED IT THE GOVERNMENT'S RESPONSIBILITY TO PLAN PROPERLY TO PROVIDE ENOUGHT JOBS FOR DENTAL GRADUATES AND BLAMED THE ADMINISTRATION AND THE PLANNERS OF THE DENTAL SCHOOL FOR NOT ADEQUATELY STUDYING THE ACTUAL NEED FOR DENTAL CARE.
"THEY FAILED TO TAKE INTO CONSIDERATION THE INDIFFERENCE IN DENTAL CARE NEEDS OF OUR POPULATION," HE SAID.
"FURTHERMORE, THERE HAS NEVER BEEN AN ORGANISED TERRITORY-WIDE EDUCATION PROGRAMME ON DENTAL HEALTH CARE TO AROUSE THE PUBLIC’S INTEREST IN THE IMPORTANCE OF THIS ASPECT OF HEALTH CARE."
HE ADDED THAT THE PROBLEM WAS COMPOUNDED BY THE FACT THAT A GOOD PERCENTAGE OF DENTAL WORK WAS PERFORMED BY ILLEGAL "DENTISTS" WITH UNCONTROLLABLE STANDARDS WHO FREQUENTLY PRODUCED A SOURCE OF HARM.
DR LEONG MAINTAINED THAT SOMETHING HAD TO BE DONE WITH EXTREME URGENCY.
HE SUGGESTED THAT A GOOD AND EFFECTIVE CONTROL OF PEOPLE PRACTISING ILLEGAL DENTISTRY MUST BE ESTABLISHED.
THE DENTAL SCHOOL SHOULD ALSO FACE THE REALITY THAT AN EFFECTIVE REDUCTION IN DENTAL STUDENT INTAKE WAS A NECESSITY.
"WHAT IS MORE EFFECTIVE, WITH IMMEDIATE AND LONG-TERM EFFECT, IS FOR GOVERNMENT TO MAKE THE PUBLIC AWARE OF THE NEED FOR PROPER DENTAL HEALTH CARE THROUGH A SYSTEM OF WELL ORGANISED DENTAL EDUCATION," HE SAID, ADDING THAT SPECIAL CONSIDERATION SHOULD BE GIVEN TO THE SUGGESTION OF EXPANDING THE SCHOOL DENTAL SERVICE.
/DR LEONG .......
THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 10, 1988
14
DR LEONG ALSO WARNED THE GOVERNMENT OF THE POSSIBILITY OF AN EXCESS OF DOCTORS IN FUTURE, AND ADVISED AGAINST ANY FURTHER INCREASE IN THE INTAKE OF MEDICAL STUDENTS FOR THE TWO MEDICAL SCHOOLS.
"IT SHOULD BE REMEMBERED THAT THERE IS NO OVERALL SHORTAGE OF DOCTORS AT ALL. THE SHORTFALL IS IN DOCTORS WORKING IN PUBLIC INSTITUTES - A PROBLEM OF MAL-DISTRIBUTION,” HE SAID.
DR LEONG CALLED ON THE GOVERNMENT TO ESTABLISH HONG KONG’S OWN BODY - AN ACADEMY OF MEDICINE - TO FORMULATE ITS OWN TRAINING PROGRAMME AND AWARD ITS OWN POST-GRADUATE ACCREDITATION.
HE URGED THE ADMINISTRATION TO SPEEDILY SET UP A STEERING COMMITTEE TO SEE TO IT THAT THE RECOMMENDATIONS MADE BY THE WORKING PARTY ON POSTGRADUATE MEDICAL EDUCATION AND TRAINING WERE PROMPTLY IMPLEMENTED CONCURRENTLY WITH CONSULTATION WITH THE MEDICAL PROFESSION, SO THAT SUCH AN ACADEMY COULD BE SET UP WITHOUT FURTHER DELAY.
DR LEONG BELIEVED THAT THERE SHOULD BE ONE STANDARD AND ONE LICENSING EXAMINATION FOR ALL FUTURE CANDIDATES TO PRACTISE MEDICINE IN HONG KONG.
“THIS IS AN URGENT ISSUE,” HE SAID. "A ’HONG KONG SYSTEM’ MUST BE WELL ENTRENCHED IN THE HANDS OF THE PROFESSION BEFORE 1997.”
IN LOOKING FORWARD AND PLANNING AHEAD FOR THE FUTURE, DR LEONG SAID THAT MAXIMUM FINANCIAL RESOURCES SHOULD BE PROVIDED BY THE GOVERNMENT TO MAINTAIN A DEFINED OBJECTIVE IN THE PROVISION OF HEALTH CARE.
POSSIBILITIES OF RESOURCES FROM THE COMMUNITY, ONE WAY OR THE OTHER, SHOULD ALSO BE CONSIDERED.
”IF MEDICAL INSURANCE IS TO BE ENLARGED, THERE MUST BE ADEQUATE REGULATIONS TO CONTROL THE INSURANCE INDUSTRY TO SAFEGUARD THE PUBLIC,” HE SAID.
FURTHERMORE, DR LEONG POINTED OUT THAT AS THE HEALTH CARE SYSTEM WAS ENLARGED, THERE WAS A DEFINITE CALL FOR MEDICALLY QUALIFIED, PROPERLY TRAINED HEALTH SYSTEM ADMINISTRATORS. AT PRESENT, SUCH EXPERTISE WAS EXTREMELY LACKING.
"MEASURES SHOULD THEREFORE BE TAKEN WITHOUT DELAY TO STIMULATE THE INTEREST OF THE MEMBERS OF THE PROFESSION TO PURSUE MEDICAL MANAGEMENT AS A CAREER," HE SAID.
0
/15
THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 10, 1988
- 15 -
TAX RATE REDUCTION URGED ♦ » * ♦
THE GOVERNMENT SHOULD REDUCE THE SALARY TAX RATE TO ITS ’’TRADITIONAL” 15 PER CENT AND ABOLISH THE ONE AND A HALF PER CENT DIFFERENTIAL BETWEEN THE CORPORATE AND INDIVIDUAL RATES, THE HON PETER WONG HONG-YUEN SAID IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (THURSDAY).
SPEAKING IN THE POLICY DEBATE, MR WONG SAID THE DIFFERENTIAL IN THE TAX RATES CAME ABOUT AT A TIME WHEN FINANCIAL PROSPECTS WERE NOT BRIGHT.
’’NOW THAT WE HAVE HAD A NUMBER OF YEARS OF SURPLUSES, WE SHOULD REVERT TO OUR SIMPLE, SINGLE LOW RATE," HE SAID.
MR WONG ALSO CALLED FOR A SPEEDY COMPLETION OF DISCUSSIONS WITH CHINA OVER A DOUBLE TAX ARRANGEMENT.
HE SAID HONG KONG WAS THE MAIN INVESTOR IN CHINA AND IT WAS NOT UNREASONABLE FOR THE TERRITORY TO EXPECT THE MOST FAVOURABLE TAX TREATMENT.
COMMENTING ON THE PROPOSED CENTRAL POLICY UNIT, OR "THINK TANK”, MR WONG PUT THREE QUESTIONS TO THE GOVERNMENT.
FIRSTLY, HE SAID, COULD THE THINK TANK TAKE A LONG HARD LOOK AT HOW IT EXPECTED THE ECONOMY TO DEVELOP BECAUSE HONG KONG NEEDED TO KNOW WHAT LAY AHEAD?
SECONDLY, COULD IT ENSURE THAT ALL THE NECESSARY INFORMATION AND STATISTICS WERE AVAILABLE AND WERE USED FOR PLANNING PURPOSES? HE SAID THE PRESENT AVAILABLE STATISTICS WERE "WOEFULLY INADEQUATE” 'IN MANY AREAS AND THE THINK TANK WOULD HAVE TO RETHINK HONG KONG’S WHOLE DATA NEEDS BY APPLYING THE LATEST IN COMPUTER TECHNOLOGY.
THIRDLY, HE SAID, COULD THE THINK TANK FIND A MECHANISM TO GET THROUGH GOVERNMENT "RED TAPE” SO THAT FUTURE ADVANCES IN TECHNOLOGY COULD BE SPEEDILY RECOGNISED AS USEFUL AND DEPLOYED MUCH MORE QUICKLY IN GOVERNMENT ESTABLISHMENTS?
- - 0 -
/16
THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 10, 1988
- 16 -
HK MUST MOVE AHEAD AS CHINA DEVELOPS
*****
HONG KONG MUST CONTINUOUSLY DEVELOP AND UPGRADE ITS SKILLS, SERVICES AND INFRASTRUCTURE IF IT IS TO HAVE A SAY IN ITS OWN DESTINY, THE HON NELLIE FONG SAID IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL POLICY DEBATE TODAY (THURSDAY).
MRS FONG SAID THE CONTINUED PROSPERITY OF HONG KONG DEPENDED ON THE EXTENT TO WHICH THE TERRITORY COULD BEST COMPLEMENT CHINA IN THE IMPLEMENTATION OF ITS OPEN POLICY.
AS CHINA DEVELOPED, HONG KONG MUST ALSO MOVE AHEAD; AND THE GOVERNMENT MUST PLAY A ROLE IN THIS REGARD, SHE STRESSED.
’’THERE MUST BE FAR-SIGHTEDNESS IN OUR GOVERNMENT TO PROVIDE AND ENCOURAGE AN EFFECTIVE EDUCATION SYSTEM, TO ASSURE THE MOST APPROPRIATE INFRASTRUCTURE IS ALWAYS AVAILABLE, AND TO ENCOURAGE TRADE AND INDUSTRY TO BE INNOVATIVE,” SHE SAID.
TO MEET THE GREATER CHALLENGE OF THE FUTURE, HONG KONG NEEDED LEADERSHIP THAT COULD INSPIRE, AND AN ADMINISTRATION THAT COULD PLAN AND BE CREATIVE.
SHE SUPPORTED THE IDEA OF FORMING A ’’THINK TANK” WHICH SHE SAW AS AN IMPORTANT FACTOR IN HELPING TO GENERATE CREATIVE IDEAS TO ASSIST HONG KONG’S LEADERSHIP.
MRS FONG ALSO URGED THE GOVERNMENT TO LOOK INTO WAYS OF IMPROVING THE PERFORMANCE OF THE CIVIL SERVICE.
SHE SAID THAT TO KEEP A STRONG CIVIL SERVICE INTACT WAS HARD ENOUGH IN NORMAL TIMES, BUT TO DO SO IN A PERIOD OF TRANSITION REQUIRED MORE THOUGHT AND MORE ACTION.
TO BE ABLE TO ATTRACT DEDICATED AND OUTSTANDING PEOPLE TO JOIN THE CIVIL SERVICE, AND TO RETAIN THEM, THE GOVERNMENT MUST RECOGNISE THEIR WORK AND REWARD THEIR EFFORTS.
SHE CRITICISED THE EXISTING EVALUATION AND PROMOTION SYSTEM IN THE CIVIL SERVICE WHEREBY SIGNIFICANT WEIGHT WAS GIVEN TO SUCH FACTORS AS SENIORITY AND WHETHER OR NOT A PERSON HAD MADE MISTAKES.
SYSTEMS IN WHICH THESE FACTORS PREVAILED TENDED TO BREED MEDIOCRACY, AND MEDIOCRACY WAS SIMPLY NOT ACCEPTABLE IN A PLACE AS EFFICIENT AND DEMANDING AS HONG KONG, SHE SAID.
”1F WE EXPECT A LOT, WE MUST RECRUIT THE RIGHT PEOPLE AND WE MUST OFFER THEM A LOT,” SHE SAID.
SHE EXPLAINED THAT A LOT DID NOT NECESSARILY MEAN A LOT OF MONEY; IT COULD MEAN A LOT OF SATISFACTION AND FULFILMENT.
/MRS FONG
THURSDAY, NOVIMBER 10, 1988
- 17 -
MRS FONG SAID SHE BELIEVED THAT THIS COULD BE ACHIEVED IF THE GOVERNMENT PROVIDED ITS EMPLOYEES A COMFORTABLE SALARY SCALE, A FAIR AND EFFICIENT METHOD OF EVALUATION, A PROCESS WHICH GAVE RECOGNITION TO CONTRIBUTION, AND A REWARD SYSTEM COMMENSURATE WITH ACHIEVEMENT.
OTHER FACTORS WERE A SENSE OF PRIDE AND ACHIEVEMENT AT BEING PART OF THE CIVIL SERVICE, AND A SATISFACTORY RETIREMENT PACKAGE TO RELIEVE POSSIBLE ANXIETIES.
MRS FONG URGED THE GOVERNMENT TO FOCUS ON THE SALARIES AND BENEFITS AS WELL AS THE HOUSING ARRANGEMENTS AND RETIREMENT PROVISIONS FOR THE CIVIL SERVICE.
IT SHOULD ALSO LOOK MORE FORCEFULLY INTO THE SYSTEM USED TO IDENTIFY PEOPLE ELIGIBLE FOR TAKING ON INCREASED RESPONSIBILITIES.
ATTENTION SHOULD BE PAID TO THE PROVISION OF EXTRA TRAINING AS PART OF A CAREER DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME FOR PEOPLE WHO SHOWED THE ABILITY, ENTHUSIASM AND COMMITMENT WHICH INDICATED THE DESIRABILITY OF EXTRA REWARD, BY SELECTING THEM AND GROOMING THEM FOR THE "FAST TRACK".
"SUCCESS BREEDS SUCCESS," MRS FONG SAID. SHE WAS CONVINCED THAT THE OPENING OF OPPORTUNITIES FOR GOOD CAREER DEVELOPMENT AND THE RESULTANT SUCCESS STORIES WOULD NOT ONLY ENCOURAGE THE PEOPLE CONCERNED, BUT WOULD ALSO ENCOURAGE AND MOTIVATE THOSE WHO PROGRESSED NORMALLY AND WHO CONSTITUTED THE BACKBONE OF THE SERVICE.
-------0 ---------
FIRM COMMITMENT TO LONG-TERM IMPROVEMENTS
» » * t *
THE HON MIRIAM LAU TODAY (THURSDAY) PRAISED THE GOVERNOR’S POLICY ADDRESS WHICH, SHE SAID, WAS A FIRM COMMITMENT TO PROMOTE LONG-TERM IMPROVEMENTS FOR HONG KONG AND TO MAINTAIN THE TERRITORY AS A PROSPEROUS INTERNATIONAL CENTRE OF COMMERCE.
SPEAKING IN THE POLICY DEBATE IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL, MRS I AU SAID THE LONG-RANGE PROGRAMMES TO IMPROVE INFRASTRUCTURAL DEVELOPMENT, TO COMBAT ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION, AND TO PROVIDE MORE OPPORTUNITIES FOR HIGHER EDUCATION ALL DEMONSTRATED THAT THE GOVERNMENT WAS RESPONDING POSITIVELY AND CONSTRUCTIVELY TO HONG KONG’S NEEDS.
MRS LAU SAID SHE WELCOMED THESE POLICY INITIATIVES, WHICH HAD NO DOUBT BEEN CAREFULLY THOUGHT OUT AND METICULOUSLY DESIGNED TO INCREASE THE WELL-BEING OF THE PEOPLE.
/BUT SHE
THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 10, 1988
- 18 -
BUT SHE ALSO STRESSED THE NEED FOR IMPROVEMENT IN A NUMBER OF AREAS OF GOVERNMENT PLANNING.
ON ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION CONTROL, MRS LAU CALLED FOR STRONGER ENFORCEMENT OF STATUTORY MEASURES TO BRING THE MESSAGE HOME.
"IN THE PAST, RELIANCE HAS BEEN PLACED TO A LARGE EXTENT ON STATUTORY CONTROLS, BUT AS WE HAVE SEEN IN THE CASE OF WATER POLLUTION, LEGISLATION ALONE IS INSUFFICIENT.
"ONE OF THE REASONS FOR OUR PRESENT PREDICAMENT IS THAT GOVERNMENT HAS IN THE PAST BEEN SLOW IN COMING ROUND TO THE POLLUTION PROBLEM, AND EVEN WHEN IT HAS COME AROUND TO IT, GOVERNMENT HAS NOT BEEN ABLE TO SUFFICIENTLY PLAN AHEAD," SHE SAID.
MRS LAU SAID PROGRAMMES, PARTICULARLY THOSE EXTENDING OVER THE NEXT DECADE, MUST BE DESIGNED WITH FORESIGHT AND FLEXIBILITY SO THAT THEY WOULD BE CAPABLE OF MEETING THE EVER CHANGING AND INCREASING NEEDS OF SOCIETY.
"THIS IS PARTICULARLY IMPORTANT IN VIEW OF THE CONTINUING DEVELOPMENT OF NEW TOWNS IN THE NEW TERRITORIES RESULTING IN CONTINUOUS SHIFT OF POPULATION DENSITY AND OPENING UP OF NEW INDUSTRIAL ESTATES.
"I CERTAINLY WOULD NOT WISH TO SEE GOVERNMENT EMBARK ON AN EXPENSIVE 10-YEAR PROGRAMME ONLY TO FIND ON COMPLETION THAT THE FACILITIES ARE OUTDATED AND INADEQUATE TO COPE WITH THE THEN REQUIREMENTS OF HONG KONG," SHE SAID.
MRS LAU BELIEVED THAT IN DEALING WITH ANY FORM OF POLLUTION, WHETHER WATER, AIR OR NOISE, PREVENTION WAS ALWAYS BETTER THAN CURE.
"PUBLIC AWARENESS OF THE POLLUTION PROBLEM IS VERY IMPORTANT AND SHOULD BE INCREASED," SHE SAID.
"THERE SHOULD BE WIDESPREAD CONSULTATION ON ANTI-POLLUTION MEASURES TO BE ADOPTED AND STEPS SHOULD BE TAKEN TO CANVASS UNDERSTANDING, ACCEPTANCE AND CO-OPERATION FROM THE PUBLIC IN THE IMPLEMENTATION OF SUCH MEASURES.
"I ALSO URGE GOVERNMENT TO UNDERTAKE RESEARCH INTO POSSIBLE COST-EFFECTIVE METHODS AND TECHNIQUES WHICH CAN BE EMPLOYED BY INDIVIDUAL OPERATORS TO MINIMISE, ELIMINATE OR OTHERWISE CONTROL POLLUTION AT SOURCE.
"STEPS SHOULD BE TAKEN TO INTRODUCE SUCH METHODS AND TECHNIQUES TO FACTORIES AND INDUSTRIAL ESTABLISHMENTS AND SUCH ESTABLISHMENTS SHOULD BE ENCOURAGED TO ADOPT AND IMPLEMENT SUCH TECHNIQUES AND METHODS."
TURNING TO CIVIC EDUCATION, MRS LAU SAID WHILE PLANS TO PROVIDE MORE OPPORTUNITIES FOR HIGHER EDUCATION WERE COMMENDABLE, THERE WERE NO PLANS AS TO HOW THE PEOPLE OF HONG KONG WOULD BE EDUCATED AND GUIDED TO PREPARE THEM FOR 1997.
/"IT IS
THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 10, 1988
19
"IT IS CLEAR THAT IF HONG KONG HIGH DEGREE OF AUTONOMY CONFERRED ON HAVE TO BE MADE TO PREPARE THE PEOPLE AND FACE THAT CHALLENGE," SHE SAID.
IS TO GIVE FULL EFFECT TO THE
IT AFTER 1997, EFFORTS WILL TO ASSUME THAT RESPONSIBILITY
MRS LAU ALSO BROUGHT UP THE SUBJECT OF YOUTH POLICY, WHICH SHE CONTENDED WAS NOT MENTIONED IN THE GOVERNOR’S POLICY SPEECH.
"I CANNOT SUFFICIENTLY EMPHASISE THE IMPORTANCE AND URGENT NECESSITY OF HAVING A COMPREHENSIVE YOUTH POLICY. I BELIEVE THAT THIS GOVERNMENT HAS THE RESPONSIBILITY OF NURTURING THE YOUNG PEOPLE OF TODAY TO BE RESPONSIBLE CITIZENS OF TOMORROW," SHE SAID.
MRS LAU URGED GOVERNMENT TO CAREFULLY CONSIDER WITHOUT
ALL VIEWS MENTIONED IN THE JUST COMPLETED REPORT TO TAKE ACTIVE MEASURES TO FORMULATE WHAT COMPREHENSIVE YOUTH POLICY.
ON YOUTH POLICY
DELAY AND
SHE DESCRIBED AS A
ON THE SUBJECT OF SETTING UP
A CENTRAL
GOVERNMENT, MRS LAU SAID THE PROPOSAL FORESEEABLE DIFFICULTIES.
WAS
POLICY UNIT IN THE
INNOVATIVE DESPITE
SUCH A DYNAMIC
SHE SAID SHE WELCOMED IT BECAUSE IN ___
ADVANCED SOCIETY AS HONG KONG, THERE WAS CERTAINLY THE NEED TO GIVE WIDER PERSPECTIVE TO GOVERNMENT’S POLICY MAKING PROCESS AND ENHANCE THE EFFICIENCY OF CENTRAL POLICY MAKING.
AND A TO
CALL TO ATTRACT EXPATRIATES TO HK
HONG KONG SHOULD BRING PROFESSIONALS OF ANY NATIONALITY OR THE EMIGRATION ISSUE, THE HON LAU COUNCIL TODAY (THURSDAY).
IN
RACE WAH-SUM
EXPATRIATE MANAGERS AND AS A MEANS OF TACKLING SAID IN THE LEGISLATIVE
OF TALENT TO FILL THE
IT WOULD BE AN INSTANT INJECTION
VACANCIES CREATED BY THE EMIGRANTS, MR LAU SAID IN THE POLICY DEBATE.
NEW BLOOD WILL ALSO BE A SOURCE OF NEW IDEAS
"THE INFUSION OF ---- ---- .
AND VALUABLE EXPERIENCE WHICH WILL ENABLE US TO FUNCTION BETTER AS
AN
INTERNATIONA!. CITY," HE
SAID.
- - 0 - -
» * * t
*
THE RECENT PROPOSALS TO ALLOW LAWYERS OF
MR LAU WELCOMED ..... ----- _
FOREIGN COUNTRIES TO PRACTISE IN HONG KONG IN PARTNERSHIP WITH TOCAL IAWYERS. HE ALSO CONGRATULATED THE GOVERNMENT FOR THE OPEN-MINDEDNESS
DEMONSTRATED IN THIS CASE.
/"IN MY
THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 10, 1988
20 -
"IN MY OPINION, HONG KONG’S DOOR SHOULD BE KEPT OPEN TO ALL CAPABLE AND QUALIFIED PROFESSIONALS, WHETHER THEY ARE LAWYERS, ACCOUNTANTS, ENGINEERS OR DOCTORS, IRRESPECTIVE OF WHERE THEY HAVE OBTAINED THEIR TRAINING AND QUALIFICATIONS," HE SAID.
TURNING TO THE LABOUR SHORTAGE, MR LAU SAID IT MADE PERFECT COMMERCIAL SENSE FOR SOME LABOUR INTENSIVE INDUSTRIES TO MOVE THEIR PRODUCTION LINES TO CHINA IN ORDER TO LOWER LABOUR COSTS. IT WAS NOT FOR COUNCILLORS TO DISCOURAGE THIS MOVEMENT.
BUT THERE WERE INDUSTRIES WHICH COULD NOT AFFORD SUCH PHYSICAL MOVEMENT ACROSS THE BORDER, FOR EXAMPLE BUILDING INDUSTRIES WHICH REQUIRED WORKERS TO PERFORM THE WORK IN SITU.
HE SUGGESTED THAT HONG KONG SHOULD STUDY WAYS AND MEANS OF USING LABOUR FROM CHINA PROVIDED THIS DID NOT ADD TO THE BURDEN OF SOCIAL AND ECONOMIC FACILITIES SUCH AS HOUSING AND MEDICAL SERVICES. BESIDES, THE WORKERS SHOULD BE IMPORTED IN A CONTROLLED MANNER.
WITH THE COMPLETION OF BETTER ROAD LINKS BETWEEN HONG KONG AND CHINA, MR LAU SAID IT WOULD BE POSSIBLE FOR MANUFACTURERS TO TRANSPORT WORKERS FROM SHENZHEN FOR A DAY’S WORK AND SEND THEM BACK HOME AT THE END OF THE WORKING DAY.
THE WORKERS WOULD SPEND ALL THEIR TIME OFF AND HOLIDAYS AT HOME WITHOUT BURDENING HONG KONG’S SOCIAL SERVICE SYSTEM.
REFERRING TO FINANCING OF HONG KONG’S MASSIVE DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMMES, HE SAID THE PARTICIPATION OF THE PRIVATE SECTOR SHOULD BE ENLISTED FIRST.
"TAKE THE SECOND AIRPORT AS AN EXAMPLE. THE PASSENGER AND FREIGHT SERVICES ARE POTENTIALLY LUCRATIVE OPERATIONS. THE GOVERNMENT MAY WELL PRIVATISE THESE OPERATIONS, HOLDING BACK ONLY THE AIR TRAFFIC CONTROL, CUSTOMS AND IMMIGRATION SERVICES," HE SAID.
THE GOVERNMENT SHOULD ALSO CONSIDER PUBLIC LISTING ON THE STOCK EXCHANGE FOR THOSE COMPLETED GOVERNMENT PROJECTS WHICH WERE OPERATING SUCCESSFULLY, SUCH AS THE MTR AND THE KCR.
THE PROCEEDS FROM THESE SOURCES COULD THEN BE USED TO FINANCE THOSE PROJECTS WHICH WERE NON-REVENUE GENERATING, SUCH AS ROADS AND SEWAGE DISPOSAL.
AFTER IT HAD FULLY REALISED ALL PRIVATISATION POSSIBILITIES, HONG KONG SHOULD CONSIDER PAYING FOR ANY FURTHER REQUIREMENTS BY DEBT FINANCING.
MR LAU ALSO CALLED FOR A REVIEW OF THE FINANCIAL AND ACCOUNTING SYSTEMS IN THE GOVERNMENT WHICH WERE GUIDED BY GOVERNMENT REGULATIONS.
THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 10, 1988
- 21
MANY OF THESE REGULATIONS WERE LEGACIES OF THE OUTDATED COLONIAL REGULATIONS WHICH WERE NO LONGER APPLICABLE TO MODERN HONG KONG, HE SAID.
IN ADDITION, MR LAU URGED THE GOVERNMENT TO MAINTAIN THE PRESENT TAX LEVEL BECAUSE HONG KONG’S PAST SUCCESS WAS LARGELY D E THE LOW TAX POLICY.
"WE MAY WIDEN OUR TAX NET BUT MUST KEEP OUR STANDARD TAX RATE AROUND THE PRESENT LEVEL,” HE SAID.
-----0------
LABOUR SHORTAGE DELAYING MAJOR PROJECTS ♦ * t * *
THE LABOUR SHORTAGE IN THE CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY IS VERY LARGE AND IS SERIOUSLY DELAYING MAJOR PROJECTS, THE HON JAMES MCGREGOR SAID IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (THURSDAY).
MR MCGREGOR SAID THERE HAD, IN FACT, BEEN A SHORTAGE OF CERTAIN CLASSES OF LABOUR IN HONG KONG FOR MANY YEARS, AND THIS SHORTAGE HAD COMPELLED EMPLOYERS TO IMPROVE PLANT AND WORKER PRODUCTIVITY WITH NEW EQUIPMENT, HIGHER AUTOMATION, BETTER TRAINING AND BY MOVING UP-MARKET.
HOWEVER, MR MCGREGOR SAID IN THE POLICY DEBATE, THE DEMAND FOR HONG KONG PRODUCTS HAD REMAINED HIGH AND IN RECENT YEARS MANUFACTURERS HAD OBTAINED RELIEF BY MOVING LOWER-END PRODUCTION INTO CHINA.
"THIS HAS BEEN MOST HELPFUL TO MANY INDUSTRIES BUT NOT PARTICULARLY TO THE GARMENT INDUSTRY WHICH, BECAUSE OF THE EXPORT QUOTA RULES OF ORIGIN, MUST PRODUCE IN HONG KONG," HE SAID.
OTHER ESSENTIAL INDUSTRIES WHICH HE SAID COULD NOT MOVE TO CHINA OR ANYWHERE ELSE WERE THE CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY AND THE TOURIST/HOTEL INDUSTRIES WHERE MANY WORK CATEGORIES WERE SERIOUSLY UNDERSTAFFED.
NOTING THE GOVERNMENT DID NOT FEEL THAT IT COULD RELAX ITS PRESENT POLICY ON IMPORTED CONTRACT LABOUR, MR MCGREGOR BELIEVED THAT A VERY STRONG CASE EXISTED AND WOULD CONTINUE TO EXIST FOR THE POLICY TO BE MODIFIED IN THE BEST INTERESTS OF THE HONG KONG ECONOMY.
"AT THE VERY LEAST, A START COULD BE MADE WITH CONTRACT LABOUR FOR THE CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY WHERE MANY THOUSANDS OF WORKERS MAY BE NEEDED," HE SAID. «
/MR MCGREGOR
THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 10, 1988
- 22 -
MR MCGREGOR ADDED THAT IF A TRIAL SCHEME WITH THE CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY WERE SUCCESSFUL, OTHER SCHEMES COULD FOLLOW IN THOSE AREAS OF ACTIVITY MOST SERIOUSLY AFFECTED.
HE ALSO CALLED ON THE GOVERNMENT TO RECONSIDER ITS POLICY TOWARDS THE ISSUE OF VISAS FOR EAST EUROPEAN NATIONALS WISHING TO VISIT HONG KONG FOR BUSINESS PURPOSES.
FOR MANY YEARS, HE SAID THE HONG KONG AUTHORITIES HAD APPLIED AN EXTREMELY STRICT POLICY TOWARDS BUSINESSMEN FROM EAST EUROPE AND THIS POLICY HAD REDUCED GREATLY HONG KONG'S ABILITY TO TRADE WITH THESE COUNTRIES.
BUT, WITH
WITH 1997
SITUATION
CONNECTIONS
"I UNDERSTAND THE OVER-RIDING SECURITY CRITERIA CHINA AND RUSSIA EXPANDING THEIR CONNECTIONS AND TRADE AND COMING NEARER, IS IT NOT NOW TIME TO REASSESS THIS CAREFULLY WITH THE INTENTION OF OPENING UP OUR TRADING
WITH EAST EUROPE?” MR MCGREGOR ASKED.
ON THE SETTING UP OF A CENTRAL POLICY UNIT, MR MCGREGOR SAID THE GOVERNMENT ALREADY HAD AN EXTREMELY EXTENSIVE AND INTERLINKED SYSTEM OF BOARDS, COUNCILS AND COMMITTEES, AS WELL AS ACCESS TO THE MOST PROFESSIONAL OPINION OVER A WIDE RANGE OF SUBJECTS.
”IT SEEMS TO ME THAT A SO-CALLED THINK TANK COULD BE ESTABLISHED TO CONSIDER SPECIAL PROBLEMS BUT IN SUCH CASES THE MEMBERS OF THE THINK TANK WOULD BE ASSEMBLED INTO A COMMITTEE AND DISBANDED WHEN THEIR THOUGHTS HAD BEEN CONVEYED,” HE SAID.
MR MCGREGOR ADDED THAT A PERMANENT COMMtTTEE OF THINKERS MIGHT POSE CONSIDERABLE PROBLEMS WITH MEMBERSHIP, THE SUBJECT MATTERS IT WOULD BE ASKED TO CONSIDER, AND ITS RELATIONSHIP WITH OTHER ESTABLISHED SENIOR COUNCILS AND BOARDS INCLUDING THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL.
HE THEREFORE PRESSED THE GOVERNMENT TO CONSIDER MOST CAREFULLY HOW THE THINK TANK WOULD OPERATE AND HOW IT SHOULD FIT INTO THE PRESENT ADVISORY SYSTEM WHICH WAS NOW WORKING WELL.
TURNING TO THE SUBJECT OF FURTHER POLITICAL DEVELOPMENT OF HONG KONG, MR MCGREGOR SAID THE CONCEPT OF ONE COUNTRY TWO SYSTEMS, WHILST BRILLIANT, HAD A HIGH DEGREE OF RISK.
”IT DEPENDS FOR ITS SUCCESS UPON THE CONTINUED EXPANSION OF THE HONG KONG ECONOMY, THE CONTINUED PARTICIPATION IN THE ECONOMY OF A WIDE VARIETY OF FOREIGN INTERESTS AND AN UNFLAGGING GROWTH O; INVESTMENT INTO OUR INFRASTRUCTURE AND BUSINESS BY BOTH LOCAL PEOPU AND EXTERNAL INVESTORS,” HE SAID.
"AT THE CENTRE OF THIS ACTIVITY, THERE MUST BE A HIGH DEGREl OF CONFIDENCE HERE AND ELSEWHERE THAT THE EXPERIMENT WILL SUCCEED. ANYTHING LESS THAN FULL CONFIDENCE WILL HAVE A DEPRESSING EFFECT OH INVESTMENT AND THEREFORE ON BUSINESS.
/”WE MUST
THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 10, 1988
23 -
"WE MUST THEREFORE WORK QUICKLY TOWARDS A SYSTEM OF INTERNAL GOVERNMENT WHICH WILL CREATE AN ENVIRONMENT WITHIN WHICH BUSINESS AND INVESTOR CONFIDENCE WILL REMAIN HIGH.
"WE CANNOT AFFORD TO MAKE MISTAKES FOR THERE WILL BE NO TIME FOR CORRECTIONS."
MR MCGREGOR SAID HE PERSONALLY BELIEVED THAT THE BEST ANSWER FOR HONG KONG WAS A SYSTEM OF GOVERNMENT WHICH INCLUDED THE HIGHEST POSSIBLE DEGREE OF POLITICAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE AUTONOMY FREE FROM INTERFERENCE, INTERVENTION AND WHAT HE CALLED UNDUE INFLUENCE IN POLICY MATTERS BY CHINA.
HE ALSO CALLED ON THE GOVERNMENT TO CONSIDER RELAXING THE LEASE CONDITIONS FOR INDUSTRIAL BUILDINGS TO ALLOW A HIGHER PERCENTAGE OF THE SPACE AVAILABLE TO BE USED FOR COMMERCIAL ACTIVITIES.
SUCH A CHANGE IN LEASE CONDITIONS WAS NECESSARY BECAUSE THE VERY SUBSTANTIAL GROWTH OF HONG KONG’S ECONOMY IN RECENT YEARS HAD RESULTED IN A LARGE DEMAND FOR COMMERCIAL ACCOMMODATION.
"QUITE CLEARLY, THE BUILDING PROGRAMME, ALTHOUGH MASSIVE, IS NOT YET PRODUCING THE AMOUNT OF COMMERCIAL SPACE WHICH OUR SERVICE INDUSTRIES REQUIRE AND THIS IS HAVING QUITE A SERIOUS EFFECT ON THE MOVEMENT OF RENTALS," HE SAID.
ON THE SUBJECT OF THE DEVELOPMENT OF SPORTING ACTIVITIES IN HONG KONG, MR MCGREGOR SAID HE BELIEVED THE TIME HAD COME FOR THE GOVERNMENT TO CONSIDER BECOMING MORE INVOLVED IN THE FINANCING AND ADMINISTRATION OF THE SYSTEM, ESPECIALLY THE DEVELOPMENT OF YOUNG LOCAL ATHLETES WHO HAD THE POTENTIAL TO BECOME CHAMPIONSHIP MATERIAL.
"I FEEL THAT HONG KONG HAS NEVER BEEN ABLE TO REACH ITS FULL POTENTIAL AS A SPORTING COMMUNITY AND AS A CONTRIBUTOR TO ASIAN AND WORLD SPORTS PARTLY BECAUSE THE GOVERNMENT HAS BEEN RELUCTANT TO BECOME CENTRALLY INVOLVED.
"I THINK THAT WE HAVE THE TALENT OVER A WIDE RANGE OF SPORTS AND WE ARE INCREASINGLY ENDOWED WITH THE FACILITIES NEEDED TO PRODUCE ATHLETES OF WHOM HONG KONG CAN BE PROUD," HE SAID.
-----0----------
/24........
THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 10, 1988
24
HONG KONG FACING ’LABOUR FAMINE’ *****
HONG KONG IS FACING NOT A LABOUR SHORTAGE BUT RATHER A LABOUR FAMINE, THE HON JAMES TIEN SAID IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (THURSDAY).
SPEAKING IN THE POLICY DEBATE, MR TIEN STRONGLY URGED THE GOVERNMENT TO CHANGE ITS POLICY OF NOT ALLOWING LABOUR TO BE IMPORTED.
IN THE CASE OF THE GARMENT INDUSTRY, LABOUR SHORTAGE HAD PUSHED WAGE LEVELS UP TO SUCH AN EXTENT THAT HONG KONG GARMENT MANUFACTURERS WERE NO LONGER COMPETITIVE, HE SAID.
AUTOMATION WAS NO SOLUTION TO EASING THE TIGHT LABOUR SUPPLY SITUATION BECAUSE THE GARMENT TRADE WAS ALREADY HIGHLY AUTOMATED. MOREOVER, THERE WERE LIMITS TO AUTOMATION.
’’THERE ARE CHANGES IN FASHION AND DESIGN WHICH VARY ALMOST ON A WEEKLY BASIS. AUTOMATION IS JUST NOT FLEXIBLE ENOUGH FOR OUR NEEDS,” HE ARGUED.
THE "COUNTRY-OF-ORIGIN" RULES UNDER THE MULTI-FIBRE ARRANGEMENT (MFA) POSED ANOTHER DILEMMA FOR THE LOCAL GARMENT INDUSTRY, ACCORDING TO MR TIEN.
’’THE MFA RECOGNISES A TERRITORY FOR THE PURPOSES OF DEFINING THE COUNTRY-OF-ORIGIN RULE. THE MFA IS ABOUT GEOGRAPHY, NOT ABOUT CITIZENSHIP. IT DOES NOT TAKE INTO ACCOUNT THE NATIONALITY OF THE WORKERS,” HE SAID.
"HENCE, GARMENT MANUFACTURERS CANNOT SIMPLY MOVE INTO SHENZHEN, AS PERHAPS THE MANUFACTURERS OF, SAY, PLASTICS OR ELECTRICAL GOODS, CAN.
"HOWEVER, IF FOREIGN LABOUR WERE TO COME TO HONG KONG IT WOULD NOT CONTRAVENE THE RULES OF THE MFA."
STATING THAT THE GARMENT TRADE WAS RAPIDLY DECLINING INTO A SUNSET INDUSTRY AS A RESULT OF THE LABOUR SHORTAGE, HE WARNED THAT THE TRADE WOULD BE UNABLE TO HELP RE-ABSORB LABOUR FROM THE SERVICE INDUSTRIES IN THE EVENT OF A RECESSION BECAUSE BY THEN THE GARMENT MANUFACTURING WOULD HAVE CEASED TO EXIST.
WHILE EXPRESSING SUPPORT FOR THE INTRODUCTION OF A CENTRAL POLICY UNIT, MR TIEN STRESSED THAT THE PROPOSED "THINK-TANK" SHOULD BE SEEN AS HAVING A STRONG RESEARCH ELEMENT, FREE OF EXTERNAL PRESSURES.
HE HOPED THE CENTRAL POLICY UNIT WOULD STEER CLEAR OF PARTICULAR PRESSURE GROUPS OR SOCIAL CAUSES LEST IT LOSE ITS NEUTRALITY AND CREDIBILITY.
/Unhappy that
THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 10, 1988
- 25 -
UNHAPPY THAT INDUSTRIALISTS WERE OFTEN PORTRAYED AS BEING UNCONCERNED ABOUT POLLUTING THE ENVIRONMENT, MR TIEN SAID POLLUTION WAS A BY-PRODUCT RATHER THAN THE OBJECT OF BUSINESS ENTERPRISE.
"ENTREPRENEURS ARE NOT SPECIALISTS IN THE TECHNOLOGY OF POLLUTION CONTROL. THAT FIELD IS HIGHLY SPECIALISED AND HIGHLY EXPENSIVE FOR THE AVERAGE SMALL INDUSTRIALIST," HE SAID.
SMALL BUSINESSES, NOW PLAGUED BY THE LABOUR SHORTAGE, COULD EASILY LOSE HEART IN THE STRUGGLE AGAINST POLLUTION.
PUNISHING ENTREPRENEURS BY IMPOSING HEAVY FINES WAS NO SENSIBLE WAY TO ELIMINATE POLLUTION AS THE COST WOULD MERELY BE PASSED ON TO THE CONSUMER. AN APPROACH BASED ON EDUCATION WAS MORE APPROPRIATE.
"LET US HELP, NOT PENALISE, INDUSTRY, IN TRYING TO CLEAN UP THE ENVIRONMENT," HE SAID. -
MR TIEN SUGGESTED THAT THE ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION DEPARTMENT (EPD) SHOULD, THROUGH ITS INSPECTORATE, IDENTIFY THE PROBLEM AND THE PRODUCTIVITY COUNCIL (PC) SHOULD ADVISE ON THE APPROPRIATE METHODS AND LATEST TECHNIQUES TO REDUCE POLLUTION.
RATHER THAN PAY FINES, INDUSTRIALISTS SHOULD THEN BE ASKED TO COVER THE COSTS OF SUCH INSTALLATIONS DEEMED NECESSARY.
"WHAT IS REQUIRED IS A GOOD WORKING RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN THE EPD, PC AND INDUSTRIALISTS.
"WE DON’T WANT A WAR, WE WANT CO-OPERATION OVER THE
ERADICATION OF POLLUTION," HE SAID.
REFERRING TO ARGUMENTS THAT HONG KONG’S BEST BRAINS WERE LEAVING BECAUSE DIRECT ELECTIONS TO LEGCO HAD NOT YET BEEN INTRODUCED, MR TIEN SAID THE LOGIC OF THIS "BORDERS ON THE RIDICULOUS".
HE BELIEVED PEOPLE WOULD CONTINUE TO LEAVE AS LONG AS IMMIGRATION QUOTAS WERE AVAILABLE AND CONFIDENCE IN HONG KONG WAS NOT A FUNCTION OF THE WAY IN WHICH LEGCO WAS ELECTED. RATHER, CONFIDENCE WAS A PRODUCT OF SOCIAL, ECONOMIC, CULTURAL AS WELL AS POLITICAL FACTORS.
MR TIEN WAS PARTICULARLY CONCERNED THAT SOME RECEIVING COUNTRIES HAD DERIVED MUCH FINANCIAL BENEFIT FROM HONG KONG IMMIGRANTS, AND LIKENED THEIR TACTICS, SUCH AS ALLOWING IMMIGRATION ON THE BASIS OF INVESTMENT, TO "HIGHWAY ROBBERY".
WHILE THE JOINT DECLARATION WAS CLEAR ON THE POINT OF FREE ENTRY AND EXIT INTO HONG KONG FOR THOSE QUALIFIED, MR TIEN HOPED SOMETHING COULD BE DONE TO ASK THE RECEIVING COUNTRIES TO PLAY FAIR, EVEN THOUGH WE COULD NOT ASK THEM TO REDUCE THE QUOTAS.
"IF THEY WANT MORE PEOPLE AS PEOPLE, THEY ARE VERY WELCOME TO TAKE THOUSANDS OF VIETNAMESE REFUGEES FROM US. I DOUBT IF WE WILL HAVE MANY TAKERS," HE CONCLUDED.
- 0-----------
/26........
THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 10, 1988
- 26 -
CONCERN OVER ROLE OF NEW POLICY BRANCH
» » » * *
THE URBAN COUNCIL IS CONCERNED THAT THE PROPOSED NEW POLICY BRANCH FOR SPORTS, RECREATION AND CULTURE WOULD ENCROACH UPON THE JURISDICTION OF THE TWO MUNICIPAL COUNCILS.
THE CONCERN WAS VOICED BY THE URBAN COUNCIL CONSTITUENCY’S REPRESENTATIVE IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL, THE HON ELSIE TU, IN THE POLICY DEBATE TODAY (THURSDAY).
ONE OF THE FEARS, MRS TU SAID, WAS THAT IF THE COUNCIL FOR PERFORMING ARTS, IN CO-ORDINATION WITH THE NEW POLICY BRANCH, WAS GOING TO MOVE FORWARD ON THE ARTS FRONT, IT WOULD BE ABLE TO DO SO ONLY AT THE EXPENSE OF THE WORK ALREADY DONE BY THE MUNICIPAL COUNCILS.
SHE ALSO SAID THAT SOME OF THE PROPOSALS IN A GOVERNMENT-COMMISSIONED CONSULTANCY REPORT ENTITLED "THE WAY AHEAD: A CONSULTANCY REPORT ON SPORT IN HONG KONG" MIGHT WELL LEAD TO UNHEALTHY COMPETITION BETWEEN THE MUNICIPAL COUNCILS AND THE STATUTORY BODY ON SPORTS WHICH THE CONSULTANT PROPOSED.
ANOTHER AREA OF CONCERN RELATED TO PRIVATE SPONSORSHIP.
SPONSORSHIP FROM THE PRIVATE SECTOR, ALTHOUGH AVAILABLE, WAS NOT UNLIMITED.
BUT IF SEVERAL BODIES, INCLUDING THE PROPOSED STATUTORY BODY, SET OUT TO TAP THE SAME RESOURCES OF FUNDING, THEY WOULD BE SET IN COMPETITION AGAINST ONE ANOTHER.
THAT WOULD NOT BE IN THE INTERESTS OF SERVICE TO THE PUBLIC, SHE SAID.
MRS TU ALSO GAVE A WARNING ON THE GROWTH OF STATUTORY APPOINTED BODIES.
"WHILST THE GOVERNMENT CLAIMS TO BE PROMOTING GREATER DEMOCRACY ON THE ONE HAND, THE GROWTH OF STATUTORY APPOINTED BODIES APPEARS ON THE OTHER HAND LIKELY TO UNDERMINE THE POWERS OF THE LARGELY ELECTED MUNICIPAL COUNCILS," SHE SAID.
UNLESS THE MUNICIPAL COUNCILS WERE CONSULTED AT ALL STAGES BY THE GOVERNMENT CONCERNING NEW PROPOSALS RELATING TO CULTURE, RECREATION AND SPORTS, UNNECESSARY CONFRONTATION BETWEEN THE GOVERNMENT AND THE MUNICIPAL COUNCILS MIGHT ARISE, SHE ADDED.
MRS TU ALSO REFERRED TO THE EX-PRISONERS OF WAR. "MAY I MENTION, AS REMEMBRANCE DAY APPROACHES, THAT WE ALSO OWE A DEBT TO THE ELDERLY PRISONERS OF WAR, LEST WE FORGET THE LIVING WHILE HONOURING THE DEAD OF WORLD WAR II," SHE SAID.
ON THE WELFARE OF THE ELDERLY, MRS TU SAID SHE FOUND IT HARD TO BELIEVE THAT HONG KONG COULD NOT TAKE CARE OF THOSE WHO COULD NOT TAKE CARE OF THEMSELVES.
0 -
/27
THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 10,
1988
- 27 -
23 MORE MEMBERS SPEAK IN LEGCO DEBATE *****
MEMBERS OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (THURSDAY) COMPLETED THEIR SPEECHES ON THE MOTION THAT THE GOVERNOR BE THANKED FOR HIS ANNUAL ADDRESS TO THE COUNCIL.
TWENTY-THREE MEMBERS SPOKE ON THE MOTION AFTER THE POLICY i ABATE I : (HE COUNCIL RESUMED AT 2.30 PM AND CONTINUED UNTIL THE SITTING ’ \S ADJOURNED AROUND 9.35 PM. TWENTY-TWO MEMBERS SPOKE YESTERDAY. OFFICIAL MEMBERS WILL REPLY TO POINTS RAISED BY MEMBERS WHEN THE DEBATE RESUMES AT THE COUNCIL’S NEXT SITTING ON WEDNESDAY (NOVEMBER 16).
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/28........
THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 10, 1988
- 28 -
GOVERNOR PRAISES DEDICATION AND COMMITMENT OF CAS
*****
INDICATION AND COMMITMENT OF THE AUXILIARY SERVICES IS HAT IS OFTEN OVERLOOKED BY THOSE WHO DESCRIBE HONG KONG AS RIALISTIC, THE GOVERNOR, SIR DAVID WILSON, SAID TODAY (THURSDAY).
PEAKING AT THE CIVIL AID SERVICES ANNUAL DINNER, SIR DAVID SAID PO KONG WAS EXTREMELY FORTUNATE IN ITS AUXILIARY SERVICES WHOSE : PREPARED TO DEVOTE LONG PERIODS OF THEIR LEISURE TO WORKING FOR THE COMMUNITY.
THE GOVERNOR SAID THE STAFF OF CAS HAD CARRIED OUT A WIDE VARIETY OF DUTIES IN THE PAST YEAR.
1 SE DUTIES INCLUDED MOUNTAIN SEARCH AND RESCUE OPERATIONS; COUNT!. YS i GE FIRE PROTECTION; PATROLLING AND CONTROLLING CROWDS AT 'TO!' SUCH AS COMMUNITY CHEST WALKS FOR A MILLION; INTERNATIONAL RACES; LUNAR NEW YEAR FIREWORKS DISPLAY; GOVERNMENT CAMPAIGNS AND VARIOUS FESTIVALS.
THIS YEAR, THE CAS ALSO HAD TO SHOULDER AN ADDITIONAL AND VERY
1 ;i"'T'TA’.’T RESPONSIBILITY - MANAGING RECEPTION CENTRES TO COPE WITH THE ’S'lIVE INFLUX OF VIETNAMESE BOAT PEOPLE, THE GOVERNOR SAID.
SIR DAVID SAID HE HAD VISITED THESE CENTRES AND SEEN THE UN AND DEDICATION OF CAS MEMBERS IN DIFFICULT AND TIRING CONDITIONS.
HE NOTED THAT AFTER OVERSEEING CENTRES FOR THE PAST SEVEN NORTHS. THE TIME HAD FINALLY ARRIVED WHEN THE CAS WAS ABLE TO HAND THEM OVE TO THE CORRECTIONAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT.
"YOU CAN DO SO KNOWING THAT YOU HAVE DONE A FIRST RATE JOB. I CONGRATULATE YOU ALL ON WHAT YOU HAVE ACHIEVED," HE SAID.
SIR DAVID SAID THAT THE CAS WOULD NOW HAVE MORE TIME FOR TRAINING, ADDING THAT ONE PARTICULARLY IMPORTANT ASPECT WAS TRAINING FOR YOUNG PEOPLE AGED 12 TO 18.
THE DISCIPLINE AND THE OPERATIONAL TRAINING THAT THE CADETS RECEIVE WILL HELP THEM THROUGHOUT THEIR ADULT LIVES.
"IT WILL ALSO ENABLE THEM TO CONTRIBUTE MORE TO THE COMMUNITY," THE GOVERNOR SAID.
NOTING THAT THE CAS CHIEF STAFF OFFICER, MR JOHN FORTUNE, BE RETIRING NEXT YEAR, SIR DAVID TOOK THE OPPORTUNITY TO WISH HIM WELL FOR THE FUTURE.
/HE ALSO
THURSDAY, NOVIMBER 10, 1988
- 29 -
HE ALSO EXTENDED HIS APPRECIATION TO THE CAS FOR ITS SIGNIFICANT CONTRIBUTION TO THE WELL-BEING OF THE COMMUNITY.
IN HIS ADDRESS WELCOMING THE GOVERNOR, THE COMMISSIONER OF THE CAS, SIR ROGER LOBO, SAID THAT 1988 WAS PERHAPS THE BUSIEST YEAR FOR THE CAS SINCE THE SERVICE WAS FOUNDED IN 1952.
IN ADDITION TO LOOKING AFTER OVER 4,000 VIETNAMESE REFUGEES IN FOUR CENTRES, SIR ROGER SAID: "DURING THE YEAR, MORE THAN 7,000 ADULTS AND 4,000 CADETS WERE DEPLOYED ON 380 OCCASIONS IN CROWD CONTROL, COMMUNICATION AND MARSHALLING SERVICES IN CHARITY FUND-RAISING EVENTS, GOVERNMENT CAMPAIGNS AND YOUTH ACTIVITIES."
HE COMMENDED ALL OFFICERS, MEMBERS OF THE PERMANENT STAFF AND VOLUNTEERS WHO HAD WORKED UNTIRINGLY IN THE REFUGEE CENTRES.
SIR ROGER SAID IT WAS HOPED THAT WITH THE COMPLETION OF THE RENOVATION OF CAS HEADQUARTERS AT CAROLINE HILL AND THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE TAI TAN WATER ACTIVITY TRAINING CENTRE AT SAI KUNG NEXT YEAR, TRAINING AND OTHER FACILITIES WOULD BE GREATLY ENHANCED.
"AT THIS JUNCTURE, I WOULD LIKE TO EXPRESS OUR SINCERE APPRECIATION TO THE ROYAL HONG KONG JOCKEY CLUB WHO HAVE GRANTED $1 MILLION FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF OUR TRAINING SWIMMING POOL AT THE TAI TAN TRAINING CAMP, THIS IN ADDITION TO THE $1.5 MILLION ALREADY GRANTED FOR INITIAL DEVELOPMENT OF THAT CAMP,” HE SAID.
"THAT, HOWEVER, WILL NOT BE ENOUGH TO COPE WITH OUR INCREASED TRAINING SCHEDULE. WE HAVE PLANS ALREADY IN THE PIPELINE TO REPROVISION OUR HONG KONG TRAINING CENTRE WHICH SHOULD BE READY BY 1990.
"WE HOPE THAT THE REDEVELOPMENT OF OUR KOWLOON TRAINING CENTRE AND REGIONAL HEADQUARTERS, WHICH WERE BUILT MORE THAN 33 YEARS AGO, WILL BE EXPEDITED, AS WE WOULD NEED A MODERN TRAINING COMPLEX THERE."
- - 0 ----------
WATER POLLUTION CONTROL LEGISLATION TO BE STRENGTHENED t » t t *
THE ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION DEPARTMENT (EPD) HAS RECOGNISED THE NEED TO STRENGTHEN THE EXISTING WATER POLLUTION CONTROL ORDINANCE TO TACKLE LOCAL WATER POLLUTION PROBLEMS, PRINCIPAL ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION OFFICER (WATER POLICY) MR PAUL HOLMES SAID TODAY (THURSDAY).
MR HOLMES WAS SPEAKING ON "MARINE POLLUTION IN HONG KONG" AT A SEMINAR ORGANISED BY THE MARINE BIOLOGICAL ASSOCIATION OF HONG KONG.
HE SAID WORK WOULD BE GOING ON TO SIMPLIFY THE LEGISLATION AND TO MAKE IT MORE EFFECTIVE.
/THE WATER
THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 10, 1988
THE WATER POLLUTION CONTROL ORDINANCE, ENACTED IN 1980, WAS DESIGNED TO HOLD POLLUTION AT PRESENT LEVELS IN THE SHORT TERM, AND TO REDUCE POLLUTION GRADUALLY TO THE LEVELS SET BY WATER QUALITY OBJECTIVES.
AT PRESENT, THE ORDINANCE ONLY APPLIED TO TWO PARTS OF HONG KONG, NAMELY TOLO HARBOUR AND CHANNEL, AND THE SOUTHERN WATERS.
RECENTLY, THE GOVERNMENT ANNOUNCED A POLICY OF EXTENDING THE ORDINANCE TO THE WHOLE TERRITORY WITHIN THE NEXT FIVE YEARS.
"IT WILL BE IMPLEMENTED IN TWO NEW WATER CONTROL ZONES DURING 1989. THEY ARE PORT SHELTER AND JUNK BAY, BOTH OF WHICH ARE : LDERGOING URBANISATION," MR HOLMES SAID.
"IN THE CASE OF JUNK BAY, IT INVOLVES EXTENSIVE LAND RECLAMATION FROM THE SEA. WATER QUALITY MONITORING BY EPD ALREADY SHOW THAT BOTH AREAS ARE IN THE EARLY STAGES OF EUTROPHICATION, AND EFFECTIVE POLLUTION CONTROLS ARE URGENTLY NEEDED," HE SAID.
HOWEVER, MR HOLMES SAID THE ORDINANCE WAS NEVER INTENDED TO ■i.1 HONG KONG’S WATER POLLUTION ALL BY ITSELF.
"SOUND DEVELOPMENT PLANNING, AND THE PROVISION OF FACILITIES THE SAFE DISPOSAL OF EFFLUENTS AND SOLID WASTES ARE ALSO ■ ' 'O NT'AL TO THE GOVERNMENT’S STRATEGY", HE ADDED.
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ACADEMY OF MEDICINE PROPOSED
* * * *
A HONG KONG ACADEMY OF MEDICINE HAS BEEN PROPOSED TO UNDERTAKE AND SUPERVISE POSTGRADUATE MEDICAL EDUCATION, TRAINING AND CONTINUING MEDICAL EDUCATION.
THIS WAS ONE OF THE RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE WORKING PARTY ON POSTGRADUATE MEDICAL EDUCATION AND TRAINING WHICH WAS SET UP IN 1986 ON THE ADVICE OF THE MEDICAL DEVELOPMENT ADVISORY BOARD TO ADVISE ON MATTERS RELATING TO POSTGRADUATE MEDICAL EDUCATION AND TRAINING IN HONG KONG.
SPEAKING AT A PRESS CONFERENCE TODAY (THURSDAY) WHEN RELEASING THE FINAL REPORT OF THE WORKING PARTY, THE CHAIRMAN, DR KEITH HALNAN, SAID THERE WAS A NEED IN HONG KONG FOR ONE OVERALL ACADEMIC BODY OF DOCTORS INCLUDING ALL SPECIALTIES OF MEDICINE, । NIVERSITY AND NON-UNIVERSITY, PUBLIC AND PRIVATE. TO TAKE PART IN POSTGRADUATE MEDICAL EDUCATION AND TRAINING.
/DR HALNAN
THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 10, 1988
DR HALNAN SAID IT WAS RECOMMENDED THAT THE ACADEMY BE COMPOSED OF FELLOWS ACCREDITED AFTER COMPLETION OF APPROVED TRAINING AND PRESCRIBED EXAMINATIONS.
THE ACADEMY SHOULD HAVE A COUNCIL AS GOVERNING BODY, AND AT INAUGURATION 13 MAIN PARENT SPECIALTIES, ORGANISED AS SEVEN COLLEGES AND SIX FACULTIES.
THERE SHOULD BE DAUGHTER SPECIALTIES, WITH THEIR OWN SPECIALTY BOARDS WITHIN THE COLLEGES AND FACULTIES.
ON MEDICAL MANPOWER, DR HALNAN SAID THE WORKING PARTY RECOMMENDED THE SETTING UP OF A STANDING GOVERNMENT "JOINT MEDICAL MANPOWER ADVISORY COMMITTEE" WHICH SHOULD REPORT REGULARLY TO GOVERNMENT ON THE MEDICAL MANPOWER REQUIREMENTS OF HONG KONG, TAKING INTO ACCOUNT ALL SECTORS OF PRACTICE, PUBLIC AND PRIVATE.
"WE ALSO RECOMMEND THAT THERE SHOULD BE SERIOUS CONSIDERATION OF MEASURES TO REDUCE THE SHORTAGE OF FULLY TRAINED DOCTORS IN THE PUBLIC HOSPITALS," HE SAID.
AS REGARDS EDUCATION AND TRAINING, DR HALNAN SAID THE WORKING PARTY RECOMMENDED THAT THE POSTGRADUATE TRAINING PROGRAMME CONSIST OF ONE YEAR AS AN "INTERN" BEFORE BASIC REGISTRATION, THREE YEARS AS A "RESIDENT” FOR GENERAL AND BASIC SPECIALIST TRAINING, AND THREE YEARS AS A "SENIOR RESIDENT" FOR HIGHER SPECIALIST TRAINING.
"IT IS ALSO RECOMMENDED THAT POSTGRADUATE MEDICAL EDUCATION CENTRES SHOULD BE SET UP IN ALL LARGE HOSPITALS.
"AT THE SAME TIME, A HONG KONG MEDICAL RESEARCH COUNCIL SHOULD BE FORMED TO ADMINISTER MEDICAL RESEARCH, SUPPORTED BY BOTH GOVERNMENT AND PRIVATE CHARITIES AND DONATIONS," HE SAID.
TURNING TO THE FUTURE OF MEDICINE IN HONG KONG, DR HALNAN SAID THE WORKING PARTY RECOMMENDED THAT GENERAL PRACTICE SHOULD HAVE FURTHER ACADEMIC INVOLVEMENT BY THE UNIVERSITIES, AND TRAINEE POSTS IN THE APPROPRIATE HOSPITAL SPECIALTIES AND IN EDUCATIONALLY APPROVED GENERAL PRACTICE CLINICS.
THERE SHOULD ALSO BE CONSIDERATION OF "CENTRES OF EXCELLENCE" IN CERTAIN GROUPS OF SPECIALTIES, AS PARTS OF CERTAIN MAIN HOSPITALS, HE SAID.
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/32
THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 10, 1988
- 52 -
SECOND CROSS HARBOUR PUBLIC TRANSPORT STUDY COMMISSIONED *****
THE GOVERNMENT HAS COMMISSIONED THE SECOND CROSS HARBOUR PUBLIC TRANSPORT SERVICES STUDY TO REVIEW THE CURRENT, AND TO ASSESS THE FUTURE DEVELOPMENT OF CROSS HARBOUR PUBLIC TRANSPORT SERVICES UP TO 1996.
THE CONTRACT FOR THE STUDY, COSTING $580,000, WAS AWARDED TO THE TRANSPORT PLANNING ASSOCIATES, AND WAS SIGNED TODAY (THURSDAY) BY THE DEPUTY COMMISSIONER FOR TRANSPORT, MR RICHARD SCURFIELD, AND THE DIRECTOR OF THE CONSULTANCY, MR MICHAEL MCCRORY.
THE FIRST CROSS HARBOUR PUBLIC TRANSPORT SERVICES STUDY WAS CONDUCTED BY THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT IN 1985 TO ASSESS THE NEED FOR DEVELOPMENT OF CROSS HARBOUR PUBLIC TRANSPORT SERVICES UP TO 1991.
IN LIGHT OF THE CHANGES IN LAND USE AND TRANSPORT INFRASTRUCTURE AND THE AVAILABILITY OF THE SECOND COMPREHENSIVE TRANSPORT STUDY RESULTS IN LATE 1988, IT IS PROPOSED THAT A SECOND CROSS HARBOUR PUBLIC TRANSPORT SERVICES STUDY SHOULD BE CONDUCTED.
THE STUDY WILL REVIEW THE 1988 TRANSPORT NETWORK AND PRODUCE FORECASTS OF THE 1991 AND 1996 CROSS HARBOUR PUBLIC TRANSPORT TRAVEL DEMAND, WITH THE AID OF TRANSPORT MODELS DEVELOPED IN THE SECOND COMPREHENSIVE TRANSPORT STUDY.
AS THE EASTERN HARBOUR CROSSING WILL OPEN IN 1989, THE STUDY WILL LOOK INTO THE COMPATIBILITY AND VIABILITY OF CROSS HARBOUR BUS AND FERRY ROUTE DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMMES.
-------O----------
FREE TRADE EQUATES WITH GREATER PROSPERITY *****
HONG KONG OPERATES A COMPLETELY FREE MARKET WHICH WAS OPEN TO ALL ON AN EQUAL BASIS, THE DIRECTOR OF THE HONG KONG ECONOMIC AND TRADE OFFICE FOR THE WESTERN UNITED STATES, MR PETER JOHNSON, SAID IN LOS ANGELES YESTERDAY (WEDNESDAY).
MR JOHNSON, WHO WAS SPEAKING AT A SEMINAR SPONSORED BY THE GREATER LOS ANGELES WORLD TRADE CENTRE ASSOCIATION, TOLD HIS AUDIENCE OF BUSINESS EXECUTIVES THAT HONG KONG BELIEVES THAT THE MORE FREEDOM THAT WAS AVAILABLE TO TRADE, THE GREATER THE ALL ROUND PROSPERITY OF THOSE WHO ARE TAKING PART IN IT.
"IT IS A NATION’S OVERALL GLOBAL TRADING BALANCE THAT MATTERS, NOT SO MUCH ITS INDIVIDUAL Bl-LATF.RAL RELATIONSHIPS.
/"INDEED ANY
THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 10, 1988
- 33 -
"INDEED ANY ATTEMPT TO BALANCE ALL INDIVIDUAL BI-LATERAL RELATIONSHIPS, IF SUCCESSFUL, WOULD LEAD TO A REDUCTION IN OVERALL PROSPERITY," MR JOHNSON ELABORATED.
AS AN ILLUSTRATION, HE OUTLINED THE LARGE DEFICIT HONG KONG RUNS WITH CHINA, ABOUT US$3.75 BILLION IN 1987, AND ALSO WITH JAPAN AND SOME OTHER TRADING PARTNERS.
THESE DEFICITS WERE OFFSET BY SURPLUSES WITH THE UNITED STATEJ, CANADA, AND SOME OF HONG KONG’S TRADING PARTNERS IN EUROPE, HE NOTED.
QUOTING A RECENT US TREASURY REPORT TO CONGRESS ON INTERNATIONAL ECONOMIC AND EXCHANGE RATE POLICY, MR JOHNSON SAID HONG KONG’S SURPLUS WITH THE UNITED STATES IN 1987 WAS JUST UNDBR US$6 BILLION.
HE POINTED OUT THAT THE REPORT WENT ON TO STATE THAT, DUB PRINCIPALLY TO AN INCREASE IN AMERICAN EXPORTS TO HONG KONG, THE SURPLUS DECLINED BY 28 PER CENT IN THE FIRST EIGHT MONTHS OF THIS YEAR OVER 1987.
"BI-LATERAL AGREEMENTS ALSO HAVE A TENDENCY TO BRING WITH THEM PROTECTIONIST UNDERTONES AGAINST THIRD PARTIES.
"SO WE IN HONG KONG ARE NOT VERY KEEN ON THE PROLIFERATION OP SUCH AGREEMENTS. INDEED WE FEAR THAT THERE COULD BE A DANGER OF THEM SUPERSEDING THE MULTI-LATERAL APPROACH WHICH HAS SERVED THE WORLD SO WELL SINCE THE SECOND WORLD WAR," MR JOHNSON SAID.
TURNING TO HONG KONG’S LINKS WITH CHINA, MR JOHNSON SAID THAT THIS INCREASINGLY IMPORTANT DIMENSION IN TRADE PRESENTS A WHOLE NEW RANGE OF OPPORTUNITIES FOR HONG KONG AND OVERSEAS BUSINESSMEN, AND A NEW ROLE FOR HONG KONG AS AN ESSENTIAL ELEMENT IN THE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT OF CHINA.
HE NOTED THE SPEED AND EXTENT TO WHICH THIS INTERLOCKING ECONOMIC RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN HONG KONG AND CHINA HAD GROWN: "CHINA NOW SELLS TO HONG KONG MORE THAN 15 TIMES AS MUCH AS IT SOLD IN THE MID-SEVENTIES.
"WE ARE CHINA’S LARGEST MARKET. CHINA HAS COME FROM NOWHERE TO BECOME HONG KONG’S LARGEST SOURCE OF FOREIGN INVESTMENT - LARGER INDEED THAN ALL OTHER SOURCES COMBINED," MR JOHNSON SAID.
"ON THE MANUFACTURING FRffilT, HONG KONG INTERESTS ARB NOW ESTIMATED TO BE EMPLOYING, DIRECTLY OR INDI KFCTI.Y, AS MANY AS TWO MILLION WORKERS IN THE PEARL RIVER DELTA AREA - MORE THAN THE NUMBER EMPLOYED IN THE MANUFACTURING SECTOR IN HONG KONG ITSELF," HI ADDED.
ALSO TAKING PART IN THE SEMINAR ON "HONG KONG AS A WORLD MARKETPLACE" WERE MR CHRISTOPHER LEV OF TUB HONGKONG AND SHANGHAI BANKING CORPORATION IN LOS ANGELES; MR DANIEL FERNANDEZ, HONG KONG TRADE DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL REPRESENTATIVE; AND MR FRANKIE LEI NG, AN ATTORNEY.
- - 0
THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 10, 1988
- 31* -
DISKETTE SUBMISSION SCHEME » * » » *
INTRODUCE A
SUBMIT IMPORT
IN JUNE 1988, GOVERNMENT ANNOUNCED A PLAN TO SCHEME PROVIDING TRADERS WITH AN ADDITIONAL OPTION TO AND EXPORT DECLARATIONS ON MICRO-COMPUTER DISKETTES.
THE NECESSARY
THE "DISKETTE
TO ALLOW AMPLE TIME FOR TRADERS TO MAKE PREPARATIONS FOR JOINING THE SCHEME (REFERRED TO AS SUBMISSION SCHEME" BELOW) WHICH IS SCHEDULED FOR IMPLEMENTATION IN THE MIDDLE OF 1989, A GAZETTE NOTICE (GN3747) SPECIFYING THE DETAILED REQUIREMENTS OF THE SCHEME WAS PUBLISHED ON NOVEMBER 4, 1988.
THE EXACT DATE OF IMPLEMENTATION FOR THE SCHEME WILL BE ANNOUNCED IN THE GAZETTE SOMETIME IN EARLY 1989.
BE REQUIRED TO BRING THE
EXCISE DEPARTMENT’S TRADE
THEY USE THIS NEW SCHEME FOR
BROADLY SPEAKING, TRADERS WILL FOLLOWING TO ANY ONE OF THE CUSTOMS & DECLARATION CHARGES COLLECTION OFFICES IF SUBMITTING IMPORT AND EXPORT DECLARATIONS:
INDIVIDUAL 'DECLARATIONS IN THE FORM OF COMPUTER PRINTOUTS;
(II)
ONE OR MORE MICRO-COMPUTER DISKETTE(S) ON WHICH THE ABOVE DATA ARE RECORDED;
(III) A SUMMARY DECLARATION SIGNED BY THE DECLARANT; AND
(IV)
CASH OR CHEQUE OF AN APPROPRIATE AMOUNT OF CHARGES.
FORMATS OF THE DOCUMENTS DESCRIBED IN ITEMS (I) - (HI) ABOVE ARE SPECIFIED IN THE GAZETTE NOTICE (GN3747) PUBLISHED ON NOVEMBER 4, 1988.
A COMPUTER-ASSISTED INPUT PROGRAM WILL BE GOVERNMENT WHICH WILL ENABLE TRADERS TO PREPARE USING MICRO-COMPUTERS AND AT THE SAME TIME TO THESE SPECIFIED FORMATS.
AVAILABLE FROM THE
THEIR DECLARATIONS
PRODUCE OUTPUTS IN
THE PURPOSE OF THE DISKETTE SUBMISSION SCHEME IS TO FACILITATE TRADERS IN PREPARING TRADE DECLARATIONS IN A MORE EFFICIENT AN I ACCURATE WAY.
THE PROCESSING TIME AT THE COLLECTION OFFICES WILL ALSO BE GREATLY SHORTENED DUE TO THE USE OF COMPUTERS.
TRADERS SUBMITTING MANY DECLARATIONS AND ALREADY USING COMPUTERS TO HANDLE THEIR TRADE DOCUMENTATION WILL FIND THE SCHEME OF GREAT CONVENIENCE TO,THEM.
TO JOIN THE SCHEME, A TRADER NEEDS TO HAVE AN IBM OR IBM-COMPATIBLE MICROCOMPUTER WITH HARD DISK AND PRINTER.
/AS RB3ARDS
THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 10, 1988
AS REGARDS THE SOFTWARE FOR PRODUCING THE REQUIRED DISKETTE AND HARDCOPY, THE TRADERS MAY CHOOSE TO ACQUIRE ONE FROM THE GOVERNMENT AT VERY LOW COST OR TO DEVELOP THEIR OWN SOFTWARES.
SEMINARS ON THE DISKETTE SUBMISSION SCHEME AND DEMONSTRATIONS ON A PROTOTYPE OF THE SOFTWARE FOR PREPARING TRADE DECLARATIONS ON DISKETTE WILL BE ORGANISED BY THE CENSUS & STATISTICS DEPARTMENT.
FOR THOSE INTERESTED IN THE SCHEME, THEY SHOULD WRITE TO THE DEPARTMENT AT THE FOLLOWING ADDRESS TO MAKE RESERVATION FOR THE COMING SEMINARS AND DEMONSTRATIONS:
COMMISSIONER FOR CENSUS & STATISTICS, (ATTN: SENIOR STATISTICIAN (TRADE) 2) WANCHAI TOWER I, 12 HARBOUR ROAD, WAN CHAI, HONG KONG.
(REF: DISKETTE SUBMISSION SCHEME)
TRADERS ARE REQUESTED TO INCLUDE IN THEIR APPLICATION LETTER A DESCRIPTION OF THE COMPUTER FACILITIES THEY ARE USING AND THE NUMBER OF DECLARATIONS THEY NORMALLY SUBMIT EACH MONTH.
-------0---------
DEVELOPMENT PLAN FOR YEUNG SIU HANG VILLAGE
*****
THE TUEN MUN DEVELOPMENT OFFICE WILL PRESENT A PAPER STIPULATING DEVELOPMENT PROPOSALS FOR YEUNG SIU HANG VILLAGE AT A MEETING OF THE TUEN MUN DISTRICT BOARD’S ENVIRONMENTAL IMPROVEMENT AND DISTRICT DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE TOMORROW (FRIDAY).
PROJECTS SUGGESTED IN THE LAYOUT PLAN FOR THE VILLAGE INCLUDE THE CONSTRUCTION OF A BOTANICAL GARDEN, EXTENSION AND WIDENING OF ROADS, EXTENSION OF SEWERAGE SYSTEM, BUILDING OF NEW FOOTPATHS AND PROVISION OF CAR PARK.
REPRESENTATIVES FROM THE ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION DEPARTMENT AND THE WATER SUPPLIES DEPARTMENT WILL ATTEND THE MEETING TO EXPLAIN TO MEMBERS THE IMPACT OF DUMPING ASBESTOS WASTE AT PILLAR POINT AND IN RESPONSE TO A REQUEST TO IMPROVE WATER SUPPLY TO VILLAGES IN THE DISTRICT RESPECTIVELY.
MEMBERS WILL ALSO DISCUSS THE ENVIRONMENTAL PROBLEMS CAUSED BY A QUARRY SITE, REQUESTS TO REMOVE WEEDS ALONG VILLAGE PATHS AND TO IMPROVE FLOWER BEDS, FOOTPATHS AND REFUSE COLLECTION POINTS AS WELL AS THE COLLECTION OF ANIMAL CARCASSES.
/THE PROGRESS
THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 10, 1988
- 36 -
THE PROGRESS REPORT OF LOCAL PUBLIC WORKS AND THE FINANCIAL POSITION OF TUEN MUN DISTRICT BOARD FUNDS WILL ALSO BE TABLED FOR MEMBERS * CONSIDERATION.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE MEETING OF THE TUEN MUN DISTRICT BOARD’S ENVIRONMENTAL IMPROVEMENT AND DISTRICT DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE BEGINNING AT 2.30 PM TOMORROW (FRIDAY) IN THE DISTRICT BOARD CONFERENCE ROOM ON THE THIRD FLOOR, GOVERNMENT OFFICES BUILDING, TUEN MUN.
-----0-----
MOTION ON CHEAPER FARES FOR ELDERLY ♦ t t » Q
THE KWAI TSING DISTRICT BOARD’S COMMUNITY AFFAIRS COMMITTEE WILL CONSIDER A MOTION AT TOMORROW’S (FRIDAY) MEETING THAT THE MASS TRANSIT RAILWAY CORPORATION AND THE PUBLIC BUS COMPANIES SHOULD GRANT HALF-PRICE CONCESSIONS TO ELDERLY PEOPLE AGED OVER 60.
MEMBERS WILL ALSO DISCUSS RENT ASSESSMENT FOR COMMERCIAL UNITS IN PUBLIC HOUSING ESTATES AND IMPLEMENTATION OF FULL-DAY CLASSES FOR PRIMARY SCHOOLS IN THE DISTRICT.
QUESTIONS WILL BE RAISED ON ISSUES CONCERNING CRIMINAL CASES, A PEDESTRIAN FOOTBRIDGE AND HOUSING.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE MEETING OF KWAI TSING DISTRICT BOARD’S COMMUNITY AFFAIRS COMMITTEE TO BEGIN AT 2.30 PM TOMORROW (FRIDAY) AT THE CONFERENCE ROOM, 10TH FLOOR, KWAI HING GOVERNMENT OFFICES BUILDING, KWAI CHUNG.
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/57.......
THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 10, 1988
- 57 -
KWAI TSING CIVIC EDUCATION ACTIVITIES
*****
THE KWAI TSING DISTRICT BOARD’S COMMITTEE FOR PROMOTING CIVIC EDUCATION IN SCHOOLS WILL ORGANISE A SERIES OF ACTIVITIES ?ROM MID-NOVEMBER TO PROMOTE AWARENESS IN CIVIC EDUCATION AMONG STUDENTS.
THE COMMITTEE WILL IMPLEMENT AN OUTSTANDING YOUTH PASSPORT AWARD SCHEME IN PRIMARY SCHOOLS FOR 11 CONSECUTIVE WEEKS FROM NOVEMBER 14 TO FEBRUARY 3. THE SCHEME IS AIMED AT ENCOURAGING GOOD CONDUCT AND HARD WORK AMONG STUDENTS.
TEACHERS AND PARENTS WILL ASSESS THE STUDENTS DURING THIS PERIOD AND GIVE MARKS ON A SPECIALLY-DESIGNED PASSPORT. STUDENTS SCORING MARKS UP TO A CERTAIN STANDARD WILL BE AWARDED CERTIFICATES FOR OUTSTANDING YOUTHS.
THE COMMITTEE ALSO INVITES SECONDARY SCHOOLS TN THE DISTRICT TO TAKE PART IN A RESEARCH AND EXHIBITION ON CIVIC EDUCATION.
PARTICIPATING SCHOOLS WILL BE REQUIRED TO CONDUCT A RESEARCH OR SURVEY ON CIVIC EDUCATION AND THE FINDINGS WILL BE DISPLAYED AT AN EXHIBITION TO BE HELD ON FEBRUARY 25 AND 26 AT THE HA KWAI CHUNG GOVERNMENT SECONDARY TECHNICAL SCHOOL, HING SHING ROAD, KWAI CHUNG.
TO PROMOTE STUDENTS’ INTEREST IN SOCIAL ISSUES, THE COMMITTEE WILL ALSO ARRANGE FOR SECONDARY SCHOOL STUDENTS TO SIT IN AT MEETINGS OF THE DISTRICT BOARD, REGIONAL COUNCIL AND OTHER SUB-COMMITTEES.
THE KWAI TSING DISTRICT BOARD HAS RESERVED $40,000 FOR ORGANISING THESE ACTIVITIES.
------0-------
KWUN TONG TO LAUNCH DISTRICT FESTIVAL *****
A SPECTACULAR DISTRICT FESTIVAL, FEATURING A WIDE VARIETY OF CULTURAL, RECREATIONAL AND SPORTS PROGRAMMES, WILL BE STAGED IN KWUN TONG BETWEEN NOVEMBER 20 AND DECEMBER 10.
THE KWUN TONG FESTIVAL ’88 IS JOINTLY ORGANISED BY THE DISTRICT BOARD, THE URBAN COUNCIL, THE DISTRICT OFFICE AND 15 LOCAL AREA COMMITTEES IN KWUN TONG.
A PRESS CONFERENCE TO ANNOUNCE DETAILS OF THE FESTIVAL WILL BE HELD TOMORROW (FRIDAY) AT THE FOUR SEASONS SUITE OF THE NEW WORLD HOTEL IN TSIM SHA TSUI.
/PRESENT AT
THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 10, 19S&
- J8 -
PRESENT AT THE PRESS CONFERENCE WILL BE THE KWUN TONO DISTRICT OFFICER, MR CHRIS WAN; DISTRICT BOARD CHAIRMAN, MR LAM HANG-FAI; PRESIDENT OF THE KWUN TONG FESTIVAL '88 ORGANISING COMMITTEE, ME YU SUN-SAY; CHAIRLADY OF THE ORGANISING COMMITTEE, MADAM YEUNG KAM-CHUN; DISTRICT RECREATION AND SPORT OFFICER, MR LAU KWOK-KONG, PRODUCTION ADMINISTRATION MANAGER OF ASIA TELEVISION LTD., MR ANDRBW LUK.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO ATTEND THE KWUN TONG FESTIVAL ’88 PRESS CONFERENCE, BEGINNING AT 3 PM TOMORROW (FRIDAY) AT THE FOUR SEASONS SUITE, NEW WORLD HOTEL, TSIM SHA TSUI.
-------0 - - - -
YAU TSIM CARNIVAL TO SPREAD FIGHT CRIME MESSAGE *****
A CARNIVAL TO SPREAD THE FIGHT CRIME MESSAGE WILL BE HELD AT THE URBAN COUNCIL CENTENARY GARDEN, TSIM SHA TSUI EAST, ON SUNDAY (NOVEMBER 13) AFTERNOON.
OFFICIATING AT THE OPENING CEREMONY WHICH BEGINS AT 2.30 PM WILL BE THE DEPUTY COMMISSIONER OF POLICE (OPERATIONS), MR LI KWAN-HA; POLICE DISTRICT COMMANDER (YAU MA TEI), MR LAU YUK-KUEN; CHAIRMAN OF THS YAU TSIM DISTRICT BOARD, MR YIP WAH, AND ASSISTANT DISTRICT OFFICER, MR ARTHUR YUEN.
ORGANISED BY THE YAU TSIM DISTRICT FIGHT CRIME COMMITTEE WITH THE SPONSORSHIP OF THE DISTRICT BOARD, THE CARNIVAL FEATURES A MARCHING BAND, SINGING AND DANCE PERFORMANCES; STALL-GAMES; A PARADE BY CARTOON CHARACTERS AND AN INFLATABLE "GORILLA” FOR CHILDREN.
ON SATURDAY (NOVEMBER 12) AFTERNOON, STAFF OF THE DISTRICT OFFICE AND REPRESENTATIVES FROM VOLUNTARY AGENCIES IN THE DISTRICT WILL DISTRIBUTE PUBLICITY LEAFLETS AND TICKETS TO THE CARNIVAL AT THE UC CENTENARY GARDEN.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE YAU TSIM DISTRICT FIGHT CRIME CARNIVAL BEGINNING AT 2.30 PM ON SUNDAY (NOVEMBER 13) AT THE UC CENTENARY GARDEN, TSIM SHA TSUI EAST.
- - 0
Z59........
THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 10, 1988
- 59 -
APPLICATIONS.FOR FUNDS ON AGENDA
*****
THE TSUEN WAN DISTRICT BOARD'S SOCIAL SERVICES AND COMMUNITY INFORMATION COMMITTEE WILL CONSIDER AT A MEETING TOMORROW (FRIDAY) APPLICATIONS FOR FUNDING SEVERAL PROJECTS OF THE WORKING GROUn ON ELDERLY SERVICES AND THE WORKING GROUP ON COMMUNITY INFO: AT ION.
MEMBERS WILL ALSO CONSIDER APPLICATIONS FOR FUNDS FROM LOCAL ORGANISATIONS.
OTHER ITEMS ON THE AGENDA INCLUDE THE PROGRESS REPORTS OF VARIOUS WORKING GROUPS.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE MEETING WHICH WILL BEGIN AT 2.30 PM TOMORROW 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.
------o-------
CHINESE ORCHESTRA TO PERFORM FOR SOUTHERN RESIDENTS *****
THE HONG
cnn K0NG CHINESE ORCHESTRA WILL GIVE AN ENSEMBLE
FOR SOUTHERN DISTRICT RESIDENTS ON SUNDAY (NOVEMBER 13) COMMUNITY HALL IN WAH FU ESTATE.
AT THE
CONCERT WAH FU
PRESENTED BY THE ASSOCIATION AND THE URBAN DISTRICT BOARD, THE CONCERT OF MR YIN HOK-MAN.
SOUTHERN DISTRICT ARTS COUNCIL AND SPONSORED BY WILL START AT 8 PM, UNDER
AND CULTURE
THE SOUTHERN
THE DIRECTION
THE PROGRAMME WILL INCLUDE A HOST OF POPULAR TRADITIONAL CHINESE MUSIC RANGING FROM SELECTED DANCE MUSIC GUANGDONG MELODIES TO FOLK SONGS OF MINORITY NATIONALITIES.
PIECES OF
WORKS AND
H0NG KONG CHINESE ORCHESTRA, NOW IN ITS 12TH PROFESSIONAL SEASON, HAS 85 MEMBERS THOUGH A SMALLER GROUP OF 26 WILL BE PERFORMING ON THIS OCCASION.
FREE ADMISSION TICKETS FOR FIRST COME, FIRST SERVED BASIS AT ABERDEEN CENTRE, ITS SUB-OFFICE IN WAH FU OFFICE AT LEI CHUK HOUSE, AP LEI CHAU ESTATE
THE CONCERT
THE WAH
ARE
SOUTHERN
AVAILABLE ON DISTRICT OFFICE
THE AT
ESTATE AND THE SDACA'S
- - 0---------
Ao.....
THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 10, 1988
40
SPECIAL TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS ♦ » * ♦
FOR REMEMBRANCE ♦
SUNDAY
SPECIAL TRAFFIC
REMEMBRANCE SUNDAY (NOVEMBER 13) TO CENOTAPH IN CENTRAL.
ARRANGEMENTS WILL
FACILITATE
BE THE
IMPLEMENTED ON
SER' .CE AT THE
THE ARRANGEMENTS INCLUDE TEMPORARY CLOSURES OF THE FOLLOWING ROAD SECTIONS.
* JACKSON ROAD BETWEEN CONNAUGHT ROAD CENTRAL AND CHATER ROAD, AND EDINBURGH PLACE NORTH BETWEEN QUEEN’S PIER AND HMS TAMAR, WILL BE CLOSED FROM 8 AM TO NOON.
BETWEEN EDINBURGH PLACE
CONNAUGHT ROAD CENTRAL EASTBOUND
WEST AND EDINBURGH PLACE EAST WILL BE CLOSED FROM
10.50 AM
TO 11.30
AM.
xvxzrixz *. a-, a v • > -__
BETWEEN HARCOURT ROAD AND ICE HOUSE STREET, AND ”^BBAY NORTHBOUND BETWEEN CONNAUGHT ROAD CENTRAL AND CHARTED WILL BE CLOSED FROM 10.28 AM TO NOON.
ROAD
FLYOVER,
CONNAUGHT ROAD CENTRAL
WESTBOUND
ROAD ROAD,
ICE
rWATER ROAD BETWEEN PEDDER STREET AND JACKSON ROAD, AND HOUSE STREET BETWEEN QUEEN’S ROAD CENTRAL AND CONNAUGHT ROAD CENTRAL, WILL BE CLOSED FROM 7 AM TO MIDNIGHT.
THE FOLLOWING DIVERSIONS WILL BE IMPLEMENTED FROM 8 AM TO UNLESS OTHERWISE SPECIFIED:
NOON
AS JACKSON ROAD WILL BE CLOSED TO TRAFFIC, VEHICLES ON CONNAUGHT ROAD CENTRAL WESTBOUND WILL BE DIVERTED VIA CLUB
STREET.
EASTBOUND TRAFFIC ON
COlfNAUGHT ROAD CENTRAL WILL
PLACE WEST, EDINBURGH PLACE I
DIVERTED VIA EDINBURGH -----
AND EDINBURGH PLACE EAST FROM 10.50 AM TO 11.3° AM. BUSES AND HEAVY VEHICLES WILL USE THE NORTHERN LANE PASSING THROUGH THE QUEEN’S PIER CONCOURSE AREA.
BE NORTH ALL WHEN
WESTBOUND TRAFFIC ON HARCOURT ROAD WILL BE D!VERTED SOUTH INTO COTTON TREE DRIVE. VEHICLES WISHING TO PROCEED ^URTH R JeIt WILL BE DIVERTED VIA THE SLIP ROAD TO QUEEN’S ROAD CENTRAL.
EASTBOUND TRAFFIC FROM THE ADMIRALTY MTR STATION WILL PE PERMITTED TO TURN SOUTH TO TAMAR STREET AND THEN LEFT QUEENSWAY.
/* DURING THE
t
*
*
*
*
*
THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 10, 1983
* DURING THE CLOSURE OF CONNAUGHT ROAD CENTRAL EASTBOUND BETWEEN EDINBURGH PLACE WEST AND EDINBURGH PLACE EAST FROM 10.50 AM TO 11.30 AM, EDINBURGH PLACE CENTRAL WILL BE RE-ROUTED ONE-WAY NORTHBOUND. VEHICLES LEAVING THE STAR FERRY MULTI-STOREY CAR PARK WILL BE DIVERTED VIA EDINBURGH PLACE CENTRAL, QUEEN’S PIER AND EDINBURGH PLACE EAST.
ALL PARKING SPACES IN JACKSON ROAD WILL BE SUSPENDED THROUGHOUT SUNDAY FROM MIDNIGHT, AND THOSE ON CONNAUGHT PLACE WILL BE SUSPENDED FROM MIDNIGHT TO NOON. MOTORCYCLE PARKING SPACES ON EDINBURGH PLACE NORTH WILL ALSO BE CANCELLED BETWEEN MIDNIGHT AND NOON.
THE TAXI STAND IN EDINBURGH PLACE WEST WILL BE SUSPENDED FROM 10 AM TO 11.30 AM AND WILL BE RESITED TO THE EASTERN SIDE OF CONNAUGHT PLACE.
THE GREEN MINIBUS TERMINI FOR ROUTES 1, 1A AND 3 IN EDINBURGH PLACE EAST OR EDINBURGH PLACE CENTRAL WILL ALSO BE SUSPENDED FROM 10 AM TO NOON, AND WILL BE RESITED TO THE NORTHERN SECTION OF CONNAUGHT PLACE.
BUSES ON CMB ROUTES 1, 2, 3, 6, 12, 13, 15, 61, 64, 70, 80, 81M, 90, 97, 99, 260, 780, CROSS-HARBOUR ROUTE 103, AND KMB ROUTE A2 WILL BE DIVERTED DUE TO THE SPECIAL TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS BETWEEN 8 AM AND NOON.
GREEN MINIBUSES ON ROUTES 1, 1A, 3, 8, 9, 22 AND 28 WILL ALSO BE DIVERTED BETWEEN 10 AM AND NOON.
- - 0 - -
NIGHT CLOSURE OF TWO STREETS IN HUNG HOM
*****
THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT ADVISED MOTORISTS THAT THE WINSLOW STREET VEHICULAR UNDERPASS IN HUNG HOM WILL BE CLOSED TO TRAFFIC BETWEEN 1 AM AND 5 AM ON SATURDAY (NOVEMBER 12) FOR CLEANSING OF THE UNDERPASS.
DURING THE CLOSURE, VEHICLES IN WINSLOW STREET HEADING FOR TO KWA WAN WILL BE DIVERTED VIA CHATHAM ROAD NORTH, COOKE STREET, GILLIES AVENUE AND WUHU STREET.
MEANWHILE, YAN FUNG STREET WILL ALSO BE CLOSED BETWEEN 1 AM AND 6 AM DAILY FROM NOVEMBER 12 TO 15 FOR THE DEMOLITION WORKS OF A TEMPORARY FOOTBRIDGE.
VEHICLES ON CHATHAM ROAD NORTH HEADING FOR FAT KWONG STREET WILL BE DIVERTED VIA CHATHAM ROAD NORTH, WUHU VEHICLAR UNDERPASS, GILLIES AVENUE, WUHU STREET AND MA TAU WAI ROAD.
0 -
A2
THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 10, 1988
- 42 -
INTERRUPTION TO FRESH WATER SUPPLY
*****
THE WATER SUPPLIES DEPARTMENT TODAY (THURSDAY) REMINDED RESIDENTS THAT SOME PERMISES IN TSIM SHA TSUI WILL BE SUBJECTED TO WEAK WATER PRESSURE FOR NINE HOURS FROM 10 PM TOMORROW (FRIDAY) AND ON SATURDAY (NOVEMBER 12) TO FACILITATE WATER WORKS.
THE AFFECTED AREA IS BOUNDED BY AUSTIN ROAD, NATHAN ROAD, SALISBURY ROAD AND CHEONG WAN ROAD.
-----0------
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL: 5-8428777
FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 11, 1988
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
GOVTS ATTACH IMPORTANCE TO PROTECTION OF HUMAN RIGHTS .... 1
NEW PENSION SCHEME FOR JUDICIAL OFFICERS PROPOSED ........ 2
PANEL TO ADVISE ON PENSION REFUSALS ...................... 4
HK FINANCIAL MARKETS EMERGE STRONGER ..................... 5
TWO JAPANESE BANKS GRANTED LICENCES ...................... 6
HONG KONG'S EXTERNAL TRADE STATISTICS FOR SEPTEMBER 1988 .... 6
RE-APPOINTMENT OF LIVESTOCK WASTE DISPOSAL CONSULTATIVE COMMITTEE................................................. 11*
EMPLOYERS WARNED AGAINST HIRING CHILDREN.................. 15
WORKSHOP ON STREET SLEEPERS FOR VOLUNTEERS ............... 15
VOLUNTARY AGENCIES JOIN IN CIVIC EDUCATION DAY ........... 16
FMO PRAISED FOR ITS ROLE IN EDUCATION .................... 17
SAI KUNG DB DISCUSSES HO CHUNG RIVER POLLUTION ........... 18
CHAI WAN EXHIBITION ON PASSIVE SMOKING.................... 19
NEW DEPOT FOR POLICE IN FANLING .......................... 20
THREE FOOTBRIDGES PROPOSED FOR TSING YI .................. 20
TENDERS INVITED FOR CONSTRUCTION OF DOLPHINS ............. 21
OLD-TYPE I.D. CARDS DECLARED INVALID ..................... 22
COMMISSIONER GOING ON LEAVE .............................. 23
REMEMBRANCE DAY ON SUNDAY................................. 23
COMMUNITY CHEST STAMP ISSUE ON NOVEMBER 30 ............... 24
TRAINING COURSE FOR PRIVATE HOME HEALTH WORKERS .......... 25
DISTRICT BOARD TAKES FLDSF7 Y TO) HEART................... 25
FESTIVAL AIMS TO FOSTER COMMUNITY INTEGRATION ............ 26
LONG DISTANCE RACE FOR YAU TSIM RESIDENTS ................ 28
DRAWING COMPETITION FOR CHILDREN ......................... 28
TEMPORARY TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS IN MID-LEVELS ............. 29
TEMPORARY TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS IN SHAU KEI WAN ........... 29
TEMPORARY TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS IN CENTRAL ................ 50
TEMPORARY ROAD CLOSURE IN WONG TAI SIN ................... 30
FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 11, 1988
1
GOVTS ATTACH IMPORTANCE TO PROTECTION OF HUMAN RIGHTS » ♦ ♦ * *
REFERRING TO STATEMENTS REPORTED TO HAVE BEEN MADE BY A MEMBER OF THE UNITED NATIONS HUMAN RIGHTS COMMITTEE, TO THE EFFECT THAT THE BRITISH GOVERNMENT PREMATURELY CONSIDERED THAT MATTERS RELATING TO HONG KONG WERE NOW PREDOMINANTLY THE CONCERN OF CHINA, A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN SAID TODAY (FRIDAY) THAT SUCH REMARKS WERE INCORRECT AND MISLEADING.
THE SPOKESMAN SAID THAT HONG KONG WOULD CONTINUE TO BE UNDER BRITISH ADMINISTRATION UNTIL JULY 1, 1997. THE BRITISH AND HONG KONG GOVERNMENTS ATTACHED GREAT IMPORTANCE TO THE PROTECTION OF HUMAN RIGHTS IN HONG KONG.
IN THEIR CLOSING REMARKS, MEMBERS OF THE HUMAN RIGHTS COMMITTEE AND THE CHAIRMAN HAD EXPRESSED THEIR APPRECIATION FOR THE CONSTRUCTIVE AND POSITIVE DIALOGUE WITH THE DELEGATION OF THE UNITED KINGDOM.
THEY ALSO SAID THAT THE EXCELLENT PREPARATION FOR THE DIALOGUE BY THE BRITISH DELEGATION AND THE CANDID AND PRECISE ANSWERS GIVEN TO THE QUESTIONS RAISED BY THE COMMITTEE SHOWED THE RESOLVE OF THE GOVERNMENT OF THE UNITED KINGDOM TO CO-OPERATE FULLY WITH THE HUMAN RIGHTS COMMITTEE.
THREE POINTS ON HONG KONG WERE HIGHLIGHTED BY THE REPRESENTATIVE OF THE UNITED KINGDOM IN HIS OPENING STATEMENT TO THE HUMAN RIGHTS COMMITTEE ON NOVEMBER 3.
THESE WERE: THE PUBLICATION IN FEBRUARY 1988 OF THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT’S WHITE PAPER ON THE FURTHER DEVELOPMENT OF REPRESENTATIVE GOVERNMENT IN HONG KONG; THE PUBLICATION IN APRIL 1988 OF THE FIRST DRAFT OF THE BASIC LAW OF HONG KONG; AND THE PROBLEM OF VIETNAMESE BOAT PEOPLE.
THE GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN EXPLAINED THAT MEASURES HAD BEEN TAKEN TO INCORPORATE THE PROVISIONS OF THE COVENANT INTO THE LEGAL SYSTEM OF HONG KONG. AFTER 1997 THE CONTINUATION OF THIS SYSTEM, INCLUDING THE COMMON LAW, WAS PROVIDED FOR BY THE SINO-BRITISH JOINT DECLARATION.
’’THE RESPONSIBILITY OF THE BRITISH GOVERNMENT IS TO BE SATISFIED THAT THE PROVISIONS OF THE BASIC LAW, NOW BEING DRAFTED, SHOULD BE COMPATIBLE WITH THE JOINT DECLARATION. BUT THE PEOPLE’S REPUBLIC OF CHINA WOULD BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE TEXT OF THE BASIC LAW."
THE SPOKESMAN ADDED THAT THE UNITED KINGDOM HAD SUBMITTED ITS FIRST REPORT TO THE UN HUMAN RIGHTS COMMITTEE IN 1977 AND REPORTS BY ITS DEPENDENT TERRITORIES IN 1978. THESE REPORTS HAD BEEN CONSIDERED BY THE COMMITTEE IN 1979.
IN AUGUST 1984 THE UNITED KINGDOM HAD SUBMITTED ITS SECOND REPORT TO THE COMMITTEE. ALTHOUGH THE HONG KONG CONTRIBUTION WAS PROVIDED IN APRIL 1985, RETURNS FROM OTHER DEPENDENT TERRITORIES WERE DELAYED WITH THE RESULT THAT HONG KOND HAD TO SUBMIT AN UPDATED REPORT IN DECEMBER 1987. THE UNITED KINGDOM SUBMITTED THE REPORT ON ALL OF ITS DEPENDENT TERRITORIES TO THE COMMITTEE IN MAY 1988.
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/2......
FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 11, 1988
2 -
NEW PENSION SCHEME FOR JUDICIAL OFFICERS PROPOSED »»««»»
THE GOVERNMENT PROPOSES TO INTRODUCE A NEW PENSION SCHEME FOR MEMBERS OF THE JUDICIARY, DETAILS OF WHICH ARE CONTAINED IN THE PENSION BENEFITS (JUDICIAL OFFICERS) BILL 1988 GAZETTED TODAY (FRIDAY).
A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN SAID THE NEW SCHEME WAS TO ASSIST THE RECRUITMENT AND RETENTION OF JUDICIAL OFFICERS OF HIGH QUALITY AND SPECIFICALLY TO ATTRACT MORE LOCAL LAWYERS TO THE JUDICIARY.
THE PROPOSALS COVERING THEIR RETIREMENT AGES AND PENSION ARRANGEMENTS ARE AS FOLLOWS:
THE RETIREMENT AGE FOR JUDICIAL OFFICERS WILL -
* REMAIN AT 65 FOR SUPREME COURT JUDGES;
* BE RAISED FROM 60 TO 65 FOR DISTRICT COURT JUDGES APPOINTED ON OR AFTER JANUARY 1, 1987, BUT REMAIN AT 60 FOR THOSE APPOINTED BEFORE THAT DATE;
* BE RAISED TO 65 FOR REGISTRAR AND DEPUTY REGISTRAR, SUPREME COURT; AND
« BE 60 FOR ASSISTANT REGISTRARS, MEMBER, LAND TRIBUNAL, JUDICIAL OFFICERS PRESIDING OVER SPECIALISED TRIBUNALS AND MAGISTRATES.
THE PENSION ARRANGEMENTS WILL MIRROR THE NEW PENSION SCHEME FOR THE CIVIL SERVICE WHICH PROVIDES FOR OFFICERS TO -
» BE ELIGIBLE FOR PENSIONS AS OF RIGHT;
» EARN PENSION AT 1/675 OF THEIR ANNUAL SALARIES FOR EACH MONTH OF PENSIONABLE SERVICE;
* COMMUTE UP TO 50 PER CENT OF PENSION INTO A LUMP SUM PENSION GRATUITY; AND
t BE ELIGIBLE FOR A DEFERRED PENSION ON RESIGNATION AFTER NOT LESS THAN 10 YEARS’ SERVICE.
IN ADDITION, TWO SPECIAL FEATURES WILL BE INTRODUCED TO -
» INCREASE PENSIONABLE SERVICE AT THE RATE OF ONE MONTH FOR EACH MONTH OF SERVICE AFTER THE AGE OF 50; AND
» GRANT A MINIMUM PENSION EQUIVALENT TO ONE QUARTER OF SALARY TO OFFICERS RETIRED ON MEDICAL GROUNDS.
/"THE PROPOSALS .......
FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 11, 1988
5 -
’’THE PROPOSALS RECOGNISE THAT JUDICIAL OFFICERS ARE NORMALLY APPOINTED LATER IN LIFE AND UNDER EXISTING ARRANGEMENTS ARE UNABLE EITHER TO PURSUE A LONG CAREER OR EARN A SATISFACTORY PENSION,” THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
THOSE WHO JOIN THE JUDICIARY ARE 10 TO 15 YEARS OLDER THAN THEIR PUBLIC SERVICE COUNTERPARTS, BECAUSE IT IS DESIRABLE THAT ONLY LAWYERS WITH ADEQUATE EXPERIENCE ARE APPOINTED TO JUDICIAL OFFICE.
"UNDER THE EXISTING PENSION ARRANGEMENTS, AN OFFICER SERVES 33 YEARS TO EARN HIS FULL PENSION ENTITLEMENT. AS A RESULT, LAWYERS OF ADEQUATE EXPERIENCE AND MATURE YEARS WHO HAVE JOINED THE JUDICIARY HAVE NOT BEEN ABLE TO EARN A WORTHWHILE PENSION.
"IT IS PERCEIVED THAT THIS HAS BEEN ONE OF THE FACTORS PREVENTING SUITABLE LOCAL CANDIDATES FROM COMING FORWARD AND SERVING OFFICERS FROM REMAINING.
"IT IS ESSENTIAL THAT THE MORE SENIOR PRACTITIONERS ARE ENCOURAGED TO SEEK JUDICIAL OFFICE AND NOT BE DETERRED BY THEIR INABILITY TO EARN A WORTHWHILE PENSION. THE NEW ARRANGEMENTS ARE ESSENTIAL THEREFORE TO ACHIEVE THIS.
"THE SPECIAL ARRANGEMENTS TO ENHANCE THE ACCUMULATION RATE OF PENSIONABLE SERVICE OVER THE AGE OF 50 WILL DOUBLE THE STANDARD PENSION EARNINGS RATE OVER THAT AGE; AND TAKE ACCOUNT OF THE FACT THAT JUDICIAL OFFICERS ARE APPOINTED LATER IN LIFE."
THE SPOKESMAN SAID SERVICE BELOW 50 WOULD HOWEVER EARN PENSION AT THE STANDARD RATE.
"TO ILLUSTRATE THE POSITION, A JUDICIAL OFFICER APPOINTED AT 50, WHO RETIRES AT 65, WILL EARN THE EQUIVALENT OF 30 YEARS PENSION (ABOUT 53 PER CENT OF HIS RETIREMENT SALARY).
"A JUDICIAL OFFICER APPOINTED AT 40 WILL KARN THE MAXIMUM PENSION OF TWO THIRDS OF HIS RETIRING SALARY IF HE RETIRES AT 65," HE SAID.
"THE OTHER SPECIAL FEATURE GUARANTEES JUDICIAL OFFICERS RETIRED WITH SHORT SERVICE ON GROUNDS OF ILL HEALTH, A MINIMUM PENSION EQUIVALENT TO ONE QUARTER SALARY.
"THIS BROADLY FOLLOWS UNITED KINGDOM PRACTICE TO ENSURE THAT SUCH OFFICERS WILL RECEIVE A REASONABLE SUM IN PENSION BENEFITS.”
TO REFLECT THE JUDICIARY’S INDEPENDENCE, A SEPARATE PIECE OF LEGISLATION IS PROPOSED TO GIVE EFFECT TO THIS NEW PENSION SCHEME.
NEW APPOINTEES TO THE JUDICIARY AFTER THE INTRODUCTION OF THE NEW PENSION SCHEME WILL BE ENGAGED ON THE NEW TERMS AND SERVING OFFICERS WILL BE AFFORDED THE OPPORTUNITY OF TRANSFERRING TO THE NEW SCHEME.
/THE PENSION .......
FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 11, 1988
THE PENSION BENEFITS (JUDICIAL OFFICERS) BILL 1988 IS SCHEDULED TO BE INTRODUCED INTO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL ON NOVEMBER 23, 1988.
MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC WHO WISH TO COMMENT ON THE BILL CAN WRITE TO OMELCO, 8 JACKSON ROAD, CENTRAL, OR TO THE REGISTRAR, SUPREME COURT, 38 QUEENSWAY.
-------0
PANEL TO ADVISE ON PENSION REFUSALS
THE GOVERNMENT PROPOSES TO APPOINT AN INDEPENDENT PANEL TO ADVISE THE GOVERNOR WHEN CONSIDERING APPEALS AGAINST A DECISION TO SUSPEND, REDUCE, CANCEL OR NOT TO GRANT A PENSION UNDER THE PENSIONS LEGISLATION.
THIS PROPOSAL IS CONTAINED IN THE PENSION BENEFITS (REFUSAL TO GRANT, SUSPENSION, REDUCTION AND CANCELLATION) BILL 1988 GAZETTED TODAY (FRIDAY).
A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN SAID THE PROPOSAL WAS FORMULATED IN RESPONSE TO A REQUEST FROM THE STAFF SIDES AND IN AN EFFORT TO SAFEGUARD AN OFFICER’S RIGHT TO HIS OR HER PENSIONS AS PROVIDED FOR IN THE PENSIONS LEGISLATION.
THE APPEAL PANEL WILL CONSIST OF THREE PERSONS WHO ARE NOT GOVERNMENT OFFICERS, COMPRISING A MEMBER OF THE JUDICIARY OR THE LEGAL PROFESSION, A JUSTICE OF THE PEACE AND A LAYMAN, HE SAID.
THE BILL IS EXPECTED TO BE INTRODUCED INTO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL FOR FIRST READING ON NOVEMBER 23, 1988.
MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC WHO WISH TO COMMENT ON THE AMENDMENTS CAN WRITE TO THE SECRETARY FOR THE CIVIL SERVICE, GOVERNMENT SECRETARIAT, 12TH FLOOR, CENTRAL GOVERNMENT OFFICES (WEST WING), ICE HOUSE STREET, CENTRAL OR TO OMELCO, 8 JACKSON ROAD, CENTRAL.
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FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 11, 1988
- 5 -
HK FINANCIAL MARKETS EMERGE STRONGER ******
ONE YEAR AFTER "BLACK MONDAY", HONG KONG HAS EMERGED STRONGER AND BETTER EQUIPPED TO TAKE ITS PLACE AS THE MOST DYNAMIC REGIONAL AND INTERNATIONAL FINANCIAL CENTRE IN THE ASIA PACIFIC.
THIS WAS THE MESSAGE THAT THE SECRETARY FOR MONETARY AFFAIRS, MR DAVID NENDICK, GAVE YESTERDAY (THURSDAY) TO MORE THAN 100 LEADING BROKERS, BANKERS AND FINANCIAL ADVISERS ATTENDING AN EXECUTIVE BRIEFING ON HONG KONG IN NEW YORK.
THE BRIEFING, ORGANISED BY THE ASIA SOCIETY, CULMINATED A TWO-WEEK TOUR OF THE UNITED STATES BY MR NENDICK.
ADDRESSING THE GATHERING, MR NENDICK SAID THE GOVERNMENT WOULD ENSURE THAT HONG KONG’S FINANCIAL MARKETS LIVED UP TO THE EXPECTATIONS OF INVESTORS IN BOTH PROBITY AND SOUNDNESS.
HE SAID THE STOCK EXCHANGE ITSELF HAD ALREADY DONE MUCH TO RESTORE CONFIDENCE IN ITS OPERATION AND THIS HAD GREATLY REDUCED THE NEED TO IMPOSE REGULATIONS.
HOWEVER, HE SAID SOME REGULATORY FRAMEWORK WAS NECESSARY AND PROPOSALS ON THE POWERS TO BE GIVEN TO THE SECURITIES AND FUTURES COMMISSION WERE NOW UNDER DISCUSSION.
"THE GOVERNMENT IS GATHERING THE VIEWS OF THE PEOPLE INVOLVED IN THE MARKETS AND THESE WILL BE TAKEN FULLY INTO ACCOUNT," HE SAID. "BUT WE AIM TO REACH A CONSENSUS WITHOUT EMASCULATING THE POWERS OF THE COMMISSION."
HE SAID THERE WOULD BE A FURTHER CONSULTATION PERIOD AFTER A BILL WAS PUBLISHED TOWARDS THE END OF THIS YEAR.
ON THE QUESTION OF HOW MUCH THE COMMISSION WOULD COST, MR NENDICK ASSURED HIS AUDIENCE THAT THE LEVY ON THE MARKET WOULD BE MUCH LESS THAN THE EXISTING LEVY IMPOSED ON TRANSACTIONS BY THE STOCK EXCHANGE.
MR NENDICK WOUND UP HIS U.S. VISIT BY CALLING ON THE CHAIRMAN OF THE NEW YORK STOCK EXCHANGE, MR JOHN PHELAN.
BEFORE GOING TO NEW YORK, HE SPENT TWO DAYS IN BOSTON WHERE HE GAVE SPEECHES AND PRESENTATIONS TO AUDIENCES OF BUSINESSMEN AND ACADEMICS.
HE GAVE A LECTURE TO THE FLETCHER SCHOOL OF LAW AND DIPLOMACY AT TUFTS UNIVERSITY.
HE WAS ALSO GUEST SPEAKER AT A DINNER HOSTED BY THE INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS CENTRE OF NEW ENGLAND AND HE HAD A BREAKFAST MEETING WITH KEY PORTFOLIO MANAGERS AND INVESTMENT ADVISERS FOR BOSTON-BASED MUTUAL FUNDS.
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/6........
FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 11, 1988
- 6 -
TWO JAPANESE BANKS GRANTED LICENCES » ♦ * » ♦
THE CHIBA BANK AND THE HOKURIKU BANK HAVE BEEN GRANTED BANKING LICENCES TO CONDUCT BUSINESS IN HONG KONG, A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN SAID TODAY (FRIDAY).
THE CHIBA BANK AND THE HOKURIKU BANK ARE RESPECTIVELY THE 28TH AND 29TH LARGEST BANKS IN JAPAN.
THE CHIBA BANK HAS ESTABLISHED A REPRESENTATIVE OFFICE IN HONG KONG SINCE 1985.
THE HOKURIKU BANK HAS OPERATED A REPRESENTATIVE OFFICE AND A REGISTERED DEPOSIT-TAKING COMPANY HERE SINCE 1984 AND 1986 RESPECTIVELY.
THE SPOKESMAN SAID THAT THE CONTINUING INTEREST OF FOREIGN BANKS IN OBTAINING HONG KONG BANKING LICENCES REFLECTED HONG KONG’S ROLE AS A MAJOR INTERNATIONAL FINANCIAL CENTRE.
THE GRANTING OF THESE LICENCES BRINGS THE TOTAL NUMBER OF LICENSED BANKS TO 160, OF WHICH 125 ARE INCORPORATED OUTSIDE HONG KONG. SEVEN LICENCES HAVE BEEN GRANTED SO FAR THIS YEAR.
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HONG KONG’S EXTERNAL TRADE STATISTICS FOR SEPTEMBER 1988 * * t ♦
TOTAL MERCHANDISE TRADE IN SEPTEMBER 1988, AT $90,878 MILLION, GREW BY 35 PER CENT IN VALUE TERMS COMPARED WITH SEPTEMBER 1987, ACCORDING TO THE DETAILED FIGURES ON VALUE OF TRADE IN SEPTEMBER 1988 RELEASED TODAY BY THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT.
DOMESTIC EXPORTS INCREASED BY 12 PER CENT TO $19,950 MILLION IN SEPTEMBER 1988, WHILE RE-EXPORTS ROSE BY 59 PER CENT TO $26,230 MILLION, THUS BRINGING TOTAL EXPORTS IN SEPTEMBER 1988 TO $46,180 MILLION, WHICH REPRESENTED AN INCREASE OF 34 PER CENT OVER SEPTEMBER 1987.
OVER THE SAME PERIOD OF COMPARISON, IMPORTS INCREASED BY 36 PER CENT TO $44,697 MILLION.
COMPARING SEPTEMBER 1988 WITH SEPTEMBER 1987, SUBSTANTIAL GROWTH WAS RECORDED IN THE VALUE OF DOMESTIC EXPORTS TO CHINA (+51 PER CENT) AND THE NETHERLANDS (+35 PER CENT).
/THE VALUE .......
FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 11, 1?88
THE VALUE OF DOMESTIC EXPORTS TO THE UNITED KINGDOM, SINGAPORE AND JAPAN ALSO INCREASED, BY 28 PER CENT, 28 PER CENT AND 25 PER CENT RESPECTIVELY.
HOWEVER, DOMESTIC EXPORTS TO THE FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF GERMANY AND THE U.S.A. DECREASED BY 3 PER CENT AND 1 PER CENT RESPECTIVELY IN VALUE TERMS.
IMPORTS FROM ALL MAJOR SUPPLIERS INCREASED IN VALUE TERMS IN SEPTEMBER 1988 OVER SEPTEMBER 1987, PARTICULARLY THOSE FROM THE REPUBLIC OF KOREA (+81 PER CENT), SINGAPORE (+62 PER CENT), THE FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF GERMANY (+51 PER CENT) AND ITALY (+48 PER CENT).
THE VALUE OF IMPORTS FROM JAPAN, CHINA, TAIWAN, THE UNITED KINGDOM AND THE U.S.A. ALSO WENT UP BY 37 PER CENT, 36 PER CENT, 35 PER CENT, 30 PER CENT, AND 14 PER CENT RESPECTIVELY.
RE-EXPORTS TO JAPAN, CHINA, AUSTRALIA, THE U.S.A. AND THE FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF GERMANY INCREASED SUBSTANTIALLY IN VALUE TERMS OVER THE SAME PERIOD OF COMPARISON, BY 89 PER CENT, 75 PER CENT, 64 PER CENT, 58 PER CENT AND 50 PER CENT RESPECTIVELY.
THE VALUE OF RE-EXPORTS TO TAIWAN, THE UNITED KINGDOM AND THE REPUBLIC OF KOREA ALSO INCREASED, BY 44 PER CENT, 40 PER CENT AND 39 PER CENT RESPECTIVELY.
TOTAL MERCHANDISE TRADE IN JANUARY TO SEPTEMBER 1988, AT $703,924 MILLION, INCREASED BY 30 PER CENT AS COMPARED WITH THE SAME PERIOD IN 1987.
DURING THE SAME PERIOD OF COMPARISON, THE VALUE OF DOMESTIC EXPORTS INCREASED BY 11 PER CENT TO $156,373 MILLION, WHILE RE-EXPORTS INCREASED BY 49 PER CENT TO $192,948 MILLION.
THUS, THE VALUE OF TOTAL EXPORTS INCREASED BY 29 PER CENT TO $349,321 MILLION. IMPORTS INCREASED BY 31 PER CENT TO $354,603 MILLION.
COMPARING JANUARY TO SEPTEMBER 1988 WITH THE SAME PERIOD IN 1987, DOMESTIC EXPORTS TO MOST MAJOR MARKETS INCREASED IN VALUE TERMS.
THE MARKETS WITH MORE SIGNIFICANT GROWTH IN DOMESTIC EXPORTS INCLUDED SINGAPORE (+37 PER CENT), CHINA (+36 PER CENT), THE NERTHERLANDS (+24 PER CENT), THE UNITED KINGDOM (+22 PER CNET), FRANCE (+16 PER CENT), JAPAN (+16 PER CENT), AUSTRALIA (+12 PER CENT) AND THE FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF GERMANY (+11 PER CENT).
HOWEVER, DOMESTIC EXPORTS TO THE U.S.A., HONG KONG’S LARGEST DOMESTIC EXPORT MARKET, DECREASED BY 3 PER CENT IN VALUE TERMS.
IMPORTS IN JANUARY TO SEPTEMBER 1988 FROM ALL MAJOR SUPPLIERS INCREASED IN VALUE TERMS WHEN COMPARED WITH THE SAME PERIOD IN 1987.
/SIGNIFICANT INCREASES .......
FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 11, 1988 .
- 8
SIGNIFICANT INCREASES WERE RECORDED IN IMPORTS FROM THE REPUBLIC OF KOREA (+55 PER CENT), THE U.S.A. (+32 PER CENT), TAIWAN (+31 PERCENT), THE FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF GERMANY (+31 PER CENT), SINGAPORE (+31 PER CENT), CHINA (+30 PER CENT) AND SWITZERLAND (+29 PER CENT). THE VALUE OF IMPORTS FROM JAPAN INCREASED BY 26 PER CENT.
DURING THE SAME PERIOD OF COMPARISON, RE-EXPORTS TO JAPAN, THE FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF GERMANY AND CHINA INCREASED SUBSTANTIALLY IN VALUE TERMS BY 91 PER CENT, 58 PER CENT AND 56 PER CENT RESPECTIVELY.
NOTABLE INCREASES WERE ALSO RECORDED IN THE VALUE OF RE-EXPORTS TO AUSTRALIA (+50 PER CENT), TAIWAN (+48 PER CENT), THE UNITED KINGDOM (+45 PER CENT), THE U.S.A. (+44 PER CENT), SINGAPORE (+35 PER CENT) AND THE REPUBLIC OF KOREA (+34 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 SEPTEMBER 1988 WILL BE RELEASED IN EARLY DECEMBER 1988.
THE CHANGES IN DOMESTIC EXPORTS TO HONG KONG’S TEN MAJOR MARKETS ARE SHOWN IN TABLE 1.
COMPARING JANUARY TO SEPTEMBER 1988 WITH THE SAME PERIOD IN 1987, INCREASES IN DOMESTIC EXPORTS IN VALUE TERMS WERE RECORDED IN MOST MAJOR COMMODITY DIVISIONS.
THE MORE NOTABLE ONES WERE OFFICE MACHINES AND AUTOMATIC DATA PROCESSING EQUIPMENT (BY $3,422 MILLION OR 53 PER CENT); PHOTOGRAPHIC APPARATUS, EQUIPMENT AND SUPPLIES AND OPTICAL GOODS, WATCHES AND CLOCKS (BY $2,585 MILLION OR 24 PER CENT); ELECTRICAL MACHINERY, APPARATUS AND APPLIANCES AND ELECTRICAL PARTS THEREOF (BY $2,278 MILLION OR 22 PER CENT); AND TELECOMMUNICATIONS AND SOUND RECORDING AND REPRODUCING APPARATUS AND EQUIPMENT (BY $1,683 MILLION OR 16 PER CENT).
DOMESTIC EXPORTS OF CLOTHING INCREASED BY $16 MILLION OR LESS THAN 0.5 PER CENT IN VALUE TERMS.
DECREASES WERE RECORDED IN TEXTILES (BY $287 MILLION OR 3 PER CENT); AND MISCELLANEOUS MANUFACTURED ARTICLES (BY $216 MILLION OR 1 PER CENT).
TABLE 2 ILLUSTRATES THE CHANGES IN DOMESTIC EXPORTS BY MAJOR COMMODITY DIVISION.
THE CHANGES IN IMPORTS FROM HONG KONG’S TEN MAJOR SUPPLIERS ARE SUMMARISED IN TABLE 3.
/COMPARING JANUARY .......
FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 11, 1988
COMPARING JANUARY TO SEPTEMBER 1988 WITH THE SAME PERIOD IN 1987, MORE NOTABLE INCREASES IN IMPORTS IN VALUE TERMS WERE REGISTERED FOR ELECTRICAL MACHINERY, APPARATUS AND APPLIANCES AND ELECTRICAL PARTS THEREOF (BY $12,443 MILLION OR 50 PER CENT); ARTIFICIAL RESINS AND PLASTIC MATERIALS, AND CELLULOSE ESTERS AND ETHERS (BY $7,959 MILLION OR 105 PER CENT); TELECOMMUNICATIONS AND SOUND RECORDING AND REPRODUCING APPARATUS AND EQUIPMENT (BY $6,863 MILLION OR 45 PER CENT); AND MISCELLANEOUS MANUFACTURED ARTICLES (BY $5,294 MILLION OR 35 PER CENT).
IMPORTS OF TEXTILES INCREASED BY $3,185 MILLION OR 8 PER CENT IN VALUE TERMS. HOWEVER, DECREASES WERE RECORDED IN RAW HIDES, SKINS AND FURSKINS (BY $402 MILLION OR 19 PER CENT); AND OIL SEEDS AND OLEAGINOUS FRUIT (BY $87 MILLION OR 23 PER CENT).
TABLE 4 ILLUSTRATES THE CHANGES IN IMPORTS BY MAJOR COMMODITY DIVISION.
THE CHANGES IN RE-EXPORTS TO HONG KONG’S TEN MAJOR ARE SHOWN IN TABLE 5.
COMPARING JANUARY TO SEPTEMBER 1988 WITH THE SAME PERIOD IN 1987, MORE NOTABLE INCREASES IN RE-EXPORTS IN VALUE TERMS WERE REGISTERED FOR ELECTRICAL MACHINERY, APPARATUS AND APPLIANCES AND ELECTRICAL PARTS THEREOF (BY $9,032 MILLION OR 82 PER CENT); MISCELLANEOUS MANUFACTURED ARTICLES (BY $7,426 MILLION OR 59 PER CENT); TELECOMMUNICATIONS AND SOUND RECORDING AND REPRODUCING APPARATUS AND EQUIPMENT (BY $4,858 MILLION OR 59 PER CENT); AND ARTIFICIAL RESINS AND PLASTIC MATERIALS, AND CELLULOSE ESTERS AND ETHERS (BY $4,807 MILLION OR 205 PER CENT).
RE-EXPORTS OF TEXTILES INCREASED BY $3,811 MILLION OR 19 PER CENT IN VALUE TERMS.
HOWEVER, DECREASES WERE RECORDED IN OIL SEEDS AND OLEAGINOUS FRUIT (BY $93 MILLION OR 27 PER CENT); AND PROCESSED ANIMAL AND VEGETABLE OILS AND FATS, AND WAXES OF ANIMAL OR VEGETABLE ORIGIN (BY $1 MILLION OR 16 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 PUBLISHED IN TRADE STATISTICS REPORTS.
THE SEPTEMBER 1988 ISSUE OF THE "HONG KONG TRADE STATISTICS SUMMARY" WILL BE ON SALE AROUND NOVEMBER 15, 1988, AT THE GOVERNMENT PUBLICATIONS CENTRE AT $9.50 PER COPY.
A MORE COMPREHENSIVE REPORT, "HONG KONG EXTERNAL TRADE", WITH DETAILED ANALYSES ON IMPORTS, EXPORTS AND RE-EXPORTS IN SEPTEMBER 1988 WILL BE AVAILABLE IN END-NOVEMBER 1988 AT $17.50 PER COPY.
/ENQUIRIES REGARDING .......
FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 11, 1988
10 -
ENQUIRIES REGARDING REGULAR SUBSCRIPTION TO THESE REPORTS MAY BE DIRECTED TO THE INFORMATION SERVICES DEPARTMENT AT FRENCH MISSION BUILDING, 1 BATTERY PATH, HONG KONG (TEL. NO.: 5-8428802) AND ENQUIRIES ON TRADE STATISTICS TO THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT (TEL. NO.: 5-8234915).
TABLE 1: DOMESTIC EXPORTS BY TEN MAJOR MARKETS
MAJOR MARKET SEP SEP 88 JAN-SEP JAN-SEP 88
1988 OVER 1988 OVER
SEP 87 JAN-SEP 87
(HKD MN.) (%) (HKD MN.) (%)
U.S.A. 6,838 - 1 51,973 - 3
CHINA 3,778 + 51 26,929 + 36
F.R. OF GERMANY 1,269 - 3 11,941 + 11
U.K. 1,428 + 28 11,007 + 22
JAPAN 1,198 + 25 7,922 16
CANADA 518 + 8 4,374 + 6
SINGAPORE 484 + 28 3,712 + 37
NETHERLANDS 412 + 35 3,578 + 24
FRANCE 316 - 4 3,097 + 16
AUSTRALIA 379 + 12 2,950 + 12
DOMESTIC EXPORTS BY MAJOR COMMODITY DIVISION
TABLE 2:
COMMODITY SEP SEP 88 JAN-SEP JAN-SEP 88
DIVISION 1988 OVER 1988 OVER
SEP 87 JAN-SEP 87
(HKD MN.) (%) (HKD MN.) (%)
ARTICLES OF APPAREL AND CLOTHING
ACCESSORIES 6,105
MISCELLANEOUS MANUFACTURED ARTICLES (MAINLY BABY CARRIAGES, TOYS, GAMES
AND SPORTING GOODS) 2,966
+ 1 47,632
+ 2 22,009
/PHOTOGRAPHIC APPARATUS, .......
FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 11, 1988
PHOTOGRAPHIC APPARATUS,
EQUIPMENT AND SUPPLIES, OPTICAL GOODS, WATCHES AND CLOCKS 1,727 + 21 13,554 + 24
ELECTRICAL MACHINERY,
APPARATUS AND APPLIANCES,
AND ELECTRICAL PARTS
THEREOF 1,519 + 17 12,838 + 22
TELECOMMUNICATIONS AND
SOUND RECORDING AND
REPRODUCING APPARATUS
AND EQUIPMENT 1,641 + 27 12,437 + 16
TEXTILE YARN, FABRICS,
MADE-UP ARTICLES AND
RELATED PRODUCTS 1,303 - 2 11,193 3
* LESS THAN 0.5 PER CENT
TABLE 3: IMPORTS FROM 10 MAJOR SUPPLIERS
MAJOR SUPPLIER SEP SEP 88 JAN-SEP JAN-SEP 88
1988 OVER 1988 OVER
SEP 87 JAN-SEP 87
(HKD MN.) (%) (HKD MN.) (%>
CHINA 14,454 + 36 108,668 + 30
JAPAN 8,354 + 37 65,709 ♦ 26
TAIWAN 3,851 + 35 31,505 + 31
U.S.A 3,611 + 14 30,257 + 32
REPUBLIC OF KOREA 2,409 + 81 18,556 + 55
SINGAPORE 1,837 + 62 13,362 + 31
F.R. OF GERMANY 1,236 + 51 9,460 + 31
U.K. 1,076 + 30 9,458 + 13
SWITZERLAND 678 + 1 6,576 + 29
ITALY 692 + 48 5,722 + 27
/TABLE 4: .......
FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 11, 1988
12 -
TABLE 4: IMPORTS BY MAJOR COMMODITY DIVISION
COMMODITY SEP SEP 88 JAN-SEP JAN-SEP 88
DIVISION 1988 OVER 1988 OVER
SEP 87 JAN-SEP 87
(HKD MN.) (%) (HKD MN.) (%)
TEXTILE YARN, FABRICS, MADE-UP ARTICLES AND
RELATED PRODUCTS 5,245 + 7 45,141 + 8
ELECTRICAL MACHINERY, APPARATUS AND APPLIANCES, AND ELECTRICAL PARTS THEREOF 4,951 + 66 37,463 + 50
TELECOMMUNICATIONS AND SOUND RECORDING AND REPRODUCING APPARATUS AND EQUIPMENT 3,431 + 69 22,211 + 45
ARTICLES OF APPAREL AND CLOTHING ACCESSORIES 3,068 + 30 22,140 + 16
MISCELLANEOUS MANUFACTURED ARTICLES (MAINLY BABY CARRIAGES, TOYS, GAMES AND SPORTING GOODS) 2,834 + 36 20,398 + 35
PHOTOGRAPHIC APPARATUS, EQUIPMENT AND SUPPLIES, OPTICAL GOODS, WATCHES AND CLOCKS 2,283 + 24 19,267 + 31
TABLE 5: RE-EXPORTS BY TEN MAJOR MARKETS
MAJOR MARKET SEP 1988 (HKD MN. SEP 88 OVER SEP 87 ) (%) JAN-SEP 1988 (HKD MN.) JAN-SEP OVER JAN-SEP (%) 88 87
CHINA 9,246 + 75 65,161 + 56
U.S.A 4,961 + 58 34,492 + 44
JAPAN 1 ,718 + 89 12,180 + 91
TAIWAN 1 , 206 + 44 10,135 + 48
REPUBLIC OF KOREA 993 + 39 8,783 + 34
/SINGAPORE .......
FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 11, 1988
13 -
SINGAPORE 716 + 34 6,216 + 35
F.R. OF GERMANY 848 + 50 5,948 + 58
U.K. 623 + 40 4,521 + 45
AUSTRALIA 450 + 64 3,002 + 50
MACAU 333 ♦ 23 2,925 + 19
TABLE 6: RE-EXPORTS COMMODITY BY MAJOR SEP COMMODITY SEP 88 DIVISION JAN-SEP JAN-SEP 88
DIVISION 1988 OVER 1988 OVER
(HKD MN.) SEP 87 (%) (HKD MN.) JAN-SEP 87 (%)
TEXTILE YARN, FABRICS, MADE-UP ARTICLES AND RELATED PRODUCTS 2,977 + 24 24,398 ♦ 19
ELECTRICAL MACHINERY, APPARATUS AND APPLIANCES, AND ELECTRICAL PARTS THEREOF 2,784 + 94 20,091 + 82
MISCELLANEOUS MANUFACTURED ARTICLES (MAINLY BABY CARRIAGES, TOYS, GAMES AND SPORTING GOODS) 3,242 + 64 20,043 + 59
ARTICLES OF APPAREL AND CLOTHING ACCESSORIES 2,395 + 41 17,340 + 25
TELECOMMUNICATIONS AND SOUND RECORDING AND REPRODUCING APPARATUS AND EQUIPMENT 2,024 + 67 13,058 + 59
PHOTOGRAPHIC APPARATUS, EQUIPMENT AND SUPPLIES, OPTICAL GOODS, WATCHES AND CLOCKS 908 + 49 7,271 + 24
-------0----------
/14 .......
FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 11, 1988
14
RE-APPOINTMENT OF LIVESTOCK WASTE DISPOSAL CONSULTATIVE COMMITTEE t » t » *
THE GOVERNMENT HAS RE-APPOINTED MEMBERS OF THE LIVESTOCK WASTE DISPOSAL CONSULTATIVE COMMITTEE, WHOSE MEMBERSHIP WILL EXPIRE AT THE END OF THIS MONTH, FOR ANOTHER TERM OF ONE YEAR FROM DECEMBER 1, 1983.
MR LEO KWAN, CHAIRMAN OF THE CONSULTATIVE COMMITTEE PRAISED THE UNOFFICIAL MEMBERS FOR THEIR VALUABLE CONTRIBUTIONS WHICH ENABLED THE SMOOTH IMPLEMENTATION OF THE FIRST STAGE OF THE LIVESTOCK WASTE CONTROL SCHEME.
"MEMBERS’ PARTICIPATION HAS HELPED TO DISPEL MANY UNNECESSARY MISUNDERSTANDINGS AND SOLVE VARIOUS PROBLEMS ARISING FROM THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE SCHEME," HE SAID.
MR KWAN SAID HE WAS LOOKING FORWARD TO ANOTHER YEAR OF GOOD AND FRUITFUL WORKING RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN THE UNOFFICIAL AND OFFICIAL MEMBERS.
HE ADDED THAT ARRANGEMENTS WERE BEING MADE TO CONVENE A MEETING OF THE CONSULTATIVE COMMITTEE LATER THIS MONTH.
A TOTAL OF 26 MEETINGS WERE HELD BY THE LIVESTOCK WASTE DISPOSAL CONSULTATIVE COMMITTEE AND ITS SUB-GROUPS SINCE ITS ESTABLISHMENT IN DECEMBER LAST YEAR.
IN ADDITION, MORE THAN 10 VISITS TO FARMS BY MEMBERS OF THE COMMITTEE TOOK PLACE DURING THE YEAR.
"REGULAR INFORMAL CONTACTS BETWEEN THE OFFICIAL AND UNOFFICIAL MEMBERS HAVE ALSO BEEN MAINTAINED," MR KWAN ADDED.
THE FOLLOWING ARE THE NAMES OF RE-APPOINTED UNOFFICIAL MEMBERS OF THE LIVESTOCK WASTE DISPOSAL CONSULTATIVE COMMITTEE:-
MR AU YIU; MR CHAN HON-LAM; MR CHAN KWOK-WAI, JP; MR CHAN YU-YUK; MR CHIU YU-PANG; MR FOK WUI-KO; MADAM FUNG CHOI-YUK; MR JOSEPH LAU; MR LAU WONG-FAT, MBE, JP; MR LEUNG CHI-WA; MR LEUNG CHIK; MR LI HOI-YUK; MR LO SHUK-CHING; MR NG PO-WING; MR SO WING-HOI; MR TSE FAI; MR WONG CHUN-KAU; MR WONG SUI-FAN; MR YAU MING-TAK, AND MR YUEN CHIT-CHI.
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FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 11, 1988
- 15 -EMPLOYERS WARNED AGAINST HIRING CHILDREN *****
THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT TODAY (FRIDAY) WARNED EMPLOYERS THAT UNDER THE EMPLOYMENT OF CHILDREN REGULATIONS, THE EMPLOYMENT OF CHILDREN UNDER 15 IN INDUSTRY OR THOSE UNDER 13 IN NON-INDUSTRIAL SECTOR IS STRICTLY PROHIBITED.
THIS FOLLOWED A RECENT COURT CASE IN WHICH A SUB-CONTRACTOR WAS FINED $3,000 BY A CENTRAL MAGISTRATE FOR EMPLOYING A 14-YEAR-OLD CHILD TO WORK IN A CONSTRUCTION SITE. AT THE TIME OF INSPECTION BY LABOUR INSPECTORS, THE CHILD WAS FOUND INSTALLING ELECTRICAL FITTINGS AT THE SITE.
IN PASSING SENTENCE, THE MAGISTRATE SAID THAT EMPLOYING A CHILD TO WORK IN A CONSTRUCTION SITE WAS A VERY SERIOUS OFFENCE.
ACCORDING TO STATISTICS, THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT TOOK OUT 82 SUMMONSES AGAINST EMPLOYERS FOR BREACHING THE REGULATIONS IN THE FIRST NINE MONTHS OF THIS YEAR, RESULTING IN TOTAL FINES OF OVER $110,000.
"THE MAJORITY OF THE CONVICTED CASES RELATED TO THE EMPLOYMENT OF CHILDREN IN INDUSTRIAL UNDERTAKINGS," A DEPARTMENT SPOKESMAN SAID.
"EMPLOYERS WHO INTEND TO HIRE YOUNG JOB-SEEKERS FOR FULL OR PART-TIME JOBS MUST CHECK THE APPLICANTS’ IDENTITY CARDS TO ENSURE THAT THEY ARE NOT UNDER-AGED."
ANYONE WHO CONTRAVENES THE EMPLOYMENT OF CHILDREN REGULATIONS IS LIABLE, UPON CONVICTION, TO A MAXIMUM FINE OF $20,000.
THE SPOKESMAN ALSO URGED EMPLOYERS TO CONTACT THE WOMEN AND YOUNG PERSONS DIVISION OF THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT ON 5-8524153 FOR ADVICE IF THEY HAVE ANY DOUBTS REGARDING THE REGULATIONS.
--------0----------
WORKSHOP ON STREET SLEEPERS FOR VOLUNTEERS * * * *
MORE THAN 80 VOLUNTEERS AND REPRESENTATIVES FROM VOLUNTARY AGENCIES WILL PARTICIPATE IN A TRAINING WORKSHOP FOR VOLUNTEERS FOR STREET SLEEPERS AT THE HENRY G. LEONG YAU MA TEI COMMUNITY CENTRE THIS SUNDAY (NOVEMBER 13).
THROUGH TALKS, EXPERIENCE-SHARING SEMINARS AND GROUP DISCUSSIONS, THE PARTICIPANTS WILL BE ABLE TO ACQUIRE BETTER UNDERSTANDING OF THE PROBLEM OF STREET SLEEPING AS WELL AS THE TECHNIQUES IN CONTACTING STREET SLEEPERS SO THAT THEY CAN BETTER ASSIST THE RELEVANT AGENCIES IN RENDERING SERVICES.
/THS WORKSHOP .......
FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 11, 1988
- 16 -
THE WORKSHOP IS ORGANISED BY A WORKING GROUP COMPRISING REPRESENTATIVES FROM THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT, HELPING HAND, THE SALVATION ARMY, THE ST. STEPHEN SOCIETY, THE STREET SLEEPERS’ ACTION COMMITTEE, FUK LAM CHURCH, THE HONG KONG CHRISTIAN CONCERN FOR THE HOMELESS ASSOCIATION, THE STREET SLEEPERS SOCIETY AND THE MISSIONARY OF CHARITIES.
ASSISTANT DIRECTOR OF SOCIAL WELFARE, MR ALFRED CHUI, WILL DELIVER THE OPENING REMARKS WHILE THE FORMER CONVENOR OF THE COMMITTEE ON SERVICES FOR STREET SLEEPERS IN WEST KOWLOON/NEW TERRITORIES, MR ALEX FUNG, WILL PRESENT CERTIFICATES OF APPRECIATION TO SERVING VOLUNTEERS.
THE HALF-DAY WORKSHOP WILL START AT 9 AM.
-----0----------
VOLUNTARY AGENCIES JOIN IN CIVIC EDUCATION DAY
******
WIDE
SEVENTEEN REPUTABLE COMMUNITY ORGANISATIONS FROM A OF SERVICE FIELDS WILL TAKE PART IN THE CIVIC EDUCATION DAY: ’TO AND TO GIVE’ ON DECEMBER 18 AT VICTORIA PARK TO PROMOTE THE SPIRIT
RANGE CARE
OF
MUTUAL HELP AND CARE IN THE COMMUNITY.
A PRINCIPAL ASSISTANT SECRETARY OF THE TERRITORIES ADMINISTRATION, MR PETER TAM, MADE LUNCHEON MEETING OF THE LION’S CLUB OF KOWLOON TODAY
CITY AND NEW THE COMMENTS AT A (FRIDAY).
MR TAM SAID THAT THE CIVIC EDUCATION DAY WOULD BE AN HISTORIC EVENT AS IT WOULD BE THE FIRST TIME THAT SO MANY VOLUNTARY SERVICE GROUPS CAME TOGETHER TO INTRODUCE THEIR SERVICES THROUGH EXHIBITIONS AND TO SPREAD THE SPIRIT OF VOLUNTEERISM, AND THE JOY IN CONTRIBUTING
TO SOCIETY THROUGH DONATION.
’’PEOPLE OF ALL AGE GROUPS SHOULD BE ABLE TO TAKE PART IN THE EVENT AS LONG AS HE OR SHE IS READY, TO DONATE MONEY, BLOOD, A KIDNEY, OR CORNEA OR TO GIVE TIME FOR VOLUNTARY SERVICES,” HE SAID.
”WE ARE MORE THAN CONFIDENT THAT THE CIVIC BRING A TOUCH OF MUTUAL CARE AND CONCERN AND HELP FOSTER, ON THAT BASIS, A SENSE OF BELONGING TO THE
EDUCATION DAY WILL
TO BUILD UP AND
COMMUNITY OF HONG
KONG.
"CIVIC EDUCATION IS SOMETHING IN WHICH ALL OF US NEED TO PLAY A PART AND THAT IT IS PROMOTED FOR THE COMMUNITY BY THE COMMUNITY,” MR TAM CONCLUDED.
/THE CIVIC .......
FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 11,
1988
- 17 -
THE CIVIC EDUCATION DAY IS ORGANISED BY THE COMMITTEE ON THE PROMOTION OF CIVIC EDUCATION OF WHICH MR TAM IS A MEMBER.
THE COMMITTEE, COMPRISING MAINLY NON-GOVERNMENT MEMBERS FROM A FAIRLY WIDE CROSS-SECTION OF THE COMMUNITY, HAS C°N™*®UTED SIGNIFICANTLY TO MOBILISING COMMUNITY PARTICIPATION IN THE PROMOTION OF CIVIC EDUCATION.
------0-------
FMO PRAISED FOR ITS ROLE IN EDUCATION *****
LEGISLATIVE COUNCILLOR, MR CHAN YING-LUN, TODAY (FRIDAY) PRAISED THE FISH MARKETING ORGANISATION FOR ITS CONTRIBUTION IN ESTABLISHING SCHOOLS FOR FISHERMEN’S CHILDREN IN THE PAST FOUR DECADES.
HE SAID: "THE WILLINGNESS TO ACCEPT NEW INNOVATIONS, KNOWLEDGE IN UTILISING HI-TECH EQUIPMENT AND THE ACQUISITION OF NEW TECHNIQUES REQUIRE A REASONABLE ACADEMIC AND CULTURAL STANDARD.
"TO THIS END, THE CONTRIBUTION BY THE FISH MARKETING ORGANISATION IS OBVIOUS TO ALL."
INCREASED CATCHES HAVE AUGMENTED THE INCOMES OF FISHERFOLK AND SUBSEQUENTLY IMPROVED THEIR LIVELIHOOD, HE ADDED.
MR CHAN MADE THE COMMENTS WHEN HE ADDRESSED 600 GRADUATES AT THE ANNUAL JOINT GRADUATION CEREMONY OF THE FISH MARKETING ORGANISATION SCHOOLS HELD AT THE CITY HALL CONCERT HALL.
THE FISH MARKETING ORGANISATION SET UP ITS FIRST SCHOOLS IN 1947. IT NOW RUNS NINE PRIMARY SCHOOLS AND ONE SECONDARY TECHNICAL SCHOOL WITH SOME 1,700 STUDENTS.
ON THE MODERNISATION OF THE FISHING INDUSTRY, MR CHAN SAID: ’’CONSEQUENT TO THE PROGRESS OF TIMES, THE DEPENDENCY ON TECHNOLOGY HAS INCREASED AND THE FISHING INDUSTRY IS NO EXCEPTION.
”AT PRESENT, FISHING VESSELS OPERATED BY LOCAL FISHERMEN ARE EQUIPPED WITH HIGHLY ADVANCED MACHINERY AND EQUIPMENT. AND THE DESIGN OF FISHING VESSELS WILL CONTINUE TO IMPROVE.”
AS FOR THE ENTIRE PROCESS OF FISHING, HE SAID,* IT HAS NOW BEEN LARGELY MECHANISED.
’’SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY HAVE ALSO FOSTERED COMMUNICATION BETWEEN THE FISHING BOATS AND THE SHORE. NEW NAVIGATION TECHNIQUES HAVE GREATLY REDUCED THE DANGER OF OFF-SHORE FISHING,” MR CHAN SAID.
/MR CHAN ........
FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 11, 1988
- 18 -
MR CHAN NOTED THAT THE FISH MARKETING ORGANISATION SCHOOLS PLACED EMPHASIS ON STUDENTS’ ACADEMIC STUDIES, CHARACTER FORMATION AND EXTRA-CURRICULAR ACTIVITIES.
HE WAS IMPRESSED BY THE NUMBER OF AWARDS WON BY THE VARIOUS FISH MARKETING ORGANISATION SCHOOLS IN INTER-SCHOOL ACTIVITIES. SUCH ACHIEVEMENTS INCLUDE AN AVERAGE OF ONE AWARD EVERY 14 STUDENTS IN A>' LEI CHAU SCHOOL, ONE AWARD EVERY FIVE STUDENTS IN SAM MUN TSAI SCHOOL AND ONE AWARD EVERY 1.5 STUDENTS TN KAU SAI AND SAI LAU KONG SCHOOLS.
"I REALISED THAT BOTH THE STAFF AND STUDENTS OF THE FISH MARKETING ORGANISATION SCHOOLS HAVE REALLY WORKED HARD TO ACHIEVE SUCH PROMISING RESULTS.
"I HOPE THAT THE GRADUATES OF THE CURRENT YEAR WILL KEEP UP THE SAME SPIRIT IN STRIVING HARD TO ATTAIN GOOD ACHIEVEMENTS, NO MATTER WHETHER YOU CONTINUE WITH YOUR STUDIES OR WORK IN SOCIETY," MR CHAN SAID.
EARLIER IN HIS INTRODUCTORY SPEECH, THE DIRECTOR OF AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES, DR LAWRENCE LEE, PAID TRIBUTE TO MR CHAN FOR HIS CLOSE ASSOCIATION WITH THE DEVELOPMENT AND WORK OF THE FISH MARKETING ORGANISATION AND HIS VALUABLE ADVICE TOWARDS THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE FISHING INDUSTRY AND THE BETTERMENT OF THE LIVELIHOOD OF THE FISHING COMMUNITY.
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SAI KUNG DB DISCUSSES HO CHUNG RIVER POLLUTION *»»*»*
THE PROBLEM OF POLLUTION IN HO CHUNG RIVER WILL BE DISCUSSED AT THE SAI KUNG DISTRICT BOARD MEETING TOMORROW (SATURDAY).
THE PRINCIPAL ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION OFFICER (WATER POLICY), MR P.R. HOLMES WILL ANSWER ENQUIRIES FROM MEMBERS WITH PARTICULAR REFERENCE TO AN INCIDENT WHICH AFFECTED THE SAI KUNG CENTRAL PRIMARY SCHOOL ON OCTOBER 18.
THE PROVISION OF MEDICAL AND HEALTH SERVICES IN THE DISTRICT WILL ALSO BE DISCUSSED IN THE MEETING AND THE COMMUNITY PHYSICIAN, NEW TERRITORIES EAST OF MEDICAL AND HEALTH DEPARTMENT, DR M.B. ALI WILL BRIEF MEMBERS ON THE ISSUE.
THE ACTING CHIEF ENGINEER OF THE SHA TIN DEVELOPMENT OFFICE, MR WAT KWING-SHING WILL ALSO BE PRESENT TO BRIEF MEMBERS ON THE RECENTLY COMPLETED SAI SHA ROAD - THE SECTION BETWEEN NAI CHUNG AND MA ON SHAN.
/OTHER ITEMS .......
FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 11, 1988
OTHER ITEMS ON THE AGENDA INCLUDE THE FINANCIAL POSITION OF THE DISTRICT BOARD, PROGRESS REPORTS BY THE BOARD’S REGIONAL COUNCIL REPRESENTATIVE, MR WAN YUET-KAU AND THE SAI KUNG DISTRICT MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE.
MEANWHILE, MEMBERS WILL ALSO DISCUSS THE APPLICATION FOR DISTRICT BOARD FUNDS FOR ORGANISING THE FIRST SAI KUNG DISTRICT ARTS FESTIVAL TO BE HELD BETWEEN DECEMBER 2 AND 18.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE SAI KUNG DISTRICT BOARD MEETING TOMORROW (SATURDAY) IN THE CONFERENCE ROOM OF THE SAI KUNG DISTRICT BOARD, SECOND FLOOR, SAI KUNG GOVERNMENT OFFICES, CHAN MAN STREET, SAI KUNG TOWN. THE MEETING WILL START AT 10 AM.
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CHAI WAN EXHIBITION ON PASSIVE SMOKING * * * *
TO AROUSE PUBLIC AWARENESS OF THE HAZARDOUS EFFECT OF PASSIVE SMOKING, AN EXHIBITION WILL BE HELD FROM NOVEMBER 13 (SUNDAY) TO NOVEMBER 16 (WEDNESDAY) AT THE NEW JADE SHOPPING ARCADE IN CHAI WAN.
JOINTLY ORGANISED BY THE EASTERN DISTRICT OFFICE AND THE DISTRICT BOARD’S COMMUNITY SERVICES WORKING GROUP, THE EXHIBITION WILL EXPLAIN THE HAZARD POSED BY PASSIVE SMOKING AND THE HARMFUL EFFECT ON SMOKERS’ FAMILY MEMBERS AND THE ELDERLY.
PUBLICITY PAMPHLETS WARNING AGAINST PASSIVE SMOKING WILL BE DISTRIBUTED AND A VIDEO ON THE ILL EFFECT OF SMOKING WILL ALSO BE SHOWN IN THE EXHIBITION.
OFFICIATING AT THE OPENING CEREMONY OF THE PASSIVE SMOKING EXHIBITION WILL BE THE EASTERN DISTRICT OFFICER, MR GARY YEUNG; DEPUTY EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF THE HONG KONG COUNCIL ON SMOKING AND HEALTH, DR CHRISTOPHER LEUNG; AND DISTRICT BOARD CHAIRMAN, MR SHUM CHOI-SANG.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE OPENING CEREMONY OF THE 'PASSIVE SMOKING EXHIBITION’ WHICH WILL BEGIN AT 3 PM ON SUNDAY (NOVEMBER 13) ON THE GROUND FLOOR OF THE NEW JADE SHOPPING ARCADE AT THE CHAI WAN MTR STATION.
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FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 11, 1988
- 20 -
NEW DEPOT FOR POLICE IN FANLING * * * * *
WORK WILL START IN JANUARY ON THE CONSTRUCTION OF A DEPOT FOR THE POLICE TACTICAL UNIT IN FANLING, NEW TERRITORIES.
THE ARCHITECTURAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT TODAY (FRIDAY) INVITED TENDERS FOR CONSTRUCTION OF THE DEPOT.
THE PROJECT COVERS A HEADQUARTERS BUILDING, TRAINING WING, MESS AND DINING BLOCK AND OTHER FACILITIES.
CONSTRUCTION IS EXPECTED TO BE COMPLETED IN MARCH 1990.
TENDERS SHOULD BE SUBMITTED BY NOON ON NOVEMBER 25 THIS YEAR.
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THREE FOOTBRIDGES PROPOSED FOR TSING YI *****
THE TERRITORY DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT PROPOSES TO CONSTRUCT THREE FOOTBRIDGES IN AREA ONE, TSING YI, TO PROVIDE SAFE PEDESTRIAN CROSSINGS OVER MAJOR ROADS WITHIN THE TSING YI TOWN CENTRE.
IT IS PROPOSED THAT A FOOTBRIDGE WILL BE BUILT ACROSS FUNG SHUE WO ROAD NEAR TSING SUM STREET.
A SECOND FOOTBRIDGE WILL SPAN TSING LUK STREET TO LINK THE PODIUM OF TSING YI ESTATE PHASE I WITH THE ELEVATED WALKWAY SYSTEM OF TSING YI GARDEN.
A THIRD FOOTBRIDGE WILL BE CONSTRUCTED ACROSS FUNG SHUE WO ROAD AND TSING LUK STREET TO LINK THE ELEVATED WALKWAY SYSTEM OF TSING YI GARDEN WITH A NEW FOOTPATH LEADING TO SHEUNG KO TAN STREET.
THE WORKS ARE SCHEDULED TO START EARLY NEXT YEAR AND WILL TAKE ABOUT 18 MONTHS TO COMPLETE.
A NOTICE ON THE PROPOSED WORKS WAS PUBLISHED IN THE GAZETTE TODAY (FRIDAY).
THE PLAN AND SCHEME MAY BE INSPECTED BY MEMBERS OF PUBLIC AT THE FOLLOWING GOVERNMENT OFFICES:
* CENTRAL AND WESTERN DISTRICT OFFICE, CENTRAL ENQUIRY SUB-OFFICE, CENTRAL GOVERNMENT OFFICES, WEST WING, MAIN ENTRANCE LOBBY, HONG KONG;
/♦ KWAI TSING ........
FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 11, 1988
- 21
* KWAI TSING DISTRICT LANDS OFFICE, 10TH-11TH FLOORS, TSUEN WAN STATION MULTI-STOREY CARPARK, 174-208 CASTLE PEAK ROAD, TSUEN WAN, NEW TERRITORIES;
» KWAI TSING DISTRICT OFFICE, 10TH FLOOR, KWAI HING GOVERNMENT OFFICES, 166-174 HING FONG ROAD, KWAI CHUNG, NEW TERRITORIES; AND
* KWAI TSING DISTRICT OFFICE, TSING YI SUB-OFFICE, FIRST FLOOR, CHEUNG CHING ESTATE COMMUNITY CENTRE, TSING YI, NEW TERRITORIES.
ANYONE WHO OBJECTS TO THE PROPOSED WORKS SHOULD WRITE TO THE SECRETARY FOR TRANSPORT, CENTRAL GOVERNMENT OFFICES, EAST WING, SECOND FLOOR, LOWER ALBERT ROAD, HONG KONG NOT LATER THAN JANUARY 10 NEXT YEAR.
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TENDERS INVITED FOR CONSTRUCTION OF DOLPHINS * ♦ * ♦ t
TENDERS ARE BEING INVITED FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF THE NEW SHAU KEI WAN TYPHOON SHELTER.
DOLPHINS IN
FOURTEEN DOLPHINS WILL BE BUI LI' OVER THE FORESHORE AND SEABED NORTH OF THE ALDRICH BAY TYPHOON SHELTER TO CONTROL THE MOORING AND MOVEMEN IS OF VESSELS WITHIN THE NEW SHAU KE’l WAN TYPHOON SHELTER.
CONSTRUCTION WORK FOR THIS CONTRACT IS EXPECTED TO COMMENCE IN FEBRUARY 1989 AND WILL TAKE ONE YEAR TO COMPLETE.
THE DEADLINE FOR SUBMISSION OF TENDERS IS NOON ON DECEMBER 2.
THE WORKS HAVE BEEN DESIGNED AND CONSTRUCTION WILL BE SUPERVISED BY PORT WORKS DIVISION OF THE CIVIL ENGINEERING OFFICE CIVIL ENGINEERING SERVICES DEPARTMENT.
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/??
FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 11, 1988
22
OLD-TYPE l.D. CARDS DECLARED INVALID * * * * *
THE IMMIGRATION DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCED TODAY (FRIDAY) THAT ALL OLD-TYPE l.D. CARDS ISSUED BEFORE JULY 1, 1987 TO MEN BORN IN 1953, 1954, 1955, 1956 OR 1969 WILL CEASE TO BE VALID DOCUMENTS FROM NOVEMBER 21, 1988.
A NOTICE TO THIS EFFECT WAS PUBLISHED IN THE GAZETTE TODAY.
THIS IS THE THIRD BATCH OF l.D. CARDS DECLARED INVALID SINCE THE NEW l.D. CARD RE-ISSUE SCHEME STARTED ON JULY 1, 1987.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE IMMIGRATION DEPARTMENT SAID, "ONCE AN OLD CARD IS DECLARED INVALID, IT WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED FOR ANY PURPOSE".
"FOR EXAMPLE, MEN OF THE ABOVE AGE GROUP HOLDING AN INVALID OLD-TYPE l.D. CARD WILL NOT BE ABLE TO USE IT FOR TRAVELLING ABROAD OR TO APPLY FOR A TRAVEL DOCUMENT."
THOSE WHO HAVE MISSED THEIR SPECIFIED CARD REPLACEMENT PERIODS DUE TO THEIR ABSENCE FROM HONG KONG OR ANY OTHER REASONS SHOULD IMMEDIATELY APPROACH ANY ONE OF THE EIGHT NEW l.D. CARD ISSUE OFFICES.
THESE CASES WILL BE LOOKED INTO THOROUGHLY AND DEALT WITH ON THEIR INDIVIDUAL MERITS.
THE SIZE OF THE NEW TYPE l.D. CARDS JS THE SAME AS THE OLD ONES .
"HOWEVER THERE ARE SOME DIFFERENCES BETWEEN THE OLD CARDS AND THE NEW ONES," THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
THE MAIN DIFFERENCES ARE:
(Y) THE l.D. CARD NUMBER IS PRINTED ON THE TOP RIGHT CORNER IN THE OLD CARD, BUT IN THE BOTTOM RIGHT CORNER OF THE NEW CARD.
(B) THE HONG KONG CREST AT THE BACK IS REPLACED BY THE MULTI-COLOUR BACKGROUND PRINTING.
THE SPOKESMAN REITERATED THAT THERE WOULD BE NO AMNESTY FOR ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS.
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/?5........
FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 11, 1988
- 23 -
COMMISSIONER GOING ON LEAVE * * * *
THE GOVERNMENT ANNOUNCED TODAY (FRIDAY) THAT THE COMMISSIONER FOR SECURITIES AND COMMODITIES TRADING, MR RAY ASTIN, WILL PROCEED ON LEAVE ON NOVEMBER 22 PRIOR TO COMPLETION OF HIS AGREEMENT.
MR ROBERT OWEN WILL TAKE OVER THE DUTIES OF MR ASTIN AS COMMISSIONER FOR SECURITIES AND COMMODITIES TRADING.
MR OWEN HAS BEEN WORKING AS GOVERNMENT SECURITIES CONSULTANT SINCE JULY 13. HE WILL CONTINUE TO PERFORM THE FUNCTIONS OF GOVERNMENT SECURITIES CONSULTANT IN ADDITION TO HIS APPOINTMENT AS COMMISSIONER FOR SECURITIES AND COMMODITIES TRADING.
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REMEMBRANCE DAY ON SUNDAY « » » » *
THE REMEMBRANCE DAY CEREMONY WILL BE HELD AT THE CENOTAPH IN STATUE SQUARE ON SUNDAY (NOVEMBER 13) IN HONOUR OF THOSE WHO HAD GIVEN THEIR LIVES IN ACTIVE SERVICE.
WREATHS WILL BE LAID BY THE GOVERNOR, SIR DAVID WILSON; THE ACTING COMMANDER BRITISH FORCES, BRIGADIER GILES ARNOLD; THE CHIEF JUSTICE, SIR TI-LIANG YANG; REPRESENTATIVES OF THE EXECUTIVE AND LEGISLATIVE COUNCILS; COMMONWEALTH COMMISSIONERS; THE COMMISSIONER OF POLICE, MR RAYMON ANNING; THE CHAIRMAN OF THE URBAN COUNCIL, MR GERRY FORSGATE; THE CHAIRMAN OF THE REGIONAL COUNCIL, MR CHEUNG YAN-LUNG; AND CHAIRMEN OF DISTRICT BOARDS.
THE CEREMONY WILL START AT 11 AM AND WILL END ABOUT 11.30 AM.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
A PRESS POSITION TO THE WEST OF THE CENOTAPH FOR COVERAGE OF THE CEREMONY WILL BE SET UP. MEDIA REPRESENTATIVES SHOULD ASSEMBLE OUTSIDE THE ENTRANCE ONE OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL BUILDING FACING STATUE SQUARE BY 10.15 AM TO COLLECT BADGES FOR ADMISSION TO THE CEREMONY. GIS OFFICERS WILL BE ON HAND TO ESCORT THEM TO THE PRESS POSITION. PRESS PHOTOGRAPHERS AND T.V. CAMERAMEN PLEASE NOTE THAT TELEPHOTO LENSES MAY BE REQUIRED.
FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 11, 1988
COMMUNITY CHEST STAMP ISSUE ON NOVEMBER 30 t * » » *
THE PUBLIC WERE REMINDED TODAY (FRIDAY) THAT A SET OF -FOUR STAMPS -- THE COMMUNITY CHEST OF HONG KONG STAMPS — WILL BE ISSUED ON NOVEMBER 30.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE POST OFFICE SAID THAT STAMPS AND FIRST DAY
' COVERS WILL BE DISPLAYED IN THE SHA TIN NEW TOWN PLAZA ON NOVEMBER 19 AND 20, AND IN THE GENERAL POST OFFICE AND THE TSIM SHA TSUI POST OFFICE FROM NOVEMBER 19.
OFFICIAL FIRST DAY COVERS, SELLING AT $1 EACH WITH A 50 CENTS DONATION INCLUDED, WILL BE PLACED ON SALE AT ALL POST OFFICES ON NOVEMBER 16.
THE SPOKESMAN SAID THAT ADVANCE ORDERS FOR FIRST DAY TREATMENT OF FIRST DAY COVERS WILL BE ACCEPTED BETWEEN NOVEMBER 16 AND 23 AT ALL POST OFFICES. THE MINIMUM QUANTITY IS FIVE PER ORDER.
"CUSTOMERS WISHING TO AVOID CONGESTION ON THE FIRST DAY OF ISSUE ARE ADVISED TO MAKE USE OF THIS ADVANCE ORDER SERVICE," HE SAID.
THE SPOKESMAN SAID THAT FIRST DAY COVERS PRE-AFFIXED WITH A SET OF FOUR STAMPS AND CANCELLED WITH THE PHILATELIC BUREAU DATESTAMP WILL BE AVAILABLE FOR SALE IN THE FOLLOWING OFFICES ON NOVEMBER 30:
HONG KONG ISLAND
BEACONSFIELD HOUSE POST OFFICE, CAUSEWAY BAY POST OFFICE, GENERAL POST OFFICE, PEAK POST OFFICE, TSAT TSZ MUI POST OFFICE, SAI YING PUN POST OFFICE, AND KING’S ROAD POST OFFICE.
KOWLOON
AIRPORT POST OFFICE, CHEUNG SHA WAN POST OFFICE, GRANVILLE ROAD POST OFFICE, KOWLOON CENTRAL POST OFFICE, TSIM SHA TSUI POST OFFICE, KOWLOON BAY POST OFFICE, KWUN TONG POST OFFICE, AND MONG KOK POST OFFICE.
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, AND YUEN LONG POST OFFICE.
THESE "SERVICED" FIRST DAY COVERS WIL BE SOLD AT $12.40 EACH.
DEFINITIVE STAMPS AT NORMAL PRICES WILL ASLO BE ON SALE AT ALL
, POST OFFICES FOR THOSE WHO DO NOT WANT TO MAKE A DONATION WITH THE STAMP PURCHASE, THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
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FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 11, 1988
- 25 -
TRAINING COURSE FOR PRIVATE HOME HEALTH WORKERS * ♦ * ♦ *
THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT HAS INVITED THE HONG KONG NURSES ASSOCIATION AND THE HONG KONG COLLEGE OF NURSING TO ORGANISE A ’’TRAINING COURSE FOR HEALTH WORKERS FOR ELDERLY PEOPLE” IN JANUARY NEXT YEAR.
THE OBJECTIVE IS TO HELP RAISE THE QUALITY OF SERVICE GIVEN BY PERSONNEL SERVING IN PRIVATE HOMES FOR THE ELDERLY.
THE THREE-MONTH COURSE IS FOR NON HONG KONG-TRAINED NURSING/MEDICAL PERSONNEL WHO ARE NOW WORKING IN PRIVATE HOMES OR WHO INTEND TO TAKE UP A JOB IN SUCH HOMES.
THE COURSE CONTENT COVERS BASIC SKILLS IN LOOKING AFTER THE ELDERLY, PSYCHOLOGICAL AND PHYSICAL CHANGES IN THE ELDERLY, INTER-PERSONAL RELATIONS AND THE BASIC PRINCIPLES IN RUNNING A HOME FOR THE ELDERLY.
APPLICANTS ARE REQUIRED TO PROVIDE DOCUMENTARY PROOF OF THEIR QUALIFICATIONS. THOSE RECOMMENDED BY THEIR EMPLOYER HOME WILL BE ACCORDED PRIORITY.
ALL APPLICANTS ARE ALSO REQUIRED TO ATTEND A SELECTION INTERVIEW TO QUALIFY FOR JOINING THE COURSE.
PARTICIPANTS WILL BE AWARDED A CERTIFICATE OF ATTENDANCE ON COMPLETION OF THE COURSE AND ON PASSING AN EXAMINATION.
LETTERS WERE SENT OUT TODAY (FRIDAY) TO PRIVATE HOMES TO INVITE THEM TO RECOMMEND SUITABLE CANDIDATES FOR THIS COURSE.
INDIVIDUALS WHO ARE INTERESTED CAN WRITE TO THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT’S REGISTRATION OFFICE OF THE PRIVATE HOMES FOR THE ELDERLY ON THE 21ST FLOOR, WORLD TRADE CENTRE, 280 GLOUCESTER ROAD, HONG KONG. OR TELEPHONE 5-8955395.
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DISTRICT BOARD TAKES ELDERLY TO HEART * * » t
A WORKING GROUP UNDER THE COMMUNITY WELFARE COMMITTEE OF THE SHAM SHUI PO DISTRICT BOARD IS STAGING A VARIETY SHOW FOR THE ELDERLY IN THE DISTRICT TOMORROW (SATURDAY) EVENING AT THE MAPLE STREET PLAYGROUND.
SPONSORED BY THE SHAM SHUI PO DISTRICT BOARD AND THE URBAN COUNCIL, THE VARIETY SHOW WILL MARK THE OPENING OF THE ’’FESTIVAL FOR THE ELDERLY" IN THE DISTRICT.
/ALL SENIOR,.........
FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 11, 1988
- 26 -
ALL SENIOR RESIDENTS IN SHAM SHUI PO ARE WELCOME TO THIS FREE AND ENJOYABLE EVENT WHICH WILL FEATURE SINGING AND A MAGIC SHOW.
THE SHAM SHUT PO DISTRICT OFFICER, MR GREGORY LEUNG, SHAM SHUI PO DISTRICT BOARD CHAIRMAN, MR TAI TUNG-NGOK, AND URBAN COUNCILLOR, MR TONG KAM-BIU, WILL OFFICIATE AT A CEREMONY TO OPEN THE FESTIVAL BEFORE THE VARIETY SHOW BEGINS.
TOMORROW'S EVENT FORMS PART OF THE WORKING GROUP'S EFFORT IN PROMOTING PUBLIC AWARENESS AND CONCERN FOR THE NEEDS AND WELL-BEING OF THE AGED, IN SUPPORT OF A TERRITORY-WIDE FESTIVAL FOR THE ELDERLY ORGANISED ANNUALLY BY THE HONG KONG COUNCIL OF SOCIAL SERVICE. THIS YEAR WILL SEE THE 10TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE FESTIVAL.
IN ADDITION, PLANS ARE IN HAND TO PUBLISH A BROCHURE, CONTAINING USEFUL INFORMATION FOR THE ELDERLY, FOR FREE DISTRIBUTION IN THE DISTRICT.
AT THE SAME TIME, THE WORKING GROUP HAS LIAISED WITH VARIOUS LOCAL ORGANISATIONS TO ENCOURAGE THEM TO HELP PROMOTE THE FESTIVAL.
APART FROM ALLOCATIONS FROM THE SHAM SHUI PO DISTRICT BOARD, THE WORKING GROUP HAS ALSO OBTAINED PRIVATE DONATIONS FOR SUBSIDISING LOCAL ORGANISATIONS IN ARRANGING ACTIVITIES FOR THE ELDERLY.
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FESTIVAL AIMS TO FOSTER COMMUNITY INTEGRATION * * * * *
THE KWUN TONG FESTIVAL '88, WHICH AIMS AT FOSTERING COMMUNITY INTEGRATION THROUGH A WIDE VARIETY OF CULTURAL, RECREATIONAL AND SPORTS ACTIVITIES, WILL BE HELD BETWEEN NOVEMBER 20 AND DECEMBER 10.
THE FESTIVAL, JOINTLY ORGANISED BY THE KWUN TONG DISTRICT BOARD, THE URBAN COUNCIL, THE DISTRICT OFFICE AND THE 15 LOCAL AREA COMMITTEES IN KWUN TONG, WILL FEATURE PROGRAMMES CATERING FOR THE INTERESTS AND NEEDS OF RESIDENTS OF ALL AGES, AND FROM DIFFERENT SECTORS OF THE COMMUNITY.
SPEAKING AT A PRESS CONFERENCE THIS (FRIDAY) AFTERNOON, THE DISTRICT OFFICER, MR CHRIS WAN, SAID SINCE THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE DISTRICT ADMINISTRATION, A CONSIDERABLE AMOUNT OF COMMUNITY RESOURCES WERE ALLOCATED EACH YEAR TO ORGANISE A MAJOR FESTIVE EVENT.
THE AIM WAS PROMOTING A SENSE OF BELONGING AMONG LOCAL RESIDENTS AND ENHANCING COMMUNITY INTEGRATION THROUGH PARTICIPATION IN A DIVERSIFIED RANGE ©F ACTIVITIES.
/"MAJOR FESTIVE .......
FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 11, 1988
- 27 -
"MAJOR FESTIVE EVENTS ORGANISED IN THE PAST, NAMELY THE KWUN TONG FESTIVAL, SPORTS FESTIVAL, YOUTH FESTIVAL AND ARTS FESTIVAL, HAVE ALL BEEN WARMLY WELCOMED AND SUPPORTED BY LOCAL RESIDENTS," MR WAN SAID.
OUTLINING THE PROGRAMME FOR THE KWUN TONG FESTIVAL '88, MR WAN SAID ALL ACTIVITIES OF THE FESTIVAL WOULD UNDERLINE "KWUN TONG - OUR LOVELY HOME" AS THEIR THEME.
"THE FESTIVAL WILL BE LAUNCHED WITH A GRAND OPENING ON NOVEMBER 20 AT THE SAU NGA ROAD PLAYGROUND, FEATURING A SPECTACULAR VARIETY SHOW PRESENTED BY ASIA TELEVISION LTD.," HE ADDED.
DURING THE FESTIVE PERIOD, A HOST OF EVENTS WILL BE STAGED IN SUB-DISTRICTS BY THE 15 AREA COMMITTEES OF KWUN TONG.
"THEY INCLUDE CHINESE OPERA SONGS, PICNIC AND DINNER FOR THE ELDERLIES; PAINTING AND DRAWING COMPETITION FOR CHILDREN; LUNCH-HOUR CONCERT FOR WORKERS; FILM SHOWS; "FUN DAYS"; CARNIVALS AND VARIETY SHOWS, ALL OF WHICH WILL GUARANTEE GREAT FUNS FOR ALL," MR WAN SAID.
"TO BOOST THE FESTIVE ATMOSPHERE, SOME SUB-DISTRICTS WILL ALSO BE STAGING THEIR OWN AREA FESTIVALS TO TIE IN WITH THE KWUN TONG FESTIVAL ’88," HE ADDED.
IN SUPPORT OF THE FESTIVAL, THE URBAN COUNCIL WILL PRESENT A SERIES OF COLOURFUL PROGRAMMES, INCLUDING AN ATHLETIC MEET, A "MINI-OLYMPICS", A POP CONCERT AND A NUMBER OF BALL GAMES.
THE KWUN TONG FESTIVAL '88 WILL CULMINATE WITH A CARNIVAL TO BE HELD AT THE HONG NING ROAD PLAYGROUND ON DECEMBER 10.
THE CLOSING HIGHLIGHT WILL FEATURE PERFORMANCES BY WELL-KNOWN SINGERS, PONY RIDES, EXHIBITION TO BE STAGED BY LOCAL COMMUNITY ORGANISATIONS, "BALLOON TRIP", ARMY VEHICLE DISPLAY AND DEMONSTRATIONS OF CHINESE FOLK ARTS AND HANDICRAFTS.
KWUN TONG DISTRICT BOARD CHAIRMAN, MR LAM HANG-FAI; CHAIRMAN OF THE KWUN TONG FESTIVAL ’88 ORGANISING COMMITTEE, MADAM YEUNG KAM-CHUN; PRESIDENT OF THE ORGANISING COMMITTEE, MR YU SUN-SAY, AND THE DISTRICT RECREATION AND SPORTS OFFICER OF THE URBAN SERVICES DEPARTMENT, MR LAU KWOK-KWONG ALSO ATTENDED TODAY’S PRESS CONFERENCE.
BOTH MR LAM AND MADAM YEUNG CALLED ON LOCAL RESIDENTS TO SUPPORT THE FESTIVAL AND TO TAKE AN ACTIVE PART IN ITS ACTIVITIES.
THE BUDGET FOR THE KWUN TONG FESTIVAL '88 IS ABOUT $550,000, OF WHICH $250,000 IS FUNDED BY THE DISTRICT BOARD WITH THE BALANCE SPONSORED BY LOCAL PERSONALITIES.
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FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 11, 1988 •
- 28 -
LONG DISTANCE RACE FOR YAU TSIM RESIDENTS
*****
MORE THAN 400 YAU TSIM RESIDENTS WILL BE TAKING PART IN A LONG DISTANCE RUN ALONG THE TSIM SHA TSUI PROMENADE ON SUNDAY (NOVEMBER 13) MORNING.
MALE PARTICIPANTS WILL COMPLETE A DISTANCE OF 4,200 METRES WHILE WOMEN PARTICIPANTS WILL COVER A DISTANCE OF 2,100 METRES.
SPONSORED BY THE DISTRICT BOARD, THE EVENT IS JOINTLY ORGANISED BY THE YAU MA TEI AND TSIM SHA TSUI RECREATION AND SPORTS ASSOCIATION AND THE URBAN COUNCIL.
AMONG THOSE WHO WILL START THE RACE AT 9 AM WILL BE THE ASSISTANT DISTRICT OFFICER OF YAU TSIM DISTRICT, MR ARTHUR YUEN.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE YAU TSIM DISTRICT LONG DISTANCE RUN TO BE HELD ON SUNDAY (NOVEMBER 13) AT THE TSIM SHA TSUI PROMENADE. THE COMPETITION WILL START AT 9 AM AT A SPOT BEHIND THE REGENT HOTEL.
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DRAWING COMPETITION FOR CHILDREN
*****
A DRAWING COMPETITION FOR CHILDREN IN CENTRAL AND WESTERN DISTRICT WILL TAKE PLACE THIS SUNDAY (NOVEMBER 13) MORNING AT THE HONG KONG ZOOLOGICAL AND BOTANICAL GARDENS IN CENTRAL.
THE COMPETITION IS ORGANISED UNDER THE CENTRAL AND WESTERN CULTURAL AND ARTS FESTIVAL WITH AN AIM TO CULTIVATE CHILDREN’S INTEREST IN ART AND IN THE NATURAL ENVIRONMENT.
ABOUT 300 CHILDREN WILL TAKE PART IN THE EVENT. ADJUDICATION WILL BE MADE AND PRIZES WILL BE PRESENTED IMMEDIATELY AFTER THE COMPETITION.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE EVENT WHICH BEGINS AT 9.30 AM ON SUNDAY (NOVEMBER 13) AT THE HONG KONG ZOOLOGICAL AND BOTANICAL GARDENS.
AN INFORMATION OFFICER OF THE CITY AND NEW TERRITORIES ADMINISTRATION WILL BE ON HAND TO ASSIST.
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FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 11, 1988
TEMPORARY TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS IN MID-LEVELS
* * * »
THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCED THAT TO FACILITATE ROAD RESURFACING WORKS, THE FOLLOWING TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS WILL BE IMPLEMENTED IN THE MID-LEVELS FROM 2 PM ON SUNDAY (NOVEMBER 13) TO 6 AM THE NEXT DAY:
* THE FLYOVER LEADING FROM POK FU LAM ROAD TO BONHAM ROAD WILL BE CLOSED TO TRAFFIC.
» BONHAM ROAD BETWEEN ITS JUNCTION WITH POK FU LAM ROAD AND
HOUSE NO. 66 WILL BE RE-ROUTED TO TWO-WAY TRAFFIC.
* ALL VEHICLES OVER 10 METRES LONG EXCEPT FRANCHISED BUSES
WILL NOT BE ALLOWED TO TURN RIGHT FROM POK FU LAM ROAD
EASTBOUND TO BONHAM ROAD.
- - 0 - -
TEMPORARY TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS IN SHAU KEI WAN
******
THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCED THAT THE FOLLOWING TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS WILL BE IMPLEMENTED IN SHAU KEI WAN FROM 10 AM MONDAY (NOVEMBER 14) FOR ABOUT THREE WEEKS TO FACILITATE TRAM TRACK CONNECTION WORKS:
* HING MAN STREET WILL BE RE-ROUTED FROM ONE-WAY WESTBOUND TO ONE-WAY EASTBOUND.
* HOI AN STREET BETWEEN SHAU KEI WAN ROAD AND HING MAN STREET WILL BE RE-ROUTED FROM ONE-WAY NORTHBOUND TO ONE-WAY SOUTHBOUND.
* EASTBOUND VEHICLES ON SHAU KEI WAN ROAD WILL NOT BE ALLOWED TO ENTER HOI AN STREET. VEHICLES HEADING FOR SAI WAN HOI STREET WILL BE DIVERTED VIA SUN SHING STREET.
* ALL VEHICLES EXCEEDING SEVEN METRES LONG WILL BE BANNED FROM HING MAN STREET.
* HOI AN STREET BETWEEN SHAU KEI WAN ROAD AND HING MAN STREET WILL BE DESIGNATED A 7 AM TO 7 PM DAILY URBAN CLEARWAY. NO VEHICLES EXCEPT FRANCHISED BUSES WILL BE ALLOWED TO STOP FOR PASSENGERS OR GOODS THERE.
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/5O
FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 11, 1988
TEMPORARY TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS IN CENTRAL
*****
THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCED THAT THE NORTHERN KERBSIDE LANE OF ICE HOUSE STREET IN CENTRAL FROM A POINT ABOUT 165 METRES SOUTH OF ITS JUNCTION WITH QUEEN’S ROAD CENTRAL TO A POINT ABOUT 230 METRES SOUTH OF THE SAME JUNCTION WILL BE DESIGNATED AN URBAN CLEARWAY ROUND-THE-CLOCK FROM 10 AM ON MONDAY (NOVEMBER 14).
THIS MEASURE WILL LAST FOR ABOUT SIX MONTHS TO FACILITATE ROAD WORKS. NO VEHICLES EXCEPT FRANCHISED BUSES WILL BE ALLOWED TO STOP FOR PASSENGERS OR GOODS THERE.
IN ADDITION, CLUB STREET WILL BE CONVERTED INTO A CUL-DE-SAC FOR ABOUT FIVE WEEKS. VEHICLES HEADING FOR CLUB STREET SHOULD ENTER FROM CHATER ROAD.
DURING THIS PERIOD, JACKSON ROAD BETWEEN CONNAUGHT ROAD CENTRAL AND CHATER ROAD WILL CONTINUE TO BE RE-ROUTED TO ONE-WAY SOUTHBOUND.
CROSS HARBOUR BUS ROUTE 103 ON ITS JOURNEYS TO POKFIELD ROAD AND KMB ROUTE A2 ON ITS JOURNEYS TO CENTRAL WILL CONTINUE TO BE DIVERTED VIA JACKSON ROAD.
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TEMPORARY ROAD CLOSURE IN WONG TAI SIN
*****
THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCED THAT THREE ROAD SECTIONS IN WONG TAI SIN WILL BE CLOSED TO TRAFFIC FROM 2.30 PM TO 6 PM ON SUNDAY (NOVEMBER 13) FOR THE HOLDING OF THE COMMUNITY CHEST CHARITY WALK.
THEY ARE:
* SHATIN PASS ROAD BETWEEN TSZ WAN SHAN ROAD AND FEI NGO SHAN
ROAD;
* JAT’S INCLINE BETWEEN FEI NGO SHAN ROAD AND NGAU CHI WAN STREET; AND
* FEI NGO SHAN ROAD BETWEEN AN UNNAMED PASS AND SHATIN PASS
ROAD.
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DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL: 5-8428777
SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 12, 198S
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
COMMUNITY SUPPORT FOR MEASURES AGAINST VICE NUISANCES......... 1
DELEGATION TO VISIT YANTIAN.................................. 2
RUGBY TOURNAMENT WILL PROMOTE FRIENDSHIP: GOVERNOR.............. 5
YOUTHS IO RALLY FOR A CLEAN HONG KONG........................... 3
PUBLIC URGED TO JOIN THE CLEAN AND GREEN SCHEME................. 4
WELL-TRAINED LABOUR SUPPORT FOR UP-MARKET TEXTILES ............. 6
SOUTHERN DISTRICT HOLDS NATURE CONSERVATION DAY................. 7
WONG TAI SIN ARTS FESTIVAL OPENS TOMORROW....................... 8
METRIC SCALE COUNTER IN PUBLIC MARKETS ......................... 9
BOOKLET TO INTRODUCE JUNK BAY NEW TOWN......................... 10
DB COMMITTEE TO DISCUSS IMPACT OF ACID RAIN ................... 10
DB TRAFFIC AND TRANSPORT COMMITTEE MEETS ON MONDAY............. 11
COMMITTEE TO DISCUSS PREFERENTIAL MEDICAL SCHEME............... 12
TAI PO MARKET TRAFFIC STUDY TO BE DISCUSSED.................... 12
INVITATION TO SHA TIN DISTRICT VOLLEYBALL COMPETITION......... 1J
OCTOBER RAINFALL BELOW AVERAGE................................. 14
ROAD CLOSURE, URBAN CLEARWAY................................... 17
FRESH WATER CUT IN SHEUNG WAN.................................. 18
SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 12, 1988
1
’ COMMUNITY SUPPORT FOR MEASURES AGAINST VICE NUISANCES
*****
FEEDBACK ON THE PUBLIC CONSULTATION ON THE CRIMES (AMENDMENT) BILL 1988 HAS INDICATED OVERWHELMING SUPPORT FOR THE PROPOSAL TO BETTER CONTROL NUISANCES ASSOCIATED WITH VICE THROUGH THE REMOVAL OF OFFENSIVE SIGNBOARDS AND THE IMPLEMENTATION OF A CLOSURE ORDER SCHEME, THE REGIONAL SECRETARY FOR HONG KONG AND KOWLOON, MR DAVID LAN, SAID TODAY (SATURDAY).
DURING THE CONSULTATION PERIOD ON THE WHITE BILL WHICH ENDED ON SEPTEMBER 1, 1988, COMMENTS WERE RECEIVED FROM THE LAW SOCIETY OF HONG KONG, THE HONG KONG BAR ASSOCIATION, 12 DISTRICT BOARDS, 12 DISTRICT FIGHT CRIME COMMITTEES, NINE AREA COMMITTEES IN SIX DISTRICTS AND TWO OWNERS’ CORPORATIONS, MR LAN SAID.
"THE SECURITY BRANCH IS STUDYING THESE PUBLIC COMMENTS WITH A VIEW TO REFINING THE BILL. EXCO’S APPROVAL WILL BE SOUGHT FOR INTRODUCTION OF THE BILL TO LEGCO WITHIN THE CURRENT LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL SESSION," HE ADDED.
IN ORDER TO HAVE FIRST HAND INFORMATION ON THE PROBLEMS OF OBJECTIONABLE SIGNBOARDS, MR LAN RECENTLY TOURED PORTLAND STREET IN MONG KOK.
"THEY ARE REALLY AN EYE-SORE; BUT I AM SURE THE SITUATION COULD BE SUBSTANTIALLY IMPROVED WITH THE ENACTMENT OF THE BILL. THE MONG KOK DISTRICT OFFICE AS WELL AS OTHER DISTRICT OFFICES WILL D EVERYTHING POSSIBLE TO ASSIST THE POLICE IN ENFORCING THE LEGISLATION," SAID MR LAN.
HE SAID THE MONG KOK DISTRICT BOARD, THE MONG KOK DISTRICT FIGHT CRIME COMMITTEE AND AREA COMMITTEES IN THE DISTRICT HAD GIVEN UNANIMOUS SUPPORT FOR THE MEASURES PROPOSED IN THE BILL.
DURING HIS FAMILIARISATION VISIT EARLIER THIS WEEK, MR LAN VISITED MAN ON BUILDING AT POPLAR STREET, WHICH WAS GIVEN A FACE-LIFT FOLLOWING A RECENT $300,000 RENOVATION PROGRAMME CARRIED OUT WITH THE ASSISTANCE BY THE BUILDING MANAGEMENT CO-ORDINATION TEAM OF THE DISTRICT OFFICE.
LIKE OTHER OLD MULTI-STOREY BUILDINGS IN MONG KOK, THE 10-STOREY MAN ON BUILDING, BUILT 20 YEARS AGO, WAS PREVIOUSLY ON THE VERGE OF BECOMING A SLUM AS A RESULT OF A HOST OF BUILDING MANAGEMENT PROBLEMS.
WITH THE ESTABLISHMENT OF THE TEAM IN 1986, THE BUILDING WAS SELECTED AS ONE OF THE FIRST BATCH OF 39 TARGET BUILDINGS FOR IMPROVEMENT.
/AS A........
a
SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 12, 1988
2 -
AS A RESULT OF POSITIVE ASSISTANCE AND ENCOURAGEMENT GIVEN BY THE TEAM AND CO-OPERATION BY THE RESIDENTS, THE BUILDING HAS BECOME STRUCTURALLY SAFER, TIDIER AND BETTER ORGANISED IN BUILDING MANAGEMENT.
MR LAN WAS TOLD THAT EACH FLAT OWNER HAD CONTRIBUTED OVER $5,000 TOWARDS THE IMPROVEMENT SCHEME AND THE VALUE OF FLATS HAD INCREASED SUBSTANTIALLY AFTER THE RENOVATION.
"I’M VERY IMPRESSED WITH THE JOINT EFFORTS BY THE TEAM AND THE RESIDENTS IN MAKING THE BUILDING A BETTER HOME FOR EVERYBODY. THIS IS A FINE EXAMPLE OF WHAT THE TEAM CAN DO IN HELPING RESIDENTS IN TACKLING MANAGEMENT PROBLEMS IN THEIR BUILDINGS," MR LAN SAID.
MR LAN, ACCOMPANIED BY THE DISTRICT BOARD CHAIRMAN, MR CHOW ’ CHUN-FAI, AND DISTRICT OFFICER, MRS LORNA MA, ALSO INSPECTED AN ELECTRICITY SUPPLY SCHEME FOR THE TUNG CHOI STREET HAWKER PERMITTED . PLACE.
THE SCHEME WAS INITIATED BY THE MONG KOK DISTRICT BOARD' AND THE DISTRICT OFFICE IN CONJUNCTION WITH CHINA LIGHT AND POWER COMPANY IN MAY, 1984, TO DISCOURAGE ILLEGAL TAPPING OF ELECTRICITY BY HAWKERS.
"I’M DELIGHTED THAT THE SCHEME HAS BEEN SUCCESSFULLY CARRIED OUT IN SECTIONS I AND II OF THE AREA, AND PLANS ARE IN HAND TO EXTEND THE SCHEME TO COVER THE WHOLE AREA BY EARLY NEXT YEAR.
"THE SCHEME HAS ELIMINATED, TO A GREAT EXTENT, THE FIRE HAZARDS PREVIOUSLY POSED BY DANGING WIRES AND OVERHANGING SOCKETS FOR ILLEGAL TAPPING OF ELECTRICITY," SAID MR LAN.
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DELEGATION TO VISIT YANTIAN *****
A FIVE-MEMBER GOVERNMENT DELEGATION WILL VISIT YANTIAN IN THE GUANGDONG PROVINCE ON MONDAY (NOVEMBER 14).
I
THE PURPOSE OF THE ONE-DAY VISIT IS TO LEARN THE VIEWS OF THE CHINESE AUTHORITIES ABOUT THE PROPOSAL TO DEVELOP YANTIAN INTO A DEEP-WATER PORT.
THE DELEGATION WILL BE LED BY THE DIRECTOR OF MARINE, MR DERICK HALL. OTHER MEMBERS INCLUDE PRINCIPAL ASSISTANT SECRETARY FOR ECONOMIC SERVICES, MRS ANNIE WONG; ASSISTANT SECRETARY FOR ECONOMIC SERVICES, MR CLIVE RICHARDSON; PRINCIPAL MARINE OFFICER (PORT SERVICES), MR IAN DALE; AND SENIOR MARINE OFFICER (PLANNING), MR L.K. LEUNG.
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SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 12, 1988
- 3 -
RUGBY TOURNAMENT WILL PROMOTE FRIENDSHIP: GOVERNOR
*****
THE 11TH ASIAN RUGBY FOOTBALL TOURNAMENT WILL ENHANCE FRIENDSHIP AND GOODWILL AMONG THE PEOPLE OF THE ASIAN REGION, THE GOVERNOR, SIR DAVID WILSON, SAID TODAY (SATURDAY).
"IT WILL ALSO GIVE THOSE OF US IN HONG KONG A BETTER APPRECIATION OF THE GAME," SIR DAVID ADDED WHEN SPEAKING AT THE OPENING CEREMONY OF THE TOURNAMENT.
"THIS WILL BE A GREAT HELP TO THE HONG HONG RUGBY FOOTBALL UNION IN ITS EFFORTS TO POPULARISE THE SPORT HERE."
SIR DAVID EXTENDED A WARM WELCOME TO THOSE FROM OVERSEAS, BOTH PLAYERS AND OFFICIALS, AND ALSO PAID TRIBUTE TO THE ORGANISING COMMITTEE FOR ITS HARD WORK TOWARDS MAKING THE TOURNAMENT A SUCCESS.
"I AM SURE THAT THE TOURNAMENT WILL BE PLAYED IN THE SPIRIT OF KEEN BUT FRIENDLY COMPETITION WHICH IS THE HALLMARK OF GOOD RUGBY," HE SAID.
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YOUTHS TO RALLY FOR A CLEAN HONG KONG *****
A TOTAL OF 1,000 YOUTHS, REPRESENTING 20 YOUTH ORGANISATIONS, WILL CONGREGATE AT VICTORIA PARK TOMORROW (SUNDAY) TO TAKE PART IN ONE OF THE BIGGEST YOUTH FUNCTIONS ORGANISED IN SUPPORT OF THE KEEP HONG KONG CLEAN CAMPAIGN.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE JOINT URBAN COUNCIL/REGIONAL COUNCIL KEEP HONG KONG CLEAN STEERING COMMITTEE, SAID THAT THIS WAS THE SECOND OF THE YOUTH RALLIES ORGANISED SINCE LAST YEAR WITH THE AIM OF AROUSING YOUNG PEOPLE’S SOCIAL CONSCIOUSNESS TOWARDS IMPROVING THE ENVIRONMENT.
IT IS HOPED THAT THROUGH PROPER EDUCATION AND APPROPRIATE TRAINING, HONG KONG WILL HAVE A MORE CIVIC-MINDED POPULATION IN THE FUTURE, WHICH WILL IN TURN BENEFIT THE ENVIRONMENT AS A WHOLE, THE SPOKESMAN SAID. h
A SERIES OF ENVIRONMENT IMPROVEMENT ACTIVITIES AND COMPETITION PLANNED FOR THE RALLY WILL ENABLE PARTICIPANTS TO UNDERSTAND THE IMPORTANCE OF THEIR ROLE IN THE ENTIRE CITY CLEANSING OPERATION.
/MEMBER OF ......
SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 1?, 1988
MEMBER OF THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL AND LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL AND CHAIRMAN OF THE CENTRAL COMMITTEE ON YOUTH, MRS ROSANNA TAM, WILL OFFICIATE AT AN OPENING CEREMONY WHICH WILL BEGIN AT 2 PM AT VICrORIA PARK.
THE DAY’S PROGRAMME WILL START WITH A PARADE OF THE PARTICIPATING YOUTHS; A SYMBOLIC GESTURE OF THEIR COMMITMENT TOWARDS THE IMPROVEMENT OF THE ENVIRONMENT.
THIS WILL BE FOLLOWED BY A TWO-HOUR ENTERTAINMENT SHOW BY POPULAR ARTISTES AND PERFORMANCES BY STUDENTS OF THE ACADEMY FOR PERFORMING ARTS.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE OPENING CEREMONY AND THE FUNCTION. THE CEREMONY WILL START AT 2 PM AND THE PROGRAMME OF YOUTH ACTIVITES WILL LAST UNTIL 5.30 PM.
A PRESS RECEPTION DESK WILL BE SET UP AT THE SIDE OF THE PERFORMING STAGE LOCATED AT THE CENTRAL LAWN.
GIS OFFICERS WILL BE ON HAND TO ASSIST.
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PUBLIC URGED TO JOIN THE CLEAN AND GREEN SCHEME * * * * *
MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC WERE TODAY (SATURDAY) URGED TO HELP KEEP THE COUNTRY PARKS CLEAN AND TIDY.
THE APPEAL WAS MADE BY THE SENIOR COUNTRY PARKS OFFICER OF THE AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES DEPARTMENT, MR S.P. LAU. HE SAID: "THEY CAN HELP AND GET A SOUVENIR BY JOINING THE SECOND PROGRAMME OF THE CLEAN AND GREEN 88."
THE PROGRAMME, WHICH WILL LAST UNTIL THE END OF DECEMBER, INCLUDES LITTER COLLECTION ACTIVITIES, TREE TENDING, GRASS CUTTING AND OTHER NATURE CONSERVATION WORK.
MR LAU SAID THAT INDIVIDUAL PARTICIPANTS CAN TAKE PART IN THE LITTER COLLECTION ACTIVITIES AT TWELVE DESIGNATED SITES INSIDE THE POPULAR COUNTRY PARKS ON SATURDAYS, SUNDAYS AND PUBLIC HOLIDAYS FROM 9 AM TO 4.30 PM.
/THEY CAN .......
SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 12, 1988 r - 5 -
THEY CAN CALL AT THE COUNTRY PARK VISITOR CENTRES AT ABERDEEN, CLEAR WATER BAY, PAK TAM CHUNG AND TAI MEI TUK, WHERE PARK WARDENS WILL BE READY TO ASSIST.
I
PARK WARDENS WILL ALSO BE ON DUTY AT THE WARDEN POSTS AT WONG CHUK WAN AND NAI CHUNG OF SAI KUNG COUNTRY PARK, THE SHING MUN RESERVOIR MAIN DAM OF SHING MUN COUNTRY PARK, THE TAI MO SHAN COUNTRY PARK, KAP LUNG OF TAI LAM COUNTRY PARK, BRIDE’S POOL OF PLOVER COVE COUNTRY PARK AND LAU SHUI HEUNG AND HOK TAU OF PAT SIN LENG COUNTRY PARK.
•'MOREOVER,” MR LAU SAID, "ORGANISED GROUPS AND SCHOOLS CAN ALSO JOIN BY ADVANCE BOOKING WITH THE DEPARTMENT’S CONSERVATION EDUCATION UNIT AT 3-7332121. EACH TEAM SHOULD NOT EXCEED 40 MEMBERS.” f
LITTER COLLECTION, TREE TENDING OR GRASS CUTTING WILL BE ORGANISED FOR THEM DURING WEEKDAYS EXCEPT PUBLIC HOLIDAYS IN ALL COUNTRY PARKS.
PARTICIPANTS WILL BE GIVEN A SOUVENIR, WHICH IS SPONSORED BY THE SWIRE BOTTLERS LIMITED, AND A COUNTRYSIDE EDUCATION QUIZ FORM ON COMPLETION OF THEIR SERVICE.
BY COMPLETING AND RETURNING THE QUIZ FORMS TO THE AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES DEPARTMENT, CANTON ROAD GOVERNMENT OFFICES, 393 CANTON ROAD, 12TH-14TH FLOORS, KOWLOON BEFORE JANUARY 16, 1989, WINNERS WILL BE ENTITLED TO FREE ADMISSION TO ATTEND A COUNTRYSIDE ENTERTAINMENT PROGRAMME TO BE HELD IN EARLY 1989.
THE FIRST PROGRAMME OF THE CLEAN AND GREEN 88, WHICH WAS A PHOTO COMPETITION, HAS JUST BEEN COMPLETED WITH A TOTAL OF 462 ENTKIES.
j
ORGANISED BY THE COUNTRY PARKS AUTHORITY, AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES IN CONJUNCTION WITH THE GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES SINCE 1983, THE CLEAN AND GREEN SCHEME HAS ESTABLISHED ITSELF AS ONE OF THE MOST MEANINGFUL COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT PROJECTS WHICH ENABLE MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC, SCHOOL CHILDREN AND ORGANISED GROUPS IN PARTICULAR, TO PARTICIPATE IN CONSERVING THE COUNTRYSIDE ENVIRONMENT.
SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 12, 1988
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WELL-TRAINED LABOUR SUPPORT FOR UP-MARKET TEXTILES *****
THE TEXTILE INDUSTRY TRAINING BOARD OF THE VOCATIONAL TRAINING COUNCIL IS OPTIMISTIC THAT THE TEXTILE INDUSTRY WILL CONTINUE TO GROW AND ESTIMATES THAT ITS MANPOWER AT PRESENT MAY HAVE REACHED 58,000 PEOPLE.
A MANPOWER SURVEY CONDUCTED BY THE BOARD FOUND THAT IN SEPTEMBER LAST YEAR THERE WERE 55,000 EMPLOYEES IN THE TEXTILE INDUSTRY, REPRESENTING A 5.6 PER CENT INCREASE PER ANNUM COMPARED WITH A SURVEY IN 1985.
IN THE SURVEY REPORT RELEASED TODAY (SATURDAY), THE BOARD FORECAST THAT THE FINISHING BRANCH OF THE INDUSTRY WOULD HAVE GREAT POTENTIAL TO EXPAND, WHILE THE OTHER FOUR BRANCHES - SPINNING, TEXTURISING, WEAVING AND KNITTING - WOULD EXPERIENCE PERIODS OF BOOMS AND SETBACKS IN COMING YEARS.
THOUGH THE BUSINESS OUTLOOK FOR THE INDUSTRY AS A WHOLE WAS BRIGHT, THE BOARD SAID THE INDUSTRY WOULD HAVE TO OVERCOME DIFFICULTIES SUCH AS A SHORTAGE OF LABOUR, STRONG COMPETITION FROM NEIGHBOURING COUNTRIES AND INCREASING PROTECTIONISM IMPOSED BY MAJOR IMPORTING COUNTRIES.
"NEVERTHELESS,' THE INDUSTRY SHOULD BE ABLE TO RETAIN ITS COMPETITIVENESS BY INVESTING IN NEW PLANT AND MACHINERY, AND GOING UP-MARKET.
"THIS CALLS FOR A WELL-TRAINED LABOUR FORCE TO SUPPORT THE' APPLICATION OF SOPHISTICATED MANUFACTURING TECHNIQUES AND AUTOMATION'' IN THE INDUSTRY," THE BOARD SAID. *
THE BOARD RECOMMENDED THAT EMPLOYERS SHOULD TRAIN 30 TECHNOLOGISTS, 170 TECHNICIANS AND 480 CRAFTSMEN YEARLY IN ORDER TO COPE WITH THE MANPOWER REQUIREMENTS OF THE INDUSTRY.
THE REPORT, CONTAINING DETAILED DESCRIPTIONS AND STATISTICS OF THE MANPOWER SITUATION OF THE TRADES, IS AVAILABLE AT THE GOVERNMENT PUBLICATIONS CENTRE, GPO BUILDING, CONNAUGHT PLACE, CENTRAL AT $21 A COPY.
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I
SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 12, 1988
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SOUTHERN DISTRICT HOLDS NATURE CONSERVATION DAY
*****
A NATURE CONSERVATION DAY WILL BE HELD TOMORROW (SUNDAY) IN THE TIN WAN AND SHEK PAI WAN AREA OF SOUTHERN DISTRICT, TO URGE RESIDENTS TO EXERCISE THEIR CIVIC RESPONSIBILITY IN CONSERVING THE COUNTRYSIDE.
SPONSORED BY THE SOUTHERN DISTRICT OFFICE, THE E-ENT IS ORGANISED BY THE TIN WAN AND SHEK PAI WAN AREA COMMITTEE IN RESPONSE TO ACCELERATED EFFORTS BY THE GOVERNMENT AND THE COMMUNITY IN PROTECTING THE ENVIRONMENT.
’’THE ACTIVITIES OF THE DAY, ALL OF WHICH FEATURE THE NATURE CONSERVATION MESSAGE, INCLUDE A VARIETY SHOW, A MURAL PAINTING PROGRAMME AND A NATURE CONSERVATION WALK,” A DISTRICT OFFICE SPOKESMAN SAID.
ABOUT 300 RESIDENTS OF THE AREA ARE EXPECTED TO TAKE PARI IN A NATURE CONSERVATION WALK WHICH WILL GIVE PARTICIPANTS A CHANCE TO BETTER UNDERSTAND THE FLORA AND FAUNA ALONG THE CAREFULLY PLANNED ROUTE IN THE HILLY AREA.
THE WALK, WHICH LAUNCHES THE EVENT, WILL START AT 8.30 AM FROM THE SHEK PAI WAN ESTATE SOCCER PITCH, VIA YUE KWONG ROAD, ABERDEEN RESERVOIR ROAD, PEEL RISE, AND END AT TIN WAN ESTATE.
ANOTHER GROUP OF 50 RESIDENTS WILL HAVE A BUSY MORNING COMPLETING TWO LARGE MURAL PAINTINGS ON A SLOPE IN TIN WAN ESTATE.
THE TWO PAINTINGS, MEASURING SIX BY 12 METRES AND SIX BY SIX METRES, DEPICT HOW PEOPLE HAVE A GOOD TIME AMID THE LUSH GREENERY OF A WELL PRESERVED COUNTRYSIDE.
’’THE PAINTINGS WILL NOT ONLY BEAUTIFY THE SURROUNDINGS OF THE AREA, IT WILL ALSO SERVE AS A REMINDER OF THE IMPORTANCE OF NATURE CONSERVATION TO THE RESIDENTS,” THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
THE FINALE OF THE NATURE CONSERVATION DAY IS A VARIETY SHOW WHICH WILL TAKE PLACE FROM 2.30 PM TO 5 PM IN THE TIN WAN ESTATE SOCCER PITCH.
THERE WILL BE DRAMA, DANCE AND SINGING PERFORMANCES BY LOCAL ORGANISATIONS, SCHOOLS, AND THE JUNIOR POLICE CALL TO PUT ACROSS THE MESSAGE OF THE DAY TO THE AUDIENCE.
IN ADDITION, THERE WILL ALSO BF. A TALK GIVEN BY A SENIOR ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION OFFICER, MR HO WAI-FONG, ON "THE ROLES OF INDIVIDUALS AND THE COMMUNITY’ IN ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION .
OFFICIATING AT THE OPENING OF THE VARIETY SHOW WILL BE SOUTHERN ASSISTANT DISTRICT OFFICER, MR DAVID LEUNG; DISTRICT BOARD CHAIRMAN, MR HU] YUNG-CHUNG; DB MEMBERS, MR TENNY HUNG AND MR MIU WAH-CHANG; THE AREA COMMITTEE CHAIRMAN, MR TSE KIT-TO; AND HOUSING MANAGER OF TIN WAN ESTATE, MR K.Y. (HENG.
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/8 .......
SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 12, 1988
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WONG TAI SIN ARTS FESTIVAL OPENS TOMORROW . **«*•«*
THE WONG TAI SIN DISTRICT ARTS FESTIVAL ’88 WILL BE LAUNCHED WITH AN OPENING CEREMONY AND A VARIETY SHOW AT MORSE PARK TOMORROW (SUNDAY) AFTERNOON.
OFFICIATING AT THE OPENING WILL BE THE REGIONAL SECRETARY 1'OR HONG KONG AND KOWLOON, MR DAVID LAN; URBAN COUNCIL MEMBER, MISS CECILIA YEUNG; LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL MEMBER, MR MICHAEL T.K. CHENG; WONG TAI SIN DISTRICT OFFICER, MR H.W. NG; VICE CHAIRMAN OF SIK SIK YUEN, MR Y.P. LEE; PRESIDENT OF THE WONG TAI SIN DISTRICT ARTS FESTIVAL '88 ORGANISING COMMITTEE, MR F.Y. WONG, AND CHAIRMAN OF THE COMMITTEE, MR K.C. FUNG.
THE CEREMONY WILL BE FOLLOWED BY A VARIETY SHOW FEATURING BAND PERFORMANCES, LION DANCE, CHINESE FOLK DANCE, CHINESE MARTIAL ART DEMONSTRATION, GYMNASTIC DISPLAY AND CHOIR SINGING.
JOINTLY ORGANISED BY THE WONG TAI SIN DISTRICT ARTS COUNCIL AND THE URBAN COUNCIL WITH SPONSORSHIP BY THE DISTRICT BOARD AND SIK SIK YUEN, THE 14-DAY FESTIVAL WILL FEATURE A GREAT VARIETY OF CULTURAL AND RECREATIONAL ACTIVITIES CATERING TO THE INTERESTS AND NEEDS OF RESIDENTS OF ALL AGES.
THE ACTIVITIES INCLUDE BOOKS AND PHOTOGRAPHIC EXHIBITIONS, DRAWING COMPETITION FOR CHILDREN, CONCERTS, CHOIR PERFORMANCES, DRAMAS, FILM AND PUPPET SHOWS, EXHIBITION OF WESTERN AND EASTERN MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS AND A COMPETITION ON CHINESE OPERA.
THE FESTIVAL IS SCHEDULED TO CONCLUDE WITH A CONCERT FEATURING CHINESE MUSIC ON NOVEMBER 26.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
MEDIA REPRESENTATIVES ARE INVITED TO COVER THE OPENING CEREMONY OF THE WONG TAI SIN DISTRICT ARTS FESTIVAL ’88 TO BE HELD AT MORSE PARK TOMORROW (SUNDAY), BEGINNING AT 3 PM.
SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 12, 1988
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METRIC SCALE COUNTER IN PUBLIC MARKETS * ♦ ♦ * ♦
THE METRIC SYSTEM IS GETTING MORE AND MORE POPULAR AMONG PEOPLE AT THE GRASS ROOTS LEVEL SINCE ITS INTRODUCTION FIVE YEARS AGO.
THIS WAS PROVED BY THE GOOD RESPONSE TO THE METRIC SCALE COUNTER SET UP BY THE METRICATION COMMITTEE AT LOCKHART ROAD MARKET, WAN CHAI, IN THE PAST TWO WEEKS.
’’HOUSEWIVES QUEUED UP AT THE COUNTER TO HAVE THEIR PURCHASES WEIGHED,” A SPOKESMAN FOR THE METRICATION COMMITTEE SAID TODAY (SATURDAY).
THE METRIC SCALE COUNTER SCHEME AIMS AT PROMOTING THE USE OF THE METRIC SYSTEM IN SIX NEWLY COMMISSIONED PUBLIC MARKETS TN THE URBAN AREA.
APART FROM A DEMONSTRATION ON THE USE OF WEIGHING SCALES WITH THREE CALIBRATIONS - METRIC, IMPERIAL AND CHINESE UNITS - CONVERSION TABLES ARE DISTRIBUTED AT THE COUNTER.
THE SPOKESMAN POINTED OUT THAT NOT ONLY THE CUSTOMERS BUT ALSO THE STALL-HOLDERS WERE ATTRACTED BY THE COUNTER BECAUSE THEY FOUND THE WEIGHING SCALES WITH TRIPLE CALIBRATIONS MORE SIMPLE AND CONVENIENT TO USE.
AS FROM MONDAY (NOVEMBER 14), THE COUNTER WILL BE MOVED TO QUARRY BAY MARKET FOR A PERIOD OF TWO WEEKS.
THEREAFTER, IT WILL BE SET UP AT KOWLOON CITY MARKET, SHU1 WO STREET MARKET, PO ON ROAD MARKET, TAI KOK TSUI TEMPORARY MARKET ON A ROTATION BASIS.
THE SCHEDULE AND OPENING HOURS OF THESE COUNTERS ARE AS FOLLOWS:
COUNTER LOCATION DURATION
QUARRY BAY MARKET 14. 11.88 - 25.11.88
KOWLOON CITY MARKET 28.11.88 - 9.12.88
SHUI WO STREET MARKET 12.12.88 - 23.12.88
PO ON ROAD MARKET 28.12.88 - 10.1.89
TAI KOK TSUI TEMPORARY MARKET 11.1.89 - 24.1.89
OPENING HOURS (MONDAY TO FRIDAY)
10 AM - 12 NOON
4 PM - 6 PM
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/10........
SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 12, 1988
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BOOKLET TO INTRODUCE JUNK BAY NEW TOWN * * » » *
THE SAI KUNG DISTRICT BOARD’S WORKING GROUP ON JUNK BAY NEW TOWN HAS PRODUCED 15,000 COPIES OF A COMPREHENSIVE INFORMATION BOOKLET FOR RESIDENTS OF THE NEW TOWN.
THE BOOKLET OUTLINES MAJOR FACILITIES IN THE NEW TOWN SUCH AS HOUSING ESTATES, MEDICAL AND HEALTH SERVICES, TRANSPORT SERVICES, EDUCATIONAL FACILITIES, SOCIAL WELFARE AND COMMUNITY SERVICES.
IT ALSO GIVES A GENERAL INTRODUCTION ON SAI KUNG DISTRICT, THE FUNCTIONS AND COMPOSITION OF THE DISTRICT BOARD AND THE ADDRESSES AND TELEPHONE NUMBERS OF RELEVANT GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE WORKING GROUP SAID THE BOOKLET WILL ENABLE NEW TOWN RESIDENTS TO HAVE A BETTER UNDERSTANDING OF THE AREA AND IO MAKE FULL USE OF THE FACILITIES AND SERVICES AVAILABLE.
THE 24-PAGE BOOKLET INCLUDES EIGHT PAGES OF COLOURFUL MAPS AND PHOTOGRAPHS ON JUNK BAY NEW TOWN AND OTHER AREAS IN SAI KUNG DISTRICT. THE COST OF PRINTING THE BOOKLETS IS $38,500 WHICH IS SPONSORED BY THE SAI KUNG DISTRICT BOARD.
"IN ORDER TO DISTRIBUTE THE BOOKLETS MORE EFFECTIVELY, 1 HE HOUSING DEPARTMENT HAS AGREED TO HELP DISTRIBUTE THE BOOKLETS TO THE HOUSEHOLDS IN PO LAM AND TSUI LAM ESTATES, KING MING COURTS. HOME OWNERSHIP SCHEME AND Till- TSEUNG KWAN 0 TEMPORARY HOUSING AREA," THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
"NEW TENANTS WILL ALSO GET A COPY OF THE BOOKLET WHEN THEY SIGN TENANCY AGREEMENTS WITH THE HOUSING DEPARTMENT," HE ADDED.
APART FROM RESIDENTS IN JUNK BAY NEW TOWN, RELEVANT GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS, DISTRICT BOARDS, DISTRICT OFFICES, PUBLIC LIBRARIES, TERTIARY EDUCATION INSTITUTES, LOCAL ORGAN I SA I IONS, MUTUAL AID COMMITTEES, OWNERS CORPORATIONS AS WELL AS THE MEDIA WILL ALSO BE GIVEN COPIES OF THE BOOKLET.
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DB COMMITTEE TO DISCUSS IMPACT OF ACID RAIN * * » *
THE ENVIRONMENTAL IMPROVEMENT AND WORKS COMMITTEE OF THE TAI PO DISTRICT BOARD WILL DISCUSS THE IMPACT OF ACID RAIN ON THE DISTRICT AT A MEETING ON MONDAY (NOVEMBER 14).
THE COMMITTEE WILL ALSO DISCUSS THE DRAINAGE SYSTEM OF TAI PO MARKET.
/OTHER ITEMS........
SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 12, 1988
OTHER ITEMS ON THE AGENDA INCLUDE THE PROGRESS REPORT ON THE TAI PO ENVIRONMENTAL CONTROL WORKING GROUP AND THE MINOR ENVIRONMENTAL IMPROVEMENT PROJECTS.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE MEETING OF THE ENVIRONMENTAL IMPROVEMENT AND WORKS COMMITTEE OF THE TAI PO DISTRICT BOARD TO BE HELD IN THE CONFERENCE ROOM OF THE TAI PO DISTRICT BOARD SECRETARIAT ON THE THIRD FLOOR OF TAI PO COMMERCIAL CENTRE, 152 KWONG FUK ROAD ON MONDAY (NOVEMBER 14). THE MEETING WILL START AT 2.30 PM.
-----0---------
DB TRAFFIC AND TRANSPORT COMMITTEE MEETS ON MONDAY
*****
MEMBERS OF THE YAU TSIM DISTRICT BOARD’S TRAFFIC AND TRANSPORT COMMITTEE WILL MAKE PROPOSALS TO ALTER TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS NEAR PEKING ROAD AT A MEETING ON MONDAY (NOVEMBER 14).
THE PROPOSALS AIM AT RELIEVING PROBLEMS ARISING FROM THE CONSTRUCTION OF AN ADDITIONAL MTR ENTRANCE ON THE PAVEMENT OF NATHAN ROAD NEAR PEKING ROAD.
DURING THE CONSTRUCTION, PART OF THE NORTHBOUND CARRIAGEWAY IN NATHAN ROAD WILL BE CLOSED, AND SOUTHBOUND VEHICLES IN NATHAN ROAD WILL NOT BE ALLOWED TO MAKE RIGHT TURNS ONTO PEKING ROAD.
THE PROPOSALS ALSO INCLUDE CANCELLING THE PARKING SPACES ALONG THE SECTION OF MIDDLE ROAD BETWEEN HANKOW ROAD AND NATHAN ROAD, AND IMPOSING A URBAN CLEARWAY RESTRICTION THERE TO FACILITATE TRAFFIC FLOW.
A PROGRESS REPORT ON THE ORGANISATION OF THE DISTRICT’S ROAD SAFETY CAMPAIGN, SCHEDULED FOR JANUARY NEXT YEAR, WILL ALSO BE PRESENTED AT THE MEETING.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE MEETING OF THE YAU TSIM DISTRICT BOARD’S TRAFFIC AND TRANSPORT COMMITTEE TO BE HELD ON MONDAY (NOVEMBER 14) IN THE CONFERENCE ROOM OF THE YAU TSIM DISTRICT Oi l ICE, SECOND FLOOR, 490 NATHAN ROAD, BEGINNING AT 2.30 PM.
O
SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 12, 1988
COMMITTEE TO DISCUSS PREFERENTIAL MEDICAL SCHEME
* » » * »
MEMBERS OF THE SOCIAL SERVICES COMMITTEE OF THE YUEN LONG DISTRICT BOARD WILL MEET ON MONDAY (NOVEMBER 14) TO DISCUSS THE FINDINGS OF A RECENT SURVEY ON THE RESPONSE OF A PREFERENTIAL MEDICAL TREATMENT SCHEME INTRODUCED IN THE DISTRICT IN 1986.
THE SCHEME WAS JOINTLY ORGANISED BY THE BOARD, SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT AND TWO LOCAL SOCIAL SERVICES ORGANISATIONS TO OFFER SENIOR RESIDENTS AND HANDICAPPED PERSONS IN THE DISTRICT DISCOUNT ON MEDICAL CHARGES BY PARTICIPATING DOCTORS AND DENTISTS.
THE MEETING WILL ALSO DISCUSS THE PROGRESS REPORT ON DB-SPONSORED SOCIAL SERVICES ACTIVITIES IN RECENT MONTHS.
ALSO ON THE AGENDA WILL BE A NUMBER OF QUESTIONS RAISED BY RESPECTIVE MEMBERS, SEEKING INFORMATION ON THE SUPPLY AND DEMAND OF SECONDARY SCHOOL PLACES, THE NUMBER OF REGISTERED PRIVATE HOMES OF THE AGED AS WELL AS SERVICES TO THE STREET-SLEEPERS IN THE DISTRICT.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE YUEN LONG DISTRICT BOARD’S SOCIAL SERVICES COMMITTEE MEETING WHICH WILL BEGIN AT 3 PM ON MONDAY (NOVEMBER 14) IN THE CONFERENCE ROOM OF THE BOARD, 13TH FLOOR, YUEN LONG GOVERNMENT OFFICES, 2 KIU LOK SQUARE, YUEN LONG.
- 0 -
TAI PO MARKET TRAFFIC STUDY TO BE DISCUSSED
* * » »
THE TAI PO DISTRICT BOARD’S TRAFFIC AND TRANSPORT COMMITTEE WILL MEET ON MONDAY (NOVEMBER 14) TO DISCUSS THE FINDINGS OF A TRAFFIC STUDY ON THE TAI PO MARKET.
MEMBERS WILL ALSO EXPRESS VIEWS ON THE PROPOSED INCREASE IN BUS FARES BY KMB.
/OTHER ITEMS
SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 12, 1988
OTHER ITEMS ON THE AGENDA INCLUDE A PROPOSED FOOTBRIDGE BETWEEN TAI PO MARKET AND THE FUTURE TAI WO KCR STATION AND THE INADEQUACY OF BUS SERVICE OF ROUTE NO. 75X PLYING BETWEEN FU SHIN ESTATE AND KOWLOON CITY FERRY PIER.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE MEETING OF THE TAI PO DISTRICT BOARD’S TRAFFIC AND TRANSPORT COMMITTEE TO BE HELD IN THE CONFERENCE ROOM OF THE TAI PO DISTRICT BOARD SECRETARIAT ON THE THIRD FLOOR OF TAI PO COMMERCIAL CENTRE, 152 KWONG FUK ROAD. THE MEETING WILL BEGIN AT 9.30 AM.
- - 0 -
INVITATION TO SHA TIN DISTRICT VOLLEYBALL COMPETITION
******
PEOPLE ABOVE 14 YEARS OLD WHO EITHER LIVE, STUDY OR WORK IN SHA TIN ARE BEING INVITED TO TEAM UP FOR THE SHA TIN DISTRICT VOLLEYBALL COMPETITION TO BE HELD ON DECEMBER 18 AND 25 AT THE YUEN WO ROAD INDOOR RECREATION CENTRE, SHA TIN.
THE EVENT IS JOINTLY ORGANISED BY THE SHA TIN SPORTS ASSOCIATION AND REGIONAL COUNCIL WITH SUPPORT FROM THE SHA TIN DISTRICT OFFICE.
COMPETITIONS WILL BE SINGLE-KNOCK OUT FORMAT AND THE NEW SCORING SYSTEM OF THE HONG KONG VOLLEYBALL ASSOCIATION WILL BE ADOPTED.
ALTOGETHER EIGHT MEN’S IND EIGHT WOMEN’S TEAMS WILL BE ACCEPTED ON A FIRST-COME-FIRST-SERVED BASIS. ENTRY FEES ARE $30 PER TEAM.
APPLICATION FORMS ARE NOW AVAILABLE AT THE SHA TIN SPORTS ASSOCIATION OFFICE ON GROUND FLOOR, S1IAU CHUEN HOUSE, LEK YUEN ESTATE; REGIONAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT SHA TIN OFFICE ON FOURTH FLOOR, KCR HOUSE AND SHA TIN DISTRICT OFFICE ENQUIRY CENTRE ON FIRST FLOOR, KCR HOUSE.
ENQUIRIES CAN BE MADE AT 0-6989750, 0-6915657 OR 0-6065456.
/14
SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 12, 1988
14 -
OCTOBER RAINFALL BELOW AVERAGE * » » * »
ALTHOUGH TWO TROPICAL CYCLONES, PAT AND RUBY, THREATENED HONG KONG AND BOTH NECESSITATED THE HOISTING OF THE STRONG WIND SIGNAL NO. 3, THEY DID NOT BRING MUCH RAIN TO THE TERRITORY.
THE RAINFALL AMOUNT OF 61.8 MILLIMETRES RECORDED IN OCTOBER 1988 FELL SHORT OF THE NORMAL 121.2 MILLIMETRES BY 49 PER CENT, THE ROYAL OBSERVATORY REPORTED TODAY (SATURDAY).
WHILE THE NORMAL RAINFALL FROM JANUARY TO OCTOBER IS 2,164.7 MILLIMETRES, THE TOTAL AMOUNT OF THE SAME PERIOD THIS YEAR WAS ONLY 1,552.8 MILLIMETRES WHICH IS 28 PER CENT BELOW THE NORMAL AMOUNT.
THE MINIMUM TEMPERATURE OF 15.3 DEGREES RECORDED ON OCTOBER 31 IS THE FIFTH LOWEST MINIMUM TEMPERATURE FOR THE MONTH ON RECORD.
THE AREA OF LOW PRESSURE WHICH WAS OVER THE NORTHERN PART OF THE SOUTH CHINA SEA AT THE END OF SEPTEMBER DEVELOPED INTO.A TROPICAL DEPRESSION EARLY ON OCTOBER 1.
RAINBANDS ASSOCIATED WITH THIS DEPRESSION BROUGHT CLOUDY TO OVERCAST SKIES AND LIGHT RAIN TO HONG KONG DURING THAT DAY. COUPLED WITH THE PREVAILING NORTHEAST MONSOON, WINDS ALSO BECAME STRONG OFFSHORE. ALTHOUGH WINDS WEAKENED SLIGHTLY DURING THE DAY ON OCTOBER 2, THE WEATHER. REMAINED CLOUDY AND RAINY. . • .
CONDITIONS IMPROVED GRADUALLY ON OCTOBER 3 AS THE TROPICAL DEPRESSION MADE LANDFALL OVER NORTHERN VIETNAM.
THE WEATHER THEN BECAME FINE THE NEXT DAY. WITH PLENTY OF SUNSHINE DURING THE DAY ON OCTOBER 5, THE MAXIMUM TEMPERATURE REACHED 29.9 DEGREES WHICH WAS THE HIGHEST FOR THE MONTH.
F
OTHER THAN FEW BRIEF SHOWERS t ON OCTOBER. 7, FINE WEATHER PREVAILED UNTIL OCTOBER 10. THE ARRIVAL OF A SURGE OF THE NORTHEAST MONSOON LATER THAT DAY BROUGHT BACK CLOUDY AND LIGHT RAIN CONDITIONS. WINDS OFFSHORE WERE ALSO STRONG OVERNIGHT. <
THE CLOUDY AND RAINY WEATHER PERSISTED UNTIL THE MORNING OF OCTOBER 12. THE SKY BEGAN TO CLEAR AS WINDS SUBSIDED DURING THE DAY. ’
ANOTHER SURGE OF THE NORTHEAST MONSOON REACHED THE SOUTH CHINA COAST EARLY ON OCTOBER 13, STRENGTHENING WINDS OFFSHORE. THE SKY ALSO TURNED CLOUDY. EASTERLY WINDS MODERATED GRADUALLY THE NEXT DAY AND THE WEATHER TURNED MAINLY FINE.
FINE CONDITIONS PREVAILED UNTIL EARLY ON OCTOBER. J9 WHEN ANOTHER REPLENISHMENT OF THE WINTER MONSOON ARRIVED.
THE WEATHER TlfEN BECAME CLOUDY WITH SOME LIGHT RAIN. HOWEVER, MAINLY FINE WEATHER SET IN LATER IN THE DAY.
/ALTHOUGH IT
E
SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 12, 1988
ALTHOUGH IT WAS NOT EXCEPTIONALLY DRY, A TOTAL OF 110 HILL FIRES OCCURRED ON THAT DAY WHICH WAS A CHUNG YEUNG FESTIVAL PUBLIC HOLIDAY. ONE THOUSAND TREES AND 97 HECTARES OF PLANTATION LAND WERE SCORCHED. THE FINE WEATHER CONTINUED ON OCTOBER 20.
ON OCTOBER 21, SEVERE TROPICAL STORM PAT ENTERED THE SOUTH CHINA SEA AFTER SWEEPING ACROSS THE NORTHERN PART OF THE PHILIPPINES.
THE STAND BY SIGNAL NO. 1 WAS HOISTED AT 8.50 AM. AS PAT CONTINUED TO MOVE ON A WEST-NORTHWESTWARD COURSE, WINDS BEGAN TO STRENGTHEN THAT EVENING AND THE STRONG WIND SIGNAL NO. 3 WAS HOISTED AT 10.45 PM.
THE WEATHER ALSO TURNED CLOUDY WITH SOME LIGHT RAIN AND WINDS OFFSHORE BECAME STRONG OVERNIGHT.
OVERCAST SKIES AND OCCASIONAL RAIN PREVAILED THE NEXT DAY AS PAT TRAVERSED THE NORTHERN PART OF THE SOUTH CHINA SEA.
AS IT NO LONGER POSED A THREAT TO HONG KONG, ALL SIGNALS WERE LOWERED AT 3.45 PM. ALTHOUGH PAT MADE LANDFALL OVER NORTHERN VIETNAM ON OCTOBER 23, THE CLOUDY AND RAINY CONDITIONS PRESISTED OVER HONG KONG.
FINE WEATHER RETURNED ON OCTOBER 24 BUT A VERY INTENSE TYPHOON, RUBY, WAS APPROACHING SOUTHERN LUZON FROM THE PACIFIC.
AFTER WREAKING HAVOC IN THE PHILIPPINES, RUBY ENTERED THE SOUTH CHINA SEA DURING THE DAY ON OCTOBER 25.
THE STAND BY SIGNAL NO. 1 WAS HOISTED AT 4.10 PM. ALTHOUGH THE WINDS FRESHENED FROM THE NORTH, THE WEATHER REMAINED GENERALLY FINE. HOWEVER, CLOUD BANDS ASSOCIATED WITH RUBY BEGAN TO AFFECT HONG KONG THE NEXT DAY.
AFTER REMAINING ALMOST STATIONARY FOR ABOUT 12 HOURS, RUB1 TOOK ON A WEST-NORTHWESTWARD COURSE AGAIN OVER THE SOUTH CHINA SEA LATER IN THE DAY ON OCTOBER 26. THIS NECESSITATED THE HOISTING OF THE STRONG WIND SIGNAL NO. 3 AT 10.45 PM.
OVERNIGHT, THE WEATHER TURNED OVERCAST WITH LIGHT RAIN. WINDS WERE STRONG OFFSHORE THROUGHOUT MOST OF THE NEXT DAY.
AS RUBY BEGAN TO MOVE FURTHER AWAY FROM HONG KONG, WINDS BEGAN TO SUBSIDE AND ALL SIGNALS WERE LOWERED AT 5 AM ON OCTOBER 28. HOWEVER, OVERCAST AND RAINY CONDITIONS PREVAILED.
MEANWHILE, A SURGE OF THE WINTER MONSOON REACHED THE SOUTH CHINA COAST ON THE MORNING OF OCTOBER 28, STRENGTHENING THE WINDS AGAIN.
THE WEATHER REMAINED CLOUDY TO OVERCAST WITH OCCASIONAL RAIN WHICH PERSISTED TILL THE END OF THE MONTH. WINDS CONTINUED TO BE GUSTY ON OCTOBER 30.
/THE COOL .......
SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 12, 1?88
- 16 -
THE COOL WINTER MONSOON EARLY ON OCTOBER 31 RESULTED IN A MINIMUM OF 15.3 DEGREES ON THAT DAY WHICH WAS THE LOWEST TEMPERATURE FOR THE MONTH.
DURING THE MONTH OF OCTOBER, NO AIRCRAFT WAS DIVERTED DUE TO ADVERSE WEATHER. THE RED FIRE DANGER WARNING WAS IN EFFECT ON OCTOBER 6, 16, 19 AND 20 WHILE THE YELLOW FIRE DANGER WARNING WAS IN EFFECT ON OCTOBER 7, 8, AND 9.
A TOTAL OF SIX TROPICAL CYCLONES OCCURRED OVER THE WESTERN NORTH PACIFIC AND THE SOUTH CHINA SEA DURING OCTOBER.
SIGNALS HOISTED DURING THE MONTH WERE AS FOLLOWS:
SIGNAL DATE & TIME OF HOISTING DATE & TIME OF LOWERING
WEATHER SYSTEM
WINTER MONSOON STRONG MONSOON 1 OCT 12.20 AM 2 OCT 10.00 AM
WINTER MONSOON STRONG MONSOON 2 OCT 8.00 PM 3 OCT 7.00 AM
WINTER MONSOON STRONG MONSOON 9 OCT 11.20 PM 10 OCT 7.00 AM
WINTER MONSOON STRONG MONSOON 10 OCT 11.00 PM 11 OCT 9.00 AM
WINTER MONSOON STRONG MONSOON 13 OCT 6.35 AM 14 OCT 7.00 AM
TYPHOON PAT 1 3 21 OCT 8.50 AM 21 OCT 10.45 PM 21 OCT 10.45 PM 22 OCT 3.45 PM
TYPHOON RUBY 1 3 25 OCT 4.10 PM 26 OCT 10.45 PM 26 OCT 10.45 PM 28 OCT 5.00 AM
WINTER MONSOON STRONG MONSOON 28 OCT 10.15 AM 29 OCT 7.00 AM
THE MONTH’S FIGURES AND DEPARTURES FROM NORMAL WERE:
TOTAL BRIGHT SUNSHINE 164.0 HOURS ; 45.9 HOURS BELOW
NORMAL
MEAN DAILY GLOBAL SOLAR RADIATION
TOTAL RAINFALL
MEAN AMOUNT OF CLOUD
12.71 MJ/SQ. METRE
61.8 MM
64 PER CENT
3.13 MJ/SQ. METRE BELOW NORMAL
59.4 MM BELOW NORMAL
12 PER CENT MORE THAN NORMAL
MEAN RELATIVE HUMIDITY 77 PER CENT ; 5 PER CENT HIGHER
THAN NORMAL
/MEAN DAILY .......
SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 12, 1988
MEAN DAILY MAXIMUM AIR TEMPERATURE
MEAN AIR TEMPERATURE
MEAN DAILY MINIMUM AIR TEMPERATURE
MEAN DEW POINT
TOTAL EVAPORATION
- 17 -
26.6 DEGREES CELSIUS
24.4 DEGREES CELSIUS
22.7 DEGREES CELSIUS
19.9 DEGREES CELSIUS
118.2 MM
; • 1.3 DEGREES CELSIUS BELOW NORMAL
; 0.6 DEGREE CELSIUS
BELOW NORMAL
; NORMAL
; 0.6 DEGREE CELSIUS
ABOVE NORMAL
; 40.7 MM BELOW NORMAL
-------0----------
ROAD CLOSURE, URBAN CLEARWAY * t * » *
THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCED THAT HORNSEY ROAD IN THE MID-LEVELS WILL BE CLOSED TO TRAFFIC EXCEPT EMERGENCY VEHICLES FROM TUESDAY (NOVEMBER 15).
THE ROAD WILL BE CLOSED DAILY BETWEEN 8 PM TO 6 AM THE NEXT DAY FOR ABOUT TWO WEEKS TO FACILITATE DRAINAGE WORKS.
VEHICLES HEADING FOR CONDUIT ROAD WILL BE DIVERTED VIA ROBINSON ROAD.
ALSO, FROM 10 AM ON THE SAME DAY (TUESDAY), THE NORTHERN KERBSIDE LANE OF QUEEN’S ROAD WEST BETWEEN HOUSE NOS. 179 AND 217 WILL BE DESIGNATED AN URBAN CLEARWAY ROUND-THE-CLOCK FOR ABOUT FOUR WEEKS TO FACILITATE ROAD RECONSTRUCTION WORKS.
NO VEHICLES EXCEPT FRANCHISED BUSES WILL BE ALLOWED TO STOP FOR PASSENGERS OR GOODS THERE.
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/18 .......
SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 12, 1988
_ 18 -
FRESH WATER CUT IN SHEUNG WAN *****
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE WATER SUPPLIES DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCED TODAY (SATURDAY) THAT FRESH WATER SUPPLY TO CERTAIN PREMISES IN SHEUNG WAN WILL BE SUSPENDED FROM 11 PM ON TUESDAY (NOVEMBER 15) TO 6 AM THE NEXT DAY FOR WATER WORKS.
THE SUSPENSION WILL AFFECT 107 TO 147 CAINE ROAD (ODD NUMBERS), PO HING FONG, KIU IN FONG, TAI PING SHAN STREET BETWEEN LADDER STREET AND KUI IN FONG, BRIDGES STREET, SHING WONG STREET, HOLLYWOOD ROAD POLICE QUARTERS, WA IN FONG EAST, WA IN FONG WEST, WA IN FONG, PO WA STREET, WING LEE STREET, U LAM TERRACE AND LADDER STREET BETWEEN CAINE ROAD AND BRIDGES STREET.
-------0----------
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE. HONG KONG. TEL: 5-8428777
SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 13, 1988
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
ROAD USERS URGED TO BE MORE CONSCIOUS OF ROAD SAFETY .......... 1
REMEMBRANCE DAY OBSERVED....................................... 2
JIG SUB-GROUP MEETS THIS WEEK ................................. 2
PASSIVE SMOKING EXHIBITION BEGINS IN CHAI WAN ................. J
WONG TAI SIN DISTRICT ARTS FESTIVAL OPENS ..................... 4
FIGHT CRIME CaRNIVaL IN YAU TSIM DISTRICT ..................... 5
MORE SPORTS FACILITIES IN NORTH DISTRICT ...................... 5
CONCERT MARKS CLOSE OF YOUTH CHINESE MUSIC FESTIVAL ........... 6
YOUTHS PLEDGE TO CLEAN UP HONG KONG ........................... 7
FIRST MAC TO BE FORMED IN JUNK BAY NEW TOWN ................... 8
INDEX OF INDUSTRIAL PRODUCTION FOR SECOND QUARTER OF 1988 . 9
HELPING STREET SLEEPERS - DIFFICULT YET CHALLENGING .......... 12
SHa TIN FIGHT AGAINST JUVENILE CRIME ACHIEVES RESULTS ........ 13
WHITEHEAD VBP DETENTION CENTRE ON DB AGENDA .................. 15
COMMUNITY CENTRE GETS NEW NAME ............................... 16
CHINA'S CHESS CHAMPION TO PLAY BLIND-FOLDED .................. 17
ATHLETIC MEET FOR RESIDENTS .................................. 18
NEW FIRE STaTION FOR KWaI CHUNG .............................. 19
NEW I.D. CnRDS FOR WOMEN BORN BETWEEN 1960-62 ................ 19
SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 13, 1988
1
ROAD USERS URGED TO BE MORE
* » »
CONSCIOUS OF ROAD SAFETY * *
THE MOST EFFECTIVE WAY TO REDUCE TRAFFIC ACCIDENTS IS TO IMPROVE THE BEHAVIOUR OF ROAD USERS AND TO PROVIDE THEM WITH A CORRECT ATTITUDE TOWARDS ROAD SAFETY, THE COMMISSIONER FOR TRANSPORT, MR JAMES SO, SAID TODAY (SUNDAY).
SPEAKING AT THE OPENING CEREMONY OF THE MONG KOK DISTRICT ROAD SAFETY CAMPAIGN, MR SO POINTED OUT THAT MOST ACCIDENTS WERE CAUSED BY CARELESS BEHAVIOUR OR LACK OF ROAD SAFETY CONSCIOUSNESS ON THE PART OF PEDESTRIANS AND DRIVERS.
"PROVISION OF CROSSING FACILITIES OR OTHER MEASURES IS ONLY A SUPPLEMENTARY MEANS AND WILL NOT TACKLE THE ROOT OF THE PROBLEM. HENCE ROAD SAFETY CAMPAIGNS ARE ORGANISED TO CONVEY THE ROAD SAFETY MESSAGES AND INSTALL A ROAD SAFETY CONSCIOUSNESS AMONG THE COMMUNITY," HE SAID.
MR SO CALLED ON ROAD USERS TO BE CONSCIOUS OF THEIR SAFETY AND THE SAFETY OF THEIR CHILDREN ON THE ROAD ALL THE TIMES.
HE ALSO URGED ROAD USERS TO TAKE NOTE OF THE ADVICE GIVEN IN THE ROAD USERS’ CODE, WHICH CONTAIN VALUABLE INFORMATION ON ROAD SAFETY.
MR SO NOTED THAT THE DOWNWARD TREND IN THE NUMBER OF TRAFFIC ACCIDENTS ACHIEVED SINCE 1982 HAD BEEN REVERSED LAST YEAR.
IN 1987, 280 PEOPLE WERE KILLED, 5,232 AND 16,042 RESPECTIVELY WERE SERIOUSLY AND SLIGHTLY INJURED IN A TOTAL OF 16,034 ACCIDENTS.
"THERE IS NO SIGN OF THIS RISING TREND ABATING. THIS IS WORRYING AND THE GOVERNMENT IS DETERMINED TO DO EVERYTHING IT CAN TO KEEP TRAFFIC ACCIDENTS DOWN," SAID MR SO.
WHILST PEDESTRIAN ACCIDENTS FOR HONG KONG AS A WHOLE HAD BEEN DECREASING, MONG KOK HAD SEEN A SLIGHT RISE, MR SO SAID.
THERE WERE 528 PEDESTRIAN ACCIDENTS IN MONG KOK IN 1987 WHICH ACCOUNTED FOR 56 PER CENT OF ALL ACCIENTS THAT OCCURRED IN THE DISTRICT, AS COMPARED TO A TERRITORY-WIDE PEDESTRIAN ACCIDENT RATE OF 39 PER CENT.
MR SO SAID THAT MEASURES HAD BEEN TAKEN BY THE GOVERNMENT TO IMPROVE THE SITUATION.
"ACCIDENT SITES IN THE DISTRICT WHERE A HIGH NUMBER OF PEDESTRIAN ACCIDENTS OCCUR EACH YEAR HAVE BEEN IDENTIFIED AND REMEDIAL MEASURES SUCH AS PROVIDING APPROPRIATE CROSSING FACILITip.S FOR PEDESTRIANS HAVE BEEN APPLIED AT THESE SITIS," MR SO SAID.
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/2........
SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 13, 1938
- 2 -
REMEMBRANCE DAY OBSERVED * ♦ » » ♦
THE REMEMBRANCE DAY CEREMONY WAS STATUE SQUARE THIS (SUNDAY) MORNING.
HELD AT THE CENOTAPH
IN
WREATHS WERE LAID BY THE GOVERNOR, SIR DAVID WILSON’ THE CHIEF JUSTICE, SIR TI LIANG YANG; THE ACTING COMMANDER BRITISH FORCES^ BRIGADIER GILES ARNOLD; REPRESENTATIVES OF THE EXECUTIVE AND LEGISLATIVE COUNCILS; COMMONWEALTH COMMISSIONERS; THE COMMISSIONER OF POLICE, MR RAYMON ANNING; THE CHAIRMAN OF THE URBAN COUNCIL, MR GERRY FORSGATE; THE CHAIRMAN OF THE REGIONAL COUNCIL, MR CHEUNG YAN-LUNG’ AND CHAIRMEN OF DISTRICT BOARDS.
WREATHS WERE ALSO LAID BY SERVICE COMMANDERS, AND REPRESENTATIVES OF THE ROYAL BRITISH LEGION, SERVICE UNITS TRADITIONAL COMMUNITY ORGANISATIONS, EX-SERVICEMEN S ASSOCIATIONS* SOCIETIES AND OTHER BODIES.
MEANWHILE, THE CORRECTIONAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT OBSERVED REMEMBRANCE DAY BY HOLDING A SERVICE IN THE MAIN HALL OF THE OFFICERS’ CLUB OF THE DEPARTMENT IN STANLEY.
THE SERVICE WAS ATTENDED BY THE COMMISSIONER OF CORRECTIONAL SERVICES, MR CHAN WA-SHEK, STAFF AND FRIENDS OF THE DEPARTMENT.
AFTER THE SERVICE, THE CONGREGATION, LED BY THE CAPE COLLINSON BAND, MARCHED TO STANLEY MILITARY CEMETERY AND TOOK PART IN A WREATH-LAYING CEREMONY.
-----0------
JLG SUB-GROUP MEETS THIS WEEK *****
THE NEXT MEETING OF THE JOINT INTERNATIONAL RIGHTS AND OBLIGATIONS IS IN HONG KONG.
LIAISON GROUP SUB-GROUP ON
SCHEDULED FOR NOVEMBER 15-17
THE BRITISH TEAM WILL BE LED BY ASSISTED BY TWO OTHER MEMBERS, MR KEVIN
DR F. BURROWS WHO WILL
HO AND MISS SHELAGH BROOKS.
BE
OTHER EXPERTS FROM THE HONG NECESSARY.
KONG GOVERNMENT WILL ATTEND AS
- - 0 ---------
SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 13, 1988
- 3 -
PASSIVE SMOKING EXHIBITION BEGINS IN CHAI WAN » * t » *
S”2KING ls 'lAZARDOUS NOT ONLY TO THE SMOKER’S HEALTH, BUT HARMFUL TO NON-SMOKERS WHO INHALE THE SMOKE PASSIVELY.
ALSO
CMO1ZTMZ- I'a!K DEPUTY EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF THE HONG KONG COUNCIL ON AND HEALTH- DR CHRISTOPHER LEUNG, SAID THIS TODAY (SUNDAY) AT a uamASSIVE SM0KING EX«JBITION AT THE NEW JA^E sSoPPlJJ
in CHAI WAN.
AC AM CVA^S!4^0 HAS A VERY HARMFUL EFFECT ON HEALTH. TAKING HONG KONG AS AN EXAMPLE, AROUND 3,000 PERSONS DIE BECAUSE OF SMOKING EACH YEAR "
H E S AID . 9
UJ?AI_„ R1RC’E ™E F0RMAT10N OF THE HONG KONG COUNCIL ON SMOKING AND MurA/.,,o^r?EAR AG°’ MANY ANTI-SMOKING CAMPAIGN ACTIVITIES HAD BEEN ORGANISED AND A 24-POINT REPORT WAS ALSO SUBMITTED FOR THE GOVERNMENT’S CONSIDERATION, DR LEUNG SAID.
"THE PROPOSAL FOCUSSES ON FOUR MAIN AREAS TOBACCO COMPANIES FROM SPONSORING SOCIAL EVENTS, AGAINST CIGARETTE ‘SMOKING, EXTENDING NON-SMOKING PHASING OUT TOBACCO ADVERTISEMENTS," HE SAID.
-- FURTHER • BANNING
ENHANCING WARNINGS AREAS, AND FURTHER
HE HOPED THE REPORT, WHICH HEALTH AND WELFARE BRANCH, WOULD FUTURE.
HAD ALREADY BEEN SUBMITTED TO THE LEAD TO LEGISLATION IN THE NEAR
DR LElJNG ALSO SAID THE COUNCIL PLANNED TO ENCOURAGE NON-SMOKERS TO PROTECT THEIR RIGHTS, AND NOT BE EXPLOITED BY SMOKERS.
"THE COUNCIL WILL ALSO PROVIDE RELATED INFORMATION AND ASSISTANCE TO THOSE SMOKERS INTENDING TO DROP THE HABIT," HE ADDED.
DR LEUNG THANKED THE EASTERN DISTRICT BOARD AND THE DISTRICT OFFICE FOR ORGANISING THE FOUR-DAY PASSIVE SMOKING EXHIBITION WHICH HE SAID HAD HELPED SPREAD THE ANTI-SMOKING MESSAGE TO ALL SECTORS.
SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 13
1988
WONG, TAI SIN DISTRICT ARTS FESTIVAL OPENS *****
THE WONG TAI SIN DISTRICT ARTS FESTIVAL '88 IS A BLEND OF CULTURE, ARTS AND CIVIC EDUCATION, THE REGIONAL SECRETARY FOR HONG KONG AND KOWLOON, MR DAVID LAN, SAID TODAY (SUNDAY).
SPEAKING AT THE OPENING CEREMONY OF THE FESTIVAL AT MORSE PARK, MR LAN PRAISED THE FESTIVAL ORGANISING COMMITTEE FOR FOSTERING A SENSE OF BELONGING AND COMMUNITY PARTICIPATION THROUGH THE STAGING OF THE TWO-WEEK EVENT.
"THE COMMITTEE ALSO DESERVES CREDIT FOR HAVING SKILFULLY COMBINED THE PROMOTION OF CULTURE AND ARTS WITH THAT OF CIVIC EDUCATION THROUGH STAGING THE FESTIVAL, WHICH HAS BECOME A MAJOR ANNUAL EVENT IN THE WONG TAI SIN DISTRICT," HE NOTED.
MR LAN SAID THE FESTIVAL WOULD FEATURE A GREAT VARIETY OF EVENTS, EMBODYING THE ESSENCE OF BOTH WESTERN AND EASTERN ARTS, AND GIVING ARTISTS IN WONG TAI SIN WITH A VALUABLE OPPORTUNITY TO BROADEN THEIR HORIZON.
"THE FESTIVAL WILL BE A BOOST TO THE DISTRICT’S ARTISTIC ATMOSPHERE, AND WILL STIMULATE THE DEVELOPMENTS OF CUTLURE AND ARTS IN THE DISTRICT, AND BRING MERRIMENT TO LOCAL RESIDENTS," HE ADDED.
THE OPENING CEREMONY OF THE FESTIVAL WAS FOLLOWED BY A VARIETY SHOW FEATURING BAND PERFORMANCES, LION DANCE, CHINESE FOLK DANCE, CHINESE MARTIAL ART DEMONSTRATION, GYMNASTIC DISPLAY AND CHOIR SINGING.
THE FESTIVAL, WHICH FEATURES 23 CULTURAL AND RECREATIONAL EVENTS, IS SCHEDULED TO CONCLUDE WITH A CONCERT ON CHINESE MUSIC ON NOVEMBER 26.
THE FESTJVAI IS JOINTLY ORGANISED BY THE WONG TAI SIN DISTRICT ARTS COUNCIL AND THE URBAN COUNCI I, WITH SPONSORSHIP BY THE WONG TAI SIN DISTRICT BOARD AND S1K SIK YUEN.
- - 0 - -
SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 13, 1988
5 -
FIGHT CRIME CARNIVAL IN YAU TSIM DISTRICT *****
A CARNIVAL WAS HELD TODAY (SUNDAY) AT THE URBAN COUNCIL CENTENARY GARDEN IN TSIM SHA TSUI EAST TO PROMOTE THE FIGHT CRIME MESSAGE.
THE EVENT WAS OPENED BY THE DEPUTY COMMISSIONER OF POLICE (OPERATIONS), MR LI KWAN-HA; POLICE DISTRICT COMMANDER (YAU MA TEI), MR LAU YUK-KUEN; CHAIRMAN OF THE YAU TSIM DISTRICT BOARD, MR YIP WAH, AND ASSISTANT DISTRICT OFFICER, MR ARTHUR YUEN.
THERE WERE SINGING AND DANCE PERFORMANCES, STALL-GAMES AND A CARTOON CHARACTERS’ PARADE.
SOUVENIRS WERE ALSO PRESENTED TO POLICEMEN WHO ARRESTED CULPRITS IN A ROBBERY AND SHOOTING CASE WHICH OCCURRED ON NATHAN ROAD IN YAU MA TEI ON OCTOBER 24.
ORGANISED BY THE DISTRICT’S FIGHT CRIME COMMITTEE WITH THE SPONSORSHIP BY THE DISTRICT BOARD, THE CARNIVAL WAS ONE OF A SERIES OF ACTIVITIES TO REMIND LOCAL RESIDENTS TO BE MORE AWARE OF CRIME PREVENTION.
OTHER ACTIVITIES TO BE HELD DURING THE FIGHT CRIME CAMPAIGN OVER THE NEXT FEW MONTHS INCLUDE AN ANTI-TRIAD SINGING CONTEST, AN ANTI-TRIAD SEMINAR FOR PARENTS AND AN INTER-SCHOOL QUIZ ON KNOWLEDGE OF FIGHTING CRIME.
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MORE SPORTS FACILITIES ♦ * * *
IN NORTH DISTRICT ♦
MORI SPORTS AND RECREATIONAL FACILITIES WILL BE MADE AVAILABLE IN NORTH DISTRICT IN THE NEXT TWO OR THREE YEARS TO MEET THE RESIDENTS’ GROWING DEMAND, THE NORTH DISTRICT OFFICER, MR WILLIAM HUI SAID TODAY (SUNDAY).
MR HUI WAS SPEAKING AT THE OPENING CEREMONY OF THE REGCO ’88 INTER-DISTRICT SWIMMING GALA HELD AT THE FANLING PUBLIC SWIMMING POOL.
HE SAID WITH THE COMPLETION OF THESE FACILITIES FUNDED BY THE REGIONAL COUNCIL, THE DEVELOPMENT OF SPORTS AND RECREATIONAL ACTIVITIES IN THE DISTRICT WOULD BE GREATLY ENHANCED.
’’ONE OF THESE IS AN INDOOR RECREATION CENTRE IN THE TIN PING ESTATE OF THE FANLING/SHEUNG SHU I NEW TOWN.
/’’PROVIDED WITH
SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 1?, 1988
- 6
"PROVIDED WITH A GAMES AREA, DANCING AND FITNESS TRAINING ROOMS, THE CENTRE IS DUE FOR COMPLETION AT THE END OF THIS YEAR," HE SAID.
THREE OTHER PROJECTS INVOLVED WOULD BE LOCATED AT SITES ADJACENT TO THE TIN PING ESTATE.
"THEY INCLUDE AN INDOOR RECREATION CENTRE WHICH WILL HAVE EIGHT BADMINTON COURTS AND WILL BE READY FOR USE IN 1990.
"THERE WILL ALSO BE A $40 MILLION SPORTS COMPLEX PROVIDING FACILITIES SUCH AS AN ATHLETIC GROUND EQUIPPED WITH A 2,500-SPECTATOR STAND, A SOCCER PITCH, TENNIS, BASKETBALL AND VOLLEYBALL COURTS," MR HUI SAID.
"A SWIMMING POOL COMPLEX WITH A 700 SQUARE METRE LEISURE POOL WILL BE BUILT NEARBY."
CONSTRUCTION WORK ON THESE TWO ‘ COMPLEXES WAS EXPECTED TO COMPLETE IN 1991/1992, HE ADDED.
MR HUI ALSO NOTED THAT THE SHA TAU KOK RECREATION GROUND AND FANLING HONG LOK PARK WERE FACILITIES RECENTLY PROVIDED BY THE REGIONAL COUNCIL FOR RESIDENTS IN THE DISTRICT.
TODAY’S SWIMMING GALA WAS JOINTLY ORGANISED BY THE REGIONAL COUNCIL AND THE NEW TERRITORIES REGIONAL SPORTS ASSOCIATION TO PROMOTE INTEREST IN SWIMMING THROUGH COMPETITION.
ALSO OFFICIATING AT THE OPENING CEREMONY WERE THE CHAIRMAN OF THE NORTH DISTRICT BOARD, MR RAYMOND PANG; AND THE CHAIRMAN OF THE NORTH DISTRICT COMMITTEE OF THE REGIONAL COUNCIL, MR CHEUNG KUEN.
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CONCERT MARKS CLOSE OF YOUTH CHINESE MUSIC FESTIVAL t t * » ♦
A PUBLIC PERFORMANCE BY SOME 1,000 YOUNG MUSICIANS WON APPLAUSE FROM A CAPACITY AUDIENCE AT THE ACADEMIC COMMUNITY HALL THIS (SUNDAY) AFTERNOON.
THE OCCASION WAS THE INTERFLOW CONCERT ORGANISED BY THE MUSIC OFFICE TO MARK THE CLOSING OF THE 1988 HONG KONG YOUTH CHINESE MUSIC FESTIVAL WHICH STARTED ON NOVEMBER 5.
A TOTAL OF 13 CHINESE ORCHESTRAS, COMPRISING FOUR DISTRICT ORCHESTRAS OF THE MUSIC OFFICE AND NINE LOCAL AMATEUR AND SCHOOL ORCHESTRAS, TOOK TURNS TO PERFORM ON STAGE.
/FOUR GUEST .......
SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 1J, 1988
FOUR GUEST MUSICIANS FROM CHINA, MR LI XIAOGANG, MR XIAO JIANSHENG, MR QU ANHUA AND MR SUN GUISHENG COMPLIMENTED PARTICIPANTS ON THEIR PERFORMANCES. PIECES PRESENTED BY THE ORCHESTRAS INCLUDED "THE GENERAL’S ORDER" AND "TRIUMPHAL FISHING BOAT SONGS".
AFTER THE PERFORMANCES, THE MUSIC ADMINISTRATOR OF THE MUSIC OFFICE, MISS LOLLY CHIU PRESENTED SOUVENIRS TO THE REPRESENTATIVES OF THE NINE SCHOOL AND AMATEUR ORCHESTRAS IN RECOGNITION OF THEIR SUPPORT OF THE FESTIVAL.
"I SINCERELY HOPE THE SERIES OF ACTIVITIES IN THE 1988 HONG KONG YOUTH CHINESE MUSIC FESTIVAL WILL CONTRIBUTE TOWARD RAISING MUSICAL STANDARD AND THE APPRECIATION OF CHINESE MUSIC IN OUR COMMUNITY," MISS CHIU SAID.
THE EPILOGUE OF THE CONCERT WAS THE PERFORMANCES BY THE GUEST MUSICIANS. PIECES DEMONSTRATED BY THE PROFESSIONALS INCLUDED 'THE MOON OVER THE HAN PALACE" AND "JOYFUL HARVEST".
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YOUTHS PLEDGE TO CLEAN UP HONG KONG *****
YOUNG PEOPLE ARE BEING URGED TO BE CIVIC-MINDED AND NOT TO REPEAT THE MISTAKES THAT HAS MADE HONG KONG A VERY POLLUTED CITY.
THE CHAIRMAN OF THE JOINT URBAN COUNCIL/REGIONAL COUNCIL KEEP HONG KONG CLEAN STEERING COMMITTEE, MR WALTER SULKE, MADE THE COMMENTS DURING A KEEP HONG KONG CLEAN YOUTH RALLY TODAY (SUNDAY) AT VICTORIA PARK.
"NOW IT IS A CAMPAIGN OF COOPERATION, WHICH WE CALL ’COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT’," HE SAID.
THE YOUTH RALLY WAS AMONG A SERIES OF PROMOTIONAL ACTIVITIES AIMED AT APPEALING TO DIFFERENT SECTORS OF THE PUBLIC FOR MORE DIRECT INVOLVEMENT IN KEEPING HONG KONG CLEAN.
"ITS SPIRIT IS BEST EXPRESSED BY THE KEEP HONG KONG CLEAN CAMPAIGN JINGLE; TO HAVE EVERYBODY PITCH IN; TO HAVE EVERYBODY HELP KEEP OUR CITY CLEAN AND GREEN," MR SULKE SAID.
MR SULKE ADDED THAT IT WAS ESPECIALLY IMPORTANT TO HAVE STUDENTS’ PITCH IN BECAUSE THROUGH HI R PARTICIPATION, THr’Y WOULD LEARN ABOUT THE NECESSITY OF KEEPING THEIR SURROUNDINGS CLEAN
/TODAY'S PROGRAMME
SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 1J, 1988
8
TODAY’S PROGRAMME WAS LAUNCHED WITH AN OPENING CEREMONY OFFICIATED BY MEMBER OF THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL AND LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL AND CHAIRMAN OF THE CENTRAL COMMITTEE ON YOUTH, MRS ROSANNA TAM.
MORE THAN 1,000 YOUTHS, REPRESENTING 20 YOUTHS ORGA ISATIONS TOOK PART IN THE VARIOUS ENVIRONMENT IMPROVEMENT ACTIVITIES AT TODAY'S RALLY.
THESE INCLUDED MAKING OF SIGNS/LOGOS, REFURBISHING BENCHES, PAINTING OF LITTER CONTAINERS AND REFURBISHING OF RAILINGS.
SEVERAL COMMERCIAL COMPANIES ALSO TOOK THE OCCASION TO EXPRESS THEIR SUPPORT FOR THE CAMPAIGN, BY PROVIDING ATTRACTIVE PRIZES FOR THE COMPETITIONS.
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FIRST MAC TO BE FORMED IN JUNK BAY NEW TOWN * * * * *
THE FIRST MUTUAL AID COMMITTEE IN JUNK BAY NEW TOWN WILL BE FORMED THIS MONTH FOR RESIDENTS LIVING IN THE PO YAN HOUSE OF PO LAM ESTATE, SAI KUNG ASSISTANT DISTRICI OFFICER, MISS BETTY CHING SAID TODAY (SUNDAY).
A TOTAL OF 33 HOUSEHOLD REPRESENTATIVES FROM EACH FLOOR OF THE PO YAN HOUSE WERE EARLIER ELECTED AND THEY WILL TAKE PART IN THE ELECTION OF OFFICE-BEARERS ON THURSDAY (NOVEMBER 17) AT THE HOUSING DEPARTMENT’S PO LAM ESTATE OFFICE. THE ELECTION WILL START AT 8 PM.
SPEAKING AT A SEMINAR HELD AT THE SAI KUNG TOWN HALL TODAY, MISS CHING SAID THAT 816 HOUSEHOLDS WITH ABOUT 3,700 RESIDENTS NOW LIVE IN PO YAN HOUSE.
"THE SAI KUNG DISTRICT OFFICE HAS BEEN ENERGETICALLY ASSISTING IN THE FORMATION OF MUTUAL AID COMMITTEES IN THE HOUSING ESTATES IN JUNK BAY NEW TOWN, AND HOUSEHOLD VISITS IN THE LAST FEW MONTHS HAVE ENABLED STAFF TO DO SOME OF THE PREPARATORY WORK.
"WE HOPE THAT THE FORMATION OF MUTUAL AID COMMITTEES IN THE NEW TOWN WILL SERVE AS A LINK BETWEEN GOVERNMENT AND RESIDENTS, PROMOTE A SPIRIT OF MUTUAL RELIANCE AND AROUSE RESIDENTS’ SENSE OF BELONGING TO THEIR COMMUNITY," MISS CHING SAID.
WHEN PHASE III DEVELOPMENT OI JUNK BAY NEW TOWN IS COMPLETED, ITS POPULATION WILL REACH 440,000.
/AT PRESENT,
SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 13, 1?88
- 9
AT PRESENT, THERE ARE ABOUT 27,000 PEOPLE LIVING IN THE TWO HOUSING ESTATES, HOME OWNERSHIP SCHEME, TEMPORARY HOUSING AREA, RENNIE’S MILL AND THE SIX VILLAGES IN THE NEARBY AREA.
MANY COMMUNITY FACILITIES HAVE ALREADY BEEN STARTED TO SERVE THE RESIDENTS. THESE INCLUDE THE TSUI LAM COMMUNITY HALL, POLICE NEIGHBOURHOOD OFFICE, NURSERIES, CHILDREN AND YOUTH CENTRES, SOCIAL CENTRE, COMMUNITY NURSING CENTRE AND PRIVATE DOCTORS' CLINICS.
"WE EXPECT THAT MORE COMMUNITY FACILITIES WILL BE COMPLETED IN THE COMING MONTHS," MISS CHING ADDED.
"WITH MORE ACTIVE PARTICIPATION BY NEW TOWN RESIDENTS AND WITH THE UNFAILING EFFORTS MADE BY VARIOUS GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS AND LOCAL ORGANISATIONS IN DEVELOPING THE AREA, 1 BELIEVE JUNK BAY NEW TOWN WILL BECOME AN IDEAL PLACE TO LIVE IN," SHF. SAID.
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INDEX OF INDUSTRIAL PRODUCTION FOR SECOND QUARTER OF 1988 * * » « *
THE INDEX OF INDUSTRIAL PRODUCTION FOR THE SECOND QUARTER OF 1988, AT 121, WAS 4 POINTS OR 3.4 PER CENT ABOVE THAT FOR THE SECOND QUARTER OF 1987, ACCORDING TO STATISTICS RELEASED TODAY BY THE CENSUS & STATISTICS DEPARTMENT.
THIS COMPARES WITH THE YEAR-ON-YEAR GROWTH RATES OF 6 PER CENT IN THE FIRST QUARTER OF 1988, 9 PER CENT IN THE FOURTH QUARTERS OF 1987, AND AN AVERAGE OF 19 PER CENT IN THE FIRST THREE QUARTER OF 1987. THUS, A SLOWDOWN IN THE GROWTH RATE OF INDUSTRIAL PRODUCTION UP TO THE SECOND QUARTER OF 1988 IS APPARENT.
COMPARED WITH THE FIRST QUARTER OF 1988, THE INDEX SHOWED AN INCREASE OF 16 POINTS OR 15.2 PER CENT.
THIS INCREASE WAS MAINLY DUE TO THE LARGER NUMBER OF WORKING DAYS IN THE SECOND QUARTER OVER THE FIRST QUARTER WHEN MOST OF THE MANUFACTURING WORKERS HAD THEIR LUNAR NEW YEAR HOLIDAYS.
THE BASE OF THE INDEX IS THE YEAR 1986. IN OTHER WORDS, THE INDEX WAS 100 IN 1986.
/INDUSTRIES SHOWING .......
SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 1J, 1988
10 -
INDUSTRIES SHOWING THE LARGEST INCREASES IN PRODUCTION IN THE SECOND QUARTER OF 1988 OVER THE SAME QUARTER OF 1987 WERE: TOBACCO (+42.5 PER CENT); MACHINERY, EXCEPT ELECTRICAL (+26.1 PER CENT); NEWSPAPER PRINTING, JOB PRINTING AND OTHER PRINTING (+24.5 PER CENT); ELECTRICAL AND ELECTRONIC PARTS, ACCESSORIES AND MACHINERY (+21.5 PER CENT); AND PAPER AND PAPER PRODUCTS (+20.3 PER CENT).
THE FOLLOWING INDUSTRIES REPORTED A DECREASE IN PRODUCTION COMPARED WITH THE SECOND QUARTER OF 1987: RUBBER PRODUCTS (-22.6 PER CENT); WOOD AND CORK PRODUCTS, AND FURNITURE AND FIXTURES (EXCEPT PRIMARILY OF METAL) (-11.3 PER CENT); WEARING APPAREL EXCEPT KNITWEAR AND FOOTWEAR (-7.8 PER CENT); LEATHER PRODUCTS AND FOOTWEAR (EXCEPT RUBBER, PLASTIC AND WOODEN FOOTWEAR) (-7.1 PER CENT); TEXTILES (INCLUDING KNITTING) (-7.0 PER CENT); AND PLASTIC PRODUCTS (-4.6 PER CENT).
COMPARING THE INDUSTRIAL PRODUCTION IN THE SECOND QUARTER OF 1988 WITH THAT IN THE PRECEDING QUARTER BUT BEARING IN MIND THAT THIS COMPARISON IS INFLUENCED BY SEASONAL FACTORS, MOST MANUFACTURING INDUSTRIES SURVEYED REPORTED INCREASES IN PRODUCTION.
THE MORE SIGNIFICANT INCREASES WERE RECORDED IN THE FOLLOWING INDUSTRIES: PAPER AND PAPER PRODUCTS (+42.6 PER CENT); BEVERAGE (+35.6 PER CENT); BASIC METALS (+30.0 PER CENT); PROFESSIONAL AND SCIENTIFIC EQUIPMENT, PHOTOGRAPHIC AND OPTICAL GOODS, WATCHES AND CLOCKS (+30.0 PER CENT); FABRICATED METAL PRODUCTS, EXCEPT MACHINERY AND EQUIPMENT (+22.1 PERCENT); AND TEXTILES (INCLUDING KNITTING) (+21.6 PER CENT).
IN RELEASING THESE FIGURES, A "’OKESMAN FOR THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT EXPLAINED THA THE INDEX OF INDUSTRIAL PRODUCTION IS PRIMARILY INTENDED TO REFLECT THE LEVELS AND TRENDS OF LOCAL MANUFACTURING OUTPUT IN REAL TERMS.
IN OTHER WORDS, THE VOLUME OF PRODUCTION IS MEASURED AFTER DISCOUNTING THE EFFECT OF PRICE CHANGES.
A TABLE SHOWING CHANGES IN THE INDEXES OF INDUSTRIAL
PRODUCTION IN GREATER DETAIL IS ATTACHED.
MORE DETAILED INFORMATION CAN BE FOUND TN THE "REPORT ON THE QUARTERLY INDEX OF INDUSTRIAL PRODUCTION, 2ND QUARTER 1988", WHICH IS ON SALE AT $3 A COPY AT THE GOVERNMENT PUBLICATIONS CENTRE, GENERAL POST OFFICE BUILDING, CONNAUGHT F’LACE OR AT THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT PUBLICATIONS SALES COUNTER, i’/F., WANCHAI TOWER 1, HARBOUR ROAD, WAN CHAI. REGULAR SUI TION MAY ALSO BE ARRANGED.
FURTHER ENQUIRIES ABOUT THE SURVEY MAY BE DIRECTED TO THE INDUSTRIAL RESEARCH SECTION OF 1! NSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT AT TELEPHONE NUMBER 5-8234832.
/INDEXES OF .......
SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 1?, 1988
INDEXES OF INDUSTRIAL PRODUCTION RY INDUSTRY GROUP
INDUSTRY GROUP ( 1986 = 100)
INDEXES FOR 2ND QTR. 1988 % CHANGE OVER
2ND QTR. 1987 1ST QTR. 1988
FOOD 111 + 4.7 + 7.8
BEVERAGE 122 + 16.2 + 35.6
TOBACCO 151 + 42.5 -1.3
WEARING APPAREL, EXCEPT KNITWEAR AND FOOTWEAR 106 -7.8 . + 8.2
TEXTILES (INCLUDING KNITTING) 107 7-° + 21 .6
PAPER AND PAPER PRODUCTS 184 + 20.3 + 42.6
NEWSPAPER PRINTING, JOB PRINTING AND OTHER PRINTING 137 + 24.5 + 11.4
CHEMICALS AND CHEMICAL PRODUCTS 110 + 3.8 + 13.4
RUBBER PRODUCTS 106 -22.6 -16.5
PLASTIC PRODUCTS 103 -4.6 + 19.8
NON-METALLIC MINERAL PRODUCTS 113 + 3.7 + 5.6
BASIC METALS 143 + 13.5 + 30.0
FABRICATED METAL PRODUCTS, EXCEPT MACHINERY AND EQUIPMENT 138 + 19.0 + 22.1
MACHINERY, EXCEPT ELECTRICAL 150 + 26.1 + 15.4
CONSUMER ELECTRICAL AND ELECTRONIC PRODUCTS 132 0.0 + 3.1
ELECTRICAL AND ELECTRONIC PARTS, ACCESSORIES AND MACHINERY 158 + 21.5 + 17.9
/PROFESSIONAL
SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 13, 1988
12 -
PROFESSIONAL + 17.1 + 30.0
AND SCIENTIFIC EQUIPMENT, PHOTOGRAPHIC AND OPTICAL GOODS, WATCHES AND CLOCKS 130
LEATHER PRODUCTS AND FOOTWEAR (EXCEPT RUBBER, PLASTIC AND WOODEN FOOTWEAR) 130 -7.1 + 15.0
WOOD AND CORK PRODUCTS, AND FURNITURE AND FIXTURES (EXCEPT PRIMARILY OF METAL) 94 -11.3 + 6.8
TRANSPORT EQUIPMENT 119 + 15.5 + 11.2
MISCELLANEOUS MANUFACTURING INDUSTRIES, N.E.S. 128 + 5.8 + 2.4
ALL MANUFACTURING INDUSTRIES 121 + 3.4 + 15.2
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HELPING STREET SLEEPERS - DIFFICULT YET CHALLENGING * * ♦ * ♦
ASSISTING STREET SLEEPERS IS A DIFFICULT YET A HIGHLY CHALLENGING TASK, ASSISTANT DIRECTOR OF SOCIAL WELFARE (FAMILY WELFARE), MR ALFRED CHUI, TOLD A GROUP OF VOLUNTEERS TODAY (SUNDAY).
THE VOLUNTEERS WERE ATTENDING A TRAINING WORKSHOP ON HOW TO WORK WITH STREET SLEEPERS IN WEST KOWLOON/NEW TERRITORIES REGIONS AT YAU MA TEI.
MR CHUI ALSO CALLED FOR COMPASSION AND CONCERN FROM THE PUBLIC TO DEMONSTRATE TO STREET SLEEPERS THAT THEY WERE NOT DESERTED BY THE COMMUNITY.
HE NOTED THAT SOME STREET SLEEPERS, BECAUSE OF OLD AGE, ILLNESS, DISABILITIES OR MENTAL DISORDER, WERE H1GHLY-SUSP1CIOUS OF STRANGERS, INCLUDING EVEN PEOPLE WHO TRIED TO RENDER THEM ASSISTANCE.
’’THUS, WE NEED PEOPLE WHO ARE PATIENT, CARING AND UNDERSTANDING TO BEFRIEND THEM AND WIN THEIR TRUST BEFORE WE CAN SERVE THEM,” HE SAID.
/’’THERE IS
SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 15t 1988
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’’THERE IS A RANGE OF SERVICES, INCLUDING PUBLIC ASSISTANCE, OLD AGE OR DISABILITY ALLOWANCES, RENT ALLOWANCE AND COMPASSIONATE REHOUSING, TO HELP THESE STREET SLEEPERS RETURN TO A NORMAL LIFE.
"IN ADDITION, AN URBAN HOSTEL, WHICH IS A PILOT PROJECT, HAS BEEN SET UP TO SERVE THOSE STREET SLEEPERS WHO ARE OLD OR HAVE SPECIAL NEEDS," HE ADDED.
MR CHUI COMMENDED THE VOLUNTEERS AND PARTICIPATING AGENCIES FOR THEIR SUPPORT AND SERVICES FOR THESE PEOPLE IN NEED.
THE TRAINING WORKSHOP WAS ORGANISED BY A WORKING GROUP COMPRISING REPRESENTATIVES FROM THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT, HELPING HAND, THE SALVATION ARMY, THE ST STEPHEN SOCIETY, THE STREET SLEEPERS’ ACTION COMMITTEE, FUK LAM CHURCH, THE HONG KONG CHRISTIAN CONCERN FOR THE HOMELESS ASSOCIATION, THE STREET SLEEPERS SOCIETY AND THE MISSIONARY OF CHARITIES.
THE WORKSHOP, INCLUDING TALKS, EXPERIENCE-SHARING SEMINARS AND GROUP DISCUSSIONS, WAS AIMED AT ENHANCING VOLUNTEERS’ UNDERSTANDING OF THE PROBLEM OF STREET SLEEPING AND TO INTRODUCE THEM TO THE TECHNIQUES IN CONTACTING STREET SLEEPERS SO THAT THEY CAN BETTER ASSIST THE RELEVANT AGENCIES IN RENDERING SERVICES.
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SHA TIN FIGHT AGAINST JUVENILE CRIME ACHIEVES RESULTS t ♦ t » t
THE FIGHT AGAINST JUVENILE CRIME IN SHA TIN HAS ACHIEVED RESULTS THROUGH THE CO-ORDINATED EFFORTS OF GOVERNMENT DEPAR I MENIS AND LOCAL ORGANISATIONS, ACCORDING TO SHA TIN DISTRICT FIGHT CRIME COMMITTEE CHAIRMAN, MR CHAN SZE-BUN.
ACTIVITIES ORGANISED BY THE COMMITTEE IN THE PAST FEW MONTHS, SUCH AS THE ANTI-SHOPTHEFT RALLY IN AUGUST ATTENDED BY SOME 700 YOUNGSTERS AND THE ANTI-TRIAD PUBLICITY VARIETY SHOW IN SEPTEMBER HAI) REFLECTED POSITIVELY IN REAL TERMS, MR CHAN SAID.
’TAKE THE FIGURES FOR SHOPTHEFT, THE WORST AREA OF SHA TIN’S JUVENILE ('RIME," HE ADDED.
YOUNG PEOPLE BETWEEN EIGHT AND 17
FIRST HALI4 OF 1988, THE NUMBERS OF FOR JULY, AUGUST AND SEPTEMBER WERE
IN 1987, ALTOGETHER 504 YEARS OLD WERE ARRESTED. IN THE ARREST WERE 317; THE FIGURES RESPECTIVELY 27, 24 AND 15.
/FOR THE ........
SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 1J, 1988
14
FOR THE TOTAL NUMBER OF JUVENILE ARRESTS, IT WAS 1,292 IN 1987; 713 FROM JANUARY TO JUNE 1988; 107 IN JULY AND 82 IN AUGUST.
CONTINUING THEIR EFFORTS, MR CHAN SAID A SERIES OF YOUTH ACTIVITIES WERE BEING ORGANISED BY THE COMMITTEE TO PROMOTE A SENSE OF COMMUNITY AWARENESS AGAINST CRIME.
THEY INCLUDE A COLOURING COMPETITION, INTER-SCHOOL QUIZ, ESSAY COMPETITIONS, VARIETY SHOW, EXHIBITION AND LARGE-SCALE TV PRESENTATION.
"UNDER WAY AT PRESENT ARE THE COLOURING, QUIZ AND ESSAY COMPETITIONS ORGANISED THROUGH ALL SCHOOLS IN SHA TIN TO IMPROVE YOUNG PEOPLE’S AWARENESS OF THE JUVENILE PROBLEM AND ITS CONSEQUENCE," HE SAID.
"THEY ARE TARGETTED AT DIFFERENT AGE GROUPS: COLOURING COMPETITION AT PRIMARY ONE TO FOUR, QUIZ AT PRIMARY FIVE AND SIX, AND THE ESSAY CONTESTS AT SECONDARY SCHOOL STUDENTS.
"ENTRIES FOR THE COLOURING AND QUIZ COMPETITIONS WILL CLOSE ON NOVEMBER 30 WHILE THE ESSAY COMPETITIONS ON DECEMBER 12."
ON A MORE SPECTACULAR LEVEL, MR CHAN SAID, WOULD BE THE VARIETY SHOW AND EXHIBITION IN NEXT JANUARY AND ATV’S "NEW SPECIAL TIGER UNIT" SHOW IN MARCH OR APRIL.
"THROUGH THE PROVISION OF HEALTHY RECREATIONAL ACTIVITIES, WE HOPE OUR YOUNG POPULATION WILL HAVE A PROPER BALANCE AGAINST THE PRESSURE EXERTED BY, SAY, FAMILY EXPECTATIONS, EXAMINATIONS AND SOCIAL ASPIRATIONS," HE SAID.
TURNING TO THE STRATEGY OF THE JUVENILE DELINQUENCY ACTION GROUP SET UP UNDER THE COMMITTEE IN JULY, MR CHAN SAID THE INITIAL APPROACH WAS TWO-PRONGED: ORGANISING ACTIVITIES AND MONITORING THE SITUATION.
"BESIDES ORGANISING PUBLIC FUNCTIONS, WE PLAN TO HAVE A VISIT PROGRAMME TO SCHOOLS TO PUBLICISE THE DAMAGING EFFECTS OF YOUTH CRIME AND VISITS TO SHOPS, YOUTH CENTRES AND GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS TO EXCHANGE IDEAS ON EFFECTIVE WAYS TO TACKLE THE PROBLEM," HE SAID.
"WE ALSO PLAN TO SET UP A RESEARCH GROUP TO COLLATE THE FACTORS ON BAD YOUTH BEHAVIOUR TO FIND OUT THE BEST APPROACH TO SOLVING JUVENILE CRIME.
"AT THE SAME TIME, WE WILL INVITE EXPERTS TO JOIN A SERIES OF FORMAL OR INFORMAL DISCUSSIONS ON TOPICS SUCH AS SHOPTHEFT, TRIAD AND DRUG ABUSE."
/MR CHAN
SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 1J, 1988
MR CHAN POINTED OUT THAT THE ACTION GROUP WAS CONSTANTLY REVIEWING THEIR.EFFORTS AND MONITORING THE SITUATION BASED ON POLICE FINDINGS, GOVERNMENT AND OTHER REPORTS AS WELL AS PRACTICAL OBSERVATIONS.
HE SAID HE FULLY ACKNOWLEDGED THAT JUVENILE PROBLEM ACCOMPANIED THE GROWTH OF A NEW TOWN, ESPECIALLY IN A RAPIDLY-DEVELOPING PLACE LIKE SHA TIN, WHICH ATTRACTED THE GREATEST POPULATION OF ALL NEW TOWNS IN LESS THAN A DECADE.
"WHILE SOME VERY ENCOURAGING SIGNS HAVE BEEN OBSERVED TN COMBATT.ING THE PROBLEM, WE ARE IN NO WAY COMPLACENT AND WILL DO OUR BEST TO PREVENT CRIME FROM GROWING INTO A TREND," MR CHAN SAID.
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WHITEHEAD VBP DETENTION CENTRE ON DB AGENDA
i * » * *
THREE MEMBERS OF THE SHA TIN DISTRICT BOARD WILL RAISE QUESTIONS ABOUT VIETNAMESE BOAT PEOPLE AT THE DB MEETING ON TUESDAY (NOVEMBER 15).
MR WONG HONG-CHUNG AND DR JOHN YOUNG WILL ASK ABOUT THE PROGRESS OF CONSTRUCTION OF THE DETENTION CENTRE FOR VBP AT WHITEHEAD, MA ON SHAN AND IF THE SHORTAGE OF MANPOWER IN THE CORRECTIONAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT WILL AFFECT THE OPERATION AND SECURITY OF THE CENTRE.
THEY WILL ALSO ASK HOW THE GOVERNMENT WOULD PREVENT THE USE OF UNNECESSARY FORCE ON THE VIETNAMESE DETAINEES IN VIEW OF THE INCIDENT AT THE HEI LING CHAU CENTRE.
THE REV FUNG CH I-WOOD WILL ENQUIRE ABOUT GOVERNMENT PLANS TO RESETTLE VBPS OVERSEAS AND IF THE WHITEHEAD DETENTION CENTRE WILL BECOME AN OPEN CAMP.
HE WILL ALSO MOVE A MOTION TO REFLECT THE DB’S VIEWS ON THE RESETTLEMENT ISSUE TO THE GOVERNMENT..
PRINCIPAL ASSISTANT SECRETARY (SECURITY), MRS CARRIE YAU; ASSISTANT SECRETARY (SECURITY), MR D. T. BROWNING; AND ASSISTANT COMMISSIONER FOR CORRECTIONAL SERVICES, MR I. K. BHAGAT WILL ATTEND THE MEETING TO ANSWER THESE QUESTIONS.
MEANWHILE, DB MEMBER, MR WONG FUK-WAH WILL ASK WHAT STEPS GOVERNMENT HAS TAKEN AGAINST THE OPERATION OF TOURIST HOSTELS AND GUEST HOUSES IN SOME OF THE RESIDENTIAL BUILDINGS IN SHA TIN.
/ANOTHER DB
SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 15, 1988
- 16 -
ANOTHER DB MEMBER, MR KAN CHUNG-NIN WILL ENQUIRE ABOUT PLANS TO REDUCE THE NOISE POLLUTION BY DIESEL GOODS TRAINS. ACTING SENIOR ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION OFFICER (NOISE POLICY), MR WONG WAI-HONG WILL EXPLAIN THE SITUATION.
DR JOHN YOUNG WILL ALSO ASK ABOUT THE CURRENT STATUS OF WATER WORKS PLANTS IN THE SHA TIN AREA.
ALSO AT THE MEETING, ASSISTANT COMMISSIONER FOR TRANSPORT, MR RICHARD MEAKINS WILL EXPLAIN THE GOVERNMENT’S POLICY ON TAXI LICENSING.
MR WONG HONG-CHUNG WILL PRESENT A PAPER URGING FOR* BETTER CO-ORDINATION TO CONTROL THE HAWKER PROBLEM IN SHA TIN’S PUBLIC HOUSING ESTATES.
OTHER ITEMS ON THE AGENDA INCLUDE THE SHA TIN FESTIVAL, BRIEFING ON THE INTERNATIONAL CYCLING AND ROAD RACES OF THE REGIONAL COUNCIL FESTIVAL 88, APPLICATION FOR FUNDS, AS WELL AS PROGRESS REPORTS BY COMMITTEE CHAIRMEN AND THAT ON DISTRICT MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE MATTERS.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE SHA TIN DISTRICT BOARD MEETING WHICH WILL BEGIN AT 9.30 AM ON TUESDAY (NOVEMBER 15) AT THE DB CONFERENCE ROOM ON SIXTH FLOOR, KCR HOUSE, SHA TIN STATION.
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COMMUNITY CENTRE GETS NEW NAME ♦ ♦ » t »
THE NAME FOR "BUTTERFLY ESTATE COMMUNITY CENTRE” HAS BEEN RE-NAMED THE "BUTTERFLY BAY COMMUNITY CENTRE" SINCE NOVEMBER, A SPOKESMAN FOR THE TUEN MUN DISTRICT OFFICE SAID TODAY (SUNDAY).
THE SPOKESMAN SAID THE CHANGE WAS AIMED AT ENCOURAGING RESIDENTS OF THE SERVICING AREA, WHICH INCLUDED THE BUTTERFLY ESTATE, WU KING ESTATE, SIU SHAN AND SIU HEI cSlJRTS , MELODY GARDEN, AS WELL AS PAK POK AND WU KING TEMPORARY HOUSING AREAS, TO MAKE FULL USE OF VARIOUS FACILITIES PROVIDED BY THE CENTRE.
THE DISTRICT OFFICE TOOK UP MANAGEMENT OF THE COMMUNITY CENTRE SINCE MID-1985 AND IS RESPONSIBLE FOR THE BOOKING OF A CONFERENCE ROOM AND A MULTI-PURPOSE HALL.
/THERE ARE
SUNDAY, NOVIMBER 1J, 1988
- 17 -
THERE ARE ALSO OTHER FACILITIES IN THE COMPLEX SUCH AS CENTRES FOR THE ELDERLY, YOUTH AND CHILDREN AND A NURSERY.
THE CENTRE IS OPEN FROM 9 AM TO 10 PM ON WEEKDAYS AND FROM 9 PM TO 6 PM ON SUNDAYS.
ENQUIRIES CONCERNING THE CENTRE CAN BE MADE ON 0-844101, THE SPOKESMAN ADDED.
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CHINA’S CHESS CHAMPION TO PLAY BLIND-FOLDED
» * » * *
MEMBERS OF THE WINNING TEAMS IN THE LABOUR RELATIONS ’88 CHINESE CHESS COMPETITION WILL HAVE A RARE OPPORTUNITY OF COMPETING IN A FRIENDLY MATCH WITH AN EXPERT FROM CHINA NEXT MONTH.
THE REIGNING CHAMPION OF CHINA’S NATIONAL CHINESE CHESS CONTEST, MR LUI YUM, HAS BEEN INVITED BY THE ORGANISING COMMITTEE OF LABOUR RELATIONS ’88 TO COMPETE BLIND-FOLDED AGAINST MEMBERS OF THE TWO BEST TEAMS SIMULTANEOUSLY.
THE EVENT WILL TAKE PLACE AT THE MACPHERSON STADIUM IN MONG KOK ON DECEMBER 8.
"COMPLIMENTARY TICKETS WILL BE DISTRIBUTED TO ALL PARTICIPATING TEAMS OF THE COMPETITION," A SPOKESMAN FOR THE ORGANISING COMMITTEE SAID TODAY (SUNDAY).
THE CHINESE CHESS COMPETITION IS ONE OF THE EVENTS ORGANISED BY THE COMMITTEE TO PROVIDE OPPORTUNITIES FOR EMPLOYERS AND EMPLOYEES TO JOINTLY TAKE PART IN RECREATIONAL ACTIVITIES.
"IT IS HOPED THAT THROUGH SUCH ACTIVITIES, A BETTER MUTUAL UNDERSTANDING AND GREATER TRUST WILL BE ACHIEVED WHICH WILL IN TURN PAVE THE WAY FOR EVEN CLOSER CO-OPERATION," THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
THE PRELIMINARY ROUNDS OF THE CHINESE CHESS COMPETITION WILL BEGIN ON NOVEMBER 20 AT THE CARITAS COMMUNITY CENTRE, TSUEN WAN.
THESE WILL BE FOLLOWED BY THREE KNOCK-OUT BOUTS ON NOVEMBER 27 AND ON DECEMBER 2 AND 4.
ALL MATCHES WILL BE OPENED TO THE PUBLIC AND CONDUCTED WITH THE ASSISTANCE AND IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE HONG KONG CHINESE CHESS ASSOCIATION’S RULES AND REGULATIONS.
/THE WINNER
SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 1J, 1988
- 18 -
THE WINNER WILL BE AWARDED A CASH PRIZE OF $5,000 WHILE THE FIRST, SECOND AND THIRD RUNNERS-UP WILL RECEIVE $3,000, $1,000 AND $500 RESPECTIVELY.
MEANWHILE, THE LABOUR RELATIONS '88 TABLE TENNIS TOURNAMENT WILL TAKE PLACE ON NOVEMBER 27, AND DECEMBER 3 AND 4 AT THE JUBILEE SPORTS CENTRE IN SHA TIN.
THE TOURNAMENT IS ORGANISED IN CONJUNCTION WITH THE HONG KONG TABLE TENNIS ASSOCIATION.
EMPLOYERS AND EMPLOYEES OF INDUSTRIAL AND COMMERCIAL ORGANISATIONS, MEMBERS OF TRADE UNIONS AND EMPLOYERS ASSOCIATIONS MAY FORM TEAMS TO ENTER INTO THE TOURNAMENT.
ENTRY FORMS ARE AVAILABLE FROM DISTRICT OFFICES AND BRANCH OFFICES OE THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT’S LABOUR RELATIONS DIVISION.
ENQUIRIES ON THE LABOUR RELATIONS '88 ACTIVITIES CAN BE MADE AT 5-8523511.
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ATHLETIC MEET FOR RESIDENTS ♦ * t t *
THE CENTRAL AND WESTERN DISTRICT ATHLETIC MEET SPONSORED BY THE DISTRICT BOARD AND THE SIX AREA COMMITTEES WAS COMPLETED WITH SATISFACTORY RESULTS AT THE WAN CHAI SPORTS GROUND TODAY (SUNDAY).
MORE THAN 1,000 PEOPLE TOOK PART IN THE MEET WHICH WAS AIMED TO PROMOTE SPORTS ACTIVITIES AMONG RESIDENTS. THE. RACES INCLUDED THE 100M TO IX100M FOR BOTH MAN AND WOMAN DIVISIONS;HURDLES FOR MEN; HIGH JUMP; LONG JUMP; SHOT PUTT AND DISCUS.
REPRESENTATIVES OF THE SIX AREA COMMITTEES, STAFF MEMBERS OF’ THE CENTRAL AND WESTERN DISTRICT OFFICE AS WELL AS MEMBERS OF THE CENTRAL AND WESTERN DISTRICT RECREATION AND SPORTS ASSOCIATION TOOK PART IN A RELAY RACE.
THE RELAY INVITATION RACE TOOK PLACE UNDER A FRIENDLY ATMOSPHERE WITH CHUNG WAN AREA COMMITTEE WINNING THE. CHAMPIONSHIP. PRIZES FOR THE FIRST AND SECOND RUNNER-UP WERE AWARDED TO THE SHEUNG WAN AREA COMMITTEE. AND CENTRAL A WESTERN DISTRICT RECREATION AND SPORTS ASSOCIATION RESPECTIVELY.
/OFFICIATING AT
SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 1J, 1988
- 19 -
OFFICIATING AT THE OPENING OF THE ATHLETIC MEET TODAY WERE THE CENTRAL WESTERN DISTRICT OFFICER, MR STEPHEN FISHER; CHAIRMAN OF THE DISTRICT RECREATION AND SPORTS ASSOCIATION, MR S.W. LEUNG; CENTRAL AND WESTERN RECREATION AND SPORTS OFFICER, MRS Y.N. FUNG AND DISTRICT BOARD MEMBER, MR C.H. CHAN.
SIX CHAIRMEN AND VICE CHAIRMEN OF THE AREA COMMITTEES INCLUDING MESSRS. Y.M. LAM, S.M. OR, Y.S. CHOW AND MADAMES W.F. CHAN, S.W. YIP AND Y.L. LEE ALSO OFFICIATED AT THE OPENING CEREMONY TODAY.
OTHER GUESTS OF HONOUR WERE THE HONORARY PRESIDENTS OF THE CENTRAL AND WESTERN DISTRICT RECREATION AND SPORTS ASSOCIATION, MESSRS, C.Y. YIP AND C.K. HO.
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NEW FIRE STATION FOR KWAI CHUNG
*****
THE ARCHITECTURAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT WILL BUILD A NEW FIRE STATION IN KWAI CHUNG.
THE STANDARD SUB-DIVIS1ONAL FIRE STATION, TO BE BUILT ON A 2,1OO-SQUARE-METRE SITE AT HING SHING ROAD NEAR THE KWAI HING MTR STATION, WILL REPLACE THE EXISTING FIRE STATION AT TAI LIN PAI ROAD.
THW NEW STATION WILL BE A FOUR-STOREY BUILDING CONSISTING OF A DRILL YARD, A FOUR-BAY APPLIANCE ROOM, OFFICES, BARRACK ACCOMMODATION AND A CANTEEN-RECREAT I ON AREA.
THERE WILL ALSO BE A KITCHEN, AN EXERCISE ROOM, TOILETS AND STORE FACILITIES.
THE DEPARTMENT IS INVITING TENDERS FOR THE WORK WHICH IS EXPECTED TO START IN FEBRUARY 1989 AND TAKE 12 MONTHS TO COMPLETE.
THE DEADLINE FOR SUBMISSION OF TENDERS IS NOON, ON DECEMBER 2, THIS YEAR.
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NEW I.D. CARDS FOR WOMEN BORN BETWEEN 1960-62 *****
WOMEN BORN IN 1960, 1961 OR 1962 ARE REQUIRED TO APPLY FOR NEW IDENTITY CARDS FROM NOVEMBER 11 TO JANUARY 14.
WOMEN OF THE ABOVE AGE GROUP SHOULD CALL AT ANY ONE OF THE EIGHT NEW I.D. CARD ISSUE OFFICES DURING THIS PERIOD.
/"THE NEW
SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 1}, 1988
20 -
"THE NEW I.D. CARD ISSUE OFFICES ARE OPEN FROM 8 AM TO 9.30 PM DAILY, EXCEPT SUNDAYS AND PUBLIC HOLIDAYS," A SPOKESMAN FOR THE IMMIGRATION DEPARTMENT SAID.
"IT IS ANTICIPATED THAT THE ISSUE OFFICES WILL BE VERY CROWDED IN THE EVENINGS. TO AVOID HAVING TO QUEUE UP AT THE ISSUE OFFICES OR TO COME BACK ON ANOTHER DAY, APPLICANTS ARE ADVISED TO GO TO THESE OFFICES IN THE MORNINGS AND AFTERNOONS," HE ADDED.
APPLICANTS MAY ALSO 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 TEL. NO. 3-7553679 ROAD.
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 : SHOP 8A, SECOND FLOOR, CHANWAY SHOPPING CENTRE,
11-17, SHATIN CENTRE STREET, SHA TIN 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. 0-927191
"APPLICANTS NORMALLY NEED TO BRING ALONG THEIR EXISTING I.D. CARDS IF THEIR CARDS WERE FIRST REGISTERED NOT LESS THAN SEVEN YEARS AGO AND BEAR THE ♦ SYMBOL," THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
"HOWEVER, IF THE APPLICANT’S I.D. CARD WAS FIRST REGISTERED LESS THAN SEVEN YEARS AGO OR DOES NOT HAVE THE *** SYMBOL, SHE IS REQUIRED TO FURNISH MORE DOCUMENTARY EVIDENCE IN ORDER TO FACILITATE THE ASSESSMENT OF HER RIGHT OF ABODE IN HONG KONG AND SUBSEQUENTLY HER ELIGIBILITY FOR A PERMANENT I.D. CARD.
"THE DOCUMENT MAY TAKE THE FORM OF TRAVEL DOCUMENT, HONG KONG BIRTH CERTIFICATE, HONG KONG NATURALISATION CERTIFICATE, HONG KONG REGISTRATION CERTIFICATE, ETC," HE ADDED.
THE SPOKESMAN REITERATED THAT THERE WOULD BE NO AMNESTY FOR ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS.
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DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL: 5-8428777
MONDAY, NOVEMBER 14, 1988
CONTENTS PaGE NO.
RUTTONJEE HOSPITAL MARKS IMPORTANT STEP AHEAD: GOVERNOR ... 1
GOVERNOR PRAISES WORK OF BRITISH COUNCIL.................. 2
MORE EFFECTIVE MANAGEMENT OF PUBLIC FINANCES ............. 3
TRANSPORT ADVISORY COMMITTEE MEETS TOMORROW .............. 6
CIVIC EDUCATION DAY ON DECEMBER 18........................ 6
QUARTERLY BUSINESS SURVEY RESULTS RELEASED ............... 7
HEPATITIS B VACCINATION FOR NEW-BORN BABIES .............. 10
WATER STORAGE FIGURE...................................... 10
DB COMMITTEE TO DISCUSS TAXI SERVICES .................... 11
PAPER ON LEISURE SERVICES UNDER STUDY .................... 11
FESTIVAL LIGHTING ON AGENDA .............................. 12
TENDERS INVITED FOR MAIN-LAYING IN TAI P0‘................ 12
FENCING COURSES FOR SECONDARY STUDENTS ................... 13
TEMPORARY URBAN CLEARWAY IN WING LOK STREET .............. 13
METERED PARKING SPACES DESIGNATED IN TUEN MUN ............ 14
TEMPORARY CLOSURE OF ON PONG ROAD ........................ 14
MONDAY, NOVEMBER 14, 1988
RUTTONJEE HOSPITAL MARKS IMPORTANT STEP AHEAD: GOVERNOR t ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦
THE NEW RUTTONJEE HOSPITAL PROJECT MARKS ANOTHER IMPORTANT STEP IN THE PROVISION OF MEDICAL SERVICES IN HONG KONG, THE GOVERNOR, SIR DAVID WILSON, SAID TODAY (MONDAY).
THE REDEVELOPMENT, ESTIMATED TO COST SOME $280 MILLION, WAS ONE OF 10 MAJOR GOVERNMENT SUBVENTED HOSPITAL PROJECTS CURRENTLY BEING CARRIED OUT, SIR DAVID SAID WHEN SPEAKING AT THE FOUNDATION STONE LAYING CEREMONY AT THE RUTTONJEE HOSPITAL.
SIR DAVID POINTED OUT THAT UPON COMPLETION OF THESE AND OTHER PROJECTS IN THE GOVERNMENT SECTOR, THE NUMBER OF HOSPITAL BEDS IN PUBLIC HOSPITALS WOULD BE GIVEN A MUCH NEEDED BOOST OF SOME 60 PER CENT OVER THE NEXT FIVE YEARS.
REFERRING TO THE HOSPITAL PROJECT’S BACKGROUND, THE GOVERNOR NOTED THAT THE RUTTONJEE SANATORIUM ESTABLISHED ON THE SITE IN 1949 CATERED PRIMARILY FOR PATIENTS SUFFERING FROM TUBERCULOSIS, WHICH AT THE TIME WAS A MAJOR CAUSE OF DEATH, AND OTHER CHEST DISEASES.
’’SINCE THEN, THROUGH THE COMBINED EFFORTS OF THE GOVERNMENT MEDICAL SERVICE AND THE HONG KONG TUBERCULOSIS, CHEST AND HEART DISEASES ASSOCIATION, THIS SCOURGE HAS BEEN EFFECTIVELY CONTAINED," SIR DAVID SAID.
"THE INCIDENCE OF THE DISEASE CONTINUES TO DROP; AND THE MORTALITY RATE CONNECTED WITH TUBERCULOSIS HAS FALLEN FROM 140 DEATHS PER 100,000 POPULATION IN 1949 TO ONLY SEVEN LAST YEAR, AN ACHIEVEMENT IN WHICH HONG KONG CAN RIGHTLY TAKE PRIDE," HE SAID.
"AS A RESULT OF THIS, THE DECISION WAS RIGHTLY TAKEN TO REDEVELOP THE RUTTONJEE SANATORIUM INTO A GENERAL HOSPITAL WITH A VASTLY EXPANDED SCOPE OF SERVICE.
"THIS SHOWS AN ADMIRABLE READINESS TO MEET THE CHANGING DEMANDS OF THE TERRITORY."
WHEN COMPLETED NEXT YEAR, THE NEW RUTTONJEE HOSPITAL WOULD HAVE OVER 600 BEDS, HE SAID.
"IT WILL PROVIDE A FULL RANGE OF GENERAL HOSPITAL SERVICES, INCLUDING MEDICAL AND SURGICAL TREATMENT FOR PATIENTS, AN OUT-PATIENT DEPARTMENT, X-RAY AND ELECTRO-MEDICAL DIAGNOSTIC UNITS, AND PHYSIOTHERAPY AND OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY SERVICES."
HOSPITAL CARE WOULD ALSO BE OFFERED TO GERIATRIC, AND TB AND CHEST PATIENTS. THE HOSPITAL WOULD HAVE ITS OWN TRAINING SCHOOL FOR NURSES.
/SIR DAVID
MONDAY, NOVEMBER 14, 1988
2 -
SIR DAVID NOTED THAT OVER THE YEARS THE SUBVERTED HOSPITALS IN HONG KONG HAD MADE A VALUABLE CONTRIBUTION IN AUGMENTING THE SERVICES PROVIDED IN GOVERNMENT HOSPITALS.
"THE OPENING OF THE NEW RUTTONJEE HOSPITAL WILL HELP TO ALLEVIATE THE PRESSURE OF DEMAND ON THE QUEEN MARY AND TANG SHIU KIN HOSPITALS AND, 1 HOPE, SIGNIFICANTLY REDUCE THE PRESENT OVER-CROWDING IN BOTH THOSE PLACES,” HE ADDED.
ASKED BY REPORTERS AFTER THE CEREMONY TO COMMENT ON REPORTS OF THREATS BY NURSES' UNIONS TO TAKE INDUSTRIAL ACTION, THE GOVERNOR SAID: "THE GOVERNMENT WELCOMES A DIALOGUE WITH THE STAFF OF THE HOSPITALS AND I HOPE THAT DIALOGUE WILL TAKE PLACE.
"BUT THOSE WHO ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE HEALTH OF THE PUBLIC MUST MAKE SURE THAT THE PUBLIC ARE NOT DAMAGED BY ACTIONS THAT THEY TAKE. "
SIR DAVID SAID THERE WERE PROBLEMS OF OVERCROWDING IN HOSPITALS, AND ONE OF THE WAYS TO DEAL WITH THAT WAS TO BUILD NEW HOSPITALS.
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GOVERNOR PRAISES WORK OF BRITISH COUNCIL
*****
HONG KONG IS GRATEFUL FOR THE SERVICES THAT THE BRITISH COUNCIL HAS PROVIDED DURING ITS 40 YEARS’ HISTORY HERE, THE GOVERNOR, SIR DAVID WILSON, SAID TODAY (MONDAY).
SPEAKING AT THE COUNCIL'S 40TH ANNIVERSARY DINNER, SIR DAVID SAID HE HAD LONG ADMIRED THE WORK OF THE BRITISH COUNCIL BOTH IN HONG KONG AND ELSEWHERE.
"WHAT IS SO STRIKING ABOUT THE COUNCIL IS THAT THERE IS NO RIGIDITY IN THE APPROACH,” HE SAID, ADDING THAT THE ADAPTATION PROCESS WAS WELL DEMONSTRATED IN HONG KONG.
SIR DAVID CITED THE ENGLISH CLASSES WHICH THE COUNCIL, RESPONDING TO A GROWING DEMAND, FIRST OFFERED TO LOCAL STUDENTS 10 YEARS AGO.
SINCE THEN THE COUNCIL’S TEACHING INSTITUTE IN HONG KONG HAD EXPANDED GREATLY TO BECOME THE LARGEST IT HAD ANYWHERE IN THE WORLD.
/"THE COUNCIL
MONDAY, NOVEMBER 14, 1988
- 3 -
’’THE COUNCIL HAS ALSO BEEN CLOSELY INVOLVED, AT THE GOVERNMENT’S REQUEST, IN THE EXPATRIATE ENGLISH LANGUAGE TEACHER SCHEME,” THE GOVERNOR CONTINUED.
’’THIS PILOT SCHEME WAS SET UP AT VERY SHORT NOTICE. THE COUNCIL’S STAFF HAVE TACKLED THE DIFFERENT PROBLEMS IT POSED WITH GREAT ENERGY AND DEDICATION.
’’THE FUTURE OF THE SCHEME WILL OF COURSE DEPEND ON THE OUTCOME OF THE PILOT PHASE.
"WHATEVER THE RESULT, I SHOULD LIKE TO EXPRESS MY THANKS TO THOSE INVOLVED FOR THEIR WORK,” HE SAID.
”OUR UNIVERSITIES, POLYTECHNICS AND OTHER EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTIONS ARE ALSO THE BENEFICIARIES OF BRITISH COUNCIL WORK,” SIR DAVID SAID.
”SO ARE THE ARTS. EVENTS SPONSORED BY THE COUNCIL NOW DOT THE CALENDAR WITH INCREASING FREQUENCY.”
HE ADDED THAT MANY INDIVIDUAL HONG KONG PEOPLE HAD BENEFITTED FROM THE COUNCIL’S LIBRARY OR ITS ADVISORY SERVICE ON BRITISH EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTIONS.
"I AM CONFIDENT THAT FOR AT LEAST ANOTHER 10 YEARS YOU WILL CONTINUE TO MEET THE (’HANGING NEEDS AND ASPIRATIONS OF OUR DYNAMIC POPULATION WITH THE SAME ENTHUSIASM AND ENERGY,” SIR DAVID SAID.
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MORE EFFECTIVE MANAGEMENT OF PUBLIC FI NANCES
♦ I ♦ ♦ t
THE FINANCE BRANCH, TOGETHER WITH THE TREASURY AND THE DIRECTOR OF ACCOUNTING SERVICES, HAS EMBARKED ON A PROGRAMME OF REFORMS AIMED AT ACHIEVING A MORE EFFECTIVE AND EFFICIENT MANAGEMENT OF PUBLIC FINANCES, THE DEPUTY FINANCIAL SECRETARY, MR JOHN YAXLEY, SAID THIS (MONDAY) EVENING.
SPEAKING ON "FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT REFORMS IN THE HONG KONG Government” to the hong kong branch or the international fiscal ASSOCIATION, MR YAXLEY SAID THESE REFORMS WERE AIMED TO MAKING A FUNDAMENTAL CHANGE IN ATTITUDES AND APPROACHES TO THE SPENDING 01-PUBLIC MONEY.
/THEY HAD
MONDAY, NOVEMBER 14, 1988
THEY HAD BEEN BROUGHT ABOUT BY THE NEED BETTER VALUE FOR MONEY.
TO GIVE THE PUBLIC
HE SAID THE EVER INCREASING DEMANDS BY SERVICES WERE FORCING THE GOVERNMENT TO IMPROVE EFFICIENCY OF THE SERVICES IT DELIVERED.
THE PUBLIC FOR
THE EFFECTIVENESS
NEW
AND
THESE PRESSURES ON IMPROVE THE ARRANGEMENTS PRIORITIES.
RESOURCES HAD HIGHLIGHTED THE NEED TO FOR THE DETERMINATION OF COMPETING
THE INTRODUCTION OF
THE MEDIUM
RANGE FORECAST A
MUCH MONEY IS
FEW YEARS AGO,
LIKELY TO
LINKED INTO BID FOR '
WHICH GIVES A GLOBAL INDICATION OF HOW
AVAILABLE OVER A FIVE-YEAR PERIOD, HAS RECENTLY BEEN NEW RESOURCE ALLOCATION SYSTEM IN WHICH SECRETARIES AVAILABLE RESOURCES INDICATED AS BEING AVAILABLE IN THE FORECAST.
BE
A THE
IN THIS WAY DECISIONS AS TO HOW AND ON WHAT MONEY SHOULD SPENT HAS BEEN EFFECTIVELY TRANSFERRED FROM THE FINANCE BRANCH SECRETARIES.
BE
TO
MR YAXLEY SAID ANOTHER IMPROVEMENT IN THE PROCESS WAS THAT IN THE CURRENT YEAR’S EXERCISE, INVITED HEADS OF DEPARTMENTS TO SUBMIT OPI1ONS CURRENT EXPENDITURE BY UP TO TWO PER (ENT A YEAR
RESOURCE ALLOCATION THE FINANCE BRANCH FOR REDUCING THEIR OVER THE FORECAST
PERIOD.
"THE INTENTION OF THIS
WAS TO
ENCOURAGE
WHICH MIGHT
IN THE LIGHT
THE
BE OF
ACTIVE OPEN TO CHANGING DID," HE
IDENTIFICATION OF SERVICES AND ACTIVITIES IMPROVEMENTS IN EFFICIENCY OR WHICH MIGHT, CIRCUMSTANCES, NOW ATTRACT A LOWER PRIORITY THAN FHE\ ONCE SAID. THE FUNDS ADDED COULD THEN BE DIRECTED TO MORE PRODUCTIVE USE.
MR YAXLEY EXPLAINED THAT THE CONCEPT OF REQUIRED THAT A RIGOROUS ASSESSMENT BE MADE OF WHAT SPENDING PUBLIC MONEY.
VALUE FOR MONEY
WAS ACHIEVED BY
VALUE, WE
TO THE
SPEND THE
TAXPAYERS’
"AS PART OF THE DRIVE TO PLACE A NEW EMPHASIS ON DECIDED LAST YEAR THAT WE SHOULD DO MORE TO EXPLAIN LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL, NOT SO MUCH WHAT WE WERE PROPOSING 10 MONEY ON, BUT RATHER WHAT WE HOPED TO ACHIEVE WITH THE
MONEY," HE SAID.
THE EMPHASIS IN THE PAST HAD BEEN ON ACTIVITY RATHER THAN ON WHAT THE ACTIVITY WAS INTENDED TO ACHIEVE.
ALONG WITH THIS NEW EMPHASIS
ON
BY
OBJECTIVES
WHICH THE
WOULD
BE
LEGISLATIVE
THF DFTFRMINATION OF PERFORMANCE MEASURES
COUNCIL WOULD BE ABLE TO JUDGE JUST HOW SUCCESSFUL -- OR OTHERWISE
THE HEADS OF DEPARTMENTS HAD BEEN.
/MR YAXLEY
MONDAY, NOVEMBER 14, 1988
- 5 -
MR YAXLEY ALSO SAID THE FINANCE BRANCH HAD DECIDED ABOUT THREE YEARS AGO TO GIVE HEADS OF DEPARTMENTS INCREASED FINANCIAL CONTROL OVER THE FUNDS PUT AT THEIR DISPOSAL.
HE SAID THE FINANCE BRANCH HAD AMALGAMATED A NUMBER OF SUBHEADS WITHIN EACH DEPARTMENTAL BUDGET SO AS TO GIVE HEADS OF DEPARTMENTS MUCH GREATER AUTHORITY WITHIN THOSE AREAS TO REDEPLOY RESOURCES AS LONG AS THEY DID NOT THEREBY CREATE A DEMAND FOR AN INCREASE IN THE TOTAL BUDGET.
PROGRESSIVE DELEGATIONS HAD BEEN MADE EACH YEAR SINCE 1986.
"WE HOPE THAT THE INCREASING FREEDOM WE ARE GIVING TO HEADS OF DEPARTMENTS WILL PLAY A MAJOR PART IN ALLOWING THEM TO ACHIEVE BETTER VALUE FOR MONEY," HE SAID.
"WE ARE CURRENTLY EXPLORING THE EXTENT TO WHICH WE CAN GIVE HEADS OF DEPARTMENTS EVEli GREATER AUTHORITY," HE ADDED.
MR YAXLEY SAID THE FINANCE BRANCH HAD ALREADY DONE A LOT TO CHANGE THE WAY IN WHICH THE CIVIL SERVICE MANAGED ITS INTERNAL FINANCES.
HE SAID THE FINANCE BRANCH HAD ALSO BEEN EXAMINING HOW IT SHOULD PROVIDE HEADS OF DEPARTMENTS WITH THE EXPERT SUPPORT THEY NEEDED TO HELP THEM IMPROVE VALUE FOR MONEY.
"IN THIS AREA WE ARE PLANNING TO APPOINT BUSINESS MANAGERS IN ALL MAJOR DEPARTMENTS OVER THE NEXT FEW YEARS.
"TOGETHER WITH THE TREASURY AND THE DIRECTOR OF ACCOUNTING SERVICES WE ARE ALSO CONSIDERING THE EXTENT TO WHICH CURRENT TRAINING PROGRAMMES ADEQUATELY COVER THE SKILLS AND APPROACHES THAT WILL BECOME INCREASINGLY NECESSARY TO SUPPORT A MORE THOROUGH APPROACH TO VALUE FOR MONEY AND THE EXTENT TO WHICH DEPARTMENTS ARE ORGANISED TO ACHIEVE IMPROVEMENTS IN THE VALUE THEY DELIVER," HE SAID.
MR YAXLEY SAID THIS FUNDAMENTAL CHANGE IN ATTITUDES AND APPROACHES TO THE SPENDING OF PUBLIC MONEY COULD NOT BE BROUGH I ABOU. OVERNIGHT.
"I AM CONVINCED THAT WE HAVE SET OFF IN THE RIGHT DI RECTO \ AND IN A DIRECTION WHICH WILL, IN THE LONG RUN, PRODUCE A BITTER Ar ’U MORE EFFECTIVE GOVERNMENT FOR THE PEOPLE OF HONG KONG, HE SAID.
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/6........
MONDAY, NOVEMBER 14, 1988
- 6 -
TRANSPORT ADVISORY COMMITTEE MEETS TOMORROW
* » » » »
THE TRANSPORT ADVISORY COMMITTEE (TAC) WILL MEET TOMORROW (TUESDAY) TO DISCUSS APPLICATIONS EROM THE URBAN TAXI ASSOCIATIONS AND NEW TERRITORIES TAXI ASSOCIATIONS FOR FARE INCREASES AS WELL AS TO CONSIDER MEASURES TO CURB TAXI MALPRACTICES.
THE TAC WILL ALSO DISCUSS AN APPLICATION FROM THE KOWLOON MOTOR BUS COMPANY FOR A FARE INCREASE.
THE COMMITTEE WILL BE BRIEFED ON THE ROAD SAFETY STRATEGY PAPER AND THE CAR JOURNEY TIME SURVEY FOR MONITORING TRAFFIC CONGESTION.
THE MEETING WILL BE HELD AT THE CENTRAL GOVERNMENT OFFICES STARTING AT 2 PM.
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CIVIC EDUCATION DAY ON DECEMBER 18
*****
MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC ARE INVITED TO JOIN A TERRITORY-WIDE PROGRAMME 'CIVIC EDUCATION DAY : TO CARE AND TO GIVE’ TO BE HELD FROM 9 AM TO 5 PM ON SUNDAY (DECEMBER 1«) AT VICTORIA PARK IN CAUSEWAY BAY.
THE PROGRAMME IS ORGANISED BY THE COMMITTEE ON THE PROMOTION OF CIVIC EDUCATION WITH AN AIM OF PROMOTING THE SPIRIT OF MUTUAL HELP AND CARE IN THE COMMUNITY.
THE GOVERNOR, SIR DAVID WILSON, WILL OFFICIATE AT THE OPENING CEREMONY TO BE HELD AT 10.30 AM THAT DAY.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE COMMITTEE ON THE PROMOTION OF CIVIC EDUCATION SAID THAT A SERIES OF ACTIVITIES WOULD BE ORGANISED ON THAT DAY TO ENHANCE PEOPLE’S APPRECIATION OF THE IMPORTANCE OF VOLUNTARY SERVICES AND DONATIONS FOR THE COMMUNITY AND ABOVE ALL, TO ENCOURAGE THEM TO CONTRIBUTE TO ITS CONTINUED WELL-BEING THROUGH ACTION.
THERE WILL BE AN EXHIBITION INTRODUCING A WIDE RANGE OF SOCIAL AND VOLUNTEER SERVICE IN THE COMMUNITY AND A PRESENTATION OF A NUMBER OF MEANINGFUL ACTIVITIES INVITING PEOPLE TO DONATE.
/THE PARTICIPATING
MONDAY, NOVEMBER 1988
THE PARTICIPATING AGENCIES IN THE EXHIBITION WILL INCLUDE THE CIVIL AID SERVICES, ST JOHN AMBULANCE ASSOCIATION AND BRIGADE, AUXILIARY MEDICAL SERVICES, HONG KONG RED CROSS (YOUTH AND WELFARE DEPARTMENT), HONG KONG GIRL GUIDES ASSOCIATION, JUNIOR POLICE CALL, COMMUNITY YOUTH CLUB, ROAD SAFETY PATROLS, HONG KONG JUNIOR CHAMBER OF COMMERCE, LIONS CLUBS INTERNATIONAL DISTRICT 303, HELPING HAND AND SANTA.
APART FROM SETTING UP STALLS FOR INTRODUCING THEIR SERVICES, THE AGENCY FOR VOLUNTEER SERVICE AND THE COMMUNITY OF CHEST OF HONG KONG WILL ORGANISE INTERESTING ACTIVITIES APPEALING FOR CONTRIBUTION OF VOLUNTEER SERVICE AND DONATION OF MONEY RESPECTIVELY.
PEOPLE INTENDING TO DONATE BLOOD ARE INVITED TO VISIT THE RED CROSS BLOOD TRANSFUSION SERVICE. THOSE INTERESTED IN KIDNEY DONATION SHOULD VISIT THE KIDNEY DONATION SOCIETY.
COMMERCIAL RADIO WILL STAGE A VARIETY SHOW WITH SINGERS AND ARTISTS PRESENTING THE MESSAGES OF CARING AND GIVING. THE PROGRAMME WILL BE BROADCAST LIVE ON RADIO FROM 12.15 PM TO 1 PM.
A DRAWING COMPETITION SPONSORED BY MANULIFE WILL BE ORGANISED FOR YOUTHS OF SECONDARY AND PRIMARY SCHOOL AGE. APPLICATION FORMS WILL BE OBTAINABLE AT THE DISTRICT OFFICES OF THE CITY AND NEW TERRITORIES ADMINISTRATION AT A LATER STAGE.
A PRIZE PRESENTATION CEREMONY WILL BE HELD ON DECEMBER 30.
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QUARTERLY BUSINESS
SURVEY RESULTS RELEASED * * t t
ACCORDING TO THE SURVEY RESULTS RELEASED TODAY (MONDAY) BY THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT, THE GENERAL BUSINESS SITUATION AS REPORTED BY FIRMS IN THE MANUFACTURING SECTOR HAS IMPROVED IN THE THIRD QUARTER OF 1988 AS COMPARED WITH THE SECOND QUARTER OF 1988.
IT IS EXPECTED THAT, FOR THE SECTOR AS A WHOLE, THE BUSINESS SITUATION IN THE FOURTH QUARTER OF 1988 WILL CONTINUE TO SHOW AN IMPROVEMENT, THOUGH THE PROSPECTS OF INDIVIDUAL INDUSTRIES VARY.
THIS COMPARISON MAY, HOWEVER, BE AFFECTED BY SEASONAL FACTORS. THE THIRD QUARTER IS NORMALLY A MORE ACTIVE SEASON THAN THE SECOND QUARTER AS FAR AS THE MANUFACTURING BUSINESS IS CONCERNED.
/WITHIN THE.........
MONDAY, NOVEMBER U, 1988
- 8 -
WITHIN THE MANUFACTURING SECTOR, FIRMS IN ALL INDUSTRIES EXPERIENCED AN IMPROVEMENT IN THE BUSINESS SITUATION IN THE THIRD QUARTER.
THE EXTENT OF IMPROVEMENT WAS PARTICULARLY SIGNIFICANT IN THE CASE OF THE FOOD, BEVERAGE AND TOBACCO, PRINTING, AND ELECTRICAL MACHINERY AND APPLIANCES INDUSTRIES.
AS REGARDS EXPECTATIONS FOR THE GENERAL BUSINESS SITUATION IN THE FOURTH QUARTER, FIRMS IN THE FABRICATED METAL PRODUCTS INDUSTRY EXPECT A DECLINE IN BUSINESS WHEREAS AN IMPROVEMENT IN BUSINESS IS ANTICIPATED BY FIRMS IN THE WEARING APPAREL, PRINTING, ELECTRONICS AND WATCHES AND CLOCKS INDUSTRIES.
FOR FIRMS IN THE REMAINING INDUSTRIES, THEY GENERALLY EXPECT TO MAINTAIN A STABLE LEVEL OF BUSINESS IN THE FOURTH QUARTER.
FIRMS IN THE CONSTRUCTION SECTOR EXPERIENCED A FURTHER UPTREND IN BUSINESS IN THE THIRD QUARTER AND EXPECT THE BUSINESS SITUATION TO REMAIN FAVOURABLE IN THE FOURTH QUARTER.
AS FOR THE DISTRIBUTIVE AND CATERING TRADES SECTOR, EXPERIENCES VARIED AMONG FIRMS IN DIFFERENT TRADES IN THE THIRD QUARTER, DUE MAINLY TO SEASONAL FACTORS.
WHILE FIRMS IN THE WHOLESALE RETAIL AND IMPORT/EXPORT TRADES AND RESTAURANTS BUSINESS REPORTED AN IMPROVEMENT IN THE GENERAL BUSINESS SITUATION, A SEASONAL DECLINE IN BUSINESS IN THE THIRD QUARTER WAS EXPERIENCED BY HOTELS.
REGARDING BUSINESS PROSPECTS FOR THE FOURTH QUARTER, FIRMS IN THE DISTRIBUTIVE AND CATERING TRADES SECTOR EXPECT A FAVOURABLE BUSINESS SITUATION IN THE FOURTH QUARTER. IN PARTICULAR, A SEASONAL UPTREND IN BUSINESS IS ANTICIPATED BY HOTELS.
IN THE OTHER SERVICES SECTOR, CATEGORIES (1.E. TRANSPORT, STORAGE AND DEVELOPMENT AND RELATED SERVICES, BANKS
FIRMS IN DIFFERENT TRADE COMMUNI CATION, REAL ESTATE AND MISCELLANEOUS BUSINESS
SERVICES) CONTINUED TO EXPERIENCE A FAVOURABLE BUSINESS SITUATION IN THE THIRD QUARTER.
THEY GENERALLY EXPECT A MODERATE IMPROVEMENT THE FOURTH QUARTER. WITH THE EXCEPTION OF BANKS RELATIVELY STABLE BUSINESS OUTLOOK.
IN BUSINESS IN
WHICH EXPECT A
ABOUT 1,000 FIRMS FROM VARIOUS INDUSTRIES FORMING A CROSS-SECTION OF THE BUSINESS COMMUNITY, THE SURVEY AND WERE ASKED ABOUT THEIR BUSINESS
AND BUSINESSES, PARTICIPATED IN EXPERIENCES AND
EXPECTATIONS. THE SURVEY ALSO COVERED BUSINESS PROBLEMS FACED BY FIRMS.
AS REGARDS PROBLEMS FACED BY FIRMS IN THE MANUFACTURING SECTOR, THE PROBLEM OF LABOUR SHORTAGE REMAINED MARKED IN THE THIRD QUARTER AND THIS SITUATION IS EXPECTED TO PERSIST IN THE FOURTH QUARTER.
/IN ADDITION, ........
MONDAY, NOVEMBER 14, 1988
- 9 -
IN ADDITION, HIGH LABOUR TURNOVER AND HIGH MATERIAL PRICES WERE ALSO INDICATED RY FIRMS AS THE RELATIVELY MORE PROMINENT PROBLEMS IN BOTH THE THIRD AND FOURTH QUARTERS.
FOR THE CONSTRUCTION SECTOR, SHORTAGE OF LABOUR GENERALLY, SHORTAGE OF SKILLED LABOUR, HIGH WAGE RATES AND HIGH LABOUR TURNOVER WERE CITED BY A SIGNIFICANT PROPORTION OF FIRMS AS THE MAJOR PROBLEMS IN THE THIRD QUARTER AND THESE PROBLEMS ARE EXPECTED TO PERSIST IN THE FOURTH QUARTER.
AS FOR THE DISTRIBUTIVE AND CATERING TRADES AND OTHER SERVICES SECTORS, A GREATER PROBLEM OF SHORTAGE OF STAFF GENERALLY WAS INDICATED FOR BOTH THE THIRD AND FOURTH QUARTERS.
HIGH STAFF TURNOVER CONTINUED TO BE A MAJOR PROBLEM IN THE THIRD QUARTER ALTHOUGH THE PROBLEM IS EXPECTED TO EASE OFF SLIGHTLY IN THE FOURTH QUARTER FOR FIRMS IN THE WHOLESALE, RETAIL AND IMPORT/EXPORT, HOTELS, TRANSPORT, STORAGE AND COMMUNICATION, AND BANKS BUSINESSES.
LN ADDITION, THE HOTEL INDUSTRY SUFFERED FROM THE PROBLEM OF SHORTAGE OF QUALIFIED AND EXPERIENCED STAFF IN THE THIRD QUARTER AND THE SITUATION IS EXPECTED TO REMAIN IN THE FOURTH QUARTER.
ACCORDING TO Till CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT, THE SURVEY RESULTS, OBTAINED WITH A MINIMUM TIME LAG, ARE INTENDED TO PROVIDE ONE SOURCE OF REFERENCE FOR MAKING A QUICK ASSESSMENT OF THE CURRENT ECONOMIC SITUATION OF HONG KONG.
IN THE SURVEY, PARTICIPATING FIRMS WERE ASKED TO INDICATE WHETHER, IN THEIR OPINION, THE GENERAL BUSINESS SITUATION AND LEVEL OF CAPACITY UTILISATION HAD ’IMPROVED’, ’REMAINED THE SAME’ OR ’DETERIORATED’ IN THE THIRD QUARTER OF 1988 AS COMPARED WITH THE PRECEDING QUARTER.
THEY WERE ALSO ASKED TO INDICATE WHETHER. THE SITUATION IS EXPECTED TO ’IMPROVE’, ’REMAIN THE SAME’ OR ’DETERIORATE’ IN THE FOURTH QUARTER OF 1988. THE OPINIONS OF RESPONDENTS WERE TABULATED AND ANALYSED.
MOREOVER, THE SURVEY REPORT CONTAINS A SECTION ON THE BUSINESS PROBLEMS EXPERIENCED AND EXPECTED BY FIRMS IN DIFFERENT ECONOMIC SECTORS AND A BREAKDOWN OF THE VIEWS OF FIRMS BY SIZE GROUPS.
THE DEPARTMENT CAUTIONED THAT, IN A SURVEY OF THIS NATURE, THE RESULTS SHOULD BE INTERPRETED WITH CARE AS IT IS DIFFICULT TO ESTABLISH PRECISE! A THE EXTENT TO WHICH RESPONDENTS’ PERCEPTION OF THE PAST AND THE FUTURE ACCORDS WITH THE UNDERLYING TRENDS.
MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC MAY OBTAIN COPIES FROM THE GOVERNMENT PUBLICATIONS CENTRE, GENERAL POST OFFICE BUILDING, AT $4.50 PER COPY. FURTHER DETAILS OF THE QUARTERLY BUSINESS SURVEY MAY BE OBTAINED FROM THE NATIONAL INCOME BRANCH OF THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT AT 5-8234779.
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/1O........
MONDAY, NOVEMBER 14, 1988
10 -
HEPATITIS B VACCINATION FOR NEW-BORN BABIES ♦ ♦ * ♦ *
STARTING TOMORROW (TUESDAY), ALL NEW-BORN BABIES IN HONG KONG WILL BE GIVEN FREE HEPATITIS B VACCINATION.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE MEDICAL AND HEALTH DEPARTMENT SAID THAT UNDER AN EXPANDED HEPATITIS B VACCINATION PROGRAMME, ALL BABIES BORN IN GOVERNMENT AND SUBVENTED HOSPITALS AND MATERNITY HOMES WILL BE VACCINATED.
FOR BABIES BORN IN PRIVATE HOSPITALS, PARENTS CAN EITHER CHOOSE TO HAVE THEM VACCINATED AT THE HOSPITALS AT THEIR OWN EXPENSE OR ASK TO BE REFERRED TO ANY OF THE 15 GOVERNMENT MATERNAL AND CHILD HEALTH CENTRES WHERE FREE VACCINATION IS AVAILABLE.
THE SPOKESMAN SAID THAT EACH BABY SHOULD RECEIVE A FULL COURSE OF THREE DOSES - THE FIRST AT BIRTH AND THE SECOND ABOUT ONE MONTH LATER WHILE THE LAST DOSE IS GIVEN WHEN THE BABY IS BETWEEN THREE TO FIVE MONTHS OLD.
BABIES WHOSE MOTHERS ARE NOT CARRIERS OF THE DISEASE CAN RECEIVE THE SECOND AND THIRD DOSES IN ANY MATERNAL AND CHILD HEALTH CENTRES.
FOR BABIES BORN TO CARRIER MOTHERS, THEY WILL BE REFERRED TO THE FOUR REGIONAL HEPATITIS B VACCINATION CLINICS AT TSAN YUK HOSPITAL, QUEEN ELIZABETH HOSPITAL, PRINCESS MARGARET HOSPITAL AND PRINCE OF WALES HOSPITAL FOR FOLLOW-UP.
TO ASSIST MOTHERS WHO WISH TO MAKE ENQUIRIES REGARDING THE HEPATITIS B VACCINATION PROGRAMME AT THE MATERNAL AND CHILD HEALTH CENTRES, A SPECIAL HOTLINE HAS BEEN SET UP AT THE FAMILY HEALTH SERVICES OF THE MEDICAL AND HEALTH DEPARTMENT HEADQUARTERS.
THE TELEPHONE NUMBER IS 5-8900765 AND THE SERVICE WILL BE MANNED DURING OFFICE HOURS ON WEEKDAYS.
THE EXPANDED VACCINATION PROGRAMME WAS RECOMMENDED BY THE HEPATITIS B VACCINATION ADVISORY COMMITTEE WHICH WAS SET UP IN 1982 TO MONITOR AND ADVISE THE GOVERNMENT ON A VACCINATION PROGRAMME.
------0-------
WATER STORAGE FIGURE ♦ t ♦ »
STORAGE IN HONG KONG’S RESERVOIRS AT 9 AM TODAY (MONDAY) STOOD AT 41.7 PER CENT OF CAPACITY OR 244.541 MILLION CUBIC METRES.
THIS TIME LAST YEAR THE RESERVOIRS CONTAINED 388.517 MILLION CUBIC METRES OF WATER, REPRESENTING 66.3 PER CENT OF CAPACITY.
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/11 ........
MONDAY, NOVEMBER 14, 1988
11
DB COMMITTEE TO DISCUSS TAXI SERVICES
*****
MEMBERS OF THE TRAFFIC AND TRANSPORT COMMITTEE OF THE EASTERN DISTRICT BOARD WILL DISCUSS THE PROPOSAL FOR A TAXI FARE INCREASE AND THE ISSUE RELATING TO THE IMPROVEMENT OF TAXI SERVICES AT A MEETING TOMORROW (TUESDAY).
TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT WILL BRIEF MEMBERS ON THE SELECTION CRITERIA FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF BUS SHELTERS UNDER THE ANNUAL BUS SHELTER CONSTRUCTION PROGRAMME.
A TOTAL OF 11 LOCATIONS IN EASTERN DISTRICT WILL BE DISCUSSED.
A PROPOSAL FOR RELOCATING THE TERMINUS OF CMB ROUTE 82A FROM YAU MAN STREET IN QUARRY BAY TO SAI WAN HO FERRY PIER WILL ALSO BE DISCUSSED.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO ATTEND THE EASTERN DISTRICT BOARD’S TRAFFIC AND TRANSPORT COMMITTEE MEETING TO BEGIN AT 2.30 PM TOMORROW (TUESDAY) IN THE CONFERENCE ROOM OF THE DISTRICT OFFICE, FIRST FLOOR, 880-886 KING’S ROAD.
-------0----------
PAPER ON LEISURE SERVICES UNDER STUDY
*****
THE CULTURE AND RECREATION COMMITTEE OF THE WAN CHAI DISTRICT BOARD WILL DISCUSS A PAPER ON LEISURE SERVICES IN WAN CHAI DISTRICT XT A MEETING TOMORROW (TUESDAY).
THE PAPER WILL BE PRESENTED BY THE URBAN SERVICES DEPARTMENT.
MEMBERS WILL ALSO CONSIDER A NUMBER OF APPLICATIONS FOR "I STRICT BOARD FUNDS FOR ORGANISING VARIOUS ACTIVITIES.
THESE INCLUDE A RECREATION CAMP, TALENT SHOW COMPETITION, HRISTMAS CELEBRATION WITH THE MENTALLY RETARDED, SINGING PERFORMANCE OR THE ELDERLY, WINTER OUTING, AND A CHRISTMAS FUN FAIR FOR CHILDREN.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE MEETING OF WAN CHAI DISTRICT XRD’S CULTURE AND RECREATION COMMITTEE TO BEGIN AT 4 PM TOMORROW IN III- CONFERENCE ROOM OF THE WAN CHAI DISTRICT OFFICE, EIGHTH FLOOR, TUNG WAH MANSION, 201 HENNESSY ROAD, HONG KONG.
- 0 - -
/12........
MONDAY, NOVEMBER 14, 1988
- 12 -
FESTIVAL LIGHTING ON AGENDA
* ♦ * ♦
THE TSUEN WAN DISTRICT BOARD’S INDUSTRY AND COMMERCE COMMITTEE WILL DISCUSS FUNDING OF THE 1988-89 FESTIVAL LIGHTING PROGRAMME AT A MEETING ON WEDNESDAY (NOVEMBER 16).
MEMBERS WILL ALSO CONSIDER THE PROGRESS REPORTS OF VARIOUS WORKING GROUPS.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE MEETING TO BEGIN AT 2.30 PM ON WEDNESDAY 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.
-----0------
TENDERS INVITED FOR MAIN-LAYING IN TAI PO ♦ * ♦ » ♦
TENDERS ARE BEING INVITED FOR THE LAYING OF WATER MAINS TO SERVICE THE TAI PO INDUSTRIAL ESTATE AND SOME AREAS IN TAI PO NEW TOWN.
THE PROJECT, DESIGNED BY THE WATER SUPPLIES DEPARTMENT, ENTAILS THE LAYING OF A TOTAL OF ABOUT 3,100 METRES OF WATER MAINS, WITH DIAMETERS RANGING FROM 300 MM TO 800 MM, IN TING KOK ROAD, TAI PO INDUSTRIAL ESTATE AND TAI PO SOUTH.
THE MAIN-LAYING IN TING KOK ROAD AND TAI PO INDUSTRIAL ESTATE FORMS PART OF THE PROJECT TO PROVIDE A FLUSHING SALT WATER SUPPLY SYSTEM TO TAI PO NEW TOWN.
IN TAI PO SOUTH, THE PROJECT ENTAILS MAIN-LAYING TO PROVIDE FRESH AND FLUSHING SALT WATER SUPPLY TO AREA 6 AND 20 OF TAI PO NEW TOWN .
WORK ON THE PROJECT WILL BEGIN IN JANUARY AND TAKE ABOUT 15 MONTHS TO COMPLETE.
TENDERS FOR THE WORKS SHOULD BE SUBMITTED BEFORE 12 NOON ON DECEMBER 2.
-------O----------
/15........
MONDAY, ’NOVEMBER 14, 1988
- 13 -
FENCING COURSES FOR SECONDARY STUDENTS *****
TO PROVIDE OPPORTUNITIES FOR STUDENTS TO LEARN THE SPORT OF FENCING AND ENABLE STUDENTS TO EXPLORE THEIR SPORTS TALENTS, A SERIES OF FENCING COURSES FOR SECONDARY SCHOOL STUDENTS WILL BE ORGANISED FROM NEXT MONTH.
SIX ELEMENTARY FENCING TRAINING COURSES WILL BE JOINTLY CONDUCTED BY THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT, THE HONG KONG SCHOOLS SPORTS COUNCIL AND THE HONG KONG AMATEUR FENCING ASSOCIATION IN VARIOUS DISTRICTS FROM DECEMBER 1 TO FEBRUARY 26 NEXT YEAR.
THE TRAINING COURSE WILL BE HELD AT THE BUDDHIST TAI HUNG COLLEGE, COTTON SPINNERS’ ASSOCIATION PREVOCATIONAL SCHOOL, HONG KONG CHINESE WOMEN’S CLUB COLLEGE, QUEEN’S COLLEGE, S.T.F.A. SEAWARD WOO COLLEGE AND THE JUBILEE SPORTS CENTRE.
THE ENTRY FEE WILL BE $ 15 FOR EACH STUDENT AND THE ORGANISING BODIES WILL PROVIDE ALL NECESSARY FENCING EQUIPMENT.
STUDENTS INTERESTED IN TAKING PART ARE ADVISED TO CONSULT THEIR PHYSICAL EDUCATION TEACHERS AND APPLY THROUGH THEIR SCHOOLS.
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TEMPORARY URBAN CLEARWAY IN WING LOK STREET
*****
THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCED THAT A SECTION OF WING LOK STREET IN SHEUNG WAN WILL BE MADE AN URBAN CLEARWAY ROUND-THE -CLOCK FROM 10 AM ON THURSDAY (NOVEMBER 17) FOR ROAD RECONSTRUCTION WORKS.
NO VEHICLES EXCEPT FRANCHISED BUSES WILL BE ALLOWED TO STOP FOR PASSENGERS OR GOODS ALONG THE NORTHERN KERBSIDE LANE OF WING LOK STREET BETWEEN HOUSE NOS. 126 AND 116 FOR ABOUT TWO WEEKS.
9
MONDAY, NOVEMBER 14, 1988
METERED PARKING SPACES DESIGNATED IN TUEN MUN
*****
THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT WILL DESIGNATE 24 METERED PARKING SPACES IN KIN ON STREET NEAR THE SHEK PAI TAU PLAYGROUND IN TUEN MUN AREA 9 AND ANOTHER 27 IN TSING YIN STREET TN TUEN MUN AREA 1OA TO REGULATE THE UTILISATION OF THE PARKING SPACES.
THE TWO-HOUR PARKING METERS WILL OPERATE BETWEEN 8 AM AND 8 PM DAILY FROM THURSDAY (NOVEMBER 17) EXCEPT ON SUNDAYS AND PUBLIC HOLIDAYS. THE PARKING FEE WILL BE $1 FOR 30 MINUTES.
- - 0
TEMPORARY CLOSURE OF ON PONG ROAD ♦ * * ♦
MOTORISTS ARE ADVISED THAT A SECTION OF ON PONG ROAD NEAR ON TAI ROAD, OUTSIDE BLOCKS 15 AND 16, TAJ PO CENTRE, WILL BE CLOSED BETWEEN 7 PM AND 9 PM TOMORROW (TUESDAY) BECAUSE OF CONSTRUCTION WORKS.
TRAFFIC SIGNS WILL BE ERECTED TO GUIDE MOTORISTS.
- - 0 - -
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL: 5-8428777
TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 15, 1988
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
PEDESTRIANS STILL HIGH IN ROAD ACCIDENT TOLL ........... 1
TAC DISCUSSES TAXI AND KMB FARES RISE................... 3
CS OPENS NEW BLOCK AT CARITAS MEDICAL CENTRE ........... 4
'WHITEHEAD DETINTION CENTRE TO COME INTO OPERATION SOON .... 5
AIMS OF SHIPPING REGISTER OUTLINED ..................... 6
CRITERIA FOR RECRUITMENT OF JUDGES ..................... 7
OFFICIALS TO REPLY IN POLICY DEBATE .................... 10
GOVERNOR PRESENTS INSIGNIA TO .......................... 10
DISTANCE LEARNING PROGRAMME DEVELOPED................... 1?
WORK TO START ON NORTH WEST KOWLOON SEWAGE TREATMENT SCHINE 13
MANPOWER SURVEY ON BANKING BEGINS ...................... 14
LOWER TAR, NICOTINE AVERAGE IN CIGARETTES............... 15
UNEMPLOYMENT, UNDEREMPLOYMENT STATISTICS FOR JULY -SEPTEMBER ............................................... 15
COMPETITIONS TO PROMOTE ROAD SAFETY IN TUEN MUN......... 17
EXCITING PROGRAMME FOR TSUEN WAN SPORTS FESTIVAL........ 18
GOVERNMENT BUILDING PLANNED AT MUI WO................... 19
TRADE TESTING FOR VEHICLE MECHANICS NEXT SUMMER......... 20
ROAD SAFETY C..RHIVAL IN KWAI TSING DISTRICT ON SATURDAY ... 21
TRAFFIC RESTRICTIONS IN SHEUNG SHUI .................... 21
URB.JI CLEARWAYS IN KWUN TONG .......................... 22
TEMPORARY NIGHT CLOSURE OF LAI CHI KOK ROAD ............ 22
FRESH WATER CUT IN KWUN TONG, SAN PO KONG .............. 23
TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 15, 1988
1 PEDESTRIANS STILL HIGH IN ROAD ACCIDENT TOLL *****
ROAD ACCIDENTS INCREASED IN 1987, RISING BY 8.8 PER CENT OVER 1986, WITH ACTUAL CASUALTIES INCREASING BY 11 PER CENT.
PEDESTRIANS CONTINUED TO BE THE ROAD USERS MOST AT RISK.
THIS IS REPORTED IN THE 1988 EDITION OF THE ROAD SAFETY STRATEGY PAPER ISSUED TODAY (TUESDAY) BY THE ROAD SAFETY COUNCIL.
THE STRATEGY PAPER IS NOW PRODUCED BIENNIALLY, AND THE LATEST ISSUE COVERS 1986 AND 1987.
IN THE TWO-YEAR PERIOD UNDER REVIEW, PEDESTRIANS ACCOUNTED FOR 73 PER CENT OF THE PEOPLE KILLED ON THE ROAD AND FOR 33 PER CENT OF ROAD INJURIES.
THE PAPER NOTES THAT STEPPED-UP ROAD SAFETY EDUCATION AND PUBLICITY EFFORTS HAD HELPED TO REDUCE FATAL ACCIDENTS INVOLVING THE ELDERLY.
"FOLLOWING 1985’S SHARP RISE IN PEDESTRIAN FATALITIES IN THE 60 AND OVER AGE GROUP, THERE WAS A COMBINED DROP OF 18.2 PER CENT IN THE YEARS 1986 AND 1987," IT SAYS.
THE PAPER POINTS OUT THAT THE POLICE CONTINUED TO GIVE PRIORITY TO ENFORCEMENT ACTION ON PEDESTRIAN, SPEEDING AND VEHICLE MAINTENANCE OFFENCES.
THE PAPER REPORTS THAT THE CONTINUED DECREASE IN DRIVER FATALITIES AND SERIOUS INJURIES COMPARED TO BEFORE IMPLEMENTATION OF SEAT BELT LEGISLATION INDICATES THAT FRONT SEAT BELTS DO SAVE LIVES AND LESSEN THE SEVERITY OF INJURY.
SEAT BELT LEGISLATION IS LIKELY TO BE EXTENDED TO TAXIS AND PUBLIC LIGHT BUSES IN 1989.
NEW ROAD SAFETY LEGISLATION FOR PRIVATE ROADS WILL EMPOWER THE MANAGEMENTS OF PRIVATE ESTATES TO REGULATE PARKING AND TRAFFIC ON PRIVATE ROADS WITHIN THEIR ESTATES.
THE PAPER NOTES THAT IN JULY LAST YEAR A ROAD USERS’ CODE WAS PUBLISHED TO REPLACE AND SUPPLEMENT THE HIGHWAYS CODE ' PREVIOUSLY IN USE.
THOUGH AIMED PRIMARILY AT ROAD USERS, THE INFORMATION ABOUT SAFETY MEASURES AND ROAD TRAFFIC LEGISLATION IS ALSO INTENDED FOR USE BY ROAD SAFETY TRAINING OFFICERS, TEACHERS AND PARENTS, AS A RESOURCE BOOK.
/"THE CHAPTER
TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 1% 19$$
- 2
"THE CHAPTER FOR CYCLISTS HAS BEEN EXTRACTED TO FORM A CYCLISTS’ CODE TO FURTHER PUBLICISE THE ROAD SAFETY MESSAGE TO CYCLISTS," THE PAPER EXPLAINS.
A CODE OF PRACTICE FOR THE LOADING OF VEHICLES WAS PUBLISHED THIS YEAR.
THE PAPER STATES THAT THE VEHICLE EXAMINATION PROGRAMME SHOULD BE EXPANDED TO INCREASE THE FREQUENCY OF ALL INSPECTIONS AND TO WIDEN THE RANGE OF VEHICLES INCLUDED IN THEM. OF PARTICULAR CONCERN ARE GOODS VEHICLES AND PUBLIC SERVICE VEHICJ^S.
A MAJOR AIM IN 1988 IS THE DEVELOPMENT OF A FULLY COMPUTERISED VEHICLE EXAMINATION CENTRE TO CATER FOR GREATER THROUGHPUT AND EFFICIENCY.
THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT IS PURSUING THE BUILDING OF A FULLY COMPUTERISED VEHICLE EXAMINATION CENTRE ADJACENT TO THE. EXISTING KOWLOON BAY VEHICLE EXAMINATION CENTRE.
"WHEN COMPLETED, IT WILL CENTRALISE MOST OF THE ANNUAL VEHICLE INSPECTION WORK AND FURTHERMORE, IT WILL ENABLE THE POLICY OF ANNUAL INSPECTION OF ALL GOODS VEHICLES TO BE ACHIEVED," THE REPORT SAYS.
THE ROAD SAFETY COUNCIL WAS SET UP IN 1983 TO REPLACE THE STANDING CONFERENCE ON ROAD SAFETY.
IT CHANGED FROM BEING MAINLY A CO-ORDINATOR OF EXECUTIVE ACTION INTO A BODY WHICH ALSO DEVELOPS PROPOSALS TO PREVENT TRAFFIC ACCIDENTS AND PROVIDES ADVICE ON POLICIES TO BE CONSIDERED BY THE TRANSPORT ADVISORY COMMITTEE AND THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL.
APART FROM CO-ORDINATING THE WORK OF THE VARIOUS GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS, THE COUNCIL SEEKS TO HARNESS COMMUNITY SUPPORT AND, BY MEANS OF COMPAIGNS, MEDIA PUBLICITY AND EDUCATION, TO SPREAD THE ROAD SAFETY MESSAGE AND RAISE THE COMMUNITY’S LEVEL OF ROAD SAFETY CONSCIOUSNESS.
THE COUNCIL IS CHAIRED BY THE DEPUTY COMMISSIONER OF POLICE, OPERATIONS.
IT HAS REPRESENTATIVES FROM THE TRANSPORT BRANCH AND THE CITY AND NEW TERRITORIES ADMINISTRATION; THE TRAFFIC WING OF THE ROYAL HONG KONG POLICE; TRANSPORT, EDUCATION, HIGHWAYS AND INFORMATION SERVICES DEPARTMENTS; BRITISH FORCES, HONG KONG; THE HONG KONG ROAD SAFETY ASSOCIATION; THE HONG KONG AUTOMOBILE ASSOCIATION AND THE INSTITUTE OF ADVANCED MOTORISTS.
THE PURPOSE OF THE STRATEGY PAPER IS TO REVIEW PROGRESS IN THE VARIOUS FIELDS OF ROAD SAFETY ENDEAVOUR, IDENTIFY AREAS REQUIRING SPECIAL ATTENTION AND CO-ORDINATE STRATEGY PROPOSALS AND MAINTAIN A CHECK-LIST OF CURRENT AND FUTURE ACTIVITIES.
-------0 -------- /3.....................
TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 15, 1988
TAC DISCUSSES TAXI AND KMB FARES RISE *****
THE TRANSPORT ADVISORY COMMITTEE (TAC) TODAY (TUESDAY) DISCUSSED FARE INCREASE APPLICATIONS FROM THE URBAN AND NEW TERRITORIES TAXI ASSOCIATIONS.
HAVING DISCUSSED THE VIEWS OBTAINED AT THE RECENT SPECIAL MEETING WITH TAXI TRADE REPRESENTATIVES AND THOSE OF THE PUBLIC RECEIVED THROUGH OTHER CHANNELS, MEMBERS CONSIDERED THAT THERE WAS A CASE FOR A MODERATE INCREASE IN FARES IN ORDER TO MEET OPERATING EXPENSES.
WAITING TIME CHARGES WERE ALSO RECOMMENDED TO BE REVISED.
THE MEETING NOTED THAT THE PROPOSED INCREASE WOULD HELP TOWARDS MAINTAINING A REASONABLE FARE DIFFERENTIAL BETWEEN TAXIS AND OTHER MODES OF PUBLIC TRANSPORT.
A RECOMMENDATION WOULD BE MADE TO THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL IN DUE COURSE.
ON THE QUESTION OF MALPRACTICES BY TAXI DIVERS, THE TAC NOTED THAT IT HAD ALREADY CONVEYED THE STRONG PUBLIC SENTIMENTS ON THE SUBJECT TO TRADE REPRESENTATIVES AT THE SPECIAL MEETING AND STRESSED THE NEED FOR THE TRADE TO EXERCISE SELF-DISCIPLINE.
THE TAC CONSIDERED THE FARE INCREASE ISSUE WITHOUT TAKING INTO ACCOUNT THE QUESTION OF MALPRACTICES. THE TWO ARE SEPARATE ISSUES AND SHOULD NOT BE LINKED.
THE TAC WOULD CLOSELY MONITOR THE SITUATION OVER THE NEXT FEW MONTHS AND WOULD CONSIDER THE IMPLEMENTATION OF STRINGENT MEASURES INCLUDING AN INCREASE OF FINES OR THE DEMERIT POINT SYSTEM FOR REPEATED OFFENDERS IF THE SITUATION CONTINUED TO DETERIORATE.
THE COMMITTEE ALSO AGREED AFTER DETAILED DISCUSSIONS, THAT A FARE INCREASE SHOULD BE GIVEN TO THE KOWLOON MOTOR BUS COMPANY.
IN CONSIDERING THE APPLICATION, MEMBERS EXAMINED THE COMPANY’S EXISTING FINANCIAL POSITION AND TOOK FULL ACCOUNT OF THE VIEWS EXPRESSED BY MEMBERS OF CERTAIN DISTRICT BOARDS AND THEIR RESPECTIVE TRANSPORT AND TRAFFIC COMMITTEES.
THE TAC’S RECOMMENDATION WOULD BE SUBMITTED TO THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL FOR ITS FINAL DECISION. BUT TAC HAS MADE IT CLEAR THAT ANY INCREASE SHOULD NOT TAKE PLACE IN 1988.
THE COMMITTEE WAS ALSO BRIEFED ON THE GOVERNMENT’S FUTURE ROAD SAFETY STRATEGY POLICY OUTLINED IN THE ROAD SAFETY STRATEGY PAPER 1988.
/MEMBERS WERE
TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 15* 1988
MEMBERS WERE ALSO BRIEFED ON THE RESULTS OF THE CAR JOURNEY TIME SURVEY CARRIED OUT BY THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT IN JUNE THIS YEAR TO MONITOR TRAFFIC CONGESTION IN THE URBAN AREAS OF HONG KONG AND KOWLOON. •
THE RESULTS INDICATED THAT CONGESTION INCREASED OVER THE PAST FEW YEARS, AS REFLECTED IN THE DECREASING CAR SPEEDS, DESPITE THE INTRODUCTION OF SUCH TRANSPORT INFRASTRUCTURE AS THE MTR ISLAND LINE AND THE ISLAND EASTERN CORRIDOR STAGE II.
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CS OPENS NEW BLOCK AT CARITAS MEDICAL CENTRE
* * » » »
THE OPENING OF THE NEW JOCKEY CLUB WAI 01 BLOCK OF THE CARITAS MEDICAL CENTRE IN SHAM SHUI PO MARKS THE GROWTH OF THE CENTRE INTO A COMPREHENSIVE DISTRICT HOSPITAL, THE CHIEF SECRETARY, SIR DAVID FORD, SAID TODAY (TUESDAY).
SPEAKING AT THE OPENING CEREMONY OF THE NEW BLOCK, SIR DAVID NOTED THAT THE CENTRE WAS BEGUN BY CARITAS HONG KONG SOME 24 YEARS AGO WITH A MODEST SCALE OF 367 BEDS.
IT WAS INTENDED PRIMARILY TO CARE FOR THE POOR OF THE CROWDED AREA OF SO UK, AND IT EMPHASISED THE TREATMENT OF TUBERCULOSIS, WHICH WAS THEN A DEADLY INFECTIOUS DISEASE.
"THE CENTRE HAS SINCE GROWN RAPIDLY INTO A DISTRICT GENERAL HOSPITAL WITH OVER 1,400 BEDS, PROVIDING A WIDE RANGE OF SERVICES: FROM OUT-PATIENT SERVICES TO SPECIALISED INTENSIVE CARE, AND FROM THE NURSING TRAINING SCHOOL TO THE LOK YAN SCHOOL FOR THE MENTALLY HANDICAPPED.
"IT IS AN IMPRESSIVE HISTORY, WHICH SHOWS HOW A CHARITABLE MEDICAL AGENCY HAS DEVELOPED AND DIVERSIFIED INTO A PROFESSIONAL INSTITUTION PROVIDING FULL MEDICAL AND REHABILITATION SERVICES TO THE DENSE POPULATION OF NORTH-WEST KOWLOON," HE SAID.
SIR DAVID ALSO SAID THAT FOR MANY YEARS THE GOVERNMENT HAD GIVEN SUPPORT TO CARITAS IN ITS EFFORTS TO IMPROVE MEDICAL SERVICES IN THE REGION, AND THE OPENING OF THE NEW BLOCK MARKED A SIGNIFICANT STOP FORWARD.
"THE NEW BLOCK WILL PROVIDE SPACE FOR AN EXPANDED NURSING SCHOOL, STAFF QUARTERS, THE CENTRAL STERILE SERVICES DEPARTMENT AND CENTRAL ADMINISTRATION OFFICES.
/"IT WILL
TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 15, 1988
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"IT WILL ALSO FREE VALUABLE SPACE IN THE EXISTING BLOCKS FOR WARD EXPANSION AND USE BY OTHER SUPPORTING MEDICAL SERVICES," SIR DAVID ADDED.
SPEAKING TO REPORTERS AFTER THE CEREMONY ABOUT PROBLEMS FACED BY NURSING STAFF, SIR DAVID SAID HE WAS PLEASED TO HEAR THAT THERE WOULD BE A MEETING ON FRIDAY BETWEEN THE NURSES’ REPRESENTATIVES AND THE MEDICAL AND HEALTH DEPARTMENT AND THE HEALTH AND WELFARE BRANCH TO DISCUSS THE MATTER.
HE SAID THE BEST WAY TO SOLVE PROBLEMS WAS TO TALK ABOUT THEM AND TO TRY TO FIND A COMMON SOLUTION: "I HOPE THAT WILL BE ONE STEP ALONG THE ROAD.
"WE DO RECOGNISE THAT THE NURSES HAVE A PROBLEM. WE ARE ANXIOUS TO TRY TO HEAR WHAT THEY HAVE TO SAY AND TO TRY TO COME UP WITH A LONG TERM SOLUTION," SIR DAVID ADDED.
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WHITEHEAD DETENTION CENTRE TO COME INTO OPERATION SOON
» * » » «
THE NEW DETENTION CENTRE FOR VIETNAMESE BOAT PEOPLE AT WHITEHEAD, WUI KAI SHA, WILL SOON COME ON STREAM AND BE OPERATED BY CORRECTIONAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT STAFF.
THE PRINCIPAL ASSISTANT SECRETARY FOR SECURITY, MRS CARRIE YAU, SAID THIS TODAY (TUESDAY) AT A MEETING OF THE SHA TIN DISTRICT BOARD WHEN SHE BRIEFED MEMBERS ON THE PROGRESS OF THE PROJECT.
IN AUGUST, THE FINANCE COMMITTEE APPROVED FUNDS COVERING TWO STAGES OF THE WHITEHEAD DETENTION CENTRE.
"AT PRESENT, ONE STAGE IS BEING BUILT WITH A TOTAL CAPACITY OF 4,000, AND FINANCE COMMITTEE WILL DISCUSS THE NEED TO BUILD STAGE II TOMORROW," MRS YAU TOLD THE MEETING.
"SITE FORMATION HAS ALREADY STARTED AND CONSTRUCTION OF THE BUILDINGS TO HOUSE CAMP STAFF AND BOAT PEOPLE WILL SOON BEGIN.
"IT IS EXPECTED THAT 2,000 PLACES WILL BE PROVIDED IN LATE DECEMBER AND ANOTHER 2,000 IN LATE FEBRUARY NEXT YEAR WHEN STAGE I IS COMPLETED."
MRS YAU ASSURED DISTRICT BOARD MEMBERS THAT HIGH SECURITY MEASURES WOULD BE PROVIDED AT THE NEW DETENTION CENTRE.
"THERE WILL BE A DOUBLE 17-FOOT HIGH FENCE ROUND THE CAMP, AND VIETNAMESE BOAT PEOPLE WILL BE KEPT IN SEPARATE COMPOUNDS OF 2,000 EACH FOR MANAGEMENT AND SECURITY PURPOSES," SHE SAID.
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TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 15, 1988
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AIMS OF SHIPPING REGISTER OUTLINED *****
THE GOVERNMENT HOPES TO PRODUCE A SHIPPING REGISTER WHICH OFFERS THE VERY FEATURES AND SAFEGUARDS SOUGHT BOTH BY THOSE WHO WILL BE OWNING, OPERATING AND SAILING ON THE VESSELS CONCERNED AND 3Y THOSE REGULATING THE INDUSTRY, THE SECRETARY FOR ECONOMIC SERVICES, MRS ANSON CHAN, SAID THIS (TUESDAY) MORNING.
SPEAKING AT THE OPENING OF THE 1988 EXPOSHIP FAR EAST INTERNATIONAL SHIPPING EXHIBITION, MRS CHAN SAID THAT FOR OWNERSHIP, SHIPS REGISTERED IN HONG KONG WOULD BE REQUIRED TO HAVE A GENUINE LINK WITH HONG KONG, ADDING THAT GRANDFATHER RIGHTS WOULD APPLY TO SHIPS ALREADY REGISTERED HERE.
SHE SAID REGISTRATION WOULD BE RESTRICTED TO OWNERS WHOSE COMPANIES WERE ESTABLISHED IN HONG KONG UNDER THE COMPANIES OP.DINANCE OR WERE INCORPORATED IN HONG KONG.
"WE WILL PROVIDE FOR JOINT VENTURE OWNERSHIP, PROVIDED THAT AT LEAST 50 PER CENT OF THE VESSEL IS OWNED BY A HONG KONG INTEREST.
"WE WILL ALSO PROVIDE FOR THE REGISTRATION OF VESSELS CHARTERED-IN BY OTHERWISE QUALIFIED OWNERS.
"NONE OF THESE REQUIREMENTS WILL BE PARTICULARLY ONEROUS, SO A FURTHER LINK WILL BE NECESSARY; EACH OWNER WILL BE REQUIRED TO APPOINT A REPRESENTATIVE OR MANAGEMENT PERSON WITH A PERMANENT PRESENCE IN HONG KONG," SHE SAID.
"ONCE THE REGISTER IS ESTABLISHED," SHE ADDED, "WE WILL HAVE MOVED FROM A SITUATION WHEREBY A SHIP REGISTERED HERE NEED HAVE ABSOLUTELY NO CONNECTION WITH HONG KONG TO ONE IN WHICH WE HAVE LINKS THROUGH BOTH OWNERSHIP AND MANAGEMENT OF THE VESSEL."
SO THERE SHOULD BE NO CASE FOR ANYONE CONSIDERING THE NEW REGISTER TO BE A "FLAG OF CONVENIENCE", SHE SAID.
MRS CHAN SAID APPROPRIATE INTERNATIONAL STANDARDS WOULD BE ADOPTED WHICH WOULD REPLACE THE LARGELY BRITISH STANDARDS WHICH CURRENTLY APPLIED.
SHE SAID THIS DID NOT MEAN A LOWERING OF STANDARDS. "WE WILL BE AIMING TO APPLY THOSE STANDARDS SET BY THE RELEVANT INTERNATIONAL BODIES - THE INTERNATIONAL MARITIME ORGANISATION AND THE INTERNATIONAL LABOUR ORGANISATION."
MRS CHAN SAID THE REGISTER WOULD BE SELF-FINANCING.
"IT WILL NOT BE DESIGNED TO MAKE A PROFIT BUT WE HOPE IT WILL NOT MAKE A LOSS."
/"ITS INCOME
TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 15, 1988
’’ITS INCOME WILL COME FROM INITIAL REGISTRATION FEES, SURVEY FEES AND AN ANNUAL TONNAGE CHARGE ON EACH SHIP,” SHE SAID.
"IT IS TOO EARLY TO SAY IN DETAIL WHAT OUR CHARGES WILL BE BUT THEY SHOULD BE COMPETITIVE AND CERTAINLY ATTRACTIVE TO A SHIPOWNER WHO SEEKS TO KEEP HIS SHIPS UNDER A WELL-RESPECTED FLAG AND A COMPETENT MARITIME ADMINISTRATION,” SHE ADDED.
AS REGARDS PROCEDURES, MRS CHAN SAID INTEGRAL TO THE NEW REGISTER WOULD BE A PACKAGE OF MEASURES TO ENSURE THAT REGISTRATION WAS CONDUCTED PROMPTLY AND EFFICIENTLY, AND TOOK ACCOUNT OF SOME OF THE ADVANTAGES OF MODERN TECHNOLOGY AND COMMUNICATIONS.
MRS CHAN SAID ONE KEY FACTOR CONFIRMING HONG KONG’S POSITION AS AN IDEAL BASE FOR CONDUCTING SHIPPING OPERATIONS WAS THAT WE HAD AN ENVIABLE RANGE OF FINANCIAL, MANAGERIAL, INSURANCE AND SHIPPING SUPPORT SERVICES AND INSTITUTIONS.
HONG KONG ALSO HAD ONE OF THE WORLD’S BEST NATURAL HARBOURS AND THE WORLD’S BUSIEST AND THE MOST EFFICIENT CONTAINER PORT.
IN ADDITION, SHE SAID, HONG KONG’S UNIQUE GEOGRAPHICAL POSITION MADE IT A NATURAL CHOICE FOR CONDUCTING TRADE WITHIN THE PACIFIC RIM, AND WITH CHINA IN PARTICULAR.
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CRITERIA FOR RECRUITMENT OF JUDGES * * » * *
THERE ARE THREE CRITERIA THAT SHOULD NORMALLY BE ADOPTED WHEN RECRUITING A JUDGE, NAMELY, COMPETENT WORKING KNOWLEDGE OF THE LAW, JUDICIAL TEMPERAMENT, AND UNBLEMISHED AND DIGNIFIED CONDUCT IN AND OUT OF COURT, THE CHIEF JUSTICE, SIR TI LIANG YANG, SAID TODAY (TUESDAY).
IF A PERSON PASSES THESE THREE TESTS, THEN WE SHALL HAVE IN HIM AS GOOD A JUDGE AS ANY THAT SOCIETY MAY HOPE TO SEE, SIR TI LIANG SAID WHEN ADDRESSING A ROTARY CLUB OF HONG KONG LUNCHEON.
THE CHIEF JUSTICE SAID THE AUTHORITY AND DIGNITY OF THE JUDGES WAS TIED INEXTRICABLY TO THE EXTENT TO WHICH THE PUBLIC WAS PREPARED TO TRUST THEM.
’’THE ULTIMATE AND TRUE TEST IS ONE OF PUBLIC CONFIDENCE IN THE JUDGES," HE SAID.
/"PUBLIC CONFIDENCE
TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 15, 1°88
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"PUBLIC CONFIDENCE IS THEREFORE OUR LIFEBLOOD, WITHOUT WHICH THE COURTS ARE NIL."
IN HIS SPEECH ENTITLED "RECRUITMENT OF THE PERFECT JUDGE”, THE CHIEF JUSTICE EXPLAINED THE QUALITIES THAT THE PUBLIC WOULD EXPECT FROM JUDGES.
HE POINTED OUT THAT A COMPETENT KNOWLEDGE OF THE LAW WAS NOT THE SAME AS A COMPETENT WORKING KNOWLEDGE OF THE LAW, THE FIRST OF THE THREE CRITERIA FOR JUDGES.
TO EXPLAIN IT, THE CHIEF JUSTICE SAID THAT AS THE JUDGE LISTENED TO THE EVIDENCE, HE HAD TO DECIDE WHAT WAS IMPORTANT AND UNIMPORTANT AND WHAT WAS THE LAW TO BE APPLIED GIVEN A CERTAIN SET OF FACTS.
"BUT IN ORDER TO DETERMINE THE FACTS HE IS TO APPLY THE LAW OF EVIDENCE, TO CONSIDER EVIDENCE WHICH IS ADMISSIBLE IN LAW AND REJECT THAT WHICH IS NOT,” HE SAID.
"HAVING ARRIVED AT HIS CONCLUSION ON THE FACTS, HE DETERMINES THE LAW TO BE APPLIED TO THOSE FACTS."
SIR TI LIANG SAID THAT IF, THROUGH A MISUNDERSTANDING OF THE EVIDENCE, ERRORS WERE MADE IN THE FINDINGS OF FACTS, THEN APPLYING THE LAW TO THE WRONG FACT WOULD PRODUCE THE WRONG RESULTS AND SIMILARLY APPLYING THE WRONG LAW TO THE CORRECT FACTS WOULD ALSO RESULT IN AN ERRONEOUS JUDGEMENT.
"IN ORDER TO AVOID THE PITFALLS I HAVE ALLUDED TO, THE JUDGE MUST NECESSARILY POSSESS A KNOWLEDGE OF HUMAN AFFAIRS, MUCH COMMONSENSE, AND A CLEAR MIND,” HE SAID.
THE CHIEF JUSTICE EXPLAINED THAT THE MAXIM, "JUSTICE MUST NOT ONLY BE DONE BUT MUST ALSO BE SEEN TO BE DONE" WOULD BE THE BEST WORDS TO DESCRIBE JUDICIAL TEMPERAMENT, THE SECOND OF THE THREE CRITERIA FOR JUDGES.
"IF A JUDGE IS POMPOUS OR RUDE, FRIVOLOUS OR BOASTFUL, STUBBORN OR DEFIANT, UNJUSTIFIABLY CONTROVERSIAL AND ARGUMENTATIVE, PATENTLY LAZY OR INATTENTIVE, THEN CLEARLY EVEN IF HIS JUDGEMENT BE CORRECT, THERE IS A FEELING THAT JUSTICE IS NOT SEEN TO BE DONE," HE SAID.
SIR TI LIANG SAID THAT UNLIKE AN ERROR MADE IN THE JUDGEMENT, WHICH MIGHT BE CORRECTED ON APPEAL, THERE WOULD BE NO JUDICIAL REMEDY TO REDRESS THE GRIEVANCE A PARTY MIGHT FEEL IF A JUDGE WAS GUILTY OF THE SHORTCOMINGS.
/"BUT IT
TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 15, 1988
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"BUT IT DOES NOT MEAN THE JUDGE MAY THEN ACT WITH IMPUNITY. THERE ARE TWO WATCHDOGS WHO KEEP THE JUDGES IN CHECK, NAMELY AN INDEPENDENT LEGAL PROFESSION AND A FREE PRESS, WHICH READILY (SOMETIMES, WE SAY, TOO READILY!) EXPOSE THEM, AS THEY SHOULD."
HE SAID THAT ON THE WHOLE IT WAS POSSIBLE TO DISCOVER WHETHER A CANDIDATE FOR APPOINTMENT FELL SHORT OF EITHER OF THE TWO CRITERIA AS PERMANENT APPOINTMENTS WERE PRECEDED BY A BRIEF PERIOD OR PERIODS OF ACTING WHEN A POTENTIAL CANDIDATE WAS TESTED.
"IT IS A LITTLE MORE DIFFICULT WITH HIGH COURT APPOINTMENTS FROM ABROAD. THERE IS NO PROBATIONARY PERIOD, FOR EXPERIENCE TELLS US THAT NO LAWYER OF A CALIBRE FIT FOR ELEVATION TO THIS HIGH JUDICIAL POST IS PREPARED TO GIVE UP HIS PRIVATE PRACTICE AND FACE THE PROSPECT OF AN UNCERTAIN TENURE OF OFFICE OVERSEAS," HE SAID.
SIR TI LIANG STRESSED THAT THE ONLY WAY TO ENSURE A GOOD APPOINTMENT WAS BY MAKING AS FULL AN ENQUIRY AS WAS HUMANLY POSSIBLE ABOUT THE OVERSEAS CANDIDATE.
ON HIS THIRD CRITERION, THE CONCEPT OF PROPRIETY OF CONDUCT, HE SAID IT DEFIED DEFINITION.
THE CHIEF JUSTICE SAID THAT IT COVERED SUCH WIDE AREAS OF HUMAN CONDUCT SUCH AS MODESTY, DECENCY, SOBRIETY, INTEGRITY, RESTRAINT IN SPEECH AND BEHAVIOUR.
"PROPRIETY OF CONDUCT IN AND OUT OF COURT HAS TO DO WITH SAYING NOTHING AND DOING NOTHING THAT MIGHT DAMAGE THE DIGNITY AND REPUTATION OF THE LAW AND THE JUDICIARY.
"MORE POSITIVELY, IT IMPLIES BEHAVING IN SUCH A WAY AT ALL TIMES AS TO ENHANCE PEOPLE’S CONFIDENCE AND RESPECT FOR THE ADMINISTRATION OF JUSTICE.
"A JUDGE IS THEREFORE NEVER OFF-DUTY, IN THE SENSE THAT EVEN IN PRIVATE AND AMONGST PERSONAL FRIENDS, WHAT HE SAYS AND DOES IS ASSESSED IN THE CONTEXT OF HIS JUDICIAL OFFICE," HE SAID.
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TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 15, 1988
10
OFFICIALS TO REPLY IN POLICY DEBATE
*****
TEN OFFICIAL MEMBERS OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL WILL REPLY TO POINTS RAISED BY MEMBERS LAST WEEK WHEN THE COUNCIL RESUMES THE POLICY DEBATE TOMORROW (WEDNESDAY).
THE DEBATE IS ON A MOTION OF THANKS TO THE GOVERNOR FOR HIS ADDRESS TO THE COUNCIL MOVED BY THE SENIOR MEMBER, THE HON ALLEN LEE.
IN ADDITION, THE ATTORNEY GENERAL, THE HON JEREMY MATHEWS, WILL MOVE A MOTION TO APPROVE THE COMPANIES (WINDING-UP) (AMENDMENT) RULES 1988.
THE MOTOR VEHICLES (FIRST REGISTRATION TAX) (AMENDMENT) BILL 1988 WILL BE SCHEDULED FOR THE SECOND AND THIRD READINGS.
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GOVERNOR PRESENTS INSIGNIA TO 63 * * * *
THE GOVERNOR, SIR DAVID WILSON, PRESENTED INSIGNIA THIS (TUESDAY) EVENING TO 59 PEOPLE DECORATED BY HER MAJESTY THE QUEEN FOR THEIR SERVICES TO THE PUBLIC.
IN ADDITION, SIR DAVID PRESENTED INSIGNIA TO FOUR PEOPLE TO WHOM HE HAD AWARDED THE GOVERNOR’S COMMENDATION.
THE FOLLOWING IS THE LIST OF RECIPIENTS OF INSIGNIA IN THE CEREMONY HELD AT GOVERNMENT HOUSE:
CBE
MISS MARIA TAM WAI-CHU MR ALAN JOHN CARTER
OBE
DR CHIU HIN-KWONG
MR DENNIS TING HOK-SHOU
OBE (HON)
MR JAMES JOHN O’GRADY
/MBE
TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 15, 1988
11
MBE
MR THOMAS MACLAREN BLAIR MISS MARION SUM-SUK FANG MR NATHAN MA NING-HEI MR LEONARD NYLON TS’O
MBE (HON)
MR WILLIAM WONG
MBE (MILITARY DIVISION)
WARRANT OFFICER CHUNG KAN-FU
BEM
MR CHAN SIK-KEE MR CHAN SUM MR CHUNG HON MR CHUNG WUN-CHING MR DAVID HENRY GRAHAME COLES MR KAN KONG-LAM MR KWOK BING-CHAU MRS LAI KWOK ON-PONG MS LAI LAI-HEUNG MR LAM SHUN-PUNG MR LEE HONG MRS TSOI CHEUNG SAU-HA MR TSOI KWING-HI MR WONG KAI-CHIU
ISM
MR CHAN CHUNG-KWONG
QPM
MR SO LAI-YIN
MR PETER JOHN WEBB
QFFM
MR LAM CHEK-YUEN
/CPM........
TUESDAY, NOVIMBER 15, 1988
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CPM
RHKP
MR THOMAS ALBERT BARNES MR ROBERT CHARLES TOAL MR CHEUNG CHI-KEUNG MR YIP KWOK-KEUNG MR IU YEE-HUNG MR CHAN SIU-CHIK MR LAI WUN-WING MR KWOK PING-TONG MR LAU CHUN-SANG MR LI KAM-CHUEN MR CHEUNG KING-TIM MR PUN YING-KUEN
FSD
MR JAMES HO KWOK-CHUEN
MR LEE WAI MR HO HON-KWAN
BADGE OF HONOUR
MR CHAN HON-YING MR CHAN YAU-YUE MR CHEUNG CHUNG-YAN MR CHOI HING-SHUN MR CHOY LO MR KO KIM-CHING MF? KWONG KAI-TO MR LAI KWONG DR SUSAN LEONG JP MR ERIC LI KA-CHEUNG MR LO SHIN-CHEUNG MR LUI KWAN-FAT MISS ELIZABETH SUSAN MAIR MR NG KIN-SUN MR YUNG TIN-TACK
GOVERNOR'S COMMENDATION
MR FRANCIS WONG HON-CHUNG
MR JOHN MARTIN PRITCHARD MR LAM WAI-MING SERGEANT WU WAI-HUNG
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TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 15, 1988
13
DISTANCE LEARNING PROGRAMME DEVELOPED
*****
THE MANAGEMENT DEVELOPMENT CENTRE (MDC) OF THE VOCATIONAL TRAINING COUNCIL HAS SUCCESSFULLY DEVELOPED A DISTANCE LEARNING PROGRAMME FOR OWNERS AND MANAGERS OF SMALL BUSINESSES.
A CEREMONY WILL BE HELD TOMORROW (WEDNESDAY) AT THE MDC TO LAUNCH THE PROGRAMME WHICH WILL PROVIDE OWNER-MANAGERS AN OPPORTUNITY TO DEVELOP THEIR MANAGERIAL SKILLS AND IMPROVE THEIR BUSINESS.
PRODUCED IN CHINESE, THE PROGRAMME IS THE FIRST OF ITS KInL IN HONG KONG CATERING TO THE DEVELOPING NEEDS OF SMALL BUSINESSES. '
l
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE iINVITED TO COVER THE LAUNCHING CEREMONY TOMORROW (WEDNESDAY) AT 3 PM AT THE MANAGEMENT DEVELOPMENT CENTRE, 17TH FLOOR HARBOUR CENTRE, 25 HARBOUR ROAD, WAN CHAI.
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WORK TO START ON NORTH WEST KOWLOON SEWAGE TREATMENT SCHEME *****
WORK ON A SEWAGE TREATMENT SCHEME AT NORTH WEST KOWLOON IS TO START SOON FOLLOWING THE SIGNING OF THE FIRST CONTRACT FOR THE SCHEME TODAY (TUESDAY).
IT WAS SIGNED BY THE DIRECTOR OF CIVIL ENGINEERING SERVICES, DR K.F. NIP, AND A REPRESENTATIVE OF THE CONTRACTOR.
THE CONTRACT, WORTH $197 MILLION, IS THE FIRST OF SEVEN CONTRACTS UNDER THE FIRST STAGE OF THE NORTH WEST KOWLOON SEWAGE TREATMENT AND DISPOSAL SCHEME TO IMPROVE THE WATER QUALITY OF THE WEST KOWLOON COASTLINE.
IT INVOLVES THE CONSTRUCTION OF ABOUT THREE KILOMETRES OF INTERCEPTOR SEWERS IN TAI KOK TSUI, SHAM SHUI PO AND LAI CHI KOK. WORK IS EXPECTED TO TAKE 27 MONTHS TO COMPLETE.
UNDER STAGE I OF THE SCHEME, WHICH IS ESTIMATED TO COST $1.1 BILLION, SEWAGE IN THE AREA WILL BE COLLECTED INTO THE INTERCEPTOR SEWERS AND DIRECTED TO A PUMPING STATION AT CHEUNG SHA WAN RECLAMATION.
/THE SEWAGE .......
TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 151 1988
14
THE SEWAGE WILL THEN BE PUMPED VIA A TWIN TWO-METRE DIAMETER UNDERWATER MAIN TO THE SCREENING PLANT AT STONECUTTERS ISLAND FOR SCREENING AND SUBSEQUENT DISPOSAL THROUGH A SUBMARINE OUTFALL TO THE WEST OF THE ISLAND, WHERE THE TIDAL CURRENT IS STRONG ENOUGH TO PRODUCE THE NECESSARY DILUTION OF THE TREATED EFFLUENT.
OTHER CONTRACTS UNDER THIS STAGE OF THE SCHEME WILL BE AWARDED SEPARATELY AND THE TARGET DATE FOR COMMISSIONING OF THE SCHEME IS LATE 1991.
SEWAGE FROM NORTH WEST KOWLOON IS CURRENTLY DISCHARGED CLOSE INSHORE VIA SUBMARINE OUTFALLS AT TAI KOK TSUI, SHAM SHUI PO AND LAI CHI KOK.
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MANPOWER SURVEY ON BANKING BEGINS
♦ * * » ♦
THE BANKING TRAINING BOARD OF THE VOCATIONAL TRAINING COUNCIL WILL START A SURVEY TOMORROW (WEDNESDAY) TO COLLECT UPDATED INFORMATION ON THE INDUSTRY’S MANPOWER AND TRAINING NEEDS.
QUESTIONNAIRES AND EXPLANATORY NOTES HAVE BEEN SENT TO LICENSED BANKS, AND LICENSED AND REGISTERED DEPOSIT-TAKING COMPANIES.
SURVEY INTERVIEWING OFFICERS FROM THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT WILL CALL AT THESE ESTABLISHMENTS TO ASSIST EMPLOYERS IN COMPLETING THE QUESTIONNAIRES.
THE SURVEY WILL BE COMPLETED ON NOVEMBER 30. INFORMATION COLLECTED WILL BE HANDLED IN STRICT CONFIDENCE AND PUBLISHED ONLY IN THE FORM OF STATISTICAL SUMMARIES WITHOUT REFERENCE TO INDIVIDUAL ESTABLISHMENTS.
THE BANKING TRAINING BOARD URGES EMPLOYERS TO CO-OPERATE BY PROVIDING ACCURATE INFORMATION WHICH WILL BE VITAL IN FORMULATING TRAINING PLANS TO MEET NEEDS OF THE INDUSTRY.
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LOWER TAR, NICOTINE AVERAGE IN CIGARETTES *****
THE 11TH BIANNUAL TABLE OF "TAR AND NICOTINE YIELDS OF CIGARETTES" RELEASED TODAY (TUESDAY) SHOWS A LOWER AVERAGE OF TAR AND NICOTINE CONTENT OF CIGARETTES.
THE AVERAGE TAR AND NICOTINE YIELDS AMONG THE 108 BEST-SELLING CIGARETTES IN HONG KONG HAVE DECREASED BY 1.3 PER CENT AND 9.3 PER CENT RESPECTIVELY WHEN COMPARED WITH FIGURES RELEASED IN MAY THIS YEAR.
THE AVERAGE TAR YIELD IS 15.2 MG/CIGARETTE WHICH IS SLIGHTLY LOWER THAN 15.4 MG/CIGARETTE RECORDED IN MAY THIS YEAR, WHILE THE AVERAGE NICOTINE CONTENT HAS GONE DOWN FROM THE PREVIOUS FIGURE OF 1.29 MG/CIGARETTE TO 1.17 MG/CIGARETTE.
THE TABLE ALSO INDICATES NO SIGNIFICANT CHANGE IN THE NUMBER OF HIGHER TAR CIGARETTES ON SALE IN HONG KONG.
COMMENTING ON THE FIGURES, A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN SAID, "WE HOPE THE TREND TOWARDS A LOWER LEVEL OF TAR AND NICOTINE CONTENT OF CIGARETTES WILL CONTINUE."
A COMPREHENSIVE REPORT OF THE GOVERNMENT’S FINDINGS HAS BEEN PUBLISHED IN THE LATEST EDITION OF THE CONSUMER COUNCIL’S "CHOICE" MAGAZINE.
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UNEMPLOYMENT, UNDEREMPLOYMENT STATISTICS FOR JULY - SEPTEMBER » ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦
THE UNEMPLOYMENT RATE DECLINED FURTHER DURING THE PERIOD JULY -SEPTEMBER 1988, WHILE THE UNDEREMPLOYMENT RATE REMAINED LOW, ACCORDING TO THE LATEST LABOUR FORCE STATISTICS RELEASED TODAY (TUESDAY) BY THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT.
THESE FIGURES SHOW THAT THE LABOUR MARKET REMAINED VERY TIGHT.
THE SEASONALLY ADJUSTED UNEMPLOYMENT RATE FOR JULY - SEPTEMBER 1988 WAS 1.6 PER CENT, COMPARED WITH 1.8 PER CENT FOR THE THREE MONTHS ENDING JUNE 1988 AND THE SAME PERIOD A YEAR EARLIER.
THE DECREASES OF 0.2 OF A PERCENTAGE POINT BELOW THE PREVIOUS THREE MONTHS PERIOD AND THE SAME PERIOD A YEAR EARLIER ARE BOTH STATISTICALLY SIGNIFICANT.
/THE NUMBER
TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 15 f 1988
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THE NUMBER OF UNEMPLOYED PERSONS IN JULY - SEPTEMBER 1988 WAS ESTIMATED AT 43,800, COMPARED WITH 49,400 FOR THE THREE MONTHS ENDING JUNE 1988 AND 49,900 FOR THE THREE MONTHS ENDING SEPTEMBER 1987.
THE UNDEREMPLOYMENT RATE FOR JULY - SEPTEMBER 1988 WAS 0.6 PER CENT, COMPARED WITH 0.7 PER CENT FOR THE THREE MONTHS ENDING JUNE 1988. THE RATE FOR JULY - SEPTEMBER 1987 WAS 1 PER CENT.
THE DECREASE OF 0.1 OF A PERCENTAGE POINT BELOW THE PREVIOUS THREE MONTHS PERIOD IS STATISTICALLY NOT SIGNIFICANT, WHILE THE DECREASE OF 0.4 OF A PERCENTAGE POINT BELOW THE SAME PERIOD A YEAR EARLIER IS STATISTICALLY SIGNIFICANT.
THE ESTIMATED NUMBER OF UNDEREMPLOYED PERSONS FOR JULY -SEPTEMBER 1988 WAS 15,400, COMPARED WITH 18,900 FOR THE THREE MONTHS ENDING JUNE 1988 AND 26,800 FOR THE THREE MONTHS ENDING SEPTEMBER 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 (E.G. 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 ADDED THAT, BASED ON A SYSTEM OF PROVISIONAL COUNTS, THE UNEMPLOYMENT AND UNDEREMPLOYMENT RATES COVERING THE LATEST THREE MONTHS 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 AUGUST - OCTOBER 1988 WAS 1.5 PER CENT AND THE PROVISIONAL UNDEREMPLOYMENT RATE WAS 0.6 PER CENT.
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 50,000 PERSONS, SELECTED SCIENTIFICALLY TO REPRESENT THE LAND-BASED CIVILIAN NON-INSTITUTIONAL POPULATION IN HONG KONG.
/PERSONAL AND
TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 15, 1968
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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 SEPTEMBER 1988 SHOULD BE AVAILABLE FROM THE GOVERNMENT PUBLICATIONS CENTRE, GPO BUILDING, CONNAUGHT PLACE, CENTRAL, AROUND DECEMBER 20 AT *10 PER COPY.
COMPETITIONS TO PROMOTE ROAD SAFETY IN TUEN MUN
* * * * *
THE TUEN MUN DISTRICT ROAD SAFETY CAMPAIGN ORGANISING COMMITTEE IS INVITING ENTRIES FOR MOTORCAR STICKER AND SLOGAN COMPETITIONS IN ORDER TO ENHANCE RESIDENTS’ AWARENESS ON THE IMPORTANCE OF ROAD SAFETY THROUGH CREATIVE DESIGN.
THE MOTORCAR STICKER COMPETITION IS DIVIDED INTO THE SECONDARY SCHOOL SECTION AND OPEN SECTIONS, WHICH INVITE COMPETITORS TO SUBMIT THEIR WORKS ON A DRAWING PAPER OF 29 CM IN 37.5 CM.
AS FOR THE SLOGAN COMPETITION, IT IS DIVIDED INTO THE PRIMARY SCHOOL, SECONDARY SCHOOL AND OPEN SECTIONS, WITHOUT LIMITATION ON THE NUMBER OF WORDS.
APART FROM CREATIVENESS, ENTRIES FOR BOTH COMPETITIONS WILL BE JUDGED ON HOW EFFECTIVE THEY CAN CONVEY THE ROAD SAFETY MESSAGE IN THE CONTEXT OF FUTURE PUBLICITY.
ADJUDICATORS OF THE COMPETITIONS WILL INCLUDE INSPECTORS OF THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT AND LECTURERS FROM POST-SECONDARY COLLEGES IN THEIR RESPECTIVE FIELDS AS WELL AS REPRESENTATIVES FROM THE TUEN MUN DISTRICT OFFICE.
APART FROM THE THREE TOP AWARDS, VALUABLE PRIZES WILL BE PRESENTED TO FIVE OUTSTANDING WORKS FN EACH COMPETITION.
ENTRY FORMS ARE OBTAINABLE FROM THE TUEN MUN DISTRICT OFFICE AND ITS SUB-OFFICES. COMPLETED FORMS AND CREATIVE WORKS SHOULD BE RETURNED TO THE ABOVE OFFICES BY NOON ON JANUARY 16, 1989.
/MEANWHILE, UNDER
TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 15, 1988
- 18 -
MEANWHILE, UNDER THE AUSPICES OF THE TUEN MUN DISTRICT BOARD, THE COMMITTEE WILL ALSO SELECT MODEL PEDESTRIANS AND DRIVERS AS PART OF THE NINE-MONTH DISTRICT CAMPAIGN WHICH BEGAN IN JULY.
SIX MODEL PEDESTRIANS AND MODEL DRIVERS OF THE PRIVATE CAR, TAXI, BUS, LIGHT GOOD VEHICLE, LORRY, CONTAINER TRUCK AND LIGHT RAIL TRANSIT VEHICLE WILL BE SELECTED IN RECOGNITION FOR THEIR GOOD BEHAVIOUR IN OBSERVING TRAFFIC CODES AND REGULATIONS.
THEY WILL BE PRESENTED WITH VALUABLE PRIZES AND SOUVENIRS AT THE CLOSING CEREMONY OF THE ROAD SAFETY CAMPAIGN NEXT MARCH.
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EXCITING PROGRAMME FOR TSUEN WAN SPORTS FESTIVAL
*****
RESIDENTS OF TSUEN WAN WILL HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO SEE HIGH-CALIBRE SPORTS PERFORMANCES BY VISITING CHINESE SPORTS TEAMS AND LOCAL TOP ATHLETES AT THE TSUEN WAN SPORTS FESTIVAL NEXT WEEK, THE CHAIRMAN OF ITS EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE, MR CHUNG WAI-PING SAID TODAY (TUESDAY).
THE JIANGSU BADMINTON TEAM, FEATURING WORLD-CLASS PLA ERS SUCH AS MR YANG YANG AND MR ZHAO JIANHUA WILL GIVE DEMONSTRATION MATCHES TOGETHER WITH HONG KONG’S TOP PLAYERS, MR CHAN CHI-CHOI AND MISS AMY CHAN ON NOVEMBER 24 (THURSDAY) AT THE KWAI CHUNG OSMAN RAMJU SADICK INDOOR GAMES HALL.
ALSO PERFORMING AT THE SAME VENUE ON NOVEMBER 25 (FRIDAY) EVENING WILL BE THE JIANGSU ACRO AND RHYTHMIC GYMNASTIC TEAM AND THE WELL-KNOWN LADY FENCER MISS LUAN JUJIE.
THE MONTH-LONG TSUEN WAN SPORTS FESTIVAL, WHICH WAS LAUNCHED A WEEK AGO, IS CELEBRATING ITS 10TH ANNIVERSARY THIS YEAR.
"A WIDE RANGE OF EVENTS, INCLUDING ARCHERY, MINI-SOCCER, FIVE-A-SIDE SOCCER, BASKETBALL, VOLLEY BALL, HANDBALL, TENNIS, AEROBIC DANCE, GO-KART RACING AND A CROSS-COUNTRY MARATHON HAVE BEEN ARRANGED FOR RESIDENTS," MR CHUNG SAID.
"SPECIAL EVENTS FOR THE HANDICAPPED AND THE ELDERLY WILL TAKE PLACE ON NOVEMBER 26 AND NOVEMBER 27 RESPECTIVELY," MR CHUNG ADDED.
IN THE MEANTIME, A PHOTOGRAPHIC COMPETITION HAS ALSO BEEN ORGANISED FOR ENTHUSIASTS.
/THE DEADLINE .......
TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 15, 1988
- 19 -
THE DEADLINE FOR THE PHOTOGRAPHIC COMPETITION WILL BE DECEMBER 9 AND ADJUDICATION WILL TAKE PLACE ON DECEMBER 21.
DETAILS OF THE COMPETITION, FREE ADMISSION TICKETS AND COPIES OF THE FESTIVAL PROGRAMMES ARE AVAILABLE AT THE PUBLIC ENQUIRY SERVICES CENTRES OF THE TSUEN WAN DISTRICT OFFICE.
THE 10TH TSUEN WAN SPORTS FESTIVAL IS PRESENTED BY THE TSUEN WAN DISTRICT BOARD, DISTRICT OFFICE AND THE FEDERATION OF THE TSUEN WAN DISTRICT SPORTS AND RECREATION ASSOCIATION AS A JOINT EFFORT TO BOOST SPORTS ACTIVITIES IN THE DISTRICT.
"THROUGH PARTICIPATION IN THE FESTIVAL, IT IS HOPED THAT RESIDENTS WILL CULTIVATE A SENSE OF COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT, THUS ENHANCING THEIR COMMUNITY SPIRIT," MR CHUNG SAID.
-----0-----
GOVERNMENT BUILDING PLANNED AT MUI WO t » * ♦
A THREE-STOREY GOVERNMENT OFFICE BUILDING IS TO BE BUILT AT MUI WO ON LANTAU ISLAND.
TENDERS FOR THE PROJECT WERE INVITED BY THE ARCHITECTURAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT TODAY (TUESDAY).
THE 4,OOO-SQUARE-METRE BUILDING WILL BE CONSTRUCTED BETWEEN NEXT JANUARY AND MAY 1990.
IT WILL ACCOMMODATE A DISTRICT DELIVERY POST OFFICE, A CLINIC FOR REPROVISIONING OF THE OUT-PATIENT AND FAMILY HEALTH SERVICE FACILITIES FROM THE EXISTING MUI WO DISPENSARY TOGETHER WITH A 24-HOUR ACCIDENT AND EMERGENCY DEPARTMENT.
IT WILL ALSO PROVIDE ACCOMMODATION FOR THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT, CIVIL AID SERVICES, CUSTOMS AND EXCISE DEPARTMENT AND THE ISLANDS DISTRICT OFFICE.
TENDERS FOR THE CONTRACT WORKS MUST BE SUBMITTED BEFORE 12 NOON ON NOVEMBER 25.
-----0------
/20........
TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 15, J988
- 20 -
TRADE TESTING FOR VEHICLE MECHANICS NEXT SUMMER
*****
THE AUTOMOBILE INDUSTRY TRAINING BOARD OF THE VOCATIONAL TRAINING COUNCIL (VTC) WILL OFFER THE FIRST VOLUNTARY TRADE TEST NEXT SUMMER TO VALIDATE THE SKILLS OF TRAINED VEHICLE MECHANICS IN THE INDUSTRY.
SPEAKING AT THE BEST APPRENTICE AWARD PRESENTATION CEREMONY TODAY (TUESDAY), THE CHAIRMAN OF THE BOARD, MR HAROLD LEE, SAID, "A GUIDELINE FOR THE TRADE TEST WILL BE PUBLISHED AROUND MARCH FOR WORKERS WHO WISH TO PARTICIPATE."
FOR MORE THAN A DECADE THE BOARD HAS BEEN ASSISTING IN PROMOTING THE APPRENTICESHIP SCHEME IN THE AUTOMOBILE INDUSTRY.
"THE TIME HAS COME TO ASSESS AND VALIDATE THE SKILLS OF CRAFTSMEN WHO HAVE BEEN TRAINED THROUGH THE SCHEME," MR LEE SAID.
"THE BEST APPRENTICE COMPETITION, OPEN TO FINAL YEAR VEHICLE MECHANIC APPRENTICES, HAS PROVIDED THE BOARD WITH VALUABLE EXPERIENCE TO ASSIST IN IMPLEMENTING TRADE TESTING.
"IT HAS ALSO PROVED USEFUL IN IDENTIFYING THE STRENGTHS AS WELL AS WEAKNESSES OF APPRENTICES WHERE TRAINING NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED."
AMONG THE 51 APPRENTICES TAKING PART IN A SERIES OF THEORY AND PRACTICAL TRADE TESTS, MR WONG CHI-WAH, OF THE KOWLOON MOTOR BUS COMPANY, WAS DECLARED THE BEST APPRENTICE OF THE YEAR.
THE RUNNERS-UP WERE MR YEUNG CHI-WAI AND KWONG YIU-CHUNG, BOTH OF WHOM ARE ALSO APRENTICED TO KMB.
PRIZES AND CERTIFICATES WERE PRESENTED TO THE WINNERS BY THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF THE VTC, MR HORACE KNIGHT, AND MR WILLIAM SUM, OF THE MOTOR TRADERS ASSOCIATION OF HONG KONG.
-------0----------
TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 15,
1988
- 21
ROAD SAFETY CARNIVAL IN KWAI TSING DISTRICT ON SATURDAY *****
RESIDENTS OF KWAI CHUNG AND TSING YI ARE BEING INVITED TO TAKE PART IN A ROAD SAFETY CARNIVAL TO BE HELD ON SATURDAY (NOVEMBER 19) AT THE KWAI CHUNG POLICE STATION.
THE CARNIVAL HAS BEEN ORGANISED BY THE BOARD’S TRAFFIC AND TRANSPORT COMMITTEE TO MESSAGES AMONG RESIDENTS.
KWAI TSING DISTRICT
PROMOTE ROAD SAFETY
THE POLICE ROAD SAFETY BUS WILL BE ON DISPLAY AND STALL GAMES WILL ALSO BE SET UP TO PROVIDE ENTERTAINMENT FOR VISITORS.
OFFICIATING AT THE OPENING CEREMONY WILL BE KWAI TSING DISTRICT OFFICER, MR PAUL TANG KWOK-WAI; POLICE DISTRICT COMMANDER, MR E.H. EVANS; KWAI TSING DISTRICT BOARD CHAIRMAN, MR LEE WING-TAT; AND CHAIRMAN OF THE DB TRAFFIC AND TRANSPORT COMMITTEE, MR TING YIN-WAH.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE KWAI TSING DISTRICT ROAD SAFETY CARNIVAL WHICH WILL BEGIN AT 11 AM ON SATURDAY (NOVEMBER 19) AT THE KWAI CHUNG POLICE STATION (NEAR KWAI FONG MTR STATION).
-------0----------
TRAFFIC RESTRICTIONS IN SHEUNG SHUI * » » » »
THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCED THAT TWO ROAD SECTIONS IN SHEUNG SHUI WILL BE DESIGNATED 7 AM TO MIDNIGHT DAILY URBAN CLEARWAYS FROM 10 AM ON FRIDAY (NOVEMBER 18).
THEY ARE ROAD D6 BETWEEN ROAD D3 AND ROAD LIO; AND ROAD L3 BETWEEN A POINT ABOUT 40 METRES EAST OF ITS JUNCTION WITH ROAD 1’6 AND A POINT ABOUT 40 METRES WEST OF THE SAME JUNCTION.
NO VEHICLES EXCEPT FRANCHISED BUSES WILL BE ALLOWED TO STOP FOR PASSENGERS OR GOODS WITHIN THE RESTRICTED AREAS.
AT THE SAME TIME, ALL VEHICLES, EXCEPT FRANCHISED BUSES AND THOSE WITH PERMITS ISSUED BY THE COMMISSIONER FOR TRANSPORT, WILL BE BANNED FROM ENTERING THE GREEN MINIBUS TERMINUS AND THE AI JOINING KERBSIDE LANE IN SHEUNG SHUI AREA 28B OFF ROAD 28B01.
-----0------
/22........
TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 15, 1988
22 -
URBAN CLEARWAYS IN KWUN TONG
* * * » »
THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCED THAT SEVERAL ROAD SECTIONS IN KWUN TONG WILL BE DESIGNATED URBAN CLEARWAYS FROM 10 AM ON FRIDAY (NOVEMBER 18).
THE FOLLOWING THREE SECTIONS WILL BE MADE DAILY URBAN CLEARWAYS ROUND-THE-CLOCK:
* THE NORTHERN KERBSIDE LANE OF YUE MAN SQUARE BETWEEN HONG NING ROAD AND FU YAN STREET.
» THE EASTERN KERBSIDE LANE OF HONG NING ROAD BETWEEN ITS JUNCTION WITH YUE MAN SQUARE AND A POINT ABOUT 10 METRES NORTH OF THE SAME JUNCTION.
» THE WESTERN KERBSIDE LANE OF FU YAN STREET BETWEEN ITS JUNCTION WITH YUE MAN SQUARE AND A POINT ABOUT 10 METRES NORTH OF THE SAME JUNCTION.
IN ADDITION, THE FOLLOWING WILL BECOME 7 AM TO MIDNIGHT DAILY URBAN CLEARWAYS: THE NORTHERN KERBSIDE LANE OF AN UNNAMED ROAD BETWEEN NGAU TAU KOK ROAD AND NGAU TAU KOK FOURTH STREET; AND THE EASTERN KERBSIDE LANE OF NGAU TAU KOK FOURTH STREET BETWEEN ITS JUNCTION WITH THE UNNAMED ROAD LEADING TO NGAU TAU KOK ROAD AND A POINT ABOUT NINE METRES NORTH OF THE SAME JUNCTION.
NO VEHICLES EXCEPT FRANCHISED BUSES WILL BE ALLOWED TO STOP FOR PASSENGERS OR GOODS WITHIN THE RESTRICTED AREAS.
--------0 ---------
TEMPORARY NIGHT CLOSURE OF LAI CHI KOK ROAD
*****
THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCED THAT TEMPORARY TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS WILL BE IMPLEMENTED IN SHAM SHUI PO ON FRIDAY (NOVEMBER 18) TO FACILITATE FOOTBRIDGE CONSTRUCTION WORKS.
LAI CHI KOK ROAD BETWEEN YEE KUK STREET EXTENSION AND TONKIN STREET WILL BE CLOSED TO TRAFFIC FROM 1.30 AM TO 5.30 AM ON THAT DAY.
DURING THE CLOSURE, LEFT-TURNS FROM YEE KUK STREET EXTENSION TO LAI CHI KOK ROAD WESTBOUND AND FROM TONKIN STREET SOUTHBOUND TO LAI CHI KOK ROAD EASTBOUND WILL BE BANNED.
/MOTORISTS TRAVELLING........
TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 15. 1988
- 23 -
MOTORISTS TRAVELLING ON YEE KUK STREET EXTENSION HEADING FOR LAI CHI KOK ROAD WESTBOUND WILL BE DIVERTED VIA LAI CHI KOK ROAD EASTBOUND, YEN CHOW STREET, CHEUNG SHA WAN ROAD AND FAT TSEUNG STREET WHILE THOSE ON LAI CHI KOK ROAD EASTBOUND WILL BE DIVERTED VIA TONKIN STREET, CASTLE PEAK ROAD AND YEN CHOW STREET BEFORE JOINING LAI CHI KOK ROAD.
AT THE SAME TIME, MOTORISTS ON TONKIN STREET SOUTHBOUND HEADING FOR EASTBOUND LAI CHI KOK ROAD ARE ADVISED TO TRAVEL VIA CHEUNG SHA WAN ROAD AND YEN CHOW STREET.
0 -
FRESH WATER CUT IN KWUN TONG, SAN PO KONG * » * » *
FRESH WATER SUPPLY TO CERTAIN PREMISES IN KWUN TONG AND SAN PO KONG WILL BE SUSPENDED FOR WATER WORKS LATER THIS WEEK.
IN KWUN TONG, THE SUPPLY TO PREMISES IN YUET WAH STREET, TIN HEUNG STREET AND TSZ LOI LANE, INCLUDING WO LOK ESTATE, WILL BE CUT OFF BETWEEN 11 PM ON THURSDAY (NOVEMBER 17) AND 6 AM ON FRIDAY.
IN SAN PO KONG, THE SUPPLY TO PREMISES IN THE AREA BOUNDED. BY YUK WAH STREET, PO FONG LANE, PO KONG VILLAGE ROAD, PO MING LANE AND YUK WAH CRESCENT WILL BE SUSPENDED BETWEEN 9 PM ON FRIDAY (NOVEMBER 18) TO 7 AM ON SATURDAY.
-------0----------
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
• *' !'*••• f • •
• ISSUED. BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL: 5-8428777 • • ........ . -ri WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 16, 1988
CONTENTS PAGE NO,
LEGISLATIVE' COUNCIL MEETING :
COMPLEMENTARY ROLE FOR CENTRAL POLICY UNIT .............. 1
NEW BRANCH WILL NOT AFFECT MUNICIPAL COUNCILS............ J
COMPREHENSIVE SYSTEM OF PROMOTION IN CIVIL SERVICE... 4
FEW RESIGNATIONS OR RETIREMENTS AT TOP LEVEL............. 5
STRONG CORPS OF RESILIENT CIVIL SERVANTS ................ 7
SCIENCE ..ND TECHNOLOGY A BROaD FIELD.................... 7
CS THANKS MEMBERS FOR CONTRIBUTIONS ..................... 8
PUBLIC EXPENDITURE MUST BE CONSTRAINED .................. 9
ADEQUATE CHECKS AND BALANCES ........................... 11
FIGHT AGAINST PROTECTIONISM CONTINUES .................. 13
AIRPORT-FACILITIES CONTINUOUSLY BEING UPGRADED ......... 15
WHITE PAPER:ON POLLUTION OUT IN JULY ................... 17
DEVELOPMENT.lL, ENVIRONMENTAL PLANS INTERDEPHWENT.... 18
NEW LEGISLATION ON TOWN PLANNING ....................... 19
idJR.iL PLANNING /*ND IMPROVEMENT STRATEGY TO BE DISCUSSED 20
CAREFUL WaTCH-ON.LaLOUR-SITUATION ...................... 21
MAJOR PLANS-.FOR FUTURE TRANSPORT NEEDS ................ 22
... ...
/GUEST HOUSES
GUEST HOUSES IN MULTI-STOREY BUILDINGS THE FIRST TARGET 26
PEOPLE WILLING TO PAY FOR BETTER, LARGER ACCOMMODATION . 27
ROLE OF ;.DVISORY BOARDS, COMMITTEES EXPLAINED............ 29
CONSIDERABLE SCOPE FOR MONITORING ACTIVITIES ............. 30
EMIGRATION A LESSER FACTOR IN STAFF TURNOVER.............. 33
ABSOLUTE COMMITMENT TO EDUCATION ......................... 34
ARGUMENTS FOR AND AGAINST IMPORTING LiiBOUR .............. 38
JUSTIFIABLE PRIDE IN MEDIC, J, AND HEaLTH SERVICES...... 41
MEASURES TO EASE SHORTAGE OF SOCIAL WORKERS .............. 45
COMPREHENSIVE SOLUTION TO VIETNAMESE PROBLEM SOUGHT .... 47
PUBLICITY Cr-MP/.IGN FOR TRIAD RENUNCIATION SCHEME...... 4-9
UK GOVT TO BE INFORMED.................................... 51
PROPOSAL ON FOREIGN LaW FIRMS IN STEP WITH TRENDS ........ 51
RESPONSIBILITY TO PROVIDE DIRECTION, LEADERSHIP .......... 54
CONSEQUENTIAL AMENDMENT APPROVED.......................... 55
GOVERNOR TH.-BKED FOR aNNUAL mDDRESS ..................... 55
MASSIVE INVESTMENT IN PORT SERVICES: GOVERNOR ............... 56
FUNDS APPROVED FOR NEW VR OPEN CENTRE........................ 57
EXPENDITURE FOR OFFICE OF COMMISSIONER FOR ADMINISTRATIVE COMPLalNTS .................................................. 58
PAC HEARINGS NEXT WEEK ...................................... 59
DISTANCE LEARNING PROGRAMME FOR OWNER-MANaGERS DEVELOPED .. 59
UNIVERSITY DEPARTMENT AN IMPORT.-BT BOOST FOR SPEECH THERxPY 60
CONTAINER PORT ROAD CONGESTION ON AGENDA .................... 61
CLOSURE OF ILLEGAL BUILDING SOUGHT .......................... 62
INTENTION TO «PPLY FOR BUILDING CLOSURE ORDER ............... 62
TEMPORARY URBAN CLEARWAYS IN CENTRAL, WESTERN ............... 65
KWUN TONG RESTRICTED ZONES .................................. 63
WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 16, 1988
1 *
COMPLEMENTARY ROLE FOR CENTRAL POLICY UNIT
*****
THE CHIEF SECRETARY, THE HON SIR DAVID FORD, TOLD THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY) THAT THE WORK OF THE CENTRAL POLICY UNIT (CPU) WAS DESIGNED TO COMPLEMENT AND SUPPLEMENT THE WORK DONE BY POLICY SECRETARIES, NOT TO REPLACE IT.
SPEAKING IN THE DEBATE ON THE MOTION OF THANKS FOR THE GOVERNOR’S ANNUAL ADDRESS, SIR DAVID SAID THE UNIT WOULD NOT USURP THE ROLE OF THE POLICY SECRETARIES, AND IT WOULD NOT ACT AS A FILTER THROUGH WHICH ALL POLICY PROPOSALS DRAWN UP BY POLICY SECRETARIES WOULD BE PASSED.
"I WOULD INSTEAD EXPECT A CLOSELY COLLABORATIVE RELATIONSHIP TO DEVELOP BETWEEN THE CPU AND POLICY SECRETARIES," SIR DAVID SAID.
SIR DAVID SAID THE ADMINISTRATION WAS NOW WORKING ON THE DETAILED ARRANGEMENTS FOR THE ESTABLISHMENT OF THE CPU AND MANY POINTS REMAINED TO BE FINALISED.
OUTLINING tHE GOVERNMENT’S THINKING ON THE UNIT, SIR DAVID SAID THE CPU WOULD FORM PART OF THE GOVERNMENT SECRETARIAT AND WOULD FUNCTION AS SUCH AND IT WOULD BE HOUSED IN THE SECRETARIAT BUILDING.
"IT WILL, HOWEVER, NOT BE A POLICY BRANCH WITH RESPONSIBILITY FOR A DEFINED PROGRAMME AREA OF ITS OWN, ITS ROLE WILL BE TO UNDERTAKE IN-DEPTH EXAMINATIONS OF COMPLEX POLICY ISSUES, TO ANALYSE OPTIONS AND TO RECOMMEND SOLUTIONS," HE SAID.
SIR DAVID EXPLAINED THAT THESE ISSUES WOULD BE SPECIFIED ON A CASE-BY-CASE BASIS.
"THEY ARE LIKELY TO BE ISSUES OF A LONG-TERM, STRATEGIC NATURE, OR ISSUES WHICH CUT ACROSS, OR FALL BETWEEN, THE BOUNDARIES OF SEVERAL DIFFERENT POLICY BRANCHES OR GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS.
"I WOULD NOT EXPECT THE CPU TO BE INVOLVED IN THE VAST MAJORITY OF POLICY ISSUES WHICH CLEARLY FALL TO BE DEALT WITH BY ONE OR OTHER OF THE POLICY SECRETARIES," HE SAID.
SIR DAVID POINTED OUT THAT FOR THE CPU TO FUNCTION EFFECTIVELY, IT WOULD NEED TO PULL TOGETHER ALL THE INFORMATION THAT WAS RELEVANT TO THE ISSUE BEING EXAMINED.
"SOME OF THIS INFORMATION WILL HAVE TO BE OBTAINED THROUGH THE UNIT’S OWN RESEARCH, BUT MUCH OF IT WILL NECESSARILY BE DRAWN FROM MATERIAL ALREADY IN THE POSSESSION OF THE RELEVANT POLICY BRANCHES AND DEPARTMENTS.
"I WOULD ALSO EXPECT THAT THE CPU WILL WISH TO SEEK THE VIEWS OF THOSE BRANCHES AND DEPARTMENTS ON SUBJECTS WHICH IMPINGE ON THEIR AREAS OF RESPONSIBILITY.
/"AS THE .......
WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER ^938
2
POLICY," SIR DAVID EXPLAINED.
COMMENTING ON SPECULATION THAT THE CP^E^gJ1JTi?EEHcOUNCIL, BAVID^STRESSEd'tHAT^THERE^COULD^BE^^NO QUESTION WHATSOEVER OF
THE
SIR
THAT
HAPPENING.
ADVISORY,
"ALTHOUGH IN IT IS IN PRACTICE A GOVERNOR INVARIABLY
theory the executive council is purely AUV1 WlK’S.Sc.W
THE
THE CPU
EMERGING FROM
IS THE
hot a decision-making
THE ADvIS ^HEP^«
™ iLLOC.^°DNH0AVE ?UOB2ECSO™H?SiN THE NORMAL WAY.
COUNCIL
AS REGARDS
ENVISAGED THAT THE UNIT
TAKEN FOLLOWING LEGISLATION OR THE LEGISLATIVE
the organisation and STAFFING of the CPU, WOULD BE ORGANISED IN A FLEXIBLE WAX
SIR DAVID
"THERE WILL BE A SMALL CORE OF ABOUT ^FOUR ^LL-TIMB ?5Tv?lAsS“" a[t”™b 0?™bm will pkobabl, be brought OUTSIDE THE GOVERNMENT.
MEMBERS
OF THE
IN FROM
"there will also be a number
™" ,2 THE WORK OF THE UNIT
WHO
SOME
DRAWN FROM v.-..- ‘ . D,v ru TMF
WOULD PARTICIPATE REGULARLY IN THE WOULD BE BROUGHT IN ON AN AD HOC BASIS.
WHILE
MAY BE
OF THEM
OTHERS
"THE MEMBERS, BOTH FULL-TIME AND PART-TIME, WILL BY THE GOVERNOR," SIR DAVID SAID.
BE APPOINTED
- - 0 - -
/5
I
WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 16, 1988
* - 3 -
NEW BRANCH WILL NOT AFFECT MUNICIPAL COUNCILS *****
THE CHIEF SECRETARY, THE HON SIR DAVID FORD, ASSURED MEMBERS OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY) THAT THE ROLE AND FUNCTIONS OF THE MUNICIPAL COUNCILS, AND THE DEGREE OF AUTONOMY THAT THEY ENJOYED WOULD IN NO WAY BE AFFECTED BY THE ESTABLISHMENT OF THE NEW RECREATION AND CULTURE BRANCH.
SPEAKING IN THE RESUMED POLICY DEBATE, SIR DAVID SAID IT WAS GOVERNMENT’S INTENTION THAT THE CREATION OF THE NEW BRANCH WOULD RESULT IN SOME STRENGTHENING OF THE GOVERNMENT’S EFFORT IN CO-ORDINATING THE POLICIES AND ACTIVITIES OF THE VARIOUS BODIES INVOLVED IN THE FIELD OF SPORTS, RECREATION AND CULTURE, AND THESE INCLUDE THE TWO MUNICIPAL COUNCILS.
’’BUT THE BASIC REMITS OF THE TWO COUNCILS AND THOSE OF THEIR EXECUTIVE DEPARTMENTS WILL REMAIN UNCHANGED, AND IN MATTERS CONCERNING SPORTS, RECREATION AND CULTURE THE NEW SECRETARY WILL BE WORKING CLOSELY WITH THE TWO COUNCILS IN MUCH THE SAME WAY AS THE SECRETARY FOR MUNICIPAL SERVICES DOES NOW,” SIR DAVID SAID.
HE POINTED OUT THAT THE DEPUTY CHIEF SECRETARY, WHOSE POST WOULD BE RETITLED SECRETARY FOR CONSTITUTIONAL AFFAIRS, WOULD TAKE OVER THE RESPONSIBILITY FOR MAINTAINING DAY-TO-DAY LIAISON WITH THE MUNICIPAL COUNCILS, AND HE HIMSELF WOULD CONTINUE HIS REGULAR CONTACTS WITH THE TWO CHAIRMEN.
AS REGARDS THE OTHER DUTIES CURRENTLY UNDERTAKEN BY THE SECRETARY FOR MUNICIPAL SERVICES, WHOSE POST WOULD BE ABOLISHED UPON THE CREATION OF THE NEW SECRETARY FOR RECREATION AND CULTURE, SIR DAVID SAID THE GOVERNMENT’S INTENTION WAS TO REALLOCATE THESE TO OTHER EXISTING PARTS OF THE ADMINISTRATION.
”WE SHALL NEED TO DO FURTHER WORK TO SORT OUT THE DETAILS, AND WILL DO SO IN CONSULTATION WITH THE MUNICIPAL COUNCILS,” SIR DAVID SAID.
IN REPLY TO POINTS RAISED BY MEMBERS REGARDING THE CREATION OF A NEW POLICY BRANCH TO TAKE SPECIFIC RESPONSIBILITY FOR PLANNING AND ENVIRONMENT, SIR DAVID SAID THERE WERE COMPLEX ORGANISATIONAL QUESTIONS INVOLVED AND THESE WERE BEING ADDRESSED IN THE INTERNAL STUDY MENTIONED IN THE GOVERNOR’S ADDRESS.
SIR DAVID NOTED THAT THERE WERE ARGUMENTS FOR INTEGRATING PLANNING AND WORKS UNDER ONE POLICY SECRETARY, THEREBY ENSURING CONSISTENCY OF APPROACH AND REDUCING THE NEED FOR DEPARTMENTS TO BE RESPONSIBLE TO MORE THAN ONE BRANCH.
’’BUT THE RESULTANT RANGE OF DUTIES WOULD BE BROAD AND THE BURDEN MIGHT PROVE TOO GREAT FOR A SINGLE SECRETARY TO SHOULDER.
/’’THE ALTERNATIVE.......
WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 16, 1988
- 4 -
"THE ALTERNATIVE MIGHT BE TO PLACE PLANNING AND WORKS UNDER TWO SEPARATE SECRETARIES, WHICH WOULD BE MORE LIKELY TO ENSURE THAT BOTH ASPECTS RECEIVE THE ATTENTION THEY NEED AT THE SECRETARY LEVEL.
"THIS WOULD, OF COURSE, REQUIRE VERY CLOSE CO-ORDINATION AND CO-OPERATION BETWEEN THE TWO SECRETARIES IF IT IS TO WORK," SIR DAVID SAID.
SIR DAVID ADDED THAT HE WAS CONFIDENT THE GOVERNMENT WOULD BE ABLE TO FINALISE PLANS FOR THE NEW STRUCTURE BY THE END OF THIS YEAR AND IMPLEMENT THEM IN THE EARLY PART OF 1989.
-----0------
COMPREHENSIVE SYSTEM OF » «
PROMOTION IN CIVIL SERVICE
» » »
THE CIVIL SERVICE HAS NOW A COMPREHENSIVE SYSTEM OF REPORTING AND SELECTION DESIGNED TO ENSURE THAT THOSE WITH TALENT RISE TO THE TOP, THE CHIEF SECRETARY, THE HON SIR DAVID FORD, TOLD THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
SPEAKING IN THE RESUMED POLICY DEBATE, SIR DAVID SAID ACCELERATED PROMOTION WAS COMMON PLACE AND MANY WERE REACHING THE TOP EARLIER IN THEIR CAREERS.
THE AVERAGE AGE OF POLICY SECRETARIES FOR EXAMPLE HAS DECLINED FROM 56 FIVE YEARS AGO TO 52 AT PRESENT, AND FIVE OUT OF 15 OF THEM ARE NOW UNDER 50.
SIR DAVID DESCRIBED AS "NONSENSE" THE SEEMINGLY WIDESPREAD BELIEF THAT PROMOTION IN THE CIVIL SERVICE WAS BASED ON AGE AND LENGTH OF SERVICE RATHER THAN MERIT.
SIR DAVID STRESSED THAT THE GOVERNMENT WAS AT PAINS TO ENSURE THAT THE SYSTEM WAS AS FAIR AS POSSIBLE.
"THE SELECTION OF OFFICERS CAPABLE OF TAKING ON RESPONSIBILITIES IN THE DIRECTORATE AND REACHING THE MOST SENIOR LEVELS HAS FOR SOME YEARS BEEN BASED ON REGULAR REVIEW EXERCISES CONDUCTED BY THE HEADS OF DEPARTMENTS IN CONSULTATION WITH THE SECRETARY OF THE CIVIL SERVICE AND THEIR RELATED POLICY SECRETARIES.
"APART FROM IMMEDIATE DIRECTORATE SUCCESSION PLANNING, THE PROCESS INVOLVES "TALENT SPOTTING" FOR THE LONGER TERM AND IDENTIFYING TRAINING REQUIREMENTS TO BRING ON SUITABLE INDIVIDUALS," HE ADDED.
/ON THE
WEDNESDAY, N0VD4BER 16, 1988
- 5 -
ON THE SUBJECT OF TRAINING, SIR DAVID POINTED OUT THAT A WIDE RANGE OF COURSES WAS OFFERED INTERNALLY TO MEET VOCATIONAL, PROFESSIONAL, MANAGEMENT AND LANGUAGE NEEDS.
"THE HIGHLY SUCCESSFUL SENIOR STAFF COURSE IS NOW TO BECOME A PERMANENT PART OF THE TRAINING SCENE,” HE ADDED.
SIR DAVID NOTED THAT NO LESS THAN 18,000 CIVIL SERVANTS ATTENDED EXTERNAL COURSES EACH YEAR, MAINLY IN HONG KONG BUT ALSO IN 100 OR SO CASES, OVERSEAS.
’’THE FACT THAT IT COSTS ABOUT $400 MILLION TO TRAIN CIVIL SERVANTS EACH YEAR INDICATES THE IMPORTANCE WE ATTACH TO THIS PROGRAMME,” HE SAID.
------O-------
FEW RESIGNATIONS OR RETIREMENTS AT TOP LEVEL ♦ » ♦ ♦ »
THE CHIEF SECRETARY, THE HON SIR DAVID FORD, TODAY (WEDNESDAY) TOLD THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL THAT IN RECENT YEARS THERE HAD BEEN RELATIVELY FEW RESIGNATIONS OR EARLY RETIREMENTS AT THE TOP LEVEL OF THE CIVIL SERVICE.
SPEAKING IN THE RESUMED POLICY DEBATE, SIR DAVID SAID WHILE RESIGNATIONS AND RETIREMENTS OBVIOUSLY CONTINUED, THE CIVIL SERVICE DID NOT SHARE THE WORST OF THE PROBLEMS OF THE PRIVATE SECTOR.
”AT THE DIRECTORATE LEVEL, THE PRESENT STRENGTH IS 1,059. THE NUMBER OF RESIGNATIONS AND EARLY RETIREMENTS OVER THE PAST FOUR YEARS IS 29 IN 1985/86, 15 IN 1986/87, 23 IN 1987/88 AND 14 SO FAR IN 1988/89.
”AT SENIOR MANAGEMENT/SENIOR PROFESSIONAL LEVEL, THE PRESENT STRENGTH IS 1,734 AND THE RESIGNATION AND EARLY RETIREMENT FIGURES ARE 55 IN 1985/86, 50 IN 1986/87, 55 IN 1987/88 AND 30 SO FAR THIS YEAR,” SIR DAVID TOLD THE MEETING.
HE POINTED OUT THAT THESE PRODUCED AVERAGE PERCENTAGES OF LESS THAN TWO PER CENT FOR THE DIRECTORATE AND THREE PER CENT FOR THE SENIOR RANKS.
”1 AM TOLD THAT THE COMPARABLE FIGURE FOR SENIOR PEOPLE IN THE PRIVATE SECTOR IS AT LEAST TEN PER CENT,” SIR DAVID REMARKED.
HE SAID THIS WAS NOT TO SAY THE CIVIL SERVICE WAS ESCAPING THE DUAL PRESSURES OF THE VERY COMPETITIVE LABOUR MARKET AND EMIGRATION COMPLETELY.
/HE POINTED
WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 16, 1988
6
HE POINTED OUT THAT DESPITE THE FACT THAT OVERALL WASTAGE IN RECENT YEARS WAS RUNNING AT ONLY ABOUT FOUR PER CENT OF STRENGTH AND RESIGNATIONS ACCOUNT FOR A LITTLE OVER HALF OF THAT, THE GOVERNMENT DID HAVE SOME PROBLEM AREAS.
USING A TEN PER CENT WASTAGE FIGURE AS A RULE OF THUMB, SIR DAVID NOTED THAT THE CIVIL SERVICE’S IDENTIFIABLE PROBLEMS WERE IN-SOCIAL WELFARE, MEDICAL AND HEALTH, LEGAL, DATA PROCESSING AND ONE OR TWO OTHER SMALLER GRADES.
"THESE PROBLEMS CLEARLY NEED TO BE TACKLED. WE ALREADY HAVE PROPOSALS TO DEAL WITH SOME OF THEM AND ARE WORKING HARD ON THE OTHERS," HE SAID.
SIR DAVID SAID ANOTHER POSSIBLE WAY TO GAUGE THE MORALE OF THE CIVIL SERVICE MIGHT BE TO EXAMINE THE PERCEPTIONS OF THOSE OUTSIDE IT AND IN PARTICULAR THOSE STARTING A CAREER OR LOOKING FOR A JOB.
"THE ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICE IS ONE OF THE KEY AREAS TO WATCH IN THIS RESPECT BECAUSE RECRUITS JOINING IT DO SO NOW IN THE CLEAR KNOWLEDGE THAT THEY WILL FORM THE CORE OF THE GOVERNMENT SECRETARIAT UP TO 1997 AND BEYOND," SIR DAVID SAID.
IN 1986 THERE WERE 2,696 APPLICATIONS FOR 26 VACANCIES IN THE ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICE, IN 1987, 3,443 APPLICANTS FOR 33 VACANCIES, IN 1988, 3,155 FOR 27 VACANCIES AND THIS YEAR NO LESS THAN 3,237 HAD APPLIED FOR THE 30 VACANCIES.
"I FIND THESE FIGURES VERY ENCOURAGING INDEED," HE REMARKED.
HOWEVER, SIR DAVID RECOGNISED THAT THERE WERE RECRUITING DIFFICULTIES IN PARTICULAR GRADES.
"STUDENT NURSES, AND COMPUTER PROGRAMMERS FOR EXAMPLE ARE HARD TO COME BY BUT THESE PROBLEMS STEM FROM SUCH FACTORS AS PRESSURES IN THE PRIVATE SECTOR AND CONDITIONS OF SERVICE AND IT IS CLEAR THEY DO NOT REFLECT BADLY ON THE MORALE OF THE SERVICE AS A WHOLE.
"IN GENERAL, OUR CIVIL SERVICE SEEMS TO BE ONE WHICH CONSIDERABLE NUMBERS OF PEOPLE ARE WILLING, INDEED EAGER, TO JOIN.
"THIS WOULD SEEM TO SUGGEST THAT, FAR FROM BEING AN ORGANISATION WITH NO SPARK AND NO FUTURE, IT IS SEEN AS A GOING CONCERN WITH PLENTY TO OFFER," SIR DAVID SAID.
-----0--------
WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 16, 1988
* - 7 -
STRONG CORPS OF RESILIENT CIVIL SERVANTS * * * * *
THE CHIEF SECRETARY, THE HON SIR DAVID FORD, TOLD THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY) THAT HE HAD NO DOUBT WHATSOEVER THAT THE CIVIL SERVICE DID HAVE A STRONG CORPS OF BRIGHT ENTHUSIASTIC AND RESILIENT PEOPLE COMING TO THE TOP.
SIR DAVID WAS REPLYING IN THE RESUMED POLICY DEBATE TO QUESTIONS RAISED BY MEMBERS WHETHER HONG KONG HAD ENOUGH YOUNG LEADERS OF QUALITY AND DEDICATION IN THE COMMUNITY TO TAKE IT FORWARD INTO THE NEXT CENTURY.
SIR DAVID, ANSWERING FOR THE CIVIL SERVICE, SAID THE VAS MAJORITY OF THOSE CIVIL SERVANTS WERE COMMITTED TO HONG KONG AND DEDICATED TO SEEING IT THROUGH 1997 AND BEYOND.
"IN PARTICULAR, THE HIGH FLYERS AMONGST THEM ARE ONLY TOO CONSCIOUS OF THE EFFECT THEIR DEPARTURE WOULD HAVE ON THE SERVICE AND INDEED THE COMMUNITY," SIR DAVID SAID.
HE POINTED OUT THAT THESE CIVIL SERVANTS LIKE ALL IN THI SERVICE, EXPECTED CRITICISM ON THEIR PERFORMANCE AND EFFECTIVENESS.
’’BUT ATTACKS ON THEIR MOTIVATION AND LOYALTY ARE QUITE ANOTHER MATTER. THEY NEED TO BE ENCOURAGED NOT DOUBTED.
"IN THIS CONTEXT, IT IS WORTH REMEMBERING THAT, HOWEVER THE POLITICAL SYSTEM DEVELOPS HERE, THE WHOLE COMMUNITY, AND THAT INCLUDES THE POLITICIANS, WILL STILL DEPEND UPON THE CIVIL SERVICE AS THI BACKBONE OF THE ADMINISTRATION OF HONG KONG," HE SAID.
-----0------
SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY A BROAD FIELD
*****
THE CHIEF SECRETARY, THE HON SIR DAVID FORD, SAID IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY) IT IS NOT PRACTICAL TO CENTRALISE THE GOVERNMENT’S OWN ACTIVITIES IN THE FIELD OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY IN ONE SINGLE DEPARTMENT BECAUSE THE SUBJECT IS AN EXTREMELY BROAD FIELD ENCOMPASSING A LARGE NUMBER OF STREAMS AND DISCIPLINES.
"IT IS ALSO A FIELD IN WHICH RAPID ADVANCES ARE MADE, WITH NEW CONCEPTS AND NEW APPLICATIONS EMERGING DAY BY DAY.
"IT IS NO EASY TASK TO CUT THROUGH THE MASS OF INFORMATION AND POSSIBILITIES TO GET AT THE THINGS HONG KONG NEEDS MOST," SIR DAVID TOLD THE COUNCIL IN THE RESUMED POLICY DEBATE.
/SIR DAVID
WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 16, 1988
8
SIR DAVID SAID THE REASON FOR SETTING UP THE COMMITTEE ON SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY WAS TO ENABLE THE GOVERNMENT TO DRAW UPON ALL THE EXPERTISE BOTH FROM WITHIN THE GOVERNMENT AND FROM OUTSIDE AND TO IDENTIFY .SUFFICIENTLY SPECIFIC AREAS FOR PRIORITY TREATMENT.
"WE LOOK TO THE COMMITTEE TO PRODUCE IDEAS IN THE AREA OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY WHICH ARE OF DIRECT AND PRACTICAL RELEVANCE TO THE CIRCUMSTANCES OF HONG KONG, OR WHICH ARE OF POTENTIAL LONG-TERM BENEFIT TO THE ECONOMY, AND TO RECOMMEND SPECIFIC ACTION FOR THE DEVELOPMENT AND APPLICATION OF THESE IDEAS.
"I AM ENCOURAGED THAT THE COMMITTEE IS PURSUING ITS TASK3 VIGOROUSLY," SIR DAVID SAID.
HE SAID THE COMMITTEE ON SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY WAS NOW DEVELOPING, TOGETHER WITH THE ADMINISTRATION, A SPECIFIC WORK PROGRAMME COVERING A FEW KEY ISSUES AND ACTIVITIES WHICH WERE CONSIDERED TO BE OF THE HIGHEST PRIORITY AND IMPORTANCE.
"WE EXPECT THIS PROGRAMME TO BE ROLLED FORWARD ANNUALLY IN TH FUTURE," HE ADDED.
SIR DAVID POINTED OUT THAT THE GOVERNMENT RECOGNISED THAT THERE WAS NEED TO PROVIDE THE COMMITTEE WITH ADEQUATE SUPPORT, IN TERMS BOTH OF FINANCIAL RESOURCES AND TECHNICAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE BACK-UP, TO ENABLE THE COMMITTEE TO UNDERTAKE BASIC RESEARCH, COMMISSION FEASIBILITY STUDIES AND ORGANISE ACTIVITIES.
"WE ARE WORKING HARD ON THIS AND WILL HAVE SOME POSITIVE PROPOSALS TO PUT TO THE COMMITTEE SHORTLY," HE SAID.
-----0------
CS THANKS MEMBERS FOR CONTRIBUTIONS *****
THE CHIEF SECRETARY, THE HON SIR DAVID FORD, THANKED MEMBERS OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY) FOR THEIR THOUGHTFUL CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE DEBATE ON THE GOVERNOR’S ANNUAL ADDRESS.
"SPEECHES HAVE VARIED GREATLY IN STYLE, CONTENT AND TONE. BUT WE HAVE COME TO APPRECIATE AND RESPECT THE VARIETY AND DIVERSITY OF VIEWS EXPRESSED IN THIS CHAMBER AS A REFLECTION OF THOSE HELD IN THE COMMUNITY AT LARGE," SIR DAVID SAID IN HIS CLOSING REMARKS.
"THIS IS WHAT
OF GOVERNMENT IS ALL
THE DEVELOPMENT OF A MORE ABOUT."
REPRESENTATIVE SYSTEM
/SUPPORTING THE
WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 16, 1988
SUPPORTING THE MOTION MOVED BY THE SENIOR MEMBER, THE HON ALLEN LEE, "THAT THIS COUNCIL THANKS THE GOVERNOR FOR HIS ADDRESS," SIR DAVID SAID THE GOVERNOR’S SPEECH, THOUGH IT WOULD NOT BE DUBBED IN POPULAR JARGON A POLITICAL SPEECH, DID CERTAINLY CARRY A POLITICAL MESSAGE.
'THE MESSAGE THAT THIS GOVERNMENT WILL CONTINUE TO GO FULL STEAM AHEAD WITH ITS PLANS FOR THE FUTURE, COMMITTED TO DOING ITS BEST FOR THE PEOPLE OF HONG KONG," SIR DAVID SAID.
-------o----------
PUBLIC EXPENDITURE MUST BE CONSTRAINED *****
THE GROWING PRESSURES FOR INCREASED PUBLIC EXPENDITURE ON ALL SIDES, BOTH RECURRENT AND CAPITAL, MUST BE CONSTRAINED WITHIN THE GOVERNMENT’S GUIDELINES, THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY, THE HON PIERS JACOBS, TOLD THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
LEADING OFF THE OFFICIALS’ REPLIES TO POINTS RAISED IN THE DEBATE ON THE MOTION OF THANKS FOR THE GOVERNOR’S ANNUAL ADDRESS, MR JACOBS SAID IT WAS THE GOVERNMENT’S UNDERLYING PHILOSOPHY THAT THE GROWTH RATE OF PUBLIC EXPENDITURE SHOULD NOT OUTSTRIP THAT OF THE ECONOMY.
"PUBLIC EXPENDITURE IS NOT DIRECTLY RELATED TO OUR ABILITY TO RAISE REVENUE, BUT RATHER TO THE UNDERLYING PERFORMANCE OF OUR ECONOMY," HE SAID.
MR JACOBS NOTED THAT CIVIL SERVICE PAY COVERED NEARLY 40 PER CENT OF THE RECURRENT EXPENDITURE AND THAT THE GOVERNMENT’S GUIDELINE FOR THE GROWTH IN THE SIZE OF THE CIVIL SERVICE WAS 2.5 PER CENT PER ANNUM WHICH WAS RELATED TO THE GOVERNMENT’S FAIR SHARE OF THE LABOUR MARKET.
"YET IN THE CURRENT YEAR THE CIVIL SERVICE COULD GROW BY SOME SIX PER CENT, EQUIVALENT TO ABOUT 9,000 POSTS.
"THIS EXCESSIVE GROWTH CANNOT BE PERMITTED TO CONTINUE AND, AS I SAID IN MY BUDGET SPEECH EARLIER THIS YEAR, IT IS MY INTENTION TO SLOW THIS RATE NEXT YEAR AND GET BACK TO OUR GUIDELINE THE FOLLOWING YEAR,” MR JACOBS SAID.
NOTING THAT THE GOVERNMENT HAD BEEN ENCOURAGED TO PROVIDE BETTER VALUE FOR MONEY IN RELATION TO THE SERVICES OFFERED, MR JACOBS SAID: "ON TOP OF ALL THE EXCELLENT EFFORTS MADE SO FAR BY MY COLLEAGUES, I AGREE THAT MORE NEEDS TO BE DONE.
/"NOT ONLY ......
WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 16, 1988
10
"NOT ONLY BY HEADS OF DEPARTMENTS BUT INCREASINGLY BY SECRETARIES, WHO HAVE THE RESPONSIBILITY FOR ENSURING THAT THE FUNDS THEY ARE ALLOCATED ARE SPENT EFFICIENTLY AND EFFECTIVELY."
THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY SAID THE GOVERNMENT HAD ALREADY SUCCESSFULLY INSTITUTD A NUMBER OF ONGOING FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT REFORMS DESIGNED TO ENHANCE EFFICIENCY AND PRODUCTIVITY.
"THE FOCUS WILL CONTINUE TO BE ON THE IMPROVEMENT OF OUR PERFORMANCE IN THE DELIVERY OF SERVICES TO THE COMMUNITY THROUGH THE ADOPTION OF MODERN FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT TECHNIQUES," MR JACOBS SAID.
"THIS BRINGS ME THE GOVERNMENT, AND ON STATUTORY AUTHORITIES, OF THE GOVERNMENT.
TO THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN ON THE ONE HAND THE OTHER THE VARIOUS AGENCIES, INCLUDING
WHICH DELIVER SERVICES TO THE PUBLIC ON BEHALF
"I REFER NOT ONLY TO SUBVENTED ORGANISATIONS, SUCH AS THOSE IN THE MEDICAL AND EDUCATIONAL FIELDS, BUT ALSO TO SUCH BODIES AS THE TRADE DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL, THE HONG KONG TOURIST ASSOCIATION, AND TO COMMERCIAL ORGANISATIONS SUCH AS THE KOWLOON - CANTON RAILWAY AND THE MASS TRANSIT RAILWAY," HE SAID.
MR JACOBS SAID ONCE THE HOSPITAL AUTHORITY WAS ESTABLISHED, MORE THAN 40 PER CENT OF THE SERVICES DELIVERED TO THE PUBLIC WOULD BE PROVIDED BY AGENCIES AND NOT BY THE CIVIL SERVICE.
"IT IS INCREASINGLY IMPORTANT THEREFORE THAT GOVERNMENT SHOULD FORMALISE ITS POSITION REGARDING THESE AGENCIES," HE SAID.
THIS WOULD INVOLVE THE ESTABLISHMENT OF A PROPER FINANCIAL RELATIONSHIP COVERING MATTERS SUCH AS THE GOVERNMENT’S FINANCIAL CONTRIBUTION, APPROVALS FOR CAPITAL EXPENDITURE PROGRAMMES, DIVIDEND POLICIES AND PERFORMANCE MEASURES, MR JACOBS NOTED.
MR JACOBS POINTED OUT THAT THIS DID NOT MEAN GREATER GOVERNMENT CONTROL OVER THE MANAGEMENT AND DAY-TO-DAY OPERATIONS OF THESE BODIES.
"WHERE WE HAVE TAKEN THE VIEW THAT CERTAIN PUBLIC SERVICES CAN, FOR ONE REASON OR ANOTHER, BE BETTER PROVIDED OUTSIDE THE CIVIL SERVICE, IT IS OUR INTENTION THAT THE AGENCIES CONCERNED SHOULD GET ON WITH THE JOB WHICH HAS BEEN ENTRUSTED TO THEM. WE WILL NOT INTERFERE," HE SAID.
IN RESPONSE TO CONCERNS EXPRESSED ABOUT THE LOOSENING OF CONTROL, MR JACOBS SAID: "1 ACCEPT THAT IT IS OUR RESPONSIBILITY TO ENSURE THAT THE AGENCIES SHOULD CONTINUE TO OPERATE WITHIN A BROAD FRAMEWORK ESTABLISHED BY THE GOVERNMENT.
"A FRAMEWORK WHICH SETS OUT CLEARLY THE OBJECTIVES AND THE NATURE OF THE FINANCIAL RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN THE AGENCIES CONCERNED AND THE GOVERNMENT."
-------0----------
/11 ......
WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 16, 1988
11
ADEQUATE CHECKS AND BALANCES * » * » »
IN VESTING POWERS IN THE NEW SECURITIES AND FUTURES COMMISSION, THE GOVERNMENT WILL ENSURE THAT THERE ARE ADEQUATE CHECKS AND BALANCES, BUT WITHOUT UNDERMINING THE COMMISSION’S REGULATORY AUTHORITY, THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY, THE HON PIERS JACOBS, TOLD THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
MR JACOBS SAID THAT IN REFORMING A REGULATORY SYSTEM FOR THE SECURITIES MARKETS, THE GOVERNMENT WOULD SEEK TO STRIKE THE RIGHT BALANCE BETWEEN THE NEED FOR ADEQUATE .POWERS TO COMBAT FRAUD AND MARKET ABUSES AND THE NEED TO PRESERVE CIVIL LIBERTIES; AND BETWEEN THE DESIRE TO ENCOURAGE THE GROWTH OF MARKETS AND THE NEED TO ENSURE THAT THEY DID NOT GET OUT OF CONTROL.
"AS MEMBERS HAVE RIGHTLY POINTED OUT, WE MUST AVOID OVER-REGULATION," HE SAID IN THE RESUMED POLICY DEBATE.
OTHERWISE WE WOULD STIFLE THE VIGOUR AND INNOVATION OF OUR MARKETS.
"THE ESTABLISHMENT OF THE COMMISSION IS ESSENTIAL IF WE ARE TO MAINTAIN THE MOMENTUM OF IMPLEMENTING THE REFORM PROPOSALS PUT FORWARD BY THE SECURITIES REVIEW COMMITTEE," HE SAID, ADDING THAT TOP PRIORITY HAD BEEN ACCORDED TO THE DRAFTING OF LEGISLATION TO BRING THE NEW AUTHORITY INTO EARLY EXISTENCE.
"IN VIEW OF THE VERY TIGHT TIMETABLE, WE BEGAN CONSULTING MARKET ORGANISATIONS, PROFESSIONAL BODIES AND ADVISORY COMMITTEES ON THE MAJOR DRAFT PROVISIONS OF THE BILL AT AN EARLY STAGE, NOTWITHSTANDING THE FACT THAT CONSULTATION ON THESE PROVISIONS WITHIN
GOVERNMENT WAS STILL CONTINUING."
MISTAKEN BELIEF THAT THERE HAD BEEN A MR JACOBS EMPHASISED THAT THE CONSULTATIVE MOST HELPFUL IN ENABLING THE GOVERNMENT TO TOWARDS MAJOR LEGISLATIVE PROPOSALS WHILST
REFERRING TO A POLARISATION OF VIEWS, PROCESS SO FAR HAD BEEN GAUGE MARKET RESPONSES
THEY WERE STILL IN A FORMATIVE STAGE.
"THE PROCESS OF CONSULTATION IS ESSENTIAL AND IT IS CONTINUING.
"IT REMAINS OUR AIM TO ATTRACT A BROAD CONSENSUS OF SUPPORT FOR THE PROPOSALS. I SHALL IN DUE COURSE ’BE PUTTING BEFORE THIS COUNCIL," HE SAID.
TURNING TO APPEAL PROCEDURES UNDER THE BANKING ORDINANCE, MR JACOBS SAID HE HAD ASKED THE BANKING ADVISORY COMMITTEE AND THE DEPOSIT-TAKING COMPANIES ADVISORY COMMITTEE TO REVIEW THE SUBJECT.
/HE NOTED
WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 16, 1988
12
HE NOTED THAT THE GOVERNMENT BELIEVED THAT THE IDEA OF AN INDEPENDENT TRIBUNAL TO HEAR APPEALS UNDER THE BANKING ORDINANCE WOULD PRESENT A NUMBER OF DIFFICULTIES.
"AN INDEPENDENT TRIBUNAL WOULD NORMALLY BE EMPOWERED TO HEAR AN APPEAL DE NOVO," HE SAID.
"IT COULD REVERSE A DECISION BASED ON SOUND POLICY CONSIDERATIONS. THIS COULD RESULT IN THE WHOLE POLICY BEING CHANGED.
"SUCH A TRIBUNAL WOULD BE UNLIKELY TO POSSESS FULL BACKGROUND INFORMATION IN RELATION TO THE FORMATION OF THE POLICY CONCERNED, AND MIGHT NOT BE IN A POSITION TO PERCEIVE THE WIDER IMPLICATIONS OF ITS OWN DECISION."
HOWEVER, MR JACOBS SAID THAT THE GOVERNMENT WAS ALWAYS PREPARED TO CONSIDER THE VIEWS OF THE BANKING INDUSTRY ON MATTERS OF THIS KIND, AND THE REVIEW WAS MADE IN RESPONSE TO A RECENT STUDY BY THE HONG KONG ASSOCIATION OF BANKS.
•j *
"THIS REVIEW WILL ALSO COVER THE PROCEDURES CONCERNING APPEALS FROM DECISIONS ON CAPITAL ADEQUACY RATIOS," HE CONTINUED.
"IN RELATION TO CAPITAL ADEQUACY RATIOS, THE BANKING ORDINANCE PROVISIONS REQUIRING MINIMUM PRUDENT LEVELS OF CAPITAL CAMB INTO FORCE ON SEPTEMBER 1 THIS YEAR.
"NO AUTHORISED INSTITUTION HAS INDICATED ANY WISH TO APPEAL AGAINST THE MINIMUM CAPITAL ADEQUACY RATIOS ASSIGNED."
AS TO CONCERNS THAT THE CAPITAL ADEQUACY RATIOS IN HONG KONG MIGHT BE SET ABOVE INTERNATIONAL LEVELS, THEREBY PUTTING HONG KONG BANKS AT A DISADVANTAGE, MR JACOBS SAID: "THERE IS AS YET NO INTERNATIONAL STANDARD, IN FORCE, BUT EVEN IF THERE WERE AND OUR LEVELS WERE SOMEWHAT HIGHER, I DO NOT THINK THAT WE SHOULD BE UNDULY 1 WORRIED."
AS AN INTERNATIONAL BANKING CENTRE, HONG KONG HAD MUCH TO GAIN FROM SHOWING THE WORLD THAT ITS BANKS HAD THE ABILITY TO MEASURE UP TO THE HIGHEST STANDARDS, MR JACOBS ADDED.
-----0-----
WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 16,
1988
FIGHT AGAINST PROTECTIONISM CONTINUES
*****
CONTINUED EFFORTS WOULD BE MADE TO FIGHT TRADE PROTECTIONISM AND TO PROMOTE HONG KONG’S EXPORTS, THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY, THE HON PIERS JACOBS, TOLD THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
SPEAKING IN THE POLICY DEBATE, MR JACOBS SAID THE GOVERNMENT WAS PARTICULARLY CONCERNED ABOUT THE DANGERS OF ANY RENEWED ATTEMPT BY THE UNITED STATES CONGRESS TO PASS PROTECTIONIST TEXTILES LEGISLATION.
HE SAID THE CURRENT TREND IN HONG KONG’S TRADE WITH TRE UNITED STATES WAS HELPFUL IN THAT THE PROPORTION OF DOMESTIC EXPORTS TO THIS MARKET HAD CONTINUED TO DECLINE. FROM 44 PER CENT IN 1986 TO 38 PER CENT IN THE FIRST HALF OF 1987, AND TO 33 PER CENT IN THE FIRST HALF OF THIS YEAR.
"PERHAPS MORE IMPORTANTLY, THE UNITED STATES TRADE DEFICIT WITH HONG KONG DECLINED BY A DRAMATIC 26 PER CENT IN THE FIRST EIGHT MONTHS OF THIS YEAR AS AGAINST THE SAME PERIOD IN 1987," MR JACOBS SAID.
"IN RELATION TO OUR TRADING POSITION GENERALLY, WE ARE ALSO MONITORING CAREFULLY THE PROGRESS OF THE MEMBERS OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITY TOWARDS THE ESTABLISHMENT OF A SINGLE MARKET IN 1992," HE CONTINUED.
MR JACOBS SAID THE FACT THAT MORE THAN 400 PARTICIPANTS ATTENDED A MAJOR CONFERENCE ON THIS ISSUE IN HONG KONG LAST MONTH WAS CLEAR EVIDENCE OF THE INTEREST THAT DEVELOPMENTS IN EUROPE WERE AROUSING IN THE TERRITORY.
"WHILE THERE ARE POTENTIAL PROBLEMS INVOLVED, WE ARE INCLINED AT THIS STAGE TO REGARD THE SINGLE MARKET AS A POSITIVE STEP WHICH WILL PROVIDE NEW OPPORTUNITIES FOR OUR EXPORTERS," HE NOTED.
THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY SAID THE TRADE DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL PLAYED A KEY ROLE IN THE EXPANSION OF HONG KONG EXPORTS, AND THAT THE TDC HAD CONTINUED TO HAVE CONSIDERABLE SUCCESS IN DEVELOPING NEW MARKETS.
"COMPLEMENTING THESE TRADE PROMOTION EFFORTS IS THE WORK OF THE TRADE DEPARTMENT, WHICH SEEKS TO REMOVE BARRIERS IN OVERSEAS MARKETS IN ORDER TO PROMOTE A FREE INTERNATIONAL TRADING SYr TE
"PARTICULAR EFFORTS ARE BEING MADE TO ACHIEVE POSITIVE RESULTS IN THE GATT’S URUGUAY ROUND," MR JACOBS SAID.
COMMENTING ON THE CONTINUING GROWTH OF HONG KONG’S ECONOMIC RELATIONSHIP WITH CHINA, MR JACOBS SAID THIS WAS CLEARLY A CRUCIAL AND WELCOME FACTOR IN THE PROGRESSIVE RESTRUCTURING nF THE TERRITORY'S ECONOMY.
/"CHIKA IS
WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 16, 1988
"CHINA IS NOW OUR LARGEST TRADING PARTNER, WITH PARTICULAR IMPORTANCE IN OUR RE-EXPORT TRADE," THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY SAID.
MR JACOBS SAID HE WHOLEHEARTEDLY AGREED WITH REMARKS THAT THERE WAS A NEED TO INCREASE THE COMPETITIVENESS AND TECHNOLOGICAL LEVEL OF HONG KONG’S MANUFACTURING INDUSTRY.
"MUCH IS BEING ACHIEVED THROUGH THE WORKING OF MARKET FORCES, BUT THE ADMINISTRATION IS ALSO LENDING SIGNIFICANT ASSISTANCE IN THIS REGARD," THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY SAID.
"AUTOMATION AND THE USE OF HIGHER TECHNOLOGY IS CONTRIBUTING TO THE UPGRADING OF OUR INDUSTRIAL SECTOR. AND WE ARE ENJOYING THE BENEFITS OF A CONTINUING STREAM OF NEW HIGHER TECHNOLOGY INVESTMENTS FROM OVERSEAS, PARTICULARLY FROM THE U.S.A. AND JAPAN," HE ADDED.
MR JACOBS NOTED THAT WHILE INITIATIVES ALREADY UNDER CONSIDERATION, SUCH AS THE PROPOSALS FOR A TECHNOLOGY CENTRE AND A THIRD INDUSTRIAL ESTATE, HAD BEEN WELCOMED, THERE WERE INEVITABLY CALLS FOR MORE TO BE DONE.
"OF COURSE, WE ARE IN A DYNAMIC SITUATION AND I ACCEPT THAT WE CAN NEVER AFFORD TO REST ON OUR LAURELS IF WE ARE TO REMAIN COMPETITIVE," HE SAID.
HE AGREED THAT MAXIMUM USE SHOULD BE MADE OF PRIVATE REPRESENTATIVES ON BODIES SUCH AS THE INDUSTRY DEVELOPMENT BOARD AND THE PRODUCTIVITY COUNCIL, BOTH OF WHOM PLAYED KEY ROLES IN HONG KONG’S INDUSTRIAL DEVELOPMENT, IN ORDER TO ACHIEVE AN EFFECTIVE DIALOGUE.
"IT IS OF IMPORTANCE THAT WE SECURE THE RIGHT INPUT, AND TO THIS END WE HAVE DECIDED TO RESTORE FORMAL REPRESENTATION OF THE PRINCIPAL TRADE AND INDUSTRIAL ORGANISATIONS ONTO THE INDUSTRY DEVELOPMENT BOARD,” SAID MR JACOBS.
"IT IS WORTH UNDERLINING THE EXTENT OF OUR COMMITMENT OF RESOURCES TO THE INDUSTRIAL DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME," HE ADDED.
"IN RESPECT OF THE PRODUCTIVITY COUNCIL ALONE, SUBVENTION HAS MORE THAN DOUBLED, FROM $37 MILLION IN MILLION IN THE CURRENT FINANCIAL YEAR," HE SAID.
"BUT WE NEED TO LOOK IMAGINATIVELY AT PROBLEM TO SEE HOW THEY CAN BE REMOVED OR REDUCED," MR JACOBS
THE GOVERNMENT 1985-86 TO $91
AREAS IN ORDER SAID.
THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY SAID AN EXAMPLE OF WHAT WAS BEING DONE WAS IN THE FIELD OF MANPOWER TRAINING AND NEW TECHNOLOGIES.
/HE POINTED
WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 16, 1988
- 15 -
HE POINTED OUT THAT A WORKING GROUP, CHAIRED BY THE DIRECTOR OF INDUSTRY, WOULD SOON COMPLETE ITS CONSIDERATION OF HOW BEST TO ENSURE THAT TECHNOLOGISTS COULD BE KEPT UP TO DATE WITH NEW DEVELOPMENTS.
IN ADDITION, MR JACOBS SAID, THE PROPOSED QUALITY IMPROVEMENT PROGRAMME WAS YET ANOTHER EXAMPLE OF THE WAY IN WHICH NEW INITIATIVES WERE BEING FORMULATED TO UPGRADE INDUSTRY.
"WE ARE FIRMLY COMMITTED TO CONTINUING THIS PROCESS, IN PARTNERSHIP WITH THE PRIVATE SECTOR," HE SAID.
MR JACOBS SAID WITH THE ECONOMY OPERATING CLOSE TO CAPACITY, INFLATION HAD BECOME ONE OF THE MAJOR CONCERNS.
"THERE ARE AS YET FEW SIGNS THAT THE PRESSURE IS EASING,” HE SAID.
"PAINFUL THOUGH INFLATION IS, THERE ARE UNFORTUNATELY RELATIVELY FEW POLICY OPTIONS OPEN TO A SMALL EXTERNALLY ORIENTED ECONOMY, WHICH HAS BECOME INCREASINGLY INTERDEPENDENT WITH OTHER ECONOMIES THROUGHOUT THE WORLD," HE ADDED.
"ALTHOUGH IN THE SHORT TERM I HAVE LITTLE TO OFFER BY WAY OF COMFORT, THE NECESSARY ADJUSTMENTS WILL TAKE PLACE, PROBABLY REFLECTED INITIALLY BY A SLOWER GROWTH RATE IN OUR ECONOMY THAN WE HAVE EXPERIENCED IN THE RECENT PAST.
"THEREAFTER, I HAVE NO DOUBT THAT HONG KONG WILL AGAIN ENJOY STRONG GROWTH AND THAT THIS WILL HAPPEN WITHOUT OUR MAKING FUNDAMENTAL CHANGES IN OUR ECONOMIC POLICIES," MR JACOBS SAID.
-------0----------
AIRPORT FACILITIES CONTINUOUSLY BEING UPGRADED * * » » *
FACILITIES AT KAI TAK AIRPORT ARE CONTINUOUSLY BEING UPGRADED AND IMPROVED TO KEEP PACE WITH DEMAND, THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY, THE HON PIERS JACOBS, SAID IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
SPEAKING IN THE RESUMED DEBATE ON THE GOVERNOR’S ANNUAL ADDRESS, MR JACOBS SAID CONSULTANTS AND JUST SUBMITTED THEIR REPORT ON KAI TAK'S ULTIMATE CAPACITY AND DEVELOPMENT POTENTIAL.
TAKEN TOGETHER, THE CONSULTANTS’ RECOMMENDATIONS SHOULD ENABLE KAI TAK 70 MEET DEMAND WELL INTO THE 1990’S, HE SAID.
/"THEY HAVE
WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 16, 1988
16
"THEY HAVE CONCLUDED THAT DESPITE SITE CONSTRAINTS, IT SHOULD BE POSSIBLE TO IMPROVE THE AIRPORT FACILITIES TO ACCOMMODATE FURTHER GROWTH.
"THE CONSULTANTS' REPORT INCLUDES RECOMMENDATIONS IN RELATION TO THE ENHANCEMENT TO THE AIR TRAFFIC CONTROL SYSTEM, THE EXPANSION OF AIRCRAFT PARKING FACILITIES AND MEASURES TO OPTIMISE USAGE OF THE SINGLE RUNWAY SYSTEM."
MR JACOBS NOTED THAT AIRPORT DEVELOPMENTS CONSTITUTED A SUBJECT OF GREAT IMPORTANCE TO HONG KONG, AND SEVERAL MEMBERS HAD COMMENTED ON THE NEED TO IMPROVE FACILITIES AT KAI TAK AND TO CONSTRUCT A REPLACEMENT AIRPORT AS SOON AS POSSIBLE.
"WE MUST, OF COURSE, ENSURE THAT HONG KONG HAS THE NECESSARY AVIATION INFRASTRUCTURE TO UNDERPIN OUR ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT," HE SAID.
BUT HE STRESSED OUT THAT A REPLACEMENT AIRPORT WOULD BE THE BIGGEST SINGLE PROJECT EVER UNDERTAKEN IN HONG KONG, AND IT WOULD AFFECT HONG KONG’S DEVELOPMENT WELL INTO THE 21ST CENTURY.
"WE HAVE THEREFORE EMBARKED UPON A WELL CO-ORDINATED SERIES OF DETAILED STUDIES TO ENABLE US TO SITE AND FUND THE AIRPORT TO HONG KONG’S GREATEST ADVANTAGE," MR JACOBS SAID.
STUDIES TO EVALUATE THE RELATIVE ADVANTAGES OF SITING A REPLACEMENT AIRPORT AT CHEK LAP KOK OR IN THE WESTERN HARBOUR AREA WERE PROCEEDING WELL AND ON SCHEDULE.
"THE VARIOUS STUDIES WILL BE DRAWN TOGETHER FOR EVALUATION BY THE THIRD QUARTER OF 1989.
"WE SHOULD THEN HAVE ALL THE NECESSARY FACTS AND FIGURES TO ENABLE US TO TAKE A DECISION BEFORE THE END OF 1989," HE SAID.
THE GOVERNMENT NEEDED TO BE SATISFIED THAT THE PROJECT WAS FINANCIALLY AND ECONOMICALLY VIABLE.
THERE SHOULD BE AMPLE SCOPE FOR PRIVATE SECTOR PARTICIPATION, BUT MUCH WOULD DEPEND ON THE FINANCING STRATEGIES AND THE INSTITUTIONAL ARRANGEMENTS ADOPTED.
"WE ARE MAKING GOOD PROGRESS, BUT GIVEN THE MAGNITUDE OF THE TASK AND ITS FAR REACHING IMPLICATIONS FOR THE ECONOMY, IT IS ONLY RIGHT THAT WE EXERCISE CARE. NO ONE WOULD EXPECT OTHERWISE," MR JACOBS ADDED.
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/17........
WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 16, 1988
- 17 -
WHITE PAPER ON POLLUTION OUT IN JULY t « * * *
THE GOVERNMENT WILL PRODUCE BY JULY 1989 A WHITE PAPER ON POLLUTION, THE SECRETARY FOR LANDS AND WORKS, THE HON GRAHAM BARNES, SAID IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
SPEAKING IN THE RESUMED POLICY DEBATE, MR BARNES SAID THIS WILL BE A STATEMENT OF INTENT WHICH WILL SPELL OUT GOVERNMENT’S STRATEGIES, OBJECTIVES AND TARGETS, WITH A TIME-TABLE FOR ACHIEVING THEM.
IT WILL COVER THE WHOLE SPECTRUM OF POLLUTION: AIR NOISE, WATER AND WASTES, HE SAID.
"I AM CONFIDENT THAT WE CAN PRODUCE THE RIGHT KIND OF PLANS AND TARGETS, BUT CO-OPERATION AND COMMITMENT WILL DECIDE WHETHER WE SUCCEED OR FAIL IN THEM,” HE SAID.
HE SAID CO-OPERATION MEANT CO-OPERATION NOT ONLY FROM MAJOR POLLUTORS IN THE PUBLIC AND PRIVATE SECTORS, PARTICULARLY THOSE WHOSE EFFLUENTS, WASTES, AIR EMISSIONS AND NOISE LEVELS WERE UNACCEPTABLE; BUT ALSO CO-OPERATION AND CO-ORDINATION BETWEEN GOVERNMENT BRANCHES AND DEPARTMENTS, AND FROM EVERY MEMBER OF THE COMMUNITY.
ALTHOUGH PUBLIC AWARENESS OF ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES AND SUPPORT FOR ENVIRONMENTAL PROGRAMMES WERE GROWING, THE GOVERNMENT WOULD HAVE TO UPGRADE POLLUTION EDUCATION AND AWARENESS PROGRAMMES, MR BARNES SAID, NOTING THAT FINANCIAL PROVISION FOR THIS PURPOSE HAD BEEN INCREASED CONSIDERABLY.
"WE MUST ALSO DO ALL WE CAN TO HELP POLLUTING INDUSTRIES WHENEVER POSSIBLE TO ADJUST THEIR TECHNOLOGY AND METHODS, SO THAT THEY CAN CONTINUE TO PLAY THEIR PART IN THE ECONOMY WITHOUT POLLUTING THE ENVIRONMENT," HE SAID.
"COMMITMENT MEANS THE FIRM RESOLVE TO FINANCE AND IMPLEMENT OUR PLANS, OVERCOMING THE FRUSTRATIONS AND SET-BACKS WHICH WERE BOUND TO OCCUR, AND DRIVING TOWARDS OUR OVERALL OBJECTIVES," MR BARNES SAID.
"BUT MOST OF ALL, WE WILL NEED COMMITMENT TO THE ENVIRONMENT FROM THIS COUNCIL IN CREATING EFFECTIVE AND POSITIVE LEGISLATION, HE ADDED.
WHILE THE WHITE PAPER IS BEING PREPARED, THE ADMINISTRATION IS COMMITTED TO THE PROGRAMMES OF EXPENDITURE AND LEGISLATION WHICH THE GOVERNOR OUTLINED IN HIS POLICY SPEECH, MR BARNES SAID.
"IN THIS MASSIVE CRASH PROGRAMME OF INFRASTRUCTURAL DEVELOPMENT ON WHICH WE WILL BE SET, THERE WILL BE VERY DIFFICULT CHOICES REGARDING FUNDS AND LAND RESOURCES BETWEEN ECONOMIC, SOCIAL AND ENVIRONMENTAL PROJECTS," HE ADDED.
/"IN THESE
WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 16, 1988
- 18 -
"in these Circumstances, if all our professions of intent are TO MEAN ANYTHING, WE CANNOT, AS PERHAPS WE AND MOST OTHER COUNTRIES HAVE DONE IN THE PAST, ALLOW EXPENDITURE AND LAND ALLOCATION IN SUPPORT OF ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION ONLY A RESIDUAL PLACE AFTER WE HAVE PROVIDED FOR OUR ECONOMIC AND OTHER SOCIAL NEEDS,” HE SAID.
"WE HAVE WATCHED YEAR AFTER YEAR THE INCREASE OF AFFLUENCE OF OUR SOCIETY MARCHING IN PARALLEL WITH A DECLINE OF OUR AIR AND WATER AND GENERAL ENVIRONMENTAL STANDARDS, ASSUMING THAT WE COULD SOMEHOW CATCH UP ON THESE STANDARDS WHEN WE HAD FINISHED OUR ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL PROGRAMMES.
"OF COURSE IN REALITY WE WILL NEVER FINISH THESE PROGRAMMES, AND WE HAVE TO ACCEPT IN OUR PLANNING AND DISTRIBUTION OF RESOURCES THAT THE PRESERVATION OF THE HONG KONG ENVIRONMENT HAS TO BE GIVEN AN EQUAL PLACE WITH THEM,” MR BARNES SAID.
"IN SOME CASES, AS IN CRITICAL LAND ALLOCATIONS, IT WILL NEED TO BE GIVEN PRIORITY," HE ADDED.
"FOR IT IS NO USE PUTTING ALL OUR TIME, EFFORT AND MONEY INTO PLANNING OUR FUTURE ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL INFRASTRUCTURE, IF AT THE END OF THE DAY, WE FINISH UP WITH AN ENVIRONMENT THAT NOBODY WANTS TO LIVE OR WORK IN OR WHICH MAKES THEM ILL," MR BARNES SAID.
_ _ 0----------
DEVELOPMENTAL, ENVIRONMENTAL PLANS INTERDEPENDENT
*****
THE MASSIVE INFRASTRUCTURAL DEVELOPMENT AND ENVIRONMENTAL PLANS NOW UNDER CONSIDERATION AND THE REVIEW OF THE TOWN PLANNING ORDINANCE COVER VIRTUALLY EVERY CORNER OF THE TERRITORY AND ARE TOTALLY DEPENDENT ON EACH OTHER TO PRODUCE BEST RESULTS.
THE SECRETARY FOR LANDS AND WORKS, THE HON GRAHAM BARNES, TOLD THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL THIS TODAY (WEDNESDAY), IN THE RESUMED POLICY DEBATE.
"FOR INSTANCE, THE PORT AREA AND THE METROPLAN AREA OVERLAP, AND ARE IN SOME CASES COMPETITORS FOR LAND," MR BARNES SAID.
"THE REMOVAL OF THE AIRPORT WOULD PROVIDE THE LARGEST SINGLE OPPORTUNITY FOR LAND FORMATION FOR IMPROVEMENT OF THE KOWLOON ENVIRONMENT, AND FOR COMMERCIAL, INDUSTRIAL, HOUSING AND OTHER USES, AS WELL AS PROVIDING ONE MAJOR OPTION FOR PORT DEVELOPMENT."
MR BARNES SAID THE PORT AND AIRPORT DEVELOPMENT STRATEGY (PADS) STUDIES WERE PROGRESSING VERY WELL AND WERE ON SCHEDULE.
/"IN THE
WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 16, 1988
- 19 -
"IN THE GENERAL FRAMEWORK OF THREE BASIC SCENARIOS, THAT IS, WITH KAI TAK AIRPORT RETAINED, A NEW AIRPORT AT CHEK LAP KOK AND A NEW AIRPORT IN THE GENERAL AREA EAST OF LANTAU ISLAND, THE PADS CONSULTANTS HAVE PRODUCED A NUMBER OF DIFFERENT OPTIONS ON PORT DEVELOPMENT.
"THESE OPTIONS WILL BE PROGRESSIVELY REFINED DURING THE NEXT NINE MONTHS AND BY THE END OF NEXT YEAR DECISIONS ON THE AIRPORT AND PORT DEVELOPMENT STRATEGY WILL HAVE BEEN TAKEN," HE SAID.
REFERRING TO THE SUB-REGIONAL PLANNING STUDIES COVERING HONG KONG, KOWLOON AND TSUEN WAN UNDER THE METROPLAN, MR BARNES SAID IT HAD BECOME INCREASINGLY CLEAR THAT SUCH A STRATEGY WAS VITALLY NECESSARY.
THIS WAS SO IN VIEW OF THE OVERALL PATTERN OF CHANGE WHICH WILL BE PRODUCED BY THE IMPLEMENTATION OF PADS, THE MAJOR URBAN RECLAMATIONS, REDEVELOPMENT BY THE LAND DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION AND OTHERS OF OBSOLETE AREAS OF PRIVATE DEVELOPMENT AND OF THE OLDER PUBLIC HOUSING ESATES BY THE HOUSING AUTHORITY.
"ALSO, METROPLAN IS ABOUT THE ONLY MEANS BY WHICH WE CAN GIVE ANY HOPE OF REALISATION TO OUR PLANNING OF THE TRANSPORT SYSTEM AFTER THE PERIOD COVERED BY THE COMPREHENSIVE TRANSPORT STUDY 2 AND OF THE UPGRADING OF THE GENERAL URBAN ENVIRONMENT.
"SO THE METROPLAN STUDY, WHICH WE INITIATED PRIMARILY FOR URBAN RENEWAL AND.ENVIRONMENTAL IMPROVEMENT REASONS, HAS NECESSARILY BECOME STRATEGIC AS WELL," MR BARNES SAID.
HE ADDED THAT THE METROPLAN WAS EXCEPTIONALLY COMPLEX AS ITS IMPLEMENTAION WOULD INVOLVE ENVIRONMENTAL AND TOWN PLANNING CONSIDERATIONS, EXTENSIVE CONSULTATION, LAND ADMINISTRATION AND CO-ORDINATION OF THE REDEVELOPMENT PLANS OF THE LAND DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION AND THE HOUSING AUTHORITY IN A HEAVILY POPULATED AREA.
---------------0------------------- «■'
NEW LEGISLATION ON TOWN PLANNING
* * * »
PROPOSALS FOR NEW DRAFT LEGISLATION ON TOWN PLANNING IS EXPECTED TO BE FINALISED IN APRIL NEXT YEAR, THE SECRETARY FOR LANDS AND WORKS, THE HON GRAHAM BARNES, SAID IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
MR BARNES SAID ONE OF THE REASONS WHY THE PRESENT TOWN PLANNING ORDINANCE NEEDED REVISION WAS THAT IT MADE NO PROVISION FOR THE PREPARATION OF PLANS FOR OR OTHER CONTROLS ON RURAL LAND USES.
/"BUT IT .....
-1
A
WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 16, 1988
- 20
"BUT IT IS NOT THE ONLY REASON," HE SAID IN THE POLICY DEBATE.
"THE TOWN PLANNING ORDINANCE IS ESSENTIALLY A VEHICLE FOR PRODUCING OUTLINE ZONING PLANS FOR URBANISED AREAS, AND, ALTHOUGH IT .HAS BEEN INGENIOUSLY AMENDED TO BRING INTO EFFECT A RUDIMENTARY PLANNING PERMISSION SYSTEM, IT IS STILL FAR FROM WHAT IS NOW NEEDED TO PROVIDE FOR EFFECTIVE PLANNING IN THE TOWN AND COUNTRY."
MR BARNES NOTED THAT AMONG THE MORE SIGNIFICANT FEATURES OF THE PROPOSALS FOR NEW DRAFT LEGISLATION WOULD BE THE EXTENSION OF TOWN PLANNING TO COVER THE WHOLE TERRITORY.
THE GOVERNMENT WOULD NOT ONLY HAVE A FULLER CONTROL OF THE DEVELOPED AREAS, BUT WOULD HAVE POWERS TO ASSESS AND CONTROL ENVIRONMENTALLY SIGNIFICANT DEVELOPMENTS IN ALL AREAS.
-------0 - -
RURAL PLANNING AND IMPROVEMENT STRATEGY TO BE DISCUSSED *****
THE DIFFICULTIES AND MANY OTHER ASPECTS OF THE RURAL PLANNING AND IMPROVEMENT STRATEGY WOULD HAVE TO BE DISCUSSED BY A WORKING PARTY PRIOR TO A MORE GENERAL CONSULTATION.
THIS WAS STATED BY THE SECRETARY FOR LANDS AND WORKS, THE HON .GRAHAM BARNES, IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL DURING THE RESUMED POLICY ‘DEBATE TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
MR BARNES SAID RURAL PLANNING AND INFRASTRUCTURAL IMPROVEMENTS WERE INSEPARABLE ENTITIES OF THE STRATEGY.
"WITHOUT EFFECTIVE PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT CONTROL POLICIES TO PROVIDE A RATIONAL BASE FOR EFFECTIVE PUBLIC AND PRIVATE INVESTMENT IN THE RURAL AREAS, THE ACCELERATION OF INFRASTRUCTURAL IMPROVEMENT PROGRAMMES WILL MERELY OPEN UP LARGER TRACTS OF RURAL LAND FOR INDISCRIMINATE USES AND AGGRAVATE THE PROBLEM OF URBAN SPRAWL AND POLLUTION IN THE COUNTRYSIDE."
HE SAID THE GREATEST BENEFITS TO BE GAINED FROM THE STRATEGY WERE TO PROVIDE A POSITIVE AND REALISTIC FRAMEWORK FOR LOCAL DEVELOPMENT, TO HELP TO CONTROL POLLUTION AND TO PREVENT THE ENCROACHMENT OF INCOMPATIBLE ACTIVITIES ON PEOPLE’S NORMAL LIVES, TO REDUCE FLOODING AND TO FACILITATE THE PROVISION OF TRANSPORT TO THE VILLAGES.
HOWEVER, MR BARNES POINTED OUT THAT THERE WERE SOME MAIN DIFFICULTIES IN THE STRATEGY.
/THESE INCLUDED
WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 16, 1988
- 21
THESE INCLUDED THE ACCEPTANCE BY RURAL LAND-OWNERS THAT PLANNING DID NOT NECESSARILY DIVIDE DEVELOPMENT OPPORTUNITIES EQUALLY.
’’THE PRESENT SYSTEM OF RESUMPTION COMPENSATION WHICH WAS RELATED TO URBAN DEVELOPMENT EXPECTATIONS IN THE NEW TOWNS COULD WELL SWALLOW UP MOST OF THE FUNDS WHICH GOVERNMENT WOULD WISH TO DEVOTE TO IMPROVEMENTS.
"THE FLATNESS OF MUCH OF THE AREA WOULD IN MANY CASES MAKE SEWERAGE RELYING ON GRAVITY IMPOSSIBLE AND REQUIRE PUMPED SYSTEMS AND MAKING ADEQUATE STAFF RESOURCES AVAILABLE FOR THE WORK.
"SO THESE AND MANY OTHER ASPECTS OF THE STRATEGY WILL HAVE TO B' DISCUSSED IN CONSIDERABLE DETAIL WITH THOSE AFFECTED BEFORE TH MIDDLE OF NEXT YEAR, AND I HAVE IN MIND THE ESTABLISHMENT OF A JOINT WORKING PARTY INVOLVING BOTH MEMBERS OF THE TOWN PLANNING BOARD AND THE HEUNG YEE KUK TO DISCUSS THEM PRIOR TO A MORE GENERAL CONSULATION," MR BARNES SAID.
------0-------
CAREFUL WATCH ON LABOUR SITUATION * * * » ♦
THERE IS NO NEED FOR THE GOVERNMENT TO TAKE DRASTIC ACTION TO EASE A LABOUR SHORTAGE IN THE CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY, BUT THE GOVERNMENT WILL WATCH THE SITUATION CAREFULLY AND LOOK VERY SERIOUSLY AT THE RESOURCES WHICH WILL BE NEEDED FOR FUTURE INFRASTRUCTURAL PROGRAMMES.
THE SECRETARY FOR LANDS AND WORKS, THE HON GRAHAM BARNES, TOLD THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL THIS TODAY (WEDNESDAY) IN THE RESUMED POLICY DEBATE.
A RECENTLY PUBLISHED CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT SURVEY SHOWED A 20 PER CENT LABOUR VACANCY RATE ON HOUSING AUTHORITY CONTRACT SITES, WHILE THE LABOUR VACANCY RATE FOR GOVERNMENT PROJECTS WAS 10 PER CENT AND THE VACANCY RATES FOR THE PROJECTS IN THE PRIVATE SECTOR WAS ONLY 3 PER CENT, HE SAID.
THE PRIVATE SECTOR WAS FINANCING ABOUT TWO THIRDS OF $30 BILLION BEING SPENT ON BUILDINGS AND CIVIL ENGINEERING CONTRACTS THIS YEAR.
MR BARNES SAID A MORE RECENT SURVEY HAD BEEN CARRIED OUT BY THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT, AND ALTHOUGH THE RESULTS WERE STILL COMING IN, THE INDICATIONS WERE THAT THE SITUATION WAS ABOUT THE SAME.
/RATES FOR
WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 16, 1988
- 22 -
RATES FOR INCREASE IN BOTH THE TENDER PRICES AND LABOUR AND MATERIAL COSTS AND FOR THE GOVERNMENT AND THE HOUSING AUTHORITY HAD SLOWED DOWN. THERE WAS NO NEED FOR DRASTIC ACTION NOW, HE SAID.
MR BARNES ALSO SAID THE GOVERNMENT HAD THROUGHOUT THE YEAR HAD A NUMBER OF MEETINGS WITH REPRESENTATIVES OF THE CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY TO DEVISE THE BEST WAY TO IMPORT LABOUR FOR CONSTRUCTION.
’’FOLLOWING THESE MEETINGS, A DETAILED BUT LIMITED SCHEME FOR THE IMPORTATION OF LABOUR FOR THE CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY WAS DRAWN UP. IT WAS NOT INTRODUCED BECAUSE IT WOULD HAVE HAD SERIOUS POLIC' IMPLICATIONS IN OTHER AREAS,” MR BARNES SAID.
HE SAID HE WAS CONSCIOUS OF PUBLIC FEELING ABOUT HOLES IN THE ROADS AND PAVEMENTS, AND HE HAD SPECIFICALLY ASKED FOR AN EXAMINATION OF PRICING SYSTEM FOR ROAD EXCAVATIONS, WITH A VIEW TO MAKING A PRESENTATION EARLY NEXT YEAR TO THE OMELCO LANDS AND WORKS PANEL ON THE WHOLE ROAD OPENING ISSUE.
MR BARNES ALSO EXPRESSED CONCERN ABOUT THE LIMITED SUPPLIES Or HIGH GRADE OFFICE ACCOMMODATION EXPECTED TO ENTER THE MARKET IN THE NEXT FEW YEARS AND THE EFFECTS ON COMMERCIAL RENTS. THIS WOULD BL DISCUSSED WITH THE INDUSTRY, HE SAID.
HE ASSURED MEMBERS THAT THE GOVERNMENT HAD GIVEN HIGH PRIORITY TO THE LAND DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION’S SCHEMES.
ON HOUSING, MR BARNES STATED THAT THE REDEVELOPMENT SCHEMES WOULD BE CARRIED OUT AS SOON AS POSSIBLE.
-----0------
MAJOR PLANS FOR FUTURE TRANSPORT NEEDS
*****
THE GOVERNMENT IS ACTIVELY PLANNING TO EXPAND HONG KONG’S ROAD AND RAIL INFRASTRUCTURE COSTING BILLIONS OF DOLLARS TO MEET TRAVEL DEMANDS INTO THE NEXT CENTURY, THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL WAS TOLD TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
AT LEAST SIX MAJOR ROADS, TUNNELS AND RAIL PROJECTS ARE CONSIDERED NECESSARY TO CATER FOR A PROJECTED 12 MILLION PASSENGERS DAILY BY THE TURN OF THIS CENTURY COMPARED WITH OVER NINE MILLION TODAY.
STUDIES ALSO FORECAST THAT THE NUMBER OF PRIVATE CARS WILL INCREASE BY 129 PER CENT TO 390,000 BY THE NEXT CENTURY COMPARED WITH THE PRESENT 170,000, AND THE NUMBER OF GOODS VEHICLES BY 85 PER CENT, FROM 100,000 TO 185,000.
/THESE WERE
WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 16, 1988
- 23 -
THESE WERE THE INVESTMENT PLANS AND PROJECTIONS OUTLINED BY THE SECRETARY FOR TRANSPORT, THE HON MICHAEL LEUNG, IN THE RESUMED POLICY DEBATE.
DESPITE ALL THESE PROJECTS, MR LEUNG FORESAW TRAFFIC CONGESTION CONTINUING TO BE A PROBLEM IN THE FUTURE WITH CROWING ECONOMIC ACTIVITIES AND RISING STANDARD OF LIVING.
HE WARNED, HOWEVER, THAT REGULATORY MEASURES WOULD CONTINUE TO BE REQUIRED TO CONTAIN THE INCREASED DEMAND TO A MANAGEABLE LEVEL.
"THE NEED AND OPTIONS FOR REGULATORY MEASURES, TOGETHER WITH A PROPOSED ROAD AND RAIL INVESTMENT PROJECTS WILL BE DISCUSSED IN THE SECOND CONPREHENSIVE TRANSPORT STUDY," MR LEUNG SAID.
THE FINAL REPORT WAS EXPECTED TO BE PUBLISHED EARLY NEXT YEAR AFTER WHICH A GREEN PAPER WOULD BE ISSUED FOR PUBLIC CONSULTATION BEFORE JUNE.
BUT TO CATER FOR CURRENT TRANSPORT INFRASTRUCTURE DEMAND AND THAT OVER THE NEXT FIVE YEARS, MR LEUNG ASSURED THAT THE GOVERNMENT WAS PRESSING AHEAD TO RELIEVE CONGESTION THROUGH THE CONSTRUCITON OF EASTERN HARBOUR CROSSING, SHING MUN AND TATE’S CAIRN TUNNELS.
AT THE SAME TIME, HE SAID, PUBLIC TRANSPORT SERVICES WERE BEING GREATLY INCREASED TO MEET GROWING NEEDS OF THE 9.4 MILLION PASSENGERS DAILY.
SOME OF THE MAJOR PROJECTS BEING CONSIDERED WERE:
* ROUTE 3 EXTENDING FROM THE BORDER AND THE NORTHWEST NEW TERRITORIES THROUGH TSING YI TO WEST KOWLOON;
* WESTERN HARBOUR CROSSING;
* EAST KOWLOON CORRIDOR PASSING THE NEW HUNG HOM RECLAMATION AND THE SECOND AIRPORT TUNNEL;
* JUNK BAY MTR EXTENSION;
* RAIL LINK CONNECTING TSUEN WAN TO TUEN MUN OR TO YUEN LONG; AND POSSIBLY,
» LIGHT RAIL CONNECTING MA ON SHAN TO TAI WAI AND FURTHER TO DIAMOND HILL.
SINCE AUGUST THIS YEAR, THE KOWLOON-CANTON RAILWAY HAD ADDED 75 TRAIN CARS WHICH, TOGETHER WITH MODIFIED EXISTING CARS, HAD INCREASED TOTAL CAPACITY BY 75 PER CENT OVER 1986.
FIFTY-FOUR NEW TRAIN CARS HAD BEEN ORDERED FOR DELIVERY IN 1990 AND 1991 TO FURTHER BOOST CAPACITY BY 25 PER CENT.
/ON THE
WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 16, 1988
- 24
ON THE MASS TRANSIT RAILWAY, EIGHT CAR TRAINS WERE BEING RUN AT TWO-MINUTE HEADWAY DURING MORNING PEAKS AT BOTH THE TSUEN WAN AND KWUN TONG LINES, AND AT THREE MINUTES ON THE ISLAND LINE.
BY MAY 1989, IMPROVEMENT WORKS TO THE TSUEN WAN DEPOT SHOULD EXTEND THE TWO-MINUTE HEADWAY AT THE TSUEN WAN LINE FOR A LONGER PERIOD IN THE MORNING PEAK.
ON PHASE I OF THE LIGHT RAIL TRANSIT SYSTEM, WHICH CAME INTO OPERATION IN SEPTEMBER, MR LEUNG SAID IT WAS CARRYING A DAILY AVERAGE OF 180,000 COMMUTERS, TOGETHER WITH 20,000 ON THE FEEDER BUSES.
HE SAID LIKE MANY OTHER NEW RAIL SYSTEMS ELSEWHERE, THE LRT
FACED TEETHING PROBLEMS DURING ITS INITIAL OPERATION. *
HOWEVER, IMPROVEMENTS WERE CONSTANTLY BEING INTRODUCED REFINEMENTS TO SIGNALISED CROSSINGS, PLATFORM WIDTH AND INTERFACE BETWEEN THE LIGHT RAIL VEHICLES AND OTHER ROAD USERS WERE BEING MADE IN THE LIGHT OF EXPERIENCE, HE ADDED.
MR LEUNG BELIEVED THAT LOCAL COMMUTERS, WITH CARE AND PATIENCE, WOULD GRADUALLY ACCUSTOM THEMSELVES TO THE NEW SYSTEM, AND TO USE IT SAFELY.
COMMENTING ON THE ROLE OF KCRC AND MTRC, MR LEUNG SAID THAT THE PRIMARY AIM OF ESTABLISHING THE TWO RAIL CORPORATIONS WAS TO ENSURE THE PROVISION OF AN EFFICIENT PUBLIC TRANSPORT SYSTEM THAT WOULD MEET THE GROWING NEEDS OF THE TRAVELLING PUBLIC.
THIS AIM WAS ENSHRINED IN THE RESPECTIVE ORDINANCES, HE STRESSED.
ALTHOUGH THE CORPORATIONS ENJOYED SOME FLEXIBILITY IN THEIR DAY-TO-DAY OPERATION, OVERALL CONTROL REMAINED WITH THE BOARDS OF DIRECTORS APPOINTED BY THE GOVERNOR TO ENSURE THAT THE CORPORATIONS ACT IN A MANNER CONSISTENT WITH THE OVERALL PUBLIC INTEREST.
’’TIME AND EXPERIENCE HAVE SHOWN THAT BOTH CORPORATIONS HAVE ACTED RESPONSIBLY,” MR LEUNG SAID.
ON THE THREE FRANCHISED BUS COMPANIES, HE SAID THEY CARRIED NEARLY FOUR MILLION PASSENGERS A DAY CATERING FOR WELL OVER 40 PER CENT OF THE TOTAL DAILY PUBLIC TRANSPORT PATRONAGE.
THEIR FIVE-YEAR FORWARD PLANNING PROGRAMMES PLUS ANNUAL ROUTE DEVELOPMENT PLANS SHOULD BE ABLE TO COPE WITH THE MEDIUM-TERM NEED.
FERRIES REMAINED AN IMPORTANT OFF-ROAD MODE OF TRANSPORT. TWO ROUTES, WAN CHAI TO KOWLOON POINT, AND FROM KOWLOON TO LANTAU AND CHEUNG CHAU WERE INTRODUCED THIS YEAR.
MR LEUNG INDICATED MORE COULD BE DONE TO EXPAND FERRIES SERVICES. HOWEVER, INADEQUATE PIER AND BERTHING FACILITIES IN THE HARBOUR WERE RESTRICTING THEIR FURTHER DEVELOPMENT.
/THE TRANSPORT .......
WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 16, 1988
- 25 - .
THE TRANSPORT BRANCH WAS NOW AWAITING THE COMPLETION OF I RECLAMATION STUDIES ON THE CENTRAL/WAN CHAI AND WEST KOWLOON AREAS BEFORE FIRMING UP PIER REPROVISIONING PROGRAMMES.
IN THE MEANTIME, ALTERNATIVE BERTHING POINTS WERE BEING SOUGHT TO COPE WITH INADEQUATE PASSENGER FACILITIES AT THE CENTRAL PIERS.
ON TAXIS AND PUBLIC LIGHT BUSES, MR LEUNG SAID THAT THEY PLAYED A SUPPLEMENTARY ROLE IN PUBLIC TRANSPORT. THE TRANSPORT ADVISORY COMMITTEE HAD, EARLIER THIS YEAR, EXAMINED THEIR SERVICES IN SOME DETAIL.
1
THE ROLE OF TAXIS INCLUDING THEIR FARE POLICY AND THE ISSUE OF NEW TAXI LICENCES WERE FULLY CONSIDERED, AND RECOMMENDATIONS WERE SUBSEQUENTLY ACCEPTED BY GOVERNMENT FOR IMPLEMENTATION.
THE POLICY OF GRADUALLY CONVERTING RED MINIBUSES TO GREEN MINIBUSES WAS ALSO REAFFIRMED. IT WAS ALSO ACCEPTED THAT FULL CONVERSION WOULD NOT BE PRACTICABLE DUE TO THE LACK OF SUITABLE ROUTES.
APART FR(jM A QUANTITATIVE EXPANSION 01? PUBLIC* TRANSPORT, THE GOVERNMENT WAS CONSCIOUS OF THE NEED F^>R QUALITATIVE IMPROVEMENTS IF THEY WERE TO BECOME AN ATTRACTIVE ALTERNATIVE TO PRIVATE CARS USERS.
THE TWO RAILWAYS OFFERED CONSIDERABLE COMFORT AND CONVENIENCE EXCEPT DURING THE PEAK HOURS. THE BUS COMPANIES WERE ALSO STRIVING TO , PROVIDE BETTER COMFORT. MODERN AND LARGE BUSES HAD BEEN PROGRESSIVELY INTRODUCED.
MR LEUNG SAID THAT ALONGSIDE THE CONTINUED EXPANSION OF PUBLIC TRANSPORT SERVICES, THE GOVERNMENT WAS ACTIVELY IMPLEMENTING MEASURES TO BRING SUBSTANTIAL RELIEF TO CONGESTION. i
MR LEUNG SAID THAT BUILDING MORE ROADS AND RAILWAYS IS NOT THE ONLY WAY TO REDUCING CONGESTION. TRAFFIC MANAGEMENT AND ENGINEERING MEASURES WERE USED TO MAXIMISE THE USE OF EXISTING ROAD SPACE.
THESE INCLUDED BUS ONLY LANES, TIDAL FLOW AND SIGNAL CONTROLLED MERGING IN THE LION ROCK TUNNEL AND THE SEGREGATION OF TUNNEL AND NON-TUNNEL TRAFFIC AT THE CROSS HARBOUR TUNNEL.
SYSTEMATIC DISTRICT TRAFFIC STUDIES WERE UNDERTAKEN TO
IDENTIFY THE BEST SOLUTIONS FOR LOCAL TRAFFIC PROBLEMS.
THERE WAS A CONTINUAL SEARCH FOR SITES SUITABLE FOR USE AS UNDERGROUND CARPARKS, PLANS FOR LAUNCHING A PILOT SCHEME OF PROVIDING HILLSIDE ESCALATORS CONNECTING CENTRAL WITH THE MID-LEVELS WERE BEING FINALISED.
I
MR LEUNG SAID MODERN TECHNOLOGY WAS BEING APPLIED IN THE MONITORING AND CONTROL OF TRAFFIC.
THE FIRST AREA TRAFFIC CONTROL SYSTEM INTRODUCED 10 YEARS AGO IN WEST KOWLOON HAD BEEN SUBSEQUENTLY EXTENDED TO COVER EAST KOWLOON. ON HONG KONG ISLAND A NEW SYSTEM WOULD SHORTLY BE INTRODUCED, HE SAID.
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WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 16, 1988
- 26 -
GUEST HOUSES IN MULTI-STOREY BUILDINGS THE FIRST TARGET *****
AS THERE ARE MANY TYPES OF GUEST HOUSES, THE GOVERNMENT’S INTENTION IS INITIALLY TO LICENSE THOSE FOUND IN MULTI-STOREY BUILDINGS AS A MATTER OF PRIORITY BECAUSE OF THE GREATER RISK TO LIFE INVOLVED, THE SECRETARY FOR DISTRICT ADMINISTRATION, THE HON DONALD LIAO, SAID IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
SPEAKING IN THE RESUMED POLICY DEBATE, MR LIAO SAID THE GOVERNMENT WOULD CAREFULLY CONSIDER THE SUGGESTION THAT GUEST HOUSES SHOULD BE ALLOWED ONLY IN COMMERCIAL BUILDINGS OR IN THE COMMERCIAL PORTION OF MIXED COMMERCIAL/RESIDENTIAL BUILDINGS.
HOWEVER, THIS SUGGESTION, IF ADOPTED, WOULD HAVE CONSIDERABLE IMPLICATIONS ON THE LARGE NUMBER OF GUEST HOUSES WHICH WERE ALREADY OPERATING IN RESIDENTIAL BUILDINGS OR IN THE RESIDENTIAL PORTION OF COMMERCIAL/RESIDENTIAL BUILDINGS, HE SAID. ,
PENDING THE INTRODUCTION OF A LICENSING SYSTEM BY THE CITY AND NEW TERRITORIES ADMINISTRATION, THE GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS CONCERNED WOULD CLOSELY MONITOR THE OPERATION OF EXISTING GUEST HOUSES, AND TAKE ENFORCEMENT ACTION WHERE NECESSARY.
4
AS REGARDS CONSULTATION ON THE LICENSING PROPOSALS, DISTRICT BOARDS WOULD BE CONSULTED, AND THE EXPERT ADVICE OF THE NEWLY-ESTABLISHED ADVISORY COMMITTEE ON PRIVATE BUILDING MANAGEMENT WOULD BE SOUGHT, MR LIAO ADDED.
IN THE COMING MONTHS, MR LIAO CONTINUED, THE COMMITTEE WAS EXPECTED TO DISCUSS A MULTITUDE OF PRIVATE BUILDING MANAGEMENT ISSUES.
IT WOULD ALSO CONSIDER RECOMMENDATIONS BEING FINALISED BY AN INTER-DEPARTMENTAL WORKING GROUP FOR IMPROVEMENTS TO EXISTING DEEDS OF MUTUAL COVENANTS.
IN HIS REPLIES, MR LIAO ALSO SPOKE ON THE DISTRICT ADMINISTRATION SCHEME, YOUTH, SPORTS AND ARTS.
ON THE DISTRICT ADMINISTRATION SCHEME, HE POINTED OUT THAT THE GOVERNMENT WAS COMMITTED TO PROVIDING DISTRICT BOARDS -WITH RESOURCES AND SUPPORT TO ENSURE THAT THEY CONTINUED TO FUNCTION EFFECTIVELY AS ADVISORY BODIES ON LOCAL MATTERS.
MR LIAO SAID THAT A CENTRAL DIRECTIVE HAD BEEN ISSUED TO ALL DEPARTMENTS AND POLICY BRANCHES- REQUIRING THEM TO RESPOND QUICKLY AND POSITIVELY TO THE VIEWS, SUGGESTIONS AND REQUESTS PUT FORWARD BY DISTRICT BOARDS.
A RECENT REVIEW INDICATED THAT THERE WERE INCREASING SIGNS OF CLOSE COOPERATION BETWEEN DISTRICT BOARDS AND GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS IN RESOLVING DISTRICT PROBLEMS.
/ACTIONS WERE
WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 16, 1988
- 27 -
ACTIONS WERE ALSO BEING TAKEN TO SEEK A LARGER ALLOCATION OF FUNDS FOR THE DISTRICTS TO UNDERTAKE MORE ENVIRONMENTAL IMPROVEMENT WORKS AND COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT PROJECTS WITH A VIEW TO FURTHER IMPROVING THE QUALITY OF LIFE OF RESIDENTS IN THE DISTRICTS, HE ADDED.
SPEAKING OF YOUTH, MR LIAO STRESSED THAT THE GOVERNMENT HAD ALWAYS GIVEN, AND WOULD CONTINUE TO GIVE, PRIORITY TO THE PROPER DEVELOPMENT OF YOUTH IN THE FORMULATION OF COMMUNITY AND SOCIAL SERVICE PROGRAMMES.
THE GOVERNMENT WOULD CONTINUE TO PROVIDE A FULL RANGE OF SERVICES AIMED AT THE PROPER DEVELOPMENT OF YOUTH.
THESE INCLUDED EDUCATION, RECREATION, SPORTS AND ARTS, COMMUNITY PARTICIPATION PROGRAMMES, EMPLOYMENT GUIDANCE, LEADERSHIP TRAINING, PREVENTIVE SOCIAL WORK, REHABILITATION AND FAMILY LIFE EDUCATION.
"IN FACT, HONG KONG HAS A FINE TRADITION WHERE OUR YOUTH ARE WELL PROTECTED AND LOOKED AFTER," HE NOTED.
MR LIAO ADDED THAT THE GOVERNMENT WOULD CAREFULLY CONSIDER THE FINAL REPORT TO BE SUBMITTED BY THE CENTRAL COMMITTEE ON YOUTH.
TURNING TO ARTS AND SPORTS, MR LIAO SAID THE REPORT ON THE SPORTS CONSULTANCY COMMISSIONED BY THE GOVERNMENT HAD ATTRACTED WIDESPREAD ATTENTION IN SPORTING CIRCLES, ADDING THAT HE WAS HOPEFUL OF NEW INITIATIVES ARISING OUT OF THE FXERCISE.
REFERRING TO MEMBERS' CONCERN ON THE WAY FUNDS FOR THE ARTS WERE SPENT, MR LIAO DISCLOSED THAT THE COUNCIL FOR THE PERFORMING ARTS HAD RECENTLY SET UP AN ARTS AUDIT TEAM TO MONITOR THE WORK OF GRANT RECIPIENTS, AND TO ENSURE THAT THEY MADE THE MOST COST-EFFECTIVE USE OF THE PUBLIC FUNDS ALLOCATED TO THEM.
------0--------
PEOPLE WILLING TO PAY FOR BETTER, LARGER ACCOMMODATION
* t * « *
DESPITE THE SUCCESS OF PUBLIC HOUSING IN HONG KONG, IT HAS ALWAYS BEEN THE AIM OF THE HOUSING Al ITIORITY TO IMPROVE THE SPACE STANDARDS AND COMMUNITY FACILITIES IN THE ESTATES, THE SECRETARY FOR DISTRICT ADMINISTRATION, THE HON DONALD LIAO, TOLD THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
SPEAKING IN THE RESUMED POLICY DEBATE, MR LIAO SAID AS SOCIETY BECAME MORE AFFLUENT, PEOPLE WOULD ASPIRE TO BETTER AND LARGER LIVING ACCOMMODATION AND WERE WILLING TO PAY FOR IT. •
/NOTING THAT
WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 16, 1988
- 28 -
NOTING THAT IT HAD BEEN THE LONGSTANDING PRACTICE OF THE HOUSING AUTHORITY TO REVIEW FROM TIME TO TIME THE INCOME LIMITS IN RESPECT OF THE GENERAL WAITING LIST AND HOME OWNERSHIP SCHEME APPLICANTS, MR LIAO SAID A COMPREHENSIVE REVIEW HAD JUST COMMENCED.
’’THE OPPORTUNITY IS ALSO TAKEN TO REVIEW THE OPERATION OF THE NEWLY INTRODUCED HOME PURCHASE LOAN SCHEME,” HE ADDED.
’’THE REVIEW WILL TAKE THE AFFORDABILITY OF THE TENANTS AND HOME-BUYERS AS ITS PRIMARY CONSIDERATION IN SETTING FUTURE DOMESTIC RENTS AND SALE PRICES OF HOME OWNERSHIP SCHEME FLATS.”
MR LIAO EXPLAINED THAT IN REVIEWING THE NEW HOME PURCHASE LOAN SCHEME, THE HOUSING AUTHORITY’S OBJECTIVE WAS TO ENCOURAGE TENANTS WHO COULD AFFORD IT TO PURCHASE FLATS IN THE PRIVATE SECTOR AND VOACATE THEIR PUBLIC HOUSING RENTAL FLATS.
ALTHOUGH THE PRICES OF FLATS IN THE PRIVATE SECTOR WERE LARGELY DECIDED BY MARKET FORCES, THE AUTHORITY WOULD ENSURE THAT THE HOME PURCHASE LOAN SCHEME WOULD BE FLEXIBLE ENOUGH TO ADJUST TO PREVAILING MARKET CONDITIONS AND PRICES, THEREBY DISCOURAGING SPECULATION, HE SAID.
ON THE LONG TERM HOUSING STRATEGY, MR LIAO NOTED THAT ONE OF THE UNDERLYING PRINCIPLES OF THE STRATEGY WAS THAT PUBLIC HOUSING TENANTS WHO WERE NO LONGER IN NEED OF THIS FORM OF HEAVILY SUBSIDISED HOUSING SHOULD BE ENCOURAGED TO MOVE OUT OF THEIR FLATS AND TAKE UP OTHER FORMS OF LESS SUBSIDIZED, OR BETTER STILL NON-SUBSIDISED, ACCOMMODATION.
THE RENTAL FLATS RECOVERED COULD THUS BE REALLOCATED TO OTHER FAMILIES MORE IN NEED, HE SAID.
MR LIAO POINTED OUT THAT THE HOUSING AUTHORITY WAS WELL AWARE OF THE SUGGESTION THAT WEALTHY TENANTS WHO OWNED PRIVATE PROPERTIES SHOULD NOT BE ALLOWED TO OCCUPY PUBLIC RENTAL FLATS, TO BUY HOME OWNERSHIP FLATS, OR TO BENEFIT FROM THE HOME PURCHASE LOAN SCHEME.
"HOWEVER, THE AUTHORITY ALSO RECOGNISES THAT IT WOULD BE SOCIALLY UNDESIRABLE, AND IMPRACTICABLE TO ENFORCE A POLICY TO EVICT SUCH TENANTS FROM PUBLIC HOUSING RENTAL ESTATES,” HE SAID.
"IT HAS THEREFORE ADOPTED A POLICY WHEREBY PUBLIC HOUSING TENANTS SHOULD BE REQUIRED TO DECLARE THEIR INCOME AND FACE POSSIBLE PROSECUTION OR EVICTION IF THEY MADE FALSE DECLARATIONS”.
THOSE WHO COULD NO LONGER SATISFY THE ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA WOULD BE REQUIRED TO PAY MORE RENT OR GIVEN INCENTIVES TO MOVE OUT OF THE FLATS VOLUNTARILY.
THE ARRANGEMENTS WERE MONITORED CONTINUOUSLY AND IF NECESSARY FURTHER DETERRENTS MIGHT BE INTRODUCED, MR LIAO SAID.
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WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 16, 1988
- 29 -
ROLE OF ADVISORY BOARDS, COMMITTEES EXPLAINED * » * * *
THE ROLE OF THE VAST PROPORTION OF ADVISORY BOARDS AND COMMITTEES IS DESIGNED TO ALLOW THE GOVERNMENT TO OBTAIN THE BEST POSSIBLE ADVICE ON WHICH TO BASE DECISIONS, THE SECRETARY FOR ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES AND INFORMATION, THE HON PETER TSAO, TOLD THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
"BUT DECISIONS THEMSELVES ARE THE RESPONSIBILITY OF THE GOVERNMENT," MR TSAO SAID IN THE RESUMED POLICY DEBATE.
"INCLUDING COMMITTEES AT DISTRICT AND AREA LEVEL, THERE ARE WELL OVER 400 BOARDS AND COMMITTEES, COMPRISING ALMOST 5,000 MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC WHICH GIVE ADVICE EITHER DIRECTLY TO CENTRAL GOVERNMENT OR TO INDIVIDUAL HEADS OF DEPARTMENTS," MR TSAO SAID.
"MEMBERS OF THESE COMMITTEES ARE SELECTED BECAUSE OF THEIR PARTICULAR EXPERTISE IN, OR SPECIALIST KNOWLEDGE OF, A SUBJECT, OR THROUGH THEIR RECORD OF INTEREST IN CONTRIBUTING TO THE LIFE OF THE COMMUNITY.
"THE RECOMMENDATIONS OF THESE BOARDS FORMED AN IMPORTANT PART IN THE DECISION MAKING PROCESS, IN THE FORMULATION OF POLICIES, AND IN THE METHODS IN WHICH SUCH POLICIES ARE EVENTUALLY IMPLEMENTED."
MR TSAO POINTED OUT THAT THE BOARDS DID NOT ABSOLVE GOVERNMENT OF ITS ULTIMATE RESPONSIBILITY, THOUGH HE ASSURED MEMBERS THAT THE VIEWS OF ADVISORY COMMITTEES WERE CLOSELY CONSIDERED IN ALL SECTORS AND SECTIONS OF THE WORK OF THE GOVERNMENT.
MR TSAO SAID THE COMPOSITION AND OPERATION OF THE DIFFERENT BODIES NEEDED TO BE REGULARLY REVIEWED IN ORDER TO ENSURE THE BEST POSSIBLE ADVICE.
SUCH REVIEWS WERE CARRIED OUT EVERY TWO YEARS, THE LATEST IN 1987.
TERMS OF REFERENCE OF BOARDS AND COMMITTEES WERE ALSO REGULARLY REVIEWED TO ENSURE THAT THEY WERE UP TO DATE AND REFLECTED PRESENT DAY REQUIREMENTS.
"WHERE APPROPRIATE CHANGES ARE MADE TO THE CHAIRMANSHIP OF BOARDS AND COMMITTEES SO THAT AN INC* EASING NUMBER OF THEM ARE CHAIRED BY NON-OFFICIALS," HE SAID.
REFERRING TO THE DURATION OF M •’’.BERSHIP, MR TSAO SAID THE GOVERNMENT WAS ADOPTING WHAT WAS KNOWN AS THE "SIX-YEAR RULE" TO ENSURE THAT THERE WAS A REGULAR INJECTION OF NEW BLOOD INTO THE SYSTEM.
/’’HOWEVER, THIS
WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER l6t 1988
’’HOWEVER, THIS IS ONLY A GUIDELINE AND WHERE SPECIFIC EXPERTISE AND CONTINUITY ARE IMPORTANT, DISCRETION IS EXERCISED SO THAT A BALANCE IS STRUCK BETWEEN NEW IDEAS AND FRESH PERSPECTIVE ON THE ONE HAND, AND CONTINUITY AND DEPTH OF EXPERIENCE ON THE OTHER," HE ADDED.
MR TSAO ALSO REFERRED TO A SUGGESTION THAT GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS SHOULD MOVE OUT OF THE PRIME AREAS WITH THE TWIN OBJECTS OF ACHIEVING RENTAL SAVINGS AND EASING TRANSPORT DIFFICULTIES.
HE EXPLAINED THAT THE PRINCIPLES IN DETERMINING THE LOCATION OF GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS AND AGENCIES WOULD LIE FIRST IN WHETHER THEY WERE CONVENIENTLY LOCATED FOR THE PUBLIC AND SECONDLY, FOR THE OTHER GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS WITH WHICH THEY WORKED.
"A LARGE PROPORTION OF THE CIVIL SERVICE IS THEREFORE INEVITABLY LOCATED IN THE URBAN AREA. BUT TO THE EXTENT POSSIBLE WITHIN THESE CONSTRAINTS, WE DO TRY TO DISPERSE OUR OFFICES," HE SAID.
MR TSAO SAID AN EXTENSIVE BUILDING PROGRAMME WAS IN HAND TO FURTHER REDUCE THE GOVERNMENT’S RELIANCE ON RENTED OFFICE ACCOMMODATION.
"BUT ALL THESE EFFORTS WILL, I REGRET TO SAY, HAVE LITTLE EFFECT ON TRANSPORT UTILISATION. THAT IS AN AREA WHERE IMPROVEMENTS WILL HAVE TO COME THROUGH OTHER MEANS," HE SAID.
-----0------
CONSIDERABLE SCOPE FOR MONITORING ACTIVITIES * » ♦ * »
THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL HAS CONSIDERABLE SCOPE FOR MONITORING THE ACTIVITIES OF STATUTORY BOARDS, THE SECRETARY FOR ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES AND INFORMATION, THE HON PETER TSAO, TOLD THE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
WHEN THE ENABLING LEGISLATION WAS PLACED BEFORE THE COUNCIL, MEMBERS HAD THE OPPORTUNITY TO COMMENT AND INDEED TO CHANGE IT.
WHENEVER AMENDING LEGISLATION WAS INTRODUCED, THE SAME OPPORTUNITIES WERE AFFORDED, MR TSAO SAID IN THE RESUMED POLICY DEBATE.
BODIES RECEIVING PUBLIC FUNDS WERE SUBJECT TO SCRUTINY OF THE
FINANCE COMMITTEE.
"QUESTIONS CAN ALSO BE RAISED IN THE PUBLIC ACCOUNTS COMMITTEE AND IN THIS COUNCIL DURING QUESTION TIME," HE SAID.
/HR TSAO
WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 16, 1988
- 31 -
MR TSAO SAID THE ULTIMATE POLICY AND FINANCIAL RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE STATUTORY AUTHORITIES RESTED WITH THE GOVERNMENT.
THERE WOULD ALWAYS BE APPROPRIATE OFFICIALS AVAILABLE TO ANSWER QUESTIONS CONCERNING THE OPERATIONS OF THESE BODIES EITHER PUBLICLY IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL OR LESS FORMALLY IN THE CONTEXT OF MEETINGS WITH OMELCO’S STANDING PANELS.
MR TSAO EXPLAINED THAT THE TERM "STATUTORY BODIES" REFERRED TO PUBLIC CORPORATIONS, STATUTORY AUTHORITIES AND OTHER ORGANISATIONS ESTABLISHED BY ORDINANCE TO PERFORM FUNCTIONS WHICH WERE PREVIOUSLY UNDERTAKEN BY GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS.
ON REASONS FOR DEVELOPING STATUTORY BODIES, MR TSAO SAID: "THEY PROMOTE GREATER COMMUNITY PARTICIPATION IN GOVERNMENT, ALLOW OUTSIDE EXPERTISE TO BE TAPPED, AND THEY ALLOW CERTAIN TASKS TO BE CARRIED OUT AWAY FROM THE ADMINISTRATIVE CONSTRAINTS OF GOVERNMENT, FOR EXAMPLE, HIRING AND FIRING, PURCHASING OF SUPPLIES AND BUDGETARY PRACTICES."
ON THE WIDE RANGE OF STATUTORY BODIES, MR TSAO CITED EXAMPLES SUCH AS THE HOUSING AUTHORITY AND THOSE RUNNING THE RAILWAYS AND IHE PUBLIC SECTOR HOUSING; REGULATING THE BROADCASTING INDUSTRY AND PROMOTING HONG KONG’S OVERSEAS TRADE.
NOTING A WIDE DIFFERENCE IN THE FUNCTIONS AND RESPONSIBILITIES OF THESE INDIVIDUAL BODIES, MR TSAO SAID THEIR SCOPE OF ACTIVITIES AND FINANCIAL AND CONSTITUTIONAL RELATIONSHIP WITH THE GOVERNMENT, WERE SET OUT IN THEIR TERMS OF REFERENCE AND THE ORDINANCES UNDER WHICH THEY WERE CREATED.
"NONETHELESS WHATEVER THEIR RELATIONSHIP WITH GOVERNMENT IS, ULTIMATELY IT IS THE GOVERNMENT WHICH IS ANSWERABLE FOR THE ACTIVITIES OF THESE BODIES.
"IT IS THEREFORE ESSENTIAL THAT ANY MAJOR DEVELOPMENTS IN POLICY SHOULD BE SUBJECT TO THE APPROVAL OF THE GOVERNOR IN COUNCIL THIS IS THE CURRENT POSITION AND IT WILL NOT CHANGE," MR TSAO SAID.
"ONCE THE GOVERNMENT HAS SET DOWN THE BROAD POLICIES AND OBJECTIVES, HOWEVER, IT IS IMPORTANT THAT THESE BODIES ARE ALLOWED TO GO ABOUT THEIR BUSINESS INDEPENDENTLY WITHOUT INTERFERENCES.
MR TSAO CITED ALSO THE ARRANGEMENTS MADE FOR THE REORGANISED HOUSING AUTHORITY AS A GOOD EXAMPLE OF SUCH, SAYING THAT "IT IS GIVEN A FREE HAND TO PURSUE ITS OBJECTIVES AND TO USE ITS RESOURCES FLEXIBLY TO ACHIEVE THEM.
"THAT IS NOT TO SAY THAT IT IS TOTALLY INDEPENDENT OF THE GOVERNMENT.
/"WHILE THE
WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 16, 1988
- 32 -
’’WHILE THE HOUSING AUTHORITY IS FREE TO DEVISE, IMPLEMENT AND REVIEW ITS POLICIES WITHIN THE SET OBJECTIVES, APPROVAL OF THE GOVERNOR IN COUNCIL STILL HAS TO BE OBTAINED FOR ANY SIGNIFICANT CHANGES TO POLICIES.
REFERRING TO THE FINANCIAL RELATIONSHIP OF THE STATUTORY BODIES WITH THE GOVERNMENT, MR TSAO EXPRESSED THE VIEW THAT THERE WERE TOO MANY DIFFERENT SYSTEMS OPERATING AT THE SAME TIME.
"A REVIEW IS CLEARLY CALLED FOR.
”WE THEREFORE PLAN TO ESTABLISH A GENERAL FRAMEWORK WITHIN WHICH EACH BODY CAN BE CATERED FOR.
’’THIS BROAD FRAMEWORK WILL ALLOW ISSUES RELATING TO THE FINANCIAL ARRANGEMENTS TO BE ADDRESSED IN A CONSISTENT MANNER.”
MR TSAO SAID THE FRAMEWORK BEING PLANNED BY THE ADMINISTRATION WOULD SET OUT PROCEDURES FOR THE CONTRIBUTION OF GOVERNMENT FINANCE TO BODIES; FOR MONITORING AND APPROVING CAPITAL INVESTMENT PROGRAMMES; AND FOR SETTING FINANCIAL OBJECTIVES.
IT WOULD ALSO PROVIDE FOR CONSISTENT REPORTING MECHANISMS, AND ENSURE GOVERNMENT REPRESENTATION ON THE MANAGEMENT BODIES OF SUCH ORGANISATIONS, WITH THE AIM OF SAFEGUARDING GOVERNMENT’S FINANCIAL INTERESTS.
HE POINTED OUT THAT A SERIES OF REVIEWS SHOULD BE UNDERTAKEN TO RATIONALISE THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN THE GOVERNMENT AND STATUTORY BODIES IN TERMS OF ULTIMATE POLICY AND FINANCIAL CONTROL, AND THAT CERTAIN BROAD GUIDELINES WERE MET.
"WE SHALL SEEK TO ENSURE FIRST THAT THE TERMS OF REFERENCE OF EACH STATUTORY BODY PROVIDE FOR ADEQUATE POLICY CONTROL AND SECONDLY TO DEFINE THE FINANCIAL RELATIONSHIP WITH GOVERNMENT.
’’WHERE APPROPRIATE, THE GOVERNMENT MUST BE REPRESENTED ON THE BOARD OR COMMITTEE OF THE ORGANISATION; AND IT MUST BE MADE CLEAR WITH WHICH POLICY SECRETARY THE RESPONSIBILITY LIES.
“AS AND WHEN FURTHER STATUTORY BODIES ARE ESTABLISHED THESE GUIDELINES WILL BE FOLLOWED,” MR TSAO SAID.
ASSURING MEMBERS THAT THE GOVERNMENT HAD NO INTENTION TO SEEK TO ABSOLVE ITSELF OF ITS RESPONSIBILITIES FOR THE WELFARE AND WELL-BEING OF THE PEOPLE, MR TSAO REITERATED THAT THE MOVE TOWARDS THE ESTABLISHMENT OF STATUTORY AUTHORITIES WAS AIMED AT SETTING UP MORE EFFICIENT SYSTEMS OF PROVIDING SERVICES TO THE PUBLIC WITHOUT ANY LOSS IN PUBLIC ACCOUNTABILITY.
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/33........
WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 16, 1988
- 55 -
EMIGRATION A LESSER FACTOR IN STAFF TURNOVER
*****
IN SOME SECTORS THE PROBLEM OF HIGH STAFF TURNOVER AND KEEN DEMAND FOR SKILLS ARE CAUSED IN GREATER PART BY THE RAPID EXPANSION OF THOSE INDUSTRIES, AND EMIGRATION IS A LESSER, AGGRAVATING FACTOR, THE SECRETARY FOR ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES AND ‘INFORMATION, THE HON PETER TSAO, TOLD THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
MANPOWER SHORTAGE WAS SOMETIMES A SIGN OF CONTINUING SUCCESS RATHER THAN A SYMPTOM OF FAILURE, MR TSAO SAID IN THE RESUMED POLICY DEBATE.
"WHILE NUMBERS ARE HIGHER THAN THE HISTORICAL NORM - 30,000 PEOPLE LAST YEAR, 45,000 THIS YEAR - THEY DO NOT PRESENT A PICTURE OF ALARMING PROPORTIONS," HE SAID IN REFERRING TO EMIGRATION.
"MOREOVER, ON CLOSER INSPECTION, WE HAVE FOUND IN SOME SECTORS THE PROBLEMS OF HIGH STAFF TURNOVER AND KEEN DEMAND FOR SKILLS ARE CAUSED IN GREATER PART BY THE RAPID EXPANSION OF THOSE INDUSTRIES.
"BE THAT AS IT MAY, WE ARE NOT COMPLACENT. OUR FIRST PRIORITY MUST BE TO MAINTAIN THOSE ASPECTS OF HONG KONG LIFE WHICH ARE MOST ATTRACTIVE."
THE BUOYANT ECONOMY, THE LIFESTYLE, THE FREEDOM OF HONG KONG PEOPLE TO GO ABOUT THEIR DAILY AFFAIRS, THE LOW TAX RATES AND GOVERNMENT’S WELL PUBLICISED PHILOSOPHY OF POSITIVE NON-INTERVENTIONISM WERE THE THINGS WHICH HAD TO BE PRESERVED, MR TSAO SAID.
"WE MUST IMPROVE THOSE AREAS OF LIFE WHERE WE AT PRESENT DO LESS WELL. TWO MATTERS FREQUENTLY QUOTED ARE THE NEED TO IMPROVE THE ENVIRONMENT, AND THE NEED TO IMPROVE THE EDUCATION SYSTEM BOTH IN QUALITATIVE TERMS AND IN TERMS OF INCREASING OPPORTUNITY," HE SAID.
NOTING THAT THE GOVERNMENT DID HAVE POSITIVE PLANS IN THESE AREAS, MR TSAO REMINDED MEMBERS THAT ALL THE THINGS MENTIONED, ACTION TAKEN OR TO BE TAKEN, APPLIED EQUALLY TO BOTH EXISTING RESIDENTS AND PROSPECTIVE RETURNEES.
"A THIRD AREA ON WHICH MEMBERS LAID STRESS CONCERNS THE NEED TO BOOST TRAINING OPPORTUNITIES TO BRING FORWARD LOCAL TALENTS AS RAPIDLY AS POSSIBLE," MR TSAO CONTINUED.
THE ROLE OF THE ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES AND INFORMATION BRANCH IN THIS AREA WAS TO IMPROVE THE KNOWLEDGE OF THE PROFILE OF THOSE LEAVING SO THAT THE SKILLS BEING LOST COULD BE MORE READILY IDENTIFIED AND REPLACED, MR TSAO SAID.
"SUCH INFORMATION WILL THEN BE PASSED TO MY OFFICIAL COLLEAGUES RESPONSIBLE FOR VARIOUS ASPECTS OF THIS RATHER WIDE-RANGING SUBJECT."
/ON THE
WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 16, 1988
ON THE SUBJECT OF FACILITATING THE RETURN TO HONG KONG OF PEOPLE WHO HAD FELT THE NEED TO OBTAIN SOME FORM OF INSURANCE POLICY OVERSEAS, MR TSAO REFERRED TO THE POINT MADE BY SEVERAL MEMBERS THAT IN THE EFFORTS TO ATTRACT SUCH PEOPLE BACK, HONG KONG HAD TO BEWARE OF CREATING A PRIVILEGED CLASS.
’’WELCOME AS THEY ARE, THERE CAN BE NO BONUS FOR COMING HOME WITH A FOREIGN PASSPORT,” MR TSAO SAID, ’’AND IT WOULD BE DISPIRITING FOR THE VAST MAJORITY WHO HAVE STAYED BEHIND.
’’BUT HAVING SAID THAT, IT WOULD BE REMISS OF US NOT TO ( CONSIDER HOW TO PROVIDE BETTER INFORMATION TO THOSE WHO HAVE LEFT ABOUT LIFE HERE AND TO REMOVE FACTORS MITIGATING AGAINST THEIR RETURN.
"IF THERE SHOULD NOT BE INCENTIVES, NOR SHOULD THERE BE DISINCENTIVES. WE SHALL THEREFORE BE CONSIDERING WHAT CAN BE DONE, WITHOUT BREACHING THE PRINCIPLE OF EQUALITY OF TREATMENT, TO REMOVE UNNECESSARY BARRIERS," HE SAID.
MR TSAO ALSO SAID THAT HONG KONG STUDENTS, THE BUILDING BLOCKS OF FUTURE PROSPERITY, WHO WERE * STUDYING OVERSEAS SHOULD CONTINUE TO THINK IN TERMS OF RETURNING TO HONG KONG TO LIVE AND WORK AFTER THEIR STUDIES.
HE ADDED THAT IT WAS BELIEVED THAT IN TIME, AS THE INCREASING NUMBERS OF LOCAL GRADUATES MOVED UP THROUGH THE SYSTEM AND GAINED EXPERIENCE, A BETTER EQUILIBRIUM BETWEEN SUPPLY AND DEMAND WOULD THEN BE ACHIEVED.
------0 ------
ABSOLUTE COMMITMENT TO EDUCATION
*****
THE GOVERNMENT HAS AN ABSOLUTE COMMITMENT BOTH TO INCREASE , EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES AND TO IMPROVE HONG KONG'S TEACHING, CURRICULA AND FACILITIES IN THE YEARS AHEAD, THE SECRETARY FOR EDUCATION AND MANPOWER, THE HON RON BRIDGE, SAID IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
"THE GOALS OF QUANTITY AND QUALITY IN EDUCATION MUST NOT BE MUTUALLY EXCLUSIVE," HE STRESSED IN THE RESUMED DEBATE ON THE GOVERNOR’S ANNUAL ADDRESS.
ON THE ISSUE OF QUALITY, MR BRIDGE SAID PROGRESS WAS BEING MADE IN EDUCATIONAL STRUCTURE, CURRICULA AND TEACHING.
WHILE AGREEING THAT IMPROVEMENTS IN QUALITY WERE NEEDED TO THE SYSTEM OF PRIMARY AND SECONDARY EDUCATION, HE SAID WE SHOULD NOT LOSE SIGHT OF THE ADVANCES MADE OVER THE YEARS.
/MR BRIDGE
WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 16, 1988
- 55 -
MR BRIDGE NOTED THAT IT WAS INEVITABLE THAT THE AVERAGE STANDARD WOULD DROP IF ONE MOVED FROM A HIGHLY SELECTIVE SYSTEM TO A SYSTEM OF EDUCATION FOR ALL.
"BUT EXAMINATION RESULTS DO NOT INDICATE THAT BRIGHTER CHILDREN ARE ACHIEVING LESS NOW THAN THEY DID SOME YEARS AGO; ON THE CONTRARY, THEY INDICATE THAT MANY MORE CHILDREN ARE NOW COMPLETING THEIR SECONDARY EDUCATION TO A SATISFACTORY STANDARD," HE SAID.
MR BRIDGE ALSO NOTED THAT EXAMINATION PRESSURE HAD BEEN CONSIDERABLY REDUCED OVER THE PAST YEARS AS MORE PLACES HAD BECOME AVAILABLE IN SECONDARY SCHOOLS.
"THE FIRST PUBLIC EXAMINATION ANY OF OUR CHILDREN NOW TAKE IS THE CERTIFICATE EXAMINATION AFTER SECONDARY 5," HE SAID.
NOTING THAT THE CHANGE TO A MASS EDUCATION SYSTEM HAD GIVEN RISE TO THE NEED FOR GREATER VARIETY IN CURRICULUM AND TEACHING METHODS, MR BRIDGE SAID THE ACTIVITY APPROACH, WHICH WAS A CHILD-CENTRE APPROACH, WOULD BE EXTENDED TO AS MANY PRIMARY SCHOOLS AS POSSIBLE.
ON THE PROPOSAL TO PHASE OUT HALF-DAY PRIMARY SCHOOLS, HE SAID A PROGRAMME WAS BEING WORKED OUT AND WOULD SOON BE SUBMITTED TO THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL.
MEASURES HAD ALSO BEEN TAKEN THIS YEAR TO DEVELOP CURRICULA MORE SUITED TO THE BROADER RANGE OF PUPILS IN PRIMARY AND SECONDARY SCHOOLS, MR BRIDGE SAID.
"WE HAVE RESTRUCTURED THE CURRICULUM DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE INTO A COUNCIL UNDER A NON-GOVERNMENT CHAIRMAN.
"WE HAVE PROVIDED INCENTIVES FOR TEACHERS TO WORK ON CURRICULUM DEVELOPMENT PROJECTS," HE SAID.
MR BRIDGE WAS CONFIDENT THAT THE COUNCIL WOULD BE BETTER PLACED TO RESPOND TO THE VARIOUS CURRICULUM NEEDS OF SCHOOLS WITH MUCH GREATER PARTICIPATION BY TEACHERS AT ALL LEVELS.
HE ALSO NOTED THAT THE EDUCATION COMMISSION WAS NOW WORKING ON A MAJOR STUDY OF CURRICULA AND BEHAVIOURAL PROBLEMS DURING THE PERIOD OF COMPULSORY EDUCATION IN PRIMARY SCHOOLS AND JUNIOR SECONDARY CLASSES AND WOULD PUBLISH ITS CONCLUSIONS NEXT YEAR IN ITS FOURTH REPORT.
REFERRING TO THE NEED TO IMPROVE THE QUALITY OF EDUCATION IN PRIVATE SCHOOLS, MR BRIDGE SAID THE OBJECTIVE MUST BE TO CREATE A SYSTEM WHICH COULD ENSURE THE PRIVATE SECTOR A STRONG ROLE IN THE EDUCATION SYSTEM UP TO 1997 AND BEYOND.
/"BY DOING
WEDNESDAY, NOVIMBER 16, 1988
"BY DOING SO WE WILL ADD TO THE QUALITY OF OUR EDUCATION BY MAKING AVAILABLE THE GREATER CHOICE AND VARIETY WHICH THE PRIVATE SECTOR CAN PROVIDE."
MR BRIDGE SAID THE DIRECT SUBSIDY SCHEME WOULD BECOME A PRIORITY TASK FOR THE PROPOSED PRIVATE SCHOOLS REVIEW COMMITTEE.
AS TO SOME MEMBERS’ CALL FOR CHANGES TO THE CODES OF AID, MR BRIDGE SAID THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT WAS ALREADY CONSIDERING SOME SIMPLIFICATION TO ADMINISTRATIVE PROCEDURE.
ON THE POINT THAT TEACHER TRAINING SHOULD BE HIVED OFF TO THE TERTIARY SECTOR, MR BRIDGE SAID THE EDUCATION COMMISSION INTENDED TO MAKE A COMPREHENSIVE STUDY OF THE COLLEGES OF EDUCATION IN ONE OF ITS FUTURE REPORTS.
"I THINK WE MUST AWAIT THE COMMISSION’S ADVICE BEFORE CONTEMPLATING ANY RADICAL CHANGES TO OUR EXISTING SYSTEM," HE SAID.
TURNING TO CIVIC EDUCATION, MR BRIDGE SAID MUCH WAS BEING DONE FOLLOWING THE ISSUE OF THE GUIDELINES ON CIVIC EDUCATION IN SCHOOLS IN 1985.
THESE INCLUDED CIVIC EDUCATION PROGRAMMES INTRODUCED BY NEARLY ALL SCHOOLS, TRAINING COURSES FOR TEACHERS, TEACHING PACKAGES, INTRODUCTION OF A NEW SUBJECT—GOVERNMENT AND PUBLIC AFFAIRS--IN THE SENIOR SECONDARY AND SIXTH FORM CURRICULUM AND SETTING UP PUPILS ASSOCIATIONS.
OUTSIDE SCHOOLS, CIVIC EDUCATION WAS PROMOTED BY VARIOUS VOLUNTARY ASSOCIATIONS AND GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS, HE SAID.
MR BRIDGE NOTED THAT TOTAL PUBLIC EXPENDITURE IN SUPPORT OF CIVIC EDUCATION DURING 1988-89 WOULD AMOUNT TO ABOUT $25 MILLION.
TURNING TO HIGHER EDUCATION, MR BRIDGE SAID THE GOVERNMENT CONTINUED TO DEVOTE RESOURCES TO MAINTAIN AND IMPROVE STANDARDS.
HE STRESSED THAT DECISIONS HAD NOT YET BEEN TAKEN ON RECOMMENDATIONS CONTAINED IN THE EDUCATION COMMISSION’S REPORT NO. 3 TO RATIONALISE THE STRUCTURE OF TERTIARY EDUCATION.
"WE HAVE CARRIED OUT A LONG, PAINSTAKING PROGRAMME OF GATHERING AND ANALYSING PUBLIC COMMENT.
"WHATEVER DECISIONS ARE FINALLY MADE, ALL VIEWS EXPRESSED WILL HAVE BEEN MOST CAREFULLY CONSIDERED," MR BRIDGE SAID.
SHARING SOME MEMBERS’ VIEW THAT RESEARCH WAS AN IMPORTANT FACTOR IN MAINTAINING THE QUALITY OF EDUCATION, MR BRIDGE SAID THE UNIVERSITY AND POLYTECHNIC GRANTS COMMITTEE (UPGC) WAS PROVIDING FUNDS SPECIFICALLY EARMARKED FOR SUCH A PURPOSE STARTING FROM THIS ACADEMIC YEAR.
/HE SAID
WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 16, 1988
- 57 -
HE SAID $30 MILLION WAS BEING PROVIDED THIS YEAR AND THAT HE EXPECTED FURTHER INCREASES TO FOLLOW IN FUTURE YEARS.
THE UPGC HAS ALSO ESTABLISHED A SPECIAL SUBCOMMITTEE TO MAKE SURE THAT THESE FUNDS WERE USED IN THE MOST EFFECTIVE WAY, MR BRIDGE ADDED.
WHILE NOTING THAT RESEARCH SHOULD NOT DEPEND SOLELY ON THE PUBLIC SECTOR, MR BRIDGE SAID HE WAS CONFIDENT THAT PRIVATE SECTOR INVOLVEMENT WOULD INCREASE GREATLY IN THE FUTURE.
ON THE QUALITY OF LANGUAGE TEACHING, MR BRIDGE SHARED THE VIEW THAT LEARNING WAS MORE EFFECTIVE IN THE MOTHER TONGUE FOR CHILDREN WHOSE ENGLISH WAS BELOW A CERTAIN THRESHOLD.
"WE ARE MAKING IT EASIER FOR SCHOOLS TO OPT FOR A GREATER USE OF CHINESE IN THE CLASSROOM, BY ENCOURAGING THE PRODUCTION OF BETTER QUALITY TEXTBOOKS IN CHINESE.
"OUR. AIM SHOULD BE TO ACHIEVE A TRULY BILINGUAL SOCIETY, WHERE CHINESE IS THE TEACHING LANGUAGE, AT LEAST IN THE LOWER FORMS, FOR THOSE WHO WOULD BENEFIT MOST FROM IT, BUT THE POSITION OF ENGLISH IS MAINTAINED," HE SAID.
"WE SHALL BE REVIEWING THE PRESENT POSITION IN LANGUAGE TEACHING AND LOOKING FOR NEW IDEAS TO IMPROVE STANDARDS IN BOTH LANGUAGES," HE ADDED.
MR BRIDGE ALSO NOTED THAT THE ESTABLISHMENT OF THE OPEN LEARNING INSTITUTE (OLI) NEXT YEAR. WOULD GREATLY INCREASE BOTH THE QUALITY AND QUANTITY OF EDUCATION.
"AS FAR AS QUANTITY IS CONCERNED, THE OPEN LEARNING INSTITUTE WILL PROVIDE US WITH HIGHER EDUCATION OPPORTUNITIES FOR AN ALMOST UNLIMITED NUMER OF STUDENTS.
"AS FOR QUALITY, THE RIGOROUS SYSTEM OF ASSESSMENT BY ATTAINMENT AND THE AGREEMENTS NEGOTIATED BY THE OLI ON ACADEMIC ACCREDITATION WILL ENSURE THAT OLI’S QUALIFICATIONS WILL BE REGARDED AT LEAST AS HIGHLY AS THOSE OF OUR EXISTING TERTIARY INSTITUTIONS," HE SAID.
TURNING TO THE ISSUE OF QUANTITY, MR BRIDGE SAID A GREAT ACHIEVEMENT HAS BEEN MADE OVER THE PAST DECADE IN RESPECT OF EDUCATION OPPORTUNITIES FOR YOUNG PEOPLE IN THE PRIMARY AND SECONDARY SECTORS.
REFERRING TO MEMBERS’ SUPPORT FOR GOVERNMENT'S PLAN TO INCREASE PLACES IN THE INSTITUTIONS FUNDED BY THE UNIVERSITY AND POLYTECHNIC GRANTS COMMITTEE, MR BRIDGE SAID HE WAS CONFIDENT THAT AN ANNUAL GROWTH RATE OF FIVE PER CENT WOULD EE ACHIEVED.
/THE GOVERNMENT
WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 16, 1988
THE GOVERNMENT WOULD CONTINUE TO PLAN FOR THE FUTURE, RE ADDED.
"FOUR OUT OF OUR SIX TERTIARY INSTITUTIONS WILL HAVE REACHED THEIR PLANNED CAPACITY BY 1997 AND THE REMAINING TWO BY THE YEAR 2000.
"WE WILL BE CONSIDERING OVER THE NEXT FEW YEARS WHETHER CONTINUING DEMAND WILL REQUIRE US TO ESTABLISH ANOTHER MAJOR INSTITUTION EARLY IN THE NEXT CENTURY," MR BRIDGE SAID.
TURNING TO EDUCATION POLICY MAKING, MR BRIDGE SAID THE MECHANISM THROUGH WHICH EDUCATIONAL POLICIES WERE DEVELOPED MUST BE SOUND IF WE WERE TO ENSURE THAT OUR COMMITMENT BOTH TO MORE EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES AND TO A HIGHER QUALITY OF EDUCATION WAS MAINTAINED.
"I BELIEVE THAT IT IS."
IN ADDITION TO THE NORMAL MECHANISM OF A POLICY MAKING BRANCH AND POLICY IMPLEMENTING DEPARTMENTS, MR BRIDGE SAID THERE WAS A PARTICULARLY STRONG NETWORK OF ADVISORY BODIES IN THE EDUCATION FIELD, INCLUDING THE BOARD OF EDUCATION AND THE EDUCATION COMMISSION.
HE SAID HE BELIEVED THAT THE EDUCATION COMMISSION HAD IMPARTIALLY AND PRAGMATICALLY SURVEYED THE ENTIRE FIELD OF HONG KONG EDUCATION IN ITS FIRST THREE REPORTS.
"I DO NOT AGREE WITH THOSE WHO SUGGEST THAT WE REQUIRE A FURTHER REVIEW.
"I BELIEVE THAT, OVER TIME REVIEWING AND DEBATING.
THE LAST FEW YEARS, WE HAVE SPENT
ENOUGH
"IF WE ARB REALLY COMMITTED TO QUALITY IN EDUCATION, NOW THE TIME TO TAKE DECISIONS AND TO ACT ON THEM," MR BRIDGE SAID.
IS
-------0---------
ARGUMENTS FOR AND AGAINST IMPORTING LABOUR * » » * »
GOVERNMENT POLICY HAS ALWAYS ALLOWED FOR THE ENTRY OF SKILLED WORKERS WHEN IT CAN BE SHOWN THAT THERE IS A SHORTAGE OF SPECIAL SKILLS, THE SECRETARY FOR EDUCATION AND MANPOWER, THE HON RON BRIDGE SAID IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
DISCUSSING THE ARGUMENTS FOR AND AGAINST WORKERS, MR BRIDGE SAID IT WAS IMPORTANT TO SKILLED AND UNSKILLED LABOUR.
THE IMPORTATION OF DISTINGUISH BETWEEN
/HE SAID
WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 16, 1988
- 39 -
HE SAID THE MAIN ARGUMENTS FOR IMPORTING LABOUR WERE THAT IT WOULD RELIEVE THE TIGHT LABOUR SUPPLY, SLOW DOWN THE RATE OF WAGE INCREASES, SLOW DOWN COST INCREASES AND SO RELIEVE INFLATIONARY PRESSURES ON THE ECONOMY.
IT WOULD ALSO REDUCE DELAYS IN THE PUBLIC WORKS PROGRAMME AND IMPROVE THE QUALITY OF WORK CURRENTLY UNDER CONSTRUCTION, HE SAID.
TURNING TO REASONS AGAINST A LARGE SCALE IMPORTATION OF PEOPLE WITHOUT SPECIAL SKILLS, MR BRIDGE SAID THAT, FIRSTLY, IT WOULD UPSET THE FORCES OF SUPPLY AND DEMAND IN THE LABOUR MARKET AND DEPRIVE THE LOCAL WORKFORCE OF THEIR FAIR SHARE OF THE FRUITS OF A BOOMING
THIS WOULD BE EXTREMELY DAMAGING TO OUR LABOUR RELATIONS,” HE SAID.
A SECOND REASON WAS THAT IMPORTATION OF UNSKILLED LABOUR WOULD REDUCE THE INCENTIVE FOR EMPLOYERS TO UPGRADE TECHNOLOGY, MANAGEMENT SKILLS, PRODUCTIVITY AND PRODUCT QUALITY, WHICH MADE UP THE KEY TO THE ECONOMIC SUCCESS OF HONG KONG.
"IT MIGHT INCREASE OUR TOTAL PRODUCT, BUT WOULD BE UNLIKELY TO INCREASE OUR PRODUCT PER HEAD, WHICH IS WHAT MATTERS FOR OUR STANDARD OF LIVING," HE SAID.
"THIRDLY, IT WOULD BRING ADDITIONAL PRESSURE TO BEAR UPON OUR INFRASTRUCTURE AND SOCIAL SERVICES.
"THE SUPPLY OF HOUSING, MEDICAL AND SOCIAL SERVICES AND OUR TRANSPORT FACILITIES WOULD BE STRETCHED EVEN TIGHTER."
MR BRIDGE SAID A FOURTH REASON WAS THAT IT MIGHT EXPOSE HONG KONG TO INTERNATIONAL ACCUSATIONS OF EXPLOITING CHEAP LABOUR WHICH WOULD INCREASE PROTECTIONIST PRESSURES AGAINST OUR EXPORTS.
HE NOTED THAT THERE WERE TWO LINES OF ARGUMENTS FROM THOSE IN FAVOUR OF IMPORTING LABOUR.
ONE SIDE SAID THAT THE SHORTAGE PROBLEM WAS SO SERIOUS THAT DRASTIC ACTION MUST BE TAKEN, WHILE THE OTHER SAID THAT WHAT WAS PROPOSED WAS ONLY A LIMITED SHORT-TERM IMPORTATION OF LABOUR ON TOO SMALL A SCALE TO HAVE THE DAMAGING RESULTS ALREADY MENTIONED.
MR BRIDGE SAID THAT HONG KONG HAD LONG BEEN SUBJECT TO CYCLICAL VARIATIONS AND THE CURRENT LABOUR SHORTAGES HAD OCCURRED BEFORE.
"AT SUCH TIMES WE DO LOSE SOMETHING OF OUR COMPETITIVE EDGE BUT THIS LOSS OF COMPETITIVENESS IS NOT OF A LONG-TERM NATUlli.
/"HISTORICALLY, IT .......
WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 16, 1988
40
’’HISTORICALLY, IT HAS ALWAYS CORRECTED ITSELF AT THE NEXT STAGE IN THE ECONOMIC CYCLE," HE SAID.
MR BRIDGE ADMITTED THAT SOME SECTORS, FOR EXAMPLE, THE GARMENT INDUSTRY WITH ITS COUNTRY OF ORIGIN REQUIREMENTS, WERE HARDER HIT THAN OTHERS BECAUSE THEY WERE LESS ABLE TO ADJUST.
"EVEN SO, I BELIEVE THERE IS STILL SCOPE FOR FURTHER AUTOMATION OF SOME ASPECTS OF THAT INDUSTRY," HE SAID.
ON THE SUGGESTION THAT A WORKING GROUP BE ESTABLISHED WITH REPRESENTATIVES OF EMPLOYERS, EMPLOYEES AND RELEVANT GOVERNMENT BODIES TO CONSIDER THE REQUIREMENTS FOR LABOUR IN THE LONG TERM AND THE POSSIBILITY OF IMPORTING LABOUR FOR PARTICULAR INDUSTRIES IN THE SHORT TERM, MR BRIDGE FOUND IT DOUBTFUL WHETHER SUCH A GROUP COULD REACH A CONSENSUS ON SUCH A CONTENTIOUS ISSUE.
"THERE ARE, HOWEVER, MAJOR LONG-TERM ECONOMIC STUDIES BEING UNDERTAKEN WHICH ARE DUE TO BE COMPLETED EARLY NEXT YEAR.
"IN THE LIGHT OF THE FINDINGS OF MORE STUDIES WE WILL CERTAINLY CONSIDER MOST CAREFULLY THE PROPOSAL PUT FORWARD BY MEMBERS," HE SAID.
TURNING TO LABOUR LEGISLATION, MR BRIDGE SAID THAT OVER THE YEARS A SET OF LABOUR LAWS GOVERNING INDUSTRIAL SAFETY AND HEALTH, EMPLOYEES’ COMPENSATION, LABOUR RELATIONS, EMPLOYMENT CONDITIONS AND TRADE UNIONS AFFAIRS HAD BEEN BUILT UP.
"THE LEVEL OF STATUTORY PROTECTION IN HONG KONG NOW COMPARES REASONABLY WELL WITH OUR NEIGHBOURS.
"IN FACT THIS BODY OF LAWS ENABLES US TO COMPLY WITH MORE INTERNATIONAL LABOUR ORGANISATION CONVENTIONS THAN ANYWHERE ELSE IN THE REGION," HE SAID.
MR BRIDGE EMPHASISED THAT THE GOVERNMENT WAS ALWAYS CONSCIOUS OF THE NEED TO KEEP LAWS UNDER REVIEW AND TO INTRODUCE IMPROVEMENTS.
"A CONSTANT STREAM OF LEGISLATIVE PROPOSALS GOES TO THE LABOUR ADVISORY BOARD FOR CONSIDERATION.
"A NUMBER OF NEW PROPOSALS ARE NEARING THEIR FINAL STAGE OF DRAFTING AND WE HOPE TO BE ABLE TO PRESENT THEM TO THIS COUNCIL IN THE CURRENT SESSION," HE SAID.
- O-----------
/41 ........
WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 16, 1988
-41- ,
JUSTIFIABLE PRIDE IN MEDICAL AND HEALTH SERVICES
*****
THE GOVERNMENT’S JUSTIFIABLE PRIDE IN NUMEROUS ACHIEVEMENTS IN MEDICAL AND HEALTH SERVICES HAS NOT LED TO COMPLACENCY, THE SECRETARY FOR HEALTH AND WELFARE, THE HON T.H. CHAU, TOLD THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
"FAR FROM DENYING THAT PROBLEMS EXIST, THE GOVERNMENT HAS FACED THEM SQUARELY AND HAS CONCLUDED THAT FUNDAMENTAL CHANGES TO THE PRESENT SYSTEM OF MANAGING MEDICAL AND HEALTH SERVICES ARE REQUIRED," HE SAID.
SPEAKING IN THE RESUMED POLICY DEBATE, MR CHAU NOTED THAT REFERENCES HAD BEEN MADE TO PROBLEMS OF STAFF WASTAGE, SHORTAGE OF HOSPITAL BEDS, AND OVERCROWDED CONDITIONS IN MANY PUBLIC HOSPITALS.
"WHILE IT MAY WELL BE THAT THE PROBLEMS WHICH NOW CONFRONT US ARE, AT LEAST IN PART, ATTRIBUTABLE TO THE VERY RAPID EXPANSION OF SERVICES WHICH HAS TAKEN PLACE OVER THE PAST 10 TO 1'5 YEARS, I FIRMLY BELIEVE THAT TO HAVE HELD BACK ON SUCH EXPANSION WOULD HAVE BEEN INDEFENSIBLE," HE SAID.
"ACCESS TO MEDICAL TREATMENT CANNOT BE THE PREROGATIVE OF THE PRIVILEGED FEW," HE ADDED.
"IN STRIVING TO MEET THE NEEDS OF THE COMMUNITY AS A WHOLE, THE GOVERNMENT HAS ACTED IN THE FIRM CONVICTION THAT THE FULL RANGE OF MEDICAL AND HEALTH SERVICES SHOULD BE AVAILABLE TO ALL, HOWEVER MEAGRE THEIR FINANCIAL RESOURCES ARE,” MR CHAU SAID.
THE GOVERNMENT’S ACHIEVEMENTS IN THIS, MR CHAU SAID, HAD BEEN IMPRESSIVE — A FACT ACKNOWLEDGED BY CONSULTANTS WHO UNDERTOOK THE REVIEW OF MEDICAL SERVICES IN HOSPITALS THAT LED TO THE DECISION TO ESTABLISH A HOSPITAL AUTHORITY.
MR CHAU SAID THE ESTABLISHMENT OF THE PROVISIONAL HOSPITAL AUTHORITY (PHA) MARKED THE FIRST STEP ON THE ROAD TO A MORE EFFICIENT, WELL-MANAGED AND COST-EFFECTIVE HOSPITAL SYSTEM.
"ITS KEY PRIORITIES WILL BE TO DEVELOP IMPROVED TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF SERVICE FOR HOSPITAL STAFF AND TO LAY THE FOUNDATIONS OF A BETTER ENVIRONMENT FOR PATIENT CARE," HE SAID.
WHILE NOTING THAT THE ESTABLISHMENT OF THE PHA WAS ONLY A FIRST STEP, MR CHAU SAID: ’’THE SETTING UP OF THE FUTURE HOSPITAL AUTHORITY WILL MARK 4H BEGINNING OF A PROCESS OF DEVELOPMENT AND REFORM WHICH WILL TAKE A NUMBER OF YEARS TO COMPLETE AND WHICH WILL EMBRACE ALL ASPECTS OF THE MANAGEMENT AND STAFFING OF HOSPITAL SERVICES."
/TURNING TO
WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 16, 1988
42
TURNING TO CONCERNS EXPRESSED BY NURSING STAFF, MR CHAU SAID: "I WILL DO MY BEST, IN CONSULTATION WITH THE DIRECTOR OF MEDICAL AND HEALTH SERVICES, TO SEE WHAT CAN BE DONE, IN THE SHORT TERM, TO IMPROVE THE WORKING CONDITIONS OF NURSING STAFF AND TO ADDRESS THE PROBLEM OF STAFF WASTAGE.
"THE GOVERNMENT WELCOMES A DIALOGUE WITH NURSING l'Al IN ORDER TO IDENTIFY THE PROBLEMS AND TO FIND SOLUTIONS.
"BUT WHILE I SYMPATHISE WITH THE WORRIES AND FRUSTRATIONS FELT BY OUR HOSPITAL STAFF, PARTICULARLY THOSE WORKING IN OVERCROWDED REGIONAL HOSPITALS, IT IS CLEAR THAT THERE ARE NO INSTANT SOLUTIONS.
"I THEREFORE APPEAL TO STAFF TO GIVE NEW INITIATIVES A CHANCE TO WORK AND TO REFRAIN FROM ANY COURSE OF ACTION WHICH MAY AFFECT PATIENT CARE."
MR CHAU SAID THE IMMEDIATE TASK OF THE PROVISIONAL HOSPITAL AUTHORITY WAS TO RECOMMEND THE FRAMEWORK WITHIN WHICH THE, INTEGRATION OF THE SERVICES OF GOVERNMENT AND SUBVERTED HOSPITALS COULD AKE PLACE.
"THIS WILL INVOLVE CONSIDERATION OF A NEW MANAGEMENT STRUCTURE WHICH WILL, AMONGST OTHER THINGS, PROVIDE FOR GREATER DEVOLUTION OF RESPONSIBILITY TO THE REGIONAL LEVEL OF MANAGEMENT," HE SAID.
THESE WOULD INVOLVE DEVELOPING COMMON TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF SERVICE FOR STAFF IN BOTH GOVERNMENT AND SUBVERTED HOSPITALS; NEW FINANCIAL ARD MANAGEMENT PROCEDURES TO ERSURE CONSISTENT STANDARDS OF SERVICE IN ALL PUBLIC HOSPITALS; AND ALLOWING SUBVENTED HOSPITALS TO RETAIN THE TRADITIONS AND DEGREE OF MANAGEMENT INDEPENDENCE, HE ADDED.
MR CHAU POINTED OUT THAT MEMBERS OF THE PHA, WHO HAD BEEN SELECTED WITH GREAT CARE, WOULD WORK IN FULL CONSULTATION V PH REPRESENTATIVES OF ALL GRADES OF STAFF CURRENTLY EMPLOYED IN GOVERNMENT AND SUBVENTED HOSPITALS.
"WHERE APPROPRIATE, STAFF MEMBERS WILL BE CO-OPTED ONTO THE WORKING COMMITTEES OF THE PROVISIONAL HOSPITAL AUTHORITY," HE SAID.
TURNING TO FEES AND CHARGES IN SUBVENTED HOSPITALS, MR CHAU SAID GOVERNMENT POLICY WAS THAT CHARGES IN THESE HOSPITALS SHOULD BE GENERALLY CONSISTENT WITH SIMILAR CHARGES IN GOVERNMENT HOSPITALS.
HE SAID WHILE GOVERNMENT FEE LEVELS WERE REGARDED A GUIDELINE FOR SUBVENTED HOSPITALS, THE LATTER WERE INDEPENDENT ORGANISATIONS AND TRADITIONALLY ENJOYED A CERTAIN DEGREE OF AUTONOMY, WITH THE FLEXIBILITY IN SETTING FEES AND CHANGES FOR CERTAIN SERVICES.
"THERE IS NO EVIDENCE THAT SUCH PRACTICES HAVE LED TO PATIENTS BEING UNABLE TO AFFORD SERVICES AT SUBVENTED HOSPITALS. IN CASES WHERE PATIENTS CANNOT AFFORD TO PAY, I EES MAY BE WAIVED OR REDUCED AS IS THE CASE IM GOVERNMENT HOSPITALS," MR CHAU SAID.
/THE SECRETARY
’ WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 16, 1988
«
- 45 -
THE SECRETARY SAID THAT OVER THE YEARS, THE OUT-PATIENT CLINIC SYSTEM HAD FULFILLED AN IMPORTANT FUNCTION IN THE EARLY * DETECTION OF COMMUNICABLE DISEASES AND THE PREVENTION OF EPIDEMICS.
"MORE RECENTLY WE HAVE DEVELOPED A COMPREHENSIVE RANGE OF MATERNAL AND CHILD SERVICES AIMED, IN PARTICULAR, AT THE PROMPT IDENTIFICATION OF DISABILITY OR DEVELOPMENT DELAY IN INFANTS AND YOUNG CHILDREN," HE SAID.
"HOWEVER, AS WITH HOSPITAL SERVICES, PUBLIC EXPECTATIONS OF THE SERVICES PROVIDED BY OUT-PATIENT CLINICS ARE RISING AND THE DEMANDS ON THEM CHANGING," HE ADDED.
MR CHAU SAID HIGH PRIORITY WOULD BE GIVEN IN THE NEXT FEW MONTHS TO REVIEWING THE ROLE OF OUT-PATIENT CLINICS, IN PARTICULAR TO CONSIDERING THE INTERFACE BETWEEN PRIMARY HEALTH CARE SERVICES AND THE SERVICES OF THE FUTURE HOSPITAL AUTHORITY.
ON THE QUESTION OF SUPPLY OF DOCTORS, MR CHAU SAID PRESENT EVIDENCE SUGGESTED THAT THE CURRENT RATES OF INTAKE AT THE TWO MEDICAL SCHOOLS WERE ABOUT RIGHT.
"BUT I INTEND TO KEEP THE SITUATION CLOSELY UNDER REVIEW IN THE LIGHT OF THE CURRENT SHORTAGES OF DOCTORS IN THE PUBLIC SECTOR AND THE RECENT REPORT BY THE WORKING PARTY ON POSTGRADUATE MEDICAL EDUCATION AND TRAINING, WHICH HAS RECOMMENDED THAT AN ACADEMY OF MEDICINE SHOULD BE ESTABLISHED IN HONG KONG," HE SAID.
HE SAID APPROPRIATE BODIES WOULD SOON BE CONSULTED ON THE RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE WORKING PARTY AND PROPOSALS WOULD BE READY TO BE PUT TO THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL IN MARCH OR APRIL NEXT YEAR.
TURNING TO DENTAL CARE, MR CHAU SAID HE COULD NOT ACCEPT THE CONTENTION THAT THE GOVERNMENT HAD FAILED TO MAKE THE PUBLIC AWARE OF THE IMPORTANCE OF DENTAL HEALTH, ALTHOUGH THERE WAS ALWAYS MORE THAT COULD BE DONE.
HE SAID THE INTRODUCTION OF THE SCHOOL DENTAL SERVICE, WHICH WAS NOW EXTENDED TO ALL PRIMARY SCHOOLS WITH SOME 370,000 CHILDREN PARTICIPATING, HAD MADE A MAJOR CONTRIBUTION TO THE TASK OF EDUCATING FUTURE GENERATIONS IN THE IMPORTANCE OF REGULAR PREVENTIVE DENTAL HEALTH CARE.
"THE DESIRABILITY OF EXPANDING THE COVERAGE OF THE SCHOOL DENTAL SERVICE TO INCLUDE, FOR EXAMPLE, SECONDARY SCHOOL STUDENTS WILL BE KEPT UNDER REVIEW," MR CHAU SAID.
EFFORTS IN PUBLIC EDUCATION WERE RECENTLY BOOSTED WHEN THE MEDICAL AND HEALTH DEPARTMENT’S ORAL HEALTH EDUCATION UNIT BECAME FULLY OPERATIONAL, HE NOTED.
/ON THE
WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 16, 1988
- Mt -
‘ • I
ON THE POSSIBLE pVER-SUPPLY OF DENTISTS, MR CHAU SAID A SUBCOMMITTEE OF THE MEDICAL DEVELOPMENT ADVISORY COMMITTEE RECENTLY SUBMITTED ITS REPORT TO ADVISE THE GOVERNMENT ON STEPS REQUIRED TO ENSURE THAT THE SUPPLY OF QUALIFIED DENTISTS DID NOT CONTINUE TO OUTSTRIP LOCAL DEMAND FOR THEIR SERVICES.
TURNING TO THE QUESTION OF CHINESE MEDICINE, THE SECRETARY SAID THAT FOR OVER 100 YEARS, IT HAD BEEN GOVERNMENT’S POLICY TO RESPECT THE CULTURAL AND TRADITIONAL PRACTICE OF PEOPLE OF THE CHINESE RACE, INCLUDING THE PRACTICE OF CHINESE TRADITIONAL MEDICINE.
"FOR THOUSANDS OF YEARS, CHINESE TRADITIONAL MEDICINE HAS BEEN EXTENSIVELY AND WIDELY PRACTISED. THERE IS LITTLE EVIDENCE TO SUGGEST THAT IT HAS POSED A SERIOUS PUBLIC HEALTH HAZARD," MR CHAU SAID.
"WHERE ADVERSE EFFECTS TO PATIENTS HAVE BEEN REPORTED, THESE HAVE NORMALLY BEEN ASSOCIATED WITH THE MIXING OF CHINESE TRADITIONAL REMEDIES WITH WESTERN DRUGS OR ILLEGAL MEDICAL PRACTICES. SUCH ILLEGAL PRACTICES ARE ALREADY SUBJECT TO LEGISLATIVE CONTROL," HE ADDED.
MR CHAU SAID THE IMPLICATIONS OF DIRECT GOVERNMENT INTERVENTION TO CONTROL THE PRACTICE OF CHINESE TRADITIONAL MEDICINE WOULD BE WIDE-RANGING AND CONSIDERABLE.
"SO WE MUST BE SURE OF OUR GROUND BEFORE WE TAKE SUCH A STEP," HE NOTED.
MR CHAU POINT OUT THAT WHILE THE EXERCISE OF LEGISLATIVE CONTROL OF WESTERN MEDICINE WAS FEASIBLE BECAUSE REGISTRATION REQUIRED ESTABLISHED STANDARDS OF PRACTICE AND SPECIFIC QUALIFICATIONS, THE TRAINING IN CHINESE TRADITIONAL MEDICINE WAS VERY DIVERSIFIED AND THERE WAS NO UNIFORM OR COMMONLY ACCEPTED STANDARD.
"FOR ITS PART, THE MEDICAL AND HEALTH DEPARTMENT HAS NO EXPERTISE IN DEALING WITH CHINESE TRADITIONAL MEDICINE.
"IT WOULD THUS BE NECESSARY TO ESTABLISH A NEW BODY, STAFFED BY PEOPLE WITH APPROPRIATE TRAINING AND EXPERIENCE IN THE FIELD OF CHINESE TRADITIONAL MEDICINE," MR CHAU SAID.
"ONCE AGAIN, WE WOULD BE HANDICAPPED IN SUCH AN ENDEAVOUR BY THE PRESENT LACK OF RECOGNISED PROFESSIONAL STANDARDS AGAINST WHICH TO ASSESS NOT ONLY THE QUALITY OF TREATMENT BEING PROVIDED, BUT EVEN THE EXPERTISE OF THE PEOPLE WHOM WE WOULD NEED TO RECRUIT," HE ADDED.
"ANY ATTEMPT TO IMPOSE CONTROL OVER THE PRACTICE OF CHINESE TRADITIONAL MEDICINE WOULD THUS BE AN EXTREMELY DIFFICULT AND COMPLICATED AS WELL AS MASSIVE UNDERTAKING," MR CHAU SAID.
-----o----- A5......
WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 16, 1988
- ^5 -
MEASURES TO EASE SHORTAGE OF SOCIAL WORKERS
*****
A PACKAGE OF MEASURES TO EASE THE PROBLEM OF A SHORTAGE OF TRAINED SOCIAL WORKERS HAD BEEN WORKED OUT AND NEW PROJECTS WERE BEING PLANNED TO MEET CURRENT AND ANTICIPATED DEMAND IN WELFARE SERVICES, THE SECRETARY FOR HEALTH AND WELFARE, THE HON T.H. CHAU, SAID IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
NOTING THAT THE MOST IMPORTANT AND PRESSING PROBLEM FACING THE SOCIAL WELFARE SECTOR WAS THE SHORTAGE OF TRAINED SOCIAL WORKERS, MR CHAU SAID THAT THE SOCIAL WELFARE ADVISORY COMMITTEE HAD EARLIER THIS YEAR ENDORSED A PACKAGE OF MEASURES TO REDRESS THIS PROBLEM IN BOTH THE LONG AND THE SHORT TERM.
THE PRINCIPAL MEASURES PROPOSED WERE THE CONTINUED EMPLOYMENT OF NON-SOCIAL WORK TRAINED GRADUATES AND AN EXPANSION IN THE NUMBER OF SOCIAL WORK PLACES IN THE TERTIARY INSTITUTIONS, HE SAID IN THE RESUMED POLICY DEBATE.
IN CONJUNCTION WITH THE SECRETARY FOR EDUCATION AND MANPOWER AND THE UNIVERSITY AND POLYTECHNIC GRANTS COMMITTEE, THE HEALTH AND WELFARE BRANCH WAS PLANNING A SUBSTANTIAL INCREASE IN THE NUMBER OF SOCIAL WORK DEGREE AND DIPLOMA PLACES IN THE TERTIARY INSTITUTIONS OVER A PERIOD OF FIVE YEARS, COMMENCING IN SEPTEMBER 1989.
"IT WILL TAKE TIME TO REDUCE THE SHORTFALL, BUT I BELIEVE THAT WE ARE HEADING IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION," HE SAID.
ON THE SUGGESTION THAT A CENTRAL BODY SHOULD BE ESTABLISHED TO PLAN THE SUPPLY AND DEVELOPMENT OF SOCIAL WORK MANPOWER, MR CHAU SAID THIS RESPONSIBILITY WAS ALREADY BEING PERFORMED BY THE ADVISORY COMMITTEE ON SOCIAL WORK TRAINING.
HE ALSO POINTED OUT THAT MANPOWER PLANNING WAS DIFFICULT AT THE BEST OF TIMES AS THE DEMAND FOR SOCIAL WORKERS WAS DEPENDENT ON FACTORS SUCH AS EXPANSION OF SERVICES AND WASTAGE RATES, WHICH COULD NOT ALWAYS BE ACCURATELY FORECAST SEVERAL YEARS IN ADVANCE.
MR CHAU NOTED THAT ONE UNFORTUNATE EFFECT OF THE SHORTAGE WAS THAT IT MADE IT VERY DIFFICULT TO IMPLEMENT ALL OF THE AGREED MANNING RATIOS.
HE QUOTED THE EXAMPLE OF THE CURRENT FAMILY CASEWORK RATIO IN THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT, WHICH AT ONE CASEWORKER TO 90 CASES WAS UNACCEPTABLY HIGH.
THE HIGH CASELOADS MEANT THAT THE CASEWORKERS CONCERNED WERE PLACED UNDER CONSIDERABLE PRESSURE AND THAT SOME CASES MIGHT NOT RECEIVE AS MUCH ATTENTION AS THEY DESERVED.
/"THE SOCIAL........
WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 16, 1988
46 -
"THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT THEREFORE PROPOSES TO INCREASE THE NUMBER OF FAMILY CASEWORKERS DURING THE NEXT FINANCIAL YEAR, WHICH WILL ASSIST IN REDUCING THE RATIO," HE SAID.
THE GOVERNMENT WOULD TRY TO ACHIEVE ALL AGREED MANNING RATIOS AS SOON AS FINANCIAL AND, PERHAPS MORE IMPORTANTLY, MANPOWER RESOURCES PERMIT, MR CHAU SAID.
AS REGARDS WELFARE SERVICES, MR CHAU SAID THAT THE GOVERNMENT REVIEWED THE DEMAND, PROVISION AND SHORTFALL OF SERVICES EVERV TWO YEARS WITH THE VOLUNTARY SECTOR IN THE CONTEXT OF THE FIVE YEAR PLAN FOR SOCIAL WELFARE DEVELOPMENT.
"IN DOING SO, WE TAKE INTO ACCOUNT NOT ONLY THE NUMBER OF FACILITIES AVAILABLE, BUT ALSO THE QUALITY OF SERVICE TO BE PROVIDED."
MR CHAU MENTIONED IT WAS SUGGESTED THAT THERE SHOULD BE AN OVERALL REVIEW OF THE DEVELOPMENT OF SOCIAL WELFARE SERVICES IN THE 1990’S.
"AT PRESENT, WE REVIEW OUR POLICIES AND SERVICES ON AN INDIVIDUAL BASIS IN ACCORDANCE WITH PRINCIPLES LAID DOWN IN THE 1979 WHITE PAPER, AND IN THE LIGHT OF ADVICE FROM THE SOCIAL WELFARE ADVISORY COMMITTEE," HE SAID.
"OUR POLICIES AND PLANS ARE THUS UPDATED REGULARLY TO MEET THE CHANGING NEEDS OF THE COMMUNITY AND ARE INCORPORATED INTO THE FIVE YEAR PLAN FOR SOCIAL WELFARE DEVELOPMENT, WHICH IS REVIEWED ON A BIENNIAL BASIS.
"THE PRINCIPLES LAID DOWN IN THE WHITE PAPER ARE STILL VALID AND THAT THE PRESENT ARRANGEMENTS ARE WORKING SATISFACTORILY.
"NEVERTHELESS, I WILL CERTAINLY BEAR THIS CONSTRUCTIVE SUGGESTION IN MIND AND WILL GIVE IT FURTHER THOUGHT OVER THE COMING MONTHS."
TURNING TO SERVICES FOR THE ELDERLY IN PARTICULAR, MR CHAU SAID THE GOVERNMENT WAS NOW SEEKING A SUITABLE SITE IN THE NEW TERRITORIES FOR THE PROPOSED HOLIDAY HOME FOR THE ELDERLY.
"WE ALSO INTEND TO IMPROVE THE EXISTING HOUSING ARRANGEMENTS FOR THE ELDERLY BY PROVIDING ABOUT 1,900 ADDITIONAL CARE AND ATTENTION PLACES AND 1,800 PLACES IN HOMES FOR THE ELDERLY BY MARCH 1991, AND A FURTHER 820 INFIRMARY PLACES BY THE END OF 1991.
"THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT AND THE HOUSING DEPARTMENT WILL BE EXAMINING WAYS OF PROVIDING FACILITIES WITHIN PUBLIC HOUSING ESTATES TO CATER FOR THE NATURAL PROGRESSION OF THE ELDERLY THROUGH THE DIFFERENT PHASES OF OLD AGE," HE SAID.
/CONCERNING SOCIAL
WEDNESDAY, NOVIMBER 16, 1988
CONCERNING SOCIAL SECURITY ARRANGEMENTS FOR THE ELDERLY, HE SAID THAT THE GOVERNMENT HAD TRIED TO IMRPOVE THE LEVEL AND RANGE OF BENEFITS AS FAR AS POSSIBLE WITHIN THE FINANCIAL RESOURCES AVAILABLE.
"ONE MEASURE OF THE GOVERNMENT’S COMMITMENT IN THIS REGARD IS THE FACT THAT EXPENDITURE ON SOCIAL SECURITY HAS INCREASED FROM $1.4 TLLION IN 1984/85 TO OVER $2.2 BILLION IN THIS FINANCIAL YEAR,” MR CHAU SAID.
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COMPREHENSIVE SOLUTION TO VIETNAMESE PROBLEM SOUGHT
*****
HONG KONG IS SEEKING A COMPREHENSIVE SOLUTION TO THE PROBLEM OF VIETNAMESE REFUGEES AND BOAT PEOPLE WHICH COVERS AN INCREASE IN RESETTLEMENT QUOTAS, AN EXPANDED ORDERLY DEPARTURE PROGRAMME, REPATRIATION AND THE RESETTLEMENT OF LONG STAYERS.
THE SECRETARY FOR SECURITY, THE HON GEOFFREY BARNES, SAID THIS IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY), IN THE RESUMED POLICY DEBATE.
MR BARNES SAID THAT ALL THESE ISSUES WERE NOW BEING ADDRESSED IN THE MULTILATERAL DISCUSSIONS LEADING TOWARDS THE INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON INDO-CHINESE REFUGEES TO BE HELD NEXT YEAR.
"WE ARE PARTICIPATING FULLY IN THESE MEETINGS, THE NEXT OF WHICH WILL BE IN KUALA LUMPUR IN DECEMBER,” HE SAID.
MR BARNES SAID THAT THE SOLUTIONS TO THE VIETNAMESE PROBLEM LAY OUTSIDE HONG KONG, AND FOR WHICH INTERNATIONAL CO-OPERATION WAS AN IMPORTANT INGREDIENT.
HE SAID THAT NEARLY 18,000 VIETNAMESE REFUGEES AND BOAT PEOPLE HAI) ARRIVED IN HONG KONG THIS YEAR, NONE OF WHOM WAS TURNED AWAY AND ALL WERE PROVIDED WITH TYPHOON-PROOF ACCOMODATION.
"WE CAN ONLY DO SO MUCH OURSELVES, AND THAT MUST BE WITHIN THE FRAMEWORK OF THE SCREENING POLICY INTRODUCED ON JUNE 16 AND THE ASSOCIATED PROCESSES OF REPATRIATION, RESETTLEMENT, AND THE LIBERALISATION OF THE FORMER CLOSED CAMPS."
ON THE QUESTION OF RESETTLEMENT, MR BARNES SAID THAT THE GOVERNMENT SHARED MEMBERS’ CONCERN ABOUT THE CURRENT RATE OF OVERSEAS RESETTLEMENT.
/IN THE
WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 16, 1988
- 48
IN THE CURRENT YEAR NO MORE THAN 2,600 REFUGEES WERE EXPECTED TO BE RESETTLED, WHICH, THOUGH SLIGHTLY BETTER THAN THE 2,200 RESETTLED LAST YEAR, WAS A FAR FROM SATISFACTORY RATE, HE SAID.
"I CAN ASSURE MEMBERS THAT THE ADMINISTRATION WASTES NO OPPORTUNITY IN MAKING THIS POINT TO RESETTLEMENT COUNTRIES," HE SAID.
"I BELIEVE OUR BEST PROSPECT FOR A MAJOR INCREASE IN RESETTLEMENT QUOTAS LIES IN THE EFFORTS NOW BEING MADE TO ORGANISE AN INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE NEXT YEAR ON INDO-CHINESE REFUGEES.
"I HOPE THAT A PACKAGE OF SOLUTIONS WILL EMERGE FROM THIS PROCESS WHICH WILL INCLUDE AN INCREASE IN THE NUMBER OF REFUGEES iiESETTLED FROM HONG KONG.”
MR BARNES NOTED THAT THE NEED FOR A GENERAL INCREASE IN RESETTLEMENT HAD BEEN CONVEYED TO LONDON, AND THE ADMINISTRATION WOULD CONTINUE TO EMPHASISE THE VERY IMPORTANT POINT THAT OTHER COUNTRIES COULD NOT BE EXPECTED TO HELP HONG KONG WITHOUT A FURTHER AND MORE GENEROUS COMMITMENT ON THE PART OF THE UK.
HOWEVER, HE ALSO POINTED OUT THAT ONE MILLION POUNDS STERLING HAD RECENTLY BEEN DONATED BY THE UK GOVERNMENT TO THE UNHCR FOR USE SPECIFICALLY IN HONG KONG.
TURNING TO REPATRIATION, MR BARNES RECALLED THAT DURING THE SECOND ROUND OF TALKS IN LONDON WITH OFFICIAL FROM THE SOCIALIST REPUBLIC OF VIETNAM, BOTH SIDES ACCEPTED THE NEED FOR COMPREHENSIVE ARRANGEMENTS COVERING ALL VIETNAMESE BOAT PEOPLE ARRIVING IN HONG KONG AFTER JUNE 15 AND WHO DID NOT QUALIFY AS GENUINE REFUGEES.
"WE ALSO AGREED THAT AN IMMEDIATE START SHOULD BE MADE BY COMPLETING ARRANGEMENTS FOR THE RETURN OF THOSE PEOPLE WHO HAVE ASKED TO GO BACK TO VIETNAM,” HE SAID.
"WE, THE UNHCR AND THE VIETNAMESE AUTHORITIES ARE NOW WORKING ON THESE ARRANGEMENTS WITH A VIEW TO GETTING THE FIRST GROUP HOME BEFORE THE END OF THE YEAR," HE SAID.
"AS AN INTEGRAL PART OF SUCH RETURNS THE UNHCR IS WORKING ON A MODEL REPATRIATION AND REINTEGRATION PACKAGE FOR RETURNEES.
"THE BRITISH SIDE IS READY IN PRINCIPLE TO MAKE A FINANCIAL CONTRIBUTION TO THE UNHCR IN SUPPORT OF THIS PACKAGE," HE ADDED.
MR BARNES ALSO ASSURED MEMBERS THAT THE LIBERALISATION PROGRAMME FOR THE CLOSED CENTRES WAS BEING PLANNED SYSTEMATICALLY AND IMPLEMENTED CAUTIOUSLY.
"THE WORKING GROUPS HAVE BEEN ESTABLISHED AND ARE PROVING USEFUL.
"I THINK MANY OF THE FEARS OF LOCAL RESIDENTS WERE BASED ON A MISUNDERSTANDING OF THE PLANS AND I HOPE THAT, THROUGH THE PARTICIPATION OF DISTRICT BOARD MEMBERS, MANY OF THESE CONCERNS CAN BE ALLAYED," HE SAID.
------0------- /49...................
WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 16,
1988
- 49 -
PUBLICITY CAMPAIGN FOR TRIAD RENUNCIATION SCHEME *****
A CAMPAIGN TO PUBLICISE THE TRIAD RENUNCIATION SCHEME WILL BE LAUNCHED EARLY NEXT MONTH, THE SECRETARY FOR SECURITY, THE HON GEOFFREY BARNES, TOLD THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
SPEAKING ON LAW AND ORDER IN THE RESUMED POLICY DEBATE, MR BARNES SAID THE SCHEME WOULD PROVIDE AN OPPORTUNITY FOR THOSE WHO WISHED TO RID THEMSELVES OF THE STIGMA OF TRIADS TO START AFRESH.
HE EMPHASISED THAT THE TRIAD RENUNCIATION TRIBUNAL, WHICH WOULD BE RESPONSIBLE FOR ASSESSING IMPLICATIONS AND ADMINISTERING OATHS, WOULD BE BOTH INDEPENDENT OF ANY GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENT AND SUBJECT TO STRICT CONFIDENTIALITY RULES.
MR BARNES SAID THE ADMINISTRATION SHARED THE CONCERN EXPRESSED ABOUT PREVENTING PEOPLE, PARTICULARLY YOUNG PEOPLE, FROM STARTING ON DRUGS.
"IN ADDITION TO THE ENFORCEMENT OF EXISTING LEGISLATION WHICH HAS RESULTED IN THE SEIZURE OF LARGE QUANTITIES OF ILLICIT DRUGS IN RECENT MONTHS, AND THE DRAFTING OF NEW LEGISLATION TO CONFISCATE THE PROCEEDS OF DRUG TRAFFICKING, THE ACTION COMMITTEE AGAINST NARCOTICS CONTINUES TO ORGANISE EXTENSIVE PREVENTIVE EDUCATION AND PUBLICITY PROGRAMMES," HE SAID.
APART FROM TACKLING SPECIFIC CRIME AREAS THE FIGHT CRIME COMMITTEE’S STANDING COMMITTEE ON YOUNG OFFENDERS HAD RECOMMENDED THE STRENGTHENING OF OUTREACHING SOCIAL WORK SERVICES TO HELP YOUNG DELINQUENTS.
WITH THE AIM OF FORESTALLING JUVENILE DELINQUENCY, THE POLICE SUPERVISED YOUNG OFFENDERS DISCHARGED UNDER THE SUPERINTENDENTS’ DISCRETION SCHEME, CONTINUED TO DEVELOP THE JUNIOR POLICE CALL AND HAD FORMED SPECIAL WORKING GROUPS AT DISTRICT LEVEL TO TAKE A MORE STRUCTURED APPROACH TO DELINQUENCY.
"WHERE PREVENTION HAS FAILED, IMPROVED CURATIVE MEASURES ARE NECESSARY TO HELP YOUNG OFFENDERS TURN OVER A NEW LEAF," MR BARNES SAID.
"THE STANDING COMMITTEE ON YOUNG OFFENDERS WILL REVIEW SHORTLY THE WORK OF THE YOUNG OFFENDER ASSESSMENT PANEL, AND CONSIDER WHETHER ITS SERVICES IN ADVISING ON APPROPRIATE SENTENCES FOR YOUNG OFFENDERS SHOULD BE EXPANDED.
"THE COMMITTEE WILL ALSO MONITOR THE REHABILITATIVE EFFECTS OF SPECIAL OUTWARD BOUND COURSES FOR 'YOUTH AT RISK’ AND REFINE THE COURSES AS APPROPRIATE."
/CONCERNING NUISANCES
WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 16, 1988
CONCERNING NUISANCES ARISING FROM THE PRESENCE OF VICE ESTABLISHMENTS IN RESIDENTIAL BUILDINGS, MR BARNES SAID THE PUBLIC HAD BEEN CONSULTED BY MEANS OF A WHITE BILL ABOUT POSSIBLE LEGISLATION tq CURB SUCH NUISANCES, WHICH WERE ASSOCIATED WITH PROSTITUTION
"THE RESPONSE SHOWED GENERAL SUPPORT FOR THE PROPOSED LEGISLATION, AND I HOPE TO BRING A REVISED CRIMES (AMENDMENT) BILL BEFORE THIS COUNCIL WITHIN THE PRESENT SESSION," HE SAID.
ON IMPROVING SECURITY IN HIGH-RISE BUILDINGS, HE SAID A GOOD START HAS BEEN MADE BY MEANS OF THE NEIGHBOURHOOD WATCH SCHEME WHICH THE POLICE HAVE BEEN RUNNING SINCE 1984. THE FIFTH PHASE OF THE SCHEME WAS COMPLETED IN JUNE THIS YEAR AND THE SIXTH PHASE STARTED IN JULY.
REFERRING TO INTERPOL WORK, MR BARNES SAID THE POLICE AND CUSTOMS AND EXCISE SERVICES WERE WELL AWARE OF THE IMPORTANCE OF INTERNATIONAL CONTACTS TO HELP THEM FIGHT THE SPREAD OF CRIME SYNDICATES, DRUG TRAFFICKING, FRAUD AND OTHER CRIMES.
"CONTACTS WITH INTERPOL, THE CUSTOMS CO-OPERATION COUNCIL, AND WITH INDIVIDUAL ENFORCEMENT AGENCIES HAVE BEEN STEADILY STRENGTHENED AND.WILL BE MAINTAINED," HE SAID.
"IN PARTICULAR, LIAISON WITH CUSTOMS AND POLICE AUTHORITIES IN CHINA IS BEING STRENGTHENED TO DEAL WITH PROBLEMS ARISING FROM THE INCREASING MOVEMENT OF PEOPLE AND GOODS BETWEEN HONG KONG AND CHINA.
"OUR COMMITMENT TO EFFECTIVE INTERNATIONAL CO-OPERATION IN FIGHTING CRIME IS FURTHER SHOWN BY THE AGREEMENT WHICH HAS BEEN REACHED IN THE JOINT LIAISON GROUP THAT HONG KONG WILL MAINTAIN SEPARATE MEMBERSHIP OF REGIONAL INTERPOL AND CUSTOMS ORGANISATIONS BEYOND 1997."
MR BARNES ADDED THAT DESPITE THE NEW BURDENS PLACED ON THE ADMINISTRATION, SUCH AS BY THE VIETNAMESE ARRIVALS AND BY THE INCREASED MOVEMENT OF PEOPLE AND GOODS THROUGH HONG KONG, THE DISCIPLINED SERVICES HAD BEEN ABLE To CONTINUE TO PROVIDE, AND TO IMPROVE UPON, THE PREVIOUS SERVICES BEING OFFERED.
"POWERS, CONDUCT AND PROCEDURES ARE KEPT UNDER PROPER REVIEW, AND RECRUITMENT HAS BEEN MAINTAINED AT LEVELS SUFFICIENT TO ENABLE US TO CONTINUE TO PLAN AHEAD, AND TO TRAIN THE STAFF REQUIRED TO MEET FUTURE DEVELOPMENTS," HE SAID.
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WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 16, 1988
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UK GOVT TO BE INFORMED
*****
POINTS RAISED BY MEMBERS ON THE SUBJECT OF GRANTING OF RIGHT OF ABODE IN THE UK TO THE WIVES AND WIDOWS OF HONG KONG EX-SERVICEMEN WILL BE BROUGHT TO THE ATTENTION OF THE BRITISH GOVERNMENT.
THE SECRETARY FOR SECURITY, THE HON GEOFFREY BARNES, SAID THIS IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY), DURING THE POLICY DEBATE.
HE SAID HE COULD UNDERSTAND THE PROBLEMS FACED BY WIDOWS IN THE ACQUISITION OF BRITISH CITIZENSHIP, AND FOR SOME WIVES IN FULFILLING THE RESIDENCE REQUIREMENT.
"I MUST HOWEVER CAUTION THAT, IF WHAT IS BEING SOUGHT INVOLVES, AS IT WOULD APPEAR TO DO, AMENDMENTS TO THE BRITISH NATIONALITY ACT 1981, IT WOULD BE NO SMALL UNDERTAKING, EVEN FOR A LIMITED GROUP OF PEOPLE, BECAUSE OF THE PROVISIONS OF THAT LEGISLATION ARE CLOSELY INTERLINKED, AND TO SEEK TO CHANGE ONE PART COULD HAVE RAMIFICATIONS FOR OTHER AREAS," HE SAID.
"BUT WE SHALL CERTAINLY LOOK INTO THIS AND SEE WHAT CAN BE DONE TO ASSIST THIS PARTICULAR GROUP OF PERSONS."
PROPOSAL ON FOREIGN LAW FIRMS IN STEP WITH TRENDS
*****
THE ATTORNEY GENERAL, THE HON JEREMY MATHEWS, SAID IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY) THE GOVERNMENT’S PROPOSAL ON FOREIGN LAW FIRMS WAS IN STEP WITH THE TRENDS IN OTHER JURISDICTIONS.
SPEAKING IN THE RESUMED POLICY DEBATE, MR MATHEWS SAID: "THERE IS GROWING INTERNATIONAL INTEREST IN THE INTEGRATION OF DOMESTIC AND FOREIGN LAWYERS IN OTHER JURISDICTIONS IN ORDER TO PROVIDE MULTINATIONAL ADVICE WITHIN A SINGLE FIRM.
"TO VARYING DEGREES SUCH INTEGRATION IS ALREADY PERMITTED IN BELGIUM, WEST GERMANY, ITALY, AND THE NETHERLANDS, AS WELL AS CALIFORNIA, NEW YORK, THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA AND NEW SOUTH WALES."
THEREFORE THE GOVERNMENT PROPOSAL ON FOREIGN LAW FIRMS DEMONSTRATES THAT HONG KONG IS IN STEP WITH DEVELOPING INTERNATIONAL TRENDS, MR MATHEWS SAID.
/’•THE AIM
WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 16, 1988
- 52 -
"THE AIM OF THE PROPOSAL IS TO INTRODUCE FORMAL CRITERIA, WHERE NONE NOW EXIST, TO PERMIT THE REGISTRATION, THROUGH THE COURTS, OF FOREIGN LAWYERS AND FOREIGN LAW FIRMS, IF THEY SO WISH, TO EMPLOY OR TAKEN INTO PARTNERSHIP, HONG KONG QUALIFIED SOLICITORS TO PRACTISE HONG KONG LAW AND TO IMPOSE A FORMAL REGIME OF DISCIPLINE OVER THOSE FIRMS THROUGH THE LAW SOCIETY," HE SAID.
"THE QUESTION OF DEVISING A SCHEME TO REGULATE FOREIGN LAW FIRMS WISHING TO AVAIL THEMSELVES OF THIS OPPORTUNITY IS NOW BEING ADDRESSED," HE ADDED.
MR MATHEWS SAID THERE ARE MANY OTHER MATTERS OF IMPORTANT DETAIL TO BE CONSIDERED IN WHICH THE LAW SOCIETY WILL OBVIOUSLY PLAY AN IMPORTANT PART.
"WE BELIEVE THAT THE DETAILS WHEN FULLY LAID OUT WILL DEMONSTRATE THAT THE CONCERNS EXPRESSED ARE GROUNDLESS," HE SAID.
EXPLAINING THE REASONS BEHIND THE PROPOSAL, MR MATHEWS SAID IT HAD BEEN FORMULATED TO ENHANCE HONG KONG’S REPUTATION AS A MAJOR INTERNATIONAL FINANCIAL AND COMMERCIAL CENTRE.
"THAT WILL CLEARLY BE A BENEFIT TO HONG KONG AS A WHOLE.
"IT WILL EXTEND THE RANGE OF LEGAL SERVICES AVAILABLE IN HONG KONG BY ENABLING FOREIGN LAW FIRMS TO PROVIDE FROM WITHIN THE FIRM AN INTEGRATED LEGAL SERVICE TO THEIR CLIENTS - CLIENTS WHO COME PREDOMINANTLY FROM THE FINANCIAL AND COMMERCIAL COMMUNITY.
"THE PROPOSAL WILL THUS EXTEND TO FOREIGN LAW FIRMS, WHICH SATISFY THE ENTRY CRITERIA SIMILAR RIGHTS, TO PRACTISE MULTI-JURISDICTIONAL LAW THAT ARE CURRENTLY ENJOYED BY SOME OF THE LARGER FIRMS OF HONG KONG SOLICITORS," HE SAID.
THE ATTORNEY GENERAL REJECTED THE SUGGESTION THAT THE PROPOSAL PROCEEDS FROM THE PREMISE THAT HONG KONG LAWYERS ARE UNABLE TO MEET THE NEEDS OF THE INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY FOR LEGAL SERVICES.
"FAR FROM IT. THE AIM IS TO MAKE WHAT IS GOOD EVEN BETTER," HE SAID.
MR MATHEWS POINTED OUT THAT THE FEAR OF COMPETITION DOES NOT ALONE PROVIDE ANY JUSTIFICATION FOR THE EXCLUSION OF FOREIGN LAW FIRMS.
"HONG KONG HAS A LONG TRADITION OF ENCOURAGING COMPETITION IN A FREE MARKET AND WE BELIEVE THAT FREE COMPETITION BETWEEN LAWYERS PERMITTED TO PRACTISE IN HONGKONG IS IN THE BEST INTERESTS OF HONG KONG’S FINANCIAL AND COMMERCIAL DEVELOPMENT," HE SAID.
/THE ATTORNEY
WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 16, 1988
- 53 -
THE ATTORNEY GENERAL ALSO REJECTED SUGGESTIONS THAT THE PROPOSAL WILL OPEN THE FLOODGATES TO FOREIGN LAWYERS.
HE SAID: "IT WILL NOT. FOREIGN LAWYERS ARE HERE ALREADY."
SINCE THE 1970S MORE THAN 20 FOREIGN LAW FIRMS INCLUDING FIRMS FROM AMERICA, AUSTRALIA, GERMANY, CANADA AND SWEDEN HAVE BEEN ESTABLISHED IN HONG KONG.
"THE CRITERIA THEY PRESENTLY HAVE TO SATISFY WILL NOT BE LESSENED BY THE PROPOSAL, IN FACT THEY WILL BE FORMALISED AND TIGHTENED," MR MATHEWS SAID.
HE SAID THE PROPOSAL ENVISAGES THAT A STATUTORY SCHEME UNDER THE CHIEF JUSTICE WILL BE DEVISED TO REGULATE FOREIGN LAWYERS PRACTISING HERE.
MR MATHEWS SAID CLEAR CRITERIA WILL BE FORMULATED TO ENSURE THAT ONLY FOREIGN LAW FIRMS OF "SUBSTANTIAL REPUTATION AND INTEGRITY" ARE PERMITTED TO PRACTISE HERE, THAT AN EFFECTIVE CHECK IS PROVIDED ON BOTH THE QUALITY AND THE NUMBER OF FOREIGN LAW FIRMS ALLOWED INTO HONG KONG.
"AND THAT THE LAW SOCIETY IS INVOLVED IN THIS PROCESS WITH ADEQUATE POWERS TO EXERCISE EFFECTIVE CONTROL OVER THE FOREIGN LAW FIRMS," HE SAID.
IT HAS ALSO BEEN SUGGESTED THAT THE PROPOSAL INTERFERES WITH THE LAW SOCIETY’S ROLE IN REGULATING THE CONDUCT OF ITS MEMBERS, HE SAID.
"IT DOES NOT. IT WILL IN FACT STRENGTHEN THIS AS, FOR THE FIRST TIME, THE LAW SOCIETY WILL HAVE CLEARLY LAID DOWN POWERS OF DISCIPLINE OVER FOREIGN LAWYERS," THE ATTORNEY GENERAL SAID.
TURNING TO THE TOPIC OF CIVIC EDUCATION, MR MATHEWS SAID HE SHARES THE CONCERN THAT YOUNG PEOPLE SHOULD BE TAUGHT NOT JUST THE "3RS" BUT ALSO SOMETHING OF THE LEGAL STRUCTURES AND PRINCIPLES WHICH UNDERPIN THE SOCIETY IN WHICH WE LIVE.
MR MATHEWS SAID IT IS IMPORTANT TO INSTIL IN THE PUBLIC AN AWARENESS OF THE RULE OF LAW.
"THE BAR, THE LAW SOCIETY AND THE GOVERNMENT ARE ACTIVELY CONSIDERING HOW LEGAL EDUCATION IN SCHOOLS CAN BE ENHANCED.
"WE ARE ALSO LOOKING AT WAYS IN WHICH GREATER GENERAL CIVIC AWARENESS OF THE LAW CAN BE ACHIEVED," HE SAID.
THOUGHTS IN THIS AREA WILL NEED TO BE DEVELOPED WITH THE SECRETARY OF EDUCATION AND MANPOWER AND WITH THE COMMITTEE ON THE PROMOTION OF CIVIC AWARENESS, MR MATHEWS SAID.
---------0------------- /5'+...........................
WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 16, 1988
RESPONSIBILITY TO PROVIDE DIRECTION, LEADERSHIP
*****
MEMBERS OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL HAVE THE RESPONSIBILITY TO PROVIDE THE HONG KONG COMMUNITY WITH DIRECTION AND LEADERSHIP IN PREPARATION FOR 1997.
THE SENIOR MEMBER, THE HON ALLEN LEE, SAID THIS IN THE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY) WHEN WINDING UP THE DEBATE ON HIS MOTION THAT THE GOVERNOR BE THANKED FOR HIS ANNUAL ADDRESS.
WHILE RECOGNISING 1997 AS A "REALITY" THAT THE PEOPLE OF HONG KONG HAD TO LIVE WITH AND ACCEPT, MR LEE STRESSED THAT THERE WAS A POSITIVE AND A NEGATIVE APPROACH IN ACCEPTING THIS REALITY AND ALL ITS RAMIFICATIONS.
"WE CAN EITHER RESIGN OURSELVES TO GLOOM AND DOOM, OR WE CAN TAKE UP THE CHALLENGE WITH THE VITALITY AND ADAPTABILITY FOR WHICH HONG KONG IS INTERNATIONALLY KNOWN, AND TO WHICH WE OWE OUR ECONOMIC SUCCESS," HE SAID.
"THE CHOICE IS OURS, AND I BELIEVE THAT WE IN THIS COUNCIL OWE IT TO THE COMMUNITY TO TAKE UP THE CHALLENGE, JOINTLY MAP OUT A CLEAR DIRECTION, AND LEAD THE COMMUNITY IN FORGING AHEAD."
MR LEE ADMITTED THAT THIS WAS NO EASY JOB.
"WE ARE AT CROSSROADS WHERE IMPORTANT DECISIONS ABOUT OUR LONG-TERM FUTURE MUST BE MADE. ACTIONS TO CARRY US FORWARD MUST BE TAKEN," HE SAID.
MR LEE CAUTIONED MEMBERS AGAINST CERTAIN PITFALLS ALONG THE WAY.
"DIVERSITY OF OPINION IS HEALTHY, BUT IRRESPONSIBLE ACCUSATIONS ARE DESTRUCTIVE. SECTORAL INTERESTS ARE INEVITABLE, BUT BLIND PROPONENTS OF THOSE INTERESTS DO NOT MAKE GOOD LEADERS," HE SAID.
HE POINTED OUT THAT A LEADER MUST BE ABLE TO MAKE DECISIONS THAT WERE FREE FROM BIAS AND FREE FROM SELF OR SECTORAL INTEREST.
THE PATH LEADING TO TRUE DEMOCRACY OFTEN INVOLVED THE PROCESS OF GIVE AND TAKE, MR LEE STRESSED.
"WE MUST BE PREPARED, WHEN THE OVERALL INTEREST OF HONG KONG IS AT STAKE, TO GIVE, AND GIVE WITHOUT RESERVATION," HE SAID.
"SELFISH MOTIVATIONS HAVE NO PLACE IN THIS COUNCIL."
MR LEE FIRMLY BELIEVED THAT IF MEMBERS HAD CLARITY OF VISION, UNITY OF PURPOSE, AND "ROW TOGETHER IN HARMONY", THEY COULD "RIDE ANY OF THE WAVES" THAT MIGHT HIT THEM.
/HE PRAISED
WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 16, 1988
- 55 -
HE PRAISED THE GOVERNOR FOR HIS COMPREHENSIVE PLANS FOR THE FUTURE WHICH SHOULD PROVIDE A STRONG FOUNDATION FOR CONCERTED EFFORTS.
MEANWHILE, THE CONSTRUCTIVE POINTS OR ARGUMENTS PUT FORWARD BY MEMBERS SHOULD PROVIDE A ’’FERTILE POOL” OF IDEAS OR CONCRETE PROPOSALS ON WHICH THE FUTURE ’’THINK TANK” COULD DRAW, HE ADDED.
MR LEE’S MOTION WAS PASSED BY THE COUNCIL.
-------0---------
CONSEQUENTIAL AMENDMENT APPROVED * » » » ♦
THE ATTORNEY GENERAL, THE HON JEREMY MATHEWS, MOVED A MOTION N THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY) THAT THE COMPANIES (WINDING-UP) (AMENDMENT) RULES 1988 BE APPROVED.
MR MATHEWS SAID THE COMPANIES (WINDING-UP) (AMENDMENT) RULES 1988 MADE A CONSEQUENTIAL AMENDMENT TO THE PRINCIPAL RULES FOLLOWING UPON THE ENACTMENT OF THE COMPANIES (AMENDMENT) (NO.2) ORDINANCE 1988
THIS AMENDMENT READ TOGETHER WITH THE AMENDING ORDINANCE, ALLOWS THE REGISTRAR OF THE SUPREME COURT TO HEAR IN OPEN COURT UNOPPOSED PETITIONS FOR THE WINDING-UP OF A COMPANY, SO THAT THE COMPANIES JUDGE CAN GIVE MORE TIME TO THE HEARING OF CONTESTED PETITIONS,” HE EXPLAINED.
THE MOTION WAS PASSED. -------------------------0-------- GOVERNOR THANKED FOR ANNUAL ADDRESS * * » t ♦
AFTER THREE DAYS OF DEBATE, THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL PASSED A MOTION TODAY (WEDNESDAY) THAT THE GOVERNOR BE THANKED FOR HIS ANNUAL ADDRESS TO THE COUNCIL LAST MONTH.
MEMBERS SPOKE ON THE MOTION OVER TWO DAYS LAST WEEK, AND OFFICIALS REPLIED TODAY TO THE POINTS THAT THEY HAD RAISED.
THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY LED THE REPLIES, AND THE CLOSING SPEECH FOR THE OFFICIALS WAS MADE BY THE CHIEF SECRETARY.
A SHORT SPEECH WINDING UP THE DEBATE WAS MADE BY THE SENIOR MEMBER, THE HON ALLEN LEE, WHO HAD MOVED THE MOTION.
IN OTHER BUSINESS, THE COUNCIL PASSED A MOTION MOVED BY THE ATTORNEY GENERAL UNDER THE COMPANIES ORDINANCE.
ONE BILL WAS ALSO PASSED. THIS WAS THE MOTOR VEHICLES (FIRST REGISTRATION TAX) (AMENDMENT) BILL 1988.
0 -
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WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 16, 1988
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MASSIVE INVESTMENT IN PORT SERVICES: GOVERNOR *****
THE ENORMOUS GROWTH IN VESSEL MOVEMENTS AND THROUGHPUT OF THE PORT OF HONG KONG CREATES AN URGENT NEED FOR ADDITIONAL SERVICES, AND THERE HAS BEEN MASSIVE INVESTMENT IN THE PORT AND ITS FUTURE FROM BOTH THE PUBLIC AND PRIVATE SECTORS, THE GOVERNOR, SIR DAVID WILSON, SAID TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
”IN 1987 WE BROKE THREE SEPARATE RECORDS: WE HAD ALMOST 205,000 VESSEL MOVEMENTS IN AND OUT, OVER 15,000 OF THESE WERE OCEAN GOING CARGO SHIPS, AND WE BECAME THE WORLD’S BUSIEST CONTAINER PORT WITH AN ANNUAL THROUGHPUT OF NEARLY THREE-AND-A-HALF MILLION TWENTY-FOOT EQUIVALENT UNITS,” HE SAID.
ADDRESSING THE 1988 SEATRADE CONFERENCE, A BIENNIAL EVENT BEING HELD IN HONG KONG FOR THE SEVENTH TIME, SIR DAVID SAID THAT THE NEW TERMINAL 6 AT KWAI CHUNG WAS UNDER CONSTRUCTION, WITH ITS FIRST BERTH ALREADY OPERATIONAL AND FULL COMPLETION SCHEDULED FOR MID-1989.
HE NOTED THAT THE TENDER FOR THE ADJACENT TERMINAL 7 WAS AWARDED IN APRIL THIS YEAR, AND COMPLETION OF THE PROJECT WAS EXPECTED IN 1993.
“WHEN FULLY OPERATIONAL, THESE TWO FACILITIES WILL ROUGHLY DOUBLE HONG KONG’S PRESENT CONTAINER HANDLING CAPACITY,” HE SAID.
BUT IT WOULD ALSO MEAN THAT KWAI CHUNG WOULD THEN BE FULLY DEVELOPED. FUTURE CONTAINER TERMINALS WOULD NEED TO BE BUILT ELSEWHERE.
SIR DAVID SAID THE SITING OF FUTURE TERMINALS AND PORT FACILITIES WAS ONE OF SEVERAL MAJOR DEVELOPMENTS BEING CONSIDERED BY THE GOVERNMENT IN ITS CURRENT PORT AND AIRPORT DEVELOPMENT STUDY.
’’THE DECISIONS WHICH WILL BE TAKEN AS A RESULT OF THIS STUDY WILL BE AIMED AT PROVIDING HONG KONG WITH AN ADEQUATE AND COST EFFECTIVE INFRASTRUCTURE WHICH WILL MEET OUR NEEDS TO THE YEAR 2011 AND BEYOND THAT,” THE GOVERNOR SAID.
SIR DAVID ALSO MENTIONED THAT SAFETY WAS PARTICULARLY IMPORTANT IN A PORT AS BUSY AS HONG KONG'S.
A NEW AND ADVANCED VESSEL TRAFFIC MANAGEMENT SYSTEM WAS NOW BEING INSTALLED IN THE MACAU FERRY TERMINAL BUILDING, HE SAID.
’’THIS WILL INCLUDE COMPUTER AND RADAR-BASED DISPLAYS OF PORT TRAFFIC SO THAT CONTROLLING STAFF CAN MONITOR AND DIRECT THE MOVEMENT OF ALL VESSELS, BOTH IN THE PORT APPROACHES AND WITHIN THE PORT ITSELF.
/’•THIS SHOULD
WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 16, 1988
- 57 -
’’THIS SHOULD CONTRIBUTE GREATLY TO THE SAFETY IN THE PORT," HE SAID.
SIR DAVID SAID THAT HONG KONG OFFERED A GREAT DEAL OF INTEREST TO THOSE INVOLVED IN THE SHIPPING BUSINESS.
’’WE HAVE ONE OF THE WORLD'S FINEST NATURAL HARBOURS; A BOOMING DOMESTIC ECONOMY; AND A STRATEGIC POSITION AS THE GATEWAY TO CHINA AND THE ASIA PACIFIC REGION," HE SAID.
SIR DAVID NOTED THAT WITH CHINA’S MODERNISATION AND THE CONSEQUENT EXPLOSION OF TWO-WAY TRADE, HONG KONG’S ROLE AS AN ENTREPOT FOR SOUTHERN CHINA HAD BECOME INCREASINGLY IMPORTANT.
A PHENOMENAL GROWTH IN RE-EXPORTS, VALUED AT $183 BILLION, WAS RECORDED LAST YEAR, REPRESENTING AN INCREASE OF ALMOST 50 PER CENT OVER THE PREVIOUS YEAR.
"MOST OF THIS RE-EXPORT TRADE — SOME 80 PER CENT OF IT — IS TRADE TO OR FROM CHINA.
"THERE IS EVERY INDICATION TOO THAT THIS YEAR WILL SEE ANOTHER LARGE INCREASE," SIR DAVID SAID.
------0-------
FUNDS APPROVED FOR NEW VR OPEN CENTRE * * * ♦ »
THE FINANCE COMMITTEE TODAY (WEDNESDAY) APPROVED FUNDS FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF AN OPEN CENTRE FOR VIETNAMESE REFUGEES AT PILLAR POINT, TUEN MUN.
THE FUNDS TOTALLING $79.15 MILLION ARE FOR THE CAPITAL COSTS FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF PHASE I OF THE CENTRE.
MEMBERS WERE TOLD OF THE NEED FOR THE PROJECT AND THAT THE NEW OPEN CENTRE WOULD BE MANAGED AND OPERATED BY THE UNHCR.
THEY NOTED THE UNHCR’S COMMITMENT TO TAKE FULL RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE MANAGEMENT OF THE NEW OPEN CENTRE, AND ITS INTENTION TO LAUNCH AN INTERNATIONAL APPEAL IN EARLY 1989 FOR CONTRIBUTIONS TOWARD THE CAPITAL COSTS OF THE PROJECT.
ALTHOUGH THERE ARE TWO PLATFORMS ON THE SITE FOR THE OPEN CENTRE, ONLY THE LOWER PLATFORM IS AVAILABLE FOR IMMEDIATE DEVELOPMENT.
/IT IS
WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 16, 1988
IT IS ESTIMATED THAT THE OPEN CENTRE, WHICH WILL BE BUILT ON THE LOWER PLATFORM, COULD EVENTUALLY ACCOMMODATE 5,500 REFUGEES.
THE PROJECT IS PLANNED FOR CONSTRUCTION IN PHASES TO FACILITATE EARLY INTAKE OF SOME 1,600 REFUGEES AROUND MID-1989 FROM THE TEMPORARY EMERGENCY CENTRE NOW ALREADY OPERATING AT PILLAR POINT.
AT TODAY’S MEETING, COMMITTEE MEMBERS ALSO NOTED THE NEED TO PROCEED WITH THE CONSTRUCTION OF STAGE II OF THE DETENTION CENTRE FOR VIETNAMESE BOAT PEOPLE AT WHITEHEAD, WU KAI SHA, AT A CAPITAL COST OF $77.8 MILLION.
FUNDS COVERING TWO STAGES OF THE WHITEHEAD DETENTION CENTRE WERE ALREADY APPROVED BY THE FINANCE COMMITTEE IN AUGUST.
IN ADDITION, THE COMMITTEE NOTED THE DEVELOPMENTS ON REFUGEE MATTERS, IN PARTICULAR THOSE LEADING TO THE STATEMENT OF UNDERSTANDING WITH THE UNHCR, AND ITS IMPLICATIONS ON PUBLIC EXPENDITURE ON CARE AND MAINTENANCE OF VIETNAMESE BOAT PEOPLE.
-------0 - -
EXPENDITURE FOR OFFICE OF COMMISSIONER FOR ADMINISTRATIVE COMPLAINTS *****
THE FINANCE COMMITTEE TODAY (WEDNESDAY) APPROVED THE CREATION OF A NEW HEAD OF EXPENDITURE FOR THE OFFICE OF THE COMMISSIONER FOR ADMINISTRATIVE COMPLAINTS TO REFLECT ITS INDEPENDENCE.
THE COMMITTEE ALSO APPROVED THE CREATION OF EIGHT SUBHEADS UNDER THE NEW HEAD OF EXPENDITURE TOGETHER WITH SUPPLEMENTARY PROVISION OF $1,949,000 FOR 1988-89.
MEMBERS WERE TOLD THAT THE OFFICE OF THE COMMISSIONER FOR ADMINISTRATIVE COMPLAINTS WOULD BE A.'.' INDEPENDENT ORGANISATION AND THE COMMISSIONER WOULD BE APPOINTED Bl THE GOVERNOR TO WHOM HE WOULD BE DIRECTLY RESPONSIBLE.
TO REFLECT THE INDEPENDENCE OF TUB OFFICE, IT WAS CONSIDERED THAT THE FINANCING OF THE OFFICE SHOULD GENERALLY FOLLOW THE MODEL OF THE INDEPENDENT COMMISSION AGAINST CORRUPTION, AND ACCORDINGLY THE OFFICE SHOULD HAVE TTS OWN HEAD OF EXPENDITURE IN THE ESTIMATES.
THE OFFICE WILL COME INTO OPERATION ON A DAY TO BE APPOINTED BY THE GOVERNOR BY NOTICE IN THE GAZETTE.
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/59........
WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 16,
1988
- 59 -PAC HEARINGS NEXT WEEK * t t
OPEN HEARINGS OF THE PUBLIC ACCOUNTS COMMITTEE WILL BE HELD NEXT WEEK FOLLOWING THE TABLING OF THE REPORT OF THE DIRECTOR OF AUDIT IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
THESE HEARINGS WILL TAKE PLACE IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL CHAMBER ON NOVEMBER 21 AND NOVEMBER 24, BOTH STARTING AT 9.30 AM.
CONTROLLING OFFICERS WILL APPEAR BEFORE THE COMMITTEE IN RELATION TO POINTS MADE IN THE REPORT.
MEMBERSHIP OF THE PUBLIC ACCOUNTS COMMITTEE COMPRISES SEVEN MEMBERS RECENTLY APPOINTED TO THE COMMITTEE FOR THEIR NEW TERM OF APPOINTMENT OR ELECTION TO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL.
THEY ARE MR PETER POON (CHAIRMAN), MR STEPHEN CHEONG, MR CHUNG PUI-LAM, MR HO SAI-CHU, MR MARTIN BARROW, DR LEONG CHE-HUNG AND MR PETER WONG HONG-YUEN.
-------0----------
DISTANCE LEARNING PROGRAMME FOR OWNER-MANAGERS DEVELOPED ♦ * * t *
THE VOCATIONAL TRAINING COUNCIL ANNOUNCED TODAY (WEDNESDAY) THAT A COMPREHENSIVE DISTANCE LEARNING PROGRAMME FOR OWNERS AND MANAGERS OF SMALL BUSINESSES HAS BEEN SUCCESSFULLY DEVELOPED AND WILL BE OFFERED TO THE PUBLIC EARLY NEXT YEAR.
SPEAKING AT A CEREMONY TO MARK THE LAUNCHING OF THE PROGRAMME, THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF THE COUNCIL, MR HORACE KNIGHT, SAID IT WOULD POSSIBLY BE THE WORLD’S FIRST COMPREHENSIVE OPEN AND DISTANCE LEARNING PACKAGE FOR OWNER-MANAGERS AND THE FIRST MANAGEMENT PROGRAMME IN CHINESE PRODUCED BY THE MANAGEMENT DEVELOPMENT CENTRE (MDC).
THE PROGRAMME MATERIAL CONSISTS OF 27 SELF-CONTAINED TEXT MODULES AND EXERCISES ON A RANGE OF BUSINESS AND MANAGEMENT AREAS. THESE ARE SUPPORTED BY A SERIES OF 12 CANTONESE VIDEOS.
’’TRIALS ON THE PROJECT CARRIED OUT IN THE PAST YEAR WERE WELL RECEIVED AND SUCCESSFUL.
”IT IS ENCOURAGING THAT THE EXTRAMURAL DEPARTMENT OF THE CHINESE UNIVERSITY HAS AGREED TO TAKE UP THE PROGRAMME WITH THE FIRST COURSE COMMENCING AFTER THE CHINESE NEW YEAR," MR KNIGHT SAID.
/THE LEE .......
WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 16, 1988
THE LEE WAI LEE TECHNICAL INSTITUTE OF THE COUNCIL WOULD BE RUNNING ANOTHER PROGRAMME ON A SLIGHTLY DIFFERENT BASIS, HE ADDED.
STUDIES COMMISSIONED BY THE COUNCIL HAD RECOMMENDED THAT RELEVANT LEARNING MATERIALS AND HELP SHOULD BE MADE AVAILABLE TO THE 200,000 OWNER-MANAGERS AS WELL AS A LARGE NUMBER OF SUPERVISORY AND MIDDLE MANAGEMENT STAFF THROUGH OPEN LEARNING METHODS.
A FEATURE OF THE MDC'S APPROACH WAS A HIGH DEGREE OF AUTONOMY AND PERSONAL RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE SCOPE AND DEPTH OF THE LEARNING WHICH WAS GIVEN TO PARTICIPANTS.
THE MANAGER OF THE PROGRAMME, MR ALEXANDER WELSH SAID, "AN OPEN AND DISTANCE LEARNING APPROACH PROVIDES A VALUABLE OPPORTUNITY FOR OWNERS TO IDENTIFY AREAS OF IMPROVEMENT, BOTH IN MANAGEMENT AND PROFITABILITY.
"USING THESE PACKAGES DEVELOPED BY THE MDC, OWNERS CAN ACHIEVE MANY IMPROVEMENTS, IN THEIR OWN TIME, AT THEIR OWN PACE, AND WITH A MINIMUM OF CONVENTIONAL TEACHING AND TUTORING."
TO EXPLAIN AND POPULARISE THE CONCEPTS BEHIND THE APPROACH AND TO SHOW THE PROGRAMME IN ACTION, A NINE-MINUTE PROMOTIONAL VIDEO HAD BEEN PRODUCED AND COPIES WERE AVAILABLE AT THE MDC, MR WELSH SAID.
--------0----------
UNIVERSITY DEPARTMENT AN IMPORTANT BOOST FOR SPEECH THERAPY
*****
PUBLIC AWARENESS OF SPEECH THERAPY WILL BE IMPROVED BY THE OPENING OF THE DEPARTMENT OF SPEECH AND HEARING SCIENCES AT THE UNIVERSITY OF HONG KONG, LADY WILSON SAID TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
SPEAKING AT THE INAUGURATION CEREMONY OF THE DEPARTMENT, LADY WILSON SAID SPEECH THERAPISTS PLAYED A VITAL ROLE IN THE PROVISION OF EDUCATIONAL, REHABILITATION AND SOCIAL SERVICES IN HONG KONG, WORKING FOR GOVERNMENT, SUBVENTED AND PRIVATE ORGANISATIONS.
SHE POINTED OUT THAT UNTIL THE ESTABLISHMENT OF THE COURSE OFFERED BY THE NEW DEPARTMENT, STUDENTS. WISHING TO STUDY SPEECH THERAPY HAD TO GO ABROAD.
"THIS WILL BE THE FIRST COURSE IN HONG KONG TO OFFER PROVISION FOR THE EDUCATION OF FULLY QUALIFIED SPEECH THERAPISTS," SHE SAID.
PLANNING OF A COURSE TO EDUCATE QUALIFIED CANTONESE-SPEAKING SPEECH THERAPISTS HAD BEGUN OVER 10 YEARS AGO, SHE NOTED.
/"THE DEPARTMENT
WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 16, 1988
"THE DEPARTMENT OF SPEECH AND HEARING SCIENCES REPRESENTS THE FIRST UNIVERSITY COURSE ANYWHERE IN THE WORLD TO STUDY SPEECH THERAPY IN A CHINESE CONTEXT," LADY WILSON ADDED.
LADY WILSON ALSO SAID THAT THERE WERE STILL MANY AREAS TO DEVELOP IN SPEECH THERAPY, WITH ONE SUCH AREA BEING THE PROVISION OF SERVICES FOR ADULTS.
SHE STRESSED THE IMPORTANCE OF EARLY INTERVENTION, SAYING "IN SPEECH THERAPY AS IN MANY SIMILAR FIELDS, THE IMPORTANCE AND EFFECTIVENESS OF DISCOVERING THE PROBLEM AT AN EARLY STAGE IS CRUCIAL".
THE FIRST STUDENTS ADMITTED TO THE NEW DEPARTMENT, LOCATED AT THE PRINCE PHILIP DENTAL HOSPITAL IN SAI YING PUN, BEGAN THEIR COURSE IN SEPTEMBER.
- - 0 - -
CONTAINER PORT ROAD CONGESTION ON AGENDA * » * » *
THE KWAI TSING DISTRICT BOARD’S TRAFFIC AND TRANSPORT COMMITTEE WILL DISCUSS PROPOSALS RAISED BY A MEMBER TO SOLVE CONGESTION PROBLEMS IN CONTAINER PORT ROAD AT A MEETING TO BE HELD TOMORROW (THURSDAY).
A MEMBER WILL ALSO MOVE A MOTION REQUESTING THE GOVERNMENT TO SET UP A PEDESTRIAN CROSSING NEAR HO FUNG COLLEGE IN NEW SHING MUN ROAD AND AT CHING HONG ROAD NEAR THE CHEUNG CHING BUS TERMINUS.
A NUMBER OF QUESTIONS, INCLUDING LOCATIONS OF NEW COVERED BUS STOPS, WIDENING OF FOOTBRIDGES AT KWAI CHUNG ROAD AND PROPOSED DIVERSION OF TWO BUS ROUTES, WILL BE RAISED AT THE MEETING.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE MEETING OF THE KWAI TSING DISTRICT BOARD’S TRAFFIC AND TRANSPORT COMMITTEE WHICH WILL BEGIN AT 2.30 PM TOMORROW (THURSDAY) AT THE CONFERENCE ROOM, 10TH FLOOR KWAI HING GOVERNMENT OFFICES BUILDING, KWAI CHUNG.
- - 0 - -
/62
WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 16,
1988
- 62 -
CLOSURE OF ILLEGAL BUILDING SOUGHT
» » * * *
THE BUILDING AUTHORITY IS TO SEEK THE CLOSURE OF THE ILLEGAL BUILDING AT THE REAR LANE OF 361-363 LOCKHART ROAD, WAN CHAI, SO THAT IT CAN BE DEMOLISHED WITHOUT DANGER TO THE OCCUPIERS AND TO THE PUBLIC.
THE CLOSURE IS PART OF AN EXERCISE TO ENFORCE AN ORDER ISSUED UNDER THE BUILDINGS ORDINANCE IN JUNE THIS YEAR REQUIRING THE DEMOLITION OF THE ILLEGAL BUILDING. HOWEVER, THE OWNER FAILED TO COMPLY WITH THE ORDER.
NOTICE OF INTENTION TO APPLY FOR A CLOSURE ORDER FROM THE DISTRICT COURT, HONG KONG ON MARCH 16 NEXT YEAR WAS POSTED ON A CONSPICUOUS PART OF THE BUILDING TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
IT IS INTENDED THAT DEMOLITION WORK WILL BE CARRIED OUT IMMEDIATELY AFTER A CLOSURE ORDER IS OBTAINED.
-----0------
INTENTION TO APPLY FOR BUILDING CLOSURE ORDER
*****
THE BUILDING AUTHORITY IS TO SEEK THE CLOSURE OF A BUILDING AT 9 NORFOLK ROAD, KOWLOON, IN ORDER THAT THE ILLEGAL STRUCTURES ERECTED IN IT CAN BE DEMOLISHED WITHOUT DANGER TO THE OCCUPIERS OR TO THE PUBLIC•
NOTICE OF INTENTION TO APPLY FOR CLOSURE ORDER FROM THE SHA TIN DISTRICT COURT AT 9.30 AM ON JANUARY 18 NEXT YEAR WAS POSTED ON A CONSPICIOUS PART OF THE BUILDING TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
THE CLOSURE IS PART OF AN EXERCISE TO ENFORCE AN UNDER THE BUILDINGS ORDINANCE ON MAY 2 LAST YEAR DEMOLITION OF THE ILLEGAL STRUCTURES.
ORDER ISSUED
REQUIRING THE
IT IS INTENDED THAT DEMOLITION WILL START IMMEDIATELY AFTER THE CLOSURE ORDER IS MADE.
WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 16, 1988
- 63 -
TEMPORARY URBAN CLEARWAYS IN CENTRAL, WESTERN
*****
THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCED THAT THREE ROAD SECTIONS IN CENTRAL WILL BE DESIGNATED URBAN CLEARWAYS FROM 10 AM ON FRIDAY (NOVEMBER 18) FOR ABOUT SIX MONTHS TO FACILITATE ROAD RECONSTRUCTION WORKS.
CONNAUGHT ROAD CENTRAL WESTBOUND BETWEEN CLEVERLY STREET AND MORRISON STREET WILL BE MADE 7 AM TO 7 PM DAILY URBAN CLEARWAY.
IN ADDITION, CONNAUGHT ROAD CENTRAL EASTBOUND FROM ITS JUNCTION WITH MORRISON STREET TO A POINT 65 METRES EAST OF THE SAME JUNCTION; AND THE SLIP ROAD LEADING FROM CONNAUGHT ROAD CENTRAL TO THE MACAU FERRY TERMINAL WILL BOTH BECOME URBAN CLEARWAYS ROUND-THE-CLOCK.
AT THE SAME TIME, THREE ROAD SECTIONS IN WESTERN WILL BE DESIGNATED 7 AM TO 7 PM DAILY URBAN CLEARWAYS TO FACILITATE CABLE-DUCT LAYING AND PILING WORKS.
TWO OF THESE SECTIONS ARE: THE SOUTHERN KERBSIDE LANE OF DES VOEUX ROAD WEST FROM ITS JUNCTION WITH HILL ROAD TO A POINT ABOUT 20 METRES EAST OF THE SAME JUNCTION; AND THE SOUTHERN KERBSIDE LANE OF DES VOEUX ROAD WEST FROM A POINT ABOUT 120 METRES WEST OF ITS JUNCTION WITH HILL ROAD TO A POINT ABOUT 155 METRES WEST OF THE SAME JUNCTION.
THEY WILL BE MADE URBAN CLEARWAYS FOR ABOUT TWO WEEKS.
THE WESTERN KERBSIDE LANE OF WESTERN STREET FROM ITS JUNCTION WITH CONNAUGHT ROAD WEST TO A POINT ABOUT 30 METRES SOUTH OF THE SAME JUNCTION WILL BECOME AN URBAN CLEARWAY FOR ABOUT SIX WEEKS.
NO VEHICLES EXCEPT FRANCHISED BUSES WILL BE ALLOWED TO STOP FOR PASSENGERS OR GOODS WITHIN THE RESTRICTED AREAS.
------0-------
KWUN TONG RESTRICTED ZONES
*****
THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCED THAT TWO ROAD SECTIONS IN KWUN TONG WILL BE DESIGNATED 7 AM TO MIDNIGHT DAILY RESTRICTED ZONES FROM 10 AM ON FRIDAY (NOVEMBER 18).
ALL VEHICLES EXCEPT FRANCHISED BUSES WILL NOT BE ALLOWED TO STOP FOR PASSENGERS OR GOODS ALONG THE WESTERN KERBSIDE LANE OF HONG NING ROAD BETWEEN ITS JUNCTION WITH YEE ON STREET AND A POINT ABOUT 90 METRES NORTH OF THE SAME JUNCTION.
MOREOVER, ALL PUBLIC LIGHT BUSES WILL NOT BE ALLOWED TO STOP FOR PASSENGERS ALONG THE WESTERN KERBSIDE LANE OF HONG NING ROAD BETWEEN A POINT ABOUT 28 METRES NORTH OF ITS JUNCTION WITH YEE ON STREET AND A POINT ABOUT 90 METRES NORTH OF THE SAME JUNCTION.
O - -
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE. HONG KONG. TEL: 5-8428777
THURSDAY, NOVFMBER 17, 1988
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
GOVERNOR'S AVAJID FOR INDUSTRY EXPANSION PROPOSED............ 1 INDUSTRIALISTS URGED TO INVEST IN AUTOMATION ................ 3 PROPER LOADING OF GOODS VEHICLES A MUST .....................
SMOKERS URGED TO QUIT SMOKING AND LIVE LONGER .............. 5 PHa MEMBERS VISIT PRINCESS MARGARET HOSPITAL ................ 7 PROFESSOR James WEI TO HELP SET UP SCHOOL OF ENGINEERING .. 8 COMMONWEALTH HONOUR FOR BROADCASTING CHIEF .................. 10 EARLY .APPLICATIONS URGED FOR CHRISTMAS HOLIDAY RUSH......... 11
FIRE SERVICE.. OPENING RECRUITMENT CENTRE.................... 11 ACTIVITIES TO PROMOTE ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION .............. 12 STATUTORY HOLIDAY REMINDER .................................. 13
DB COMMITTEE TO DISCUSS KMB FARE RISE REQUEST .............. 14 YUEN LONG DB COMMITTEE TO MEET TOMORROW ..................... 15 DB COMMITTEE TO DlSCUSt LEISURE SERVICES .................... 15
ANTI-TRIAD SB4INAR IN KWUN TONG ............................. 16
NORTH DB COMMITTEE TO DISCUSS LABOUR SHORTAGE ..... 17 PHOTOGRAPHY EXHIBITION FOR CENTRAL AND WESTERN RESIDENTS .. 17 DB COMMITTEE TO DISCUSS AIR AND NOISE POLLUTION ............. 18
SHAM SHU I PO ATHLETICS MEET ON SUNDAY ...................... 18
SEMINAR ON FOOTWEAR MANUFACTURING TECHNOLOGY ................ 19 OUTREACH DENTAL SERVICES IN SHA LO WAN ...................... 20 TRAFFIC aRRaNGEMJITS FOR TSUEN WAN/KWAI TSING VALK........... 20
TENDERS INVITED FOR MAIN-LAYING PROJECTS .................... 21 TEMP0R.1RY LANE CLOSURES OF LION ROCK TUNNEL ROaD............ 22
TRjiFFIC CHANGES ON HONG KONG ISLaND ........................ 22
THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 17, 1988
1
GOVERNOR'S AWARD FOR INDUSTRY EXPANSION PROPOSED
*****
ATTAnrx THE G0VERNMENT PROPOSES TO EXPAND THE SCOPE OF AWARD FOR INDUSTRY FROM THE AREA OF DESIGN TO PRODUCTIVITY, QUALITY AND INNOVATION, THE MR K.Y. YEUNG, SAID TODAY (THURSDAY).
OTHER
THE
AREAS
DIRECTOR OF
GOVERNOR’S
SUCH AS
INDUSTRY,
ADDRESSING THE ROTARY CLUB OF HONG KONG THAT THE IDEA HAD BEEN GREETED WITH ENTHUSIASM x AND MAJOR INDUSTRIAL ORGANISATIONS WERE INVOLVED CRITERIA FOR THESE AWARDS.
HARBOUR, MR YEUNG SAID
IN
INDUSTRIAL CIRCLES
IN
FORMULATING
THE
HE SAID fT WAS A HIGH FORM OF PUBLIC INDUSTRIAL ENTERPRISE AND A DEMONSTRATION THAT THE INDUSTRIAL DEVELOPMENT SERIOUSLY.
RECOGNITION GOVERNMENT
FOR
TOOK
MR YEUNG SAID THAT THE INDUSTRIES ADAPTING TO THE INFRASTRUCTURE AND SERVICES CHANGING INDUSTRIAL DEMAND.
GOVERNMENT DID NOT STAND IN THF WAY OF PROCESS OF CHANGE, BUT IT PROVIDED WHICH WOULD RESPOND EFFICIENTLY TO
"THIS MEANS THAT WE HAVE TO KEEP A SUPPLY OF INDUSTRIAL LAND AND MANPOWER SERVICES WHICH HELP MANUFACTURERS TO PRODUCE HIGHER LEVELS OF QUALITY,” HE SAID.
CONSTANT WATCH ON THE TRAINING, AND ON THOSE MORE EFFICIENTLY AND TO
r-rM.r.r r r N01 ING THAT GR0WING INVESTMENT IN CAPITAL INTENSIVE OPERATIONS 1NCREASlNG INVESTMENT IN MECHANISATION WHICH HAD LED TO INCREASING DEMAND FOR SUITABLE INDUSTRIAL LAND, MR YEUNG SAID THAT THF 2°™ent had decided to build a TH1RD industrial estate, which JoIJd MOST PROBABLY BE LOCATED AT JUNK BAY.
"WHEN COMPLETED IN 1992 IT WI HECTARES AND THIS WILL INCREASE ESTATES BY 50 PER CENT," HE SAID.
LL HAVE A USABLE AREA OF ABOUT 70 THE CAPACITY OF OUR INDUSTRIAL
HE SAID THE GOVERNMENT HAD ALSO COMMISSIONED STUDY FOR CHE DEVELOPMENT OF ABOUT 70 HECTARES AT TUEN DEMAND FOR ACCESS TO THE v ATERFRONT FOR LOADING AND LARGE QUANTITIES OF INDUSTRIAL MATERIALS.
A FEASIBILITY MUN TO MEET THE UNLOADING VERY
"IT IS VERY IMPORTANT FOR THE MANUFACTURERS THAT THEY SHOULD BF ABLE TO GOOD DEAL OF THEIR SUCCESS OWES ITSELF TO AND DELIVERY," SAID MR YEUNG.
COMPETITIVENESS OF OUR OBTAIN SUPPLIES READILY; A THEIR SPEED OF PRODUCTION
/WITH REGARD .......
THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 17, 1988
- 2 -
WITH REGARD TO MANPOWER TRAINING THE INDUSTRY DEPARTMENT AND THE TECHNICAL EDUCATION AND INDUSTRIAL TRAINING DEPARTMENT ARE PLANNING TO UPGRADE THE VOCATIONAL TRAINING COUNCIL’S PRECISION TOOLING CENTRE BY CREATING A NEW SHEET METAL PROCESSING UNIT, AND THE GOVERNMENT HOPES TO ENTER INTO A TECHNOLOGY TRANSFER ARRANGEMENT WITH THE JAPAN INTERNATIONAL COOPERATION AGENCY.
"THE AGENCY WOULD DONATE SPECIALISED EQUIPMENT AND TRAIN HE VOCATIONAL TRAINING COUNCIL’S INSTRUCTORS IN THE TECHNIQUES OF SHEET METAL PROCESSING,” SAID MR YEUNG.
MR YEUNG IS CURRENTLY HEADING AN INTER-DEPARTMENTAL WORKING PARTY TO APPRAISE MANPOWER TRAINING AT TECHNOLOGIST LEVEL.
NOTING THE NEED FOR HONG KONG TO CATCH UP WITH ITS NEIGHBOURS IN PRODUCT INNOVATION AND PROCESS TECHNOLOGIES IN THE MANUFACTURING SECTOR, HE SAID THAT A SCHEME BY WHICH TECHNOLOGISTS COULD BE HELPED TO GAIN PRACTICAL EXPERIENCE IN THE APPLICATION OF RELATIVELY NEW TECHNOLOGIES WOULD BE DEVISED.
MR YEUNG ALSO POINTED OUT THAT IN THE FOUR YEARS, 1986-87 TO 1990-91, THE GOVERNMENT HAD COMMITTED UPWARDS OF $120 MILLION IN DEVELOPMENT GRANTS ALONE TO ENABLE THE HONG KONG PRODUCTIVITY COUNCIL TO EXPAND ITS SERVICES.
"ALREADY THE HONG KONG PRODUCTIVITY COUNCIL HAS DEVELOPED A WIDE RANGE OF LOW-COST AUTOMATION SOFTWARE THAT CAN HELP MANUFACTURERS INTRODUCE AUTOMATED MANAGEMENT AND PRODUCTION SYSTEMS," HE SAID.
TWO NEW ELECTRONIC LABORATORIES WILL OPERATE NEXT YEAR, ONE OF WHICH WILL DEMONSTRATE HOW SURFACE MOUNT TECHNOLOGY CAN HELP MANUFACTURERS AUTOMATE THE ASSEMBLY OF PRINTED CIRCUIT BOARDS. IN ADDITION TO TWO EXPANDED METALWORKING LABORATORIES.
MR YEUNG SAID THAT A GOVERNMENT QUALITY CAMPAIGN NEXT YEAR WOULD BE TARGETTED AT DECISION MAKERS AND WORKERS, AND WOULD EMPHASISE PUTTING QUALITY INTO EVERY ASPECT OF MANUFACTURING TO HELP MANUFACTURERS AVOID MISTAKES ANU WASTAGE.
"OUR MESSAGE WILL ALSO EMPHASISE THAT MANY COUNTRIES, PARTICULARLY THE INDUSTRIALISED NATIONS, ARE NOW ENCOURAGIL PRODUCERS AND CONSUMERS TO LOOK FOR QUALITY.
"THEY ARE LIKELY TO SHUT OUT THOSE IMPORTS, THAT IS TO SAY, OTHER COUNTRIES’ EXPORTS, INCLUDING OURS - THAT FAIL TO SATISFY STANDARDS AND QUALITY-BASED REQUIREMENTS," SAID MR YEUNG, NOTING THAT THE POTENTIAL THREAT TO HONG KONG’S DOMESTIC EXPORTS COULD NOT BE IGNORED.
HE SAID THAT THE CAMPAIGN WOULD BE REINFORCED WITH A VOLUNTARY ACCREDITATION SCHEME, BY WHICH THE GOVERNMENT WILL CONFER RECOGNITION ON FACTORIES THAT HAVE INTRODUCED QUALITY MANAGEMENT SYSTEMS CONFORMING TO ISO 9000, THE WORLD STANDARD FOR QUALITY ASSURANCE.
"OVER TIME THE CREATION OF A GROWING BODY OF ACCREDITED MANUFACTURERS WILL HAVE THE EFFECT OF STRENGTHENING HONG KONG’S REPUTATION ABROAD AS A COMMUNITY DETERMINED TO ACHIEVE QUALITY," MR YEUNG CONCLUDED.
------0------- /J..................
THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 17, 1988
3
INDUSTRIALISTS URGED TO * * * *
INVEST *
IN AUTOMATION
THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY, MR CALLED UPON INDUSTRIALISTS TO INVEST
PIERS
MORE IN
JACOBS, TODAY (THURSDAY)
AUTOMATION
STRENGTHEN THE COMPETITIVENESS OF THE LONGER TERM.
MANUFACTURING
IN ORDER SECTOR IN
TO THE
'88
HE WAS OFFICIATING AT THE OPENING OF THE AUTOMATION CONFERENCE JOINTLY ORGANISED BY THE INSTITUTE OF INDUSTRIAL ENGINEERS, THE HONG KONG PRODUCTIVITY COUNCIL AND THE INDUSTRY DEPARTMENT.
MR JACOBS SAID THAT HONG KONG’S COMPETITORS IN THE REGION WERE GEARING UP THEIR PRODUCTION CAPABILITIES AND WERE STEADILY IMPROVING WHILE HONG KONG’S MORE RELIABLE AND
THEIR TECHNOLOGICAL COMPETENCE, WERE DEMANDING BETTER QUALITY, PRODUCTS.
OVERSEAS MARKETS
BETTER DESIGNED
ARE
FACING
GROWING
”AT HOME, MANUFACTURERS ---- -------
LIMITED RESOURCES FROM OTHER SECTORS OF THE ECONOMY.
COMPETITION FOR
NO IN
AND INDUSTRIALISTS HAVE
’’THESE ARE ALL FORMIDABLE CHALLENGES
ALTERNATIVE BUT TO DEAL WITH THEM SQUARELY IF THEY WISH TO
THESE ARE ALL
MANUFACTURING," HE
ADDED.
SURVIVE
TURNING TO THE
ARGUMENT THAT AUTOMATION COULD
BE AN OBSTACLE
TO THE FLEXIBILITY AND SPEED OF RESPONSE WHICH CHARACTRR^^ KONG’S INDUSTRIAL PRODUCTION, MR JACOBS SAID THAT TECHNOLOGIES CHANGING TO TAKE ACCOUNT OF THE NEED FOR FLEXIBLE MANUFACTURING.
HONG WERE
"NOWADAYS, THERE ARE MANY SYSTEMS WHICH WILL ENABLE A MANUFACTURER TO INCREASE CAPACITY, RAISR ^^O^THAT ^IMBl'ENESS OF AND ACHIEVE BETTER QUALITY, WITHOUT SACRIFICING THAT NIMBLENESS OF ESSENTIAL IN A DYNAMIC ECONOMY SUCH AS OURS, HE
RESPONSE THAT IS SO SAID.
HE SAID THAT ORGANISATIONS WOULD MECHANISATION.
THE GOVERNMENT AND VARIOUS
INDUSTRIAL
ALSO ASSIST MANUFACTURERS TO EMBARK
UPON
SUPPORT
GREATER
THE HONG KONG PRODUCTIVITY COUNCIL HAS DEVELOPED LOW-COST AUTOMATION SYSTEMS DESIGNED FOR USE BY SMALL AND MANUFACTURERS.
A RANGE OF
MEDIUM-SIZE
THE VOCATIONAL TRAINING COUNCIL TRAINS WORKERS TO NEW GENERATION OF COMPUTER-CONTROLLED MACHINES, WHILE EDUCATION INSTITUTIONS ARE EDUCATING THE ENGINEERS
OPERATE THE
THE TERTIARY
AND MANAGERS OF
THE FUTURE.
PROFESSIONAL ASSOCIATIONS, SUCH AS THE INSTITUTE OF INDUSTR IAL ENGINEERS, ARE ALSO HELPING TO SPREAD THE MESSAGE OF AUTOMATION, MR JACOBS SAID.
- - 0 -
A
THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 17, 1988
- 4 -
PROPER LOADING OF GOODS VEHICLES A MUST * * * * *
OPERATORS AND DRIVERS OF GOODS VEHICLES SHOULD ENSURE THAT THEIR VEHICLES ARE PROPERLY LOADED AS GOODS VEHICLES WITH BADLY DISTRIBUTED GOODS WILL BE REFUSED ENTRY TO THE GOVERNMENT TUNNELS, A SPOKESMAN FOR THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT SAID TODAY (THURSDAY).
SINCE JUNE THIS YEAR, STAFF AT THE THREE TUNNELS OPERATED BY THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT - THE LION ROCK TUNNEL, AIRIORI TUNNEL AND ABERDEEN TUNNEL - HAVE STEPPED UP INSPECTION OF GOODS VEHICLES USING THE TUNNELS AS PART OF THE GOVERNMENT’S EFFORT TO CRACK D<'WN ON BADLY LOADED AND OVERLOADED VEHICLES.
ABOUT 13 GOODS VEHICLES PER DAY WERE INSPECTED SINCE JUNE AND A TOTAL NUMBER OF 156 GOODS VEHICLES WHICH WERE FOUND TO BE UNSAFELY LOADED, OVERLOADED OR POORLY MAINTAINED WERE REFUSED ENTRY TO THE TUNNELS.
SO FAR, SEVEN GOODS VEHICLE DRIVERS HAVE BEEN PROSECUTED BY THE PROSECUTIONS UNIT OF THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT FOR CARRYING INSECURE LOADS IN THE TUNNEL AREAS AND FINED BY THE COURT.
UP TO NOW, 744 TRAFFIC ACCIDENTS WHICH OCCURRED IN THE TUNNEL AREAS INVOLVED GOODS VEHICLES.
"AS BADLY DISTRIBUTED LOADS CAN BE EXTREMELY DANGEROUS FOR DRIVERS AND WORKERS IN THE VEHICLES AS WELL AS TO OTHER ROAD USERS, GOODS VEHICLE OPERATORS AND DRIVERS SHOULD ENSURE THAT THEIR VEHICLES ARE PROPERLY LOADED," THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
TO PROMOTE THE SAFETY OF LOADING, THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT PUBLISHED A CODE OF PRACTICE FOR LOADING OF VEHICLES IN SEPTEMBER. AN EXHIBITION ON SAFE LOADING OF VEHICLES WILL ALSO BE HELD TO FURTHER PUBLICISE THE SAFETY RULES TO PEOPLE ENGAGED IN THE TRADE.
THE EXHIBITION, ORGANISED BY THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT WITH THE ASSISTANCE OF THE GOODS VEHICLE OPERATORS’ ASSOCIATIONS, WILL BE HELD BETWEEN 1 PM AND 5 PM THIS SUNDAY (NOVEMBER 20) AT THE DEPARTMENT’S VEHICLE EXAMINATION CENTRE IN KOWLOON BAY.
OFFICIATING AT THE OPENING CEREMONY WILL BE MR TAI CHIN-WAH, MEMBER OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL AND THE TRANSPORT ADVISORY COMMITTEE, AND THE COMMISSIONER FOR TRANSPORT, MR JAMES SO.
THE DAY’S PROGRAMME WILL INCLUDE THE DISPLAY OF VARIOUS CORRECTLY LOADED VEHICLES, SLIDE-VISUAL DISPLAY OF GOOD AND BAD LOADING PRACTICE AND DISPLAY STANDS.
SHORT INFORMAL TALKS ON SAFE LOADING WILL BE GIVEN BI OFFICERS OF THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT AND POLICE.
/POLICE OFFICERS
THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 17, 1988
- 5 -
POLICE OFFICERS WILL ALSO DEMONSTRATE THE USE OF A PORTABLE WEIGHING DEVICE TO CHECK OVERLOADING.
VISITORS TO THE EXHIBITION WILL BE GIVEN FREE COPIES OF THE CODE OF PRACTICE FOR THE LOADING OF VEHICLES. ALSO AVAILABLE WILL BE COPIES OF A LEAFLET ON "HOW TO LOAD YOUR VEHICLES", A FACT SHEET ON "IS YOUR TRUCK OVERLOADED" AND A COLOUR POSTER ON SAFE LOADING.
"THE EXHIBITION WILL COVER THE PROPER WAYS OF LOADING, AND GOODS VEHICLE DRIVERS AND OPERATORS SHOULD NOT MISS THIS VALUABLE OPPORTUNITY TO FAMILIARISE THEMSELVES WITH GOOD LOADING PRACTICE," THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
FREE TRANSPORT SERVICES WILL BE PROVIDED TO VISITORS TO THE EXHIBITION. SHUTTLE BUS SERVICES WILL OPERATE BETWEEN. THE MTRC HEADQUARTERS AT THE KOWLOON BAY MTR STATION, TELFORD^GARDENS, AND THE KOWLOON BAY VEHICLE EXAMINATION CENTRE BETWEEN 12’. 30'PM AND 5.30 PM ON THE DAY OF THE EXHIBITION.
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SMOKERS URGED TO QUIT SMOKING AND LIVE LONGER
*****
THE SECRETARY FOR HEALTH AND WELFARE, MR T.H. CHAU, URGED SMOKERS TODAY (THURSDAY) TO GIVE UP SMOKING AS THE SIMPLEST STEP TOWARDS ENJOYING A HEALTHIER AND LONGER LIFE.
ADDRESSING THE OPENING OF HONG KONG’S FIFTH ANNUAL SMOKE-OUT DAY AT STATUE SQUARE, MR CHAU WARNED THAT 90 PER CENT OF LUNG CANCER CASES, THE MOST COMMON FORM OF CANCER IN HONG KONG AND THE MAJOR CAUSE OF DEATH, WERE CAUSED BY SMOKING.
"THE OTHER MOST COMMON CAUSES OF DEATH, SUCH AS HEART AND RESPIRATORY DISEASES, ARE ALSO DIRECTLY RELATED TO SMOKING," HE SAID.
"THE FRIGHTENING TRUTH IS THAT THE AVERAGE SMOKER RUNS A DEFINITE RISK OF FALLING VICTIM TO LUNG CANCER AND DISEASES OF THE MOUTH, HEART AND STOMACH, A RISK FAR GREATER THAN THE HONG KONG RESIDENT WHO DOES NOT SMOKE.
"THE ONE OPTIMISTIC FEATURE OF THE STATISTICAL EVIDENCE IS THAT 15 YEARS AFTER GIVING UP SMOKING, LIFE EXPECTANCY RETURNS TO NORMAL."
MR CHAU SAID THERE WERE ABOUT 724,000 DAILY SMOKERS IN HONG KONG, REPRESENTING SOME 17 PER CENT OF THOSE AGED 15 AND ABOVE IN THE POPULATION.
/"I HOPE
THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 17, 1988
6
"I HOPE THEY RECOGNISE THE SAD REALITY: SMOKING IS NOT AN ORDINARY HABIT, IT IS AN ADDICTION. CIGARETTES QUICKLY BECOME A HABIT THAT CAN BE EXTREMELY PAINFUL TO GIVE UP," HE SAID.
"WHEN WE HAVE FALLEN VICTIM TO AN ADDICTION AS POWERFUL AS CIGARETTES, INDIVIDUAL WILLPOWER MAY NOT BE ENOUGH."
TO GIVE UP SMOKING, MR CHAU SAID SMOKERS NEEDED CONSTANT SUPPORT AND ENCOURAGEMENT FROM THEIR FAMILY AND FRIENDS AND FROM SOCIETY AS A WHOLE.
"THEY MAY EVEN NEED TO MAKE USE OF THE SPECIAL GROUPS AND CLINICS SET UP TO HELP BREAK FREE FROM THE CIGARETTE HABIT," HE SAID.
"CERTAINLY THEY NEED PROTECTION FROM SKILFUL REMINDERS OF THE PLEASURES OF SMOKING, WHICH IS ONE REASON WHY IT HAS BEEN SUGGESTED THAT HONG KONG SHOULD RESTRICT CIGARETTE ADVERTISEMENTS MORE AND MORE."
MR CHAU SAID THAT IN HONG KONG, ABOUT 55 PER CENT OF ALL DAILY SMOKERS AGED 15 AND ABOVE, STARTED SMOKING BEFORE THE AGE OF 20. THE REASON COULD BE THAT THE DANGERS OF SMOKING SEEMED TOO FAR-OFF FOR YOUNG PEOPLE.
"IF ALL OUR TEENAGERS TOOK A REALISTIC, A SCIENTIFIC VIEW OF LIFE, SMOKING - AND THE DEATH AND DISEASES THAT GO WITH IT - WOULD DISAPPEAR FROM OUR COMMUNITY WITHIN A RELATIVELY SHORT PERIOD OF TIME," HE SAID.
"THE COMMUNITY HAS AN OBLIGATION TO TELL YOUNG PEOPLE THE TRUTH. WE MUST PREACH THE MESSAGE THAT IT IS NOT SMART TO SMOKE AND THAT IT IS EVEN LESS SMART TO START SMOKING.
"WE HAVE TO ENSURE THAT CIGARETTES ARE NO LONGER ASSOCIATED IN THE MINDS OF YOUNG PEOPLE WITH A LIFESTYLE WHICH IS AFFLUENT, SOPHISTICATED OR SUCCESSFUL, AND CERTAINLY NOT WITH ANY HEALTHY RECREATIONAL OR ATHLETIC ACTIVITIES."
- 0 - -
/?
THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 17, 1988
- 7 -
PHA MEMBERS VISIT PRINCESS MARGARET HOSPITAL
ELEVEN PROVISIONAL HOSPITAL AUTHORITY MEMBERS TODAY (THURSDAY) VISITED THE PRINCESS MARGARET HOSPITAL TO LEARN THE HOSPITAL’S OPERATION AND TO MEET WITH HOSPITAL STAFF.
THE PARTY WAS LED BY THE CHAIRMAN, SIR S.Y. CHUNG, AND INCLUDED THE SECRETARY GENERAL, MR JOHN CHAMBERS; THE DIRECTOR OF MEDICAL AND HEALTH SERVICES, DR S.H. LEE; DEPUTY DIRECTOR, DR T. Y. CHAU, AND MEMBERS DR C.H. LEONG, MR RONALD CHOW, MR TAI CHIN-WAH, MR JAMES TIEN, DR W.C. CHAN, DR CHRISTOPHER LEONG AND MR PETER WOO.
THE VISIT WAS THE THIRD IN A SERIES OF VISITS TO ALL 34 PUBLIC HOSPITALS BY THE PHA.
’’THIS IS THE FIRST VISIT TO THE PRINCESS MARGARET HOSPITAL BUT WILL NOT BE THE LAST.
’’THERE WILL CERTAINLY BE MORE VISITS BY THE VARIOUS COMMITTEES OF THE PHA TO LOOK AT INDIVIDUAL ASPECTS OF THE HOSPITAL IN GREATER DEPTH AND TO DISCUSS WITH STAFF ON SPECIFIC ISSUES. WE WELCOME ANY VIEWS AND SUGGESTIONS FROM ALL QUARTERS,” SAID SIR S. Y. CHUNG.
"WE HAVE ENCOURAGED THE STAFF TO RAISE POINTS ON THE MAIN ASPECTS OF THE HOSPITAL SERVICE; AND SUGGESTED TO THEM TO WAIT UNTIL MEETING WITH INDIVIDUAL COMMITTEES TO DISCUSS SPECIFIC POINTS SUCH AS DETAILED SUGGESTIONS TO IMPROVE HOSPITAL MANAGEMENT AND ENVIRONMENT, OR OTHER PARTICULAR NEEDS OF THE HOSPITAL,” HE ADDED.
PRINCESS MARGARET HOSPITAL WAS OPENED IN 1975 AND OPERATES AS THE REGIONAL HOSPITAL FOR WEST NEW TERRITORIES REGION. IT HAS A TOTAL OF 1,362 BEDS WITH SOME 3,000 STAFF.
THE PARTY TOURED THE ACCIDENT AND EMERGENCY DEPARTMENT, RADIODIAGNOSTIC DEPARTMENT, THE VARIOUS SELECTED WARDS AND THE RENAL UNIT AND WERE BRIEFED BY THE CONSULTANTS OF THE VARIOUS DEPARTMENTS.
THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 17, 1988
- 8 -
PROFESSOR JAMES WEI TO HELP SET UP SCHOOL OF ENGINEERING
*****
THE HONG KONG UNIVERSITY OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY TODAY (THURSDAY) ANNOUNCED THE APPOINTMENT OF PROFESSOR JAMES WEI AS PROFESSOR EXTRAORDINAIRE TO HELP SET UP THE UNIVERSITY’S SCHOOL OF ENGINEERING.
AS PROFESSOR EXTRAORDINAIRE, PROFESSOR WEI WILL ASSIST HKUST TO RECRUIT A DEAN, HEADS OF ENGINEERING DEPARTMENTS AND A NUMBER OF SENIOR PROFESSORS; ORGANISE ADVISORY COMMITTEES; PLAN AND DEVELOP CURRICULA; PARTICIPATE IN CAMPUS DESIGN, AND ADVISE ON EQUIPMENT ACQUISITION AND BUDGETARY MATTERS.
SINCE EARLIER THIS YEAR, THE UNIVERSITY HAS BEEN SEEKING LEADING SCHOLARS IN VARIOUS FIELDS TO FILL THE RANKS OF ITS FOUND!NG I'EAM, WHICH NOW COMPRISE PROFESSOR C.Y. CHIEN AS THE FOUNDING DEAN OF SCIENCE; DR WILLIAM MAX IVY AS THE DIRECTOR OF COMPUTING AND TELECOMMUNICATIONS, AND PROFESSOR MAURICE CRAFT AS THE DEAN OF GENERAL EDUCATION.
"WHILE THE SEARCH CONTINUES FOR A FULL-TIME DEAN OF ENGINEERING, PROFESSOR JAMES WEI NOW JOINS THE TEAM AND WILL ASSIST IN \ VARIETY OF RESPONSIBILITIES IN THE FOUNDING OF THE SCHOOL OF ENGINEERING," A HKUST SPOKESMAN SAID.
COMMENTING ON THE APPOINTMENT, HKUST’S VICE-CHANCELLOR cill.A-WEl WOO SAID PROFESSOR WEI WOULD CARRY OUT HIS TASKS IN THE INTERNATIONAL ARENA AND WOULD BE IN HONG KONG FOR EXTENDED PERIODS.
"THERE WERE A LARGE NUMBER OF WORTHWHILE CANDIDATES FOR THE POSITION OF DEAN OF ENGINEERING AT HKUST.
WE FELT THAT THE FOUNDING OF THE SCHOOL OF ENGINEERING REQUIRED A PERSON WITH A CLEAR VISION, GREAT INTELLECT, BROAD INTEREST, AND LONG YEARS OF EXECUTIVE EXPERIENCE.
'IN HONG KONG’S SETTING, HE SHOULD ALSO BE A PERSON THAT
OMMANDS WORLDWIDE RESPECT, BELIEVES IN UNI VERS ITY-INDUSTRY
CO-OPERATION, AND HAS A STRONG FEELING FOR HONG KONG," HE SAID.
"PROFESSOR WEI REPRESENTS A UNIQUE COMBINATION OF ALL THESE
QUALITIES AND WE ARE FORTUNATE THAT HE FINDS THE APPOINTMENT AS
PROFESSOR EXTRAORDINAIRE CHALLENGING AND ATTRACTIVE, AND IS 1 ONE I DENT I HAT HE WILL START OUR SCHOOL OF ENGINEERING IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION," HE ADDED.
"THE MEDIA WILL HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO MEET PROFESSOR WEI ON HIS NEXT VISIT TO HONG KONG IN JANUARY," HE SAID.
/IN WELCOMING .......
THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 17, ">988
- 9 -
IN WELCOMING PROFESSOR WEI TO THE FOUNDING TEAM, DEAN OF SCIENCE, PROFESSOR C.Y. CHIEN SAID HE WAS LOOKING FORWARD TO WORKING CLOSELY WITH PROFESSOR WEI.
"HE IS A DISTINGUISHED SCHOLAR AND ADMINISTRATOR IN THE ACADEMIC CIRCLE, AND HAS BROAD INVOLVEMENT WITH INDUSTRY.
"HE WILL BRING IMPORTANT EXPERTISE TO HKUST. THE TEACHING AND RESEARCH PROGRAMMES OF THE SCHOOLS OF SCIENCE AND ENGINEERING ARE CLOSELY RELATED.
"PROFESSOR WEI WILL HELP GREATLY IN DEVELOPING CO-ORDINATED PROGRAMMES IN BOTH SCHOOLS AND IN WORKING TO DEVELOP MUTUAL SUPPORT BETWEEN HKUST AND HONG KONG’S INDUSTRIES,' HE SAID.
PROFESSOR WEI HAS BEEN THE HEAD OF THE DEPARTMENT OF CHEMICAL ENGINEERING AND WARREN K. LEWIS PROFESSOR AT MIT (MASSACHUSEITS INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY) SINCE 1977.
OVER THE YEARS HE HAS PUBLISHED NUMEROUS TECHNICAL ARTICLES, EDITED JOURNALS AND BOOKS, AND CONSULTED FOR GOVERNMENT AGENCIES AND MAJOR CORPORATIONS.
PROFESSOR WEI HAS RECEIVED MANY AWARDS AND HONOURS FOR HIS SCHOLARLY CONTRIBUTIONS AND SERVICES TO THE ENGINEERING PROFESSION.
MOST NOTABLY, HE WAS ELECTED A MEMBER OF THE (U.S.) NATIONAL ACADEMY OF ENGINEERING IN 1978, AND A MEMBER OF THE AMERICAN ACADEMY OF ARTS AND SCIENCES IN 1982.
THESE ARE THF. HIGHEST HONOURS THAT AN ENGINEER COULD HOPE TO ACHIEVE IN THE UNITED STATES.
THF ESTEEM IN WHICH HE IS HELD BY HIS CHINESE PEERS FOR HIS ACCOMPLISHMENTS IS EVIDENCED BY HIS ELECTION TO THE ACADEMIA SINICA (TAIWAN) IN 1982, AND THE PRESENTATION OF A DISTINGUISHED ACHIEVEMENT AWARD BY THE CHINESE INSTITUTE OE ENGINEERS, U.S.A. IN 1986.
HF WAS FLFCTFD PRESIDENT OF THE AMERICAN INSTITUTE OF CHEMICAL ENGINEERS IN 1987, AND HAS REPRESENTED THE UNITED STATES IN INTERNATIONAL PROFESSIONAL ACTIVITIES THROUGHOUT THE Cl RRENT YEAR.
HF ALSO SERVES AS THE PRESIDENT OF THE INTERNATIONAL SYMPOSIUM ON CHEMICAL REACTION ENGINEERING FOR THE PERIOD 1986-91.
PROFESSOR WEI HAS BEEN SOUGHT AFTER AS DEAN OF ENGINEERING BY SOME OF THE MOST PRESTIGEOUS UNIVERSITIES IN AMERICA, BUT HAS 'HOSEN TO REMAIN AT MIT.
/HE HAS
♦
THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 17, 19^8
10
HE HAS JUST LEI) HIS DEPARTMENT LN CELEBRATING ITS CENTENN1A -AS THE OLDEST CHEMICAL ENGINEERING APARTMENT IN THE U.S., AND IS NOW SET FOR A WELL-EARNED SABBATICAL.
PROFESSOR WEI IS A NATIVE OF ZHUHAI, IN GUANGDONG PROVINCE JUST ACROSS THE BORDER FROM MACAO, BUT WAS BORN IN SHANGHAI.
HE LIVED IN HONG KONG IN THE LATE FORTIES. HE SPEAKS CANTONESE, MANDARIN, AND SHANGHAINESE FLUENTLY.
HE RECEIVED HIS BACCALAUREATTE DEGREE IN 1952 J ROM GEORGIA INSTITUTE OF TE( HNOLOGY, MASTER’S IN 1954 AND DOCTORATE I 1955 FROM MIT. HE IS MARRIED TO VIRGINIA HONG AND HAS THREE CHILDREN.
------0-------
COMMONWEALTH HONOUR FOR BROADCASTING CHIEF ♦ ♦ * t *
THE DIRECTOR OF BROADCASTING, MISS CHEUNG MAN-YEE, HAS BEEN ELECTED PRESIDENT OF THE COMMONWEALTH BROADCASTING ASSOCIATION.
MISS CHEUNG SUCCEEDS MR MICHAIL CHECKLAND, DIRECTOR GENERAL OF THE BRITISH BROADCASTING CORPORATION.
THE ANNOUNCEMENT WAS MADE BY THE CBA SECRETARIAT IN LONDON TODAY (THURSDAY).
THE SECRETAIM GENERAL OF THE CBA, MR ALVA CLARKE, SAID THE DECISION OF THE STANDING COMMITTEE WAS UNANIMOUS.
HE ALSO POINTED OUT THAT THIS WAS THE FIRST TIME A BROADCASTING CHIEF IN THE ASIA-PACIFIC REGION HAD BEEN ELECTED TO THE PRESIDENCY OF THE CBA.
MISS CHEUNG IS ALSO THE FIRST WOMAN TO HEAD THE ASSOCIATION.
THERI ARE 56 MEMBERS OF THE ASSOCIATION THROUGHOUT THE COMMONWEALTH IN EUROPE, AFRICA, ASIA-PACIFIC, AUSTRALASIA, THE CARIBBEAN AND NORTH AND SOUTH AMERICA.
IT WAS FOUNDED IN BRITAIN IN FEBRUARY 1945 AND IS THE OLDEST BROADCASTING UNION IN THE WORLD.
THE CBA SET N EXAMPLE TO BROADCASTING ORGANISATIONS, GIVEN THE COMPLEXITY OF THEIR ACTIVITIES, OF THE ADVANTAGES OF JOINING TOGETHER IN ONE GROUPING OR ANOTHER TO MEET THE CHALLENGES THAT FACE THE PROFESSION.
RADIO TELEVISION HONG KONG BECAME A MEMBER OF THE CBA IN 1968. THE CBA’S 1984 CONFERENCE WAS HELD IN HONG KONG, WITH RTHK AS HOST.
- - 0
/11
THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 17, 1988
11
EARLY APPLICATIONS URGED FOR CHRISTMAS HOLIDAY RUSH * * * * ♦
ANYONE INTENDING TO TRAVEL ABROAD DURING THE CHRISTMAS HOLIDAYS SHOULD APPLY FOR A TRAVEL DOCUMENT NOW.
’’THE NUMBER OF PEOPLE TRAVELLING OUTSIDE HONG K< LG WILL BE GREATLY INCREASED DURING THIS TIME OF THE YEAR.
"IN ORDER TO AVOID THE LAST MINUTE RUSH, PEOPLE ARE ADVISED TO APPLY FOR THEIR PASSPORT AND CERTIFICATE OF IDENTITY WELL IN ADVANCE OF THE DATE ON WHICH THEY INTEND TO TRAVEL," A SPOKESMAN FOR THE IMMIGRATION DEPARTMENT SAID.
"IT NORMALLY TAKES 10 WORKING DAYS TO ISSUE A BRITISH (HONG KONG) PASSPORT IF APPLICATIONS ARE MADE IN THE HEADQUARTERS BUT LONGER IF MADE IN THE BRANCH OFFICES.
"THE PROCESSING TIME ON BRITISH NATIONAL (OVERSEAS) PASSPORT AND HONG KONG CERTIFICATE OF IDENTITY WILL BE THE SAME IF THE APPLICANT IS IN POSSESSION OF A PERMANENT IDENTITY CARD, OTHERWISE IT WILL TAKE ABOUT FIVE WEEKS TIME BECAUSE WE HAVE TO ARRANGE THE APPLICANT TO BE ISSUED WITH A PERMANENT IDENTITY CARD AT THE SAME TIME," THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
"RE-ENTRY PERMIT AND DOCUMENT OF IDENTITY FOR VISA PURPOSES ARE NORMALLY ISSUED ON THE SAME DAY BUT DELAY IS LIKELY IF THERE ARE MANY APPLICANTS COMING AT THE SAME TIME, FOR EXAMPLE, ON SATURDAY IN WHICH WE COULD ONLY PROVIDE A LIMITED SERVICE WITH HALF STRENGTH," HE ADDED.
"THE PERIOD BEFORE THE CHRISTMAS HOLIDAYS IS THE BUSIEST TIME OF THE YEAR. BY APPLYING EARLY, IT WILL NOT ONLY SPREAD THE WORKLOAD OF THE DEPARTMENT BUT WILL ALSO GIVE APPLICANTS EXTRA TIME TO MEET ANY FURTHER VISA PROCESSING REQUIREMENTS WHERE NECESSARY," THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
-----0------
FIRE SERVICES OPENING RECRUITMENT CENTRE
*****
THE FIRE SERVICES DEPARTMENT WILL OPEN A RECRUITMENT CENTRE ON SATURDAY (NOVEMBER 19) TO DEAL DI RI TLY WITH THOSE WHO APPLY TO JOIN THE SERVIC E.
THE CENTRE, SET UP IN LINE WITH THE CONTINUOUS RECRUITMENT POLICY ADOPTED BY THE DEPARTMENT TILS YEAR, WILL HANDLE APPLICATIONS YEAR-ROUND AND HELP TO SPEED UP PRC ESSING.
/THE RECRUITMENT.......•
THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 1?, 1988
12 -
THE RECRUITMENT CENTRE IS ON THE FIRST FLOOR OF THE FIRE SERVICES HEADQUARTERS BUILDING, 1 HONG CHONG ROAD, TSIM SHA TSUI EAST.
"PREVIOUSLY APPLICANTS WHO MAILED THEIR APPLICATIONS HAD TO WAIT FOR AN APPOINTMENT DURING WHICH DOCUMENTATION AND A PHYSICAL TEST WOULD BE CARRIED OUT," A SPOKESMAN FOR THE FIRE SERVICES DEPARTMENT SAID.
"HOWEVER, WITH THE OPENING OF THE CENTRE, AN APPLICANT CAN SIMPLY COME IN PERSON WITH A FULLY FURNISHED APPLICATION FORM AND SUPPORTING DOCUMENTS.
"GIVEN THAT HE MEETS OUR BASIC ACADEMIC AND PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS, HE WILL UNDERGO A PHYSICAL TEST IMMEDIATELY," THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
IN ORDER TO UNDERGO THE TEST, AN APPLICANT WHO APPLIES IN PERSON AT THE CENTRE SHOULD BRING ALONG A PAIR OF SPORTS SHOES AND SHORTS.
THE CENTRE WILL BE OPEN DAILY FROM 9 AM TO 4 PM ON WEEKDAYS AND FROM 9 AM TO 11 AM ON SATURDAYS.
ENQUIRIES ON RECRUITMENT CAN BE MADE BY TELEPHONING 3-7337519.
-------0----------
ACTIVITIES TO PROMOTE ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION » * t * t
THE EASTERN DISTRICT YOUTH RECREATION COORDINATION COMMITTEE HAS ORGANISED A SERIES OF ACTIVITIES TO ENHANCE PUBLIC AWARENESS OF ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AND TO EDUCATE YOUNG PEOPLE ON THE IMPORTANCE OF THIS.
ADOPTING 'LOVE YOUR ENVIRONMENT AND BEAUTIFY EASTERN DISTRICT’ AS THE MAIN THEME, HIE ACTIVITIES INCLUDE A COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT SCHEME AND A CHILDREN'S DRAWING CONTEST.
THE COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT SCHEME COMPRISES THREE ACTIVITIES. A SEMINAR ON 'ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION IN HONG KONG' WILL BE HELD ON NOVEMBER 25 IN (HENG CHANG FONG AT PROVIDENT CENTRE, NORTH POINT.
PARTICIPANTS IN THE SCHEME WILL THEN VISIT VARIOUS ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION BLACKSPOTS IN EASTERN DISTRICT DURING THE PERIOD NOVEMBER 26 TO DECEMBER 9.
/AFTER STUDYING
THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 17, 1988
-13 -
AFTER STUDYING THE POLLUTION SITUATION
PARTICIPANTS WILL WORK
OUT A REPORT AND RECOMMEND DISTRICT BOARD.
IMPROVEMENT MEASURES TO THE EASTERN
A SEMINAR ON ’ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AND DAILY LIFE’ AND HOW TO PARTICIPATE IN PROTECTING THE ENVIRONMENT', WILL BE HELD ON DECEMBER 11 AT THE CITYPLAZA, TAIKOO SHING AS A CONCLUDING EVENT.
YOUNG PEOPLE AGED OVER SCHEME. APPLICATION FORMS ARE OFFICE AND ITS SUB-OFFICES AS ORGANISATIONS BEFORE NOVEMBER
15 ARE WELCOME TO TAKE PART IN THE OBTAINABLE FROM THE EASTERN DISTRICT WELL AS VARIOUS LOCAL YOUTH SERVICES 21.
THE CHILDREN’S DRAWING CONTEST, WHICH IS CO-ORGANISED WITH THE EASTERN DISTRICT SCHOOL LIAISON COMMITTEE AND THE EASTERN DISTRICT ARTS COUNCIL, IS AIMED AT ENHANCING CHILDREN’S AWARENESS AND CONCERN ABOUT THEIR SURROUNDING ENVIRONMENT.
THE CONTEST IS DIVIDED INTO THREE DIFFERENT GROUPS WITH THE JUNIOR GROUP FOR CHILDREN AGED FROM THREE TO SIX. CHILDREN AGED BETWEEN SEVEN AND 10 CAN JOIN THE INTERMEDIATE GROUP AND THOSE AGED FROM 11 TO 14 CAN JOIN THE SENIOR GROUP.
APPLICATION FORMS CAN BE OBTAINED FROM SCHOOLS IN THE DISTRICT, THE EASTERN DISTRICT OFFICE AND ITS SUB-OFFICES. THE CLOSING DATE FOR APPLICATION IS DECEMBER 2.
- - 0 - -
STATUTORY HOLIDAY REMINDER
» » * »
THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT TODAY (THURSDAY) REMINDED EMPLOYERS THAT THE CHINESE WINTER SOLSTICE FESTIVAL THIS YEAR FALLS ON DECEMBER 21 AND CHRISTMAS DAY ON DECEMBER 25.
A DEPARTMENT SPOKESMAN SAID EMPLOYERS SHOULD MAKE EARLY ARRANGEMENTS TO APPOINT EITHER ONE OF THESE TWO DAYS AS A STATUTORY HOLIDAY FOR THEIR EMPLOYEES. siaiuwky
UNDER THE EMPLOYMENT ORDINANCE, ALL MANUAL EMPLOYEES AND THOSE NON-MANUAL EMPLOYEES EARNING NOT MORE THAN $11,500 A MONTH ARE ENTITLED TO THE HOLIDAY AND MUST BE PAID FOR THE DAY OFF IF THEY HAVE WORKED CONTINUOUSLY FOR THREE MONTHS IMMEDIATELY PRECEDING THE STATUTORY HOLIDAY.
/Holiday pay
THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 1?, 1988
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 TO 31 DAYS, PRECEDING THE HOLIDAY.
IF AN'EMPLOYEE IS REQUIRED TO WORK ON A STATUTORY HOLIDAY, HE MUS? BE GIVEN AN ALTERNATIVE DAY OFF WITHIN 60 DAYS BEFORE OR AFTER THAT DAY.
ENQUIRIES ABOUT STATUTORY HOLIDAYS MAY BE MADE AT ANY BRANCH OFFICES OF THE LABOUR RELATIONS SERVICE.
- 0 - -
DB COMMITTEE TO DISCUSS KMB FARE RISE REQUEST
*****
MEMBERS OF THE KOWLOON CITY DISTRICT BOARD’S TRAFFIC AND TRANSPORT COMMITTEE WILL DISCUSS THE KOWLOON MOTOR BUS COMPANY’S APPLICATION FOR A FARE RISE AT A MEETING TOMORROW (FRIDAY).
THE COMMITTEE CHAIRMAN, MR CHAN CHI-KWAN, WILL ASK DEPARTMENTS CONCERNED TO EXPLAIN THE JUSTIFICATION GIVEN BY THE KMB FOR ITS APPLICATION FOR A 19 PER CENT FARE INCREASE, POLICIES ON THE CO-ORDINATION OF PUBLIC TRANSPORT AND THE RELEVANT ORDINANCE ON CONTROL OF PUBLIC UTILITIES.
TAXI POLICY AND MALPRACTICES BY TAXI DRIVERS WILL ALSO BE DISCUSSED.
OTHER ITEMS ON THE AGENDA INCLUDE DISCUSSION OF THE AUTHORISATION FOR BUS COMPANY STAFF TO ASK PASSENGERS BREACHING BUS REGULATIONS TO PRODUCE PROOF OF IDENTITY, AND TRAFFIC CONGESTION CAUSED BY ROAD REPAIR WORK.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE KOWLOON CITY DISTRICT BOARD’S TRAFFIC AND TRANSPORT COMMITTEE TO BE HELD TOMORROW (FRIDAY) IN THE CONFERENCE ROOM OF THE DISTRICT OFFICE, 141 KAU PUI LUNG ROAD, TO KWA WAN. THE MEETING WILL BEGIN AT 2.15 PM.
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/15
THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 17, 1988
- ’5 -
YUEN LONG DB COMMITTEE TO MEET TOMORROW *****
THE ENVIRONMENTAL IMPROVEMENT COMMITTEE OE THE YUEN LOI DISTRICT BOARD WILL DISCUSS WATER SUPPLIES DEPARTMENT’S POLICY ON TH PROVISION AND REMOVAL OF STANDPIPES IN THE DISTRICT AT A MEET!I TOMORROW (FRIDAY).
MEMBERS WILL ALSO DISCUSS VARIOUS PROGRESS REPORTS ON PUBLIC WORKS PROGRAMME AND MINOR ENVIRONMENTAL IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM! AND FROM THE STREET MANAGEMENT WORKING GROUP OF THE DISTR J> MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE MEETING OF YUEN LONG DISTRI BOARD’S ENVIRONMENTAL IMPROVEMENT COMMITTEE, WHICH WILL BEGIN AT 2.30 PM TOMORROW (FRIDAY) IN THE CONFERENCE ROOM OF THE BOARD ON 13/. . YUEN LONG GOVERNMENT OFFICES, 2 K1U LOK SQUARE, YUEN LONG.
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DB COMMITTEE TO DISCUSS LEISURE SERVICES *****
THE COMMUNITY BUILDING AND SERVICES COMMITTEE OF THE CENTRA' AND WESTERN DISTRICT BOARD WILL MEET TOMORROW (FRIDAY) TO DISCUSS PROVISION OF LEISURE SERVICES IN THE DISTRICT.
CHIEF MANAGER OF LEISURE SERVICES (HONG KONG), OF THE UI SERVICES DEPARTMENT, MR R.F. POLLARD, WILL BRIEF MEMBERS ON THE CRITERIA AND CONCERNS OBSERVED BY THE URBAN COUNCIL IN PROVIDING LEISURE SERVICES TO THE PUBLIC. HE WILL ALSO OUTLINE THE PATTERN 01-DISTRICT DEVELOPMENT.
THE MEETING WILL ALSO DISCUSS A PAPER SUBMITTED BY A MEMBER ON THE NEED FOR ORGANISING FAMILY LIFE ACTIVITIES FOR 1989.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
THE MEETING OF THE CENTRAL AND WESTERN DISTRICT BOARD'S COMMUNITY BUILDING AND SERVICES COMMITTEE WILL BEGIN AT 2.30 PM TOMORROW (FRIDAY) IN THE CONFERENCE ROOM OF THE CENTRAL AND WESTERN DISTRICT BOARD, ROOM 1416, HARBOUR BUILDING, 38 PIER ROAD, HON-'; KONG. YOU ARE WELCOME TO COVER THE MEETING.
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/16........
THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 17, 1988
- 16 -
ANTI-TRIAD SEMINAR IN KWUN TONG » * * »
SOME 400 STUDENTS AND TEACHERS FROM 20 SECONDARY SCHOOLS IN KWUN TONG WILL TAKE PART IN AN ANTI-TRIAD SEMINAR ON SATURDAY (NOVEMBER 19) MORNING.
THE SEMINAR IS JOINTLY ORGANISED BY THE KWUN TONG DISTRICT FIGHT CRIME COMMITTEE AND THE KWUN TONG SCHOOL LIAISON COMMITTEE.
IT AIMS AT PROVIDING A FORUM FOR LOCAL STUDENTS AND TEACHFBS TO GET TOGETHER TO EXCHANGE VIEWS ON THE TRIAD PROBLEM, AMD EXAMINE TRIAD INFLUENCE IN SCHOOLS AND MEASURES TO COMBAT IT.
THE SEMINAR WILL BEGIN WITH AN OPENING ADDRESS BY A MEMBER O' THE FIGHT CRIME COMMITTEE, DR HO KAM-FAT, TO BE FOLLOWED BY TALKS B TWO POLICE REPRESENTATIVES FROM THE ANTI-TRIAD SECTION - MR N' KAM-KEI OF THE SAU MAU PING POLICE DISTRICT, AND MR LO WAI-CHUNG FR'V THE KWUN TONG POLICE DISTRICT.
AFTERWARDS, THERE WILL BE A GROUP DISCUSSION FOR PARTICIPANT' TO EXPRESS VIEWS ON * HOW TO PREVENT NUISANCE CAUSED TO YOUNGSTERS BY TRIAD ELEMENTS', WHICH IS A THEME FOR THIS YEAR'S FIGHT C.RJMF CAMPAIGN.
ALSO ATTENDING THE ANTI-TRIAD SEMINAR WILL BE KWUN TONG DISTRICT OFFICER, MR CHRIS WAN CHUNG-CHU, AN ASSISTANT DIRECTOR OF THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT, MR WONG SHEK-WAI, CHAIRMAN OF THE KWUN TONG SCHOOL LIAISON COMMITTEE, MR TONG PO-KWAI , AND CHAIRMAN OF ’IF DISTRICT'S FIGHT CRIME COMMITTEE, MR MAU KEI-ON.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE KWUN TONG DISTRICT ANTI-TRIA.; SEMINAR TO BE HELD ON SATURDAY (NOVEMBER 19) MORNING AT THE BISHOP HALL PREVOCATIONAL SCHOOL IN HIU KWONG STREET, SAU MAU PING. THE SEMINAR WILL BEGIN AT 8.45 AM.
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THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 17, 1988
- 17 -
NORTH DB COMMITTEE TO DISCUSS LABOUR SHORTAGE « * * » *
MEMBERS OF THE NORTH DISTRICT BOARD’S COMMERCE, INDUSTRY, AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES COMMITTEE WILL MEET TOMORROW (FRIDAY) TO DISCUSS THE ISSUE OF LABOUR SHORTAGE IN THE TERRITORY, WITH PARTICULAR REFERENCE TO THE EMPLOYMENT SITUATION IN NORTH DISTRICT.
A REPRESENTATIVE FROM THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT WILL BRIEF MEMBERS ON THE OVERALL EMPLOYMENT AND VACANCIES STATISTICS FOR HONG KONG, AS WELL FOR AS THE DISTRICT’S WORKING POPULATION.
AT THE MEETING, MEMBERS WILL ALSO EXAMINE THE FINDINGS OF AN INDUSTRIAL SURVEY CONDUCTED IN ON LOK TSUEN, FANLING, THIS SUMMER.
THE SURVEY IS AIMED AT IDENTIFYING PROBLEMS ENCOUNTERED BY MANUFACTURERS IN THE AREA AND TO FORMULATE MEASURES TO PROMOTE DEVELOPMENT.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE MEETING OF THE NORTH DISTRICT BOARD’S COMMERCE, INDUSTRY, AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES COMMITTEE TOMORROW (FRIDAY) IN THE CONFERENCE ROOM OF THE NORTH DISTRICT OFFICE, JOCKEY CLUB ROAD, FANLING. IT WILL BEGIN AT 2.30 PM.
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PHOTOGRAPHY EXHIBITION FOR CENTRAL AND WESTERN RESIDENTS t t t ♦ *
A NINE-DAY PHOTOGRAPHY EXHIBITION WILL BE HELD IN THE NEW SHEUNG WAN CIVIC CENTRE BEGINNING THIS SATURDAY (NOVEMBER 19) AFTERNOON AS PART OF THE CENTRAL AND WESTERN CULTURAL AND ARTS FESTIVAL.
ABOUT 200 COLOUR PHOTOS TAKEN BY 55 WELL-KNOWN PHOTOGRAPHERS WILL BE DISPLAYED AT THE EXHIBITION.
OFFICIATING AT THE OPENING CEREMONY WILL BE THE ASSISTANT DISTRICT OFFICER (CENTRAL AND WESTERN), MISS JOEY LAM; DISTRICT BOARD MEMBER, MR CHAN TAK-CHO; CHAIRLADY OF SAI YING PUN AREA COMMITTEE, MRS IRENE LEE TANG YEE-LIN; CHAIRMAN OF PERFORMING ARTS SUB-COMMITTEE OF THE DISTRICT ASSOCIATION OF CULTURE AND ARTS (CENTRAL AND WESTERN) AND CHAIRMAN OF THE PHOTOGRAPHIC SOCIETY OF HONG KONG, MR TAM LING.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE EXHIBITION AND ITS OPENING CEREMONY TO BEGIN AT 2.30 PM ON SATURDAY (NOVEMBER 19) AT THE EXHIBITION HALL OF SHEUNG WAN CIVIC CENTRE, 345 QUEEN’S ROAD CENTRAL, HONG KONG.
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THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 17, 1988
- 18 -
DB COMMITTEE TO DISCUSS AIR AND NOISE POLLUTION
*****
THE KWAI TSING DISTRICT BOARD’S INDUSTRY AND COMMERCE COMMITTEE WILL DISCUSS WAYS TO REDUCE AIR AND NOISE POLLUTION FROM FACTORIES AT A MEETING TOMORROW (FRIDAY).
THE FINDINGS OF A SURVEY CONDUCTED LAST YEAR BY THE HONG KONG PRODUCTIVITY COUNCIL ON BEHALF OF THE COMMITTEE ON AIR AND NOISE POLLUTION FROM FACTORIES IN THE DISTRICT WILL ALSO BE TABLED FOR DISCUSSION.
MEMBERS WILL ALSO ASK THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT THE NATURE AND THE NUMBER OF LABOUR DISPUTES IN THE ELECTRONIC INDUSTRY OF THE DISTRICT.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE MEETING OF THE KWAI TSING DISTRICT BOARD’S INDUSTRY AND COMMERCE COMMITTEE, WHICH WILL BEGIN AT 2.30 PM IN THE CONFERENCE ROOM, 10/F., KWAI HING GOVERNMENT OFFICES BUILDING, KWAI CHUNG.
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SHAM SHUI PO ATHLETICS MEET ON SUNDAY *****
A DISTRICT-WIDE ATHLETICS MEET WILL BE HELD IN SHAM SHUI PO SUNDAY (NOVEMBER 20), AT THE SHAM SHUI PO SPORTS GROUND IN CHEUNG WAN ROAD.
ON
SHA
THE ATHLETICS MEET, COMPRISING 13 RACES AND SIX DIFFERENT DIVISIONS, HAS ATTRACTED MORE THAN FROM THE DISTRICT.
FIELD EVENTS FOR 900 PARTICIPANTS
THIS ANNUAL EVENT IS JOINTLY ORGANISED BY THE URBAN COUNCIL AND THE SHAM SHUI PO SPORTS ASSOCIATION, WITH SPONSORSHIP BY THE SHAM SHUI PO DISTRICT BOARD.
IT IS AIMED AT PROMOTING RESIDENTS’ INTEREST IN SPORT ACTIVITIES AND AT DEVELOPING PARTICIPANTS’ COMMUNITY-BUILDING SPIRIT.
THE HIGHLIGHT WILL BE A 4X100 METRES INVITATION RELAY IN WHICH REPRESENTATIVES OF ALL THE AREA COMMITTEES IN SHAM SHUI PO WILL COMPETE.
/OFFICIATING AT
THURSDAY, HOVJXBER 17, 1988
- 19 -
OFFICIATING AT THE ATHLETICS MEET WILL BE A LEGISLATIVE COUNCILLOR, MR CHUNG PUI-LAM; SHAM SHUI PO DISTRICT OFFICER, MR GREGORY LEUNG; DISTRICT BOARD CHAIRMAN, MR TAI TUNG-NGOK; CHAIRMAN OF THE SHAM SUI PO SPORTS ASSOCIATION; MR CHOW KWEN-LIM; AND A URBAN COUNCILLOR, MR FAN KAM-PING.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE SHAM SHUI PO ATHLETIC MEET TO BE HELD ON SUNDAY (NOVEMBER 20), STARTING AT 9 AM AT THE SHAM SHUI PO SPORTS GROUND IN CHEUNG SHA WAN ROAD. DISTRICT OFFICER MR GREGORY LEUNG, AND SHAM SHUI PO SPORTS ASSOCIATION CHAIRMAN MR CHOW KWEN-LIM, WILL DELIVER SPEECHES AT A CEREMONY AT 11 AM, WHICH WILL BE FOLLOWED BY THE INVITATION RELAY FOR AREA COMMITTEE MEMBERS.
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SEMINAR ON FOOTWEAR MANUFACTURING TECHNOLOGY
*****
MANUFACTURERS AND TECHNICAL PERSONNEL IN THE FOOTWEAR INDUSTRY ARE INVITED TO JOIN A TECHNICAL SEMINAR TO BE HELD ON DECEMBER 4 AND 5 AT THE HONG KONG CONVENTION AND EXHIBITION CENTRE, WHICH IS TO OPEN SHORTLY.
THE SEMINAR, ORGANISED BY THE VOCATIONAL TRAINING COUNCIL (VTC), WILL COVER SPECIFIC PROBLEM AREAS CONCERNING MARKETS, QUALITY CONTROL, RAW MATERIALS, MACHINERY AND TECHNOLOGY IN THE FOOTWEAR INDUSTRY, AS WELL AS MEASURES TO SOLVE THESE PROBLEMS.
FOOTWEAR TECHNOLOGY EXPERTS FROM HONG KONG AND TAIWAN HAVE BEEN INVITED TO SPEAK AT THE SEMINAR, WHICH AIMS AT UPGRADING THE TECHNOLOGY AND FACILITIES OF LOCAL FOOTWEAR MANUFACTURING.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE VTC SAID THE INDUSTRY HAS A GREAT DEMAND FOR NEW TECHNOLOGY AND MODERN PLANTS AND EQUIPMENT AS IT HAS MOVED UPMARKET AND HONG KONG HAS BECOME A TECHNICAL AND TRADING CENTRE IN FOOTWEAR MANUFACTURING IN THE REGION.
THE SEMINAR IS JOINTLY ORGANISED BY THE VTC, THE HONG KONG RUBBER AND FOOTWEAR MANUFACTURERS' ASSOCIATION, HONG KONG LEATHER SHOE MERCHANTS’ ASSOCIATION, CLOTHING INDUSTRY TRAINING AUTHORITY AND HEADWAY TRADE FAIRS LIMITED.
THE CLOSING DATE FOR ENROLMENT IS NOVEMBER 22. ENQUIRIES CAN BE DIRECTED TO MR K.K. FUNG, OF THE VTC, ON 5-8932341, EXT. 285, OR TO MISS LAI, OF THE HONG KONG RUBBER AND FOOTWEAR MANUFACTURERS’ ASSOCIATION, ON 3-812297.
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/2O........
THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 17, 1988
- 20 -
OUTREACH DENTAL SERVICES IN SHA LO WAN
*****
A MEDICAL TEAM OPERATING UNDER THE OUTREACH DENTAL SCHEME OF THE ISLANDS DISTRICT IS NOW PROVIDING FREE SERVICES TWICE WEEKLY TO RESIDENTS IN SHA LO WAN ON LANTAU.
THE TEAM, WHICH COMPRISES A DENTIST, A DENTAL ASSISTANT AND A DOCTOR, IS STATIONED AT A SERVICE CENTRE SET UP EVERY THURSDAY AND FRIDAY AT AN OPEN SPACE IN FRONT OF THE MAN’S FAMILY ANCESTRAL HALL.
SERVICES PROVIDED INCLUDE DENTAL CHECK-UPS, EXTRACTIONS AND SIMPLE FILLINGS. THE DOCTOR ALSO GIVES GENERAL HEALTH ADVICE.
THE OUTREACH DENTAL SCHEME, WHICH WAS PROPOSED BY THE ADVENTIST HOSPITAL AND ORGANISED BY THE ISLANDS DISTRICT OFFICE, NET WITH SUCCESS WHEN IT WAS IMPLEMENTED IN TUNG CHUNG AND PAK MONG ON LANTAU, AND ON PO TOI AND PENG CHAU.
THE TEAM PLANS TO’SERVE THE VILLAGERS OF SHA LO WAN AND SHAM SHEK TSUEN UNTIL THE END: OF DECEMBER. THEY WILL THEN CONSIDER MOVING TO ANOTHER REMOTE AREA TO PROVIDE THE OUTREACH SERVICE.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
A PRESS VISIT TO THE SERVICE CENTRE IN SHA LO WAN, LANTAU, HAS BEEN ARRANGED FOR TOMORROW (FRIDAY).
PRESS MEMBERS SHOULD ASSEMBLE AT THE MARINE DEPARTMENT PIER, CENTRAL, AT 8.45 AM, AND THE LAUNCH "CLEMENTI" WILL DEPART AT 9 AM.
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TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS FOR TSUEN WAN/KWAI TSING WALK
*****
SPECIAL TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS WILL BE IMPLEMENTED BETWEEN 7.30 AM AND 2.30 PM ON SUNDAY (NOVEMBER 20) FOR THE TSUEN WAN/KWAI TSING JOINT DISTRICTS WALK, THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCED.
SHING MUN ROAD BETWEEN SHING MUN RESERVOIR AND WO YI HOP ROAD, AND THE SOUTHBOUND CARRIAGEWAY OF WO YI HOP ROAD BETWEEN CHEUNG SHAN ESTATE ROAD EAST AND CHEUNG WING ROAD WILL BE CLOSED TO TRAFFIC.
/DURING THE
THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 17* 1988
- 21 -
DURING THE CLOSURE, KMB ROUTE 32 ON ITS JOURNEYS TO TAI KOK TSUI FERRY WILL BE DIVERTED VIA CHEUNG PEI SHAN ROAD, CHEUNG SHAN ESTATE ROAD EAST, CHEUNG SHAN ESTATE ROAD WEST, CHEUNG PEI SHAN ROAD, TSUEN KAM INTERCHANGE, WAI TSUEN ROAD, TEXACO ROAD NORTH, KWOK SHUI ROAD, CHEUNG WING ROAD AND WO YI HOP ROAD. IT WILL THEN RESUME ITS NORMAL ROUTEING.
AT THE SAME TIME, KWAI SHING-BOUND GMB ROUTE 94 WILL BE DIVERTED VIA SHEK WAI KOK ROAD, CHEUNG PEI SHAN ROAD, TSUEN KAM INTERCHANGE, WAI TSUEN ROAD, TEXACO ROAD NORTH, KWOK SHUI ROAD AND KWAI CHUNG ROAD BEFORE RESUMING ITS NORMAL ROUTEING.
ALSO, THE ROUTEINGS OF THREE GREEN MINIBUS ROUTES 82, 82M AND 94S WILL BE SHORTENED TO BETWEEN TSUEN WAN AND CHEUNG SHAN ESTATE ONLY.
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TENDERS INVITED FOR MAIN-LAYING PROJECTS
*****
WATER MAINS ARE TO BE LAID IN NGAU CHI WAN, MONG KOK, YAU MA TEI AND TSIM SHA TSUI TO IMPROVE THE WATER SUPPLY SYSTEM.
IN NGAU CHI WAN, ABOUT 1,500 METRES OF WATER MAINS ARE TO BE LAID IN FUNG SHING STREET, PO KONG VILLAGE ROAD AND HAMMER HILL ROAD.
THE DIAMETERS OF THE WATER MAINS RANGE FROM 150 MILLIMETRES TO 450 MILLIMETRES.
THESE WATER MAINS WILL IMPROVE THE WATER SUPPLY SYSTEM FOR THE AREAS OF HAMMER HILL, SHUN LEE ESTATE, NGAU TAU KOK AND LAM TIN.
IN SOUTH KOWLOON, ABOUT 2,200 METRES DUCTILE IRON SALT WATER MAINS, OF SIZES RANGING FROM 100 MILLIMETRES TO 600 MILLIMETRES, ARE TO BE LAID IN TSIM SHA TSUI, YAU MA TEI AND MONG KOK.
THE COMPLETION OF THESE SALT WATER MAINS WILL IMPROVE THE EXISTING NETWORK OF SALT WATER SUPPLY FOR FLUSHING PURPOSES.
WORKS FOR THE TWO MAIN-LAYING PROJECTS ARE EXPECTED TO BEGIN IN FEBRUARY NEXT YEAR AND TAKE ABOUT 12 MONTHS TO COMPLETE.
THE WATER SUPPLIES DEPARTMENT IS INVITING TENDERS FOR THE ABOVE PROJECTS.
THE DEADLINE FOR SUBMISSION OF TENDERS IS NOON ON DECEMBER 2.
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THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 17, 1988
- 22 -
TEMPORARY LANE CLOSURES OF LION ROCK TUNNEL ROAD ♦ * * * *
THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCED THAT TO FACILITATE THE REPAINTING OF A SIGN GANTRY, SECTIONS OF LION ROCK TUNNEL ROAD NORTHBOUND IN SHA TIN WILL BE CLOSED TO TRAFFIC FROM SUNDAY (NOVEMBER 20) .
A 120-METRE SECTION OF THE NORTHBOUND LION ROCK TUNNEL ROAD SLOW LANE NEAR KAK TIN WILL BE CLOSED BETWEEN 11 PM AND 6 AM THE NEXT DAY FROM NOVEMBER 20 TO 22.
IN ADDITION, A 120-METRE STRETCH ALONG THE FAST LANE OF THE LION ROCK TUNNEL ROAD NORTHBOUND NEAR KAK TIN WILL BE CLOSED BETWEEN 11 PM AND 6 AM THE FOLLOWING DAY ON NOVEMBER 23 AND 24.
MOTORISTS ARE URGED TO DRIVE WITH CARE AND PATIENCE. APPROPRIATE TRAFFIC AIDS WILL BE PROVIDED TO GUIDE MOTORISTS.
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TRAFFIC CHANGES ON HONG KONG ISLAND *****
THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCED THAT TRAFFIC BE IMPLEMENTED ON HONG KONG ISLAND FROM 10 AM (NOVEMBER 19).
CHANGES WILL
ON SATURDAY
ALL VEHICLES OVER SEVEN METRES LONG WILL NOT BE ALLOWED TO ENTER THE UNNAMED ROAD SOUTH OF PO TUCK STREET IN WESTERN DISTRICT ROUND-THE-CLOCK.
THESE LONG VEHICLES WILL ALSO BE BANNED FROM THEATRE LANE IN CENTRAL FROM 7 AM TO 7 PM DAILY.
AT THE SAME TIME, THE EASTERN KERBSIDE LANE OF TAI WONG STREET EAST IN WAN CHAI WILL BE MADE A 7 AM TO 7 PM DAILY URBAN CLEARWAY.
NO VEHICLES EXCEPT FRANCHISED BUSES WILL BE ALLOWED TO STOP FOR PASSENGERS OR GOODS THERE. '
MEANWHILE, EDINBURGH PLACE NORTH IN CENTRAL BETWEEN QUEEN’S PIER AND HMS TAMAR WILL BE CLOSED TO TRAFFIC EXCEPT FOR EMERGENCY VEHICLES FROM 9 AM TO 5 PM ON SUNDAY (NOVEMBER 20) FOR THE HOLDING OF THE FIRE PREVENTION CAMPAIGN LAUNCHING CEREMONY.
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DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL: 5-8428777
FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 18, 1988
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
GREAT OPPORTUNITIES FOR ARCHITECTS: GOVERNOR .............. 1
1987 OVERSEAS INVESTMENT GROWS ............................ 2
TOY SAFETY PROPOSALS ANNOUNCED ............................ 3
OFFICIALS REVIEW PROGRESS OF AGREEMENT .................... 5
AMENDED TV ORDINANCE BECOMES EFFECTIVE ON MONDAY .......... 5
FINANCIAL SECRETARY VISITS MARINE DEPARTMENT............... 6
GOVERNOR TO OFFICIATE AT TAI FU TAI CEREMONY............... 7
HK HAS KEY ROLE IN CHINA'S MODERNISATION .................. 7
PROPOSALS TO IMPROVE ADMINISTRATION OF REFORMATORY SCHOOLS .. 9
SEPTEMBER ORDERS-ON-HAND, EMPLOYMENT AND PAYROLL FIGURES .... 10
STATUS OF ANOTHER 90 VIETNAMESE ASYLUM SEEKERS DETERMINED ... 15
PROPOSAL TO INCREASE PLB SEATING CAPACITY TO 16 ........... 16
MORE DETAILS SOUGHT FROM MASSAGE LICENCE APPLICANTS ....... 17
SCS VISITS ROYAL OBSERVATORY .............................. 17
REAPING BENEFITS IN THE LONGER TERM........................ 18
DB COMMITTEE TO DISCUSS HALF-WAY HOUSES ................... 19
APPROVED TUIN MUN OZP PUBLISHED............................ 20
CAREER EDUCATION HELPS STUDENTS TO FACE CHALLENGES ........ 21
ADVISORY COMMITTEE ON TRAVEL mGENTS RECONSTITUTED ......... 22
PSYCHOLOGICAL INPUT FOR REHABILITATION SERVICES ........... 25
IMPROVED CONTROL OVER PRESSURE EQUIPMENT .................. 2U
EXHIBITION ON SAFE LOADING OF VEHICLES .................... 25
GOVERNMENT PROPERTY TO LET................................. 26
TWO LOTS FOR SALE BY TENDER................................ 27
TATE'S CAIRN TUNNEL APPROACH ROADS LAYOUT AMENDED ......... 28
EARLY ENTRIES URGED FOR LABOUR RELATIONS COMPETITIONS ..... 3C
OLD-TYPE I.D. CARDS INVALID FROM NOVEMBER 21 .............. 31
CARNIVAL FOR LAMMA RESIDENTS .............................. 31
CAS CADET PARADE ON SUNDAY................................. 32
WITHDRAWAL OF MA LIU SHUT — WU KAI SHA FERRY SERVICE....... 32
BUS DIVERSIONS IN TAI PO .................................. 32
TEMPORARY ROAD CLOSURE IN SHA TIN ......................... 33
FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 18, 1988
i
GREAT OPPORTUNITIES FOR ARCHITECTS: GOVERNOR
*****
HONG KONG’S BOOMING ECONOMY HAS PROVIDED TREMENDOUS OPPORTUNITIES FOR THE DESIGN AND CONSTRUCTION OF BUILDINGS OF A SIZE AND QUALITY PREVIOUSLV UNKNOWN IN HONG KONG, THE GOVERNOR, SIR DAVID WILSON, SAID TODAY (FRIDAY).
SPEAKING AT THE OPENING OF THE ANNUAL AWARDS EXHIBITION OF THE HONG KONG INSTITUTE OF ARCHITECTS, SIR DAVID SAID THAT NOWADAYS ARCHITECTS HAD THE OPPORTUNITY TO USE THEIR IMAGINATION AND FLAIR ON AN UNPRECEDENTED SCALF.
’’ARCHITECTS MAKE A SIGNIFICANT IMPACT ON .THE LIVES OF ALL MEMBERS OF THE COMMUNITY,” HE SAID.
THE GOVERNOR SAID THAT BUILDINGS WERE LOOKED AT BY EVERYBODY: ’’THEY ARE AN IMPORTANT OFTEN A STRIKING PART OF OUR ENVIRONMENT, PARTICULARLY IN A RAPIDLY DEVELOPING CITY LIKE HONG KONG.
"ARCHITECTS CAN THEREFORE PLAY A MAJOR ROLE IN MAKING SURE THAT BUILDINGS NOT ONLY FUNCTION WELL BUT LOOK GOOD," HE SAID.
HOWEVER, SIR DAVID NOTED THAT ARCHITECTURE WAS NOT ONLY A MATTER OF DESIGNING NEW SKYSCRAPERS AS HONG KONG PROVIDED OTHER CHALLENGES.
TAKING THE EXAMPLE OF URBAN RENEWAL, SIR DAVID SAID THAT THE LAND DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION WAS ESTABLISHED AT THE BEGINNING OF THIS YEAR TO OVERSEE THE REDEVELOPMENT OF RUN-DOWN PARTS OF THE OLDER URBAN AREAS, WITH THE AIM OF PROVIDING A BETTER LIVING ENVIRONMENT.
"THERE WILL BE A NEED TO BUILD MANY NEW BUILDINGS TO PROVIDE THE COMMUNITY FACILITIES NOW LACKING IN THESE AREAS," HE SAID.
ARCHITECTS WOULD HAVE A KEY ROLE TO PLAY LN THIS.
SIR DAVID SAID THAT ARCHITECTS COULD ALSO HELP PROVIDE EXPERT ADVICE OF EFFECTIVE BUILDING MAINTENANCE AND REHABILITATION FOR OLDER BUILDINGS WHICH WERE STILL IN GOOD WORKING ORDER.
THE GOVERNOR ADDED THAI’ HE HOPED THE EXHIBITION WOULD SHOW THE PUBLIC WHAT WAS BEING DONE BY ARCHITECTS IN HONG KONG, AND GIVE ENCOURAGEMENT TO ARCHITECTS FOR YET GREAT; I FEATS OF EXCELLENCE.
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FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 18, 1988
1987 OVERSEAS INVESTMENT GROWS * * * * *
OVERSEAS INVESTMENT IN HONG KONG’S MANUFACTURING INDUSTRIES GREW BY EIGHT PER CENT LAST YEAR.
THIS IS THE MAIN FINDING OF A REPORT PUBLISHED TODAY ('t I i) CONTAINING THE RESULTS OF A RECENT SURVEY BY THE INDUSTRY DEPAR I '!■'
THE REPORT SHOWS THAT TOTAL OVERSEAS INVESTMENT AT THE END OF 1987 HAD RISEN TO $21,122 MILLION - EIGHT PER CENT UP ON THE 1986 FIGURE.
THE SURVEY IDENTIFIED 593 MANUFACTURING COMPANIES WITH OVERSEAS INVESTMENT IN 1987 COMPARED WITH 541 IN THE PREVIOUS YEAR.
THE UNITED STATES CONTINUED TO BE THE LEADING SOURCE OF INVESTMENT, CONTRIBUTING 36 PER CENT OF TOTAL OVERSEAS INVESTMENT.
JAPAN, CHINA AND THE UNITED KINGDOM REMAINED IN SECOND, THIRD AND FOURTH PLACES, WITH 27 PER CENT, EIGHT PER CENT AND SEVEN PER CENT OF TOTAL INVESTMENT RESPECTIVELY.
MOST OF THE OVERSEAS INVESTMENT WAS CONCENTRATED IN THE ELECTRONICS, TEXTILES AND CLOTHING, AND ELECTRICAL PRODUCTS INDUSTRIES, WHICH ACCOUNTED FOR 40 PER CENT, 10 PER CENT AND NINE PER CENT OF TOTAL INVESTMENT RESPECTIVELY.
THE 1988 SURVEY OF OVERSEAS INVESTMENT IN HONG KONG’S MANUFACTURING INDUSTRIES IS THE LATEST TN A SERIES OF SURVEYS UNDERTAKEN ANNUALLY BY THE INDUSTRY DEPARTMENT TO ASSESS THE LEVEL AND TYPE OF OVERSEAS INVESTMENT IN MANUFACTURING.
"ONE OF THE MAIN BENEFITS OF THIS OVERSEAS INVESTMENT IS THAT IT OFTEN LEADS TO SIGNIFICANT TRANSFERS OF TECHNOLOGY AND IDEAS TO THE LOCAL MANUFACTURING SECTOR," THE DIRECTOR OF INDUSTRY, MR K.Y. YEUNG, SAID.
"THE SURVEY RESULTS ARE ENCOURAGING IN THIS RESPECT," HE SAID.
OF THE 593 COMPANIES WITH OVERSEAS INTEREST, NEARLY HALF WERE JOINT VENTURES WITH LOCAL COMPANIES. THIS ARRANGEMENT PROVIDED PARTICULARLY GOOD OPPORTUNITIES FOR TECHNOLOGY TRANSFERS, MR YEUNG SA ID.
"IT IS ALSO ENCOURAGING TO SEE THAT 120 COMPANIES WERE DEVELOPING NEW PRODUCTS IN DIFFERENT INDUSTRIES.
"MANY OF THE PRODUCTS ARE OF PARTICULAR SIGNIFICANCE TO OUR ELECTRONICS INDUSTRY WHICH MUST CONSTANTLY UPGRADE ITS PRODUCTS AND PROCESSES TO REMAIN COMPETITIVE."
/THE SURVEY .......
FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 18, 1988
THE SURVEY ALSO SHOWED THAT MANY COMPANIES WERE ENGAGING IN ACTIVITIES SUCH AS PRODUCT DESIGN, RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT, QUALITY CONTROL AND EMPLOYEE TRAINING.
COMPUTERS AND COMPUTER-CONTROLLED MACHINES WERE IN OPERATION IN 359 COMPANIES, OFTEN WITH TECHNICAL SUPPORT PROVIDED BY THE OVERSEAS INVESTOR. ”WE WELCOME THESE INVESTMENTS,” MR YEUNG SAID.
’’THEY SERVE NOT ONLY TO ENRICH HONG KONG’S MANUFACTURING CAPABILITIES BUT ALSO TO STIMULATE LOCAL MANUFACTURERS TO UNGRADE THEIR OWN OPERATIONS.”
MR YEUNG SAID THE DEPARTMENT HAD ALSO TAKEN THE OPPORTUNITY TO SURVEY OVERSEAS INVESTORS’ VIEWS ON THE MERITS OF HONG KONG AS A MANUFACTURING CENTRE.
MOST COMPANIES COMMENTED FAVOURABLY ON HONG KONG’S FREE PORT STATUS, GOOD INTERNATIONAL COMMUNICATIONS, GOOD TRANSPORT, ABSENCE OF CONTROLS ON FOREIGN EXCHANGE, LOW TAX RATE AND THE TERRITORY’S FREE TRADE AND FREE ENTERPRISE POLICIES.
SOME MANUFACTURERS COMMENTED THAT LABOUR WAS IN SHORT SUPPLY AND THAT INDUSTRIAL LAND AND PREMISES WERE EXPENSIVE.
•’HOWEVER. 4 96 COMPANIES FELT THAT HONG KONG’S OVERALL INVESTMENT ENVIRONMENT WAS FAVOURABLE,” MR YEUNG SAID.
HE SAID 217 COMPANIES PLANNED TO EXPAND PRODUCTION OF THEIR EXISTING PRODUCTS AND 83 INTENDED TO SET UP ADDITIONAL BRANCHES IN THE TERRITORY.
COPIES OF THE SURVEY REPORT ARE AVAILABLE FROM THE INDUSTRY DEPARTMENT.
-------0----------
TOY SAFETY PROPOSALS ANNOUNCED * » * t »
A MAJOR NEW INITIATIVE TO PROTECT HONG KONG’S CHILDREN ?Y IMPROVING TOY SAFETY WAS ANNOUNCED TODAY (FRIDAY) BY THE SECRETARY FOR TRADE AND INDUSTRY, MR HAMISH MACLEOD.
MR MACLEOD SAID THAT HE HAD ACCEPTED A RECOMMENDATION TO INTRODUCE LEGISLATION TO IMPROVE TOY SAFETY RATHER THAN RELYING ON SELF-REGULATION BY THE INDUSTRY.
/THIS DECISION .......
TODAY, NOVEMBER 18, 1988
k
THIS DECISION WAS TAKEN AFTER A RECOMMENDATION FROM AN INTERDEPARTMENTAL WORKING GROUP ON TOY SAFETY HAD RECOMMENDED THIS AS THE MOST EFFECTIVE WAY OF ENSURING THAT TOYS WERE SAFE.
"WE NOW WANT TO SEEK THE VIEWS OF THE PUBLIC AND THE TRADE AND TO HEAR COMMENTS AS TO WHAT STANDARDS SHOULD BE ADOPTED," MR MACLEOD SAID AT A PRESS CONFERENCE.
"THE WORKING GROUP WILL NOW BE EXPANDED TO INCLUDE REPRESENTATIVES OF THE TRADE AND THE CONSUMER COUNCIL.
"IT WILL THEN EXAMINE IN DETAIL THE STANDARDS TO BE REFERRED TO IN THE PROPOSED LEGISLATION."
HE EXPLAINED THAT CONTROL WILL BE LIMITED TO TOYS AND CHILDREN’S PRODUCTS SOLD IN HONG KONG - THOSE MANUFACTURED FOR SALE OVERSEAS WILL NOT BE AFFECTED. PRODUCTS SOLD IN HONG KONG WILL HAVE TO COMPLY WITH THE CHOSEN SAFETY STANDARDS.
MANUFACTURERS AND IMPORTERS - NOT RETAILERS - WILL BE SUBJECT TO PROSECUTION. ENFORCEMENT WILL BE CARRIED OUT BY THE CUSTOMS AND EXCISE DEPARTMENT WITH ASSISTANCE FROM THE GOVERNMENT LABORATORY.
THERE WILL BE PROVISION FOR SEIZURE AND FORFEITURE OF GOODS.
PENALTIES TENTATIVELY ENVISAGED WILL BE IN THE RANGE OF $20,000 AND IMPRISONMENT FOR SIX MONTHS.
"HONG KONG WILL NOT BE DEVISING ITS OWN STANDARDS AS THIS WOULD BE DIFFICULT AND TIME-CONSUMING AND COULD CAUSE DIFFICULTIES FOR LOCAL MANUFACTURERS," MR MACLEOD SAID.
"WE PROPOSE TO ADOPT INTERNATIONALLY-RECOGNISED STANDARDS -THE DETAILS OF WHICH WILL BE WORKED OUT DURING CONSULTATIONS.
"FOR EXAMPLE, WE COULD ADOPT THE STANDARDS OF THE INTERNATIONAL STANDARDS ORGANISATION, THE INTERNATIONAL COMMITTEE OF TQY INDUSTRIES OR THE COMMITTEE DE NORMALISATION - WHICH IS A BODY THAT SETS STANDARDS FOLLOWED BY THE EEC AND EFTA MEMBER STATES.”
"OUR OBJECTIVE IS TO PROTECT HONG KONG’S CHILDREN," HE SAID.
"BUT WE HAVE TO ENSURE THAT ANY LEGISLATION IS CONSISTENT WITH OUR OBLIGATIONS UNDER GATT, THAT IT CAUSES THE MINIMUM DISRUPTION TO RESPONSIBLE MANUFACTURERS AND IMPORTERS AND THAT WE DON’T END UP WITH A NEW AND OPPRESSIVE BUREAUCRACY."
- 0-----------
FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 18, 1988
- 5 -
OFFICIALS REVIEW PROGRESS OF AGREEMENT
*****
THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY, MR PIERS JACOBS, EARLIER THIS WEEK MET A VISITING TEAM OF MINISTRY OF DEFENCE OFFICIALS, LED BY ASSISTANT UNDER SECRETARY OF STATE MR BRIAN COUSINS, TO REVIEW PROGRESS ON THE OPERATION OF THE 1988 DEFENCE COSTS AGREEMENT.
DISCUSSION AT THE MEETING CENTRED ON MEASURES IDENTIFIED TO EFFECT COST SAVINGS IN THE OPERATION OF THE GARRISON.
A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN SAID TODAY (FRIDAY) THAT THE DISCUSSIONS HAD BEEN CORDIAL AND PRODUCTIVE, AND THAT BOTH SIDES WERE PLEASED WITH THE PROGRESS THAT HAD BEEN MADE.
THE MEETING, WHICH HAD BEEN SCHEDULED EARLIER THIS YEAR, IS EXPECTED TO BE THE FIRST OF A REGULAR SERIES.
-------o ---------
AMENDED TV ORDINANCE BECOMES EFFECTIVE ON MONDAY
* * » »
THE TELEVISION (AMENDMENT) ORDINANCE 1988 WHICH INTRODUCES A NUMBER OF SIGNIFICANT CHANGES INTO THE LEGISLATION GOVERNING WIRELESS TELEVISION BROADCASTING IN HONG KONG WILL COME INTO OPERATION ON MONDAY (NOVEMBER 21).
THE ORDINANCE, WHICH ADDS NEW PROVISIONS INTO THE TELEVISION ORDINANCE, ENSURES THAT TELEVISION COMPANIES REMAIN LOCALLY CONTROLLED AND THAT THEY CONCENTRATE ON THE BUSINESS OF TELEVISION BROADCASTING.
IT RESTRICTS THE SHAREHOLDINGS WHICH MAY BE HELD BY PERSONS OR COMPANIES WHICH DO NOT SATISFY CERTAIN HONG KONG RESIDENCE REQUIREMENT.
AN INDIVIDUAL PERSON OR COMPANY WHO IS "UNQUALIFIED" UNDER THE ORDINANCE WILL REQUIRE THE APPROVAL OF THE BROADCASTING AUTHORITY TO HOLD A "RELEVANT INTEREST IN TWO PER CENT OR MORE OF THE VOTING SHARES OF A LICENSEE COMPANY, AND MAY NOT HOLD MORE THAN 10 PER CENT OF THE VOTING SHARES OF A LICENSEE.
FOR AN INDIVIDUAL TO BE "QUALIFIED" UNDER THE ORDINANCE HE MUST BE ORDINARILY RESIDENT IN HONG KONG AND HAVE BEEN ORDINARILY RESIDENT IN HONG KONG AT SOME TIME FOR A CONTINUOUS PERIOD OF AT LEAST SEVEN YEARS.
/FOR A .......
FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 18, 1988
A COMPANY TO BE "QUALIFIED", IT MUST BE "ORDINARILY RESIDENT jN HONG KONG" AS DEFINED IN THE TELEVISION ORDINANCE AS AMENDED.
UNDER THE NEW PROVISIONS A LICENSEE IS PROHIBITED FROM BEING A SUBSIDIARY OF ANOTHER COMPANY AND IS RESTRICTED IN THE INTERESTS WHICH IT MAY HOLD IN OTHER BUSINESSES.
THE NEW LEGISLATION ALSO UPDATES THE FINANCIAL PENALTIES WHICH THE BROADCASTING AUTHORITY MAY IMPOSE ON A TELEVISION COMPANY FOR NOT OBSERVING THE LICENCE CONDITIONS OR THE PROVISIONS OF THE TELEVISION ORDINANCE, AND INTRODUCES THE MORE SEVERE SANCTION OF SUSPENSION OF A LICENCE FOR UP TO 30 DAYS.
A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN SAID CERTAIN SECTIONS OF THE ORDINANCE WOULD NOT COME INTO OPERATION IMMEDIATELY.
"THE NEW SYSTEM FOR CALCULATING THE ROYALTY WHICH A LICENSEE MUST PAY FOR ITS PRIVILEGED USE OF THE AIR-WAVES WILL START ON JANUARY 1, 1989.
THE OVERALL 49 PER CENT LIMIT ON THE PROPORTION OF THE VOTING SHARES OF A LICENSEE COMPANY THAT MAY BE HELD BY "UNQUALIFIED” SHAREHOLDERS WILL NOT COME INTO EFFECT FOR SIX MONTHS.
THIS IS TO ALLOW TIME UNDER OTHER PROVISIONS OF THE NEW LEGISLATION FOR A LICENSEE TO ASK FOR INFORMATION FROM ITS SHAREHOLDERS ON THEIR RESIDENTIAL STATUS, SHAREHOLDINGS, ETC,” THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
FINANCIAL
SECRETARY VISITS MARINE DEPARTMENT
♦ ♦ * ♦ t
THE DEPARTMENT AFTERNOON.
FINANCIAL SECRETARY, MR PIERS JACOBS, VISITED THE MARINE AND THE CUSTOMS AND EXCISE DEPARTMENT THIS (FRIDAY)
ON ARRIVAL AT DIRECTOR OF MARINE, DEPARTMENT.
THE MARINE DEPARTMENT, MR JACOBS WAS MET MR DERICK HALL, AND SENIOR STAFF
BY
OF
THE
THE
MR JACOBS WAS BRIEFED ON VARIOUS ASPECTS OF THE WORK MARINE DEPARTMENT INCLUDING PORT PLANNING, THE ESTABLISHMENT NEW SHIPPING REGISTER AND THE VESSEL TRAFFIC MANAGEMENT SCHEME.
OF
OF
THE
THE
OF hongHkong!° watched a NEWly produc^ documentary film on the port
MR JACOBS LATER PROCEEDED TO THE IN THE SAME BUILDING AND WAS MET BY THF EXCISE, MR PATRICK WILLIAMSON, AND HIS
CUSTOMS AND EXCISE DEPARTMENT COMMISSIONER OF CUSTOMS AND STAFF.
AND EXC?SEWSEKV?J^ED °N VAKt°”S ASPEC'- ' ” OPERATION OF THE CUSTOMS
- 0 ----------
FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 18, 1988
- 7 -
GOVERNOR TO OFFICIATE AT TAI FU TAI CEREMONY » * * ♦
THE GOVERNOR, SIR DAVID WILSON, WILL OFFICIATE AT THE REHABILITATION CEREMONY OF THE TAI FU TAI AT WING PING TSUEN OF SAN TIN IN YUEN LONG TOMORROW (SATURDAY).
BELIEVED TO BE BUILT IN 1860’S OF THE QING DYNASTY, THE TAI FU TAI IS FORMERLY ’A CHINESE OFFICIAL RESIDENCE’ OF MR MAN CHUNG-LUEN.
SINCE THE RESIDENCE WAS GAZETTED AS A HISTORICAL BUILDING IN JULY LAST YEAR, MAJOR RESTORATION SCHEME WAS CARRIED OUT WITH THE $2.5 MILLION DONATION FROM THE ROYAL HONG KONG JOCKEY CLUB AND UNDER THE SUPERVISION OF THE ARCHITECTURAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT AND THE ANTIQUITIES AND MONUMENTS OFFICE OF THE MUNICIPAL SERVICES BRANCH.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE WELCOME TO SEND REPRESENTATIVES TO COVER THE REHABILITATION CEREMONY, WHICH WILL BEGIN AT 11 AM TOMORROW (SATURDAY) MORNING. FOR EASY ACCESS TO THE VICINITY, PRESS MEMBERS ARE ADVISED TO USE THE OLD CASTLE PEAK ROAD AND ENTER A SIDE PATH NEAR THE SAN TIN POST OFFICE LEADING TO THE TAI FU TAI.
TEMPORARY DIRECTIONAL SIGNS WILL BE POSTED AT SUITABLE LOCATIONS TO GUIDE MOTORISTS.
-------0 ---------
HK HAS KEY ROLE
IN CHINA’S MODERNISATION t t ♦ t t
HONG KONG IS IN MANY WAYS THE KEY TO CHINA’S MODERNISATION, HONG KONG’S SENIOR REPRESENTATIVE IN THE UNITED STATES, MR PETER LO, TOLD A LARGE GROUP OF LEADING U.S. BUSINESS EXECUTIVES IN MIAMI YESTERDAY (THURSDAY).
MR LO SAID THAT AS THE POLITICAL QUESTIONS RELATED TO 1997 WERE GRADUALLY BEING WORKED OUT, CHINA AND HONG KONG STOOD TO REAP SIGNIFICANT BENEFITS FROM THE BASIC ECONOMICS OF THEIR RELATIONSHIP.
"HONG KONG IS A SOURCE OF GOODS, INVESTMENT, TECHNOLOGY AND KNOW-HOW FOR THE MAINLAND,” HE SAID.
/HE NOTED .......
FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 18, 1988
- 8 -
HE NOTED THAT BOTH COUNTRIES WERE EACH OTHER’S LARGEST TRADING PARTNER AND EACH OTHER’S LARGEST SOURCE OF DIRECT INVESTMENT, WITH HONG KONG/CHINA TRADE EXPANDING AT AN ALMOST 40 PER CENT ANNUAL GROWTH RATE SINCE 1979.
"A RECENT DEVELOPMENT IS HONG KONG'S ROLE AS INTERMEDIARY FOR CHINA’S GROWING TRADE WITH SOUTH KOREA AND TAIWAN,” MR LO SAID.
"HONG KONG IS ESTIMATED TO HAVE HANDLED UP TO 80 PER CENT OF ALL TAIWAN-CHINA TRADE LAST YEAR, VALUED IN TOTAL AT US$1.5 BILLION.”
MR LO, MINISTER AT THE HONG KONG ECONOMIC AND TRADE OFFICE IN WASHINGTON DC, WAS SPEAKING AT THE INAUGURAL BUSINESS CONSORTIUM OF ASIAFEST, A FOUR-DAY COMMERCIAL AND CULTURAL FESTIVAL WITH PARTICIPATION FROM HONG KONG, INDIA, PAKISTAN, PHILIPPINES, SINGAPORE, TAIWAN AND THAILAND.
HE ATTRIBUTED HONG KONG’S POWERFUL ECONOMIC PERFORMANCE TO THE PRACTICE OF FREE TRADE, THE LACK OF EXCHANGE CONTROLS AND DOMESTIC SUBSIDIES, LOW TAXATION AND A GOVERNMENT ROLE LIMITED TO THE PROVISION OF THE LEGAL AND INFRASTRUCTURAL FRAMEWORK NECESSARY FOR EFFICIENT BUSINESS.
’HONG KONG’S FAVOURABLE BUSINESS CLIMATE HAS ATTRACTED SOME 900 U.S. COMPANIES TO THE TERRITORY,” MR LO SAID.
THIS U.S. CONFIDENCE WAS SHARED BY INDUSTRIALISTS FROM OTHER COUNTRIES. LAST YEAR, 240 FOREIGN-FUNDED COMPANIES WERE REGISTERED AND RETAINED IMPORTS OF CAPITAL GOODS GREW BY 26 PER CENT IN REAL TERMS.
EVIDENCE OF THIS CONFIDENCE IN HONG KONG’S FUTURE WAS THE LARGE AMOUNTS OF CAPITAL COMMITTED BY THE PRIVATE SECTOR TO PROJECTS THAT WOULD NOT REAP DIVIDENDS UNTIL WELL INTO THE NEXT CENTURY.
"THIS LONG-TERM INVESTMENT, COMBINED WITH THE IMPORTANCE AND DYNAMISM OF THE ASIA-PACIFIC REGION, AND THE POTENTIAL OF CHINA, PROVIDES A SOLID BASIS FOR THE CONTINUING PROSPERITY OF HONG KONG,” HE SAID.
FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 18, 1988
- 9 -
PROPOSALS TO IMPROVE ADMINISTRATION OF REFORMATORY SCHOOLS *****
AMENDMENTS TO EXISTING LEGISLATION ARE BEING PROPOSED TO IMPROVE THE ADMINISTRATION OF REFORMATORY SCHOOLS.
THE REFORMATORY SCHOOLS (AMENDMENT) BILL 1988, PUBLISHED IN THE GAZETTE TODAY (FRIDAY), PROPOSES THAT THE MAXIMUM PERIOD OF DETENTION IN A REFORMATORY SCHOOL BE REDUCED FROM FIVE YEARS TO THREE YEARS.
THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT CURRENTLY OPERATES TWO REFORMATORY SCHOOLS: THE CASTLE PEAK BOYS’ HOME AND THE O PUI SHAN BOYS’ HOME.
THESE ARE BASICALLY RESIDENTIAL INSTITUTIONS WHICH PROVIDE DAILY CARE TOGETHER WITH A PROGRAMME OF TRAINING FOR YOUNG OFFENDERS.
UNDER THE EXISTING LEGISLATION, A YOUTHFUL OFFENDER MAY BE DETAINED IN A REFORMATORY SCHOOL FOR A PERIOD OF NOT LESS THAN ONE YEAR AND NOT MORE THAN FIVE YEARS, AND IN ANY EVENT NOT BEYOND THE DATE AT WHICH THE OFFENDER REACHES THE AGE OF 18 YEARS.
"THE FIVE-YEAR DETENTION PERIOD IS CONSIDERED TOO LONG COMPARED WITH OTHER TRAINING CENTRES, WHICH HAVE A MAXIMUM DETENTION PERIOD OF ONLY THREE YEARS," A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN SAID.
"EXPERIENCE ALSO SHOWS THAT YOUTHFUL OFFENDERS SOMETIMES REACT STRONGLY AGAINST SENTENCING TO REFORMATORY SCHOOLS DUE TO THE POSSIBLE LENGTH OF DETENTION AND THE LONG AFTER-CARE SERVICE.
THE LONG DETENTION PERIOD MAY ALSO CAUSE PSYCHOLOGICAL STRESS AMONG INMATES AND RESULT IN THEIR HAVING BEHAVIOURAL PROBLEMS OR ATTEMPTING TO ABSCOND," HE ADDED.
HE SAID THE DIRECTOR. OF SOCIAL WELFARE CONSIDERED THAT DETENTION BEYOND THIS PERIOD HAD NO POSITIVE EFFECT ON OFFENDERS AND IT WAS THEREFORE PROPOSED THAT THE MAXIMUM PERIOD BE REDUCED FROM FIVE TO THREE YEARS.
THE BILL ALSO PROPOSES TO REPLACE THE TERM "INCORRIGIBLE" IN THE ORDINANCE WITH THE PHRASE "A YOUTHFUL OFFENDER WHO IS UNSUITABLE FOR FURTHER DETENTION IN A REFORMATORY SCHOOL".
"IT IS CONSIDERED THAT THE TERM ’INCORRIGIBLE’ CARRIES A NEGATIVE CONNOTATION AND IMPLIES THAT THE OFFENDER’S BEHAVIOUR CANNOT BI£ IMPROVED.
"WHILST THE OFFENDER MAY HAVE FAILED TO ACHIEVE POSITIVE RESULTS IN A REFORMATORY SCHOOL, THIS DOES NOT NECESSARILY MEAN THAT HE WILL NOT IMPROVE IN ANOTHER ENVIRONMENT OR AS A RESULT OF A DIFFERENT TRAINING PROGRAMME.
/"THE PROPOSED .......
FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 18, 1988
10
’’THE PROPOSED PHRASE IS CONSIDERED A MORE ACCURATE DESCRIPTION,” THE SPOKESMAN SAID,
ANOTHER PROPOSED AMENDMENT IS INTRODUCTION OF A NEW PROVISION TO ENABLE THE COURT TO REFER DRUG-ADDICTED INMATES OF REFORMATORY SCHOOLS TO THE CORRECTIONAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT'S DRUG ADDICTION TREATMENT CENTRES.
THE SOCIAL WELFARE ADVISORY COMMITTEE, THE OMELCO STANDING PANEL ON WELFARE SERVICES AND JUVENILE COURT MAGISTRATES HAD BEEN CONSULTED AND SUPPORTED THE PROPOSED AMENDMENTS, THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
THE BILL IS DUE TO BE INTRODUCED INTO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL ON NOVEMBER 30.
REPRESENTATIONS ON THE BILL CAN BE FORWARDED TO THE OMELCO OFFICE, 8 JACKSON ROAD, HONG KONG, OR TO THE HEALTH AND WELFARE BRANCH, GOVERNMENT SECRETARIAT.
------0-------
SEPTEMBER ORDERS-ON-HAND, EMPLOYMENT AND PAYROLL FIGURES ♦ ♦ * * *
IN SEPTEMBER 1988, THE REPORTED BY THE 200 LARGEST
AVERAGE VOLUME
FIRMS IN THE AS IN AUGUST
OF ORDERS-ON-HAND
MANUFACTURING SECTOR
1988,
REMAINED AT ABOUT THE SAME LEVEL DECREASE OF 3 PER CENT WHEN COMPARED WITH SEPTEMBER ----------------------------------(FRIDAY) BY
TO RESULTS OF A SURVEY RELEASED STATISTICS DEPARTMENT.
TODAY
BUT 1987 , THE
SHOWED A
ACCORDING
CENSUS AND
VOLUME OF PRODUCTS DECREASED
PRODUCTS
THE
METAL
BUT
AUGUST 1988,
ORDERS-ON-HAND INCREASED SLIGHTLY IN THE FABRICATED AND THE ELECTRICAL AND tu^ ^Vnd^^PLAST !(’
COMPARING SEPTEMBER 1988 WITH
SLIGHTLY IN THE WEARING INDUSTRIES.
APPAREI
TEXTILES
COMPARED WITH SEPTEMBER 1987
THE ORDERS POSITION IN
1988 DROPPED SUBSTANT 1 Al.IA INDUSTRIES AND MODERATELY
IN IN
THE
THE
TEXTILES WEARING • METAL
AND PLASTIC
SEPTEMBER PRODUCTS
APPAREL INDUSTRY, PRODUCTS INDUSTRY
INCREASED MODERATELY IN THE FABRICATED
SLIGHTLY IN THE ELECTRICAL AND ELECTRONIC PRODUCTS INDUSTRY.
BUT
AND
THE AVERAGE VOLUME OF ORDERS-ON-HAND IS MEASURED THE NUMBER OF MONTHS AND REFERS TO ORDERS OUTSTANDING AS THE REFERENCE MONTH.
LN TERMS OF
AT THE END OF
/ON EMPLOYMENT,
FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 18, 1988
11
ON EMPLOYMENT, THE MANUFACTURERS SURVEYED REPORTED THAT SEPTEMBER 1988 LEVEL WAS LOWER BY 2 PER CENT WHEN COMPARED AUGUST 1988 AND 6 PER CENT WHEN COMPARED WITH SEPTEMBER 1987.
THE
WITH
LEFT
COMPARING SEPTEMBER 1988 WITH AUGUST 1988, EMPLOYMENT DECREASED IN ALL THE MANUFACTURING INDUSTRIES SURVEYED, PARTICULARLY IN THE PLASTIC PRODUCTS AND THE ELECTRICAL AND ELECTRONIC PRODUCTS INDUSTRIES, AS SUMMER WORKERS RECRUITED IN THE PRECEDING MONTHS THEIR JOBS.
1988
COMPARED WITH SEPTEMBER 1987, EMPLOYMENT IN SEPTEMBER DECREASED !N ALL THE "ANURACTUR.NG INDUSTRIES SURVEYED^ IH^CULAR,
THE DECREASE IN EMPLOYMENT IN SUBSTANTIAL.
THE
FIRMS
PER CAPITA EARNINGS IN THE MANUFACTURING FIRMS INCREASE™ “"BEEN? MCE TERMS. BY > « CERT AND SEPTEMBER 1988 OVER A' GUST 1988 AND SEPTEMBER 198, RESPECTIVELY.
SURVEYED
IN
COMPARING
I SEPTEMBER 1988 WITH AUGUST 1988, PER CAPITA
INCREASED MODERATELY IN INDUSTRIES AND SLIGHTLY INDUSTRY.
THE FOOD AND DRINKS AND THE
PLASTIC
IN THE ELECTRICAL AND ELECTRONIC
EARNINGS PRODUCTS PRODUCTS
PERIOD OF COMPARISON, PER CAPITA THE TEXTILES INDUSTRY AND SLIGHTLY
OVER THE SAME
.^“^APPARKrTND^lRVrfoLLOR.R-; THU ISSUE OK BONUSES AND FOR SALARY REVISIONS BY SOME FIRMS IN 1HESE TWO INDUS I RIES
IN
EARNINGS
IN THE
BACK-PAY
AUGUST
1988.
SEPTEMBER INDUSTRIES
PRODUCTS,
COMPARED WITH SEPTEMBER 1987, PER CAPITA EARNINGS IN iW INCREASED SUBSTANTIALLY IN MOST MANUFACTURING SURVEYED WITH THE LARGEST INCREASES RECORDED IN I HE PLASTIC AND ELECTRICAL AND ELI ( TRONIC PRODUCTS INDUSTRIES.
IN THE CONSTRUCTION
SECTOR, EMPLOYMENT IN
INCREASED SLIGHTLY OVER BOTH AUGUS1
I 1988 AND SEPTEMBER
SEPTEMBER 1987 .
1988
ON THE OTHER
SAME LEVEL SEPTEMBER
AS IN 1987 .
HAND, AUGUST
AT ABOUT
PER CAPITA EARNINGS REMAINED
1988, BUT INCREASED SIGNIFICANTLY
THE
OVER
IT
EMPLOYEES
SHOULD BE
NOTED THAT
ONLY; SITE WORKERS EMPLOYED BY
FIGURES FOR THIS SECTOR COVER COMPANY LABOUR-ONLY SUB-CONTRACTORS
ARE NOT INCLUDED.
IN THE SERVICE SECTORS SURVEYED, THE OVERALL J .EVP I EMPLOYMENT IN SEPTEMBER 1988 SHOWED LITTLE CHANGE WHEN COMPARED AUGUST 1988, BUT INCREASED MODERATELY OVER SEPTEMBER 1987.
PER CAPITA EARNINGS IN SEPTEMBER 1988 REMAINED AT ABOUT SAME LEVEL Is ?N AVGUST 1988, BUT INCREASED SICNIF1CANTLV COMPARED WITH SEPTEMBER 1987.
OF
WITH
THE
WHEN
/THE PERCENTAGE .......
FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 18, 1988
12
THE PERCENTAGE CHANGES IN ORDERS-ON-HAND, EMPLOYMENT AND PER CAPITA EARNINGS ARE SHOWN IN THE ACCOMPANYING TABLES I TO 3.
THE SURVEY COVERED A PANEL OF THE 200 LARGEST MANUFACTURING COMPANIES AND THE 50 LARGEST COMPANIES IN THE CONSTRUCTION AND SELECTED SERVICE SECTORS, CHOSEN BY REFERENCE TO THEIR EMPLOYMENT SIZES IN SEPTEMBER 1986.
AS THE SAMPLE WAS NOT DRAWN ON A RANDOM BASIS, THE DEPARTMENT CAUTIONED THAT THE MAGNITUDES OF CHANGES INDICATED BY THE SURVEY RESULTS MIGHT NOT REFLECT THE EXPERIENCE OF THE ECONOMY AS A WHOLE.
NEVERTHELESS, THESE 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 SEPTEMBER 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, WANCHAl TOWER 1, 12 HARBOUR ROAD, WAN CHAI, AT $1.50 PER COPY.
ENQUIRIES ABOUT THE SU RVEY RESULTS M AY BE MADE TO THE
INDUSTRIAL PRODUCTION STATISTICS SECTION OF THE ' CENSUS AND STATISTICS
DEPARTMENT AT 5-8234820.
TABLE 1: ORDERS-ON-HAND IN MANUFACTURING INDUSTRIES
<1 INDUSTRY ORDERS-ON -HAND
AS AT THE END OF CHANGE WHEN COMPARED WITH
SEPTEMBER 1988 AUG. 88 SEP. 87
(MONTHS) (%) (%)
ALL MANUFACTURING INDUSTRIES 4.26 t -3
WEARING APPAREL 4.62 -2 -6
TEXTILES 2.28 -2 -20
PLASTIC PRODUCTS 2.61 -2 -19
FABRICATED METAL PRODUCTS 1.36 + 2 +6
ELECTRICAL AND ELECTRONIC
PRODUCTS 5.14 + 1 +2
OTHERS 4.15 ♦ -2
♦ CHANGES WITHIN +/- 0.5%
/TABLE 2: ......
FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 1B, 1903
TABLE 2: EMPLOYMENT
INDUSTRY.'SERVICES PERSONS ENGAGED AT THE END OF SEPTEMBER 1988
CHANGE WHEN AUG. 88 COMPARED WITH SEP. 87
(%) (%)
ALL MANUFACTURING INDUSTRIES -2 -6
FOOD AND DRINKS -2 -3
WEARING APPAREL -1 -6
TEXTILES -1 -5
PLASTIC PRODUCTS -8 -20
FABRICATED METAL PRODUCTS -2 -1
ELECTRICAL AND ELECTRONIC PRODUCTS -3 -5
OTHERS -2 -3
# CONSTRUCTION + 1 + 1
SERVICES * + 4
BANKS t + 3
HOTELS + 1 ♦
PUBLIC UTILITIES ♦ -1
OTHERS + 1 + 12
» CHANGES WITHIN +/- 0.5%
# PERSONS ENGAGED COVER EMPLOYED BY LABOUR-ONLY COMPANY EMPLOYEES SUB-CONTRACTORS ARE ONLY; SITE NOT INCLUDED. WORKERS
/TABLE J: .......
FRIDAY, NOVEMBER '‘8, 1988
- U
TABLE 3: PER CAPITA EARNINGS
INDUSTRY/SERVICES PER CAPITA EARNINGS
CHANGE WHEN COMPARED
AVERAGE AS IN WITH
SEPTEMBER 1988 AUG. 88 SEP, 87
(HK$) (%) /%)
ALL MANUFACTURING INDUSTRIES 4,446 + 1 + 19
FOOD AND DRINKS 5,235 + 4 + 17
WEARING APPAREL 3,689 -1 + 15
TEXTILES 4,274 -7 + 11
PLASTIC PRODUCTS 4,579 +6 + 26
FABRICATED METAL PRODUCTS ELECTRICAL AND ELECTRONIC 4,333 t + 19
PRODUCTS 4,341 + 3 ■‘■24
OTHERS 5,640 + 2 + 17
CONSTRUCTION 6,343 t + 15
SERVICES 7,694 * + 16
BANKS 7,000 -1 + 19
HOTELS 4,768 -1 + 18
PUBLIC UTILITIES 8,052 -1 + 13
OTHERS 8,646 + 1 + 17
* CHANGES WITHIN +/- 0.5%
NOTES TO TABLES I-3: 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 tS NOT MEANINGFUL INFORMATION ON ITS OWN (BECAUSE THIS IS A PANEL SURVEY) AND IS THEREFORE NOT SHOWN.
- - 0 - -
tc.
FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 18, 1988
STATUS OF ANOTHER 90 VIETNAMESE ASYLUM SEEKERS DETERMINED
* t » * »
THE GOVERNMENT HAS COMPLETED ITS SCREENING PROCEDURES FOR DETERMINING THE STATUS OF ANOTHER 90 VIETNAMESE ASYLUM SEEKERS WHO HAVE ARRIVED IN HONG KONG AFTER JUNE 15 THIS YEAR.
OF THE GROUP SCREENED, SEVEN
AND THREE INDIVIDUALS, WERE FOUND
TRANSFERRED TO A REFUGEE CAMP PRIOR
PERSONS, COMPRISING TWO GROUPS TO BE REFUGEES AND HAVE BEEN TO RESETTLEMENT OVERSEAS.
THE OTHER 83, COMPRISING 19 GROUPS AND 23 INDIVIDUALS, WERE FOUND NOT TO BE REFUGEES. THEY WILL BE HELD IN DETENTION CENTRES PENDING REPATRIATION TO VIETNAM.
"DETERMINATION NOTICES HAVE BEEN SERVED ON THE ASYLUM SEEKERS B> IMMIGRATION DEPARTMENT STAFF," A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN SAID.
"THOSE PEOPLE FOUND NOT TO BE REFUGEES HAVE BEEN ADVISED OF THEIR RIGHT TO OBJECT TO THE RESULT UNDER THE IMMIGRATION ORDINANCE, AS WELL AS THEIR RIGHT TO LEGAL ADVICE IN PREPARING THEIR OBJECTIONS.
"THE UNHCR WILL MAKE ARRANGEMENTS TO ENSURE THAT LEGAL ADVICE IS MADE AVAILABLE TO ALL THOSE WHO NEED IT."
THE SPOKESMAN POINTED OUT THAT THE SCREENING PROCEDURES WERE BASED ON THE UNHCR PROCEDURES AND CRITERIA FOR DETERMINING REFUGEE STATUS ESTABLISHED UNDER THE 1951 CONVENTION AND THE 1967 PROTOCOL, AND TOOK INTO ACCOUNT THE SPECIAL SITUATION OF ASYLUM SEEKERS FROM VIETNAM.
"STAFF OF THE UNHCR WERE PRESENT DURING SOME OF THE INTERVIEWS AS OBSERVERS," HE SAID.
SO FAR, SCREENING PROCEDURES HAVE BEEN COMPLETED FOR 179 ASYLUM SEEKERS. OF THEM, 15 WERE FOUND TO BE REFUGEES WHILE 164 WERE FOUND NOT TO BE REFUGEES.
- - 0------------
/%.....
FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 18, 1988
- 16 -
PROPOSAL TO INCREASE PLB SEATING CAPACITY TO 16 ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦
A BILL ENABLING THE MAXIMUM SEATING CAPACITY OF PUBLIC LIGHT BUSES TO BE INCREASED FROM 14 TO 16 WAS PUBLISHED IN THE GAZETTE TODAY (FRIDAY).
THE PROPOSED INCREASE, CONTAINED IN THE ROAD TRAFFIC (AMENDMENT) (NO. 3) BILL 1988, WILL ENABLE BETTER USE OF THE PASSENGER CARRYING POTENTIAL OF PUBLIC LIGHT BUSES AND WILL HELP TO MEET THE DEMAND FOR PUBLIC TRANSPORT, ESPECIALLY DURING PEAK HOURS.
THE PROPOSED INCREASE WILL ALSO APPLY TO PRIVATE LIGHT BUSES.
THE INCREASE OF UP TO 16 SEATS IS FINAL AND NO FURTHER RELAXATION IN THE DIMENSIONS, WEIGHT OR SEATING CAPACITY OF PUBLIC OR PRIVATE LIGHT BUSES WOULD BE CONSIDERED.
THIS IS IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE EXISTING POLICY THAT PUBLIC LIGHT BUSES SHOULD PLAY A COMPLEMENTARY ROLE IN THE PUBLIC TRANSPORT NETWORK, SUPPLEMENTING SERVICES PROVIDED BY THE MASS TRANSPORT CARRIERS.
TO PROVIDE A CLEAR DISTINCTION BETWEEN A PUBLIC LIGHT BUS AND A BUS, THE MINIMUM SEATING CAPACITY OF A BUS WILL ALSO BE AMENDED SO THAT IT HAS TO CARRY MORE THAN 16 PASSENGERS.
OPERATORS CAN CONTINUE TO OPERATE THE EXISTING 14-SEATER PUBLIC LIGHT BUS VEHICLES, IF THEY SO WISH, AFTER PASSAGE OF THE BILL.
VEHICLES NOW REGISTERED AS PRIVATE OR PUBLIC BUSES AND HAVING A SEATING CAPACITY OF 15 OR 16 WILL KEEP THEIR EXISTING CLASSIFICATION AND WILL NOT BE AFFECTED BY THE BILL. THERE ARE, AT PRESENT, 30 SUCH VEHICLES.
AS A CONSEQUENCE OF THE ABOVE CHANGES, MINOR AMENDMENTS WILL ALSO HAVE TO BE MADE IN THE MOTOR VEHICLES (FIRST REGISTRATION TAX) ORDINANCE, THE ROAD TUNNELS (GOVERNMENT) REGULATIONS AND THE ROAD TRAFFIC (CONSTRUCTION AND MAINTENANCE OF VEHICLES) REGULATIONS.
THE BILL IS EXPECTED TO BE INTRODUCED INTO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL AT THE ENI) OF THIS MONTH.
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/17........
FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 18, 1988
- 17 -
MORE DETAILS SOUGHT FROM MASSAGE LICENCE APPLICANTS *****
APPLICANTS FOR MASSAGE ESTABLISHMENT LICENCES WILL HAVE TO PROVIDE MORE DETAILED INFORMATION ABOUT THEMSELVES AND THEIR BUSINESS UNDER REGULATIONS GAZETTED TODAY (FRIDAY).
THE MASSAGE ESTABLISHMENTS REGULATIONS 1988 INTRODUCE A NEW FORM FOR APPLICATIONS FOR THE GRANT OR RENEWAL OF A LICENCE TO OPERATE A MASSAGE ESTABLISHMENT.
CHANGES TO THE FORM WILL ENABLE THE COMMISSIONER OF POLICE, WHO IS THE LICENSING AUTHORITY, TO GUAGE MORE ACCURATELY WHETHER AN APPLICATION COMPLIES WITH STATUTORY REQUIREMENTS.
APPLICANTS WILL BE ASKED FOR MORE DETAILED INFORMATION ABOUT THEMSELVES AND THEIR BUSINESS AND TO PROVIDE DOCUMENTS TO SUPPORT THIS INFORMATION.
-----0-----
SCS VISITS ROYAL OBSERVATORY *****
THE SECRETARY FOR THE CIVIL SERVICE, MR HARNAM GREWAL, TODAY (FRIDAY) VISITED THE ROYAL OBSERVATORY TO UPDATE HIMSELF ON THE WORK AND OPERATIONS OF THE DEPARTMENT.
HE WAS GIVEN AN INSIGHT INTO THE LATEST DEVELOPMENT OF THE DEPARTMENT BY THE DIRECTOR OF THE ROYAL OBSERVATORY, MR PATRICK SHAM, AND ASSISTANT DIRECTORS, DR PETER LI AND MR ROBERT LAU.
MR GREWAL INSPECTED FACILITIES AND MET STAFF IN THE VARIOUS DIVISIONS OF THE ROYAL OBSERVATORY.
THESE INCLUDED THE CENTRAL FORECASTING OFFICE, COMPUTER DIVISION, RESEARCH AND RECORDS DIVISION, APPLIED METEOROLOGY RESEARCH DIVISION, SEISMOLOGY, ASTRONOMY AND TIME SERVICES SECTION AS WELL AS THE EXHIBITION ROOM.
MR GREWAL LATER HAD INFORMAL DISCUSSIONS WITH REPRESENTATIVES OF THE STAFF GRADE AND LISTENED TO THEIR VIEWS ON STAFF MATTERS.
-----0------
/18........
FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 18,
1988
- 18 -
REAPING BENEFITS IN THE LONGER TERM *****
LT IS ONLY OVER THE LONGER TERM THAT THOUGHTFUL INVESTMENT IN STOCKS AND SHARES WILL ENABLE A PERSON TO BENEFIT FROM THE GENERAL PROSPERITY OF THE ECONOMY, THE SECRETARY FOR MONETARY AFFAIRS, MR DAVID NENDICK, SAID TODAY (FRIDAY).
SPEAKING AT THE CLOSING CEREMONY OF THE GREAT INVESTMENT RACE 1988 AT THE EXCHANGE SQUARE, MR NENDICK SAID ANY INDIVIDUAL WHO INVESTED IN THE STOCK MARKET MONEY WHICH HE OR SHE MIGHT NEED TO USE AT VERY SHORT NOTICE FOR OTHER PURPOSES WAS A HOSTAGE TO MARKET FLUCTUATIONS AND MIGHT BE OBLIGED TO SELL AT UNATTRACTIVE PRICES.
CONGRATULATING ALL PARTICIPANTS IN THE RACE, PARTICULARLY THE WINNERS, MR NENDICK SAID LUCK AS WELL AS JUDGEMENT WOULD INEVITABLY HAVE PLAYED. SOME PART IN THE OUTCOME GIVEN THE RELATIVELY SHORT TIME SCALE INVOLVED.
"I WOULD NOT WISH THESE COMMENTS, THOUGH, TO BE SEEN AS IN ANY WAY DENIGRATING THE UNDOUBTED SKILLS AND JUDGEMENT DEPLOYED BY ALL PARTICIPANTSj NOR DETER THEM OR OTHER FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS FROM ENTERING FUTURE RACES.
"ON THE CONTRARY, I SEE THIS AS INDICATIVE OF THE RISKS INHERIN’! IN LOOKING TO THE STOCK MARKET AS A PLACE FOR SHORT TERM INVESTMENT," HE SAID.
Hi< SAID THAT IF PROFESSIONALS, WITH ALL THE INFORMATION AND EXPERTISE TJ-’EV HAD AT THEIR DISPOSAL, COULD NOT ALWAYS GET IT RIGHT, MUCH LESS SO COULD MEMBERS OF THE GENERAL PUBLIC.
"MY FIRM ADVICE, THEREFORE, TO SMALL INVESTORS IS THAT THEY SHOULD LEAVE SHORT TERM INVESTMENT IN STOCKS AND SHARES TO THE PROFESSIONAL! Y QUALIFIED AND REGARD THEIR OWN COMMITMENTS TO THIS MARKET AS BEING FOR THE MEDIUM AM) LONG TERM," HE SAID.
- 0 -
/19........
RIDAY, NOVEMBER 18, 1988
- 19 -
DB COMMITTEE TO DISCUSS HALF-WAY HOUSES t * * ♦ ♦
THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT WILL PRESENT A PAPER ON HALF-WAY HOUSES FOR DISCUSSION AT THE MEETING OF THE SHAM SHUI PO DISTRICT BOARD COMMUNITY WELFARE COMMITTEE ON MONDAY (NOVEMBER 21).
MEMBERS WILL BE ASKED TO ADVISE ON THE PROPOSED ESTABLISHMENT OF HALF-WAY HOUSES FOR DISCHARGED MENTAL PATIENTS IN LET CHENG UK REDEVELOPMENT PHASE III AND IN NAM CHEONG STREET.
THE FORMER IS EXPECTED TO ACCOMMODATE 40 PLACES AND THE LATTER 120.
COMMENTS WILL ALSO BE SOUGHT FROM MEMBERS ON THE PROPOSED REMOVAL OF THE WAI CHI HOSTEL FOR DISCHARGED OFFENDERS FROM HUNG HOM TO BLOCK 8 OF LEI CHENG UK REDEVELOPMENT PHASE III.
IN ADDITION, MEMBERS WILL DISCUSS A PAPER ON THE IMPROVEMENT OF LONG SERVICE PAYMENTS.
THE WORKING GROUPS ON THE ’’FESTIVAL FOR THE ELDERLY”, STUDY ROOM FACILITIES IN SHAM SHUI PO AND IMPROVEMENT OF ACCOMMODATION OF SINGLE PERSONS AND TWO-PERSON FAMILIES IN SHAM SHUI PO WILL REPORT THE PROGRESS OF THEIR WORK TO THE COMMITTEE.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE MEETING OF THE SHAM SHUI PO DISTRICT BOARD COMMUNITY WELFARE COMMITTEE TO BE HELD ON MONDAY (NOVEMBER 21) AT THE SHEK KIP MEI COMMUNITY HALL, BLOCK 42, SHEK KIP MEI ESTATE, NAM CHEONG STREET. THE MEETING WILL BEGIN AT 2.15 PM.
- 0 ----------
/2O........
FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 18,
1988
?O -
APPROVED TUEN MUN OZP PUBLISHED *****
THE OUTLINE ZONING PLAN FOR TUEN MUN APPROVED BY THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL WAS PUBLISHED IN THE GAZETTE TODAY (FRIDAY).
THE TUEN MUN OUTLINE ZONING PLAN WAS FIRST PUBLISHED IN 1983.
SINCE THEN, A NUMBER OF AMENDMENT PLANS HAVE BEEN GAZETTED FOR PUBLIC INSPECTION AND VARIOUS OBJECTIONS TO THE AMENDMENTS HAVE BEEN RECEIVED AND CONSIDERED.
THE PLAN WAS SUBSEQUENTLY APPROVED BY THE GOVERNOR IN COUNCIL ON AUGUST 16 THIS YEAR.
THE PLAN COVERS MAINLY TUEN MUN NEW TOWN.
IT HAS AN AREA OF ABOUT 2,151 HECTARES WITH DEVELOPMENTS LARGELY CONCENTRATED IN THE NORTH-SOUTH CORRIDOR FLANKED BY THE FOOTHILLS OF TAI LAM AND CASTLE PEAK WHICH PROVIDE SCENIC BACKDROPS TO THE TOWN.
EXTENSIVE RECLAMATION AND SITE FORMATION WORKS HAVE TAKEN PLACE SINCE THE EARLY 1970’S FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE NEW TOWN.
THE MAIN OBJECTIVE OF THE PLAN IS TO PROVIDE STATUTORY PLANNING CONTROL OVER DEVELOPMENT AND REDEVELOPMENT IN THE AREA VIA LAND USE ZONINGS.
SUCH CONTROL WILL HELP INTEGRATE DEVELOPMENTS TO CREATE AN ATTRACTIVE ENVIRONMENT FOR A POPULATION OF ABOUT 562,000 PEOPLE.
THE PLAN CAN BE SEEN AT THE TOWN PLANNING OFFICE, BUILDINGS AND LANDS DEPARTMENT, FOURTH FLOOR, MURRAY' BUILDING, GARDEN ROAD, HONG KONG; AND AT THE PUBLIC ENQUIRY SUB-OFFICE, CENTRAL GOVERNMENT OFFICES, WEST WING ENTRANCE, HONG KONG.
COPIES OF THE APPROVED PLAN ARE AVAILABLE AT THE MAP AND PLAN SALES SECTION, SURVEY AND MAPPING OFFICE, BUILDINGS AND LANDS DEPARTMENT, 14T1I FLOOR, MURRAY BUILDING, GARDEN ROAD, HONG KONG, AND AT THE KOWLOON MAP AND PLAN SALES SECTION, 382 NATHAN ROAD, KOWLOON.
PRICES ARE $10 FOR THE UNCOLOURED VERSION AND $50 FOR THE COLOURED PRINTED VERSION.
FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 18, 1988
- 21
CAREER EDUCATION HELPS STUDENTS TO FACE CHALLENGES
*****
THE DIRECTOR OF EDUCATION, MR Y.T. LI, CALLED ON SCHOOL PRINCIPALS AND TEACHERS TODAY (FRIDAY) TO GIVE FULL SUPPORT IN PROVIDING A COMPREHENSIVE CAREER EDUCATION AND GUIDANCE SERVICE TO STUDENTS.
THIS WOULD HELP THE STUDENTS TO FACE THE CHALLENGES IN A RAPIDLY CHANGING SOCIETY.
SPEAKING AT THE OPENING CEREMONY OF AN EXHIBITION ON THE SURVEYING PROFESSION, HELD AT QUEEN’S COLLEGE, MR LI SAID THE CONTINUED AND INVALUABLE SUPPORT OF VARIOUS PROFESSIONAL BODIES WAS EQUALLY IMPORTANT TO THE CAREER SERVICES BEING PROVIDED AT SCHOOLS.
SUCH SERVICES WERE DESIGNED TO HELP STUDENTS TO MAKE INFORMED CHOICES ABOUT THEIR FUTURE IN RELATION TO BOTH WORK AND ANY NECESSARY CONTINUING STUDIES, HE SAID.
MR LI SAID CAREER EDUCATION AIMED TO PROVIDE STUDENTS WITH KNOWLEDGE ABOUT JOBS AND TYPES OF QUALIFICATIONS REQUIRED, ABOUT OPPORTUNITIES FOR EDUCATION AND TRAINING AND ABOUT SKILLS OF SELF-KNOWLEDGE AND SELECTION.
IN THIS CONNECTION, MR LT PRAISED THE ROYAL INSTITUTION OF CHARTERED SURVEYORS (HONG KONG BRANCH) FOR ITS EFFORT IN ORGANISING THE EXHIBITION WHICH HE DESCRIBED AS AN EXCELLENT EXAMPLE OF THE WORK DONE BY PROFESSIONAL BODIES IN PROMOTING CAREERS GUIDANCE WORK IN SCHOOLS.
MR LI SAID HE BELIEVED THAT THROUGH SUCH AN ENCOUNTER WITH THE PROFESSIONALS IN THE FIELD, TEACHERS WOULD GAIN MORE INSIGHT INTO THE VERY INTERESTING MULTI-DISCIPLINARY PROFESSION OF SURVEYING.
MR LI ALSO HOPED ALL CAREER TEACHERS WOULD MAKE GOOD USE OF THE EXHIBITION AND SHARE THE KNOWLEDGE THEY ACQUIRED WITH THEIR STUDENTS.
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/22........
FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 18, 1988
- 22 -
ADVISORY COMMITTEE ON TRAVEL \GENTL RECONS!ITUTED
*****
THE GOVERNMENT HAS
RECONSTITUTED
TRAVEL AGENTS
TO PROVIDE A
BROADER
THE ADVISORY REPRESENTATION
IMPLEMENTATION OF THE TRAVEL INDUSTRY.
POLICY
OF SELF-REGULATION FOR
COMMITTEE ON FOLLOWING THE THE OUTBOUND
CHAIRMAN AND MEMBERS OF
THE APPOINTMENTS OF THE
WERE PUBLISHED IN THE GAZETTE TODAY (FRIDAY).
THE COMMITTEE
DR HENRIETTA IP BAS BEEN
APPOINTED CHAIRMAN OF THE COMMITTEE.
THE OTHER MEMBERS
ARE:
MRS PAMELA
CHAN
CHIEF EXECUTIVE OF THE CONSUMER
MR STEPHEN CHAN PAO-HAU
MR KONG HO-PAK
MR KWAN CHIU-YIN
MR BENTON LAU
DR MICHAEL LEE YUK-KWAN
MR JAMES LU
MR PANG HANG-YIN
MR HAROLD T. WU
MR RAFAEL HUI
COUNCIL
CHAIRMAN, BOARD OF AIRLINES
REPRESENTATIVES
DEPUTY CHAIRMAN, TRAVEL INDUSTRY
COUNCIL OF HONG KONG
CERTIFIED PUBLIC ACCOUNTANT
ADVERTISING EXECUTIVE
CHAIRMAN, WONG TAI SIN DISTRICT
BOARD
DEPUTY EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, HONG KONG TOURIST ASSOCIATION
CHAIRMAN, NORTH DISTRICT BOARD
CHAIRMAN, TRAVEL INDUSTRY
COUNCIL OF HONG KONG
DEPUTY SECRETARY FOR ECONOMIC
SERVICES
THE REGISTRAR OF TRAVEL EX OFFICIO MEMBER AND SECRETARY
AGENTS, OF THE
MR JOSEPH WONG TAI-NUNG, IS COMMITTEE.
AN
ALL MEMBERS HAVE BEEN APPOINTED 1988 TO OCTOBER 31, 1990.
FOR TWO YEARS FROM NOVEMBER
1 ,
ADVISE THE
THE ROLE OF THE COMMITTEE IS TO ADMINISTRATION OF THE TRAVEL AGENTS ORDINANCE AND RELATING TO THE REGULATION OF THE OUTBOUND TRAVEL
GOVERNMENT
ON POLICY INDUSTRY.
ON THE MATTERS
"THE ADVISORY IN THE POLICY REVIEW
COMMITTEE HAS MADE VERY VALUABLE CONTR1BUTIONS LEADING TO THE INTRODUCTION OF SELF-REGULATION,
A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN SA’D.
’’THE COMMITTEE, WITH ITS BROAD TO PLAY A USEFUL ROLE IN PROMOTING AN TRAVEL INDUSTRY,” HE ADDED.
REPRESENTATION, WILL EFFICIENT AND SOUND
CONTINUE OUTBOUND
- 0 - -
/25
FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 18, 1988
- 23 -
PSYCHOLOGICAL INPUT FOR REHABILITATION SERVICES * * ♦ * ♦
THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT WILL SET UP A CENTRAL DEPARTMENTAL TEAM OF CLINICAL PSYCHOLOGISTS BY PHASES FROM NEXT YEAR TO PROVIDE MUCH-NEEDED PSYCHOLOGICAL INPUT IN REHABILITATION SERVICES.
THE SECRETARY FOR HEALTH AND WELFARE, MR T.H. CHAU, ANNOUNCED THE PLAN TODAY (FRIDAY) IN HIS ADDRESS TO THE ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING OF THE HEEP HONG SOCIETY, A VOLUNTARY AGENCY PROVIDING SERVICES FOR DISABLED CHILDREN.
MR ('HAU SAID PSYCHOLOGICAL INPUT WAS HITHERTO ONLY AVAILABLE FROM FAMILY SERVICES CENTRES.
'THE NEW SERVICE WILL COVER THE PRE-SCHOOL SERVICES OPERATED BY THE DEPARTMENT," HE SAID.
"THE CLINICAL PSYCHOLOGISTS WILL PROVIDE CONSULTATIVE AND ADVISORY SERVICES TO THE CENTRES IN THE DEVELOPMENT OF ASSESSMENT, TRAINING, INTERVENTION AND REMEDIAL PROGRAMMES.
"IN ADDITION, THEY WILL PROVIDE DIRECT SERVICES TO INDIVIDUAL HANDICAPPED CHILDREN AND THEIR FAMILIES WHEN THE NEED ARISES."
ON THE OTHER HAND, MR CHAU SAID THAT TO IMPROVE PARAMEDICAL SUPPORT TO INTEGRATED CHILD CARE CENTRES, THE DEPARTMENT WOULD SET UP A CENTRAL PARAMEDICAL STAFF COMPRISING OCCUPATIONAL THERAPISTS AND PHYSIOTHERAPISTS IN PARALLEL WITH THE CENTRAL PSYCHOLOGICAL STAFF.
"THIS WILL EXTEND AN ADVISORY SERVICE TO SUCH CENTRES. AGAIN, SUCH PARAMEDICAL SERVICES ARE NOT HITHERTO AVAILABLE IN INTEGRATED CHILD CARE CENTRES," HE SAID.
SPEAKING OF OTHER TASKS AHEAD, MR CHAU SAID WHAT CAME NEXT ON THE PLANNING SIDE WOULD BE A REVIEW OF THE BASIS FOR PROJECTING THE DEMAND FOR PRE-SCHOOL SERVICES.
"THE OBJECTIVE IS TO ENSURE EFFECTIVE DEPLOYMENT OF RESOURCES BASED ON ACCURATE FORECAST OF SERVICES," HE SAID.
"THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE CO-ORDINATED REFERRAL SYSTEM EARLIER THIS YEAR IS NOT ONLY GOING TO STREAMLINE OUR REFERRAL AND PLACEMENT PROCEDURES BUT WILL ALSO ENABLE INFORMATION ON DEMAND FOR PLACEMENTS TO BE CENTRALISED, THEREBY GIVING US AN ACCURATE IDEA OF THE ACTUAL DEMAND ON THE GROUND.
"SO FAR, OUR PROJECTION OF SERVICES HAS BEEN BASED MAINLY ON THE PREVALENCE OF THE VARIOUS DISABILITIES, NOTABLY MENTAL HANDICAP."
MR CHAU SAID THE GOVERNMENT AND THE VOLUNTARY SECTOR HAD AGREED IN PRINCIPLE TO ADOPT A METHOD BASED ON EXPRESSED DEMAND WHICH HAI) BEEN USED FOR OTHER SERVICES, INCLUDING SPECIAL EDUCATION, SKILLS TRAINING AND OTHER SOCIAL REHABILITATION SERVICES.
\
/"THl\ MATTER....
I
i
FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 18, 1988
24
"THE MATTER WILL BE FURTHER REVIEWED IN 1989 WHEN THE CO-ORDINATED REFERRAL SYSTEM HAS WORKED LONG ENOUGH TO PROVIDE RELIABLE INFORMATION," HE ADDED.
MR CHAU SAID THE PAST FOUR YEARS HAD SEEN VERY MAJOR PROGRESS IN THE DEVELOPMENT OF PRE-SCHOOL SERVICES FOR DISABLED CHILDREN, FOLLOWING IMPLEMENTATION OF RECOMMENDATIONS MADE BY THE WORKING PARTY ON PRE-SCHOOL CARE, EDUCATION AND TRAINING OF DISABLED CHILDREN SET UP BY THE GOVERNMENT.
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IMPROVED CONTROL OVER PRESSURE EQUIPMENT
*****
THE BOILERS AND PRESSURE RECEIVERS (AMENDMENT) BILL 1988, WHICH SEEKS TO CREATE A SINGLE AUTHORITY TO CONTROL THE USE AND OPERATION OF BOILERS AND PRESSURE RECEIVERS IN HONG KONG, WAS PUBLISHED IN THE GAZETTE TODAY (FRIDAY).
UNDER THE PROPOSED BILL, THE COMMISSIONER FOR LABOUR WOULD BE APPOINTED AS THE NEW AUTHORITY.
AT PRESENT, TWO STATUTORY AUTHORITIES ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE CONTROL OF SUCH EQUIPMENT UNDER THE BOILERS AND PRESSURE RECEIVERS ORDINANCE.
THE REGISTRAR OF BOILERS AND PRESSURE RECEIVERS LOOKS AFTER THE ADMINISTRATIVE ASPECTS WHILE THE PRINCIPAL SURVEYOR OF BOILERS AND PRESSURE RECEIVERS IS RESPONSIBLE FOR THE TECHNICAL ASPECTS OF THE ORDINANCE.
"THIS DICHOTOMY OF AUTHORITY HAS CAUSED ADMINISTRATIVE DIFFICULTIES IN THAT THE WORK OF THE REGISTRAR AND THE PRINCIPAL SURVEYOR IS CLOSELY RELATED AND THE SEPARATION OF FUNCTIONS HAS BECOME ARTIFICIAL," A LABOUR DEPARTMENT SPOKESMAN SAID.
"WITH THE CREATION OF A BOILERS AND PRESSURE VESSELS AUTHORITY, THIS SITUATION WOULD BE RECTIFIED AS HE WOULD BE EMPOWERED TO AUTHORISE OTHER PUBLIC OFFICERS TO PERFORM ALL OR ANY OF HIS FUNCTIONS, DUTIES OR POWERS UNDER THE ORDINANCE."
IT IS ALSO PROPOSED THAT THE TITLE OF THE EXISTING ORDINANCE BE CHANGED TO BOILERS AND PRESSURE VESSELS ORDINANCE SO AS TO AVOID CONFUSION WHEN INTERNATIONAL STANDARDS OR CODES ARE APPLIED.
1MW/ n 1
/THE BILL .......
FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 18, 1988
- 25 -
THE BILL FURTHER EMPOWERS THE NEW AUTHORITY TO APPOINT EXPERIENCED ENGINEERS FROM THE PRIVATE SECTOR AS APPOINTED EXAMINERS AND TO SUSPEND OR REVOKE THEIR APPOINTMENT IN CASE OF UNSATISFACTORY PERFORMANCE; TO APPROVE LOCAL INDEPENDENT INSPECTION BODIES FOR CERTIFICATION OF THE LOCALLY MANUFACTURED EQUIPMENT; AND TO ISSUE CODES OF PRACTICE FOR PERSONNEL RESPONSIBLE FOR ENSURING ACCEPTABLE STANDARDS IN OPERATION AND SAFETY OF PRESSURE EQUIPMENT.
ANOTHER PROVISION IN THE BILL SEEKS TO CHANGE THE ‘'BRITISH STANDARD SPECIFICATION" IN THE ORDINANCE TO "A RECOGNISED ENGINEERING STANDARD OR CODE" ON THE GROUND THAT BOILERS AND OTHER PRESSURE EQUIPMENT IN USE IN HONG KONG ARE MANUFACTURED IN ACCORDANCE WITH DIFFERENT NATIONAL OR INTERNATIONAL STANDARDS.
THERMAL OIL HEATERS, WHICH ARE BEING IMPORTED TO USE IN THE TEXTILES AND OTHER INDUSTRIES, ARE POTENTIALLY HAZARDOUS AND HAVE BEEN INVOLVED IN EXPLOSIONS IN OTHER COUNTRIES.
AS SUCH, IT IS PROPOSED TO BRING THEM UNDER THE CONTROL OF THE ORDINANCE TO ENSURE THEIR COMPLIANCE WITH ALL SAFETY REQUIREMENTS.
THE BILL IS EXPECTED TO BE INTRODUCED INTO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL ON NOVEMBER 30.
-----0------
EXHIBITION ON SAFE LOADING OF VEHICLES
*****
AN EXHIBITION TO DEMONSTRATE THE SAFE AND CORRECT METHODS OF LOADING GOODS VEHICLES WILL BE HELD AT THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT’S VEHICLE EXAMINATION CENTRE IN KOWLOON BAY ON SUNDAY (NOVEMBER 20).
THE EXHIBITION IS THE FIRST OF ITS KIND ORGANISED IN HONG KONG AND IS PLANNED BY THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT AS PART OF ITS EFFORTS TO PROMOTE SAFE LOADING PRACTICES.
THE GROWTH OF THE GOODS VEHICLE FLEET IN RECENT YEARS HAS RAISED CONCERN ABOUT THE POTENTIAL HAZARDS POSED BY BADLY DISTRIBUTED LOADS TO DRIVERS AND WORKERS IN THE GOODS VEHICLES AS WELL AS OTHER ROAD USERS.
GOODS VEHICLES DISPLAYED AT SUNDAY’S EXHIBITION WILL BE LOADED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CORRECT LOADING PRACTICES AS ILLUSTRATED IN IHE CODE OF PRACTICE FOR THE LOADING OF VEHICLES PUBLISHED BY THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT IN SEPTEMBER.
/THE EXHIBITION .......
FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 18, 1988
- 26 -
THE EXHIBITION IS ORGANISED WITH THE ASSISTANCE OF THE MOTOR TRANSPORT WORKERS’ GENERAL UNION, THE GOODS VEHICLE FLEET OWNERS ASSOCIATION AND THE KOWLOON TRUCK MERCHANTS’ ASSOCIATION.
VARIOUS SIZES OF CORRECTLY LOADED VEHICLES WILL ALSO BE PUT ON DISPLAY BY THE TRANSPORT AND MOVEMENTS BRANCH OF THE BRITISH FORCES MOTOR COMPANIES AND PUBLIC UTILITIES.
APART FROM DISTRIBUTING TO VISITORS COPIES OF THE CODE OF PRACTICE FOR THE LOADING OF VEHICLES, LEAFLETS AND POSTERS, THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT HAS ARRANGED TO HAVE OFFICERS PRESENT AT THF EXHIBITION TO ANSWER QUESTIONS ON SAFE LOADING PRACTICES AND L1CENSI NG MATTERS.
THE POLICE WILL ALSO DISPLAY PHOTOGRAPHS OF INCORRECTLY LOADED VEHICLES AND DEMONSTRATE THE USE OF PORTABLE WEIGHING DEVICES TO CHECK LOADING.
ALSO I'EATURED AT THE EXHIBITION IS THE MAINTENANCE OF TYRES NEW TYRES AS WELL AS WORN-OUT TYRES WILL BE ON DISPLAY TO SHOW VISITORS WHEN TYRES SHOULD BE CHANGED.
THE LEE WAI LEE TECHNICAL INSTITUTE WILL HAVE A STALL DISTRIBUTING INFORMATION ON THE AVAILABILITY OF TRAINING COURSES IN CAR ENGINEERING.
THE COMMISSIONER FOR TRANSPORT, MR JAMES SO, HAS INVITED MR TAI CHIN-WAH, A MEMBER OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL AND THE TRANSPORT ADVISORY COMMITTEE, TO OFF'IC I ATE AT AN OPENING CEREMONY.
THE EXHIBITION WILL LAST FROM I PM TO 5 PM. A FREE BUS SHUTTLE SERVICE WILL OPERATE BETWEEN THE MASS TRANSIT RAILWAY CORPORATION HEADQUARTERS AT KOWLOON BAY MTR STATION, TELFORD GARDENS, AND THE KOWLOON BAY VEHICLE EXAMINATION CENTRE BETWEEN I2.30 PM AND 5.30 PM ON THAT DAY.
-----0---------
GOVERNMENT PROPERTY TO LET * * * t
THE BUILDINGS AND LANDS DEPARTMENT IS TENDER ON MONTHLY RENTAL THE WESTERN STOREROOM HONG KONG ISLAND.
MEASURING ABOUT 26 SQUARE METRES IN AREA REFRESHMENT KIOSK PURPOSES ONLY.
OFFERING TO LET BY AT QUEEN’S PIER ON
THE PREMISES IS
FOR
/THE TENANCY........
FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 18, 1988
- 27 -
THE TENANCY IS FOR THREE YEARS AND IS RENEWABLE QUARTERLY THEREAFTER.
FORMS OF TENDER, TENDER NOTICE AND CONDITIONS MAY BE OBTAINED FROM THE PROPERTY MANAGEMENT SECTION OF THE BUILDINGS AND LANDS DEPARTMENT, KOWLOON GOVERNMENT OFFICES, IOTH FLOOR, 105 NATHAN ROAD, KOWLOON.
THE PREMISES WILL BE OPEN FOR VIEWING FROM 10.30 AM TO NOON ON NOVEMBER 24 AND DECEMBER 1.
THE DEADLINE FOR SUBMITTING TENDERS IS NOON ON DECEMBER 16.
-------0 ---------
TWO LOTS FOR SALE BY TENDER *****
THE BUILDINGS AND LANDS DEPARTMENT IS OFFERING TWO LOTS FOR SALE BY TENDER.
THE FIRST LOT IS IN GARDEN ROAD, HONG KONG, AND IS ABOUT 757.2 SQUARE METRES IN AREA.
THIS LOI’ IS FOR NON-INDUSTRIAL USES (EXCLUDING RESIDENTIAL PURPOSES, GODOWNS, HOTELS AND OFFICES BUT INCLUDING RETAIL SHOPS, A SUPERMARKET AND A PUBLIC CARPARK).
THE CLOSING DATE FOR TENDER APPLICATIONS IS NOON ON DECEMBER 30 THIS YEAR.
THE OTHER LOT IS AT AREA 6, TAI PO, AND IS ABOUT 11,498 SQUARE METRES IN AREA.
IT IS FOR USE UNDER THE PRIVATE SECTOR PARTICIPATION SCHEME, AND NON-INDUSTRIAL (EXCLUDING GODOWN) PURPOSES.
ACCORDING TO THE BUILDING CONVENANT, GROSS FLOOR AREA FOR RESIDENTIAL PURPOSES TO Bl DEVELOPED SHOULD NOT EXCEED 62,037 SQUARE METRES AND GROSS FLOOR AREA FOR NON-INDUSTRJ AL (EXCLUDING RESIDENTIAL AND GODOWN) PURPOSES SHOULD NOT EXCEED 750 SQUARE METRES.
THE NUMBER OF RESIDENTIAL FLATS DEVELOPED SHOULD NOT BE FEWER THAN 1,000 OR MORE THAN 1,100.
TENDER APPLICATIONS WILL CLOSE AT NOON ON JANUARY 13 NEXT YEAR.
/THE LEASE........
FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 18, 1988
- 28 -
THE LEASE OF BOTH SITES IS FOR TERM Ol YEARS COMMENCING FROM THE DATE OF AGREEMENT AND EXPIRING ON 'ONE 30, 20’7.
FORMS OF TENDER, TENDER NOTICES AND CONDITIONS OF THE TWO SITES MAY BE OBTAINED FROM THE BUILDINGS AND LANDS DEPARTMENT, 14TH FLOOR, MURRAY BUILDING, GARDEN ROAD, HONG KONG.
TENDER PLANS MAY ALSO BE INSPECTED THERE.
THE TENDER DOCUMENTS ARE ALSO AVAILABLE AT THE DISTRICT ^ANDS OFFICES, KOWLOON, SHA TIN, TA! PO. NORTH, YUEN LONG, TUEN MUN, TSUEN WAN, KWAI TS1NG, SAI KUNG AND ISLANDS.
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TATE’S CAIRN TUNNEL APPROACH ROADS LAYOUT AMENDED ♦ t * * t
THE GOVERNMENT PROPOSES TO AMEND THE LAYOUT OF THE TATE'S CAIRN TUNNEL APPROACH ROADS AT BOTH SHA TIN AND DIAMOND HILL.
A NOTICE ON THE PROPOSED AMENDMENTS WAS PUBLISHED IN THE GAZETTE TODAY (FRIDAY). THE NOTICE ON THE ORIGINAL AUTHORISED PLANS WAS GAZETTED ON JUNE 24 THIS YEAR.
AMENDMENTS INCLUDE THE FOLLOWING:-
AT SHA TIN
* SHIFTING OF THE MAIN APPROACH ROAD ALIGNMENT SLIGHTLY EASTWARDS;
» RELOCATION OF THE ORIGINAL PROPOSED ACCESS ROAD SERVING THE HANG SENG SCHOOL OF COMMERCE AND REPLACING THE EXISTING WATERWORKS ACCESS ROAD TO KWONG SIN STREET;
» REPLACEMENT OF THE ORIGINALLY PROPOSED SLIP ROAD FROM THE TUNNEL TO SIU LEK YUEN ROAD BY A NEWLY PROPOSED ACCESS ROAD FROM THE TUNNEL TO SHA TIN WAI ROAD;
SHIFTING OF A SECTION OF THE ROAD FROM TRUNK ROAD T5 SOUTH-EASTWARDS;
ORIGINALLY PROPOSED CONNECTING EASTBOUND TO THE TUNNEL
*
RELOCATION OF THE ORIGINALLY PROPOSED BUS OF THE TOLL BOOTHS AND THE PROVISION OF A THE TOLL PLAZA;
LAYBYS TO SOUTH FOOTBRIDGE ABOVE
* CONSTRUCTION OF FOOTWAY ACCESS TO THE SHRINES AI SIU LEK YUEN FROM THE WESTERN BANK OF THE NULLAH;
/AT DIAMOND .......
FRIDAY, NOVIXBER 18, 1988
- 29 -
AT DIAMOND HILL
I REPLACEMENT OF THE ORIGINAL SLIP ROAD CONNECTION FROM CHOI HUNG ROAD TO THE TUNNEL BY A NEWLY PROPOSED ROAD CONNECTION FROM THE FUTURE SLIP ROAD FROM LUNG CHEUNG ROAD WESTBOUND;
* ADDITION OF A NEWLY PROPOSED ROAD CONNECTION FROM THE FUTURE SERVICE ROAD ADJACENT TO LUNG CHEUNG ROAD EASTBOUND TO THE TUNNEL;
» DELETION OF THE ORIGINALLY PROPOSED TUNNEL ESCAPE ROAD;
* ASSOCIATED ADJUSTMENT OF THE LIMIT OF WORKS AREA.
THE PLANS AND SCHEME MAY BE INSPECTED BY MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC AT THE FOLLOWING GOVERNMENT OFFICES:
- CENTRAL AND WESTERN DISTRICT OFFICE, CENTRAL ENQUIRY SUB-OFFICE, CENTRAL GOVERNMENT OFFICES, WEST WING, MAIN ENTRANCE LOBBY, HONG KONG;
- KOWLOON EAST DISTRICT LANDS OFFICE, YAU MA TEI CARPARK BUILDING, 10TH FLOOR, 250 SHANGHAI STREET, KOWLOON;
- SHA TIN DISTRICT LANDS OFFICE, 2 TUNG LO WAN HILL ROAD, SHA TIN, NEW TERRITORIES;
- WONG TAI SIN DISTRICT OFFICE, SAN PO KONG GOVERNMENT OFFICES BUILDING, KING FUK STREET, SAN PO KONG, KOWLOON;
- SHA TIN DISTRICT OFFICE, SIXTH FLOOR, KCR HOUSE, SHA TIN STATION, NEW TERRITORIES;
- KWUN TONG DISTRICT OFFICE, KWUN TONG DISTRICT BRANCH OFFICES BUILDING, TUNG YAN STREET, THIRD AND FOURTH FLOORS, KOWLOON.
ANY REPRESENTATIONS REGARDING THE PROPOSED AMENDMENTS MUST REACH THE SECRETARY FOR TRANSPORT, CENTRAL GOVERNMENT OFFICES, EAST WING, SECOND FLOOR, LOWER ALBERT ROAD, HONG KONG, BY DECEMBER 16 THIS YEAR.
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FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 18, 1988
- 30 -
EARLY ENTRIES URGED FOR LABOUR RELATIONS COMPETITIONS *****
MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC WHO WISH TO TAKE PART IN THE LABOUR RELATIONS ’88 PHOTOGRAPHY AND HANDICRAFT COMPETITIONS ARE URGED TO SEND IN THEIR ENTRIES BY NOVEMBER 26.
THE COMPETITIONS HAVE BEEN ORGANISED BY THE LABOUR RELATIONS PROMOTION SUB-COMMITTEE OF THE LABOUR ADVISORY BOARD AND THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT TO AROUSE PUBLIC AWARENESS OF THE IMPORTANCE OF GOOD LABOUR RELATIONS.
THE THEME FOR BOTH EVENTS SHOULD THEREFORE BE RELATED TO HARMONIOUS LABOUR RELATIONS.
THE PHOTOGRAPHY COMPETITION HAS BEEN ORGANISED WITH THE ASSISTANCE OF THE PHOTOGRAPHIC SOCIETY OF HONG KONG. IT IS SPONSORED BY FUJI PHOTO PRODUCTS CO. LTD.
GIFT VOUCHERS OF $5,000, $3,000 AND $1,000, WHICH ARE REDEEMABLE FOR THE SPONSOR’S PRODUCTS, WILL BE AWARDED TO THE TOP THREE WINNERS RESPECTIVELY. THERE WILL ALSO BE 15 CONSOLATION AND SPECIAL PRIZES.
AS FOR THE HANDICRAFT COMPETITION, PARTICIPANTS CAN MAKE USE OF ANY KIND OF MATERIAL SUCH AS CLAY, WOOL, PAPER, ETC. FOR THEIP ENTRIES.
A CASH PRIZE OF $2,000 WILL BE AWARDED TO THE WINNER AND $1,000 EACH TO THE FIRST AND SECOND RUNNERS-UP. IN ADDITION, BOTH THE WINNER AND THE FIRST RUNNER-UP WILL BE GIVEN A WATCH.
THIS EVENT IS BEING ORGANISED WITH THE ASSISTANCE OF THE YOUNG WOMEN’S CHRISTIAN ASSOCIATION AND THE CARITAS-HONG KONG.
THERE IS NO LIMIT IN THE NUMBER OF ENTRIES BY EACH PERSON.
HOWEVER, EACH ENTRY MUST BE ENDORSED BY THE PERSON’S COMPANY, FACTORY. TRADE UNION OR THE EMPLOYER’S ORGANISATION.
ENTRY FORMS FOR BOTH COMPETITIONS ARE AVAILABLE AT ALL DISTRICT OFFICES OR BRANCH OFFICES OF THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT’S LABOUR RELATIONS DIVISION.
ENQUIRIES CAN BE MADE ON 5-8523511.
FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 18, 1988
- 51 -
OLD-TYPE I.D. CARDS INVALID FROM NOVEMBER 21
* » * » *
THE IMMIGRATION DEPARTMENT TODAY (FRIDAY) REMINDED MEN BORN IN 1953, 1954, 1955, 1956 OR 1969, THAT THEIR OLD-TYPE IDENTITY CARDS ISSUED BEFOR JULY 1, 1987 WILL CEASE TO BE VALID DOCUMENTS FROM NOVEMBER 21 THIS YEAR.
"THIS IS THE THIRD BATCH OF I.D. CARDS DECLARED INVALID SINCE THIS NEW I.D. CARD RE-ISSUE SCHEME STARTED ON JULY 1, 1987," A SPOKESMAN FOR THE IMMIGRATION DEPARTMENT SAID.
HE EMPHASISED THAT ONCE AN OLD CARD WAS DECLARED INVALID, IT WOULD NOT BE ACCEPTED FOR ANY PURPOSE.
"FOR EXAMPLE, A MAN OF THE ABOVE AGE GROUP HOLDING AN INVALID OLD-TYPE I.D. CARD WILL NOT BE ABLE TO USE IT FOR TRAVELLING ABROAD OR TO APPLY FOR A TRAVEL DOCUMENT," HE SAID.
"HOWEVER, THOSE WHO HAVE MISSED THEIR SPECIFIED CARD RENEWAL PERIODS DUE TO THEIR ABSENCE FROM HONG KONG OR ANY OTHER REASONS SHOULD IMMEDIATELY APPROACH ANY ONE OF THE EIGHT NEW I.D. CARD ISSUE OFFICES," HE ADDED.
THESE CASES WILL BE LOOKED INTO THOROUGHLY AND DEALT WITH ON THEIR INDIVIDUAL MERITS.
THE SPOKESMAN REITERATED THAT THERE WOULD BE NO AMNESTY FOR ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS.
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CARNIVAL FOR LAMMA RESIDENTS
* » * *
ISLANDERS ON LAMMA WILL BE ABLE TO ENJOY A VARIETY SHOW AND SHARE THE FUN AT A CARNIVAL TO BE HELD AT A MINI-SOCCER PITCH IN SOK KWU WAN ON SUNDAY (NOVEMBER 20) AFTERNOON.
THE CARNIVAL, WITH GAME STALLS AND A VARIETY SHOW FEATURING POP SONGS AND CANTONESE SONGS, WILL START AT 2 PM. ADMISSION IS FREE.
THE EVENT IS CO-ORGANISED BY THE LAMMA AREA COMMITTEE OF THE ISLANDS DISTRICT OFFICE AND THE TWO RURAL COMMITTEES ON LAMMA ISLAND AS A COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT PROJECT WHICH AIMS TO IMPROVE THE SENSE OF BELONGING AMONG ISLANDERS.
A VEGETARIAN LUNCH AT A MONASTERY IN TUEN MUN AND A CARNIVAL IN YUNG SHUE WAN, LAMMA NORTH, HAVE ALREADY BEEN HELD UNDER THE SAME PROJECT ON THE PAST TWO SUNDAYS, AND BOTH PROVED POPULAR WITH ISLANDERS.
THESE ACTIVITIES WERE FUNDED BY ALLOCATIONS MADE BY THE DISTRICT OFFICE TO THE AREA COMMITTEE AND THE TWO LAMMA RURAL COMMITTEES, AS WELL AS BY CONTRIBUTIONS FROM PRIVATE SPONSORS.
- 0-----------
/32........
FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 18, 1988
- 32 -
CAS CADET PARADE ON SUNDAY
*****
THE CAS CADET CORPS 20TH ANNIVERSARY PARADE WILL BE HELD ON SUNDAY (NOVEMBER 20) AT SOCCER PITCHES NOS. 4, 5 AND 6 OF VICTORIA PARK, CAUSEWAY BAY, AT 10.30 AM.
TWENTY-EIGHT CADET UNITS WILL TAKE PART IN THE PARADE, WHICH WILL BE FOLLOWED BY DISPLAYS TO BE STAGED BY CADETS.
THE CHIEF SECRETARY, SIR DAVID FORD, WILL INSPECT AND ADDRESS THE PARADE.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE EVENT.
FURTHER DETAILS CAN BE OBTAINED FROM MR PANG CHO-HO, CAS SENIOR TRAINING OFFICER, ON 5-763236, EXT. 30.
•-----0--------
WITHDRAWAL OF MA LIU SHUI — WU KAI SHA FERRY SERVICE
*****
THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCED THAT THE LICENSED FERRY SERVICE BETWEEN MA LIU SHUI AND WU KAI SHA WILL BE WITHDRAWN FROM MONDAY (NOVEMBER 21) DUE TO A CONTINUOUS DECLINE IN PATRONAGE.
AFFECTED PASSENGERS CAN MAKE USE OF THE NEWLY INTRODUCED BUS ROUTES 289 (HENG ON ESTATE TO SHAP SZ HEUNG) AND 89R (SHA TIN CENTRAL TO SAI KUNG TOWN) BOTH OF WHICH SERVE WU KAI SHA EN ROUTE.
u----0------
BUS DIVERSIONS IN TAI PO
* * * *
THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCED THAT TO FACILITATE ROAD MAINTENANCE WORKS ON ON CHEE ROAD IN TAI PO, SEVERAL BUS ROUTES WILL BE DIVERTED FROM 10 AM ON MONDAY (NOVEMBER 21) FOR ABOUT ONE WEEK.
KMB ROUTES 72B, 72K, 72X, 74A, 74K AND 74X ON LEAVING THE TAI
PO CENTRAL BUS TERMINUS WILL BE DIVERTED VIA ON PO ROAD, NAM WAN ROAD
AND TAI PO TAI WO ROAD INSTEAD OF ON CHEE ROAD AND ON CHEUNG ROAD.
MEANWHILE, THE BUS STOPS ON ON CHEUNG ROAD OPPOSITE EIGHTLAND GARDENS WILL BE SUSPENDED.
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/33
FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 18, 1988
- 55 -
TEMPORARY ROAD CLOSURE IN SHA TIN
*****
THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCED THAT TO FACILITATE ROAD MAINTENANCE WORK, THE SOUTHBOUND LOOP ROAD LINKING THE MA LIU SHUT AND SHA TIN SECTIONS OF TAI PO ROAD WILL BE CLOSED BETWEEN 9 PM AND 5 AM THE FOLLOWING DAY FROM NOVEMBER 20 TO 22.
DURING THE CLOSURE, ALL VEHICLES INCLUDING KMB ROUTES 70, 72, 72A, 72B, 73A AND 74A TRAVELLING ON TAI PO ROAD (MA LIU SHUI SECTION) SOUTHBOUND WILL BE DIVERTED VIA THE ROAD INSIDE SHA TIN RACE COURSE BEFORE REJOINING TAI PO ROAD (SHA TIN SECTION).
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DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE. HONG KONG. TEL.: 5-8428777
SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 19, 1988
CONTENTS PBGE NO.
SUCCESS IN FIGHT AGAINST COMPUTER SOFTWARE PIRACY ........ 1
STANDARD COLOUR FOR STRUCTURES ON FISH RAFTS ............. 2
PAC OPEN HEARINGS BEGIN ON MONDAY......................... 3
GOVERNOR PRAISES TAI FU TAI RESTORATION .................. A
GOVERNOR TO VISIT YUEN LONG .............................. 5
SEMINAR ON CONTROL OF DANGEROUS SUBSTANCES ............... 5
FAMILY, COMMUNITY URGED TO HELP THE HANDICAPPED........... 6
ACTIVITY CENTRES NECESSARY FOR YOUTH ..................... 7
TEACHERS AND STUDENTS DISCUSS WAYS TO COMBAT TRIADS ...... 8
FIRE PREVENTION CAMPAIGN TO BE LAUNCHED .................. 9
REMINDER ON OLI LOGO DESIGN COMPETITION .................. 10
FRESH WATER SERVICE RESERVOIR FOR TUEN MUN ............... 10
TENANCY SOUGHT FOR GOVERNMENT LAND........................ 11
WONG TAI SIN HOLDING ANTI-SHOP THEFT CARNIVAL............. 12
KMB FARE INCREASE ON DB COMMITTEE AGENDA ................. 1J
ROAD SAFETY CAMPAIGN LAUNCHED IN KWAI TSING .............. 1?
TRAM PAR/iDE HELPS PROMOTE CIVIC EDUCATION /.MONG STUDENTS .... 14
DAY CAMP TO PROMOTE HOME SAFETY........................... 14
HOME SAFETY CARDS ON EXHIBITION IN MONG KOK............... 15
SAI KUNG TO HOLD BLOOD DONATION EXERCISE.................. 15
PHOTOGRAPHY EXHIBITION FOR CENTRAL, WESTERN RESIDENTS..... 16
WAN CHAI CARE FOR THE ELDERLY CAMPAIGN TO BENEFIT 2,000 .. 17
CSD ORGANISING 'WALK FOR MILLIONS' ....................... 18
WORKS PROJECTS PROGRESS ON DB COMMITTEE AGENDA............ 19
FUNDS AVAILABLE FOR SSP COMMUNITY BUILDING PROJECTS....... 20
MUSIC EXTRAVAGANZA TO LAUNCH KWUN TONG FESTIVAL........... 20
ENTRIES INVITED FOR OPEN DANCE CONTEST.................... 21
TEMPORARY LANE CLOSURE IN TAI PO ROAD..................... 22
TEMPORARY ROAD CLOSURE IN SO UK ESTATE.................... 22
TRAFFIC CHANGES IN SHA TIN AND FANLING ................... 2?
SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 19, 1988
1
ESS IN FIGHT AGAINST COMPUTER SOFTWARE PIRACY ♦ * * * *
CUSTOMS AND EXCISE DEPARTMENT HAS ACHIEVED GREAT SUCCESS IN I 'HT AGAINST COMPUTER SOFTWARE PIRACY IN THE PAST 11 MONTHS, THE TRADE CONTROLS OFFICERS OF THE DEPARTMENT’S TRADING STAN; V7STIGATION BUREAU, MR JOHN LAM, SAID TODAY (SATURDAY).
, LAM WAS ADDRESSING A GROUP OF 90 COMPUTER STUDIES 1 SACHERS 0? LARY SCHOOLS AT A SEMINAR ORGANISED BY THE COMPUTER BDUCASECTION OF THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT.
??. JAID THAT AS A RESULT OF VIGOROUS ENFORCEMENT ACTION BY THE DEPARTMENT, A NUMBER OF PRINTERS AND BINDERS OF PIRATED COMPUTER MANUALS AND THEIR SECRET STORAGE PLACES HAD BEEN SHUT DOWN, THEREBY CUTTING OFF THE SUPPLY OF THE INFRINGING GOODS TO THE MARKET.
•L CITED AS AN EXAMPLE THE RAIDS CONDUCTED IN THE GOLDEN SHOPPING ARCADE IN SHAM SHUI PO IN JULY AND AUGUST THIS YEAR.
"THE DEPARTMENT’S DETERMINED CAMPAIGN HAS FORCED ILLEGAL TRADED? EITHER TO CLOSE THEIR BUSINESS OR MOVE AWAY. THE ARCADE HAS NOW BECOME A MUCH BETTER AND CLEAR PLACE FOR LEGITIMATE COMPUTER BUSINESS," HE SAID.
HE POINTED OUT THAT A SERIES OF RAIDS DURING THE PERIOD HAD RESULTED IN THE SEIZURE OF PIRATED GOODS VALUED AT OVER $15 MILLION AND THE ARREST OF 76 PERSONS.
"THE DEPARTMENT STRONGLY BELIEVES THAT THE COMPUTER PIRACY HAS SHUNK TO A CONTAINABLE LEVEL AND THAT PIRATED PRODUCTS ARE NOT EASILY OBTAINABLE IN THE TERRITORY," HE ADDED.
NOTING THAT THERE WERE STILL SOME RETAILERS OFFERING CHEAP DISK-COPYING SERVICES HE STRESSED THAT THE DEPARTMENT INTENDED TO SUPPRESS THESE ILLEGAL TRADERS.
HR LAM ALSO GAVE AN OUTLINE OF HONG KONG’S COPYRIGHT LAW AND THE I.AW RELATED TO COMPUTER SOFTWARE PROGRAMMES.
SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 19, 1988
- 2 -
STANDARD COLOUR FOR STRUCTURES ON FISH RAFTS *****
FISH FARMERS IN HONG KONG’S FISH CULTURE ZONES HAVE BEEN NOTIFIED OF A NEW REQUIREMENT TO STANDARDISE THE COLOURS OF ALL TEMPORARY STRUCTURES ON THEIR FISH RAFTS.
THE STANDARD COLOUR - DARK GREEN - WILL BE IN FORCE AS FROM FEBRUARY NEXT YEAR.
THE NEW REQUIREMENT WILL BE PRESCRIBED IN ALL EXISTING AND NEW LICENCES ISSUED UNDER THE MARINE FISH CULTURE ORDINANCE.
ANNOUNCING THIS TODAY (SATURDAY), THE SENIOR AQUACULTURE FISHERIES OFFICER OF THE AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES DEPARTMENT, MR K.W. CHAN, SAID THAT THE MOVE FORMED PART OF THE CONCERTED EFFORTS BY THE GOVERNMENT AND FISH FARMERS TO IMPROVE THE ENVIRONMENTAL APPEAL OF LOCAL FISH CULTURE ZONES.
TO PREPARE FOR THE MOVE, HE SAID, REPRESENTATIVES OF THE FISH FARMERS HAD BEEN CONSULTED AND THEY WERE IN GENERAL AGREEMENT.
"CIRCULAR LETTERS HAVE BEEN SENT TO ALL FISH FARMERS REQUESTING THEIR CO-OPERATION TO COMPLY WITH THE NEW REQUIREMENT AS SOON AS POSSIBLE," MR CHAN SAID.
THERE ARE AT PRESENT 28 DESIGNATED FISH CULTURE ZONES IN HONG KONG COASTAL WATERS, MOSTLY AWAY FROM NAVIGATION, RECREATION AND DEVELOPMENT SEA AREAS, WITH 1,815 LICENCEES.
TEMPORARY STRUCTURES ON FISH RAFTS IN THESE ZONES ARE PERMITTED ON A ’NEED' BASIS FOR STORAGE AND WATCH-KEEPING PURPOSES.
IN CARRYING OUT THE GOVERNMENT POLICY TOWARDS FISHERIES, THE AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES DEPARTMENT HAS BEEN PROVIDING TECHNICAL SUPPORT SERVICES AND ADVICE TO ASSIST THE INDUSTRY TO UPGRADE ITS TECHNOLOGY AND TO HELP IT ADOPT MORE ADVANCED AND EFFICIENT MANAGEMENT AND HUSBANDRY PRACTICES.
IN ADDITION, MR CHAN SAID, FISH FARMERS ARE ALSO ENCOURAGED TO FORM ASSOCIATIONS OR SIMILAR BODIES TO FACILITATE SUCH COMMUNAL SERVICES AS REFUSE COLLECTION, SECURITY AND OTHER FISH FARMING OPERATIONS
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SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 19, 1988
- 5 -
PAC OPEN HEARINGS BEGIN ON MONDAY # ♦ » * ♦
THE FIRST SESSION OF THIS YEAR’S OPEN HEARINGS OF THE PUBLIC ACCOUNTS COMMITTEE WILL START AT 9.30 AM ON MONDAY (NOVEMBER -D THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL CHAMBER.
APPEARING BEFORE THE COMMITTEE TO ANSWER POINTS RAISED THE DIRECTOR OF AUDIT’S ANNUAL REPORT WILL BE:
FOR
AND
THE DIRECTOR OF BUILDINGS AND LANDS, THE DEPUTY SECRETAIR LANDS AND WORKS, THE SECRETARY FOR ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES INFORMATION, THE DEPUTY FINANCIAL SECRETARY, THE DATA PROCESSING MANAGER, THE SECRETARY FOR ECONOMIC SERVICES, THE DIRECTOR OF KEDICAL AND HEALTH SERVICES, THE DIRECTOR OF AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES, .E SECRETARY FOR MUNICIPAL SERVICES, THE CONTROLLER, GOVERNMEN'? *;£* £
TRANSPORT, THE SECRETARY FOR THE CIVIL SERVICE AND THE COMMISSIONER
OF CORRECTIONAL SERVICES
THE SECOND SESSION WILL BE HELD ON THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 24.
THE TIMETABLE FOR MONDAY’S HEARING.IS AS FOLLOWS:
9.30 AM DIRECTOR OF BUILDINGS AND LANDS, PARAGRAPHS 14.1 - 14.13
10.15 AM DEPUTY SECRETARY FOR LANDS AND WORKS, PARAGRAPHS 20.1 - 20.9
11.15 AM SECRETARY FOR ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES INFORMATION, DEPUTY FINANCIAL SECRETARY DATA PROCESSING MANAGER, PARAGRAPHS 5.1 - 5.9 AND AND
12 NOON DEPUTY FINANCIAL SECRETARY, SECRETARY FOR ECONOMIC SERVICES, DIRECTOR OF MEDICAL AND HEALTH SERVICES, DIRECTOR OF AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES AND SECRETARY FOR MUNICIPAL SERVICES, PARAGRAPHS 9.1 - 9.3 10.J - 10.9 11.1 - 11.7
2.30 PM SECRETARY FOR /ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES IMFORMAT ION, DEPUTY FINANCIAL SECRETARY CONTROLLER, GOVERNMENT LAND TRANSPORT, PARAGRAPHS 6.1 - 6.9 AND AND
3.30 PM SECRETARY FOR ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES INFORMATION, SECRETARY FOR CIVIL SERVICE, PARAGRAPHS 7.1 - 7.8 AND
A. JO PM...
SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 19, 1988
4
4.30 PM
COMMISSIONER OF CORRECTIONAL SERVICES, PARAGRAPHS 15.1 - 15.8
NOTE TO EDITORS:
MEDIA REPRESENTATIVES COVERING THE OPEN HEARINGS ARE REQUESTED TO BRING ALONG WITH THEM A COPY OF THE DIRECTOR OF AUDIT’S REPORT WHICH WAS ISSUED ON NOVEMBER 16.
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GOVERNOR PRAISES TAI FU TAI RESTORATION » » * * »
THE GOVERNOR, SIR DAVID WILSON, TODAY (SATURDAY) OFFICIATED AT THE REHABILITATION CEREMONY OF TAI FU TAI IN SAN TIN, YUEN LONG WHICH HE CALLED ONE OF HONG KONG’S MOST BEAUTIFULLY-EMBELLISHED TRADITIONAL BUILDINGS.
SIR DAVID SAID THE ARCHITECTURAL FEATURES AND DECORATIONS OF TAI FU TAI WERE UNIQUE, FORMING AS THEY DID A SKILFUL BLEND OF WESTERN AND CHINESE MOTIFS.
"IN THIS WAY THE BUILDING IS SOMEWHAT SYMBOLIC OF HONG KONG ITSELF,” SIR DAVID ADDED.
NOTING THAT THE MANAGERS CONSENTED TO DECLARE THE BUILDING
OF THE MAN WAH CHEUNG
DUD. TP nrnnr _ A MOMENT FOR PRESERVATION AND PUBLIC DISPLAY, SIR DAVID PRAISED THEIR GENEROUS SPIRIT IN SHARING TH’ SPLENDOUR OF THE BUILDING WITH THE PEOPLE.
TONG HAD
"THE ANTIQUITIES ADVISORY BOARD HAS PLAYED AN IN ENCOURAGING THIS DEVELOPMENT,” SIR DAVID SAID.
IMPORTANT ROI
A $2.5 MILLION DONATION FROM THE ROYAL HONG KONG JOCKEY CLUB tyAS AN IMPORTANT ELEMENT IN MAKING A REALITY THE RESTORATION OF THE BUILDING FOR THE ENJOYMENT AND ENRICHMENT OF THE COMMUNITY. THF GOVERNOR ADDED. ’
TAI FU TAI WAS BUILT BY MR MAN CHUNG-LUEN IN 1865.
-------- O--------
/5.......
SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 19, 1988
- 5 -
GOVERNOR TO VISIT YUEN LONG * » » *
THE GOVERNOR, SIR DAVID WILSON, WILL VISIT YUEN LONG ON MONT Y (NOVEMBER 21) TO SEE THE LATEST DEVELOPMENTS IN THE DISTRT'
SIR DAVID WILL VISIT LONG PING ESTATE, NAM PIN WAI ND WANG CHAU SERVICE RESERVOIR, WHERE HE WILL BE BRIEFED ON THf ' .'GRESS OF WORK ON THE FUTURE TIN SHUI WAI NEW TOWN.
THE GOVERNOR WILL ALSO STOP AT THE TOWN CENTRE WHERE HE W. LL BE BRIEFED ON IMPROVEMENT WORKS TO THE YUEN LONG NULLAH OVER WHICH SIR DAVID HAD EXPRESSED CONCERN DURING HIS VISIT LAST YEAR.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE GOVERNOR’S VISIT TO YUEN LONG ON MONDAY (NOVEMBER 21). THREE PRESS VANS WILL LEAVE THE KOWLOON PUBLIC PIER FOR YUEN LONG AT 1.30 PM SHARP ON THAT DAY.
--------o----------
SEMINAR ON CONTROL OF DANGEROUS SUBSTANCES * » * * *
OVER 300 CHEMICAL SUPPLIERS AND MANAGEMENT PERSONNEL IN INDUSTRIES WILL ATTEND A SEMINAR ON THE CONTROL OF DANGEROUS SUBSTANCES ON TUESDAY (NOVEMBER 22).
THE SEMINAR IS JOINTLY ORGANISED BY THE LABOUR ADVIS BOARD’S INDUSTRIAL SAFETY AND HEALTH COMMITTEE AND THE OCCUPATION SAFETY AND HEALTH COUNCIL.
IT IS AIMED AT FOSTERING PUBLIC AWARENESS OF CHEMICAL SAFETY IN INDUSTRY AND REMINDING EMPLOYERS AND WORKERS OF THE FACTORIES AND INDUSTRIAL UNDERTAKINGS (DANGEROUS SUBSTANCES) REGULATIONS WHICH WILL COME INTO FORCE ON DECEMBER 15 THIS YEAR.
THE EVENT WILL BE OPENED BY THE INTERMEDIATES ASIA PACIFIC GENERAL MANAGER OF EXXON CHEMICAL INTERNATIONAL ASIA LIMITED, MR R.E. BAZE, THE SEMINAR SPONSOR, AND THE ACTING COMMISSIONER FOR LABOUR, MR HAROLD KWOK.
/GUEST SPEAKERS .......
SATURDAY, NOVEMBER <9, 1988
6 -
GUEST SPEAKERS WILL INCLUDE MR JOE TANG FROM EXXON, DR SARAH LIAO FROM EHS CONSULTANTS LIMITED, AND MR YIP YUK-LUN FROM THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE OPENING OF THE SEMINAR WHICH WILL BE HELD AT THE VICTORIA BALLROOM, THIRD FLOOR, HOTEL VICTORIA, CENTRAL, AT 6 PM ON TUESDAY (NOVEMBER 22).
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FAMILY, COMMUNITY URGED TO HELP THE HANDICAPPED
*****
ENCOURAGEMENT FROM FAMILY MEMBERS AND SUPPORT OF THE COMMON TTY ARE OF UTMOST IMPORTANCE IN ASSISTING THE PHYSICALLY AND MENTALLY HANDICAPPED PEOPLE AS EFFORTS OF SOCIAL WORKERS AND WELFARE AGENCIES ALONE ARE NOT ENOUGH.
THE REGIONAL OFFICER (NEW TERRITORIES) OF THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT, MR CARLOS LEUNG, SAID THIS TODAY (SATURDAY) WHEN OFFICIATING AT THE OPEN DAY OF THE SHEK WAI KOK SHELTERED WORKSHOP IN SHEK WAI KOK ESTATE, TSUEN WAN.
"THE CARE AND THE LOVE OF FAMILY MEMBERS ARE ESSENTIAL IN HELPING THE HANDICAPPED TO BUILD UP THEIR CONFIDENCE AND TO FACE UP TO REALITY.
"AT THE SAME TIME, IF MEMBERS OF THE COMMUNITY CAN ADOPT AN UNDERSTANDING AND ACCEPTING ATTITUDE TOWARDS THE HANDICAPPED AND GIA’E THEM OPPORTUNITIES TO LEAD A NORMAL LIFE, IT WILL BE A GREAT ENCOURAGEMENT TO THEM TO LEARN AND BENEFIT FROM THEIR TRAINING S( THAT THEY WILL BE ABLE TO LEAD AN INDEPENDENT LIFE AS SOON AS POSSIBLE," HE SAID.
MR LEUNG NOTED THAT SHEK WAI KOK WAS ONE OF THE FOUR SHELTERED WORKSHOPS SET UP BV THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT IN THE NEW TERRITORIES TO PROVIDE EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES FOR THOSE WHO COULD NOT TAKE UP NORMAL JOBS BECAUSE OF THE IR HANDICAPS.
"THE OBJECTIVE IS TO HELP THEM BUILD UP THEIR SELF-RESPECT THROUGH GIVING THEM WORK AND TRAINING, TO FOSTER THEIR SENSE OF SELF-CONFIDENCE AND SELF-RELIANCE, TO ENHANCE THEIR WORK ABILITIES AND ADAPTABILITY SO THAT THEY CAN EVENTUALLY SEEK OPEN EMPLOYMENT AND BECOME PRODUCTIVE MEMBERS OF THE COMMUNITY," HE SAID.
/THE SHEK.......
SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 19, 1988
THE SHEK WAI KOK SHELTERED WORKSHOP BEGAN OPERATION IN 1986 AND THERE ARE NOW 120 WORKERS THERE.
IN ADDITION TO WAGES PAID BY MANUFACTURERS WHO PATRONISE THE WORKSHOP, THE WORKERS ALSO GET INCENTIVE PAYMENTS FROM THE DEPARTMENT AND, WHERE APPROPRIATE, LUNCH AND TRANSPORT SERVICES.
"MORE IMPORTANTLY, SOCIAL WORKERS IN THE WORKSHOP PROVIDE TRAINING IN SOCIAL AND COMMUNICATJ ON SKILLS TO THE WORKERS THROUGH INDIVIDUAL COUNSELLING AND GROUP ACTIVITIES AS WELL AS RENDERING ASSISTANCE TO FAMILIES OF THE WORKERS IF NECESSARY," MR LEUNG SAID.
HE THANKED THE PARENTS AND THE MANUFACTURERS FOR THEIR SUPPORT IN THE PAST TWO YEARS WHICH HAD CONTRIBUTED TO THE SMOOTH AND SUCCESSFUL OPERATION OF THE WORKSHOP.
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ACTIVITY CENTRES NECESSARY FOR YOUTH
*****
APART FROM SCHOOL EDUCATION, CHILDREN REQUIRE GROUP LIVING TO SATISFY THEIR VARIOUS INTERESTS AND THEY NEED PLACES WHERE ACTIVITIES ARE ORGANISED TO HELP THEM DEVELOP THEIR CHARACTER UNDER PROPER GUIDANCE, THE ACTING DIRECTOR OF SOCIAL WELFARE, MR STEPHEN LAW, SAID TODAY (SATURDAY).
"THUS, THE SETTING UP OF CHILDREN’S AND YOUTH CENTRES THROUGHOUT THE TERRITORY IS NECESSARY WHILE THE OUTREACHING SOCIAL WORK SERVICE, WHICH PROVIDES ASSISTANCE AND COUNSELLING TO YOUNG PEOPLE WHO SELDOM APPROACH THESE CENTRES, HAS GRADUALLY BECOME BETTER KNOWN TO THE PUBLIC," MR LAW SAID.
SPEAKING AT THE OPEN DAY OF THE CHO YIU CHILDREN’S CENTRE OF THE BOYS’ AND GIRLS’ CLUBS ASSOCIATION IN KWAI CHUNG, MR LAW SAID PARENTS HAD A VITAL RESPONSIBILITY IN EDUCATING THEIR CHILDREN.
"REGULAR PROMOTION OF FAMILY LIFE EDUCATION IS CONDUCTED BY THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT AND VOLUNTARY AGENCIES WITH THE AIM OF POOLING TOGETHER THE EFFORTS OF FAMILIES, SCHOOLS AND THE COMMUNITY IN EDUCATING THE YOUNGER GENERATION," HE SAID.
MR LAW COMMENDED THE ASSOCIATION FOR ITS UNCEASING EFFORTS IN PROVIDING YOUTH SERVICES IN THE PAST 50 YEARS TO COPE WITH SOCIAL CHANGES AND NEEDS.
BESIDES CHILDREN’S AND YOUTH CENTRES, THE ASSOCIATION HAS EXPANDED ITS SERVICES TO SCHOOL SOCIAL WORK, FAMILY LIFE EDUCATION AND OUTREACHING SOCIAL WORK SERVICES.
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/8........
SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 19, 1988
- 8 -
TEACHERS AND STUDENTS DISCUSS WAYS TO COMBAT TRIADS
*****
MORE THAN 400 STUDENTS AND TEACHERS IN KWUN TONG THIS (SATURDAY) MORNING EFFECTIVELY COMBAT TRIAD ACTIVITIES IN THE
FROM 20 SECONDARY SCHO<^' 9 DISCUSSED WAYS TO MORE DISTRICT.
THEY WERE ATTENDING AN ANTI-TRIAD SEMINAR, WHICH WAS JOINTLY ORGANISED BY THE KWUN TONG DISTRICT FIGHT CRIME COMMITTEE AND HE KWUN TONG SCHOOL LIAISON COMMITTEE.
SPEAKING AT THE OPENING OF THE SEMINAR, A MEMBER OF TH CENTRAL FIGHT CRIME COMMITTEE (FCC), DR HO KAM-FAI, SAID BOTH IHB GOVERNMENT AND THE FCC HAD BEEN MAKING CONSIDERABLE EFFORTS COMBATTING TRIAD ACTIVITIES.
"IN RECENT YEARS, THE AUTHORITIES HAVE STEPPED UP MEDIA PUBLICITY TO EXPOSE THE DARK SIDE OF TRIADS, ENCOURAGE THE PUBLIC PARTICULARLY YOUNG PEOPLE, TO DISASSOCIATE FROM TRIADS AND TO REPOi TRIAD INFORMATION," HE ADDED.
DR HO OUTLINED THE THREE APPROACHES ADOPTED BY THE FCC TO COUNTER THE TRIAD PROBLEM.
THE FIRST APPROACH, HE SAID, INVOLVED ACTIVITIES, IN HAND OR PLANNED, WHICH AIMED AT MAKING A DENT IN THE INFLUENCE OF TRIADS. THESE INCLUDED THE TRIAD RENUNCIATION SCHEME, CONFISCATION OF THE ASSETS OF DRUG TRAFFICKERS AND THE FORMATION OF SPECIAI INTER-DEPARTMENTAL GROUPS TO INVESTIGATE COMPLEX AND ORGANISED CRIME.
ANOTHER APPROACH WAS TO GIVE YOUNG PEOPLE PROPER GUIDANCE AND TO INCULCATE IN THEM A POSITIVE OUTLOOK ON LIFE.
"THE STANDING COMMITTEE ON YOUNG OFFENDERS UNDER THE FCC, THE JUNIOR POLICE CALL AND THE YOUNG OFFENDER ASSESSMENT PANEL ALL DEAL WITH WORK IN THIS ASPECT," HE NOTED.
DR HO WENT ON TO SAY THAT THE THIRD MEASURE HAD BEEN TAKEN BY INDIVIDUAL GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS, SUCH AS THE AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES DEPARTMENT, THE HOUSING DEPARTMENT AND THE MARINE DEPARTMENT, TO COMBAT TRIAD ACTIVITIES IN THE FISH AND VEGETABLE MARKETS; SQUATTERS AND PUBLIC HOUSING ESTATES; AS WELL AS THE CARGO HANDLING AREAS RESPECTIVELY.
HE SAID THAT WHILE THE AUTHORITIES WOULD CONTINUE TO COUNTER TRIAD CRIME AND HELP YOUNG PEOPLE EXTRICATE THEMSELVES FROM TRIADS, THE MOST EFFECTIVE METHOD WAS FOR YOUNGSTERS TO EXERCISE SELF-DISCIPLINE AND TO BE MORE AWARE OF THE EVIL OF TRIADS.
THE OPENING CEREMONY WAS FOLLOWED BY TALKS BY REPRESENTATIVES FROM THE POLICE ANTI-TRIAD SECTION AND GROUP DISCUSSION BY THE PARTICIPANTS.
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/9........
SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 19, 1988
9 -
FIRE PREVENTION CAMPAIGN TO BE LAUNCHED
* * t t
A SERIES OF PROGRAMMES WILL BE HELD TOMORROW (SUNDAY) AT EDINBURGH PLACE IN CENTRAL TO MARK THE LAUNCHING OF THE 1988-89 FIRE PREVENTION CAMPAIGN.
,rTHIS YEAR’S PUBLICITY WILL FOCUS ON WHAT EMERGENCY ; F >N TO TAKE IF A FIRE BREAKS OUT AND THE USE AND GOOD MAINTENANCE 3? FIRE SERVICE INSTALLATIONS,” A SPOKESMAN FOR THE FIRE PREVENTION C/• 1PAIGN PUBLICITY WORKING GROUP SAID.
“CASUALTIES CAN BE AVOIDED IF PEOPLE ARE ALERTED AND CAN RESPOND SWIFTLY AS SOON AS A FIRE IS DISCOVERED,
“THE NEW SLOGAN ’IF THERE IS FIRE, SOUND THE ALARM’ CLEARLY REFLECTS THE THEME OF THIS YEAR’S CAMPAIGN,” HE ADDED.
IN ORDER TO STRENGTHEN PUBLIC AWARENESS OF FIRE PREVENTION, PANELS ON URBAN AND COUNTRYSIDE FIRE PREVENTION, AND FIRE SERVICE INSTALLATIONS WILL BE DISPLAYED AT EDINBURGH PLACE TOMORROW.
THE PROGRAMME WILL ALSO INCLUDE A LION DANCE AND DEMONSTRATIONS OF FIRE FIGHTING TECHNIQUES.
A FIRE BOAT, THE ALEXANDER GRANTHAM, WILL BE BERTHED AT QUEEN'S PIER AND THE PUBLIC CAN BOARD IT TO SEE ITS EQUIPMENT.
MOREOVER, A NEW FIRE PREVENTION LEAFLET, TOGETHER WITH GIVEAWAYS SPONSORED BY THE KWONG ON BANK, WILL BE DISTRIBUTED TO THE PUBLIC AT THE VENUE.
THE LAUNCHING CEREMONY WILL BEGIN AT 1.45 PM. THE ACTING DIRECTOR OF FIRE SERVICES, MR LAM CHEK-YUEN, WILL PERFORM THE EYE-DOTTING CEREMONY AS WELL AS THE BELL-RINGING CEREMONY TO SIGNIFY THE START OF THE CAMPAIGN.
WITH MR LAM AT THE CEREMONY WILL BE MRS LAM CHEK-Yt’Ebi; CHIEF FIRE OFFICER (PROTECTION), MR LI KWOK-CHOI; ASSISTANT DIRECTOR OF AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES, MR K.C. IU; ASSISTANT DIRECTOR OF INFORMATION SERVICES (PUBLICITY), MR PETER MOSS; PRINCIPAL ASSISTANT SECRETARY FOR HONG KONG AND KOWLOON, MR RAYMOND WONG; AND ASSISTANT DIRECTOR OF HOUSING, MR CHAN TAK-PING.
ALSO TAKING PART WILL BE DEPUTY CHIEF INSPECTOR OF SCHOOLS, MRS KONG LI CH’-HO; DEPUTY CHIEF FACTORY INSPECTOR, MR HO S1KG-CHUEN; AND SENIOR MANAGING DIRECTOR OF KWONG ON BANK LTD, MR HIROOMI ANDO.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE 1988-89 FIRE PREVENTION CA FPAIGN LAUNCHING CEREMONY TO BE HELD AT 1.45 PM TOMORROW (SUNDAY) hT THE EDINBURGH PLACE, CENTRAL. GIS OFFICERS WILL BE ON HAND TO ASSIST.
- 0 -
/10
SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 19, 1988
10 -
REMINDER ON OLI LOGO DESIGN COMPETITION
*****
MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC ARE REMINDED THAT THE DEADLINE FOR SUBMISSION OF ENTRIES FOR THE LOGO DESIGN COMPETITION FOR THE NEW OPEN LEARNING INSTITUTE (OLI) IS NOVEMBER 30.
ALL RESIDENTS ARE ELIGIBLE TO SUBMIT DESIGNS WHICH MU'JT BE OF 60CM X 60CM IN SIZE. THE COLOUR IS EITHER BLACK AND WHITE OK FULL COLOUR. EACH PERSON MAY SUBMIT TWO ENTRIES.
ENTRIES SHOULD BE SENT TO THE SECRETARY, PLANNING COMMITTEE FOR THE OPEN LEARNING INSTITUTE ON THE 12TH FLOOR, WEST WING, CENTRAL GOVERNMENT OFFICES, ICE HOUSE STREET, HONG KCNG.
THERE ARE THREE PRIZES. THE FIRST PRIZE IS $15,000, THE SECOND PRIZE IS $8,000 AND THE THIRD PRIZE IS $4,000.
THE WINNING DESIGN MAY OR MAY NOT BE ADOPTED AS THE OLI LOGO. THE PLANNING COMMITTEE RESERVES THE RIGHT TO USE AT ITS DISCRETION ANY OF THE AWARD WINNING DESIGNS SUBMITTED.
A PANEL OF JUDGES WILL BE FORMED OF MEMBERS OF THE PLANNING COMMITTEE AND OTHER INVITED INDIVIDUALS.
THE RESULTS OF THE COMPETITION WILL BE ANNOUNCED IN EARLY JANUARY.
THE OLI WILL BE A STATUTORY BODY AND THE SIXTH DEGREE GRANTING INSTITUTION IN HONG KONG. IT WILL CATER FOR THE NEEDS OF THOSE WHO HAVE NOT HAD THE OPPORTUNITY TO BENEFIT FROM HIGHER EDUCATION OR WHO WISH TO LEARN NEW SKILLS.
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FRESH WATER SERVICE RESERVOIR FOR TUEN MUN
*****
THE WATER SUPPLIES DEPARTMENT IS INVITING TENDERS FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF A FRESH WATER SERVICE RESERVOIR AND THE LAYING OF ASSOCIATED WATER MAINS IN THE EASTERN PART OF TUEN MUN.
THIS WILL COPE WITH THE INCREASING DEMAND FOR WATER IN THE AREA.
THE SERVICE RESERVOIR WILL BE SITUATED NEAR THE JUNCTION OF CASTLE PEAK ROAD AND TUEN SHING STREET, IN AREA 23 OF TUEN MUN NEW TOWN.
/THE CAPACITY .......
SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 19, 1988
11
THE CAPACITY OF THE SERVICE RESERVOIR WILL BE ABOUT 25,100 CUBIC METRES AND THE LENGTH OF THE WATER MAINS TO BE LAID WILL BE ABOUT 680 METRES.
WORK IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN IN FEBRUARY NEXT YEAR AND TAKE ABOUT 24 MONTHS TO COMPLETE.
DEADLINE FOR SUBMISSION OF TENDERS IS NOON ON DECEMBER 9.
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TENANCY SOUGHT t
FOR GOVERNMENT LAND ♦ * * *
A PIECE OF GOVERNMENT LAND IS BEING LET BY TENDER ON SHORT TERM TENANCY BY THE BUILDINGS AND LANDS DEPARTMENT.
THE LAND IN AREA 47B, SHA TIN, NEW TERRITORIES, MEASURING ABOUT 8,550 SQUARE METRES, IS FOR STORAGE OF GOODS, PLANT AND MACHINERY, VEHICLES AND BUILDING MATERIALS (EXCLUDING CONTAINERS) BELONGING TO THE TENANT.
THE TENANCY IS FOR ONE YEAR, RENEWABLE QUARTERLY AFTERWARDS.
TENDER FORMS AND NOTICES MAY BE OBTAINED FROM THE DISTRICT LANDS OFFICE, SHA TIN, 2 TUNG LO WAN HILL ROAD, SHA TIN, NEW TERRITORIES; THE BUILDINGS AND LANDS DEPARTMENT, 14TH FLOOR, MURRAY BUILDING, GARDEN ROAD, HONG KONG; AND THE DISTRICT LANDS OFFICES KOWLOON, 10TH FLOOR, YAU MA TEI CARPARK BUILDING, 250 SHANGHAI STREET, KOWLOON.
THE TENDER PLAN MAY ALSO BE INSPECTED AT THESE OFFICES.
THE CLOSING DATE FOR SUBMITTING TENDERS IS NOON ON DECEMBER 2.
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SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 19, 1988
- 12 -
WONG TAI SIN HOLDING * ♦
ANTI-SHOP THEFT CARNIVAL * *
A CARNIVAL WILL BE HELD ON THE FOOTBALL PITCH OF THE MORSE PARK IN WONG TAI SIN TOMORROW (SUNDAY) AFTERNOON TO EMPHASISE TO RESIDENTS, ESPECIALLY THE YOUNGER GENERATION, THE SERIOUSNESS OF SHOP THEFT.
THE CARNIVAL IS JOINTLY ORGANISED BY THE WONG TAI SIN DISTRICT FIGHT CRIME COMMITTEE AND THE WONG TAI SIN POLICE COMMUNITY RELATIONS OFFICE.
IT WILL FEATURE GAME STALLS, POLICE BAND PERFORMANCES, DRAMA, POLICE DOG SHOW, AN EXHIBITION AND SINGING.
AMONG THOSE OFFICIATING AT THE OPENING CEREMONY WILL BE CENTRAL FIGHT CRIME COMMITTEE MEMBER, MR JUSTEIN WONG; WONG TAI SIN DISTRICT POLICE COMMANDER, MR D.L. SHACKLETON; WONG TAI SIN DISTRICT OFFICER, MR NG HON-WAH; DISTRICT BOARD CHAIRMAN, DR LEE YUK-KWAN; AND DISTRICT FIGHT CRIME COMMITTEE CHAIRMAN, MR CHAN CHUN-FAT.
THE CARNIVAL IS A MAJOR PUBLICITY ACTIVITY ORGANISED BY THE WONG TAI SIN DISTRICT FIGHT CRIME COMMITTEE WITH SPONSORSHIP BY THE WONG TAI SIN DISTRICT BOARD AND FACTORY OWNERS AND SHOPKEEPERS IN NGAU CHI WAN AND DIAMOND HILL.
IT IS OPEN TO THE PUBLIC FREE OF CHARGE. TICKETS FOR STALL GAMES ARE AVAILABLE AT THE WONG TAI SIN DISTRICT OFFICE AND THE WONG TAI SIN POLICE COMMUNITY RELATIONS OFFICE.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
MEDIA REPRESENTATIVES ARE INVITED TO COVER THE ANTI-SHOP THEFT CARNIVAL TO BE HELD ON THE FOOTBALL PITCH OF THE MORSE PARK IN WONG TAI SIN ON SUNDAY (NOVEMBER 20), BEGINNING AT 2 PM.
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SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 19, 1988
- 15 -
KMB FARE INCREASE ON DB COMMITTEE AGENDA
*****
THE TSUEN WAN DISTRICT BOARD’S ENVIRONMENTAL AND TRANSPORT AFFAIRS COMMITTEE WILL DISCUSS THE FARE INCREASE SOUGHT BY KMB AT A MEETING ON MONDAY (NOVEMBER 2 I ).
MATTERS TO BE RAISED BY MEMBERS INCLUDE THE EXISTING PROBLEMS OF TVEN MUN ROAD, A REQUEST FOR OPENING THE PODIUM Ob LEI MUK SHUE COMMERCIAL CENTRE, AND GREEN MINIBUS POLICY.
MEMBERS WILL ALSO CONSIDER PROGRESS REPORTS BY VARIOUS WORKING GROUPS.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE MEETING OF THE TSUEN WAN DISTRICT BOARD’S ENVIRONMENTAL AND TRANSPORT AFFAIRS COMMITTEE TO BEGIN AT 2.30 PM ON MONDAY (NOVEMBER 21) IN THE MAIN CONFERENCE ROOM OF THE REGIONAL COUNCIL, SECOND FLOOR, TSUEN WAN STATION MULTI-STOREY CARPARK Bl 1LDING, 174-208 CASTLE PEAK ROAD, TSUEN WAN.
------0 -------
ROAD SAFETY CAMPAIGN LAUNCHED IN KWAI TSING ♦ * * »
THE KWAI TSING DISTRICT ROAD SAFETY CAMPAIGN WAS LAUNCHED TODAY (SATURDAY) WITH A CARNIVAL HELD AT THE KWAI CHUNG POLICE STATION.
THE CAMPAIGN IS ORGANISED BY THE KWAI TSING DISTRICT BOARD’S TRAFFIC AND TRANSPORT COMMITTEE WITH A BUDGET OF $55,000 TO PROMOTE ROAD SAFETY AMONG RESIDENTS.
TODAY’S CARNIVAL BEGAN WITH BAND PERFORMANCES BY THE TAI TAM GIRL PIPERS AND MARCHING TEAM. OTHER PROGRAMMES INCLUDED A CARTOON EXHIBITION AND STALL GAMES DESIGNED WITH ROAD SAFETY THEMES FOR RESIDENTS.
THE CHAIRMAN OF THE CAMPAIGN, MR CHOW YICK-HAY, SAID THAT FUNDS HAD BEEN RESERVED FOR PRODUCING POSTERS AND BANNERS FOR DISPLAY AT PROMINENT LOCATIONS AS ANOTHER ACTIVITY BY THE COMMITTEE TO REMIND RESIDENTS OF THE IMPORTANCE OF ROAD SAFETY.
ALSO ATTENDING TODAY’S CARNIVAL WERE KWAI CHUNG POLICE DISTRICT COMMANDER, MR E.H. EVANS; KWAI TSING DISTRICT OFFICER, MR PAUL TANG; DISTRICT BOARD CHAIRMAN, MR LEE WING-TAT AND CHAIRMAN OF THE TRAFFIC AND TRANSPORT COMMITTEE, MR TING YIN-WAH.
O--------
/14........
SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 19, 1988
14
TRAM PARADE HELPS PROMOTE CIVIC
* » * *
EDUCATION AMONG STUDENTS *
ABOUT 100 PRIMARY SCHOOL STUDENTS IN EASTERN DISTRICT LEARNT MORE ABOUT THE IMPORTANCE OF "FAIRNESS" IN SCHOOL, FAMILY AND SOCIETY AFTER VISITING A TRAM PARADE ON CIVIC EDUCATION THIS (SATURDAY) AFTERNOON.
THE TRAM PARADE IN THE DISTRICT WAS ORGANISED BY THE EASTERN DISTRICT BOARD’S CIVIC EDUCATION PROMOTION WORKING GROUP WITH THE ASSISTANCE OF THE EASTERN DISTRICT OFFICE AND THE ICAC.
A SERIES OF CARTOON DRAWINGS, GAMES AND PUPPET SHOW CARRYING THE MESSAGE OF FAIR PLAY WERE STAGED ON THE TRAM.
ANOTHER TRAM PARADE WILL BE HELD ON NOVEMBER 26 (SATURDAY) FOR ANOTHER 100 STUDENTS IN THE DISTRICT.
A QUIZ WILL ALSO BE ORGANISED EARLY NEXT MONTH TO CONVEY TO PRIMARY 6 STUDENTS THE MESSAGE OF FAIR PLAY.
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DAY CAMP TO PROMOTE HOME SAFETY
* * » *
THROUGH GAMES, TALKS AND BARBECUE FUN, MORE THAN 100 RESIDENTS OF SHA TIN RECENTLY LEARNT MORE ABOUT CRIME PREVENTION.
THE OCCASION WAS A HOME SAFETY DAY CAMP ORGANISED BY THE SHA TIN DISTRICT FIGHT CRIME COMMITTEE (STDFCC) AT THE BAPTIST ASSEMBLY IN FANLING.
IT WAS AIMED AT PROMOTING PUBLIC AWARENESS OF CRIME AND ENHANCING KNOWLEDGE OF CRIME PREVENTION MEASURES.
MEMBERS FROM VARIOUS FAMILIES, RANGING FROM KINDERGARTEN CHILDREN TO PEOPLE AGED OVER 70, FIRST ENJOYED THEMSELVES THROUGH GAMES THAT HAD A FIGHT CRIME THEME.
AFTER A BARBECUE LUNCH, THEY WERE BRIEFED BY SHA TIN POLICE COMMUNITY RELATION OFFICERS ON CRIME PREVENTION, WITH EMPHASIS ON PROPERTY CRIMES SUCH AS THEFT AND BURGLARY.
THE CAMP CONCLUDED WITH AN EDUCATIONAL QUIZ COMPETITION AMONG FAMILY PARTICIPANTS, WITH MANY OF THEM WINNING HANDSOME PRIZES.
/NOTING THAT .......
SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 19, 1988
- 15 -
NOTING THAT THE FUNCTION WAS WELL-ORGANISED AND WELL RECEIVED BY THE PUBLIC, THE SHA TIN DISTRICT OFFICER, MR VICTOR YUNG TODAY (SATURDAY) PRAISED THE STDFCC, GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS AND LOCAL ORGANISATIONS INVOLVED FOR THEIR CONTINUED EFFORTS IN FIGHTING CRIME.
"WHILE MOST EFFORTS ARE CONCENTRATED ON THE FIGHT AGAINST JUVENILE DELINQUENCY THIS YEAR, WE WILL ALSO ENSURE THAT J E OVERALL LAW AND ORDER SITUATION IN THE DISTRICT IS UNDER CONTROL, HE SAID.
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HOME SAFETY CARDS ON EXHIBITION IN MONG KOK *****
A SET OF "HOME SAFETY" CARDS DESIGNED BY YOUNG PEOPLE OF MONG KOK WILL BE ON DISPLAY AT THE TAI KOK TSUI SYCAMORE ART GALLERY FROM TODAY (SATURDAY) TO MID-DECEMBER.
THESE CARDS, WHICH CARRY THE HOME SAFETY MESSAGE, ARE ALL PRIZE WINNING DESIGNS OF A HOME SAFETY CARD DESIGN COMPETITION JOINTLY ORGANISED BY THE SYCAMORE ART GALLERY DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE OF THE MONG KOK DISTRICT BOARD AND THE BOYS’ AND GIRLS’ CLUBS ASSOCIATION OF HONG KONG TAI KOK TSUI CHILDREN’S CENTRE.
THE COMPETITION, WHICH ATTRACTED ABOUT 280 ENTRIES, IS AIMED AT ENHANCING AWARENESS AMONG CHILDREN AND YOUNG PEOPLE OF HOME SAFETY.
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SAI KUNG TO HOLD BLOOD DONATION EXERCISE
*****
CIVIC-MINDED RESIDENTS OF SAI KUNG ARE INVITED TO TAKE PART IN A BLOOD DONATION EXERCISE ON NOVEMBER 29 (TUESDAY) AT THE SAI KUNG JOCKEY CLUB TOWN HALL AND THREE SECONDARY SCHOOLS IN THE DISTRICT.
THE EXERCISE, ONE OF THE PROGRAMMES OF THE SAI KUNG DISTRICT CIVIC EDUCATION CAMPAIGN, AIMS AT ENCOURAGING LOCAL RESIDENTS TO GIVE BLOOD AND TO BECOME RESPONSIBLE, CARING AND HELPFUL CITIZENS.
"ANYONE AGED BETWEEN 18 AND 65, IN SOUND HEALTH AND WEIGHING 40.4 5 KG OR ABOVE, IS WELCOME TO TAKE PART IN THE EXERCISE.
"FOR THOSE WHO ARE BETWEEN THE AGES OF 16 AND 17, PARENTAL APPROVAL IS REQUIRED," A SPOKESMAN FOR THE ORGANISERS SAID.
/"IF ANY
SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 19, 1988
- 16 -
"IF ANY PARTICIPANT HAS RECENTLY RECEIVED INOCULATION OR VACCINATION, THEY SHOULD INFORM THE NURSES ON DUTY BEFORE GIVING BLOOD," HE ADDED.
PARTICIPANTS IN THE BLOOD DONATION EXERCISE MAY TAKE PART IN TEAMS OR AS INDIVIDUALS. EACH TEAM WILL BE PRESENTED A SOUVENIR PENNANT AND PARTICIPANTS WILL ALSO BE GIVEN A WALLET AS A TOKEN OF THANKS.
THE BLOOD DONATION EXERCISE IS JOINTLY ORGANISED BY THE SAI KUNG DISTRICT CIVIC EDUCATION PROMOTION COMMITTEE AND THE HONG KONG RED CROSS BLOOD TRANSFUSION SERVICE. IT IS SPONSORED BY THE SAI KUNG DISTRICT BOARD.
APPLICATION FORMS HAVE BEEN DISTRIBUTED TO THE DISTRICT’S MUTUAL AID COMMITTEES, OWNERS CORPORATIONS, RURAL COMMITTEES, SECONDARY SCHOOLS, LOCAL ORGANISATIONS, AND TO GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS.
RESIDENTS WHO WANT TO SUPPORT THE CAMPAIGN MAY OBTAIN APPLICATION FORMS FROM THE SAI KUNG JOCKEY CLUB TOWN HALL OR THE PUBLIC ENQUIRY SERVICE CENTRE OF THE SAI KUNG DISTRICT OFFICE IN CHAN MAN STREET, SAI KUNG TOWN.
HOWEVER, THOSE WHO HAVE NOT FILLED IN AN APPLICATION FORM BEFOREHAND ARE ALSO WELCOME TO TAKE PART IN THE EXERCISE.
THEY MAY GIVE BLOOD AT THE SAI KUNG JOCKEY CLUB TOWN HALL FROM 3 PM TO 8.30 PM; OR THE SUNG TSUN MIDDLE SCHOOL AND CHENG CHEK CHEE SECONDARY SCHOOL FROM 9.30 AM TO NOON; OR THE RENNIE’S MILL MIDDLE SCHOOL FROM 2 PM TO 6 PM ON NOVEMBER 29 (TUESDAY).
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PHOTOGRAPHY EXHIBITION FOR CENTRAL,
* * » t *
WESTERN RESIDENTS
RESIDENTS IN CENTRAL AND WESTERN ARE INVITED TO VISIT A NINE-DAY PHOTOGRAPHY EXHIBITION BEING STAGED AT THE EXHIBITION HALL OF SHEUNG WAN CIVIC CENTRE, 345 QUEEN’S ROAD CENTRAL.
THE ORGANISING COMMITTEE OF THE CENTRAL AND WESTERN PHOTOGRAPHY EXHIBITION IS AMONG THE FIRST GROUP OF ORGANISATIONS USING THE NEW CIVIC CENTRE OPERATED BY THE URBAN COUNCIL.
THE CIVIC CENTRE BECAME OPERATIONAL RECENTLY, PROVIDING RESIDENTS WITH A SPACIOUS AND A WELL-EQUIPPED VENUE FOR CULTURAL AND RECREATIONAL ACTIVITIES.
/THE PHOTOGRAPHY .......
SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 19, 1988
- 17 -
THE PHOTOGRAPHY EXHIBITION IS JOINTLY ORGANISED BY THE DISTRICT ASSOCIATION OF CULTURE AND ARTS (CENTRAL AND WESTERN), CENTRAL AND WESTERN DISTRICT BOARD, URBAN COUNCIL, CENT: ' AD WESTERN DISTRICT OFFICE AND SAI YING PUN AREA COMMITTEE.
IT IS TAKING PLACE UNDER THE MONTH-LONG CENTRA) AND WESTERN CULTURAL AND ARTS FESTIVAL WITH THE AIM OF AROUSING C
INTEREST IN PHOTOGRAPHY.
ON DISPLAY ARE MORE THAN 200 COLOUR PHOTOGRAPHS TAKEN RECENTLY BY 56 WELL-KNOWN PHOTOGRAPHERS.
THE EXHIBITION IS OPEN UNTIL 7 PM TODAY (SATURDAY) AND FROM 11 AM TO 7 PM FROM TOMORROW (SUNDAY) TO NOVEMBER 27.
OFFICIATING AT THE OPENING CEREMONY TODAY WERE THE ASSISTANT DISTRICT OFFICER (CENTRAL AND WESTERN), MISS JOEY LAM. DISTRICT BOAP.D MEMBER, MR CHAN TAK-CHOR; CHAIRMAN OF SAI YING PUN AREA COMMITTEE, MRS IRENE LEE TANG YEE-LIN; CHAIRMAN OF PERFORMING ARTS SUB-COMMITTEE OF THE DISTRICT ASSOCIATION OF CULTURE AND ARTS (CENTRAL AND WESTERN), MR LAM KIN-LAI; AND CHAIRMAN OF THE PHOTOGRAPHIC SOCIETY OF HONG KONG, MR TAM LING.
------0 -------
WAN CHAI CARE FOR THE ELDERLY CAMPAIGN TO BENEFIT 2,000 » * * t t
ABOUT 2,000 ELDERLY PEOPLE IN WAN CHAI WILL BE TREATED TO A SERIES OF ENTERTAINMENT PROGRAMMES INCLUDING CANTONESE OPERAS, A BANQUET AND A VISIT TO AN ELDERLY HOME, UNDER THF ANNUAL WAN CHAI CARE FOR THE OLD CAMPAIGN WHICH STARTS ON TUESDAY (NOVEMBER 22).
THE CAMPAIGN, WHICH WILL RUN UNTIL LATE JANUARY AIMS AT ENCOURAGING SENIOR RESIDENTS IN WAN CHAI TO TAKE PART IN SOCIAL FUNCTIONS AS WELL A® SHOWING RESPECT TO THEM.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE CAMPAIGN’S ORGANISING COMMITTEE 3A4D THE PROJECT, WHICH COSTS ABOUT $250,000, IS SPONSORED BY ORGANISATIONS, COMPANIES, BUSINESSMEN, MUTUAL AID COMMITTEES AND OWNERS CORPORATIONS, AND THE WAN CHAI DISTRICT BOARD.
TO MARK THE OPENING OF THE CAMPAIGN, A ' ANTONESE 'PERA WILL BE HELD IN QUEEN ELIZABETH STADIUM ON TUESDAY.
A DIM SUM LUNCH AND A PERFORMANCE OF CANTONESE OPERATIC SONGS WILL BE HELD IN DECEMBER.
SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 1$, 19888 .
18 -
A VISIT TO A HOME FOR THE AGED IS SCHEDULED FOR EARLY JANUARY NEXT YEAR TO PROVIDE PARTICIPANTS WITH A BETTER UNDERSTANDING OF LIFE IN SUCH A HOME AND TO EXPRESS GOOD WISHES TO THE ELDERLY THERE.
THE CAMPAIGN WILL BE CONCLUDED ON JANUARY 22 WITH A BANQUET FOR 400 PEOPLE AND A CANTONESE ’OPERA NITE’ WITH PERFORMANCES BY WELL KNOWN OPERA ARTISTS.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE OPENING CEREMONY OF THE WAN CHAI CARE FOR THE OLD CAMPAIGN WHICH WILL BEGIN AT 7 PM ON TUESDAY (NOVEMBER 22) IN THE QUEEN ELIZABETH STADIUM.
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CSD ORGANISING ’WALK FOR MILLIONS’ « » » » »
THE CORRECTIONAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT IS TO ORGANISE A "WALK FOR MILLIONS" AT TAI LAM ON DECEMBER 10 (SATURDAY) TO RAISE FUNDS FOR THE COMMUNITY CHEST AND TO CELEBRATE ITS 20TH ANNIVERSARY.
"THIS IS THE FIRST TIME THAT A GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENT HAS BEEN INVITED BY THE COMMUNITY CHEST TO ORGANISE A FUND-RAISING WALK," A SPOKESMAN FOR THE ORGANISING COMMITTEE OF THE WALK SAID.
"IT IS AN HONOUR TO BE ASKED TO ORGANISE SUCH A MEANINGFU., CHARITY WALK, AND IT ALSO SHOWS THE SPIRIT OF THE DEPARTMENT IN SERVING THE COMMUNITY.
"AFTER THE ANNOUNCEMENT OF THE WALK, RESPONSE FROM STAFF OF THE DEPARTMENT, THEIR FAMILIES AND FRIENDS, AS WELL AS MEMBERS OF TIL DEPARTMENT’S OFFICERS’ CLUB, IS VERY ENCOURAGING."
MISS HONG KONG 1988, MISS MICHELE REIS, AND OTHER CELEBRITIES HAVE AGREED TO BE GUESTS OF HONOUR IN OFFICIATING AT A CEREMONY TO START THE WALK.
THE ORGANISING COMMITTEE HAS PLANNED TWO ROUTES FOR THE WALK.
THE "LONG" ROUTE WILL BEGIN FROM THE TWISK MANAGEMENT CENTRE IN TAI LAM COUNTRY PARK AT THE MIDDLE OF ROUTE TWISK, WHICH IS ALSO THE STARTING POINT OF SECTION 9 OF THE MACLEHOSE TRAIL.
IT PASSES THROUGH NGAU NIU, TIN FU CHAI, TAI LAM CHUNG RESERVOIR AND ENDS AT THE TAI LAM CORRECTIONAL INSTITUTION.
/THE ROUTE .......
SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 19, 1988
- 19 -
THE ROUTE COVERS 15 KILOMETRES AND WILL TAKE ABOUT THREE HOURS TO WALK.
THE ROUTE FOR THE ’’SHORT” WALK WILL START AT THE SPORTS GROUND OF THE TAI LAM CORRECTIONAL INSTITUTION AND WILL PASS AROUND THE TAI LAM CHUNG RESERVOIR DAM.
’’APART FROM ENJOYING THE SCENERY DURING THE WALK, THE COMMITTEE HAS ALSO ARRANGED A RICH ENTERTAINMENT PROGRAMME AT TAI LAM CORRECTIONAL INSTITUTION INCLUDING FUN STALLS, CHARITY SALE AND PERFORMANCE BY POPULAR SINGERS AND STAFF BAND OF THE DEPARTMENT,” THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
HE APPEALED TO ORGANISATIONS TO SUPPORT THIS ME. NGINGFUL CHARITY WALK AND ENROL TO PARTICIPATE.
INTERESTED PARTIES CAN CONTACT THE SECRETARY OF THE ORGANISING COMMITTEE, MR CHAN WA-KWING, ON 5-8235205 FOR REGISTRATION AND FURTHER INFORMATION.
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WORKS PROJECTS PROGRESS ON DB COMMITTEE AGENDA
THE SOUTHERN DISTRICT BOARD’S WORKS PROJECTS COMMITTEE WILL MEETjON MONDAY (NOVEMBER 21) TO DISCUSS THE PROGRESS REPORTS ON VARIOUS WORKS PROJECTS IN THE DISTRICT.
THE REPORTS PROVIDE INFORMATION ON THE LATEST DEVELOPMENT IN HIGHWAYS, ENGINEERING, BUILDING, PUBLIC HOUSING AND URBAN COUNCIL PROJECTS BEING CARRIED OUT IN THE DISTRICT.
MEMBERS WILL ALSO BE BRIEFED ON THE COMMISSION
OF AN
ENGINEERING FEASIBILITY STUDY FOR THE PROPOSED SECOND AP LEI CHAU
BRIDGE, AND WILL BE GIVEN AN INTERIM REPLY TO A PROPOSAL MADE BY
MEMBERS ON THE PROVISION OF A PASSING BAY AND A LOOKOUT POINT IN
STANLEY GAP ROAD.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE MEETING OF THE SOUTHERN DISTRICT BOARD’S WORKS PROJECTS COMMITTEE TO BE HELD ON MONDAY (NOVEMBER 21) IN THE DB CONFERENCE ROOM, SECOND FLOOR, MET EUNG COURT, ABERDEEN CENTRE, NAM NING STREET. ABERDEEN. THE MEETING WILL START AT 2.30 PM.
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/2O........
SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 19, 1988
- 20 -
FUNDS AVAILABLE FOR SSP « *
COMMUNITY BUILDING PROJECTS * * *
SHAM SHUI
AND MARCH
IS NOVEMBER
SAID TODAY
ORGANISATIONS WISHING TO OBTAIN SUBSIDIES FROM THE PO DISTRICT BOARD FOR ORGANISING ACTIVITIES IN FEBRUARY NEXT YEAR ARE REMINDED THAT THE DEADLINE FOR APPLICATION 30, A SPOKESMAN FOR THE SHAM SHUI PO DISTRICT BOARD
(SATURDAY).
BOARD GAVE FULL AGENCIES, OWNERS
THE SPOKESMAN SAID THE SHAM SHUI PO DISTRICT SUPPORT TO LOCAL ORGANISATIONS, SUCH AS VOLUNTARY INCORPORATIONS AND MUTUAL AID COMMITTEES, IN ORGANISING COMMUNITY BUILDING PROJECTS.
THESE PROJECTS SHOULD AIM AT PROMOTING LOCAL RESIDENTS’ SENSE OF BELONGING TO THE DISTRICT AND THEIR INTEREST IN VARIOUS CULTURAL, RECREATIONAL AND SPORTS ACTIVITIES.
APPLICATION FORMS ARE NOW AVAILABLE AT THE SHAM SHUI PO DISTRICT OFFICE AND ITS SUB-OFFICES.
ALL APPLICATIONS WILL BE CONSIDERED AT A VETTING SUB-COMMITTEE OF THE SHAM SHUI PO DISTRICT BUILDING COMMITTEE ON JANUARY 17.
MEETING OF THE BOARD COMMUNITY
APPLICANTS WILL BE INFORMED OF THE RESULTS IN DUE COURSE.
ENQUIRIES CAN BE MADE ON 3-7204251.
-----o------
MUSIC EXTRAVAGANZA TO LAUNCH KWUN TONG FESTIVAL
*****
THE KWUN TONG FESTIVAL ’88, WHICH AIMS AT FOSTERING COMMUNITY INTEGRATION AND PROMOTING A SENSE OF BELONGING AMONG LOCAL RESIDENTS, WILL BE OFFICIALLY OPENED BY THE REGIONAL SECRETARY FOR HONG KONG AND KOWLOON, MR DAVID LAN, TOMORROW (SUNDAY) EVENING.
TO MARK THE GRAND OPENING, A 'MUSIC EXTRAVAGANZA’ WILL BE STAGED AT THE SAU NGA ROAD PLAYGROUND, FEATURING DRAGON AND LION DANCES, BRASS BAND PERFORMANCE AND A VARIETY SHOW PRESENTED BY ASIA TELEVISION LTD.
ALSO PRESENT AT THE OPENING CEREMONY WILL BE KWUN TONG DISTRICT OFFICER, MR CHRIS WAN CHUNG-CHU; VICE-CHAIRMAN OF THE URBAN COUNCIL, MRS ELSIE TU; DISTRICT BOARD CHAIRMAN, MR LAM HANG-FAI; LEGISLATIVE COUNCILLOR, MR POON CHI-FAI; CHAIRMAN OF THE KWUN TONG FESTIVAL ’88 ORGANISING COMMITTEE, MADAM YEUNG KAM-CHUN, AND PRESIDENT OF THE ORGANISING COMMITTEE, MR YU SUN-SAY.
/THE FESTIVAL .......
SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 19, 1988
- 21
THE FESTIVAL IS JOINTLY ORGANISED BY THE KWUN TONG DISTRICT BOARD, THE URBAN COUNCIL, THE DISTRICT OFFICE AND THE 15 AREA COMMITTEES OF KWUN TONG.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE OPENING CEREMONY OF THE KWUN TON> FESTIVAL ’88, BEGINNING AT 7.30 PM TOMORROW (SUNDAY) AT THE SAU NGA ROAD PLAYGROUND (NEAR THE UNITED CHRISTIAN HOSPITAL).
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ENTRIES INVITED FOR OPEN DANCE CONTEST
*****
DANCE ENTHUSIASTS WILL HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY TO DISPLAY THEIR TALENTS IN A TERRITORY-WIDE DANCE CONTEST TO BE HELD IN JANUARY NEXT YEAR.
THE 18TH OPEN DANCE CONTEST IS JOINTLY ORGANISED BY THE KWUN TONG DISTRICT OFFICE AND THE KWUN TONG DISTRICT CULTURE AND RECREATION PROMOTION ASSOCIATION, WITH THE ASSISTANCE OF THE URBAN COUNCIL AND SPONSORSHIP FROM THE KWUN TONG ROTARY CLUB.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE ORGANISING COMMITTEE SAID TODAY (SATURDAY) THAT THE ANNUAL CONTEST AIMED AT PROMOTING INTEREST IN THE ART OF DANCING AND FOSTERING FRIENDSHIP AMONG PARTICIPANTS.
"THE CONTEST IS DIVIDED INTO CHILDREN, YOUTH AND OPEN SECTIONS. PARTICIPANTS CAN PERFORM A DANCE OF THEIR CHOICE, SUCH AS CLASSICAL, MODERN, ORIENTAL OR WESTERN," HE SAID.
THE COMPETITION WILL BE HELD AT THE NING PO NO. 2 COLLEGE, KWUN TONG, BETWEEN JANUARY 21 AND JANUARY 26.
GOLD, SILVER AND BRONZE TROPHIES WILL BE GIVEN TO OUTSTANDING TEAMS IN EACH SECTION. THE AWARD-WINNERS WILL BE INVITED TO PERFORM AT CITY HALL IN APRIL NEXT YEAR.
ENTRY FORMS ARE NOW AVAILABLE AT THE MAIN OFFICE OF KWUN TONG DISTRICT OFFICE IN TUNG YAN STREET AND THE KWUN TONG RECREATION, AMENITY AND SPORTS OFFICE IN SHU1 WO STREET.
COMPLETED FORMS, TOGETHER WITH AN ENTRY FEE OF $50, SHOULD BE RETURNED IN PERSON OR BY POST TO ROOM 309 OF THE KWUN TONG DISTRICT OFFICE.
THE DEADLINE FOR APPLICATION IS DECEMBER 17. ENQUIRIES CAN BE MADE ON 3-416315 OR 3-436123.
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/22
SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 19, 1988
- 22 -
TEMPORARY LANE CLOSURE IN TAI PO ROAD *****
THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT ADVISED MOTORISTS THAT TO FACILITATE ROAD MAINTENANCE WORK, SECTIONS OF TAI PO ROAD SOUTHBOUND IN SHA TIN WILL BE CLOSED TO TRAFFIC FROM TUESDAY (NOVEMBER 22).
A 350-METRE STRETCH ALONG THE SLOW LANE OF TAI PG ROAD SOUTHBOUND NEAR THE BUS TERMINUS OF SHA TIN RACE COURSE WILL BE CLOSED BETWEEN 8 PM AND 6 AM THE NEXT DAY DAILY FROM NOVEMBER 22 TO 26.
IN ADDITION, A 150-METRE SECTION OF THE SLOW LANE OF THE TAI PO ROAD SOUTHBOUND NEAR JUBILEE SPORTS CENTRE WILL BE CLOSED FROM 8 PM TO 6 AM THE FOLLOWING DAY DAILY FROM NOVEMBER 23 TO 25.
MOTORISTS ARE URGED TO DRIVE WITH CARE AND PATIENCE. APPROPRIATE TRAFFIC AIDS WILL BE PROVIDED TO GUIDE MOTORISTS.
-----0-----
TEMPORARY ROAD CLOSURE IN SO UK ESTATE
*****
THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT ADVISED MOTORISTS THAT ORCHID STREET AND LILAC STREET IN SO UK ESTATE WILL BE CLOSED TO TRAFFIC BETWEEN 9.30 AM AND NOON ON TUESDAY (NOVEMBER 22) FOR THE DELIVERY OF TRANSFORMERS BY THE CHINA LIGHT AND POWER COMPANY.
HOWEVER, THE SECTION OF LILAC STREET BETWEEN ITS JUNCTION WITH LARKSPUR STREET TO ITS JUNCTION WITH CHEUNG FAT STREET WILL REMAIN OPEN.
DURING THE CLOSURE, THROUGH TRAFFIC WILL BE MAINTAINED ONLY UP TO THE MIDWAY OF SO UK ESTATE VIA LARKSPUR STREET.
AT THE SAME TIME, GMB ROUTE 11M WILL BE DIVERTED VIA LILAC STREET, LARKSPUR STREET AND LILAC STREET AGAIN.
/23........
SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 19, 1988
- 23 -TRAFFIC CHANGES IN SHA TIN AND FANLING *****
THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCED THAT TO FACILITATE ROAD CONSTRUCTION WORKS, THE UNNAMED ROAD IN SHA TIN LINKING THE TAI WAI AND SHA TIN SECTIONS OF TAI PO ROAD NORTHBOUND, NEAR 7UNG .» PLAYGROUND, WILL BE CLOSED INTERMITTENTLY FOR TEN MINUTES EACE TIME BETWEEN 1 AM AND 6.45 AM FROM NOVEMBER 22 TO 26.
IN FANLING, ALL VEHICLES WILL NOT BE ALLOWED TO ENTER THE KERBSIDE LANE OF THE FANLING KCR STATION FORECOURT FROM 2.30 PM ON TUESDAY (NOVEMBER 22).
AT THE SAME TIME, THE BAN ON THE TWO DEPARTURE BAYS IN THE NORTHERN SECTION OF THE FORECOURT WILL BE LIFTS!
_ _ 0 - - - -
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL.: 5-8428777
SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 20, 1988
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
HK TO HOST INTERNATIONAL LANGUAGE CONFERENCE..................... 1
SAFE GOADING OF VEHICLES STRESSED.............................. 2
UNITED EFFORT IN INTEGRATING DISABLED PEOPLE .................... 3
FEWER ACCIDENTS INVOLVING SUMMER JOB WORKERS .................
CADET CORPS HELPS DEVELOP YOUTH: CS ............................. 5
RESIDENTS URGED TO BE FIRE CONSCIOUS ............................ 6
STEPPED UP ACTION AGAINST SHOP THEFT ............................ 7
MOVE TO EASE DEBRIS DUMPING ON CHEUNG CHAU ...................... 8
GUIDE TO ROCK AND SOIL DESCRIPTIONS PUBLISHED.................... 9
TRAFFIC IMPROVEMENT PROJECTS FOR KWTN TONG ..................... 10
JUNK BAY ROAD WORKS TO BE DISCUSSED............................. 12
KWUN TONG RESIDENTS GET INTO FESTIVE SPIRIT .................... 1J
EXHIBITION ON ELDERLY HEALTH IN CHAI WAN ...................... I1*
REMINDER ON ENTRIES FOR NORTH FLOWER SHOW ...................... 15
SHA TIN COMMUNITY DAY CAMP NEXT MONTH .......................... 16
TREAT FOR STRING MUSIC LOVERS .................................. 16
CHILDREN'S CHOIR LOOKS FOR PIANIST ............................ 17
CONVENTION AVENUE WESTBOUND TO OPEN ............................ 18
RE-ROUTEING OF TING ON STREET................................. 18
SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 20, 1988
HK TO HOST INTERNATIONAL
LANGUAGE CONFERENCE
* * * » *
HONG KONG WILL PLAY HOST TO MORE THAN 350 LEADING LANGUAGE EDUCATIONALISTS AND LINGUISTS FROM 26 COUNTRIES AND TERRITORIES WHO WILL ARRIVE HERE NEXT MONTH TO ATTEND A CONFERENCE ORGANISED BY THE INSTITUTE OF LANGUAGE IN EDUCATION OF THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT.
THE THREE-DAY CONFERENCE WILL TAKE PLACE BETWEEN DECEMBER 13 AND 15 AT THE NEW HONG KONG CONVENTION AND EXHIBITION CENTRE IN WAN CHAI.
THE DELEGATES WILL EXPLORE TOPICS RELATED TO LANGUAGE TEACHING AND LEARNING IN DIFFERENT CULTURAL CONTEXTS.
"THE THEME OF THE CONFERENCE IS PARTICULARLY RELEVANT TO THE ITUATION IN HONG KONG WHERE STUDENTS ARE BEING EDUCATED TO BE nOFICIENT IN CHINESE AND ENGLISH TO MEET THE NEEDS OF THE COMMUNITY .8 AN INTERNATIONAL TRADE AND FINANCIAL CENTRE," A SPOKESMAN FOR
EDUCATION DEPARTMENT SAID.
"THE CONFERENCE WILL IDENTIFY CONCEPTS OF LANGUAGE AND LANGUAGE LEARNING IN DIFFERENT SOCIETIES AND CULTURE AND THEIR IMPLICATIONS FOR LANGUAGE EDUCATION.
"IT WILL DISCUSS, IN PARTICULAR, ISSUES RELATED TO TEACHER-CENTRED AND PUPIL-CENTRED APPROACHES TO LANGUAGE TEACHING IN DIFFERENT CULTURAL CONTEXTS. IT WILL ALSO EXPLORE LANGUAGE LEARNING AND TEACHING STYLES IN THEIR CULTURAL CONTEXTS AND HOW THEY MAY BE ADOPTED IN OTHER CULTURES.
"THE CONFERENCE WILL PROVIDE AN EXCELLENT OPPORTUNITY FOR LOCAL EDUCATIONALISTS TO EXAMINE THE HONG KONG SITUATION THROUGH THE SHARING OF EXPERIENCE AND EXCHANGE OF IDEAS WITH THEIR INTERNATIONAL COUNTERPARTS IN DIFFERENT CULTURES," THE SPOKESMAN ADDED.
THE KEY-NOTE SPEAKERS IN ENGLISH WILL INCLUDE DR RICHARD ALLWRIGHT OF THE UNIVERSITY OF LANCASTER, U.K.; PROFESSOR CHRISTOPHER CANDLIN OF APPLIED LINGUISTICS AT MACQUARIE UNIVERSITY, AUSTRALIA; DR ALAN " ..:Y, DIRECTOR-GENERAL OF THE BELL LANGUAGE FOUNDATION, AND DR VERNOR BICKLEY, DIRECTOR, INSTITUTE OF LANGUAGE IN EDUCATION, HONG KONG.
ON THE CHINESE SIDE, THERE WILL BE DR KAI-CHEONG LEUNG, PROFESSOR AND CO-ORDINATOR (CHINESE) OF THE DEPARTMENT OF FOREIGN LANGUAGE, SAN JOSE STATE UNIVERSITY, U.S.A.; PROFESSOR JI-PING LU, PROFESSOR OF THE CHINESE DEPARTMENT OF HEI LUNG KIANG UNIVERSITY, CHINA PROFESSOR SI-YI XU, HEAD OF THE CHINESE DEPARTMENT OF SIN KIANG 'i'ERSITY. CHINA.
/OTHER INTERNATIONALLY-RECOGNISED .......
SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 20, 1988
OTHER INTERNATIONALLY-RECO( !SED SCHOLARS WILL INCLUDE PROFESSOR JACK RICHARDS OF THE UNIVJl/'ITY OF HAWAII, U.S.A J DR ROGER BOWERS OF THE BRITISH COUNCIL AND DR WILLIAM LITTLEWOOD OF THE UNIVERSITY OF SWANSEA.
IO ENCOURAGE TEACHERS IN GOVERNMENT AND AIDED SECONDARY SCHOOLS TO ATTEND THE CONFERENCE, ARRANGEMENTS HAVE BEEN MADE TO REFUND PART OF THEIR REGISTRATION FEE.
REGISTRATION IS STILL OPEN AND THOSE WHO ARE INTERESTED MAY I’ELEPHONE THE INSTITUTE OF LANGUAGE' IN EDUCATION ON 3-77194 18 FOR URTHER DETAILS OR ENROL IN PERSON AT THE INSTITUTE ON 21ST FLOOR \RK-IN COMMERCIAL CENTRE, 56 DUNDAS STREET, KOWLOON BEFORE THE END THIS MONTH.
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SAFE LOADING OF VEHICLES STRESSED * t * *
THERE IS IN THE TRUCKING AND SAFELY, THE (SUNDAY).
THIS WAS INVOLVING GOODS GOODS VEHICLES.
SPEAKING
A NEED TO INSTILL PROPER AWARENESS IN THOSE WORKING INDUSTRY OF THE NEED TO LOAD THEIR VEHICLES CORRECTLY COMMISSIONER FOR TRANSPORT, MR JAMES SO, SAID TODAY
NECESSARY IN THE WAKE OF AN INCREASE IN ACCIDENTS VEHICLES AND IN THE NUMBER OF CASES OF OVERLOADING OF
AT THE OPENING CEREMONY OF THE SAFE LOADING OF VEHICLES EXHIBITION, MR SO SAID THE GOVERNMENT WAS CONCERNED AT THE IMPACT OF THE INCREASE IN THE SIZE OF THE VEHICLE FLEET AS THERE WAS A SERIOUS EFFECT ON ROAD SAFETY AND ON HIGHWAY MAINTENANCE.
1H THE RAPID AND CONTINUED ECONOMIC GROWTH THAT HONG KONG HAS F XP.-Jil ENCED IN THE LAST DECADE, THE DEMAND ON GOODS VEHICLES HAS INCREASED VERY SIGNIFICANTLY," MR SO SAID.
HONG KONG’S GOODS VEHICLE FLEET HAS NEARLY DOUBLED IN THE LAST EVEN YEARS.
IN WE HAD A GOODS VEHICLE FLEET OF AROUND 52,000. AT THE 1 (HE TEMBER THIS YEAR, OUR TOTAL GOODS VEHICLE FLEET NUMBERS 102, ' D G,
I HE GROWTH HAS BEEN PARTICULARLY DRAMATIC IN THE LAST TWO YEA/.;>, WHEN THERE WAS A 35 PER CENT INCREASE."
/AS A
SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 20, 1988
AS A RESULT, THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT HAD DRAWN UP A CODE OF PRACTICE FOR THE LOADING OF GOODS VEHICLES TO GUIDE AND ADVISE MEMBERS OF THE TRUCKING INDUSTRY ON THE CORRECT AND SAFE PRACTICE TO ADOPT IN LOADING, MR SO SAID.
THE CODE OF PRACTICE HAD BEEN DISTRIBUTED TO ALL CONCERNED AS A REFERENCE DOCUMENT.
"I HOPE MEMBERS OF THE TRUCKING INDUSTRY WILL TAKE THE ADVICE AND GUIDANCE GIVEN IN THIS CODE SERIOUSLY IN THEIR EVERY DAY WORKING SO THAT ROAD SAFETY AND HIGHWAY PROTECTION COULD BE ACHIEVED," HR SAID.
AS A FURTHER ATTEMPT TO DEMONSTRATE VISIBLY THE CORRECT METHODS OF LOADING DIFFERENT KINDS OF LORRIES AND TRUCKS, MR SO SAID THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT HAD ORGANISED THE SAFE LOADING OF VEHICLES EXHIBITION, WHICH WAS THE FIRST OF ITS KIND HELD IN HONG KONG.
HE POINTED OUT THAT THE EXHIBITION HAD DIFFERENT STANDS TO EMPHASISE HOW DIFFERENT TYPES OF LOADS SHOULD BE SECURED ON DIFFERENT TYPES OF VEHICLES. IT ALSO EMPHASISED THE NEED FOR CORRECT MAINTENANCE OF DIFFERENT TYPES OF BRAKING SYSTEMS AND TYRES.
THERE WAS ALSO INFORMATION ABOUT TRAINING COURSES AVAILABLE IN HONG KONG TO ENHANCE THE KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS IN THE PROPER OPERATION AND MAINTENANCE OF GOODS VEHICLES AND RELATED ACTIVITIES.
IN ADDITION, THE POLICE WERE DEMONSTRATING THE USE OF PORTABLE WEIGHING DEVICES TO CHECK OVERLOADING.
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UNITED EFFORT IN INTEGRATING DISABLED PEOPLE »»«**»
THE SPIRIT OF REHABILITATION IS TO INTEGRATE THE DISABLED INTO THE COMMUNITY AND THIS REQUIRES A UNITED EFFORT BY ALL SECTORS OF THE COMMUNITY, INCLUDING THE DISABLED AND THE NON-DISABLED.
THE SECRETARY FOR HEALTH AND WELFARE, MR T.H. CHAU, SAID THIS TODAY (SUNDAY) AT THE OPENING CEREMONY OF THE 1988 PHAB WALK ORGANISED BY THE HONG KONG PHYSICALLY HANDICAPPED AND ABLE BODIED ASSOCIATION IN GALLIPOLI LINES, FANLING.
MR CHAU POINTED OUT THAT THE NEEDS OF THE DISABLED WERE NOT ONLY CONFINED TO DIRECT INSTITUTIONALISED SERVICES, SUCH AS SPECIAL SCHOOLS, HOSTELS AND WORKSHOPS.
LIKE THEIR NON-DISABLED COUNTERPARTS, DISABLED PEOPLE NEEDED TO HAVE PROPER SOCIAL AND RECREATIONAL ACTIVITIES TO HELP THEM SPEND THEIR LEISURE MEANINGFULLY, HE SAID.
/TN THE
SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 20, 1988
IN THE PROCESS, THEY COULD RELAX FROM THE PRESSURE OF WORK AND LIFE, DEVELOP THEIR INTERESTS IN GOOD HOBBIES, IMPROVE THEIR MENTAL AND PHYSICAL HEALTH, AS WELL AS LEARN HOW TO INTERACT WITH OTHER PEOPLE, THEREBY EXTENDING THEIR SOCIAL CIRCLES, HE ADDED.
MR CHAU COMMENDED THE HONG KONG PHAB ASSOCIATION FOR WORKING ON THE BASIS OF THESE PRINCIPLES TO PROMOTE THE INTEGRATION OF THE PHYSICALLY HANDICAPPED AND THE NON-DISABLED THROUGH SOCIAL AND RECREATIONAL ACTIVITIES.
- 0 -
FEWER ACCIDENTS INVOLVING SUMMER JOB WORKERS » t » * ♦
THE NUMBER OF INDUSTRIAL ACCIDENTS INVOLVING SUMMER JOB WORKERS SHOWED A SLIGHT DECREASE THIS YEAR.
DURING THE SUMMER VACATION, 35 YOUNG WORKERS AGED BETWEEN 15 AND 19 WERE INJURED WHILE AT WORK, COMPARED WITH 41 IN THE CORRESPONDING PERIOD LAST YEAR.
A BREAKDOWN OF THIS YEAR'S STATISTICS SHOWED THAT 21 ACCIDENTS INVOLVED THE OPERATION OF MACHINERY AND THE REST WERE RELATED TO THE HANDLING OF HOT OR CORROSIVE SUBSTANCES, STEPPING ON OR STRIKING OBJECTS, HANDLING WITHOUT MACHINERY AND USE OF HAND TOOLS.
A 17-YEAR-OLD WORKER HAD FOUR OF HIS FINGERS CUT BY A PLASTIC INJECTION MOULDING MACHINE, BUT THE OTHERS SUSTAINED ONLY MINOR INJURIES.
AS A RESULT, FIVE SUMMONSES WERE TAKEN OUT AGAINST THE EMPLOYERS FOR BREACHING VARIOUS PROVISIONS UNDER THE FACTORIES AND INDUSTRIAL UNDERTAKINGS ORDINANCE. THE CASES ARE NOW PENDING HEARING BY THE COURTS.
COMMENTING ON THE STATISTICS, THE CHIEF FACTORY INSPECTOR OF THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT, MR YIP YUK-LUN, SAID HE WAS DISAPPOINTED TO SEE THAT SO MANY EMPLOYERS STILL FOUND IT CONVENIENT TO DELEGATE POTENTIALLY DANGEROUS WORK SUCH AS OPERATING MACHINERY TO NON-SKILLED WORKERS.
"OBVIOUSLY WE HAVE TO CONTINUE OUR PUBLICITY EFFORTS AS WELL AS TO STRENGTHEN OUR ENFORCEMENT ACTION NEXT YEAR," HE SAID.
HE NOTED THAT BEFORE THE SUMMER VACATION STARTED THIS YEAR, FACTORY INSPECTORS HAD VISITED 41 SECONDARY SCHOOLS AND .CHNICAL INSTITUTES THROUGHOUT THE TERRITORY TO DELIVER TALKS ON 1NDUSTRIAJ SAFETY TO OVER 100,000 STUDENTS.
/"PLANS ARE ...
SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 20, 1988
- 5 -
"PLANS ARE IN HAND TO INTENSIFY THIS PROMOTIONAL PROGRAMME BY ORDINATING ACTION WITH OTHER GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS NEXT YEAR SO . TO DRIVE HOME THE INDUSTRIAL SAFETY MESSAGE TO ALL SECONDARY STUDENTS.
"HOWEVER, IF SCHOOL AUTHORITIES INTEND TO INVITE FACTORY INSPECTORS TO CONDUCT TALKS TO THEIR STUDENTS, THEY ARE ALWAYS WELCOME TO CONTACT THE FACTORY INSPECTORATE DIVISION OF THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT AT 5-8523565," MR YIP SAID.
-----0-----
CADET CORPS HELPS DEVELOP YOUTH: CS
*****
THE CIVIL AID SERVICES CADET CORPS HAS GONE FROM STRENGTH TO STRENGTH AND IS NOW PLAYING A SIGNIFICANT ROLE IN THE DEVELOPMENT OF YOUNG PEOPLE, THE CHIEF SECRETARY, SIR DAVID FORD, SAID TODAY (SUNDAY).
SPEAKING AT THE CORPS’ 20TH ANNIVERSARY PARADE, SIR DAVID NOTED THAT ITS DUTIES INVOLVED ADVENTURE, DISCIPLINE, CIVIC FUNCTIONS AND OPERATIONAL TASKS.
"THE MAIN PURPOSE OF THE TRAINING YOU RECEIVE IS TO PREPARE YON FOR ADULT LIFE SO THAT YOU CAN ADJUST TO THE IDEA OF GOING OUT TO WORK AND, WHEN YOU DO, TO STAND ON YOUR OWN FEET TO MEET THE CHALLENGE AHEAD," HE SAID.
"I HOPE THAT YOU WILL TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THE TRAINING ON OFFER YOU IN THE MECHANICAL, ELECTRONIC, CARPENTRY AND PRINTING HOPS AND THAT YOUR PARENTS WILL GIVE YOU PLENTY OF ENCOURAGEMENT TO DEVELOP YOUR SKILLS."
THE CORPS WAS ALSO TRAINED IN A WIDE RANGE OF TASKS WHICH . \TLY ASSISTED THE REST OF THE COMMUNITY, SIR DAVID SAID.
"THEY INCLUDE CROWD CONTROL AT LARGE SCALE PUBLIC FUNCTIONS, COUNTRY PARK PATROLLING, ASSISTANCE WITH GOVERNMENT CAMPAIGNS, THE COMMUNITY CHEST, AT CHINESE FESTIVALS AND FIREWORKS DISPLAYS," HE SAID.
SIR DAVID CONGRATULATED THE 10 RECIPIENTS OF THE BEST CADET AWARDS FOR 1988, NOTING THE GREAT DEAL OF TIME AND EFFORTS THEY HAD GIVEN TO THE CORPS.
HE ALSO PAID TRIBUTE TO THE MANY YOUNG PEOPLE IN THE COMMUNITY
HO ERE PREPARED TO DEVOTE TIME AND EFFORTS TO THE AUXILIARY SERVICES, AND THE CAS CADET CORPS WAS PART OF THAT SYSTEM OF UNIQUE SERVICES.
/STARTED IN ......
SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 20, 1988
6
STARTED IN 1967 WITH JUST TWO UNITS AT WAN CHAI AND WONG TAI SIN WITH JUST 100 BOYS IN EACH, THE CAS CADET CORPS NOW HAD A STRENGTH OF OVER 3,000 AND OVER 1,000 WERE ON PARADE, SIR DAVID NOTED.
"WE RELY ON YOUNG PEOPLE SUCH AS YOU TO MAINTAIN THE GOOD IMAGE OF HONG KONG THROUGH THE 1990’S AND WAY AHEAD INTO THE 21ST CENTURY," HE ADDED.
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RESIDENTS URGED TO BE FIRE CONSCIOUS
******
OCCUPANTS OF A BUILDING SHOULD BE VIGILANT AND FIRE CONSCIOUS AND RESPOND SWIFTLY TO A FIRE AS SOON AS IT IS DISCOVERED, THE ACTING DIRECTOR OF FIRE SERVICES, MR LAM CHEK-YUEN, SAID TODAY (SUNDAY).
HE WAS SPEAKING AT THE LAUNCHING CEREMONY OF THE 1988-89 FIRE PREVENTION CAMPAIGN, THE MAIN THEME OF WHICH IS "IF THERE IS A FIRE, SOUND THE ALARM".
THE CEREMONY WAS HELD AT EDINBURGH PLACE IN CENTRAL.
"ALTHOUGH THE FIRE SERVICES DEPARTMENT HAS EMBARKED ON ' NUMBER OF MAJOR PROJECTS INCLUDING THE COMPUTERISATION OF ITS COMMUNICATIONS AND MOBILISING SYSTEMS TO SPEED UP THE ATTENDANCE OF FIRE APPLIANCES AT FIRE SCENES, ALL THESE EFFORTS WOULD BE RENDERED FUTILE IF RESIDENTS HAD FAILED TO SOUND THE ALARM QUICKLY," MR LAM SAID.
HE EMPHASISED THAT SINCE THE MAJORITY OF BUILDINGS IN HONG KONG WERE PROVIDED WITH A MANUAL FIRE ALARM SYSTEM AND SIMPLE FIRE FIGHTING EQUIPMENT, OCCUPANTS SHOULD ACQUAINT THEMSELVES WITH THE OPERATION OF THESE INSTALLATIONS.
"THE ACTIONS UPON THE DISCOVERY OF AN OUTBREAK OF FIRE SHOULD INCLUDE RAISING THE ALARM TO ALERT OTHER PEOPLE AND REPORTING THE INCIDENT TO THE FIRE SERVICES BY DIALLING ’999’," MR LAM SAID.
"WHEN THE SITUATION PERMITS, THE FIRE FIGHTING EQUIPMENT PROVIDED IN THE BUILDING CAN ALSO BE USED TO TACKLE THE FIRE PRIOR TO THE ARRIVAL OF FIREMEN."
THE LAUNCHING OF THE CAMPAIGN ATTRACTED THOUSANDS OF SPECTATORS WHO WERE TREATED TO AN INTERESTING DISPLAY OF FIRE FIGHTING ACTIVITIES.
TWO FIRE BOATS STAGED A WATER DISPLAY IN THE HARBOUR WHILE THE LAUNCHING CEREMONY WAS IN PROGRESS.
/AFTER THE .......
SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 20, 1988
AFTER THE CEREMONY, THERE WAS A FIREMEN ON THE USE OF FIRE SERVICES INSIDE BUILDINGS AND DEMONSTRATIONS FIGHT?NG AND RESCUE TECHNIQUES.
SPECTACULAR DEMONSTRATION • V INSTALLATIONS COMMON 'UVD OF DIFFERENT TY-’ES Or FIRE
THE PUBLIC WAS ALSO INVITED TO LOOK OVER A LARGE-S''ALL ' OF FIRE APPLIANCES, AMBULANCES, FIRE F1G«TING AND «BSG^r ' ' "J
AND DISPLAY PANELS WITH EDUCATIONAL MATERIALS ON F.RE • INSTALLATIONS.
THEY COULD ALSO BOARD A FIRE BOAT BERTHED AT QUEEN’S PIER iO SEE THE MODERN FIRE FIGHTING EQUIPMENT ON BOARD.
VISITORS ALSO RECEIVED FIRE PREVENTION SOUVENIRS INCLUDING KEY RINGS, RULERS AND BALLPENS IMPRINTED WITH FIRE PREVENTION MESSAGES.
THESE GIVEAWAY ITEMS WERE DONATED BY THE KWONG ON BANK IN SUPPORT OF THE FIRE PREVENTION CAMPAIGN.
- - - - 0 ----------
STEPPED UP ACTION AGAINST SHOP THEFT
*****
SINCE LAST YEAR, THEFT A MAJOR PUBLICITY MEMBER OF THE COMMITTEE
THE FIGHT CRIME COMMITTEE HAS MADE ANTI-SHOP THEME DIRECTED AT THE YOUNGER GENERATION, A MR JUSTEIN WONG, SAID TODAY (SUNDAY).
SPEAKING AT AN "ANTI-SHOP THEFT CARNIVAL IN WONG TAI SIN, MR WONG SAID THE COMMITTEE WAS RISING NUMBER OF SHOP THEFTS.
HELD AT MORSE PARK CONCERNED WITH THE
THERE WERE 6,170 SUCH CASES IN 1986 077 CASES LAST YEAR, REPRESENTING A 14.7
AND THE NUMBER PER CENT INCREASE.
ROSE
TO
"AS SHOP THEFT CASES ARE ON THE CRIME COMMITTEE HAS MADE THIS OFFENCE A PUBLICITY SINCE 1987," HE NOTED.
INCREASE, THE CENTRAL FIGHT MAJOR TARGET FOR STEPPED UP
MR WONG SAID THE ANTI-SHOP THEFT MESSAGE BY AN "ANNOUNCEMENT OF PUBLIC INTEREST ON DISTRIBUTION OF POSTERS.
WAS CARRIED MAINLY
TELEVISION AND BY
A
"THE BASIC PUBLICITY STRATEGY IS SERIOUS CRIME THAT MIGHT RUIN A YOUNG
TO STRESS THAT SHOP PERSON’S FUTURE," HE
THEFT ADDED.
IS
/"I'H DELIGHTED ..
SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 20, 1988
"I’M DELIGHTED THAT THE WONG TAI SIN DISTRICT FIGHT CRIME COMMITTEE AND THE WONG TAI SIN POLICE COMMUNITY RELATIONS OFFICE HAVm ORGANISED THIS ANTI-SHOP THEFT CARNIVAL TO TIE IN WITH THE CENTRAL FIGHT CRIME COMMITTEE’S PUBLICITY EFFORTS.
"THIS SORT OF ACTIVITY NOT ONLY HAS HAD THE SUPPORT AND PARTICIPATION BY COMMUNITY ORGANISATIONS IN WONG TAI SIN, BUT ALSO IS WELL RECEIVED BY YOUNG PEOPLE," HE SAID.
SPONSORED BY THE WONG TAI SIN DISTRICT OFFICE AND FACTOR.’! OWNERS AND SHOP-KEEPERS IN NGAU CHI WAN AND DIAMOND HILL, THE CARNIVAL FEATURED GAME STALLS, POLICE BAND PERFORMANCES, DRAMA, POLICE DOG SHOW, AN EXHIBITION AND SINGING.
- - 0
MOVE TO EASE DEBRIS DUMPING ON CHEUNG CHAU
*****
THE GOVERNMENT HAS ALLOCATED A SITE ON CHEUNG CHAU FOR TEMPORARY STORAGE OF BUILDING DEBRIS BEFORE IT IS REMOVED FROM THE ISLAND BY BARGE.
IT IS HOPED THAT THIS MEASURE WILL CONTAIN THE PROBLEM OF DUMPING ON THE ISLAND.
THE PIECE OF LAND CHOSEN FOR THE SITE IS ADJACENT TO A REFUSE COLLECTION POINT, TO THE SOUTH OF CHEUNG KWAI ESTATE.
CONTRACTORS SHOULD DUMP THEIR DEBRIS THERE, A SPOKESMAN FOR THE ISLANDS DISTRICT MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE SAID.
"IT IS ILLEGAL TO DISPOSE OF DEBRIS ON GOVERNMENT LAND OUTSIDE THE DESIGNATED AREA AND SUCH ACTIVITY WILL NOT BE TOLERATED," THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
"ANY CONTRACTOR FOUND DUMPING MATERIAL ILLEGALLY ON CHEUNG CHAU WILL BE PROSECUTED, AND SO FAR TWO CONTRACTORS HAVE BEEN CHARGED FOR THE OFFENCE," HE STRESSED.
IN RECENT YEARS, ILLEGAL DUMPING OF BUILDING DEBRIS HAS BECOME AN ACUTE PROBLEM IN THE ISLANDS DISTRICT AS A RESULT OF INCREASE! BUILDING DEVELOPMENT AND THE ABSENCE OF AN APPROVED DUMPING GROUND.
THE PROBLEM IS PARTICULARLY SERIOUS ON CHEUNG CHAU WHERE BUILDING DEVELOPMENT HAS BEEN THE MOST RAPID, ALTHOUGH PENG CHAU AND LAMMA HAVE SIMILAR PROBLEMS.
/THE MATTER .
SUNDAYNOVEMBER 20, 1988
- 9 -
THE MATTER WAS DISCUSSED BY THE ISLANDS DISTRICT MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE. MEMBERS AGREED TO A SOLUTION FOR CHEUNG CHAU IN THAT BUILDING DEBRIS COULD BE PLACED TEMPORARILY AT A SITE BEFORE BEING CARRIED BY BARGE TO PUBLIC DUMPS IN KOWLOON.
"MEETINGS WERE THEN HELD BY GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS CONCERNED WITH LOCAL CONTRACTORS IN THE PRESENCE OF RURAL COMMITTEE REPRESENTATIVES TO DISCUSS DETAILED ARRANGEMENTS FOR THE BARGE," THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
"ALL CONTRACTORS ON CHEUNG CHAU ARE WELCOME TO USE THE FACILITY WHICH WILL BE RUN BY THE RURAL COMMITTEE ON A NON-PROFIT MAKING BASIS AND THE COST SHARED BY THE USERS.
"THE GOVERNMENT WILL CONTINUE TO MONITOR CLOSELY THE OPERATION OF THE BARGE SERVICE FOR CHEUNG CHAU AND WILL CONSIDER VIABLE MEASURES FOR OTHER ISLANDS IN THE DISTRICT LATER."
-----0-----
GUIDE TO ROCK AND SOIL DESCRIPTIONS PUBLISHED *****
THE "GUIDE TO ROCK AND SOIL DESCRIPTIONS (GEOGUIDE 3)", WHICH IS THE THIRD IN A SERIES OF GEOGUIDES RELATING TO GEOTECHNICAL ENGINEERING IN HONG KONG, HAS BEEN PUBLISHED BY THE GEOTECHNICAL CONTROL OFFICE.
IT PRESENTS A RECOMMENDED STANDARD OF GOOD PRACTICE FOR THE DESCRIPTION OF HONG KONG ROCKS AND SOILS FOR ENGINEERING PURPOSES, AND HAS BEEN PRODUCED AFTER WIDE CONSULTATION THROUGHOUT THE PUBLIC AND PRIVATE SECTORS OF THE INDUSTRY.
EMPHASIS HAS BEEN GIVEN TO THE MANY ROCK AND SOIL TYPES THAT COULD BE ENCOUNTERED IN ENGINEERING WORKS IN HONG KONG.
"GEOGUIDE 3" IS INTENDED TO BE USED IN CONJUNCTION WITH THE COMPANION DOCUMENT, "GUIDE TO SITE INVESTIGATION (GEOGUIDE 2)" PUBLISHED LAST YEAR.
IT WILL BE INVALUABLE TO ENGINEERS, GEOLOGISTS AND ARCHITECTS INVOLVED WITH THE PLANNING, EXECUTION AND SUPERVISION OF INVESTIGATIONS FOR ENGINEERING PROJECTS AND BUILDING WORKS, AND WILL ALSO BE OF INTEREST TO TEACHERS AND ACADEMICS.
THE HEAD OF THE GEOTECHNICAL CONTROL OFFICE, DR EDWARD BRAND, SAID ACCURATE AND DETAILED DESCRIPTIONS OF ROCKS AND SOILS WERE ESSENTIAL FOR HIGH QUALITY GROUND INVESTIGATIONS WHICH WERE FUNDAMENTAL TO SOUND GEOTECHNICAL ENGINEERING PRACTICE.
/’’CONSIDERABLE DEBATE.........
I
SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 20, 1988
•’CONSIDERABLE DEBATE HAS ALWAYS EXISTED OVER THE USE OF ’STANDARDISED* METHODS AND TERMINOLOGY FOR THE DESCRIPTION OF ROCKS AND SOILS," HE SAID.
"THE DESCRIPTIVE SCHEME RECOMMENDED IN THE GEOGUIDE IS ONE WHICH HAS BEEN DEVELOPED SPECIFICALLY FOR HONG KONG.
"HOWEVER, MANY DIFFERENT SCHEMES EXIST, AND IT IS RECOGNISED THAT THE PRACTITIONER MAY WISH TO USE ALTERNATIVE METHODS TO THOSE RECOMMENDED.
"WHATEVER SCHEME IS EMPLOYED, THE IMPORTANT PRINCIPLE IS THAT ALL DESCRIPTIVE TERMS SHOULD BE DEFINED CLEARLY AND USED CONSISTENTLY.
"THEREFORE, WHILE THE GEOGUIDE PRESENTS MUCH USEFUL GUIDANCE ON GOOD DESCRIPTIVE PRACTICE, ITS RECOMMENDATIONS ARE NOT MANDATORY."
THE 189-PAGE "GEOGUIDE 3" WILL BE AVAILABLE FOR SALE AT $40 PER COPY FROM THE GOVERNMENT PUBLICATIONS CENTRE, GPO BUILDING, CONNAUGHT PLACE, CENTRAL, FROM TOMORROW (MONDAY).
- - 0 -
TRAFFIC IMPROVEMENT PROJECTS FOR KWUN TONG ♦ ♦ ♦ « »
THREE MAJOR TRAFFIC IMPROVEMENT PROJECTS WERE CURRENTLY UNDERWAY IN KWUN TONG TO TIE IN WITH THE SCHEDULED OPENING OF THE EASTERN HARBOUR CROSSING (EHC) IN SEPTEMBER, 1989, THE REGIONAL SECRETARY FOR HONG KONG AND KOWLOON, MR DAVID LAN, SAID TODAY (SUNDAY).
MR LAN, WHO VISITED KWUN TONG RECENTLY, SAID HE FULLY APPRECIATED THE FEELING AND ANXIETY OF RESIDENTS AND INDUSTRIALISTS IN THE DISTRICT WHO HAVE SHOWN GREAT CONCERN ABOUT THE EXISTING TRAFFIC CONDITION AND A POSSIBLE FURTHER DETERIORATION OF THE CONDITION UPON THE SCHEDULED OPENING OF i!hE EASTERN HARBOUR CROSSING NEXT YEAR. <• .
HE ADDED THAT HR HAD CONSULTED THE TRANSPORT BRANCH WHICH HAS BEEN MADE FULLY AWARE OF THE CONCERN OF THE PEOPLE.
HOWEVER, HE POINTED OUT THAT, AS ADVISED BY THE TRANSPORT BRANCH, GOVERNMENT HAD ALREADY UNDERTAKEN POSITIVE STEPS TOWARDS MAKING MAJOR IMPROVEMENTS IN THE AREA.
NOTABLE AMONG THE PROJECTS UNDERTAKEN BY THE HIGHWAYS OFFICE IS THE KWUN TONG BY-PASS, WHICH IS BEING CONSTRUCTED IN THREE PHASES FOR COMPLETION IN JULY 1991 BEFORE THE OPENING OF TATE’S CAIRN TUNNEL.
/PHASE I
SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 20, 1988
11
PHASE I OP THE PROJECT, BETWEEN LEI YUE MUN ROAD AND WAI YIP STREET, WAS CURRENTLY UNDER CONSTRUCTION AND WOULD BE PARTLY OPEN T TRAFFIC IN OCTOBER 1989, TO TIE IN WITH THE COMPLETION OF TH'' ..i’Eb . HARBOUR CROSSING.
MR LAN SAID THE OTHER TWO PROJECTS WERE A TRAFFIC MANAGEMENT SCHEME FOR KWUN TONG TOWN CENTRE AND KWUN TONG INDUSTRIAL AREA, AND THE RE-CONSTRUCTION OF A SECTION OF KWUN TONG ROAD BETWEEN PING SHEK ESTATE AND HOI YUEN ROAD ROUNDABOUT.
THE MAIN PURPOSE OF THE TRAFFIC MANAGEMENT SCHEME WAS TO IMPROVE TRAFFIC FLOW AND PEDESTRIAN CROSSING FACILITIES, AS WELL AS TO PROVIDE LOADING AND UNLOADING FACILITIES IN THE INDUSTRIAL AREA.
"THE DEVELOPMENT OF JUNK BAY NEW TOWN AND THE OPENING OF EHC ARE EXPECTED TO GENERATE CONSIDERABLE THROUGH TRAFFIC THROUGH KWUN TONG.
"THE KWUN TONG BY-PASS IS DESIGNED TO TACKLE THIS PROBLEM. WHEN COMPLETED, IT WILL ATTRACT MOST OF THE THROUGH TRAFFIC WHICH WILL OTHERWISE PASS THROUGH THE KWUN TONG TOWN CENTRE, THUS SPARING MORE CAPACITY ON THE EXISTING ROAD NETWORK TO COPE WITH THE KWUN TONG LOCAL TRAFFIC," MR LAN NOTED.
THE REGIONAL SECRETARY WAS ACCOMPANIED ON THE VISIT BY THE KWUN TONG DISTRICT OFFICER, MR CHRIS WAN, AND THE DISTRICT BOARD CHAIRMAN, MR LAM HANG-FAI.
AT THE TOP OF THE KWUN TONG HIGH LEVEL RESERVOIR MR LAN WAS BRIEFED ON VARIOUS DEVELOPMENTS OF THE DISTRICT, WHICH HAS A POPULATION OF SOME 678,000 PEOPLE.
MR LAN WAS PARTICULARLY INTERESTED IN THE PUBLIC HOUSING DEVELOPMENT IMMEDIATELY BELOW THE RESERVOIR ---- THE DEMOLITION OF
LARGE PORTION OF THE JORDAN VALLEY ESTATE AND CONSTRUCTION OF THE N) CHOI HA ESTATE.
ELEVEN BLOCKS OF THE JORDAN VALLEY ESTATE, WHICH IS ONE OF THE OLD GROUP 'B' ESTATES, WOULD BE DEMOLISHED IN EARLY 1990 TO MAKE WAY FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF CHOI HA ROAD SOUTHERN EXTENSION AND THE JORDAN VALLEY RECREATION GROUND.
AFFECTED RESIDENTS WOULD BE REHOUSED IN THE CHOI HA ESTATE WHICH IS BEING BUILT AT THE HILLSLOPE NEXT TO THE OLD JORDAN VALLEY ESTATE.
MR LAN SAID THE DEVELOPMENTS WOULD BE WELCOMED BY RESIDENTS AS THESE WOULD NOT ONLY IMPROVE LIVING CONDITIONS OF OLD HOUSING ESTATE RESIDENTS BUT ALSO FACILITATE THE CONSTRUCTION OF THE CONGESTION-RELIEVING CHOI HA ROAD.
/THE CHOI ......
SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 20, 1988
12
THE CHOI HA ROAD EXTENSION PROJECT, WHEN COMPLETED IN EARLY 1992, WILL LINK UP WITH CHOI WAN ROAD IN THE NORTH AND CHUN WAH ROAD IN THE SOUTH, PROVIDING AN ADDITIONAL ROUTE RUNNING PARALLEI TO NG TAU KOK ROAD TO HELP RELIEVE CONGESTION THERE.
MR LAN WAS ALSO BRIEFED ABOUT THE JORDAN VALLEY LANDFILL WHICH NOW TAKES IN 680 TONNES OF REFUSE DAILY FROM KWUN TONG AND WONG TAI SIN DISTRICTS.
HE EXPRESSED CONCERN ABOUT THE ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT OF THE LANDFILL.
"I AM FULLY AWARE OF THE GRAVE CONCERN BY RESIDENTS OVER THE ENVIRONMENTAL NUISANCE CAUSED BY THE LANDFILL," HE SAID.
"THE ENVIRONMENTAL PROBLEMS HAVE BEEN BROUGHT UNDER CONTROL AS A RESULT OF JOINT EFFORTS BY VARIOUS DEPARTMENTS AND THE GOVERNMENT WILL CONTINUE TO CLOSELY MONITOR THE OPERATION OF THE LANDFILL, IN COLLABORATION WITH THE DISTRICT BOARD," HE ADDED.
AT LAM TIN, MR LAN WAS TOLD THAT A SITE IN TING ON STREET, TOGETHER WITH THE ONE AT THE JUNCTION OF HONG NING ROAD AND KUNG LOK ROAD AND A THIRD AT PIK WAN ROAD IN YAU TONG, HAD BEEN IDENTIFIED AS POSSIBLE SITES FOR THE PROVISION OF A HALF-WAY HOUSE FOR EX-MENTAL PATIENTS.
MR LAN LEARNT THAT CONSULTATION ON THE PROJECT WAS STILL UNDERWAY TO SEE WHETHER WHICH OF THE THREE SITES ARE ACCEPTABLE TO RESIDENTS IN THE VICINITY.
FROM THE ROOF OF A HIGH BLOCK AT HONG TIN COURT, MR LAN WAS BRIEFED ON THE THREE LARGE-SCALE TRANSPORT DEVELOPMENT PROJECTS CURRENTLY TAKING PLACE IN THE EASTERN PART OF THE DISTRICT, NAMELY THE EASTERN HARBOUR CROSSING, THE KWUN TONG BY-PASS AND THE MTR LAM TIN STATION DEVELOPMENT.
------o-------
JUNK BAY ROAD WORKS TO BE DISCUSSED *****
MEMBERS OF THE SAI KUNG DISTRICT BOARD’S TRAFFIC AND TRANSPORT COMMITTEE WILL DISCUSS NEW ROAD WORKS AT THE CENTRAL PART OF JUNK BAY AT A MEETING TOMORROW (MONDAY).
THE PROPOSED ROAD WORKS ARE PART OF THE ENGINEERING WORKS FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF JUNK BAY NEW TOWN.
THEY ARE INTENDED TO PROVIDE OR IMPROVE ACCESS TO NEW PUBLIC HOUSING ESTATES AND OTHER FACILITIES IN THE AREA, AND TO PROVIDE ROAD SPACE FOR LAYING OF UTILITIES AND CONSTRUCTION OF DRAINS.
/MEANWHILE, MEMBERS
SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 20, 1988
- 13 -
MEANWHILE, MEMBERS WILL ALSO DISCUSS THE NEED FOR NEW TERRITORIES TAXIS TO OPERATE ON SAI SHA ROAD WHICH PROVIDES A DIRECT ROAD LINK BETWEEN SHA TIN AND SAI KUNG DISTRICTS.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE SAI KUNG DISTRICT BOARD’S TRAFFIC AND TRANSPORT COMMITTEE MEETING TOMORROW (MONDAY) IN THE CONFERENCE ROOM OF THE SAI KUNG DISTRICT BOARD, SECOND FLOOR, SAI KUNG GOVERNMENT OFFICES, CHAN MAN STREET, SAI KUNG TOWN. THE MEETING WILL START AT 10 AM.
-------0---------
KWUN TONG RESIDENTS GET INTO FESTIVE SPIRIT
» * » t »
NEARLY 1,000 KWUN TONG RESIDENTS ENTERED INTO THE SPIRIT OF THE KWUN TONG FESTIVAL '88 WHEN THEY ATTENDED A MUSIC EXTRAVAGANZA HELD AT THE SAU NGA ROAD PLAYGROUND THIS (SUNDAY) EVENING.
THE "MUSIC EXTRAVAGANZA", FEATURING DRAGON AND LION DANCES, BRASS BAND PERFORMANCE AND A VARIETY SHOW PERFORMED BY TELEVISION ARTISTS, MARKED THE OPENING OF THE THREE-WEEK-LONG KWUN TONG FESTIVAL ’88.
SPEAKING AT THE OPENING CEREMONY, THE REGIONAL SECRETARY FOR HONG KONG AND KOWLOON, MR DAVID LAN, SAID THE KWUN TONG DISTRICT BOARD HAD DEVOTED MUCH EFFORT TO PROVIDING CULTURAL AND RECREATIONAL ACTIVITIES FOR THE 700,000 RESIDENTS AS WELL AS THE 170,000 PEOPLE WORKING IN THE DISTRICT.
HE SAID THE BOARD THIS YEAR HAD ALLOCATED $2 MILLION FOR VARIOUS CULTURAL AND RECREATIONAL PROJECTS, OF WHICH THE KWUN TONG FESTIVAL WAS THE MOST IMPORTANT EVENT.
MR LAN NOTED THAT THE DISTRICT FESTIVAL, WITH "KWUN TONG - OUR LOVELY HOME" AS ITS THEME, WOULD PROVIDE A WIDE VARIETY OF PROGRAMMES TO CATER FOR THE NEEDS AND INTERESTS OF RESIDENTS OF ALL AGES, AND FROM DIFFERENT SECTORS OF THE COMMUNITY.
"THEY INCLUD CHINESE OPERA SONGS, A PICNIC AND DINNER FOR SENIOR RESIDENTS, PAINTING AND DRAWING COMPETITIONS FOR CHILDREN, LUNCH-HOUR CONCERT FOR WORKERS, FILM SHOWS, FUN-DAYS, CARNIVALS AND VARIETY SHOWS, AS WELL AS AREA FESTIVALS IN SOME SUB-DISTRICTS," HE SAID.
/"THERE ARE .......
SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 20, 1988
14
"THERE ARE NO LESS THAN 20 PROGRAMMES WHICH ARE ORGANISED WITH THE AIM OF PROMOTING A SENSE OF COMMUNITY INTEGRATION AMONG RESIDENTS," HE NOTED.
ALSO ATTENDING THIS EVENING’S OPENING CEREMONY WERE iHE KWUN TONG DISTRICT OFFICER, MR CHRIS WAN CHUNG-CHU; VICE-CHAIRMAN OF THE URBAN COUNCIL, MRS ELSIE TU; CHAIRMAN OF THE KWUN TONG DISTRICT BOARD, MR LAM HANG-FAI; LEGISLATIVE COUNCILLOR, MR POON CHI-FAI; PRES(DENT OF THE KWUN TONG FESTIVAL ’88 ORGANISING COMMITTEE, MR YU SUN-SAY; AND CHAIRMAN OF THE ORGANISING COMMITTEE, MADAM YEUNG KAM-CHUN.
MR YU AND MADAM YEUNG THANKED ALL THOSE WHO HAD BEEN INVOLVED IN ORGANISING THE FESTIVAL AND SAID THEY HOPED THAT LOCAL RESIDENTS WOULD TAKE AN ACTIVE PART IN THE EVENTS.
THE KWUN TONG FESTIVAL ’88 IS JOINTLY ORGANISED BY' THE KWUN TONG DISTRICT BOARD, THE URBAN COUNCIL, THE 15 LOCAL AREA COMMITTEES AND THE KWUN TONG DISTRICT OFFICE.
ITS TOTAL EXPENDITURE IS ESTIMATED AT ABOUT $550,000, OF WHICH $250,000 IS FUNDED BY THE DISTRICT BOARD WITH THE BALANCE SPONSORED BY LOCAL PERSONALITIES.
--------0 ---------
EXHIBITION ON ELDERLY HEALTH IN CHAI WAN » * * *
A FOUR-DAY EXHIBITION ON HEALTH OF THE ELDERLY STARTS TODAY (SUNDAY) IN THE NEW JADE SHOPPING ARCADE AT CHAI WAN MTR STATION.
ORGANISED BY THE COMMUNITY SERVICES WORKING GROUP OF THE EASTERN DISTRICT BOARD, THE EXHIBITION IS AIMED AT SUPPORTING TH? FESTIVAL FOR THE ELDERLY 1988 OF THE HONG KONG COUNCIL OF SO-.1 . SERVICE.
SPEAKING AT THE OPENING CEREMONY OF TODAY’S EXHIBITION, TH’ DISTRICT BOARD CHAIRMAN, MR SHUM CHOI-SANG, SAID THE EXHIBITION OUTLINED HEALTH PROBLEMS OF THE ELDERLY THROUGH EXHIBITION, VIDEO SHOW, FREE MEDICAL ADVICE AND DISTRIBUTION OF INFORMATION PAMPHLETS.
"THE EXHIBITION DEPICTS THE CAUSES OF VARIOUS GERIATRIC DISEASES, WAYS TO DEVELOP GOOD HOBBIES AND EATING HABITS AND METHODS OF PREVENTION AND CURE OF SUCH DISEASES," HE CONTINUED.
MR SHUM SAID THAT THE DISTRICT BOARD HAD ORGANISED MANY ACTIVITIES FOR SENIOR CITIZENS IN THE DISTRICT THIS YEAR, SUCH AS VEGETARIAN FEASTS, PICNIC, BIRTHDAY PARTIES AND TELEMATCH GAMES.
"THE BOARD WILL CONTINUE TO CARRY OUT THE MEDICAL SERVICES AND GREEN MINIBUS PREFERENTIAL SCHEMES FOR THE ELDERLY IN EASTERN DISTRICT.
"SENIOR CITIZENS AGED OVER 60 ARE ELIGIBLE FOR THE TWO SCHEMES," MR SHUM ADDED.
------O-------
i /15......
SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 20, 1988
- 15 -REMINDER ON ENTRIES FOR NORTH FLOWER SHOW » « * » »
FLOWER LOVERS WHO WISH TO TAKE PART IN THE SECOND NORTH DISTRICT (1988) FLOWER, BIRD, INSECT AND FISH SHOW HAVE BEEN RIT'.NDED TO FORWARD THEIR ENTRIES WITHOUT DELAY.
"THE DEADLINE FOR ENTRIES IN THE FLOWER COMPETITION SECTION IS DECEMBER 5," A SPOKESMAN FOR THE ORGANISING COMMITTEE SHOW SAI' TODAY.
ENTRY FORMS, TOGETHER WITH DETAILS OF RULES AND REGULATIONS, CAN BE OBTAINED FROM THE NORTH DISTRICT OFFICE IN JOCKEY CLUB ROAD. FANLING.
THEY CAN ALSO BE OBTAINED AT THE COMMUNITY AFFAIRS BRANCH OFFICE IN CHOI YUEN ESTATE, SHEUNG SHUI; AND AT THE PUBLIC ENQUIRY SERVICE CENTRES LOCATED AT SAN FUNG AVENUE, SHEUNG SHUI AND IN CHEUNG WAH ESTATE, FANLING.
COMPLETED FORMS SHOULD BE RETURNED TO THE SECRETARY OF THE ORGANISING COMMITTEE OF THE FLOWER, BIRD, INSECT AND FISH SHOW, C/O 24 SAN FUNG AVENUE, SHEUNG SHUI PUBLIC ENQUIRY SERVICE CENTRE.
"THE COMPETITION WILL BE HELD FOR FIVE CATEGORIES OF FLOWERS AND PLANTS ON DISPLAY - POT PLANTS, MINIATURE POT PLANTS, AFRICAN VIOLETS, BONSAI-TYPE PLANTS, AND ORCHIDS," THE SPOKESMAN SAID-
"CERTIFICATES AND CASH PRIZES WILL BE AWARDED TO WINNERS IN EACH CATEGORY."
THE FLOWER, BIRD, INSECT AND FISH SHOW WILL BE STAGED AT THE FANLING RECREATION GROUND AND THE ADJACENT FANLING ROTARY YOUTH CENTRE FROM DECEMBER 23 TO 27.
IT IS SPONSORED BY THE NORTH DISTRICT BOARD AND THE REGIONAL COUNCIL.
A PRIVATE COLLECTION OF 50 BIRDS OF DIFFERENT SPECIES, AND SOME 20 ANTIQUE CAGES FOR BIRDS WILL ALSO BE ON DISPLAY.
THE INSECT SECTION WILL FEATURE A NUMBER OF FOREST INSECTS, PROVIDED BY THE AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES DEPARTMENT, AND P'FS.
EIGHT TANKS OF VARIOUS SPECIES OF GOLDFISH WILL BE THE MAIN ATTRACTION IN THE FISH SECTION.
THE ADMISSION FEES FOR THE SHOW ARE $5 FOR ADULTS AND 92 FOR CHILDREN. HANDICAPPED AND ELDERLY VISITORS WHO WISH TO ATTEND ON A GROUP BASIS CAN APPLY TO THE SHOW'S ORGANISING COMMITTEE FOL FREE ADMISSION.
SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 20, 1988
- 16 -
SHA TIN COMMUNITY DAY CAMP NEXT MONTH * * * *
THE SHA TIN DISTRICT OFFICE IS ORGANISING A COMMUNITY DAY CAMP FOR SOME 250 COMMUNITY LEADERS IN WU KAI SHA YOUTH CAMP ON DECEMBER 11 .
THE CAMP, WHICH IS FREE OF CHARGE, IS AIMED AT ENHANCING COMMUNICATION AMONG SHA TIN'S COMMUNITY ORGANISATIONS AND THEIR UNDERSTANDING BOTH OF THE DISTRICT AND THE GOVERNMENT.
PARTICIPANTS WILL COME FROM VARIOUS LOCAL MUTUAL AID COMMITTEES, OWNERS’ CORPORATIONS, RESIDENTS’ ASSOCIATIONS, VILLAGES, AREA COMMITTEES AND YIN NGAI SOCIETIES.
THE PROGRAMME WILL INCLUDE TALKS, GAMES, DISCUSSIONS, TALENT SHOWS, FREE TIME AND A TOUR OF THE NEWLY OPENED SAI SHA ROAD.
LEGISLATIVE COUNCILLOR AND SHA TIN DB MEMBER, MR ANDREW WONG, WILL TALK ABOUT THE ROLE OF DISTRICT ORGANISATIONS IN HONG KONG’S POLITICAL DEVELOPMENT.
THE ASSISTANT DISTRICT OFFICER (DEVELOPMENT), MISS MARGARET FONG, WILL BRIEF PARTICIPANTS ON DISTRICT DEVELOPMENT.
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TREAT FOR STRING MUSIC LOVERS * ♦ ♦ * ♦ *
STRING MUSIC LOVERS WERE TREATED TO AN AFTERNOON OF MUSIC BY 500 YOUNG MUSICIANS AT THE ACADEMIC COMMUNITY HALL TODAY (SUNDAY).
THE EVENT WAS ARRANGED BY THE MUSIC OFFICE AS PART OF THE FIRST HONG KONG YOUTH STRING MUSIC FESTIVAL WHICH STARTED YESTERDAY.
THE AIM OF THE FESTIVAL IS TO STIMULATE INTEREST IN STRING MUSIC AMONG YOUNG PEOPLE, TO STRENGTHEN INTERFLOW AMONG SCHOOL ORCHESTRAS AND TO RAISE THE STANDARD OF PERFORMANCE AMONG YOUNG STRING PLAYERS.
A TOTAL OF 10 STRING ORCHESTRAS, COMPRISING SIX ORCHESTRAS OF THE MUSIC OFFICE AND FOUR SCHOOL ORCHESTRAS, TOOK TURNS TO PERFORM.
PIECES PRESENTED BY THE YOUNG MUSICIANS INCLUDED ROSSINI’S FIRST MOVEMENT FROM SONATA NO. 3 IN C MAJOR FOR STRINGS, FROST’S ’HALF AND HALF’ AND HANDEL’S ’BOURREE FROM WATER MUSIC’.
/THE MUSIC .......
SUNDAY, NOVEMBER ?O, 1988
- 17 -
THE MUSIC ADMINISTRATOR OF THE MUSIC OFFICE, MISS LOLLY CHIU, PRESENTED SOUVENIR PENNANTS TO THE REPRESENTATIVES OF THE FOUR SCHOOL ORCHESTRAS AT THE COMMENCEMENT OF THE CONCERT IN RECOGNITION OF THEIR SUPPORT OF THE FESTIVAL.
"MUSIC IN ITS BEST FORM SHOULD BE A NON-VERBAL SELF-EXPRESSION OF LIFE EXPERIENCE.
"TEACHERS AND STUDENTS SHOULD THEREFORE TRY TO MAKE AN EFFORT TO READ, STUDY, REFLECT AND DISCUSS THE MUSIC SO THEY CAN UNDERSTAND AND EXPAND THE PHILOSOPHY AND FEELING IN THEIR MUSICAL EXPRESSION," MISS CHIU SAID.
"THEY SHOULD ALSO LEARN TO APPRECIATE HOW FINE MUSIC ENRICHES THOSE WHO STUDY IT AND THE SOCIETY THAT PRODUCES IT," SHE ADDED.
MEMBERS OF THE AUDIENCE WERE FULL OF PRAISE FOR THE PERFORMERS AND SAID THE DEVELOPMENT OF STRING MUSIC AMONG THE YOUNGER GENERATION WAS MOST PROMISING.
TO ADD COLOUR TO THE CONCERT A CELLO AND PIANO RECITAL DEMONSTRATION WAS GIVEN BY MR FELIX SCHMIDT AND MS ANNETTE COLE AND A VIOLIN DEMONSTRATION WAS PRESENTED BY MR LU SIQING.
MR SCHMIDT HAS BEEN HAILED AS "ONE OF THE BEST CELLISTS IN THE WORLD TODAY" BY THE VIOLIN VIRTUOSO SIR YEHUDI MENUHIN.
MR LU SIQING, AGED 19, HAS WON THE FIRST PRIZE OF THE 1987 PAGANINI INTERNATIONAL VIOLIN COMPETITION IN ITALY.
APART FROM PERFORMANCES, MR SCHMIDT AND MR LU WILL ALSO CONDUCT MASTER CLASSES AT THE MUSIC CENTRES OF THE MUSIC OFFICE TOMORROW (MONDAY) AND ON TUESDAY. FURTHER ENQUIRIES CAN BE MADE ON 5-283257.
-----0-----
CHILDREN’S CHOIR LOOKS FOR PIANIST » » * * .
THE CHILDREN’S CHOIR OF THE YAU MA TEI AND TSIM SHA TSUI CULTURE AND ARTS ASSOCIATION IS RECRUITING A PIANIST WHO WILL ALSO SERVE AS AN ASSISTANT CONDUCTOR FOR THE CHOIR’S JUNIOR GROUP MEMBERS AGED BETWEEN THREE AND FIVE YEARS OLD.
SPONSORED BY THE YAU TSIM DISTRICT BOARD, THE ASSOCIATION PROMOTES CULTURAL ACTIVITIES IN THE DISTRICT AND ORGANISES VARIOUS CLASSES ON FINE ARTS.
/THE CHILDREN'S .......
SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 20, 1988
- 18 -
THE CHILDREN’S CHOIR WAS SET UP IN 1982 AND AT PRESENT HAS 120 MEMBERS. TRAINING CLASSES FOR THE CHOIR ARE HELD EVERY SATURDAY AFTERNOON AT THE HENRY G. LEONG YAU MA TEI COMMUNITY CENTRE AT 60 PUBLIC SQUARE STREET.
THOSE WHO ARE INTERESTED IN THE JOB MAY OBTAIN APPLICATION FORMS FROM THE YAU TSIM DISTRICT OFFICE AT 490 NATHAN ROAD. THE DEADLINE FOR APPLICATION IS NOVEMBER 30.
FURTHER ENQUIRIES CAN BE MADE ON 3-323791, EXT. 301.
-------O -
CONVENTION AVENUE WESTBOUND TO OPEN
*****
THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCED THAT CONVENTION AVENUE WESTBOUND BETWEEN FENWICK STREET AND FLEMING ROAD WILL BE OPEN TO TRAFFIC FROM 10 AM ON WEDNESDAY (NOVEMBER 23).
VEHICLES TRAVELLING FROM HUNG HING ROAD IN WAN CHAI NORTH TO CENTRAL CAN TRAVEL VIA CONVENTION AVENUE AND FENWICK PIER STREET FLYOVER TO JOIN HARCOURT ROAD.
- - O-----------
RE-ROUTEING OF TING ON STREET
* * * »
THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCED THAT TING ON STREET IN KWUN TONG BETWEEN TING YIP STREET AND NGAU TAU KOK ROAD WILL BE RE-ROUTED TO ONE-WAY SOUTHBOUND FROM 10 AM ON WEDNESDAY (NOVEMBER 23).
THE RE-ROUTgING WILL LAST FOR ABOUT THREE MONTHS TO FACILITATE ROAD RECONSTRUCTION WORKS.
VEHICLES TRAVELLING FROM TING YIP STREET TO NGAU TAU KOK ROAD WILL BE DIVERTED VIA TING ON STREET SOUTHBOUND, KWUN TONG ROAD AND ELEGANCE ROAD.
- O -
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE. HONG KONG. TEL: 5-8428777
MONDAY, NOVEMBER 21, 1988
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
TIME OF ADJUSTMENT AHEAD: CS ............................ 1
RECOMMENDATIONS MADE TO IMPROVE PAY AND CONDITIONS OF SERVICE FOR DISCIPLINED SERVICES .................................. 3
COMPREHENSIVE SET OF PROPOSALS CONTAINED IN FINAL REPORT .... 6
CONSIDERABLE INVESTMENTS IN INFRASTRUCTURE: SES ......... 7
GOVERNOR SEES YUEN LONG DEVELOPMENTS .................... 9
PLANS TO IMPROVE YUEN LONG NULLAH ....................... 10
DO OUTLINES DEVELOPMENTS IN TUEN MUN .................... 11
SEMINAR FOR TECHNICAL WORKERS IN PLASTICS INDUSTRY ...... 1J
CS TO VISIT USA NEXT MONTH .............................. 1?
CAREER EXHIBITIONS SERVE VALUZlBLE PURPOSE............... 14
"GOOD CITIZEN AWARD SCHEME" FOR WONG TAI SIN ............ 14
SEMINAR ON HOME SAFETY IN CENTRAL AND WESTERN ........... 15
DB COMMITTEE TO DISCUSS NOISE PROBLEM.................... 16
CLOSURE OF ILLEGAL STRUCTURES SOUGHT .................... 17
OPEN SPACE IN KWAI CHUNG ................................ 17
TEMPORARY TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENT ON HK ISLAND..............'. 18
TEMPORARY ROAD CLOSURE IN TUEN MUN ...................... 18
FRESH WATER SUPPLY INTERRUPTIONS ........................ 19
WATER STORAGE FIGURE..................................... 19
MONDAY, NOVEMBER 21, 1988
TIME OF ADJUSTMENT AHEAD: CS » » » »
THE PROGRESSIVE DEVELOPMENT TOWARDS A WHOLLY ELECTED LEGISLATURE WILL REQUIRE A GOOD DEAL OF ADJUSTMENT ON THE PART OF CIVIL SERVANTS, THE CHIEF SECRETARY, SIR DAVID FORD, SAID THIS (MONDAY) EVENING.
•'HOW OFFICIALS MANAGE THEIR PART OF THE CHANGE WILL CLEARLY HAVE A SIGNIFICANT BEARING ON THE WAY HONG KONG WILL BE RUN,” HE SAID.
SPEAKING ON "THE GOVERNMENT IN THE NINETTES" AT THE HONG KONG MANAGEMENT ASSOCIATION ANNUAL FELLOWSHIP DINNER, SIR DAVID SAID HE FORESAW THAT, UP TO AND BEYOND 1997, HONG KONG WOULD HAVE A STRONG EXECUTIVE BRANCH, BALANCED BY AN ELECTED LEGISLATURE AND CHECKED BY AN INDEPENDENT JUDICIARY.
"THE PROGRESSIVE DEVELOPMENT TOWARDS A WHOLLY ELECTED LEGISLATURE IS, OF COURSE, A STIPULATION OF THE SINO-BRITISH JOINT DECLARATION," HE SAID.
"IT IS ALSO A NATURAL AND DESIRABLE THING IN ITSELF, CONSIDERING THE STATE OF HONG KONG’S SOCIAL AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AND THE WISHES OF THE COMMUNITY."
FOR CIVIL SERVANTS WHO HAD FOR MANY YEARS BEEN ACCUSTOMED TO AN ENVIRONMENT IN WHICH THE BUREAUCRACY PLAYED A PIVOTAL ROLE, SIR DAVID SAID THE DEVELOPMENT SPELT ADJUSTMENT.
"THEY WILL NEED TO DEVELOP NEW PERCEPTIONS AND SKILLS, TO MANAGE THE POLITICS SURROUNDING THEIR DAILY ACTIVITIES WITHOUT LOSING SIGHT OF THEIR PRINCIPLES," HE SAID.
"THIS WILL NOT BE EASY, BUT THOSE WHO SUCCEED WILL FIND THAT THE POLITICAL COVER THEY OBTAIN WILL GIVE THEM GREATER STRENGTH, AND A GREATER CONFIDENCE IN MAKING DIFFICULT DECISIONS."
WHILE PRAISING THE QUALITY, MOTIVATION AND DEDICATION OF HONG KONG’S CIVIL SERVICE, THE CHIEF SECRETARY SAID CIVIL SERVANTS MUST BE "EQUIPPED TO COPE WITH CHANGE" — NOT JUST POLITICALLY, BUT TECHNOLOGICALLY AND MANAGERIALLY.
"WE HAVE TO KEEP OUR PROFESSIONALS UP-TO-DATE WITH THE MOST ADVANCED TECHNOLOGY AND SKILL," HE SAID.
"WE HAVE TO KEEP OUR ADMINISTRATORS WELL INFORMED WITH MODERN MANAGEMENT TECHNIQUES. WE HAVE TO KEEP OUR SENIOR STAFF WELL IN TOUCH WITH THE DEVELOPMENT OF SOCIAL, ECONOMIC AND POLITICAL SYSTEMS ELSEWHERE.
"WE HAVE TO MAKE SURE OUR STAFF ARE OPEN-MINDED, ADAPTABLE TO OPERATING IN AN EVOLVING ADMINISTRATIVE AND CONSTITUTIONAL FRAMEWORK, AND MOST IMPORTANT OF ALL BE RESILIENT IN FACE OF THE INEVITABLE PRESSURES BROUGHT ABOUT BY THE TRANSITION."
/SIR DAVID .......
MONDAY, NOVEMBER 21, 1988
- 2
SIR DAVID SAID GREAT EMPHASIS WAS PLACED ON TRAINING STAFF, FROM JUNIOR TO SENIOR.
"NO LESS THAN 18,000 CIVIL SERVANTS ATTEND LOCAL COURSES EACH YEAR, WITH 100 OR SO OF THEM GOING ON OVERSEAS COURSES.”
THE $400 MILLION SPENT ON THIS ANNUALLY — ABOUT THREE PER CENT OF THE TOTAL GOVERNMENT EXPENDITURE — WAS A GOOD INDICATION OF THE EMPHASIS THE GOVERNMENT PLACED ON STAFF TRAINING, SIR DAVID NOTED.
SIR DAVID SAID MUCH OF THE WORK BEING DONE WITHIN THE ADMINISTRATION WAS NOT NORMALLY THE SORT OF HIGH-PROFILE STUFF THAT WOULD CATCH THE HEADLINES.
FOR EXAMPLE, THERE WAS THE STRATEGIC INFRASTRUCTURAL PLANNING WHICH WOULD HAVE SIGNIFICANT LONG-TERM IMPACT ON HONG KONG’S FUTURE DEVELOPMENT, THE DETAILED YET NO LESS IMPORTANT WORK ON THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE JLG AGREEMENTS, AND THE WORK IN IMPROVING RESOURCE ALLOCATION WITHIN THE ADMINISTRATION.
’’THESE MAY NOT BE NOTICEABLE TO THE PUBLIC BUT THEY ARE HIGHLY SIGNIFICANT IN SHAPING OUR FUTURE,” HE SAID.
’’TO MANAGE THE DYNAMISM OF HONG KONG SUCCESSFULLY, THE GOVERNMENT HAS TO MOVE WITH THE TIMES AND FACE THE CHANGES WITH CONFIDENCE AND COMPETENCE.
’’THIS IS WHAT THE GOVERNMENT IN 1990’S IS GOING TO BE ABOUT AND IS WHAT WE ARE ALL AIMING FOR.”
SIR DAVID NOTED THAT THE NEW RESOURCE ALLOCATION SYSTEM, WHICH INVOLVED GIVING SECRETARIAT POLICY BRANCHES A MUCH LARGER ROLF IN DETERMINING THE ADMINISTRATION’S PRIORITIES AMONG THE PROGRAMMES FOR WHICH THEY WERE RESPONSIBLE, HAD BEEN IN PLACE FOR TWO YEARS, AND THERE WAS STILL SOME WAY TO GO BEFORE IT COULD BE REFINED TO SATISFACTION.
’’BUT IT IS ALREADY PROVING TO BE A MORE FLEXIBLE AND RATIONAL MEANS OF ALLOCATING LIMITED RESOURCES TO SATISFY THE HIGHLY COMPETING DEMANDS,” HE SAID.
. ON STATUTORY BODIES -- ANOTHER CHANGING STYLE OF GOVERNMENT SIR DAVID SAID THESE BODIES WERE SET UP TO PROVIDE ESSENTIAL SERVICES WITH OPERATIONAL FLEXIBILITY WHILE MEETING THE DEMAND FOR MORE DIRECT PUBLIC PARTICIPATION.
"WE SHALL CONTINUE TO LOOK FOR SUITABLE OPPORTUNITIES IN SETTING UP SUCH BODIES TO TAKE ON PUBLIC SERVICES WHERE IT WOULD BE MORE EFFICIENT AND EFFECTIVE TO DO SO,” HE SAID.
"THERE ARE POTENTIAL AREAS, SUCH AS THE AIRPORT AND THE SEWERAGE SERVICES, WHICH MAY BE SUITABLE FOR THE PURPOSE."
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MONDAY, NOVEMBER 21, 1988
RECOMMENDATIONS MADE TO IMPROVE PAY AND CONDITIONS OF SERVICE FOR DISCIPLINED SERVICES
*****
THE REVIEW COMMITTEE ON DISCIPLINED SERVICES PA- AND CONDITIONS OF SERVICE, IN ITS FINAL REPORT RELEASED TODAY (MONDAY), HAS PROPOSED A PACKAGE TO IMPROVE PAY AND CONDITIONS OF SERVICE FOR THE FIVE DISCIPLINED SERVICES.
THE PACKAGE INCLUDES A REVISED SYSTEM ON ALLOWANCES; GROUPINGS OF THE FIVE SERVICES FOR PAY PURPOSES; AND THE SETTING UP OF AN INDEPENDENT BODY TO CONSIDER ALL ASPECTS RELATING TO THE PAY AND CONDITIONS OF SERVICE FOR THE FIVE DISCIPLINED SERVICES.
THE REVIEW COMMITTEE WAS APPOINTED IN APRIL THIS YEAR BY THE STANDING COMMISSION ON CIVIL SERVICE SALARIES AND CONDITIONS OF SERVICE TO REVIEW THE WORK OF THE GOVERNMENT’S FIVE DISCIPLINED SERVICES --- THE ROYAL HONG KONG POLICE FORCE, FIRE SERVICES DEPARTMENT, CORRECTIONAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT, CUSTOMS AND EXCISE SERVICE AND IMMIGRATION SERVICE.
RELEASING THE REPORT AT A PRESS CONFERENCE, THE CHAIRMAN, MR ARCHIE RENNIE, SAID THAT THE PROPOSED PACKAGE, IF ACCEPTED AND IMPLEMENTED BY THE GOVERNMENT AND IGNORING CHANGES IN ALLOWANCES, WOULD BRING ABOUT AN AVERAGE 9.4 PER CENT INCREASE IN BASIC PAY FOR THE POLICE FORCE; 10.5 PER CENT FOR THE FIRE SERVICES; 16.8 PER CENT FOR THE CORRECTIONAL SERVICES; 16.5 PER CENT FOR THE CUSTOMS AND EXCISE SERVICE, AND 14.7 PER CENT FOR THE IMMIGRATION SERVICE.
"WITHIN EACH SERVICE THE FIGURES FOR DIFFERENT RANKS AND DIFFERENT LENGTHS OF SERVICE VARIED CONSIDERABLY, WITH THE LARGER INCREASES GOING TO THOSE IN THE MIDDLE RANKS AND TO LONGER-SERVING MEMBERS OF THE ENTRY GRADES. THE NET EFFECT OF CHANGES IN ALLOWANCES, SOME OF WHICH THE COMMITTEE PROPOSED SHOULD BE WITHDRAWN AND SOME INCREASED, WOULD BE TO REDUCE THESE FIGURES OVERALL BY ABOUT ONE PER CENT," HE SAID.
"THE COMMITTEE UNDERSTAND THAT PAY LEVELS WOULD BE BACKDATED TO APRIL 1 THIS YEAR, AND RECOMMEND THAT ANY CHANGES SHOULD BE IN ADDITION TO ANY FURTHER GENERAL PAY ADJUSTMENT THAT MIGHT RESULT FROM THE WORK OF THE COMMITTEE OF INQUIRY THAT HAS BEEN RECENTLY APPOINTED," MR RENNIE SAID.
HE SAID THE COMMITTEE WERE GREATLY IMPRESSED BY THE WORK OF ALL THE FIVE DISCIPLINED SERVICES AS THEY PLAY AN IMPORTANT ROLE IN PRESERVING THE SECURITY, STABILITY AND WELL-BEING OF HONG KONG.
"THERE IS NO DOUBT THAT THE NATURE AND CONTENT OF ALL FIVE SERVICES’ RESPONSIBILITIES HAVE DEVELOPED AND GROWN OVER THE LAST TEN YEARS AND THAT THEY ARE NOW REQUIRED TO UNDERTAKE SUBSTANTIALLY LARGER AND MORE COMPLEX TASKS," HE ADDED.
/’’AS HONG
MONDAY, NOVEMBER 21, 1983
"AS HONG KONG BECOMES MORE SOPHISTICATED, THE COMMUNITY EXPECTS ITS DISCIPLINED SERVICES TO GROW IN EXPERTISE AND EFFICIENCY, AND TO CONTINUE TO BE RELIABLE AND AVAILABLE WHEN NEEDED," MR RENNIE SAID.
IN STUDYING THE WORK CHARACTERISTICS OF THE DISCIPLINED SERVICES, THE COMMITTEE CONSIDERED COMMON FACTORS APPLICABLE TO ALL THE SERVICES, INCLUDING SOME WHICH WERE PARTICULARLY APPLICABLE TO DISCIPLINED SERVICE WORK.
"THESE INCLUDED KNOW-HOW, PROBLEM-SOLVING, AND ACCOUNTABILITY, WHICH WERE IMPORTANT IN ALL THE PUBLIC SERVICE.
MAJOR DIFFERENCES THE CIVIL SERVICE , HARDSHIP, SOCIAL
AND UNPREDICTABLE
"FACTORS WHERE IN MANY CASES THERE WERE BETWEEN THE DISCIPLINED SERVICES AND THE REST OF INCLUDED DANGER, LONG HOURS OF WORK, SHIFT PATTERNS SEGREGATION, RESTRICTIONS ON PERSONAL FREEDOM, CALLS UPON STAFF TIME," MR RENNIE SAID.
HE NOTED THAT STRESS WAS ALSO LINKED TO MANY OF THESE FACTORS.
AFTER A CAREFUL ASSESSMENT OF THESE FACTORS AND ITS EFFECT ON MEMBERS OF THE DIFFERENT SERVICES, THE COMMITTEE CONCLUDED THAT THEY SHOULD BE RANKED INTO THREE BROAD GROUPS FOR PAY PURPOSES.
THE POLICE FORCE WOULD CONSTITUTE A GROUP BY SECOND GROUP WOULD COMPRISE FIRE SERVICES (OPERATIONAL), SERVICES, AND CUSTOMS AND EXCISE SERVICE; AND THE CONSISTS OF IMMIGRATION SERVICE, FIRE SERVICES (AMBULANCE)
ITSELF; THE CORRECTIONAL THIRD GROUP
AND
FIRE
SERVICES (CONTROL).
THIS GROUPING SHOULD BE REFLECTED IN NEW PAY SCALES AND THE EXISTING DISCIPLINED SERVICES PAY SCALES FOR OFFICERS AND RANK AND FILE SHOULD BE ABOLISHED, MR RENNIE SAID.
THESE SCALES WOULD BE REPLACED BY A SEPARATE NEW POLICE PAY SCALE TO COVER THE ENTIRE RANK STRUCTURE OF THE POLICE, AND A GENERAL DISCIPLINED SERVICES PAY SCALE (GDS) FOR THE OTHER FOUR SERVICES WHICH WOULD BE DIVIDED INTO THREE SECTIONS.
THESE ARE, GDS (COMMANDER) FOR SENIOR COMMANDERS (OFFICERS CURRENTLY ON THE CIVIL SERVICE DIRECTORATE PAY SCALE), GDS (OFFICER) AND GDS (RANK AND FILE).
FOR THE
THE SAME STAFF
’’THE COMMITTEE HAS RECOMMENDED A SEPARATE PAY SCALE POLICE BECAUSE IT ACCEPTED THAT IF THE POLICE WERE PLACED ON SCALE AS THE OTHER SERVICES, IT WOULD BE IMPOSSIBLE FOR THEIR ASSOCIATIONS TO REPRESENT THEIR MEMBERS EFFECTIVELY WITHOUT SOMEIIMES BEING REQUIRED TO MAKE COMMON CAUSE WITH STAFF GROUPS REPRESENTED BY
TRADE UNIONS.
/’’THIS IS ► .......
MONDAY, NOVEMBER 21, 1988
- 5 -
’’THIS IS AN UNACCEPTABLE SITUATION BECAUSE OF THE STATUTORY PROHIBITION ON TRADE UNION MEMBERSHIP UNIQUE TO THE POLICE" MR RENNIE EXPLAINED.
THE COMMITTEE ADOPTED AN ’’AVERAGING” APPROACH IN DETER?'?NT'70 THE PROPOSED SCALES, STRIKING RATES FOR EACH RANK WHICH REFLECT!-. THE AVERAGE EXPERIENCE IN WORK AND WORKING CONDITIONS, AND SWEF.i Up EXISTING JOB-RELATED ALLOWANCES IN BASIC PAY AS FAR AS POSSIE
’’MOST OF THE EXISTING EXTRANEOUS DUTIES ALLOWANCES AND HARDSHIP ALLOWANCES SHOULD BE ABOLISHED AND THE REMAINDER INCORPORATED INTO A NEW EXTRA DUTIES ALLOWANCE FOR THE DISCIPLINED SERVICES.
"THE PRESENT DISCIPLINED SERVICES SPECIAL ALLOWANCE, WHICH IS A FORM OF OVERTIME PAY, SHOULD BE REPLACED BY A DISCIPLINED SERVICES OVERTIME ALLOWANCE TO BE PAID AT A HIGHER RATE THAN THE CURRENT ALLOWANCE,” MR RENNIE SAID.
CEILINGS RELATED TO THE PAY OF THE RANK ABOVE SHOULD CONTINUE TO BE SET ON THE TOTAL AMOUNT OF OVERTIME PAY ANY OFFICER COULD EARN, THE COMMITTEE RECOMMENDED.
’’THE NEW OVERTIME ALLOWANCE SHOULD BE AVAILABLE TO CHIEF INSPECTORS OF POLICE, WHO WERE PREVIOUSLY INELIGIBLE FOR THE ALLOWANCE.
’’THE COMMITTEE FOUND THAT CHIEF INSPECTORS WERE REGULARLY REQUIRED TO WORK OVERTIME WITH THEIR STAFF IN A WAY NOT MATCHED BY THEIR COUNTERPARTS IN OTHER SERVICES,” MR RENNIE NOTED.
IN EXAMINING STATISTICS ON RECRUITMENT AND RETENTION IN THE FIVE SERVICES, THE COMMITTEE FOUND THAT THE SITUATION WAS WORST IN THE CORRECTIONAL SERVICES AND THE IMMIGRATION DEPARTMENT.
THE COMMITTEE ALSO RECOMMENDED THE SETTING UP OF AN INDEPENDENT BODY, SEPARATE FROM THE STANDING COMMISSION ON CIVIL SERVICE SALARIES AND CONDITIONS OF SERVICE, TO CONSIDER ALL MATTERS RELATING TO THE PAY AND CONDITIONS OF SERVICE OF THE FIVE DISCIPLINED SERVICES.
THE NEW BODY CALLED THE STANDING COMMITTEE ON DISCIPLINED SERVICES SALARIES AND CONDITIONS OF SERVICE, WOULD HAVE A SUB-COMMITTEE ON POLICE AND ONE ON THE OTHER FOUR SERVICES.
MEMBERSHIP OF THIS COMMITTEE SHOULD INCLUDE MEMBERS OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL, ACADEMICS AND REPRESENTATIVES FROM THE JUDICIARY AND THE BUSINESS SECTOR, MR RENNIE SAID.
"ON CONSULTATIVE ARRANGEMENTS, THE COMMITTEE HAS SUPPORTED THE
CREATION OF A NEW GENERAL DISCIPLINED SERVICES CONSULTATIVE COUNCIL TO REPRESENT ALL THE SERVICES OTHER THAN THE POLICE WHO WOULD CONTINUE TO BE REPRESENTED THROUGH TH? POLICE FORCE COUNCI' ' satp.
/MR RSNNIE
MONDAY, NOVEMBER 21, 1988
6
MR RENNIE EMPHASISED THAT THE COMMITTEE HAD REACHED ITS CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS THROUGH THE EXERCISE OF INDEPENDENT JUDGEMENT AND AT NO TIME WAS THERE ANY EXTERNAL INFLUENCE OR PRESSURE.
THE FINAL REPORT, HE SAID, WAS THE PRODUCT OF SIX MONTHS’ INTENSIVE WORK BY THE COMMITTEE WHICH INVITED AND CONSIDERED REPRESENTATIONS FROM DISCIPLINED SERVICES DEPARTMENTAL MANAGIN'J'IS, STAFF ASSOCIATIONS AND UNIONS, PRIVATE ORGANISATIONS AND INDIVIDUALS.
"THE COMMITTEE MADE EXTENSIVE FAMILIARISATION VISITS TO EACH OF THE DISCIPLINED SERVICES; SEEING VARIOUS UNITS, INSTITUTIONS AND FACILITIES; OBSERVING THEIR ACTIVITIES ALL OVER THE TERRITORY AND MEETING STAFF AT ALL LEVELS," MR RENNIE SAID.
"WE ALSO HELD FORMAL DISCUSSIONS WITH REPRESENTATIVES OF DEPARTMENTAL MANAGEMENTS AND STAFF ASSOCIATIONS AND UNIONS," HE ADDED.
MR RENNIE POINTED OUT THAT RESPONSES TO THE COMMITTEE’S PRELIMINARY REPORT PUBLISHED IN JULY HAD BEEN CONSIDERED IN PREPARING THE FINAL REPORT.
THE TWO OTHER MEMBERS OF THE REVIEW COMMITTEE, SIR ROGER LOBO, AND LEGISLATIVE COUNCILLOR, MRS RITA FAN, ALSO TOOK PART IN TODAY’S PRESS CONFERENCE.
- 0 - -
COMPREHENSIVE SET OF PROPOSALS CONTAINED IN FINAL REPORT
*****
COMMENTING ON THE FINAL REPORT OF THE REVIEW COMMITTEE ON DISCIPLINED SERVICES PAY AND CONDITIONS OF SERVICE, PUBLISHED TODAY, A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN SAID THAT THE REPORT CONTAINED A COMPREHENSIVE SET OF PROPOSALS FOR A NEW FRAMEWORK FOR PAY AND CONDITIONS OF SERVICE IN THE DISCIPLINED SERVICES.
"THE FINAL REPORT’S RECOMMENDATIONS ARE WIDE-RANGING AND THE DISCIPLINED SERVICES WILL NOW HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY TO COMMENT ON THE OVERALL ACCEPTABILITY OF THE PACKAGE AND ANY PROBLEMS WHICH IT PRESENTS TO THEM, BEFORE THE GOVERNMENT TAKES A FINAL DECISION," HE SAID.
THE REVIEW COMMITTEE WAS APPOINTED IN APRIL 1988 TO CONDUCT AN INDEPENDENT REVIEW OF THE PAY AND CONDITIONS OF SERVICE OF THE DISCIPLINED SERVICES TO TAKE ACCOUNT OF THE CONSIDERABLE CHANGES IN THEIR RESPONSIBILITIES AND WORKLOAD SINCE THE CREATION OF SEPARATE DISCIPLINED SERVICES PAY SCALES IN 1979, AND ALSO OF THE NEED TO RECRUIT, TO MOTIVATE AND TO RETAIN SUITABLE OFFICERS SO AS TO MAINTAIN AND FURTHER IMPROVE THE EFFECTIVENESS AND EFFICIENCY OF THE DISCIPLINED SERVICES.
/AT PRQSF.HT.
MONDAY, NOVEMBER 21, 1988
- 7 -
AT PRESENT, THE DISCIPLINED SERVICES NUMBER OVER 44,000 AND MAKE UP ABOUT A QUARTER OF THE SIZE OF THE CIVIL SERVICE.
THE SPOKESMAN ADDED THAT FOLLOWING THIS REVIEW, THE GOVERNMENT WOULD CONSIDER INVITING THE STANDING COMMISSION ON CIVIL SERVICE SALARIES AND CONDITIONS OF SERVICE TO CONDUCT A REVIEW OF THE SALARY STRUCTURE OF GRADES IN THE NON-DISCIPLINED SERVICES.
"SINCE THE LATEST GENERAL REVIEW OF THE CIVIL SERVICE STRUCTURE WAS CONDUCTED NEARLY TEN YEARS AGO IN 1979, IT WOULD BE APPROPRIATE TO START ANOTHER REVIEW COMMENCING NEXT YEAR TO TAKE ACCOUNT OF GENERAL DEVELOPMENTS AND ANY CHANGES IN WORKLOAD AND RESPONSIBILITIES OF INDIVIDUAL GRADES DURING THIS PERIOD," HE SAID.
"AS THERE ARE OVER 400 GRADES COMPRISING ABOUT 1,200 RANKS, ANY COMPREHENSIVE REVIEW WOULD BE A MAJOR TASK AND WOULD REQUIRE CAREFUL PLANNING," THE SPOKESMAN ADDED.
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CONSIDERABLE INVESTMENTS IN INFRASTRUCTURE: SES
*****
THE COMING DECADE WILL SEE CONSIDERABLE INVESTMENTS IN INFRASTRUCTURAL WORKS, THE SECRETARY FOR ECONOMIC SERVICES, MRS ANSON CHAN, SAID TODAY (MONDAY).
SPEAKING AT A LUNCH MEETING OF THE PO LEUNG KUK DIRECTORS, MRS CHAN SAID THESE INVESTMENTS SHOULD HELP HONG KONG MAINTAIN ITS COMPETITIVE POSITION AS ONE OF THE WORLD’S LEADING COMMERICAL, FINANCIAL AND INDUSTRIAL CENTRES.
ON THE AIRPORT, MRS CHAN SAID CONSULTANTS HAD CONFIRMED THAI, DESPITE THE SITE CONSTRAINTS OF KAI TAK AIRPORT, FURTHER EXPANSION AND IMPROVEMENTS WOULD BE POSSIBLE.
"THE CONSULTANTS HAVE RECOMMENDED ENHANCEMENTS TO THE i . TRAFFIC CONTROL SYSTEM, ADDITIONAL APRON PARKING FACILITIES FC: AIRCRAFT AND MEASURES TO OPTIMISE USAGE OF THE SINGLE RUNWAY.
"TAKEN TOGETHER, THE IMPROVEMENTS ’SHOULD ENABLE KAI TAK TO COPE WITH AIR TRAFFIC WELL INTO THE 1990’S.
"THESE IMPROVEMENTS WILL BE EXPENSIVE BUT THERE IS NO DO'T" THAT THEY WILL BE NECESSARY TO KEEP KAI TAK GOING UNTIL SUCH TIME WE HAVE A REPLACEMENT AIRPORT," SHE SAID.
MRS CHAN SAID THE GOVERNMENT HAD TO CONSIDE THE FINANCIAL AND ECONOMIC IMPLICATIONS IN DECIDING THE QUESTION OF THE REPLACEMENT AIRPORT.
/SHE SAID -------
MONDAY, NOVEMBER 21, 1988
- 8 -
SHE SAID THE GOVERNMENT’S TASK WAS TO ENSURE THAT HONG KONG'S INFRASTRUCTURE REMAINED ADEQUATE TO UNDERPIN OUR ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT.
"BEFORE WE EMBARK ON THIS DEVELOPMENT, WE NEED TO BE SATISFIED THAT THE PROJECT IS VIABLE AND THAT THE ECONOMY HAS THE CAPACITY TO COPE WITH THE DEMANDS PLACED UPON IT BY SUCH A MASSIVE PROJECT WHICH WILL TAKE SEVERAL YEARS TO COMPLETE.
"THE GOVERNMENT ALSO HAS TO CONSIDER THE OPTIMUM BALANCE BETWEEN PUBLIC SECTOR AND PRIVATE SECTOR INVESTMENTS AS WELL AS THE MACHANISMS NECESSARY TO ENABLE THE SMOOTH CONSTRUCTION AND OPERATION OF THE FACILITY ONCE A DECISION TO PROCEED IS TAKEN," SHE SAID.
ON THE QUESTION OF WHERE THE NEW AIRPORT SHOULD BE, MRS CHAN SAID TWO STUDIES WERE TAKING PLACE ON THIS — ONE EXAMINING THE FEASIBILITY OF HAVING A NEW AIRPORT IN THE WESTERN HARBOUR AREA TO THE EAST OF LANTAU ISLAND AND THE OTHER SEEKING TO REVISE AND UPDATING THE 1982 MASTER PLAN FOR A REPLACEMENT AIRPORT AT CHEK LAP KOK, NORTH OF LANTAU.
SHE SAID THAT BEFORE THE GOVERNMENT COULD NARROW THE CHOICE TO ONE, IT WAS ABSOLUTELY VITAL FOR THE RELATIVE ADVANTAGES OF THE SITES TO BE VERY THOROUGHLY EXAMINED FROM THE AERONAUTICAL ENGINEERING AND ENVIRONMENTAL POINTS OF VIEW.
"THEN, OF COURSE, THE PROGRAMMING FOR BUILDING NEW AIRPORT DEVELOPMENT MUST TIE IN WITH THE EXPECTED LIFE SPAN OF KAI TAK," SHE SAID.
AS REGARDS HONG KONG'S PORT FACILITIES, MRS CHAN SAID THE RELATIVE EASE OF ESTABLISHING A COMMERICAL PRESENCE IN HONG KONG, TOGETHER WITH EXCELLENT COMMUNICATIONS, HAD LED TO A REMARKABLE GROWTH IN THE OPERATIONS OF SHIPPING SUPPORT COMPANIES, FOR EXAMPLE IN THE BANKING, INSURANCE AND SERVICE SECTORS.
"ADDED TO A VERY STRONG SHIP OWNERSHIP BASE, THIS HAS CONSOLIDATED HONG KONG'S POSITION AS A LEADING SHIPPING CENTRE IN WORLD TERMS," SHE SAID.
TURNING TO TELECOMMUNICATIONS, MRS CHAN SAID HONG KONG'S DENSE POPULATION AND THE LARGE VOLUMES OF TRAFFIC GENERATED BY A HIGHLY ACTIVE BUSINESS COMMUNITY MEANT THAT FURTHER COMPETITION IN THIS SECTOR OF THE MARKET WAS NOT ONLY FEASIBLE BUT HIGHLY DESIRABLE.
SHE SAID THE RECENT GOVERNMENT DECISION IN FAVOUR OF A SECOND TELECOMMUNICATIONS NETWORK FOR TRANSMITTING CABLE TELEVISION AND NON-FRANCHISED SERVICES SUCH AS DATA AND FACSIMILE WAS A FURTHER SIGNIFICANT STEP IN TAPPING THE POTENTIAL OF THIS FAST EXPANDING COMPETITIVE SECTOR.
MRS CHAN SAID THE INVITATION FOR CABLE TELEVISION PROPOSALS WAS ISSUED BY THE GOVERNMENT ON SEPTEMBER 19 AND WOULD BE OPEN FOR SIX MONTHS.
/SHE SAID ......
MONDAY, NOVEMBER ?1, 1988
- 9 -
SHE SAID VARIOUS INTERNATIONAL CONCERNS HAD EXPRESSED AN INTEREST IN PROVIDING THE NEW NETWORK FOR CABLE TELEVISION AND NON-FRANCHISED TELECOMMUNICATIONS SERVICES. j
"I VERY MUCH HOPE THAT THEIR INTERESTS WILL BE TRANSLATED INTO SUBSTANTIVE BIDS AT THE END OF THE DAY. j
"WE LOOK FORWARD TO RECEIVING SUBSTANTIVE AND COMPETITIVE PROPOSALS FROM DIFFERENT PARTIES WHICH WILL SECURE FOR HONG KONG A SOPHISTICATED NETWORK CAPABLE OF TAKING FULL ADVANTAGE OF THE RAPIDLY EVOLVING TELECOMMUNICATIONS TECHNOLOGY.
"IN THIS WAY, THE NEEDS OF OUR COMMUNITY SHOULD BE ADEQUATELY SERVED WELL INTO THE 21ST CENTURY," SHE SAID.
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GOVERNOR SEES YUEN LONG DEVELOPMENTS * * t » t
THE GOVERNOR, SIR DAVID WILSON, TODAY (MONDAY) VISITED YUEN LONG DISTRICT TO SEE FOR HIMSELF THE EFFORTS MADE TO IMPROVE THE ENVIRONMENT AND THE LIVING CONDITIONS OF THE RESIDENTS OF THIS NEW TOWN .
ACCOMPANIED BY THE REGIONAL SECRETARY FOR THE NEW TERRITORIES, MR. MICHAEL SUEN, SIR DAVID ARRIVED BY HELICOPTER AT THE YUEN LONG INDUSTRIAL ESTATE.
HE WAS MET BY THE YUEN LONG DISTRICT BOARD \ CHAIRMAN, MR TAI KUEN, THE GENERAL MANAGER OF THE HONG KONG INDUSTRIAL ESTATES CORPORATION, MR A.N. SAVAGE, AND THE DISTRICT OFFICER, MR ALAN WONG.
r
THE GOVERNOR WAS TOLD THAT AS THE SECOND INDUSTRIAL ESTATE IN HONG KONG AFTER THE ONE IN TAI PO, THE YUEN LONG INDUSTRIAL ESTATE HAD PROVED EQUALLY ATTRACTIVE TO HI-TECH INDUSTRIES WHICH COULD NOT BE LOCATED IN MULTI-STOREY BUILDINGS. SO FAR, 40 PER CENT OF THE SITES HAD BEEN ALLOCATED.
AFTER TOURING THE ESTATE, THE GOVERNOR WENT TO WANG CHAU SERVICE RESERVIOR FOR AN OVERVIEW OF THE TIN SHUI WAI LANDHOLDING.
HE WAS BRIEFED BY THE PROJECT MANAGER (TIN SHUI WAI/YUEN LONG), MR Y.Y. NG, ON PROGRESS OF THE LAND FORMATION AND THE ANCILLARY VILLAGE FLOOD PROTECTION WORKS.
SIR DAVID WAS TOLD THAT SAND WAS BEING DRfiDGED FROM A MARINE BORROW AREA IN DEEP BAY AS FILL MATERIAL FOr|LrECLAMATION OF THE FISHPONDS IN THE LANDHOLDING. >
/LAND FOR........
MONDAY, NOVEMBER 21, 1988
10
LAND FOR THE FIRST PUBLIC HOUSING ESTATE FOR 39,000 PERSONS WOULD BE READY BY THE END OF NEXT MONTH.
THE GOVERNOR THEN WENT TO THE LONG PING ESTATE IN THE NORTHWEST OF YUEN LONG TOWN.
THERE HE SAW MANY FORMER VILLAGERS OF THE TIN SHUI WAI CLEARANCE AS WELL AS NEWCOMERS FROM VARIOUS PARTS OF THE TERRITORY WHO WERE ABLE TO ENJOY SUBSTANTIALLY IMPROVED AND COMFORTABLE LIVING CONDITIONS IN THIS NEWEST GENERATION OF PUBLIC HOUSING ESTATES DESIGNED FOR A POPULATION OF 35,000.
SIR DAVID VISITED THE COMMERCIAL COMPLEX, INDOOR GAMES HALL AND COMMUNITY HALL. HE ALSO PAID A COURTESY VISIT TO THE HOME OF THE CHAIRLADY OF ONE OF THE MUTUAL AID COMMITTEES RECENTLY FORMED IN THE ESTATE.
THE NEXT STOP WAS NAM PIN WAI, A WALLED VILLAGE SITUATED AT THE EASTERN EDGE OF YUEN LONG TOWN.
THE GOVERNOR WAS GREETED BY THE VILLAGE REPRESENTATIVES AND GIVEN A GUIDED TOUR OF THE TRADITIONAL VILLAGE.
HE WAS ALSO BRIEFED BY THE DISTRICT OFFICER ON PROPOSALS TO IMPROVE THE LIVING ENVIRONMENT OF THE VILLAGE.
THE GOVERNOR THEN MADE A BRIEF STOP AT SAU FU STREET NEAR THE YUEN LONG NULLAH.
W WAS BRIEFED BY THE PROJECT MANAGER ON WORKS WHICH ARE BEING CARRIED OUT TO IMPROVE THE YUEN LONG NULLAH OVER WHICH HE HAD EXPRESSED CONCERN DURING HIS VISIT TO THE DISTRICT LAST YEAR.
SIR DAVID ENDED HIS VISIT BY MEETING MEMBERS OF THE YUEN LONG DISTRICT BOARD AND REPRESENTATIVES OF LOCAL ORGANISATIONS AT A TEA RECEPTION.
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PLANS TO IMPROVE YUEN LONG NULLAH *****
THERE ARE PLANS TO IMPROVE THE YUEN LONG NULLAH, STARTING FROM NEXT YEAR, THE GOVERNOR, SIR DAVID WILSON, SAID TODAY (MONDAY).
SPEAKING TO REPORTERS AFTER TOURING YUEN LONG, SIR DAVID SAID THE COST OF THE IMPROVEMENTS WOULD BE ABOUT $92 MILLION.
”IT IS ENCOURAGING TO SEE THAT ALL THE RESEARCH WORK HAS NOW BEEN COMPLETED. A SOLUTION HAS BEEN WORKED OUT,” HE SAID.
/WHEN THE .......
MONDAY, NOVEMBER ?1, 1988
11
WHEN THE WORK WAS COMPLETED IT WOULD PROVIDE A GREAT IMPROVEMENT TO THE ENVIRONMENT OF YUEN LONG.
SIR DAVID ALSO SAID HE WAS IMPRESSED BY THE YUEN LONG INDUSTRIAL ESTATE AND THE WAY THAT IT WAS NOW DEVELOPING BECAUSE TAI PO WAS ALMOST FULL.
"SO A LOT OF INDUSTRY WILL BE COMING HERE INSTEAD OF TAI PO, AND THAT WILL BE HELPED BY THE PROCESS OF DEVELOPING THE NEW TERRITORIES CIRCULAR ROAD," HE SAID.
ON TIN SHUI WAI, THE GOVERNOR SAID DEVELOPMENT WAS GOING AHEAD VERY FAST AND THERE WOULD BE A LARGE AMOUNT OF HOUSING, BOTH PUBLIC AND PRIVATE, OVER THE NEXT FEW YEARS.
- - . _ .0 --
DO OUTLINES DEVELOPMENTS IN TUEN MUN
*****
THE TUEN MUN DISTRICT OFFICER, MR JOHN WAN, SAID THAT TUEN MUN HAS BECOME A PLACE IN WHICH RESIDENTS CAN
TODAY (MONDAY) TAKE PRIDE.
THIS AROSE FROM WELL-BALANCED DEVELOPMENTS IN THE SERVICE SECTOR AND IN THE PROVISION OF COMMUNITY FACILITIES, COUPLED WITH RAPID ECONOMIC GROWTH.
SPEAKING AT A MEETING OF THE ROTARY WAN SAID THAT SINCE ASSUMING DUTY IN MARCH IMPRESSED BY DEVELOPMENT IN THE NEW TOWN.
CLUB OF TOLO HARBOUR, MR THIS YEAR HE HAD BEEN MUCH
THIS DEVELOPMENT SPANNED COMMUNITY FACILITIES, CONSTRUCTION PROJECTS AND COMMERCIAL SECTOR ENTERPRISES.
CITING THE LIGHT RAIL TRANSIT (LRT) SYSTEM AS AN EXAMPLE, MR WAN SAID THIS COMFORTABLE, CONVENIENT AND MODERN MODE OF TRANSPORT HAD BROUGHT ABOUT A BIG CHANGE.
ON OVERALL DEVELOPMENT, MR WAN ENVISAGED AN ECONOMIC BOOM ARISING FROM LONG-TERM GROWTH IN COMMERCE, INDUSTRY AND THE PRIVATE-SECTORS, COUPLED WITH THE PRODUCTION OF NEW LAND.
"IN THE HEART OF THE NEW TOWN, THERE ARE PROVISIONS OF OVER 130.000 SQUARE METRES OF COMMERCIAL FLOOR SPACE FOR SHOPS AND OFFICES AS WELL AS RECREATION AND ENTERTAINMENT FACILITIES IN A TOWN CENTRE COMPLEX, INCLUDING ONE OF THE LARGEST DEPARTMENT STORES IN SOUTHEAST ASIA," MR WAN SAID.
INDEED, THE COMPLEX HAS BECOME TUEN MUN’S ECONOMIC, SOCIAL AND CULTURAL CENTRE."
/MR WAN
MONDAY, NOVEMBER 21, 1988
- 12
MR WAN ADDED THAT OTHER COMMERCIAL SCHEMES WOULD BE DEVELOPED AT THE HARBOUR CENTRE, THE NEW TRANSPORT INTERCHANGE, AND THE SO KWUN WAT MARINA, WHICH WOULD INCLUDE A HOTEL.
TURNING TO INDUSTRIAL DEVELOPMENT, HE SAID THAT OVER 1,200,000 SQUARE METRES OF INDUSTRIAL FLOOR SPACE IN THE DISTRICT HAD BEEN DEVI )PED AND WAS NOW OCCUPIED BY SOME 2,000 MANUFACTURING COMPANIES PROVIDING JOBS FOR OVER 30,000 WORKERS.
MR WAN SAID THE PLAN FOR TUEN MUN LAND RESERVES COULD, ON FULL DEVELOPMENT, PROVIDE ANOTHER 100,000 MANUFACTURING JOBS FOR RESIDENTS.
HE ADDED THAT CERTAIN AREAS TO THE SOUTHWEST OF THE TOWN HAD RESERVED TO ACCOMMODATE SPECIAL INDUSTRIES SUCH AS THOSE RF RING LARGE SITES WITH SEA ACCESS AS STATED IN THE DEVELOPMENT STUDY OF AREA 38B.
REGARDING HOUSING, MR WAN SAID TUEN MUN AT PRESENT HAD EIGHT PUB IC HOUSING ESTATES,PROVIDING ACCOMMODATION FOR 176,000 PEOPLE.
"THE EXISTING POPULATION FOR THE HOME OWNERSHIP SCHEME AND PRU >TE SECTOR PARTICIPATION SCHEME IS 50,000 AND FOR PRIVATE HOUSING IT IS 60,000."
HE NOTED THAT DURING THE PAST SIX MONTHS PRIVATE DEVELOPMENT HA .EEN iO THE FOREFRONT IN THE DISTRICT AND, WITH MANY PROJECTS UN CONSTRUCTION OR AT AN ADVANCED STAGE OF PLANNING, SOME 12,000 Fl. WOULD PROVIDE ACCOMMODATION FOR 50,000 INHABITANTS.
REFERRING TO GOVERNMENT POLICY, MR WAN EXPLAINED THAT IN FACE OF PID INDUSTRIAL AND COMMERCIAL GROWTH AND A BURGEONING POPULATION, .OVERNMENT HAD NOT NEGLECTED A BALANCED PROVISION OF RECREATIONAL, MEDICAL, EDUCATIONAL AND WELFARE COMMUNITY FACILITIES.
"A TOTAL OF $170 MILLION HAS BEEN EARMARKED FOR SEVEN CON ACTS FOR THE PROVISION OF RECREATIONAL FACILITIES," HE SAID.
"AMONG THEM ARE BUTTERFLY BEACH RECREATION AREA, TOWN PARK PHAS II, A BOTANICAL GARDEN IN AREA 32, AND A NULLAH PROMENADE COMPRISING A CYCLING TRACK."
CONCERNING COMMUNITY FACILITIES, HE SAID THE 1,600-BED TUEN MUN HOSPITAL WAS A GOOD EXAMPLE OF 16 GOVERNMENT PROJECTS UNDERWAY IN THIS FIELD.
MR WAN CONCLUDED BY SAYING THAT DESPITE CONCURRENT PROBLEMS CONC RNING TRANSPORT AND BOAT PEOPLE IN THE PAST SIX MONTHS, HE WAS CON\1NCED THAT MUTUAL UNDERSTANDING AND CO-OPERATION WOULD HELP IN SOLVING ALL ISSUES.
- - O----------
/13........
MONDAY, NOVEMBER 21, 1988
- 13 -
SEMINAR FOR TECHNICAL WORKERS IN PLASTICS INI.’ STRY *****
TECHNICAL PERSONNEL IN THE PLASTICS INDUSTRY ARE BEING INVITED TO ATTEND A SEMINAR ON THE USE OF COLORANTS IN PLASTICS PROCESSING, TO BE HELD ON DECEMBER 16.
THE HALF-DAY SEMINAR, ORGANISED BY THE PLASTICS INDUSTRY TRAINING BOARD OF THE VOCATIONAL TRAINING COUNCIL, AIMS AT UPGRADING THE COLOURING TECHNIQUES USED IN THE MANUFACTURE OF PLASTICS PRODUCTS.
TWO EXPERTS FROM THE CLBA-GEIGY (H.K.) LIMITED AND DAI NIPPON INK AND CHEMICAL (H.K.) LIMITED - THE LEADING SUPPLIERS OF COLOURING MATERIALS WILL BE INVITED TO SPEAK ON THE TECHNIQUES REQUIRED IN THE USE OF COLORANTS AND DISCUSS THE PROBLEMS IN COLOURING WITH PARTICIPANTS.
THE SEMINAR IS FREE OF CHARGE AND IS SUITABLE FOR IN-SERVICE PRODUCTION SUPERVISORS, MATERIALS TECHNICIANS, PLASTICS MACHINE SETTERS IN THE PLASTICS INDUSTRY.
CLOSING DATE FOR ENROLMENT IS DECEMBER 2. FOR ENQUIRIES CONTACT THE SECRETARY OF THE BOARD ON 5-8932341 EXT. 256.
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CS TO VISIT USA NEXT MONTH * * * *
THE CHIEF SECRETARY, SIR DAVID FORD, WILL MAKE A FIVE-DAY VISIT TO THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA NEXT MONTH TO UPDATE GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS, ACADEMICS AND BUSINESSMEN ON THE LATEST POLITICAL AND ECONOMIC SITUATION IN HONG KONG.
HE WILL VISIT WASHINGTON, BOSTON AND NEW YORK FROM DECEMBER 5 TO 9.
IN BOSTON, HE WILL GIVE A LUNCHEON SPEECH AT THE WORLD AFFAIRS COUNCIL.
SIR DAVID WILL ALSO ADDRESS THE HONG KONG ASSOCIATION OF NEW YORK AND THE ASIA SOCIETY IN NEW YORK.
WHILE IN NEW YORK, HE WILL TAKE THE OPPORTUNITY TO OPEN NEW PREMISES FOR THE HONG KONG ECONOMIC AND TRADE OFFICE THERE.
THE CHIEF SECRETARY WILL SPEND SEVERAL DAYS IN LONDON BEFORE HIS AMERICAN TOUR.
SIR DAVID WILL ALSO CALL ON MINISTER AND OFFICIALS RESPONSIBLE FOR HONG KONG AFFAIRS TO REVIEW DEVELOPMENT IN THE TERRITORY.
HE WILL ALSO HOST A RECEPTION FOR HONG KONG STUDENTS AS WELL AS UK AND HONG KONG SCHOLARS AT THE LONDON UNIVERSITY.
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/I1* ..........
MONDAY, NOVEMBER 21, 1988
14
CAREER EXHIBITIONS SERVE VALUABLE PURPOSE *****
CAREER EXHIBITIONS ARE IMMENSELY VALUABLE AS A WAY FOR FUTURE GRADUATES TO GET TO KNOW MORE ABOUT CAREER OPPORTUNITIES, LADY WILSON SAID TODAY (MONDAY).
SPEAKING AT THE OPENING CEREMONY OF THE HONG KONG BAPTIST COLLEGE 1988 CAREERS’ EXHIBITION, LADY WILSON SAID THAT CAREER CHOICE WAS PERHAPS ONE OF THE MOST, IF NOT THE MOST, IMPORTANT DECISIONS A PERSON WOULD HAVE TO MAKE IN LIFE.
A CAREER EXHIBITION WAS A BEGINNING FOR IT PROVIDED THE OPPORTUNITY TO GET MORE DETAILED INFORMATION BY MEETING AND TALKING TO PEOPLE IN VARIOUS CAREERS, LADY WILSON SAID.
WHETHER ONE WAS INTERESTED IN THE PUBLIC OR PRIVATE SECTORS, THE MOST IMPORTANT THING WAS TO ENJOY WHAT ONE WAS DOING, SHE SAID IN EMPHASISING THE IMPORTANCE OF MAKING THE RIGHT CHOICE.
LADY WILSON ALSO NOTED THAT MORE THAN 650 STUDENTS HAD LEFT THE BAPTIST COLLEGE LAST YEAR TO TAKE UP RESPONSIBILITIES IN THE COMMUNITY.
"THIS ANNUAL INFUSION OF QUALIFIED AND TALENTED YOUNG PEOPLE REPRESENTS AN EXTREMELY IMPORTANT CONTRIBUTION TO HONG KONG’S PROSPERITY AND WELL-BEING," SHE SAID.
"IT IS CLEAR THAT THE COLLEGE, THROUGH ITS ONGOING PLANS FOR DEVELOPMENT OF DEGREE COURSES, STAFF, AND CAMPUS FACILITIES, IS CONTRIBUTING A VERY GREAT DEAL TO OUR SOCIETY," LADY WILSON ADDED.
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"GOOD CITIZEN AWARD SCHEME" FOR WONG TAI SIN ******
THE WORKING GROUP ON CIVIC EDUCATION OF THE WONG TAI SIN DISTRICT BOARD’S COMMUNITY BUILDING COMMITTEE IS ORGANISING A "WONG TAI SIN DISTRICT GOOD CITIZEN AWARD SCHEME" WITH A VIEW TO PROMOTING GOOD CITIZENSHIP.
"THE SCHEME IS ALSO AIMED AT RECOGNISING GOOD CITIZENSHIP, AND ESTABLISHING A CLEAR IMAGE OF GOOD CITIZENSHIP AMONG WONG TAI SIN RESIDENTS," A SPOKESMAN FOR THE COMMITTEE EXPLAINED TODAY (MONDAY).
THE SCHEME IS OPEN TO THOSE WHO LIVE OR WORK IN WONG TAI SIN DISTRICT, AND WHO HAVE A GOOD RECORD IN COMMUNITY SERVICE FOR THE PAST FIVE YEARS.
/THOSE WHO .......
MONDAY, NOVEMBER 21, ■
THOSE WHO ARE ELIGIBLE FOR NOMINATING PARTICIPANTS IN THE SCHEME CANNOT THEMSELVES BE NOMINATED.
THE CATEGORY OF NOMINATORS IS RESTRICTED TO THOSE WHO ARE WONG TAI SIN DISTRICT BOARD MEMBERS, MEMBERS OF THE WORKING GROUP ON CIVIC EDUCATION, WONG TAI SIN AREA COMMITTEE MEMBERS, WONG TAI SIN CIVIC EDUCATION TEAM MEMBERS, MEMBERS OF MUTUAL AID COMMITTEES AND OWNERS’ INCORPORATIONS IN WONG TAI SIN, OR KAIFONG ASSOCIATION CHAIRMEN IN WONG TAI SIN.
THEY MUST BE MEMBERS OF THE RELEVANT ORGANISATION ON THE GIVEN DATE OF JANUARY 6 NEXT YEAR.
EACH NOMINATION FORM HAS TO BE SIGNED BY THE NOMINATOR AND FOUR SECONDERS, AND SHOULD BE RETURNED TO THE LIAISON OFFICERS OF THE NOMINEES’ AREAS BEFORE JANUARY 6.
EACH AREA COMMITTEE MAY NOT SUBMIT MORE THAN FIVE NOMINATIONS FOR CONSIDERATION BY AN ADJUDICATION PANEL WHICH WILL SELECT TWO WINNERS FOR EACH AREA.
THE ADJUDICATION PANEL WILL COMPRISE THE CHAIRMAN OF THE COMMUNITY BUILDING COMMITTEE, MEMBERS OF THE WORKING GROUP ON CIVIC EDUCATION AND THE WONG TAI SIN DISTRICT OFFICER OR HIS REPRESENTATIVE.
THE MAIN SELECTION CRITERIA FOR THE SCHEME ARE PARTICIPATION IN COMMUNITY SERVICES AND CONTRIBUTION TO THE PROMOTION OF CIVIC EDUCATION.
- - 0-----------
SEMINAR ON HOME SAFETY IN CENTRAL AND WESTERN *****
A SEMINAR ON HOME SAFETY FOR RESIDENTS IN CENTRAL AND WESTERN DISTRICT AND A LAUNCHING CEREMONY OF THE 6TH PHASE OF NEIGHBOURHOOD WATCH SCHEME WILL TAKE PLACE TOMORROW (TUESDAY) EVENING AT THE EXCHANGE CLUB, CONNAUGHT GARDEN IN CONNAUGHT ROAD WEST.
THE SEMINAR IS ORGANISED UNDER THE CENTRAL AND WESTERN DISTRICT FIGHT CRIME CAMPAIGN WITH A VIEW TO EDUCATING RESIDENTS ON HOME SECURITY.
OFFICIATING AT THE FUNCTION WILL BE CENTRAL AND WESTERN DISTRICT OFFICER, MR STEPHEN FISHER; POLICE DISTRICT COMMANDER (CENTRAL), MR W.H. KIRKHOPE; DISTRICT COMMANDER (WESTERN), MR R.C. TOAL; CHAIRMAN OF THE DISTRICT'S FIGHT CRIME COMMITTEE, MR WU CHOR-NAM; FORMER CHAIRMAN OF THE COMMITTEE, MR WONG CHUNG-YING AND CHAIRMAN OF THE ORGANISING COMMITTEE OF THE HOME SAFETY SEMINAR, MR NGAI WAI-MING.
/AN EXHIBITION .......
MONDAY, NOVEMBER 21, 1988
16 -
AN EXHIBITION ON THE LIFT DISPLAY PROJECT WILL ALSO BE STAGED IN THE SEMINAR.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO SEND REPRESENTATIVES TO COVER THE EVENT. THE CEREMONY WILL BEGIN AT 7.30 PM TOMORROW (TUESDAY) AT THE EXCHANGE CLUB AT CONNAUGHT GARDEN, 153 TO 157, CONNAUGHT ROAD WEST.
-------0---------
DB COMMITTEE TO DISCUSS NOISE PROBLEM *****
THE KWAI TSING DISTRICT BOARD’S ENVIRONMENTAL AFFAIRS COMMITTEE WILL DISCUSS THE POSSIBILITY OF INTRODUCING TRAFFIC NOISE ABATEMENT MEASURES ON THE SECTION OF KWAI CHUNG ROAD NEAR LAI KING CATHOLIC SECONDARY SCHOOL AT A MEETING TOMORROW (TUESDAY).
THE MEETING WILL ALSO DISCUSS A REPORT PREPARED BY THE HONG KONG PRODUCTIVITY COUNCIL ON A SURVEY ENTITLED "HOW TO ABATE AIR AND NOISE POLLUTION FROM POLLUTING INDUSTRIES".
MEMBERS WILL ASK ABOUT A STRANGE SMELL EMITTING FROM THE INDUSTRIAL AREA IN FRONT OF KWAI CHUNG ESTATE AND PROGRESS OF ROAD WORKS IN TSING YI AND KWAI CHUNG.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE MEETING OF KWAI TSING DISTRICT BOARD’S ENVIRONMENTAL AFFAIRS COMMITTEE WHICH WILL BEGIN AT 2.30 PM TOMORROW (TUESDAY) AT THE CONFERENCE ROOM, 10/F, KWAI HING GOVERNMENT OFFICES BUILDING, KWAI CHUNG.
- 0-----------
MONDAY, NOVEMBER 21, 1988
- 17 -
CLOSURE OF ILLEGAL STRUCTURES SOUGHT * * *
THE BUILDING AUTHORITY IS TO SEEK THE CLOSURE OF ILLEGAL STRUCTURES IN SHEUNG SHUT SO THAT THEY CAN BE DEMOLISHED WITHOUT DANGER TO THE OCCUPIERS OR TO THE PUBLIC.
THE ILLEGAL STRUCTURES ARE LOCATED AT THE SECOND FLOOR, BLOCK 38, AND FIRST, SECOND AND THIRD FLOORS, BLOCK 39, ON KWOK VILLAS, JOCKEY CLUB ROAD.
THE CLOSURE IS PART OF AN EXERCISE TO ENFORCE THE ORDERS ISSUED UNDER THE BUILDINGS ORDINANCE IN JUNE 1985 REQUIRING THE DEMOLITION OF THE ILLEGAL STRUCTURES.
NOTICE OF INTENTION TO APPLY FOR CLOSURE ORDERS FROM THE SHA TIN DISTRICT COURT ON JANUARY 19 NEXT YEAR WAS POSTED ON A CONSPICUOUS PART OF THE STRUCTURES TODAY (MONDAY).
IT IS INTENDED THAT THE DEMOLITION WORK WILL BE CARRIED OUT IMMEDIATELY AFTER A CLOSURE ORDER IS OBTAINED.
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OPEN SPACE IN KWAI CHUNG *****
TWO SITES IN SOUTH KWAI CHUNG WILL BE DEVELOPED INTO A LOCAL OPEN SPACE TO SERVE RESIDENTS IN THE AREA.
ONE OF THE SITES IS SITUATED AT KWAI SHING CIRCUIT AND THE OTHER AT HING SHING ROAD.
FACILITIES TO BE PROVIDED INCLUDE A CHILDREN’S PLAYGROUND AND REST GARDENS.
WORK IS EXPECTED TO COMMENCE IN FEBRUARY 1989 AND TAKE ABOUT 10 MONTHS TO COMPLETE.
THE TERRITORY DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT IS INVITING TENDERS FOR THE PROJECT. THE DEADLINE FOR SUBMITTING TENDERS IS NOON ON DECEMBER 9, 1988.
/18........
MONDAY, NOVEMBER 21, 1988
- 18 -
TEMPORARY TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENT ON HK ISLAND
*****
THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCED THAT TEMPORARY TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS WILL BE IMPLEMENTED ON HONG KONG ISLAND FROM 10 AM ON FRIDAY (NOVEMBER 25).
CANNON STREET IN CAUSEWAY BAY BETWEEN JAFFE ROAD AND LOCKHART ROAD WILL BE RE-ROUTED TO ONE-WAY NORTHBOUND FOR ABOUT ONE MONTH FOR WATER MAIN LAYING WORK.
SOUTHBOUND VEHICLES ON CANNON STREET HEADING FOR GREAT GEORGE STREET WILL BE DIVERTED VIA JAFFE ROAD, PERCIVAL STREET, LOCKHART ROAD AND EAST POINT ROAD.
AT THE SAME TIME, THE FOLLOWING TWO ROAD SECTIONS WILL BE MADE 7 AM TO 7 PM DAILY URBAN CLEARWAYS FOR ROAD RECONSTRUCTION WORKS : THE SOUTHERN KERBSIDE OF KING KWONG STREET IN HAPPY VALLEY FOR ABOUT SEVEN WEEKS, AND WELLINGTON STREET IN CENTRAL BETWEEN HOUSE NOS. 98 AND 112 FOR ABOUT ONE MONTH.
NO VEHICLES EXCEPT FRANCHISED BUSES WILL BE ALLOWED TO STOP FOR PASSENGERS OR GOODS WITHIN THE RESTRICTED AREAS.
-------o ---------
TEMPORARY ROAD CLOSURE IN TUEN MUN *****
THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCED THAT TO FACILITATE THE REPLACEMENT OF POWER CABLES, THE EASTERN SECTION OF ROAD 3C BETWEEN ROAD 3A AND ROAD 3E1 IN TUEN MUN AREA 3A WILL BE CLOSED TO TRAFFIC FROM 8 AM TO 6 PM ON FRIDAY (NOVEMBER 25).
MOTORISTS MAY USE ROAD 3A FOR ACCESS TO THE CASTLE PEAK HOSPITAL AND THE AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES DEPARTMENT OFFICE, AND USE ROAD 3E1 FOR ACCESS TO THE CASTLE PEAK GOVERNMENT FARM AND THE CASTLE PEAK HOSPITAL STAFF QUARTERS. (
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MONDAY, NOVEMBER 21,
1988
- 19 -
FRESH WATER SUPPLY INTERRUPTIONS
* » * *
THE WATER SUPPLIES DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCED TODAY (MONDAY)
INTERRUPTIONS TO FRESH WATER SUPPLY IN THE FOLLOWING AREAS:
* THE SUPPLY TO ALL PREMISES IN LUEN WO MARKET, FANLING,
INCLUDING LUEN ON STREET, LUEN CHEONG STREET, LUEN WO ROAD, LUEN SHING STREET, LUEN HING STREET, LUEN FAT STREET, WO TAI
STREET AND WO LUNG STREET, WILL BE SUSPENDED FROM 9 PM ON
WEDNESDAY (NOVEMBER 23) TO 6 AM THE NEXT DAY.
* THE SUPPLY TO PAK WAN STREET, PAK TIN STREET AND NAM CHEONG STREET, INCLUDING BLOCKS 1-3 AND 9-17, PAK TIN ESTATE, WILL BE CUT OFF BETWEEN 11 PM ON WEDNESDAY (NOVEMBER 23) TO 6 AM THE NEXT DAY.
» THE SUPPLY TO ALL PREMISES ALONG MAN KAM TO ROAD BETWEEN FU TEI AU ROAD AND MUK WU, INCLUDING LO WU BARRACK CAMP, LO WU TSUEN, POLMIL HQ, TAK YUET LAU, LIU POK TSUEN, SHA LENG SAN TSUEN, SAN UK LENG TSUEN, MUK WU TSUEN AND NGA YIU TSUEN, WILL BE CUT OFF BETWEEN 9 AM AND 5 PM ON FRIDAY
(NOVEMBER 25).
WATER STORAGE FIGURE
* » *
STORAGE IN HONG KONG’S RESERVOIRS AT 9 AM TODAY (MONDAY) STOOD AT 41.3 PER CENT OF CAPACITY OR 242.100 MILLION CUBIC METRES.
THIS TIME LAST YEAR THE RESERVOIRS CONTAINED 382.310 MILLION CUBIC METRES OF WATER, REPRESENTING 65.2 PER CENT OF CAPACITY.
- 0 -
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL: 5-8428777
TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 22, 1988
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
INTERIM REPORT ON CIVIL SERVICE PAY INQUIRY .................... 1
ATV, TVB GRANTED NEW LICENCES .................................. 2
ROLE OF LAW DRAFTSMAN EXPLAINED................................. 4
CONSULTANCY AGREEMENT FOR LANDFILL SIGNED ...................... 5
AWARDS FOR AIR CRASH RESCUE WORK ............................... 6
12 QUESTIONS ON LEGCO AGENDA ................................... 7
KEEP HONG KONG CLEAN STEERING COMMITTEE MEETING ................ 8
CRIME FIGURES DECLINE IN SHA'TIN ............................... 9
HOME SECURITY MESSAGE IN LIFTS ................................ 1O
PRESERVATION OF OLD HOSPITAL TO BE DISCUSSED .................. 11
GOOD SUPPORT IN CARE FOR THE ELDERLY CAMPAIGN ................. 12
NORTH DB COMMITTEE TO DISCUSS TAXI FARE INCREASE............... 12
YEUNG HAU KUNG TEMPLE DECLARED AS HISTORICAL BUILDING ......... 1?
58 PRISONERS RECEIVE CERTIFICATES ............................ 11*
COMMUNITY YOUTH CLUB ANNUAL PARADE ............................ 15
CONCERTS FOR STRING MUSIC LOVERS............................. 15
TEMPORARY ROAD CLOSURE IN AIRPORT.............................. 16
TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS IN TSUN YIP STREET........................ 16
TEMPORARY NIGHT CLOSURE OF TONKIN STREET ...................... 17
URBAN CLEARWAYS IN SHA TIN .................................... 17
AUCTION OF SPECIAL CAR NUMBERS ................................ 18
FRESH WATER CUT IN TSZ WAN SHAN ............................... 18
TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 22
1988
1
INTERIM REPORT ON CIVIL SERVICE PAY INQUIRY
******
THE INDEPENDENT COMMITTEE OF INQUIRY ON CIVIL SERVICE PAY HAS SUBMITTED AN INTERIM REPORT TO THE GOVERNOR, A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN SAID TODAY (TUESDAY).
THE REPORT CONTAINS FINDINGS AND RECOMMENDATIONS ON THE 1988 CIVIL SERVICE PAY ADJUSTMENT AND THE 1987-88 PAY TREND SURVEY. THE REPORT AND ITS RECOMMENDATIONS ARE BEING EXAMINED.
THE COMMITTEE HAS RECOMMENDED THAT THE 1988 PAY ADJUSTMENT, WHICH TOOK EFFECT FROM APRIL 1 THIS YEAR, BE RECALCULATED ON THE BASIS OF THE FOLLOWING REVISED PAY TREND INDICATORS -
UPPER PAY BAND 9.56 PER CENT
MIDDLE PAY BAND 9.93 PER CENT
LOWER PAY BAND 9.62 PER CENT
WHEREAS THE AWARD MADE BY THE GOVERNMENT WAS BASED ON THE
FOLLOWING PAY TREND INDICATORS -
UPPER PAY BAND 6,54 PER CENT
MIDDLE PAY BAND 7.28 PER CENT
LOWER PAY BAND 8.50 PER CENT
A NUMBER OF SUGGESTIONS ON IMPROVING THE PAY TREND SURVEY SYSTEM HAVE ALSO BEEN MADE.
THE COMMITTEE OF INQUIRY WAS APPOINTED IN AUGUST THIS YEAR TO CONSIDER THE DISPUTE BETWEEN THE GOVERNMENT AND THE STAFF SIDE ON THE 1988 PAY ADJUSTMENT IMPLEMENTED WITH EFFECT FROM APRIL 1 THIS YEAR, AND RELATED MATTERS.
IT STARTED WORK IN OCTOBER AND HAS SINCE RECEIVED REPRESENTATIONS FROM THE OFFICIAL AND STAFF SIDES OF THE SENIOR CIVIL SERVICE COUNCIL, OTHER STAFF ASSOCIATIONS, INDIVIDUAL CIVIL SERVANTS AND RELEVANT PRIVATE SECTOR ORGANISATIONS.
' THE SECOND PHASE OF THE COMMITTEE OF INQUIRY'S WORK, ON THE METHODOLOGY AND FINDINGS OF THE 1986 PAY LEVEL SURVEY ON NON-DIRECTORATE CIVIL SERVANTS, WILL BEGIN IN JANUARY NEXT YEAR.
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TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 22, 1988
- 2 -
ATV, TVB GRANTED NEW LICENCES
* * » »
THE GOVERNOR IN COUNCIL TODAY (TUESDAY) GRANTED NEW 12-YEAR LICENCES TO ATV LTD. AND TVB LTD. WITH EFFECT FROM DECEMBER 1 THIS YEAR.
THE LICENCES WILL BE SUBJECT TO A MID-TERM REVIEW AND RENEWAL IN 1994.
ANNOUNCING THIS, A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN SAID THAT THE DECISION TO GRANT THE LICENCES WAS MADE AFTER THE GOVERNOR IN COUNCIL APPROVED THE APPLICATIONS OF BOTH COMPANIES FOR NEW LICENCES AND AFTER THE LICENSEES HAD COMPLIED WITH THOSE REQUIREMENTS OF THE NEWLY AMENDED TELEVISION ORDINANCE WHICH CAME INTO EFFECT ON NOVEMBER 21 THIS YEAR.
THE NEW LICENCING CONDITIONS DESCRIBE THE "PRINCIPLES OF BROADCASTING" IN SOME DETAIL.
UNDER CLAUSE 5, THE LICENSEES ARE REQUIRED TO MAKE PROPER USE OF THE RADIO FREQUENCY SPECTRUM IN THE BEST INTERESTS OF THE WHOLE COMMUNITY.
THEY HAVE A DUTY TO ENTERTAIN, INFORM AND EDUCATE AND TO ENSURE THAT THEIR PROGRAMMING IS BALANCED IN CONTENT AND IS
COMPREHENSIVE AND RESPONSIVE TO PUBLIC NEEDS.
THEY ARE ALSO REQUIRED TO APPLY UP-TO-DATE BROADCAST
TECHNOLOGY.
A NEW LICENCE CONDITION IS THAT THE LICENSEES WILL BE REQUIRED FIRSTLY TO CONSIDER ANY COMPLAINTS FROM THE PUBLIC AND SECONDLY TO KEEP A COMPLAINTS RECORD WHICH MUST BE SUBMITTED REGULARLY TO THE BROADCASTING AUTHORITY.
THE GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN COMMENTED: "THIS CONDITION WILL HELP TO ENSURE THAT IN FUTURE THE TELEVISION COMPANIES ARE MORE RESPONSIVE TO THE NEEDS OF THE COMMUNITY AND MORE ACCOUNTABLE FOR THEIR ACTIONS."
THE SPOKESMAN POINTED OUT THAT UNDER THE NEW LICENCE CONDITIONS, THERE ARE MINIMUM PROGRAMME REQUIREMENTS RELATING TO DOCUMENTARIES, CURRENT AFFAIRS PROGRAMMES, ADVISORY PROGRAMMES AND CHILDREN’S PROGRAMMES, f
THESE REQUIREMENTS ARE MADE IN RESPONSE TO RECOMMENDATIONS MADE BY THE BROADCASTING REVIEW BOARD IN 1985 AND THE BROADCASTING AUTHORITY IN 1987.
FURTHERMORE, THERE IS A NEW REQUIREMENT FOR CERTAIN PROGRAMMES TO BE "WHOLLY OF HONG KONG ORIGIN", THAT IS, PROGRAMMES PRODUCED IN HONG KONG OR BY THE LICENSEES OR THEIR SUBSIDIARIES PRIMARILY FOR THE HONG KONG VIEWERS.
/TO SAFEGUARD .......
TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 22, 1g88
- 3 -
TO SAFEGUARD VIEWERS’ INTEREST, THE BROADCASTING AUTHORITY WILL HAVE NEW POWERS UNDER THE LICENCE.
FOR INSTANCE, IT WILL HAVE THE POWER TO RESTRICT REPEATS OF FEATURE FILMS BY THE STATIONS.
IT WILL ALSO HAVE THE POWER TO APPROVE TELOPING, TELETEXT SERVICES AND ARRANGEMENTS AS REGARDS NEWS BROADCASTS.
THE LICENCES ALSO STIPULATE THE MAXIMUM LENGTH OF BREAKS FOR ADVERTISING AND PROMOTIONAL MATERIAL AND PUBLIC ANNOUNCEMENTS TO FIVE MINUTES BETWEEN PROGRAMMES AND 3.5 MINUTES WITHIN A PROGRAMME.
UNDER THE TELEVISION ORDINANCE AS AMENDED, THE MAXIMUM AMOUNT OF ADVERTISING IS 10 MINUTES IN ANY CLOCK HOUR OR 10 PER CENT OF THE TOTAL BROADCAST TIME FOR ANY PERIOD OF 24 HOURS STARTING AT 6 AM.
IN LINE WITH THE GOVERNMENT’S ANTI-SMOKING POLICY, THE LICENCES PROVIDE FOR FURTHER RESTRICTIONS ON TOBACCO ADVERTISING AND SPONSORSHIP ON TELEVISION WITH EFFECT FROM DECEMBER ' THIS YEAR.
THERE WILL BE AN ABSOLUTE BAN AFTER DECEMBER 1, 1990.
THE GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN ALSO POINTED OUT THAT, UNDER THE NEW LICENCE CONDITIONS, BOTH ATV AND TVB WILL BE REQUIRED TO IMPLEMENT THE SIX-YEAR CAPITAL INVESTMENT AND STRATEGIC PLANS WHICH THEY SUBMITTED TO THE BROADCASTING AUTHORITY IN AUGUST THIS YEAR.
"THE PURPOSE OF THESE PLANS, TOGETHER WITH OTHER LICENCE CONDITIONS. IS TO ENSURE AN ACCEPTABLE STANDARD OF BROADCASTING IN FUTURE," THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
IN THE CASE OF TVB, THE BROADCASTING AUTHORITY TOOK INTO ACCOUNT THE CONSIDERABLE INVESTMENT MADE BY THE COMPANY IN THE PAST FOUR YEARS AND WAS SATISFIED WITH TVB’S PLAN TO INVEST AN ADDITIONAL $123 MILLION IN THE NEXT SIX YEARS.
IN THE CASE OF ATV, THE BROADCASTING AUTHORITY NOTED THE COMPANY’S PROPOSAL TO INVEST A MINIMUM OF $233 MILLION IN THE NEXT SIX YEARS AND ITS PLAN TO CONSTRUCT A PERMANENT AND PROPERLY' EQUIPPED PRODUCTION CENTRE, WHICH THE BROADCASTING AUTHORITY CONSIDERED TO BE FUNDAMENTAL TO ATV’S FUTURE STRATEGY.
THE BROADCASTING AUTHORITY RECOMMENDED THAT A NEW LICENCE BE OFFERED TO ATV IN THE LIGHT OF THE ATV’S COMMITMENTS IN ITS SIX-YEAR INVESTMENT AND STRATEGIC PLAN AND ITS DETERMINATION, AS REFLECTED IN THE PLAN, TO MAKE SIGNIFICANT HEADWAY IN THE COMPETITION FOR AUDIENCES IN THE COMING SIX YEARS.
THE GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN ADDED THAT THE NEW LICENCES WOULD BF SUBJECT TO A MID-TERM RENEWAL IN DECEMBER 1994 AND PUBLIC HEARINGS WILL BE CONDUCTED BEFORE THE RENEWAL.
/TN HIE ......
TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 22, 1988
IN THE INTERIM PERIOD, SHOULD THE PUBLIC INTEREST SO REQUIRE, THE GOVERNOR IN COUNCIL HAS THE POWER TO STIPULATE FURTHER CONDITIONS OR VARY THE TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF THE LICENCES.
THE TELEVISION (PERIOD OF VALIDITY OF LICENCE) (TELEVISION BROADCASTS LTD.) ORDER AND THE TELEVISION (PERIOD OF VALIDITY OF LICENCE) (ASIA TELEVISION LTD.) ORDER WHICH GIVE EFFECT TO THE NEW LICENCES WILL BE GAZETTED ON FRIDAY (NOVEMBER 25).
- 0 - -
ROLE OF LAW DRAFTSMAN EXPLAINED * * * * »
THE ROLE OF A LAW DRAFTSMAN COULD BE LIKENED TO THAT OF AN ARCHITECT, AN OFFICER OF THE LEGAL DEPARTMENT SAID THIS EVENING (TUESDAY) WHEN ADDRESSING A DINNER MEETING OF THE LIONS CLUB OF THE NEW TERRITORIES.
THE SENIOR ASSISTANT LAW DRAFTSMAN, MR FRANCIS CHEUNG, SAID THAT WHILE LAW DRAFTING WAS AN IMPORTANT ASPECT OF LEGAL WORK, THE NATURE OF THE JOB WAS NOT WELL UNDERSTOOD.
IN HIS SPEECH ON "THE WORK OF THE LAW DRAFTSMAN", MR CHEUNG SAID THAT WHILE THE ACTUAL DRAFTING OF LEGISLATION WAS THE RESPONSIBILITY OF THE LAW DRAFTSMEN IN THE LEGAL DEPARTMENT, THE POLICY PROPOSALS FOR A PIECE OF LEGISLATION CAME FROM OTHER GOVERNMENT BRANCHES AND DEPARTMENTS.
"THE RESPONSIBILITY OF THE DRAFTSMAN IS TO EXAMINE CRITICALLY THE APPROVED POLICY, AND DETERMINE HOW THAT POLICY CAN BE IMPLEMENTED AS INTENDED," HE SAID.
"HE IS THEN RESPONSIBLE FOR EXPRESSING THE INTENTION OF THE POLICY IN LEGISLATIVE LANGUAGE."
IN OTHER WORDS, HE SAID, THE ROLE OF THE LAW DRAFTSMAN WAS TO HELP THE "CLIENT" DEPARTMENT DRAFT LEGISLATION ON THE BASIS OF THE APPROVED POLICY AND ULTIMATELY TO BRING THE BILL TO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL.
CITING THE EXAMPLE OF AN ARCHITECT, MR CHEUNG SAID THAT TO BUILD A HOUSE THE CLIENT WOULD FIRST HAVE TO CALL IN AN ARCHITECT AND EXPLAIN TO HIM THE SORT OF HOUSE HE WANTED TO BUILD, THE FUNDAMENTAL REQUIREMENTS AND ANY OTHER RELEVANT POINTS.
"SIMILARLY, WHEN THE GOVERNMENT WANTS TO ENACT LEGISLATION, THE DRAFTSMAN HAS TO BE BROUGHT INTO THE PICTURE LONG BEFORE HE PICKS UP HIS PEN TO DRAFT, AND HE MUST KNOW AS MUCH AS POSSIBLE ABOUT WHAT THE 'CLIENT' DEPARTMENT’S PARTICULAR PROBLEM IS AND THEN HELP IT TO BRING ABOUT THE DESIRED RESULT.
/"JUST AS
TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 22, 1988
- 5 -
"JUST AS AN ARCHITECT PREPARES THE BLUEPRINT FOR A HOUSE, SO THE DRAFTING OF LAW IS A PROFESSIONAL TASK FOR WHICH PROFESSIONAL KNOWLEDGE AND TECHNIQUE ARE REQUIRED," HE SAID.
AFTER A FIRST DRAFT WAS PREPARED, IT WAS SENT TO THE "CLIENT" DEPARTMENT FOR COMMENT.
MEETINGS WERE THEN HELD BETWEEN THE LAW DRAFTSMAN AND THE "CLIENT" DEPARTMENT TO SCRUTINISE THE DRAFT.
A DRAFT BILL COULD BE REVISED AS MANY AS 10 OR 20 TIMES BEFORE IT WAS CONSIDERED TO FULLY REFLECT THE CLIENT’S POLICY INTENTIONS.
THE NEXT STEP WAS FOR THE BILL TO BE PRESENTED TO THE ATTORNEY GENERAL FOR HIS APPROVAL AS, IN EFFECT, CHIEF ARCHITECT, BEFORE IT WAS INTRODUCED TO THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL FOR CONSIDERATION AND FINALLY TO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL FOR APPROVAL, MR CHEUNG SAID.
--------0 ---------
CONSULTANCY AGREEMENT FOR LANDFILL SIGNED
*****
A CONSULTANCY AGREEMENT ON THE DETAILED DESIGN OF PART OF THE NORTHEAST NEW TERRITORIES LANDFILL (NENT LANDFILL) PHASE I WORKS WAS SIGNED TODAY (TUESDAY).
THE AGREEMENT WAS SIGNED BY THE DIRECTOR OF CIVIL ENGINEERING SERVICES, DR NIP KAM-FAN, AND REPRESENTATIVES OF THE CONSULTING ENGINEERS’ FIRM.
THE NENT LANDFILL, LOCATED AT A REMOTE VALLEY TO THE WEST OF WONG MAU HANG SHAN, IS INTENDED TO REPLACE THE SHUEN WAN LANDFILL.
UPON COMPLETION IT WILL PROVIDE STRATEGIC WASTE DISPOSAL FACILITIES IN THE NORTHEAST NEW TERRITORIES SUB-REGION AND THE URBAN AREA OF KOWLOON.
THE LANDFILL WILL BE DEVELOPED IN THREE PHASES, HAVING A LIFE SPAN OF AT LEAST 13 YEARS.
PHASE 1 OF THE PROJECT CONSISTS OF THE CONSTRUCTION OF AN ACCESS ROAD FROM THE EXISTING SHA TAU KOK ROAD TO THE LANDFILL SITE, AND VILLAGE UPGRADING WORKS.
IT ALSO COVERS SITE PREPARATION INCLUDING LEACHATE CONTAINMENT SYSTEM, LEACHATE TREATMENT/DISPOSAL SYSTEM AND LANDFILLING OPERATION.
THE ESTIMATED TOTAL ENGINEERING COST OF PHASE 1 WORKS IS $795 MILLION.
/IT IS .......
TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 22, 1988
- 6 -
IT IS INTENDED TO BEGIN CONSTRUCTION OF SITE PREPARATORY WORKS IN MID-1990 AND TO COMMISSION LANDFILLING IN LATE 1993.
PHASE 1 OF THE LANDFILL WILL BE EXHAUSTED BY MID-1997. THEREAFTER, PHASE 2 AND 3 WILL BE PUT INTO OPERATION IN SEQUENCE TO PROVIDE CONTINUATION OF WASTE DISPOSAL FACILITIES.
VARIOUS ENVIRONMENTAL CONTROL MEASURES INCLUDING LANDSCAPING WORKS WILL BE INCORPORATED INTO THE DESIGN, CONSTRUCTION AND OPERATION OF THE LANDFILL TO MINIMISE THE ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT
A MAJOR ENVIRONMENTAL CONTROL MEASURE INVOLVES THE INSTALLATION OF A FULLY ENGINEERED CONTAINMENT LINER IN THE LANDFILL SITE TO PREVENT LEACHATE FROM SEEPING OFF THE SITE. THE LEACHATE WILL BE COLLECTED AND TREATED PRIOR TO DISPOSAL.
THROUGHOUT THE LIFE OF THE LANDFILL, AND AFTER ITS CLOSURE, COMPREHENSIVE MONITORING WORKS WILL BE CARRIED OUT FOR SAFETY AND ANTI-POLLUTION PURPOSES.
IN CONJUNCTION WITH THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE LANDFILL, THE GOVERNMENT WILL UNDERTAKE VILLAGE UPGRADING AND ENVIRONMENTAL-IMPROVEMENT WORKS.
THESE INCLUDE THE DEVELOPMENT OF A RURAL CENTRE AT TA KWU LING, UPGRADING OF SHA TAU KOK ROAD FROM LUNG YEUK TAU TO PING CHE ROAD, UPGRADING OF LOCAL VEHICULAR ACCESS FOR NEARBY VILLAGES, AND PROVISION OF ASSOCIATED FACILITIES INCLUDING WATER SUPPLY, SEWERAGE AND SEWAOE TREATMENT AND DISPOSAL.
STREAMS DIVERSION/TRAINING TO BE CARRIED OUT IN ASSOCIATION WITH LANDFILL SITE PREPARATION SHOULD IMPROVE THE EXISTING STREAM COURSES AND, BY IMPROVING STREAM FLOW, REDUCE THE EXISTING POTENTIAL FOR FLOODING.
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AWARDS FOR AIR CRASH RESCUE WORK *****
TEN MEMBERS OF THE FIRE SERVICES DEPARTMENT WILL BE HONOURED ON THURSDAY (NOVEMBER 24) FOR THEIR EXEMPLARY ACTIONS IN THE RESCUE OPERATION THAT FOLLOWED THE CRASH OF AN AIRLINER AT HONG KONG INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT ON AUGUST 31.
THE GOVERNOR’S COMMENDATION WILL BE AWARDED TO EACH OF FOUR FIRE OFFICERS, AND THE DIRECTOR OF FIRE SERVICES’ COMMENDATION WILL BE AWARDED TO EACH OF SIX FIREMEN.
/THE ACTING .......
TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 22, 1988
- 7
THE ACTING DIRECTOR OF FIRE SERVICES, MR LAM CHEK-YUEN, WILL PRESENT THE DIRECTOR OF FIRE SERVICES’ COMMENDATIONS TO THE FIREMEN, AND PRESENT TO THE FOUR OFFICERS LETTERS ADVISING THEM OF THE AWARD OF THE GOVERNOR’S COMMENDATION.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
MEDIA REPRESENTATIVES ARE INVITED TO COVER THE PRESENTATION CEREMONY WHICH WILL BE HELD ON THE FIRST FLOOR OF THE FIRE SERVICES HEADQUARTERS BUILDING, 1 HONG CHONG ROAD, TSIM SHA TSUI EAST, KOWLOON, AT 11 AM ON THURSDAY.
-------0---------
12 QUESTIONS ON LEGCO AGENDA *****
MEMBERS OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL WILL ASK A TOTAL OF 12 'WEDNEOTAY?ND C°NS1DER FIVE BILLS at the COUNCIL’S MEETING TOMORROW
THE FIVE BILLS ARE THE DISTRICT BOARDS (AMENDMENT) (NO. 2) ILL 1988, IHE REGIONAL COUNCIL (AMENDMENT) BILL 1988, THE URBAN COUNCIL (AMENDMENT) BILL 1988, THE PENSION BENEFITS (JUDICIAL OFFICERS) BILL 1988 AND THE PENSION BENEFITS (REFUSAL TO GRANT SUSPENSION, REDUCTION AND CANCELLATION) BILL 1988.
EACH BILL WILL BE INTRODUCED FOR FIRST AND SECOND READINGS.
IN ADDITION, THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY WILL PRESENT THE REPORT OF CHANGES TO THE APPROVED ESTIMATES OF EXPENDITURE APPROVED DURING THE FIRST QUARTER OF 1988-89.
-----0----------
/8 .......
TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 22, 1988
- 8 -
KEEP HONG KONG CLEAN STEERING COMMITTEE MEETING *****
THE JOINT URBAN COUNCIL/REGIONAL COUNCIL KEEP HONG KONG CLEAN STEERING COMMITTEE WILL CONSIDER A NUMBER OF MATTERS AT A MEETING TOMORROW (WEDNESDAY).
TH® AGENDA WILL INCLUDE:
* POSITION REPORT ON THE 1988-89 KEEP HONG KONG CLEAN CAMPAIGN COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT PROJECT.
* PROGRESS REPORT ON THE JOIN URBAN COUNCIL/REGIONAL COUNCIL KEEP HONG KONG CLEAN CAMPAIGN ACTIVITIES.
* PROGRAMME FOR 1988-89 KEEP HONG KONG CLEAN ACTIVITIES.
* PROPOSED BUDGET FOR THE 1988-89 KEEP HONG KONG CLEAN FLOAT PARADE.
* PROSECUTION TREND AGAINST LITTER OFFENCES IN URBAN COUNCIL AND REGIONAL COUNCIL AREAS FOR THE FIRST NINE MONTHS OF THIS YEAR.
* CAMPAIGN AGAINST PLASTIC LITTER IN 1989-90.
■>TME MEETING WILL BEGIN AT 2.30 PM IN THE COMMITTEE ROOM NO. 2, FOURTH A.OOR, URBAN COUNCIL CHAMBERS, EDINBURGH PLACE, CENTRAL.
A BRIEFING FOR THE PRESS WILL BE HELD IMMEDIATELY AFTER THE MEETING.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE MEETING. GIS OFFICERS WILL BE ON HAND TO ASSIST.
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/9........
TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 22, 1988
- 9 -
CRIME FIGURES DECLINE IN SHA TIN
*****
THERE HAS BEEN A CONTINUOUS DROP IN CRIME FIGURES IN SHA TIN OVER THE PAST FEW MONTHS, A SHA TIN DISTRICT OFFICE SPOKESMAN SAID TODAY (TUESDAY).
THE SPOKESMAN SAID THE IMPROVEMENT IN THE LAW AND ORDER SITUATION WAS OBVIOUSLY A RESULT OF STRICT POLICING AND THE CO-ORDINATED EFFORTS OF VARIOUS GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS, THE SHA TIN DISTRICT FIGHT CRIME COMMITTEE (STDFCC), COMMUNITY ORGANISATIONS AND RESIDENTS.
"IN PARTICULAR, VERY POSITIVE RESULTS HAVE BEEN ACHIEVED IN THE AREA OF JUVENILE CRIME, THE SPOKESMAN SAID IN DESCRIBING THE OVERALL FIGURES AS ENCOURAGING.
AS REPORTED IN THE STDFCC MEETING THIS AFTERNOON, THE NUMBER OF YOUNG PEOPLE AGED BETWEEN EIGHT AND 17 ARRESTED FOR VARIOUS CRIMES WERE: 107 IN JULY, 82 IN AUGUST, 82 IN SEPTEMBER AND 73 IN OCTOBER.
THERE WERE 1,292 JUVENILE ARRESTS IN 1987 AND 713 FROM JANUARY TO JUNE THIS YEAR.
THE SPOKESMAN SAID AN EVEN MORE ENCOURAGING ASPECT WAS THE DROP IN SHOP THEFT, THE WORST ASPECT OF JUVENILE CRIME IN SHA TIN.
IN 1987, A TOTAL OF 504 YOUNG PEOPLE WERE ARRESTED FOR SHOP THEFT.
IN THE FIRST HALF OF THIS YEAR, ARRESTS TOTALLED 317. BUT IN JULY, AUGUST, SEPTEMBER AND OCTOBER THE FIGURES DROPPED SIGNIFICANTLY TO 27, 24, 15 AND 16 RESPECTIVELY.
"A CONTINUOUS DROP WAS ALSO SEEN IN THE NUMBER OF REPORTED CASES FOR ALL CRIMES IN SHA TIN OVER THE PAST THREE MONTHS," THE SPOKESMAN ADDED.
IN AUGUST, SEPTEMBER AND OCTOBER, THE FIGURES WERE 387, 332 AND 328 RESPECTIVELY.
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TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 22, 1988
- 10 -
HOME SECURITY MESSAGE IN LIFTS * * ♦ ♦ ♦
PERSPEX-COVER NOTICE BOARDS WITH THE HOME SECURITY MESSAGE WILL BE INSTALLED IN LIFTS OF SOME 60 RESIDENTIAL BUILDINGS IN CENTRAL AND WESTERN DISTRICT.
CHAIRMAN OF THE CENTRAL AND WESTERN DISTRICT FIGHT CRIME COMMITTEE, MR WU CHOR-NAM, SAID THIS AT THE OPENING OF THE HOME SECURITY SEMINAR AND THE LAUNCHING CEREMONY OF THE SIXTH PHASE OF THE NEIGHBOURHOOD WATCH SCHEME THIS (TUESDAY) EVENING.
HE SAID THE COMMITTEE WAS AMONG THE FIRST GROUP TO LAUNCH THE ’LIFT DISPLAY PROJECT’ PROPOSED BY THE CENTRAL FIGHT CRIME COMMITTEE. INSTLLATION WAS EXPECTED TO BE COMPLETED BY THE END OF THE YEAR.
THE CENTRAL AND WESTERN LIFT DISPLAY PROJECT WAS SPONSORED BY THE MOUNT CAMERON LIONS CLUB WITH AN AIM TO AROUSE PUBLIC AWARENESS OF HOME SECURITY THROUGH THE DISPLAY OF CRIME PREVENTION MESSAGES INSIDE LIFTS OF RESIDENTIAL BUILDINGS.
MORE THAN 200 RESIDENTS ATTENDED THE SEMINAR HELD TONIGHT AT THE EXCHANGE CLUB IN CONNAUGHT GARDEN, CONNAUGHT ROAD WEST.
THE SEMINAR WAS JOINTLY ORGANISED BY THE CENTRAL AND WESTERN DISTRICT FIGHT CRIME COMMITTEE IN CONJUNCTION WITH THE WESTERN POLICE STATION AND THE CENTRAL POLICE STATION TO INTRODUCE HOUSEHOLD CRIME PREVENTION MEASURES AND THE RESPONSIBILITIES OF WATCHMEN.
AT TONIGHT’S FUNCTION, PLAQUES WERE PRESENTED TO PARTICIPANTS OF THE SIXTH PHASE OF THE NEIGHBOURHOOD WATCH SCHEME.
OFFICIATING AT THE FUNCTION WERE THE CENTRAL AND WESTERN DISTRICT OFFICER, MR STEPHEN FISHER; POLICE DISTRICT COMMANDER (CENTRAL), MR W.H. KIRKHOPE; DISTRICT COMMANDER (WESTERN), MR R.C. TOAL; CHAIRMAN OF CENTRAL AND WESTERN DISTRICT FIGHT CRIME COMMITTEE, MR WU CHOR-NAM; FORMER CHAIRMAN OF THE COMMITTEE, MR WONG CHUNG-YING AND CHAIRMAN OF THE ORGANISING COMMITTEE OF THE HOME SAFETY SEMINAR, MR NGAI WAI-MING.
- 0----------
/11 .......
TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 22, 1988
PRESERVATION OF OLD *
HOSPITAL TO BE DISCUSSED
* » » »
THE CENTRAL AND WESTERN DISTRICT BOARD WILL MEET ON THURSDAY (NOVEMBER 24) TO DISCUSS WHETHER THE FACADE OF THE OLD MENTAL HOSPITAL IN HIGH STREET SHOULD BE PRESERVED AND BE INCORPORATED IN THE NEW MEDICAL AND EDUCATION SERVICES CENTRE.
THE CURATOR (HISTORICAL BUILDINGS) OF THE ANTIQUITIES AND MONUMENTS OFFICE OF THE MUNICIPAL SERVICES BRANCH, MR PETER CHAN, WILL BE PRESENT TO SEEK MEMBERS’ VIEWS ON THE ISSUE.
THE MEETING WILL ALSO DISCUSS A PAPER ON THE LICENSING GUIDELINES IN RESPECT OF AMUSEMENT GAMES CENTRES.
ASSISTANT SECRETARY (ENTERTAINMENT), MR DAVID WEBB AND MS M. YUNG, SENIOR LICENSING OFFICER OF THE TELEVISION AND ENTERTAINMENT LICENSING AUTHORITY WILL ALSO BE PRESENT TO INTRODUCE THE PAPER AND LISTEN TO MEMBERS’ VIEWS.
OTHER ITEMS ON THE AGENDA INCLUDE AN OPINION SURVEY PROPOSED BY THE PUBLIC OPINION AND POLITICAL DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE, ALLOCATION OF DB FUNDS FOR ORGANISING A COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT PROJECT ON THE PROMOTION OF CHINESE ART AND CULTURE AS WELL AS THE USAGE OF VACANT SCHOOL PREMISES IN THE DISTRICT.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
THE CENTRAL AND WESTERN DISTRICT BOARD MEETING WILL BEGIN AT 3 PM ON THURSDAY (NOVEMBER 24) IN THE CONFERENCE ROOM OF THE CENTRAL AND WESTERN DISTRICT BOARD, ROOM 1416, HARBOUR BUILDING, 38 PIER ROAD, HONG KONG.
YOU ARE INVITED TO SEND A REPRESENTATIVE TO COVER THE MEETING.
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/12........
TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 22, 1988
- 12 -
GOOD SUPPORT IN CARE FOR THE ELDERLY CAMPAIGN * * * * ♦
THE GENEROUS DONATIONS AND SPONSORSHIPS RECEIVED FOR THE WAN CHAI CARE FOR THE OLD CAMPAIGN REFLECTED THAT THIS LONG-STANDING FUNCTION WAS WIDELY SUPPORTED BY RESIDENTS AND THE BUSINESS COMMUNITY, WAN CHAI DISTRICT OFFICER, MR ALLAN CHOW, SAID TODAY (TUESDAY).
SPEAKING AT THE OPENING CEREMONY OF THE CAMPAIGN, MR CHOW SAID THAT THE PROJECT NOT ONLY ENABLED SENIOR RESIDENTS TO ENJOY THEMSELVES, BUT ALSO HELPED FOSTER A SENSE OF RESPECT FOR THE ELDERLY.
NOTING THAT THE CAMPAIGN HAD ALREADY ENTERED INTO ITS 19TH YEAR, HE SAID THIS YEAR’S PROGRAMMES WOULD INCLUDE A CANTONESE OPERA, PERFORMANCE OF CANTONESE OPERATIC SONGS, A BANQUET AND A VISIT TO AN ELDERLY’S HOME.
A TOTAL OF $250,000 HAS BEEN RAISED FOR THE CAMPAIGN FROM LOCAL ORGANISATIONS, COMPANIES, BUSINESSMEN, MUTUAL AID COMMITTEES, OWNERS CORPORATIONS, AS WELL AS THE WAN CHAI DISTRICT BOARD.
THE ENTIRE CAMPAIGN WILL RUN FOR TWO MONTHS FROM ODAY, DURING WHICH GIFTS AND ’LAISEES’ WILL BE DISTRIBUTED TO THE ELDERLY IN THE DISTRICT. ABOUT 2,000 PEOPLE ARE EXPECTED TO BENEFIT FROM THE EVENT.
ALSO ATTENDING TODAY’S CEREMONY WERE CHAIRMAN OF THE ORGANISING COMMITTEE, MR CHIU WAI-SHING, AND WAN CHAI DISTRICT BOARD CHAIRMAN, MRS PEGGY LAM.
-------O ---------
NORTH DB COMMITTEE TO DISCUSS TAXI FARE INCREASE
*****
THE TRAFFIC AND TRANSPORT COMMITTEE OF THE NORTH DISTRICT BOARD WILL DISCUSS APPLICATIONS FROM THE URBAN AND NEW TERRITORIES TAXIS ASSOCIATIONS FOR A FARE RISE AT ITS MEETING TOMORROW (WEDNESDAY).
COMMITTEE MEMBERS WILL ALSO GIVE THEIR VIEWS ON THE KOWLOON MOTOR BUS COMPANY’S APPLICATION FOR A GENERAL FARE INCREASE WITH EFFECT FROM DECEMBER 11.
MEMBERS WILL GIVE CONSIDERATION TO TRAFFIC FACILITIES NEAR THE SHEUNG SHUI RAILWAY STATION; MEANS TO EASE PASSENGER CONGESTION AT THE FANLING RAILWAY STATION DURING MORNING RUSH HOURS, AND A PROPOSAL FOR PERMITTING PUBLIC LIGHT BUSES AND GREEN MINIBUSES TO SET DOWN PASSENGERS AT PO SHEK WU ROAD, SHEUNG SHUI.
/OTHER ITEMS .......
TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 22, 1988
OTHER ITEMS ON THE AGENDA INCLUDE PROPOSED IMPROVEMENTS TO PHE MAN KAM TO ROAD TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENT AND TO LUK KENG ROAD.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE MEETING OF THE NORTH
BOARD’S TRAFFIC AND TRANSPORT COMMITTEE IN THE CONFERENCE ROOM OE THE DISTRICT OFFICE, JOCKEY CLUB ROAD. FANLING TOMORROW (WEDNESDAY).
THE MEETING WILL BEGIN AT 2 PM.
--------0 ----------
YEUNG HAU KUNG TEMPLE DECLARED AS HISTORICAL BUILDING
THE YEUNG HAU KUNG TEMPLE AT TUNG TAU TSUEN IN YUEN LONG HAS BEEN DECLARED AN HISTORICAL BUILDING BY ^ANTIQUITIES AUTHORITY UNDER SECTION (3) OF THE ANTIQUITIES AND MONUMENTS ORDINANCE.
THE TEMPLE IS BELIEVED TO BE OVER 200 YEARS OLD ALTHOUGH IT WAS REBUILT IN ITS PRESENT FORM IN 1811.
IT WAS A TWO HALL BUILDING HOUSES THE INCENSE TOWER.
SEPARATED BY A COURTYARD WHICH
THE DRUM TERRACES FRONTING
COLUMNS SUPPORTING THE ROOF CANOPY
IS TRADITIONALLY USED IN THE CONSTRUCTION
THE ENTRANCE HALL AND THE ARE MADE OF RED SANDSTONE,
FOUR
WHICH
OF TEMPLES AND ANCESTRAL
HALLS.
THF MAIN HALL, FLANKED BY TWO SIDE CHAMBERS, ACCOMMODATES THE ALTARS AND DEITIES THE EAVES ARE DECORATED WITH A TERRACOTTA MOULDED FRIEZE, WHILE TRACES OF DELICATE POINTINGS BORDER THE INTERNAL WALLo. RICHLY CARVED WOODWORK, PARTICULARLY DOOR PANELS AND CEILING BRACKETS,
ARE EVIDENT THROUGHOUT THE PREMISES.
A RED HAS
THE BUILDING, WHICH WAS LAST RENOVATED IN 1909, IS NOW IN DILAPIDATED CONDITION. THERE IS A VERY MARKED DISPLACEMENT OF THE SANDSTONE COLUMNS ON THE DRUM TERRACES WHILE TERMITE DAMAGE CAUSED THE ROOF TO COLLAPSE IN SOME PLACES.
OF
VILLAGERS, AND REPAIR
WITH THE CONSENT AND CO-OPERATION DECLARATION PROCEDURES WERE CARRIED OUT SMOOTHLY, WOULD BE CARRIED OUT SOON BY THE ARCHITECTURAL SERVICES DEPAR1ME
ALL WORK
APART FROM THIS NEWLY DECLARED YEUNG HAU KUNG TEMPLE, THERE ARE SIX OTHER HAU WONG TEMPLES THROUGHOUT HONG KONG.
/SCHOLARS EAW ........
TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 22, 1988
1*4
SCHOLARS HAVE YET TO REACH A CONSENSUS AS 70 TEMPLES ARE ALSO KNOWN AS YEUNG HAU KUNG, OR YEUNG HAU
WHY HAU WONG KUNG.
WONG
THE POPULAR INTERPRETATION IS BASED ON A CLAIM WONG TEMPLE AT KOWLOON CITY WAS BUILT IN MEMORY OF THE LIANG-JIE, A SUNG GENERAL WHO GAVE UP HIS LIFE TO SUNG EMPEROR, AFTER THE FINAL DEFEAT BY MONGOL INVADERS IN
TO
THAT THS MAROUIS
PROTECT THE
HAU \MG LA.2T
AN ALTERNATIVE VIEW IS THAT THE TEMPLES WERE BUILT BY THE UAMTIV tn THE WORSHIP OF THEIR FOREFATHERS WHO WERE RELATIVES AS irJoML sISoSs OF THE 3UN0 EMPERORS. AND SO THS CHARACTER APPEARS ON THE NAME BOARD OF THE Tl’lPLYS
YANG (.ELL
YANG
THE HAU WONG CULT HAS BEEN WIDESPREAD THROUGHOUT «ONG KONC o HISTORY AND THE PRESERVATION OF HAU WONG TEMPLES MAINTAINS A , IMPORTANT FACET OF THE COMMUNITY'S HERITAGE.
POPULAR WORSHIP OF THE HAU WONG DEITY WASn,tI1,0®^IN.A^p A<?qorrATFD WITH A MILITARY PRESENCE IN THE AREA, SUCH AS THE HAU ^0.0 TEMPLES AT KOWLOON CITY AND AT TUNG CHUNG AND TAI O ON LANTAU ISLANJ, WHICH WERE WELL PATRONISED BY SOLDIERS STATIONED IN THESE AREAS.
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58 PRISONERS RECEIVE CERTIFICATES t « * t
FIFTY-EIGHT PRISONERS TODAY (TUESDAY) RECEIVED CERTIFICATES FOR PASSING PUBLIC EXAMINATIONS AND COMPLETING CERTIFICATE COURSES RUN BY THE CHINESE UNIVERSITY OF HONG KONG.
LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL MEMBER, IR LAM WAI-KEUNG, OFFICIATED AT THE PRESENTATION CEREMONY HELD IN SHEK PIK PRISON ON LANTAU.
AMONG THEM, 43 INMATES SAT FOR THE PITMAN EXAMINATION, THE CITY AND GUILDS OF LONDON INSTITUTE EXAMINATION AND THE HONG KONG CERTIFICATE OF EDUCATION EXAMINATION. THEY SCORED CREDITS AND PASSES IN ARITHMETIC, ENGLISH AND BOOK-KEEPING.
ANOTHER 15 PRISONERS WERE PRESENTED CERTIFICATES Fr COMPLETING A .CERTIFICATE PAINTING COURSE OFFERED BY THE EXTRA STUDIES DEPARTMENT OF THE CHINESE UM:' :’: ' n OF HONG KONG.
TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 22, 1988
- 15 -
COMMUNITY YOUTH CLUB ANNUAL PARADE *****
THE 8TH ANNUAL PARADE OF THE COMMUNITY YOUTH CLUB (CYC) OF THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT WILL BE HELD AT THE QUEEN ELIZABETH STADIUM AT 01 KWAI ROAD, WAN CHAI, ON THURSDAY (NOVEMBER 24).
THE DIRECTOR OF EDUCATION, MR Y.T. LI, WILL TAKE THE SALUTE AND PRESENT AWARDS TO CYC MEMBERS.
MORE THAN 3,500 CYC MEMBERS FROM VARIOUS SCHOOLS, SUPERVISORS AND TEACHERS INVOLVED IN CYC ACTIVITIES WILL ATTEND THE PARADE WHICH WILL ALSO FEATURE A CHINESE FOLK DANCE, THREE VARIETY SHOWS, A MUSICAL DRAMA AND A CHILDREN’S CHOIR.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE EVENT AT THE QUEEN ELIZABETH STADIUM AT 01 KWAN ROAD, WAN CHAI, WHICH WILL BEGIN AT 2.30 PM ON THURSDAY (NOVEMBER 24).
YOUR REPRESENTATIVES ARE REQUESTED TO ARRIVE AT THE QUEEN ELIZABETH STADIUM BEFORE 2.15 PM.
-----0-----
CONCERTS FOR STRING MUSIC LOVERS ♦ * * *
THE MUSIC OFFICE WILL HOLD TWO CONCERTS FOR STRING MUSIC LOVERS AT THE CONCERT HALL OF THE HONG KONG ACADEMY FOK PERFORMING ARTS ON SATURDAY (NOVEMBER 26) AND SUNDAY.
THE CONCERTS FORM THE LATTER PART OF THE PROGRAMME OF THE FIRST HONG KONG YOUTH STRING MUSIC FESTIVAL WHICH BEGAN ON NOVEMBER 19.
THE FIRST CONCERT, FEATURING CHAMBER MUSIC, WILL BEGIN AT 8 PM.
MEMBERS OF THE HONG KONG YOUTH STRING ORCHESTRA AND INSTRUCTORS OF THE MUSIC OFFICE WILL PRESENT A NUMBER OF CLASSICAL PIECES INCLUDING BEETHOVEN’S "STRING QUARTET OP. 18 NO. 4 IN C ilNOR" AND HAYDN’S "STRING QUARTET NO. 17 IN F MAJOR".
THE RENOWNED CHINESE MUSICIAN, MR LU SIQTNG, WHO WAS THE WINNER OF THE 1987 "PAGANINI INTERNATIONAL VIOLIN COMPETITION" Ui.LI. ALSO GIVE DEMONSTRATION DURING THE CONCERT.
/THE SECOND
TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 22, 1988
- 16 -
THE SECOND CONCERT WILL ALSO BEGIN AT 8 PM.
UNDER THE BATONS OF LOCAL MUSICIANS MR THOMAS WANG AND MR LUI KI-LING, THE COMBINED ORCHESTRA OF HONG KONG YOUTH SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA AND THE MUSIC OFFICE INSTRUCTORS’ ORCHESTRA (WESTERN) WILL PRESENT ROSSINI’S "SONATA NO. 3 IN C MAJOR FOR STRINGS", AND THE CHINESE CONCERTO "BUTTERFLY LOVERS" WHICH WAS COMPOSED BY CHEN KONG AND HE ZHAN-HAO.
MR LU SIQING WILL BE THE SOLO VIOLINIST IN THIS CONCERT.
THE SECRETARY FOR MUNICIPAL SERVICES, MR AUGUSTINE CHUI, WILL PRESENT A SOUVENIR TO MR LU AT THE BEGINNING OF THE CONCERT IN RECOGNITION OF HIS PARTICIPATION IN THE YOUTH STRING MUSIC FESTIVAL.
TICKETS FOR THE TWO CONCERTS ARE NOW AVAILABLE AT ALL URBTIX OUTLETS. ENQUIRIES CAN BE MADE ON 5-283257.
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TEMPORARY ROAD CLOSURE IN AIRPORT ♦ * * * *
THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCED THAT THE UP RAMP LEADING TO THE DEPARTURE CIRCUIT OF THE HONG KONG INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT WILL BE CLOSED DAILY FROM ONE MINUTE PAST MIDNIGHT TO 5 AM FROM FRIDAY (NOVEMBER 25).
THE CLOSURE WILL LAST FOR ABOUT SEVEN NIGHTS FOR ROADWORKS.
VEHICLES HEADING FOR THE AIRPORT ARE ADVISED TO USE THE ARRIVALS ROAD.
-----0------
TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS IN TSUN YIP STREET
*****
THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCED THAT THE FOLLOWING TRAFFIC MOVEMENTS WILL BE IMPLEMENTED FROM 10 AM ON FRIDAY (NOVEMBER 25) IN CONNECTION WITH THE KWUN TONG INDUSTRIAL AREA TRAFFIC MANAGI-MEN'1 SCHEME:
* THE STRAIGHT-AHEAD TRAFFIC MOVEMENT FROM TSUN YIP STREET NORTHBOUND SOUTH OF WAI YIP STREET TO THE SEC 1 I ON OF TSUN YIP STREET NORTH OF WAI YIP STREET; AND
* THE RIGHT-TURN TRAFFIC MOVEMENT FROM TSUN YIP STREET NORTHBOUND TO WAI YIP STREET EASTBOUND.
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/17........
TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 22, 1988
TEMPORARY NIGHT CLOSURE OF TONKIN STREET
* ♦ * * ♦
THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCED THAT TEMPORARY TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS WILL BE IMPLEMENTED IN SHAM SHUI PO ON FRIDAY (NOVEMBER 25) TO FACILITATE FOOTBRIDGE CONSTRUCTION WORKS.
TONKIN STREET BETWEEN LAI CHI KOK ROAD AND LAI KOK ESTATE ACCESS ROAD WILL BE CLOSED TO TRAFFIC BETWEEN 1.30 AM AND 5.30 AM ON THAT DAY.
DURING THE CLOSURE, THE LEFT-TURN FROM LAI CHI KOK ROAD EASTBOUND AND THE RIGHT-TURN FROM LAI CHI KOK ROAD WESTBOUND TO TONKIN STREET NORTHBOUND WILL BE BANNED.
VEHICLES ON TONKIN STREET SOUTHBOUND HEADING FOR LAI CHI KOK ROAD EASTBOUND WILL BE DIVERTED VIA CHEUNG SHA WAN ROAD AND FAT TSEUNG STREET WHILE THOSE ON LAI CHI KOK ROAD EASTBOUND HEADING FOR TONKIN STREET NORTHBOUND ARE ADVISED TO TRAVEL VIA YEN CHOW STREET AND CHEUNG SHA WAN ROAD.
AT THE SAME TIME, MOTORISTS ON YEE KUK STREET HEADING FOR TONKIN STREET NORTHBOUND WILL TRAVEL VIA LAI CHI KOK ROAD EASTBOUND, YEN CHOW STREET AND CHEUNG SHA WAN ROAD.
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URBAN CLEARWAYS IN SHA TIN ♦ * ♦ *
THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCED THAT TWO ROAD SECTIONS IN SHA TIN WILL BE DESIGNATED URBAN CLEARWAYS FROM 10 AM ON FRIDAY (NOVEMBER 25).
SHAN MEI STREET BETWEEN ITS JUNCTION WITH FO TAN ROAD AND A POINT ABOUT 25 METRES SOUTH OF ITS JUNCTION WITH SUI FUNG LANE WILL BE MADE A 7 AM TO MIDNIGHT DAILY RESTRICTED ZONE.
IN ADDITION, THE NORTHERN CARRIAGEWAY OF SUI WO ROAD FROM ITS JUNCTION WITH THE ACCESS ROAD ADJACENT TO WING HING HOUSE, SUI WO COURT TO A POINT ABOUT 150 METRES EAST OF THE SAME JUNCTION WILL BECOME A PEAK HOUR (I.E. 7 - 10 AM AND 4-7 PM) DAILY RESTRICTED ZONE.
NO VEHICLES EXCEPT FRANCHISED BUSES WILL BE ALLOWED TO STOP FOR PASSENGERS OR GOODS WITHIN THE RESTRICTED AREAS.
/18........
TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 22, 1988
- 18 -
AUCTION OF SPECIAL CAR NUMBERS
*****
THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT WILL HOLD ANOTHER AUCTION OF SPECIAL VEHICLE REGISTRATION NUMBERS ON SATURDAY (NOVEMBER 26) AT THE CITY HALL RECITAL HALL. THE AUCTION WILL BEGIN AT 10 AM.
A TOTAL OF 40 SPECIAL CAR NUMBERS WILL BE AVAILABLE FOR BIDDING. THEY ARE:
DV1633 DX379 DK909 DY1231 DX3378 DY111 DW9998 DX3218 DD1188 DX219 DU 132 DX1129 AB233 DX119 AA1828 DK7744 DW638 DX116 DD92 BL155 DX9328 AR2000 DX339 DX1628 DD2233 DX3288 AL189 XX802 DX1283 AA935 DD1118 DK999 AJ263 DX8188 DW1123 DY787 DX997 CS100 DX3279 DX105
SUCCESSFUL BIDDERS MUST PAY 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, z
THE CERTIFICATE OF INCORPORATION MUST BE PRODUCED IMMEDIATELY AFTER THE AUCTION IF THE VEHICLE REGISTRATION MARK IS TO BE REGISTERED UNDER THE NAME OF A BODY CORPORATE.
PROCEEDS OF THE AUCTION WILL AS USUAL GO TO THE GOVERNMENT LOTTERIES FUND.
THE COMING AUCTION WILL BE THE 132ND ORGANISED BY THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT SINCE MAY 1973.
------0--------
FRESH WATER CUT IN TSZ WAN SHAN *****
THE WATER SUPPLIES DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCED TODAY (TUESDAY) THAT RESH WATER SUPPLY TO CERTAIN PREMISES IN TSZ WAN SHAN WILL BE SUSPENDED FOR WATER WORKS BETWEEN 11 PM ON THURSDAY (NOVEMBER 24) AND 6 AM THE NEXT DAY.
THE SUSPENSION WILL AFFECT ALL PREMISES IN THE AREA BOUNDED BY SHA TIN PASS ROAD, LUNG FUNG STREET, SHEUNG FUNG STREET, PO KONG LANE, PC KONG VILLAGE ROAD, FUNG TAK ROAD AND YING FUNG LANE.
- - 0 - -
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL.: 5-8428777
WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 2J, 1988
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL MEETING:
MAJORITY OF RENT INCREASES RELATIVELY MILE ................ 1
AG: PROPOSAL FORMALISES CONTROLS OVER FOREIGN LAWYERS ..... 2
NO HEALTH HAZARDS IN ROAD TUNNELS.......................... 4
STRICT CONTROL ON ASBESTOS REMOVAL ........................ 4
CONTAINER HANDLING: REVIEW OF REGULATIONS INTENDED ........ 5
REVIEW OF STATUTORY REQUIREMENTS FOR KINDERGARTENS ........ 6
STRIKING RIGHT BALANCE ON NEW SFC ......................... 7
INAPPROPRIATE TO COMMENT AT THIS STAGE .................... 8
VISA APPLICATIONS PROCESSED IN 2 TO 3 WEEKS ............... 8
MEASURES TAKEN TO ENSURE SCHOOL BUS SAFETY ............... 9
DISTRICT BOARD MEETING COSTS PUT AT 827,000 .............. 10
299 APPLICATIONS TO BUILD SMALL HOUSES IN NT.............. 10
BILLS ON WHITE PATER PROPOSALS INTRODUCED ................ 11
NEW PENSION SCHEME FOR JUDICIAL OFFICERS PROPOSED ........ 12
IMPROVED PROCEDURES ON PENSION APPEALS PROPOSED .......... 14
CHANGES IN APPROVED ESTIMATES ............................ 15
FIVE BILLS INTRODUCED .................................... 16
SECOND PAC SESSION TOMORROW............................... 17
FS TO OPEN SEAMEN'S TRAINING CENTRE......................... 18
ENTRY SCHEME FOR MACAU RESIDENTS ........................... 19
DB TO DISCUSS LICENSING GUIDELINES FOR GAMES CENTRES....... 19
SAI KUNG TO LAUNCH FIRST DISTRICT ARTS FESTIVAL............. 20
AP LEI CHAU AREA COMMITTEE TO HOLD SEMINAR ................. 21
WINNERS CHOSEN IN CLEAN /-ND GREEN PHOTO COMPETITION........ 22
TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS IN WESTERN DISTRICT, AND KWUN TONG.... 2?
URBAN CLEARWAYS IN HAVEN STREET............................. 2}
TEMPORARY CLOSURE OF EDINBURGH PLACE NORTH ................. 2J
I
1
WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 23, 1988
1
MAJORITY OF RENT INCREASES RELATIVELY MILD t » t » » »
THE MAJORITY OF RENT INCREASES FOR ALL CATEGORIES OF HOUSING AUTHORITY ESTATES IN MONEY TERMS ARE RELATIVELY MILD, THE SECRETARY FOR DISTRICT ADMINISTRATION, THE HON DONALD LIAO, SAID IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
MR LIAO WAS REPLYING TO A QUESTION FROM THE HON HUI YIN-FAT.
REFERRING TO ANOTHER PART OF MR HUI’S QUESTION, MR LIAO SAID IN EACH OF THE PAST FIVE YEARS ABOUT 60,000 OR 12 PER CENT OF HOUSEHOLDS IN RENTAL ESTATES PAID RENTS EXCEEDING 15 PER CENT OF THEIR INCOME. THESE OCCURRED MAINLY IN THE NEWER ESTATES.
"VERY FEW TENANTS HAD EXPRESSED DIFFICULTY IN PAYING THE NEW RENTS, THE LEVEL OF WHICH REPRESENTED ABOUT ONE THIRD OF MARKET RENTS," HE SAID.
MR LIAO ALSO NOTED THAT HOUSING DEPARTMENT STATISTICS SHOWED THAT OF THE TOTAL NUMBER OF OFFERS MADE TO PEOPLE AFFECTED BY CLEARANCES, TENANTS AFFECTED BY REDEVELOPMENT AND WAITING LIST APPLICANTS, IN LESS THAN ONE PER CENT OF THE CASES HAD CHEAPER ACCOMMODATION BEEN REQUESTED.
WHERE DIFFICULTY WAS EXPRESSED, THE HOUSING DEPARTMENT OFFERED THESE PEOPLE FLATS AT LOWER RENTS IN OTHER ESTATES, HE SAID.
IN THE CASE OF GENUINE DIFFICULTIES, THE HOUSING DEPARTMENT REFERRED THE PEOPLE CONCERNED TO THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT FOR PUBLIC ASSISTANCE.
IN THE LAST FINANCIAL YEAR, 14,500 FLATS WERE ALLOCATED TO SUCCESSFUL WAITING LIST APPLICANTS, MR LIAO SAID.
WHILE ABOUT 1.5 PER CENT OR 220 FAMILIES DECLINED THE OFFER OF NEW FLATS CHARGED AT RENTS WHICH EXCEEDED 15 PER CENT OF THEIR INCOME, ALL OF THEM WERE OFFERED, AND ACCEPTED, CHEAPER SELF-CONTAINED ACCOMMODATION IN OTHER ESTATES.
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WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 23, 1988
?
AG: PROPOSAL FORMALISES CONTROLS OVER FOREIGN LAWYERS
******
THE GOVERNMENT’S PROPOSAL ON FOREIGN LAW FIRMS IS DESIGNED TO ENSURE THAT ONLY FIRMS OF SUBSTANTIAL REPUTATION AND INTEGRITY ARE LICENSED TO PRACTISE IN HONG KONG, THE ATTORNEY GENERAL, THE HON JEREMY MATHEWS, TOLD THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
IT WAS ALSO THE GOVERNMENT’S AIM THAT ANY HONG KONG QUALIFIED SOLICITOR WHO PRACTISED HONG KONG LAW AS A PARTNER OR EMPLOYEE OF A FOREIGN LAW FIRM WAS HIMSELF, OR WAS CLOSELY SUPERVISED BY, A HONG KONG SOLICITOR OF SUBSTANTIAL EXPERIENCE AND STANDING.
REPLYING TO A QUESTION FROM THE HON SO CHAU YIM-PING, MR MATHEWS SAID HE BELIEVED IT WAS THE CONSEQUENCES OF THE PROPOSAL THAT MOST CONCERNED THE LAW SOCIETY.
HE SAID THE GOVERNMENT HAD MADE IT CLEAR THAT DETAILS OF IMPLEMENTATION WOULD NEED TO BE WORKED OUT TOGETHER WITH THE LAW SOCIETY.
"THIS EXERCISE WILL TAKE TIME, BUT I AM CONFIDENT THAT, WHEN THE EXERCISE IS COMPLETED, THE WORRIES EXPRESSED BY THE LAW SOCIETY WILL HAVE BEEN REMOVED," HE SAID.
HE SAID THE ISSUES TO BE ADDRESSED INCLUDED:
* THE CRITERIA TO BE SATISFIED BEFORE A FOREIGN LAW FIRM IS GIVEN A LICENSE TO PRACTISE IN HONG KONG;
* WHAT EVIDENCE \ FOREIGN LAW FIRM SHOULD BE REQUIRED TO PRODUCE IN SUPPORT OF ITS APPLICATION FOR A LICENCE;
* CONDITIONS TO BE IMPOSED UPON THE GRANTING OF A LICENCE;
* WHAT RECORDS SHOULD BE KEPT BY FOREIGN LAW FIRMS OF ADVICE GIVEN OR WORK DONE BY THEIR HONG KONG SOLICITORS ON HONG KONG LAW;
» TO WHOM THESE RECORDS SHOULD BE MADE AVAILABLE;
* POWERS TO IMPOSE SANCTIONS;
* COMPULSORY INSURANCE, AND, MOST IMPORTANTLY, THE RATIOS OF LOCAL PARTNERS TO FOREIGN PARTNERS AND OF LOCAL PARTNERS TO LOCAL SOLICITORS EMPLOYED.
MR MATHEWS SAID THAT FAR FROM RELAXING RESTRICTIONS ON THE PRACTICE OF LAW BY FOREIGN LAWYERS THE PROPOSAL WOULD IN FACT "FORMALISE AND TIGHTEN CONTROL OVER THEM".
HE SAID THAT FOR THE FIRST TIME A STATUTORY SYSTEM OF ADMISSION WITH CLEARLY DEFINED CRITERIA WAS BEING PROPOSED.
/MOREOVER, THE .......
WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 2J, 1988
- 3 -
MOREOVER, THE LAW SOCIETY WOULD HAVE SIMILAR POWERS OF DISCIPLINE OVER FOREIGN LAWYERS AS IT NOW HAD OVER LOCAL SOLICITORS.
ON THE SUGGESTION THAT THE PROPOSAL HAD BEEN MADE UNDER DIPLOMATIC PRESSURE OR THE THREAT OF TRADE SANCTIONS, THE ATTORNEY GENERAL SAID:
"THE GOVERNMENT DOES NOT NEED TO BE PRESSURISED OR THREATENED INTO DOING SOMETHING WHICH WE FIRMLY BELIEVE TO BE IN HONG KONG’S BEST INTERESTS.
"WHAT WE ARE PROPOSING HAS NOT BEEN THE RESULT OF DIPLOMATIC PRESSURE. IT IS TRUE THAT THE POSSIBILITY OF TRADE ACTION BEING SOUGHT WAS MENTIONED BY CERTAIN AMERICAN LAW FIRMS IN THEIR PETITION TO THE GOVERNOR.
"THAT THIS WAS DONE IS REGRETTABLE, BUT IT PLAYED NO PART IN THE GOVERNMENT’S DECISION.
"OUR PROPOSAL DOES NOT ONLY RELATE TO AMERICAN LAW FIRMS; IT WILL AFFECT LAW FIRMS FROM OTHER COUNTRIES AS WELL."
MR MATHEWS SAID THERE WERE SEVERAL FACTORS LEADING TO THE GOVERNMENT’S PROPOSAL TO PERMIT FOREIGN LAW FIRMS TO TAKE IN HONG KONG SOLICITORS AS EMPLOYEES OR PARTNERS TO PRACTISE HONG KONG LAW.
FIRST, THE GOVERNMENT BELIEVED THAT ENABLING FOREIGN LAW FIRMS TO PROVIDE FROM WITHIN THE FIRM AN INTEGRATED LEGAL SERVICE TO THEIR CLIENTS WOULD HELP STRENGTHEN HONG KONG’S POSITION AS A MAJOR INTERNATIONAL FINANCIAL AND COMMERCIAL CENTRE.
SECOND, SOME OF THE LARGER FIRMS OF HONG KONG SOLICITORS ALREADY PROVIDED THIS INTEGRATED SERVICE, ADVISING NOT ONLY ON THE LAW OF HONG KONG BUT ALSO ON THE LAWS OF THE UNITED KINGDOM, AMERICA, CHINA AND OTHERS.
THERE WERE NO VALID GROUNDS ON WHICH THE GOVERNMENT SHOULD PREVENT FOREIGN LAW FIRMS FROM COMPETING ON THE SAME BASIS.
THIRD, INTERNATIONALLY THERE WAS GROWING INTEREST IN THE INTEGRATION OF DOMESTIC AND FOREIGN LAWYERS TO PROVIDE MULTI-JURISDICTIONAL ADVICE WITHIN A SINGLE FIRM.
FINALLY, THE PROPOSAL WOULD ENHANCE EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES FOR HONG KONG SOLICITORS.
ON THE QUESTION OF CONSULTATION, MR MATHEWS SAID THE LAW SOCIETY WAS CONSULTED BEFORE A DECISION WAS REACHED.
THE PETITION FROM THE AMERICAN LAWYERS WAS REFERRED TO THE LAW SOCIETY FOR COMMENT AND THE SOCIETY RESPONDED WITH A FULL AND DETAILED SUBMISSION.
BOTH THE PETITION AND THE LAW SOCIETY’S SUBMISSION WERE CAREFULLY CONSIDERED BY THE GOVERNMENT.
-------o ---------
A ...
WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 23, 1988
- 4 -
NO HEALTH HAZARDS IN ROAD TUNNELS » ♦ * » *
THERE IS NO REASON TO BELIEVE THAT THERE ARE HEALTH HAZARDS IN ANY OF THE ROAD TUNNELS, BECAUSE THERE ARE SYSTEMS IN PLACE TO PROVIDE ADEQUATE PROTECTION.
THE SECRETARY FOR LANDS AND WORKS, THE HON GRAHAM BARNES, TOLD THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL THIS TODAY (WEDNESDAY) WHEN REPLYING TO A QUESTION FROM THE HON EDWARD HO.
MR HO HAD ASKED WHETHER THERE WAS A HEALTH HAZARD INVOLVED AS A RESULT OF PASSENGERS INHALING HARMFUL MOTOR CAR EXHAUSTS WHEN THE TUNNELS WERE CONGESTED.
’’THE AIR QUALITY INSIDE THE TUNNELS IS MAINTAINED WITHIN ACCEPTABLE LEVELS AT ALL TIMES, INCLUDING PEAK TRAFFIC CONDITIONS,” MR BARNES SAID.
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STRICT CONTROL ON ASBESTOS REMOVAL
*****
REMOVAL OF ASBESTOS IN PUBLIC BUILDINGS IS ENTRUSTED ONLY TO COMPANIES THAT HAVE THE EQUIPMENT AND THE EXPERTISE FOR DEALING WITH SUCH WORK SAFELY.
THEIR WORK IS SUPERVISED BY EITHER THE STAFF OF THE ARCHITECTURAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT OR THE HOUSING DEPARTMENT.
THE SECRETARY FOR LANDS AND WORKS, THE HON GRAHAM BARNES, TOLD THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL THIS TODAY (WEDNESDAY) IN REPLYING TO A QUESTION FROM THE HON TAM YIU-CHUNG.
MR BARNES SAID OPERATIONS TO REMOVE ASBESTOS IN THE PUBLIC SECTOR, INCLUDING HOUSING AUTHORITY BUILDINGS, WERE GOVERNED BY PARTICULAR SPECIFICATIONS AND CONDITIONS OF CONTRACT CLEARLY SPELT OUT AT THE TIME SUCH A WORKS CONTRACT WAS AWARDED.
IN THE PRIVATE SECTOR, ASBESTOS REMOVAL COMPANIES WERE REQUIRED TO COMPLY WITH THE FACTORIES AND INDUSTRIAL UNDERTAKINGS (ASBESTOS) SPECIAL REGULATIONS AND CODES OF PRACTICE ISSUED BY THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT.
"WHERE NECESSARY, SPECIAL PRECAUTIONARY NOTICES ARE ALSO ISSUED TO THE COMPANIES UNDER THE FACTORIES AND INDUSTRIAL UNDERTAKINGS ORDINANCE," HE SAID.
/"UNDER THESE........
WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER ?3, 1988
- 5 -
NDER THESE REGULATIONS ALL DEMOLITION OPERATIONS IN BOTH ND PUBLIC SECTOR WORKS INVOLVING ASBESTOS MUST BE REPORTED ■’ the labour department.
MJ KNOWN WORKS ARE SUBJECT TO CLOSE SURVEILLANCE BY THE I’HE DEPARTMENT’S FACTORY INSPECTORATE DIVISION AND THE 1 ‘XL HEALTH DIVISION OF THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT TO ENSURE THAT REQUIREMENTS ARE OBSERVED.
IIIINGS ARE USUALLY HELD WITH THE COMPANIES PRIOR TO E :ENT ON THE METHODS TO BE USED AND PRECAUTIONARY MEASURES TO BE TAKEN.”
BARNES SAID THAT WHILE THE WORK WAS IN PROGRESS, FREQUENT IS ITS WERE MADE TO MONITOR THE LEVEL OF ASBESTOS IN THE AIR.
Ill DEPARTMENT GIVES A HIGH PRIORITY TO THIS WORK,” HE ADDED.
-------0----------
IAINER HANDLING: REVIEW OF REGULATIONS INTENDED
*****
COMMISSIONER FOR LABOUR WILL BE ASKED 1 M S CONCERNING THE HANDLING OF CONTAINERS TO I ROVED IN ANY WAY, INCLUDING THE POSSIBILITY ' i '’’ TORY HEIGHT RESTRICTIONS.
TO REVIEW THE
SEE WHETHER THEY OF INTRODUCING
HUS WAS STATED BY THE SECRETARY FOR
•N RON BRIDGE, IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCI TO A QUESTION FROM THE HON HO SA I-(’HU.
EDUCATION AND MANPOWER, L TODAY (WEDNESDAY), IN
MR BRIDGE SAID THE HANDLING OF CONTAINERS WAS SUBJECT TO THE 11 ■’ AN,) INDUSTRIAL UNDERTAKINGS ORDINANCE AND TWO SETS OF ATIONS MADE UNDER IT.
IHlsSE ARE I’HE (’ARGO HANDLING REGULATIONS AND LIFTING \NCES AND LIFTING GEAR REGULATIONS, WHICH PROVIDE FOR SUCH I ' RS AS MAINTENANCE OF EQUIPMENT, SAFE METHODS OF OPERATION SAFE ; 1 TIONS0” ’ HEHS Xi’d^131^ Ol F,RSr AH) EAC1 AND OTHER SAFETY
MR BRIDGE NOTED THAT THESE REGULATIONS DID NOT AT PRESENT H !• I GUT RESTR I CT IONS FOR THE STACK I NG OF CONTA I NERS .
/TN ADDITION .......
WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 23, 1988
- 6
ADDITION TO THE NORMAL ENFORCEMENT BY THE FACTORY ATE, MR BRIDGE SAID SAFETY WAS ALSO MONITORED BY THE CENTRAL >? HANDLING SAFETY COMMITTEE WHICH INCLUDED REPRESENTATIVES ” UOR CONTAINER DEPOTS, CONTAINER REPAIR FIRMS, THE MARINE > FITMENT AND THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT.
"THE COMMITTEE ORGANISES ANNUAL SAFETY PROMOTIONAL PROGRAMMES ICED BY THE INDUSTRY AND HAS COMPILED A BOOKLET ENTITLED ’SAFE ICES FOR CONTAINER HANDLING’ WHICH SETS OUT GUIDELINES FOR THE 1 HANDLING, MAINTENANCE AND REPAIR OF CONTAINERS," HE SAID.
-----0-----
REVIEW OF STATUTORY REQUIREMENTS FOR KINDERGARTENS
*****
THE STATUTORY REQUIREMENTS ON THE OPERATION OF KINDERGARTENS ' UNDER REVIEW, THE SECRETARY FOR EDUCATION AND MANPOWER, THE BRIDGE, TOLD THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
REPLYING TO A QUESTION FROM THE HON PAUL CHENG, MR BRIDGE SAID HiPGARTENS, WHETHER PROFIT-MAKING OR NOT, WERE REQUIRED TO WITH THE EDUCATION ORDINANCE AND THE EDUCATION REGULATIONS.
'THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT’S 1984 MANUAL OF KINDERGARTEN TICE SERVES TWO PURPOSES: TO DRAW ATTENTION TO THE MAIN STATUTORY I DEMENTS AND TO ADVISE OPERATORS ON GOOD EDUCATIONAL PRACTICE.
"NO CHANGES HAVE BEEN MADE IN THE LEGISLATION SINCE 1984, SO MANUAL STILL ACCURATELY REFLECTS THE CRITERIA WHICH MUST BE MET A KINDERGARTEN CAN BE REGISTERED," MR BRIDGE SAID.
THE CRITERIA IN THE MANUAL RELATING TO GOOD PRACTICE HAD BEEN ' UP BY THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT WITH THE ADVICE OF THE MEDICAL i HEALTH, FIRE SERVICES AND SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENTS.
THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT’S INSPECTORS VISITED EACH M‘ 111 (■'GARTEN TWICE A YEAR TO ENSURE THAT STATUTORY REQUIREMENTS WERE i 'G MET, AND TO ADVISE ON GOOD EDUCATIONAL PRACTICE, HE ADDED.
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WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 23, 1988
STRIKING RIGHT BALANCE ON NEW SFC
*****
IN FORMING THE NEW SECURITIES AND FUTURES COMMISSION, THE GOVERNMENT’S INTENTION IS TO STRIKE THE RIGHT BALANCE BET i.EN THE NEED FOR ADEQUATE POWERS TO CURB MARKET ABUSES AND THE NEE!' TO PRESERVE CIVIL LIBERTIES, THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY, THE HON 1'IERS JACOBS, SAID IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
IN REPLY TO A QUESTION FROM THE HON RONALD ARCULLI, MR JACOBS SAID IT WAS THE GOVERNMENT’S INTENTION ALSO TO STRIKE THE RIGHT BALANCE BETWEEN THE DESIRE TO ENCOURAGE THE GROWTH OF MARKETS AND THE NEED TO ENSURE THAT THEY DID NOT GET OUT OF CONTROL.
"AND LASTLY, IN RELATION TO THE FUNDING OF THE NEW COMMISSION, IT IS OUR INTENTION TO STRIKE THE RIGHT BALANCE BETWEEN THE INTERESTS OF THE MARKET USERS ON THE ONE HAND AND THE PUBLIC PURSE ON THE OTHER," HE SAID.
MR JACOBS SAID THE GOVERNMENT WAS IN THE PROCESS OF PREPARING LEGISLATION FOR THE ESTABLISHMENT OF THE SECURITIES AND FUTURES COMMISSION AND HAD BEEN CONSULTING VARIOUS MARKET ORGANISATIONS, PROFESSIONAL BODIES AND ADVISORY COMMITTEES ON THE MAJOR LEGISLATIVE PROPOSALS.
HE ADDED THAT FUNDING ARRANGEMENTS AND BUDGETARY AND MANPOWER REQUIREMENTS FOR THE NEW COMMISSION WERE ALSO BEING CONSIDERED IN SOME DETAIL.
"WE SHALL ENSURE THAT ALL VIEWS, INCLUDING VIEWS ON THE ROLE OF THE COMMISSION AND ITS RELATIONSHIP WITH THE EXCHANGES AND OTHER RELEVANT PARTIES, ARE PROPERLY TAKEN INTO ACCOUNT IN THE PROCESS OF PREPARING THE DRAFT LEGISLATION,” MR JACOBS SAID.
"WE AIM TO SUBMIT A BILL TO THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL FOR ADVICE IN THE NEAR FUTURE. THEREAFTER, THE BILL WILL BE INTRODUCED INTO THIS COUNCIL," HE ADDED.
FULL DETAILS OF THE FUNDING PACKAGE WOULD BE GIVEN, AND WHERE NECESSARY THE APPROVAL OF’ THE FINANCE COMMITTEE WOULD BE SOUGH I , HE SAID.
WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 23, 1988
- 8 -
INAPPROPRIATE TO COMMENT AT THIS STAGE *****
WHILST SEVERAL ELECTION PETITIONS ARE BEFORE THE COURTS, IT WOULD NOT BE APPROPRIATE TO COMMENT ON THE ISSUES INVOLVED, THE CHIEF SECRETARY, THE HON SIR DAVID FORD, TOLD THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL IODAY (WEDNESDAY).
SIR DAVID WAS REPLYING TO A QUESTION BY THE HON CHEUNG YAN-LUNG.
MR CHEUNG HAD ASKED WHETHER THE GOVERNMENT WOULD CONSIDER REVIEWING RELEVANT PROVISIONS IN THE ELECTORAL PROVISIONS ORDINANCE TN THE LIGHT OF A RECENT HIGH COURT RULING IN RELATION TO THE HOLDING OF TEMPORARY PUBLIC OFFICE BY A DISTRICT BOARD MEMBER.
"THE RULING REFERRED TO BY MR CHEUNG IS TO THE EFFECT THAT HOLDER OF A JUDICIAL OFFICE IS THE HOLDER OF A PUBLIC OFFICE, AND THEREFORE DISQUALIFIED UNDER THE LAW FROM STANDING FOR A ELECTION BEING ELECTED AS A MEMBER OF A DISTRICT BOARD," SIR DAVID SAID.
THE
IS
OR
HE EXPLAINED THAT THIS RULING WAS CONSISTENT WITH THE GOVERNMENT’S POLICY THAT MEMBERS OF THE JUDICIAL SERVICE AND OF THE CIVIL SERVICE SHOULD NOT SEEK POLITICAL OFFICE THROUGH ELECTION.
"THIS POLICY IS AIMED AT AVOIDING CONFLICTS OF INTEREST AND ENSURING THE SEPARATION OF ROLES OF THE LEGISLATURE, THE JUDICIARY AND THE EXECUTIVE,” HE ADDED.
-----0------
VISA APPLICATIONS PROCESSED IN 2 TO 3 WEEKS
*****
THE AVERAGE TIME TAKEN BY THE IMMIGRATION DEPARTMENT TO PROCESS THE VISA APPLICATIONS OF TAIWAN VISITORS IS ABOUT TWO TO THREE WEEKS, THE SECRETARY FOR SECURITY, THE HON GEOFFREY BARNER, INFORMED THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
"IT IS NOT LONGER THAN THAT FOR VISITORS FROM MR BARNES ADDED IN A WRITTEN REPLY TO \ QUESTION TAM YIU-CHUNG.
OTHER AREAS,.”
FROM THE HON
WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 23, 1988
- 9 -
MEASURES TAKEN TO ENSURE SCHOOL BUS SAFETY * * * * »
THE GOVERNMENT HAD INTRODUCED A NUMBER OF MEASURES IN 1986 TO ENSURE THE SAFETY OF SCHOOL PRIVATE LIGHT BUSES, THE SECRETARY FOR TRANSPORT, THE HON MICHAEL LEUNG, INFORMED THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
IN A WRITTEN REPLY TO A QUESTION FROM THE HON ROSANNA TAM, MR LEUNG SAID THAT SINCE JANUARY 1986, ALL SCHOOL PRIVATE BUSES HAD BEEN COMPULSORILY INSPECTED ANNUALLY BEFORE RELICENSING.
DRIVERS WERE ALSO REQUIRED TO HAVE A PRIVATE CAR DRIVING LICENCE FOR AT LEAST THREE YEARS BEFORE THEY COULD BE LICENSED TO DRIVE SCHOOL LIGHT BUSES.
UNDER THE ROAD TRAFFIC (TRAFFIC CONTROL) REGULATIONS, DRIVERS HAD TO ENSURE THAT PASSENGERS ENTERED AND LEFT THE VEHICLE IN SAFETY AND THAT THE VEHICLE DID NOT CARRY EXCESS PASSENGERS.
HE SAID THAT SINCE 1986 TWO ADDITIONAL SAFETY REQUIREMENTS HAD BEEN INTRODUCED FOLLOWING A REVIEW.
FIRST, THESE VEHICLES WERE REQUIRED TO HAVE A YELLOW-STRIPE MARKING ON ALL SIDES AND INCLUDE THE WORDS "SCHOOL PRIVATE LIGHT BUS" IN ENGLISH AND CHINESE.
ON THE REAR, THE SIGN "CHILDREN" MUST BE PLACED IN THE CENTRE OF THE YELLOW-STRIPE.
THE PURPOSE WAS TO IDENTIFY SCHOOL PRIVATE LIGHT BUSES MORE CLEARLY AND THUS WARN OTHER ROAD USERS OF THE LIKELY PRESENCE OF YOUNG CHILDREN IN THE VICINITY OF THESE VEHICLES.
SECOND, ALL VEHICLES, INCLUDING SCHOOL PRIVATE LIGHT BUSES, WERE REQUIRED TO BE FITTED WITH BLINKING HAZARD LIGHTS TO WARN OTHER ROAD USERS.
MR LEUNG SAID THAT APART FROM THE LEGAL REQUIREMENTS, THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT REGULARLY ISSUED CIRCULARS TO ALL SCHOOLS ON THE PROPER SUPERVISION OF CHILDREN CARRIED IN SCHOOL TRANSPORT.
ON THE NUMBER OF OFFENCES INVOLVING EXCESS PASSENGERS BEING CARRIED BY SCHOOL PRIVATE LIGHT BUSES, MR LEUNG SAID POLICE RECORDS DID NOT SHOW A SEPARATE BREAKDOWN FOR SUCH BUSES.
THE NUMBER OF PROSECUTIONS BY SUMMONS AGAINST DRIVERS OF THE BROADER CATEGORY OF PRIVATE LIGHT BUSES WAS VERY SMALL - FOUR IN 1985 AND NONE SINCE 1986.
IN TERMS OF FIXED PENALTIES, POLICE RECORDS ONLY SHOWED SUCH OFFENCES FOR ALL VEHICLES.
THE NUMBER OF SUCH OFFENCES COMMITTED BY DRIVERS OF SCHOOL PRIVATE LIGHT BUSES WAS NOT READILY AVAILABLE BUT WAS BELIEVED TO BE RELATIVELY SMALL, MR LEUNG ADDED.
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/1O........
WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 23, 1988
10 -
DISTRICT BOARD MEETING COSTS PUT AT $27,000 ♦ ♦♦♦**
THE ADMINISTRATIVE AND STAFF COSTS INVOLVED IN HOLDING A DISTRICT BOARD MEETING AMOUNT TO AN ESTIMATED $27,000, THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL WAS TOLD TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
THE COSTS FOR A DISTRICT BOARD COMMITTEE MEETING AMOUNT TO AN ESTIMATED $13,000.
THESE FIGURES WERE GIVEN BY THE SECRETARY FOR DISTRICT ADMINISTRATION, THE HON DONALD LIAO, IN A WRITTEN REPLY TO A QUESTION FROM THE HON TAI CHIN-WAH.
MR LIAO SAID THAT ON AVERAGE A MEETING OF A DISTRICT BOARD TOOK ABOUT FOUR AND A HALF HOURS AND A DISTRICT BOARD COMMITTEE MEETING TOOK ABOUT THREE HOURS.
THE ESTIMATED COSTS WERE CALCULATED ON THIS BASIS AND IN THE LIGHT OF THE AVERAGE STAFFING AND ADMINISTRATIVE SUPPORT PROVIDED FOR THESE MEETINGS, HE EXPLAINED.
------0-------
299 APPLICATIONS TO BUILD SMALL HOUSES IN NT *****
A TOTAL OF 299 APPLICATIONS FOR LICENCES TO BUILD ’’SMALL HOUSES” IN THE NEW TERRITORIES HAD BEEN RECEIVED BETWEEN OCTOBER 1 LAST YEAR AND SEPTEMBER 30 THIS YEAR, THE SECRETARY FOR LANDS AND WORKS, THE HON GRAHAM BARNES, INFORMED THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
OF THESE APPLICATIONS, 81 HAD BEEN APPROVED SO FAR, MR BARNES SAID IN A WRITTEN REPLY TO A QUESTION FROM THE HON TAI CHIN-WAH.
MR TAI HAD ASKED HOW MANY APPLICATIONS FOR LICENCES TO BUILD SMALL HOUSES HAD BEEN RECEIVED SINCE PASSAGE Ob THE BUILDINGS ORDINANCE (APPLICATION TO THE NEW TERRITORIES) BILL 1986.
MR BARNES SAID THE LOCALITIES APPLIED FOR WERE TUEN MUN, YUEN LONG AND SAI KUNG.
"AS IT TAKES AT LEAST SIX TO NINE MONTHS TO PROCESS AN APPLICATION, MANY OF THOSE SUBMITTED IN THE LATTER PART OF THIS 12-MONTH PERIOD ARE STILL BEING PROCESSED,” HE SAID.
’’DURING THE SAME PERIOD, A TOTAL Ob 236 APPROVALS WERE ISSUED WHICH INCLUDES APPLICATIONS SUBMITTED BEFORE OCTOBER 1, 1987,” HE ADDED.
------O--------
/11 .....
WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 23, 1988
11
BILLS ON WHITE PAPER PROPOSALS INTRODUCED
THREE BILLS SEEKING TO IMPLEMENT PROPOSALS IN THE 1988 WHITE PAPER, ’’THE DEVELOPMENT OF REPRESENTATIVE GOVERNMENT: THE WAY FORWARD”, WERE INTRODUCED INTO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
THE BILLS ARE THE URBAN COUNCIL (AMENDMENT) BILL 1988, THE REGIONAL COUNCIL (AMENDMENT) BILL 1988 AND THE DISTRICT BOARD (AMENDMENT) (NO. 2) BILL 1988.
IN MOVING THAT EACH BILL BE GIVEN A SECOND READING, THE CHIEF SECRETARY, THE HON SIR DAVID FORD, EXPLAINED THE THREE MAIN AREAS IN WHICH THE BILLS WOULD BRING CHANGES.
’’FIRST, FROM APRIL 1, 1989, THE MEMBERSHIP OF THE URBAN COUNCIL WILL BE EXPANDED TO INCLUDE ONE REPRESENTATIVE FROM EACH OF THE 10 DISTRICT BOARDS IN THE URBAN COUNCIL AREA,” HE SAID.
"SECONDLY, URBAN COUNCIL MEMBERS WILL CEASE TO BE EX-OFFICIO MEMBERS OF URBAN DISTRICT BOARDS.”
THIRDLY, SIR DAVID SAID THE TENURE OF THE MEMBERS OF THE TWO MUNICIPAL COUNCILS TO BE ELECTED IN MARCH 1989 WOULD BE ADJUSTED FROM THE NORMAL THREE YEARS TO TWO YEARS AND TWO WEEKS TO PREPARE FOR THE INTRODUCTION OF A NEW SEQUENCE OF ELECTIONS.
"THE INTENTION IS THAT, AFTER 1991, ELECTIONS TO THE DISTRICT BOARDS, THE TWO MUNICIPAL COUNCILS, AND THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL WILL BE HELD IN THAT ORDER WITHIN A PERIOD OF 12 MONTHS," HE SAID.
"THIS SEQUENCE WILL FACILITATE ELECTIONS OF REPRESENTATIVES TO THE SUCCESSIVE TIERS OF GOVERNMENT, THAT IS THE ELECTION OF REPRESENTATIVES FROM THE DISTRICT BOARDS TO THE MUNICIPAL COUNCILS AND FROM THE MUNICIPAL COUNCILS TO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL.”
THE URBAN COUNCIL (AMENDMENT) BILL ALSO PROVIDED FOR A NUMBER OF TECHNICAL AND CONSEQUENTIAL AMENDMENTS, SIR DAVID SAID.
IT AMENDED THE CORRUPT AND ILLEGAL PRACTICES ORDINANCE SO THAT THE ORDINANCE WOULD BE APPLIED TO THE ELECTION OF REPRESENTATIVE MEMBERS TO THE TWO MUNICIPAL COUNCILS.
< THE BILL ALSO AMENDED THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL (ELECTORAL PROVISIONS) ORDINANCE TO INCLUDE REPRESENTATIVE MEMBERS OF THE URBAN DISTRICT BOARDS ON THE URBAN COUNCIL IN THE URBAN COUNCIL SPECIAL CONSTITUENCY FOR THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL ELECTIONS.
"I SHALL BE SEEKING A FURTHER AMENDMENT AT THE COMMITTEE STAGE TO COVER TWO TECHNICAL POINTS WHICH WERE INADVERTENTLY OMITTED FROM THE BILL,” SIR DAVID CONTINUED.
/ONE POINT .......
™ .’»• .- ..
WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 23, 1988
■ ' ■■-. .. ■■■< ri
1? -
ONE POINT WAS THAT THE TERMS OF THE CHAIRMEN AND VICE-CHAIRMEN OF THE TWO MUNICIPAL COUNCILS ELECTED IN THE NEXT ELECTIONS NEEDED TO BE EXTENDED BY TWO WEEKS IN LINE WITH THE TENURE OF MEMBERS.
THE OTHER WAS THAT THE QUORUM FOR A MEETING OF THE URBAN COUNCIL OR OF ITS STANDING COMMITTEE NEEDED TO BE INCREASED IN PROPORTION TO THE EXPANDED MEMBERSHIP.
SPEAKING ON THE AMENDMENT BILL CONCERNING DISTRICT BOARDS, SIR DAIVD SAID HE WOULD SEEK ANOTHER AMENDMENT AT THE COMMITTEE STAGE TO MAKE CLEAR THAT THE NEW ARRANGEMENTS WOULD NOT COME INTO EFFECT UNTIL APRIL 1989.
DEBATES ON THE BILLS WERE ADJOURNED.
--------0----------
NEW PENSION SCHEME
FOR JUDICIAL OFFICERS PROPOSED * * * * *
A BILL PROVIDING FOR THE INTRODUCTION OF A NEW PENSION SCHEME FOR JUDICIAL OFFICERS AND MAKING A NUMBER OF CONSEQUENTIAL AMENDMENTS TO EXISTING ORDINANCES CONTAINING REFERENCES TO PENSION MATTERS WAS INTRODUCED INTO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
THE CHIEF SECRETARY, THE HON SIR DAVID FORD, TOLD THE COUNCIL THE GOVERNMENT HAD DEVISED A PACKAGE OF NEW ARRANGEMENTS TO ENCOURAGE MORE LOCAL LAWYERS TO SEEK JUDICIAL OFFICE AND TO RETAIN STAFF OF HIGH QUALITY.
THESE ARRANGEMENTS INCLUDED A NEW PENSION SCHEME, AS WELL AS THE ESTABLISHMENT OF A SEPARATE PAY SCALE FOR JUDICIAL OFFICERS, SIR DAVID SAID IN MOVING THE SECOND READING OF THE PENSION BENEFITS (JUDICIAL OFFICERS) BILL 1988.
THE BILL WAS LARGELY MODELLED ON THE PENSION BENEFITS ORDINANCE WHICH GOVERNED THE NEW CIVIL SERVICE PENSION SCHEME.
"THE JUDICIARY HAS BEEN PREDOMINANTLY EXPATRIATE BUT THE LACK OF LOCAL RECRUITS CERTAINLY DOES NOT REFLECT VI. SHORTAGE OF TALENT AMONGST PRACTISING MEMBERS OF THE LEGAL PROFESSION,’ HE SAID.
SIR DAVID EXPLAINED THAT THERE WERE TWO MAIN ELEMENTS IN III! NEW PENSION SCHEME WHICH CONCERNED ESSENTIALLY THE RETIREMENT AGE XND PENSION ARRANGEMENTS FOR JUDICIAL OFFICERS.
HE POINTED OUT THAT THE RETIREMENT AGE AS SPECIFIED IN THE LETTERS PATENT REMAINED AT 65 FOR SUPREME COURT JUDGES.
/IN THE .......
WENDESDAY, NOVEMBER 23, 1988
IN THE CASE OF DISTRICT COURT JUDGES, IT HAD BEEN RAISED FROM 60 TO 65 FOR THOSE APPOINTED ON OR AFTER JANUARY 1, 1987, BUT REMAINED AT 60 FOR THOSE APPOINTED BEFORE THAT DATE.
"THE PRESENT BILL PROVIDES THAT THE RETIREMENT AGE WILL. EE RAISED TO 65 FOR THE REGISTRAR AND DEPUTY REGISTRAR OF THE SUPREME COURT, AND 60 FOR ASSISTANT REGISTRARS, MEMBER, LANDS TRIBUNAL, JUDICIAL OFFICERS PRESIDING OVER SPECIALISED TRIBUNALS AND MAGISTRATES," HE SAID.
ON THE PENSION ARRANGEMENTS FOR JUDICIAL OFFICERS WHICH MIRRORED THE NEW PENSION SCHEME FOR THE CIVIL SERVICE, SIR DAVID SAID TWO SPECIAL FEATURES WOULD BE INTRODUCED.
FIRST, PENSION SERVICE WOULD INCREASE AT THE RATE OF ONE MONTH FOR EACH MONTH OF SERVICE AFTER THE AGE OF 50; AND SECONDLY, A MINIMUM PENSION EQUIVALENT TO ONE QUARTER OF SALARY WOULD BE GRANTED TO OFFICERS RETIRED ON MEDICAL GROUNDS.
"THE SPECIAL PROVISION UNDER CLAUSE 25 WILL DOUBLE THE STANDARD PENSION EARNINGS RATE OVER THE AGE OF 50. HOWEVER, SERVICE BELOW 50 WILL CONTINUE TO EARN PENSION AT THE STANDARD RATE.
"THE OTHER SPECIAL FEATURE IN CLAUSE 16 GUARANTEES THAT OFFICERS RETIRED WITH SHORT SERVICE ON GROUNDS OF ILL HEALTH WILL RECEIVE A MINIMUM PENSION EQUIVALENT TO ONE-QUARTER OF SALARY.
"THIS BROADLY FOLLOWS UNITED KINGDOM PRACTICE TO ENSURE THAT SUCH OFFICERS WILL RECEIVE A REASONABLE SUM IN PENSION BENEFITS," SIR DAVID SAID.
SIR DAVID EXPLAINED THAT THESE PROPOSALS RECOGNISED THAT JUDICIAL OFFICERS WERE NORMALLY APPOINTED LATER IN LIFE AND THAT, UNDER EXISTING ARRANGEMENTS, THEY WERE UNABLE EITHER TO PURSUE A LONG CAREER OR EARN A SATISFACTORY PENSION.
"BECAUSE IT IS DESIRABLE THAT ONLY LAWYERS WITH ADEQUATE EXPERIENCE ARE APPOINTED TO JUDICIAL OFFICE, THOSE WHO JOIN THE JUDICIARY ARE 10 TO 15 YEARS OLDER THAN THEIR PUBLIC SERVICE COUNTERPARTS.
"THIS IS PERCEIVED AS ONE OF THE FACTORS DETERRING SUITABLE LOCAL CANDIDATES FROM COMING FORWARD," SIR DAVID SAID.
"IT IS IMPORTANT THAT THE MORE SENIOR PRACTITIONERS ARE ENCOURAGED TO SEEK JUDICIAL OFFICE AND THAT THEY ARE NOT DETERRED BY THEIR INABILITY TO EARN A WORTHWHILE PENSION.
"THE NEW ARRANGEMENTS ARE THEREFORE ESSENTIAL TO ACHIEVE THIS."
SIR DAVID ADDED THAT THE BILL PROVIDED THAT JUDICIAL OFFICERS APPOINTED AFTER THE INTRODUCTION OF THE SCHEMA V GUL? BE ENGAGED ON THESE NEW TERMS.
/SERVING OFFICERS........
WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 2?, 1988
14
SERVING OFFICERS MIGHT APPLY TO TRANSFER TO THE NEW SCHEME OR REMAIN ON THE EXISTING SCHEME AS THEY PREFERRED.
"THE BILL IS LARGELY MODELLED ON THE PENSION BENEFITS ORDINANCE WHICH GOVERNS THE NEW CIVIL SERVICE PENSION SCHEME.
"BUT IN ORDER TO REFLECT THE INDEPENDENCE OF THE JUDICIARY, SEPARATE LEGISLATION IS PROPOSED AND CLAUSES 1 TO 38 OF THE BILL GIVE EFFECT TO THE NEW SCHEME," SIR DAVID SAID.
THE REMAINING CLAUSES 39 TO 57 OF THE BILL ALSO MADE CONSEQUENTIAL AMENDMENTS TO A NUMBER OF ORDINANCES TO EXTEND THE APPLICATION OF THESE ORDINANCES TO JUDICIAL OFFICERS WHO CAME UNDER THE NEW PENSION SCHEME.
THESE WERE TO ENSURE THAT DOUBLE BENEFITS WERE NOT PAYABLE UNDER THE EXISTING AND NEW PENSION SCHEMES IN RESPECT OF THE SAME PERIOD OF SERVICE, SIR DAVID SAID.
DEBATE ON THE BILL WAS ADJOURNED.
-------0 - - - -
IMPROVED PROCEDURES ON PENSION APPEALS PROPOSED
*****
A BILL PROPOSING IMPROVED PROCEDURES IN RESPECT OF APPEALS BY PUBLIC OFFICERS RELATING TO DECISIONS TO SUSPEND, REDUCE, CANCEL OR NOT TO GRANT PENSION BENEFITS WAS INTRODUCED INTO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
MOVING THE SECOND READING OF THE PENSION BENEFITS (REFUSAL TO GRANT, SUSPENSION, REDUCTION AND CANCELLATION) BILL 1988, THE CHIEF SECRETARY, THE HON SIR DAVID FORD, SAID THE PROPOSALS AROSE FROM A REQUEST FROM STAFF.
THEY WERE ALSO IN KEEPING WITH THE PRINCIPLE THAT PUBLIC OFFICERS WERE ENTITLED TO THEIR PENSIONS AS A MATTER OF RIGHT, HE SAID.
SIR DAVID SAID THAT UNDER THE PROPOSED NEW ARRANGEMENTS, THE OFFICER CONCERNED WOULD BE NOTIFIED OF THE INTENTION TO REFUSE TO GRANT, CANCEL, SUSPEND OR REDUCE HIS PENSION BENEFITS, AND GIVEN AN OPPORTUNITY TO SUBMIT REPRESENTATIONS.
"THESE REPRESENTATIONS WILL BE TAKEN INTO ACCOUNT BEFORE A DECISION IS MADE.
"ANY OFFICER AGGRIEVED BY SUCH A DECISION MAY PETITION THE GOVERNOR," HE SAID.
/SIR DAVID........
3
WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 2J, 1988
S!R DAVID SAID THAT ON RECEIVING THE PETITION : REQUIRE AN APPEAL PANEL TO CONSIDER THE PETITION.'
"HE WILL THEN TAKE A PINAL DECISION ON THE GARD TO THE APPEAL PANEL’S REPORT," HE SAID.
PETITION HAVING
THE APPEAL PANEL WOULD CQNSIST OF THREE MEMBERS 'll- GOVERNOR, ONE TO BE A MEMBER OF THE JUDICIARY : ROFESSION, ANOTHER A JUSTICE OF THE PEACE WHO WAS 'ICER, AND THE THIRD A LAYMAN.
THE GOVERNOR
APPOINTED BY OR THE LEGAL NOT A PUBLIC
DEBATE ON THE BILL WAS ADJOURNED.
-------0---------
CHANGES IN APPROVED ESTIMATES * * * »
A SUMMARY Oh ALL CHANGES MADE TO THE APPROVED ESTIMATES OF PLNDJTURE FOR THE FIRST QUARTER OF THE 1988-89 FINANCIAL YEAR WAS ' '!) BY THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY, THE HON PIERS JACOBS, IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
MR JACOBS SAID SUPPLEMENTARY PROVISION OF $292.2 MILLION WAS APPROVED.
IT WAS FULLY OFFSET EITHER BY SAVINGS UNDER THE SAME HEAD OF EXPENDITURE OR BY THE DELETION OF FUNDS UNDER THE ADDITIONAL COMMITMENTS SUBHEADS.
THIS INCLUDED $176.7 MILLION FOR THE RECEPTION, MANAGEMENT, 'PURITY AND MAINTENANCE OF THE VIETNAMESE BOAT PEOPLE IN THE VARIOUS ENTRES, AND $56 MILLION FOR A CAPITAL CONTRIBUTION TO THE CHINESE WATER AUTHORITY.
APPROVED NON-RECURRENT COMMITMENTS WERE INCREASED BY $801.4 MILLION DURING THE PERIOD, AND NEW NON-RECURRENT COMMITMENTS OF $63.7 MILLION WERE ALSO APPROVED.
IN THE SAME PERIOD, A NET INCREASE OF 2,692 POSTS WAS APPROVED.
MR JACOBS SAID ITEMS IN THE SUMMARY HAD BEEN APPROVED EITHER HU FINANCE COMMITTEE OR UNDER DELEGATED AUTHORITY.
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/16........
WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 23, 1988
- 16 -
FIVE BILLS INTRODUCED t t t
'IVE BILLS WERE INTRODUCED INTO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
THE FIVE BILLS ARE THE DISTRICT BOARDS (AMENDMENT) (NO.2) IB:, REGIONAL COUNCIL (AMENDMENT) BILL 1988, URBAN COUNCIL •FIENT) BILL 1988, PENSION BENEFITS (JUDICIAL OFFICERS) BILL 1988 !' 'ENSION BENEFITS (REFUSAL TO GRANT, SUSPENSION, REDUCTION AND AT ION) RILL 1988.
DEBATES ON THE BILLS WERE ADJOURNED.
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WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 23, 1988
- 17 -
SECOND PAC SESSION TOMORROW *****
THE SECOND SESSION OF THIS YEAR’S OPEN HEARINGS OF THE PUBLIC ACCOUNTS COMMITTEE WILL START AT 9.30 AM TOMORROW (THURSDAY) IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL CHAMBER.
APPEARING BEFORE THE COMMITTEE TO ANSWER POINTS RAISED IN THE DIRECTOR OF AUDIT’S ANNUAL REPORT WILL BE:
THE DEPUTY SECRETARY FOR LANDS AND WORKS, THE SECRETARY FOR HEALTH AND WELFARE, THE DIRECTOR OF BUILDINGS AND LANDS, THE SECRETARY FOR ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES AND INFORMATION, THE SECRETARY FOR THE CIVIL SERVICE AND THE SECRETARY FOR SECURITY.
THE TIMETABLE FOR TOMORROW’S HEARING IS AS FOLLOWS:
9.30 AM DEPUTY SECRETARY FOR LANDS AND WORKS,
SECRETARY FOR HEALTH AND WELFARE AND DIRECTOR OF BUILDING AND LANDS, PARAGRAPHS 12.1 - 12.22
10.30 AM DEPUTY SECRETARY FOR LANDS AND WORKS,
PARAGRAPHS 13.1 - 13.5
11.15 AM SECRETARY FOR ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES AND
INFORMATION, SECRETARY FOR THE CIVIL SERVICE AND SECRETARY FOR SECURITY, PARAGRAPHS 4.1 - 4.3
NOTE TO EDITORS:
MEDIA REPRESENTATIVES COVERING THE OPENING HEARING ARE REQUESTED TO BRING WITH THEM A COPY OF THE DIRECTOR OF AUDIT’S REPORT WHICH WAS ISSUED ON NOVEMBER 16.
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/18........
WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 23, 1988
- 18 -
FS TO OPEN SEAMEN’S TRAINING CENTRE »*»***
THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY, MR PIERS JACOBS, WILL OFFICIATE AT THE OPENING CEREMONY OF THE $30 MILLION SEAMEN’S TRAINING CENTRE TOMORROW (NOVEMBER 24).
THE CENTRE, MANAGED BY THE VOCATIONAL TRAINING COUNCIL, PROVIDES BOTH PRE-SEA TRAINING FOR YOUNG PEOPLE WISHING TO PURSUE A SEAFARING CAREER AND MODULAR TRAINING FOR SERVING SEAMEN TO ENABLE THEM TO MEET MANDATORY INTERNATIONAL STANDARDS.
LT AIMS TO TRAIN 450 NEW ENTRANTS AND 600 IN-SERVICE SEAFARERS EACH YEAR.
THE CENTRE, SITUATED AT TAI LAM CHUNG, OCCUPIES AN AREA OF 1.6 HECTARES.
IT HAS FULL FACILITIES FOR TRAINING IN SEAMANSHIP, ENGINEERING, WATCHKEEPfNG, FIRE-FIGHTING, PERSONAL SURVIVAL TECHNIQUES AND CARGO HANDLING.
ALSO OFFICIATING AT THE CEREMONY WILL BE THE CHAIRMAN OF THE COUNCIL, MR CHAN KAM-CHUEN AND THE COUNCIL’S EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, MR HORACE KNIGHT.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE OPENING CEREMONY OF THE SEAMEN’S TRAINING CENTRE AT CASTLE PEAK ROAD, TAI LAM CHUNG, WHICH WILL BEGIN AT 10.30 AM ON THURSDAY (NOVEMBER 24).
TRANSPORTATION WILL BE PROVIDED FOR MEDIA REPRESENTATIVES COVERING THE EVENT. ONE OF THE COACHES WILL LEAVE HARBOUR CENTRE, 25 HARBOUR ROAD, WANCHAI AT 9 AM, ANOTHER WILL PICK UP PASSENGERS AT KOWLOON TONG KCR STATION AT 9.15 AM.
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WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 23, 1988
- 19 -
ENTRY SCHEME FOR MACAU RESIDENTS *****
THE IMMIGRATION DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCED TODAY (WEDNESDAY) THAT THE FOLLOWING EX-CHINA RESIDENTS OF MACAU WHO HOLD MACAU IDENTITY CARDS ISSUED BETWEEN APRIL 1, 1981 AND JULY 31, 1981 MAY APPLY FOR ENTRY TO HONG KONG:
(I) HUSBANDS/WIVES (TOGETHER WITH THEIR CHILDREN) TO JOIN THEIR RESIDENT SPOUSE IN HONG KONG;
(II) AGED PARENTS/DEPENDENT CHILDREN TO JOIN THEIR RESIDENT CHILDREN/PARENTS IN HONG KONG.
APPLICATIONS CAN BE SUBMITTED AS FROM DECEMBER 1, 1988 BY THE HONG KONG SPONSORS JN PERSON TO THE IMMIGRATION DEPARTMENT, 61 MODY ROAD, TS1M SHA TSUI EAST, KOWLOON.
MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC WHO WISH TO MAKE ENQUIRIES ABOUT THIS ENTRY SCHEME MAY TELEPHONE THE DEPARTMENT’S INFORMATION OFFICE AT 3-7333126.
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DB TO DISCUSS LICENSING
GUIDELINES FOR GAMES CENTRES
* * * ♦ ♦
THE MONG KOK DISTRICT BOARD WILL GIVE ITS VIEWS ON THE LICENSING GUIDELINES FOR AMUSEMENT GAMES CENTRES AT A MEETING TOMORROW (THURSDAY).
BOARD MEMBERS WILL ALSO BE ASKED TO CONSIDER AND ENDORSE RECOMMENDATIONS PRESENTED BY A WORKING GROUP ON LANDLORD AND TENANT DISPUTES.
THE GROUP WAS FORMED AT A PREVIOUS DISTRICT BOARD MEETING WHEN MEMBERS DISCUSSED PROTECTION FOR TENANTS FROM HARASSMENT BY LANDLORDS WHO TRY TO EVICT THEM SO THAT THE PROPERTY COULD BE RE-LET OR SOLD AT A HIGHER PROFIT.
THE GROUP HAD STUDIED THE PROBLEM JN DETAIL AND RECOMMENDED THAT APPROPRIATE ACTION BE TAKEN.
AT TOMORROW’S MEETING, A MOTION WILL BE MADE REQUESTING THAT THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT REFLECT TO THE TRANSPORT ADVISORY COMMITTEE THE DISSATISFACTION OF THE MONG KOK DISTRICT BOARD AND LOCAL RESIDENTS OVER THE KOWLOON BUS COMPANY’S APPLICATION FOR FARE INCREASES.
- 0-----------
/20........
WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 23,
1988
- 20 -
SAI KUNG TO LAUNCH FIRST DISTRICT ARTS FESTIVAL
******
SAI KUNG DISTRICT RESIDENTS INCLUDING NEW ARRIVALS AT JUNK BAY NEW TOWN WILL BE TREATED TO 16 DAYS OF FUN AND ENTERTAINMENT WHEN THE FIRST SAI KUNG DISTRICT ARTS FESTIVAL IS LAUNCHED OL' DECEMBER 2 (FRIDAY).
A VARIETY OF ARTISTIC AND CULTURAL EVENTS WILL BE HELD AT THE SAI KUNG TOWN HALL, TANG SHIU KIN SPORTS GROUND, TSUI LAM COMMUNITY HALL AND A SECONDARY SCHOOL IN JUNK BAY.
A SPOKESMAN OF THE SAI KUNG DISTRICT ARTS FESTIVAL ORGANISING COMMITTEE SAID TODAY (WEDNESDAY) THAT ABOUT $317,000, OF WHICH $100,000 WERE SPONSORED BY THE REGIONAL COUNCIL AND $50,000 BY THE SAI KUNG DISTRICT BOARD, WILL BE SPENT ON STAGING PROGRAMMES FOR PEOPLE OF DIFFERENT AGES AND INTERESTS.
THE FESTIVAL WILL BE LAUNCHED WITH AN OPENING CEREMONY AT THE SAI KUNG JOCKEY CLUB TOWN HALL ON THE NIGHT OF DECEMBER 2.
THE REGIONAL SECRETARY FOR THE NEW TERRITORIES, MR MICHAEL SUEN; LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL MEMBERS, MR CHEUNG YAN-LUNG, MR LAU WONG-FAT AND MR LAM WAI-KEUNG; SAI KUNG DISTRICT OFFICER, MR CHRISTOPHER MUNN; AND SAI KUNG DISTRICT BOARD CHAIRMAN, MR WILLIAM WAN WILL OFFICIATE AT THE OPENING CEREMONY.
HIGHLIGHTS OF THE FESTIVAL WILL BE TWO CANTONESE OPERAS PERFORMED BY THE SHENZHEN CITY CANTONESE OPERA TROUPE AND A PLAY "THE STORY OF DRAGONBALL" PERFORMED BY THE CHUNG YING THEATRE COMPANY.
THE CLOSING CEREMONY ON DECEMBER 18 WILL FEATURE A LARGE-SCALE DANCE PERFORMANCE AT THE SAI KUNG JOCKEY CLUB TOWN HALL. DANCF ENTHUSIASTS FROM LOCAL ORGANISATIONS AND SCHOOLS IN THE DISTRICT WILL TAKE PART IN THE SHOW.
OTHER PROGRAMMES IN THE FESTIVAL INCLUDE ARTS CARNIVALS, VARIETY SHOWS, MOVIE SHOW, CHINESE MUSIC CONCERTS, TALKS ON SAI KUNG RURAL FOLK SONGS, AND PAINTINGS AND PHOTO EXHIBITIONS.
ADMISSIONS TO THE PROGRAMMES, EXCEPT THE CANTONESE OPERA, WILL BE FREE. TICKETS FOR THE PROGRAMMES AND PAMPHLETS CONTAINING DETAILS OF THE FESTIVAL WILL BE OBTAINABLE AT THE SAI KUNG DISTRICT OFFICE, REGIONAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT (SAI KUNG OFFICE,) RURAL COMMITTEE OFFICES AND MUTUAL AID COMMITTEE OFFICES.
THE SAI KUNG DISTRICT ARTS FESTIVAL IS ARRANGED BY AN ORGANISING COMMITTEE WITH 17 MEMBERS INCLUDING DISTRICT BOARD MEMBERS, LEADING PERSON\LITIES, AND REPRESENTATIVES FROM RURAL COMMITTEES, MUTUAL AID COMMITTEES, LOCAL ORGANISATIONS AND VARIOUS GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS.
-------O----------
/21 .......
WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 23, 1988
- -
AP LEI CHAU AREA COMMITTEE TO HOLD SEMINAR *****
THE AP LEI CHAU AREA COMMITTEE WILL HOLD A SEMINAR TOMORROW (THURSDAY) EVENING FOR REPRESENTATIVES OF LOCAL RESIDENTS’ BODIES TO EXCHANGE VIEWS ON DISTRICT AFFAIRS.
THE SEMINAR, JOINTLY ORGANISED BY THE SOUTHERN DISTRICT OFFICE AND THE AREA COMMITTEE, WILL TAKE PLACE FROM 7.30 PM TO 10 PM AT THE LEI TUNG COMMUNITY HALL IN LEI TUNG ESTATE.
SOUTHERN ASSISTANT DISTRICT OFFICER, MR DAVID LEUNG, WILL GIVE A SPEECH AT THE OPENING OF THE SEMINAR AND THE AREA COMMITTEE CHAIRMAN, MR WONG TZE-KWONG, WILL REPORT ON THE WORK OF THE COMMITTEE.
THE SEMINAR WILL FEATURE A VIDEO PROGRAMME ENTITLED ’’HAPPY AND SWEET HOME IN SOUTHERN DISTRICT” PRODUCED BY THE SOUTHERN DISTRICT BOARD TO INTRODUCE THE CHARACTERISTICS OF THE DISTRICT AND VARIOUS ASPECTS OF THE BOARD'S WORK.
THERE WILL ALSO BE GROUP DISCUSSIONS ON TRANSPORT, ENVIRONMENTAL IMPROVEMENT AND COMMUNITY BUILDING MATTERS. THE ISSUES RAISED WILL BE NOTED AND FOLLOWED UP BY THE AREA COMMITTEE.
ABOUT 60 REPRESENTATIVES FROM MUTUAL AID COMMITTEES, OWNERS’ CORPORATIONS AND RESIDENTS’ ASSOCIATIONS ARE EXPECTED TO ATTEND THE SEMINAR ALONG WITH OFFICIALS FROM VARIOUS GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS.
"ALL RESIDENTS OF THE AP LEI CHAU AREA ARE ALSO WELCOME TO ATTEND THE SEMINAR AND TAKE PART IN THE GROUP DISCUSSIONS,’ A DISTRICT OFFICE SPOKESMAN SAID.
’’THE SEMINAR IS THE THIRD IN A SERIES OF SEMINARS ORGANISED BY THE DISTRICT OFFICE AND THE DISTRICT'S SEVEN AREA COMMITTEES WITH AN AIM TO STRENGTHEN TIES AMONG LOCAL ORGANISATIONS, THE SPOKESMAN ADDED.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO SEND REPRESENTATIVES TO COVER THE SEMINAR WTCH WILL START AT 7.30 PM TOMORROW (THURSDAY) AT THE LEI TUNG COMMUNITY HALL IN LEI TUNG ESTATE, AP LEI CHAU.
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/22........
WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 23, 1988
22 -
WINNERS CHOSEN IN CLEAN AND GREEN PHOTO COMPETITION
******
THE 1988 CLEAN AND GREEN PHOTO COMPETITION ORGANISED BY THE AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES DEPARTMENT CONCLUDED TODAY (WEDNESDAY) AFTER A PROLONGED JUDGING SESSION TO SELECT THE WINNING ENTRIES FOR THE THREE THEME GROUPS.
THE WINNERS WERE CHOSEN FROM 462 ENTRIES DIVIDED INTO GROUPS ON PORTRAITS, ON WILDLIFE AND VEGETATION AND ON SCENERY.
THE WINNER OF THE PORTRAIT GROUP WAS MR TSE KAM-YUE WHILE MR LEE SHUE-CHEONG AND MR SHUM KA-PO WON THE FIRST AND SECOND RUNNER-UP TITLES.
IN THE WILDLIFE AND VEGETATION CATEGORY, MR WONG YUK-CHEUNG EMERGED AS THE WINNER WHILE THE FIRST AND SECOND RUNNER-UP TITLES WENT TO MR NG CHUN-LEUNG AND MR SO CHI-WAI.
THE ENTRY BY MR LEE CHI-KWONG WAS VOTED THE WINNING PHOTOGRAPH OF THE SCENERY GROUP, FOLLOWED BY MR TAN YUK-KOR AND MR LAU WAI-KAN AS THE FIRST AND SECOND RUNNERS-UP.
OF THE WINNERS OF THE THREE THEME GROUPS, MR LEE CHI-KWONG WAS NAMED OVERALL CHAMPION, AND WON THE GRAND PRIZE - A SET OF PERSONAL COMPUTER, VALUED AT $12,700.
ATTRACTIVE PRIZES VALUED AT $2,000, $1,000 AND $500 RESPECTIVELY WILL BE AWARDED TO THE FIRST THREE WINNING ENTRIES IN EACH GROUP. IN ADDITION, CONSOLATION PRIZES WILL BE PRESENTED TO THE NEXT FIVE HIGHEST-SCORE ENTRIES IN EACH OF THE THREE THEME GROUPS.
THE ADJUDICATION WAS CONDUCTED IN THE CONFERENCE ROOM OF THE AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES DEPARTMENT BY A PANEL OF JUDGES COMPRISING WELL-KNOWN PHOTOGRAPHERS, MR MANLY CHIN, MR CHAN CHIK AND MR PHILIP LAU AS WELL AS REPRESENTATIVES OF THE SPONSORS - FOTOMAX (FAR EAST) LIMITED, KODAK (FAR EAST) LIMITED AND EPSON ELECTRONICS TRADING LIMITED.
ASSISTANT DIRECTOR (CONSERVATION AND COUNTRY PARKS) OF THE AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES DEPARTMENT, MR K.C. IU, WHO SUPERVISED THE ADJUDICATION, SAID THAT THE JUDGES HAD FOUND IT VERY DIFFICULT TO SELECT THE WINNERS AS ALL THE ENTRIES WERE OF A HIGH QUALITY.
"WE WERE IMPRESSED BY THE HIGH STANDARD OF PHOTOGRAPHIC SKILL OF THE PARTICIPANTS AND THE IMAGINATIVE FLAIR EXPRESSED IN THEIR ENTRIES. IT IS ENCOURAGING TO SEE THAT THE PARTICIPANTS HAVE ALL SUCCEEDED IN PORTRAYING THE MAIN THEME OF CLEANER AND GREENER COUNTRYSIDE," MR IU SAID.
THE PHOTO COMPETITION IS JOINTLY ORGANISED WITH THE GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES AS THE FIRST OF A SERIES OF MAJOR ACTIVITIES FOR THIS YEAR’S CLEAN AND GREEN SCHEME.
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/23........
If
WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 23, 1988
- 23 -
TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS IN WESTERN DISTRICT, AND KWUN TONG
******
TCI TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCED THAT FROM 10 AM ON FRIDAY (NOVEMBER 25), ALL VEHICLES OVER TEN METRES LONG WILL BE BANNED FROM ON STREET IN WESTERN DISTRICT FOR ABOUT FOUR WEEKS FOR DRAINAGE WORKS•
r,„n, DI?KING THE SAME PERIOD, THE EASTERN KERBSIDE LANE OF KA ON .'IREET WILL BE MADE A DAILY URBAN CLEARWAY ROUND-THE-CLOCK.
YIP ALSO
ALSO FROM 10 AM ON THE SAME DAY (FRIDAY), THE WESTERN KERBSIDE LANE OF WANG CHIU ROAD IN KWUN TONG BETWEEN ITS JUNCTION WITH KAI LOAD AND A POINT ABOUT 75 METRES SOUTH OF THE SAME JUNCTION WILL BECOME A 24-HOUR DAILY URBAN CLEARWAY.
NO VEHICLES EXCEPT FRANCHISED BUSES WILL BE ALLOWED i-OR PASSENGERS OR GOODS WITHIN THE RESTRICTED AREAS.
-----0------
URBAN CLEARWAYS IN HAVEN STREET
*****
THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCED THAT FROM 10 AM ON '-OVEMBEtf 26), TWO SECTIONS OF HAVEN STREET IN CAUSFWAY BAY DESIGNATED URBAN CLEARWAYS:
TO STOP
SATURDAY
WILL BE
* THE SECTION BETWEEN ITS JUNCTION WITH LEIGHTON ROAD AND A POINT ABOUT 10 METRES TO THE EAST WILL BE MADE A PEAK HOUR (I.E. 7 - 10 AM AND 4-7 PM) DAILY URBAN CLEARWAY.
♦ THE DEAD-END SECTION BETWEEN HOUSE NOS. 44 AND 50 WILI BECOME A 24-HOUR DAILY URBAN CLEARWAY.
NO VEHICLES EXCEPT FRANCHISED BUSES WILL BE ALLOWED TO FOR PASSENGERS OR GOODS WITHIN THE RESTRICTED AREAS.
STOP
-----O------
TEMPORARY CLOSURE OF EDINBURGH PLACE NORTH
*****
THE TRANSPORI DEPARTMENT '•EEN QUEEN’S PIER AND H.M.S. EPT FOR EMERGENCY VEHICLES ON
ANNOUNCED THAT EDINBURGH PLACE NORTH TAMAR WILL BE CLOSED TO TRAFFIC SATURDAY (NOVEMBER 26) AND SUNDAY.
THE CLOSURE WILL LAST FROM 3 PM ON SATURDAY TO 10 PM ••A) FOR THE HOLDING OF THE CSL AUTUMN FAIR.
THE
NEXT
- - 0 - -
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE. HONG KONG. TEL: 5-8428777
THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 24, 1988
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
FUTURE DEPENDS ON DEVELOPMENT OF HUMAN RESOURCES: CS......... 1
TRADITION OF TALKING THINGS OUT: CS ......................... 1
IMPORTANCE PLACED ON DEVELOPING CENTRE FOR SHIPPING: FS...... 2
CLOSER TRADE LINKS WITH NORWAY .............................. 3
PROVISIONAL TRADE FIGURES FOR OCTOBER 1988 .................. 5
DEPOSIT-TAKING COMPANY REGISTRATION REVOKED ................. 8
CONSUMER PRICE INDEXES FOR OCTOBER 1988 ..................... 8
SES OUTLINES PLANNING FOR HARBOUR SERVICES .................. 10
STUDY ON LAND DRAINAGE AND FLOOD CONTROL STRATEGY............ 12
OVERALL CRIME DECREASE IN THIRD QUARTER ..................... 1?
TWO MORE AIDS PATIENTS CONFIRMED............................. 15
NEED FOR MONITORING BODY DISCUSSED........................... 1?
MEDICAL PROFESSION URGED TO HELP IN ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION 17
HOLIDAY CAMP FOR THE DISABLED............................... 18
ANTI-NARCOTICS CAMPAIGN IN KWAI TSING ....................... 19
'BE A GOOD CITIZEN' CARNIVAL IN SOUTHERN DISTRICT.............. 20
EASTERN DISTRICT ARTS CARNIVAL BEGINS ON SATURDAY ........... 21
TORE ENTERTAINMENT FOR KWUN TONG RESIDENTS .................. 2?
DB COMMITTEE TO DISCUSS FIRE ALARM SYSTEM.................... 24
DB COMMITTEE TO DISCUSS DISTRICT SPORTS FESTIVAL ............ 25
DRAWING CONTEST FOR CHILDREN THIS SUNDAY .................... 26
NEW POST OFFICE TO OPEN IN SHAU KEI WAN ..................... 27
HK, MACAU PHILATELIC SALES .................................. 2?
CYC HONOURS COMMUNITY LEADERS AND EDUCATIONALISTS ........... 23
TEMPORARY ROAD CLOSURE IN CENTRAL ........................... 28
ROAD CLOSURE FOR THE INTERNATIONAL CYCLE RACE................ 29
PARTIAL LANE CLOSURE OF TUEN MUN ROAD.......................... 29
THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 24, 1988
1
FUTURE DEPENDS ON DEVELOPMENT * » t *
OF HUMAN RESOURCES: CS
OUR FUTURE WILL DEPEND VERY MUCH ON HOW WE DEVELOP OUR HUMAN RESOURCES, ESPECIALLY OUR YOUNG PEOPLE, THE CHIEF SECRETARY, SIR DAVID FORD, SAID TODAY (THURSDAY).
ADDRESSING THE OPENING CEREMONY OF THE DUKE OF EDINBURGH’S AWARD HEADQUARTERS, SIR DAVID SAID HONG KONG’S SUCCESS WAS BUILT ON THE VISION AND DETERMINATION OF ITS PEOPLE.
"ONE OF THE PRIORITY TASKS IS THEREFORE TO ENSURE THAT THEY HAVE SUFFICIENT OPPORTUNITIES TO DEVELOP THEIR POTENTIAL AND ABILITY," HE SAID.
"TO THIS END, A CONCERTED EFFORT BY THE GOVERNMENT AND THE COMMUNITY IS NEEDED."
VOLUNTARY ORGANISATIONS HAD CONTRIBUTED SIGNIFICANTLY TOWARDS YOUTH DEVELOPMENT IN HONG KONG, THE CHIEF SECRETARY SAID, CITING THE DUKE OF EDINBURGH AWARD SCHEME.
SIR DAVID ALSO NOTED THAT THE SCHEME, WITH ONLY ONE OPERATING AUTHORITY AND SOME 250 PARTICIPANTS WHEN IT WAS INTRODUCED TO HONG KONG IN 1961, HAD DEVELOPED INTO 23 OPERATING AUTHORITIES WITH MORE THAN 40,000 PARTICIPANTS.
CONGRATULATING THE SCHEME’S COUNCIL MEMBERS AND STAFF, HE SAID THE INAUGURATION OF ITS NEW HEADQUARTERS AT LAI KOK ESTATE IN ('HEUNG SHA WAN SIGNIFIED YET ANOTHER STEP FORWARD AFTER THE DUKE OF EDINBURGH TRAINING CAMP IN TAI PO OPENED TWO YEARS AGO.
------0--------
TRADITION OF TALKING THINGS OUT: CS » * I t I
THE CHIEF SECRETARY, SIR DAVID FORD, SAID TODAY (THURSDAY) THAT IF THERE WERE DIFFICULTIES AS A RESULT OF THE REPORT BY THE REVIEW COMMITTEE ON DISCIPLINED SERVICES PAY AND CONDITIONS OF SERVICE, THE RECOMMEDATION WAS THAT THESE SHOULD BE SORTED OUT BY THE STANDING COMMITTEE TO BE ESTABLISHED AT A LATER STAGE.
SIR DAVID SAID THE DISCIPLINED SERVICES HAD A TRADITION OF "TALKING THINGS OUT" AND THE SERVICES AS A WHOLE HAD A VERY FINE TRADITION OF NOT TAKING INDUSTRIAL ACTION.
/SPEAKING TO........
THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 2U, 1988
2
SPEAKING TO REPORTERS AFTER OPENING THE DUKE OF EDINBURGH’S AWARD HEADQUARTERS, SIR DAVID SAID: "I AM NOT WORRIED AT THE MOMENT ABOUT INDUSTRIAL ACTION.
"WE HAVE A TRADITION OF TALKING THINGS OUT IN THE SERVICE. I AM CONFIDENT THAT THINGS CAN BE TALKED OUT IN THIS WAY TOO."
REFUTING A SUGGESTION THAT MORALE IN THE CIVIL SERVICE WAS LOW, THE CHIEF SECRETARY SAID: " I THINK THAT BY AND LARGE OVER THE RANGE THE SERVICE IS EXTREMELY GOOD INDEED.
"BUT I DON’T THINK THAT ONE SHOULD MAKE A JUDGEMENT ABOUT THE OVERALL MORALE FROM THE BASIS OF A FEW PEOPLE WHO ARE NOT TOO HAPPY WITH RESULTS OF PARTICULAR SURVEYS WHICH HAVE HAPPENED."
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IMPORTANCE PLACED ON DEVELOPING CENTRE FOR SHIPPING: FS
******
THE GOVERNMENT WILL CONTINUE TO PLACE GREAT IMPORTANCE ON THE FUTURE DEVELOPMENT 01 HONG KONG AS A CENTRE FOR SHIPPING, THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY, MR PIERS JACOBS, SAID THIS (THURSDAY) MORNING.
SPEAKING AT Till OFFICIAL OPENING OF THE SEAMEN’S TRAINING CENTRI' IN TAI LAM CHUNG, MR JACOBS SAID THE GOVERNMENT WAS WORKING HARD TO ESTABLISH HONG KONG’S OWN SHIPPING REGISTER.
"AND IN FUTURE, WITHIN THE TERMS OF THE JOINT DECLARATION, I EXPECT TO SEE HONG KONG ASSUMING A GREATER INVOLVEMENT IN INTERNATIONAL MARITIMI POLICY-MAKING BODIES."
MR JACOB SAID HONG KONG WAS A MAJOR AND EXPANDING CONTAINER PORT AND IN TERMS OF THI- VOLUME OF CARGO HANDLED, IT WAS THE WORLD’S BUS I EST.
"IT HAS CONTRIBUTED SUBSTANTIALLY TO INCREASING HONG KONG’S ENTREPOT TRA)I AND INDIRECTLY TO THE DEVELOPMENT OF ITS MANUFACTURING INDUSTRY," Hi >AID.
MR JACOBS SAID HONG KONG SHIPOWNERS CONTROLLED ONE OF THE LARGEST MERCEANT FLEETS IN THE WORLD, AND SHIP MANAGEMENT COMPANIES ALL OVER. THE WORLD WI RE NOW SETTING UP OFFICES HERE IN INCREASING NUMBERS.
"THEIR INTEREST IN HONG KONG NOT ONLY SERVES TO PROVIDE EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES FOR HONG KONG PEOPLE BUT ALSO HIGHLIGHTS HONG KONG'S GROWING IMPORTANCE IN THE MARITIME WORLD," HE SAID.
/MR JACOBS .......
THURSDAY, NOVEMBER ?4, 1988
- 3 -
MR JACOBS PRAISED THE VOCATIONAL TRAINING COUNCIL EOR PROVIDING COMPREHENSIVE TRAINING FACILITIES TO SUPPORT HONG KONG'S SHIPPING INDUSTRY.
’’AND, OF COURSE, THE FURTHER DEVELOPMENT OF THE PORT REMAINS OF VITAL IMPORTANCE,” HE ADDED.
ALSO SPEAKING AT THE CEREMONY, THE CHAIRMAN OF THE COUNCIL, MR CHAN KAM-CHUEN SAID: "THE AVAILABILITY OF A HIGH STANDARD TRAINING CENTRE FOR SEAMEN IS A PRE-REQUISITE IF HONG KONG IS TO HAVE ITS OWN REGISTER, WHICH IT WILL, AND IF ITS FLAG IS NOT TO BE TAGGED AS A FLAG OF CONVENIENCE.”
MR CHAN SAID THE CENTRE WOULD PROVIDE THE INDUSTRY WITH A STEADY SUPPLY OF WELL-TRAINED SEAMEN TO TOP UP THE SHRINKING POOL OF SEAFARERS AND TO REPLACE THE VERY LARGE PROPORTION OF SERVING MARINERS WHO ARE REACHING RETIREMENT AGE.
SITUATED AT THE WATERFRONT OF TAI LAM CHUNG, THE PURPOSE-BUILT CENTRE BECAME OPERATIONAL IN FEBRUARY THIS YEAR.
IT HAS FACILITIES TO TRAIN 450 NEW ENTRANTS A YEAR AND TO OFFER UPGRADING TRAINING TO 600 SERVING SEAMEN ANNUALLY TO MEET INTERNATIONAL REQUIREMENTS.
PRIOR TO THE ESTABLISHMENT OF THIS CENTRE, THE COUNCIL HAD STARTED TO TRAIN IN-SERVICE SEAMEN TO OBTAIN MANDATORY CERTIFICATES AS EARLY AS 1984 AT THE TEMPORARY CENTRE AT LITTLE SAI WAN.
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CLOSER TRADE LINKS * t ♦ ♦
WITH NORWAY ♦
A NEW SOCIETY WAS INAUGURATED IN OSLO THIS WEEK TO PROMOTE TRADE BETWEEN HONG KONG AND NORWAY.
THE AIM OF THE NORWAY-HONG KONG SOCIETY, WHICH IS CHAIRED BY THE CHIEF EXECUTIVE OF BERGEN BANK, MR EGIL GADF GREVE IS TO PROVIDE A FORUM FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF BUSINESS OPPORTUNITIES THROUGH VARIOUS ACTIVITIES SUCH AS TRADE DELEGATIONS AND SPEAKER PROGRAMMES.
THE SOCIETY'S FIRST GUEST SPEAKER WAS THE HONG KONG COMMISSIONER IN LONDON, MR SELWYN ALLEYNE WHO ADDRESSED MORE THAN 10 OF ITS MEMBERS ON HONG KONG'S ATTRACTIONS AS A BUSINESS CENTRE.
HONG KONG HAS BEEN A SMALL TRADING PARTNER FOR NORWAY BiT TWO-WAY TRADE HAS SEEN A SUBSTANTIAL INCREASE IN RECENT YEARS.
/NORWAY’S EXPORTS .......
THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 24, 1988
NORWAY’S EXPORTS TO HONG KONG WERE VALUED AT $267 MILLION IN 1987, REPRESENTING AN INCREASE OF 32.4 PER CENT OVER 1986.
IN THE FIRST EIGHT MONTHS OF 1988, THE GROWTH WAS AN IMPRESSIVE 45.5 PER CENT OVER THE SAME PERIOD LAST YEAR. 1’HE '1AJOR ITEMS WERE NICKEL, PAPER AND PAPERBOARD, RAW FUR SKIN AND IRC J AND STEEL.
HONG KONG’S DOMESTIC EXPORTS TO NORWAY WERE $765 MILLION IN 1987.
THE PRINCIPAL ITEMS WERE CLOTHING, TOYS AND SPORTING GOODS, WATCHES AND CLOCKS AND AUTOMATIC DATA PROCESSING MACHINES. RE-EXPORTS TO NORWAY WENT UP BY SOME 105 PER CENT OVER 1986, ILLUSTRATING HONG KONG’S RE-EMERGENCE AS AN IMPORTANT TRANS-SHIPMENT CENTRE FOR EAST ASIA.
SOME 80 PER CENT OF HONG KONG'S EXPORTS OF CLOTHING AND BED LINEN ARE RESTRAINED AT NORWAY’S REQUEST UNDER THE MULTI-FIBRE ARRANGEMENT. JUST LAST MONTH NORWAY AGREED TO DISPERSE WITH SOME OF THESE RESTRAINTS.
MR ALLEYNE TOLD THE SOCIETY THAT IN TRADE TERMS THIS WAS LITTLE MORE THAN A TOKEN DEGREE OF LIBERALISATION, BUT A VERY WELCOME ONE FOR ALL THAT.
"WE HOPE THAT THERE WILL BE FURTHER DEGREES OF LIBERALISATION IN FUTURE," HE ADDED.
HE POINTED OUT THAT NOW THAT SWEDEN HAD ANNOUNCED THAT RESTRAINTS ON TEXTILE IMPORTS WOULD BE TERMINATED AT THE END OF THE CURRENT TERM OF THE MFA IN 1991, IRRESPECTIVE OF WHETHER THE ARRANGEMENT WAS RENEWED, HONG KONG WAS WAITING TO SEE IF NORWAY WOULD FOLLOW SUIT.
"IN OUR EXPERIENCE, THIS WOULD BENEFIT NOT ONLY HONG $ONG EXPORTS BUT ALSO NORWAY’S EXPORTS TO HONG KONG," HE SAID.
"THE HONG KONG MARKET IS ALREADY COMPLETELY OPEN TO NORWEGIAN EXPORTS AND THERE ARE EXCELLENT OPPORTUNITIES FOR INCREASING THE SHARE OF THE HONG KONG IMPORT MARKET," MR ALLEYNE ADDED.
THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 24, 1988
- 5 -
PROVISIONAL TRADE FIGURES FOR OCTOBER 1988 * * * * *
HONG KONG’S EXTERNAL TRADE CONTINUED TO SHOW SIGNIFICANT GROWTH IN OCTOBER 1988 OVER A YEAR EARLIER, WITH SUBSTANTIAL INCREASES RECORDED FOR RE-EXPORTS AND IMPORTS, AND A RELATIVELY SLOWER INCREASE IN DOMESTIC EXPORTS.
THIS IS SHOWN IN THE PROVISIONAL TRADE FIGURES RELEASED TODAY BY THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT.
THE VALUE OF DOMESTIC EXPORTS IN OCTOBER 1988 WAS #20,066 MILLION, $1,878 MILLION OR 10.3 PER CENT HIGHER THAN IN OCTOBER 1987, WHILE THE VALUE OF RE-EXPORTS INCREASED BY 55.9 PER CENT OR $9,546 MILLION TO $26,628 MILLION.
THE VALUE OF TOTAL EXPORTS (DOMESTIC EXPORTS PLUS RE-EXPORTS), AT $46,694 MILLION IN OCTOBER 1988, WAS THUS $11,424 MILLION OR 32.4 PER CENT HIGHER THAN IN OCTOBER 1987.
THE VALUE OF IMPORTS GREW BY 31.9 PER CENT OR $11,078 MILLION OVER A YEAR EARLIER, TO $45,788 MILLION IN OCTOBER 1988.
THE VISIBLE TRADE BALANCE IN OCTOBER 1988 RECORDED A SURPLUS OF $906 MILLION, EQUIVALENT TO 2.0 PER CENT OF VALUE OF IMPORTS.
THIS COMPARES WITH A SURPLUS OF $560 MILLION, EQUIVALENT TO 1.6 PER CENT OF THE VALUE OF IMPORTS, RECORDED IN OCTOBER 1987.
PUTTING THE TRADE FIGURES FOR OCTOBER IN PERSPECTIVE, THE VALUE OF TOTAL EXPORTS IN THE FIRST TEN MONTHS OF 1988 WAS $396,015 MILLION, MADE UP OF DOMESTIC EXPORTS OF $176,439 MILLION AND RE-EXPORTS OF $219,576 MILLION.
COMPARED WITH THE FIRST TEN MONTHS IN 1987, IN VALUE TERMS TOTAL EXPORTS GREW BY $90,530 MILLION OR 29.6 PER CENT, DOMESTIC EXPORTS BY $17,112 MILLION OR 10.7 PER CENT, AND RE-EXPORTS BY $73,418 MILLION OR 50.2 PER CENT.
OVER THE SAME PERIOD, THE VALUE OF IMPORTS GREW BY $95,531 MILLION OR 31.3 PER CENT, TO $400,391 MILLION.
A VISIBLE TRADE DEFICIT OF $4,376 MILLION, EQUIVALENT TO 1.1 PER CENT OF THE VALUE OF IMPORTS, WAS RECORDED IN THE FIRST TEN MONTHS OF 1988.
DURING THE SAME PERIOD LAST YEAR, A VISIBLE TRADE SURPLUS OF $625 MILLION, EQUIVALENT TO ONLY 0.2 PER CENT OF THE VALUE OF IMPORTS, WAS RECORDED.
COMMENTING ON THESE FIGURES, A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN SAID THAT THE YEAR-ON-YEAR GROWTH RATE OF DOMESTIC EXPORTS IN THE FIRST TEN MONTHS OF 1988, THOUGH SIGNIFICANT, WAS LESS RAPID WHEN COMPARED WITH THE CORRESPONDING GROWTH RATE OF 26.8 PER CENT FOR 1987 AS A WHOLE.
/THE SPOKESMAN .......
THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 24, 1988
6
THE SPOKESMAN ALSO POINTED OUT THAT, AS A RESULT OF THE
CONTINUED UPSURGE IN RE-EXPORTS, RE-EXPORTS REPRESENTED 55.4 PER
CENT OF THE VALUE OF TOTAL EXPORTS DURjlNG THE FIRST TEN 4ONTHS OF
1988, UP FROM A FIGURE OF 47.8 PER CENT DURING THE SAME PERIOD LAST
YEAR.
THE FOLLOWING TABLE PRESENTS THE PROVISIONAL MERCHANDISE TRADE FIGURES FOR OCTOBER 1988.
TRADE FIGURES FOR OCTOBER, 1988
THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT HAS RELEASED THE FOLLOWING PROVISIONAL MERCHANDISE TRADE FIGURES FOR OCTOBER:-
MERCHANDISE: DOMESTIC EXPORTS $20,066 MILLION
RE-EXPORTS : $26,623 MILLION
TOTAL EXPORTS : $46,694 MILLION
IMPORTS : $45,788 MILLION
TRADE BALANCE : $906 MILLION (IN SURPLUS]
COMPARATIVE FIGURES AUG 88 AUG 87 INCREASE
TO TO
LATEST 3 MONTHS OCT 88 HK$ MN. OCT 87 HK$ MN. HK$ MN. %
DOMESTIC EXPORTS 60,686 54,588 6,098 11.2
RE-EXPORTS 78,280 49,732 28,548 57.4
TOTAL EXPORTS 138,966 104,320 34,646 33.2
IMPORTS 134,306 99,409 34,897 35.1
TRADE BALANCE 4,660 4,911 -251
OCTOBER OCTOBER INCREASE
SAME MONTH LAST YEAR 1988 HK$ MN. 1987 HK$ MN. HK$ MN. %
DOMESTIC EXPORTS (% OF TOTAL EXPORTS) 20,066 18,188 (43.0%)(51.6%) 1,878 10.3
RE-EXPORTS 26,628 17,082 9,546 55.9
TOTAL EXPORTS 46,694 35,270 11,424 32.4
IMPORTS 45,788 34,710 11,078 31.9
TRADE BALANCE 906 560 346
/LAST MONTH .......
THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 2U, 1988
OCTOBER SEPT INCREASE
LAST MONTH 1988 1988
HK$ MN. HK$ MN. HKS MN. %
DOMESTIC EXPORTS 20,066 19,951 1'5 0.6
(% OF TOTAL EXPORTS) (43.0%) (43.2%)
RE-EXPORTS 26,628 26,223 405 1.5
TOTAL EXPORTS 46,694 46,174 520 1.1
IMPORTS 45,788 44,691 1,097 2.5
TRADE BALANCE 906 1,483 -577
JAN-OCT JAN-OCT INCREASE
CALENDAR YEAR TO-DATE 1988 1987
HK$ MN. HK$ MN. HK$ MN. %
DOMESTIC EXPORTS 176,439 159,327 17,112 10.7
(% OF TOTAL EXPORTS) (44.6%) (52.2%)
RE-EXPORTS 219,576 146,158 73,418 50.2
TOTAL EXPORTS 396,015 305,485 90,530 29.6
IMPORTS 400,391 304,860 95,531 31.3
TRADE BALANCE -4,376 NOV 87 625 NOV 86 -5,001
TO TO INCREASE
-'"EAST 12 MONTHS OCT 88 OCT 87
HK$ MN. HK$ MN. HKS MN. %
DOMESTIC EXPORTS 212,366 189,565 22,801 12.0
RE-EXPORTS 256,198 171,060 85,138 49.8
TOTAL EXPORTS . 468,564 360,625 107,939 '9.9
IMPORTS 473,478 358,374 115,104 32.1
TRADE BALANCE -4,914 2,251 -7,165
THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 24, 1988
- 8 -
DEPOSIT-TAKING COMPANY REGISTRATION REVOKED
*****
THE COMMISSIONER OF BANKING ANNOUNCED THAT THE REGISTRATION OF UNIVEST FINANCE (HONG KONG) LIMITED AS A DEPOSIT-TAKING COMPANY HAS BEEN REVOKED AT THE CLOSE OF BUSINESS ON NOVEMBER 23, 1988 AT ITS OWN REQUEST UNDER SECTION 31(2) OF THE BANKING ORDINANCE.
-------o----------
CONSUMER PRICE INDEXES FOR OCTOBER 1988 *****
THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT TODAY (THURSDAY) PUBLISHED THE CONSUMER PRICE INDEXES FOR OCTOBER 1988.
THE CPI(A) AND CPI(B) (OCT. 84/SEP. 85 = 100) FOR OCTOBER 1988 WERE 120.0 AND 119.9 RESPECTIVELY, REPRESENTING INCREASES OF 7.6 PER CENT AND 7.5 PER CENT RESPECTIVELY OVER OCTOBER 1987.
COMPARED WITH SEPTEMBER 1988 AND BEARING IN MIND THAT THIS COMPARISON MAY BE AFFECTED BY SEASONAL FACTORS, THE CPI(A) DECREASED BY 0.4 PER CENT AND THE CPI(B) BY 0.1 PER CENT.
THE AVERAGE CPI(A) AND AVERAGE CPI(B) FOR THE 12 MONTHS ENDED OCTOBER 1988, AT 116.0 AND 116.1 RESPECTIVELY, WERE 7.3 PER CENT AND 7.1 PER CENT RESPECTIVELY HIGHER THAN THE AVERAGE FOR THE 12 MONTHS ENDED OCTOBER 1987.
DURING THE THREE-MONTH PERIOD ENDED OCTOBER 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(A) REFERS TO HOUSEHOLDS SPENDING BETWEEN $2,009 AND $6,499 A MONTH AT THAT TIME AND THE CPI(B) BETWEEN $6,500 AND $9,999 A MONTH.
CHANGES IN THE INDEXES FOR OCTOBER 1988 IN RESPECT OF TH1 NINE COMMODITY/SERVICE SECTIONS IN THE TWO CONSUMER PRICE INDEXES, AS COMPARED WITH SEPTEMBER 1988 AND OCTOBER 1987, ARE GIVEN H! LOW.
/(OCTOBER 198U .......
THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 2U, 1988
9
(OCTOBER 1984 TO SEPTEMBER 1985 AVERAGE - 100)
SECTION CPI(A) CPI(B)
INDEX FOR OCT.88 % CHANGE OVER SEP.88 % CHANGE OVER OCT.87 INDEX FOR OCT.88 % CHANGE OVER SEP.88 % CHANGE OVER OCT.87
FOODSTUFFS 119.9 -1.0 + 10.3 120.7 -0.7 + 10.5
HOUSING 115.5 + 0.1 + 3.9 112.1 40.1 +3.3
FUEL AND LIGHT 92.3 -0.5 -0.3 92.9 -0.6 -0.4
ALCOHOLIC DRINKS AND TOBACCO (FOR HOME CONSUMPTION) 124.6 + 0.2 +6.6 125.5 + 0.3 + 7.0
CLOTHING AND FOOTWEAR 123.6 +0.7 + 8.5 125.9 + 0.8 + 8.9
DURABLE GOODS 119.5 + 0.1 + 5.7 118.7 +0.1 + 5.7
MISCELLANEOUS GOODS 123.2 -0.1 + 4.5 123.6 -0.1 + 4.9
TRANSPORT AND VEHICLES 121.6 + 0.4 + 3.9 120.9 + 0.5 14.3
SERVICES 131.8 + 0.2 + 9.2 131.6 + 0.3 + 9.7
ALL ITEMS 120.0 -0.4 + 7.6 119.9 -0.1 + 7.5
COMPARED WITH SEPTEMBER 1988, THE INDEX FOR 1 FOODSTUFFS
DECREASED BY 1.0 PER CENT IN CPT(A) AND BY 0.7 PER CENT IN CPI'F•
THIS WAS MAINLY DUE TO DECREASES IN THE AVERAGE RETAIL PRICES OF FRESH VEGETABLES AND FRESH FRUIT, WHICH MORE THAN OFFSET THE INCREASES IN THE AVERAGE RETAIL PRICE OF SALT-WATER FISH AND IN THE AVERAGE CHARGE FOR MEALS IN RESTAURANTS AND OTHER EATING PLACES.
THE INDEX FOR FUEL AND LIGHT DECREASED BY 0.5 PER CENT IN CPI(A) AND BY 0.6 PER CENT IN CPI(B) AS '■ RE i.T OF LOWER PRICES )• KEROSENE AND THE DOWNWARD FUEL CO; T AlJUUSTMLLT FOR TOV.. .••GAS.
THE INDEX FOR CLOTHING AND FOOTWEAR INCREASED BY 0.7 PER CENT IN CPI(A) AND BY 0.8 PER CENT IN CPi'B) DUE C HIGHER FT CFS OUTER CLOTHING AND MEN’S FOOTWEAR.
/MvF Dmnt
THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 24, 1988
10
MORE DETAILS ARE GIVEN IN THE "CONSUMER PRICE INDEX REPORT" FOR OCTOBER 1988, WHICH IS AVAILABLE AT $3.5 PER COPY FROM THE GOVERNMENT PUBLICATIONS CENTRE, GENERAL POST OFFICE BUILDING, GROUND FLOOR, CONNAUGHT PLACE, HONG KONG; OR FROM THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT, 19TH FLOOR, WANCHAI TOWER I, 12 HARBOUR ROAD, WAN CHAI, HONG KONG; OR FROM THE INFORMATION SERVICES DEPARTMENT, FRENCH MISSION BUILDING, 1 BATTERY PATH, HONG KONG FOR LOCAL AND OVERSEAS MAILINGS.
FOR ENQUIRIES ABOUT THE INDEXES, PLEASE TELEPHONE THE CONSUMER PRICE INDEX SECTION OF THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT AT 5-8235089.
THE HANG SENG CPI WAS 125.5 IN OCTOBER 1988, UP BY 0.4 PER CENT OVER SEPTEMBER 1988 AND UP BY 9.0 PER CENT OVER OCTOBER 1987.
THE HANG SENG CPI IS BASED ON THE EXPENDITURE PATTERN OF THE 10 PER CENT OF URBAN HOUSEHOLDS IN HONG KONG THAT SPENT HK$10,000-24,999 A MONTH DURING THE 1984/85 HOUSEHOLD EXPENDITURE SURVEY.
FURTHER DETAILS REGARDING THIS INDEX ARE INCLUDED IN THE HANG SENG CPI REPORT ISSUED BY THE ECONOMIC RESEARCH DEPARTMENT OF HANG SENG BANK LTD.
FIGURES HEREIN REFER TO CPI SERIES NOT SEASONALLY ADJUSTED UNLESS OTHERWISE SPECIFIED. ALL PERCENTAGE CHANGES ARE DERIVED FROM CPI FIGURES TAKEN TO MORE THAN 1 DECIMAL PLACE.
-------O----------
SES OUTLINES PLANNING FOR HARBOUR SERVICES * » * t »
THE GOVERNMENT IS NOW ACTIVELY PLANNING FOR HARBOUR INFRASTRUCTURAL SERVICES TO MEET PROJECTED TRADE GROWTH UP TO THE YEAR 2011, THE SECRETARY FOR ECONOMIC SERVICES, MRS ANSON CHAN, SAID TODAY (THURSDAY).
SPEAKING IN KOREA AT THE LAUNCHING CEREMONY OF A VESSEL COMMISSIONED BY THE WORLD WIDE GROUP, MRS CHAN SAID HONG KONG CONFIDENTLY EXPECTED CONTINUED GROWTH IN TRADE IN VIEW OF THF INCREASING USE OF HONG KONG AS A MAJOR ENTREPOT FOR SOUTHERN CHINA.
MRS CHAN POINTED OUT THAT 90 PER CENT OF HONG KONG'S TRADE WAS HANDLED THROUGH THE PORT.
IN 1987, THE PORT HANDLED OVER 14,000 OCEAN-GOING VESSELS AND 82,000 COASTAL TRADE VESSELS. CARG's THROUGHOUT LAST YEAR WAS A RECORD 70 MILLION TONS.
/"GIVEN HONG ... ...
THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 24, 1988
11
"GIVEN HONG KONG’S VERY SMALL AREA — WE HAVE ONLY 1,000 SQUARE KILOMETRES AND MOST OF THAT HAS EITHER BEEN BUILT UP FOR URBAN DEVELOPMENT OR IS MOUNTAINOUS -- WE CAN ONLY DEVELOP NEW CONTAINER FACILITIES, FOR EXAMPLE, BY RECLAMATION FROM THE SEA," SHE SAID.
"THIS PLANNING MUST GO ON IRRESPECTIVE OF 1997," SHE ADDED.
MRS CHAN SAID HONG KONG SHIPOWNERS NOW CONTROLLED SOME 1,200 SHIPS OF ABOUT 500 MILLION DEADWEIGHT TONS, PERHAPS AS MUCH AS 10 PER CENT OF THE WORLD’S TOTAL TONNAGE.
"COUPLED WITH THIS EXPANSION, IS THE CORRESPONDING EXPANSION OF HONG KONG AS A SHIP MANAGEMENT BASE, AND AN ESTABLISHMENT OF AN INTERLOCKING MESH OF RELATED SERVICES -- SHIPPING FINANCE, LEGAL SERVICES, INSURANCE AND SO ON.
"INDEED THERE ARE FEW, IF ANY, COUNTRIES WHICH MANAGE MORE SHIPPING TONNAGE THAN HONG KONG,” SHE SAID.
MRS CHAN SAID THE DEVELOPMENT OF HONG KONG INTO A LARGE SHIP OWNING AND SHIP MANAGEMENT CENTRE IN THE PAST YEARS HAD BEEN DUE TO A NUMBER OF FACTORS.
"THE OPEN MARKET FREE ENTERPRISE POLICY OF THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT, THE LOW TAXATION LEVELS, THE SOPHISTICATION OF ITS FINANCIAL AND COMMUNICATION SYSTEMS AND THE AVAILABILITY OF A POOL OF SKILLED INDUSTRIOUS WORKERS AT THE RIGHT COST HAVE ALL HELPED. WE PLAN NO CHANGES HERE," SHE SAID.
MRS CHAN SAID HONG KONG WAS ALSO AN IMPORTANT PORT OF REGISTER FOR SHIPS AND IT HAD SOMETHING MORE THAN SEVEN MILLION GROSS REGISTERED TONS ON ITS BOOKS AND THE PROSPECTS FOR GROWTH WERE GOOD.
SHE SAID THAT WITH THE AGREEMENT OF BOTH THE CHINESE AND BRITISH GOVERNMENTS, THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT TOGETHER WITH THE SHIPPING INDUSTRY IN HONG KONG WAS BUSILY ENGAGED IN PLANNING HOW BEST TO MODIFY THE EXISTING REGISTER SO THAT IT COULD TRANSIT 1997 WITH "A MINIMUM OF FUSS AND A MAXIMUM OF CONTINUITY".
"WE ARE MAKING GOOD PROGRESS AND ARE CONFIDENT, THAT BY THE END OF 1990, A MODIFIED REPUTABLE REGISTER WILL BE IN PLACE," SHE SAID.
"SO STEADY PROGRESS IS BEING MADE TO KEEP HONG KONG IN THE FOREFRONT OF THE INTERNATIONAL SHIPPING SCENE WELL INTO THE NEXT CENTURY," SHE ADDED.
------0 ------
/12
THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 24, 1988
12
STUDY ON LAND DRAINAGE AND FLOOD CONTROL STRATEGY ******
A $9 MILLION CONSULTANCY CONTRACT WAS AWARDED BY THE CIVIL ENGINEERING SERVICES DEPARTMENT TODAY (THURSDAY) FOR STUDYING THE PROBLEMS OF LAND DRAINAGE AND FLOOD CONTROL IN THE TERRITORY.
THE TERRITORIAL LAND DRAINAGE AND FLOOD CONTROL STRATEGY STUDY - PHASE I WILL BEGIN LATER THIS MONTH AND TAKE 13 MONTHS TO COMPLETE.
SPEAKING AFTER SIGNING THE CONTRACT ON BEHALF OF THE DEPARTMENT, THE DIRECTOR OF CIVIL ENGINEERING SERVICES, DR K.F. NIP, SAID THE GOVERNMENT WAS UNDERTAKING A COMPREHENSIVE STUDY WHICH WOULD LEAD TO THE FORMULATION OF A TERRITORIAL LAND DRAINAGE AND FLOOD CONTROL STRATEGY.
DR NIP SAID HIS DEPARTMENT HAD IDENTIFIED THE MAIN CAUSES OF FLOODING, WHICH INCLUDED:
- BLOCKAGE OF GULLIES AND LAND DRAINAGE BY RUBBISH, DEBRIS OR VEGETATION;
- FLOW DEPTH REDUCTION OF LAND DRAINAGE DUE TO NATURAL SILTING OR ANIMAL WASTE;
- INTERFERENCE TO LAND DRAINAGE PATTERN OR REDUCTION OF FLOOD STORAGE CAPACITY DUE TO UNCONTROLLED FILLING OF LOW LAND;
- STRUCTURAL OBSTRUCTION TO STORMWATER DRAINS OR WATER COURSES;
- LOW-LYING AREA AFFECTED BY TIDE AND SURGE EVEN WITHOUT RAIN;
- INADEQUATE LAND DRAINAGE, I.E. UNABLE TO DRAIN AWAY THE RAIN WATER AT LOW TIDE.
HE APPEALED TO MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC TO REFRAIN FROM FURTHER DUMPING OF RUBBISH, DEBRIS AND ANIMAL WASTE INTO THE STORMWATER DRAINAGE OR NATURAL STREAM COURSES AS THESE WERE NEVER INTENDED FOR SUCH PURPOSES.
DR NIP SAID THE CONSULTANCY STUDY WOULD LOOK INTO:
(I) A TERRITORY-WIDE STUDY OF LAND DRAINAGE CATCHMENTS ENABLING CATEGORISATION INTO HIGH, MEDIUM AND LOW PRIORITY AREAS IN RESPECT OF FLOOD RISK PROTECTION AND SOCIAL-ECONOMIC CONSEQUENCES OF FLOODING;
(II) AN ASSESSMENT OF THE EXISTING TECHNICAL STANDARDS OF LAND DRAINAGE DESIGN, WITH PARTICULAR REFERENCE TO THE PROBLEM OF TIDAL-SURGE EFFECTS AT THE LAND DRAINAGE OUTFALLS;
/(III) THE DEVELOPMENT .......
THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 24, 1988
(III) THE DEVELOPMENT AND ASSESSMENT OF \LTERN\tJVi LAND DRAINAGE OPTIONS IN A LIMITED NUMBER <)'■ TYPICAL LOCATIONS, BASED ON CONVENTIONAL STRUCTURAL MEASURES AND NON-STRUCTURAL MEASURES SUCH AS FLOOD RISK ANALYSIS, LAND USE AND DEVELOPMENT CONTROL, AND FLOOD WARNING SYSTEM ETC;
(IV) AN ASSESSMENT OF EXISTING COMPUTER MODELS FOR LAND DRAINAGE ANALYSIS AND DESIGN AND PROPOSALS FOR THE ADOPTION OF A SUITABLE SYSTEM FOR LOCAL CONDITIONS;
(V) THE IDENTIFICATION OF PRIORITY ITEMS FOR LANI) DRAINAGE AND FLOOD CONTROL FOR INCLUSION IN THE PUBLIC WORKS PROGRAMME; AND
(VI) PROPOSALS FOR THE INSTITUTIONAL/ORGANISATIONAL ARRANGEMENTS FOR IMPROVED MANAGEMENT AND MAINTENANCE OF LAND DRAINAGE SYSTEMS, INCLUDING RAINFALL, RUN-OFF AND FLOW MONITORING, THE IMPLEMENTATION OF A DRAINAGE IMPACT ASSESSMENT PROCEDURE, LEGISLATIVE ENACTMENT.
DR NIP SAID THE PROGRESS OF THIS STUDY WOULD BE MONITORED CAREFULLY BY A STEERING GROUP, WHICH WOULD BE CHAIRED BY A CIVIL ENGINEERING SERVICES DEPARTMENT OFFICER AND INCLUDE REPRESENTATIVES FROM OTHER GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS.
THE INFORMATION AND RECOMMENDATIONS PROVIDED BY THIS STUDY SHOULD NOT ONLY HELP TO BETTER UNDERSTAND THE PROBLEMS THAT HONG KONG FACES IN RESPECT OF THE LAND DRAINAGE AND FLOOD CONTROL, BUT ALSO ENABLE THE GOVERNMENT TO FORMULATE A CENTRALISED STRATEGY FOR DEALING WITH LAND DRAINAGE AND FLOOD CONTROL.
- 0 ---------
OVERALL CRIME DECREASE IN THIRD QUARTER * * t ♦ «
OVERALL CRIMES REPORTED TO POLICE IN THE THIRD QUARTER IT TH ' ■ YEAR SHOWED A DECREASE OF 3.7 PERCENT OVER THE PREVIOUS THREF-MONTH PERIOD.
RELEASING THE CRIME STATISTICS FOR THE THIRD (THURSDAY), MR PETER LEE LAM-CHUEN, DEPUTY DIRECTOR, TOTAL OF 19,803 CRIMES WERE RECORDED, REPRESENTING A DROP WHEN COMPARED WITH THE SAME PERIOD LAST YEAR.
QUARTER TODA 1
CRIME SAID A
THREE PERI ENT
COMPARED WITH LAST QUARTER, PICKPOCKETING DECLINED BY 52.1
PERCENT AND SHOP THEFT WAS DOWN 22.8 PERCENT, MR LEE SAID.
/HOWEVER, INCREASES ........
THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 24, 1988
14
HOWEVER, INCREASES WERE RECORDED FOR INDECENT ASSAULT, AND WOUNDINGS AND SERIOUS ASSAULTS, UP 17.2 PERCENT AND 13.7 PERCENT RESPECTIVELY.
VIOLENT CRIME TOTALLED 1,258 CASES DURING THE QUARTER, REPRESENTING 21.5 PERCENT OF ALL CRIMES REPORTED.
ON ROBBERIES, MR LEE SAID THE USE OF VIOLENCE WAS STILL HIGH. HE SAID: "WEAPONS WERE USED IN 46.6 PERCENT OF THESE OFFENCES, RESULTING IN 23.9 PERCENT OF ROBBERIES’ VICTIMS SUSTAINING INJURIES."
OF ALL THE ROBBERIES COMMITTED IN THE THIRD QUARTER, 10 INVOLVED GOLDSMITH OR WATCH SHOPS. A TOTAL OF $15 MILLION WORTH OF GOLD, JEWELLERY AND WATCHES WERE STOLEN. THE CORRESPONDING NUMBERS OF SUCH ROBBERIES FOR THE PRECEDING QUARTER AND THE SAME QUARTER LAST YEAR WERE 14 AND NINE RESPECTIVELY.
THERE WERE 47 ROBBERIES INVOLVING THE USE OF GENUINE FIREARMS OR PISTOL LIKE OBJECTS IN THE THIRD QUARTER OF 1988, OF WHICH THREE CASES WERE CONFIRMED AS GENUINE FIREARMS.
THERE WERE 54 SUCH CASES IN THE PRECEDING QUARTER AND 48 IN THE SAME QUARTER OF LAST YEAR.
WITH REGARD TO BURGLARIES, MR LEE POINTED OUT THAT IN 28.8 PERCENT OF ALL CASES OCCURRING IN THE THIRD QUARTER, THE BURGLARS DID NOT HAVE TO BREAK INTO THE PREMISES.
COMPARED WITH LAST QUARTER, DOMESTIC PREMISES BURGLARIES DECREASED BY 6.8 PERCENT, COMMERCIAL OFFICE BURGLARIES BY 3.9 PERCENT, AND FACTORY BURGLARIES BY 0.8 PERCENT. SHOP BURGLARIES WENT UP BY 3.4 PERCENT.
WOUNDINGS AND SERIOUS ASSAULTS AVERAGED 21.1 CASES PER DAY IN THE THIRD QUARTER, AN INCREASE OF 13.7 PERCENT OVER THE PREVIOUS QUARTER AND ALSO 5.5 PERCENT HIGHER THAN THE CORRESPONDING PERIOD OF LAST YEAR.
THE NUMBER OF JUVENILE OFFENDERS AGED BELOW 16 ARRESTED, INCLUDING THOSE CAUTIONED WITHOUT PROSECUTION, DECREASED IN THE QUARTER UNDER REVIEW.
OF ALL OFFENDERS ARRESTED DURING THE QUARTER, 1,497 I OR 15 PERCENT) WERE JUVENILES.
MEANWHILE, 1,691 YOUNG OFFENDERS (AGED 16 TO BELOW 21) WERE ARRESTED DURING THE QUARTER, REPRESENTING A 2.4 PERCENT DECREASE OVER THE PREVIOUS QUARTER AND A 5.5 PERCENT DECREASE OVER THE CORRESPONDING PERIOD OF LAST YEAR.
YOUNG OFFENDERS ACCOUNTED FOR 16.9 PERCENT OF ALL PERSONS ARRESTED DURING THE QUARTER.
/DURING THE .......
THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 2U, 1988
DURING THE QUARTER THE NUMBER OF PROSECUTIONS FOR COMMISSION OF CRIME BY RECENT ARRIVALS AVERAGED 2.3 PER DAY A DECREASE OF 28.2 PERCENT COMPARED WITH THE PRECEDING QUARTER AND 48.9 PERCENT OVER THE SAME QUARTER OF LAST YEAR.
WHEN EXPRESSED AS A PERCENTAGE OF THE OVERALL NUMBER OF PERSONS PROSECUTED, RECENT ARRIVALS ACCOUNTED FOR 2.3 PERCENT IN THE THIRD QUARTER. THE CORRESPONDING FIGURE IN THE PREVIOUS QUARTER WAS 3.1 PERCENT.
---0------
TWO MORE AIDS PATIENTS CONFIRMED » * » t
THE MEDICAL AND HEALTH DEPARTMENT TODAY (THURSDAY) CONFIRMED THAT TWO MORE AIDS (ACQUIRED IMMUNE DEFICIENCY SYNDROME) PAT ENTS HAVE BEEN REPORTED IN HONG KONG.
THIS BRINGS THE TOTAL NUMBER OF PATIENTS REPORTED TO 15. UP TO NOW, 11 OF THE PATIENTS HAVE DIED, INCLUDING ONE FEMALF PATIENT.
THE TWO NEW PATIENTS ARE MALE - ONE ACQUIRED THE VIRUS THROUGH TRANSFUSION OF BLOOD PRODUCTS, AND THE OTHER ACQUIRED THE DISEASE SEXUALLY.
RELEASING THE MONTHLY STATISTICS ON THE AIDS SURVEILLANCE PROGRAMME FOR OCTOBER, A SPOKESMAN FOR THE DEPARTMENT SAID THAT SO FAR 113 CARRIERS HAVE BEEN DETECTED, EXCLUDING THE 15 PATIENTS.
THE DEPARTMENT HAS STARTED THE SURVEILLANCE PROGRAMME TO MONITOR THE SPREAD OF THE DISEASE SINCE 1985.
UNDER THE PROGRAMME, CERTAIN HIGH RISK GROUPS INCLUDING HAEMOPHILIACS, INTRAVENOUS DRUG ABUSERS AND SEXUALLY PROMISCUOUS PEOPLE ARE TESTED FOR THE HIV ANTIBODIES.
A TOTAL OF 108,794 PEOPLE HAVE BEEN TESTED SO FAR AND 128 ARE FOUND POSITIVE.
THESE 128 PERSONS COMPRISE 53 HAEMOPHILIACS, 12 PATIENTS WHO ATTENDED THE SOCIAL HYGIENE CLINICS, 34 PATIENTS I ROM GOVERNMENT HOSPITALS AND CLINICS AND 29 REFERRALS FROM PRIVATE DOCTORS AND SUBVERTED ORGANISATIONS.
AT THE SAME TIME, THE HONG KONG RED CROSS BLOOD TRANSFUSION SERVICE HAS ALSO SCREENED ALL BLOOD DONORS FOR AIDS. UP TO OCTOBER THIS YEAR, 474,939 UNITS OF BLOOD HAD BEEN TESTED AND SEVEN -.-.RE FOUND TO BE POSITIVE.
THURSDAY, NOVEMBER ?.k, 1988
16
AIDS Virus (HIV) Antibody Testing
Medical & Health Department
Virus Unit
• April 85 ~ Sept _88 Oct 88 Total
No. tested fveW . No. tested No. +ve Nc-tested to, fve
Referrals from Govt. 6 532 34 202 0 6 734 34
hospitals and clinics Referrals from private practitioners and 1 684 29 12 0 1 6?6 29
subverted hospitals Attendances at social 93 555 12 2 861 0 96 416 12
hygiene clinics Haemophiliacs 340 52 6 1 346* 53
IV drug abusers 2 800 0 145 0 2 945 0
Referrals from Family 142 0 5 0 147 0
Planning Association Health care personnel 508 0 2 0 510 0
Total 105 561 12? 3 233 1 108 794 128
* This indicates the number of specimens and not persons as tests
Aug 85 - Sept 88 Oct 88.. Total No. No. tested +ve
No. tested No. +ve No. tested No. +ve
Hong Kong- Red Cross Blood Transfusion 463 607 7 11 332 0 474 939 7
Service
Medical & Health Department November 1988
---------0 ------------
/17 .
THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 24, 1988
NEED FOR MONITORING BODY DISCUSSED * * * » »
MEMBERS OF THE COMMITTEE ON SCIENTIFICALLY ASSISTED HUMAN REPRODUCTION TODAY (THURSDAY) FURTHER CONSIDERED THE NEED FOR A MONITORING BODY ON SCIENTIFICALLY ASSISTED HUMAN REPRODUCTION.
THE COMMITTEE RECOMMENDED THAT THERE SHOULD BE AN ADVISORY BODY TO KEEP UNDER REVIEW CURRENT PRACTICE, TRENDS AND DEVELOPMENT IN THIS FIELD.
IN ADDITION, IT RECOMMENDED THE SETTING UP OF A STATUTORY LICENSING BODY.
THE CHAIRMAN OF THE COMMITTEE, DR LEONG CHE-HUNG, SAID THAT AT THE NEXT MEETING A DETAILED CONSULTATION REPORT ON THE DELIBERATIONS SO FAR WOULD BE CONSIDERED FOR ULTIMATE CIRCULATION TO CONCERNED PARTIES.
"THE COMMITTEE CONTINUES TO WELCOME VIEWS FROM THE PUBLIC ON THEIR PRELIMINARY RECOMMENDATIONS ON SURROGACY, ARTIFICIAL INSEMINATION BY DONOR," HE SAID.
ANY COMMENTS AND OPINIONS CAN BE SENT TO THE COMMITTEE THROUGH THE HEALTH AND WELFARE BRANCH, GOVERNMENT SECRETARIAT, LOWER ALBERT ROAD, HONG KONG.
- 0 -
MEDICAL PROFESSION URGED TO HELP IN ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION * t * t
THE MEDICAL PROFESSION WAS URGED TODAY (THURSDAY) TO JOIN HANDS WITH THE ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION PROFESSION TO ANTICIPATE RISKS TO PUBLIC HEALTH THAT WERE CAUSED BY POLLUTION.
THE APPEAL WAS MADE BY THE PRINCIPAL ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION OFFICER (WATER POLICY), OF THE ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION DEPARTMENT, MR PAUL HOLMES, IN AN ADDRESS TO THE HONG KONG SOCIETY OF MICROBIOLOGY.
"THERE IS A DEFINITE NEED FOR THE TWO PROFESSIONS TO GET TOGETHER TO TRY TO GET AHEAD OF THE PROBLEMS," MR HOLMES SAID.
HE POINTED OUT THAT THE CHOLERA OUTBREAK IN AUGUST 1986 AND THE HEPATITIS A OUTBREAK THIS YEAR WERE EXAMPLES OF HEALTH HAZARDS WITH AN ENVIRONMENTAL LINK.
/"WITH AN
THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 24, 1988
- 18 -
’’WITH AN INCREASING COMMITMENT TO ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION, WE SHOULD BE ABLE TO DO BETTER THAN JUST REACTING TO PROBLEMS AFTER THEY HAVE HAPPENDED," HE SAID.
MR HOLMES CITED THE EXAMPLE OF RED TIDES WHICH WOULD HAVE NEGATIVE IMPACTS ON ECOLOGY AND HUMAN HEALTH, AND OF WHICH POLLUTION WAS CLEARLY A SIGNIFICANT CAUSE.
’’ALTHOUGH TRANSMISSION OF HEPATITIS A BY POLLUTED SHELLFISH IS SO FAR UNPROVEN, VERY HIGH BACTERIA COUNTS HAVE BEEN RECORDED IN THE SAMPLES WE COLLECTED,” HE SAID.
REFERRING TO THE STANDARDS AND OBJECTIVES FOR WATER QUALITY IN HONG KONG, ME HOLMES SAID THESE WERE CHOSEN TO BE APPROPIATE TO LOCAL CIRCUMSTANCES AND WERE NOT SIMPLY IMPORTED FROM OVERSEAS.
"PARTICULARLY IN RELATION TO MICROBIAL STANDARDS, DIFFERENT CONDITIONS OF TEMPERATURE, SALINITY, INSOLATION AND OTHER FACTORS WOULD MAKE EUROPEAN OR AMERICAN STANDARDS MEANINGLESS HERE," HE SAID.
"IN FACT, OUR STANDARDS FOR BATHING BEACHES ARE SET AT LOWER HEALTH RISK RATES THAN THE RISKS CONSIDERED ACCEPTABLE IN THE U.S.A."
MR HOLMES ADDED THAT THE ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION DEPARTMENT WOULD SHORTLY COMPLETE ITS REVIEW OF BATHING BEACH QUALITY IN,THE 1988 BATHING SEASON.
THE URBAN COUNCIL AND REGIONAL COUNCIL WOULD DECIDE ON WHICH BEACHES SHOULD BE OPENED OR CLOSED BEFORE THE NEXT BATHING SEASON.
THE DEPARTMENT’S REPORT WOULD BE PUBLISHED BEFORE NEXT SUMMER.
-----0----------
HOLIDAY CAMP FOR THE DISABLED
*****
AN OUTING TO A SCENIC HOLIDAY CAMP HAS BEEN ARRANGED BY THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT TO PROMOTE THE CONCEPT OF INTEGRATING THE DISABLED WITH THE COMMUNITY AND TO CELEBRATE THE 30TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE DEPARTMENT.
THE FUNCTION - "CAMPING OUT WITH THE DISABLED" - WILL BE HELD AT THE YMCA WU KAI SHA YOUTH VILLAGE IN SHA TIN THIS WEEKEND.
THE 760 CAMPERS INCLUDE DISABLED CLIENTS AND THEIR PARENTS FROM THE DEPARTMENT’S REHABILITATION SERVICE UNITS, BOYS AND GIRLS FROM CORRECTIONAL HOMES, PROBATIONERS, VOLUNTEERS AND SOCIAL WORKERS.
THEY WILL BE ABLE TO MINGLE AND ENJOY A FUN-PACKED PROGRAMME STARTING FROM SATURDAY (NOVEMBER 26) WITH A CAMP-FIRE, A TALENT QUEST AND FOLK DANCE PERFORMANCE.
/THIS WILL .......
THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 24, 1988
- 19 -
THIS WILL BE FOLLOWED BY A PRIZE-GIVING CEREMONY AND A FUN FAIR THE FOLLOWING DAY (SUNDAY) TO BE OFFICIATED BY THE DIRECTOR OF SOCIAL WELFARE, MRS ELIZABETH WONG.
THE FUNCTION IS SPONSORED BY THE HONG KONG SHUMEI CHURCH, AND WITH THE SUPPORT FROM THE LUTHERAN CHEUNG CHING CENTRE FOR THE DISABLED, THE HONG KONG SPORTS ASSOCIATION FOR THE MENTALLY HANDICAPPED AND THE YMCA WU KAI SHA YOUTH VILLAGE.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE PRIZE-GIVING CEREMONY OF ’’CAMPING OUT WITH THE DISABLED” ON SUNDAY (NOVEMBER 27) AT THE YMCA WU KAI SHA YOUTH VILLAGE, SHA TIN. IT WILL BEGIN AT 9.30 AM.
AFTER THE CEREMONY, A PRESS BRIEFING WILL BE GIVEN BY MR KWOK KA-CHI, ASSISTANT DIRECTOR OF SOCIAL WELFARE (YOUTH AND REHABILITATION), ON THE DEVELOPMENTS OF REHABILITATION SERVICES AT ABOUT 11 AM. MEDIA REPRESENTATIVES ARE ALSO INVITED TO ATTEND A LUNCH AT THE CAMP.
PRESS TRANSPORT WILL BE PROVIDED. THE PRESS COACH WILL LEAVE FROM THE CARPARK OF HENRY G. LEONG COMMUNITY CENTRE AT 60 PUBLIC SQUARE STREET, YAU MA TEI AT 8.30 AM ON SUNDAY. SWD INFORMATION STAFF WILL BE ON HAND TO ASSIST.
-------0 ---------
ANTI-NARCOTICS CAMPAIGN IN KWAI TS1NG
*****
RESIDENTS OF KWAI CHUNG AND TSING YI ARE BEING INVITED TO TAKE PART IN A THREE-WEEK ANTI-NARCOTICS CAMPAIGN TO BE LAUNCHED IN KWAI TSING DISTRICT FROM MONDAY (NOVEMBER 28).
KWAI TSING DISTRICT WAS CHOSEN BY THE ACTION COMMITTEE AGAINST NARCOTICS THIS YEAR AS ONE OF THE FOUR DISTRICTS TO PROMOTE THE' ANTI-NARCOTICS CAMPAIGN AT THE DISTRICT LEVEL AND TO ENCOURAGE COMMUNITY PARTICIPATION IN THE CAMPAIGN.
THE KWAI TSING DISTRICT ANTI-NARCOTICS CAMPAIGN COMMITTEE WILL ORGANISE A SERIFS OF ACTIVITIES WITH A BUDGET OF $300,000. DETAILS OF THE ACTIVITIES WILL BE ANNOUNCED AT A PRESS CONFERENCE TO BE HELD TOMORROW (FRIDAY).
/CHAIRMAN OF .......
THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 24, 1988
CHAIRMAN OF THE COMMITTEE, MR SO HOI-PAN; KWAI TSING DISTRICT OFFICER, MR PAUL TANG AND A REPRESENTATIVE OF THE ACTION COMMITTEE AGAINST NARCOTICS WILL BE PRESENT AT THE PRESS CONFERENCE.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE PRESS CONFERENCE ON KWAI TSING DISTRICT ANTI-NARCOTICS CAMPAIGN TO BE HELD AT 11 AM TOMORROW (FRIDAY) AT THE CONFERENCE ROOM, 10/F, KWAI HING GOVERNMENT OFFICES BUILDING (NEXT TO KWAI HING MTR STATION), KWAI CHUNG.
- - 0 -
’BE A GOOD CITIZEN’ CARNIVAL IN SOUTHERN DISTRICT ******
A MAJOR PROGRAMME UNDER SOUTHERN DISTRICT CIVIC EDUCATION CAMPAIGN, ENTITLED "BE A GOOD CITIZEN" CARNIVAL, WILL BE HELD THIS SUNDAY (NOVEMBER 27) AT THE AP LEI CHAU COMMUNITY HALL IN THE AP LEI CHAU ESTATE.
"ALL SOUTHERN RESIDENTS ARE WELCOME TO JOIN THE FUN-FILLED CARNIVAL WHICH FEATURES A HOST OF INTERESTING STALL GAMES AND EXHIBITIONS DESIGNED TO ENHANCE CIVIC AWARENESS," A SPOKESMAN FOR SOUTHERN DISTRICT OFFICE SAID.
ORGANISED JOINTLY BY THE DISTRICT OFFICE AND THE SOUTHERN DISTRICT BOARD, THE CARNIVAL WILL TAKE PLACE BETWEEN 1.30 PM AND 5 PM.
OFFICIATING AT THE OPENING OF THE CARNIVAL WILL BE CHAIRMAN OF THE COMMITTEE ON THE PROMOTION OF CIVIC EDUCATION, DR DANIEL TSE, WHO WILL GIVE A SPEECH ON CIVIC EDUCATION AND COMMUNITY PARTICIPATION.
ALSO PRESENT WILL BE THE SOUTHERN DISTRICT OFFICER, MRS MAUREEN CHAN; DISTRICT BOARD CHAIRMAN, MR HUI YUNG-CHUNG; LEGISLATIVE COUNCILLOR. MRS SO CHAU YIM-PING: SOUTHERN DISTRICT SOCIAL WELFARE OFFICER, MRS JUDY MAUI.DON, AND SENIOR EDUCATION OFFICER, DR JIMMY CHAN.
WITH THE ASSISTANCE OF LOCAL GROUPS, SCHOOLS, THE JUNIOR POLICE CALL (JPC) AND THE INDEPENDENT COMMISSION AGAINST CORRUPTION (ICAC), A TOTAL OF 16 GAME STALLS WILL BE SET UP IN THE CARNIVAL.
"THESE GAMES ARE SPECIALLY DESIGNED TO DISSEMINATE THE MESSAGES OF CIVIC EDUCATION IN AN ENTERTAINING YET EDUCATIONAL WAY," THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
/THE YEAR-ROUND
THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 2U, 1988
THE YEAR-ROUND CIVIC EDUCATION CAMPAIGN IN THE DISTRICT SEEKS TO PROMOTE AMONG RESIDENTS A SENSE OF BELONGING TO THE DISTRICT, MUTUAL HELP AND RESPECT, UNDERSTANDING OF CIVIC RIGHTS AND RESPONSIBILITIES, AWARENESS IN ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AND PARTICIPATION IN THE ADMINISTRATION OF HONG KONG.
ALSO FEATURED IN THE CARNIVAL WILL BE A SERIES OF EXHIBITIONS STAGED BY THE CIVIL AID SERVICES, AUXILIARY MEDICAL SERVICES, AND THE JPC. THESE ORGANISATIONS WILL SET UP SPECIAL COUNTERS TO ANSWER ENQUIRIES AND TO RECRUIT NEW MEMBERS.
IN ADDITION, THE ICAC WILL HOLD AN EXHIBITION TO INTRODUCE ITS WORK AND TO PUBLICISE ANT I-CORRUPTION MESSAGES.
APART FROM THE CARNIVAL, THE SOUTHERN DISTRICT CIVIC EDUCATION CAMPAIGN PLANS TO ORGANISE A COLOURING COMPETITION AND A LARGE SCALE CIVIC EDUCATION EXHIBITION TO FURTHER ENHANCE CIVIC AWARENESS.
FREE TICKETS FOR STALL GAMES IN THE CARNIVAL ARE NOW AVAILABLE AT THE ENQUIRY COUNTERS OF THE SOUTHERN DISTRICT OFFICE AND ITS SUB-OFFICES IN AP LEI CHAU, WAH FU AND STANLEY. A
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE OPENING CEREMONY OF THE "BE A GOOD CITIZEN" CARNIVAL WHICH WILL START AT 1.30 PM THIS SUNDAY (NOVEMBER 27) IN THE AP LEI CHAU COMMUNITY HALL, AP LEI CHAU ESTATE.
A GOVERNMENT VEHICLE TO TAKE MEDIA REPRESENTATIVES TO THE VENUE WILL DEPART FROM THE CARPARK OF THE CENTRAL GOVERNMENT OFFICES, LOWER ALBERT ROAD, AT 12.45 PM. INFORMATION OFFICER, MR ALEX LI, WILL BE ON HAND TO ASSIST.
- - 0 -
EASTERN DISTRICT ARTS CARNIVAL BEGINS ON SATURDAY
******
RESIDENTS IN EASTERN DISTRICT WILL ENJOY A VARIETY OF ARTS AND CULTURAL ACTIVITIES IN THE DISTRICT WHEN A CARNIVAL BEGINS ON SATURDAY (NOVEMBER 26).
ORGANISED BY THE EASTERN DISTRICT ARTS COUNCIL AND SPONSORED BY THE DISTRICT BOARD, THE ARTS CARNIVAL WILL FEATURE A WIDE RANGE OP ACTIVITIES CENTRED ON CHINESE ARTS AND CULTURE.
/THE PROGRAMME
THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 2U, 1988
22
IS:
THE PROGRAMME FOR THE CARNIVAL, WHICH WILL RUN TO DECEMBER 4,
DATE/TIME EVENT VENUE
NOVEMBER 26, 2.30 PM OPENING CEREMONY OF THE EASTERN DISTRICT ARTS CARNIVAL AND CHINESE PAINTING AND CALLIGRAPHY EXHIBITION EAST BRIDGE OF CITYPLAZA (PHASE II) TAIKOO SHING
NOVEMBER 27, 8 PM CANTONESE OPERA DR SEAKER CHAN MEMORIAL HALL, NORTH POINT
DECEMBER 3, 10.30 AM FILM SHOW KAM HUNG KEE THEATRE, NORTH POINT
DECEMBER 3, 3 PM CIVIC EDUCATION DRAMA CONTEST KIANGSU CHEKIANG PRIMARY SCHOOL, NORTH POINT
DECEMBER 3, WHOLE DAY CHILDREN DRAWING DAY LEI YUE MUN PARK
DECEMBER 4, 2.30 PM DEMONSTRATION OF FLOWER ARRANGEMENT EAST BRIDGE OF CITYPLAZA (PHASE II)
DECEMBER 4, 8 PM CLOSING CEREMONY AND CHINESE PHILHARMONIC ORCHESTRA CONCERT CHAI WAN COMMUNITY CENTRE
ADMISSION IS FREE.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO ATTEND THE OPENING CEREMONY OF' THE EASTERN DISTRICT ARTS CARNIVAL AND CHINESE PAINTING AND CALLIGRAPHY EXHIBITION WHICH WILL BE HELD ON NOVEMBER 26 (SATURDAY) AT 2.30 PM AT THE EAST BRIDGE OF CITYPLAZA (PHASE II), TA1KOO SHING.
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THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 24, 1988
- 2? -
FREE ENTERTAINMENT FOR KWUN TONG RESIDENTS *****
A HOST OF CULTURAL AND RECREATIONAL EVENTS WILL BE STAGED IN DIFFERENT PARTS OF KWUN TONG OVER THE NEXT THREE DAYS TO !' FREE ENTERTAINMENT FOR LOCAL RESIDENTS.
THEY ARE PART OF THE CURRENT KWUN TONG FESTIVAL 188 WHICH RUNS FROM NOVEMBER 20 TO DECEMBER 10.
KICKING OFF THE SERIES TOMORROW (FRIDAY) WILL BE A LUNCH-HOUR CONCERT FOR WORKERS AT THE TSUN YIP STREET PLAYGROUND WHERE THEY WILL BE TREATED TO POPULAR SONGS BY WELL-KNOWN ARTISTES.
ON SATURDAY (NOVEMBER 26) EVENING, THERE WILL BE TWO VARIETY SHOWS - ONE AT NGAU TAU KOK EAST AND ANOTHER AT KWUN TONG TOWN, WHICH WILL FEATURE POPULAR SONGS, ORIENTAL DANCE, CHILDREN CHORUS SINGING AND ACROBATIC SHOW TO BRING FESTIVE FUN FOR ALL.
ON SUNDAY (NOVEMBER 27), FIVE OTHER SUB-DISTRICTS WILL BE CELEBRATING THE DISTRICT FESTIVAL WITH A WIDE VARIETY OF EVENTS - FUN DAY, FILM SHOW, CARNIVAL, VARIETY SHOW AND A CHILDREN’S PAINTING DAY.
DETAILS OF THE 27 ARE AS FOLLOWS:
FESTIVAL EVENTS TO BE HELD FROM NOVEMBER
25 TO
EVENT
DATE AND TIME
VENUE
LUNCH-HOUR CONCERT FOR WORKERS
NGAU TAU KOK EAST VARIETY SHOW
NOV 25 (FRIDAY) 12.30 PM
NOV 26 (SATURDAY) 7.30 PM
TSUN YIP STREET
KWUN TONG TOWN VARIETY SHOW
NGAU TAU KOK NORTH FILM PRESENTATION -’NAUSICA*
SAU MAU PING AREA FUN DAY
NOV 26 (SATURDAY) 7.30 PM
NOV 27 (SUNDAY) 10 AM
NOV 27 (SUNDAY)
1 PM
OPEN AREA OUTSIDE KEI LOK PRIMARY SCHOOL AT LOK WAH ESTATE
TSUI PING ROAD RECREATION GROUND
OSCAR THEATRE
SAU MAU PING URBAN COUNCIL NO. 10 PLAYGROUND
/SZE SHAN AREA ......
THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 24, 1988
24 -
SZE SHAN AREA VARIETY SHOW
NOV 27 (SUNDAY) 1 PM
SHUN LEE AREA FESTIVAL OPENING CEREMONY AND CARNIVAL
NGAU TAU KOK WEST CHILDREN’S PAINTING DAY
NOV 27 (SUNDAY) 2 PM
NOV 27 (SUNDAY) 3 PM
SAM KA TSUEN DEVELOPMENT STAGE IV RECLAMATION SITE
SHUN ON PLAYGROUND
TELFORD GARDENS MAIN SQUARE
-------0---------
DB COMMITTEE TO DISCUSS FIRE ALARM SYSTEM
* * » * *
i’HE INSTALLATION OF A FIRE ALARM SYSTEM IN MULTI-STOREY BUILDINGS WILL BE AN ITEM FOR DISCUSSION AT THE SHA TIN DISTRICT BOARD’S DEVELOPMENT AND HOUSING COMMITTEE MEETING TOMORROW (FRIDAY) MORNING.
DB DEPARTMENT BUILDINGS POSSIBILITY SERVICES.
MEMBER, MR WONG FUK-WAH WILL ASK THE FIRE SERVICES IF IT IS A LEGAL REQUIREMENT FOR NEWLY-BUILT MULTI-STOREY TO MAINTAIN AN AUTOMATIC FIRE ALARM SYSTEM AND THE
OF A PRIVATE COMPANY MONOPOLISING SUCH FIRE ALARM
<1
MEANWHILE, DB MEMBER, MR CHAN HON-YING WILL THE CLEAN-UP AND REBUILDING OF A SITE IN YUEN CHAU AREA WHICH WAS RECENTLY DAMAGED BY FIRE.
PRESENT A PAPER ON TEMPORARY HOUSING
HE WILL PRESENT ANOTHER PAPER ON THE FINDINGS OF A SURVEY ON RESIDENTS’ VIEWS ON THE PROPOSED CHANGING OF SITES BETWEEN THE CARPARK ON THE GROUND Fl.OOR AMD THE SHOPPING CENTRE ON THE FIRST FLOOR IN SHA TIN PARK.
THE SHA TIN DEVELOPMENT OFFICE WILL SUBMIT TWO PAPERS FOR DISCUSSION. ONE WILL BE ON THE LAYOUT PLAN OF THE YIU ON AREA IN MA ON SHAN, COVERING AN AREA OF 32 HECTARES AND ACCOMMODATING 21,200 RESIDENTS AND THE OTHER ON THE PROPOSED LOCAL OPEN SPACE NEAR PAI TAU
THE MEETING WILL ALSO CONSIDER ENVIRONMENTAL IMPROVEMENT PROJECTS TOTALLING SIU LEK YUEN, TIN SUM, TAO FUNG SHAN, HA WO HOUSING AREA AND HUNG MUI KUK VILLAGE.
SEVEN PROPOSED MINOR $380,000 IN SHA TIN TAU, CHE, MUI LEE TEMPORARY ;
/OTHER ITEMS ......
THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 24, 1988
OTHER ITEMS ON THE AGENDA INCLUDE PROGRESS REPORTS BY THE PUBLIC HOUSING AND PRIVATE BUILDING WORKING GROUPS AS WELL AS APPLICATIONS FOR FUNDS.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE SHA TIN DISTRICT BOARD'S DEVELOPMENT AND HOUSING COMMITTEE MEETING TO BEGIN AT 9.30 AM ON FRIDAY (NOVEMBER 25) AT THE DB CONFERENCE ROOM ON 6TH FLOOR. KCR HOUSE, SHA TIN STATION.
- - 0 - -
DB COMMITTEE TO DISCUSS DISTRICT SPORTS FESTIVAL
*****
THE CULTURE, RECREATION AND SPORTS COMMITTEE OF THE ISLANDS DISTRICT BOARD WILL MEET TOMORROW (FRIDAY) TO DISCUSS A PROPOSAL TO HOLD THE FIRST DISTRICT SPORTS FESTIVAL NEXT YEAR.
MEMBERS WILL ALSO CONSIDER APPLICATIONS FOR DISTRICT BOARD FUNDS AND THE REGIONAL COUNCIL’S DISTRICT FESTIVAL SUBSIDY SCHEME FOR HOLDING VARIOUS ACTIVITIES FOR ISLANDERS.
THEY WILL ALSO BE INFORMED OF THE REVISION IN GUIDELINES ON VETTING APPLICATIONS FOR DB FUNDS ON CULTURAL, RECREATIONAL AND SPORTS ACTIVITIES IN THE DISTRICT AND DISCUSS THE PROPOSED ESTIMATES FOR SUCH ACTIVITIES IN 1989-90.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE MEETING OF THF ISLAND' DISTR IC'l BOARD’S CULTURE, RECREATION AND SPORTS COMMITTEE TO BE HELD TOMORROW (FRIDAY) IN THE CONFERENCE ROOM OF THE ISLANDS DISTRICT OFFICE, 20TH FLOOR, HARBOUR BUILDING, 38 PIER ROAD, CENTRAL, BEGINNING A'i 2 PM.
- 0 -
/26
THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 24, 1988
- 26 -
DRAWING CONTEST FOR CHILDREN THIS SUNDAY « » » « «
CHILDREN AGED BETWEEN THREE AND 12 WILL HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY TO SHOW THEIR FLAIR FOR DRAWING IN A CONTEST AT THE TSIM SHA TSUI PROMENADE THIS SUNDAY (NOVEMBER 27) AFTERNOON.
JOINTLY ORGANISED BY THE TSIM SHA TSUI AREA COMMITTEE AND MING PAO DAILY NEWS WITH SPONSORSHIP FROM THE YAU TSIM DISTRICT BOARD, THE DRAWING CONTEST AIMS AT ENHANCING CHILDREN'S INTEREST IN ART.
CHILDREN AGED BETWEEN THREE AND SIX WILL BE REQUIRED TO COLOUR A PRE-DRAWN PICTURE. THE FIRST THREE WINNERS WILL BE AWARDED GIFT COUPONS WORTH $300, $200 AND $100 RESPECTIVELY.
THOSE AGED BETWEEN SIX AND 12 WILL BE REQUIRED TO DRAW PICTURE WITH THE THEME OF 'I LOVE YAU TSIM DISTRICT’. PRIZES FOR THE FIRST THREE WINNERS IN THIS SECTION WILL BE GIFT COUPONS OF $400, $300 AND $200 RESPECTIVELY. GIFTS WILL BE AWARDED TO 20 OUTSTANDING ENTRIES OF EACH SECTION.
THOSE WHO WISH TO JOIN THE CONTEST SHOULD ENROL AT A RECEPTION DESK SITUATED BEHIND THE NEW WORLD CENTRE BEFORE NOON ON SUNDAY. THEY SHOULD ALSO BRING ALONG PAINTING BRUSHES AND COLOURS.
OFFICIATING AT THE OPENING CEREMONY OF THE CONTEST WILL BE THE ASSISTANT DISTRICT OFFICER OF YAU TSIM DISTRICT, MR ARTHUR YUEN; YAU TSIM DISTRICT BOARD CHAIRMAN, MR YIP WAH, AND POLICE DIVISIONAL COMMANDER OF TSIM SHA TSUI, MR JIM ROBB.
THERE WILL ALSO BE SINGING PERFORMANCES TO ADD TO THE FESTIVE ATMOSPHERE, STARTING AT 3 PM.
ENQUIRIES ABOUT THE CONTEST CAN BE MADE AT 3-695259.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE CHILDREN’S DRAWING CONTEST TO BE HELD ON SUNDAY (NOVEMBER 27) AT THE TSIM SHA TSUI PROMENADE, STARTING AT 1 PM. THE PRIZE-PRESENTATION CEREMONY WILL BEGIN AT I PM.
-----o-----
/?7........
THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 24, 1988
- 27 -
NEW POST OFFICE TO OPEN IN SHAU KEI WAN * t * t
A NEW SHAU KEI WAN POST OFFICE WILL OPEN AT 9 AM ON MONDAY (NOVEMBER 28).
THE POST OFFICE IS LOCATED ON THE GROUND FLOOR OF PERFECT MOUNT GARDENS, 1 PO MAN STREET, SHAU KEI WAN.
IT WILL REPLACE THE EXISTING POST OFFICE, AND THE HOURS OF BUSINESS AND THE TELEPHONE NUMBER WILL REMAIN UNCHANGED.
IN ADDITION TO NORMAL COUNTER SERVICES, THE NEW POST OFFICE WILL ACCEPT SPEEDPOST POSTINGS AND THE NUMBER OF POST OFFICE BOXES WILL BE INCREASED FROM 300 TO 500.
A SPECIAL HANDBACK SERVICE FOR PHILATELISTS WILL BE AVAILABLE AT THE NEW POST OFFICE ON MONDAY.
UNREGISTERED "FIRST DAY" COVERS BEARING A LOCAL ADDRESS WILL BE IMPRESSED WITH THE NORMAL DATESTAMP AND HANDED BACK TO THE PERSONS PRESENTING THEM.
THE EXISTING SHAU KEI WAN POST OFFICE AT 329-331 SHAU KEI WAN ROAD WILL CLOSE FOR BUSINESS AT 5 PM ON SATURDAY (NOVEMBER 26).
- - 0 -
HK, MACAU PHILATELIC SALES
* * t *
FROM NEXT THURSDAY (DECEMBER 1), THE PHILATELIC BUREAUS OF HONG KONG AND MACAU WILL SELL PHILATELIC PRODUCTS ON BEHALF OF EACH OTHER.
PEOPLE WISHING TO BUY HONG KONG OR MACAU PHILATELIC PRODUCTS WILL BE ABLE TO MAKE THEIR PURCHASES AT THE PHILATELIC COUNTERS OF THE FOLLOWING POST OFFICES:
GENERAL POST OFFICE j
BEACONSFIELD HOUSE POST OFFICE
PEAK POST OFFICE
TS1M SHA TSUI POST OFFICE
GRANVILLE ROAD POST OFFICE, AND
AIRPORT POST OFFICE
AND AT THE MAIN POST OFFICES IN MACAU.
0 -
/28..........
i
THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 24, 1988
28
CYC HONOURS COMMUNITY LEADERS AND EDUCATIONALISTS
*****
. GROUP OF COMMUNITY LEADERS, SCHOOL HEADS AND TEACHERS WERE HONOURED TODAY (THURSDAY) FOR THEIR CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE COMMUNITY YOUTH CLUB (CYC) OF THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT.
THEY WERE PRESENTED WITH HONORARY MEDAKS BY THE DIRECTOR OF EDUCATION, MR Y.T. LI, IN HIS CAPACITY AS THE PRESIDENT OF CYC AT rHE 8TH ANNUA: PARADE OF THE CLUB AT QUEEN ELIZABETH STADIUM, WAN CHAI .
AT THE PARADE MR LI TOOK THE SALUTE AND PAID TRIBUTE TO THE MEDAL RECIPIENTS FOR THEIR CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE CYC MOVEMENT.
AMONG THOSE WHO WERE HONOURED TODAY WAS MISS AW ^IAN, CHAIRMAN OF SING TAO LIMITED WHO WAS PRESENTED WITH THE HIGHEST CYC AWARD, A GOLD MEDAL.
SILVER MEDALS WERE PRESENTED TO MR PETER MOSS, ASSISTANT DIRECTOR OF GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES, MR K.C. IL', ASSISTANT DIRECTOR OF AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES, MR SO FAI-CHO, ASSISTANT DIRECTOR OF EDUCATION (CHIEF INSPECTOR OF SCHOOLS), MR LAW KAR-KUI, CHAIRMAN OF LAWS FOUNDATION TRUST, AND MRS LINA LO, HEAD OF EDUCATIONAL TELEVISION DIVISION OF RADIO AND TELEVISION HONG KONG.
MR LI LSO GAVE BRONZE MEDALS TO 14 SCHOOL HEADS AND TEACHERS IN RFCOGN! TTO:• OF THEIR OUTSTANDING SERVICES TOWARDS THE CYC MOVEMENT.
-----0-----
TEMPORARY ROAD CLOSURE IN CENTRAL * * * *
THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCED TODAY (THURSDAY) THAT TO FACILITATE ROAD RESURFACING WORKS, SEVERAL ROAD SECTIONS IN CENTRAL WILL BE CLOSED THIS WEEKEND.
TAMAR STREET NORTHBOUND BETWEEN DRAKE STREET AND HARCOURT ROAD; AND DRAKE STREET EASTBOUND WEST OF ITS JUNCTION WITH TAMAR STREET WILE BE CLOSED FROM 7 PM ON SATURDAY (NOVEMBER 26) TO 7 PM THE NEXT DAY.
IN ADDITION, THE FOLLOWING ROAD SECTIONS WILL BE CLOSED FROM MIDNIGHT TO 7 AM ON SUNDAY (NOVEMBER 27):
* THE SOUTHBOUND LANE OF TAMAR STREET BETWEEN DRAKE STREET AND HARCOURT ROAD.
/• THE EASTBOUND ........
THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 24, 1988
* THE EASTBOUND LANE OF DRAKE STREET EAST OF ITS JUNCTION WITH TAMAR STREET. THE GMF STOP FOR ROUTE 31 IN DRAKE STREET WILL BE RELOCATED TO HARCOURT ROAD OUTSIDE ADMIRALTY CENTRE.
» THE NORTHBOUND LANE OF RODNEY STREET BETWEEN DRAKE STREET AND HARCOURT ROAD.
ROAD CLOSURE FOR THE INTERNATIONAL CYCLE RACE * t t *
THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCED THAT THE FOLLOWING ROAD SECTIONS IN SHA TIN WILL BE CLOSED TO TRAFFIC FROM 5.30 AM TO 8.50 AM ON SUNDAY (NOVEMBER 27) FOR THE HOLDING OF THE INTERNATIONAL CYCLE RACE:
* THE EASTERN CARRIAGEWAY OF YUEN WO ROAD BETWEEN BANYAN BRIDGE AND SAND MARTIN BRIDGE;
* THE NORTHERN CARRIAGEWAY OF SAND MARTIN BRIDGE BETWEEN YUEN WO ROAD AND TAI CHUNG KIU ROAD;
* THE WESTERN CARRIAGEWAY OF TAI CHUNG KIU ROAD BETWEEN SAND MARTIN BRIDGE AND BANYAN BRIDGE; AND
* THE SOUTHERN CARRIAGEWAY OF BANYAN BRIDGE BETWEEN TAI CHUNG KIU ROAD AND YUEN WO ROAD.
DURING THE CLOSURE, TRAFFIC WILL BE DIVERED. THIS INCLUDES KMB ROUTES 48, 70, 72, 72A, 72B, 73A, 74A. 80K, ROM, 81, 81K, 82K, 82M,
84M, 85, R5A, 85K, 86, 86C, 87, 88K, 89, 89A, 89C, 89R, 170 AND 284, AND GREEN MINIBUS ROUTES 60K, 62K, 65K, 67K AND 68K. THE BUS STOPS ALONG THE CLOSED ROAD SECTIONS WILL ALSO BE SUSPENDED.
PARTIAL LANE CLOSURE OF THEN MUN ROAD t * t ♦
THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCED THAT THE THREE TRAFFIC LANES ON TURN MUN ROAD SOUTHBOUND AT SIU LAM BRIDGE WILL BE CLOSED IN TURN FROM NOVEMBER 27 (SUNDAY) TO DECEMBER 6 FOR ROAD RESURFACING WORKS.
DURING THE WORKS PERIOD, AT LEAST TWO OF THE TRAFFIC LANES WILL REMAIN OPEN DAILY BETWEEN 6.30 AM AND 9 PM.
MOTORISTS ARI ADVISED TO D1VFHT TO THE CASTLE PEAK ROAD
- - 0 -
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL: 5-8428777
FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 25, 1988
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
FEW CAN RIVAL EK'S CONVENTION FACILITIES: GOVERNOR ....... 1
CONSULTATIVE DOCUMENT ON LOCAL CRAFT REVIEW .............. 2
JLG EXPERT TALKS IN HK NEXT WEEK.......................... 4
THIRD QUARTER ECONOMIC REPORT RELEASED ................... 5
JUNE NOMINAL SALARY INDICES RELEASED...................... 9
THREE LOTS FOR SALE BY PUBLIC AUCTION .................... 13
NEED TO BROADEN SUPPORT FOR SOCIAL SERVICES: CS .......... 14
FS VISITS TREASURY AND AUDIT DEPARTMENTS ................. 15
DTC LICENCE REVOKED....................................... 16
DTC REGISTRATION REVOKED ................................. 16
EXPERIMENTAL TRAFFIC SIGNAL SCHEME ON CANAL ROAD FLYOVER .... 16
VEHICULAR BRIDGE TO BE BUILT AT KIU TAU................... 1?
PRE-WAR BRIDGE IN TING KAU TO BE REBUILT.................. 17
SURVEY SHOWS MOST ELDERLY LIVE HARMONIOUSLY .............. 18
LADY WILSON PREVIEWS COMMUNITY CHEST STAMPS .............. 20
CLEAN WATER CAMPAIGN IN EASTERN DISTRICT ................. 20
TAI PO CIVIC EDUCATION CARNIVAL ON SUNDAY................. 21
THREE-WEEK KWAI TSING ANTI-NARCOTICS CAMPAIGN ............ 22
VARIETY SHOW FOR YAU TSIM RESIDENTS ...................... 2J
CHILDREN JOIN TOGETHER TO PAINT ROSY PICTURE.............. 23
TSUEN WAN/KWAI CHUNG ROAD IMPROVEMENT WORKS .............. 24
TEMPORARY TRAFFIC CHANGES IN SOUTHERN DISTRICT ........... 25
TEMPORARY LANE CLOSURE AT LION ROCK 'TUNNEL ROAD.......... 25
TEMPORARY CLOSURE OF SHEK KU STREET....................... 26
CLOSURE OF SLIP ROADS AT SIU LAM INTERCHANGE.............. 26
TEMPORARY LANE CLOSURE OF TAI PO ROAD (FANLING) .......... 26
FIRING PRACTICE IN DECEMBER .............................. 27
FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 25, 1988
FEW CAN RIVAL HK’S CONVENTION FACILITIES: GOVERNOR
******
WITH THE OPENING OF THE HONG KONG CONVENTION AND EXHIBITION CENTRE, FEW CITIES IN THE WORLD WILL RIVAL THE FACILITIES 'HM HONG KONG CAN OFFER, THE GOVERNOR, SIR DAVID WILSON, SAID TOLU HU I •
OFFICIATING AT THE INAUGURATION CEREMONY OF THE CENTRE, SIR DAVID SAID HONG KONG HAD LONG NEEDED A PURPOSE-BUILT CONVENTION AND EXHIBITION CENTRE TO PLAY ITS FULL ROLE AS AN INTERNATIONAL COMMERCIAL CENTRE.
"IT NOW HAS ONE," THE GOVERNOR SAID.
SIR DAVID SAID HE HAD WATCHED WITH INTEREST, ADMIRATION AND ANTICIPATION AS THIS ENORMOUS COMPLEX HAD RISEN SO DRAMATICALLY TO DOMINATE THE HONG KONG WATERFRONT.
"THIS NEW CENTRE BRINGS TOGETHER UNDER ONE ROOf A RANGE OF SUPERB FACILITIES AND STATE-OF-THE-ART EQUIPMENT. VERY FEW CENTRES IN THE WORLD HAVE SUCH FULLY INTEGRATED OR FLEXIBLE CONVENTION AND EXHIBITION FACILITIES, PLUS THE ADDED BONUS OF SPECTACULAR HARBOUR VIEWS AND TWO HOTELS INCLUDED IN THE COMPLEX,” SIR DAVID SAID.
HE POINTED OUT THAT HONG KONG WAS, AND ALWAYS HAD BEEN, AN ATTRACTIVE PLACE FOR CONVENTIONS AND EXHIBITIONS.
"NO WONDER. WHAT CITY TN THE WORLD CAN OFFER SUCH A COMBINATION OF DYNAMIC ENTREPRENEURSHIP; A FASCINATING MIX OF CULTURAL LIFESTYLES; DRAMATIC SCENERY; AND GEOGRAPHICAL CONVENIENCE," SIR DAVID REMARKED.
SIR DAVID COMMENDED THE VISION AND DEDICATION OF ALL THOSE RESPONSIBLE FOR BRINGING THIS MAGNIFICENT CENTRE INTO BEING.
"IN PARTICULAR, I SHOULD LIKE TO CONGRATULATE THE TRADE DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL, UNDER THE ABLE HAIRMANSHIP OF MISS LYDIA DUNN, WHO PUT TOGETHER THE IMAGINATIVE DE\ I.LOPMENT PACKAGE AND SUIERVISI ITS DESIGN AND CONSTRUCTION; AS WELI AS THE OTHER PARTNER IN THIS PROJECT, THE NEW WORLD DEVELOPMENT CO. UNDER DR Y.T. CHENG.
SIR DAVID ALSO POINTED OUT THAI’ THE GOVERNMENT TOO HAD PLAYED ITS PART BOTH IN ENCOURAGING THE PROJECT AND BY PROVIDING THE SITE A" NIL PREMIUM.
"THE RESULT OF ALL THESE EFFORTS IS THIS SUPERB CENTRE WHICH WILL BRING SUBSTANTIAL AND LONG LAST NG BENEFITS TO THE HONG KONG COMMUNITY NOW AND IN THE FUTURE," SIR DAVID SAID.
-----0
FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 25, 1988
2
CONSULTATIVE DOCUMENT ON LOCAL CRAFT REVIEW *****
A CONSULTATIVE
DOCUMENT LICENSING
OUTLINING
PROPOSALS
OF
AND CONTROL OF LOCAL CRAFT
REVOLUTIONISED SYSTEM OF .
SOON BE RELEASED, THE DIRECTOR Or MARINE, MP. DERICK HALL,
SAID
A WOULD TODAY
(FRIDAY).
’’PUBLIC VIEWS WILL THEN BE TAKEN INTO ACCOUNT BEFORE CHE FINAL FORM IS PUT TO GOVERNMENT FOR POLICY APPROVAL,' MR HALL SAID AI THE LUNCHEON MEETING OF THE ROTARY CLUB OF KOWLOON NORTH.
MR HALL SAID THAT MUCH PROGRESS HAD BEEN MADE SINCE ------------------------------- OF THE EXISTING
LAST YEAR
LOCAL CRAFT
WHEN THE DEPARTMENT STARTED A REVIEW
SYSTEM WHICH HAD BASICALLY GROWN IN AN AD-HOC MANNER IO
IN CIRCUMSTANCES, RESULTING IN LOOPHOLES IN THE LAW AND ABUSE BY
MEET CHANGES
SOME
OPERATORS.
HE DESCRIBED THE PRESENT REVIEW EXERCISE AS: "A J^T FORWARD IN PUTTING LOCAL CRAFT OPERATIONS ON A MODERN AND EFFICIENT FOOTING".
MR HALL POINTED OUT THAT THE BASIC PHILOSOPHY OF THE SYSTEM WAS ONE OF RISK MANAGEMENT.
PROPOSED
HF EXPLAINED THAT ABSOLUTE SAFETY WAS NEVER ATTAINABLE AND LEVELS OF REGULATION MUST BE JUDGED IN THE LIGHT OF THE RISK AND THE ACCEPTABILITY TO THE PUBLIC OF SUCH RISKS.
"ONE ASPECT OF RISK MANAGEMENT IS THAT OWNERS SHOULD NOW CARRY A MUCH GREATER RESPONSIBILITY AND BE ACCOUNTABLE FOR THE SAFETY AND OPERATION OF THEIR OWN
AND OPERATORS
MORE DIRECTLY
VESSELS," HE
SAID.
IT WAS ALSO PROPOSED THAT INDEPENDENT AGENCIES IN THE FORM OF CLASSIFICATION SOCIETIES, OWNERS’ ASSOCATIONS, QUALIFIED PRIVATE SURVEYORS AND PERSONS AUTHORISED TO CONDUCT SURVEYS WOULD PLAY A MORE PROMINENT ROLE IN MAINTAINING STAND «M)S«
THE PROPOSED SYSTEM WOULD SEPARATE THE OWNERSHIP AND LICENSING FUNCTIONS.
"THE OWNERSHIP PART WILL BE A RESULT IN THE ISSUE OF A CERTIFICATE OF SAID, NOTING THAT IT WOULD BE SIMILAR VEHICLE.
ONCE-AND-FOR-ALL MATTER AND
VESSEL IDENTITY," MR HALL TO THE REGISTRATION OF A
TO OPERATE, MR HALL SAID, THE VESSEL WOULD 1 A " PERM I T
TO OPERATE" WHICH WOULD BE AN EASY PROCESS AND COULD BE DONE Bi POST.
/ALL THAT
FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 25, 1988
ALL THAT WOULD BE REQUIRED WOULD BE THE FEE, THE VESSEL’S CERTIFICATE OF IDENTITY AND A VALID DECLARATION OF FITNESS WHICH WOULD BE ISSUED EITHER BY A GOVERNMENT SURVEYOR OR INSPECTOR OR BY AN AUTHORISED PERSON.
THE DECLARATION OF FITNESS WOULD COVER A VALIDITY PERIOD WHICH WOULD ENABLE CONSIDERABLE FLEXIBILITY REGARDING REVALIDATION, WHILE THE FEES WOULD BE BASED ON A SIMPLE AND UNIFORM TONNAGE MEASUREMENT.
MR HALL SAID ANY APPARENT RELAXATION IN THE SYSTEM WOULD BE COMPENSATED BY MORE EFFICIENT MONITORING.
ALL PARTICULARS OF VESSELS, OWNERS AND INDIVIDUALS CERTIFICATES OF COMPETENCY, ETC. WOULD BE HELD TN A CENTRAL COMPUTER AND THE INFORMATION WOULD BE AVAILABLE TO MARINE DEPARTMENT AND MARINE POLICE OUT STATIONS THROUGH COMPUTER TERMINALS.
"ANY IRREGULARITIES OR OTHERWISE WOULD THEREFORE BE APPARENT WITHOUT THE NECESSITY OF STOPPING AND BOARDING INDIVIDUAL VESSELS," SAID MR HALL.
HE ADDED THAT THE DEPARTMENT WAS ALSO PROPOSING A FIXED PENALTY SYSTEM ALTHOUGH IT HAD YET TO BE APPROVED WITHIN THE ADMINISTRATION.
"IN SHORT, I AM SUGGESTING THAT OWNERS WILL BE GIVEN GREATER FREEDOM BUT RETRIBUTION FOR INFRINGEMENTS WILL BE MUCH MORE CERTAIN," MR HALL SAID.
THE FOLLOWING WERE SOME OF THE MORE SPECIFIC PROPOSALS
MENTIONED BY MR HALL:
* THE EXISTING 1, 2, 3 AND 4 AREAS OF OPERATION WOULD BE REPLACED BY JUST ONE "PLYING LIMIT", INSIDE WHICH WOULD BE CONSIDERED "SHELTERED WATER", OUTSIDE WOULD BE DEFINED AS "SEA";
* NON-PASSENGER VESSELS LESS THAN 10 METRES IN LENGTH AND PLEASURE VESSELS WOULD NOT BE SUBJECT TO ANY SURVEY BY A THIRD PARTY. THE RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE INTEGRITY OF THE VESSEL AND COMPLIANCE WITH "GUIDELINES" TO BE PUBLISHED WOULD REST SOLELY WITH THE OWNER;
» PLEASURE VESSELS CARRYING LARGE NUMBERS OF PERSONS WILL BE REQUIRED TO COMPLY WITH ADDITIONAL SAFETY REQUIREMENTS;
» "PLEASURE VESSELS" WOULD BE REDEFINED TO APPLY TO VESSELS WHICH ARE NOT ENGAGED IN TRADE AND ARE OWNED SOLELY FOR THE PLEASURE PURPOSE OF THE OWNER. A VESSEL OPERATING ON EXCURSION OR CHARTERED OUT COMMERCIALLY BY OR ON BEHALF OF THE OWNER WOULD BE EXCLUDED FROM CLASSIFICATION AS A PLEASURE VESSEL;
/• THE REQUIREMENTS
FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 25, 1988
* THE REQUIREMENTS FOR THE ISSUE OF CERTIFICATES OF COMPETENCY WILL BE SIMPLIFIED AND BASED MORE ON PRACTICAL THAN ACADEMIC CRITERIA;
» THE RECORDING OF THE ENGAGEMENT AND DISCHARGE OF MASTERS AND ENGINEERS WITH THE DIRECTOR OF MARINE AND THE REQUIREMENT FOR KEEPING A CREW BOOK WILL BE DISCONTINUED;
» THE OLD TERMS "MASTER" AND "ENGINEER” WILL BE REPLACED DY THE TERMS "COXSWAIN" AND "ENGINE OPERATOR". THE EXAMINATION FOR PLEASURE VESSELS’ OWNERS IS LIKELY TO COMBINE THE "COXSWAIN" AND "ENGINE OPERATOR" EXAMINATION; AND
» A BROAD-BASED CONSULTATIVE COMMITTEE REPRESENTING THE LOCAL SHIPPING INDUSTRY AND RECREATIONAL INTERESTS IS PROPOSED TO BE ESTABLISHED TO ADVISE ON ALL MATTERS CONCERNING LOCAL
CRAFT.
MR HALL SAID IT WAS IMPORTANT THAT BOAT OWNERS AND OPERATORS STUDIED CAREFULLY THE CONSULTATIVE DOCUMENT WHEN IT WAS PUBLISHED AND FORWARDED COMMENTS AND SUGGESTIONS TO THE MARINE DEPARTMENT.
"THESE VIEWS WILL BE GIVEN CAREFUL AND DETAILED CONSIDERATION BEFORE FINAL RECOMMENDATIONS ARE MADE," HE ADDED.
- - 0 - -
JLG EXPERT TALKS IN HK NEXT WEEK * ♦ » t
A THIRD ROUND OF TALKS BETWEEN EXPERTS OF THE BRITISH AND CHINESE SIDES OF THE JOINT LIAISON GROUP TO DISCUSS MATTERS RELATING TO HONG KONG’S FUTURE DEFENCE AND PUBLIC ORDER WILL BE HELD TN HONG KONG FROM NOVEMBER 28 TO 29.
THE BRITISH TEAM WILL BE LED BY BRITISH REPRESENTATIVE MR DOUG MARTIN. THE CHINESE TEAM WILL BE LED BY CHINESE REPRESENTATIVE MR WANG JIAJI.
THEY WILL BE ASSISTED BY OTHER EXPERTS FROM THE TWO SIDES.
- 0 -
FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 25, 1988
- 5 -
THIRD QUARTER ECONOMIC REPORT RELEASED
*****
THE HONG KONG ECONOMY SHOWED FURTHER GROWTH IN THE THIRD QUARTER OF 1988, IN LINE WITH A HIGHER GROWTH RATE OF DOMESTIC EXPORTS THAN IN THE SECOND QUARTER, AND A CONTINUED RAPID INCREASE IN RE-EXPORTS.
THE LABOUR MARKET REMAINED TIGHT, WITH THE UNEMPLOYMENT RATE STAYING AT A VERY LOW LEVEL. CONCURRENTLY, THE RATE OF INFLATION ROSE FURTHER.
THESE DEVELOPMENTS ARE DESCRIBED IN THE THIRD QUARTER ECONOMIC REPORT 1988 RELEASED TODAY (FRIDAY) BY THE ECONOMIC SERVICES BRANCH.
IN THE PROCESS OF PREPARING THIS REPORT, USEFUL COMMENTS AND ADVICE WERE RECEIVED FROM THE ECONOMIC REVIEW COMMITTEE, WHICH IS CHAIRED BY THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY AND HAS MEMBERS OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL IN ITS MEMBERSHIP.
DOMESTIC EXPORTS GREW BY ABOUT 8 PER CENT IN REAL TERMS IN THE THIRD QUARTER OVER THE SAME QUARTER LAST YEAR.
THIS IS HIGHER THAN THE YEAR-ON-YEAR GROWTH RATE OF 6 PER CENT RECORDED IN THE SECOND QUARTER, BUT REPRESENTS A SLOW-DOWN WHEN COMPARED WITH THE CORRESPONDING GROWTH RATES OF 11 PER CENT IN THE FIRST QUARTER AND 23 PER CENT FOR 1987 AS A WHOLE.
THE SLOW-DOWN IN THE GROWTH RATE OF OVERALL IMPORTS IN SOME OF THE MAJOR OVERSEAS MARKETS AND THE EFFECT ON THE EXTERNAL COMPETITIVENESS OF HONG KONG’S PRODUCTS AS THE US DOLLAR FIRMED UP IN THE EARLIER MONTHS OF THIS YEAR HAVE PROBABLY AFFECTED HONG KONG’S RECENT DOMESTIC EXPORT PERFORMANCE.
CURRENT INFORMATION ON THE ORDER-BOOK POSITIONS OF THE LARGE MANUFACTURERS AND ON THE QUANTITY OF ELECTRICITY CONSUMED BY INDUSTRIAL USERS SUGGESTS THAT THE GROWTH RATE OF DOMESTIC EXPORTS WILL PROBABLY BE MODERATE IN THE FOURTH QUARTER.
HOWEVER, THE RECENT TREND IN RETAINED IMPORTS 01 RAW MATERIALS AND SEMI-MANUFACTURES SUGGESTS THAT THERE MAY BE SC” INCREASE.
AS REGARDS DOMESTIC DEMAND, INCREASED HOUSEHOLD INCOMES SUPPORTED A HIGH LEVEL OF LOCAL CONSUMPTION EXPENDITURE.
A SIGNIFICANT INCREASE IN THE VOLUME OF RETAIL SALES WAS RECORDED IN THE THIRD QUARTER OF 1988 OVER THE SAME QUARTER LAST YEAR.
INVESTMENT DEMAND REMAINED STRONG UP TO THE THIRD QUARTER, ALTHOUGH THE OVERALL GROWTH RATE OF EXPENDITURE ON CAPITAL GOODS WAS NOT AS HIGH AS IN 1987.
/AS AN .......
FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 25, 1988
- 6 -
AS AN INDICATION, RETAINED ABOUT 15 PER CENT IN REAL TERMS QUARTER LAST YEAR, OR BY ABOUT 14 OF THIS YEAR OVER A YEAR EARLIER. 1987 AS A WHOLE WAS 26 PER CENT.
IMPORTS OF CAPITAL GOODS GREW BY IN THIRD QUARTER OVER THE SAME PER CENT IN THE FIRST NINE MONTHS THE CORRESPONDING GROWTH RATE FOR
CAPITAL SUBSTITUTION IN RESPONSE TO THE WIDESPREAD LABOUR SHORTAGES SHOULD HAVE ACCOUNTED FOR AT LEAST PART OF THIS INCREASE.
WITHIN THIS CATEGORY OF INVESTMENT, RETAINED IMPORTS OF INDUSTRIAL MACHINERY FOR USE IN THE MANUFACTURING SECTOR SHOWED A YEAR-ON-YEAR INCREASE OF ABOUT 16 PER CENT IN REAL TERMS IN THE THIRD QUARTER, OR ABOUT 12 PER CENT IN THE FIRST NINE MONTHS OF THIS YEAR. THE CORRESPONDING GROWTH RATE IN 1987 WAS 18 PER CENT.
THE LABOUR MARKET HAS TIGHTENED FURTHER DURING THE THIRD QUARTER, WITH THE SEASONALLY ADJUSTED UNEMPLOYMENT RATE AT 1.6 PER CENT AND THE UNDEREMPLOYMENT RATE AT 0.6 PER CENT. THE CORRESPONDING FIGURES IN THE SECOND QUARTER WERE 1.8 PER CENT AND 0.7 PER CENT.
THE DEMAND FOR LABOUR WAS PARTICULARLY STRONG IN THE BUILDING AND CONSTRUCTION AND THE SERVICE SECTORS.
THE RATE OF INFLATION ROSE FURTHER DURING THE THIRD QUARTER.
THE YEAR-ON-YEAR RATE OF INCREASE IN THE CONSUMER PRICE INDEX (A) AVERAGED 8.1 PER CENT IN THE THIRD QUARTER, WHILE IN THE FIRST AND SECOND QUARTERS THE CORRESPONDING FIGURES WERE 6.8 PER CENT AND 7.0 PER CENT.
THE STRONG PRESSURE OF DEMAND AGAINST THE LIMITED SUPPLY OF RESOURCES WITHIN THE ECONOMY, THE LAGGED EFFECT OF THE SURGE IN WORLD COMMODITY PRICES IN THE LATTER PART OF LAST YEAR AND EARLIER THIS YEAR, AND THE INCREASE IN THE PRICES OF GOODS IMPORTED FROM CHINA ALL CONTRIBUTED TO THE CURRENT RATE OF INFLATION.
COMPARING THE THIRD QUARTER OF 1988 WITH THE SAME QUARTER IN 1987, THE CPI (I)) AND THE HANG SENG CPI ROSE BY 7.9 PER CENT AND 9.2 PER CENT RESPECTIVELY.
THE THIRD QUARTER ECONOMIC REPORT 1988 UPDATES THE ASSESSMENT OF THE LOCAL ECONOMIC SITUATION WHICH WAS GIVEN IN THE HALF-YEARLY ECONOMIC REPORT 1988.
APART FROM PROVIDING AN OVERALL VIEW, THE REPORT ALSO CONTAINS CHAPTERS ON THE EXTERNAL SECTOR, THE FINANCIAL SECTOR, THE LABOUR SECTOR, ACTIVITY IN SELECTED SECTORS, AND PRICES.
ON THE EXTERNAL SECTOR, THE REPORT NOTES THAT DOMESTIC EXPORTS TO THE VARIOUS MAJOR MARKETS SHOWED A MIXED PERFORMANCE IN THE THIRD QUARTER.
DOMESTIC EXPORTS TO CHINA, THE UNITED KINGDOM AND JAPAN GREW SUBSTANTIALLY IN REAL TERMS, BY ABOUT 46 PER CENT, 22 PER CENT AND 22 PER CENT RESPECTIVELY OVER A YEAR EARLIER.
/DOMESTIC EXPORTS .......
FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 251 1988
- 7 -
DOMESTIC EXPORTS TO THE FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF GERMANY, HOWEVER, GREW BY ONLY ABOUT 2 PER CENT IN REAL TERMS, AND EXPORTS TO THE UNITED STATES, HONG KONG’S LARGEST MARKET, FELL BY ABOUT 7 PER CENT IN REAL TERMS.
IN CONSEQUENCE, THE SHARE OF THE UNITED STATES MARKET IN HONG KONG’S OVERALL DOMESTIC EXPORTS DECLINED FROM A HIGH OF 47 PER CENT RECORDED IN THE THIRD QUARTER OF 1985 TO 33 PER CENT IN THE THIRD QUARTER OF 1988.
IN THE THIRD QUARTER, RE-EXPORTS WERE ABOUT 50 PER CENT HIGHER IN REAL TERMS THAN IN THE SAME QUARTER LAST YEAR, ATTRIBUTABLE LARGELY TO A CONTINUED UPSURGE IN RE-EXPORT TRADE WITH CHINA.
AS A RESULT, THE SHARE OF RE-EXPORTS IN HONG KONG’S TOTAL EXPORTS ROSE TO 55 PER CENT IN THE THIRD QUARTER OF 1988, FROM 47 PER CENT IN THE THIRD QUARTER LAST YEAR.
RE-EXPORT TRADE WHICH DID NOT INVOLVE CHINA, EITHER AS A SOURCE OR AS A MARKET, ALSO SHOWED SIGNIFICANT GROWTH, REFLECTING HONG KONG’S RE-EMERGING ROLE AS AN ENTREPOT SERVING THE ASIA-PACIFIC REGION AS A WHOLE.
COMPARING THE THIRD QUARTER WITH A YEAR EARLIER, IMPORTS GREW BY ABOUT 31 PER CENT, AND RETAINED IMPORTS BY ABOUT 12 PER CENT IN REAL TERMS.
THE REPORT INDICATES THAT FOR THE FIRST NINE MONTHS OF 1988 AS A WHOLE, A VISIBLE TRADE DEFICIT OF $5,282 MILLION, EQUIVALENT TO 1 PER CENT OF THE VALUE OF IMPORTS, WAS RECORDED.
DURING THE SAME PERIOD LAST YEAR, THE VISIBLE TRADE ACCOUNT WAS VIRTUALLY IN BALANCE, WITH A SURPLUS OF ONLY $65 MILLION.
ON THE FINANCIAL SECTOR, THE REPORT NOTES THE FOLLOWING DEVELOPMENTS IN THE THIRD QUARTER.
FIRST, THE EXCHANGE VALUE OF THE HONG KONG DOLLAR REMAINED STABLE AGAINST THE US DOLLAR, WHILE APPRECFATING SLIGHTLY IN OVERALL TERMS, AS MEASURED BY THE EFFECTIVE EXCHANGE RATE INDEX.
SECONDLY, CONTINUING THE TREND ESTABLISHED IN THE EARLY PART OF THIS YEAR, LOCAL MONEY MARKET INTEREST RATES EDGED UP DURING THE THIRD QUARTER, LARGELY IN RESPONSE I'O INCREASES IM INTEREST RATES ELSEWHERE.
THIRDLY, THE HONG KONG DOLLAR MONEY SUPPLY. PARTICULAR!.. I OR ITS BROADER DEFINITIONS, RECORDED ONLY SMALL INCREASES DURING THE THIRD QUARTER. THE INCREASES WERE 1.5 PER CENT FOR HKSM1, 0.1 I ER CENT FOR HK$M2, AND 0.3 PER CENT FOR HK$M3.
FOURTHLY, THE GROWTH RATE OF LOANS AND ADVANCES ACCELERATED SLIGHTLY, FROM 6. > PER CENT DURING THE SECOND QUARTER TO 7.3 PER CENT DURING THE THIRD QUARTER.
FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 25, 1988
- 8 -
IN ADDITION, THE REPORT PROVIDES A BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE NEW ACCOUNTING ARRANGEMENTS THAT WERE ENTERED INTO BETWEEN THE EXCHANGE FUND AND THE HONGKONG AND SHANGHAI BANKING CORPORATION IN MID-JULY 1988, AND THE PROGRESS IN IMPLEMENTING THE RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE SECURITIES REVIEW COMMITTEE.
ON THE LABOUR SECTOR, THE REPORT NOTES THAT BETWEEN r. ' '987 AND JUNE 1988, EMPLOYMENT IN ALL THE MAJOR SECTOR.' XCEPT MANUFACTURING, RECORDED INCREASES.
THE MOST SIGNIFICANT INCREASES OCCURRED IN TRANSPORT SERVICES RELATED TO EXTERNAL TRADE, IN FINANCE AND BUSINESS SERVICES, AND IN THE WHOLESALE, RETAIL AND IMPORT/EXPORT TRADES.
THUS, THE RELATIVE SHIFT IN EMPLOYMENT TOWARDS THE SERVICE SECTORS CONTINUED. REFLECTING THE TIGHT LABOUR MARKET CONDITIONS, VACANCIES IN ALL SECTORS WERE SUBSTANTIALLY MORE THAN A YEAR EARLIER.
BETWEEN JUNE 1987 AND JUNE 1988, NOMINAL EARNINGS INCREASED SIGNIFICANTLY IN THE MANUFACTURING SECTOR AND IN MOST OF THE SERVICE SECTORS.
HOWEVER, AFTER DISCOUNTING THE EFFECT OF CONSUMER PRICE INFLATION, THE GAINS IN REAL TERMS IN SOME OF THOSE SECTORS WERE RELATIVELY MODERATE.
ON THE OTHER HAND, WAGE RATES IN THE BUILDING AND CONSTRUCTION SECTOR CONTINUED TO RISE SUBSTANTIALLY BOTH IN MONEY TERMS AND IN REAL TERMS.
AS REGARDS THE PROPERTY MARKET, THE REPORT NOTES THAT THE DEMAND FOR RESIDENTIAL PROPERTY REMAINED STRONG DURING THE THIRD QUARTER, GIVEN INCREASED HOUSEHOLD INCOMES AND A GENERAL DESIRE TO ACQUIRE PROPERTY FOR SELF-OCCUPANCY.
THE DEMAND FOR SHOPPING SPACE WAS SUPPORTED BY A HIGH LEVEL OF RETAIL SALES BOTH TO LOCAL RESIDENTS AND TO INCOMING TOURISTS.
THE DEMAND FOR OFFICES WAS ALSO STRONG, SUSTAINED BY THE FLOURISHING ENTREPOT TRADE, AND BY THE CONTINUED DEVELOPMENT OF HONG KONG AS A MAJOR COMMERCIAL AND FINANCIAL CENTRE IN THE REGION.
ON THE OTHER HAND, THERE WERE SIGNS OF CONSOLIDATION IN THE INDUSTRIAL PROPERTY MARKET.
THE THIRD QUARTER ECONOMIC REPORT 1988 WILL BE AVAILABLE Fol-SALE ON NOVEMBER 26, 1988 AT THE GOVERNMENT PUBLICATIONS CENTRE CONNAUGHT PLACE, CENTRAL, AT $19 A COPY.
FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 25, 1988
- 9 -
JUNE NOMINAL SALARY INDICES RELEASED ft ft ft ft
THE OVERALL NOMINAL SALARY INDEX (A), MEASURING CHANGES IN AVERAGE SALARY LEVELS FOR MANAGERIAL AND PROFESSIONAL EMPLOYEES, AT 165.5 IN JUNE 1988, WAS 12.9 PER CENT HIGHER THAN IN JUNE 1987.
THIS WAS THE FINDING OF THE SURVEY OF SALARIES AND EMPLOYEE BENEFITS (MANAGERIAL AND PROFESSIONAL EMPLOYEES - EXCLUDING TOP MANAGEMENT) RELEASED TODAY (FRIDAY) BY THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT.
THE OVERALL NOMINAL SALARY INDEX (B), WHICH MEASURES CHANGES IN AVERAGE SALARY LEVELS ONLY FOR THOSE MANAGERIAL AND PROFESSIONAL EMPLOYEES WHO REMAINED IN THE SAME JOB AND IN THE SAME COMPANY IN BOTH 1987 AND 1988, WAS 191.1 IN JUNE 1988, REPRESENTING AN INCREASE OF 17.2 PER CENT AS COMPARED WITH JUNE 1987.
THE RATE OF INCREASE IN THE SALARY INDEX (B) IS USUALLY HIGHER THAN THAT IN THE SALARY INDEX (A) BECAUSE THE SALARY INDEX (A) INCLUDES THE SALARIES OF NEWLY RECRUITED AND NEWLY PROMOTED EMPLOYEES, WHO TEND TO BE PAID COMPARATIVELY LOWER SALARIES THAN THOSE ALREADY IN THE SAME RANK.
THESE SALARY INDICES USED JUNE 1983 AS THE BASE PERIOD.
BETWEEN JUNE 1987 AND JUNE 1988, THE NOMINAL SALARY INDEX (A) FOR LARGE COMPANIES INCREASED BY 9.0 PER CENT AND THAT FOR MEDIUM-SIZED COMPANIES BY 13.9 PER CENT. AS REGARDS THE NOMINAL SALARY INDEX (B), THE CORRESPONDING INCREASES WERE 14.8 PER CENT AND 17.7 PER CENT RESPECTIVELY.
THESE DIFFERENCES IN SALARY INCREASES AS REFLECTED IN THE TWO INDICES WERE LARGELY DUE TO THE EFFECT OF LABOUR TURNOVER OVER THE PERIOD CONCERNED.
FOR DEFINITIONS OF LARGE AND MEDIUM-SIZED COMPANIES, PLEASE SEE THE FOOTNOTE TO TABLE 1•
THE NOMINAL SALARY INDEX (A) AND NOMINAL SALARY INDEX (B) FOR JUNE 1988 FOR THE MAJOR ECONOMIC SECTORS ANALYSED BY SIZE OF COMPANY ARE SHOWN IN TABLE 1 AND TABLE 2 BELOW.
BY DEFLATING THE NOMINAL SALARY INDICES BY THE HANG SEN< CONSUMER PRICE INDEX, THE REAL SALARY INDICES ARE OBTAINED TO MEASURI CHANGES IN THE PURCHASING POWER OF THE AMOUNT OF MONEY EARNED.
THE OVERALL REAL SALARY INDEX (A) STOOD AT 119.9 IN JUNE 1988, REPRESENTING AN INCREASE OF 4.1 PER CENT WHEN COMPARED W1TF JUNE 198-
/ON TP.E ..
FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 25, 1988
10
ON THE OTHER HAND, THE OVERALL REAL SALARY INDEX (B) STOOD AT 138.5 IN JUNE 1988, REPRESENTING AN INCREASE OF 8.0 PER CENT WHEN COMPARED WITH JUNE 1987.
BETWEEN JUNE 1987 AND JUNE 1988, THE REAL SALARY INDEX (A) FOR LARGE COMPANIES INCREASED BY 0.5 PER CENT AND THAT FOR MEDIUM-SIZED COMPANIES BY 5.0 PER CENT WHILE THE REAL SALARY INDEX (B) FOR ..AEGIS AND MEDIUM-SIZED COMPANIES INCREASED BY 5.8 PER CENT AND 8.6 PER CENT RESPECTIVELY.
BOTH SALARY INDICES (A) AND (B) ARE DESIGNED FOR THE PURPOSE OF MEASURING CHANGES IN SALARY LEVELS.
HOWEVER, BY CONFINING TO THOSE EMPLOYEES WHO REMAINED IN THE SAME JOB AND IN THE SAME COMPANY IN 1987 AND 1988, THE SALARY INDEX (B) ONLY ACCOUNTS FOR SALARY CHANGES DUE TO GENERAL INCREMENT, MERITORIOUS INCREASE AND GAIN IN SENIORITY. ON THE OTHER HAND, THE SALARY INDEX (A) TAKES INTO ACCOUNT EFFECTS OF LABOUR MOBILITY AS WELL.
AMONG THE MANAGERIAL AND PROFESSIONAL EMPLOYEES COVERED IN THE SURVEY, IT WAS FOUND THAT 63 PER CENT OF THEM WERE ENTITLED TO PROFIT-SHARING BONUS.
MOREOVER, 31 PER CENT WERE ENTITLED TO HOUSING BENEFITS OF SOME KIND AND 70 PER CENT TO PROVIDENT/RETIREMENT FUND OR PENSION. IT WAS ALSO FOUND THAT 82 PER CENT OF THEM WERE ENTITLED TO GUARANTEED YEAR-END BONUS.
THE DEPARTMENT HAS BEEN CONDUCTING THE ANNUAL SURVEY OF SALARIES AND EMPLOYEE BENEFITS (MANAGERIAL AND PROFESSIONAL EMPLOYEES - EXCLUDING TOP MANAGEMENT) SINCE 1984 TO MEASURE CHANGES IN SALARY RATES FOR THE MANAGERIAL AND PROFESSIONAL EMPLOYEES.
EMPLOYEES OCCUPYING TOP POSITIONS IN MANAGEMENT ARB NOT INCLUDED BECAUSE OF DIFFICULTY IN OBTAINING DATA FOR THEM,
LOWER LEVEL EMPLOYEES ARE ALREADY COVERED IN THE QUARTERLY SURVEY OF WAGES, SALARIES AND EMPLOYEES BENEFITS AND THEREFORE ARE ALSO EXCLUDED.
IN THE SURVEY, ONLY EMPLOYEES WORKING IN COMMON OCCUPATIONS OF MANAGERIAL AND PROFESSIONAL LEVELS IN THE MANUFACTURING/EiECTRJCITV, GAS AND STEAM SECTOR; BUILDING AND CONSTRUCTION AND RELATED TRADE* SECTOR; WHOLESALE/RETAIL AND IMPORT/EXPORT TRADES SECTOR; TRANSP. STORAGE AND COMMUNICATION SECTOR AND FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS AND INSURANCE SECTOR ARE COVERED.
BOTH LOCAL AND EXPATRIATE STAFF EMPLOYED IN LARGE AND MEDIUM-SIZED COMPANIES ARE COVERED IN THE SURVEY.
/* SAMPLE .......
FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 25, 1988
11
A SAMPLE OF 200 COMPANIES WAS SELECTED FOR THE SURVEY. ALL THE LARGE COMPANIES IN THE ABOVE FIVE ECONOMIC SECTORS WERE ENUMERATED Itf FULL WHEREAS RANDOM SAMPLES OF MEDIUM-SIZED COMPANIES WERE SELECTED FROM EACH ECONOMIC SECTOR.
IN THE SURVEY, THE SALARY RATE IS DEFINED TO INCLUDE, IN ADDITION TO BASIC SALARIES, ALSO COST-OF-LIVING ALLOWANCE, GUARANTEED YEAR-END BONUS, COMMISSION AND TIPS AND OTHER GUARANTEED AND REGULAR BONUSES AND ALLOWANCES.
OTHER ITEMS WHICH MAY CONTRIBUTE SIGNIFICANTLY TO THE TOTAL PAY PACKAGE OF EMPLOYEES AT THIS LEVEL SUCH AS PROFIT-SHARING BONUS AND HOUSING ALLOWANCE ARE NOT INCLUDED IN THE DEFINITION OF THE SALARY RATE.
HOWEVER, STATISTICS ON FRINGE BENEFITS ARE SEPARATELY COMPILED. THEY ARE EXPRESSED IN TERMS OF PERCENTAGES OF EMPLOYEES INCLUDED IN THE SURVEY ENTITLED TO THEM.
DETAILS OF THE SALARY MOVEMENT, AVERAGE SALARY RATE FOR MAJOR OCCUPATIONS AND STATISTICS ON EMPLOYEE ENTITLEMENT TO VARIOUS FRINGE BENEFITS, TOGETHER WITH A DESCRIPTION OF THE METHODOLOGY, ARE PUBLISHED IN A "REPORT OF SALARY AND EMPLOYEE BENEFITS (MANAGERIAL AND PROFESSIONAL EMPLOYEES - EXCLUDING TOP MANAGEMENT)".
COPIES OF THIS REPORT ARE AVAILABLE AT $20.00 PER COPY AT THE GOVERNMENT PUBLICATIONS CENTRE, GENERAL POST OFFICE BUILDING, GROUND FLOOR, CONNAUGHT PLACE, HONG KONG.
FOR ENQUIRIES ABOUT THE SALARY INDICES, PLEASE CONTACT THE WAGES AND LABOUR COSTS STATISTICS SECTION OF THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT AT TELEPHONE NUMBER 5-8234746 OR 5-8234747.
TABLE 1: NOMINAL SALARY INDEX (A) ANALYSED BY MAJOR ECONOMIC SECTOR BY SIZE OF COMPANY FOR JUNE 1988
(JUNE 1983 = 100)
INDICES*
SELECTED MAJOR LARGE MEDIUM-SIZED ALL
ECONOMIC SECTOR COMPANIES COMPANIES COMPANIES
MANUFACTURING/ELECTRICITY, 153.1 167.0 164.1
GAS AND STEAM (+5.6) (+15.7) (+13.6)
BUILDING AND CONSTRUCTION 133.2 163.1 159.6
AND RELATED TRADES (+8.9) (+16.5) (+15.7)
/WHOLESALE/RETAIL .......
FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 25, 1988
1?
WHOLESALE/RETAIL AND IMPORT/EXPORT TRADES 166,5 (+14.1) 175.9 (+8.8) 174.2 (+9.6)
TRANSPORT, STORAGE AND COMMUNICATION 150.1 (+6.9) 140.9 (+9.6) 145.4 (+8.2)
FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS AND INSURANCE 169.0 (+10.5) 178.6 (+14.7) 176.3 (+13.7)
ALL SECTORS ABOVE 155.4 (+9.0) 168.2 (+13.9) 165.5 (+12.9)
* ALL INDICES ARE ROUNDED TO ONE DECIMAL PLACE.
FIGURES IN BRACKETS ARE PERCENTAGE CHANGES FOR JUNE 1988 OVER JUNE 1987 AND ARE CALCULATED FROM INDICES ROUNDED TO ONE DECIMAL PLACE.
NOTE: LARGE AND MEDIUM-SIZED COMPANIES ARE DEFINED AS BELOW:
SELECTED MAJOR ECONOMIC SECTORS NO. OF PERSONS ENGAGED
LARGE COMPANIES MEDIUM-SIZED COMPANIES
MANUFACTURING/ELECTRICITY, GAS AND STEAM >= 2,000 200 - 1,999
BUILDING AND CONSTRUCTION AND RELATED TRADES > = 500 50 - 499
WHOLESALE/RETAIL AND IMPORT/EXPORT TRADES >= 500 100 - 499
TRANSPORT, STORAGE AND COMMUNICATION >= 500 100 - 499
FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS AND INSURANCE (EXCLUDING HOLDING AND INVESTMENT > = 1,000 100 - 999
COMPANIES)
HOLDING AND INVESTMENT COMPANIES >= 500 20 - 499
/TABLE 2: ......
FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 25, 1988
- 15 -
TABLE 2: NOMINAL SALARY INDEX (B) ANALYSED BY MAJOR ECONOMIC
SECTOR BY SIZE OF COMPANY FOR JUNE 1988
(JUNE 1983 = 100)
INDICES*
SELECTED MAJOR LARGE MEDIUM-SIZED
ECONOMIC SECTOR COMPANIES COMPANIES 'NIES
MANUFACTURING/ELECTRICITY, 182.7 186.1 185.3
GAS AND STEAM (+12.6) (+16.6) (+15.7)
BUILDING AND CONSTRUCTION 184.4 191.4 190.7
AND RELATED TRADES (+17.0) (+22.1) (+21.5)
WHOLESALE/RETAIL AND 187.7 195.9 194.4
IMPORT/EXPORT TRADES (+16.7) (+12.3) (+13.0)
TRANSPORT, STORAGE AND 178.8 168.7 173.8
COMMUNICATION (+13.2) (+13.3) (+13.2)
FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS 194.9 205.0 202.5
AND INSURANCE (+15.7) (+19.7) (+18.7)
ALL SECTORS ABOVE 185.8 192.5 191.1
(+14.8) (+17.7) (+17.2)
» ALL INDICES ARE ROUNDED TO ONE DECIMAL PLACE.
FIGURES IN BRACKETS ARE PERCENTAGE CHANGES FOR JUNE i 988 OVER JUNE 1987 AND ARE CALCULATED FROM INDICES ROUNDED ONE DECIMAL PLACE.
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THREE LOTS FOR SALE BY PUBLIC AUCTION *****
THE BUILDINGS AND LANDS DEPARTMENT IS OFFERING THREE LAND FOR SALE BY PUBLIC AUCTION TO BE HELD ON DECEMBER 22.
THE AUCTION WILL TAKE PLACE IN THE MARINA ROOM EXCELSIOR HOTEL, CAUSEWAY RAY, STARTING AT 2.30 I’M.
ONE OF THE LOTS IS LOCATED AT THE JUNCTION OF FAT STREET AND TUNG CHAU STREET IN CHEUNG SHA WAN.
/WITH AN
FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 25, 1988
14
WITH AN AREA OF ABOUT 4,728 SQUARE METRES, IT IS FOR GENERAL AND DANGEROUS GOODS GODOWN PURPOSES.
THE BUILDING COVENANT REQUIRES THE DEVELOPER TO COMPLETE AT LEAST 31,800 SQUARE METRES OF GROSS FLOOR AREA ON THE SITE BEFORE DECEMBER 31, 1992.
THE SECOND LOT IS LOCATED AT ARGYLE STREET IN KOWLOON 'ND IS FOR PRIVATE RESIDENTIAL PURPOSES.
THE AREA OF THE LOT IS ABOUT 5,889 SQUARE METRES. THE DEVELOPER HAS TO COMPLETE A GROSS FLOOR AREA OF NOT LESS THAN 10,700 SQUARE METRES BEFORE DECEMBER 31, 1991.
THE LAST LOT, WHICH IS FOR INDUSTRIAL AND/OR GODOWN PURPOSES, IS LOCATED IN AREA 40, TUEN MUN.
THE LOT COVERS AN AREA OF ABOUT 4,012 SQUARE METRES. UNDER THE BUILDING COVENANT, THE DEVELOPER HAS TO COMPLETE A GROSS FLOOR AREA OF NOT LESS THAN 6,018 SQUARE METRES BEFORE DECEMBER 31, 1991.
FULL PARTICULARS AND CONDITIONS OF SALE ARE AVAILABLE AT THE BUILDINGS AND LANDS DEPARTMENT, 14TH FLOOR, MURRAY BUILDING, GARDEN ROAD, HONG KONG.
THEY ARE ALSO AVAILABLE AT THE CENTRAL AND WESTERN DISTRICT OFFICE, CENTRAL ENQUIRY SUB-OFFICE, CENTRAL GOVERNMENT OFFICES WEST WING; AND AT THE DISTRICT LANDS OFFICES KOWLOON, YAU MA TEI CARPARK BUILDING, 10TH FLOOR, 250 SHANGHAI STREET, KOWLOON.
SALE PLANS CAN ALSO BE SEEN AT THE ABOVE OFFICES.
IN ADDITION, CONDITIONS OF SALE ARE ALSO AVAILABLE AT ALL NEW TERRITORIES DISTRICT LANDS OFFICES.
------O ------
NEED TO BROADEN SUPPORT FOR SOCIAL SERVICES: CS t t » t *
THERE IS A NEED TO BROADEN THE BASE OF COMMUNITY SUPPORT FOR SOCIAL SERVICES, THE CHIEF SECRETARY, SIR DAVID FORD, SAID T< DAY (FRIDAY).
SPEAKING AT THE 20TH ANNIVERSARY SPEECH DAY OF ST CATHARINE'S SCHOOL FOR GIRLS IN KWUN TONG, SIR DAVID SAID THE SPIRIT OF COMMUNITY SERVICE HAD BEEN GROWING OVER THE YEARS, ESPECIALLY AMONG YOUNG PEOPLE.
"HONG KONG IS A PLACE THAT RELIES HEAVILY ON A RICH NETWORK OF VOLUNTARY AGENCIES TO IMPLEMENT AND COMPLEMENT OUR SOCIAL SERVICES.
/"WE NEED ......
FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 2J, 1988
- 15 -
"WE NEED MORE VOLUNTEERS TO UNDERTAKE COMMUNITY WORK AND BY SO DOING HELP SPREAD THE MESSAGE THAT HONG KONG IS MUCH MORE THAN A SOCIETY THAT REWARDS SUCCESS, IT IS ALSO A SOCIETY THAT CARES, SIR DAVID SAID.
SIR DAVID ALSO PAID TRIBUTE TO THE EXCELLENT ACADEMIC REPUTATION AND A FINE RECORD OF COMMUNITY SERVICE THAT ST CATHARINE S HAD BUILT UP SINCE ITS FOUNDING IN 1968.
"MANY GRADUATES OF THE SCHOOL ARE NOW RENDERING VALUABLE SERVICE TO THE COMMUNITY.
"BY SO DOING YOU WILL BE ABLE TO ENJOY THE EXPERIENCE OF WORKING FOR THE LESS FORTUNATE THAN YOURSELVES AND ALSO DO MUCH iO BROADEN YOUR OUTLOOK ON LIFE," SIR DAVID ADDED.
------o - - - -
FS VISITS TREASURY AND AUDIT DEPARTMENTS » » ♦ » »
THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY, MR PIERS JACOBS, VISITED THE TREASURY AND AUDIT DEPARTMENTS THIS (FRIDAY) AFTERNOON TO KEEP HIMSELF ABREAST OF THE OPERATIONS OF THE TWO DEPARTMENTS.
ACCOMPANIED BY THE DIRECTOR OF ACCOUNTING SERVICES, MR CONAL O’KELLY, MR JACOBS TOURED THE COLLECTION AND PAYMENT OFFICE OF THE TREASURY TO SEE THE NEW RECEIPTING EQUIPMENT IN OPERATION.
AN IMPROVED RECEIPTING SYSTEM HAS BEEN IN OPERATION SINCE JULY THIS YEAR WITH THE INSTALLATION OF THE OPTICAL CHARACTERS READING SYSTEM.
IT SPEEDS UP THE PROCESS OF RECEIPTING SINCE OPERATORS NOW USE SCANNERS TO READ DATA ON DEMAND NOTES AND MAKE ENQUIRIES ON SCREEN, SAVING THE TIME TAKEN BY MANUAL INPUT.
AT THE AUDIT DEPARTMENT, MR JACOBS WAS GREETED BY THE DIRECTOR OF AUDIT, MR ROBERT HUTT, AND WAS BRIEFED ON THE ORGANISATION AND FUNCTIONS OF THE DEPARTMENT.
HE ALSO SAW A DEMONSTRATION BY STAFF OF THE COMPUTER AUDIT BRANCH ON THE USE OF A MICRO-COMPUTER TO ASSIST AUD f WORK.
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/16 .......
FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 25, 1988
DTC LICENCE REVOKED ♦ * * t
THE COMMISSIONER OF BANKING ANNOUNCED THAT THE LICENCE OF SAMUEL MONTAGU AND CO. LIMITED AS A DEPOSIT-TAKING COMPANY HAS BEEN REVOKED BY THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY AT THE CLOSE OF BUSINESS TODAY (FRIDAY) AT ITS OWN REQUEST UNDER SECTION 32(2) OF THE BANKING ORDINANCE.
- - 0 -
DTC REGISTRATION REVOKED * * * *
THE COMMISSIONER OF BANKING ANNOUNCED THAT THE REGISTRATION OF RIA FINANCE AND INVESTMENTS LIMITED AS A DEPOSIT-TAKING COMPANY HAS BEEN REVOKED AT THE CLOSE OF BUSINESS TODAY (FRIDAY) AT ITS OWN REQUEST UNDER SECTION 31(2) OF THE BANKING ORDINANCE.
- 0 -
EXPERIMENTAL TRAFFIC SIGNAL SCHEME ON CANAL ROAD FLYOVER * » » * *
AN EXPERIMENTAL TRAFFIC SIGNAL SCHEME TO ENHANCE THE SAFETY OF NORTHBOUND TRAFFIC ON CANAL ROAD FLYOVER WILL BE IMPLEMENTED FROM 10 AM NEXT TUESDAY (NOVEMBER 29), THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCED.
TRAFFIC LIGHTS WILL BE INSTALLED ON CANAL ROAD FLYOVER AT ITS MERGE POINT WITH THE UP-RAMP COMING UP FROM QUEEN'S ROAD EAST.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE DEPARTMENT EXPLAINED THAT AT PRESENT MOTORISTS FROM HAPPY VALLEY HAVE TO GIVE WAY TO TRAFFIC FROM ABERDEEN TUNNEL AND EXPERIENCE SIGHT-LINE PROBLEM DUE TO THE GEOMETRY OF THE JUNCTION ON THE FLYOVER.
WITH THE TRAFFIC SIGNALS TO APPORTION SUITABLE PRIORITY TO THE TRAFFIC STREAMS FROM HAPPY VALLEY AND ABERDEEN TUNNEL, THE GIVE-WAY ARRANGEMENT CAN BE CANCELLED TO SOLVE THE SIGHT-LINE PROBLEM.
THE SPOKESMAN ADDED THAT BESIDES ENHANCING ROAD SAFETY, THE TRAFFIC SIGNAL SCHEME WOULD ALSO BRING SOME IMPROVEMENTS TO THE CONGESTED UP-RAMP TRAFFIC FROM HAPPY VALLEY, ALTHOUGH SIGNIFICANT IMPROVEMENT TO THE OVERALL JUNCTION CAPACITY' IS NOT EXPECTED.
THE TRIAL PERIOD WILL LAST FOR ABOUT SIX MONTHS.
THE SCHEME, IF PROVED TO BE SUCCESSFUL, WOULD CONTINUE TO BE IMPLEMENTED ON A PERMANENT BASIS.
/I?
FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 25, 1988
- -17 -
VEHICULAR BRIDGE TO BE BUILT AT KIU TAU * * t * «
THE HIGHWAYS DEPARTMENT WILL BUILD A VEHICULAR BRIDGE ACROSS TAI PO ROAD AT KIU TAU TO IMPROVE ACCESS TO THE VILLAGES LOCATED IN THE VALLEY BETWEEN WO HOP SHEK AND HONG LOK YUEN, NORTH OF TAI PO.
THESE VILLAGES ARE KIU TAU, KAU LUNG HANG, YUEN LENG AND TAI WO.
THE TRAVELLING TIME FOR VEHICLES GOING FROM TAI PO TO KIU TAU AND THOSE GOING FROM KIU TAU TO FANLING WILL BE REDUCED UPON COMPLETION OF THE BRIDGE.
CONSTRUCTION WORK IS SCHEDULED TO BEGIN NEXT FEBRUARY .AND TAKE ABOUT 15 MONTHS TO COMPLETE.
DURING THE CONSTRUCTION PERIOD, ALL EXISTING ACCESS POINTS IO AND FROM TAI PO ROAD AND TRAFFIC ALONG THE EXISTING SERVICE ROADS WILL BE MAINTAINED.
THE WORKS HAVE BEEN DESIGNED AND CONSTRUCTION WILL BE SUPERVISED BY THE HIGHWAYS DEPARTMENT, WHICH WILL SUPERVISE CONSTRUCTION.
A NOTICE INVITING TENDERS FOR THE PROJECT WAS PUBLISHED IN THE GAZETTE TODAY (FRIDAY).
THE WORKS INCLUDE THE CONSTRUCTION OF TWO-WAY VEHICULAR BRIDGE ACROSS TAI PO ROAD AT REALIGNMENT OF A SECTION OF ACCESS ROAD AND OF A SERVICE ROAD WEST.
A 6.75-METRE-WIDE
KIU TAU, AND THE SECTION OF TAI WO
-------0 -
PRE-WAR BRIDGE IN *
TING KAU TO BE REBUILT * * * *
THE HIGHWAYS DEPARTMENT PROPOSES TO RECONSTRUCT BRIDGE N9 ON CASTLE PEAK ROAD, TING KAU AS PART OF A PROCESS TO REPLACE ALL PRE-WAR BRIDGES.
A NOTICE INVITING TENDERS FOR THE RECONSTRUCTION WORKS WAS PUBLISHED IN THE GAZETTE TODAY (FRIDAY).
THE WORK INVOLVES THE CONSTRUCTION OF A REPLACEMENT BRIDGE WITH A 7.3-METRE-WIDE CARRIAGEWAY TOGETHER WITH A FOOTWAY, AND THE WIDENING OF THE BRIDGE APPROACHES.
/IT IS ......
FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 25, 1988
- 18 -
IT IS EXPECTED THAT THE WORKS WILL BEGIN NEXT FEBRUARY AND TAKE ABOUT 13 MONTHS TO COMPLETE.
DURING THE CONSTRUCTION PERIOD, PART OF THE EXISTING BRIDGE HAS TO BE DEMOLISHED.
TWO-WAY TRAFFIC WILL BE MAINTAINED BY TRAFFIC LIGHT SIGNALS OR MANUALLY OPERATED SIGNS.
APPROPRIATE SIGNS WILL BE PROVIDED TO GUIDE AND SAFEGUARD ROAD USERS.
------0--------
SURVEY SHOWS MOST ELDERLY LIVE HARMONIOUSLY
MOST
OF THE : LIVING
ELDERLY PEOPLE SHARING TOGETHER HARMONIOUSLY,
ESTATES ARE — —
SURVEY CONDUCTED BY THE HOUSING AUTHORITY.
FLATS IN PUBLIC ACCORDING TO
HOUSING
A RECENT
THE SURVEY INTERVIEWED 3 510 ELDERLY PEOPLE REHOUSED ELDERLY PRIORITY SCHEME AND COMPASSIONATE QUOTA.
THE SURVEY FOUND THAT 84 PER CENT OF THE RESPONDENTS HAD NO DISPUTES WITH THEIR CO-TENANTS.
UNDER THE
SAID THEY
A HOUSING SPOKESMAN SAID TODAY THAT THE ABOVE
WERE LIVING HARMONIOUSLY
™ pSoblbhs «ith co-tenants.
SHOWED TOGETHER
HE SAID ELDERLY PERSONS
SHARING
NORMALLY INCLUDE THOSE REHOUSED UNDER
THE EMERGENCY AND COMPULSORY CATEGORIES, THE
ACCOMMODATION WITH ELDERLY PRIORITY
COMPASSIONATE
REDEVELOPMENT CLEARANCES.
SOME ELDERLY PERSONS WHO ARE FRIENDS ESTATES ON THEIR OWN
LIVING TOGETHER IN THE BEEN ASKED TO SHARE AVAILABLE BEFORE EARLY
OR RELATIVE
ACCORD, AND
FLATS BECAUSE NO SINGLE 1985.
PERSON
OTHIRS SCHEME,
QUOTA
HAVE
SOME
FLATS
AND
BEEN HAVE WERE
RESPONDENTS
FROM THE
THE SURVEY ALSO
REVEALED THAT 63 PER CENT OF rnMTwr FROM THE ELDERLY PRIORITY SCHEME AND 35 PER CENT COMPASSIONATE QUOTA RECEIVED REGULAR ASSISTANCE FROM CO-TENANTS.
"tn FACT BY SHARING ACCOMMODATION, THEY CAN HA^ COMPANIONSHIP, MUTUAL CARE AND ASSISTANCE WHICH ARE MOST VALUABLE TO THEM," THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
/MORE TENANTS .......
FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 25, 1988
- 19 -
MOST TENANTS INTERVIEWED IN THE SURVEY ALSO SAID THEY HAD NO IMMEDIATE RELATIVES TO LIVE WITH IN HONG KONG. OTHERS SAID THEY HAD TO LIVE AWAY FROM THEIR IMMEDIATE RELATIVES BECAUSE OF OVERCROWDING AT HOME, BECAUSE THEY COULD NOT GET ON WELL WITH FAMILY MEMBERS OR BECAUSE THEY WERE DESERTED BY THEIR FAMILIES.
OVER HALF OF THE RESPONDENTS HAD SOCIAL CON I TH NEIGHBOURS OR PEOPLE IN THE SITTING OUT AREAS. A SMALI P( HAD PARTICIPATED IN RELIGIOUS ACTIVITIES AND FUNCTIONS ORGAN}/r. BY SOCIAL OR COMMUNITY GROUPS.
THE SURVEY ALSO INDICATED THAT ABOUT 14 PER CENT OF THE RESPONDENTS SAID THEY HAD OCCASIONAL DISPUTES WITH THEIR CO-TENANTS AND ONLY TWO PER CENT OF THEM SAID THEY HAD FREQUENT DISPUTES.
THE SPOKESMAN SAID THAT DISPUTES NORMALLY AROSE FROM MATTERS RELATED TO ELECTRICITY OR WATER BILLS, CLEANLINESS AND THE USE OF THE COMMON AREA IN THE FLAT, ACCORDING TO THE FINDINGS.
WHENEVER A SERIOUS CONFLICT ARISING FROM SHARING OF ACCOMMODATION COMES TO LIGHT, THE ESTATE MANAGEMENT STAFF WILL ALWAYS STEP IN TO PROVIDE THE NECESSARY ASSISTANCE.
WHEN CIRCUMSTANCE WARRANT EXPERT ADVICE IMMEDIATE REFERRALS WILL BE MADE TO SOCIAL WORKERS FOR ASSISTANCE.
MANAGEMENT TRANSFERS INCLUDING RE-GROUPING WITH OTHER SINGLE PERSONS WILL BE ARRANGED IF THE CONFLICTS OR DISPUTES ARE OF A PERMANENT NATURE BEYOND RECONCILIATION.
THEY MAY ALSO MOVE TO THE NEW SHELTERED HOUSING RUN BY THE HOUSING AUTHORITY, WHICH PROVIDES MAXIMUM PRIVACY TO INDIVIDUAL ELDERLY WHO ARE ABLE BODIED AND SELF-RELIANT.
ONE-THIRD OF THE PEOPLE REHOUSED UNDER THE ELDERLY PRIORITY SCHEME AND ONE-FIFTH OF THOSE UNDER THE COMPASSIONATE QUOTA WERE EMPLOYED. A SMALL PROPORTION WERE RECEIVING REGULAR FINANCIAL CONTRIBUTION FROM RELATIVES AND FRIENDS.
MEANWHILE, SOME 6 600 ELDERLY SINGLE PERSONS HAVE BEE! REHOUSED UNDER THE ELDERLY PRIORITY SCHEME IN 3 100 SHARED FLATS \ND SOME 1 300 SINGLE PERSONS HAVE BEEN REHOUSED TN 700 SHARED FL/' I S UNDER THE COMPASSIONATE QUOTA.
- - 0
FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 25,
1988
20
LADY WILSON PREVIEWS COMMUNITY CHEST STAMPS
» * * * *
LADY WILSON THIS (FRIDAY) MORNING VISITED THE GENERAL POST OFFICE IN CONNAUGHT PLACE TO PREVIEW SPECIAL STAMPS TO GO OL 3. <E TO COMMEMORATE THE 20TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE COMMUNITY CHEST OF HON ■ KONG.
IN HER CAPACITY AS PRESIDENT OF THE CHEST, LADY WILSON WAS SHOWN THE SET OF FOUR STAMPS, DESIGNED BY MICHAEL TUCKER, WHICH GO ON SALE ON WEDNESDAY (NOVEMBER 30).
A PORTION OF THE FACE VALUE OF THE STAMPS WILL GO TOWARDS THE COMMUNITY CHEST, THE CENTRAL CHARITY FUND-RAISING ORGANISATION FOUNDED IN NOVEMBER 1968.
THE STAMPS DEPICT A CHILD, ELDERLY WOMAN, HANDICAPPED MAN AND MOTHER AND CHILD, UNDERLINING THE FACT THAT MEMBER WELFARE AGENCIES WHICH RECEIVE MONEY FROM THE COMMUNITY CHEST PROVIDE HELP TO THE UNDER PRIVILEGED OF HONG KONG.
ACCOMPANIED BY THE POSTMASTER GENERAL, MR GORDON SIU, AND OTHER POST OFFICE OFFICIALS, LADY WILSON VIEWED THE STAMPS AND THE SPECIAL SET OF FOUR POSTCARDS WHICH WILL ALSO BE ON SALE FROM WEDNESDAY.
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CLEAN WATER CAMPAIGN IN EASTERN DISTRICT
*****
A LARGE SCALE CLEAN WATER CAMPAIGN WILL BE LAUNCHED THIS SUNDAY (NOVEMBER 27) AT THE CAUSEWAY BAY TYPHOON SHELTER, ALDRICH BAY TYPHOON SHELTER AND CHAI WAN CARGO HANDLING AREA.
ORGANISED BY THE WORKING GROUP ON ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AND CLEAN HONG KONG ACTIVITIES OF THE EASTERN DISTRICT BOARD, THE CAMPAIGN AIMS AT ENCHANCING PUBLIC AWARENESS OF SANITATION AND HYGIENE AT TYPHOON SHELTERS IN THE DISTRICT.
DISTRICT BOARD MEMBERS AND REPRESENTATIVES FROM LOCAL FISHERMEN'S ASSOCIATIONS WILL VISIT BOAT DWELLERS IN THE TYPHOON SHELTERS AND HAND OUT PUBLICITY MATERIALS WITH THE CLEAN WATER MESSAGE.
/A VARIETY........
FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 25, 1988
- 21
A VARIETY SHOW FEATURING SINGING, DANCING AND MAGIC SHOW WILL. ALSO BE STAGED AT THE SHAU KEI WAN WHOLESALE FISH MARKET ON THE SAME DAY. IT WILL START AT 3 PM AND ADMISSION IS FREE.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO SEND A REPRESENTATIVE TO COVER THE EASTERN DISTRICT CLEAN WATER CAMPAIGN TO BEGIN AT 9 AM ON SUNDAY (NOVEMBER 27) IN THE REST GARDEN AT THE CAUSEWAY BAY TYPHOON SHELTER. MEMBERS OF THE PRESS ARE ALSO INVITED TO JOIN THE DISTRICT BOARD ON CRUISE.
-----0-----
TAI PO CIVIC EDUCATION CARNIVAL ON SUNDAY
*****
A CARNIVAL TO PROMOTE CIVIC EDUCATION IN TAI PO WILL BE HELD ON SUNDAY (NOVEMBER 27) MORNING.
ORGANISED BY THE TAI PO DISTRICT CIVIC EDUCATION CAMPAIGN CO-ORDINATING COMMITTEE, THE CARNIVAL WILL TAKE PLACE AT TAI PO CENTRAL TOWN SQUARE. THE EVENT IS SPONSORED BY THE TAI PO DISTRICT BOARD.
TO TIE IN WITH THE DISTRICT’S THEME FOR THE CIVIC EDUCATION CAMPAIGN THIS YEAR - ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION - THE CARNIVAL PROGRAMME INCLUDES A QUIZ AND GAMES STALLS CENTRED ON ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION.
WINNING ENTRIES IN A RESEARCH PROJECT, SLOGAN CONTEST AND PHOTOGRAPHIC COMPETITIONS HELD RECENTLY IN TAI PO WILL BE ON DISPLAY.
THE WINNERS WILL RECEIVE THEIR PRIZES AT THE CARNIVALS OPENING CEREMONY.
IN ADDITION, ENTRIES IN THE WORLD ENVIRONMENT DAY 1988’S PHOTOGRAPHIC COMPETITION WILL BE EXHIBITED.
OFFICIATING AT THE OPENING CEREMONY WILL BE THE CHAIRMAN OF THE COMMITTEE ON THE PROMOTION OF CIVIC EDUCATION, DR DANIEL TSE; CHAIRMAN OF THE TAI PO DISTRICT BOARD, MR HO YUNG-SANG; ACTING TAI PO DISTRICT OFFICER, MISS MARY CHOW SHUK-CHING; AND A REGIONAL COUNCILLOR, MR MICHAEL LAI KAM-CHEUNG.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE OPENING CEREMONY OF THE CARNIVAL TO BE HELD AT THE TAI PO CENTRAL TOWN SQUARE, NEAR TAI YUEN ESTATE, AT 10 AM ON SUNDAY (NOVEMBER 27).
FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 25, 1988
- 22 -
THREE-WEEK KWAI TSING ANTI-NARCOTICS CAMPAIGN
THE KWAI TSING DISTRICT ANTI-NARCOTICS CAMPAIGN COMMITTEE WILL PROVIDE THREE WEEKS’ ACTIVITIES BETWEEN NOVEMBER 28 AND DECEMBER 18 TO SPREAD ANTI-NARCOTICS MESSAGES AMONG RESIDENTS.
SPEAKING AT A PRESS CONFERENCE TODAY (FRIDAY), CHAIRMAN OF THE COMMITTEE, MR SO HOI-PAN SAID THE ACTION COMMITTEE AGAINST NARCOTICS ALLOCATED A BUDGET OF $100,000 TO KWAI TSING DISTRICT TO PROMOTE THE CAMPAIGN AT THE DISTRICT LEVEL.
THE TOTAL BUDGET FOR THE CAMPAIGN WOULD BE $300,000 AND THE REMAINING $200,000 WERE SPONSORED BY THE SHELL HONG KONG LIMITED, HE ADDED.
THE CAMPAIGN AIMS AT PUBLICISING THE HARMFUL EFFECTS OF BOTH HARD AND SOFT DRUGS AND ALSO DISCOURAGING PEOPLE FROM USING THEM.
MR SO SAID VARIOUS ACTIVITIES WOULD BE ORGANISED TO ENCOURAGE PARTICIPATION FROM ALL AGES AKI) DIFFERENT SECTORS OF THE COMMUNITY.
THE CAMPAIGN WILL BE LAUNCHED WITH AN ANTI-NARCOTICS EXHIBITION AND VIDEO SHOW TO BE HELD AT TAI WO HAU COMMUNITY CENTRE FROM NOVEMBER 28 TO DECEMBER 3. IT WILL THEN MOVE TO S.K.H. LADY MACLEHOSE CENTRE BETWEEN DECEMBER 5 AND DECEMBER 10.
A DISCO NIGHT CENTERED ROUND THE ANTI-NARCOTICS THEME WILL BE ORGANISED ON DECEMBER 10 AT Till', KWAI CHUNG HING FONG ROAD PLAYGROUND. TICKETS FOR THE DISCO NIGHT ARE AVAILABLE AT THE KWAI TSING DISTRICT OFFICE AND SUB-OFFICES.
VISITS TO THE CUSTOMS AND EXCISE TRAINING SCHOOL AND TAI LAM CENTRE FOR WOMEN WILL BE ORGANISED IN DECEMBER. PARTICIPANTS WILL BE ABLE TO LEARN ABOUT DRUGS COMMONLY FOUND IN HONG KONG, ANTI-NARCOTICS ENFORCEMENT ACTIVITIES AND REHABILITATION PROCESS OFFERED TO DRUG ABUSERS.
THE HIGHLIGHT OF THE CAMPAIGN WILL BE AN ANTI-NARCOTICS FUN DAY TO BE HELD ON DECEMBER 18 AT THE KWAI CHUNG SPORTS GROUND.
THERE WILL BE PERFORMANCES BY THE TAI TAM MARCHING BAND, FIVE SCHOOL BANDS, HONG KONG MORRIS DANCING TEAM, KWAI TSING DISTRICT CULTURAL AND ARTS CO-ORDINATION ASSOCIATION, CHAMPION OF THE DISTRICT SINGING COMPETITION AND POPULAR SINGERS.
MEMBERS OF THE AREA COMMITTEES AND YIN NGAI SOCIETIES, AND SECONDARY SCHOOL STUDENTS AS WELL AS FACTORY WORKERS WILL BE INVITED TO FORM 15 TEAMS IN A TELEMATCH GAMES.
RESIDENTS MAY ALL 0-212855 FOR DETAILS OF THE ACTIVITIES.
-------O - -
/?3........
FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 25,
1988
- 23 -VARIETY SHOW FOR YAU TSIM RESIDENTS *****
YAU TSIM RESIDENTS WILL BE TREATED TO AN ENTERTAINING VARIETY SHOW ON SUNDAY (NOVEMBER 27) EVENING AT THE OPEN SPACE NEAR THE JORDAN ROAD FERRY PIER.
THE EVENT, ORGANISED BY THE FERRY POINT AREA COMMITTEE WITH SPONSORSHIP BY THE YAU TSIM DISTRICT BOARD, IS AIMED AT BOOSTING A SENSE OF DISTRICT IDENTITY AND COMMUNITY SPIRIT AMONG RESIDENTS.
THE PROGRAMME INCLUDES A LION DANCE, DANCE AND SINGING PERFORMANCES, MAGIC SHOW AND A LUCKY DRAW.
THE DISTRICT OFFICER, MR NG HON-WAH, WILL OFFICIATE AT THE EYEDOTTING CEREMONY TO BEGIN THE LION DANCE.
DURING THE EVENING, PRIZES WILL BE PRESENTED TO WINNERS OF A CIVIC EDUCATION QUIZ CONTEST.
MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC ARE INVITED TO ATTEND THE SHOW WHICH WILL START AT 7.10 PM. ADMISSION IS FREE.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE VARIETY SHOW WHICH WILL START AT 7.10 PM ON SUNDAY (NOVEMBER 27) AT THE OPEN SPACE NEAR THE JORDAN ROAD VEHICULAR FERRY PIER.
------0--------
CHILDREN JOIN
TOGETHER TO PAINT ROSY PICTURE
*****
ONE HUNDRED AND FIFTY CHILDREN LIVING IN NGAU TAU KOK WEST AREA IN KWUN TONG WILL WORK TOGETHER TO PAINT THEIR IDEA OF AN IDEAL COMMUNITY AS A GIANT PICTURE THIS SUNDAY (NOVEMBER 27).
THE EVENT IS ORGANISED BY THE NGAU TAU KOK WEST AREA COMMITTEE IN SUPPORT OF THE CURRENT KWUN TONG FESTIVAL '88, WHICH UNDERLINES "KWUN TONG - OUR LOVELY HOME" AS ITS THEME.
THE "CHILDREN’S PAINTING DAY" WILL TAKE PLACE AT TELFORD GARDENS MAIN SQUARE.
/PARTICIPANTS WILL
FRIDAY, NOVEMBER ?5, 1988
PARTICIPANTS WILL BE DIVIDED INTO 25 GROUPS, EACH CONSISTING OF SIX MEMBERS. EACH GROUP WILL PAINT ON A PIECE OF PRE-SKETCHED CARDBOARD, WHICH WILL BE LATER PIECED TOGETHER TO FORM A 1.8 METRE BY 22.8 METRE GIANT PAINTING.
THE FINISHED PAINTING, DEPICTING A HEALTHY AND PEACEFUL COMMUNITY WHICH IS AN IDEAL HOME FOR EVERYONE THROUGH THE EYES OF THE "LITTLE PAINTERS”, WILL BE PUT ON DISPLAY AT TELFORD GARDENS SQUARE NO. 2 TO HELP FOSTER A SENSE OF COMMUNITY BELONGING AMONG RESIDENTS IN THE NGAU TAU KOK WEST AREA.
TO ADD COLOUR TO THE DAY’S EVENT, CARTOON CHARACTERS WILL BE ON HAND TO CHEER ON THE "LITTLE PAINTERS" AND TO POSE FOR PICTURES WITH CHILDREN VISITING THE EVENT.
THERE WILL ALSO BE A PRIZE-PRESENTATION CEREMONY FOR A "LOVE OUR FAMILY" CHILDREN’S DRAWING COMPETITION HELD EARLIER.
AMONG THE OFFICIATING GUESTS WILL BE KWUN TONG DISTRICT BOARD CHAIRMAN, MR LAM HANG-FAI; CHAIRLADY OF THE KWUN TONG FESTIVEL ’88 ORGANISING COMMITTEE, MADAM YEUNG KAM-CHUN, AND CHAIRLADY OF THE NGAU TAU KOK WEST AREA COMMITTEE, MRS WINNIE POON.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
RI
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE NGAU TAU KOK WEST "CHILDREN'S PAINTING DAY" BEGINNING AT 3 PM ON SUNDAY (NOVEMBER 27) AT THE TELFORD GARDENS MAIN SQUARE.
M:
------0--------
TSUEN WAN/KWAI CHUNG ROAD IMPROVEMENT WORKS *****
IMPORTANT ROAD IMPROVEMENT WORKS FOR THE AREA WAN AND KWAI CHUNG AND THE PROVISION OF A CONTAINER-RELATED INDUSTRIES IN KWAI CHUNG HAVE BEEN TERRITORY DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT.
THE DEPARTMENT’S TSUEN WAN DEVELOPMENT OFFICE FOR THE PROJECT TODAY (FRIDAY).
DIVIDING TSUEN NEW SITE FOR PLANNED BY THE
INVITED TENDERS
THF PROJECT INVOLVES THE CONSTRUCTION OF A FLYOVER FROM THE JUNCTION OF TEXACO ROAD AND KWAI FUK ROAD TO THE EXISTING FLYOVER ABOVE CASTLE PEAK ROAD AND THE WIDENING OF A SECTION OF TEXACO ROAD.
/IT ALSO ........
FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 25, 1988
- 25 -
IT ALSO INVOLVES THE REALIGNMENT AND WIDENING OF A KWAI FUK ROAD AND THE CONSTRUCTION OF A FOOTBRIDGE WHICH TEXACO ROAD AND YEUNG UK ROAD.
SECTION OF WILL SPAN
A 1.2-HECTARE SITE WILL BE FORMED IN CHI KWU WAN AREA 10-J FOR CONTAINER-RELATED INDUSTRIES.
WORK ON THE PROJECT IS EXPECTED TO START NEXT MARCH AND TAKE 27 MONTHS TO COMPLETE.
TENDERS FOR THE PROJECT MUST BE SUBMITTED BEFORE NOON ON FRIDAY, DECEMBER 30.
-------0----------
TEMPORARY TRAFFIC CHANGES IN SOUTHERN DISTRICT
*****
THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCED THAT A SECTION OF SHEK PAI WAN ROAD IN SOUTHERN DISTRICT WILL BECOME AN URBAN CLEARWAY ROUND-THE-CLOCK FROM 10 AM ON MONDAY (NOVEMBER 28) FOR ABOUT SEVEN DAYS FOR ROADWORKS.
THE URBAN CLEARWAY WILL BE DESIGNATED ON SHEK PAI WAN ROAD FROM A POINT ABOUT 30 METRES EAST OF ITS JUNCTION WITH TIN WAN STREET TO A POINT ABOUT 70 METRES EAST OF THE SAME JUNCTION.
NO VEHICLES EXCEPT FRANCHISED BUSES WILL BE ALLOWED TO STOP FOR PASSENGERS OR GOODS THERE.
--------0 -
TEMPORARY LANE CLOSURE AT LION ROCK TUNNEL ROAD
» » » » »
THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCED THAT TO FACILITATE THE REPAINTING OF A SIGN GANTRY, A SECTION OF LION ROCK TUNNEL ROCK NORTHBOUND WTL1. BE CLOSED TO TRAFFIC FROM SUNDAY (NOVEMBER 27).
A 120-METRE STRETCH ALONG THE FAST LANE OF THE LION ROAD TUNNEL ROAD NORTHBOUND NEAR KAK TIN WILL BE CLOSED BETWEEN 11 PM AND 6 AM THE FOLLOWING DAY FROM NOVEMBER 27 TO 29.
MOTORISTS ARE URGED TO DRIVE WITH CARE AND PATIENCE. APPROPRIATE TRAFFIC AIDS WILL BE PROVIDED TO GUIDE MOTORISTS.
--------0----------
/26..... .
FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 25, 1988
- 26 -
TEMPORARY CLOSURE OF SHEK KU STREET * * » *
THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT REMINDED MOTORISTS THAT SHEK KU STI? in ,r H() MAN TIN BETWEEN SHEUNG SHING STREET AND KING TAK STREET HAS BE ’'I CLOSED SINCE YESTERDAY (THURSDAY) DUE TO ROAD SUBSIDENCE.
CLOSURE IS EXPECTED TO LAST FOR ABOUT EIGHT DAYS I >■; ROAD REPAIRING WORKS.
MOTORISTS HEADING FOR SHEK KU STREET AND KING TAK STREET MAY USE PERTH STREET.
------0-------
CLOSURE OF SLIP ROADS AT SIU LAM INTERCHANGE
*****
THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCED THAT THE SLIP ROADS AT LAM INTERCHANGE LINKING TUEN MUN ROAD SOUTHBOUND AND CASTLE PEAK (TAI LAM) WILL BE CLOSED TO TRAFFIC FROM MONDAY (NOVEMBER 28)
SIU ROAD
FOR
ROAD RESURFACING WORKS.
THE CLOSURE WILL LAST FROM ONE MINUTE PAST MIDNIGHT TO 5.30 AM DAILY BETWEEN MONDAY (NOVEMBER 28) AND THURSDAY (DECEMBER 1).
AFFECTED MOTORISTS WILL BE DIVERTED VIA SHAM TSENG INTERCHANGE.
-----0------
TEMPORARY LANE CLOSURE OF TAI PO ROAD (FANLING)
*****
THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCED THAT TO FACILITATE ROAD MAINTENANCE WORKS, TRAFFIC LANES ON TAI PO ROAD (FANLING) SOUTHBOUND NEAR WO HOP SHEK INTERCHANGE WILL BE CLOSED IN TURN DURING THE FOLLOWING PERIODS:
* THE INNER-MOST LANE WILL BE CLOSED FROM 9 AM ON NOVEMBER 28 (MONDAY) TO 5 PM ON NOVEMBER 30.
* THE OUTER-MOST LANE AND THE CENTRE LANE WILL BE CLOSED FROM
7 PM ON NOVEMBER 30 TO 6 AM ON DECEMBER 1.
* THE OUTER-MOST LANE WILL BE CLOSED FROM 9 AM ON DECEMBER 2
TO 8 AM ON DECEMBER 4.
--------0----------
/?7........
FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 25, 1988
- 27 -
FIRING PRACTICE IN DECEMBER
» ♦ t * *
FIRING PRACTICE WILL TAKE PLACE AT THE HA TSUEN-CASTLE PEAK RANGE ON 17 DAYS NEXT MONTH.
THE PUBLIC IS WARNED NOT TO ENTER THE AREA WHEN RED FLAGS ARE HOISTED.
FOLLOWING ARE THE DATES AND TIMES THAT FIRING PRACTICE WILL TAKE PLACE:
DATE TIME
DECEMBER 1 (THURSDAY) MIDNIGHT - 5 PM
DECEMBER 2 (FRIDAY) 6.30 AM - 5 PM
DECEMBER 3 (SATURDAY) 8.30 AM - 11.59 PM
DECEMBER 4 (SUNDAY) MIDNIGHT - 5 PM
DECEMBER 5 (MONDAY) 6.30 AM - 5 PM
DECEMBER 6 (TUESDAY) 8.30 AM - 11.59 PM
DEDEMBER 7 (WEDNESDAY) MIDNIGHT - 5 PM
DECEMBER 8 (THURSDAY) 6.30 AM - 5 PM
DECEMBER 9 (FRIDAY) 8.30 AM - 11.59 PM
DECEMBER 10 (SATURDAY) MIDNIGHT - 5 PM
DECEMBER 11 (SUNDAY) 6.30 AM - 5 PM
DECEMBER 12 (MONDAY) 8.30 AM - 11.59 PM
DECEMBER 13 (TUESDAY) MIDNIGHT - 5 PM
DECEMBER 14 (WEDNESDAY) 6.30 AM - 11.59 PM
DECEMBER 15 (THURSDAY) MIDNIGHT - 5 PM
DECEMBER 16 (FRIDAY) 6.30 AM - 5 PM
DECEMBER 17 r (SATURDAY) 8.30 AM - 5 PM
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DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE. HONG KONG. TEL: 5-8428777
SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 26, 1988
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
TOTAL COMMITMENT TO AGREEMENT: SIR PERCY ...................... 1
HK'S TRANSPORT SYSTEM IS CAREFULLY PLANNED ..................... 5
LEAFLETS ON '1IEET-THE-PUBLIC" SCHEME aND "DB FUNDS" ........... 7
HOLIDAYMAKERS URGED TO BE MORE CO-OPERATIVE .................... 8
SPECIAL CAR NUMBERS SALE BY AUCTION ............................ 9
MONG KOK "RESPECT FOR THE ELDERLY CAMPAIGN 88" ................ 10
LEISURE SERVICES DOCUMENT ON DB COMMITTEE AGENDA .............. 11
CONCERT HIGHLIGHTS CONCLUSION OF DISTRICT ARTS FESTIVAL ... 12
KWAI TSING SPORTS FESTIVAL ENDS TOMORROW ...................... 1J
DAY CAMP FOR THE ELDERLY....................................... 13
NEW FOOTBRIDGES FOR CONNAUGHT ROAD WEST TO BE OPENED .......... 14
TEMPORARY TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS ON HK ISLjiND................... 15
RIGHT-TURN BAN ON PRINCE EDWARD ROAD WEST ..................... 15
SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 26,
1988
1
TOTAL COMMITMENT TO AGREEMENT: SIR PERCY
*****
FOLLOWING IS THE TEXT OF A TALK GIVEN BY SIR PERCY CRADOCK, FOREIGN POLICY ADVISER TO THE BRITISH PRIME MINISTER, DURING A BBC PROGRAMME, "PERSONAL VIEW", WHICH WAS BROADCAST ON THE BBC WORLD SERVICE IN HONG KONG TODAY (SATURDAY) ON RTHK’S RADIO 5:
THE HONG KONG AGREEMENT OF 1984 BETWEEN BRITAIN AND CHINA, WHICH SETTLED THE FUTURE OF THE TERRITORY, HAS COME UNDER A LOT OF FIRE RECENTLY IN THE BRITISH PRESS. A CROP OF ARTICLES HAVE ASSAILED IT AS AN EXHIBITION OF BRITISH OR FOREIGN OFFICE WEAKNESS, OR UNDUE COMPLIANCE WITH CHINA, OR EVEN AS A BETRAYAL OF THE PEOPLE OF HONG KONG. UNIVERSALLY ACCLAIMED AT THE TIME, THE AGREEMENT NOW SEEMS, IF WE JUDGE BY THE PRESS, TO HAVE GONE RATHER SOUR.
IN THIS TALK I SHALL TRY TO SAY SOMETHING ABOUT THE AGREEMENT, HOW IT SEEMED TO THOSE WHO NEGOTIATED IT AND WHAT ARE THE PROSPECTS IT HOLDS OUT FOR HONG KONG.
I HAVE TO DECLARE AN INTEREST. I HAVE BEEN VERY CLOSELY INVOLVED. FIRST AS BRITISH AMBASSADOR IN PEKING I LED OUR NEGOTIATING TEAM FOR THE FIRST YEAR OF THE NEGOTIATIONS. ON RETURN TO LONDON IN 1984 I WAS, AT OFFICIAL LEVEL, IN CHARGE OF THE NEGOTIATIONS UNTIL THE AGREEMENT WAS SIGNED IN DECEMBER OF THAT YEAR. SINCE 1984 AS FOREIGN POLICY ADVISER TO MRS THATCHER I HAVE FOLLOWED DEVELOPMENTS ALMOST AS CLOSELY.
FOR ANYONE LOOKING BACK ON A BIG NEGOTIATION OF THIS KIND THE PAST IS A CURIOUS PATCHWORK. ON THE ONE HAND THERE IS THE OFFICIAL MATERIAL - THE COMMUNIQUES, THE WHITE PAPERS AND THE LIKE. ON THE OTHER THERE ARE THE MORE VIVID PERSONAL RECOLLECTIONS. I RECALL FOR EXAMPLE OUR FIRST TENTATIVE APPROACHES TO THE CHINESE IN 1979, WHEN WE WERE BECOMING INCREASINGLY CONCERNED THAT UNLESS SOMETHING WAS DONE BUSINESS CONFIDENCE IN HONG KONG WOULD SOON FALTER. I RECALL MRS THATCHER’S VISIT TO PEKING IN 1982, WHICH SET THE NEGOTIATION GOING. AND THEN THE HOT SUMMER OF 1983 AND THE FORMAL SESSIONS IN THE FOREIGN MINISTRY GUEST HOUSE IN PEKING - THE OLD AUSTRO-HUNGARIAN LEGATION - AS WE ARGUED, AS IT TURNED OUT UNAVAILINGLY, FOR THE CONTINUANCE OF BRITISH ADMINISTRATION IN HONG KONG. I RECALL THE CRITICAL MEETINGS IN LONDON WITH MEMBERS OF THE HONG KONG EXECUTIVE COUNCIL PRESENT. BUT PARTICULARLY 1 REMEMBER THE FIRST DAY OF SIR GEOFFREY HOWE’S VISIT TO PEKING IN LATE JULY 1984 WHEN I WAS ASKED TO A PRIVATE LUNCH WITH THE CHIEF CHINESE NEGOTIATOR AND HEARD HIM PUT TO ME WHAT WAS CLEARLY THE BREAK-THROUGH OFFER. AND THEN RETURNING TO TELL THE FOREIGN SECRETARY - AND HOW WE DISCUSSED IT IN THE GARDEN OF THE GUEST HOUSE - A SMALL, RATHER TENSE GROUP GATHERED UNDER THE SHADE OF A FLOWERING TREE, WITH A SENSE THAT WE WERE AT A CRITICAL POINT, EVEN, AS ONE OF US PUT IT, THAT WE WERE BRUSHED BY THE WIND OF HISTORY.
/AND OF .......
SATURDAY, NOViXBER 26, 1988
AND OF COURSE IT WAS A BREAK THROUGH. THOUGH THERE WERE STILL PRODIGIES OF NEGOTIATION TO BE PERFORMED, WE HAD WITHIN 2 MONTHS A COMPLETE AGREEMENT. IT MAY BE WORTHWHILE REMINDING YOU OF ITS MAIN POINTS.
UNTIL 30 JUNE 1997, WHEN THE LEASE OF THE NEW TERRITORIES WILL IN ANY CASE EXPIRE, BRITAIN REMAINS RESPONSIBLE FOR HONG KONG. AFTER THAT DATE HONG KONG BECOMES A SPECIAL ADMINISTRATIVE REGION UNDER THE GOVERNMENT OF THE PEOPLE’S REPUBLIC OF CHINA. THE REGIME FOR THIS REGION IS SET OUT IN BROAD TERMS IN THE AGREEMENT, BUT IT IS CRUCIALLY SUPPLEMENTED IN THE FIRST ANNEX, WHICH IS A LENGTHY TEXT PRESCRIBING IN GREAT DETAIL THE WAY OF LIFE FOR HONG KONG. IT IS STATED THAT THESE DETAILS WILL BE SET OUT IN A BASIC LAW TO BE PASSED BY THE CHINESE NATIONAL PEOPLE’S CONGRESS AND THAT THEY WILL REMAIN UNCHANGED FOR 50 YEARS.
THIS REGIME, SECURED FOR 50 YEARS AFTER 1997, IS AVOWEDLY CAPITALIST. THE ANNEX STATES THAT HONG KONG’S PREVIOUS CAPITALIST SYSTEM AND LIFESTYLE SHALL REMAIN UNCHANGED. FOR EXAMPLE, HONG KONG WILL REMAIN A FREE PORT AND A SEPARATE CUSTOMS TERRITORY. IT WILL RETAIN ITS FAMILIAR SYSTEM OF LAW. HUMAN RIGHTS ARE SPECIFICALLY PROTECTED BY THE CONTINUED APPLICATION TO HONG KONG OF THE RELEVANT INTERNATIONAL CONVENTIONS. ALL THIS, AND A GREAT DEAL MORE BESIDES, IS SET OUT IN DETAIL WHICH IS REMARKABLE WHEN ONE CONSIDERS THAT CHINA WAS THEREBY DELIBERATELY TYING ITS HANDS IN THE CONTROL OF TERRITORY WHICH IT HAD ALWAYS REGARDED AS PART OF CHINA. THESE ELABORATE UNDERTAKINGS ARE ENSHRINED IN AN INTERNATIONALLY BINDING AGREEMENT, WHICH HAS BEEN ENDORSED BY THE PEOPLE OF HONG KONG, BY THE BRITISH AND CHINESE GOVERNMENTS AND BY THE INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY.
TO GET TO THIS TEXT MEANT AN UNPRECEDENTED AND ENORMOUSLY DIFFICULT NEGOTIATION. FOR THE BRITISH GOVERNMENT IT WAS UNPRECEDENTED IN THAT, UNLIKE SO MANY NEGOTIATIONS FOR COLONIAL TERRITORIES WE HAD BEEN RESPONSIBLE FOR IN THE PAST, IT COULD NOT LEAD FORWARD TO INDEPENDENCE. THAT TRADITIONAL ROAD WAS CLOSED. FOR 92 PER CENT OF THE TERRITORY WE WERE DEALING WITH A LEASE WHICH WE RECOGNISED AS VALID AND WHICH TERMINATED IN 1997. THE REMAINING 8 PER CENT OF THE TERRITORY WAS UNVIABLE ON ITS OWN. HONG KONG WAS BOUND TO RETURN TO CHINA; THE ONLY QUESTION WAS THE TERMS ON WHICH IT DID SO.
FOR THE CHINESE GOVERNMENT IT WAS ALSO UNPRECEDENTED, AND, I SUSPECT, EQUALLY DIFFICULT, IN THAT, AS THEY SAW IT, HONG KONG IS AND ALWAYS WAS THEIR TERRITORY. HOW COULD THEY EVEN EMBARK ON A NEGOTIATION WITH A FOREIGN POWER ON THE FUTURE OF PART OF THEIR OWN LAND?
/THERE WAS .......
SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 26, 1988
THERE WAS A FURTHER DIFFICULTY. FOR THE CHINESE IT WAS A STRICTLY BILATERAL NEGOTIATION BETWEEN THE TWO METROPOLITAN POWERS. FOR US ON THE BRITISH SIDE IT WAS TRIANGULAR, THE THIRD PAR'Y BEING HONG KONG. WE ESTABLISHED FROM THE OUTSET THE PRINCIPLE THAT OUR COMMON OBJECTIVE WAS THE STABILITY AND PROSPERITY OF HONG KGN D WF INSISTED THAT ANY SETTLEMENT HAD TO BE ACCEPTABLE NOT ONI.' r, THE CHINESE GOVERNMENT AND TO THE BRITISH PARLIAMENT BUT ALSO TO THE PEOPLE OF HONG KONG. AND IN THE END OF COURSE WE FORMALLY ASKED THEM WHETHER THEY ACCEPTED THE RESULT. TO US ON THE BRITISH SIDE AT ALL THE TURNING POINTS THIS WAS THE YARDSTICK: WHAT WOULD BE BEST FOR THE PEOPLE OF HONG KONG.
AGAINST THIS BACKGROUND OF COMMITMENT THE PRESENT CRITICISMS OF THE AGREEMENT MAY SEEM VERY STRANGE. BUT IT IS NECESSARY TO TRY TO UNDERSTAND THEM. THERE ARE I THINK 3 KINDS. I SHALL TAKE THEM IN ASCENDING ORDER OF GLOOM. FIRST THERE ARE THOSE WHO CLAIM THAT THE AGREEMENT WAS FINE BUT THAT IT HAS NOT BEEN FOLLOWED UP. SECOND, THERE ARE THOSE WHO SAY THE AGREEMENT WILL NOT WORK IN ANY CASE. FINALLY, THERE ARE THOSE WHO ARGUE IN A MORE SWEEPING FORM AND, FORGETTING ABOUT THE AGREEMENT ALTOGETHER, SAY THAT ESSENTIALLY WHAT IS TAKING PLACE IS AN UNQUALIFIED HANDOVER OF NEARLY 6 MILLION 1EOPLE TO COMMUNIST RULE.
FIRST, THE MORE LIMITED COMPLAINTS. AMONG THEM IS THE CLAIM THAT THE BASIC LAW BEING DRAFTED BY THE CHINESE AS THE CONSTITUTION FOR HONG KONG DOES NOT PROPERLY REFLECT THE 1984 AGREEMENT. THIS IS UNTRUE, THOUGH AS A REMINDER OF THE NEED FOR VIGILANCE IT MAY SERVE A USEFUL PURPOSE. THE AGREEMENT CLEARLY LAYS DOWN THAT THE PRINCIPLES AND DETAILS SET OUT IN IT WILL BE STIPULATED IN THE BASIC LAW. AND WE HAVE A RIGHT AND DUTY TO ENSURE THAT THIS IS DONE ACCURATELY. THE BASIC LAW IN ITS PRESENT FORM IS IN DRAFT AND THE CHINESE GOVERNMENT ARE SEEKING HONG KONG’S VIEWS ON IT. IT IS NOT PERFECT - WH T DRAFT IS - BUT ALMOST ALL ITS PROVISIONS FAITHFULLY CORRESPOND TO THE AGREEMENT AND IN OTHER CASES WE ARE SEEKING IMPROVEMENTS THROUGH A RANGE OF CONTACTS WITH THE CHINESE AUTHORITIES. THIS IS YORK IN PROGRESS.
ANOTHER COMPLAINT IS THAT WE HAVE ABANDONED OUR UNDERTAKING TO PROMOTE DEMOCRACY IN HONG KONG, WHICH, IT IS ARGUED, IS THE ONLY PROTECTION AGAINST THE EXPECTED CHINESE OPPRESSION. IN FACT THERE IS A STEADY EVOLUTION TOWARDS A MORE REPRESENTATIVE SYSTEM OF GOVERNMENT AND THE RATE CORRESPONDS TO THE WISHES OF THE MAJORITY OF HONG KONG PEOPLE. THE PRINCIPLE OF DIRECT ELECTIONS IS NOW ENSHRINED IN THE BASIC LAW AND CHINESE OFFICIAL SPOKESMEN HAVE MADE IT CLEAR THAT THE ULTIMATE OBJECTIVE IS ONE MAN ONE VOTE.
/BUT TH€ e
SATURDAY., NOVEMBER 26, 1988
BUT, THE CRITICS CONTINUE, THE AGREEMENT WILL NOT HOLD. BEHIND THIS THEME LIES THE INSTINCTIVE FEAR THAT CHINA WILL NOT KEEP HEP WORD. THERE IS NO EVIDENCE FOR IT: THE CHINESE HAVE BEEN METICULOUS TO DATE. AND THOUGH NOTHING IS CERTAIN IN OUR WORLD, I AM SURE THE CHANCES OF IT HAPPENING IN THE FUTURE ARE REMOTE. FOR THE VERY BEST OF REASONS: HONOURING THE AGREEMENT IS IN CHINA'S BEST INTERESTS. TO BREACH A HIGH PROFILE INTERNATIONAL AGREEMENT WOULD DO HER REPUTATION IMMENSE HARM, WOULD DENY THE ECONOMIC BENEFITS OF A DYNAMIC CAPITALIST ENCLAVE AND WOULD FATALLY SET BACK THE HOPES FOR RECOVERING THE OTHER LOST TERRITORY, TAIWAN.
FINALLY, WE COME TO THE THIRD CATEGORY OF COMPLAINTS AND HERE I’M AFRAID WE TAKE LEAVE OF REALITY ALTOGETHER. THE AGREEMENT IS FORGOTTEN OR BRUSHED ASIDE AND WE FACE CHARGES THAT WE ARE HANDING OVER SOME 5.6 MILLION PEOPLE TO THE RIGOURS OF COMMUNIST RULE. NOW THERE MIGHT HAVE BEEN SOME JUSTIFICATION FOR THIS COMPLAINT IF WE HAD DONE NOTHING AT ALL AND SIMPLY ALLOWED THE LEASE OF THE NEW TERRITORIES TO RUN OUT AND HONG KONG AS A WHOLE TO PASS WITHOUT RESERVATION INTO PEKING’S CONTROL. BUT OF COURSE OUR WHOLE EFFORT HAS BEEN ADDRESSED TO THE CONTRARY AIM AND THE MOST ELABORATE SAFEGUARDS HAVE BEEN ESTABLISHED IN A BINDING INTERNATIONAL AGREEMENT TO ENSURE THAT THE ECONOMY AND LIFESTYLE OF HONG KONG AND THE RIGHTS OF ITS PEOPLE ARE PRESERVED. THAT IS THE VERY ANTITHESIS OF BETRAYAL.
AS PART OF THIS SAME ARGUMENT THAT A TOTAL DISASTER IS IMPENDING WE ARE SOMETIMES URGED TO LAUNCH A LIFEBOAT SCHEME TO
PERMIT AS MANY AS POSSIBLE OF HONG KONG'S INHABITANTS TO SETTLE IN
BRITAIN AND OTHER WESTERN COUNTRIES. BUT THIS WHOLLY OVERLOOKS THE WISH OF HONG KONG CITIZENS TO LIVE AND FLOURISH IN THEIR OWN CITY AND
THEIR CONSIDERABLE SUCCESS TO DATE IN DOING SO. HONG KONG’S GROSS
DOMESTIC PRODUCT HAS AFTER ALL GONE UP 30 PER CENT IN THE LAST 3 YEARS. TO MAKE SUCH ARRANGEMENTS WOULD ALSO BE A SIGNAL ACT OF DEFEATISM AND COMING FROM BRITAIN NOTHING WOULD BE BETTER CALCULATED TO UNDERMINE THE CONFIDENCE AND PROSPERITY WE HAVE HELPED TO BUILD UP. WE DO NOT REGARD HONG KONG AS A DISASTER AREA, NOR DO ITS INHABITANTS.
WINSTON CHURCHILL SAID ONCE THAT HE DID NOT RESENT CRITICISM EVEN WHEN FOR THE SAKE OF EMPHASIS IT PARTED FOR THE TIME WITH
REALITY. IT IS A GOOD SAYING, BUT HE MIGHT HAVE ADDED THAT IT IS MORE
HELPFUL WHEN THE CRITICISM IS NOT ALTOGETHER IN THE REALMS OF
FANTASY. IT IS NATURAL AND RIGHT THAT WE SHOULD LOOK BACK FROM TIME
TO TIME ON A MAJOR TRANSACTION LIKE THE HONG KONG AGREEMENT AND ASK OURSELVES SEARCHINGLY WHETHER IT WAS WELL DONE. LOOKING BACK MYSELF, I THINK IT WAS. I ALSO THINK THE CURRENT NEGOTIATIONS - FOR VQRK IMPLEMENTING THE AGREEMENT GOES ON ALL THE TIME - ARE ALSO BEING WELL DONE. IT IS AN UNPRECEDENTED AND DEI TCATE OPERATION, AMD IT IS BOUND TO PRESENT PROBLEMS FROM TIME TO TIME. BUT THE CHINESE ARE SCRUPULOUS IN HONOURING THE AGREEMENT; ON THE BRITISH SIDE THERE REMAINS TOTAL COMMITMENT; AND THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT AND PEOPLE I AM SURE WILI CONTINUE TO DO THEIR PART. IN AN IMPERFECT WORLD I DO NOT THINK WE COULD HAVE PROVIDED THEM W? !’H BETTER ^FEJUAF.DS FOR THEJF FUT’-C AND IF WE MANAGE THE TRANSITION RIGH , AS I THINK WE SHALL, I T EV WE SHALL BE ABLE TO LOOK BACK IN 19L7 B.-YOND WITH A .■ C.LSCH'NCE AND THE SENSE OF WORK r : s! -CTOR LL DONE. IT MAV NC TRCT : ,4 SUCH DRAMATIC COPY FOR CHE PRESS.. BV' THA'* A A DIFFERENT
-------0 ---------
SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 26, 1988
- 5 -
HK’S TRANSPORT SYSTEM IS CAREFULLY PLANNED
*****
HONG KONG’S EFFICIENT HIGHWAY AND PUBLIC TRANSPORT SYSTEM IS A RESULT OF CAREFUL AND THOROUGH ADVANCE PLANNING BY THE GOVERNMENT, THE SECRETARY FOR TRANSPORT, MR MICHAEL LEUNG, SAID TODAY (SATURDAY).
SPEAKING ON "TRANSPORT PLANNING IN HONG KONG” AT A SEMINAR ORGANISED BY MEETING POINT, MR LEUNG SAID THAT DESPITE OCCASIONAL COMPLAINTS ABOUT CONGESTION, HONG KONG’S TRANSPORT SYSTEM WAS EFFICIENT.
THE SYSTEM WAS COMPARABLE IF NOT BETTER THAN THOSE OF MANY OTHER CITIES OF THE WORLD GIVEN HONG KONG’S VERY HIGH POPULATION DENSITY.
MR LEUNG POINTED OUT THAT OVER THE YEARS THE GOVERNMENT HAD INVESTED BILLIONS OF DOLLARS ON MASSIVE AND AMBITIOUS PROJECTS - ALL PLANNED AND IMPLEMENTED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE VARIOUS LONG TERM ROAD AND RAIL STUDIES AND THE 1979 WHITE PAPER ON INTERNAL TRANSPORT POLICY.
PUBLIC TRANSPORT SERVICES AS A CONSEQUENCE WERE EXPANDED CONSIDERABLY THROUGH THE CONSTRUCTION OF THE MASS TRANSIT RAILWAY AND THE ELECTRIFICATION OF THE KOWLOON-CANTON RAILWAY.
THE TRAVEL DEMAND, NOW RUNNING AT 9.4 MILLION DAILY PASSENGERS, CONTINUED TO GROW.
MR LEUNG ALSO EMPHASISED THE FACT THAT NONE OF THE MULTIFARIOUS PUBLIC TRANSPORT MODES IN OPERATION TODAY REQUIRED SUBSIDY FROM THE TAXPAYER FOR THEIR OPERATION.
SUCH CHARACTERISTICS REFLECTED THE SUCCESSFUL COMBINATION OF PRIVATE SECTOR INITIATIVES AND GOVERNMENT CO-ORDINATION AND MONITORING, WHICH HE STRESSED, "WE INTEND TO PRESERVE AS WE GO ON DEVELOPING OUR TRANSPORT SYSTEM."
MR LEUNG SAID THE GOVERNMENT WAS DETERMINED TO CONTINUE WITH PLANS TO EXPAND THE TRANSPORT INFRASTRUCTURE BEING IDENTIFIED BY THE SECOND COMPREHENSIVE TRANSPORT STUDY (CTS-2).
/LOHE OF
SATURDAY, N0VB4BER 26, 1988
6
SOME OF THE PROJECTS UNDER CONSIDERATION INCLUDED:
» ROUTE 3. THIS ROUTE WOULD EXTEND FROM THE BORDER AND THE NORTHWEST NEW TERRITORIES THROUGH TSING YI TO WEST KOWLOON AND THEN TO WESTERN HONG KONG ISLAND VIA THE THIRD HARBOUR CROSSING.
IT WOULD COMPLEMENT THE EXISTING TUEN MUN HIGHWAY AND WEST KOWLOON CORRIDOR WHICH WERE PREDICTED TO BE AT CAPACITY BY THE MID-1990’S.
* THE JUNK BAY MTR EXTENSION AND THE NORTHWEST NEW TERRITORIES RAIL LINK TO TUEN MUN OR YUEN LONG.
THESE PROPOSED RAIL EXTENSIONS WOULD CONNECT THE FAST GROWING NEW TOWNS IN TUEN MUN, YUEN LONG AND JUNK BAY TO THE URBAN AREA.
* A LIGHT RAIL LINK CONNECTING MA ON SHAN TO TAI WAI AND FURTHER TO DIAMOND HILL.
IN VIEW OF THE DEVELOPMENT OF NEW POPULATION ALONG THE KOWLOON CANTON RAILWAY LINE IN NORTHEAST NEW TERRITORIES, IT WAS DEEMED NECESSARY TO MAKE FURTHER LINKS AVAILABLE BY THE MIDDLE OR LATE 1990’S TO MEET INCREASING TRANSPORT DEMANDS.
* A THIRD HARBOUR RAIL CROSSING.
IT WAS EXPECTED THAT THE TWO RAIL LINKS ACROSS THE HARBOUR (TSIM SHA TSUI TO ADMIRALTY AND LAM TIN TO QUARRY BAY) WOULD BE FULL BY THE MID-1990'S.
CTS-2 WOULD PROVIDE USEFUL INFORMATION TO HELP DETERMINE HOW AND WHEN THIS LINK SHOULD BE PROVIDED.
MR LEUNG SAID THAT APART FROM PREPARING DETAILED ROAD INFRASTRUCTURE AND PUBLIC TRANSPORT DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMMES, THE CTS-2 WAS ALSO TASKED TO REVIEW TRANSPORT PLANS AND POLICIES UP TO THE YEAR 2001 .
IT WOULD ALSO PROVIDE A COMPUTERISED TRANSPORT MODEL WHICH WAS CAPABLE OF BEING UPDATED TO TAKE INTO ACCOUNT FUTURE CHANGES IN POLICIES, PLANS AND CIRCUMSTANCES.
BUT DESPITE THE MASSIVE AND AMBITIOUS PROJECTS THERE WAS A LIMIT AS TO BY HOW MUCH CONGESTION COULD BF REDUCED AND MOBILITY IMPROVED BY CONSTRUCTING NEW ROADS AND RAILWAYS, PARTICULARLY IN THE CONGESTED URBAN AREAS, MR LEUNG SAID.
"CONTINUED APPLICATION OF VARIOUS TRAFFIC MANAGEMENT AND ENGINEERING MEASURES IS THEREFORE NECESSARY IN ORDER TO MAXIMISE THE USE OF EXISTING ROAD SPACE," HE SAID.
/"ARRANGEMENTS SUCH........
SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 26, 1988
"ARRANGEMENTS SUCH AS STOPPING RESTRICTIONS, ONE-WAY SYSTEMS, BUS ONLY LANES AND BUS PRIORITY SCHEMES, SEGREGATING PEDESTRIAN FROM VEHICULAR TRAFFIC, AND LIMITING ON-STREET PARKING WILL BE ADOPTED WHENEVER PRACTICABLE."
FURTHER REGULATORY MEASURES WOULD ALSO BE NECESSARY TO KEEP THE DEMAND FOR TRAVEL TO A MANAGEABLE LEVEL.
BUT HOW AND BY WHAT MEANS TO ACHIEVE AN ACCEPTABLE LEVEL OF DEMAND WOULD BE EXAMINED AND DISCUSSED IN THE CONTEXT OF CTS-2 WHICH IT WAS HOPED WOULD BE READY EARLY NEXT YEAR.
BASED ON THE FINDINGS AND RECOMMENDATIONS OF THAT REPORT, A GREEN PAPER WOULD BE PUBLISHED FOR PUBLIC CONSULTATION BEFORE JUNE.
MR LEUNG SAID HE FORESAW CONFLICTING VIEWS FROM VARIOUS SECTORS ON THE WAYS AND MEANS TO REDUCE CONGESTION AND MAINTAIN MOBILITY.
"THE OBJECTIVE IS CLEAR BUT THE MEANS OF ACHIEVING IT ARE NOT NECESSARILY SO.
"I HOPE THE GREEN PAPER WILL SERVE AS A FORUM FOR MEANINGFUL DISCUSSION AND DEBATE AND PROVIDE A BASIS TO RECONCILE CONFLICTING INTERESTS," HE SAID.
------0-------
LEAFLETS ON "MEET-THE-PUBLIC" SCHEME AND "DB FUNDS"
*****
THE CITY AND NEW TERRITORIES ADMINISTRATION HAS PRODUCED TWO LEAFLETS INFORMING RESIDENTS THAT THEY CAN MAKE THEIR VIEWS KNOWN VIA THE "MEET-THE-PUBLIC" SCHEME AS WELL AS HELP TO IMPROVE THEIR QUALITY OF LIFE BY MAKING USE OF "DISTRICT BOARD FUNDS".
A SPOKESMAN FOR CNTA SAID THE LEAFLET ON "MEET-THE-PUBLIC" SCHEME WAS AIMED AT PROMOTING THE SERVICE AS AN ESSENTIAL PART OF THE DISTRICT ADMINISTRATION SCHEME.
HE SAID THE SCHEME ENABLED RESIDENTS TO DISCUSS WITH THEIR DISTRICT BOARD MEMBERS SUBJECT THAT AFFECTED THEM, THEIR FAMILY AND THEIR DISTRICT.
"OVER THE YEARS, THE SCHEME HAS PROVEN TO BE ONE OF THE MOST EFFECTIVE CHANNELS OF COMMUNICATION BETWEEN THE PUBLIC AND THE GOVERNMENT," THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
/"TO ENCOURAGE
SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 26, 1988
- 8 -
"TO ENCOURAGE THE PUBLIC TO EXPRESS VIEWS ON LOCAL ISSUES, THE LEAFLET OUTLINED THE PURPOSE OF THE ’MEET-THE-PUBLIC' SCHEME AND THE PROCEDURES FOR MAKING AN APPOINTMENT TO MEET THE DB MEMBERS ON DUTY."
TURNING TO THE LEAFLET ON "DISTRICT BOARD FUNDS", THE SPOKESMAN EXPLAINED THAT EACH DISTRICT WAS ALLOCATED PUBLIC FUNDS ANNUALLY FOR THE IMPLEMENTATION OF MINOR ENVIRONMENTAL IMPROVEMENT AND COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT PROJECTS UPON THE ADVICE OF THE DISTRICT BOARD CONCERNED.
THE FUNDS WERE PROVIDED FOR THE PURPOSE OF OFFERING PROMPT REMEDY TO URGENT LOCAL PROBLEMS AS WELL AS FOR THE ORGANISATION OF DISTRICT-BASED ACTIVITIES AIMED AT FOSTERING COMMUNITY SPIRIT AND SOCIAL COHESION, HE ADDED.
"THE LEAFLET EXPLAINS THE USE OF DISTRICT BOARD FUNDS AND SPELLS OUT THE KIND OF ORGANISATIONS AND NATURE OF PROJECTS THAT ARE ELIGIBLE FOR APPLYING FOR THE FUNDS AS WELL AS THE APPLICATION PROCEDURES," HE SAID.
THE TWO LEAFLETS ARE NOW AVAILABLE FREE OF CHARGE AT THE 67 PUBLIC ENQUIRY SERVICE CENTRES OF THE CITY AND NEW TERRITORIES ADMINISTRATION AND THE PUBLIC ENQUIRY SECTION IN CNTA HEADQUARTERS Af 13TH FLOOR, WORLD SHIPPING CENTRE, HARBOUR CITY, 7 CANTON ROAD, TSIM SHA TSUI, KOWLOON.
--------o ---------
HOLIDAYMAKERS URGED TO BE MORE CO-OPERATIVE » * » * t
THE ISLANDS DISTRICT FIGHT CRIME COMMITTEE CHAIRMAN, MR LAM WAI-KEUNG, TODAY (SATURDAY) URGED HOLIDAY FLAT RENTERS AND OWNERS IN THE DISTRICT TO EXERCISE A HIGHER DEGREE OF SELF-DISCIPLINE SO AS TO CONTAIN PROBLEMS GENERATED FROM TOURISM DEVELOPMENT.
SPEAKING AT THE JOINT OPENING CEREMONY OF THE DISTRICT’S FIGHT CRIME CAMPAIGN AND ANTI-TRIAD CAMPAIGN, MR LAM SAID: "PROBLEMS ARISING FROM HOLIDAY FLATS DO EXIST BUT THEY ARE NOT SO SERIOUS THAT LEGISLATIVE CONTROL IS CALL FOR."
"CREATING NOISE AND NUISANCE, UNRULY BEHAVIOUR OF OCCUPANTS AND OVERCROWDING ARE USUAL COMPLAINTS RECEIVED BY THE POLICE IN RELATION TO HOLIDAY FLATS," HE SAID.
/"IF THE .......
SATURDAY, NOVJXBER 26, 1988
- 9 -
"IF THE HOLIDAY MAKERS ARE WILLING TO EXERCISE SELF-CONTROL AND THE HOLIDAY FLAT OWENRS ARE CO-OPERATIVE IN STRENGTHENING THEIR MANAGEMENT, THE PROBLEMS CAN EASILY BE SOLVED," HE SAID.
MR LAM SAID THE MATTER WAS DISCUSSED BY THE DFCC AND MEETINGS WERE HELD BY THE GOVERNMENT WITH HOLIDAY FLAT OWNERS TC LAY DOWN SELF-REGULATORY RULES TO TACKLE THE PROBLEMS.
HE URGED THE OWNERS TO ADHERE TO THOSE RULES SO THAT THE GOVERNMENT NEED NOT RESORT TO LEGISLTIVE CONTROL WHICH MIGHT HINDER TOURISM DEVELOPMENT AND AFFECT THE LIVELIHOOD OF THE ISLANDERS.
HUNDREDS OF ISLANDERS AND HOLIDAY MAKERS ATTENDED THE JOINT OPENING CEREMONY AND THE CHEUNG CHAU POLICE STATION OPEN DAY THIS AFTERNOON.
AN EXHIBITION SHOWING VARIOUS POLICE WORKS WAS MOUNTED AND GAME STALLS SPREADING FIGHT CRIME MESSAGE WERE SET UP.
THE OPEN DAY WILL CONTINUE TOMORROW (SUDNAY) FROM 10 AM TO 5 PM WHERE ENTERTAINMENT LIKE DEMONSTRATION BY POLICE DOGS, FOOT DRILLS AND A TAEKWANDO DISPLAY WILL BE PROVIDED.
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SPECIAL CAR NUMBERS SALE BY AUCTION
*****
FORTY SPECIAL VEHICLE REGISTRATION NUMBERS WERE PUT UP FOR AUCTION THIS MORNING (SATURDAY) FOR A TOTAL OF $779,000 WHICH WILL GO TO THE GOVERNMENT LOTTERIES FUND FOR CHARITY PURPOSES.
THE AUCTION, HELD AT THE RECITAL HALL OF THE CITY HALL, SAW THE REGISTRATION NUMBER CS 100 FETCH THE HIGHEST PRICE OF $66,000.
ANOTHER NUMBER AB 233 WAS SOLD AT THE SECOND HIGHEST PRICE OF $61,000 WHILE THE LOWEST PRICE WAS $ 1,000 FOR DX379.
/FOLLOWING ARE
SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 26, 1988
10
FOLLOWING ARE THE RESULTS OF TODAY’ S AUCTION •
DV1633 $ 7,000 DU132 $ 6,000 DX9328 $ 11,000 DD1118 $ 38,000
DX379 1,000 DX1129 2,000 AR2000 36,000 DK999 WITHDRAWN
DK909 12,000 AB233 61,000 DX339 21,000 AJ263 19,000
DY1231 4,000 DX119 6,000 DX1628 23,000 DX8188 15,000
DX3378 4,000 AA1828 44,000 DD2233 55,000 DW1123 18,000
DY111 35,000 DK7744 4,000 DX3288 36,000 DY787 25,000
DW9998 9,000 DW638 32,000 AL189 22,000 DX997 5,000
DX3218 10,000 DX116 8,000 XX802 23,000 CS100 66,000
DD1188 25,000 DD92 30,000 DX1283 8,000 DX3279 3,000
DX219 3,000 BL155 17,000 AA935 29,000 DX105 6,000
SUCCESSFUL IMMEDIATELY AFTER BIDDERS WILL THE BIDDING. BE REQUIRED TO PAY BY CHEQUE
THE NUMBERS AUCTIONED WILL BE ASSIGNED ONLY TO VEHICLES REGISTERED IN THE NAME OF THE SUCCESSFUL BIDDERS WITH 12 MONTHS OF THE DATE OF AUCTION.
TODAY’S SALE, THE 132ND ORGANISED BY THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT SINCE MAY 1973, BROUGHT THE TOTAL AMOUNT OF MONEY FOR CHARITY REALISED SO FAR TO $68,172,032.
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MONG KOK
"RESPECT FOR THE ELDERLY CAMPAIGN 88" * t » * *
MONG KOK’S "RESPECT FOR THE ELDERLY CAMPAIGN 88", WHICH ALMS AT AROUSING THE COMMUNITY’S CONCERN AND CARE FOR ELDERLY PEOPLE, WILL BE HELD FROM DECEMBER 1 TO 18.
SPONSORED BY THE MONG KOK DISTRICT BOARD, THE CAMPAIGN CONSISTS OF PERSONAL SERVICES, ENTERTAINMENT AND RECREATIONAL PROGRAMMES FOR THE ELDERLIES.
AHERE will......
SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 26, 1988
11
THERE WILL ALSO BE A PUBLICITY DRIVE TO REMIND THE PUBLIC OF THE NEED TO SHOW CONCERN AND RESPECT FOR SENIOR CITIZENS IN THE DISTRICT.
A PREFERENTIAL SCHEME PARTICIPATED BY ABOUT 20 BUSINESS CONCERNS, INCLUDING DEPARTMENT STORES, HERBAL SHOPS AND RESTAURANTS, WILL BENEFIT 20,000 ELDERLY PEOPLE LIVING IN THE DISTRICT.
EACH ONE OF THEM WILL BE ISSUED WITH A PERFERENTIAL DISCOUNT CARD WHEN PATRONISING THESE BUSINESSES. THE CARDS, EFFECTIVE FOR ONE TO 12 MONTHS, WILL BE DISTRIBUTED FROM DECEMBER 1.
A HIGHLIGHT OF THE CAMPAIGN WILL BE A "SPORTS DAY FOR THE ELDERLY" TO BE HELD ON DECEMBER 18 (SUNDAY) AT THE MONG KOK SPORTS GROUND AT BOUNDARY STREET.
A SERIES OF BALL GAMES AND SPORTS EVENTS HAVE BEEN CAREFULLY DESIGNED FOR THE ELDERLIES TO TAKE PART IN MILD PHYSICAL ACTIVITIES.
IN ADDITION, A CANTONESE OPERA IS SCHEDULED TO BE HELD ON DECEMBER 9 (FRIDAY) AT THE CHAN HING COMMUNITY SERVICE CENTRE TO PROVIDE THE ELDERLIES WITH ENTERTAINMENT.
DURING THE PUBLICITY DRIVE ON CONCERN AND RESPECT FOR THE ELDERLIES, POSTERS WILL BE PUT UP AT BUS STOPS AND INSIDE THE MASS TRANSIT RAILWAY STATIONS AT MONG KOK AND PRINCE EDWARD TO DRIVE THE MESSAGE HOME.
ANOTHER ACTIVITY OF THE PUBLICITY DRIVE WAS A SLOGAN DESIGN COMPETITION FOR YOUNG PEOPLE WHICH WAS HELD EARLIER.
-----O-----
LEISURE SERVICES DOCUMENT ON DB COMMITTEE AGENDA
*****
THE SOUTHERN DISTRICT BOARD’S COMMUNITY BUILDING COMMITTEE WILL DISCUSS A PAPER ON THE PROVISION OF DISTRICT LEISURE SERVICES AT A MEETING ON MONDAY (NOVEMBER 28).
THE CHIEF MANAGER FOR LEISURE SERVICES OF THE URBAN SERVICES DEPARTMENT, MR R.F. POLLARD, WILL BRIEF MEMBERS ON THE CRITERIA AND CONCERNS OBSERVED BY THE URBAN COUNCIL IN THE PROVISION OF PUBLIC LEISURE SERVICES.
HE WILL ALSO OUTLINE THE PATTERN OF DEVELOPMENT FOR SOUTHERN DISTRICT.
/IN ADDITION,
SATURDAY, NOVBMBER 26, 1988
12
IN ADDITION, THE COMMITTEE WILL CONSIDER ALLOCATING FUNDS FOR ORGANISING A SEMINAR FOR THE DISTRICT’S SEVEN AREA COMMITTEES TO DISCUSS VARIOUS ISSUES.
OTHER ITEMS ON THE AGENDA INCLUDE FUND APPLICATIONS FROM LOCAL ORGANISATIONS FOR HOLDING COMMUNITY PROJECTS.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE MEETING OF THE SOUTHERN DISTRICT BOARD’S COMMUNITY BUILDING COMMITTEE ON MONDAY (NOVEMBER 28) IN THE DB CONFERENCE ROOM, SECOND FLOOR, MEI FUNG COURT, ABERDEEN CENTRE, NAM NING STREET, ABERDEEN. THE MEETING WILL BEGIN AT 2.30 PM.
PLEASE NOTE THAT DISCUSSION ON APPLICATIONS FOR FUNDS WILL NOT BE OPEN TO THE PUBLIC.
------0--------
CONCERT HIGHLIGHTS CONCLUSION OF DISTRICT ARTS FESTIVAL * * * * *
THE WONG TAI SIN DISTRICT ARTS FESTIVAL '88 CAME TO A SUCCESSFUL CONCLUSION WITH A CHINESE ORCHESTRAL CONCERT HELD IN THE NGAI CHI WAN CIVIC THEATRE THIS (SATURDAY) EVENING.
JOINTLY ORGANISED BY THE WONG TAI SIN DISTRICT ARTS COUNCIL AND THE URBAN COUNCIL WITH SPONSORSHIP FROM THE DISTRICT BOARD AND SIK SIR YUEN, THE FESTIVAL FEATURED 23 DIFFERENT CULTURAL EVENTS DURING THE PAST TWO WEEKS.
SPEAKING AT THE CLOSING CEREMONY, WONG TAI SIN DISTRICT OFFICER, MR NG HON-WAH, SAID THAT THE WONG TAI SIN DISTRICT ARTS COUNCIL, IN ORGANISING THE FESTIVAL, NOT ONLY BOOSTED THE DISTRICT’S ARTISTIC ATMOSPHERE, BUT ALSO ACTIVELY ENDEAVOURED TO RAISE RESIDENTS' APPRECIATION OF ARTS.
NOTING THAT PROMOTION OF ARTS WAS A LONG-TERM PROJECT REQUIRING SUSTAINED EFFORTS BEFORE SUCCESS WAS IN SIGHT, HE SAID THE FESTIVAL HAD STIMULATED CULTURAL ACTIVITIES IN WONG TAI SIN INTO MATURITY.
"I HOPE THAT IN THE FUTURE MORE SIMILAR ACTIVITIES WILL BE HELD TO FURTHER PROMOTE CULTURE IN THE DISTRICT," HE ADDED.
DISTRICT BOARD CHAIRMAN, DR LEE YUK-KWAN, SAID THAT THE BOARD WAS ENDEAVOURING TO PROMOTE CULTURAL AND RECREATIONAL ACTIVITIES IN THE DISTRICT WITH REGULAR ACTIVITIES.
CO-OPERATION WITH COMMUNITY ORGANISATIONS WITH A VIEW TO PROMOTING A SENSE OF BELONGING AND COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT AMONG LOCAL RESIDENTS, WAS ALSO AN IMPORTANT ASPECT OF THE DB’S EFFORTS, HE SAID.
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/13........
SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 26, 1988
- U -KWAI TSING SPORTS FESTIVAL ENDS TOMORROW *****
THE MONTH-LONG KWAI TSING SPORTS FESTIVAL WILL CONCLUDE TOMORROW (SUNDAY) WITH A CLOSING CEREMONY AT THE KWAI CHUNG HING FONG ROAD PLAYGROUND.
RESIDENTS ARE BEING INVITED TO TAKE PART IN THE CEREMONY TO BE FOLLOWED BY A DISCO NIGHT FROM 7.30 PM WITH PERFORMANCES BY POPULAR SINGERS AND LUCKY DRAWS.
ORGANISED WITH A BUDGET OF $700,000, THE SPORTS FESTIVAL WAS ORGANISED BY THE DISTRICT BOARD, KWAI TSING DISTRICT CULTURE AND ARTS CO-ORDINATING ASSOCATION AND REGIONAL COUNCIL TO ENCOURAGE RESIDENTS’ PARTICIPATION IN SPORTING ACTIVITIES.
THE FESTIVAL HAD ATTRACTED ABOUT 50,000 PEOPLE OF ALL AGES AND FROM DIFFERENT SECTORS OF THE COMMUNITY TO PARTICIPATE IN MORE THAN 30 EVENTS.
ACTIVITIES ORGANISED UNDER THE FESTIVAL INCLUDED TENNIS, MINI-TENNIS, SOCCER, BASKETBALL, VOLLEYBALL, BADMINTON, BOWLING AND TABLE-TENNIS COMPETITIONS, ATHLETIC EVENTS, ARCHERY AND ROLLER SKATING FUN DAYS AS WELL AS A HANDICAPPED AND ABLE-BODIED FUN DAY.
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DAY CAMP FOR THE ELDERLY
*****
ABOUT 1,000 ELDERLY RESIDENTS FROM KWUN TONG DISTRICT WILL TAKE PART IN A DAY CAMP AT THE WU KAI SHA YOUTH VILLAGE ON DECEMBER 3 (SATURDAY).
THE FUNCTION, JOINTLY ORGANISED BY THE KWUN TONG DISTRICT BOARD AND THE KWUN TONG DISTRICT ELDERLY SERVICE COORDINATING COMMITTEE, IS PART OF THE PROGRAMME FOR THE 10TH FESTIVAL FOR THE ELDERLY.
"THE OBJECTIVE IS TO ENHANCE THE SENIOR CITIZENS* UNDERSTANDING OF THE KWUN TONG DISTRICT AND THEIR SENSE OF BELONGING.
"IT ALSO HELPS TO ENRICH THE ELDERLY’S COMMON KNOWLEDGE, DEVELOP THEIR POTENTIALS AS WELL AS PROMOTE CO-OPERATION AMONG AGENCIES SERVING THE ELDERLY IN THE DISTRICT," A SPOKESMAN FOR THE ORGANISING COMMITTEE SAID.
THERE WILL BE FILM SHOWS, GAMES STALLS, DRAMA AND DANCING BY THE ELDERLY AND TALKS ON TOPICAL ISSUES.
THE REGIONAL OFFICER (EAST KOWLOON) OF THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT, MR LOK MAN-PAN, AND CHAIRMAN OF KWUN TONG DISTRICT BOARD SOCIAL SERVICE COMMITTEE, MISS MONA LO, WILL OFFICIATE AT THE CAMP OPENING CEREMONY AT 2 PM.
O ------- /14
SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 26, 1988
14
NEW FOOTBRIDGES FOR CONNAUGHT ROAD WEST TO BE OPENED
*****
THE MORRISON STREET FOOTBRIDGE AND THE TUNG HING LANE FOOTBRIDGE WILL BE OPENED TO THE PUBLIC FROM 10 AM ON MONDAY (NOVEMBER 28).
THE TWO NEW FOOTBRIDGES CROSS CONNAUGHT ROAD WEST AND ARE LOCATED BETWEEN MORRISON STREET AND DES VOEUX ROAD WEST.
THE SOUTHERN STAIRCASE OF THE MORRISON STREET FOOTBRIDGE IS LOCATED WITHIN ON TAI STREET, WHILE THE NORTHERN STAIRCASE IS LOCATED AT THE SOUTH EAST CORNER OF THE NEW BUS TERMINUS IMMEDIATELY WEST OF SHUN TAK CENTRE.
THE SOUTHERN END OF THE TUNG HING LANE FOOTBRIDGE CONNECTS DIRECTLY INTO THE WAYSON COMMERCIAL BUILDING.
THE FOOTBRIDGE ALSO EXTENDS BEYOND A STAIRCASE IN THE NORTHERN FOOTPATH OF CONNAUGHT ROAD WEST TO THE WESTERN SIDE OF THE NEW BUS TERMINUS, WHERE A FURTHER STAIRCASE IS LOCATED.
THE WESTBOUND AND EASTBOUND TRAM STOPS IN FRONT OF THE WAYSON COMMERCIAL BUILDING ARE SERVED BY STAIRCASES FROM BOTH FOOTBRIDGES.
THE TWO EXISTING PEDESTRIAN CROSSING CONTROL LIGHTS LOCATED IMMEDIATELY WEST OF CLEVERLY STREET IN CONNAUGHT ROAD CENTRAL AND EAST OF THE TUNG HING LANE FOOTBRIDGE IN CONNAUGHT ROAD WEST WILL BE REMOVED WHEN THE FOOTBRIDGES ARE OPENED.
THE MORRISON STREET FOOTBRIDGE AND THE TUNG HING LANE FOOTBRIDGE ARE APPROXIMATELY 70 METRES AND 110 METRES IN LENGTH RESPECTIVELY.
BOTH FOOTBRIDGES WERE CONSTRUCTED BY PAUL Y. CONSTRUCTION CO. LTD., FOR THE HIGHWAYS DEPARTMENT, AS PART OF THE UPGRADED CONNAUGHT ROAD PROJECT, AT A COMBINED COST OF ABOUT $8.1 MILLION.
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SATURDAY. NOVEMBBR 26, 1988
TEMPORARY TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS ON HK ISLAND * ♦ * * *
THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCED THAT FROM 10 AM ON MONDAY (NOVEMBER 28), THE EASTERN KERBSIDE LANE OF YUE KWONG ROAD IN SOUTHERN DISTRICT FROM ITS EASTERN JUNCTION WITH ABERDEEN RESERVOIR ROAD TO A POINT ABOUT 60 METRES SOUTH OF THE SAME JUNCTION WILL BECOME A DAILY URBAN CLEARWAY ROUND-THE-CLOCK FOR ROADWORKS.
NO VEHICLES EXCEPT FRANCHISED BUSES WILL BE ALLOWED TO STOP FOR PASSENGERS OR GOODS THERE FOR ABOUT TWO WEEKS.
DURING THE SAME PERIOD, ALL BUSES AND GOODS VEHICLES WILL NGT BE ALLOWED TO TURN FROM TIN HAU TEMPLE ROAD TO COMFORT TERRACE IN EASTERN DISTRICT ALSO FOR ROADWORKS.
- 0 - -
RIGHT-TURN BAN ON PRINCE EDWARD ROAD WEST * ♦ * * *
THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT ADVISED MOTORISTS THAT FROM 10 AM ON TUESDAY (NOVEMBER 29), VEHICLES WILL NOT BE ALLOWED TO TURN RIGHT FROM PRINCE EDWARD ROAD WEST EASTBOUND ONTO LOMOND ROAD.
THE RIGHT-TURN BAN WILL LAST FOR ABOUT SIX MONTHS FOR THE RECONSTRUCTION OF THE ARGYLE STREET/LOMOND ROAD JUNCTION.
AFFECTED VEHICLES WILL BE DIVERTED VIA THE ROUNDABOUT Al THE JUNCTION OF PRINCE EDWARD ROAD WEST WITH ARGYLE STREET, AND PRINCE EDWARD ROAD WEST WESTBOUND.
0 - -
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL.: 5-8428777
SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 27, 19^
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
CALL FOR GREATER COMMUNITY PARTICIPATION ..................... 1
LADY WILSON TO OFFICIATE AT ENVIRONMENTAL CAMPAIGN............ 2
FORUM TO PROMOTE US/HK TECHNOLOGY TRANSFER ................... 5
CIVIC EDUCATION HELPS ENVIRONMENTAL IMPROVEMENT .............. 4
KIDNEY DONATION PLEA FROM SHW............<.................... 5
FLYOVER TPA.ETTC SIGNAL SCHEME TO BE ON TRIAL ................ 6
DB COMMITTEE TO CONSIDER FUND APPLICATIONS ................... 7
WAGES MUST BE PAID ON TIME.................................... 7
FREE FESTIVAL TICKETS AVAILABLE .............................. A
FOUR SITES FOR SALE BY PUBLIC AUCTION ........................ 9
NEW ARRANGEMENTS FOR SAI KUNG EYE CLINIC ..................... 10
PUTTING CLEAN WATER MESSAGE ACROSS ........................... 10
REMINDER FOR WOMEN BORN BETWEEN 1960-62 ...................... 11
POSTFAX SERVICE TO NZ RESUMES
12
SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 27, 1988
1
CALL FOR GREATER COMMUNITY PARTICIPATION ♦ ♦ * » »
CITIZEN PARTICIPATION, MUTUAL CARE AND CONCERN ARE ESSENTIAL TO THE BUILDING OF A HARMONIOUS SOCIETY.
CHAIRMAN FOR THE COMMITTEE ON THE PROMOTION OF CIVIC EDUCATION, DR DANNIEL TSE, SAID THIS TODAY (SUNDAY) AT THE OPENING CEREMONY OF THE ”BE A GOOD CITIZEN” CARNIVAL IN SOUTHERN DISTRICT.
HE SAID THAT IT WAS EVERY CITIZEN’S RESPONSIBILITY TO KEEP ABREAST OF THE LATEST DEVELOPMENT IN THE POLITICAL SYSTEM AND TO PARTICIPATE IN THE ADMINISTRATION OF HONG KONG.
A HIGHLIGHT OF THE SOUTHERN DISTRICT CIVIC EDUCATION CAMPAIGN, THE "BE A GOOD CITIZEN” CARNIVAL IS JOINTLY ORGANISED BY THE SOUTHERN DISTRICT BOARD AND THE DISTRICT OFFICE.
ALSO SPEAKING AT THE CEREMONY, DISTRICT BOARD CHAIRMAN, MR HUI YUNG-CHUNG SAID THE CAMPAIGN IN THE DISTRICT WAS AIMED AT ENHANCING A GREATER SENSE OF BELONGING TO THE DISTRICT, MUTUAL HELP AND RESPECT AMONG RESIDENTS.
IT WAS ALSO INTENDED TO PROMOTE A BETTER UNDERSTANDING OF CIVIC RIGHTS AND RESPONSIBILITIES, AWARENESS IN ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AND PARTICIPATION IN THE ADMINISTRATION OF HONG KONG, HE ADDED.
HUNDREDS OF SOUTHERN RESIDENTS WERE ATTRACTED TO TODAY’S CARNIVAL AT AP LEI CHAU COMMUNITY HALL, WHICH OFFERED A HOST OF ENLIGHTENING GAME STALLS FEATURING THE MESSAGES OF THE CIVIC EDUCATION CAMPAIGN.
THE CIVIL AID SERVICES, THE AUXILIARY MEDICAL SERVICES, THE JUNIOR POLICE CALL AND THE INDEPENDANT COMMISSION AGAINST CORRUPTION ALSO MOUNTED EXHIBITIONS AT THE CARNIVAL TO INTRODUCE THEIR WORK AND SERVICES.
”IN ADDITION TO THE CARNIVAL, THE DISTRICT’S CIVIC EDUCATION CAMPAIGN HAS ORGANISED A COLOURING COMPETITION AND AN INTER-SCHOOL CIVIC EDUCATION EXHIBITION,” MR HUI SAID.
THE COLOURING COMPETITION, FEATURING THE GOOD CITIZENSHIP AND ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION THEMES, WILL BE HELD IN DECEMBER AND IS OPEN RESIDENTS OF ALL AGES.
A LARGE SCALE CIVIC EDUCATION EXHIBITION, WHICH INVOLVES MANY PRIMARY AND SECONDARY SCHOOLS IN THE DISTRICT, WILL TAKE PLACE IN FEBRUARY IN THE LEI TUNG COMMUNITY HALL, LEI TUNG ESTATE.
OTHER OFFICIATING GUESTS AT TODAY’S CEREMONY INCLUDED DISTRICT OFFICER, MRS MAUREEN CHAN; LEGISLATIVE COUNCILLOR, CHAU YIM-PING; AND THE DISTRICT’S SOCIAL WELFARE OFFICER, MAULDON, AND SENIOR EDUCATION OFFICER, DR JIMMY CHAN.
SOUTHERN
MRS SO
MRS JUDY
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/2........
SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 27,
1988
- 2 -
LADY WILSON TO OFFICIATE AT ENVIRONMENTAL CAMPAIGN
*****
LADY WILSON WILL OFFICIATE AT A JOINT FUNCTION NEXT SATURDAY (DECEMBER 3) IN SHA TIN NEW TOWN PLAZA, TO PROMOTE PUBLIC AWARENESS IN ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AND HYGIENE.
THE ’’ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION MUSIC DAY AND CLOSING CEREMONY OF THE 1988-89 KEEP HONG KONG CLEAN CAMPAIGN (SHA TIN COMMITTEE) (HKKCC)(STC))” IS JOINTLY ORGANISED BY THE SHA TIN DISTRICT BOARD'S WORKING GROUP ON ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AND THE HKKCC(STC).
CHAIRMAN OF THE HKKCC(STC), MR KAN-PUI SAID TODAY (SUNDAY) THAT THE FIVE-MONTH KEEP HK CLEAN CAMPAIGN WAS SUCCESSFULLY LAUNCHED IN SHA TIN.
’’THE DISTRICT'S CAMPAIGN EXPENSES INCLUDED $40,000 FROM THE REGIONAL COUNCIL, $25,000 FROM THE SHA TIN DISTRICT OFFICE,” HE SAID.
TO ACHIEVE THE BEST RESULTS, MR CHOI SAID AN ATTRACTIVE PROGRAMME WITH A WIDE VARIETY OF ACTIVITIES WAS BEING IMPLEMENTED.
THIS INCLUDED THE CLEANLINESS-MINDED RESIDENTS AWARD SCHEME, KEEP HONG KONG CLEAN SHA TIN SLOGAN COMPETITION, FAMILY HYGIENE COMPETITION, ENVIRONMENTAL HYGIENE MOBILE EXHIBITION AS WELL OPENING AND CLOSING CEREMONIES.
UNDER THE CLEANLINESS-MINDED RESIDENTS AWARD SCHEME, 22 COMMITTEE MEMBERS AND 58 STUDENTS WHO HAVE BEEN APPOINTED AS CLEANLINESS GUARDS WILL TRY TO SPOT SOME 340 RESIDENTS WHO PUT RUBBISH INTO THE BINS DURING THE CAMPAIGN PERIOD.
WITH THEIR AGREEMENT, THE RESIENTS' PERSONAL PARTICULARS WILL BE RECORDED AND THEY WILL BE AWARDED SOUVENIRS AND CERTIFICATES AT NEXT SATURDAY'S CLOSING CEREMONY.
MEANWHILE, THREE WINNING AND 10 CONSOLATION AWARDS HAVE BEEN IDENTIFIED FROM SOME 450 ENTRIES IN THE SLOGAN COMPETITION.
THE THEMES OF ALL ENTRIES ARE RELATED TO MAINTAINING CLEANLINESS IN HONG KONG AND EXTRA CREDIT HAVE BEEN GIVEN TO ENTRIES WHICH ARE SUITED TO THE PARTICULAR ENVIRONMENT OF SHA TIN OR HYGIENE IN MULTI-STOREY BUILDINGS.
AS FOR THE FAMILY HYGIENE COMPETITION HELD IN NOVEMBER, ABOUT 40 HOUSEHOLDS WERE NOMINATED BY VARIOUS MUTUAL AID COMMITTEES AND OWNERS' CORPORATIONS TO ENTER THE DISTRICT-WIDE COMPETITION.
THE CLEANEST HOUSEHOLD IN EACH OF SHA TIN'S NINE CONSTITUENCIES WILL BE AWARDED PRIZES.
THE ENVIRONMENTAL HYGIENE MOBILE EXHIBITION, STAGED IN SUN CHUI, LUNG HANG, MEI LAM, SHA KOK, POK HONG, WO CHE AND HENG ON ESTATES AS WELL AS IN CITYONE, SHA TIN TOWN HALL AND CHEVALIER GARDEN, HAD ATTRACTED MORE THAN 15,000 AUDIENCE.
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SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 27, 1988
- 3
FORUM TO PROMOTE US/HK
» * »
TECHNOLOGY TRANSFER * *
A GROUP OF ASIAN AMERICAN TECHNOLOGY DEVELOPERS AND PROFESSIONALS FROM THE "SILICON VALLEY" IN CALIFORNIA WILL FLY IN NEXT MONTH TO EXCHANGE INFORMATION ON FAST DEVELOPING TECHNOLOGY TRENDS WITH THEIR LOCAL COUNTERPARTS.
THEY HAVE BEEN INVITED, AS GUESTS OR SPEAKERS, TO THE US -HONG KONG TECHNOLOGY BUSINESS CONFERENCE, AN EVENT ORGANISED BY THE ASIAN AMERICAN MANUFACTURERS ASSOCIATION (AAMA) AND THE INDUSTRY DEPARTMENT.
THE AAMA IS A NON-PROFIT MAKING ORGANISATION FOR ENTREPRENEURS AND PROFESSIONALS FROM COMPANIES ENGAGED MAINLY IN HI-TECH ELECTRONICS MANUFACTURING AND SUPPORTING BUSINESS LOCATED PRIMARILY IN THE SILICON VALLEY.
IT HAD HOSTED SIMILAR EVENTS IN PEKING IN 1986 AND TAIPEI IN 1987.
AN INDUSTRY DEPARTMENT SPOKESMAN SAID THE PURPOSE OF THE US -HONG KONG TECHNOLOGY BUSINESS CONFERENCE, TO BE HELD ON DECEMBER 19-20, IS TO ENHANCE AAMA MEMBERS’ AWARENESS OF RECENT INDUSTRIAL AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENTS IN HONG KONG.
ANOTHER AIM IS FOR AAMA TO ACT AS A BRIDGE TO PROMOTE INDUSTRIAL BUSINESS RELATIONS BETWEEN THE TWO SIDES OF THE PACIFIC.
"A! THE SAME TIME, HONG KONG MANUFACTURERS WILL BENEFIT FROM THE CONFERENCE SEMINAR ON PRODUCT TRENDS, TECHNOLOGY UPDATE AND MARKET POTENTIALS,” HE SAID.
THE MAIN EVENTS OF THE CONFERENCE CONSIST OF A TWO-DAY SEMINAR AT THE SHANAGRILA HOTEL AND A ONE-DAY FACTORY VISIT.
PRESENTATIONS ON THE FIRST DAY OF THE SEMINAR WILL BE MADE BY AMERICAN EXPERTS ON KEY SUBJECTS ON MANUFACTURING TECHNOLOGIES AND MARKET UPDATES FOR THE ELECTRONICS INDUSTRY.
ON THE SECOND DAY, LOCAL EXPERTS FROM VARIOUS FIELDS, INCLUDING THE SECRETARY FOR GENERAL DUTIES, MR BARRIE WIGGHAM, AND THE DIRECTOR OF INDUSTRY, MR K.Y. YEUNG, WILL PRESENT THEIR PERSPECTIVES ON OPPORTUNITIES FOR DOING BUSINESS WITH HONG KONG AND CHINA.
THE SECRETARY FOR TRADE AND INDUSTRY, MR HAMISH MACLEOD IS INVITED TO GIVE THE OPENING ADDRESS WHILE THE KEYNOTE ADDRESS WILL BE DELIVERED BY MR DONALD ANDERSON, THE US CONSUL GENERAL IN HONG KONG.
IN ASSOCIATION WITH THE CONFERENCE THERE WILL BE A PRODUCT LITERATURE DISPLAY BY SOME 30 US COMPANIES HELD AT THE SAME VENUE OF THE CONFERENCE.
/the organisers .......
SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 27, 1988
THE ORGANISERS ARE CONFIDENT THAT THE FORUM WILL BE BENEFICIAL TO SENIOR EXECUTIVES OF LOCAL MANUFACTURING COMPANIES, ENTREPRENEURS, PROFESSIONALS AND BANKERS. THE PARTICIPATION FEE IS HK$450.
ANY PARTY INTERESTED IN ATTENDING THE CONFERENCE IS INVITED TO CONTACT THE CONFERENCE SECRETARIAT FOR REGISTRATION. THE ADDRESS IS: HONG KONG PRODUCTIVITY COUNCIL, 13TH FLOOR, BANK CENTRE, 636 NATHAN ROAD, KOWLOON. TEL: 3-7808251 FAX: 3-7217229.
SPONSORS OF THE CONFERENCE INCLUDE THE AMERICAN CHAMBER OF COMMERCE, FEDERATION OF HONG KONG INDUSTRIES, HONG KONG ELECTRONICS ASSOCIATION, HONG KONG PRODUCTIVITY COUNCIL AND HONG KONG TRADE DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL.
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CIVIC EDUCATION HELPS ENVIRONMENTAL IMPROVEMENT t ♦ » » ♦
ENHANCING CIVIC-MINDEDNESS AMONG RESIDENTS THROUGH THE PROMOTION OF CIVIC EDUCATION COULD HAVE GREAT EFFECT ON IMPROVING THE ENVIRONMENT, THE CHAIRMAN OF THE COMMITTEE ON THE PROMOTION OF CIVIC EDUCATION, DR DANIEL TSE, SAID THIS (SUNDAY) MORNING.
DR TSE WAS SPEAKING AT THE TAI PO DISTRICT CIVIC EDUCATION CARNIVAL AT THE DISTRICT’S CENTRAL TOWN SQUARE.
CULTIVTING A SENSE OF BELONGING TO THE DISTRICT AS WELL AS SOCIETY AMONG RESIDENTS, WHICH WAS ONE OF THE AIMS OF THE CIVIC EDUCATION CAMPAIGN, COULD LEAD THEM TO LOVE AND SHOW CONCERN ABOUT THEIR SURROUNDING ENVIRONMENT, HE SAID.
DR TSE NOTED THAT IT WAS FROM THIS CARING SENTIMENT, ONCE TRANSLATED INTO ACTION, THAT OUR ENVIRONMENT COULD BE PROTECTED OR MIGHT EVEN BE FURTHER IMPROVED.
ORGANISED BY THE TAI PO DISTRICT CIVIC EDUCATION CAMPAIGN CO-ORDINATING COMMITTEE AND SPONSORED BY THE DISTRICT BOARD, THE CARNIVAL FEATURED GAME STALLS AND A QUIZ ON ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION, THE THEME OF THE CAMPAIGN IN THE DISTRICT THIS YEAR.
AT THE CARNIVAL, WINNING ENTRIES OF A RESEARCH PROJECT CONTEST, SLOGAN AND PHOTOGRAPHIC COMPETITIONS HELD RECENTLY IN TAI PO WERE ON DISPLAY.
WINNERS OF THE CONTEST AND THE COMPETITIONS ALSO RECEIVED THEIR PRIZES AT A PRESENTATION CEREMONY.
/IN ADDITION, ........
SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 27, 1988
- 5 -
IN ADDITION, WORKS OF THE PHOTOGRAPHIC CONTEST OF THE WORLD ENVIRONMENT DAY 1988 WERE EXHIBITED.
ALSO OFFICIATING AT THE OPENING CEREMONY WERE TAI PO DISTRICT BOARD CHAIRMAN, MR HO YUNG-SANG; THE ACTING TAI PO DISTRICT OFFICER, MISS MARY CHOW SHUK-CHING, AND AN REGIONAL COUNCILLOR. MR MICHAEL LAI KAM-CHEUNG.
- - 0
KIDNEY DONATION PLEA FROM SHW * * * *
KIDNEY DISEASES CURRENTLY CONSTITUTE THE SIXTH LEADING CAUSE OF DEATH IN HONG KONG AND ACCOUNT FOR 3.5 PER CENT OF DEATHS TN THE PAST FIVE YEARS.
THIS WAS REVEALED TODAY (SUNDAY) BY THE SECRETARY FOR HEALTH AND WELFARE, MR T.H. CHAU, AT THE START OF THE "HERALDS OF HOPE" CAMPAIGN ORGANISED BY THE KIDNEY ACTION GROUP TO ENCOURAGE KIDNEY DONATION TO RENAL PATIENTS.
MR CHAU URGED PEOPLE TO COME FORWARD AND BE A DONOR, AND SAID KIDNEY DONATION MEANT NEW LIFE TO OTHERS.
"DESPITE THE ADVANCES IN MEDICAL SCIENCE, KIDNEY FAILURE REMAINS AN IRREVERSIBLE AILMENT," HE SAID.
"SHORT OF A KIDNEY TRANSPLANT OPERATION, THE OTHER FORMS OF TREATMENT WHICH ARE AVAILABLE, SUCH AS HAEMODIALYSIS AND PERITONEAL DIALYSIS, CAN ONLY MAINTAIN THE ACTIVE CAPABILITIES OF THE PATIENT BY REMOVING THE HARMFUL TOXIC SUBSTANCES FROM THE BODY.
"THIS ALSO HAVE LIMITATIONS IN THAT THEY ARE EXPENSIVE, TIMECONSUMING AND COULD CAUSE CONSIDERABLE DISRUPTION TO THE PATIENTS' WORK AND LIFESTYLE."
MR CHAU POINTED OUT THAT THERE WERE AT PRESENT ABOUT 1,500 PATIENTS WHO WOULD REQUIRE REPLACEMENT THERAPY.
"FOR MOST OF THEM, KIDNEY TRANSPLANT OFFERS AN EFFECTIVE AND FUNDAMENTAL CURE," HE SAID.
"A SUCCESSFUL KIDNEY TRANSPLANT OPERATION ENSURES A SUBSTANTIALLY IMPROVED QUALITY OF LIFE AND IS THE BEST TREATMENT FOR END-STAGE RENAL DISEASES.
"THE PROBLEM, HOWEVER, IS THAT STILL NOT TOO MANY PEOPLE ARE WILLING TO GIVE UP THEIR ORGANS AFTER DEATH."
/DESPITE LIMITATIONS.........
SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 27, 1988
DESPITE LIMITATIONS, MR CHAU SAID GOVERNMENT WAS CURRENTLY PROVIDING DIALYSIS SERVICE TO SOME 700 RENAL PATIENTS THROUGH 10 RENAL UNITS IN VARIOUS HOSPITALS AND RENAL CENTRES.
"THE NUMBER OF PEOPLE BEING KEPT ALIVE IS INCREASING YEAR BY YEAR AND THERE ARE PLANS TO EXPAND THE SERVICE IN NEW HOSPITALS," HE SAID.
"THE CAPACITY FOR THIS FORM OF TREATMENT IS EXPECTED TO DOUBLE IN THE NEXT TWO YEARS," HE ADDED.
MR CHAU ALSO POINTED OUT THAT A SPECIAL RENAL TRANSPLANT CO-ORDINATING CENTRE WAS RECENTLY ESTABLISHED AT THE QUEEN MARY HOSPITAL TO CO-ORDINATE THE TRANSPLANT PROGRAMME AND TO LIAISE WITH POTENTIAL DONORS.
"IT ALSO PROVIDES COUNSELLING SERVICE TO THE RELATIVES OF DYING PATIENTS TO ALLOW THE KIDNEYS TO BE USED," HE SAID.
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FLYOVER TRAFFIC SIGNAL SCHEME TO BE ON TRIAL
******
AN EXPERIMENTAL TRAFFIC SIGNAL SCHEME TO ENHANCE THE SAFETY 0! NORTHBOUND TRAFFIC ON CANAL ROAD FLYOVER WILL BE IMPLEMENTED FROM 10 AM ON TUESDAY (NOVEMBER 29), THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT REMINDED MOTORISTS TODAY (SUNDAY).
TRAFFIC LIGHTS WILL BE INSTALLED ON CANAL ROAD FLYOVER AT ITS MERGE POINT WITH THE UP-RAMP COMING UP FROM QUEEN’S ROAD EAST.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE DEPARTMENT EXPLAINED THAT AT PRESENT MOTORISTS FROM HAPPY VALLEY HAVE TO GIVE WAY TO TRAFFIC FROM ABERDEEN TUNNEL AND EXPERIENCE SIGHT-LINE PROBLEM DUE TO THE GEOMETRY OF THE JUNCTION ON THE FLYOVER.
WITH THE TRAFFIC SIGNALS TO APPORTION SUITABLE PRIORITY TO THE TRAFFIC STREAMS FROM HAPPY VALLEY AND ABERDEEN TUNNEL, THE GIVE-WAY ARRANGEMENT CAN BE CANCELLED SO AS TO SOLVE THE SIGHT-LINE PROBLEM.
THE TRAFFIC SIGNAL SCHEME WILL ALSO EASE THE CONGESTED UP-RAMP TRAFFIC FROM HAPPY VALLEY, ALTHOUGH SIGNIFICANT IMPROVEMENT TO THE OVERALL JUNCTION CAPACITY IS NOT EXPECTED.
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SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 27, 1988
- 7 -
DB COMMITTEE TO CONSIDER FUND APPLICATIONS *****
THE TSUEN WAN DISTRICT BOARD’S RECREATION AND SPORTS COMMITTEE WILL CONSIDER PROVIDING FUNDS FOR THE TSUEN WAN RESIDENTS FRATERNAL ASSOCIATION AT A MEETING TOMORROW (MONDAY).
MEMBERS WILL ALSO CONSIDER ANOTHER APPLICATION FOR FUNES FROM THE FUK LOI MOON LOK YIN NGAI SOCIETY.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE MEETING OF THE TSUEN WAN DISTRICT BOARD’S RECREATION AND SPORTS COMMITTEE TO BEGIN AT 2.30 PM TOMORROW (MONDAY) 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.
- 0 -
WAGES MUST BE PAID ON TIME * * * *
THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT REMINDED EMPLOYERS TODAY (SUNDAY) THAT THEY ARE LIABLE TO PROSECUTION IF THEY WILFULLY DELAY PAYING WAGES TO THEIR EMPLOYEES ON THEIR RESIGNATION OR TERMINATION OF CONTRACT.
A NUMBER OF EMPLOYERS HAD RECENTLY BEEN FINED BY THE COURTS IN THIS REGARD, A SPOKESMAN FOR THE DEPARTMENT SAID.
THE SPOKESMAN SAID THAT UNDER THE EMPLOYMENT ORDINANCE, WAGES WERE DUE AT THE END OF THE WAGE PERIOD AND MUST BE PAID AS SOON AS WAS PRACTICABLE, BUT IN ANY CASE NOT LATER THAN SEVEN DAYS THEREAFTER.
"SIMILARLY, WAGES AND OTHER SUMS DUE MUST BE PAID WITHIN SEVEN DAYS ON THE COMPLETION OF TERMINATION OF A CONTRACT OF EMPLOYMENT," HE ADDED.
ANY EMPLOYER WHO WITHOUT REASONABLE GROUNDS FAILED TO COMPLY WITH THE PROVISIONS OF THE ORDINANCE WAS LIABLE TO PROSECUTION AND, UPON CONVICTION, TO A MAXIMUM FINE OF $20,000.
THE SPOKESMAN GAVE THE FOLLOWING DETAILS OF CASES IN WHICH EMPLOYERS HAD RECENTLY BEEN FINED:
» THE DIRECTOR OF A MAGAZINE PUBLISHING COMPANY WAS FINED $9,000 BY A CENTRAL MAGISTRATE FOR FAILING TO PAY WAGES AND PRO-RATA ANNUAL LEAVE PAY AMOUNTING TO OVER $23,000 TO HIS SIX WORKERS.
SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 27, 1988
- 8 -
* A SECURITY GUARD COMPANY WAS FOUND GUILTY OF NOT PAYING ONE OF ITS EMPLOYEES HIS FULL WAGES ON TIME. THE WORKER WAS STILL OWED $863 FOUR MONTHS 'FTER REGISNATION. THE COMPANY WAS FINED $4,000 $1,000 COST BYr A SHA TIN MAGISTRATE.
* TWO CARETAKERS OF A PROPERTY MANAGEMENT COMPANY WERE OWED $1,600 AND $2,024 ARREARS OF WAGES RESPECTIVELY. THE
EMPLOYER WAS LATER FINED $3,500 PLUS $1,000 COST BY A NORTH KOWLOON MAGISTRATE.
* THE PROPRIETOR OF A WATCH FACTORY HELD UP THE WAGES AND PRO-RATA ANNUAL LEAVE PAY OF A CLERK TOTALLING ABOUT $3,300. HE WAS FINED $2,000 BY A TSUEN WAN MAGISTRATE.
IN THESE CASES, THE WAGES DUE WERE NOT PAID AFTER A LAPSE OF BETWEEN TWO AND FIVE MONTHS.
---------------o------- FREE FESTIVAL TICKETS AVAILABLE * * * » t
RESIDENTS OF YUEN LONG WILL BE ABLE TO ENJOY THE MAJORITY OF PERFORMANCES IN THE FORTHCOMING DISTRICT ARTS FESTIVAL FREE OF CHARGE.
IN ORDER TO PROMOTE ARTS TO THE DISTRICT'S POPULATION, THE ORGANISERS HAD EARMARKED SOME 19 EVENTS COVERING A WIDE VARIETY OF ARTS PRESENTATIONS FOR FREE ADMISSION.
APART FROM ARTS EXHIBITIONS, THERE WILL BE VIDEO SHOWS, ARTS WORKSHOPS AND DEMONSTRATIONS, AND A SERIES OF DANCE AND MUSIC PERFORMANCES WHICH WILL BE HELD AT DIFFERENT VENUES IN RURAL AREAS AND HOUSING ESTATES OF THE DISTRICT.
TICKETS AND INFORMATION OF THE PERFORMANCES ARE NOW AVAILABLE FROM THE PUBLIC ENQUIRIES COUNTERS OF THE DISTRICT OFFICE, THE DISTRICT BOARD SECRETARIAT, THE YUEN LONG TOWN HALL AND THE LONG PING COMMUNITY HALL ON A FIRST-COME-FIRST-SERVED BASIS.
MEANWHILE, THE TWO BOX OFFICES OF THE FESTIVAL, LOCATED IN THE YUEN LONG TOWN HALL AND THE HONG KONG BANK BRANCH OFFICE AT 150 CASTLE PEAK ROAD, WILL BE OPEN FROM TOMORROW (MONDAY) TO ACCEPT ADVANCED BOOKINGS OF TICKETS ON SALE FOR OTHER PERFORMANCES.
THESE PERFORMANCES INCLUDE THE MUSICAL "CINDERELLA" BY THE YUEN LONG CHILDREN CHOIR AT THE OPENING CEREMONY ON DECEMBER 9: VARIOUS CANTONESE AND CHIU CHOW OPERAS, AND THE CHILDREN PLAY "A STOREY OF DRAGONBALL" BY THE CHUNG YING THEATRE COMPANY.
TICKETS FOR MANY PERFORMANCES IN THE FESTIVAL AB) AVAILABLE AT HALF-PRICE FOR STUDENTS AND SENIOR RESIDENTS AGE:- 65 OR ABOVE IN THE DISTRICT.
O
/9
SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 27,
1988
- 9 -
FOUR SITES FOR SALE BY PUBLIC AUCTION
*****
FOUR LAND LOTS ARE BEING OFFERED FOR SALE BY PUBLIC AUCTION ON TUESDAY (NOVEMBER 29) BY THE BUILDINGS AND LANDS DEPARTMENT.
ONE OF THE LOTS IS LOCATED AT HOI BUN ROAD IN KWUN TONG.
THE 4,500-SQUARE-METRE SITE IS FOR NON-INDUSTRIAL PURPOSES INCLUDING A MULTI-STOREY CAR PARK, BUT EXCLUDING RESIDENTIAL, HOTEL AND GODOWN.
ANOTHER LOT IS AT BAILEY STREET IN HUNG HOM.
MEASURING ABOUT 2,472 SQUARE METRES IN AREA, THE LOT IS FOR NON-INDUSTRIAL PURPOSES EXCLUDING GODOWN AND HOTEL.
THE THIRD LOT, WHICH IS FOR PRIVATE RESIDENTIAL PURPOSES, IS LOCATED AT TAT CHEE AVENUE, YAU YAT TSUEN.
THE AREA OF THE LOT IS ABOUT 4,250 SQUARE METRES.
THE FOURTH LOT IS IN THE TUNG TAU INDUSTRIAL AREA IN YUEN LONG.
WITH A SITE AREA OF ABOUT 1,735 SQUARE METRES, THE LOT IS FOR INDUSTRIAL AND/OR GODOWN PURPOSES EXCLUDING OFFENSIVE TRADE.
THE AUCTION WILL BEGIN AT 2.30 PM IN THE SHOUSON THEATRE OF THE HONG KONG ARTS CENTRE, 2 HARBOUR ROAD.
AS REQUIRED BY THE MANAGEMENT OF THE HONG KONG ARTS CENTRE, ADMISSION TO SHOUSON THEATRE WILL ONLY BE GIVEN TO TICKET HOLDERS.
PROSPECTIVE PURCHASERS ATTENDING THE AUCTION ARE REQUESTED TO ARRIVE EARLY AS THE NUMBER OF SEATS IS LIMITED.
TICKETS FOR ADMISSION WILL BE ISSUED FREE OF CHARGE AT THE ENTRANCE, ON A FIRST-COME-FIRST-SERVED BASIS.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE LAND AUCTION.
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/1O........
SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 27, 1988
10
NEW ARRANGEMENTS FOR SAI KUNG EYE CLINIC *****
MEMBERS OF THE SAI KUNG DISTRICT BOARD’S COMMUNITY AFFAIRS COMMITTEE WILL BE INFORMED OF THE NEW ARRANGEMENTS FOR CONSULTATION AT THE EYE CLINIC OF THE SAI KUNG MONA FONG CLINC IN A MEETING ON TUESDAY (NOVEMBER 29).
MEANWHILE, THEY WILL ALSO DISCUSS IMPROVEMENT IN PRIMARY SCHOOL EDUCATION IN SAI KUNG, APPLICATIONS FOR DISTRICT BOARD FUNDS AND THE REPORT ON ACTIVITIES.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE SAI KUNG DISTRICT BOARD’S COMMUNITY AFFAIRS COMMITTEE MEETING ON TUESDAY (NOVEMBER 29) IN THE CONFERENCE ROOM OF THE SAI KUNG DISTRICT BOARD, SECOND FLOOR, SAI KUNG GOVERNMENT OFFICES, CHAN MAN STREET, SAI KUNG TOWN. THE MEETING WILL START AT 10 AM.
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PUTTING CLEAN WATER MESSAGE ACROSS
*****
EASTERN DISTRICT BOARD MEMBERS AND REPRESENTATIVES FROM LOCAL FISHERMEN ASSOCIATIONS TODAY (SUNDAY) WENT ON A CRUISE IN THE TYPHOON SHELTERS AND CARGO HANDLING AREA TO PROMOTE THE CLEAN WATER MESSAGE.
ORGANISED BY THE WORKING GROUP ON ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AND CLEAN HONG KONG ACTIVITIES OF THE EASTERN DISTRICT BOARD, THE CLEAN WATER CAMPAIGN IS AIMED AT PROMOTING PUBLIC AWARENESS IN SANITATION AND HYGIENE IN THE TYPHOON SHELTERS.
THE PARTICIPANTS BOARDED A BEAUTIFULLY DECORATED LAUNCH AND VISITED BOAT DWELLERS IN CAUSEWAY BAY TYPHOON SHELTER, ALDRICH BAY TYPHOON SHELTER AND CHAI WAN CARGO HANDLING AREA.
PUBLICITY MATERIALS INCLUDING PENNANTS, PLASTIC GARBAGE BAGS AND STICKERS WITH CLEAN WATER MESSAGES WERE DISTRIBUTED TO BOAT DWELLERS.
THE HIGHLIGHT OF THE DAY WAS A PERFORMANCE AT THE SHAU KEI WAN WHOLESALE FISH MARKET WHICH FEATURED SINGING, DANCING AND MAGIC SHOW.
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/11 ........
SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 27,
1988
REMINDER FOR WOMEN BORN BETWEEN 1960-62
» * * * *
THE IMMIGRATION DEPARTMENT REMINDED TODAY (SUNDAY) WOMEN BORN IN 1960, 1961 OR 1962 TO APPLY FOR NEW IDENTITY CARDS BEFORE
JANUARY 15, 1989.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE IMMIGRATION DEPARTMENT SAID: "TO AVOID THE LAST-MINUTE RUSH, WOMEN OF THIS AGE GROUP WHO HAVE NOT YET APPLIED FOR A NEW I.D. CARD SHOULD COME FORWARD WITHOUT DELAY."
"FAILURE TO APPLY FOR A NEW I.D. CARD WITHIN THE SPECIFIED PERIOD IS AN OFFENCE LIABLE TO A MAXIMUM FINE OF $3,000," HE ADDED.
APPLICANTS CAN GO TO ANY ONE OF THE EIGHT NEW I.D. CARD ISSUE OFFICES TO RENEW THEIR I.D. CARDS.
THESE OFFICES ARE OPEN FROM 8 AM TO 9.30 PM DAILY, EXCEPT SUNDAYS AND PUBLIC HOLIDAYS.
"THE ISSUE OFFICES ARE VERY CROWDED IN THE EVENINGS. TO AVOID HAVING TO QUEUE UP FOR A LONG TIME AT THE ISSUE OFFICES OR TO COME BACK ON ANOTHER DAY, APPLICANTS ARE ADVISED TO GO TO THESE OFFICES IN THE MORNINGS AND THE AFTERNOONS," 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 : SHOP 8A, SECOND FLOOR, CHANWAY SHOPPING CENTRE,
11-17, SHATIN CENTRE STREET, SHA TIN TEL. NO. 0-6059108
YUEN LONG HOP YICK CENTRE, SECOND FLOOR, 31 HOP YICK
ROAD.
TEL. NO. 0-793291
/TUEN MUN........
SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 27, 1988
12 -
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. 0-927191
THE SPOKESMAN REITERATED THAT THERE WOULD BE NO AMNESTY FOR ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS.
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POSTFAX SERVICE TO NZ RESUMES * » * ♦
THE POSTFAX SERVICE TO NEW ZEALAND WILL (MONDAY), THE POST OFFICE ANNOUNED.
POSTFAX MESSAGES TO NEW ZEALAND WILL EITHER NORMAL POSTAL DELIVERY ON THE NEXT DAY, OR COLLECTED COUNTERS WITH TELEPHONE ADVICE ON THE SAME DAY.
RESUME TOMORROW
BE DELIVERED BY AT POST OFFICE
THE CHARGES FOR THE SERVICE TO NEW ZEALAND WILL BE AS FOLLOWS:
SHORT MESSAGE
$55
FOR THE FIRST SIDE OF $65
AN A4 SIZE PAPER
FOR EACH SUBSEQUENT A4 $20
SIZE PAPER SENT TO THE
SAME TIME
CUSTOMERS WISHING TO MAKE USE OF THIS SERVICE THEIR DOCUMENTS AT ANY OF THE 30 POSTFAX ACCEPTANCE ^’CST THE TWO CABLE AND WIRE!,ESS SALES OFFICES AT EXCHANGE
CAN HAND OFFICES SQUARE
IN
OR AND
HERMES HOUSE.
FURTHER INFORMATION ON THE SERVICE MAY BE OBTAINED FROM THE POSTFAX MANAGER ON 5-8471148.
- 0 -
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE. HONG KONG. TEL: 5-8428777
MONDAY, NOVEMBER 28, 1988
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
NEW CENTRE TO HELP INDUSTRY DEAL WITH POLLUTION ........... 1
INVESTMENT IN POLLUTION CONTROL COST EFFECTIVE............. 2
GOVERNOR VISITS KOWLOON POLICE FOLIATIONS ................. 3
$105 MILLION CONTRACT FOR TAI PO DEVELOPMENT .............. 4
CHINESE VERSION OF ENVIRONMENT REVIEW ON SALE.............. 5
ENSURING INTEGRITY OF FINANCIAL MARKETS: SMA .............. 5
ROBIN IP TO HEAD YUEN LONG DISTRICT OFFICE ................ 6
HK TO PLAY AN ACTIVE ROLE IN URUGUAY ROUND................. 7
COMMENT SOUGHT ON SERVICE MARKS REGISTRATION PROPOSAL.. 8
RECEPTION FOR OUTSTANDING YOUNG PERSONS .................. 10
ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION WITH THE ELDERLY.................. 10
SAI KUNG BLOOD DONATION EXERCISE TOMORROW ................ 11
DB COMMITTEE TO DISCUSS HOLIDAY FLATS MANAGEMENT ......... 12
ANTI-SMOKING ACTIVITIES Of AGENDA ........................ 12
KWUN TONG DB COMMITTEE TO DISCUSS CELEBRATIONS ........... 13
SPECIAL REVIEW ARTICLE ON TRANSPORT SECTOR ............... 14
WATER STORAGE FIGURE...................................... 14
FRESH WATER CUTS IN TWO NT AREAS ......................... 15
SECTION FARES FOR NT GMB ROUTE 71 REVISED................. 15
MONDAY, NOVEMBER 28,
1988
NEW CENTRE TO HELP INDUSTRY DEAL WITH POLLUTION
*****
A CENTRE OF ENVIRONMENTAL TECHNOLOGY FOR INDUSTRY WILL BE ESTABLISHED WITH A $4 MILLION DONATION FROM THE HONGKONG AND SHANGHAI BANKING CORPORATION AND WILL PAY PARTICULAR ATTENTION TO DEALING WITH POLLUTION PROBLEMS FACED BY FACTORIES OPERATING IN MULTI-STOREY BUILDINGS.
THIS WAS ANNOUNCED BY THE GOVERNOR, SIR DAVID WILSON, TODAY (MONDAY) WHEN HE OFFICIATED AT THE OPENING CEREMONY OF THE POLMET 88 CONFERENCE.
"THIS CENTRE WILL BE OPERATED IN CONJUNCTION WITH THE HONG KONG PRODUCTIVITY COUNCIL AND THE CITY POLYTECHNIC OF HONG KONG," SIR DAVID SAID.
NOTING THAT MORE THAN 80 PER CENT OF ALL FACTORIES IN HONG KONG EMPLOYED LESS THAN 20 PEOPLE AND MANY OPERATED IN MULTI-STOREY BUILDINGS WITH SEVERE SPACE CONSTRAINTS, SIR DAVID SAID BUSINESSES OF THIS TYPE CLEARLY HAD PARTICULAR PROBLEMS IN PREVENTING POLLUTION.
"THE CENTRE WILL ADDRESS THESE. IT WILL ALSO DESIGN, ADAPT AND CONSTRUCT DEMONSTRATION TREATMENT SYSTEMS FOR VARIOUS INDUSTRIES, INCLUDING TEXTILE BLEACHING AND DYEING, METAL FINISHING AND ELECTRONICS,” THE GOVERNOR SAID.
SIR DAVID SAID THE SETTING UP OF THE CENTRE WAS AN IMPORTANT INITIATIVE BY HONG KONG’S BIGGEST BANK, AND HE CALLED ON OTHER BUSINESS ORGANISATIONS TO JOIN THE FIGHT AGAINST POLLUTION.
"AFTER ALL, CLEANER PRODUCTION PROCESSES ARE MORE COST-EFFECTIVE AS WELL AS LESS POLLUTING," HE ADDED.
THE GOVERNOR ALSO UNDERLINED THE IMPORTANCE OF PUBLIC SUPPORT IN OVERCOMING ENVIRONMENTAL PROBLEMS.
HE POINTED OUT THAT AS HONG KONG HAD BECOME MORE AFFLUENT, PEOPLE WERE MORE AWARE OF THE NEED TO PROTECT THE ENVIRONMENT.
, "THEY REALISE THAT POLLUTION WILL NOT DISAPPEAR OF ITS OWN ACCORD AND ALSO THAT TO CONTROL AND OVERCOME POLLUTION WILL COST LARGE SUMS OF MONEY.
"THIS KIND OF PUBLIC SUPPORT IS ESSENTIAL IF WE ARE TO BE SUCCESSFUL IN THE FIGHT AGAINST POLLUTION," THE GOVERNOR SAID.
OUTLINING THE VAST CHANGES IN THE TERRITORY OVER THE PAST '>'0 DECADES — ITS POPULATION HAD GROWN FROM 3.7 MILLION TO 5.6 HILI ON AND ITS GROSS DOMESTIC PRODUCT FROM $-13 BILLION TO $228 BJLLIoN, SIR DAVID SAID: "IT IS SMALL WONDER THAT WE NOW FACE PROBLEMS OF POLLUTION.
/"WE RECOGNISE........
MONDAY, NOVEMBER 28, 1?88
2
’’WE RECOGNISE THESE PROBLEMS AND THE NEED TO DO SOMETHING ABOUT THEM.”
THE GOVERNOR POINTED OUT THAT SINCE THE LAST POLMET CONFERENCE WAS HELD IN HONG KONG THREE YEARS AGO, THE GOVERNMENT HAD TAKEN POSITIVE MEASURES TO DEAL WITH POLLUTION. HE SAID. THESE INCLUDED:
♦ INTRODUCTION OF NEW CONTROLS ON NOISE AND AIR POLLUTION AND ON THE DISPOSAL OF LIVESTOCK WASTE.
* CARRYING OUT A MAJOR REVIEW OF SEWERAGE FACILITIES AND MAPPING OUT A PROGRAMME WHICH WOULD INVOLVE SPENDING AROUND US$1.5 BILLION OVER THE NEXT DECADE.
♦ DESIGNATING TWO WATER CONTROL ZONES AND EXTENSION OF THESE TO PROTECT ALL OF HONG KONG’S WATERS WITHIN THE NEXT FIVE YEARS.
* CONSTRUCTION OF A CHEMICAL WASTE TREATMENT PLANT TO START SOON.
SIR DAVID ADDED: ’’DESPITE ALL THE PROBLEMS THAT IT HAS OF POLLUTION, HONG KONG IS STILL ONE OF THE MOST EXCITING AND BEAUTIFUL HARBOUR CITIES IN THE WORLD.
"WE MUST KEEP IT THAT WAY. WE MUST PRESERVE THE AREAS STILL UNSPOILT AND IMPROVE THOSE THAT HAVE BEEN ALLOWED TO DETERIORATE.
"THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT IS FULLY COMMITTED TO THAT AIM."
-------0---------
INVESTMENT IN POLLUTION CONTROL COST EFFECTIVE
* ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦
THE GOVERNMENT IS FIRMLY COMMITTED TO TACKLING HONG KONG’S POLLUTION PROBLEMS, INCLUDING HEAVY INVESTMENT IN ENVIRONMENTAL INFRASTRUCTURE AND INCREASED ENFORCEMENT OF POLLUTION CONTROLS.
THE SECRETARY FOR LANDS AND WORKS, MR GRAHAM BARNES, SAID THIS TODAY (MONDAY) WHEN OPENING THE POLMET 88 EXHIBITION.
MR BARNES SAID THERE SEEMED TO BE A GENERAL BELIEF THAT THE COST OF APPLYING POLLUTION CONTROLS WOULD BLUNT INDUSTRY’S COMPETITIVE EDGE AND HARM PROSPECTS FOR ECONOMIC GROWTH.
/’’ON THE
MONDAY, NOVEMBER 28, 1988
3
"ON THE CONTRARY, HONG KONG'S ATTRACTIVENESS AS A TOURIST CENTRE AND BASE FOR INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS WILL BE SERIOUSLY IMPAIRED IF WE DO NOT ACT NOW TO SAVE OUR ENVIRONMENT," HE SAID.
"THE SENSIBLE APPLICATION OF POLLUTION CONTROL AND LEGISLATION, COMBINED WITH THE USE OF APPROPRIATE TECHNOLOGY AND EQUIPMENT HAS ELSEWHERE PRODUCED SPIN-OFF BENEFITS FOR INDUSTRY, INCLUDING ENERGY SAVING, IMPROVED PRODUCTIVITY AND PROFITABLE RECOVERY OF MATERIALS FROM THE PRODUCTION PROCESS."
MR BARNES ALSO NOTED THAT 70 PER CENT OF CAPITAL INVESTMENT IN NEW POLLUTION REDUCTION PLANT ^AS TAX DEDUCTIBLE, WHICH WAS ANOTHER INCENTIVE FOR MOVING TO CLEANER PRODUCTION PROCESSES.
---------o-----------
GOVERNOR VISITS KOWLOON POLICE FORMATIONS
*****
THE GOVERNOR, SIR DAVID WILSON, TODAY (MONDAY) VISITED OPERATIONAL POLICE FORMATIONS IN KOWLOON. HE MET OFFICERS FROM MONG KOK DISTRICT, THE KOWLOON REGIONAL TRAFFIC UNIT, THE EMERGENCY UNIT, KOWLOON WEST AND THE CRIME PREVENTION BUREAU.
SIR DAVID BEGAN BY VISITING THE ENFORCEMENT AND CONTROL SECTION OF THE KOWLOON TRAFFIC UNIT, WHOSE RESPONSIBILITIES COVER THE WHOLE OF KOWLOON AND NEW KOWLOON.
HE WAS TOLD THAT THE DAILY TRANSIENT POPULATION WAS IN EXCESS OF HALF-A-MILLION PEOPLE IN MONG KOK DISTRICT ALONE AND THAT THERE WERE AT PRESENT 260 ROADWORK PROJECTS IN THE KOWLOON AREA.
IT WAS THEREFORE NOT EASY TO MAINTAIN A REASONABLE FLOW OF TRAFFIC. BUT NEW ROAD LINKS TO BE OPENED NEXT YEAR, SUCH AS THE EASTERN HARBOUR CROSSING AND KWUN TONG BY-PASS,WERE EXPECTED TO ALLEVIATE SOME OF THE CONGESTION.
THE GOVERNOR THEN RECEIVED A BRIEFING ON THE KOWLOON WEST EMERGENCY UNIT.
HE WAS TOLD THAT THE UNIT’S 27 PATROL VEHICLES PROVIDE AN "AROUND-THE-CLOCK" INSTANT RESPONSE CAPABILITY TO ALL 999 CALLS AND THAT THEIR AVERAGE RESPONSE TIME OF 2-1/2 MINUTES IS AMONG THE FASTEST IN ALL THE MAJOR CITIES OF THE WORLD.
IN THE FIRST 10 MONTHS OF 1988, EU TEAMS RESPONDEDTO 16,815 CALLS FOR ASSISTANCE.ARRESTS FOLLOWED ON 775 OCCASIONS, INVOLVING A TOTAL OF 1,271 PEOPLE.
/SIR DAVID ......
MONDAY, NOVEMBER 28, 1988
k
SIR DAVID THEN VISITED THE MONG KOK POLICE DISTRICT. HE WAS TOLD THAT ALTHOUGH MONG KOK IS GEOGRAPHICALLY THE SMALLEST OF ALL POLICE DISTRICTS, IT IS ALSO ONE OF THE BUSIEST, WITH A DAILY' AVERAGE OF 250 REPORTS. IN RECENT YEARS IT HAS BECOME THE .PRIMARY VICE DISTRICT OF KOWLOON WITH ITS ATTENDANT TRIAD ACTIVITY.
SIR DAVID MET A SELECTION OF JUNIOR POLICE OFFICERS DRAWN FROM DIFFERENT UNITS IN KOWLOON WEST.
THE GOVERNOR’S FINAL VISIT WAS TO THE CRIME PREVENTION BUREAU, WHERE HE MET OFFICERS OF THE INTRUDER ALARM INSPECTION UNIT AND VISITED THE BUREAU’S EXHIBITION ROOMS TO SEE A DISPLAY OF SOME OF THE MOST TECHNOLOGICALLY ADVANCED SYSTEMS NOW AVAILABLE COMMERCIALLY.
SIR DAVID WAS ALSO INFORMED THAT THE BUREAU HAD BEEN ASKED TO REVIEW BLUEPRINTS FOR THE NEW HARMONY PUBLIC HOUSING ESTATE DESIGN AND GIVE PROFESSIONAL ADVICE ON CRIME PREVENTION MEASURES.
0-------
$105 MILLION CONTRACT FOR TAI PO DEVELOPMENT
* * * * *
THE TERRITORY DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT TODAY (MONDAY) SIGNED A $105 MILLION CONTRACT FOR UPGRADING TRANSPORT AND SEWERAGE FACILITIES AND FOR RECLAMATION WORKS AS PART OF THE DEVELOPMENT OF TAI PO NEW TOWN.
WORKS UNDER THE CONTRACT INCLUDE THE UPGRADING OF TING KOK ROAD FROM TAI PO INDUSTRIAL ESTATE TO PLUMMER VILLAGE, TOTALLING 0.5 KILOMETRE, AND THE EXTENSION OF A SEGREGATED CYCLE TRACK FROM TAI PO INDUSTRIAL ESTATE TO TAI MEI TUK, WITH A TOTAL LENGTH OF 6.5 KILOMETRES.
THEY ALSO INCLUDE THE RECLAMATION OF ABOUT THREE HECTARES OF FORESHORE AND SEABED AT TAI MEI TUK TO PROVIDE LAND FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF TRANSPORT FACILITIES SUCH AS A BUS TERMINUS AND PARKING LOTS.
THE PROVISION OF A SEWER TO EXTEND THE EXISTING SEWERAGE SYSTEM FROM THE TAI PO INDUSTRIAL ESTATE TO SAM MUN TSAI WILL ALSO BE UNDERTAKEN.
ALSO INCLUDED IN THE CONTRACT ARE THE CONSTRUCTION OF A FOUR-METRE WIDE SURFACED TRACK TO MAINTAIN VILLAGE ACCESS AND THE REPROVISIONING OF TWO EXISTING PI RS FOR HIRING OF nOAl'S.
CONSTRUCTION WORKS WILL BEGiN NEXT MONTH AND ARE EXPECTED TO TAKE TWO YEARS TO COMPLETE.
THE PROJECT MANAGER, NEW TERRrTORIES/NORTH EAST DEVELOPMENT OFFICE, MR T.D. ARMOUR, SIGNED THE CONTRACT ON BEHALF JS i'HF. DEPARTMENT.
----_ 0 ------ /5
MONDAY, NOVEMBER 28, 1988
- 5 -
CHINESE VERSION OF ENVIRONMENT REVIEW ON SALE
*****
THE CHINESE VERSION OF ENVIRONMENT HONG KONG 1988 - A REPORT PUBLISHED BY THE ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION DEPARTMENT, IS NOW ON SALE.
THE ENGLISH VERSION OF THE REPORT WENT ON SALE LAST MONTH.
THi CHINESE VERSION OF THE 168-PAGE REVIEW, WHICH INCLUDES CHARTS, DIAGRAMS AND PICTURES, GIVES AN ACCOUNT OF THE MANY AND VARIED ACTIVITIES THAT WERE CARRIED OUT BY THE GOVERNMENT IN 1987 TO PROTECT THE ENVIRONMENT.
IN ORDER TO CATER FOR THOSE WITH SIMPLY A GENERAL CONCERN FOR THE ENVIRONMENT, A CHAPTER HAD BEEN INCLUDED IN THE REVIEW OUTLINING IN GENERAL, NON-TECHNICAL TERMS, THE WORK CARRIED OUT BY THE GOVERNMENT IN THE FIELD OF ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION.
FOR THOSE READERS WHO ARE INTERESTED IN MORE DETAILS IN SPECIFIC TECHNICAL FIELDS, THERE ARE SEPARATE CHAPTERS COVERING ASPECTS OF NOISE, AIR QUALITY MANAGEMENT, WATER AND WASTE AND ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT AND PLANNING.
THE REVIEW IS AVAILABLE AT $20 PER COPY AT THE GOVERNMENT PUBLICATIONS CENTRE ON THE GROUND FLOOR OF THE GPO BUILDING IN CONNAUGHT PLACE, CENTRAL.
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ENSURING INTEGRITY OF FINANCIAL
*****
MARKETS: SMA
THE GOVERNMENT’S MAIN CONCERN IS TO SAFEGUARD THE INTERESTS OF NON-PROFESS1ONAL INVESTORS AND ENSURE THE INTEGRITY OF THE FINANCIAL MARKETS, THE SECRETARY FOR MONETARY AFFAIRS, MR DAVID NENDICK, SAID TODAY (MONDAY).
SPEAKING AT THE OPENING OF THE BUSINESS EXECUTIVE WORKSHOP ORGANISED BY THE MANAGEMENT STUDIES SOCIETY OF THE UNIVERSITY OF HONG KONG, MR NENDICK SAID THE ECONOMY HAD GROWN RAPIDLY IN RECENT YEARS AND THUS OFFERED HIGH RATES OF RETURN TO THE JUDICIOUS INVESTOR.
"OUR BASIC APPROACH IN GOVERNMENT IS TO LET BUSINESSMEN MAKE THEIR OWN BUSINESS DECISIONS. WE DO NOT DIRECT INVESTMENT WHERE WE THINK IT SHOULD DO SO. WE BELIEVE THAT BUSINESSMEN WILL KNOW BEST.
"OUR POLICY OF MINIMUM INTERFERENCE DOES NOT MEAN, THOUGH, THAT WE FAIL TO TAKE POSITIVE STEPS TO FOSTER A FAVOURABLE INVESTMENT CLIMATE," HE STRESSED.
/MR NENDICK
MONDAY, NOVEMBER 28, 1988
6
MR NENDICK NOTED THAT HONG KONG PROVIDED A MODERN AND EFFICIENT PHYSICAL INFRASTRUCTURE, A FAIR AND STABLE LEGAL, SOCIAL AND FINANCIAL SYSTEM, IN WHICH INVESTORS COULD OPERATE WITH CONFIDENCE.
"OUR BANKING AND FINANCIAL SYSTEM PROVIDES A COMPREHENSIVE RANGE OF MODERN SERVICES AND WE ARE CURRENTLY ENGAGED IN A COMPREHENSIVE UPDATING OF THE REGULATORY FRAMEWORK FOR OUR FINANCIAL MARKETS," HE SAID.
PLENTY OF OPPORTUNITIES WERE AVAILABLE FOR BOTH INSTITUTIONAL AND INDIVIDUAL INVESTORS IN BUSINESS, PROPERTY AND VARIOUS PRODUCTS IN THE FINANCIAL MARKETS, HE SAID.
"THE ABSENCE OF ANY EXCHANGE CONTROL AND LOW TAX FOR BOTH INDIVIDUALS AND CORPORATIONS ARE ADDED SAID.
RATES OF DIRECT
ATTRACTIONS," HE
HE REMINDED INVESTORS THAT DIFFERENT INVESTMENT PRODUCTS PROVIDED DIFFERENT DEGREES OF RISK AND RETURN.
"INVESTORS SHOULD KNOW WHAT THEY WANT AND UNDERSTAND THE NATURE OF THE PRODUCTS ON OFFER BEFORE TAKING ' ANY INVESTMENT DECISIONS. THE INFORMED INVESTOR IS ALWAYS THE BEST INVESTOR, HE SAID.
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ROBIN IP TO HEAD YUEN LONG DISTRICT OFFICE *****
THE GOVERNMENT TODAY (MONDAY) ANNOUNCED THE APPOINTMENT OF MR ROBIN IP MAN-FAI AS YUEN LONG DISTRICT OFFICER WITH EFFECT FROM THURSDAY (DECEMBER 1).
MR IP WILL TAKE OVER FROM MR ALAN WONG.
MR IP JOINED THE GOVERNMENT IN 1979 AS AN ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICER AFTER GRADUATING FROM THE UNIVERSITY 01- HONG KONG.
FOLLOWING A SHORT PERIOD OF ATTACHMENT TO THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT AND THE STANDING COMMISSION ON CIVIL SERVICE SALARIES AND CONDITIONS OF SERVICE, HE ATTENDED A STUDY COURSE AT OXFORD UNIVERSITY IN ENGLAND.
/AFTER HIS ......
MONDAY, NOVEMBER 28, 1988
AFTER HIS RETURN TO HONG KONG IN 1981, MR IP WORKED IN A NUMBER OF BRANCHES AND DEPARTMENTS, INCLUDING RADIO TELEVISION HONG KONG, THE FORMER HOME AFFAIRS BRANCH, CITY AND NEW TERRITORIES ADMINISTRATION HEADQUARTERS, AND THE LEGAL DEPARTMENT.
IN 1982, HE WAS ASSISTANT DISTRICT OFFICER OF TUEN MUN ANT WAS INVOLVED IN COMMUNITY AFFAIRS. LATER HE WAS POSTED TO THE DISTRICT LANDS OFFICE, TUEN MUN AS ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICER, LANDS.
MR IP RECENTLY RETURNED FROM THE UNITED STATES AFTER A TWO-YEAR POSTING AS FIRST SECRETARY OF THE HONG KONG ECONOMIC AND TRADE OFFICE IN WASHINGTON D.C.
-------e---------
HK TO PLAY AN ACTIVE ROLE IN URUGUAY ROUND
t » » * »
HONG KONG WILL CONTINUE TO PLAY AN ACTIVE ROLE IN THE CURRENT URUGUAY ROUND OF THE GENERAL AGREEMENT ON TARIFFS AND TRADE (GATT), THE DIRECTOR OF TRADE, MR MICHAEL SZE, SAID TODAY (MONDAY).
' ' t*." MR SZE WAS ADDRESSING THE ASSOCIATION OF CHAIRMEN OF THE TUNG WAH GROUP OF HOSPITALS AT A LUNCHEON MEETING.
HE SAID THAT HONG KONG WOULD AIM AT REVERSING PROTECTIONISM, PRESERVING AND STRENGTHENING THE GATT SYSTEM, AND IMPROVING MARKET ACCESS FOR ITS GOODS AND SERVICES IN THIS ROUND.
HE STRESSED THAT HONG KONG REGARDED GATT AS A CORNERSTONE OF THE MULTILATERAL TRADING SYSTEM AND WITHOUT THE GATT, HONG KONG WOULD BE VULNERABLE TO PRESSURE FROM LARGER, MORE POLITICALLY POWERFUL TRADING PARTNERS.
"IT IS ONLY THROUGH GATT THAT HONG KONG CAN SAFEGUARD ITS RIGHTS IN THE PURSUIT OF FREE TRADE. THIS IS PARTICULARLY SIGNIFICANT GIVEN THE GROWING PROTECTIONISM PRESSURE IN HONG KONG’S MAJOR TRADING PARTNERS," HE SAID.
MR SZE POINTED OUT THAT IN THIS ROUND OF NEGOTIATION, HONC KONG WANTED TO SEE A STRONGER GATT, ONE WHICH WAS RESPECTED BY ALI CONTRACTING PARTIES, AND TO SEEK IMPROVEMENT TO THE GATT SYSTEM AND ITS DISCIPLINE.
"IN THIS CONNECTION, WE WANT TO SEE TEXTILES AND CLOTHING RETURN TO GATT UNDER STRENGTHENED DISCIPLINES, ’ KE SAID.
/HE ALSO
MONDAY, NOV31BER 28, 1988
8
HE ALSO STRESSED THAT HONG KONG WOULD SEEK IMPROVED MARKET ACCESS FOR SPECIFIC PRODUCTS, SUCH AS TEXTILES AND CLOTHING, IN SPECIFIC MARKETS THROUGH NEGOTIATIONS ON BOTH TARIFF AND NON-TA5!IFF RESTRICTIONS TO TRADE.
TURNING TO HONG KONG’S EXPECTATIONS IN THIS ROUND OF NEGOTIATION, MR SZE SAID THAT HONG KONG HOPED TO SEE A GREATER COMMITMENT TO THE LIBERALISATION IN WORLD TRADE, SOME AGREEMENT ON BETTER DISPUTES SETTLEMENT PROCEDURES AND IMPROVEMENTS TO THE WAYS IN WHICH THE GATT OPERATED.
ON A POSSIBLE MULTILATERAL AGREEMENT ON TRADE IN SERVICES, HE SAID THAT AS HONG KONG’S SERVICE SECTOR WAS COMPETITIVE INTERNATIONALLY, A SATISFACTORY AGREEMENT ON SERVICES WOULD FURTHER ENHANCE ITS SERVICE SECTOR’S POSITION IN WORLD TRADE.
"IN HONG KONG’S VIEW, ANY AGREEMENT ON EMBODY THE TWO FUNDAMENTAL GATT PRINCIPLES OF MOST-FAVOURED-NATION TREATMENT.
TRADE IN SERVICES HAS TO
NON-DISCRIMINATION AND
"THESE ARE THE DRIVING FORCES BEHIND THE LIBERALISATION OF WORLD TRADE AND WHICH PROVIDE SMALL TRADERS LIKE HONG KONG WITH A NEGOTIATING STRENGTH WHICH THEIR LACK OF POLITICAL CLOUT WOULD OTHERWISE DENY THEM," HE ADDED.
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COMMENT SOUGHT ON SERVICE MARKS REGISTRATION PROPOSAL
*****
FOR TRADE AND ANNOUNCED TODAY (MONDAY) THE START OF PROPOSAL TO AMEND THE TRADEMARK ORDINANCE TO PERMIT
THE SECRETARY
INDUSTRY, MR HAMISH MACLEOD, A CONSULTATION PERIOD ON A
THE REGISTRATION
OF SERVICE MARKS.
COMMENTS FROM THE LEGAL INDUSTRIES THAT MIGHT BE AFFECTED REQUESTED BEFORE LUNAR NEW YEAR.
PROFESSION AND ARE BEING SOUGHT.
THOSE SERVICE
RESPONSES ARE
HONG KONG,
ADDRESSING THE GERMAN BUSINESS ASSOCIATION IN
MACLEOD ALSO GAVE DETAILS OF THE NEW LEGISLATIVE INITIATIVES B >. ■ STUDIED BY THE GOVERNMENT ON ALL LOCAL INTELLECTUAL rT^’ .-FT LAWS.
"AT PRESENT, IN HONG KONG, IT TRADEMARKS FOR GOODS.
IS ONLY POSSIBLE TO REGISTER
/"THE AMENDMENT,
MONDAY, NOVEMBER 28, 1988
- 9
"THE AMENDMENT, IF APPROVED, WILL PROVIDE THE RAPIDLY GROWING SERVICE SECTORS WITH PROTECTION THAT IS MUCH CHEAPER AND EFFECTIVE THAN THE EXISTING COMMON LAW ACTION FOR ’PASSING OFF'," HE SAID.
MR MACLEOD SAID HE HOPED THAT THE RELEVANT BILL WOULD BE ENACTED SO THAT IT WOULD COME INTO EFFECT IN 1990.
HE ALSO SAID THAT THE GOVERNMENT WAS CONDUCTING A WIDE-RANGING REVIEW OF ALL LOCAL INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY LAWS, WITH THE INTENTION TO "LOCALISE" THE UNITED KINGDOM LEGISLATION, UPDATE AND MODERNISE THE "LOCALISED" LAW AND TO ENACT LOCAL ORDINANCES TO COVER AREAS OF INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY LAW THAT HAD NEVER HAD EFFECT IN HONG KONG.
MR MACLEOD SAID THAT TWO LAW REFORM COMMISSION SUB-COMMITTEES WOULD SUBMIT REPORTS RESPECTIVELY ON COPYRIGHT (INCLUDING ASPECTS OF DESIGN LAW) AND ON WHETHER THE EXISTING COMMON LAW RELATING TO "BREACH OF CONFIDENCE" SHOULD BE REPLACED BY A STATUTORY ORDINANCE CODIFYING THE COMMON LAW.
"ANOTHER MAJOR INITIATIVE IS THAT A PATENT STEERING COMMITTEE, COMPRISING PRIVATE SECTOR PRACTITIONERS AND GOVERNMENT REPRESENTATIVES, HAS BEEN STUDYING HONG KONG’S FUTURE PATENT NEEDS FOR NEARLY TWO YEARS, AND INTENDS TO ISSUE ITS REPORT IN THE SPRING OF NEXT YEAR," HE SAID.
HE SAID THE GOVERNMENT WAS AT PRESENT HANDLING A PROPOSAL FOR THE INTRODUCTION OF A NEW FORM OF INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY - TO PROTECT INTEGRATED CIRCUITS - OTHERWISE KNOWN AS CHIPS OR SEMICONDUCTOR CHIPS.
MR MACLEOD SAID THAT IN THE VARIOUS LEGISLATIVE REVIEW EXERCISES WHICH WERE BEING UNDERTAKEN, THE GOVERNMENT MUST ENSURE THAT IT FULFILLED ITS INTERNATIONAL OBLIGATIONS.
"WE INTEND TO PROVIDE EFFECTIVE PROTECTION FOR THE LEGITIMATE RIGHTS OF INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY OWNERS, WHILE ENSURING THAT THE RIGHTS OF COMPETITORS AND CONSUMERS ARE NOT OPPRESSED," HE SAID, ADDING THAT THE LEGISLATION SHOULD BE AS CLEAR AND SIMPLE AS POSSIBLE.
THE PROTECTION OFFERED SHOULD PROVIDE A HIGH DEGREE OF CERTAINTY AND SHOULD CAUSE AS LITTLE A DRAIN AS POSSIBLE ON THE PUBLIC PURSE AND THE PRIVATE PURSE, HE ADDED.
- 0 -
/10
MONDAY, NOVEMBER 28, 1988
10 -
RECEPTION FOR OUTSTANDING YOUNG PERSONS *****
I atyv WTTqfiM HOSTED A RECEPTION AT GOVERNMENT HOUSE TODAY (MONDAY) FOR ABOUT 150 OUTSTANDING YOUNG PERSONS COMPRISING MUSICIANS, DANCERS, ARTISTS AND SPORTSMEN.
THE RECEPTION WAS GIVEN IN APPRECIATION OF THE >OI..NG . ERS JNS ACHIEVEMENTS.
THEY WERE MAINLY MEMBERS OF THE ”^10 OFFICE’S ORCHESTRAS, STUDENTS OF THE HONG KONG ACADEMY FOR PERFORMING ARTS AND REPRESENTATIVES OF AMATEUR SPORTS ASSOCIATIONS.
AS THE RECEPTIONS BEGAN, ROSSINI’S "SONATA FOR STRINGS" WAS PLAYED BY THE MUSIC OFFICE’S YOUTH STRING ORCHESTRA.
IN
i adv WII SON THEN MET HER GUESTS AND PRAISED THEM FOR THEIR GOOD PERFORMANCES IN OPEN COMPETITIONS IN THEIR RESPECTIVE FILE
RECENT YEARS.
ACCOMPANYING HER WAS THE SECRETARY FOR MUNICIPAL SERVICES, AUGUSTINE CHUI, AND THE DEPUTY SECRETARY (RECREATION AND CULTU ), CLIVE OXLEY.
MR
MR
ALSO ATTENDING THE RECEPTION WERE THE ^JJJCIPAL^ASSISTANT
PRINCIPAL ASSISTANT SECRETARY (CULTURE), MRS R.M. CARTLAND.
0 - -
ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION WITH THE ELDERLY » » * * *
THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT WILL ORGANISE AN ENTERTAINING FUNCTION ON WEDNESDAY (NOVEMBER 30) TO SHARE JOY WITH OVER 1,400 SENIOR CITIZENS IN CELEBRATION OF ITS 30TH ANNIVERSARY.
THE FUNCTION, "CELEBRATING THE 30TH ANNIVERSARY WITH THE ELDERLY", IS FUNDED BY THE HEART-TO-HEART FUND AND THE KWAN FONG CHARITABLE FUND.
THERE WILL BE A VARIETY SHOW AT SHA TIN TOWN HALL FEATURING CANTONESE OPERA PERFORMANCES BY RENOWNED ARTISTS AS WELL AS SINGING AND DANCING BY THE SHA TIN JUNIOR POLICE CALL.
REPRESENTATIVES FROM EACH OF THE DEPARTMENT’S FOUR OPERATIONAL REGIONS WILL ALSO TAKE PART.
/A BANQUET
MONDAY, NOVEMBER 28, 1988
11
1 BANQUET FOR SOME SOO ELDERLY PEOPLE WILL BE HELD AT A RESTAURANT IN SHA TIN IN THE EVENING.
AN OPENING CEREMONY FOR THE VARIETY SHOW WILL BEGIN AT 2.30 PM.
OFFICIATING WILL BE THE DIRECTOR OF SOCIAL WELFARE, MRS ELIZABETH WONG; ONE OF THE FOUNDERS OF THE HEART-TO-HEART FUND, MR H.A. RAZACK; THE CHIEF POLICE COMMUNITY RELATIONS OFFICER, MR LAU CHUN-SING; AND THE TWO CO-FOUNDERS OF THE KWAN FONG CHARITABLE FUND, MRS KATIE YANG AND MRS MARIA LEE.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE VARIETY SHOW FOR THE ELDERLY ORGANISED BY THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT AT THE SHA—TIN TOWN ,HALL ON WEDNESDAY (NOVEMBER^BO}. THE OPENING CEREMONY WILL BEGIN AT 2.30 PM .
------0--------
SAI KUNG BLOOD DONATION EXERCISE TOMORROW
*****
RESIDENTS IN SAI KUNG DISTRICT WILL TAKE PART IN A BLOOD DONATION EXERCISE TOMORROW (TUESDAY) AT THE SAI KUNG JOCKEY CLUB TOWN HALL.
THE EXERCISE HAS BEEN ORGANISED UNDER THE SAI KUNG DISTRICT CIVIC EDUCATION CAMPAIGN TO AROUSE RESIDENTS’ AWARENESS OF THEIR CIVIC RIGHTS AND DUTIES, AND TO DEVELOP THEIR SENSE OF BELONGING TO THE DISTRICT.
RESIDENTS WILL BE ABLE TO DONATE BLOOD TO THE HONG KONG RED CROSS BLOOD TRANSFUSION SERVICE FROM 3 PM TO 8.30 PM, AT THE TOWN HALL.
THE SAI KUNG DISTRICT OFFICER, MR CHRISTOPHER MUNN; DISTRICT BOARD CHAIRMAN, MR WILLIAM WAN; AND THE CHAIRMAN OF THE DISTRICT’S CIVIC EDUCATION PROMOTION COMMITTEE, MRS ANITA CHAN; WILL OFFICIATE AT A CEREMONY TO MARK THE BEGINNING OF THE EXERCISE.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE OPENING CEREMONY7 OF THE SAI KUNG DISTRICT’S BLOOD DONATION EXERCISE TOMORROW (TUESDAY) AT THE SAI KUNG JOCKEY CLUB TOWN HALL, PO TUNG ROAD, SAI KUNG TOWN THE CEREMONY WILL BEGIN AT 3 PM.
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/12
MONDAY, NOVEMBER 28, 1988
12 -
DB COMMITTEE TO DISCUSS HOLIDAY FLATS MANAGEMENT » ♦ * * »
THE ISLANDS DISTRICT’S TOURISM DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE WILL DISCUSS MEASURES PROPOSED TO IMPROVE THE MANAGEMENT OF HOLIDAY FLATS IN THE DISTRICT AT ITS’MEETING TOMORROW (TUESDAY).
MEMBERS WILL GIVE THEIR VIEWS ON THE SELF-REGULATORY RULES DISCUSSED AT MEETINGS HELD EARLIER BETWEEN THE GOVERNMENT AND HOLIDAY FLAT OWNERS.
A PROPOSAL FOR SETTING UP A MINI-FOLK MUSEUM IN THE ISLANDS DISTRICT AND THE PRESERVATION OF THE ROCK INSCRIPTIONS AT TAI SHEK HAU ON CHEUNG CHAU WILL ALSO BE DISCUSSED.
MEMBERS WILL ALSO BE BRIEFED ON PROGRESS IN PRINTING A PAMPHLET TO PROMOTE TOURISM IN THE DISTRICT AND IN PREPARING TOURIST MAP BOARDS.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE ISLANDS DISTRICT BOARD’S TOURISM DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE MEETING TO BE HELD TOMORROW (TUESDAY) IN THE CONFERENCE ROOM OF THE ISLANDS DISTRICT OFFICE, 20TH FLOOR, HARBOUR BUILDING, 38 PIER ROAD, CENTRAL. THE MEETING WILL BEGIN AT 2 PM.
--------------(j -----------------
ANTI-SMOKING ACTIVITIES ON AGENDA ♦ ♦ * * *
THE COMMUNITY BUILDING COMMITTEE OF THE MONG KOK DISTRICT BOARD WILL DISCUSS AT A MEETING TOMORROW (TUESDAY) PROPOSED JOINT ANTI-SMOKING ACTIVITIES BY THE DISTRICT BOARD AND THE HONG KONG COUNCIL ON SMOKING AND HEALTH.
COMMITTEE MEMBERS WILL ALSO GIVE THEIR VIEWS ON A PROPOSAL THAT A CONTEMPORARY CHINESE PAINTING EXHIBITION BE HELD NEXT JANUARY.
/IN ADDITION
MONDAY, NOVEMBER 28, 1988
- 13 -
IN ADDITION, MEMBERS WILL DISCUSS THE ALLOCATION OF $20,000 IN DISTRICT BOARD FUNDS FOR A NEW YEAR’S EVE DANCE; $6,950 FOR THE SYCAMORE ART GALLERY DEVELOPMENT WORKING GROUP FOR ORGANISING A MONG KOK DISTRICT DRAWING COMPETITION AND EXHIBITION; AND $4,500 FOR PUBLICISING SIX MATINEE CONCERTS IN THE DISTRICT.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
MEDIA REPRESENTATIVES ARE INVITED TO COVER THE MEETING OF THE COMMUNITY BUILDING COMMITTEE OF THE MONG KOK DISTRICT BOARD TO BE HELD TOMORROW (TUESDAY) IN THE CONFERENCE ROOM OF MONG KOK DISTRICT OFFICE, FIRST FLOOR, 157 PRINCE EDWARD ROAD, KOWLOON. THE MEETING WILL BEGIN AT 2.30 PM.
------O--------
KWUN TONG DB COMMITTEE TO DISCUSS CELEBRATIONS
*****
THE KWUN TONG DISTRICT BOARD’S FINANCE AND ADMINISTRATION COMMITTEE WILL, AT ITS MEETING TOMORROW (TUESDAY), DISCUSS A PROPOSAL THAT IT ORGANISE VARIOUS ACTIVITIES TO CELEBRATE THE LUNAR NEW YEAR.
IT HAS BECOME A TRADITION FOR THE BOARD TO ORGANISE SUCH ACTIVITIES DURING THE LUNAR NEW YEAR PERIOD, WITH THE AIM OF PROMOTING ITS IMAGE AND FOSTERING PUBLIC AWARENESS OF THE DISTRICT ADMINISTRATION SCHEME.
MEMBERS WILL BE ASKED TO ENDORSE THE ALLOCATION OF FUNDS AND THE SETTING UP OF A WORKING GROUP TO IMPLEMENT THE PROJECT.
THEY WILL ALSO CONSIDER A PROPOSAL FOR ORGANISING VISITS BY A GROUP OF CAROL SINGERS TO THE AGED AND THE NEEDY DURING CHRISTMAS TO SHOW CARE AND CONCERN.
IN ADDITION, THE MEETING WILL BE ASKED TO ENDORSE A SET OF REVISED WORKING PROCEDURES TO FACILITATE THE FUTURE OPERATION OF THE ’’MEET THE PUBLIC SCHEME”.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE KWUN TONG DISTRICT BOARD’S FINANCE AND ADMINISTRATION COMMITTEE MEETING, BEGINNING AT 2.30 PM TOMORROW (TUESDAY) IN THE CONFERENCE ROOM ON THE THIRD FLOOR OF THE KWUN TONG DISTRICT BRANCH OFFICES BUILDING, Tl G VAN STREET.
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/14........
MONDAY, NOVEMBER 28, 1988
- 14 -
SPECIAL REVIEW ARTICLE ON TRANSPORT SECTOR * * * * *
THE SEPTEMBER ISSUE OF THE HONG KONG MONTHLY DIGEST OF STATISTICS CONTAINS A SPECIAL REVIEW ARTICLE ENTITLED "A REVIEW OF THE TRANSPORT SECTOR".
THIS ARTICLE ANALYSES THE STRUCTURE AND PERFORMANCE OF THE TRANSPORT SECTOR FOR THE PERIOD 1981 TO 1986 USING INFORMATION OBTAINED FROM THE ANNUAL SURVEY OF TRANSPORT AND RELATED SERVICES CONDUCTED BY THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT FOR THOSE YEARS.
THE TRANSPORT SECTOR COVERS ALL TRANSPORT ESTABLISHMENTS IN HONG KONG, INCLUDING THOSE ENGAGED IN LAND, SEA OR AIR TRANSPORT AND ALSO THOSE ENGAGED IN SUCH TRANSPORT-RELATED SERVICES AS TRAVEL AGENTS AND CARGO FORWARDING.
HOWEVER, OWING TO THE LACK OF COMPREHENSIVE RECORDS, THE FOLLOWING TYPES OF TRANSPORT ACTIVITIES ARE EXCLUDED: NON-OWNER OPERATORS OF TAXIS AND PUBLIC LIGHT BUSES, RICKSHAWS, AND SAMPANS.
INDIVIDUAL TRANSPORT LABOURERS AND TEMPORARY PARKING LOTS WITH NO BUSINESS REGISTRATION ARE ALSO EXCLUDED.
THE HONG KONG MONTHLY DIGEST OF STATISTICS IS NOW ON SALE AT $30 PER COPY. PURCHASES MAY BE MADE AT THE GOVERNMENT PUBLICATIONS CENTRE, GENERAL POST OFFICE BUILDING, CONNAUGHT PLACE, HONG KONG.
--------0----------
WATER STORAGE FIGURE *****
A_ STORAGE IN HONG KONG’S RESERVOIRS AT 9 AM TODAY (MONDAY) STOOD AT 40.9 PER CENT OF CAPACITY OR 239.454 MILLION CUBIC METRES.
THIS TIME LAST YEAR THE RESERVOIRS CONTAINED 376.726 MILLION CUBIC METRES OF WATER, REPRESENTING 64.3 PER CENT OF CAPACITY.
- 0----------
/15
MONDAY, NOVEMBER 28, 1988
- 15 -
FRESH WATER CUTS IN TWO NT AREAS
*****
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE WATER SUPPLIES DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCED THE FOLLOWING INTERRUPTIONS TO FRESH WATER SUPPLY TO TWO NEW TERRITORIES AREAS OWING TO WATER WORKS:
♦ THE SUPPLY TO ALL PREMISES IN SHAM TSENG AND TS1NG LUNG TAU INCLUDING THE SECTION OF CASTLE PEAK ROAD BETWEEN SHAM TSZ STREET, SHAM TSENG AND 95 CASTLE PEAK ROAD, TSING LUNG TAU, WILL BE CUT OFF FROM 11 PM TOMORROW (TUESDAY) TO 7 AM THE NEXT DAY.
* THE SUPPLY TO TONG HANG VILLAGE IN FANLING WILL BE SUSPENDED FROM 9 PM TOMORROW (TUESDAY) TO 6 AM THE NEXT DAY.
--------0----------
SECTION FARES FOR NT GMB ROUTE 71 REVISED
*****
THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCED THAT THE SECTION FARES FOR GMB ROUTE 71 PLYING BETWEEN YUEN LONG AND SHEK WU TONG (HO PUI TSUEN) WILL BE REVISED FROM THURSDAY (DECEMBER J).
THE SECTION FARES BETWEEN SHEK WU TONG (TIN SAM TSUEN) AND KAM TIN, AND BETWEEN KAM TIN AND YUEN LONG WILL BE INCREASED FROM $1.50 TO $2.
THE SECTION FARE BETWEEN SHEK WU TONG (TIN SAM TSUEN) AND YUEN LONG WILL ALSO BE INCREASED FROM $2 TO $2.50.
HOWEVER, THE FARE FOR THE WHOLE JOURNEY WILL REMAIN UNCHANGED AT $3.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE DEPARTMENT SAID THE SECTION FARE INCREASES WERE APPROVED IN VIEW OF THE OPERATOR’S CONTINUING EFFORTS TO IMPROVE THE SERVICE AND MODERNISE THE VEHICLE FLEET.
-------0----------
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE. HONG KONG. TEL: 5-8428777
TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 29, 1988
CONTENTS PaGE NO.
FOUR GOVERNMENT LOTS SOLD FOR OVER ]>8OO MILLION .......... 1
CONTRACT FOR BUILDING TUNNEL APPROACHES SIGNED ............ 2
MONETARY STATISTICS FOR OCTOBER 1988 PUBLISHED ............ J
EXTENSION OF LIVESTOCK WASTE CONTROL SCHEME ............... 6
NINE QUESTIONS, FOUR BILLS ON LEGCO AGENDA ................ 6
FIRST COUNTRY PARK CYCLING SITE TO BE OPENED............... 7
TEN PERFORMING ARTS ORGANISATIONS RECEIVE GRANTS........... 8
550 MILLION AMS HEADQUARTERS BUILDING ..................... 8
NOMINATIONS INVITED FOR FIGHT CRIME AWARD SCHEME .......... 9
DISTRICT FIGHT CRIME AND ANTI-NARCOTICS TV SPECTACULAR .... 10
DISCUSSION ON NEW COMMITTEE FOR KWAI TSING DB ............. 10
STUDENTS ATTEND CIVIC EDUCATION TALK ...................... 11
FIGHT CRIME SINGING CONTEST THIS SUNDAY.................... 12
LAM TIN SUB-DISTRICT OFFICE MOVES TO NEW PREMISES.......... 12
EXPORT STATISTICS RE-CLASSIFIED BY INDUSTRIAL ORIGIN ...... 13
SITE FORMATION FOR LAI KING FIRE STATION .................. 16
TEMPORARY ROAD CLOSURE IN WONG TAI SIN..................... 16
NIGHT CLOSURE OF ROAD TY*+, TSING YI ...................... 16
LEFT-TURN AND HEAVY VEHICLE BANS .......................... 17
TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 29, 1988
1
FOUR GOVERNMENT LOTS SOLD FOR OVER $800 MILLION ♦ ♦ ♦ * ♦
FOUR GOVERNMENT LOTS WERE SOLD AT A PUBLIC AUCTION TODAY (TUESDAY) FOR A TOTAL REALISED PREMIUM OF $802.5 MILLION.
ONE OF THE LOTS IS LOCATED AT HOI BUN ROAD IN KWUN TONG, AND IS FOR NON-INDUSTRIAL PURPOSES INCLUDING A MULTI-PURPOSE CAR PARK, BUT EXCLUDING RESIDENTIAL, HOTEL AND GODOWN.
THE AREA IS ABOUT 4,500 SQUARE METRES. THE DEVELOPER IS REQUIRED TO COMPLETE NOT LESS THAN 29,000 SQUARE METRES OF GROSS FLOOR AREA ON THE SITE BEFORE DECEMBER 31, 1992.
BIDDING STARTED AT $120 MILLION AND THE LOT WAS SOLD TO OLINDA LIMITED FOR $420 MILLION.
THE SECOND LOT IS AT BAILEY STREET IN HUNG HOM.
MEASURING ABOUT 2,472 SQUARE METRES IN AREA, THE LOT IS FOR NON-INDUSTRIAL PURPOSES EXCLUDING GODOWN AND HOTEL.
THE DEVELOPER HAS TO COMPLETE A GROSS FLOOR AREA OF NOT LESS THAN 10,600 SQUARE METRES BEFORE DECEMBER 31, 1991.
BIDDING FOR THIS LOT STARTED AT $80 MILLION AND WAS SOLD TO SI DAK INVESTMENT LTD FOR $196 MILLION.
THE THIRD LOT, WHICH IS FOR PRIVATE RESIDENTIAL PURPOSES, IS LOCATED AT TAT CHEE AVENUE, YAU YAT CHUEN.
THE AREA OF THE LOT IS ABOUT 4,250 SQUARE METRES, AND THE DEVELOPER IS REQUIRED TO COMPLETE NOT LESS THAN 5,400 SQUARE METRES OF GROSS FLOOR AREA BEFORE DECEMBER 31, 1992.
BIDDING STARTED AT $80 MILLION AND WAS BOUGHT BY EVER GREAT DEVELOPMENT LTD FOR $156 MILLION.
THE LAST LOT IS IN THE TUNG TAU INDUSTRIAL AREA IN YUEN LONG.
WITH AN AREA OF ABOUT 1,735 SQUARE METRES, THE LOT IS FOR INDUSTRIAL AND/OR GODOWN PURPOSES EXCLUDING OFFENSIVE TRADE.
THE BUILDING CONVENANT STIPULATES THAT THE DEVELOPER HAS TO COMPLETE A GROSS FLOOR AREA OF NOT LESS THAN 8,328 SQUARE METRES BEFORE DECEMBER 31, 1992.
RIDDING STARTED AT $15. MILLION AND THE SITE WAS SOLD TO MAIN CROWN INVESTMENT LTD FOR $30.5 MILLION.
THE AUCTION TOOK PLACE AT THE SHOUSON THEATRE OF THE HONG KONG ARTS CENTRE AND WAS CONDUCTED BY GOVERNMENT LAND AGENT, MR NIGEL BURLEY.
- - O -
TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 29, 1988
- 2 -
CONTRACT FOR BUILDING TUNNEL APPROACHES SIGNED
*****
THE GOVERNMENT HAS AWARDED A $488 MILLION CONTRACT FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF TATE’S CAIRN TUNNEL APPROACHES AND PRINCE EDWARD ROAD INTERCHANGE.
THE CONTRACT WAS SIGNED TODAY (TUESDAY) BY THE DIRECTOR OF HIGHWAYS, MR HAROLD BEATON, AND REPRESENTATIVES OF THE PAUL Y CONSTRUCTION COMPANY/SOGEA JOINT VENTURE, MR R.J. BLAKE AND MR JACQUES HUILLARD.
THE PROJECT WILL MAINLY INVOLVE THE BUILDING OF AN ELEVATED ROAD LINKING THE TATE’S CAIRN TUNNEL SOUTHERN APPROACH ROAD AT DIAMOND HILL AND THE KWUN TONG BYPASS NEAR RICHLAND GARDENS IN KOWLOON BAY. t
IT WILL ALSO PROVIDE AN INTERCHANGE WITH PRINCE EDWARD ROAD, KWUN TONG ROAD AND LUNG CHEUNG ROAD.
THIS NEW SECTION OF ROAD WILL FORM A VITAL LINK IN THE FUTURE ROUTE 6 CONNECTING THE EASTERN HARBOUR CROSSING, THROUGH THE TATE’S CAIRN TUNNEL WITH TOLO HIGHWAY AND THE NEW TERRITORIES.
CONSTRUCTION WORKS WILL START EARLY NEXT MONTH AND WILL BE COMPLETED IN MAY, 1991 BEFORE THE OPENING OF THE TATE’S CAIRN TUNNEL IN AUGUST THE SAME YEAR.
INNOVATIVE COVERS WILL BE BUILT OVER PART OF THE ELEVATED HIGHWAYS RUNNING BY CHOI HUNG ESTATE AND RICHLAND GARDENS TO REDUCE TRAFFIC NOISE.
TO FACILITATE THE CONSTRUCTION OF THE MAIN ELEVATED ROAD, THE CHOI HUNG BUS TERMINUS WILL BE RESITED TEMPORARILY IN AN AREA INSIDE BLACKDOWN BARRACKS.
THE PROJECT HAS BEEN DESIGNED BY MOTT, HAY AND ANDERSON HONG KONG FOR THE HIGHWAYS DEPARTMENT AND THE FIRM WILL ALSO SUPERVISE CONSTRUCT ION.
-------o ---------
TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 29, 1988
3
MONETARY STATISTICS FOR OCTOBER 1988 PUBLISHED ♦ » ♦ » »
HONG KONG DOLLAR DEPOSITS REGISTERED
IN OCTOBER COMPARED WITH SEPTEMBER, AND ALSO GREW DURING THE MONTH, ACCORDING TO (TUESDAY) BY THE MONETARY AFFAIRS BRANCH.
A CONSIDERABLE
FOREIGN STATISTICS
CURRENCY
INCREASE
DEPOSITS
PUBLISHED TODAY
REFLECTING THE SUBSTANTIAL INCREASE IN HONG KONG DOLLAR DEI OS IPS, HONG KONG DOLLAR MONEY SUPPLY ON ALL DEFINITIONS GREW MORF RAPIDLY IN OCTOBER THAN IN SEPTEMBER.
TOTAL LOANS AND ADVANCES EXTENDED BY AUTHORISED INSTITUTIONS INCREASED IN OCTOBER COMPARED WITH THE PRECEDING MONTH.
THE GROWTH RATES OF MAJOR CATEGORIES OF LOANS TO FINANCE VISIBLE TRADE, THOSE FOR USE IN HONG USE OFFSHORE ALL PICKED UP DURING THE MONTH.
INCLUDING
KONG AND THOSE
THOSE FOR
THE ACCOMPANYING TABLE SETS OUT SUMMARY 1988 AND COMPARISONS WITH EARLIER MONTHS.
FIGURES FOR OCTOBER
DEPOSITS
HONG KONG DOLLAR DEPOSITS WITH AUTHORISED 4.5 PFR CENT IN OCTOBER FOLLOWING A DECLINE OF 0. AND AN INCREASE OF 0.4 PER CENT IN SEPTEMBER.
DEMAND AND SAVINGS DEPOSITS BOTH INCREASED BY TIME DEPOSITS ROSE BY 4.1 PER CENT. DURING
INSTITUTIONS ROSE BY 4 PER CENT IN AUGUST OF THESE DEPOSITS,
OCTOBER 1988,
4.9 PER CENT, WHILE THE 12 MONTHS ENDING TOTAL HONG KONG DOLLAR DEPOSITS GREW BY 13.4 PER CENT.
FOREIGN CURRENCY DEPOSITS WITH AUTHORISED INSTITUTIONS GREW BY 1.8 PER CENT IN OCTOBER FOLLOWING INCREASES OF 1.1 PER CENT AND 2.2 PER CENT IN AUGUST AND SEPTEMBER RESPECTIVELY. OF THESE DEPOSITS, U.S.
DEP?SITS ROSE BY 1.2 PER CENT WHILE NON-U.S. DOLLAR
CURRENCY
GREW BY 2.6 PER CENT. OVER THE YEAR, TOTAL FOREIGN ROSE BY 24.9 PER CENT.
DEPOSITS
DEPOSITS
FOREIGN CURRENCY SWAP DEPOSITS INCREASED BY OCTOBER, AFTER INCREASES OF 7.3 PER CENT AND 3.3 PER
AND SEPTEMBER RESPECTIVELY. ADJUSTED KONG DOLLAR DEPOSITS GREW BY 4.4 PER CENT OVER THE YEAR.
3.5 PER CENT IN
TO INCLUDE THESE DEPOSITS, CENT IN OCTOBER AND BY 13.8
CENT IN
AUGUST
HONG PER
ON THE OTHER HAND, FOREIGN
EXCLUDE SWAP DEPOSITS,
25.7 PER CENT OVER THE YEAR.
INCREASED BY 1.6 PER CENT
CURRENCY DEPOSITS, ADJUSTED
IN OCTOBER
AND
TO BY
DEPOSITS OF ALL CURRENCIES WITH BANKS GREW BY 3.3 PER
OCTOBER WHILE THOSE WITH DEPOSIT-TAKING COMPANIES FELL
BY
CENT. DURING THE 12 MONTHS ENDING OCTOBER 1988, THE FORMER 22.5 PER CENT WHILE THE LATTER DECLINED BY 4.5 PER CENT.
CENT 1.7
ROSE
IN PER
BY
/Money supply
TUESDAY, NOVIMBER 29, 1988
- 4
MONEY SUPPLY
HK$M1, HK$M2 AND HK$M3 GREW BY 3.6 PER CENT, 4.5 PER CENT AND 4.1 PER CENT RESPECTIVELY IN OCTOBER. THESE COMPARED WITH CORRESPONDING GROWTH RATES OF 1.6 PER CENT, 0.8 PER CENT AND 0.6 PER CENT IN SEPTEMBER. DURING THE 12 MONTHS ENDING OCTOBER, HK$M1, HK$M2 AND HK$M3 GREW BY 17.3 PER CENT, 18 PER CENT AND 15.1 PER CENT RESPECTIVELY.
ADJUSTED TO TAKE ACCOUNT OF SWAP DEPOSITS, HK$M2 GREW BY 4.4 PER CENT WHILE HK$M3 ROSE BY 4.1 PER CENT IN OCTOBER. OVER THE YEAR, THEIR CORRESPONDING GROWTH RATES WERE 17.9 PER CENT AND 15.3 PER CENT.
TOTAL Ml, M2 AND M3 GREW BY 2.9 PER CENT, 3.2 PER CENT AND 2.8 PER CENT RESPECTIVELY IN OCTOBER. THEIR CORRESPONDING GROWTH RATES IN SEPTEMBER WERE 1.5 PER CENT, 1.8 PER CENT AND 1.6 PER CENT. DURING THE 12 MONTHS ENDING OCTOBER, TOTAL Ml GREW BY 17.9 PER CENT, TOTAL M2 BY 23 PER CENT AND TOTAL M3 BY 20 PER CENT.
LOANS AND ADVANCES
TOTAL OUTSTANDING LOANS AND ADVANCES EXTENDED BY BANKS AND DEPOSIT-TAKING COMPANIES GREW BY 3.1 PER CENT IN OCTOBER, COMPARED WITH INCREASES OF 3.5 PER CENT AND 3 PER CENT IN AUGUST AND SEPTEMBER RESPECTIVELY.
OF THE TOTAL OUTSTANDING LOANS, THOSE DENOMINATED IN HONG KONG DOLLARS GREW BY 2.3 PER CENT, WHILE THOSE DENOMINATED IN FOREIGN CURRENCIES GREW BY 3.6 PER CENT.
LOANS TO FINANCE VISIBLE TRADE OF HONG KONG GREW BY 3.5 PER CENT IN OCTOBER, COMPARED WITH INCREASES OF 1.4 PER CENT AND 0.6 PER CENT IN AUGUST AND SEPTEMBER RESPECTIVELY; OVER THE YEAR, THESE LOANS GREW BY 26.9 PER CENT.
OTHER LOANS FOR USE IN HONG KONG GREW BY 3.3 PER CENT IN OCTOBER FOLLOWING GROWTH RATES OF 1.8 PER CENT AND 2.1 PER CENT IN AUGUST AND SEPTEMBER RESPECTIVELY. OVER THE YEAR, THESE LOANS GREW BY 24.3 PER CENT.
LOANS FOR USE OUTSIDE HONG KONG INCREASED BY 2.8 PER CENT IN OCTOBER, AFTER INCREASES OF 6.2 PER CENT AND 2.2 PER CENT IN AUGUST AND SEPTEMBER RESPECTIVELY. OVER THE YEAR, THESE LOANS GREW BY 40.9 PER CENT.
NUMBER OF REPORTING INSTITUTIONS
THE NUMBERS OF REPORTING LICENSED BANKS, LICENSED DEPOSIT-TAKING COMPANIES AND REGISTERED DEPOSIT-TAKING COMPANIES REMAINED UNCHANGED AT 158, 36 AND 219 RESPECTIVELY.
/Monetary statistics .......
5
TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 29, 1988
MONETARY STATISTICS - OCTOBER ,rrD
Oct 1988 Earlier months
(X change to October 1988)
Money Supply Sep 1988 Jul 1988 Oct 1987
Ml - HK$ 77,725 75,009 ( 3.6 X) 73,188 ( 6.2 X) 66,279 ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( 17.3 X)
Foreign currency 9,169 9,409 ( >2.6 %) 8,863 ( 3.5 X) 7,416 23.6 X)
Total M2 - HK3 86,894 84,418 ( 2.9 X) 82,051 ( 5.9 X) 73,694 17.9 X)
339,175 324,671 ( 4.5 X) 323,217 ( 4.9 X) 287,356 18.0 X)
Foreign currency 443,509 433.681 ( 2.3 X) 418,010 ( 6.1 X) 349,216 27.0 X)
Total 782,684 7f ».352 ( 3.2 X) 741,227 ( 5.6 X) 636.571 23.0 X )
M3 372,052 357.261 ( 4.1 X) 356,457 ( 4 . 4 X) 323,380 1 5 1 X)
Foreign currency 474,442 465,925 ( 1.8 x.) 450,064 ( 5.4 X) 382,139 24.2 X)
Total 846,494 823.186 ( 2.8 X) 806,521 ( 5.0 X) 705.519 20.0 X)
Notes and coins in circulation 31,895 31.549 ( 1 . 1 X) 30.977 ( ( 3.0 X) 26.342 23.021 ( 5* 1 1
of which held by public 27,931 27,563 ( 1.3 X) 27,213 2.6 %) ( 21.3 * / X)
Total Deposits
Total Demand deposits Total Savings deposits 58,963 167,572 56.855 162,590 ( ( 3.7 3. 1 X) X) 54,638 168,740 ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( 7.5 -0.7 X) X) 50.674 146,069 407 337 ( / 16.4 1 4 7 X) X)
Total Time deposits with banks 513,495 496,856 ( 3.3 %) 477,123 7.6 X) (
Total Time deposits with dtcs HK$ deposits USS deposits Other foreign currency deposits All deposits 61,712 332,139 250,901 218,701 801,741 62,781 317,813 248,013 213,256 779,062 ( ( ( ( ( -1.7 4.5 1.2 2.6 2.9 %) X) %) X) X) 63,402 317.819 237,791 208,492 764.102 -2.7 4.5 5.5 4.9 4.9 X) X) X) X) X) 64,646 292,880 229.173 146,673 668.726 ( ( ( ( ( -4.5 13.4 9.5 49 1 19.9 * 1 X) X) X) X) %)
Foreign currency swap deposits 40,920 39,527 ( 3.5 X) 35,662 ( 14.7 X) 34,912 ( 17.2 X)
Total Loans and advances
To finance H.K.’s visible trade 54,849 53,010 ( 3.5 X) 51.959 ( 5.6 X 1 43,230 6.721 ( p Q * I
To finance merchandising trade not touching H.K. 6.424 6.719 ( "4.4 X) 5,464 ( 17.6 X) ( -4.4 * J X)
Other loans for use in H.K. Other loans for use outside H.K. Other loans where the place of use is not known 431,754 363,648 66,820 418,022 353,784 64,430 ( ( ( 3.3 2.8 3.7 X) %) X) 402,034 325,953 54,616 ( ( ( 7.4 11.6 22.3 X) X) X) 347,481 258,153 54,020 ( ( ( 24.3 40.9 23.7 X) X) X)
Loans in HK$ Loans in foreign currencies Total loans and advances 381,183 542,313 923,496 372,506 523,460 695,966 ( ( ( 2.3 3.6 3.1 X) X) X) 356,373 483.653 840,026 ( ( ( 7.0 12.1 9.9 X) X) X) 312,607 396,998 709,605 ( ( ( 21.9 36.6 30. 1 X) X) X)
— 0 - * * * /6
TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 29, 1988
6
EXTENSION OF LIVESTOCK WASTE CONTROL SCHEME ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ *
THE LIVESTOCK WASTE CONTROL SCHEME WILL BE IMPLEMENTED IN THE SECOND BATCH OF CONTROL AREAS INCLUDING THE RIVER INDUS AREA, UPPER SHENZHEN RIVER, TSUEN WAN ENVIRONS, LIU TO VILLAGE AND ENVIRONS, AND TAI LAM CHUNG AREA ON JANUARY 1 NEXT YEAR AS SCHEDULED.
A LANDS AND WORKS BRANCH SPOKEMAN SAID TODAY (TUESDAY) THAT IN RESPONSE TO A REQUEST BY FARMERS AND TO REDUCE THE POLLUTION CAUSED BY LIVESTOCK WASTE, FARMERS IN THESE AREAS WHO WISH TO CEASE BUSINESS MAY APPLY FOR EX-GRATIA ALLOWANCES FROM JANUARY 1.
ALSO, THOSE WHO WISH TO CONTINUE IN BUSINESS MAY SEEK TECHNICAL ADVICE FROM THE ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION DEPARTMENT AND APPLY FOR CAPITAL GRANTS AND LOANS TO INSTALL THE NECESSARY TREATMENT FACI LITIES.
HOWEVER, THE SPOKESMAN SAID THE DEMONSTRATION PROJECTS ON PRIVATE FARMS, WHICH AIM TO ASSESS THE TECHNICAL VIABILITY AND ECONOMIC ASPECTS OF WASTE TREATMENT METHODS UNDER PRIVATE FARM CONDITIONS, WILL NOT BE COMPLETED UNTIL NEXT MAY.
IN ACCORDANCE WITH AN AGREEMENT MADE BETWEEN THE GOVERNMENT AND THE FARMERS, NO PROSECUTION ACTION WILL THEREFORE BE TAKEN UNTIL THE REVIEW OF THE PROJECT IS COMPLETED.
BUT ENFORCEMENT ACTION WILL BE TAKEN AGAINST ANY FARMERS WHO RESUME BUSINESS AFTER ACCEPTANCE: OF EX-GRATIA ALLOWANCES, UNLESS THEY COMPLY FULLY WITH THE CONTROL REQUIREMENTS INCLUDING, IF NECESSARY, THE INSTALLATION OF TREATMENT FACILITIES, AT THE FARMER’S OWN EXPENSE.
THE SPOKESMAN ADDED THAT THE GOVERNMENT REMAINS FULLY COMMITTED TO IMPLEMENTING HIE LIVESTOCK WASTE CONTROL SCHEME.
-------0----------
NINE QUESTIONS, FOUR BILLS ON LEGCO AGENDA ♦ ♦ ♦ t ♦
MEMBERS 01 THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL WILL ASK A TOTAL OF NINE QUESTIONS AND CONSIDER FOUR BILLS AT THE COUNCIL’S MEETING TOMORROW (WEDNESDAY).
THREE OF THE BILLS WILL BE INTRODUCED FOR FIRST AND SECOND READINGS. THEY ARE THE BOILERS AND PRESSURE RECEIVERS (AMENDMENT) BILL 1988, THE ROAD TRAFFIC (AMENDMENT) (NO.3) BILL 1988 AND THE I EFORMATORY SCHOOLS (AMENDMENT) BILL 1988.
/THE COMPANIES
TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 29, 1988
- 7 -
THE COMPANIES (AMENDMENT) (NO.3) BILL 1988 IS DUE TO GO THROUGH THE COMMITTEE STAGE AND THIRD READING.
THE HON SZETO WAH WILL MOVEA A MOTION UNDER THE INTERPRETATION AND GENERAL CLAUSES ORDINANCE THAT ( EKTAIN AMENDMENTS BE MAUI TO THE FILM CENSORSHIP REGULATIONS 1988.
IN \DDITION, THE SECRETARY FOR DISTRICT ADMINISTRATION WILL PRESENT TO THE COUNCIL THE JUBILEE SPORTS CENTRE ANNUAL REPORT FOR 1987-1988.
--------0---------
FIRST COUNTRY PARK CYCLING SITE TO BE OPENED ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦
THE FIRST PURPOSE-BUILT CYCLING SITE IN HONG KONG’S COUNTRY PARKS SYSTEM WILL BE OPENED ON THURSDAY (DECEMBER 1) AT TAT MONG TSAI IN THE SAI KUNG COUNTRY PARK BY THE DIRECTOR OF AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES, DR LAWRENCE LEE.
THE SITE, A PILOT SCHEME AIMED AT ATTRACTING RECREATIONAL CYCLISTS TO RIDE OF! THE ROADS, CONSISTS OF A 450-METRE ACCESS IRACK, A 250-METRE CIRCULAR CYCLING TRACK AND A 2,000 -SQUARE-METRE CYCLING GROUND. THE PROJECT IS ESTIMATED TO COST ABOUT $500,000.
BE THE , AND THE MANAGEMENT CHEUNG AND
JOINING DR LEE AT THE OPENING CEREMONY WILL COMMISSIONER FOR RECREATION AND CULTURE, MR CLIVE OXLEY CHAIRMEN OF THE COUNTRY PARKS BOARD’S PLANNING AND COMMITTEE AND THE PUBLIC RELATIONS COMMITTEE, MR CARLOS
MR WILLIAM WAN.
THE CEREMONY FORMS PARI’ OF THE ACTIVITY PROGRAMME ORGANISED FOR COUNTRY PARKS BOARD MEMBERS TO VIEW OTHER NEW DEVELOPMENTS IN VARIOUS COUNTRY PARKS.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO SEND A REPRESENTATIVE TO COVER THE OPENING CEREMONY WHICH WILL TAKE PLACE AT 10.30 AM ON THURSDAY (DECEMBER H AT TAI MONG TSAI, SAI KUNG COUNTRY PARK.
TRANSPORT WILL BE PROVIDED AND WILL LEAVE AFD HEADQUARTERS AT CANTON ROAD GOVERNMENT OFFICES, 393, CANTON ROAD, KOWLOON AT 9.30 AM.
TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 29, 1988
- 8
TEN PERFORMING ARTS ORGANISATIONS RECEIVE GRANTS *****
OVER THE PAST TWO MONTHS, THE COUNCIL FOR THE PERFORMING ARTS (CFPA) HAS AWARDED PROJECT (AND OTHER) GRANTS TOTALLING $533,858 TO TEN PERFORMING ARTS ORGANISATIONS.
THEY ARE THE CITY CONTEMPORARY DANCE COMPANY, THE HONG KONG CHRISTIAN ASSOCIATION OF CULTURAL AND RECREATIONAL ACTIVITIES, THE HONG KONG CHING WAN DRAMA ASSOCIATION, THE ZUNI ICOSAHEDRON, THE BOX,THE HONG KONG ORATORIO SOCIETY, THE HONG KONG FESTIVAL FRINGE LIMITED,THE SEALS PLAYERS FOUNDATION LIMITED, THE CHING YING DRAMA SOCIETY AND THE WAN CHAI THEATRE.
HOWEVER, THE CFPA REGRETS THAT DUE TO SHORTAGE OF FUNDS, IT WILL, WITH IMMEDIATE EFFECT, BE UNABLE TO ACCEPT FURTHER APPLICATIONS FOR PROJECT (AND OTHER) GRANTS FOR THE REMAINDER OF THE FINANCIAL YEAR ENDING MARCH 31, 1989.
FOR FURTHER ENQUIRIES, CONTACT THE COUNCIL’S SECRETARIAT ON 5-8660631, 5-8660605 OR 5-8660640.
------O-------
$50 MILLION AMS HEADQUARTERS BUILDING
*****
THE AUXILIARY MEDICAL SERVICES (AMS) WILL HAVE ITS OWN TRAINING CENTRE WHEN CONSTRUCTION OF THE NEW $50 MILLION HEADQUARTERS BUILDING IN HO MAN TIN IS COMPLETED IN 1991.
THIS WAS STATED BY THE ACTING COMMISSIONER OF AMS, DR S.H. LEE, WHEN HE OFFICIATED AT AN EARTH-BREAKING CEREMONY TODAY (TUESDAY).
JOINTLY OFFICIATING AT THE CEREMONY WERE DEPUTY COMMISSIONERS, DR T.Y. CHAU AND DR HENRY LI.
DR LEE SAID THAT SINCE THE FORMATION OF THE AUXILIARY MEDICAL SERVICES IN 1950, IT HAD BEEN THE HOPE OF THE AMS TO HAVE A WELL EQUIPPED ACCOMMODATION FOR TRAINING ITS MEMBERS.
"TODAY, THIS DREAM WAS REALISED AND THE EIGHT-STOREY BUILDING WILL, ON COMPLETION, HOUSE STANDARD LECTURE ROOMS, SIMULATED WARDS, SYNDICATE ROOMS AND PARADE GROUND FOR TRAINING PURPOSES," DR LEE ADDED.
OTHER FACILITIES WILL INCLUDE AN EQUIPMENT ROOM, ASSEMBLY HALL, CONFERENCE ROOM, OFFICERS’ MESS, STAFF CANTEEN AND ADMINISTRATION OFFICE.
DR LEE SAID THAT THE NEW HEADQUARTERS BUILDING WOULD NOT ONLY PROVIDE BETTER TRAINING FACILITIES, BUT WILL MEAN A BIG STEP FORWARD FOR THE AMS.
-----O------ /9.....
TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 29, 1988
• 9 -
NOMINATIONS INVITED FOR FIGHT CRIME AWARD SCHEME *****
TSUEN WAN RESIDENTS ARE INVITED TO NOMINATE THEIR FRIENDS, RELATIVES OR NEIGHBOURS FOR THE TSUEN WAN CITIZEN FIGHT CRIME AWARD SCHEME.
THE SCHEME IS JOINTLY ORGANISED BY THE TSUEN WAN DISTRICT FIGHT CRIME COMMITTEE, THE TSUEN WAN DISTRICT OFFICE AND THE TSUEN WAN POLICE, WITH SPONSORSHIP FROM THE TSUEN WAN ROTARY CLUB.
’’THE OBJECTIVE OF THE SCHEME IS TO ENCOURAGE RESIDENTS TO ASSIST THE POLICE AND THE COMMUNITY TO PREVENT AND FIGHT CRIME," CHAIRMAN OF THE DISTRICT FIGHT CRIME COMMITTEE, MR CHOW KWAN-SING SAID TODAY (TUESDAY).
"THERE WILL BE THREE GRAND AWARDS, EACH COMPRISING $1,000 IN CASH AND A CERTIFICATE OF COMMENDATION,” HE SAID.
”IN ADDITION, THERE WILL ALSO BE SEVEN AWARDS WITH CERTIFICATES OF COMMENDATION,” MR CHOW ADDED.
HE SAID SOUVENIRS WOULD BE GIVEN TO NOMINATORS OF THE AWARD WINNERS.
’’NOMINATION FORMS, IN THE FORMAT OF PRE-PAID ENVELOPES, ARE AVAILABLE AT THE COMMUNITY HALLS, COMMUNITY CENTRES AND PUBLIC ENQUIRIES SERVICE CENTRES OF THE TSUEN WAN DISTRICT OFFICE.”
"NOMINATIONS ARE NOW OPEN AND THE CLOSING DATE IS JANUARY 31, 1989,” HE SAID.
A PANEL OF ADJUDICATORS WILL BE SET UP FOR VETTING THE NOMINATIONS.
THE PANEL WILL COMPRISE THE DISTRICT OFFICER. MR WILLIAM SHIP; THE TSUEN WAN POLICE DISTRICT COMMANDER, MR DAVID HODSON; THE CHAIRMAN OF THE DISTRICT FIGHT CRIME COMMITTEE, MR CHOW KWAN-SING AND MEMBERS OF THE WORKING GROUP OF THE WARD SCHEME.
RESULTS OF THE AWARD SCHEME WILL BE ANNOUNCED IN MARCH AND A PRIZE-PRESENTATION CEREMONY WILL BE HELD ON MARCH 12, 1989 DURING THE ANTI-TRIAD CARNIVAL OF THE DISTRICT.
FURTHER DETAILS CAN BE OBTAINED BY TELEPHONING 0-4925327 OR 0-4926279.
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TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 29> 1988
10
DISTRICT EIGHT CRIME AND ANTI
* » ♦ *
' ARCOTICS TV SPECTACULAR
THE NORTH DISTRICT FIGHT CRIME COMMITTEE WILL HOLD CRIME AND ANT [-NARCOTICS TELEVISION SPECTACV^_ J?*!
(DECEMBER 3) EVENING AS THE HIGHLIGHT OF ITS PROGRAMMES FOR 1988-89.
A FIGHT
SATURDAY
THE YEAR
THE
CRIME
"THF GRAND VARIETY SHOW AT THE FANLING RECREATION GROUND WILL BE PRODUCED S» rfffiS LIV!, „ ASIA TBLKVIVION LIMPED TO BWSURE THAT THE FIGHT CRIME vND ANTI-NARCOTICS MESSAGES WILL uEACH WIDEST AUDIENCE,' SAID THE CHAIRMAN OF THE NORTH DISTRICT EIGHT COMMITTEE, MR TAO MAN-KWONG.
THE SHOW DISTRICT OFFICE, NARCOTICS, WITH MR TAO ADDED.
IS SPONSORED FV THE NORTH DISTRICT BOARD, NORTH REGIONAL COUNCIL AND THE AC') O. COMMITTEE AGAINST DONATIONS FROM LOCAL ORGANISATIONS AND INDIVIDUALS,
BY "FUTURE IDOLS"
CHOIR; MILITARY AND A DRAMA IN
THE PROGRAMME WILL INCLUDE PERFORMANCES WILL SING NOSTALGIA SONGS; A CHILDREN’S NEW-STYLE ACROBATIC FIGHTING IN CH.INFSK OPERA, VICE, GAMBLING AND DRUGS ARE PERSON II I ED.
THERE WILL ALSO BE AN APPEAL MESSAGES BY OFFICIALS
INTERVIEW WITH an EX-DRUG \DDTCT, AND LOCAL LEADING PERSONALITIES.
WHO BAND; WHICH
AND
UUMH’-lMllt MlTAmo punwv.i '■* • • - •
PUBLIC ENQUIRY SERVICE CENTRES AT IN CHEUNG WAH ESTATE, FANLING; AND rilE DISTRICT.
ABOUT 15,000 SPECTATORS ARE EXPECTED TO ATTEND THE SHOW. FREE ADMISSION TICKETS ARE NOW OBTAINABLE FROM THE WRTH^^DISTRF/I^, OFFICE AT JOCKEY CLUB ROAD, FANLING; ITS CHOI YUEN ESTATE, SHRUG SHU1ITS SAN FUNG AVENUE, SHEUNG SHUl, AND FROM THE FOUR RURAL COMMITTEES IN
- - 0 - -
DISCUSSION ON NFW COMMITTEE FOR KWAI TSI NG DB
THI' KWAI TSI NG DISTRICT BOARD’S ADMINISTRATION AND PUBLICITY COMMITTEE WILL DISCUSS AT ITS MEETING TOMORROW •, WEDNESDAY I \ PROPOSAL THAT A NEW DISTRICT BOARD COMMITTEE ON PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT MATTERS BE FORMED.
THF PR •’IPO’S A! WAS MALI 'T A RKC’NT DISTRICT BOARD MEETING-
MEMBEE'S WILL ALSO D« USS TH’ IHSFLM OF BANNERS PUBLICISING PROJECTS SI • I’ DI STR I U I •
/THS COMMITTEE*-'
TUESDAY, NOVJMBER 29, 1988
11
THE COMMITTEE’S WORKING GROUPS ON THE DISTRICT BOARD’S ANN^L REPORT AND HALF-YEARLY NEWSPAPER WILL MAKE REPORTS. A REPORT ON THE DISTRICT BOARD VISIT TO ENGLAND AND HOLLAND WILL ALSO BE MADE.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE MEETING OF THE KWAI TSING DISTRICT BOARD’S ADMINISTRATION AND PUBLICITY COMMITTEE TO BEGIN AT 2.30 PM TOMORROW (WEDNESDAY) IN THE CONFERENCE ROOM, .OTH FLOOR, KWAI HING GOVERNMENT OFFICES BUILDING, KWAI CHUNG.
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STUDENTS ATTEND CIVIC EDUCATION TALK
*****
MORE THAN 150 STUDENTS AND RESIDENTS IN SHAM SHUT PO TODAY (TUESDAY) ATTENDED A TALK ON SOCIAL WELFARE SERVICES AVAILABLE IN THE DISTRICT.
IT WAS THE FIRST OF A SERIES OF TALKS ORGANISED BY THE SHAM SHUI PO DISTRICT CIVIC EDUCATION COMMITTEE.
GIVEN BY REPRESENTATIVES OF THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT, THE TALK WAS A DETAILED ACCOUNT OF SERVICES IN SOCIAL SECURITY, PROBATION, REHABILITATION AND FAMILY, AS WELL AS FOR THE ELDERLY.
THE SERIES OF TALKS, WHICH IS OPEN TO THE PUBLIC, AIMS AT AROUSING THE INTEREST OF STUDENTS AND RESIDENTS IN LEARNING MORE ABOUT THEIR COMMUNITY, AS PART OF THE COMMITTEE’S CONTINUOUS EFFORT TO INSTILL A GREATER SENSE OF BELONGING AND COMMITMENT TO SOCIETY AMONG YOUNGSTERS.
PLANS ARE ALSO IN HAND TO ORGANISE A MOCK DISTRICT BOARD MEETING AND CIVIC EDUCATION EXHIBITION IN JANUARY.
TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 29, 1988
- 12 -
FIGHT CRIME SINGING CONTEST THIS SUNDAY ♦ ♦ ♦ * ♦
A SINGING CONTEST ORGANISED BY THE YAU TSIM DISTRICT FIGHT CRIME COMMITTEE WILL BE HELD THIS SUNDAY (DECEMBER 4) EVENING AT THE KO SHAN THEATRE.
SIXTEEN FINALISTS, CHOSEN FROM 203 CONTESTANTS, WILL BE VYING FOR THE TOP PRIZES IN THE CONTEST, WHICH WILL BE FOLLOWED BY PERFORMANCES BY POPULAR SINGERS.
FREE ADMISSION TICKETS TO THE CONCERT WHICH STARTS AT 7.30 PM ARE NOW AVAILABLE AT THE YAU TSIM DISTRICT OFFICE AT 490 NATHAN ROAD AND AT THE TSIM SHA TSUI SUB-OFFICE AT 40 CARNARVON ROAD.
-----0------
LAM TIN SUB-DISTRICT OFFICE MOVES TO NEW PREMISES t ♦ * » ♦
THE LAM TIN SUB-OFFICE OF THE KWUN TONG DISTRICT OFFICE HAS MOVED FROM ITS TEMPORARY ACCOMMODATION AT THE LAM TIN (EAST) COMMUNITY CENTRE TO LAM TIN ESTATE.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE DISTRICT OFFICE SAID TODAY (TUESDAY) THAT RESIDENTS WISHING TO MAKE ENQUIRIES ABOUT GOVERNMENT SERVICES OR TO SEEK STATUTORY DECLARATION SERVICES SHOULD NOW GO TO THE NEW OFFICE LOCATED AT UNITS 2-4 OF BLOCK 15, LAM TIN ESTATE.
THE PREMISES WOULD ALSO SERVE AS THE LAM TIN CENTRE FOR THE DISTRICT BOARD’S MEET-THB-PUBL1C SCHEME ON EVERY WEDNESDAY EVENING, HE ADDED.
THE TELEPHONE NUMBER OF THE SUB-OFFICE REMAINS UNCHANGED AT 3-400131.
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/15........
TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 29, 1988
EXPORT STATISTICS RE-CLASSIFIED * * * * *
BY INDUSTRIAL ORIGIN
THE SIX MOST IMPORTANT INDUSTRY GROUPS IN TERMS OF THE VALUE OF DOMESTIC EXPORTS IN THE THIRD QUARTER OF 1988 WERE: ELECTRICAL AND ELECTRONIC PRODUCTS; WEARING APPAREL, EXCEPT FOOTWEAR AND KNITWEAR; I'l'.XT I LES (INCLUDING KNITTING); PROFESSIONAL AND OPTICAL EQUIPMENT; PLASTIC PRODUCTS; AND BASIC METALS AND FABRICATED METAL PRODUCTS.
TOGETHER THEY ACCOUNTED FOR 83 PER CENT OF THE TOTAL VALUE OF MERCHANDISE DOMESTIC EXPORTS IN THE THIRD QUARTER OF 1988.
THIS IS SHOWN BY STATISTICS RELEASED TODAY (TUESDAY) BY THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT.
MANUFACTURING INDUSTRIES WITH THE LARGEST INCREASES IN THE ABSOLUTE VALUE OF DOMESTIC EXPORTS OVER THE THIRD QUARTER OF 1987 WERE: ELECTRICAL AND ELECTRONIC PRODUCTS (+$3,383 MILLION)-PROFESSIONAL AND OPTICAL EQUIPMENT (+$821 MILLION); MACHINERY, EXCEPT ELECTRICAL (+$642 MILLION); BASIC METALS AND FABRICATED METAL PRODUCTS (+$576 MILLION); AND CHEMICALS AND CHEMICAL PRODUCTS (+$427 MILLION).
IN PERCENTAGE TERMS, INDUSTRIES WITH THE LARGEST INCREASES IN THE VALUE OF DOMESTIC EXPORTS OVER THE THIRD QUARTER OF 1987 WERE-CHEMICALS AND CHEMICAL PRODUCTS (+61 PER CENT); MACHINERY, EXCEPT ELECTRICAL (+55 PER CENT); AND BEVERAGES (+55 PER CENT).
ON THE OTHER HAND, A FEW INDUSTRIES RECORDED A DECREASE IN THE VALUE OF DOMESTIC EXPORTS IN THE THIRD QUARTER OF 1988 AS COMPARED WITH THE THIRD QUARTER OF 1987.
THEY WERE: PLASTIC PRODUCTS (-$688 MILLION OR -16 PER CENT), TEXTILES, INCLUDING KNITTING (-$468 MILLION OR -4 PER CENT) AND MONOMETALLIC MINERAL PRODUCTS (-$5 MILLION OR -2 PER CENT).
OUTSIDE THE MANUFACTURING SECTOR, DOMESTIC EXPORTS ORIGINATING FROM OCEAN VND COASTAL FISHING INCREASED BY $15 MILLION OR 14 PER CENT OVER THE THIRD QUARTER OF 1987, WHILE DOMESTIC EXPORTS OF ELECTRICITY INCREASED SIGNIFICANTLY BY $51 MILLION OR 47 PER CENT.
OVER THE SAME PERIOD OF COMPARISON, DOMESTIC EXPORTS ORIGINATING FROM MINING AND QUARRYING DECREASED BY $1 MILLION OR 55 PER CENT.
/THE ABOVE ......
TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 2% 1988
14
THE ABOVE STATISTICS ON DOMESTIC EXPORTS ANALYSED BY INDUSTRIAL ORIGIN ARE DERIVED BY RE-GROUPING ALL SIX-DIGIT MERCHANDISE EXPORT ITEMS UNDER THE EXTERNAL TRADE CLASSIFICATION SYSTEM ACCORDING TO THE INDUSTRIES IN WHICH THESE MERCHANDISE ITEMS ARE NORMALLY PRODUCED. TRANSACTIONS IN GOLD AND SPECIE ARE EXCLUDED.
THE CLASSIFICATION OF MERCHANDISE EXPORT ITEMS BY INDUSTRIAL ORIGIN IS STRUCTURED UPON THE UNITED NATIONS INTERNATIONAL STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION OF ALL ECONOMIC ACTIVITIES (ISIC), AS DISTINCT FROM THE UNITED NATIONS STANDARD INTERNATIONAL TRADE CLASSIFICATION (SITC) WHICH IS ADOPTED IN THE REGULAR TRADE STATISTICS REPORTS.
CAUTION SHOULD BE TAKEN WHEN REFERRING TO THESE RE-CLASSIFIED STATISTICS.
CERTAIN MERCHANDISE EXPORT ITEMS MAY REQUIRE SEVERAL INTERMEDIATE PROCESSING STAGES IN THEIR PRODUCTION. IN SUCH CASES, THE INDUSTRY IN WHICH AN ITEM IS FINALLY PRODUCED IS NOT THE SOLE CONTRIBUTOR TO THE EXPORT VALUE OF THAT ITEM.
HOWEVER, THE TOTAL VALUE OF THE ITEM HAS WHOLLY BEEN ALLOCATED TO THAT INDUSTRY IN THIS RE-CLASSIFICATION.
BESIDES, THE CLASSIFICATION OF A MERCHANDISE EXPORT ITEM TO A PARTICULAR INDUSTRY DOES NOT IMPLY THAT THE ENTIRE EXPORT VALUE OF THE ITEM IS ATTRIBUTABLE TO THE ESTABLISHMENTS OF THAT INDUSTRY, SINCE PART OF THE VALUE MAY BE DUE TO PRODUCTION BY ESTABLISHMENTS CLASSIFIED UNDER OTHER INDUSTRIES AS SECONDARY PRODUCTS.
FURTHER DETAILS OF MERCHANDISE DOMESTIC EXPORTS STATISTICS RE-CLASSIFIED BY INDUSTRIAL ORIGIN MAY BE FOUND IN THE ACCOMPANYING TABLE WHICH IS OBTAINABLE FROM THE INDUSTRIAL RESEARCH SECTION OF THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT (TEL. 5-8234832).
A TABLE SHOWING MORE DETAILED BREAKDOWNS OF SIMILAR STATISTICS FOR SELECTED MANUFACTURING INDUSTRIES IS ALSO INCLUDED IN THE REPORT "HONG KONG EXTERNAL TRADE, SEPTEMBER 1988".
/Value of
15
TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 29* 1988
Value of merchandise daces tic exports, reclassified by industrial origin for the third quarter of'1988
(HKS’000)
Industrial origin of the commodities exported Merchandise domestic experts
1988 3rd qtr. 1987 3rd qtr. Value change % chang?
Agricultural, Forestry and Fishing
5,453 4,058 *1.395
icultur&l, livestock and
poultry production Ocean and coastal fishing 121,867 107,025 ♦14,842 ♦14
Mining and Quarrying ?hnu factoring 1,197 2,673 -1,476 -55
Food 401,868 346,457 ♦55,411 *16
leverages 110,888 71,652 -39,236 *55
Tobacco 4C’,527 321,531 ♦82,046 ♦26
Tezctiles (including knitting) 11,727,598 12,196,077 -*468, U?9 -4
Wearing apparel, except 11,375,975 11,814,240 -61,735 *1
footwear and knitwear Leather and leather orcducts 2-6,:99 218,977 -27,922 *13
Footrear 567,071 320,174 -46,897 *15
Wood and cork products, 22UtcM 222,926 *2,015 *1
furniture and fixtures
Paper and paper products, 1,464,669 1,166,037 ♦298,632 *26
Printing and publishing '’02,538
1,129^17 +427,179 -
Chemicals and cnemical products
Products of petroleum and coal 1,746 ■ - ♦1,746 —
Babber products 47,837 41,802 +5,335 ♦ Ik
Plastic products 3,519,724 4,207,798 -658,074 -16
I’cn—metallic mineral products 203,364 208,344 -4,980 —
Basic metals and fabricated 2,867,295 2,291,242 1576,053 +25
metal products Machinery, except electrical 1,799,349 1,157,239 -642,110 +55
15,011,237 11,628,493 +3,532,741. *29
Electrical and electronic
products Transport equipment 62,486 45,001 ♦17,485 *39
Professional and optical 5,359,479 L,53o,^6k -821,015 +10
comment 3,610,991 ♦5,554
Other manufacturing industries 3,616 ,545 +•
Electricity 160,279 109,372 *50,907 ♦47
Miscellaneous items 23,656 14,066 -9.570 ♦68
(e.g. developed photographic
plates and film, antiques, and works of art)
Total 60,754,542 55.347,227 +5,407,315 *10
Individual entries of a colurm ray not add up exactly to the corresponding total due to
rounding.
• Within * C.%
- 0 -
TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 29, 1988
- 16 -
SITE FORMATION FOR LAI KING FIRE STATION
*****
THE TERRITORY DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT IS CALLING FOR TENDERS FOR SITE FORMATION FOR A DIVISIONAL FIRE STATION AND A INDOOR RECREATIONAL CENTRE IN LAI KING.
WORKS UNDER THE CONTRACT ALSO COMPRISE THE STABILISATION OF SLOPES ADJACENT TO EXISTING ROADS AND DEVELOPMENTS IN THE AREA.
THE WORKS ARE SCHEDULED TO BEGIN IN FEBRUARY NEXT YEAR AND WILL TAKE TWO YEARS TO COMPLETE.
THE PROJECT IS PART OF THE CONTINUING PROGRAMME FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF TSUEN WAN NEW TOWN.
-------0 - - -
TEMPORARY ROAD CLOSURE IN WONG TAI SIN
*****
THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCED THAT GRANDVIEW ROAD IN WONG TAI SIN NORTH OF ITS JUNCTION WITH LUEN YEE ROAD WILL BE CLOSED TO TRAFFIC FROM TOMORROW (WEDNESDAY).
THE CLOSURE WILL LAST FOR ABOUT THREE DAYS FOR ENGINEERING WORKS OF THE CHINA LIGHT AND POWER COMPANY.
-----0-------
NIGHT CLOSURE OF ROAD TY4, TSING YI *****
THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCED THAT ROAD TY4 IN TSING YI WILL BE CLOSED TO TRAFFIC FROM 30 MINUTES PAST MIDNIGHT TO 5.30 AM ON FRIDAY (DECEMBER 2) FOR FOOTBRIDGE CONSTRUCTION WORKS.
DURING THE CLOSURE, THE ACCESS WITHIN THE CHEUNG ON ESTATE BUS TERMINUS CAN BF. USED IN EMERGENCIES.
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/17........
TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 29, 1988
- 17 -
LEFT-TURN AND HEAVY VEHICLE BANS ♦ » ♦ »
THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCED THAT ALL VEHICLES WILL NOT BE ALLOWED TO TURN LEFT FROM SOUTHBOUND CHEUNG SHA WAN ROAD IN SHAM SHUI PO TO EASTBOUND POPLAR STREET FROM 10 AM ON THURSDAY (DECEMBER 1).
MOTORISTS ON SOUTHBOUND CHEUNG SHA WAN ROAD HEADING FOR NORTHBOUND TAI PO ROAD VIA POPLAR STREET ARE ADVISED TO TRAVEL VIA MAPLE STREET, FUK WA STREET, WONG CHUK STREET AND TAI PO ROAD.
IN ADDITION, FROM 10 AM THE NEXT DAY (FRIDAY), ALL VEHICLES EXCEEDING 5.5 TONNES GROSS WILL BE BANNED FROM PEEL STREET BETWEEN STAUNTON STREET AND CAINE ROAD, MID-LEVELS.
- - 0 -
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL: 5-8428777
WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER JO, 1988
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL MEETING :
AGE LIMIT TO STaY IN MEANTIME .......................... 1
MINIMUM AGE FOR DIRECTORS SHOULD REMAIN AT 21 .............. 1
MAXIMUM THREE-YEAR DETENTION PERIOD PROPOSED ........... J
BILL PROVIDES FOR INCREASE IN PLB SEATING .............. 4
BOILERS ORDINANCE BEING UPDATED......................... 5
AMENDMENTS TO REGULATIONS APPROVED ..................... 6
HOUSING AUTHORITY ANNUAL REPORT TABLED ................. 7
JUBILEE SPORTS CENTRE ANNUAL REPORT TABLED ............. 8
COMPANIES AMENDMENT BILL PASSED ........................ 8
STEPS BEING TAKEN TO IMPROVE CENTRE'S OPERATIONS ....... 9
51 PHARMACISTS REGISTERED ANNUALLY ..................... 11
LANGUAGE TRAINING BaSED ON NEED......................... 11
EXISTING LEGISLATION ADEQUATE........................... 12
NEW VEHICLE EMISSION CONTROLS PLANNED .................. 1J
TOUGHER DRIVING RULES ON EXPRESSWAY PLANNED............. 1J
/MINIMAL ECONOMIC........
MINIMAL ECONOMIC IMPLICATIONS IN WaTER CONTROL ZONE ....
89 TENANTS SURRENDER FUTS .................................. 15
aSSURJTCE ON .JRPORT PASSENGER PROCESSING TIME.............. 16
11TH JIG MEETING IN HK NEXT WEEK .............................. 17
PROPOSAL TO REP HL .L CLMJSE IN PUBLIC ORDER ORDINANCE...... 17
JOINT . JITI-ILLEG. Jj INMIGRATION OPERATION MOUNTED........... 18
SHIPPING POLICY SHOULD MEET CHANGES: SES ...................... 20
: J . XtV.
FULL EFFORTS DEVOTED TO ELDERLY SERVICES ...................... 21
NO CHANGE TO SIZE CRITERL. FOR E .MING LICENCES ............... 22
SEPjiRATE PhY SC^LE n WELCOME STEP: CP ........................ 22
KWUN TONG DB’ MEMBERS VISIT TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT .............. 23
PROMOTING INDUSTRIE SAFETY jJW HEALTH IN KWAI TSING......... 24
PEDESTRIAN* PROBLEMS AND PLANNING TO BE DISCUSSED.............. 25
DB FUNDS’FOR COMMUNITY PROJECTS ............................... 25
JOINT EFFORTS PRAISED IN DISTRICT DEVELOPMENT ................. 26
SAI KUNG CLEAN VILLAGE COMPETITION .......................... 26
RETIRING‘SENIOR POLICE OFFICER HONOURED ....................... 27
BOE MEMBERS VISIT CHINESE INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL ................ 28
ILLEGAL STRUCTURES CLEARED IN TO KWA W;iN ..................... 28
..BANDONED SIGNBOARDS IN Y.JJ TSIM TO BE CLEARED............... 29
FRESH W.iTER CUT UM FOUR DISTRICTS'............................ 30
URBAN CL&JRWhYS IN W*iN CHAI .................................. 30
TEMPORARY TRAFFIC ’^‘JNGEMENTS IN SO KON PO AND NORTH POINT ......................................................... 31
URBhN CLEnRWaYS, RO. J) CLOSURE ON HONG KONG ISLAND............ 31
WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 30, 1988
1
AGE LIMIT TO STAY IN MEANTIME * t * ♦ ♦
THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY, THE HON PIERS JACOBS, (WEDNESDAY) HE AGREED THAT THE MINIMUM AGE LIMIT FOR DIRECTORS SHOULD NOT BE LOWERED FROM 21 TO 18 AT PRESENT.
HE SAID THE CHANGE SHOULD NOT BE MADE UNTIL OTHER kF AVANT RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE LAW REFORM COMMISSION ON THE AGE 'OUNG
PERSONS HAD BEEN IMPLEMENTED.
SPEAKING ON THE COMPANIES (AMENDMENT) (NO. 3) BILL 1*88 IN I HE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL, MR JACOBS SAID HE SUPPORTED THE COMMITTEE STAGE AMENDMENT TO THIS EFFECT AS MOVED BY THE HON RONALD ARCULLI .
HE ALSO THANKED MR ARCULLI AND MEMBERS OF THE LEGCO AD HOC GROUP FOR THE CONSIDERATION THEY HAD GIVEN TO THE BILL.
WONG UPON
EARLIER, SPEAKING IN THE RESUMED DEBATE ON THE SECOND READING OF THE BILL, MR JACOBS SAID THAT HE AGREED WITH THE HON ^ER THAT THERE MIGHT BE EXCEPTIONAL CASES WHERE THE FEES FLYABLE LATE FILING OF ANNUAL RETURNS SHOULD BE REDUCED OK WAIVED.
"SUCH CASES, HOWEVER, SHOULD BE FEW IN NUMBER BECAUSE THE NEW STRUCTURE SHOULD HELP TO ENCOURAGE THE PROMPT FILING OF ANNUAL RETURNS," HE SAID.
NEVERTHELESS, IN APPROPRIATE CASES, CONSI ^RATION WOULD BE GIVEN TO REDUCING OR WAIVING THE FEES UNDER SECTION 96 INTERPRETATION AND GENERAL CLAUSES ORDINANCE, HE ADDED.
THE BILL IN ITS AMENDED FORM WAS SUBSEQUENTLY PASSED BY THE COUNCIL.
-------0 ----------
MINIMUM AGE FOR DIRECTORS SHOULD REMAIN AT 21 ♦ t ♦ » *
THE HON RONALD ARCULLI MOVED A COMMITTEE THE COMPANIES (AMENDMENT)(NO. 3) BILL 1988
STAGE AMENDMENT TO LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL
TODAY (WEDNESDAY). 1
THIS AMENDMENT SERVED TO DELET SOUGHT TO REDUCE THE MINIMUM AGE FOR
E CLAUSE 5 OF COMPANY DIRECTORS
THE BILL THAT FROM 21 TO 18.
HR arculll said a lrdco ad hoc croup. o^R-ch ..k “’cgST’?; Xgowrfi O» niscrllahrops to the
COMPANIES ORDINANCE.
/H£ SAID
WEDNESDAY, NOV BUBER JO, 1988
- 2 -
HE SAID THE AD HOC GROUP DID NOT CHALLENGE THE SPIRIT OF THE BILL’S PROPOSED AMENDMENT TO THE COMPANIES ORDINANCE TO LOWER THE MINIMUM AGE OF COMPANY DIRECTORS.
THIS HAD BEEN MADE IN THE CONTEXT OF RECOMMENDATION GF THE LAW REFORM COMMISSION FOR REDUCING THE AGE OF MAJORITY FROM : TO J 8.
THE GROUP WAS, HOWEVER, CONCERNED THAT BEFORE THE RELEVANT LEGISLATION WHICH WOULD GIVE EFFECT TO THE LAW REFORM COMMISSION RECOMMENDATIONS WAS IMPLEMENTED, THE DISPARITY IN THE MINIMUM AGE FOR COMPANY DIRECTORS AND THE AGE OF MAJORITY MIGHT PROVIDE A VENUE FOR CIRCUMVENTING THE LAW, HE SAID.
"MINORS WHO AT PRESENT HAVE NO CONTRACTUAL CAPACITY MAY HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THE PROPOSED AMENDMENT AND ENTER INTO CONTRACTS VIA A COMPANY IN THEIR CAPACITY AS COMPANY DIRECTORS," HE POINTED OUT.
MR ARCULLI SAID THE PROPOSED AMENDMENT TO LOWER THE MINIMUM AGE OF COMPANY DIRECTORS SHOULD BETTER BE DEALT WITH AT THE SAME TIME AS THE PROPOSED LEGISLATION DEALING WITH THE REDUCTION OF THE AGE OF MAJORITY FROM 21 TO 18.
THIS WOULD HELP AVOID THE POSSIBLE SITUATION IN WHICH THE VALIDITY OF CONTRACTS ENTERED INTO BY MINOR DIRECTORS ON BEHALF OF THEIR COMPANIES MIGHT BE CHALLENGED.
DURING THE RESUMED DEBATE ON THE SECOND READING OF THE BILL, THE HON PETER WONG, HAD COMMENTED ON CLAUSE 13.
THIS SOUGHT TO INTRODUCE A NEW SCALE OF FEES ON THE FILING OF ANNUAL RETURNS.
WHILE ACCEPTING THAT THERE SHOULD BE SOME DISINCENTIVE FOR THOSE WHO WERE LATE IN FILING AND THAT THEY WOULD PAY A HIGHER FEE, MR WONG SAID THERE MIGHT BE OCCASIONS, SUCH AS DURING OVERSEAS POSTAL STRIKES, WHEN LATE FILING WAS UNAVOIDABLE.
HE SAID HE WOULD LIKE THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY TO GIVE AN ASSURANCE THAT IN SUCH CIRCUMSTANCES THERE SHOULD BE A DISCRETION TO WAIVE THE HIGHER FEE, AS ENVISAGED BY THE GENERAL PROVISION IN SECTION 96(B) OF THE INTERPRETATION AND GENERAL CLAUSES ORDINANCE.
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WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 30,
1988
• 3 -
MAXIMUM THREE-YEAR DETENTION PERIOD PROPOSED * * * * *
A MAXIMUM THREE-YEAR DETENTION PERIOD FOR YOUTHFUL OFFENDERS IS SUFFICIENTLY LONG FOR THE PURPOSE OF TRAINING, THE SECRETARY FOR HEALTH AND WELFARE, THE HON T.H. CHAU, SAID IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
’’PROLONGED DETENTION HAS BEEN FOUND TO HAVE NO POSITIVE EFFECT ON OFFENDERS AND CAN CAUSE PROBLEMS ARISING FROM PSYCHOLOGICAL STRESS,” HE SAID.
MOVING THE SECOND READING OF THE REFORMATORY SCHOOLS (AMENDMENT) BILL 1988, MR CHAU SAID TliU MEASURE SOUGHT TO UPDATE REFORMATORY SCHOOLS ORDINANCE TO DEAL WITH CERTAIN PRACTICAL PROBLEMS IN APPLICATION.
AT PRESENT, A YOUNG OFFENDER MIGHT BE DETAINED IN A REFORMATORY SCHOOL FOR A PERIOD OF NOT LESS THAN ONE YEAR AND NCT MORE THAN FIVE YEARS.
“DURING THIS PERIOD, AN OFFENDER UNDERGOES A TRA1 UNG PROGRAMME WHICH IS INTENDED TO PRODUCE BENEFICIAL CHANGES IN THE OFFENDER AND IN HIS BEHAVIOUR,” MR CHAU SAID
THE MOST SIGNIFICANT AMENDMENT PROPOSED WAS TO CHANGE THE MAXIMUM LENGTH OF SENTENCE FROM FIVE TO THREE YEARS, HE SAID.
THE OTHER MAIN CHANGE RELATED TO YOUNG OFFENDERS FOUND TO BE DRUG-ADDICTED.
“AT PRESENT, THERE IS NO PROVISION FOR THE COURT TO REFER DRUG-ADDICTED INMATES OF REFORMATORY SCHOOLS TO A DRUG-ADDICTION TREATMENT CENTRE," HE SAID.
"THE BILL PROPOSES A NEW PROVISION TO ENABLE THE COURT TO TAKE SUCH A STEP,’’ HE SAID.
MR CHAU SAID ANOTHER PROPOSED AMENDMENT WAS TO REPLACE THE TERM "INCORRIGIBLE" BY THE MORE ACCURATE PHRASE "UNSUITABLE FOR FURTHER TRAINING IN A REFORMATORY SCHOOL".
A FURTHER CHANGE WAS TO AMEND THE DEFINITION Ob' YOUTHFUL OFFENDER" TO ENABLE THE DIRECTOR OF SOCIAL WELFARE TO CERTIFY YOUNG OFFENDERS OF 16 AND 17 AS UNSUI 1 BLE FOR FURTHER TRAIN.
DEBATE ON THE BILL WAS ADJOURNED.
-----0 -
WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 30, 1988
BILL PROVIDES FOR INCREASE IN PLB SEATING » 4 * 4 4
WHEN CONSIDERING THE REQUEST FOR INCREASING THE SEATING CAPACITY OF PUBLIC LIGHT BUSES (PLB’S), THE GOVERNMENT GAVE REGARD TO MAKING BETTER USE OF THE PASSENGER CARRYING POTENTIAL OF THESE VEHICLES BUT WITHOUT AFFECTING THE LEVEL OF COMFORT PROVIDED.
THE SECRETARY FOR TRANSPORT, THE HON MICHAEL LEUNG, SAID THIS IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY) WHEN MOVING THE SECOND READING OF THE ROAD TRAFFIC (AMENDMENT) (NO. 3) BILL 1988.
THE BILL PROPOSED THAT THE MAXIMUM SEATING CAPACITY OF PUBLIC AND PRIVATE LIGHT BUSES BE INCREASED FROM 14 TO 16, MR LEUNG SAID.
ALTHOUGH PLB’S NO LONGER SERVED AS A MAJOR CAP.RIEP WITH THE ADVENT OF THE MASS TRANSIT RAILWAY, THE MODERNISED KOWLOON-CANTON RAILWAY AND THE EXPANSION OF FRANCHISED BUS NETWORKS, THEY STILL MAINTAINED A USEFUL COMPLEMENTARY SERVICE, CARRYING SOME 1.6 MILLION PASSENGERS A DAY.
UNDER THE EXISTING REGULATIONS, THE MAXIMUM GROSS VEHICLE WEIGHT OF A PLB WAS FOUR TONNES. WITHIN THIS WEIGHT LIMIT, ALL NEW MODELS NOW IN USE COULD CARRY MORE THAN 14 PASSENGERS.
"BUT IF THE COMFORT STANDARDS ARE TO BE MAINTAINED, ONLY TWO ADDITIONAL SEATS COULD BE ALLOWED. THUS, IT IS CONSIDERED THAT THEIR MAXIMUM SEATING CAPACITY SHOULD ONLY BE INCREASED TO 16," HE SAID.
MR LEUNG STRESSED THAT THE INCREASE UP TO 16 SEATS WOULD BE FINAL AS ANY FURTHER RELAXATION COULD NOT BE JUSTIFIED ON TRANSPORT GROUNDS.
NO FURTHER RELAXATION IN THE DIMENSIONS, WEIGHT OR SEATING CAPACITY WOULD THUS BE ALLOWED.
THE TRANSPORT ADVISORY COMMITTEE HAD SUPPORTED THESE PROPOSALS.
MR LEUNG ALSO SAID THE MINIMUM SEATING CAPACITY OF A BUS WAS TO BE AMENDED SO THAT THE VEHICLE HAD TO CARRY MORE THAN 16 PASSENGERS.
THIS WOULD PROVIDE A CLEAR DISTINCTION BETWEEN A LIGHT BUS AND A BUS.
THE 30 VEHICLES NOW REGISTERED AS PRIVATE OR PUBLIC BUSES WITH A SEATING CAPACITY OF 15 OR 16 WOULD KEEP THEIR EXISTING CLASSIFICATION. THEY WOULD NOT BE AFFECTED BY THE PROPOSED AMENDMENT.
THE BILL ALSO MADE MINOR CONSEQUENTIAL AMENDMENTS TO THREE RELATED ORDINANCES AND REGULATIONS, HE ADDED.
DEBATE ON THE BILL WAS ADJOURNED.
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» • e t> 9 c *
WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 30, 1988
- 5 -
BOILERS ORDINANCE BEING UPDATED *****
THE BOILERS AND PRESSURE RECEIVERS SEVERAL PLACES TO BRING IT IN LINE WITH
ORDINANCE NEEDS UPDATING IN
INTERNATIONALLY RECOGNISED
EDUCATION AND MANPOWER, THE
STANDARDS AND PRACTICE, THE SECRETARY FOR uonuoo,,.v\
HON RON BRIDGE, TOLD THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
MOVING THE SECOND RECEIVERS (AMENDMENT) BILL REASONS THERE WERE TWO ORDINANCE — THE REGISTRAR
READING OF THE BOILERS AND PRESSURE 1988, MR BRIDGE SAID THAT FOR HISTORICAL SEPARATE AUTHORITIES ADMINISTERING THE AND THE PRINCIPAL SURVEYOR.
THIS ARTIFICIAL SEPARATION OF AUTHORITIES CAUSED ADMINISTRATIVE DIFFICULTIES.
"CLAUSE 6 OF THE BILL THEREFORE PROVIDES FOR A SINGLE AUTHORITY, THE BOILERS AND PRESSURE VESSELS AUTHORITY, TO REPLACE THEM," HE SAID.
"OUR INTENTION IS TO APPOINT THE COMMISSIONER FOR LABOUR AS THE NEW AUTHORITY.”
MR BRIDGE SAID THE PRINCIPAL SURVEYOR NOW APPOINTED EXAMINERS TO INSPECT BOILERS AND PRESSURE VESSELS. HE COULD ALSO REVOKE AND SUSPEND SUCH APPOINTMENTS.
THERE WAS NO PROVISION FOR APPEAL AGAINST HIS DECISION TO REVOKE OR SUSPEND.
"CLAUSE 6 PROVIDES FOR APPEAL TO THE SECRETARY FOR EDUCATION AND MANPOWER," HE SAID.
"HOWEVER, IN THE INTERESTS OF SAFETY THE AUTHORITY’S DECISION WOULD TAKE IMMEDIATE EFFECT PENDING AN APPEAL."
MR BRIDGE SAID EQUIPMENT WITHIN THE EXISTING DEFINITION OF "PRESSURE RECEIVER" WAS INVARIABLY REFERRED TO AS A "PRESSURE VESSEL IN ENGINEERING PRACTICE; AND EQUIPMENT WITHIN THE E^STING OF "PRESSURE VESSEL" SHOULD BE REFERRED TO AS A PRESSURISED F
CONTAINER".
CLAUSE 3(H) OF THE BILL SOUGHT TO REVISE THESE DEFINITIONS ACCORDINGLY.
AS A RESULT, THE TITLE OF THE ORDINANCE ALSO NEEDED TO BE CHANGED TO BOILED AND PRESSURE VESSELS ORDINANCE.
THE SECRETARY SAID THE ORDINANCE NOW REFERRED TO BOTH IMPERIAL UNITS AND THEIR EQUIVALENT IN METRIC UNITS.
/’•SINCE IT
WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER JO, 1988
6
"SINCE IT IS NOW THE PRACTICE TO REFER ONLY TO METRIC UNITS, CLAUSES 13(1) AND 19 DELETE ALL REFERENCES TO IMPERIAL. UNITS, HE
SAID.
"AS BOILERS AND OTHER PRESSURE EQUIPMENT ARE NOW MANUFACTURED ACCORDING TO DIFFERENT NATIONAL OR INTERNATIONAL STANDARDS, CLAUSi. 30 REPLACES ALL REFERENCES TO 'THE CURRENT BRITISH STANDARD SPECIFICATION’ BY ’A RECOGNISED ENGINEERING STANDARD OR CODE .
"SINCE THERMAL OIL HEATERS ARE
BEING INTRODUCED IN INDUSTRY,
CLAUSE 3(G) PROVIDES THAT THEY BE PLACED ORDINANCE."
UNDER THE CONTROL OF THE
MR BRIDGE SAID THE BILL ALSO ADMINISTRATION OF THE ORDINANCE.
SOUGHT TO IMPROVE THE
CLAUSE 10 STIPULATED A SINGLE SET
OF REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS
FOR EQUI°MENT WHETHER MADE LOCALLY OR OVERSEAS. CLAUSE 11 ENABLED THE IS?HORir. TO ISSUE CODES OF PRACTICE FOR THE SPECIFICATION, OPERATION
AND APPROVAL OF PRESSURE EQUIPMENT.
CLAUSE 13(2) PROVIDED THE AUTHORITY
EXTEND OR REDUCE THE VALIDITY PERIOD OF FOR A BOILER OR PRESSURE VESSEL ON THE
THE
WITH THE FLEXIBILITY TO CERTIFICATE OF FITNESS
BASIS OF
OPERATIONAL AND
SAFETY NEEDS.
CLAUSES 16, 17, 18 IND 21 PROVIDED THAT THE AUTHORITY MIGHT, IF NECESSARY , APPROVE A I BCE OF EQUIPMENT AT A REDUCED MAXIMUM PERMISSIBLE WORKING PRESSURE.
ALL THE PROVISIONS OF THE BILL HAD BEEN ENDORSED BY THE LABOUR ADVISORY BOARD, MR BRIDGE ADDED.
DEBATE ON THE BILL WAS ADJOURNED.
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AMENDMENTS TO REGULATIONS APPROVED *****
THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY) PASSED A MOTION WHICH SOUGHT TO MAKE AMENDMENTS TO THE FILM CENSORSHIP REGULATIONS 1988.
THE MOTION WAS MOVED BY THE HON SZETO WAH UNDER THE INTERPRETATION AND GENERAL CLAUSES ORDINANCE♦
/SPEAKING IN .......
WEDNESDAY, NOVf'nBER JO, 1988
SPEAKING IN SUPPORT OF THE MOTION THE SECRETARY FOR ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES AND INFORMATION, THE HON PETEK TSAO, SAID HE WAS GRATEFUL TO MR SZETO FOR MOVING THE MOTION WHICH ADDRESSED THE PARTICULAR CONCERNS OF THE FILM INDUSTRY WHILE IMPROVING THE . CHINESE TRANSLATION OF THE REGULATIONS.
ON THE QUESTION OF THE PRINCIPLES OF COST RECOVERY, OR WHETHER FILM CENSORSHIP PROCEDURE ITSELF SHOULD ATTRACT A FEE, MR TSAO SAID HE WOULD BE HAPPY TO CONTINUE THE DISCUSSION WITH THE OMELCO AD HOC GROUP.
"BUT I CAN ASSURE THE COUNCIL THAT THESE "EES ARE CHARGED ACCORDING TO A FORMULA THAT IS COMMONLY USED IN GOViOC- NT," HE SAID.
AS REGARDS THE GUIDE TO CENSORS WHICH WAS ISSUED BY HIMSELF, MR TSAO SAID HE WOULD BE EQUALLY HAPPY TO CONTINUE THE DIALOGUE WITH THE OMELCO GROUP TO SEE IF ANY IMPROVEMENTS COULD BE MADE.
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HOUSING AUTHORITY ANNUAL REPORT TABLED
t t ♦ » »
THE HOUSING AUTHORITY’S 1987-88 ANNUAL REPORT, WHICH REVIEWS THE WORK AND ACHIEVEMENTS OF THE LAST FINANCIAL YEAR, WAS TABLED IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL THIS AFTERNOON.
CONTAINING A LOCATION MAP OF PUBLIC HOUSING ESTATES AND MORE THAN 100 PHOTOGRAPHS AND CHARTS IN FULL COLOUR, THE L’O-f’.WE, BILINGUAL REPORT CARRIES A REVIEW BY THE CHAIRMAN OF THE AUTHORITY DURING THE LAST FINANCIAL YEAR, MR JOHN TODD, AND S'X CHAPTERS ON THE WORK OF THE AUTHORITY’S VARIOUS COMMITTEES AND ITS EXECOT.VE ARM THE HOUSING DEPARTMENT.
IT ALSO CONTAINS 60 PAGES OF APPENDICES GIVING STATISTICS ON THE PUBLIC HOUSING PROGRAMME AND ON THE AUTHO , TY'. INCOME AND EXPENDITURE.
THE REPORT IS NOW ON FOR SALE AT SZO "RO.•) HE GOVERNMENT PUBLICATIONS CENTRE ON THE GROUND FLO "i KA! OST OFFICE, CONNAUGHT PLACE, CENTRAL.
- - 0 - -
WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 30, 1988
- 8 -
JUBILEE SPORTS CENTRE ANNUAL REPORT TABLED
*****
THE 1987-88 ANNUAL REPORT OF THE JUBILEE SPORTS CENTRE WAS TABLED IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL MEETING TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
THE REPORT COVERS THE FIRST YEAR OF THE CENTRE’S OPERATION SINCE ITS DIVESTMENT FROM THE ROYAL HONG KONG JOCKEY CLUB ON APRIL 1 LAST YEAR.
TABLING THE ANNUAL REPORT, THE SECRETARY FOR DISTRICT ADMINISTRATION, THE HON DONALD LIAO, SAID THE JUBILEE SPORTS CENTRE HAD CONTINUED TO WORK CLOSELY WITH THE GOVERNING BODIES OF SPORT AND HAD MADE A MAJOR INPUT INTO TRAINING TOWARDS THE 1988 OLYMPIC GAMES.
HE NOTED THAT THE FIRST YEAR OF THE SPORTS SCHOLARSHIP SCHEME INITIATED BY THE CENTRE HAS PROVED SUCCESSFUL. THERE WAS NOW MORE PROFESSIONAL INPUT TO SUPPORT SERVICES OFFERED TO ATHLETES.
DURING THE YEAR, SEVERAL PROJECTS WERE UNDERTAKEN TO ENHANCE THE FACILITIES OF THE CENTRE, AND REMEDIAL WORK JOINTLY FUNDED BY THE GOVERNMENT AND THE ROYAL HONG KONG JOCKEY CLUB WAS CARRIED OUT, HE ADDED.
MR LIAO POINTED OUT THAT THE CENTRE FELT IT HAD THE CAPACITY TO PLAY A MUCH BROADER ROLE IN THE FUTURE DEVELOPMENT OF SPORTS THROUGH CO-OPERATION AND COMMITMENT FROM ALL ORGANISATIONS INVOLVED IN SPORTS DEVELOPMENT AND PROMOTION.
’’THE CENTRE VIEWS ITS ROLE AS BEING AN INTEGRAL PART OF THE SPORTS SYSTEM, AND WILL SUPPORT FULLY ANY INITIATIVE WHICH FURTHER DEVELOPS TALENTED ATHLETES,” HE ADDED.
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COMPANIES AMENDMENT BILL PASSED ♦ * * ♦
THE COMPANIES (AMENDMENT) (NO. 3) BILL 1988 WAS PASSED TN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL MEETING TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
THREE BILLS WERE INTRODUCED FOR FIRST AND SECOND READINGS. THESE WERE THE BOILERS AND PRESSURE RECEIVERS (AMENDMENT) BILL 1988, ROAD TRAFFIC (AMENDMENT) (NO. 3) BILL 1988 AND THE REFORMATORY SCHOOLS (AMENDMENT) BILL 1988.
DEBATES ON THESE BILLS WERE ADJOURNED.
IN ADDITION, THE COUNCIL PASSED A MOTION THAT CERTAIN AMENDMENTS BE MADE TO THE FILM CENSORSHIP REGULATIONS 1988.
THE MOTION WAS MOVED BY THE HON SZETO WAH UNDER THE INTERPRETATION AND GENERAL CLAUSES ORDINANCE.
— /9
WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 30, 1988
STEPS BEING TAKEN TO IMPROVE CENTRE’S OPERATIONS
t * ♦ * ♦
THE COMMISSIONER OF CORRECTIONAL SERVICES HAS REVIEWED THE OPERATIONAL PROCEDURES, STANDING ORDERS AND ADMINISTRATIVE ARRANGEMENTS AT THE HEI LING CHAU VIETNAMESE BOAT PEOPLE CENTRE AND HAS MADE A NUMBER OF RECOMMENDATIONS TO IMPROVE THE MANAGEMENT AND PROCEDURES THERE.
THIS WAS SAID BY THE SECRETARY FOR SECURITY, THE HON GEOFFREY BARNES, IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY) IN REPLY TO A QUESTION FROM THE HON ELSIE TU CONCERNING THE REPORT MADE BY TWO JUSTICES OF THE PEACE ON THE TREATMENT OF VIETNAMESE BOAT PEOPLE ON HEI LING CHAU.
’‘THE STANDING ORDERS AND OPERATIONAL PROCEDURES ARE BEING REVISED ACCORDINGLY AND OTHER RECOMMENDATIONS ARE IN THE PROCESS OF IMPLEMENTATION,” MR BARNES SAID.
HOWEVER, HE SAID, IT HAD NEVER BEEN THE PRACTICE TO PUBLISH DETAILS OF OPERATIONAL PROCEDURES AND STANDING ORDERS, WHICH WERE RESTRICTED DOCUMENTS.
”1 AM PREPARED TO ARRANGE A VERBAL BRIEFING ON THESE MATTERS FOR THE OMELCO SECURITY PANEL IF MEMBERS WOULD FIND THIS USEFUL,” HE SAID.
MR BARNES OUTLINED A NUMBER OF SPECIFIC ADMINISTRATIVE IMPROVEMENTS WHICH HAD BEEN INTRODUCED ON HEI LING CHAU:
- AN IMPROVED FOOD DISTRIBUTION SYSTEM AND DIETARY SCALE;
- THE PROVISION ON REQUEST OF A PHOTOCOPYING SERVICE FOR DOCUMENTS AND FURTHER PUBLICITY ABOUT THE AVAILABILITY OF A SAFE CARR SERVICE AT THE CENTRE;
- APPROPRIATE COUNSELLING FOR THOSE WHO HAD BEEN REMOVED FROM A CENTRE FOR A PERIOD OF TIME;
- IMPROVEMENTS TO STAFFING LEVELS;
- THE USE OF PLAIN CLOTHES FOR REGULAR STAFF AT THE CENTRE INSTEAD OF CUSTODIAL STAFF UNIFORM;
- DISPOSING WITH THE CARRIAGE OF TRUNCHEONS AS NORMAL
EQUIPMENT;
/- ATTENDANCE BY
WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER JO, 1988
- 10 -
- ATTENDANCE BY CORRECTIONAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT STAFF AT SPECIAL MANAGEMENT TRAINING COURSES AND SHORT COURSES IN BASIC VIETNAMESE LANGUAGE;
- THE PREPARATION OF AN INFORMATION BOOKLET ON ARRANGEMENTS AND LIFE IN DETENTION CENTRES FOR DISTRIBUTION TO VIETNAMESE;
- ARRANGEMENTS FOR THE UNITED NATIONS HIGH COMMISSIONER FOR REFUGEES TO EMPLOY AN AGENCY TO RUN A WORKS PROGRAMME FOR VIETNAMESE IN THE CENTRE;
- OVERALL REDUCTION IN CENTRE POPULATION.
ON DISCIPLINARY ACTION, MR BARNES SAID THIS QUESTION, TOGETHER WITH THE FINDINGS OF THE JPs’ REPORT, WAS BEING EXAMINED BY THE COMMISSIONER OF CORRECTIONAL SERVICES AND SENIOR REPRESENTATIVES OF THE CIVIL SERVICE BRANCH AND ATTORNEY GENERAL’S CHAMBERS, AS DIRECTED BY THE GOVERNOR.
"AS ENQUIRIES ARE STILL CONTINUING IT WOULD BE INAPPROPRIATE FOR ME TO COMMENT ANY FURTHER AT THIS STAGE," HE SAID.
AS REGARDS THE MEDICAL ASPECTS OF THE -IPs' REPORT, MR BARNES SAID THAT FOLLOWING THE COMPLETION OF THE INVESTIGATION BY THE DIRECTOR OF MEDICAL AND HEALTH SERVICES, THE QUESTION OF FOLLOW-UP ACTION WAS NOW UNDER ACTIVE CONSIDERATION.
MEANWHILE RECOMMENDATIONS TO IMPROVE THE SYSTEM OF MEDICAL EXAMINATIONS AT HEI LING CHAU AND LAI CHI KOK WERE NOW BEING IMPLEMENTED, HE SAID. THESE INCLUDED:
- A MORE EFFECTIVE SYSTEM OF REFERRALS AND MEDICAL EXAMINATION;
- AN IMPROVED MEDICAL REPORT FORM WHICH WOULD ENSURE A MORE PRECISE RECORD OF THE MEDICAL EXAMINATION AND ANY INJURIES;
INSTRUCTIONS TO MEDICAL STAFF ON THE PROPER COMPLETION OF THE MEDICAL RECORDS.
"IN THE BROADER CONTEXT I HAVE ASKED FOR A URTHER REVIEW OF MEDICAL SERVICES WHICH WOULD COVER ALL VIETNAMESE CENTRES. THIS IS NOW UNDERWAY," MR BARNES ADDED.
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/11
WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER JO, 1988
11
51 PHARMACISTS REGISTERED ANNUALLY *****
THE GOVERNMENT IS NOT AWARE OF ANY SHORTAGE OF REGISTERED PHARMACISTS IN HONG KONG, THE SECRETARY FOR HEALTH AND WELFARE, THE HON T. H. CHAU, TOLD THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY)
REPLYING TO A QUESTION FROM THE HON RONALD CHOW, MR C .AU SAID THAT A SIGNIFICANT NUMBER OF HONG KONG PEOPLE COMPLETED DEGREE COURSES IN PHARMACY OVERSEAS AND RETURNED TO HONG KONG TO SEEK EMPLOYMENT.
"OVER THE PAST FIVE YEARS, AN AVERAGE OF 51 QUALIFIED PHARMACISTS HAVE REGISTERED EACH YEAR WITH THE PHARMACY AND POISONS BOARD," HE SAID .
"THE TOTAL NUMBER OF REGISTERED PHARMACISTS IS CURRENTLY 644."
THERE WERE NO PLANS TO INTRODUCE TRAINING IN PHARMACY AT TERTIARY INSTITUTIONS IN HONG KONG, HE ADDED.
-------0 - - - -
LANGUAGE TRAINING BASED ON NEED *****
THE GOVERNMENT’S LANGUAGE TRAINING POLICY IS BASED ON CURRENT AND FUTURE NEEDS, RATHER THAN THE CALENDAR, THE SECRETARY FOR ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES AND INFORMATION, THE HON PETER TSAO, TOLD THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
MR TSAO WAS REPLYING TO A QUESTION FROM THE HON NELLIE FONG.
MRS FONG HAD ASKED WHAT STEPS THE GOVERNMENT WOULD TAKE TO IMPROVE CIVIL SERVANTS’ PROFICIENCY IN PUTONGHUA IN VIEW OF THE INCREASING CONTACTS BETWEEN THE GOVERNMENT AND CHINESE OFFICIALS AS 1997 APPROACHED.
"MOST HONG KONG PEOPLE USE ENGLISH OR CANTONESE, OR BOTH," MR TSAO SAID.
"BEARING IN MIND THE PROVISIONS OF THE JOINT DECLARATION, AND THAT CIVIL SERVANTS SPEND MOST OF THEIR TIME TALKING TO EACH OTHER, OR TO THE PUBLIC THEY SERVE, PROFICIENCY IN THOSE TWO LANGUAGES WILL PROBABLY CONTINUE TO BE MOST IMPORTANT FOR THE FUTURE."
/MR TSAO........
WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER JO, 1988
12 -
MR TSAO NOTED THAT THERE WERE CIVIL SERVANTS SUCH AS ----------------------------------- AND STAFF MANNING
AT CUSTOMS OR IMMIGRATION CHECKPOINTS ENQUIRY COUNTERS WHO HAD FREQUENT CONTACT
OFFICERS PUBLIC
WITH PUTONGHUA SPEAKERS.
"THEY NEED AND RECEIVE JOB-RELATED SAID.
TRAINING IN PUTONGHUA," HE
"SIXTY-SIX SUCH COURSES HAVE BEEN GROUPS OF OFFICERS FROM 13 DEPARTMENTS PROGRAMME."
RUN SO FAR FOR SELECTED AS PART OF A CONTINUING
CONTACT OVER
MR TSAO POINTED OUT THAT THE INCREASING
WITH MAINLAND OFFICIALS, WHICH HAD DEVELOPED NATURALLY REASONS - SUCH AS WATER SUPPLIES, POSTAL SERVICES, 1'OOD CRIME - WOULD DOUBTLESS CONTINUE TO DEVELOP IN THE SAME
FOR
THE YEARS
PRACTICAL
IMPORTS, FIGHT WAY.
"THE NEEDS OF OFFICERS ARE MET LEVEL PUTONGHUA COURSES WHICH AIM TO CONFIDENCE OF OFFICERS TO A LEVEL WHERE BUSINESS IN PUTONGHUA," HE SAID.
THROUGH BASIC AND ADVANCED
DEVELOP THE COMPETENCE AND THEY CAN CONDUCT OFFICIAL
SINCE 1985, A TOTAL OF 28 BASIC COURSES HAD BEEN OFFERED.
IN ADDITION, SIX ADVANCED 1987.
COURSES HAD
ALSO BEEN HELD SINCE
"WHERE INTERPRETATION HAS PROFICIENCY, SUCH INTERPRETATION
TO BE THE SUBSTITUTE FOR PUTONGHUA FACILITY IS AVAILABLE," MR TSAO ADDED.
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EXISTING LEGISLATION ADEQUATE * * * t
EXISTING LEGISLATION IS ADEQUATE TO CONTROL THE PLACING OF OBJECTS ON THE PARAPETS OF BALCONIES OR BY THE SIDES OF WINDOWS, THE SECRETARY FOR SECURITY, THE HON GEOFFREY BARNES, SAID IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
REPLYING TO A QUESTION FROM THE HON PEGGY LAM, MR BARNES SAID THE GOVERNMENT HAD NO PLANS AT PRESENT TO TIGHTEN THE EXISTING LEGISLATION.
' "I DO NOT BELIEVE THAT NEW LEGISLATION TO CONTROL THE ’LACING OF OBJECTS ON PARAPETS OR WINDOW LEDGES WOULD ADD ANYTHING TO THE EXISTING PROVISIONS," HE SAID.
"INDEED, IT WOULD BE EXTREMELY DIFFICULT TO FORMULATE SUCH LEGISLATION OR TO ENFORCE IT IF IT WERE ENACTED."
MR BARNES SAID LEGISLATION WAS AT REST ONLY A PARTIAL SOLUTION TO THIS PROBLEM.
GREAT EFFORTS WERE BEING MADE TO PREVENT OCCURRENCES OF THIS SORT BY MEANS OF PUBLIC EDUCATION, HE ADDED.
_ _ 0---------
/13........
WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 30, 1988
- 15 -
NEW VEHICLE EMISSION CONTROLS PLANNED *****
THE GOVERNMENT HAS A PLAN TO INTRODUCE NEW CONTROLS ON VEHICLE EMISSIONS IN THE NEXT TWO YEARS, THE SECRETARY FOR LANDS AND WORKS, THE HON GRAHAM BARNES, TOLD THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL MEETING TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
REPLYING TO A QUESTION FROM THE HON PETER WONG, MR BARNES SAID SUCH CONTROLS WOULD ALMOST CERTAINLY INCLUDE THE REQUIREMENT TO USE LEAD-FREE PETROL.
"WE ARE CURRENTLY RECRUITING A MOTOR VEHICLE EMISSION CONTROL EXPERT TO REVIEW OUR EXISTING VEHICLE EMISSION CONTROLS AND TO RECOMMEND MEASURES TO INTRODUCE MORE STRINGENT CONTROL," HE SAID.
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TOUGHER DRIVING RULES ON EXPRESSWAY PLANNED
*****
THE GOVERNMENT IS DRAFTING LEGISLATION TO PRESCRIBE TOUGHER DRIVING RULES FOR EXPRESSWAYS TO ENSURE THEY ARE USED SAFELY AND EFFICIENTLY, THE SECRETARY FOR TRANSPORT, THE HON MICHAEL LEUNG, TOLD THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
REPLYING TO A QUESTION FROM THE HON LAU WONG-FAT, MR LEUNG SAID THE NEW LEGISLATION WOULD REQUIRE ALL VEHICLES TO KEEP LEFT EXCEPT WHEN OVERTAKING AND TO OVERTAKE ONLY TO THE RIGHT OF ANOTHER VEHICLE.
SLOW MOVING VEHICLES, SUCH AS MEDIUM AND HEAVY GOODS VEHICLES, WOULD BE PROHIBITED FROM USING THE OUTSIDE LANE OF A CARRIAGEWAY THAT HAD THREE OR MORE LANES, EXCEPT AT JUNCTIONS.
REGARDING EXISTING MEASURES TO PREVENT HEAVY GOODS VEHICLES USING THE FAST LANES ON TRUNK ROADS, MR LEUNG SAID THAT "KEEP LEFT UNLESS OVERTAKING" SIGNS WERE ERECTED ALONG THE MAJOR TRUNK ROADS SUCH AS TUEN MUN AND TOLO HIGHWAYS.
THIS SIGN REQUIRED VEHICLES TO KEEP TO THE NEARSIDE LANE EXCEPT WHEN OVERTAKING.
IT APPLIED TO ALL VEHICLES, AND WAS PARTICULARLY RELEVANT TO SLOWER MOVING ONES.
THE SIGN WAS REGULATORY AND FAILURE TO COMPLY WITH IT WAS AN OFFENCE UNDER THE ROAD TRAFFIC (TRAFFIC CONTROL) REGULATIONS.
/MR LEUNG
WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER JO, 1988
14
MR LEUNG SAID THE ROAD USERS’ CODE, WHICH PROVIDED COMPREHENSIVE GUIDANCE TO ROAD USERS, ALSO ADVISED DRIVERS TO KEEP TO THE LEFT EXCEPT WHEN OVERTAKING.
SPECIFIC ADVICE WAS GIVEN TO DRIVERS OF MEDIUM AND HEAVY GOODS VEHICLES, BUSES, COACHES AND VEHICLES WITH A TRAILER NOT TO DRIVE IN THE RIGHT-HAND LANE OF A THREE-LANE CARRIAGEWAY UNLESS EXCEPTIONAL CIRCUMSTANCES PREVAILED.
SUCH ADVICE WAS PUBLICISED REGULARLY THROUGH RADIO AND TELEVISION ANNOUNCEMENTS, HE ADDED.
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MINIMAL ECONOMIC IMPLICATIONS IN WATER CONTROL ZONE
*****
THE ECONOMIC IMPLICATIONS IN THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE WATER POLLUTION CONTROL ORDINANCE IN TOLO HARBOUR HAVE BEEN FOUND TO BE MINIMAL.
THE SECRETARY FOR LANDS AND WORKS, THE HON GRAHAM BARNES, TOLD THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL THIS TODAY (WEDNESDAY) IN REPLY TO A QUESTION FROM THE HON JAMES TIEN.
MR BARNES SAID IMPLEMENTATION OF THE ORDINANCE WAS INITIALLY CONFINED TO TOLO HARBOUR, DECLARING IT A CONTROL ZONE, TO ASSESS ITS ECONOMIC IMPLICATIONS BEFORE EXTENDING IT TO COVER OTHER AREAS.
AS A RESULT OF THE ASSESSMENT, THE GOVERNMENT HAD RECENTLY DECLARED THE SOUTHERN WATER CONTROL ZONE, WHICH COVERED SOUTH LANTAU AND SOUTH HONG KONG, AND WOULD IMPLEMENT THE ORDINANCE THERE NEXT APRIL, MR BARNES SAID.
"IN EARLY 1989, WE INTEND TO DECLARE WATER CONTROL ZONES IN JUNK BAY AND PORT SHELTER. AND THEREAFTER, WE WILL STEADILY DECLARE ALL REMAINING ZONES OVER A PERIOD OF FIVE YEARS," HE ADDED.
MR BARNES ALSO SAID THE ADMINISTRATION PLANNED TO TIGHTEN UP CONTROLS IN THE EXISTING LAW.
"ITS PROPOSALS WILL INCLUDE A REDUCTION IN THE LEVEL OF EXEMPTION FOR EXISTING INDUSTRIAL OPERATIONS WHEREBY DISCHARGES ARE AT PRESENT PERMITTED TO INCREASE IN QUANTITY OR CONCENTRATION OF POLLUTANTS BY UP TO 30 PER CENT BEFORE THE EXEMPTION BECOMES INVALID AND A LICENCE MUST BE SOUGHT," HE SAID.
THE PROPOSALS WOULD ALSO INCLUDE THE IMPOSITION OF A REQUIREMENT TO CONNECT SEWERAGE OUTFALLS TO PUBLIC SEWERS WHERE THEY EXISTED.
"I AM AIMING TO FINALISE PROPOSALS FOR AN AMENDING BILL BY MID-1989," HE ADDED.
------0------- /15.....................
WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 30, 1988
- 15 -
89 TENANTS SURRENDER FLATS
*****
A TOTAL OF 89 TENANTS WHO HAD BEEN PAYING DOUBLE NET RENT AS A RESULT OF THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE NEW POLICY ON HOUSING SUBSIDY ON APRIL 1 LAST YEAR HAD SURRENDERED THEIR PUBLIC RENTAL HOUSING UNITS.
THE SECRETARY FOR DISTRICT ADMINISTRATION, THE HON DONALD LIAO, TOLD THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL THIS TODAY (WEDNESDAY), IN REPLYING TO A QUESTION FROM DR THE HON DANIEL TSE.
THE 89 TENANTS WERE AMONG THE FIRST BATCH OF TENANTS, ABOUT 8,700 IN NUMBER, WHOSE HOUSEHOLD INCOME EXCEEDED THE SUBSIDY INCOME LIMIT.
THEY WERE THEREFORE REQUIRED TO PAY DOUBLE NET RENT UNDER THE POLICY WHICH WAS AIMED AT REDUCING THE LEVEL OF SUBSIDY TO THOSE PUBLIC HOUSING TENANTS WHO WERE NO LONGER IN NEED.
MR LIAO SAID IT WAS NOT CLEAR WHETHER THE TENANTS’ DECISION TO GIVE UP THEIR FLATS WAS DIRECTLY ATTRIBUTABLE TO THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE POLICY BECAUSE TENANTS WERE NOT ASKED TO GIVE REASONS FOR VACATING THEIR FLATS.
"HOWEVER, THERE ARE CLEAR INDICATIONS THAT TENANTS PAYING DOUBLE RENT ARE TAKING A GREATER INTEREST IN OTHER FORMS OF ASSISTED HOUSING, HE POINTED OUT.
MR LIAO SAID THAT 1,750 SUCH TENANTS HAD ALREADY SUBMITTED APPLICATIONS TO BUY FLATS IN THE MOST RECENT PHASE OF HOME OWNERSHIP SCHEME FLATS SALE.
THIS REPRESENTED ABOUT 20 PER CENT OF THE TOTAL NUMBER OF TENANTS AFFECTED BY THE NEW POLICY.
IN ADDITION, 195 OF THE AFFECTED TENANTS HAD APPLIED FOR A LOAN UNDER THE NEW HOME PURCHASE LOAN SCHEME WHICH WAS ANNOUNCED IN JUNE THIS YEAR.
"IF THEIR APPLICATIONS ARE SUCCESSFUL, MORE RENTAL FLATS WILL BE RECOVERED IN DUE COURSE FOR ALLOCATION TO THOSE IN GREATER NEED," HE NOTED.
MR LIAO SAID IT WAS TOO EARLY TO DRAW ANY CONCLUSIONS ON THE EFFECTIVENESS OF THE DOUBLE RENT POLICY AS IT HAD ONLY BEEN IMPLEMENTED FOR A RELATIVELY SHORT PERIOD OF TIME.
"BUT JUDGING FROM THE ENCOURAGING SIGNS DESCRIBED EARLIER, WE ARE HOPEFUL THAT SOME POSITIVE RESULTS CAN BE ACHIEVED," HE SAID.
HE SAID THE HOUSING AUTHORITY WOULD REVIEW THE POLICY FROM TIME TO TIME, BUT THERE WAS NO INTENTION TO MAKE FUNDAMENTAL CHANGES AT THIS STAGE.
- - 0 ---------
/16........
WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 30, 1988
16
ASSURANCE ON AIRPORT PASSENGER PROCESSING TIME
*****
THE IMMIGRATION DEPARTMENT WILL MAKE EVERY EFFORT TO MEET THE CURRENT STANDARD OF CLEARING ALL ARRIVING PASSENGERS AT KAI TAK AIRPORT WITHIN 30 MINUTES.
THE SECRETARY FOR SECURITY, THE HON GEOFFREY BARNES, STATED THIS IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY), IN A WRITTEN REPLY TO A QUESTION FROM THE HON MARTIN BARROW.
MR BARROW HAD ASKED THE GOVERNMENT TO STATE THE REASONS FOR CUTTING BY HALF THE APPROVED INCREASE IN THE IMMIGRATION DEPARTMENT'S STAFF ESTABLISHMENT TO COPE WITH ADDITIONAL WORKLOAD ARISING FROM THE OPENING OF THE STAGE V EXTENSION AT KAI TAK.
"THE COUNCIL WAS INFORMED ON OCTOBER 20, 1988 THAT ON COMPLETION OF THE STAGE V EXTENSION OF THE AIRPORT, THE ESTABLISHMENT OF THE IMMIGRATION AIRPORT DIVISION WOULD BE INCREASED BY 59 POSTS," MR BARNES SAID.
"THIS FIGURE WAS BASED ON THAT IN THE ESTIMATES.
SINC-, THEN THE GOVERNMENT HAS REVIEWED SPECIFIC ASPECTS OF THE OPERATING PROCEDURES OF IMMIGRATION CLEARANCE AT THE AIRPORT.
AS A RESULT OF THIS REVIEW, THE GOVERNMENT HAS CONCLUDED THAT, WITH CERTAIN PROCEDURAL CHANGES, THE IMMIGRATION DEPARTMENT CAN MANAGE INITIALLY WITH 38 ADDITIONAL POSTS.”
MR BARNES SAID A FURTHER 38 POSTS WOULD BE INCLUDED IN THE DRAFT ESTIMATES FOR 1989-90, SUBJECT TO THE USUAL DETAILED CONSIDERATION, WITH A VIEW TO THEIR CREATION FROM NEXT APRIL.
THE DEPARTMENT WOULD MONITOR THE SITUATION CLOSELY TO ENSURE THAT A HIGH STANDARD OF SERVICE WAS MAINTAINED, HE ADDED.
- - 0----------
/17........
WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 30, 1988
- 17 -
11TH JLG MEETING IN HK NEXT WEEK
*****
THE FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH OFFICE ANNOUNCED THIS (WEDNESDAY) MORNING THAT THE 11TH MEETING OF THE SINO-BRIT1SH JOINT LIAISON GROUP ON HONG KONG WILL TAKE PLACE IN HONG KONG FROM DECEMBER 6 TO 9.
THE BRITISH TEAM WILL BE LED BY THE SENIOR REPRESENTATIVE, MR ROBIN MCLAREN (ASSISTANT UNDER-SECRETARY OF STATE (ASIA), FCO).
THE OTHER MEMBERS OF THE BRITISH TEAM WILL BE MR DONALD LIAO (SECRETARY FOR DISTRICT ADMINISTRATION, HONG KONG), MR DICK CLIFT (POLITICAL ADVISER, HONG KONG), MR CHRISTOPHER HUM (HEAD OF HONG KONG DEPARTMENT, FCO) AND MR DOUG MARTIN (COUNSELLOR, OFFICE OF THE BRITISH SENIOR REPRESENTATIVE, SINO-BRITISH JOINT LIAISON GROUP, HONG KONG).
-----0------
PROPOSAL TO REPEAL CLAUSE IN PUBLIC ORDER ORDINANCE
*****
THE PUBLIC ORDER (AMENDMENT) BILL 1988, WHICH SEEKS TO REPEAL SECTION 27 OF THE PUBLIC ORDER ORDINANCE, WILL BE PUBLISHED IN THE GAZETTE ON FRIDAY (DECEMBER 2) AND INTRODUCED INTO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL ON DECEMBER 14, A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN SAID TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
THE SPOKESMAN SAID THAT VARIOUS CONTROL PROVISIONS UNDER THE CONTROL OF PUBLICATIONS CONSOLIDATION ORDINANCE, INCLUDING THE POWER TO SUPPRESS NEWSPAPERS, SEIZE PRINTING PRESSES ETC, WERE REPEALED IN 1987 FOLLOWING A GOVERNMENT REVIEW.
"THE ONLY REMAINING CONTROL PROVISION, WHICH BANNED THE PUBLICATION OF FALSE NEWS LIKELY TO CAUSE PUBLIC ALARM, WAS TRANSFERRED FROM THE CONTROL OF PUBLICATIONS CONSOLIDATION ORDINANCE TO THE PUBLIC ORDER ORDINANCE.
"THE INTENTION WAS THAT THIS REMAINING PROVISION WOULD ONLY BE USED AS A LAST RESORT IN ORDER TO PROTECT THE PUBLIC INTEREST.
"TO UNDERLINE THIS POINT, THE ATTORNEY GENERAL LATER PUBLISHED GUIDELINES THAT HE HAD ISSUED TO ALL PROSECUTING COUNSEL IN HIS CHAMBERS SETTING OUT HOW TO HANDLE POTENTIAL SECTION 27 CASES," HE SAID.
THE GOVERNMENT HAD BEEN CAREFULLY MONITORING THE EFFECTS OF THE NEW LEGISLATION. NO ONE HAD BEEN PROSECUTED UNDER SECTION 27.
/THE SPOKESMAN
WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 50, 1988
- 18 -
THE SPOKESMAN POINTED OUT THAT THE GOVERNMENT HAD JUST COMPLETED A REVIEW OF THE SECTION AND FOUND NO EVIDENCE THAT THE OPERATION OF THE LOCAL MEDIA HAD BEEN AFFECTED BY IT IN ANY WAY.
’’THE MEDIA HAS CONTINUED TO REPORT FREELY, HAS REMAINED FORTHRIGHT, AND HONG KONG HAS CONTINUED TO ENJOY ONE OF THE FREEST PRESSES IN THE WORLD. THE ARGUMENTS ADVANCED IN 1986 IN SUPPORT OF THE PROMULGATION OF SECTION 27 REMAIN VALID.
"HOWEVER DESPITE THIS BACKGROUND, A DIFFERENT PUBLIC PERCEPTION HAS ARISEN IN THAT THE LAW WAS SEEN AS A MEANS TO RESTRICT THE PRESS. THIS WAS NEVER THE INTENTION," THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
THE GOVERNMENT THEREFORE TOOK THE VIEW THAT RETENTION OF SECTION 27 WOULD BE LIKELY TO CAUSE CONCERN TO THE PUBLIC OUT OF PROPORTION TO THE VALUE TO THE COMMUNITY OF KEEPING THE PROVISION.
OVERSEAS, THERE HAD ALSO BEEN SOME MISUNDERSTANDING OF THE POSITION.
"IN THE LIGHT OF ALL THESE FACTORS, THE GOVERNMENT HAS CONCLUDED THAT THE TIME WAS RIGHT TO SEEK THE REPEAL OF SECTION 27 OF THE ORDINANCE AS A LOGICAL FINAL STEP OF THE PROCESS OF LIBERALISING CONTROL OVER PUBLICATIONS, STARTED BY THE GOVERNMENT TWO YEARS AGO," HE SAID.
-------0 --------
JOINT ANTI-ILLEGAL IMMIGRATION OPERATION MOUNTED
*****
A TERRITORY-WIDE ANTI-ILLEGAL IMMIGRATION OPERATION JOINTLY MOUNTED BY THE POLICE, AND THE LABOUR AND IMMIGRATION DEPARTMENTS YESTERDAY (TUESDAY) HAS RESULTED IN THE ARRESTS OF 90 PERSONS.
THE OPERATION WAS PART OF THE GOVERNMENT’S CONTINUOUS EFFORT TO FLUSH OUT ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS.
OF THE ARRESTED PERSONS, 15 WERE ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS CAUGHT AT THE BORDER. THEY HAVE BEEN SENT TO SAN UK LING FOR REPATRIATION.
THE REMAINING 75 HAVE BEEN REFERRED TO THE IMMIGRATION DEPARTMENT AND THE POLICE FOR FURTHER INVESTIGATION. THOSE FOUND TO BE ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS WILL BE REPATRIATED.
A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN REITERATED TODAY (WEDNESDAY) THAT THERE WAS NO QUESTION OF ANY AMNESTY FOR ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS.
/•’OUR LATEST
WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER JO, 1988
- 19 -
"OUR LATEST OPERATION SHOULD DRIVE HOME THE POINT THAT THERE WILL BE NO CHANGE TO THIS POLICY. ANYONE FOOLISH ENOUGH TO BELIEVE OTHERWISE IS ONLY CHEATING HIMSELF," HE SAID.
THE SPOKESMAN NOTED THAT APART FROM CONTINUOUS CHECKS THROUGHOUT THE TERRITORY, THERE WAS NO LET-UP IN ANTI-ILLEGAL IMMIGRATION EFFORTS AT THE BORDER.
"A HIGH STATE OF VIGILANCE WILL CONTINUE TO BE MAINTAINED BY THE POLICE AND THE SECURITY FORCES BOTH AT THE LAND AND SEA BORDERS," HE SAID.
DURING THE JOINT OPERATION, WHICH BEGAN AT 5 AM YESTERDAY AND ENDED THIS MORNING, THE POLICE HAD STEPPED UP THEIR IDENTIFICATION SPOT CHECKS IN PUBLIC PLACES AND CARRIED OUT CHECKS AT SUSPICIOUS LOCATIONS THROUGHOUT THE TERRITORY.
AS A RESULT, A TOTAL OF 24,478 PERSONS, 1,716 VEHICLES WERE STOPPED FOR IDENTIFICATION CHECKS.
TWENTY-TWO PERSONS WERE SUMMONED AND TWO PERSONS CHARGED FOR FAILING TO PRODUCE PROPER PROOF OF IDENTITY AND A FURTHER 17 WERE WARNED IN RESPECT OF THIS OFFENCE, WHICH CARRIES A MAXIMUM FINE OF $1,000.
ON THE LABOUR FRONT, INSPECTORS OF THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT VISITED 2,661 ESTABLISHMENTS TO WEED OUT ANY ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS WHO MAY BE WORKING, AND TO CHECK THAT EMPLOYERS FULFIL THEIR LEGAL OBLIGATION OF KEEPING PROPER RECORDS OF THEIR EMPLOYEES.
A TOTAL OF FIVE PERSONS IN FIVE ESTABLISHMENTS WERE FOUND WITHOUT PROPER PROOF OF IDENTITY AND HAVE BEEN REFERRED TO THE IMMIGRATION DEPARTMENT FOR FURTHER INVESTIGATION.
ANOTHER TEN ESTABLISHMENTS WERE FOUND TO BE POSSESSING NO RECORD OF EMPLOYEES AVAILABLE FOR INSPECTION.
THE SPOKESMAN REMINDED EMPLOYERS THAT THEY COULD BE FINED UP TO $50,000 AND JAILED FOR UP TO A YEAR IF THEY WERE FOUND TO BE EMPLOYING ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS.
/2O........
-------0 --------
WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 30, 1988
- 20 -
SHIPPING POLICY SHOULD MEET CHANGES: SES
*****
GOVERNMENT’S SHIPPING POLICY MUST EVOLVE IN 1HE L1CH1 OF CHANGING CIRCUMSTANCES AND ADVICE FROM THE SHIPPING COMMUNITY, SECRETARY FOR ECONOMIC SERVICES, MRS ANSON CHAN, SA ;
BOTH
THE TODAY
(WEDNESDAY).
SHE WAS SPEAKING AT INTERNATIONAL MARITIME COUNCIL IT AFFECTED MEMBERS OF THE COMMUNITIES.
A LUNCH MEETING OF THE BALTIC AND ON HONG KONG’S SHIPPING POLICY AND HOW LOCAL AND INTERNATIONAL SHIPPING
MRS CHAN POINTED OUT
DEVELOPMENT STUDY WOULD
THAT
PROVIDE
THE CURRENT ESSENTIAL
PORT AND
INFORMATION
AIRPORT
RECOMMENDATIONS ON FACILITIES SO THAT
THE LOCATION, NATURE AND
HONG KONG’S PORT CAPACITY
EXTENT COULD
OF
FUTURE
STAY
AHEAD
AND
PORT OF
TRADE DEMANDS.
"GIVEN HONG KONG’S GDP GROWTH RATES FOR THE LAST TWO 11.2 PER CENT AND 13.6 PER CENT AND EVEN ASSUMING MORE GROWTH RATES IN THE FORESEEABLE FUTURE, THIS IS A CIRCUMSTANCE’ OF VERY CONSIDERABLE PROPORTIONS, AND ONE 1 HAT IGNORE ONLY' AT OUR PERIL," SHE SAID.
YEARS OF
MODERATE ’CHANGING WF WOULD
THE OTHER FACTOR WHICH CAUSED THE GOVERNMENT TO REVIEW ITS POLICIES WAS ADVICE FROM THE SHIPPING COMMUNITY, MRS CHAN SAID, NOTING THAT A NETWORK OF PORT ADVISORY COMMITTEES WAS PROVIDING SUCH ADVICE.
THESE COMMITTEES COMPRISED REPRESENTATIVES FROM ALL ASPECTS OF liihoji vuiuux* ... .............„ SHIPOWNERS
THE SHIPPING COMMUNITY, INCLUDING THE HONG KONG ASSOCIATION, THE HONG KONG LINER SHIPPING ASSOCIATION, THE GENERAL CHAMBER OF COMMERCE AND THE HONG KONG SHIPPERS COUNCIL.
HONG
KONG
THE THREE CONTAINER TERMINAL OPERATORS, THE HONG KONG CONTAINER TRACTORS ASSOCIATION, THE HONG KONG CONTAINER DFPC1 AND REPAIRER ASSOCIATION AND THE CONTAINER LEASING COMPANIES WERE ALSO REPRESENTED, MRS CHAN SAID.
SHE SAID THAT THE GOVERNMENT HAD DEVELOPED A FIVE-POINT SHIPPING STRATEGY AIMED AT CREATING AN ENVIRONMENT IN WHICH HONG KONG TRADE COULD BEST PROSPER.
AMONG THESE COMPONENTS WERE THE CO-ORDINATION OF SHIPP!* MOVEMENTS WITHIN THE TERRITORIAL WATERS, THE PROVISION OF ADEQUATE FACILITIES FOR THE LOADING AND UNLOADING OF SEABORNE FREIGHT AND IUE PROVISION OF SHIPPING SUPPORT SERVICES.
THE GOVERNMENT WOULD ALSO PROVIDE AN EFFICIENT SERVICE FOR THE REGISTRY OF SHIPS IN HONG KONG, MODIFIED AS NECESSARY TO FACILITATE THE TRANSITION IN 1997 WITH A MINIMUM OF CHANGE.
MEANWHILE, THE GOVERNMENT WOULD STIPULATE AND ENFOR< INTERNATIONAL).Y AGREED STANDARDS 01 CONSTRUCTION, EQUIPMENT, MANNING AND OPERATION OF VESSELS LICENSED IN HONG KONG FOR LOCAL OPERATIONS OR REGISTERED IN HONG KONG FOR WORLD-WIDE OPERATIONS, .'IE ADDED.
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/21
o
WEDNESDANY, NOVEMBER 30, 1988
- 21
FULL EFFORTS DEVOTED TO ELDERLY SERVICES
*****
THE GOVERNMENT IS ENERGETICALLY DEVELOPING VARIOUS SERVICES FOR THE ELDERLY AND THE DEFICIENCIES IN SERVICES ARE EXPECTED TO P. GRADUALLY ELIMINATED WITHIN THE NEXT FIVE YEARS, THE DIRECTOR Of SOCIAL WELFARE, MRS ELIZABETH WONG SAID TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
SHE WAS SPEAKING AT THE OPENING CEREMONY OF A FUN..:'!' N -CELEBRATING THE 30TH ANNIVERSARY WITH THE ELDERLY - HELD AT TH; SHA TIN TOWN HALL.
THE FUNCTION, COMPRISING A VARIETY SHOW AND A DINNER RECEPTION, WAS ORGANISED BY THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT TO SHARE JOY WITH OVER 1,400 SENIOR CITIZENS IN CELEBRATING THE DEPARTMENT’S 30TH ANNIVERSARY.
IT WAS SPONSORED BY THE HEART-TO-HEART FUND AND THE KWAN FONG CHARITABLE FUND.
MRS WONG NOTED THAT IN 1958 WHEN THE DEPARTMENT WAS FIRST SET UP, ELDERLY PEOPLE OVER 60 ONLY ACCOUNTED FOR SOME FOUR PER CENT OF THE POPULATION WHILE SERVICES FOR THEM WERE MAINLY CONFINED TO EMERGENCY RELIEF AND RESIDENTIAL CARE.
SINCE THEN, SHE SAID, THE ELDERLY POPULATION HAD BEEN INCREASING AND A WORKING GROUP WAS FORMED BY THE GOVERNMENT IN 1972 TO STUDY THE SITUATION.
"THEN IN 1977, A GREEN PAPER ON WELFARE FOR THE ELDERLY WAS PUBLISHED, SETTING OUT A PACKAGE OF LONG-TERM POLICIES AND OBJECTIVES FOR A COMPREHENSIVE ELDERLY SERVICE.
"NOW THE ELDERLY ACCOUNT FOR 12.2 PER CENT OF THE POPULATION AND THERE HAVE BEEN EXPANSION AND ENHANCEMENT, BOTH IN TERMS OF QUANTITY AND QUALITY, IN ELDERLY SERVICE," SHE ADDED.
"FOR FINANCIAL HELP, THERE ARE PUBLIC ASSISTANCE, OLD AGE ALLOWANCE AND HIGHER DISABILITY ALLOWANCE.
"IN ADDITION, THE GOVERNMENT ALSO CO-OPERATES WITH VOLUNTARY AGENCIES IN PROVIDING A SERIES OF COMMUNITY SUPPORT AND RESIDENTIAL SERVICES, INCLUDING SOCIAL CENTRES; HOME HELP; DAY CARE CENTRES, HOSTELS; SHELTERED HOUSING; HOMES FOR THE AGED AND CARE AND ATTENTION HOMES," SHE SAID.
MRS WONG THANKED THE HEART-TO-HEART FUND, THE KWAN FUNG CHARITABLE FUND AND THE PARTICIPATING ARTISTES FOR THEIR HELF IN PROMOTING THE SPIRIT OF CARE AND CONCERN FOR THE ELDERLY.
-------0--------- /22........................
WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 30, 1988
- 22 -
NO CHANGE TO SIZE CRITERIA FOR BANKING LICENCES *****
THE SIZE CRITERIA FOR BANKING LICENCE APPLICATIONS FOR FOREIGN BANKS AND LOCALLY INCORPORATED COMPANIES ARE TO REMAIN UNCHANGED.
ANNOUNCING THIS TODAY (WEDNESDAY), A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN EXPLAINED THAT APPLICATIONS FOR BANKING LICENCES WERE JUDGED AG'.INST CERTAIN SPECIFIED CRITERIA, ONE OF WHICH WAS SIZE AS MEASURED BY TOTAL ASSETS (LESS CONTRA ITEMS) FOR FOREIGN APPLICANTS, AND TOTAL ASSETS (LESS CONTRA ITEMS) AND DEPOSITS FROM THE PUBLIC FOR LOCAL APPLICANTS.
THE SIZE CRITERIA FOR BOTH FOREIGN AND LOCAL APPLICANTS ARE SUBJECT TO ANNUAL REVIEW, HE POINTED OUT.
"THE 1988 REVIEW HAS BEEN COMPLETED AND IT HAS BEEN DECIDED THAT THERE SHOULD BE NO CHANGE TO THE SIZE CRITERIA.
"THE ASSET THRESHOLD REMAINS AT US$14 BILLION FOR FOREIGN APPLICANTS. AS REGARDS LOCAL APPLICANTS, THE SIZE CRITERIA REMAINS AT HK$2,500 MILLION FOR TOTAL ASSETS AND AT HK$1,750 MILLION FOR DEPOSITS FROM THE PUBLIC,” HE SAID.
-------0 --------
SEPARATE PAY SCALE A WELCOME STEP: CP
*****
THE POLICE FORCE REGARD THE SEPARATE PAY SCALE RECOMMENDED BY THE REVIEW COMMITTEE ON DISCIPLINED SERVICES PAY AND CONDITIONS OF SERVICE AS A VERY SIGNIFICANT STEP FORWARD, THE COMMISSIONER OF POLICE, MR RAYMON ANNING SAID YESTERDAY (TUESDAY).
"WE HOPE THAT THIS WILL BE AGREED BY THE GOVERNMENT," HE ADDED.
HE WAS SPEAKING TO REPORTERS AT THE AIRPORT ON HIS RETURN FROM THE INTERPOL CONFERENCE IN BANGKOK.
ASKED IF HE THOUGHT POLICE MORALE HAD SUFFERED AS A RESULT OF RECOMMENDATIONS MADE BY THE COMMITTEE, HE SAID THAT HE DID NOT THINK MORALE WAS LOW.
"I THINK IF YOU LOOK AT THE EFFECTIVENESS OF THE FORCE, AND SEE THE WAY THE FORCE IS WORKING, IT IS TURNING IN SOME TREMENDOUS WORK, MAKING SOME TREMENDOUS ARRESTS AND VERY GOOD RESULTS. IN FACT, ALL THE NORMAL INDICATORS OF MORALE SHOW THE FORCE AS BEING EXTREMELY EFFICIENT AT THE MOMENT.
/"I AM
WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 50, 1988
- 23 -
"1 AM AWARE, Of COURSE, THERE ARE DISCUSSIONS TAKING PEACE OVER THE INDEPENDENT REVIEW ON POLICE PAY AND CONDITIONS OF SERVICE AND THESE ARE MATTERS WHICH I WILL DISCUSS WITH THE FORCE MANAGEMENT NOW I’M BACK.
"1 ALSO HAVE MEETINGS LINED UP WITH THE FORCE REPRESENTATIVE ASSOCIATIONS AND I SHALL DISCUSS THESE MATTERS WITH THEM.
"WE NOW HAVE TO CONSIDER WHAT WAS SAID IN THE REPORT AND OUR RESPONSE TO IT. THESE ARE MATTERS WHICH I WILL DISCUSS WITH OTHER MEMBERS OF FORCE MANAGEMENT.
"THERE ARE ALSO, OF COURSE, MATTERS OF TREMENDOUS INTEREST AND CONCERN TO ALL INDIVIDUAL MEMBERS OF THE FORCE. SO I THINK IT IS INCUMBENT UPON ME TO TALK TO MEMBERS OF THE FORCE REPRESENTATIVE ASSOCIATIONS ABOUT THE RECOMMENDATIONS IN THE REPORT, AND THAT 1 SHALL BE DOING."
COMMENTING ON THE INTERPOL CONFERENCE IN BANGKOK, MR ANNING SAID: "IT WAS A VERY USEFUL AND POSITIVE MEETING, IN WHICH A NUMBER OF SUBJECTS WERE DISCUSSED.
"IT ALSO GAVE US THE OPPORTUNITY TO MAKE SOME NEW CONTACTS AND RENEW SOME OLD ACQUAINTANCES.
"IN GENERAL IT IS A VERY GOOD CONFERENCE FOR HONG KONG TO ATTEND.”
-------0---------
KWUN TONG DB MEMBERS VISIT TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT * * » * »
KWUN TONG DISTRICT BOARD MEMBERS THIS (WEDNESDAY) AFTERNOON VISITED TWO OPERATIONAL SECTIONS OF THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT AS PART OF AN ORIENTATION PROGRAMME TO ENABLE THEM TO FAMILIARISE THEMSELVES WITH THE ORGANISATION AND DAILY OPERATIONS OF VARIOUS GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS.
LED BY THE CHAIRMAN OF THE BOARD’S TRAFFIC AND TRANSPORT COMMITTEE, MR MA CHI-KEUNG, THE GROUP FIRST VISITED THE DEPARTMENT’S VEHICLE EXAMINATION CENTRE IN CHEUNG YIP STREET, KOWLOON BAY.
THEY WERE BRIEFED BY THE ACTING ASSISTANT COMMISSIONER FOR TRANSPORT, MR C.C. CHAN, ON THE STRUCTURE AND ORGANISATION OF THE DEPARTMENT AS WELL AS THE PROGRESS OF VARIOUS TRAFFIC PROJECTS BEING CARRIED OUT IN KWUN TONG.
/TOURING THE
WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 30, 1988
24
TOURING THE CENTRE THEY SAW THE OPERATION INSPECTION EQUIPMENT FOR THE EXAMINATIONS 0F VEHICLES, GOODS VEHICLES, SPECIAL PURPOSE VEHICLES, PUBLIC AND BUSES AND TRAILERS.
OF AUTOMATIC WHICH INCLUDE PRIVATE LIGHT
THE INCREASING
CENTRE WOULD
THEY WERE TOLD THAT IN ORDER TO ACCOMMODATE NUMBER OF VEHICLES BEING INSPECTED, ANOTHER EXAMINATION SOON BE BUILT ALSO IN KOWLOON BAY.
AT THE TRAFFIC CONTROL AND SURVEILLANCE D^VI^0^ VIN. at^^ON ROAD THEY WERE BRIEFED BY THE ACTING CHIEF ENGINEER, MR F<K* ^AI, ON THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE AREA TRAFFIC CONTROL SYSTEM IN THE GERRIT R , PART?CULX ON THE OPERATIONS OF THE CONTROL SYSTEM FOR THE KOWLOON REGION.
AT THE KOWLOON AREA TRAFFIC CONTROL --------------------------- CIRCUIT
HOW CONTROL STAFF, USING CLOSED COMPUTER TERMINALS, SELECTED A SET BEST SUITED TO THE ROAD SITUATION
TRAFFIC.
OF
TO
CENTRE, MEMBERS OBSERVED
TELEVISION MONITORS AND
COMPUTERISED
ENSURE
THE
SIGNAL SMOOTH
TIMINGS
FLOW
OF
- - 0 ----------
PROMOTING INDUSTRIAL SAFETY AND HEALTH IN KWAI TSING ♦ ♦ * » ♦
A PROMOTION SCHEME ON INDUSTRIAL SAFETY AND HEALTH WILL BE LAUNCHED IN KWAI TSING DISTRICT ON FRIDAY (DECEMBER 2) TO AROUSE THE AWARENESS OF EMPLOYERS AND FACTORY WORKERS TOWARD SAFETY MEASURES AND PREVENTION OF OCCUPATIONAL DISEASES.
UNDER THE SCHEME, A SERIES OF ACTIVITIES WILL BE JOINTLY ORGANISED BY THE KWAI TSING DISTRICT BOARD’S INDUSTRY AND COMMERCE COMMITTEE, THE DISTRICT OFFICE, THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT AND THE S.K.H. LADY MACLEHOSE CENTRE WITH A BUDGET OF $130,000.
THE OPENING CEREMONY OF THE SCHEME WILL BE HELD AT THE KWAI FONG COMMUNITY HALL, TO BE FOLLOWED BY AN EXHIBITION WHICH IS THE FIRST ACTIVITY OF THE SCHEME.
THE CHAIRMAN OF THE SCHEME, MR CHOI HING-SHUN; KWAI TSING DISTRICT OFFICER, MR PAUL TANG KWOK-WAI; DISTRICT BOARD CHAIRMAN, MR LEE WING-TAT AND ASSISTANT COMMISSIONER FOR LABOUR, MR S.Y. MAK WILL OFFICIATE AT THE OPENING CEREMONY.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE OPENING CEREMONY OF PROMOTION SCHEME ON INDUSTRIAL SAFETY AND HEALTH IN KWAI TSING DISTRICT WHICH WILL START AT 3.30 PM ON FRIDAY (DECEMBER 2) AT KWAI FONG COMMUNITY HALL (NEAR KWAI FONG MTR STATION), LAI FONG STREET, KWAI CHUNG.
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/25
WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 30, 1988
- 25 -
PEDESTRIAN PROBLEMS AND PLANNING TO BE DISCUSSED » * » » »
THE TRAFFIC AND TRANSPORT COMMITTEE OF THE CENTRAL AND WESTERN DISTRICT BOARD WILL MEET TOMORROW (THURSDAY) TO REVIEW THE 1987 ACTION PROGRAMME ON PEDESTRIAN PROBLEM SPOTS IN THE DISTRICT AND THE PLANNING FOR THE COMMITTEE WORK FOR THE YEAR 1988/89.
THE COMMITTEE WILL ALSO DISCUSS PAPERS ON THE PROVISION OF A SIGNALISED PEDESTRIAN CROSSING AT CAINE ROAD AND THE CONNAUGHT ROAD CONGESTION PROBLEM.
A SURVEY ON PUBLIC TRANSPORT SERVICE IN WESTERN DISTRICT WILL ALSO BE DISCUSSED.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO SEND A REPRESENTATIVE TO COVER THE MEETING OF THE TRAFFIC AND TRANSPORT COMMITTEE OF THE CENTRAL AND WESTERN DISTRICT BOARD TO BEGIN AT 2.30 PM ON THURSDAY (DECEMBER 1) IN THE CONFERENCE ROOM OF CENTRAL AND WESTERN DISTRICT BOARD, 14/F., HARBOUR BUILDING, 38 PIER ROAD, HONG KONG.
- - 0 -----------
DB FUNDS FOR COMMUNITY PROJECTS » » » * »
THE SHAM SHUI PO DISTRICT BOARD’S COMMUNITY BUILDING COMMITTEE WILL MEET TOMORROW (THURSDAY) TO CONSIDER PROPOSALS TO SUBSIDISE COMMUNITY BUILDING ACTIVITIES WITH DISTRICT BOARD FUNDS.
THE COMMITTEE WILL ALSO CONSIDER 21 APPLICATIONS FOR FUNDS FOR VARIOUS ACTIVITIES IN THE COMING MONTHS, SUCH AS VARIETY SHOWS; CIVIC EDUCATION EXHIBITIONS; CARNIVALS; ANTI-SHOP THEFT AND KEEP HONG KONG CLEAN CAMPAIGNS, AND ACTIVITIES FOR THE ELDERLY.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE SHAM SHUI PO DISTRICT BOARD COMMUNITY BUILDING COMMITTEE MEETING BEGINNING AT 2.15 PM TOMORROW (THURSDAY) AT THE SHEK KIP MEI COMMUNITY HALL IN SHEK KIP MEI ESTATE.
-------o ---------
/26........
WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 30, 1988
- 26 -
JOINT EFFORTS PRAISED IN DISTRICT DEVELOPMENT *****
JOINT EFFORTS MADE BY THE NORTH DISTRICT BOARD, REGIONAL COUNCIL, LOCAL ORGANISATIONS AND INDIVIDUALS HAD BEEN INSTRUMENTAL, AT DIFFERENT LEVELS, IN FOSTERING DEVELOPMENTS IN NORTH DISTRICT, THE DISTRICT OFFICER, MR WILLIAM HUI SAID TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
MR HUI WAS SPEAKING AT A DINNER HOSTED BY THE FUNG YING SIN KOON LIMITED, WHICH WAS FOUNDED IN 1929, AND REGISTERED AS A NON-PROFIT MAKING CHARITABLE ORGANISATION IN 1972.
HE COMMENDED THE KOON FOR ITS EFFORTS IN SERVING RESIDENTS, SETTING A GOOD EXAMPLE IN THE LOCAL COMMUNITY.
"THE KOON PROVIDES FREE MEDICAL SERVICES, BOTH CHINESE AND WESTERN, TO THE PUBLIC.
"ON SOCIAL SERVICES, IT OPERATES A STUDY ROOM IN CHOI YUEN ESTATE, SHEUNG SHUI, WHICH IS WELL RECEIVED BY STUDENTS," MR HUI SAID.
HE NOTED THAT THE KOON HAD ALSO OPENED A SOCIAL CENTRE FOR THE ELDERLY IN CHEUNG WAH ESTATE, FANLING, OFFERING A RANGE OF RECREAT1ONAL ACT1V IT 1ES.
THE KOON IS ALSO LOOKING INTO OTHER POSSIBILITIES OF EXPANDING THEIR SOCIAL WELFARE SERVICES IN THE DISTRICT, WHICH IS NOW BEING ACTIVELY CONSIDERED," HE ADDED.
MR HUI HOPED THAT THE KOON, TOGETHER WITH OTHER LOCAL GROUPS, WOULD CONTINUE TO CONTRIBUTE TO THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE DISTRICT.
-------0----------
SAI KUNG CLEAN VILLAGE COMPETITION *****
MEMBERS OF THE SAI KUNG DISTRICT BOARD’S ENVIRONMENTAL IMPROVEMENT COMMITTEE WILL MEET TOMORROW (THURSDAY) TO DISCUSS THE SAI KUNG DISTRICT CLEAN VILLAGE COMPETITION TO BE HELD FROM MID-FEBRUARY TO MID-MARCH, 1989.
THE COMPETITION IS DESIGNED TO MOTIVATE VILLAGERS TO TAKE A MORE ACTIVE PART IN KEEPING THEIR VILLAGES CLEAN AND TO PROMOTE A CLEAN AND TIDY ENVIRONMENT IN RURAL AREAS.
/OTHER ITEMS
WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 5Ot 1988
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OTHER ITEMS ON THE AGENDA INCLUDE A DISCUSSION ON WORLD ENVIRONMENTAL DAY 1989 AND THE CLEARANCE OF ABANDONED MARKET STALLS AT SEE CHEUNG STREET, SAI KUNG TOWN.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE SAI KUNG DISTRICT BOARD’S ENVIRONMENTAL IMPROVEMENT COMMITTEE MEETING TOMORROW (THURSDAY) IN THE CONFERENCE ROOM OF THE SAI KUNG DISTRICT BOARD, SECOND FLOOR, SAI KUNG GOVERNMENT OFFICES, CHAN MAN STREET, SAI KUNG TOWN. THE MEETING WILL START AT 10 AM.
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RETIRING SENIOR POLICE OFFICER HONOURED
*****
HUNDREDS OF FRIENDS AND COLLEAGUES TODAY (WEDNESDAY) ATTENDED A TRADITIONAL GUARD OF HONOUR CEREMONY TO SAY FAREWELL TO SENIOR ASSISTANT COMMISSIONER OF POLICE, MR ROBERT BROWN, WHO IS RETIRING AFTER EIGHT YEARS OF SERVICE WITH THE ROYAL HONG KONG POLICE FORCE.
THE ASSEMBLY, WHICH TOOK PLACE IN THE POLICE HEADQUARTERS COMPOUND, WAS LED BY THE COMMISSIONER OF POLICE, MR RAYMON ANNING. IT WAS ATTENDED BY REGULAR AND AUXILIARY POLICE OFFICERS, CIVILIAN STAFF AND THEIR FAMILIES.
THE GUARD WAS DRAWN FROM THE FOXTROT COMPANY OF THE POLICE TACTICAL UNIT, UNDER THE COMMAND OF SUPERINTENDENT KEVAN COOPER.
MR BROWN WAS SECONDED FROM THE UNITED KINGDOM POLICE FORCE TO JOIN THE ROYAL HONG KONG POLICE FORCE IN 1980 AS A SENIOR ASSISTANT COMMISSIONER OF POLICE.
DURING HIS CAREER, HE HAS HELD THE POST OF DIRECTOR OF MANAGEMENT AND INSPECTION SERVICES, AND HAS, ON EIGHT OCCASIONS, ACTED AS DEPUTY COMMISSIONER OF POLICE, MANAGEMENT, BETWEEN 1985 AND 1988.
BEFORE JOINING THE HONG KONG POLICE FORCE, MR BROWN WAS THE DEPUTY CHIEF CONSTABLE OF THE DORSET POLICE. HE WILL DEPART FROM HONG KONG LATER TODAY, PROCEEDING ON LEAVE PRIOR TO RETIREMENT.
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WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 30, 1988
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BOE MEMBERS VISIT CHINESE INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL » » » « »
MEMBERS OF THE BOARD OF EDUCATION (BOE) TODAY (WEDNESDAY) VISITED THE CHINESE INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL (CIS) AT EASTERN HOSPITAL ROAD, CAUSEWAY BAY, TO SEE HOW EDUCATION IS PROVIDED IN A MULTI-CULTURAL SETTING.
THE PARTY INCLUDED THE CHAIRMAN, MRS RITA FAN AND MEMBERS, MR CHAN YING-LUN; MR DAVID C.K. CHEUNG; PROFESSOR BRIAN COOKE; MR ERIC LI; DR JOHN CHEN; MR TIMOTHY HA; MISS BOW SUI-MAY AND MR TAM MAN-KWAN.
THEY WERE ACCOMPANIED BY THE ASSISTANT DIRECTOR OF EDUCATION (SCHOOL), MR S.W. WONG, AND THE SECRETARY OF THE BOARD, SENIOR EDUCATION OFFICER, MR P.K. CHIU.
THE VISITORS WERE BRIEFED BY THE HEADMASTER, DR PETER GIBBONS THAT CIS WAS A PRIVATE NON-PROFIT-MAKING SCHOOL OPERATING CLASSES FROM PRE-PRIMARY UP TO SECONDARY 2 LEVELS. THE TOTAL ENROLMENT OF THE SCHOOL WAS ABOUT 430.
THE SCHOOL WAS FOUNDED IN 1983 BY A GROUP OF REPUTABLE PESONALITIES WITH AN AIM TO PROVIDE AN INTERNATIONAL EDUCATIONAL EXPERIENCE THROUGH A BALANCED CURRICULUM FOR CHILDREN OR DIFFERENT NATIONALITIES WHO ARE NATIVE SPEAKERS OF CHINESE OF ENGLISH.
THE VISITING BOE MEMBERS WERE TOLD THAT THE SCHOOL WAS SO POPULAR THAT IT HAD A LONG WAITING LIST OF SOME 350 CHILDREN SEEKING ADMISSION.
TO COPE WITH THE INCREASING DEMAND, THE CHINESE INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL FOUNDATION WAS PLANNING TO TAKE OVER THE PREMISES OF KENNEDY ROAD JUNIOR SCHOOL WHEN THEY WERE VACATED BY THE ENGLISH SCHOOL FOUNDATION IN THE NEAR FUTURE.
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ILLEGAL STRUCTURES CLEARED IN TO KWA WAN
*****
TWENTY-SIX ILLEGAL STRUCTURES AT REAR LANES IN TO KWA WAN WERE CLEARED IN AN ENVIRONMENTAL IMPROVEMENT OPERATION TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
OF THE ILLEGAL STRUCTURES, 25 WERE LOCATED IN SIX REAR LANES BOUNDED BY KOWLOON CITY ROAD, MA TAU KOK ROAD, TO KWA WAN ROAD AND SHEUNG HEUNG ROAD.
/THE OTHER
WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER JO, 1988
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THE OTHER ILLEGAL STRUCTURE WAS BOUNDED BY PAK TAI STREET, MOK CHEONG STREET, PAU CHUNG STREET AND MA TAU KOK ROAD.
SIX OF THE STRUCTURES WERE USED AS DOMESTIC UNITS, 18 FOR COMMERCIAL AND STORAGE PURPOSES AND THE REMAINING TWO WERE ABANDONED.
THE CLEARANCE WAS PART OF A CONTINUING PROGRAMME TO IMPROVE THE DISTRICT’S ENVIRONMENT.
TODAY’S OPERATION WAS CO-ORDINATED BY THE KOWLOON CITY DISTRICT OFFICE AND JOINTLY CARRIED OUT BY THE BUILDINGS AND LANDS, HOUSING AND URBAN SERVICES DEPARTMENTS, AS WELL AS THE POLICE.
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ABANDONED SIGNBOARDS IN YAU TSIM TO BE CLEARED * * * * *
AN OPERATION WILL BE CARRIED OUT IN YAU TSIM DISTRICT TOMORROW (THURSDAY) TO REMOVE 10 ABANDONED SIGNBOARDS.
THE OPERATION IS PART OF THE DISTRICT’S ENVIRONMENTAL IMPROVEMENT CAMPAIGN TO REMIND RESIDENTS OF THE IMPORTANCE OF KEEPING THEIR LIVING ENVIRONMENT CLEAN AND TIDY.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE OPERATION TO REMOVE ABANDONED SIGNBOARDS IN YAU TSIM DISTRICT WHICH WILL START AT 9 AM TOMORROW (THURSDAY) AT 108 WOOSUNG STREET, JORDAN ROAD AREA.
WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 30, 1988
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FRESH WATER CUT IN FOUR DISTRICTS * * * *
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE WATER SUPPLIES DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCED THE FOLLOWING DISRUPTIONS TO FRESH WATER SUPPLY DUE TO WATER WORKS:
* THE SUPPLY TO THE AREA BOUNDED BY WING KIN ROAD, WING (HONG ROAD, WING KEI ROAD, WING LAP STREET AND KWAI HET ::TR£K1 IN KWAI CHUNG WILL BE CUT OFF BETWEEN 10 PM TOMORROW (THURSDAY) AND 6 AM THE NEXT DAY.
* THE SUPPLY TO SHEK TSAI LENG VILLAGE, DILLS QORNER CAMP, TUNG FONG, TONG KOK VILLAGE, FUNG KONG VILLAGE, MA TSO LUNG SAN TSUEN, HO SHEUNG HEUNG VILLAGE, TSUNG YUEN AND LO WU CAMP, AND KWU TUNG IN SHEUNG SHUI WILL BE SUSPENDED BETWEEN 10 PM TOMORROW (THURSDAY) AND 6 AM THE NEXT DAY.
* THE SUPPLY TO TAI AU MUN, SEUNG SZ WAN, SIU HANG HAU, TAI HANG HAU, MAU PO, TSIU WO AND TAI WAN TAU IN SAI KUNG WILL BE CUT OFF BETWEEN 10 AM AND 5 PM TOMORROW (THURSDAY).
* THE SUPPLY TO BLOCK NO. 1 - 17, SAU MAU PING ESTATE WILL BE CUT OFF BETWEEN 11 PM TOMORROW (THURSDAY) AND 6 AM THE NEXT DAY.
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URBAN CLEARWAYS IN WAN CHAI
*****
THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCED THAT SEVERAL ROAD SECTIONS IN WAN CHAI WILL BE MADE URBAN CLEARWAYS DURING THE FOLLOWING PERIODS FROM 10 AM ON SATURDAY (DECEMBER 3):
FROM 7 AM TO 7 PM DAILY:
* QUEEN’S ROAD EAST BETWEEN KENNEDY STREET AND A POINT ABOUT 70 METRES TO THE WEST OF MORRISON HILL ROAD;
* STUBBS ROAD BETWEEN ITS JUNCTION WITH QUEEN’S ROAD EAST AND A POINT ABOUT 20 METRES TO THE SOUTH;
* KENNEDY ROAD BETWEEN ITS JUNCTION WITH QUEEN’S ROAD EAST AND A POINT ABOUT 20 METRES TO THE SOUTH; AND
* THE EASTERN KERBSIDE OF KENNEDY STREET BETWEEN ITS JUNCTION WITH QUEEN’S ROAD EAST AND A POINT ABOUT 10 METRES TO THE SOUTH.
IN ADDITION, THE WESTERN KERBSIDE OF KENNEDY STREET BETWEEN ITS JUNCTION WITH QUEEN’S ROAD EAST AND A POINT ABOUT 10 MEI RES 'I 1 THE SOUTH WILL BECOME A PEAK HOUR (I.E. 7 AM - 10 AM AND 4 PM - 7 PM) DAILY URBAN CLEARWAY.
NO VEHICLES EXCEPT FRANCHISED BUSES WILL BE ALLOWED TO STOP FOR PASSENGERS OR GOODS WITHIN THE RESTRICTED AREAS.
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WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 30, 1988
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TEMPORARY TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS IN SO KON PO AND NORTH POINT * * * * *
THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCED THAT CAROLINE HILL ROAD IN SO KON PO BETWEEN COTTON PATH AND LEIGHTON ROAD WILL BE RE-ROUTED TO ONE-WAY SOUTHBOUND FROM 10 AM ON SATURDAY (DECEMBER 3).
AFFECTED VEHICLES WILL BE DIVERTED VIA COTTON PATH, EASTERN HOSPITAL ROAD AND TUNG LO WAN ROAD.
MOREOVER, NO VEHICLES EXCEPT FRANCHISED BUSES WILL BE ALLOWED TO STOP FOR PASSGENERS OR GOODS ALONG CAROLINE HILL ROAD BETWEEN ITS JUNCTION WITH LEIGHTON ROAD AND A POINT ABOUT 50 METRES TO THE SOUTH FROM 7 AM TO 7 PM DAILY.
THESE MEASURES WILL LAST FOR ABOUT THREE MONTHS FOR ELECTRIC CABLE LAYING WORKS.
AT THE SAME TIME, THE FOLLOWING ROAD SECTIONS IN NORTH POINT WILL BE DESIGNATED URBAN CLEARWAYS ROUND-THE-CLOCK FOR ABOUT SIX MONTHS FOR ROADWORKS:
* THE EASTERN KERBSIDE LANE OF POWER STREET; AND
* THE NORTHERN KERBSIDE LANE OF KING’S ROAD FROM ITS JUNCTION WITH POWER STREET TO A POINT ABOUT 20 METRES EAST OF THE SAME JUNCTION.
NO VEHICLES EXCEPT FRANCHISED BUSES WILL BE ALLOWED TO STOP FOR PASSENGERS OR GOODS WITHIN THE RESTRICTED AREAS.
URBAN CLEARWAYS, ROAD CLOSURE ON HONG KONG ISLAND *****
THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCED THAT TWO ROAD SECTIONS ON HONG KONG ISLAND WILL BE DESIGNATED URBAN CLEARWAYS FROM 10 AM ON SATURDAY (DECEMBER 3).
THE SOUTHERN KERBSIDE LANE OF CATCHICK STREET IN KENNEDY TOWN FROM A POINT ABOUT 30 METRES EAST OF ITS JUNCTION WITH SMITHFIELD TO A POINT ABOUT 30 METRES WEST OF THE SAME JUNCTION WILL BECOME A 7 AM TO 7 PM DAILY URBAN CLEARWAY.
MEANWHILE, THE NORTHERN KERBSIDE LANE OF BEACH ROAD IN REPULSE BAY FROM A POINT ABOUT 23 METRES EAST OF ITS JUNCTION WITH AN UNNAMED ACCESS ROAD LEADING TO SEAVIEW PROMENADE TO A POINT ABOUT 124 METRES EAST OF THE SAME JUNCTION WILL BE MADE AN URBAN CLEARWAY ROUND-THE-CLOCK FOR ABOUT THREE MONTH FOR ROAD WORKS.
NO VEHICLES EXCEPT FRANCHISED BUSES WILL BE ALLOWED "T STOP FOR PASSENGERS OR GOODS WITHIN THE RESTRICTED AREAS.
AT THE SAME TIME, EDINBURGH PLACE NORTH BETWEEN QUEEN’S PIER AND H.M.S. TAMAR WILL BE CLOSED TO TRAFFIC, EXCEPT FOR EMERGENCY VEHICLES, FROM 7 AM TO 6 PM DAILY ON DECEMBER 3 AND 4 FOR IKE HOLDING OF THE NAVY DAY - HMS TAMAR.
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