DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL.: 5-8428777
Saturday, april 1, 1989
CONTENTS PAGE NO,
ACCURATE INFORMATION FOR CONSUMERS ESSENTIAL: CS............. 1
FIRST-DEGREE GRADUATES TO EXCEED 15,000 YEARLY BY 1999 ...... 1
NURSERIES GET SOCIAL WCRK INPUT ............................. 2
MONETARY STATISTICS FOR FEBRU.’iRY PUBLISHED................. J
JPC CHILDREN BENEFIT FROM U3.I5 MILLION BURSARIES ........... 7
VOLUNTEERS NEEDED TO ASSIST PROBATIONERS .................... 7
INCREASING RESPONSIBILITIES OF CNTA WORKS SECTIONS........... 8
REGIONAL SECRETARY MEETS MAC REPRESENTATIVES ................ 10
EXHIBITION TO STRESS HOME S^JETY IN TAI PO................... 11
DB FUNDS AVAILABLE FOR SCCI.lL SERVICES PROJECTS ............ 11
TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS IN YUEN LONG ........................... 12
TEMPORARY LiiNE CLOSURE ON TOLO HIGHWAY ..................... 12
HILL FIRE WARNING FOR GRAVE WORSHIPPERS...................... 1?
SATURDAY. APRIL 1. 1989
ACCURATE INFORMATION FOR CONSUMERS ESSENTIAL: CS
******
TIMELY AND ACCURATE CONSUMER INFORMATION IS ESSENTIAL FOR THE SMOOTH OPERATION OF A FREE MARKET, THE CHIEF SECRETARY, SIR DAVID FORD. SAID TODAY (SATURDAY) AT THE OPENING CEREMONY OF THE CONSUMER COUNCIL’S "RIGHT TO KNOW EXHIBITION".
NOTING THAT HONG KONG WAS JUSTIFIABLY PROUD OF ITS INTERNATIONAL REPUTATION AS A FREE MARKET, THAT IS, FREE OF TRADE BARRIERS, FREE OF PRICE CONTROLS AND FREE OF BUREAUCRATIC INTERFERENCE IN THE OPERATION OF MARKET FORCES, SIR DAVID SAID, HOWEVER, A FREE MARKET DID NOT MEAN A MARKET "WHERE ANYTHING GOES".
"WE NEED TO SAFEGUARD THE CONSUMERS’ SAFETY AND WE NEED TO PROTECT THE CONSUMERS’ RIGHTS." HE SAID.
"AS PART OF THAT PROTECTION, WE NEED TO ENSURE THAT CONSUMERS CAN CHOOSE WISELY ON THE BASIS OF A FREE FLOW OF INFORMATION ABOUT PRODUCTS AND SERVICES."
SIR DAVID SAID THE EXHIBITION SHOWED HOW IMPORTANT CONSUMER INFORMATION WAS TO DAILY LIVES AND HOW IT COULD AFFECT SUCH DECISIONS AS BUYING A HOME. FOOD AND CLOTHING.
"IN PARTICULAR IT GIVES US A CLEAR IDEA OF WHAT TO LOOK OUT FOR AND HOW WE CAN AVOID PITFALLS IN MAKING IMPORTANT BUYING DECISIONS," HE SAID.
SIR DAVID PRAISED THE COUNCIL FOR BUILDING UP OVER THE YEARS AN EXCELLENT REPUTATION AS THE GUARDIAN OF CONSUMERS’ RIGHTS, AND ADDED THAT ITS HIGHLY INFORMATIVE AND USEFUL PUBLICATIONS AND EXHIBITIONS HAD WON WIDE ACCLAIM FROM THE COMMUNITY.
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FIRST-DEGREE GRADUATES TO EXCEED 15,000 YEARLY BY 1999 ******
THE TOTAL NUMBER OF NEW FIRST-DEGREE GRADUATES PRODUCED BY HONG KONG’S TERTIARY INSTITUTIONS EACH YEAR WAS TODAY (SATURDAY) FORECAST TO RISE TO MORE THAN 15,000 BY 1999.
SPEAKING AT A PRESENTATION DINNER OF DISTINGUISHED SALESMAN AWARDS ORGANISED BY THE HONG KONG MANAGEMENT ASSOCIATION, THE SECRETARY FOR ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES AND INFORMATION, MR PETER TSAO, SAID THAT JUST OVER 3,000 NEW FIRST-DEGREE GRADUATES WERE PRODUCED IN 1987.
"IN 1988, THAT NUMBER ROSE BY 24 PER CENT TO 3,750 AND WILL GROW FURTHER THIS YEAR BY 15 PER CENT TO 4,330," HE SAID.
/"BY 1999 ........
SATURDAY, APRIL 1, 1989
- 2 -
"BY 1999, WITH THE COMING ON STREAM OF THE OPEN LEARNING INSTITUTE AND THE UNIVERSITY OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY, THE TOTAL WILL EXCEED 15,000 - A QUINTUPLING OF OPPORTUNITY IN JUST 12 YEARS.
"TO THOSE REMARKABLE FIGURES MUST BE ADDED THE MANY THOUSANDS OF HONG KONG STUDENTS GRADUATING EACH YEAR IN OVERSEAS INSTITUTIONS AND RETURNING TO HONG KONG TO LIVE AND TO WORK, PLUS THE MANY SKILLED RETURNING EMIGRANTS.
"THAT IS WHY DESPITE THE LOSSES TO EMIGRATION, THE NUMBER OF SKILLED AND QUALIFIED PEOPLE IN OUR COMMUNITY CONTINUES TO GROW."
MR TSAO POINTED OUT THAT THE WAY FOR HONG KONG WAS CLEAR.
"WE MUST CONTINUE TO DEVELOP; WE MUST CONTINUE TO MOVE UPMARKET, WB MUST BOOST VALUE ADDED: WE MUST GROW MORE SOPHISTICATED," HE SAID*
"WB IN GOVERNMENT MUST DO ALL WE CAN TO ASSIST THESE PROCESSES BY PROVIDING THE TRAINING OPPORTUNITIES TO GIVE HONG KONG PEOPLE THE SKILLS THEY NBED."
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NURSERIES GET SOCIAL WORK INPUT
* * * *
NURSERIES NOWADAYS ARE NOT MERELY A PLACE TRADITIONALLY FOR LOOKING AFTER CHILDREN BUT ALSO FOR PROVIDING THEM WITH PROPER PREPARATION FOR FUTURE SCHOOLING AND GROWTH.
THE ASSISTANT DIRECTOR OF SOCIAL WELFARE, MR ALFRED CHUI, SAID THIS TODAY (SATURDAY) AT THE OPENING CEREMONY OF THE HENG ON BAPTIST NURSERY OPERATED BY THE ASSOCIATION OF BAPTISTS FOR WORLD EVANGELISM IN MA ON SHAN, SHA TIN.
MR CHUI SAID THAT CHILD CARE SERVICES HAD EMERGED INTO A NEW ERA IN THE CONTEXT THAT THERE WAS SIGNIFICANT CONTRIBUTION FROM PROFESSIONAL WORKERS IN LOOKING AFTER CHILDREN.
HE SAID THAT THIS PROFESSIONAL INPUT WOULD HELP CHILDREN TO ACHIEVE A BALANCED AND COMPREHENSIVE DEVELOPMENT COVERING PHYSICAL, INTELLECTUAL, LINGUISTIC, SOCIAL AND MENTAL ASPECTS.
CHILD CARE WORKERS WERE PLAYING A SIGNIFICANT AND CHALLENGING ROLE AS THEY WERE INFLUENTIAL IN THE DEVELOPMENT OF CHILDREN, WHO REQUIRED LOVE AND CONCERN.
MR CHUI SAID THAT IN 1976 THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT HAD SET UP THE CHILD CARE CENTRES INSPECTORATE.
/"THE INSPECTORATE .......
SATURDAY, APRIL 1, 19^9
3
"THE INSPECTORATE IS RESPONSIBLE FOR THE ENFORCEMENT OF THE CHILD CARE CENTRES ORDINANCE AND REGULATIONS AND MAINTAINS A COMPREHENSIVE REGISTRATION AND INSPECTION SYSTEM TO ENSURE THAT ALL REGISTERED CHILD CARE CENTRES ARE OPERATED IN ACCORDANCE WITH LEGAL REQUIREMENTS, INCLUDING THE PROVISION OF SPACE AND SAFETY STANDARD AND PROGRAMMES,” HE SAID.
"THE INSPECTORATE ALSO REGULATES REGISTRATION CONDITIONS FOR CHILD CARE WORKERS, AND PROVIDES TRAINING FOR THEM.
"TO ENSURE THE QUALITY OF SERVICES, THE DEPARTMENT, IN CONJUNCTION WITH THE HONG KONG COUNCIL OF SOCIAL SERVICE, HAS COMPILED A DAY CARE NURSERY ACTIVITIES BOOKLET WHICH GIVES GUIDELINES ON THE DEVELOPMENT OF CHILDREN AGED BETWEEN TWO AND SIX.”
MR CHUI PAID TRIBUTE TO THE ASSOCIATION FOR RENDERING DIVERSIFIED WELFARE SERVICES - INCLUDING A NURSERY. SOCIAL SERVICE CENTRE, STUDY CENTRE, AND CENTRE FOR THE ELDERLY - SINCE IT WAS SET UP IN THE 1950’S.
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MONETARY STATISTICS FOR FEBRUARY PUBLISHED ♦ t * ♦ t
BOTH HONG KONG DOLLAR AND FOREIGN CURRENCY DEPOSITS INCREASED IN FEBRUARY COMPARED WITH JANUARY, ACCORDING TO STATISTICS PUBLISHED TODAY (SATURDAY) BY THE MONETARY AFFAIRS BRANCH.
IN PART REFLECTING THE DECLINE IN CASH HOLDING AFTER THE LUNAR NEW YEAR. THE NARROWEST DEFINITION OF MONEY SUPPLY, HKSM1, RECORDED A SUBSTANTIAL FALL DURING FEBRUARY. THE BROADER DEFINITIONS, HKSM2 AND HKSMJ. DECREASED SLIGHTLY DURING THE MONTH.
THE GROWTH OF TOTAL LOANS AND ADVANCES EXTENDED BY AUTHORISED
INSTITUTIONS PICKED UP DUR I NG FEBRUARY. PARTLY ATTRIBUTABLE ACCELERATION IN THE GROWTH OF OFFSHORE LOANS. OTHER LOANS FOR HONG KONG ALSO SHOWED A CONS JDERABI I INCREASE WHILE LOANS TO VISIBLE TRADE DECLINED DURING THE MONTH.
TO THE
USE IN
FINANCE
THE ACCOMPANY ING TABLE SETS OUT SUMMARY FIGURES FOR FEBRUARY 1989 AND COMPARISONS WITH EARLIER MONTHS.
DEPOSITS
HONG KONG DOLLAR DEPOSITS WITH AUTHORISED INSTITUTIONS GREW BY 0.2 PER CENT IN FEBRUARY 1989 FOLLOWING ZERO GROWTH IN DECEMBER 1988 AND AN INCREASE OF 2.3 PER. CENT IN JANUARY 1989. OF THESE DEPOSITS, DEMAND AND SAVINGS DEPOSITS DROPPED BY 1.6 PER CENT AND 1.6 PER CENT RESPECTIVELY, WHILE TIME DEPOSITS ROSE BY 2.8 PER ('ENT. DUR I NG THE 12 MONTHS ENDING FEBRUARY 1989, TOTAL HONG KONG DOLLAR DEPOSITS GREW BY 12.5 PER CENT.
/FOREIGN CURRENCY .......
SATURDAY, APRIL 1, 1989
FOREIGN CURRENCY DEPOSITS WITH AUTHORISED INSTITUTIONS GREW BY 0.6 PER CENT IN FEBRUARY 1989, FOLLOWING INCREASES OF 0.5 PER CENT AND 2.8 PER CENT IN DECEMBER 1988 AND JANUARY 1989 RESPECTIVELY. OF THESE DEPOSITS, U.S. DOLLAR DEPOSITS ROSE BY 1.5 PER CENT WHILE NON-U.S. DOLLAR DEPOSITS FELL BY 0.3 PER CENT. OVER THE YEAR, TOTAL FOREIGN CURRENCY DEPOSITS ROSE BY 33.9 PER CENT.
FOREIGN CURRENCY SWAP DEPOSITS INCREASED BY 4.9 PER CENT IN FEBRUARY 1989. AFTER INCREASES OF 7.2 PER CENT AND 4.2 PER CENT IN DECEMBER 1988 AND JANUARY 1989 RESPECTIVELY. ADJUSTED TO INCLUDE THESE DEPOSITS, HONG KONG DOLLAR DEPOSITS GREW BY 0.8 PER CENT IN FEBRUARY AND BY 20.7 PER CENT COMPARED WITH A YEAR EARLIER. ON THE OTHER HAND, FOREIGN CURRENCY DEPOSITS, ADJUSTED TO EXCLUDE SWAP DEPOSITS, INCREASED BY 0.2 PER CENT IN FEBRUARY AND BY 27.5 PER CENT OVER THE YEAR.
DEPOSITS OF ALL CURRENCIES WITH BANKS GREW BY 0.3 PER CENT IN FEBRUARY WHILE THOSE WITH DEPOSIT-TAKING COMPANIES ROSE BY 2.1 PER CENT. DURING THE 12 MONTHS ENDING FEBRUARY 1989, THE FORMER ROSE BY 24.6 PER CENT WHILE THE LATTER GREW BY 20 PER CENT.
MONEY SUPPLY
HKSM1, HKSM2 AND HKSM3 DECLINED BY 5.2 PER CENT, 0.5 PER CENT
AND 0.3 PER CENT RESPECTIVELY IN FEBRUARY. THESE FIGURES COMPARED WITH CORRESPONDING GROWTH RATES OF 10.2 PER CENT. 3.6 PER CENT AND 3.1 PER CENT IN JANUARY. DURING THE 12 MONTHS ENDING FEBRUARY 1989, HKSM1. HKSM2 AND HKSM3 GREW BY 7.2 PER CENT, 11.5 PER CENT AND 12.4 PER CENT RESPECTIVELY. ADJUSTED TO TAKE ACCOUNT OF SWAP DEPOSITS, HKSM2 GREW BY 0.1 PER CENT WHILE HKSM3 ROSE BY 0.2 PER CENT IN FEBRUARY. COMPARED WITH A YEAR EARLIER. THEIR CORRESPONDING GROWTH RATES WERE 19.5 PER CENT AND 19.8 PER CENT.
TOTAL Ml FELL BY 3.9 PER CENT IN FEBRUARY WHILE TOTAL M2 AND M3 GREW BY 0.1 PER CENT AND 0.3 PER CENT RESPECTIVELY. THEIR CORRESPONDING GROWTH RATES IN JANUARY WERE 9.2 PER CENT. 3.4 PER CENT AND 2.9 PER CENT. OVER THE YEAR, TOTAL Ml GREW BY 7.1 PER CENT, TOTAL M2 BY 24.1 PER CENT AND TOTAL M3 BY 23.8 PER CENT.
LOANS AND ADVANCES
TOTAL OUTSTANDING LOANS AND ADVANCES EXTENDED BY AUTHORISED INSTITUTIONS GREW BY 5.7 PER CENT IN FEBRUARY 1989. COMPARED WITH INCREASES OF 1.2 PER CENT AND 1.9 PER CENT IN DECEMBER 1988 AND JANUARY 1989 RESPECTIVELY. OF THE TOTAL OUTSTANDING LOANS, THOSE DENOMINATED IN HONG KONG DOLLARS GREW BY 1 PER CENT, WHILE THOSE DENOMINATED IN FOREIGN CURRENCIES GREW BY 6.9 PER CENT.
/LOANS TO .......
SATURDAY, APRIL 1, 1989
LOANS TO FINANCE VISIBLE TRADE OF HONG KONG DROPPED BY 2.2 PER CENT IN FEBRUARY 1989, COMPARED WITH INCREASES OF 2.9 PER CENT AND 2.1 PER CENT IN DECEMBER 1988 AND JANUARY 1989 RESPECTIVELY. OVER THE YEAR, THESE LOANS GREW BY 26.7 PER CENT.
OTHER LOANS FOR USE IN HONG KONG GREW BY 3.7 PER CENT IN FEBRUARY 1989 FOLLOWING A GROWTH RATE OF 2.3 PER CENT AND 3.5 PER CENT IN DECEMBER 1988 AND JANUARY 1989 RESPECTIVELY. OVER THE YEAR, THESE LOANS GREW BY 35.4 PER CENT.
LOANS FOR USE OUTSIDE HONG KONG INCREASED BY 4.3 PER CENT IN FEBRUARY 1989, AFTER INCREASES OF 1.6 PER CENT AND 0.9 PER CENT IN DECEMBER 1988 AND JANUARY 1989 RESPECTIVELY. OVER THE YEAR, THESE LOANS GREW BY 32.3 PER CENT.
NUMBER OF REPORTING INSTITUTIONS
THE NUMBER OF REPORTING LICENSED BANKS INCREASED BY ONE TO 159. THE NUMBER OF LICENSED DEPOSIT-TAKING COMPANIES REMAINED UNCHANGED AT 35 WHILE THAT OF REGISTERED DEPOSIT-TAKING COMPANIES FELL BY ONE TO 215.
/MONETARY STATISTICS
MONETARY STATISTICS - FEBRUARY 1989
Feb 1989
Money Supply Jah 1989
Ml - HKS 82.844 87,362
Foreign currency 10,331 9.608
Total 93,175 96,970
M2 - HKS 365,820 367.752
Foreign currency 487,988 484,985
Total 853,807 852,737
M3 - HKS 400,052 401,177
Foreign currency 521,515 518,007
Total 921.567 919,184
■ Notes and coins in circulation 36.415 39,975
KO of which held by public Total Deposits 31.757 33,838
1 Total Demand deposits 61.418 63,132
Total Savings deposits 170,136 171,225
Total Time deposits with banks 574,512 568.984
Total Time deposits with dtcs 65,692 64,313
HKS deposits 355.739 354,856
USS deposits 270,733 266,761
Other foreign currency deposits 245,285 246,037
All deposits 871.758 867,654
Foreign .currency swap deposits Total Loans and advances 47.751 45,527
To finance H.K.'s visible trade 56.955 58,239
To finance merchandising trade not touching H.K. 11,816 8,988
Other loans for use in H.K. 489.677 472,311
Other loans for use outside H.K. 401,220 384,775
Other loans where the place of use is not known 76,202 56,012
Loans in HKS 436,541 419,770
Loans in foreign currencies 599,329 560.556
• Total loans and advances 1.035,870 980,326
Earlier months (A change to February 1989) (HKSmn) •
Nov 1988 Feb 1988
( -5.2 A) 78,698 ( 5.3 A) 77,288 ( 7.2 %)
( 7.B A) 9,742 ( 6.0 A) 9,711 ( 6.4 A)
( -3.9 A) 88,439 ( 5.4 A) 86,999 ( 7.1 A)
( -0.5 A) 354,334 ( 3.2 A) 328,158 ( 11.5 A)
( o.6 %) 466,567 ( 4.6 A) 359,861 ( 35.6 A)
( o.i %) 820,900 ( 4.0 A) 688,019 ( 24.1 A)
( -0.3 A) 387,345 ( 3.3 A) 355,787 ( 12.4 A)
( 0.7 A) 501,688 ( 4.0 A) 388,875 ( 34.1 A)
( 0.3 A) 889.033 ( 3.7 A) 744,662 ( 23.8 A) 1
( -8.9 A) 32,298 ( 12.7 A) 33,092 ( 10.0 A) 1
( -6.1 A) 28,363 ( 12.0 A) 28,716 ( 10.6 A) 1 O 1
( -2.7 A) 60.076 ( 2.2 A) 58,284 ( 5.4 A) 1
( -0.6 A) 174,278 ( -2.4 A) 190,868 (■ -10.9 A) i
( 1.0 A) 542,529 ( 5.9 A) 397,721 ( 44.5 A)
( 2.1 A) 66.044 ( -0.5 A) 54,731 ( 20.0 A)
( 0.2 A) 346,700 ( 2.6 A) 316,336 ( 12.5 A)
( 1.5 A) 264.336 ( 2.4 A) 211,167 ( 28.2 A)
( -0.3 A) 231,889 ( 5.8 A) 174,101 ( 40.9 A)
( 0.5 A) 842,926 ( 3.4 A) 701,604 ( 24.3 A)
( 4.9 A) 40,755 ( 17.2 A) 18,014 (165.1 A)
( -2.2 A) 55,436 ( 2.7 A) 44,965 ( 26.7 A)
( 31.5 A) 7,709 ( 53.3 A) 7,847 ( 50.6 A)
( 3.7 A) 446,183 ( 9.7 A) 361,572 ( 35.4 A)
( 4.3 A) 375,550 ( 6.8 A) 303,234 ( 32.3 A)
( 36.0 A) 65,923 ( 15.6 A) 62,515 ( 21.9 A)
( 4.0 A) 396,930 ( 10.0 A) 315,058 ( 38.6 A)
( 6.9 A) 553,871 ( 8.2 A) 465,074 ( 28.9 A)
( 5.7 A) 950,801 ( 8.9 A) 780,133 ( 32.8 A)
SATURDAY, APRIL 1, 1989
7
JPC CHILDREN BENEFIT FROM 93.15 MILLION BURSARIES ******
BURSARIES TOTALLING 93.15 MILLION WILL BE AWARDED THIS YEAR TO 1,593 CHILDREN OF JUNIOR POLICE OFFICERS, REPRESENTING A 26 PER CENT INCREASE, OR 157 NEW BURSARIES, WHEN COMPARED WITH THE AMOUNT AND NUMBER AWARDED IN 1988.
SPEAKING AT THE 22ND ANNUAL BURSARY CERTIFICATE PRESENTATION OF THE POLICE CHILDREN’S EDUCATION TRUST AT THE POLICE SPORTS AND RECREATION CLUB TODAY (SATURDAY), THE COMMISSIONER OF POLICE, MR RAYMON ANNING NOTED THAT VERY MANY POLICE CHILDREN HAD BEEN ASSISTED BY THE FUND DURING THE PAST 22 YEARS.
THE AWARDS THIS YEAR INCLUDED 216 BURSARIES GIVEN TO STUDENTS AT LOCAL UNIVERSITIES AND COLLEGES OF HIGHER EDUCATION AND 104 TO THOSE STUDYING IN OVERSEAS TERTIARY INSTITUTIONS.
CONGRATULATING THE RECIPIENTS, MR ANNING ADVISED THEM TO EXPLOIT THEIR POTENTIAL TO THE FULL AND STUDIOUSLY PURSUE THEIR EDUCATION.
HE ALSO THANKED THE POLICE CHILDREN'S EDUCATION TRUST INVESTMENT ADVISORY BOARD AND THE MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE FOR THEIR SOUND ADVICE AND EFFORTS IN ENSURING THAT THE FUNDS WERE BEING PROFITABLY INVESTED AND PUT TO THEIR BEST USE.
THE CHAIRMAN OF THE MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE, MR HUI CHUN-KEUNG, WHO ALSO SPOKE AT THE CEREMONY, POINTED OUT THAT THERE WAS A GENERAL INCREASE IN THE VALUE OF EACH AWARD DISTRIBUTED TO INDIVIDUAL STUDENT.
HE ADDED THAT THE MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE FOUND THEIR WORK IN MANAGING THE TRUST BOTH SATISFYING AND MEANINGFUL.
THE TRUST, WHICH WAS ESTABLISHED IN 1967, HAS ITS FUNDS DRAWN FROM PUBLIC DONATIONS TO THE POLICE IN RECOGNITION OF THEIR OUTSTANDING SERVICE. ITS ASSETS HAVE GROWN FROM 92.7 MILLION TO 931.5 MILLION AT PRESENT.
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VOLUNTEERS NEEDED TO ASSIST PROBATIONERS
*****
PEOPLE INTERESTED IN THE REHABILITATION OF OFFENDERS PLACED ON PROBATION ARE BEING INVITED TO PARTICIPATE IN THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT’S VOLUNTEER SCHEME FOR PROBATIONERS.
SENIOR SOCIAL WORK OFFICER, MRS IRENE SIH, SAID THE VOLUNTEERS SHOULD PREFERABLY BE AGED 21 OR ABOVE, OF SECONDARY SCHOOL EDUCATION STANDARD. MATURE IN PERSONALITY AND WILLING TO MAKE FRIENDS WITH LAW OFFENDERS.
/THE SHOULD........
SATURDAY, APRIL 1, 1989
8
THEY SHOULD BE WILLING TO SACRIFICE THEIR LEISURE TIME TO SERVE OTHERS WITHOUT MONETARY REWARD AS WELL AS BE IN GOOD HEALTH AND OF WHOLESOME INTEREST, MRS SIH SAID.
ON THE ROLE OF A VOLUNTEER. MRS SIH SAID HE/SHE CAN ACT AS A TUTOR FOR A PROBATIONER WHO HAS PROBLEMS WITH SCHOOL WORK AND TO HELP DEVELOP A PROBATIONER’S RANGE OF INTERESTS OR HOBBIES.
"THE VOLUNTEER CAN ALSO GUIDE A PROBATIONER IN THE PROPER USE OF LEISURE TIME AND DIRECT HIS INTEREST INTO WHOLESOME SOCIAL, CULTURAL AND RECREATIONAL ACTIVITIES.
"HE CAN OFFER PRACTICAL ADVICE AND ASSISTANCE SUCH AS ON CHILD CARE AND MANAGEMENT OF A HOUSEHOLD AS WELL AS GIVE TECHNICAL INFORMATION IF HE IS A PROFESSIONAL OR SKILLED PERSON," SHE SAID.
"MOST IMPORTANTLY, THE VOLUNTEER CAN PROVIDE FRIENDSHIP ESPECIALLY TO PROBATIONERS WITHOUT FAMILY SUPPORT AND GUIDANCE TO THOSE WITHOUT DESIRABLE FRIENDS," SHE ADDED.
THE NEWLY-RECRUITED VOLUNTEERS WILL BE BRIEFED IN AN ORIENTATION COURSE BEFORE THEY START TO ASSIST PROBATION OFFICERS IN THE REHABILITATION OF PROBATIONERS.
HOWEVER, THE VOLUNTEERS WILL NOT HAVE TO TAKE OVER THE LEGAL RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE PROBATION OFFICERS.
APPLICATION FORMS ARE NOW AVAILABLE AT THE CENTRE FOR THE VOLUNTEER SCHEME FOR PROBATIONERS AT 19/F. WORLD TRADE CENTRE, 280 GLOUCESTER ROAD, CAUSEWAY BAY AND PROBATION OFFICES ATTACHED TO MAGISTRACIES.
COMPLETED FORMS SHOULD BE RETURNED TO THE CENTRE ON OR BEFORE APRIL 24. 1989. FURTHER DETAILS CAN BE OBTAINED FROM MISS CHENG WING-SEUNG ON 5-8954190.
INCREASING RESPONSIBILITIES OF CNTA WORKS SECTIONS
CONSEQUENT TO GOVERNMENT’S CONTINUED EFFORTS TO IMPROVE THE LOCAL ENVIRONMENT OF RURAL AREAS IN THE NEW TERRITORIES, THE RESPONSIBILITIES AND WORKLOAD OF THE WORKS SECTIONS OF DISTRICT OFFICES IN THE NEW TERRITORIES REGION OF THE CITY AND NEW TERRITORIES ADMINISTRATION (CNTA) HAVE INCREASED SUBSTANTIALLY.
PRINCIPAL ASSISTANT SECRETARY (DEVELOPMENT) NT, MR MIKE WATERS, SAID THAT BECAUSE OF THE MORE EXTENSIVE AND COMPLEX PROJECTS TO BE DESIGNED. VETTED AND SUPERVISED BY THE WORKS SECTIONS, A POST OF CHIEF TECHNICAL OFFICER HAD BEEN CREATED IN THE CNTA HEADQUARTERS TO STANDARDISE THE DESIGNS OF WORKS AND CONTRACT DOCUMENTS AND TO IMPROVE THE MANAGEMENT AND TRAINING OF WORKS STAFF IN CNTA.
/MR WATERS........
SATURDAY, APRIL 1, 1989
9
MR WATERS THIS (SATURDAY) MORNING PRESENTED THE PROMOTION LETTER TO THE RECENTLY APPOINTED CHIEF TECHNICAL OFFICER, MR CHOW KING-SHING, WHO HAD PREVIOUSLY SERVED IN CNTA AS INSPECTOR OF WORKS I IN NORTH DISTRICT.
OUTLINING THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE WORKS SECTIONS, MR WATERS SAID THAT IN 1919 THE GOVERNMENT INITIATED THE LOCAL PUBLIC WORKS SCHEME WITH THE AIM OF PROVIDING FACILITIES AND INFRASTRUCTURE FOR RURAL AREAS AND VILLAGES.
"AT THAT TIME, THE SCHEME WAS BASICALLY A SELF-HELP PROGRAMME WHEREBY MATERIALS WERE SUPPLIED TO THE VILLAGERS FOR THEM TO UNDERTAKE MINOR CONSTRUCTION WORKS, SUCH AS FENCING, FOOTPATHS AND DRAINAGE CHANNELS," HE SAID.
"OVER THE YEARS, THE SCOPE AND COMPLEXITY OF THE LPW PROJECTS HAD GRADUALLY INCREASED BEYOND THE VILLAGERS' ABILITY TO CARRY THEM OUT. AS A RESULT, PROJECTS HAD TO BE CARRIED OUT BY CONTRACTORS."
MR WATERS EXPLAINED THAT TO COPE WITH THIS CHANGE, A WORKS SECTION WAS SET UP IN EACH OF THE NEW TERRITORIES DISTRICT OFFICES IN THE 1950S WITH RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE PLANNING, CO-ORDINATION AND IMPLEMENTATION OF THE LPW PROJECTS.
THESE PROJECTS INCLUDED THE CONSTRUCTION OF VAN TRACKS, FOOTPATHS, REFUSE COLLECTION POINTS, AQUA PRIVIES, PLAYGROUNDS, SITTING-OUT AREAS, PIERS, SEAWALLS, VEHICULAR BRIDGES, PAVILIONS AND EARTH RETAINING WALLS. HE ADDED.
MR WATERS POINTED OUT THAT THE COMPLEXITY OF PROJECTS HAD GROWN SUBSTANTIALLY NOT ONLY BECAUSE MORE MANPOWER AND EXPENDITURE WERE NOW INVOLVED, BUT BECAUSE THE WORKS SECTIONS ALSO UNDERTOOK SOME PROJECTS ON BEHALF OF OTHER GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS AND ORGANISATIONS.
"THESE PROJECTS INCLUDE URBAN FRINGE IMPROVEMENT PROJECTS FOR THE TERRITORY DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT. MINOR ENVIRONMENTAL IMPROVEMENT PROJECTS FUNDED BY DISTRICT BOARDS, THE CONSTRUCTION OF AQUA-PRIVIES FOR THE REGIONAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT AS WELL AS PROJECTS FUNDED BY PRIVATE DONATION," HE SAID.
"FURTHERMORE, AS FROM APRIL 1987. THE CONTRACT CEILING FOR NEW LPW PROJECTS AT THE NEW TERRITORIES DISTRICT LEVEL WAS INCREASED FROM $0.3 MILLION TO $1.5 MILLION."
HE NOTED THAT THE EXPENDITURE ON PROJECTS UNDERTAKEN BY THE NEW TERRITORIES WORKS SECTIONS TN 1988/89 WAS $43.86 MILLION, REPRESENTING A 90 PER CENT INCREASE OVER THAT IN 1986/87.
AT PRESENT, MAJOR ON-GOING PROJECTS UNDERTAKEN BY THE WORKS SECTIONS INCLUDE A $1.2 MILLION PROJECT IN FANLING AND A $1.1 MILLION PROJECT AT SHA TIN, BOTH OF WHICH WERE TO IMPROVE AND UPGRADE A VAN TRACK TO PROPER HIGHWAYS DEPARTMENT STANDARD.
ANOTHER MAJOR PROJECT TO BE CARRIED OUT IN 1989/90 WILL BE A $1.5 MILLION PROJECT TO IMPROVE A VAN TRACK. DRAINAGE AND SLOPEWORKS AT KWUN YUM SHAN IN SHA TIN.
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SATURDAY, APRIL 1, 1989
10
REGIONAL SECRETARY MEETS MAC REPRESENTATIVES
******
MUTUAL AID COMMITTEES (MAC’s) ARE AN INTEGRAL PART OF THE DISTRICT ADMINISTRATION SCHEME, PROVIDING SUPPORT OVER THE YEARS TO NUMEROUS COMMUNITY BUILDING ACTIVITIES.
A CASE IN POINT WAS HELPING TO PROVIDE A PLEASANT LIVING ENVIRONMENT AT SO UK ESTATE IN SHAM SHUI PO, THE REGIONAL SECRETARY FOR HONG KONG AND KOWLOON, MR DAVID LAN, SAID TODAY (SATURDAY) FOLLOWING A VISIT TO MUTUAL AID COMMITTEES AT THE ESTATE.
"THE ENVIRONMENT AT SO UK ESTATE IS COMPARABLE WITH THOSE AT PRIVATE HOUSING ESTATES. AND THIS IS OBVIOUSLY THE RESULT OF THE JOINT EFFORTS BY THE MAC’S AT THE ESTATE TO IMPROVE THE LIFE-STYLE OF RESIDENTS," HE NOTED.
THE VISIT WAS THE FIRST OF A SERIES AIMED AT FORGING CLOSER LIAISON WITH MUTUAL AID COMMITTEES IN THE HONG KONG AND KOWLOON REGION.
HE WAS MET BY THE ACTING SHAM SHUI PO DISTRICT OFFICER, MRS JENNIE CHOK: THE CHAIRMAN OF THE LEI CHENG UK AND SO UK AREA COMMITTEE, MR CHAN CHEE-SING, AND A NUMBER OF MUTUAL AID COMMITTEE REPRESENTATIVES.
MR LAN TOURED SO UK ESTATE TO SEE EXISTING FACILITIES AND THE RECENTLY-COMPLETED IMPROVEMENT PROJECTS.
LATER HE ATTENDED A JOINT MEETING OF THE MUTUAL AID COMMITTEES OF WILLOW HOUSE, PEONY HOUSE AND LARKSPUR HOUSE OF SO UK ESTATE, AT WHICH MAC MEMBERS DISCUSSED THE PROVISION OF PARKING SPACES AND IMPROVEMENT WORKS AT THE ESTATE.
ALL THREE MUTUAL AID COMMITTEES HAVE PROVIDED VARIOUS SERVICES TO RESIDENTS SINCE THEIR FORMATION OVER 10 YEARS AGO.
MR LAN SAID THAT MUTUAL AID COMMITTEES WERE ONE OF THE CHANNELS OF COMMUNICATION BETWEEN THE GOVERNMENT AND LOCAL RESIDENTS.
HE PRAISED THE THREE MUTUAL AID COMMITTEES FOR THEIR EFFORTS IN HELPING TO BUILD UP A SENSE OF GOOD NEIGHBOURLINESS AND IN ORGANISING VARIOUS CULTURAL AND RECREATIONAL ACTIVITIES FOR RESIDENTS.
"THE GOVERNMENT IS AWARE OF THE CONTRIBUTION OF MUTUAL AID COMMITTEES, AND WILL MAKE EVERY EFFORT TO ENABLE THEM TO FUNCTION AS EFFECTIVELY AS POSSIBLE," MR LAN SAID.
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/11
SATURDAY, APRIL 1, 1989
11
EXHIBITION TO STRESS HOME SAFETY IN TAI PO
HOME SAFETY MESSAGES WILL BE SPREAD AMONG RESIDENTS OF KWONG FUK ESTATE, TAI PO, THROUGH AN EXHIBITION TO BE HELD AT THE ESTATE SHOPPING CENTRE TOMORROW (SUNDAY) FROM 11 AM TO 4 PM.
ORGANISED BY THE HOME SAFETY CAMPAIGN PUBLICITY COMMITTEE, THE EXHIBITION IS PART OF PUBLICITY PROGRAMMES TO REMIND THE PUBLIC OF POTENTIAL HIDDEN DANGERS IN THE HOME AND TO GIVE ADVICE ON PRECAUTIONARY MEASURES.
"IN MANY CASES, ACCIDENTS IN THE HOME ARE CAUSED BY
CARELESSNESS AND IGNORANCE," A SPOKESMAN FOR THE COMMITTEE SAID.
"THE TRAGEDY COULD HAVE BEEN AVOIDED IF GREATER CONCERN HAD BEEN SHOWN FOR HOUSEHOLD SAFETY," HE ADDED.
THE FOCUS OF THIS YEAR’S CAMPAIGN IS TO PREVENT ACCIDENTS IN THE TWO MOST ACCIDENT-PRONE AREAS IN THE HOME - THE KITCHEN AND THE BATHROOM.
"THE EXHIBITION, IN THE FORM OF A MOCK-UP KITCHEN, WILL HIGHLIGHT THE POTENTIAL DANGERS," THE SPOKESMAN POINTED OUT.
A NEW BOOKLET "SAFETY BEGINS AT HOME" WILL BE DISTRIBUTED TO VISITORS AT THE VENUE.
"THE BOOKLET OUTLINES THE MOST COMMON HAZARDS IN THE HOME, AND ALSO PROVIDES GUIDELINES ON HOW TO AVOID MISHAPS ARISING THROUGH THE USE OF GAS, ELECTRICITY, MIRCROWAVES, WATER, CHEMICALS AND MEDICINE.
"IT ALSO GIVES ADVICE ON FIRST AID KNOWLEDGE AND THE CONTENT OF A FIRST AID BOX," THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
TO CONVEY THE MESSAGE TO MORE HOUSEHOLDS, THE EXHIBITION WILL BE STAGED IN ROTATION AT SEVEN OTHER PUBLIC HOUSING ESTATES ON SUNDAYS UNTIL THE END OF MAY.
-----0------
DB FUNDS AVAILABLE FOR SOCIAL SERVICES PROJECTS
♦ t t ♦ *
LOCAL ORGANISATIONS AND VOLUNTARY AGENCIES IN KWUN TONG PLANNING TO ORGANISE SOCIAL SERVICES PROJECTS IN THE DISTRICT MAY NOW APPLY FOR A SUBSIDY FROM THE KWUN TONG DISTRICT BOARD.
THE SOCIAL SERVICES COMMITTEE OF THE BOARD HAS SET ASIDE $250,000 FOR FINANCING LOCAL COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT PROJECTS OF A SOCIAL SERVICE NATURE IN THE CURRENT FISCAL YEAR.
/A SPOKESMAN........
SATURDAY, APRIL 1, 1989
12
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE COMMITTEE SAID TODAY (SATURDAY) THAT THE PROJECTS MIGHT TAKE THE FORMS OF VISITS, SEMINARS, EXHIBITIONS AND TRAINING, FOR THE BENEFIT OF PEOPLE LIVING, WORKING OR STUDYING IN KWUN TONG.
LETTERS HAVE BEEN SENT TO VARIOUS ORGANISATIONS AND VOLUNTARY AGENCIES IN THE DISTRICT, INVITING THEM TO APPLY AND SPELLING OUT DETAILS OF APPLICATION PROCEDURES. TELEPHONE ENQUIRIES CAN ALSO BE MADE ON 3-416315, EXT. 451.
THE DEADLINE FOR APPLICATIONS IS APRIL 30 AND THE FINANCED PROJECTS SHOULD BE IMPLEMENTED BETWEEN MID-MAY AND SEPTEMBER 30, THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
EACH APPLICATION WILL BE ASSESSED BY A VETTING COMMITTEE TO BE FORMED UNDER THE SOCIAL SERVICES COMMITTEE IN CONSULTATION WITH THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT.
’’THE CREATIVITY OF THE APPLICANTS’ PROJECTS WILL BE GIVEN DUE CONSIDERATION WHILE REGULAR PROGRAMMES WILL NOT BE CONSIDERED," THE SPOKESMAN ADDED.
ANOTHER APPLICATION EXERCISE WILL BE HELD IN JULY FOR PROJECTS TO BE CARRIED OUT BETWEEN OCTOBER AND NEXT JANUARY.
------0-------
TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS IN YUEN LONG
* * * * t
THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCED THAT ON SHUN STREET IN YUEN LONG WILL BE RE-ROUTED FROM ONE-WAY CLOCKWISE TO ONE-WAY ANTI-CLOCKWISE FROM 10 AM ON TUESDAY (APRIL 4).
AT THE SAME TIME, THE TERMINAL POINT OF THE NEW TERRITORIES RESIDENTS’ SERVICE ROUTE 68R (FAIRVIEW PARK - YUEN LONG MARKET) WILL BE RELOCATED TO THE LAYBY OUTSIDE YUEN LONG LUTHERAN MIDDLE SCHOOL.
IN ADDITION, ON SHUN STREET BETWEEN ITS WESTERN JUNCTION WITH YUEN LONG ON NING ROAD AND A POINT ABOUT 20 METRES SOUTH OF THE SAME JUNCTION WILL BE DESIGNATED A PEAK HOUR (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 THERE.
-----0------
temporary lane closure on tolo highway
*****
THE TRANSPORT SOUTHBOUND FAST LANE CLOSED TO TRAFFIC ON MAINTENANCE WORKS.
DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCED OF TOLO HIGHWAY AT PAK MONDAY (APRIL 3) AND
THAT A SECTION OF THE SHEK KOK, TAI PO. WILL BE THE NEXT DAY FOR ROAD
APPROPRIATE TRAFFIC AIDS WILL BE PROVIDED TO GUIDE MOTORISTS
------0-------
/15........
SATURDAY, APRIL 1, 1989
HILL FIRE WARNING FOR GRAVE WORSHIPPERS
*****
THE AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES DEPARTMENT TODAY (SATURDAY) URGED THE PUBLIC TO TAKE EXTRA CARE IN HANDLING FIRES WHEN THEY VISIT THEIR ANCESTRAL GRAVES IN THE COUNTRYSIDE DURING THE CHING MING FESTIVAL PERIOD.
THE DEPARTMENT’S COUNTRY PARKS PROTECTION OFFICER, MR C.W. LAI, SAID: "THERE WERE 22 HILL FIRES REPORTED IN THE LAST CHING MING AND CHUNG YEUNG FESTIVALS, DAMAGING SOME 1,000 TREES AND 97 HECTARES OF PLANTATIONS."
THESE FIRES WERE CAUSED BY NEGLIGENCE.
"IN VIEW OF THE PREVAILING DRY WEATHER CONDITION AND THE POTENTIAL HIGH FIRE RISK, THE DEPARTMENT IS MAKING EVERY EFFORT TO SAFEGUARD COUNTRY PARK PLANTATIONS ON THE FESTIVAL DAY NEXT WEDNESDAY BY PUTTING 25 TEAMS OF 250 FIRE FIGHTERS ON STAND-BY, ROUND-THE-CLOCK," MR LAI SAID.
THE AFD FIRE FIGHTERS WILL BE JOINED BY SIX TEAMS OF 160 CIVIL AID SERVICES PERSONNEL, INCLUDING 40 CADETS DEPLOYED ON FIRE WATCH DUTIES.
MR LAI STRESSED THAT NOTWITHSTANDING THE PRECAUTIONARY MEASURES TAKEN BY THE GOVERNMENT. THERE WAS A GENUINE NEED FOR THE PUBLIC TO BE CAREFUL.
"THEY CAN HELP MINIMISE THE HIGH RISK OF FIRE JUST BY OBSERVING A FEW SIMPLE RULES," HE ADDED.
THESE RULES ARE:
* BURN WORSHIPPING ITEMS IN METAL CONTAINERS;
» DO NOT LEAVE LIGHTED CANDLES, JOSS ARTICLES AND PAPERS UNATTENDED; AND
* MAKE SURE ALL BURNING ITEMS ARE EXTINGUISHED BEFORE LEAVING THE GRAVE SITES.
MR LAI ALSO REMINDED PICNICKERS TO LIGHT FIRES ONLY AT DESIGNATED BARBECUE AREAS.
"ILLEGAL LIGHTING OF FIRES INSIDE COUNTRY PARKS MAY LEAD TO A MAXIMUM FINE OF $5,000 AND ONE YEAR'S IMPRISONMENT. AND A FINE OF UP TO $2,000 MAY BE IMPOSED FOR CAUSING FIRE ANYWHERE IN THE COUNTRYSIDE," HE WARNED.
O------
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE. HONG KONG. TEL: 5-8428777
SUNDAY, APRIL 2, 19$9
CONTENTS PaGE NO,
IMPROVED STATUS OF HOKLAS..................................... 1
UNDUE DEDUCTION OF WAGES PROHIBITED .......................... 2
SHA TIN COMMITTEE TO DISCUSS POLLUTION GENERATED BY TUNNEL WORKS ......................................................... 3
TRAINING COURSE IN EASTERN ON BUILDING MANAGEMENT............. 3
COMMUNITY PARTICIPATION PROJECTS TO GET SUBSIDIES............. 4
NEW PROJECTS FOR WONG TAI SIN SQUATTER AREA................... 5
COMMITTEE TO DISCUSS ALLOCATION OF DB FUNDS .................. 6
FUNDS AVAILABLE FOR SUMMER YOUTH ACTIVITIES................... 6
TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS IN YUEN LONG FOR CHING MING.............. 7
WINNERS’ PERFORMriNCE CONCLUDES DANCE CONTEST................. 8
SUSPENSION OF WhTER SUPPLY IN TWO DISTRICTS .................. 8
SUNDAY, APRIL 2, 1989
IMPROVED STATUS OF HOKLAS * * X *
THE MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING (MOU) SIGNED ON FRIDAY BETWEEN THE HONG KONG LABORATORY ACCREDITATION SCHEME (HOKLAS) AND THE NATIONAL MEASUREMENT ACCREDITATION SERVICE (NAMAS) OF THE UNITED KINGDOM HAS SIGNIFICANTLY IMPROVED THE STATUS OF HOKLAS IN THE INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY OF LABORATORY TESTING.
THE AGREEMENT WAS SIGNED BY THE DIRECTOR OF INDUSTRY, MR K.Y. YEUNG, AND DR PAUL DEAN, DIRECTOR OF THE UK NATIONAL PHYSICAL LABORATORY (NPL), FOR THEIR RESPECTIVE GOVERNMENTS, AND BY MR JOHN SUMMERFIELD, HEAD OF NAMAS, AND MR ERNEST EVANS, DEPUTY HEAD OF HOKLAS, ON BEHALF OF THE SCHEMES.
IT IS ONLY THE EIGHTH SIMILAR-TYPE MOU BETWEEN THE MAJOR SCHEMES OF THE WORLD, SHOWING THAT HOKLAS’S REPUTATION HAS GAINED IN STATURE WORLDWIDE.
UNDER THE AGREEMENT, HOKLAS-ENDORSED TEST CERTIFICATES WILL BE ACCEPTED IN THE UNITED KINGDOM AND NAMAS CERTIFICATES WILL BE ACCEPTED IN HONG KONG WITHOUT RESORTING TO FURTHER TESTING OF PRODUCTS. THIS MUTUAL RECOGNITION OF THE SCHEME BY BOTH PARTIES HAS FAR REACHING IMPLICATIONS FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF HOKLAS AND, IN THE LONG RUN, HOKLAS’S RELATIONSHIP WITH NAMAS MAY LEAD TO ACCEPTANCE BY OTHER EUROPEAN SOVEREIGN COMMUNITY STATES AND POSSIBLY THE COMMUNITY AS A WHOLE.
HOKLAS IS A MATURE QUALITY SERVICE BUILT ON OVERALL COMPETENCY AND THE INTERGRITY OF TESTING AND IS ALSO AN IMPORTANT PART OF THE EXISTING QUALITY INFRASTRUCTURE OF THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT.
HOKLAS-ACCREDITED LABORATORIES OFFER SERVICES TO MANUFACTURERS FOR THE PROPER TESTING OF THEIR PRODUCTS, GIVING ASSURANCE OF THEIR COMPLIANCE WITH THE STANDARDS AND SAFETY REGULATIONS OF THE COUNTRIES TO WHICH THEY ARE BEING EXPORTED.
ACCORDING TO THE INDUSTRY DEPARTMENT, THERE ARE AT PRESENT 20 ACCREDITED LOCAL LABORATORIES, PERFORMING A WIDE RANGE OF TESTING. IT IS ESTIMATED THAT BY NEXT MARCH THE NUMBER OF ACCREDITED LABORATORIES COULD BE OVER 30.
LABORATORIES ARE ACCREDITED ONLY AFTER A METICULOUS ASSESSMENT PROCESS, WHICH IS CONSIDERED VERY SERIOUSLY.
LABORATORIES THAT ARE UNABLE TO COMPLY WIH HOKLAS CRITERIA ARE NOT ACCREDITED AND THOSE THAT ARE ACCREDITED AND SUBSEQUENTLY FAIL TO MAINTAIN THEIR OBLIGATIONS ARE SUSPENDED FROM THE SCHEME, MR EVANS SAID.
"MANUFACTURERS SHOULD USE HOKLAS-ACCREDITED LABORATORIES TO SEEK THIRD-PARTY VERIFICATION THAT THEIR PRODUCTS COMPLY WITH STANDARDS AND REGULATIONS DEMANDED BY THEIR CUSTOMERS," HE SAID.
/"THE PRODUCTION
SUNDAY, APRIL 2y 1989
2
’’THE PRODUCTION OF A HOKLAS-ENDORSED CERTIFICATE MIGHT ALSO PROVE TO ONE’S ADVANTAGE SHOULD MANUFACTURERS BE FACED WITH A PRODUCT LIABILITY LAW SUIT IN FUTURE.”
HOKLAS IS A VOLUNTARY, PRODUCT-BASED SCHEME, OPEN TO ANY LABORATORY THAT PERFORMS OBJECTIVE TESTING, FALLING WITHIN THE SCOPE OF THE SCHEME AND MEETING THE HOKLAS CRITERIA OF COMPETENCE.
HOKLAS WAS OFFICIALLY LAUNCHED IN MAY 1985 WITH THE PRINCIPAL AIM OF UPGRADING THE STANDARD OF TESTING AND MANAGEMENT OF LABORATORIES IN HONG KONG AND TO PROVIDE ACCREDITED LABORATORIES WITH OFFICIAL RECOGNITION OF THEIR COMPETENCE.
IT WAS ALSO DEVELOPED WITH PRIORITY GIVEN TO THE ACCREDITATION OF TESTING SERVICES SUPPORTING THE MANUFACTURING-FOR-EXPORT SECTOR OF INDUSTRY.
THE SCHEME HAS, HOWEVER, EXPANDED ITS SCOPE TO ADDRESS THE OVERALL TESTING NEEDS OF THE TERRITORY.
SENIOR STAFF OF HOKLAS AND THE NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF TESTING AUTHORITIES, AUSTRALIA (NATA) HAVE ALSO RECENTLY ASSESSED EACH OTHER’S SCHEMES WITH A VIEW TO CONCLUDING AN MOU. NEGOTIATIONS ARE CURRENTLY IN PROGRESS.
------0-------
UNDUE DEDUCTION OF WAGES PROHIBITED *****
EMPLOYERS ARE REMINDED THAT THEY SHOULD NOT UNDULY DEDUCT THE WAGES OF THEIR EMPLOYEES AGAINST THE PROVISIONS OF THE EMPLOYMENT ORDINANCE, OTHERWISE THEY MAY BE PROSECUTED.
THIS FOLLOWS A RECENT COURT CASE IN WHICH THE OWNER OF A BOUTIQUE WAS FINED $2,000 BY A WESTERN MAGISTRATE FOR DEDUCTING THE WAGES OF A SALESGIRL WHO RESIGNED.
ALTHOUGH THE CASE WAS EARLIER SETTLED AT THE LABOUR TRIBUNAL, PROSECUTION WAS TAKEN OUT AGAINST THE EMPLOYER WHO ILLEGALLY DEDUCTED $1,385 FROM THE WAGES OF THE EMPLOYEE.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT SAID UNDER THE EMPLOYMENT ORDINANCE, DEDUCTIONS MAY ONLY BE MADE FOR ABSENCE FROM WORK, FOOD AND ACCOMMODATION SUPPLIED BY THE EMPLOYER, DAMAGE TO OR LOSS OF THE EMPLOYER’S GOODS OR PROPERTY UP TO A LIMIT OF $300, AND FOR THE RECOVERY OF ANY ADVANCE OR OVER-PAYMENT OF WAGES OR LOANS.
’’MOREOVER, THE TOTAL OF ALL DEDUCTIONS MADE IN ANY ONE WAGE PERIOD, EXCEPT THOSE FOR ABSENCE FROM WORK, MUST NOT EXCEED ONE HALF OF THE WAGES PAYABLE.
’’ANY EMPLOYER GUILTY OF THE OFFENCE WILL BE LIABLE, ON CONVICTION. TO A MAXIMUM FINE OF $10,000,” THE SPOKESMAN WARNED.
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/5
SUNDAY, APRIL 2,
1989
SHA TIN COMMITTEE TO DISCUSS POLLUTION GENERATED BY TUNNEL WORKS
«»»»♦»
THE SHA TIN DISTRICT BOARD’S DEVELOPMENT AND HOUSING COMMITTEE WILL MEET ON TUESDAY (APRIL 4) TO DISCUSS POTENTIAL POLLUTION PROBLEMS GENERATED BY WORKS TO BE STARTED SOON AT SHA TIN WAI ROAD AS PART OF THE TATE’S CAIRN TUNNEL NETWORK PROJECT.
ONE OF THE DISTRICT BOARD MEMBERS IS CONCERNED THAT THE WORKS MIGHT GENERATE AIR POLLUTION AND NOISE NUISANCE AFFECTING RESIDENTS IN TO SHEK AND CHAP WAI KON VILLAGES AS WELL AS PATIENTS OF THE PRINCE OF WALES HOSPITAL.
THE PROBLEM OF CRIMINALS LURKING ON TOP OF ELEVATORS AND THE CONSTRUCTION OF ADDITIONAL FLIGHTS OF STAIRS TO THE FOOTBRIDGE AT TAI WAI WILL ALSO BE DISCUSSED.
A PROGRESS REPORT ON PUBLIC COMPLAINTS AND THE APPROVED ESTIMATES FOR 1989-90 WILL BE TABLED AT THE MEETING.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE SHA TIN DISTRICT BOARD’S DEVELOPMENT AND HOUSING COMMITTEE MEETING TO BE HELD AT THE SHA TIN DISTRICT BOARD CONFERENCE ROOM ON SIXTH FLOOR, KCR HOUSE, SHA TIN STATION ON TUESDAY (APRIL 4). THE MEETING WILL BEGIN AT 9.30 AM.
---0------
TRAINING COURSE IN EASTERN ON BUILDING MANAGEMENT » » t t »
A TRAINING COURSE HAS BEEN ORGANISED TO ENABLE MEMBERS OF OWNERS’ INCORPORATIONS AND MUTUAL AID COMMITTEES IN EASTERN DISTRICT TO LEARN MORE ABOUT THE VARIOUS ASPECTS OF MULTI-STOREY BUILDING MANAGEMENT.
THE TRAINING COURSE HAS BEEN ORGANISED BY THE EASTERN DISTRICT OFFICE AND THE EASTERN DISTRICT FEDERATION OF MULTI-STOREY BUILDING ORGANISATIONS WITH THE OBJECTIVE OF MOTIVATING RESIDENTS TO PLAY AN ACTIVE ROLE IN THE PROPER MANAGEMENT OF BUILDINGS.
EXPERTS IN THE BUILDING MANAGEMENT FIELD WILL SPEAK ON TOPICS SUCH AS DEEDS OF MUTUAL COVENANT, MULTI-STOREY BUILDINGS (OWNERS’ INCORPORATION) ORDINANCE, UNAUTHORISED BUILDING WORKS AND PROCEDURES FOR CONDUCTING AN OWNERS’ INCORPORATION MEETING.
THE CURRICULUM WILL ALSO COVER ENVIRONMENTAL HYGIENE IN PUBLIC AREAS, FIRE PREVENTION MEASURES AND BUILDING SECURITY.
/THE COURSE........
SUNDAY, APRIL 2, 1989
4
THE COURSE WILL BE HELD OVER FOUR EVENINGS ON MAY 2, 5, 9 AND 16 AT THE CONFERENCE ROOM OF THE EASTERN DISTRICT OFFICE AT 880-886 KING’S ROAD, FROM 8 PM TO 9.30 PM.
AN ATTENDANCE CERTIFICATE WILL BE AWARDED TO EACH PARTICIPANT WHO COMPLETES THE COURSE WITH AN ATTENDANCE RATE OF AT LEAST 75 PER CENT.
A NOMINAL FEE OF $10 WILL BE CHARGED FOR THE COURSE IN WHICH UP TO 60 PEOPLE MAY ENROL.
COURSE OUTLINES AND APPLICATION FORMS HAVE BEEN SENT TO OWNERS’ INCORPORATIONS, MUTUAL AID COMMITTEES AND RESIDENTS’ ASSOCIATIONS IN THE DISTRICT. COMPLETED FORMS SHOULD BE RETURNED TO THE EASTERN DISTRICT OFFICE BY APRIL 20.
RESIDENTS WHO WISH TO ENQUIRE ABOUT THE TRAINING COURSE CAN TELEPHONE THE EASTERN DISTRICT BUILDING MANAGEMENT CO-ORDINATION TEAM ON 5-630181, EXT 40.
0 - -
COMMUNITY PARTICIPATION PROJECTS TO GET SUBSIDIES
*****
TWENTY-SIX PROJECTS TO BE ORGANISED FOR THE PROMOTION OF CIVIC EDUCATION WILL RECEIVE SUBSIDIES TOTALLING #756,022 OFFERED UNDER A COMMUNITY PARTICIPATION SCHEME FOR 1989-90.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE COMMITTEE ON THE PROMOTION OF CIVIC EDUCATION SAID THIS AFTER THE VETTING OF THE APPLICATIONS FOR THE SCHEME WAS COMPLETED.
THE COMMITTEE THIS YEAR RECEIVED 71 APPLICATIONS FOR A SUBSIDY UNDER THE SCHEME WHICH IS AIMED AT ENCOURAGING COMMUNITY ORGANISATIONS TO ORGANISE CROSS-DISTRICT AND TERRITORY-WIDE CIVIC EDUCATION ACTIVITIES.
THE SPOKESMAN SAID THAT TO ENABLE MORE COMMUNITY GROUPS TO TAKE PART IN THE SCHEME, THE COMMITTEE HAD RAISED THE TOTAL A”°UNT OF SUBSIDIES FROM ABOUT $600,000 IN 1988-89 TO MORE THAN $700,000 THIS YEAR.
THE NUMBER OF PROJECTS APPROVED THIS YEAR, AT 26, WAS AN INCREASE OF FIVE ON LAST YEAR.
THE SPOKESMAN POINTED OUT THAT MOST OF THE APPROVED PROJECTS FOCUSSED ON ENHANCING PUBLIC AWARENESS OF CIVIC RIGHTS AND RESPONSIBILITIES, AS WELL AS INCREASING PUBLIC KNOWLEDGE ABOUT 1 HE PRESENT SOCIAL, POLITICAL, ECONOMIC AND LEGAL SYSTEMS IN THE TERRITORY.
/AMONG THE
SUNDAY, APRIL 2, 1989
AMONG THE 26 PROJECTS APPROVED, 19 WILL OFFER A VARIETY OF ACTIVITIES TO PROMOTE CIVIC EDUCATION. THERE ARE ALSO TWO EXHIBITIONS, TWO EDUCATIONAL PRODUCTIONS, TWO TRAINING PROGRAMMES AND A SEMINAR.
THE HIGHEST AMOUNT OF SUBSIDY GRANTED BY THE COMMITTEE TO AN INDIVIDUAL PROJECT THIS YEAR WAS $50,500.
THE APPROVED PROJECTS WILL BE CONSIDERED FOR THE OUTSTANDING CIVIC EDUCATION PROJECT AWARD TO BE HELD IN MAY NEXT YEAR.
THE COMMITTEE BEGAN TO INFORM APPLICANTS OF THE RESULTS YESTERDAY (SATURDAY).
- 0 - -
NEW PROJECTS FOR WONG TAI SIN SQUATTER AREA
*****
MEMBERS OF THE WONG TAI SIN DISTRICT BOARD’S SQUATTER AREAS COMMITTEE WILL MEET ON TUESDAY (APRIL 4) TO DISCUSS NEW PROJECTS PROPOSED FOR THE FINANCIAL YEAR 1989-90.
THE PROJECTS ALL INVOLVE IMPROVEMENTS TO SQUATTER AREAS IN THE DISTRICT AND AT AN ESTIMATED COST OF ABOUT $500,000.
THE PROGRESS REPORT ON MINOR WORKS AND A LIST OF THE HOUSING DEPARTMENT’S SQUATTER AREA IMPROVEMENT PROJECTS IN TUNG YEUNG VILLAGE WILL ALSO BE PRESENTED AT THE MEETING.
MEMBERS WILL ALSO STUDY THE 16TH REPORT CASES OF LANDSLIP/MUDSLIP, STRUCTURAL FAILURE, FIRE AND OTHER NATURAL DISASTERS IN SQUATTER AREAS.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE WONG TAI SIN DISTRICT BOARD SQUATTER AREAS COMMITTEE MEETING. WHICH WILL BEGIN AT 2.30 PM 0 TUESDAY (APRIL 4) IN THE CONFERENCE ROOM OF WONG TAI SIN DISTRIC OFFICE, FOURTH FLOOR, SAN PO KONG GOVERNMENT OFFICES BUILDING, KIN FUK STREET.
- - O -
SUNDAY, APRIL 2, 1989
6
COMMITTEE TO DISCUSS ALLOCATION OF DB FUNDS
» t * t »
MEMBERS OF THE SOUTHERN DISTRICT BOARD’S COMMUNITY BUILDING COMMITTEE WILL DISCUSS THE PROPOSED BUDGET ALLOCATION OF ABOUT 11.1 MILLION IN DB FUNDS FOR VARIOUS COMMUNITY BUILDING ACTIVITIES IN 1989-90 AT A MEETING TOMORROW (MONDAY).
THEY WILL ALSO DISCUSS THE ALLOCATION OF $85,000 FOR THE CONTINUATION OF A ’’BLOCK ALLOCATION SCHEME”. THE SCHEME ENTRUSTS THE DISTRICT’S AREA COMMITTEES WITH THE TASK OF VETTING APPLICATIONS FOR GRANTS OF' UP TO $1,800 TO ENCOURAGE RESIDENTS TO ORGANISE MORE COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT PROJECTS.
MEMBERS WILL CONSIDER A NUMBER OF APPLICATIONS FOR DB FUNDS FOR THE ORGANISATION OF 1989 ABERDEEN DRAGON BOAT RACES AND FOR THE IMPLEMENTATION OF COMMUNITY ACTIVITIES BEING PLANNED BY LOCAL BODIES.
AT THE MEETING, MEMBERS WILL FORM A VETTING SUB-COMMITTEE TO DEAL WITH FUTURE APPLICATIONS FOR FUNDS FROM LOCAL ORGANISATIONS.
OTHER ITEMS ON THE AGENDA INCLUDE A REPORT OF A SURVEY ON LEISURE ACTIVITIES OF YOUTHS IN ANOTHER DISTRICT — EASTERN.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO SEND REPRESENTATIVES TO COVER THE MEETING OF THE SOUTHERN DISTRICT BOARD’S COMMUNITY BUILDING COMMITTEE TO BE HELD TOMORROW (MONDAY) AT THE DB CONFERENCE ROOM, SECOND FLOOR, MEI FUNG COURT, ABERDEEN CENTRE, NAM NING STREET, ABERDEEN. THE MEETING WILL START AT 2.30 PM.
-----0------
FUNDS AVAILABLE FOR SUMMER YOUTH ACTIVITIES » ♦ » ♦ »
SCHOOLS, LOCAL ORGANISATIONS, VOLUNTARY AGENCIES AND MUTUAL AID COMMITTEES IN SAI KUNG ARE INVITED TO APPLY FOR JOCKEY CLUB FUNDS TO ORGANISE ACTIVITIES FOR THIS YEAR’S SUMMER YOUTH PROGRAMMES.
THE ACTIVITIES SHOULD BE HELD IN JULY AND AUGUST WITH THE THEME OF SHARING THE JOY OF SERVING THE COMMUNITY. YOUTHS AGED BETWEEN SIX AND 25 WILL BE THE MAIN TARGET OF ALL ACTIVITIES ORGANISED THIS SUMMER.
/THE PURPOSES .......
SUNDAY, APRIL 2, 1989
THE PURPOSES OF THE ACTIVITIES ARE TO ENHANCE A SENSE OF RESPONSIBILITY AMONG LOCAL YOUTHS AND TO ENRICH THEIR KNOWLEDGE OF THE COMMUNITY.
THE ACTIVITIES WILL ALSO HELP PARTICIPANTS UNDERSTAND THE ESSENCE OF HUMAN RELATIONSHIP AND ENABLE THEM TO DEVELOP THEIR ABILITIES AND POTENTIAL.
A COMMITTEE HAS BEEN SET UP TO CO-ORDINATE AND ALLOCATE RESOURCES FOR SUMMER YOUTH ACTIVITIES IN THE DISTRICT.
APPLICATION FORMS ARE NOW AVAILABLE AT THE SAI KUNG DISTRICT OFFICE, SECOND FLOOR, SAI KUNG GOVERNMENT OFFICES, CHAN MAN STREET, SAI KUNG TOWN.
RELIGIOUS ORGANISATIONS WHICH DO NOT WISH TO APPLY FOR THE JOCKEY CLUB FUNDS MAY OPT TO APPLY FOR DISTRICT BOARD FUNDS. HOWEVER, THEY CANNOT APPLY FOR THE TWO FUNDS AT THE SAME TIME FOR THE SAME ACTIVITY.
FURTHER ENQUIRIES CAN BE DIRECTED TO MR CHIM CHUN-YUEN ON 3-7924455 (EXT. 25). THE DEADLINE FOR APPLICATIONS FOR FUNDS IS APRIL 15.
-----O------
TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS IN * *
YUEN LONG FOR CHING MING » » *
THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCED THAT TO IMPROVE TRAFFIC FLOW ON TAI SHU HA NULLAH-BUND ROAD IN YUEN LONG DURING CHING MING FESTIVAL, THE NORTHERN NULLAH-BUND ROAD FROM TAI KEI LENG TO TAI SHU HA WILL BE RE-ROUTED ONE-WAY EASTBOUND WHILE THE SOUTHERN NULLAH-BUND ROAD WILL BE RE-ROUTED ONE-WAY WESTBOUND FROM 7 AM TO 10 PM ON THAT DAY (APRIL 5).
DURING THIS PERIOD, GREEN MINIBUS ROUTE 73 (YUEN LONG TOWN -SUNG SHAN SAN TSUEN) WILL BE RE-ROUTED VIA THE SOUTHERN NULLAH-BUND ROAD ON JOURNEYS TO YUEN LONG TOWN.
---0------
SUNDAY, APRIL 2, 1989
8
WINNERS' PERFORMANCE CONCLUDES DANCE CONTEST
*****
PRIZE-WINNING TEAMS IN THE 18TH OPEN DANCE CONTEST WILL RECEIVE PRIZES AND GIVE A PERFORMANCE IN THE CITY HALL CONCERT HALL ON TUESDAY EVENING (APRIL 4).
NINETEEN TEAMS, WHICH WON OUT OVER 47 OTHER TEAMS IN THE TERRITORY-WIDE CONTEST HELD IN JANUARY, WILL PERFORM.
THE OPEN DANCE CONTEST WAS ORGANISED BY KWUN TONG DISTRICT OFFICE AND THE KWUN TONG DISTRICT CULTURE AND RECREATION ASSOCIATION, WITH ASSISTANCE FROM THE URBAN COUNCIL AND SPONSORSHIP BY THE KWUN TONG ROTARY CLUB.
OFFICIATING AT THE PRIZE PRESENTATION CEREMONY WILL BE THE DEPUTY REGIONAL SECRETARY FOR HONG KONG AND KOWLOON, MR GREGORY LEUNG; KWUN TONG DISTRICT OFFICER, MR CHRIS WAN; LEGISLATIVE COUNCILLORS MRS ELSIE TU AND MR POON CHI-FAI; PRESIDENT OF THE KWUN TONG ROTARY CLUB, MR CHOI SIU-WAI, AND PRESIDENT OF THE KWUN TONG DISTRICT CULTURE AND RECREATION PROMOTION ASSOCIATION, MR NG PING-TAK.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE 18TH OPEN DANCE CONTEST PRIZE PRESENTATION CEREMONY AND WINNERS’ PERFORMANCE TO BE HELD IN THE CITY HALL CONCERT HALL, ON TUESDAY (APRIL 4), BEGINNING AT 7.30 PM.
MEDIA REPRESENTATIVES SHOULD COLLECT ADMISSION TICKETS FROM THE RECEPTION TABLE OUTSIDE THE VENUE.
SUSPENSION OF WATER SUPPLY IN TWO DISTRICTS
*****
SALT WATER SUPPLY TO CERTAIN KOWLOON CITY PREMISES WILL BE SUSPENDED FROM 9 AM TO 5 PM ON TUESDAY (APRIL 4) TO FACILITATE WATER WORKS.
THE SUSPENSION WILL AFFECT AN AREA BOUNDED BY PRINCE EDWARD ROAD, NGA TSIN WAI ROAD AND NGA TSIN LONG ROAD.
FRESH WATER SUPPLY TO CERTAIN KWAI CHUNG PREMISES WILL BE TURNED OFF FROM 10 PM ON THURSDAY (APRIL 6) TO 7 AM THE NEXT DAY TO FACILITATE WATER WORKS.
THE SUSPENSION WILL AFFECT ALL PREMISES ALONG LAI KING HILL ROAD BETWEEN SOUTH KWAI CHUNG HOSPITAL AND KWAI CHUNG ROAD.
0 - -
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG TEL: 5-8428777
MONDAY, APRIL J, 1989
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
GOVERNOR BRIEFED ON PORT AND SHIPPING MATTERS ............... 1
CHEUNG YAN-LUNG RE-ELECTED REGIONAL COUNCIL CHAIRMAN ........ 2
EX-GRATIA PA/MENT FOR FARMERS AFFECTED BY TUNNELLING WORKS .. J
GOVERNMENT TO STRENGTHEN CHILD CaRE SERVICES ................ 4
1989-90 HOUSEHOLD EXPENDITURE SURVEY PRE-TEST ............... 5
GENERAL HOUSEHOLD SURVEY FOR APRIL TO JUNE................... 6
APPLICATIONS INVITED FOR TAI PO DRAGON BOAT RnCE............. 7
TUEN MUN DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME OUTLINED...................... 8
CHING MING FESTIVAL CLINIC SERVICES ......................... 8
TEMPORARY TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS aT KOWLOON KCR STATION PODIUM 9
TEMPORARY CLOSURE OF PEEL RISE .............................. 9
WATER STORAGE FIGURE ........................................ 9
MONDAY, APRIL 3, 1989
1
GOVERNOR BRIEFED ON PORT AND SHIPPING MATTERS
» » » * «
THE GOVERNOR, SIR DAVID WILSON, STRESSED THE CRUCIAL IMPORTANCE OF HONG KONG’S PORT DURING A VISIT TO THE MARINE DEPARTMENT THIS (MONDAY) AFTERNOON.
"THE PORT CONTINUES TO BE AT THE HEART OF HONG KONG’S ECONOMIC SUCCESS", SIR DAVID SAID. "PORT THROUGHPUT IS LIKELY TO INCREASE BY * FURTHER EIGHT TIMES BETWEEN 1986 AND 2011.
"THIS IS COLOSSAL GROWTH. THE GOVERNMENT IS COMMITTED TO IMPROVING FACILITIES IN THE PORT.
"WE MUST BE ABLE TO SUPPORT HONG KONG’S ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AND TO PLAY A ROLE IN THE RAPIDLY GROWING ECONOMIC RELATIONSHIP WITH SOUTHERN CHINA."
SIR DAVID SHOWED GREAT INTEREST IN THE PROGRESS ACHIEVED IN ESTABLISHING HONG KONG’S OWN SHIPPING REGISTER, WHICH IS DUE TO BE INAUGURATED IN LATE 1990.
HE WAS TOLD THAT HONG KONG CAPITAL OWNED 10 PER CENT OF THE WORLD’S MERCANTILE FLEET, AND THAT THE HONG KONG REGISTER (CURRENTLY A PART OF THE UNITED KINGDOM REGISTER) WAS AMONG THE LARGEST IN THE WORLD.
THE GOVERNOR ALSO NOTED THAT THE NEW HONG KONG REGISTER OF SHIPPING WAS BEING SET UP IN CLOSE CONSULTATION WITH THE INDUSTRY.
"IT IS GOVERNMENT’S AIM," HE SAID, "TO GAIN INTERNATIONAL RESPECT AND CREDIBILITY FOR OUR NEW REGISTER.
"WE WANT EVERYONE IN HONG KONG WHO OWNS OR SAILS ON HONG KONG’S SHIPPING, OR IS OTHERWISE CONNECTED WITH THE INDUSTRY, TO PLAY A FULL PART IN MAKING THE REGISTER A SUCCESS."
ON THE LICENSING AND OPERATION OF LOCAL CRAFT, THE GOVERNOR WAS TOLD THAT THE DEPARTMENT WAS NOW CONSULTING THE PUBLIC ON PROPOSALS IN A DETAILED DOCUMENT PUBLISHED AT THE END OF MARCH.
NEW LEGISLATION AND ADMINISTRATIVE GUIDELINES WOULD BE REQUIRED. UNDER THE PROPOSALS OWNERS WOULD BE REQUIRED TO CARRY GREATER RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE SAFETY AND OPERATION OF THEIR VESSELS.
"1 TRUST THAT ALL WHO OPERATE OR OWN LOCAL CRAFT WILL RESPOND TO THIS IMPORTANT REVIEW," SIR DAIVD SAID.
SIR DAVID WAS THEN BRIEFED ON THE DEPARTMENT’S OPERATIONS TO COMBAT FLOATING REFUSE IN THE HARBOUR.
HE WAS TOLD THAT THE MARINE DEPARTMENT’S SCAVENGING SERVICES WERE BEING EXPANDED.
/HE NOTED .......
MONDAY, APRIL 3, 19^9
HE NOTED THAT THE MAJOR SOURCE OF FLOATING REFUSE IN OUR WATERS IS THE LAND-BASED DRAINAGE SYSTEM.
"STEPS MUST BE TAKEN TO PREVENT REFUSE FROM THE LAND POLLUTING . THE HARBOUR," SIR DAVID SAID.
THE GOVERNOR THEN VISITED THE VESSEL TRAFFIC CENTRE INSIDE THE MACAU FERRY TERMINAL IN CENTRAL.
HE WAS BRIEFED ON THE NEW SYSTEM WHICH, WHEN IT COMES INTO OPERATION IN AUGUST THIS YEAR WILL ENABLE THE MARINE DEPARTMENT TO CONTROL THE MOVEMENT OF SHIPS THROUGHOUT HONG KONG WATERS, THUS IMPROVING THE SAFETY OF PASSAGE FOR VESSELS.
AFTER SEEING A DEMONSTRATION OF HOW THE SYSTEM WORKED SIR DAVID WAS TOLD THAT, WHEN COMPLETED, IT WOULD PROVIDE HONG KONG WITH THE MOST ADVANCED PORT TRAFFIC CONTROL SYSTEM IN THE WORLD.
CHEUNG YAN-LUNG RE-ELECTED REGIONAL COUNCIL CHAIRMAN
MR CHEUNG YAN-LUNG HAS BEEN RE-ELECTED CHAIRMAN OF THE REGIONAL COUNCIL FOR A TWO-YEAR TERM FOR THE NEW COUNCIL SESSION BEGINNING THIS MONTH. HE WAS UNOPPOSED.
IN A SPECIAL COUNCIL MEETING TODAY (MONDAY), THE COUNCIL’S VICE-CHAIRMAN WAS ALSO ELECTED. IT WENT TO MR CHAN WAI-YIP WHO WAS THE ONLY NOMINATION.
AS REGARDS THE CHAIRMANSHIP AND THE VICE-CHAIRMANSHIP OF THE COUNCIL’S FOUR SELECT COMMITTEES, THE LIQUOR LICENSING BOARD AND THE NINE DISTRICT COMMITTEES, THE ELECTION RESULTS ARE AS FOLLOW:
SELECT COMMITTEES CHAIRMAN VICE-CHAIRMAN
ENVIRONMENTAL DR PANG HOK-TUEN MR LAI KAM-CHEUNG
HYGIENE
FINANCE AND ADMINISTRATION
MR MA NING-HEI
MR NGAN KAM-CHUEN
CAPITAL WORKS
MR CHEUNG HON-KAU, CARLOS
MR TSO SHIU-WAI
RECREATION AND CULTURE
MR TANG PU1-TAT
MR LAU KONG-WAH
/LIQUOR LICENSING
MONDAY, APRIL J, 1989
5
LIQUOR LICENSING MR KAN CHUNG-NIN MR CHAU CHUN-WING
BOARD
DISTRICT COMMITTEES
ISLANDS MR CHONG CHU-CHOI MR KWONG PING-YAU
KWAI TSING MR SIN CHUNG-KAI MR WONG MAN-TAI
NORTH MR CHEUNG KUEN MR CHONG KAM-NING
SAI KUNG MR WAN YUET-KAU MR WONG SHUI-SANG
SHA TIN MR CHOY KAN-PU1 MR LAU KONG-WAH
TAI PO MR TANG PUI-TAT MR LAI KAM-CHEUNG
TSUEN WAN MR CHAN LAU-FONG MR CHAU CHUN-WING
TUEN MUN MR TSO SHIU-WAI MR POON CHIN-HUNG
YUEN LONG MR LAI KWOK-IU MR NGAN KAM-CHUEN
THE CHAIRMANSHIP AND VICE-CHAIRMANSHIP OF THE SELECT COMMITTEES, THE LIQUOR LICENSING BOARD AND THE DISTRICT COMMITTEES WILL RUN FOR A PERIOD OF ONE YEAR ENDING MARCH 31. 1990.
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EX-GRATIA PAYMENT FOR FARMERS AFFECTED BY TUNNELLING WORKS « » * * »
THE GOVERNMENT HAS APPROVED A SUM OF UP TO $15 MILLION FOR GRANTING EX-GRATIA PAYMENTS TO FARMERS AFFECTED BY THE CONSTRUCTION OF A TUNNEL BY THE WATER SUPPLIES DEPARTMENT FROM TAI PO TO YUEN LONG IN THE NEW TERRITORIES.
A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN SAID TODAY (MONDAY): "THESE FARMERS HAVE COMPLAINED OF SUFFERING CROP LOSS DUE TO REDUCED IRRIGATION WATER FOLLOWING THE COMMENCEMENT OF THE TUNNELLING WORK BY THE WATER SUPPLIES DEPARTMENT IN MARCH 1986."
AN INVESTIGATION HAS REVEALED THAT THERE IS ENOUGH EVIDENCE TO SUPPORT THE CLAIMS OF THE FARMERS, THE SPOKESMAN ADDED.
THE AREAS AFFECTED INCLUDE TSIU KENG, YING PUN TSUEN, KOON YAM TEMPLE, PANG UK, TA SHEK WU AND WAI TAU.
/"PAYMENT WILL .......
MONDAY, APRIL J, 1989
’•PAYMENT WILL BE MADE SOON TO AFFECTED FARMERS WHO HAVE SUBMITTED THEIR CLAIMS TO THE TAI PO AND NORTH DISTRICT OFFICES, TH? WATER SUPPLIES DEPARTMENT AND THE AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES DEPARTMENT,” HE SAID.
THE FARMERS WOULD BE NOTIFIED BY THE RESPECTIVE DISTRICT OFFICES IN DUE COURSE, HE ADDED.
ENQUIRIES CAN BE DIRECTED TO THE TAI PO DISTRICT OFFICE ON 0-6577111 EXT. 172 AND NORTH DISTRICT OFFICE ON 0-6706178.
- - - - 0 ---------
GOVERNMENT TO STRENGTHEN CHILD CARE SERVICES
» » * » »
THE GOVERNMENT WILL STRENGTHEN CHILD CARE SERVICES TO COPE WITH THE CHANGING NEEDS OF SOCIETY AND COINCIDE WITH PARENTAL CARE OF CHILDREN.
THE ASSISTANT DIRECTOR OF SOCIAL WELFARE, MR ALFRED CHUI, SAID THIS TODAY (MONDAY) AT THE QUARTERLY MEETING OF FAMILY AND CHILD CARE SERVICES OF THE HONG KONG COUNCIL OF SOCIAL SERVICE.
HE SAID THAT REVIEWS AND RECOMMENDATIONS ON SERVICES FOR THE NEEDY FAMILIES, NURSERIES AND CRECHES WOULD BE FORWARDED TO THE SOCIAL WELFARE ADVISORY COMMITTEE (SWAC) AND WELFARE AGENCIES.
MR CHUI SAID: "IT IS HOPED THAT THROUGH CAREFUL PLANNING AND PRUDENT EXPANSION, SUCH SERVICES ON CRECHES WILL BE ABLE TO MEET DEMANDS ESPECIALLY IN NEW TOWNS. A COMPREHENSIVE REVIEW WITH RECOMMENDATIONS ON THE EXISTING POLICY WILL BE TABLED TO SWAC LATER THIS MONTH.
"THE PATTERN OF PRESENT AND FUTURE SUBVENTIONS TO NON-PROFIT NURSERIES AS WELL AS AN IMPROVEMENT IN FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE TO FAMILIES REQUIRING NURSERIES WILL ALSO BE REFERRED TO THE WELFARE AGENCIES AND SWAC FOR CONSIDERATION.
"THE SWD IS EXTREMELY CONCERNED ABOUT CHILD CARE SERVICES AND CONSTANTLY REVIEW THE SITUATION. THEY INCLUDE EXPANSION OF SERVICES WITH FLEXIBILITY TO MEET SOCIAL NEEDS, DIVERSIFICATION OF SERVICES, AND SUPPORTING AND ENCOURAGING VOLUNTARY AGENCIES TO INTRODUCE EXPERIMENTAL PROJECTS TO STRENGTHEN CHILD CARE SERVICES.
"PARENTAL CARE IS IMPORTANT TO CHILD GROWTH ESPECIALLY THOSE UNDER THE AGE OF TWO. IF WORKING PARENTS FOR ONE REASON OR ANOTHER, CAN NOT SPARE THE TIME, THEY SHOULD ARRANGE PROPER CHILD CARE SERVICE."
/DUE TO
MONDAY, APRIL 5, 1989
- 5 -
DUE TO CHANGING PATTERNS IN SOCIETY, MR CHUI SAID, THERE IS A STRONG DEMAND FOR CHILD CARE SERVICES.
HE SAID: ’’THE GOVERNMENT IS CONCERNED ABOUT INCIDENTS INVOLVING WORKING PARENTS LEAVING THEIR CHILDREN UNATTENDED AT HOME WHICH HAVE RESULTED IN ACCIDENTS OR DEATH IN RECENT YEARS.
"CHILD CARE CENTRES, COMPRISING NURSERIES AND CRECHES. ARE PROVIDING SUPPORTIVE SERVICES TO PARENTAL CARE.”
THE EXISTING PROVISION STANDARD IS TO PROVIDE 100 SUBVENTED DAY CARE NURSERY PLACEMENTS FOR CHILDREN, AGED BETWEEN TWO AND SIX, IN EVERY 20,000 POPULATION.
HE SAID: "THE PROVISION STANDARD IS IN ACCORDANCE WITH A DISTRICT’S ACTUAL DEMAND. UNDER THE EXISTING PLAN, THERE WILL BE 16 NURSERIES WITH 1,600 PLACEMENTS EVERY YEAR.
AS AT THE END OF MARCH THIS YEAR, THERE WERE 163 GOVERNMENT SUBVENTED NURSERIES WITH 17,756 PLACEMENTS FROM VOLUNTARY WELFARE AGENCIES, FIVE SELF-SUFFICIENT NON-PROFIT NURSERIES WITH 686 PLACEMENTS AND 78 PRIVATE NURSERIES WITH 10,016 PLACEMENTS.
MI? CHUI SAID THESE CENTRES ARE GOVERNED BY THE CHILD CARE CENTRES RULES AND REGULATIONS IN RELATION TO INFRA-STRUCTURE, STAFFING, PROGRAMMES, HYGIENE AND DIETING, TO ENSURE THE STANDARD OF SERVICES.
ON FINANCING AND IMPROVING CHILD CARE SERVICES, HE POINTED OUT THAT THE GOVERNMENT WOULD CONTINUE TO ASSIST BOTH NON-PROFIT AND AIDED CENTRES AND SUBSIDISE LOW INCOME FAMILIES.
IT IS ESTIMATED THAT ABOUT $54 MILLION WOULD BE ALLOCATED IN 1989/90 FINANCIAL YEAR COMPARED WITH $45 MILLION THE PREVIOUS YEAR.
A'l PRESENT THERE ARE 18 FULLY-SUBVENTED CRECHES WITH 917 PLACEMENTS, ONE NON-PROFIT CRECHES WITH 64 PLACES, AND SEVEN PRIVATE CRECHES WITH 170 PLACEMENTS.
-----O-----
1989-90 HOUSEHOLD EXPENDITURE SURVEY PRE-TEST
*****
HE CENSUS \ND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT WILL CONDUCT A HOUSEHOLD EXPENDITURE SURVEY FROM OCTOBER THIS YEAR TO SEPTEMBER 1990.
A SMALL-SCALE PRE-TEST FOR THE SURVEY WILL BE CONDUCTED FROM MID-APRiL TO THE END OF MAY. AND THE RESULTS WILL BE USED IO FINALISE THE PLAN AND PROCEDURES OF THE SURVEY.
/THE PRE-TEST .......
MONDAY, APRIL 3, 1989
6
THE PRE-TEST WILL COVER ABOUT 400 HOUSEHOLDS IN SELECTED URBAN AREAS OF HONG KONG.
A LETTER FROM THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT WILL BE SENT TO EACH SELECTED LIVING QUARTER INFORMING THE HOUSEHOLDS THAT THEY HAVE BEEN CHOSEN FOR THE PRE-TEST.
ASSISTANT CENSUS AND SURVEY OFFICERS CARRYING GOVERNMENT IDENTITY CARDS ISSUED BY THE DEPARTMENT WILL VISIT THE HOUSEHOLDS TO EXPLAIN TO THEM THE PURPOSES AND REQUIREMENTS OF THE SURVEY.
"IT IS HOPED THAT ALL HOUSEHOLDS SELECTED FOR THE PRE-TEST WILL GIVE THEIR SUPPORT AND CO-OPERATE WITH THE OFFICERS," A SPOKESMAN FOR THE DEPARTMENT SAID.
THE SPOKESMAN STRESSED THAT ALL INFORMATION COLLECTED IN THE PRE-TEST WILL BE KEPT CONFIDENTIAL.
ANY HOUSEHOLDS HAVING QUERIES ON THE SURVEY CAN TELEPHONE THE DEPARTMENT ON 5-8234968. DURING OFFICE HOURS.
-------0----------
GENERAL HOUSEHOLD SURVEY FOR APRIL TO JUNE t ♦ t * ♦
THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT WILL CONTINUE TO CONDUCT THE GENERAL HOUSEHOLD SURVEY IN APRIL TO JUNE.
THE SURVEY. CONDUCTED MONTHLY SINCE AUGUST 1981, COLLECTS INFORMATION ON EMPLOYMENT. UNEMPLOYMENT AND UNDEREMPLOYMENT. AND THE GENERAL SOCIAL CHARACTERISTICS OF THE POPULATION.
LN ADDITION, QUESTIONS ON HONG KONG RESIDENTS' EXPENDITURE ABROAD: RESIDENCE ABROAD; UNDERPROVISION OF WORK AND HOUSEHOLD EXPENDITURE ON RENT WILL ALSO BE INCLUDED IN THE QUARTER OF APRIL TO JUNE THIS YEAR.
SOME 5,000 HOUSEHOLDS ARE SELECTED AT RANDOM EACH MONTH FROM ALL DISTRICTS FOR PARTICIPATION IN THE SURVEY.
ABOUT HALF OF THE HOUSEHOLDS INTERVIEWED THREE MONTHS AGO WILL BE SURVEYED AGAIN TO MEASURE MORE ACCURATELY THE CHANGES THAT HAVE OCCURRED SINCE THEN.
AN OFFICIAL LETTER, IN ENGLISH AND CHINESE, HAS BEEN SENT TO THE SAMPLED HOUSEHOLDS TO EXPLAIN THE PURPOSE OF THE SURVEY AND TO SEEK THEIR CO-OPERATION.
/ASSISTANT CENSUS .......
MONDAY, APRIL 3, 1989
ASSISTANT CENSUS AND SURVEY OFFICERS, EACH CARRYING AN IDENTITY CARD ISSUED BY THE DEPARTMENT, WILL VISIT THESE HOUSEHOLDS TO COLLECT THE REQUIRED INFORMATION.
ALL INFORMATION COLLECTED WILL BE TREATED CONFIDENTIALLY AND WILL NOT BE REVEALED TO ANY PERSON OR ORGANISATION OUTSIDE THE DEPARTMENT.
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APPLICATIONS INVITED FOR TAI PO DRAGON BOAT RACE
APPLICATIONS ARE BEING INVITED FOR TEAMS TO TAKE PART IN THE TAI PO DRAGON BOAT RACE ON JUNE 8 TO CELEBRATE THE TUEN NG FESTIVAL.
THE EVENT IS ORGANISED BY THE TAI PO DISTRICT DRAGON BOAT RACE COMMITTEE AND CO-SPONSORED BY THE REGIONAL COUNCIL AND THE TAI PO DISTRICT BOARD. ’
THE RACE WILL TAKE PLACE ALONG THE WATERFRONT OF TAI PO INDUSTRIAL ESTATE ON THE MORNING OF JUNE 8. IT IS DIVIDED INTO MEN’S OPEN, WOMEN’S OPEN, MIXED INVITATION AND INDUSTRIAL CUP SECTIONS. EACH TEAM SHOULD CONSIST OF 27 MEMBERS COMPRISING 24 PADDLERS, A DRUMMER, A GONG-BEATER AND A COXSWAIN.
COMPETING TEAMS WILL BE PROVIDED WITH DRAGON BOATS AND PADDLING EQUIPMENT AND WILL BE ALLOCATED PRACTICE TIME.
LETTERS WILL BE SENT TO VARIOUS ORGANISATIONS TO INVITE THEIR PARTICIPATION.
APPLICATION FORMS ARE NOW AVAILABLE AT THE OFFICE OF THE TAI PO RURAL COMMITTEE AT NO. 1 HEUNG SZE WUI STREET, THE TAI PO SPORTS ASSOCIATION’S LI FOOK LAM INDOOR SPORTS CENTRE AT NO. 2 ON CHEUNG ROAD AND THE TAI PO DISTRICT OFFICE AT NO. 1 TING KOK ROAD.
THE DEALINE FOR APPLICATION IS APRIL 21. ENQUIRIES CAN BE MADE ON 0-6577111 EXT. 244.
0--------
/8........
MONDAY, APRIL 3, 1989
8
TUEN MUN DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME OUTLINED * ♦ * t *
THE TUEN MUN DISTRICT BOARD’S DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME WORKING GROUP WILL MEET ON THURSDAY (APRIL 6) TO DISCUSS THE DISTRICT’S DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME IN 1988.
THE DOCUMENT, COMPILED AND PUBLISHED BY THE TUEN MUN DEVELOPMENT OFFICE, ALSO SETS OUT A WORK PROGRAMME FOR THE NEXT 10 YEARS. ITS OBJECTIVE IS TO PROVIDE A BALANCED DEVELOPMENT OF PUBLIC AND PRIVATE HOUSING, JOB OPPORTUNITIES AND COMMUNITY FACILITIES.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE MEETING OF THE TUEN MUN DISTRICT BOARD’S DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME WORKING GROUP ON THURSDAY (APRIL 6) IN THE DISTRICT BOARD CONFERENCE ROOM ON THE THIRD FLOOR, GOVERNMENT OFFICES BUILDING, NO. 1, TUEN Hl ROAD, TUEN MUN. THE MEETING WILL START AT 2.30 PM.
-----0-----
CHING MING FESTIVAL CLINIC SERVICES ♦ ♦ t t t
EIGHT GOVERNMENT OUT-PATIENT CLINICS WILL STAY OPEN FROM 9 AM TO 1 PM ON APRIL 5 (WEDNESDAY), WHICH IS CHING MING FESTIVAL, A SPOKESMAN FOR THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH ANNOUNCED TODAY (MONDAY).
THE CLINICS ARE THE VIOLET PEEL POLYCLINIC AND SHAU KEI WAN JOCKEY CLUB CLINIC ON HONG KONG ISLAND; KWUN TONG JOCKEY CLUB HEALTH CENTRE, ROBERT BLACK HEALTH CENTRE AND YAU MA TF.I JOCKEY CLUB CLINIC IN KOWLOON; LADY TRENCH POLYCLINIC, YUEN LONG JOCKEY CLUB HEALTH CENTRE AND SHEK WU HUI JOCKEY CLUB CLINIC IN THE NEW TERRITORIES.
ALL OTHER OUT-PATIENT AND EVENING CLINICS WILL BE CLOSED.
-------0 --------
MONDAY, APRIL 3, 1989
TEMPORARY TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS AT KOWLOON KCR STATION PODIUM * t » ♦ *
THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCES THAT FROM 10 AM ON THURSDAY (APRIL 6), TEMPORARY TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS WILL BE IMPLEMENTED AT THE KOWLOON KCR STATION PODIUM FOR ABOUT TWO MONTHS FOR MAINTENANCE WORK AT THE HONG KONG COLISEUM.
THE UNNAMED ROAD LEADING TO THE STATION PODIUM TO THE SOUTHERN SIDE OF THE KCR TERMINUS WILL BE CLOSED TO TRAFFIC.
IN ADDITION, THE LOADING AND UNLOADING AREA, THE COACH PARK AND THE LAY-BY AT THE STATION PODIUM WILL ALSO BE CLOSED.
- - 0 - -
TEMPORARY CLOSURE OF PEEL RISE ♦ ♦ t » i
THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCES THAT PEEL RISE IN ABERDEEN BETWEEN PUI TAK CANOSSIAN COLLEGE AND THE CHINESE PERMANENT CEMETERY WILL BE CLOSED TO TRAFFIC FROM 9 AM ON THURSDAY (APRIL 6).
THE CLOSURE WILL LAST FOR ABOUT SIX WEEKS FOR REMEDIAL SLOPEWORKS.
WATER STORAGE FIGURE
♦ ♦ * t t
STORAGE IN HONG KONG’S RESERVOIRS AT 9 AM TODAY (MONDAY) (APRIL 3) STOOD AT 32.9 PER CENT OF CAPACITY OR 193.029 MILLION CUBIC METRES.
THIS TIME LAST YEAR THE RESERVOIRS CONTAINED 239.346 MILLION CUBIC METRES OF WATER, REPRESENTING 40.8 PER CENT OF CAPACITY.
0
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL: 5-8428777
TUESDAY, APRIL 4t 1989
CONTENTS PaGE NO.
POLICY ON IMPORTATION OF SKILLED LABOUR TO BE ,iPPLIED MORE FLEXIBLY........................................................ 1
CONTRACT SIGNED FOR NEW HELICOPTERS ............................ 2
PROGRESS OF WASTE DISPOSAL DEMONSTRATION PROJECTS SATISFACTORY ................................................... 2
TEXTILES IMPORT LICENSING SYSTEM TO BE COMPUTERISED 4
DEPOSIT-TaKING FIRM REGISTRATION REVOKED......................... 4
COMPANY REGISTRATION REVOKED ................................« 5
RESULTS OF SIR EDWARD YOUDS MEMORIAL FELLOWSHIPS aND SCHOLARSHIPS ANNOUNCED .......................................... 5
DB TO DISCUSS CONSTRUCTION OF CONTAINER TERMING.................. 7
ILLEGAL STRUCTURES IN KOWLOON TO BE CLOSED....................... 8
COMMITTEE MEMBErlS VISIT FSD..................................... 8
1WGICW/JL SECRETARY VISITS KWAI TSING ........................... 9
TOP DaNCERS SHOW WINNING STYLE.................................. 10
TEMPORARY TRAFFIC . tNRANGEMD'-TS IN SFL\M SHU I PO............. 11
TEMPORARY CLOSURE OF VEHICULAR UNDERPASS IN SHAM SHUI PO .... 11
TUESDAY, APRIL 4, 1989
1
POLICY ON IMPORTATION OF SKILLED LABOUR TO BE APPLIED MORE FLEXIBLY *****
THE GOVERNMENT HAS DECIDED THAT THE CURRENT POLICY ON IMPORTATION OF SKILLED LABOUR SHOULD BE APPLIED MORE FLEXIBLY TO MEET CHANGING NEEDS.
A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN SAID TODAY (TUESDAY) THAT UNDER THE PRESENT POLICY, A PERSON IS ALLOWED TO ENTER HONG KONG FOR EMPLOYMENT PROVIDED THAT THERE IS NO SECURITY RISK, THAT HE IS UNLIKELY TO BECOME A BURDEN ON HONG KONG, THAT HE POSSESSES A SPECIAL SKILL, KNOWLEDGE OR EXPERIENCE OF VALUE TO AND NOT READILY AVAILABLE HERE, OR THAT HE IS IN A POSITION TO MAKE A SUBSTANTIAL CONTRIBUTION TO THE ECONOMY.
"THIS POLICY HAS SERVED US WELL BUT THE CONTINUING HIGH LEVEL Or ECONOMIC ACTIVITY IN THE PAST FEW YEARS HAS LED TO A SHORTAGE OF CERTAIN SKILLS AND PROFESSIONS IN SOME SECTORS.
"WE ARE EXAMINING THE AREAS WHICH HAVE ACUTE SKILLED MANPOWER > SHORTAGES AND ON THIS BASIS, WE WILL CONSIDER ALLOWING MORE SKILLED PEOPLE TO BE BROUGHT IN UNDER EXISTING POLICY BUT WITH RELAXED CRITERIA," HE SAID.
THE SPOKESMAN SAID THERE WAS NO INTENTION TO RESTRICT THE SKILLS TO BE IMPORTED TO ANY PARTICULAR INDUSTRY OR PROFESSION.
"THIS WILL BE DECIDED ON A NEEDS BASIS, AND ALL POTENTIAL SOURCES OF SUPPLY WILL BE CONSIDERED," HE SAID.
THE SPOKESMAN STRESSED THAT THIS RELAXATION DID NOT MEAN ANY CHANGE IN THE POLICY NOT TO ALLOW LARGE-SCALE IMPORTATION OF UNSKILLED LABOUR.
"WE FIRMLY BELIEVE THAT WORKERS SHOULD SHARE THE FRUITS OF PROSPERITY DURING AN ECONOMIC BOOM, AND THAT THEIR WAGES SHOULD NOT BE ADVERSELY AFFECTED BY LARGE-SCALE IMPORTATION.
"ANY RELAXATION OF THE APPLICATION OF THE EXISTING POLICY WILL ONLY RESULT IN THE IMPORTATION OF A LIMITED NUMBER OF SKILLED PEOPLE, AND WILL BE TEMPORARY IN NATURE," HE STRESSED.
"DETAILS WILL BE ANNOUNCED IN A FEW WEEKS’ TIME," HE ADDED.
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/2........
TUESDAY, APRIL 4, 1989
- 2 -
CONTRACT SIGNED FOR NEW HELICOPTERS
« » * * *
THE GOVERNMENT TODAY (TUESDAY) AWARDED A US»54 MILLION CONTRACT TO A US COMPANY, SIKORSKY AIRCRAFT, FOR THE PURCHASE OF EIGHT HELICOPTERS AS PART OF AN EXPANSION PROGRAMME OF THE ROYAL HONG KON AUXILIARY AIR FORCE (RHKAAF).
THE EIGHT SIKORSKY S-76 AIRCRAFT INCLUDE FIVE GENERAL PURPOSE HELICOPTERS AND THREE SEARCH AND RESCUE VARIANTS.
THREE OF THE GENERAL PURPOSE HELICOPTERS AND THE THREE SEAR< !l AND RESCUE VARIANTS ARE SCHEDULED FOR DELIVERY IN JUNE AND OCTOD R 1990 RESPECTIVELY. THE REMAINING TWO ARE DUE FOR DELIVERY IN 1991 AND 1992.
THE NEW AIRCRAFT WILL REPLACE THE EXISTING THREE DAUPHIN HELICOPTERS WHICH WILL BE DISPOSED OF LATER.
WHEN FULLY OPERATIONAL, THE NEW HELICOPTERS WILL INTRODUCE TO THE RHKAAF THE CAPABILITY OF CARRYING OUT SEARCH AND RESCUE MISSIONS AT NIGHT AND IN BAD WEATHER.
ALSO THE EXPANDED FLEET WILL ENABLE THE RHKAAF TO IMPROVE ITS OPERATIONAL SUPPORT TO THE POLICE FORCE AND TO TAKE OVER THOSE HELICOPTER SERVICES AT PRESENT PROVIDED TO THE POLICE BY THE ROYAL AIR FORCE AND THE ARMY.
THE CONTRACT ALSO INCLUDES AN OPTION FOR AN ADDITIONAL FOU’i GENERAL PURPOSE HELICOPTERS. THE NEED TO EXERCISE THIS OPTION WILL BE REVIEWED IN 1991-92.
THE DIRECTOR OF GOVERNMENT SUPPLIES, MR ROY KILVERT, TODAY SIGNED THE CONTRACT WITH THE PRESIDENT OF SIKORSKY AIRCRAFT, MR EUGENE BUCKLEY.
ALSO PRESENT AT THE CONTRACT SIGNING CEREMONY WERE US
CONSUL-GENERAL, MR DONALD ANDERSON; CHIEF STAFF OFFICER OF THE RHKAAF MR JOHN SHAWCROSS; AND THE DIRECTOR OF COMMERCIAL MARKETING OF SIKORSKY AIRCRAFT, MR ROBERT KELLY.
- 0 -------
PROGRESS OF WASTE DISPOSAL DEMONSTRATION PROJECTS SATISFACTORY
» t * * »
MEMBERS OF THE STEERING GROUP ON DEMONSTRATION PROJECTS ON PRIVATE FARMS UNDER THE LIVESTOCK WASTE DISPOSAL CONSULTATIVE COMMITTEE TODAY (TUESDAY) HAVE BEEN TOLD THAT THE DEMONSTRATION PROJECTS HAD PROGRESSED SATISFACTORILY.
AT A MEETING OF THE STEERING GROUP THIS AFTERNOON, MEMBERS WERE BRIEFED BY OFFICIALS FROM THE ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION DEPARTMENT ON THE PROGRESS OF THE PROJECTS.
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TUESDAY, APRIL 4, 1989
OUT OF THE NINE PRIVATE FARMS PARTICIPATING IN THE DEMONSTRATION PROJECTS, THE TREATMENT SYSTEMS IN SIX FARMS WERE ALREADY OPERATIONAL WHILE THE SYSTEMS IN TWO OTHER FARMS WERE BEING COMMISSIONED BY THE CONSULTANT.
WORKS ON THE REMAINING FARM, WHICH WAS FOR THE DEMONSTRATION OF THE WET MUCK-OUT SYSTEM, WERE EXPECTED TO BE COMPLETED SOON AND THE SYSTEM COULD BE OPERATIONAL NEXT MONTH.
THE STEERING GROUP WAS BRIEFED THAT OPERATORS OF THE THREE FARMS TAKING PART IN THE DEMONSTRATION OF THE DRY MUCK-OUT SYSTEM HAD BEEN TRAINED BY THE CONSULTANT ON HOW TO USE THE FACILITIES AND THAT THE SYSTEMS HAD BEEN WORKING SATISFACTORILY.
AS FOR THE THREE FARMS FOR THE DEMONSTRATION OF THE PIG-ON-LITTER SYSTEM, TWO FARMS HAD THEIR SYSTEMS PUT INTO OPERATION IN JANUARY. THE PERFORMANCE OF THE SYSTEMS WAS SATISFACTORY AND BOTH FARMS HAD ALREADY SOLD TWO LOTS OF PIGS SINCE.
OPERATIONS ON THE THIRD FARM HAD ALSO STARTED. WORKS ON THE FARM HAD BEEN SUBSTANTIALLY COMPLETED EXCEPT FOR MODIFICATION WORKS ON THE SOW PEN AND THE ROOF WATER COOLING SYSTEM.
MEMBERS NOTED THAT THE SOW PENS WERE AFFECTED BY THE LIMITED SPACE IN THE PIGSTY AND MODIFICATION WORK WOULD BE CARRIED OUT TO OVERCOME THE CONSTRAINT WHILE THE ROOF WATER COOLING SYSTEM WAS BEING INSTALLED AND WOULD BE TESTED SOON.
THE REST OF THE SYSTEM WAS PUT INTO OPERATION SINCE JANUARY AND THE SYSTEM HAD BEEN WORKING SATISFACTORILY AND NEW BORN PIGLETS AND PORKERS WERE IN GOOD HEALTH.
AT TODAY’S MEETING, THE ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION DEPARTMENT ALSO TABLED THE OPERATION AND MAINTENANCE MANUALS FOR THE in BRID METHOD, TOGETHER WITH A SECOND PROGRESS REPORT ON THE PROJECTS FOR MEMBERS COMMENT.
CHAIRMAN OF THE STEERING GROUP, MR LEO KWAN, SAID THAT ARRANGEMENTS WOULD BE MADE FOR OTHER INTERESTED FARMERS TO VI$*r THE FARMS PARTICIPATING IN THE DEMONSTRATION PROJECTS TO ENABLE THEM TO OBTAIN FIRST-HAND INFORMATION ON THE OPERATIONAL ASPECTS OF THE VARIOUS SYSTEM.
AFTER THE MEETING, MEMBERS OF THE STEERING GROUP WENT TO THREE OF THE FARMS TO CLOSELY MONITOR THE PROGRESS OF THE DEMONSTRATION PROJECTS.
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TUESDAY. APRIL 4, 1989
TEXTILES IMPORT LICENSING SYSTEM TO BE COMPUTERISED
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THE TRADE DEPARTMENT TODAY (TUESDAY) SIGNED A CONTRACT VALUED AT 3856,000 WITH EDPS SYSTEMS LTD FOR THE PROVISION OF COMPUTER SYSTEM DEVELOPMENT SERVICES FOR THE COMPUTERISATION OF THE DEPARTMENT'S TEXTILES IMPORT LICENSING SYSTEM.
IMPORTS OF TEXTILES INTO HONG KONG ARE SUBJECT TO THE ISSUE OF IMPORT LICENCES BY THE TRADE DEPARTMENT. AT PRESENT, ALL TEXTILES IMPORT LICENCES ARE PROCESSED MANUALLY AND THE EVER INCREASING NUMBER OF APPLICATIONS IN RECENT YEARS HAS PLACED A HEAVY STRAIN ON STAFF RESOURCES.
IN 1988, THE TRADE DEPARTMENT PROCESSED MORE THAN ONE MILLION TEXTILES IMPORT LICENCES, UP 15.5 PER CENT ON 1987. THESE WORKED OUT AT ABOUT 4,000 LICENCES PER WORKING DAY.
FOR THE FIRST TWO MONTHS OF 1989, THE NUMBER OF TEXTILES IMPORT LICENCES PROCESSED ROSE BY 25 PER CENT COMPARED WITH THE CORRESPONDING PERIOD IN 1988.
’’APART FROM STREAMLINING THE EXISTING OPERATION, COMPUTERISATION OF THE TEXTILES IMPORT LICENSING SYSTEM WILL HELP PROVIDE ESSENTIAL MANAGEMENT INFORMATION ON THE FLOW OF TEXTILE PRODUCTS INTO HONG KONG,” MR MATTHEW CHEUNG KIN-CHUNG, ASSISTANT DIRECTOR OF TRADE, SAID TODAY AT THE CONTRACT SIGNING CEREMONY.
"THIS WILL ALSO ENHANCE THE TRADE DEPARTMENT’S SURVEILLANCE AND MONITORING ABILITY,” HE ADDED.
MR CHEUNG SAID THAT COMPUTERISATION WOULD HELP ELIMINATE HUMAN ERROR AND IMPROVE STATISTICAL COMPILATION.
THE COMPUTERISED TEXTILES IMPORT LICENSING SYSTEM IS EXPECTED TO COME ON STREAM BY FEBRUARY NEXT YEAR.
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DEPOSIT-TAKING FIRM REGISTRATION REVOKED
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THE COMMISSIONER OF BANKING ANNOUNCED THAT THE REGISTRATION OF BACHE TRADE FINANCE ASIA LIMITED AS A DEPOSIT-TAKING COMPANY HAS BEEN REVOKED AT THE CLOSE OF BUSINESS TODAY (APRIL 4) AT ITS OWN REQUEST UNDER SECTION 31(2) OF THE BANKING ORDINANCE.
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TUESDAY, APRIL 4, 1989
5
COMPANY REGISTRATION REVOKED *****
THE COMMISSIONER OF BANKING ANNOUNCED THAT THE REGISTRATION OF F.E.B. FINANCE LIMITED AS A DEPOSIT-TAKING COMPANY HAS BEEN REVOKED AT THE CLOSE OF BUSINESS TODAY (APRIL 4) AT ITS OWN REQUEST UNDER SECTION 31(2) OF THE BANKING ORDINANCE.
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RESULTS OF SIR EDWARD YOUDE MEMORIAL FELLOWSHIPS AND SCHOLARSHIPS ANNOUNCED *****
THE SIR EDWARD YOUDE MEMORIAL FUND COUNCIL TODAY (TUESDAY) ANNOUNCED THE RESULTS OF ITS $2.5 MILLION SCHOLARSHIP SCHEMES FOR LOCAL TERTIARY STUDENTS AND STUDENTS WHO WOULD FURTHER THEIR STUDIES OVERSEAS IN THE 1989-90 ACADEMIC YEAR.
THE COUNCIL CHAIRMAN, MR STEPHEN CHEONG, SAID: "THE LOCAL SCHOLARSHIP AND FELLOWSHIP SCHEME IS AIMED AT ENCOURAGING HIGH ACADEMIC STANDARD AND LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT.
"THE AWARDS FOR STUDIES OVERSEAS ARE TO PROVIDE FOR THE EDUCATION OF SOME OF HONG KONG'S BRIGHTEST STUDENTS AT THE FINEST ACADEMIC INSTITUTIONS IN THE WORLD."
THIS YEAR, 36 POSTGRADUATE RESEARCH STUDENTS FROM LOCAL TERTIARY INSTITUTIONS WERE SELECTED FOR THE LOCAL FELLOWSHIP AWARDS TOTALLING 8900,000.
AMONGST THEM, 16 ARE FROM THE UNIVERSITY OF HONG KONG (HKU); 13 FROM THE CHINESE UNIVERSITY OF HONG KONG (CUHK); SIX FROM THE HONG KONG POLYTECHNIC (HKP) AND ONE FROM THE CITY POLYTECHNIC OF HONG KONG (CPHK).
THESE FELLOWSHIPS ARE WORTH 925,000 EACH AND MAY BE RENEWED IF THE RECIPIENTS SHOW SATISFACTORY PROGRESS IN THEIR RESEARCH PROJECTS.
SIXTY UNDERGRADUATE AND DIPLOMA STUDENTS WERE ALSO AWARDED THE YOUDE SCHOLARSHIPS TOTALLING $600,000 THIS YEAR. OF THESE, 16 STUDENTS ARE FROM HKU; 19 FROM CUHK; 14 FROM HKP; SEVEN FROM CPHK AND FOUR FROM THE HONG KONG BAPTIST COLLEGE.
MR CHEONG SAID THE FELLOWSHIP AND SCHOLARSHIP CANDIDATES WERE NOMINATED BY THEIR RESPECTIVE INSTITUTIONS AND SELECTED BY THE COUNCIL.
/"THEY HAD .......
TUESDAY, APRIL 4, 1989
6
"THEY HAD TO GO THROUGH A RIGOROUS SELECTION INTERVIEW BY MEMBERS OF THE COUNCIL INCLUDING PROFESSOR LEUNG WAI-SUN, PROFESSOR BENJAMIN T’SOU, DR LUI MING-WAH AND MR ANTHONY KAN," HE SAID.
UNDER THE OVERSEAS SCHEME, EIGHT OUTSTANDING STUDENTS HAD BEEN SELECTED FOR THE SIR EDWARD YOUDE MEMORIAL OVERSEAS FELLOWSHIPS AND SCHOLARSHIPS FOR THEIR STUDIES ABROAD COMMENCING IN SEPTEMBER THIS YEAR.
THE FOUR FELLOWSHIPS WERE AWARDED TO A PRACTISING ARCHITECT MISS CHAN CHU1-YI, A PSYCHOLOGY GRADUATE FROM OXFORD MR HO KOON-YIN, A POSTGRADUATE LAW STUDENT AT HKU MR PETER WONG HING-HONG AND AN M PHIL ENGINEERING STUDENT AT HKP MR KASIM WONG KAR-LIK.
THE FOUR SCHOLARSHIP WINNERS ARE MR HENRICK YAU HIN-TAT OF LA SALLE COLLEGE, MR KAN KIN-HONG OF QUEEN’S COLLEGE, MISS VIRGINIA TAM MAN-LEUNG OF QUEEN ELIZABETH SCHOOL AND MISS HSIN HSIAO-LING OF THE HONG KONG ACADEMY FOR PERFORMING ARTS.
MR CHEONG SAID THE STUDENTS HAD BEEN CHOSEN FROM OVER 250 APPLICANTS AFTER TWO SELECTION INTERVIEWS CONDUCTED BY THE FULL COUNCIL AND TWO EXTERNAL MEMBERS, NAMELY, DR RAYMOND HO CHUNG-TAI OF MAUNSELL CONSULTANTS ASIA LTD AND DR WONG KWAN-YIU OF CUHK.
EACH FELLOWSHIP WINNER WILL RECEIVE SI 35,000 PER YEAR AND EACH SCHOLARSHIP WINNER, $120,000 PER YEAR. ALL WINNERS ARE REQUIRED TO WORK IN HONG KONG FOR AT LEAST THREE YEARS AFTER COMPLETION OF THEIR STUDIES. THEY ARE:
MISS CHAN CHUI-YI, 27, GAINED DISTINCTION IN HER 1985 BACHELOR OF ARCHITECTURE EXAMINATION AT HKU. SHE INTENDS TO STUDY A TWO-YEAR MASTER DEGREE COURSE IN URBAN DESIGN AT HARVARD UNIVERSITY IN THE UNITED STATES.
MR HO KOON-YIN, 22, HAD A FIRST CLASS HONOURS AFTER READING EXPERIMENTAL PSYCHOLOGY AT OXFORD UNIVERSITY. HE PLANS TO PURSUE A DOCTORATE DEGREE IN NEUROPSYCHOLOGY AT EITHER OXFORD OR CAMBRIDGE UNIVERSITIES IN THE UNITED KINGDOM.
MR PETER WONG, 22, WHO IS CURRENTLY A POSTGRADUATE LAW STUDENT AT HKU, SAID HE HOPED TO FURTHER HIS STUDY IN LAW FOR A YEAR AT CAMBRIDGE. "I WISH TO SPECIALISE IN INTERNATIONAL AND COMPARATIVE LAWS WHICH WILL CONTRIBUTE TO HONG KONG AS A BOOMING INTERNATIONAL CITY," SAID MR WONG.
MR KASIM WONG, 26, WHO HAS BEEN PROVISIONALLY OFFERED A PLACE AT THE UK IMPERIAL COLLEGE OF SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY AND MEDICINE, SAID HE WOULD CONDUCT RESEARCH INTO COMPUTER SCIENCE USING THE FELLOWSHIP FUND.
SCHOLARSHIP WINNER MR HENRICK YAU OBTAINED NINE DISTINCTIONS IN THE 1988 CERTIFICATE OF EDUCATION EXAMINATION WHILE MR KAN KIN-HONG AND MISS VIRGINIA TAM BOTH HAD EIGHT A GRADES AND ONE B GRADE.
/BOTH MR .......
TUESDAY, APRIL 4, 1989
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BOTH MR YAU AND MR KAN ARE 17 YEARS OLD AND HOPE TO STUDY ELECTRICAL ENGINEERING AT THE STANFORD UNIVERSITY OR THE MASSACHUSETTES INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY IN THE US; MISS TAM WHO IS 18 WILL STUDY COMPUTER AT THE UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA AT BERKELEY.
"THIS YEAR WE ARE ALSO VERY PROUD TO SEND FOR THE FIRST TIME A SCHOLAR TO READ MUSIC IN CHINA," SAID MR CHEONG.
"MISS HSIN HSIAO-LING WHO HAS ATTAINED EXCELLENT ACHIEVEMENT IN MUSIC AT THE ACADEMY FOR PERFORMING ARTS WILL FURTHER HER STUDY IN "ER-HU" IN THE CENTRAL CONSERVATORY OF MUSIC IN BEIJING.
"WE ARE SURE MISS HSIN WILL BENEFIT FROM THE VERY HIGH STANDARD ER-HU PROFESSIONALS THERE AND UPON RETURN, MAKE CONTRIBUTION TO THE MUSIC SCENE OF HONG KONG," SAID MR CHEONG.
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DB TO DISCUSS CONSTRUCTION OF CONTAINER TERMINAL «»»»»♦
THE SHAM SHUI PO DISTRICT BOARD WILL MEET ON THURSDAY (APRIL 6) TO DISCUSS A PROPOSAL TO CONSTRUCT CONTAINER TERMINAL NO. 8 AT STONECUTTERS ISLAND.
MEMBERS WILL BE ASKING ABOUT THE IMPACT OF THE PROJECT ON THE ENVIRONMENT, WATER QUALITY, TRAFFIC AND TRANSPORT MATTERS, AS WELL AS OTHER RELATED ASPECTS.
OTHER ITEMS FOR DISCUSSION INCLUDE A CONSULTATIVE DOCUMENT ON DEEDS OF MUTUAL COVENANT, ALLOCATION OF DISTRICT BOARD FUNDS FOR THE YEAR 1989-90, AND THE CONSTRUCTION OF A CULTURAL CENTRE IN SHAM SHUI PO.
PRIOR TO THE DISCUSSIONS, THE COMMISSIONER FOR ADMINISTRATIVE COMPLAINTS, MR ARTHUR GARCIA, WILL BRIEF MEMBERS ON THE WORK OF HIS OFFICE.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
MEDIA REPRESENTATIVES ARE INVITED TO COVER THE SHAM SHUI PO DISTRICT BOARD MEETING WHICH WILL BEGIN AT 2 PM ON THURSDAY (APRIL 6> AT THE SHEK KIP MEI COMMUNITY HALL, BLOCK 42, SHEK KIP MEI ESTATE.
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TUESDAY, APRIL 4, 1989
8
ILLEGAL STRUCTURES IN KOWLOON TO BE CLOSED
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THE BUILDING AUTHORITY WILL SEEK COURT ORDERS TO CLOSE THREE ILLEGAL STRUCTURES IN DIFFERENT PARTS OF KOWLOON SO THAT THEY CAN BE DEMOLISHED WITHOUT DANGER TO THE OCCUPIERS AND TO THE PUBLIC.
NOTICES OF INTENTION TO APPLY FOR CLOSURE ORDERS WERE POSTED ON CONSPICIOUS PARTS OF THE STRUCTURES TODAY (TUESDAY).
ONE OF THE ILLEGAL STRUCTURES IS ON THE MAIN ROOF OF NO. 128, YU CHAU STREET. THE CLOSURE IS PART OF AN EXERCISE TO ENFORCE THE ORDERS ISSUED UNDER THE BUILDINGS ORDINANCE IN APRIL 1988 AND DECEMBER 1988 REQUIRING ITS DEMOLITION.
IT IS INTENDED THAT A CLOSURE ORDER BE SOUGHT FROM THE TSUEN WAN DISTRICT COURT ON JULY 4, 1989.
THE OTHER TWO ILLEGAL STRUCTURES ARE ON THE FLAT ROOF ADJACENT TO FALT A, 1/F., MAY COURT, 38-44 PAU CHUNG STREET; AND AT FLAT E, 1/F., ON CHEONG BUILDING, 40 MEI KWONG STREET.
THE CLOSURE OF THE TWO ILLEGAL STRUCTURES IS TO ENFORCE ORDERS ISSUED ON SEPARATE OCCASIONS UNDER THE BUILDINGS ORDINANCE REQUIRING THEIR DEMOLITION WITH WHICH THE OWNERS HAD FAILED TO COMPLY.
THE ORDER WAS ISSUED ON JANUARY 7, 1985 IN RESPECT OF THE ILLEGAL STRUCTURE AT MAY COURT AND ON JUNE 16, 1987 IN RESPECT OF THAT AT ON CHEONG BUILDING.
THE CLOSURE ORDERS FOR THE TWO ILLEGAL STRUCTURES WILL BE SOUGHT FROM THE HONG KONG DISTRICT COURT ON MAY 2, 1989 AND ON JULY 5, 1989 RESPECTIVELY.
DEMOLITION WORK ON THE THREE ILLEGAL STRUCTURES WILL BE CARRIED OUT ONCE THE CLOSURE ORDERS ARE OBTAINED.
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COMMITTEE MEMBERS VISIT FSD
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MEMBERS OF THE RECENTLY FORMED STANDING COMMITTEE ON DISCIPLINED SERVICES SALARIES AND CONDITIONS OF SERVICE VISITED THE FIRE SERVICES DEPARTMENT THIS (TUESDAY) AFTERNOON.
THE FIVE-MEMBER DELEGATION WAS LED BY THE CHAIRMAN OF THE STANDING COMMITTEE, MR JOHN SWAINE.
FOUR OTHER MEMBERS, MR PAUL CHENG, MR ANTHONY CHEUNG, MR CHOW CHUN-FAI AND MRS MIRIAM LAU, ALSO TOOK PART IN THE VISIT. MR CHENG IS THE CHAIRMAN OF THE GENERAL DISCIPLINED SERVICES SUB-COMMITTEE.
/THEY WERE .......
TUESDAY, APRIL 4, 1989
THEY WERE RECEIVED BY THE DIRECTOR OF FIRE SERVICES, MR JOHN MARCH AND THE DEPUTY DIRECTOR, MR JERRY LAM CHEK-YUEN AND OTHER SENIOR STAFF OF THE DEPARTMENT AT THE TSIM SHA TSUI FIRE STATION.
THE PARTY SAW A DISPLAY OF UNDERWATER DIVING GEAR, CUTTING AND BREAKING-IN EQUIPMENT, BREATHING APPARATUS AND VARIOUS EMERGENCY VEHICLES INCLUDING AMBULANCE AID MOTORCYCLES AND A MOBILE CASUALTY TREATMENT CENTRE.
THEY ALSO VIEWED DEMONSTRATIONS OF A SIMULATED FIRE FIGHTING EXERCISE AND VARIOUS TYPES OF RESCUE OPERATIONS.
THE DELEGATION THEN HELD INFORMAL TALKS WITH THE DIRECTOR AND STAFF OF THE DEPARTMENT ON A NUMBER OF ISSUES WHICH ARE OF CURRENT CONCERN TO THE DEPARTMENT AND ITS STAFF.
THE MEMBERS LATER BOARDED FIRE BOAT NO.6 FOR A CROSS HARBOUR TRIP TO CENTRAL.
TODAY’S VISIT WAS THE FIRST IN A SERIES OF FAMILIARISATION TOURS BY MEMBERS OF THE STANDING COMMITTEE TO SEE THE WORK OF THE DISCIPLINED SERVICES.
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REGIONAL SECRETARY VISITS KWAI TSING
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THE REGIONAL SECRETARY FOR THE NEW TERRITORIES, MR ADOLF HSU, TODAY (TUESDAY) VISITED KWAI TSING DISTRICT TO UPDATE HIMSELF ON THE LATEST DEVELOPMENTS THERE.
MR HSU WAS BRIEFED BY KWAI TSING DISTRICT OFFICER, MR PAUL TANG, ON THE WORK OF THE DISTRICT BOARD, AREA COMMITTEES AND OTHER LOCAL ORGANISATIONS, AS WELL AS THE ACHIEVEMENTS OF THE DISTRICT’S INDUSTRIAL BUILDING MANAGEMENT CO-ORDINATION TEAM.
MR HSU STARTED HIS TOUR AT THE WONDERLAND VILLA WHERE HE HAD A PANORAMIC VIEW OF THE DISTRICT.
HE WAS BRIEFED ON THE LATEST DEVELOPMENTS ON HOUSING, INDUSTRY AND COMMERCE, TRAFFIC AND TRANSPORT, AND THE CONTAINER PORT.
AT TSING YI ISLAND, MR HSU WAS BRIEFED ON NEWLY-COMPLETED PUBLIC HOUSING ESTATES AT THE NORTHERN SHORE, SHIPYARDS, A CEMENT FACTORY AND THE TSING YI INDUSTRIAL CENTRE.
AFTER THE VISIT, MR HSU SAID HE WAS IMPRESSED BY THE RAPID DEVELOPMENTS IN THE DISTRICT.
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TUESDAY, APRIL 4, 1989
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TOP DANCERS SHOW WINNING STYLE » » * » *
PRIZE-WINNING TEAMS OF THE 18TH OPEN DANCE CONTEST DISPLAYED TOP DANCING SKILLS AT THE CITY HALL CONCERT HALL THIS (TUESDAY) EVENING.
DURING THE TWO-HOUR SHOW,A PACKED HOUSE WAS TREATED TO A VARIETY OF CHOREOGRAPHY, INCLUDING WESTERN, ORIENTAL, CLASSICAL AND MODERN DANCES.
THE 19 DANCING TEAMS, WHO DISTINGUISHED THEMSELVES IN THE TERRITORY-WIDE CONTEST HELD IN JANUARY, ALSO RECEIVED THEIR AWARDS AT A CEREMONY HELD BEFORE THE PERFORMANCE.
SPEAKING AT THE PRIZE-PRESENTATION CEREMONY, THE ACTING DEPUTY REGIONAL SECRETARY (HONG KONG &. KOWLOON), MR GREGORY LEUNG, SAID THE OPEN DANCE CONTEST MARKED THE CLOSE CO-OPERATION BETWEEN GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS AND THE LOCAL COMMUNITY.
HE SAID IT WAS PRAISEWORTHY FOR THE ORGANISING PARTIES TO HAVE MADE A LOCAL ACTIVITY A POPULAR TERRITORY-WIDE ANNUAL EVENT FOR THE PAST 18 YEARS.
MR LEUNG HOPED THAT THE ORGANISATIONS IN KWUN TONG DISTRICT WOULD KEEP UP THEIR EFFORTS IN PROMOTING CULTURAL AND RECREATIONAL ACTIVITIES SO THAT THE DISTRICT WOULD NOT ONLY BE KNOWN AS AN INDUSTRIAL AREA BUT ALSO A COMMUNITY WHERE CULTURE AND ARTS COULD FLOURISH.
THE 18TH OPEN DANCE CONTEST WAS JOINTLY ORGANISED BY THE KWUN TONG DISTRICT OFFICE AND THE KWUN TONG DISTRICT CULTURE AND RECREATION PROMOTION ASSOCIATION, WITH ASSISTANCE FROM THE URBAN COUNCIL AND SPONSORSHIP BY THE KWUN TONG ROTARY CLUB.
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TUESDAY, APRIL 4, 1989 11
TEMPORARY TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS IN SHAM SHUI PO ♦ ♦♦*♦♦
THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCES THAT TEMPORARY TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS WILL BE IMPLEMENTED IN SHAM SHUI PO FROM THURSDAY (APRIL 6) FOR ROAD RESURFACING WORKS NEAR THE MEI FOO BUS TERMINUS.
THE SLIP ROAD LEADING FROM KWAI CHUNG ROAD EASTBOUND TO CHEUNG SHA WAN ROAD NEAR THE MEI FOO BUS TERMINUS WILL BE CLOSED BETWEEN 1 AM AND 5.30 AM DAILY FROM APRIL 6 TO 8.
MOTORISTS FROM KWAI CHUNG ROAD EASTBOUND HEADING FOR MEI LAI ROAD ARE ADVISED TO TRAVEL VIA LAI CHI KOK ROAD EASTBOUND, THE SLIP ROAD LEADING FROM LAI CHI KOK ROAD EASTBOUND TO LAI CHI KOK ROAD WESTBOUND NEAR CHEUNG LAI STREET AND LAI CHI KOK ROAD WESTBOUND.
DURING THE CLOSURE, MONG KOK-BOUND KMB ROUTES 44S AND 59S AND GREEN MINIBUS ROUTE 47S WILL BE RE-ROUTED VIA KWAI CHUNG ROAD EASTBOUND, A FLYOVER AND CHEUNG SHA WAN ROAD.
MEANWHILE, THE SLIP ROAD LEADING FROM LAI CHI KOK ROAD WESTBOUND TO KWAI CHUNG ROAD NEAR THE MEI FOO BUS TERMINUS WILL BE CLOSED BETWEEN 1 AM AND 5.30 AM DAILY FROM APRIL 10 TO 12.
VEHICLES FROM LAI CHI KOK ROAD WESTBOUND HEADING FOR KWAI CHUNG ROAD, INCLUDING TUEN MUN-BOUND GREEN MINIBUS ROUTE 473, WILL BE DIVERTED VIA THE FLYOVER LEADING FROM LAI CHI KOK ROAD WESTBOUND TO KWAI CHUNG ROAD NEAR YUET LUN STREET.
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TEMPORARY CLOSURE OF VEHICULAR UNDERPASS IN SHAM SHUI PO
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THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCES THAT THE LUNG CHEUNG ROAD/NAM CHEONG STREET VEHICULAR UNDERPASS LEADING FROM LUNG CHEUNG ROAD EASTBOUND TO NAM CHEONG STREET SOUTHBOUND WILL BE CLOSED TO TRAFFIC FROM 1 AM TO 5 AM ON FRIDAY (APRIL 7) FOR CLEANSING WORK.
VEHICLES WILL BE DIVERTED VIA LUNG PING ROAD, A FLYOVER AND NAM CHEONG STREET SOUTHBOUND.
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DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL: 5-8428777
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 5, 1989
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
^UTCl-lQBIUi INDUSTRY SHORT OF SKILLED CRAFTSMEN............... 1
MARCH SURVEY OF EMPLOYMENT, VACANCIES hND PAYROLL BEING CONDUCTED ...................................................... 1
OVER S42 MILLION PAYOUT FROM TAVA ............................. 2
FLOOD CONTROL MEASURES TO BE DISCUSSED ........................ 3
CAC TO BRIEF KCDB MEMBERS...................................... 4
DB FUNDS FOR COMMUNITY BUILDING PROJECTS ...................... 5
FUNDS FOR SUMMER YOUTH PROGRAMME IN KWUN TONG.................. 6
NEW TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS FROM FRIDAY........................... 6
TEMPORARY TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS IN URBAN AREAS.................. 7
URBAN CLEARWAYS IN CENTRAL..................................... 7
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 5,
1989
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AUTOMOBILE INDUSTRY SHORT OF SKILLED CRAFTSMEN *****
THE AUTOMOBILE INDUSTRY IS EXPERIENCING A SHORTAGE OF CRAFTSMEN DUE TO THE GROWTH IN THE NUMBER OF REGISTERED VEHICLES, A VOCATIONAL TRAINING COUNCIL SURVEY HAS FOUND.
STATISTICS COLLECTED IN MAY 1988 SHOWED THAT THE TOTAL WORKFORCE IN THE INDUSTRY HAD INCREASED SLIGHTLY BY TWO PER CENT A YEAR TO 12,600 SINCE 1986.
EMPLOYERS OF THE INDUSTRY ALSO REPORTED THERE WERE 1,600 VACANCIES OF WHICH 1,400 WERE AT CRAFTSMAN LEVEL, WHICH WAS EQUIVALENT TO 12 PER CENT OF THE TOTAL WORKFORCE.
IT IS ALSO NOTED IN THE SURVEY THAT AN ADDITIONAL OF 1,800 WORKERS WITH 1,600 OF THEM CRAFTSMEN WOULD BE REQUIRED IN THE INDUSTRY IN THE 12 MONTHS FOLLOWING THE SURVEY.
THE AUTOMOBILE INDUSTRY TRAINING BOARD OF THE COUNCIL WHICH CONDUCTED THE SURVEY ATTRIBUTED THE SHORTAGE TO THE UPTURN IN BUSINESS AND THE DECREASE IN THE NUMBER OF GRADUATING APPRENTICES DUE TO THE RECESSION BETWEEN 1982 TO 1986.
THE POPULATION OF BOTH PRIVATE CARS AND COMMERCIAL VEHICLES WOULD CONTINUE TO GROW AT A MODERATE RATE IN THE NEXT FEW YEARS IN VIEW OF THE FURTHER DEVELOPMENT OF NEW TOWNS, INCREASED AFFLUENCE OF PEOPLE AND THEIR ASPIRATION OF OWNING CARS, AND THE SUSTAINED GROWTH IN COMMERCIAL AND INDUSTRIAL ACTIVITIES BOTH WITHIN THE TERRITORY AND ACROSS THE BORDER.
THE BOARD PROJECTED THAT THE DEMAND FOR SKILLED MANPOWER AT ALL LEVELS IN THE INDUSTRY WOULD REMAIN STEADY IN THE YEARS UP TO 1994.
DETAILED INFORMATION ON THE MANPOWER SITUATION OF THE INDUSTRY IS CONTAINED IN THE 1988 MANPOWER SURVEY REPORT ON THE AUTOMOBILE INDUSTRY IS NOW ON SALE AT THE GOVERNMENT PUBLICATIONS SALES CENTRE AT #17.50 A COPY.
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MARCH SURVEY OF EMPLOYMENT, VACANCIES AND PAYROLL BEING CONDUCTED »*»»»*
THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT IS CONDUCTING THE MARCH 1989 ROUND OF THE SURVEY OF EMPLOYMENT, VACANCIES AND PAYROLL IN MAJOR SECTORS OF THE ECONOMY.
THE SURVEY COVERS ABOUT 120,000 ESTABLISHMENTS WHICH ARE DRAWN FROM VARIOUS SECTORS.
/THESE INCLUDE .......
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THESE INCLUDE THE INDUSTRIAL SECTOR (MINING AND QUARRYING; MANUFACTURING; ELECTRICITY AND GAS), THE DISTRIBUTIVE TRADES SECTOR (WHOLESALE, RETAIL, IMPORT AND EXPORT TRADES, RESTAURANTS AND HOTELS), WITH FULL ENUMERATION OF ESTABLISHMENTS IN THE SERVICES SECTOR (TRANSPORT, STORAGE AND COMMUNICATION; FINANCING, INSURANCE, REAL ESTATE AND BUSINESS SERVICES; COMMUNITY, SOCIAL AND PERSONAL SERVICES).
QUESTIONNAIRES WERE MAILED TO INDIVIDUAL SAMPLE ESTABLISHMENTS AT THE END OF LAST MONTH. REMINDERS ARE NOW BEING SENT TO ESTABLISHMENTS NOT RESPONDING TO THE INITIAL QUESTIONNAIRES.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT SAID TODAY (WEDNESDAY) THAT IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS ORDER 1982 (LEGAL NOTICE NO.69 OF 1982, GAZETTED ON MARCH 5, 1982), ESTABLISHMENTS RECEIVING QUESTIONNAIRES ARE REQUIRED TO COMPLETE AND RETURN THEM TO THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT WITHIN THE SPECIFIED PERIOD.
INFORMATION IS BEING SOUGHT ON THE NUMBER OF PERSONS ENGAGED AND EXISTING VACANCIES ON MARCH 31, 1989 FOR EACH SAMPLED ESTABLISHMENT.
SOME 10,000 ESTABLISHMENTS HAVE BEEN RANDOMLY SELECTED FROM THIS SAMPLE TO PROVIDE ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ON PAYROLL IN EACH OF THE THREE MONTHS DURING THE REFERENCE PERIOD JANUARY - MARCH 1989.
SHOULD RESPONDENTS FIND DIFFICULTIES IN COMPLETING THE. FORMS, THEY ARE WELCOME TO CONTACT THE DEPARTMENT FOR ASSISTANCE ON 5-8235076.
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OVER $42 MILLION PAYOUT FROM TAVA * * » * *
A TOTAL OF $42.6 MILLION HAD BEEN APPROVED FOR ACCIDENT VICTIMS OR THEIR DEPENDENT FAMILY MEMBERS LAST YEAR, WELFARE DEPARTMENT SPOKESMAN SAID TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
TRAFFIC A SOCIAL
TRAFFIC
MISS HELEN LEE, SENIOR SOCIAL SECURITY OFFICER OF THE
ACCIDENT VICTIMS ASSISTANCE SCHEME TAVA) SAID TODAY JHA1 THE DEPARTMENT RECEIVED 6,325 APPL*CATIONS ^19 ' sf, OF 0-24 PER
THE PREVIOUS YEAR. THIS REPRESENTED A SLIGHT DECREASE
CENT OR A DROP OF 15 APPLICATIONS.
DURING THE YEAR, 6,191 NEW CASES WERE COMPLETED. OF THESE 5,682 WERE APPROVED FOR FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE.
/THE HIGHEST .......
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 5, 1989
THE HIGHEST SINGLE PAYMENT WAS *59,800 THAT WAS PAID OUT IN A FATAL CASE IN WHICH THE DECEASED WAS THE BREAD WINNER SURVIVED BY FIVE ELIGIBLE DEPENDENT FAMILY MEMBERS.
SHE EXPLAINED: "THE SPIRIT OF TAVA IS TO PROVIDE EARLY FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE TO TRAFFIC ACCIDENT VICTIMS OR THEIR DEPENDENTS REGARDLESS OF THE MEANS OF THE FAMILY OR THE ELEMENT OF FAULT IN THE ACCIDENT.
"TO BE ELIGIBLE FOR THE ASSISTANCE, THE TRAFFIC ACCIDENT MUST HAVE BEEN REPORTED TO THE POLICE; THE APPLICATION MUST BE MADE WITHIN SIX MONTHS OF THE ACCIDENT AND IN THE CASE OF INJURY NOT CAUSING DEATH, AT LEAST THREE DAYS’ SICK LEAVE MUST BE EVIDENCED BY HOSPITALISATION OR BY CERTIFICATION FROM A REGISTERED DOCTOR."
"WHILE BENEFICIARIES UNDER THE TAVA SCHEME STILL RETAIN THE RIGHT TO MAKE CLAIMS FOR LEGAL DAMAGES OR COMPENSATION FROM OTHER SOURCES IN THE USUAL WAY, THOSE WHO RECEIVE OTHER DAMAGES OF COMPENSATION IN RESPECT OF THE SAME TRAFFIC ACCIDENT ARE REQUIRED TO REPAY THE AMOUNT OF ASSISTANCE THEY HAVE ALREADY RECEIVED FOR THE SCHEME.
"IN ANY CASE THE AMOUNT TO BE REPAID SHALL NOT EXCEED THE AMOUNT OF DAMAGES OR COMPENSATION AWARDED," MISS LEE ADDED.
APPLICATIONS CAN BE MADE EITHER IN PERSON OR THROUGH THE POST. APPLICATION FORMS ARE OBTAINABLE AT THE ACCIDENT INVESTIGATION SECTIONS OF THE POLICE DISTRICT TRAFFIC FORMATIONS, DISTRICT OFFICES OF THE CITY AND NEW TERRITORIES ADMINISTRATION OR AT THE TAVA SECTION, SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT AT 15 WATSON ROAD, VICTORIA CENTRE, 1ST FLOOR, CAUSEWAY BAY, HONG KONG.
-------0 - -
FLOOD CONTROL MEASURES TO BE DISCUSSED
» » » » »
MEMBERS OF THE YUEN LONG DISTRICT BOARD WILL BE BRIEFED ON FLOOD CONTROL MEASURES PLANNED FOR THE DISTRICT AT A MEETING TOMORROW (THURSDAY).
REPRESENTATIVES FROM VARIOUS GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS, INCLUDING THE YUEN LONG DISTRICT OFFICE, YUEN LONG DISTRICT LANDS OFFICE, CIVIL ENGINEERING SERVICES DEPARTMENT AND THE TERRITORY DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT, WILL ATTEND THE MEETING TO BRIEF DB MEMBERS.
THE BRIEFINGS WILL COVER CAUSES OF FLOODING, MEASURES PREVENT FLOODING, MAINTENANCE OF NATURAL WATERCOURSES ON GOVERNMENT LAND, AND EMERGENCY RELIEF ARRANGEMENTS DURING FLOODING.
/MEANWHILE, THE .......
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 5, 1989
MEANWHILE, THE COMMISSIONER FOR ADMINISTRATIVE COMPLAINTS, MR ARTHUR GARCIA WILL BE PRESENT AT THE MEETING TO EXPLAIN THE ORGANISATION AND WORK OF HIS OFFICE.
A MEMBER WILL ASK WHAT MEASURES THE GOVERNMENT WILL TAKE TO PREVENT TRAFFIC CONGESTION IN THE SAN TIN SECTION OF CASTLE PEAK ROAD TO COPE WITH THE IMMINENT COMMISSIONING OF THE VEHICULAR BORDER LINK AT LOK MA CHAU.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE YUEN LONG DISTRICT BOARD MEETING TO BE HELD TOMORROW (THURSDAY) IN THE DB CONFERENCE ROOM, 13TH FLOOR, TAI KIU GOVERNMENT OFFICES BUILDING, 2 KIU LOK SQUARE, YUEN LONG. THE MEETING WILL BEGIN AT 9.30 AM.
-----0------
CAC TO BRIEF KCDB MEMBERS ♦ ♦ ♦ » *
THE COMMISSIONER FOR ADMINISTRATIVE COMPLAINTS, MR ARTHUR GARCIA, WILL BRIEF MEMBERS OF THE KOWLOON CITY DISTRICT BOARD ON THE WORK OF HIS OFFICE AT A MEETING TOMORROW (THURSDAY).
AT THE MEETING, BOARD MEMBERS WILL DISCUSS A CONSULTATIVE PAPER ON PROPOSALS TO REMEDY UNFAIR PROVISIONS IN EXISTING DEEDS OF MUTUAL COVENANT. THEY WILL ALSO CONSIDER THE ALLOCATION OF FUNDS FOR THE BOARD’S THREE COMMITTEES IN 1989-90.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
MEDIA REPRESENTATIVES ARE INVITED TO COVER THE KOWLOON CITY DISTRICT BOARD MEETING WHICH WILL BEGIN AT 2.15 PM TOMORROW (THURSDAY) AT THE KOWLOON CITY DISTRICT OFFICE CONFERENCE ROOM AT 141 KAU PUI LUNG ROAD.
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/5........
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 5, 1989
DB FUNDS FOR COMMUNITY BUILDING PROJECTS
* * * * *
VOLUNTARY AGENCIES AND INDEPENDENT NON-PROFIT-MAKING COMMUNITY ORGANISATIONS IN WONG TAI SIN CAN APPLY FOR FUNDS FROM THE WONG TAI SIN DISTRICT BOARD'S COMMUNITY BUILDING COMMITTEE TO CARRY OUT DISTRICT-WIDE COMMUNITY BUILDING ACTIVITIES IN THE CURRENT FISCAL YEAR.
THE COMMITTEE DECIDED LAST WEEK THAT FUNDS SHOULD BE MADE AVAILABLE TO ENABLE ORGANISATIONS, WHICH WERE NOT REGULARLY SUBSIDISED BY THE COMMITTEE, TO UTILISE DISTRICT BOARD FUNDS IN ORGANISING COMMUNITY BUILDING PROJECTS.
"APPLICATIONS WILL BE PROCESSED IN THREE PHASES AND THE CLOSING DATE FOR THE FIRST PHASE WILL BE MAY 16. ORGANISATIONS AND AGENCIES WISHING TO APPLY FOR SUBSIDY SHOULD SUBMIT APPLICATION FORMS TO THE DISTRICT BOARD SECRETARIAT BEFORE THAT DATE," A SPOKESMAN FOR THE COMMITTEE SAID.
HE POINTED OUT THAT VETTING OF APPLICATIONS WOULD FOLLOW THE CRITERIA AS SET DOWN BY THE GOVERNMENT, AND THAT THE AMOUNT APPROVED FOR A PARTICULAR ORGANISATION WOULD NOT EXCEED >10,000 WITHIN A FINANCIAL YEAR.
"REPRESENTATIVES FROM THE APPLICANT ORGANISATIONS HAVE TO ATTEND A MEETING OF THE COMMITTEE TO PRESENT THEIR PROJECTS AND ANSWER QUESTIONS BY MEMBERS.
"A REPORT ON THE PROJECT SHOULD ALSO BE SUBMITTED TO THE SECRETARIAT BY THE ORGANISATION WITHIN ONE MONTH AFTER THE PROJECT HAS BEEN COMPLETED," HE ADDED.
THE OTHER TWO PHASES OF APPLICATION WILL BE HELD ON AUGUST 1 AND OCTOBER 10.
APPLICATIONS SHOULD REACH THE DISTRICT BOARD SECRETARIAT TWO WEEKS PRIOR TO THOSE DATES.
APPLICATION FORMS CAN BE OBTAINED FROM THE WONG TAI SIN DISTRICT OFFICE AND ITS SUB-OFFICES. ENQUIRIES CAN BE MADE ON 3-230387.
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 5, 1989
6
FUNDS FOR SUMMER YOUTH PROGRAMME IN KWUN TONG * ♦ * ♦ ♦
LOCAL ORGANISATIONS AND YOUTH CENTRES IN KWUN TONG ARE INVITED TO APPLY FOR FUNDS FOR ORGANISING YOUTH ACTIVITIES THIS SUMMER.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE KWUN TONG DISTRICT OFFICE SAID TODAY (WEDNESDAY) THAT AS IN PREVIOUS YEARS, FUNDS WOULD BE AVAILABLE THIS YEAR FOR LOCAL ORGANISATIONS TO STAGE VARIOUS SOCIAL, RECREATIONAL AND COMMUNITY ACTIVITIES DURING THE SUMMER FOR CHILDREN AND YOUTHS AGED BETWEEN SIX AND 25.
"THE CENTRAL THEME OF THIS YEAR’S SUMMER YOUTH PROGRAMME IS SHARE THE FUN, SERVE THE COMMUNITY," HE ADDED.
ORGANISATIONS APPLYING FOR FUNDS ARE EXPECTED TO HOLD ACTIVITIES WITH THE AIM OF ENHANCING PERSONAL DEVELOPMENT, AND PROMOTING THE MEANINGFUL USE OF LEISURE AND COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT.
LETTERS WILL BE SENT TO VARIOUS ORGANISATIONS IN THE DISTRICT, ENCOURAGING THEM TO PARTICIPATE IN THE PROGRAMME.
APPLICATION FORMS FOR AND GUIDELINES ON FUNDING, CAN BE OBTAINED ON THE THIRD FLOOR OF THE KWUN TONG DISTRICT MAIN OFFICE IN TUNG YAN STREET.
THE DEADLINE FOR APPLICATION IS MAY 5. ENQUIRIES CAN BE MADE ON 3-416315.
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NEW TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS FROM FRIDAY *****
THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCES THAT FROM 10 AM ON FRIDAY (APRIL 7), PUBLIC LIGHT BUSES WILL NOT BE ALLOWED TO ENTER SHEK WAI KOK ROAD IN TSUEN WAN BETWEEN SHEK ON STREET AND THE ACCESS ROAD LEADING TO SHEK TSUI HOUSE AT SHEK WAI KOK ESTATE.
MEANWHILE, FROM 9 AM ON APRIL 7, TO 5 PM ON JULY 31, A ONE-LANE TWO-WAY TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENT WILL BE INTRODUCED ON SASSOON ROAD IN SOUTHERN DISTRICT BETWEEN VICTORIA ROAD AND POKFULAM ROAD TO FACILITATE ROAD WORKS.
MOTORISTS MAY ENTER POKFULAM ROAD FROM VICTORIA ROAD VIA THE SECTION OF SASSOON ROAD NORTH OF VICTORIA ROAD. HOWEVER, THEY WILL NOT BE ABLE TO DO SO VIA THE SECTION OF SASSOON ROAD SOUTH OF VICTORIA ROAD.
IN TAI PO, THE EXISTING BAN ON VEHICLES EXCEEDING 11 METRES IN LENGTH FROM THE UNNAMED ACCESS ROAD TO TAI PO TAU WILL BE LIFTED FROM 10 AM ON FRIDAY.
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/7........
WEDNESDAY. APRIL 5. 1989
' - 7 -TEMPORARY TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS IN URBAN AREAS » t t t *
THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCES THAT TEMPORARY TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS WILL BE IMPLEMENTED IN WONG CHUK HANG, MONG KOK AND CENTRAL FROM 10 AM ON FRIDAY (APRIL 71.
IN WONG CHUK HANG, VEHICLES EXCEEDING EIGHT METRES LONG WILL NOT BE ALLOWED TO ENTER YIP FAT STREET BETWEEN 12 YIP FAT STREET AND 2 HEUNG YIP ROAD.
THE LONG VEHICLE BAN WILL BE IN FORCE FOR ABOUT SIX WEEKS FOR ROADWORKS.
AT THE SAME TIME. THE EASTERN KERBSIDE LANE OF TUNG CHOI STREET IN MONG KOK BETWEEN ITS JUNCTION WITH MONG KOK ROAD AND A POINT ABOUT 30 METRES SOUTH OF THE SAME JUNCTION WILL BE DESIGNATED A 7 AM TO MIDNIGHT DAILY URBAN CLEARWAY FOR ABOUT FOUR MONTHS FOR DRAINAGE WORKS.
IN CENTRAL. THE FOLLOWING SECTIONS OF CONNAUGHT ROAD CENTRAL WILL BE DESIGNATED URBAN CLEARWAYS ROUND-THE-CLOCK FOR ABOUT TWO MONTHS FOR PAVEMENT RECONSTRUCTION WORKS:
* THE SOUTHERN KERBSIDE LANE OF CONNAUGHT ROAD CENTRAL BETWEEN JUBILEE STREET AND QUEEN VICTORIA STREET; AND
* THE SOUTHERN KERBSIDE LANE OF CONNAUGHT ROAD CENTRAL FROM ITS JUNCTION WITH POTTINGER STREET TO A POINT ABOUT 45 METRES EAST OF THE SAME JUNCTION.
NO VEHICLES EXCEPT FRANCHISED BUSES WILL BE ALLOWED TO STOP FOR PASSENGERS OR GOODS WITHIN THE RESTRICTED AREAS.
-------0 -
URBAN CLEARWAYS IN CENTRAL » » » ♦ »
THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCES THAT THE FOLLOWING ROAD SECTIONS IN CENTRAL WILL BE DESIGNATED URBAN CLEARWAYS ROUND-THE-CLOCK FROM 10 AM ON FRIDAY (APRIL 7) TO IMPROVE TRAFFIC FLOW:
♦ JUSTICE DRIVE;
* THE SLIP ROAD LEADING FROM QUEENSWAY TO JUSTICE DRIVE;
* THE SLIP ROAD LEADING FROM JUSTICE DRIVE TO QUEENSWAY; AND
♦ THE ACCESS ROAD LEADING TO THE N.A.A.F.I. BUILDING (FORMERLY VICTORIA BARRACKS).
NO VEHICLES EXCEPT FRANCHISED BUSES WILL BE ALLOWED TO STOP FOR PASSENGERS OR GOODS WITHIN THE RESTRICTED AREAS.
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DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL: 5-8428777
THURSDAY, APRIL 6, 1989
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
BILINGUAL DRAFTING PROGRAMME SET TO BEGIN ..................... 1
HOUSING SOCIETY TO PROVIDE MORE FLATS TO ELIGIBLE HOUSEHOLDS : GOVERNOR ......................................... 2
FIGHT CRIME REPORT NO. 8 PUBLISHED............................. 4
FEASIBILITY STUDY ON TECHNOLOGY CENTRE COMPLETED .............. 6
PROVISIONAL RESULTS OF RETAIL SALES SURVEY FOR JANUARY ........ 7
TRADE DEPARTMENT STRIVES TO IMPROVE MARKET ACCESS............. 10
NT TAXIS PERMITTED TO OPERATE IN MA ON SHAN................... 11
NEW BUS SERVICES TO ALLEVIATE MTR CONGESTION.................. 12
TEN SENIOR POLICEMEN PROMOTED ................................ 13
TWO STORAGE LOTS TO LET BY TENDER............................. 14
CYC CIVIC EDUCATION SHOWS .................................... 14
THURSDAY, APRIL 6,
1989
1 BILINGUAL DRAFTING PROGRAMME SET TO BEGIN *****
ALL NEW PRINCIPAL ORDINANCES PASSED AFTER TOMORROW (FRIDAY, APRIL 7) WILL BE ENACTED IN ENGLISH AND CHINESE WITH BOTH TEXTS BEING EQUALLY AUTHENTIC.
THE LAW DRAFTSMAN OF THE LEGAL DEPARTMENT, MR JAMES O’GRADY Q.C., TOLD A PRESS CONFERENCE TODAY (THURSDAY) THAT BY ORDER OF THE GOVERNOR A NOTICE WOULD BE PUBLISHED TOMORROW TO BRING INTO OPERATION SECTION 3 OF THE OFFICIAL LANGUAGES (AMENDMENT) ORDINANCE 1987.
THIS PROVIDES THAT ALL NEW PRINCIPAL ORDINANCES, I.E. ORDINANCES WHICH ARE NOT AMENDMENTS TO OTHER ORDINANCES, MUST BE ENACTED IN BOTH OFFICIAL LANGUAGES.
"THIS IS AN HISTORIC OCCASION IN THE HISTORY OF HONG KONG.
"THE PURPOSE IS TO PROVIDE A MEANS SO THAT THE PEOPLE OF HONG KONG WILL HAVE THE LAWS OF HONG KONG IN THEIR OWN LANGUAGE WHILE, AT THE SAME TIME, THERE WILL CONTINUE TO BE AN ENGLISH TEXT. BOTH TEXTS WILL HAVE EQUAL STATUS," MR O’GRADY SAID.
HE SAID THAT THE ONLY EXCEPTION WAS WHERE THE GOVERNOR REQUIRED A BILL TO BE PRESENTED IN ONE LANGUAGE ONLY BECAUSE IT WAS URGENT AND PRESENTATION IN BOTH LANGUAGES WOULD CAUSE DELAY.
THE LAW DRAFTSMAN SAID THE SECURITIES AND FUTURES COMMISSION BILL, WHICH WAS GAZETTED ON JANUARY 13, 1989 FOR PRESENTATION TO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL IS EXPECTED TO BE THE FIRST ORDINANCE ENACTED BILINGUALLY.
AND SUBJECT TO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL’S APPROVAL, OTHER BILLS LIKELY TO BE ENACTED BILINGUALLY IN THIS SESSION INCLUDE THE DRUG TRAFFICKING (RECOVERY OF PROCEEDS) BILL AND THE OPEN LEARNING INSTITUTE OF HONG KONG BILL.
MR O’GRADY SAID THERE WERE TWO ASPECTS TO THE BILINGUAL LAWS PROJECT.
ONE WAS THE ENACTMENT OF NEW LEGISLATION BILINGUALLY WHICH IS NOW SET TO BEGIN. THE OTHER WAS THE TRANSLATION AND PROMULGATION OF AUTHENTIC CHINESE TEXTS OF EXISTING ORDINANCES THAT WERE CONTAINED IN THE 31 VOLUMES OF THE LAWS OF HONG KONG.
ON THE FIRST ASPECT, HE SAID THE LAUNCHING OF THE BILINGUAL DRAFTING PROGRAMME WAS THE CULMINATION OF CAREFUL PLANNING AND PREPARATION IN THE LAW DRAFTING DIVISION OF THE LEGAL DEPARTMENT AND IN OMELCO.
LEGISLATIVE DRAFTING IN CHINESE BEGAN ON A TRIAL BASIS IN JUNE 1987 WITH A SERIES OF "DUMMY RUNS”. SINCE THEN, A SERIES OF EIGHT DUMMY RUN BILLS HAVE BEEN PUBLISHED BILINGUALLY IN THE GAZETTE.
/ALTHOUGH EVENTUALLY ........
THURSDAY, APRIL 6, 1989
2
ALTHOUGH EVENTUALLY ENACTED IN ENGLISH ONLY, THE CHINESE TEXTS OF THESE BILLS WERE EXAMINED BY OMELCO IN THE SAME WAY AS ENGLISH TEXTS.
MR O’GRADY SAID MUCH OF VALUE HAD BEEN LEARNED FROM THE HELPFUL COMMENTS MADE BY MEMBERS OF OMELCO AND BY MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC.
IN DECEMBER 1988, THE STANDING ORDERS OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL WERE AMENDED TO ENABLE LEGCO TO DEBATE BILINGUAL BILLS. THIS SET THE STAGE FOR THE INTRODUCTION OF BILINGUAL LEGISLATION TO LEGCO.
PARALLEL WITH THE PRODUCTION OF BILINGUAL LEGISLATION IS THE TASK OF PRODUCING AUTHENTIC CHINESE TEXTS OF HONG KONG’S EXISTING LEGISLATION.
WORK ON THIS ASPECT OF THE BILINGUAL LEGISLATION PROGRAMME HAS ALREADY STARTED.
THE PROVISIONS OF SECTION 4B AND 4C OF THE OFFICIAL LANGUAGES ORDINANCE RELATING TO EXISTING LAWS WERE BROUGHT INTO FORCE IN OCTOBER LAST YEAR TO ENABLE THE BILINGUAL LAWS ADVISORY COMMITTEE (BLAC) TO BE CONSTITUTED UNDER THE CHAIRMANSHIP OF DR DANIEL TSE.
THE BLAC IS PRESENTLY EXAMINING THE CHINESE TEXT OF THE INTERPRETATION AND GENERAL CLAUSES ORDINANCE (CAP 1).
THE BLAC WILL BE SCRUTINIZING CHINESE TRANSLATIONS OF EXISTING LAWS PRODUCED BY THE LAW DRAFTING DIVISION OF THE LEGAL DEPARTMENT BEFORE THEY ARE PRESENTED FIRST TO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL FOR APPROVAL AND THEN TO THE GOVERNOR IN COUNCIL FOR PROMULGATION.
THE TASK OF TRANSLATING ALL EXISTING LAWS WILL TAKE SOME YEARS TO COMPLETE BUT THE TARGET DATE FOR COMPLETION IS 1994, MR O’GRADY SAID.
ON THE QUESTION OF STAFFING, MR O’GRADY SAID THERE ARE NOW SEVEN BILINGUAL LAWYERS AND 19 LAW TRANSLATION OFFICERS ON THE BILINGUAL LEGISLATION PROJECT. THEY ARE ASSISTED BY A TEAM OF CALLIGRAPHISTS, LAW CLERKS, CLERICAL OFFICERS AND OTHERS.
0
HOUSING SOCIETY TO PROVIDE MORE FLATS TO ELIGIBLE HOUSEHOLDS: GOVERNOR » » » » *
THE HONG KONG HOUSING SOCIETY WILL BUILD A FURTHER 15,000 FLATS FOR RENT AND SALE TO ELIGIBLE HOUSEHOLDS OVER THE NEXT FIVE YEARS, AT A TOTAL COST OF $5.8 BILLION, THE GOVERNOR, SIR DAVID WILSON, SAID TODAY (THURSDAY).
OFFICIATING AT THE OPENING OF THE CLAGUE GARDEN ESTATE IN TSUEN WAN BAY NAMED AFTER THE FOUNDING CHAIRMAN SIR DOUGLAS CLAGUE, SIR DAVID PAID TRIBUTE TO THE SOCIETY FOR ITS SIGNIFICANT CONTRIBUTION TO PUBLIC HOUSING IN HONG KONG.
/THE HONG ........
THURSDAY, APRIL 6,
1989
3
"THE HONG KONG HOUSING SOCIETY HAS BEEN BUILDING PUBLIC HOUSING IN HONG KONG FOR MORE THAN 40 YEARS.
"SINCE IT BEGAN TO OPERATE IN 1948, THE SOCIETY HAS CONTRIBUTED A TOTAL OF NEARLY 34,000 FLATS TO HELP MEET THE NEEDS OF LOWER INCOME FAMILIES," HE SAID.
THE GOVERNOR SAID THAT THE CLAGUE GARDEN ESTATE WAS A SIGNIFICANT NEW VENTURE FOR THE SOCIETY, BEING THE FIRST ESTATE TO PROVIDE A MIX OF FLATS FOR SALE AND FOR RENT IN THE SAME DEVELOPMENT.
"THIS NEW APPROACH RESPONDS TO A GROWING DESIRE IN THE COMMUNITY FOR HOME OWNERSHIP AS WELL AS HOME RENTAL.
"THIS IS A TREND WHICH DESERVES TO BE ENCOURAGED," SIR DAVID SAID.
THE ESTATE ALSO PROVIDED 77 FLATS ESPECIALLY DESIGNED FOR ELDERLY PEOPLE.
"THESE WILL MAKE IT POSSIBLE FOR ELDERLY PEOPLE TO LIVE ON THEIR OWN IN SELF-CONTAINED UNITS AND, AT THE SAME TIME. HAVE ACCESS TO WARDEN SERVICES AS WELL AS SOME COMMUNAL FACILITIES.
"THE SOCIETY HAS BEEN PROVIDING SHELTERED HOUSING FOR ELDERLY PEOPLE SINCE 1977 AND THESE NEW FLATS - IN THE FIFTH SCHEME OF ITS KIND - WILL PROVIDE A VALUABLE ADDITIONAL SOURCE OF SHELTERED ACCOMMODATION FOR SOME OF OUR SENIOR CITIZENS," THE GOVERNOR SAID.
PAYING TRIBUTE TO SIR DOUGLAS CLAGUE, THE GOVERNOR SAID SIR DOUGLAS AS CHAIRMAN OF HONG KONG HOUSING SOCIETY FOR 28 YEARS, MADE A SIGNIFICANT CONTRIBUTION TO PUBLIC HOUSING IN HONG KONG.
"FROM THE VERY EARLY DAYS, SIR DOUGLAS SAW THE IMPORTANCE OF PROVIDING A WIDE RANGE OF COMMUNITY AND RECREATIONAL FACILITIES IN THE SOCIETY'S ESTATES.
"HE ALSO SAW THE NEED FOR BETTER LANDSCAPING AS A MEANS OF IMPROVING LIVING CONDITIONS IN A CONGESTED URBAN AREA," HE ADDED.
"THIS ESTATE, NAMED AFTER SIR DOUGLAS, IS A FITTING MEMORIAL TO HIS VISION AND DEDICATION," HE SAID.
SIR DAVID SAID THAT IT WAS A PARTICULAR PLEASURE THAT THREE GENERATIONS OF THE CLAGUE FAMILY-LADY CLAGUE, HER SON JONATHAN, DAUGHTER ISOLIN AND GRANDCHILDREN EMMA AND GEORGINA, WERE PRESENT TO CELEBRATE THE OPENING OF THE ESTATE BEARING THEIR FAMILY NAME.
"THEIR PRESENCE MAKES THIS A DOUBLY AUSPICIOUS OCCASION," THE GOVERNOR SAID.
LOOKING AT THE IMPRESSIVE NEW ESTATE, SIR DAVID CONGRATULATED THE HOUSING SOCIETY, THE ARCHITECTS, THE CONTRACTOR AND ALL THOSE ASSOCIATED WITH THE CONSTRUCTION OF CLAGUE GARDEN ON THE SUCCESSFUL COMPLETION OF THE PROJECT.
0
A....
THURSDAY, APRIL 6,
1989
FIGHT CRIME REPORT NO.8 PUBLISHED
*****
THE FIGHT CRIME COMMITTEE (FCC) REPORT NO. 8 , WHICH COVERS THE WORK OF THE COMMITTEE IN THE CALENDER YEAR 1988, WAS PUBLISHED TODAY (THURSDAY).
DURING THE YEAR, THE FCC CONTINUED TO WORK THROUGH ITS FIVE SUB-COMMITTEES AND WORKING GROUPS. THESE ARE THE STANDING COMMITTEE ON YOUNG OFFENDERS, RESEARCH SUB-COMMITTEE, PUBLICITY SUB-COMMITTEE, ADVISORY COMMITTEE ON THE REGULATION OF THE SECURITY INDUSTRY AND WORKING GROUP ON GANGS. I
AS REGARDS THE GENERAL LAW AND ORDER SITUATION IN 1988, THE REPORT POINTS OUT THAT THERE WAS A DECREASE OF 2.5 PER CENT IN REPORTED CRIME. CRIME PER 100,000 OF THE POPULATION ALSO DECREASED BY 3.5 PER CENT.
ALTHOUGH OVERALL CRIME IN 1988 WAS STILL HIGHER THAN IT WAS TEN YEARS AGO, IT HAS DECLINED FROM THE PEAK OF 1985. THE LEVEL OF VIOLENT CRIME ROSE, BUT AT A MUCH LOWER RATE OF INCREASE COMPARED WITH 1987.
SHOPTHEFT CASES SHOWED A SIGNIFICANT DECREASE OF 20.7 PER CENT FROM OVER 7,000 CASES IN 1987 TO SOME 5,600 CASES IN 1988, AND IT IS BELIEVED THAT THE FCC’S PUBLICITY AND OTHER MEASURES TO COUNTER THIS PARTICULAR CRIME HAVE PRODUCED A POSITIVE EFFECT.
SUMMARIZING THE WORK DONE BY THE WORKING GROUP ON GANGS, THE REPORT NOTES THAT THE WORKING GROUP DEVOTED MOST OF ITS TIME TO FOLLOW UP THE PROPOSALS IN THE DISCUSSION DOCUMENT "OPTION FOR CHANGES IN THE LAW AND IN THE ADMINISTRATION OF THE LAW TO COUNTER THE TRIAD PROBLEMS".
THESE INCLUDED PROTECTION OF WITNESSES FROM INTIMIDATION, SETTING UP ONE-WAY VIEWERS FOR IDENTIFICATION PARADES, INCREASING THE FINES UNDER THE SOCIETIES ORDINANCE DEALING WITH TRIAD MEMBERSHIP, INTRODUCTION OF THE TRIAD RENUNCIATION SCHEME, ESTABLISHMENT OF INTERDEPARTMENTAL TASK FORCES TO INVESTIGATE ORGANISED CRIME, AND CONSIDERATION OF THE INTRODUCTION OF STRICTER PENALTIES FOR ILLEGAL GAMBLING, VICE-RELATED OFFENCES AND DRUG TRAFFICKING.
ON THE PREVENTIVE SIDE, A TEACHING PACKAGE ON THE DANGER OF TRIAD INVOLVEMENT FOR PRIMARY AND SECONDARY SCHOOLS HAS BEEN INTRODUCED. VARIOUS PROJECTS ON THE REHABILITATION OF OFFENDERS AND AFTERCARE SERVICES HAVE BEEN LAUNCHED.
ADDITIONALLY, THE WORKING GROUP HAD MONITORED POLICE ENFORCEMENT ACTION AGAINST THE ILLEGAL FISH TRADING AT CASTLE PEAK BAY AND TRIAD ACTIVITIES IN ABATTOIRS. IT HAD ALSO LOOKED INTO POSSIBLE TRIAD INVOLVEMENT IN THE HARASSMENT OF CONTRACTORS IN THE NT CIRCULAR ROAD CONSTRUCTION PROJECT.
/IN ITS .........
THURSDAY, APRIL 6, 1989
5
IN ITS CONTINUED EFFORT TO TACKLE JUVENILE DELINQUENCY, THE STANDING COMMITTEE ON YOUNG OFFENDERS HAD REVIEWED THE YOUNG OFFENDER ASSESSMENT PANEL PILOT SCHEME AND RECOMMENDED THET THE PENAL SERVICES SHOULD BE EXTENDED TO ALL MAGISTRATES AND HIGHER COURTS, SUBJECT TO RESOURCES BEING AVAILABLE.
NOTING THAT SHOPTHEFT REPRESENTS 43 PER CENT OF ALL JUVENILE CRIME IN 1987, THE STANDING COMMITTEE RECOMMENDED VARIOUS PUBLICITY AND EDUCATIONAL MEASURES- AIMED AT DISCOURAGING YOUNG PEOPLE FROM COMMITTING THIS CRIME.
THE STANDING COMMITEE ALSO CONSIDERED OTHER ISSUES RELATING TO YOUNG OFFENDERS AND JUVENILE DELINQUENCY. THESE INCLUDED THE AGE OF CRIMINAL RESPONSIBILTY, TRUANCY AND THE RATE OF CHILDREN DROPPING OUT OF SCHOOLS, AGE RESTRICTION ON YOUNG PEOPLE ENTERING BILLIARD SALOONS, AND THE NEED FOR A SPECIAL GUIDANCE SCHEME FOR "PROBLEM” STUDENTS TO BE RUN IN SCHOOLS.
THE REPORT HIGHLIGHTS THE WORK OF THE ADVISORY COMMITTEE ON THE REGULATION OF THE SECURITY INDUSTRY IN PRODUCING A LEGAL FRAMEWORK TO REGULATE THE SECURITY INDUSTRY WHICH INCLUDE BOTH THE SECURITY COMPANIES AND THEIR EMPLOYEES.
THE REPORT ALSO NOTES THAT A DRAFT LEGISLATION ON BETTER CONTROL OF BURGLAR ALARMS WILL BE INTRODUCED SOON.
REFERRING TO THE RESEARCH SUB-COMMITTEE, THE REPORT SAID IT HAD CONTINUED TO OVERSEE THE SETTING UP OF THE STANDARDISED LAW AND ORDER STATISTICAL SYSTEM AND THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE MORE ADVANCED INTEGRATED LAW AND ORDER STATISTICAL SYSTEM.
THE SUB-COMMITTEE HAD ALSO CONTINUED TO MONITOR THE LONG-TERM STUDY OF RECIDIVICM AMONG YOUNG OFFENDERS. RECOMMENDED THE UNDERTAKING OF THE FOURTH CRIME VICTIMISATION SURVEY IN 1990, REVIEWED THE COUNSELLING SERVICES FOR THE VICTIMS OF RAPE AND OTHER SEX OFFENCES, OVERSAW THE ORGANISATION OF OUTWARD BOUND COURSES FOR YOUNG DELINQUENTS, CONSIDERS THE FRAMEWORK FOR AN IMPROVED SYSTEM FOR THE TRAINING OF PROFESSIONALS IN DEALING WITH YOUNG OFFENDERS, AND COMMISSIONED A SPECIAL STUDY ON AFTERCARE SERVICES FOR EX-PRISONERS.
FIGHT CRIME PUBLICITY EFFORTS IN 1988 WERE MAINLY FOCUSSED ON THE ANTI-TRIAD CAMPAIGN. THE ANTI-SHOPTHEFT DRIVE AND THE CONTINUATION OF THE NEIGHBOURHOOD WATCH SCHEME.
SO FAR AS COMMERCIAL CRIMES ARE CONCERNED, A PROPOSED AMENDMENT TO THE EVIDENCE ORDINANCE HAD BEEN CONSIDERED AND THE COMPLEX COMMERCIAL CRIME BILL HAD BEEN ENACTED. AMENDMENTS ARE ALSO BEING CONSIDERED TO THE CRIME ORDINANCE AND THE THEFT ORDINANCE TO DEAL WITH COMPUTER CRIME.
PENDING THE OUTCOME OF A TEST CASE IN COURT, A DRAFT FIREARMS AND AMMUNITIONS (AMENDMENT) BILL AIMED AT BETTER CONTROL OF IMITATION AND REPLICA FIREARMS WILL BE REVIEWED.
/THE CRIMES.........
THURSDAY, APRIL 6, 1989
6
THE CRIMES (AMENDMENT) BILL, WHICH SEEKS TO INTRODUCE BETTER CONTROL OF NUISANCES ASSOCIATED WITH PROSTITUTION, WAS PUBLISHED FOR PUBLIC CONSULTATION IN JULY 1988 AND WILL BE INTRODUCED IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL LATER.
THE REPORT CONCLUDES BY THANKING THE 19 DISTRICT FIGHT CRIME COMMITTEES FOR THEIR CONTINUED CO-COPERATION IN KEEPING UNDER REVIEW THE STATE OF CRIME AT DISTRICT LEVEL AND IN CO-ORDINATING ALL DISTRICT EFFORTS TO ASSIST THE POLICE TO COMBAT CRIME.
COPIES OF THE REPORT, IN ENGLISH AND CHINESE, ARE NOW AVAILABLE FREE OF CHARGE FOR MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC AT ALL DISTRICT OFFICES.
0
FEASIBILITY STUDY ON TECHNOLOGY CENTRE COMPLETED
* » * * *
A STUDY ON THE FEASIBILITY OF A TECHNOLOGY CENTRE HAS BEEN COMPLETED BY SEGAL QUINCE WICKSTEED, A FIRM OF CONSULTANTS APPOINTED BY THE INDUSTRY DEPARTMENT ON THE ADVICE OF THE INDUSTRY DEVELOPMENT BOARD (IDB).
THE STUDY CONCLUDED THAT A TECHNOLOGY CENTRE COULD MAKE A VALUABLE CONTRIBUTION TO IMPROVING HONG KONG’S TECHNOLOGY INFRASTRUCTURE, THE DIRECTOR OF INDUSTRY, MR K.Y. YEUNG, SAID.
THE CONSULTANTS SUGGESTED THAT THE AIM OF THE CENTRE SHOULD BE TO HELP UPGRADE THE TECHNOLOGY COMPETENCE OF THE MANUFACTURING SECTOR.
THE SPECIFIC OBJECTIVES OF THE CENTRE SHOULD BE TO PROMOTE THE GROWTH OF FIRMS USING NEW TECHNOLOGIES, ENCOURAGE MORE FIRMS TO MAKE USE OF CONTRACT DESIGN AND DEVELOPMENT SERVICES, AND PROVIDE A TECHNOLOGY TRANSFER SERVICE WHICH WOULD HELP LOCAL FIRMS GAIN ACCESS TO USEFUL TECHNOLOGIES.
THE GOVERNMENT, AND INDUSTRY, ACADEMIC, BUSINESS AND FINANCE COMMUNITIES HAD A VITAL ROLE TO PLAY IN MAKING THE TECHNOLOGY CENTRE A SUCCESS, AND THE CENTRE’S MANAGEMENT SHOULD AIM TO FORGE EFFECTIVE LINKS WITH THESE GROUPS, THE CONSULTANTS SAID.
AT THE SAME TIME, WHILE MAINTAINING THESE VITAL LINKS, THE CENTRE SHOULD BE ABLE TO OPERATE INDEPENDENTLY OF THEM, SO THAT IT COULD MAINTAIN A COMMERCIAL OUTLOOK.
THE CONSULTANCY REPORT ALSO SAID THE CENTRE COULD GENERATE SUFFICIENT INCOME FROM LETTINGS TO COVER ITS RECURRENT COSTS, PROVIDED THAT IT DID NOT HAVE TO BEAR THE CAPITAL COSTS OF THE LAND AND BUILDINGS.
/THE GOVERNOR .........
THURSDAY, APRIL 6, 1989
- 7 -
THE GOVERNMENT HAS ASKED THE IDB TO ADVISE WHETHER A TECHNOLOGY CENTRE WOULD BE USEFUL AND APPROPRIATE IN HONG KONG, AND IF SO, HOW IT SHOULD BE ORGANISED AND MANAGED.
THE BOARD HAS DIRECTED ITS INDUSTRIAL TECHNOLOGY COMMITTEE TO ANALYSE THE REPORT IN DETAIL, WITH THE AIM OF FORMULATING RECOMMENDATIONS FOR THE BOARD.
IT IS EXPECTED THAT THE IDB WOULD BE INVITED TO ADVISE ON THIS PROJECT WITHIN THREE MONTHS.
0
PROVISIONAL RESULTS OF RETAIL SALES SURVEY FOR JANUARY * » t » t
THE VALUE OF TOTAL RETAIL SALES IN JANUARY 1989, ESTIMATED AT 110,663 MILLION, WAS 32 PER CENT HIGHER THAN IN JANUARY 1988 WHILST THEIR VOLUME WAS 22 PER CENT HIGHER, ACCORDING TO THE PROVISIONAL RESULTS OF A SURVEY RELEASED TODAY BY THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT.
CAUTION SHOULD BE TAKEN IN INTERPRETING THE YEAR ON YEAR COMPARISON IN THIS PRESS RELEASE, MAINLY BECAUSE OF THE TIMING OF THE LUNAR NEW YEAR HOLIDAYS, WHICH OCCURRED IN EARLY FEBRUARY THIS YEAR. IN 1988, THESE HOLIDAYS FELL IN MID-FEBRUARY.
ANALYSED BY MAJOR TRADE GROUPS, RETAIL SALES OF FOODSTUFFS, ALCOHOLIC DRINKS AND TOBACCO IN JANUARY 1989 INCREASED BY 15 PER CENT IN VALUE AND 3 PER CENT IN VOLUME OVER JANUARY 1988. FUELS ROSE BY 1 PER CENT IN SALES VALUE BUT REMAINED ALMOST UNCHANGED IN SALES VOLUME.
ON THE SAME BASIS OF COMPARfsON, RETAIL SALES OF CONSUMER DURABLES INCREASED BY 47 PER CENT IN VALUE AND 35 PER CENT IN VOLUME. CLOTHING, FOOTWEAR AND ALLIED PRODUCTS WENT UP BY 25 PER CENT IN SALES VALUE AND 13 PER CENT IN SALES VOLUME.
RETAIL SALES OF OTHER CONSUMER GOODS ROSE BY 40 PER CENT IN VALUE AND 32 PER CENT IN VOLUME.
ANALYSED BY SELECTED TRADES, WHICH FORM PART OF THE RELEVANT MAJOR TRADE GROUPS, SALES OF MOTOR VEHICLES AND PARTS INCREASED BY 96 PER CENT IN VALUE AND 80 PER CENT IN VOLUME. SALES BY DEPARTMENT STORES ROSE BY 55 PER CENT IN VALUE AND 41 PER CENT IN VOLUME.
CONSUMER DURABLES OTHER THAN MOTOR VEHICLES AND PARTS INCREASED BY 23 PER CENT IN SALES VALUE AND 16 PER CENT IN SALES VOLUME, WHILE THE CORRESPONDING INCREASES FOR SUPERMARKETS WERE 22 PER CENT AND 10 PER CENT.
/WHEN COMPARED
THURSDAY, APRIL 6, 1989
8
WHEN COMPARED WITH DECEMBER 1988, AND BEARING IN MIND THAT THIS COMPARISON IS AFFECTED BY SEASONAL FACTORS, TOTAL RETAIL SALES FOR JANUARY 1989 INCREASED BY 9 PER CENT IN BOTH VALUE AND VOLUHil
FOODSTUFFS, ALCOHOLIC DRINKS AND TOBACCO HAD VIRTUALLY HO CHANGE IN SALES VALUE AND A DROP OF 2 PER CENT IN SALES VOLUME. FUELS WENT DOWN BY 11 PER CENT IN SALES VALUE AND 13 PER CENT IN SALES VOLUME.
ON THE SAME BASIS OF COMPARISON, RETAIL SALES OF COI’ UMER DURABLES ROSE BY 22 PER CENT IN VALUE AND 20 PER CENT IN VOL'J) i. CLOTHING, FOOTWEAR AND ALLIED PRODUCTS WENT UP BY 8 PER CENT IN SALES VALUE AND 11 PER CENT IN SALES VOLUME.
RETAIL SALES OF OTHER CONSUMER GOODS INCREASED BY 10 PER CENT IN VALUE AND 12 PER CENT IN VOLUME.
ANALYSED BY SELECTED TRADES, SALES OF MOTOR VEHICLES AND PARTS INCREASED BY 49 PER CENT IN BOTH VALUE AND VOLUME. DEPARTMENT STORES ROSE BY 17 PER CENT IN SALES VALUE AND 21 PER CENT IN SALES VOLUME.
CONSUMER DURABLES OTHER THAN MOTOR VEHICLES AND PARTS INCREASED BY 7 PER CENT IN BOTH SALES VALUE AND VOLUME. SUPERMARKETS SALES DROPPED BY 2 PER CENT IN VALUE AND 3 PER CENT IN VOLUME.
TABLE 1 PRESENTS THE REVISED TOTAL RETAIL SALES FIGURE FOR DECEMBER 1988 AND THE PROVISIONAL FIGURE FOR JANUARY 1989.
TABLE 2 SHOWS THE VALUE AND VOLUME INDEXES OF RETAIL SALES IN DECEMBER 1988 AND JANUARY 1989 (A) FOR ALL RETAIL TRADES, (B) BY MAJOR TRADE GROUPS AND (C) BY SELECTED TRADES, WITH AVERAGE RETAIL SALES FROM OCTOBER 1984 TO SEPTEMBER 1985 TAKEN AS 100.
COMPARISONS OF JANUARY 1989 RESULTS WITH THOSE FOR DECEMBER 1988 AND WITH THOSE FOR JANUARY 1988 ARE ALSO GIVEN.
THE REPORT CONTAINING THE ANALYSIS OF THE JANUARY 1989 SURVEY RESULTS IS NOW ON SALE AT THE GOVERNMENT PUBLICATION SALES CENTRE, GENERAL POST OFFICE BUILDING, CONNAUGHT PLACE, AT 11 PER COPY.
ENQUIRIES ABOUT THE SURVEY RESULTS MAY BE DIRECTED TO THE WHOLESALE AND RETAIL TRADE STATISTICS SECTION OF THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT (TEL. NO. : 5-8234941).
0
THUUSiMX, APkIL 6, 1989
9
TABLE I : TOTAL RETAIL SALES
Total Retail Sales for January 1989 (Provisional Figure) = HKS10,663mi11ion for December 1988 (Revised Figure) = HK$ 9,770million
TABLE 2 ! VALUE AND VOLUME INDEXES OF RETAIL SALES FOR DECEMBER 1988 AND JANUARY 1989
(Monthly average of Oct. 04 - Sept. 85 = 100)
Item Index of Retail Sales December 1988 (Revised January 1989 (Provisional January compared December Points 1989 wi th 1988 X January compared January Points 1989 : with : 1988 t 1 X 1
(A) FOR ALL RETAIL TRADES Value Volume figures) I74 140 figures) 190 152 16 12 9 9 47 27 1 1 1 I 1 32 I 22 • ।
(B) BY MAJOR TRADE GROUPS Foodstuffs, alcoholic drinks and tobacco Value Volume 149 126 149 123 1 -3 1 -2 19 3 । । । 15 1 3 : 1
Fuels Value Volume 112 122 99 107 -13 -16 -11 -13 1 1 1 : 1 : «
Clothing, footwear and allied products Value Volume 218 160 234 178 17 18 8 11 47 21 25 13 : 1
Consumer durables Value Volume 170 132 207 159 37 27 22 20 66 41 47 J 35 1 {
Other consumer goods Value Volume 190 149 210 166 19 17 10 12 60 40 40 1 32 J
(C) BY SELECTED TRADES (see note I below) Supermarkets Value Volume 181 149 177 145 -3 -4 cm ro 32 13 I 1 । । 22 : 10 : ।
Motor vehicles and parts Value Volume 258 177 386 263 127 86 49 49 188 117 96 : so :
Consumer durables other than motor vehicles and parts Value Volume 143 119 152 127 10 8 7 7 28 18 23 16 : 1 1
Department stores Value Volume 246 185 289 223 43 38 17 21 102 64 55 41 :
NOTES : I. In order to analyse the sales of certain trades WITHIN major trade groups, the value and volume 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 in the "Consumer durables’ group.
(c) 'Consumer durables other than motor vehicles and parts' - a trade in the "Consumer durables" group.
(d) 'Department stores' - a trade in the 'Other consumer goods' group.
2. Figures denoting changes are derived from the unrounded index figures.
3. denotes a figure within ±0.5.
/1O........
THURSDAY, APRIL 6, 1989
- 10
TRADE DEPARTMENT STRIVES TO IMPROVE MARKET ACCESS *****
THE TRADE DEPARTMENT IS DOING ITS BEST IN THE CURRENT URUGU Y ROUND OF MULTILATERAL TRADE NEGOTIATION UNDER THE GENERAL AGREEMENT ON TARIFFS AND TRADE (GATT) TO LIBERALISE WORLD TRADE, IMPROVE MARI T ACCESS AND STRENGTHEN DISCIPLINE IN THE MULTILATERAL TRADING SYSTEM.
THE ASSISTANT DIRECTOR OF TRADE, SI ’IN. R THIS TODAY (THURSDAY).
MR MATTHEW CHEUNG, TOLD A
MR CHEUNG SAID APART FROM THE LEVEL OF CONSUMER DEMAND IN 133 EXPORT MARKETS, HONG KONG’S CONTINUED ACCESS TO THESE MARKETS W, 3 ALSO IMPORTANT AND ANY INTENSIFICATION OF PROTECTIONIST MEASURES WOULD ADV HR.,ELY AFFECT ITS EXPORTS AND WORLD TRADE IN GENERAL.
THE OBJECTIVES OF THE TRADE DEPARTMENT ARE TO WORK FOR A FREER AND MORE OPEN WORLD TRADING SYSTEM AND TO SECURE AND PRESERVE FREE AND FAIR ACCESS FOR HONG KONG-MADE PRODUCTS AND SERVICES IN OVERSEAS MARKETS.
"IT PURSUES THESE OBJECTIVES MULTILATERALLY THROUGH HONG KONG’S FULL CONTRACTING PARTY STATUS IN THE GATT AND THROUGH BILATERAL TRADE RELATIONS WITH GOVERNMENTS IN HONG KONG’S MAJOR MARKETS," HE SAID, NOTING THAT HONG KONG BECAME THE 91ST CONTRACTING PARTY TO GATT IN APRIL 1986.
"TO MAINTAIN CONTINUED ACCESS TO MARKETS ALREADY OPENED TO HONG KONG, TO REMOVE BARRIERS WHERE THEY EXIST AND TO GAIN ACCESS TO MARKETS THAT ARE CLOSED ARE THE PRIORITIES OF THE TRADE DEPARTMENT," HE ADDED.
MR CHEUNG SAID HONG KONG ACHIEVED ITS PRESENT-DAY TRADING PROMINENCE PARTLY BECAUSE OF ITS EXCELLENT DEEP-WATER PORT, ITS STRATEGIC POSITION AT THE VERY CENTRE OF THE FAST GROWING ASIA-PACIFIC REGION AND ITS POSITION AS THE NATURAL GATEWAY FOR TRADE WITH A RAPIDLY MODERNISING CHINA.
"BUT ANOTHER FUNDAMENTAL REASON FOR HONG KONG’S SUCCESS IS THE GOVERNMENT'S FIRM COMMITMENT TO FREE TRADE AND FREE ENTERPRISE.
"THIS POLICY ENSURES THAT THE ECONOMY ADJUSTS RAPIDLY TO CHANGES IN WORLD MARKET FORCES AND THAT RESOURCES ARE, CONSEQUENTLY, USED EFFICIENTLY AND PRODUCTIVELY."
MR CHEUNG POINTED OUT THAT SINCE THE INCEPTION OF THE GATT 40 YEARS AGO, THERE HAD BEEN A VERY SIGNIFICANT REDUCTION IN TRAP BARRIERS, LARGELY AS A RESULT OF SEVEN ROUNDS OF MULTILATERAL TRAD NEGOTIATIONS UNDER THE GATT, LEADING TO AN UNPRECEDENTED EXPANSION IN WORLD TRADE.
"HONG KONG HAS CERTAINLY BENEFITTED FROM THIS TRADE EXPANSION AND HAS RISEN RAPIDLY IN THE INTERNATIONAL LEAGUE OF TRADING NATIONS, HE SAID.
/HONG KONG .......
THURSDAY, APRIL 6, 1989
HONG KONG IS NOW THE 11TH LARGEST TRADING ENTITY IN THE WORLD, TAKING UP 1.9 PER CENT OF WORLD TRADE.
ON HONG KONG’S TRADE PATTERNS, MR CHEUNG SAID THE MOST NOTABLE CHANGE OVER THE PAST FEW YEARS WAS THAT CHINA HAD OVERTAKEN THE UNITED STATES AS HONG KONG’S LARGEST TRADING PARTNER.
TRADE BETWEEN CHINA AND HONG KONG INCREASED 27 TIMES IN VALUE TERMS BETWEEN 1978 AND 1988.
MR CHEUNG SAID THE MAIN FACTOR IN THE RAPID GROWTH IN HONG KONG’S DOMESTIC EXPORTS AND RE-EXPORTS TO CHINA HAD BEEN THE INCREASE IN OUTWARD PROCESSING ACTIVITIES IN CHINA.
"OUTWARD PROCESSING IS A MUTUALLY BENEFICIAL DEVELOPMENT: THE PRODUCTION CAPACITY OF THE MANUFACTURING SECTOR IN HONG KONG IS ENLARGED AND THE ABUNDANT LABOUR RESOURCES IN CHINA ARE EMPLOYED MORE EFFICIENTLY,” HE ADDED.
MR CHEUNG ALSO POINTED TO THE RE-EMERGENCE OF HONG KONG’S ENTREPOT ROLE.
"CHINA IS BOTH THE LARGEST MARKET FOR HONG KONG'S RE-EXPORTS AND THE MOST IMPORTANT SUPPLIER OF GOODS RE-EXPORTED THROUGH HONG KONG.
"JAPAN IS ALSO A SIGNIFICANT PARTNER IN HONG KONG'S RE-EXPORT TRADE. BEING THE SECOND LARGEST SUPPLIER OF GOODS RE-EXPORTED THROUGH HONG KONG," HE SAID.
TURNING TO FUTURE PROSPECTS, MR CHEUNG SAID THAT GIVEN THE LIKELY SLOWDOWN IN THE GROWTH OF THE U.S. MARKET AND THE EMERGENCE OF THE ASIA-PACIFIC REGION AS A DYNAMIC ECONOMIC FORCE, SOME DIVERSIFICATION IN EXPORT MARKETS IN FAVOUR OF THE ASIA-PACIFIC REGION WAS EXPECTED AND THE FOCUS WAS LIKELY TO BE JAPAN.
0
NT TAXIS PERMITTED TO OPERATE IN MA ON SHAN ******
THE GOVERNOR IN COUNCIL HAS APPROVED A RECOMMENDATION TRANSPORT ADVISORY COMMITTEE THAT THE OPERATING BOUNDARY TERRITORIES TAXIS BE EXTENDED TO INCLUDE MA ON SHAN.
TAXIS TO SERVE ALL TO TRAVEL FROM SAI PO OR NORTH DISTRICT.
THE APPROVAL INCLUDES ALLOWING NT ROADS TO BE BUILT WITHIN MA ON SHAN. AND THE PRINCE OF WALES HOSPITAL AND TO TAI
BY THE
OF NEW
INTERNAL
KUNG TO
HOWEVER. THE NT TAXIS WILL NOT BE PERMITTED TO PICK UP DOWN PASSENGERS ON THE MAIN ROADS BETWEEN MA ON SHAN AND THE OF WALES HOSPITAL.
OR SET PRINCE
/AT PRESENT
THURSDAY, APRIL 6, 1989
12 -
AT PRESENT, NT TAXIS ARE NOT PERMITTED TO OPERATE IN SHA TIN, INCLUDING MA ON SHAN, EXCEPT TO BRING PASSENGERS FROM THE NORTH TO THE PRINCE OF WALES HOSPITAL, SHA TIN RACE COURSE AND MEI SHA PIER. FROM SAI KUNG, NT TAXIS ARE ONLY PERMITTED TO OPERATE AS FAR AS NAI CHUNG IN SAI KUNG NORTH.
THE RESTRICTION ON NT TAXIS IN MA ON SHAN HAD BEEN IMPOSED FOLLOWING EXECUTIVE COUNCIL’S DECISION IN 1987 THAT NT TAXIS SHOULD BE EXCLUDED FROM MA ON SHAN SUBJECT TO A REVIEW WHEN ADDITIONAL ROAD LINKS WERE PROVIDED TO MA ON SHAN IN 1988.
THE OPENING OF SAI SHA ROAD IN OCTOBER LAST YEAR HAS GENERATED A DEMAND FOR TAXI TRAVEL BETWEEN SAI KUNG AND TAI PO/NORTH DISTRICTS VIA MA ON SHAN.
THE DEMAND FOR TAXI TRAVEL BETWEEN MA ON SHAN AND TAI PO/NORTH DISTRICTS IS ALSO EXPECTED TO INCREASE WITH POPULATION GROWTH. NT TAXIS CAN MEET THIS INCREASING DEMAND.
REMOVAL OF THE CURRENT RESTRICTIONS WILL ALSO ALLOW PATIENTS FROM SAI KUNG TO BE TAKEN TO THE PRINCE OF WALES HOSPITAL DIRECT BY NT TAXIS.
THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL ALSO DECIDED THAT NT TAXIS SHOULD CONTINUE TO BE BANNED FROM THE JUNK BAY NEW TOWN, INCLUDING RENNIE’S MILL.
THE COUNCIL CONSIDERED THAT IT WAS APPROPRIATE FOR THE JUNK BAY NEW TOWN TO BE SERVED BY URBAN TAXIS AS MOST EXTERNAL TRIPS WOULD BE TO AND FROM KOWLOON RATHER THAN SAI KUNG.
AT PRESENT FOUR BUS ROUTES ARE OPERATING BETWEEN JUNK BAY AND THE SOUTH AND EAST KOWLOON. A GREEN MINIBUS ROUTE IS ALSO OPERATING BETWEEN THE NEW TOWN AND SAI KUNG TOWN CENTRE.
AS REGARDS RENNIE’S MILL, ADEQUATE TRANSPORTATION IS PROVIDED THROUGH THE OPERATION OF BUSES, GREEN MINIBUSES. FERRIES AND URBAN TAXIS.
0
NEW BUS SERVICES TO ALLEVIATE MTR CONGESTION
*****
NEW BUS SERVICES HAVE RECENTLY BEEN INTRODUCED FOR THE PURPOSE OF ALLEVIATING THE MORNING PEAK HOUR CONGESTION PROBLEM ON THE MASS TRANSIT RAILWAY NATHAN ROAD CORRIDOR.
THE TWO NEW KMB BUS ROUTES ARE INTENDED TO CARRY PASSENGERS DIRECT FROM EAST AND WEST NEW TERRITORIES TO KOWLOON TO BYPASS THE OVERCROWDED MTR CORRIDOR.
THESE ARE ADDITIONAL TO THE EXISTING 53 BUS ROUTES SERVING BETWEEN THE NEW TERRITORIES AND THE KOWLOON AREA.
/ROUTE 81C ........
THURSDAY, APRIL 6, 198?
- 13 -
ROUTE 81C, INTRODUCED IN JANUARY, RUNS FROM MA ON SHAN IN SHA TIN TO TSIM SHA TSUI EAST AND HELPS REDUCE THE NUMBER OF PASSENGERS TAKING THE KOWLOON-CANTON RAILWAY TO THE KOWLOON TONG KCR STATION FOR INTERCHANGING TO THE MTR,
ROUTE 30X, INTRODUCED IN FEBRUARY, TAKES PASSENGERS FROM CHAI WAN KOK IN TSUEN WAN TO JORDAN AND PROVIDES SOME RELIEF TO THE OVERCROWDING SITUATION ALONG THE MTR TSUEN WAN LINE.
THE KOWLOON-CANTON RAILWAY CORPORATION HAS ALSO AGREED TO ANNOUNCE ON THEIR TRAINS AND PLATFORMS THE AVAILABILITY OF BUS SERVICES FROM THE KCR KOWLOON STATION (HUNG HOM) TO TSIM SHA TSUI.
SUCH ANNOUNCEMENTS WILL BE MADE ON TRAINS GOING BETWEEN TAI WAI AND KOWLOON TONG STAtlONS AND ON STATION PLATFORMS BETWEEN SHEUNG SHUI AND TAI WAI.
THESE ANNOUNCEMENTS, STARTING IN ABOUT TWO WEEKS, AIM TO ENCOURAGE TRAIN PASSENGERS HEADING FOR TSIM SHA TSUI TO USE BUSES INSTEAD OF INTERCHANGING TO THE MTR AT THE OVERCROWDED KOWLOON TONG STATION.
THERE IS STILL SPARE CAPACITY DURING THE MORNING PEAK HOURS ON FOUR KMB BUS ROUTES - IK, 5C, 8 AND 8A - ALL GOING TO TSIM SHA TSUI THAT PASSENGERS CAN TAKE AT THE KCR KOWLOON STATION.
THERE ARE NEW DIRECTIONAL SIGNS AT THE KOWLOON STATION PODIUM HALL TO INDICATE THE LOCATIONS OF THE BUS STOPS FOR THESE FOUR BUS ROUTES. ALSO, KMB WILL PUT UP DIRECTIONAL SIGNS AT THE STATION BUS TERMINUS TO AID PASSENGERS.
------ _ U -------
TEN SENIOR POLICEMEN PROMOTED * * * *
POLICE TODAY (THURSDAY) ANNOUNCED THE PROMOTION OF TEN SENIOR OFFICERS, INCLUDING A SENIOR SUPERINTENDENT TO THE RANK OF CHIEF SUPERINTENDENT; THREE SUPERINTENDENTS TO SENIOR SUPERINTENDENTS; AND SIX CHIEF INSPECTORS TO SUPERINTENDENTS.
AT A CEREMONY AT POLICE HEADQUARTERS, THE COMISSIONER OF POLICE, MR RAYMON ANNING, PRESENTED LETTERS OF PROMOTION TO THE OFFICERS AND CONGRATULATED THEM ON THEIR ACHIEVEMENTS.
THE NEWLY PROMOTED CHIEF SUPERINTENDENT IS MR GEORGE MURPHY OF THE POLICE HEADQUARTERS.
THE NEW SENIOR SUPERINTENDENTS ARE : MR AU YIU-KWAN WHO HOLDS THE POST OF DEPUTY DISTRICT COMMANDER, WESTERN; MR STEVE VICKERS, SENIOR STAFF OFFICER, CRIMINAL INTELLIGENCE BUREAU, AND MR IAIN GRANT, WHO IS SECONDED TO THE LONDON OFFICE AS POLICE APPOINTMENTS OFFICER.
ANOTHER SIX OFFICERS WHO HAVE BEEN PROMOTED TO THE RANK OF SUPERINTENDENT ARE MESSRS ROD COLSON, LEUNG KA-HUNG, LEE WAI-LAM, JEFF RICHARDS, NOEL HOWCROFT AND LO CHI-MING.
0
THURSDAY, APRIL 6t 1989
14 TWO STORAGE LOTS TO LET BY TENDER » * » » ♦
TENDERS ARE BEING INVITED BY THE BUILDINGS AND LANDS DEPARTMENT FOR LETTING TWO STORAGE LOTS IN POK FU LAM AND WESTERN DISTRICT ON HONG KONG ISLAND.
MEASURING ABOUT 1,910 SQUARE METRES, THE SITE AT WAH LOK PATH, POK FU LAM, IS FOR THE STORAGE OF THE TENANT’S GOODS (INCLUDING VEHICLES) AND/OR COMMERCIAL NURSERY.
NO REPAIRING OR MAINTENANCE WORKS OF MOTOR VEHICLES WILL BE PERMITTED.
THE INITIAL TENANCY IS THREE YEARS, RENEWABLE ON A QUARTERLY BASIS.
THE OTHER LOT, MEASURING ABOUT 4,775 SQUARE METRES, IS SITUATED AT THE FORMER CARGO HANDLING AREA, WESTERN RECLAMATION.
IT IS FOR OPEN STORAGE/HANDLING OF CARGO, EXCLUDING CONCRETE BATCHING, HANDLING OF SAND, AGGREGATES OR BUILDING MATERIALS.
THE INITIAL TENANCY IS ONE YEAR, RENEWABLE QUARTERLY AFTERWARDS.
THE DEADLINE FOR SUBMISSION OF TENDERS IS NOON ON APRIL 14. ------------------------------0----------
CYC CIVIC EDUCATION SHOWS * ♦ t t »
MORE THAN 1200 MEMBERS OF THE COMMUNITY YOUTH CLUB (CYC) OF THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT WILL STAGE TWO CIVIC EDUCATION SHOWS AT THE QUEEN ELIZABETH STADIUM IN WANCHAI, ON SUNDAY (APRIL 9).
THE EVENTS WILL MARK THE END OF THE CURRENT CYC CAMPAIGN TO PROMOTE GREATER AWARENESS AMONG ITS MEMBERS AND OTHER SCHOOL CHILDREN OF THE WORK OF DISTRICT ADMINISTRATION AND THEIR SENSE OF BELONGING TO THE COMMUNITY.
THE SHOWS WILL FEATURE DANCES, SINGING, ORCHESTRA PERFORMANCES, DRAMAS AND LION DANCES BY OUTSTANDING PERFORMERS WHO TOOK PART IN THE CYC CIVIC EDUCATION FORTNIGHT IN THE 19 DISTRICTS IN LATE FEBRUARY WHICH WERE ORGANISED BY THE DISTRICT BOARDS.
THE DIRECTOR OF EDUCATION, MR Y.T. LI, AND THE REGIONAL SECRETARY FOR THE NEW TERRITORIES, MR ADOLF HSU, WILL JOINTLY OFFICIATE AT A CEREMONY AT 2.30 PM ON SUNDAY TO MARK THE OPENING OF THE TWO-HOUR SHOW.
IN THE EVENING, MR LI WILL JOIN THE REGIONAL SECRETARY FOR HONG KONG AND KOWLOON, MR DAVID LAN, TO OFFICIATE AT THE SECOND CYC CIVIC EDUCATION SHOW.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
MEDIA REPRESENTATIVES ARE CORDIALLY INVITED TO COVER THE TWO CIVIC EDUCATION JOINT PRESENTATIONS AT QUEEN ELIZABETH STADIUM, WANCHAI, ON SUNDAY (APRIL 9) BETWEEN 2.30 PM AND 4.30 PM AND 8 PM AND 10 PM RESPECTIVELY.
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG TEL: 5-8428777
FRIDAY, APRIL 7, 1989
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
HK PEOPLE SHOULD ADOPT POSITIVE APPROACH TO THE FUTURE : CS 1
LARGE-SCALE IMPORT OF UNSKILLED LaBOUR WILL NOT BE ALLOWED :
CS ....................................................... 4
FS SUPPORTS STEPS TO RECONSTITUTE THE HK FUTURES EXCHANGE .. 5
PROVISIONAL LAND SALES PROGRAMME ANNOUNCED ................. 6
PROPOSAL TO CREaTE NEW .lPPEAL BOARDS APPROVED.............. 7
APPOINTMENTS TO COUNCIL FOR PERFORMING ARTS ................ 9
GUIDELINES ON SCHOOL BAG CARRYING .......................... 10
PRE-WAR BUILDINGS AT QUEEN'S ROAD WEST DECLARED DiJfGEROUS .. 11
ILLEGAL STRUCTURES TO BE CLOSED ............................ 11
TENDERS INVITED FOR NOISE ABATEMENT WORK ................... 12
PENG CHaU ISLAND LOT FOR S.J-E BY TENDER ................... 12
L.J1D TO BE RESUMED FOR MAJOR NT DEVELOPMENT................ 1J
FRIDAY, APRIL 7,
1989
1
HK PEOPLE SHOULD ADOPT POSITIVE APPROACH TO THE FUTURE : CS
*»»»*»»
THE PEOPLE OF HONG KONG HAVE THE ABILITY AND THE WILL TO MAKE THIS G1EAI CITY WORK EVEN BETTER FOR ITSELF AND FOR CHINA, THE CHIEF SECRETARY, SIR DAVID FORD, SAID TODAY (FRIDAY).
"THAT ABILITY AND WILL MUST BE LINKED TO A POSITIVE APPROACH," HE SAID.
SPEAKING AT A LUNCHEON MEETING OF THE AMERICAN CHAMBER OF COMMERCE, THE CHIEF SECRETARY SAID THERE WERE, OF COURSE, WORRIES AND FEARS FOR THE FUTURE WHICH WERE TOTALLY UNDERSTANDABLE.
"BUT WE MUST NOT FALL INTO THE TRAP OF TALKING OURSELVES INTO A DEPRESSION ABOUT THE FUTURE.
"WE DO HAVE A TENDENCY AS A COMMUNITY TO DISCOUNT ALL THAT IS GOOD ABOUT HONG KONG AND FOCUS ON THE BAD NEWS," SIR DAVID SAID.
"WE NEED TO MAKE A CONSCIOUS EFFORT TO REMIND OURSELVES OF ALL WE HAVE ACHIEVED AND ALL WE CAN LOOK FORWARD TO," HE ADDED.
THE CHIEF SECRETARY SAID HE WAS AWARE OF THE SKEPTICISM AND FEELING OF UNCERTAINTY AMONG SOME QUARTERS IN THE COMMUNITY ABOUT HONG KONG’S FUTURE.
"THESE ARE NOT DIFFICULT TO UNDERSTAND, AND IT WILL TAKE A LONG TIME FOR STRONG PERCEPTIONS AND PRECONCEIVED IDEAS TO CHANGE," SIR DAVID SAID.
HOWEVER, HE POINTED OUT THAT THE COMMUNITY SHOULD LOOK AT THE WHOLE QUESTION OF CHINESE COMMITMENT WITH A BROADER AND LONGER TERM PERSPECTIVE.
"THE CHINESE COMMITMENT TOWARDS THE SUCCESS OF HONG KONG IS BASED ON CONSIDERATIONS THAT GO BEYOND ECONOMIC IMPORTANCE AND ARE INDEED COMPELLING," HE SAID.
OUTLINING SOME OF THE KEY REASONS WHY HONG KONG’S CONTINUING SUCCESS AFTER 1997 WAS CRUCIAL TO CHINA, THE CHIEF SECRETARY SAID THESE WERE NOT NEW, BUT NONETHELESS WERE GENUINE AND IMPORTANT ENOUGH TO WARRANT REPEATING SO THAT WE WERE NOT SWAYED BY THE OCCASIONAL SENSATIONS BROUGHT ABOUT BY HIGH PROFILE MEDIA EVENTS AS TO LOSE SIGHT OF THE BROADER CONTEXT.
"WE MUST REMEMBER THAT ALTHOUGH CHINA HAS FIRM VIEWS ON THE TREATIES SIGNED IN THE LAST CENTURY CONCERNING HONG KONG, THEY HAVE ADOPTED A STATESMANLIKE STAND WITH CONSCIOUS RESTRAINT AND HAVE NEVER MADE ANY ATTEMPT TO FORCE ANY UNILATERAL DECISION ON HONG KONG.
"THIS WAS THE CASE EVEN IN THE TROUBLED TIMES OF THE CULTURAL REVOLUTION," SIR DAVID SAID.
/"NOW THAT .......
FRIDAY, APRIL 7, 1989
- 2 -
"NOW THAT THE QUESTION OF SOVEREIGNTY IS SETTLED, THERE IS EVEN STRONGER REASON WHY CHINA SHOULD WANT TO ENSURE THAT HONG KONG WILL CONTINUE TO THRIVE.
"HAVING REJOINED THE INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY AS A KEY AND RESPONSIBLE PLAYER, CHINA CANNOT AFFORD TO PUT HER INTERNATIONAL REPUTATION AT STAKE BY DOING ANYTHING THAT WOULD DESTROY THE CAREFULLY WORKED OUT ARRANGEMENTS FOR THE FUTURE," SIR DAVID NOTED.
THE CHIEF SECRETARY POINTED OUT THAT THERE WAS ALSO THE WELL UNDERSTOOD AND RECOGNISED CHINESE ASPIRATION FOR NATIONAL REUNIFICATION THROUGH THE "ONE COUNTRY TWO SYSTEMS" POLICY COVERING TERRITORIES OTHER THAN HONG KONG.
5
"THE WHOLE WORLD WILL BE WATCHING, INCLUDING TAIWAN, HOW HONG KONG IS GOING TO WORK UNDER THIS INNOVATIVE SOLUTION.
"CHINA CERTAINLY HAS EVERY WISH TO MAKE THIS POLICY A VISIBLE SUCCESS," SIR DAVID SAID.
SIR DAVID POINTED OUT THAT ON THE BASIS OF OUR EXPERIENCE IN DEALING WITH THE CHINESE ON MATTERS OF CONCERN TO HONG KONG, WE COULD VERY CONFIDENTLY SAY THAT BOTH SIDES HAD WORKED, AND PRODUCED POSITIVE RESULTS, WITH HONG KONG’S INTERESTS AT HEART.
"OF COURSE, THERE WERE OCCASIONS WHEN DIFFERENCES IN OPINION HAD TO BE RECONCILED AND DELIBERATIONS SOMETIMES TOOK LONGER TO PRODUCE RESULTS.
"BUT THESE ARE INEVITABLE IN ANY TALKS ON SUCH IMPORTANT SUBJECTS AS TRANSITIONAL ARRANGEMENTS FOR HONG KONG," SIR DAVID SAID.
"OUR EXPERIENCE DEMONSTRATES THAT CHINA HAS EVERY WILL TO HONOUR ITS COMMITMENT AND IS INCREASINGLY GETTING TO GRIPS WITH HONG KONG’S REALITIES," HE ADDED.
SIR DAVID SAID INTERNATIONAL CONFIDENCE ON THE FUTURE OF HONG KONG WAS OF PARAMOUNT IMPORTANCE TO OUR FUTURE.
"TO RETAIN AND REAFFIRM THAT CONFIDENCE, WE NEED TO ENSURE THAT HONG KONG REMAINS ATTRACTIVE TO THE INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS COMMUNITY," HE SAID.
A STABLE, FAMILIAR AND RELIABLE LEGAL SYSTEM WHICH WAS A PREREQUISITE TO BUSINESS CONFIDENCE IN HONG KONG MUST BE MAINTAINED, THE CHIEF SECRETARY SAID.
HE SAID THE PRINCIPLE OF RETAINING THE PRESENT LEGAL SYSTEM WAS ENSHRINED IN THE JOINT DECLARATION AND REPEATED IN THE DRAFT BASIC LAW.
"THE FUTURE SAR GOVERNMENT MUST CONTINUE TO HAVE FULL AUTONOMY ON ECONOMIC, FINANCIAL AND BUDGETARY POLICIES. THIS IS A KEY PART OF THE JOINT DECLARATION," SIR DAVID SAID.
/"HONG KONG .......
FRIDAY, APRIL 7, 1989
"HONG KONG HAS ENJOYED THIS AUTONOMY FOR DECADES, I KNOW CHINA UNDERSTANDS THAT. IT IS ESSENTIAL FOR INTERNATIONAL INVESTORS’ CONFIDENCE THAT THIS PRINCIPLE BE LAID DOWN CLEARLY IN THE BASIC LAW," HE ADDED.
THE CHIEF SECRETARY POINTED OUT THAT CONTINUING INVESTMENTS SHOULD BE MADE IN INFRASTRUCTURAL FACILITIES WITH A -VISION FOR LONG-TERM ECONOMIC FUTURE, AND THAT THE EDUCATION SYSTEM MUST BE GEARED TOWARDS BI-LINGUAL TRAINING.
"OUR EMERGING ROLE AS A TECHNOLOGY AND SERVICE CENTRE FOR CHINA IS GOING TO DEMAND AN INCREASING NUMBER OF WELL-TRAINED PROFESSIONALS OF INTERNATIONAL STANDARD," SIR DAVID SAID.
"WE MUST ALSO CONTINUE TO MAINTAIN A FLEXIBLE AND REASONABLE IMMIGRATION POLICY TO ENABLE OVERSEAS BUSINESSMEN TO VISIT AND TO WORK HERE WITHOUT UNDUE RESTRICTIONS.
"EXPATRIATES SHOULD CONTINUE TO BE WELCOMED TO STAY AND WORK IN HONG KONG. THEY HAVE MADE AN INVALUABLE CONTRIBUTION TO HONG KONG’S DEVELOPMENT OVER THE YEARS BY BRINGING WITH THEM THEIR PROFESSIONAL EXPERTISE AND OVERSEAS EXPERIENCE," HE ADDED.
ON GOVERNMENT’S RECENT DECISION TO RELAX THE CRITERIA FOR THE IMPORTATION OF SKILLED LABOUR, SIR DAVID EMPHASISED THAT THE RELAXATION IN THE APPLICATION OF LABOUR IMPORTATION POLICY IN NO WAY AFFECTED GOVERNMENT'S SUSTAINED EFFORTS TO PREVENT PEOPLE ENTERING HONG KONG ILLEGALLY.
"WE HAVE NO INTENTION OF TAKING A LESS SERIOUS VIEW OF ILLEGAL IMMIGRATION," SIR DAVID STRESSED.
HE REITERATED THAT THE DECISION MUST NOT BE TAKEN AS A DEPARTURE FROM OUR PRESENT POLICY AND THAT THE GOVERNMENT FIRMLY BELIEVED THAT FREE ADJUSTMENTS IN THE LABOUR MARKET WAS AN ESSENTIAL ELEMENT OF OUR ECONOMIC SYSTEM.
"ANY BROAD-BRUSHED POLICIES AIMED AT LARGE-SCALE OF IMPORTATION OF UNSKILLED LABOUR WOULD AMOUNT TO ARBITRARY INTERFERENCE IN OUR LABOUR MARKET.
"IT COULD INCREASE THE LIKELIHOOD OF THE ECONOMY SUFFERING FROM THE ILL-EFFECTS OF SUCH MASS IMMIGRATION WITHOUT NECESSARILY RAISING THE GROWTH RATE IN GDP PER HEAD, WHICH IS WHAT THE GOVERNMENT SEEKS RATHER THAN THE GROWTH OF GDP ALONE," SIR DAVID SAID.
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FRIDAY, APRIL 7, 1989
LARGE-SCALE IMPORT OF UNSKILLED LABOUR WILL NOT BE ALLOWED: CS * * * * *
THE CHIEF SECRETARY, SIR DAVID FORD, TODAY (FRIDAY) STRESSED THAT THE GOVERNMENT WAS NOT CONSIDERING ANY CHANGE IN THE POLICY NOT TO ALLOW LARGE-SCALE IMPORTATION OF UNSKILLED LABOUR.
"WE HAVE GREAT RESERVATIONS ABOUT A MASSIVE IMPORTATION OF UNSKILLED LABOUR," SIR DAVID SAID.
"IT WOULD IN THE LONG TERM AFFECT ADVERSELY THE DEVELOPMENT OF OUR ECONOMY. IT WOULD ALSO, OR COULD ALSO, HAVE AN IMPACT UPON OUR WORKFORCE, ON OUR SOCIAL PROGRAMMES, AND SO ON.
"WE HAVE TO THEREFORE BE VERY, VERY CAREFUL BEFORE WE CONSIDER SUCH MAJOR MOVE AND WE ARE CERTAINLY NOT CONSIDERING IT AT THIS MOMENT."
THE CHIEF SECRETARY WAS SPEAKING TO REPORTERS AFTER ADDRESSING A LUNCHEON MEETING OF THE AMERICAN CHAMBER OF COMMERCE IN CENTRAL.
NOTING THAT THE JOINT ASSOCIATIONS WORKING GROUP HAD PRESENTED IN ITS REPORT A COGENT CASE FOR THE IMPORTATION OF LABOUR FROM EMPLOYERS POINT OF VIEW, SIR DAVID SAID AS A GOVERNMENT WE HAD TO TAKE A SOMEWHAT BROADER VIEW THAN WAS PRESENTED THERE.
HE SAID: "TO TAKE JUST ONE EXAMPLE, THE INCREASE IN LABOUR WAGE WHICH IS A PROBLEM FOR THE EMPLOYERS ON THE ONE HAND ALSO INVOLVES AN INCREASE IN REAL WAGES FOR THE WORKERS ON THE OTHER.
"THEREFORE IF YOU ARE GOING TO TAMPER WITH THE ECONOMY, THEN CLEARLY ONE HAS TO BE VERY CAREFUL ABOUT THE IMPLICATIONS FOR THE WORKFORCE AS A WHOLE.
"IF WE WERE TO IMPORT LABOUR ON A MAJOR SCALE, AS HAS BEEN SUGGESTED, THAT WOULD HAVE AN EFFECT UPON THE WAGE RATES IN HONG KONG. IT WOULD SLOW DOWN THE INCREASE IN WAGE RATE. THAT IN TURN, HAS AN EFFECT UPON THE GROWTH IN REAL WAGES OF HONG KONG PEOPLE. THAT IS SOMETHING WE AS A GOVERNMENT MUST HAVE DUE ATTENTION TO."
SIR DAVID SAID HE LOOKED FORWARD TO DISCUSSING SUCH MATTERS WITH THIS GROUP ON THEIR PROPOSALS AND ALSO WITH REPRESENTATIVES OF THE LABOUR UNIONS TOO.
"WE HAVE TO KEEP A VERY CLEAR BALANCE," HE NOTED.
HE SAID A WORKING GROUP HAD JUST STARTED WORK ON DETAILED ARRANGEMENTS TO ALLOW MORE SKILLED PEOPLE TO BE BROUGHT IN UNDER EXISTING POLICY.
HE SAID THE GOVERNMENT WOULD WISH TO ENSURE THAT ANYBODY WHO CAME HERE UNDER THE NEW ARRANGEMENT WOULD FIT IN WITH THE EXISTING POLICY.
/THAT is .......
FRIDAY, APRIL 7, 1989
- 5 -
THAT IS, THEY WILL HAVE A MINIMUM WAGE RATE WHICH WILL BE NO LESS THAN THE CURRENT MARKET RATE IN HONG KONG. THEY WILL HAVE PROPER ACCOMODATION PROVIDED FOR THEM. THEY WILL TRAVEL UNDER OFFICIAL TRAVEL DOCUMENTS THAT WILL BE TIME-BARRED TO ENSURE THAT THEY RETURN AT THE END OF THEIR CONTRACT.
’’THESE ARE THE SORT OF AREAS WHICH ARE FUNDAMENTAL ELEMENTS IN OUR CURRENT POLICY AND WHICH WILL BE CARRIED FORWARD INTO THE NEW ARRANGEMENTS TOO."
DETAILS OF THE NEW ARRANGEMENTS WOULD BE ANNOUNCED LATER, HE ADDED. '
ASKED WHICH COUNTRIES WOULD THIS LABOUR COME FROM, SIR DAVID SAID IT WOULD BE UP TO PEOPLE WHO WISHED TO EMPLOY LABOUR TO COME FORWARD WITH THEIR PROPOSALS AS UNDER THE EXISTING POLICY THE GOVERNMENT WERE NOT IMPOSING RESTRICTIONS ON WHERE THEY SOUGHT THAT LABOUR FROM.
"THE IMPORTATION OF SKILLED LABOUR, AND PROFESSIONAL PEOPLE TOO, TO MEET THE GAPS WHICH ARE CURRENTLY BEING CAUSED BY THE BRAIN DRAIN IS A SHORT TERM OPTION. THE LONG TERM OPTION IS TO BUILD UP THE SKILLED AND PROFESSIONAL ABILITY WITHIN THE COMMUNITY AS A WHOLE," THE CHIEF SECRETARY STRESSED.
"WE MUST MAKE SURE OUR TRAINING PROGRAMMES AT ALL LEVELS ARE UP TO THE MARK AND WE ARE REPLENISHING THE PEOPLE WHO GO.
"THAT CERTAINLY IS WHAT WE ARE AIMING TO DO," SIR DAVID SAID.
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FS SUPPORTS STEPS TO RECONSTITUTE THE HK FUTURES EXCHANGE
THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY, MR PIERS JACOBS, TODAY (FRIDAY) GAVE HIS SUPPORT TO THE STEPS TAKEN BY THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF THE FUTURES EXCHANGE TO CONTINUE THEIR EFFORTS IN RELATION TO THE RECONSTITUTION OF THE EXCHANGE.
THIS SUPPORT FOLLOWED A DECISION BY THE BOARD OF THE FUTURES EXCHANGE TO CALL FOR A THIRD EXTRAORDINARY GENERAL MEETING ON MAY 9 TO RECONSTITUTE ITSELF ALONG THE LINES RECOMMENDED BY THE SECURITIES REVIEW COMMITTEE.
"GIVEN THE VERY ENCOURAGING RESULTS OF THE LAST EGM AND THE SIGNIFICANT PROGRESS ALREADY MADE BY THE EXCHANGE IN THE ESTABLISHMENT OF A NEW CLEARING SYSTEM TO REFORM ITS RISK MANAGEMENT STRUCTURE, 1 HAVE LITTLE DOUBT THAT OUR FUTURES MARKETS SHOULD CONTINUE TO STRENGTHEN," SAID MR JACOBS.
"I UNDERSTAND THAT THE EXCHANGE WILL SHORTLY SUBMIT ITS PROPOSAL TO INTRODUCE AN INTEREST RATE FUTURES CONTRACT TO THE GOVERNMENT. IN VIEW OF THE INTEREST IN THIS INSTRUMENT, WE SHALL PROCESS THIS PROPOSAL AS SOON AS PRACTICABLE TAKING FULL ACCOUNT OF THE STRUCTURE OF THE RISK MANAGEMENT SYSTEM," HE ADDED.
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FRIDAY, APRIL 7, 1989
- 6 -
PROVISIONAL LAND SALES PROGRAMME ANNOUNCED
*****
THE GOVERNMENT PLANS TO OFFER 51 SITES IN THE URBAN AREA AND THE NEW TERRITORIES FOR SALE BY PUBLIC AUCTION AND TENDER IN THE 1939-90 FINANCIAL YEAR, THE BUILDINGS AND LANDS DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCED TODAY (FRIDAY).
THE PROVISIONAL LAND SALES PROGRAMME WAS OUTLINED BY THE PRINCIPAL GOVERNMENT LAND AGENT, MR BOB POPE.
FOLLOWING THE RECENT AGREEMENT OF THE LAND COMMISSION TO THE DISPOSAL OF 78.26 HECTARES OF LAND FOR 1989-90, A TOTAL OF 28.6 HECTARES OF LAND HAS BEEN INCLUDED IN THE SALES PROGRAMME WITH THE REMAINDER FOR HOME OWNERSHIP SCHEME, VILLAGE HOUSING, PUBLIC UTILITIES, EDUCATIONAL, WELFARE, RELIGIOUS AND RECREATIONAL USES.
FOCUSING ON THE DETAILS OF THE YEAR'S PROGRAMME, MR POPE SAID A TOTAL OF 28 SITES WOULD BE AUCTIONED, 14 SITES WOULD BE SOLD BY CASH TENDER AND THE REMAINING NINE SITES WOULD BE SOLD BY LETTER A/B TENDER.
MR POPE STATED THAT THE SITE THAT WOULD UNDOUBTEDLY CREATE THE MOST INTEREST WAS THE TENDER OF IL 8888 IN GARDEN ROAD.
THIS IS THE LAST PRESTIGIOUS SITE CURRENTLY AVAILABLE IN THE CENTRAL AREA AND THE PURCHASER WILL BE LIABLE TO INCORPORATE 500 PUBLIC CAR PARKING SPACES INTO THE DEVELOPMENT TOGETHER WITH A PEDESTRIAN AND FOOTBRIDGE SYSTEM.
IT IS INTENDED THAT THE TENDERS WILL ENCOMPASS PRELIMINARY CONCEPT PLANS.
ANOTHER SITE LIKELY TO CREATE CONSIDERABLE INTEREST WILL BE RBL 1082 AT THE PEAK.
THE SUCCESSFUL TENDERER WILL BE REQUIRED TO SUBMIT A MASTER LAYOUT PLAN INDICATING, INTER-ALIA, THE REPROVISIONING OF THE EXISTING CAR PARKING, OPEN SPACE AND BUS TERMINUS AND THE GRANT WILL ALLOW A VARIETY OF USES INCLUDING AN HOTEL, SERVICE APARTMENTS AND SHOPS.
A FURTHER FIVE SITES FOR COMMERCIAL PURPOSES WILL BE SOLD BY AUCTION/TENDER DURING THE YEAR, WITH ONE OF THE SITES AT KOWLOON BAY AND THE SITE AT AUSTIN ROAD/CANTON ROAD REQUIRING THE PURCHASER TO CONSTRUCT A BUS TERMINUS.
THE REMAINING COMMERCIAL SITES WILL BE AT CARPENTER ROAD, KWUN TONG AND THE JUNCTION OF CHUN FAI ROAD/MOORSOM ROAD, THE LATTER SITE TO BE RESTRICTED TO SUPERMARKET PURPOSES.
/A TOTAL .......
FRIDAY, APRIL 7, 1989
A TOTAL OF 14 SITES WILL BE AUCTIONED FOR INDUSTRIAL OR INDUSTRIAL/GODOWN USE, FIVE OF WHICH ARE LOCATED IN THE SHEUNG SHUI/FANLING AREA, AND THREE IN AREA 11, SHA TIN. ALSO INCLUDED IN AN AUCTION IN MAY WILL BE AN INDUSTRIAL LOT AT KA YIP STREET, CHAI WAN.
A FURTHER NINE SITES WILL BE SOLD FOR RESIDENTIAL DEVELOPMENT IN FANLING, TAI PO, TUEN MUN AND SAI KUNG TOGETHER WITH A SUBSTANTIAL HIGH DENSITY RESIDENTIAL SITE AT TAT CHEE AVENUE.
FIVE SITES WILL' BE TENDERED UNDER THE PRIVATE SECTOR PARTICIPATION SCHEME, TWO OF WHICH WILL BE AT MA ON SHAN. THE TOTAL NUMBER OF FLATS THAT WILL ULTIMATELY BE PROVIDED WILL AMOUNT TO APPROXIMATELY 5,000.
IN ORDER TO MEET THE ONGOING LETTER A/B COMMITTMENT, A TOTAL OF NINE SITES WILL BE TENDERED, THREE BEING IN THE FIRST HALF OF THE FINANCIAL YEAR. FOUR OF THE SITES WILL BE IN TUEN MUN AND THE USES COMPRISE SEVEN HIGH DENSITY RESIDENTIAL SITES WITH THE REMAINING TWO BEING FOR COMMERCIAL/RESIDENTIAL USE.
MR POPE SAID THE PURCHASERS OF THESE SITES WOULD HAVE THE OPTION OF SUBMITTING EITHER A "VINTAGE" OR A "MONETISED LETTER B" TENDER, WITH PRIORITY BEING GIVEN TO THE FORMER.
HE ADDED THAT THE SITES COMPRISED A TOTAL OF 4.64 HECTARES WHICH WOULD EQUATE TO A LETTER B REDEMPTION OF 1,249,000 SQUARE FEET AGAINST A CURRENT COMMITTMENT OF APPROXIMATELY 12,000,000 SQUARE FEET.
HE REITERATED THAT THE SALES PROGRAMME WAS ONLY PROVISIONAL AND COULD BE SUBJECT TO CHANGE.
FURTHER DETAILS AND DATES WILL BE PUBLISHED IN THE GAZETTE AND MAJOR NEWSPAPERS IN THE USUAL WAY.
COPIES OF THE TENTATIVE LAND SALES PROGRAMME FOR THE YEAR ARE AVAILABLE FROM THE BUILDINGS AND LANDS DEPARTMENT, 14TH FLOOR, MURRAY BUILDING, GARDEN ROAD, HONG KONG OR FROM ANY DISTRICT LANDS OFFICES.
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PROPOSAL TO CREATE NEW APPEAL BOARDS APPROVED
*****
THE GOVERNOR IN COUNCIL HAS APPROVED A PROPOSAL TO CREATE NEW APPEAL BOARDS TO CONSIDER APPEALS AGAINST LICENSING DECISIONS BY THE MUNICIPAL COUNCILS UNDER THE PUBLIC HEALTH AND MUNICIPAL SERVICES ORDINANCE, THE PLACES OF PUBLIC ENTERTAINMENT ORDINANCE AND THE DUTIABLE COMMODITIES (LIQUOR) REGULATIONS.
A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN SAID TODAY (FRIDAY) THAT APPEALS UNDER THESE THREE ORDINANCES LAY AT PRESENT TO THE GOVERNOR IN COUNCIL.
/"THE GROWING
FRIDAY, APRIL 7, 1989
8
"THE GROWING NUMBER OF APPEALS IN RECENT YEARS HOWEVER HAS PLACED A GREAT BURDEN ON THE COUNCIL’S TIME AND THE NEW APPEAL BOARDS ARE A NECESSARY - INDEED LONG OVERDUE - MEASURE TO RELIEVE THE COUNCIL OF THIS HEAVY WORKLOAD," HE SAID.
THE SPOKESMAN SAID TWO APPEAL BOARDS WOULD BE CREATED TO DETERMINE APPEALS AGAINST THE URBAN COUNCIL AND THE REGIONAL COUNCIL RESPECTIVELY. ’
THE BOARDS WOULD COMPRISE FIVE MEMBERS: THREE MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC APPOINTED BY THE GOVERNOR, AND TWO MUNICIPAL COUNCILLORS.
THE SPOKESMAN SAID THE PRESENCE OF A MINORITY OF MUNICIPAL COUNCILLORS ON THE BOARDS WAS TO ENSURE THAT ATTENTION WAS PAID TO MUNICIPAL COUNCIL POLICIES WHEN APPEALS WERE BEING DETERMINED.
"HOWEVER, TO ENSURE THE BOARDS’ INDEPENDENCE, NO COUNCILLORS INVOLVED IN AN ORIGINAL LICENSING DECISION WILL BE ALLOWED TO SIT ON THE BOARDS WHEN AN APPEAL AGAINST THAT DECISION IS CONSIDERED," HE SAID.
IT WAS ENVISAGED THAT APPEAL HEARINGS WOULD BE HELD IN PUBLIC, AND BOTH PARTIES TO THE APPEAL ALLOWED TO BE PRESENT AT THE HEARING AND BE LEGALLY REPRESENTED.
THE SPOKESMAN SAID THE APPEAL BOARDS’ DECISIONS WOULD BE FINAL, ALTHOUGH THE RIGHT TO SEEK JUDICIAL REVIEW OF THE BOARDS’ PROCEEDINGS, OR TO PETITION THE GOVERNOR UNDER COLONIAL REGULATIONS WOULD REMAIN UNIMPAIRED.
THE SPOKESMAN SAID THE GOVERNMENT HAD ALSO STUDIED THE MERITS OF CREATING A GENERAL ADMINISTRATIVE APPEALS TRIBUNAL TO DETERMINE ALL APPEALS LYING TO THE GOVERNOR IN COUNCIL.
THIS WAS FOUND TO BE UNNECESSARY HOWEVER, SINCE IN PRACTICE NEARLY ALL APPEALS WERE AGAINST LICENSING DECISIONS OF THE MUNICIPAL COUNCILS UNDER THE THREE ORDINANCES MENTIONED EARLIER.
"CREATION OF THE APPEAL BOARDS WILL THUS RELIEVE THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL OF MOST OF ITS APPEALS WORK," HE SAID.
LEGISLATION TO CREATE THE BOARDS IS NOW BEING DRAFTED AND WILL BE SUBMITTED TO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL IN THE NEAR FUTURE.
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/9.......
• —
FRIDAY, APRIL 7, 1989
- 9 -APPOINTMENTS TO COUNCIL FOR PERFORMING ARTS *****
THE GOVERNOR HAS APPOINTED DR WANG GUNWU, THE VICE CHANCELLOR OF THE UNIVERSITY OF HONG KONG, AS CHAIRMAN OF THE COUNCIL FOR THE PERFORMING ARTS (CFPA), IT WAS ANNOUNCED IN THE GAZETTE TODAY (FRIDAY).
FOR THE FIRST TIME, THE GOVERNOR HAS ALSO NAMED A VICE-CHAIRMAN TO THE COUNCIL WITH THE APPOINTMENT OF MR PETER K.C. WOO. ,
MR WOO HAS BEEN A MEMBER OF THE BOARD OF GOVERNORS OF THE HONG KONG ARTS CENTRE FROM NOVEMBER 1983 TO MARCH THIS YEAR, AND IS WELL KNOWN IN THE ARTS FIELD.
THE GOVERNOR HAS ALSO RE-APPOINTED FOUR MEMBERS AND APPOINTED FIVE NEW MEMBERS TO THE COUNCIL.
A REPRESENTATIVE EACH FROM THE URBAN COUNCIL, REGIONAL COUNCIL AND THE HONG KONG ACADEMY FOR PERFORMING ARTS HAVE BEEN RE-APPOINTED.
THE SECRETARY FOR MUNICIPAL SERVICES AND COMMISSIONER FOR RECREATION AND CULTURE HAVE ALSO BEEN GIVEN ANOTHER TWO-YEAR MANDATE TO SERVE THE COUNCIL.
THE TERM OF THE NEW BOARD IS FOR TWO YEARS WITH EFFECT FROM APRIL 1, 1989.
COMMENTING ON THE ANNOUNCEMENT, THE SECRETARY FOR MUNICIPAL SERVICES, MR AUGUSTINE CHUI, PAID TRIBUTE TO THE SERVICES RENDERED BY THE OUTGOING CHAIRMAN, MR ALEX S.C. WU, AND OTHER RETIRING MEMBERS.
"DURING THEIR TERM OF OFFICE, THEIR EXPERIENCE AND VALUABLE SERVICE HAVE BEEN DEEPLY APPRECIATED," MR CHUI SAID.
THE FOUR RE-APPOINTED MEMBERS ARE : PROFESSOR DAVID GWILT, MR LO KING-MAN, MR WONG PO-YAN AND MR MAXIMILIAN MA.
THE FIVE NEW APPOINTEES ARE : MRS MIRIAM K.Y. LAU, MR MARVIN K.T. CHEUNG, MR ALEX BLUM, MR RAYMOND K.P. LIU AND DR LAM TAI-HING.
"EACH OF THESE MEMBERS ARE ACTIVE IN COMMUNITY SERVICE AND THE ARTS FIELD, AND BRING WITH THEM GREAT EXPERIENCE AND A BROAD VISION.
"THEIR VIEWS AND ADVICE WILL BE HIGHLY VALUED," MR CHUI ADDED.
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/10........
FRIDAY, APRIL 7, 1989
10
GUIDELINES ON SCHOOL BAG CARRYING * » * » »
THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT HAS OUTLINED, IN A SET OF GUIDELINES TO SCHOOLS, SOME PRACTICAL MEASURES TO HELP PUPILS DEVELOP GOOD HABIT IN PACKING SCHOOL BAGS SO AS TO PREVENT ANY HARMFUL EFFECTS WHICH MIGHT BE CAUSED BY CARRYING AN OVERWEIGHT SCHOOL BAG.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT SAID THE GUIDELINES SOUGHT TO DRAW SCHOOLS’ ATTENTION TO THE ISSUE ALTHOUGH THERE HAD NOT BEEN ANY CONCLUSIVE PROOF SO FAR OF ANY CAUSE-EFFECT RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN THE WEIGHT OF SCHOOL BAGS AND THE PHYSICAL GROWTH OF SCHOOL CHILDREN. i
IN THE GUIDELINES, SCHOOLS ARE ADVISED TO REMIND PUPILS AND THEIR PARENTS OF THE POSSIBLE HARMFUL EFFECTS OF CARRYING AN OVERWEIGHT SCHOOL BAG.
PUPILS SHOULD BE TOLD TO PACK THEIR SCHOOL BAGS IN ACCORDANCE WITH DAILY TIMETABLE SO THAT THEY ONLY CARRY TO SCHOOL THE MINIMUM NUMBER OF TEXTBOOKS, EXERCISE BOOKS AND STATIONERY ITEMS REQUIRED FOR A PARTICULAR SCHOOL DAY.
"TOYS AND OTHER ITEMS NOT NECESSARY FOR THE SCHOOL DAY, PERSONAL FOOTBALL, BASKETBALL AND JUMPING PROES FOR GAMES DURING RECESS SHOULD BE DISCOURAGED," THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
IN ADDITION, SCHOOL CHILDREN ARE ENCOURAGED TO USE SCHOOL BAGS AND PENCIL CASES MADE OF STURDY YET LIGHT MATERIALS.
THE GUIDELINES ALSO ADVISE SCHOOL HEADS TO EXPLAIN CAREFULLY TO ALL PARENTS THE MEASURES DRAWN UP AND IMPLEMENTED BY THE SCHOOLS, PARTICULARLY TO PARENTS OF NEW PUPILS AT THE BEGINNING OF THE SCHOOL YEAR.
SCHOOLS ARE ALSO ADVISED TO DEMONSTRATE TO PUPILS THE CORRECT MANNER AND POSTURE IN CARRYING SCHOOL BAGS AND TO INCLUDE A CLASS TIME-TABLE IN THE PUPILS’ HANDBOOK TO ENCOURAGE THEM TO PACK THEIR SCHOOL BAGS DAILY.
THE GUIDELINES ALSO URGE SCHOOLS TO CONSIDER A NUMBER OF CLASSROOM ARRANGEMENTS TO HELP REDUCE THE NUMBER OF STATIONERY ITEMS WHICH PUPILS HAVE TO BRING TO SCHOOL.
THESE INCLUDE THE PROVISION OF A HEAVY-DUTY PENCIL SHARPENER AND A CENTRALISED STOCK OF RELEVANT STATIONERY ITEMS SUCH AS ERASERS, RULERS, COLOUR PENCILS AND SCISSORS WHICH ARE COMMONLY USED BY PUPILS.
"IF A DICTIONARY IS REQUIRED AS AN AID TO CLASSROOM TEACHING AT THE UPPER PRIMARY LEVEL, SCHOOLS MIGHT CONSIDER PROVIDING A NUMBER OF DICTIONARIES IN CLASS FOR PUPILS’ USE," THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
THE GUIDELINES ALSO ASK SCHOOLS TO CONSIDER, WHENEVER FEASIBLE, REVIEWING THE USE OF EXISTING PROVISION SUCH AS BOOKCASES, SHELVES IN THE CLASSROOM AND TO MAKE RELEVANT ADJUSTMENTS TO STORE PUPIL’S EXERCISE BOOKS AND STATIONERY ITEMS FREQUENTLY USED IN SCHOOL.
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/11 ........
FRIDAY, APRIL 7, 1989
11
PRE-WAR BUILDINGS AT QUEEN’S ROAD WEST DECLARED DANGEROUS
THE BUILDING AUTHORITY HAS DECLARED NOS. 253 TO 261 QUEEN’S ROAD WEST TO BE IN A DANGEROUS CONDITION.
IN A STATEMENT ISSUED TODAY (FRIDAY), THE PRINCIPAL GOVERNMENT BUILDING SURVEYOR SAID THESE THREE-STOREY PRE-WAR BUILDINGS WERE CONSTRUCTED OF TIMBER UPPER FLOORS AND ROOFS ON LOAD-BEARING BRICK WALLS.
GENERALLY, THE BRICKWORK IN THE WALLS WERE FOUND TO BE SOFT WITH WEAK MORTAR JOINTS. MOST OF THE TIMBER FLOOR AND ROOF JMSTS WERE DEFECTIVE. NUMEROUS^ VERTICAL FRACTURES COULD BE SEEN ON ALL THE MAIN WALLS OF THE BUILDINGS, HE SAID.
THE SIDE WALL OF NO. 253 WERE FOUND TO BE MOVING TOWARDS MUI FONG STREET WHILST ITS REAR MAIN WALL HAD ALSO MOVED ABOU I 5 1 MILLIMETRES TOWARDS THE REAR.
NEW VERTICAL FRACTURES FOUND AT THE MIDDLE OF PARTY WALL BETWEEN NOS. 255 AND 257 SUGGESTED RECENT MOVEMENT OF THE BUILDINGS.
THE BRICK VERANDAH PIER AT THE FIRST FLOOR OF NO. 261 HAD ALREADY CRASHED AND WAS IN DANGER OF COLLAPSE WHICH COULD IN RN CAUSE A MAJOR COLLAPSE OF THE MAIN BUILDING.
DUE TO THE AGE AND THE ADVANCED STAGE OF DILAPIDATION, THESE BUILDINGS WERE CONSIDERED TO BE BEYOND REASONABLE REPAIR. IT WAS THEREFORE NECESSARY TO CLOSE THEM FOR DEMOLITION.
NOTICES OF INTENTION TO APPLY FOR CLOSURE ORDERS FROM THE HONG KONG DISTRICT COURT AT 9.30 AM ON JULY 7 THIS YEAR WERE POSTED ON THE STRUCTURES TODAY.
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ILLEGAL STRUCTURES » ♦ * *
TO BE CLOSED
THE BUILDING AUTHORITY IS TO SEEK THE CLOSURE OF CERTAIN ILLEGAL STRUCTURES AT MA TAU WAI ROAD, KOWLOON, SO THAT THEY CAN BE DEMOLISHED WITHOUT DANGER TO THE OCCUPIERS AND TO THE PUBLIC.
THE STRUCTURES ARE LOCATED AT FLAT A, FIRST FLOOR, BRAEMAR COURT, 314-318 MA TAU WAI ROAD.
THE CLOSURE IS PART OF AN EXERCISE TO ENFORCE AN ORDER ISSUED UNDER THE BUILDINGS ORDINANCE ON SEPTEMBER 15 LAST YEAR REQUIRING THE DEMOLITION OF THE STRUCTURES.
NOTICE OF INTENTION TO APPLY FOR A CLOSURE ORDER FROM THE HONG KONG DISTRICT COURT ON JUNE 7, 1989 WAS POSTED ON A CONSPICUOUS PART OF THE ILLEGAL STRUCTURES TODAY (FRIDAY).
IT IS EXPECTED THAT DEMOLITION WORK WILL START ONCE THE CLOSURE ORDER IS OBTAINED.
- 0 --------
FRIDAY, APRIL 7, 1989
- 12 -
TENDERS INVITED FOR NOISE ABATEMENT WORK
*****
THE ARCHITECTURAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT IS INVITING TENDERS FOR NOISE ABATEMENT WORKS IN FOUR GROUPS OF SCHOOLS UNDER THE NOISE ABATEMENT PROGRAMME IN THE URBAN AREAS.
THE CONTRACTS WILL COVER 11 AIDED SCHOOLS IN THE FINAL PHASE OF THE FIRST STAGE OF THE PROGRAMME WHICH DEALS WITH SCHOOLS AFFECTED BY AIRCRAFT NOISE AND ANOTHER THREE AIDED SCHOOLS IN THE FIRST PHASE OF SECOND STAGE OF THE PROGRAMME WHICH DEALS WITH SCHOOLS AFFECTED BY TRAFFIC NOISE.
THE WORKS WILL INCLUDE INSTALLATION OF DOUBLE-GLAZING WINDOWS AND AIR-CONDITIONING FOR THE AFFECTED CLASSROOMS AND SPECIAL ROOMS OF RESPECTIVE SCHOOLS.
TO SOME SCHOOLS, THE CONTRACTORS ARE ALSO REQUIRED TO UNDERTAKE WORKS TO UPGRADE ELECTRICITY SUPPLY OR TO BUILD TRANSFORMER ROOMS.
THE WORKS ARE EXPECTED TO START IN JUNE AND BE COMPLETED EITHER THIS AUGUST OR IN JANUARY NEXT YEAR.
DETAILS OF THE ABOVE TENDER NOTIFICATIONS WERE PUBLISHED IN THE GAZETTE TODAY (FRIDAY).
THE CLOSING DATE FOR ACCEPTANCE OF TENDERS IS NOON IN APRIL 28.
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PENG CHAU ISLAND LOT FOR SALE BY TENDER *****
THE BUILDINGS AND LANDS DEPARTMENT IS OFFERING FOR SALE BY TENDER A LOT OF ABOUT 3,300 SQUARE METRES ON PENG CHAU ISLAND.
THE LOT IS FOR INDUSTRIAL AND/OR GODOWN (INCLUDING BOAT BUILDING AND REPAIRING) PURPOSES.
THE BUILDING COVENANT OF THIS LOT REQUIRES A GROSS FLOOR AREA OF NOT LESS THAN 1,337 SQUARE METRES, TO BE COMPLETED ON OR BEFORE JUNE 30, 1991.
THE CLOSING DATE FOR TENDERS IS NOON ON MAY 5.
TENDER FORMS, THE TENDER NOTICE AND CONDITIONS MAY BE OBTAINED FROM 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 TENDER PLAN MAY ALSO BE INSPECTED AT THESE OFFICES.
TENDER DOCUMENTS WILL ALSO BE AVAILABLE AT THE DISTRICT LANDS OFFICES OF SHA TIN, TAI PO, NORTH, YUEN LONG, TSUEN WAN, KWAI 1S1NG, TUEN MUN, SAI KUNG AND ISLAND.
------o ------- /13..........................
FRIDAY, APRIL 7, 1989
13
LAND TO BE RESUMED FOR MAJOR NT DEVELOPMENT ♦ * * ♦ ♦
THE GOVERNMENT IS TO RESUME LAND AT NIM WAN IN TUEN MUN FOR THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE INITIAL PHASE OF THE WEST NEW TERRITORIES LANDFILL PROJECT. '
THE LAND TO BE RESUMED COVERS 112 PRIVATE AGRICULTURAL LOTS WITH A TOTAL AREA OF OVER 83,000 SQUARE METRES AND SOME 111.5 SQUARE METRES OF NEW GRANT NON-INDUSTRIAL (SMALL HOUSE LOTS) AND OLD SCHEDULE HOUSE LOTS MOSTLY HELD BY NIM WAN VILLAGERS.
THE WEST NEW TERRITORIES LANDFILL PROJECT WILL SERVE TO MAINTAIN A SOLID WASTE DISPOSAL FACILITY FOR THE NORTH WEST NEW TERRITORIES AS THE EXISTING PILLAR POINT VALLEY LANDFILL WILL REACH ITS FULL CAPACITY BY 1992.
IN CONNECTION WITH THE NORTH WEST NEW TERRITORIES DEVELOPMENT, ANOTHER 101 PRIVATE AGRICULTURAL LOTS WITH A TOTAL AREA OF ABOUT 66,451 SQUARE METRES IN YUEN LONG WILL ALSO BE RESUMED.
THIS RESUMED LAND WILL BE NEEDED FOR THE COMPLETION OF SEWAGE FACILITIES FOR TIN SHUI WAI NEW TOWN BEFORE THE FIRST POPULATION INTAKE IN 1991 AND FOR THE PROVISION OF SEWERAGE SERVICE FOR DEVELOPMENTS IN YUEN LONG-TUEN MUN CORRIDOR.
NOTICES ON THE ABOVE RESUMPTION WERE PUBLISHED IN THE GAZETTE TODAY (FRIDAY).
THE LOTS WILL REVERT TO GOVERNMENT ON THE EXPIRY OF THREE MONTHS AFTER THE POSTING OF THE NOTICE ON THE LOTS OF THE RESPECTIVE RESUMPTION.
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DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE. HONG KONG. TEL: 5-8428777
Saturday, april 8, 1989
CONTENTS Page NO.
GOVERNOR STRESSES IMPORTANCE GF PRESERVING ENVIRONMENT ....... 1
COMMISSIONER FOR rtDMINISTR.»TIVE COMPLAINTS TO BRIEF KWUN TONG DB ........................................................ 2
WORK TO IMPROVE TRAFFIC IN TSUEN WAN AREA .................... 2
MOBILE EXHIBITION ON HOME SAFETY aT LOK FU ................... J
TEMPORARY LANE CLOSURES IN SHA TIN ........................... 4
PARTIAL CLOSURE OF TUEN MUN ROaD.............................. 4
TEMPORARY ROAD CLOSURE IN KWUN TONG .......................... 4
SATURDAY, APRIL 8,
1989
GOVERNOR STRESSES IMPORTANCE OF PRESERVING ENVIRONMENT »»»«»»
PRESERVING THE ENVIRONMENT IN HONG KONG IS A MAJOR PART OF GOVERNMENT POLICY, THE GOVERNOR, SIR DAVID WILSON, SAID TODAY (SATURDAY).
A WHITE PAPER ON ENVIRONMENT WOULD BE PRODUCED LATER THIS YEAR WHICH WOULD SET OUT THE POLICIES AND PROBLEMS WE HAD GOT AT THE MOMENT, THE GOVERNOR SAID.
THE WHITE PAPER WOULD ALSO DEAL WITH MATTERS SUCH AS HOW EFFECTIVE WE HAD BEEN IN DEALING WITH THE PROBLEMS AND, WHERE WE THOUGHT WE HAD NOT BEEN SUFFICIENTLY EFFECTIVE, WHAT NEW PROPOSALS WE SHOULD PUT FORWARD, HE ADDED.
SIR DAVID WAS SPEAKING TO REPORTERS AFTER A VISIT TO MAI PO TO SEE PROGRESS OF THE 1989 BIG BIRD RACE ORGANISED BY THE WORLD WIDE FUND FOR NATURE HONG KONG.
ASKED IF HONG KONG SHOULD HAVE TOUGHER LAWS TO PROTECT ENVIRONMENT, SIR DAVID SAID THE WHITE PAPER WOULD PROVIDE A CHANCE FOR THE PUBLIC TO PUT FORWARD THEIR IDEAS INCLUDING THE QUESTION OF WHETHER WE SHOULD HAVE SOME TOUGHER LAWS ON POLLUTION.
NOTING THAT MAI PO WAS A VERY SPLENDID FACILITY, SIR DAVID SAID WE NEEDED PLACES LIKE THIS WHICH PROVIDED AN OPPORTUNITY FOR PEOPLE TO COME AND SEE WILDLIFE AND ALSO AS AN EDUCATIONAL FACILITY.
"I WAS STRUCK BY THE FACT THAT OF THE ABOUT 28,000 PEOPLE WHO CAME HERE LAST YEAR, A VERY LARGE NUMBER WERE STUDENTS COMING HERE TO LEARN ABOUT THE ENVIRONMENT. ENVIRONMENT IS SOMETHING WHICH I AM PERSONALLY VERY KEEN THAT WE SHOULD PRESERVE IN HONG KONG AND MAINTAIN.
OF GOVERNMENT POLICY THAT WE SHOULD INTO THE ENVIRONMENT MAKING SURE THAT REPAIR SOME OF THE DAMAGES TO THE
OVER THE PAST YEARS OF RAPID ECONOMIC
"AND IT IS A MAJOR PART NOW BE PUTTING A LOT OF EFFORT WE KEEP UP STANDARDS, THAT WE ENVIRONMENT THAT HAVE BEEN DONE
ADVANCE," SIR DAVID ADDED.
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SATURDAY, APRIL 8, 1989
- 2
COMMISSIONER FOR ADMINISTRATIVE COMPLAINTS TO BRIEF KWUN TONG DB
*****
THE COMMISSIONER FOR ADMINISTRATIVE COMPLAINTS, MR ARTHUR GARCIA, WILL BRIEF THE KWUN TONG DISTRICT BOARD ON THE ORGANISATION AND FUNCTIONS OF HIS OFFICE AT THE BOARD'S MEETING ON MONDAY (APRIL 10).
THE MEETING WILL ALSO DISCUSS THE PROPOSALS TO REMEDY UNFAIR PROVISIONS IN EXISTING DEEDS OF MUTUAL COVENANT AS RECOMMENDED BY AN INTER-DEPARTMENTAL WORKING GROUP CO-ORDINATED BY THE CITY AND NEW TERRITORIES ADMINISTRATION.
IN ADDDITION, MEMBERS WILL LEARN ABOUT THE PRESENT DEVELOPMENT OF THE URBAN COUNCIL NGAU TAU KOK MARKET COMPLEX EXTENSION PROJECT AND THE RESITING ARRANGEMENT FOR THE STATIC HAWKERS AT NGAU TAU KOK SECOND AND THIRD STREETS AS WELL AS IN THE HAWKER BAZAARS IN LOWER NGAU TAU KOK ESTATE.
ALSO ON THE AGENDA ARE THE WORK PLAN OF THE BOARD FOR 1989-90, A PROGRESS REPORT ON AN ENVIRONMENTAL CLEARANCE PROGRAMME, AND REPORTS FROM THE BOARD’S COMMITTEES AND THE DISTRICT MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE KWUN TONG DISTRICT BOARD MEETING, BEGINNING AT 2.30 PM ON MONDAY (APRIL 10) IN THE CONFERENCE ROOM ON THE THIRD FLOOR OF KWUN TONG GOVERNMENT BRANCH OFFICES BUILDING IN TUNG YAN STREET.
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WORK TO IMPROVE TRAFFIC IN TSUEN WAN AREA *****
A MAJOR ROAD IMPROVEMENT WORKS PROJECT FOR TSUEN WAN WHICH HAS JUST STARTED. WILL GREATLY IMPROVE TRAFFIC FLOW IN THE AREA WHEN IT IS COMPLETED IN MID-1991.
CONTRACT WORKS FOR THE PROJECTS, WORTH J 126.86 MILLION, HAS BEEN AWARDED BY THE TERRITORY DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT’S TSUEN WAN DEVELOPMENT OFFICE.
THE PROJECT WILL INVOLVE THE CONSTRUCTION OF A FLYOVER FROM THE JUNCTION OF TEXACO ROAD AND KWAI FUK ROAD TO THE EXISTING FLYOVER ABOVE CASTLE PEAK ROAD, THE WIDENING OF A SECTION OF KWAI FUK ROAD AND THE CONSTRUCTION OF A FOOTBRIDGE WHICH SPANS ACROSS TEXACO ROAD AND YEUNG UK ROAD.
/AS PART .......
- 3 -
SATURDAY, APRIL 8, 1989
1
AS PART OF THE CONTRACT, CONTAINER RELATED INDUSTRIES.
A SITE WILL ALSO BE
THE VARIOUS RELATED WORKS WILL IMPROVE TRAFFIC Flow ROAD AND THE TEXACO ROAD/TSUEN WAN ROAD ROUNDaIoOt
FORMED FOR I AT TEXACO
ANOTHER BENEFIT IS THAT IT WILL EASF traffic nextAyearF0LL0WING opening of route 5* expected to
FLOW
TAKE
IN THE PLACE
TSUEN
EARLY
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MOBILE EXHIBITION ON HOME SAFETY AT LOK FU » » « » »
A MOBILE EXHIBITION WILL BE HELD AT THE EXHIBITION HALL OF LOK FU ESTATE TOMORROW (SUNDAY) FROM 11 AM TO 4 PM TO DRIVE HOME THE HOME SAFETY MESSAGE.
"THE EXHIBITION, IN THE FORM OF A MOCK KITCHEN, AIMS AT ALERTING THE PUBLIC TO POTENTIAL DANGERS IN THIS PART OF THE HOME," A SPOKESMAN OF THE HOME SAFETY CAMPAIGN PUBLICITY COMMITTEE SAID.
A NEW BOOKLET "SAFETY BEGINS AT HOME" WILL BE DISTRIBUTED TO VISITORS AT THE VENUE.
"THE BOOKLET FEATURES THE MOST COMMON HAZARDS IN THE HOME ON A 'ROOM-BY-ROOM' BASIS AND PROVIDES GUIDELINES ON PRECAUTIONARY MEASURES," HE SAID.
"IT ALSO INCLUDES FIRST AID KNOWLEDGE AND ADVICE ON THE CONTENTS OF A FIRST AID BOX," HE ADDED.
TOMORROW’S EVENT WILL BE THE THIRD IN A SERIES OF EXHIBITIONS TO DISSEMINATE THE HOME SAFETY MESSAGE TO THE PUBLIC. THE OTHER EXHIBITIONS WILL BE STAGED AT SIX OTHER PUBLIC HOUSING ESTATES ON CONSECUTIVE SUNDAYS UNTIL THE END OF MAY.
- 0 - -
A....
SATURDAY, APRIL 8, 1989
TEMPORARY LANE CLOSURES IN SHA TIN » * » » »
THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCES THAT TO FACILITATE ROAD MAINTENANCE WORK, SECTIONS OF SHA TIN ROAD, TAI PO ROAD AND TOLO HIGHWAY IN SHA TIN WILL BE CLOSED DURING THE FOLLOWING PERIODS:
* THE INNER-MOST LANE OF TAI PO ROAD SOUTHBOUND BETWEEN HO TUNG LAU AND FO TAN NULLAH - FROM 8 AM ON MONDAY (APRIL 10) TO 8 PM THE NEXT DAY.
* THE FAST LANE OF SHA TIN ROAD SOUTHBOUND BETWEEN PRINCE OF WALES HOSPITAL AND TSANG TAI UK - FROM 11 PM ON APRIL 11 TO 6 AM THE NEXT DAY.
* THE NORTHBOUND OUTER-MOST LANES OF TAI PO ROAD AND TOLO HIGHWAY BETWEEN HO TUNG LAU AND MA LIU SHUI INTERCHANGE -FROM 8 AM ON APRIL 17 TO 8 PM ON APRIL 19.
* THE SOUTHBOUND OUTER-MOST LANES OF TOLO HIGHWAY AND TAI PO ROAD BETWEEN MA LIU SHUI INTERCHANGE AND FO TAN NULLAH -FROM 8 AM ON APRIL 17 TO 8 PM ON APRIL 19.
- 0 -
PARTIAL CLOSURE OF TUEN MUN ROAD * * * *
THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCES THAT TO FACILITATE ROAD MAINTENANCE WORKS, THE WESTBOUND TRAFFIC LANES ON TUEN MUN ROAD AT THE SIU LAM INTERCHANGE WILL BE CLOSED IN TURN FROM MONDAY (APRIL 10).
THE SLOW LANE WILL BE CLOSED FROM 10 AM ON MONDAY TO 8 PM ON APRIL 15, TO BE FOLLOWD BY THE MIDDLE LANE WHICH WILL BE CLOSED FROM 8 PM ON APRIL 15 TO 6 AM ON APRIL 17.
MEANWHILE, THE FAST LANE WILL BE CLOSED FROM 8 PM ON APRIL 15 TO 8 PM ON APRIL 20.
_ _ 0 - -
TEMPORARY ROAD CLOSURE IN KWUN TONG *****
THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCES THAT FROM 10 AM ON MONDAY (APRIL 10), HONG TAK ROAD EASTBOUND IN KWUN TONG BETWEEN TAI YIP STREET AND KWUN TONG ROAD WILL BE CLOSED TO TRAFFIC.
THE CLOSURE WILL LAST FOR ABOUT TWO MONTHS FOR ROAD WORKS.
AFFECTED VEHICLES WILL BE DIVERTED VIA SIU YIP STREET, WAI YIP
STREE1 AND LAI VIP STREET BEFORE REJOINING KWUN TONG ROAD WESTBOUND.
O - -
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE. HONG KONG. TEL: 5-8428777
SUNDAY, APRIL 9, 1989
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
AMENDMENTS TO SECURITIES AND FUTURES COMMISSION BILL 1989 ... 1 FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE FOR NEEDY POST-SECONDARY STUDENTS ....... 2 IVORY IMPORTS FROM SOMALIA TO BE BANNED ...................... 4 MORE OHAN 740,000 DECLARATIONS AND OATHS IN 1988.............. 4 poll cards for db by-election ................................ 5 DB COMMITTEE TO CONSIDER BUDGET FOR ENVIRONMENT PROJECTS .... 6 ENVIRONMENT PROJECTS ON DB COMMITTEE aGENDA .................. 7 DB COMMITTEE TO DISCUSS METERED PARKING AT VILLAGE CaRPaRKS 7 TATE'S CaIRN TUNNEL WORKING GROUP TO MEET TOMORROW ........... 8 SAI KUNG DRaGON BO.lT RACE INVITES APPLICATIONS .............. 9 DRAWING CONTEST FOR CHILDREN ................................. 9 MUSIC OFFICE STUDENTS' CONCERT ............................... 10 YOUTHS INVITED TO JOIN ACAN VOLUNTEER GROUP .................. 11 CYC TO MOUNT CIVIC EDUCATION EXHIBITIONS ..................... 12 LOCaL OPEN SPACE TO BE BUILT IN SAl KUNG ..................... 12
TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS IN KV/UN TONG S..I KUNG ................ 1J TEMPORARY TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS IN TUEN MUN AND KENNEDY TOWN 1J NIGHT CLOSURE OF SaI ON STREET, ABERDEEN ..................... 14
SUNDAY, APRIL 9, 1989
AMENDMENTS TO SECURITIES AND FUTURES COMMISSION BILL 1989 » » » » *
THE LEGCO DEBATE ON THE SECOND READING OF THE SECURITIES AND FUTURES COMMISSION BILL WILL BE RESUMED ON APRIL 12. MORE THAN 270 AMENDMENTS WILL BE MADE TO 52 CLAUSES OF THE BILL AND FIVE NEW CLAUSES AND ONE NEW SCHEDULE WILL BE ADDED.
"THE AMENDMENTS ARE THE RESULT OF DETAILED DISCUSSION BETWEEN THE AD HOC GROUP OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL AND THE ADMINISTRATION OVER A PERIOD OF SEVERAL WEEKS," THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY, MR PIERS JACOBS, SAID.
"THE BILL CONTAINS ADEQUATE CHECKS AND BALANCES ON THE POWERS OF THE SECURITIES AND FUTURES COMMISSION WITHOUT UNDERMINING THE ABILITY OF THE COMMISSION TO CARRY OUT ITS ROLE EFFECTIVELY."
THE MAJOR AMENDMENTS ARE DESIGNED TO IMPROVE • THE CONSTITUTION OF THE SFC AND ITS ADVISORY COMMITTEE, AND TO PROVIDE SUFFICIENT CHANNELS OF APPEAL AGAINST SFC DECISIONS RELATING TO THE REGISTERED PERSONS, EXCHANGE COMPANIES AND CLEARING HOUSES.
PROVISIONS GOVERNING THE PERFORMANCE OF CERTAIN SUPERVISORY AND INVESTIGATORY FUNCTIONS BY THE SFC ARE TO BE AMENDED TO FACILITATE ITS EFFECTIVE OPERATION AND TO GUARD AGAINST POSSIBLE EXCESSIVE USE OF POWERS.
THE FUNDING PROVISIONS ARE ALSO TO BE AMENDED TO PROVIDE FOR THE TRANSACTION LEVY ON THE STOCK EXCHANGE TO BE APPORTIONED BETWEEN THE SFC AND THE EXCHANGE.
SINCE THE BILL WAS INTRODUCED BY THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL ON JANUARY 18, THE LEGCO AD HOC GROUP, IN CONSULTATION WITH THE ADMINISTRATION, CONCERNED MARKET BODIES AND PROFESSIONAL ORGANISATIONS, HAS BEEN EXAMINING THE BILL CLOSELY AND HAS REACHED AGREEMENT WITH THE ADMINISTRATION ON THE AMENDMENTS.
”1 AM GRATEFUL TO THE GROUP UNDER THE CHAIRMANSHIP OF ITS ABLE CONVENOR, MR STEPHEN CHEONG, FOR ITS CAREFUL SCRUTINY OF THE BILL," MR JACOBS SAID.
"SUBJECT TO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL ACCEPTING THE AMENDMENTS TO THE BILL AT THE COMMITTEE STAGE ON APRIL 12, WE AIM TO BRING THE ORDINANCE INTO EFFECT ON MAY 1, 1989.
"THE ORDINANCE WILL BE THE CORNERSTONE OF A NEW, MODERN REGULATORY REGIME FOR THE SECURITIES AND FUTURES INDUSTRY IN HONG KONG.
"THE SFC BILL REPRESENTS THE FIRST PHASE OF REFORM OF THE SECURITIES LEGISLATION IN HONG KONG IN THE PROCESS OF ENSURING THAT OUR MARKET REGULATION IS UP TO INTERNATIONAL STANDARDS.
"THE NEXT PHASE WILL BE A THOROUGH OVERHAUL AND UPDATING OF ALL OUR SECURITIES LEGISLATION," HE ADDED.
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SUNDAY, APRIL 9, 1989
- 2
FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE FOR * *
NEEDY POST-SECONDARY STUDENTS * » * »
THE JOINT COMMITTEE ON STUDENT FINANCE WHICH ADMINISTERS THE GOVERNMENT’S SCHEME OF FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE FOR NEEDY STUDENTS OF TERTIARY INSTITUTIONS HAS ANNOUNCED THE ARRANGEMENTS FOR APPLICATIONS IN RESPECT OF THE 1989-90 ACADEMIC YEAR.
THE SCHEME PROVIDES FINANCIAL AIDS IN THE FORM OF A COMBINATION OF GRANTS AND LOANS FOR STUDENTS ATTENDING FULL-TIME COURSES AT THE UNIVERSITY OF HONG KONG, THE CHINESE UNIVERSITY OF HONG KONG, THE HONG KONG POLYTECHNIC, THE CITY POLYTECHNIC OF HONG KONG, AND THE HONG KONG BAPTIST COLLEGE (FOR POST-ADVANCED LEVEL STUDENTS ONLY).
TO BE ELIGIBLE FOR FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE, AN APPLICANT MUST HAVE RESIDED OR BEEN DOMICILED IN HONG KONG CONTINUOUSLY FOR AT LEAST THREE YEARS IMMEDIATELY PRIOR TO APPLYING FOR FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE.
CURRENT STUDENTS OF THE TWO UNIVERSITIES, THE TWO POLYTECHNICS AND THE BAPTIST COLLEGE MAY OBTAIN APPLICATION FORMS AS FROM TOMORROW (MONDAY) FROM THE STUDENT AFFAIRS UNITS/OFFICES OR STUDENT FINANCIAL AID OFFICES OF THEIR INSTITUTIONS.
PROSPECTIVE STUDENTS WHO SATISFY THE ENTRANCE REQUIREMENTS OF, AND HAVE APPLIED FOR ADMISSION TO, EITHER UNIVERSITY MAY OBTAIN APPLICATION FORMS AT THE STUDENT FINANCE SECTION OF THE EDUCATION AND MANPOWER BRANCH, GOVERNMENT SECRETARIAT, OR THE INSTITUTIONS CONCERNED.
THEY MUST PRODUCE THE RESULT SLIPS OF THEIR ADVANCED/HIGHER LEVEL EXAMINATION OR NOTIFICATION OF PROVISIONAL OFFER IN RESPECT OF THE CHINESE UNIVERSITY OF HONG KONG.
THEY SHOULD, HOWEVER, SUBMIT THEIR APPLICATIONS ONLY AFTER THEY HAVE BEEN OFFERED ADMISSION BY THE UNIVERSITY CONCERNED.
NEW STUDENTS ADMITTED BY EITHER POLYTECHNIC OR THE BAPTIST COLLEGE MAY OBTAIN APPLICATION FORMS AT THE TIME OF REGISTRATION.
POSTGRADUATE STUDENTS AND STUDENTS TAKING HIGHER DEGREE OR DIPLOMA COURSES WHO WILL NOT HAVE EXCEEDED THEIR MINIMUM PRESCRIBED PERIOD OR REGISTRATION BY SEPTEMBER 30, 1989 ARE ALSO ELIGIBLE TO APPLY.
/THE MINIMUM »
SUNDAY, APRIL 9, 1989
THE MINIMUM NORMALLY TWO YEARS
PERIOD OF REGISTRATION FOR A MASTER DEGREE IS AND FOR A DOCTOR OF PHILOSOPHY DEGREE, THREE YEARS.
THE CLOSING DATES FOR APPLICATIONS ARE:
CURRENT
UNIVERSITY STUDENTS
: MAY 5, 1989
CURRENT
STUDENTS,
HONG KONG POLYTECHNIC
: JUNE 15, 1989
CURRENT
STUDENTS,
CITY POLYTECHNIC
: JUNE 1, 1989
OF HONG KONG
CURRENT STUDENTS
BAPTIST COLLEGE
: MAY 20, 1989
NEW STUDENTS, CHINESE UNIVERSITY OF HONG KONG
: AUGUST 25, 1989
NEW STUDENTS, UNIVERSITY OF HONG KONG : EARLY SEPTEMBER 1989
NEW STUDENTS, HONG KONG POLYTECHNIC : OCTOBER 10, 1989
NEW STUDENTS, CITY POLYTECHNIC : OCTOBER 10, 1989
OF HONG KONG
NEW STUDENTS, BAPTIST COLLEGE : OCTOBER 10, 1989
APPLICATIONS FOR FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE ARE SUBJECT TO MEANS TESTS, WHICH TAKE INTO ACCOUNT A STUDENT’S FAMILY INCOME AND ASSETS LESS PERMITTED DEDUCTIONS TO ARRIVE AT THE STUDENT’S ANNUAL DISPOSABLE INCOME FOR SETTING AGAINST HIS GRANT/LOAN REQUIREMENTS.
UPON SUBMISSION Ob' HIS APPLICATION, EACH APPLICANT AND/OR AN ADULT MEMBER OF HIS HOUSEHOLD WHO KNOWS THE FAMILY'S CIRCUMSTANCES (PREFERABLY THE PERSON WHO DECLARES HIS APPLICATION) WILL BE INVITED TO ATTEND AN INTERVIEW AT THE STUDENT FINANCE SECTION TO CLARIFY THE INFORMATION REPORTED IN THE APPLICATION.
THE COMMITTEE'S SPOKESMAN STRESSED THAT INCORRECT OR INACCURATE INFORMATION NOT ONLY WOULD LEAD TO REJECTION OF AN APPLICATION BUT MIGHT ALSO GIVE RISE TO CRIMINAL PROCEEDINGS AGAINST THE DECLARANT.
ENQUIRIES SHOULD BE DIRECTED TO THE STUDENT FINANCE SECTION, EDUCATION AND MANPOWER BRANCH, GOVERNMENT SECRETARIAT AT QUEENSWAY GOVERNMENT OFFICES, LOW BLOCK, GROUND FLOOR, 66 QUEENSWAY, HONG KONG (TELEPHONE : 5-8672738).
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A ...
SUNDAY, APRIL 9, 1989
IVORY IMPORTS FROM SOMALIA TO BE BANNED
*****
THE AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES DEPARTMENT TODAY (SUNDAY) ANNOUNCED THAT APPLICATION FOR IVORY IMPORTS INTO HONG KONG DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY FROM SOMALIA WOULD NOT BE CONSIDERED AS FROM MAY 23 THIS YEAR.
THE ANNOUNCEMENT FOLLOWED A BAN IMPOSED BY THE UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT ON ALL IVORY EXPORTED FROM SOMALIA AND ON IVORY FROM SOMALIA RE-EXPORTED BY A THIRD COUNTRY TO THE UNITED STATES WITH EFFECT FROM FEBRUARY 24 THIS YEAR.
IN ADDITION, THE U.S. GOVERNMENT WILL ALSO BAN ALL IVORY COMING FROM ANY COUNTRY WHICH IMPORTS SOMALIAN IVORY AFTER A THREE-MONTH GRACE PERIOD BEGINNING ON FEBRUARY 24, OR WHICH SIGNIFICANTLY INCREASES ITS IVORY IMPORTS FROM SOMALIA DURING THE GRACE PERIOD.
THE SENIOR CONSERVATION OFFICER OF THE AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES DEPARTMENT, MR M.K. CHEUNG, SAID: "IN ORDER THAT HONG KONG’S WORKED IVORY CAN CONTINUE TO ENTER THE U.S., THE DEPARTMENT WILL NO LONGER PROCESS IMPORT APPLICATIONS FOR IVORY FROM SOMALIA EITHER DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY AS FROM MAY 23 THIS YEAR.
"THIS BAN WILL REMAIN IN FORCE UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE."
HE SAID THAT IN THE LAST TWO YEARS, THERE WERE VERY FEW DIRECT AND INDIRECT IMPORTS OF IVORY FROM SOMALIA. THE QUANTITIES OF SUCH IMPORTS ONLY AMOUNTED TO 12.6 TONNES AND 13.4 TONNES RESPECTIVELY.
"ALL THESE IMPORTS WERE VERIFIED BY THE CONVENTION ON INTERNATIONAL TRADE IN ENDANGERED SPECIES OF WILD FAUNA AND FLORA," MR CHEUNG SAID, ADDING THAT THERE HAD BEEN NO APPLICATION FOR IVORY IMPORT FROM SOMALIA SO FAR THIS YEAR.
MR CHEUNG SAID THE IVORY TRADERS’ ASSOCIATION HAD BEEN CONSULTED AND IT HAD EXPRESSED SUPPORT FOR THE BAN.
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MORE THAN 740,000 DECLARATIONS AND OATHS IN 1988
*****
THE CITY AND NEW TERRITORIES ADMINISTRATION’S (CNTA) PUBLIC ENQUIRY SERVICE CENTRES HAVE HANDLED 742,403 DECLARATIONS AND OATHS DURING 1988.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE CNTA SAID TODAY (SUNDAY) THAT THE MOST POPULAR TYPES OF DECLARATIONS BEING ADMINISTERED WERE DECLARATIONS OF TRUE COPIES OF DOCUMENTS, AND THOSE CONCERNING EMIGRATION MATTERS AND LABOUR DISPUTES AND APPLICATIONS FOR SCHOLARSHIPS/GRANTS.
/THERE ARE
SUNDAY, APRIL 9» 1989
- 5 -
THERE ARE 68 CENTRES IN THE 19 DISTRICTS PROVIDING THIS FREE SERVICE, HE ADDED.
MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC WHO CANNOT PRODUCE THE REQUIRED DOCUMENTARY PROOF TO SUBSTANTIATE THEIR CLAIMS OR TO SUPPORT THE APPLICATIONS FOR ANY TYPE OF DOCUMENTS CAN MAKE USE OF THE DECLARATION SERVICE.
THE ONLY DOCUMENT REQUIRED IS THE DECLARANTS' HONG KONG IDENTITY CARD OR EQUIVALENT IDENTITY DOCUMENTS.
A DECLARATION MAY BE MADE, TAKEN OR RECEIVED EITHER IN ENGLISH OR CHINESE.
THE DECLARANT IS REQUIRED TO COMPLETE THE CONTENTS OF HIS/HER STATEMENT IN A SPECIFIED DECLARATION FORM AVAILABLE AT ALL PUBLIC ENQUIRY SERVICE CENTRES.
AFTER COMPLETION OF THE FORM, THE DECLARANT HAS ONLY TO SWEAR IN FRONT OF A COMMISSIONER FOR OATHS.
ANYONE WHO WISHES TO SEEK ADVICE OR OBTAIN FURTHER INFORMATION ABOUT THE SERVICE MAY APPROACH ANY OF THE PUBLIC ENQUIRY SERVICE CENTRES OR THE PUBLIC ENQUIRY SERVICE SECTION AT CNTA HEADQUARTERS ON THE 13TH FLOOR, WORLD SHIPPING CENTRE, 7 CANTON ROAD, TSIM SHA TSUI, KOWLOON (TEL. NO. 3-7302255-6).
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POLL CARDS FOR DB BY-ELECTION * * * * *
THE 13,811 REGISTERED ELECTORS IN SHAM SHUI PO WILL RECEIVE POLL CARDS FROM TOMORROW (MONDAY) FOR THE COMING BY-ELECTION FOR THE PAK TIN CONSTITUENCY OF THE SHAM SHUI PO DISTRICT BOARD TO BE HELD ON APRIL 20.
THE MAJORITY OF THE ELECTORS (11,010) WILL HAVE TO CAST THEIR VOTES AT THE BUDDHIST CHAN SIK YAM PRIMARY SCHOOL, UPPER PAK TIN ESTATE, AND THE REMAINING 2,801 ELECTORS AT THE HO CHAK SOCIAL CLUB FOR THE ELDERLY, CHAK ON ESTATE.
ELECTORS ARE ENCOURAGED TO BRING ALONG THEIR POLL CARDS TO THE POLLING STATIONS. ALTHOUGH THE PRODUCTION OF THE POLL CARD IS NOT MANDATORY, IT WILL FACILITATE PROCESSING AND AVOID DELAYS.
/FOR THOSE .......
SUNDAY, APRIL 9, 1989
6
FOR THOSE ELECTORS IN THE PAK TIN CONSTITUENCY WHO HAVE RECENTLY CHANGED THEIR RESIDENTIAL ADDRESS OR WHO DO NOT RECEIVE THEIR POLL CARDS BY APRIL 13, THEY ARE REQUESTED TO NOTIFY THE REGISTRATION AND ELECTORAL DIVISION BY TELEPHONE ON 5-270369 OR 5-270380, OR IN WRITING.
THEY SHOULD GIVE THEIR IDENTITY CARD NUMBERS AND THEIR NEW RESIDENTIAL ADDRESS AS THEY ARE STILL ENTITLED TO VOTE IN THE COMING BY-ELECTION.
AN INTRODUCTORY LEAFLET ON THE TWO CANDIDATES, MR LUI PAK-YIU AND MISS SHA MI-CHING, WILL ALSO BE SENT TO ALL ELECTORS WITHIN THIS WEEK.
-----0-----
DB COMMITTEE TO CONSIDER BUDGET FOR ENVIRONMENT PROJECTS »»«***
MEMBERS OF THE EASTERN DISTRICT BOARD’S ENVIRONMENTAL IMPROVEMENT COMMITTEE WILL CONSIDER THE PROPOSED 1989-90 BUDGET FOR IMPLEMENTING MINOR ENVIROMENTAL IMPROVEMENT PROJECTS IN THE DISTRICT AT ITS MEETING ON TUESDAY (APRIL 11).
ABOUT #1.14 MILLION HAS BEEN SET ASIDE FOR CARRYING OUT PROJECTS WHICH INCLUDE THE TEMPORARY DEVELOPMENT OF VACANT CROWN LAND, INSTALLATION OF DISTRICT BOARD DISPLAY PANELS AND CARRYING OUT PLANTING WORK.
MEMBERS WILL ALSO ELECT A CHAIRMAN TO HEAD THE COMMITTEE FOR THE 1989-90 TERM AND NOMINATE CO-OPTED MEMBERS TO SIT ON THE COMMITTEE.
THEY WILL ENDORSE THE MEMBERSHIP AND TERMS OF REFERENCE OF A WORKING GROUP FORMED TO ORGANISE DISTRICT ACTIVITIES IN SUPPORT OF THE KEEP HONG KONG CLEAN CAMPAIGN AND THE 1989 WORLD ENVIRONMENT DAY.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE MEETING OF THE EASTERN DISTRICT BOARD’S ENVIRONMENTAL IMPROVEMENT COMMITTEE WHICH WILL BEGIN AT 2.30 PM ON TUESDAY (APRIL 11) IN THE CONFERENCE ROOM OF THE EASTERN DISTRICT OFFICE, FIRST FLOOR, 880-886 KING’S ROAD.
- - O----------
/7........
SUNDAY, APRIL 9,
1989
ENVIRONMENT PROJECTS ON DB COMMITTEE AGENDA ♦ * » ♦ *
THE SOUTHERN DISTRICT BOARD’S ENVIRONMENT COMMITTEE WILL DISCUSS THE MINOR ENVIRONMENTAL IMPROVEMENT PROJECTS PLANNED FOR THE YEAR 1989-90 AT ITS MEETING TOMORROW (MONDAY).
THE COMMITTEE WILL BE BRIEFED ON THE 1989-90 KEEP HONG KONG CLEAN CAMPAIGN AND WILL FORM A WORKING GROUP TO ORGANISE DISTRICT ACTIVITIES IN SUPPORT OF THE TERRITORY-WIDE CAMPAIGN.
ALSO, MEMBERS WILL BE BRIEFED ON THE PROGRESS OF THE DISTRICT’S COMPREHENSIVE SQUATTER IMPROVEMENT SCHEME AND WILL CONSIDER ALLOCATING FUNDS FOR CARRYING OUT AN IMPROVEMENT PROJECT IN SHUI CHOI TIN VILLAGE.
OTHER DISCUSSION ITEMS INCLUDE A PAPER ON THE 1989 WORLD ENVIRONMENT DAY PREPARED BY GREEN POWER AND ENDORSED BY THE WORLD ENVIRONMENT DAY WORKING GROUP, AS WELL AS THE MAJOR ENVIRONMENT ISSUES RAISED AT A "SOUTHERN DISTRICT BOARD MEETS AREA COMMITTEES” SEMINAR HELD RECENTLY.
ALSO ON THE AGENDA ARE A PAPER ON THE REPLENISHMENT OF FIRE FIGHTING EQUIPMENT FOR THE DISTRICT’S FIRE WATCH TEAMS, THE DISTRICT’S ENVIRONMENTAL CLEARANCE PROJECTS IN 1989-90, AND A NUMBER OF INFORMATION PAPERS.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE MEETING OF THE SOUTHERN DISTRICT BOARD’S ENVIRONMENT COMMITTEE TO BE HELD TOMORROW (MONDAY) IN THE DB CONFERENCE ROOM, SECOND FLOOR, MEI FUNG COURT, NAM NING STREET, ABERDEEN CENTRE.
THE MEETING WILL START AT 2.30 PM.
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DB COMMITTEE TO DISCUSS METERED PARKING AT VILLAGE CARPARKS ******
THE SHA TIN DISTRICT BOARD’S TRAFFIC AND TRANSPORT COMMITTEE WILL DISCUSS AT ITS MEETING ON TUESDAY (APRIL 11) THE INSTALLATION OF PARKING METRES AT VILLAGE CARPARKS TO REGULATE THE USE OF PARKING SPACES THERE.
WHILE A DISTRICT BOARD MEMBER WILL ENQUIRE ABOUT THE PROGRESS OF THE CONSTRUCTION OF SHELTERS FOR BUS STOPS IN THE DISTRICT, TWO OTHER MEMBERS WILL ASK QUESTIONS RELATING TO SERVICES PROVIDED BY THE KOWLOON MOTOR BUS COMPANY.
/THE MEETING
SUNDAY, APRIL 9, 19^9
8
THE MEETING WILL ALSO DISCUSS THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT’S 1989-90 PROGRAMME OF WORK FOR THE DISTRICT AND THE PROFIT CONTROL SCHEME FOR FRANCHISED BUS COMPANIES.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE MEETING OF THE SHA TIN DISTRICT BOARD’S TRAFFIC AND TRANSPORT COMMITTEE TO BE HELD IN THE DB CONFERENCE ROOM ON THE SIXTH FLOOR, KCR HOUSE, SHA TIN STATION ON TUESDAY (APRIL 11).
THE MEETING WILL BEGIN AT 9.30 AM.
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TATE’S CAIRN TUNNEL WORKING GROUP TO MEET TOMORROW ♦ ♦ ♦ » *
THE WONG TAI SIN DISTRICT BOARD’S WORKING GROUP ON TATE’S CAIRN TUNNEL WILL MEET TOMORROW (MONDAY) TO DISCUSS A PROGRESS REPORT ON THE CLEARANCE OPERATIONS IN CONNECTION WITH CONSTRUCTION OF THE TUNNEL.
THE REPORT OUTLINES THE CLEARANCE AND REHOUSING EXERCISES FOR THE FIRST THREE PHASES OF CLEARANCES WHICH HAD ALREADY BEEN SUCCESSFULLY COMPLETED.
MEMBERS WILL ALSO BE BRIEFED ON THE LATEST DEVELOPMENT ON THE REHOUSING OF RESIDENTS TO BE AFFECTED BY THE PHASE FOUR CLEARANCE WHICH IS SCHEDULED TO BE CARRIED OUT AT THE END OF NEXT MONTH.
ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES RELATING TO THE CONSTRUCTION OF THE TUNNEL AND APPROACH ROADS WILL ALSO BE DISCUSSED AT THE MEETING.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
MEDIA REPRESENTATIVES ARE INVITED TO WONG TAI SIN DISTRICT BOARD’S WORKING GROUP WHICH WILL BE HELD TOMORROW (MONDAY) IN THE WONG TAI SIN DISTRICT OFFICE, FOURTH FLOOR, OFFICES BUILDING, KING FUK STREET.
COVER THE MEETING OF THE ON TATE’S CAIRN TUNNEL
CONFERENCE ROOM OF THE SAN PO KONG GOVERNMENT
THE MEETING WILL START AT 2.30 PM.
/9........
SUNDAY, APRIL 9, 1989
- 9 -
SAI KUNG DRAGON BOAT RACE INVITES APPLICATIONS » » * * «
APPLICATIONS ARE NOW OPEN FOR TEAMS WHICH ARE INTERESTED TO PARTICIPATE IN THE SAI KUNG DRAGON BOAT RACE TO CELEBRATE THE TUEN NG FESTIVAL ON JUNE 8.
LOCAL ORGANISATIONS, GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS, NON-PROFIT MAKING ORGANISATIONS, COMMERCIAL FIRMS, BANKS AND POST-SECONDARY SCHOOLS BOTH IN AND OUTSIDE SAI KUNG DISTRICT ARE WELCOME TO TAKE PART.
THE DRAGON BOAT RACE IS SPONSORED BY THE SAI KUNG DISTRICT BOARD, THE REGIONAL COUNCIL AND LOCAL ORGANISATIONS. IT IS ORGANISED BY THE SAI KUNG DISTRICT DRAGON BOAT RACING ASSOCIATION.
THE RACE WILL TAKE PLACE ON A 1,000 METRE COURSE ALONG THE SAI KUNG TOWN WATERFRONT, STARTING AT 9 AM.
COMPETING TEAMS WILL BE PROVIDED WITH BOATS AND EQUIPMENT. THEY WILL BE ALLOCATED PRACTICE TIME BEFORE THE RACE DAY.
THE DEADLINE FOR ENROLMENT IS MAY 1.
APPLICATION FORMS ARE NOW AVAILABLE AT THE SAI KUNG COMMUNITY CENTRE, SHA HA PUBLIC SPORTS FIELD, SAI KUNG TOWN.
ENQUIRIES CAN BE MADE ON 3-7921762.
--------0---------
DRAWING CONTEST FOR CHILDREN
*****
CHILDREN AGED BETWEEN FOUR AND 13 WILL HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY TO DEMONSTRATE THEIR FLAIR FOR DRAWING IN A CONTEST SCHEDULED TO BE HELD IN KOWLOON PARK ON SUNDAY (APRIL 30).
THE "INTERNATIONAL CHILDREN DRAWING CONTEST" IS JOINTLY ORGANISED BY THE YAU TSIM DISTRICT OFFICE, THE URBAN COUNCIL, THE HARBOUR JAYCEES AND SING TAO LTD. TO STIMULATE CHILDREN’S INTEREST IN ART AND ENHANCE THEIR CREATIVE SKILLS.
THE CONTEST, TO BE HELD FROM 9 AM TO 11.30 AM, IS DIVIDED INTO THREE SECTIONS: JUNIOR (FOR CHILDREN AGED BETWEEN FOUR AND SIX)' INTERMEDIATE (AGED BETWEEN SEVEN AND NINE) AND SENIOR (AGED BETWEEN 10 AND 13).
CHILDREN WISHING TO TAKE PART IN THE CONTEST MAY ENROL AT THE VENUE AT 9 AM, OR OBTAIN ENROLMENT FORMS BEFOREHAND FROM THE YAU TSIM DISTRICT OFFICE OR OTHER DISTRICT OFFICES; THE HARBOUR JAYCEES AT 272 QUEEN’S ROAD CENTRAL, 15TH FLOOR, BLOCK C; SING TAO CENTRES' OR CHUCK AND CHEESE.
/THE ORGANISERS .......
SUNDAY, APRIL % 1989
10
THE ORGANISERS WILL PROVIDE DRAWING PAPER, BUT PARTICIPANTS HAVE TO BRING THEIR OWN BRUSHES.
THE THEMES OF THE DRAWINGS SHOULD BE "MY FUTURE", "THE ACTIVITY I LIKE MOST" OR "A JOYFUL FESTIVAL".
ADJUDICATION WILL TAKE PLACE AT THE VENUE. THE RESULTS WILL THEN BE ANNOUNCED AND PRIZES WILL BE PRESENTED.
THE WINNERS AND RUNNERS-UP OF EACH SECTION WILL BE AWARDED ATTRACTIVE PRIZES, INCLUDING SCHOLARSHIPS RANGING FROM $500 TO $1,000, GIFT COUPONS OF THE SAME VALUES, FOUNTAIN PENS AND OTHER GIFTS.
IN ADDITION, PRIZES WILL BE AWARDED TO SEVEN OTHER OUTSTANDING ENTRIES IN EACH SECTION.
/\ VARIETY SHOW PRESENTED BY THE URBAN COUNCIL AND ASIA TELEVISION WILL BE HELD AFTER THE CONTEST.
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MUSIC OFFICE STUDENTS’ CONCERT t * * t ♦
ABOUT 150 TRAINEES OF THE MUSIC OFFICE PERFORMED AT A STUDENTS’ CONCERT HELD AT THE CITY HALL CONCERT HALL THIS (SUNDAY) AFTERNOON.
A MEMBER OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL, MRS SO CHAU YIM-PING, OFFICIATED AT THE CONCERT AND PRESENTED SOUVENIRS TO OUTSTANDING TRAINEES.
NOTING THAT THE MUSIC OFFICE HAD ORGANISED MANY MUSIC PROMOTION ACTIVITIES THROUGHOUT THE TERRITORY, MRS SO COMMENDED ITS STAFF FOR THEIR EFFORTS IN MAKING MUSIC TRAINING ACCESSIBLE TO LOCAL YOUNG PEOPLE, THUS IMPROVING THEIR QUALITY OF LIFE.
"THE MUSIC OFFICE’S TRAINING PROGRAMME PROVIDES NOT ONLY COMPREHENSIVE TRAINING IN MUSIC, IT ALSO ENABLES THE TRAINEES TO WORK WITH ONE ANOTHER WHILE PERFORMING IN GROUPS.
"ITS INTERNATIONAL EXCHANGE PROGRAMME ALSO HELPS TO PROMOTE HONG KONG’S IMAGE ABROAD AND ENHANCE INTERNATIONAL UNDERSTANDING," SHE ADDED.
MRS SO ALSO CONGRATULATED THE INSTRUCTORS AND STAFF OF THE MUSIC OFFICE FOR A JOB WELL DONE AND WISHED THEM AND ALL THE TRAINEES CONTINUED SUCCESS IN THE YEARS TO COME.
THE MUSIC ADMINISTRATOR. MISS LOLLY CHIU, SAID IN HER WELCOME SPEECH THAT THE REGIONAL TRAINEES’ CONCERT WAS AN IMPORTANT OCCASION FOR THE TRAINEES.
/IT PROVIDED ......
SUNDAY, APRIL 9, 1989
11
IT PROVIDED THEM WITH AN OPPORTUNITY TO DEMONSTRATE WHAT THEY HAD LEARNED IN THE PAST YEAR AND TO GAIN EXPERIENCE IN PUBLIC PERFORMANCE, SHE SAID.
"AT PRESENT, WE HAVE 4,000 STUDENTS LEARNING MUSIC IN OUR EIGHT MUSIC CENTRES. MOST OF THEM ARE HIGHLY MOTIVATED, AND WITH HARD WORK HAVE BENEFITTED TREMENDOUSLY FROM THE PROGRAMME OF TRAINING OFFERED," MISS CHIU REMARKED.
THE CONCERT FEATURED PERFORMANCES BY THE MUSIC OFFICE'S ISLAND YOUTH CHINESE ORCHESTRA AND THE ISLAND YOUTH STRINGS. THE PIECES PRESENTED INCLUDED "ROMANIAN FOLK DANCES", "HOPAK DANCE , "DELIGHTFUL EVENING" AND "JINGLING OF CAMEL BELLS".
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YOUTHS INVITED TO JOIN ACAN VOLUNTEER GROUP
*****
ENTHUSIASTIC AND RESOURCEFUL YOUNG PEOPLE AGED BETWEEN 18 AND 28 ARE BEING INVITED TO JOIN IN AND HELP FIGHT THE DRUG PROBLEM IN HONG KONG.
THE YOUTH VOLUNTEER GROUP OF THE ACTION COMMITTEE AGAINST NARCOTICS (ACAN) IS CONDUCTING ITS RECRUITMENT EXERCISE.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE NARCOTICS DIVISION OF THE GOVERNMENT SECRETARIAT SAID TODAY (SUNDAY) THAT THE GROUP’S FUNCTION WAS TO ASSIST IN IMPLEMENTATING PREVENTIVE EDUCATION AND PUBLICITY PROJECTS ORGANISED BY ACAN.
SINCE ITS ESTABLISHMENT IN SEPTEMBER 1981, THE VOLUNTEER GROUP HAS FULFILLED ITS OBJECTIVES IN TRAINING AND ENCOURAGING YOUNG PEOPLE TO TAKE MORE ACTIVE AND DIRECT PARTICIPATION IN THE ANTI-NARCOTICS FRONT.
"THROUGH THEIR PARTICIPATION IN ACAN’S COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT ACTIVITIES AND SELF-INITIATED PROJECTS, MEMBERS OF THE GROUP CONTRIBUTE SIGNIFICANTLY TOWARDS A WORTHY SOCIAL CAUSE IN SPREADING THE ANTI-DRUG MESSAGE,” THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
"THE GROUP IS NOW LOOKING FOR SUITABLE, MUCH MOTIVATED PEOPLE WITH A MINIMUM EDUCATION STANDARD OF FORM 5," HE ADDED.
APPLICATION FORMS ARE NOW AVAILABLE AT ALL DISTRICT OFFICES AND SUB-OFFICES; THE OFFICES OF THE AGENCY FOR VOLUNTEER SERVICE ON THE GROUND FLOOR OF 10 SAI YUEN LANE, SAI YING PUN, HONG KONG OR AT ROOM 409 OF TUNG PING BUILDING, 157 PRINCE EDWARD ROAD, MONG KOK, KOWLOON; AND THE NARCOTICS DIVISION ON THE 23RD FLOOR OF QUEENSWAY GOVERNMENT OFFICES, 66 QUEENSWAY, HONG KONG.
COMPLETED APPLICATION FORMS SHOULD BE RETURNED TO THE NARCOTICS DIVISION BY APRIL 28.
FURTHER DETAILS CAN BE OBTAINED FROM THE DIVISION ON 5-8672762.
- - 0 -
SUNDAY, APRIL 9, 1989
- 12 -
CYC TO MOUNT CIVIC EDUCATION EXHIBITIONS
*****
THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT’S COMMUNITY YOUTH CLUB (CYC) AND 19 DISTRICT BOARDS WILL JOINTLY MOUNT A SERIES OF CIVIC EDUCATION EXHIBITIONS AT TAIKOO SHING, NEW WORLD CENTRE AND TUEN MUN TOWN CENTRE BETWEEN TOMORROW (MONDAY) AND SATURDAY (APRIL 15).
THE EXHIBITIONS ALSO AIM AT ENABLING MORE MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC TO HAVE A BETTER UNDERSTANDING OF THE CYC MOVEMENT.
THE EXHIBITIONS WILL BE MOUNTED AT TAIKOO SHING ON MONDAY AND TUESDAY (APRIL 10 AND 11), BEFORE MOVING TO NEW WORLD CENTRE IN TSIM SHA TSUI ON WEDNESDAY AND THURSDAY (APRIL 12 AND 13) AND TUEN MUN TOWN CENTRE (APRIL 14 AND 15).
ON DISPLAY WILL BE OUTSTANDING WORKS ON CIVIC EDUCATION AND CYC MOVEMENT SELECTED FROM THE CYC CIVIC EDUCATION FORTNIGHT HELD IN 19 DISTRICTS IN LATE FEBRUARY.
UNDER THE SPONSORSHIP OF THE DISTRICT BOARDS THE WORKS WERE AIMED TO ENHANCE THE PUBLIC AWARENESS AMONG SCHOOL CHILDREN OF THE WORK OF DISTRICT ADMINISTRATION AND OF THEIR SENSE OF BELONGING TO THE COMMUNITY.
MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC ARE WELCOME TO ATTEND THE EXHIBITIONS.
-----0------
LOCAL OPEN SPACE TO BE BUILT IN SAI KUNG
*****
A LOCAL OPEN SPACE WILL BE BUILT IN SAI KUNG TO PROVIDE MORE RECREATIONAL FACILITIES FOR RESIDENTS.
SITUATED AT WAI MAN ROAD, THE LOCAL OPEN SPACE WILL HAVE TWO SOCCER PITCHES, ONE BASKETBALL/VOLLEYBALL COURT, ONE ROLLER SKATING RINK AND SITTING-OUT AREAS WITH ARBOUR.
SOFT LANDSCAPING WORK WILL ALSO BE CARRIED OUT AS PART OF THE PROJECT.
WORK IS EXPECTED TO COMMENCE NEXT MONTH AND BE COMPLETED IN AUGUST NEXT YEAR.
THE ARCHITECTURAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT IS INVITING TENDERS FOR THE PROJECT.
THE DEADLINE FOR SUBMISSION OF TENDERS IS NOON ON APRIL 21.
- - 0 -
SUNDAY, APRIL 9, 1989
TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS IN KWUN TONG AND SAI KUNG
******
THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCES THAT FROM 10 AM ON TUESDAY (APRIL 11), TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS WILL BE IMPLEMENTED IN KWUN TONG TOWN CENTRE AS PART OF THE KWUN TONG TOWN CENTRE TRAFFIC MANAGEMENT SCHEME.
MUT WAH STREET BETWEEN FU YAN STREET AND HIP WO STREET WILL BE RE-ROUTED ONE-WAY EASTBOUND.
MOREOVER, THE RIGHT-TURN FROM HIP WO STREET SOUTHBOUND TO MUT WAH STREET; AND THE LEFT-TURN FROM HIP WO STREET NORTHBOUND TO MUT WAH STREET WILL BOTH BE BANNED.
VEHICLES ON HIP WO STREET HEADING FOR MUT WAH STREET WILL BE DIVERTED VIA TUNG YAN STREET, YUE MAN SQUARE AND FU YAN STREET.
KMB ROUTES 3D, 6E, 17 AND 93K WILL ALSO BE DIVERTED VIA HIP WO STREET AND KWUN TONG ROAD WHILE KMB ROUTE 19A AND 28A WILL BE DIVERTED VIA HIP WO STREET, TUNG YAN STREET, YUE MAN SQUARE AND HONG NING ROAD.
AT THE SAME TIME, IN SAI KUNG, THE SPEED LIMIT ON CLEAR WATER BAY ROAD FROM A POINT ABOUT 130 METRES NORTH OF ITS JUNCTION WITH HANG HAU ROAD TO A POINT ABOUT 20 METRES SOUTH OF THE SAME JUNCTION WILL BE REDUCED FROM 70 TO 50 KILOMETRES PER HOUR FOR SAFETY REASONS.
- 0----------
TEMPORARY TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS IN TUEN MUN AND KENNEDY TOWN *****
THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCES THAT THE SLIP ROADS AT SIU LAM INTERCHANGE LINKING TUEN MUN ROAD WESTBOUND AND CASTLE PEAK ROAD WILL BE CLOSED BETWEEN MIDNIGHT AND 6 AM DAILY FROM TUESDAY (APRIL 11) FOR THREE NIGHTS FOR ROAD MAINTENANCE WORKS.
DURING THE CLOSURE, KMB ROUTE 52M ON TUEN MUN ROAD WESTBOUND HEADING FOR TUEN MUN WILL BE RE-ROUTED VIA TUEN MUN ROAD, SHAM TSENG INTERCHANGE AND CASTLE PEAK ROAD.
ALSO FROM 10 AM ON TUESDAY, THE SOUTHERN KERBSIDE LANE OF KENNEDY TOWN PRAYA FROM HOUSE NO. 49 TO HOUSE NO. 51 WILL BE DESIGNATED AN URBAN CLEARWAY ROUND-THE-CLOCK FOR ABOUT FOUR WEEKS FOR TRAM TRACK RENEWAL WORKS.
NO VEHICLES EXCEPT FRANCHISED BUSES WILL BE ALLOWED TO STOP FOR PASSENGERS OR GOODS THERE.
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/1'» ..........
SUNDAY, APRIL 9, 1989
14
NIGHT CLOSURE OF SAI ON » » * *
STREET, ABERDEEN *
THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCED THAT SAI ON STREET IN ABERDEEN BETWEEN CHENGTU ROAD AND TUNG SING ROAD WILL BE CLOSED TO TRAFFIC BETWEEN 1 AM AND 6 AM DAILY FROM TUESDAY (APRIL 11) FOR THREE NIGHTS FOR ESCALATOR INSTALLATION WORK.
DURING THIS PERIOD, GREEN MINIBUS ROUTES 4A, 27 AND 38 WILL BE DIVERTED VIA WU PAK STREET AND TUNG SING ROAD AND A TEMPORARY STOPPING PLACE WILL BE PROVIDED OUTSIDE 3 SAI ON STREET.
-----o------
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL: 5-8428777
MONDAY, APRIL 10, 1989
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
GOVERNOR PRESENTS INSIGNIA TO 78............................. 1
MODERNISING HK’S TRADE AND INDUSTRIAL BASE THROUGH INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY: GOVERNOR .............................. 5
AUTOMATION COULD HELP LABOUR PROBLEMS: GOVERNOR ............. 8
SIGNIFICANT GROWTH IN INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY BUSINESS ....... 8
PRICE AND VOLUME MOVEMENTS OF EXTERNAL TRj.DE IN JANUARY RELEASED ..................................................... 10
SPECIAL ARTICLE ON SALARY STATISTICS......................... 15
MID-TERM REVIEW OF URUGUAY ROUND CONCLUDES .................. 15
SWaC MEMBERS ON FIELD VISITS ................................ 16
NEW W,JQ CHAI DISTRICT OFFICE OPENS ......................... 18
ENVIRONMENTAL IMPROVEMENT OPERATION IN TSUEM W,iN INDUSTRIAL BUILDING ..................................................... 18
CLOSE WATCH ON TUNNEL PROJECT................•............... 19
CSD OPENS TEMPORARY RECRUITMENT CENTRE....................... 21
1989 HK YOUTH MUSIC CAMP .................................... 21
WaTER STORAGE FIGURE......................................... 22
WATER SUSPENSION IN THREE AREAS ............................. 25
TEMPORARY TRAFFIC 4JIRANGEMENTS IN W.kN CHhI
25
MONDAY, APRIL 10, 1989
1
GOVERNOR PRESENTS INSIGNIA TO 78 » * » * *
INSIGNIA FOR 78 PEOPLE WERE PRESENTED BY THE GOVERNOR, SIR DAVID WILSON, AT A CEREMONY AT GOVERNMENT HOUSE THIS (MONDAY) EVENING.
SIXTY-SEVEN RECIPIENTS WERE DECORATED BY THE QUEEN FOR SERVICES
TO THE PUBLIC, WHILE 11 WERE AWARDED THE GOVERNOR’S COMMENDATION.
THE FOLLOWING IS THE LIST OF INSIGNIA RECIPIENTS:
DBE
THE HON DAME LYDIA DUNN
CMG
THE HON JEREMY FELL MATHEWS
CBE
DR HO KAM-FAI
MR HU FA-KUANG
MR LI KA-SHING
OBE
PROFESSOR DAFYDD MEURIG EMRYS EVANS
PROFESSOR MA CHUNG HO-KEI
DR NIP KAM-FAN
THE HON POON WING-CHEUNG, PETER
OBE (HON)
THE HON HUI YIN-FAT
ISO
MR DEREK HOGAN
/MBE........
MONDAY, APRIL 10, 1989
- 2 -
MBE
MR CHAN CHEUK-SANG
MR HUI CHUN-KEUNG
MR LEE SAI-HEI
MR NG CHO-YI
BEM
MR CHAN FOOK-TIM
MR CHAN LAU
MR FUNG YUEN-SUM, JIMMY
MR HO PING-CHU
MR LAU WING-KAN
MR LEE TIM-SANG
MR LEE KAM-LUN
MR LI HING
MR LUI TAK-KAI
MR MA CHUNG
MR NG MAU-FAI, JOSEPH
MISS LOLA O’HOY
MR TAM WAI-CHEONG
MR TSE KWOK-FU
MR WONG KUI
BEM (MILITARY DIVISION)
WARRANT OFFICER CLASS 2 MIU KEI CHAN
STAFF SERGEANT NEIL WARD PORTER
SERGEANT RAMESHBAHADUR GURUNG
FLIGHT SERGEANT EDWARD VINCENT LAU
MONDAY, APRIL 10, 1989
- 3 -
QPM MR CHAN KANG-PO, WILLIAM QFSM MR WOO KWAN-KUEN
CPM ROYAL HONG KONG POLICE FORCE MR DENIS LESLIE SHACKLETON MR THOMAS THOMSON MR MATTHEW VINCENT WALSH MR DONALD ELLIS GRIFFITHS MR JUSTIN CUNNINGHAM MR CHAN TIT-KIN MR PETER JAMES THOMPSON MR COLIN MALCOLM BAKER MR CHEUNG FOOK-LEUNG MR LI TUNG MR ROBERT THOMAS SULLIVAN MR LEUNG PAK-SHING MR LIP CHUNG-WAI FIRE SERVICES DEPARTMENT MR HSU KING-PING MR YUEN KAM-CHI MR LEUNG KOON-TUNG MR LEUNG KWONG-LING /BADGE OF ..........................................................
MONDAY, APRIL 10, 1989
4
BADGE OF HONOUR
MR CHAN CHEE-YUM
MR CHAN SUEN
MR CHEN KWONG
MR CHENG HOI-CHUEN
MR CHENG PEK-HENG
MR CHU SAI-HEI
MR FONG PUI-SHEUNG, DAVID
MR KUT SING-KUNG
MR LAM YIM
MR LO YAN-SHING
MR MAK WAN-MING
MR TENG CHONG-TAI
MR YUEN PAK-YING
GOVERNOR’S COMMENDATIONS
MR PANG CHO-HO, PETER
MR TSE KWOK-PUI
MR CHAN YUET-MING, THOMAS
MR LAU CHIU
MR JOHN ASHWORTH
MR LEE MUI-LAM
MR CHAN SHUI-LUN MR BUTT WING-KEUNG MR KWOK MAN-WAI MR PETER GREGORY MR CHEUNG WAH-PONG
/ORDER OF .....
MONDAY, APRIL 10, 1989
- 5 -
ORDER OF ST JOHN
COMMANDER BROTHER
DR GEORGE CHOA
------0--------
MODERNISING HE'S TRADE AND INDUSTRIAL BASE THROUGH INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY: GOVERNOR *****
THE GOVERNMENT WOULD LIKE TO SEE THE BENEFITS OF INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY APPLIED INCREASINGLY TO THE MODERNISATION OF HONG KONG’S TRADING AND INDUSTRIAL BASE, THE GOVERNOR, SIR DAVID WILSON, SAID TODAY (MONDAY).
THE GOVERNMENT ALSO INTENDED TO ENCOURAGE GREATER USE OF COMPUTERS WITHIN ITS OWN RANKS IN THE 1990S, SAID THE GOVERNOR WHEN HE OFFICIATED AT THE OPENING CEREMONY OF THE HONG KONG INTERNATIONAL COMPUTER CONFERENCE 1989 AT THE CONVENTION AND EXHIBITION CENTRE.
"WE ARE EXAMINING THE FEASIBILITY OF COMPUTERISED TRADE DOCUMENTATION AND OF A SYSTEM OF ELECTRONIC DATA EXCHANGE BETWEEN GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS AND THE TRADING COMMUNITY," SIR DAVID SAID.
HE NOTED THAT STUDIES IN EUROPE AND AMERICA HAD ESTIMATED THAT THE COSTS OF DOCUMENTATION AND PROCESSING TAKE UP SOME FIVE TO 10 PER CENT OF ANY TRADE TRANSACTION.
"THE REDUCTION OF THIS COST BY THE USE OF ELECTRONIC DATA INTERCHANGE WOULD HAVE A GREAT IMPACT ON THE COMPETITIVENESS OF OUR TRADING SECTOR," THE GOVERNOR SAID.
SIR DAVID POINTED OUT THAT INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY ALSO HAD AN IMPORTANT PART TO PLAY IN IMPROVING THE EFFICIENCY OF OUR MANUFACTURERS, REDUCING THEIR COSTS AND MAXIMISING THEIR EFFECTIVE USE OF MANPOWER.
"IT LIES AT THE CORE OF A WIDE VARIETY OF AUTOMATION SYSTEMS WHICH THE GOVERNMENT HAS PROVIDED FUNDS FOR THE HONG KONG PRODUCTIVITY COUNCIL TO DEVELOP.
"EXAMPLES INCLUDE COMPUTERISED PATTERN-MAKING-AND-GRADING SYSTEMS FOR THE GARMENTS INDUSTRY, AND AUTOMATIC TESTING EQUIPMENT FOR THE ELECTRONICS INDUSTRY," HE SAID.
SIR DAVID POINTED OUT THAT EFFORTS HAD ALREADY BEEN MADE TO ENCOURAGE GREATER USE OF COMPUTERS IN GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS IN THE 1990S.
/"BUT, LIKE ........
MONDAY, APRIL 10, 198?
"BUT, LIKE MANY OTHER ORGANISATIONS, THIS HAS TENDED TO DE ON A PROJECT BY PROJECT BASIS, WITHOUT LOOKING AT OVERALL NEEDS AND WITH INADEQUATE STANDARDISATION," HE ADDED.
SIR DAVID SAID GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS IN THE 1990S WOULD :E GIVEN MORE RESPONSIBILITY FOR WORKING OUT THEIR OWN NEEDS \i'D MANAGING THEIR OWN RESOURCES IN THE IMPLEMENTATION OF POLICY.
"THEY WILL BE ENCOURAGED TO LOOK ON COMPUTERISATION AS A MEANS OF IMPROVING THE MANAGEMENT OF DEPARTMENTAL BUSINESS, RATHER TH N JUST AS A LABOUR - OR PAPER-SAVING DEVICE.
"WE SHALL BE STRENGTHENING THE CENTRAL GOVERNMENT AGENCY WHICH IS RESPONSIBLE FOR HELPING DEPARTMENTS TO DEVELOP THEIR COMPUTERISATION PLANS.
"IN THIS WAY WE CAN TRY TO MAKE SURE THAT DEPARTMENTS GET H B FULL BENEFITS, IN TERMS OF EFFICIENCY AND QUALITY OF SERVICE, I 1 THE NEW INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY SYSTEMS THAT WILL BE AVAILABLE IN TUB 90S," HE SAID.
THE GOVERNOR NOTED THAT MANY NOW IN POSITIONS OF RESPONSIBILITY AS BUSINESS DECISION MAKERS HAD NO CHANCE TO LEARN ABOUT COMPUTERS AS PART OF THEIR FORMAL EDUCATION.
"THEY HAVE NEEDED TO MAKE A CONSCIOUS EFFORT TO LEARN HOW TO USE THE NEW TECHNIQUES AVAILABLE TO THEM. THIS IS TRUE OF FIRMS AS IT IS OF INDIVIDUALS."
SIR DAVID BELIEVED THAT THIS STATE OF AFFAIRS WOULD BE MUCH LESS OF A PROBLEM IN THE 90S.
"A RECENT REVIEW OF THE COMPUTER INDUSTRY IN HONG KONG BY MARKET ANALYSTS PREDICTS THAT THE INDUSTRY’S EARNINGS IN THE 90S WILL COME MOSTLY FROM USERS REPLACING OLDER SYSTEMS WITH NEWER, UP-TO-DATE, EQUIPMENT AND SOFTWARE, OR FROM USERS EXPANDING THEIR BUSINESSES AND REQUIRING LARGER SYSTEMS.
"IN BOTH CASES CUSTOMERS WILL BE FAR MORE SOPHISTICATED - THEY WILL HAVE GONE THROUGH THE INITIAL COMPUTERISATION PROCESS. THEY WILL BE SEEKING TO TAKE ADVANTAGE OF NEW TECHNOLOGY TO MAKE THEIR ORGANISATIONS MORE COMPETITIVE," SIR DAVID SAID.
HE SAID HIS CONFIDENCE WAS REINFORCED BY THE RAPID STRIDES NOW BEING MADE IN THE FIELD OF FORMAL EDUCATION AND TRAINING.
HE POINTED OUT THAT SINCE THE ADVISORY COMMITTEE ON DIVERSIFICATION MADE ITS RECOMMENDATIONS AT THE END OF THE 1970S THAT TECHNOLOGY EDUCATION SHOULD BE PROMOTED AT ALL LEVELS, COMPUTER LITERACY COURSES HAD BEEN INTODUCED INTO JUNIOR SECONDARY SCHOOL CLASSES; AND COMPUTER STUDIES WERE PART OF THE CURRICULUM OF SENIOR SECONDARY CLASSES.
/SINCE 1982 .......
MONDAY, APRIL 10, 1989
"SINCE 1982 THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT HAS PROVIDED OVER 3,500 MICROCOMPUTERS AS TEACHING AIDS IN PUBLIC SECTOR SECONDARY SCHOOLS.
"IN THE 1990S STUDENTS WILL BE AS FAMILIAR WITH COMPUTERS WHEN THEY LEAVE SCHOOL AS THEIR GRANDPARENTS WERE WITH THE ABACUS," THE GOVERNOR REMARKED.
SIMILARLY, THE GOVERNOR NOTED THAT IN POST-SECONDARY AND TERTIARY EDUCATION, INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY COURSES HAD BEEN STRUCTURED TO TAKE ACCOUNT OF ESTIMATED MANPOWER NEEDS.
"THIS YEAR OUR TECHNICAL INSTITUTES WILL HAVE NEARLY 22,000 GRADUATES WHO HAVE BEEN GIVEN SOME EXPOSURE TO INFORMATIOiN TECHNOLOGY.
"OF THESE, ABOUT 800 WILL HAVE SPECIALISED IN VARIOUS AREAS OF THE SUBJECT," HE SAID.
THE GOVERNOR POINTED OUT THAT IN JULY, THE HONG KONG POLYTECHNIC WOULD INTRODUCE A NEW POSTGRADUATE DIPLOMA COURSE DESIGNED SPECIFICALLY TO EQUIP GRADUATES FROM DISCIPLINES OTHER THAN INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY WITH THE NECESSARY SKILLS FOR MAKING FULL USE OF INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY SYSTEMS.
THE GOVERNOR CONGRATULATED THE HONG KONG COMPUTER SOCIETY, THE AMERICAN FEDERATION OF INFORMATION PROCESSING SOCIETIES, THE GOVERNMENT’S COMMITTEE ON SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY, SUPPORTED BY THE HONG KONG ASSOCIATION FOR THE ADVANCEMENT OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY, FOR ORGANISING THE CONFERENCE.
"THEIR INITIATIVE HAS SUCCEEDED IN BRINGING TOGETHER A WIDE RANGE OF EXPERTS AND PROMINENT SPEAKERS TO EXPLORE THE WAY FORWARD IN INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY THROUGH THE 90S AND BEYOND.
"I AM SURE THAT, AS A RESULT, THIS CONFERENCE WILL DO MUCH TO BOOST HONG KONG'S IMAGE AS A DYNAMIC CENTRE, WILLING TO LEARN AND ADAPT AND DEDICATED TO EXCELLENCE AND EFFICIENCY IN INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY," THE GOVERNOR SAID.
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/8
MONDAY, APRIL 10, 1989
8
AUTOMATION COULD HELP LABOUR PROBLEMS: GOVERNOR
*****
THE GOVERNOR, SIR DAVID WILSON, SAID THAT HE WOULD LIRE TO SEE OUR MANUFACTURING INDUSTRY THINK MORE ABOUT AUTOMATION WHICH COULD BE A GREAT HELP IN DEALING WITH THE LABOUR SHORTAGE.
SPEAKING TO REPORTERS AFTER OFFICIATING AT THE OPENING CEREMONY OF THE HONG KONG INTERNATIONAL COMPUTER CONFERENCE THIS (MONDAY) MORNING, SIR DAVID SAID: "ANYTHING WHICH CAN HELP IMPROVE THE STANDARDS THAT WE HAVE TECHNOLOGICALLY, CAN HELP WITH THE LABOUR SHORTAGE PROBLEM AND AT THE SAME TIME IT HELPS TO IMPROVE THE QUALITY OF OUR GOODS. AUTOMATION DOES HELP US CERTAINLY.
"A GREAT DEAL OF WORK HAS ALREADY BEEN DONE ON THIS. THERE 13 PROBABLY MORE WORK THAT CAN BE DONE AS WE TAKE ADVANTAGE OF NEW TECHNOLOGY WHEN IT COMES ON STREAM."
ASKED TO COMMENT ON THE ARRIVAL OF AN INCREASING NUMBER OF VIETNAMESE BOAT PEOPLE THE GOVERNOR SAID THAT WAS A SERIOUS AND CONTINUING PROBLEM.
"WE HAVE GOT TO TAKE THE RIGHT MEASURES TO DEAL WITH IT. WE NOW HAVE THE BASIS IN SCREENING. WE NOW HAVE TO WORK TOWARDS AN INTERNATIONAL AGREEMENT ON HOW TO DEAL WITH PEOPLE BOTH WHO ARE SCREENED AS REFUGEES AND THOSE WHO ARE SCREENED AS NOT BEING REFUGEES.
"IT REQUIRES A LOT OF WORK AND A LOT OF INTERNATIONAL EFFORT," SIR DAVID ADDED.
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SIGNIFICANT GROWTH IN INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY BUSINESS ******
HONG KONG’S IMPORTS AND EXPORTS OF INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY PRODUCTS HAVE SOARED OVER THE PAST YEARS, ACCORDING TO THE SECRETARY FOR TRADE AND INDUSTRY. MR JOHN CHAN.
"IMPORTS OF IT PRODUCTS EXCLUDING SOFTWARE AMOUNTED TO ALMOST $17 BILLION LAST YEAR, REPRESENTING A 42 PER CENT INCREASE OVER 1987.
"THE TYPES OF PRODUCTS IMPORTED RANGE FROM SOPHISTICATED MAINFRAME COMPUTERS TO COMPUTER PERIPHERALS," HE SAID.
"OUR EXPORTS OF IT PRODUCTS, INCLUDING PERSONAL COMPUTERS, PRINTERS. DISK DRIVES AND TELECOMMUNICATIONS EQUIPMENT, GROSSED $16 BILLION IN 1988. AN INCREASE OF MORE THAN 50 PER CENT OVER THE PREVIOUS YEAR." HE ADDED.
/MR CHAN .......
MONDAY, APRIL 10, 198?
MR CHAN WAS SPEAKING AT THE COMPUTER ’89 EXHIBITION AT THE HONG KONG CONVENTION AND EXHIBITION CENTRE.
THE SERVICE SECTOR WAS ALREADY AN AVID USER OF IT PRODUCTS, BUT THERE WAS GREAT POTENTIAL FOR THE MANUFACTURING SECTOR AS WELL IN APPLICATIONS SUCH AS COMPUTER-AIDED PRODUCT DESIGN AND MANUFACTURING, MR CHAN SAID.
"NONETHELESS, THE PENETRATION OF IT INTO INDUSTRY IS AS YET LIMITED, AND THERE IS PLENTY OF SCOPE FOR GROWTH," HE ADDED.
THE GOVERNMENT RECOGNISES THE IMPORTANCE OF IT AND PROVIDES EXTENSIVE FUNDING TO THE HONG KONG PRODUCTIVITY COUNCIL TO HELP IT PROVIDE ADVICE AND ASSISTANCE TO MANUFACTURERS, AS WELL AS TO DEVELOP LOCAL APPLICATIONS OF IT BETTER SUITED TO HONG KONG’S CONDITIONS.
IN THE THREE YEARS FROM 1986-87 TO 1988-89, THE GOVERNMENT ALLOCATED $50 MILLION TO THE HKPC TO DEVELOP CONSULTANCY, BUREAU AND TRAINING SERVICES TO INDUSTRY IN THE FIELDS OF COMPUTER-AIDED DESIGN AND MANUFACTURING.
INVESTMENT IS CONTINUING AND THE COUNCIL IS ESTABLISHING, IN ADDITION TO ITS EXISTING MICROPROCESSOR APPLICATIONS LABORATORY, A SURFACE MOUNT TECHNOLOGY LABORATORY AND A RADIO FREQUENCY AND DIGITAL COMMUNICATIONS LABORATORY WHICH ARE SCHEDULED TO OPEN THIS SUMMER.
MR CHAN SAID THAT THE EXPLOSIVE GROWTH OF COMPUTER APPLICATIONS HAD LED TO A SHORTAGE OF PEOPLE IN THE FIELD.
"THERE ARE NO QUICK OR EASY SOLUTIONS TO THIS PROBLEM, BUT PAST INITIATIVES SUCH AS THE ESTABLISHMENT OF THE VOCATIONAL TRAINING COUNCIL’S EDP TRAINING CENTRE IN 1986 ARE NOW BEARING FRUIT.
"STEPS ARE ALSO BEING TAKEN TO ENSURE THAT TODAY’S STUDENTS ACQUIRE THE COMPUTER LITERACY THEY WILL NEED WHEN THEY ENTER THE WORKPLACE." SAID MR CHAN.
HONG KONG’S OPENNESS TO NEW IDEAS, THE VIBRANCY OF ITS ECONOMY AND GOVERNMENT RECOGNITION OF THE IMPORTANCE OF INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY MEANT THE TERRITORY HAD ROOM FOR SUBSTANTIAL GROWTH. BOTH IN IMPORTS AND EXPORTS, HE ADDED.
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/10........
MONDAY, APRIL 10, 1989
10
PRICE AND VOLUME MOVEMENTS OF EXTERNAL TRADE IN JANUARY RELEASED * * * * ♦
THE VOLUME OF DOMESTIC EXPORTS AND RE-EXPORTS GREW BY 2 PER CENT AND 36 PER CENT RESPECTIVELY IN JANUARY 1989 AS COMPARED WITH THE SAME MONTH IN 1988, ACCORDING TO STATISTICS RELEASED TODAY (MONDAY) BY THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT.
TAKING THEM TOGETHER, THERE WAS AN OVERALL INCREASE OF 19 PER CENT IN THE VOLUME OF TOTAL EXPORTS. IMPORTS 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 PERIOD OF COMPARISON, THE PRICES OF DOMESTIC EXPORTS AND RE-EXPORTS ROSE BY 2 PER CENT AND 5 PER CENT RESPECTIVELY, WHILE THOSE OF IMPORTS ROSE BY 4 PER CENT. AS A RESULT, THE TERMS OF TRADE INDEX (EXPRESSED AS A RATIO OF TOTAL EXPORT PRICE INDEX TO IMPORT PRICE INDEX) REMAINED UNCHANGED.
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.
CARE SHOULD BE EXERCISED IN INTERPRETING THE CHANGES IN THE VOLUME OF TRADE IN ANY INDIVIDUAL MONTH IN ISOLATION, IN VIEW OF THE FLUCTUATIONS THAT MAY OCCUR FROM MONTH TO MONTH. IN PARTICULAR, THE TRADE FIGURES FOR THE FIRST TWO MONTHS OF THE YEAR ARE LIKELY TO BE AFFECTED BY THE TIMING OF THE LUNAR NEW YEAR HOLIDAYS.
COMPARING THE THREE MONTHS ENDING JANUARY 1989 WITH THE THREE MONTHS ENDING JANUARY 1988, THE VOLUME OF DOMESTIC EXPORTS INCREASED BY 9 PER CENT, WHILE THAT OF RE-EXPORTS INCREASED BY 43 PER CENT, SO THAT FOR TOTAL EXPORTS, A GROWTH OF 26 PER CENT WAS RECORDED IN VOLUME TERMS. THE VOLUME OF IMPORTS ROSE BY 28 PER CENT.
OVER THE SAME PERIOD OF COMPARISON, PRICES OF DOMESTIC EXPORTS AND RE-EXPORTS ROSE BY 2 PER CENT AND 4 PER CENT RESPECTIVELY. IMPORT PRICES INCREASED BY 4 PER CENT.
EXTENDING THE PERIOD OF COMPARISON TO THE 12 MONTHS ENDING JANUARY 1989 WITH THE 12 MONTHS ENDING JANUARY 1988, THE VOLUME OF DOMESTIC EXPORTS INCREASED BY 8 PER CENT WHILE THAT OF RE-EXPORTS INCREASED BY 45 PER CENT, GIVING AN INCREASE OF 26 PER CENT IN THE VOLUME OF TOTAL EXPORTS. THE VOLUME OF IMPORTS ROSE BY 26 PER CENT.
OVER THE SAME PERIOD OF COMPARISON, PRICES OF DOMESTIC EXPORTS AND RE-EXPORTS INCREASED BY 2 PER CENT AND 4 PER CENT RESPECTIVELY, WHILE THOSE OF IMPORTS ROSE BY 4 PER CENT.
/THE CHANGES .......
MONDAY, APRIL 10, 1989
11
THE CHANGES IN THE VALUE, UNIT VALUE AND VOLUME OF DOMESTIC EXPORTS BY COMMODITY GROUP FOR JANUARY 1989 AS COMPARED WITH JANUARY 1988 ARE SHOWN IN TABLE 1.
AS CAN BE SEEN FROM TABLE 1, THE DOMESTIC EXPORT VOLUME OF MANY •COMMODITY GROUPS DECREASED IN JANUARY 1989 COMPARED WITH JANUARY 1988, INCLUDING RADIOS OF ALL KINDS (-45 PER CENT); DOMESTIC ELECTRICAL APPLIANCES (-30 PER CENT); TEXTILE MADE-UPS AND RELATED ARTICLES (-16 PER CENT); TRAVEL GOODS, HANDBAGS AND SIMILAR ARTICLES (-15 PER CENT); FOOTWEAR (-5 PER CENT); WATCHES AND CLOCKS (-3 PER CENT); AND CLOTHING (-1 PER CENT).
HOWEVER, THESE DECREASES IN DOMESTIC EXPORT VOLUME WERE MORE THAN OFFSET BY INCREASES RECORDED IN METAL ORES AND SCRAP (+51 PER CENT); ELECTRONIC COMPONENTS (+38 PER CENT); TEXTILE YARN AND THREAD (+17 PER CENT); METAL MANUFACTURES (+10 PER CENT); AND TEXTILE FABRICS (+8 PER CENT).
PRICES OF DOMESTIC EXPORTS OF MANY COMMODITY GROUPS INCREASED IN JANUARY 1989 COMPARED WITH JANUARY 1988.
THESE INCLUDED METAL MANUFACTURES (+11 PER CENT); . DOMESTIC ELECTRICAL APPLIANCES (+8 PER CENT); TEXTILE MADE-UPS AND RELATED ARTICLES (+4 PER CENT); WATCHES AND CLOCKS (+2 PER CENT); METAL ORES AND SCRAP (+1 PER CENT); TRAVEL GOODS, HANDBAGS AND SIMILAR ARTICLES (+1 PER CENT); AND RADIOS OF ALL KINDS (+1 PER CENT).
HOWEVER, DECREASES IN DOMESTIC EXPORT PRICES WERE RECORDED IN ELECTRONIC COMPONENTS (-3 PER CENT) AND TEXTILE FABRICS (-3 PER CENT). DOMESTIC EXPORT PRICES OF CLOTHING; TEXTILE YARN AND THREAD; AND FOOTWEAR REMAINED UNCHANGED.
THE CHANGES IN THE VALUE, UNIT VALUE AND VOLUME OF IMPORTS BY END-USE CATEGORY FOR JANUARY 1989 AS COMPARED WITH JANUARY 1988 ARE SHOWN IN TABLE 2.
AS PRESENTED IN TABLE 2, IMPORTED FOODSTUFFS INCREASED BY 22 PER CENT IN VOLUME TERMS IN JANUARY 1989 COMPARED WITH JANUARY 1988.
SIGNIFICANT INCREASES WERE RECORDED IN THE IMPORT VOLUME OF RICE, CEREALS AND CEREAL PREPARATIONS OTHER THAN RICE, WHEAT AND FLOUR; FISH AND FISH PREPARATIONS; AND VEGETABLES. HOWEVER, DECREASES WERE RECORDED IN THE IMPORT VOLUME OF WHEAT AND FLOUR; AND TEA AND COFFEE.
OVER THE SAME PERIOD OF COMPARISION, THE IMPORT VOLUME OF CONSUMER GOODS INCREASED BY 26 PER CENT. THE COMMODITY ITEMS WITH MORE SUBSTANTIAL INCREASES INCLUDED RADIOS, TELEVISION SETS, GRAMOPHONES, RECORDS, TAPE RECORDERS AND AMPLIFIERS; FOOTWEAR; AND HOUSEHOLD TAPE ELECTRICAL APPLIANCES.
HOWEVER, A DECREASE IN IMPORT VOLUME WAS REGISTERED FOR CAMERAS, FLASHLIGHT APPARATUS AND SUPPLIES FOR PHOTOGRAPHY.
/The import........
MONDAY, APRIL 10, 1989
- 12 -
THE IMPORT VOLUME OF RAW MATERIALS AND SEMI-MANUFACTURES ROSE BY 22 PER CENT IN JANUARY 1989 COMPARED WITH JANUARY 1988.
THE MAJOR INCREASES WERE RECORDED IN THE IMPORT VOLUME OF SILK FABRICS; SPECIAL TEXTILE FABRICS FOR INDUSTRIAL PURPOSE; WOOL AND OTHER ANIMAL HAIR; AND COTTON YARN AND THREAD. DECREASES IN IMPORT VOLUME WERE NOTED FOR CRUDE ANIMAL AND VEGETABLE MATERIALS; AND CLAY AND REFRACTORY CONSTRUCTION MATERIALS, BUILDING MATERIALS, AND SO ON, EXCEPT GLASS.
IMPORTS OF FUELS INCREASED BY 18 PER CENT IN VOLUME TERMS IN JANUARY 1989 AS COMPARED WITH JANUARY 1988.
IN THE CAPITAL GOODS CATEGORY, THE IMPORT VOLUME INCREASED BY 33 PER CENT IN JANUARY 1989 OVER JANUARY 1988. THERE WERE SUBSTANTIAL INCREASES IN THE IMPORT VOLUME OF INDUSTRIAL MACHINERY OTHER THAN TEXTILE AND ELECTRICAL MACHINERY; SCIENTIFIC, MEDICAL, OPTICAL, MEASURING AND CONTROLLING INSTRUMENTS AND APPARATUS; AND OFFICE MACHINES.
DECREASES WERE RECORDED IN THE IMPORT VOLUME OF TRANSPORT EQUIPMENT AND TEXTILE MACHINERY.
COMPARING JANUARY 1989 WITH JANUARY 1988, IMPORT PRICES OF MOST END-USE CATEGORIES INCREASED: RAW MATERIALS AND SEMI-MANUFACTURES BY 5 PER CENT, CONSUMER GOODS BY 5 PER CENT, CAPITAL GOODS BY 4 PER CENT, AND FOODSTUFFS BY 3 PER CENT. HOWEVER, PRICES OF IMPORTS OF FUELS DECREASED BY 1 PER CENT.
THE CHANGES IN THE VALUE, UNIT VALUE AND VOLUME OF RE-EXPORTS BY END-USE CATEGORY FOR JANUARY 1989 AS COMPARED WITH JANUARY 1988 ARE SHOWN IN TABLE 3.
AS DEPICTED IN TABLE 3, THE RE-EXPORT VOLUME OF ALL END-USE CATEGORIES INCREASED IN JANUARY 1989 COMPARED WITH JANUARY 1989, WITH THE PERCENTAGE INCREASES RANGING FROM 30 PER CENT FOR RAW MATERIALS AND SEMI-MANUFACTURES TO 55 PER CENT FOR CAPITAL GOODS.
PRICES OF RE-EXPORTS OF RAW MATERIALS AND SEMI-MANUFACTURES INCREASED BY 8 PER CENT IN JANUARY 1988 COMPARED WITH JANUARY 1988. RE-EXPORT PRICES OF CAPITAL GOODS ROSE BY 7 PER CENT, WHILE THOSE OF FOODSTUFFS AND CONSUMER GOODS ROSE BY 5 PER CENT AND 3 PER CENT RESPECTIVELY. ON THE OTHER HAND, PRICES OF RE-EXPORTS OF FUELS DROPPED BY 7 PER CENT.
FURTHER DETAILS ARE CONTAINED IN THE JANUARY 1989 ISSUE OF THE "HONG KONG TRADE INDEX NUMBERS" WHICH WILL BE ON SALE AT THE GOVERNMENT PUBLICATIONS CENTRE AROUND APRIL 15 AT 92.50 PER COPY.
/ENQUIRIES REGARDING .......
MONDAY, APRIL 10, 1989
15
ENQUIRIES REGARDING REGULAR SUBSCRIPTION TO THIS REPORT MAY BE DIRECTED TO THE INFORMATION SERVICES DEPARTMENT AT FRENCH MISSION BUILDING, HONG KONG (TEL. NO. : 5-8428802) AND ENQUIRIES ON TRADE INDEXES TO THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT (TEL. NO. : 5-8234918) .
TABLE 1: INCREASES IN DOMESTIC EXPORTS BY COMMODITY GROUP
COMMODITY GROUP COMPARING JANUARY 1989 WITH JANUARY 1988
VALUE % UNIT VALUE % VOLUME %
CLOTHING -1 * -1
TEXTILE FABRICS 5 -3 8
TEXTILE YARN AND THREAD 16 * 17
TEXTILE MADE-UPS AND RELATED ARTICLES -13 4 -16
RADIOS OF ALL KINDS -45 1 -45
ELECTRONIC COMPONENTS 34 -3 38
FOOTWEAR -5 * -5
METAL MANUFACTURES 23 11 10
METAL ORES AND SCRAP 53 1 51
WATCHES AND CLOCKS -1 2 -3
TRAVEL GOODS, HANDBAGS AND SIMILAR ARTICLES -14 1 -15
DOMESTIC ELECTRICAL APPLIANCES -24 8 -30
ALL COMMODITIES 5 2 2
* INSIGNIFICANT, I.E. LESS THAN 0.5%
Aable 2......
MONDAY, APRIL 10, 1989
14
TABLE 2: INCREASES IN IMPORTS BY END-USE CATEGORY
COMPARING JANUARY 1989
WITH JANUARY 1988
END-USE CATEGORY UNIT
VALUE VALUE VOLUME
• % % %
FOODSTUFFS 26 3 22
CONSUMER GOODS 32 5 26
RAW MATERIALS AND
SEMI-MANUFACTURES 28 5 22
FUELS 17 -1 18
CAPITAL GOODS 38 4 33
ALL COMMODITIES 30 4 25
TABLE 3: INCREASES IN RE-EXPORTS BY END-USE CATEGORY
COMPARING JANUARY 1989
WITH JANUARY 1988
END-USE CATEGORY VALUE UNIT VALUE VOLUME
% % %
FOODSTUFFS 43 5 36
CONSUMER GOODS 39 3 35
RAW MATERIALS AND SEMI-MANUFACTURES 40 8 30
FUELS 39 -7 50
CAPITAL GOODS 67 7 55
ALL COMMODITIES 43 5 36
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/15
MONDAY, APRIL 10, 1989
15 -
SPECIAL ARTICLE ON SALARY STATISTICS » » t * t
THE JANUARY 1989 ISSUE OF THE HONG KONG MONTHLY DIGEST OF STATISTICS CONTAINS A SPECIAL REVIEW ARTICLE ENTITLED "SALARY STATISTICS OF MIDDLE-LEVEL MANAGERIAL AND PROFESSIONAL EMPLOYEES".
THIS ARTICLE DESCRIBES THE METHODOLOGY USED AND SUMMARY FINDINGS OF THE ANNUAL SURVEY OF SALARIES AND EMPLOYEE BENEFITS -MANAGERIAL AND PROFESSIONAL EMPLOYEES (EXCLUDING TOP MANAGEMENT) WHICH HAS BEEN CONDUCTED BY THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT SINCE 1984.
THE MAIN OBJECTIVE OF THE SURVEY IS TO COMPILE INDEXES TO MEASURE CHANGES IN SALARY RATES OF MIDDLE-LEVEL MANAGERIAL AND PROFESSIONAL EMPLOYEES OVER TIME.
THE ARTICLE CONTAINS STATISTICS ON MOVEMENTS OF THE SALARY INDEXES BY ECONOMIC SECTOR AS WELL AS BY OCCUPATIONAL GROUP FOR JUNE 1984 TO JUNE 1988, AND ALSO INFORMATION ON THE FRINGE BENEFITS OF EMPLOYEES FOR JUNE 1988.
ACCORDING TO THE FINDINGS, THE NOMINAL SALARY INDEX (A) IN JUNE 1988, MEASURING AVERAGE SALARY LEVELS FOR MANAGERIAL AND PROFESSIONAL EMPLOYEES, INCREASED BY 12.9 PER CENT OVER JUNE 1987.
ON THE OTHER HAND, THE OVERALL NOMINAL SALARY INDEX (B) IN JUNE 1988, WHICH MEASURES CHANGES IN SALARY LEVELS FOR THOSE MANAGERIAL AND PROFESSIONAL EMPLOYEES WHO REMAIN IN THE SAME OCCUPATION AND IN THE SAME COMPANY IN BOTH 1987 AND 1988, SHOWED AN INCREASE OF 17.2 PER CENT AS COMPARED WITH JUNE 1987.
IT IS ALSO NOTED THAT BOTH THE WHOLESALE/RETAIL AND IMPORT/EXPORT TRADES, AND THE FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS AND INSURANCE SECTOR SHOWED A RELATIVELY HIGHER PERCENTAGE INCREASE IN SALARY INDEXES FOR THE PERIOD JUNE 1984 TO JUNE 1988.
THE HONG KONG MONTHLY DIGEST OF STATISTICS IS NOW ON SALE AT $34 PER COPY. PURCHASES MAY BE MADE AT THE GOVERNMENT PUBLICATIONS CENTRE, GENERAL POST OFFICE BUILDING, CONNAUGHT PLACE, HONG KONG.
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MID-TERM REVIEW OF URUGUAY ROUND CONCLUDES
* » t t t
THE DIRECTOR OF TRADE, MR MICHAEL SZE, SAID HONG KONG REPRESENTATIVES WERE PLEASED THAT THE MID-TERM REVIEW OF THE URUGUAY ROUND HAD BEEN SUCCESSFULLY CONCLUDED.
HE WAS SPEAKING AT THE CONCLUSION OF THE GATT TRADE NEGOTIATIONS COMMITTEE MEETING HELD FROM APRIL 5 TO 8 IN GENEVA.
/MR SZE .......
MONDAY, APRIL 10, 1989
16
MR SZE SAID THE GATT TRADE NEGOTIATIONS COMMITTEE WAS TASKED BY TRADE MINISTERS LAST DECEMBER IN MONTREAL TO RESOLVE THE DIFFERENCES REMAINING IN THE AREAS OF AGRICULTURE, TEXTILES AND CLOTHING, INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY RIGHTS, AND SAFEGUARDS.
"THE BREAKING OF THE LOG-JAM ON ALL FOUR SUBJECTS AT THIS MEETING WILL ENABLE THE URUGUAY ROUND NEGOTIATIONS TO MOVE FORWARD, WHICH IS MOST ENCOURAGING," HE SAID.
ON TEXTILES AND CLOTHING, MR SZE SAID: "WE ARE GLAD THAT WE NOW HAVE AN AGREEMENT ON THE BASIS FOR FURTHER MULTILATERAL NEGOTIATIONS.
"IT IS A COMPROMISE BETWEEN THE EXPORTING AND IMPORTING COUNTRIES, BUT IT CONTAINS ELEMENTS WHICH IN OUR VIEW WILL CONTRIBUTE TO THE PROCESS OF BRINGING BACK THE TEXTILES AND CLOTHING SECTOR UNDER GATT RULES AND DISCIPLINES AND LIBERALISING THE TEXTILE TRADE."
MR SZE SAID THE SIGNIFICANCE OF THE MID-TERM REVIEW WAS TWO-FOLD.
"FIRSTLY, THE REVIEW HAS LAID OUT THE ROAD-MAPS FOR THE COURSE OF THE NEGOTIATIONS IN THE REMAINDER OF THE URUGUAY ROUND.
"SECONDLY, IT HAS DEMONSTRATED THE IMPORTANCE ATTACHED BY PARTICIPANTS OF THE URUGUAY ROUND TO THE PRESERVATION AND STRENGTHENING OF THE MULTILATERAL TRADING SYSTEM UNDER THE GATT TO COMBAT GROWING PROTECTIONISM AND TO REDUCE TENSION IN INTERNATIONAL TRADE RELATIONS.
"THIS IS REFLECTED IN PARTICULAR BY THE AGREEMENTS ON SAFEGUARDS AND ON TRADE-RELATED INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY RIGHTS".
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SWAG MEMBERS ON FIELD VISITS t t * t *
MEMBERS OF THE SOCIAL WELFARE ADVISORY COMMITTEE (SWAC) TODAY (MONDAY) VISITED A NUMBER OF WELFARE FACILITIES PROVIDING FAMILY AND CHILD CARE SERVICES.
LED BY EXECUTIVE AND LEGISLATIVE COUNCILLOR, MRS ROSANNA TAM, SWAC MEMBERS FIRST VISITED THE SALVATION ARMY WAN CHAI CRECHE IN WOOD ROAD, WAN CHAT.
THEY WERE BRIEFED BY ASSISTANT DIRECTOR OF SOCIAL WELFARE, MR ALFRED CHUI, ON OVERALL SERVICES ON DAY CRECHES WHICH PROVIDED DAY CARE FOR CHILDREN AGED BELOW TWO WHOSE PARENTS WERE UNABLE TO PROVIDE ADEQUATE CARE FOR THEM DURING THE DAY.
/THEY WERE
MONDAY, APRIL 10, 1989
- 17 -
THEY WERE TOLD THAT PROGRAMMES PROVIDED IN DAY CRECHES WERE GEARED TOWARDS THE NORMAL GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT OF CHILDREN. OTHER THAN PHYSICAL CARE, EMPHASIS WAS ALSO PAID TO GIVING THEM INDIVIDUAL ATTENTION AND STIMULATION.
MR CHUI EXPLAINED THAT THE CURRENT POLICY WAS TO PROVIDE SUBVERTED DAY CRECHE SERVICE ONLY TO FAMILIES WITH SOCIAL NEEDS AND LIMITED INCOME SUCH AS CHILDREN FROM SINGLE-PARENTS, OR BROKEN FAMILIES, CHILDREN WITH CHRONICALLY ILL PARENTS, AND CHILDREN WHO WERE THEMSELVES IN NEED OF CARE.
MR CHUI THEN ACCOMPANIED SWAC MEMBERS TO THE TUNG WAH GROUP OF HOSPITALS’ NG SHEUNG LAN MEMORIAL DAY NURSERY IN THE VICINITY.
SWAC MEMBERS WERE BRIEFED ON THE SERVICES OF DAY NURSERIES OFFERED TO CHILDREN AGED BETWEEN TWO AND SIX.
ACTIVITIES IN DAY NURSERIES WERE ORGANISED WITH THE AIM OF DEVELOPING CHILDREN’S PHYSICAL GROWTH AND COMMUNICATION SKILLS, MR CHUI EXPLAINED.
HE ALSO BRIEFED THEM ON THE GOVERNMENT'S AIMS TO ATTAIN ADEQUATE PROVISION OF NURSERY PLACES TO MEET SOCIETY NEEDS; TO PROVIDE AN ADEQUATE NUMBER OF AIDED NURSERY PLACES TOGETHER WITH FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE TO THOSE IN NEED.
BESIDES HELPING NON-PROFIT-MAKING DAY NURSERIES, MR CHUI SAID, THE GOVERNMENT ALSO ASSISTED LOW INCOME FAMILIES THROUGH THE FEE ASSISTANCE SCHEME.
AT THEIR NEXT STOP, SWAC MEMBERS WERE ALSO ABLE TO SEE THE WORK OF THE FAMILY SERVICES CENTRE OPERATED BY THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT IN TUNG SUN COMMERCIAL CENTRE.
FAMILY AND CHILD CARE SERVICES ARE PROVIDED THROUGH THESE FAMILY SERVICES CENTRES, AND AT PRESENT THERE ARE ABOUT 60 OUTLETS OF WHICH 30 FAMILY SERVICES CENTRES ARE OPERATED BY THE SWD IN 13 DISTRICTS.
REVIEWS AND RECOMMENDATIONS ON SERVICES FOR NEEDY FAMILIES, NURSERIES AND CRECHES WOULD BE FORWARDED TO THE SWAC AND WELFARE AGENCIES LATER THIS MONTH.
THE ASSISTANT SECRETARY (HEALTH AND WELFARE), MR THOMAS WONG, ALSO ACCOMPANIED SWAC MEMBERS WHO INCLUDED MR ROBERT GAFF, DR LAM KUI-CHUN AND MR PAUL YONG, ON THEIR VISIT.
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/18........
MONDAY, APRIL 10, 1989
18
NEW WAN CHAI DISTRICT OFFICE OPENS ♦ » ♦ »
THE REGIONAL SECRETARY FOR HONG KONG AND KOWLOON, MR DAVID LAN, TODAY (MONDAY) PRAISED THE EFFORTS OF THE WAN CHAI DISTRICT BOARD, AREA COMMITTEES, VOLUNTARY AGENCIES, LOCAL ORGANISATIONS AND GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENT IN BRINGING ABOUT THE SURPRISING AND EXCITING CHANGES IN WAN CHAI.
SPEAKING AT THE OPENING CEREMONY OF THE NEW PREMISES OF THE WAN CHAI DISTRICT OFFICE, MR LAN NOTED THAT THE DISTRICT HAD EVOLVED FROM A PRIMARILY RESIDENTIAL DISTRICT INTO ONE FULL OF ACTIVE COMMERCIAL ACTIVITIES IN RECENT YEARS.
REFERRING TO THE PUBLIC ENQUIRIES SERVICE CENTRES SET UP BY THE CITY AND NEW TERRITORIES ADMINISTRATION, MR LAN SAID THEY PROVIDED A VARIETY OF SERVICES AND HELPED THE GOVERNMENT TO STRENGTHEN ITS COMMUNICATION WITH THE PUBLIC.
ALSO SPEAKING AT THE OPENING CEREMONY, THE WAN CHAI DISTRICT OFFICER, MR PETER MANN, SAID THE LOCATION OF THE NEW OFFICE PREMISES IN SOUTHORN CENTRE WOULD MAKE IT MORE CONVENIENT FOR THE DISTRICT OFFICE TO OFFER ITS SERVICES TO RESIDENTS.
THE OPENING CEREMONY WAS FOLLOWED BY A LION DANCE AND A TEA RECEPTION.
ALSO PRESENT AT THE CEREMONY WERE DISTRICT BOARD CHAIRMAN, MRS PEGGY LAM, DISTRICT POLICE COMMANDER, MR MICHAEL PREW, AND REPRESENTATIVES OF LOCAL BODIES IN WAN CHAI.
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ENVIRONMENTAL IMPROVEMENT OPERATION IN TSUEN WAN INDUSTRIAL BUILDING *****
AN ENVIRONMENTAL OPERATION WAS CARRIED OUT BY A NUMBER OF GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS THIS (MONDAY) MORNING AT AN INDUSTRIAL BUILDING IN KWOK SHU I ROAD. TSUEN WAN.
THE NEWLY SET UP TSUEN WAN INDUSTRIAL BUILDING MANAGEMENT CO-ORDINATION COMMITTEE (IBMCC) HAS SELECTED A TOTAL OF SIX INDUSTRIAL BUILDINGS IN THE DISTRICT FOR CARRYING OUT IMPROVEMENT WORK.
THE TSUEN WAN DISTRICT OFFICER, MR WILLIAM SHIU, WHO HEADS THE TSUEN WAN IBMCC SAID TODAY’S OPERATION WAS TO PROMOTE THE IDEA OF SELF-MANAGEMENT AMONG INDUSTRIAL BUILDINGS.
/•’THROUGH THE.........
MONDAY, APRIL 10, 1989
- 19 -
"THROUGH THE JOINT EFFORTS OF DIFFERENT GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS CONCERNED, WE WOULD LIKE TO IMPRESS UPON OWNERS CORPORATIONS THE COMMITTEE’S TO UPGRADE THE ENVIRONMENTAL AND WORKING CONDITIONS OF INDUSTRIAL BUILDINGS AND THE LIVING ENVIRONMENT OF NEARBY RESIDENTIAL BUILDINGS." HE SAID.
THE GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS TAKING PART IN TODAY'S OPERATION WERE THE TSUEN WAN DISTRICT OFFICE. THE BUILDINGS ORDINANCE OFFICE AND THE DISTRICT LANDS OFFICE OF THE BUILDINGS AND LANDS DEPARTMENT, THE POLICE. AND THE CIVIL ENGINEERING SERVICES, FIRE SERVICES, REGIONAL SERVICES LABOUR DEPARTMENTS.
SITE INSPECTIONS WERE CARRIED OUT TO SEE THE DRAINAGE SYSTEM AND THE LEAKAGE PROBLEM. DEPARTMENT STAFF ALSO INSPECTED THE AIR POLLUTION PROBLEM, DISCHARGE OF TRADE EFFLUENTS, FIRE SREVICES INSTALLATION AND FIRE ESCAPE ROUTES.
JUNK AND ABANDONED ARTICLES WERE REMOVED FROM THE BUILDING.
"TODAY’S OPERATION WENT ON SMOOTHLY AND 1 HOPE OWNERS CORPORATIONS OF OTHER INDUSTRIAL BUILDINGS IN THE DISTRICT WILL EFFECT IMMEDIATE IMPROVEMENT AND REPAIRS WHENEVER NECESSARY SO AS TO ALLEVIATE POLLUTION PROBLEM." MR SHIU SAID.
"OTHERWISE, DEPARTMENTAL ENFORCEMENT ACTION MAY BE CALLED FOR."
"1 AM SURE THAT WITH THE CONCERTED EFFORTS FROM ALL THE PARTIES CONCERNED. AN OVERALL IMPROVEMENT TO THE ENVIRONMENT OF INDUSTRIAL BUILDINGS IN TSUEN WAN CAN BE ACHIEVED." HE ADDED.
------0--------
CLOSE WATCH ON TUNNEL PROJECT *****
THE WONG TAI SIN DISTRICT OFFICE IS KEEPING A CLOSE WATCH ON THE CONSTRUCTION OF THE TATE'S CAIRN TUNNEL TO ENSURE THAT CONSTRUCTION WORKS DO NOT AFFECT THE LIVING ENVIRONMENT OF THE 20,000 RESIDENTS AT DIAMOND HILL SQUATTER AREAS.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE WONG TAI SIN DISTRICT OFFICE SAID TODAY (MONDAY) THAT CONSTRUCTION OF THE TUNNEL HAD INEVITABLY CREATED SOME; DRAINAGE AND NOISE NUISANCES TO RESIDENTS IN NEARBY AREAS.
"HOWEVER, WITH THE CO-OPERATION AMONG THE DISTRICT OFFICE, THE DISTRICT BOARD, GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS AND THE CONSORTIUM BUILDING THE TUNNEL, THESE PROBLEMS HAVE BEEN RESOLVED SATISFACTORILY," HE NOTED.
HE POINTED OUT THAT ALL COMPLAINTS KNOWN TO THE DISTRICT OFFICE OVER NUISANCES CAUSED BY CONSTRUCTION WORKS WOULD BE REFERRED TO THE DEPARTMENTS CONCERNED FOR NECESSARY ACTION.
/IN CASES
MONDAY,’‘APRIL 10, 19»9
- 20 -
IN CASES WHERE EMERGENCY REPAIRS WERE REQUIRED, ARRANGEMENTS WERE MADE FOR DISTRICT BOARD FUNDS TO BE ALLOCATED FOR THE WORK.
HE SAID AN EXAMPLE OF DISTRICT BOARD FUNDED PROJECTS WAS THE RECENT ACTION TAKEN ON CHOKAGE AND FLOODING OF A DRAINAGE AT TAI HOM NORTH VILLAGE WHICH CAUSED INCONVENIENCE AND HYGIENE PROBLEMS TO RESIDENTS.
"BECAUSE OF THE URGENT NATURE OF THE PROBLEM, THE DISTRICT OFFICE HAD TO ARRANGE FOR DB FUNDS TO BE ALLOCATED FOR IMPROVEMENTS.
"WITH THE USE OF DB FUNDS, A PRIVATE CONTRACTOR WAS HIRED TO CARRY OUT URGENT IMPROVEMENT WORKS," HE ADDED.
THE SPOKESMAN SAID THAT IN THE CASE WHERE DRAIN CHOKAGE OCCURRED NEAR THE WORK SITE OF THE TUNNEL, THE DISTRICT OFFICE WOULD ASK THE DEPARTMENTS CONCERNED AND THE CONSORTIUM TO CONDUCT AN INVESTIGATION.
"IF THE CHOKAGE IS CAUSED BY CONSTRUCTION WORKS, THE CONSORTIUM WILL HAVE TO IMPROVE THE DRAINAGE IMMEDIATELY."
OTHER IMPROVEMENTS IN THE AREAS INCLUDED THE CONSTRUCTION OF A LANDSCAPED EARTH EMBANKMENT TO REDUCE THE NOISE NUISANCE CAUSED BY TRAFFIC AND THE TUNNEL WORKS.
THE SPOKESMAN SAID RESIDENTS HAD AT ONE TIME EXPRESSED CONCERN ABOUT THE STRUCTURAL SAFETY OF THE EMBANKMENT.
"THEIR WORRY WAS ALLEVIATED AFTER EXPLANATIONS ON THE STRUCTURE OF THE EMBANKMENT BY REPRESENTATIVES FROM THE CONSORTIUM AND GOVERNMENT WERE GIVEN TO RESIDENTS’ REPRESENTATIVES AT A MEETING ARRANGED BY THE DISTRICT OFFICE.
"THE CONSORTIUM HAS ALSO AGREED TO PUT UP INSULATING DOORS AT ENTRANCES TO THE TUNNEL DURING BLASTINGS TO MINIMIZE NOISE AND VIBRATIONS CAUSED BY THE EXPLOSIONS," HE SAID.
TO FACILITATE ACCESS FOR RESIDENTS, THE SPOKESMAN ADDED, A SECTION OF LUEN YEE ROAD INSIDE THE CLEARANCE AREA WAS PRESERVED AND KEPT OPEN FOR USE BY RESIDENTS AND VEHICLES.
"THE CONSORTIUM ALSO WIDENED AND RESURFACED SOME OF THE FOOTPATHS ADJACENT TO THE CONSTRUCTION SITE FOR THE CONVENIENCE OF RESIDENTS.
"ADDITIONAL STREET-LIGHTS HAVE BEEN INSTALLED AT TSUI WAN ROAD BY THE HOUSING DEPARTMENT. SIMILAR FACILITIES ARE BEING INSTALLED AT LANE 19TH, LUEN YEE ROAD, CHING STREET AND TSING WAH ROAD," HE SAID.
THE SPOKESMAN ADDED THAT THE DISTRICT OFFICE HAD, THROUGH THE HIGHWAYS DEPARTMENT, REQUESTED THE CONSORTIUM TO INCREASE THE NUMBER OF STREET-LIGHTS ALONG THE BOUNDARY OF THE CONSTRUCTION SITE FOR THE CONVENIENCE OF THE RESIDENTS.
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/21
MONDAY, APRIL 10, 1989
- 21 -
CSD OPENS TEMPORARY RECRUITMENT CENTRE *****
THE CORRECTIONAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT HAS SET UP ANOTHER TEMPORARY RECRUITMENT CENTRE AT THE SHOPPING ARCADE OF LOK FU PUBLIC HOUSING ESTATE TO FACILITATE ENERGETIC YOUNG PEOPLE IN EAST KOWLOON AREA TO APPLY TO JOIN AS OFFICERS AND ASSISTANT OFFICERS.
THE FIRST CENTRE HAS BEEN SET UP AT THE PRINCESS ALEXANDRA COMMUNITY CENTRE AT TAI HO ROAD, TSUEN WAN, LAST MONTH.
"THE TWO CENTRES ARE PART OF THE DEPARTMENT’S MAJOR RECRUITMENT EXERCISE BEING LAUNCHED FROM MARCH TO THE END OF THE YEAR," A CSD SPOKESMAN SAID.
HE SAID THE INITIAL TARGET THIS YEAR WAS TO RECRUIT MORE THAN 800 OFFICERS AND ASSISTANT OFFICERS II TO FILL VACANCIES.
"THE RESPONSE SO FAR HAS BEEN VERY ENCOURAGING AND WE HAVE RECEIVED OVER 450 APPLICATIONS LAST MONTH," HE ADDED.
WITH THE ASSISTANCE OF THE HOUSING AUTHORITY, THE DEPARTMENT IS PLANNING TO SET UP MORE RECRUITMENT CENTRES AT VARIOUS SHOPPING ARCADES IN PUBLIC HOUSING ESTATES.
THOSE WHO WISH TO JOIN THE CORRECTIONAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT CAN APPLY AT THE NEW RECRUITMENT CENTRES OR AT THE CENTRAL RECRUITMENT CENTRE AT THE DEPARTMENT’S HEADQUARTERS ON THE 23RD FLOOR, WANCHAI TOWER I, 12 HARBOUR ROAD, WAN CHAI.
ENQUIRIES CAN BE MADE ON 5-275951.
-----0------
1989 HK YOUTH MUSIC CAMP
*****
YOUNG MUSIC LOVERS ARE INVITED TO JOIN A HOLIDAY PROGRAMME WHICH WILL PROVIDE INTENSIVE MUSIC TRAINING IN A SUMMER CAMP ATMOSPHERE.
THE 1989 HONG KONG YOUTH MUSIC CAMP, ORGANISED BY THE MUSIC OFFICE UNDER THE AUSPICES OF THE ROYAL HONG KONG JOCKEY CLUB, WILL BE HELD AT THE LEI YUE MUN PARK FROM JULY 15 TO 29.
"PROMISING YOUNG MUSICIANS WILL BE RECRUITED BOTH LOCALLY AND FROM OVERSEAS TO TAKE PART IN THE CAMP, TO HELP FOSTER INTERNATIONAL CULTURAL EXCHANGE THROUGH MUSIC," A SPOKESMAN FOR THE MUSIC OFFICE SAID.
/RENOWNED MUSICIANS
MONDAY, APRIL 10, 1989
RENOWNED MUSICIANS WILL BE INVITED TO CONDUCT MASTERCLASSES, WORKSHOPS AND SEMINARS.
THE PROGRAMME ALSO INCLUDES FILM SHOWS AND MUSIC APPRECIATION. RECREATIONAL AND SPORTS ACTIVITIES WILL ALSO BE ORGANISED.
REHEARSALS WILL BE HELD TO PREPARE THE CAMPERS FOR A FINALE CONCERT TO BE HELD AT THE NEW HONG KONG CULTURAL CENTRE IN TSIM SHA TSUI ON JULY 29.
ALTOGETHER FIVE ORCHESTRAS AND TWO BANDS WILL BE ORGANISED.
APPLICANTS SHOULD BE UNDER 25 YEARS OF AGE AS ON JULY 14 THIS YEAR AND BE ABLE TO PLAY AT LEAST ONE CHINESE OR WESTERN ORCHESTRAL OR BAND INSTRUMENT. ORCHESTRAL EXPERIENCE WILL BE AN ADVANTAGE.
FEES INCLUSIVE OF TUITION, THREE MEALS A DAY AND ACCOMMODATION ARE $460 FOR MEMBERS OF THE SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA WHO WILL STAY THROUGHOUT THE CAMP PERIOD.
THE FEES FOR THOSE WHO JOIN THE TWO BANDS, THE STRINGS AND THE CHINESE ORCHESTRAS AND STAY FOR EIGHT DAYS ARE ONLY $230.
APPLICATION FORMS ARE NOW AVAILABLE AT ALL MUSIC CENTRES OF THE MUSIC OFFICE. THE CLOSING DATE FOR SUBMISSION OF APPLICATIONS IS APRIL 24.
ENQUIRIES CAN BE MADE ON 5-8235314 OR 3-7149255.
0 - -
WATER STORAGE FIGURE * « »
STORAGE IN HONG KONG’S RESERVOIRS AT 9 AM TODAY (MONDAY) STOOD AT 33.8 PER CENT OF CAPACITY OR 197.847 MILLION CUBIC METRES.
THIS TIME LAST YEAR THE RESERVOIRS CONTAINED 225.323 MILLION CUBIC METRES OF WATER, REPRESENTING 38.4 PER CENT OF CAPACITY.
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/2J
MONDAY, APRIL 10, 1989
23
WATER SUSPENSION IN THREE AREAS » * » » »
FRESH WATER SUPPLY TO CERTAIN PREMISES IN TAI KOK TSUI WILL BE SUSPENDED FROM 11 PM ON WEDNESDAY (APRIL 12) TO 6 AM THE NEXT DAY TO FACILITATE NIGHT LEAKAGE TEST.
THE SUSPENSION WILL AFFECT AN AREA BOUNDED BY LIME STREET, FIR STREET, TONG MI ROAD, TUNG CHAU STREET LARCH STREET, PINE STREET AND FUK TSUN STREET.
BEECH STREET, BEDFORD ROAD,
ALSO, SALT WATER SUPPLY TO ALL PREMISES IN TUEN MUN WILL BE SUSPENDED FROM 9.30 AM TO 11.30 PM THE SAME DAY TO FACILITATE INSPECTION OF THE MAIN SLUICE VALVE.
ON THE OTHER HAND, FRESH WATER SUPPLY TO CERTAIN PREMISES IN WONG TAI SIN WILL BE SUSPENDED FROM 11 PM ON THURSDAY (APRIL 13) TO 6 AM THE NEXT DAY TO FACILITATE NIGHT LEAKAGE TEST.
THE SUSPENSION WILL AFFECT CHEUNG YAN HOUSE, BLOCKS 1 TO 12, 14 AND 15, UPPER WONG TAI SIN ESTATE AND WONG TAI SIN MASS TRANSIT RAILWAY STATION.
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TEMPORARY TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS IN WAN CHAI t » * t »
THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCED THAT TEMPORARY TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS WILL BE IMPLEMENTED IN WAN CHAI ON WEDNESDAY (APRIL 12) AND FRIDAY (APRIL 14) FOR ROAD RESURFACING WORKS.
THE LEFT-TURN FROM EASTBOUND LOCKHART ROAD TO CANAL ROAD WEST WILL BE BANNED FROM 8 AM TO 6 PM ON WEDNESDAY.
EASTBOUND TRAFFIC ON LOCKHART ROAD HEADING FOR JAFFE ROAD BETWEEN CANAL ROAD EAST AND PERCIVAL STREET WILL BE DIVERTED VIA PERCIVAL STREET, GLOUCESTER ROAD SERVICE ROAD AND CANAL ROAD EAST.
MEANWHILE, FROM 8 AM TO 6 PM ON FRIDAY, THE LEFT-TURN FROM CANAL ROAD EAST TO EASTBOUND LOCKHART ROAD WILL ALSO BE BANNED.
TRAFFIC ON CANAL ROAD EAST AND JAFFE ROAD HEADING FOR EASTBOUND LOCKHART ROAD BETWEEN CANAL ROAD EAST AND PERCIVAL STREET WILL BE DIVERTED VIA PERCIVAL STREET, GLOUCESTER. ROAD SERVICE ROAD AND MARSH ROAD.
0 - -
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL: 5-8428777
TUESDAY, APRIL 11, 1989
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
THE FUTURE OF COMMERCIAL RADIO BROADCASTING IN HONG KONG .... 1
LOCAL WATER supply service among the best ................... 3
GOVT EFFORTS TO IMPROVE BUILDING MANAGEMENT..................
STUDY COMPLETED ON STATUTORY INTEREST ON OVERDUE DEBTS ...... $
17 QUESTIONS AND 11 BILLS IN LEGCO TOMORROW.................. 6
EXTERNAL TRADE STATISTICS FOR FEBRUARY RELEASED.............. 6
MARCH A RATHER DRY MONTH .................................... 14
TAXI DRIVERS URGED TO EXERCISE SELF-DISCIPLINE .............. l5
DISTRICT BOARD COMMITTEE TO NOMINATE CO-OPTED MEMBERS ....... 17
KWaI TSING DB ENDORSES BUDGET, ELECTS COMMITTEE CHAIRMEN..... 1C
SEMINAR FOR TECHNICAL PERSONNEL IN ELECTRONICS INDUSTRY...... 19
TxLkFFIC ARRANGEMENTS IN SH.J4 SHUI PO....................... 19
RENOWNED MUSICI.iN TO GIVE MASTERCLASS ...................... 20
TEMPORARY CLOSURE GF BOWRING STREET IN YAU TEI .............. 20
TUESDAY, APRIL 11, 1989
1
THE FUTURE OF COMMERCIAL RADIO BROADCASTING IN HONG KONG *****
THE GOVERNOR IN COUNCIL TODAY (TUESDAY) APPROVED IN PRINCIPLE THE RENEWAL OF COMMERCIAL RADIO HONG KONG’S (CRHK) BROADCASTING LICENCE WHEN ITS CURRENT LICENCE EXPIRES ON AUGUST 25, 1989.
THE NEW LICENCE WILL BE VALID FOR 12 YEARS AND BE SUBJECT TO A SET OF NEW TERMS AND CONDITIONS.
EXCO ALSO APPROVED IN PRINCIPLE THE AWARD OF A SECOND COMMERCIAL RADIO BROADCASTING LICENCE BY TENDER IN EARLY 1990. FURTHER DETAILS ON THE INTRODUCTION OF THE SECOND COMMERCIAL RADIO BROADCASTER WILL BE ANNOUNCED LATER.
EXCO’S DECISION IS BASED ON THE RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE BROADCASTING AUTHORITY (BA) WHICH NOTED THAT THERE WAS SCOPE FOR GROWTH IN THE RADIO INDUSTRY IN HONG KONG AND CONSIDERED THAT GREATER COMPETITION TO THE INDUSTRY SHOULD BE INTRODUCED.
IT WAS FURTHER NOTED THAT THE FINANCIAL BARRIERS TO ENTRY INTO RADIO BROADCASTING AS OPPOSED TO TELEVISION WERE FEW AND THAT HONG KONG’S GROWING ECONOMY SHOULD BE ABLE TO SUPPORT TWO COMMERCIAL RADIO BROADCASTING STATIONS PROVIDED THEY OFFERED DIVERSE PROGRAMME SERVICES WHICH APPEALED TO THE PUBLIC.
BASED ON THE AVAILABILITY OF FREQUENCIES, TWO PACKAGES EACH CONTAINING THE SAME NUMBER AND DISTRIBUTION OF FREQUENCIES, l.E. 1 AM + 2 FM TERRITORY-WIDE CHANNELS WILL BE OFFERED TO THE TWO COMMERCIAL RADIO BROADCASTERS. THE EQUAL SHARE IS TO ENSURE COMPETITION ON AN EQUAL FOOTING.
UNDER ITS CURRENT LICENCE, CRHK OPERATES ON THREE AM TERRITORYWIDE CHANNELS, PROVIDING ONE ENGLISH AND TWO CHINESE SERVICES, THE LATTER SERVICES BEING DUPLICATED ON FM NON-TERRITORY WIDE CHANNELS.
THE DECISION TO RENEW CRHK’S LICENCE WITHOUT RECOURSE TO TENDER WAS MADE IN ORDER TO AVOID POSSIBLE SERVICE DISRUPTION TO THE LISTENING PUBLIC BECAUSE OF THE TENDER PROCEDURES AND PREPARATIONS.
THE DECISION WAS ALSO MADE IN RECOGNITION OF CRHK'S PERFORMANCE AND SUBSTANTIAL FOLLOWING BUILT UP OVER ITS LAST 30 YEARS OF BROADCASTING.
ACCORDING TO THE SECRETARY FOR ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES AND INFORMATION, MR PETER TSAO, THE NEW TERMS AND CONDITIONS FOR RENEWING CRHK’S LICENCE ARE TO ENSURE THAT AIRWAVES ARE PROPERLY USED IN THE BEST INTERESTS OF THE WHOLE COMMUNITY, ENHANCE THE EFFICIENCY OF THE REGULATORY SYSTEM, AND IMPROVE FURTHER THE QUALITY OF COMMERCIAL SOUND BROADCASTING IN HONG KONG.
THE NEW LICENCING CONDITIONS WILL LAY DOWN CERTAIN "PRINCIPLES OF BROADCASTING" TO WHICH THE LICENSEE SHOULD ADHERE.
/CRHK WILL p
o o
TUESDAY, APRIL.11, 1989
- 2 -
CRHK WILL BE REQUIRED TO MAKE PROPER USE OF THE RADIO FREQUENCY SPECTRUM IN THE BEST INTERESTS OF THE WHOLE COMMUNITY.
IT HAS A DUTY TO ENTERTAIN, INFORM AND EDUCATE AND TO ENSURE THAT ITS PROGRAMMING IS BALANCED IN CONTENT AND IS COMPREHENSIVE AND RESPONSIVE TO PUBLIC NEEDS. IT IS ALSO REQUIRED TO APPLY UP-TO-DATE BROADCASTING TECHNOLOGY.
THE LICENCE WILL BE SUBJECT TO A MID-TERM REVIEW WHICH MAY INVOLVE PUBLIC HEARINGS BY THE BROADCASTING AUTHORITY.
THE BUSINESS CARRIED ON BY THE RADIO LICENSEE WILL BE CONFINED TO RADIO BROADCASTING, ITS ANCILLARY TELECOMMUNICATION SERVICES, AND BUSINESSES DIRECTLY CONNECTED OR ASSOCIATED WITH IT.
IN ADDITION THE ACTIVITIES OF THE LICENSEE’S SUBSIDIARY COMPANIES WILL BE CONFINED TO DIRECTLY RELATED BUSINESSES, AND ANY SUBSIDIARIES WILL BE SUBJECT TO THE APPROVAL OF THE BROADCASTING AUTHORITY.
THIS WILL PREVENT THE RADIO LICENSEE FROM HAVING A NETWORK OF SUBSIDIARIES NOT DIRECTLY CONNECTED WITH RADIO BROADCASTING AND THUS AVOID ANY POTENTIAL CONFLICTS OF INTEREST WHICH MAY ARISE BETWEEN THE LICENSEE’S NEED TO LOOK AFTER THESE SUBSIDIARIES AND ITS RESPONSIBILITIES TO THE PUBLIC AS A RADIO BROADCASTER.
THE RADIO LICENSEE WILL NOT BE ALLOWED TO BE HELD BY A HOLDING COMPANY.
IT IS BELIEVED THIS WILL PRECLUDE THE POSSIBILITY OF BODIES WHICH ARE NOT LICENCE HOLDERS BEING IN A POSITION TO CONTROL THE LICENSEE OR TO INFLUENCE OR MANIPULATE IT.
THIS RESTRICTION WILL ALSO ENSURE THAT THE REGULATORY MECHANISMS APPLICABLE TO THE LICENSEES MAY NOT BE CIRCUMVENTED BY THE USE OF A HOLDING COMPANY TO HOLD THE LICENSEE COMPANY.
THE NEW CONDITIONS INCLUDE MORE ELABORATE AND BETTER DEFINED GROUNDS FOR THE REVOCATION AND SUSPENSION OF THE RADIO LICENCE AND ALSO PROVIDE FOR THE IMPOSITION OF FINANCIAL PENALTIES.
THE RADIO LICENSEE IS PROVIDED WITH A RIGHT TO APPEAL TO THE GOVERNOR-IN-COUNCIL AGAINST DECISIONS OF THE BROADCASTING AUTHORITY.
OTHER NEW CONDITIONS INCLUDE:
* ROYALTY IN THE NEW LICENSING PERIOD WILL BE CALCULATED ON A SLIDING SCALE OF PERCENTAGES OF THE GROSS ANNUAL RECEIPTS FROM ADVERTISING, SUBJECT TO A CEILING RATE. THE EXACT FIGURES ARE BEING WORKED OUT.
t MINIMUM PROGRAMME REQUIREMENTS RELATING TO NEWS, CURRENT AFFAIRS AND EDUCATIONAL/ENRICHMENT PROGRAMMES WILL BE INTRODUCED.
/•THE NEW .......
TUESDAY, APRIL 11, 1989
* THE NEW LICENCE WILL PROVIDE THAT THERE SHALL BE NO TOBACCO ADVERTISEMENT OR SPONSORSHIP BETWEEN 4.00 PM AND 10.30 PM. COMMENCING ON DECEMBER 1, 1990 TOBACCO ADVERTISING AND
SPONSORSHIP BY TOBACCO COMPANIES ON THE RADIO WILL BE TOTALLY PROHIBITED.
* IN LINE WITH THE RESTRICTIONS ON THE TELEVISION LICENSEES, THERE SHALL BE NO LIQUOR ADVERTISING OR SPONSORSHIP FOR PROGRAMMES BROADCAST BETWEEN 4.00 PM AND 8.30 PM. ,
» TO HELP TO ENSURE THAT THE LICENSEE IS RESPONSIVE TO THE NEEDS OF THE COMMUNITY AND ACCOUNTABLE FOR ITS ACTIONS, THE LICENSEE WILL BE REQUIRED TO CONSIDER ANY COMPLAINTS FROM THE PUBLIC AND TO KEEP A COMPLAINTS RECORD WHICH MUST BE SUBMITTED REGULARLY TO THE BROADCASTING AUTHORITY.
THE SUBJECTS OF CROSS MEDIA OWNERSHIP, FOREIGN OWNERSHIP OF A RADIO LICENSEE AND POSSIBLE LIMITS ON ADVERTISING TIME WILL BE CONSIDERED FURTHER.
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LOCAL WATER SUPPLY SERVICE AMONG THE BEST *****
HONG KONG HAS ONE OF THE MOST ADVANCED AND RELIABLE WATER SUPPLY SYSTEM IN THE WORLD IN SPITE OF ITS MANY CONSTRAINTS, THE CHIEF SECRETRAY, SIR DAVID FORD, SAID THIS TODAY (TUESDAY) AFTER A VISIT TO THE WATER SUPPLIES DEPARTMENT.
SIR DAVID SAID THAT DESPITE THE ULTRA MODERN WATER TREATMENT FACILITIES AND THE EXTENSIVE WATER SUPPLIES NETWORK REQUIRED TO CONVEY THE LIFE-AND INDUSTRY-SUSTAINING COMMODITY TO SOME 5.6 MILLION RESIDENTS, THE CURRENT WATER TARIFF WAS EXCEPTIONALLY LOW.
"IN FACT, UNDER THE GRADUATED SCALE OF CHARGES. 16 PER CENT OF ALL DOMESTIC CONSUMERS WOULD PAY NOTHING FOR THE WATER THEY CONSUMED, WHILE 55 PER CENT WOULD PAY LESS THAN $65 FOR EVERY FOUR MONTHS OF CONSUMPTION," SIR DAVID POINTED OUT.
THE DEPARTMENT NOW HAS MORE THAN 1.6 MILLION REGISTERED CONSUMERS AND ON AVERAGE REGISTERS 9,300 NEW ACCOUNTS EACH MONTH.
AS PART OF ITS CONTINUING EFFORT TO UPGRADE CUSTOMER SERVICE, AN AUTO-PAY SERVICE FOR PAYMENT OF WATER CHARGES WAS INTRODUCED LAST DECEMBER.
APPLICATION FORMS FOR THE SERVICE, WHICH NOW EXTENDS TO OVER 66,000 REGISTERED CONSUMERS, CAN BE OBTAINED FROM MAJOR BANKS, GOVERNMENT PAYMENT AND COLLECTION CENTRES AND THE DEPARTMENT’S CONSUMER ENQUIRY CENTRES.
------O-------
TUESDAY, APRIL 11,
1989
GOVT EFFORTS TO IMPROVE BUILDING MANAGEMENT *****
THE CITY AND NEW TERRITORIES ADMINISTRATION IS MAKING EFFORTS ON DIFFERENT FRONTS TO IMPROVE MANAGEMENT OF PRIVATE BUILDINGS IN THE TERRITORY, THE SECRETARY FOR DISTRICT ADMINISTRATION, MR DONALD LIAO, SAID TODAY (TUESDAY).
THESE INCLUDE IMPROVING EXISTING LEGISLATION AND DEEDS OF MUTUAL COVENANT (DMC’S), AS WELL AS TAPPING THE EXPERTISE AND ADVICE OF THE COMMUNITY.
MR LIAO WAS SPEAKING AT THE OPENING OF THE "EXHIBITION ON PROFESSIONAL PROPERTY MANAGEMENT" AT THE SHA TIN NEW TOWN PLAZA.
HE SAID GOOD BUILDING MANAGEMENT REQUIRED THE ACTIVE PARTICIPATION OR SUPERVISION BY PROPERTY OWNERS.
FOR ITS PART, THE GOVERNMENT HAD TO PROVIDE EFFECTIVE LEGISLATION AND AN ADMINISTRATIVE FRAMEWORK TO ENABLE ALL PROPERTY OWNERS TO MANAGE THEIR BUILDINGS THROUGH PROPER CHANNELS, AND TO OBTAIN THE NECESSARY ASSISTANCE. GUIDANCE AND ENCOURAGEMENT.
"THE MULTI-STOREY BUILDINGS (OWNERS INCORPORATION) ORDINANCE IS AIMED AT ASSISTING FLAT OWNERS IN FORMING CORPORATIONS, AND AT REGULATING BUILDING MANAGEMENT AND RELATED MATTERS," MR LIAO SAID.
THE GOVERNMENT WAS MAKING SUBSTANTIAL AMENDMENTS TO THE ORDINANCE WITH A VIEW TO SIMPLIFYING THE PROCEDURES FOR FORMING AN OWNERS CORPORATION, AND TO CLEARLY DEFINING THE LEGAL STATUS OF AN OWNERS CORPORATION, AND THE RIGHTS AND OBLIGATIONS OF FLAT OWNERS IN BUILDING MANAGEMENT, HE CONTINUED.
"I HOPE THAT THE AMENDMENT BILL WOULD BE PASSED INTO LAW WITHIN THE CURRENT LEGISLATIVE SESSION," HE SAID.
TURNING TO DEEDS OF MUTUAL COVENANT, MR LIAO SAID THE GOVERNMENT. APART FROM DRAWING UP IN DECEMBER 1987 A SET OF GUIDELINES FOR DRAFTING OF NEW DMC’S BY LAWYERS, HAD WORKED OUT PROPOSALS FOR IMPROVING UNFAIR PROVISIONS IN EXISTING DMC’S.
"THESE PROPOSALS HAVE BEEN SENT TO VARIOUS ORGANISATIONS AND DISTRICT BOARDS FOR EXTENSIVE CONSULTATION. I HOPE THAT MORE MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC WOULD COME FORWARD WITH THEIR VIEWS SO THAT OUR OBJECTIVE WOULD BE ACHIEVED," HE SAID.
MR LIAO FURTHER POINTED OUT THAT THE FORMATION OF BUILDING MANAGEMENT CO-ORDINATION TEAMS (BMCT’S) IN 10 DISTRICTS WAS ANOTHER MEASURE BY THE CNTA TO ASSIST THE PUBLIC IN IMPROVING MANAGEMENT OF THEIR BUILDINGS, AND TO CO-ORDINATE BUILDING MANAGEMENT WORK BY GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS.
/SINCE THE .......
TUESDAY, APRIL 11, 1989
5
SINCE THE FIRST BMCT WAS ESTABLISHED IN 1985, A TOTAL OF 280 BUILDINGS HAD BEEN GIVEN A SUBSTANTIAL DEGREE OF ASSISTANCE.
AT THE SAME TIME, THE BMCT’S ALSO ACTIVELY PROMOTED KNOWLEDGE OF BUILDING MANAGEMENT.
WITH THE ASSISTANCE OF THE BMCT’S, FIVE MAJOR EXHIBITIONS AND MORE THAN 30 SEMINARS ON BUILDING MANAGEMENT HAD BEEN HELD IN VARIOUS DISTRICTS.
NOTING THAT BUILDING MANAGEMENT WAS A COMPLEX SUBJECT, MR LIAO SAID THE GOVERNMENT LAST YEAR ESTABLISHED AN ADVISORY COMMITTEE ON PRIVATE BUILDING MANAGEMENT. WHICH WAS RESPONSIBLE FOR REVIEWING THE EFFECTIVENESS OF EXISTING BUILDING MANAGEMENT POLICIES, AND ADVISING THE GOVERNMENT ON BUILDING MANAGEMENT MATTERS.
“TODAY’S EXHIBITION TIES IN WELL WITH THE WORK OF THE GOVERNMENT IN ENHANCING THE AWARENESS OF MANAGEMENT OF PRIVATE BUILDINGS AMONG THE PUBLIC,” HE CONCLUDED.
------0-------
STUDY COMPLETED ON STATUTORY INTEREST ON OVERDUE DEBTS ♦ ♦♦***
A SUB-COMMITTEE OF THE LAW REFORM COMMISSION SET UP TO STUDY THE EXISTING LAW ON STATUTORY INTEREST ON OVERDUE DEBTS, HAS CONCLUDED THAT IT IS UNJUST THAT CREDITORS SHOULD HAVE TO BEAR THE FINANCIAL BURDEN CAUSED BY LATE PAYING DEBTORS.
IT HAS PROPOSED THAT, UNLESS THERE HAS BEEN A PRIOR AGREEMENT TO THE CONTRARY, THE CREDITOR WHO IS NOT PAID ON TIME SHOULD BE ENTITLED, BY LAW, TO INTEREST ON THE MONEY HE IS OWED UNTIL HE IS PAID.
THE SUB-COMMITTEE WISHES TO CONSULT THE COMMUNITY ON WHETHER DEBTORS SHOULD BE CHARGED SIMPLE OR COMPOUND INTEREST.
A CONSULTATION LETTER OUTLINING THE PROS AND CONS BETWEEN SIMPLE AND COMPOUND INTEREST, AND INCLUDING CALCULATION EXAMPLES, HAS BEEN SENT TO ABOUT 300 TRADE AND INDUSTRIAL ORGANISATIONS, DISTRICT BOARDS AND ABOUT 850 BUSINESSES. THE SUB-COMMITTEE WOULD WELCOME COMMENTS BY MAY 31, 1989.
MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC WHO WISH TO OBTAIN A COPY OF THE CONSULTATION LETTER AND/OR TO EXPRESS THEIR VIEWS ON THE SUBJECT ARE INVITED TO TELEPHONE OR WRITE TO:
THE SECRETARY SUB-COMMITTEE ON INTEREST ON DEBT AND DAMAGES LAW REFORM COMMISSION 1/F HIGH BLOCK QUEENSWAY GOVERNMENT OFFICES 66 QUEENSWAY HONG KONG (TEL : 5-8672018)
------0 ------
A........
TUESDAY, APRIL 11, 1989
6
17 QUESTIONS AND 11 BILLS IN LEGCO TOMORROW *****
MEMBERS OE THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL WILL ASK A TOTAL OF 17 QUESTIONS AND CONSIDER 11 BILLS AT THE COUNCIL’S MEETING TOMORROW (WEDNESDAY).
TEN BILLS WILL BE INTRODUCED FOR FIRST AND SECOND READINGS.
THEY ARE THE BANKING (AMENDMENT) BILL 1989; THE BUSINESS REGISTRATION (AMENDMENT) BILL 1989; THE DUTIABLE COMMODITIES (AMENDMENT) BILL 1989; THE INLAND REVENUE (AMENDMENT) (NO. 2) BILL 1989; THE ROAD TRAFFIC (DRIVING LICENCES REGULATIONS AND REGISTRATION AND LICENSING OF VEHICLES REGULATIONS) (AMENDMENT) BILL 1989; THE SECRETARY FOR DISTRICT ADMINISTRATION INCORPORATION (AMENDMENT) BILL 1989; THE DIRECTOR OF SOCIAL WELFARE INCORPORATION (AMENDMENT) BILL 1989; THE DIRECTOR OF EDUCATION INCORPORATION (AMENDMENT) BILL 1989; THE OPEN LEARNING INSTITUTE OF HONG KONG BILL 1989 AND THE TRAFFIC ACCIDENT VICTIMS (ASSISTANCE FUND) (AMENDMENT) BILL 1989.
THE SECOND READING DEBATE ON THE SECURITIES AND FUTURES COMMISSION BILL 1989 WILL BE RESUMED, AFTER WHICH IT WILL GO THROUGH THE COMMITTEE STAGE AND A THIRD READING.
IN ADDITION, THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY WILL SPEAK ON THE REPORT OF CHANGES TO THE APPROVED ESTIMATES OF EXPENDITURE APPROVED DURING THE SECOND QUARTER OF 1988-89 AND THE MASS TRANSIT RAILWAY CORPORATION ANNUAL REPORT 1988. THE HON MARTIN LEE WILL ALSO SPEAK ON THE CONSUMER COUNCIL ANNUAL REPORT 1987-88.
-------0----------
EXTERNAL TRADE STATISTICS FOR FEBRUARY RELEASED
*****
TOTAL MERCHANDISE TRADE IN FEBRUARY 1989, AT $74,900 MILLION, GREW BY 29 PER CENT IN VALUE TERMS COMPARED WITH FEBRUARY 1988, ACCORDING TO THE DETAILED FIGURES ON THE VALUE OF TRADE IN FEBRUARY 1989 RELEASED TODAY (TUESDAY) BY THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT.
DOMESTIC EXPORTS INCREASED BY 3 PER CENT TO $14,042 MILLION IN FEBRUARY 1989, WHILE RE-EXPORTS ROSE BY 41 PER CENT TO $22,385 MILLION, THUS BRINGING TOTAL EXPORTS IN FEBRUARY 1989 TO $36,427 MILLION, WHICH REPRESENTED AN INCREASE OF 23 PER CENT OVER FEBRUARY 1988.
OVER THE SAME PERIOD OF COMPARISON, IMPORTS INCREASED BY 35 PER CENT TO $38,472 MILLION.
/CAUTION SHOULD
TUESDAY, APRIL 11, 1989
- 7 -
CAUTION SHOULD BE EXERCISED IN INTERPRETING THE TRADE FIGURES FOR THE FIRST TWO MONTHS OF THE YEAR IN ISOLATION, AS THEY ARE LIKELY TO BE AFFECTED BY THE TIMING OF THE LUNAR NEW YEAR HOLIDAYS. THUS FIGURES ARE ALSO PROVIDED FOR THE MONTHS OF JANUARY AND FEBRUARY COMBINED.
TOTAL MERCHANDISE TRADE IN JANUARY TO FEBRUARY 1989, AT $161,549 MILLION, INCREASED BY 28 PER CENT COMPARED WITH THE SAME PERIOD IN 1988.
OVER THE SAME PERIOD OF COMPARISON, THE VALUE OF DOMESTIC EXPORTS INCREASED BY 4 PER CENT TO $31,304 MILLION, WHILE RE-EXPORTS INCREASED BY 42 PER CENT TO $48,639 MILLION.
THUS, THE VALUE OF TOTAL EXPORTS INCREASED BY 24 PER CENT TO $79,943 MILLION. IMPORTS INCREASED BY 32 PER CENT TO $81,607 MILLION.
COMPARING FEBRUARY 1989 WITH FEBRUARY 1988, SUBSTANTIAL GROWTH WAS RECORDED IN THE VALUE OF DOMESTIC EXPORTS TO CHINA (+43 PER CENT) AND JAPAN (+32 PER CENT). THE VALUE OF DOMESTIC EXPORTS TO SINGAPORE, AUSTRALIA AND THE NETHERLANDS ALSO INCREASED, BY 11 PER CENT, 6 PER CENT AND 5 PER CENT RESPECTIVELY.
HOWEVER, THE VALUE OF DOMESTIC EXPORTS TO FRANCE, THE U.S.A. AND THE FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF GERMANY DECREASED, BY 10 PER CENT, 6 PER CENT AND 6 PER CENT RESPECTIVELY.
IMPORTS FROM ALL MAJOR SUPPLIERS INCREASED IN VALUE TERMS IN FEBRUARY 1989 OVER FEBRUARY 1988, PARTICULARLY THOSE FROM SINGAPORE (+68 PER CENT), THE U.S.A. (+52 PER CENT), THE REPUBLIC OF KOREA (+40 PER CENT), THE FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF GERMANY (+36 PER CENT), SWITZERLAND (+36 PER CENT) AND ITALY (+35 PER CENT).
IMPORTS FROM CHINA, THE UNITED KINGDOM, TAIWAN AND JAPAN ALSO INCREASED, BY 32 PER CENT, 31 PER CENT, 30 PER CENT AND 29 PER CENT RESPECTIVELY.
RE-EXPORTS TO ITALY, AUSTRALIA, CHINA, THE UNITED KINGDOM AND JAPAN INCREASED SUBSTANTIALLY IN VALUE TERMS OVER THE SAME PERIOD OF COMPARISON, BY 68 PER CENT, 66 PER CENT, 58 PER CENT, 55 PER CENT AND 52 PER CENT RESPECTIVELY.
OTHER MAJOR MARKETS WITH INCREASES IN THE VALUE OF RE-EXPORTS INCLUDED THE FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF GERMANY, SINGAPORE, THE U.S.A., TAIWAN AND THE REPUBLIC OF KOREA, BY 49 PER CENT, 39 PER CENT, 33 PER CENT, 27 PER CENT AND 9 PER CENT RESPECTIVELY.
COMPARING JANUARY TO FEBRUARY 1989 WITH THE SAME PERIOD IN 1988, DOMESTIC EXPORTS TO MOST MAJOR MARKETS INCREASED IN VALUE TERMS.
THE MARKETS WITH MORE SIGNIFICANT GROWTH IN DOMESTIC EXPORTS INCLUDED CHINA (+35 PER CENT), JAPAN (+30 PER CENT) AND SINGAPORE (+23 PER CENT). INCREASES IN VALUE OF DOMESTIC EXPORTS WERE ALSO RECORDED IN AUSTRALIA (+11 PER CENT), CANADA (+8 PER CENT) AND THE UNITED KINGDOM (+8 PER CENT).
/HOWEVER, DOMESTIC
TUESDAY, APRIL 11, 1989
- 8 -
HOWEVER, DOMESTIC EXPORTS TO THE FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF GERMANY, FRANCE AND THE U.S.A. DECREASED BY 10 PER CENT, 10 PER CENT AND 7 PER CENT RESPECTIVELY IN VALUE TERMS.
IMPORTS IN JANUARY TO FEBRUARY 1989 FROM ALL MAJOR SUPPLIERS INCREASED IN VALUE TERMS COMPARED WITH THE SAME PERIOD IN 1988.
SIGNIFICANT INCREASES WERE RECORDED IN IMPORTS FROM SINGAPORE (+43 PER CENT), ITALY (+39 PER CENT), THE U.S.A. (+35 PER CENT), CHINA (+35 PER CENT), TAIWAN (+34 PER CENT), THE REPUBLIC OF KOREA (+31 PER CENT), THE FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF GERMANY (+30 PER CENT) AND JAPAN (+29 PER CENT).
OVER THE SAME PERIOD OF COMPARISON, RE-EXPORTS TO ITALY, THE FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF GERMANY, AUSTRALIA, CHINA AND THE UNITED KINGDOM INCREASED SUBSTANTIALLY IN VALUE TERMS, BY 76 PER CENT, 61 PER CENT, 60 PER CENT, 57 PER CENT, AND 55 PER CENT RESPECTIVELY.
INCREASES WERE ALSO RECORDED FOR THE OTHER MAJOR MARKETS : THE U.S.A. (+32 PER CENT), JAPAN (+48 PER CENT), TAIWAN (+32 PER CENT) AND THE REPUBLIC OF KOREA (+17 PER CENT).
EXTENDING THE PERIOD OF COMPARISON TO THE 12 MONTHS ENDING FEBRUARY 1989 WITH THE 12 MONTHS ENDING FEBRUARY 1988, DOMESTIC EXPORTS INCREASED BY 9 PER CENT TO $218,851 MILLION, WHILE RE-EXPORTS AT $289,766 MILLION WAS UP BY 49 PER CENT.
TAKING DOMESTIC EXPORTS AND RE-EXPORTS TOGETHER, TOTAL EXPORTS ROSE BY 39 PER CENT. IMPORTS INCREASED BY 32 PER CENT TO $518,784 MILLION. TOTAL MERCHANDISE TRADE, AS A WHOLE, INCREASED BY 30 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 FEBRUARY 1989 WILL BE RELEASED IN EARLY MAY 1989.
THE CHANGES IN DOMESTIC EXPORTS TO HONG KONG’S 10 MAJOR MARKETS ARE SHOWN IN TABLE 1.
COMPARING THE FIRST TWO MONTHS OF 1989 WITH THE SAME PERIOD IN 1988, 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 $445 MILLION OR 27 PER CENT); ELECTRICAL MACHINERY, APPARATUS AND APPLIANCES AND ELECTRICAL PARTS THEREOF (BY $315 MILLION OR 14 PER CENT); ARTIFICIAL RESINS AND PLASTIC MATERIALS, AND CELLULOSE ESTERS AND ETHERS (BY $193 MILLION OR 75 PER CENT); AND GENERAL INDUSTRIAL MACHINERY AND EQUIPMENT, AND MACHINE PARTS (BY $140 MILLION OR 61 PER CENT).
/DOMESTIC EXPORTS .......
TUESDAY, APRIL 11, 1989
- 9
DOMESTIC EXPORTS OF CLOTHING DECREASED BY $2U5 MILLION OR 2 PEP CENT IN VALUE TERMS. A DECREASE WAS ALSO RECORDED IN MISCELLANEOUS MANUFACTURED ARTICLES (BY $238 MILLION OR 2 PER CENT).
TABLE 2 ILLUSTRATES THE CHANGES IN DOMESTIC EXPORTS BY MAJOF COMMODITY DIVISION.
THE CHANGES IN IMPORTS FROM HONG KONG’S 10 MAJOR SUPPLIERS AR!7 SUMMARISED IN TABLE 3.
COMPARING THE FIRST TWO MONTHS OF 1989 WITH THE SAME PERIOD IL' 1988, MORE NOTABLE INCREASES IN IMPORTS IN VALUE TERMS WERE REGISTERED FOR ELECTRICAL MACHINERY, APPARATUS AND APPLIANCES AND ELECTRICAL PARTS THEREOF (BY $2,478 MILLION OR 41 PER CENT); TELECOMMUNICATIONS AND SOUND RECORDING AND REPRODUCING APPARATUS AND EQUIPMENT (BY $2,15!’ MILLION OR 64 PER CENT); AND CLOTHING (BY $1,329 MILLION OR 32 PEP CENT).
IMPORTS OF TEXTILES INCREASED BY $2,024 MILLION OR 28 PER CENT IN VALUE TERMS.
HOWEVER, DECREASES WERE RECORDED IN RAW HIDES, SKINS AND FURSKINS (BY $218 MILLION OR 39 PER CENT); AND FIXED VEGETABLE OILS AND FATS (BY $54 MILLION OR 36 PER CENT).
TABLE 4 ILLUSTRATES THE CHANGES IN IMPORTS BY MAJOR COMMODITY’ DIVISION.
THE CHANGES IN RE-EXPORTS TO HONG KONG'S 10 MAJOR MARKETS ARE SHOWN IN TABLE 5.
COMPARING THE FIRST TWO MONTHS OF 1989 WITH THE SAME PERIOD IN 1988, MORE NOTABLE INCREASES IN RE-EXPORTS IN VALUE TERMS WERE REGISTERED FOR ELECTRICAL MACHINERY, APPARATUS AND APPLIANCES AND ELECTRICAL PARTS THEREOF (BY $1,814 MILLION OR 54 PER CENT); TELECOMMUNICATIONS AND SOUND RECORDING AND REPRODUCING APPARATUS AND EQUIPMENT (BY $1,538 MILLION OR 73 PER CENT); AND CLOTHING (BY $1,220 MILLION OR 31 PER CENT).
RE-EXPORTS OF TEXTILES INCREASED BY $1,260 MILLION OR 30 PER CENT.
HOWEVER, DECREASES WERE RECORDED IN CRUDE ANIMAL AND VEGETAL'' '5 MATERIALS (BY $107 'III,I,ION OR 16 PER CENT); AND EXPLOSIVES AIL) PYROI'ECHNK PRODUCTS I BY $66 MILLION OR 47 PER CENT).
TABLE 6 ILLUSTRATES THE CHANGES IN RE-EXPORTS BY MAJOR ' ।>MMODITY DI VIS ION.
DETAILED STATISTICS ON TRADE VALUE BY COMMODITY AND BY COUNTRY ARI' I'l'Bl ISHED IN TRADE STATISTICS REPORTS. THE FEBRUARY 1989 ISSUE OF IHI "IP’MG KONG TRADE STATISTICS SUMMARY" WILL BE ON SALE AROUND APRIL 15 AT THE GOVERNMENT PUBLICATIONS CENTRE, GPO BUILDING, CONNAUGHT PLACE, CENTRAL AT $9.50 PER COPY.
/A MORE
TUESDAY, APRIL 11, 1989
w 10 _
A MORE COMPREHENSIVE REPORT, "HONG KONG EXTERNAL TRADE", WITH DETAILED ANALYSES ON IMPORTS, EXPORTS AND RE-EXPORTS IN FEBRUARY 1989 WILL BE AVAILABLE IN END-APRIL AT $17.50 PER COPY.
ENQUIRIES REGARDING REGULAR SUBSCRIPTION TO THESE REPORTS MAY BE DIRECTED TO THE INFORMATION SERVICES DEPARTMENT AT FRENCH MISSION BUILDING, 1 BATTERY PATH, HONG KONG (TEL. NO.: 5-8428802) AND ENQUIRIES ON TRADE STATISTICS TO THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT (TEL. NO.: 5-8234915).
TABLE 1: DOMESTIC EXPORTS BY 10 MAJOR MARKETS
FEB FEB 89 JAN-FEB JAN-FEB 89
MAJOR MARKET 1989 OVER 1989 OVER
FEB 88 JAN-FEB 88
(HKD MN.) ( % ) (HKD MN.) ( % • )
U.S.A. 4,277 - 6 9,461 - 7
CHINA 2,440 4 43 5,645 4 35
F.R. OF GERMANY 1 , 178 - 6 2,533 - 10
U.K. 988 ♦ 1 2,196 4 8
JAPAN 751 4 32 1,716 4 30
CANADA 435 4 2 1,011 4 8
SINGAPORE 331 + 11 810 4 23
NETHERLANDS 344 4 5 752 4 7
AUSTRALIA 299 4 6 654 4 11
FRANCE 267 - 10 574 - 10
TABLE 2: DOMESTIC EXPORTS BY MAJOR COMMODITY DIVISION
FEB FEB 89 JAN-FEB JAN-FEB 89
COMMODITY 1989 OVER 1989 OVER
DIVISION FEB 88 JAN-FEB 88
(HKD MN.) ( % ) (HKD MN.) ( % )
ARTICLES OF APPAREL
AND CLOTHING
ACCESSORIES 4,490 - 3 9,976 — 2
/MISCELLANEOUS manufactured .......
TUESDAY$ APRIL 11, 1989
11
MISCELLANEOUS MANUFACTURED ARTICLES (MAINLY BABY CARRIAGES,TOYS,GAMES AND SPORTING GOODS) 1,584 — 9 3,676 — 6
PHOTOGRAPHIC APPARATUS, EQUIPMENT AND SUPPLIES, OPTICAL GOODS, WATCHES AND CLOCKS 1,293 + 9 2,731 + 5
ELECTRICAL MACHINERY, APPARATUS AND APPLIANCES, AND ELECTRICAL PARTS THEREOF 1, 193 + 16 2,632 + 14
TELECOMMUNICATIONS AND SOUND RECORDING AND REPRODUCING APPARATUS AND EQUIPMENT 973 1 2,285 + 5
TEXTILE YARN, FABRICS, MADE-UP ARTICLES AND RELATED PRODUCTS 973 11 2,164 3
TABLE 3: IMPORTS FROM 10 MAJOR SUPPLIERS
FEB FEB 89 JAN-FEB JAN-FEB 89
MAJOR SUPPLIER 1989 OVER 1989 OVER
FEB 88 JAN-FEB 88
(HKD MN.) ( % ) (HKD MN.) ( % )
CHINA 10,348 + 32 25,296 + 35
JAPAN 7,647 + 29 14,652 + 29
TAIWAN 3,165 + 30 7,197 + 34
U.S.A. 3,695 + 52 6,858 + 35
REPUBLIC OF KOREA 2,019 + 40 4,055 + 31
SINGAPORE 1,566 + 68 3,485 + 43
U.K. 1,097 + 31 2,173 + 16
F.R. OF GERMANY 1,077 + 36 2,156 + 30
SWITZERLAND 865 ♦ 36 1,489 ♦ 18
ITALY 662 + 35 1,348 + 39
/Table 4 .......
TUESDAY, APRIL 11, 1989
12
TABLE 4: IMPORTS BY MAJOR COMMODITY DIVISION
COMMODITY DIVISION FEB 1989 (HKD MN.) FEB 89 OVER FEB 88 ( % ) JAN-FEB 1989 (HKD MN.) JAN-FEB OVER JAN-FEB ( % 89 88 . )
TEXTILE YARN, FABRICS, MADE-UP ARTICLES AND RELATED PRODUCTS 4,218 + 28 9,274 + 28
ELECTRICAL MACHINERY, APPARATUS AND APPLIANCES AND ELECTRICAL PARTS THEREOF » 4,336 46 8,592 + 41
TELECOMMUNICATIONS AND SOUND RECORDING AND REPRODUCING APPARATUS AND EQUIPMENT 2,579 + 70 5,540 + 64
ARTICLES OF APPAREL AND CLOTHING ACCESSORIES 2,303 + 34 5,497 + 32
PHOTOGRAPHIC APPARATUS, EQUIPMENT AND SUPPLIES, OPTICAL GOODS, WATCHES AND CLOCKS 2,431 + 39 4,678 + 31
MISCELLANEOUS MANUFACTURED ARTICLES (MAINLY BABY CARRIAGES, TOYS, GAMES AND SPORTING GOODS) 1,913 + 29 4,459 + 35
TABLE 5: RE-EXPORTS BY 10 MAJOR MARKETS
MAJOR MARKET FEB 1989 (HKD MN.) FEB 89 OVER FEB 88 ( % ) JAN-FEB 1989 (HKD MN.) JAN-FEB OVER JAN-FEB ( % 89 88 ; )
CHINA 7,244 + 58 16,213 4 57
U.S.A. 3,962 + 33 8,607 + 32
JAPAN 1,470 + 52 3,053 + 48
TAIWAN 1, 126 + 27 2,459 + 32
/REPUBLIC OF .......
TUESDAY, APRIL 11, 1989
- 1J -
REPUBLIC OF KOREA 1,029 + 9 2,036 + 17
F.R. OF GERMANY 785 + 49 1,794 + 61
SINGAPORE 719 + 39 1,625 + 39
U.K. 513 + 55 1,080 + 55
AUSTRALIA 442 + 66 893 ♦ 60
ITALY 341 68 774 + 76
TABLE 6: RE-EXPORTS BY MAJOR COMMODITY DIVISION
FEB COMMODITY 1989 DIVISION (HKD MN.) FEB 89 OVER FEB 88 ( % ) JAN-FEB 1989 (HKD MN.) JAN-FEB OVER JAN-FEB ( 89 88 % )
TEXTILE YARN, FABRICS, MADE-UP ARTICLES AND RELATED PRODUCTS 2,495 + 26 5,493 + 30
ELECTRICAL MACHINERY, APPARATUS AND APPLIANCES, AND ELECTRICAL PARTS THEREOF 2,481 49 5,187 + 54
ARTICLES OF APPAREL AND CLOTHING ACCESSORIES 2,432 + 43 5,103 + 31
MISCELLANEOUS MANUFACTURED ARTICLES (MAINLY BABY CARRIAGES, TOYS, GAMES AND SPORTING GOODS) 1,860 + 31 4,286 ♦ 40
TELECOMMUNICATIONS AND SOUND RECORDING AND REPRODUCING APPARATUS AND EQUIPMENT 1,615 + 60 3,650 + 73
PHOTOGRAPHIC APPARATUS, EQUIPMENT AND SUPPLIES, OPTICAL GOODS, WATCHES AND CLOCKS 881 46 1,883 + 40
TUESDAY, APRIL 11 , 1989
14
MARCH A RATHER DRY MONTH *****
MARCH WAS A RATHER DRY MONTH IN TERMS OF RELATIVE HUMIDITY. THE MONTHLY AVERAGE OF 75 PER CENT IS THE FIFTH LOWEST ON RECORD FOR MARCH, THE ROYAL OBSERVATORY SAID IN ITS MONTHLY WEATHER REPORT TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
HOWEVER, THE MONTHLY TOTAL RAINFALL OF 47.8 MILLIMETRES WAS ONLY 13 PER CENT LESS THAN THE NORMAL AMOUNT OF 54.8 MILLIMETRES FOR MARCH.
FOR THE FIRST THREE MONTHS OF 1989, THE TOTAL RAINFALL WAS ONLY 74.4 MILLIMETRES, WHICH IS 40 PER CENT BELOW THE NORMAL AMOUNT OF 123.6 MILLIMETRES.
THE WEATHER WAS GENERALLY CLOUDY BUT MILD FOR THE FIRST THREE DAYS OF MARCH.
AFTER THE PASSAGE OF A COLD FRONT EARLY ON MARCH 4, NORTHERLY WINDS BROUGHT COOLER WEATHER WITH SOME LIGHT RAIN. THE MINIMUM OF 11.4 DEGREES CELSIUS ON MARCH 5 WAS THE LOWEST TEMPERATURE RECORDED FOR THE MONTH.
WINDS ALSO BECAME STRONG OFFSHORE ON MARCH 4, AND GUSTS OF 68 KILOMETRES PER HOUR WERE RECORDED. A YACHT CAPSIZED IN SAI KUNG AREA UNDER THESE WINDY CONDITIONS.
CLOUDY AND COOL CONDITIONS ASSOCIATED WITH THE WINTER MONSOON PERSISTED UNTIL MARCH 7. THE WEATHER THEN TURNED FINE THE FOLLOWING DAY AND THIS PREVAILED FOR A PERIOD OF EIGHT DAYS. MILDER CONDITIONS ALSO RETURNED AS WINDS GRADUALLY BECAME SOUTHEASTERLY.
WITH THE SOUTHEASTERLIES BRINGING IN WARM AND MOIST MARITIME AIR, FOG FORMED IN THE EARLY HOURS OF MARCH 14. VISIBILITY IN THE URBAN AREAS WAS REDUCED TO 500 METRES. ALTHOUGH THE FOG LIFTED DURING THE DAY, SOME COASTAL MIST RETURNED DURING THE NIGHT.
IT WAS ONE OF THE TWO WARMEST DAYS FOR THE MONTH, WITH THE DAYTIME TEMPERATURE CLIMBING TO A MAXIMUM OF 25.7 DEGREES. THIS WAS ALSO THE HIGHEST TEMPERATURE SO FAR THIS YEAR.
MEANWHILE, A WEAK SURGE OF THE WINTER MONSOON ARRIVED FROM THE EAST ON MARCH 15. EASTERLY WINDS THEN PREVAILED FOR THE NEXT NINE DAYS. FURTHER REPLENISHMENT OF THE WINTER MONSOON OCCURRED ON MARCH 17 AND 21 AND BROUGHT PROGRESSIVELY COOLER CONDITIONS TO THE SOUTH CHINA COASTAL AREAS.
WINDS WERE STRONG OFFSHORE ON BOTH OCCASIONS, WITH GUSTS REACHING OVER 70 KILOMETRES PER HOUR OFFSHORE. DESPITE SOME BRIGHTER INTERVALS, THE WEATHER DURING THE PERIOD OF MARCH 15 - 24 WAS MAINLY CLOUDY WITH OCCASIONAL LIGHT RAIN.
/THE WEATHER .......
TUESDAY, APRIL 11, 1989
THE WEATHER DETERIORATED FURTHER DURING THE NIGHT OF MARCH 24.
RAIN AND THUNDERY SHOWERS AFFECTED THE TERRITORY ON MARCH 25 AND 37.4 MILLIMETRES OF RAINFALL WERE RECORDED AT THE ROYAL OBSERVATORY. ANOTHER SURGE OF WINTER MONSOON REACHED THE COAST THE SAME DAY, BRINGING COOLER WEATHER TO THE COASTAL AREAS.
CONDITIONS ON MARCH 26 REMAINED CLOUDY AND COOL WITH SHOWERS GRADUALLY DYING OUT.
THE WEATHER IMPROVED MARKEDLY WITH BRILLIANTLY FINE SKY ON MARCH 27. THE DRAMATIC CLEARANCE WAS THE RESULT OF DRY CONTINENTAL AIR ESTABLISHING OVER THE SOUTH CHINA COASTAL AREAS.
THE DRY CONDITIONS PERSISTED FOR THE NEXT FEW DAYS WITH THE RELATIVE HUMIDITY DROPPING TO 31 PER CENT ON MARCH 28.
TOWARDS THE END OF THE MONTH, WARM AND MOIST MARITIME AIR AFFECTED THE COASTAL AREAS. ALTHOUGH THE WEATHER STAYED MAINLY FINE, CLOUD AMOUNT NOTICEABLY INCREASED.
BY MARCH 31, WINDS WERE FROM THE EAST TO SOUTHEAST AND TEMPERATURES AGAIN REACHED THE HIGHEST FOR THE MONTH OF 25.7 DEGREES DURING THE DAY.
DURING THE MONTH OF MARCH, NO TROPICAL CYCLONE OCCURRED OVER THE WESTERN NORTH PACIFIC OR THE SOUTH CHINA SEA. NO AIRCRAFT WAS DIVERTED DUE TO ADVERSE WEATHER. THUNDERSTORM WARNINGS WERE ISSUED ON MARCH 25.
THE YELLOW FIRE DANGER WARNING WAS IN EFFECT ON MARCH 1,5, 6, 9, 10, 11, 28, 29 AND 30. THE RED FIRE DANGER WARNING WAS IN EFFECT DURING THE PERIOD OF MARCH 6-9.
SIGNALS HOISTED DURING THE MONTH WERE AS FOLLOWS:
DATE AND TIME DATE AND TIME
WEATHER SYSTEM SIGNAL OF HOISTING OF LOWERING
WINTER MONSOON STRONG MONSOON MARCH 4 2.45 PM MARCH 5 7.50 AM
WINTER MONSOON STRONG MONSOON MARCH 17 10 AM MARCH 18 5 AM
WINTER MONSOON STRONG MONSOON MARCH 21 6 AM MARCH 23 7 AM
WINTER MONSOON STRONG MONSOON MARCH 25 11 PM MARCH 26 6 AM
/THE MONTH'S .......
TUESDAY, APRIL 11, 1989
16
THE MONTH’S FIGURES AND DEPARTURES FROM NORMAL WERE:
TOTAL BRIGHT SUNSHINE
MEAN DAILY GLOBAL SOLAR RADIATION
TOTAL RAINFALL
MEAN AMOUNT OF CLOUD
MEAN RELATIVE HUMIDITY
MEAN DAILY MAXIMUM AIR TEMPERATURE
MEAN AIR TEMPERATURE
MEAN DAILY MINIMUM AIR TEMPERATURE
MEAN DEW POINT
TOTAL EVAPORATION
145.6 HOURS
13.38 MJ/SQ. METRE
47.8 MM
66 PER CENT
75 PER CENT
21.2 DEGREES CELSIUS
18.6 DEGREES CELSIUS
16.4 DEGREES CELSIUS
13.7 DEGREES CELSIUS
93.1 MM
; 44.2 HOURS ABOVE
NORMAL
; 1.96 MJ/SQ. METRE
ABOVE NORMAL
; 7.0 MM BELOW NORMAL
; 10 PER CENT LESS
THAN NORMAL
; 7 PER CENT LOWER
THAN NORMAL
; 0.1 DEGREE CELSIUS
BELOW NORMAL
; 0.1 DEGREE CELSIUS
ABOVE NORMAL
; 0.1 DEGREE CELSIUS
ABOVE NORMAL
; 1.3 DEGREES CELSIUS
BELOW NORMAL
; 2.8 MM BELOW NORMAL
-------0----------
TAXI DRIVERS URGED TO EXERCISE SELF-DISCIPLINE
THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT URGES TAXI DRIVERS IN SHEUNG SHUI TO EXERCISE SELF-DISCIPLINE AND TO USE THE TAXI STAND OUTSIDE THE KOWLOON-CANTON RAILWAY STATION TO AVOID ANY CONFLICT AMONG THEMSELVES AND TO UPHOLD THE GOOD NAME OF THE TRADE.
A SPOKESMAN SAID THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT WAS ALWAYS PREPARED TO LISTEN TO SUGGESTIONS IN THE LIGHT OF CHANGING NEEDS.
HE STRESSED THAT IDEAS OR PROPOSALS SHOULD BE PUT FORWARD THROUGH PROPER AND ESTABLISHED CHANNELS.
THEY CAN BE RAISED AT THE REGULAR CONFERENCE THAT THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT HOLDS WITH REPRESENTATIVES OF THE TAXI TRADE, OR BROUGHT TO THE ATTENTION OF THE DEPARTMENT THROUGH THE OMELCO OFFICE OR DISTRICT BOARDS.
/DRIVERS OR .......
TUESDAY, APRIL 11, 1989
17
DRIVERS OR OPERATORS COULD ALSO APPROACH OFFICERS OF THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT TO DISCUSS MATTERS OF CONCERN.
AT PRESENT THE TAXI STAND OUTSIDE THE SHEUNG SHUI KOWLOON-CANTON RAILWAY STATION IS LOCATED ABOUT 60 METRES FROM THE ENTRANCE OF THE STATION TO SERVE PEDESTRIANS USING THE TWO FOOTBRIDGES NEARBY AS WELL AS TRAIN PASSENGERS.
AT THE ENTRANCE OF THE KCR STATION IS A LAYBY FOR TAXIS TO SET DOWN PASSENGERS.
UPON THE RECOMMENDATION OF THE NORTH DISTRICT BOARD AND WITH THE ENDORSEMENT OF THE CONFERENCE ON NEW TERRITORIES TAXI OPERATIONS, WHERE THE TRADE IS FULLY REPRESENTED, THE ROAD SECTION OUTSIDE THE TAXI STAND AND THE LAYBY WAS DESIGNATED AS TAXI RESTRICTED ZONE EARLY LAST YEAR IN ORDER TO DETER TOUTING BY SOME TAXI DRIVERS.
AT THE SAME TIME, DISCUSSIONS ON FURTHER IMPROVING THE SITUATION AT THE TAXI STAND HAVE BEEN CONTINUING IN THE CONFERENCE ON NT TAXI OPERATIONS.
MEANWHILE TAXI DRIVERS, AFTER SETTING DOWN PASSENGERS AT THE LAYBY, ARE URGED TO MOVE ON TO JOIN THE QUEUE AT THE TAXI STAND. THE PICKING UP OF PASSENGERS BY SOME TAXIS AT THIS LAYBY HAS CAUSED COMPLAINTS OF QUEUE JUMPING FROM OTHER DRIVERS WHO USE THE PROPER TAXI STAND.
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DISTRICT BOARD COMMITTEE TO NOMINATE CO-OPTED MEMBERS t * * * t
THE SHA TIN DISTRICT BOARD’S CULTURE AND SPORTS COMMITTEE WILL MEET ON THURSDAY (APRIL 13) TO NOMINATE CO-OPTED MEMBERS TO THE COMMITTEE,
PROGRESS REPORTS OF THE SHA TIN ARTS ASSOCIATION, SHA TIN SPORTS ASSOCIATION AND THE DISTRICT FESTIVAL ORGANISING COMMITTEE WILL BE TABLED AT THE MEETING.
MEMBERS WILL ALSO DISCUSS APPLICATION FOR FUNDS FOR THE YEAR 1989-90.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE MEETING OF THE SHA TIN DISTRICT BOARD’S CULTURE AND SPORTS COMMITTEE TO BE HELD AT THE SHA TIN DISTRICT BOARD CONFERENCE ROOM ON SIXTH FLOOR, KCR HOUSE, SHA TIN STATION ON THURSDAY (APRIL 13). THE MEETING WILL BEGIN AT 9.30 AM.
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/18.......
TUESDAY, APRIL 11, 1989
18
KWAI TSING DB ENDORSES BUDGET, ELECTS COMMITTEE CHAIRMEN *****
THE KWAI TSING DISTRICT BOARD HAS APPORTIONED MORE THAN $4.5 MILLION TODAY (TUESDAY) TO ITS SIX COMMITTEES TO FUND COMMUNITY PROJECTS AND ACTIVITIES IN THE 1989-90 FINANCIAL YEAR.
THE NEWLY SET UP ENVIRONMENT AND PLANNING COMMITTEE IS GIVEN $1 MILLION TO IMPLEMENT MINOR ENVIRONMENTAL IMPROVEMENT PROJECTS AND ORGANISE COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT ACTIVITIES.
THE CULTURE, RECREATION AND SPORTS COMMITTEE HAS RECEIVED THE LARGEST SHARE OF $1.4 MILLION FOR ORGANISING THE DISTRICT ARTS AND SPORTS FESTIVALS AND MAKING GRANTS TO LOCAL ORGANISATIONS FOR THE PROMOTION OF RELATED ACTIVITIES.
THE OTHER FOUR COMMITTEES ON ADMINISTRATION AND PUBLICITY, COMMUNITY AFFAIRS, INDUSTRY AND COMMERCE, AND TRAFFIC AND TRANSPORT ARE ALLOCATED ABOUT $800,000, $700,000, $400,000 AND $250,000 RESPECTIVELY.
LOCAL ORGANISATIONS IN KWAI TSING ARE BEING INVITED TO APPLY FOR DISTRICT BOARD FUNDS FOR ORGANISING COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT ACTIVITIES AND CONDUCTING SURVEYS AND STUDIES.
APPLICATIONS FOR FUNDS TO HOLD ACTIVITIES BETWEEN AUGUST AND NOVEMBER THIS YEAR SHOULD REACH THE KWAI TSING DISTRICT OFFICE, ITS SUB-OFFICES OR THE DISTRICT BOARD SECRETARIAT BEFORE JUNE 1.
THOSE APPLICATIONS FOR HOLDING ACTIVITIES FROM DECEMBER THIS YEAR TO MARCH NEXT YEAR MAY BE SUBMITTED BY OCTOBER 1.
APPLICATIONS FOR FUNDS FROM THE ENVIRONMENT AND PLANNING COMMITTEE MAY BE USED FOR ORGANISING ACTIVITIES OR PURCHASING FIRE FIGHTING EQUIPMENT.
APPLICATION FORMS ARE NOW AVAILABLE FROM THE ABOVE OFFICES. THE DISTRICT BOARD HAS THE FINAL RIGHT IN APPROVING AN APPLICATION.
AT TODAY’S MEETING, MEMBERS ALSO ELECTED THE CHAIRMEN FOR THE SIX DISTRICT BOARD COMMITTEES FOR 1989-90.
THEY ARE MR SIN CHUNG-KAI FOR THE CULTURE, RECREATION AND SPORTS COMMITTEE: MR KWONG FU-SAM FOR THE COMMUNITY AFFAIRS COMMITTEE; MR LEE KIN-SANG FOR THE ENVIRONMENT AND PLANNING COMMITTEE; MR LI SIU-KEI FOR THE INDUSTRY AND COMMERCE COMMITTEE; AND MR CHUNG MAN-FAI FOR THE TRAFFIC AND TRANSPORT COMMITTEE.
KWAI TSING DISTRICT BOARD CHAIRMAN, MR LEE WING-TAT, WILL REMAIN THE CHAIRMAN OF THE ADMINISTRATION AND PUBLICITY COMMITTEE.
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/»9 ........
TUESDAY, APRIL 11, 1989
19
SEMINAR FOR TECHNICAL PERSONNEL IN ELECTRONICS INDUSTRY
TECHNICAL PERSONNEL IN THE ELECTRONICS INDUSTRY ARE BEING INVITED TO ATTEND A SEMINAR ON THE APPLICATION OF SURFACE MOUNT TECHNOLOGY (SMT) ORGANISED BY THE ELECTRONICS INDUSTRY TRAINING BOARD OF THE VOCATIONAL TRAINING COUNCIL.
THE HALF-DAY SEMINAR, TO BE HELD ON THE AFTERNOON OF APRIL 28, IS FREE OF CHARGE AND IS DESIGNED FOR PRACTISING JUNIOR ENGINEERS, TECHNICIANS AND SUPERVISORS IN SMT OPERATIONS.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE COUNCIL SAID THE SEMINAR WOULD HELP TO EQUIP TECHNICAL PERSONNEL WITH THE NECESSARY KNOWLEDGE AND SKILL IN THIS NEW TECHNOLOGY WHICH WAS BEING FAST ADOPTED BY THE LOCAL ELECTRONICS INDUSTRY.
TWO PROFESSIONALS FROM THE FIELD WILL DELIVER LECTURES ON THE TOPICS OF CORRECT HANDLING AND APPLICATION OF ACTIVE AND PASSIVE SURFACE MOUNT COMPONENTS.
PARTICIPANTS OF THE SEMINAR SHOULD BE SPONSORED BY THEIR EMPLOYERS. CLOSING DATE FOR APPLICATION IS FRIDAY (APRIL 14). FURTHER ENQUIRIES CAN BE DIRECTED TO THE SECRETARY OF THE TRAINING BOARD ON 5-8932341 EXT. 263.
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TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS IN SHAM SHUI PO
» * * *
THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCED THAT THE TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS WHICH HAVE BEEN IMPLEMENTED IN SHAM SHUI PO SINCE JULY LAST YEAR TO FACILITATE THE CONSTRUCTION WORK OF A STORMWATER DRAINAGE IMPROVEMENT PROJECT NEAR LI CHENG UK ESTATE WILL REMAIN IN FORCE UNTIL THE END OF THIS (APRIL) MONTH.
THE SECTION OF EASTBOUND PO ON ROAD BETWEEN FAT TSEUNG STREET AND TONKIN STREET WILL CONTINUE TO BE CLOSED TO TRAFFIC.
VEHICLES ON EASTBOUND PO ON ROAD HEADING FOR TONKIN STREET, INCLUDING GREEN MINIBUS ROUTE 42 ON ITS JOURNEYS TO CHAK ON ESTATE, WILL BE DIVERTED VIA PO ON ROAD, FAT TSEUNG STREET, KWONG LEE ROAD AND TONKIN STREET.
ALSO, THE LEFT-TURN FROM SOUTHBOUND FAT TSEUNG STREET TO EASTBOUND PO ON ROAD AND THE RIGHT-TURN FROM NORTHBOUND WING LUNG STREET TO EASTBOUND PO ON ROAD WILL CONTINUE TO BE BANNED.
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TUESDAY, APRIL 11, 1989
20
RENOWNED MUSICIAN TO GIVE MASTERCLASS *****
THE MUSIC OFFICE WILL PRESENT A MASTERCLASS BY A RENOWNED VIOLINIST, MS MADELEINE MITCHELL, AT THE SHA TIN MUSIC CENTRE ON SUNDAY (APRIL 16), FROM 10.30 AM TO 12.30 PM.
OVER THE YEARS, MS MITCHELL HAS WON MANY BRITISH NATIONAL COMPETITIONS. SHE IS ONE OF THE FEW BRITISH VIOLINISTS TO BE PERFORMING INTERNATIONALLY AS A SOLOIST, AND HAS GIVEN RECITALS AND CONCERTS THROUGHOUT EUROPE.
AS A SOLOIST AND CHAMBER MUSICIAN, MS MITCHELL HAS PLAYED AT MANY INTERNATIONAL FESTIVALS. THESE INCLUDED MUSIC FESTIVALS IN BELFAST AND TORONTO, AS WELL AS ENGAGEMENTS AT THE LINCOLN CENTRE IN NEW YORK.
RECENTLY MS MITCHELL HAS PLAYED MOZART CONCERTOS WITH THE WUTTEMBERG CHAMBER ORCHESTRA.
HER GREAT SUCCESS WITH THE BRUCH AND MENDELESSOHN CONCERTOS IN CZECHOSLOVAKIA AND GERMANY, AND THAT WITH TCHAIKOVSKY IN SPAIN, HAS RESULTED IN AN INVITATION TO PERFORM THE PREMIERE OF A NEW VIOLIN CONCERTO BY SIR PETER MAXELL DAVIES.
AT THE MASTERCLASS ON SUNDAY, MS MITCHELL WILL LECTURE ON THE TECHNIQUES OF VIOLIN PLAYING .
ADMISSION TO THE MASTERCLASS IS FREE AND RESERVATIONS CAN BE MADE ON 5-8235321.
- - 0
TEMPORARY CLOSURE OF BOWRING STREET IN YAU MA TEI ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦
THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCED THAT THE SECTION OF BOWRING STREET IN YAU MA TEI BETWEEN TEMPLE STREET AND SHANGHAI STREET WILL CONTINUE TO BE CLOSED TO TRAFFIC UNTIL THE END OF MAY FOR ROAD RECONSTRUCTION WORKS.
THIS SECTION OF THE ROAD HAS BEEN CLOSED SINCE LAST DECEMBER.
0 - -
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY'GOVERNMENT ■ INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE. HONG KONG: TEL.: 5-8428777
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 12, 1989
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL MEETING : FS EXPLAINS APPROVED ESTIMATES OF EXPENDITURE .............. 1
MTRC MADE FIRST NET PROFIT IN' I988 ....................... 2
ENGLISH CONSUMER MAGAZINE aDVOCaTED ....................... 4
SOUTHERN CHIN.i TAKEN INTO aCCOUNT WHEN DEVELOPMENTS «RE
PUNNED ..’............................................... 5
HEIGHT RESTRICTION ON SaLE SITE EXPLAINED ................. 5
AG EXPLAINS DECISION NOT TO PROSECUTE FALSE SUBMISSIONS .. 6
ASBESTOS IN BRA1CE LININGS HA MLESS ....................... 7
BI-SESSIONaL CONVERSION T..RGETTED FROM 1994: SEM.......... 7
400 Il'S JaILED'IN P.xST SIX MONTHS ....................... 8
NO CONTROLS ON MsG IN FOODSTUFFS: SHW ..................... 3
EMPLOYMENT VISa POLICY JJPLIED LIBERALLY .ND FLEXIBLY .... 9
SITES FOR NEW COaL-FIRED POWER STATION BEING SOUGHT ...... 10
USD STAFF DO NOT REQUIRE POWER TO CHECK I.D. CARDS ....... 11
UNP..ID MEMBERS OF .iDVISORY BODIES NOT DISCOURAGED FROM
COMMUNITY WORK ....................................... 13
Management of zoological Gardens ......................... 14
PHOTOCOPIERS MrtY --BE PROVIDED TO aIDED SECONDARY SCHOOLS next year ...............I..;.:.......................... 14
FILM CENSORSHIP VIEWING FREQUENCY'-.JPROPRIATE............ 15
VIEWS ON CRIMES BILL T.joi; INTO CONSIDERATION ........... 16
SOCIETY FLaT OWNERS NEED TO PAY PREMIUM TO SELL IN OPEN MARKET .................................................. 16
THREE MaIN SOURCES OF INFORMATION ON LMIGR..TION ......... 17
BILL SEEKS TO INCREASE FEES FRO. DEPOSIT-TAKING COMPLIES 17 BILL PROVIDES LEGISLATIVE EFFECT TO INCREASE BUSINESS
REGISTRATION FEE ....................................... 18
BILL SEEKS LEGISLaTIVE EFFECT ON DUTIABLE COMMODITIES .... 18
BILL SEEKS LEGISLATIVE EFFECT TO T;OC CONCESSIONS : FS .... 19
INCREASE IN VEHICLE REGISTRATION AND DRIVING LICENCE FEES
GIVEN EFFECT ........................................... 20
ACCOUNTING aND AUDITING . JJR.JJGEMENTS OF TRUST FUNDS EXPLAINED ............................................... 20
BILL PROVIDES FLEXIBILITY TO FURTHER EDUCATION: SEM ...... 21
EXTENDING T..Va TO COVER LIGHT RaIL TRANSIT.............. 23 SFC SHOULD HaVE EFFECTIVE POWER ..ND RESOURCES .......... 25 SFC BILL SIGNIFICANTLY IMPROVED ......................... 28 SECURITIES BILL HELPS BOTH MARKET AND INVESTORS ......... JO SFC SHOULD BE FIIWlCLJiY ,ACCOUNTABLE TO THE PUBLIC ..... J1 Caution ..Gainst overrsgul.tion of Markets ............................ jj RESERVATIONS OVER SFC STRUCTURE ......................... J4 LEGCO aD HOC GROUP CONVENORS PRAISED .................... J5 "GAPING .HOLE" IN SFC BILL'.............................. J6 SFC SHOULD NOT PROTECT SECTORAL INTEREST ................................ J8 SFC BILL' STRIKES RIGHT BaUNCE ............................ J9 SFC DRaFT ESTIMATES TO GO THROUGH FINANCE COMMITTEE........ 40 SECURITIES aND FUTURES COMMISSION BILL PASSED............... 40 SFC BILL PASSED' WITH ; a FaiDMENTS ......................... 42 CENTRAL'POLICY’UNIT TO BE SET UP ON .iPRIL 17..................; 4j
GIFTS AND HOUSaJARE F.lii' OPEN'S ................................................... 44 GOVERNOR TO'VISIT KW.j TSIiiG TOMORROW .......................................... 44 DB COMMITTEE TO DISCUSS TR..FFIC MAN..GEMENT IN YUEN LONG TOV/N 45 DB COMMUNITY BUILDING COMMITTEES TO MEET TOMORROW........... 46 WORLD ENVIRONMENT DAY ON DB COMMITTEE ..GEND,............... 46 WHOLESALER FINED FOR SELLING CONTaMINaTED VEGETABLES .............. 47 TWO LaND LOTS TO LET ....................................... 48 TIMPORaRY TRAFFIC ARR..N J-iENTS IN WESTERN DISTRICT .......... 49 URB.J4 CLEaRWAYS IN MA ON SHaN ..;.......................... 50 TEMPORARY LANE CLOSURE ON MU. TAU WAI ROAD FLYOVER.......... 50 TEMPORARY TRAFFIC aRaaNGIMIJJTS IN TUEN MUN ................ 50
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 12, 1989
1
FS EXPLAINS APPROVED ESTIMATES OF EXPENDITURE
*»»*»»
THE ESTIMATES OF EXPENDITURE APPROVED DURING THE SECOND QUARTER OF 1988-89 INCLUDED THOSE ON SUPPLEMENTARY PROVISION, APPROVED NON-RECURRENT COMMITMENTS AND NEW NON-RECURRENT COMMITMENTS, THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY, THE HON PIERS JACOBS TOLD THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
SPEAKING ON THE REPORT OF CHANGES TO THE ESTIMATES OF EXPENDITURE APPROVED DURING THE SECOND QUARTER OF 1988-89, MR JACOBS SAID THAT THE SUPPLEMENTARY PROVISION OF $2,236.3 MILLION WAS APPROVED.
"IT WAS FULLY OFFSET EITHER BY SAVINGS UNDER THE SAME OR OTHER HEADS OF EXPENDITURE OR BY THE DELETION OF FUNDS UNDER THE ADDITIONAL COMMITMENTS SUBHEADS," HE SAID.
IT INCLUDED $1,407 MILLION FOR PAYMENT OF THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT’S CASH CONTRIBUTION TOWARDS THE COST OF THE GARRISON IN 1988-89, AND $266 MILLION TO COVER THE VALUE ADDED TAX AND SALARIES TAX ON ALLOWANCES INCURRED UNDER THE 1981 DEFENCE COSTS AGREEMENT.
IT ALSO INCLUDED $247.2 MILLION TO MEET THE EXPENSES IN IMPLEMENTING THE NEW STUDENT TRAVEL SCHEME.
IN ADDITION, IT COMPRISED $125.0 MILLION TO ENABLE THE UNIVERSITIES, POLYTTECHN1CS AND THE BAPTIST COLLEGE TO AWARD SALARY INCREASES TO MINOR STAFF FOLLOWING THE ADJUSTMENT TO THE CIVIL SERVICE MODEL SCALE 1 PAY SCALE WITH RETROSPECTIVE EFFECT FROM APRIL 1, 1987, AND TO ACADEMIC AND NON-ACADEMIC STAFF FOLLOWING THE ADJUSTMENT TO THE CIVIL SERVICE PAY SCALES WITH EFFECT FROM APRIL 1 LAST YEAR.
APPROVED NON-RECURRENT COMMITMENTS WERE INCREASED BY $42.3 MILLION DURING THE PERIOD. AND NEW NON-RECURRENT COMMITMENTS OF $314.9 MILLION WERE ALSO APPROVED.
"IN THE SAME PERIOD, A NET INCREASE OF 1,670 POSTS WERE APPROVED," MR JACOBS ADDED.
ITEMS IN THE SUMMARY HAD BEEN APPROVED EITHER BY FINANCE COMMITTEE OR UNDER DELEGATED AUTHORITY.
THE LATTER HAD BEEN REPORTED TO THE FINANCE COMMITTEE IN ACCORDANCE WITH SECTION 8(8) (A) OF THE PUBLIC FINANCE ORDINANCE.
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WEDNESDAY, APRIL 12, 1989
- 2 -
MTRC MADE FIRST NET PROFIT IN 1988
♦ t » »
THE MASS TRANSIT RAILWAY CORPORATION RECORDED ITS FIRST NET PROFIT LAST YEAR, THANKS TO THE PROFITS FROM NON-RECURRENT PROPERTY DEVELOPMENT.
THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY, THE HON PIERS JACOBS, SAID THIS IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY) WHEN TABLING THE CORPORATION’S ANNUAL REPORT 1988.
HE SAID THE RECEIPT OF NON-RECURRENT PROPERTY DEVELOPMENT PROFITS OF $722 MILLION LED TO THE CORPORATION’S FIRST NET PROFIT OF $200 MILLION, COMPARED WITH A NET LOSS OF $78 MILLION IN 1987.
HOWEVER, MR JACOBS POINTED OUT THAT BECAUSE OF THE NON-RECURRENT NATURE OF PROPERTY DEVELOPMENT PROFITS, IT WOULD BE SOME TIME IN THE FUTURE BEFORE THE RAILWAY OPERATING REVENUE WOULD REGULARLY PRODUCE A NET PROFIT FOR THE CORPORATION.
HE SAID THAT LAST YEAR THE CORPORATION RECORDED A TOTAL REVENUE OF $2,307 MILLION - 12 PER CENT INCREASE OVER 1987 - OF WHICH $2,066 MILLION CAME FROM THE FARE REVENUE THAT REPRESENTED AN 11 PER CENT GROWTH.
MR JACOBS ELABORATED THAT THE CORPORATION’S PROFIT BEFORE INTEREST AND FINANCE CHARGES INCREASED TO $837 MILLION, SOME 29 PER CENT OVER THE PREVIOUS YEAR.
"INTEREST AND FINANCE CHARGES OF $1,372 MILLION WERE PAID IN 1988 GIVING A LOSS OF $535 MILLION AS AGAINST $749 MILLION IN 1987," HE SAID.
DESPITE PRESSURE FROM INCREASED LABOUR COSTS AND SUBSTANTIAL INCREASES IN RAILWAY MAINTENANCE COSTS, THE CORPORATION WERE ABLE TO CONTAIN ITS COSTS TO A SEVEN PER CENT INCREASE, MR JACOBS SAID.
"I AM SATISFIED THAT THE CORPORATION’S COSTS ARE CONTAINED AND ITS REVENUE GROWTH IS SUFFICIENT TO MEET ITS OBLIGATIONS," HE ADDED.
"ITS GOOD CREDIT RATINGS AND FINANCING ARRANGEMENTS HAVE WON THE CORPORATION AN EXCELLENT REPUTATION IN INTERNATIONAL FINANCIAL MARKET."
ON THE CORPORATION’S BURDEN OF DEBTS, THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY NOTED THAT IT REDUCED ITS INDEBTEDNESS BY FOUR PER CENT TO A TOTAL DEBT OF $17,434 MILLION AT THE END OF 1988.
"FOLLOWING THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL'S AGREEMENT IN APRIL 1988, THE GOVERNMENT PAID A FURTHER $1,000 MILLION IN RESPECT OF THE CORPORATION’S PARTLY PAID SHARES IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE FINANCE COMMITTEE’S APPROVAL," HE ADDED.
/"THERE REMAINS
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 12, 19&9
3
’’THERE REMAINS UNCALLED ON THE PARTLY PAID SHARES A FURTHER $2,500 MILLION, AND THIS EXPENDITURE IS PROVIDED FOR IN THE GOVERNMENT FORECAST OF MEDIUM TERM EXPENDITURE.”
MR JACOBS SAID THAT AT THE END OF LAST YEAR, SHAREHOLDERS’ FUNDS STOOD AT $6,315 MILLION, AN IMPROVEMENT OF OVER $2,900 MILLION.
’’THIS AROSE FROM THE FURTHER EQUITY INJECTION OF $1,000 MILLION THAT HAVE JUST REFERRED TO, THE NET PROFIT EARNED DURING THE YEAR AND THE REVALUATION OF INVESTMENT PROPERTIES HELD BY THE CORPORATION WHICH INCREASED ITS RESERVES BY $1,601 MILLION,” HE SAID.
"THIS MOVEMENT LED TO A YEAR-END DEBT TO EQUITY RATIO OF 2.8 TO ONE COMPARED WITH 5.3 TO ONE IN 1987.”
BUT MR JACOBS SAID THAT THE CORPORATION HAD, AND WOULD CONTINUE TO HAVE FOR SOME TIME, A LARGE BURDEN OF DEBT.
"IN RECOGNITION OF THIS, THE CORPORATION REMAINS AN ACTIVE AND INNOVATIVE BORROWER IN HONG KONG AND IN THE WORLD FINANCIAL MARKET."
"1 AM HAPPY TO ADD THAT DURING THE YEAR THE CORPORATION IMPROVED ITS INTERNATIONAL CREDIT RATINGS.
"THIS IS IMPORTANT BECAUSE IT ENSURES THAT THE CORPORATION IS WELL REGARDED IN THE INTERNATIONA! FINANCIAL MARKETS NOW AND IN THE FUTURE."
ON THE MTR PASSENGER GROWTH RATE, MR JACOBS SAID THAT A TOTAL OF 630 MILLION PASSENGERS WERE CARRIED LAST YEAR. REPRESENTING A SIX PER CENT INCREASE OVER 1987.
HOWEVER, HE WARNED THAT FURTHER INCREASES IN THE PASSENGER GROWTH RATE WERE EXPECTED IN TUI' FUTURE, THAT COULD LEAD TO THE CONTINUED BUILD-UP OF THE PEAK HOUR PATRONAGE ALONG THE NATHAN ROAD CORR I DOR.
THE CORPORATION HAS AND WILL CONTINUE TO ADOPT MEASURES TO ENCOURAGE MORE PEOPLE TO TRAVEL TO WORK EARLIER OR LATER,” HE SAID.
THE OPENING OF THE EASTERN HARBOUR CROSSING LN LATE SUMMER SHOULD PROVIDE SOME RELIEF, HE ADDED.
"FOR THE LONGER TERM, DEVELOPMENT OPTIONS ON OUR FUTURE TRANSPORT NETWORK WILL BE SEI’ OUT IN THE SECOND COMPREHENSIVE TRANSPORT STUDY TO BE PUBLISHED SHORTLY AND THE CORPORATION IS EXPECTED TO PLAY AN ACT IVI’ ROLE IN SUCH DEVELOPMENTS," MR JACOBS SAID.
THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY THANKED THE FORMER CHAIRMAN, MR WILFRID NEWTON. AND THE BOARD, AS WELL AS THE MANAGEMENT AND STAFF OF THE MTRC FOR THE VERY RESPONSIBLE AND EFFICIENT WAY IN WHICH THEY MANAGED THE CORPORATION DURING THE PAST YEAR.
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 12. 1989
ENGLISH CONSUMER MAGAZINE ADVOCATED * * * *
THE CONSUMER COUNCIL MONTHLY MAGAZINE "CHOICE", WITH A CIRCULATION OF 16,400 COPIES SHOULD BE PUBLISHED IN ENGLISH FOR THOSE CONSUMERS WHO DO NOT READ CHINESE. THE HON MARTIN LEE SAID TN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
TABLING THE ANNUAL REPORT OF THE CONSUMER COUNCIL FOR 1987-88, MR LEE WHO IS CHAIRMAN OF THE COUNCIL SAID THAT DURING THE YEAR UNDER REVIEW. THE COUNCIL HAD PUBLISHED ITS FIRST ENGLISH VERSION ENTITLED "CHOICE BUYING GUIDE 1988" WHICH BROUGHT TOGETHER IN ONE VOLUME ALL THE MAJOR TESTS AND SURVEY REPORTS FROM THE PRECEDING 12 ISSUES OF THE CHOICE MAGAZINE.
"THIS PROVED TO BE VERY POPULAR AMONG ENGLISH READING CONSUMERS. AND VERY RECENTLY. WE PUBLISHED THE CHOICE BUYING GUIDE 1989," HE SAID.
MR LEE SAID HE HOPED THAT THE COUNCIL COULD SOON PUBLISH ALL ITS MAGAZINES IN BOTH CHINESE AND ENGLISH BECAUSE HE BELIEVED THAT IT WAS A SERVICE WHICH THEY OUGHT TO PROVIDE EVEN THOUGH THEY MIGHT SUSTAIN A LOSS IN DOING SO.
STRESSING THAT JUSTICE IN THE MARKET-PLACE WAS WHAT CONSUMER PROTECTION WAS ALL ABOUT. MR LEE SAID THAT. REGRETTABLY, IT OFTEN TOOK QUITE A LONG TIME BEFORE THE PUBLIC COULD SEE THE PRINT OF THE COUNCIL’S WORK.
CITING THE REVAMPED TRAVEL AGENTS ORDINANCE AS AN EXAMPLE, MR LEE SAID THAT THE REPORT GAVE A VIVID ACCOUNT OF THE CONTRIBUTION MADE BY THE COUNCIL IN THE LEGISLATIVE PROCESS OF THE AMENDMENTS TO THIS ORDINANCE, BUT IT WAS NOT UNTIL NOW THAT THEY WERE BEGINNING TO WITNESS ITS EFFECT.
"ANOTHER EXAMPLE IS THE AMENDMENTS TO THE MONEY CHANGERS (DISCLOSURE OF RATES. CHARGES AND COMMISSIONS) ORDINANCE. THE AMENDMENTS WERE PASSED INTO LAW ONLY LAST MONTH, BUT, THE CONSUMER COUNCIL HAD BEEN PRESSING FOR CHANGE FOR SOME YEARS," HE NOTED.
TURNING TO THE REPORT ITSELF, MR LEE HIGHLIGHTED THE "RIGHT TO KNOW" CAMPAIGN OFFICIALLY LAUNCHED LAST YEAR. AND SAID HE WAS GLAD THAT THE CAMPAIGN HAD BEEN IMMENSELY SUCCESSFUL WITH, VERY FEW CONSUMERS TODAY STILL UNAWARE OF Till CAMPAIGN'S SLOGAN: "IF YOU ASK MORE, YOU GET MORE".
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 12, 1989
SOUTHERN CHINA TAKEN INTO ACCOUNT WHEN DEVELOPMENTS ARE PLANNED
*****
THE POSSIBLE EFFECTS OF THE NEW FACILITIES IN SOUTHERN CHINA WOULD BE TAKEN INTO ACCOUNT WHEN DECIDING ON HONG KONG’S FUTURE PORT AND AIRPORT NEEDS, THE SECRETARY FOR LANDS AND WORKS, THE HON GRAHAM BARNES, TOLD THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
IN REPLY TO A QUESTION FROM THE HON KINGSLEY SIT, MR BARNES SAID FORMAL DISCUSSIONS WITH THE CHINESE AUTHORITIES ON THE DEVELOPMENT OF PORT AND AIRPORT FACILITIES IN BOTH PLACES WOULD BE CONSIDERED AS AND WHEN MORE DETAILED PLANS COULD BE DRAWN UP LATER THIS YEAR.
"FORMAL LIAISON ON PORT AND AIRPORT DEVELOPMENTS BETWEEN HONG KONG AND THE CHINESE AUTHORITIES LAST TOOK PLACE IN LATE 1987.
"HOWEVER, LESS FORMAL EXCHANGES ALSO TAKE PLACE FROM TIME TO TIME ESPECIALLY AT AN OPERATIONAL AND TECHNICAL LEVEL," HE SAID.
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HEIGHT RESTRICTION ON SALE SITE EXPLAINED *****
THE 220-METRE HEIGHT RESTRICTION TO BE IMPOSED ON THE SALE SITE BETWEEN THE BANK OF CHINA BUILDING AND MURRAY BUILDING WAS AIMED AT PRODUCING A SCALED GRADATION BETWEEN THE BANK OF CHINA AND THE NEARBY LOWER DEVELOPMENTS, THE SECRETARY FOR LANDS AND WORKS, THE HON GRAHAM BARNES, SAID IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL MEETING TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
IN REPLY TO A QUESTION FROM THE HON CHENG HON-KWAN, MR BARNES SAID THE DECISION TO IMPOSE THE RESTRICTION WAS TAKEN FOLLOWING A PLANNING STUDY OF THIS AND ADJACENT SITES.
"IT IS AIMED AT PRODUCING A SCALED GRADATION BETWEEN THE BANK OF CHINA AND THE LOWER DEVELOPMENT AT MURRAY BUILDING AND ST JOHN’S CATHEDRAL. LIMITATION TO 220 METRES WILL NOT RESULT IN A REDUCTION IN PLOT RATIO AND WILL SECURE GOOD LINES OF SIGHT FROM THE NEW BUILDING," HE SAID.
MR BARNES ADDED THAT THERE WAS NOTHING UNUSUAL IN THIS DECISION.
"PLANNING RESTRICTIONS ARE FREQUENTLY INCLUDED IN LEASE CONDITIONS IN THE INTEREST OF LANDSCAPING AND THE ENVIRONMENT, PARTICULARLY IN THE CONTROL OF SIGNIFICANT SITES AND WHERE BUILDINGS MAY BREAK THE SKY-LINE OR INTRODUCE AN UNWANTED TYPE OF DEVELOPMENT INTO THE AREA.
"SPECIFIED HEIGHT RESTRICTIONS ARE GENERALLY BETTER AND MORE HELPFUL TO TENDERERS THAN APPLICATION OF DISCRETIONARY CONTROLS OVER DESIGN DISPOSITION AND HEIGHT WHICH ARE CONTAINED IN MANY PRESENT LEASE CONDITIONS," MR BARNES SAID.
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/6........
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 12, 1989-
6
AG EXPLAINS DECISION NOT TO PROSECUTE FALSE SUBMISSIONS ******
THE DECISION NOT TO PROSECUTE THE AUTHORS OF FALSE SUBMISSIONS MADE TO THE SURVEY OFFICE WAS TAKEN AFTER CAREFUL CONSIDERATION, THE ATTORNEY GENERAL, MR JEREMY MATHEWS, SAID IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
IN REPLY TO A QUESTION FROM THE HON MARTIN LEE, MR MATHEWS SAID THE POLICE HAD ATTEMPTED TO FOLLOW UP ALL 2,581 COMPLAINTS OF ALLEGEDLY FALSE SUBMISSIONS MADE TO THE SURVEY OFFICE IN 1987 AND HAD ATTEMPTED TO INTERVIEW ALL COMPLAINANTS.
HOWEVER, ONLY 2,310 COMPLAINANTS RESPONDED TO THE POLICE INVESTIGATION AND THE REST EITHER REFUSED TO BE INTERVIEWED OR COULD NOT BE LOCATED, HE SAID.
ALL EXCEPT FOUR OF THE 2,310 COMPLAINANTS INTERVIEWED WITHDREW THEIR ALLEGATIONS, HE ADDED.
MR MATHEWS SAID THAT IN RESPECT OF THE FOUR COMPLAINTS THAT WERE NOT WITHDRAWN, THE AUTHORS OF THE SUBMISSIONS WERE IDENTIFIED.
"HAVING GIVEN VERY CAREFUL CONSIDERATION TO THESE CASES AND AFTER TAKING THE ADVICE OF THE DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC PROSECUTIONS, I DECIDED NOT TO PROSECUTE ANY OF THESE CASES," HE SAID.
HE SAID IT WAS IMPROPER FOR HIM TO DISCLOSE THE REASONS FOR THE DECISION AS "THE DISCLOSURE MAY TRIGGER OFF A PUBLIC DEBATE ON THE GUILT OR INNOCENCE OF THE SUSPECTS.
"IT IS UNFAIR THAT THEY SHOULD BE SUBJECT TO A ’TRIAL' OUTSIDE THE COURT WHERE THEY HAVE NO OPPORTUNITY TO DEFEND THEMSELVES."
MR MATHEWS RESTATED THE PRINCIPAL CRITERIA TO BE CONSIDERED IN DECIDING WHETHER TO INSTITUTE CRIMINAL PROCEEDINGS.
"FIRSTLY, THERE IS THE SUFFICIENCY OF EVIDENCE CRITERION. THERE ARE A NUMBER OF WAYS IN WHICH THIS CAN BE DESCRIBED.
"MY PREDECESSOR, IN THIS COUNCIL ON MARCH 25, 1987, EXPRESSED IT THUS: THERE MUST BE ENOUGH EVIDENCE TO PROVE ALL THE INGREDIENTS OF AN OFFENCE. HE WENT ON TO NOTE THAT A BARE PRIMA FACIE CASE IS, GENERALLY SPEAKING, NOT ENOUGH TO WARRANT A PROSECUTION. THERE MUST BE A REASONABLE PROSPECT OF SECURING A CONVICTION.
"IF THE FIRST CRITERION - THE SUFFICIENCY OF EVIDENCE TEST -IS SATISFIED, THEN THE SECOND CRITERION IS THE PUBLIC INTEREST TEST.
"THIS CAN BE EXPRESSED IN THE QUESTION: DOES THE PUBLIC INTEREST REQUIRE A PROSECUTION? THAT QUESTION BRINGS INTO CONSIDERATION A NUMBER OF FACTORS, SOME OF WHICH WERE, BY WAY OF EXAMPLE, DESCRIBED BY THE ATTORNEY GENERAL IN THIS COUNCIL ON MARCH 25, 1987," MR MATHEWS SAID.
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WEDNESDAY, APRIL 12, 1989
- 7 -
ASBESTOS IN BRAKE LININGS HARMLESS » » * » *
THE ASBESTOS CONTAINED IN VEHICLE BRAKE LININGS DO NOT CREATE ANY ADVERSE ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT, THE SECRETARY FOR LANDS AND WORKS, THE HON GRAHAM BARNES, TOLD THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
REPLYING TO A QUESTION FROM PROF. THE HON C.K. POON, MR BARNES EXPLAINED THAT ONLY A VERY SMALL PORTION OF ASBESTOS FROM BRAKE LININGS WAS RELEASED AS FREE FIBRES AS MOST OF THE ASBESTOS WAS CHANGED BY THE INTENSE HEAT AND ABRASION OF BRAKE OPERATION INTO A HARMLESS NON-FIBROUS MATERIAL.
"ITS RISK ON THE HEALTH OF THE PUBLIC AT LARGE IS NEGLIGIBLE,"
MR BARNES ADDED.
-----0------
BI-SESSIONAL CONVERSION TARGETTED FROM 1994: SEM * » » * »
THE TIME FRAME THE GOVERNMENT WAS LOOKING AT FOR A COMPLETE CONVERSION OF BI-SESSIONAL PRIMARY SCHOOL TO WHOLE DAY SCHOOLING WAS THE PERIOD 1994 TO 2006, THE SECRETARY FOR EDUCATION AND MANPOWER, THE HON RON BRIDGE, TOLD THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
REPLYING TO A QUESTION FROM THE HON DR HENRIETTA IP, MR BRIDGE SAID THE GOVERNMENT WAS STUDYING VARIOUS OPTIONS FOR PHASING OUT BI-SESSIONAL PRIMARY SCHOOLS WITHIN A REASONABLE NUMBER OF YEARS.
SINCE A LARGE NUMBER OF SCHOOLS WERE REQUIRED FOR FULL CONVERSION, AND THERE WAS DIFFICULTY IN FINDING SUITABLE SITES FOR ALL OF THEM, THE GOVERNMENT WAS STUDYING AN OPTION THAT WOULD REDUCE THE NUMBER OF NEW SCHOOLS NEEDED, HE ADDED.
THIS OPTION WOULD INVOLVE A MIXED MODE PRIMARY SCHOOLS, IN WHICH OLDER CHILDREN (PRIMARY FOUR TO SIX) WOULD GO TO SCHOOL ALL DAY WHILE CHILDREN IN PRIMARY ONE TO THREE WOULD CONTINUE THE HALF DAY SESSION, HE NOTED.
"THIS WOULD REDUCE THE NUMBER OF NEW SCHOOLS NEEDED, BUT WOULD REQUIRE CHANGES TO SCHOOL ADMINISTRATION AND WOULD BE MORE COMPLICATED BOTH FOR SCHOOLS AND PARENTS THAN A PROGRAMME OF FULL CONVERSION," MR BRIDGE EXPLAINED.
/HE SAID
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 12, 1989
8
HE SAID DR IP’S SUGGESTION THAT THE CONVERSION TO WHOLE DAY SCHOOLING SHOULD START FROM PRIMARY SIX AND BE COMPLETED FOR ALL PRIMARY PUPILS BY 1998 MIGHT BE TOO OPTIMISTIC BECAUSE THE INITIAL RESULTS OF A STUDY JUST RECEIVED SUGGESTED THAT A BUILDING PROGRAMME SHOULD BE DONE OVER A 12-YEAR PERIOD.
"OUR PROJECTIONS INDICATE THAT COMPLETE CONVERSION WOULD REQUIRE SOMETHING LIKE 4,400 ADDITIONAL CLASSROOMS," HE SAID. "THIS IS EQUIVALENT TO 147 SCHOOLS OF THE NEW 30 CLASSROOM DESIGN."
"SINCE IN PRACTICE WE CANNOT FIND ENOUGH SITES IN SUITABLE LOCATIONS LARGE ENOUGH FOR THE NEW DESIGN, THE ACTUAL NUMBER OF NEW SCHOOLS OF VARIOUS SIZES MAY HAVE TO BE AS MANY AS 170," MR BRIDGE SAID.
"ABOUT 100 OF THESE WOULD BE ADDITIONAL SCHOOLS ARISING FROM A NEW POLICY OF WHOLE DAY PROVISION, AND THE REST WOULD BE NEEDED TO REPLACE SCHOOLS DEMOLISHED IN HOUSING REDEVELOPMENT PROGRAMMES."
SINCE IT TOOK FIVE YEARS TO PLAN AND BUILD A SCHOOL, THE TIME FRAME THE GOVERNMENT WAS LOOKING AT WAS THE PERIOD 1994 TO 2006 FOR THE COMPLETE CONVERSION, MR BRIDGE SAID.
"THIS WOULD BE SUBJECT TO POLICY APPROVAL BY EXECUTIVE COUNCIL AND THE NORMAL RESOURCE ALLOCATION PROCEDURES," HE ADDED.
------o-------
400 Il’S JAILED IN PAST SIX MONTHS *****
ABOUT 400 ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS WHO WERE FOUND AT PLACES OF EMPLOYMENT DURING THE PAST SIX MONTHS FROM OCTOBER LAST YEAR, HAD BEEN PROSECUTED AND SENTENCED TO IMPRISONMENT, THE SECRETARY FOR SECURITY, THE HON GEOFFREY BARNES, SAID IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
REPLYING TO A QUESTION FROM THE HON ELSIE TU, MR BARNES SAID SOME 90 PER CENT OF THEM HAD BEEN SENTENCED TO TERMS OF 15 TO 18 MONTHS, AND THAT OVER 90 PER CENT OF THEM HAD NO RECORD OF PREVIOUS CONVICTION.
"THE MEAN AGE OF THE CHINESE ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS IMPRISONED IS ABOUT 27," HE ADDED.
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WEDNESDAY, APRIL 12, 1989
9
NO CONTROLS ON MSG IN FOODSTUFFS: SHW *****
THE GOVERNMENT WOULD NOT CONTROL THE USE OF MONOSODIUM GLUTAMATE (MSG) IN THE PREPARATION OF FOODSTUFFS IN HONG KONG, THE SECRETARY FOR HEALTH AND WELFARE, THE HON CHAU TAK-HAY, TOLD THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
IN REPLY TO A QUESTION FROM THE HON EDWARD HO, MR CHAU SAID THE MUNICIPAL SERVICES BRANCH, AS THE LOCAL FOOD CONTROL AUTHORITY, DID NOT CONSIDER IT NECESSARY TO CONTROL THE USE OF MSG, FOLLOWING THE RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE EXPERT COMMITTEE ON FOOD ADDITIVES.
AFTER CONDUCTING EXTENSIVE CHEMICAL, BIOCHEMICAL, TOXICOLOGICAL AND OTHER REVIEWS IN 1987, THE COMMITTEE CONSIDERED MSG AS SAFE FOR HUMAN CONSUMPTION, MR CHAU SAID.
"ON THE BASIS OF THE AVAILABLE DATA, THE TOTAL DIETARY INTAKE OF GLUTAMATES ARISING FROM THEIR USE AT THE LEVELS NECESSARY TO ACHIEVE THE DESIRED TASTE-ENHANCING EFFECT, DO NOT, IN THE OPINION OF THE EXPERT COMMITTEE, REPRESENT A HAZARD TO HEALTH," SAID MR CHAU.
HE SAID THE RECOMMENDED "ACCEPTED DAILY INTAKE" OF MSG HAD SINCE BEEN DESIGNATED BY THE EXPERT COMMITTEE AS "NOT SPECIFIED" WHICH WAS THE COMMITTEE’S MOST FAVOURABLE DESIGNATION ON THE SAFETY OF A FOOD ADDITIVE.
MSG WAS THE SODIUM SALT OF GLUTAMIC ACID WHICH WAS A COMPONENT OF PROTEINS AND HAD A SUBSTANTIAL NATURAL PRESENCE IN THE FOOD SUPPLY AND MSG WAS PERHAPS THE BEST STUDIED OF ALL FOOD ADDITIVES, HE SAID.
THE EXPERT COMMITTEE ON FOOD ADDITIVES IS A SUBSIDIARY BODY JOINTLY OF THE WORLD HEALTH ORGANISATION AND THE FOOD AND AGRICULTURE ORGANISATION OF THE UNITED NATIONS.
EMPLOYMENT VISA POL I UN APPLIED LIBEICALLX AND bLEXIBLS
*****
THE EXISTING IMMIGRATION POLICY IN GRANTING EMPLOYMENT VISAS QUALIFIED PROFESSION^ FROM^ „OVERSEAS^ . BEING ^APPLI^
TOLD THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL
TO __________
LIBERALLY AND FLEXIBLY BY THE IMMIGRATION FOR SECURITY, THE HON GEOFFREY BARNES, TO
TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
THE HON PETER WONG, WHO ASKED RELAXING EXISTING IMMIGRATION TO QUALIFIED ACCOUNTANTS FROM LOCAL COMPANIES AND AUDIT FIRMS.
HE WAS REPLYING A QUESTION FROM IF CONSIDERATION WOULD BE GIVEN TO PROCEDURES TO GRANT EMPLOYMENT VISAS OVERSEAS WHO HAD BEEN OFFERED JOBS BY
/MR BARNEB .......
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 12, 19«9
10
MR BARNES POINTED OUT THAT THE EXISTING IMMIGRATION POLICY PERMITS A PERSON TO ENTER HONG KONG FOR EMPLOYMENT PROVIDING HE POSSESSED A SPECIAL SKILL, KNOWLEDGE OR EXPERIENCE OF VALUE TO AND NOT READILY AVAILABLE IN HONG KONG, OR THAT HE WAS IN A POSITION TO MAKE A SUBSTANTIAL CONTRIBUTION TO THE ECONOMY OF HONG KONG.
"I UNDERSTAND THAT QUALIFIED PROFESSIONAL ACCOUNTANTS DO NOT NORMALLY ENCOUNTER PROBLEMS IN ENTERING HONG KONG TO TAKE UP EMPLOYMENT.
"THE NEED TO RELAX IMMIGRATION PROCEDURES DOES NOT THEREFORE ARISE," HE SAID.
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SITES FOR NEW COAL-FIRED POWER STATION BEING SOUGHT t t » t ♦ t ♦
HAVING REGARD TO THE LONG LEAD TIME INVOLVED IN THE CONSTRUCTION OF A NEW COAL-FIRED POWER STATION, THE SECRETARY FOR LANDS AND WORKS HAD ESTABLISHED A WORKING GROUP TO EXAMINE PRELIMINARY SUGGESTIONS MADE BY CHINA LIGHT AND POWER COMPANY ON POSSIBLE SITES, THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL WAS INFORMED TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY, THE HON PIERS JACOBS, SAID THIS IN A WRITTEN REPLY TO A QUESTION FROM THE HON TAM YIU-CHUNG.
TO ENSURE SUFFICIENT GENERATING CAPACITY IS AVAILABLE TO MEET THE FORECAST DEMAND FOR ELECTRICITY. CHINA LIGHT AND POWER COMPANY (CLP) HAD INFORMED THE GOVERNMENT THAT IT WOULD LIKE TO BUILD A FURTHER COAL-FIRED POWER STATION IN THE TERRITORY WHICH WOULD COMMENCE OPERATION IN 1996, MR JACOBS SAID.
"CLP’S PREFERENCE FOR A COAL-FIRED STATION IS BASED ON THE COMPANY’S EXPERIENCE AT THE CASTLE PEAK POWER STATION. WHICH HAS SHOWN COAL TO BE RELIABLE. ECONOMIC AND CAPABLE OF MEETING ACCEPTABLE ENVIRONMENTAL STANDARDS.
"WHILE THE GOVERNMENT HAS NOT COMPLETED ITS EXAMINATION OF CLP’S FORECASTS AND PROPOSALS. IT RECOGNISES THAT. NO MATTER HOW SOUND HIE CASE FOK \ NEW POWER STATION. TO FIND \ SUITABI.I SIH WILL BE AN EXTREMELY DIFFICULT TASK." III. ADDED.
MR JACOBS SAID THAT OF THE FIVE SITES INITIALLY SUGGESTED. THREE OF THEM WHICH LOCATED AT GRUFF HEAD, CRESCENT ISLAND AND HIGH ISLAND WERE ALL IN THE EAST OF THE TERRITORY IN COUNTRY PARKS AND FOR ENVIRONMENTAL AND CONSERVATION REASONS WERE NOT FAVOURED.
THE OTHER TWO SITES PROPOSED WIRE XT FAN LAU WHICH WAS ON SOUTHERN LXNTAU AND AT BLACK POINT NEAR. Till C XSTI I PEAK POM-1’ STATION.
/"WHILE CLP .......
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 12, 1989
- 11
"WHILE CLP PREFERS THE FAN LAU SITE, FURTHER INVESTIGATION OF BOTH SITES, AND OTHER POSSIBLE LOCATIONS HAS STILL TO BE UNDERTAKEN," HE SAID.
MR JACOBS STRESSED THAT IN CARRYING OUT A COMPREHENSIVE SITE SEARCH FOR A MAJOR FACILITY OF THIS KIND, EVERY EFFORT WAS MADE TO IDENTIFY AND EVALUATE ALL PRACTICABLE OPTIONS WITH DUE REGARD BEING GIVEN TO ENVIRONMENTAL CONSIDERATIONS.
"ACCOUNT IS ALSO TAKEN OF STRATEGIC PLANNING CONSIDERATIONS SUCH AS THE FUTURE PORT AND AIRPORT DEVELOPMENT IN THE TERRITORY.
"HAVING CHOSEN THE MOST SUITABLE SITE, A COMPREHENSIVE ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT ASSESSMENT WILL HAVE TO BE CARRIED OUT TO CONSIDER THE POTENTIAL IMPACT OF THE PROPOSED POWER STATION AND ITS ASSOCIATED WORKS SUCH AS THE CONSTRUCTION OF TRANSMISSION LINES, ACCESS ROADS AND PFA STORAGE AND DISPOSAL FACILITIES ON THE ENVIRONMENT," HE SAID.
ON THE FACTORS THAT WOULD BE TAKEN INTO ACCOUNT IN SELECTING THE SITE, MR JACOBS SAID THAT THESE WERE NUMEROUS.
"THEY GENERALLY INCLUDE THE IMPACT ON THOSE LIVING NEAR THE PROPOSED LOCATION, THE PLANNING CONSIDERATIONS AND ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT AS A WHOLE, PARTICULARLY IN RESPECT TO STACK EMISSIONS AND COOLING WATER AND THE NEED FOR GOOD FOUNDATION CONDITIONS.
"THEY ALSO INCLUDE THE NEED FOR DEEP WATER FOR COOLING AND FOR DELIVERIES BY BULK FUEL CARRIERS AND THE NEED, IF COAL IS USED, FOR SUITABLE AREAS TO DISPOSE OF ASH PRODUCED BY THE PLANT.
"SECURITY AND SAFETY OF SUPPLY, TOGETHER WITH THE ECONOMIC CONSIDERATIONS ARE ALSO IMPORTANT FACTORS THAT MUST BE TAKEN INTO ACCOUNT," MR JACOBS SAID.
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USD STAFF DO NOT REQUIRE * *
POWER TO CHECK I.D. * * *
CARDS
URBAN SERVICES DEPARTMENT (USD) STAFF DO NOT HAVE, NOR DO THEY REQUIRE THE POWER TO DEMAND IDENTITY CARDS FROM UNLICENSED HAWKERS AND "LITTERBUGS" FOR INSPECTION IN DISCHARGING THEIR DUTIES, THE SECRETARY FOR HEALTH AND WELFARE, THE HON T. H. CHAU, INFORMED THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
IN A WRITTEN REPLY TO THE QUESTION ASKED BY THE HON TAM YIU-CHUNG, MR CHAU SAID THERE WERE DIFFERENT PROVISIONS UNDER THE PUBLIC HEALTH AND MUNICIPAL SERVICES ORDINANCE (CAP 132) GOVERNING THE ENFORCEMENT OF PROVISIONS IN RESPECT OF UNLICENSED HAWKING AND DEPOSITING OF LITTER IN A STREET OR PUBLIC PLACE.
/HE SAID .......
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 12, 1989
12
HE SAID IN THE CASE OF UNLICENSED HAWKING, SECTION 84(1) PROVIDED, AMONG OTHER THINGS, THAT ANY AUTHORISED PUBLIC OFFICER SUCH AS A MEMBER OF URBAN SERVICES DEPARTMENT STAFF. MIGHT ARREST WITHOUT WARRANT ANY PERSON SUSPECTED OF SUCH AN OFFENCE.
IN ADDITION, SECTION 85(1) PROVIDED THAT ANY PERSON WHO WAS SO ARRESTED SHOULD BE TAKEN TO THE NEAREST POLICE STATION, OR BE GIVEN INTO THE CUSTODY OF A POLICE OFFICER, WHO WAS EMPOWERED TO OBTAIN EVIDENCE OF IDENTITY OF THE PERSON.
"SINCE THIS PROCEDURE IS ALWAYS FOLLOWED, THE QUESTION OF USD STAFF POWERS TO DEMAND IDENTITY CARDS DOES NOT ARISE." MR CHAU SAID.
HE NOTED THAT FOR LITTERING OFFENCES, THE PRIME METHOD OF ENFORCEMENT WAS THE ISSUE OF A NOTICE TO THE LITTERER TO APPEAR BEFORE A MAGISTRATE UNDER SECTION 8A OF THE MAGISTRATES ORDINANCE.
THE NOTICE IS ISSUED BY AUTHORISED URBAN SERVICES DEPARTMENT STAFF.
THE FORM OF THE NOTICE IS PRESCRIBED AND IS SET OUT AS FORM 1A IN PART I OF THE SCHEDULE TO THE MAGISTRATES (FORMS) RULES MADE UNDER THE MAGISTRATES ORDINANCE (CAP 227).
THE FORM PROVIDES FOR THE ENTRY OF THE HONG KONG IDENTITY CARD NUMBER OF THE SUSPECT, IF KNOWN.
MR CHAU ALSO SAID THAT SECTION 131(3) OF CHAPTER 132 REQUIRED URBAN SERVICES DEPARTMENT STAFF TO MAKE A COMPLAINT OR PROVIDE INFORMATION IN RESPECT OF VARIOUS OFFENCES INCLUDING LITTERING OFFENCES IN THE MANNER PRESCRIBED BY THE MAGISTRATES ORDINANCE.
IN ADDITION, SECTION 23(1)(A) OF CHAPTER 132 PROVIDED THAT ANY PUBLIC OFFICER AUTHORISED BY THE URBAN SERVICES DEPARTMENT MIGHT REQUIRE ANY PERSON WHOM HE REASONABLY SUSPECTED OF HAVING CONTRAVENED ANY REGULATION MADE UNDER SECTION 15, TO GIVE HIS CORRECT NAME AND ADDRESS AND PRODUCE EVIDENCE TO THAT EFFECT, HE SAID.
THE PUBLIC CLEANSING AND PREVENTION OF NUISANCE (URBAN COUNCIL) BY-LAWS WERE MADE UNDER THAT SECTION.
"POWERS OF ARREST ARE GIVEN IN DEFAULT," MR CHAU SAID.
HE SAID THAT SECTION 23(1)(A) WAS CONSIDERED IN THE SUPREME COURT OF HONG KONG IN THE CASE THE ATTORNEY GENERAL AND TAM MAN-WAI (MAG. APP. 917 OF 1988) .
MR CHAU SAID IN THAT CASE MR JUSTICE HOOPER RULED THAT IN THIS CONNECTION, THE FAILURE TO PRODUCE AN IDENTITY CARD AT FIRST INSTANCE UNDER 23(1) WOULD NOT AMOUNT TO OBSTRUCTION.
/BUT MR .......
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 12, 1989
- 13 -
BUT MR JUSTICE HOOPER SAID THAT IF THE SUSPECT HAD NO EVIDENCE OF HIS NAME AND ADDRESS OTHER THAN HIS IDENTITY CARD, THE PUBLIC OFFICER WOULD BE ENTITLED TO DEMAND THAT THE SUSPECT PRODUCE IT, MR CHAU NOTED.
’’THE ANSWER IS THEREFORE NOT ENTIRELY STRAIGHT-FORWARD BUT THE URBAN SERVICES DEPARTMENT IS SATISFIED THAT THESE VARIOUS PROVISIONS, WHEN READ IN CONJUNCTION WITH THE JUDGEMENT OF MR JUSTICE HOOPER IN RELATION TO SECTION 23 OF CHAPTER 132. GIVES ITS OFFICERS SUFFICIENT POWERS TO ENFORCE THE LEGISLATION,” MR CHAU SAID.
HE ADDED THAT THE DEPARTMENT HAD ISSUED FULL GUIDELINES TO ITS STAFF TO ENABLE THEM TO ENFORCE THE LEGISLATION SATISFACTORILY.
-----0------
UNPAID MEMBERS OF ADVISORY BODIES NOT DISCOURAGED FROM COMMUNITY WORK
♦ ♦ * ♦ *
THERE WAS NO EVIDENCE THAT UNPAID MEMBERS OF ADVISORY BODIES WERE DISCOURAGED FROM PARTICIPATING IN COMMUNITY WORK,THE SECRETARY FOR ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES AND INFORMATION, THE HON PETER TSAO, INFORMED IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
IN A WRITTEN REPLY TO A QUESTION FROM THE HON JAMES MCGREGOR, MR TSAO SAID THE GOVERNMENT WAS SATISFIED THAT ALTHOUGH PAYMENTS WERE NOT MADE TO MEMBERS OF MANY OF THE BOARDS AND COMMITTEES, THERE WAS NO EVIDENCE TO SUGGEST THAT THIS WAS A DISINCENTIVE TO PARTICIPATING IN COMMUNITY WORK THROUGH APPOINTMENT TO SUCH BODIES.
THERE WAS NO DOUBT THAT THE GOVERNMENT RELIED HEAVILY ON THE ADVICE OF MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC WHO SERVED ON STATUTORY AND NON-STATUTORY BOARDS AND COMMITTEES, HE SAID.
"WHETHER PAYMENT SHOULD BE MADE TO MEMBERS OF A PARTICULAR BOARD OR COMMITTEE AND THE LEVEL OF THE PAYMENT ARE DECIDED ON A CASE-BY-CASE BASIS," MR TSAO EXPLAINED.
"THE FACTORS FOR CONSIDERATION INCLUDE THE FREQUENCY AND DURATION OF MEETINGS, THE PROFESSIONAL EXPERTISE REQUIRED AND THE NATURE AND LEVEL OF RESPONSIBILTIES," HE SAID.
HOWEVER, MR TSAO ADDED THAT VARIOUS FORMS OF PAYMENTS, SUCH AS REMUNERATION, HONORARIUM, FEE AND ALLOWANCE, WERE IN FACT AVAILABLE TO MEMBERS OF 42 BOARDS AND COMMITTEES.
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/1U........
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 12, 1989 14
MANAGEMENT OF ZOOLOGICAL GARDENS
*****
THE PROVISION AND MANAGEMENT OF ZOOLOGICAL GARDENS IN THE TERRITORY WAS THE RESPONSIBILITY OF THE MUNICIPAL COUNCILS, AND IN JANUARY 1988, THE REGIONAL COUNCIL AGREED IN PRINCIPLE TO PROVIDE A ZOO OF INTERNATIONAL STANDARDS, THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL WAS INFORMED TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
THIS WAS STATED BY THE SECRETARY FOR DISTRICT ADMINISTRATION, THE HON DONALD LIAO IN A WRITTEN REPLY TO THE HON JIMMY MCGREGOR.
MR LIAO POINTED OUT THAT EXTENSIVE RESEARCH ON THE PROVISION AND OPERATIONS OF A ZOO HAD BEEN UNDERTAKEN BY THE REGIONAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT THROUGH LIAISON WITH REPUTABLE ZOOS IN AUSTRALIA, CANADA, ENGLAND, JAPAN AND SINGAPORE.
AN INTER-DEPARTMENTAL AD HOC WORKING GROUP HAD ALSO BEEN FORMED TO SEARCH FOR SUITABLE SITES FOR A ZOO. AT PRESENT, SEVERAL SITES HAVE BEEN IDENTIFIED BY THE WORKING GROUP.
PROPOSALS HAD BEEN SUBMITTED TO THE DEVELOPMENT PROGRESS COMMITTEE FOR CONSIDERATION.
"ONCE A SITE HAS BEEN RESERVED, THE REGIONAL COUNCIL WILL CONSIDER THE FEASIBILITY OF COMMISSIONING A CONSULTANCY STUDY ON THE ZOO PROJECT," MR LIAO SAID.
-----0------
PHOTOCOPIERS MAY BE PROVIDED TO AIDED SECONDARY SCHOOLS NEXT YEAR
*****
PHOTOCOPYING MACHINES WOULD BE PROVIDED FOR AIDED SECONDARY SCHOOLS IN THE NEXT FINANCIAL YEAR, SUBJECT TO FUNDS BEING ALLOCATED, THE SECRETARY FOR EDUCATION AND MANPOWER, THE HON RONALD BRIDGE, INFORMED THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
IN A WRITTEN REPLY TO A QUESTION FROM THE HON CHEUNG CHI-KONG, MR BRIDGE SAID A REVIEW OF THE STANDARD FURNITURE AND EQUIPMENT LIST FOR AIDED SCHOOLS WAS COMPLETED IN NOVEMBER LAST YEAR AND ESTABLISHED THE NEED FOR A PHOTOCOPYING MACHINE IN BOTH PRIMARY AND SECONDARY SCHOOLS.
"SUBJECT TO FUNDS BEING ALLOCATED, AIDED SECONDARY SCHOOLS WILL BE PROVIDED WITH PHOTOCOPIERS IN THE FINANCIAL YEAR 1990-91.
"FUNDS FOR PHOTOCOPIERS IN AIDED PRIMARY SCHOOLS MAY NOT BE AVAILABLE UNTIL THE FOLLOWING FINANCIAL YEAR," MR BRIDGE SAID.
-----o------
/15
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 12, 1989
15
FILM CENSORSHIP VIEWING FREQUENCY APPROPRIATE *****
THE EXISTING FREQUENCY OF VIEWING BY ADVISERS TO THE FILM CENSORS SHOULD ENABLE THEM TO MAINTAIN AN APPROPRIATE LEVEL OF CONSISTENCY IN THE SUBSTANCE OF THEIR ADVICE, THE SECRETARY FOR ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES AND INFORMATION, THE HON PETER TSAO, INFORMED THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDENSDAY).
IN A WRITTEN REPLY TO A QUESTION FROM THE HON DAVID CHEUNG, MR TSAO SAID SO FAR THERE WAS NO EVIDENCE TO SUGGEST THAT THE SENSITIVITIES OF THE ADVISERS HAD BEEN AFFECTED IN ANY WAY BY THE EXISTING FREQUENCY OF FILM CENSORSHIP VIEWING.
"THE COMMISSIONER FOR TELEVISION AND ENTERTAINMENT LICENSING IS EMPOWERED UNDER SECTION 6 OF THE FILM CENSORSHIP ORDINANCE 1988 TO APPOINT MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC TO THE PANEL OF ADVISERS.
"ADVISERS ARE ASSIGNED FROM THE PANEL TO GIVE ADVICE TO THE CENSOR ON A SPECIFIC FILM BY COMPLETING A QUESTIONNAIRE AND WHERE APPROPRIATE DISCUSSING IT WITH THE CENSORS.
"THE NUMBER OF PERSONS WHO MAY BE APPOINTED TO THE PANEL IS NOT SPECIFIED IN THE LAW," MR TSAO SAID.
A TOTAL OF 136 PERSONS FROM A WIDE CROSS-SECTION OF THE COMMUNITY HAVE BEEN APPOINTED TO THE PANEL FOR A PERIOD OF ONE YEAR EFFECTIVE FROM NOVEMBER 10, 1988.
AN AVERAGE OF FOUR TO FIVE ADVISERS ARE ASSIGNED FROM THE PANEL TO ADVISE ON A FILM AT EACH VIEWING SESSION.
MR TSAO ALSO SAID THAT EACH ADVISER WAS NORMALLY REQUIRED TO ATTEND A FILM VIEWING SESSION ONCE EVERY TWO WEEKS.
"IT IS OF COURSE ALWAYS POSSIBLE FOR THE COMMISSIONER TO APPOINT MORE ADVISERS TO THE PANEL BUT SUCH ADDITIONAL APPOINTMENT SHOULD NOT BE FOR THE PURPOSE OF REDUCING THE FREQUENCY OF VIEWING BY THE ADVISERS BUT FOR THE PURPOSE OF ASSIGNING MORE ADVISERS TO GIVE ADVICE ON EACH FILM.
"IN THIS CONNECTION, THE COMMISSIONER IS REGULARLY REVIEWING THE NEED TO APPOINT MORE ADVISERS TO THE PANEL.
"THERE IS THEREFORE NO REASON WHY THE EXISTING FREQUENCY OF VIEWING BY THEM SHOULD BE CHANGED," MR TSAO ADDED.
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WEDNESDAY, APRIL 12, 1989
16
VIEWS ON CRIMES BILL TAKEN INTO CONSIDERATION ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ *
VIEWS EXPRESSED FOLLOWING THE PUBLIC CONSULTATION ON THE DRAFT CRIMES (AMENDMENT) BILL IN 1988 HAD BEEN CONSIDERED BY THE GOVERNMENT, AND THE BILL WAS BEING REVISED FOR SUBMISSION TO THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL, THE SECRETARY FOR SECURITY, THE HON GEOFFREY BARNES INFORMED THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
MR BARNES WAS GIVING A WRITTEN REPLY TO A QUESTION FROM THE HON SIT HO-YIN CONCERNING THE PROGRESS MADE TO PROHIBIT PUBLIC DISPLAY OF SIGNS ADVERTISING PROSTITUTION SERVICES AND FOR THE CONTROL OF VICE ESTABLISHMENTS AS CONTAINED IN THE BILL.
“IT IS INTENDED TO INTRODUCE THE CRIMES (AMENDMENT) BILL INTO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL IN THE CURRENT LEGISLATIVE SESSION,” MR BARNES SAID.
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SOCIETY FLAT OWNERS NEED TO PAY PREMIUM TO SELL IN OPEN MARKET » * * » * t
MEMBERS OF CIVIL SERVANTS’ COOPERATIVE BUILDING SOCIETIES WHO HAD OBTAINED TITLE TO THEIR FLATS WERE REQUIRED TO PAY A PREMIUM BEFORE THEY COULD SELL THEIR FLATS IN THE OPEN MARKET, THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL WAS INFORMED TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
THE SECRETARY FOR LANDS AND WORKS, THE HON GRAHAM BARNES, SAID THIS IN A WRITTEN REPLY TO A QUESTION FROM THE HON ELSIE TU.
MR BARNES SAID THE PREMIUM, THE ESTIMATES OF WHICH WERE GIVEN ON REQUEST, WAS CALCULATED ON TWO-THIRDS OF THE LAND VALUE.
"WHEN ALL THE OWNERS HAVE PAID THE NECESSARY PREMIUM, THEY ARE FREE TO REDEVELOP THEIR PROPERTIES BUT THE NEW BUILDING WOULD BE LIMITED TO THE BULK OF THE EXISTING BUILDING.
"IF THE COLLECTIVE OWNERS WISH TO REDEVELOP TO A GREATER INTENSITY, THEN A FURTHER LEASE MODIFICATION WOULD BE NECESSARY AND THE AMOUNT OF THE PREMIUM PAYABLE FOR IT WOULD DEPEND ON ALL THE TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF THE REDEVELOPMENT," MR BARNES EXPLAINED.
AS WITH ALL LEASE MODIFICATION CASES THE PREMIUM COULD ONLY BE ASSESSED WHEN ALL THE TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF THE PROPOSED REDEVELOPMENT WERE FINALISED, SO IT WAS UNLIKELY THAT THIS COULD BE DONE AT AN EARLY STAGE, HE ADDED.
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THREE MAIN SOURCES OF INFORMATION ON EMIGRATION * * » » t
THE GOVERNMENT RELIED ON THREE MAIN SOURCES OF INFORMATION IN ESTIMATING THE EXTENT OF EMIGRATION, THE SECRETARY FOR ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES AND INFORMATION, THE HON PETER TSAO, INFORMED THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
THESE WERE THE POLICE, CONSULATES OR COMMISSIONS IN HONG KONG, AND THE IMMIGRATION DEPARTMENT, MR TSAO SAID IN A WRITTEN REPLY TO A QUESTION FROM THE HON SELINA CHOW.
MR TSAO SAID THAT APPLICATION FOR CERTIFICATES OF NO CRIMINAL CONVICTION (CNCC) PROCESSED BY THE POLCIE FORCE, WHICH WERE REQUIRED BY MOST DESTINATION COUNTRIES, WAS ONE SOURCE OF INFORMATION.
ANOTHER SOURCE WAS THE NUMBER OF VISAS ISSUED BY THE MAIN DESTINATION COUNTRIES, WHICH WAS PROVIDED BY CONSULATES OR COMMISSIONS IN HONG KONG, HE SAID.
THE IMMIGRATION DEPARTMENT, BY PROVIDING THE STATISTICS ON THE BALANCE OF MOVEMENT OF HONG KONG RESIDENTS (OTHER THAN THOSE IN AND OUT OF CHINA), WAS THE THIRD SOURCE OF INFORMATION.
BASED ON THESE SOURCES AND ALLOWING FOR THE VARIOUS TIME INTERVALS IN THE EMIGRATION PROCESS, MR TSAO SAID THAT THE GOVERNMENT HAD FORECAST A TOTAL OF 42,000 HONG KONG PEOPLE EMIGRATING IN 1989.
IT WAS ESTIMATED THAT THE NUMBER LEAVING FOR CANADA IN 1989 WOULD BE ABOUT 16,400 PEOPLE, WHILE THE NUMBER EMIGRATING TO AUSTRALIA WOULD BE ABOUT 10,900 PEOPLE. SOME 12,800 PEOPLE WOULD LIKELY EMIGRATE TO THE UNITED STATES AND ABOUT 1,900 WOULD GO TO OTHER COUNTRIES.
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BILL SEEKS TO INCREASE FEES FROM DEPOSIT-TAKING COMPANIES «»**»*
THE BANKING (AMENDMENT) BILL 1989 SEEKS TO GIVE LEGISLATIVE EFFECT TO THE PROPOSALS IN THIS YEAR’S BUDGET TO INCREASE WITH EFFECT FROM APRIL 1, 1989 THE FEES PAYABLE BY DEPOSIT-TAKING COMPANIES.
THIS WAS STATED BY THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY, THE HON PIERS JACOBS, WHEN MOVING THE SECOND READING OF THE BILL IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
MR JACOBS NOTED THAT THESE FEES WERE LAST REVISED IN 1988.
THE INCREASE WERE DESIGNED TO REDUCE THE UNDER-RECOVERY OF GOVERNMENT SUPERVISION COSTS INCURRED IN RESPECT OF THESE COMPANIES, HE SAID.
"I ESTIMATE THAT THE INCREASES WILL YIELD AN ADDITIONAL S3 MILLION IN THE CURRENT FINANCIAL YEAR," MR JACOBS SAID.
DEBATE ON THE BILL WAS ADJOURNED.
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BILL PROVIDES LEGISLATIVE EFFECT TO INCREASE BUSINESS REGISTRATION FEE » » t t »
A BILL PROVIDING LEGISLATIVE EFFECT TO INCREASE THE FEE FOR BUSINESS REGISTRATION, AS PROPOSED IN THIS YEAR’S BUDGET, WAS INTRODUCED INTO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
MOVING THE SECOND READING OF THE BUSINESS REGISTRATION (AMENDMENT) BILL 1989, THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY, THE HON PIERS JACOBS, SAID THE FEE WOULD BE INCREASED FROM $550 TO $630 WITH EFFECT FROM APRIL 1.
MR JACOBS NOTED THAT THE FEE WAS LAST REVISED IN 1987.
"THE INCREASE IS DESIGNED TO MAINTAIN THE REVENUE YIELD IN REAL TERMS," HE SAID.
MR JACOBS ESTIMATED THAT THE INCREASE WOULD YIELD AN ADDITIONAL $37 MILLION IN THE CURRENT FINANCIAL YEAR.
"THIS FEE WILL APPLY TO ALL REGISTERED BUSINESSES, BUT SMALL BUSINESSES WILL CONTINUE TO BE GRANTED EXEMPTION, IF THEIR MONTHLY TURNOVER DOES NOT EXCEED CERTAIN PRESCRIBED LIMITS,” MR JACOBS SAID.
DEBATE ON THE BILL WAS ADJOURNED.
0
BILL SEEKS LEGISLATIVE EFFECT ON DUTIABLE COMMODITIES ♦ ♦ * * *
A BILL SEEKING TO GIVE EFFECT, FROM MARCH 1, TO THE ADJUSTMENT OF DUTY PAYABLE ON TOBACCO, ALCOHOLIC DRINKS AND HYDROCARBON OILS WAS INTRODUCED IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
IT WAS PROPOSED THAT THE DUTY PAYABLE ON BEER SHOULD BE REVISED, WHILE THAT ON BRANDY BE REDUCED AND DUTY ON OTHER TYPES OF LIQUOR, INDUSTRIAL ALCOHOL, TOBACCO AND HYDROCARBON OILS SHOULD BE INCREASED.
MOVING THE DUTIABLE COMMODITIES (AMENDMENT) BILL 1989, THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY, THE HON PIERS JACOBS, SAID THAT BY REPEALING SECTION 63 OF THE ORDINANCE, THE BILL WOULD CHANGE THE METHOD OF ASSESSING DUTY PAYABLE ON BEER.
"IT WILL REPLACE AN ARCHAIC AND ADMINISTRATIVELY COSTLY SYSTEM BASED ON SPECIFIC GRAVITY BY A SYSTEM WHICH REQUIRES ASSESSMENT ON THE VOLUME OF BEER RELEASED FOR LOCAL SALE," HE SAID.
/’•THE NEW..........
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"THE NEW SYSTEM WILL ALSO ELIMINATE THE NEED FOR REPAYMENT OF DUTY ON BEER WHICH HAS BEEN EXPORTED, AND WILL GENERALLY SIMPLIFY MATTERS BOTH FOR THE BEER TRADE AND THE CUSTOMS AND EXCISE DEPARTMENT."
MR JACOBS SAID THE BILL WOULD ALSO REDUCE THE LEVEL OF DUTY ON BRANDY.
"THIS WILL ELIMINATE THE DIFFERENTIAL ON SPECIFIC DUTY RATES WHICH PREVIOUSLY EXISTED BETWEEN BRANDY AND OTHER SPIRITUOUS LIQUORS," HE ADDED.
THE VARIOUS INCREASES, WHICH ARE DESIGNED TO MAINTAIN THE REVENUE YIELD IN REAL TERMS, WERE ESTIMATED TO YIELD AN ADDITIONAL $266 MILLION IN THE CURRENT FINANCIAL YEAR, MR JACOBS SAID.
DEBATE ON THE BILL WAS ADJOURNED.
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BILL SEEKS LEGISLATIVE EFFECT TO TAX CONCESSIONS : FS *****
THE INLAND REVENUE (AMENDEMENT) (NO. 2) BILL 1989 SOUGHT TO GIVE LEGISLATIVE EFFECT TO THE TAXATION CONCESSIONS PROPOSED IN THIS YEAR’S BUDGET, THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY, THE HON PIERS JACOBS TOLD THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
MOVING THE SECOND READING OF THE INLAND REVENUE (AMENDMENT) (NO. 2) BILL 1989, MR JACOBS, SAID: "THE PROPOSED TAXATION CONCESSIONS INCLUDE A REDUCTION IN THE STANDARD RATE FROM 15.5 PER CENT TO 15 PER CENT.
"THEY ALSO INCLUDE A REDUCTION IN THE RATE OF PROFITS TAX PAYABLE BY CORPORATIONS FROM 17 PER CENT TO 16.5 PER CENT," HE SAID.
IN ADDITION, MR JACOBS SAID THE BILL SOUGHT TO INTRODUCE AN ALLOWANCE FOR THOSE PARENTS, SUCH AS WIDOWS OR SINGLE PARENTS, WHO WERE SOLELY OR PREDOMINANTLY RESPONSIBLE FOR THE CARE OF DEPENDENT CHILDREN, BUT WHO WERE CURRENTLY INELIGIBLE FOR A PERSONAL ALLOWANCE AT THE HIGHER RATE APPLICABLE TO MARRIED PERSONS.
THIS BILL ALSO PROVIDED FOR THE COMPLETE ABOLITION OF INTEREST TAX AND AN INCREASE IN THE INITIAL ALLOWANCE FOR EXPENDITURE INCURRED ON QUALIFYING MACHINERY AND PLANT.
"I ESTIMATE THE COST TO THE GENERAL REVENUE OF IMPLEMENTING THESE PROPOSALS TO BE APPROXIMATELY $1,100 MILLION IN THE CURRENT FINANCIAL YEAR, AND $1,735 MILLION PER ANNUM THEREAFTER AT PRESENT LEVELS OF CHARGEABLE INCOME," MR JACOBS ADDED.
DEBATE ON THE BILL WAS ADJOURNED.
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INCREASE IN VEHICLE REGISTRATION AND DRIVING LICENCE FEES GIVEN EFFECT * * * » I
A BILL THAT SOUGHT TO GIVE LEGISLATIVE EFFECT FROM MARCH 1, 1989 TO INCREASE THE FEES FOR VEHICLE REGISTRATION AND DRIVING LICENCES WAS INTRODUCED INTO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
THESE FEES WERE LAST REVISED IN 1988.
MOVING THE SECOND READING OF THE ROAD TRAFFIC (DRIVING LICENCES REGULATIONS AND REGISTRATION AND LICENSING OF VEHICLES REGULATIONS) (AMENDMENT) BILL 1989, THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY, THE HON PIERS JACOBS, SAID THAT THE INCREASES WERE DESIGNED TO MAINTAIN THE REVENUE YIELD IN REAL TERMS.
"I ESTIMATE THAT THE INCREASES WILL YIELD AN ADDITIONAL S103 MILLION IN THE CURRENT FINANCIAL YEAR," HE ADDED.
DEBATE ON THE BILL WAS ADJOURNED.
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ACCOUNTING AND AUDITING ARRANGEMENTS OF TRUST FUNDS EXPLAINED *****
THE SECRETARY FOR DISTRICT ADMINISTRATION INCORPORATION (AMENDMENT) BILL 1989 PROVIDES FOR ACCOUNTING AND AUDITING ARRANGEMENTS IN RESPECT OF TRUST FUNDS.
THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY, THE HON PIERS JACOBS, SAID THIS IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY) WHEN MOVING THE SECOND READING OF THE BILL.
IN ADDITION TO THE PROVISIONS OF THIS BILL, MR JACOBS ALSO SPOKE ON THE DIRECTOR OF SOCIAL WELFARE INCORPORATION (AMENDMENT) BILL 1989 AND THE DIRECTOR OF EDUCATION INCORPORATION (AMENDMENT) BILL 1989.
HE SAID THE THREE PRINCIPAL ORDINANCES PROVIDED THE SECRETARY FOR DISTRICT ADMINISTRATION INCORPORATED, THE DIRECTOR OF SOCIAL WELFARE INCORPORATED AND THE DIRECTOR OF EDUCATION INCORPORATED RESPECTIVELY WITH POWERS TO ACCEPT TRUSTS AND TO INVEST AND DEPOSIT TRUST FUNDS IN ACCORDANCE WITH PROVISIONS OF THE TRUSTEE ORDINANCE.
MR JACOBS NOTED THAT AT PRESENT, THERE WERE NO PROVISIONS IN THE THREE ORDINANCES FOR ACCOUNTING AND AUDITING ARRANGEMENTS IN RESPECT OF THE VARIOUS TRUST FUNDS.
HE ADDED THAT FOR CONTROL PURPOSES, THE GOVERNOR HAD DECLARED THESE TRUST FUNDS TO BE PUBLIC MONEY UNDER THE PUBLIC FINANCE ORDINANCE AND THE AUDIT ORDINANCE.
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"NEVERTHELESS, IN VIEW OF THE IMPORTANCE OF THE TRUST FUNDS AND THE EXTENT OF THE ADMINISTRATION’S RESPONSIBILITY, IT IS DESIRABLE THAT THESE ORDINANCES SHOULD BE AMENDED ACCORDINGLY TO PROVIDE FOR THE KEEPING OF ACCOUNTS AND RECORDS OF TRANSACTIONS INVOLVING THESE TRUST FUNDS AND FOR THEIR AUDIT BY THE DIRECTOR OF AUDIT," MR JACOBS SAID.
"THESE ARRANGEMENTS WILL BRING THE THREE ORDINANCES IN LINE WITH SIMILAR ORDINANCES," HE ADDED.
DEBATE ON THE BILLS WERE ADJOURNED.
BILL PROVIDES FLEXIBILITY TO FURTHER EDUCATION: SEM *****
THE OPEN LEARNING INSTITUTE OF HONG KONG BILL AFFORDED THE NECESSARY FLEXIBILITY TO SUPPORT A NEW SYSTEM OF FURTHER EDUCATION DESIGNED TO MEET HONG KONG’S NEEDS, THE SECRETARY FOR EDUCATION AND MANPOWER, THE HON RON BRIDGE TOLD THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
MOVING THE SECOND READING OF THE BILL, MR BRIDGE SAID IT HAD BEEN DRAWN UP ON THE ADVICE OF THE PLANNING COMMITTEE, TAKING INTO ACCOUNT THE FEATURES AND SPECIAL NEEDS OF OPEN LEARNING.
"THE BILL PROVIDES FOR THE NECESSARY POWERS AND ORGANISATIONAL STRUCTURE FOR A PUBLICLY ACCOUNTABLE INSTITUTION," MR BRIDGE SAID.
"IT CREATES THE FRAMEWORK FOR THE OPERATION OF A CONSORTIUM BASED ON THE EXISTING UPGC FUNDED INSTITUTIONS," HE ADDED.
MR BRIDGE SAID SINCE THE FIRST ANNOUNCEMENT OF THE INTENTION TO SET UP THE OPEN LEARNING INSTITUTE (OLI) IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL IN OCTOBER 1987, THE PLANNING COMMITTEE UNDER THE CHAIRMANSHIP OF THE HON CHENG HON-KWAN HAD MADE GOOD PROGRESS AND WOULD SOON BE PUBLISHING ITS REPORT.
"MEANWHILE, IT IS NECESSARY TO LEGISLATE FOR THE FORMAL ESTABLISHMENT OF THE NEW INSTITUTE," MR BRIDGE SAID.
"THAT IS THE PURPOSE OF THE PRESENT BILL," HE SAID.
MR BRIDGE NOTED THAT THE CONCEPT OF OPEN LEARNING WAS STILL QUITE NEW, BUT ALREADY WIDELY ACCEPTED THROUGHTOUT THE WORLD.
HE POINTED OUT THAT IT HAD TWO MAIN FEATURES.
/"FIRSTLY, IT
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 12, 1989
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"FIRSTLY, IT IMPLIES OPEN ACCESS, IN THAT STUDENTS ARE NOT REQUIRED TO HAVE SPECIFIC QUALIFICATIONS TO ENROL FOR COURSES,” MR BRIDGE SAID.
"SECONDLY, OPEN LEARNING IS NOT LIMITED IN ITS TEACHING METHODS: STUDENTS CAN LEARN IN A WIDE VARIETY OF WAYS AND CAN CHOOSE THE TIME, PACE AND PLACE AT WHICH THEY LEARN.
"THE OPEN LEARNING INSTITUTE OF HONG KONG WILL OFFER PEOPLE IN HONG KONG A WHOLE RANGE OF NEW OPPORTUNITIES FOR TERTIARY EDUCATION TO ADVANCE THEIR CAREERS, LEARN NEW SKILLS OR SIMPLY FOLLOW THEIR OWN INTERESTS," HE ADDED.
MR BRIDGE NOTED THAT GIVEN OPEN ENTRY TO ITS PROGRAMMES, THE CREDIBILITY OF THE OLI AS AN ACADEMIC INSTITUTION MUST BE JUDGED BY THE STANDARDS ACHIEVED BY ITS STUDENTS ON GRADUATION.
"THE OLI WILL ENSURE HIGH STANDARDS THROUGH CAREFULLY DESIGNED TEACHING PACKAGES, STUDENT COUNSELLING AND TUTORIAL SUPPORT, CONTINUOUS ASSESSMENT AND FINAL EXAMINATIONS,” MR BRIDGE SAID.
"EXTERNAL EXAMINERS WILL OVERSEE BOTH THE CONTINUOUS ASSESSMENT AND THE FINAL EXAMINATIONS,” HE SAID.
MR BRIDGE POINTED OUT THAT AS A FURTHER SAFEGUARD, THE DEGREE LEVEL PROGRAMMES TO BE OFFERED BY THE OLI WOULD BE SUBJECT TO INDEPENDENT ASSESSMENT TO ENSURE THAT THEY WERE UP TO INTERNATIONAL STANDARDS.
"THIS TASK WILL BE PERFORMED BY THE HONG KONG COUNCIL FOR ACADEMIC ACCREDITATION WHEN IT IS SET UP, WHICH IS LIKELY TO BE EARLY NEXT YEAR," HE SAID.
"MEANWHILE, THE UNITED KINGDOM COUNCIL FOR NATIONAL ACADEMIC AWARDS WILL BE ASKED TO ADVISE THE OLI ON ACADEMIC STANDARDS.
"ON THE BASIS OF THESE QUALITY ASSURANCES, THE GOVERNMENT WILL RECOGNISE DEGREES TO BE AWARDED BY THE OLI AS COMPARABLE TO OTHER DEGREES AWARDED IN HONG KONG FOR THE PURPOSE OF CIVIL SERVICE APPOINTMENTS," HE ADDED.
MR BRIDGE NOTED THAT AS RECOMMENDED IN THE SECOND REPORT OF THE EDUCATION COMMISSION, THE OLI WOULD OPERATE AS A CONSORTIUM OF THE TERTIARY INSTITUTIONS FUNDED THROUGH THE UNIVERSITY AND POLYTECHNIC GRANTS COMMITTEE (UPGC).
"ALL OF THESE INSTITUTIONS HAVE BEEN GIVING THE PLANNING COMMITTEE THEIR FULL SUPPORT OVER THE PAST 15 MONTHS," MR BRIDGE SAID.
"THEY HAVE ALSO SAID THAT THEY WILL BE HAPPY TO BECOME MEMBERS OF THE FUTURE CONSORTIUM AND, WHERE APPROPRIATE, TAKE PART IN THE FURTHER PLANNING OF OPEN LEARNING PROGRAMMES, DEVELOPING NEW COURSE MATERIALS AND MAKING AVAILABLE THEIR PHYSICAL FACILITIES," HE ADDED.
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EXTENDING TAVA TO COVER LIGHT RAIL TRANSIT
* * * * *
THE MAIN PURPOSE OF THE TRAFFIC ACCIDENTS VICTIMS (ASSISTANCE FUND)(AMENDMENT) BILL 1989 WAS TO EXTEND THE EXISTING ORDINANCE TO LIGHT RAIL VEHICLES OPERATED ON THE NORTH-WEST RAILWAY BY THE KOWLOON CANTON RAILWAY CORPORATION, THE SECRETARY FOR HEALTH AND WELFARE, THE HON T. H. CHAU, TOLD THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
MOVING THE SECOND READING OF THE BILL, MR CHAU SAID THIS WOULD ENABLE ALL PERSONS WHO SUFFERED PERSONAL INJURY IN AN ACCIDENT INVOLVING A LIGHT RAIL VEHICLE OF THE LIGHT RAIL TRANSIT SYSTEM TO BE ELIGIBLE TO APPLY FOR ASSISTANCE FROM THE TRAFFIC ACCIDENT VICTIMS ASSISTANCE FUND.
HE SAID THAT IN CASES WHERE PERSONS WERE KILLED IN SUCH ACCIDENTS, THEIR DEPENDENTS WOULD BE ELIGIBLE FOR ASSISTANCE FROM THE FUND.
MR CHAU POINTED OUT THAT LIGHT RAIL VEHICLES OF THE LRT OPERATED ON TRACKS WHICH WERE MAINLY SEGREGATED FROM ROAD AND PEDESTRIAN TRAFFIC.
HOWEVER, MR CHAU SAID THERE WERE A NUMBER OF INTEGRATED JUNCTIONS WHICH WERE USED NOT ONLY BY LIGHT RAIL VEHICLES BUT ALSO BY OTHER VEHICLES AND PEDESTRIANS.
HE SAID THAT THE SEGREGATED SECTIONS OF THE TRACK WERE RESTRICTED TO THE PUBLIC BUT IT WAS NOT DIFFICULT FOR PERSONS TO GAIN ACCESS TO THEM, PARTICULARLY IN AREAS WHERE THE TRACK WAS NOT ENCLOSED
WHILST THE LRT WAS ESSENTIALLY A RAIL SYSTEM, IT HAD VERY SIMILAR CHARACTERISTICS TO THE TRAM SYSTEM OPERATED BY HONG KONG TRAMWAYS LTD, MR CHAU SAID.
AT PRESENT, THE INTEGRATED SECTIONS OF THE LRT TRACK FELL WITHIN THE DEFINITION OF 'ROAD' IN THE TRAFFIC ACCIDENT VICTIMS (ASSISTANCE FUND) ORDINANCE.
AS SUCH, ACCIDENTS INVOLVING LIGHT RAIL VEHICLES ON THESE SECTIONS WERE DEEMED TO BE ’TRAFFIC ACCIDENTS’, AND VICTIMS WERE ALREADY ELIGIBLE TO APPLY FOR ASSISTANCE UNDER TAVAS.
HOWEVER, THE SEGREGATED SECTIONS OF THE LRT TRACK DID NOT FALL WITHIN THE EXISTING DEFINITION OF ’ROAD’, AND PERSONS INJURED IN AN ACCIDENT ON THESE SECTIONS WERE CURRENTLY INELIGIBLE TO APPLY, ALTHOUGH THEY MIGHT SEEK ASSISTANCE FROM CHARITABLE FUNDS IF THEY WERE IN FINANCIAL DIFFICULTIES.
/"GIVEN THE
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"GIVEN THE INHERENT OPENNESS OF THE LRT, AND THE FACT THAT VICTIMS OF ALL ACCIDENTS INVOLVING TRAMS ARE ELIGIBLE FOR ASSISTANCE UNDER TAVAS, IT IS PROPOSED THAT THE AMBIT OF TAVAS SHOULD BE WIDENED SO AS TO EXTEND ELIGIBILITY TO ALL VICTIMS OF ACCIDENTS INVOLVING LIGHT RAIL VEHICLES, IRRESPECTIVE OF WHETHER THE ACCIDENT TAKES PLACE ON THE INTEGRATED OR THE SEGREGATED SECTIONS OF THE TRACK," MR CHAU SAID.
CLAUSE 2 OF THE BILL THEREFORE RE-DEFINED ’ROAD’ SO THAT ALL ACCIDENTS WHICH INVOLVED A LIGHT RAIL VEHICLE COULD BE CONSIDERED AS TRAFFIC ACCIDENTS FOR THE PURPOSES OF THE ORDINANCE
THIS CLAUSE ALSO DEFINED A 'LIGHT RAIL VEHICLE'.
"WE CONSIDER THAT IT IS APPROPRIATE THAT ALL PERSONS WHO HAVE SUFFERED PERSONAL INJURY, OR DEPENDENTS IN THE CASE OF DEATH, IN AN ACCIDENT INVOLVING A LIGHT RAIL VEHICLE SINCE PUBLIC TRAILS OF THE SYSTEM BEGAN SHOULD BE ELIGIBLE FOR ASSISTANCE FROM THE FUND," MR CHAU SAID.
THE BILL THEREFORE INCLUDED IN CLAUSE 6A, DECLARATION WHICH PROVIDED THAT ALL ACCIDENTS INVOLVING A LIGHT RAIL VEHICLE WHICH HAD TAKEN PLACE SINCE MARCH 1, 1988, COULD BE DEEMED AS BEING TRAFFIC ACCIDENTS FOR THE PURPOSE OF THE AWARDING ASSISTANCE FROM THE FUND.
MR CHAU SAID CLAUSE 3 PROVIDED THAT THE KOWLOON-CANTON RAILWAY CORPORATION SHOULD PAY AN ANNUAL LEVY IN RESPECT OF EVERY LIGHT RAIL VEHICLE AT THE RATE SPECIFIED IN PART 1 OF THE SCHEDULE TO THE ORDINANCE WITH EFFECT FROM MARCH 1, 1988, THE DATE AT WHICH PUBLIC TRAILS ON THE SYSTEM BEGAN.
"IT IS PROPOSED IN CLAUSE 5 THAT THE LEVY FOR EACH LIGHT RAIL VEHICLE SHOULD BE THE SAME AS FOR ANY OTHER VEHICLE USING THE ROAD INCLUDING TRAMCARS, BUSES, AND GOODS VEHICLES," MR CHAU SAID.
"THE OPPORTUNITY IS ALSO TAKEN TO MAKE A NUMBER OF MINOR CONSEQUENTIAL AMENDMENTS TO SECTIONS IN THE ORDINANCE TO UPDATE THE REFERENCE TO THE PRESENT ROAD TRAFFIC ORDINANCE AND SUBSIDIARY LEGISLATION, CAP. 374 RATHER THAN THE REPLACED CAP. 200.
"THESE PROPOSED AMENDMENTS ARE CONTAINED IN CLAUSE 4 AND RELATE TO REVISED TYPES OF DRIVING LICENSE," MR CHAU ADDED.
DEBATE ON THE BILL WAS ADJOURNED.
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SFC SHOULD HAVE EFFECTIVE POWER AND RESOURCES * » ♦ t »
THE NEW SECURITIES AND FUTURES COMMISSION (SFC) SHOULD BE VESTED WITH NECESSARY POWER AND RESOURCES TO EFFECTIVELY MONITOR THE FINANCIAL SECURITIES MARKET AND MUST BE SUBJECT TO NECESSARY CHECKS AND BALANCES SO AS TO GUARD AGAINST FUTURE EXCESSES.
THE HON STEPHEN CHEONG SAID THIS TODAY (WEDNESDAY) DURING THE RESUMED DEBATE IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL ON THE SECURITIES AND FUTURES COMMISSION BILL 1989.
MR CHEONG SAID THAT, RIGHT FROM THE START THE LEGCO AD HOC GROUP TO STUDY THE BILL, OF WHICH HE WAS CONVENOR, REALISED THAT THEY HAD TAKEN ON A HEAVY RESPONSIBILITY.
WORKING CLOSELY WITH THE ADMINISTRATION AND THE NEW COMMISSIONER FOR SECURITIES AND FUTURES, THE GROUP HAD INSTALLED THE NECESSARY CHECKS AND BALANCES THROUGH AMENDMENTS TO THIS BILL OR THROUGH REACHING AN UNDERSTANDING WITH THE ADMINISTRATION THAT THEY WOULD ADDRESS POINTS OF CONCERNS THROUGH ADMINISTRATIVE MEANS.
MR CHEONG SAID THAT A TOTAL OF 270 COMMITTEE STAGE AMENDMENTS WERE INCORPORATED INTO THE BILL, INCLUDING 80 WHICH DEALT WITH THE CHINESE TEXT.
THE FIRST OF THE MAJOR AMENDMENTS CONCERNED THE PROPOSAL THAT THERE SHOULD BE AN EQUAL NUMBER OF EXECUTIVE AND NON-EXECUTIVE DIRECTORS ON THE SFC BOARD, AND THAT THE CHAIRMAN SHOULD HAVE A CASTING VOTE IN CASE OF A TIED VOTE.
MR CHEONG SAID THAT THE AD HOC GROUP CONSIDERED THAT SUCH AN ARRANGEMENT WOULD DEPRIVE THE NON-EXECUTIVES OF THE OPPORTUNITY OF COUNTER-BALANCING THE EXECUTIVES, AND ACCORDINGLY RECOMMENDED THAT THERE SHOULD BE A MAJORITY OF NON-EXECUTIVES ON THE BOARD, IN ORDER TO ALLEVIATE THE CONCERN IN THE MARKET ABOUT THE DOMINANCE BY THE EXECUTIVES.
“THE ADMINISTRATION, HOWEVER, CONSIDERS THAT THE SFC SHOULD BE RUNN BY FULL-TIME PROFESSIONALS WHO ARE FAMILIAR WITH MARKET SITUATIONS IF THE SFC IS TO COMMAND THE RESPECT OF THE MARKET AND THEREFORE FUNCTION EFFECTIVELY.”
’’FURTHERMORE, THEY CONSIDER THAT THERE SHOULD BE NO QUESTION OF DOMINATION BY THE EXECUTIVES SINCE THE NON-EXECUTIVES ARE EXPECTED TO BE PEOPLE OF INDEPENDENT MIND.”
WHILE NOTING THE ADMINISTRATION’S CONCERN THAT THE COMPOSITION OF THE BOARD SHOULD REMAIN AS PROPOSED, AND TO ENSURE THAT THE EXECUTIVES WOULD NOT BE ABLE TO OVERDOMINATE THE BOARD, THE GROUP HAD RECOMMENDED THAT, IN THE EVENT OF A TIED VOTE, THE CHAIRMAN SHOULD BE REQUIRED TO CONSULT THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY SHOULD HE WISH TO EXERCISE HIS CASTING VOTE, MR CHEONG SAID.
/ALSO, HE
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ALSO, HE SAID ADMINISTRATIVE ARRANGEMENTS WOULD BE MADE TO REQUIRE THE SFC TO RECORD IN ITS ANNUAL REPORT ALL INSTANCES IN WHICH THE CHAIRMAN HAS EXERCISED HIS CASTING VOTE.
MR CHEONG ADDED THAT, AS A MEANS TO ENSURING THAT THE NON-EXECUTIVE DIRECTORS COULD RAISE ANY ISSUE FOR DISCUSSION BY THE BOARD, THE GROUP HAD RECOMMENDED THAT THERE SHOULD BE A NEW PROVISION FOR A REQUISITION FROM NOT LESS THAN TWO DIRECTORS TO TRIGGER A BOARD MEETING.
SIMILARLY, ANY THREE MEMBERS OF THE SFC ADVISORY COMMITTEE WERE REQUIRED TO TRIGGER A MEETING OF THE ADVISORY COMMITTEE, MR CHEONG SAID.
ALSO THE ADVISORY COMMITTEE SHOULD MEET AT LEAST ONCE EVERY QUARTER IN ORDER THAT THERE WOULD BE NO MEANS FOR DELIBERATELY PUTTING OFF MEETINGS OF THE COMMITTEE.
THE SECOND MAJOR AMENDMENT WAS IN RESPECT OF CLAUSE 10 OF THE BILL, WHICH STIPULATED THAT THE GOVERNOR MIGHT GIVE DIRECTIONS TO THE SFC IN POLICY MATTERS ONLY.
ACCORDING TO MR CHEONG, HIS GROUP CONSIDERED THAT SUCH A PROVISION WAS UNNECESSARILY RESTRICTIVE AND HAD THEREFORE PROPOSED AN AMENDMENT TO ENABLE THE GOVERNOR TO GIVE DIRECTIONS TO THE COMMISSION IN A GENERAL SENSE.
ON THE BUDGET OF THE SFC, MR CHEONG NOTED THAT THERE HAD BEEN CONSIDERABLE CONCERN ABOUT THE MAGNITUDE OF THE BURDEN ON THE MARKET, HIS GROUP HAD CONSIDERED THAT THE LEGISLATURE SHOULD HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY OF LOOKING AT THE BUDGET OF THE SFC IN DRAFT FORM AS A SAFEGUARD AGAINST EXCESSIVE SPENDING.
HE SAID THAT THE ADMINISTRATION HAD, APART FROM AGREEING THAT THE SFC DRAFT BUDGET SHOULD BE SUBMITTED TO THE FINANCE COMMITTEE BEFORE IT WENT TO THE GOVERNOR FOR APPROVAL EVERY YEAR, MADE A PROVISION FOR THE TABLING OF THE SFC BUDGET IN LEGCO AFTER IT WAS APPROVED BY THE GOVERNOR.
"NEVERTHELESS, THE PORTION OF THE GOVERNMENT’S CONTRIBUTION TO FUND THE COMMISSION WILL REMAIN A MATTER FOR THE CONSIDERATION OF THE FINANCE COMMITTEE OF THE ANNUAL APPROPRIATION EXERCISE," SAID MR CHEONG.
HE ALSO SAID THAT SINCE THE AGREED FORMULA FOR FUNDING THE SFC FROM THE MARKET WOULD DEPEND ON MARKET SITUATIONS, THE ADMINISTRATION HAD AGREED THAT THE SFC FUNDING SITUATION WOULD BE THE SUBJECT OF REGULAR REVIEW BY THE AUTHORITIES CONCERNED.
NOTING THAT CONCERN HAD ALSO BEEN EXPRESSED ABOUT THE COMPOSITION OF THE PROPOSED APPEALS PANEL AND THE LACK OF PROVISIONS FOR APPEALS ON THE DETERMINATION OF A TRIBUNAL. MR CHEONG SAID THAT THE AD HOC GROUP SHARED THE ADMINISTRATION’S VIEW THAT SINCE CASES INVOLVED WERE FREQUENTLY HIGHLY TECHNICAL IN NATURE, IT WOULD BE DESIRABLE TO HAVE SOMEBODY WITH MARKET KNOWLEDGE IN THE TRIBUNAL.
/IT IS .......
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 12, 1989
- 27 -
"IT IS THEREFORE DESIRABLE TO LEAVE THE PROPOSED COMPOSITION OF THE APPEALS TRIBUNAL AS PROPOSED IN THE BILL AS IT IS: THE TRIBUNAL SHOULD COMPRISE OF THREE MEMBERS."
"ONE SHOULD BE THE LEGALLY QUALIFIED CHAIRMAN OR DEPUTY CHAIRMAN OF THE APPEALS PANEL, ONE SHOULD BE A PERSON WITH RELEVANT MARKET EXPERIENCE WHOLLY INDEPENDENT OF THE SFC WHILST THE THIRD ONE SHOULD BE A NON-EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF THE SFC.
HE SAID THAT THE GROUP ALSO CONSIDERED THAT THERE SHOULD BE PROVISIONS FOR APPEALS ON POINTS OF LAW AND, AFTER MUCH DISCUSSIONS, THE ADMINISTRATION AGREED THAT APPLICATIONS COULD BE MADE TO THE TRIBUNAL TO HAVE POINTS OF LAW CLARIFIED BY THE COURT OF APPEAL THROUGH THE CASE STATED APPROACH.
THE ADMINISTRATION HAD ALSO AGREED THAT THERE SHOULD BE PROVISIONS FOR APPEAL TO THE GOVERNOR-IN-COUNCIL ON A RESTRICTION NOTICE SERVED ON THE EXCHANGE COMPANIES AND CLEARING HOUSE, AND FOR A SEPARATE CHANNEL OF APPEAL IN RESPECT OF THE CLOSURE OF THE EXCHANGE COMPANIES BY THE COMMISSION UNDER THE SECURITIES ORDINANCE AND COMMODITIES TRADING ORDINANCE, HE SAID.
ON THE POWER OF MAKING FINANCIAL RESOURCES RULES, MR CHEONG SAID THAT THE GROUP FELT THAT SINCE THE FINANCIAL RESOURCES RULES IN RESPECT OF THE REGISTERED PERSON WOULD HAVE SIGNIFICANT BEARING ON THE BUSINESS OF THE REGISTERED PERSON. SUCH RULES SHOULD BE MADE IN THE FORM OF SUBSIDIARY LEGISLATION, AFTER CONSULTATION WITH THE RELEVANT MARKET ORGANISATIONS. THIS HAD BEEN AGREED BY THE ADMINISTRTION.
MR CHEONG SAID THAT THE GROUP HAD ALSO SUGGESTED, AND THE ADMINISTRATION HAD AGREED, THAT A SPECIAL COMMITTEE LOOKING AFTER THE REMUNERATION PACKAGES OF SFC STAFF SHOULD BE ESTABLISHED SINCE THE SFC BOARD WAS TO BE COMPOSED LARGELY OF PEOPLE WHO WERE ALSO EMPLOYEES OF THE COMMISSION.
THE COMMIITEE WOULD BE CHAIRED BY A NON-EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF THE SFC.
OTHER POINTS WHICH WOULD BE DEALT WITH BY FUTURE ADMINISTRATIVE MEASURES CONCERNED THE DUPLICATION OF ROLES OF THE SFC AND THE MARKET ORGANISATIONS, AND THE INDUSTRIES' MOVE TOWARDS SELF-REGULATION. MR CHEONG SAID.
IN RESPECT OF LISTING MATTERS IN THE STOCK MARKET, HE SAID THAT A SIX-MONTHLY AUDITS OR THE LISTING DIVISION OF THE STOCK EXCHANGE WOULD BE CARRIED OUT WITH A VIEW TO DETERMINING WHEN THE EXCHANGE WAS READY TO TAKE UP THE ROLE OF OVERSEEING LISTING MATTERS IN THE MARKET.
/FINALLY, ON .......
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 12, .1989
28
FINALLY, ON PUBLICITY, MR CHEONG SAID THAT THE CONSIDERED THAT PUBLICATION IN THE GAZETTE OF NOTICES OR ORDERS _______BILL WAS NOT ADEQUATE, AND THE ADMINISTRATION
RELEASE WOULD BE ISSUED WHENEVER
GROUP MADE
HAD
ACCORDINGLY AGREED THAT A PRESS PUBLIC NOTICE WAS REQUIRED,
COMMENDING THE SFC BILL SAID THAT IT WAS THE RESULT OF ORGANISATIONS AND PROFESSIONAL
TO
31
HIS LEGCO COLLEAGUES, MR CHEONG MEETINGS WITH REPRESENTATIVE MARKET
. BODIES AND THE ADMINISTRATION OVER THE LAS! THREE MONTHS. AND OF LENGTHY DELIBERATIONS ON THE PROPOSED FUNDING ARRANGEMENTS OF THE SFC AND ITS ORGANISATIONAL STRUCTURE.
IN CONCLUDING, MR CHEONG EXPRESSED HIS DEEPEST THANKS MEMBERS OF THE LEGCO AD HOC GROUP FOR THEIR EFFORTS TO HELP THE IN DISCHARGING THEIR RESPONSIBILITY SMOOTHLY AND COMPLETELY.
TO ALL
GROUP
-------0---------
SFC BILL SIGNIFICANTLY IMPROVED
♦ ♦ ♦ t t
WITH THE EFFORTS OF ALL CONCERNED, SIGNIFICANT IMPROVEMENT HAD BEEN MADE TO THE ORIGINAL SECURITIES AND FUTURES COMMISSION (SFC) BILL 1989 WHICH WAS GAZETTED IN JANUARY THIS YEAR, THE HON RONALD ARCULLI SAID TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
MR ARCULLI WAS THE DEPUTY CONVENER OF A LEGCO AD HOC GROUP SET UP TO STUDY THE BILL.
SPEAKING IN SUPPORT OF THE BILL IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL, MR ARCULLI SAID A MOST CONSTRUCTIVE APPROACH BY THE ADMINISTRATION, THE PROVISIONAL SFC, MARKET PARTICIPANTS AND THE INDUSTRY HAD BROUGHT ABOUT A NUMBER OF COMMITTEE STAGE AMENDMENTS TO THE BILL.
WITH THESE AMENDMENTS, THE BILL WOULD BE ABLE TO PROVIDE THE SFC WITH THE NECESSARY LEGISLATIVE FRAMEWORK TO PROPERLY AND EFFECTIVELY CARRY OUT ITS FUNCTIONS, HE SAID.
HIGHLIGHTING SOME OF THE IMPORTANT FEATURES OF THE BILL, MR ARCULLI NOTED THAT UNDER THE ORIGINAL BILL THE APPEAL TO THE APPEAL TRIBUNAL WAS FINAL AND NOT APPEALABLE.
HOWEVER, THE LEGCO AD HOC GROUP WAS ABLE TO PERSUADE THE ADMINISTRATION AND THE PROVISIONAL SFC THAT IT WAS DESIRABLE TO MAKE PROVISION FOR AN APPEAL BY WAY OF CASE STATED TO THE COURT OF APPEAL ON A POINT OF LAW WHERE THE APPEAL TRIBUNAL DID SO ON ITS OWN VOLITION OR GRANTED AN APPLICATION MADE EITHER BY THE SFC OR THE APPELLANT AND THE DECISION OF THE APPEAL TRIBUNAL IN THIS RESPECT WAS NOT APPEALABLE.
/MR ARCULLI
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 12, 1989
- 29 -
MR ARCULLI SAID THAT THIS CHANGE WAS IMPORTANT IN THE CONTEXT OF A NUMBER OF SECTIONS OF THE BILL WHICH DEALT WITH THE POWERS OF THE SFC TO, INTER ALIA, IMPOSE PROHIBITIONS OR REQUIREMENTS ON A REGISTERED PERSON, ON ASSETS BELONGING TO OR IN THE CUSTODY OF A REGISTERED PERSON AND MAINTENANCE OF ADEQUATE ASSETS.
ON THE SUBJECT REGARDING ACCESS TO RECORDS AND OTHER DOCUMENTS OF A REGISTERED PERSON AND ACCESS TO PREMISES AT WHICH SUCH RECORDS AND DOCUMENTS WERE KEPT, MR ARCULLI SAID THE AD HOC GROUP FELT THAT IF A REGISTERED PERSON WISHED TO KEEP SUCH PAPERS AT HOME, HE SHOULD BE ALLOWED TO DO SO PROVIDED HE NOTIFIED THE SFC AND HE WAS FULLY AWARE THAT HIS HOME WOULD THEN BE ACCESSIBLE IN THE SAME WAY AS HIS OFFICE. THE INITIATIVE RESTED ENTIRELY WITH THE REGISTERED PERSON.
ON PRESERVATION OF SECRECY, MR ARCULLI SAID SECTIONS 54(2)(G) AND (H) OF THE ORIGINAL BILL WHICH REFERRED TO DISCLOSURE OF INFORMATION TO OVERSEAS AUTHORITIES AND ORGANISATIONS WERE TO BE AMENDED SO THAT SUCH DISCLOSURES SHOULD ONLY BE MADE WHERE IT WAS DESIRABLE OR EXPEDIENT IN THE INTEREST OF THE INVESTING PUBLIC OR IN THE PUBLIC INTEREST AND THAT THIS POWER OF DICLOSURE COULD NOT BE DELEGATED.
HE ADDED THAT THE AMENDMENT WAS NECESSARY SO THAT HONG KONG’S STATUS AS A LEADING FINANCIAL CENTRE WOULD NOT BE JEOPARDISED BY UNNECESSARY DISCLOSURES.
NOTWITHSTANDING THAT THE INVESTIGATION POWERS UNDER SECTION 31 WERE EXERCISABLE IN LIMITED INSTANCES THERE WAS NO DISPUTING THAT SUCH POWERS WERE WIDE AND EXTENSIVE, INCLUDING THE POWER TO REQUIRE A PERSON TO ANSWER QUESTIONS WHICH MIGHT TEND TO INCRIMINATE HIM.
MR ARCULLI HOPED THAT THE COMMISSION WOULD USE THIS POWER JUDICIOUSLY AND IN PROPER CASES AND CIRCUMSTANCES BECAUSE ANY UNFAIR OR IMPROPER USE WOULD LEAD TO PUBLIC OUTCRY AND PERHAPS A DEMAND FOR CHANGE.
MR ARCULLI ALSO NOTED THAT SOME POINTS THAT AROSE DURING THE LEGCO AD HOC GROUP SCRUTINY OF THE BILL WOULD BE REVIEWED IN THE NEXT PHASE OF THE REFORM OF SECURITIES LEGISLATION.
THESE POINTS INCLUDED:
* CONSIDERING WHETHER FUTURES TRADING OUGHT TO BE INCLUDED IN INSIDER DEALING CHANGES;
* WHETHER GUIDELINES TO BE ISSUED UNDER SECTION 4(2) SHOULD REMAIN NON-STATUTORY;
* PROVISION FOR NOTIFICATION OF AND APPROVAL FOR CHANGE IN SHAREHOLDINGS UNDER SECTION 21(6)(A)(IV);
» WHETHER SECTION 25 CAN BE SIMPLIFIED IN THE LIGHT OF OPERATIONAL EXPERIENCE:
/•THE CONSOLIDATION
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 12, -19&9
- 30 -
♦ THE CONSOLIDATION OF PROVISIONS DEALING WITH INVESTIGATIONS UNDER THE RELEVANT ORDINANCES;
* TO REVIEW SECTION 31(5) AS IT MAY ENCOURAGE BLANKET CLAIMS IN RESPECT OF SELF-INCRIMINATING STATEMENTS;
* PROVISION REGARDING DELIVERY OF INVESTIGATION NOTES UNDER SECTION 31;
» UNDER SECTION 54 THE FORM OF THE SECRECY PROVISION AND TO REVIEW UNDER SECTION 54(2)(B) THE DISCLOSURE IN RESPECT OF "ANY INVESTIGATION" IN THE LIGHT OF OPERATIONAL EXPERIENCE.
MR ARCULLI CONCLUDED BY SAYING: "IN PASSING THE SFC BILL INTO LAW WE WOULD HAVE DONE OUR PART BUT THE MORE IMPORTANT PART REMAINS: THE CO-OPERATION OF ALL CONCERNED IN TAKING THE HONG KONG SECURITIES AND FUTURES MARKETS INTO THE NEXT IMPORTANT PHASE OF ITS DEVELOPMENT."
AND, HE MADE ONE OBSERVATION FOR THE SFC: "IT ALWAYS FALLS ON THE REGULATOR TO SET THE SCENE”.
------o-------
SECURITIES BILL HELPS BOTH MARKET AND INVESTORS *******
THE SECURITIES AND FUTURES COMMISSION BILL 1989 COULD ACHIEVE THE PURPOSE OF BALANCING THE NECESSITY OF HAVING FAIR, EFFICIENT AND ORDERLY SECURITIES MARKETS ON THE ONE HAND AND PROPER PROTECTION OF INVESTORS ON THE OTHER, THE HON PETER POON SAID TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
MR POON WAS SPEAKING IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL IN SUPPORT OF THE BILL.
HE NOTED THAT THE NEW SECURITIES AND FUTURES COMMISSION WOULD BE AN AUTONOMOUS WATCHDOG ON THE LOCAL SECURITIES MARKETS.
"THOUGH WE SHOULD FOLLOW INTERNATIONAL STANDARD OF SUPERVISION OF OUR MARKETS TO REGAIN CREDIBILITY, WE SHOULD NOT FOLLOW SLAVISHLY ALL THE COMPLICATED AND DRACONIAN SECURITIES LAWS IN THE UNITED KINGDOM AND THE USA," HE SAID.
HE ADDED THAT WHAT HONG KONG LOOKED FOR WAS A HONG KONG SOLUTION, WITH PROFESSIONAL-BASED MEMBERS WHTHIN THE NEW COMMISSION WHICH SHOULD HAVE SUFFICIENT POWER AND RESOURCES TO REGULATE THE SECURITIES MARKETS EFFECTIVELY.
HE WAS CONFIDENT THAT WITH SOME AMENDMENTS, THERE WOULD BE SUFFICIENT CHECKS AND BALANCES AND SAFEGUARDS TO ALLAY FEARS OF UNDUE INTERFERENCE OF THE LOCAL SECURITIES MARKETS.
/'•I AM
#-
0
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 12, 1989
- 31 - K
amix 1 AM SURE THAT THE NEW COMMISSION WILL BEAR IN MIND ITS ROLE AND DISPEL THE VARIOUS CONCERNS EXPRESSED THAT IT MIGHT EMBARK ON AMBITIOUS BUDGETS, UNNECESSARY DUPLICATION OF WORK OF THE EXCHANGE. FISHING EXPEDITIONS AND WITCHHUNTING OR CREATE BUREAUCRATIC REGULATIONS WHICH MAY STIFLE OUR MARKETS," HE SAID.
MR POON ALSO NOTED THAT THE BILL WAS THE FIRST-EVER BILINGUAL LEGISLATION TO BE PASSED.
• I
"I BELIEVE THAT THE EFFORTS MADE TO ENACT THIS BILL IN BOTH LANGUAGES HAVE ACHIEVED REASONABLY SATISFACTORY RESULT." HE SAID.
-----0------
SFC SHOULD BE FINANCIALLY ACCOUNTABLE TO THE PUBLIC
t » t * ♦
THE NEW SECURITIES AND FUTURES COMMISSI™ SHOULD BE SUBJECTED TO THE SAME FINANCIAL ACCOUNTABILITY AS THE GOVERNMENT ITSELF, IHK MVW LI SUGGESTED IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY!-
SPEAKING AT THE RESUMED DEBATE ON THE SECURITIES AND
-$b IS Spe : ‘I -scS?
FURTHERMORE, THE COMMISSION’S ANNUAL REP^RT S!R,l'ED AND DEBATED IN LEGCO SO THAT MEMBERS COULD SEE IO II THAI AND SPIRIT OF THE LAW WERE BEING CARRIED OU 1 .
BE THE
TABLED LETTER
NOTING THAT THE BILL WAS NOT SURFACE ONCE IT CAME INTO FORCE. MR COMMISSION TO HAVE FLEXIBILITY.
PERFECT AND PROBLEM AREAS WOULD
LI UNDERLINED THE NEED FOR THE
"WITHOUT SUCH FLEXIBILITY EVEN HONG KONG’S FUTURE AS FINANCIAL CENTRE MAY BE IN DOUBT." HE WARNED.
THE AD HOC STUDY GROUP HAD TRIED TO ADEQUATE CHECKS AND BALANCES IN THIS BILL. DEPEND ON THE QUALITY AND THE JUDGEMENT OF STAFF. HE CONTINUED.
ENSURE THAT THERE WERE
BUT A GREAT DEAL WOULD THE COMMISSION AND ITS
"TO THE COMMISSION I WOULD MARKETS ARE DOOMED. PLAY THE FOOL. ITSELF.
SAY, ACT THE MARTINET, AND OUR AND OCTOBER, 1987, MAY WELL REPEAT
"THERE HAS TO BE A MIDDLE GROUND BETWEEN MICKEY MOUSE AND THE PRUSSIAN GUARD -- AND YOU HAVE TO FIND II.
/" ABOVE ALL
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 12, 1989
- 32 -
"ABOVE ALL, YOU MUST BE RESPONSIVE TO THE NEEDS OF THE INDUSTRY AND THE PUBLIC.
"THE COMMISSION MUST REMEMBER, TOO, THAT HONG KONG WANTS AND NEEDS SELF-REGULATION TO BE THE PRIMARY AND PRINCIPAL METHOD OF REGULATION," MR LI STRESSED.
IN MR LI’S VIEW, WHAT BROUGHT ABOUT THE DISASTER OF OCTOBER, 1987 WAS THE IGNORANCE OF KEY PERSONNEL IN THE GOVERNMENT ABOUT HOW THE FINANCIAL MARKETS WORKED. THEREFORE, ANOTHER OF THE RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE NEW COMMISSION MUST BE TO KEEP THE GOVERNMENT INFORMED AND IN CHECK.
MR LI DISAGREED THAT THE LARGE BUDGET OF THE COMMISSION WAS A HEAVY PRICE TO PAY TO EDUCATE A COMPARATIVELY SMALL NUMBER OF OFFICIALS AS, TO HIS KNOWLEDGE, THE ACQUIESCENCE OF THE GOVERNMENT AT THE CLOSURE OF WHAT WAS THOUGHT TO BE A FREE MARKET RAISED ALMOST AS MANY QUESTIONS IN THE INTERNATIONAL FINANCIAL COMMUNITY ABOUT HONG KONG'S FINANCIAL FUTURE AS CONCERN ABOUT 1997.
HOWEVER, IN VIEW OF THE LARGE BUDGET, IT WAS IMPERATIVE TO HAVE INTELLIGENT, INDEPENDENTLY-MINDED NON-EXECUTIVE DIRECTORS ON THE COMMISSION TO REIN THE BUREAUCRATIC ZEAL AND EMPIRE-BUILDING OF BUREAUCRATS, MR LI SAID.
THE APPOINTMENT OF NON-EXECUTIVE DIRECTORS WOULD ALSO HELP PREVENT THE COMMISSION FROM MAKING MISTAKES. WHICH COULD AFFECT SIGNIFICANTLY HONG KONG’S REPUTATION AS A FINANCIAL MARKET.
NEVERTHELESS, THESE NON-EXECUTIVE DIRECTORS MUST BE INDIVIDUALS WHO NOT ONLY HAD THE NECESSARY EXPERTISE AND PERSONAL INTEGRITY, BUT WHO WERE ALSO NOT AFRAID TO DISAGREE WITH THE GOVERNMENT ITSELF, WHEN THEY BELIEVED THE GOVERNMENT WAS WRONG, HE STRESSED.
EQUALLY IMPORTANT, THE NON-EXECUTIVE DIRECTORS MUST BE -- AND MUST BE SEEN TO BE — TOTALLY INDEPENDENT OF ANY SPECIAL POINT OF VIEW, IF THEY WERE TO GAIN CREDIBILITY WITH THE PUBLIC, THE INDUSTRY, THE GOVERNMENT AND OFFICIALS IN THE COMMISSION AND TO FUNCTION EFFECTIVELY, MR LI WENT ON.
MR LI FELT THAT THE SECURITIES AND FUTURES COMMISSION BILL WAS IMPORTANT TO UK’S FUTURE IN TWO WAYS. IN ONE WAY. IT WAS AN ATTEMPT TO PUT RIGHT WEAKNESSES IN THE SUPERVISION OF OUR FINANCIAL MARKETS --WEAKNESSES WHICH CONTRIBUTED DIRECTLY AND SIGNIFICANTLY TO THE DISASTER OF OCTOBER, 1987.
IN ANOTHER, THE LEGISLATION SHOWED THAT THE GOVERNMENT AND THE LEGCO AD HOC GROUP COULD WORK CLOSELY TOGETHER IN SCRUTINISING A BILL WHICH ORIGINALLY GENERATED MUCH CRITICISM AND AMEND IT TAKING INTO ACCOUNT THE VIEWS EXPRESSED BY THE FINANCIAL INDUSTRY.
- - 0 ----------
/33........
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 12, 1989
- 35 -
CAUTION AGAINST OVERREGULATION OF MARKETS
*****
OVERREGULATION COULD STIFLE THE VIGOUR AND INNOVATION OF HONG KONG’S SECURITIES MARKETS AND SHOULD BE STRENUOUSLY AVOIDED, THE HON MARTIN BARROW SAID TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
MR BARROW WAS SPEAKING IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL IN SUPPORT OF THE SECURITIES AND FUTURES COMMISSION BILL 1989.
"THE MAINTENANCE OF HONG KONG AS A STRONG AND SUCCESSFUL FINANCIAL CENTRE IS ONE OF THE KEY OBJECTIVES ON WHICH THE ADMINISTRATION AND THE PRIVATE SECTOR MUST WORK CLOSELY TOGETHER.
"WE MUST ALL THEREFORE WELCOME THE SETTING UP OF THE SECURITIES AND FUTURES COMMISSION WHICH CAN PLAY A MAJOR ROLE IN ACHIEVING THIS," HE SAID.
"IN ENSURING THAT HONG KONG HAD A REGULATORY BODY WITH SUFFICIENT RESOURCES TO MAINTAIN AN ADEQUATE LEVEL OF INVESTOR PROTECTION, WE MUST AT THE SAME TIME STRENUOUSLY AVOID OVERREGULATION," HE ADDED.
"WE MUST REMEMBER THAT THE WHOLE POINT OF THE HAY DAVISON REPORT WAS SUPERVISED SELF-REGULATION. CARE MUST BE TAKEN TO ENSURE THAT WE DO NOT SEE INTERVENTIONISM IN ALL AREAS OF SECURITIES DEALINGS WHICH COULD AFFECT AND DESTORY THE FACTORS WHICH GAVE HONG KONG ITS SPECIAL NICHE," MR BARROW SAID.
"THE ROLE OF THE SECURITIES COMMISSION SHOULD BE TO MONITOR THE EXCHANGES, NOT TO DO THE EXCHANGES WORK FOR IT."
HE SAID THAT OF THE VARIOUS AMENDMENTS TO THE BILL, THE MOST IMPORTANT WERE THOSE WHICH INTRODUCED THE CHECKS AND BALANCES THAT WERE SO ESSENTIAL TO KEEP THE BALANCE RIGHT BETWEEN OVERREGULATION AND POORLY CONTROLLED MARKETS.
HE ADDED THAT IT WAS NOT GOING TO BE THE NITTY GRITTY CONTENTS OF THE BILL THAT WERE GOING TO MAKE OR BREAK HONG KONG AS A FINANCIAL CENTRE.
"WHAT IS GOING TO BE ABSOLUTELY KEY IS THE REALITY OF THE WORK RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN THE COMMISSION AND THE MARKETS.” HE SAID.
MR BARROW SUGGESTED THAT THE COMMISSION SHOULD, THROUGH THE MEDIA, ARTICULATE THEIR ROLE AS CLEARLY AS POSSIBLE AND DESCRIBE HOW THEY SAW THEMSELVES RELATING TO THE EXCHANGES.
IT WOULD BE ESSENTIAL THAT AN EXCELLENT WORKING RELATIONSHIP DEVELOPED BETWEEN THE EXCHANGES AND THE COMMISSION AND THAT THEY SHOULD IRON OUT AS QUICKLY AS POSSIBLE ANY AREAS OF POSSIBLE DUPLICATION.
/"FOR EXAMPLE .......
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 12, 1989
"FOR EXAMPLE, FIRST AND FOREMOST PROBABLY WILL BE THE QUESTION OF OVERSEEING LISTING ARRANGEMENTS WHICH SHOULD AS QUICKLY AS POSSIBLE BE PUT IN THE HANDS OF THE STOCK EXCHANGE," HE SAID.
HE SUGGESTED THAT THE ADMINISTRATION REVIEWED THE PROGRESS IN THIS RESPECT THROUGH A SIX-MONTHLY AUDIT.
IN CONSLUSION, MR BARROW SAID IT WAS RIGHT THAT THE SECURITIES AND FUTURES COMMISSION SHOULD BE GIVEN THE RELATIVELY STRONG POWERS ALLOWED FOR IN THE BILL BUT IN PRACTICE IT MUST REMAIN A LEAN AND TIGHTLY MANAGED ORGANISATION.
-------0---------
RESERVATIONS OVER SFC STRUCTURE * * » ♦ *
CHENG TODAY (WEDNESDAY) TOLD THE LEGISLATIVE HAD SERIOUS RESERVATIONS CONCERNING THE OVERLY ORGANISATIONAL STRUCTURE OF THE SECURITIES AND (SFC) AND SUBSTANTIAL BUDGETARY PROVISION BEING
THE HON PAUL
COUNCIL THAT HE ELABORATE PROPOSED FUTURES COMMISSION
ALLOTED TO IT.
SECURITIES
SPEAKING DURING THE RESUMED DEBATE ON THE
FUTURES COMMISSION BILL 1989 MR CHENG SAID HE FULLY AGREED THAT WAS A NEED TO ESTABLISH A COMMISSION WITH THE NECESSARY POWERS PERFORM A WATCHDOG FUNCTION OVER THE EXCHANGES.
AND THERE
TO
HOWEVER, HE FELT THAT THERE WERE FAR TOO MANY LAYERS IN THE SFC STRUCTURE AND THE SPAN OF REPORTING SCOPE FAR TOO NARROW.
TO HAVE EIGHT
25 PEOPLE FOR
A 229-STRONG
MR CHENG WONDERED IF THERE WAS A REAL NEED PEOPLE WORKING FOR THE COMMISSION CHAIRMAN’S OFFICE AND THE PERSONNEL AND ADMINISTRATIVE DEPARTMENT OF
ORGANISATION.
HE WAS OF THE OPINION THAT THEY COULD EASILY BE WITHOUT LOSING THE COMMISSION’S OVERALL EFFECTIVENESS.
TRIMMED DOWN
"THIS UNNCESSARILY TOP HEAVY STRUCTURE CAN ONLY LEAD TO OVER-REGULATION BECAUSE SOME OF THE STAFF WILL NEED TO JUSTIFY THEIR EXISTENCE.
/"I SEE .......
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 12, 1989
- 35 -
"1 SEE LITTLE JUSTIFICATION IN HAVING SUCH AN ELABORATE ORGANISATION. ESPECIALLY SINCE THE TWO EXCHANGES THEMSELVES HAVE RECENTLY BEEN COMPLETELY OVERHAULED.'’ HE SAID.
NOTING THAT THE TOP FIVE EXECUTIVE DIRECTORS WERE ALL EXPATRIATES RECRUITED FROM ABROAD, SOME WITH NO PRIOR EXPERIENCE IN HONG KONG. MR CHENG SAID HE WAS SURPRISED TO LEARN THAT NONE OF THESE POSITIONS WAS FILLED WITH LOCAL EXECUTIVES ALTHOUGH HONG KONG WAS SUPPOSEDLY ONE OF THE LEADING INTERNATIONAL FINANCIAL CENTRES WITH QUALIFIED LOCAL EXECUTIVES IN BOTH THE PRIVATE FINANCIAL AND PUBLIC SECTORS.
HE ALSO URGED THE ADMINISTRATION TO CLOSELY MONITOR THE ORGANISATIONAL BUILD-UP OF THE COMMISSION AND STRIVE TOWARDS ASSEMBLING A MORE BALANCED MANAGEMENT TEAM AS SOON AS POSSIBLE.
--------0-----------
LEGCO AD HOC GROUP CONVENORS PRAISED
t t t t ♦
THE HON STEPHEN CHEONG AND THE HON RONALD ARCVLL1 HAVE WON PRAISES FROM FELLOW LEGISLATIVE COUNCILLORS FOR THEIR WORK \S CONVENOR AND DEPUTY CONVENOR OF THE LEGCO \D HOC GROUP I’O STUDY THE SECURITIES AND FUTURES COMMISSION BILL 1989.
SPEAKING AT THE RESUMED DEBATE ON THE BILL IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY), THE HON JIMMY MCGREGOR. SAID THAT THE BILL, ONE OF THE MOST COMPLICATED AND IMPORTANT SETS OF LEGISLATION EVER TO BE CONSIDERED BY LEGCO, COULD NOT HAVE BEEN TAKEN FORWARD AS EFFECTIVELY AS IT WAS NOW WITHOUT THE ’EXELLENT LEADERSHIP, DEDICATION AND TOTAL COMMITMENT’ OF MR CHEONG AND MR ARCULL1.
MR MCGREGOR WENT ON TO THANK THE ORGANISATIONS WHICH SUBMITTED THEIR VIEWS TO THE COUNCIL AND WHOSE REPRESENTATIVES TOOK PART IN MANY HOURS OF DETAILED DISCUSSION.
HE ALSO THANKED GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS, EFFECTIVELY LED BY SECRETARY FOR MONETARY AFFAIRS, MR DAVID NENDICK, FOR HELPING MEMBERS TO MODIFY THE LEGISLATION WHICH HE BELIEVED WOULD ENHANCE HONG KONG’S STATUS AS ONE OF THE LEADING FINANCIAL CENTRES IN THE WORLD.
HOWEVER, MR MCGREGOR NOTED THAT WE MUST NOT FORGET THE TRAUMA AND SCANDAL THAT BROUGHT ABOUT THE NEED FOR THIS IMPORTANT LEGISLATION WITH ITS NEW AND GREATLY IMPROVED SYSTEM OF SUPERVISION OF OUR FINANCIAL MARKETS.
"THE INSTRUMENT AND SYSTEM IS NOW BEING PROVIDED. IT WILL BE UP TO THE COMMISSION AND THE EXCHANGES TO MAKI' SURE THAT IT IS USED EFFECTIVELY IN THE LONG TERM INTEREST OF HONG KONG," HE SAID.
- - 0---------
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 12, 19.89
56
"GAPING HOLE" IN SFC BILL * t »
MEMBERS OF A LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL AD HOC GROUP HAD TO WORK THEIR HEARTS OUT IN STUDYING THE SECURITIES AND FUTURES COMMISSION BILL 1989 BUT REGRETTABLY THE FINAL PRODUCT STILL HAD A GAPING HOLE IN IT, THE HON MARTIN LEE SAID TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
FOR THIS REASON, IT WAS WITH RESERVATIONS THAT HE SUPPORTED THE BILL, HE TOLD THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL.
THE GAPING HOLE HE REFERRED TO WAS THAT CLAUSE 4(1)(C) DID NOT REQUIRE THE SECURITIES AND FUTURES COMMISSION TO REPORT TO THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY THE OCCURRENCE OF ANY DEALING IN RELATION TO FUTURES CONTRACTS WHICH IT REASONABLY BELIEVED OR SUSPECTED TO BE AN INSIDER DEALING.
MR LEE SAID HE HAD SHOWN THE BILL TO AN EMINENT QUEEN’S COUNSEL WHO SPECIALISED IN COMPANY LAW, AND POINTED OUT TO HIM THE OMISSION; AND THE COMMENT WAS: "SURELY THIS IS AN OVERSIGHT”.
MR LEE SAID THIS WAS ALSO HIS IMMEDIATE REACTION WHEN THE AD HOC GROUP DISCOVERED THIS OMISSION AT ITS MEETING.
BUT WHEN THE POINT WAS RAISED WITH THE ADMINISTRATION, IT SOON TRANSPIRED THAT IT WAS A DELIBERATE OMISSION. QUITE A FEW REASONS WERE ADVANCED, BUT NONE CONVINCING. HE SAID.
"INDEED, ONE IS AT A LOSS TO UNDERSTAND WHY ONE IS NOT PUSHING AN OPEN DOOR IN THIS MATTER, SINCE ONE IS MERELY REMINDING THE COMMISSION TO ARM ITSELF WITH A POWER WHICH ON ANY VIEW IT SHOULD POSSESS," HE SAID.
HE NOTED THAT THE ADMINISTRATION HAD PUT FORWARD A PAPER SETTING OUT FIVE REASONS WHY A CONGRESSIONAL COMMITTEE OF THE UNITED STATES CONGRESS HAD DECIDED IN 1984 NOT TO AMEND THE LAW BY PROHIBITING INSIDER DEALING IN FUTURES CONTRACTS IN THE COUNTRY.
THE FIRST TWO REASONS GIVEN WERE CLEARLY THE MOST IMPORTANT, HE SAID. THE FIRST WAS THAT "FUTURES TRANSACTIONS DO NOT GIVE RISE TO FIDUCIARY DUTIES WHICH CORRESPOND TO THOSE WHICH A SECURITIES INSIDER OWES TO THE COMPANY WHOSE SHARES ARE CONCERNED, AND PURCHASERS OR SELLERS OF THOSE SHARES."
"THE SECOND REASON WAS THAT "INSIDE INFORMATION ABOUT FUTURES MARKET DOES NOT GENERALLY RELATE TO INDIVIDUAL COMPANIES."
"BUT HONG KONG’S LAWS WERE DIFFERENT FROM THOSE OF THE UNITED STATES. AND THE FIRST REASON GIVEN BY THE ADMINISTRATION HAD NO RELEVANCE TO HONG KONG," HE SAID.
/AS TO .......
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 12, 1989
- 37 -
AS TO THE SECOND REASON, AGAIN THE POSITION IN THE UNITED STATES WAS TOTALLY DIFFERENT FROM HONG KONG’S, BECAUSE IN HONG KONG THE HANG SENG INDEX WAS ONLY BASED ON THE PRICES OF 30 COMPANIES.
"EXPERIENCE HAS SHOWN THAT ANY SENSITIVE INFORMATION PERTAINING TO ANY ONE OF THESE 30 COMPANIES, PARTICULARLY IN THE LIGHT OF A RISING OR FALLING MARKET, WILL MOST CERTAINLY CAUSE THE HANG SENG INDEX TO RISE OR FALL EVEN FURTHER," MR LEE SAID.
IF THERE WAS NO POWER FOR THE SECURITIES AND FUTURES COMMISSION TO INVESTIGATE INTO SUSPECTED INSIDER DEALING IN FUTURES CONTRACTS, A PERSON POSSESSED OF SENSITIVE INFORMATION CONCERNING THE SHARES OF ONE OF THE SAID 30 COMPANIES WOULD SIMPLY BUY FUTURES CONTRACTS IF HE HAD GOOD NEWS, WITH A VIEW TO SELLING THEM AFTER THE HANG SENG INDEX HAD RISEN WHEN THE NEWS HAS BECOME PUBLIC; AND VICE VERSA IN RELATION TO BAD NEWS.
"THERE IS SIMPLY NO COMPARISON BETWEEN OUR SMALL MARKET IN HONG KONG AND THE MUCH LARGER MARKETS IN THE U.S.A. WHERE THE NEWS OF A SINGLE COMPANY, NO MATTER HOW LARGE, SIMPLY DOES NOT BRING THE WHOLE MARKET UP OR DOWN WITH IT," HE SAID.
FOR THESE REASONS, THE SECOND REASON SET OUT IN THE PAPER WAS NOT APPLICABLE TO HONG KONG.
HE ADDED THAT IT WAS NO ANSWER TO SAY THAT EVEN THE UNITED STATES DID NOT HAVE IT, AS WAS SAID TO THE AD HOC GROUP.
"FOR WE SHOULD BE PROUD TO TAKE THE LEAD, IF NECESSARY, IN THE FIGHT AGAINST INSIDER DEALING, AND SHOULD NOT WAIT COWARDLY FOR SOME OTHER COUNTRIES TO TAKE THE LEAD, PARTICULARLY WHEN THEY MAY NOT HAVE THE NEED," MR LEE SAID.
HE SAID HE HAD DELIBERATED LONG AND HARD WHETHER HE SHOULD PUSH THE ADMINISTRATION INTO ACTION BY SEEKING TO AMEND THE BILL OR USE GENTLE PERSUASIVE ARGUMENT.
HE CHOSE THE LATTER BECAUSE HE BELIEVED IT WOULD BE MORE EFFECTIVE.
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/38 .......
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 12, 1989
- 38 -
SFC SHOULD NOT PROTECT SECTORAL INTEREST ♦ ♦ ♦ » »
THE SECURITIES AND FUTURES COMMISSION SHOULD NOT BE INVOLVED IN THE PROTECTION OF SECTORAL INTERST, THE HON NELLIE FONG EMPHASISED IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
MOVING AMENDMENTS TO CLAUSES 46(1) AND 47(1) OF THE SECURITIES AND FUTURES COMMISSION BILL 1989 AT THE COMMITTEE STAGE, MRS FONG SAID THE LEGCO AD HOC GROUP WAS CONCERNED THAT THE PROTECTION OF A CERTAIN GROUP OF INVESTORS FROM FINANCIAL LOSS COULD BE AT THE EXPENSE OF THE ANOTHER GROUP OF INVESTORS UNDER THE ORIGINAL CLAUSES.
AS ONE OF THE INSTANCES UNDER WHICH CLAUSES 46(1) AND 47(1) CAME INTO PLAY WAS IN A SITUATION WHERE THE COMMISSION CONSIDERED IT APPROPRIATE “FOR THE PROTECTION OF INVESTORS AGAINST FINANCIAL LOSS”, IT WAS PROPOSED THAT THE WORDS ’’AGAINST FINANCIAL LOSS” SHOULD BE DELETED TO ADDRESS SUCH CONCERN.
’’THE AD HOC GROUP ALSO SHARES THE CONCERN OF THE STOCK EXCHANGE THAT THERE IS NO PROVISION FOR APPEAL IN RESPECT OF A RESTRICTION NOTICE SERVED BY THE COMMISSION UNDER CLAUSE 46.
"THE ADDITION OF THE NEW CLAUSE 46(2A) PROVIDES AN AVENUE FOR APPEAL TO THE GOVERNOR IN COUNCIL AGAINST A RESTRICTION NOTICE RELATING TO THE AMENDMENT OF THE MEMORANDUM OF ASSOCIATION OR ARTICLES OF ASSOCIATION OF AN EXCHANGE COMPANY OR CLEARING HOUSE,” MRS FONG EXPLAINED.
ON CLAUSE 47(4) WHICH PROVIDED THAT A SUSPENSION ORDER SHOULD ’’COME INTO OPERATION IMMEDIATELY ON THE MAKING OF THE ORDER", MRS FONG SAID THE AD HOC GROUP CONSIDERED THAT TO AVOID THE POSSIBILITY OF UNFAIR RETROSPECTIVITY, THE ORDER SHOULD NOT TAKE EFFECT BEFORE IT IS SERVED.
"A NEW CLAUSE 47(4) IS PROPOSED SO THAT A SUSPENSION ORDER SHALL TAKE EFFECT ONLY WHEN IT IS SERVED ON THE EXCHANGE COMPANY OR CLEARING HOUSE, AND THAT COPIES OF THE ORDER OR NOTICE OF EXTENSION SHOULD BE SERVED NOT ONLY ON THE EXCHANGE COMPANY OR CLEARING HOUSE, BUT ALSO ON THE DIRECTORS, COMMITTEE MEMBERS OR CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICERS CONCERNED,” SHE CONTINUED.
TURNING TO CLAUSE 47(6), MRS FONG NOTED THAT IT ONLY PROVIDED FOR THE MAKING OF A NOTICE IN THE GAZETTE OF THE "FACT” OF A SUSPENSION ORDER MADE BUT DID NOT REQUIRE THE "TERMS” OF THE ORDER TO BE PUBLISHED.
THE AMENDMENT TO CLAUSE 47(6) STIPULATED THAT THE ACTUAL SUSPENSION ORDER SHOULD BE PUBLISHED IN THE GAZETTE RATHER THAN ’’THAT FACT” ALONE AS WAS PROVIDED IN THE ORIGINAL CLAUSE.
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/39........
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 12, 1989
59
SFC BILL STRIKES RIGHT BALANCE * * * *
THE SECURITIES AND FUTURES COMMISSION BILL 1989 HAD STRUCK A BALANCE BETWEEN THE NEEDS OF THE NEW COMMISSION TO EFFECTIVELY WATCH OVER THE SECURITIES INDUSTRY, AND THE LEGITIMATE RIGHTS OF THE MARKET PARTICIPANTS TO CARRY ON THEIR ACTIVITIES FREE FROM OVER-REGULATION, THE HON PETER WONG SAID TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
MR WONG WAS SPEAKING F.N THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL IN SUPPORT OF THE BILL.
HE SAID THE MEMBERS OF THE SOON TO BE DEFUNCT SECURITIES COMMISSION AND THE COMMODITIES TRADING COMMISSION FULLY SUPPORTED THE HAY DAVISON COMMITTEE IN ITS ENQUIRIES INTO THE REASONS WHY THE HONG KONG MARKET WENT WRONG.
HE SAID HE WAS APPALLED BY THE INITIAL DRAFT OF THE BILL IN THE MIDDLE OF 1988.
’’THE HAY DAVISON REPORT WAS USED TO PRODUCE AN ABSOLUTE TRAVESTY OF A BILL WHICH WOULD HAVE GIVEN THE COMMISSIONER CARTE BLANCHE TO RULE OVER THE INDUSTRY AND HAD INDIVIDUAL FREEDOM SERIOUSLY COMPROMISED,” MR WONG SAID.
HE SAID THAT IN RETROSPECT HE WAS SURPRISED THAT THE LEGAL DEPARTMENT COULD BE THE AUTHOR OF SUCH A DOCUMENT.
MR WONG RECALLED THAT MUCH OF 1 HE SECURITIES INDUSTRY’S AND THE CONCERNED PROFESSIONALS’ INITIAL SYMPATHY AND GOODWILL FOR REFORM WAS LOST, AND THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL AD HOC GROUP STUDYING THE BILL HAD TO RESORT TO ATTACK TACTICS TO REMOVE THE WORST OF THE EXCESSES.
"BY THE TIME WE GOT TO DISCUSSING THE SIZE OF THE COMMISSION AND ITS FUNDING, WE DID SO WITH ANTAGONISM AND DISBELIEF. PHRASES SUCH AS EMPIRE BUILDING AND UNNECESSRY DUPLICATION OF FUNCTIONS WERE COMMONLY USED,” HE NOTED.
HE SAID HE WAS PLEASED THAT AT THE END OF THE DAY REASON PREVAILED AND RESULTED IN A RESOLUTION OF THE FUNDING PROBLEM WHICH PROVED TO BE GORDIAN KNOT.
"EVERYTHING FLOWED SMOOTHLY THEREAFTER WHEN COMMUNICATIONS WERE RE-ESTABLISHED. THE RATIONALES WERE THEN EXPLAINED FULLY AND I BELIEVE THAT WE NOW HAVE A WORKABLE SOLUTION FOR THE MARKETS,” MR WONG SAID.
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WEDNESDAY, APRIL 12, 1989
40
SFC DRAFT ESTIMATES TO GO THROUGH FINANCE COMMITTEE ******
MEMBERS OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL SHOULD HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY OF LOOKING AT THE ESTIMATES OF THE SECURITIES AND FUTURES COMMISSION BEFORE IT IS FINALISED FOR SUBMISSION TO THE GOVERNOR, THE HON LAU WAH-SUM SAID IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
HIS COMMENTS CAME WHEN HE WAS MOVING AMENDMENTS TO CLAUSES 13, 56 AND 58 OF THE SECURITIES AND FUTURES COMMISSION BILL 1989 AT THE COMMITTEE STAGE OF THE BILL.
ACCORDING TO MR LAU, THE LEGCO AD HOC GROUP STUDYING THE BILL HAD RECOMMENDED THAT A BUDGET REVIEW COMMITTEE COMPRISING LEGCO MEMBERS SHOULD BE CONSULTED ON THE ESTIMATES AND THE ADMINISTRATION IN RESPONSE AGREED TO AN ADMINISTRATIVE ARRANGEMENT UNDER WHICH DRAFT ESTIMATES OF THE COMMISSION WOULD BE SUBMITTED TO THE FINANCE COMMITTEE BEFORE IT WAS SUBMITTED TO THE GOVERNOR FOR APPROVAL.
THE ADMINISTRATION ALSO AGREED TO MAKE A NEW PROVISION FOR THE TABLING OF THE ESTIMATES OF THE COMMISSION IN LEGCO AFTER IT WAS APPROVED BY THE GOVERNOR AND THE PROPOSED SECTION 13(3) GAVE EFFECT TO SUCH AN AMENDMENT.
ON CLAUSE 26 OF THE BILL, WHICH RELATES TO THE MAKING OF FINANCIAL RESOURCES RULES BY THE COMMISSION, MR LAU SAID THE AD HOC GROUP CONSIDERED THAT IN VIEW OF THE IMPORTANCE OF THE FINANCIAL RESOURCES RULES TO THE BUSINESS OF THE REGISTERED PERSON, SUCH RULES SHOULD BE MADE IN THE FORM OF SUBSIDIARY LEGISLATION.
THE NEW SECTION 26(5) MADE IT ABSOLUTELY CLEAR THAT FINANCIAL RESOURCES RULES ARE ONLY TO HAVE EFFECT WHEN THEY HAVE BEEN GAZETTED AND LAID ON THE TABLE OF LEGCO AND THE ADMINISTRATION HAD ALSO AGREED THAT THE INDUSTRY WOULD BE CONSULTED WHEN THE RULES WERE BEING FORMULATED, HE NOTED.
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SECURITIES AND
FUTURES COMMISSION BILL PASSED
*****
THE SECURITIES AND FUTURES COMMISSION BILL REPRESENTED A SIGNIFICANT STEP FORWARD IN THE FURTHER DEVELOPMENT OF A STABLE, FAIR AND ORDERLY MARKET IN HONG KONG, AND WE HAD REACHED THIS POINT WITHIN 18 MONTHS OF OCTOBER 1987, THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY, MR PIERS JACOBS, TOLD THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
A NUMBER OF AMENDMENTS, AGREED BETWEEN THE ADMINISTRATION AND THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL AD HOC GROUP DURING THE PAST 12 WEEKS AFTER THE BILL WAS FIRST INTRODUCED ON JANUARY 18, WERE MOVED AT THE COMMITTEE STAGE TODAY.
/WITH THE .......
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 12, 1989
-41-
WITH THE ENACTMENT OF THE BILL, THE SECURITIES AND FUTURES COMMISSION WILL BE ESTABLISHED ON MAY 1.
THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY SAID THE BILL, IN ITS AMENDED FORM, WOULD PROVIDE ADEQUATE PUBLIC ACCOUNTABILITY ON THE PART OF THE COMMISSION WITHOUT ERODING ITS AUTHORITY AND AUTONOMY.
"WHILST IT IS INTENDED THAT THE COMMISSION SHOULD HAVE A HIGH DEGREE OF AUTONOMY IN ITS DAY-TO-DAY OPERATIONS, ANY MAJOR CHANGES TO AND DEVELOPMENTS IN POLICY WILL STILL BE SUBJECT TO NORMAL CONSULTATION WITH THE INDUSTRY AND THE ADMINISTRATION, AND WHERE NECESSARY, THE APPROVAL OF THE GOVERNOR IN COUNCIL WILL BE SOUGHT," HE ADDED.
MR JACOBS EMPHASISED THAT THE COMMISSION AND THE STOCK EXCHANGE WOULD WORK TOGETHER TO ENSURE THAT THEIR COLLECTIVE RESOURCES WOULD BE USED IN THE MOST EFFICIENT WAY, AND THAT THERE SHOULD BE NO UNNECESSARY DUPLICATION.
THE COMMISSION’S TASK WAS TO ENSURE THAT THE REGULATORY SYSTEMS IN HONG KONG WERE UP TO THE PREVAILING INTERNATIONAL STANDARDS.
"WE ARE NOW PART OF ONE INTER-RELATED WORLD MARKET IN WHICH INTERNATIONAL INVESTORS ARE PLAYING AN INCREASINGLY IMPORTANT ROLE AND WE CANNOT AFFORD TO IGNORE THE INTERNATIONAL DIMENSION," ADDED MR JACOBS.
WITH THE ESTABLISHMENT OF THE COMMISSION ON MAY 1, RULES, REGULATIONS AND GUIDELINES WOULD HAVE TO BE MADE UNDER THE ORDINANCE OR ITS SUBSIDIARY LEGISLATION AND THESE WOULD ALL BE WIDELY PROMULGATED.
"IN FORMULATING ITS PROPOSALS AND IN IMPLEMENTING IT POLICIES THE COMMISSION WILL CONSULT MARKET BODIES, PAYING SPECIAL ATTENTION TO HONG KONG’S OWN CIRCUMSTANCES AND THE NEEDS OF BOTH INTERNATIONAL CORPORATE PLAYERS AS WELL AS LOCAL BROKERS. NATURALLY THE COMMISSION WILL HAVE TO ESTABLISH PRIORITIES IN RELATION TO ITS ACTIVITIES AND EXERCISE ITS POWERS JUDICIOUSLY AND WITH FLEXIBILITY," HE SAID.
THE MAJOR AMENDMENTS MADE TO THE BILL ARE OUTLINED BELOW -
* THE COMMISSION SHOULD, AS ONE ITS STATUTORY FUNCTIONS, BE RESPONSIBLE FOR PROMOTING AND DEVELOPING SELF-REGULATION BY MARKET BODIES IN THE SECURITIES AND FUTURES INDUSTRIES (CLAUSE 4).
* THE CHAIRMAN OF A COMMISSION MEETING WILL NOT BE ABLE TO EXERCISE HIS CASTING VOTE WITHOUT PRIOR CONSULTATION WITH THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY (CLAUSE 5).
* SAFEGUARDS ARE PROVIDED FOR AGAINST EXCESSIVE DELEGATION OF PWOERS. THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL WILL HAVE A FINAL SAY ON WHICH POWERS SHOULD NOT BE DELEGATED BY THE COMMISSION (NEW CLAUSE 8A AND SCHEDULE 1).
/* AS A ........
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 12,'1989
^2
* AS A SAFEGUARD, THE GOVERNOR WILL HAVE GENERAL POWER TO GIVE DIRECTIONS TO THE COMMISSION (CLAUSE 10).
* APPROVED ESTIMATES OF THE COMMISSION WILL BE TABLED BEFORE THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL FOR INFORMATION (CLAUSE 13).
* VARIOUS CHANGES ARE MADE TO THE APPEAL PROVISIONS TO PROVIDE FOR, INTER ALIA, A CHANNEL OF APPEAL TO THE COURT OF APPEAL ON POINTS OF LAW (WITH THE LEAVE OF THE APPEALS PANEL), AND TO THE GOVERNOR IN COUNCIL AGAINST THE COMMISSION’S DECISIONS RELATING TO THE CONSTITUTION AND CLOSURE OF THE EXCHANGES AND CLEARING HOUSES (PARTS III AND VI) .
* THE TRANSACTION LEVY ON THE STOCK EXCHANGE WILL BE APPORTIONED BETWEEN THE EXCHANGE AND THE COMMISSION IN A WAY TO BE SPECIFIED BY ORDER OF THE GOVERNOR IN COUNCIL (CLAUSE 48).
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SFC BILL PASSED WITH AMENDMENTS * ♦ t t
THE SECURITIES AND FUTURES COMMISSION BILL 1989 WAS PASSED WITH A NUMBER OF AMENDMENTS IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL MEETING TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
IN ADDITION, A TOTAL OF TEN BILLS WERE INTRODUCED FOR FIRST AND SECOND READINGS.
THESE WERE THE BANKING (AMENDMENT) BILL 1989; THE BUSINESS REGISTRATION (AMENDMENT) BILL 1989; THE DUTIABLE COMMODITIES (AMENDMENT) BILL 1989; THE INLAND REVENUE (AMENDMENT) (NO. 2) BILL 1989; THE ROAD TRAFFIC (DRIVING LICENCES REGULATIONS AND REGISTRATION AND LICENSING OF VEHICLES REGULATIONS) (AMENDMENT) BILL 1989; THE SECRETARY FOR DISTRICT ADMINISTRATION INCORPORATION (AMENDMENT) BILL 1989; THE DIRECTOR OF SOCIAL WELFARE INCORPORATION (AMENDMENT) BILL 1989; THE DIRECTOR OF EDUCATION INCORPORATION (AMENDMENT) BILL 1989; THE OPEN LEARNING INSTITUTE OF HONG KONG BILL 1989; AND THE TRAFFIC ACCIDENT VICTIMS (ASSISTANCE FUND) (AMENDMENT) BILL 1989.
DEBATES ON THESE BILLS WERE ADJOURNED.
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A5.....
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 12, 1989
- ~
CENTRAL POLICY UNIT TO BE SET UP ON APRIL 17
*****
THE CENTRAL POLICY UNIT (CPU), A HIGHLY FLEXIBLE RESOURCE CENTRE FOR THE GOVERNMENT, WILL BE SET UP ON APRIL 17, A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN SAID TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
"THE HEAD OF THE UNIT WILL BE MR LEO GOODSTADT, A WELL-KNOWN ECONOMIST WITH EXTENSIVE EXPERIENCE OF BUSINESS, THE MEDIA AND ACADEMIC AFFAIRS AND A LONG RECORD OF INVOLVEMENT WITH ADVISORY BODIES.
"THE OTHER FULL-TIME MEMBERS WILL BE MR RICHARD HOARE, UNTIL RECENTLY PRIVATE SECRETARY TO THE GOVERNOR; MR VINCENT CHENG, CHIEF ECONOMIST WITH THE HONGKONG AND SHANGHAI BANK; AND MR LINUS CHEUNG, GENERAL MANAGER PASSENGER MARKETING WITH CATHAY PACIFIC AIRWAYS," HE SAID.
THE SPOKESMAN POINTED OUT THAT THE MAIN ROLE OF THE CPU WOULD BE TO PROVIDE A WIDER OR LONGER-TERM PERSPECTIVE, OR OFFER A SOURCE OF ALTERNATIVE THINKING, ON MAJOR POLICY ISSUES.
"IT WILL REPORT DIRECTLY TO THE GOVERNOR, THE CHIEF SECRETARY AND THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY, WHO WILL ASSIGN PROJECTS TO IT," HE SAID.
THE SPOKESMAN ADDED THAT WHEN UNDERTAKING ITS PROJECTS, THE CPU WOULD AIM TO CALL UPON AS WIDE A RANGE OF EXPERTISE AS POSSIBLE FROM THE COMMUNITY.
"TO THIS END, IT WILL HAVE A PANEL OF PART-TIME MEMBERS, WHOM IT WILL CONSULT REGULARLY.
"IT WILL ALSO BE ABLE TO RECRUIT EXPERTS TO WORK ON SPECIAL PROJECTS.
"SO FAR, FIVE PART-TIME MEMBERS HAVE BEEN APPOINTED.
"THEY ARE MR DENIS CHANG, FORMER CHAIRMAN OF THE BAR ASSOCIATION; PROFESSOR EDWARD CHEN, DIRECTOR OF THE CENTRE OF ASIAN STUDIES, THE UNIVERSITY OF HONG KONG; PROFESSOR RANCE LEE, DIRECTOR OF THE INSTITUTE OF SOCIAL STUDIES, THE CHINESE UNIVERSITY OF HONG KONG; MR ROGER LUK, A SENIOR MANAGER OF THE HANG SENG BANK LIMITED; AND DR VICTOR FUNG, CHAIRMAN OF PRUDENTIAL ASIA CAPITAL LTD," HE SAID.
THE CPU WILL BE LOCATED AT ST JOHN’S BUILDING, GARDEN ROAD.
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/U....
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 12, 1989
44
GIFTS AND HOUSEWARE FAIR OPENS *****
HONG KONG MUST CONTINUOUSLY SEEK NOT ONLY TO DIVERSIFY ITS EXPORTS BUT ALSO TO IMPROVE THE QUALITY OF ITS PRODUCTS IN ORDER TO MEET THE EVER-CHANGING DEMANDS OF CONSUMERS IN THE INCREASINGLY SOPHISTICATED AND COMPETITIVE OVERSEAS MARKETS.
THE SECRETARY FOR TRADE AND INDUSTRY, MR JOHN CHAN, SAID THIS AT THE OPENING CEREMONY OF THE 1989 HONG KONG INTERNATIONAL GIFTS AND HOUSEWARE FAIR TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
MR CHAN POINTED OUT THAT HONG KONG’S DOMESTIC EXPORTS OF GIFTS AND HOUSEWARE EXCEEDED $59 BILLION IN 1988.
"I AM CONFIDENT THAT GIVEN THEIR FLEXIBILITY, EFFICIENCY AND ENTREPRENEURIAL SPIRIT, HONG KONG EXPORTERS AND MANUFACTURERS WILL BE ABLE TO SUSTAIN AND IMPROVE UPON THIS EXCELLENT PERFORMANCE IN THE YEARS AHEAD,” HE SAID.
MR CHAN SAID IT WAS CERTAINLY IMPRESSIVE TO SEE THE NUMBER OF EXHIBITORS HAD MORE THAN DOUBLED FROM 128 LAST YEAR TO 310 THIS YEAR.
“THIS IS THE FIRST TIME THAT OVERSEAS EXHIBITORS ARE INVITED TO PARTICIPATE. THE OVERWHELMING RESPONSE HAS REAFFIRMED THE POPULARITY OF THE EVENT,” HE SAID.
ON DESIGN ORIGINALITY, HE PAID TRIBUTE TO THE GIFTS AND HOUSEWARE COMPETITION WHICH PROMOTED AND ENCOURAGED NEW DESIGNS. HE WAS ALSO IMPRESSED BY THE HIGH STANDARD DISPLAYED BY THE CONTESTANTS.
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GOVERNOR TO VISIT KWAI TSING TOMORROW *****
THE GOVERNOR, SIR DAVID WILSON, WILL VISIT KWAI TSING DISTRICT TOMORROW (THURSDAY) TO SEE VARIOUS DEVELOPMENTS TO IMPROVE THE LIVING ENVIRONMENT THERE.
SIR DAVID WILL LOOK AT A DRAINAGE IMPROVEMENT PROJECT AT YIP SHING STREET, KWAI CHUNG, THE RESIDENTIAL AND INDUSTRIAL DEVELOPMENTS IN UPPER KWAI CHUNG AREA AND COASTAL DEVELOPMENTS ON TSING YI ISLAND.
/HE WILL .......
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 12, 1989
- 45 -
HE WILL ALSO MEET WITH KWAI TSING DISTRICT BOARD MEMBERS AND OTHER LOCAL PEOPLE.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE GOVERNOR’S VISIT TO KWAI TSING DISTRICT TOMORROW (THURSDAY).
MEDIA REPRESENTATIVES WHETHER THEY WISH TO TAKE GOVERNMENT VANS OR USE THEIR OWN TRANSPORT SHOULD ALL GATHER AT THE KOWLOON PUBLIC PIER, TSIM SHA TSUI AT 2 PM. PHOTOGRAPHERS ARE ADVISED TO BRING TELEPHOTO LENSES.
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DB COMMITTEE TO DISCUSS TRAFFIC MANAGEMENT IN YUEN LONG TOWN «♦»*»*»
THE YUEN LONG DISTRICT BOARD’S TRAFFIC AND TRANSPORT COMMITTEE WILL DISCUSS RECOMMENDATIONS TO IMPROVE THE TRAFFIC CONDITIONS IN YUEN LONG TOWN AT A MEETING ON FRIDAY (APRIL 14).
THE RECOMMENDATIONS ARE DRAWN UP BY A WORKING GROUP UNDER THE YUEN LONG DISTRICT MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE.
THEY AIM AT IMPROVING THE TRAFFIC SITUATION IN YUEN LONG TOWN IN VIEW OF THE OPERATION OF THE LIGHT RAIL TRANSIT SYSTEM AND THE ASSOCIATED TRAFFIC DIVERSIONS.
AT THE MEETING, A REPRESENTATIVE OF THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT WILL ALSO EXPLAIN THE GOVERNMENT'S PROFIT CONTROL SCHEME FOR THE TWO FRANCHISED BUS COMPANIES.
OTHER TOPICS ON THE AGENDA INCLUDE THE CONSTRUCTION OF A FOOTBRIDGE TO LINK THE SOUTHEASTERN PART OF YUEN LONG AND THE LRT TERMINUS, AND IMPROVEMENTS TO TRANSPORT FACILITIES IN SHAN HA TSUEN, PING SHAN.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE MEETING OF THE YUEN LONG DISTRICT BOARD’S TRAFFIC AND TRANSPORT COMMITTEE TO BE HELD ON FRIDAY (APRIL 14) IN THE DB CONFERENCE ROOM, 13TH FLOOR, TAI KIU GOVERNMENT OFFICES, BUILDING, 2 KIU LOK SQUARE, YUEN LONG.
THE MEETING WILL BEGIN AT 10 AM.
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 12, 1989
46
DB COMMUNITY BUILDING COMMITTEES TO MEET TOMORROW ******
THE COMMUNITY BUILDING COMMITTEES OF THE SHAM SHUI PO AND THE MONG KOK DISTRICT BOARDS WILL DISCUSS THE ALLOCATION OF DISTRICT BOARD FUNDS FOR COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT PROJECTS FOR THE YEAR 1989-90 AT SEPARATE MEETINGS TOMORROW (THURSDAY).
BOTH COMMITTEES WILL BE INFORMED OF THE WORK PLAN OF THE ICAC KOWLOON WEST REGIONAL OFFICE FOR THE CURRENT FINANCIAL YEAR.
ALSO ON THE AGENDA OF THE SHAM SHUI PO DB COMMITTEE IS THE URBAN COUNCIL COMMUNITY RECREATION AND SPORTS PROGRAMME FOR THE DISTRICT THIS YEAR.
MEANWHILE, MEMBERS OF THE MONG KOK DB COMMITTEE WILL BE ASKED TO CONSIDER AND ENDORSE A REPORT ON A SURVEY ON THE VOTING BEHAVIOUR OF ELECTORS IN THE DISTRICT.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
MEDIA REPRESENTATIVES ARE INVITED TO COVER THE MEETINGS OF THE COMMUNITY BUILDING COMMITTEES OF THE SHAM SHUI PO AND THE MONG KOK DISTRICT BOARDS TOMORROW (THURSDAY).
THE SHAM SHUI PO DB COMMITTEE MEETING WILL BEGIN AT 2.15 PM AT THE SHEK KIP MEI COMMUNITY HALL, BLOCK 42, SHEK KIP MEI ESTATE.
THE MONG KOK DB COMMITTEE MEETING WILL BEGIN AT 2.30 IN THE CONFERENCE ROOM OF THE MONG KOK DISTRICT OFFICE, FIRST FLOOR, 157 PRINCE EDWARD ROAD.
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WORLD ENVIRONMENT DAY ON DB COMMITTEE AGENDA
*****
THE WONG TAI SIN DISTRICT BOARD’S ENVIRONMENT COMMITTEE WILL DISCUSS AT ITS MEETING TOMORROW (THURSDAY) A PROPOSAL TO MARK THE WORLD ENVIRONMENT DAY 1989.
ACCORDING TO THE PROPOSAL, A MURAL WILL BE PAINTED ON A RETAINING WALL AT THE SOUTH WING OF UPPER WONG TAI SIN ESTATE AT A COST OF ABOUT $10,000 TO PROMOTE THE ENVIRONMENTAL AWARENESS OF RESIDENTS.
/Members will
WEDNESDAY, APRIt 12, 1?89
- 47 -
MEMBERS WILL CONSIDER AN APPLICATION FOR $1,600 OF DISTRICT BOARD FUNDS FOR THE DEMOLITION OF FOUR CONCRETE BENCHES AT A SITTING-OUT AREA IN NGA TSIN WAI VILLAGE.
OTHER ITEMS ON THE AGENDA INCLUDE THE PROPOSED BUDGET FOR THE COMMITTEE IN 1989-90; A PAPER ON FLUSH WATER SUPPLY IN WONG TAI SIN DISTRICT; PROGRESS REPORTS ON THE COMMITTEE’S MINOR WORKS PROJECTS AND STREET MANAGEMENT; AND THE COMMITTEE’S STATEMENT OF EXPENDITURE.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
MEDIA REPRESENTATIVES ARE INVITED TO COVER THE MEETING OF THE WONG TAI SIN DISTRICT BOARD’S ENVIRONMENT COMMITTEE, WHICH WILL BEGIN AT 2.30 PM TOMORROW (THURSDAY) IN THE CONFERENCE ROOM OF THE WONG TAI SIN DISTRICT OFFICE, FOURTH FLOOR, SAN PO KONG GOVERNMENT OFFICES BUILDING, KING FUK STREET.
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WHOLESALER FINED FOR SELLING CONTAMINATED VEGETABLES t ♦ * ♦ »
THE MUNICIPAL SERVICES BRANCH TODAY (WEDNESDAY) REMINDED VEGETABLES TRADERS NOT TO SELL VEGETABLES CONTAINING THE BANNED PESTICIDE "METHAMIDOPHOS”.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE BRANCH SAID OFFENDERS WILL BE LIABLE TO A MAXIMUM FINE OF $5,000 AND THREE MONTHS’ IMPRISONMENT.
”IF THE VEGETABLES ARE PROVEN TO HAVE CAUSED POISONING IN PEOPLE, THE MAXIMUM PENALTY WILL BE $25,000 AND SIX MONTHS’ IMPRISONMENT,” HE SAID.
THE REMINDER FOLLOWS A CASE AT THE FANLING MAGISTRACY TODAY IN WHICH A VEGETABLE WHOLESALER AT THE CHEUNG SHA WAN WHOLESALE VEGETABLE MARKET WAS FINED $960 FOR SELLING ’’CHOI SUM” (CHINESE FLOWERING CABBAGE) CONTAINING ’’METHAMIDOPHOS”.
THE COURT WAS TOLD THAT ON NOVEMBER 16 LAST YEAR, FOOD INSPECTORS FROM THE MUNICIPAL SERVICES BRANCH RANDOMLY CHECKED VEGETABLES AT THE MAN KAM TO CONTROL POINT ADN TOOK SAMPLES OF SUM” FROM A LORRY BELONGING TO LEE KWONG-WAH OF THE WHOLESALER, "MAN FUNG CHAN”, FOR CHEMICAL TESTING.
/THE RESULT
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 12, 1989
48 -
THE RESULT OF THE CHEMICAL ANALYSIS SHOWED THAT THE SAMPLES CONTAINED THREE MILLIGRAMS OF "METHAMIDOPHOS" PER KILOGRAM OF VEGETABLES.
LEE WAS THEN CHARGED UNDER SECTION 52 (1) OF THE PUBLIC HEALTH AND MUNICIPAL SERVICES ORDINANCE FOR HAVING SOLD FOOD "NOT OF THE SUBSTANCE DEMANDED BY THE PURCHASER".
LEE WAS ALSO ORDERED TO PAY $120 FOR COSTS OF ANALYSIS OF THE SAMPLES.
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TWO LAND LOTS TO LET » * » » »
TENDERS ARE BEING INVITED BY THE BUILDINGS AND LANDS DEPARTMENT FOR LETTING TWO LOTS OF LAND IN LAI CHI KOK AND SHA TIN.
A LOT MEASURING ABOUT 1,130 SQUARE METRES AT MEI LAI ROAD, LAI CHI KOK, HAS BEEN DESIGNATED FOR A FEE-PAYING PUBLIC CARPARK FOR PRIVATE MOTOR CARS, TAXIS AND LIGHT VANS AND/OR FOR THE SALE AND STORAGE OF POTTED PLANTS.
THE OTHER LOT, MEASURING ABOUT 3,325 SQUARE METRES IN AREA 11, SHA TIN NEW TOWN, WILL BE LET FOR THE PURPOSE OF GOODS STORAGE, BUT EXCLUDING CONTAINER VEHICLES AND CONTAINERS.
BOTH LOTS WILL BE LET FOR AN INITIAL TENANCY PERIOD OF ONE YEAR, RENEWABLE ON A MONTHLY AND QUARTERLY BASIS RESPECTIVELY.
FORMS OF TENDER, TENDER NOTICES AND CONDITIONS MAY BE OBTAINED FROM THE DISTRICT LANDS OFFICE, KOWLOON WEST, 10TH FLOOR, YAU MA TEI CARPARK BUILDING, 250 SHANGHAI STREET, KOWLOON; AND FROM THE DISTRICT LANDS OFFICE, SHA TIN.
THEY MAY ALSO BE OBTAINED FROM THE BUILDINGS AND LANDS DEPARTMENT, 14TH FLOOR, MURRAY BUILDING, GARDEN ROAD, HONG KONG.
THE TENDER PLAN MAY ALSO BE INSPECTED AT THE ABOVE OFFICES.
TENDERS MUST BE SUBMITTED BY NOON ON APRIL 28.
-----0---------
/49........
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 12,
1989
49
TEMPORARY TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS IN WESTERN DISTRICT ♦ * ♦ * t * »
THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCED THAT TEMPORARY TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS WILL BE IMPLEMENTED IN WESTERN DISTRICT FROM FRIDAY (APRIL 14) FOR ROAD AND DRAINAGE WORKS.
WHITTY STREET BETWEEN DES VOEUX ROAD WEST AND QUEEN’S ROAD WEST WILL BE CLOSED TO TRAFFIC DURING THE FOLLOWING PERIODS:
* BETWEEN 8 PM AND 6 AM THE NEXT DAY DAILY ON APRIL 14 AND 15;
* BETWEEN 10 PM AND 6 AM THE NEXT DAY DAILY FROM APRIL 16 TO 27; AND
* FROM 6 AM ON APRIL 28 TO 5 PM ON MAY 3.
DURING THE CLOSURES, MOTORISTS HEADING FOR QUEEN’S ROAD WEST ARE ADVISED TO USE EASTERN STREET.
MEANWHILE, FROM 10 AM ON APRIL 14, THE FOLLOWING ROAD SECTIONS WILL BE DESIGNATED 7 AM TO 7 PM DAILY URBAN CLEARWAYS FOR ABOUT THREE MONTHS:
* THE SOUTHERN KERBSIDE LANE OF CONNAUGHT ROAD WEST FROM ITS JUNCTION WITH EASTERN STREET TO A POINT ABOUT 22 METRES WEST OF THE SAME JUNCTION; AND
t THE EASTERN KERBSIDE LANE OF EASTERN STREET FROM ITS JUNCTION WITH CONNAUGHT ROAD WEST TO A POINT ABOUT 15 METRES SOUTH OF THE SAME JUNCTION.
IN ADDITION, THE FOLLOWING SECTIONS WILL BE MADE URBAN CLEARWAYS ROUND-THE-CLOCK:
» THE SOUTHERN KERBSIDE LANE OF CONNAUGHT ROAD WEST FROM ITS JUNCTION WITH HILL ROAD TO A POINT ABOUT 121 METRES WEST OF THE SAME JUNCTION FOR ABOUT TWO MONTHS;
* THE NORTHERN KERBSIDE LANE OF DES VOEUX ROAD WEST FROM ITS JUNCTION WITH HILL ROAD TO A POINT ABOUT 55 METRES EAST OF THE SAME JUNCTION FOR ABOUT TWO MONTHS;
» THE WESTERN KERBSIDE L/NE OF KA ON STREET FOR ABOUT THREE MONTHS;
* THE SOUTHERN KERBSIDE LANE OF CONNAUGHT ROAD WEST FROM ITS JUNCTION WITH SUTHERLAND STREET TO A POINT ABOUT 15 METRES WEST OF THE SAME JUNCTION FOR ABOUT FOUR MONTHS; AND
* THE WESTERN KERBSIDE LANE OF SUTHERLAND STREET FROM ITS JUNCTION WITH CONNAUGHT ROAD WEST TO A POINT ABOUT 23 METRES SOUTH OF THE SAME JUNCTION FOR ABOUT FOUR MONTHS.
NO VEHICLES EXCEPT FRANCHISED BUSES WILL BE ALLOWED TO STOP FOR PASSENGERS OR GOODS WITHIN THE RESTRICTED AREAS.
/5O .......
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 12, 1989
URBAN CLEARWAYS IN MA ON SHAN *****
THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCED THAT FROM 10 AM ON FRIDAY (APRIL 14), THE FOLLOWING ROAD SECTIONS IN MA ON SHAN WILL BE DESIGNATED 7 AM TO MIDNIGHT DAILY URBAN CLEARWAYS:
* ON LUK STREET BETWEEN ITS JUNCTION WITH MA ON SHAN ROAD AND A POINT ABOUT 165 METRES WEST OF THE SAME JUNCTION;
* THE LOOP ROAD SECTION OF ON SHING STREET NORTH OF ITS EASTERN JUNCTION WITH ON LUK STREET;
* ON SHING STREET SOUTHBOUND FROM ITS EASTERN JUNCTION WITH ON LUK STREET TO A POINT ABOUT 45 METRES SOUTH OF THE SAME JUNCTION; AND
* ON SHING STREET NORTHBOUND FROM ITS EASTERN JUNCTION WITH ON LUK STREET TO A POINT ABOUT 50 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-------
TEMPORARY LANE CLOSURE ON MA TAU WAI ROAD FLYOVER
*****
ROAD AM OF
THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCED THAT MA TAU WAI FLYOVER WILL BE RESTRICTED TO SINGLE-LANE TWO-WAY TRAFFIC FROM 10 ON FRIDAY (APRIL 14) TO 10 AM ON SUNDAY (APRIL 16) BECAUSE
ROADWORKS.
DURING THE CLOSURE, MOTORISTS ARE ADVISED TO DRIVE WITH CARE
AND PATIENCE.
-----0------
TEMPORARY TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS IN TUEN MUN » ♦ * * ♦
THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCED THAT THE SLIP ROADS AT LAM INTERCHANGE LINKING TUEN MUN ROAD WESTBOUND AND CASTLE PEAK WILL BE CLOSED BETWEEN MIDNIGHT AND 6 AM DAILY FROM FRIDAY (APRIL FOR TWO NIGHTS FOR ROAD MAINTENANCE WORKS.
SIU ROAD
14)
DURING THE CLOSURE, KMB ROUTE 52M ON TUEN MUN ROAD WESTBOUND HEADING FOR TUEN MUN WILL BE RE-ROUTED VIA TUEN MUN ROAD, SHAM TSENG INTERCHANGE AND CASTLE PEAK ROAD.
- 0 - -
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL: 5-8428777
THURSDAY, APRIL 13, 1989
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
REPORT TO DEAL WITH HAZARD SERIOUSNESS OF OIL INSTALLATIONS: GOVERNOR ...................................................... 1
IMPROVEMENTS PLANNED FOR KWAI TSING ........................... 1
CHINESE AND HK OFFICIALS TO RECIPROCATE VISITS................. 3
DECEMBER EMPLOYMENT, VACANCIES AND PAYROLL STATISTICS
RELEASED 3
QUARTERLY SURVEY OF RESTAURANT RECEIPTS AND PURCHASES FOR FOURTH QUARTER 1988 ........................................... 8
BAN ON SALES OF SHELLFISH LIFTED ............................. 11
GRADING OF BEACH WaTER QUALITY ............................... 12
CNTA POSTINGS ANNOUNCED ..................................... 16
ELECTION FORUM FOR PAK TIN CONSTITUENTS ...................... 17
YAU TSIM DISTRICT BOARD TO DISCUSS PORNOGRAPHY................ 17
WORKING GROUP ON CIVIC EDUCATION TO DISCUSS ACTIVITY PLAN .. 18
FUNDS AVAILABLE FOR SUMMER YOUTH PROGRAMME.................... 18
FORUM ON YOUTH SERVICES IN EASTERN ........................... 19
MAIL SERVICES TO LEBANON SUSPENDED ........................... 20
GOVT BUILDING OVER MONG KOK KCRC STATION...................... 20
SUBSIDY FOR ENGINEER TRAINEES GOES UP ........................ 21
PRISONERS OBTAIN DISTINCTIONS IN PUBLIC EXAMINATION .......... 21
URBAN CLEARWaYS IN TSUEK IAJI................................. 22
TEMPORARY CLOSURE OF MA TAU KOK ROAD.......................... 23
THURSDAY, APRIL 13, 1989
1
REPORT TO DEAL WITH HAZARD SERIOUSNESS OF OIL INSTALLATIONS: GOVERNOR *****
THE TSING YI RISK REASSESSMENT REPORT, WHICH IS EXPECTED TO BE PUBLISHED BY THE END OF THIS MONTH, WILL DEAL WITH THE QUESTION OF HOW SERIOUS IS THE HAZARD OF THE OIL INSTALLATIONS ON THE ISLAND AND WHAT SHOULD BE DONE ABOUT, THE GOVERNOR, SIR DAVID WILSON, SAID TODAY (THURSDAY).
SPEAKING TO REPORTERS AFTER A VISIT TO KWAI THE GOVERNOR SAID HE FULLY UNDERSTOOD THE FEELING MAYFAIR GARDEN TOWARDS THE NEARBY INSTALLATIONS.
TSING DISTRICT, OF RESIDENTS OF
HE SAID: "THE FIRST THING TO DO IS TO MAKE SURE THAT THOSE INSTALLATIONS ARE WELL MANAGED AND THAT THEY ARE AS SAFE AS THEY CAN POSSIBLY BE. AND THAT PARTICULAR INSTALLATION IS WELL MANAGED.
"IN LONGER TERM, IT IS DESIRABLE THAT YOU SHOULD SEPARATE DWELLING AREAS AND PLACES WHERE THERE ARE POTENTIALLY HAZARDOUS INSTALLATIONS. AND THE LONG TERM PLAN IS TO MOVE MOBIL AND HONG KONG OIL. "
IT WAS JUST A QUESTION OF LOCATING ALTERNATIVE SITES AND MAKING ARRANGEMENTS TO MOVE, HE ADDED.
ASKED ABOUT A CHEMICAL WASTE TREATMENT PLANT TO BE BUILT ON TSING YI, THE GOVERNOR SAID IT HAD ALREADY GONE OUT TO TENDER AND PLANS WOULD BE GOING AHEAD FOR THE PLANT.
"THERE ARE TWO POINTS I WOULD MAKE ON THAT," HE SAID.
"ONE IS WE DO DESPERATELY NEED THAT SORT OF CHEMICAL WASTE TREATMENT PLANT IN ORDER TO DEAL WITH THE PROBLEM OF POLLUTION BY CHEMICAL WASTES.
"THE SECOND POINT IS THE PLANT ITSELF IS NOT POLLUTING. IT IS SAFE AND NOT A POTENTIAL HAZARD FOR THE PEOPLE LIVING THERE NEAR IT."
-------0---------
IMPROVEMENTS PLANNED FOR KWAI TSING
*****
IMPRESSIVE EFFORTS ARE BEING MADE TO IMPROVE THE ENVIRONMENT, TRANSPORT AND LIVING CONDITIONS IN KWAI TSING DISTRICT, THE GOVERNOR, SIR DAVID WILSON, SAID DURING A VISIT TO THE DISTRICT TODAY (THURSDAY).
"THE QUESTION OF POTENTIALLY HAZARDOUS INSTALLATIONS ON TSING YI ISLAND WILL BE FULLY DEALT WITH IN THE TSING YI RISK REASSESSMENT REPORT WHICH IS LIKELY TO BE RELEASED AT THE END OF THE MONTH," THE GOVERNOR ADDED.
/THE GOVERNOR .......
THURSDAY, APRIL 1J, 1989
2
THE GOVERNOR, ACCOMPANIED BY THE REGIONAL SECRETARY FOR THE NEW TERRITORIES, MR ADOLF HSU, AND KWAI TSING DISTRICT OFFICER, MR PAUL TANG, STARTED HIS TOUR AT YIP SHING STREET', KWAI CHUNG - A SITE WHICH USED TO BE NOTORIOUS FOR ITS DRAINAGE PROBLEMS CAUSED BY INDUSTRIAL EFFLUENT.
FOLLOWING THE SETTING UP OF THE KWAI TSING DISTRICT INDUSTRIAL BUILDING MANAGEMENT CO-ORDINATION TEAM IN AUGUST 1986, THIS IS NOW BECOMING A THING OF THE PAST.
THE GOVERNOR WAS TOLD THAT CONDITIONS IN THE STREET WERE STEADILY IMPROVING BECAUSE MANY OF THE INDUSTRIALISTS HAD AGREED TO 1AKL J HE NECESSAIM ANTI-POLLUTION MEASURES AS A RESULT OF THE WORK BY THE CO-ORDINATION TEAM.
SIR DAVID THEN WENT TO THE ROOFTOP OF A BUILDING IN UPPER KWAI CHUNG TO LOOK AT THE CLOSENESS OF RESIDENTIAL AND INDUSTRIAL BUILDINGS IN THE AREA.
UPPER KWAI CHUNG HAS A POPULATION OF 110,000 PEOPLE ON 36.4 HECTARES OF LAND. WITH THIS VERY HIGH POPULATION DENSITY AND MIXED RESIDENTIAL, COMMERCIAL AND INDUSTRIAL DEVELOPMENTS, THE AREA SUFFERS FROM PROBLEMS OF AIR AND NOISE POLLUTION AS WELL AS TRAFFIC CONGESTION.
TO DEAL WITH THESE PROBLEMS AN UPPER KWAI CHUNG ENVIRONMENTAL IMPROVEMENT STUDY IS BEING PREPARED TO WORK OUT HOW TO LOWER -THE POPULATION DENSITY, REDUCE ENVIRONMENTAL NUISANCE AND BALANCE THE PROVISION OF COMMUNITY FACILITIES BY IMPROVING THE PATTERN OF LAND
SIR DAVID THEN BOARDED A LAUNCH TO INSPECT THE 30 SHIPYARDS ALONG THE NORTH COAST OF TSING YI ISLAND.
DUE TO THEIR PROXIMITY OT CHEUNG ON ESTATE, CHEUNG FAT ESTATE AND CHING TAI COURT, RESIDENTS HAVE COMPLAINED ABOUT THE NOISE, PARTICULARLY IN THE EARLY MORNINGS.
SIR DAVID WAS TOLD THAT PLANS FOR RELOCATING THE SHIPYARDS FURTHER TO THE WEST WERE IN HAND AND SHOULD BE COMPLETED IN 1992-93.
MEANWHILE THE KWAI TSING DISTRICT OFFICE AND THE ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION DEPARTMENT WERE HOLDING DISCUSSIONS WITH THE SHIPYARD OPERATORS ON WAYS TO MINIMISE THE NOISE NUISANCE DURING THE INTERIM.
DISCUSSIONS WREW ALSO BEING HELD WITH THE MOBIL OIL COMPANY ON RELOCATING THE OIL DEPOTS FROM THEIR EXISTING SITE IN SOUTH EAST TSING YI TO SOUTH WEST O THE ISLAND.
SIR DAVID ALSO VIEWED ONE OF THE PROPOSED SITES FOR CONTAINER TERMINAL NO. 8. A CONSULTANCY STUDY IS BEING CONDUCTED TO ASSESS THE TERMINAL’S ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT, TRAFFIC IMPLICATIONS AND COMPATIBILITY WITH SURROUNDING LAND USE.
BEFORE CONCLUDING HIS VISIT, SIR DAVID MET WITH KWAI TSING DISTRICT BOARD MEMBERS AND OTHER LOCAL COMMUNITY LEADERS AT THE CHEUNG CHING ESTATE COMMUNITY CENTRE.
- O---------
THURSDAY, APRIL 13, 1989
5
CHINESE AND HK OFFICIALS TO RECIPROCATE VISITS » ♦ * *
AT THE INVITATION OF THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT, MR GUO FENGMIN, HEAD OF THE HONG KONG AND MACAU AFFAIRS OFFICE OF THE MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS OF THE PEOPLE’S REPUBLIC OF CHINA, WILL LEAD A GROUP OF FIVE OFFICIALS FROM THE MINISTRY TO VISIT HONG KONG FROM APRIL 19 TO 29.
AT THE INVITATION OF THE HONG KONG AND MACAU OFFICE OF THE STATE COUNCIL OF THE PEOPLE’S REPUBLIC OF CHINA, MR JOHN CHAN, SECRETARY FOR TRADE AND INDUSTRY, WILL LEAD A GROUP OF SIX HONG KONG GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS TO VISIT PEKING AND SHANGHAI FROM MAY 4 TO 13.
-----0------
DECEMBER EMPLOYMENT,
VACANCIES AND PAYROLL STATISTICS RELEASED ♦ * t t *
THERE WERE 837,100 PERSONS ENGAGED IN THE MANUFACTURING SECTOR IN DECEMBER 1988, REPRESENTING A DECREASE OF 3.6 PER CENT IN COMPARISON WITH DECEMBER 1987, ACCORDING TO FIGURES RELEASED TODAY (THURSDAY) BY THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT.
EMPLOYMENT IN THE WHOLESALE AND RETAIL, IMPORT AND EXPORT TRADES AND RESTAURANTS AND HOTELS SECTOR, AT 711,300 IN DECEMBER 1988, WAS 8.1 PER CENT HIGHER THAN IN DECEMBER 1987.
EMPLOYMENT IN THE FINANCING, INSURANCE, REAL ESTATE AND
BUSINESS SERVICES SECTOR, AT 235,500, WAS UP BY 10.9 PER CENT.
EMPLOYMENT AT CONSTRUCTION SITES INCREASED BY 5.3 PER CENT COMPARED WITH DECEMBER 1987.
A DEPARTMENTAL SPOKESMAN SAID THAT THE STATISTICS FOR SELECTED MAJOR SECTORS OF THE ECONOMY IN DECEMBER 1988 WERE DERIVED FROM THE QUARTERLY SURVEY OF EMPLOYMENT, VACANCIES AND PAYROLL CONDUCTED BY THE DEPARTMENT.
THESE SECTORS COVER THE MANUFACTURING SECTOR; THE WHOLESALE AND RETAIL, IMPORT AND EXPORT TRADES AND RESTAURANTS AND HOTELS SECTOR; AND THE FINANCING, INSURANCE, REAL ESTATE AND BUSINESS SERVICES SECTOR. THERE IS A SEPARATE EMPLOYMENT SURVEY COVERING CONSTRUCTION SITES.
/THE OVERALL........
THURSDAY, APRIL 1J, 1989
4
THE OVERALL EMPLOYMENT FIGURES FOR DECEMBER 1988 IN THESE SELECTED MAJOR ECONOMIC SECTORS, WITH COMPARISON WITH THE CORRESPONDING FIGURES FOR DECEMBER 1987 AND SEPTEMBER 1988, ARE AS FOLLOWS :
PERSONS ENGAGED (EMPLOYMENT) IN* PERCENTAGE CHANGE**
SELECTED MAJOR SECTORS OF THE ECONOMY DEC.87 SEPT.88 DEC.88 DEC.88 ON DEC.87 DEC.88 ON SEPT.88
MANUFACTURING 867,900 844,600 837,100 -3.6 o 1
CONSTRUCTION (MANUAL WORKERS ON CONSTRUCTION SITES ONLY) 72,500 73, 100 76,300 + 5.3 + 4.5
WHOLESALE AND RETAIL, IMPORT AND EXPORT TRADES AND RESTAURANTS AND HOTELS 657,900 698,500 711,300 + 8.1 + 1.8
FINANCING, INSURANCE, REAL ESTATE AND BUSINESS SERVICES 212,200 230,500 235,500 + 10.9 + 2.1
» FIGURES ARE ROUNDED TO THE NEAREST 100.
»* BASED ON UNROUNDED EMPLOYMENT FIGURES.
COMPARING DECEMBER 1988 WITH SEPTEMBER 1988, EMPLOYMENT IN THE MANUFACTURING SECTOR DECREASED BY 0.9 PER CENT.
OVER THE SAME PERIOD, EMPLOYMENT IN THE CONSTRUCTION SITES, THE WHOLESALE AND RETAIL, IMPORT AND EXPORT TRADES, RESTAURANTS AND HOTELS AND THE FINANCING, INSURANCE, REAL ESTATE AND BUSINESS SERVICES SECTORS INCREASED BY 4.5 PER CENT, 1.8 PER CENT AND 2.1 PER CENT RESPECTIVELY.
THE QUARTERLY SURVEY OF EMPLOYMENT, VACANCIES AND PAYROLL ALSO PROVIDES VACANCY STATISTICS FOR THESE SELECTED MAJOR SECTORS (EXCEPT CONSTRUCTION SITES WHICH ARE COVERED IN A SEPARATE SURVEY).
THE VACANCY DATA TOGETHER WITH A COMPARISON WITH THE CORRESPONDING FIGURES FOR DECEMBER 1987 AND SEPTEMBER 1988 ARE AS FOLLOWS :
/NUMBER OF........
THURSDAY, APRIL 15, 1989
- 5 -
NUMBER OF REPORTED VACANCIES IN* PERCENTAGE CHANGE**
SELECTED MAJOR SECTORS OF THE ECONOMY DEC.87 SEPT.88 DEC.88 DEC.88 ON DEC.87 DEC.88 ON SEPT.88
MANUFACTURING 41,720 55,070 51,790 + 24.1 - 6.0
WHOLESALE AND RETAIL, IMPORT AND EXPORT TRADES AND RESTAURANTS AND HOTELS 24,060 34,380 32,600 + 35.5 - 5.2
FINANCING, INSURANCE, REAL ESTATE AND BUSINESS SERVICES 6,870 9,640 10,640 + 54.8 + 10.3
♦ FIGURES ARE ROUNDED TO THE NEAREST 10.
♦t BASED ON UNROUNDED VACANCY FIGURES.
RELATIVE TO DECEMBER 1987, THE NUMBER OF REPORTED VACANCIES FOR THE MANUFACTURING SECTOR INCREASED BY 24.1 PER CENT.
ON THE SAME BASIS OF COMPARISON, THE WHOLESALE AND RETAIL, IMPORT AND EXPORT TRADES AND RESTAURANTS AND HOTELS SECTOR EXPERIENCED AN INCREASE OF 35.5 PER CENT AND THE FINANCING, INSURANCE, REAL ESTATE AND BUSINESS SERVICES SECTOR AN INCREASE OF 54.8 PER CENT.
COMPARED WITH SEPTEMBER 1988, THE NUMBER OF REPORTED VACANCIES IN Till’ MANUFACTUR ING AND THE WHOLESALE AND RETAIL, IMPORT AND EXPORT TRADES, RESTAURANTS AND HOTELS SECTORS DECREASED BY 6.0 PER CENT AND 5.2 PER CENT RESPECTIVELY IN DECEMBER 1988.
OVER HIE SAME PERIOD, THE NUMBER OF REPORTED VACANCIES IN THE FINANCING, INSURANCE, REAL ESTATE AND BUSINESS SERVICES SECTOR INCREASED BY 10.3 PER CENT.
ALSO AVAILABLE FROM THE SURVEY ARE STATISTICS ON MONTHLY PAYROLL OUTLAYS IN THE MANUFACTURING SECTOR: THE WHOLESALE AND RETAIL, IMPORT AND EXPORT TRADES AND RESTAURANTS AND HOTELS SECTOR; AND THE FINANCING, INSURANCE, REAL I '.ST ATI AND BUSINESS SERVICES SECTOR.
QUARTERLY TOTALS FOR EACH OF THESE SECTORS ARE SHOWN IN THE FOLLOWING TABLE
/TOTAL QUARTERLY
THURSDAY, APRIL 15, 19^9
6
TOTAL QUARTERLY PAYROLL IN % CHANGE*
SELECTED MAJOR 4TH QTR. 1988
SECTORS OF THE 4TH QTR. 4TH QTR. ON
ECONOMY 1987 1988 4TH QTR. 1987
HK$ MN HK$ MN
MANUFACTURING 9,284 10,456 + 12.6
WHOLESALE AND 7,613 9,167 +20.4
RETAIL, IMPORT
AND EXPORT TRADES
AND RESTAURANTS AND HOTELS
FINANCING, 4,335 5,239 +20.8
INSURANCE, REAL ESTATE AND BUSINESS SERVICES
♦ BASED ON UNROUNDED PAYROLL FIGURES.
COMPARED WITH THE SAME QUARTER A YEAR AGO, PAYROLL OUTLAYS IN THE ABOVE THREE SECTORS INCREASED BY 12.6 PER CENT, 20.4 PER CENT AND 20.8 PER CENT RESPECTIVELY IN THE FOURTH QUARTER OF 1988.
AFTER ADJUSTMENT FOR VARIATIONS IN TOTAL MONTHLY PAYROLL OUTLAYS IN DECEMBER 1987 AND DECEMBER 1988, ARISING FROM CHANGES IN THE LEVEL OF EMPLOYMENT, A NOMINAL INDEX OF PAYROLL PER PERSON ENGAGED IS OBTAINED.
TO ALLOW FOR THE EFFECTS OF PRICE CHANGES, THE NOMINAL INDEX IS DEFLATED BY THE CONSUMER PRICE INDEX (A) TO GIVE THE REAL INDEX OF PAYROLL PER PERSON ENGAGED. THESE TWO INDICES FOR DECEMBER 1987 AND DECEMBER 1988 ARE GIVEN IN THE TABLES BELOW
NOMINAL INDEX OF PAYROLL PER PERSON ENGAGED
( JUNE 1980 = 100) % CHANGE
SELECTED MAJOR SECTORS OF THE ECONOMY DEC. 87 DEC. 88 DEC. 88 ON DEC. 87
MANUFACTURING 263.4 307.4 + 16.7
WHOLESALE AND 288.5 318.4 + 10.4
RETAIL, IMPORT AND EXPORT TRADES
AND RESTAURANTS AND HOTELS
/FINANCING,
527.7
THURSDAY, APRIL 1), 19^9
FINANCING, 327.7 358.1 + 9.3
INSURANCE, REAL ESTATE AND BUSINESS SERVICES REAL PAYROLL PER (JUNE INDEX OF PERSON ENGAGED 1980 = 100) % CHANGE
SELECTED MAJOR SECTORS OF THE ECONOMY DEC. 87 DEC. 88 DEC. 88 ON DEC. 87
MANUFACTURING 148.8 161.4 + 8.5
WHOLESALE AND 163.0 167.1 + 2.5
RETAIL, IMPORT AND EXPORT TRADES AND RESTAURANTS AND HOTELS
FINANCING, 185.1 188.0 +1.6
INSURANCE, REAL ESTATE
AND BUSINESS
SERVICES
BETWEEN DECEMBER 1987 AND DECEMBER 1988, AN INCREASE OF 16.7 PER CENT WAS REGISTERED IN THE NOMINAL INDEX OF PAYROLL PER PERSON ENGAGED IN THE MANUFACTURING SECTOR.
FOR THE WHOLESALE AND RETAIL, IMPORT AND EXPORT TRADES AND RESTAURANTS AND HOTELS SECTOR, THE INCREASE WAS 10.4 PER CENT AND FOR THE FINANCING, INSURANCE, REAL ESTATE AND BUSINESS SERVICES SECTOR, THE INCREASE WAS 9.3 PER CENT.
HOWEVER, IN THE LAST TWO SECTORS, A MORE SIGNIFICANT INCREASE OF 16.2 PER CENT WAS REGISTERED FOR THE RESTAURANTS AND HOTELS INDUSTRY, AND 16.7 PER CENT FOR THE FINANICAL INSTITUTIONS INDUSTRY.
OVER THE SAME PERIOD, THE REAL INDEX OF PAYROLL PER PERSON ENGAGED REGISTERED AN INCREASE OF 8.5 PER CENT FOR THE MANUFACTURING SECTOR, 2.5 PER CENT FOR THE WHOLESALE, RETAIL, IMPORT AND EXPORT TRADES AND RESTAURANTS AND HOTELS SECTOR, AND 1.6 PER CENT FOR THE FINANCING, INSURANCE, REAL ESTATE AND BUSINESS SERVICES SECTOR.
/THE CORRESPONDING
THURSDAY, APRIL 1J, 1989
8 -
THE CORRESPONDING INCREASES FOR THE RESTAURANTS AND HOTELS INDUSTRY AND THE FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS INDUSTRY WERE 8.0 PER CENT AND 8.4 PER CENT RESPECTIVELY.
DETAILED BREAKDOWNS OF THE ABOVE STATISTICS ARE AVAILABLE FROM THE QUARTERLY REPORT OF EMPLOYMENT, VACANCIES AND PAYROLL STATISTICS, DECEMBER 1988, WHICH IS AVAILABLE AT $11 PER COPY,AT THE GOVERNMENT PUBLICATIONS CENTRE, GPO BUILDING, GROUND FLOOR, CONNAUGHT PLACE, CENTRAL AND AT THE SALES COUNTER OF THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT AT 19TH FLOOR, WANCHAI TOWER 1, 12 HARBOUR ROAD, WAN CHAI .
-------0----------
QUARTERLY SURVEY OF RESTAURANT RECEIPTS FOR FOURTH QUARTER 1988
AND PURCHASES
THE VALUE OF TOTAL RECEIPTS FOR THE
IN THE FOURTH QUARTER OF 1988, ESTIMATED AT PER CENT HIGHER THAN IN THE SAME QUARTER OF -------------------------------__ THE
WAS 2 PER CENT HIGHER, ACCORDING TO SURVEY RELEASED TODAY (THURSDAY)
ENTIRE $7,449 1987 ,
RESTAURANT MILLION,
WHILE THE
PROVISIONAL RESULTS
SECTOR
WAS 14
VOLUME
OF A
BY THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS
DEPARTMENT.
THE PROVISIONAL ESTIMATE OF TOTAL PURCHASES BY RESTAURANTS IN THE FOURTH QUARTER OF 1988 WAS $3,128 MILLION WHICH WAS~ 13 PER CENT HIGHER IN VALUE TERMS THAN IN THE FOURTH QUARTER OF 1987.
SHOPS RECORDED THE THE VALUE OF TOTAL OF 1987. THESE WERE PER CENT), CHINESE
ANALYSED BY TYPE OF RESTAURANT, FAST FOOD LARGEST PERCENTAGE INCREASE (23 PER CENT) IN RECEIPTS WHEN COMPARED WITH THE FOURTH QUARTER FOLLOWED BY NON-CHINESE RESTAURANTS (20 RESTAURANTS (12 PER CENT) AND BARS (1 PER CENT).
TOTAL RECEIPTS OF "OTHER EATING AND DRINKING PLACES COMPRISING HERB TEA SHOPS, CREAMERIES AND OTHER OUTLETS SELLING BEAN CURD JELLY AND SO ON - HOWEVER, DROPPED BY 6 PER CENT.
IN VOLUME TERMS, THE TOTAL RECEIPTS OF FAST NON-CHINESE RESTAURANTS INCREASED BY 12 PER CENT RESPECTIVELY. THOSE FOR CHINESE RESTAURAN1S UNCHANGED WHILE THOSE FOR BARS AND "OTHER EATING AND DROPPED BY 2 PER CENT AND 10 PER CENT RESPECTIVELY.
FOOD SHOPS AND AND 8 PER CENT REMAINED ALMOST DRINKING PLACES"
COMPARING 1988 WITH 1987, TOTAL RESTAURANT RECEIPTS ROSE BY 14 PER CENT IN VALUE AND 4 PER CENT IN VOLUME; AND THE TOTAL VALUE OF PURCHASES BY RESTAURANTS INCREASED BY 12 PER CENT.
/IN VALUE........
THURSDAY, APRIL 1J, 1989
IN VALUE TERMS, FAST FOOD SHOPS RECORDED THE LARGEST GROWTH IN TOTAL RECEIPTS (25 PER CENT), FOLLOWED BY NON-CHINESE RESTAURANTS (19 PER CENT), CHINESE RESTAURANTS (12 PER CENT), "OTHER EATING AND DRINKING PLACES" (6 PER CENT) AND BARS (5 PER CENT).
IN VOLUME TERMS, THE TOTAL RECEIPTS OF FAST f FOOD SHOPS AGAIN SHOWED THE LARGEST INCREASE, AT 17 PER CENT.
THE GROWTH, IN VOLUME TERMS, RECORDED BY NON-CHINESE RESTAURANTS, CHINESE RESTAURANTS, "OTHER EATING AND DRINKING PLACES" AND BARS WERE 9 PER CENT, 2 PER CENT, 1 PER CENT AND 1 PER CENT RESPECTIVELY.
COMPARING THE FOURTH QUARTER OF 1988 WITH THE PRECEDING; QUARTER - AND BEARING IN MIND THAT THIS COMPARISON IS LIKELY TO BE AFFECTED BY SEASONAL FACTORS - TOTAL RESTAURANT RECEIPTS INCREASED BY 8 PER CENT IN VALUE AND 5 PER CENT IN VOLUME, WHILE THE VALUE OF PURCHASES BY RESTAURANTS ROSE BY 4 PER CENT.
IN VALUE TERMS, TOTAL RECEIPTS OF CHINESE RESTAURANTS AND BARS INCREASED BY 13 PER CENT AND 5 PER CENT RESPECTIVELY. THOSE OF "OTHER EATING AND DRINKING PLACES", FAST FOOD SHOPS AND NON-CHINESE RESTAURANTS, HOWEVER, DECREASED BY 14 PER CENT, 5 PER CENT AND 3 PER CENT RESPECTIVELY. ,
IN VOLUME TERMS, THE INCREASES FOR CHINESE RESTAURANTS AND BARS WERE 9 PER CENT AND 5 PER CENT RESPECTIVELY, WHILE THE DECREASES FOR "OTHER EATING AND DRINKING PLACES", FAST FOOD SHOPS AND NON-CHINESE RESTAURANTS WERE 14 PER CENT, 7 PER CENT AND 5 PER CENT RESPECTIVELY.
TABLE 1 PRESENTS THE REVISED FIGURES FOR THE TOTAL RECEIPTS AND TOTAL PURCHASES OF THE ENTIRE RESTAURANT SECTOR FOR THE THIRD QUARTER OF 1988 AND THE PROVISIONAL FIGURES FOR THE FOURTH QUARTER OF 1988.
TABLE 2 SHOWS THE VALUE AND VOLUME INDEXES OF TOTAL RECEIPTS BY TYPE OF RESTAURANT FOR THE FOURTH QUARTER OF 1988, WITH THE QUARTERLY AVERAGE FROM OCTOBER 1984 TO SEPTEMBER 1985 TAKEN AS 100.
ALSO TABULATED ARE COMPARISONS OF THE FOURTH QUARTER OF 1988 RESULTS WITH THOSE FOR THE THIRD QUARTER OF 1988 AND FOR THE FOURTH QUARTER OF 1987. COMPARISONS OF TOTAL RECEIPTS FOR THE ENTIRE YEAR OF 1988 WITH 1987 ARE ALSO GIVEN.
THE REPORT ON THE QUARTERLY SURVEY OF RESTAURANT RECEIPTS AND PURCHASES FOR THE FOURTH QUARTER OF 1988 IS NOW ON SALE AT THE GOVERNMENT PUBLICATIONS CENTRE, GENERAL POST OFFICE BUILDING, CONNAUGHT PLACE, CENTRAL AT $1 PER COPY.
i
ENQUIRIES ON THE SURVEY RESULTS MAY BE DIRECTED TO THE WHOLESALE/RETAIL TRADE STATISTICS SECTION OF THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT (TEL. NO. 5-8234941).
>
/TABLE 1
THURSDAY, APRIL 1J, 1989
10
TABLE I • TOTAL RESTAURANT RECEIPTS AND PURCHASES
3rd utr. 1988 (Revised figures) 4th qtr. 1988
(Provisional figures)
Total restaurant receipts (in HK5 aillion) 6 924 7 449
Total purchases by restaurants (in H13 eillion) 3 000 3123
TABLE 2 : VALUE AND VOLUME INDEXES OF TOTAL RESTAURANT RECEIPTS FOR 3RD QUARTER 1988 ANO 4TH QUARTER 1988
(Quarterly average of October 84 - September 85 « 100)
Type of restaurant Index of <
total restaurant receiots 3rd quarter 1988
(Revised figures)
Chinese restaurants Value 145
J Voluae 119
Non-Chir.ese restaurants Value 154
Voluae 125
Fast food shops Value 186
Volune 162
Bars Value 130
Voluae 112
Other eating and drinking places 'Value 148
Voluae 128
Entire restaurant sector Value r ; 149
Voluae I ; 123
। ।
, 4th । Quarter .
; ,
.(Provisional. Jioures) । । - ।
। <
I 163 ;
I
I «» !
i ■« i
: !
I I
: 1
. 177 ;
150 I ; 137
■ 1”
I ; 128
109 । J 160
129
4th ptr. coapared 3rd qtr. 1988 ai th 1988 ! 1988 with 1987 1 1 . lst-4th qtr. 1988; • copoarri Mi th ; • 1st—4th qtr. 1987;
. 4th qtr.
; coapared
. 4tb qtr.
Points I • ; Points । I । Points 1 i Z ; 1
18 13 18 1 12 1 “■ 1 12 1
11 9 1 1 1 • 2 1 1 I 2 . 1 1
-5 -3 1 24 1 20 . 23 1 19 1 *
-6 -5 1 ’ I 8 1 to 1 9 j 1
-8 -5 1 ; 33 1 23 i » 1 25 1 1
-12 -7 : 16 • । 1 12 : 22 1 ■ n 1 :
6 5 1 1 1 ! ‘ 5 :
5 5 : “2 । • -2 1 I I 1 1 I 1 I 1
-20 -14 . -a -6 i ’ 6 : i
-18 -14 1 ’12 -10 ; 1 1 1
11 8 1 { 20 14 !.. I H •
6 5 1 2 1 2 ; 5 t <
Notes: 1. Figures cenoting chances are derived free unroundeo figures.
2. t denotes a figure within ±0.5.
increased by 12%. In value terms, fast food shops recorded the largest
-----0------
/11
THURSDAY, APRIL 13, 1989
11
BAN ON SALES OF SHELLFISH LIFTED
» t * »
THE GOVERNMENT TODAY (THURSDAY) LIFTED THE BAN ON THE SALE OF SHELLFISH TAKEN FROM THE THREE LOCALITIES WHICH WERE RECENTLY FOUND TO BE CONTAMINATED WITH PARALYTIC SHELLFISH POISON <PSP) CAUSED BY A TOXIC RED TIDE.
THIS FOLLOWED A JOINT OPERATION CARRIED OUT THIS WEEK BY THB MUNICIPAL SERVICES BRANCH AND THE AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES DEPARTMENT TO SAMPLE SHELLFISH FROM 21 LOCALITIES IN LOCAL COASTAL WATERS INCLUDING SHA TAU KOK, JUNK BAY AND LAMMA ISLAND. TWENTY-SIX SAMPLES WERE TAKEN FOR LABORATORY TESTS.
"THE TEST RESULTS HAVE REVEALED THAT THE LEVELS OF TOXICITY IN ALL THE SHELLFISH SAMPLES IN THE LOCALITIES PREVIOUSLY AFFECTED BY THE TOXIC RED TIDE HAVE DROPPED DRASTICALLY TO WELL WITHIN THE SAFETY LIMIT AS RECOMMENDED BY THE WORLD HEALTH ORGANISATION," THE HYGIENE ADVISOR OF THE MUNICIPAL SERVICES BRANCH, DR RON PERRY, SAID.
DR PERRY CONSIDERED THAT THE HEALTH RISK IN CONSUMING SHELLFISH FROM THESE AREAS WAS MINIMAL.
HOWEVER, HE STILL ADVISED THE PUBLIC NOT TO TAKE IN LARGE QUANTITIES OF SUCH SHELLFISH FOR THEIR SAFETY.
AMONG THE 26 SHELLFISH SAMPLES TAKEN, 21 WERE SPECIMENS OF GREEN MUSSELS, THREE WERE CLAMS, AND TWO WERE OYSTERS.
THEY WERE TAKEN FROM MA WAN, PENG CHAU, LO TIK WAN, SOK KWU WAN, TIN HA WAN, PO TOI O, KAU SAI, YIM TIN TSAI, YIM TIN TSAI EAST, KAT O, SHA TAU KOK, YUNG SHUE AU, TUNG CHUNG, CHEUNG SHA WAN, MA NAM WAT, TAI TAU CHAU, LO FU WAT, SHAM WAN, TAP MUN, 0 PUI TONG AND LEUNG SHUEN WAN.
THE FIRST 12 LOCATIONS WERE ALSO COVERED IN THE PREVIOUS SAMPLING OPERATION.
THE FINDINGS OF THE MICE TESTS CONDUCTED ON THESE SAMPLES SHOWED THAT THEY WERE EITHER WELL BELOW THE WHO SAFETY LIMIT OR UNDETECTABLE.
APART FROM THE SHELLFISH SAMPLES, WATER SAMPLES WERE ALSO TAKEN FROM THESE LOCATIONS.
MICROSCOPIC ANALYSIS OF THESE WATER SAMPLES COULD NOT DETECT THE PRESENCE OF THE TOXIC ALGAE, PROTOGONYAULAX CATENELLA.
THE MICE TESTS WERE CONDUCTED BY THE FISHERIES OFFICER (AQUACULTURE ENVIRONMENT) OF THE AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES DEPARTMENT, DR PATSY WONG.
/"THE FINDINGS
THURSDAY, APRIL 1J, 1989
12 -
"THE FINDINGS OF THE SECOND ROUND SAMPLING TESTS WERE CONSISTENT WITH THE RESULTS OF THE PREVIOUS TESTS. HOWEVER THE TOXICITY LEVELS IN THE SHELLFISH SAMPLES IN THE AFFECTED AREAS HAD DROPPED CONSIDERABLY," DR WONG SAID.
"REGULAR RED TIDE REPORTING AND TESTING BY THE AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES DEPARTMENT WILL CONTINUE."
IN THE MEANTIME, THE MUNICIPAL SERVICES BRANCH WILL ALSO CONTINUE WITH ITS REGULAR MONITORING PROGRAMME FOR BIOTOXINS IN FISH AND SHELLFISH IN A CO-ORDINATED EFFORT TO SAFEGUARD PUBLIC HEALTH.
-----0------
GRADING OF BEACH WATER QUALITY
*****
THE ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION DEPARTMENT (EPD) TODAY (THURSDAY) ANNOUNCED THE GRADES ONTHEBACTERIALWATER QUALITYOF ALL BATHING BEACHES IN HONG KONG.
AN EPD SPOKESMAN SAID THE PURPOSE OF THE GRADING SYSTEM IS TO INFORM SWIMMERS AND THE GENERAL PUBLIC ABOUT THE STATE OF BACTERIAL POLLUTION AT VARIOUS BEACHES.
THE GRADING WILL BE ANNOUNCED AT BIWEEKLY INTERVALS DURING THE BATHING SEASON, TO COINCIDE WITH THE FREQUENCY AT WHICH BEACH WATERS ARE USUALLY SAMPLED.
THE GRADING IS BASED ON THE MOST RECENT BACTERIA DATA OBTAINED BY THE EPD IN ITS ROUTINE MONITORING PROGRAMME.
THIS YEAR, FOR THE FIRST TIME, THE GRADING ALSO INCLUDES AN ESTIMATE OF THE RISK OF SUFFERING SOME MINOR SKIN OR GASTROINTESTINAL ~ COMPLAINTS AS A RESULT OF SWIMMING AT A BEACH WHICH HAS SOME DEGREE OF POLLUTION.
THE ESTIMATE IS BASED ON A VERY LARGE BODY OF STATISTICAL INFORMATION GATHERED IN HONG KONG IN RECENT BATHING SEASONS.
THE GRADING OF SOME BEACHES MAY VARY DURING THE SUMMER. THIS REPRESENTS A NATURAL FLUCTUATION IN THE BACTERIAL QUALITY OF BATHING WATERS IN MOST CASES, AS RAIN AND TIDES BRING MORE OR LESS POLLUTION TO THE BEACHES.
BATHING WATERS COMMONLY BECOME WORSE DUE TO HEAVY USAGE DURING THE SUMMER. HOWEVER, THE GRADES GIVE A GOOD GENERAL PICTURE OF THB WATER QUALITY AT BATHING BEACHES AT THE TIME OF REPORTING AND FORM THE BEST AVAILABLE FORECAST FOR THE IMMEDIATE FUTURE.
5- •
/THE SYSTEM
THURSDAY, APRIL 1}, 1989
- 13 -
THE SYSTEM FOR GRADING BEACH WATER QUALITY IS AS FOLLOWS:
"A" GRADE INDICATES THAT THE WATER QUALITY IS GOOD. THE MEAN E.COLI COUNT IS LESS THAN 100 PER 100 MILLILITRES AT EACH BEACH SO GRADED, AND THE EXPECTED HEALTH RISK IS LESS THAN SEVEN CASES OF MINOR ILLNESS PER 1,000 SWIMMERS.
”B” GRADE INDICATES THAT THE WATER QUALITY IS ACCEPTABLE. THE MEAN E.COLI COUNT IS LESS THAN 1,000 PER 100 MILLILITRES AT EACH BEACH SO GRADED, AND THE EXPECTED HEALTH RISK IS LESS THAN 18 CASES OF MINOR ILLNESS PER 1,000 SWIMMERS.
”C" GRADE INDICATES THAT THE WATER QUALITY IS POOR. THE MEAN E.COLI COUNT IS 1,000 OR MORE PER 100 MILLILITRES AT EACH BEACH SO GRADED, AND THE EXPECTED HEALTH RISK IS 18 OR MORE CASES OF MINOR ILLNESS PER 1,000 SWIMMERS.
THE DECISION WHETHER OR NOT TO CLOSE A BEACH TO SWIMMERS IS BASED ON A JUDGEMENT OF WHAT DEGREE OF POLLUTION IS ACCEPTABLE.
NORMALLY, A RECOMMENDATION ON CLOSURE WOULD ONLY BE CONSIDERED BY THE URBAN OR THE REGIONAL COUNCIL IF A ”C” GRADING OCCURRED REPEATEDLY, SO THAT THE AVERAGE HEALTH RISK OVER THE BATHING SEASON EXCEEDED 15 CASES PER 1,000 SWIMMERS.
SIMILARLY. A RECOMMENDATION TO RE-OPEN A CLOSED BEACH WOULD ONLY BE CONSIDERED IF A ”B” GRADE OR BETTER WERE CONSISTENTLY OBTAINED.
AT PRESENT, SIX BATHING BEACHES HAVE BEEN DECLARED UNSUITABLE FOR SWIMMING PURPOSES, BASED ON THE WATER QUALITY DURING PAST SEASONS.
THESE BEACHES ARE ANGLERS’. CASTLE PEAK, S1LVERMINE BAY, OLD CAFETERIA, ROCKY BAY AND TING KAU.
THEY ARE POLLUTED BY FAECAL WASTES AND FAILED TO ACHIEVE CONSISTENTLY THE WORLD HEALTH ORGANISATION AND HONG KONG STANDARDS. THE PUBLIC ARE ADVISED NOT TO SWIM IN THESE SIX BEACHES. THEY ARI IDENTIFIED BY AN "X” IN THE FOLLOWING TABLE.
THE GRADES ON THE BACTERIAL WATER QUALITY OF VARIOUS BEACHES IN HONG KONG AS AT TODAY AND TWO WEEKS AGO ARE LISTED BELOW :
BEACH
LAST GRADING
PRESENT
GRADING
(AS AT 30.3.89)
(AS AT 13.1.89)
HONG KONG SOUTH
BIG WAVE BAY
CHUNG HOM KOK
/DEEP WATER .......
THURSDAY, APRIL 1J, 1989
•• 14
DEEP WATER BAY A A
HAIRPIN A A
MIDDLE BAY A A
REPULSE BAY B B
SHEK 0 A A
SOUTH BAY A A
ST. STEPHEN'S A A
TURTLE COVE A A
STANLEY MAIN B B
ROCKY BAY X X
TO TEI WAN* A A
ISLANDS DISTRICT
CHEUNG SHA UPPER A
CHEUNG SHA LOWER A
DISCOVERY BAY* A
HUNG SHING YEH A
KWUN YAM WAN A
TONG FUK A
LO SO SHING A
PUI O A
SILVERMINE BAY X
TUNG WAN, CHEUNG CHAU B
TUNG O* A
A
A
A
A
A
A
A
A
X
B
A
/SAI KUNG
THURSDAY, APRIL 1J, 1989
15
SAI KUNG DISTRICT
CAMPERS A A
CLEAR WATER BAY 1ST BEACH A A
CLEAR WATER BAY 2ND BEACH A A
HAP MUN BAY A A
KIU TSUI A A
PAK SHA CHAU A A
SILVERSTRAND A A
TRIO (HEBE HAVEN) A A
TSUEN WAN DISTRICT
ANGLERS’ X X
APPROACH B B
CASAM A A
GEMINI A A
HOI MEI WAN B B
LIDO A A
ting kau X X
TUNG WAN, MA WAN A A
TUEN MUN DISTRICT
OLD CAFETERIA X X
NEW CAFETERIA B A
CASTLE PEAK X X
KADOORIE B B
BUTTERFLY B A
/NOTE: 'X' .......
THURSDAY, APRIL 13, 1989
- 16
NOTE: ’X’
»
THE BEACH HAS BEEN DECLARED UNSUITABLE FOR SWIMMING. NON-GAZETTED BEACHES.
THE FOLLOWING BEACHES HAVE CHANGED GRADING BUTTERFLY AND NEW CAFETERIA, FROM "B" TO ”A”.
QN THIS OCCASION:
THE CHANGES ARE WITHIN THE NORMAL RANGE OF FLUCTUATION BACTERIAL WATER QUALITY OF THESE BEACHES.
OF THE
NOTE TO EDITORS:
FOR FURTHER ENQUIRIES, PLEASE CONTACT PRINCIPAL ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION OFFICER (WATER 5-8351234.
MR PAUL
POLICY) OF
HOLMES, EPD, ON
-----0-----
CNTA POSTINGS ANNOUNCED ♦ ♦ * t ♦
A CITY AND NEW TERRITORIES ADMINISTRATION SPOKESMAN ANNOUNCED TODAY (THURSDAY) THAT MR AUGUSTINE CHENG LUK-SAN WILL BECOME DEPUTY REGIONAL SECRETARY FOR HONG KONG AND KOWLOON WITH EFFECT FROM MONDAY (APRIL 17).
MR CHENG IS CURRENTLY PRINCIPAL ASSISTANT SECRETARY (BUILDING MANAGEMENT) AT THE DEPARTMENT’S HONG KONG AND KOWLOON REGIONAL HEADQUARTERS.
THE INCUMBENT DEPUTY REGIONAL SECRETARY, MR GREGORY LEUNG, WILL MOVE TO THE HEALTH AND WELFARE BRANCH TO FILL A NEWLY CREATED PRINCIPAL ASSISTANT SECRETARY POST.
MR LEUNG WAS SHAM SHUI PO DISTRICT OFFICER BEFORE TAKING UP THE POST OF DEPUTY REGIONAL SECRETARY FOR HONG KONG AND KOWLOON ON A TEMPORARY BASIS.
-----0-----
/17
THURSDAY, APRIL 13, 1989
17
ELECTION FORUM FOR PAK TIN CONSTITUENTS *****
AN OPEN FORUM FOR THE CONSTITUENCY IN SHAM SHUI PO (FRIDAY).
BY-ELECTION FOR RESIDENTS OF DISTRICT BOARD WILL BE HELD
PAK TIN TOMORROW
THE FORUM WILL START AT 8.30 PM AT THE 13 OF THE PAK TIN ESTATE.
OPEN SPACE NEXT TO BLOCK
THE TWO CANDIDATES FOR THE BY-ELECTION ARE MR LUI PAK-YIU AND MISS SHA MI-CHING.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
MEDIA REPRESENTATIVES ARE INVITED TO COVER THE PAK BY-ELECTION FORUM.
-----0 ------
YAU TSIM DISTRICT BOARD TO DISCUSS PORNOGRAPHY
*****
YAU TSIM DICTRICT BOARD MEMBERS WILL MEET TOMORROW (FRIDAY) TO DISCUSS THE PROBLEM OF YOUNG PEOPLE READING INDECENT AND OBSCENE MAGAZINES, AND WATCHING ADULT VIDEO TAPES.
THEY WILL ALSO DISCUSS AN INFORMATION PAPER ON THE PROBLEM, PREPARED BY A BOARD MEMBER, MISS SUSAN SO SUK-YIN.
IN HER PAPER, MISS SO EXPRESSES CONCERN ABOUT THE PROBLEM, AND PROPOSES WAYS TO IMPROVE THE SITUATION. SHE ALSO ASKS WHAT THE DEPARTMENTS CONCERNED ARE DOING TO STEP UP ENFORCEMENT OF THE CONTROL OF OBSCENE AND INDECENT ARTICLES ORDINANCE, AND CONTROL ON VIDEO RENTAL CENTRES AND COMIC BOOK CLUBS.
BOARD MEMBERS WILL ALSO DISCUSS THE BOARD’S BUDGET AND WORK PLAN FOR THE CURRENT FINANCIAL YEAR, AS WELL AS PROPOSALS BY THE CITY AND NEW TERRITORIES ADMINISTRATION TO IMPROVE PROVISIONS IN EXISTING DEEDS OF MUTUAL COVENANT.
DEEDS OF MUTUAL COVENANT.
IN ADDITION, THEY WILL VET A REPORT WHICH OUTLINES THE IMPROVEMENTS TO 26 TARGET BUILDINGS IN THE YAU TSIM DISTRICT.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
MEDIA REPRESENTATIVES ARE INVITED TO COVER THE MEETING OF THE YAU TSIM DISTRICT BOARD, WHICH WILL BEGIN AT 2.30 PM TOMORROW (FRIDAY) IN THE CONFERENCE ROOM OF THE YAU TSIM DISTRICT OFFICE, 490, NATHAN ROAD, SECOND FLOOR.
- 0 -
/18........
THURSDAY, APRIL 13, 1989
18
WORKING GROUP ON CIVIC EDUCATION TO DISCUSS ACTIVITY PLAN
*«»*«*
THE WONG TAI SIN DISTRICT BOARD’S WORKING GROUP ON PROMOTION OF CIVIC EDUCATION WILL DISCUSS THE GROUP’S ACTIVITY PLAN FOR THE CURRENT FISCAL YEAR AT ITS MEETING TOMORROW (FRIDAY).
THE COMMUNITY BUILDING COMMITTEE OF THE DISTRICT BOARD HAS DECIDED AT A MEETING LAST MONTH TO RESERVE A SUM OF ABOUT $130,000 FOR THE GROUP TO ORGANISE CIVIC EDUCATION PROMOTIONAL ACTIVITIES.
AT TOMORROW’S MEETING, THE WORKING GROUP WILL ALSO CONSIDER ORGANISING A CIVIC EDUCATION FUNCTION IN JUNE WITH THE EAST KOWLOON JAYCEES.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE MEETING OF THE WONG TAI SIN DISTRICT BOARD’S WORKING GROUP ON PROMOTION OF CIVIC EDUCATION, WHICH WILL BEGIN AT 2.30 PM TOMORROW (FRIDAY) IN THE CONFERENCE ROOM OF THE WONG TAI SIN DISTRICT OFFICE, FOURTH FLOOR, SAN PO KONG GOVERNMENT OFFICES BUILDING, KING FUK STREET.
------0-------
FUNDS AVAILABLE FOR SUMMER YOUTH PROGRAMME
* » * * »
ORGANISATIONS AND YOUTH AGENCIES IN WONG TAI SIN ARE BEING INVITED TO APPLY FOR FUNDS FROM THE DISTRICT’S SUMMER YOUTH PROGRAMME (SYP) CO-ORDINATING COMMITTEE FOR ORGANISING ACTIVITIES FOR YOUTHS THIS SUMMER.
THE SYP IS SPONSORED BY THE ROYAL HONG KONG JOCKEY CLUB TO ASSIST LOCAL BONA FIDE ORGANISATIONS IN HOLDING RECREATIONAL, SPORTS AND CULTURAL ACTIVITIES DURING SUMMER FOR CHILDREN AND YOUTHS AGED BETWEEN SIX AND 25.
"HOWEVER, AS IN PREVIOUS YEARS, APPLICATIONS FROM AREA COMMITTEES, MUTUAL AID COMMITTEES AND OWNERS CORPORATIONS WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED," A SPOKESMAN FOR THE COMMITTEE SAID TODAY (THURSDAY).
"INTERESTED ORGANISATIONS SHOULD SUBMIT THEIR APPLICATIONS BEFORE MAY 1 THROUGH THE WONG TAI SIN DISTRICT OFFICE'S TSZ WAN SHAN SUB-OFFICE AT BLOCK THREE, TSZ WAN SHAN ESTATE.
"ENQUIRIES CAN BE MADE ON 3-220767."
/THE SPOKESMAN .......
THURSDAY, APRIL 1J, 1989
- 19 -
THE SPOKESMAN POINTED OUT THAT THE ACTIVITIES TO BE ORGANISED MUST CARRY THE THEME OF THIS YEAR’S SYP -- "SHARE THE FUN, SERVE THB COMMUNITY".
"IT IS HOPED THAT THROUGH PARTICIPATION IN SYP ACTIVITIES, YOUTHS WILL DEVELOP A SENSE OF COMMITMENT AND RESPONSIBILITY TO THB COMMUNITY," HE NOTED.
THE SPOKESMAN ADDED THAT LETTERS HAD BEEN SENT TO LOCAL ORGANISATIONS AND YOUTH AGENCIES IN THE DISTRICT ENCOURAGING THEM TO PARTICIPATE IN THE PROGRAMME.
"A BRIEFING ON THE APPLICATION PROCEDURES AND OTHER DETAILS WILL BE HELD TOMORROW (FRIDAY) IN ROOMS 301 AND 302 OF THE WONG TAI SIN COMMUNITY CENTRE IN CHING TAK STREET," HE SAID.
"INTERESTED ORGANISATIONS ARE WELCOME TO ATTEND THE SESSION WHICH WILL BEGIN AT 2.30 PM."
-----0-----
FORUM ON YOUTH SERVICES IN EASTERN t * ♦ ♦ t
YOUTH WORKERS AND TEACHERS WILL EXCHANGE VIEWS ON WAYS TO PROMOTE YOUTH SERVICES IN EASTERN DISTRICT AT A FORUM ORGANIZED BY A PLANNING GROUP OF THE DISTRICT BOARD’S COMMUNITY BUILDING COMMITTEE THIS SATURDAY (APRIL 15).
THE FORUM IS A FOLLOW UP TO A SURVEY CONDUCTED LAST YEAR TO IDENTIFY THE BASIC PATTERN OF LEISURE ACTIVITIES OF YOUNG PEOPLE AND THEIR NEEDS FOR COMMUNITY ACTIVITIES, CHAIRMAN OF THE PLANNING GROUP. MR TO BOON-MAN SAID.
"FINDINGS OF THE SURVEY WILL PROVIDE USEFUL GUIDELINES IN ORGANIZATION OF COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT PROJECTS FOR YOUNG PEOPLE,
THB
HE
SAID.
THE SURVEY WAS CARRIED OUT BY THE CENTRE OF HONG KONG STUDIES OF THE CHINESE UNIVERSITY OF HONG KONG AND SPONSORED BY THE EASTERN DISTRICT BOARD.
PRIOR TO THE DISCUSSIONS, FOUR GUESTS WILL SPEAK ON TOPICS COVERING RESEARCH FINDINGS OF THE SURVEY, THIS YEAR'S SUMMER YOUTH PROGRAMME, RECREATIONAL AND CULTURAL FACILITIES AVAILABLE TO YOUTHS IN THE DISTRICT, AND YOUTH DEVELOPMENT WORK.
/THE GUESTS
THURSDAY, APRIL 1}, 1989
- 20 -
THE GUESTS ARE DR PETER MAN, LECTURER IN SOCIOLOGY OF THE CHINESE UNIVERSITY OF HONG KONG; MR WU TING-PANG, REPRESENTATIVE OF THE EASTERN DISTRICT YOUTH RECREATION CO-ORDINATING COMMITTEE; MR WONG KIN-FAI, RECREATION AND SPORTS MANAGER (HK) OF THE URBAN SERVICES DEPARTMENT AND MR MUI WA1-SI, EXECUTIVE SECRETARY OF THE BOYS AND GIRLS CLUB ASSOCIATION.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE FORUM WHICH WILL BE HELD AT THE CONFERENCE ROOM OF THE EASTERN DISTRICT OFFICE, 1ST FLOOR, 880 - 886 KING’S ROAD, FROM 10 AM TO 12 NOON ON SATURDAY (APRIL 15).
-----0------
MAIL SERVICES TO LEBANON SUSPENDED ♦ ♦ ♦ *
THE POST OFFICE ANNOUNCED TODAY (THURSDAY) THAT OWING TO THE CLOSURE OF THE BEIRUT AIRPORT, AIRMAIL AND AIR PARCELS SERVICES BETWEEN HONG KONG AND LEBANON ARE TEMPORARILY SUSPENDED WITH IMMEDIATE EFFECT.
SURFACE MAIL AND SURFACE PARCEL SERVICES TO LEBANON REMAIN SUSPENDED.
------0-------
GOVT BUILDING OVER MONG KOK KCRC STATION » * * t ♦
WORK HAS JUST STARTED ON THE CONSTRUCTION OF A GOVERNMENT OFFICE BLOCK ON TOP OF THE KOWLOON-CANTON RAILWAY CORPORATION’S MONG KOK STATION.
CONTRACT FOR THE $77.4 MILLION PROJECT, AWARDED BY THE ARCHITECTURAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT, INVOLVES THE CONSTRUCTION OF A 13-STOREY BUILDING WHICH WILL PROVIDE 10,000 SQUARE METRES OF OFFICE S'PACE.
THE NEW BUILDING, EXPECTED TO BE COMPLETED IN MID-1991, WILL BE USED TO ACCOMMODATE THE MONG KOK DISTRICT OFFICE, INCLUDING A PUBLIC ENQUIRY SERVICE CENTRE; THE MONG KOK MUSIC CENTRE; AND OFFICES OF THE TRANSPORT, LABOUR AND SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENTS.
-----0------
THURSDAY, APRIL 13, 1989
- 21
SUBSIDY FOR ENGINEER TRAINEES GOES UP ******
THE SUBSIDY FOR THE ENGINEERING GRADUATES TRAINING SCHEME HAS BEEN INCREASED WITH EFFECT FROM APRIL 1, THE VOCATIONAL TRAINING COUNCIL ANNOUNCED TODAY (THURSDAY).
THE MONTHLY SUBSIDY PAID THROUGH EMPLOYERS TO EACH ENGINEERING GRADUATE AS PART OF HIS SALARY HAS GONE UP BY $200 TO $2,500.
ENGINEERING UNDERGRADUATES WHO ARE UNDERGOING AN APPROVED SANDWICH TRAINING PROGRAMME IN INDUSTRY ALSO CAN GET AN INCREASE OF $150 IN SUBSIDY FROM $1,300 TO $1,450 A MONTH, A SPOKESMAN FOR THE COUNCIL SAID.
THE SCHEME, INTRODUCED IN 1983, IS ADMINISTERED BY THE COUNCIL’S COMMITTEE ON TRAINING OF TECHNOLOGISTS TO ENABLE ENGINEERING GRADUATES AND UNDERGRADUATES TO OBTAIN THE NECESSARY PRACTICAL TRAINING AND SUBSEQUENTLY TO BECOME QUALIFIED ENGINEERS.
A TOTAL OF 160 TRAINING SCHEMES FROM 111 EMPLOYERS HAVE BEEN APPROVED BY THE COMMITTEE SINCE 1983.
EMPLOYERS WHO WISH TO OFFER TRAINING TO ENGINEERING GRADUATES OR UNDERGRADUATES MAY CONTACT THE SECRETARY OF THE COMMITTEE ON 5-8932341 EXT. 271.
------O - - - -
PRISONERS OBTAIN DISTINCTIONS IN PUBLIC EXAMINATION
*****
EIGHT PRISONERS WHO WORKED HARD AT THEIR STUDIES HAD PERFORMED VERY WELL IN A PUBLIC EXAMINATION IN DECEMBER LAST YEAR.
THE PRISONERS, AGED BETWEEN 25 AND 40, TOOK A TOTAL OF 20 PAPERS IN THE TELECOMMUNICATION TECHNICIAN COURSE EXAMINATION OF THE CITY AND GUILDS OF LONDON INSTITUTE AND SCORED DISTINCTIONS IN ALL THE PAPERS. AMONG THEM, TWO GOT FOUR DISTINCTIONS.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE CORRECTIONAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT SAID TODAY (THURSDAY): "IT HAS ALWAYS BEEN THE DEPARTMENT’S POLICY TO ENCOURAGE AND TO ASSIST INMATES TO SIT FOR PUBLIC EXAMINATIONS.
"IN FACT, MOST OF THE INMATES WHO TOOK PART IN PUBLIC EXAMINATIONS HAD GAINED REMARKABLE RESULTS IN THE PAST, WHICH PROVED THAT OUR EFFORTS HAVE NOT BEEN WASTED."
SINCE 1979, ABOUT 900 INMATES HAD SAT FOR PUBLIC EXAMINATIONS OFFERED BY WELL-ESTABLISHED BODIES INCLUDING THE CITY AND GUILDS OF LONDON INSTITUTE, THE LONDON CHAMBER OF COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY, THE PITMAN EXAMINATIONS INSTITUTE AND THE HONG KONG EXAMINATION AUTHORITY.
ABOUT 90 PER CENT OF THEM GOT PASSES IN THE EXAMINATIONS.
- O--------
/22
THURSDAY, APRIL 13, 1989
- 22 -
URBAN CLEARWAYS IN TSUEN WAN *****
THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCED THAT SEVERAL ROAD SECTIONS IN TSUEN WAN WILL BE DESIGNATED URBAN CLEARWAYS FROM 10 AM ON SATURDAY (APRIL 15).
THE FOLLOWING SECTIONS WILL BE MADE 7 AM TO MIDNIGHT DAILY URBAN CLEARWAYS:
* TEXACO ROAD NORTHBOUND BETWEEN SHA TSUI .ROAD AND TSUEN WING STREET:
* TEXACO ROAD SOUTHBOUND BETWEEN TAI WO HAU ROAD AND SHA TSUI ROAD;
* TAI WO HAU ROAD BETWEEN ITS JUNCTION WITH TEXACO ROAD AND A POINT ABOUT 210 METRES EAST OF THE SAME JUNCTION; AND
* THE KERBSIDE LANE OF TAI HA STREET BETWEEN ITS JUNCTION WITH TAI WO HAU ROAD AND A POINT ABOUT 55 METRES NORTH OF THE SAME JUNCTION.
MEANWHILE, TEXACO ROAD BETWEEN TEXACO ROAD INTERCHANGE AND SHA TSUI ROAD WILL BECOME A PEAK HOUR (7 AM - 10 AM AND 4 PM - 7 PM) DAILY URBAN CLEARWAY.
MOREOVER, THE FOLLOWING SECTIONS WILL BE MADE URBAN CLEARWAYS ROUND-THE-CLOCK:
* TEXACO ROAD NORTHBOUND BETWEEN ITS JUNCTION WITH TSUEN WING STREET AND A POINT ABOUT 20 METRES NORTH OF ITS JUNCTION WITH SHING MUN ROAD;
* TEXACO ROAD SOUTHBOUND BETWEEN ITS JUNCTION WITH TAI WO HAU ROAD AND A POINT ABOUT 20 METRES NORTH OF ITS JUNCTION WITH SHING MUN ROAD;
* ALL LINK ROADS AND SLIP ROADS ASSOCIATED WITH TEXACO ROAD NORTH INTERCHANGE; AND
* TAI WO HAU ROAD WESTBOUND BETWEEN ITS JUNCTION WITH SHEK TAU STREET AND A POINT ABOUT 210 METRES EAST OF ITS JUNCTION WITH TEXACO ROAD.
NO VEHICLES EXCEPT FRANCHISED BUSES WILL BE ALLOWED TO STOP FOR PASSENGERS OR GOODS WITHIN THE RESTRICTED AREAS.
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THURSDAY, APRIL 13, 1989
- 2J -
TEMPORARY CLOSURE OF MA TAU KOK ROAD » * * « »
THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCED THAT THE SECTION OF MA TAU KOK ROAD WESTBOUND BETWEEN MA TAU CHUNG ROAD AND SHING TAK STREET WILL BE CLOSED FROM 10.30 AM ON SATURDAY (APRIL 15).
THE CLOSURE WILL LAST FOR ABOUT ONE MONTH FOR ROAD RECONSTRUCTION WORKS.
DURING THE CLOSURE, MOTORISTS ON MA TAU KOK ROAD HEADING FOR MA TAU WAI ESTATE WILL BE DIVERTED VIA MA TAU CHUNG ROAD, FU NING STREET AND SHING TAK STREET.
KMB ROUTES 5A AND 108 ON JOURNEYS TO SHING TAK STREET WILL ALSO BE RE-ROUTED TO OPERATE VIA MA TAU CHUNG ROAD, FU NING STREET AND SHING TAK STREET.
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DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE. HONG KONG. TEL: 5-8428777
FRIDAY, APRIL 14, 1989
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
PROPOSED CONTROLS ON OZONE DEPLETING SUBSTANCES .............. 1
UNEMPLOYMENT AND UNDEREMPLOYMENT STATISTICS FOR DEC - FEB
RELEASED .................................................. 2
PUBLIC ALERTED ON IMPOSTERS .................................. J
KWUN TONG GEARS UP FOR FUTURE TRANSPORT NEEDS................. 4
AMENDMENTS TO DRAFT TAI PO OZP ANNOUNCED ..................... 6
ROAD TRAFFIC ORDINANCE TO COVER PRIVATE ROADS ................ 7
FIRST WHOLESALE MARKET CATERING TO MULTIPLE TRADES ........... ' 9
LAYING OF OPTICAL FIBRE SUBMARINE CABLE....................... 10
1988 REVIEW OF OVERSEAS TRADE PUBLISHED ...................... 10
RATEPAYERS GIVEN REMINDER ON SECOND QUARTER PAYMENT........... 14
REGIONAL SECRETARY VISITS TSUEN WAN .......................... 16
DB MEMBERS VIEW TRAFFIC SITUATION 114 CENTRAL ................ 16
RESULTS OF UK/HK SCHOLARSHIPS ANNOUNCED ...................... 17
SPECIAL SThMPS ON CHEUNG CEUU BUN FESTIVAL.................... 19
NEW BEACH BUILDING PLANNED FOR TUNG WAN, MA WaN ISLaND........ 20
Variety show for training centre inmates ..................... 20
WAN CHAI TO LAUNCH CLEIJ4 AND PLANT FOR CHaRITY C«MPaIGN...... 21
LiiNE CLOSURES ON TUEN MUN ROAD
22
FRIDAY, APRIL 14, 1989
PROPOSED CONTROLS ON OZONE DEPLETING SUBSTANCES
*****
THE GOVERNMENT IS DRAWING UP LEGISLATION TO CONTROL THE IMPORT AND EXPORT OF CHLOROFLUOROCARBONS (CFC’S) AND HALONS WHICH ARE REGARDED AS OZONE DEPLETING SUBSTANCES.
THE ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION DEPARTMENT’S PRINCIPAL ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION OFFICER, MR FRANKLIN CHUNG, SAID THIS AT A SEMINAR ORGANISED BY DAH CHONG HONG (ENGINEERING) LTD. THIS (FRIDAY) MORNING.
MR CHUNG SAID THE OZONE LAYER PROTECTION BILL 1989 WOULD PROVIDE THE NECESSARY LEGISLATIVE FRAMEWORK FOR A REGISTRATION AND LICENSING SYSTEM TO RESTRICT THE IMPORT AND EXPORT OF CFC’8 AND HALONS FOR USE IN HONG KONG.
THE BILL WILL REQUIRE ALL IMPORTERS AND EXPORTERS TO BE REGISTERED WITH THE AUTHORITY.
A REGISTERED IMPORTER WILL BE INFORMED OF THE MAXIMUM ALLOWABLE QUANTITY OF IMPORT AT THE BEGINNING OF EACH 12-MONTH PERIOD. LICENCES ISSUED WILL BE BASED ON THE QUOTAS ASSIGNED TO THE IMPORTER.
EACH SHIPMENT OF IMPORT OR EXPORT WILL REQUIRE A SEPARATE LICENCE.
LICENCES MAY BE TRANSFERRED FROM ONE PARTY TO ANOTHER SO THAT ANY PARTY WHO HAS AN INADEQUATE IMPORT QUOTA MAY OBTAIN A LICENCE FROM THEIR COUNTERPARTS IN THE MARKET.
THE BILL WILL CONTAIN OTHER PROVISIONS SUCH AS PENALTIES FOR NON-COMPLIANCE, POWERS OF INVESTIGATION BY THE ENFORCEMENT AUTHORITY AND APPEALS AGAINST THE AUTHORITY’S DECISION REGARDING ISSUE OF LICENCES.
IT WILL ALSO INCLUDE REGULATION-MAKING POWERS FOR CONTROL OR PROHIBITION OF MANUFACTURE, IMPORT OR EXPORT OF PRODUCTS CONTAINING OR MADE WITH CFC’S AND HALONS.
MR CHUNG SAID THROUGH THIS, THE GOVERNMENT INTENDED TO FULFIL ITS INTERNATIONAL OBLIGATION UNDER THE MONTREAL PROTOCOL.
IN JANUARY 1987, THE GOVERNMENT DECIDED TO PARTICIPATE IN THE VIENNA CONVENTION FOR THE PROTECTION OF THE OZONE LAYER. IN DECEMBER LAST YEAR, THE UNITED KINGDOM, ON BEHALF OF HONG KONG, RATIFIED THE MONTREAL PROTOCOL ON SUBSTANCES THAT DEPLETE THE OZONE LAYER.
THE OZONE LAYER PROTECTS THE EARTH BY FILTERING ULTRA-VIOLET RAYS FROM THE SUN. OZONE DEPLETION WOULD AFFECT HUMAN HEALTH, REDUCE CROP YIELDS, CHANGE CLIMATE AND AFFECT ALL LIFE ON BARTH.
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/2........
FRIDAY, APRIL 14, 1989
- 2 -
UNEMPLOYMENT AND UNDEREMPLOYMENT STATISTICS FOR DEC - FEB RELEASED *****
BOTH THE UNEMPLOYMENT RATE AND THE UNDEREMPOLYMENT RATE REMAINED AT A VERY LOW LEVEL DURING THE PERIOD DECEMBER 1988 -FEBRUARY 1989, ACCORDING TO THE LATEST LABOUR FORCE STATISTICS RELEASED TODAY (FRIDAY) BY THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT.
THESE FIGURES SHOW THAT THE LABOUR MARKET CONDITIONS WERE STILL VERY TIGHT.
THE SEASONALLY ADJUSTED UNEMPLOYMENT RATE FOR DECEMBER 1988 -FEBRUARY 1989 WAS 1.2 PER CENT COMPARED WITH 1.3 ‘PER CENT FOR THE THREE MONTHS ENDING NOVEMBER 1988 AND 1.6 PER CENT FOR THE CORRESPONDING PERIOD A YEAR EARLIER.
THE DECREASE OF 0.1 OF A PERCENTAGE POINT BELOW THE PRECEDING THREE MONTHS PERIOD IS STATISTICALLY NOT SIGNIFICANT WHILE THE DECREASE OF 0.4 OF A PERCENTAGE POINT BELOW THE CORRESPONDING PERIOD A YEAR EARLIER IS STATISTICALLY SIGNIFICANT.
THE NUMBER OF UNEMPOLYED PERSONS IN DECEMBER 1988 - FEBRUARY 1989 WAS ESTIMATED AT 33,600, COMPARED WITH 36,900 FOR THE THREE MONTHS ENDING NOVEMBER 1988 AND 44,600 FOR THE THREE MONTHS ENDING FEBRUARY 1988.
THE UNDEREMPLOYMENT RATE FOR DECEMBER 1988 - FEBRUARY 1989 WAS 0.6 PER CENT, WHICH WAS THE SAME AS THAT FOR THE THREE MONTHS ENDING NOVEMBER 1988. THE RATE FOR DECEMBER 1987 - FEBRUARY 1988 WAS 0.8 PER CENT.
THE DECREASE OF 0.2 OF A PERCENTAGE POINT BELOW THE CORRESPONDING PERIOD A YEAR EARLIER IS STATISTICALLY SIGNIFICANT.
THE ESTIMATED NUMBER OF UNDEREMPLOYED PERSONS FOR DECEMBER 1988 - FEBRUARY 1989 WAS 17,200, COMPARED WITH 18,100 FOR THE THREE MONTHS ENDING NOVEMBER 1988 AND 22,700 FOR THE THREE MONTHS ENDING FEBRUARY 1988.
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 UNDEREMPOLYED ONLY IF THEY WERE EITHER SEEKING OR AVAILABLE FOR MORE WORK.
COMMENTING ON THESE FIGURES, THE COMMISSIONER FOR CENSUS AND STATISTICS SAID THAT BECAUSE THE PROPORTION OF FIRST-TIME JOB-SEEKERS (FOR EXAMPLE, PEOPLE WHO HAVE JUST LEFT SCHOOL) VARIES FROM MONTH TO MONTH, UNEMPLOYMENT RATES THAT HAD BEEN SEASONALLY ADJUSTED TO TAKE ACCOUNT OF THE VARIATIONS IN THE NUMBER OF FIRST-TIME JOB-SEEKERS SHOULD BE USED IN MAKING COMPARISONS OVER TIME.
/THE COMMISSIONER .......
FRIDAY, APRIL 14, 1989
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 UNEMPLOYMENT AND UNDEREMPLOYMENT SITUATION.
THE PROVISIONAL SEASONALLY ADJUSTED UNEMPLOYMENT RATE FOR JANUARY - MARCH 1989 WAS 1.3 PER CENT AND THE PROVISIONAL UNDEREMPLOYMENT RATE WAS 0.8 PER CENT.
THE UNEMPLOYMENT AND UNDEREMPOLYMENT 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 51,000 PERSONS, SELECTED SCIENTIFICALLY TO REPRESENT THE LAND-BASED CIVILIAN NON-INSTITUTIONAL POPULATION IN HONG KONG.
PERSONAL AND LABOUR FORCE DATA WERE OBTAINED IN THE SURVEY BY INTERVIEWING EACH INDIVIDUAL MEMBER AGED 15 AND ABOVE IN THE HOUSEHOLDS SAMPLED. IN THE SURVEY, THE DEFINITIONS USED IN MEASURING UNEMPOLYMENT 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 MARCH 1989 SHOULD BE AVAILABLE FROM THE GOVERNMENT PUBLICATIONS CENTRE, GPO BUILDING, CONNAUGHT PLACE, CENTRAL AROUND JUNE 20, AT $10 PER COPY.
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PUBLIC ALERTED ON IMPOSTERS
♦ ♦ » t *
A LABOUR DEPARTMENT SPOKESMAN TODAY (FRIDAY) ADVISED PUBLIC TO REPORT TO THE DEPARTMENT OR THE POLICE IMMEDIATELY SUSPECTED CASES OF IMPERSONATION AS LABOUR OFFICERS.
THE ANY
THE SPOKESMAN SAID A REPORT HAD BEEN RECEIVED RECENTLY THAT A MAN CLAIMING TO BE A LABOUR OFFICER RANG UP A BISCUITS COMPANY AND ASKED FOR SUPPORT IN THE FORM OF ADVERTISEMENT PLACEMENT OR CASH DONATION FOR THE PUBLICATION OF A MAGAZINE FOR THE DISABLED.
HOWEVER, HE REFUSED TO GIVE HIS ADDRESS FOR IDENTIFICATION PURPOSES.
CONTACT TELEPHONE NUMBER OR
/THE CASE .......
FRIDAY, APRIL 14, 19^9 *
THE CASE WAS SUBSEQUENTLY REFERRED TO THE POLICE FOR INVESTIGATION.
COMMENTING ON THE INCIDENT, THE SPOKESMAN SAID DEPARTMENTAL OFFICERS ARE NOT PERMITTED TO PARTICIPATE IN ANY SORT OF FUND RAISING ACTIVITIES INVOLVING NON-GOVERNMENT ORGANISATIONS, i
"IF MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC HAVE ANY DOUBT ABOU1!' THE IDENTITY OF A CALLER WHO APPROACHES THEM FOR DONATIONS, THEY SHOULD CHECK WITH THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT OR REPORT IMMEDIATELY TO THE NEAREST POLICE STATION," HE SAID.
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KWUN TONG GEARS UP FOR FUTURE TRANSPORT NEEDS *****
KWUN TONG WAS UNDERGOING MAJOR CHANGES IN ITS TRAFFIC AND TRANSPORT SYSTEM TO GEAR UP FOR THE ANTICIPATED OPENING OF THE THREE MAJOR TUNNELS IN EAST KOWLOON WITHIN THE NEXT TWO YEARS, KWUN TONG DISTRICT OFFICER, MR CHRIS WAN, SAID THIS (FRIDAY) AFTERNOON.
"THE EASTERN HARBOUR CROSSING, WORK FOR WHICH COMMENCED IN 1986, IS EXPECTED TO BE OPENED THIS SUMMER. THE ROAD NETWORK OF THIS NEW CROSSING WILL BE LINKED WITH THOSE OF THE JUNK BAY TUNNEL TO BE COMPLETED NEXT YEAR AND THE TATE'S CAIRN TUNNEL SCHEDULED FOR OPENING IN 1991," HE ADDED.
ADDRESSING A LUNCHEON MEETING OF THE LIONS CLUB OF HONG KONG ISLAND, MR WAN POINTED OUT THAT ACCORDING TO THE EAST KOWLOON JOINT TRAFFIC STUDY WHICH ASSESSED THE LONG-TERM TRAFFIC AND TRANSPORT REQUIREMENTS IN EAST KOWLOON UP TO 1996, THERE WOULD BE DRASTIC CHANGES IN THE TRAFFIC PATTERN IN EAST KOWLOON FOLLOWING THE OPENING OF THE THREE TUNNELS.
TO COPE WITH THE FORECASTED INCREASE IN TRAFFIC VOLUME IN THE REGION, MR WAN SAID VARIOUS TRAFFIC AND TRANSPORT PROJECTS WERE NOW BEING CARRIED OUT IN KWUN TONG DISTRICT AT A TOTAL COST OF SOME $1.8 BILLION, WITH THE ULTIMATE PURPOSE OF IMPROVING THE OVERALL TRANSPORT SYSTEM IN THE TERRITORY.
THE PROJECTS INCLUDED KWUN TONG BY-PASS PHASE I ($498 MILLION), PHASE II ($989 MILLION), PHASE III ($326 MILLION), RECONSTRUCTION OF KWUN TONG ROAD ($35 MILLION) AND TRAFFIC MANAGEMENT SCHEME FOR KWUN TONG TOWN CENTRE AND INDUSTRIAL AREA ($40 MILLION).
MR WAN WENT ON TO SAY THAT MANY OF THE ASSOCIATED ROAD WORKS AND DIVERSIONS HAD TO BE FINISHED BEFORE THE OPENING OF THE EASTERN HARBOUR CROSSING.
AHEY are......
FRIDAY, APRIL 14, 1989
- 5 -
„m„THEY ARE THE TRAFFIC management scheme for town centre and INDUSTRIAL AREA, RECONSTRUCTION OF KWUN TONO ROAD, LEI YUE MUN ROAD, JUNK BAY ROAD/SAU MAU PINO ROAD INTERCHANGE AND THE EASTERN CROSS HARBOUR MAIN AND ASSOCIATED LAND MAINS.
'AS THESE WORKS PROJECTS ARE BEING CARRIED OUT IN FULL SWING ALMOST CONCURRENTLY, ROADS ARE OPENED AND DUG UP EVERYWHERE IN THE DISTRICT, GIVING RISE TO PUBLIC COMPLAINTS AGAINST DISRUPTION OF TRAFFIC FLOW AS WELL AS CAUSING NUISANCE AND INCONVENIENCE," HE NOTED.
MR WAN POINTED OUT THAT THE GOVERNMENT WAS WELL AWARE OF THE IMPORTANCE OF STRATEGIC PLANNING AND CO-ORDINATION DURING THE PROCESS OE ROAD RECONSTRUCTION AND DIVERSIONS IN ORDER TO MINIMISE INCONVENIENCE TO RESIDENTS.
"VIEWS ARE SOUGHT FROM AREA COMMITTEES AND THE DISTRICT BOARD BEFOI WORK COMMENCES AND WORKING GROUP MEETINGS ARE HELD REGULARLY AMONG DISTRICT OFFICE, THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT, HIGHWAYS DEPARTMENT AND THE POLICE TO MONITOR PROGRESS OF WORK AND ITS EFFECT ON LOCAL TRAFFIC SITUATION."
"WHEN NECESSARY, REDEPOLYMENT AND CONTINGENCY MEASURES WILL BE INTRODUCED TO ENSURE THAT VARIOUS WORKS PROJECTS ARE CARRIED OUT SMOOTHLY WITHOUT PARALYSING THE TRAFFIC SYSTEM," HE SAID.
TO EASE TRAFFIC CONGESTION ARISING FROM ROAD RECONSTRUCTION, MR WAN SAID MOST OF THE WORKS TOOK THE FORM OF SURFACING OR RECONSTRUCTION USING TAR, AND THAT THIS METHOD ENABLED THE ROADS TO BE RE-OPENED SOONER THAN BY USING CONCRETE.
"SOME OF THE WORKS ARE ALSO CARRIED OUT AT NIGHT OR ON SUNDAYS TO MINIMISE PROBLEMS TO TRAFFIC FLOW," HE ADDED.
"WHILE IT IS UNDOUBTEDLY THE RESPONSIBILITY OF THE GOVERNMENT TO DEAL WITH TRAFFIC CONGESTION, LOCAL INDUSTRIALISTS IN KWUN TONG CAN ALSO HELP CONTAIN THE PROBLEM IN THE INDUSTRIAL AREA," HE NOTED.
MR WAN SAID WHILE THERE WAS A HIGH VOLUME OF IN-COMING AS WELL AS OUT-GOING TRAFFIC IN THE KWUN TONG INDUSTRIAL AREA, WHERE 300-ODD INDUSTRIAL BUILDINGS WERE LOCATED, CONGESTION IN THE AREA COULD BE REDUCED WITH PROPER TRAFFIC MANAGEMENT.
"IF OWNERS OF INDUSTRIAL BUILDINGS CAN DEPLOY STAFF TO DIRECT IN-COMING AND OUT-GOING VEHICLES AT THE LOADING AND UNLOADING BAYS TO IMPROVE TRAFFIC FLOW, THE POSSIBILITY OF TRAFFIC JAMS WILL BE MINIMISED," HE SAID.
MR WAN SAID DOUBLE-PARKING, LOADING AND UNLOADING ACTIVITIES IN RESTRICTED AREAS AS WELL AS OBSTRUCTIONS ON THE PRIVATE PORTION OF REAR LANES DESIGNATED FOR LOADING/UNLOADING PURPOSES, WERE ALSO CAUSING TRAFFIC DELAY AND CONGESTION IN THE INDUSTRIAL AREA.
/HE THEREFORE .......
1 • i
FRIDAY, APRIL 14, 1989
- 6 -
HE THEREFORE URGED INDUSTRIALISTS TO EXERCISE SELF-DISCIPLINE TO HELP SOLVE THE PROBLEM OF TRAFFIC CONGESTION IN KWUN TONG.
HE ALSO CALLED ON RESIDENTS TO PUT UP WITH THE SHORT-TERM INCONVENIENCE ARISING FROM ALL HIGHWAY PROJECTS FOR THE SAKE OF THE LONG-TERM BENEFIT TO THE DISTRICT.
MIN FUTURE, KWUN TONG WILL NO LONGER BE CONSIDERED AS THE DEAD-END OF KOWLOON BUT A HUB IN THE TRUNK TRANSPORT NETWORK, WITH A GREAT POTENTIAL FOR DEVELOPMENT OF BOTH COMMERCIAL AND INDUSTRIAL ACTIVITIES,” NR WAN SAID.
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AMENDMENTS TO DRAFT TAI PO OZP ANNOUNCED * * * * ♦
THE TOWN PLANNING BOARD TODAY (FRIDAY) ANNOUNCED AMENDMENTS TO THE DRAFT TAI PO OUTLINE ZONING PLAN.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE BOARD SAID THE AMENDMENTS WERE TO TAKE ACCOUNT OF THE LATEST DEVELOPMENT PROPOSALS FOR TAI PO.
THE MAJOR AMENDMENTS INCLUDE THE GENERAL LAND USE REVISION IN AREA 33 TO THE WEST OF THE TAI PO INDUSTRIAL ESTATE FOR DEVELOPMENT OF A WATERFRONT PARK, AN INDOOR RECREATION CENTRE AND RECREATION GROUND, AND A BUS DEPOT.
A SITE AT THE SOUTHEASTERN CORNER OF THE TAI PO INDUSTRIAL ESTATE HAS BEEN REZONED FROM "GOVERNMENT/INSTITUTION/COMMUNITY" TO "OTHER SPECIFIED USES" AND ANNOTATED "INDUSTRIAL ESTATE" FOR INCORPORATION OF THE SITE INTO THE TAI PO INDUSTRIAL ESTATE, HE SAID.
OPPORTUNITY IS ALSO TAKEN TO REVISE THE LAND USE ZONINGS AND ZONING BOUNDARIES IN AREAS 9, 17, 22 AND 29 TO REFLECT THE PROPOSED DEVELOPMENTS IN THESE AREAS, INCLUDING THE PROPOSED HOSPITAL DEVELOPMENTS IN AREA 9, PART OF A HOME OWNERSHIP SCHEME DEVELOPMENT IN AREA 17, AND A SECONDARY SCHOOL IN AREA 22.
ALSO, AN EXTENSIVE AREA IN CHUK HANG, AREA 29 HAS BEEN REZONED FROM "OPEN SPACE" TO "GREEN BELT" IN VIEW OF THE TOPOGRAPHY OF THE AREA WHICH IS NOT SUITABLE FOR OPEN SPACE DEVELOPMENT.
THE AMENDMENTS TO THE DRAFT PLAN MAY BE INSPECTED AT THE FOLLOWING OFFICES:
* THE TOWN PLANNING OFFICE, BUILDINGS AND LANDS DEPARTMENT, FOURTH FLOOR, MURRAY BUILDING, GARDEN ROAD, HONG KONG;
♦ THE PUBLIC ENQUIRY SUB-OFFICE OF THE CENTRAL AND WESTERN DISTRICT OFFICE, CENTRAL GOVERNMENT OFFICES, WEST WING ENTRANCE, HONG KONG; AND
/• TAI PO
FRIDAY, APRIL 14, 1989
7
» TAI PO DISTRICT OFFICE, TAI PO GOVERNMENT OFFICES BUILDING, TING KOK ROAD, TAI PO, NEW TERRITORIES.
ANY PERSON AFFECTED BY THE AMENDMENT PLAN MAY SUBMIT HIS OBJECTION IN WRITING TO THE SECRETARY OF THE TOWN PLANNING BOARD, C/O BUILDINGS AND LANDS DEPARTMENT, FOURTH FLOOR, MURRAY BUILDING, GARDEN ROAD, HONG KONG BY MAY 5 THIS YEAR.
COPIES OF THE AMENDMENT PLAN ARE AVAILABLE AT THE MAP AND PLAN SALES SECTION, SURVEY AND MAPPING OFFICE, BUILDINGS AND LANDS DEPARTMENT, 14TH FLOOR, MURRAY BUILDING, GARDEN ROAD, HONG KONG; AND THE KOWLOON MAP AND PLAN SALES SECTION, 382 NATHAN ROAD, KOWLOON.
THE PRICE IS S10 FOR EACH UNCOLOURED VERSION AND S60 FOR A COLOURED ONE.
MEANWHILE, THE GOVERNOR IN COUNCIL HAS REFERRED THREE DRAFT OUTLINE ZONING PLANS, WHICH ARE SUBJECT TO FURTHER REVISIONS, BACK TO THE TOWN PLANNING BOARD FOR FURTHER CONSIDERATION AND AMENDMENTS.
THEY ARE THE DRAFT OUTLINE ZONING PLANS COVERING TSIM SHA TSUI, HUNG HOM AND NGAU TAU KOK/KOWLOON BAY.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE BOARD SAID THE THREE PLANS ARE STILL SUBJECT TO REVISIONS AND ARE THEREFORE NOT READY FOR APPROVAL AT THIS STAGE.
POSSIBLE AMENDMENTS INCLUDE THE MARINE POLICE HEADQUARTERS IN TSIM SHA TSUI WHICH IS UNDER CONSIDERATION FOR PRESERVATION AS A HISTORICAL BUILDING, LAND USE PROPOSALS FOR THE HUNG HOM BAY RECLAMATION AND THE PROPOSED EXPANSION OF THE HONG KONG INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT.
SHOULD THE PLANS BE AMENDED IN FUTURE, THE AMENDMENTS WOULD BE EXHIBITED FOR PUBLIC COMMENTS AND OBJECTIONS IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE PROVISIONS OF THE TOWN PLANNING ORDINANCE, THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
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ROAD TRAFFIC ORDINANCE TO COVER PRIVATE ROADS » » » » »
THE ROAD TRAFFIC ORDINANCE AND ITS SUBSIDIARY REGULATIONS HAVE BEEN AMENDED TO EXTEND TO PRIVATE ROADS, THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCED TODAY (FRIDAY).
THE NEW LEGISLATION WILL COME INTO EFFECT ON JULY 1 THIS YEAR.
THE ASSISTANT COMMISSIONER FOR TRANSPORT, MR BRIAN COAK, SAID THE SPIRIT OF THE NEW LEGISLATION IS TO ENSURE PUBLIC SAFETY ON PRIVATE ROADS AND TO EMPOWER THE OWNERS OF PRIVATE ROADS TO MANAGE THE PARKING OF VEHICLES MORE EFFECTIVELY.
/A CODE .......
FRIDAY, APRIL 1<t, 1989
8
A CODE OF PRACTICE FOR PRIVATE ROADS HAS BEEN ISSUED AS A GUIDE TO ESTATE OWNERS, DEVELOPERS AND MANAGEMENT ON THE APPLICATION OF THE LAW, IN PARTICULAR REGARDING THE ERECTION OF TRAFFIC SIGNS AND PLACEMENT OF ROAD MARKINGS.
COPIES OF THE CODE OF PRACTICE, IN BOTH CHINESE AND ENGLISH ARE AVAILABLE FROM THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT HEADQUARTERS ON THE 28TH FLOOR, QUEENSWAY GOVERNMENT OFFICES, HONG KONG. ,
DISTRICT OFFICES WILL BEGIN DISTRIBUTING COPIES OF THE CODE OF PRACTICE TO OWNERS’ INCORPORATIONS IN THEIR DISTRICTS IN TWO WEEKS.
UNDER THE NEW LAW, A PERSON WHO DRIVES A MOTOR VEHICLE ON PRIVATE ROAD MUST COMPLY WITH THE ROAD TRAFFIC ORDINANCE AND I ' SUBSIDIARY REGULATIONS. HE IS LIABLE TO PROSECUTION FOR OFFENCES LIKE RECKLESS DRIVING, CARELESS DRIVING AND DRIVING WITHOUT A VALID DRIVING LICENCE.
THE TRAFFIC ACCIDENT VICTIMS ASSISTANCE FUND SCHEME WILL BF EXTENDED TO PROVIDE FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE TO VICTIMS OF ACCIDENTS ON PRIVATE ROADS, MR COAK NOTED.
A MOTOR VEHICLE USED EXCLUSIVELY ON A PRIVATE ROAD WILL HAVE TO BE REGISTERED, LICENSED AND INSURED AGAINST THIRD PARTY RISKS. IT WILL ALSO HAVE TO COMPLY WITH THE LEGAL REQUIREMENTS IN CONSTRUCTION AND MAINTENANCE.
"A THREE-MONTH GRACE PERIOD FROM THE COMMENCEMENT OF THE LEGISLATION IS PROVIDED FOR VEHICLE OWNERS TO COMPLETE THE PROCEDURES FOR REGISTRATION, LICENSING AND ISSUE OF PERMITS," MR COAK SAID.
THE NEW LEGISLATION ALSO AUTHORISES PRIVATE ROAD OWNERS TO ERECT OR PLACE CERTAIN TRAFFIC SIGNS AND ROAD MARKINGS AND TO CONTROJ, PARKING ON PRIVATE ROADS.
OWNERS OF PRIVATE ROADS ARE EMPOWERED BY THE NEW LEGISLATION TO DESIGNATE "NO PARKING” AREAS, DETAIN OR IMPOUND UNLAWFULLY PARKED CARS AND CHARGE FOR SUCH DETENTION AND IMMOBILISATION A FEE AS SPECIFIED IN THE LAW.
SOME AREAS ARE GIVEN SPECIAL CONSIDERATIONS. FOR INSTANCE, THE NEW LAW WILL NOT APPLY TO THE RESTRICTED ROAD IN THE AIRPORT, WHICH WILL CONTINUE TO BE REGULATED BY THE HONG KONG AIRPORT (TRAFFIC) REGULATIONS.
IN AREAS WHOLLY OR MAINLY USED FOR CONSTRUCTION AND INDUSTRIAL ACTIVITY, THE NON-COMPLIANCE OF CERTAIN OFFENCES WILL BE ALLOWED. HOWEVER, OFFENCES LIKE RECKLESS DRIVING AND CARELESS DRIVING WILL STILL APPLY.
IN CERTAIN CIRCUMSTANCES, GOLF CARTS MAY BE GRANTED A PERMIT TO BE USED ON ROADS AND WILL BE TREATED AS VILLAGE VEHICLES. OWNERS SHOULD OBTAIN A VALID VILLAGE VEHICLE PERMIT AND HAVE A THIRD PARTY INSURANCE POLICY. THE DRIVERS SHOULD HAVE A VALID DRIVING LICENCE TO DRIVE IN DESIGNATED AREAS.
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/9........
FRIDAY, APRIL 14, 1989
FIRST WHOLESALE MARKET CATERING TO MULTIPLE TRADES
*****
THE FIRST WHOLESALE MARKET IN THE WORLD TO CATER TO FIVE DIFFERENT TRADES WITHIN A SINGLE MULTI-LEVEL COMPLEX IS TO BE BUILT IN KENNEDY TOWN.
THE WESTERN WHOLESALE MARKET, WHICH WILL BE BUILT IN TWO PHASES, WILL EVENTUALLY OCCUPY A SITE AREA OF 6.20 HECTARES.
A S245 MILLION CONTRACT WAS AWARDED BY THE ARCHITECTURAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT TODAY (FRIDAY) FOR CONSTRUCTION OF THE PHASE I SUPERSTRUCTURE. IT WILL OCCUPY A SITE AREA OF 4.55 HECTARES.
WHOLESALE FACILITIES FOR FISH, FRUITS AND EGGS WILL BE PROVIDED IN THE TWO-STOREY MARKET OF PHASE I WHILE PHASE II WILL CATER FOR THE SALE OF POULTRY AND VEGETABLES.
PROJECT ARCHITECT, MR STEPHEN HO, SAID THE MARKET IS DESIGNED FOR OPERATION ROUND-THE-CLOCK AND EVERY DAY OF THE YEAR. SPECIAL DESIGN FEATURES WILL BE BUILT IN TO MAINTAIN THE MARKET AT A HIGH HYGIENIC STANDARD.
"THE DRAINAGE SYSTEM OF EACH INDIVIDUAL MARKET IS DESIGNED TO BE SEALED TO PREVENT THE PASSAGE OF ODOUR ALONG WITH EFFLUENT THROUGH OTHER MARKETS.
"DUE CONSIDERATION HAS BEEN GIVEN TO THE TREATMENT OF VARIOUS TYPES OF LIQUID AND SOLID WASTE RESULTED FROM ALL THE TRADES.
"A SEWERAGE SCREENING PLANT AND BALANCING TANK WOULD ALSO BE INSTALLED TO REGULATE THE DISCHARGE OF EFFLUENT TO THE PUBLIC SEWER.
"ALL THE CRITERIA AND STANDARDS LAID DOWN BY THE ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION DEPARTMENT HAVE BEEN FULLY MET," MR HO SAID.
THE MARKET WILL BE SERVED BY FIVE PIERS ALONG ITS 500-METRE SEAFRONT, EACH INSTALLED WITH PURPOSE DESIGNED MECHANISED EQUIPMENT FOR LOADING AND UNLOADING OF PRODUCE AND LIVESTOCK.
ANCILLARY FACILITIES TO BE BUILT INCLUDE A RESTAURANT, TWO BANKS, BARRACKS AND OFFICES FOR AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES DEPARTMENT STAFF, WHO WILL ADMINISTER THE MARKET.
THE 51,000 SQUARE METRES IN GROSS FLOOR AREA UNDER PHASE I WILL ACCOMMODATE 255 STALLS SELLING EITHER FISH, FRUITS OR EGGS.
OVER 200 LORRY PARKING SPACES AND 20 CONTAINER PARKING SPACES WILL ALSO BE PROVIDED FOR.
CONSTRUCTION WORK ON PHASE I WILL START AT THE END OF THIS MONTH. PHASE II WORKS WILL COMMENCE AFTER THE COMPLETION OF FIRST PHASE WORKS IN ABOUT TWO YEARS.
- O - -
/10
FRIDAY» APRIL 14, 1989
10 -
LAYING OF OPTICAL FIBRE SUBMARINE CABLE » * ♦ « «
THE GOVERNMENT INTENDS TO GRANT A WAYLEAVE TO THE HONG KONG TELEPHONE COMPANY LIMITED TO LAY AN OPTICAL FIBRE SUBMARINE CABLE WITHIN AN AREA OF APPROXIMATELY TWO HECTARES OF FORESHORE AND SEABED ACROSS SHEUNG SZ MUN BETWEEN STANLEY PENINSULA AND CAPE D'AGUILAR.
THE CABLE WILL BE USED TO OPERATE TELECOMMUNICATION SERVICES.
THE EXTENT OF THE AREA AFFECTED IS DESCRIBED IN A NOTICE PUBLISHED IN THE GAZETTE TODAY (FRIDAY).
THE NOTICE, TOGETHER WITH ITS RELATED PLAN, CAN BE SEEN ON NOTICE BOARDS POSTED NEAR THE SITE.
THE PLAN CAN ALSO BE SEEN AT THE FOLLOWING OFFICES:
» THE BUILDINGS AND LANDS DEPARTMENT SURVEY AND MAPPING OFFICE, 14TH FLOOR, MURRAY BUILDING, GARDEN ROAD, HONG KONG;
» THE CENTRAL AND WESTERN DISTRICT OFFICE, CENTRAL ENQUIRY SUB-OFFICE, CENTRAL GOVERNMENT OFFICES, WEST WING, MAIN ENTRANCE LOBBY, HONG KONG;
» HONG KONG SOUTH DISTRICT LANDS OFFICE, 20TH FLOOR, SOUTHORN CENTRE, 130 HENNESSY ROAD, WAN CHAI, HONG KONG;
» SOUTHERN DISTRICT OFFICE, SHOP 25, GROUND FLOOR, MEI FUNG COURT, 7-11 NAM NING STREET, ABERDEEN, HONG KONG; AND
» THE STANLEY SUB-OFFICE OF THE SOUTHERN DISTRICT OFFICE, 88 STANLEY VILLAGE ROAD, STANLEY, HONG KONG.
ANY PERSON WHO CONSIDERS THAT HE HAS AN INTEREST, RIGHT OR EASEMENT IN OR OVER THE FORESHORE AND SEABED INVOLVED MAY SUBMIT A WRITTEN OBJECTION TO THE DIRECTOR OF BUILDINGS AND LANDS ON OR BEFORE JUNE 13, 1989.
-------o----------
1988 REVIEW OF OVERSEAS TRADE PUBLISHED * t » * t
THE HONG KONG REVIEW OF OVERSEAS TRADE IN 1988 WILL BE ON SALE FROM TOMORROW (SATURDAY).
IT CONTAINS A BRIEF TEXT ON HONG KONG’S EXTERNAL TRADE PERFORMANCE IN 1988, 13 GRAPHS AND 38 STATISTICAL TABLES SHOWING COMPARATIVE FIGURES FOR 1988 AND EARLIER YEARS.
AHE REVIEW.........
FRIDAY, APRIL 1*1, 19&9
- 11
THE REVIEW PRESENTS A SUMMARY' ACCOUNT OF THE SIGNIFICANT CHANGES IN THE DIRECTION AND COMPOSITION OF HONG KONG’S EXTERNAL TRADE IN 1988.
A CONCISE AND COMPREHENSIVE ANALYSIS OF TRADE BY MAJOR TRADING PARTNERS AND BY PRINCIPAL COMMODITY CATEGORIES, -AND STATISTICS ON HONG KONG’S EXPORTS PERFORMANCE IN WORLD TRADE AND IN PRINCIPAL OVERSEAS MARKETS AS COMPARED WITH OUR MAJOR COMPETITORS, ARE INCLUDED IN THE PUBLICATION.
STATISTICS ON EXCHANGE RATES OF THE HONG KONG bOL^AR AGAINST PRINCIPAL FOREIGN CURRENCIES AND THE EFFECTIVE (TRADE-WEIGHTED) EXCHANGE RATE INDEX ARE ALSO PROVIDED.
ACCORDING TO THE REVIEW, IMPORTS ROSE BY 32 PER CENT IN VALUE IN 1988 OVER 1987, WHICH WAS SLIGHTLY LOWER THAN THE 37 PER CENT INCREASE RECORDED IN 1987 OVER 1986.
SUBSTANTIAL INCREASES WERE RECORDED IN THE VALUE OF IMPORTS FROM CHINA (BY $38,277 MILLION OR 33 PER CENT) AND JAPAN (BY $21,103 MILLION OR 29 PER CENT), WHILE DECREASES WERE RECORDED IN IMPORTS FROM MACAU (BY $73 MILLION OR 3 PER CENT) AND SUDAN (BY $68 MILLION OR 80 PER CENT).
DOMESTIC EXPORTS GREW BY 11 PER CENT tN VALUE IN 1988, AFTER AN INCREASE OF 27 PER CENT RECORDED IN 1987.
DOMESTIC EXPORTS TO CHINA INCREASED SIGNIFICANTLY BY $10,172 MILLION OR 36 PER CENT WHILE THOSE TO THE UNITED KINGDOM BY $2,620 MILLION OR 20 PER CENT. HOWEVER, THE VALUE OF DOMESTIC EXPORTS TO BANGLADESH DECREASED BY $205 MILLION OR 32 PER CENT.
ANALYSED BY COMMODITY, SUBSTANTIAL GROWTH IN IMPORT VALUE WAS REGISTERED FOR ELECTRICAL MACHINERY, APPARATUS AND APPLIANCES AND ELECTRICAL PARTS THEREOF (BY $17,529 MILLION OR 50 PER CENT); AND TELECOMMUNICATIONS AND SOUND RECORDING AND REPRODUCING APPARATUS AND EQUIPMENT (BY $11,159 MILLION OR 51 PER CENT).
HOWEVER, DECREASES WERE RECORDED IN TRANSPORT EQUIPMENT OTHER THAN ROAD VEHICLES (BY $614 MILLION OR 18 PER CENT); AND RAW HIDES, SKINS AND FURSKINS (BY $251 MILLION OR 10 PER CENT). ,
OVER THE SAME PERIOD OF COMPARISON, INCREASES IN THE VALUE OF DOMESTIC EXPORTS WERE RECORDED IN OFFICE MACHINES AND AUTOMATIC DATA PROCESSING EQUIPMENT (BY $4,524 MILLION OR 48 PER CENT); AND PHOTOGRAPHIC APPARATUS, EQUIPMENT AND SUPPLIES AND OPTICAL GOODS (BY $3,671 MILLION OR 23 PER CENT).
HOWEVER, DECREASES WERE REGISTERED FOR DOMESTIC EXPORTS OF TEXTILE YARN, FABRICS, MADE-UP ARTICLES AND RELATED PRODUCTS (BY $454 MILLION OR 3 PER CENT); AND TRAVEL GOODS, HANDBAGS AND SIMILAR CONTAINERS (BY $190 MILLION OR 11 PER CENT).
/RE-EXPORTS GREW
FRIDAY, APRIL 1C, 1989
- 12 -
RE-EXPORTS GREW SIGNIFICANTLY BY 51 PER CENT IN VALUE IN 1988, WHICH WAS SLIGHTLY ABOVE THE 49 PER CENT INCREASE IN 1987.
RE-EXPORTS TO CHINA AND TO THE U.S.A. INCREASED SIGNIFICANTLY BY $34,725 MILLION OR 58 PER CENT, AND BY $ 17,028.MILLION OR 52 PER CENT RESPECTIVELY. HOWEVER, DECREASES WERE RECORDED IN RE-EXPORTS TO DOMINICAN REPUBLIC (BY $31 MILLION OR 26 PER CENT) AND TO JAMAICA (BY $29 MILLION OR 19 PER CENT).
COMMODITIES WITH SUBSTANTIAL GROWTH IN RE-EXPORT VALUE INCLUDED ELECTRICAL MACHINERY, APPARATUS AND APPLIANCES AND ELECTRICAL PARTS THEREOF (BY $12,705 MILLION OR 80 PER CENT); AND MISCELLANEOUS MANUFACTURED ARTICLES, INCLUDING MAINLY BABY CARRIAGES, TOYS, GAMES AND SPORTING GOODS (BY $10,444 MILLION OR 58 PER CENT).
HOWEVER, DECREASES WERE REGISTERED FOR OIL SEEDS AND OLEAGINOUS FRUIT (BY $107 MILLION OR 26 PER CENT); AND EXPLOSIVES AND PYROTECHNIC PRODUCTS (BY $34 MILLION OR 5 PER CENT).
IN 1988, THE VALUE OF RE-EXPORTS OF CHINA ORIGIN INCREASED SIGNIFICANTLY BY $47,260 MILLION OR 56 PER CENT, WITH THE LARGEST INCREASE RECORDED IN MISCELLANEOUS MANUFACTURED ARTICLES, INCLUDING MAINLY BABY CARRIAGES, TOYS, GAMES AND SPORTING GOODS (BY $9,380 MILLION OR 65 PER CENT).
THE U.S.A. REMAINED THE LARGEST MARKET, FOR RE-EXPORTS OF CHINA ORIGIN THROUGH HONG KONG, ABSORBING 33 PER CENT OF SUCH RE-EXPORTS.
THE MAJOR GROWTH IN RE-EXPORTS OF CHINA ORIGIN TO THIS MARKET WAS RECORDED IN MISCELLANEOUS MANUFACTURED ARTICLES, INCLUDING MAINLY BABY CARRIAGES, TOYS, GAMES AND SPORTING GOODS (BY $4,504 MILLION OR 54 PER CENT).
THE VALUE OF AIRBORNE TRADE IN 1988, REPRESENTING 21 PER CENT OF THE TOTAL MERCHANDISE TRADE, INCREASED BY $46,137 MILLION OR 28 PER CENT AS COMPARED WITH 1987.
IN TERMS OF TONNAGE, AIRBORNE TRADE CONSTITUTED ONLY ABOUT 1 PER CENT OF TOTAL TRADE.
SUBSTANTIAL INCREASES IN THE VALUE OF AIRBORNE TRADE WERE REGISTERED FOR IMPORTS FROM JAPAN (BY $6,628 MILLION OR 40 PER CENT), DOMESTIC EXPORTS TO THE U.S.A. (BY $2,069 MILLION OR 8 PER CENT), AND RE-EXPORTS TO THE U.S.A. (BY $2,359 MILLION OR 32 PER CENT).
ANALYSED BY COMMODITY, AIRBORNE IMPORTS OF ELECTRICAL MACHINERY, APPARATUS AND APPLIANCES AND ELECTRICAL PARTS THEREOF INCREASED BY $8,669 MILLION OR 45 PER CENT, WHILE DOMESTIC EXPORTS BY AIR OF PHOTOGRAPHIC APPARATUS EQUIPMENT AND SUPPLIES AND OPTICAL GOODS INCREASED BY $2,980 MILLION OR 28 PER CENT.
/AIRBORNE RE-EXPORTS .......
FRIDAY, APRIL 14, 1989
AIRBORNE RE-EXPORTS OF ELECTRICAL MACHINERY, APPARATUS AND APPLIANCES AND ELECTRICAL PARTS THEREOF GREW BY $5,119 MILLION OR 57 PER CENT,
AS REGARDS SEABORNE TRADE, WHICH ACCOUNTED FOR 53 PER CENT IN VALUE OF TOTAL MERCHANDISE TRADE IN 1988, AN INCREASE OF $116,466 MILLION OR 28 PER CENT WAS RECORDED.
IN TERMS OF TONNAGE, 89 PER CENT OF TOTAL TRADE WAS CARRIED BY SEA IN 1988.
SIGNIFICANT INCREASES WERE RECORDED IN THE' VALUE OF SEABORNE IMPORTS FROM JAPAN (BY $14,453 MILLION OR 26 PER CENT), SEABORNE DOMESTIC EXPORTS TO THE UNITED KINGDOM (BY $1,611 MILLION OR 16 PER CENT) AND SEABORNE RE-EXPORTS TO THE U.S.A. (BY $14,646 MILLION OR 58 PER CENT).
ANALYSED BY COMMODITY, THE VALUE OF SEABORNE IMPORTS OF ARTIFICIAL RESINS AND PLASTIC MATERIALS AND CELLULOSE ESTERS AND ETHERS INCREASED BY $8,815 MILLION OR 84 PER CENT, AND SEABORNE DOMESTIC EXPORTS OF OFFICE MACHINES AND AUTOMATIC DATA PROCESSING EQUIPMENT INCREASED BY $2,066 MILLION OR 56 PER CENT.
AN INCREASE IN SEABORNE RE-EXPORTS WAS RECORDED IN MISCELLANEOUS MANUFACTURED ARTICLES, INCLUDING MAINLY BABY CARRIAGES, TOYS, GAMES AND SPORTING GOODS (BY $9,152 MILLION OR 63 PER CENT).
THE REVIEW ALSO PRESENTS UNIT VALUE INDEXES AND QUANTUM INDEXES WHICH ARE USEFUL IN ASSESSING THE PRICE AND VOLUME MOVEMENTS OF EXTERNAL TRADE.
DURING 1988, IN TERMS OF VOLUME, IMPORTS INCREASED BY 27 PER CENT, DOMESTIC EXPORTS ROSE BY 9 PER CENT, WHILE RE-EXPORTS INCREASED BY 46 PER CENT AS COMPARED WITH 1987.
DOMESTIC EXPORT VOLUME OF A NUMBER OF PRINCIPAL COMMODITIES DECREASED IN 1988. COMMODITIES WITH MORE SIGNIFICANT DECREASES INCLUDED RADIOS OF ALL KINDS (-35 PER CENT), TRAVEL GOODS, HANDBAGS AND SIMILAR ARTICLES (-12 PER CENT).
HOWEVER, THESE DECREASES WERE MORE THAN OFFSET BY SUBSTANTIAL INCREASES RECORDED IN ELECTRONIC COMPONENTS (BY 44 PER CENT); WATCHES AND CLOCKS (BY 20 PER CENT); METAL MANUFACTUERS (BY 19 PER CENT) AND METAL ORES AND SCRAP (BY 18 PER CENT).
SIGNIFICANT INCREASES WERE ALSO RECORDED IN THE IMPORT VOLUME OF CONSUMER GOODS (BY 32 PER CENT); CAPITAL GOODS (BY 29 PER CENT); AND RAW MATERIALS AND SEMI-MANUFACTURES (BY 25 PER CENT).
AS FOR THE VOLUME OF RE-EXPORTS, SUBSTANTIAL INCREASES WERE REGISTERED FOR FUELS (BY 58 PER CENT); CAPITAL GOODS (BY 49 PER CENT) AND CONSUMER GOODS (BY 48 PER CENT).
/BASED ON .......
FRIDAY, APRIL 1U, 1989
- 14
BASED ON UNIT VALUE INDEXES, IMPORT PRICES ROSE BY 4 PER CENT WHILE TOTAL EXPORT PRICES INCREASED BY 3 PER CENT.
AS A RESULT, THE TERMS OF TRADE INDEX, DEFINED AS THE RATIO OF THE TOTAL EXPORT PRICE INDEX TO THE IMPORT PRICE INDEX, DROPPED BY 1 PER CENT, WITHIN TOTAL EXPORTS, THE PRICES OF DOMESTIC EXPORTS AND REEXPORTS INCREASED BY 2 PER CENT AND 3 PER CENT RESPECTIVELY.
ACCORDING TO THE COMPARATIVE INTERNATIONAL STATISTICS IN THE REVIEW, HONG KONG WAS THE LARGEST WORLD EXPORTER OF IMITATION JEWELLERY IN 1987.
HONG KONG WAS ALSO THE SECOND LARGEST EXPORTER OF CLOTHING (FOLLOWING ITALY), TOYS AND GAMES (FOLLOWING TAIWAN), AND COMPLETE WATCHES (FOLLOWING SWITZERLAND). HONG KONG RANKED FIFTH REGARDING EXPORTS OF RADIO-BROADCAST RECEIVERS (FOLLOWING JAPAN, THE REPUBLIC OF KOREA, TAIWAN AND SINGAPORE) AND PRECIOUS METAL JEWELLERY (FOLLOWING ITALY, THE UNITED KINGDOM, SWITZERLAND AND THE FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF GERMANY).
THE REIVEW IS NOW ON SALE AT THE GOVERNMENT PUBLICATIONS CENTRE, GPO BUILDING, CENTRAL AT $20 PER COPY. ENQUIRIES MAY BE DIRECTED TO THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT AT TEL. NO.: 5-8234915.
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RATEPAYERS GIVEN REMINDER ON SECOND QUARTER PAYMENT
*****
RATEPAYERS SHOULD FOR THE QUARTER APRIL I
BY
TO
NOW HAVE
JUNE 30, AOOORDANCK WITH THE HATING OHDINANL'Ii, A SAID TODAY (FRIDAY).
RECEIVED DEMAND NOTES
1989 WHICH SPOKESMAN
ABE KUH
FOR RATES
DENAWW IN
Tlife
TitfeASUKY
ANY RATEPAYER WHO HAS NOT RECEIVED RATES DEMAND NOTE OF ANY PREVIOUS QUARTER THE FOLLOWING OFFICES:
A DEMAND NOTE MAY AND MAKE PAYMENT AT
BRING A ANY OF
*
THE TREASURY CENTRAL COLLECTION GOVERNMENT OFFICES (WEST WING), KONG;
AND PAYMENT OFFICE, CENTRAL 11 ICE HOUSE STREET, HONG
* THE NORTH POINT SUB-TREASURY, ODEON BUILDING, FIRST FLOOR, 28 SHU KUK STREET, HONG KONG;
THE YAU MA TEI SUB-TREASURY, FOURTH FLOOR, 405 NATHAN (MARKET STREET ENTRANCE), KOWLOON;
ROAD,
/• THE KOWLOON
FRIDAY, APRIL 14, 1989
- 15 -
» THE KOWLOON CITY SUB-TREASURY, MAN SANG COMMERCIAL BUILDING, FIRST FLOOR, 348-352 PRINCE EDWARD ROAD (CORNER OF PRINCE EDWARD ROAD AND JUNCTION ROAD), KOWLOON.
ANY RATEPAYER WHO HAS NOT RECEIVED A DEMAND NOTE AND CANNOT PRODUCE A RATES DEMAND NOTE FOR ANY PREVIOUS QUARTER SHOULD INQUIRE AT THE TREASURY RATES SECTION, CENTRAL GOVERNMENT OFFICES (WEST W'NG), NINTH FLOOR, 11 ICE HOUSE STREET, HONG KONG.
NON-RECEIPT OF THE DEMAND NOTE DOES NOT ALTER THE REQUIREMENT THAT THE RATES MUST BE PAID BY NOON ON APRIL 29, 1989 AND UNLESS SO PAID RATEPAYERS MAY BE SUBJECT TO A SURCHARGE . OF FIVE PER CENT IMPOSED UNDER SECTION 22 OF THE RATING ORDINANCE.
A FURTHER SURCHARGE OF 10 PER CENT MAY BE ADDED TO ACCOUNTS (INCLUDING THE NORMAL FIVE PER CENT SURCHARGE) WHICH REMAIN UNPAID SIX MONTHS AFTER THE DUE DATE.
RATEPAYERS WHO HAVE SUBMITTED A VALID DIRECT EBIT AUTHORISATION SHOULD NOTE THAT PAYMENT SHOULD BE MADE BY POST, OR IN PERSON AS STIPULATED IN THE DEMAND NOTE UNLESS THE WORDING "PAYMENT WILL BE MADE BY AUTOPAY" IS SHOWN IN THE DEMAND NOTE.
IN THIS CASE THEIR PAYMENT OF RATES WILL BE MADE BY DIRECT DEBIT TO THEIR BANK ACCOUNTS ON APRIL 29, 1989. RATEPAYERS SHOULD ENSURE THAT THEIR BANK ACCOUNTS CONTAIN THE NECESSARY FUNDS ON THAT DATE.
RATEPAYERS ARE ALSO ADVISED THAT THE AMOUNT PAYABLE ON OR BEFORE THE ABOVE-MENTIONED DATE IS INDICATED ON THE DEMAND NOTE B AN ARROW-HEAD IN THE "TOTAL AMOUNT DUE" BOX.
RATES ARE PAYABLE ON VACANT PROPERTIES BUT ARE REFUNDABLE UNDER THE CONDITIONS SPECIFIED IN SECTION 30 OF THE ORDINANCE.
UNDER SECTION 30(1A) AND (2A), HOWEVER, NO REFUNDS WIL PAYABLE IN THE CASE OF A VACANT TENEMENT LAST USED OR INTENDED TO BE USED WHOLLY OR PRIMARILY FOR DOMESTIC PURPOSES OR FOR THE PARKIN OF VEHICLES (UNLESS VACANT BY REASON OF AN ORDER OF THE GOVERNMENT).
TO AVOID THE POSSIBLE INCONVENIENCE OF QUEUEING, RATEPAYERS ARE URGED TO PAY BY CHEQUE OR MONEY ORDER SENT BY POST OR BY EARLY PERSONAL ATTENDANCE AT ANY OF THE OFFICES LISTED ON THE BACK OF HE DEMAND NOTE.
-----0------
/16........
FRIDAY, APRIL 14, 1989
- 16 -
REGIONAL SECRETARY VISITS TSUEN WAN
*****
THE REGIONAL SECRETARY FOR THE NEW TERRITORIES, MR ADOLF HSU, TODAY (FRIDAY) TOURED TSUEN WAN AND SAW THE LATEST DEVELOPMENTS OF THIS FIRST GENERATION NEW TOWN.
MR HSU FIRST WENT TO THE ROOFTOP OF A RIVIERA GARDENS BUILDING FOR A PANORAMIC VIEW OF TSUEN WAN OLD TOWN AND THE COASTAL AREAS.
HE WAS BRIEFED BY TSUEN WAN DISTRICT OFFICER, MR WILLIAM SHIU, ON THE DISTRICT’S DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMMES WHICH INCLUDED THE WATERFRONT RECLAMATION AND THE OPENING UP OF SHING MUN VALLEY. THE TWO PROGRAMMES COULD PROVIDE A TOTAL OF 37 HECTARES OF LAND FOR-RECREATIONAL USE.
A NUMBER OF HOUSING ESTATES AND A NEW 900-ROOM HOTEL WOULD BE COMPLETED SHORTLY, MR HSU WAS TOLD.
THE REGIONAL SECRETARY LATER WENT ON TO SEE THE PROGRESS OF CONSTRUCTION OF THE SEVEN-KILOMETRE LONG ROUTE 5 WHICH, WHEN COMPLETED IN 1990, WOULD PROVIDE A FAST ROUTE BETWEEN TSUEN WAN AND SHA TIN AND FORM PART OF THE NEW TERRITORIES CIRCULAR ROUTE.
HE ALSO MET DISTRICT BOARD MEMBERS AND RURAL COMMITTEE MEMBERS TO EXCHANGE VIEWS ON DISTRICT MATTERS.
-------0----------
DB MEMBERS VIEW TRAFFIC SITUATION IN CENTRAL
*****
EIGHT CENTRAL AND WESTERN DISTRICT BOARD MEMBERS THIS (FRIDAY) -AFTERNOON TOURED CENTRAL DISTRICT TO SEE THE EFFECTS OF ROAD WORKS ON TRAFFIC ALONG CONNAUGHT ROAD.
THEY VISITED ROAD JUNCTIONS AT MORRISON STREET, MAN WAH LANE, RUMSEY STREET, QUEEN VICTORIA STREET AND ICE HOUSE STREET WHICH WERE AFFECTED BY THE ROAD WORKS.
THE VISIT WAS ORGANISED BY THE CENTRAL AND WESTERN DISTRICT OFFICE IN RESPONSE TO CONCERN EXPRESSED BY MEMBERS ON THE TRAFFIC CONGESTION ALONG CONNAUGHT ROAD.
"AN EARLY COMPLETION OF THE CONSTRUCTION AND OTHER ANCILLARY WORKS ALONG CONNAUGHT ROAD CENTRAL WILL HELP EASE THE TRAFFIC SITUATION IN THE DISTRICT," THE CHAIRMAN OF THE BOARD’S TRAFFIC AND TRANSPORT COMMITTEE, MR HUNG WING-TAT, SAID AFTER THE VISIT.
/Members were .......
FRIDAY, APRIL 14, 1989
17
MEMBERS WERE BRIEFED ON THE METHOD OF CONSTRUCTION AND OTHER TECHNICAL ASPECTS BY A SENIOR ENGINEER FROM THE HIGHWAYS DEPARTMENT, MR KEITH WESTMORELAND.
HE SAID THE GOVERNMENT WAS CLOSELY MONITORING THE WORK BEING CARRIED OUT BY CONTRACTORS TO ENSURE A SMOOTH TRAFFIC FLOW.
OTHER GOVERNMENT REPRESENTATIVES PRESENT AT THE VISIT INCLUDED THE ACTING DISTRICT OFFICER, MISS JOEY LAM, AND A TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT TRAFFIC ENGINEER.
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RESULTS OF UK/HK SCHOLARSHIPS ANNOUNCED t t t » t
THE UK/HK SCHOLARSHIPS COMMITTEE TODAY (FRIDAY) ANNOUNCED THE RESULTS OF ITS 250,000 POUND STERLING SCHOLARSHIP SCHEME FOR THE 1989-90 ACADEMIC YEAR.
EIGHT OUTSTANDING STUDENTS HAVE BEEN SELECTED FOR THE AWARDS WHICH WILL ENABLE THEM TO PURSUE THEIR STUDIES IN THE UNITED KINGDOM COMMENCING THIS SEPTEMBER.
CHAIRMAN OF THE UK/HK SCHOLARSHIPS COMMITTEE, MR HENRY LITTON SAID: "THE STUDENTS HAVE BEEN CHOSEN FROM ABOUT 240 APPLICANTS AFTER CAREFUL SHORTLISTING AND TWO INTERVIEWS CONDUCTED BY THE COMMITTEE.
"BECAUSE OF THE HIGH QUALITY OF SO MANY CANDIDATES, THE SELECTION TASK HAS NOT BEEN EASY. BUT WE’RE CONFIDENT THAT MERITS HAVE PREVAILED.
"EACH SCHOLARSHIP WILL BE WORTH ABOUT 9,000 POUND STERLING TO 11,000 POUND STERLING A YEAR AND WILL COVER UNIVERSITY COMPOSITION FEES, PERSONAL MAINTENANCE AND AIR FARES WHERE REQUIRED.
"ALL SCHOLARSHIP WINNERS ARE REQUIRED TO WORK IN HONG KONG FOR AT LEAST THREE YEARS AFTER COMPLETION OF THEIR STUDIES."
THE SCHOLARSHIP WINNERS ARE MR PETER WONG HING-HONG OF THE UNIVERSITY OF HONG KONG; MISS SANDY LAU SZE-MING OF KING’S COLLEGE; MP HUI HU OF QUEEN’S COLLEGE; MISS DIANE LEE OF ST MARY’S CANOSS1AN COLLEGE; MR NG WAN-FAI AND MR HENRY CHAN YUE-HUNG OF DIOCESAN BOYS’ SCHOOL; MISS MABEL CHU SHUK-YAN OF SEVENOAKS SCHOOL IN THE UK AND MR WILSON TANG WAI-HONG OF UNITED WORLD COLLEGE OF THE ATLANTIC, UK.
MR PETER WONG, 22, WHO IS CURRENTLY A POSTGRADUATE LAW STUDENT AT HKU, INTENDS TO FURTHER HIS LEGAL STUDY FOR A YEAR AT THE UNIVERSITY OF CAMBRIDGE.
/"I AM ........
FRIDAY, APRIL 14, 1989
- 18 -
"I AM EXCITED THAT I HAVE WON AN UK/HK SCHOLARSHIP DESPITE THE KEEN COMPETITION," MR WONG SAID. "I’LL SPECIALISE IN HUMAN RIGHTS AND INTERNATIONAL ECONOMIC LAWS. THESE ARE SORELY NEEDED IN HONG KONG."
MISS SANDY LAU, 19, WHO GAINED EIGHT DISTINCTIONS AND ONE CREDIT IN THE 1987 HONG KONG CERTIFICATE OF EDUCATION EXAMINATION (HKCEE), HAS BEEN PROVISIONALLY OFFERED A PLACE AT TRINITY COLLEGE, CAMBRIDGE, TO STUDY COMPUTER ENGINEERING.
SHE PLANS TO SPECIALISE IN TELECOMMUNICATIONS AND INFORMATION SYSTEMS, WHICH OFFER GREAT DEVELOPMENT OPPORTUNITIES IN HONG KONG.
TWENTY-ONE YEARS OLD PEKING-BORN MR HUI HU OBTAINED FIVE DISTINCTIONS AND THREE CREDITS IN THE 1987 HKCEE. HE HAS GAINED A CONDITIONAL OFFER AT THE IMPERIAL COLLEGE OF SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY AND MEDICINE AND INTENDS TO USE THE SCHOLARSHIP FUNDS TO STUDY BIOLOGY.
MISS DIANE LEE, 19, OBTAINED SEVEN A GRADES AND ONE B GRADE IN HKCEE AND HAS RECEIVED A CONDITIONAL OFFER TO READ ENGLISH AT THE UNIVERSITY OF BIRMINGHAM. HER ASPIRATION IS TO BECOME A WRITER UPON GRADUATION AND TO CONTRIBUTE TO THE LITERARY FIELD IN HONG KONG.
MR NG WAN-FAI, 19, HOPES TO EMBARK ON A DEGREE IN MEDICINE AT CAMBRIDGE. HARD WORK AND TALENT BROUGHT HIM NINE DISTINCTIONS IN THE 1987 HKCEE. HE IS AN ACTIVE ORGANISER OF MANY STUDENT ACTIVITIES.
DBS HEAD BOY MR HENRY CHAN IS ALSO 19. HE OBTAINED SIX DISTINCTIONS AND THREE CREDITS IN THE 1987 HKCEE AND HAS BEEN PROVISIONALLY OFFERED A PLACE TO READ ECONOMICS AT THE LONDON SCHOOL OF ECONOMICS AND POLITICAL SCIENCE.
MISS MABEL CHU AND MR WILSON TANG, BOTH 19, INTEND TO STUDY LAW AT KING’S COLLEGE, LONDON AND MEDICINE AT TRINITY, CAMBRIDGE RESPECTIVELY.
MISS CHU HAD FIVE DISTINCTIONS AT HKCEE AND MR TANG HAD SIX. BOTH LEFT FOR ENGLAND FOR THEIR SENIOR SECONDARY EDUCATION AFTER FORM FIVE.
THE UK/HK SCHOLARSHIPS COMMITTEE COMPRISES THE FORMER VICE-CHANCELLOR OF THE CHINESE UNIVERSITY OF HONG KONG DR MA LIN; JOCKEY CLUB STEWARD MR SIMON 1.1 FOOK SEAN; JUSTICE OP PEACE DR JAMES WONG SAI WING; DEPUTY SENIOR TRADE COMMISSIONER MR. CHRIS HAYWARD; VICE-CHAIRMAN OF BRITISH CHAMBER OF COMMERCE IN HONG KONG MR NEIL MAIDMENT: AND BRITISH COUNCIL REPRESENTATIVE MR GEORGE O’BRIEN.
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/19
FRIDAY, APRIL 14, 1989
- 19 -
SPECIAL STAMPS ON CHEUNG CHAU BUN FESTIVAL t » » » «
THE POST OFFICE WILL ISSUE A SET OF SPECIAL STAMPS ON MAY 4 ON THE CHEUNG CHAU BUN FESTIVAL.
THE STAMPS ARE IN DENOMINATIONS OF 60 CENTS, SI.40, SI.80 AND S5, AND POSTCARDS SHOWING AN ENLARGEMENT OF THE STAMP DESIGNS WILL BE ISSUED WITH THE STAMP ISSUE.
OFFICIAL FIRST DAY COVERS, AT 50 CENTS EACH AND POSTCARDS AT SI EACH, WILL BE ON SALE AT POST OFFICES ON APRIL 20.
SOUVENIR COVERS AT S10.30 EACH WILL BE PUT ON SALE FROM MAY 8 TO 15 AT THE CHEUNG CHAU POST OFFICE.
EXPLAINING THE BACKGROUND TO THE ISSUE, A POST OFFICE SPOKESMAN SAID TODAY (FRIDAY) THAT THE CHEUNG CHAU BUN FESTIVAL WAS THE MAIN RELIGIOUS FESTIVAL OF THE ISLAND.
THE FESTIVAL STARTED OVER 100 YEARS AGO TO APPEASE THE SPIRITS OF THOSE KILLED BY DISEASE AND PIRATES AND IT USUALLY TOOK PLACE IN THE FOURTH LUNAR MONTH OF THE YEAR LASTING SEVEN DAYS.
THE CLIMAX OF THE FESTIVAL IS A LARGE PROCESSION, STARTING FROM THE SQUARE AT THE PEI TI TEMPLE, WINDING THROUGH THE MAIN STREETS OF THE ISLAND, WITH COLOURFUL BANNERS AND BEAUTIFULLY DRESSED CHILDERN DELICATELY BALANCED ON WIRES DEPICTING LEGENDARY AND MYTHOLOGICAL SUBJECTS.
RESIDENTS ALSO ADD TO THE COLOURFUL PROCESSION WITH THEIR OWN DECORATIONS AND FLORAL ARCHES AT ROAD JUNCTIONS.
THE CEREMONY IS COMPLETED WHEN THE PROCESSION RETURNS TO THE SQUARE WHERE BUN TOWERS ARE ERECTED.
AFTER THE "GHOSTS" HAVE TAKEN THEIR FILL, A PAPER EFFIGY OF THE "TAAI SI WONG" IS BURNT TO SIGNIFY HIS DEPARTURE FOR HEAVEN, TAKING WITH HIM THE HUNGRY GHOSTS.
THE OFFICIATING PRIEST WOULD THEN GIVE A SIGNAL AND THE BUNS ARE DISTRIBUTED TO THE POPULACE, AND THE AREA IS THEN CLEARED OF EVIL SPIRITS.
THE STAMPS, DESIGNED BY MR MICHAEL TUCKER, IRELAND BY BDT INTERNAL SECURITY PRINTING LTD.
WERE PRINTED IN
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/2O........
FRIDAY, APRIL 14, 1989
- 20 -
NEW BEACH BUILDING PLANNED FOR TUNG WAN, MA WAN ISLAND
♦ » * t ♦ ♦
SWIMMERS AT TUNG WAN ON MA WAN ISLAND CAN EXPECT BETTER BEACH FACILITIES FROM NEXT YEAR, THANKS TO A GOVERNMENT PLAN TO BUILD A NEW BEACH BUILDING AND OTHER ASSOCIATED FACILITIES THERE.
THE PLAN WOULD INVOLVE THE DEMOLITION OF AN EXISTING WATCH HOUSE AND LATRINE AND THE CONSTRUCTION OF A NEW BEACH BUILDING TO ACCOMMODATE A FIRST AID ROOM, A BEACH MANAGEMENT OFFICE, A POLICE REPORTING CENTRE, A FAST FOOD KIOSK, PUBLIC LAVATORIES, CHANGING ROOM, SHOWER BOOTHS, SEWAGE TREATMENT PLANTS AND TWO LIFE GUARD LOOK-OUT POSTS.
WORK ON THE PROJECT, WHICH WILL BE PARTLY FINANCED BY A Hl MILLION DONATION FROM THE ROYAL HONG KONG JOCKEY CLUB, IS EXPECTED TO START IN JUNE AND TAKE ABOUT 12 MONTHS TO COMPLETE.
TENDERS FOR THE CONTRACT WORKS ARE NOW BEING INVITED BY THE ARCHITECTURAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT.
DEADLINE FOR SUBMISSION OF TENDERS IS NOON ON APRIL 28.
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VARIETY SHOW FOR TRAINING CENTRE INMATES * » * » »
THE CORRECTIONAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT WILL ORGANISE A JOINT VARIETY SHOW FOR YOUNG INMATES IN ITS TRAINING CENTRES TOMORROW (SATURDAY) AFTERNOON.
THE "VARIETY SHOW 89" WILL BE HELD AT THE TAI TAM GAP CORRECTIONAL INSTITUTION, SHEK O ROAD, HONG KONG. THE ACTIVITY IS INTENDED TO PROMOTE A SENSE OF RESPONSIBILITY AND TEAM SPIRIT AMONG THE INMATES.
"THE INMATES ARE GIVEN THE OPPORTUNITY TO PLAN AND PRODUCE PROGRAMMES FOR THEIR OWN ENTERTAINMENT, AND THEIR PARENTS AND RELATIVES ARE ALSO INVITED TO SHARE THEIR FUN," A DEPARTMENT SPOKESMAN SAID.
"IT IS HOPED THAT ACTIVITY OF THIS KIND WILL HELP INMATES TO DEVELOP SELF CONFIDENCE AND IN TURN FACILITATE SUCCESSFUL REHABILITATION, WHICH IS AN IMPORTANT PART OF THE DEPARTMENT’S WORK,” HE ADDED.
THE PROGRAMME INCLUDES SOLO AND GROUP SINGING, DANCES, DRAMA AND TALENT PERFORMANCES BY INMATES.
/AS AN .......
FRIDAY, APRIL 14, 1989
- 21
AS AN INCENTIVE TO THE PARTICIPATING INMATES, A COMPETITION WILL BE HELD AND PRIZES WILL BE AWARDED TO THE BEST PERFORMERS.
THE JUDGES FOR THE CONTEST WILL BE LADY AKERS-JONES, MR CHAU CHAM-SON, MR CHUNG KING-FAI AND MR LEE JARK-PUI.
V.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
THE VARIETY SHOW WILL.START AT 2.30 PM TOMORROW (SATURDAY) AT THE TAI TAM GAP CORRECTIONAL INSTITUTION, SHEK O ROAD, HONG KONG.
A TOUR OF THE INSTITUTION WILL ALSO BE ARRANGED FOR MEDIA REPRESENTATIVES AT 1.30 PM.
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE VARIETY SHOW AND ATTEND THE TOUR. PRESS TRANSPORT HAS BEEN ARRANGED AND MEDIA REPRESENTATIVES WHO WISH TO USE THE SERVICE SHOULD ASSEMBLE AT THE ENTRANCE OF WANCHAI TOWER I, 12 HARBOUR ROAD, WAN CHAI AT 1 PM.
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WAN CHAI TO LAUNCH CLEAN AND PLANT FOR CHARITY CAMPAIGN » ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦
A CEREMONY WILL BE HELD TOMORROW (SATURDAY) TO LAUNCH THE WAN CHAI DISTRICT CLEAN AND PLANT FOR CHARITY CAMPAIGN.
THE CAMPAIGN IS AN ANNUAL EVENT IN THE DISTRICT TO RAISE FUNDS FOR THE COMMUNITY CHEST. IT ALSO AIMS TO PROMOTE A GREENER ENVIRONMENT.
OFFICIATING AT THE CEREMONY WILL BE WAN CHAI DISTRICT OFFICER, MR PETER MANN; DISTRICT BOARD CHAIRMAN, MRS PEGGY LAM; EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF THE COMMUNITY CHEST, MR DENIS BRAY; AND MISS HONG KONG, MISS MICHELE REIS.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE CEREMONY WHICH WILL BE HELD TOMORROW (SATURDAY) AT NOON AT THE OPEN SPACE OUTSIDE HOPEWELL CENTRE, 183 QUEEN’S ROAD EAST, HONG KONG.
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/22
FRIDAY, APRIL 14, 1989
- 22 -
LANE CLOSURES ON TUEN MUN ROAD » » * » »
THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCED THAT Tb FACILITATE ROAD MAINTENANCE WORKS, THE THREE EASTBOUND TRAFFIC LANES ON TUEN MUN ROAD NEAR SAM SHING HUI WILL BE CLOSED IN TURN ON APRIL 16 AND 23 (SUNDAYS).
THE FAST AND MIDDLE LANES WILL BE CLOSED FROM 9 AM TO 5 PM ON APRIL 16.
THE SLOW AND MIDDLE LANES WILL BE CLOSED FROM 9 AM TO 5 PM ON APRIL 23.
- - 0 -
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE. HONG KONG. TEL: 5-8428777
SATURDAY, APRIL 15, 1989
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
PLASTICS INDUSTRY HaS ROOM TO GROW ............................. 1
WAGE INDEXES FOR DECJ4BER 1988 ................................. 2
HOME SAFETY EXHIBITION IN SHEUNG SHUT .......................... 6
ISLANDS DB TO DISCUSS ANTI-SMOKING PROPOSALS.................... 7
WONG TAI SIN WORKING GROUP ON REDEVELOPMENT MEETS MONDaY ... 8
W.JJ CH,xI RESIDENTS URGED TO SUPPORT CH.iRITY CaMPaIGN ........ 8
URBCO SPENDS 811.1 MILLION ON DISTRICT SPORTS EVENTS ........... 9
TEAMS INVITED FOR TUEN MUN DRaGON BOAT RACES .................. 10
APPLICATIONS INVITED FOR >ABERDEEN DRAGON BOaT RACE............ 11
TEMPORARY ROAD CLOSURES IN S&JI SHUT PO........................ 11
TEMPORARY TRAFFIC .iRRANGEMEHTS IN SKa TIN .................... 12
URBAN CLEARWaY ON WAH L.J1 P.sTH, WAH FU ...................... 12
SATURDAY, APRIL 15. 1989
PLASTICS INDUSTRY HAS ROOM TO GROW » * * ♦
THE DEPUTY DIRECTOR OF INDUSTRY. MR ANDREW LEUNG KIN-PONG, SAID TODAY (SATURDAY) HE WAS CONFIDENT THAT HONG KONG'S PLASTICS INDUSTRY COULD DO EVEN BETTER IF IT CONTINUED TO INVEST IN PRODUCTIVITY, QUALITY AND INNOVATIVE CAPABILITY.
ADDRESSING THE ANNIVERSARY DINNER OF THE CHIU CHAU PLASTIC MANUFACTURERS’ ASSOCIATION, MR LEUNG SAID HE WAS AWARE OF THE VARIOUS PROBLEMS THAT LOCAL PLASTICS INDUSTRY HAD ENCOUNTERED.
HE SAID HE KNEW MANY PLASTICS MANUFACTURERS WERE SUFFERING FROM LABOUR CONSTRAINT, THE RISING COST OF RAW MATERIALS, THE SHORTAGE OF SKILLED MOULD AND DIE MAKERS AS WELL AS THEIR OWN DEPENDENCE ON CONTRACT MANUFACTURING.
BUT, MR LEUNG SAID, THE VARIOUS CONSTRAINTS AND DIFFICULTIES WERE BEING ADDRESSED.
TO MEET THE LABOUR SHORTAGE CHALLENGE, THE PLASTICS TECHNOLOGY CENTRE AND THE HONG KONG PRODUCTIVITY CENTRE WERE READY TO ASSIST MANUFACTURERS TO CONSERVE LABOUR THROUGH OPTIMAL MECHANISATION AND BETTER ORGANISATION OF WORK.
AS REGARD THE SHORTAGE OF PLASTIC RESINS, MR LEUNG SAID THIS CONSTRAINT WAS EXPECTED TO BE EASED AS GROWTH IN WORLD DEMAND HAD RESULTED IN INCREASED PRODUCTION CAPACITY.
"WE KNOW THAT DOW’S PLANT IN HONG KONG HAS ALMOST DOUBLED ITS OUTPUT OF POLYSTYRENE.
"WE ALSO KNOW THAT OTHER PRODUCERS OF PLASTIC MATERIALS, INCLUDING MONTEDISON, HIMONT. DU PONT AND GE PLASTICS, ARE STARTING UP IN HONG KONG, THANKS .TO THE PROMPT RESPONSE OF THE HONG KONG INDUSTRIAL ESTATES CORPORATION," MR LEUNG SAID.
TURNING TO THE DEFICIENCY IN THE SUPPLY OF SKILLED MOULD AND DIE MAKERS, MR LEUNG SAID, AT THE TECHNOLOGY LEVEL, THE PLASTICS INDUSTRY AND THE PRECISION TOOLING TRAINING CENTRES OF THE VOCATIONAL TRAINING COUNCIL WERE CURRENTLY PROVIDING EXTENSION COURSES ON MOULD AND EXTRUSION DIE DESIGNS.
AT THE TECHNOLOGIST LEVEL SIMILAR COURSES WERE BEING PROVIDED BY THE HONG KONG POLYTECHNIC IN CONJUNCTION WITH THE HONG KONG PRODUCTIVITY COUNCIL.
"IN ADDITION, WE ARE SPONSORING THE TWO UNIVERSITIES IN APPLIED RESEARCH ON THE USE OF INTEGRATED CAD/CAM TECHNOLOGY IN THE DESIGN AND MANUFACTURE OF MECHANICAL ELEMENTS, WITH A VIEW TO SPEEDING UP THE TURNAROUND TIME FOR THE PRODUCTION OF MOULDS AND DIES.
/"THE PROJECT, ........
SATURDAY, APRIL 15, 1989
2
"THE PROJECT, THOUGH NOT YET COMPLETED, PROMISES TO PRODUCE HIGHLY MARKETABLE TECHNOLOGY," HE SAID.
MR LEUNG ALSO WARNED MANUFACTURERS NOT TO DEPEND WHOLLY ON ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT MANUFACTURE (OEM) PRODUCTION.
HE SAID THAT THE PLASTICS TECHNOLOGY CENTRE WOULD OFFER INFORMATION AND TECHNICAL ADVICE ON THE RANGE OF TECHNOLOGIES AND PLASTIC MATERIALS AVAILABLE FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF NEW PRODUCTS AND EVENTUALLY ASSIST IN THE DEVELOPMENT OF PROTOTYPES.
MR LEUNG EXPLAINED IN DETAIL HOW THE INDUSTRY DEPARTMENT WAS ADDRESSING THE PRODUCT SAFETY STANDARDS ISSUE WITH VIGOUR.
MANUFACTURERS WERE ENCOURAGED TO MAKE USE OF THE SERVICES PROVIDED BY THE PRODUCTS STANDARDS INFORMATION BUREAU, THE HONG KONG LABORATORY ACCREDITATION SCHEME (HOKLAS) AND WERE INFORMED OF THE MAJOR QUALITY ASSURANCE IMPROVEMENT CAMPAIGN TO BE LAUNCHED THIS YEAR TO PROMOTE THE CONCEPT OF COMPREHENSIVE QUALITY MANAGEMENT SYSTEMS.
IN THE PAST 28 YEARS THE PLASTICS INDUSTRY HAS ACHIEVED AN AVERAGE ANNUAL GROWTH RATE IN EXPORTS OF 14.3 PER CENT IN DOLLAR TERMS, WHILE PRODUCTIVITY - MEASURED BY GROSS OUTPUT PER WORKER - HAS RECORDED AN AVERAGE ANNUAL GROWTH RATE OF 15.4 PER CENT BETWEEN 1973 AND 1986.
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WAGE INDEXES FOR DECEMBER 1988 *****
THE OVERALL NOMINAL WAGE INDEX FOR DECEMBER 1988, AT 166.6, INCREASED BY 10.2 PER CENT WHEN COMPARED WITH DECEMBER 1987 AND BY 1.2 PER CENT WHEN COMPARED WITH SEPTEMBER 1988, ACCORDING TO STATISTICS PUBLISHED TODAY (SATURDAY) BY THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT.
A COMPARISON OF THE DECEMBER 1988 AND DECEMBER 1987 INDEXES SHOWS THAT THE NOMINAL WAGE INDEX FOR THE MANUFACTURING SECTOR INCREASED BY 8.3 PER CENT; FOR THE WHOLESALE/RETAIL, IMPORT/EXPORT TRADES AND RESTAURANTS AND HOTELS SECTOR BY 12.2 PER CENT; FOR THE TRANSPORT SERVICES SECTOR BY 11.8 PER CENT; FOR THE BUSINESS SERVICES SECTOR BY 19.0 PER CENT; AND FOR THE PERSONAL SERVICES SECTOR BY 21.9 PER CENT.
A COMPARISON OF THE DECEMBER 1988 AND SEPTEMBER 1988 INDEXES SHOWS THAT THE NOMINAL WAGE INDEX FOR THE MANUFACTURING SECTOR INCREASED BY 0.5 PER CENT; FOR THE WHOLESALE/RETAIL, IMPORT/EXPORT TRADES AND RESTAURANTS AND HOTELS SECTOR BY 3.0 PER CENT; FOR THE TRANSPORT SERVICES SECTOR BY 1.2 PER CENT; FOR THE BUSINESS SERVICES SECTOR BY 1.7 PER CENT; AND FOR THE PERSONAL SERVICES SECTOR BY 4.3 PER CENT.
/THE NOMINAL .......
SATURDAY, APRIL 15, 1989
3
THE NOMINAL WAGE INDEXES FOR THE PERIOD DECEMBER 1987 TO DECEMBER 1988 FOR SELECTED MAJOR ECONOMIC SECTORS ARE GIVEN IN TABLE 1. DETAILED BREAKDOWNS FOR THE MANUFACTURING SECTOR ARE GIVEN IN TABLE 2.
THE OVERALL REAL WAGE INDEX, AT 109.3 IN DECEMBER 1988, WAS 2.3 PER CENT HIGHER THAN THAT IN DECEMBER 1987 AND 0.1 PER CENT HIGHER THAN THAT IN SEPTEMBER 1988.
THE REAL WAGE INDEXES FOR THE PERIOD DECEMBER 1987 TO DECEMBER 1988 FOR SELECTED MAJOR ECONOMIC SECTORS ARE GIVEN IN TABLE 3.
THESE NOMINAL AND REAL WAGE INDEXES ARE DERIVED FROM THE SURVEY OF WAGES, SALARIES AND EMPLOYEE BENEFITS CONDUCTED EACH QUARTER BY THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT, COVERING BOTH MANUAL AND NON-MANUAL WORKERS (EXCLUDING WORKERS AT THE ADMINISTRATIVE AND PROFESSIONAL LEVELS) IN SELECTED INDUSTRIES IN THE MANUFACTURING SECTOR, THE WHOLESALE/RETAIL, IMPORT/EXPORT TRADES AND RESTAURANTS AND HOTELS SECTOR, THE TRANSPORT SERVICES SECTOR, THE BUSINESS SERVICES SECTOR AND THE PERSONAL SERVICES SECTOR.
SUCH INDEXES MEASURE CHANGES IN WAGE RATES BY HOLDING THE STRUCTURAL PATTERN OF THE LABOUR FORCE WITH RESPECT TO INDUSTRY, OCCUPATION, SEX AND MODE OF PAYMENT THE SAME AS THAT OF MARCH 1982, WHICH IS THE BASE PERIOD OF THE WAGE INDEXES.
WHILE THE NOMINAL WAGE INDEX MEASURES CHANGES IN WAGE RATES IN MONEY TERMS, THE REAL WAGE INDEX, WHICH IS OBTAINED BY DEFLATING THE NOMINAL WAGE INDEX BY THE CONSUMER PRICE INDEX (A), MEASURES CHANGES IN THE PURCHASING POWER OF THE WAGES RECEIVED.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT DREW ATTENTION TO THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN THE WAGE INDEXES AND THE INDEXES OF PAYROLL PER PERSON ENGAGED WHICH ARE ALSO PUBLISHED AT QUARTERLY INTERVALS.
HE POINTED OUT THAT WHILE WAGE RATES PROVIDE A MEASURE OF THE UNIT PRICE OF LABOUR, PAYROLL PER PERSON ENGAGED IS A MEASURE OF PER CAPITA EARNINGS.
WAGE RATES REPRESENT THE AMOUNT OF REMUNERATION FOR NORMAL HOURS OF WORK, AND ARE DEFINED TO INCLUDE BASIC WAGES AND SALARIES, COST-OF-LIVING ALLOWANCE, MEAL BENEFITS, COMMISSION AND TIPS, GOOD ATTENDANCE BONUS AND NIGHT SHIFT ALLOWANCE.
IN ADDITION, YEAR-END BONUS AND OTHER GUARANTEED AND REGULAR BONUSES AND ALLOWANCES THAT ARE PAID LESS FREQUENTLY THAN MONTHLY, ARE CONVERTED TO AN EQUIVALENT MONTHLY RATE WHEN COMPILING THE WAGE RATE INDEXES.
TOTAL PAYROLL, ON THE OTHER HAND, IS THE AMOUNT OF DIRECT CASH PAYMENTS THAT EMPLOYEES RECEIVE FROM EMPLOYERS. APART FROM THE ABOVE MENTIONED CASH RECEIPTS, IT ALSO INCLUDES OVERTIME PAY AND OTHER NONGUARANTEED AND IRREGULAR BONUSES AND ALLOWANCES.
/HENCE, STATISTICS .......
SATURDAY, APRIL 15, 1989
4
HENCE, STATISTICS ON PAYROLL PER PERSON ENGAGED TEND TO BE SENSITIVE TO CHANGES IN THE NUMBER OF HOURS ACTUALLY WORKED, THE TIMING OF THE PAYMENT OF BONUSES AND BACK-PAY, AND THE COMPOSITION OF THE LABOUR FORCE.
AS A RESULT, MOVEMENTS IN WAGE RATES DO NOT NECESSARILY CONFORM WITH THOSE IN PAYROLL PER PERSON ENGAGED.
THE SURVEY FINDINGS ARE PUBLISHED IN A REPORT OF WAGES, SALARIES AND EMPLOYEE BENEFITS STATISTICS VOL. I, DECEMBER 1988 WHICH WILL BE ON SALE SHORTLY AT THE GOVERNMENT PUBLICATIONS CENTRE.
THE VOL. II ISSUE OF THE REPORT CONTAINING DETAILED OCCUPATIONAL STATISTICS, SUCH AS WAGE RATES, NUMBER OF NORMAL HOURS OF WORK AND NUMBER OF STANDARD WORKING DAYS IS EXPECTED TO BE AVAILABLE AT THE GOVERNMENT PUBLICATIONS CENTRE IN EARLY MAY 1989.
FOR ENQUIRIES ABOUT THE WAGE INDEXES, PLEASE CONTACT THE WAGES AND LABOUR COSTS STATISTICS SECTION OF THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT AT TELEPHONE NOS. 5-8234744 OR 5-8234747.
TABLE 1 : NOMINAL WAGE INDEXES BY SELECTED MAJOR ECONOMIC SECTORS
SELECTED MAJOR ECONOMIC SECTORS DEC. 1987 INDEXES MAR. 1988 (MARCH 1982 = 100) % CHANGE DEC. DEC.88/
JUN. 1988 SEPT. 1988
1988 DEC.87
MANUFACTURING 149.5 154.6 158.3 161 . 1 161.9 + 8.3
WHOLESALE/RETAIL, IMPORT/EXPORT TRADES AND RESTAURANTS AND HOTELS 146.5 151.6 154.8 159.6 164.4 + 12.2
TRANSPORT SERVICES 170.3 177.9 184.6 188.2 190.4 + 11.8
BUSINESS SERVICES 155.8 168.2 178.2 182.3 185.4 + 19.0
PERSONAL SERVICES 146.6 155.3 160.5 171.3 178.7 + 21.9
ALL SECTORS ABOVE 151.2 156.9 161.0 164.7 166.6 + 10.2
/TABLE 2 : .......
SATURDAY, APRIL 15, 1989
5
TABLE 2 : NOMINAL WAGE INDEXES FOR MAJOR INDUSTRIES IN THE MANUFACTURING SECTOR
SELECTED MAJOR ECONOMIC SECTORS INDEXES DEC. 1987 I (MARCH MAR. 1988 1982 = JUN. 1988 100) SEPT. 1988 % CHANGE DEC. DEC.88/ 1988 DEC.87
GARMENTS 133.1 135.7 138.0 139.7 140.0 + 5.2
GLOVES 153.9 159.5 164.2 169.3 170.1 + 10.5
HANDBAGS 142.8 147.2 146.9 151.4 151.1 + 5.8
COTTON SPINNING/WEAVING 165.5 172.0 173.6 174.7 175.0 ♦ 5.7
KNITTING 148.2 150.0 152.4 152.9 153.8 + 3.8
BLEACHING AND DYEING 169.3 175.2 180.1 181.9 182.4 + 7.7
PRINTING 164.1 170.5 182.5 186.7 190.9 + 16.3
PLASTIC PRODUCTS 146.4 151.2 156.5 159.9 160.4 + 9.6
METAL PRODUCTS 154.3 160.9 166.3 170.4 174.8 + 13.3
ELECTRICAL APPLIANCES 168.6 177.2 182.5 186.7 189.4 + 12.3
ELECTRONICS 165.0 175.3 180.4 183.9 183.9 + 11.5
WATCHES AND CLOCKS 176.1 182.8 187.3 191.0 190.9 + 8.4
MANUFACTURING 149.5 154.6 158.3 161.1 161.9 + 8.3
/TABLE 3 : ........
SATURDAY, APRIL 15, 1989
6
TABLE 3 : REAL WAGE INDEXES BY SELECTED MAJOR ECONOMIC SECTORS
INDEXES (MARCH 1982 = 100) % CHANGE
SELECTED MAJOR ECONOMIC SECTORS DEC. MAR. JUN. SEPT. DEC. DEC.88/
1987 1988 1988 1988 1988 DEC.87
MANUFACTURING 105.6 107.7 108.0 106.8 106.2 +0.6
WHOLESALE/RETAIL, 103.4 IMPORT/EXPORT TRADES AND RESTAURANTS AND HOTELS 105.6 105.6 105.8 107.9 + 4.4
TRANSPORT SERVICES 120.2 124.0 125.9 124.7 124.9 +3.9
BUSINESS SERVICES 110.0 117.2 121.6 120.8 121.7 +10.6
PERSONAL SERVICES 103.6 108.2 109.5 113.5 117.3 +13.2
ALL SECTORS ABOVE 106.8 109.4 109.8 109.2 109.3 + 2.3
- 0 -----------
HOME SAFETY EXHIBITION IN SHEUNG SHUI
* ♦ ♦ » ♦
A MOBILE EXHIBITION WILL BE STAGED AT CHOI YUEN ESTATE, IN SHEUNG SHUI TOMORROW (SUNDAY) AT THE SHOPPING CENTRE FROM 11 AM TO 4 PM.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE HOME SAFETY CAMPAIGN PUBLICITY COMMITTEE SAID: "IN MANY CASES, ACCIDENTS IN THE HOME ARE CAUSED BY CARELESSNESS AND IGNORANCE."
"THE EXHIBITION IS PART OF THE PUBLICITY PROGRAMMES TO REMIND THE PUBLIC ABOUT THE HIDDEN DANGERS IN THE HOME AND GIVE THEM ADVICE ON PRECAUTIONARY MEASURES," HE SAID.
/’’THE DISPLAY.......
SATURDAY, APRIL 15, 1989
7
"THE DISPLAY WILL BE IN THE FORM OF A MOCK KITCHEN HIGHLIGHTING POTENTIAL DANGERS AT THIS HAZARDOUS SPOT," THE SPOKESMAN ADDED.
A NEW BOOKLET "SAFETY BEGINS AT HOME" WILL BE AVAILABLE AT THE VENUE FOR VISITORS TO COLLECT.
♦
CHOI YUEN ESTATE IS THE FOURTH STOP OF THE MOBILE EXHIBITION. TO CONVEY HOME SAFETY MESSAGES TO MORE HOUSEHOLDS, THE EXHIBITION WILL PROCEED TO FIVE OTHER PUBLIC HOUSING ESTATES ON CONSECUTIVE SUNDAYS UNTIL THE END OF MAY.
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ISLANDS DB TO DISCUSS ANTI-SMOKING PROPOSALS
*****
THE ISLANDS DISTRICT BOARD WILL DISCUSS THE REPORT ON ANTI-SMOKING PROPOSALS PREPARED BY THE HONG KONG COUNCIL ON SMOKING AND HEALTH (COSH) AT ITS MEETING ON MONDAY (APRIL 17).
MEMBERS WILL COMMENT ON THE MEASURES RECOMMENDED BY COSH, SUCH AS EXTENDING THE NO-SMOKING AREAS IN PERFORMANCE VENUES, PUBLIC VEHICLES AND GOVERNMENT PREMISES; BANNING THE SALE OF CIGARETTES TO PERSONS UNDER THE AGE OF 18; AND INCREASING THE SIZE OF HEALTH WARNINGS ON CIGARETTE PACKETS AND ADVERTISEMENTS.
A CONSULTATIVE DOCUMENT ON LOCAL CRAFT SAFETY AND CONTROL PREPARED BY THE MARINE DEPARTMENT WILL ALSO BE DISCUSSED. MEMBERS’ VIEWS WILL BE SOUGHT ON THE PROPOSALS OF PROVIDING REASONABLE CONTROL WITHOUT OVER-REGULATION OR COMPROMISING SAFETY.
THE COMMISSIONER FOR ADMINISTRATIVE COMPLAINTS, MR ARTHUR GARCIA, WILL ATTEND THE MEETING TO BRIEF MEMBERS ON THE WORK OF HIS OFFICE.
OTHER ITEMS FOR DISCUSSION INCLUDE LAND ZONING FOR DEVELOPMENT ON LAMMA, THE KEEP HONG KONG CLEAN CAMPAIGN, AND THE PROPOSED APPORTIONMENT OF DISTRICT BOARD FUNDS FOR 1989-90.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE ISLANDS DISTRICT BOARD MEETING TO BE HELD ON MONDAY (APRIL 17) IN THE DB CONFERENCE ROOM, 14TH FLOOR, HARBOUR BUILDING, 38 PIER ROAD, CENTRAL, BEGINNING AT 2 PM.
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/8 .........
SATURDAY, APRIL 15, 1989
- 8 -
WONG TAI SIN WORKING GROUP ON REDEVELOPMENT MEETS MONDAY ♦ ♦»*♦»
A PROGRESS REPORT ON THE REDEVELOPMENT OF KOWLOON CENTRAL ESTATES WILL BE ON THE AGENDA OF THE MEETING ON MONDAY (APRIL 17) OF THE WONG TAI SIN DISTRICT BOARD’S WORKING GROUP ON REDEVELOPMENT.
MEMBERS OF THE WORKING GROUP WILL ALSO DISCUSS THE PROGRESS REPORT ON THE EXTENDED REDEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME FOR TSZ 01 AND TSZ MAN ESTATES.
OTHER ITEMS ON THE AGENDA INCLUDE THE INCENTIVES TO ENCOURAGE MARK 1 AND 2 ESTATES TENANTS TO PURCHASE HOME OWNERSHIP SCHEME FLATS, THE PROVISION OF LIGHTING FOR HOARDINGS AT LOK FU REDEVELOPMENT SITES AND A PROPOSAL TO INCLUDE SHA TIN PASS ESTATE IN THE REDEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME OF TSZ WAN SHAN ESTATES.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
MEDIA REPRESENTATIVES ARE INVITED TO COVER THE WONG TAI SIN DISTRICT BOARD’S WORKING GROUP ON REDEVELOPMENT MEETING, WHICH WILL BEGIN AT 2.30 PM ON MONDAY (APRIL 17) IN THE CONFERENCE ROOM OF WONG TAI SIN DISTRICT OFFICE, FOURTH FLOOR, SAN PO KONG GOVERNMENT OFFICES BUILDING, KING FUK STREET.
- 0------------
WAN CHAI RESIDENTS URGED TO SUPPORT CHARITY CAMPAIGN *****
WAN CHAI DISTRICT OFFICER, MR PETER MANN, TODAY (SATURDAY) CALLED ON RESIDENTS TO LEND THEIR SUPPORT TO THE COMMUNITY CHEST AND TO MAKE AN EFFORT TO BEAUTIFY THE DISTRICT.
SPEAKING AT THE OPENING CEREMONY OF THE DISTRICT’S CLEAN AND PLANT FOR CHARITY CAMPAIGN, MR MANN SAID THE AIM OF THE FUNCTION WAS TO ASSIST THE COMMUNITY CHEST TO RAISE FUNDS FOR THE NEEDY AND TO PROMOTE THE IDEA OF CREATING MORE GREENERY TO THE ENVIRONMENT.
THE CAMPAIGN, HELD ANNUALLY IN WAN CHAI, IS JOINTLY ORGANISED BY THE WAN CHAI DISTRICT OFFICE AND A COMMITTEE COMPRISING DISTRICT RESIDENTS.
CHAIRMAN OF THE ORGANISING COMMITTEE, MR FANG KWONG-CHUNG, SAID SO FAR ABOUT $20,000 WERE RAISED FOR THE HONG KONG COMMUNITY CHEST.
ALSO OFFICIATING AT THE SYMBOLIC PLANTING AND CLEANSING OPERATIONS WERE THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF THE HONG KONG COMMUNITY CHEST, MR DENIS BRAY; WAN CHAI DISTRICT BOARD CHAIRMAN, MRS PEGGY LAM AND MISS HONG KONG 1988, MISS MICHELE REIS.
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/9 .....
SATURDAY, APRIL 15, 1989
- 9 -
URBCO SPENDS SI 1.1 MILLION ON DISTRICT SPORTS EVENTS » » t » ♦
THE URBAN COUNCIL WILL SPEND $11.1 MILLION THIS YEAR TO ORGANISE 8 544 RECREATION AND SPORTS EVENTS IN THE URBAN AREA -- AN INCREASE OF 26 AND 7.7 PER CENT IN FUNDING AND THE NUMBER OF ACTIVITIES RESPECTIVELY OVER LAST YEAR.
"THIS $2.3 MILLION INCREASE IS IN LINE WITH THE COUNCIL’S COMMITMENT TO PROMOTE SPORTS AT THE GRASSROOTS LEVEL AND TO ENABLE MORE RESIDENTS TO TAKE PART IN RECREATION AND SPORTS ACTIVITIES," THE CHAIRMAN OF THE COUNCIL'S SPORTS AND ACTIVITIES SUB-COMMITTEE, MR RONNIE WONG, SAID TODAY.
"LAST YEAR, THE COUNCIL SPENT $8.8 MILLION TO ORGANISE 7 929 DISTRICT EVENTS.
"THE EXTRA FUNDING THIS YEAR MEANS THAT THERE WILL BE MORE ACTIVITIES ORGANISED IN VARIOUS FIELDS, INCLUDING SOME INNOVATIVE SPORTS ACTIVITIES SUCH AS GATEBALL, INDOOR ARCHERY AND MINI-TENNIS."
TO FOSTER BETTER LINKS WITH DISTRICT BOARDS AND TO MAKE USE OF RESOURCES AVAILABLE THROUGH DISTRICT SPORTS ORGANISATIONS, A TOTAL OF 291 JOINT PROJECTS WITH LOCAL ORGANISATIONS AND DISTRICT BOARDS ARE PLANNED FOR 1989/90.
THESE INCLUDE DISTRICT COMPETITIONS, LEARN-TO-PLAY COURSES, FUN DAYS AND DISTRICT FESTIVALS.
OTHER PROGRAMMES ARE AS FOLLOWS:-
SQUASH, BADMINTON AND TENNIS -- 302 SQUASH, 332 BADMINTON AND 382 TENNIS COURSES (COMPARED WITH 268 SQUASH, 299 BADMINTON AND 367 TENNIS COURSES IN 1988/89).
FITNESS AND DANCE -- 4 857 FITNESS AND DANCE COURSES FOR 152 832 PARTICIPANTS (COMPARED WITH 3 218 COURSES FOR 93 438 PARTICIPANTS IN 1988/89).
LEARN-TO-SW1M SCHEME — 1 512 COURSES FOR 30 941 PARTICIPANTS (COMPARED WITH 1 511 COURSES FOR 28 669 PARTICIPANTS IN 1988/89).
ACTIVITIES FOR THE DISABLED — 120 ACTIVITIES FOR 7 166 PARTICIPANTS (COMPARED WITH 109 ACTIVITIES FOR 5 268 PARTICIPANTS IN 1988/89).
ACTIVITIES FOR SENIOR CITIZENS -- 503 ACTIVITIES FOR 18 904 PARTICIPANTS (COMPARED WITH 382 ACTIVITIES FOR 14 612 PARTICIPANTS IN 1988/89).
MR WONG SAID THAT THE LEI YUE MUN PARK IS EXPECTED TO ENTERTAIN A TOTAL OF 47 000 DAY CAMPERS AND 48 000 OVERNIGHT CAMPERS IN 1989/90.
"THE PARK WHICH IS OFFICIALLY OPENED LAST NOVEMBER, IS THE FIRST CAMPING FACILITY UNDER THE MANAGEMENT OF THE COUNCIL," HE ADDED.
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/10.........
SATURDAY, APRIL 15, 1989
- 10 -
TEAMS INVITED FOR TUEN MUN DRAGON BOAT RACES
» * » t »
DRAGON BOAT TEAMS THROUGHOUT THE TERRITORY ARE INVITED TO TAKE PART IN THE TUEN MUN DRAGON BOAT RACES ON JUNE 8 TO JOIN IN THE CELEBRATION OF A COLOURFUL TUEN NG FESTIVAL.
AS IN LAST YEAR, THE RACES WILL TAKE PLACE ALONG THE WATERFRONT FACING SAM SHING ESTATE IN THE CASTLE PEAK BAY TYPHOON SHELTER.
THE $630,000 BUDGET FOR THE RACES COMPRISES SPONSORSHIP FROM THE TUEN MUN DISTRICT BOARD, THE REGIONAL COUNCIL AND LOCAL PERSONALITIES. PART OF THE AMOUNT WILL COME FROM ENTRY FEES.
BOTH PRIVATE ORGANISATIONS AND GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS ARE WELCOME TO FORM TEAMS FOR THE RACES.
THE LENGTH OF THE RACECOURSE FOR THE LARGE AND MEDIUM DRAGON BOAT RACES IS 400 METRES AND THAT FOR THE PHOENIX BOAT RACES IS 200 METRES.
A LARGE DRAGON BOAT TEAM SHOULD COMPRISE NOT MORE THAN 54 MEMBERS, INCLUDING A COXSWAIN AND A DRUMMER. THE NUMBER OF MEMBERS FOR EACH MEDIUM DRAGON BOAT AND PHOENIX BOAT TEAM SHOULD NOT EXCEED 22 AND 12 PEOPLE RESPECTIVELY.
ENTRY FEE FOR EACH PARTICIPATING TEAM IN THE MEDIUM DRAGON BOAT AND PHOENIX BOAT RACES IS $500. ENTRY FOR THE LARGE BOAT CATEGORY IS FREE.
THE RACE COMMITTEE WILL SUPPLY THE BOATS AND OTHER ESSENTIAL EQUIPMENT FOR THE MEDIUM DRAGON BOAT AND PHOENIX BOAT TEAMS, BUT NOT FOR TEAMS COMPETING IN THE LARGE DRAGON BOAT RACE AND THOSE TAKING PART IN INVITATION RACES.
ENTRY FORMS CAN BE OBTAINED FROM THE TUEN MUN DISTRICT OFFICE ON THE SECOND FLOOR, TUEN MUN GOVERNMENT OFFICES. TUEN Hl ROAD. THEY SHOULD BE RETURNED TO THE OFFICE BY MAY 5.
ENQUIRIES CAN BE MADE ON 0-4513046 OR 0-4513050.
0
/Il
SATURDAY, APRIL 15, 1989
11 APPLICATIONS INVITED FOR ABERDEEN DRAGON BOAT RACE *****
APPLICATIONS ARE BEING INVITED FOR TEAMS TO TAKE PART IN THE MEDIUM-BOAT DIVISION OF THE ABERDEEN DRAGON BOAT RACES TO BE HELD ON JUNE 8 IN CELEBRATION OF THE TUEN NG FESTIVAL.
THE RACE, AN ANNUAL EVENT WITH A LONG TRADITION IN THE OLDEST FISHING PORT OF HONG KONG, IS OPEN TO BUSINESS FIRMS, FACTORIES, REGISTERED ASSOCIATIONS AND RESIDENTS’ BODIES IN SOUTHERN DISTRICT AND ALL OVER THE TERRITORY.
THE RACE IS ORGANISED BY THE ABERDEEN DRAGON BOAT RACE ORGANISING COMMITTEE WITH THE ASSISTANCE OF THE SOUTHERN DISTRICT OFFICE AND SPONSORSHIP FROM THE DISTRICT BOARD.
"IT WILL TAKE PLACE ALONG A 300-METRE CHANNEL OFF THE WATERFRONT BETWEEN 9 AM AND 5 PM ON THE DAY OF TUEN NG FESTIVAL," THE CHAIRMAN OF THE ORGANISING COMMITTEE, MR HO CHUN-TUNG SAID.
"THE RACE IS DIVIDED INTO MEN’S OPEN, LADIES’ OPEN AND AMATEUR SECTIONS," MR HO SAID.
TEAMS COMPETING IN THE DIVISION WILL EACH CONSIST OF 22 MEMBERS, INCLUDING A DRUMMER AND A COX. THEY WILL BE PROVIDED WITH DRAGON BOATS, PADDLES AND DRUMS.
APPLICATION FORMS AND INFORMATION LEAFLETS ON THE RACE ARE NOW AVAILABLE AT THE SOUTHERN DISTRICT OFFICE AT ABERDEEN CENTRE, AND ITS SUB-OFFICES LN LEI TUNG ESTATE, WAH FU ESTATE AND STANLEY VILLAGE ROAD.
THE DEADLINE FOR ENTRY IS MAY 6. ENQUIRIES CAN BE MADE ON 5-540271.
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TEMPORARY ROAD CLOSURES IN SHAM SHU1 PO
*****
THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCES THAT SEVERAL ROAD SECTIONS IN SHAM SHUI PO WILL BE CLOSED TO TRAFFIC ON TUESDAY (APRIL 18) AND THURSDAY (APRIL 20) FOR THE DELIVERY OF ESCALATORS AT CHEUNG SHA WAN PLAZA.
CHEUNG LAI STREET BETWEEN CHEUNG SHUN STREET AND CHEUNG SHA WAN ROAD WILL BE CLOSED FROM MIDNIGHT TO 6 AM ON TUESDAY.
MOTORISTS FROM CHEUNG SHUN STREET EASTBOUND HEADING FOR CHEUNG SHA WAN ROAD WESTBOUND ARE ADVISED TO TRAVEL VIA CHEUNG YUE STREET, CHEUNG YEE STREET, CHEUNG LAI STREET, LAI CHI KOK ROAD EASTBOUND AND FAT TSEUNG STREET NORTHBOUND.
/MOREOVER, TAI ........
SATURDAY, APRIL 15, 1989
- 12 -
MOREOVER, TAI NAM WEST STREET NORTHBOUND BETWEEN CHEUNG SHUN STREET AND CHEUNG SHA WAN ROAD WILL BE CLOSED FROM 1 AM TO 6 AM ON THURSDAY.
MOTORISTS FROM CHEUNG SHUN STREET EASTBOUND HEADING FOR CHEUNG SHA WAN ROAD EASTBOUND WILL BE DIVERTED VIA CHEUNG YUE STREET, CHEUNG YEE STREET, CHEUNG LAI STREET, LAI CHI KOK ROAD EASTBOUND, THE UNNAMED ROAD LEADING FROM LAI CHI KOK ROAD EASTBOUND TO LAI CHI KOK ROAD WESTBOUND OUTSIDE KIN YIP FACTORY BUILDING, LAI CHI KOK ROAD WESTBOUND AND THE UNNAMED ROAD LEADING FROM LAI CHI KOK ROAD WESTBOUND TO CHEUNG SHA WAN ROAD EASTBOUND NEAR MEI FOO BUS TERMINUS.
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TEMPORARY TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS IN SHA TIN
*****
THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCED THAT CERTAIN TRAFFIC MOVEMENTS AT THE JUNCTION OF TAI PO ROAD/SHA TIN CENTRE STREET/LION ROCK TUNNEL ROAD WILL BE BANNED FROM 10 AM ON MONDAY (APRIL 17) FOR ABOUT NINE MONTHS.
THE ARRANGEMENTS ARE TO FACILITATE THE CONSTRUCTION OF A RAMP JOINING TAI PO ROAD (SHA TIN SECTION) AND ROUTE 5.
VEHICLES WILL NOT BE ALLOWED TO TRAVEL STRAIGHT AHEAD FROM TAI PO ROAD (SHA TIN SECTION) TO LION ROCK TUNNEL ROAD AND VICE VERSA.
THE RIGHT-TURNS FROM TAI PO ROAD (TAI WAI SECTION) TO LION ROCK TUNNEL ROAD; AND FROM SHA TIN CENTRE STREET TO TAI PO ROAD (SHA TIN SECTION) WILL ALSO BE BANNED.
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URBAN CLEARWAY ON WAH LAM PATH, WAH FU
******
THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCED THAT FROM 10 AM ON MONDAY (APRIL 17), THE EASTERN KERBSIDE LANE OF WAH LAM PATH BETWEEN WAH FU ROAD AND WAH LOK PATH WILL BE DESIGNATED AN URBAN CLEARWAY ROUND-THE-CLOCK.
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
SUNDAY, APRIL 16, 1989
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
PERMANENT HOME FOR REGIONAL COUNCIL AND DEPARTMENT........... 1
SITE SAFETY OPERATION LAUNCHED............................... 2
COMMITTEE TO DISCUSS TRANSPORT STUDY PROPOSAL ............... 3
1989 HONG KONG YOUNG MUSICIANS’ AWARDS....................... 4
TSUEN WAN RESUMES DRATON BOAT RaCE AFTER 1J-YEAR LAPSE....... 5
DB COMMITTEE TO DISCUSS VETTING GUIDELINES .................. 5
DB COMMITTEE TO DISCUSS EXPENDITURE ESTIMATES................ 6
FUNDS AVAILABLE FOR SUMMER YOUTH ACTIVITIES.................. 7
TEMPORARY CLOSURE ON TaI PO ROAD TA I WO .................... 7
temporary closure of tai checng street ...................... 7
SUNDAY, APRIL 16,
1989
1
PERMANENT HOME FOR REGIONAL COUNCIL AND DEPARTMENT
*****
A PERMANENT HOME FOR THE REGIONAL COUNCIL AND ITS EXECUTIVE ARM, THE REGIONAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT, WILL BE COMPLETED IN ABOUT TWO YEARS UNDER A CONTRACT TO BE SIGNED TOMORROW (MONDAY).
THE CONTRACT FOR THE PROJECT’S SUPERSTRUCTURE, WORTH #133.6 MILLION, IS TO BE AWARDED BY THE ARCHITECTURAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT.
SITE FORMATION AND PILING WORK ARE DUE TO BE ’ COMPLETED SOON UNDER A SEPARATE CONTRACT.
THE PROJECT SITE, SITUATED ADJACENT TO THE SHA TIN KCRC STATION AND TRANSPORT INTERCHANGE, WAS CHOSEN FOR ITS EASY ACCESSIBILITY BY VARIOUS PUBLIC TRANSPORT MODES FROM OTHER PARTS OF THE TERRITORY. IT IS ALSO WITHIN WALKING DISTANCE FROM THE SHA TIN TOWN CENTRE.
THE LINK UP OF THE TWO MAIN COMPONENTS - A FIVE-STOREY COUNCIL CHAMBERS BUILDING WITH AN 18-STOREY DEPARTMENT HEADQUARTERS - WILL RESULT IN EASY INTERNAL COMMUNICATION.
IT WILL ALSO HAVE FAVOURABLE STRUCTURAL AND COST IMPLICATIONS, ACCORDING TO THE PROJECT ARCHITECT, MR PETER KEEPING.
"THE VISUAL SEPARATION OF THE TWO ELEMENTS IS MAINTAINED THROUGH BOTH THE DESIGN AND IN THE FINISHES TO ENSURE THAT THE COUNCIL CHAMBER IS THE FOCAL POINT OF THE WHOLE DEVELOPMENT," MR KEEPING ADDED.
EXPLAINING HOW SOME OF THE SITE CONSTRAINTS WERE OVERCOME, HE SAID THE NOISE POLLUTION FROM THE ADJACENT FLYOVER AND THE KCRC STATION WILL BE BLOCKED BY EXTENSIVE PLANTING AND A GARDEN, WHICH WILL SERVE BOTH AS A NOISE AND VISUAL BUFFER FROM THE TRAFFIC.
ENTRANCE TO THE COUNCIL CHAMBERS WILL BE GUARDED • BY TWO STATUES OF PEKING LIONS. CONSIDERATION HAS ALSO BEN GIVEN TO ACCESSIBILITY FOR THE DISABLED.
THE ROUND SHAPED CHAMBER ITSELF WILL BE TOPPED BY A NATURALLY-LIT ATRIUM.
APART FROM SEPARATE OFFICES FOR COUNCIL MEMBERS AND THE COUNCIL SECRETARIAT, AND THE USUAL SUPPORT FACILITIES, THERE WILL BE PRESS AND PUBLIC GALLERIES, A LIBRARY AND CUSTOM DESIGNED AREAS TO HOLD RECEPTIONS, EXHIBITIONS, AUDIO-VISUAL PRESENTATIONS AND OTHER COUNCIL FUNCTIONS.
/INCLUDING SITE .......
SUNDAY, APRIL 16, 1989
- 2 -
INCLUDING SITE FORMATION AND PILING WORK, THE ENTIRE PROJECT ON THE RECTANGULAR 0.4 HECTARE SITE WILL COST ABOUT $187 MILLION. IT IS EXPECTED TO BE COMPLETED IN MAY 1991.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO SEND YOUR REPRESENTATIVES TO COVER THE CONTRACT SIGNING WHICH WILL BE HELD AT 2.30 PM TOMORROW (MONDAY) IN THE TRAINING ROOM OF ARCHITECTURAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT, 41/F., QUEENSWAY GOVERNMENT OFFICES.
AMONG THOSE WHO WILL SIGN THE CONTRACT WILL BE DIRECTOR OF ARCHITECTURAL SERVICES, MR JOSE LEI AND THE CHAIRMAN OF REGIONAL COUNCIL, MR CHEUNG YAN-LUNG.
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SITE SAFETY OPERATION LAUNCHED ♦ ♦ * *
THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT WILL LAUNCH THE FIRST PHASE OF A SIX-MONTH OPERATION TOMORROW (MONDAY) TO IMPROVE SAFETY STANDARDS ON BUILDING SITES THROUGHOUT THE TERRITORY.
”IN VIEW OF THE INCREASING NUMBER OF CONSTRUCTION ACCIDENTS IN RECENT YEARS, THE DEPARTMENT HAS DECIDED TO STEP UP ENFORCEMENT action to Tackle problem areas in the industry," a department SPOKESMAN SAID.
STATISTICS SHOW THAT ONE OUT OF EVERY THREE CONSTRUCTION WORKERS WAS INJURED IN ACCIDENTS LAST YEAR.
UNDER THE SPECIAL ENFORCEMENT PROGRAMME, FOUR TASK FORCE TEAMS MADE UP OF 14 EXPERIENCED FACTORY INSPECTORS HAVE BEEN FORMED.
"THEY WILL VISIT SITES WITH POOR SAFETY PERFORMANCE AND ACCIDENT RECORDS IN DIFFERENT PARTS OF THE TERRITORY TO BRING HOME THE MESSAGE OF INDUSTRIAL SAFETY TO BOTH CONTRACTORS AND WORKERS.
"PROSECUTION WILL BE TAKEN OUT WHERE NECESSARY AGAINST BLATANT OFFENDERS," THE SPOKESMAN WARNED.
THE FIRST PHASE OF THE OPERATION, LASTING FOR FOUR WEEKS, IS AIMED AT ADVISING WORKERS WORKING AT HAZARDOUS EDGES LIKELY TO CAUSE FALLS OF PERSONS.
/this WILL
SUNDAY, APRIL 16, 1989
- 3 -
THIS WILL BE FOLLOWED BY THE PROMOTIONS OF WORK SAFETY IN CAISSONS, SHAFT OPENINGS AND STRUCTURES OVER THREE STOREYS HIGH UNTIL OCTOBER.
THE SPOKESMAN ADDED THAT THE SPECIAL OPERATION WILL IN NO WAY AFFECT NORMAL INSPECTIONS ON BOTH MANUFACTURING AND CONSTRUCTION ESTABLISHMENTS.
"WE HOPE THAT THE STEPPED-UP ENFORCEMENT ACTION COULD HELP AVERT THE SOARING TREND OF SITE ACCIDENTS AND FURTHER ENHANCE THE SAFETY AWARENESS OF CONTRACTORS AND WORKERS," HE SAID.
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COMMITTEE TO DISCUSS TRANSPORT STUDY PROPOSAL
*****
MEMBERS OF THE SOUTHERN DISTRICT BOARD’S TRAFFIC AND TRANSPORT COMMITTEE WILL MEET TOMORROW (MONDAY) TO DISCUSS A PROPOSAL FOR A COMPREHENSIVE STUDY ON THE TRANSPORT NEEDS IN SOUTHERN DISTRICT.
THEY WILL ALSO CONSIDER A REQUEST FROM A GROUP OF SHOP OWNERS TO RELAX THE NO STOPPING RESTRICTION OUTSIDE A SECTION OF ABERDEEN MAIN ROAD BETWEEN SHOP NOS. 68 AND 112.
IN A LETTER TO THE DISTRICT BOARD, THE SHOP OWNERS SAID THE 24-HOUR NO STOPPING RESTRICTION THERE HAD HINDERED THE LOADING AND UNLOADING OF GOODS AND ADVERSELY AFFECTED THEIR BUSINESS.
OTHER DISCUSSION ITEMS INCLUDE THE PROPOSED RELOCATION OF PARKING SPACES AT ABERDEEN WATERFRONT IN THE VICINITY OF JUMBO PIER.
IN ADDITION, A MEMBER WILL NOTE THAT THE ABSENCE OF TRAFFIC LIGHTS AT THE KERBSIDE OF NO. 128 ABERDEEN MAIN ROAD, POSES A HAZARD TO MOTORISTS.
ANOTHER MEMBER WILL ASK ABOUT THE OPERATION OF TOLL BOOTHS AT ABERDEEN TUNNEL AND THE WATER SEEPAGE PROBLEM INSIDE THE TUNNEL.
ALSO ON THE AGENDA INCLUDE AN INFORMATION PAPER ON THE PROFIT CONTROL SCHEME APPLIED TO FRANCHISED BUS COMPANIES.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO SEND REPRESENTATIVES TO COVER THE MEETING OF THE SOUTHERN DISTRICT BOARD’S TRAFFIC AND TRANSPORT COMMITTEE TO BE HELD TOMMORROW (MONDAY) AT THE DB CONFERENCE ROOM, 2ND FLOOR, MEI FUNG COURT, ABERDEEN CENTRE, NAM NING STREET, ABERDEEN. THE MEETING WILL BEGIN AT 2.30 PM.
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SUNDAY, APRIL 16, 1989
1989 HONG KONG YOUNG MUSICIANS’ AWARDS
* * * * *
THE 1989 HONG KONG YOUNG MUSICIANS’ AWARDS, JOINTLY ORGANISED BY THE MUSIC OFFICE, RADIO TELEVISION HONG KONG AND THfe COMPOSERS AND AUTHORS SOCIETY OF HONG KONG (CASH), ARE INVITING CONTESTANTS TO APPLY FOR THE AWARDS.
THE AWARDS ARE OPEN TO ALL MUSICIANS WHO ARE UNDER 30 YEARS AS AT DECEMBER 31 THIS YEAR AND ARE EITHER HONG KONG RESIDENTS OR HAVE RESIDED IN HONG KONG SINCE JANUARY 1 LAST YEAR.
THE CONTEST IS AIMED AT RAISING THE STANDARD OF COMPOSING AND PERFORMING SERIOUS MUSIC IN THE TERRITORY AND WILL ALSO PROVIDE OPPORTUNITIES TO AROUSE INTEREST IN THE APPRECIATION OF SERIOUS MUSIC.
THERE ARE SIX CATEGORIES FOR THE AWARDS : COMPOSITION (WESTERN MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS), COMPOSITION (CHINESE MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS), COMPOSITION (MIXED INSTRUMENTATION), COMPOSITION (ELECTRO-ACOUSTICAL WORKS), ENSEMBLE PERFORMANCE I WESTERN MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS) AND ENSEMBLE PERFORMANCE (CHINESE MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS).
AS IN PREVIOUS YEARS, CASH AWARDS WILL BE DONATED BY CASH. THE THREE WINNERS IN EACH CATEGORY WILL BE AWARDED $6,000, $3,000 AND $1,000, AMOUNTING TO A TOTAL OF $60,000.
A JURY PANEL CONSISTING OF RENOWNED LOCAL AND OVERSEAS MUSICIANS WILL JUDGE THE COMPOSITION IN THREE STAGES WITH THE FINALS TO BE HELD IN DECEMBER THIS YEAR.
APPLICATION FORMS ARE NOW AVAILABLE FROM ALL MUSIC CENTRES OF THE MUSIC OFFICE.
COMPLETED APPLICATIONS SHOULD BE RETURNED TO :
1989 HONG KONG YOUNG MUSICIANS’ AWARDS,
MUSIC OFFICE,
HONG KONG ARTS CENTRE, 9TH FLOOR,
2 HARBOUR ROAD, WAN CHAI.
THE DEADLINE FOR ENTRY IS SEPTEMBER 15, 1989. FURTHER DETAILS CAN BE OBTAINED BY CALLING 5-283257.
O -
SUNDAY, APRIL 16, 1989
TSUEN WAN RESUMES DRAGON BOAT RACE AFTER 15-YEAR LAPSE
******
AFTER A LAPSE OF OVER 15 YEARS CAUSED BY RECLAMATION WORKS, THE DRAGON BOAT RACE IN TSUEN WAN DISTRICT WILL BE RESUMED THIS YEAR.
APPLICATIONS ARE NOW INVITED FOR TEAMS TO TAKE PART IN THE RACE ON JUNE 4 TO CELEBRATE THE TUEN NG FESTIVAL.
THE EVENT IS ORGANISED BY THE EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE FOR THE TSUEN WAN DRAGON BOAT RACE AND CO-SPONSORED BY THE REGIONAL COUNCIL AND THE TSUEN WAN DISTRICT BOARD.
THE RACE WILL TAKE PLACE ALONG THE WATERFRONT OFF THE TSUEN WAN RIVIERA GARDENS. IT IS DIVIDED INTO "OPEN TROPHY RACE", "INVITATION TROPHY RACE", "TSUEN WAN, MA WAN AND TSING YI FISHERMEN INVITATION TROPHY RACE" AND "WOMEN INVITATION TROPHY RACE".
APPLICATION FORMS ARE AVAILABLE AT THE TSUEN WAN DISTRICT OFFICE, AND THE DEADLINE FOR ENTRY IS MAY 1.
ENQUIRIES CAN BE MADE ON 0-4928364 OR 0-4926193.
DB COMMITTEE TO DISCUSS VETTING GUIDELINES
******
THE EASTERN DISTRICT BOARD’S COMMUNITY BUILDING COMMITTEE WILL DISCUSS PROPOSED CHANGES TO THE GUIDELINES FOR VETTING APPLICATIONS FOR DISTRICT BOARD FUNDS TO FINANCE COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT PROJECTS AT ITS MEETING ON TUESDAY (APRIL 18).
MEMBERS WILL CONSIDER THE FORMATION OF WORKING GROUPS TO CARRY OUT COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMMES IN THE DISTRICT THIS YEAR.
ALSO, THEY WILL ELECT A CHAIRMAN TO HEAD THE COMMITTEE FOR THE CURRENT ONE-YEAR TERM AND NOMINATE CO-OPTED MEMBERS TO SERVE ON THE COMMITTEE.
ANOTHER ITEM TO BE DISCUSSED IS THE PROPOSED BUDGET FOR IMPLEMENTING COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT PROJECTS IN THE PRESENT FINANCIAL YEAR.
A BRIEF CEREMONY WILL BE HELD DURING THE MEETING TO PRESENT AWARDS TO TWO OUTSTANDING CIVIC EDUCATION PROJECTS SPONSORED BY THE DISTRICT BOARD IN THE PAST YEAR.
/THE TWO
SUNDAY, APRIL 16, 198?
THE TWO WINNING PROJECTS ARE THE CIVIC EDUCATION FORTNIGHT AND THE GOOD NEIGHBOURHOOD CAMPAIGN ORGANISED BY THE NORTH POINT NORTH AREA COMMITTEE AND THE NEIGHBOURHOOD ADVICE-ACTION COUNCIL'S CHAI WAN CENTRE RESPECTIVELY.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE MEETING OF THE EASTERN DISTRICT BOARD’S COMMUNITY BUILDING COMMITTEE WHICH WILL BEGIN AT 2.30 PM ON TUESDAY (APRIL 18) IN THE CONFERENCE ROOM OF THE EASTERN DISTRICT OFFICE, FIRST FLOOR, 880-886 KING’S ROAD.
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DB COMMITTEE TO DISCUSS EXPENDITURE ESTIMATES
*****
THE WONG TAI SIN DISTRICT BOARD’S SOCIAL SERVICES COMMITTEE WILL DISCUSS THE ESTIMATES OF EXPENDITURE FOR 1989-90 AT ITS MEETING ON TUESDAY (APRIL 18).
IF ENDORSED BY MEMBERS, THE EXPENDITURE ESTIMATES, WHICH INVOLVE A SUM OF ABOUT $233,000 WILL BE SUBMITTED TO THE DISTRICT BOARD’S FINANCE AND GENERAL AFFAIRS COMMITTEE FOR CONSIDERATION ON APRIL 25.
THE MEETING WILL ALSO DISCUSS THE SCHOOL MEDICAL SERVICES AND THE IMPORT OF LABOUR INTO HONG KONG.
OTHER ITEMS ON THE AGENDA INCLUDE THE FORMATION OF WORKING GROUPS AS WELL AS FUNDS FOR MINOR PROJECTS AND FOR THE COMMUNITY HEALTH PROMOTION ASSOCIATION.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE MEETING OF THE WONG TAI SIN DISTRICT BOARD’S SOCIAL SERVICES COMMITTEE, WHICH WILL BEGIN AT 2.30 PM ON TUESDAY (APRIL 18) IN THE CONFERENCE ROOM OF WONG TAI SIN DISTRICT OFFICE, FOURTH FLOOR, SAN PO KONG GOVERNMENT OFFICES BUILDING, KING FUK STREET.
SUNDAY, APRIL 16, 1989
- 7 -
FUNDS AVAILABLE FOR SUMMER YOUTH ACTIVITIES ♦ ♦ t ♦ »
LOCAL ORGANISATIONS IN SHAM SHUI PO ARE INVITED TO APPLY FOR SUBSIDIES FROM THE DISTRICT’S ORGANISING COMMITTEE ON SUMMER YOUTH PROGRAMME TO HOLD ACTIVITIES BETWEEN JUNE 24 AND SEPTEMBER 17 THIS YEAR.
THE ACTIVITIES SHOULD CATER FOR THE INTERESTS OF THOSE AGED BETWEEN SIX AND 25, PROVIDING THEM WITH OPPORTUNITIES TO INVOLVE THEMSELVES IN COMMUNITY BUILDING PROJECTS.
THEY SHOULD ALSO HELP DEVELOP YOUNGSTERS’ POTENTIALS, THEIR INTER-PERSONAL SKILLS AND SENSE OF BELONGING TO THE COMMUNITY.
APPLICATION FORMS ARE NOW AVAILABLE AT THE SHAM SHUI PO DISTRICT OFFICE. COMPLETED FORMS SHOULD BE RETURNED TO THE OFFICE BEFORE NOON ON APRIL 29.
A SUM OF MORE THAN $370,000 HAS BEEN SET ASIDE FOR SUBSIDISING THIS YEAR’S SUMMER YOUTH PROGRAMME IN SHAM SHUI PO.
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TEMPORARY CLOSURE ON TAI PO ROAD TAI WO * t * ♦ ♦
THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCES THAT TO FACILITATE THE CONSTRUCTION OF A VEHICULAR BRIDGE AT KIU TAU, SECTIONS OF ABOUT 120 METRE OF THE SLOW LANES ON BOTH SIDES OF TAI PO ROAD TAI WO OFF KIU TAU ROAD WILL BE CLOSED FOR SIX MONTHS FROM 10 AM ON TUESDAY (APRIL 18) .
-------0---------
TEMPORARY CLOSURE OF TAI CHEONG STREET t ♦ ♦ t ♦
THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCED THAT TO FACILITATE WATER MAIN LAYING WORKS, TAI CHEONG STREET BETWEEN WAI HANG STREET AD SHAU KEI WAN ROAD WILL CONTINUE TO BE CLOSED TO TRAFFIC UNTIL MID-MAY.
DURING THE PERIOD, THE EXISTING TEMPORARY TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS IN TAI FOO STREET, WAI HANG STREET AND SAI WAN HO STREET WILL REMAIN IN FORCE.
- - O - -
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE. HONG KONG. TEL.: 5-8428777
MONDAY, APRIL 17, 1?89
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
ANALYSIS OF 1988 RE-EXPORT TRaDE ................................ 1
FIVE NEW INSURANCE COMPANIES GIVEN APPROVAL ..................... 5
LAB DISCUSSES WIDE RANGE OF ISSUES .............................. 8
LADY WILSON OPENS ESF ART EXHIBITION ............................ 9
RESEARCH GRANTS TO THE TERTIARY INSTITUTIONS FOR 1989-90 ... 11
MANUAL FOR GENERAL MANAGEMENT DEVELOPMENT PUBLISHED........... 12
42? ELLEGaL HAWKERS ARRESTED IN CONTINUED CRACKDOWN......... 1J
JOINT UC/RC KEEP HONG KONG CLEAN STEERING COMMITTEE MEETS TOMORROW ..................................................... 14
DEEDS OF MUTUAL COVENANT REVIEWED AT DB MELTING................. 14
Water storage figure............................................ 15
WAN CHAI DB TO DISCUSS WORK OF ADMINISTRATIVE COMPLAINTS OFFICE ....................................................... 15
CONCERT BY MUSIC OFFICE INSTRUCTORS ............................ 16
TEMPORARY TRAFFIC ..ND TRANSPORT aRRaNGEMENTS IN HO MaN TIN . 16
TEMPORARY TRaFFIC .ARRANGEMENTS IN YaU Ma TEI .................. 17
WATER CUTS IN FIVE .JREaS ...................................... 17
MONDAY, APRIL 17, 1989
ANALYSIS OF 1988 RE-EXPORT TRADE * t t » »
HONG KONG’S RE-EXPORTS AMOUNTED TO $275,405 MILLION IN 1988, A GROWTH OF 51 PER CENT IN VALUE AS COMPARED WITH 1987, ACCORDING TO THE SUMMARY STATISTICS ON HONG KONG'S RE-EXPORTS IN 1988 ANALYSED BY MARKET AND BY COUNTRY OF ORIGIN RELEASED TODAY (MONDAY) BY THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT.
RE-EXPORTS BY MARKET
THE CHANGES IN THE VALUE OF RE-EXPORTS TO 10 MAJOR MARKETS ARE GIVEN IN TABLE 1.
CHINA AND THE U.S.A., THE TWO LARGEST MARKETS FOR HONG KONG’S RE-EXPORTS, ACCOUNTED FOR 34 PER CENT AND 18 PER CENT RESPECTIVELY OF THE TOTAL VALUE OF RE-EXPORTS IN 1988. THE SHARES OF JAPAN, TAIWAN AND THE REPUBLIC OF KOREA WERE 6 PER CENT, 5 PER CENT AND 4 PER CENT RESPECTIVELY.
COMPARING 1988 WITH 1987, THE VALUE OF RE-EXPORTS TO ALL MAJOR MARKETS INCREASED, WITH THE MORE SIGNIFICANT INCREASES RECORDED IN JAPAN (+78 PER CENT), CHINA (+58 PER CENT), THE FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF GERMANY (+56 PER CENT), AUSTRALIA (+53 PER CENT), THE U.S.A. (+52 PER CENT) AND THE UNITED KINGDOM (+50 PER CENT).
RE-EXPORTS TO TAIWAN, SINGAPORE AND THE REPUBLIC OF KOREA ALSO INCREASED, BY 46 PER CENT, 34 PER CENT AND 31 PER CENT RESPECTIVELY.
RE-EXPORTS TO CHINA, THE LARGEST MARKET, INCREASED BY $34,725 MILLION OR 58 PER CENT IN 1988 AS COMPARED WITH 1987.
ANALYSED BY COMMODITY, SIGNIFICANT INCREASES WERE RECORDED IN ARTIFICIAL RESINS AND PLASTIC MATERIALS, AND CELLULOSE ESTERS AND ETHERS (BY $5,183 MILLION OR 180 PER CENT); ELECTRICAL MACHINERY, APPARATUS AND APPLIANCES AND ELECTRICAL PARTS THEREOF (BY $4,290 MILLION OR 96 PER CENT); AND TEXTILES (BY $3,586 MILLION OR 24 PER CENT) .
HOWEVER, A DECREASE WAS RECORDED IN MISCELLANEOUS EDIBLE PRODUCTS AND PREPARATIONS (BY $31 MILLION OR 13 PER CENT).
RE-EXPORTS TO THE U.S.A., THE SECOND LARGEST MARKET FOR HONG KONG'S RE-EXPORTS, INCREASED BY $17,028 MILLION OR 52 PER CENT.
COMMODITIES WITH SIGNIFICANT INCREASES WERE MISCELLANEOUS MANUFACTURED ARTICLES, INCLUDING MAINLY BABY CARRIAGES, TOYS, GAMES AND SPORTING GOODS (BY $4,547 MILLION OR 52 PER CENT); ELECTRICAL MACHINERY, APPARATUS AND APPLIANCES AND ELECTRICAL PARTS THEREOF (BY $3,171 MILLION OR 127 PER CENT): AND TELECOMMUNICATIONS AND SOUND RECORDING AND REPRODUCING APPARATUS AND EQUIPMENT (BY $2,180 MILLION OR 107 PER CENT).
/HOWEVER, A........
MONDAY, APRIL 17, 1989
- 2 -
HOWEVER, A DECREASE WAS RECORDED IN EXPLOSIVES AND PYROTECHNIC PRODUCTS (BY $146 MILLION OR 31 PER CENT).
RE-EXPORTS TO JAPAN INCREASED BY $7,646 MILLION OR 78 PER CENT. ANALYSED BY COMMODITY, SIGNIFICANT INCREASES WERE RECORDED IN CLOTHING (BY $1,832 MILLION OR 133 PER CENT) AND FISH, CRUSTACEANS AND MOLLUSCS, AND PREPARATIONS THEREOF (BY $567 MILLION OR 52 PER CENT).
A DECREASE WAS RECORDED IN TOBACCO AND TOBACCO MANUFACTURES (BY $33 MILLION OR 74 PER CENT).
RE-EXPORTS TO TAIWAN RECORDED AN INCREASE OF $4,446 MILLION OR 46 PER CENT. SIGNIFICANT INCREASES WERE REGISTERED FOR ELECTRICAL MACHINERY, APPARATUS AND APPLIANCES AND ELECTRICAL PARTS THEREOF (BY $1,260 MILLION OR 36 PER CENT); AND TOBACCO AND TOBACCO MANUFACTURES (BY $440 MILLION OR 556 PER CENT).
HOWEVER, A DECREASE WAS RECORDED IN RAW HIDES, SKINS AND FURSKINS (BY $11 MILLION OR 51 PER CENT).
RE-EXPORTS TO THE REPUBLIC OF KOREA GREW BY $2,795 MILLION OR 31 PER CENT. SIGNIFICANT INCREASES WERE RECORDED IN ELECTRICAL MACHINERY, APPARATUS AND APPLIANCES AND ELECTRICAL PARTS THEREOF (BY $771 MILLION OR 51 PER CENT); AND NON-FERROUS METALS (BY $379 MILLION OR 107 PER CENT).
A DECREASE WAS REGISTERED FOR RAW HIDES, SKINS AND FURSKINS (BY $14 MILLION OR 63 PER CENT).
RE-EXPORTS BY COUNTRY OF ORIGIN
RE-EXPORTS FROM 10 MAJOR COUNTRIES OF ORIGIN ARE GIVEN IN TABLE 2.
GOODS FROM CHINA, JAPAN, TAIWAN, THE U.S.A. AND THE REPUBLIC OF KOREA CONTRIBUTED 48 PER CENT, 14 PER CENT, 8 PER CENT, 7 PER CENT AND 5 PER CENT RESPECTIVELY TO THE TOTAL VALUE OF RE-EXPORTS THROUGH HONG KONG IN 1988.
COMPARING 1988 WITH 1987, ALL THE MAJOR ORIGIN COUNTRIES SUPPLIED MORE IN VALUE TERMS TO HONG KONG FOR RE-EXPORTS, PARTICULARLY THE REPUBLIC OF KOREA (+111 PER CENT), SINGAPORE (+74 PER CENT), TAIWAN (+67 PER CENT), CHINA (+56 PER CENT) AND JAPAN (+53 PER CENT). RE-EXPORTS FROM THE U.S.A. INCREASED BY 41 PER CENT IN VALUE TERMS.
CHINA CONTINUED TO BE THE LARGEST SOURCE OF HONG KONG'S REEXPORTS IN 1988. A GROWTH OF 56 PER CENT IN VALUE OR $47,260 MILLION OVER 1987 WAS RECORDED IN THE RE-EXPORTS ORIGINATING IN CHINA.
/ANALYSED BY .......
MONDAY, APRIL 17, 1989
- 3 -
ANALYSED BY COMMODITY, SIGNIFICANT INCREASES WERE RECORDED IN MISCELLANEOUS MANUFACTURED ARTICLES, INCLUDING MAINLY BABY CARRIAGES, TOYS, GAMES AND SPORTING GOODS (BY $9,380 MILLION OR 65 PER CENT); CLOTHING (BY $6,328 MILLION OR 36 PER CENT); AND TELECOMMUNICATIONS AND SOUND RECORDING AND REPRODUCING APPARATUS AND EQUIPMENT (BY $5,269 MILLION OR 114 PER CENT).
HOWEVER, DECREASES WERE RECORDED IN PETROLEUM, PETROLEUM PRODUCTS AND RELATED MATERIALS (BY $173 MILLION OR 47 PER CENT); AND OIL SEEDS AND OLEAGINOUS FRUIT (BY $101 MILLION OR 28 PER CENT).
JAPAN REMAINED THE SECOND LARGEST SOURCE OF HONG KONG'S REEXPORTS IN 1988. COMPARED WITH 1987, THERE WAS AN INCREASE OF $13,115 MILLION OR 53 PER CENT IN THE VALUE OF RE-EXPORTS ORIGINATING IN JAPAN.
SIGNIFICANT INCREASES WERE REGISTERED FOR ELECTRICAL MACHINERY, APPARATUS AND APPLIANCES AND ELECTRICAL PARTS THEREOF (BY $2,651 MILLION OR 61 PER CENT); ROAD VEHICLES, INCLUDING AIR CUSHION VEHICLES (BY $1,715 MILLION OR 136 PER CENT); AND TELECOMMUNICATIONS AND SOUND RECORDING AND REPRODUCING APPARATUS AND EQUIPMENT (BY $1,676 MILLION OR 43 PER CENT).
A DECREASE WAS RECORDED IN TEXTILE FIBRES (OTHER THAN WOOL TOPS) AND THEIR WASTES (BY $62 MILLION OR 32 PER CENT).
RE-EXPORTS ORIGINATING IN TAIWAN INCREASED BY $8,527 MILLION OR 67 PER CENT IN VALUE TERMS IN 1988, PARTICULARLY THOSE OF ELECTRICAL MACHINERY, APPARATUS AND APPLIANCES AND ELECTRICAL PARTS THEREOF (BY $1,484 MILLION OR 113 PER CENT); AND TEXTILES (BY $1,465 MILLION OR 27 PER CENT).
HOWEVER, A DECREASE WAS RECORDED IN PHOTOGRAPHIC APPARATUS, EQUIPMENT AND SUPPLIES AND OPTICAL GOODS, AND WATCHES AND CLOCKS (BY $101 MILLION OR 32 PER CENT).
RE-EXPORTS ORIGINATING IN THE U.S.A. INCREASED BY $5,567 MILLION OR 41 PER CENT IN VALUE TERMS.
COMMODITIES WITH SIGNIFICANT INCREASES WERE ELECTRICAL MACHINERY, APPARATUS AND APPLIANCES AND ELECTRICAL PARTS THEREOF (BY $1,414 MILLION OR 53 PER CENT); AND ARTIFICIAL RESINS AND PLASTIC MATERIALS, AND CELLULOSE ESTERS AND ETHERS (BY $1,390 MILLION OR 159 PER CENT).
HOWEVER, A DECREASE WAS RECORDED IN PHOTOGRAPHIC APPARATUS, EQUIPMENT AND SUPPLIES AND OPTICAL GOODS, AND WATCHES AND CLOCKS (BY $98 MILLION OR 19 PER CENT).
RE-EXPORTS ORIGINATING IN THE REPUBLIC OF KOREA INCREASED BY $6,862 MILLION OR 111 PER CENT IN VALUE, PARTICULARLY THOSE OF ELECTRICAL MACHINERY, APPARATUS AND APPLIANCES AND ELECTRICAL PARTS THEREOF (BY $1,980 MILLION OR 141 PER CENT); AND TEXTILES (BY $1,258 MILLION OR 59 PER CENT).
/HOWEVER, A
MONDAY, APRIL 17, 1989
HOWEVER, A DECREASE WAS RECORDED IN PAPER, PAPERBOARD, AND ARTICLES OF PAPER PULP, OF PAPER OR OF PAPERBOARD (BY $122 MILLION OR 40 PER CENT).
FURTHER DETAILS REGARDING THE ABOVE RE-EXPORT STATISTICS ARE PUBLISHED IN THE "HONG KONG EXTERNAL TRADE, DECEMBER 1988" NOW AVAILABLE FOR SALE AT THE GOVERNMENT PUBLICATIONS CENTRE, GPO BUILDING, CONNAUGHT PLACE, CENTRAL AT $17.50 PER COPY.
ENQUIRIES MAY BE DIRECTED TO THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT ON 5-8234915.
TABLE 1 : RE-EXPORTS BY 10 MAJOR MARKETS
MAJOR MARKET JAN-DEC 1988 (HKD MN.) JAN-DEC 1987 (HKD MN.) INCREASE (HKD MN.) PERCENTAGE INCREASE ( % )
CHINA 94,895 60,170 34,725 58
U.S.A. 49,483 32,454 17,028 52
JAPAN 17,418 9,772 7,646 78
TAIWAN 14,130 9,685 4,446 46
REPUBLIC OF KOREA 11,764 8,969 2,795 31
SINGAPORE 8,703 6,481 2,222 34
F. R. OF GERMANY 8,637 5,533 3,104 56
U. K. 6,420 4,271 2,149 50
AUSTRALIA 4,4 59 2,913 1,546 53
MACAU 3,899 3,326 573 17
/Table a,.......
MONDAY, APRIL 17, 1989
- 5 -
TABLE 2 : RE-EXPORTS BY 10 MAJOR COUNTRIES OF ORIGIN
COUNTRY OF ORIGIN JAN-DEC 1988 JAN-DEC 1987 INCREASE (HKD MN.) PERCENTAGE INCREASE ( % )
(HKD MN. ) (HKD MN. )
CHINA 131,525 84 , 266 47,260 56
JAPAN 37,714 24 ,599 13,115 53
TAIWAN 21,208 12 ,680 8,527 67
U.S.A. 19,153 13 ,586 5,567 41
REPUBLIC OF KOREA 13,050 6 ,188 6,862 111
F. R. OF GERMANY 4,201 2 ,979 1,222 41
SWITZERLAND 3,346 2 ,389 957 40
U. K. 3,255 2 ,463 792 32
FRANCE 3,134 2 ,119 1,015 48
SINGAPORE 2,734 1 ,567 1 , 166 74
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7 FIVE NEW INSURANCE COMPANIES GIVEN APPROVAL *****
FIVE NEW INSURANCE COMPANIES - FOUR OVERSEAS AND ONE LOCAL -WERE AUTHORISED TO CARRY ON INSURANCE BUSINESS IN OR FROM HONG KONG DURING THE 1988-89 FINANCIAL YEAR, THE REGISTRAR GENERAL, MR NOEL GLEESON, SAID TODAY (MONDAY).
DURING THE SAME PERIOD, NINE EXISTING INSURERS CEASED TO BE AUTHORISED FOLLOWING THE CESSATION OR ORDERLY RUN-OFF OF THEIR INSURANCE BUSINESS IN HONG KONG.
AS AT MARCH 31 THIS YEAR, THERE WERE 275 AUTHORISED INSURERS OPERATING IN HONG KONG, REPRESENTING A NET DECREASE OF FOUR SINCE MARCH 31 LAST YEAR.
OF THESE, 127 WERE HONG KONG INSURERS, THE REMAINDER COMING FROM OVERSEAS, INCLUDING THE UK (39), USA (28), BERMUDA (11), JAPAN (8), SINGAPORE (7), SWITZERLAND (7) AND CANADA (6).
/IN ANNOUNCING
MONDAY, APRIL 17, 1989
6
IN ANNOUNCING THE ABOVE FIGURES, MR GLEESON ATTRIBUTED THE STABLE NUMBER OF AUTHORISED INSURERS TO THE GENERALLY EFFECTIVE LEGISLATIVE FRAMEWORK REGULATING INSURANCE COMPANIES IN HONG KONG.
NEW INSURERS WISHING TO OBTAIN AUTHORISATION MUST SATISFY THE INSURANCE AUTHORITY THAT THEY MEET THE NECESSARY CRITERIA FOR AUTHORISATION BEFORE THEY CAN BE ADMITTED.
EXISTING INSURERS WHICH HAD CEASED TO CARRY ON INSURANCE BUSINESS WERE GENERALLY NOT ALLOWED TO RETAIN THEIR AUTHORISATION AFTER THEY HAD RUN OFF THEIR OUTSTANDING CLAIMS.
MR GLEESON SAID INTEREST TO ENTER THE HONG KONG INSURANCE MARKET REMAINED KEEN, ESPECIALLY FROM INSURERS COMING FROM ABROAD.
DURING THE FINANCIAL YEAR 1988-89, 10 NEW APPLICATIONS FOR AUTHORISATION WERE RECEIVED, EIGHT OF WHICH WERE FROM OVERSEAS INSURERS.
AS AT MARCH 31 THIS YEAR, THERE WERE EIGHT PENDING APPLICATIONS FOR AUTHORISATION, FIVE OF WHICH WERE FROM OVERSEAS COMPANIES AND THREE FROM HONG KONG.
THIS DEMONSTRATED THE HONG KONG INSURANCE MARKET’S STRONG POTENTIAL FOR FURTHER DEVELOPMENT AND THE CONTINUED CONFIDENCE OF BOTH LOCAL AND OVERSEAS INSURERS IN HONG KONG’S FUTURE AND ITS CONTINUING ATTRACTION AS AN INSURANCE CENTRE.
MR GLEESON ALSO SAID THAT DURING THE YEAR HE HAD EXERCISED HIS POWER OF INTERVENTION AS INSURANCE AUTHORITY ON 56 OCCASIONS IN RESPECT OF 18 INSURERS.
HE ADDED THAT HE HAD TAKEN INTERVENTIONAL ACTION AGAINST A TOTAL OF 69 INSURERS SINCE THE COMMENCEMENT OF THE INSURANCE COMPANIES ORDINANCE IN JUNE 1983.
THE INTERVENTIONAL ACTION HE HAD TAKEN HAD GENERALLY SERVED THE PURPOSE OF PROTECTING THE INTERESTS OF POLICY HOLDERS AND POTENTIAL POLICY HOLDERS.
MR GLEESON WENT ON TO SAY THAT AMENDING LEGISLATION TO ENHANCE THE PROTECTION FOR POLICY HOLDERS AND POTENTIAL POLICY HOLDERS HAD BEEN ENACTED DURING THE YEAR.
THE FIRST AMENDMENT, WHICH WAS MADE TO SECTION 265 OF THE COMPANIES ORDINANCE BY THE COMPANIES (AMENDMENT) (NO. 3) ORDINANCE NO. 7 OF 1988 ENACTED IN DECEMBER 1988, EXTENDED PREFERENCE TO CLAIMS UNDER CONTRACTS OF INSURANCE OVER ORDINARY CLAIMS IN THE WINDING-UP OF AN INSURANCE COMPANY.
THE SECOND AMENDMENT WAS INTRODUCED BY THE INSURANCE COMPANIES (AMENDMENT) ORDINANCE NO.8 OF 1989, ENACTED IN MARCH, 1989. THE EFFECT OF THIS AMENDMENT ORDINANCE WAS THAT:-
/A) THE .........
MONDAY, APRIL 17, 1989
A) THE SOLVENCY MARGIN REQUIREMENTS APPLICABLE TO GENERAL BUSINESS INSURERS WAS INCREASED;
THK /RKQ’JKNCY OF ACTUARIAL VALUATIONS OF LONG TERM BUSINESS INSURERS WAS SHORTENED FROM TWO YEARS TO 12 MONTHS; AND
THE 'FIT AND PROPER PERSON” PROVISIONS OF THE ORDINANCE WAS DGIITENED BY WIDENING THE DEFINITION OF ’’CONTROLLER" OF AN INSURANCE COMPANY TO INCLUDE ANY PERSON HAVING 15 PER CENT (PREVIOUSLY ONE-THIRD OR MORE) OF THE INSURER’S VOTING POWER.
DlforMr™ NEU MINIMUM SOLVENCY MARGIN REQUIREMENT FOR GENERAL BUSINESS INSURERS IS $5 MILLION (PREVIOUSLY $2 MILLION), AND S10 (RREVI°USLY $4 MILLION) FOR COMPANIES CARRYING ON COMPULSORY CLASSES OP INSUI.'.NCE BUSINESS SUCH AS MOTOR VEHICLES THIRD PARTY RISKS AND EMPLOYEES’ COMPENSATION.
ANOTHER CHANGE IN THE LAW THAT HAD TAKEN PLACE DURING THE YEAR WAS THE INSURANCE COMPANIES (AMENDMENT) ORDINANCE NO.34 OF 1988, ENACTED IN JUNE 1988. THIS AMENDMENT ORDINANCE GIVES THE INSURANCE AUTHORITY MORE FLEXIBILITY INZ-
AI MAINTAINING OR REVOKING CONDITIONS FOR AUTHORISATION OF
INSURERS;
B) WITHDRAWING THE AUTHORISATION OF ANY DORMANT CLASS OF
INSURANCE BUSINESS OR ANY PART THEREOF; AND
O PRESERVING SECRECY WITH REGARD TO INFORMATION RELATING TO THE
AFFAIRS OF INSURERS.
MR GLEESON SAID SIGNIFICANT PROGRESS HAD BEEN MADE DURING THE YEAR ON THE FIRST STAGE OF SELF-REGULATION.
THIS WAS A SELF-REGULATORY SYSTEM WHICH WOULD BE OPERATED BY THE INSURANCE INDUSTRY. IT WOULD COMPLEMENT THE EXISTING LEGISLATION IN REGULATING THE INSURANCE MARKET AND ENHANCE THE STATUS AND IMAGE OF THE HONG KONG INSURANCE INDUSTRY.
THE INSURANCE INDUSTRY SELF-REGULATION WORKING GROUP HAD PUT FORWARD TO HIM CERTAIN PROPOSALS IN THE AREA OF INSURANCE CONTRACT LAW AND THE PRACTICES OF INSURANCE COMPANIES IN THAT CONNECTION.
THESE INCLUDED THE ADOPTION OF A PROFESSIONAL CODE OF CONDUCT BY INSURERS, A MORE EQUITABLE INTERPRETATION OF INSURANCE CONTRACTS AND A MECHANISM FOR COMPLAINTS BY DISSATISFIED POLICY HOLDERS TO BE CONSIDERED BY AN INDEPENDENT BODY.
HE EXPECTED THAT FINAL DETAILS OF THESE PROPOSALS WOULD BE AGREED IN THE NEAR FUTURE AT WHICH TIME THEY WOULD BE MADE PUBLIC.
THE SECOND STAGE OF SELF-REGULATION CONCERNED INTERMEDIARIES, THAT IS BROKERS AND AGENTS, AND HE HOPED THAT GOOD PROGRESS WOULD BE MADE ON THIS AS SOON AS FINAL AGREEMENT WAS REACHED ON THE FIRST STAGE.
MONDAY, APRIL 17, 1989
8
LAB DISCUSSES WIDE * ♦ ♦
RANGE OF ISSUES * *
THE LABOUR ADVISORY BOARD AT ITS MEETING TODAY (MONDAY) DISCUSSED A PROPOSAL TO EXTEND THE FACTORIES AND INDUSTRIAL UNDERTAKINGS ORDINANCE TO COVER THE CATERING TRADE WHICH HAS IN RECENT YEARS BEEN THE SOURCE OF THE LARGEST NUMBER OF NON-INDUSTRIAL ACCIDENTS.
MEMBERS WERE TOLD THAT MORE THAN 13,330 ACCIDENTS TOOK PLACE IN THb. TRADE LAST YEAR, REPRESENTING 31 PER CENT OF THE TOTAL 43,627 NON-INDUSTRJAL ACCIDENTS.
THE CAUSES OF THESE ACCIDENTS WERE VERY OFTEN SIMILAR IN NATURE TO INDUSTRIAL ACCIDENTS SUCH AS ELECTROCUTION, MACHINERY CUTS, BURNS, FALLS OF PERSON, POISONING, FIRE AND EXPLOSION.
IT IS HOPED THAT THE PROPOSED AMENDMENT WILL HELP UPGRADE SAFETY AND HEALTH STANDARDS FOR WORKERS IN THE TRADE AND BRING THEM BROADLY INTO LINE WITH THOSE IN THE MANUFACTURING SECTOR.
USEFUL VIEWS WERE EXPRESSED BY MEMBERS AT THE MEETING. EMPLOYEE REPRESENTATIVES WERE GENERALLY IN SUPPORT OF THE PROPOSAL WHILE EMPLOYER REPRESENTATIVES AGREED IN PRINCIPLE SUBJECT TO FURTHER DETAILS BEING WORKED OUT FOR ITS IMPLEMENTATION. SUCH AS INSPECTIONS BY FACTORY INSPECTORS.
THE BOARD THEN STUDIED AND ENDORSED A NUMBER OF PROPOSALS TO STRENGTHEN THE PROTECTION OF LOCAL EMPLOYEES WHO ARE RECRUITED FOR EMPLOYMENT OUTSIDE HONG KONG OR WHO ARE REQUIRED TO WORK OUTSIDE HONG KONG BY THEIR HONG KONG EMPLOYERS.
THE PROPOSALS INCLUDE:
* TO EXTEND THE EMPLOYMENT ORDINANCE TO COVER HONG KONG EMPLOYEES WHO ARE EMPLOYED BY HONG KONG EMPLOYERS TO WORK WHOLLY OR PARTIALLY OUTSIDE HONG KONG SO AS TO ENABLE THEM TO PURSUE ANY CLAIMS THEY MAY HAVE AGAINST THEIR EMPLOYERS AFTER THEY RETURN TO HONG KONG; AND
♦ TO EXPAND THE SCOPE OF THE CONTRACTS FOR EMPLOYMENT OUTSIDE HONG KONG' ORDINANCE TO NON-MANUAL WORKERS AND TO AMEND THE ORDINANCE TO ENSURE THAT THE TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT OFFERED TO AN EMPLOYEE ARE IN LINE WITH THE PROVISIONS OF THE EMPLOYMENT ORDINANCE.
MEMBERS NEXT TURNED TO A PROPOSAL TO FURTHER IMPROVE THE DEFINITION OF ’’LAY-OFF" UNDER THE EMPLOYMENT ORDINANCE.
AT THE BOARD’S MEETING IN OCTOBER LAST YEAR, MEMBERS HAD ALREADY AGREED THAT AN EMPLOYEE SHOULD BE TAKEN TO BE LAID OFF IF NONPROVISION OF WORK BY HIS EMPLOYER AMOUNTS TO MORE THAN HALF OF THE TOTAL NUMBER OF NORMAL WORKING DAYS IN ANY PERIOD OF FOUR CONSECUTIVE WEEKS.
/TO FURTHER ......
MONDAY, APRIL 1?, 1989
TO FURTHER IMPROVE THE DEFINITION, IT IS PROPOSED TO ADD A NEW PROVISION TO THE EFFECT THAT AN EMPLOYEE SHALL ALSO BE TAKEN TO BE LAID OFF IF NON-PROVISION OF WORK BY HIS EMPLOYER AMOUNTS TO MORE THAN ONE-THIRD OF THE TOTAL NUMBER OF NORMAL WORKING DAYS IN ANY PERIOD OF 26 CONSECUTIVE WEEKS.
MEMBERS WERE TOLD THAT THIS SHOULD BE ABLE TO PREVENT UNSCRUPULOUS EMPLOYERS FROM ABUSING THE LAW IN ORDER TO AVOID PAYING SEVERANCE PAY AND AT THE SAME TIME IT SHOULD GIVE EMPLOYERS A DEGREE OF FLEXIBILITY IN MAKING OPERATIONAL ARRANGEMENT TO CATER FOR TEMPORARY SHORTAGE OF WORK.
MOST EMPLOYER MEMBERS SUPPORTED IN PRINCIPLE THE PROPOSAL WHILE EMPLOYEE MEMBERS CONSIDERED THE REFERENCE PERIOD OF 26 WEEKS AS TOO LONG AND THAT IT SHOULD BE SHORTENED.
AFTER DISCUSSIONS, THE BOARD AGREED THAT THE 26-WEEK PERIOD COULD BE TAKEN AS A STARTING POINT AND THAT IT WOULD BE REVIEWED ON THE BASIS OF ECONOMIC CHANGES AND IN THE LIGHT OF EXPERIENCE GAINED.THIS WILL BE CARRIED OUT ONE YEAR AFTER THE PROPOSED AMENDMENT HAS BEEN ENACTED.
DURING THE MEETING, THE BOARD ALSO AGREED TO SEND A TRIPARTITE DELEGATION TO ATTEND THE 76TH SESSION OF THE INTERNATIONAL LABOUR CONFERENCE TO BE HELD IN GENEVA IN JUNE THIS YEAR.
IT WAS DECIDED THAT THE HONG KONG DELEGATION WOULD COMPRISE THE DEPUTY COMMISSIONER FOR LABOUR, MR HAROLD KWOK; MR A.E. GAZELEY REPRESENTING EMPLOYERS: AND MISS LI FUNG-YING REPRESENTING EMPLOYEES.
MEMBERS WERE ALSO BRIEFED BY THE CHAIRMAN, MR TONY HAMMOND, ON THE GOVERNMENT’S POLICY ON IMPORTATION OF SKILLED LABOUR. A NUMBER OF USEFUL VIEWS WERE EXPRESSED BY MEMBERS ON THE SUBJECT AND WILL BE PASSED ON TO THE GOVERNMENT.
-------0---------
LADY WILSON OPENS ESF ART EXHIBITION *****
EDUCATORS HAVE TO ENSURE THAT A BALANCED AND WIDE CURRICULUM IS PROVIDED FOR PUPILS, LADY WILSON SAID TODAY (MONDAY).
SPEAKING AT THE OPENING CEREMONY OF THE ENGLISH SCHOOLS FOUNDATION (ESF) THIRD ART EXHIBITION, SHE NOTED THAT IN HIGHLY COMPETITIVE, RESULT-ORIENTED COMMUNITIES, SOCIAL PRESSURES COULD LEAD SCHOOLS TO EMPHASISE ACADEMIC EXCELLENCE AND SUCCESS IN SUBJECTS SUCH AS SCIENCE AND MATHEMATICS, WHICH HAD A DIRECT APPLICATION IN INDUSTRY AND COMMERCE.
/"IMPORTANT THOUGH .......
MONDAY, APRIL 17, 1989
- 10 -
"IMPORTANT THOUGH SCIENCE AND MATHEMATICS ARE, EDUCATORS MUST ENSURE THAT THE CURRICULUM REMAINS BALANCED AND THAT PUPILS ARE INTRODUCED TO A BROAD RANGE OF SUBJECTS INCLUDING HUMANITIES, LANGUAGES AND THE CREATIVE AND PERFORMING ARTS," SHE SAID.
LADY WILSON SAID THAT CREATIVE ART AS A SUBJECT IN THE SCHOOL CURRICULUM, WAS OF IMMENSE VALUE TO THE LEARNING PROCESS.
"IT PROVIDES YOUNG PUPILS WITH AN OPPORTUNITY TO EXPRESS AND FORMALISE THEIR EXPERIENCES, WITHOUT HAVING TO RELY ON THE USE OF LANGUAGE.
"ART ALSO EXERCISES THE IMAGINATION, AND USES THE CREATIVE PROCESSES LATENT IN EVERYONE.
"IT ENCOURAGES PROBLEM-SOLVING AND ANALYTICAL SKILLS, SHARPENS THE POWERS OF OBSERVATION AND TACTILE AWARENESS, AND FURTHERS THE DEVELOPMENT AND UNDERSTANDING OF EMOTIONS," LADY WILSON ADDED.
SHE SAID THAT THE EXHIBITION DEMONSTRATED HOW ESF SCHOOLS PLACED GREAT EMPHASIS ON PROVIDING A BROAD CURRICULUM FOR THEIR PUPILS.
SHE NOTED THAT THE WORK IN THE EXHIBITION HAD NOT BEEN PRODUCED FOR EXHIBITION PURPOSES; THE INTENTION HAD BEEN TO GIVE AN INDICATION OF THE ART WORK UNDERTAKEN BY PUPILS DURING THEIR NORMAL CLASSROOM LESSONS, THROUGHOUT THE YEAR.
SHE POINTED OUT THAT HONG KONG WAS MORE AND MORE AWARE OF THE IMPORTANCE OF THE ARTS AND OUR FESTIVALS AND MANY ACTIVITIES WERE BECOMING INCREASINGLY WELL KNOWN IN THE REGION.
"OUR CREATIVE AND PERFORMING ARTS ARE GROWING ALL THE TIME.
"IT IS GOOD TO SEE THIS HAPPENING AT AN EARLY AND FORMATIVE AGE," SHE ADDED.
LADY WILSON CONGRATULATED THE TEACHERS AND PUPILS WHO HAD MADE THE EXHIBITION POSSIBLE.
"AS YOU VIEW THIS EXHIBITION, YOU WILL SEE WORK BY PUPILS WHO COME FROM 40 DIFFERENT NATIONS, AND WHOSE CULTURAL BACKGROUND ARE VERY DIVERSE," SHE SAID.
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MONDAY, APRIL 17, 1989
11
RESEARCH GRANTS TO THE TERTIARY INSTITUTIONS FOR 1989-90 * ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦
THE UNIVERSITY AND POLYTECHNIC GRANTS COMMITTEE (UPGCI HAS NOTIFIED THE FIVE TERTIARY INSTITUTIONS OF THE RESULTS OF THE SECOND ROUND OF RESEARCH GRANT ALLOCATIONS MADE FROM THE SPECIAL FUNDS PROVIDED BY THE GOVERNMENT.
THE FIVE INSTITUTIONS ARE: THE UNIVERSITY OF HONG KONG, THE CHINESE UNIVERSITY OF HONG KONG, THE HONG KONG POLYTECHNIC, THE CITY POLYTECHNIC OF HONG KONG AND THE HONG KONG BAPTIST COLLEGE.
THE TOTAL SUM ALLOCATED FOR RESEARCH FOR THE THREE-YEAR PERIOD 1988-91 IS $120 MILLION.
OF THIS AMOUNT, $30 MILLION WAS ALLOCATED DURING THE FIRST ROUND OF THE EXERCISE, FOR 1988-89, WITH $40 MILLION RESERVED FOR 1989-90 AND THE REMAINING $50 MILLION FOR 1990-91.
FOR THE 1989-90 EXERCISE, $13.75 MILLION IS TO BE DISBURSED IN THE FORM OF SMALL GRANTS BY THE INSTITUTIONS* RESEARCH COMMITTEES, COMPARED WITH $10 MILLION FOR 1988-89, AND THE BALANCE OF $26.25 MILLION IS TO BE ALLOCATED BY THE UPGC IN RESPONSE TO COMPETITIVE BIDS.
THE $26.25 MILLION MADE AVAILABLE FOR THIS YEAR'S ALLOCATION WILL SUPPORT, FULLY OR PARTIALLY, A TOTAL OF 59 PROJECTS, OUT OF A TOTAL OF 135 PROJECTS SUBMITTED BY THE INSTITUTIONS, WHICH HAD THEMSELVES SHORTLISTED THEIR INDIVIDUAL BIDS FROM A CONSIDERABLY LARGER NUMBER.
THE DETAILS OF THE PROJECTS SUPPORTED, BY SUBJECT AREA ARE:
SUBJECT AREA NO. OF PROJECTS FUNDING SUPPORTED
ARTS & LANGUAGES 2 $0.80 M
ADMINISTRATIVE, BUSINESS & SOCIAL STUDIES 7 $2.16 M
BIOLOGICAL & PHYSICAL SCIENCE 16 $7.87 M
EDUCATION 2 $0.63 M
MEDICINE, DENTISTRY & HEALTH 11 $5.97 M
CIVIL ENGINEERING, SURVEYING, BUILDING & CONSTRUCTION 4 $1.33 M
ELECTRICAL & ELECTRONIC ENGINEERING 8 $5.26 M
/COMPUTING SCIENCE .......
MONDAY, APRIL 17, 1989
12
COMPUTING SCIENCE, INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY & MATHEMATICS 5 $1.15 M
MECHANICAL, PRODUCTION & INDUSTRIAL ENGINEERING 3 $0.88 M
LAW, ARCHITECTURE, TOWN PLANNING, ETC 1 $0.20 M
TOTAL 59 $26.25 M
SECRETARY OF THE UPGC, MR LEONARD SPARK, SAID THAT IT HAD BEEN POSSIBLE TO SUPPORT 59 PROJECTS THIS YEAR, COMPARED WITH ONLY 40 FOR 1988-89. ONCE AGAIN, THE QUALITY OF THE BIDS HAD BEEN EXTREMELY HIGH.
AS IN THE CASE OF THE 1988-89 ROUND, THERE WERE A CONSIDERABLE NUMBER OF HIGHLY COMMENDABLE PROJECTS WHICH COULD NOT BE SUPPORTED OWING TO THE LIMITED FUNDS AVAILABLE.
LOOKING TO THE FUTURE, MR SPARK SAID THAT THE UPGC HOPED THE GOVERNMENT WOULD MAKE AVAILABLE ENHANCED FUNDING FOR RESEARCH ACTIVITIES AT THE TERTIARY INSTITUTIONS STARTING FROM 1991 ONWARDS, AND THAT IT WOULD BE POSSIBLE TO ESTABLISH A RESEARCH GRANTS COUNCIL TO BE RESPONSIBLE FOR ALLOCATING AND MONITORING THE GRANTS.
- - 0 --------
MANUAL FOR GENERAL MANAGEMENT DEVELOPMENT PUBLISHED t * » ♦ ♦
A MANUAL ON GENERAL MANAGEMENT DEVELOPMENT HAS BEEN PUBLISHED BY THE MANAGEMENT DEVELOPMENT CENTRE OF THE VOCATIONAL TRAINING COUNCIL.
"IT IS THE EFFORT OF THREE YEARS’ RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT WORK OF THE CENTRE WHICH AIMS TO ENHANCE THE SKILLS AND EFFECTIVENESS OF GENERAL MANAGERS IN HONG KONG,” THE DIRECTOR OF THE CENTRE, MR MICHAEL CUMBERS SAID TODAY (MONDAY).
THE GENERAL MANAGEMENT PROGRAMME (GMP) DESCRIBED IN THE MANUAL HAS BEEN TESTED AND REFINED IN COLLABORATION WITH EIGHT GROUPS OF PARTICIPANTS AND THEIR SENIOR MANAGERS OF THEIR COMPANIES.
MR CUMBERS SAID: ’’THE PROGRAMME NOW MEETS ALL THE REQUIREMENTS AND IS RIGHT FOR HONG KONG GENERAL MANAGERS, AND IS BEING OFFERED BY THE UNIVERSITY OF HONG KONG.”
/THE ’’GENERAL..........
MONDAY, APRIL 1?, 1989
- 15 -
THE "GENERAL MANAGEMENT PROGRAMME - ANALYSIS AND IMPLEMENTATION MANUAL" IS NOW ON SALE AT THE GOVERNMENT PUBLICATIONS SALES CENTRE AT THE CENTRAL AT J80 A COPY, AND IS ALSO AVAILABLE FROM THE MANAGEMENT DEVELOPMENT CENTRE INFORMATION SERVICES, 17TH FLOOR, HARBOUR CENTRE, 25 HARBOUR ROAD, WAN CHAI.
THE CENTRE IS ALSO ESTABLISHING A GMP FACULTY FOR HONG KONG. FACULTY MEMBERS WILL BE AVAILABLE TO ASSIST ORGANISATIONS THAT WANT TO RUN A SENIOR MANAGEMENT PROGRAMME USING THE METHODOLOGY OF THE GMP.
ENQUIRIES CONCERNING THE GMP FACULTY SHOULD BE ADDRESSED TO MR CUMBERS OR TO THE CENTRE’S SENIOR ADVISER AS WELL AS THE MANAGER OF THE GMP, MR R.A. WILLIAMS ON 5-8932341.
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4 423 ILLEGAL HAWKERS ARRESTED IN CONTINUED CRACKDOWN * * * * »
THE URBAN SERVICES DEPARTMENT LAST MONTH MADE A TOTAL OF 4 423 ARRESTS IN ITS CONTINUED CRACKDOWN ON ILLEGAL HAWKERS, AN INCREASE OF ABOUT 51 PER CENT OVER THAT OF THE PREVIOUS MONTH.
"OF THESE ARRESTS, 493 WERE ILLEGAL COOKED-FOOD HAWKERS, A JUMP OF ABOUT 43 PER CENT OVER THE PREVIOUS MONTH," THE STAFF OFFICER (HAWKER CONTROL), MR SHUM CHEE-WANG, SAID TODAY.
"THIS REFLECTS THE DEPARTMENT’S DETERMINATION TO KEEP ILLEGAL HAWKERS OFF THE STREET, ESPECIALLY THE COOKED-FOOD HAWKERS AS THEY SELL FOOD ITEMS THAT ARE HIGHLY SUSCEPTIBLE TO SUCH DISEASES AS VIRAL HEPATITIS, DYSENTERY AND TYPHOID."
"MOST OF THE RAIDS WERE CARRIED OUT BY GENERAL DUTIES TEAM MEMBERS IN THE 11 URBAN DISTRICTS, WITH SOME CONDUCTED IN CONJUNCTION WITH THE POLICE."
MR SHUM EMPHASIZED THAT THE DEPARTMENT’S EFFORTS REQUIRED FULL CO-OPERATION FROM MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC AND URGED THEM NOT TO PATRONISE ILLEGAL HAWKERS.
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MONDAY, APRIL 17, 1989
14 -
JOINT UC/RC KEEP HONG KONG CLEAN STEERING COMMITTEE MEETS TOMORROW ♦ ♦ ♦ * *
THE JOINT URBAN COUNCIL/REGIONAL COUNCIL KEEP HONG KONG CLEAN STEERING COMMITTEE WILL MEET TOMORROW (TUESDAY) TO DISCUSS THE DETAILS OF A CLEAN-UP OPERATION.
CONVENED BY THE NEW CHAIRMAN, DR PANG HOK-TUEN, THE COMMITTEE WILL ALSO REVIEW THE PROGRESS OF ITS ACTIVITIES.
ALSO ON THE AGENDA WILL BE A BRIEF ACCOUNT ON THE HISTORY OF THE KEEP HONG KONG CLEAN CAMPAIGN AND THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE CAMPAIGN IN 1989/90.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE MEETING WHICH WILL START AT 2.30 PM IN THE MAIN CONFERENCE ROOM OF THE REGIONAL COUNCIL CHAMBER, SECOND FLOOR, TSUEN WAN STATION MULTI-STOREY CARPARK AND GOVERNMENT OFFICES BUILDING. GIS OFFICERS WILL BE ON HAND TO ASSIST.
---0------
DEEDS OF MUTUAL COVENANT REVIEWED AT DB MEETING
THE ASSISTANT SECRETARY (BUILDING MANAGEMENT) FROM THE CITY AND NEW TERRITORIES ADMINISTRATION, MRS SUSAN MAK, WILL ATTEND THE TUEN MUN DISTRICT BOARD MEETING TOMORROW (TUESDAY) TO OUTLINE A CONSULTATIVE PAPER ON ’’PROPOSALS TO REMEDY UNFAIR PROVISIONS IN EXISTING DEEDS OF MUTUAL COVENANT".
AT THE SAME TIME, THE COMMISSIONER FOR ADMINISTRATIVE COMPLAINTS, MR ARTHUR GARCIA, WILL BRIEF THE DISTRICT BOARD MEMBERS ON THE WORK OF HIS OFFICE AND ANSWER QUESTIONS.
OTHER AGENDA ITEMS INCLUDE A REVIEW ON PROCEDURES FOR THE NOMINATION OF CO-OPTED MEMBERS AND A REPORT BY A DISTRICT BOARD’S REPRESENTATIVE MEMBER ON THE REGIONAL COUNCIL.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE BOARD TOMORROW (TUESDAY) AT 9.30 AM ROOM ON THE THIRD FLOOR, GOVERNMENT TUEN MUN.
MEETING OF THE TUEN MUN DISTRICT IN THE DISTRICT BOARD CONFERNCE OFFICES BUILDING, 1 TUEN HI ROAD,
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/15
MONDAY, APRIL 17, 1989
15
WATER STORAGE FIGURE ♦ * * *
STORAGE IN HONG KONG’S RESERVOIRS AT 9 AM TODAY (MONDAY) STOOD AT 33.2 PER CENT OF CAPACITY OR 194.589 MILLION CUBIC METRES.
THIS TIME LAST YEAR THE RESERVOIRS CONTAINED 210.287 MILLION CUBIC METRES OF WATER, REPRESENTING 35.9 PER CENT OF CAPACITY.
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WAN CHAI DB TO DISCUSS WORK OF ADMINISTRATIVE COMPLAINTS OFFICE ♦ ♦♦♦♦♦
THE WAN CHAI DISTRICT BOARD WILL MEET TOMORROW DISCUSS AN INFORMATION PAPER ON THE WORK OF TH COMMISSIONER OF ADMINISTRATIVE COMPLAINTS.
(TUESDAY) OFFICE
TO
OF
MEMBERS WILL ALSO EXAMINE THE REPORT ON
1-iE.riDE.aD WILL ALSU EXAMINE THE REPORT ON ANTI-SMOKING AND CONSIDER THE APPORTIONMENT OF DISTRICT BOARD MEMBERSHIP OF VARIOUS COMMITTEES
FOR 1989-90 WILL
FUNDS FOR
PROPOSALS 1989-90.
ALSO BE DISCUSSED.
OTHER ITEMS ON THE AGENDA BOARD COMMITTEES; THE REPORT OF COMMITTEE; FINANCIAL STATEMENTS BOARD FUNDS; AND PROGRESS REPORT
INCLUDE PROGRESS REPORTS OF DISTRICT THE WAN CHAI DISTRICT MANAGEMENT OF PROJECTS SPONSORED BY DISTRICT OF AREA COMMITTEES.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
DAADn ARE INVITED To COVER THE MEETING OF THE WAN CHAI DISTRICT BOARD TO BEGIN AT 2.30 PM TOMORROW AT THE WAN CHAI DISTRICT BOARD CONFERENCE ROOM, 21ST FLOOR, SOUTHORN CENTRE, 130 HENNESSY ROAD, HONG
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MONDAY, APRIL 17, 1989
16
CONCERT BY MUSIC OFFICE INSTRUCTORS
* t t * ♦
THE MUSIC OFFICE WILL PRESENT A CONCERT BY TWO OF ITS INSTRUCTORS’ ORCHESTRAS AT THE SHA TIN TOWN HALL AT THE END OF THE MONTH.
THE CONCERT IS ONE OF THE ACTIVITIES ORGANISED UNDER THE ’’MUSIC FOR THE MILLIONS” PROGRAMME TO INTRODUCE MUSIC TO NEW AUDIENCES. IT WILL BE HELD ON APRIL 30, BEGINNING AT 3 PM.
THE MUSIC OFFICE, SET UP IN 1977, HAS REGULARLY ORANISED CONCERTS WHICH ARE SPECIALLY DESIGNED TO INTRODUCE VARIOUS ORCHESTRAL INSTRUMENTS WITH ILLUSTRATIONS IN BOTH CHINESE AND WESTERN MUSIC.
SO FAR THE CONCERTS HELD OVER THE YEARS HAVE ATTRACTED AN AUDIENCE OF OVER THREE MILLION.
THE CONCERT ON APRIL 30, WHICH IS THE 4,200TH OF ITS KIND, WILL FEATURE COMPOSITIONS OF BOTH CHINESE AND WESTERN MUSIC. THE REPERTOIRE INCLUDES ’’BUTTERFLY LOVERS” AND ’’JINGLING OF CAMEL BELLS”.
THE CONDUCTORS OF THE TWO ORCHESTRAS ARE SENIOR MUSIC OFFICER (CHINESE), MR TONG LEUNG-TAK, AND SENIOR MUSIC OFFICER (STRING), MR LUI KI-LING.
TICKETS AT $10 EACH ARE NOW AVAILABLE AT ALL THE MUSIC CENTRES OF THE MUSIC OFFICE. ENQUIRIES CAN BE MADE ON O-475O465.
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TEMPORARY TRAFFIC AND TRANSPORT ARRANGEMENTS IN HO MAN TIN » ♦ * * ♦
THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCES THAT THE SECTION OF SHEUNG FOO STREET BETWEEN ITS JUNCTION WITH SHEUNG SHING STREET AND A POINT ABOUT 30 METRES EAST OF THE SAME JUNCTION WILL BE RESTRICTED TO SINGLE LANE TWO-WAY TRAFFIC FROM 10.30 AM ON WEDNESDAY (APRIL 19) FOR A PERIOD OF FOUR DAYS.
THE TEMPORARY ARRANGEMENT IS TO FACILITATE ROAD WORKS.
DURING THIS PERIOD, RE-ROUTEING FOR BUSES WILL BE IMPLEMENTED:
* CROSS HARBOUR TUNNEL ROUTE 109 ON JOURNEY TO CENTRAL WILL DEPART FROM HO MAN TIN ESTATE AND VIA SHEUNG FOO STREET AND FAT KWONG STREET.
* KMB ROUTE 17 ON JOURNEY TO KWUN TONG WILL VIA FAT KWONG STREET AND SHEUNG SHING STREET.
* KMB ROUTES 7B, 8, 18 ON JOURNEYS TO LOK FU, JORDAN ROAD FERRY AND MEI FOO RESPECTIVELY WILL VIA FAT KWONG STREET AND PUI CHING ROAD.
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/17........
MONDAY, APRIL 17, 1989
17
TEMPORARY TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS IN YAU MA TEI
*****
THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCED THAT TEMPORARY TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS WILL BE IMPLEMENTED IN TUNG KUN STREET, YAU MA TEI FROM 10 AM ON THURSDAY (APRIL 20) FOR ONE MONTH.
THE SECTION OF TUNG KUN STREET BETWEEN CANTON ROAD AND RECLAMATION STREET WILL BE RE-ROUTED ONE WAY WESTBOUND.
THERE WILL BE NO RIGHT TURN FROM NORTHBOUND CANTON ROAD ONTO TUNG KUN STREET EASTBOUND: AND NO LEFT TURN FROM SOUTHBOUND CANTON ROAD ONTO TUNG KUN STREET EASTBOUND.
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WATER CUTS IN FIVE AREAS * * * *
FRESH WATER SUPPLY TO CERTAIN PREMISES IN SHAM SHUI PO WILL BE SUSPENDED FROM 11 PM ON WEDNESDAY (APRIL 19) TO 6 AM THE NEXT DAY TO FACILITATE NIGHT LEAKAGE TESTS.
THE SUSPENSION WILL AFFECT AN AREA BOUNDED BY CHEUNG SHA WAN ROAD, FUK WA STREET, FUK WING STREET, SHEK KIP MEI STREET, WONG CHUK STREET, MAPLE STREET, NAM CHEONG STREET AND UN CHAU STREET.
TO FACILITATE WORKS TO DIVERT A WATER MAIN AT KWAI CHUNG ROAD, FRESH WATER SUPPLY TO ALL PREMISES ALONG LAI KING HILL ROAD BETWEEN KWAI CHUNG HOSPITAL AND KWAI CHUNG ROAD WILL BE SUSPENDED FROM 8 PM ON THE SAME DAY (APRIL 19) TO 7 AM THE NEXT DAY.
MEANWHILE, TO FACILITATE A FRESH WATER MAIN CONNECTION, POTABLE WATER SUPPLY TO CERTAIN PREMISES IN WESTERN DISTRICT WILL BE SUSPENDED FROM 10 PM ON THE SAME DAY (APRIL 19) TO 6 AM THE NEXT DAY.
THE AREA AFFECTED WILL INCLUDE MOUNT DAVIS, VICTORIA ROAD, KUNG MAN TSUEN, BISNEY ROAD, CONSORT RISE, CROWN TERRACE, UPPER TAI HAU WAN VILLAGE AND TAI HAU WAN VILLAGE.
FROM 11 PM ON THURSDAY (APRIL 20) TO 6 AM THE NEXT DAY, FRESH WATER SUPPLY TO CERTAIN PREMISES IN CHA KWO LING WILL BE SUSPENDED TO FACILITATE NIGHT LEAKAGE TESTS.
THE AREA TO BE AFFECTED IS BOUNDED BY CHA KWO LING ROAD, SHUNG SHUN STREET, SZE SHAN STREET, CHO YUEN STREET AND SHUNG YIU STREET, INCLUDING SAM KA TSUEN, LEI YUE MUN TSUEN, LING NAM SAN TSUEN AND MA SAN TSUEN.
ALSO, ALL PREMISES AT TUNG SHAN TERRACE, SHIU FAI TERRACE AND 15-34 STUBBS ROAD WILL BE AFFECTED BY A TEMPORARY SUSPENSION OF POTABLE WATER SUPPLY FROM 10 PM ON THE SAME DAY (APRIL 20) TO 5 AM THE NEXT DAY FOR WATER MAIN CONNECTION WORKS.
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DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL: 5-8428777
TUESDAY, APRIL 18, 1989
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
DIRECTOR OF HEALTH ANNOUNCES IMPROVEMENT IN SERVICES........ 1
COMMITTEE CONCLUDES DELIBERATIONS ON INTERIM REPORT CONCERNING SURROGACY ......................................... J
1986 SURVEY NOT TO BE USED AS SALARY ADJUSTMENT BASIS ...... 4
FEBRUARY ORDERS-CN-HAND, EMPLOYMENT AND PAYROLL FIGURES .... 5
WETTER THAN NORMAL YEAR IN 1989 ............................ 9
DEBATE ON PUBLIC HEALTH .jid municipal services bill in LEGCO TOMORROW............................................... 12
SHaM SHUI PO DB BY-ELECTION ON THURSDAY .................... 12
HEAVY FINES FOR SAFETY OFFENCES ............................ 1J
PROPOSED LIVESTOCK WASTE CONSOLIDATION SITE ON NORTH DB AGENDA ...................................................... 14
COMMITTEE TO CONSIDER CONSTRUCTION OF FOOTBRIDGE ........... 14
FUNDS FOR SUMMER YOUTH ACTIVITIES IN KWAI TSING ............ 15
SHA TIN COMMITTEE TO FORM WORKING GROUPS ................... 16
RE-OPENING OF A RO.iD NEAR TAI KOK TSUI FERRY BUS TERMINUS .. 16
-UCTION OF SPECIAL C.iR NUMBERS ............................ 17
TEMPORARY TRAFFIC ARRAIGNMENT IN YUEN LONG ................. 17
TUESDAY, APRIL 18, 1989
1
DIRECTOR OF HEALTH ANNOUNCES IMPROVEMENT IN SERVICES ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦
THE DIRECTOR OF HEALTH, DR S.H. LEE, ANNOUNCED TODAY (TUESDAY) THAT A PILOT SCHEME TO INTRODUCE MEDICAL RECORDS FOR INDIVIDUAL PATIENTS WOULD COMMENCE IN FOUR GENERAL OUT-PATIENT CLINICS FROM TOMORROW.
HE WAS SPEAKING AT HIS FIRST “MEET THE MEDIA" SESSION SINCE HIS APPOINTMENT AS THE HEAD OF THE NEW DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH.
DR LEE SAID THAT THE SCHEME WAS ONE OF A SERIES OF SHORT AND LONG TERM IMPROVEMENTS TO BE IMPLEMENTED TO MEET THE NEEDS OF THE COMMUNITY.
INITIALLY, THE SCHEME WOULD BE INTRODUCED AT THE ANNE BLACK HEALTH CENTRE ON HONG KONG ISLAND, CHEUNG SHA WAN JOCKEY CLUB CLINIC IN KOWLOON, WONG SIU CHING CLINIC IN NEW TERRITORIES EAST AND THE NORTH KWAI CHUNG CLINIC IN NEW TERRITORIES WEST.
"THE SCHEME WILL BE EVALUATED AFTER SIX MONTHS, AND IF SUCCESSFUL, CONSIDERATION WILL BE GIVEN TO EXTENDING THE SCHEME TO OTHER CLINICS," DR LEE SAID.
HE SAID THAT THE MEDICAL DEVELOPMENT ADVISORY COMMITTEE HAD RECENTLY ENDORSED A PROPOSAL TO REVIEW THE GENERAL OUT-PATIENT SERVICE AND PRIMARY HEALTH CARE.
"IT IS EXPECTED THAT A WORKING PARTY WILL BE ESTABLISHED SHORTLY TO UNDERTAKE THE REVIEW AND TO MAKE RECOMMENDATIONS FOR IMPROVEMENT," HE ADDED.
IN THE NEXT DECADE, DR LEE SAID, 13 MORE CLINICS WOULD BE BUILT TO IMPROVE THE PROVISION OF OUT-PATIENT SERVICE. ONE OF THESE WOULD BE OPENED IN YUEN LONG THIS YEAR.
MEASURES THAT HAVE BEEN TAKEN TO IMPROVE THE GENERAL OUT-PATIENT SERVICE INCLUDE:
(A) THE INTRODUCTION OF A BLOCK APPOINTMENT SYSTEM WHICH AIMS TO REDUCE THE UNNECESSARY WAITING BY PATIENTS AT THE CLINICS, AND
(B) THE SETTING UP OF A SPECIAL COMMITTEE ON GENERAL
OUT-PATIENT CLINICS WITHIN THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH TO LOOK INTO THE SERVICES IN CLINICS WITH A VIEW TO IDENTIFYING AREAS WHICH NEED IMPROVEMENT.
ON HEALTH EDUCATION, DR LEE SAID, PLANS WERE IN HAND TO DEVELOP HEALTH EDUCATION CENTRES ON A REGIONAL BASIS.
IN ADDITION TO THE THREE EXISTING HEALTH EDUCATION CENTRES -ONE EACH ON HONG KONG ISLAND, IN EAST KOWLOON AND THE NEW TERRITORIES - ONE WAS BEING PLANNED FOR WEST KOWLOON.
/HE ADDED .......
TUESDAY, ABRIL 18, 1989
- 2 -
HE ADDED THAT THE DEPARTMENT WOULD CONTINUE TO GIVE PRIORITY TO EXPAND AND DEVELOP FURTHER HEALTH EDUCATION ACTIVITIES. AND A MAJOR CAMPAIGN "LET’S TALK HEALTH" WOULD BE CONDUCTED THIS YEAR.
TO FURTHER IMPROVE THE QUALITY OF THE IMMUNISATION PROGRAMME, THE DIRECTOR OF HEALTH SAID THE DEPARTMENT PLANNED TO INTRODUCE THE MUMPS, MEASLES AND RUBELLA (MMR) VACCINE EARLY NEXT YEAR TO INFANTS AT THE AGE OF ONE.
HE SAID: "HIE USE OF THIS VACCINE WILL ENHANCE THE EXISTING RUBELLA VACCINATION PROGRAMME AND HELP TO PREVENT THE DISABLING CONDITION OF CONGENITAL RUBELLA SYNDROME."
TOGETHER WITH HEPATITIS B VACCINATION WHICH WAS INTRODUCED LAST YEAR TO ALL NEWBORNS, THE IMMUNISATION PROGRAMME FOR INFANTS AND CHILDREN WOULD INCLUDE VACCINATION AGAINST NINE COMMUNICABLE DISEASES, NAMELY TUBERCULOSIS, POLIMYELITIS, DIPHTHERIA, TETANUS, WHOOPING COUGH, MEASLES, HEPATITIS B, MUMPS AND RUBELLA.
ANOTHER IMPORTANT AREA OF THE DEPARTMENT’S WORK, HE SAID, WAS THE PROVISION OF A COMPREHENSIVE RANGE OF SERVICES TO CHILDREN AND MOTHERS.
IN THE NEXT FIVE YEARS, EIGHT FAMILY HEALTH SERVICE CENTRES WOULD BE BUILT, INCLUDING ONE WHICH WOULD BE OPENED IN YUEN LONG LATER THIS YEAR.
ON DENTAL HEALTH, DR LEE SAID THE SCHOOL DENTAL SERVICE PROVIDED DENTAL EXAMINATION, TREATMENT AND ORAL HEALTH EDUCATION TO A TOTAL OF OVER 373,600 PRIMARY SCHOOL CHILDREN LAST YEAR.
TWO NEW SCHOOL DENTAL CLINICS WOULD BE OPENED THIS YEAR AT SHA TIN AND TUEN MUN WHILE PLANS WERE IN HAND TO BUILD TWO MORE IN THE NEXT FIVE YEARS.
DR LEE SAID THAT A PROPERLY DESIGNED AND EQUIPPED ORAL HEALTH EDUCATION UNIT, THE FIRST OF ITS KIND IN HONG KONG, HAD BEEN SET UP IN THE ARGYLE STREET SCHOOL DENTAL CLINIC.
TO BE OFFICIALLY OPENED NEXT WEEK, IT WOULD SERVE AS A CENTRAL UNIT TO PROMOTE ORAL HEALTH EDUCATION ACTIVITIES.
TO IMPROVE THE CHILD ASSESSMENT SERVICE FURTHER, A NEW CENTRE WOULD BE OPENED IN SHA TIN THIS YEAR, BRINGING THE TOTAL NUMBER OF CHILD ASSESSMENT CENTRES IN THE TERRITORY TO FOUR. TWO MORE HAVE BEEN PLANNED FOR TUEN MUN AND HA KWAI CHUNG IN THE NEXT THREE TO FOUR YEARS.
OTHER DEVELOPMENTS BEING PLANNED INCLUDE THE CONSTRUCTION OF A CENTRAL PATHOLOGY INSTITUTE WHICH AIMS TO EXPAND THE PUBLIC HEALTH LABORATORY SERVICES.
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TUESDAY, APRIL 18, 1989
- 3 -
COMMITTEE CONCLUDES DELIBERATIONS ON INTERIM REPORT CONCERNING SURROGACY « t » » »
THE COMMITTEE ON SCIENTIFICALLY ASSISTED HUMAN REPRODUCTION TODAY (TUESDAY! CONCLUDED DELIBERATIONS OF AN INTERIM REPORT ON ITS RECOMMENDATIONS ON THE PRACTICES OF SURROGACY AND ARTIFICIAL INSEMINATION BY DONOR.
THE MAIN RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE COMMITTEE ON SURROGACY INCLUDE:
t COMMERCIAL SURROGACY SHOULD BE BANNED IN HONG KONG;
* ONLY MARRIED COUPLES SHOULD BE ALLOWED TO ENTER INTO SURROGACY ARRANGEMENT IF THEY ARE UNABLE TO PROCREATE IN THE NORMAL WAY DESPITE EXHAUSTIVE MEDICAL TREATMENTS, AND IF BOTH HUSBAND AND WIFE, AND NO THIRD PARTY, CONTRIBUTE THEIR OWN SEMEN AND EGG;
t PROPER AND STRINGENT COUNSELLING ABOUT LIKELY PROBLEMS FOR BOTH THE COMMISSIONING COUPLE AND THE SURROGATE MOTHER BEFORE, DURING AND AFTER THE PROCESS, SHOULD BE ENFORCED.
THE MAIN RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE COMMITTEE ON ARTIFICIAL INSEMINATION BY DONOR INCLUDE:
» ARTIFICIAL INSEMINATION BY DONOR (AID) SHOULD BE ALLOWED TO CONTINUE IN HONG KONG;
t ONLY BANKED SEMEN SHOULD BE USED AND THE SEMEN OF ANY SINGLE DONOR SHOULD NOT BE USED TO PRODUCE MORE THAN THREE PREGNANCIES;
* THE CONFIDENTIALITY OF SEMEN DONORS SHOULD BE MAINTAINED IN ALL CASES.
THE CHAIRMAN OF THE COMMITTEE, DR LEONG CHE-HUNG, SAID AFTER THE MEETING THAT THE INTERIM REPORT WOULD BE ISSUED FOR PUBLIC CONSULTATIONS.
"THE VIEWS OF THE GENERAL PUBLIC, DISTRICT BOARDS, RELIGIOUS BODIES, AS WELL AS THE MEDICAL AND LEGAL PROFESSIONS ON THE INTERIM REPORT WILL BE CANVASSED DURING A THREE MONTH CONSULTATION PERIOD," HE SAID.
DR LEONG STRESSED THAT THE RECOMMENDATIONS IN THE INTERIM REPORT WERE NOT FINAL.
"THE COMMITTEE WILL CAREFULLY EXAMINE THE FEEDBACK FROM THE PUBLIC AND, IF NECESSARY, REVISE THEIR RECOMMENDATIONS BEFORE SUBMITTING THEM TO THE GOVERNMENT.
"MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC CAN SEND THEIR COMMENTS AND OPINIONS ON THE INTERIM REPORT TO THE COMMITTEE THROUGH THE HEALTH AND WELFARE BRANCH, GOVERNMENT SECRETARIAT, LOWER ALBERT ROAD, HONG KONG," HE SAID
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TUESDAY, APRIL 18, 1989
4
1986 SURVEY NOT TO BE USED AS SALARY ADJUSTMENT BASIS *****
THE GOVERNOR IN COUNCIL HAS ACCEPTED A RECOMMENDATION PUT FORWARD IN THE FINAL REPORT BY THE COMMITTEE OF INQUIRY INTO CIVIL SERVICE PAY THAT THE 1986 PAY LEVEL SURVEY SHOULD NOT BE USED AS A BASIS FOR ADJUSTING CIVIL SERVICE SALARIES.
ANNOUNCING THIS TODAY (TUESDAY), THE SECRETARY FOR THE CIVIL SERVICE, MR HARNAM GREWAL, SAID THE GOVERNMENT HAD ALSO DECIDED THAT IMPROVEMENTS ALREADY AWARDED TO MODEL SCALE 1 STAFF AS A RESULT OF THE 1986 SURVEY WOULD NOT BE WITHDRAWN.
"THIS DECISION TOOK ALL RELEVANT CONSIDERATIONS, INCLUDING THE COMMITTEE’S QUASI-ARBITRATION ROLE, INTO ACCOUNT," HE SAID.
AS FOR THE COMMITTEE'S RECOMMENDATION ON PAY TREND SURVEY METHODOLOGY, MR GREWAL SAID THE GOVERNMENT HAD ACCEPTED AND WOULD IMPLEMENT THE PROPOSED FORMULA FOR CALCULATING PAY TREND INDICATORS WHICH FORM THE BASIS FOR CONSIDERING ANNUAL PAY ADJUSTMENTS FOR CIVIL SERVANTS.
"IN ADDITION, THE GOVERNMENT HAS DECIDED TO ACCEPT THE COMMITTEE’S RECOMMENDATION THAT FOR THE PURPOSES OF ANNUAL PAY AWARDS, WHERE THE LOWER BAND PAY TREND INDICATOR IS BELOW THAT FOR THE MIDDLE BAND, IT BE BROUGHT UP TO THE SAME LEVEL UNLESS THERE ARE OVERRIDING REASONS FOR NOT DOING SO."
MR GREWAL ADDED THAT THE COMMITTEE’S OTHER RECOMMENDATIONS ON PAY TREND SURVEY METHODOLOGY WOULD BE REFERRED TO THE PAY TREND SURVEY COMMITTEE, WHICH COMPRISED REPRESENTATIVES OF THE STAFF SIDES, THE STANDING COMMISSION ON CIVIL SERVICE SALARIES AND CONDITIONS OF SERVICE, THE STANDING COMMITTEE ON DISCIPLINED SERVICES SALARIES AND CONDITIONS OF SERVICE, AND THE ADMINISTRATION.
TURNING TO THE COMMITTEE'S RECOMMENDATIONS FOR A NEW SYSTEM OF PAY DETERMINATION BASED ON PAY LEVEL SURVEYS, MR GREWAL SAID THE GOVERNMENT HAD DECIDED TO TAKE NOTE OF THE SUGGESTIONS MADE.
"THE GOVERNMENT HAS ALREADY INVITED THE STANDING COMMISSION ON CIVIL SERVICE SALARIES AND CONDITIONS OF SERVICE TO CONDUCT AN OVERALL REVIEW OF THE SALARY STRUCTURE OF THE NON-DIRECTORATE CIVIL SERVICE, WHICH MAY TAKE UP TO TWO YEARS TO COMPLETE.
"IT WOULD NOT BE DESIRABLE TO CONDUCT A PAY LEVEL SURVEY AT THE SAME TIME AS THE OVERALL SALARY STRUCTURE REVIEW WHICH WILL IN ANY CASE EXAMINE THE EXTERNAL RELATIVITIES OF A NUMBER OF INDIVIDUAL GRADES," HE SAID.
THE FINAL REPORT BY THE COMMITTEE OF INQUIRY CONTAINING RECOMMENDATIONS ON THE PAY TREND SURVEY METHODOLOGY AND THE 1986 PAY LEVEL SURVEY WAS PUBLISHED LAST MONTH.
ITS INTERIM REPORT ON THE 1988 CIVIL SERVICE PAY ADJUSTMENT WAS PUBLISHED AND ACCEPTED BY THE GOVERNMENT LAST YEAR.
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/5 .......
TUESDAY, APRIL 18, 1989
- 5 -
FEBRUARY ORDERS-ON-HAND, EMPLOYMENT AND PAYROLL FIGURES * ♦ ♦ * *
THE ORDERS POSITION REPORTED BY THE 200 LARGEST MANUFACTURING COMPANIES IN FEBRUARY 1989 WAS ABOUT THE SAME AS IN JANUARY 1989, BUT INCREASED BY 1 PER CENT WHEN COMPARED WITH FEBRUARY 1988, ACCORDING TO THE RESULTS OF A SURVEY RELEASED TODAY (TUESDAY) BY THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT.
COMPARING FEBRUARY 1989 WITH JANUARY 1989, THE AVERAGE VOLUME OF ORDERS-ON-HAND INCREASED SIGNIFICANTLY IN THE PLASTIC PRODUCTS INDUSTRY AS SOME COMPANIES SURVEYED RECEIVED A CONSIDERABLE AMOUNT OF NEW ORDERS.
SLIGHT INCREASES WERE RECORDED IN THE FABRICATED METAL PRODUCTS AND THE ELECTRICAL AND ELECTRONIC PRODUCTS INDUSTRIES. OVER THE SAME PERIOD, THE ORDERS POSITION DECLINED SLIGHTLY IN THE TEXTILES INDUSTRY, WHILE SHOWING LITTLE CHANGE IN THE WEARING APPAREL INDUSTRY.
COMPARED WITH FEBRUARY 1988, THE ORDERS POSITION IN FEBRUARY 1989 IMPROVED SIGNIFICANTLY IN THE FABRICATED METAL PRODUCTS INDUSTRY, AND TO A LESSER EXTENT IN THE ELECTRICAL AND ELECTRONIC PRODUCTS AND THE WEARING APPAREL INDUSTRIES.
ON THE OTHER HAND, THE VOLUME OF ORDERS-ON-HAND DROPPED SUBSTANTIALLY IN THE TEXTILES INDUSTRY AND MODERATELY IN THE PLASTIC PRODUCTS INDUSTRY OVER THE SAME PERIOD.
THE AVERAGE VOLUME OF ORDERS-ON-HAND IS MEASURED IN TERMS OF THE NUMBER OF MONTHS AND REFERS TO ORDERS OUTSTANDING AS AT THE END OF THE REFERENCE MONTH.
ON EMPLOYMENT, THE MANUFACTURERS SURVEYED REPORTED THAT THE FEBRUARY 1989 LEVEL WAS LOWER BY 2 PER CENT WHEN COMPARED WITH JANUARY 1989, AND BY 6 PER CENT WHEN COMPARED WITH FEBRUARY 1988.
COMPARING FEBRUARY 1989 WITH JANUARY 1989, MOST MANUFACTURING INDUSTRIES SURVEYED REPORTED SLIGHT DECREASES IN EMPLOYMENT, EXCEPT THE PLASTIC PRODUCTS INDUSTRY IN WHICH A SLIGHT INCREASE IN EMPLOYMENT WAS RECORDED.
COMPARED WITH FEBRUARY 1988, EMPLOYMENT IN FEBRUARY 1989 DECREASED SUBSTANTIALLY IN THE PLASTIC PRODUCTS INDUSTRY.
MODERATE DECREASES WERE RECORDED IN THE ELECTRICAL AND ELECTRONIC PRODUCTS, WEARING APPAREL AND FOOD AND DRINKS INDUSTRIES, ALONG WITH A SLIGHT DECREASE IN THE TEXTILES INDUSTRY.
ON THE OTHER HAND, A SLIGHT INCREASE IN EMPLOYMENT WAS REPORTED IN THE FABRICATED METAL PRODUCTS INDUSTRY OVER THE SAME PERIOD.
/AS WAS
TUESDAY, APRIL 18, 1989
6
AS WAS USUAL FOR THE FIRST TWO MONTHS OF EACH YEAR, COMPARISON OF THE PER CAPITA EARNINGS FIGURES IN FEBRUARY 1989 WITH THE CORRESPONDING JANUARY 1989 AND FEBRUARY 1988 FIGURES WAS AFFECTED BY THE TIMING OF THE LUNAR NEW YEAR HOLIDAYS.
TO GEAR IN WITH THIS TIMING, QUITE A LARGE NUMBER OF MANUFACTURERS SURVEYED HAD THEIR DOUBLE-PAY AND YEAR-END BONUSES ISSUED IN FEBRUARY LAST YEAR, BUT IN JANUARY THIS YEAR.
THUS IT WAS MORE MEANINGFUL TO COMPARE THE AVERAGE PER CAPITA EARNINGS IN JANUARY AND FEBRUARY 1989 COMBINED WITH THE CORRESPONDING FIGURES IN THE SAME PERIOD IN 1988.
FOR JANUARY AND FEBRUARY 1989 TAKEN TOGETHER, THE AVERAGE PER CAPITA EARNINGS IN THE MANUFACTURING COMPANIES SURVEYED INCREASED BY 21 PER CENT IN MONEY TERMS WHEN COMPARED WITH THE SAME PERIOD IN 1988.
SIGNIFICANT INCREASES WERE RECORDED IN ALL MANUFACTURING INDUSTRIES SURVEYED, PARTICULARLY IN THE PLASTIC PRODUCTS AND THE FABRICATED METAL PRODUCTS INDUSTRIES.
IN THE CONSTRUCTION SECTOR, EMPLOYMENT IN FEBRUARY 1989 DECREASED SLIGHTLY WHEN COMPARED WITH JANUARY 1989, BUT INCREASED SLIGHTLY OVER FEBRUARY 1988.
THE AVERAGE PER CAPITA EARNINGS FOR JANUARY AND FEBRUARY TAKEN TOGETHER INCREASED SUBSTANTIALLY IN 1989 OVER 1988. IT SHOULD BE NOTED THAT FIGURES FOR THIS SECTOR COVER COMPANY EMPLOYEES ONLY; SITE WORKERS EMPLOYED BY LABOUR-ONLY SUB-CONTRACTORS ARE NOT INCLUDED.
IN THE SERVICE SECTORS SURVEYED, THE OVERALL LEVEL OF EMPLOYMENT IN FEBRUARY 1989 SHOWED LITTLE CHANGE WHEN COMPARED WITH JANUARY 1989, BUT INCREASED MODERATELY WHEN COMPARED WITH FEBRUARY 1988.
THE AVERAGE PER CAPITA EARNINGS FOR JANUARY AND FEBRUARY 1989 TAKEN TOGETHER INCREASED MARKEDLY OVER THE SAME PERIOD IN 1988 IN ALL SERVICE SECTORS SURVEYED, PARTICULARLY IN BANKS AND HOTELS.
THE PERCENTAGE CHANGES IN ORDERS-ON-HAND, EMPLOYMENT AND PER CAPITA EARNINGS ARE SHOWN IN THE ATTACHED TABLES 1 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 SURVEY IS NOT BASED ON A SCIENTIFICALLY SELECTED SAMPLE, THE DEPARTMENT CAUTIONED THAT THE MAGNITUDES OF CHANGE INDICATED BY THE SURVEY RESULTS CAN ONLY REFLECT THE EXPERIENCE OF THE COMPANIES SURVEYED; NEVERTHELESS THESE COULD PROVIDE A USEFUL INDICATION OF THE DIRECTION OF CHANGE FOR A QUICK ASSESSMENT OF DEVELOPMENTS IN THE ECONOMY IN THE SHORT TERM.
/THE SURVEY .......
TUESDAY, APRIL 18, 1989
- 7 -
THE SURVEY REPORT FOR FEBRUARY 1989 IS NOW ON SALE AT THE GOVERNMENT PUBLICATIONS CENTRE, GENERAL POST OFFICE BUILDING, CONNAUGHT PLACE, CENTRAL, AND AT THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT PUBLICATIONS SALES COUNTER, 19TH FLOOR, WANCHAI TOWER 1, 12 HARBOUR ROAD, WAN CHAI, AT $2.00 PER COPY.
ENQUIRIES ABOUT THE SURVEY RESULTS MAY 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
INDUSTRY
ORDERS-ON-HAND
AS AT THE END OF FEBRUARY 1989 CHANGE WHEN COMPARED WITH
JAN. 89 FEB. 88
(MONTHS) (X) (X)
ALL MANUFACTURING INDUSTRIES 4.40 ♦ + 1
— — — —
WEARING APPAREL 4.71 * + 2
TEXTILES 2.38 -2 -16
PLASTIC PRODUCTS 3.35 + 11 -5
FABRICATED METAL PRODUCTS 4.70 + 2 + 10
ELECTRICAL AND ELECTRONIC
PRODUCTS 5.20 + 1 + 4
OTHERS 4.22 *
* CHANGES WITHIN + /- 0.5%
TABLE 2 : EMPLOYMENT
INDUSTRY/SERVICES PERSONS ENGAGED AT THE END OF FEBRUARY 1989
CHANGE WHEN JAN. 89 COMPARED WITH FEB. 88
(%) (%>
ALL MANUFACTURING INDUSTRIES -2 -6
FOOD AND DRINKS WEARING APPAREL TEXTILES PLASTIC PRODUCTS -1 -3 -1 + 1 -4 -6 -2 -22
/FABRICATED METAL........
TUESDAY, APRIL 18, 1989
- 8
FABRICATED METAL PRODUCTS
ELECTRICAL AND ELECTRONIC PRODUCTS OTHERS
CONSTRUCTION#
SERVICES
BANKS
HOTELS
PUBLIC UTILITIES
OTHERS
-2 + 2
-3 -7
-1 -3
-2 + 1
—
♦ + 4
— — —
-1 + 4
-3 -1
♦ -1
* + 13
* CHANGES WITHIN + /- 0.5%
PERSONS ENGAGED COVER COMPANY EMPLOYEES ONLY; SITE WORKERS BY LABOUR-ONLY SUB-CONTRACTORS ARE NOT INCLUDED.
EMPLOYED
TABLE 3 : PER CAPITA EARNINGS
INDUSTRY/SERVICES PER CAPITA EARNINGS
♦♦CHANGE IN
AVERAGE PER CAPITA
AVERAGE EARNINGS FOR
AS IN CHANGE WHEN JAN.-FEB. 1989
FEBRUARY COMPARED WITH OVER
1989 JAN. 89 FEB. 89 JAN.-FEB. 1988
——— — — — — — ——————— •• — — — _
(HKS ) (%) (%) (%)
ALL MANUFACTURING INDUSTRIES 4,593 -37 -6 + 21
FOOD AND DRINKS 4,881 -35 + 10 + 22
WEARING APPAREL 3,630 -34 -7 4 1 6
TEXTILES 4,139 -44 -31 + 10
PLASTIC PRODUCTS 4,427 -42 -17 + 30
FABRICATED 5,044 -29 + 4 + 24
METAL PRODUCTS ELECTRICAL AND 4,548 -31 + 7
+ 21
ELECTRONIC PRODUCTS
OTHERS 6,221 -43 -5 + 26
CONSTRUCTION# 6,866 -19 + 14 + 22
SERVICES 7,820 -32 + 1 + 16
BANKS 7,712 -26 + 22 + 25
HOTELS 5,637 -66 -37 + 24
PUBLIC UTILITIES 7,261 -32 + 1 +1 0
OTHERS 9,273 -29 -6 + 12
/# PER CAPITA .......
TUESDAY, APRIL 18, 1989
9 -
# PER CAPITA EARNINGS COVER COMPANY EMPLOYEES ONLY; SITE WORKERS EMPLOYED BY LABOUR-ONLY SUB-CONTRACTORS ARE NOT INCLUDED.
** THE SUBSTANTIAL DECREASES IN PER CAPITA EARNINGS BETWEEN JANUARY AND FEBRUARY 1989 WERE MAINLY DUE TO THE ISSUE OF DOUBLE-PAY AND ANNUAL BONUSES IN JANUARY 1989, AHEAD OF THE LUNAR NEW YEAR HOLIDAYS. THE COMPARISON BETWEEN THE FEBRUARY 1988 AND FEBRUARY 1989 FIGURES WAS AFFECTED BY THE DIFFERENCE IN TIMING FOR THE ISSUE OF DOUBLE-PAY AND ANNUAL BONUSES IN 1988 AND 1989, DUE TO THE DIFFERENCE IN THE TIMING OF THE LUNAR NEW YEAR IN THE TWO YEARS. A FURTHER COMPARISON IS THUS PROVIDED TO SHOW CHANGES IN AVERAGE PER CAPITA EARNINGS FOR JAN.-FEB. 1989 OVER JAN.-FEB. 1988.
NOTES TO TABLES 1-3 : 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 IS NOT MEANINGFUL INFORMATION ON ITS OWN (BECAUSE THIS IS A PANEL SURVEY) AND IS THEREFORE NOT SHOWN.
-------0---------
WETTER THAN NORMAL YEAR IN 1989 t * t * *
PRESENT INDICATIONS ARE THAT HONG KONG IS LIKELY TO HAVE A WETTER THAN NORMAL YEAR IN 1989 IN TERMS OF RAINFALL, THE DIRECTOR OF THE ROYAL OBSERVATORY, MR PATRICK SHAM, SAID TODAY (TUESDAY).
"SINCE TROPICAL CYCLONES ON AVERAGE ACCOUNT FOR ONE-QUARTER OF THE YEAR’S NORMAL RAINFALL, ONE CAN PERHAPS DEDUCE THAT TROPICAL CYCLONE ACTIVITY AND IMPACT ON HONG KONG WILL BE HIGHER THIS YEAR THAN IN PREVIOUS YEARS," HE ADDED.
SPEAKING AT A LUNCHEON MEETING OF THE ROTARY CLUB OF HONG KONG, MR SHAM REMINDED MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC IT WAS NOT TOO EARLY TO TAKE SOME GENERAL PRECAUTIONS AGAINST DAMAGE DUE TO STRONG WINDS, HEAVY RAIN AND FLOODING BEFORE THE TYPHOON SEASON BEGAN.
"COMMUNITY PREPAREDNESS ARE THE KEY WORDS IF WE WANT TO MINIMISE DAMAGE DUE TO NATURAL DISASTERS LIKE TYPHOONS," HE SAID.
/MR SHAM.........
TUESDAY, APRIL 18, 1989
10
MR SHAM POINTED OUT THAT ON AVERAGE 30 TROPICAL CYCLONES FORMED OVER THE NORTHWEST PACIFIC AND THE SOUTH CHINA SEA EACH YEAR, AND OF THESE, ABOUT SIX CAME CLOSE TO THE SOUTH CHINA COAST AND POSED A THREAT TO HONG KONG.
’’EVERY FOUR TO FIVE YEARS A MATURE TYPHOON WILL COME VERY CLOSE TO HONG KONG TO CAUSE WINDS OF HURRICANE FORCE, I.E. THE NO. 10 SIGNAL,’’ HE SAID.
”IN THE POST-WAR YEARS FROM 1946 TO NOW, WE HAVE HAD 11 YEARS DURING WHICH WE HOISTED THE NO. 10 SIGNAL," HE ADDED.
QUOTING STATISTICS, MR SHAM SAID HONG KONG HAD NOT HAD A DIRECT HIT SINCE TYPHOON ELLEN SIX YEARS AGO.
"YOU MAY WISH TO DRAW YOUR OWN CONCLUSION AS TO WHETHER OR NOT WE WILL HAVE ONE THIS YEAR," SAID MR SHAM.
OTHER THAN STATISTICAL ASSESSMENT, THERE WERE AS YET NO RELIABLE METHODS TO PREDICT THE YEARLY NUMBER OF TROPICAL CYCLONES, LET ALONE WHERE EXACTLY THEY WOULD FORM AND HOW MANY OF THEM WOULD HIT A SMALL PLACE LIKE HONG KONG, HE NOTED.
ALTHOUGH HONG KONG HAD BEEN LUCKY SO FAR IN THE PAST SEVERAL YEARS, EXPERIENCE SHOWED THAT THE LONGER THE TERRITORY STAYED FREE OF TYPHOONS, THE MORE PEOPLE WOULD FORGET HOW DESTRUCTIVE THEY COULD BE, MR SHAM WARNED.
"THERE ARE MORE AND MORE PEOPLE IN HONG KONG, ESPECIALLY NEW-COMERS, WHO MAY NEVER HAVE EXPERIENCED A TYPHOON IN THEIR LIVES BEFORE. PEOPLE THEREFORE TEND TO BE TOO LAX IN TAKING PRECAUTIONS AGAINST DAMAGE," HE SAID.
"COUPLED BY THE FACT THAT MORE AND MORE DEVELOPMENTS HAVE TAKEN PLACE IN VARIOUS PARTS OF THE TERRITORY, COASTAL AREAS AND OFF-SHORE IN RECENT YEARS, THE DAMAGE IS LIKELY TO BE MUCH HIGHER IF SUFFICIENT ATTENTION IS NOT GIVEN TO THE WARNINGS ISSUED BY THE ROYAL OBSERVATORY," HE ADDED.
MR SHAM SAID THE ROYAL OBSERVATORY WOULD KEEP UP THE VIGILANCE AGAINST ANY THREAT FROM A TROPICAL CYCLONE.
"OUR WARNINGS AND ADVICE ON GENERAL PRECAUTIONS WILL BE PROMPTLY BROADCAST TO EVERYONE THROUGH RADIO AND TELEVISION OR THROUGH DIRECT MEANS.
"SHOULD ANYONE HAVE ANY SPECIFIC PROBLEMS REGARDING WHAT PRECAUTIONS TO TAKE IN A PARTICULAR SITUATION, WHAT DECISIONS TO MAKE AS REGARDS THEIR WEATHER-AFFECTED OPERATIONS, I AND MY COLLEAGUES AT THE OBSERVATORY ARE PREPARED AND ALWAYS STAND READY TO GIVE YOU THE NECESSARY ADVICE," MR SHAM SAID.
/MR SHAM .......
TUESDAY, APRIL 18, 1989
- 11 -
MR SHAM POINTED OUT THAT THE FORECASTING PROBLEM AS FAR AS TROPICAL CYCLONES WERE CONCERNED WAS TO FORECAST WHETHER OR NOT THE MOST DESTRUCTIVE WINDS NEAR THE EYE OF A TYPHOON WOULD AFFECT A PLACE, AND IF SO WHEN.
"THE AVERAGE DIAMETER OF THE EYE OF A TYPHOON IS 50 TO 80 KILOMETRES AND THE BELT OF DESTRUCTIVE WINDS AROUND THE EYE ANOTHER 30 TO 50 KILOMETRES WIDE.
"THIS MEANS THEREFORE WE HAVE TO FORECAST HOW CLOSE THE CORE OF ABOUT 150 KILOMETRES IN DIAMETER WILL COME TO US AND AT THE SAME TIME WHETHER THERE WOULD BE ANY CHANGE IN ITS INTENSITY," HE SAID.
"THE LARGER THE GEOGRAPHICAL AREA YOU WANT TO FORECAST THIS CORE TO HIT, FOR EXAMPLE THE GUANGDONG PROVINCE, THE GREATER CHANCE THERE WILL BE FOR YOUR FORECAST TO BE RIGHT.
"THE SMALLER THE PLACE, SAY HONG KONG (ONLY ROUGHLY 50 KILOMETRES BY 50 KILOMETRES), THE EASIER IT WILL BE FOR THIS TYPHOON CORE TO MISS ALTOGETHER," MR SHAM SAID.
"THE CURRENT WORLD-WIDE STATE-OF-THE-ART IN PREDICTING WHERE THE CENTRE OF A TROPICAL CYCLONE WILL BE IN 24 HOURS CAN BE, ON AVERAGE, 200 KILOMETRES OFF, THAT IS, ROUGHLY THE DISTANCE BETWEEN HERE AND SHANTOU. FOR 48 HOURS, THE AVERAGE ERROR IS 450 KILOMETRES," HE ADDED.
"IN SIMPLER TERMS, IF WE WERE TO FORECAST A DIRECT HIT OF THE CENTRE OF A TYPHOON IN HONG KONG IN 24 HOURS, THE CENTRE MAY WELL END UP SOMEWHERE IN SHANTOU TO OUR EAST, OR WEST OF MACAU TO OUR WEST, IN WHICH CASE THE DECISION TO WARN GALE OR HURRICANE FORCE WINDS IN HONG KONG 24 HOURS AHEAD WOULD BE INCORRECT.
"THE HOISTING OF THE NO.8 GALE SIGNAL OR THE NO. 10 HURRICANE
SIGNAL WOULD HAVE TURNED OUT TO B
0 HURRICANE SIGNAL WOULD HAVE TURNED OUT TO BE PREMATURE AND UNNECESSARY.
EVERYBOBY WOULD HAVE STOPPED WORK, IT WOULD HAVE BEEN A FREE HOLIDAY
FOR ALL, THE TERRITORY WOULD HAVE LOST A DAY'S PRODUCTIVITY.
"ON THE OTHER HAND, IF WE CONSIDERED THAT THE TYPHOON WOULD HIT SHANTOU IN 24 HOURS, IT COULD END UP RIGHT OVER US, CATCHING EVERYONE UNPREPARED THEREBY CAUSING A LOT OF UNNECESSARY DAMAGE," MR SHAM POINTED OUT.
IN BOTH CASES, HE SAID, THE FORECASTS GIVING RISE TO THE TWO TOTALLY DIFFERENT SCENARIOS IN HONG KONG WOULD BE RANKED AS "AVERAGELY ACCURATE" BY WORLD STANDARD.
"THE FORECASTS MAY PERHAPS BE CONSIDERED METEOROLOGICALLY REASONABLE BUT IT WOULD BE TOTALLY UNACCEPTABLE FROM THE PUBLIC'S POINT OF VIEW," HE SAID.
-----0-----
TUESDAY, APRIL 18, 1989
12
DEBATE ON PUBLIC HEALTH AND MUNICIPAL SERVICES BILL IN LEGCO TOMORROW
* * t * »
MEMBERS OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL WILL ASK A TOTAL OF 10 QUESTIONS AND CONSIDER ONE BILL AT THE COUNCIL'S MEETING TOMORROW (WEDNESDAY).
THE SECOND READING DEDATE ON THE PUBLIC HEALTH AND MUNICIPAL SERVICES (AMENDMENT' (NO.2) BILL 1989 WILL BE RESUMED, AFTER WHICH IS DUE TO GO THROUGH THE COMMITTEE STAGE AND BE GIVEN A THIRD READING.
- 0 -
SHAM SHU1 PO DB BY-ELECTION ON THURSDAY *****
ELECTORS LIVING IN PAK TIN ESTATE, CHAK ON ESTATE AND THE TAI WO PING AREA IN SHAM SHUI PO ARE URGED TO TURN OUT IN FORCE TO VOTE IN THE BY-ELECTION OF THE PAK TIN CONSTITUTENCY OF THE SHAM SHUI PO DISTRICT BOARD ON THURSDAY (APRIL 20).
A SPOKESMAN OF THE REGISTRATION AND ELECTORAL DIVISION TODAY (TUESDAY) REMINDED THE ELECTORS THAT THE POLLING STATIONS WOULD BE LOCATED AT THE BUDDHIST CHAN SIK YAM PRIMARY SCHOOL IN UPPER PAK TIN ESTATE AND THE HO CHAK SOCIAL CLUB FOR THE ELDERLY IN CHAK ON ESTATE.
THE TWO CANDIDATES FOR THE BY-ELECTION ARE MR LUI PAK-YIU AND MISS SHA MI-CHING.
POLLING WILL TAKE PLACE BETWEEN 7.30 AM AND 10.30 PM.
ELECTORS SHOULD BRING ALONG THEIR IDENTITY CARDS AND POLL CARDS, IF AVAILABLE, TO THE DESIGNATED POLLING STATIONS.
AS THERE IS ONLY ONE VACANCY, ELECTORS SHOULD SIMPLY MARK ON THE BALLOT PAPER A CROSS IN THE BOX ALONGSIDE THE NAME OF THE CANDIDATE OF THEIR CHOICE.
FOR ENQUIRIES, ELECTORS MAY CONTACT THE REGISTRATION AND ELECTORAL DIVISION ON 5-270369 OR 5-270380.
/13
TUESDAY, APRIL 18, 1989
- 13 -
HEAVY FINES FOR SAFETY OFFENCES » ♦ * ♦ *
PROPRIETORS OF INDUSTRIAL UNDERTAKINGS ARE TODAY (TUESDAY) REMINDED OF THEIR LEGAL OBLIGATIONS TO ENSURE THE SAFETY STANDARDS OF THE MACHINERY AND EQUIPMENT USED BY THEIR WORKERS.
COMMENTING ON TWO RECENT COURT CASES, A LABOUR DEPARTMENT SPOKESMAN SAID A CONTRACTOR AND A FACTORY OWNER WERE HEAVILY FINED FOR FAILURE TO COMPLY WITH THE SAFETY PROVISIONS UNDER THE FACTORIES AND INDUSTRIAL UNDERTAKINGS ORDINANCE.
IN AN ACCIDENT LAST YEAR, AN ELECTRICIAN ENGAGED IN DECORATION WORK WAS ELECTROCUTED AS THE EXPOSED LIVE PARTS OF A DAMAGED CABLE FOR AN ELECTRIC HAND DRILL CAME INTO CONTACT WITH A METAL LADDER ON WHICH HE WAS STANDING.
’’UNDER THE FACTORIES AND INDUSTRIAL UNDERTAKINGS (ELECTRICITY) REGULATIONS, ALL CURRENT-CARRYING CONDUCTORS AND WIRING, WHETHER OR NOT THEY ARE PART OF AN APPARATUS, MUST BE PROPERLY INSULATED AND PROTECTED TO PREVENT ELECTRICAL HAZARDS AS FAR AS PRACTICABLE,” THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
"THE PRINCIPAL CONTRACTOR FOR THE DECORATION WORK WAS SUBSEQUENTLY FINED $20,000 BY A SOUTH KOWLOON MAGISTRATE EARLIER THIS MONTH.”
IN ANOTHER CASE, A TEXTILE FACTORY WORKER LOST HIS ARM WHEN TRYING TO REMOVE SOME COTTON JAMMED INSIDE AN AUTOMATIC BALE OPENING MACHINE STILL IN OPERATION.
”AS THE INSPECTION WINDOW ON THE MACHINE WAS NOT PROPERLY GUARDED, PROSECUTION WAS TAKEN OUT AGAINST THE PROPRIETOR," THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
"HE WAS EVENTUALLY FINED $20,000 PLUS $3,000 COSTS BY A TSUEN WAN MAGISTRATE FOR FAILURE TO EFFECTIVELY GUARD THE DANGEROURS PARTS OF THE MACHINE AS REQUIRED UNDER THE FACTORIES AND INDUSTRIAL UNDERTAKINGS (GUARDING AND OPERATION OF MACHINERY) REGULATIONS.
"OFFENDERS ARE LIABLE TO A MAXIMUM FINE OF $30,000 UNDER THE TWO REGULATIONS," HE SAID. s
-----0------
TUESDAY, APRIL 18,
1989
- 14
PROPOSED LIVESTOCK WASTE CONSOLIDATION SITE ON NORTH DB AGENDA * ♦ * ♦ ♦
THE NORTH DISTRICT BOARD WILL CONSIDER AT ITS MEETING ON THURSDAY (APRIL 20) A PROPOSAL TO SET UP A LIVESTOCK WASTE CONSOLIDATION SITE AT SHA LING WITHIN THE FRONTIER CLOSED AREA.
THE SITE HAS BEEN IDENTIFIED FOR COMPOSTING TREATMENT OF LIVESTOCK WASTE COLLECTED FROM FARMS IN NORTH DISTRICT IN LINE WITH THE LIVESTOCK WASTE CONTROL SCHEME.
THE ACTING PRINCIPAL ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION OFFICER, DR DANIEL LAU. WILL BRIEF MEMBERS ON THE PROPOSAL.
MEMBERS WILL ALSO DISCUSS THE PROPOSED DEVELOPMENT OF A TEMPORARY HOUSING AREA IN WO HOP SHEK, FANLING.
OTHER ITEMS ON THE AGENDA INCLUDE THE NORTH DISTRICT BOARD OVER SEAS STUDY TOUR, THE ALLOCATION OF DISTRICT BOARD FUNDS, THE NOMINATION OF BOARD MEMBERS AS CO-OPTED MEMBERS OF THE REGIONAL COUNCIL’S NORTH DISTRICT COMMITTEE, AND THE APPOINTMENT OF CO-OPTED MEMBERS TO THE BOARD’S FIVE COMMITTEES.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE NORTH DISTRICT BOARD MEETING TO BE HELD ON THURSDAY (APRIL 20) IN THE CONFERENCE ROOM OF THE NORTH DISTRICT OFFICE, JOCKEY CLUB ROAD, FANLING.
THE MEETING WILL BEGIN AT 9 AM.
-------0 -
COMMITTEE TO CONSIDER CONSTRUCTION OF FOOTBRIDGE ♦ * ♦ ♦ »
THE TRAFFIC AND TRANSPORT COMMITTEE OF THE TUEN MUN DISTRICT BOARD WILL MEET TOMORROW (WEDNESDAY) TO DISCUSS A PAPER SUBMITTED BY SEVERAL MEMBERS REQUESTING THE CONSTRUCTION OF A PERMANENT FOOTBRIDGE CONNECTING WALDORF GARDEN WITH THE TUEN MUN CENTRAL LIBRARY.
THE MEMBERS HAD COLLECTED 6,638 SIGNATURES SUPPORTING THE CONSTRUCTION OF THE BRIDGE AND URGED THE DEPARTMENTS CONCERNED TO RE-OPEN AN EXISTING WOODEN FOOTBRIDGE FOR PUBLIC USE FOR THE TIME BEING.
THE MEETING WILL ALSO DISCUSS TWO PAPERS CALLING FOR IMPROVEMENTS IN THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE TRANSPORT NETWORK OF THE NORTHWEST NEW TERRITORIES.
/THERE WILL .......
TUESDAY, APRIL 18, 1989
- 15 -
THERE WILL BE TWO PAPERS REQUESTING IMPROVEMENTS IN CROSSING FACILITIES AT NAI WAI AS WELL AS IN THE MANAGEMENT OF SIU HEI COURT CARPARK.
THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT WILL PRESENT A PAPER ON THE PROFIT CONTROL SCHEME APPLIED TO FRANCHISED BUS COMPANIES.
THE WORK REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE, THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT REPORT AND PROCEDURES FOR RECOMMENDING DISTRICT BOARD FUNDS WILL ALSO BE TABLED FOR MEMBERS’ INFORMATION.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
THE MEETING OF THE TUEN MUN DISTRICT BOARD'S TRAFFIC AND TRANSPORT COMMITTEE IS SCHEDULED TO BEGIN AT 2.30 PM TOMORROW (WEDNESDAY) IN THE DISTRICT BOARD CONFERENCE ROOM ON THE THIRD FLOOR, GOVERNMENT OFFICES BUILDING, NO. 1, TUEN HI ROAD, TUEN MUN. YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE MEETING.
-------0
FUNDS FOR SUMMER YOUTH ACTIVITIES IN KWAI TSING ♦ ♦ * ♦ ♦
LOCAL ORGANISATIONS OF KWAI TSING DISTRICT ARE INVITED TO APPLY FOR FUNDS TO ORGANISE ACTIVITIES FOR YOUTHS THIS SUMMER.
THE KWAI TSING DISTRICT SUMMER YOUTH PROGRAMME CO-ORDINATING COMMITTEE HAS RECEIVED $530,000 FOR FUNDING SUCH ACTIVITIES. THE AMOUNT INCLUDES $480,000 DONATED BY THE ROYAL HONG KONG JOCKEY CLUB AND $50,000 FROM THE KWAI TSING DISTRICT BOARD.
A COMMITTEE SPOKESMAN SAID ABOUT 66,000 YOUNG PEOPLE HAD PARTICIPATED IN OVER 500 EVENTS ORGANISED BY THE COMMITTEE AND LOCAL ORGANISATIONS LAST SUMMER.
INVITATIONS TO APPLY FOR FUNDS THIS YEAR HAD BEEN SENT TO VARIOUS ORGANISATIONS, THE SPOKESMAN ADDED.
THE ACTIVITIES ORGANISED CAN BE RECREATIONAL, OR COMMUNITY SERVICE OR YOUTH DEVELOPMENT PROJECTS, FOCUSSING ON THE THEME OF "SHARE THE FUN AND SERVE THE COMMUNITY".
APPLICATION FORMS ARE NOW AVAILABLE AT THE KWAI TSING DISTRICT OFFICE, 10TH FLOOR, KWAI HING GOVERNMENT OFFICES, KWAI CHUNG.
COMPLETED FORMS SHOULD BE RETURNED TO THE OFFICE BEFORE MAY 3. ENQUIRIES CAN BE MADE ON 0-4212855.
O -------
/16
TUESDAY, APRIL 18, 1989
16
SHA TIN COMMITTEE TO FORM WORKING GROUPS » » » » »
THE SHA TIN DISTRICT BOARD’S COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE WILL MEET ON THURSDAY (APRIL 20) TO SET UP WORKING GROUPS AND TO NOMINATE CO-OPTED MEMBERS TO THE COMMITTEE.
MEMBERS WILL ALSO COMMENT ON A WORK PLAN 1989/90 FOR SHA TIN DISTRICT SUBMITTED BY THE INDEPENDENT COMMISSION AGAINST CORRUPTION’S REGIONAL OFFICE (NEW TERRITORIES EAST).
THE ESTIMATES OF THE COMMITTEE AND APPLICATION FOR FUNDS WILL ALSO BE DISCUSSED AT THE MEETING.
NOTE TO EDITORS :
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE MEETING OF THE SHA TIN DISTRICT BOARD’S COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE TO BE HELD IN THE SHA TIN DISTRICT BOARD CONFERENCE ROOM ON SIXTH FLOOR, KCR HOUSE, SHA TIN ON THURSDAY (APRIL 20). THE MEETING WILL BEGIN AT 4 PM.
-------0---------
RE-OPENING OF A ROAD NEAR TAI KOK TSUI FERRY BUS TERMINUS *******
THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCES THAT THE UN-NAMED ROAD BETWEEN POK MAN STREET AND FOO KWAI STREET AT THE EXIT OF TAI KOK TSUI FERRY BUS TERMINUS WILL BE OPENED TO TRAFFIC AT 10 AM ON FRIDAY (APRIL 21) AFTER COMPLETION OF ROAD WORKS.
AT THE SAME TIME, FOO KWAI STREET WILL BE CONVERTED TO ONE-WAY WESTBOUND, HOI KING STREET AND CHUN WING STREET WILL BE ONE-WAY SOUTHBOUND.
MOTORISTS FROM TAI KOK TSUI ROAD HEADING FOR TAI KOK TSUI OPEN-AIR CAR PARK IN HOI KING STREET MAY TRAVEL VIA FOO KWAI STREET, WHILE THOSE COMING OUT FROM THE CAR PARK HEADING FOR TAI KOK TSUI ROAD MAY TRAVEL VIA HOI KING STREET AND CHERRY STREET.
MEANWHILE, KMB ROUTE NOS. 10, 13D, 16, 32, 33A, 37, 43C, 46, 66, 66X, 72B, 72X, 87, 87A AND 87B WILL RESUME NORMAL ROUTEINGS ON JOURNEYS DEPARTING FROM TAI KOK TSUI FERRY BUS TERMINUS.
THE EXISTING 24-HOUR URBAN CLEARWAYS ON THE SOUTHERN KERBSIDE LANE OF FOO KWAI STREET BETWEEN HOI KING STREET AND TAI KOK TSUI ROAD, AND A 25-METRE STRETCH ALONG THE NORTHERN KERBSIDE LANE OF FOO KWAI STREET EAST OF ITS JUNCTION WITH THE UN-NAMED ROAD BETWEEN POK MAN STREET AND FOO KWAI STREET WILL BE LIFTED.
-----o------
/17 .......
TUESDAY, APRIL 18, 1989
- 17 -
AUCTION OF SPECIAL CAR NUMBERS
» t » ♦ »
THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT WILL HOLD ANOTHER AUCTION OF SPECIAL VEHICLE REGISTRATION NUMBERS THIS SATURDAY (APRIL 22) AT 10 AM AT THE CITY HALL RECITAL HALL.
A TOTAL OF 40 SPECIAL CAR NUMBERS WILL BE AVAILABLE FOR BIDDING. THEY ARE:
EA 783 EA168 DZ2 EA668
EA2838 DD83 EA1708 EA73O
3817 EA802 EA302 EA9283
EA823 DJ5217 EA163 XX389
AL349 DF5 EA832 EA660
DD9000 HK1200 BB20 CR7711
DZ9388 EA786 EA2881 EA299
EA108 2271 EA179 EA208
DZ11 EA803 375 EA149
EA6339 HK728 DZ9188 DZ7720
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.
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 137TH ORGANISED BY THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT SINCE MAY 1973.
-----0------
TEMPORARY TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENT IN YUEN LONG ♦ * * % ♦
THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCES THAT TO FACILITATE RECONSTRUCTION OF THE JUNCTION OF CASTLE PEAK ROAD, YUEN LONG AND KUK TING STREET, THE LEFT TURN FROM KUK TING STREET ONTO CASTLE PEAK ROAD WILL BE RESTRICTED BETWEEN 1.30 AM AND 5.30 AM ON THURSDAY (APRIL 20) AND FRIDAY.
DURING THE CLOSURE, MOTORISTS TRAVELLING ON KUK TING STREET TOWARDS AU TAU ARE ADVISED TO USE KUK TING STREET, TAI TONG ROAD, FAU TSOI STREET, KIN LOK STREET, FUNG CHEUNG ROAD AND CASTLE PEAK ROAD, YUEN LONG.
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DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL: 5-8428777
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 19, 1989
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL MEETING :
PUBLIC HEALTH LAWS ALSO APPLY TO CHINESE MEDICINES: SHW .. 1
MARKET FORCES ARE MORE EFFECTIVE IN IMPROVING WAGES ....... 2
CHINESE NATIONAL TREATED LIKE OTHERS WHO DON'T HAVE PERMISSION TO LAND........................................... 2
LAWS EXIST TO PROTECT CHILDREN ............................ k
RAILWAY EXTENSION IN 199OS ................................ 5
MHD RECEIVES 132 MAlPRACTICE COMPLAINTS ................... 6
SCHOOLS REQUIRED TO .,DOPT FIRE PRECAUTIONARY MEASURES »... 6
nIRPORT IMPROVEMENTS UNDER URGENT CONSIDERATION: FS ....... 7
DEFINITION OF CONTINUOUS CONTRACT REVIEWED ................ 9
PUBLIC HEALTH AND MUNICIPAL SERVICES BILL PASSED IN LEGCO 9
GENEVA CONFERENCE TO CONSIDER RESETTLEMENT OF ALL VIETNAMESE REFUGEES ........................................ 10
HK OFFERS ENORMOUS OPPORTUNITIES FOR THE FUTURE ............. 11
CALL FOR EARLY REGISTRATION OF LEGCO ELECTORS ............... 13
PUBLICITY STEPPED UP aGalNST FOOTWAY OBSTRUCTION ............ 14
WORLD ENVIRONMENT DAY ON DB COMMITTEE AG END,, .............. 15
LUNAR NEW YEaR FIREWORKS DISPLAY ............................ 16
SINGAPORE. Ji DELEGATION VISITS CSD.......................... 16
OLD EIM TREE IN BONS.,1 EXHIBITION .......................... 17
TiMPOIURY TRAFFIC ,,RRaNGEMENTS IN CENTRAL ,JiD WESTERN ..... 18
TEMPORARY TRAFFIC ;<RR,JIG£M£NTS IN MONG KOK ................ 19
NIGHT CLOSURE OF ANDERSON RO,J) ............................. 19
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 19, 1989
- 1 -
PUBLIC HEALTH LAWS ALSO APPLY TO CHINESE MEDICINES: SHW
*****
THERE ARE PROVISIONS IN THE PUBLIC HEALTH AND MUNICIPAL SERVICES ORDINANCE IN RESPECT OF ADULTERATION AND FALSE LABELLING OF DRUGS, THE SECRETARY FOR HEALTH AND WELFARE, THE HON CHAU TAK-HAY, TOLD IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
IN REPLY TO A QUESTION FROM THE HON LAU KIN-YEE, MR CHAU SAID THAT THESE PROVISIONS ARE APPLICABLE TO CHINESE MEDICINES AND TO OTHER DRUGS.
"ALSO, WHERE CHINESE MEDICINES ARE ADULTERATED BY WESTERN MEDICINE, THE GENERAL EXEMPTION FOR CHINESE MEDICINE FROM THE CONTROLS SPECIFIED IN THE PHARMACY AND POISONS ORDINANCE WOULD NOT APPLY," HE SAID.
IN A PARTICULAR CASE, WHERE TWO PERSONS LAPSED INTO A COMA AFTER CONSUMING HERBAL MEDICINE, INVESTIGATIONS SO FAR INDICATED THAT THE CAUSE WAS AN OVERDOSE OF THE HERB KWAI CHOW LUNG DAM CHO IN AN ATTEMPT AT SELF-MEDICATION, HE NOTED.
TWO TOXINS, DEOXYPODOPHYLLOTOXIN AND PODOPHYLLOTOXIN, WERE FOUND IN THE COOKED MIXTURE AND SAMPLES OF THE HERB TAKEN BOTH FROM THE MEDICINE COMPANY FROM WHICH THE HERBS WERE BOUGHT AND FROM THE IMPORTER OF THE HERB.
MR CHAU EXPLAINED THAT THESE TOXINS, WHICH WERE NATURALLY OCCURRING SUBSTANCES IN LUNG DAM CHO FROM KWAI CHOW, WOULD NOT HAVE PRODUCE A HARMFUL EFFECT IF THE CORRECT DOSAGE HAD BEEN TAKEN.
CHINESE TRADITIONAL HERBAL MEDICINES HAD BEEN COMMONLY USED IN CHINESE COMMUNITY, MOSTLY WITHOUT HARMFUL EFFECTS, NONETHELESS THERE WERE ROUNDS FOR CONCERN ABOUT THE UNCONTROLLED SALE AND INDISCRIMINATE USE OF SUCH MEDICINE, HE SAID.
"THE ADMINISTRATION IS EXPLORING THE BEST MEANS OF REVIEWING THIS ISSUE, WITH A VIEW TO ESTABLISHING THE EXTENT OF THE PROBLEM AND IDENTIFYING THE EXPERTISE REQUIRED TO ENABLE AN ASSESSMENT TO BE MADE OF CHINESE HERBAL MEDICINES AND THEIR USE BY MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC," MR CHAU ADDED.
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WEDNESDAY, APRIL 19,
1989
- 2 -
MARKET FORCES ARE MORE EFFECTIVE IN IMPROVING WAGES
*****
IN A TIME OF FULL EMPLOYMENT AS AT PRESENT, MARKET FORCES ARE MORE EFFECTIVE IN PUTTING PRESSURE ON EMPLOYERS TO IMPROVE WAGES THAN WITH LEGISLATION, THE SECRETARY FOR EDUCATION AND MANPOWER, THE HON RON BRIDGE TOLD THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
IN REPLY TO A QUESTION FROM THE HON POON CHI-FAI, ON POSSIBLE INTRODUCTION OF LEGISLATION TO PROVIDE FOR A MINIMUM WAGE FOR WORKERS, MR BRIDGE SAID THAT IN TIMES OF HIGH UNEMPLOYMENT THE PROPOSALS MIGHT SEEM ATTRACTIVE, BECAUSE AT SUCH TIMES WAGES TENDED TO GO DOWN.
HOWEVER, HE SAID THAT EVEN THEN, MINIMUM WAGE LEGISLATION MIGHT DO MORE HARM THAN GOOD.
QUOTING AN ARTICLE IN THE ECONOMIST, MR BRIDGE SAID: "TWO THINGS HAVE BEEN CLEAR: THAT A MINIMUM WAGE REDUCES JOB OPPORTUNITIES, ESPECIALLY FOR THE YOUNG, THE DISADVANTAGED AND MINORITIES, AND THAT ITS EFFECT ON POVERTY IS TINY."
-----o-----
CHINESE NATIONAL TREATED LIKE OTHERS WHO DON’T HAVE PERMISSION TO LAND *****
CHINESE NATIONAL, MR CHEN JUN, WAS TREATED IN THE SAME MANNER AS OTHER PERSONS IN SIMILAR CIRCUMSTANCES WHERE THEY DO NOT HAVE PERMISSION TO LAND IN HONG KONG, THE SECRETARY FOR SECURITY, THE HON GEOFFREY BARNES TOLD THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
IN REPLY TO A QUESTION FROM THE HON SZETO WAH, WHO ASKED WHETHER ALL PASSENGERS WERE SEPERATED FROM THE PRESS WHEN THEY WERE IN TRANSIT, MR BARNES POINTED OUT THAT TRANSIT PASSENGERS AT THE AIRPORT WERE NOT REQUIRED TO PRESENT THEMSELVES FOR IMMIGRATION EXAMINATION.
THEY REMAINED IN THE TRANSIT LOUNGE UNTIL THEY BOARDED THEIR ONWARD FLIGHTS.
THE TRANSIT LOUNGE WAS A RESTRICTED AREA, AND FACILITIES WERE NOT PROVIDED THERE FOR THE PRESS TO MEET PASSENGERS.
"MR CHEN, HOWEVER, WAS NOT A TRANSIT PASSENGER," MR BARNES SAID.
/HE SAID .......
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 19, 1989
HE SAID THAT WHEN MR CHEN ARRIVED IN HONG KONG ON APRIL 7, HE PRESENTED HIMSELF WITH HIS CHINESE PASSPORT AND A COMPLETED ARRIVAL CARD TO AN IMMIGRATION OFFICER AND ASKED FOR PERMISSION TO STAY IN HONG KONG FOR FOUR DAYS TO AWAIT THE ARRIVAL OF HIS WIFE.
"HOWEVER, BECAUSE HE DID NOT HAVE THE REQUIRED VISA FOR HONG KONG, HE WAS REFUSED PERMISSION TO LAND UNDER SECTION 11(1) OF THE IMMIGRATION ORDINANCE," MR BARNES SAID.
"AS IN NORMAL IN SUCH CASES HE WAS THEREFORE HOUSED IN THE IMMIGRATION RECEPTION CENTRE AT THE AIRPORT, IN ACCORDANCE WITH SECTION 18(1) OF THE SAME ORDINANCE WHILE ARRANGEMENTS WERE MADE FOR HIM TO LEAVE HONG KONG FOR A COUNTRY OF HIS OWN CHOICE BY THE FIRST AVAILABLE FLIGHT.
"THIS IS A MATTER OF STANDARD PROCEDURE," HE ADDED.
MR BARNES NOTED THAT THE RECEPTION CENTRE CONSISTED OF A COMMON SITTING ROOM AND INDIVIDUAL BEDROOMS IN SEPERATE WINGS FOR MALES AND FEMALES, WITH SEPERATE TOILET AND WASHING FACILITIES.
PERSONS TEMPORARILY DETAINED THERE WERE PROVIDED WITH THREE MEALS A DAY AND WERE FREE TO MOVE ABOUT IN THE COMMON AREA WHERE THEY COULD TAKE MEALS AND WATCH TELEVISION.
THEY MIGHT TELEPHONE THEIR RELATIVES, FRIENDS, SOLICITORS OR CONSUL AND MIGHT ALSO ASK TO SEE THEM IF THEY SO WISHED.
A NOTICE TO THAT EFFECT WAS PROMINENTLY DISPLAYED.
LONG DISTANCE TELEPHONE CALLS AND TELEGRAMS WERE ALSO ALLOWED BUT HAD TO BE PAID FOR.
"IN MR CHEN'S CASE HE ASKED FIRST TO TELEPHONE A FRIEND IN THE UNITED STATES AND SOME TIME LATER SAID HE WISHED TO TELEPHONE HIS WIFE," MR BARNES SAID.
"BY THIS TIME IMMIGRATION STAFF HAD ALREADY PUT ARRANGEMENTS IN HAND FOR MR CHEN TO CALL HIS WIFE IN PEKING.
"SINCE HE DID NOT HAVE MUCH MONEY WITH HIM ARRANGEMENTS WERE MADE FOR HIS FRIEND IN AMERICA TO BE CONTACTED BY THE AIRLINE AND FOR THE CALL TO HIS WIFE IN PEKING TO BE AT HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXPENSE," HE SAID.
"MEANWHILE, ARRANGEMENTS WERE MADE FOR MR CHEN TO COMPLETE HIS JOURNEY TO THE US." HE ADDED.
MR BARNES SAID THAT ALTHOUGH MR CHEN HELD AN AIR TICKET VALID FOR USE UP TO MAY 2, 1989, IT WAS A NON-ENDORSEABLE ONE WHICH WAS NOT VALID FOR TRAVEL WITH ANY AIRLINE OTHER THAN THE ONE SPECIFIED ON THE TICKET.
/AS A........
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 19, 1989
AS A RESULT MR CHEN WAS NOT ACCEPTED FOR THE FIRST FLIGHT TO THE US AFTER HIS ARRIVAL, AS THIS WOULD HAVE BEEN BY A DIFFERENT AIRLINE.
MR BARNES NOTED THAT THE NEXT AVAILABLE FLIGHT TO THE US WAS DUE TO DEPART IN THE EVENING AND FOLLOWING CONSULTATION BETWEEN THE AIRLINE WHICH HAD ISSUED MR CHEN’S TICKET AND THE AIRLINE ON WHICH HE EVENTUALLY DEPARTED, THE FORMER AGREED TO REWRITE HIS TICKET TO ENABLE HIM TO DEPART FOR SAN FRANCISCO WITH AN ONWARD TICKET TO NEW YORK.
"DURING THE EIGHT HOURS MR CHEN SPENT IN THE RECEPTION CENTRE HE MADE NO REQUEST TO SPEAK TO THE PRESS, DESPITE HIS APPARENT KNOWLEDGE OF THEIR INTEREST," MR BARNES SAID.
"IT IS ANYWAY NOT THE PRACTICE FOR THE PRESS TO HAVE ACCESS TO PERSONS IN THE RECEPTION CENTRE AWAITING DEPARTURE FROM HONG KONG," HE ADDED.
- 0 - - - -
LAWS EXIST TO PROTECT CHILDREN * * * * *
THERE DELIBERATELY WELFARE, THE (WEDNESDAY).
ARE LEGISLATIVE PROVISIONS ABUSE OR NEGLECT CHILDREN,
WHICH MAKE IT AN OFFENCE THE SECRETARY FOR HEALTH
HON CHAU TAK HAY, TOLD THE
TO
AND
LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY
REPLYING TO A QUESTION FROM THE
HON MICHAEL CHENG ON TRAGIC CHILDREN UNDER THE CARE OF WERE ALSO PROVISIONS WHICH
INCIDENTS INVOLVING DEATH OF YOUNG CHILDMINDERS, MR CHAU SAID THAT THERE REGULATED CHILDMINDERS LOOKING AFTER MORE THAN FIVE YOUNG CHILDREN.
"UNDER SECTION 27 OF THE OFFENCES AGAINST THE PERSON ORDINANCE (CAP. 212), IT IS AN OFFENCE TO WILFULLY ASSAULT, ILL-TREAT, NEGLECT, ABANDON, OR EXPOSE ANY CHILD UNDER THE AGE OF 16.
"UNDER THE CHILD CARE CENTRES ORDINANCE (CAP. 243), PREMISES AT WHICH MORE THAN FIVE CHILDREN UNDER THE AGE OF SIX HABITUALLY RECEIVED FOR THE PURPOSE OF CARE AND SUPERVISION SUBJECT TO REGISTRATION AND REGULAR INSPECTION, HE SAID.
ANY
ARE
ARE
MR CHAU NOTED THAT A CODE OF PRACTICE FOR SUCH CHILD CARE ESTABLISHMENTS HAD ALSO BEEN ISSUED BY THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMEN .
"SIMILAR PROVISIONS EXIST IN RESPECT OF KINDERGARTENS," HE ADDED.
/"I HAVE .......
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 19, 1989
- 5 -
"I HAVE BEEN ADVISED THAT IN THE UNITED KINGDOM, LEGISLATION PROVIDES FOR THE REGISTRATION OF ALL CHILDMINDERS WHO LOOK AFTER ONE OR MORE CHILDREN FOR REWARD ANYWHERE OTHER THAN IN THE CHILD’S OWN HOME.
"I HAVE CONSIDERABLE DOUBTS AS TO WHETHER SUCH COMPREHENSIVE LEGISLATIVE CONTROL IS PRACTICABLE OR EVEN DESIRABLE IN HONG KONG.
"I WILL BE EXAMINING THIS MORE FULLY AND WILL CONSIDER, IN PARTICULAR, THE FEASIBILITY OF LEGISLATIVE OR OTHER MEASURES WHICH COULD HELP TO AVOID THE KIND OF INCIDENTS REFERRED TO IN THIS QUESTION," HE SAID.
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RAILWAY EXTENSION IN 1990S
*****
WHEN THE INITIAL DEVELOPMENT OF TIN SHUI WAI WAS COMPLETED IN EARLY 1990S, THE BASIC NETWORK OF THE LIGHT RAIL TRANSIT (LRT) EXTENSION SHOULD BE IN PLACE, THE SECRETARY FOR TRANSPORT, THE HON MICHAEL LEUNG, TOLD THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
IN REPLY TO A QUESTION FROM THE HON LAU WAH-SUM, MR LEUNG SAID THAT WHEN THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL APPROVED THE SYSTEM FOR THE NORTH-WEST NEW TERRITORIES IN 1983, A LINK TO TIN SHUI WAI WAS ALREADY INCLUDED IN THE ORIGINAL NETWORK.
HE SAID THE GOVERNMENT WAS FIRMLY COMMITTED TO THE PROVISION OF VARIOUS INFRASTRUCTURE FACILITIES SUCH AS FOOTBRIDGES, ROAD MODIFICATIONS AND TRAFFIC SIGNALS NECESSARY FOR THE LRT EXTENSION TO TIN SHUI WAI.
THESE WORKS WOULD BE CARRIED OUT IN STAGES COMMENCING AT THE END OF MAY 1989 FOR COMPLETION IN JUNE 1991.
THE COMPLETED WORKS WOULD BE HANDED OVER TO THE KOWLOON-CANTON RAILWAY CORPORATION IN PHASES BETWEEN JUNE 1990 AND JUNE 1991.
TURNING TO THE PROPOSED MASS TRANSIT RAILWAY EXTENSION TO JUNK BAY, MR LEUNG SAID THAT A DECISION WAS EXPECTED TO BE TAKEN EARLY NEXT YEAR.
HE SAID THAT THIS EXTENSION HINGED ON A NUMBER OF FACTORS INCLUDING THE POPULATION BUILD-UP OF THE NEW TOWN, THE SCALE AND PACE OF DEVELOPMENT AND FINANCIAL CONSIDERATIONS. THESE WERE BEING DISCUSSED BETWEEN THE GOVERNMENT AND THE MASS TRANSIT RAILWAY CORPORATION.
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/6........
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 19, 1989
- 6 -
MHD RECEIVES 132 MALPRACTICE COMPLAINTS *****
THE MEDICAL AND HEALTH DEPARTMENT RECEIVED 132 COMPLAINTS OF MALPRACTICE IN GOVERNMENT MEDICAL SERVICES BETWEEN 1986 AND 1988, WHEREAS 319 COMPLAINTS OF MALPRACTICE AND OTHER FORMS OF PROFESSIONAL MISCONDUCT WERE LODGED WITH THE MEDICAL COUNCIL DURING THE SAME PERIOD.
THE SECRETARY FOR HEALTH AND WELFARE, THE HON CHAU TAK-HAY, SAID THIS TODAY (WEDNESDAY) IN REPLY TO A QUESTION FROM THE HON JAMES TIEN IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL.
MR CHAU SAID PERSONS AGGRIEVED BY OR SUFFERING AS A RESULT OF MALPRACTICE BY GOVERNMENT DOCTORS COULD COMPLAIN TO THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH OR THE DEPARTMENT OF HOSPITAL SERVICES OR TO THE MANAGEMENT AUTHORITIES OF SUBVERTED HOSPITALS IN RESPECT OF SUBVERTED HOSPITAL DOCTORS.
COMPLAIRTS ABOUT MALPRACTICE BY ARY REGISTERED MEDICAL PRACTITIONER COULD BE MADE TO THE MEDICAL COURCIL, HE ADDED.
"AR AGGRIEVED PERSOR MAY TAKE CIVIL ACTION TO SEEK PECUNIARY COMPENSATION FROM A DOCTOR IF THE CIRCUMSTANCES GIVE GROUNDS FOR A LEGAL SUIT," MR CHAU SAID.
"LEGAL AID IS AVAILABLE TO PATIENTS WHO SATISFY THE MEANS TEST AND THE MERIT TEST," HE SAID.
IN ORDER TO PASS THE MEANS TEST, MR CHAU SAID, AN APPLICANT FOR LEGAL AID HAD TO SHOW THAT HIS DISPOSABLE INCOME DID NOT EXCEED #2,200 A MONTH AND THAT HIS DISPOSABLE CAPITAL DID NOT EXCEED #15,000.
"AT THE SAME TIME, THE APPLICANT HAS TO SHOW THAT HE HAS REASONABLE GROUNDS FOR INSTITUTING PROCEEDINGS ALLEGING PROFESSIONAL NEGLIGENCE BY A SPECIFIC DOCTOR," HE SAID.
O -------
SCHOOLS REQUIRED TO ADOPT FIRE PRECAUTIONARY MEASURES *******
FIRE PRECAUTIONARY MEASURES HAVE TO BE ADOPTED IN SCHOOLS ALTHOUGH THEY HAVE BEEN KEEPING A GOOD FIRE SAFETY RECORD, THE SECRETARY FOR EDUCATION AND MANPOWER, THE HON RON BRIDGE, SAID IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
REPLYING TO A QUESTION FROM THE HON CHEUNG CHI-KONG, MR BRIDGE SAID THE GOOD FIRE SAFETY RECORD IN SCHOOLS HAD BEEN ACHEIVED BY ENSURING A MINIMUN OF COMBUSTIBLE MATERIALS IN THE BUILDING STRUCTURE, SUFFICIENT MEANS OF ESCAPE AND ADEQUATE VENTILATION ON ALL FLOORS.
/"ON THE .......
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 19, 1989
"ON THE RARE OCCASIONS WHEN A FIRE HAS BROKEN OUT, IT HAS ALWAYS BEEN OF A MINOR NATURE," HE SAID.
MR CHEUNG HAD ASKED WHAT MEASURES HAD BEEN TAKEN BY THE GOVERNMENT TO PREVENT THE USE OF A STANDARD 24-CLASSROOM SCHOOL FOR ACCOMODATING 30 OR MORE CLASSES OF STUDENTS FROM POSING FIRE AND HEALTH HAZARDS.
MR BRIDGE POINTED OUT THAT THE DESIGN OF A STANDARD SECONDARY SCHOOL OF 24 CLASSROOMS AND 12 SPECIAL ROOMS PERMITTED 30 CLASSES TO BE ACCOMODATED AND THAT THIS HAD BEEN NORMAL PRACTICE SINCE 1974.
HE SAID THE DIRECTOR OF FIRE SERVICES WAS SATISFIED WITH THE FIRE SAFETY OF THE STANDARD SCHOOL BUILDING.
"HOWEVER, ALTHOUGH SCHOOLS HAVE A GOOD FIRE SAFETY RECORD, WE MUST BE PREPARED FOR THE WORST," HE ADDED.
HE NOTED THAT ALL SCHOOLS WERE REQUIRED UNDER THE EDUCATION REGULATIONS TO MAINTAIN FIRE FIGHTING EQUIPMENT IN GOOD WORKING ORDER, AND TO CONDUCT FIRE DRILLS ONCE A MONTH.
AS FOR THE HEALTH OF PUPILS AND STAFF, MR BRIDGE SAID THE EDUCATION REGULATIONS SET DOWN THE SPACE REQUIRED FOR EACH PUPIL IN A CLASSROOM, SO THAT CLASSES WOULD NOT BE OVERCROWDED.
"THE ACCOMMODATION OF FLOATING CLASSES IN SOME OF A SCHOOL’S SPECIAL ROOMS DOES NOT IN ITSELF LEAD TO OVERCROWDING," HE SAID.
"THE STANDARD SCHOOL DESIGN PROVIDES SUFFICIENT TOILET FACILITIES FOR PUPILS AND STAFF, INCLUDING THOSE IN FLOATING CLASSES."
ADEQUATE LIGHTING AND VENTILATION WAS ALSO ENSURED IN ALL CLASSROOMS AND SPECIAL ROOMS, HE ADDED.
- 0 - -
AIRPORT IMPROVEMENTS UNDER URGENT CONSIDERATION: FS t * * » »
HOW IMPLEMENTATION OF THE $2.4 BILLION IMPROVEMENT PACKAGE FOR KAI TAK AIRPORT COULD BE EFFECTED AND WHETHER IT COULD BE ACCELERATED WERE UNDER URGENT CONSIDERATION, THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY, THE HON PIERS JACOBS TOLD THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
REPLYING TO A QUESTION FROM THE HON MARTIN BARROW, MR JACOBS NOTED THAT CONSULTANTS WERE COMMISSIONED IN OCTOBER 1987 TO ASSESS THE ULTIMATE DEVELOPMENT POTENTIAL OF KAI TAK AIRPORT.
/"THE STUDY........
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 19, 1989
8
"THE STUDY WAS COMPLETED IN NOVEMBER LAST YEAR AND IT WAS FOUND THAT MANY ELEMENTS OF THE EXISTING SYSTEM WERE ALREADY OPERATING CLOSE TO CAPACITY AND WOULD REACH SATURATION BY 1996, UNLESS A COMPREHENSIVE IMPROVEMENT PACKAGE COSTING SOME $2.4 BILLION WAS IMPLEMENTED." HE ADDED.
"THIS PACKAGE INCLUDES MEASURES TO EXPAND AIRSIDE FACILITIES, OPTIMIZE USAGE OF THE SINGLE RUNWAY, IMPROVE THE AIR TRAFFIC CONTROL SYSTEM, AND THE TERMINAL COMPLEX FACILITIES AS WELL AS ACCESS TO THE AIRPORT."
HE SAID THAT THE CONSULTANTS HAD RECOMMENDED THAT THE PACKAGE SHOULD BE IMPLEMENTED OVER A PERIOD OF EIGHT YEARS.
"HOWEVER, IN VIEW OF THE HIGHER GROWTH RATE IN PASSENGER THROUGHPUT, WHICH WAS ATTRIBUTABLE IN PART TO THE UNEXPECTED 200 PER CENT INCREASE IN THE NUMBER OF TAIWANESE VISITORS, THE ADMINISTRATION IS CONSIDERING AS A MATTER OF URGENCY HOW IMPLEMENTATION OF THE PACKAGE OF AIRPORT IMPROVEMENTS CAN BEST BE EFFECTED AND WHETHER IT CAN BE ACCELERATED," MR JACOBS SAID.
"SO FAR, WE HAVE ALREADY TAKEN STEPS TO SPEED UP THE ON-GOING PROGRAMME OF AIRPORT EXTENSION, PARTICULARLY IN RELATION TO THE EXPANSION OF THE APRON.
"THE CIVIL WORKS PORTION OF THE PASSENGER APRON EXTENSION HAS JUST BEEN COMPLETED, FOUR MONTHS AHEAD OF SCHEDULE. THIS PROVIDES THREE EXTRA WIDE-BODIED AIRCRAFT PARKING STANDS," HE SAID.
HE STRESSED THAT THE PROJECT TO EXTEND THE LONG TERM PASSENGER AND CARGO PARKING APRON WAS BEING UPGRADED IN THE PUBLIC WORKS PROGRAMME, WITH A VIEW TO PROVIDING THREE OTHER WIDE-BODIED AIRCRAFT PARKING STANDS BY SEPTEMBER NEXT YEAR.
"A CATEGORY D ITEM WILL BE CREATED TO PROVIDE A ROUNDABOUT AT THE AIRPORT ENTRANCE AND TO WIDEN OLYMPIC AVENUE. AS REGARDS OTHER PROJECTS RECOMMENDED BY THE CONSULTANTS, IT IS OUR INTENTION TO IMPLEMENT THE IMPROVEMENTS AS SOON AS PRACTICABLE."
HE RECOGNISED THAT THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE AIRPORT IMPROVEMENT PACKAGE WAS A COMPLEX EXERCISE, GIVEN THE FINANCIAL, LAND AND REPROVISIONING ISSUES INVOLVED.
"NEVERTHELESS, I CAN ASSURE MEMBERS OF THIS COUNCIL THAT WE ARE FULLY ALIVE TO THE NEED TO ENSURE THAT THESE IMPROVEMENTS ARE IMPLEMENTED AS QUICKLY AS POSSIBLE SO THAT KAI TAK AIRPORT WILL BE ABLE TO COPE WITH THE DEMANDS OF THE 1990S," MR JACOBS SAID.
0
/9........
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 19,
1989
- 9 -DEFINITION OF CONTINUOUS CONTRACT REVIEWED » » ♦ t »
THE DEFINITION OF ’’CONTINUOUS CONTRACT” HAS BEEN REVIEWED IN THE EMPLOYMENT ORDINANCE IN CONSULTATION WITH THE LABOUR ADVISORY BOARD, THE SECRETARY FOR EDUCATION AND MANPOWER, THE HON RON BRIDGE, INFORMED THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
IN A WRITTEN REPLY TO A QUESTION FROM THE HON TAM YIU-CHUNG, MR BRIDGE SAID THAT WITH THE BOARD’S AGREEMENT THE GOVERNMENT PROPOSED TO ADOPT A NEW, LESS RIGID DEFINITION IN ORDER TO EXTEND THE PROTECTION PROVIDED BY THE ORDINANCE TO A SUBSTANTIAL NUMBER OF PART-TIME EMPLOYEES.
’’THE REVISED DEFINITION IS ONE OF A NUMBER OF AMENDMENTS TO THE EMPLOYMENT ORDINANCE INCLUDED IN A BILL WHICH IS NOW BEING DRAFTED.
”WE WILL FINALISE THE DRAFT BILL AS SOON AS WE CAN AND HOPE TO HAVE IT READY WITHIN THE NEXT FEW MONTHS,” MR BRIDGE SAID.
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PUBLIC HEALTH AND MUNICIPAL SERVICES BILL PASSED IN LEGCO * ♦ » * » ♦
THE PUBLIC HEALTH AND MUNICIPAL SERVICES (AMENDMENT) (NO.2) BILL 1989 WAS PASSED IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL MEETING TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
THE BILL WAS GIVEN A SECOND READING AND WENT THROUGH THE COMMITTEE STAGE AND THIRD READING.
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WEDNESDAY, APRIL 19, 1989
10
GENEVA CONFERENCE TO CONSIDER RESETTLEMENT OF ALL VIETNAMESE REFUGEES
******
THE RESETTLEMENT OF ALL VIETNAMESE REFUGEES FROM HONG KONG WAS AN IMPORTANT PART OF THE PACKAGE OF DURABLE SOLUTIONS TO THE PROBLEM OF INDO-CHINESE REFUGEES IN THE REGION WHICH WOULD BE CONSIDERED AT AN INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE IN GENEVA LATER THIS YEAR, THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL WAS INFORMED TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
IN A WRITTEN REPLY TO A QUESTION FROM THE HON HUI YIN-FAT, THE SECRETARY FOR SECURITY, THE HON GEOFFREY BARNES SAID THAT BOTH BRITAIN AND HONG KONG HAD MADE IT CLEAR THAT THE RESETTLEMENT OR REPATRIATION OF ALL VIETNAMESE BOAT PEOPLE FROM HONG KONG MUST BE PURSUED AS QUICKLY AS POSSIBLE.
"AND NOT IN CONNECTION WITH ANY PARTICULAR DEADLINE, BECAUSE OF THE PROBLEMS WHICH THEY CREATE FOR HONG KONG NOW," HE SAID.
"WE HAVE INFORMED THE CHINESE AUTHORITIES ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS THAT HONG KONG’S LAWS PREVENT VIETNAMESE REFUGEES FROM BEING RECOGNISED AS ’ORDINARILY RESIDENT’ IN HONG KONG.
"SUCH PERSONS ARE NOT ORDINARILY RESIDENT IN HONG KONG NOW NOR WOULD THEY BE SO RESIDENT IN HONG KONG AFTER 1997." HE SAID.
HE POINTED OUT THAT THE POSITION OF VIETNAMESE REFUGEES AND BOAT PEOPLE CURRENTLY AWAITING RESETTLEMENT OR REPATRIATION MUST BE DISTINGUISHED FROM THAT OF THE VERY SMALL NUMBER OF FORMER VIETNAMESE REFUGEES WHO HAD BEEN PERMITTED TO BECOME ORDINARILY RESIDENT IN HONG KONG.
"PERSONS IN THIS LATTER GROUP MAY BE ABLE, IN EXACTLY THE SAME WAY AS OTHER ORDINARY RESIDENTS, TO BECOME PERMANENT RESIDENTS OF HONG KONG BOTH BEFORE AND AFTER 1997," HE SAID.
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WEDNESDAY, APRIL 19, 1989
11
HK OFFERS ENORMOUS OPPORTUNITIES FOR THE FUTURE ♦ ♦ * * t
HONG KONG IS KNOWN AS A GREAT PLACE TO DO BUSINESS AT PRESENT, BUT THERE ARE ENORMOUS OPPORTUNITIES THE TERRITORY HAS TO OFFER FOR THE FUTURE, THE MINISTER FOR HONG KONG ECONOMIC AND TRADE AFFAIRS IN WASHINGTON, MR PETER LO, SAID YESTERDAY (TUESDAY, APRIL 18).
HE SAID HONG KONG COULD OFFER THESE OPPORTUNITIES AS A MARKET IN ITS OWN RIGHT; AS A LOCATION FOR MANUFACTURING COMPETITIVE PRODUCTS; AS A GATEWAY TO CHINA AND TO THE ASIA-PACIFIC REGION AS A WHOLE; AND INCREASINGLY, AS AN ACTIVE PLAYER IN INTERNATIONAL TRADE AFFAIRS.
"ON OUR ECONOMIC TIES WITH CHINA, WE NOW FACE ONE OF THE GREATEST OPPORTUNITIES IN HONG KONG’S HISTORY," SAID MR LO.
ADDRESSING A MEETING OF THE MID-WEST/HONG KONG BUSINESS ASSOCIATION IN CHICAGO, HE SAID HONG KONG ALSO GAVE CHINA A CONVENIENT DOOR TO THE CAPITALIST WORLD THROUGH MUCH NEEDED CAPITAL PLUS FINANCIAL, MANAGERIAL AND OTHER PROFESSIONAL SERVICES.
HE POINTED OUT THAT SINCE THE 1970’3 THE VOLUME OF TRADE BETWEEN HONG KONG AND CHINA HAD INCREASED OVER 25 TIMES AND TODAY HONG KONG HAD BECOME CHINA’S LARGEST TRADING PARTNER.
CHINA, ON THE OTHER HAND, IS HONG KONG’S NUMBER ONE SUPPLIER AND THE SECOND LARGEST MARKET FOR ITS DOMESTIC EXPORTS.
THE U.S., MR LO SAID, WAS HONG KONG’S SECOND LARGEST TRADING PARTNER OVERALL AFTER CHINA AND IN 1988 MADE SALES TO HONG KONG OF OVER US$5 BILLION. HONG KONG PEOPLE BOUGHT US$640 WORTH OF AMERICAN GOODS PER PERSON WHICH WAS THREE TIMES AS MUCH AS JAPAN AND FOUR TIMES THAT OF THE EEC.
MR LO SAID THE UNITED STATES WAS ALSO THE TOP RANKING SUPPLIER OF GOODS TO THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT WITH THE LATEST DEAL BEING A US$54 MILLION CONTRACT FOR EIGHT SIKORSKY HELICOPTERS.
HOWEVER, MANY SECTORS OF THE HONG KONG MARKET STILL REMAINED VIRTUALLY UNTAPPED BY AMERICAN FIRMS, HE SAID, AS SHOWN BY A RECENT U.S. COMMERCE DEPARTMENT REPORT WHICH HAD IDENTIFIED STRONG SALES OPPORTUNITIES IN HONG KONG FOR A WIDE VARIETY OF PRODUCTS.
MR LO SAID WHILE HONG KONG HOPED ITS EXPORTS TO THE U.S. WOULD CONTINUE TO DO WELL, "WE HAVE SEEN SOME DARK CLOUDS LOOMING ON THE HORIZON - THE THREAT OF PROTECTIONISM."
/HE SAID .......
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 19, 1989
12 -
HE SAID RECENTLY TERMS SUCH AS "MANAGED TRADE" HAD SURFACED, WHICH HE CONSIDERED WERE NO MORE THAN A EUPHEMISM FOR TRADE BARRIERS OR PROTECTIONIST MEASURES THAT WERE BOUND TO BE SELF-DEFEATING AS THEY WOULD INVITE RETALIATION AND CAUSE TRADE CONTRACTION LEADING TO AN EROSION OF ECONOMIC GROWTH.
HE HOPED THE U.S. ADMINISTRATION AND CONGRESS WOULD TAKE A FIRM STAND AGAINST PROTECTIONISM IN THE INTEREST OF PROMOTING THE CONTINUED EXPANSION OF WORLD TRADE.
TURNING TO EUROPE, MR LO SAID GIVEN THAT THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITY WAS HONG KONG’S THIRD LARGEST TRADING PARTNER, HONG KONG HAD GOOD REASON TO BE EXCITED ABOUT THE POTENTIAL OPPORTUNITIES FOR GROWTH IN THE EC’S PLAN FOR A SINGLE MARKET IN 1992.
BUT, MR LO SAID, HONG KONG WAS CONCERNED THAT IN THE COURSE OF REMOVING INTERNAL BARRIERS, THE COMMUNITY WOULD GIVE IN THE DEMANDS FOR INCREASED PROTECTION AGAINST NON EC-IMPORTS, OR WENT FURTHER DOWN THE PATH OF BILATERAL OR REGIONAL DEALS ON A DISCRIMINATORY BASIS WHICH WOULD BE DETRIMENTAL TO THE WORLD TRADING SYSTEM.
MR LO SAID HONG KONG REGARDED THE GATT AS THE CORNERSTONE OF ITS TRADE POLICY AND THAT WAS WHY IT WAS PLAYING AN ACTIVE ROLE IN THE URUGUAY ROUND NEGOTIATIONS WHICH AIM TO FURTHER LIBERALISE WORLD TRADE AND STRENGTHEN THE ROLE OF GATT.
HONG KONG, HE SAID, HAD BEEN A SEPARATE CONTRACTING PARTY TO THE GATT IN ITS OWN RIGHT SINCE APRIL 1986 AS A RESULT OF THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE SINO-BRITISH JOINT DECLARATION WHICH PROVIDED, AMONG OTHER THINGS, FOR HONG KONG’S CONTINUED PARTICIPATION IN INTERNATIONAL ORGANISATIONS AFTER 1997.
MR LO SAID HE WAS PERSONALLY OPTIMISTIC ABOUT HONG KONG IN THE 90’S AND BEYOND AND HE BELIEVED MOST AMERICAN BUSINESSMEN IN THE TERRITORY WERE TOO.
"THEY KNOW WHAT A GREAT PLACE HONG KONG IS TO DO BUSINESS NOW AND CAN SEE THE ENORMOUS OPPORTUNITIES IT OFFERS FOR THE FUTURE - AS A MARKET IN ITS OWN RIGHT; AS A LOCATION FOR MANUFACTURING COMPETITIVE PRODUCTS; AS A GATEWAY TO CHINA AND TO THE ASIA - PACIFIC REGION AS A WHOLE; AND INCREASINGLY, AS AN ACTIVE PLAYER IN INTERNATIONAL TRADE AFFAIRS," MR LO SAID.
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WEDNESDAY. APRIL 19, 1989
- 13 -
CALL FOR EARLY REGISTRATION OF LEGCO ELECTORS *****
A THREE-WEEK VOTER REGISTRATION FOR THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL ELECTORAL ROLL HAS BEGUN AND WILL LAST UNTIL MAY 6 FOR THE COMPILATION OF THE PROVISIONAL REGISTER.
THIS WILL BE FOLLOWED BY A SECOND REGISTRATION PERIOD IN JUNE WHICH WILL LEAD TO THE PUBLICATION OF THE FINAL REGISTER IN EARLY AUGUST.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE REGISTRATION AND ELECTORAL DIVISION POINTED OUT TODAY (WEDNESDAY) THAT THE CURRENT EXERCISE WAS CONDUCTED TO ENABLE INDIVIDUALS AND ORGANISATIONS WHO HAD BECOME ELIGIBLE SI&CE THE LAST REGISTRATION IN JUNE LAST YEAR TO REGISTER AS ELECTORS.
"THESE INCLUDE NEW MEMBERS OF THE REPRESENTATIVE ORGANISATIONS OF FUNCTIONAL CONSTITUENCIES AND THOSE OF DISTRICT BOARDS AND MUNICIPAL COUNCILS," HE SAID.
"ALTHOUGH THIS IS NOT AN ELECTION YEAR FOR THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL. IT IS NEVER TOO EARLY FOR AN ELIGIBLE PERSON OR ORGANISATION TO SIGN UP AS AN ELECTOR, THUS HELPING TO CONSOLIDATE THE BASE OF THE ELECTORATE."
THE SPOKESMAN URGED ELIGIBLE PERSONS OR ORGANISATIONS WHO HAVE NOT YET REGISTERED TO DO SO EARLY.
HE ALSO POINTED OUT THAT IN ORDER TO BECOME ELIGIBLE AS A CANDIDATE IN LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL ELECTIONS, A PERSON MUST FIRST BECOME A REGISTERED VOTER.
REGISTRATION FORMS ARE AVAILABLE FROM THE REPRESENTATIVE ORGANISATIONS. DISTRICT OFFICES AND THE REGISTRATION AND ELECTORAL DIVISION AT HARBOUR CENTRE, 10TH FLOOR, 25 HARBOUR ROAD. WAN CHAI.
THE FORMS HAVE ALSO BEEN DISTRIBUTED TO ALL ELIGIBLE PERSONS SEEKING REGISTRATION IN THE MEDICAL, DENTAL, NURSING AND TEACHING PROFESSIONS.
THE SPOKESMAN STRESSED THAT INDIVIDUAL APPLICANTS MUST BE ON THE GENERAL ELECTORAL ROLL FOR THE URBAN COUNCIL/REGIONAL COUNCIL AND DISTRICT BOARD ELECTIONS BEFORE THEY ARE ELIGIBLE TO BECOME LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL ELECTORS.
"FOR THOSE WHO ARE NOT YET ON THE GENERAL ELECTORAL ROLL, THEY SHOULD APPLY FOR REGISTRATION IN THAT ROLL NOW BEFORE SEEKING ENROLMENT ON THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL ROLL IN 1990," HE ADDED.
FURTHER DETAILS ABOUT THE CURRENT REGISTRATION EXERCISE CAN BE OBTAINED AT TELEPHONE 5-8932837.
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WEDNESDAY, APRIL 19, 1989
14
PUBLICITY STEPPED UP AGAINST FOOTWAY OBSTRUCTION *****
AN EIGHT-MONTH CAMPAIGN AGAINST OBSTRUCTION ON PUBLIC FOOTWAYS IN KWUN TONG IS IN FULL SWING.
THE CAMPAIGN, THE FIRST OF ITS KIND IN THE TERRITORY, WAS LAUNCHED IN JANUARY BY A TASK FORCE FORMED UNDER THE KWUN TONG DISTRICT MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE. IT COMPRISES REPRESENTATIVES FROM THE POLICE, THE URBAN SERVICES DEPARTMENT AND THE KWUN TONG DISTRICT OFFICE.
DURING THE EDUCATION PHASE OF THE CAMPAIGN, WHICH ENDED IN FEBRUARY, PUBLICITY LEAFLETS WERE DISTRIBUTED IN THE TOWN CENTRE, TING HONG AND NGAU TAU KOK, WHERE THE PROBLEM IS MOST SERIOUS.
’’THESE LEAFLETS AIM TO AROUSE THE CIVIC SPIRIT OF SHOP OPERATORS WHOSE GOODS AND ADVERTISMENT SIGNS ARE OBSTRUCTING THE PAVEMENTS, AND EDUCATE ’ THEM ON THE IMPORTANCE OF KEEPING THE PAVEMENTS CLEAR,” A DISTRICT OFFICE SPOKESMAN SAID TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
’’SHOP OPERATORS ARE ALSO REMINDED OF THE POTENTIAL HAZARDS THAT MAY BE CAUSED BY THESE OBSTRUCTIONS TO BOTH PEDESTRIANS AND MOTORISTS.
"IT IS ENCOURAGING THAT MANY OF THE SHOP OPERATORS HAVE TAKEN HEED OF OUR MESSAGE AND HAVE REMOVED GOODS AND OBJECTS OBSTRUCTING THE PAVEMENTS," THE SPOKESMAN ADDED.
HOWEVER, HE SAID, THERE WERE STILL SOME PEOPLE WHO HAD NOT YET TAKEN ANY ACTION TO RECTIFY THE SITUATION.
AS THE CAMPAIGN HAS NOW ENTERED ITS PUBLICITY PHASE, EFFORTS WILL BE STEPPED UP TO ALERT RESIDENTS OF THE SERIOUSNESS OF THE PROBLEM AND REMIND SHOP OPERATORS OF THE POSSIBLE COURT PENALTY.
"DURING THIS PHASE, PHOTOGRAPHS OF OBSTRUCTION BLACK SPOTS WILL BE PUBLISHED IN THE DISTRICT NEWSPAPER AND A BROADCASTING VAN WILL TOUR THESE AREAS TO PUBLICISE THE NECESSITY OF KEEPING PAVEMENTS CLEAR FOR ROAD SAFETY," THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
"THE FINAL STAGE OF THE CAMPAIGN WILL BEGIN IN JUNE WHEN ENFORCEMENT ACTION WILL BE TAKEN AGAINST OFFENDERS WHO WILL BE LIABLE TO A FINE OF 55,000 OR THREE MONTHS' IMPRISONMENT,” HE ADDED.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
A BROADCASTING VAN WILL TOUR THE KWUN TONG TOWN TOMORROW (THURSDAY) AFTERNOON TO PUBLICISE THE MESSAGE AGAINST OBSTRUCTION ON PUBLIC FOOTWAYS.
MEDIA REPRESENTATIVES COVERING THE TOUR ARE REQUESTED TO ARRIVE BEFORE 4.30 PM AT THE CARPARK OF THE KWUN TONG DISTRICT BRANCH OFFICES BUILDING IN TUNG YAN STREET.
DISTRICT INFORMATION OFFICER, MISS IRENE LAU, WILL BE ON HAND TO ASSIST.
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 19, 1989
- 15 -
WORLD ENVIRONMENT DAY ON DB COMMITTEE AGENDA *****
THE EVIRONMENTAL IMPROVEMENT COMMITTEE OF THE KOWLOON CITY DISTRICT BOARD, AT ITS MEETING TOMORROW (THURSDAY), WILL BE BRIEFED ON THE PROGRAMMES AND ACTIVITIES TO BE ORGANISED IN HONG KONG TO MARK THE WORLD ENVIRONMENT DAY (WED) ON JUNE 5.
THE COMMITTEE WILL CONSIDER SETTING UP A WORKING GROUP TO FORMULATE PROMOTIONAL ACTIVITIES IN THE DISTRICT IN SUPPORT OF THE WED.
AT THE MEETING MEMBERS WILL ALSO DISCUSS THE PROPOSED ENVIRONMENTAL IMPROVEMENT ACTIVITIES TO BE CARRIED OUT IN 1989-90.
A MEMBER WILL PROPOSE THE PROVISION OF A SITTING-OUT AREA BEHIND THE CARMEL ENGLISH SCHOOL IN CHUNG HAU STREET, AND THE BEAUTIFICATION OF THE HILLSIDE NEAR A FOOTBRIDGE ACROSS PRINCESS MARGARET ROAD.
ANOTHER MEMBER WILL SUGGEST TAKING ACTION TO DEAL WITH THE PROBLEMS OF ILLEGAL PARKING, PAVEMENT OBSTRUCTION AND IMPROPER DISPOSAL OF REFUSE IN WHAMPOA ESTATE.
THE PROBLEM OF ACCUMULATION OF SAND AND DUST ON FOOTBRIDGES AND THE ROAD SURFACE IN THE DISTRICT WILL ALSO BE RAISED AT THE MEETING.
OTHER ITEMS ON THE AGENDA INCLUDE APPLICATIONS FOR DISTRICT BOARD FUNDS FOR CARRYING OUT IMPROVEMENT WORK TO DISTRICT DIRECTORY BOARDS AND NOTICE BOARDS, AND FOR REPLACING BENCHES IN A REAR LANE IN COOKE STREET, HUNG HOM.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
MEDIA REPRESENTATIVES ARE INVITED TO COVER THE MEETING OF THE KOWLOON CITY DISTRICT BOARD’S ENVIRONMENTAL IMPROVEMENT COMMITTEE WHICH WILL BEGIN AT 2.15 PM TOMORROW (THURSDAY) AT THE KOWLOON CITY DISTRICT OFFICE CONFERENCE ROOM, 141 KAU PUI LUNG ROAD, KOWLOON.
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/16........
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 19, 1989
- 16 -
LUNAR NEW YEAR FIREWORKS DISPLAY » » * * *
THE MUNICIPAL SERVICES BRANCH TODAY (WEDNESDAY) REMINDED ORGANISATIONS TO SUBMIT EXPRESSIONS OF INTEREST TO SPONSOR THE 1990 LUNAR NEW YEAR FIREWORKS DISPLAY BY APRIL 29.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE BRANCH ADVISED THAT APPLICATIONS SHOULD BE SUBMITTED TO THE SECRETARY FOR MUNICIPAL SERVICES AT LEAST NINE MONTHS BEFORE THE DATE PROPOSED FOR THE DISPLAY.
FIREWORKS DISPLAYS HAVE NORMALLY BEEN HELD IN THE EVENING OF THE SECOND DAY OF THE LUNAR NEW YEAR AS THE FOCAL POINT OF THE CHINESE NEW YEAR FESTIVITIES IN RECENT YEARS.
APPLICATIONS SHOULD BE SUBMITTED TO THE MSB HEADQUARTERS AT THE 11TH FLOOR, HARBOUR CENTRE, 25 HARBOUR ROAD, WAN CHAI.
AS IN PREVIOUS YEARS, THE GOVERMENT RESERVES THE RIGHT TO APPROVE OR DISAPPROVE APPLICATIONS AND TO DECLINE TO GIVE REASONS FOR THE ACCEPTANCE OR REJECTION OF APPLICATIONS.
-------o ---------
SINGAPOREAN DELEGATION VISITS CSD
*****
A DELEGATION OF EIGHT SENIOR OFFICIALS FROM THE SINGAPORE MINISTRY OF HOME AFFAIRS, PRISONS DEPARTMENT, AND THE SINGAPORE CORPORATION OF REHABILITATIVE ENTERPRISES, TODAY (WEDNESDAY) STARTED A THREE-DAY VISIT TO THE CORRECTIONAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT (CSD).
THE PARTY, LED BY THE PERMANENT SECRETARY OF HOME AFFAIRS, MR TAN CHIN TIONG, AND THE DIRECTOR OF PRISONS, MR TEE TUA BA, ARE INTERESTED IN SEEING THE CORRECTIONAL SERVICES FACILITIES AND PROGRAMMES IN HONG KONG AND THE OPERATION OF LAUNDRY SERVICES PROVIDED BY CSD.
THEY FIRST CALLED ON THE COMMISSIONER OF CORRECTIONAL SERVICES, MR CHAN WA-SHEK, THIS MORNING AT THE DEPARTMENT’S HEADQUARTERS.
AT A MEETING WITH SENIOR OFFICERS OF THE DEPARTMENT, THEY EXCHANGED VIEWS ON PRISON MANAGEMENT AND CORRECTIONAL PROGRAMMES FOR INMATES.
THEN, THE PARTY, ACCOMPANIED BY THE COMMISSIONER, VISITED TAI TAM GAP CORRECTIONAL INSTITUTION, STANLEY PRISON, AND CSD’S STAFF TRAINING INSTITUTE.
ARRANGEMENT HAS ALSO BEEN MADE FOR THEM TO VISIT PIK UK PRISON, TAI LAM CENTRE FOR WOMEN, TAI LAM CORRECTIONAL INSTITUTION, SIU LAM PSYCHIATRIC CENTRE, MA PO PING PRISON, SHEK PIK PRISON AND SHA TSUI DETENTION CENTRE TOMORROW AND ON FRIDAY.
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/17........
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 19, 1989
- 17 -
OLD ELM TREE IN BONSAI EXHIBITION ♦ * t » *
A 400-YEAR-OLD HAIRY WILLOW ELM WILL BE PUT ON DISPLAY TOGETHER WITH ABOUT 300 EXOTIC POTTED PLANTS IN THE 1989 TUEN MUN BONSAI SHOW AT THE CHING CHUNG KOON TAOIST MONASTERY FROM FRIDAY (APRIL 21) TO APRIL 30.
THE ONEMETRE TALL PLANT IS ONE OF THE RARE COLLECTIONS OF THE MONASTERY AND WILL BE EXHIBITED FOR THE FIRST TIME.
MANY OF THE OTHER POTTED PLANTS IN THE EXHIBITION SUCH AS FUKIEN TEA, HEDGE SAGERATIA AND FLOWERING TOMEGRANATE, ARE ATTACHED TO ROCKS OR DECORATED WITH FIGURINES TO DISPLAY THE ART OF POTTED LANDSCAPE.
ALSO ON DISPLAY WILL BE THE WINNING ENTRIES IN A BONSAI COMPETITION HELD IN THE DISTRICT.
TO COINCIDE WITH THE EXHIBITION, STUDENTS OF TUEN MUN AND YUEN LONG DISTRICTS ARE INVITED TO TAKE PART IN A PHOTOGRAPHIC COMPETITION TO ENHANCE THEIR APPRECIATION OF NATURE AND POTTED LANDSCAPE.
THE OPENING CEREMONY OF THE BONSAI SHOW WILL BE HELD AT 11 AM ON FRIDAY.
THE REGIONAL SECRETARY FOR THE NEW TERRITORIES, MR ADOLF HSU; DIRECTOR OF REGIONAL SERVICES, MR HAIDER BARMA; ASSISTANT DIRECTOR OF AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES, MR YIP KAI-SANG; AND ASSISTANT DIRECTOR OF EDUCATION, MR SO FAI-CHO, WILL OFFICIATE AT THE CEREMONY.
THE ANNUAL EXHIBITION IS JOINTLY PRESENTED BY THE MONASTERY, THE TUEN MUN DISTRICT OFFICE AND VARIOUS GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS. IT IS SPONSORED BY THE HONG KONG TOURIST ASSOCIATION AND KOWLOON MOTOR BUS COMPANY LTD.
IT WILL BE OPEN DAILY FROM 8 AM TO 6 PM. ADMISSION IS FREE.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE OPENING CEREMONY OF THE 1989 TUEN MUN BONSAI SHOW AT 11 AM ON FRIDAY (APRIL 21) AT THE CHING CHUNG KOON TAOIST MONASTERY, TUEN MUN.
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/18........
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 19, 1989
18 -
TEMPORARY TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS IN CENTRAL AND WESTERN
*****
THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCES THAT TEMPORARY TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS WILL BE IMPLEMENTED IN CENTRAL AND WESTERN DISTRICTS FROM FRIDAY (APRIL 21) FOR ROAD AND DRAINAGE WORKS.
THE SLIP ROAD LINKING THE NORTHBOUND AND SOUTHBOUND SECTIONS OF COTTON TREE DRIVE IN CENTRAL UNDERNEATH THE COTTON TREE DRIVE FLYOVER WILL BE CLOSED TO TRAFFIC FROM ONE MINUTE PAST MIDNIGHT TO 6 AM ON FRIDAY.
DURING THE CLOSURE, MOTORISTS ON WESTBOUND HARCOURT ROAD HEADING FOR LAMBETH WALK WILL BE DIVERTED VIA HARCOURT ROAD, MURRAY ROAD, THE SLIP ROAD OUTSIDE MURRAY ROAD MULTI-STOREY CARPARK AND COTTON TREE DRIVE.
MEANWHILE, THE FOLLOWING TWO ROAD SECTIONS IN WESTERN DISTRICT WILL BE DESIGNATED URBAN CLEARWAYS ROUND-THE-CLOCK FROM 10 AM ON THE SAME DAY FOR ABOUT TWO MONTHS.
* THE EASTERN KERBSIDE LANE OF WESTERN STREET BETWEEN CONNAUGHT ROAD WEST AND DES VOEUX ROAD WEST; AND
* THE SOUTHERN KERBSIDE LANE OF DES VOEUX ROAD WEST FROM ITS JUNCTION WITH HILL ROAD TO A POINT ABOUT 121 METRES WEST OF THE SAME JUNCTION.
NO VEHICLES EXCEPT FRANCHISED BUSES WILL BE ALLOWED TO STOP FOR PASSENGERS OR GOODS WITHIN THE RESTRICTED AREAS.
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/19
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 19,
1989
- 19 -
TEMPORARY TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS IN MONG KOK
« * » « »
THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCES THAT TEMPORARY TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS WILL BE IMPLEMENTED IN MONG KOK FROM 10 AM ON FRIDAY (APRIL 21) FOR FOUR MONTHS.
THERE WILL BE NO LEFT TURN FROM SOUTHBOUND SHANGHAI STREET ONTO EASTBOUND DUNDAS STREET; AND THE SECTION OF HAMILTON STREET BETWEEN SHANGHAI STREET AND PORTLAND STREET WILL BE RE-ROUTED ONE-WAY EASTBOUND.
DURING THIS PERIOD, MOTORISTS IN HAMILTON STREET WESTBOUND HEADING FOR SOUTHBOUND SHANGHAI STREET ARE ADVISED TO TRAVEL VIA PORTLAND STREET, WESTBOUND CHANGSHA STREET AND SOUTHBOUND SHANGHAI STREET.
MEANWHILE, THE SEVEN METERED PARKING SPACES ON THE NORTHERN KERBSIDE OF HAMILTON STREET WILL BE CANCELLED.
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NIGHT CLOSURE OF ANDERSON ROAD * * * *
THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCES THAT ANDERSON ROAD IN SAI KUNG WILL BE CLOSED FOR 15 CONSECUTIVE NIGHTS FROM FRIDAY (APRIL 21) TO MAY 5 BETWEEN 12.30 AM AND 5.30 AM TO FACILITATE ROAD REPAIR WORKS.
DURING THE CLOSURE, MOTORISTS ON CLEAR WATER BAY ROAD HEADING FOR PO LAM ROAD AND VICE VERSA ARE ADVISED TO USE LEE ON ROAD, SHUN ON ROAD, SAU MAU PING ROAD AND PO LAM ROAD.
0
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL: 5-8428777
THURSDAY, APRIL 20, 1989
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
GOVERNOR VISITS CUSTOMS AND EXCISE DEPT ....................... 1
HONG KONG IS RIGHT PUCE FOR HI-TECH INVESTMENT ................ 2
DISKETTE SUBMISSION SCHEME FOR IMPORT/EXPORT DECLARATIONS .. 4
DEPUTY DIRECTOR OF MARINE TO ATTEND PORTS CONFERENCE .......... 5
AIRCRAFT CRASH AND RESCUE EXERCISE ............................ 5
REGIONAL SECRETARY SPEaKS ON YOUTH PARTICIPATION .............. 6
MAJOR DISTRICT FUNCTION TO SUPPORT WORLD ENVIRONMENT DAY ... 7
DB COMMITTEE TO CONSIDER FUND APPLICATIONS .................... 8
SINGAPOREAN DELEGATION VISITS CORRECTIONAL INSTITUTIONS .... 8
SAI KUNG DB TO DISCUSS HANG HAU TOWN CLEARANCE................. 9
PROMOTING CIVIC EDUCATION THROUGH DRaMa ACTIVITIES ........... 10
CLOSURE OF MURRaY BARR..CKS CAR PARK ......................... 10
OPENING OF JUNK BaY ROaD ..ND SAU MAU PING RO..D INTERCHANGE . 11
URB.J1 CLEARW..Y ON NaM NING STREET, aBERDE2N ................ 11
PUBLIC LIGHT BUS BaN IN KWUN TONG TO BE LIFTED................ 11
THURSDAY, APRIL 20, 1989
GOVERNOR VISITS CUSTOMS AND EXCISE DEPT *****
THE GOVERNOR, SIR DAVID WILSON, VISITED THE CUSTOMS AND EXCISE DEPARTMENT THIS (THURSDAY) AFTERNOON AND WAS BRIEFED ON THE DEPARTMENT’S WORK BY THE COMMISSIONER, MR PATRICK WILLIAMSON, AND HIS SENIOR STAFF.
AMONG THE TOPICS DISCUSSED WAS THE DEPARTMENT’S PROPOSAL TO RE-ORGANISE THE DEPARTMENT SO AS TO MAKE SENIOR OFFICERS RESPONSIBLE FOR SPECIFIC ACTIVITIES, SUCH AS PASSENGER CONTROL, RATHER THAN GEOGRAPHICAL AREAS AS AT PRESENT.
THE PROPOSAL WOULD RESULT IN THE STAFF OF THE DEPARTMENT BEING REDUCED BY MORE THAN FOUR PER CENT.
SIR DAVID WELCOMED THIS INITIATIVE TO INCREASE THE DEPARTMENT’S PRODUCTIVITY AND EFFICIENCY.
THE DEPUTY COMMISSIONER, MR K.S. TONG, THEN EXPLAINED THE GROWING IMPORTANCE AND SUCCESS OF INTERNATIONAL CO-OPERATION IN CUSTOMS WORK, PARTICULARLY CONCERNING DRUGS.
THE GOVERNOR WAS PARTICULARLY INTERESTED TO HEAR ABOUT THE REGIONAL LIAISON OFFICE RUN BY THE HONG KONG CUSTOMS. THE OFFICE ACTS AS A CLEARING HOUSE FOR INFORMATION ON DRUG SMUGGLING IN THE PACIFIC REGION.
THESE CUSTOMS ADMINISTRATIONS WHICH ARE PART OF THE REGION ARE NOW CONSIDERING EXPANDING THE LIAISON OFFICE’S ROLE TO INCLUDE TRACING DRUG TRAFFICKERS AS THEY MOVE AROUND THE REGION.
LATER IN THE AFTERNOON, SIR DAVID WATCHED CUSTOMS OFFICERS SEARCH A RECENTLY ARRIVED SHIP FOR DANGEROUS DRUGS.
THE HONG KONG CUSTOMS HAVE AN INTERNATIONAL REPUTATION FOR EFFICIENT SHIP SEARCHING AND HAVE TRAINED MANY CUSTOMS OFFICERS FROM OVERSEAS IN THE TECHNIQUES OF DOING IT.
EARLIER IN THE MONTH THEY DISCOVERED MORE THAN 20 KILOGRAMS OF CANNABIS RESIN CONCEALED IN THE ENGINE ROOM OF A SHIP FROM KARACHI.
SIR DAVID, WHO PUT ON A SET OF CUSTOMS OVERALLS FOR THE VISIT, COMMENTED THAT THE HONG KONG CUSTOMS WERE MAKING A VITAL CONTRIBUTION TO THE WAR AGAINST DANGEROUS DRUGS BOTH IN HONG KONG AND OVERSEAS.
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THURSDAY, APRIL 20, 1989
HONG KONG IS RIGHT PLACE FOR HI-TECH INVESTMENT * » » » »
HONG KONG POSSESSES THE RIGHT ENVIRONMENT FOR INVESTMENT INVOLVING HIGH TECHNOLOGY, THE SECRETARY FOR EDUCATION AND MANPOWER (DESIGNATE), MR K Y YEUNG, TOLD POTENTIAL INVESTORS IN TOYKO TODAY (THURSDAY).
SPEAKING AT THE JAPANESE SEMICONDUCTOR INDUSTRY CONFERENCE, MR YEUNG SAID THAT HONG KONG HAD BEEN PROGRESSING TOWARDS GREATER STABILITY AND PROSPERITY IN THE RUN-UP TO 1997, MAKING ITSELF A MANUFACTURING BASE THAT NO ONE COULD AFFORD TO IGNORE.
"THE RESTORATION OF CONFIDENCE SINCE 1984, COUPLED WITH SUBSTANTIAL PRIVATE SECTOR INVESTMENT IN PLANT AND EQUIPMENT AND INCREASED PUBLIC SECTOR SUPPORT, MUST IMPROVE THE OPPORTUNITIES FOR OUR ELECTRONICS INDUSTRY TO ATTAIN HIGHER LEVELS OF TECHNOLOGICAL ACHIEVEMENT.
"THESE OPPORTUNITIES ARE PARTICULARLY RELEVANT FOR THE COMPONENTS SECTOR OF THE INDUSTRY," HE SAID.
MR YEUNG CITED MOTOROLA’S "SILICON HARBOUR" PROJECT AS A GOOD EXAMPLE OF THIS TYPE OF INVESTMENT.
THE SILICON HARBOUR IN THE HIGH TECHNOLOGY ZONE OF THE TAI PO INDUSTRIAL ESTATE, WOULD PROBABLY COST ABOUT USJ100 MILLION AND ON COMPLETION IN EARLY 1990 WOULD HOUSE MOTOROLA'S ASIA PACIFIC HEADQUARTERS, ITS REGIONAL COMPUTER CENTRE AND ITS REGIONAL SEMICONDUCTOR DESIGN AND MANUFACTURE OPERATIONS.
ACCORDING TO MR YEUNG, IT WOULD SPECIALISE IN BIPOLAR AND METAL OXIDE SEMICONDUCTOR (MOS) APPLICATION - SPECIFIC PRODUCTS, BOTH STANDARDISED AND CUSTOMISED.
HE ADDED THAT THE PLANT WAS EXPECTED TO APPLY THE LATEST COMPUTER INTEGRATED MANUFACTURING TECHNOLOGIES.
QUOTING A RESEARCH NEWSLETTER OF DATAQUEST, MR YEUNG SAID MOTOROLA CHOSE HONG KONG FOR FOUR MAIN REASONS.
"FIRST IS THE AVAILABILITY OF ADVANCED INFRASTRUCTURAL SUPPORT, PARTICULARLY IN AREAS SUCH AS TELECOMMUNICATIONS AND DATA PROCESSING.
"SECONDLY, MOTOROLA ARE CONFIDENT ABOUT THE PROSPECTS FOR CONTINUING STABILITY AND PROSPERITY.
"THIRDLY, THEY CLEARLY LIKE THE QUALITY OF OUR TRAINED MANPOWER AS WELL AS OUR COMMITMENT TO HIGHER EDUCATION AND TRAINING, THE LATEST EXAMPLE OF WHICH IS THE ESTABLISHMENT OF THE UNIVERSITY OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY," MR YEUNG SAID.
/FINALLY, DATAQUEST’S
THURSDAY, APRIL 20, 1989
- 3 -
FINALLY, DATAQUEST’S A FORECAST OF SEMICONDUCTOR CONSUMPTION OUTSIDE THE ORGANISATION FOR ECONOMIC COOPERATION AND DEVELOPMENT (OECD) GROUP OF COUNTRIES ASSUMED COMPOUND ANNUAL GROWTH RATES FOR THE PERIOD 1987 TO 1992 OF BETWEEN 16 PER CENT TO 20 PER CENT FOR THE ASIAN NEW INDUSTRIALISED ECONOMIES (NIEs), BUT NEARLY 48 PER CENT FOR CHINA.
THESE ASSUMED GROWTH RATES PLACED HONG KONG’S CONSUMPTION AT ABOUT US$1.2 BILLION IN 1992, WHICH PLACED THE TERRITORY IN THIRD PLACE AFTER SOUTH KOREA AND TAIWAN.
BUT MR YEUNG SAID THAT A LARGE PROPORTION OF CHINA’S CONSUMPTION OF SEMICONDUCTORS WAS CONSUMED BY MANUFACTURING BUSINESSES THAT WERE PARTLY OWNED BY HONG KONG INTERESTS, THE MARKET REPRESENTED BY HONG KONG’S TOTAL PURCHASES WAS LIKELY TO BE OF THE ORDER OF US$2.3 BILLION.
ON THESE ASSUMPTIONS, MR YEUNG EXPECTED THAT HONG KONG’S PURCHASES ALONE WERE LIKELY BY 1992 TO RUN CLOSE TO THE FORECAST LEVEL OF CONSUMPTION BY SOUTH KOREA.
"IF ONE ALSO TAKE INTO ACCOUNT THE ADVANTAGE OF BEING ABLE TO SUPPLY CHINA FROM HONG KONG, ONE WOULD BE CONSIDERING A COMBINED MARKET OF CLOSE TO US$3.6 BILLION IN 1992.
"CAN WE BE SURPRISED AT MOTOROLA’S CHOICE OF HONG KONG AS A BASE FOR EXPANSION, INSTEAD OF THE ASEAN REGION, WHERE MANY OF THE INVESTORS HAVE GONE?" MR YEUNG ASKED.
IN HIS OPINION, HONG KONG’S MANUFACTURING INDUSTRIES WOULD CONTINUE TO DIVERSIFY OUT OF LABOUR INTENSIVE AND LOW VALUE-ADDED PRODUCTION AND INTO MECHANISED, HIGHER QUALITY PRODUCTION.
HE FELT THE LINKAGE INDUSTRIES SHOULD DEVELOP AS HONG KONG BECAME A SUPPLY BASE FOR PRODUCTION IN CHINA AND AS A MORE SOPHISTICATED PRODUCTION CENTRE IN ITS OWN RIGHT.
"THESE TRENDS HAVE ALREADY MANIFESTED THEMSELVES IN OUR ELECTRONICS INDUSTRY, AND ARE LIKELY TO BE ACCELERATED BY A HIGHER LEVEL OF TECHNOLOGICAL SUPPORT FROM THE GOVERNMENT," MR YEUNG SAID.
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THURSDAY, APRIL 20, 1989
DISKETTE SUBMISSION SCHEME FOR IMPORT/EXPORT DECLARATIONS **«**«»
THE GOVERNMENT WILL LAUNCH A SCHEME TO PROVIDE TRADERS WITH AN ADDITIONAL OPTION TO SUBMIT IMPORT AND EXPORT DECLARATIONS ON MICRO-COMPUTER DISKETTES.
THE SCHEME REFERRED TO AS THE "DISKETTE SUBMISSION SCHEME" WILL BE IMPLEMENTED IN JULY THIS YEAR AND THE EXACT IMPLEMENTATION DATE WILL BE ANNOUNCED IN A GAZETTE NOTICE SHORTLY.
IN ORDER TO GET THE TRADERS AND THE GOVERNMENT PREPARED FOR THE SCHEME, A PILOT DISKETTE SUBMISSION SCHEME HAS BEEN ORGANISED BY THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT IN FEBRUARY AND MARCH THIS YEAR.
ABOUT 150 LARGE TRADING FIRMS, MANY OF THEM SUBMIT A FEW HUNDRED DECLARATIONS A MONTH, HAVE JOINED THE PILOTSCHEME AND HAVE FOUND IT VERY CONVENIENT TO THEM. USEFUL FEEDBACKS HAVE ALSO BEEN GATHERED AND INCORPORATED IN THE DESIGN OF THE SCHEME.
THE PURPOSE OF THE DISKETTE SUBMISSION SCHEME IS TO FACILITATE TRADERS IN PREPARING TRADE DECLARATIONS IN A MORE EFFICIENT AND ACCURATE WAY THROUGH THE USE OF COMPUTERS. THE GOVERNMENT WILL MAKE AVAILABLE TO TRADERS A COMPUTER SOFTWARE FOR THIS PURPOSE.
ALTERNATIVELY, TRADERS CAN USE THEIR OWN SOFTWARES TO PREPARE THE DECLARATIONS AS LONG AS THE OUTPUTS CONFORM TO THE FORMATS WHICH HAVE BEEN SPECIFIED IN GAZETTE NOTICE (GN3747) ISSUED ON NOVEMBER 4, 1988.
TO JOIN THE SCHEME, TRADERS NEED A MICRO-COMPUTER SYSTEM WHICH RUNS ON MS-DOS OF VERSION 2.0 OR HIGHER.
IN RESPONSE TO THE REQUEST OF SOME TRADING FIRMS WHICH COULD NOT JOIN THE PILOT SCHEME, A SECOND PILOT SCHEME WILL BE ORGANISED LATER THIS MONTH AND IN MAY.
OTHER FIRMS INTERESTED IN THE SECOND PILOT SCHEME CAN APPLY TO THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT AT THE FOLLOWING ADDRESS:
COMMISSIONER FOR CENSUS AND STATISTICS, (ATTN.: SENIOR STATISTICIAN (TRADE) 2) WANCHAI TOWER 1, 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.
FOR ENQUIRIES, PLEASE TELEPHONE 5-8234883.
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THURSDAY, APRIL 20, 1989
- 5 -
DEPUTY DIRECTOR OF MARINE TO ATTEND PORTS CONFERENCE
* ♦ » t *
THE DEPUTY DIRECTOR OF MARINE, MR IAN STRACHAN, WILL ATTEND THE 16TH PORTS CONFERENCE TO BE HELD IN MIAMI, FLORIDA FROM APRIL 22 TO 28.
THE WEEK-LONG CONFERENCE IS ORGANISED BIENNIALLY BY THE INTERNATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF PORTS AND HARBORS (IAPH) OF WHICH HONG KONG IS A MEMBER.
MR STRACHAN WILL GIVE AN ADDRESS ON THE CURRENT AND FUTURE PROSPECTS OF THE PORT OF HONG KONG AT THE WORKING SESSION OF THE CONFERENCE.
A MORE DETAILED DISCUSSION PAPER OF THE SAME TITLE, PREPARED EARLIER BY THE DIRECTOR OF MARINE, MR DERICK HALL, WILL BE PUBLISHED IN THE CONFERENCE PROCEEDINGS.
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AIRCRAFT CRASH AND RESCUE EXERCISE
* * * » *
AN EXERCISE WILL BE HELD AT THE AIRPORT IN THE EARLY HOURS OF TOMORROW (FRIDAY) MORNING TO PROVIDE CONTINUATION TRAINING AND FAMILIARISATION IN AIRCRAFT CRASH AND RESCUE TECHNIQUES FOR ALL UNITS WHICH WOULD BE INVOLVED IN SUCH OPERATIONS.
THE EXERCISE, WHICH WILL BEGIN AT MIDNIGHT (TONIGHT) AND END AT ABOUT 4 AM FRIDAY, ALSO SERVES TO TEST THE COORDINATION AND CONTROL PROCEDURES OF THE UNITS INVOLVED IN DEALING WITH SUCH EMERGENCIES.
THE PARTICIPATING UNITS INCLUDE THE CIVIL AVIATION DEPARTMENT (COORDINATION), FIRE SERVICES DEPARTMENT, POLICE, DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH, HOSPITAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT, MARINE DEPARTMENT, SERVICES DEPARTMENT, CIVIL AID SERVICES, AUXILIARY MEDICAL SERVICES
AND AN AIRLINE COMPANY.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE CIVIL AVIATION DEPARTMENT SAID THE EXERCISE WAS NOT EXPECTED TO CAUSE INCONVENIENCE TO THE PUBLIC AS IT WOULD BE CONFINED TO THE AIRPORT AREA.
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/6........
THURSDAY, APRIL 20, 1989
6
REGIONAL SECRETARY
SPEAKS ON YOUTH PARTICIPATION ******
THE INTRODUCTION OF REPRESENTATIVE GOVERNMENT IN HONG PROVIDES YOUNG PEOPLE WITH AN OPPORTUNITY TO PARTICIPATE IN TH ' ADMINISTRATION OF THE TERRITORY.
THIS WAS STATED BY THE REGIONAL SECRETARY FOR HONG KONG AND KOWLOON, MR DAVID LAN, WHEN HE MET THE PRESIDENT OF THE JUNIOR CHAMBER INTERNATIONAL, MR ISFAHANI SAMEEN, AND THE NATIONAL PRESIDENT OF THE HONG KONG JUNIOR CHAMBER OF COMMERCE, MISS JUN1A HO, TODAY (THURSDAY).
MR LAN TOLD THE VISITORS THAT THE DISTRICT BOARDS ENABLED YOUNG PEOPLE TO PARTICIPATE IN MATTERS THAT AFFECTED THEIR IMMEDIATE ENVIRONMENT.
HE POINTED OUT THAT IN THE 1988 DISTRICT BOARD ELECTIONS, 59 PER CENT OF THE ELECTED DB MEMBERS WERE BETWEEN 21 AND 40 YEARS OF
AGE AS COMPARED WITH 34 PER CENT IN THE 1982 ELECTIONS.
"THIS IS A GOOD INDICATION THAT OUR YOUNG PEOPLE ARE TAKING AN
INCREASINGLY ACTIVE INTEREST IN THEIR COMMUNITY," HE NOTED.
OUTLINING SOME OF THE WORK OF THE GOVERNMENT IN PREPARING
YOUNG PEOPLE FOR THEIR ROLES IN THE COMMUNITY, MR LAN STRESSED THAT THE GOVERNMENT HAD IN FACT LONG ACCORDED PRIORITY TO PROVIDING A FOCAL POINT FOR DEVELOPMENT OF YOUTH SERVICES.
THE SETTING UP OF YOUTH CENTRES, THE LAUNCHING OF THE SUMMER YOUTH PROGRAMME AND THE COMMONWEALTH YOUTH EXCHANGE SCHEME DEMONSTRATED THE RECOGNITION OF THE SPECIAL NEEDS OF YOUNG PEOPLE.
ON A FUNCTIONAL LEVEL, THE GOVERNMENT’S OBJECTIVE WAS TO EQUIP YOUNG PEOPLE WITH THE NECESSARY SKILLS AND KNOWLEDGE TO ENABLE THEM TO PLAY A POSITIVE ROLE IN THE COMMUNITY.
MR LAN NOTED THAT JAYCEES ALL OVER THE WORLD HAD MADE VALUABLE CONTRIBUTIONS TOWARDS CULTIVATING A GENERATION OF WELL-EDUCATED, WELL-MOTIVATED, AND CIVIC-MINDED YOUNG PEOPLE.
"IT MUST BE A COLLECTIVE EFFORT BY ALL CONCERNED - PARENTS, TEACHERS, EMPLOYERS, COMMUNITY ORGANISATIONS, VOLUNTARY AGENCIES, AND THE GOVERNMENT," HE ADDED.
HE ALSO PRAISED THE LOCAL JAYCEES FOR THEIR CONTRIBUTIONS TOWARDS DEVELOPING YOUNG PEOPLE’S POTENTIAL AND LEADERSHIP, A NOTABLE EXAMPLE OF WHICH BEING THE INTRODUCTION OF THE OUTSTANDING YOUNG PEOPLE AWARD.
THURSDAY, APRIL 20, 1989
7
MAJOR DISTRICT FUNCTION TO SUPPORT WORLD ENVIRONMENT DAY
**»»«»
THE CENTRAL AND WESTERN DISTRICT BOARD WILL ORGANISE A WASTE RE-USE COMPETITION TO HELP YOUNG PEOPLE CULTIVATE A SENSE OF ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AND PLAY AN ACTIVE ROLE IN CONSERVING THE WORLD’S RESOURCES.
THIS WAS ANNOUNCED BY A CENTRAL AND WESTERN DISTRICT BOARD MEMBER, MR YUEN BUN-KEUNG, AT A PRESS CONFERENCE THIS (THURSDAY) AFTERNOON. MR YUEN IS ALSO CONVENOR OF THE DB WORKING GROUP FOR Organising the activity next month.
"INVOLVEMENT OF YOUNG PEOPLE IS ESSENTIAL FOR THE PREVENTION OF GLOBAL POLLUTION AND MAINTENANCE OF THE NATURAL EQUILIBRIUM," HE SAID.
THE QUALITY WASTE RE-USE COMPETITION AND EXHIBITION IS BEING ORGANISED BY THE CENTRAL AND WESTERN DISTRICT BOARD IN SUPPORT OF THIS YEAR'S WORLD ENVIRONMENT DAY.
IT IS SPONSORED BY THE CENTRAL AND WESTERN DISTRICT OFFICE, THE COUNCIL OF THE DISTRICT’S SCHOOL HEADS AND THE URBAN COUNCIL.
APART FROM ENABLING PARTICIPANTS TO DEMONSTRATE THEIR. CREATIVITY BY MAKING ARTISTIC OR DURABLE ITEMS FROM WASTE MATERIALS, THE COMPETITION IS ALSO INTENDED TO HELP REDUCE RUBBISH.
THE COMPETITION WILL BE DIVIDED INTO SIX GROUPS FOR PRIMARY AND SECONDARY STUDENTS, ADULTS AND MEMBERS OF LOCAL ORGANISATIONS.
AT THE PRESS CONFERENCE, CENTRAL AND WESTERN DISTRICT BOARD CHAIRMAN, MR AMBROSE LAU, CALLED ON LOCAL RESIDENTS TO SUPPORT THE COMPETITION.
THE WINNING ENTRIES WILL BE DISPLAYED AT THE SHEUNG WAN CIVIC CENTRE FROM JUNE 3 TO 6.
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THURSDAY, APRIL 20, 1989
8
DB COMMITTEE TO CONSIDER FUND APPLICATIONS
* * * » »
THE KWUN TONG DISTRICT BOARD’S CULTURE, RECREATION AND SPORTS AND COMMUNITY BUILDING COMMITTEE WILL CONSIDER APPLICATIONS BY MAJOR LOCAL ORGANISATIONS FOR ANNUAL ACTIVITY FUNDS AMOUNTING TO >360,000 AT ITS MEETING TOMORROW (FRIDAY).
THE ORGANISATIONS INCLUDE THE KWUN TONG SPORTS PROMOTION ASSOCIATION LIMITED, KWUN TONG CHILDREN'S CHORUS, KWUN TONG DISTRICT CULTURE AND RECREATION PROMOTION ASSOCIATION, KWUN TONG SWIMMING CLUB AND KWUN TONG SCHOOLS LIAISON COMMITTEE.
MEMBERS WILL BE BRIEFED ON THE PLANNED ANTI-CORRUPTION SERVICES AND LIAISON WORK TO BE CARRIED OUT BY THE INDEPENDENT COMMISSION AGAINST CORRUPTION’S KOWLOON EAST/SAI KUNG REGIONAL OFFICE IN 1989-90.
THEY WILL ALSO GIVE SUGGESTIONS ON THE THEME OF THIS YEAR’S DISTRICT FESTIVAL.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
MEDIA REPRESENTATIVES ARE INVITED TO COVER THE MEETING OF THE KWUN TONG DISTRICT BOARD’S CULTURE, RECREATION AND SPORTS AND COMMUNITY BUILDING COMMITTEE TO BE HELD TOMORROW (FRIDAY) IN THE CONFERENCE ROOM ON THE THIRD FLOOR OF THE KWUN TONG DISTRICT BRANCH OFFICES BUILDING, TUNG YAN STREET.
THE MEETING WILL BEGIN AT 2.30 PM.
0
SINGAPOREAN DELEGATION VISITS CORRECTIONAL INSTITUTIONS ******
A VISITING EIGHT-MEMBER DELEGATION FROM SINGAPORE TODAY (THURDSAY) VISITED FOUR CORRECTIONAL INSTITUTIONS IN KOWLOON AND THE NEW TERRITORIES.
THE PARTY, LED BY THE PERMANENT SECRETARY OF HOME AFFAIRS, MR TAN CHIN TIONG, AND THE DIRECTOR OF PRISONS, MR TEE TUA BA, WENT TO SIU LAM PSYCHIATRIC CENTRE AND TAI LAM CENTRE FOR WOMEN IN THE MORNING AND TOURED PIK UK PRISON AND TAI LAM CORRECTIONAL INSTITUTION IN THE AFTERNOON.
THEY VISITED TAI TAM GAP CORRECTIONAL INSTITUTION, STANLEY PRISON AND THE CORRECTIONAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT’S STAFF TRAINING INSTITUTE YESTERDAY.
THEY WILL VISIT MA PO PING PRISON, SHEK PIK PRISON AND SHA TSUI DETENTION CENTRE TOMORROW.
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/9.......
THURSDAY, APRIL 20,
1989
- 9 -
SAI KUNG DB TO DISCUSS HANG HAU TOWN CLEARANCE *****
MEMBERS OF THE SAI KUNG DISTRICT BOARD WILL MEET TOMORROW (FRIDAY) TO DISCUSS THE HANG HAU TOWN CLEARANCE AND COMPENSATION MATTERS.
THE PRINCIPAL GOVERNMENT LAND AGENT (GENERAL), MR ROBERT POPE, AND SAI KUNG DISTRICT LANDS OFFICER, MR LYALL ALEXANDER-WEBBER, BOTH FROM THE BUILDINGS AND LANDS DEPARTMENT, WILL BE PRESENT TO BRIEF MEMBERS ON THE LATEST SITUATION OF THE PROJECT.
THE LOCAL CRAFT REVIEW, A CONSULTATIVE DOCUMENT ON LOCAL CRAFT SAFETY AND CONTROL, WILL ALSO BE DISCUSSED IN THE MEETING. THE SENIOR MARINE OFFICER, MR DEREK CHADWICK, AND MARINE OFFICER, MR PAUL OWEN, FROM THE MARINE DEPARTMENT WILL BRIEF MEMBERS ON THE DOCUMENT AND ANSWER QUESTIONS.
AN ASSISTANT SECRETARY FROM THE CITY AND NEW TERRITORIES ADMINISTRATION, MRS SUSAN MAK, WILL ALSO BRIEF MEMBERS ON PROPOSALS TO REMEDY UNFAIR PROVISIONS IN THE EXISTING DEEDS OF MUTUAL COVENANT.
OTHER ITEMS ON THE AGENDA INCLUDE NOMINATION OF CO-OPTED MEMBERS TO DISTRICT BOARD COMMITTEES FOR 1989/90; SAI KUNG DISTRICT BOARD MEMBERS "MEET THE PUBLIC" SCHEME; PROPOSED DISBURSEMENT OF DISTRICT BOARD FUNDS IN 1989/90; APPLICATION FOR DISTRICT BOARD FUNDS FOR REPAIRING A FOOTPATH AT PAK LAP; AND PROGRESS REPORTS BY THE BOARD’S REGIONAL COUNCIL REPRESENTATIVE, MR WAN YUET-KAU, AND SAI KUNG DISTRICT MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE.
THE COMMISSIONER FOR ADMINISTRATIVE COMPLAINTS, MR ARTHUR GARCIA, WILL ALSO BE PRESENT TO BRIEF MEMBERS ON THE WORK OF HIS OFFICE.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE SAI KUNG DISTRICT BOARD MEETING TOMORROW (FRIDAY) IN THE CONFERENCE ROOM OF THE SAI KUNG DISTRICT BOARD, SECOND FLOOR, SAI KUNG GOVERNMENT OFFICES, CHAN MAN STREET, SAI KUNG TOWN. THE MEETING WILL START AT 10 AM.
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THURSDAY, APRIL 20, 1989
10
PROMOTING CIVIC EDUCATION THROUGH DRAMA ACTIVITIES
*****
TO ACQUAINT PRIMARY SCHOOL TEACHERS WITH KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS ON HOW TO PROMOTE CIVIC EDUCATION THROUGH DRAMA ACTIVITIES, THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT WILL ORGANISE TWO HALF-DAY SEMINARS FOR THE TEACHERS NEXT MONTH.
PRIMARY SCHOOL TEACHERS RESPONSIBLE FOR ORGANISING DRAMA ACTIVITIES ARE WELCOMED TO TAKE PART IN THE SEMINAR TO BE HELD AT THE HONG KONG TEACHERS’ CENTRE AT 4 PAK FUK ROAD, NORTH POINT, ON MAY 12 (FRIDAY).
THERE WILL BE TALKS AND DISCUSSIONS ON THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN CIVIC EDUCATION AND DRAMA ACTIVITIES AND HOW TO ORGANISE DRAMA ACTIVITIES IN PRIMARY SCHOOLS.
PARTICIPANTS WILL HAVE OPPORTUNITIES TO EXCHANGE VIEWS AND SHARE THEIR EXPERIENCE AT THE SEMINAR.
PRIMARY SCHOOL HEADS ARE REQUESTED TO SUBMIT NOMINATIONS TO THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT BEFORE APRIL 26.
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CLOSURE OF MURRAY BARRACKS CAR PARK ♦ * * » »
THE MURRAY BARRACKS CAR PARK IN CENTRAL WILL BE CLOSED BY THE END OF JULY TO MAKE WAY FOR REDEVELOPMENT, THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCED TODAY (THURSDAY).
THE CAR PARK, HOWEVER, WILL CEASE TO BE A GOVERNMENT CAR PARK ON MAY 1, 1989.
ARRANGEMENTS HAVE BEEN MADE FOR THE CAR PARK TO BE RUN TEMPORARILY BY A COMMERCIAL OPERATOR FROM MAY 1 UNTIL POSSESSION IS GIVEN TO THE SUCCESSFUL TENDERER FOR THE COMMERCIAL DEVELOPMENT OF THE SITE BY THE END OF JULY.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT SAID THAT THE CAR PARKING CHARGES WILL REMAIN UNCHANGED.
THE MURRAY BARRACKS CAR PARK IS AT PRESENT PROVIDING PARKING SPACES FOR 101 CARS AND SEVEN MOTOR CYCLES IN AN OPEN AREA BETWEEN GARDEN ROAD AND COTTON TREE DRIVE.
THE SPOKESMAN SAID THE TEMPORARY TRANSFER OF MANAGEMENT OF THE CAR PARK FROM GOVERNMENT TO A COMMERCIAL OPERATOR WAS NECESSARY IN ORDER TO RELIEVE THE CAR PARK STAFF FOR TRAINING IN TIME TO BE REDEPLOYED TO TUNNEL MANAGEMENT IN PREPARATION FOR THE OPENING OF THE SHING MUN AND JUNK BAY TUNNELS NEXT YEAR.
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THURSDAY, APRIL 20, 1989
OPENING OF JUNK BAY ROAD AND SAU MAU PING ROAD INTERCHANGE ♦ ♦ * ♦ »
THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCES THAT THE JUNK BAY ROAD AND SAU MAU PING ROAD INTERCHANGE IN KWUN TONG WILL BE OPENED TO TRAFFIC FROM 10 AM ON SATURDAY (APRIL 221.
AT THE SAME TIME TRAFFIC BETWEEN SAU MAU PING ROAD AND LIN TAK ROAD WILL BE DIVERTED TO TRAVEL VIA THE FLYOVER OF THE INTERCHANGE; WHILE TRAFFIC ON JUNK BAY ROAD EASTBOUND HEADING TOWARD LIN TAK ROAD WILL BE DIVERTED TO TRAVEL VIA THE SLIP ROAD AND THE FLYOVER OF THE INTERCHANGE BEFORE REJOINING LIN TAK ROAD.
TRAFFIC FROM SAU MAU PING ROAD HEADING TO JUNK BAY WESTBOUND WILL ALSO BE DIVERTED TO TRAVEL VIA THE FLYOVER OF THE INTERCHANGE AND ROAD LT3 BEFORE REJOINING JUNK BAY ROAD.
ON THE OTHER HAND, GREEN MINIBUS ROUTE 60 WILL BE DIVERTED TO TRAVEL VIA LIN TAK ROAD AND THE FLYOVER OF THE INTERCHANGE.
URBAN CLEARWAY ON NAM NING STREET, ABERDEEN ♦ * » * »
THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCES THAT FROM 10 AM ON SATURDAY (APRIL 22), THE SOUTHERN SECTION OF NAM NING STREET IN ABERDEEN FROM A POINT ABOUT 35 METRES WEST OF ITS JUNCTION WITH CHENGTU ROAD TO A POINT ABOUT 55 METRES WEST OF THE SAME JUNCTION 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.
PUBLIC LIGHT BUS BAN IN KWUN TONG TO BE LIFTED ♦ ♦ » ♦ ♦
THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCES THAT THE EXISTING PUBLIC LIGHT BUS BAN ON ROAD LT3 IN KWUN TONG WILL BE LIFTED ON SATURDAY (APRIL 22) AT 10 AM.
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL : 5-8428777
FRIDAY, APRIL 21, 1989
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
OPENING STATEMENT BY THE CHIEF SECRETARY, SIR DAVID FORD, AT THE FAC PUBLIC HEARING TODAY (FRIDAY) .................... 1
SUPPLEMENTARY NOTES BY THE CHIEF SECRETARY ON THE NATIONALITY ISSUE ........................................... 3
GRANTING OF UK PASSPORT ADDS CONFIDENCE IN HK: CS........... 4
MERCH.1NDISE TRADE BY AIR IN 1988........................... 5
BROADCASTING AUTHORITY COMPLAINTS COMMITTEE RECEIVES MORE SUBMISSIONS ................................................ 10
TWO BANKS GRANTED LICENCES ................................. 11
RESULTS OF PAK TIN CONSTITUENCY BY-ELECTION ................ 12
WILD ORCHIDS aRE PROTECTED SPECIES ......................... 12
ROADS AND SEWERaGE SYSTEM FOR TIN SHUT WAI ................. 1J
EXTENSION TO KOWLOON PERMANENT PIER NO. 6 AUTHORISED........ 14
LAND IN YUEN LONG TO BE RESUMED ............................ 15
'ROBOTCOP' TO bUKE DEBUT AT TUEN MUN CARNIVAL............... 15
FIRING PRACTICE IN MAY...................................... 16
APPLICATIONS INVITED FOR EVENING COURSES ................... 17
MUSIC OFFICE RECRUITS PROFESSIONAL STaFF ................... 17
ILLEGAL STRUCTURES TO BE CLOSED............................. 18
SHA TIN SITE FOR SkLE BY TENDER ............................ 18
FRIDAY, APRIL 21, 1989
OPENING STATEMENT BY THE CHIEF SECRETARY. SIR DAVID FORD, AT THE FAC PUBLIC HEARING TODAY (FRIDAY) » « * * *
CHAIRMAN,
I THOUGHT IT MIGHT BE HELPFUL TO THE COMMITTEE IF I SAID A- FEW WORDS ABOUT HOW HONG KONG AND ITS FUTURE LOOK FROM THE CHAIR OF THE CHIEF SECRETARY. I AM SURE YOU WILL NOT BE SURPRISED TO HEAR THAT I FIND THE IMAGE OF HONG KONG AS A SHIP DRIFTING RUDDERLESS ONTO THE ROCKS SOMEWHAT DIFFICULT TO SQUARE WITH THE REALITY OF OUR SITUATION.
I WILL NOT DWELL ON OUR ECONOMIC SUCCESS, IT IS THERE FOR ALL TO SEE, BUT I THINK IT IS IMPORTANT TO EMPHASISE THAT THE ECONOMIC STRENGTH OF HONG KONG HAS ENABLE US TO FUND, FROM PUBLIC REVENUE, A COMPREHENSIVE SET OF SOCIAL PROGRAMMES ON A HEAVILY SUBSIDISED BASIS FOR EVERYONE IN HONG KONG. THIS IN TURN HAS BROUGHT ABOUT A MEASURE OF STABILITY TO THE COMMUNITY WHICH HAS PROVIDED A VERY FIRM BASIS FOR THE FUTURE DEVELOPMENT OF OUR SOCIAL, ECONOMIC AND POLITICAL SYSTEMS.
AS TO THE FUTURE, WE ARE FIRMLY COMMITTED TO PUSHING AHEAD ALL OUR PLANS, OUR HORIZON IS NOT IN ANY WAY LIMITED BY THE YEAR 1997 AND IF YOU WERE TO LOOK AT OUR PLANS FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF OUR EDUCATIONAL SYSTEM, OUR MASSIVE HOUSING PROGRAMME, AS WELL AS OUR PLANNING FOR A THIRD HARBOUR CROSSING AND THE PROSPECT OF A NEW AIRPORT AND PORT, I DO NOT THINK THAT ANYONE COULD DOUBT OUR COMMITMENT NOR OUR ENTHUSIASM TO BUILD FOR THE FUTURE IN EVERY SENSE OF THE WORD.
CHAIRMAN, THE CHIEF SECRETARY DOES NOT SPEND HIS TIME LOOKING OVER HIS SHOULDER TOWARDS CHINA OR INDEED THE UNITED KINGDOM. WE HAVE LIVED WITH THE GEOGRAPHICAL REALITY OF CHINA FOR MANY DECADES, AND IT IS SOMETIMES NECESSARY TO BE AWARE OF ITS PRESENCE WHEN TAKING DECISIONS ABOUT HONG KONG BUT IT IS NO MORE THAN THAT AND I CERTAINLY DO NOT FEEL THAT THIS GOVERNMENT HAS BEEN INHIBITED IN TAKING DECISIONS IN THE BEST INTERESTS OF THE PEOPLE OF HONG KONG. WE DO HAVE ARGUMENTS WITH CHINA, WE HAVE ARGUMENTS WITH THE UK GOVERNMENT TOO BUT THESE ARGUMENTS DO NOT IMPINGE UPON THE EXCEPTIONAL DEGREE OF AUTONOMY WE HAVE NOW AND WE CONFIDENTLY EXPECT WE WILL HAVE IN THE FUTURE.
WE ARE QUITE CLEAR AS AN ADMINISTRATION THAT IT IS TO THE PEOPLE OF HONG KONG WE ARE ACCOUNTABLE AND IT IS THEIR INTERESTS WHICH MUST BE PARAMOUNT IN THE WAY WE GOVERN THIS PLACE.
/AS TO .......
FRIDAY, APRIL 21, 1989
- 2
AS TO THE POLITICAL FUTURE THERE CAN BE FEW TERRITORIES IN THE WORLD WHICH HAVE SUCH A GUARANTEE OF THEIR CONSTITUTIONAL DEVELOPMENT AS IS ENSHRINED IN THE JOINT DECLARATION. OUR COMMITMENT IS TO DEVELOPING A MORE REPRESENTATIVE SYSTEM OF GOVERNMENT IN HONG KONG WHICH COMMANDS THE BROADEST POSSIBLE SUPPORT OF THE COMMUNITY. AS YOU WILL HAVE GATHERED IN THE COURSE OF YOUR VISIT THAT IT IS NOT ALWAYS EASY TO ACHIEVE IN HONG KONG. THE PROCESS HAS QUICKENED SINCE 1984. SIGNIFICANT CHANGES WERE MADE IN 1985 AND MORE FUNDAMENTAL CHANGES WILL BE PUT IN PLACE IN 1991 AND INDEED IN 1995. THE ADMINISTRATION IS DETERMINED TO ESTABLISH A MODEL OF GOVERNMENT IN 1995 WHICH WILL ENDURE THE TRANSITION WITH THE LEAST POSSIBLE DISRUPTION. IN OUR JUDGMENT CONTINUITY OVER THE PERIOD OF THE CHANGE OF SOVEREIGNTY IS A FUNDAMENTAL PRINCIPLE. CONTINUITY IN THE LEGISLATURE (OVER WHICH WE HAVE REACHED AGREEMENT WITH THE CHINESE) CONTINUITY IN THE ADMINISTRATION AND CONTINUITY IN THE CIVIL SERVICE. IT SEEMS TO US ESSENTIAL BOTH IN TERMS OF LOCAL AND OVERSEAS CONFIDENCE THAT THE TRANSITION IS AS SEEMLESS AS IT CAN BE. WITHIN THIS BROAD FRAMEWORK WE WILL CHANGE AND IMPROVE OUR POLITICAL SYSTEM IN THE YEARS AHEAD.
FOR ALL THIS WE NEED A FIRST RATE PUBLIC SERVICE - A PUBLIC SERVICE WHOSE MEMBERS CAN BE RELIED UPON TO SERVE THE PEOPLE EFFICIENTLY AND EFFECTIVELY NOT ONLY UNDER THE BRITISH GOVERNMENT, BUT ALSO THE FUTURE SAR GOVERNMENT. WE HAVE A STRONG CORPS OF DEDICATED AND RESILIENT OFFICERS. IT IS CRUCIAL THAT THEIR HIGH MORALE AND ALLEGIANCE TO HONG KONG BE SUSTAINED, AMONG BOTH LOCAL AND EXPATRIATE OFFICERS, DESPITE THE CHANGE OF SOVEREIGNTY.
CHAIRMAN, IN LOOKING TO THE FUTURE WE DO NOT PRETEND TO MINIMIZE THE PROBLEMS WE FACE AND THE REAL UNCERTAINTY THAT RESTS IN THE MINDS OF THE PEOPLE HERE. INDEED AS MEMBERS MUST BE ACUTELY AWARE, HONG KONG PEOPLE ARE NOT SLOW IN COMING FORWARD TO EXPRESS THEIR WORRIES ABOUT THEIR FUTURE. BUT WE FIRMLY BELIEVE THAT THE CHANGES WHICH WILL COME ABOUT IN 1997 OFFER AN OPPORTUNITY AS WELL AS A CHALLENGE. AN OPPORTUNITY FOR HONG KONG TO CONTRIBUTE IN A MAJOR WAY TO THE MODERNISATION OF CHINA THROUGH THE STRENGTH OF ITS INSTITUTIONS, ITS INTERNATIONAL FLAVOUR AND THE HUGE RESERVOIR OF SKILL AND TALENT WHICH HAS BEEN BUILT UP OVER THE YEARS. AND AN OPPORTUNITY TO DEVELOP FURTHER AS A FINANCIAL AND SERVICE CENTRE FOR THE REGION AS A WHOLE.
I DO SOMETIMES WORRY THAT WE WILL TALK OURSELVES INTO A DEPRESSION BUT WHEN I STEP OUTSIDE THE HOT-HOUSE OF POLITICAL DISCUSSION AND INTO THE REAL HEART OF HONG KONG AND SEE THE STABLE AND INTENSELY HARDWORKING COMMUNITY OF NEARLY SIX MILLION PEOPLE, THE VAST MAJORITY OF WHOM ARE FIRMLY COMMITTED TO THIS PLACE. I AND THE ADMINISTRATION HAVE A GREAT DEAL OF CONFIDENCE ABOUT THE FUTURE.
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FRIDAY, APRIL 21, 1989
- 3 -
SUPPLEMENTARY NOTES BY THE CHIEF SECRETARY ON THE NATIONALITY ISSUE *****
YOU HAVE HEARD MUCH ABOUT NATIONALITY DURING YOUR STAY IN HONG KONG. 1 AM SURE YOU CAN BE LEFT IN NO DOUBT ABOUT THE STRENGTH OF THE FEELINGS OF THE PEOPLE OF HONG KONG ON IT. THE CASE HAS BEEN PUT FORCEFULLY AND ELOQUENTLY THAT HONG KONG IS IN A UNIQUE POSITION UNMATCHED BY ANY OTHER BRITISH DEPENDENT TERRITORY. UNLIKE OTHER DEPENDENT TERRITORIES, INDEPENDENCE WAS NEVER AN OPTION FOR HONG KONG AND AS A RESULT OF THE JOINT DECLARATION, HONG KONG IS BEING TRANSFORMED FROM A BRITISH DEPENDENT TERRITORY TO A SPECIAL ADMINISTRATIVE REGION OF CHINA UNDER THE SOVEREIGNTY OF THAT COUNTRY.
I THINK MANY HONG KONG PEOPLE HAVE BEEN ENCOURAGED BY THE FACT THAT MANY MEMBERS OF YOUR COMMITTEE HAVE RECOGNISED THAT THE HONG KONG SITUATION IS INDEED UNIQUE. IT IS NOT SURPRISING THEREFORE THAT HONG KONG PEOPLE FEEL THEY MERIT SOME SPECIAL CONSIDERATION IN THE CIRCUMSTANCES IN WHICH THEY, THROUGH NO CHOICE OF THEIR OWN, FIND THEMSELVES. THEY HAVE SEEN SUCH SPECIAL CONSIDERATION GIVEN TO THE RESIDENTS OF GIBRALTAR AND THE FALKLAND ISLANDS.
MUCH PLAY HAS BEEN MADE ON THE POTENTIAL THREE MILLION IMMIGRANTS FROM HONG KONG THAT COULD FLOW FROM A CHANGE OF THE UK IMMIGRATION RULES. YOU HAVE HEARD THE ARGUMENT PUT THAT THE NUMBER OF HONG KONG PEOPLE EVER LIKELY TO TAKE UP THE RIGHT OF ABODE IS A FRACTION OF THAT NUMBER. IN HARD POLITICAL TERMS YOU HAVE MADE THE POINT THAT THE POSSIBILITY OF ALL THREE MILLION MOVING IS A POTENTIAL RISK.
BUT THE FACT REMAINS THAT PORTUGAL HAS TAKEN A DIFFERENT VIEW OF THE CITIZENS IN ITS DEPENDENT TERRITORIES, HAS TAKEN THE RISK IF YOU LIKE, AND HAS GIVEN THEM THE RIGHT OF ABODE IN PORTUGAL AND THUS EVENTUALLY FREE ACCESS TO COUNTRIES IN THE EEC INCLUDING THE UNITED KINGDOM. THE IRONY OF THIS SITUATION HAS NOT ESCAPED THE PEOPLE OF HONG KONG.
CHAIRMAN, I AM SURE THAT THERE CAN BE FEW PEOPLE IN HONG KONG WHO ARE LEFT IN ANY DOUBT AS TO THE VIEWS OF THE UK GOVERNMENT ON THE QUESTION OF THE RIGHT OF ABODE FOR BDTC’S. THE SECRETARY OF STATE, SIR GEOFFREY HOWE, AND LORD GLENARTHUR HAVE RECENTLY MADE THE POSITION VERY CLEAR. BUT GIVEN THE INTENSE PUBLIC FEELING ON THIS ISSUE IT IS VERY UNDERSTANDABLE THAT HONG KONG PEOPLE WOULD STILL WISH TO PUT THEIR VIEWS ON THE RECORD AND INDEED TO CONTINUE TO HOPE THAT PERHAPS SOME TIME IN THE FUTURE THE POLITICAL MOOD IN THE UNITED KINGDOM ON THIS SUBJECT COULD CHANGE. I HAVE LITTLE DOUBT THAT IF THIS WERE ACHIEVABLE IT WOULD HAVE A MARKED IMPACT ON CONFIDENCE IN HONG KONG.
/BUT ALL
FRIDAY, APRIL 21, 1989
BUT ALL THAT SAID, WE ARE PRAGMATIC AND PRACTICAL PEOPLE AND IF WE CANNOT ACHIEVE ALL THAT WE WOULD WISH FOR AT THIS STAGE, WE ARE PREPARED TO PUT FORWARD OTHER SUGGESTIONS. AS THE GOVERNOR SAID WHEN HE APPEARED BEFORE YOU IN LONDON, WE WOULD VERY MUCH LIKE TO SEE MORE FLEXIBILITY INTRODUCED INTO THE PRESENT ADMINISTRATION OF THE BNA AND IMMIGRATION RULES. IN THIS RESPECT, WE HOPE YOU WILL LOOK POSITIVELY AT THE CONSTRUCTIVE PROPOSALS MADE BY MEMBERS OF OMELCO. FOR EXAMPLE, TREATING PERIODS OF STUDY IN THE U.K. AS SUFFICIENT FOR THE PURPOSE OF SATISFYING THE RESIDENTIAL REQUIREMENT WOULD BE MUCH WELCOMED.
THERE IS ALSO A CASE FOR THE CIVIL SERVICE. THE SENSE OF UNCERTAINTY THAT PERVADES THE COMMUNITY INEVITABLY AFFECTS THE CIVIL SERVICE TOO. INDEED MANY OF THEM FEEL THAT THEY ARE ESPECIALLY VULNERABLE TO PRESSURE OF ALL KINDS. I CANNOT OVER-STRESS THE IMPORTANCE OF THEIR PIVOTAL POSITION IN ENSURING A SMOOTH TRANSITION IN 1997 AND THE SUCCESS OF THE JOINT DECLARATION. I BELIEVE IT WOULD SEND A VERY ENCOURAGING MESSAGE TO THE CIVIL SERVICE IF THE HOME SECRETARY COULD EXERCISE MORE FLEXIBLY HIS DISCRETION UNDER SECTION 1(5) OF THE NATIONALITY ACT.
-----0-----
GRANTING OF UK PASSPORT ADDS CONFIDENCE IN HK: CS
*****
HONG KONG PEOPLE IS A
BUT IF THERE SHOULD BE A WOULD ADD GREATLY TO SIR DAVID FORD, SAID
THE GRANTING OF BRITISH PASSPORTS TO MATTER FOR THE BRITISH GOVERNMENT TO DECIDE, POLITICAL CHANGE IN THE CURRENT POLICY IT CONFIDENCE IN HONG KONG, THE CHIEF SECRETARY,
TODAY (FRIDAY).
SPEAKING TO REPORTERS AFTER
ATTENDING THE FOREIGN AFFAIRS
COMMITTEE HEARINGS, SIR DAVID ADDED: WOULD BE QUITE WRONG OF ME, AS EXPECTATIONS OF HONG KONG PEOPLE ABOU 1 THE WHICH WE HAVE BEEN CLEARLY TOLD IS NOT POSSIBLE.
"1 THINK IT’S IMPORTANT, THAT
CHIEF
SECRETARY, TO
PROSPECTS OF
RAISE
IT
THE
SOMETHING
’’AND THEREFORE, WE HAVE PUT FORWARD ALTERNATIVE SUGGESTIONS LINE WItS MAN5! OF THE SUGGESTIONS OF THE OMELCO FOR CONSIDERATION THE FOREIGN AFFAIRS COMMITTEE."
IN BY
"IF THE MESSAGE IS COMING TO US LOUD AND CLEAR DO NOT BELIEVE
NOT POSSIBLE AT THE MOMENT’ THEN I RESPONSIBLE GOVERNMENT, SHOULD SIMPLY SAY
'NO, THIS THAT WE, AS
'WELL THAT’S THE END OF
IS
A
THE
MATTER’.
"WE MUST LOOK FOR WAYS IN CONFIDENCE IN HONG KONG. WELL., THAT 'S FORWARD SOME ALTERNATIVE SUGGESTIONS,
WHICH WE CAN HELP INCREASE WHAT WE’VE DONE BY PUTTING THE CHIEF SECRETARY SAID.
/SIR DAVID
FRIDAY, APRIL 21, 1989
- 5 -
SIR DAVID SAID HE EXPLAINED TO THE FAC THAT THE FEELINGS OF HONG KONG PEOPLE ON THIS SUBJECT WERE VERY CLEAR.
"THAT IS, THEY WOULD LIKE TO SEE THE REASSURANCE OF RIGHT OF ABODE GIVEN TO 3.2 MILLION HONG KONG PEOPLE. I ALSO MADE THE POINT THAT WE CAN HAVE VERY LITTLE DOUBT IN HONG KONG THAT THE BRITISH GOVERNMENT POINT OF VIEW AT THE MOMENT IS TO SAY THAT THAT IS NOT A PRACTICAL POSSIBILITY," HE ADDED.
"NEVERTHELESS, HONG KONG PEOPLE PUT FORWARD THEIR VIEWS. THEY PUT FORWARD THEM ON THE BASIS THAT THEY WOULD BE THERE FOR THE RECORD.
"THAT IT'S SOMETHING THAT THEY FEEL STRONGLY ABOUT AND THAT IF THE POLITICAL CHANGE IN THE UNITED KINGDOM CAME ABOUT WHICH ENABLED THE GRANTING OF PASSPORTS TO HONG KONG PEOPLE, THEY WOULD BE WELL PLEASED," HE SAID.
SIR DAVID SAID ALL THOSE WHO HAD FOLLOWED THE PROCEEDINGS OF THE FAC HAD BEEN MOST IMPRESSED BY THE WAY IN WHICH HONG KONG PEOPLE HAD PUT FORWARD THEIR VIEWS SO FORCIBLY, SO STRONGLY, AND WITH GREAT CONVICTION.
"EVERYBODY'S WORKED VERY HARD ON THEIR DETAILED SUBMISSIONS, AND IT'S BEEN A UNIQUE OPPORTUNITY FOR HONG KONG PEOPLE TO EXPRESS VIEWS ON SUCH A WIDE RANGE OF SUBJECTS.
"THE COMMITTEE THEMSELVES HAVE SHOWN GREAT INTEREST AND INDEED HAVE BEEN CLEARLY GETTING VERY MUCH INVOLVED IN HONG KONG AND LEARNING SOMETHING ABOUT THE WAY IT WORKS," THE CHIEF SECRETARY SAID.
-----0------
MERCHANDISE TRADE BY AIR IN 1988 * * * *
TOTAL MERCHANDISE TRADE BY AIR WAS VALUED AT 8208,786 MILLION IN 1988, 28 PER CENT HIGHER THAN 1987, ACCORDING TO THE SUMMARY STATISTICS ON AIRBORNE MERCHANDISE TRADE IN 1988 RELEASED TODAY (FRIDAY) BY THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT.
IN 1988, AIRBORNE DOMESTIC EXPORTS, IMPORTS AND RE-EXPORTS INCREASED BY 15 PER CENT, 33 PER CENT AND 40 PER CENT RESPECTIVELY IN VALUE OVER 1987. THEIR SHARES IN TOTAL DOMESTIC EXPORTS, IMPORTS AND RE-EXPORTS WERE 28 PER CENT, 20 PER CENT AND 16 PER CENT RESPECTIVELY, AS COMPARED TO THE CORRESPONDING SHARES OF 27 PER CENT, 20 PER CENT AND 18 PER CENT IN 1987.
IN TERMS OF WEIGHT, AIRBORNE IMPORTS AMOUNTED TO 286,135 TONNES OR 0.5 PER CENT OF THE TOTAL IMPORT TONNAGE, WHILE TOTAL AIRBORNE EXPORTS (INCLUDING DOMESTIC EXPORTS AND RE-EXPORTS) AMOUNTED TO 407,929 TONNES OR 1.3 PER CENT OF THE TOTAL EXPORT TONNAGE.
/AIRBORNE DOMESTIC
FRIDAY, APRIL 21, 1989
6
AIRBORNE DOMESTIC EXPORTS TO THE 10 MAJOR MARKETS ARE SHOWN IN TABLE 1,
INCREASES WERE RECORDED IN THE VALUE OF AIRBORNE DOMESTIC EXPORTS TO ALL MAJOR MARKETS IN 1988 OVER 1987, PARTICULARLY TAIWAN (+76 PER CENT), SINGAPORE (+74 PER CENT), AND THE UNITED KINGDOM (+36 PER CENT).
AIRBORNE DOMESTIC EXPORTS TO THE TOP THREE MARKETS, THE U.S.A., JAPAN AND THE FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF GERMANY, INCREASED BY 8 PER CENT, 10 PER CENT AND 12 PER CENT RESPECTIVELY’ IN VALUE.
ANALYSED BY COMMODITY, SIGNIFICANT INCREASES IN THE VALUE OF AIRBORNE DOMESTIC EXPORTS WERE RECORDED IN PHOTOGRAPHIC APPARATUS, EQUIPMENT AND SUPPLIES AND OPTICAL GOODS, AND WATCHES AND CLOCKS (BY $2,980 MILLION OR 28 PER CENT); OFFICE MACHINES AND AUTOMATIC DATA PROCESSING EQUIPMENT (BY $2,155 MILLION OR 41 PER CENT); ELECTRICAL MACHINERY, APPARATUS AND APPLIANCES AND ELECTRICAL PARTS THEREOF (BY $1,332 MILLION OR 29 PER CENT); AND MISCELLANEOUS MANUFACTURED ARTICLES, INCLUDING MAINLY JEWELLERY, GOLDSMITHS’ AND SILVERSMITHS' WARES, AND OTHER ARTICLES OF PRECIOUS OR SEMI-PRECIOUS MATERIALS (BY $942 MILLION OR 17 PER CENT).
DECREASES WERE RECORDED IN METALLIFEROUS ORES AND METAL SCRAP (BY $333 MILLION OR 84 PER CENT); AND SANITARY, PLUMBING, HEATING AND LIGHTING FIXTURES AND FITTINGS (BY $32 MILLLION OR 36 PER CENT).
FURTHER ANALYSIS BY COUNTRY WITHIN COMMODITY SHOWED INCREASES IN THE VALUE OF AIRBORNE DOMESTIC EXPORTS OF PHOTOGRAPHIC APPARATUS, EQUIPMENT AND SUPPLIES AND OPTICAL GOODS, AND WATCHES AND CLOCKS TO THE U.S.A. (BY $1,222 MILLION OR 32 PER CENT) AND TO THE FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF GERMANY (BY $255 MILLION OR 29 PER CENT); OFFICE MACHINES AND AUTOMATIC DATA PROCESSING EQUIPMENT TO THE U.S.A. (BY $720 MILLION OR 25 PER CENT) AND TO SINGAPORE (BY $719 MILLION OR 113 PER CENT); ELECTRICAL MACHINERY, APPARATUS AND APPLIANCES AND ELECTRICAL PARTS THEREOF TO THE U.S.A. (BY $425 MILLION OR 22 PER CENT); AND MISCELLANEOUS MANUFACTURED ARTICLES, INCLUDING MAINLY JEWELLERY, GOLDSMITHS’ AND SILVERSMITHS’ WARES, AND OTHER ARTICLES OF PRECIOUS OR SEMI-PRECIOUS MATERIALS TO JAPAN (BY $454 MILLION OR 37 PER CENT).
HOWEVER, DECREASES WERE RECORDED IN METALLIFEROUS ORES AND METAL SCRAP TO THE FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF GERMANY (BY $186 MILLION OR 81 PER CENT) AND TO THE UNITED KINGDOM (BY $79 MILLION OR 88 PER CENT); SANITARY, PLUMBING, HEATING AND LIGHTING FIXTURES AND FITTINGS TO THE U.S.A. (BY $30 MILLION OR 63 PER CENT); AND CLOTHING TO THE U.S.A. (BY $551 MILLION OR 4 PER CENT).
AIRBORNE IMPORTS FROM THE 10 MAJOR SUPPLIERS ARE PRESENTED IN TABLE 2.
IMPORTS CARRIED BY AIR FROM ALL MAJOR SUPPLIERS INCREASED IN VALUE IN 1988 OVER 1987.
/SUBSTANTIAL GROWTH
FRIDAY, APRIL 21, 1989
SUBSTANTIAL GROWTH WAS RECORDED IN THE VALUE OF AIRBORNE IMPORTS FROM WEST MALAYSIA (+73 PER CENT), SINGAPORE (+41 PER CENT), TAIWAN (+40 PER CENT), JAPAN (+40 PER CENT) AND THE REPUBLIC OF KOREA (+40 PER CENT),
AIRBORNE IMPORTS FROM THE U.S.A. AND SWITZERLAND, THE SECOND AND THE THIRD LARGEST SUPPLIERS FOLLOWING JAPAN, ALSO INCREASED BY 27 PER CENT AND 29 PER CENT RESPECTIVELY.
ANALYSED BY COMMODITY, MORE NOTABLE INCREASES WERE REGISTERED FOR AIRBORNE IMPORTS OF ELECTRICAL MACHINERY, APPARATUS AND APPLIANCES AND ELECTRICAL PARTS THEREOF (BY $8,669 MILLION OR 45 PER CENT); PHOTOGRAPHIC APPARATUS, EQUIPMENT AND SUPPLIES AND OPTICAL GOODS, AND WATCHES AND CLOCKS (BY $4,256 MILLION OR 33 PER CENT); NON-METALLIC MINERAL MANUFACTURES (BY $3,448 MILLION OR 37 PER CENT); AND OFFICE MACHINES AND AUTOMATIC DATA PROCESSING EQUIPMENT (BY $2,224 MILLION OR 41 PER CENT).
HOWEVER, DECREASES WERE RECORDED IN AIRBORNE IMPORTS OF TRANSPORT EQUIPMENT OTHER THAN ROAD VEHICLES (BY $635 MILLION OR 30 PER CENT); RAW HIDES, SKINS AND FURSKINS (BY $326 MILLION OR 17 PER CENT); AND ROAD VEHICLES, INCLUDING AIR CUSHION VEHICLES (BY $70 MILLION OR 31 PER CENT).
ANALYSED BY COUNTRY WITHIN COMMODITY, SIGNIFICANT INCREASES WERE RECORDED IN AIRBORNE IMPORTS OF ELECTRICAL MACHINERY, APPARATUS AND APPLIANCES AND ELECTRICAL PARTS THEREOF FROM JAPAN (BY $2,365 MILLION OR 38 PER CENT) AND FROM THE U.S.A. (BY $2,084 MILLION OR 59 PER CENT); PHOTOGRAPHIC APPARATUS, EQUIPMENT AND SUPPLIES AND OPTICAL GOODS, AND WATCHES AND CLOCKS FROM JAPAN (BY $2,014 MILLION OR 39 PER CENT) AND FROM SWITZERLAND (BY $1,066 MILLION OR 28 PER CENT); NON-METALLIC MINERAL MANUFACTURES FROM INDIA (BY $1,088 MILLION OR 62 PER CENT); AND OFFICE MACHINES AND AUTOMATIC DATA PROCESSING EQUIPMENT FROM THE U.S.A. (BY $940 MILLION OR 34 PER CENT).
ON THE OTHER HAND, DECREASES WERE RECORDED IN AIRBORNE IMPORTS OF TRANSPORT EQUIPMENT, OTHER THAN ROAD VEHICLES, FROM THE U.S.A. (BY $893 MILLION OR 47 PER CENT) AND FROM BAHRAIN (BY $15 MILLION OR 88 PER CENT); RAW HIDES, SKINS AND FURSKINS FROM THE UNITED KINGDOM (BY $155 MILLION OR 54 PER CENT); AND ROAD VEHICLES, INCLUDING AIR CUSHION VEHICLES, FROM JAPAN (BY $28 MILLION OR 57 PER CENT).
AIRBORNE RE-EXPORTS TO THE 10 MAJOR MARKETS ARE DEPICTED IN TABLE 3.
HONG KONG'S AIRBORNE RE-EXPORTS TO MOST MAJOR MARKETS INCREASED IN VALUE IN 1988 OVER 1987.
THE GROWTH WAS PARTICULARLY STRONG IN BELGIUM AND LUXEMBOURG (+75 PER CENT), JAPAN (+67 PER CENT), AUSTRALIA (+61 PER CENT), THE UNITED KINGDOM (+52 PER CENT), THE REPUBLIC OF KOREA (+50 PER CENT) AND SINGAPORE (+49 PER CENT).
/AIRBORNE RE-EXPORTS
FRIDAY, APRIL 21, 1989
8
AIRBORNE RE-EXPORTS TO THE TOP TWO MARKETS, THE U.S.A. AND TAIWAN, ALSO INCREASED BY 32 PER CENT AND 37 PER CENT RESPECTIVELY IN VALUE. HOWEVER, A DECLINE OF 1 PER CENT WAS RECORDED IN AIRBORNE RE-EXPORTS TO CHINA.
ANALYSED BY COMMODITY, MORE SIGNIFICANT INCREASES IN THE VALUE OF AIRBORNE RE-EXPORTS WERE REGISTERED FOR ELECTRICAL MACHINERY, APPARATUS AND APPLIANCES AND ELECTRICAL PARTS THEREOF (BY $5,119 MILLION OR 57 PER CENT); NON-METALLIC MINERAL MANUFACTURES (BY $1,752 MILLION OR 60 PER CENT); CLOTHING (BY $1,018 MILLION OR 24 PER CENT); AND PHOTOGRAPHIC APPARATUS, EQUIPMENT AND SUPPLIES AND OPTICAL GOODS, AND WATCHES AND CLOCKS (BY $1,003 MILLION OR 25 PER CENT).
HOWEVER, DECREASES WERE REGISTERED FOR NON-FERROUS METALS (BY $ 75 MILLION OR 36 PER CENT); MEDICINAL AND PHARMACEUTICAL PRODUCTS (BY $45 MILLION OR 7 PER CENT); AND ORGANIC CHEMICALS (BY $19 MILLION OR 14 PER CENT).
ANALYSED BY COUNTRY WITHIN COMMODITY, SIGNIFICANT INCREASES WERE REGISTERED FOR AIRBORNE RE-EXPORTS OF ELECTRICAL MACHINERY, APPARATUS AND APPLIANCES AND ELECTRICAL PARTS THEREOF TO TAIWAN (BY $1,258 MILLION OR 38 PER CENT) AND TO THE U.S.A. (BY $939 MILLION OR 70 PER CENT); NON-METALLIC MINERAL MANUFACTURES TO THE U.S.A. (BY $522 MILLION OR 70 PER CENT) AND TO JAPAN (BY $465 MILLION OR 72 PER CENT); CLOTHING TO JAPAN (BY $350 MILLION OR 127 PER CENT); AND PHOTOGRAPHIC APPARATUS, EQUIPMENT AND SUPPLIES AND OPTICAL GOODS, AND WATCHES AND CLOCKS TO JAPAN (BY $316 MILLION OR 60 PER CENT).
HOWEVER, DECREASES WERE RECORDED IN NON-FERROUS METALS TO CHINA (BY $22 MILLION OR 69 PER CENT) AND TO THE FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF GERMANY (BY $20 MILLION OR 92 PER CENT); MEDICINAL AND PHARMACEUTICAL PRODUCTS TO JAPAN (BY $46 MILLION OR 69 PER CENT); AND ORGANIC CHEMICALS TO JAPAN (BY $12 MILLION OR 50 PER CENT).
FURTHER DETAILS ARE PUBLISHED IN THE "HONG KONG EXTERNAL TRADE, DECEMBER 1988" NOW AVAILABLE AT GOVERNMENT PUBLICATIONS CENTRE AT $17.50 PER COPY. ENQUIRIES MAY BE DIRECTED TO THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT AT TEL. NO.: 5-8234915.
/TABLE 1
FRIDAY, APRIL 21, 1989
- 9 -
TABLE 1 : AIRBORNE DOMESTIC EXPORTS TO 10 MAJOR MARKETS
MAJOR MARKET JAN-DEC 1988 (HKD MN.) (F JAN-DEC INCREASE PERCENTAGE
1987 iKD MN.) (HKD M INCREASE
N. ) ( % )
U.S.A. 27,242 25,174 + 2, 069 + 8
JAPAN 6,281 5,725 + 556 4- 10
F.R. OF GERMANY 5,427 4,865 + 563 + 12
U.K. 3,794 2,783 + 1, 011 + 36
SINGAPORE 2,510 1,440 + 1, 070 ♦ 74
CANADA 1,818 1,536 + 282 4- 18
SWITZERLAND 1,581 1,388 + 194 + 14
FRANCE 1,356 1,207 + 149 + 12
NETHERLANDS 1,340 1,238 + 102 4 8
TAIWAN 1,320 750 + 570 + 76
TABLE 2 : AIRBORNE IMPORTS FROM 10 MAJOR SUPPLIERS
JAN-DEC JAN-DEC INCREASE PERCENTAGE
1988 1987 INCREASE
MAJOR SUPPLIER (HKD MN. ) (HKD MN.) I [HKD MN. ) ( % )
JAPAN 23,071 16,443 + 6,628 4 40
U.S.A. 18,093 14,274 4- 3,819 + 27
SWITZERLAND 6,814 5,273 + 1,541 ♦ 29
SINGAPORE 4,668 3,300 + 1,368 + 41
TAIWAN 4,605 3,280 + 1,325 4- 40
U. K. 4,480 4,049 + 431 4- 11
ITALY 3,773 2,888 + 885 4- 31
MALAYSIA, WEST 3,758 2,166 * 1,592 4- 73
REPUBLIC OF KOREA 3,719 2,660 + 1,059 4- 40
F.R. OF GERMANY 3,671 2,970 + 701 4- 24
/TABLE J
FRIDAY, APRIL 21, 198?
10
TABLE 3 : AIRBORNE RE-EXPORTS TO 10 MAJOR MARKETS
MAJOR MARKET JAN-DEC 1988 (HKD MN.) JAN-DEC 1987 (HKD MN.) INCREASE (HKD MN.) PERCENTAGE INCREASE ( % )
U.S.A. 9,651 7,292 + 2,359 4- 32
TAIWAN 6,947 5,068 + 1,878 ♦ 37
JAPAN 4,776 2,854 ♦ 1,923 4- 67
SINGAPORE 3,659 2,453 + 1,206 4- 49
REPUBLIC OF KOREA 3,476 2,314 + 1,162 4- 50
CHINA 2,927 2,952 25 - 1
F. R. OF GERMANY 1,636 1,149 4- 487 4- 42
U. K. 1,371 904 4- 467 4- 52
BELGIUM AND LUXEMBOURG 1,093 626 + 467 4- 75
AUSTRALIA 1,020 633 4- 386 4- 61
--------0----------
BROADCASTING AUTHORITY COMPLAINTS COMMITTEE RECEIVES MORE SUBMISSIONS ♦ * ♦ * *
THE COMPLAINTS COMMITTEE OF THE BROADCASTING AUTHORITY, THE CHANNEL THROUGH WHICH TELEVISION VIEWERS WHO ARE DISSATISFIED WITH WHAT THEY SEE ON TELEVISION MAY AIR THEIR GRIEVANCES TO THE REGULATORY AUTHORITY, HAS DEALT WITH 439 SUBMISSIONS FROM THE PUBLIC DURING THE PERIOD FROM OCTOBER 1988 TO MARCH 1989.
THIS REPRESENTS AN INCREASE OF 93.4 PER CENT OVER THE PREVIOUS SIX-MONTH PERIOD.
OF THE 439 SUBMISSIONS, 210 CASES WERE COMPLAINTS AND WERE HANDLED BY THE COMPLAINTS COMMITTEE IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE BROADCASTING AUTHORITY ORDINANCE 1987.
OUT OF THESE 210 COMPLAINTS, 76 WERE IN RESPECT OF THE QUALITY AND STANDARDS OF TELEVISION PROGRAMMES, 31 IN RESPECT OF THE STANDARDS OF TELEVISION ADVERTISEMENTS, AND 103 IN RESPECT OF TECHNICAL STANDARDS AND THE QUALITY OF TELEVISION RECEPTION.
/IN CONSIDERING .......
FRIDAY, APRIL 21, 1989
- 11 -
IN CONSIDERING THESE COMPLAINTS, THE COMPLAINTS COMMITTEE GAVE THE LICENSEES AND THE SUBJECTS OF THE COMPLAINTS REASONABLE OPPORTUNITY TO MAKE REPRESENTATIONS, WHICH THE COMMITTEE WILL CONSIDER WITH OTHER RELEVANT EVIDENCE BEFORE MAKING RECOMMENDATIONS CONCERNING THE COMPLAINTS TO THE AUTHORITY.
DURING THE PERIOD, ON THE BASIS OF THE RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE COMMITTEE, THE BROADCASTING AUTHORITY DECIDED TO IMPOSE A FINE IN ONE CASE OF CONTRAVENTION OF THE CODE OF PRACTICE ON PROGRAMME STANDARDS UNDER SECTION 37 OF THE TELEVISION ORDINANCE, AND ISSUED EIGHT WARNINGS TO THE STATIONS WITH REGARD TO BREACHES OF STANDARDS MAINLY ON VIOLENCE, LANGUAGE AND REQUIREMENTS OF FAMILY VIEWING HOURS.
THE AUTHORITY ALSO GAVE ADVICE CONCERNING THE COMPLAINTS TO THE STATIONS FROM TIME TO TIME.
OF THE OTHER 229 SUBMISSIONS, 55 WERE FOUND TO BE FRIVOLOUS/TRIVIAL COMPLAINTS UPON INVESTIGATION AND 174 WERE EITHER IN RESPECT OF MATTERS OUTSIDE THE PURVIEW OF THE BROADCASTING AUTHORITY OR PERSONAL OPINIONS.
THE COMPLAINTS COMMITTEE IS CHAIRED BY MR LO KING-MAN, URBAN COUNCILLOR AND DEPUTY DIRECTOR OF HONG KONG POLYTECHNIC.
ITS MEMBERS ARE MISS LEUNG WAI-TUNG, LEGISLATIVE COUNCILLOR AND LECTURER OF THE DEPARTMENT OF GEOGRAPHY AND GEOLOGY, UNIVERSITY OF HONG KONG; MR IRA D. KAYE, BUSINESSMAN; MRS PAMELA CHAN WONG SHUI, CHIEF EXECUTIVE OF THE CONSUMER COUNCIL; MRS MABEL CHOW, BUSINESSWOMAN; MR PETER C.H. CHAN, MEMBER OF THE LEGAL PROFESSION; MR LAM KWOK-WAI, HEAD OF THE DEPARTMENT OF COMMUNICATION, HONG KONG BAPTIST COLLEGE; MR CLEMENT K.L. TAO, MONG KOK DISTRICT BOARD MEMBER; AND THE REPRESENTATIVE OF SECRETARY FOR ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES AND INFORMATION.
-----0------
TWO BANKS GRANTED LICENCES
* * » t
JUROKU BANK AND OGAKI KYORITSU BANK HAVE BEEN GRANTED BANKING LICENCES TO CONDUCT BUSINESS IN HONG KONG, A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN SAID TODAY (FRIDAY).
BOTH BANKS ARE JAPANESE REGIONAL BANKS BASED IN GIFU PREFECTURE.
JUROKU BANK IS THE 48TH LARGEST BANK IN JAPAN. IT HAS OPERATED A REPRESENTATIVE OFFICE IN HONG KONG SINCE 1987.
OGAKI KYORITSU BANK IS THE 60TH LARGEST BANK IN JAPAN. ITS REPRESENTATIVE OFFICE HAS BEEN IN HONG KONG SINCE 1986.
/THE SPOKESMAN
FRIDAY, APRIL 21, 1989
THE SPOKESMAN SAID THE CONTINUING INTEREST OF FOREIGN BANKS IN ENTERING THE LOCAL MARKET REFLECTED HONG KONG’S ROLE AS A MAJOR INTERNATIONAL FINANCIAL CENTRE.
GIVEN THE IMPORTANCE OF HONG KONG’S BILATERAL TRADE WITH JAPAN, IT IS MUTUALLY BENEFICIAL FOR JAPAN TO HAVE AN APPROPRIATE REPRESENTATION IN THE BANKING SECTOR.
THE GRANTING OF THE LICENCES BRINGS THE TOTAL NUMBER OF LICENSED BANKS TO 164, OF WHICH 129 ARE INCORPORATED OUTSIDE HONG KONG. A TOTAL OF FOUR BANKING LICENCES HAVE BEEN GRANTED THIS YEAR.
_ _ 0 - -
RESULTS OF PAK TIN CONSTITUENCY BY-ELECTION * » » » »
MISS SHA MI-CHING WAS ELECTED TO THE SHAM SHUI PO DISTRICT BOARD IN THE PAK TIN CONSTITUENCY BY-ELECTION YESTERDAY (THURSDAY).
SHE WAS RETURNED WITH 1,746 VOTES.
THE OTHER CANDIDATE, MR LUI PAK-YIU, OBTAINED 694 VOTES.
- - 0 - -
WILD ORCHIDS ARE PROTECTED SPECIES » * * » *
THE AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES DEPARTMENT TODAY (FRIDAY) ADVISED FLOWER TRADERS TO REFRAIN FROM TRADING IN WILD ORCHIDS OBTAINED FROM DOUBTFUL SOURCES OR WITHOUT DOCUMENTARY PROOF OF THEIR ORIGINS AND VALID POSSESSION LICENCES ISSUED BY THE DEPARTMENT.
SUCH WILD ORCHIDS WERE BELIEVED TO HAVE COME FROM ILLEGAL SOURCES WITHOUT PRIOR GOVERNMENT AUTHORISATION. THE PUBLIC SHOULD REFRAIN FROM BUYING OR POSSESSING THEM OR THEY WOULD FACE PROSECUTION AND HEAVY FINES.
THE DEPARTMENT’S SENIOR CONSERVATION OFFICER, MR M.K. CHEUNG, SAID: "WILD ORCHIDS ARE ENDANGERED PLANT SPECIES PROTECTED BY INTERNATIONAL CONVENTION AND IN HONG KONG UNDER THE ANIMALS AND PLANTS (PROTECTION OF ENDANGERED SPECIES) ORDINANCE.
"ANYONE FOUND ILLEGALLY IMPORTING, EXPORTING OR POSSESSING SUCH WILD ORCHID PLANTS IS LIABLE TO A MAXIMUM FINE OF #5,000 PLUS FORFEITURE OF THESE ITEMS."
/The advice
FRIDAY, APRIL 21, 1989
13
THE ADVICE FOLLOWED A COURT CASE AT THE SHA TIN MAGISTRACY YESTERDAY IN WHICH A MAN WAS FINED $3,000 FOR POSSESSING 6,697 WILD CHINESE SLIPPER ORCHIDS WITHOUT A VALID LICENCE ISSUED UNDER THE LAW.
IN ADDITION, ALL WILD ORCHIDS IN HIS POSSESSION WERE CONFISCATED. THE LOCAL MARKET VALUE OF THESE RARE PLANTS WAS ESTIMATED AT ABOUT $66,000 BUT THEY WOULD FETCH AS MUCH AS $343,000 IF SOLD OVERSEAS.
THE CASE WAS UNCOVERED IN FEBRUARY THIS YEAR UPON NOTIFICATION BY ULRICH CITES (CONVENTION ON INTERNATIONAL TRADE IN ENDANGERED SPECIES OF WILD FAUNA AND FLORA) MANAGEMENT AUTHORITY IN FRANKFURT THAT WILD CHINESE ORCHIDS SUPPLIED BY A HONG KONG TRADER WERE BEING OFFERED FOR SALE THROUGH ADVERTISEMENTS IN WEST GERMANY.
MR CHEUNG SAID: "AS THE PEOPLE’S REPUBLIC OF CHINA, AS A SIGNATORY OF CITES, HAS PROHIBITED THE EXPORT OF WILD ORCHIDS FOR TRADE PURPOSE WITHOUT PROPER DOCUMENTATION, WE HAD REASON TO BELIEVE THAT THESE PLANTS MUST HAVE COME FROM ILLEGAL SOURCES.
"INVESTIGATION INTO THE CASE SUBSEQUENTLY LED TO THE PROSECUTION OF A MAN AND THE SEIZURE OF 6,697 WILD CHINESE ORCHIDS WHICH WERE IDENTIFIED BY AN EXPERIENCED HORTICULTURIST AS RARE SPECIES OF THE ORCHIDACEAE FAMILY."
COMMENTING ON THE COURT CASE, THE SECRETARY GENERAL OF CITES, MR EUGENE LAPOINTE, WHO IS CURRENTLY IN HONG KONG FOR A BRIEF VISIT, SAID: "THIS IS A MAJOR ISSUE AND THE MOST IMPORTANT CASE WE EVER HAD IN COUNTERING THE ILLEGAL TRADE IN ENDANGERED WILD PLANTS.
"THE GOVERNMENT OF HONG KONG IS TO BE CONGRATULATED FOR THE EFFORTS IT MADE IN THIS DIRECTION."
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ROADS AND SEWERAGE SYSTEM FOR TIN SHUI WAI t » t * »
TENDERS ARE BEING INVITED FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF PUBLIC ROADWAYS AND ASSOCIATED DRAINS AND SEWERS IN THE DEVELOPMENT OF TIN SHUI WAI NEW TOWN.
THE TIN SHUI WAI/YUEN LONG DEVELOPMENT OFFICE OF THE TERRITORY DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT IS INVITING TENDERS FOR BUILDING ABOUT FOUR KILOMETRES OF ROADS ALONG WITH THE SEWERAGE NETWORK UNDERNEATH.
THESE WILL SURROUND TWO PUBLIC HOUSING ESTATES - TIN YIU ESTATE AND TIN SHUI ESTATE - AND THE AREA’S FIRST TWO PRIVATE HOUSING DEVELOPMENTS.
WORK ON THE PROJECT IS EXPECTED TO START IN JULY THIS YEAR AND SCHEDULED FOR COMPLETION IN MID-1992.
THE CONTRACT ALSO CALLS FOR THE FORMATION OF PART OF THE LIGHT RAIL TRANSIT RESERVE FOR THE FIRST PHASE OF THE TIN SHUI WAI ROUTE.
/THE RESERVE .......
FRIDAY, APRIL 21, 1989
14
THE RESERVE WILL BE COMPLETED FOR HANDLING OVER TO THE KOWLOON-CANTON RAILWAY CORPORATION TO LAY TRACKS STARTING IN MID-1990. THIS FIRST PHASE OF THE LRT SERVICE WILL BE COMMISSIONED IN THE EARLY 1990'S.
RESIDENTS ARE EXPECTED TO START MOVING INTO TIN SHUI WAI BY THE END OF 1991, WHICH IS EARLIER THAN THE SCHEDULED COMPLETION OF THE CONTRACT WORKS.
THE ESSENTIAL ROADS TO SERVE THE FIRST RESIDENTS WILL BE COMPLETED EARLIER THAN THE REST TO ENSURE GOOD ACCESS FROM DAY ONE.
DEADLINE FOR THE SUBMISSION OF TENDERS IS NOON ON MAY 12.
EXTENSION TO KOWLOON PERMANENT
* » » * «
PIER NO. 6 AUTHORISED
AUTHORISATION HAS BEEN GIVEN FOR THE GOVERNMENT TO GRANT AN AREA OF APPROXIMATELY 350 SQUARE METRES OF FORESHORE AND SEABED AS AN EXTENSION TO KOWLOON PERMANENT PIER NO. 6 AND EXTENSION.
THE GRANT WILL BE MADE BY PRIVATE TREATY TO THE HONGKONG AND KOWLOON WHARF AND GODOWN COMPANY LIMITED FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF CANTILEVERED OVERHANGS AT THE ROOF AND PRAYA LEVEL OF THE PROPOSED MULTI-PURPOSE RECREATIONAL AND SPORTS COMPLEX TO BE ERECTED ON THE PIER.
THE EXTENT OF THE AREA AFFECTED IS DESCRIBED IN A NOTICE PUBLISHED IN THE GAZETTE TODAY (FRIDAY).
THE NOTICE, TOGETHER WITH ITS RELATED PLAN, CAN BE SEEN AT THE BUILDINGS AND LANDS DEPARTMENT SURVEY AND MAPPING OFFICE, 14TH FLOOR, MURRAY BUILDING, GARDEN ROAD, HONG KONG; AND THE YAU TSIM DISTRICT OFFICE, 490-492 NATHAN ROAD, HOP FAT COMMERCIAL CENTRE, GROUND FLOOR, KOWLOON.
ANY PERSON WHO CONSIDERS THAT HIS INTEREST, RIGHT OR EASEMENT IN OR OVER THE FORESHORE AND SEABED INVOLVED WILL BE INJURIOUSLY AFFECTED BY THE UNDERTAKING MAY SUBMIT A WRITTEN CLAIM FOR COMPENSATION TO THE DIRECTOR OF BUILDINGS AND LANDS ON OR BEFORE APRIL 20, 1990.
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FRIDAY, APRIL 21, 1989
15
LAND IN YUEN LONG TO BE RESUMED * * * * *
THE GOVERNMENT IS TO RESUME LAND IN YUEN LONG FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF A SECTION OF A SEWERAGE SYSTEM TO SERVE THE NEW DEVELOPMENTS IN TIN SHUI WAI AND THE SURROUNDING AREA.
THE LAND TO BE RESUMED COMPRISES 21 PRIVATE AGRICULTURAL LOTS AND TWO MIXED BUILDING/AGRICULTURAL LOTS WITH A TOTAL AREA OF ABOUT 3,826.1 SQUARE METRES OF AGRICULTURAL LAND AND 130 SQUARE METRES OF BUILDING LAND.
RESUMPTION OF LAND IS REQUIRED NOW TO ALLOW WORKS TO BEGIN IN THE MIDDLE OF THE YEAR AFTER THE THREE MONTHS’ RESUMPTION NOTICE HAS EXPIRED.
DETAILS OF THE RESUMPTION WERE PUBLISHED IN THE GAZETTE TODAY (FRIDAY) .
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’ROBOTCOP’ TO MAKE DEBUT AT TUEN MUN CARNIVAL ♦ * * * ♦
A REMOTE-CONTROL ROBOT WILL MAKE ITS DEBUT AT A FIGHT CRIME CARNIVAL IN TUEN MUN ON SUNDAY (APRIL 23) TO HELP PUT THE FIGHT CRIME MESSAGE ACROSS TO LOCAL RESIDENTS.
THE "ROBOTCOP”, PROGRAMMED TO SPEAK AND SCREEN VIDEO TAPES ON THE FIGHT CRIME MESSAGE, WILL BE THE STAR ATTRACTION AT THE CARNIVAL TO BE HELD AT THE SHAN KING ESTATE SOCCER PITCH.
FUNDED BY THE TUEN MUN DISTRICT BOARD, THE CARNIVAL IS JOINTLY ORGANISED BY THE SHAN KING ESTATE ACTIVITIES ORGANISING COMMITTEE AND THE POLICE COMMUNITY RELATIONS OFFICE.
THERE WILL BE A PAINTING COMPETITION, STALL GAMES AS WELL AS SINGING AND DANCING PERFORMANCES.
STATIC DISPLAYS ON AND CRIME PREVENTION INFORMATION WILL ALSO BE PUT UP AT THE VENUE.
AN OPENING CEREMONY FOR THE CARNIVAL WILL BE HELD AT 2 PM. OFFICIATING AT THE CEREMONY WILL BE THE TUEN MUN DISTRICT OFFICER, MR JOHN WAN; CHAIRMAN OF THE DISTRICT FIGHT CRIME COMMITTEE, MR KINGSLEY SIT; AND DISTRICT BOARD MEMBERS, MR YIM TIN-SANG AND MR LEE YIU-HUNG.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE OPENING CEREMONY OF THE SHAN KING FIGHT CRIME CARNIVAL TO BE HELD AT 2 PM ON SUNDAY (APRIL 23) AT THE SHAN KING ESTATE SOCCER PITCH, TUEN MUN.
THOSE WISHING TO TAKE GOVERNMENT TRANSPORT ARE REQUESTED TO ASSEMBLE AT THE KOWLOON PUBLIC PIER, TSIM SHA TSUI, AT 1 PM.
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/16........
FRIDAY, APRIL 21, 1989 • . .1
- 16 -
FIRING PRACTICE IN ♦ * * ♦ MAY
; FIRING RANGE ON 23 PRACTICE WILL DAYS NEXT MONTH TAKE PLACE Al • r THE HA TSUEN-CASTLE PEAK
THE HOISTED. PUBLIC IS WARNED NOT TO ENTER THE AREA WHEN RED FLAGS ARE
FOLLOWING ARE THE DATES AND 1 TAKE PLACE: TIMES THAT FIRING PRACTICE WILL
DATE TIME
MAY MAY 1 2 (MONDAY) (TUESDAY) 8.30 8.30 AM - AM - 5 5 PM PM —
1 MAY 3 (WEDNESDAY) 8.30 AM - 5 PM
MAY 4 (THURSDAY) 8.30 AM - 5 PM
MAY 5 (FRIDAY) 8.30 AM - 5 PM
1 MAY 6 (SATURDAY) 8.30 AM - 5 PM kF
MAY MAY 8 9 (MONDAY) (TUESDAY) 8.30 8.30 AM - AM - 5 5 PM PM
MAY 10 (WEDNESDAY) 8.30 AM - 5 PM A
MAY 11 (THURSDAY) 8.30 AM - 5 PM
MAY 12 (FRIDAY) 8.30 AM - 5 PM
1 MAY MAY 16 17 (TUESDAY) (WEDNESDAY) 8.30 8.30 AM - AM - 5 5 PM PM —
MAY 18 (THURSDAY) 8.30 AM - 11 .59 PM
MAY 19 (FRIDAY) MID 1 MIGHT - 5 PM
MAY 22 (MONDAY) 8.30 AM - 5 PM
MAY 23 (TUESDAY) 8.30 AM - 5 PM V
MAY MAY 24 25 (WEDNESDAY) (THURSDAY) 8.30 8.30 AM - AM - 11 5 .59 PM PM <E
MAY 26 (FRIDAY) 8.30 AM - 5 PM ut
MAY 27 (SATURDAY) 8.30 AM - 5 PM
MAY 29 (MONDAY) 8.30 AM - 5 PM
MAY 30 (TUESDAY) 8.30 AM - 5 PM
- O /17 • •
FRIDAY, APRIL 21,
1989
17
APPLICATIONS INVITED FOR EVENING COURSES ♦ ♦ * * ♦
THE EIGHT TECHNICAL INSTITUTES OF THE VOCATIONAL TRAINING COUNCIL WILL OFFER 129 EVENING COURSES IN SEPTEMBER TO MEET THE GROWING DEMAND FOR TECHNICAL EDUCATION IN HONG KONG.
WORKING PEOPLE ARE BEING INVITED TO APPLY FOR THESE EVENING PROGRAMMES AT POST-SECONDARY THREE AND POST-SECONDARY FIVE LEVELS.
THE COURSES COVER THE ENGINEERING DISCIPLINES OR INDUSTRIAL SECTORS OF CONSTRUCTION, ELECTRICAL ENGINEERING, MECHANICAL ENGINEERING, INDUSTRIAL TECHNOLOGY, PRINTING, TEXTILE, CLOTHING, MARINE ENGINEERING AND FABRICATION, MOTOR VEHICLE ENGINEERING AND APPLIED SCIENCE.
THE COURSES FOR THE COMMERCE AND SERVICE FIELDS INCLUDE HOTEL-KEEPING AND TOURISM, COMMERCIAL STUDIES, GENERAL STUDIES, DESIGN AND COMPUTING STUDIES.
EVENING COURSE STUDENTS ARE NORMALLY REQUIRED TO ATTEND CLASS MEETINGS ONE TO FOUR EVENINGS A WEEK. THE DURATION OF THE COURSES RANGE FROM ONE TO THREE YEARS.
DETAILS OF ALL THE COURSES WILL BE ADVERTISED IN THE NEWSPAPERS TOMORROW (SATURDAY).
APPLICATION FORMS AND GUIDES TO APPLICANTS WILL ALSO BE AVAILABLE AT TECHNICAL INSTITUTES AND DISTRICT OFFICES.
THE CLOSING DATE FOR APPLICATION IS SATURDAY, MAY 6. SECONDARY FIVE STUDENTS SITTING FOR THE 1989 H.K.C.E. EXAMINATION MAY ALSO APPLY.
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MUSIC OFFICE RECRUITS PROFESSIONAL STAFF
♦ » ♦ t ♦
THE MUSIC OFFICE IS RECRUITING FULL TIME PROFESSIONAL STAFF IN AURAL, THEORY AND CHORAL, CELLO, VIOLA AND VIOLIN TRAINING, AND IN MUSIC PROMOTION.
QUALIFIED APPLICANTS WILL ENTER AS ASSISTANT MUSIC OFFICER II WITH A PAY SCALE BETWEEN $6,805 AND $11,085 PER MONTH.
CANDIDATES SHOULD BE GRADUATES OF EITHER THE HONG KONG CONSERVATORY OF MUSIC OR THE ACADEMY FOR THE PERFORMING ARTS OR THE HONG KONG BAPTIST COLLEGE, OR HAVE A DEGREE IN MUSIC FROM A RECOGNISED UNIVERSITY, OR POSSESS OTHER EQUIVALENT QUALIFICATIONS.
APPLICATIONS SHOULD BE MADE ON GOVERNMENT FORM 340 AND FORWARDED TO THE EXECUTIVE OFFICER (PERSONNEL AND GENERAL), MUSIC OFFICE, MUNICIPAL SERVICES BRANCH, 25TH FLOOR, WANCHAI TOWER I, 12 HARBOUR ROAD, WAN CHAI, NOT LATER THAN MAY 1.
ENQUIRIES CAN BE MADE ON 5-8235340.
- 0 - -
/18
FRIDAY, APRIL 21, 1989
18
ILLEGAL STRUCTURES TO BE CLOSED t ♦ ♦ ♦ »
THE BUILDING AUTHORITY IS TO SEEK THE CLOSURE OF UNAUTHORISED BUILDING WORKS AT SUNG KIT STREET, KOWLOON, SO THAT THEY CAN BE DEMOLISHED WITHOUT DANGER TO THE OCCUPIERS OR TO THE PUBLIC.
THE STRUCTURES ARE LOCATED AT FLAT C, 15TH AND 16TH FLOORS, SHUNG KIM HOUSE, 81 SUNG KIT STREET.
THE CLOSURE IS PART OF AN EXERCISE TO ENFORCE ™E ORDERS ISSUED UNDER THE BUILDINGS ORDINANCE IN JUNE 1987 AND APRIL 1988 REQUIRING THE DEMOLITION OF THESE UNAUTHORISED STRUCTURES.
NOTICE OF INTENTION TO APPLY FOR CLOSURE ORDERS FROM THE HONG KONG DISTRICT COURT ON JUNE 21 WAS POSTED ON A CONSPICUOUS PART OF THE STRUCTURES TODAY (FRIDAY).
DEMOLITION WORK WILL START ONCE THE CLOSURE ORDERS ARE OBTAINED.
------0-------.
SHA TIN SITE FOR SALE BY TENDER ♦ ♦ » ♦ ♦
THE BUILDINGS AND LANDS DEPARTMENT IS OFFERING A PIECE OF GOVERNMENT LAND IN SHA TIN FOR SALE BY TENDER.
THE SITE, MEASURING ABOUT 3,951 SQUARE METRES, IS LOCATED AT AREA 100 OF MA ON SHAN TOWN CENTRE, SHA TIN.
IT IS FOR NON-INDUSTRIAL PURPOSES (EXCLUDING GODOWN AND CINEMA) UNDER THE PRIVATE SECTOR PARTICIPATION SCHEME.
THE DEADLINE FOR ACCEPTANCE OF TENDERS IS NOON ON JUNE 16, 1989.
TENDER FORMS, NOTICES AND CONDITIONS ARE AVAILABLE AT:
♦ 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 TENDER DOCUMENTS ARE ALSO AVAILABLE AT ALL DISTRICT LANDS OFFICES IN THE NEW TERRITORIES.
- - 0-----
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE. HONG KONG. TEL: 5-8428777
SATURDAY, APRIL 22, 1989
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
LIVESTOCK FARMERS TO VISIT PRIVATE DEMONSTRATION FARMS ....... 1
APPLY NOW TO PROVIDE VOLUNTARY SERVICES FOR PROBATIONERS .... 2
FACTORY INSPECTORS TRAINED ON DANGEROUS SUBSTANCES SAMPLING . J
auxiliary police Passing out parade .......................... 3
LOWER SHOP THEFT FIGURE EOR 1988 ............................. 4
CNTA TO LAUNCH 'GETTING TO KNOW YOU' SEMINARS ................ 5
VIDEO TAPES aROUSE DB COMMITTEE CONCERN ...................... 6
DB COMMITTEE TO DISCUSS ANTI-SMOKING PROPOSES ................ 6
SPECIAL CAR NUMBERS SOLD BY AUCTION .......................... 7
BUS SERVICES ANNOUNCEMENTS ON TRaINS STARTED ................. 8
SPEC LU STAMP ISSUE ON BUN FESTIVAL........................... 8
CORRECTIONAL SERVICES .JiNUAL SPORTS MEET .................... 10
HOME SAFETY MOBILE EXHIBITION AT TSING YI .................... 10
LEL.RN TO SWIM SCHEME FOR SCHOOL CHILDREN .................... 11
TEMPORARY TRAFFIC ARRANGEk-sENTS IN WESTERN .................. 11
TEMPORARY LaNE CLOSURES IN SHA TIN ........................... 12
RE-ROUTEING OF YORK ROAD
12
SATURDAY, APRIL 22, 1989
LIVESTOCK FARMERS TO VISIT PRIVATE DEMONSTRATION FARMS »»»«*«»
THE CITY AND NEW TERRITORIES ADMINISTRATION (CNTA) WILL BE MAKING ARRANGEMENTS FOR INTERESTED LIVESTOCK FARMERS TO VISIT THE PRIVATE FARMS PARTICIPATING IN THE LIVESTOCK WASTE DISPOSAL DEMONSTRATION PROJECTS.
THE VISITS WILL PROVIDE AN OPPORTUNITY FOR THE FARMERS TO SEE THE OPERATION OF WASTE TREATMENT METHODS IN THESE PRIVATE FARMS SO AS TO ENABLE THEM TO COMPLY WITH THE LIVESTOCK WASTE CONTROL REQUIREMENTS .
THE FARMERS WILL BE BRIEFED BY REPRESENTATIVES FROM THE ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION DEPARTMENT (EPD) DURING THE VISITS.
LIVESTOCK FARMERS WHO WISH TO CONTINUE OPERATION IN CONTROL AREAS ARE INVITED TO REGISTER THEIR INTEREST IN VISITING THE DEMONSTRATION FARMS WITH THE CNTA ON THE DEPARTMENT'S TELEPHONE HOTLINES DURING OFFICE HOURS.
THE HOTLINES ARE 0-6754664 FOR FARMERS IN THE NORTH DISTRICT, 0-4792261 EXT. 152 FOR THOSE IN THE YUEN LONG DISTRICT, AND 3-7351771 FOR THOSE IN OTHER DISTRICTS.
CONTROL OF LIVESTOCK WASTE DISPOSAL IN THE CONTROL AREAS IS BEING IMPLEMENTED IN STAGES AND ALL LIVESTOCK FARMERS IN THESE AREAS WHO WISH TO CONTINUE OPERATION WILL HAVE TO COMPLY WITH ANTI-POLLUTION REQUIREMENTS.
CHAIRMAN OF THE STEERING GROUP ON DEMONSTRATION PROJECTS ON PRIVATE FARMS OF THE LIVESTOCK WASTE DISPOSAL CONSULTATIVE COMMITTEE, MR LEO KWAN, SAID IN ORDER TO COMPLY WITH THE NEW CONTROLS, LIVESTOCK FARMERS WOULD HAVE TO INSTALL THE NECESSARY TREATMENT FACILITIES.
IN VIEW OF THIS, NINE PRIVATE FARMS, COMPRISING SIX PIG FARMS AND THREE CHICKEN FARMS, HAD BEEN CHOSEN TO TAKE PART IN THE DEMONSTRATION PROJECTS ON VARIOUS TREATMENT METHODS, MR KWAN SAID.
A CONSULTANT HAD BEEN APPOINTED TO SET UP THE DEMONSTRATION PROJECTS, WHICH INCLUDED THE DRY MUCK-OUT, WET MUCK-OUT, HYBRID AND PIG-ON-LITTER METHOLDS.
AN EPD SPOKESMAN SAID SO FAR FOUR TREATMENT SYSTEMS HAD BEEN HANDED OVER TO THE FARM OPERATORS WHO HAD BEEN TRAINED BY THE CONSULTANT ON HOW TO USE THE FACILITIES.
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/2........
SATURDAY, APRIL 22, 1989
- 2 -
APPLY NOW TO PROVIDE VOLUNTARY SERVICES FOR PROBATIONERS * * * * *
THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT TODAY (SATURDAY) REMINDED PEOPLE INTERESTED IN PROVIDING VOLUNTARY SERVICES IN THE REHABILITATION OF OFFENDERS TO SUBMIT THEIR APPLICATIONS NOW.
THE CLOSING DATE FOR SUBMITTING APPLICATIONS HAS BEEN POSTPONED FOR A WEEK. APPLICATIONS SHOULD REACH THE OFFICE OF THE VOLUNTEER SCHEME FOR PROBATIONERS AT 19TH FLOOR, WORLD TRADE CENTRE, 280 GLOUCESTER ROAD, CAUSEWAY BAY BY MAY 1.
THE VOLUNTEERS SHOULD PREFERABLY BE AGED 21 OR ABOVE, OF SECONDARY SCHOOL EDUCATION STANDARD, MATURE IN PERSONALITY AND WILLING TO MAKE FRIENDS WITH LAW OFFENDERS.
THEY SHOULD ALSO BE WILLING TO SACRIFICE THEIR LEISURE TIME FOR SERVING OTHERS WITHOUT MONETARY REWARD AS WELL AS BE IN GOOD HEALTH AND OF WHOLESOME INTEREST.
A VOLUNTEER CAN ACT AS A TUTOR FOR A PROBATIONER WHO HAS PROBLEMS WITH SCHOOL WORK OR HELP DEVELOP A PROBATIONER’S RANGE OF INTERESTS OR HOBBIES.
THE VOLUNTEER CAN ALSO GUIDE A PROBATIONER IN THE PROPER USE OF LEISURE TIME AND DIRECT HIS INTEREST INTO WHOLESOME SOCIAL, CULTURAL AND RECREATIONAL ACTIVITIES.
HE CAN OFFER PRACTICAL ADVICE AND ASSISTANCE ON MATTERS SUCH AS CHILD CARE AND MANAGEMENT OF HOUSEHOLD, AND CAN PROVIDE TECHNICAL ADVICE IF HE IS A PROFESSIONAL OR SKILLED PERSONNEL.
MOST IMPORTANT, THE VOLUNTEER CAN PROVIDE FRIENDSHI, ESPECIALLY TO THOSE PROBATIONERS WHO DO NOT HAVE FAMILY SUPPORT, AND GUIDANCE TO THOSE WITHOUT DESIRABLE FRIENDS.
THE NEWLY-RECRUITED VOLUNTEERS WILL TAKE PART IN AN ORIENTATION COURSE BEFORE THEY START TO ASSIST PROBATION OFFICERS IN THE REHABILITATION OF PROBATIONERS. HOWEVER, THEY WILL NOT HAVE TO TAKE OVER THE LEGAL RESPONSIBILITIES OF PROBATION OFFICERS.
APPLICANTS MAY CONTACT MISS CHENG WING-SENG ON TELEPHONE NUMBER 5-8954190 FOR MORE DETAILS.
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SATURDAY, APRIL 22, 1989
FACTORY INSPECTORS TRAINED ON DANGEROUS SUBSTANCES SAMPLING
»»»»»»
ABOUT 200 FACTORY INSPECTORS OF THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT HAVE RECENTLY COMPLETED TRAINING ON THE TECHNIQUES AND PRECAUTIONS REQUIRED IN SAMPLING DANGEROUS SUBSTANCES.
THE TRAINING, ORGANISED WITH THE ASSISTANCE OF THE GOVERNMENT LABORATORY, WAS DESIGNED TO FACILITATE FACTORY INSPECTORS IN ENFORCING THE FACTORIES AND INDUSTRIAL UNDERTAKINGS (DANGEROUS SUBSTANCES) REGULATIONS 1988 WHICH CAME INTO FORCE IN DECEMBER LAST YEAR.
THE REGULATIONS PROVIDE FOR THE CLASSIFICATION, LABELLING, SAFE USE AND SAFE HANDLING OF 231 CHEMICAL SUBSTANCES COMMONLY USED IN INDUSTRY IN HONG KONG.
UNDER THE TRAINING PROGRAMME, A TOTAL OF 10 SEMINARS HAD BEEN ORGANISED SINCE LAST AUGUST FOR THE FACTORY INSPECTORS.
THESE SEMINARS COVERED SUCH TOPICS AS TECHNIQUES AND PRECAUTIONS REQUIRED IN THE SAMPLING OF DANGEROUS SUBSTANCES, DEMONSTRATION AND ANALYSIS OF SCIENTIFIC EQUIPMENT THROUGH GUIDED LABORATORY TOURS, AND DELIVERY AND PACKING OF SAMPLES.
IN APPRECIATION OF THE TRAINING SERVICES OFFERED TO THE INSPECTORS, THE DEPUTY COMMISSIONER FOR LABOUR, MR HAROLD KWOK, PRESENTED A SOUVENIR TO THE GOVERNMENT CHEMIST, MR N.S. LEE, AT THE GOVERNMENT LABORATORY THIS (SATURDAY) MORNING.
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\l AUXILIARY POLICE PASSING OUT PARADE t * * * *
ONGOING EFFORTS ARE BEING MADE TOWARDS ATTRACTING MORE RECRUITS TO JOIN THE AUXILIARY POLICE FORCE TO SERVE THE COMMUNITY, THE DEPUTY DIRECTOR, SUPPORT, MR BRIAN GOULDSMITH SAID TODAY (SATURDAY).
ADDRESSING A PASSING OUT PARADE AT THE AUXILIARY POLICE HEADQUARTERS IN KOWLOON BAY, MR GOULDSMITH POINTED OUT THAT THE AUXILIARY DISTRICT FORMATIONS CONTINUED TO PLAY AN IMPORTANT ROLE BY ENCOURAGING PEOPLE FROM THE COMMUNITIES IN WHICH THEY LIVED AND WORKED TO JOIN THE AUXILIARY POLICE.
NOTING THAT NEW TRAINING CENTRES IN NORTH POINT, TIN SUM AND KWAI CHUNG POLICE STATIONS WOULD BECOME OPERATIONAL THIS YEAR, MR GOULDSMITH SAID THAT THEY WOULD BENEFIT NEW RECRUITS FROM THE MORE REMOTE AREAS OF THE TERRITORY.
/HE TOLD .......
SATURDAY, APRIL 22, 1989
HE TOLD THE PART-TIME OFFICERS THAT THEIR TRAINING WAS IN LINE WITH THAT TAUGHT TO THEIR REGULAR COUNTERPARTS AND COVERED LAW AND POLICE PROCEDURES.
"UPON POSTING TO YOUR NEW FORMATIONS, YOU WILL BE REQUIRED TO PERFORM A PERIOD OF SUPERVISED DUTY," MR GOULDSM1TH SAID, ADDING THAT THEIR KNOWLEDGE WOULD BE EXPANDED THROUGH JOB-RELATED TRAINING PROGRAMMES.
POINTING OUT THAT THE ESTABLISHMENT OF THE AUXILIARY POLICE HAD EXCEEDED 5,700 MEN AND WOMEN, HE SAID THAT THERE WERE SOME 700 OFFICERS REPORTING FOR DUTY EVERY DAY AND THE MAJORITY COULD BE SEEN PATROLLING THE STREETS, HELPING TO MAINTAIN LAW AND ORDER, AND IN RECENT MONTHS, ASSISTING AT VIETNAMESE DETENTION CENTRES.
PAYING TRIBUTE TO THE OFFICERS FOR THEIR PUBLIC SPIRITED ATTITUDE, MR GOULDSMITH ALSO THANKED THEIR EMPLOYERS FOR THEIR CO-OPERATION, WITHOUT WHICH MANY OF THEM WOULD NOT BE AVAILABLE FOR DUTY WHEN REQUIRED.
ON PARADE TODAY WERE 219 AUXILIARY CONSTABLES AND 18 INSPECTORS WHO HAVE JUST COMPLETED THEIR TRAINING COURSES.
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LOWER SHOP THEFT FIGURE FOR 1988
*****
THE 1988 FIGURE FOR SHOP THEFT WAS THE LOWEST SINCE 1985, ACCORDING TO THE DEPUTY DIRECTOR OF POLICE, SUPPORT, MR BRIAN GOULDSMITH.
SPEAKING AT THE ANTI-SHOP THEFT LUCKY DRAW AND COLOURING CONTEST PRIZE PRESENTATION CEREMONY AT THE POLICE SPORTS AND RECREATION CLUB TODAY (SATURDAY), MR GOULDSMITH SAID: "NOW THAT A DOWNWARD TREND HAS BEEN SET, WE MUST ENSURE THAT THE TREND CONTINUES AND TO THIS END THE ANTI-SHOP THEFT PUBLICITY CAMPAIGN WILL GO ON.
"I HOPE THE COMMUNITY WILL CONTINUE TO GIVE US THE SUPPORT AND HELP US IN OUR EFFORTS TO REDUCE THIS CRIME."
IN 1988, THE TOTAL NUMBER OF REPORTED SHOP THEFT OFFENCES WAS 5,611, A DECREASE OF SOME 20.7 PER CENT WHEN COMPARED WITH THE FIGURES IN 1987.
"THE FALL WAS LARGELY DUE TO THE SIGNIFICANT DROP IN THE NUMBER OF JUVENILES PROSECUTED FOR THE OFFENCE, DECREASING FROM 3,318 IN 1987 TO 2,274 IN 1988," MR GOULDSMITH SAID.
ALSO JOINING MR GOULDSMITH TO OFFICIATE AT THE FUNCTION INCLUDED MR LAU CHUN-S1NG, ACTING CHIEF STAFF OFFICER, POLICE PUBLIC RELATIONS BRANCH; AND MR JEREMY KIDNER, REPRESENTATIVE OF THE RETAIL MANAGEMENT ASSOCIATION.
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SATURDAY, APRIL 22, 1989
- 5 -
CNTA TO LAUNCH ’GETTING TO KNOW YOU’ SEMINARS
THE CITY AND NEW TERRITORIES ADMINISTRATION WILL SOON BE HOSTING A SERIES OF SEMINARS FOR AREA COMMITTEE MEMBERS IN THE URBAN AREAS.
ANNOUNCING THIS AT A SEMINAR OF THE MONG KOK AREA COMMITTEE MEMBERS TODAY (SATURDAY), THE REGIONAL SECRETARY FOR HONG KONG AND KOWLOON, MR DAVID LAN, SAID THE PRIMARY PURPOSE OF THE SEMINARS WAS TO ENABLE HIM TO EXCHANGE VIEWS AND IDEAS WITH THESE ORGANISATIONS.
MORE IMPORTANTLY, THEY WOULD PROVIDE HIM WITH THE OPPORTUNITY TO FURTHER CONSOLIDATE COMMUNITY BUILDING, WHICH WAS THE VERY REASON THAT THE AREA COMMITTEES WERE FOUNDED, HE SAID.
AT THEIR INCEPTION IN 1972, AREA COMMITTEES WERE PRIMARILY INVOLVED LN PROMOTING PUBLIC PARTICIPATION IN THE KEEP HONG KONG CLEAN CAMPAIGN AND THE FIGHT VIOLENT CRIME CAMPAIGN.
’’HOWEVER, OVER THE YEARS THEY HAVE EVOLVED INTO AN INTEGRAL PART OF THE COMMUNITY BUILDING MACHINERY AND FOLLOWING THE REVISION OF THEIR TERMS OF REFERENCE IN 1982 ALONG THOSE OF THE DISTRICT BOARDS, AREA COMMITTEES HAVE BEEN FOCAL POINTS FOR PUBLIC CONSULTATION AT THE AREA LEVEL.
’’APART FROM PROMOTING CAMPAIGNS AND RECREATION, AREA COMMITTEES HAVE BROADENED THEIR CONCERNS CONSIDERABLY AND OFTEN DISCUSSED AREA PROBLEMS, DISTRICT MATTERS AND SOMETIMES GENERAL GOVERNMENT POLICIES,” MR LAN SAID.
THE POPULARITY OF THE AREA COMMITTEES AND THE SIGNIFICANT CONTRIBUTION THEY HAVE MADE TO THE COMMUNITY CAN BE EASILY GAUGED BY THEIR VAST MEMBERSHIP.
THERE ARE AT PRESENT 120 AREA COMMITTEES IN THE TERRITORY - 89 IN THE URBAN DISTRICTS AND 31 IN THE NEW TERRITORIES - WITH A TOTAL MEMBERSHIP OF 2,410.
MR LAN SAID HE AND AREA COMMITTEE MEMBERS WERE MAINTAINING REGULAR CONTACTS AND THE SERIES OF SEMINARS WOULD BE AN EXTENSION OF THEIR CONSTANT COMMUNICATION.
HE SAID THE SEMINARS WOULD ENABLE HIM TO MEET ALL THE CHAIRMEN AND MEMBERS OF THE 89 URBAN AREA COMMITTEES OVER THE NEXT TWO TO THREE MONTHS.
EACH SEMINAR WILL FEATURE A SPECIAL TOPIC CONCERNED WITH THE LIVELIHOOD OF RESIDENTS. THE PROPOSED TOPICS INCLUDE IMPORTATION OF FOREIGN LABOUR, MANAGEMENT OF PRIVATE BUILDINGS, PROVISION OF COMMUNITY FACILITIES, TRAFFIC PROBLEMS, AND THE REVIEW OF FIGHT CRIME ACTIVITIES.
"DISTRICT OFFICERS IN HONG KONG AND KOWLOON ARE CONSULTING THEIR AREA COMMITTEES TO DECIDE THE TOPICS OF DISCUSSION FOR THE VARIOUS SEMINARS,” HE NOTED.
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/6........
SATURDAY, APRIL 22, 1989
- 6 -
VIDEO TAPES AROUSE DB COMMITTEE CONCERN ♦ t t t »
THE SOCIAL SERVICES COMMITTEE OF THE TUEN MUN DISTRICT BOARD WILL DISCUSS AT ITS MEETING ON MONDAY (APRIL 24) A PAPER FROM ITS MEMBERS REQUESTING THE INTRODUCTION OF LAWS TO FORBID THE HIRING OUT OF VIDEO TAPES OF CATEGORY III FILMS TO PERSONS AGED 18 OR BELOW.
SEVERAL MEMBERS WILL SUBMIT ANOTHER PAPER SUGGESTING THE COMMITTEE DISCUSS THE EXISTING SCHOOL MEDICAL SERVICE SCHEME.
THE COMMITTEE WILL ALSO CONSIDER 18 APPLICATIONS FOR DISTRICT BOARD FUNDS FOR ORGANISING SOCIAL SERVICES ACTIVITIES.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE MEETING OF THE TUEN MUN DISTRICT BOARD’S SOCIAL SERVICES COMMITTEE TO BE HELD ON MONDAY (APRIL 24) IN THE DB CONFERENCE ROOM ON THE THIRD FLOOR, GOVERNMENT OFFICES BUILDING, 1 TUEN HI ROAD, TUEN MUN.
THE MEETING WILL BEGIN AT 2.30 PM.
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DB COMMITTEE TO DISCUSS ANTI-SMOKING PROPOSALS
* ♦ t *
THE COMMUNITY BUILDING COMMITTEE OF THE YAU TSIM DISTRICT BOARD WILL DISCUSS A CONSULTATION PAPER ON ANTI-SMOKING PROPOSALS, PREPARED BY THE HONG KONG COUNCIL ON SMOKING AND HEALTH, AT ITS MEETING ON MONDAY (APRIL 24).
MEMBERS OF THE COMMITTEE WILL ALSO DISCUSS THE 1989 SUMMER YOUTH PROGRAMME FOR THE YAU TSIM DISTRICT AND THE BOARD’S BUDGET AND WORK PLAN FOR THE CURRENT FINANCIAL YEAR.
OTHER AGENDA ITEMS INCLUDE THE FORMATION OF A SUB-COMMITTEE TO VET APPLICATIONS BY DISTRICT ORGANISATIONS FOR DISTRICT BOARD FUNDS AND THE URBAN COUNCIL’S COMMUNITY RECREATION AND SPORTS PROGRAMME FOR THE DISTRICT IN 1989-90.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
MEDIA REPRESENTATIVES ARE INVITED TO COVER THE MEETING OF THE YAU TSIM DISTRICT BOARD’S COMMUNITY BUILDING COMMITTEE, WHICH WILL BEGIN AT 2.30 PM ON MONDAY (APRIL 24) IN THE CONFERENCE ROOM OF THE YAU TSIM DISTRICT OFFICE, SECOND FLOOR, 490 NATHAN ROAD.
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/7........
SATURDAY, APRIL 22, 1989
- 7 -
SPECIAL CAR NUMBERS SOLD BY AUCTION * * * * *
FORTY SPECIAL VEHICLE REGISTRATION NUMBERS WERE PUT UP FOR AUCTION THIS (SATURDAY) MORNING FOR A TOTAL OF $940,000 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 DZ2 FETCH THE HIGHEST PRICE OF $110,000.
ANOTHER NUMBER BB20 WAS SOLD AT THE SECOND HIGHEST PRICE OF $83,000, WHILE THE LOWEST PRICE WAS $1,000 EACH FOR EA179, EA9283 & EA149.
FOLLOWING ARE THE RESULTS OF TODAY’S AUCTION:
$ $ $ $
EA783 5,000 EA168 50,000 DZ2 110,000 EA668 46,000
EA2838 6,000 DD83 45,000 EA1708 3,000 EA730 3,000
3817 43,000 EA802 13,000 EA302 4,000 EA9283 1,000
EA823 6,000 DJ5217 — EA163 25,000 XX389 60,000
AL349 13,000 DF5 70,000 EA832 17,000 EA660 4,000
DD9000 36,000 HK1200 41,000 BB20 83,000 CR7711 8,000
DZ9388 10,000 EA786 11,000 EA2881 6,000 EA299 7,000
EA108 14,000 2271 39,000 EA179 1,000 EA208 8,000
DZ11 26,000 EA803 8,000 375 48,000 EA149 1,000
EA6339 2,000 HK728 60,000 DZ9188 5,000 DZ7720 —
DJ5217 AND DZ7720 WERE WITHDRAWN AND DEPOSIT OF $2,000 WERE FORFEITED TO THE TOTAL REALIZED.
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 WITHIN 12 MONTHS OF THE DATE OF AUCTION.
TODAY’S SALE, THE 137TH ORGANISED BY THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT SINCE MAY 1973, BROUGHT THE TOTAL AMOUNT OF MONEY FOR CHARITY REALISED SO FAR TO $83,195,532.
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/8........
SATURDAY, APRIL 22, 1989
- 8 -
BUS SERVICES ANNOUNCEMENTS ON TRAINS STARTED
*****
COMMUTERS ARE REMINDED THAT BUS SERVICES ARE AVAILABLE FROM THE KOWLOON-CANTON RAILWAY STATION IN HUNG HOM TO TSIM SHA TSUI TO ENABLE THEM TO AVOID THE MORNING PEAK HOUR CONGESTION ON THE MASS TRANSIT NATHAN ROAD CORRIDOR.
THE KOWLOON-CANTON RAILWAY CORPORATION IS ASSISTING IN THIS REGARD BY MAKING PUBLIC ANNOUNCEMENTS OF THE BUS SERVICES ON ITS TRAINS AND PLATFORMS.
THESE ANNOUNCEMENTS, STARTED EARLY THIS WEEK, ARE AIMED AT ENCOURAGING TRAIN PASSENGERS HEADING FOR TSIM SHA TSUI TO USE BUSES INSTEAD OF INTERCHANGING TO THE MTR AT THE KOWLOON TONG STATION.
SUCH ANNOUNCEMENTS ARE MADE ON TRAINS GOING FROM TAI WAI TO KOWLOON TONG STATION AND ON STATION PLATFORMS BETWEEN SHEUNG SHUI AND TAI WAI.
MOREOVER, DIRECTIONAL SIGNS HAVE BEEN PUT UP AT THE KOWLOON STATION PODIUM HALL INDICATING THE LOCATIONS OF THE BUS STOPS FOR THE FOUR KMB BUS ROUTES - IK, 5C, 8 AND 8A - ALL GOING TO TSIM SHA TSUI FROM THE TRAIN STATION.
THE KOWLOON MOTOR BUS COMPANY WILL ALSO PUT UP DIRECTIONAL SIGNS AT THE KOWLOON STATION BUS TERMINUS TO AID PASSENGERS.
TO HELP EASE THE CONGESTION AT THE MTR NATHAN ROAD STATIONS, TWO KMB BUS ROUTES - 8 IC AND 30X - HAVE BEEN INTRODUCED RECENTLY TO CARRY PASSENGERS DIRECT FROM EAST AND WEST NEW TERRITORIES TO KOWLOON.
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SPECIAL STAMP ISSUE ON BUN FESTIVAL ******
A SET OF FOUR SPECIAL STAMPS ON THE CHEUNG CHAU BUN FESTIVAL WILL BE ISSUED ON MAY 4, THE POST OFFICE ANNOUNCED TODAY (SATURDAY).
THE STAMPS ARE IN DENOMINATIONS OF 60 CENTS, $1.40, $1.80 AND
$5, AND POSTCARDS SHOWING AN ENLARGEMENT OF THE STAMP DESIGNS WILL BE ISSUED WITH THE STAMP ISSUE.
THE STAMPS, DESIGNED BY MR MICHAEL TUCKER, WERE PRINTED IN IRELAND BY BDT INTERNATIONAL SECURITY PRINTING LTD.
THE STAMPS AND THE POSTCARDS ARE ON DISPLAY AT THE SOUTH GALLERY OF THE SHA TIN NEW TOWN PLAZA TODAY AND TOMORROW AND AT THE GENERAL POST OFFICE AND TSIM SHA TSUI POST OFFICE FROM TODAY.
/OFFICIAL FIRST .......
SATURDAY, APRIL 22, 19$9
- 9 -
OFFICIAL FIRST DAY COVERS AT 50 CENTS EACH ARE ALREADY ON SALE.
IN ADDITION, ADVANCE ORDERS FOR FIRST DAY TREATMENT OF FIRST DAY COVERS ARE NOW ACCEPTED UNTIL APRIL 26 AT ALL POST OFFICES.
THE MINIMUM QUANTITY PER ORDER IS FIVE COVERS. CUSTOMERS WISHING TO AVOID CONGESTION ON THE FIRST DAY OF ISSUE ARE ADVISED TO MAKE USE OF THIS ADVANCE ORDER SERVICE.
FOR THE CONVENIENCE OF CUSTOMERS, FIRST DAY COVERS AND POSTCARDS PRE-AFFIXED WITH A SET OF FOUR STAMPS AND CANCELLED WITH THE PHILATELIC BUREAU DATESTAMP WILL BE AVAILABLE FOR SALE AT $10.30 AND $13.80 RESPECTIVELY AT DESIGNATED COUNTERS OF THE FOLLOWING 21 OFFICES ON MAY 4:
HONG KONG ISLAND
BEACONSFIELD HOUSE POST OFFICE CAUSEWAY BAY POST OFFICE GENERAL POST OFFICE KING’S ROAD POST OFFICE PEAK POST OFFICE SAI YING PUN POST OFFICE TSAT TSZ MUI POST OFFICE
KOWLOON
AIRPORT POST OFFICE
CHEUNG SHA WAN POST OFFICE GRANVILLE ROAD POST OFFICE KOWLOON BAY POST OFFICE KOWLOON CENTRAL POST OFFICE KWUN TONG POST OFFICE MONG KOK POST OFFICE TSIM SHA TSUI 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 YUEN LONG POST OFFICE
SOUVENIR COVERS WILL BE PUT ON SALE AT THE CHEUNG CHAU POST OFFICE DURING THE FESTIVAL FROM MAY 8 TO 15, EXCEPT SATURDAY AFTERNOON AND SUNDAY.
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/1O........
SATURDAY, APRIL 22, 1989
10
CORRECTIONAL SERVICES ANNUAL SPORTS MEET
*****
OVER 300 CORRECTIONAL SERVICES STAFF TOOK PART IN THE DEPARTMENT’S ANNUAL SPORTS MEET AT THE WAN CHAI SPORTS GROUND TODAY (SATURDAY).
TWENTY-EIGHT TEAMS, COMPRISING REPRESENTATIVES FROM INSTITUTIONS AND CHILDREN OF STAFF MEMBERS, COMPETED IN A VARIETY OF TRACK AND FIELD EVENTS. THESE INCLUDED HIGH JUMP, DISCUS AND JAVELIN THROW, SHOT-PUT, RUNNING AND RELAY.
THE HIGHLIGHT OF THE DAY WAS THE 4X100 METRE INVITATION RELAY, IN WHICH TEAMS FROM SIX GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS TOOK PART.
THEY WERE THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS, CUSTOMS AND EXCISE, FIRE SERVICES, HOSPITAL SERVICES AND IMMIGRATION DEPARTMENTS, AND THE POLICE FORCE.
THE WINNERS WERE PRESENTED WITH PRIZES BY MRS AMY CHAN, WIFE OF THE COMMISSIONER OF CORRECTIONAL SERVICES.
-----o------
HOME SAFETY MOBILE EXHIBITION AT TSING YI
*****
THE 5TH IN A SERIES OF NINE MOBILE EXHIBITIONS TO DISSEMINATE THE HOME SAFETY MESSAGE WILL BE STAGE AT THE SHOPPING CENTRE OF CHEUNG CHING ESTATE IN TSING Yl TOMORROW (SUNDAY) FROM 11 AM TO 4 PM.
"ACCORDING TO STATISTICS, HOME ACCIDENTS CLAIMED 32 LIVES OVER THE TERRITORY IN THE FIRST QUARTER OF THIS YEAR," A SPOKESMAN OF THE HOME SAFETY CAMPAIGN PUBLICITY COMMITTEE SAID.
"IN MANY CASES, THESE ACCIDENTS WERE CAUSED BY CARELESSNESS AND IGNORANCE," HE POINTED OUT.
"THIS EXHIBITION IS PART OF THE PUBLICITY PROGRAMME TO ALERT THE PUBLIC OF HIDDEN DANGERS IN THE HOME AND GIVE THEM ADVICE ON PRECAUTIONARY MEASURES," HE ADDED.
THE THEME OF THE EXHIBITION IS "HOW TO KEEP YOUR KITCHEN SAFE".
A NEW BOOKLET "SAFETY BEGINS AT HOME" WILL BE DISTRIBUTED TO VISITORS AT THE VENUE.
"THE BOOKLET NOT PNLY OUTLINES THE MOST COMMON HAZARDS IN THE HOME BUT ALSO PROVIDES GUIDELINES ON HOW TO AVOID MISHAPS ARISING THROUGH THE USE OF GAS, ELECTRICITY, MICROWAVE, WATER, CHEMICALS AND MEDICINE," THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
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SATURDAY, APRIL 22, 1989
LEARN TO SWIM SCHEME FOR SCHOOL CHILDREN *****
THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT WILL AGAIN ORGANISE THE "LEARN To-SWIM' SCHEME FOR PRIMARY SCHOOL CHILDREN DURING THE FORTHCOMING SUMMER VACATION BETWEEN JULY 17 AND AUGUST 26.
A TOTAL OF 116 FREE CLASSES WILL BE HELD FROM MONDAY TO SATURDAY BETWEEN 8 AM AND 5 PM IN THREE SERIES AT 11 PUBLIC SWIMMING POOLS THROUGHOUT THE TERRITORIES.
TWENTY CLASSES WILL BE ORGANISED AT THE PAO YUE KONG SWIMMING POOL CENTRE AND THE CHAI WAN SWIMMING POOL ON HONG KONG ISLAND.
FORTY-TWO CLASSES WILL BE HELD AT FIVE PUBLIC POOLS LOCATED AT KWUN TONG, LAI CHI KOK, LEI CHENG UK, MORSE PARK AND TAI WAN SHAN IN KOWLOON.
ANOTHER 54 CLASSES WILL BE CONDUCTED AT PUBLIC SWIMMING POOLS IN KWAI SHING, SHA TIN, YUEN LONG AND FANLING.
THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT WILL PROVIDE QUALIFIED SWIMMING INSTRUCTORS TO TEACH THE CHILDREN, MAKE ARRANGEMENTS FOR CHILDREN TO ENTER THE POOL AND REPORT TO INSTRUCTORS AND ASSESS THE PARTICIPANTS’ SWIMMING ABILITY WITH THE AWARD OF CERTIFICATES.
IN THIS EVENT, PARTICIPATION WILL BE DECIDED BY DRAWING OF LOTS AT THE NEW TERRITORIES SCHOOLS SPORTS ASSOCIATION, OXFORD COMMERCIAL BUILDING, BETWEEN JUNE 1 AND 6.
IT IS EXPECTED THAT THESE CLASSES WILL BE WELL OVER SUBSCRIBED. SCHOOL REPRESENTATIVES ARE REQUESTED TO ATTEND THE DRAWING OF LOTS.
EACH SUCCESSFUL SCHOOL WILL BE ALLOCATED A CLASS OF 30 PLACES AND SCHOOL CHILDREN NOMINATED TO TAKE PART IN THE COURSE OF 12 ONE-HOUR LESSONS MUST BE BEGINNERS AND OVER 10 YEARS OLD.
0 - -
TEMPORARY TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS IN WESTERN ******
THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCED THAT TEMPORARY TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS WILL BE IMPLEMENTED IN WESTERN DISTRICT FROM 10 AM ON MONDAY (APRIL 24) FOR ABOUT FOUR MONTHS BECAUSE OF ROAD WORKS.
THE EASTBOUND TRACK ON CONNAUGHT ROAD WEST FROM ITS JUNCTION WITH DES VOEUX ROAD WEST TO A POINT ABOUT 220 METRES EAST OF THE SAME JUNCTION WILL BE DESIGNATED A TRAM ONLY LANE.
AT THE SAME TIME, THE FOLLOWING TWO ROAD SECTIONS WILL BE MADE URBAN CLEARWAYS ROUND-THE-CLOCK:
/• WILMER STREET
1ATURDAY, APRIL 22, 1989
12
* WILMER STREET FROM ITS JUNCTION WITH CONNAUGHT ROAD WEST TO
A POINT ABOUT 25 METRES SOUTH OF THE SAME JUNCTION; AND
* THE SOUTHERN KERBSIDE LANE OF CONNAUGHT ROAD WEST FROM ITS
JUNCTION WITH DES VOEUX ROAD WEST TO A POINT ABOUT 180
METRES WEST OF THE SAME JUNCTION.
NO VEHICLES EXCEPT FRANCHISED BUSES WILL BE ALLOWED TO STOP FOR PASSENGERS OR GOODS WITHIN THE RESTRICTED AREAS.
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TEMPORARY LANE CLOSURES IN SHA TIN * * * *
THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCED THAT TO FACILITATE ROAD MAINTENANCE WORK, SECTIONS OF TOLO HIGHWAY AND SHA TIN ROAD IN SHA TIN WILL BE CLOSED FROM MONDAY (APRIL 24).
THE OUTER-MOST LANES OF TOLO HIGHWAY NORTHBOUND AND SOUTHBOUND BETWEEN MA LIU SHUI AND MA LIU SHUI INTERCHANGE WILL CLOSE BETWEEN 8 AM ON MONDAY (APRIL 24) AND 8 PM ON TUESDAY (APRIL 25).
THE FAST LANE OF SHA TIN ROAD NORTHBOUND BETWEEN TSANG TAI UK AND PRINCE OF WALES HOSPITAL WILL CLOSE FROM 11 PM ON TUESDAY (APRIL 25) TO 6 AM ON WEDNESDAY (APRIL 26).
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RE-ROUTEING OF YORK ROAD * * * t
THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCED THAT YORK ROAD IN KOWLOON TONG WILL BE RE-ROUTED FROM TWO-WAY OPERATION TO ONE-WAY EASTBOUND WITH EFFECT FROM 10 AM ON MONDAY (APRIL 24) TO IMPROVE TRAFFIC FLOW.
APPROPRIATE TRAFFIC SIGNS WILL BE ERECTED TO GUIDE MOTORISTS.
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DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE. HONG KONG. TEL: 5-8428777
SUNDaY, APRIL 2?, 1989
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
JOINT UK/HK GOVERNMENT FUNDING SCHEME FOR STUDENTS........... 1
EX-GRATlA PAYMENTS TO LIVESTOCK FaRMERS TO BE SPEEDED UP .... 3
1,720 ARRESTED IN 4,781 PAIDS IN MARCH ...................... 4
hcme-based teaching package for mentally handiQiPPed......... 4
MENTaL patients need family and community support............ 6
training Facilities to be housed under one roof.............. C
VIEWS SOUGHT ON DEEDS OF MUTUAL COVENANT GUIDELINES.......... 7
YUEN LONG CELEBRATES TIN HAU FESTIVAL........................ 9
SPECIAL FERRY SERVICES FOR TIN HAU WORSHIPPERS............... 10
SEMINAR ON LIBERALISATION OF VR CENTRE....................... 11
RESITING OF NETHERSOLE HOSPIT;tL ON DB AGENDA ............... 12
DB COMMITTEE TO DISCUSS EXPENDITURES ........................ 12
COMMITTEE TO DISCUSS hLLOCaTION OF DB FUNDS ................. 15
ROLE OF MAC’S EMPHASISED..................................... 14
MORE STAFF RELATIONS COURSES IN THE PIPELINE................. 14
TEMPORARY URB^JI CLEaRWaY IN TSING FUNG STREET............... 15
TEMPORARY CLOSURE OF SHUN TaI ROAD, CHaI W.uN ............... 15
YOUTHS ENCOURAGED TO JOIN aCAN VOLUNTEER GROUP............... 16
SUNDAY, APRIL 23, 1989
JOINT UK/HK GOVERNMENT FUNDING SCHEME FOR STUDENTS *****
THE EDUCATION AND MANPOWER BRANCH TODAY (SUNDAY) ANNOUNCED THAT FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE UNDER THE JOINT FUNDING SCHEME FOR THE 1989-90 ACADEMIC YEAR WILL BE OPEN TO APPLICATION FROM TOMORROW (MONDAY).
A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN SAID: ’’THE SCHEME IS JOINTLY FINANCED BY THE HONG KONG AND UNITED KINGDOM GOVERNMENTS TO HELP NEEDY HONG KONG STUDENTS MEET THE HIGH TUITION FEES CHARGED ON OVERSEAS STUDENTS IN THE UNITED KINGDOM.
"IT IS OPEN TO HONG KONG STUDENTS PURSUING FULL-TIME FIRST DEGREE OR HIGHER NATIONAL DIPLOMA COURSES AT UNIVERSITIES, POLYTECHNICS AND MAINTAINED COLLEGES IN THE PUBLIC SECTOR LN THE UNITED KINGDOM, SUBJECT TO THEIR HAVING RESIDED CONTINUOUSLY OR BEEN DOMICILED IN HONG KONG FOR AT LEAST SEVEN YEARS IMMEDIATELY PRIOR TO COURSE COMMENCEMENT.
"THE SCHEME IS MEANS-TESTED AND THE MAXIMUM LEVEL OF ASSISTANCE IS THE DIFFERENCE OF TUITION FEES PAYABLE BY AN OVERSEAS STUDENT AND A BRITISH HOME STUDENT STUDYING THE SAME COURSE.
"FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE OFFERED TO SUCCESSFUL APPLICANTS WILL BE IN THE FORM OF GRANTS, BUT IF THE TOTAL REQUIREMENT EXCEEDS THE JOINT CONTRIBUTIONS OF THE TWO GOVERNMENTS, THEN EACH SUCCESSFUL APPLICANT’S SHARE OF GRANT WOULD BE PROPORTIONATELY REDUCED, WITH THE BALANCE MADE UP BY AN INTEREST-FREE LOAN SOLELY FINANCED BY THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT."
FOR THE 1989-90 ACADEMIC YEAR, THE SPOKESMAN SAID, APPLICATION FORMS WILL BE AVAILABLE FROM TOMORROW (MONDAY) AT THE STUDENT FINANCE SECTION, EDUCATION AND MANPOWER BRANCH, GOVERNMENT SECRETARIAT AT QUEENSWAY GOVERNMENT OFFICES, LOW BLOCK, GROUND FLOOR, 66 QUEENSWAY, HONG KONG.
APPLICANTS SHOULD BRING WITH THEM DOCUMENTARY EVIDENCE OF THEIR HAVING BEEN ACCEPTED BY AN INSTITUTION IN THE UNITED KINGDOM FOR ONE OF THE COURSES COVERED BY THE SCHEME (PROOF OF CONDITIONAL OFFER WILL BE ACCEPTABLE).
TELEPHONE ENQUIRIES MAY BE DIRECTED TO 5-8672741.
"STUDENTS ALREADY IN THE UNITED KINGDOM MAY OBTAIN APPLICATION FORMS DIRECT FROM THE REGISTRAR’S OFFICES OF THEIR RESPECTIVE INSTITUTIONS, OR FROM THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT OFFICE AT 6 GRAFTON STREET, LONDON W1X 3LB, ENGLAND (TELEPHONE NUMBER 01-499-9821)," THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
/•’COMPLETED APPLICATION .........
SUNDAY, APRIL 2J, 1989
- 2 -
"COMPLETED APPLICATION FORMS MUST BE RETURNED BY HAND TO THE STUDENT FINANCE SECTION. THE CLOSING DATE FOR APPLICATION FOR ON-COURSE STUDENTS IS JULY 1 AND THAT FOR NEW STUDENTS IS OCTOBER 2 THIS YEAR.
"TO MEET THE DEADLINE, ON-COURSE STUDENTS (THAT IS, THOSE WHO HAVE ALREADY STARTED THEIR FIRST DEGREE OR HIGHER NATIONAL DIPLOMA COURSES IN UK) SHOULD NOT WAIT FOR THE RESULTS OF THEIR ANNUAL EXAMINATIONS, BUT SHOULD APPLY FIRST ON THE STRENGTH OF AN ENDORSEMENT BY THEIR INSTITUTIONS THAT THEY WILL BE PROMOTED TO A HIGHER YEAR OF STUDIES IN 1989-90, SUBJECT TO SATISFACTORY EXAMINATION RESULTS.
"LIKEWISE, NEW STUDENTS INTENDING TO START THEIR COURSES IN 1989-90 SHOULD APPLY ONCE THEY HAVE BEEN OFFERED ADMISSION BY AN INSTITUTION EITHER DIRECTLY OR THROUGH THE UNIVERSITIES CENTRAL COUNCIL ON ADMISSION (UCCA) OK POLYTECHNICS CENTRAL ADMISSIONS SYSTEM (PCAS), EVEN IF IT IS ONLY A CONDITIONAL OFFER."
THE SPOKESMAN SAID APPLICATIONS RECEIVED AFTER THE DEADLINES SPECIFIED ABOVE BUT ON OR BEFORE NOVEMBER 1, 1989 MIGHT BE ACCEPTED BUT WOULD BE PROCESSED FOR THE PURPOSE OF INTEREST-FREE LOANS ONLY.
"THESE WILL BE OFFERED SOLELY BY THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT AND SUBECT TO THE SAME MEANS-TESTING CRITERIA," HE SAID.
"AS THE AMOUNT OF GRANT PAYABLE IN EACH CASE CAN ONLY BE DETERMINED AFTER ALL APPLICATIONS HAVE BEEN RECEIVED AND PROCESSED, IT IS UNLIKELY THAT PAYMENT OF FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE CAN BE MADE BEFORE TERM COMMENCEMENT.
"STUDENTS ARE THEREFORE ADVISED TO EXAMINE DISCREETLY THEIR OWN MEANS BEFORE PROCEEDING TO STUDY IN THE UNITED KINGDOM, AND TO BE PREPARED TO PAY THE FULL TUITION FEES IN THE FIRST INSTANCE WHILE AWAITING THE RESULTS OF THEIR APPLICATIONS.
"AFTER SUBMISSION OF HIS APPLICATION, EACH APPLICANT AND/OR AN ADULT MEMBER OF HIS HOUSEHOLD WHO KNOWS THE FAMILY’S CIRCUMSTANCES (PREFERABLY THE PERSON WHO DECLARES HIS APPLICATION) WILL BE INVITED TO ATTEND AN INTERVIEW AT THE STUDENT FINANCE SECTION, EDUCATION AND MANPOWER BRANCH, GOVERNMENT SECRETARIAT TO CLARIFY THE VARIOUS PARTICULARS REPORTED IN THE APPLICATION."
THE SPOKESMAN STRESSED THAT INCORRECT OR INACCURATE INFORMATION WOULD NOT ONLY LEAD TO REJECTION OF AN APPLICATION BUT MAY ALSO GIVE RISE TO CRIMINAL PROCEEDINGS AGAINST THE DECLARANT.
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/3
SUNDAY, APRIL 23, 1989
- 3 -
EX-GRATIA PAYMENTS TO LIVESTOCK FARMERS TO BE SPEEDED UP » ♦ t * »
LIVESTOCK FARMERS IN THE PRESENT CONTROL AREAS WHO HAVE ALREADY CEASED OPERATION FOR SOME TIME WILL BE ABLE TO RECEIVE THEIR EX-GRATIA ALLOWANCES WITHIN A FEW DAYS AFTER A PROPOSED NEW PROCEDURE FOR PAYMENT IS IMPLEMENTED, ACCORDING TO THE ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION DEPARTMENT.
THE CHAIRMAN OF THE LIVESTOCK WASTE DISPOSAL CONSULTATIVE COMMITTEE, MR LEO KWAN, SAID THE PROPOSAL WOULD BE DISCUSSED AT THE COMING CONSULTATIVE COMMITTEE MEETING ON TUESDAY (APRIL 25).
MR KWAN SAID THE ADMINISTRATION HAD RECENTLY REVIEWED THE PAYMENT PROCEDURE FOR THE EX-GRATIA ALLOWANCES, FOLLOWING COMPLAINTS BY LIVESTOCK FARMERS IN CONTROL AREAS ABOUT DELAYS IN THE PAYMENT OF EX-GRATIA ALLOWANCES TO FARMERS WHO HAD CEASED BUSINESS UNDER THE LIVESTOCK WASTE CONTROL SCHEME.
UNDER THE EXISTING PROCEDURE, LAND STATUS CHECKS ARE CARRIED OUT BEFORE PAYMENTS ARE MADE. OWING TO STAFF CONSTRAINTS, THERE HAVE BEEN DELAYS IN COMPLETING LAND STATUS CHECKS, WHICH IN TURN DELAYS THE PAYMENT OF EX-GRATIA ALLOWANCES.
UNDER THE PROPOSED PROCEDURE, LAND STATUS CHECKS AND PAYMENT OF EX-GRATIA ALLOWANCES WILL BE CARRIED OUT SEPARATELY.
ACCORDING TO AN EPD SPOKESMAN, UPON CESSATION OF BUSINESS, FARMERS CAN BE PAID THE FULL AMOUNT OF EX-GRATIA ALLOWANCES BETWEEN EIGHT TO 11 WEEKS IN THE NORMAL CASE, WITHOUT REGARD TO LAND STATUS AND WITHOUT HAVING TO WAIT FOR LAND STATUS CHECK.
THE NEW PROCEDURE WILL NOT CHANGE THE EXISTING POLICY THAT STRUCTURES ON GOVERNMENT LAND WILL BE DEMOLISHED AFTER EX-GRATIA ALLOWANCES ARE PAID. DEMOLITION WILL BE CARRIED OUT ONCE LAND STATUS CHECKS ARE COMPLETED.
THE SPOKESMAN ADDED THAT THOSE LIVESTOCK FARMERS WHO HAD NOT YET BEEN PAID AN OUTSTANDING 25 PER CENT OF THE EX-GRATIA ALLOWANCES WOULD ALSO BE PAID SOON AFTER THE NEW PROCEDURE WAS ADOPTED.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE CONSULTATIVE COMMITTEE MEETING TO BE HELD ON TUESDAY APRIL 25 IN THE TUEN MUN DISTRICT OFFICE CONFERENCE ROOM, TUEN MUN GOVERNMENT OFFICES BUILDING, 1 TUEN HI ROAD, NEW TERRITORIES.
THE MEETING WILL BEGIN AT 2 PM.
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A....
SUNDAY, APRIL 23, 1989
1,720 ARRESTED IN 4,781 PAIDS IN MARCH
*****
SUSTAINED POLICE ACTION AGAINST DRUGS, ILLEGAL GAMBLING AND VICE ACTIVITIES LED TO THE ARREST OF 1.720 PEOPLE IN 4,781 RAIDS THROUGHOUT THE TERRITORY LAST MONTH.
A POLICE SPOKESMAN SAID TODAY (SUNDAY) THAT DURING THE MONTH, 259 PEOPLE WERE ARRESTED IN 971 RAIDS ON HONG KONG ISLAND, 1,093 PEOPLE WERE ARRESTED IN 3,461 RAIDS IN KOWLOON, AND 342 PEOPLE WERE ARRESTED IN 311 RAIDS IN THE NEW TERRITORIES.
IN ADDITION, NARCOTICS BUREAU OFFICERS ALSO CARRIED OUT 38 OPERATIONS AND ARRESTED 26 PEOPLE.
IN THEIR ONGOING ENFORCEMENT ACTION AGAINST DRUG TRAFFICKING, POLICE ARRESTED 840 PEOPLE IN 1,104 RAIDS LAST .MONTH. THE DRUGS SEIZED INCLUDED 11.64 KILOGRAMS OF NO. 3 HEROIN, 2GRAMS OF NO. 4 HEROIN, 1 KILOGRAM OF OPIUM AND 60 GRAMS OF CANNABI*.
ON THE ANTI-GAMBLING FRONT, POLICE ARRESTED 741 PEOPLE IN 139 RAIDS, SEIZING TABLE MONEY AMOUNTING TO $194,000 AND BETTING SLIPS WORTH ABOUT $1.4 MILLION.
POLICE ALSO CARRIED OUT 3,538 OPERATIONS AGAINST VICE ESTABLISHMENTS IN MARCH, RESULTING IN THE ARREST OF 139 PEOPLE AND THE SEIZURE OF 234 OBJECTIONABLE MAGAZINES AND 196 PORNOGRAPHIC VIDEO TAPES.
-------O---------
HOME-BASED TEACHING PACKAGE FOR MENTALLY HANDICAPPED
*****
A TEACHING KIT ON HOME-BASED TRAINING FOR PERSONS WITH MENTAL HANDICAP HAS BEEN PRODUCED BY THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT, JOINTLY WITH ACADEMICS AND EXPERTS FROM THE VOLUNTARY WELFARE SECTOR.
THE HOME-BASED TEACHING PACKAGE (HBTP) IS THE FIRST EVER PRODUCED FOR THE TRAINING OF MENTALLY HANDICAPPED PERSONS IN THE TERRITORY.
IT HAS BEEN DESIGNED TO FILL A TEMPORARY TRAINING NEED CAUSED BY A SHORTFALL IN POST-SCHOOL PLACEMENTS AND IS LARGELY AIMED AT PEOPLE WITH MODERATE MENTAL HANDICAP.
THERE ARE AT PRESENT THREE HOME-BASED TEAMS, EACH SERVING 80 CLIENTS, OPERATED BY VOLUNTARY AGENCIES.
THE DIRECTOR OF SOCIAL WELFARE, MRS ELIZABETH WONG, DESCRIBED THE HBTP AS THE FIRST STEP TOWARDS BETTER COMMUNITY SUPPORT.
/SHE SAID
SUNDAY, APRIL 2J, 1989
- 5 -
SHE SAID IN THE FOREWORD OF THE TEACHING KIT: "GIVEN APPROPRIATE TRAINING, PATIENCE AND TIME, MENTALLY HANDICAPPED PERSONS CAN BE ASSISTED TO DEVELOP THEIR POTENTIAL TO THE FULLEST EXTENT TO ENABLE THEM TO LIVE AS INDEPENDENTLY AS THEIR DISABILITIES PERMIT.
"WITH ADEQUATE ENCOURAGEMENT AND RECOGNITION FROM PEOPLE IN THE COMMUNITY, PERSONS WITH MENTAL HANDICAP MAY HAVE THE CHANCE TO EMERGE FROM THE PROTECTED ENVIRONMENT AND LIVE AS NORMAL PERSONS IN A SOCIETY THAT ACCEPTS THEM AS THEY ARE AND TO SHARE WITH ALL OF US A MEANINGFUL AND ENJOYABLE LIFE."
MRS WONG SAID THE HBTP WOULD NOT ONLY ASSIST TRAINED AND NON-TRAINED PERSONNEL TO PLAN AND PROVIDE EFFECTIVE INDIVIDUAL TRAINING PROGRAMMES AND RELATED ASSESSMENTS, BUT WOULD ALSO HELP TO INVOLVE PARENTS AND FAMILY MEMBERS IN SUCH TRAINING PROGRAMMES AND ASSESSMENTS SO THAT WHATEVER IMPROVEMENT ACHIEVED BY THE TRAINEES COULD BE SHARED BY ALL CONCERNED, TEACHERS AND FAMILY MEMBERS ALIKE.
MEANWHILE, THE CHAIRMAN OF THE WORKING GROUP ON HOME-BASED TRAINING PROGRAMME, MISS ESTHER HO, SAID THE HBTP WAS ONE OF THE INTERIM SERVICES AVAILABLE TO THOSE PERSONS WITH MENTAL HANDICAP AWAITING PLACEMENTS FOR DAY ACTIVITY CENTRES AND SHELTERED WORKSHOPS.
IT WAS ENDORSED BY THE REHABILITATION DEVELOPMENT CO-ORDINATING COMMITTEE LAST YEAR.
THE FIVE-PART TEACHING PACKAGE IS WRITTEN IN SIMPLE TERMS FOR THE INTEREST OF HOME-BASED TEAM STAFF, AND PARENTS AND FAMILY MEMBERS OF THE MENTALLY HANDICAPPED.
IT COMPRISES A MANUAL ON HOW TO DESIGN TRAINING PROGRAMMES ACCORDING TO INDIVIDUAL NEEDS, TRAINING TECHNIQUE, DOMESTIC AND COMMUNITY LIVING SKILLS, SOCIAL/INTERPERSONAL AND RECREATIONAL SKILLS, GUIDELINES FOR WORKING WITH PARENTS AND FAMILY MEMBERS, BEHAVIOUR MANAGEMENT AND EVALUATION.
MISS HO HOPED THAT THIS COMPREHENSIVE PACKAGE WOULD SERVE AS USEFUL GUIDELINES AND ENABLE THE STAFF OF THE HOME-BASED TEAMS TO CARRY OUT EFFECTIVE TRAINING PROGRAMMES FOR THE BENEFIT OF PERSONS WITH MENTAL HANDICAP.
COPIES OF THE HBTP ARE BEING DISTRIBUTED TO RELATED STAFF IN THE GOVERNMENT AND VOLUNTARY AGENCIES. INTRODUCTORY WORKSHOPS WILL BE ORGANISED FOR HOME-BASED TEAM STAFF LATER THIS MONTH.
SUNDAY, APRIL 23, 1989
- 6 -
MENTAL PATIENTS NEED FAMILY AND COMMUNITY SUPPORT
*****
THE CONCERN AND SUPPORT FROM FAMILY AND THE COMMUNITY IS VITAL TO THE REHABILITATION OF MENTAL PATIENTS, THE DEPUTY DIRECTOR OF SOCIAL WELFARE, MR STEPHEN LAW, SAID TODAY (SUNDAY).
HE WAS SPEAKING AT THE OPENING CEREMONY OF THE SHAM SHUI PO DISTRICT MENTAL HEALTH EDUCATION CARNIVAL AT THE MAPLE STREET PLAYGROUND.
MR LAW POINTED OUT THAT IT WAS NOT UNCOMMON FOR PEOPLE TO BE FACING STRESS, EMOTIONAL PROBLEMS, OR EVEN TO BECOME MENTALLY UNBALANCED.
HE SAID MENTAL ILLNESS WAS CURABLE. HOWEVER, APART FROM MEDICAL TREATMENT, MENTAL PATIENTS ALSO REQUIRED THE CONCERN AND ASSISTANCE FROM MEMBERS OF THE FAMILY AND THE COMMUNITY.
MR LAW URGED MEMBERS OF THE COMMUNITY TO SHOW SYMPATHY AND ACCEPT MENTAL PATIENTS, SO THAT THEY COULD BE INTEGRATED INTO THE COMMUNITY.
HE ALSO REMINDED RESIDENTS THAT IN ORDER TO MAINTAIN SOUND MENTAL HEALTH, THEY MUST SEEK TO REDUCE STRESS.
FINALLY, MR LAW COMMENDED THE SHAM SHUI PO DISTRICT COMMITTEE ON PUBLICITY EDUCATION ON MENTAL HEALTH FOR ITS EFFORTS IN PROMOTING MENTAL HEALTH EDUCATION.
-------0----------
TRAINING FACILITIES TO BE HOUSED UNDER ONE ROOF
*****
WITH THE COMPLETION OF A 19-STOREY BUILDING NEXT YEAR, THE HEADQUARTERS OF THE VOCATIONAL TRAINING COUNCIL AND ITS TRAINING FACILITIES NOW ACCOMMODATED IN RENTED PREMISES WILL BE HOUSED UNDER ONE ROOF.
THE $138 MILLION VOCATIONAL TRAINING COUNCIL TOWER NOW UNDER CONSTRUCTION WOULD BECOME A LANDMARK IN THE CENTRE OF WAN CHAI, A VTC SPOKESMAN SAID.
IT WILL HAVE A FLOOR AREA OF 15,000 SQUARE METRES, OF WHICH 10,000 SQUARE METRES WILL BE FOR OFFICE ACCOMMODATION.
/’’THE LOWER..........
SUNDAY, APRIL 2J, 1989
"THE LOWER SEVEN FLOORS OF THE BUILDING WILL BECOME PART OF THE MORRISON HILL TECHNICAL INSTITUTE, OFFERING MUCH IMPROVED TEACHING FACILITIES AND STUDENT AMENITIES TO THE INSTITUTE.
"THE REMAINING UPPER FLOORS WILL HOUSE THE COUNCIL’S HEADQUARTERS, THE BANKING TRAINING CENTRE, THE ELECTRONIC DATA PROCESSING TRAINING CENTRE, THE INSURANCE TRAINING CENTRE, THE MANAGEMENT DEVELOPMENT CENTRE OF HONG KONG AND A NEW WHOLESALE/RETAIL, IMPORT/EXPORT TRAINING CENTRE," THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
A FOUNDATION STONE LAYING CEREMONY WILL BE HELD ON TUESDAY (APRIL 25) TO MARK THE CONSTRUCTION OF THE BUILDING. THE SECRETARY FOR EDUCATION AND MANPOWER, MR RON BRIDGE, AND THE CHAIRMAN OF THE VTC, MR STEPHEN CHEONG, WILL OFFICIATE AT THE CEREMONY.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE FOUNDATION STONE LAYING CEREMONY OF THE VTC TOWER AT 25-27 WOOD ROAD, WAN CHAI WHICH WILL BEGIN AT 11.30 AM ON TUESDAY (APRIL 25). PLEASE USE THE ENTRANCE OF THE MORRISON HILL TECHNICAL INSTITUTE AT 6 01 KWAN ROAD, WAN CHAI.
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VIEWS SOUGHT ON DEEDS OF MUTUAL COVENANT GUIDELINES * * t » t
A CONSULTATIVE PAPER HAS BEEN PUBLISHED TO SOLICIT PUBLIC VIEWS ON PROPOSALS TO REMEDY "UNFAIR" PROVISIONS IN DEEDS OF MUTUAL COVENANT (DMC’S) OF PRIVATE RESIDENTIAL BUILDINGS ENTERED INTO BEFORE DECEMBER 1987.
COPIES IN BOTH ENGLISH AND CHINESE ARE FREELY AVAILABLE AT ALL DISTRICT OFFICES.
THE CONSULTATION PERIOD HAS BEEN EXTENDED TO MAY 31.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE CITY AND NEW TERRITORIES ADMINISTRATION SAID TODAY (SUNDAY) THAT THE PROPOSALS WERE MADE FOLLOWING DETAILED DELIBERATIONS BY A GOVERNMENT WORKING GROUP IN APRIL 1987 TO EXAMINE WAYS TO RECTIFY DEFICIENCIES IN DMC’S.
THE GROUP FOUND THAT CERTAIN EXISTING DMC’S CONTAINED PROVISIONS UNFAIR TO SMALL FLAT OWNERS AND RECOMMENDED THAT OWNERS CURRENTLY BOUND BY THESE PROVISIONS SHOULD BE GRANTED RELIEF, HE ADDED.
/HE EXPLAINED........
SUNDAY, APRIL 23, 1989
8
HE EXPLAINED THAT A DMC IS PREPARED BY SOLICITORS APPOINTED BY THE DEVELOPER AND ENTERED INTO BETWEEN THE DEVELOPER AND THE FIRST PURCHASER.
ASSIGNMENT OF THE UNITS IN THE DEVELOPMENT TO SUBSEQUENT PURCHASERS ARE SUBJECT TO THE BENEFIT AND BURDEN OF THE DMC. FOR THIS REASON, THE PURCHASER HAS NO REAL FREEDOM TO NEGOTIATE THE TERMS OF THE DEED.
"THIS SITUATION CAN BE OPEN TO ABUSE BY SOME DEVELOPERS WISHING TO TAKE ADVANTAGE 01’ THIS OPPORTUNITY TO HAVE PROVISIONS OF THE DEED UNFAIRLY FAVOURING THEM AT THE EXPENSE OF THE PURCHASERS," THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
THE SERIOUSNESS OF THE SITUATION HAD LED TO THE INTRODUCTION ON DECEMBER 1, 1987 OF SPECIFIC GUIDELINES FOR THE DRAFTING OF NEW DMC’S.
THE GUIDELINES WERE DRAWN UP BY THE REGISTRAR GENERAL’S DEPARTMENT IN CONJUNCTION WITH THE LAW SOCIETY AND THE CITY AND NEW TERRITORIES ADMINISTRATION. ’i
THESE WERE AIMED AT STRIKING A FAIR BALANCE BETWEEN THE RIGHTS OF DEVELOPERS AND THOSE OF THE PURCHASERS.
AS FROM DECEMBER 1, 1987. SOLICITORS HAVE HAD TO FOLLOW THE GUIDELINES IN DRAWING UP NEW DMC’S.
AS FOR DMC’S ENTERED INTO BEFORE THAT DATE, THE WORKING GROUP HAS SUGGESTED THAT OWNERS OF ALL RESIDENTIAL FLATS CURRENTLY BOUND BY UNFAIR AND OPPRESSIVE CLAUSES BE GRANTED RELIEF THROUGH THE INTRODUCTION OF LEGISLATION CONTAINING A CODE OF FAIR CLAUSES MODELLED ON THE EXISTING GUIDELINES.
THE PROPOSED CODE PROVIDES FOR, AMONG OTHER THINGS, A PROCEDURE FOR THE TERMINATION OF A MANAGER’S SERVICE AFTER TWO YEARS FROM THE COMING INTO FORCE OF THE ENABLING LEGISLATION, A FAIR WAY OF SHARING MANAGEMENT EXPENSES, THE KEEPING OF FINANCIAL ACCOUNTS AND PREPARATION OF ANNUAL BUDGETS BY THE MANAGER, A DETAILED INTERPRETATION AS WELL AS THE USE OF COMMON PARTS.
"THE LEGISLATION WOULD PROVIDE THAT TO THE EXTENT THAT EXISTING DMC PROVISIONS CONTRAVENE THE CODE, THEY WILL BE SUPERSEDED, AND THAT(TO THE EXTENT THAT THEY OMIT OBLIGATIONS SPELT OUT IN THE CODE, THEY ARE TO BE SUPPLEMENTED ACCORDINGLY," THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
"THE WORKING GROUP DOES NOT CONSIDER THAT THIS WOULD CONSTITUTE AN UNJUSTIFIABLE INTERFERENCE WITH PRIVATE CONTRACTUAL RIGHTS BECAUSE OF THE ABSENCE OF ANY REAL FREEDOM TO NEGOTIATE THE TERMS OF THE DMC’S IN THE FIRST INSTANCE," HE SAID.
FOR THE SAME REASON, THE WORKING GROUP DOES NOT CONSIDER THAT THIS PROPOSED RELIEF WOULD GIVE RISE TO ANY JUSTIFIABLE CLAIMS FOR COMPENSATION, HE ADDED.
/THE WORKING........
SUNDAY, APRIL 2J, 1989
- 9 -
THE WORKING GROUP CONSIDERS THAT A MAJOR DEFICIENCY IN SOME EXISTING DMC’S IS THAT DEVELOPERS OFTEN RESERVE EXCESSIVE RIGHTS FOR THEMSELVES. THESE INCLUDE THE RIGHT TO USE COMMON AREAS AND THE POWER TO APPOINT MANAGERS OF THE BUILDING.
OTHER MAJOR DEFICIENCIES INCLUDE UNFAIR RECOVERY OF EXPENSES AND MANAGERS BEING GIVEN OVERWHELMING POWERS.
THE CONSULTATIVE PAPER GIVES THE BACKGROUND TO THE ISSUE AND DETAILS OF THE PROPOSALS.
THE VIEWS OF THE NEWLY FORMED ADVISORY COMMITTEE ON PRIVATE BUILDING MANAGEMENT. DISTRICT BOARDS AND OTHER INTERESTED BODIES SUCH AS THE LEGAL PROFESSIONS, PROFESSIONAL BUILDING MANAGEMENT INSTITUTES, THE REAL ESTATE DEVELOPERS’ ASSOCIATIONS ARE BEING SOUGHT.
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YUEN LONG CELEBRATES TIN HAU FESTIVAL
*****
COLOURFUL CELEBRATIONS, HIGHLIGHTED BY A GRAND PROCESSION, WILL BE HELD IN YUEN LONG ON FRIDAY (APRIL 28) TO MARK THE TIN HAU SEA GODDESS FESTIVAL.
THE ANNUAL PROCESSION, FIRST HELD IN 1963, IS ORGANISED BY THE SHAP PAT HEUNG RURAL COMMITTEE AND ABOUT 3,000 PEOPLE FROM 16 LOCAL ORGANISATIONS WILL TAKE PART.
THE PROCESSION WILL COMPRISE DRAGONS, LIONS, UNICORNS, FLOATS, CHIU CHOW GONGS AND DRUMS, AND CHINESE FOLK DANCES. A NEW ADDITION TO THIS YEAR’S PARADE IS A TRADITIONAL CHINESE PAPERCRAFT IN THE SHAPE OF A FISH HEAD.
THE PROCESSION WILL SET OFF FROM THE OLD BUS TERMINUS AT FUNG KAM STREET IN YUEN LONG TOWN EAST AT 10.30 AM. IT WILL WIND ALONG HOP YICK, TAI TONG, KAU YUK AND TAI YUK ROADS BEFORE ARRIVING AT THE YUEN LONG STADIUM FOR A FINALE.
THE REGIONAL SECRETARY FOR THE NEW TERRITORIES, MR ADOLF HSU, WILL BE THE GUEST OF HONOUR TO OFFICIATE AT THE FINAL CELEBRATIONS TO BE HELD IN THE YUEN LONG STADIUM AT 11 AM.
THE CEREMONIES AND PERFORMANCES IN THE STADIUM WILL BE COMPLETED BEFORE 1 PM.
IN CONNECTION WITH THE FESTIVAL, A TRADITIONAL "FA PAU” LOTTERY WILL BE HELD OUTSIDE THE TIN HAU TEMPLE AT TAI SHU HA, SHAP PAK HEUNG, AT 2.30 PM.
/THE YUEH
SUNDAY, APRIL 2J, 1989
10
THE YUEN LONG DISTRICT OFFICER, MR ROBIN IP, WILL PERFORM A PRESS-BUTTON CEREMONY TO IGNITE A "MINI-FIREWORKS" DISPLAY BY THE QUEEN’S GURHKA ENGINEERS.
THE FESTIVAL HAS SPECIAL SIGNIFICANCE TO BOAT PEOPLE WHO PRAY TO THE SEA GODDESS FOR FAIR WEATHER AND GOOD TIDINGS ALL YEAR ROUND.
IT IS ONE OF THE MOST IMPORTANT RELIGIOUS FESTIVALS FOR YUEN LONG PEOPLE, DATING BACK TO THE 17TH CENTURY WHEN THE DISTRICT WAS A COASTAL FISHING VILLAGE.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE TIN HAU FESTIVAL PROCESSION WHICH BEGINS AT 10.30 AM IN YUEN LONG ON FRIDAY {APRIL 28).
PRESS BADGES FOR THE EVENT ARE AVAILABLE FOR COLLECTION FROM THE NEWS AND PUBLICITY DIVISION OF THE CNTA HEADQUARTERS, 12TH FLOOR, WORLD SHIPPING CENTRE, 7 CANTON ROAD, HARBOUR CITY, TS1M SHA TSUI.
PLEASE NOTE THAT EACH ORGANISATION IS ENTITLED TO ONLY ONE BADGE.
TWO GOVERNMENT VANS WILL LEAVE KOWLOON PUBLIC PIER AT 9 AM ON FRIDAY TO TAKE PRESS MEMBERS TO YUEN LONG. SEATS WILL BE ALLOCATED ON A FIRST COME, FIRST SERVE BASIS.
---0------
SPECIAL FERRY SERVICES FOR TIN HAU WORSHIPPERS ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦
MORE THAN 60,000 WORSHIPPERS AND SIGHTSEERS ARE EXPECTED TO FLOCK TO THE TIN HAU TEMPLE AT JOSS HOUSE BAY, SAI KUNG, ON THURSDAY AND FRIDAY (APRIL 27 AND 28) TO CELEBRATE THE ANNUAL TIN HAU (SEA GODDESS) FESTIVAL.
IN VIEW OF THE ANTICIPATED LARGE CROWD, A SAI KUNG DISTRICT OFFICE SPOKESMAN URGED WORSHIPPERS TO MAKE GOOD USE OF SEA TRANSPORT.
HE SAID THE PARKING SPACES OUTSIDE THE CLEAR WATER BAY GOLF AND COUNTRY CLUB WILL BE RESERVED FOR GOVERNMENT VEHICLES. WORSHIPPERS SHOULD MAKE USE OF FERRY SERVICES TO GO TO THE TIN HAU TEMPLE.
THE HONGKONG AND YAUMAT1 FERRY COMPANY WILL ARRANGE SPECIAL SERVICES BETWEEN NORTH POINT FERRY PIER AND JOSS HOUSE BAY.
THE FIRST FERRY WILL LEAVE NORTH POINT AT 10.30 AM ON THURSDAY (APRIL 27) AND THE LAST FERRY FROM JOSS HOUSE BAY WILL LEAVE AT 4 PM ON FRIDAY (APRIL 28). THE FREQUENCY OF THE SERVICES WILL RANGE FROM 45 MINUTES TO ONE-AND-A-HALF HOURS.
THE SPOKESMAN REMINDED WORSHIPPERS THAT THEY SHOULD TAKE SPECIAL CARE TO REDUCE FIRE RISKS.
/THE BURNING
SUNDAY, APRIL 2?, 1989
11
THE BURNING OF PAPER OFFERINGS AND BRINGING MORE THAN THREE BURNING JOSS STICKS INTO THE TEMPLE WILL BE PROHIBITED. HOWEVER, SUFFICIENT INCINERATORS WILL BE PROVIDED OUTSIDE THE TEMPLE TO HOLD BURNING PAPER AND JOSS STICKS.
THE REGIONAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT WILL ARRANGE FOR GRASS-CUTTING IN THE AREA TO MINIMISE FIRE RISKS NEAR THE FERRY PIER AND THE ROUTES TO THE TEMPLE.
THE DEPARTMENT WILL ALSO PROVIDE LITTER BINS FOR THE COLLECTION OF REFUSE AND INCENSE ASH AT APPROPRIATE LOCATIONS. TEMPORARY LATRINES WILL ALSO BE SET UP.
ADEQUATE POLICE AND MEDICAL FACILITIES WILL BE AVAILABLE AT THE SCENE. SUPPLEMENTARY AMBULANCE SERVICES WILL BE ARRANGED BY THE SAI KUNG FIRE STATION.
THE PUBLIC ARE ALSO ADVISED NOT TO USE LOUDHAILERS OR BROADCAST TAPES WITHIN THE TEMPLE AREA.
SEMINAR ON LIBERALISATION OF VR CENTRE ♦ t * ♦ t
A SEMINAR WILL BE HELD ON WEDNESDAY (APRIL 26) ON THE LIBERALISATION OF THE SHAM SHUI PO VIETNAMESE REFUGEES CLOSED CENTRE.
THE EVENT, BEGINNING AT 8 PM HALL, WILL PROVIDE AN OPPORTUNITY EXPRESS THEIR VIEWS ON THE SUBJECT.
AT THE SHEK KIP MEI COMMUNITY FOR SHAM SHUI PO RESIDENTS TO
ATTENDING THE SEMINAR WILL
BE
MEMBERS OF A WORKING GROUP ON THE ISSUE FROM THE SECURITY BRANCH. CORRECTIONAL
THREE LOCAL AS WELL AS
DISTRICT BOARD
REPRESENTATIVES
SERVICES
UNITED NATIONS HIGH COMMISSIONER FOR REFUGEES AGENCIES PROVIDING SERVICES AT THE CENTRE.
DEPARTMENT, POLICE, AND THREE VOLUNTARY
LETTERS HAVE BEEN SENT TO ALL OWNERS CORPORATIONS, MUTUAL COMMITTEES. VOLUNTARY XGENCIES AND RESIDENTS’ ASSOCIATIONS DISTRICT. INVITING THEM TO PARTI Cl PAT I’ IN THE SEMINAR.
IN
AID
THE
THIS IS THE SECOND SEMINAR ON THE SUBJECT WORKING GROUP. THE FIRST ONE WAS HELD IN FEBRUARY.
ORGANISED BY THE
NOTE TO EDITORS:
MEDIA REPRESENTATIVES ARE INVITED TO COVER THE WILL BEGIN AT 8 PM ON WEDNESDAY (APRIL 26) AT THE COMMUNITY HALL, BLOCK 12, SHEK KIP MEI ESTATE.
SEMINAR WHICH SHEK KIP MEI
- - 0 - -
/12.......
SUNDAY, APRIL 23, 1989
- 12 -
RESITING OF NETHERSOLE HOSPITAL ON DB AGENDA »»»*»»
MEMBERS OF THE TAI PO DISTRICT BOARD WILL BE BRIEFED ON THE PROGRESS OF RESITING NETHERSOLE HOSPITAL TO THE DISTRICT AT THEIR MEETING ON TUESDAY (APRIL 25).
CONDUCTING THE BRIEFING WILL BE THE CHAIRMAN OF THE NETHERSOLE HOSPITAL PLANNING COMMITTEE, MR J.H. BAMFORTH; THE MEDICAL SUPERINTENDENT OF THE HOSPITAL, DR RAYMOND CHEN CHUNG-I; AND THE PRINCIPAL MEDICAL OFFICER (NEW TERRITORIES EAST) OF THE HOSPITAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT, DR LEUNG N1M-NO.
MEMBERS WILL ALSO CONSIDER THE DEVELOPMENT OF A TEMPORARY HOUSING AREA NEAR WANG FUK COURT OF KWONG FUK ESTATE FOR ACCOMMODATING RESIDENTS AFFECTED BY CLEARANCES.
IN ADDITION, THE COMMISSIONER FOR ADMINISTRATIVE COMPLAINTS, MR ARTHUR GARCIA, WILL EXPLAIN THE WORK OF HIS OFFICE.
OTHER ITEMS ON THE AGENDA INCLUDE THE PROVISIONAL ALLOCATION OF DISTRICT BOARD FUNDS FOR THE IMPLEMENTATION OF COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT AND MINOR ENVIRONMENTAL IMPROVEMENT PROJECTS IN THE CURRENT FISCAL YEAR, AND THE WORK PLAN OF THE INDEPENDENT COMMISSION AGAINST CORRUPTION’S NEW TERRITORIES EAST REGIONAL OFFICE FOR 1989-90.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE TAI PO DISTRICT BOARD MEETING TO BE HELD ON TUESDAY (APRIL 25 I IN THE CONFERENCE ROOM OF THE DB SECRETARIAT ON THE THIRD FLOOR OF TAI PO COMMERCIAL CENTRE, 152 KWONG FUK ROAD.
THE MEETING WILL BEGIN AT 9.30 AM.
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DB COMMITTEE TO DISCUSS EXPENDITURES » * t » t
THE WONG TAI SIN DISTRICT BOARD’S FINANCE AND GENERAL AFFAIRS COMMITTEE WILL DISCUSS THE ESTIMATES OF EXPENDITURE FOR 1989-90 AT ITS MEETING ON TUESDAY (APRIL 25).
THE GOVERNMENT HAS ALLOCATED S3. 13 MILLION TO THE WONG TAI SIN DISTRICT BOARD FOR IMPLEMENTING COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT AND MINOR ENVIRONMENTAL IMPROVEMENT PROJECTS IN 1989-90.
THE FINANCE AND GENERAL AFFAIRS COMMITTEE WILL APPORTION THE FUNDS AMONG THE SIX COMMITTEES OF THE DISTRICT BOARD.
AHL COMMITTEE.........
SUNDAY, APRIL 23, 1989
13
THE COMMITTEE WILL ALSO DISCUSS THE PROPOSED ALLOCATION OF DISTRICT BOARD FUNDS TO AREA COMMITTEES IN 1989-90 AND THE REVISED GUIDELINES ON THE USE OF DISTRICT BOARD FUNDS FOR ORGANISING COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT PROJECTS.
OTHER ITEMS ON THE AGENDA INCLUDE STATEMENTS OF EXPENDITURE OF THE COMMITTEE AND SEVERAL APPLICATIONS FOR DISTRICT BOARD FUNDS.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
MEDIA REPRESENTATIVES ARE INVITED TO COVER THE MEETING OF THE WONG TAI SIN DISTRICT BOARD’S FINANCE AND GENERAL AFFAIRS COMMITTEE, WHICH WILL BEGIN AT 2.30 PM ON TUESDAY (APRIL 25) IN THE CONFERENCE ROOM OF WONG TAI SIN DISTRICT OFFICE. FOURTH FLOOR, SAN PO KONG GOVERNMENT OFFICES BUILDING, KING FUK STREET.
- - 0 - -
COMMITTEE TO DISCUSS ALLOCATION OF DB FUNDS
*****
MEMBERS OE THE SOUTHERN DISTRICT BOARD’S SOCIAL SERVICES COMMITTEE WILL MEET TOMORROW (MONDAY) TO CONSIDER THE PROPOSED BUDGET OF FUNDS ALLOCATED BY THE BOARD.
FOR THE FINANCIAL YEAR 1989-90, A TOTAL OF $100,000 DB FUNDS IS ALLOCATED TO THE COMMITTEE, REPRESENTING A 33 PER CENT INCREASE OVER LAST YEAR.
IT IS PROPOSED THAT PART OF THE SUM BE SET ASIDE FOR LOCAL ORGANISATIONS TO ORGANISE SOCIAL SERVICES PROJECTS AND THE REMAINDER BE USED FOR THE IMPLEMENTATION OF PROJECTS FOR YOUTHS, ELDERLY PEOPLE AND FACTORY WORKERS, AS WELL AS A SOCIAL SERVICES AWARD SCHEME.
IN ADDITION, THE MEETING WILL CONSIDER A NUMBER OF APPLICATIONS FOR GRANTS FROM LOCAL BODIES FOR PROVIDING SOCIAL SERVICES FOR THE MENTALLY RETARDED CHILDREN AND FACTORY WORKERS.
OTHER DISCUSSION ITEMS INCLUDE A PAPER ON THE SOCIAL SERVICES ISSUES RAISED AT A RECENT "SOUTHERN DISTRICT BOARD MEETS AREA COMMITTEES" SEMINAR AND A REPORT OF A SURVEY ON LEISURE ACTIVITIES OF YOUTHS IN EASTERN DISTRICT.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO SEND REPRESENTATIVES TO COVER THE MEETING OF THE SOUTHERN DISTRICT BOARD’S SOCIAL SERVICES COMMITTEE TO BE HELD TOMORROW (MONDAY) AT THE DB CONFERENCE ROOM, SECOND FLOOR, MEI FUNG COURT, ABERDEEN CENTRE, NAM NING STREET, ABERDEEN. THE MEETING WILL START AT 2.30 PM.
PLEASE NOTE THAT THE DISCUSSIONS ON APPLICATIONS FOR DB FUNDS FROM LOCAL BODIES AT THE LATTER HALF OF THE MEETING, ARE NOT OPEN TO THE PUBLIC.
- O - -
/14
SUNDAY, APRIL 23, 1989
ROLE OF MAC’S EMPHASISED ******
THE DISTRICT OFFICE ATTACHES GREAT IMPORTANCE TO THE ROLE OF MUTUAL AID COMMITTEES (MAC’S) WHICH SERVE AS A VITAL LINK BETWEEN THE OFFICE AND RESIDENTS, THE ACTING NORTH DISTRICT OFFICER, MR TIM MILNES, SAID TODAY (SUNDAY).
MR MILNES WAS SPEAKING AT THE OPENING CEREMONY OF THE TIN CHEUNG HOUSE MAC OFFICE PREMISES IN TING PING ESATE, SHEUNG SHUI.
“APART FROM FOSTERING A SENSE OF NEIGHBOURLINESS, MAC’S HAVE DONE WELL IN IMPROVING THE SECURITY, CLEANLINESS AND MAINTENANCE OF THEIR BUIDLINGS.
“THEY ARE ALSO INSTRUMENTAL IN DISSEMINATING INFORMATION OF PUBLIC INTEREST TO RESIDENTS AND ARE AN IMPORTANT CHANNEL FOR TAPPING PUBLIC VIEWS NOT ONLY ON LOCAL ISSUES BUT ALSO ON GOVERNMENT POLICIES,” HE SAID.
MR MILNES ADDED THAT THE DISTRICT OFFICE WOULD CONTINUE TO ASSIST IN THE FORMATION OF NEW MAC’S IN TIN PING ESTATE PHASE II AND TAI PING ESTATE IN SHEUNG SHUI, AND IN WAH MING ESTATE, FANLING.
- - 0 - -
MORE STAFF RELATIONS COURSES IN THE PIPELINE
*****
THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT WILL OFFER MORE COURSES ON STAFF RELATIONS MANAGEMENT IN THE NEXT FEW MONTHS AS PART OF ITS CONTINUOUS EFFORT TO PROMOTE HARMONIOUS LABOUR-MANAGEMENT RELATIONS.
THE COURSES ARE INTENDED FOR JUNIOR AND MIDDLE-LEVEL SUPERVISORS AND MANAGERS, PERSONNEL OFFICERS, OFFICERS OF TRADE UNIONS AND EMPLOYERS ASSOCIATIONS, AND EMPLOYERS OF SMALL AND MEDIUM ENTERPRISES.
SIMILAR COURSES WERE ORGANISED FOR MORE THAN 200 SUPERVISORS AND MANAGERS LAST YEAR, AND THOSE SCHEDULED UNTIL MAY THIS YEAR HAVE ALSO BEEN FULLY ENROLLED.
”IN VIEW OF THE OVERWHELMING RESPONSE, WE HAVE DECIDED TO OPEN FIVE MORE CLASSES BETWEEN JUNE AND AUGUST,” A DEPARTMENT SPOKESMAN SAID TODAY (SUNDAY).
"THE COURSES WILL FOCUS ON PERSONNEL MANAGEMENT AND HUMAN RELATIONS KNOWLEDGE RELATING TO THE ROLE OF SUPERVISORS.
"TOPICS TO BE COVERED INCLUDE INTERPERSONAL COMMUNICATION, LEADERSHIP TRAINING, MOTIVATION AND MORALE, DISCIPLINE AND CONFLICT MANAGEMENT, GRIEVANCE AND COMPLAINT HANDLING AND CASE STUDY.”
THE THREE-DAY COURSES WILL BE CONDUCTED IN CANTONESE, AND CERTIFICATES WILL BE AWARDED TO THE PARTICIPANTS ON COMPLETION OF THE COURSE.
/APPLICATIONS WILL
SUNDAY, APRIL 2J, 1989
15
APILI ( A I 1ONS WILL BE ACCEPTED ON A FIRST COME. FIRST SFRVFn " IS AND AN ENROLMENT FEE OF $140 WILL BE CHARGED FOR EACH COURSE.
ENROLMENT LEAFLETS ARE OBTAINABLE FROM
PROMOTION UNIT, 12TH FLOOR, HARBOUR BUILDING, 38 HONG KONG.
THE LABOUR PIER ROAD,
RELATIONS CENTRAL,
ENQUIRIES CAN BE MADE ON 5-8523511.
0
TEMPORARY URBAN CLEARWAY IN TSI NG FUNG STREET ♦ t * t *
THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCED THAT FROM 10 AM ON TUESDAY (APRIL 25). THE NORTHERN KERBSIDE LANE OF TSING FUNG STREET IN NORTH POINT FROM ITS JUNCTION WITH ELECTRIC ROAD TO A POINT ABOUT 50 METRES EAST OF THE SAME JUNCTION WILL BE DESIGNATED A 7 AM TO 7 PM DAILY URBAN CLEARWAY.
THIS MEASURE WILL LAST FOR ABOUT THREE WEEKS FOR ROAD RECONSTRUCTION WORKS.
NO VEHICLES EXCEPT FRANCHISED BUSES WILL BE ALLOWED TO STOP FOR PASSENGERS OR GOODS THERE.
-------o---------
TEMPORARY CLOSURE OF SHIN TAI ROAD, CHAI WAN » ♦ t t *
THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCED THAT SHUN TAI ROAD IN CHAI WAN WILL BE CLOSED TO TRAFFIC INTERMITTENTLY FROM ONE MINUTE PAST MIDNIGHT TO 5 AM ON TUESDAY (APRIL 25) TO FACILITATE FLYOVER WORKS.
DURING THIS PERIOD, SHUN TAI ROAD WILL BE OPENED AT 15-MINUTE INTERVALS, BUT WILL BE OPENED IMMEDIATELY FOR EMERGENCY SERVICES.
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SUNDAY, APRIL 23,
1989
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YOUTHS ENCOURAGED TO JOIN ACAN VOLUNTEER GROUP t ♦ t t ♦
ENTHUSIASTIC AND RESOURCEFUL YOUNG PEOPLE WHO WANT TO JOIN IN AND HELP FIGHT THE DRUG PROBLEM IN HONG KONG ARE REMINDED TO SUBMIT THEIR APPLICATIONS FOR THE ACAN VOLUNTEER GROUP BEFORE THE CLOSING DATE ON FRIDAY (APRIL 28).
THE RECRUITMENT IS AIMED AT RECRUITING YOUNG PEOPLE AGED BETWEEN 18 AND 28, A SPOKESMAN FOR THE NARCOTICS DIVISION OF THE GOVERNMENT SECRETARIAT SAID TODAY (SUNDAY).
THE GROUP OF THE ACTION COMMITTEE AGAINST NARCOTICS IS LOOKING FOR SUITABLE AND MOTIVATED PEOPLE WITH THE MINIMUM EDUCATION STANDARD OF FORM 5.
HE SAID THE FUNCTIONS OF THE GROUP WERE TO INITIATE AND LAUNCH VARIOUS PREVENTIVE EDUCATION AND PUBLICITY PROJECTS AS WELL AS TO ASSIST IN IMPLEMENTING CAMPAIGNS ORGANISED BY ACAN.
’’SINCE ITS ESTABLISHMENT IN 1981, THE VOLUNTEER GROUP HAS FULFILLED THE OBJECTIVES IN TRAINING AND ENCOURAGING YOUNG PEOPLE TO TAKE MORE ACTIVE AND DIRECT PARTICIPATION ON THE ANTI-NARCOTICS FRONT.
"THROUGH THEIR PARTICIPATION IN ACAN'S COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT ACTIVITIES AND SELF-INIT1ATED PROJECTS, MEMBERS OF THE GROUP CONTRIBUTE SIGNIFICANTLY TOWARDS A WORTHY SOCIAL CAUSE IN SPREADING THE ANTI-DRUG MESSAGE,” THE SPOKESMAN ADDED.
THE PROJECTS SUCCESSFULLY LAUNCHED BY THE GROUP IN 1988-89 INCLUDED A JOINT SCHOOL ANTI-DRUG EXHIBITION AND A RUN-THE-STAIRS RACE.
APPLICATION FORMS ARE NOW AVAILABLE AT ALL DISTRICT OFFICES AND SUB-OFFICES: THE OFFICES OF THE AGENCY FOR VOLUNTEER SERVICE, GROUND FLOOR. 10 SAI YUEN LANE, SAI YING PUN OR AT ROOM 409 OF TUNG PING BUILDING, 157 PRINCE EDWARD ROAD. MONG KOK; OR THE NARCOTICS DIVISION ON THE 23RD FLOOR OF QUEENSWAY GOVERNMENT OFFICES, 66 QUEENSWAY.
FOR FURTHER DETAILS, APPLICANTS CAN CONTACT THE DIVISION ON 5-8672762.
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DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL: 5-8428777
MONDAY, APRIL 24, 1989
CONTENTS PAGE NO,
SWAC DISCUSSES TWO PAPERS .............................. 1
NEW RECOMMENDATIONS FRCtl SCHOOL MEDICaL SERVICE WORKING GROUP .................................................. 2
DIRECTOR OF TRADE WARNS OF TOUGH GATT NEGOTIATIONS aHEAD ... 3
COMMISSIONER FOR LABOUR VISITS JEWELLERY FACTORY ....... 5
1988 SURVEY OF INDUSTRIAL PRODUCTION ................... 5
DB ENVIRONMENTAL COMMITTEE TO DISCUSS BUDGET ........... 7
COMMITTEE TO DISCUSS PROFIT CONTROL SCHEME OF TWO BUS
COMPANIES ............................................ 7
DB COMMITTEE TO DISCUSS WORLD ENVIRONMENT DAY ACTIVITIES ... 8
CCY MEMBERS VISIT GIRLS’ HOME........................... 8
DB FUNDS FOR SOCIAL SERVICES PROJECTS .................. 9
TAP MUN "TA CHIU- RITUAL ON WEDNESDAY .................. 10
TUEN MUN CHILDREN’S CHOIR IN CCNCERT.................... 11
ENTRY SCHEME FOR MACAU RESIDENTS........................ 12
MUSIC OFFICE STRING ORCHESTR^ TO VISIT USA ............. 12
WATER STORAGE FIGURE.................................... 14
WATER SUSPENSION IN FOUR DISTRICTS ..................... 14
SPECIAL FERRY SERVICES FOR TIN HAU FESTIVAL............. 15
temporary traffic arrangements in tsim sha tsui ........ 15
MONDAY, APRIL 24, 1989
1
SWAC DISCUSSES TWO PAPERS * * t t
THE BOUGHT PLACES SCHEME FOR RESIDENTIAL PLACES IN PRIVATE HOMES FOR THE ELDERLY WAS DISCUSSED AT THE SOCIAL WELFARE ADVISORY COMMITTEE (SWAC) TODAY (MONDAY).
THE MEETING FELT THE PROPOSA1 WAS FEASIBLE, HOWEVER, NO DECISION WAS REACHED ON WHETHER THE SCHEME SHOULD PROCEED IMMEDIATELY AS THERE COULD BE OTHER OPTIONS TO EASE THE SHORTFALLS OF RESIDENTIAL PLACES FOR THE ELDERLY.
THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT WILL PROVIDE RELEVENT INFORMATION FOR THE NEXT SWAC MEETING.
THE BOUGHT PLACES SCHEME IS A DUAL-PURPOSE PROJECT. IT AIMS TO INCREASE THE NUMBER OF RESIDENTIAL PLACES, THROUGH THE USE OF PRIVATE HOMES, TO ACCOMMODATE THOSE WHO HAVE BEEN REGISTERED WITH THE CENTRAL WAITING LIST OF THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT FOR ADMISSION TO ELDERLY HOMES.
IT ALSO TIES IN WITH THE VOLUNTARY REGISTRATION OF PRIVATE ELDERLY HOMES SCHEME TO PROVIDE AN INCENTIVE TO OPERATORS OF PRIVATE HOMES TO RAISE THEIR SERVICES STANDARDS TO AN ACCEPTABLE LEVEL.
CURRENTLY, THE GOVERNMENT PROVIDES 1,860 SUBVENTED CARE AND ATTENTION PLACES AND 5,759 SUBVENTED AGED HOME PLACES FOR ELDERLY PEOPLE.
IT IS ANTICIPATED THAT AN ADDITIONAL PROVISION OF AROUND 1,700 PLACES IN CARE AND ATTENTION HOMES AND 1,700 PLACES IN HOMES FOR THE AGED WILL BE AVAILABLE BY 1990/91, BUT THIS WILL STILL FALL FAR SHORT OF DEMAND.
TO TACKLE THE PROBLEM, SWD PROPOSED THAT PLACES IN PRIVATE HOMES BE BOUGHT FOR ELDERLY PERSONS ON THE SWD CENTRAL WAITING LIST.
THE DIRECTOR OF SOCIAL WELFARE, MRS ELIZABETH WONG INFORMED THE MEETING THAT THE DEPARTMENT WAS CONSIDERING FURTHER USE OF DISCRETIONARY GRANTS UNDER THE PUBLIC ASSISTANCE SCHEME TO ENABLE ELDERLY RECIPIENTS OF PUBLIC ASSISTANCE WHO WERE ON THE SWD CENTRAL WAITING LIST TO MAKE USE OF THE FACILITIES OF REGISTERED PRIVATE HOMES.
SHE SAID THAT, AS FAR AS POSSIBLE, ARRANGEMENTS WOULD BE MADE TO AVOID ELDERLY PERSONS BEING ACCOMMODATED IN HOMES SITUATED FAR AWAY FROM THEIR RELATIVES, AND EFFORTS WOULD BE MADE TO DISTRIBUTE SUCH PLACES THROUGHOUT THE TERRITORY AND TO REFRAIN FROM CONCENTRATING THE BOUGHT PLACES IN ONLY A FEW HOMES.
SWAC MEMBERS ALSO ENDORSED AN INTERIM PROGRESS REPORT PREPARED BY THE CENTRAL COMMITTEE ON SERVICES FOR THE ELDERLY.
/ON A........
MONDAY, APRIL 24, 1989
- 2
ON A SEPARATE ISSUE, SWAC MEMBERS ALSO HAD A DETAILED DISCUSSION ON A POLICY PAPER ON THE PROVISION OF DAY CRECHE SERVICE WHICH WAS PRODUCED BY SWD, HAVING REGARD TO THE VIEWS OF THE VOLUNTARY SECTOR.
IT WAS CONCLUDED THAT:-
t THE FEE ASSISTANCE FOR THE DAY NURSERY SHOULD BE EXTENDED TO DAY CRECHES.
* SWD TO ESTABLISH A CENTRAL DAY CRECHE REGISTRY TO COLLECT AND ANALYSE INFORMATION FROM DAY CRECHES ON SUCCESSFUL, UNSUCCESSFUL, AND WAITLISTED APPLICATIONS IN ORDER TO ASSESS DEMAND FOR SUBVENTED DAY CRECHE PLACES, BOTH OVERALL AND IN SPECIFIC LOCALITIES AND DETERMINE WHETHER THE TARGET POPULATION IS BEING APPROPRIATELY SERVED BY THE PREVAILING SOCIAL NEED AND INCOME CRITERIA.
* TO ASSIST IN A PHASED MANNER THE DEVELOPMENT OF
NON-PROFIT-MAKING DAY CRECHES THROUGH ASSISTANCE IN ACCOMMODATION, REIMBURSEMENT OF RENT AND RATES AND
FITTING-OUT COSTS, AND A SUBSIDY TO CUSHION THE OPERATOR AGAINST ENROLMENT FLUCTUATION.
AT PRESENT, THERE ARE 19 DAY CRECHES (18 SUBVENTED AND ONE NON-PROFIT-MAKING CRECHE), PROVIDING A TOTAL OF 981 PLACES. IN ADDITION, THERE ARE FIVE MIXED CENTRES (DAY AND RESIDENTIAL CRECHE AND NURSERY) IN THE PRIVATE SECTOR.
THESE FIVE PRIVATE CENTRES PROVIDE A TOTAL OF 302 PLACES OF VARIOUS KINDS INCLUDING DAY CRECHES.
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NEW RECOMMENDATIONS FROM SCHOOL MEDICAL SERVICE WORKING GROUP
THE SCHOOL MEDICAL SERVICE WORKING GROUP, AT ITS FOURTH MEETING TODAY, HAS AGREED RECOMMENDATIONS TO BE PUT TO THE GOVERNMENT FOR DECISION.
THE RECOMMENDATIONS ARE !
* TO CONTINUE THE SCHOOL MEDICAL SERVICE AS A SCHEME TO PROVIDE ECONOMICAL MEDICAL TREATMENT FOR SCHOOL CHILDREN DURING THE PERIOD OF THEIR COMPULSORY EDUCTION FROM PRIMARY ONE TO SECONDARY THREE.
♦ TO RECOMMEND TO THE FORTHCOMING REVIEW OF PRIMARY HEALTH CARE A COMPREHENSIVE SCREENING PROGRAMME FOR ALL SCHOOL CHILDREN.
/• TO CONTINUE
MONDAY, APRIL 2U, 1989
* TO CONTINUE THE PRESENT SYSTEM WHICH ALLOWS THE PARENTS, RATHER THAN THE SCHOOL, TO CHOOSE THE DOCTOR. THIS HAS PROVED POPULAR. THE SCHOOL MEDICAL SERVICE BOARD WILL ALLOW PARENTS TO MAKE UP TO THREE CHOICES OF DOCTORS FROM THE PANEL OF DOCTORS IN EACH DISTRICT STARTING FROM THE 1989/90 ACADEMIC YEAR.
* TO INTRODUCE A CHARGE FOR EACH VISIT MADE BY A STUDENT TO HIS OR HER DOCTOR. THE SIZE OF THE CHARGE WOULD BE DECIDED BY THE SCHOOL MEDICAL SERVICE BOARD BY REFERENCE TO THE OUTPATIENT CLINIC CHARGES. THESE ARE CURRENTLY $13 PER VISIT.
» TO INCREASE THE SUPPLY OF FREE MEDICINE FROM TWO DAYS’ TO THREE DAYS’. THERE WILL BE NO CHARGE FOR MEDICINE UNDER THE WORKING GROUP’S PROPOSALS.
THE SCHOOL MEDICAL SERVICE BOARD IS SEPARATELY REVIEWING THE RATE OF CAPITATION GRANT PAID TO THE DOCTORS IN RESPECT OF EACH STUDENT IN THE SCHEME, AND RECOMMENDATIONS ARE EXPECTED SHORTLY.
THIS AT PRESENT IS $75, MADE UP OF $10 ENROLMENT FEE PAID BY THE PARENTS AND $65 PAID BY GOVERNMENT.
THE WORKING GROUP RECOMMENDED THAT THE ENROLMENT FEE SHOULD NOT BE INCREASED.
THE CHAIRMAN OF THE WORKING GROUP, MR NIGEL SHIPMAN, DEPUTY SECRETARY FOR HEALTH AND WELFARE, SAID THAT THE REPORT OF THE WORKING GROUP HAD BEEN AGREED UNANIMOUSLY BY MEMBERS.
HE SAID HE WOULD PRESENT THE REPORT TO THE SECRETARY FOR HEALTH AND WELFARE WHO WOULD SEEK ADVICE FROM THE MEDICAL DEVELOPMENT ADVISORY COMMITTEE.
HE HOPED THAT AGREED PROPOSALS WOULD BE IN PLACE FOR THE START OF THE 1989/90 ACADEMIC YEAR IN SEPTEMBER 1989.
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DIRECTOR OF TRADE WARNS OF TOUGH GATT NEGOTIATIONS AHEAD * * * » t t
THE MID-TERM REVIEW OF THE URUGUAY ROUND WAS A TEST OF CONFIDENCE IN THE GENERAL AGREEMENT ON TARIFFS AND TRADE (GATT) AND THE MULTILATERAL TRADING SYSTEM BUT THERE SHOULD BE NO ILLUSIONS ABOUT THE TOUGH TIMES AHEAD IN THE NEXT 18 MONTHS OR SO WHEN THERE WOULD BE REAL BARGAINING, THE DIRECTOR OF TRADE, MR MICHAEL SZE, SAID TODAY (MONDAY).
SPEAKING AT A LUNCH MEETING OF THE KOWLOON CLUB, MR SZE SAID THE URUGUAY ROUND OF MULTILATERAL TRADE NEGOTIATIONS WAS SCHEDULED IO COMPLETE BY OCTOBER 1990.
/The mid-term
MONDAY, APRIL 24, 1989
THE MID-TERM REVIEW OF THE URUGUAY ROUND WAS SUCCESSFULLY CONCLUDED AT THE GATT TRADE NEGOTIATIONS COMMITTEES MEETING HELD IN GENEVA EARLIER THIS MONTH.
AN AGREEMENT WAS MADE ON AGRICULTURE, FOLLOWED BY TRADE-RELATED INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY RIGHTS, TEXTILES AND CLOTHING AND SAFEGUARDS.
INTERIM AGREEMENTS ON THE OTHER 11 SUBJECTS PUT ”ON HOLD” AT THE MID-TERM MINISTERIAL MEETING OF THE GATT LAST DECEMBER IN MONTREAL WERE ALSO ADOPTED.
SUBSTANTIVE NEGOTIATIONS WOULD START IMMEDIATELY ON HOW TO REMOVE RESTRICTIONS ON TRADE IN THE SECTOR OF TEXTILES AND CLOTHING, INCLUDING HOW TO ELIMINATE THE MULTI-FIBRE ARRANGEMENT (MFA), WHEN TO START THE PROGRAMME AND HOW LONG SHOULD THE PROGRAMME TAKE, MR SZE SAID.
’’GIVEN THEIR DOMESTIC PRESSURE, THE DEVELOPED COUNTRIES ARE UNLIKELY TO GIVE UP THE MFA OVERNIGHT,” HE ADDED.
HE SAID THE MID-TERM REVIEW DECISION ALSO COMMITTED IMPORTING COUNTRIES TO HONOURING A PLEDGE TO AVOID FURTHER RESTRICTIONS ON TEXTILES AND CLOTHING.
"IT SHOULD STRENGTHEN THE HANDS OF PRESIDENT BUSH IN WARDING OFF NEW PROTECTIONIST OFFENSIVES BY THE U.S. TEXTILE LOBBY,” HE ADDED.
MR SZE SAID THAT HONG KONG'S OBJECTIVES AND PRIORITIES WERE TO HAVE A STRONGER GATT WHICH COULD MAINTAIN EFFECTIVE MULTILATERAL SURVEILLANCE OVER MEMBERS’ TRADE POLICIES AND PRACTICES TO COMBAT PROTECTIONISM.
"WE WANT AN IMRPOVED GATT PROCEDURES AND RULES FOR SETTLEMENT OF TRADE DISPUTES AS WELL AS GREATER CLARIFICATION AND OPERATIONAL GROUND RULES FOR TAKING EMERGENCY MEASURES TO RESTRICT IMPORTS (SAFEGUARDS),” SAID MR SZE.
HE SAID HE WOULD LIKE TO SEE THE GRADUAL RETURN OF THE TEXTILES AND CLOTHING TRADE FROM THE MFA TO THE GATT.
"WE ALSO WANT AN EXPANSION OF THE SCOPE OF GATT TO COVER TRADE IN SERVICES AND TRADE-RELATED INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY RULES," HE CONCLUDED.
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/5
MONDAY, APRIL 24,
1989
5
COMMISSIONER FOR LABOUR VISITS JEWELLERY FACTORY
******
THE COMMISSIONER FOR LABOUR, MR TONY HAMMOND, TODAY (MONDAY) VISITED THE MERIT JEWELLERY MANUFACTORY LTD. IN TO KWA WAN, KOWLOON, TO FAMILIARISE HIMSELF WITH LATEST DEVELOPMENTS.
THE FACTORY IS ENGAGED MAINLY IN THE MANUFACTURING, EXPORTING AND RETAILING OF JEWELLERY PRODUCTS FOR BOTH LOCAL AND OVERSEAS MARKETS INCLUDING THE UNITED STATES, JAPAN AND EUROPE.
AFTER BEING MET BY THE COMPANY’S FINANCIAL DIRECTOR, MR CHRISTOPHER CHAN, AND THE PERSONNEL MANAGER, MISS JULY KONG, MR HAMMOND WAS TAKEN TO SEE THE DESIGN SECTION, THE PRODUCTION LINES AND THE SHOW ROOMS.
HE ALSO TOOK THE OPPORTUNITY TO DISCUSS WITH THE MANAGEMENT THE LABOUR SHORTAGE ISSUE AND LABOUR LEGISLATION.
ON STAFF WELFARE, MR HAMMOND WAS INTERESTED TO NOTE THAT ELIGIBLE EMPLOYEES, ON TOP OF BASIC WAGES, WERE GIVEN YEAR-END PAYMENTS, ATTENDANCE BONUS, PERFORMANCE BONUS, DESIGN BONUS AND MARRIAGE LEAVE PAY AS ADDITIONAL INCENTIVES. THE COMPANY ALSO OPERATES A SUBSIDISED MEDICAL SCHEME AND A PROVIDENT FUND.
HE WAS TOLD THAT THESE FRINGE BENEFITS HAD CONTRIBUTED TO THE LOW TURNOVER RATE OF STAFF IN SPITE OF THE LABOUR SHORTAGE.
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1988 SURVEY OF INDUSTRIAL PRODUCTION * * * *
THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCED TODAY (MONDAY) THAT THE SURVEY OF INDUSTRIAL PRODUCTION FOR 1988 HAS JUST COMMENCED.
THE SURVEY IS CONDUCTED ANNUALLY AND REPRESENTS PART OF A CONTINUOUS PROGRAMME IN THE DEPARTMENT TO COLLECT ECONOMIC STATISTICS ON THE STRUCTURE AND PERFORMANCE OF THE VARIOUS INDUSTRIAL SECTORS IN HONG KONG.
THE AIMS OF THE SURVEY ARE TO OBTAIN UP-TO-DATE DATA FOR EVALUATING THE CONTRIBUTION OF THE VARIOUS INDUSTRIAL SECTORS TO HONG KONG’S GROSS DOMESTIC PRODUCT, AND FOR ASCERTAINING THEIR COST STRUCTURE, OPERATING CHARACTERISTICS AND OUTPUT LEVELS.
RESULTS OF THE SURVEY ARE USEFUL TO BOTH THE GOVERNMENT AND THE PRIVATE SECTOR IN FORMULATING POLICIES AND MAKING DECISIONS.
ABOUT 8,000 ESTABLISHMENTS WILL BE ENUMERATED IN THE PRESENT ROUND OF THE SURVEY, COVERING THE SECTORS OF MANUFACTURING; MINING AND QUARRYING; AND ELECTRICITY, GAS AND WATER.
/INFORMATION SOUGHT .......
MONDAY, APRIL 24, 1989
6
INFORMATION SOUGHT IN THE SURVEY INCLUDES: TYPE OF OWNERSHIP, COUNTRY OF ORIGIN OF INVESTMENT, FLOOR AREA, EMPLOYMENT, COMPENSATION OF EMPLOYEES (THAT IS WAGES, SALARIES AND OTHER EMPLOYEE BENEFITS), PAYMENTS FOR SUB-CONTRACT WORK, VALUE OF PURCHASES AND tTZ’HER EXPENSES, SALES AND OTHER RECEIPTS, AS WELL AS CAPITAL EXPENDITURE AND STOCKS.
THE SURVEY IS BEING CONDUCTED UNDER THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS (ANNUAL SURVEY OF INDUSTRIAL PRODUCTION) ORDER 1984, WHICH WAS MADE UNDER THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS ORDINANCE (CHAPTER 316) AND ISSUED AS LEGAL NOTICE NO. 15 IN THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT GAZETTE ON JANUARY 13, 1984 .
SURVEY QUESTIONNAIRES ARE BEING SENT BY REGISTERED MAIL TO THE ESTABLISHMENTS SAMPLED FOR THE SURVEY.
THESE ESTABLISHMENTS ARE LEGALLY REQUIRED TO COMPLETE AND RETURN THE QUESTIONNAIRES TO THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT BY JULY 31. 1989.
IF NECESSARY, OFFICERS OF THE DEPARTMENT WILL VISIT INDIVIDUAL ESTABLISHMENTS AND ASSIST THEM IN COMPLETING THE QUESTIONNAIRES.
THESE OFFICERS WILL CARRY A GOVERNMENT IDENTITY CARD AND A CERTIFICATE FOR CONDUCTING THE SURVEY WHILST ON DUTY, WHICH ARE AVAILABLE FOR INSPECTION.
THE COMMISSIONER FOR CENSUS AND STATISTICS APPEALED TO THE MANAGEMENTS OF ALL SAMPLED ESTABLISHMENTS TO RETURN THE COMPLETED QUESTIONNAIRES PROMPTLY AND TO CO-OPERATE WITH OFFICERS OF THE DEPARTMENT IN THE COURSE OF ENUMERATION, SO AS TO FULFIL THEIR LEGAL AND SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY.
HE STRESSED THAT INFORMATION RELATING TO INDIVIDUAL ESTABLISHMENTS WOULD BE TREATED IN STRICT CONFIDENCE UNDER THE PROVISION OF THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS ORDINANCE. ONLY AGGREGATE INFORMATION, WHICH DOES NOT REVEAL DETAILS OF INDIVIDUAL ESTABLISHMENTS, WILL BE RELEASED.
THE COMMISSIONER ALSO POINTED OUT THAT AUDITED ACCOUNTS WERE NOT ESSENTIAL FOR THE SUPPLY INCOME AND EXPENDITURE DATA REQUIRED IN THE SURVEY.
THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT ACCEPTS FIGURES BASED ON PRELIMINARY ACCOUNTS OR ESTIMATES WHICH ARE CORRECT TO THE BEST OF THE RESPONDENTS’ KNOWLEDGE AT THE TIME OF SUBMISSION OF THE RETURNS, IF AUDITED ACCOUNTS ARE NOT YET AVAILABLE.
ANY ENQUIRIES REGARDING THE SURVEY MAY BE DIRECTED TO THE INDUSTRIAL PRODUCTION STATISTICS SECTION OF’ THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT AT TELEPHONE NUMBER 5-8235079.
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MONDAY, APRIL 24, 1989
- 7
DB ENVIRONMENTAL COMMITTEE TO DISCUSS BUDGET t * t t *
THE ENVIRONMENTAL IMPROVEMENT COMMITTEE OF THE WAN CHAI DISTRICT BOARD WILL DISCUSS THE COMMITTEE’S PROPOSED BUDGET AT ITS MEETING TOMORROW (TUESDAY).
MEMBERS WILL ALSO CONSIDER THE COMMITTEE’S MEMBERSHIP, TERMS OF REFERENCE. AND SCHEDULE OF MEETINGS.
THEY WILL DISCUSS A PROPOSAL TO DEVELOP THE SITE NEXT TO NO. 6 WAN CHAI GAP ROAD INTO AN AMENITY AREA.
OTHER ITEMS ON THE AGENDA INCLUDE THE MINOR ENVIRONMENTAL IMPROVEMENT PROJECTS, THE STREET MANAGEMENT PROGRAMME, AND AN APPLICATION FOR FUNDS TO ORGANISE A CLEAN FOOTBRIDGE CAMPAIGN.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE MEETING OF THE WAN CHAI DISTRICT BOARD'S ENVIRONMENTAL IMPROVEMENT COMMITTEE TO BE HELD TOMORROW (APRIL 25) IN THE DB CONFERENCE ROOM, 21ST FLOOR, SOUTHORN CENTRE, 130 HENNESSY ROAD, HONG KONG.
THE MEETING WILL BEGIN AT 1 PM.
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COMMITTEE TO DISCUSS PROFIT CONTROL SCHEME OF TWO BUS COMPANIES t t t * *
MEMBERS OF THE MONG KOK DISTRICT BOARD’S ENVIRONMENT COMMITTEE WILL MEET TOMORROW (TUESDAY) TO DISCUSS THE PROFIT CONTROL SCHEME AS APPLIED TO THE TWO FRANCHISED BUS COMPANIES.
MEMBERS WILL ALSO BE ASKED TO ALLOCATE $30,000 FOR THE WORLD ENVIRONMENT DAI ACTIVITIES TO BE HELD IN THE DISTRICT.
AT THE SAME TIME THE MEETING WILL DECIDE WHETHER TO ORGANISE AN ENVIRONMENTAL IMPROVEMENT CAMPAIGN IN MONG KOK IN 1989-90.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
MEDIA REPRESENTATIVES ARE INVITED TO COVER THE MEETING OF THE MONG KOK DISTRICT BOARD’S ENVIRONMENT COMMITTEE WHICH WILL BEGIN AT 2.30 PM TOMORROW (TUESDAY) IN THE DISTRICT OFFICE CONFERENCE ROOM,1ST FLOOR, 157 PRINCE EDWARD ROAD, KOWLOON.
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/8.......
MONDAY, APRIL 24, 1989
8
DB COMMITTEE TO DISCUSS WORLD ENVIRONMENT DAY ACTIVITIES ******
THE COMMUNITY AFFAIRS COMMITTEE OF THE ISLANDS DISTRICT BOARD WILL MEET TOMORROW (TUESDAY) TO DISCUSS ACTIVITIES PROPOSED TO COMMEMORATE WORLD ENVIRONMENT DAY (WED) 1989.
PROPOSED ACTIVITIES LEADING UP TO JUNE 5 WHICH HAS BEEN DESIGNATED AS WED 89, INCLUDE THREE PLANTING, MURAL PAINTING, WALLBOARD DESIGN COMPETITION AND COLOURING COMPETITION.
MEMBERS WILL ALSO DISCUSS THE KEEP HONG KONG CLEAN CAMPAIGN 1989/90, A PROPOSED CIVIC EDUCATION CAMP FOR YOUNG ISLANDERS DURING THE SUMMER, AND EXAMINE THE POSSIBILITY OF PUBLISHING A NEWSPAPER FOR THE ISLANDS DISTRICT.
OTHER ITEMS ON THE AGENDA INCLUDE RECEPTION OF TELEVISION SIGNALS IN SUN KEI PANG AND SUN SHA PANG IN TAI O, LANTAU AND THE ALLOCATION OF DISTRICT BOARD FUNDS FOR COMMUNITY AFFAIRS ACTIVITIES WHICH AMOUNT TO $107,000 IN THE CURRENT FINANCIAL YEAR.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE ISLANDS DISTRICT BOARD’S COMMUNITY AFFAIRS COMMITTEE MEETING STARTING AT 2 PM TOMORROW (TUESDAY) IN THE ISLANDS DISTRICT OFFICE CONFERENCE ROOM, 20TH FLOOR, HARBOUR BUILDING, 38 PIER ROAD, CENTRAL.
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CCY MEMBERS VISIT GIRLS’ HOME * t ♦ ♦ ♦
MEMBERS OF THE CENTRAL COMMITTEE ON YOUTH (CCY) WERE IMPRESSED BY THE SERVICES PROVIDED BY THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT FOLLOWING THEIR VISIT TO THE MA TAU WEI GIRLS’ HOME IN HO MAN TIN THIS (MONDAY) AFTERNOON.
THEY LEARNED THAT IN ADDITION TO EXISTING FACILITIES OF EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMMES IN CLASS-ROOMS AND PRE-VOCATIONAL WORKSHOPS, (SEWING, HANDICRAFT AND DOMESTIC SCIENCE), BEAUTY THERAPY AND OFFICE-PRACTICE CLASSES WOULD BE INCLUDED TO WIDEN THE CHOICE OF SKILL-LEARN I NG.
ACCOMPANIED BY THE ASSISTANT DIRECTOR OF SOCIAL WELFARE, MR KWOK KA-CHI, THE CCY MEMBERS, MR CHAN CHEUK, MR HUI CHIU-YIN AND MRS C.K. KONG, WERE BRIEFED ON THE LATEST DEVELOPMENTS OF THE HOME WHICH PROVIDES TEMPORARY ACCOMMODATION FOR GIRLS AGED BETWEEN SEVEN AND UNDER 21.
/MR KWOK
MONDAY, APRIL 24, 1989
9 -
MR KWOK EXPLAINED THAT THE BEAUTY THERAPY CLASS WOULD SUIT GIRLS WHO WISHED TO EARN A LIVING AS A BEAUTY THERAPIST WHEREAS THE OFFICE-PRACTICE CLASS WOULD HELP THOSE WHO HAVE A FAIR EDUCATIONAL BACKGROUND AND WISHED TO WORK IN OFFICES AS OFFICE OR CLERICAL ASSISTANTS.
THEY WERE TOLD THAT THE HOME CURRENTLY PROVIDES 96 PLACEMENTS FOR GIRLS WITH RESIDENTIAL TRAINING UNDER PROBATION ORDER AND CARE AND PROTECTION ORDINANCE; AND ANOTHER 96 PLACEMENTS FOR TEMPORAL CUSTODY UNDER JUVENILE OFFENDERS ORDINANCE, PROTECTION OF WOMEN AND JUVENILES ORDINANCE AND IMMIGRATION ORDINANCE.
THEY WERE ALSO INFORMED THAT THE DEPARTMENT PROVIDED THIS SERVICE WITH A VIEW TO IMPLEMENTING THE COURTS’ DIRECTIVES ON THE TREATMENT AND REHABILITATION OF OFFENDERS THROUGH THE PROVISION OF PROBATION SUPERVISION, RESIDENTIAL TRAINING, AFTERCARE SERVICES AND REMAND HOME SERVICES.
MR KWOK POINTED OUT THAT THE DEPARTMENT PROVIDED RESIDENTIAL TRAINING TO YOUNG OFFENDERS WITH THE AIM OF HELPING TO CHANGE THEIR BEHAVIOU AND SOCIAL ATTITUDE SO THAT, UPON DISCHARGE, THEY WOULD BE BETTER EQUIPPED TO LIVE AS LAW-ABIDING MEMBERS OF THE COMMUNITY.
0
DB FUNDS FOR SOCIAL SERVICES PROJECTS *****
LOCAL ORGANISATIONS IN WONG TAI SIN ARE INVITED TO APPLY FOR DISTRICT BOARD FUNDS TO CARRY OUT DISTRICT-WIDE SOCIAL SERVICES PROJECTS IN THE CURRENT FISCAL YEAR.
THE WONG TAI SIN DISTRICT BOARD’S SOCIAL SERVICES COMMITTEE DECIDED AT A RECENT MEETING TO SET ASIDE FUNDS TO ENABLE NON-PROFIT-MAKING ORGANISATIONS SERVING BEYOND AN AREA OR SERVING THE WHOLE DISTRICT TO ORGANISE SOCIAL SERVICES ACTIVITIES.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE COMMITTEE SAID THE COMMITTEE WOULD MEET ON JUNE 20, AUGUST 22 AND OCTOBER 31 TO VET APPLICATIONS, AND THAT THE EARMARKED AMOUNT WOULD BE DIVIDED INTO THREE EQUAL PORTIONS FOR APPORTIONMENT AT EACH MEETING.
’’APPLICATIONS SHOULD REACH THE DISTRICT BOARD SECRETARIAT PRIOR TO EACH VETTING. THE DEADLINES ARE JUNE 3, AUGUST 5, AND OCTOBER 14,” HE SAID.
HE POINTED OUT THAT PRIORITY WOULD BE GIVEN TO AGENCIES OR ORGANISATIONS WHICH SERVE THE WHOLE DISTRICT, AND THAT APPLICATIONS RECOMMENDED BY AREA COMMITTEES WOULD ONLY BE CONSIDERED AT THE LAST VETTING ON OCTOBER 31.
/vetting OF .......
MONDAY, APRIL 24, 1989
- 10 -
VETTING OF APPLICATIONS WOULD FOLLOW THE CRITERIA LAID DOWN BY THE GOVERNMENT, AND THE AMOUNT APPROVED FOR A PARTICULAR ORGANISATION WOULD NOT EXCEED $10,000 WITHIN A FINANCIAL YEAR, THE SPOKESMAN CONTINUED.
'•REPRESENTATIVES FROM THE APPLICANT ORGANISATIONS WOULD HAVE TO ATTEND THE COMMITTEE’S MEETING TO PRESENT THEIR PROJECTS AND ANSWER QUESTIONS FROM MEMBERS.
"THEY SHOULD ALSO SUBMIT REPORTS ON THEIR PROJECTS TO THE SECRETARIAT WITHIN ONE MONTH AFTER THE PROJECTS HAVE BEEN COMPLETED, HE ADDED.
APPLICATION FORMS CAN BE OBTAINED FROM THE WONG TAI SIN DISTRICT OFFICE AND ITS SUB-OFFICES.
ENQUIRIES CAN BE MADE ON 3-222261 EXT. 451.
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TAP MUN "TA CHIU" RITUAL ON WEDNESDAY t ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦
THE REGIONAL SECRETARY FOR THE NEW TERRITORIES, MR ADOLF HSU, AND THE DIRECTOR OF AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES, DR LAWRENCE LEE, WILL OFFICIATE AT A RITUAL OF THE 19TH TAP MUN "TA CHIU" TO BE HELD ON TAP MUN CHAU (GRASS ISLAND) ON WEDNESDAY (APRIL 26).
THE TAP MUN "TA CHIU" IS HELD ONCE EVERY TEN YEARS.
PARTICIPATING IN THE EVENT ARE SIX VILLAGES LOCATED IN THE NORTH-EASTERN REGION OF THE NEW TERRITORIES. THEY ARE TAP MUN, SAM MUN TSAI, SHUM WAN, KAT O, KO LAU WAN AND WONG WAN.
THE "TA CHIU" WILL BEGIN TOMORROW (TUESDAY) AND WILL END ON APRIL 29.
THERE WILL BE PUPPET SHOWS AND CHINESE OPERA PERFORMANCES DURING THE PERIOD.
A PROCESSION OF VESSELS AROUND THE ISLAND WILL BE HELD ON APRIL 27 (THURSDAY).
THE RITUAL TO BE HELD ON APRIL 26 WILL START AT 12.30 PM AND WILL BE FOLLOWED BY UNICORN AND LION DANCES AND A CHINESE OPERA PERFORMANCE.
/THE 19TH .......
MONDAY, APRIL 24, 1989
- 11 -
THE 19TH TAP MUN "TA CHIU" IS ORGANISED BY THE 19TH TAP MUN TA CHIU ORGANISING COMMITTEE.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE 19TH TAP MUN "TA CHIU" TO BE HELD ON TAP MUN CHAU (GRASS ISLAND! AT 12.30 PM ON WEDNESDAY (APRIL 26). A VICE-CHAIRMAN OF THE ORGANISING COMMITTEE, MR HO TAI-WAI, WILL BE ON HAND TO ASSIST MEDIA REPRESENTATIVES.
-------0----------
TUEN MUN CHILDREN’S CHOIR IN CONCERT *****
THE TUEN MUN CHILDREN’S CHOIR WILL GIVE A CONCERT FEATURING BOTH CHINESE AND WESTERN COMPOSITIONS ON SATURDAY (APRIL 29) IN THE TUEN MUN TOWN HALL AUDITORIUM.
THE CONCERT WILL BEGIN AT 8 PM.
THE PROGRAMME WILL INCLUDE "THE SOUND OF MUSIC", "LET THERE BE PEACE ON EARTH", "SING, SING, SING", "LITTLE CHICKEN", "THE MOONLIGHT' AND SEVERAL INSTRUMENTAL PIECES.
THE CHOIR WILL ALSO TEAM UP WITH POPULAR SINGERS CHENG KING-KAY AND WONG PO-YAN TO PERFORM "THIS IS MY HOME".
TICKETS AT $10 AND $20 CAN BE OBTAINED FROM THE TUEN MUN RURAL COMMITTEE BUILDING AT CHING YIN STREET AND THE ON T1NG/YAU OI SUB-OFFICE OF THE TUEN MUN DISTRICT OFFICE.
AN INAUGURATION CEREMONY OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF THE TUEN MUN CHILDREN'S CHOIR WILL BE HELD SHORTLY BEFORE 'I HE CONCERT. OFFICIATING AT THE CEREMONY WILL BE THE DIRECTOR OF REGIONAL SERVICES, MR HAIDER BARMA; LEGISLATIVE COUNCILLOR, MR LAU WONG-FAT; AND TUEN MUN DISTRICT OFFICER, MR JOHN WAN.
THE TUEN MUN CHILDREN’S CHOIR IS SPONSORED BY THE TUEN MUN DISTRICT OFFICE.
-----o-----
MONDAY, APRIL 24,
1989
12
ENTRY SCHEME FOR MACAU RESIDENTS *****
THE IMMIGRATION DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCED TODAY (MONDAY) THAT THE FOLLOWING EX-CHINA RESIDENTS OF MACAU WHO HAVE HELD MACAU IDENTITY CARDS ISSUED AFTER JANUARY 14, 1979 FOR SEVEN YEARS 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.
APPLICATION CAN BE SUBMITTED AS FROM MAY 1, 1989 (MONDAY) BY THE HONG KONG SPONSORS IN PERSON TO THE IMMIGRATION DEPARTMENT, 61 MODY ROAD, TSIMSHATSUI EAST, KOWLOON. THE SPONSOR’S STAY IN HONG KONG MUST NOT BE LIMITED BY THE DIRECTOR OF IMMIGRATION.
MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC WHO WISH TO MAKE ENQUIRIES ABOUT THIS ENTRY SCHEME MAY TELEPHONE THE DEPARTMENT’S INFORMATION OFFICE AT 3-7333126.
-----0-----
MUSIC OFFICE STRING ORCHESTRA TO VISIT USA ♦ * * * *
THIS YEAR, THE MUSIC OFFICE OF THE MUNICIPAL SERVICES BRANCH WILL ORGANISE A STRING ORCHESTRA TO VISIT YOUTH ORCHESTRAS IN LOS ANGELES AND SAN FRANCISCO AND WILL TAKE PART IN VARIOUS JOINT CONCERTS, MASTERCLASSES AND WORKSHOPS, THE MUSIC ADMINISTRATOR OF THE MUSIC OFFICE, MISS LOLLY CHIU SAID TODAY (MONDAY).
"IN 1988, OUR YOUTH CHINESE ORCHESTRA HAD A SUCCESSFUL CONCERT TOUR TO AUSTRALIA AND PERFORMED IN THE SYDNEY OPERA HOUSE AND THE 1988 WORLD EXPO IN BRISBANE," SHE SAID.
SPEAKING AT THE DINNER MEETING OF THE ROTARY CLUB OF NEW TERRITORIES, MISS CHIU SAID THAT IN ORDER TO FOSTER INTERNATIONAL UNDERSTANDING AND TO WIDEN HONG KONG MUSICIANS’ HORIZON, THE MUSIC OFFICE HAD ALSO’ ORGANISED ON REGULAR BASIS INTERNATIONAL CULTURAL EXCHANGE PROGRAMMES.
"IN THE PAST 12 YEARS, THE MUSIC OFFICE HAD PROVIDED MUSIC EDUCATION TO THOUSANDS OF YOUNG PEOPLE IN HONG KONG. SOME OF THEM HAVE CONTINUED TO PURSUE A CAREER IN MUSIC IN THE HONG KONG ACADEMY FOR PERFORMING ARTS AND OTHER TERTIARY INSTITUTIONS LOCALLY OR ABROAD, SHE SAID.
SHE POINTED OUT THAT THE MAIN THRUST OF THE MUSIC OFFICE’S EDUCATION PROGRAMME WAS THROUGH THE INSTRUMENTAL MUSIC TRAINING SCHEME (1MTS) UNDER WHICH MUSIC TRAINING WAS PROVIDED TO YOUNG PEOPLE IN THE SIX TO 23 AGE GROUP.
/’’AT PRESENT.......
MONDAY, APRIL 24, 1989
13
"AT PRESENT, WE HAVE SOME 4,000 TRAINEES, MOSTLY PRIMARY AND SECONDARY STUDENTS COMING EROM DIFFERENT SCHOOLS IN HONG KONG. BOTH WESTERN AND CHINESE MUSIC ARE TAUGHT.
"LEARNING TO PLAY MUSIC HELPS TO DEVELOP A CHILD’S INTELLECTUAL AND EMOTIONAL GROWTH, IMPROVES HIS PHYSICAL CO-ORDINATION AND POWER OF EXPRESSION. IN PLAYING AN INSTRUMENT IN GROUPS, HE ALSO LEARNS TO CO-OPERATE AND WORK WITH OTHERS,” MISS CHIU STRESSED.
NOTING THAT TRAINING FOR THE MAJORITY TOOK THE FORM OF GROUP CLASSES AT THE EIGHT CENTRES THROUGHOUT THE TERRITORY, MISS CHIU SAID THAT A FEW MORE GIFTED TRAINEES WERE GIVEN SPECIAL INDIVIDUAL TRAINING.
"TO ENCOURAGE MORE YOUNG PEOPLE TO JOIN OUR TRAINING SCHEME, A MUSICAL INSTRUMENT HIRE SCHEME WAS INTRODUCED, UNDER WHICH THE MUSIC OFFICE PROVIDES EVERY TRAINEE WITH HIS OWN INSTRUMENT FOR PRACTICE AT HOME AT A MONTHLY CHARGE OF $20.
"WHEN THE ACCUMULATED HIRING CHARGE PAID BY THE TRAINEE MEETS THE ORIGINAL COST, THE INSTRUMENT BECOMES THE PROPERTY OF THE TRAINEE AND ABOUT HALF OF OUR TRAINEES MAKE GOOD USE OF THIS SCHEME," SHE SAID.
MISS CHIU EXPLAINED THAT ALL TRAINEES WHO ATTAINED A CERTAIN STANDARD WERE REQUIRED TO JOIN AN ORCHESTRA OR BAND.
"AT PRESENT, THE MUSIC OFFICE MANAGES AND TRAINS 18 YOUTH ORCHESTRAS AND BANDS.
"WE ARRANGE REGULAR CONCERTS FOR THESE ORCHESTRAS AND BANDS, SO AS TO EXPOSE THEM TO A WIDE RANGE OF MUSIC AND SITUATION," SHE SAID.
MISS CHIU POINTED OUT THAT THE MUSIC OFFICE ALSO HAVE A PROGRAMME OF REACHING OUT TO THE COMMUNITY AND SHARING THE JOY OF MUSIC WITH THE AVERAGE MEN IN THE STREET.
"OUR PROGRAMME OF THE MUSIC FOR THE MILLION CONCERTS BRINGS OUR ORCHESTRAS AND BANDS TO SCHOOLS, COMMUNITY CENTRES, CHILDREN’S HOMES, HOSPITALS, FACTORIES AND PARKS," SHE SAID.
IN THE PAST TEN YEARS, THE MFM CONCERTS, WHICH HAVE BEEN HELD FOR ABOUT 4,200 TIMES, HAVE CATERED FOR AND PROVIDED ENTERTAINMENT TO OVER 2.7 MILLION AUDIENCE.
IN LINE WITH GOVERNMENT’S POLICY OF NEW TOWN DEVELOPMENT, MISS CHIU SAID THAT THE MUSIC TRAINING PROGRAMME HAVE ALSO EXPANDED INTO THE NEW TERRITORIES IN RECENT YEARS.
HAVING MENTIONED THAT THREE MUSIC CENTRES HAD BEEN SET UP IN YUEN LONG, TAI PO AND TSUEN WAN, MISS CHIU NOTED THAT THE TAI PO MUSIC CENTRE AT KWONG FUK ROAD WILL BE RE-PROVISIONED TO TAI WO ESTATE BY THE END OF 1990 TO PROVIDE A BETTER LOCATED VENUE TO CATER FOR THE NEEDS OF THE NEW TOWN.
"WE HOPE TO BE ABLE TO PROVIDE IN THE LONG RUN A MUSIC CENTRE IN TUEN MUN NEW TOWN, AND IN OTHER PARTS OFTHE NEW TERRITORIES," SHE ADDED.
0 -
/14........
MONDAY, APRIL 24, 1989
- 14 -
WATER STORAGE FIGURE
♦ * * *
STORAGE IN HONG KONG'S RESERVOIRS AT 9 AM TODAY (MONDAY) STOOD AT 34.7 PER CENT OF CAPACITY OR 203.105 MILLION CUBIC METRES.
THIS TIME LAST YEAR THE RESERVOIRS CONTAINED 195.088 MILLION
CUBIC METRES OF WATER, REPRESENTING 33.3 PER CENT OF CAPACITY.
0
WATER SUSPENSION IN FOUR DISTRICTS *****
SALT WATER SUPPLY TO CERTAIN PREMISES IN KWAI CHUNG WILL BE SUSPENDED FROM 8 AM TOMORROW (TUESDAY) TO MIDNIGHT TO FACILITATE LEAKAGE TEST.
THE AREA AFFECTED IS BOUNDED BY WAH KING HILL ROAD, INCLUDING WONDERLAND VILLAS AND WAH YUEN ESTATE.
ALSO, FLUSHING WATER SUPLY TO CERTAIN PREMISES IN THE AREA WILL BE SUSPENDED FROM 2 PM ON THE SAME DAY TO 10 AM THE NEXT DAY (WEDNESDAY) TO FACILITATE REPAIR WORKS TO A DEFECTIVE SALT WATER SLUICE VALVE.
THE AREA AFFECTED IS BOUNDED BY SHEUNG KWAI CHUNG, HA KWAI CHUNG, CONTAINER TERMINALS, TSUEN WAN AREA TO THE NORTH OF MEI WAN STREET, SAI LAU KOK ROAD, KWOK SHUI ROAD, TSUEN WAN MTR STATION, LUK YEUNG SUN CHUEN AND SHEK WAI KOK ESTATE.
TO FACILITATE LEAKAGE TEST, CERTAIN PREMISES IN MONG KOK WILL BE AFFECTED BY A SUSPENSION OF FRESH WATER SUPPLY FROM 11 PM ON WEDNESDAY (APRIL 26) TO 6 AM THE NEXT DAY.
THE AREA AFFECTED IS BOUNDED BY ARGYLE STREET, YIM PO FONG STREET, HO MAN TIN STREET, PRINCESS MARGARET ROAD, HO MAN TIN HILL ROAD, SOARES AVENUE, PEACE AVENUE AND VICTORY AVENUE.
ON THE OTHER HAND, FRESH WATER SUPPLY TO CERTAIN PREMISES IN WONG TAI SIN WILL BE SUSPENDED FROM 11 PM ON THURSDAY (APRIL 27) TO 6 AM THE NEXT DAY FOR LEAKAGE TEST.
THE AREA AFFECTED IS BOUNDED BY TUNG TAU TSUEN ROAD, TUNG LUNG ROAD, TUNG FAT ROAD, TUNG KWONG ROAD, CHOI HUNG ROAD AND TAI SHING STREET, INCLUDING BLOCKS 16, 17, 26 AND 27 LOWER WONG TAI SIN ESTATE, TAK MING HOUSE, KAI MING HOUSE, TAI TUNG HOUSE, FU TUNG HOUSE, YIU TUNG HOUSE AND YUE TUNG HOUSE.
TO FACILITATE WATER WORKS, SALT WATER SUPPLY TO CERTAIN PREMISES IN KOWLOON CITY WILL BE SUSPENDED FROM 9 AM ON THURSDAY (APRIL 27) TO 10 AM THE NEXT DAY.
THE AREA AFFECTED IS BOUNDED BY JUNCTION ROAD, CARPENTER ROAD, SA PO ROAD AND PRINCE EDWARD ROAD WEST.
MONDAY, APRIL 24, 1989
- 15 -
SPECIAL FERRY SERVICES FOR TIN HAU FESTIVAL *****
SPECIAL FERRY SERVICES BETWEEN NORTH POINT (EAST) FERRY PIER AND JOSS HOUSE BAY WILL BE OPERATED BY THE HONGKONG AND YAUMATI FERRY COMPANY DURING THE TIN HAU FESTIVAL, THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCED.
THE SPECIAL FERRIES WILL START RUNNING AT 10 AM ON THURSDAY (APRIL 27) AND OPERATE OVERNIGHT UNTIL 4 PM THE FOLLOWING DAY (FRIDAY).
THE SERVICE WILL BE OPERATED AT AN INTERVAL OF 90 MINUTES BUT THE FREQUENCY WILL BE INCREASED TO 45 MINUTES BETWEEN 10 AM AND 4 PM ON FRIDAY. THE LAST FERRY WILL DEPART FROM NORTH POINT TO JOSS HOUSE BAY AT 2.30 PM ON FRIDAY.
FARES PER SINGLE JOURNEY WILL BE $18 FOR ADULTS AND $12 FOR CHILDREN ON DELUXE CLASS AND $13 AND $8 RESPECTIVELY FOR THOSE RIDING ON ORDINARY CLASS.
IN ADDITION, FERRY SERVICES LINKING NORTH POINT WITH KWUN TONG, KOWLOON CITY AND HUNG HOM RESPECTIVELY WILL BE EXTENDED TO OPERATE UNTIL MIDNIGHT ON APRIL 27.
MEANWHILE, THE BUS TERMINAL FOR OVERNIGHT CROSS HARBOUR ROUTE 122 OUTSIDE THE NORTH POINT (EAST) FERRY PIER WILL BE RELOCATED TO JAVA ROAD NEAR ITS JUNCTION WITH KAM HONG STREET ON APRIL 28 TO FACILITATE CROWD CONTROL.
-------0----------
TEMPORARY TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS IN TSIM SHA TSUI
*****
THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCED THAT IN ORDER TO FACILITATE THE RECONSTRUCTION OF HART AVENUE IN TSIM SHA TSUI, TEMPORARY TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS WILL BE IMPLEMENTED FROM 10 AM ON WEDNESDAY (APRIL 26) FOR FIVE MONTHS.
THE SECTION OF HART AVENUE BETWEEN ITS JUNCTION WITH MODY ROAD AND A POINT ABOUT 34 METRES NORTH OF THE SAME JUNCTION WILL BE CLOSED.
MOTORISTS ON EASTBOUND MODY ROAD HEADING FOR NORTHBOUND HART AVENUE ARE ADVISED TO TRAVEL VIA EASTBOUND MODY ROAD, NORTHBOUND CHATHAM ROAD SOUTH, WESTBOUND HART AVENUE AND NORTHBOUND HART AVENUE.
THE LEFT TURN FROM EASTBOUND MODY ROAD ONTO NORTHBOUND HART AVENUE WILL BE BANNED.
THE SECTION OF HART AVENUE, FROM A POINT ABOUT 34 ME IRES NORTH OF ITS JUNCTION WITH MODY ROAD TO A POINT ABOUT 75 METRES NORTH OF THE SAME JUNCTION, WILL BE RE-ROUTED FOR TWO WAY TRAFFIC FOR LOCAL ACCESS.
- - O -
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE. HONG KONG. TEL: 5-8428777
TUESDAY, APRIL 25, 1989
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
CONSUMER PRICE INDEXES FOR MARCH 1989 ......................... 1
ENHANCING TRAINING INFRASTRUCTURE TO MEET CHANGING MANPOWER NEEDS ................................................ 4
NO NEW AIDS CASES IN MARCH .................................... 5
LEGCO TO DEBATE BUDGET PROPOSALS .............................. 7
COMMITTEE DISCUSSES PROPOSAL TO SPEED UP EX-GRaTIA PAYMENT . 7
DB MEMBERS VISIT PROPOSED LIVESTOCK WASTE CONSOLIDATION SITE........................................................... 8
DB COMMITTEE TO DISCUSS HOSPITAL SERVICES ..................... 9
DB COMMITTEE TO CONSIDER FUNDING SUMMER YOUTH ACTIVITIES ... 1C
t
cross harbour bus services on db committee agenda ............ 10
CELEBRATION OF TIN HaU FESTIVAL IN SAI KUNG .................. 11
TRAFFIC PLAN FOR TIN HaU FESTIVE ............................. 12
FAREWELL TO GIS CREATIVE DIRECTOR ............................ 14
RECREATION CENTRE FOR Sal KUNG ............................... 15
WORKS TO .LLLEVIaTE FLOODING IN NORTH WEST NT ................ 15
TEMPORARY TRAFFIC ..RR.1NGEMENT IN TUEN MUN .................. 16
SUSPENSION OF CARPARK aT Kal FaT PATH, TUEN MUN............... 16
TUESDAY, APRIL 25, 1989
1
CONSUMER PRICE INDEXES FOR MARCH 1989 *****
THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT TODAY (TUESDAY) PUBLISHED THE CONSUMER PRICE INDEXES FOR MARCH 1989.
THE CPI(A) AND CPI(B) (OCT. 84 - SEP. 85 = 100) FOR MARCH 1989 WERE 125.4 AND 125.1 RESPECTIVELY, REPRESENTING INCREASES OF 9.5 PER CENT AND 9.2 PER CENT RESPECTIVELY OVER MARCH 1988.
THESE RATES OF INCREASE WERE SOMEWHAT LOWER THAN THOSE RECORDED IN FEBRUARY 1989.
COMPARING MARCH WITH FEBRUARY 1989, THE CPI(A) DECREASED BY 0.5 PER CENT AND THE CPI(B) BY 0.3 PER CENT, LARGELY BECAUSE THE PRICES OF MOST FOODSTUFFS AND SOME SERVICE CHARGES WERE LOWER AFTER THE CHINESE NEW YEAR.
THE AVERAGE CPI(A) AND AVERAGE CPI(B) FOR THE 12 MONTHS ENDED MARCH 1989, AT 120.3 AND 120.2 RESPECTIVELY, WERE 8.2 PER CENT AND 8.1 PER CENT RESPECTIVELY HIGHER THAN THE AVERAGE FOR THE 12 MONTHS ENDED MARCH 1988.
DURING THE THREE-MONTH PERIOD ENDED MARCH 1989, THE SEASONALLY ADJUSTED CPI(A) AND CPI(B) BOTH INCREASED AT AN AVERAGE RATE OF 0.9 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 42,000 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 MARCH 1989 IN RESPECT OF THE NINE COMMODITY/SERVICE SECTIONS IN THE TWO CONSUMER PRICE INDEXES, AS COMPARED WITH FEBRUARY 1989 AND MARCH 1988, ARE GIVEN BELOW.
/(OCTOBER 1984
TUESDAY, APRIL 25, 1989
2
(OCTOBER 1984 TO SEPTEMBER 1985 AVERAGE = 100)
SECTION INDEX FOR MAR.89 CPI(A) % CHANGE OVER FEB.89 % CHANGE OVER MAR.88 INDEX FOR MAR.89 CPI(B) % CHANGE OVER FEB.89 % CHANGE OVER MAR.88
FOODSTUFFS 126.0 -1.5 + 11.6 127.1 -1.2 + 11.8
HOUSING 118.3 + 0.2 + 5.9 114.4 + 0.2 + 4.8
FUEL AND LIGHT 95.7 + 1.2 + 2.6 96.3 + 1.3 + 2.7
ALCOHOLIC DRINKS AND TOBACCO (FOR HOME CONSUMPTION) 131.5 + 4.4 + 7.0 132.4 + 4.1 + 7.2
CLOTHING AND FOOTWEAR 129.4 + 0.6 + 10.1 131.4 + 0.8 + 10.6
DURABLE GOODS 121.1 + 0.5 + 4.7 120.4 + 0.8 + 4.9
MISCELLANEOUS GOODS 131.0 + 0.8 + 9.5 130.6 + 1.0 + 9.1
TRANSPORT AND VEHICLES 131.1 + 0.4 + 11.1 130.3 + 0.5 + 11.2
SERVICES 135.5 -0.7 + 9.2 135.8 -0.8 + 9.8
ALL ITEMS 125.4 -0.5 + 9.5 125.1 -0.3 + 9.2
COMPARED DECREASED BY 1. WITH FEBRUARY 5 PER CENT IN CPI 1989. THE (A) AND BY INDEX 1.2 PER FOR FOODSTUFFS CENT IN CPI(B).
THIS WAS MAINLY DUE TO DECREASES IN THE AVERAGE RETAIL PRICES
OF FRESH VEGETABLES, LIVE POULTRY, SALT-WATER FISH AND FRESH-WATER FISH, WHICH MORE THAN OFFSET THE INCREASE IN THE AVERAGE CHARGE FOR MEALS IN RESTAURANTS AND OTHER EATING PLACES.
THE INDEX FOR FUEL AND LIGHT INCREASED BY 1.2 PER CENT IN CPI(A) AND BY 1.3 PER CENT IN CPI(B) DUE TO THE UPWARD FUEL COST ADJUSTMENT FOR TOWNGAS AND THE FULL EFFECT OF THE INCREASES IN THE PRICES OF KEROSENE AND LIQUEFIED PETROLEUM GAS.
THE INDEX FOR ALCOHOLIC DRINKS AND TOBACCO (FOR HOME CONSUMPTION) INCREASED BY 4.4 PER CENT IN CPI(A) AND BY 4.1 PER CENT IN CPI(B) AS A RESULT OF HIGHER PRICES OF CIGARETTES DUE TO INCREASED DUTIES.
/THE INDEX ........
TUESDAY, APRIL 25, 1989
- 3 -
THE INDEX FOR CLOTHING AND FOOTWEAR INCREASED BY 0.6 PER CENT IN CPI(A) AND BY 0.8 PER CENT IN CPI(B) BECAUSE OF HIGHER PRICES OF MEN'S OUTERCLOTHING, SOCKS AND STOCKINGS, BELTS, NECKTIES AND FOOTWEAR.
THE INDEX FOR DURABLE GOODS INCREASED BY 0.5 PER CENT IN CPI(A) AND BY 0.8 PER CENT IN CPI(B) DUE TO HIGHER PRICES OF OPTICAL AND TRAVEL GOODS.
THE INDEX FOR MISCELLANEOUS GOODS INCREASED BY 0.8 PER CENT IN CPI(A) AND BY 1.0 PER CENT IN CPI(B) AS A RESULT OF HIGHER PRICES OF COSMETICS, TOYS AND HOBBIES.
THE INDEX FOR SERVICES DECREASED BY 0.7 PER CENT IN CPI(A) AND BY 0.8 PER CENT IN CPI(B) AS CHARGES FOR HAIRDRESSING AND PACKAGE TOURS RETURNED TO NORMAL AFTER THE CHINESE NEW YEAR.
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.
MORE DETAILS ARE GIVEN IN THE "CONSUMER PRICE INDEX REPORT" FOR MARCH 1989, 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 ON 5-8235089.
THE HANG SENG CPI WAS 130.9 IN MARCH 1989, UP BY 0.4 PER CENT OVER FEBRUARY 1989 AND UP BY 10.6 PER CENT OVER MARCH 1988.
THE HANG SENG CPI IS BASED ON THE EXPENDITURE PATTERN OF THE 10 PER CENT OF URBAN HOUSEHOLDS IN HONG KONG THAT SPENT #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.
0--------
A....
TUESDAY, APRIL 25, 1989
ENHANCING TRAINING INFRASTRUCTURE TO MEET CHANGING MANPOWER NEEDS
******
THE SECRETARY FOR EDUCATION AND MANPOWER. MR RON BRIDGE, TODAY (TUESDAY) REAFFIRMED GOVERNMENT’S SUPPORT TO THE WORK OF THE VOCATIONAL TRAINING COUNCIL.
OFFICIATING AT THE FOUNDATION STONE LAYING CEREMONY OF THE VOCATIONAL TRAINING COUNCIL TOWER, MR BRIDGE SAID THE MANPOWER NEEDS OF HONG KONG’S ECONOMY WOULD CONTINUE TO CHANGE AS WOULD THE ASPIRATIONS OF ITS YOUNG PEOPLE.
"THE VOCATIONAL TRAINING COUNCIL, TOGETHER WITH OTHER COMPONENTS OF HONG KONG’S MANPOWER TRAINING INFRASTRUCTURE, WILL HAVE TO REACT TO THESE CHANGES, TO MEET NEW CHALLENGES AND TO TAKE ON NEW RESPONSIBILITIES.
"IN SO DOING, THE COUNCIL CAN BE SURE OF GOVERNMENT’S CONTINUING SUPPORT," HE SAID.
THE VTC TOWER WOULD BE A VISIBLE AND TANGIBLE SYMBOL OF THE GOVERNMENT'S CONFIDENCE IN THE COUNCIL AND ITS INTENTION THAT THE COUNCIL WOULD BE A PERMANENT AND VITAL PART OF HONG KONG’S MANPOWER TRAINING INFRASTRUCTURE, HE ADDED.
ALSO SPEAKING AT THE CEREMONY, THE CHAIRMAN OF THE COUNCIL, MR STEPHEN CHEONG, SAID THE COMPLETION OF THE VTC TOWER IN 1990 WOULD FREE THE COUNCIL FROM THE WORRIES ON THE FLUCTUATIONS OF THE PROPERTY MARKET.
IT WOULD ALSO SAVE PUBLIC FUNDS OF MORE THAN $4 0 MILLION ANNUALLY IN RENT WHICH THE COUNCIL WOULD OTHERWISE HAVE TO PAY FROM THEN ONWARDS.
STANDING ON THE SITE OF THE ANNEX OF THE MORRISON HILL TECHNICAL INSTITUTE, THE TOWER OF 19-STOREY HIGH COSTS $138 MILLION TO BUILD.
THE LOWER SEVEN STOREYS WILL BE A LARGER REPLACEMENT FOR THE DEMOLISHED ANNEX OFFERING MUCH IMPROVED TEACHING FACILITIES AND STUDENT AMENITIES TO THE INSTITUTE.
THE TOP 12 STOREYS WILL HOUSE THE COUNCIL'S HEADQUARTERS, THE THREE TRAINING CENTRES WHICH ARE CURRENTLY ACCOMMODATED IN RENTED PREMISES, A NEW WHOLESALE/RETAIL AND IMPORT/EXPORT TRAINING CENTRE AND THE COUNCIL'S MANAGEMENT DEVELOPMENT CENTRE.
OFFICE SPACE WILL ALSO BE MADE AVAILABLE FOR THE GOVERNMENT SENIOR STAFF COURSE CENTRE IN THE VTC TOWER.
- 0 - -
TUESDAY, APRIL 25, 1989
5
NO NEW AIDS CASES IN MARCH *****
THE TOTAL NUMBER OF AIDS (ACQUIRED IMMUNE DEFICIENCY SYNDROME} CASES IN HONG KONG REMAINED AT 20 IN MARCH, ACCORDING TO THE MONTHLY STATISTICS RELEASED BY THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH TODAY (TUESDAY).
HOWEVER, ONE MORE AIDS CARRIER WAS REPORTED DURING THE MONTH, BRINGING THE TOTAL NUMBER TO 142.
OF THE 142 CARRIERS, 53 WERE HAEMOPHILIACS, 15 WERE PERSONS WHO ATTENDED SOCIAL HYGIENE CLINICS, 42 WERE PATIENTS FROM GOVERNMENT HOSPITALS AND CLINICS, AND 32 WERE REFERRALS FROM PRIVATE DOCTORS AND SUBVERTED ORGANISATIONS.
THE DEPARTMENT ALSO ANNOUNCED THAT ANOTHER AIDS PATIENT DIED THIS MONTH (APRIL), BRINGING THE TOTAL NUMBER OF DEATHS TO 13. THE OTHER SEVEN PATIENTS ARE STILL ALIVE AND ARE RECEIVING TREATMENT AND COUNSELLING.
UNDER THE AIDS SURVEILLANCE PROGRAMME STARTED BY THE GOVERNMENT IN 1985, A TOTAL OF 123,471 PEOPLE HAVE BEEN TESTED FOR THE AIDS VIRUS.
MEANWHILE, THE HONG KONG RED CROSS BLOOD TRANSFUSION SERVICE HAS ALSO SCREENED ALL BLOOD DONORS FOR AIDS.
UP TO MARCH, 536,154 UNITS OF BLOOD HAD BEEN TESTED AND EIGHT UNITS WERE FOUND POSITIVE.
/AIDS VIRUS
TUESDAY, APRIL 25, 1989
6
AIDS 7iris (HZ7/ Antibody Testing
Department of Health
Vins Unit
.tor 85 - Feb Ho. tested 89 ■ O x- A—V7V. No. -ve Mar No. tested 89 No. •*-ve Total No. tested No. >ve
ReferralsBfnon Govt, hospitals and clinics 7677 Ml 277 1 7954 42
Referrals from private practitioners and subventad hospitals 1737 32 6 0 17M 32
Attendances at social hygiene clinics 106533 15 2843 0 109376 15
<D /**' H .?(u o mV •ri r ^xxV-1 '• * r* r> w 362 53 c A u 367 53
?/’ trig abusers 3236 v' 32 0 3318 0
*v : u !-• <(r V' i tit » • j •■ u . 1 r>uV V'l 1'1 </» U. t‘.:? "*» O O a H AX -.,\r B !>v FVl 157 A V 3 0 160 0
’ u- Health cars personnel 545 3 3 0 553 0
120247 in 3224
123*471 142
* This Indicates the number of specimens and not persons as tests
are repeated for certain individuals. 11 -i >g rV < * lr L -< * <t >■0/5 ff 4" - w i 3 Vil
Aug 35 - ’-b 89 Mar . 89 Total No.
No. No. NO. No. No.
tested xve tested XVQ tested +ve
Hong Icng Red Cross 52484a q Blood Transfusion 11305 0 536154 8
Service • •
Department of Health April 198?
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/7........
TUESDAY, APRIL 25, 1989
7
LEGCO TO DEBATE BUDGET PROPOSALS *****
FORTY-FIVE MEMBERS WILL SPEAK IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TOMORROW (WEDNESDAY) AND THURSDAY WHEN DEBATE ON THE 1989 APPROPRIATION BILL RESUMES.
TWENTY-THREE MEMBERS ARE LISTED TO SPEAK TOMORROW AND 22 ON THURSDAY.
OFFICIAL MEMBERS WILL SPEAK ON WEDNESDAY, MAY 10.
IN ADDITION, THE REPORT OF THE DIRECTOR OF AUDIT ON THE RESULTS OF VALUE FOR MONEY AUDITS WILL BE TABLED AT THE MEETING.
MEANWHILE, THE FINANCE COMMITTEE WILL BE ASKED AT ITS MEETING TOMORROW TO APPROVE THE NECESSARY FUNDS FOR LO WU CAMP AND FOR A PROPOSED EXTENSION OF THE WHITEHEAD DETENTION CENTRE TO HOUSE ANOTHER 10,000 VIETNAMESE BOAT PEOPLE.
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COMMITTEE DISCUSSES PROPOSAL TO SPEED UP EX-GRATIA PAYMENT * * * » »
FOLLOWING THE IMPLEMENTATION OF A NEW PROCEDURE FOR PAYING EX-GRATIA ALLOWANCES TO LIVESTOCK FARMERS, IT IS EXPECTED THAT THE FIRST BATCH OF PAYMENT FOR LIVESTOCK FARMERS WHO HAD CEASED OPERATION IN PHASE ONE STAGE TWO CONTROL AREAS WILL BE READY IN THE NEXT FEW DAYS, ACCORDING TO AN ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION DEPARTMENT (EPD) REPRESENTATIVE.
MEMBERS OF THE LIVESTOCK WASTE DISPOSAL CONSULTATIVE COMMITTEE TODAY (TUESDAY) DISCUSSED A PROPOSAL TO SPEED UP THE PAYMENT OF EX-GRATIA ALLOWANCES TO LIVESTOCK FARMERS AFFECTED BY THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE LIVESTOCK WASTE CONTROL SCHEME AND WHO HAD DECIDED TO CEASE OPERATION.
IN A BID TO EXPEDITE THE PAYMENT PROCESS, IT WAS PROPOSED THAT THE PROCEDURE BE SIMPLIFIED BY PAYING 100 PER CENT EX-GRATIA ALLOWANCE TO ALL ELIGIBLE FARMERS WHO HAD COMPLETELY CEASED BUSINESS REGARDLESS OF THE LAND STATUS OF THE LIVESTOCK KEEPING STRUCTURES AND WITHOUT HAVING TO WAIT FOR LAND STATUS CHECKS.
THE PAYMENT SHOULD THEN BE AVAILABLE TO THE LIVESTOCK FARMERS IN ABOUT EIGHT TO 11 WEEKS IN THE NORMAL CASE. THE NEW PROCEDURE WOULD TAKE IMMEDIATE EFFECT, AN EPD REPRESENTATIVE EXPLAINED.
HOWEVER, THE PROPOSAL WOULD NOT CHANGE THE EXISTING POLICY THAT LIVESTOCK STRUCTURES ON GOVERNMENT LAND WOULD BE DEMOLISHED AFTER EX-GRATIA ALLOWANCES WERE PAID.
/IN A........
TUESDAY, APRIL 25, 19^9
8 -
IN A WRITTEN REPLY TO QUESTIONS RAISED BY FARMERS' REPRESENTATIVES AT THE LAST MEETING, THE LANDS AND WORKS BRANCH CLARIFIED THAT IN THE CASE OF LICENSED FARM STRUCTURES ON PRIVATE AGRICULTURAL LAND, FARMERS WHO RECEIVED PAYMENT OF EX-GRATIA ALLOWANCES FOR CESSATION OF LIVESTOCK BUSINESS IN CONTROL AREAS MIGHT RE-USE THEIR VACATED FARMS FOR NON-POLLUTING AGRICULTURAL ACTIVITIES BY NOTIFYING THE RESPECTIVE DISTRICT LANDS OFFICE IN WRITING.
THEY SHOULD ALSO NOTIFY THE RESPECTIVE DISTRICT LANDS OFFICE IN WRITING IF THEY WANTED TO RE-USE THE STRUCTURES FOR LIVESTOCK KEEPING PURPOSES.
HOWEVER, IN THE CASE OF TOLERATED FARM STRUCTURES ON PRIVATE AGRICULTURAL LAND, A LETTER OF APPROVAL FROM THE DISTRICT LANDS OFFICE WAS USUALLY REQUIRED IF THESE STRUCTURES WERE TO BE RE-USED FOR AGRICULTURAL ACTIVITIES.
AN EPD REPRESENTATIVE ADDED THAT FARMERS RESUMING LIVESTOCK KEEPING ACTIVITIES AFTER RECEIVING EX-GRATIA ALLOWANCES WERE REQUIRED TO COMPLY WITH POLLUTION CONTROL REQUIREMENTS UNDER THE WASTE DISPOSAL (LIVESTOCK WASTE) REGULATIONS. EPD WOULD TAKE PROSECUTION ACTION AGAINST NON-COMPLIANCE.
AT TODAY'S MEETING, THE MEMBERS WERE ALSO BRIEFED BY REPRESENTATIVES FROM THE EPD ON THE PROGRESS OF THE PRIVATE FARM DEMONSTRATION PROJECTS.
THEY LEARNT THAT ARRANGEMENTS WERE NOW BEING MADE FOR FARMERS' ASSOCIATIONS AND INDIVIDUAL FARMERS WHO WERE INTERESTED TO SEE HOW THE WASTE TREATMENT SYSTEM ACTUALLY WORKS TO VISIT THE PRIVATE FARMS PARTICIPATING IN THE DEMONSTRATION PROJECTS.
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DB MEMBERS VISIT PROPOSED LIVESTOCK WASTE CONSOLIDATION SITE **»»»»
NORTH DISTRICT BOARD MEMBERS TODAY (TUESDAY) VISITED THE PROPOSED LIVESTOCK WASTE CONSOLIDATION SITE AT SHA LING WITHIN THE FRONTIER CLOSED AREA AND A COMPOSTING PLANT AT NGAU TAM MEI IN YUEN LONG.
THE FAMILIARISATION VISIT WAS SUGGESTED AT A MEETING OF THE BOARD LAST THURSDAY (APRIL 20) DURING WHICH MEMBERS’ ENDORSEMENT TO THE PROPOSAL WAS SOUGHT.
LED BY THE DISTRICT BOARD CHAIRMAN, MR RAYMOND PANG, AND THE ASSISTANT NORTH DISTRICT OFFICER (DEVELOPMENT), MRS TERESA WONG, THE PARTY FIRST WENT TO THE SITE AT SHA LING.
THE SITE HAS BEEN IDENTIFIED FOR COMPOSTING TREATMENT OF LIVESTOCK WASTE COLLECTED FROM FARMS IN NORTH DISTRICT IN LINE WITH THE LIVESTOCK WASTE CONTROL SCHEME.
/THERE THEY
TUESDAY, APRIL 25, 1989
- 9 -
THERE THEY WERE BRIEFED BY THE SENIOR ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION OFFICER OF THE LIVESTOCK WASTE CONTROL GROUP, ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION DEPARTMENT, MR MICHAEL WU ON THE SITE’S GEOGRAPHICAL SETTING AND WAYS TO MINIMISE ITS ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT ON THE LOCAL COMMUNITIES.
THEY THEN PROCEEDED TO THE NGAU TAM MEI PLANT WHICH HANDLES 12 TONNES OF RAW MANURE A DAY.
MEMBERS WILL GIVE THEIR VIEWS ON THE PROPOSAL TO SET UP A LIVESTOCK WASTE CONSOLIDATION SITE AT SHA LING AT A SUPPLEMENTARY BOARD MEETING TO BE HELD ON FRIDAY (APRIL 28).
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DB COMMITTEE TO DISCUSS HOSPITAL SERVICES t t » t »
THE SHA TIN DISTRICT BOARD’S HEALTH, EDUCATION AND WELFARE COMMITTEE WILL CONSIDER THE ADEQUACY OF HOSPITAL SERVICES FOR SHA TIN AT ITS MEETING TOMORROW (WEDNESDAY) AFTERNOON.
A MEMBER, MR LI PO-MING, WILL ASK WHETHER THERE ARE PLANS FOR BUILDING ADDITIONAL GOVERNMENT HOSPITALS AND CLINICS TO MEET THE DISTRICT’S RAPID POPULATION GROWTH.
ANOTHER MEMBER, MR WONG LUEN-KIN, WILL ASK ABOUT THE CHANNELS FOR COMPLAINT AT THE PRINCE OF WALES HOSPITAL AND HOW COMPLAINTS ABOUT THE HOSPITAL ARE DEALT WITH.
MR WONG WILL ALSO WANT TO KNOW IF THE GOVERNMENT WOULD CONSULT DISTRICT BOARDS ON THE REPORT OF THE CENTRAL COMMITTEE ON SERVICES FOR THE ELDERLY.
IN VIEW OF THE NOISES CAUSED BY A BAR OPERATING IN BELAIR GARDEN, A MEMBER, MR WONG FUK-WAH, WILL ASK THE ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION DEPARTMENT WHETHER THERE ARE RESTRICTIONS PLACED ON SUCH ESTABLISHMENTS OPERATING IN RESIDENTIAL AREAS.
MEANWHILE, THE COMMITTEE WILL DISCUSS THE REPORT ON ANTI-SMOKING PROPOSALS AND THE ANNUAL PROGRAMMES OF WORK FROM THE DISTRICT LANDS OFFICE, SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT AND EDUCATION DEPARTMENT.
THE COMMITTEE WILL ALSO CONSIDER THE NOMINATION OF CO-OPTED MEMBERS AND THE SETTING UP OF STANDING WORKING GROUPS.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE MEETING OF THE SHA TIN DISTRICT BOARD’S HEALTH, EDUCATION AND WELFARE COMMITTEE TO BEGIN AT 2.30 PM TOMORROW (WEDNESDAY) IN THE DB CONFERENCE ROOM ON THE SIXTH FLOOR, KCR HOUSE, SHA TIN STATION.
_ _ _ _ 0-------
/1O .......
TUESDAY, APRIL 25, 1989
10
DB COMMITTEE TO CONSIDER FUNDING SUMMER YOUTH ACTIVITIES » » ♦ ♦ *
THE KOWLOON CITY DISTRICT BOARD’S COMMUNITY BUILDING COMMITTEE WILL CONSIDER, AT ITS MEETING ON THURSDAY (APRIL 27), AN APPLICATION FROM THE DISTRICT’S SUMMER YOUTH PROGRAMME CO-ORDINATING COMMITTEE FOR $140,000 IN DB FUNDS.
TOGETHER WITH FUNDS FROM THE ROYAL HONG KONG JOCKEY CLUB AND PRIVATE DONORS, THE ALLOCATION WILL BE USED IN ORGANISING ABOUT 300 ACTIVITIES FOR YOUNG PEOPLE OF THE DISTRICT FROM JUNE TO SEPTEMBER.
THE COMMITTEE WILL ALSO CONSIDER NINE OTHER APPLICATIONS FOR FUNDS FOR HOLDING VARIOUS EVENTS IN THE DISTRICT. THESE RANGE FROM DRAMA PERFORMANCE, FILM SHOW, CONCERT, TABLE-TENNIS COMPETITION, VISITING OLD PEOPLE, PICNICS, TO RECRUITMENT DRIVES FOR THE CHILDREN’S CHORUS AND DANCE GROUPS.
A PAPER INTRODUCING FAMILY LIFE EDUCATION WITH SPECIAL REFERENCE TO THE DISTRICT AND A LIST OF URBAN COUNCIL'S RECREATION AND SPORTS PROGRAMMES FOR KOWLOON CITY WILL BE TABLED FOR MEMBERS' INFORMATION.
ANOTHER ITEM FOR DISCUSSION WILL BE THE REVISED PROPOSED BUDGET ALLOCATION FOR THE COMMITTEE IN 1989-90.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE MEETING OF THE KOWLOON CITY DISTRICT BOARD’S COMMUNITY BUILDING COMMITTEE TO BE HELD ON THURSDAY (APRIL 27) IN THE KOWLOON CITY DISTRICT OFFICE CONFERENCE ROOM, 141 KAU PUI LUNG ROAD.
THE MEETING WILL BEGIN AT 2.15 PM.
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CROSS HARBOUR BUS SERVICES ON DB COMMITTEE AGENDA ♦ ♦ t » *
THE TRAFFIC AND TRANSPORT COMMITTEE OF THE EASTERN DISTRICT BOARD WILL DISCUSS CROSS HARBOUR BUS SERVICES RUNNING VIA THE EASTERN HARBOUR CROSSING AT ITS MEETING ON THURSDAY (APRIL 27).
IT IS PROPOSED THAT TWO NEW BUS ROUTES, NAMELY ROUTE 401 RUNNING FROM ADMIRALTY TO SAU MAU PING AND ROUTE 404 TRAVELLING FROM CHAI WAN TO CHOI WAN, SHALL BE OPERTATED VIA THE CROSSING WHICH IS DUB TO OPEN THIS SUMMER.
MEMBERS ARE CONCERNED THAT RESIDENTS IN THE NORTH POINT EAST AND QUARRY BAY AREAS MAY NOT BE SERVED BY THESE BUS ROUTES.
/THEY WILL
TUESDAY, APRIL 25, 1989
- 11
THEY WILL ALSO URGE THE MASS TRANSIT RAILWAY CORPORATION TO CONSIDER ABOLISHING THE PEAK-HOUR SURCHARGE WHEN THE NEW MTR LINE LINKING QUARRY BAY AND KWUN TONG COMES INTO OPERATION THIS SUMMER.
THE CHIEF TRANSPORT OFFICER (HONG KONG AND ISLANDS), MR T.V. RUNNACLES, WILL BRIEF MEMBERS ON THE SCHEME OF CONTROL FOR THE TWO FRANCHISED BUS COMPANIES.
OTHER ITEMS ON THE AGENDA INCLUDE THE PROBLEM OF ILLEGAL PARKING OF VEHICLES AT QUARRY BAY STREET AND THE ISSUE OF PEDESTRIAN SAFETY ALONG THE PATH BETWEEN THE CONSTRUCTION SITE OF THE JAVA ROAD URBAN COUNCIL COMPLEX AND THE WEST BLOCK OF NORTH POINT ESTATE.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE MEETING OF THE EASTERN DISTRICT BOARD’S TRAFFIC AND TRANSPORT COMMITTEE ON THURSDAY (APRIL 27), BEGINNING AT 2.30 PM IN THE CONFERENCE ROOM OF THE EASTERN DISTRICT OFFICE, FIRST FLOOR, 880-886 KING’S ROAD.
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CELEBRATION OF TIN HAU FESTIVAL
IN SAI KUNG
A TWO-DAY CELEBRATION TO HONOUR THE SEAFARERS’ PATRON GODDESS ’’TIN HAU” WILL BE HELD AT JOSS HOUSE BAY, SAI KUNG FROM THURSDAY (APRIL 27) TO MARK THE ANNUAL TIN HAU FESTIVAL.
ABOUT 60,000 WORSHIPPERS AND SIGHTSEERS ARE EXPECTED TO FLOCK TO THE TIN HAU TEMPLE AT JOSS HOUSE BAY DURING THE PERIOD.
IN VIEW OF THE ANTICIPATED LARGE CROWD, SAI KUNG DISTRICT OFFICER, MR CHRISTOPHER MUNN, URGED WORSHIPPERS TO MAKE GOOD USE OF SEA TRANSPORT.
SPECIAL FERRY SERVICES WILL BE ARRANGED BY THE HONGKONG AND YAUMATI FERRY COMPANY TO TAKE WORSHIPPERS TO JOSS HOUSE BAY.
THE FIRST FERRY FROM NORTH POINT PIER WILL DEPART AT 10.30 AM ON THURSDAY AND THE LAST FERRY FROM JOSS HOUSE BAY TO NORTH POINT WILL DEPART AT 4 PM THE NEXT DAY.
MR MUNN AND THE DISTRICT BOARD CHAIRMAN, MR WILLIAM WAN, WILL ATTEND A WORSHIP CEREMONY ON FRIDAY (APRIL 28).
MR MUNN REMINDED WORSHIPPERS THAT TAKING MORE THAN THREE BURNING JOSS STICKS INTO AND THE BURNING OF PAPER OFFERINGS INSIDE THE TEMPLE WOULD BE PROHIBITED.
/HOWEVER, SUFFICIENT .......
TUESDAY, APRIL 25, 1989
- 12 -
HOWEVER, SUFFICIENT INCINERATORS WOULD BE PROVIDED OUTSIDE THE TEMPLE TO HOLD BURNING PAPERS AND JOSS STICKS, HE SAID.
MR MUNN ALSO ADVISED WORSHIPPERS TO DISCARD RUBBISH IN LITTER BINS AND NOT TO USE LOUDHAILERS OR BROADCAST TAPES WITHIN THE TEMPLE AREA.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE WORSHIP CEREMONY FOR THE TIN HAU FESTIVAL AT JOSS HOUSE BAY, SAI KUNG ON FRIDAY (APRIL 28).
TRANSPORT FOR MEDIA REPRESENTATIVES WILL DEPART FROM THE SAI KUNG POST OFFICE, SAI KUNG GOVERNMENT OFFICES, CHAN MAN STREET, SAI KUNG TOWN AT 10.30 AM.
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TRAFFIC PLAN FOR TIN HAU FESTIVAL *****
SPECIAL TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS WILL BE IMPLEMENTED IN TUEN MUN, YUEN LONG AND CHA KWO LING ON FRIDAY (APRIL 28) IN CONNECTION WITH THE TIN HAU FESTIVAL.
THE ARRANGEMENTS WILL INCLUDE ROAD CLOSURES AND TRAFFIC RE-ROUTEINGS.
IN TUEN MUN, BETWEEN 8 AM AND 5 PM, THE FOLLOWING ROAD SECTIONS WILL BE CLOSED TO TRAFFIC:
* TIN HAU ROAD SOUTH OF SAN HOP LANE;
* SAN ON STREET BETWEEN HING WONG STREET AND ITS SOUTHERN JUNCTION WITH HUNG CHEUNG ROAD;
* HUNG CHEUNG ROAD BETWEEN ITS SOUTHERN JUNCTION WITH SAN PING CIRCUIT AND TIN HAU ROAD; AND
* SAN PING CIRCUIT BETWEEN SAN YICK LANE AND SAN LIK STREET.
AT THE SAME TIME, ALL PARKING SPACES AT HUNG CHEUNG ROAD CARPARK WILL BE SUSPENDED.
IN YUEN LONG, A NUMBER OF ROAD SECTIONS WILL ALSO BE CLOSED TO TRAFFIC FROM FRIDAY MORNING.
/FROM 9
o
TUESDAY, APRIL 25, 1989
- 15 -
FROM 9 AM, FUNG CHEUNG ROAD BETWEEN KIN LOK STREET AND FUNG KAM STREET: AND HOP YICK ROAD WILL BE CLOSED.
IN ADDITION, THE SECTION OF TAI TONG ROAD BETWEEN KAU YUK ROAD AND FRASER VILLAGE; KAU YUK ROAD; YUEN LONG TAI YUK ROAD; MA TIN ROAD; AND AN UNNAMED NULLAH-BUND ROAD FROM MA TIN TSUEN TO LUNG TIN TSUEN WILL BE CLOSED FROM 10 AM.
FROM 7 AM ON THURSDAY (APRIL 27) TO 10 PM ON FRIDAY (APRIL 28), THE NORTHERN NULLAH-BUND ROAD FROM TAI KEI LENG TO TAI SHU HA WILL BE RE-ROUTED ONE-WAY EASTBOUND; AND THE SOUTHERN NULLAH-BUND ROAD WILL BE RE-ROUTED ONE-WAY WESTBOUND.
MEANWHILE, NEW TERRITORIES GREEN MINIBUS ROUTE 73 WILL BE RE-ROUTED VIA THE SOUTHERN NULLAH-BUND ROAD ON ITS JOURNEYS TO YUEN LONG TOWN.
THE OFF-STREET CARPARK ON YUEN LONG TAI YUK ROAD OUTSIDE THE YUEN LONG STADIUM AND ALL ON-STREET PARKING SPACES ON FUNG CHEUNG ROAD, YUEN LONG TAI YUK ROAD, MA TIN ROAD, TAI TONG ROAD SECTION BETWEEN KAU YUK ROAD AND FRASER VILLAGE WILL BE SUSPENDED FROM 8 AM ON FRIDAY UNTIL COMPLETION OF THE CELEBRATION CEREMONY.
ILLEGALLY PARKED VEHICLES WILL BE REMOVED BY THE POLICE.
ALSO, ROUTEINGS OF A NUMBER OF BUS AND GREEN MINIBUS ROUTES WILL BE DIVERTED FROM 9 AM UNTIL THE CEREMONY COMPLETES.
LIGHT RAIL TRANSIT BUS ROUTE 656 WILL OPERATE FROM WONG NAI TUN VIA TAI TONG ROAD TO FRASER VILLAGE AND THE SERVICE WILL BE PROVIDED BY 24-SEAT COACHES.
NEW TERRITORIES GREEN MINIBUS ROUTES 31 AND 32 WILL BE DIVERTED VIA CASTLE PEAK ROAD (YUEN LONG), TUNG LOK STREET, YUEN LONG ON NING ROAD, SAI TAI STREET, KUK TING STREET, TAI TONG ROAD, YU KING SQUARE, YUEN LONG HONG LOK ROAD AND HONG KING STREET ON THEIR JOURNEYS TO YUEN LONG TOWN.
ROUTE 39 WILL OPERATE BETWEEN KUNG OM AND LUNG TIN TSUEN ALONG THE UNNAMED NULLAH-BUND ROAD AND A TEMPORARY STOP WILL BE PROVIDED AT LUNG TIN TSUEN.
ROUTE 73 WILL BE SUSPENDED BUT WILL RESUME SERVICE AFTER COMPLETION OF THE CEREMONY.
TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENT IN CHA KWO LING WILL START FROM 8 AM TO 6 PM.
A SECTION OF CHA KWO LING ROAD FROM ITS JUNCTION WITH WING FOOK STREET TO A POINT ABOUT 900 METRES EAST OF THE SAME JUNCTION WILL BE CLOSED.
MOTORISTS ON WAI YIP STREET HEADING FOR YAU TONG AREA WILL BE DIVERTED TO TRAVEL VIA KING YIP STREET, CHA KWO LING ROAD, LEI YUE MUN ROAD WESTBOUND, KWUN TONG ROAD WESTBOUND, ROUNDABOUT AND KWUN TONG ROAD EASTBOUND.
/MOTORISTS WILL .......
TUESDAY, APRIL 25, 1989
14 -
MOTORISTS WILL BE ALLOWED TO MAKE THE U-TURNING FROM CHA KWO LING ROAD WESTBOUND ONTO CHA KWO LING ROAD EASTBOUND OUTSIDE CHUNG HWA SHIPYARD.
THE STAND FOR PUBLIC LIGHT BUS ROUTES 23, 23A AND 23B OUTSIDE HOUSE NOS. 175-193 CHA KWO LING ROAD WILL BE SUSPENDED. PASSENGERS ARE ADVISED TO MAKE USE OF THE APPROVED STOPPING PLACE IN FRONT OF THE SHELL OIL DEPOT ON CHA KWO LING ROAD WESTBOUND.
IN ADDITION, TAI 0 MUN ROAD BETWEEN CLEAR WATER BAY NO. 2 BEACH CARPARK AND PO TOI O CHUEN ROAD WILL BE CLOSED FROM 7 AM ON THURSDAY TO 6 PM ON FRIDAY.
ONLY EMERGENCY VEHICLES; PO TOI 0 VILLAGERS’ VEHICLES; VEHICLES OF THE GOLF AND COUNTRY CLUB IDENTIFIED BY SPECIFIED LABELS OF THE CLUB; SHUTTLE SERVICE VEHICLES OF THE GOLF AND COUNTRY CLUB; COACHES FULLY LOADED WITH WORSHIPPERS; AND SERVICE VEHICLES OF THE INVOLVED ORGANISATIONS DEPLOYED ON DUTY FOR THE FESTIVAL ARE ALLOWED TO ENTER.
FAREWELL TO GIS CREATIVE DIRECTOR ♦ * » * ♦
COLLEAGUES AND FRIENDS TODAY (TUESDAY) BADE A FOND FAREWELL TO MR ARTHUR HACKER, CREATIVE DIRECTOR OF THE GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES WHO IS RETIRING AFTER MORE THAN 21 YEARS’ SERVICE.
AT A FAREWELL RECEPTION ALSO ATTENDED BY THE CHIEF SECRETARY, SIR DAVID FORD, THE DIRECTOR OF INFORMATION SERVICES, MRS IRENE YAU, SAID MR HACKER HAD DEVOTED HIMSELF TO THE TASK OF COMMUNICATING INFORMATION THROUGH THE VISUAL MEDIUM IN A MANNER WHICH WAS NOT ONLY EDUCATIONAL BUT ALSO ENTERTAINING.
"HE HAS ELEVATED THE QUALITY OF OUR PUBLICATIONS, POSTERS, PRINTED MATTER, EXHIBITIONS AND DISPLAYS, FILMS AND TELEVISION MESSAGES TO HEIGHTS WE COULD BARELY HAVE ENVISAGED TWO DECADES AGO, "MRS YAU ADDED.
SHE CITED THE "LAP SAP CHUNG" IN THE CLEAN HONG KONG CAMPAIGN AND THE BROKEN DAGGER FOR THE FIGHT CRIME CAMPAIGN AS SOME OF THE IMAGES WHICH MR HACKER HAD CREATED AND WHICH WOULD REMAIN FIXED IN THE MEMORY OF MANY HONG KONG PEOPLE.
-----0 - -
TUESDAY, APRIL 25, 1989
- 15 -
RECREATION CENTRE FOR SAI KUNG ♦ * * ♦
A RECREATION CENTRE WHICH WILL INCORPORATE FACILITIES FOR A WIDE VARIETY OF INDOOR AND OUTDOOR LEISURE ACTIVITIES IS BEING BUILT IN SAT KUNG.
THE ARCHITECTURAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT HAS AWARDED AN $18 MILLION CONTRACT FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF THE SAI KUNG OUTDOOR RECREATION CENTRE STAGES II-A AND B.
STAGE Il-A WORKS NOW BEING CARRIED OUT INCLUDE A CANTEEN, OFFICE, FOUR SQUASH COURTS AND TWO TENNIS COURTS. THEY WILL BE COMPLETED IN JUNE THIS YEAR.
STAGE Il-B WORKS WILL INVOLVE A MAJOR REDEVELOPMENT OF THE OLD RECREATION CENTRE, WHICH CONSISTS A DORMITORY, A SWIMMING POOL, A ROLLER SKATING RINK, AN ARCHERY FIELD AND A CHILDREN PLAY AREA. .
THE NEW FACILITIES TO BE CONSTRUCTED INCLUDE A TWO-STOREY INDOOR ACTIVITIES CENTRE, A SINGLE-STOREY BICYCLE STORE, A GARDEN SHED, A PAVILION. TWO ROADSIDE SHELTERS, ONE MINI-SOCCER PITCH, A BARBECUE SITE, CYCLING TRACK AND CHILDREN PLAY AREA.
THE INDOOR ACTIVITIES CENTRE WILL HAVE DIFFERENT ROOMS FOR GAMES, FITNESS EXERCISES, DANCING, TABLE TENNIS, MUSIC AND SOCIAL GATHERING.
WORK ON STAGE II-B OF THE CENTRE, WHICH IS LOCATED BEHIND THE SAI KUNG FIRE STATION ON SAI KUNG ROAD, WILL START IN JULY.
UPON ITS COMPLETION IN NOVEMBER 1990, THE RECREATION CENTRE WILL BE HANDED OVER TO THE REGIONAL COUNCIL FOR MANAGEMENT.
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WORKS TO ALLEVIATE FLOODING IN NORTH WEST NT
THE CIVIL ENGINEERING SERVICES DEPARTMENT IS PLANNING FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF A DRAINAGE CHANNEL IN NORTH WEST NEW TERRITORIES TO ALLEVIATE FLOODING IN THE AREA.
TENDERS FOR THE CONSTRUCTION WORKS ARE BEING INVITED BY THE DEPARTMENT. THE DRAINAGE DIVISION OF THE DEPARTMENT HAS DESIGNED AND WILL SUPERVISE THE REQUIRED WORKS.
WORKS UNDER THIS CONTRACT INCLUDE THE CONSTRUCTION OF CONCRETE-LINED DRAINAGE CHANNELS NEAR TIN SAM, SIK KONG WAI AND TSEUNG KONG WAI, AND ASSOCIATED MAINTENANCE ROADS AND FOOTPATHS.
CONSTRUCTION WORK IS SCHEDULED TO START IN AUGUST AND WILL TAKE 24 MONTHS TO COMPLETE.
ALL TENDERS MUST BE SUBMITTED BEFORE NOON ON MAY 12.
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/16
TUESDAY, APRIL 25, 1989
16
TEMPORARY TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENT IN TUEN MUN
*****
THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCED THAT TO FACILITATE DRAINAGE WORKS, RIGHT-TURNING FROM CASTLE PEAK ROAD CASTLE PEAK BAY ONTO ROAD LA 39C IS BANNED FROM TODAY (TUESDAY) UNTIL MID-MAY.
MOTORISTS ON CASTLE PEAK ROAD CASTLE PEAK BAY NORTHBOUND HEADING FOR ROAD L/\ 39C MAY USE TSING HOI CIRCUIT AND CASTLE PEAK ROAD CASTLE PEAK BAY SOUTHBOUND.
- - 0
SUSPENSION OF CARPARK AT KAI FAT PATH, TUEN MUN
******
THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCED THAT THE OPEN-AIR METERED CARPARK FOR PRIVATE CARS AT KAI FAT PATH, TUEN MUN, WILL BE SUSPENDED FROM 8 AM TOMORROW (WEDNESDAY).
THE CARPARK, TO BE LET ON A SHORT TERM TENANCY, WILL BE RE-OPENED EARLY NEXT MONTH.
- 0 -
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL: 5-8428777
’ ‘ ' • • I ..
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 26, 1989 contents page no.
LEGISLATIVE'COUNCIL'MEETING :
HK'S ECONOMIC MIRACLE DUE TO PEOPLE «ND STABLE GOVERNMENT: ALLEN LEE ............................................... 1
TECHNOLOGY IS ANSWER TO LABOUR SHORTAGE: MARIA TaM...... 3
MORE SHOULD BE DONE FOR THE MIDDLE CLASS: RITA FaN ....... 6
FINANCIAL SUCCESS BRINGS ITS OWN PROBLEMS: PETER POON .... 7
RENT SPIRAL WORRIES CHING HON-KW.\N ...................... 9
MaRTIN lee calls for stim to emigration tide............. 10
david li advocates comprehensive public policy for hk .... 12
BUDGET FORECAST - AN UNDER-ESTIMaTE : DR DaLIEL TSE ..... 15
EDWARD HO CrtLLS FOR SOLUTION TO TIGHT LABOUR SUPPLY
SITUATION ............................................. 16
INFLATION IS PRICE OF HONG KONG'S SUCCESS: RONALD ARCULLI 18
PaUL CHENG: HK MUST ASSUME COMMERCIAL LEADERSHIP ROLE .... 20
NELLIE FONG C.tLLS FOR REVIEW OF TaX SYSTEM ............. 21
CAREFUL THOUGHT TO INDIRECT TaX: JIMMY MCGREGOR.......... 23
BUDGET DOES NOT BENEFIT LOWER INCOME GROUP: ELSIE TU 26 TRUE MEDIC.vL SPENDING NOT REFLECTED: DR HENRIETTA IP 27 DR LEONG CHE-HUNG SPEAKS ON HE/.LTH POLICY .............. 29
PUBLIC ACCOUNTS COMMITTEE TO HOLD OPEN HEARING ............ J2
APPOINTMENT OF NEW POLITICAL ..DVISER ANNOUNCED............ 32
PROVISIONS TRADE FIGURES FOR MaRCH RET.1A.SED.............. 32
GOVT HELPS COMPANIES .iCCUSED OF DUMPING .................. 35
C. JjIFORNI.i TRi.DE OFFICE TO OPEN IN HONG KONG .......... 36
SUCCESSFUL TENDERER FOR PE.iK CaFE ANNOUNCED............... 38
CONSULTATION ON RIGHTS OF TaP MUN PEOPLE................... 38
ASSISTANT DIRECTOR OF EDUCATION RETIRING .................. 39
OPENING OF ORAL HEaLTH EDUCATION UNIT ..................... 40
/41 ......
ILLEGaL STRUCTURES IN NORTH POINT TO BE CLOSED ................ 41
TENDERS INVITED FOR STORAGE SITE .............................. 41
TEMPORARY TRAFFIC aRR^IGEMENTS IN SHaM SHUT PO ................ 42
URGIN’ CLEARWAYS’ IN SHA TIN .................................... 4 J
URBAN CLEARWAYS IN MONG KOK, WESTERN .......................... 4}
TEMPORARY TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS IN WESTERN, SHaU KEI WaN .... 44
TRAFFIC aRRhNGEMENT IN YAU Ma TEI ............................. 44
URBAN CLEARWAYS ON CHEUNG PEI SHaN ROAD, TSUEN WaN............. 44
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 26, 1989
1
HK’S ECONOMIC MIRACLE DUE TO PEOPLE AND STABLE GOVERNMENT: ALLEN LEE * * * * *
HONG KONG’S ECONOMIC MIRACLE WAS MADE POSSIBLE MAINLY BECAUSE OF ITS PEOPLE AND THE RIGHT ENVIRONMENT CREATED THROUGH A STABLE GOVERNMENT, SENIOR MEMBER OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL THE HON ALLEN LEE SAID TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
LEADING THE RESUMED DEBATE ON THE APPROPRIATION BILL 1989 IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL, MR LEE SAID HONG KONG HAD A DELIGENT WORKFORCE WHICH THE TERRITORY WAS PROUD OF, AND ENTERPRISING MANUFACTURERS WHO KNEW HOW TO MARKET THE RIGHT PRODUCTS IN THE RIGHT PLACE AND AT THE RIGHT TIME.
THE SECOND FACTOR WAS THE RIGHT ENVIRONMENT. HE SAID THAT LIKE MANY OTHERS, HE HAD BEEN CRITICAL OF CERTAIN POLICIES OF THE GOVERNMENT. "BUT THIS DOES NOT ERASE THE FACT THAT IT HAS IN THE PAST PROVIDED AN ENVIRONMENT CONDUCIVE TO PROSPERITY AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT."
MR LEE NOTED THAT HONG KONG PEOPLE WERE NOW IN THE PROCESS OF DISCUSSING THE BASIC LAW, A DOCUMENT WHICH WAS OF PARAMOUNT IMPORTANCE TO HONG KONG’S FUTURE.
"BUT IN THE PROCESS, WE MUST NOT FORGET THAT THE ECONOMY STILL REMAINS OUR LIFELINE, AND WHATEVER OUR POLITICAL IDEALS, WE MUST BE ALIVE TO ECONOMIC REALITIES," HE SAID.
HE SAID ONE OF THE MORE IMMEDIATE PROBLEMS FACING HONG KONG WAS INFLATION, AND HE DESCRIBED THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY’S ESTIMATE OF A 8.5 PER CENT INFLATION RATE AS "VERY CONSERVATIVE".
MR LEE FEARED THAT HONG KONG MIGHT NOT BE ABLE TO HOLD ON TO A SINGLE-DIGIT INFLATION RATE FOR LONG, AND SAID THE TERRITORY MUST GUARD AGAINST ANY PUBLIC MEASURE THAT WOULD FUEL INFLATION.
"I THEREFORE SUPPORT THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY’S CAUTIOUS APPROACH IN DEALING WITH THE SURPLUS OF THIS YEAR, NOT ONLY BECAUSE WE NEED TO SAVE UP FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF SOME MAJOR INFRASTRUCTURAL PROJECTS IN THE YEARS AHEAD, SUCH AS THE NEW AIRPORT, PORT DEVELOPMENT ETC, BUT ALSO BECAUSE OF THE NEED TO PREVENT FURTHER OVERHEATING OF OUR ECONOMY," HE SAID.
AGAINST THE BACKGROUND OF RISING INFLATION, MR LEE SAID HE HAD TO POINT OUT HIS UNEASE WITH THIS YEAR’S EXPECTED INCREASE IN GOVERNMENT EXPENDITURE AND THE EXPANSION OF THE CIVIL SERVICE.
THE NINE PER CENT INCREASE IN THE CONSOLIDATED ACCOUNT EXPENDITURE WAS WELL ABOVE THE TREND GROWTH RATE OF GDP OF SIX PER CENT OVER THE PERIOD OF THE MEDIUM RANGE FORECAST, WHILE THE 3.9 PER CENT GROWTH IN THE SIZE OF THE CIVIL SERVICE COMPARED UNCOMFORTABLY WITH THE TARGET OF 2.5 PER CENT.
/TURNING TO........
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 26, 1989,
2 -
TURNING TO THE PROBLEM OF LABOUR SHORTAGE, MR LEE SAID THE RECENT DECISION BA' THE ADMINISTRATION TO CONSIDER GREATER FLEXIBILITY IN BRINGING IN SKILLED LABOUR WAS, IN FAIRNESS, A STEP IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION.
HE HOPED THAT THE SITUATION WOULD BE CLOSELY MONITORED SO THAT ITS RESULTS WOULD BE CRITICALLY ASSESSED.
MR LEE SAID THE LONG-TERM SOLUTIONS TO THE PROBLEM OF LABOUR SHORTAGE WAS TO UPGRADE TECHNOLOGY WITH A VIEW TO MOVING UP-MARKET FOR HONG KONG’S MANUFACTURED PRODUCTS.
"IN THIS CONNECTION, I REGRET THAT I CANNOT CONCEAL MY DISAPPOINTMENT ABOUT THE LACK OF EMPHASIS OR A FOCAL POINT IN THIS YEAR’S BUDGET ON THE DEVELOPMENT OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY," HE SAID.
HE RENEWED HIS CALL FOR THE SETTING UP OF A DEPARTMENT OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY SO AS TO PLACE UNDER ONE ROOF ALL THE EXECUTIVE AUTHORITIES ENGAGED IN THE DEVELOPMENT OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY IN HONG KONG.
ON HONG KONG’S ECONOMIC LINK WITH CHINA, MR LEE SAID THAT THERE WERE AMPLE OPPORTUNITIES FOR GROWTH IN TRADING WITH CHINA.
"GIVEN HONG KONG’S STRATEGIC POSITION AT THE GATEWAY TO THE MAINLAND, WE SHOULD SEE OUR WAY TO DEVELOPING THESE OPPORTUNITIES TO THE FULL," HE SAID.
TURNING TO THE QUESTION OF BRAIN DRAIN, MR LEE SAID THAT WHATEVER THE FACTORS THAT HAD MADE PEOPLE LEAVE, IT WAS PRUDENT FOR THE GOVERNMENT TO CONSIDER WAYS TO ENSURE THAT THE ECONOMY DID NOT UNDULY SUFFER AS A RESULT.
"I SUGGEST THAT WE CAN ONLY DO THIS BY BUILDING UP PEOPLE’S CONFIDENCE THROUGH SUSTAINING HONG KONG’S GROWTH AS AN ECONOMIC AND FINANCIAL CENTRE IN THE REGION," HE SAID.
HE ADDED THAT HONG KONG SHOULD CONTINUE TO TRAIN AND EDUCATE MORE YOUNG PEOPLE TO TAKE UP JOBS LEFT OVER BY EMIGRANTS.
HE SAID THAT AS A POSITIVE MOVE TO ENCOURAGE THE MIDDLE INCOME GROUPS, OR THE SANDWICHED CLASS, TO REMAIN IN HONG KONG, THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY SHOULD CONSIDER FURTHER SALARY TAX CONCESSIONS.
HE ALSO STRONGLY RECOMMENDED THAT THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY CONSIDER THE BEST MEANS POSSIBLE TO PROVIDE A MUCH NEEDED MEASURE OF TAX RELIEF FOR THE SANDWICHED CLASS IN THE NEXT FINANCIAL YEAR.
IN MAKING THIS RECOMMENDATION. HE SAID HE HAD THE SUPPORT OF THE HON MRS SELINA CHOW, WHO COULD NOT BE PRESENT AT TODAY’S LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL MEETING.
ON SALES TAX, MR LEE SAID THE FORM OF SALES TAX PROPOSED BY THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY DESERVED FURTHER EXAMINATION.
"I FEEL OUR TAX SYSTEM IS GOOD BUT NARROWLY BASED. I WOULD SUPPORT A SALES TAX IN WHOLESALE FORM IF IT IS MANAGEABLE," HE CONCLUDED.
------o ------
/3.......
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 26,
1989
- 3
TECHNOLOGY IS ANSWER TO LABOUR SHORTAGE: MARIA TAM ♦ ♦ * ♦ »
LEGISLATIVE COUNCILLOR THE HON MARIA TAM TODAY (WEDNESDAY) SUGGESTED USING ADVANCED TECHNOLOGY AS ONE OF THE ANSWERS TO THE PROBLEM OF LABOUR SHORTAGE.
SPEAKING IN THE BUDGET DEBATE, MISS TAM SAID: "WE SHOULD EXPLORE POTEN1AL FOR OFFSHORE WORK THAT MIGHT BE CARRIED OUT BY HONG KONG COMPANIES TO OVERCOME LABOUR SHORTAGE."
SHE SAID SHE HAD SOUGHT ADVICE FROM AN EXPERT IN TELECOMMUNICATIONS ON THE TECHNICAL FEASIBILITIES OF SUCH A DEVELOPMENT AND THAT SHE WAS CONVINCED THAT SOME SERVICES MIGHT BE DONE "OFF-SHORE" BY TELECOMMUNICATIONS IN SAY, SHENZHEN.
SUCH SERVICES INCLUDED:
* TELEPHONE ANSWERING SERVICE, SUCH AS DIRECTORY ENQUIRY AND TRAVEL INFORMATION.
* DATA ENTRY. HARD COPY CAN BE SENT OFFSHORE FOR OPERATORS TO KEY THE DATA ONTO MAGNETIC TAPE OR DIRECTLY ONTO A TELECOMMUNICATIONS LINK TO THE REQUIRED COMPUTER.
* TYPESETTING OPERATORS FOR VARIOUS PUBLICATIONS. THE WRITER’S MATERIAL OR DATA CAN BE TRANSMITTED BY FAX AND TYPESETTING ARRANGED OFFSHORE.
* BACK OFFICE OPERATIONS. ALMOST ANY OFFICE ACTIVITY WHICH DOES NOT REQUIRE DIRECT CONTACT WITH THE CUSTOMER CAN BE REMOTELY LOCATED, WITH TELECOMMUNICATION LINKS PROVIDING VOICE, FAX, DATA AND EVEN VIDEO COMMUNICATIONS BETWEEN THE MAIN OFFICE AND THE BACK OFFICE, AND
* TYPING POOL. A TYPING POOL CAN BE REMOTELY LOCATED, WITH FAX AND HANDSFREE VOICE COMMUNICATIONS BETWEEN TYPISTS AND MANAGERS.
MISS TAM SAID: "NO DOUBT THAT LEAD TIME IS REQUIRED TO TRAIN THE STAFF OFFSHORE.
"BUT IN THE LONG RUN, IT CAN BECOME AN ESTABLISHED PRACTICE SUPERVISED BY A MINIMUM OF STAFF FROM HONG KONG."
MISS TAM ALSO CALLED FOR THE IMPORTATION OF LABOUR AS A TEMPORARY MEASURE IN COPING WITH THE PROBLEM.
"BASICALLY, I AM NOT IN FAVOUR OF CONTRACT LABOUR AND IT MUST BE RESTRICTED TO ’SKILLED’ PERSONS ONLY.
"THERE ALSO NEED TO BE RESTRICTIONS ON CONDITIONS OF STAY AND WITH NO EXTRA BURDEN ON TRANSPORT, HOUSING. SOCIAL WELFARE OR OTHER PUBLIC SERVICES.
/’’THE EMPLOYERS.......
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 26, 1989
"THE EMPLOYERS MUST BE FULLY RESPONSIBLE FOR THE WORKERS’ DEPARTURE FROM HONG KONG AT THE COMPLETION OF A PROJECT OR CONTRACT."
MISS TAM SAID SHE WAS ONLY SYMPATHETIC TOWARDS REDUCING DELAYS IN CAPITAL PROJECTS SUCH AS CONSTRUCTION OF HIGHWAYS AND SEWAGE SYSTEMS AND PUBLIC HOUSING BY ENGAGING "IMPORTED LABOUR".
"I DO NOT SEE THIS AS GIVING AN UNFAIR ADVANTAGE TO THE GOVERNMENT BECAUSE IT WILL RELEASE MUCH NEEDED LOCAL CONSTRUCTION WORKERS TO THE PRIVATE SECTOR.
"FROM THE BEGINNING OF THE DEBATE ON THIS ISSUE MY STANCE HAS ALWAYS BEEN THAT THE LABOUR FORCE SHOULD NOT BE DEPRIVED OF THE FRUIT OF OUR SUCCESS IN HONGKONG," SHE SAID.
MISS TAM ALSO SAID THE RETURN OF BRAIN DRAIN EMIGRANTS COULD BE AN ANSWER.
"I BELIEVE WE SHOULD ENCOURAGE THE RETURN OF THE BRAIN DRAIN EMIGRANTS. THEY WILL BE BETTER ALTERNATIVES THAN RELYING ON EXPATRIATE PROFESSIONALS TO KEEP OUR ECONOMY HUMMING."
SHE ALSO SUGGESTED MATCHING MANPOWER NEEDS WITH EDUCATION.
"HOW ARE WE GOING TO PRODUCE A STEADY FLOW OF MANAGERS AND KEY PERSONNEL?" MISS TAM ASKED.
"THE CENTRAL ISSUE IS THE QUANTITY AND QUALITY OF TERTIARY EDUCATION IN HONG KONG.
"IT OFFERS A RELATIVELY SMALL NUMBER OF TERTIARY EDUCATION OPPORTUNITIES CONSIDERING ITS RISING ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL STANDING IN THE DEVELOPED WORLD.
"TERTIARY EDUCATION HAS BEEN TARGETTED TO PROVIDE FOR 40,000 FULL TIME PLACES BY 1991, RISING TO 48,000 IN 1994 AND OVER 62,000 BY 2000.
"ALTHOUGH THE TARGET WAS SET ONLY RECENTLY, WE MUST NOT RULE OUT THE POSSIBILITY OF REVISION WHEN NECESSARY," MISS TAM SAID.
TURNING TO TECHNOLOGY INFRASTRUCTURE, MISS TAM SAID THERE WERE GAPS IN THE DEVELOPMENT OF AUTOMATED MANUFACTURING AND OFFICE AUTOMATION.
SHE SAID: "THE REASON FOR THAT IS THAT THE ECONOMY HAS BEEN TRADITIONALLY TOO DEPENDENT ON LOW COST MANPOWER.
"OUR TECHNOLOGY DEVELOPMENT STANDS AT ’DEPLOYMENT’, AND TO SOME EXTENT "APPLICATION" LEVEL."
THIS WAS A SERIOUS OBSTACLE FOR INCREASING INNOVATION IN KEY INDUSTRIES SUCH AS TEXTILE AND ELECTRONICS AND WOULD MAKE HONG KONG FAIL IN MAINTAINING THE COMPETITION WITH DEVELOPED ASIAN COUNTRIES WHICH HAD ABUNDANT SUPPLY OF CHEAP LABOUR. MISS TAM ADDED.
/SHE SAID
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 26, 1989
- 5 -
SHE SAID HIGH VALUE-ADDED DESIGN, MANAGEMENT AND TECHNICAL OPERATIONS MUST BE PURSUED.
COMMENTING ON THE LEGAL INFRASTRUCTURE, MISS TAM CONGRATULATED THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY ON THE RECENT REGULATORY REFORMS HE HAD INTRODUCED IN THE SECURITIES MARKET AND STOCK EXCHANGES.
"AND I WELCOME HIS PROPOSALS FOR INTRODUCING LEGISLATION AGAINST INSIDER TRADING.
"HONG KONG MUST ESTABLISH ITSELF AS AN HONEST BROKER SAFEGUARDING THE INTERESTS OF INTERNATIONAL INVESTORS IN HONG KONG AND CHINA SO THAT WE CAN CONTINUE TO BE FAVOURED AS A FINANCIAL CENTRE," MISS TAM SAID.
TURNING TO THE BUDGET PROPOSALS, MISS TAM SAID THE "SANDWICH CLASS", BY WHICH SHE MEANT THOSE EARNING A FIXED INCOME AT A LEVEL ABOVE THAT FOR ENJOYING PUBLIC RENTAL OR HOME OWNERSHIP HOUSING, HAD VERY LITTLE TO GAIN IF AT ALL.
THE TAX CONCESSION DID NOT RESULT IN REDUCTION OF TAX BURDEN, SHE SAID.
WHILE THE STANDARD RATE OF 15.5 PER CENT WAS REDUCED TO 15 PER CENT, THE ACTUAL WAGES AND SALARY LEVEL HAD RISEN AT A HIGHER LEVEL.
"AS A RESULT THOSE WHO ARE ALREADY IN THE TAX NET ARE MOVING INTO A HIGHER MARGINAL RATE. MORE NEW COMERS BEING CAUGHT IN THE TAX NET. "
THE 0.5 PER CENT REDUCTION WAS, IN THE LIGHT OF THE CIRCUMSTANCES, "TOO LOW", MISS TAM ADDED.
THE 0.5 PER CENT REDUCTION OF PROFIT TAX TO 16.5 PER CENT, MISS TAM SAID, WAS NOT ESSENTIAL.
"ALTHOUGH THERE ARE CASES FOR A REDUCTION IN COMPANY PROFITS TAX, THERE WAS REALLY NO STRONG PRESSURE TO DEMAND IT.
"IT SEEMS TO ME THE AMOUNT OF TAX FOREGONE UNDER THIS ITEM SHOULD HAVE BEEN ALLOCATED TO WELFARE AND MEDICAL SERVICES EXPENDITURE OR GIVEN AS TAX DEDUCTION ON EMPLOYERS' CONTRIBUTION TO PRODVI DENT FUNDS."
ON ESTATE DUTY, MISS TAM SUGGESTED LIFTING THE BASELINE TO $2.5 MILLION FROM $2 MILLION, WHICH WAS SET IN 1982, TO ALLEVIATE UNNECESSARY HARDSHIP TO THE LOWER MIDDLE INCOME FAMILIES.
SHE SAID: "THE RISING PROPERTY PRICE AND COMMERCIAL RENTAL IS GOING TO CAUSE SERIOUS INFLATION AS WE SEE THE COST OF SERVICES SUCH AS MEDICAL, LEGAL, ACCOUNTING AND ALL OTHER CONSUMER SERVICES RISING AS A RESULT OF RENTAL INCREASES.
"THE MIDDLE INCOME SANDWICH CLASS IS CAUGHT IN THE SPIRALLING NIGHTMARE AND IT MUST BE THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY’S TASK TO GIVE THEM MORE RELIEF," MISS TAM CONCLUDED.
- 0----------
/6.......
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 26, 1989
6 -
MORE SHOULD BE DONE FOR THE MIDDLE CLASS: RITA FAN
*****
THE MIDDLE CLASS WAS THE BACKBONE OF THE ECONOMY AND, OUT OF FAIRNESS AND IN RECOGNITION OF THEIR CONTRIBUTION, MORE SHOULD BE DONE FOR THEM SO THAT THEIR SENSE OF BELONGING TO HONG KONG COULD BE ENHANCED, THE HON RITA FAN SAID THIS TODAY (WEDNESDAY),
SPEAKING DURING THE BUDGET DEBATE IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL, MRS FAN NOTED THAT THE MIDDLE CLASS - PEOPLE EARNING BETWEEN $100,000 TO $300,000 PER YEAR - CONTRIBUTED 36.5 PER CENT OF THE SALARIES TAX REVENUE AND ACCOUNTED FOR ONE-THIRD OF TAXPAYERS.
HOWEVER, THEY WERE UNQUALIFIED FOR LOW COST HOUSING AND WERE UNLIKELY TO BENEFIT FROM SUBSIDISED HOUSING. FURTHER, THEIR LIVING CONDITIONS OFTEN COMPARED LESS FAVOURABLY TO THOSE IN LOW COST HOUSING, IN TERMS OF RECREATIONAL AND SHOPPING FACILITIES, MANAGEMENT, AND OTHER SERVICES.
MRS FAN SAID THAT THE REDUCTION OF STANDARD RATE OF TAX IN TWO CONSECUTIVE YEARS ONLY BENEFITED A SMALL PORTION OF THE MIDDLE CLASS. BUT THE CLAW-BACK PROVISION INTRODUCED IN 1987-88 AFFECTED THE VAST MAJORITY OF THIS SECTOR IN THAT FEW COULD BENEFIT FULLY FROM THE ADDITIONAL ALLOWANCE.
SHE SAID THAT IF THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY AGREED WITH HER ON THE IMPORTANCE OF LOOKING AFTER THE INTEREST OF THE MIDDLE CLASS, HE SHOULD CONSIDER ABOLISHING THE CLAW-BACK PROVISION IN THE TAX SYSTEM AND OFFER TAX DEDUCTIONS ON THE MORTGAGE INTEREST PAID BY FIRST TIME OWNERS OF SELF-OCCUPIED PROPERTIES.
THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY SHOULD ALSO OFFER TAX DEDUCTIONS ON THE EMPLOYEES’ CONTRIBUTION TO APPROVED RETIREMENT SCHEMES AND WIDEN THE GAP ON THE PROGRESSIVE RATE ON SALARIES TAX, SHE ADDED.
HAVING SAID THAT, MRS FAN NOTED THAT KINDERGARTEN TEACHERS WERE IN A SIMILAR POSITION TO THE MIDDLE CLASS IN THAT THEY HAD PROVIDED QUALITY EDUCATION FOR YOUNG CHILDREN BUT THEIR CONTRIBUTION WAS NOT REWARDED WITH RECOGNITION AND SUPPORT FROM THE GOVERNMENT.
SHE SAID THAT NO DIRECT SUBSIDY WAS GIVEN TO KINDERGARTENS, AND THE EDUCATION COMMISSION’S RECOMMENDATIONS ON THE TEACHER:PUPIL RATIO IN KINDERGARTENS, THE RATIO OF QUALIFIED TEACHERS TO UNQUALIFIED TEACHERS AND NORMATIVE SALARY SCALES FOR TEACHERS WERE NOT ACCEPTED.
ON THE OTHER HAND, THE EDUCATION COMMISSION’S SUGGESTION OF A "SPLIT CONTRIBUTION FACTOR" APPROACH TO ENHANCE THE FEE ASSISTANCE SCHEME TO KINDERGARTEN PUPILS WAS CONSIDERED TOO COMPLICATED AND RECEIVED LITTLE SUPPORT, MRS FAN SAID.
/NOTING THAT .......
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 26, 1989
NOTING THAT THE BUDGET FOR THE KINDERGARTEN FEE ASSISTANCE SCHEME FOR 1989-90 WAS $6.5 MILLION WHILE THE ADMINISTRATIVE COST ALREADY TOTALLED $2.64 MILLION, SHE SAID THAT IF THE GOVERNMENT WAS SINCERE ABOUT HELPING PARENTS, THEN IT SHOULD REDUCE THE BUREAUCRACY AND INCREASE THE MINIMUM LEVEL OF ASSISTANCE.
MRS FAN ALSO SAID THAT SHE AGREED WITH THE CAUTIOUS APPROACH OF THE BUDGET AS A WHOLE AND THOUGHT THAT THE TRANSFER OF $7 BILLION INTO THE DEVELOPMENT LOAN FUND TO PREPARE FOR MAJOR INFRASTRUCTURE PROJECTS WAS SENSIBLE.
WHILE SHE APPRECIATED THE DEMAND FOR GROWTH IN THE CIVIL SERVICE, SHE SAID THAT A LOOK MIGHT BE TAKEN TO SEE WHETHER THOSE SERVICES WHICH HAD BEEN PROVIDED OVER THE YEARS WERE STILL SERVING USEFUL PURPOSES.
FINANCIAL SUCCESS BRINGS ITS OWN PROBLEMS: PETER POON ******
THE 1989 BUDGET SHOWED THAT THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY WAS A LEVEL-HEADED PERSON WHO KNEW VERY WELL THAT HONG KONG’S FINANCIAL SUCCESS BROUGHT ITS OWN PROBLEMS AND THAT HE HAD TO CONSIDER ALL ASPECTS OF THE LOCAL ECONOMY AS WELL AS THE WORLD ECONOMY IN FORMULATING THE BUDGET PROPOSALS, THE HON PETER POON SAID TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
MR POON WAS SPEAKING IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL DURING THE BUDGET DEBATE.
HE NOTED THAT DESPITE THE BIG NATIONS' EFFORT TO IMPROVE THEIR ECONOMY, THE WORLD’S ECONOMIC ILLS HAD YET TO BE CURED. AND AFTER SIX YEARS OF ECONOMIC EXPANSION, THERE WAS BOUND TO BE A SLOWING DOWN.
HE SAID THAT HONG KONG WAS LUCKY IN THAT DESPITE A DROP IN EXPORT GROWTH, RE-EXPORT HAD REMAINED STRONG AND INTERNALLY-GENERATED GROWTH WERE ALSO SIGNIFICANT.
ON THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY’S ESTIMATE OF A 8.5 PER CENT INFLATION RATE FOR 1989, MR POON SAID THAT WITH THE LABOUR SHORTAGE AND THE OVER-HEATED ECONOMY, INFLATION MIGHT TURN OUT TO BE OVER 10 PER CENT UNLESS THE RECENT SHARP INCREASES IN RENTS AND WAGES AND HIGH INTEREST RATES BROUGHT THE AUTOMATIC COOLING-OFF ADJUSTMENT BEFORE THE END OF THE YEAR.
"HOWEVER, I DO NOT FORESEE RUNAWAY INFLATION WHICH WE CANNOT LIVE WITH AS WAGES IN REAL TERMS CATCH UP WITH INFLATION AT TIMES OF SEVERE LABOUR SHORTAGE," HE SAID.
HE SAID ANOTHER PROBLEM WHICH HONG KONG WOULD CONTINUE TO FACE IN FUTURE WAS PROTECTIONISM.
/FOR THE .......
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 26, 1989
8 -
FOR THE TIME BEING, PROTECTIONIST VOICES HAD LUCKILY BEEN CONTAINED BUT SHOULD THERE BE AN ECONOMIC DOWNTURN, ECONOMIC BLOCKS LIKE THE EUROPEAN COMMON MARKET AND THE NORTH AMERICAN MARKET, WHICH WAS CONSOLIDATED BY THE CANADIAN-AMERICAN TRADE PACT RECENTLY SIGNED, MIGHT RESORT TO PROTECTIONIST MEASURES, HE SAID.
"WE MUST REALISE THAT IN FUTURE, THERE IS THIS CLOUD HANGING OVER OUR ECONOMY AND THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY WAS RIGHT IN RESERVING SUBSTANTIAL FUNDS FOR OUR MAJOR EXPENDITURE ON INFRASTRUCTURE," HE SAID.
HE AGREED WITH THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY THAT HONG KONG'S ACCUMULATED RESERVES WERE AT A COMFORTABLE BUT NOT EXCESSIVE LEVEL, CONSIDERING THE VARIOUS MAJOR PROJECTS, COMMITMENTS AND ANNUAL EXPENDITURE.
TURNING TO SALES TAX, MR POON SAID IT WOULD BE WORTHWHILE TO HAVE RESEARCH CARRIED OUT AND CONSULTATION CONDUCTED ON THE TECHNICAL ASPECTS OF INTRODUCING A SALES TAX.
"HOWEVER, IT WOULD BE UNDESIRABLE TO INTRODUCE IT WITHOUT THE MOST CAREFUL CONSIDERATION OF ITS IMPACT ON THE PEOPLE OF HONG KONG, AND CERTAINLY NOT ADVISABLE WHEN THERE IS HIGH INFLATION AND SUBSTANTIAL ANNUAL SURPLUS," HE SAID.
HE ADDED THAT THE REDUCTION IN THE STANDARD TAX RATE OF HALF A PERCENTAGE POINT WAS WELCOME.
BUT HE WOULD HAVE LIKED TO SEE A MORE GENEROUS INCREASE IN PERSONAL ALLOWANCES, A FURTHER WIDENING OF THE TAX BANDS AND THE ABOLITION OF THE CLAWBACK PROVISION WHICH, HE SAID, STARTED TO BITE AT INCOME AS LOW AS JUST UNDER $4,000 A MONTH FOR A SINGLE PERSON.
MR POON WELCOMED THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY'S CONFIRMATION THAT PLANS FOR THE INTRODUCTION OF SEPARATE TAXATION FOR MARRIED WOMEN WERE WELL IN PROGRESS AND THAT THE GOVERNMENT INTENDED TO IMPLEMENT IT IN 1990.
MR POON ALSO SUPPORTED PROPOSALS TO INCREASE INITIAL CAPITAL ALLOWANCE AND TO TOTALLY ABOLISH INTEREST TAX.
- 0----------
/9........
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 26, 1989
- 9
RENT SPIRAL WORRIES CHENG HON-KWAN ♦ t ♦ ♦ ♦
MANY HONG KONG PEOPLE FIND SKYROCKETING RENTALS OF BOTH COMMERCIAL AND RESIDENTIAL PREMISES A SUBJECT OF INCREASING CONCERN, THE HON CHENG HON-KWAN SAID IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
SPEAKING DURING THE BUDGET DEBATE, MR CHENG SAID THIS WAS PARTICULARLY SO FOR COMMERCIAL PREMISES AS THERE WAS NO CONTROL OVER OFFICE RENTALS.
”IT IS APPALLING TO LEARN THAT RENTALS FOR OFFICE SPACE IN CENTRAL, IN SOME CASES, INCREASED BY AS MUCH AS OVER 70 PER CENT LAST YEAR ALONE,” HE SAID.
HE SAID THAT SUCH HIGH RENTS WERE A GENUINE REFLECTION OF THE ACUTE SHORTAGE OF AND HIGH DEMAND FOR OFFICE ACCOMMODATION, ESPECIALLY QUALITY OFFICE ACCOMMODATION IN PRIME LOCATIONS.
HE SAID THAT THE RENTAL SPIRAL, IF ALLOWED TO CONTINUE, WAS BOUND TO DETER NEWCOMERS FROM SETTING UP OFFICES IN HONG KONG AND CAUSE INTERNATIONAL FIRMS WHICH WERE ALREADY HERE TO CONSIDER RELOCATING THEIR BASES.
HE SUGGESTED THAT THERE WAS AN URGENT NEED FOR THE GOVERNMENT TO MAKE AVAILABLE ADDITIONAL LAND FOR COMMERCIAL DEVELOPMENT.
WHILE LAND FORMATION PROGRAMMES FOR THE PROVISION OF ADDITIONAL LAND FOR OFFICE DEVELOPMENT IN CENTRAL AND OTHER LOCATIONS WOULD REQUIRE A FEW YEARS TO COMPLETE, THERE WERE MEASURES WHICH THE GOVERNMENT COULD IMPLEMENT TO PROVIDE RELIEF WITH IMMEDIATE EFFECT, HE SAID.
”ONE OF THESE IS THE REZONING OF INDUSTRIAL LAND IN SUITABLE LOCATIONS FOR COMMERCIAL USE,” HE SUGGESTED.
HE ADDED THAT ANY UNDUE DELAY IN TACKLING THE PROBLEM OF RENTAL SPIRAL WOULD BRING ABOUT ADVERSE EFFECTS TO THE ECONOMY.
MR CHENG SAID ANOTHER AREA WHICH COULD STRENGTHEN PUBLIC CONFIDENCE WAS THE PROVISION OF MORE PLACES FOR HIGHER EDUCATION, ESPECIALLY AT A TIME WHEN HONG KONG WAS BEGINNING TO FEEL THE IMPACT OF THE BRAIN DRAIN PROBLEM.
BUT TERTIARY INSTITUTIONS, ESPECIALLY THE NON-UNIVERSITY INSTITUTIONS, HAD EXPERIENCED DIFFICULTIES IN RECRUITING SUFFICIENT QUALIFIED STAFF, HE SAID.
MR CHENG SAID THE LESS ATTRACTIVE SALARIES AND CONDITIONS OF SERVICE OF STAFF IN NON-UNIVERSITY INSTITUTIONS WERE A MAJOR FACTOR BEHIND THE DIFFICULTY IN FINDING THE REQUIRED STAFF.
/IN ORDER .......
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 26, 1989
- 10
IN ORDER TO RETAIN EXISTING STAFF AND TO CONTINUE TO ATTRACT OTHERS OF SIMILAR CALIBRE, IT WAS ESSENTIAL THAT THE SALARIES OFFERED TO STAFF AT THESE INSTITUTIONS WERE COMPARABLE TO THOSE AT THE UNIVERSITIES, MR CHENG SAID.
"THE QUESTION OF PARITY OF TREATMENT AMONG THE SIX INSTITUTIONS, WHICH WERE COMPONENTS OF ONE SYSTEM OF HIGHER EDUCATION, WAS AN ISSUE WHICH SHOULD BE DEALT WITH WITHOUT ANY DELAY," HE SAID.
TURNING TO THE BUDGET AS A WHOLE, MR CHENG SAID IT WAS ENCOURAGING, PARTICULARLY WITH ITS EMPHASIS ON GROWTH IN SPENDING ON INFRASTRUCTURE, WHICH WAS SO VITAL TO HONG KONG’S CONTINUED PROSPERITY.
--------0 ---------
MARTIN LEE CALLS FOR STEM TO EMIGRATION TIDE t * * » *
THE MOST IMPORTANT TASK FACING THE ADMINISTRATION TODAY IS TO STEM THE EMIGRATION TIDE AND MAKE THE PEOPLE STAY HERE, PARTICULARLY PROFESSIONAL PEOPLE AND THOSE IN MIDDLE MANAGEMENT, WHO ARE OFTEN CALLED "THE SANDWICH CLASS", THE HON MARTIN LEE SAID IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
SPEAKING IN THE BUDGET DEBATE, MR LEE OBSERVED THAT THE SANDWICH CLASS WERE PEOPLE WE COULD LEAST AFFORD TO LOSE. THEY WERE ALSO THE PEOPLE WHO HAD TRADITIONALLY BORNE THE BRUNT OF THE TAX BURDEN BUT ENJOYED VERY FEW BENEFITS IN RETURN.
PROPOSALS BY’ THE ADMINISTRATION TO BUILD MORE INTERNATIONAL SCHOOLS, TO IMPROVE CONTACT WITH HONG KONG PEOPLE WHO HAVE MOVED OVERSEAS, AND TO TRAIN MORE PROFESSIONAL PEOPLE WOULD ONLY ALLEVIATE THE EMIGRATION PROBLEM IN SOME SMALL MEASURES, HE SAID.
A MUCH MORE EFFECTIVE WAY WAS TO MAKE HONG KONG A MORE ATTRACTIVE PLACE TO LIVE IN, AND THE FIRST THING WE COULD DO WAS TO HELP THESE PEOPLE MEET THE ASPIRATION OF BUYING THEIR OWN HOMES, HE ENVISAGED.
AS THE SPIRALLING PROPERTY AND HIGH INTEREST RATES HAD MADE IT QUITE IMPOSSIBLE FOR THE SANDWICH CLASS TO PURCHASE THEIR OWN HOMES, MR LEE URGED THE ADMINISTRATION TO HELP THEM BY ALLOWING TAX DEDUCTIONS FOR INTEREST PAYMENTS ON MORTGAGE LOANS FOR OWNER-OCCUPIED FLATS.
MR LEE HIGHLIGHTED A NUMBER OF MALPRACTICES IN THE PROPERTY MARKET, SUCH AS ESTATE AGENTS INVOLVED IN SPECULATION ACTIVITIES RATHER THAN SERVING THEIR CLIENTS, DIRECTORS AND EMPLOYEES OF REDEVELOPMENT COMPANIES RESERVING DOMESTIC UNITS AND REAPING HANDSOME PROFITS BY ALMOST IMMEDIATE RE-SALE AND TRIAD ACTIVITIES AMONG THE PEOPLE QUEUING UP FOR FLATS.
/"I SUGGEST
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 26, 1989
11
"I SUGGEST THAT THE ADMINISTRATION SHOULD STUDY THESE PROBLEMS AND TRY TO FIND OUT WHETHER PEOPLE ARE BUYING PROPERTIES FOR INVESTMENT OR FOR SPECULATION, AND DECIDE WHETHER IT IS DESIRABLE IN THE LONG-TERM INTEREST OF HONG KONG TO INTRODUCE A PROPERTY GAINS TAX ON TRANSACTIONS RELATING TO PROPERTIES AS WELL AS SHARES OF COMPANIES WHICH ARE USED PRIMARILY AS VEHICLES FOR HOLDING PROPERTIES.
"I AM NOT SUGGESTING THAT SUCH A TAX SHOULD BE INTRODUCED RIGHT NOW, FOR THERE ARE WIDER IMPLICATIONS. BUT THIS IS A MEASURE WHICH HAS FOUND FAVOUR IN OTHER COUNTRIES, AND IT MAY BE A NECESSARY WEAPON TO USE IN ORDER TO COOL DOWN THE PROPERTY MARKET IF IT GETS ANY HOTTER," HE SAID.
ANOTHER EFFECTIVE WAY TO MAKE HONG KONG A BETTER PLACE TO LIVE IN WAS TO IMPROVE THE ENVIRONMENT, MR LEE, WHO WAS CONVENOR OF THE OMELCO STANDING PANEL ON ENVIRONMENTAL AFFAIRS. SAID.
WHILE OBSERVING THAT MORE AND MORE PEOPLE, INCLUDING INDUSTRALISTS, PARTICULARLY THOSE OPERATING LARGE FACTORIES, WERE PREPARED TO JOIN IN THE FIGHT AGAINST POLLUTION, HE WAS CONCERNED THAT SOME OF THE SMALL FACTORY-OWNERS WOULD BE DRIVEN OUT OF BUSINESS IF, FOR EXAMPLE, THEY HAD TO SPEND MORE MONEY IN ORDER TO SWITCH TO LOW-SULPHUR FUELS.
"ONE WAY TO ALLEVIATE THEIR PROBLEM IS TO GIVE THEM MORE TIME. BUT I AM AGAINST THAT BECAUSE IN MANY AREAS, OUR FIGHT AGAINST POLLUTION IS ALREADY LONG OVER-DUE.
"I THEREFORE SUGGEST THAT THE ADMINISTRATION SHOULD PRESS ON WITH THEIR PROGRAMME AS CONTAINED IN THE WHITE PAPER ABOUT TO BE PUBLISHED; AND TRY TO CUSHION THE HARDSHIP WHICH MAY BEFALL SOME OF OUR SMALLER FACTORY-OWNERS OR OPERATORS BY ALLOWING THEM TAX DEDUCTIONS FOR CAPITAL OUT-LAYS FOR NEW EQUIPMENTS IN ORDER TO COMPLY WITH NEW ANTI-POLLUTION REGULATIONS," MR LEE SAID.
FURTHERMORE, HE SUGGESTED THE SETTING UP OF AN ENVIRONMENTAL FUND WITH CONTRIBUTIONS FROM THE ADMINISTRATION AS WELL AS FROM THE INDUSTRY ITSELF, SO THAT LOW-INTEREST LOANS OR EVEN INTEREST-FREE LOANS COULD BE GIVEN TO FACTORY-OWNERS OR OPERATORS WHO NEED FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE IN ORDER TO INSTALL NEW EQUIPMENT OR TO TAKE OTHER NECESSARY MEASURES TO COMPLY WITH ANTI-POLLUTION REGULATIONS.
TURNING TO THE QUESTION OF SALES TAX, MR LEE SAID THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY’S INTENTION TO BROADEN THE TAX BASE WAS UNOBJECTIONABLE, AS THE LION'S SHARE OF OUR REVENUE COMES FROM A VERY SMALL NUMBER OF TAX-PAYERS AND MANY OF THEM WERE LEAVING HONG KONG.
"AS I UNDERSTAND IT, THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY IS NOT SAYING THAT HE WILL DEFINITELY INTRODUCE A SALES TAX EITHER IN THE FORESEEABLE FUTURE OR AT ALL; FOR WHAT HE IS SAYING IS THAT HE WOULD CONTINUE TO STUDY IT. AND THAT EVEN IF IT BE INTRODUCED IN THE DISTANT FUTURE, IT WILL ONLY COME AS PART OF A PACKAGE," HE NOTED.
AS THE
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 26, .1989
12
AS THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY INDICATED THAT A CONSULTATIVE DOCUMENT ON SALES TAX WOULD SOON BE PUBLISHED AND THAT IT WOULD BE STUDIED FURTHER BY PROFESSIONAL BODIES AND OTHER ORGANISATIONS, MR LEE STRESSED THE IMPORTANCE OF KEEPING AN OPEN MIND ON THIS MAI I ER UNTIL AFTER THE CONSULTATIVE DOCUMENT HAD BEEN FULLY STUDIED.
FOR IT WAS NOT UNTIL THEN THAT WE WERE IN A POSITION TO JUDGE FOR OURSELVES WHETHER THE INTRODUCTION OF A SALES TAX WOULD LEAD TO A FAIRER AND MORE BALANCED TAX SYSTEM, AND WHETHER THERE WAS ANY BENEFIT TO THE COMMUNITY AS A WHOLE, AND PARTICULARLY THOSE IN 1 HE SANDWICH CLASS AS WELL AS THE SMALL MAN, HE CONCLUDED.
- 0 -
DAVID LI ADVOCATES COMPREHENSIVE PUBLIC POLICY FOR HK
*****
THE CHALLENGE OF THE 1990S WOULD BE TO FORGE A COMPREHENSIVE PUBLIC POLICY THAT COMBINES FISCAL PRUDENCE AND OUR LAISSEZ FAIRE PHILOSOPHY, WITH A COMMITMENT TO DEVELOP ALL OUR HUMAN RESOURCES, THE HON DAVID LI SAID IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
SPEAKING DURING THE BUDGET DEBATE MR LI SAID THE CHALLENGE WOULD ALSO BE TO STATE THAT POLICY SO CLEARLY AND SO CONCISELY THAT EVERYONE UNDERSTOOD WHAT HE OR SHE COULD AND SHOULD DO TO HELP BUILD A BETTER HONG KONG.
MR LI SAID THAT THE BUDGET FOR 1989-90 WAS AN ARTICULATE STATEMENT OF A PARTICULAR VISION OF HONG KONG’S FINANCIAL FUTURE, WHICH PUT A PREMIUM ON CAUTION AND EMPHASISED STABILITY.
IT WAS A CONSERVATIVE BUDGET, SO CONSERVATIVE INDEED THAT ONE MIGHT THINK THE MUCH PREDICTED RECESSION WAS ALREADY HERE, HE SAID.
NOTING THAT SINCE 1986, THE GOVERNMENT’S PROJECTIONS FOR GDP GROWTH HAD BEEN OFF BY AN AVERAGE OF MORE THAN 50 PER CENT ANNUALLY, MR LI SAID THAT IT SEEMED CLEAR THAT THE GOVERNMENT HAD PROBLEMS IN ECONOMIC FORECASTING AND NEEDED TO UPGRADE ITS CAPABILITY.
TURNING TO THE MERITS OF THE BUDGET, MR LI PRAISED THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY FOR INCREASING CAPITAL ALLOWANCES ON QUALIFIED MACHINERY AND FOR ABOLISHING THE WITHHOLDING TAX ON INTEREST, AS WELL AS THE PROMISE TO INTRODUCE SEPARATE TAXATION FOR MARRIED WOMEN.
HE ALSO COMMENDED THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY FOR STARTING TO PRE-FUND MAJOR CAPITAL PROJECTS AND FOR HIS PRUDENCE IN DISPENSING TAX CUTS.
"SELF-DISCIPLINE IS NEEDED," HE SAID, "RECURRENT EXPENDITURE SHOULD NOT BE ALLOWED TO GROW TOO FAR OUT OF LINE WITH RECEIPTS LIKELY TO COME IN THE LEANER YEARS OF THE ECONOMIC CYCLE."
/MR LI........
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 26, 1989
- 13 -
MR LI SAID THAT HONG KONG MUST BE CLEAR-SIGHTED ABOUT THE NATURE OF ITS INFLATION.
"THE TERRITORY IS PAYING FOR ITS SUCCESS, AS THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY POINTED OUT. BUT INFLATION IS ALSO FUELLED BY HIGHER USER FEES AND INCREASED INDIRECT TAXATION."
HE NOTED THAT HONG KONG IMPORTED INFLATION AS WELL, AND THAT ONE OF THE COSTS OF CURRENCY STABILITY UNDER THE LINKED EXCHANGE RATE SYSTEM WAS THE POTENTIAL FOR INFLATIONARY PRESSURE.
ON SALES TAX, MR LI SAID THAT THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY’S PRESENTATION SHOULD DO MORE THAN EXAMINE JUST HOW THIS TAX WOULD WORK, AND SHOULD CONSIDER HOW THIS TAX RELATED TO OTHER TAXES.
HE THOUGHT THAT, GIVEN THE AMOUNT OF TAX LITIGATION, IT WAS A GOOD OPPORTUNITY TO CONDUCT A FULL-SCALE REVIEW OF THE INLAND REVENUE SYSTEM TO ENSURE ITS SIMPLICITY AND COMPETITIVENESS WERE BEING MAINTAINED.
MR LI SAID THAT WHILE HONG KONG LIKED TO THINK IT HAD A COMPETITIVE EDGE AS A LOW TAX ENVIRONMENT, FOR THE MIDDLE CLASS THE LIMITED NUMBER OF DEDUCTIONS AND THE RELATIVELY QUICK PACE OF GRADUATION COULD WIPE OUT ANY INITIAL RATE ADVANTAGE.
HE SAID THAT THE GOVERNMENT SHOULD AVOID REACHING FOR THE TAXPAYERS WALLET WHENEVER IT HAD TROUBLE BALANCING ITS BOOKS IN A RECESSION.
HE ALSO SAID THAT IF A SALES TAX WAS IMPOSED, IT WAS IMPORTANT THAT THERE WOULD BE TRADE-OFFS.
"IT IS ONE THING TO TAX THE PEOPLE WHO BENEFIT MOST FROM HONG KONG’S PRO-BUSINESS POLICIES. IT IS QUITE ANOTHER MATTER TO TAP THE LESS FORTUNATE."
MR LI SAID THAT THE MORE THE GOVERNMENT TAXED THE POPULATION, THE MORE THE POPULATION WAS LIKELY TO BEGIN ASKING WHAT THEY WERE GETTING IN RETURN FOR PAYING THE TAX.
STRESSING THAT IT WOULD NOT BE EASY TO MAINTAIN A PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION WHICH ORDINARY PEOPLE FELT WAS FULLY RESPONSIBLE TO THEIR NEEDS AND ASPIRATIONS, MR LI SAID THE GOVERNMENT MUST ULTIMATELY RETHINK HOW IT DEPLOYED ITS RESOURCES.
"ALREADY WE HAVE SEEN CIVIL SERVICE GROWTH 50 PER CENT HIGHER THAN THE GOVERNMENT'S OWN TARGET AND TWICE THE INCREASE IN THE SIZE OF THE LABOUR FORCE."
"THIS NOT ONLY ADDS SUBSTANTIALLY TO THE RECURRENT COST OF THE GOVERNMENT, IT ALSO INCREASES INFLATIONARY PRESSURE IN THE ECONOMY."
MR LI FEARED THERE WOULD COME A POINT WHEN SUCH NUMERICAL GROWTH COULD NO LONGER BE SUSTAINED, AND THEREFORE URGED THE GOVERNMENT TO IMPROVE ITS PROCEDURES AND EMPHASISE EFFICIENT SERVICE.
/HE QUESTIONED........
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 26, 1989
14
HE QUESTIONED WHETHER THE SETTING UP OF QUASI NON-GOVERNMENT ORGANISATIONS (QUANGOS) REALLY HAD THE PREDICTED IMPACT.
ARGUING THAT THE DISADVANTAGES OF QUANGOS WERE MANY — FROM CRONYISM TO WASTE AND INEFFICIENCY TO CORRUPTION — MR LI SAID THAT PUBLIC REPRESENTATION ON QUANGO BOARDS SOMETIMES ACTUALLY REDUCED THEIR RESPONSIVENESS TO THE NEEDS OF THE PUBLIC.
HE SAID WHILE LEGCO MEMBERS HAD A RESPONSIBILITY TO MONITOR THESE BODIES REGULARLY, THERE WERE OTHER QUESTIONS POSED BY QUANGOS THAT EXTENDED BEYOND THE VITAL NEED FOR FISCAL ACCOUNTABILITY TO THE FINANCE COMMITTEE.
MR LI SAID THAT RATHER THAN FOCUS ON ESTABLISHING QUANGO AFTER QUANGO, IT WAS PERHAPS TIME THE GOVERNMENT CAME TO GRIPS WITH ITS OWN RHETORIC ON PRIVATISATION.
HE NOTED THAT WITH A NET PROFIT OF $560 MILLION A YEAR, THE KOWLOON-CANTON RAILWAY CORPORATION WOULD SEEM RIPE FOR PRIVATISATION.
"EVEN A PARTIAL SALE OF THE GOVERNMENT’S SHAREHOLDING, AT A GOOD MULTIPLE, WOULD YIELD A BILLION OR MORE THAT COULD BE RE-INVESTED IN THE NEXT GENERATION OF INFRASTRUCTURE PROJECTS ESSENTIAL FOR FUTURE GROWTH.”
”BY THE TIME PRIVATISATION OF THE KCRC HAS BEGUN, THE MASS TRANSIT RAILWAY CORPORATION OUGHT TO BE READY," HE ADDED.
MR LI NOTED THAT, PHILOSOPHICALLY, ACTION ON PRIVATISATION WAS MUCH MORE IN KEEPING WITH THE LAISSEZ FAIRE PRINCIPLES AND THERE WAS NO END OF GOOD AND WORTHY TASKS THE GOVERNMENT COULD TAKE ON.
"BUT UNLESS HONG KONG WAS PREPARED TO ABANDON ITS COMMITMENT TO LOW TAXATION, THE TERRITORY SIMPLY COULD NOT AFFORD TO LOOK TO THE GOVERNMENT TO DO THEM ALL," MR LI SAID.
"THERE HAS TO BE SELF-RESTRAINT. HONG KONG MUST TRY TO CURB THE GROWTH OF THE GOVERNMENT. THUS, IT MUST ALSO LIMIT WHAT IT ASKS THE GOVERNMENT TO DO," HE ADDED.
"THE EMPHASIS MUST SHIFT BACK FROM PUBLIC SECTOR ACTION TO PRIVATE SECTOR INITIATIVE, FROM BUREAUCRATIC INTERFERENCE TO COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT, FROM GOVERNMENT INTERVENTION TO SELF-REGULATION, FROM INCREASING DEPENDENCE TO SELF-RELIANCE.
"BUT GETTING THIS CONCEPT ACROSS TO THE GENERAL PUBLIC WILL REQUIRE A MUCH MORE EFFECTIVE PROGRAMME OF CIVIC EDUCATION THAN HONG KONG NOW HAS. THE PRESENT TREND IS IN THE OPPOSITE DIRECTION AND IS LIKELY TO GAIN IN MOMENTUM AS POLITICAL RHETORIC AND PUBLIC POLICY RAISE EXPECTATIONS,” MR LI SAID.
0
/15
WEDNESDAY, ARPIL 26, 1989
15
BUDGET FORECAST - AN UNDER-ESTIMATE : DR DANIEL TSE ******
THE INFLATION RATE OF 8.5 PER CENT IN 1989 FORECAST BY THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY SEEMED TO BE AN UNDER-ESTIMATE GIVEN THE MORE THAN 10 PER CENT RISE IN WAGES AND SALARIES IN THE PRIVATE SECTOR, DR THE HON DANIEL TSE OBSERVED TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
SPEAKING DURING THE BUDGET DEBATE IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL, DR TSE SAID THAT IF THE SALARY ADJUSTMENTS IN THE CIVIL SERVICE WERE TO FOLLOW SUIT, AS WERE WIDELY EXPECTED, THE INFLATION RATE COULD EVEN BE IN THE DOUBLE DIGIT COLUMN.
HE DOUBTED THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY’S SUGGESTION THAT THE RATE MIGHT BEGIN TO FALL "PROBABLY IN THE LATTER PART OF THE YEAR", AS THE LABOUR MARKET SEEMED TO CONTINUE TO REMAIN TIGHT AND EXPECTATIONS OF A RAPID RISE IN WAGES AND SALARIES HEIGHTENED.
FURTHER, THE INCREASE IN THE ACCUMULATED TRADE SURPLUS IN THE SURROUNDING ASIAN COUNTRIES HAD FORCED UP THE VALUE OF THEIR CURRENCIES AND THEIR PURCHASING POWER, AND THEIR PENT UP DEMAND ON OUR PRODUCTS AND SERVICES HAD EXERTED IMMENSE PRESSURE ON OUR DOMESTIC RESOURCES.
DR TSE SAID THAT THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY’S EXPLANATION THAT INFLATION WAS CAUSED BY THE SUCCESS OF OUR ECONOMY MIGHT NOT BE COMPLETELY VALID, AS HONG KONG’S SURROUNDING COUNTRIES GENERALLY ENJOYED HIGHER ECONOMIC GROWTH BUT LOWER INFLATION RATES.
CONCEDING THAT THE LINKED EXCHANGE RATE SYSTEM, WHICH HAD SERVED HONG KONG WELL, HAD LED TO SUCH A HIGH INFLATION RATE, DR TSE CALLED FOR A PERIODIC REVIEW FOR ITS ADEQUACY.
HE POINTED OUT THAT ONE VERY OBVIOUS SIDE EFFECT OF THE EXISTING SYSTEM WAS THAT IT CREATED A PSYCHOLOGY OF DEPRECIATION FOR THE HONG KONG DOLLAR, AND HAD INDUCED PEOPLE TO PUT THEIR MONEY IN NON-US DOLLAR FOREIGN CURRENCY DEPOSITS.
"THIS IS NOT HEALTHY AS THE SMALL INVESTORS MAY NOT KNOW HOW TO HEDGE AGAINST CURRENCY RISK," HE SAID.
DR TSE SUGGESTED THAT GOVERNMENT SHOULD STUDY MORE CLOSELY THE OPERATION AND THE PROBLEMS OF THE EXISTING SYSTEM AND KEEP AN OPEN MIND ON POSSIBLE ALTERNATIVES SUCH AS THE BASKET-PEGGED CURRENCY SYSTEM.
HE NOTED THAT, APART FROM THE LINKED EXCHANGE RATE, THE TWO COMMONLY ACCEPTED EXPLANATIONS FOR HIGH INFLATION IN HONG KONG WERE THE RAPID INCREASE IN LOCAL AND FOREIGN DEMAND FOR OUR DOMESTIC RESOURCES, AND THE TIGHT SUPPLY SIDE CONSTRAINT.
HE WELCOMED THE PROPOSAL TO INCREASE THE CAPITAL ALLOWANCES AND TO INTRODUCE SEPARATE TAXATION FOR MARRIED WOMEN BUT REGRETTED THAT THESE PROPOSALS WERE NOT MADE IN THE BUDGET SPEECH AS PART OF A COMPREHENSIVE PLAN TO ALLEVIATE THE CAPACITY CONSTRAINT.
/IN FACT .......
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 26, 1989
- 16 -
IN FACT, SEPARATE TAXATION FOR MARRIED WOMEN WAS SEEN TO BE A MERE YIELDING TO PUBLIC PRESSURE, HE SAID.
HE SAID ALTHOUGH THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY HAD SET ASIDE FUNDS FOR FUTURE PROJECTS SUCH AS A NEW AIRPORT, THERE WAS NO INDICATION AS TO HOW WE COULD INCREASE OUR PRODUCTION CAPACITY TO ACCOMMODATE SUCH A VAST PUBLIC INVESTMENT IN THE NEAR FUTURE.
MOREOVER, HE SAID THE TRANSFER OF CURRENT TAX REVENUE TO FINANCE FUTURE CAPITAL PROJECTS WOULD BEG THE QUESTION OF MAKING THE PRESENT GENERATION PAY FOR THE BENEFIT OF THE FUTURE GENERATIONS.
"ALTHOUGH IT IS A TRADITIONAL CHINESE VIRTUE TO SAVE FOR OUR POSTERITY, WE MUST ALSO KEEP IN MIND THAT SOME BENEFITS SHOULD ALSO BE GIVEN TO THE PRESENT GENERATION IN ORDER TO MAKE HONG KONG A BETTER PLACE TO LIVE AND WORK," HE SAID.
NOTING THAT EDUCATION EXPENDITURE WOULD INCREASE BY ONLY FIVE PER CENT IN REAL TERM, DR TSE STRESSED THAT THE GROWTH SHOULD BE IN STEP WITH THAT OF THE ECONOMY.
"I WOULD EVEN ARGUE THAT EDUCATION EXPENDITURE SHOULD GROW AT A FASTER RATE THAN THE ECONOMY IN VIEW OF THE SO CALLED ’BRAIN DRAIN’ PROBLEM THAT THE COMMUNITY IS FACING," HE SAID.
WITH THE CAPACITY CONSTRAINT PROBLEM IN MIND, HE URGED THE GOVERNMENT TO REVIEW THE EDUCATIONAL EXPENDITURE IN THE BUDGET AND TO EVALUATE WHETHER, THE EXISTING FUND ALLOCATION SCHEME TO DIFFERENT EDUCATIONAL SECTORS WAS OPTIMAL.
HE ASO CALLED ON THE GOVERNMENT TO EXAMINE THE FACTORS THAT WOULD INFLUENCE THE SUPPLY OF LABOUR, ESPECIALLY FOR MARRIED WOMEN, AND TO DETERMINE HOW SOME OF THE CURRENT SURPLUSES COULD BE USED TO IMPROVE THE QUALITY OF LIFE SO THAT THE TALENTED PEOPLE CAN BE RETAINED AND THOSE WHO HAVE LEFT ARE ATTRACTED TO RETURN.
-------0----------
EDWARD HO CALLS FOR SOLUTION TO TIGHT LABOUR SUPPLY SITUATION *****
HONG KONG SHOULD NOT RISK HIGHER AND HIGHER INFLATION COUPLED WITH REDUCTION OF OUR COMPETITIVENESS BUT SHOULD SEEK A REASONABLE SOLUTION TO RELIEVE OUR TIGHT LABOUR SUPPLY SITUATION, THE HON EDWARD HO SAID IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
SPEAKING DURING THE RESUMED DEBATE ON THE 1989 BUDGET, MR HO SAID HE FOUND IT EXTREMELY DISTURBING THAT THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY, HAVING IDENTIFIED INFLATION AS A MAJOR PROBLEM, APPARENTLY CONCLUDED THAT THERE WAS VIRTUALLY NO SOLUTION TO IT UNTIL OUR ECONOMY SLOWED DOWN; AND THAT IN PARTICULAR, THE SLOW DOWN WOULD BE THE RESULT OF A REDUCTION OF OUR COMPETITIVENESS.
/"ON ONE
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 26, 1989
- 17 -
"NO ONE SHOULD DENY OUR LABOUR FORCE THEIR 'SHARE IN THE FRUITS OF PROSPERITY', AS THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY PUTS IT; BUT NEITHER SHOULD WE PERPETUATE A SITUATION THAT THE SO-CALLED 'FRUITS OF PROSPERITY’ ARE ERODED BY INFLATION BEFORE THEY CAN BE PROPERLY ENJOYED.
"MANY WHO OBJECT TO THE IMPORTATION OF LABOUR TODAY WERE IMMIGRANTS THEMSELVES FROM MAINLAND CHINA. MANY MAY NOT REMEMBER THAT HONG KONG’S SUCCESS IN THE LAST FEW DECADES OWED A LOT TO THE CONTRIBUTIONS OF THESE IMMIGRANTS,” MR HO SAID.
TURNING TO GENERAL ISSUES THAT WOULD HAVE AN IMPACT ON OUR ECONOMY, MR HO STRESSED THAT MAJOR INFRASTRUCTURAL DEVELOPMENTS, INCLUDING A NEW INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT, EXPANSION OF PORT FACILITIES, DEVELOPMENT OF THE LAND TRANSPORT SYSTEM AND HARBOUR RECLAMATION, WOULD HAVE TO BE SKILLFULLY INTEGRATED TOGETHER INTO A STRATEGIC PLAN TO MAINTAIN HONG KONG AS A MAJOR INTERNATIONAL CITY ON THE PACIFIC RIM FOR THE NEXT FEW DECADES.
"THE STUDIES AND GESTATIONS OF THESE DEVELOPMENTS HAVE ALREADY TAKEN SEVERAL YEARS. IT IS VITAL THAT DECISIONS ARE MADE, BEFORE THE END OF THIS YEAR, AS WE HAVE BEEN PROMISED.
"AFTER DECISIONS ARE MADE, THERE SHOULD BE EXPEDITIOUS AND EFFICIENT IMPLEMENTATION OF THESE PLANS INTO REALITIES. THIS WOULD DEPEND NOT ONLY ON THE ORGANISATION OF FINANCIAL RESOURCES; BUT ALSO ON AN EFFECTIVE AND EFFICIENT TOWNPLANNING SYSTEM," MR HO SAID.
"ON THE QUESTION OF TOWNPLANNING, WE SHOULD BE REMINDED THAT PERHAPS FOR THE FIRST TIME IN THE HISTORY OF HONG KONG, DUE TO VARIOUS INTER-RELATED INFRASTRUCTURAL DEVELOPMENTS AND ALL OF SUCH MAGNITUDE, WE HAVE IN FACT TO ENGAGE IN THE MACRO-PLANNING OF THE TERRITORY AS A WHOLE.
"FURTHERMORE, THIS MACRO MASTER PLAN SHOULD TAKE INTO ACCOUNT THE FUTURE DEVELOPMENT OF HONG KONG IN RELATION TO THE NEIGHBOURING REGIONS IN THE PEARL RIVER DELTA," HE CONTINUED.
MR HO POINTED OUT THAT AS HONG KONG’S PRINCIPAL ECONOMIC ACTIVITIES MOVED TOWARDS THOSE OF AN ENTREPOT, AND AS MORE AND MORE MANUFACTURING FACILITIES WERE MOVED ACROSS THE BORDER, THERE SHOULD BE SOME FUNDAMENTAL RETHINKING ON LAND USE IN SOME OF THE OLDER INDUSTRIAL AREAS.
FOR INSTANCE, WE COULD CONSIDER SYSTEMATICALLY MOVING INDUSTRIAL OPERATIONS AWAY FROM THE URBAN AREAS TO CLEAN UP THE ENVIRONMENT, HE SUGGESTED.
MR HO ALSO CALLED FOR MORE TANGIBLE ACTION TO LIMIT THE GROWTH OF OUR CIVIL SERVICE.
"ONE OBVIOUS WAY OF LIMITING THE GROWTH OF THE CIVIL SERVICE IS THAT, WHERE POSSIBLE, LET THE PRIVATE SECTOR DO SOME OF THE WORK OF THE PUBLIC SECTOR," HE SAID.
/IN RELATION .......
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 26, 1989
18 -
IN RELATION TO INDUSTRIAL ACTIONS IN THE CIVIL SERVICE, MR HO URGED THE GOVERNMENT TO EXAMINE WHETHER THE RIGID MASTER PAY SCALE WAS ABLE TO COPE EFFECTIVELY WITH THOSE SECTORS OF THE CIVIL SERVICE WHICH WERE IN DIRECT COMPETITION WITH DEMANDS FROM THE PRIVATE SECTOR.
"BESIDES EQUITABLE PAY AND COMPENSATION PACKAGES, PROFESSIONALS IN THE CIVIL SERVICE SHOULD BE GIVEN EQUAL OPPORTUNITIES TO RISE TO POLICY MAKING LEVELS," HE ADDED.
"FOR GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS THAT PROVIDED SERVICES EITHER TO OTHER GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS OR TO THE PUBLIC AND FOR WHICH THERE WERE VERY FEW MEANS OF MEASURING THEIR LEVEL OF EFFICIENCY AND PRODUCTIVITY, MR HO SUPPORTED THE IDEA OF THE ESTABLISHMENT OF ’TRADING FUNDS ACCOUNTING SYSTEM’.
"WE SHOULD ALSO EXAMINE THE SYSTEM BY WHICH GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS CHARGE FOR THEIR SERVICES," HE SAID, NOTING THAT THE BUILDINGS ORDINANCE OFFICE, THE TOWN PLANNING OFFICE AND THE DISTRICT LANDS OFFICES COULD BE SOME OF THE DEPARTMENTS WHICH OFFERED THEIR SERVICES ON A FULL COST RECOVERY BASIS.
FINALLY, HE BELEIVED THAT AS LONG AS WE WERE COMMITTED TO PRESERVE THE TWO NATURAL ASSETS OF HONG KONG - THE INITIATIVE, RESILIENCY AND INDUSTRIOUSNESS OF ITS PEOPLE, AND A DEDICATED CIVIL SERVICE - WE SHOULD BE ABLE TO MAINTAIN OUR POSITION IN THE HIGHLY COMPETITIVE WORLD MARKET, AS WELL AS HOLDING OUR COMMUNITY TOGETHER WITH A POSITIVE OUTLOOK TO THE FUTURE.
-----0------
INFLATION IS PRICE OF HONG KONG’S SUCCESS: RONALD ARCULLI
*****
DESPITE SURPLUS AFTER SURPLUS, HONG KONG SEEMED TO BE THE VICTIM OF ITS OWN ECONOMIC SUCCESS WITH INFLATION BEING THE PRICE OF SUCH SUCCESS, THE HON RONALD ARCULLI SAID IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
SPEAKING IN THE BUDGET DEBATE, MR ARCULLI NOTED THAT THERE WAS LITTLE ONE COULD DO TO CONTAIN OR INFLUENCE INFLATION IN THE TERRITORY.
"ON THE MONETARY SIDE THE CONSTRAINT IS SIMPLY THE US DOLLAR INTEREST RATE AS HONG KONG INTEREST RATES GENERALLY HAVE TO FOLLOW SUIT. "
HE SAID WHILE THE GOVERNMENT’S COMMITMENT TO THE LINKED RATE SYSTEM SEEMED FIRM, HE COULD NOT HELP BUT WONDER WHETHER WE SHOULD HAVE ANY LINKED EXCHANGE RATE AND, IF SO, WHETHER WE SHOULD LINK THE HONG KONG DOLLAR TO MORE THAN ONE CURRENCY.
/ON THE
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 26, 1989
19
ON THE FISCAL SIDE, MR ARCULLI SAID THAT TAX RATES OR THE LEVEL OF PUBLIC EXPENDITURE GAVE US LITTLE SCOPE AS A REDUCTION IN TAX RATE WAS INFLATIONARY AS WAS INCREASING PUBLIC EXPENDITURE.
HE HOPED THAT HONG KONG DID NOT NEED A RECESSION TO SEE INFLATION BROUGHT DOWN TO AN ACCEPTABLE LEVEL.
TURNING TO THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY’S STRATEGY FOR PUBLIC FINANCES, MR ARCULLI SAID THE CHANGE IN THE PATTERN OF RESOURCE ALLOCATION IN 1989/90, WITH SOCIAL SERVICES, EDUCATION AND ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION PROGRAMMES ACCOUNTING FOR AN INCREASING SHARE, WAS MOST WELCOMED.
WARNING THAT THE SUCCESS OF SUCH PROGRAMMES WOULD BE IMPAIRED IF THEY WERE NOT CONTINUOUSLY NURTURED, HE EMPHASISED THE NEED TO BE VIGILANT IN MONITORING PUBLIC EXPENDITURE, PARTICULARLY MAJOR INFRASTRUCTURAL WORKS IN THE PIPELINE, IN AN INFLATIONARY ENVIRONMENT.
ON THE PROPOSED SALES TAX, MR ARCULLI THOUGHT THE TWO EQUALLY COMPELLING REASONS AGAINST ITS INTRODUCTION WERE THAT IT REPRESENTED A DANGEROUS FOUNDAMENTAL SHIFT IN HONG KONG’S TAXATION POLICIES AND THAT IT AFFECTED THE LESS FORTUNATE MEMBERS OF THE COMMUNITY MOST.
HE WELCOMED THE INTRODUCTION OF A PROGRAMME FOR THE ISSUE OF SHORT TERM EXCHANGE FUND BILLS SAYING THAT HE AWAITED DETAILS WITH GREAT INTEREST.
"I DOUBT WHETHER IT WILL HELP ALLEVIATE INFLATION BUT IF WE ARE WEDDED TO THE LINKED EXCHANGE RATE SYSTEM LET US AT LEAST HAVE THE BENEFIT OF DEVELOPING THE HONG KONG DOLLAR PAPER MARKET AND IN THIS RESPECT STREAMLINING THE PROTECTION OF INVESTORS ORDINANCE AS INDICATED BY THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY WOULD BE A MOST WELCOMED STEP," HE SAID.
STRESSING THE IMPORTANCE OF HONG KONG’S CONTINUED DEVELOPMENT AS A LEADING FINANCIAL CENTRE, MR ARCULLI SAID THAT THE ABOLITION OF INTEREST TAX AND STAMP DUTY ON THE LENDING AND BORROWING OF SHARE SCRIPT WOULD BE OF ASSISTANCE.
HE WAS PARTICULARLY DELIGHTED THAT THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY HAD IMPLIED THAT THE ABOLITION OF INTEREST TAX WOULD REMOVE AN INHIBITION IN THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE FINANCIAL MARKETS AS WELL AS FOLLOWING INTERNATIONALLY ACCEPTED PRACTICES IN SHARE SETTLEMENT PROCEDURES, BECAUSE IT WOULD BE EXTREMELY DETRIMENTAL TO HONG KONG IF SUCH MEASURES WERE RE-INTRODUCED IN THE FUTURE.
HE URGED THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY TO CRYSTALLISE HIS THINKING ON THE ISSUES OF EXEMPTING UNIT TRUSTS AND MUTUAL FUNDS FROM TAX ON A WIDE RANGE OF PROFITS THEY CURRENTLY MADE AS WELL AS WHETHER GAINS MADE BY VENTURE CAPITALISTS ON SALE OF HIS INVESTMENTS WAS LIABLE TO PROFITS TAX.
/IN THE .......
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 26, 1989
- 20
IN THE SAME CONTEXT HE QUESTIONED SUPERVISION COSTS IN RESPECT OF DEPOSIT CORRECT APPROACH.
WHETHER THE RECOVERY OF
TAKING COMPANIES WAS THE
THAT THEY SHOULD OF SUPERVISION
HE SAID.
"IF IT IS THE CORRECT APPROACH IT SEEMS TO ME BE CHARGED THE RATE THAT WILL PERMIT FULL RECOVERY COSTS, A COURSE WHICH I DO NOT BELIEVE TO BE RIGHT,
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PAUL CHENG: HK MUST ASSUME COMMERCIAL LEADERSHIP ROLE »»»«»*
HONG KONG MUST CONTINUE TO BE THE PLACE OF CHOICE FOR INTERNATIONAL ORGANISATIONS WANTING TO PLAY A ROLE IN THE UPCOMING PACIFIC ERA - BY EITHER MAKING DIRECT INVESTMENT HERE OR USING HONG KONG AS A STAGING POINT FOR THE REGION, THE HON PAUL CHENG SAID IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
SPEAKING IN THE BUDGET DEBATE, MR CHENG SAID THAT HONG KONG MUST ASSUME THE COMMERCIAL LEADERSHIP ROLE AS IT MOVED TO BECOME PART OF A 100 MILLION POPULATION MARKET THROUGH ITS VANISHING BORDER WITH SOUTHERN CHINA.
HE SAID THAT HE WAS IN FULL SUPPORT OF THE BUDGETED PLANS TO CONTINUE TO INCREASE TAX CONCESSIONS, AND TO SPEND 45 PER CENT OF TOTAL EXPENDITURE DURING THIS FISCAL YEAR ON SOCIAL SERVICES, EDUCATION AND HOUSING.
HOWEVER, HE HAD HOPED THAT THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY WOULD HAVE TAKEN THE CORPORATE PROFITS TAX DOWN TO 15 PER CENT IN ORDER THAT HONG KONG COULD MAINTAIN ITS DISTINCT ADVANTAGE AS A FAVOURABLE TAX ENVIRONMENT, ESPECIALLY AS SOME OTHER COUNTRIES HAD RECENTLY BEEN QUITE AGGRESSIVE IN LOWERING THEIR PROFITS TAX.
AS FOR PERSONAL TAXATION. MR CHENG SAID THAT THE INCREASE ON PERSONAL ALLOWANCES SHOULD HAVE BEEN INCREASED BY A HIGHER MARGIN. ALSO THE CLAWBACK FEATURE SHOULD HAVE BEEN ABOLISHED SO THAT THE "SANDWICH CLASS" WOULD NOT BE "SANDWICHED".
ON SALES TAX, MR CHENG SAID THAT HE AGREED THAT "TECHNICAL" CONSULTATION FROM SELECTED GROUPS WAS NECESSARY AND HOPED THAT AN OPEN DEBATE WOULD BE HELD ON THE ISSUE.
"FROM A PR POINT OF VIEW IT SHOULD BE CALLED A WHOLESALE TAX TO AVOID THE POSSIBLE CONFUSION OF THE PUBLIC THINKING 'HAT IT IS A LEVY AT THE RETAIL LEVEL," HE ADDED.
STILL ON THE SUBJECT OF TAX. MR CHENG SAID THAT 1 ” WAS PLEASED THAT SOME CONCRETE ACTION WAS BEING TAKEN ON A SEPARATE TAXATION FOR WOMEN.
/HE ALSO .......
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 26, 1989
HE ALSO SAID THAT THE ABOLISHMENT OF INTEREST TAX, THE FACT THAT THERE SEEMED TO BE LIGHT AT THE END OF THE TUNNEL ON TAXATION OF THE SHIPPING INDUSTRY AND A PROMISE TO LOOK INTO DROPPING OR REDUCING TAXATION ON PROFITS DERIVED FROM UNIT TRUSTS, MUTUAL FUNDS AND VENTURE CAPITAL ACTIVITIES WERE ALL WELCOME NEWS.
"THESE WILL ALL CONTRIBUTE TOWARDS MAINTAINING INTERNATIONAL INVESTMENT INTERESTS IN HONG KONG AT A HIGH LEVEL," HE SAID.
HE SUGGESTD THE ESTABLISHMENT OF A TAXATION ADVISORY COMMITTEE SO THAT APPROPRIATE EXPERTISE COULD BE DRAWN FROM THE COMMUNITY TO HELP HONG KONG TAKE A COMPREHENSIVE LOOK AT ITS TAXATION SYSTEM -BOTH TECHNICALLY AND FROM A SOCIO-ECONOMIC POINT OF VIEW.
APPLAUDING PLANS TO IMPROVE THE INFRASTRUCTURE, MR CHENG URGED THE GOVERNMENT TO GET ON WITH THE NEW AIRPORT WHICH HE SAID WAS ESSENTIAL TO HONG KONG’S REMAINING A LEADING BUSINESS AND FINANCIAL CENTRE.
HE WAS PLEASED THAT THE GOVERNMENT WAS FINALLY "ON THE MOVE" IN THE FIGHT AGAINST POLLUTION AND THAT THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL HAD RECTIFIED THE WHITE PAPER WITH ITS HKS20 BILLION PACKAGE.
HE WARNED, HOWEVER, THAT MONEY ALONE WAS NOT ENOUGH AND THAT IT MUST BE ACCOMPANIED BY TOUGH LEGISLATION.
ON SUBVENTIONS, HE STRESSED THE NEED FOR A QUALITY CONTROL PROCEDURE SO THAT VALUABLE FUNDS COULD BE DIRECTED MORE TO THE RIGHT BODIES AND INSTITUTIONS; AND A COMPREHENSIVE AUDIT TO REDUCE WASTAGE AND ENSURE TAXPAYERS GET THEIR MONEY’S WORTH.
- 0 - -
NELLIE FONG CALLS FOR REVIEW OF TAX SYSTEM * ♦ * * »
AN OVERALL REVIEW OF HONG KONG’S TAX SYSTEM WAS NECESSARY IN ORDER TO POSITION THE TERRITORY IN THE INTERNATIONAL ARENA, THE HON NELLIE FONG SAID TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
MRS FONG WAS SPEAKING IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL DURING THE BUDGET DEBATE.
SHE SAID THAT ONE AREA WHERE A REVIEW WAS NEEDED WAS DOUBLE TAXATION IN RESPECT TO CHINA.
AS CHINA INCREASED ITS PARTICIPATION IN THE WORLD ECONOMY AND IN INTERNATIONAL TRADE, IT HAD CONCLUDED DOUBLE TAXATION AGREEMENTS WITH OVER 20 COUNTRIES.
HONG KONG, HOWEVER, DID NOT HAVE DOUBLE TAXATION AGREEMENTS WITH ANY COUNTRY, INCLUDING CHINA, SAID MRS FONG.
/SHE SAID
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 26, 1989
22 -
SHE SAID THAT SOME COMPANIES AND THEIR EMPLOYEES WERE NOT EVEN AWARE THAT THEY COULD BE REQUIRED TO PAY, OR SHOULD BE PAYING TAXES, TO BOTH THE CHINESE AND THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENTS.
"IF THEY WERE. THEY COULD REALISE THAT THE ECONOMICS OF THE BUSINESS ARE NOT THERE. THIS COULD LEAD TO THEIR RELOCATING THEIR BASES TO ANOTHER COUNTRY WHICH HAS A TAX TREATY WITH CHINA," SHE SAID.
SHE SAID IT WAS NOW THE TIME FOR THE HONG KONG AND THE CHINESE GOVERNMENTS TO ENTER INTO A MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING ON DOUBLE TAXATION TO PUT HONG KONG COMPANIES AND RESIDENTS ON AN EQUAL FOOTING WITH THOSE COUNTRIES THAT HAD TAX TREATIES WITH CHINA.
SHE SAID ANOTHER AREA WHICH SHOULD BE REVIEWED WAS WHETHER PROFITS OF OVERSEAS INVESTORS DERIVED FROM DEALING IN SHARES IN THE HONG KONG STOCK MARKET SHOULD BE TAXED.
SHE NOTED THAT AS A GENERAL RULE. THESE PROFITS WERE NOT TAXED BECAUSE IT HAD NOT BEEN MADE CLEAR THAT CONSISTENT DEALING IN SHARES AMOUNTED TO CARRYING ON A TRADE OR BUSINESS.
SHE SAID THAT IN HER VIEW, THERE WAS A NEED TO CLARIFY WHETHER OR NOT THESE ACTIVITIES WERE TAXABLE.
MRS FONG SAID THERE WAS ALSO A NEED TO REVIEW THE TAXATION OF BENEFITS-IN-KIND.
SHE NOTED THAT IN THE PAST, INLAND REVENUE ORDINANCE REVIEW COMMITTEES WERE SET UP BY THE GOVERNMENT TO EXAMINE THE INLAND REVENUE ORDINANCE AND HAD SUGGESTED WAYS TO IMPROVE THE ORDINANCE.
THE LAST REVIEW COMMITTEE PRESENTED ITS REPORT IN 1976. PRIOR TO THAT, REPORTS WERE PRESENTED IN 1967 AND 1954.
MRS FONG SAID THAT IT WAS NOW CLEARLY THE TIME FOR ANOTHER REVIEW.
ON SALES TAX, SHE SAID THAT THE ADVANTAGES OF INCREASING THE PERCENTAGE OF TAX COLLECTION FROM INDIRECT TAXES WERE CLEAR, BUT IT WOULD BE ILL-ADVISED TO THINK THAT A GENERAL SALES TAX WAS THE SOLUTION AND TO IGNORE OTHER SERIOUS IMPLICATIONS.
"IT IS NOT ENOUGH FOR. THE GOVERNMENT TO PROPOSE A SALES TAX AND THEN PUBLISH A CONSULTATIVE DOCUMENT.
"THE GOVERNMENT SHOULD APPOINT A SPECIAL COMMITTEE TO EXAMINE THE ISSUE, WEIGHING THE ADVANTAGES AND DISADVANTAGES OF IMPOSING A SALES TAX AND LOOKING AT OTHER FEASIBLE ALTERNATIVES." SHE SAID.
TURNING TO THE PROPOSED ISSUANCE OF EXCHANGE FUND BILLS, SHE SAID THE GOVERNMENT SHOULD BE FREE TO ISSUE BILLS TO FINANCE LARGE CAPITAL PROJECTS OR MERELY TO ACT AS MONETARY INSTRUMENTS.
/BUT SHE........
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 26, 1989
- 23 -
BUT SHE WAS NOT IN FAVOUR OF GROUPING THE MONEY WITH THE EXCHANGE FUND BECAUSE, SHE SAID. THERE WAS A LACK OF PUBLIC ACCOUNTABILITY OR INFORMATION IN RELATION TO THE EXCHANGE FUND.
ON BUDGETARY POLICY AS A WHOLE. SHE SAID THERE WAS A NEED TO REVIEW THE CONCEPT OF BUDGETING, TO ELIMINATE THE YEARLY MINOR ADJUSTMENTS TO TAX RATES AND TO CONCENTRATE ON FORMULATING LONGER-TERM BUDGET PLANS.
"THE GOVERNMENT SHOULD LOOK AT PERIODS OF FROM FIVE TO 10 YEARS TO PROJECT BOTH ITS CAPITAL AND RECURRENT EXPENDITURES," SHE SAID.
-------0---------
CAREFUL THOUGHT TO INDIRECT TAX: JIMMY MCGREGOR ♦ * ♦ ♦ »
THE GOVERNMENT SHOULD THINK MOST CAREFULLY BEFORE INTRODUCING A FURTHER AND MUCH MORE EXTENSIVE INDIRECT TAX, ESPECIALLY IF IT HAD NOT BEEN PROVEN THAT AN ADDITIONAL TAX SOURCE WAS GOING TO BE NEEDED, THE HON JIMMY MCGREGOR SAID TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
SPEAKING IN THE BUDGET DEBATE IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL, MR MCGREGOR SAID HONG KONG WAS A CAPITALISTIC SOCIETY WITH A VERY DIFFERENT WEALTH DISTRIBUTION PATTERN THAN IN OTHER COUNTRIES WITH DIFFERENT ECONOMIC PHILOSOPHIES.
’’THE MAJORITY OF HONG KONG PEOPLE DO NOT PAY INCOME TAX BECAUSE THEY DO NOT EARN ENOUGH IN WAGES TO QUALIFY THEM AS TAX PAYERS,” HE SAID.
THEY ALREADY PAID INDIRECT TAXES HOWEVER IN MANY WAYS, HE ADDED.
MR MCGREGOR PREDICTED THAT A SALES TAX PROPOSAL WOULD BE RESISTED BY MANY IN HONG KONG.
REFERRING TO REMARKS THAT A HIGH PROPORTION OF CORPORATE PROFITS TAX WAS PAID BY A SMALL NUMBER OF LARGE COMPANIES, MR MCGREGOR SAID THIS SITUATION WAS FELT TO BE INEQUITABLE AND POTENTIALLY UNSTABLE.
HE POINTED OUT THAT THE SAME SMALL GROUP OF COMPANIES WERE MAKING PROFITS COMMENSURATE WITH THEIR TAX PAYMENTS.
’’THEY ARE ALSO MOSTLY PUBLICLY QUOTED COMPANIES WITH A VERY LARGE NUMBER OF LOCAL SHAREHOLDERS WHO ALL BENEFIT FROM THEIR SUCCESS,” HE SAID.
TURNING TO INFLATION, MR MCGREGOR SAID PART OF THE INFLATIONARY PRESSURE AROSE FROM THE HONG KONG/US DOLLAR LINK AND THE RELATIVE WEAKNESS OF THE US DOLLAR AGAINST THE OTHER MAJOR CURRENCIES.
/’’OUR EXPORTS
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 26, <989
"OUR EXPORTS ARE THUS IN STRONG DEMAND AND OUR IMPORTS, GREATER IN VALUE THAN OUR TOTAL EXPORTS, ARE HEAVILY PURCHASED FROM COUNTRIES WHOSE CURRENCIES HAVE GREATLY APPRECIATED AGAINST THE US AND HONG KONG DOLLARS DURING THE LAST TWO OR THREE YEARS.”
THE SITUATION WAS LIKELY TO CONTINUE AS LONG AS THE US DOLLAR REMAINED RELATIVELY WEAK, HE ADDED.
IT SHOULD BE ACKNOWLEDGED THAT THE HONG KONG DOLLAR LINK WITH THE US DOLLAR WAS ONE FACTOR IN THE BUILD UP OF HONG KONG’S INFLATION RATE, MR MCGREGOR SAID.
HE SAID: "I ACCEPT, HOWEVER, THAT MUCH OF OUR INFLATION IS CAUSED BY FACTORS BEYOND OUR INFLUENCE AND CONTROL, DETERMINED BY WHAT IS HAPPENING IN OUR PRINCIPAL MARKETS AND TO THE PRINCIPAL CURRENCIES OF THE WORLD.”
MR MCGREGOR SAID HE HAD READ CAREFULLY THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY’S STATEMENTS ON HIS STRATEGY FOR PUBLIC FINANCES BEARING IN MIND THE NEED, ON THE ONE HAND, TO CONTAIN INFLATION AS FAR AS POSSIBLE AND, ON THE OTHER, TO PROVIDE SUFFICIENT FUNDS FOR STEADY AND PRODUCTIVE PUBLIC SECTOR GROWTH.
HE SAID: "I APPLAUD THE POLICY HE HAS SET OUT BUT I SHOULD LIKE TO SUGGEST THAT THE STATE OF OUR PUBLIC FINANCES IS SUCH THAT HE NEED NOT WORRY TOO MUCH ABOUT SLAVISHLY FOLLOWING ARBITRARY FORMULAS AND GUIDELINES FOR PUBLIC EXPENDITURE.
"THE TREND GDP GROWTH RATE OF SIX PER CENT HE HAS ESTIMATED FOR THE NEXT FIVE YEARS MIGHT WELL BE EXCEEDED.
’’EVEN IF IT IS NOT, THERE MAY BE STRONG AND GOOD REASONS FOR THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY TO SPEND MORE ON CERTAIN ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS WITHIN THE ECONOMY WHICH COULD RESULT IN A HIGHER PUBLIC EXPENDITURE GROWTH LEVEL THAN A SIX PER CENT GDP GROWTH WOULD APPEAR TO JUSTIFY.
"WE SHOULD NOT OPERATE A STOP/GO GROWTH POLICY IN PUBLIC EXPENDITURE,” MR MCGREGOR SAID.
’’WHEN WE HAVE EXPERIENCED THE OCCASIONAL DEFICIT AND THE POSSIBLE THREAT OF ANOTHER, WE HAVE TENDED TO PANIC A LITTLE AND TO REDUCE GROWTH IN EXPENDITURE ON SOMETIMES ESSENTIAL ECONOMIC INFRASTRUCTURE AND SOCIAL SERVICES TOO SHARPLY."
MR MCGREGOR SAID HE DID NOT THEREFORE BELIEVE THAT THERE WAS ANY SPECIAL MAGIC IN PRECISE PROPORTIONATE BUDGETARY GUIDELINES.
"THEY SHOULD BE REALISTIC AIMING POINTS BUT THEY SHOULD ALSO NOT BE USED TO HINDER PUBLIC SPENDING ON ESSENTIAL INFRASTRUCTURE AND SERVICES,” HE SAID.
TURNING TO THE INFRASTRUCTURE, MR MCGREGOR SAID HE WAS GLAD TO NOTE THAT THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY WAS TAKING PRUDENT MEASURES TO SET ASIDE LARGE SUMS OF MONEY TO HELP PAY FOR MASSIVE INFRASTRUCTURAL’ PROJECTS SUCH AS THE NEW AIRPORT.
/’’THERE IS
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 26, 1989
- 25 -
"THERE IS NO QUESTION, IN MY MIND, THAT A DECISION WILL HAVE TO BE MADE THIS YEAR IN FAVOUR OF BUILDING A NEW AIRPORT.
"WHEN THE DECISION IS MADE, I WOULD URGE THE GOVERNMENT TO PROCEED WITH ALL SPEED IN DETAILED PLANNING AND IN BRINGING TO FRUITION THIS EXCITING, MASSIVE, COSTLY AND TOTALLY ESSENTIAL PROJECT SO THAT IT CAN START TO RECEIVE AIRCRAFT WITHIN SEVEN YEARS OF WORK BEGINNING.
MR MCGREGOR ALSO URGED FOR SPEEDY PLANNING FOR THE HARBOUR DEVELOPMENT.
HE SAID: "WE ARE ALREADY THE WORLD'S LARGEST CONTAINER PORT. WE WILL NEED FURTHER MASSIVE DEVELOPMENTS TO STAY IN THAT PROUD POSITION.
"WE SHOULD NOT DELAY' THESE DEVELOPMENTS WHICH INCLUDE ESSENTIAL RAIL AND ROAD CONNECTIONS WITH CHINA."
HONG KONG WOULD FACE AN EXTRAORDINARY LEVEL OF PUBLIC EXPENDITURE DURING THE NEXT DECADE, NO MATTER HOW MUCH PRIVATE SECTOR PARTICIPATION THERE MIGHT BE, MR MCGREGOR SAID.
HE URGED THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY NOT TO BE AFRAID OF LONG TERM COMMITMENT OF OUR FINANCIAL RESOURCES.
TURNING TO PROPOSED INCREASES IN DUTIES, FEES AND CHARGES, MR MCGREGOR SAID THESE WERE "UNEXCEPTIONAL AND NOT LIKELY TO CAUSE MUCH PAIN."
HE SAID: "THE REDUCTION IN PERSONAL AND CORPORATE TAXES, THE INCREASES IN CAPITAL ALLOWANCES, AND THE ELIMINATION OF INTEREST TAX HAVE BEEN WIDELY WELCOMED.
"THE IMPROVED ALLOWANCES FOR CHILDREN, DEPENDENT AND SINGLE PARENTS AND WIDOWS ALL REFLECT OUR FINANCIAL VIABILITY AND A CARING BUT RATHER CAUTIOUS ATTITUDE TOWARDS THE LESS AFFLUENT."
HE SAID HE HAD WISHED THE TAXES ON SOFT DRINKS AND COSMETICS WERE REMOVED.
"THESE ARE TEMPORARY IN NATURE AND DISCRIMINATE UNFAIRLY AGAINST CERTAIN CATEGORIES OF CONSUMERS. WITH SUCH A SURPLUS, THESE TAXES COULD SURELY HAVE BEEN ELIMINATED," MR MCGREGOR SAID.
MR MCGREGOR ALSO COMMENTED ON SUGGESTIONS THAT THE MANUFACTURING INDUSTRY WAS GRADUALLY BEING REPLACED BY THE SERVICE SECTOR AS A FASTER CONTRIBUTOR TO THE GDP.
HE SAID: "THERE HAS BEEN A GREAT DEAL OF TALK IN RECENT YEARS SUGGESTING THAT OUR MANUFACTURING INDUSTRY IS GRADUALLY MOVING INTO CHINA, THAT THE SERVICE SECTOR, WHICH IS GROWING FASTER THAN MANUFACTURING AS A CONTRIBUTOR TO OUR GDP. WILL REPLACE MANUFACTURING IN THE NEAR FUTURE AND THAT THE HONG KONG ECONOMY WILL BECOME SERVICE ORIENTED TOWARDS CHINA.
/"I BELIEVE .......
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 26, 1989
%
k
- 26 -
"I BELIEVE THIS IS RATHER DANGEROUS THINKING WHICH WILL DISCOURAGE INVESTORS. IT IS ALSO INACCURATE."
AT THE HIGHEST POINT IN HONG KONG’S MANUFACTURING CYCLE, SOME FIVE YEARS AGO, OVER 930,000 WORKERS IN THIS SECTOR WERE EMPLOYED. DESPITE THE FACT THAT OVER 1.5 MILLION CHINESE WORKERS WERE PRESENTLY PRODUCING GOODS FOR AND ON BEHALF OF HONG KONG COMPANIES, THE TERRITORY WAS STILL EMPLOYING OVER 840,000 INDUSTRIAL WORKERS AND ITS GARMENT INDUSTRY ALONE COULD USE ANOTHER 50,000 WORKERS.
"OUR MANUFACTURING INDUSTRY IS FAR FROM DEAD OR DYING," MR MCGREGOR SAID.
HE HOPED THAT THE GOVERNMENT WOULD CONTINUE TO HAVE FAITH IN MANUFACTURERS AND IN THEIR ABILITY TO CONTINUE TO MOVE UPMARKET AND TO PRODUCE GOODS WHICH WOULD SELL ON QUALITY, DESIGN AND PERHAPS EVEN ON BRAND NAME.
-------O---------
BUDGET DOES NOT BENEFIT LOWER INCOME GROUP: ELSIE TU
*****
THERE IS NOTHING IN THE 1989 BUDGET TO BENEFIT THE LOWER INCOME GROUP EXCEPT A PALTRY S3,000 INCREASE IN THE INCOME TAX ENTRY POINT AND SMALL EXTRA ALLOWANCES FOR FAMILIES, THE HON ELSIE TU SAID IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
SPEAKING DURING THE BUDGET DEBATE, MRS TU POINTED OUT THAT A SINGLE PERSON EARNING $3,250 A MONTH UNDER THE NEW INCOME TAX ENTRY POINT WOULD RECEIVE A HANDSOME HANDSHAKE FROM THE BUDGET OF LESS THAN $9 A MONTH.
AGAINST THAT, THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY’S BUDGET SPEECH THREATENED TO BROADEN THE INCOME TAX BASE BY INTRODUCING A SALES TAX. SHE SAID.
"SUCH A STEP WOULD NOT ONLY TAKE AWAY FAR MORE THAN THE $9 A MONTH HANDSHAKE OF THE LOWEST TAXABLE WAGE-EARNERS, BUT IT WOULD ALSO GIVE A NEGATIVE HANDSHAKE TO THOSE WHO EARN LESS THAN $3,250 A MONTH," SHE NOTED.
WORRIED ABOUT THE SALES TAX PROPOSAL, MRS TU SAID A SALES TAX WOULD SURELY TRIGGER AN IMMEDIATE DEMAND FOR HIGHER WAGES WHICH IN TURN WOULD TRIGGER INFLATION.
SHE ALSO SAID THAT IT WAS NAIVE TO SAY THAT THE SALES TAX WOULD BE ONLY AT THE WHOLESALE LEVEL. A WHOLESALER WOULD PASS ON MORE THAN HE LOST TO THE RETAILER, WHO IN TURN WOULD PASS ON MORE THAN HE LOST TO THE CONSUMER, SHE NOTED.
/THEREFORE, MRS
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 26, 1989
- 27 -
THEREFORE, MRS TU HOPED THAT SUCH A STEP WOULD NEVER BE TAKEN, BUT IF IT WAS, SHE SUGGESTED THAT IT SHOULD BE CONFINED TO LUXURY ITEMS LIKE FURS, JEWELLERY, EXPENSIVE CARS AND OTHER THINGS THAT THE HIGHER INCOME GROUP LIKED TO BUY.
SHE ALSO SUGGESTED THAT THE SUPERFLUOUS FAT OF ADMINISTRATIVE COSTS COULD BE CUT OFF BY HIVING OFF DEPARTMENTS WHICH DUPLICATED THE WORK OF OTHER DEPARTMENTS, AND BY, FOR EXAMPLE, UNITING THE TWO MUNICIPAL COUNCILS INTO ONE.
ANOTHER WAY WOULD BE TO EXAMINE HOW MANY CIVIL SERVANTS* PERKS BELONGED TO THE ERA OF SAILING BOATS, PLAGUE AND HAND-MANIPULATED FANS, WHICH DICTATED LONG HOLIDAYS AFTER LONG SEA JOURNEYS, SHE SAID.
"IS WIDE-BASED PARTICIPATION IN TAXATION CONDUCIVE TO A SENSE OF BELONGING, IF THE LESS PRIVILEGED TAX-PAYERS SEE THEIR MONEY BEING USED ON THESE LUXURY JAUNTS FOR ONE SECTOR OF THE COMMUNITY?" SHE QUESTIONED.
COMMENTING ON THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY’S STATEMENT THAT IT WAS HIS INTENTION THAT EMPLOYEES SHOULD SHARE THE FRUITS OF PROSPERITY, MRS TU SAID THIS SHARING SHOULD NOT BE CHANGED INTO DEPRIVING THE EMPLOYEES OF THE FRUITS OF THEIR LABOUR AND SHIFTING THE BURDEN OF TAXATION FROM THE BETTER-OFF TO THE WORSE-OFF.
TO REVERSE THIS TREND, MRS TU PROPOSED THAT THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY SCRAPPED THE IDEA OF A SALES TAX, THAT HE RAISED THE PERSONAL ALLOWANCE TO $48,000 AND THAT HE LEFT THE PRESENT STANDARD AND PROFITS AS IT WAS.
"SUCH AN ACTION WOULD PROVE THAT THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY MEANS WHAT HE SAYS AND IS NOT TALKING HOLLOW WORDS OF COMFORT TO THE LOWER PAID WORKERS," SHE CONCLUDED.
------0-------
TRUE MEDICAL SPENDING NOT REFLECTED: DR HENRIETTA IP
*****
THE EXPENDITURE ON MEDICAL SERVICES HAD NEVER REFLECTED THE TRUE SPENDING FOR THE PUBLIC AT LARGE BECAUSE A SIGNIFICANT PORTION OF THE SPENDING WENT TO MEDICAL AND DENTAL SERVICES FOR CIVIL SERVANTS, DR THE HON HENRIETTA IP SAID TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
UNLESS AND UNTIL THE CONCEPT OF TRADING FUND CLEARLY EXTENDED TO CHARGING OTHER DEPARTMENTS FOR MEDICAL SERVICES RENDERED TO THEIR STAFF. THE PUBLIC WOULD NEVER KNOW HOW MUCH WAS REALLY SPENT ON THEM ALONE, DR IP TOLD THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL DURING THE BUDGET DEBATE.
DR IP ALSO SAID THAT GOVERNMENT’S COMMITMENT TO MEDICAL SERVICES DID NOT RELFECT THE REAL DEMAND.
/’’USING CAPITAL
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 26, 1989
- 28 -
"USING CAPITAL COMMITMENTS ON MEDICAL EQUIPMENT AS AN EXAMPLE, ALTHOUGH THE GOVERNMENT BOASTS THAT A HIGH PERCENTAGE OF ITS TOTAL COMMITMENTS ARE MET EVERY YEAR, PUBLIC AT LARGE IS UNAWARE THAT THE MAJORITY OF THE COMMITMENTS ARE ON REPLACEMENT OF EQUIPMENT OUTDATED AND FALLING TO PIECES," SHE SAID.
TURNING THE MANPOWER IN MEDICAL AND HEALTH SERVICES, SHE SAID THAT IT HAD BEEN FRUSTRATING FOR HER TO SIT AS MEMBER OF THE MEDICAL DEVELOPMENT ADVISORY COMMITTEE BECAUSE MEMBERS WERE UNABLE TO RECOMMEND THE STAFF-TO-PATIENT RATIO THEY FELT NECESSARY BECAUSE THE MEMBERS, ALL GOVERNMENT APPOINTED, WERE REMINDED TIME AND AGAIN THAT THERE WAS ABSOLUTELY NO USE RECOMMENDING SOMETHING THE GOVERNMENT WAS UNLIKELY TO MEET.
SHE RECALLED THAT MEMBERS OF THE ADVISORY COMMITTEE THEREFORE RELUCTANTLY AGREED TO SCALE DOWN THEIR EXPECTATION TO A DISCOUNTED PROPOSAL.
BUT WHEN THE GOVERNMENT FINALLY INTRODUCED THE DISCOUNTED PROPOSAL. IT WAS DOING SO FOR THE YET NON-EXISTENT GOVERNMENT HOSPITALS AND NOT THE OVERCROWDED URBAN HOSPITALS.
SHE ALSO RECALLED THAT IT WASN’T UNTIL A FEW YEARS AGO THAT THE GOVERNMENT IMPLEMENTED THE CONCEPT OF REQUIRING NON-ENTITLED PERSON TO PAY THE FULL COST OF MEDICAL SERVICES THEY RECEIVED - A CONCEPT WHICH DR IP SAID SHE IMPORTED FROM THE UNITED KINGDOM.
AT PRESENT, THE GOVERNMENT DEFINED THE NON-ENTITLED PERSON AS ONE WHO DID NOT HOLD AN IDENTITY CARD. DR IP WOULD LIKE THE GOVERNMENT TO LOOK INTO EXTENDING THE CONCEPT FURTHER, SUCH AS IMPORTED WORKERS.
"IT IS ALSO IMPORTANT THAT WHOEVER IS RESPONSIBLE FOR THE VIETNAMESE IN HONG KONG SHOULD ALSO BE RESPONSIBLE FOR PAYING THE FULL COSTS OF THEIR HOSPITAL AND MEDICAL FEES AS WELL," SHE SUGGESTED.
SHE ALSO SUGGESTED THAT THE GOVERNMENT SHOULD CONSIDER TAX EXEMPTION FOR THOSE WHO PURCHASED MEDICAL INSURANCE IN ORDER TO ENCOURAGE MORE TO DO SO. HER ESTIMATE WAS THAT AT LEAST 20 PER CENT OF THE COMMUNITY WOULD TAKE THIS OPTION.
"UNDERSUBSCRIBED PRIVATE HOSPITALS WOULD THEN BE OCCUPIED, THEREBY REDUCING THE OVERCROWDING IN PUBLIC WARDS," SHE SAID.
TO ENCOURAGE THE SETTING UP OF MORE PRIVATE HOSPITALS, SHE SUGGESTED THAT THE GOVERNMENT GRANT FREE BUT RESTRICTIVE LAND LEASE FOR THIS PURPOSE.
"PLEASE DON’T FORGET THAT WITH THE FACTOR OF HIGH LAND COST OUT OF THE WAY, MORE PRIVATE HOSPITALS WOULD BE DEVELOPED. AND FOR EVERY ONE PERSON HOUSED IN A PRIVATE HOSPITAL, THERE IS ONE PERSON LESS IN A PUBLIC ONE," SHE SAID.
/IF THE .......
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 26, 19^9
- 29 -
IF THE ARGUMENT WAS THAT PRIVATE HOSPITALS WERE PROFIT MAKING, THERE WAS NO REASON WHY A HOSPITAL TAX, LIKE THAT OF HOTELS, COULD NOT BE INTRODUCED FOR THOSE FUTURE PRIVATE HOSPITALS WHICH WERE GRANTED FREE LAND, SHE SUGGESTED.
DR IP ALSO CALLED FOR MORE OPPORTUNITY FOR OPEN EMPLOYMENT FOR THE MODERATELY MENTALLY HANDICAPPED.
SHE NOTED THAT IT COST THE GOVERNMENT $1,500 A MONTH TO HOUSE ONE MODERATELY MENTALLY HANDICAPPED ADULT IN A SHELTERED WORKSHOP. IT HAD BEEN PROVED BEYOND DOUBT THAT SUCH AN ATTENDEE COULD EARN OVER $1,800 A MONTH IN OPEN EMPLOYMENT.
THIS WOULD REPRESENT A REAL INCREASE IN INCOME FOR THESE PEOPLE, NOT TO MENTION THE REDUCTION OF LABOUR SHORTAGE AND THE BOOSTING OF MORALE FOR THESE PEOPLE, SHE SAID.
IF THE IDEA WAS GIVEN FULL SUPORT. SHE WAS CONFIDENT THAT THE DEFICIENCY OF SERVICES FOR THE ADULT MENTALLY HANDICAPPED COULD BE RESOLVED WITHIN THREE YEARS.
SHE CALLED ON THE GOVERNMENT TO ORGANISE A MASSIVE CAMPAIGN TO ADVERTISE THE HIRING OF SUCH PERSONS AND TO FAMILIARISE EMPLOYERS WITH THIS CONCEPT.
------0--------
DR LEONG CHE-HUNG SPEAKS ON HEALTH POLICY t t t * *
HONG KONG’S HEALTH POLICY SHOULD BE AIMED AT PROVIDING THE BEST QUALITY OF HEALTH SERVICES AFFORDABLE TO THOSE IN NEED AND TO THE COMMUNITY IN GENERAL, DR THE HON LEONG CHE-HUNG SAID TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
THIS FUNDAMENTAL CONCEPT SHOULD IN NO WAY BE ADULTERATED DESPITE THE SETTING UP OF THE HOSPITAL AUTHORITY OR ANY OTHER AUTHORITIES TO TAKE CARE OF THE HEALTH NEEDS IN THE FUTURE, DR LEONG TOLD THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL DURING THE BUDGET DEBATE.
HE SAID THAT MAINTAINING THE HEALTH OF THE COMMUNITY SHOULD NEVER BE CONSIDERED A BUSINESS EXERCISE. INSTEAD, IT WAS A MAJOR INFRASTRUCTURAL EXERCISE, FOR WITHOUT HEALTH, STABILITY AND PROSPERITY COULD BE MEANINGLESS.
IT WAS INDEED IRONIC THAT BEHIND ALL THE GLAMOUR OF THE ADVANCEMENT AND SOPHISTICATED FACILITIES IN HONG KONG, OUR PUBLIC HOSPITALS WERE OVERFLOWING WITH CAMP-BEDS, OUR OUTPATIENT CLINICS WERE SWARMED WITH PEOPLE QUEUEING TO BE TREATED AND PATIENTS HAVING TO WAIT SOME NINE MONTHS TO A YEAR FOR AN APPOINTMENT TO ATTEND SPECIALIST CLINICS, HE SAID.
/’’IT IS..........
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 26, 198?
- 30 -
"IT IS INCOMPREHENSIBLE THAT IN SPITE OE OUR ACCUMULATION OF A TOTAL RESERVE IN REVENUE OF OVER $14 BILLION, THERE IS AN ACTUAL DECREASE FROM 9.3 PER CENT IN 1987-88 TO 8.9 PER CENT IN THE TOTAL BUDGET SPENT ON MEDICAL AND HEALTH SERVICES FOR THE YEAR TO COME," HE SAID.
TURNING TO MORE SPECIFIC ITEMS IN THE BUDGET, HE SAID IT WAS UNFAIR THAT THE MEDICAL AND DENTAL SERVICE EXPENSES OF CIVIL SERVANTS SHOULD HAVE BEEN INCLUDED IN THE TOTAL PUBLIC EXPENDITURE ON MEDICAL AND HEALTH.
HE ESTIMATED THAT THE TOTAL NUMBER OF CIVIL SERVANTS AND THEIR DEPENDANTS WOULD BE IN THE RANGE OF 730,000.
"IF ONE WERE TO CALCULATE THE EXPENSES BASED ON THE MID-RANGE COMMERCIAL RATE OF MEDICAL INSURANCE PACKAGE, THE AMOUNT OF MONEY SPENT ON CIVIL SERVANTS AND THEIR DEPENDENTS FOR SIMILAR MEDICAL SERVICES WOULD AMOUNT TO SOME $1,300 MILLION, OR 22.6 PER CENT OF THE TOTAL ANNUAL BUDGET ON MEDICAL AND HEALTH," DR LEONG SAID.
AS FOR DENTAL SERVICES, OF THE TOTAL SUM OF $174.6 MILLION ALLOCATED, ABOUT $90 MILLION WAS USED FOR DENTAL SERVICES TO CIVIL SERVANTS AND THEIR DEPENDENTS, WHILE ONLY $5.2 MILLION WAS USED FOR DENTAL EDUCATION.
DR LEONG SAID HE WAS NOT DISPUTING THE GRANTING OF THESE BENEFITS TO CIVIL SERVANTS. BUT IT WAS ONLY REASONABLE THAT THIS AND SIMILAR EXPENDITURE SHOULD BE RECOVERED FROM OTHER RESPECTIVE GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS UNDER STAFF COSTS, AND THAT THE MONEY SO RECOVERED PROPERLY SPENT ON THE PROVISION OF SERVICES TO THE GENERAL PUBLIC.
HE SAID SIMILAR IRRATIONAL CHANNELLING OF INCOME DERIVED FROM PRIVATE PATIENTS IN GOVERNMENT HOSPITALS ALSO OCCURRED.
HE NOTED THAT THE MONEY OBTAINED THROUGH CHARGES TO PRIVATE PATIENTS OR THROUGH DISPENSING MEDICINE WENT DIRECTLY TO THE GOVERNMENT’S MAIN REVENUE ACCOUNT.
"IT IS ONLY LOGICAL THAT SUCH INCOME SHOULD BE REFLECTED BACK INTO THE ACCOUNTS OF THE MEDICAL AND HEALTH DEPARTMENTS, AND CHANNELLED BACK FOR THE IMPROVEMENT OF MEDICAL AND HEALTH SERVICES," HE SUGGESTED.
REFERRING TO THE BUDGETARY ALLOCATION FOR GOVERNMENT AND SUBVENTED HOSPITALS, HE SAID THERE HAD ALWAYS BEEN A BELIEF THAT THERE EXISTED A BIAS IN FAVOUR OF GOVERNMENT HOSPITALS.
THIS SUSPICION APPEARED TO HAVE BEEN SUBSTANTIATED BY THE MARK DIFFERENCE IN BUDGETARY ALLOCATIONS, HE SAID, NOTING THAT THE SUM ALLOTTED TO SUBVENTED HOSPITALS APPEARED TO BE MAINLY FOR REPLACEMENT OF WORN OUT EQUIPMENT AND NOT FOR PROVIDING NEW AND UP-TO-DATE ONES FOR SERVICE IMPROVEMENT.
/TURNING TO .......
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 26, 1989
- 31 -
TURNING TO THE HOSPITAL AUTHORITY, HE SAID THAT FOR THE AUTHORITY TO WORK, THE BUDGET SHOULD PROVIDE FOR THE ESTABLISHMENT OF A SIGNIFICANT NUMBER OF SENIOR MANAGEMENT POSTS.
THE BUDGET SHOULD ALSO PROVIDE FOR EXTRA RESOURCES TO AT LEAST EQUALISE THE TERMS OF SERVICE AND BENEFITS FOR THE STAFF OF SUBVERTED HOSPITALS TO THOSE OF GOVERNMENT HOSPITALS, AND TO UPGRADE THE STANDARDS OF SUBVERTED HOSPITALS TO THAT OF GOVERRMERT HOSPITALS.
DR LEONG ALSO RENEWED THE CALL FOR THE SETTING UP OF AN ACADEMY OF MEDICINE AND THE PROVISION OF MORE POST-GRADUATE TRAINING FOR DOCTORS.
"IT IS MOST DISCOURAGING THAT THE BUDGET HAS MADE NO PROVISION FOR STAFF TRAINING IN THE MEDICAL FIELD." HE SAID.
HE ALSO CALLED FOR AN OVERHAUL OF THE PRIMARY HEALTH CARE SYSTEM AND AN EXPANSION OF TERTIARY CARE, WHICH INCLUDED HOMES FOR THE ELDERLY, CARE AND ATTENTION CENTRES AND REHABILITATION CENTRES.
"IMPROVEMENTS OF THESE SERVICES ARE NECESSARY NOT ONLY TO PROVIDE TOTAL CARE TO THE COMMUNITY BUT ALSO TO RELIEVE CRITICAL CONGESTIVE CONDITIONS IN ACUTE HOSPITALS WHERE EXPENSIVE EMERGENCY BEDS ARE BEING OCCUPIED BY CHRONIC CASES," HE SAID.
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/32........
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 26, 1989
- 32 -
PUBLIC ACCOUNTS COMMITTEE TO HOLD OPEN HEARING t * ♦ * ♦
AN OPEN HEARING OF THE PUBLIC ACCOUNTS COMMITTEE WILL BE HELD ON THURSDAY, MAY 4, FOLLOWING THE TABLING OF THE REPORT OF THE DIRECTOR OF AUDIT IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
THE HEARING WILL TAKE PLACE IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL CHAMBER, STARTING AT 9.30 AM.
CONTROLLING OFFICERS WILL APPEAR BEFORE THE COMMITTEE IN RELATION TO POINTS MADE IN THE REPORT.
-------0 - -
APPOINTMENT OF NEW POLITICAL ADVISER ANNOUNCED
******
MR WILLIAM GEOFFREY EHRMAN HAS BEEN APPOINTED TO TAKE OVER THE POST OF POLITICAL ADVISER THIS SUMMER FROM MR R.D. CLIFT, WHO WILL BE RETIRING FROM THE DIPLOMATIC SERVICE.
MR CLIFT WILL LEAVE HONG KONG IN MID JULY AND MR EHRMAN WILL ARRIVE IN MID AUGUST.
MR EHRMAN, AGED 38, IS AT PRESENT ASSISTANT HEAD OF SECURITY POLICY DEPARTMENT IN THE FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH OFFICE.
HE STUDIED CHINESE (PUTONGHUA) IN HONG KONG IN THE MID SEVENTIES AND HAS SERVED TWICE IN THE BRITISH EMBASSY IN PEKING.
HE WAS ASSISTANT HEAD OF HONG KONG DEPARTMENT IN THE FCO FROM 1985-86. HE HAS ALSO WORKED IN THE UNITED KINGDOM MISSION TO THE UNITED NATIONS IN NEW YORK, DEALING WITH MATTERS CONCERNING THE ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL COUNCIL.
HE IS MARRIED WITH FOUR CHILDREN.
-------0---------
PROVISIONAL TRADE FIGURES FOR MARCH RELEASED
* ♦ t * *
THF YEAR-ON-YEAR GROWTH RATE OF DOMESTIC EXPORTS PICKED UP SIGNIFICANTLY IN MARCH, WHILE THOSE OF RE-EXPORTS AND IMPORTS CONTINUED TO BE SUBSTANTIAL.
THESE ARE SHOWN IN THE PROVISIONAL TRADE FIGURES RELEASED TODAY (WEDNESDAY) BY THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT.
/THE VALUE........
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 26, 1989
55
THE VALUE OF DOMESTIC EXPORTS IN MARCH 1989 WAS $16,623 MILLION, $2,571 MILLION OR 18.3 PER CENT HIGHER THAN IN MARCH 1988, WHILE THE VALUE OF RE-EXPORTS INCREASED BY $7,893 MILLION OR 42.5 PER CENT TO $26,483 MILLION.
THE VALUE OF TOTAL EXPORTS (DOMESTIC EXPORTS PLUS RE-EXPORTS), AT $43,106 MILLION IN MARCH 1989, WAS THUS $10,464 MILLION OR 32.1 PER CENT HIGHER THAN IN MARCH 1988.
THE VALUE OF IMPORTS GREW BY 30.0 PER CENT OR $11,178 MILLION OVER A YEAR EARLIER, TO $48,424 MILLION IN MARCH 1989.
A VISIBLE TRADE DEFICIT OF $5,318 MILLION, EQUIVALENT TO 11.0 PER CENT OF THE VALUE OF IMPORTS, WAS RECORDED IN MARCH 1989. THIS COMPARES WITH A DEFICIT OF $4,604 MILLION, EQUIVALENT TO 12.4 PER CENT OF THE VALUE OF IMPORTS, RECORDED IN MARCH 1988.
PUTTING THESE TRADE FIGURES IN PERSPECTIVE, THE VALUE OF TOTAL EXPORTS IN THE FIRST QUARTER OF 1989 WAS $123,049 MILLION, MADE UP OF DOMESTIC EXPORTS OF $47,927 MILLION AND RE-EXPORTS OF $75,122 MILLION.
COMPARED WITH THE FIRST QUARTER OF 1988, IN VALUE TERMS TOTAL EXPORTS GREW BY $26,012 MILLION OR 26.8 PER CENT, DOMESTIC EXPORTS BY $3,758 MILLION OR 8.5 PER CENT, AND RE-EXPORTS BY $22,254 MILLION OR 42.1 PER CENT.
OVER THE SAME PERIOD, THE VALUE OF IMPORTS GREW BY $31,164 MILLION OR 31.5 PER CENT, TO $130,031 MILLION. A VISIBLE TRADE DEFICIT OF $6,982 MILLION, EQUIVALENT TO 5.4 PER CENT OF THE VALUE OF IMPORTS, WAS RECORDED IN THE FIRST QUARTER OF 1989.
COMMENTING ON THESE FIGURES, A GOVERNMENT SECRETARIAT SPOKESMAN SAID THAT THE YEAR-ON-YEAR GROWTH RATE IN VALUE TERMS OF DOMESTIC EXPORTS FOR THE FIRST QUARTER OF 1989, AT 8.5 PER CENT, WAS LOWER THAN IN THE THIRD AND FOURTH QUARTERS OF 1988, WHEN IT WAS 9.8 PER CENT AND 13.3 PER CENT RESPECTIVELY.
HOWEVER, THE GROWTH RATE OF RETAINED IMPORTS REMAINED SIGNIFICANT IN THE FIRST QUARTER, SUGGESTING THAT THE PERFORMANCE OF DOMESTIC EXPORTS IN THE NEXT COUPLE OF MONTHS SHOULD STILL BE SATISFACTORY.
THE SPOKESMAN ADDED THAT, AS A RESULT OF THE STRONG GROWTH IN RE-EXPORTS, 61.1 PER CENT BY VALUE OF THE TOTAL EXPORTS IN THE FIRST QUARTER OF 1989 WERE REPRESENTED BY RE-EXPORTS, COMPARED WITH 54.5 PER CENT IN THE SAME QUARTER IN 1988.
THE FOLLOWING TABLE PRESENTS THE PROVISIONAL TRADE FIGURES FOR MARCH 1989.
MERCHANDISE:
DOMESTIC EXPORTS RE-EXPORTS TOTAL EXPORTS IMPORTS
TRADE BALANCE
$16,623 $26,483 $43,106 $48,424
$5,318
MILLION MILLION MILLION MILLION MILLION
[IN DEFICIT)
/COMPARATIVE FIGURES .......
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 26, 1989
- -
COMPARATIVE FIGURES LATEST 3 MONTHS JAN 89 TO MAR 89 HKS MN. JAN 88 TO MAR 88 HKS MN. INCREASE HKS MN. %
DOMESTIC EXPORTS (% OF TOTAL EXPORTS) 47,927 (38.9%) 44,169 (45.5%) 3,758 8.5
RE-EXPORTS 75,122 52,868 22,254 42.1
TOTAL EXPORTS 123,049 97,037 26,012 26.8
IMPORTS 130,031 98,867 31,164 31.5
TRADE BALANCE -6,982 -1,830 -5,152
SAME MONTH LAST YEAR MARCH 1989 HKS MN. MARCH 1988 HKS MN. INCREASE HKS MN. %
DOMESTIC EXPORTS (% OF TOTAL EXPORTS) 16,623 (38.6%) 14,052 (43.0%) 2,571 18.3
RE-EXPORTS 26,483 18,590 7,893 42.5
TOTAL EXPORTS 43,106 32,642 10,464 32.1
IMPORTS 48,424 37,246 11,178 30.0
TRADE BALANCE -5,318 -4,604 -714
LAST MONTH MARCH 1989 HKS MN. FEBRUARY 1989 HKS MN. INCREASE HKS MN. %
DOMESTIC EXPORTS (% OF TOTAL EXPORTS) 16,623 (38.6%) 14,042 (38.5%) 2,581 18.4
RE-EXPORTS 26,483 22,385 4,098 18.3
TOTAL EXPORTS 43,106 36,427 6,679 18.3
IMPORTS 48,424 38,472 9,952 25.9
TRADE BALANCE -5,318 -2,045 -3,273
LAST 12 MONTHS APR 88 TO MAR 89 HKS MN. APR 87 TO MAR 88 HKS MN. INCREASE HKS MN. %
/DOMESTIC EXPORTS .......
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 26, 1989
- 55 -
DOMESTIC EXPORTS 221,422 200,895 20,527 10.2
RE-EXPORTS 297,658 199,164 98,494 49.5
TOTAL EXPORTS 519,080 400,059 119,021 29.8
IMPORTS 529,962 398,449 131,513 33.0
TRADE BALANCE -10,882 1,610 -12,492
-------0---------
GOVT HELPS COMPANIES ACCUSED OF DUMPING * » » » »
THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT IS DOING A VERY GREAT DEAL, AND MORE DIRECTLY, THAN OTHER GOVERNMENTS IN SIMILAR POSITIONS HAVE DONE TO HELP COMPANIES AND SECTORS OF INDUSTRY ACCUSED OF DUMPING, THE DEPUTY DIRECTOR OF TRADE, MR STUART HARBINSON, SAID TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
ADDRESSING A CONFERENCE ON ANTI-DUMPING ORGANISED BY THE INSTITUTE FOR INTERNATIONAL RESEARCH AND THE FEDERATION OF HONG KONG INDUSTRIES, HE SAID MUCH MORE WAS BEING DONE BY THE GOVERNMENT ON BEHALF OF LOCAL INDUSTRY THAN MIGHT BE APPARENT.
"FIRST, THE OVERSEAS OFFICES OF THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT ARE MAINTAINING A HIGH STATE OF VIGILANCE AND CHANNELLING INFORMATION AND INTELLIGENCE BACK," HE SAID, NOTING THAT ANTI-DUMPING WAS BEING GIVEN A VERY HIGH PRIORITY IN THESE EFFORTS.
FURTHERMORE, THE TRADE DEPARTMENT WAS IDENTIFYING AFFECTED COMPANIES AND HOLDING MEETINGS WITH THEM AS REGULARLY AS NECESSARY TO EXPLAIN PROCEDURES, KEEP THEM ABREAST OF THE LATEST DEVELOPMENTS, AND OFFER ADVICE.
THE TRADE DEPARTMENT HAD ALSO ASSEMBLED A DEDICATED TEAM WITHIN ITS EEC DIVISION TO TACKLE THE PROBLEM.
MR HARBINSON POINTED OUT THAT THE GOVERNMENT HAD EMPLOYED TWO SETS OF CONSULTANTS -- ONE A BRUSSELS-BASED LEGAL EXPERT IN THE DUMPING FIELD AND THE OTHER A TRADE POLICY ADVISER.
"THEIR EXPERTISE IS BENEFITTING HONG KONG COMPANIES, BOTH THROUGH MAKING THE GOVERNMENT'S EFFORTS MORE EFFECTIVE AND THROUGH THEIR ADVICE BEING CHANNELLED TO COMPANIES AT THE MEETINGS ORGANISED BY THE TRADE DEPARTMENT," HE ADDED.
REPRESENTATIONS WERE ALSO BEING MADE ON BEHALF OF HONG KONG DIRECTLY TO THE EUROPEAN COMMISSION, HE SAID.
/TRADE DEPARTMENT
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 26, 1989
36 -
TRADE DEPARTMENT STAFF RECENTLY PAID A VISIT TO BRUSSELS AND FORMAL WRITTEN REPRESENTATIONS WERE MADE ON BEHALF OF THE LOCAL VIDEO CASSETTE TAPE INDUSTRY IN LATE FEBRUARY AND AGAIN IN EARLY APRIL.
IN ADDITION, PRELIMINARY WRITTEN REPRESENTATIONS HAD BEEN SUBMITTED IN A NUMBER OF OTHER, MORE RECENT CASES.
"STAFF OF THE BRUSSELS OFFICE ARE IN TOUCH WITH THE RELEVANT OFFICIALS IN THE EUROPEAN COMMISSION ON ALMOST A DAILY BASIS TO REINFORCE OUR POINT OF VIEW." HE SAID.
MR HARBINSON NOTED THAT STAFF IN THE GOVERNMENT’S OVERSEAS OFFICES HAD BEEN EXPLAINING HONG KONG’S STAND ON ANTI-DUMPING TO OTHER GOVERNMENTS, INCLUDING THE GOVERNMENTS OF MEMBER STATES OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITY.
THE GOVERNMENT, IN ONE CASE WHERE SUCH ACTION SEEMED APPROPRIATE, WAS CONTRIBUTING TO A STUDY BEING COMMISSIONED BY ONE OF HONG KONG’S INDUSTRIES INTO THE IMPACT OF THE TERRITORY’S EXPORTS ON EUROPEAN INDUSTRY, HE SAID.
MR HARBINSON SAID THERE WAS A CONSIDERABLE AMOUNT OF WORK BEING PUT IN TO EXAMINE THE CONFORMITY, OR OTHERWISE, OF RECENT ANTI-DUMPING ACTIONS WITH INTERNATIONAL TRADE RULES UNDER THE GENERAL AGREEMENT ON TARIFFS AND TRADE, AND TO CHALLENGE THE EUROPEAN COMMISSION IN AREAS WHERE THE GOVERNMENT FELT THEY HAD OVERSTEPPED THE MARK.
HE POINTED OUT THAT, HOWEVER, THERE WAS A LIMIT TO THE GOVERNMENT’S ROLE AS IT COULD NOT DIRECTLY REPRESENT THE INTERESTS OF INDIVIDUAL COMPANIES, FOR A VARIETY OF REASONS.
"WE THINK OUR REAL RESPONSIBILITY IS AT A MORE GENERAL LEVEL --THAT IS, TO DEFEND THE INTERESTS OF HONG KONG INDUSTRY AS A WHOLE," HE CONCLUDED.
-------0---------
CALIFORNIA TRADE OFFICE TO OPEN IN HONG KONG
*****
THE GOVERNOR OF CALIFORNIA MR GEORGE DEUKMEJIAN YESTERDAY (APRIL 25) ANNOUNCED THAT CALIFORNIA’S FOURTH OVERSEAS OFFICE WILL BE LOCATED IN HONG KONG. THE TWO-MAN OFFICE IS SCHEDULED TO OPEN EARLY NEXT YEAR.
DIRECTOR OF HONG KONG ECONOMIC AND TRADE OFFICE IN SAN FRANCISCO, MR PETER JOHNSON, SAID THAT HONG KONG WELCOMES THIS DEVELOPMENT AS YET FURTHER EVIDENCE OF THE IMPORTANT AND GROWING LINKS BETWEEN CALIFORNIA AND HONG KONG.
/WORKING IN .......
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 26, 1989
- 37 -
WORKING IN CONJUNCTION WITH THE EXISTING CALIFORNIA TRADE AND INVESTMENT OFFICE IN TOKYO, THIS SECOND ASIAN OFFICE WILL PROMOTE TWO-WAY TRADE AND FACILITATE INVESTMENT IN CALIFORNIA FROM THE REGION.
MR JOHNSON NOTED THAT HONG KONG WAS CHOSEN AS THE SITE FOR THE NEW OFFICE AFTER PROPOSALS ON BEHALF OF MANILA, TAIPEI AND SEOUL HAD BEEN CAREFULLY CONSIDERED.
"WE HAVE BEEN WORKING HARD TO ENSURE HONG KONG WOULD BE THE SITE FOR THE NEW OFFICE. IN 1988 CALIFORNIA WAS OUR THIRD LARGEST EXPORT MARKET IN ITS OWN RIGHT, AFTER THE U.S.A. AS A WHOLE AND CHINA, BUT AHEAD OF WEST GERMANY AND JAPAN. THE STATE IN FACT TOOK ONE-THIRD OF OUR TOTAL EXPORTS TO THE U.S.A.," HE SAID.
MAJOR EXPORTS FROM CALIFORNIA TO HONG KONG ARE AGRICULTURAL PRODUCE, ELECTRONIC COMPONENTS, TOBACCO PRODUCTS, OFFICE MACHINERY AND RESINS, RUBBER AND PLASTIC PRODUCTS.
WHILE APPAREL LEADS OUR EXPORTS TO CALIFORNIA, OTHER ITEMS INCLUDE ELECTRONIC COMPONENTS, TELECOMMUNICATIONS EQUIPMENT AND OFFICE MACHINES.
UNVEILING PLANS FOR THE NEW OFFICE DURING A SPEECH BEFORE THE CALIFORNIA COUNCIL FOR INTERNATIONAL TRADE IN SAN FRANCISCO, GOVERNOR DEUKMEJIAN SAID THAT SINCE 1986 THE VALUE OF EXPORTS TO THE PACIFIC RIM THROUGH CALIFORNIA PORTS HAD GROWN BY WELL OVER 100 PER CENT.
"HONG KONG IS ONE OF THE WORLD’S PREMIER INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS CENTRES. IT IS AT THE CROSSROADS OF TRADE AND COMMERCE WITH THE ASEAN COUNTRIES OF SOUTHEAST ASIA, TAIWAN AND THE 1.1 BILLION PEOPLE IN CHINA.
"WHEN WE ESTABLISH THIS OFFICE EARLY NEXT YEAR, I AM CONFIDENT THAT COMBINED WITH OUR WELL-ESTABLISHED TOKYO OFFICE, CALIFORNIA WILL BE ABLE TO RAISE ITS BUSINESS PROFILE IN THE PACIFIC RIM TO AN UNPRECEDENTED LEVEL," GOVERNOR DEUKMEJIAN SAID.
CALIFORNIA IS THE MOST POPULATED STATE IN THE U.S. (POPULATION CURRENTLY 27 MILLION) AND IT IS ALSO THE NATION’S TOP EXPORTER. TOTAL 1988 U.S. EXPORTS TO HONG KONG THROUGH CALIFORNIA CUSTOMS’ DISTRICTS WERE US$2,423 BILLION WHILE IMPORTS FROM HONG KONG INTO CALIFORNIA THROUGH THE STATE’S CUSTOMS’ DISTRICTS WERE US$3,569 BILLION.
THE STATE ALREADY HAS OFFICES IN LONDON AND MEXICO CITY, AS WELL AS TOKYO.
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/38........
WEDNESDAY. APRIL 26, 1989
38
SUCCESSFUL TENDERER FOR PEAK CAFE ANNOUNCED
* ♦ * * »
THE BUILDINGS AND LANDS DEPARTMENT TODAY (WEDNESDAY) ANNOUNCED THAT FREEDRAGON LTD HAS BEEN AWARDED THE TENANCY FOR THE PEAK CAFE SITE.
GOVERNMENT LAND AGENT, MR ROGER NISSIM, SAID A TOTAL OF NINE SUBMISSIONS WERE RECEIVED FOLLOWING THE INVITATION OF TENDERS LAST SEPTEMBER.
MR NISSIM EXPRESSED SATISFACTION AT THE RESPONSE SAYING THAT OF THE NINE SUBMISSIONS, SIX WERE OF A VERY HIGH STANDARD THAT WARRANTED CAREFUL EVALUATION BEFORE A WINNER COULD BE CHOSEN.
MR NISSIM DISPELLED FEARS THAT THE HISTORIC BUILDING WAS TO BE DEMOLISHED.
"ON THE CONTRARY, THE MAIN THEME OF THE TENDER AWARD EXERCISE HAS BEEN TO DECIDE WHICH OF THE PROPOSALS PROVIDED THE BEST PACKAGE OF PRESERVATION, REFURBISHMENT AND UTILISATION OF WHAT IS AN EXCELLENT LOCATION.
"IN KEEPING WITH THIS THEME, THE ASSESSMENT PANEL WHICH WAS SET UP TO ANALYSE THE TENDERS TOOK NO ACCOUNT OF THE RENTAL FIGURE BID AND MADE THEIR RECOMMENDATIONS ENTIRELY ON THE INDIVIDUAL MERITS OF EACH SCHEME.
"IT WAS CONCLUDED THAT THE PROPOSAL BY FREEDRAGON LTD WAS THE ONE WHICH WAS IN BASIC SYMPATHY WITH THE ORIGINAL STRUCTURE, RETAINING ITS ARCHITECTURAL CHARACTER AND APPEARANCE WITH A HIGH QUALITY OF FINISH AND WELL-DESIGNED INTERNAL LAYOUT," HE SAID.
THE TENANCY AGREEMENT WHICH IS FOR FIVE YEARS RENEWABLE FOR A FURTHER TWO YEARS WILL BE EXECUTED SHORTLY.
WORK ON THE PROJECT, ESTIMATED TO COST ABOUT $3 MILLION, IS EXPECTED TO START IN FOUR TO SIX WEEKS.
- - 0-----------
CONSULTATION ON RIGHTS OF TAP MUN PEOPLE
*****
THE CITY AND NEW TERRITORIES ADMINISTRATION WILL CONSULT WITH THE VILLAGERS AND FISHERMEN OF TAP MUN AND REACH A CONSENSUS WITH THEM ON THE RIGHTS THAT THEY ARE ENTITLED TO.
THE REGIONAL SECRETARY FOR THE NEW TERRITORIES, MR ADOLF HSU, SAID THIS AT A RITUAL OF THE 19TH TAP MUN "TA CHIU" HELD ON TAP MUN CHAU (GRASS ISLAND) TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
/MK HSU .......
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 26, 1989 - 59 -
MR HSU HOPED THAT THE VILLAGERS AND FISHERMEN WOULD EXPRESS MORE VIEWS ON THE MATTER FOR THE ADMINISTRATION’S REFERENCE.
PARTICIPATING IN THE "TA CHIU" WERE KAT O, TAP MUN, KO LAU WAN, WONG WAN, SHUM WAN AND SAM MUN TSAI - SIX FISHERMEN'S VILLAGES NEAR THE TOLO HARBOUR.
ON THE "TA CHIU", MR HSU NOTED THAT THE EVENT, WHICH WAS HELD ONCE EVERY DECADE, HAD A HISTORY OF 190 YEARS AND WAS ATTACHED MUCH IMPORTANCE BY THE VILLAGERS.
THIS YEAR’S "TA CHIU" WILL LAST UNTIL APRIL 29.
THERE WILL BE CHINESE OPERA PERFORMANCES, A PROCESSION, PUPPET SHOWS AND RELIGIOUS CEREMONIES DURING THE PERIOD.
ALSO OFFICIATING AT TODAY’S RITUAL WAS THE DIRECTOR OF AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES, DR LAWRENCE LEE.
-----0-------
ASSISTANT DIRECTOR
* *
OF EDUCATION RETIRING
tit
AN ASSISTANT DIRECTOR OF EDUCATION, MR SO FAI-CHO, IS RETIRING AFTER 28 YEARS OF STERLING SERVICE WITH THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT.
ON BEHALF OF STAFF IN THE DEPARTMENT, THE DIRECTOR OF EDUCATION MR Y.T. LI, TODAY (WEDNESDAY) PRESENTED MR SO A WATCH AND A SET OF CHINESE SCREEN AS A RETIREMENT GIFT AT A PARTY WELL ATTENDED BY MR SO'S COLLEAGUES.
MR SO JOINED THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT AS AN ASSISTANT EDUCATION OFFICER IN 1961.
HE
POSTED TO
TOOK UP A TEACHING JOB AT QUEEN’S COLLEGE BEFORE HE WAS THE INSPECTORATE DIVISION IN 1970. HE WAS PROMOTED 10 SENIOR INSPECTOR OF SCHOOLS IN 1972 AND PRINCIPAL INSPECTOR IN 1975.
BETWEEN 1970 AND 1982 MR SO WORKED IN THE CHINESE SECTION OF THE ADVISORY INSPECTORATE AND SPENT A FOUR-MONTH ATTACHMENT WITH THE EDUCATION MINISTRY IN SINGAPORE IN 1975. HE WAS LARGELY RESIONSIBLE FOR A MAJOR REVIEW OF THE CHINESE LANGUAGE TEACHING SYLLABUS.
MR SO BECAME THE PRINCIPAL OF SIR ROBERT BLACK COLLEGE OF EDUCATION IN 1982. HE WAS INSTRUMENTAL IN STARTING A TRAINING PROGRAMME FOR TEACHERS OF SPECIAL EDUCATION AND IN EXPANDING I HE COLLEGE WITH THE ADDITION OF THE SHA TIN ANNEX IN 1982-83.
MR SO WAS POSTED BACK TO THE HEADQUARTERS IN 1985 TO TAKE CHARGE OF THE SCHOOLS DIVISION.
/HE RETURNED .......
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 26, 19$?
- 40 -
HE RETURNED TO THE INSPECTORATE DIVISION AS THE ASSISTANT DIRECTOR (CHIEF INSPECTOR OF SCHOOLS) IN OCTOBER 1985.
AS HEAD OF THE INSPECTORATE DIVISION, MR SO HAS PLAYED AN ACTIVE ROLE IN STRENGTHENING MORAL, SEX AND CIVIC EDUCATION IN SCHOOLS AND RECENTLY IN RESTRUCTURING THE CURRICULUM DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE AS A COUNCIL WITH WIDER TEACHERS' PARTICIPATION.
HE IS AN ARDENT SUPPORTER OF THE SCHOOL-BASED COMMUNITY YOUTH CLUB SCHEME, WHICH NOW HAS A MEMBERSHIP OF 270,000 STUDENTS, AND HAS BEEN CLOSELY INVOLVED IN THE ESTABLISHMENT OF THE FIRST TEACHERS CENTRE TO ADVANCE PROFESSIONALISM OF TEACHERS.
0
OPENING OF ORAL HEALTH EDUCATION UNIT * * * * ♦
LEGISLATIVE COUNCILLOR DR LEONG CHE-HUNG WILL OFFICIATE AT THE OPENING OF THE ORAL HEALTH EDUCATION UNIT OF THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH TOMORROW (THURSDAY).
LOCATED IN THE ARGYLE STREET JOCKEY CLUB SCHOOL DENTAL CLINIC ADJACENT TO THE KOWLOON HOSPITAL COMPOUND, THE UNIT IS A FULL-TIME ORAL HEALTH EDUCATION CENTRE WHERE INFORMATION ON ANY ASPECT OF ORAL HEALTH COULD BE OBTAINED FROM THE PROFESSIONAL STAFF FREE OF CHARGE.
IT FEATURES, AMONG OTHER THINGS, A 150-SEATED AUDITORIUM FOR SEMINARS AND LECTURES, AN EXHIBITION HALL AND A WORKSHOP FOR DESIGNING AND PRODUCING AUDIO-VISUAL AIDS.
THE UNIT ALSO HOUSES A ’’PLAQUE DISCLOSING TUNNEL", AN EQUIPMENT FOR THE DIRECT VIEWING OF ONE'S PLAQUE, WHICH IS THE FIRST OF ITS KIND INSTALLED IN HONG KONG.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE OPENING CEREMONY OF THE ORAL HEALTH EDUCATION UNIT TOMORROW (THURSDAY) ON THE FOURTH FLOOR OF THE ARGYLE STREET JOCKEY CLUB SCHOOL DENTAL CLINIC, 147J ARGYLE STREET (ADJACENT TO KOWLOON HOSPITAL COMPOUND), KOWLOON.
THE CEREMONY WILL BEGIN AT 3 PM.
INFORMATION OFFICERS OF THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH WILL BE PRESENT TO ASSIST MEDIA REPRESENTATIVES.
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/41 .......
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 26, 1989
ILLEGAL STRUCTURES IN NORTH POINT TO BE CLOSED
*****
THE BUILDING AUTHORITY IS TO SEEK THE CLOSURE OF UNAUTHORISED BUILDING WORKS IN NORTH POINT ON HONG KONG ISLAND, SO THAT THEY CAN BE DEMOLISHED WITHOUT DANGER TO THE OCCUPIERS OR TO THE PUBLIC.
THE STRUCTURES ARE ON THE FLAT ROOFS OF FLAT A, FIRST FLOOR, 26 KAM HONG STREET, YU WAI MANSION, NORTH POINT.
THE CLOSURE IS PART OF AN EXERCISE TO ENFORCE ORDERS ISSUED UNDER THE BUILDING ORDINANCE ON AUGUST 1 LAST YEAR REQUIRING THE DEMOLITION OF THESE UNAUTHORISED BUILDING WORKS.
NOTICE OF INTENTION TO APPLY FOR A CLOSURE ORDER FROM THE HONG KONG DISTRICT COURT ON JUNE 27 WAS POSTED ON A CONSPICUOUS PART OF THE STRUCTURES TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
IT IS INTENDED THAT THE DEMOLITION WORK WILL BE CARRIED OUT ONCE THE CLOSURE ORDER IS OBTAINED.
0 - -
TENDERS INVITED FOR STORAGE SITE
*****
THE BUILDINGS AND LANDS DEPARTMENT IS INVITING TENDERS FOR THE SHORT TERM TENANCY OF A SITE AT CHEUNG SHA WAN RECLAMATION, KOWLOON.
THE SITE, COVERING AN AREA OF ABOUT 10,000 SQUARE METRES, IS FOR OPEN STORAGE, INCLUDING THE STORAGE AND REPAIR OF CONTAINERS.
TENANCY IS FOR ONE YEAR, RENEWABLE ON A MONTHLY BASIS.
TENDER DOCUMENTS ARE OBTAINABLE FROM AND TENDER PLAN CAN BE SEEN AT THE DISTRICT LANDS OFFICE, KOWLOON WEST, 10TH FLOOR, YAU MA TEI CARPARK BUILDING, 250 SHANGHAI STREET, KOWLOON AND THE BUILDINGS AND LANDS DEPARTMENT, 14TH FLOOR, MURRAY BUILDING, GARDEN ROAD, HONG KONG.
THE CLOSING DATE FOR ACCEPTANCE OF TENDERS IS NOON ON MAY 12.
O - -
/'•2
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 26, 1989
42 -
TEMPORARY TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS IN SHAM SHUI PO
* » * * »
THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCED THAT TEMPORARY TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS WILL BE IMPLEMENTED IN SHAM SHUI PO FROM 10 AM ON FRIDAY (APRIL 28) FOR ABOUT 10 WEEKS FOR DRAINAGE IMPROVEMENT WORKS IN KWONG LEE ROAD.
MAN FAT STREET BETWEEN CHEUNG FAT STREET AND KWONG LEE ROAD WILL BE RE-ROUTED TO ONE-WAY NORTHBOUND.
MOTORISTS FROM EASTBOUND KWONG LEE ROAD HEADING FOR MAN FAT STREET WILL BE DIVERTED VIA CHEUNG FAT STREET.
MOREOVER, THE RIGHT-TURN FROM NORTHBOUND MAN FAT STREET ONTO EASTBOUND KWONG LEE ROAD WILL BE BANNED.
AFFECTED VEHICLES WILL BE DIVERTED VIA WESTBOUND KWONG LEE ROAD, CHEUNG FAT STREET, PO ON ROAD AND FAT TSEUNG STREET.
AT THE SAME TIME, THE SECTION OF EASTBOUND PO ON ROAD BETWEEN FAT TSEUNG STREET AND TONKIN STREET WILL BE RE-OPENED TO TRAFFIC FOLLOWING THE COMPLETION OF THE DRAINAGE IMPROVEMENT WORKS.
GREEN MINIBUS ROUTE 42 WILL RESUME ITS NORMAL ROUTEING VIA PO ON ROAD AND TONKIN STREET ON JOURNEYS TO CHAR ON ESTATE.
IN ADDITION, VEHICLES CAN TURN LEFT FROM SOUTHBOUND FAT TSEUNG STREET ONTO EASTBOUND PO ON ROAD AND TURN RIGHT FROM NORTHBOUND WING LUNG STREET ONTO EASTBOUND PO ON ROAD.
HOWEVER, THE FOLLOWING RIGHT-TURNS WILL BE BANNED FOR ABOUT SIX WEEKS BECAUSE OF DRAINAGE WORKS AT THE JUNCTION OF FAT TSEUNG STREET WITH PO ON ROAD:
t THE RIGHT-TURN FROM FAT TSEUNG STREET SOUTHBOUND ONTO PO ON ROAD WESTBOUND. MOTORISTS FROM KWONG LEE ROAD WESTBOUND HEADING FOR PO ON ROAD WESTBOUND ARE ADVISED TO TRAVEL VIA CHEUNG FAT STREET.
* THE RIGHT-TURN FROM PO ON ROAD WESTBOUND ONTO FAT TSEUNG STREET NORTHBOUND. AFFECTED VEHICLES WILL BE DIVERTED VIA CHEUNG FAT STREET AND KWONG LEE ROAD.
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A?.....
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 26, 1989
URBAN CLEARWAYS IN SHA TIN ♦ * * ♦ ♦
THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCED THAT FROM 10 AM ON FRIDAY (APRIL 28), THE FOLLOWING ROAD SECTIONS IN SHA TIN WILL BE DESIGNATED URBAN CLEARWAYS FROM 7 AM TO MIDNIGHT DAILY:
(I) SHA TIN RURAL COMMITTEE ROAD BETWEEN ITS JUNCTION WITH TAI PO ROAD (SHA TIN) AND ITS JUNCTIONS WITH SHA TIN STATION CIRCUIT AND PAI TAU STREET;
(II) SHA TIN STATION CIRCUIT WITH THE EXCEPTION OF A SECTION OF ABOUT 40 METRES FRONTING THE ENTRANCE TO KCR HOUSE;
(III) PAI TAU STREET SOUTHBOUND BETWEEN ITS JUNCTION WITH SHA TIN RURAL COMMITTEE ROAD AND A POINT ABOUT 90 METRES SOUTH OF THE SAME JUNCTION, WITH THE EXCEPTION OF THE OFFSIDE LANE LEADING TO THE TAXI AND GREEN MINIBUS STANDS;
(IV) PAI TAU STREET NORTHBOUND BETWEEN ITS JUNCTION WITH SHA TIN RURAL COMMITTEE ROAD AND A POINT ABOUT 260 METRES SOUTH OF THE SAME JUNCTION; AND
(V) PAI TAU STREET BETWEEN THE JUNCTION OF THE ROAD SECTIONS MENTIONED IN (III) AND (IV) ABOVE AND A POINT ABOUT 80 METRES NORTHEAST OF THE SAME JUNCTION.
NO VEHICLES EXCEPT FRANCHISED BUSES WILL BE ALLOWED TO STOP FOR PASSENGERS OR GOODS WITHIN THE RESTRICTED AREAS.
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URBAN CLEARWAYS IN MONG KOK. WESTERN ♦ * t * *
THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCED THAT FROM 10 AM ON FRIDAY (APRIL 28), TWO SECTIONS OF IVY STREET IN MONG KOK WILL BE DESIGNATED 7 AM TO 7 PM DAILY URBAN CLEARWAYS.
THEY ARE THE NORTHERN KERBSIDE LANE OF IVY STREET BETWEEN ITS JUNCTION WITH TAI KOK TSUI ROAD AND A POINT ABOUT 105 METRES EAST OF THE SAME JUNCTION; AND IVY STREET BETWEEN ITS JUNCTION WITH TAI KOK TSUI ROAD AND A POINT ABOUT 15 METRES WEST OF THE SAME JUNCTION.
AT THE SAME TIME, IN WESTERN DISTRICT, WHITTY STREET FROM ITS JUNCTION WITH CONNAUGHT ROAD WEST TO A POINT ABOUT 15 METRES SOUTH OF THE SAME JUNCTION WILL BECOME AN URBAN CLEARWAY ROUND-THE-CLOCK FOR ABOUT FOUR MONTHS FOR ROAD WORKS.
NO VEHICLES EXCEPT FRANCHISED BUSES WILL BE ALLOWED TO STOP FOR PASSENGERS OR GOODS WITHIN THE RESTRICTED AREAS.
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/44 .......
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 26, 1989*
44
TEMPORARY TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS IN WESTERN, SHAU KEI WAN *»♦♦*♦
THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCED THAT FROM 10 AM ON FRIDAY (APRIL 28), THE SOUTHERN KERBSIDE LANE OF CONNAUGHT ROAD WEST FROM ITS JUNCTION WITH CENTRE STREET TO A POINT ABOUT 21 METRES EAST OF THE SAME JUNCTION WILL BE DESIGNATED A 7 AM TO 7 PM DAILY URBAN CLEARWAY.
THIS MEASURE WILL LAST FOR ABOUT SIX MONTHS TO FACILITATE ROAD AND DRAINAGE WORKS.
NO VEHICLES EXCEPT FRANCHISED BUSES WILL BE ALLOWED TO STOP FOR PASSENGERS OR GOODS THERE.
AT THE SAME TIME, SHAU KEI WAN MAIN STREET EAST BETWEEN ITS JUNCTION WITH KAM WA STREET AND A POINT ABOUT 40 METRES TO THE NORTH WILL CONTINUE TO BE RE-ROUTED TO ONE-WAY NORTHBOUND UNTIL MID-MAY FOR WATER WORKS.
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TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENT IN YAU MA TEI ♦ * ♦ * *
THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCES THAT IN ORDER TO FACILITATE THE RECONSTRUCTION OF ARTHUR STREET, TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS WILL BE IMPLEMENTED FROM 10 AM ON FRIDAY (APRIL 28) FOR THREE MONTHS.
THE SECTION OF ARTHUR STREET BETWEEN MAN MING LANE AND HI LUNG LANE WILL BE CLOSED AND THE LEFT TURN FROM WESTBOUND MAN MING LANE ONTO SOUTHBOUND ARTHUR STREET WILL BE BANNED.
DURING THIS PERIOD, MOTORISTS ON WESTBOUND MAN MING LANE HEADING FOR SOUTHBOUND ARTHUR STREET ARE ADVISED TO TRAVEL VIA WESTBOUND MAN MING LANE, NORTHBOUND PORTLAND STREET, WESTBOUND WATERLOO ROAD, SOUTHBOUND SHANGHAI STREET, EASTBOUND HI LUNG LANE AND SOUTHBOUND ARTHUR STREET.
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URBAN CLEARWAYS ON CHEUNG PEI SHAN ROAD, TSUEN WAN
*****
THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCED THAT FROM 10 AM ON FRIDAY (APRIL 28), TWO SECTIONS OF CHEUNG PEI SHAN ROAD WILL BE DESIGNATED 24-HOUR URBAN CLEARWAYS.
THE EASTBOUND CARRIAGEWAY OF THE SECTION OF CHEUNG PEI SHAN ROAD BETWEEN TSUEN KAM INTERCHANGE AND A POINT ABOUT 50 METRES EAST OF ITS JUNCTION WITH SHEK WAI KOK ROAD; AND THE WESTBOUND CARRIAGEWAY OF THE SECTION OF CHEUNG PEI SHAN ROAD BETWEEN ITS JUNCTIONS WITH CHEUNG SHAN ESTATE ROAD WEST AND SHEK KWAI STREET.
NO VEHICLES EXCEPT FRANCHISED BUSES WILL BE ALLOWED TO STOP FOR PASSENGERS OR GOODS WITHIN THE RESTRICTED AREAS.
0
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL: 5-8428777
THURSDAY, APRIL 27, 1989
................... CONTENTS PAGE NO.
LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL'RESTING:
STEPHEN CHEONG*CALLS FOR BETTER DEAL FOR MIDDLE-INCOME GROUP .................................................... 1
PROF C.K POON CALLS FOR MORE INVESTMENT IN SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY................................................... 3
WIDER SCOPE IN LABOUR IMPORT URGED : MARTIN BARROW ........ 6
CONFLICTING . PRESSURE FACING FS : JaMES TIEN.............. 9
DAVID CHEUNG URGES GOVT TO MAKE BETTER USE OF SURPLUS...... 10
TAI CHI-WAH URGES GOVT TO LOOK AT CIVIL SERVICE SET-UP .... 12
NEED TO IMPROVE HEALTH SERVICES: LAU WaH-SUM .............. 14
ABOLISHING.INTEREST TuOC MAY BE OVER-GENEROUS: PETER WONG .. 17
BUDGET F^ILS.TO RE-DISTRIBUTE WEALTH: Y F HUI ............. 21
MIRInM.LaU,PRAISES 1989.BUDGET ............................ 22
44 MEMBERS SPEAK ON APPROPRIATION BILL 1989 ............... 24
NO AMNESTY FOR Il’S FROM CHINA: S FOR S ..................... 25
SMA SPEAKS ON HK DOLLAR CAPITAL MARKET ...................... 26
LPG STORAGE AT HK OIL’S TSING YI DEPOT TO BE LIMITED......... 28
OPTIONS ON RELATIONSHIPS 'WITH SUBVERTED HOSPITALS BEING CONSIDERED: SIR S.Y. CHUNG ................................... 50
RDCC ENDORSES $1.5 MILLION PUBLIC EDUCATION PROGRAMME........ 52
FOURTH QUARTER SHIPPING, PORT AND C/.RGO STATISTICS RELEASED . 55
GRADING OF BEaCH WATER QUALITY............................... 56
LADY WILSON PRaIlES HK ASSOCIATION FOR THE MENT,JLLY HaNDICJlPPED ................................................. 41
/ORAL HEALTH ........
ORaL HEALTH EDUCATION UNIT OPENED .................t.. i...... 42
MARINE DEPARTMINT TO LICENSE STEEL FISHING VESSELS ............ 4J
CHINESE FOREIGN AFFAIRS OFFICIaL VISITS HOUSING AUTHORITY ... 44
SDA HOSTS DINNER FOR CHINESE VISITORS .......................... 45
PO LEUNG KUK PRaISED FOR COMMUNITY SERVICE ..................... 45
REGIONS SECRETARY SEES NORTH DISTRICT PROGRESS ................. 46
NORTH DB TO DISCUSS USE OF LO WU CaI4P FOR VBP ................ 47
DB ENVIRONMENTAL COMMITTEE TO CONSIDER FUND APPLICATIONS .... 48 INAUGURATION CEREMONY OF SHaM SHUI PO AREA COMMITTEES......... 48
LANDSCAPING DAY TO ENHANCE THEN MUN ENVIRONMENT ................ 49
DRAWING CONTEST FOR CHILDREN ................................... 50
'OPPORTUNITIES FOR YOUTH SCHEME' AW..RD PRESENTATION............ 51
BOE MEMBERS VISIT GOVT PRIMaRY SCHOOL .......................... 52
STUDENTS VISIT POLICE TRAINING SCHOOL .......................... 52
ANNUAL REPORT ON 1988 CONSUMER PRICE INDEX PUBLISHED ........... 5J
SUPPLY OF NON-CONFIDENTI..L ESTABLISHMENT PARTICULARS......... 53
water suspension to two nt areas ............................... 5^
THURSDAY, APRIL 27, 1989
STEPHEN CHEONG CALLS FOR BETTER ♦ t ♦
DEAL FOR MIDDLE-INCOME GROUP ♦ ♦
ANY FURTHER TAX BENEFITS ARISING FROM FUTURE BUDGET SURPLUSES SHOULD FIRST BE PASSED ON TO THE MIDDLE-INCOME GROUP, THE HON STEPHEN CHEONG SAID TODAY (THURSDAY).
HE PLEADED THAT THIS PARTICULAR SUGGESTION BE GIVEN DUE CONSIDERATION AND BE ADOPTED IN FORMULATING THE BUDGETARY STRATEGY FOR THE 1990-91 FINANCIAL YEAR.
LEADING THE SECOND-DAY DEBATE ON THE APPROPRIATION BILL 1989 IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL, MR CHEONG SUGGESTED THAT IN FUTURE BUDGETS, THERE SHOULD BE NO NEED TO CONSIDER ANY FURTHER CUTS IN THE STANDARD RATE OF TAXATION FOR INDIVIDUALS AS WELL AS CORPORATIONS.
"IN MY VIEW, BOTH OUR HIGH INCOME EARNERS AS WELL AS OUR CORPORATIONS OUGHT TO BE CONTENT WITH THE LOW RATE OF TAXATION WE NOW ENJOY," HE SAID.
HE SAID ANY FURTHER BENEFITS ARISING FROM FUTURE SURPLUSES SHOULD GO TO THE MIDDLE-INCOME GROUP.
AFTER ALL, MR CHEONG SAID, ONE PERCENTAGE POINT CUT IN PROFITS TAX WOULD NOT MAKE OR BREAK INDIVIDUAL TAX PAYING CORPORATIONS.
BUT IF THE OVERALL BENEFIT OF THAT ONE PER CENT PROFITS TAX, AMOUNTING TO $650 MILLION IN A FULL YEAR, WAS PASSED ON TO TAX PAYERS WITH AN ANNUAL INCOME RANGING FROM $100,000 TO $500,000, ABOUT 300,000 SUCH TAX PAYERS WOULD STAND TO BENEFITS, HE POINTED OUT.
MR CHEONG ALSO EXPRESSED SERIOUS CONCERN OVER THE SURGE OF RECURRENT PUBLIC EXPENDITURE, SAYING THAT THIS WAS THE MOST WORRYING ASPECT OF THE BUDGET.
"ECONOMIC PERFORMANCE OF THE PAST FEW YEARS MAY NOT BE REPEATED EASILY AND IF OUR PUBLIC SECTOR RECURRENT COMPONENT CONTINUES TO DRAW BIGGER PORTION OF RESOURCES FROM THE ECONOMY, WE MAY FACE VERY UNPALATABLE PROBLEMS IF AND WHEN THE ECONOMY TURNS SOUR," HE SAID.
HE HOPED THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY WOULD GIVE AN ASSURANCE OF FALLING BACK, WITHIN A PERIOD OF TWO TO THREE YEARS, ON TO THE MEDIUM TERM TREND GROWTH RATE OF GDP AS THE UPPER LIMIT OF ANY FURTHER GROWTH IN THE PUBLIC SECTOR EXPENDITURE.
TURNING TO INFLATION, MR CHEONG SAID THAT HONG KONG SHOULD BE PREPARED TO "HIT THIS MONSTER AT ITS HEAD" IF THERE WAS A CHANCE OF INFLATION RUNNING OUT OF CONTROL.
HE NOTED, HOWEVER, THAT THERE WAS A WRONG BELIEF AMONG SOME QUARTERS THAT THE ILLS OF INFLATION COULD EASILY BE SOLVED BY REMOVING THE HONG KONG DOLLAR LINK WITH THE U.S. DOLLAR.
/’’SUCH A
THURSDAY, APRIL 27, 1989
- 2
"SUCH A REASONING IS AN OVER-SIMPLIFICATION AND IGNORES HONG KONG’S NEED FOR LONG-TERM STABILITY. WE MUST NOT FORGET THAT THE HONG KONG-U.S. DOLLAR LINK WAS INTRODUCED NOT SO MUCH FOR ECONOMIC REASONS AS FOR POLITICAL CONSIDERATIONS," HE SAID.
HE SAID HE MUST URGE THAT THE DOLLAR LINK SHOULD NOT BE TAMPERED WITH LIGHTLY.
MR CHEONG ALSO SPOKE ON THE SHORTAGE OF "HUMAN" RESOURCES.
HE SAID HE DID NOT USE THE TERM LABOUR SHORTAGE BECAUSE THE ISSUE HAD BEEN CHARGED WITH TOO MUCH EMOTION RATHER THAN CLEAR-HEADED RATIONAL ANALYSIS.
HE RECALLED THAT 18 MONTHS AGO WHEN THE ISSUE WAS FIRST RAISED, HE URGED GOVERNMENT ECONOMISTS TO DO A MACRO-ECONOMIC STUDY ON HOW HONG KONG'S FUTURE ECONOMIC GROWTH MIGHT BE AFFECTED IF THERE WERE TO BE A PROLONGED PERIOD OF SHORTAGE OF LABOUR.
UNFORTUNATELY, HE SAID, HIS SUGGESTION HAD FALLEN ON DEAF EARS.
HE NOTED THAT THE GOVERNMENT HAD ARGUED REPEATEDLY THAT THE LABOUR SHORTAGE PROBLEM COULD BE SOLVED BY AUTOMATION.
"SURELY THE GOVERNMENT CANNOT GO WRONG WITH STATEMENTS LIKE THIS BUT DOES THE GOVERNMENT REALISE THAT THE LABOUR SHORTAGE SITUATION IS NOT EXPERIENCED BY THE MANUFACTURING SECTOR ALONE?" HE QUESTIONED.
HE NOTED THAT INSOFAR AS AUTOMATION WAS CONCRNED, THE LOCAL ECONOMY WAS MOVING MORE AND MORE TOWARDS A SERVICE ECONOMY. THE INGREDIENTS OF SUCCESS OF A SERVICE ECONOMY WAS THE QUALITY AND EFFICIENCY OF SERVICE ONE COULD PROVIDE. THIS WAS IN DIRECT RELATION TO STAFF JOB RATIOS.
"FOR THE SAKE OF THE FUTURE STABILITY’ AND PROSPERITY OF HONG KONG, I HOPE AND PRAY THAT WE WILL HAVE A FULL OR NEAR FULL EMPLOYMENT SITUATION.
"IN ORDER TO ACHIEVE THIS, WE MUST HAVE ENOUGH FORESIGHT AND COURAGE TO FACE UP TO ANY PROBLEM THAT MAY POSE A CONSTRAINT ON OUR ECONOMIC GROWTH OR THE LONG-TERM HEALTH OF OUR ECONOMY," HE SAID.
MR CHEONG SAID THE BUSINESS SECTOR’S CALL TO STUDY THE IMPORTATION OF LABOUR ISSUE WAS NOT DESIGNED TO DEPRIVE THE LOCAL WORK FORCE OF THEIR CHANCE TO IMPROVE THEIR QUALITY’ OF LIFE OR WAGE.
"WE ARE PERFECTLY HAPPY’ TO SIT DOWN AND TALK ABOUT PROPOSALS THAT MAY BE WORKABLE AND ACCEPTABLE TO BOTH PARTIES," HE SAID.
THE GOVERNMENT MUST BE SEEN TO BE ADDRESSING THE ISSUE RATIONALLY, ANALYTICALLY AND MUST THEREFORE TAKE THE LEAD IN FOSTERING A DIALOGUE, HE SUGGESTED.
/MR CHEONG .......
3 -
THURSDAY, APRIL 27, 1989
MR CHEONG ALSO CALLED ON THE GOVERNMENT TO INVEST MORE VIGOROUSLY IN RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT.
"ALREADY WE ARE AT LEAST 10 YEARS BEHIND THE EFFORTS OF OUR NEIGHBOURING COUNTRIES IN ADDRESSING THE ISSUE OF RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT. WE SHOULD NOT AND CANNOT AFFORD TO DELAY ANY LONGER EFFORTS IN CATCHING UP," HE SAID.
ON THE CONCEPT OF DELEGATING MORE AUTHORITY TO DIFFERENT HEADS OF DEPARTMENTS SO THAT THEY WOULD BE ABLE TO MANAGE THEIR OWN RESOURCES BETTER, MR CHEONG SAID THE PRINCIPLE WAS PERFECTLY RIGHT BUT IT WOULD BE VERY DIFFICULT TO CARRYING THAT OUT IN PRACTICE.
FOR ONE THING, HE SAID, THE BULK OF THE ALLOCATION FOR VARIOUS DEPARTMENTS WAS FOR STAFF PROVISION. THIS ELEMENT, PARTICULARLY SALARY LEVELS AND THE RIGHT TO HIRE AND FIRE, WAS BEYOND THE CONTROL OF THE CONTROLLING OFFICERS.
FOR EXAMPLE, A CONTROLLING OFFICER DID NOT HAVE THE RIGHT TO DISMISS 10 CLERKS EVEN IF THEY WERE FOUND TO BE REDUNDANT OR TO ADJUST THE SALARY LEVELS IN LINE WITH MARKET TRENDS.
BESIDES, TOO MUCH AUTONOMY GIVEN AWAY IN A SHORT PERIOD OF TIME WOULD RESULT IN CASUAL SPENDING RATHER THAN SAVINGS, HE CAUTIONED.
ON THE QUESTION OF SALES TAX, MR CHEONG EMPHASISED THE NEED TO KEEP AN OPEN MIND ON THE ISSUE.
ON THE BUDGET AS A WHOLE, MR CHEONG SAID THE GOVERNMENT IN GENERAL AND THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY SHOULD BE CONGRATULATED FOR HAVING DONE A NEAR PERFECT BALANCING ACT.
THE CALL TO SPEND MORE SEEMED IRRESISTABLE IN VIEW OF THE SIZE OF THE SURPLUS. YET IN BUDGETTING FOR LONGER-TERM NEEDS, THE BUDGET SHOULD NOT BE UNDULY INFLUENCED BY SHORT-TERM PEAKS AND TROUGHS, MR CHEONG SAID.
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PROF C K POON CALLS FOR MORE INVESTMENT IN SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY t t * » » *
PROFESSOR THE HON POON CHUNG-KWONG TODAY (THURSDAY) CRITICISED THE GOVERNMENT FOR ITS RELUCTANCE TO MAKE VIGOROUS INVESTMENT IN HONG KONG'S FUTURE IN THE IMPORTANT AREA OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY.
SPEAKING DURING THE SECOND DAY DEBATE ON THE 1989 BUDGET IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL, PROFESSOR POON ALSO HIT OUT AT THE INSUFFICIENT INCENTIVES TO INDUSTRY TO MEET THE PRESSING NEED TO GO HIGH-TECH AND THE INSUFFICIENT FUNDING ON RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT.
/PROFESSOR POON.........
THURSDAY, APRIL 27, 1989
PROFESSOR POON, WHO IS CHAIRMAN OF THE COMMITTEE ON SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY, REGRETTED THAT ONE YEAR AFTER THE COMMITTEE HAD BEEN SET UP, AND DISPITE REPEATED PLEAS, THERE WAS STILL NO PROVISION FOR AN ANNUAL BUDGET WITHIN THE DRAFT ESTIMATES WITH WHICH THE COMMITTEE COULD PLAN ITS ACTIVITIES OR LAUNCH PROJECTS LIKE EXHIBITIONS, CONFERENCES AND EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMMES.
"IN THE FACE OF THE BUDGETARY SURPLUS, THERE IS REALLY NO EXCUSE ANYMORE TO DELAY FUNDING IN THIS IMPORTANT AREA OF INVESTING IN HONG KONG’S FUTURE DEVELOPMENT," HE SAID.
EXPRESSING SUPPORT FOR THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY'S INTENTION TO EARMARK SOME OF THE ACCUMULATING SURPLUSES TO FINANCE VARIOUS INFRASTRUCTURAL PROJECTS OVER THE NEXT 10 TO 15 YEARS, PROFESSOR POON ARGUED THAT THE NEED FOR ENABLING INDUSTRIES TO GO HIGH-TECH, TO PROMOTE RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT IN TERTIARY INSTITUTIONS AND, TECHNOLOGY AWARENESS WITHIN THE COMMUNITY WAS JUST AS ACUTE.
"IF THE GOVERNMENT TAKES ONLY A MYOPIC VIEW OF IMMEDIATE URGENCIES, WE WILL LOSE OUT IN THE LONG RUN AND BE OVERTAKEN BY THE OTHER NEWLY INDUSTRIALISED ECONOMIES IN THE ASIAN REGION," HE SAID.
"AND ONCE THE COMPETITIVE EDGE IN OUR INDUSTRIES IS GONE, THE HEAVY INVESTMENTS MADE IN OUR INFRASTRUCTURAL DEVELOPMENTS COULD END UP, AS IT WERE, WATER DOWN THE DRAIN," HE WARNED.
SHARING SENIOR LEGCO MEMBER THE HON ALLEN LEE’S VIEW THAT PROVISION FOR EXPENDITURE ON SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY IN THE BUDGET SPEECH AND THE DRAFT ESTIMATES WAS FRAGMENTED TO A RIDICULOUS DEGREE, PROFESSOR POON RECOMMENDED THAT THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY SHOULD PROPERLY IDENTIFY SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY AS AN EXPENDITURE PROGRAMME AREA AND RATIONALISE THE VARIOUS BITS OF EXPENDITURE ON THIS SUBJECT CURRENTLY PROVIDED WITHIN VARIOUS DEPARTMENTAL HEADS.
TO SUSTAIN THE MOMENTUM OF IDEAS AND WORK OF THE COMMITTEE ON SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY, HE URGED THE GOVERNMENT TO ALLOCATE FUNDS FOR ADDITIONAL STAFFING FOR THE ELECTRICAL AND MECHANICAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT AND THE GOVERNMENT DATA PROCESSING AGENCY TO COPE WITH EVER-INCREASING WORK ARISING FROM THE COMMITTEE.
IN ADDITION, HE PRESSED FOR SUPPLEMENTARY FUNDING TO THE MEAGRE $3 MILLION SO FAR ALLOCATED FOR CONSULTANCY STUDIES AND PROFESSIONAL SERVICES AND FINANCING OF THE PROPOSED INTERNATIONAL TECHNOLOGY EXCHANGE FAIR WHICH WOULD AIM TO MATCHMAKE COMPANIES POSSESSING INNOVATIVE TECHNOLOGIES AND CORPORATE TECHNOLOGY BUYERS.
ON INDUSTRIAL DEVELOPMENT, PROFESSOR POON FELT THAT THE PROPOSED INCREASE OF CAPITAL ALLOWANCE FROM 55 PER CENT TO 60 PER CENT WAS NOT REALLY SUFFICIENT.
NOTING THAT !i 7 i'ER CENT OF HONG KONG’S MANUFACTURING INDUSTRY WERE SMALL FACTORIES AND MANY OF THEM WERE TIGHTLY PACKED TOGETHER IN MULTI-STOREY FACTORY BUILDINGS, HE SAID THESE SMALL INDUSTRIAL OPERATORS NEEDED ASSISTANCE IN THEIR BATTLE TO MINIMISE INDUSTRIAL POLLUTIONS.
/INSTEAD OF .......
THURSDAY, APRIL 27, 1989
- 5 -
INSTEAD OF BLIND ADHERENCE TO SYSTEMS ADOPTED IN OTHER COUNTRIES, HONG KONG NEEDED A UNIQUE SOLUTION TO ITS INDUSTRIAL POLLUTION PROBLEM AND FUNDS SHOULD BE SET ASIDE TO ENABLE MORE RESEARCH TO BE DONE IN THIS AREA, HE URGED.
FURTHERMORE, PROFESSOR POON UNDERLINED THE NEED TO SPEND MUCH MORE ON RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT IN ORDER TO TRAIN AND KEEP PEOPLE WITH IDEAS AND PERSPECTIVE TO SPEARHEAD OUR INDUSTRIAL DEVELOPMENT.
"OUR PERFORMANCE IN THE AREA OF RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT IS QUITE APPALLING," HE SAID, NOTING THAT THE ALLOCATION OF ABOUT $8 MILLION FOR RESEARCH PER TERTIARY INSTITUTION WAS LESS THAN THE RESEARCH GRANT FOR ONE ESTABLISHED PROFESSOR IN THE UNITED STATES.
THE GRANT, WHICH MADE UP ONLY 0.02 PER CENT OF THE GROSS DOMESTIC PRODUCT, ALSO COMPARED MISERABLY WITH RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT SPENDING IN OTHER COUNTRIES IN THE REGION, PROFESSOR POON NOTED.
HE SUGGESTED THAT ONE WAY TO STEM THE BRAIN DRAIN WAS TO SHOW OUR ENERGETIC YOUNG MEN AND WOMEN THAT THERE WERE OPPORTUNITIES FOR FURTHER GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT FOR THEM IN HONG KONG AND TO OFFER THEM THOSE OPPORTUNITIES THROUGH STEPPED UP EFFORTS IN RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT FACILITIES.
ON THE MANPOWER TRAINING REQUIREMENTS FOR INDUSTRY IN THE FACE OF THE BRAIN DRAIN, PROFESSOR POON FELT THAT SHORT OF CREATING YET FURTHER TERTIARY INSTITUTIONS, THE GOVERNMENT SHOULD LOOK MORE CLOSELY AT THOSE POST-SECONDARY COLLEGES OR INSTITUTIONS WHICH HAD PROVEN AND INTERNATIONALLY ACCREDITED ABILITIES, TO SEE HOW THEY COULD BE BETTER UTILISED.
"AND THROUGH A MORE FLEXIBLE FUNDING ARRANGEMENT, I AM SURE WE WILL WITHIN A SHORT TIME, HAVE A LARGER POOL OF SUITABLE AND SKILLED MANPOWER TO MEET THE NEEDS OF OUR INDUSTRY," HE OBSERVED.
MOREOVER, IN-SERVICE TRAINING PROGRAMMES IN INDUSTRY SHOULD BE STEPPED UP AND THE TIES BETWEEN EDUCATION AND INDUSTRY STRENGTHENED, HE SAID.
PROFESSOR POON FINALLY MADE A PLEA THAT THE SETTING UP OF HONG KONG’S FIRST TECHNOLOGY CENTRE SHOULD NOT SUFFER THROUGH BUREAUCRATIC DELAYS ON FUNDING.
"WE NEED ACTION AS WELL AS WORKS, PARTICULARLY, IN THE HITHERTO NEGLECTED AREAS LIKE SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY, AND RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT.
"ONLY THROUGH MORE EFFECTIVE FUNDING IN THESE AREAS CAN THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY HOPE TO MAKE MAXIMUM USE OF THE REDEVELOPMENT OF EXISTING RESOURCES IN ORDER TO ACHIEVE THE NATURE AND QUALITY OF SERVCIES THAT ARE NEEDED TODAY AND IN THE FUTURE," HE CONCLUDED.
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/6........
THURSDAY, APRIL 27, 1989
WIDER SCOPE IN LABOUR IMPORT URGED : MARTIN BARROW
*****
LEGISLATIVE COUNCILLOR THE HON MARTIN BARROW TODAY (THURSDAY) URGED THE ADMINISTRATION TO LOOK BEYOND THE IMPLEMENTATION OE EXCO’S DECISION TO ALLOW THE IMPORTATION OF SKILLED LABOUR TO THE WIDER ASPECTS OF LABOUR SUPPLY AND DEMAND, AND TO SEEK OVERALL SOLUTIONS.
SPEAKING ON THE SECOND DAY OF THE BUDGET DEBATE IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL, MR BARROW SAID: "THESE SHOULD BE BASED MORE ON ACTUAL NEEDS THAN ON THE DEFINITION OF SKILL, WHICH SOME FEEL IS IRRELEVANT TO THE CRUX OF THIS ISSUE."
HE SAID INFLATION WAS PUBLIC ENEMY NUMBER ONE, AND THAT ONE OF ITS HENCHMEN WAS LABOUR SHORTAGE.
MR BARROW RECOMMENDED THAT THE IMPLEMENTATION OF EXCO’S DECISION SHOULD BE ONLY THE START AND THAT IT SHOULD FOLLOW THAT THE WORKING GROUP SET UP TO OVERSEE THE POLICY WOULD BE GIVEN A SUFFICIENTLY BROAD FRAME OF REFERENCE TO SEEK ALTERNATIVE SOLUTIONS.
WHILE NOTING THAT THERE WERE WIDESPREAD AND DIFFERING VIEWS ON SOLUTIONS, HE SAID THERE WAS A SERIOUS PROBLEM WHICH NEEDED TO BE ADDRESSED.
"THIS PROBLEM SHOULD NOT BE LOOKED ON SIMPLY AS AN ISSUE FOR EMPLOYERS. IT IS AN ISSUE FOR THE WHOLE COMMUNITY," MR BARROW SAID.
REFERRING TO THE ALTERNATIVE SOLUTIONS RECOMMENDED BY THE NINE TRADE ORGANISATIONS, MR BARROW SAID THEY HAD NOT ADVOCATED OPENING THE FLOODGATES AND HAD CONSTANTLY EMPHASISED THAT THE POSITION OF HONG KONG WORKERS MUST BE PROTECTED.
"WHILST THE ISSUE IS PRINCIPALLY ONE OF SHORTAGE RATHER THAN HIGH WAGES PER SE, THE ECONOMY CANNOT SUSTAIN THE GROWTH IN COSTS WHICH WE ALL HAVE EXPERIENCED OVER THE PAST YEAR," HE SAID.
"THERE IS A REAL DANGER OF COST/WAGE SPIRA), WHICH IS GOING TO DAMAGE THE COMMUNITY OF HONG KONG AS A WHOLE, INCLUDING THE EMPLOYERS, CERTAINLY, BUT NOT EXCLUDING THE WORKERS," MR BARROW WARNED.
AS PART OF THE OVERALL EXERCISE IN SEEKING SOLUTIONS, THE ALTERNATIVES TO INCREASING LABOUR SUPPLY NEEDED EQUAL ATTENTION, HE SAID.
"IF GOVERNMENT POLICY OF KEEPING THE SUPPLY SIDE VERY TIGHT IS MAINTAINED, THEN IT FOLLOWS THAT THEY SHOULD BE WILLING TO EXAMINE, AND INCREASE THEIR INVESTMENT IN THE ALTERNATIVES."
MR BARROW ALSO URGED THE GOVERNMENT TO EXAMINE WHAT COULD BE DONE IN RESPECT OF RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT, AUTOMATION AND PRODUCTIVITY AND TAX INCENTIVES, AS WELL AS OTHER ASPECTS SUCH AS WHAT ADDITIONAL SUPPORT COULD BE GIVEN FOR TRAINING AND FOR INCREASING FEMALE OR STUDENT PARTICIPATION IN THE ECONOMY.
/IF THEY .......
THURSDAY, APRIL 27, 19«9
IF THEY CONCLUDED THAT THERE WERE LIMITS TO WHAT COULD BE DONE, THEN THE SUPPLY SIDE STRATEGY WOULD NEED RE-ASSESSMENT, HE SAID.
"THE LONG TERM DIRECTION OF THE ECONOMY, AND HOW IT RELATES TO LABOUR SUPPLY AND DEMAND, MUST ALSO BE SUBJECTED TO ANALYSIS," MR BARROW SAID.
AS HONG KONG WAS MOVING THROUGH THE TRANSITION PERIOD, A FLEXIBLE SHORT TERM APPROACH ON LABOUR AND OTHER ISSUES MIGHT BE NEEDED TO ENSURE THE ECONOMY COULD CONTINUE TO GROW, HE ADDED.
TURNING TO THE ECONOMY, MR BARROW SAID 1988 WAS AN IMPORTANT MILESTONE YEAR WITH DOMESTIC EXPORTS ECLIPSED BY RE-EXPORTS FOR THE FIRST TIME.
"IT IS A DEVELOPMENT WITH ENORMOUS RAMIFICATIONS FOR THE WHOLE PATTERN OF OUR TRADE AND THE FUTURE OF OUR MANUFACTURING SECTOR, AS WELL AS FOR OUR INFRASTRUCTURE," HE SAID.
MR BARROW SAID HE WAS CONFIDENT THAT THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE PEARL RIVER DELTA WOULD REMAIN LARGELY IMMUNE FROM THE OVERALL AUSTERITY AND RECTIFICATION PROGRAMME CURRENTLY PREVAILING IN CHINA.
RE-EXPORTS TO CHINA WERE UP 56 PER CENT AND DOMESTIC EXPORTS BY 35 PER CENT IN THE FIRST TWO MONTHS OF THIS YEAR.
MR BARROW POINTED OUT THAT ONE REMARKABLE STATISTIC IN OUR TRADE WITH CHINA WAS THE RAPID INCREASE IN RE-EXPORTS TO THE MAINLAND OF CHINA-ORIGIN PRODUCTS WHICH ROSE 44 PER CENT TO OVER USS1 BILLION LAST YEAR.
"HONG KONG’S ROLE IN THIS DOMESTIC TRADE HIGHLIGHTS OUR IMPORTANCE TO THE MAINLAND," HE SAID.
MR BARROW EMPHASISED THAT ONE OF THE KEY ELEMENTS IN ENSURING HONG KONG’S CONTINUED SUCCESS WAS THE MAINTENANCE OF A GENUINELY INTERNATIONAL AND OPEN OUTLOOK ON EVERY FRONT.
"IT IS ONLY BY ATTRACTING AND RETAINING INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS THAT HONG KONG WILL BE USEFUL TO CHINA.
"SEPARATENESS AS A TRULY INTERNATIONAL CITY BALANCED BY THE ECONOMIC INTERDEPENDENCE WITH CHINA SHOULD BE OUR AIM," HE SAID.
"BEING INTERNATIONAL MEANS PROVIDING THE CONDITIONS THAT WILL MEET THE EXPECTATIONS OF MULTINATIONAL CORPORATIONS.
"IT MEANS ENSURING THAT OUR PROFESSIONAL SERVICE SECTORS ARE AS OPEN AS POSSIBLE, AND IN THIS CONNECTION I RECOMMEND THAT THE ISSUE OF FOREIGN LAWYERS EMPLOYING LOCAL LAWYERS SHOULD BE SETTLED QUICKLY," MR BARROW SAID.
ON THE QUESTION OF PRIVATISATION IN THE FUTURE DIRECTION OF THE ECONOMY, HE SAID THIS OPTION SHOULD BE PURSUED VIGOROUSLY AS THERE SHOULD BE BENEFITS FOR HONG KONG AS A WHOLE.
/"IT WILL .......
THURSDAY, APRIL 27, 1^9
- 8 -
"IT WILL ENABLE GOVERNMENT TO BE KEPT AS SIMPLE AS POSSIBLE AND IT WILL ENABLE REVENUES TO BE RAISED TO FINANCE MUCH NEEDED INFRASTRUCTURE AND SOCIAL PROJECTS," HE SAID.
TURNING TO THE CIVIL SERVICE, MR BARROW SAID: "WE MUST ENSURE THAT WE CONTROL ITS SIZE IN TERMS OF BOTH ITS VALUE AND ITS PEOPLE".
"I BELIEVE THE LABOUR SHORTAGE SHOULD CONCENTRATE OUR MINDS ON OPPORTUNITIES TO CUT BUREAUCRACY AND SPEED UP DECISION MAKING, LEADING TO MANPOWER SAVING," HE SAID.
MR BARROW SUGGESTED THAT PERHAPS THERE SHOULD BE MORE INTERNAL ORGANISATION AND METHOD STUDIES TO SHOW UP AREAS WHERE PROCEDURES COULD BE STREAMLINED AND STAFFING REQUIREMENTS REDUCED.
ON INFRASTRUCTURAL DEVELOPMENTS, MR BARROW SAID IT WAS ABUNDANTLY CLEAR THAT HONG KONG WAS GOING TO NEED A NEW AIRPORT.
HE SAID WITH KAI TAK LIKELY TO REACH ITS MAXIMUM CAPACITY SEVERAL YEARS PRIOR TO THE COMPLETION OF THE NEW AIRPORT, ACTION SHOULD NOW BE TAKEN TO MINIMISE ECONOMIC DISBENEFITS BY EXPLORING ALL OTHER ALTERNATIVES TO ENSURE THAT AT LEAST SOME MODEST GROWTH IN VISITOR NUMBERS REMAINED POSSIBLE.
"THE MACAU AND SHENZHEN AIRPORTS MAY BE UP AND RUNNING DURING THE EARLY 1990S WHICH WILL PROVIDE SOME RELIEF AND WE NEED TO LOOK AT THE COMMUNICATIONS BETWEEN HONG KONG AND THOSE AREAS.
"WE SHOULD ALSO EXAMINE THE SCHEDULING OF FLIGHT OPERATIONS, INCLUDING THE FEASIBILITY OF INCREASING THE OPERATING HOURS OF KAI TAK," MR BARROW SAID.
OBVIOUSLY, THIS IMPLIED SOCIAL CONSEQUENCES THAT WOULD NEED TO BE WEIGHED AGAINST THE BENEFITS FOR HONG KONG AS A WHOLE, HE ADDED.
"HONG KONG WILL CONTINUE TO SUCCEED, TO THE BENEFIT OF OUR COMMUNITY AS A WHOLE, IF WE CAN KEEP OUR ECONOMY STRONG.
"THE MACHINERY AT WORK IN HONG KONG’S ENGINE ROOM--TRADE, INDUSTRY AND FINANCE--MUST BE TUNED FOR MAXIMUM PERFORMANCE DURING THIS CRITICAL PERIOD, BUT IT MUST NOT BE TINKERED WITH UNNECESSARILY," MR BARROW SAID.
THURSDAY, APRIL 27, 1989
- 9 -
CONFLICTING PRESSURE FACING FS : JAMES TIEN t t ♦ » »
THE CONFLICTING PRESSURE OF HAVING TO CONTAIN INFLATION AND YET TO EMBARK ON LARGE-SCALE INFRASTRUCTURAL DEVELOPMENT PROJECTS WAS A MAJOR PROBLEM WHICH THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY WOULD HAVE TO SORT OUT, THE HON JAMES TIEN SAID TODAY (THURSDAY).
IF WE WERE ALREADY EXPERIENCING A SEVERE OVERHEATING OF THE ECONOMY WHICH, THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY SAID, WAS MAINLY THE RESULT OF THE LABOUR SHORTAGE, HOW COULD WE CONSIDER INFRASTRUCTURAL PROJECTS IN THE VERY NEAR FUTURE, MR TIEN NOTED.
HE WAS SPEAKING IN THE BUDGET DEBATE IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL.
MR TIEN DISAGREED WITH THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY’S ARGUMENT THAT WE SHOULD NOT SPEND SIMPLY BECAUSE THERE WAS "A POT OF GOLD”.
”BUT IF HE WILL NOT SPEND THESE SURPLUSES FOR FEAR OF EXACERBATING INFLATIONARY PRESSURE, WHY COLLECT THEM?” HE ASKED.
HE SAID THAT AFTER ALL, THE NUMBER OF TAX PAYERS WAS NOT UNDULY LARGE, AND THE MIDDLE INCOME GROUP CERTAINLY DESERVED A BETTER DEAL OVER TAXATION.
MR TIEN SAID HIS SUGGESTION TO THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY WOULD BE TO GO AHEAD AND SPEND THE "POT OF GOLD” ON THE AIRPORT AND OTHER MAJOR PROJECTS.
HOWEVER, IN ORDER TO CONTAIN INFLATION AND NOT TO COMPETE WITH WORKERS IN THE PRIVATE SECTOR, THE GOVERNMENT SHOULD IMPORT CONSTRUCTION WORKERS, SKILLED OR UNSKILLED, TO DO THE JOB.
HE CALLED ON THE GOVERNMENT TO LOOK SERIOUSLY AT THE PROPOSAL FOR THE IMPORTATION OF LABOUR.
HE SAID SINGAPORE HAD EMPLOYED SOME 150,000 OVERSEAS CONTRACT WORKERS, THUS RELIEVING ITS LABOUR SHORTAGE PROBLEM WITHOUT ANY ADVERSE SOCIAL AND ECONOMIC CONSEQUENCES.
HE NOTED THAT THE GARMENT INDUSTRY, FOR ONE, COULD NOT POSSIBLY AUTOMATE VERY MUCH FURTHER AND WAS IN NEED OF SKILLED LABOUR, AND BECAUSE OF MFA REQUIREMENTS, GARMENT MANUFACTURERS SIMPLY COULD NOT RELOCATE TO CHINA.
HE SAID THE INDUSTRY HAD ALREADY LOST 50,000 WORKERS IN THE PAST THREE YEARS AS A RESULT OF LABOUR SHORTAGE IN OTHER AREAS OF EMPLOYMENT.
"IN THE EVENT OF A FUTURE RECESSION, THIS INDUSTRY WILL NOT BE ABLE TO ABSORB WORKERS DISPLACED FROM SERVICE INDUSTRIES WHEN THEY FACE HARD TIMES,” HE WARNED.
/HE CALLED .......
THURSDAY, APRIL 27, 1989
10 -
HE CALLED ON THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY TO CONSIDER CAREFULLY BEFORE PUTTING ALL HIS AND HONG KONG’S EGGS IN ONE BASKET -- THAT WAS, INTO FINANCE AND SERVICE SECTORS.
"NO INDUSTRIALIST WILL TELEPHONE THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY AT 4 AM TO BE RESCUED FROM THE RESULTS OF HIS OWN FOLLY," MR TIEN SAID, REFERRING TO OCTOBER 1987 STOCK MARKET CRASH.
MR TIEN ALSO EXPRESSED CONCERN OVER THE GROWING ANTI-DUMPING ACTIONS IN EUROPE AND THE EMERGENCE OF A "FORTRESS EUROPE" IN 1992 WHICH WOULD SEE THE ULTIMATE DRAWING CLOSER OF THE 12 EEC COUNTRIES TO FORM A COMMON ECONOMIC BLOC.
GOVERNMENTS IN EUROPE AND ELSEWHERE WERE LIKE DRUG ADDICTS RETURNING FOR FURTHER SHOTS AS FAR AS ANTI-DUMPING WAS CONCERNED. ONCE STARTED, THOSE WHO COMPLAINED ABOUT DUMPING WOULD FIND IT DIFFICULT TO STOP EVEN WHEN THERE WAS LITTLE OR NO JUSTIFICATION FOR THEIR PROJECTS, MR TIEN NOTED.
"WE LOOK TO THE FULLEST GOVERNMENT SUPPORT ON THIS MATTER TO MAKE OUR CASE FULLY KNOWN INTERNATIONALLY," HE SAID.
HE ALSO NOTED THAT HONG KONG PEOPLE WERE ALL TOO PRONE THESE DAYS TOWARD UNNECESSARY INTERNAL CONFLICT. THERE WERE TOO MANY GROUPS, ASSOCIATIONS AND PROFESSIONS WHICH DEVOTED UNDUE AMOUNT OF TIME TO PUSHING THEIR OWN SELFISH CLAIMS.
"I SINCERELY HOPE THAT THE END RESULT OF ALL THIS IS NOT SOCIAL DISCORD.
"WE MUST BEWARE OF FRAGMENTING OUR SOCIETY AND MY EARNEST HOPE IS THAT THE EARLIER COOPERATIVE SPIRIT OF HONG KONG CAN BE RESTORED," MR TIEN SAID.
0 - -
DAVID CHEUNG URGES GOVT TO MAKE BETTER * * ♦ ♦ *
USE OF SURPLUS
THE HUGE BUDGET SURPLUS MUST BE PUT TO BETTER USE FOR THE SAKE OF THE PEOPLE OF HONG KONG BECAUSE THE MONEY RIGHTFULLY BELONGS TO THEM, THE HON DAVID CHEUNG CHI-KONG SAID TODAY (THURSDAY).
SPEAKING IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL DURING THE SECOND DAY BUDGET DEBATE, MR CHEUNG SAID IT WAS A PITY THAT THE HUGE SURPLUS HAD NOT BEEN PUT TO BETTER USE TO IMPROVE THE QUALITY OF LIFE OF THE PEOPLE.
THE 3.7 PER CENT INCREASE IN PRE-PRIMARY AND PRIMARY SCHOOL EDUCATION,FOR EXAMPLE, WAS FAR FROM ADEQUATE, HE SAID.
/’’THE FACT..........
THURSDAY, APRIL 27, 1989
11
"THE FACT THAT FINANCIAL PROVISION FOR PRE-PRIMARY EDUCATION IS NOT EVEN ONE PER CENT OF THE TOTAL BUDGET ON EDUCATION IS QUITE RIDICULOUS," HE SAID.
IF IT WAS NOT THE GOVERNMENT’S POLICY TO PROVIDE ADEQUATE FINANCIAL BACKING TO PRE-PRIMARY EDUCATION, A POLICY WHICH WAS SUBJECT TO INTENSE ARGUMENT, IT WAS ONLY RIGHT FOR THE GOVERNMENT TO ALLOW OPERATORS TO CHARGE HIGHER FEES SO THAT THEY COULD IMPROVE THE QUALITIES OF THEIR SERVICE, HE SAID.
WHEN KINDERGARTENS WERE NOT ADEQUATELY FINANCED AND TEACHERS NOT TRAINED, TO GIVE FEE ASSISTANCE WOULD MEAN SUBSIDISING THE CUSTOMER TO BUY AN UNDESIRABLE PRODUCT. THIS WAS PUTTING THE CART BEFORE THE HORSE, MR CHEUNG SAID.
TURNING TO PRIMARY EDUCATION, MR CHEUNG SAID IT WAS IMPERATIVE THAT THE GOVERNMENT TOOK IMMEDIATE AND CONSTRUCTIVE STEPS TO BEGIN PHASING OUT BI-SESSIONAL SCHOOLS STARTING WITH PRIMARY FIVE AND SIX.
ON SECONDARY SCHOOL EDUCATION, MR CHEUNG SAID THAT AS SOCIETY HAD BECOME MORE PLURALISTIC, MORE COMPLEX, AND THE INSTITUTIONS OF MARRIAGE AND FAMILY HAD BECOME DISINTEGRATED, CHILDREN HAD BECOME MORE AND MORE DIFFICULT TO MANAGE AND TEACH.
OTHER THAN TEACHING. A SUBSTANTIAL PROPORTION OF A TEACHER’S TIME WAS SPENT ON HANDLING PROBLEM CHILDREN. AND VERY OFTEN DOING THIS WITHOUT THE SUPPORT AND COOPERATION OF THE PARENTS, HE SAID.
AT THE SAME TIME, MORAL EDUCATION, SEX EDUCATION, CIVIC EDUCATION AND COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT HAD BEEN INCLUDED IN THE TEACHERS’ WORKLOAD, PARTICULARLY SO IN THE PAST FIVE YEARS, HE ADDED.
UNDER SUCH CIRCUMSTANCES, THE GOVERNMENT COULD AND SHOULD DO MUCH MORE THAN THE PROVISION OF AN ADDITIONAL TEACHER OF CHINESE TO ALL SECONDARY SCHOOLS, MR CHEUNG SAID.
HE SUGGESTED THAT MORE CLERKS SHOULD BE EMPLOYED IN SCHOOLS TO REDUCE TEACHERS’ CLERICAL DUTIES AND MORE NECESSARY EQUIPMENT SUCH AS PHOTOCOPYING MACHINES SHOULD BE PURCHASED FOR SCHOOLS.
HE ALSO SUGGESTED THAT A VICE-PRINCI PAL BE PROVIDED TO EACH SCHOOL TO ENSURE THAT ADMINISTRATION-WISE, SCHOOLS WERE WELL LOOKED AFTER IN THE ABSENCE OF PRINCIPALS.
TURNING TO THE SANDWICHED CLASS, MR CHEUNG SAID THAT WITH THE "BRAIN DRAIN" OF PROFESSIONALS AND MIDDLE MANAGEMENT PEOPLE, THE GOVERNMENT MUST TAKE CONCRETE STEPS TO OFFER BETTER CARE TO THE SANDWICHED CLASS SO THAT THEY COULD GENUINELY FEEL BETTER AND THUS HAVE A STRONGER SENSE OF BELONGING TO THE COMMUNITY.
/HE SUGGESTED .......
THURSDAY, APRIL 27, *1989
12
HE SUGGESTED THAT THE BASIC PERSONAL TAX ALLOWANCE BE INCREASED TO $48,000 FOR A SINGLE PERSON AND $80,000 FOR A COUPLE, THAT THE ’’CLAW BACK" SYSTEM ON ADDITIONAL PERSONAL ALLOWANCE BE ABOLISHED, THAT SEPARATE TAXATION FOR MARRIED COUPLES BE IMPLEMENTED AS SOON AS POSSIBLE AND THAT EMPLOYEES’ CONTRIBUTIONS TO PROVIDENT OR RETIREMENT FUNDS BE EXEMPTED FROM TAX.
HE ALSO SUGGESTED THAT INTEREST ON MORTGAGE LOANS FOR GENUINE HOME BUYERS FOR SELF-OCCUPATION BE EXEMPTED FROM TAX.
-------0----------
TAI CHIN-WAH URGES GOVT TO LOOK AT CIVIL SERVICE SET-UP t * ♦ I *
THE GOVERNMENT SHOULD TAKE A GOOD LOOK AT THE CIVIL SERVICE TO SEE WHETHER, WITH THE MANY POLICY BRANCHES, IT HAS GROWN TOO CUMBERSOME AND WHETHER PROCEDURES HAVE GROWN SO COMPLICATED AS TO HINDER EFFICIENCY, THE HON TAI CHIN-WAH URGED IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (THURSDAY).
SPEAKING DURING THE BUDGET DEBATE, MR TAI DESCRIBED AS "WORRYING" THE 3.9 PER CENT GROWTH IN THE SIZE OF THE CIVIL SERVICE, WHICH EXCEEDED THE TARGET GROWTH OF 2.5 PER CENT.
"IF WE ARE GOING TO LOOK AT THE COST EFFICIENCY OF OUR CIVIL SERVICE, NOT ONLY MUST WE ENCOURAGE OUR DEPARTMENTAL MANAGERS TO GET MORE OUT OF THE INCREASED RESOURCES THAT THEY ARE ADVOCATING, WE MUST ALSO ENCOURAGE THEM TO LOOK AT THE PROCEDURES THEY ARE APPLYING TO ENSURE THAT THEY ARE OPERATING WITH MAXIMUM EFFICIENCY AS WELL AS COST EFFECTIVENESS." HE SAID.
WERE CIVIL SERVANTS BEING BOGGED DOWN NUMBER OF CONFERENCES BETWEEN DEPARTMENTS BEFORE DECISION COULD BE REACHED, HE ASKED.
WITH AN INCREASING A CONCLUSION OR A
ACCORDING TO MR TAI. THE BUILDINGS AND LANDS DEPARTMENT WAS THE SUBJECT OF CONSTANT COMPLAINTS BY NEW TERRITORIES RESIDENTS FOR ITS INEFFICIENCY IN DEALING WITH APPLICATIONS TO BUILD HOUSES, COMPENSATION PAYMENT FOR LAND RESUMPTION AS WELL AS IMPROVEMENT PROGRAMMES IN THE NEW TERRITORIES.
TURNING TO THE RURAL IMPROVEMENT STRATEGY, HE URGED THE GOVERNMENT TO LOOK AT THE DEPARTMENTS RESPONSIBLE FOR OVERALL COORDINATION. WITH A VIEW TO ENSURE THAT PLANNING IN THE RURAL AREAS, AND NEW TOWNS. AND THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE WORK PROPOSED, WAS ACTUALLY CARRIED OUT ON TIME.
HE WAS UNHAPPY WITH THE PRESENT ARRANGEMENT THAT ALL LAND MATTERS WERE DIVIDED BETWEEN TOWN PLANNING, THE TERRITORY DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT, THE BUILDINGS AND LANDS DEPARTMENT, AND THE REGISTRAR GENERAL. WHILST THE ROLE OF THE CITY AND NEW TERRITORIES ADMINISTRATION HAD BEEN REDUCED INTO VIRTUAL INSIGNIFICANCE LN RESPECT OF LAND DEVELOPMENT AND IMPROVEMENT.
/’’IN MATTERS.......
THURSDAY, APRIL 27, 19^9
13
"IN MATTERS OF POLICY, AND ADMINISTRATIVE PROCEDURE, WHICH AFFECT THE LIVELIHOOD OF OUR CITIZENS, A RESPONSIVE GOVERNMENT SHOULD RE-EXAMINE THE OVERALL ROLE OF THE CNTA IN IMPROVING COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT," HE SAID.
ON THE VIETNAMESE BOAT PEOPLE ISSUE, HE OBSERVED THAT FROM THE VERY ONSET HONG KONG HAD BEEN UNFAIRLY AND UNEQUALLY TREATED BY THE INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY; IN PARTICULAR, IN RESPECT OF THE FINANCIAL CONTRIBUTION BY UNHCR TO OUR ASIAN NEIGHBOURS WHO PROVIDED CENTRES FOR VIETNAMESE BOAT PEOPLE.
"MALAYSIzX AND THAILAND HAVE RECEIVED TOTAL REIMBURSEMENT FOR THE RUNNING OF THEIR CENTRES, INCLUDING THE CONSTRUCTION COSTS; HOWEVER, HONG KONG IS ONLY PARTIALLY REIMBURSED FOR THE PROVISION OF SUCH SERVICES," HE NOTED. ADDING THAT THIS AREA MUST BE LOOKED INTO.
ANOTHER ADVERSE CONSEQUENCE OF THE CONTINUAL INFLUX OF THE BOAT PEOPLE WAS THAT OUR SOCIETY WAS DEPRIVED OF THE SERVICE OF OUR DISCIPLINARY FORCES DESPITE A DRAMATIC INCREASE IN THEIR NUMBERS. THIS WAS BECAUSE MANPOWER HAD BEEN DIVERTED AS A RESULT OF THE GROWING NUMBER OF BOAT PEOPLE NOW STRANDED IN HONG KONG.
MR TAI THEREFORE CALLED FOR A SOLUTION TO STOP THE INFLUX.
IN REGARD TO THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY’S TAXATION PROPOSALS HE WAS DISAPPOINTED THAT MORE CONCESSIONS AND GREATER CONSIDERATION WAS NOT GIVEN TO THOSE IN THE LOWER INCOME GROUP, INCREASING THEIR MARRIAGE AND CHILD ALLOWANCES, AS WELL AS ALLOWANCES FOR THE ELDERLY.
"THE VERY SMALL INCREASE IN THE TAXATION THRESHOLD WAS ALSO A GREAT DISAPPOINTMENT TO OUR LOWER WAGE EARNERS, ESPECIALLY IN VIEW OF THE PRESENT INCREASE IN INFLATION," HE REMARKED.
ON HEALTH SERVICE. MR TAI BELIEVED THAT THE NINE PER CENT INCREASE IN REVENUE WOULD BE LARGELY SWALLOWED UP BY AN INCREASE IN PAY. AND THE INCREASE IN THE COST OF MEDICAL EQUIPMENT AND MEDICINE DUE TO INFLATION.
HE REGRETTED THAT LITTLE HAD BEEN DONE TO IMPROVE EQUIPMENT, WORKING ENVIRONMENT: OR TO RESOLVE THE MANY PROBLEMS NOW FACED BY OUR MEDICAL STAFF.
NOTING THAT MOST FIRST-CLASS BEDS IN OUR PUBLIC HOSPITALS, AND FREE DENTAL SERVICES. WERE AVAILABLE ONLY TO CIVIL SERVANTS, HE URGED THE GOVERNMENT TO LOOK AT THE POSSIBILITY OF SOME DEGREE OF REIMBURSEMENT BY THE CIVIL SERVICE WHEN THE HOSPITAL AUTHORITY WAS SET UP.
HE ALSO SUGGESTED SETTING ASIDE SOME FUNDS TO CATER FOR FUTURE DEVELOPMENT AND IMPROVEMENT IN THE QUALITY OF OUR HEALTH SERVICE OVER THE NEXT DECADE, TOGETHER WITH A NATIONAL HEALTH INSURANCE PROGRAMME WHICH COULD CONTRIBUTE TO THE RUNNING AND DEVELOPMENT COSTS.
ALTHOUGH THE SCHEME WOULD INVOLVE AN INITIAL OUTLAY MR TAI BELIEVED THAT IT WAS A FAIRER CONTRIBUTORY SYSTEM AND WOULD BE BENEFICIAL TO THE MIDDLE INCOME GROUP IN PARTICULAR, WHO ARE WILLING TO PAY MORE FOR THEIR MEDICAL SERVICES, BUT CANNOT AFFORD SUCH SERVICES AS ARE NOW BEING OFFERED BY THE PRIVATE HOSPITALS.
- - 0 -
/1U
THURSDAY, APRIL 27, 1989
- 14 -
NEED TO IMPROVE HEALTH SERVICES: LAU WAH-SUM * t ♦ * »
THE GOVERNMENT MUST CONCENTRATE ON IMPROVING HEALTH SERVICES TO DEVELOP A HEALTHY SOCIETY, THE HON LAU WAH-SUM SAID IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
SPEAKING ON THE SECOND DAY OF THE BUDGET DEBATE MR LAU SAID AS THE POPULATION DENSITY TOGETHER WITH HIGH RATE OF PASSENGER TRAFFIC WOULD CONTINUE TO MAKE THE TERRITORY VULNERABLE TO EPIDEMIC DISEASES, THERE WAS A NEED TO IMPROVE OUR HEALTH SERVICES.
"WE ARE NOW MOVING TN FULL SWING WITH AN AMBITIOUS HOSPITAL CONSTRUCTION PROGRAMME WHICH WILL BRING OUR POPULATION-BED RATH TO THE ACCEPTABLE STANDARD," MR LAU POINTED OUT.
AS THERE WERE MANY PITFALLS IN THE PRESENT HOSPITAL ORGANISATION AND MANAGEMENT STRUCTURE, MR LAU BELIEVED IT WAS ESSENTIAL TO INTRODUCE PROFESSIONAL MANAGEMENT CONCEPT SUPPORTED BY UPDATED INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY, TO IMPROVE WORKING CONDITIONS AN). PROVIDE A BETTER ENVIRONMENT FOR THE MEDICAL STAFF TO PERFORM EFFECTIVELY.
"1 WELCOME THE FORMATION OF A HOSPITAL AUTHORITY TO DEAL WITH VARIOUS PROBLEMS ARISING FROM THE DELIVERY OF HOSPITAL SERVICES IN BOTH GOVERNMENT AND SUBVERTED HOSPITALS," HE SAID.
"THE MERE DELEGATION OF THE MANAGEMENT OF HOSPITAL SERVICES TO A STATUTORY' BODY WILL NOT ACHIEVE THE BEST RESULTS UNLESS SUFFICIENT ADDITIONAL RESOURCES ARE MADE AVAILABLE IN A FLEXIBLE MANNER," MR LAC CONTINUED.
HE SAID THE AUTHORITY WOULD REQUIRE SUBSTANTIAL INVESTMENTS IN EXPENDITURE RELATING TO THE IMPROVEMENT OF TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF MEDICAL STAFF, IMPLEMENTATION OF UPDATED INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY, EXTRA EQUIPMENT INSTALLATIONS AND OTHER NEW FUNCTIONAL SET-UPS.
MR LAU POINTED OUT THAI FINANCIAL FLEXIBILITY BETWEEN THE GOVERNMENT AND THE HOSPITAL AUTHORITY MIGHT BE ACHIEVED BY DEVISING A FORMULA ON A START-UP BUDGET, WITH A GROWTH BASED ON A PERCENTAGE OF GDP AND THE NUMBER OF HOSPITAL, BEDS PROVIDED TO ARRIVE AT A ONE-LINE VOTE TO BE ALLOCATED ON A TRI-ANNUAL BASIS.
"THE AUTHORITY NEEDS FLEXIBILITY AND SHOULD NOT FOLLOW THE PRESENT GOVERNMENT RESOURCE ALLOCATION METHOD WHICH REQUIRE DEPARTMENTS TO COMPETE ANNUALLY FOR ADDITIONAL FUNDS FROM GENERAL REVENUE," HE SAID.
ACCORDING TO MR LAU THE ALLOCATION ON A TRI-ANNUAL BASIS SHOULD ALLOW THE AUTHORITY TO ACCUMULATE OPERATING SURPLUS IN GOOD YEARS IN A RESERVE ACCOUNT.
THE SURPLUS WOULD THEN BE USED TO OFFSET OPERATING DEFICIT IN BAD YEARS, HE SAID.
/MR LAU .......
THURSDAY, APRIL 27, 1989
- 15 -
MR LAU SAID IN ORDER TO GUARD AGAINST UNFORESEEABLE CIRCUMSTANCES, A LOAN FUND UP TO CERTAIN PRE-DETERMINED LIMITS SHOULD ALSO BE PROVIDED BY THE GOVERNMENT.
"WHEN CONSIDERING SUBSIDISED FEES AND CHARGES, WE SHOULD ALSO ADDRESS THE DISPROPORTIONATE LACK OF MEDICAL BENEFITS FOR THE MIDDLE-CLASS IN OUR COMMUNITY," HE SAID.
MR LAU SAID BECAUSE OF THE WEAKNESSES OF PRESENT SYSTEM, THEY HAD NO CHOICE BUT TO USE PRIVATE CLINIC AND HOSPITAL SERVICES AND WERE USUALLY BURDENED WITH THE NEED TO PROVIDE FOR THEIR OLD AGE PARENTS.
"SPECIAL HEALTH CARE SERVICES SHOULD THEREFORE BE PROVIDED FREE TO THE ELDERLY WHO HAVE CONTRIBUTED TO THE ENORMOUS GROWTH OF OUR ECONOMY IN THE PAST BUT WITHOUT THE CENTRAL PROVIDENT FUND TO LOOK AFTER THEIR RETIREMENT LIFE," MR LAU SAID.
HE SAID THIS WAS IMPORTANT IN THE LIGHT OF OUR AGEING POPULATION.
MR LAU SAID INFLATION WAS ONE OF THE BIGGEST PROBLEMS TODAY AROUND THE WORLD AND ALL GOVERNMENTS WERE TRYING THEIR BEST TO PUT IT UNDER CONTROL.
HE SAID OUR INFLATION RATE WAS EVEN MORE SERIOUS THAN OTHER ECONOMIES AS WE WERE BOTH IMPORTING AND SELF-GENERATING IT.
"I FULLY AGREE WITH THE BUDGETTING STRATEGY OF THE HONOURABLE FINANCIAL SECRETARY. IN THE INTEREST OF OUR ECONOMY, HE STRIKES A REASONABLE BALANCE BETWEEN THE LEVEL OF TAX CONCESSIONS AND THE INCREASE OF PUBLIC EXPENDITURE," HE SAID.
"BY SETTING ASIDE PART OF THE SURPLUS IN RESERVE, THIS STRATEGY, I BELIEVE, WILL GO SOME WAY TOWARDS CHECKING THE GROWTH OF OUR INFLATION RATE," HE ADDED.
MR LAU POINTED OUT THAT AFTER A PERIOD OF SUSTAINED ECONOMIC GROWTH AND HUGE BUDGET SURPLUSES, THERE MUST BE MANY CALLS FROM DIFFERENT SECTORS OF OUR SOCIETY FOR INCREASED SPENDINGS.
BUT THESE SURPLUSES SHOULD BEST BE INVESTED IN OUR MAJOR PROGRAMME OF INFRASTRUCTURAL WORKS IN ORDER TO MAINTAIN HONG KONG AS AN INTERNATIONAL CITY, HE NOTED.
HOWEVER, THE GOVERNMENT SHOULD NOT FORGET OTHER INVESTMENTS TO IMPROVE OUR QUALITY OF LIFE TO MAKE HONG KONG A BETTER HOME FOR ALL, HE ADDED.
MR LAU SAID THIS WAS PARTICULARLY IMPORTANT WHEN WE WANTED TO ATTRACT THE MIDDLE-CLASS PEOPLE TO STAY ON AND TO CONTRIBUTE IN THE 1990S AND BEYOND.
/AS TOR .......
THUKSBAY, APRIL 27, 1989
- 16 -
AS FOR THE PUBLIC REVENUE STRATEGY, MR LAU BELIEVED THAT MAINTAINING LOW DIRECT TAX WAS ESSENTIAL FOR THE CONTINUOUS DEVELOPMENT AS A LOW-TAX INTERNATIONAL CITY.
"WE SHOULD THEREFORE EXPLORE NEW SOURCES OF REVENUE WHICH ARE LESS AFFECTED BY THE CYCLICAL MOVEMENTS OF OUR ECONOMY AND ALSO LESS DEPENDENT ON OUR DIRECT TAX.
"PERSONALLY I THINK THE SALES TAX IS A GOOD SOURCE, BUT I DO KNOW THERE ARE MANY PROBLEMS WHICH ARE DIFFICULT TO OVERCOME, WHETHER IT IS LEVIED AT WHOLESALE OR RETAIL LEVEL," MR LAU SAID.
HE BELIEVED THAT UNLESS WE COULD RESOLVE ALL PROBLEMS, SALES TAX WOULD NOT BE ACCEPTABLE TO THE PUBLIC.
MR LAU SAID OVER THE YEARS, MANY PRIVILEGED PUBLIC UTILITIES UNDERTAKINGS HAD BEEN ENJOYING COMPOUND GROWTH BOTH IN REVENUE AND PROFIT, SUCH AS OUR LOCAL AIRLINE, CONTAINER TERMINALS, CROSS-HARBOUR TUNNEL AND POWER STATIONS.
HE NOTED THAT APART FROM NORMAL FEE AND CHARGES, THE GOVERNMENT HAD NOT ENJOYED ANY SHARE OF PROFIT THROUGH EQUITY PARTICIPATION EXCEPT THE CROSS-HARBOUR TUNNEL.
"SINCE WE ARE CONFIDENT IN OUR FUTURE ECONOMIC GROWTH, THESE PRIVILEGED PUBLIC UNDERTAKINGS SHOULD CONTINUE SIMILAR- TREND OF GROWTH.
"GOVERNMENT SHOULD SHARE THE BENEFITS OF THEIR PROSPERITY THROUGH EQUITY PARTICIPATION," HE ADDED.
MR LAU SAID ONE WOULD IMAGINE THAT IF THE GOVERNMENT HAD, SAY, 25 PER CENT OF EQUITY IN OUR LOCAL AIRLINE COMPANY OR OTHER PRIVILEGED UNDERTAKINGS, REVENUE FROM THIS SOURCE COULD BE VERY SUBSTANTIAL.
"I AM SURE THERE WILL BE MANY ARGUMENTS FOR AND AGAINST TAPPING THIS SOURCE OF REVENUE.
"SOME MAY ARGUE THAT THESE PRIVILEGED PUBLIC UNDERTAKINGS ARE 'PRIVATE ENTERPRISE’ WHICH SHOULD NOT BE INTERFERED WITH BY GOVERNMENT.
MR LAU SAID HIS SUGGESTION WAS AIMED AT INVESTMENT RETURNS WITHOUT MANAGEMENT INTERFERENCE.
"AS THERE ARE NEW PROJECTS SUCH AS THE NEW AIRPORT WE NEED TO CONSIDER TAKING EQUITY PARTICIPATION AND OPPORTUNITIES ARE ALWAYS AVAILABLE.
"MAY I SUGGEST THAT THIS SOURCE OF REVENUE BE CAREFULLY STUDIED BY THE CENTRAL POLICY UNIT WHEN GOVERNMENT GRANTS OR RENEWS OTHER OPERATING PRIVILEGES TO THE EXISTING PUBLIC UNDERTAKINGS," MR LAU CONCLUDED.
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/17........
THURSDAY. APRIL 27. 1989
- 17 -
ABOLISHING INTEREST TAX MAY BE OVER-GENEROUS:
PETER WONG
THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY WAS GENEROUS IN HIS ACT OF ABOLISHING INTEREST TAX BY REPEALING SECTION 27 OF THE INLAND REVENUE ORDINANCE BUT THERE ARE RESERVATIONS AS TO WHETHER HE HAD BEEN OVERGENEROUS, THE HON PETER WONG SAID THIS IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (THURSDAY).
SPEAKING DURING THE SECOND DAY OF THE RESUMED BUDGET DEBATE, MR WONG SAID THAT THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY’S BUDGET HAD BEEN UNSPECTACULAR AND ALMOST BORING BUT TO THE FINANCIAL COMMUNITY THEY REFLECTED CONFIDENCE BECAUSE OF THE STEADY AND HARD WORK THAT HAD BEEN PUT IN.
"AS A PACKAGE. THE BUDGET HAS GIVEN ME CONFIDENCE THAT HONG KONG IS MOVING DOWN THE RIGHT TRACK," MR WONG SAID.
REFERRING TO THE FIVE YEAR ROLLING FORECASTING TOOL --------------- THE MEDIUM RANGE FORECAST AND THE PUBLIC SECTOR REFORM PROPOSALS, MR WONG SAID: "THE NOISES COMING OUT OF LOWER ALBERT ROAD, THOUGH FAINT, ARE BECOMING INCREASINGLY INTELLIGIBLE".
ON HIS RESERVATIONS ON ABOLISHING INTEREST TAX. MR WONG ECHOED THE HONG KONG SOCIETY OF ACCOUNTANTS’ WARNING THAT INTEREST TAX WAS A FINE TUNER OF THE OVERALL TAX BALANCING ACT IN HONG KONG AND THAT THE REPEAL OF SECTION 27 OF THE INLAND REVENUE ORDINANCE COULD HERALD THE BEGINNING OF YET ANOTHER TAX AVOIDANCE SEASON FOR HONG KONG.
MR WONG NOTED THAT THERE WAS A FINE CORRELATION BETWEEN HOW AN INVESTOR CHOSE TO TAKE HIS EARNINGS OUT OF AN INVESTMENT AND HOW THAT INVESTMENT WOULD BE TAXED. WHETHER BY WAY OF DIVIDENDS, INTEREST OR SOME FEES AND CHARGES.
DIVIDENDS WERE PAID OUT AFTER TAX PROFITS; SO THEORETICALLY, A FULL TAX CHARGE HAD BEEN LEVIED BEFORE THE DIVIDEND WAS PAID AND THAT DIVIDEND WAS THEREAFTER TAX FREE IN THE HANDS OF THE RECIPIENT.
"HOWEVER, INTEREST IS NORMALLY A DEDUCTION TO THE PAYER AND INCOME TO THE RECIPIENT," MR WONG SAID.
"WITHIN THESE PARAMETERS THERE IS ROOM TO MANOEUVRE ON THE SOURCE OF THAT INTEREST FOR BOTH THE PAYER AND RECIPIENT, AND INTEREST TAX IS ONE OF THE MAIN TOOLS TO RESTRAIN SUCH MANIPULATION," HE SAID.
REFERRING TO THE FORMER FINANCIAL SECRETARY'S BUDGET SPEECH IN THE 198-1 APPROPRIATION BILL SECOND READING THAT HE WAS HIGHLY CONCERNED ABOUT THE POTENTIAL TAX LEAKAGE IN THE FORM OF INTEREST AND INTRODUCED THE HIGHLY UNPOPULAR LOCATION OF BUSINESS TEST. MR WONG ASKED: "HAVE ALL THOSE CONCERNS BEEN PROVEN GROUNDLESS?"
HE SAID THAT WITH THE REPEAL OF SECTION 27 ALL THOSE INTEREST PROVISIONS HAD NOW BEEN DISMANTLED AND THERE REMAINED ONLY THE ANTIAVOIDANCE PROVISIONS SECTIONS AIMED AT BACK-TO-BACK LOANS AND GENERAL ARTIFICIAL TRANSACTIONS.
/COMMENTING ON .......
THURSDAY, APRIL 27, 1989
- 18 -
COMMENTING ON OTHER TAXATION ISSUES, MR WONG SAID: "I AM DISAPPOINTED IN THE HALF PER CENT REDUCTION IN THE STANDARD TAX RATE.
"I KNOW THAT THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY WAS WORRIED ABOUT INFLATION AND THAT A FURTHER DROP COULD BE SAID TO BE INFLATIONARY," HE SAID.
HOWEVER, MR WONG QUESTIONED WHETHER A GREATER REDUCTION WOULD AUTOMATICALLY MEAN HIGHER PERSONAL EXPENDITURE LEADING TO MORE INFLATION AND THAT WHETHER THERE SHOULD HAVE BEEN SOME ENCOURAGEMENT TO SAVINGS SUCH AS HIGHER TAX LIMITS FOR PROVIDENT FUND CONTRIBUTIONS BY EMPLOYEES.
HE ALSO SAID THE INCREASE OF 5 PER CENT TO 60 PER CENT OF THE INITIAL ALLOWANCE COULD HARDLY BE SAID TO BE THE INCENTIVE FOR INVESTMENT IN HIGH TECH LABOUR SAVING DEVICES IN HONG KONG.
HE SAID IF GOVERNMENT MADE THE ENTIRE INVESTMENT DEDUCTIBLE IN THE YEAR OF ACQUISITION, NO ANNUAL ALLOWANCES WOULD BE NEEDED.
HE ALSO SAID THE VENTURE CAPITAL MARKET’S REQUEST TO HAVE CLARITY OF TAX TREATMENT ON THE PROFIT/LOSS ON DISPOSAL OF INVESTMENTS SHOULD BE SYMPATHETICALLY TREATED BECAUSE THEY WERE ASKING FOR CERTAINTY OF TAX TREATMENT IN WHAT WAS OTHERWISE A VERY UNCERTAIN AND RISKY BUSINESS.
COMMENTING ON MEASURES TO SIMPLIFY THE TAX STRUCTURE AND REDUCE INEQUITY IN TAXATION IN THE BUDGET, MR WONG SAID: "FIRSTLY, THE 10 PER CENT RULE FOR CHARITABLE DONATIONS SHOULD BE REVIEWED.
"IF WE NEED A NEW WING OF A HOSPITAL COSTING HK4100 MILLION, THE COST TO THE GOVERNMENT OF A TOTALLY DEDUCTIBLE DONATION IS ONLY $15 MILLION FOR AN INDIVIDUAL, ASSUMING HE HAS TAXABLE INCOME OF THAT AMOUNT," HE SAID.
"WHAT IS THE LOGIC OF LIMITING THAT TO 10 PER CENT OF HIS TAXABLE INCOME ONLY FOR THE GOVERNMENT TO PAY THE OTHER 90 PER CENT9" HE ASKED.
IN ADDITION, MR WONG POINTED OUT THAT SINCE THE LAST REVIEW OF THE ESTATE DUTY BAND IN 1982, INFLATION HAD GATHERED PACE AND THE BANDS SHOULD NOW BE UPWARDLY ADJUSTED.
HE ALSO SAID THE LOCATION OF ASSET TEST WAS A POWERFUL DISINCENTIVE TO KEEP ANY ASSET IN HONG KONG AND THAT ESTATE DUTY SHOULD BE ABOLISHED ALTOGETHER.
"THIRDLY, IF SIMPLICATION OF THE TAX SYSTEM WAS REALLY THE OBJECTIVE. I WOULD ADVOCATE THE REPEALING OF THE CLAW BACK PROVISIONS IN SALARIES TAX INSTEAD OF GRANTING THE HALF PER CENT REDUCTION IN THE STANDARD RATE," MR WONG SAID.
/HL POINTED .......
THURSDAY, APRIL 27, 1989
- 19 -
HE POINTED OUT THAT THE SEPARATE ASSESSMENT FOR MARRIED COUPLES WOULD SURELY ADD COMPLICATIONS TO THE TAX STRUCTURE AND THAT THE GOVERNMENT SHOULD GET RID OF THE RATHER CLUMSY CLAW BACK PROVISION NOW.
COMMENTING ON HONG KONG COMPANIES RELOCATING TO OTHER PLACES, MR WONG SAID: "THE GENUINE FEAR RELATING TO 1997 AND THEREAFTER IS SOMETHING THAT WE CANNOT DIRECTLY DO ANYTHING ABOUT IN THIS CHAMBER."
"HOWEVER WE CAN ASSIST IN TWO AREAS TO AVOID THIS MORALE DAMAGING SHIFT.
"FIRSTLY. WE CAN LOOK AT THE COMPANIES ORDINANCE IN THE AREA OF A COMPANY BEING ABLE TO ASSIST SOMEONE ELSE TO ACQUIRE ITS OWN SHARES OR THE USE OF TREASURY STOCK WHICH INDEED ALLOWS A COMPANY TO BUY ITS OWN SHARES.
"MUCH WORK HAS ALREADY BEEN DONE AND AGREED IN PRINCIPLE BY THE LAW REFORM COMMISSION AND THE PROFESSIONAL BODIES AND IT SHOULD BE RELATIVELY EASY TO BRING THAT FORWARD ONTO THE LEGISLATIVE PROGRAMME.
"SECONDLY, WE CAN GIVE AN ASSURANCE THAT IT IS NOT THE INTENTION, NOR IS IT FEASIBLE UNDER THE LETTERS PATENT FOR THIS LEGISLATURE TO TAX THE GENUINE OFFSHORE EARNINGS OF A HONG KONG ENTERPRISE OR GROUP," HE SAID.
"THIS MESSAGE MUST ALSO BE GOT ACROSS TO THE DRAFTERS OF THE BASIC LAW," HE ADDED.
ON ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION, MR WONG WELCOMED GOVERNMENT’S PROPOSAL TO SPEND HKS10 BILLION OVER THE NEXT TEN YEARS ON CLEANING UP THE ENVIRONMENT.
BUT HE WOULD LIKE TO BE INFORMED OF A CLEAR AND CONCISE ACCOUNT OF HOW THE $10 BILLION WOULD BE SPEND AND WHY THE ADMINISTRATION THOUGHT IT WAS ADEQUATE.
MR WONG, COMMENTING ON THE BUDGET FOR HOSPITAL SERVICES, CRITICISED AS MISERLY, THE PROPOSED NINE PER CENT INCREASE FOR THE HOSPITAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT FOR 1989-90. WHICH WAS THREE PER CENT MORE THAN THE 1988-89 INCREASE OVER THE PRECEEDING YEAR.
"WITH INFLATION OF AT LEAST 7.5 PER CENT FOR 1988. WHICH I KEEP SAYING IS UNDERSTATED, THAT IS HARDLY ANY INCREASE AT ALL," MR WONG SAID.
"I AM GRATEFUL THAT THIS IS THE LAST YEAR THAT THE BUDGET FOR OUR HOSPITALS WILL BE TACKLED IN THIS WAY," HE SAID.
HE POINTED OUT THAT THE PROVISIONAL HOSPITAL AUTHORITY. IN WHICH HE WAS A MEMBER, WERE MAKING PLANS FOR THE HOSPITAL AUTHORITY WHICH HE HOPED WOULD BE SUBMITTED BY THE END OF THIS YEAR.
/"WE ARE .......
THURSDAY, APRIL 27, 1989
- 20 -
"WE ARE PLANNING MANY CHANGES BASED ON WHAT WE UNDERSTAND TO BE THE BEST PRACTICE IN THE MEDICAL AND OTHER FIELDS WHERE SCIENTIFIC MANAGEMENT IS NEEDED IN ORDER TO EFFECTIVELY DELIVER SERVICES," HE SAID.
"HOSPITALS ARE NOT UNIQUE IN THAT WE SIMPLY CANNOT LEAVE EVERYTHING TO THE DOCTORS AND THERE IS NO ACCOUNTABILITY.
"I SINCERELY BELIEVE THAT WE WILL PRODUCE A PACKAGE THAT WILL SURELY AND STEADILY BRING OUR HOSPITAL MANAGEMENT SYSTEMS FROM NIGHTINGALE’S ERA TO THE 21ST CENTURY.
"SOME IMPROVEMENTS WILL BECOME APPARENT IMMEDIATELY, BUT SOME OF NECESSITY WILL TAKE US UP TO THE 21ST CENTURY TO COMPLETE.
"IT WILL BE A HONG KONG SOLUTION TO A HONG KONG PROBLEM," MR WONG ADDED.
MR WONG SAID THAT THE CHANGE SHOULD START WITH NEXT YEAR'S BUDGET FOR THE HOSPITALS.
"WE HAVE TO GET AWAY FROM THE NOTION THAT IT IS JUST ANOTHER GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENT.
"IT IS NOT LIKE THE KCRC OR HOUSING AUTHORITY WHICH ARE SELF FINANCING.
"GOVERNMENT HAS TO BE RELIED UPON TO MAKE SO MUCH MONEY AVAILABLE OVER A PREDETERMINED PERIOD OF TIME," HE SAID.
"THE HOSPITAL AUTHORITY MUST THEN BE GIVEN A FAIR AMOUNT OF AUTONOMY AS TO HOW IT WILL DELIVER THOSE SERVICES BY DECIDING HOW MUCH TO PAY TO ITS EMPLOYEES AND FOR OUTSIDE SERVICES.
"IT MUST ALSO BE ABLE TO DECIDE WHO ARE THE BEST PEOPLE OR ORGANISATIONS TO DELIVER THOSE SERVICES.
"IT MUST ALSO HAVE LATITUDE AS TO HOW MUCH TO CHARGE FOR THOSE SERVICES AND THE MODE OF THEIR DELIVERY.
"ALL THIS IS TO ENSURE THE ECONOMICAL USAGE OF RESOURCES," HE POINTED OUT.
"ONLY THEN, CAN THE HOSPITAL AUTHORITY HAVE THE FLEXIBILITY TO PLAN AHEAD AND BE RESPONSIVE TO THE CHANGING NEEDS OF HONG KONG," HE ADDED.
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THURSDAY, APRIL 27, 1989
- 21
BUDGET FAILS TO RE-DISTRIBUTE WEALTH: Y F HUI
*****
THE 1989-90 BUDGET FAILED TO BRING ABOUT A FAIR DISTRIBUTION OF WEALTH FOR THE PEOPLE OF HONG KONG AND WAS EXCESSIVELY PRUDENT, EXTREMELY CONSERVATIVE AND TOTALLY DISAPPOINTING, THE HON HUI YIN-FAT SAID TODAY (THURSDAY).
SPEAKING IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL DURING THE SECOND-DAY BUDGET DEBATE. MR HUI SAID THAT IN THE LIGHT OF HONG KONG’S VOLATILE ECONOMY AND THE FORESEEABLE DOWNTURN OF INFLATION TRENDS, THE WISDOM OF SAVING UP EXCESSIVELY FOR THE BUILDING OF INFRASTRUCTURE WAS QUESTIONABLE.
"THE CONCESSIONS MADE ON SALARIES TAX AND PROFITS TAX NO DOUBT BENEFIT THE OPULENT WHO BECOME RICHER, WHILE THE GENUINELY POOR STILL REMAIN POOR," HE SAID.
HE SAID THAT WITH TWO-THIRDS OF SOCIAL WELFARE EXPENDITURE THIS YEAR BEING ABSORBED BY SOCIAL SECURITY PAYMENTS, AND AFTER DEDUCTING INFLATION-ADJUSTED COSTS, VERY LITTLE WAS LEFT FOR EXPANDING EXISTING SOCIAL WELFARE SERVICES, NOT TO MENTION IMPROVING SERVICE STANDARDS.
"A PROGRESSIVE SOCIETY DOES NOT ONLY CATER TO THOSE WHO ARE LEAST ABLE TO HELP THEMSELVES, BUT ALSO AIMS AT ENABLING ALL SECTORS OF THE COMMUNITY TO BECOME SELF-RELIANT AND CONTRIBUTING MEMBERS," HE SAID.
HE SAID THAT THE INCREASE OF SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT EXPENDITURE AND SOCIAL WELFARE SUBVENTION FROM $1.18 BILLION LAST YEAR TO $1.3 BILLION THIS YEAR WAS FAR FROM ADEQUATE IN MEETING CURRENT SHORTFALLS IN PROVISIONS AND ENHANCING SERVICE STANDARDS THAT HAD ROLLED BACK AND DETERIORATED OVER THE YEARS.
HE SUGGESTED THAT 10 PER CENT OF THE LOTTERIES PROCEEDS, INSTEAD OF THE PRESENT 3.5 PER CENT, SHOULD GO TO THE LOTTERIES FUND WHICH WAS SET ASIDE FOR WELFARE PURPOSES.
HE SAID THAT HALF OF THE 10 PER CENT LOTTERIES FUND ALLOCATION SHOULD BE DESIGNED FOR CAPITAL GRANTS FOR WELFARE PROJECTS, AND THE REMAINING HALF SHOULD BE USED AS A REVOLVING FUND TO GENERATE INTERESTS FOR THE IMPROVEMENT OF SOCIAL WELFARE SERVICES.
TURNING TO SALES TAX, HE SAID THE SOCIAL WORK PROFESSION WAS AGAINST THE IDEA OF A SALES TAX.
"WE LOOK UPON THE GOVERNMENT’S EXPRESSED NEED FOR SECURING MORE STABLE INCOME IN THE LIGHT OF RISING INFLATION AS AN EXCUSE TO BUILD UP ITS OWN RESOURCES," HE SAID.
BESIDES, TO LOWER THE DIRECT TAX RATE AFTER INTRODUCING SALES TAX COULD ONLY WIDEN THE GAP BETWEEN THE RICH AND THE POOR, HE SAID.
/IF, HOWEVER, .......
THURSDAY, APRIL 27, 1989 ’
IF, HOWEVER, A SALES TAX MUST BE LEVIED, MR HUI SAID. HE WOULD INSIST THAT SALES TAX BE IMPOSED ON LUXURIOUS GOODS ONLY, SUCH AS JEWELLERY, THAT THE RATE OF SALES TAX MUST NOT EXCEED THREE PER CENT, AND THAT ALLOWANCES AND REFUNDS SHOULD BE GIVEN TO EXPORTERS, SMALL RETAILERS AND THE "SANDWICH CLASS".
FURTHERMORE, WELFARE EXPENDITURE SHOULD BE INCREASED TO OFFER COMPENSATION FOR LARGE FAMILIES AND SINGLE-PARENTS ON PUBLIC ASSISTANCE WHO SUFFERED THE INFLATIONARY PRESSURES IMPOSED BY THE SALES TAX, HE SUGGESTED.
TURNING TO THE WELFARE OF THE SANDWICHED CLASS, MR HUI SUGGESTED THAT THE GOVERNMENT OFFER THEM FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE IN THE FORM OF TAX CONCESSIONS ON HOME PURCHASE DOWN-PAYMENTS OF UP TO $50,000 FOR FIRST-TIME HOME BUYERS.
"TAX CONCESSION ON MORTGAGE PAYMENTS, FULL OR PARTIAL, SHOULD BE PROGRESSIVELY INTRODUCED TO RELIEVE THE FINANCIAL BURDEN OF THE SANDWICHED CLASS." HE ADDED.
HE SAID THE GOVERNMENT SHOULD CONSIDER BUILDING MORE HOME OWNERSHIP FLATS CATERING TO THE SANDWICHED CLASS.
"AS THE PROVISIONAL HOSPITAL AUTHORITY BEGINS TO MAKE CHANGES TO OUR MEDICAL AND HEALTH SERVICES, IT IS ALSO TIMELY TO CONSIDER A MEDICAL INSURANCE SCHEME WITH TAX CONCESSION BY WHICH HONG KONG PEOPLE, PARTICULARLY THE SANDWICHED CLASS, CAN BENEFIT FROM PRIVATE, MEDIUM-PRICED HOSPITAL SERVICE," HE SUGGESTED.
- - 0 - -
MIRIAM LAU PRAISES 1989 BUDGET *****
THE 1989-90 BUDGET SHOWS THAT DUE CONSIDERATION HAD BEEN GIVEN TO THE CURRENT NEEDS OF THE PEOPLE AND, AT THE SAME TIME, HAD NOT LOST SIGHT OF THE NEED TO ADOPT THE APPROACH OF CAREFUL FORWARD PLANNING, THE HON MIRIAM LAU SAID TODAY (THURSDAY).
SPEAKING IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL DURING THE BUDGET DEBATE, MRS LAU SAID THAT THE TRANSFER OF MONEYS TO THE CAPITAL WORKS RESERVE FUND AND THE DEVELOPMENT LOAN FUND TO PAVE THE WAY FOR MAJOR BUILDING PROGRAMMES WAS A PRUDENT AND WISE MOVE, AND WOULD ENSURE THAT WE WOULD HAVE ADEQUATE FINANCES TO PROCEED WITH INFRASTRUCTURAL DEVELOPMENT.
ON SOCIAL WELFARE, MRS LAU SAID THAT THE PROPOSED 13.8 PER GENT INCREASE IN EXPENDITURE WAS, IN REAL TERMS, MINIMAL.
/SHE SAID
THURSDAY, APRIL 27, 1989
25
SHE SAID THAT WHILE SHE DID NOT ADVOCATE HONG KONG SHOULD BE A WELFARE STATE, SHE BELIEVED THAT A SOUND AND EFFECTIVE SOCIAL WELFARE SYSTEM WAS VITAL TO THE MAINTENANCE OF HONG KONG'S STABILITY IN THE RUN-UP TO 1997.
MRS LAU THOUGHT THAT THE GOVERNMENT OUGHT TO ADOPT A MORE REALISTIC APPROACH IN THE PROVISION OF SOCIAL SERVICES, IN PARTICULAR SOCIAL SECURITY.
SHE NOTED WITH REGRET THAT WITH THE PRESENT COST OF LIVING, A SINGLE PERSON ELIGIBLE FOR PUBLIC ASSISTANCE RECEIVED ONLY $620 PER MONTH, WHILE A FAMILY OF THREE RECEIVED ONLY $1,385 PER MONTH.
SHE SAID THAT WHILE THE HIGHER DISABILITY ALLOWANCE INTRODUCED LAST YEAR AND THE REDUCTION IN QUALIFYING AGE FOR THE OLD-AGE ALLOWANCE WERE WELCOMED, THEY WERE INADEQUATE AND UNREALISTIC IN DOLLAR TERMS.
NOTING THAT THESE ALLOWANCES WERE CURRENTLY NON-MEANS-TES1ED, MRS LAU SAID THE GOVERNMENT SHOULD CONSIDER APPLYING THE MEANS TEST MORE RIGIDLY, OR A NEEDS TEST, SO THAT THE SOCIAL SECURITY PROGRAMME WORKED MORE FAIRLY TOWARD THOSE WHO HAVE A GENUINE REQUIREMENT.
IN THE OTHER AREAS OF SOCIAL WELFARE, MRS LAU COMMENDED THE ADMINISTRATION FOR HAVING IN PLACE A COMPREHENSIVE RANGE OF SERVICES TO MEET THE EVER CHANGING NEEDS OF THE COMMUNITY, AND FOR INTRODUCING A SINGLE PARENT ALLOWANCE.
SHE STRESSED HOWEVER THAT THE PROVISION OF ADEQUATE AND EFFECTUAL FAMILY SERVICES WAS VERY IMPORTANT, AND WAS PLEASED THAT ADDITIONAL SERVICES WERE IN THE PIPELINE INCLUDING THE PROVISION OF MORE FAMILY SERVICES CENTRES, DAY NURSERIES, HOME HELP TEAMS AND FAMILY CASEWORKER UNITS.
SHE HOPED THAT THE GOVERNMENT WOULD SERIOUSLY CONSIDER THE NEED FOR ADDITIONAL MARRIAGE COUNSELLING SERVICE.
WHILE MRS LAU WAS PLEASED TO NOTE THAT THERE WAS A PROPOSAL TO IMPROVE THE EXISTING STAFFING RATIO OF CASEWORKER TO FAMILY CASES, SHE WARNED HOWEVER THERE MUST BE SUFFICIENT SOCIAL WORKERS TO COPE WITH THE JOB DEMANDS.
"THE GOVERNMENT MUST ADDRESS THE PROBLEM URGENTLY AND EMBARK ON EFFECTIVE PROGRAMMES TO RECRUIT AND TRAIN MORE QUALIFIED SOCIAL WORKERS," SHE SAID.
TURNING TO THE VIETNAMESE REFUGEE PROBLEM, MRS LAU SAID THAT HUNDREDS OF MILLIONS OF DOLLARS HAD BEEN SPENT AND, DESPITE THE INTRODUCTION OF THE SCREENING POLICY, THE PROBLEM HAD NOT BEEN ABATED AND IN FACT THE POSITION WAS WORSENING.
SHE SAID IF MANDATORY REPATRIATION WAS THE ONLY SOLUTION, THE ADMINISTRATION SHOULD BE ALLOWED TO IMPLEMENT IT.
/SHE ALSO .......
THURSDAY, APRIL 27, 198?
24 -
SHE ALSO SAID THAT BRITAIN, BEING HONG KONG’S SOVEREIGN STATE AND THE DIRECTOR OF THE POLICY RESULTING IN HONG KONG’S PRESENT PREDICAMENT, HAD THE OBLIGATION TO SOLVE THE PROBLEM, AND THE ADMINISTRATION SHOULD IMPRESS UPON THE BRITISH GOVERNMENT THAT THIS HAD TO BE DONE AND DONE EXPEDITIOUSLY.
ON THE PROPOSITION OF A SALES TAX, SHE SAID WHILE SHE SAW THE NEED TO BROADEN OUR TAX BASE SO THAT THE FISCAL SYSTEM WOULD BE LESS SUSCEPTIBLE TO CHANGES IN ECONOMIC CONDITION, SHE BELIEVED HONG KONG SHOULD HAVE A MORE BALANCED TAX SYSTEM.
SHE SAID THE CONCEPT OF A SALES TAX HAD ITS MERITS BUT IT HAD ITS SHORTCOMINGS TOO AND MUCH DEPENDED ON HOW IT WAS PROPOSED TO BE IMPLEMENTED.
’’UNLESS WE HAVE DETAILS AS TO WHAT EXACTLY THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY HAS TO OFFER, IT IS PREMATURE TO ARGUE ON ITS ACCEPTABILITY OR OTHERWISE,” SHE CONCLUDED.
-----0------
14 MEMBERS SPEAK ON APPROPRIATION BILL 1989 t t ♦ t ♦
A TOTAL OF 44 MEMBERS HAVE SPOKEN ON THE APPROPRIATION BILL 1989 IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL IN THE PAST TWO DAYS.
THE DEBATE ON THE BILL WAS FURTHER ADJOURNED TODAY (THURSDAY) TO MAY 10 WHEN REPLIES ARE SCHEDULED TO BE GIVEN ON VARIOUS POINTS RAISED.
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/25........
THURSDAY, APRIL 27, 1989
- 25 -
NO AMNESTY FOR Il’S FROM CHINA: S FOR S t » ♦ ♦ ♦
THE SECRETARY FOR SECURITY, MR GEOFFREY BARNES, HAS REITERATED THAT THERE WILL BE NO AMNESTY FOR PEOPLE ENTERING HONG KONG ILLEGALLY FROM CHINA.
"WE ARE ABSOLUTELY FIRM ON THIS,” HE SAID, WHEN ADDRESSING REPORTERS DURING A TOUR OF THE BORDER AREA THIS (THURSDAY) MORNING.
HE SAID GOVERNMENT’S RECENT DECISION TO RELAX THE CRITERIA FOR THE IMPORTATION OF SKILLED LABOUR, INCLUDING THOSE FROM CHINA, DID NOT MEAN ANY SLACKENING OF EFFORTS AGAINST ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS.
DURING THE TOUR TO THE BORDER AREA MR BARNES LOOKED AT THE EXPANDED METAL MESH ERECTED TO THWART ATTEMPTS BY WOULD-BE ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS TO CUT THROUGH THE BORDER FENCE AND AT A DISPLAY OF IMPROVED ALARM SYSTEMS.
THE SECURITY' FORCES WOULD CONTINUE TO DO THEIR UTMOST TO PREVENT ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS FROM COMING, HE SAID.
HE POINTED OUT THAT THE NUMBER OF ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS CAUGHT HAD DROPPED FROM OVER 100 A DAY LAST YEAR TO ABOUT 36 DAILY THIS YEAR AS A RESULT OF THE PROSECUTION POLICY.
ON THE CONTINUED INFLUX OF BOAT PEOPLE FROM VIETNAM, MR BARNES SAID IT WAS THE RESPONSIBILITY OF THE VIETNAMESE GOVERNMENT TO TAKE STRONGER STEPS TO CONTROL AND PREVENT ITS PEOPLE LEAVING THE COUNTRY
WHEN ASKED ABOUT THE POSTPONEMENT OF YESTERDAY’S FINANCE COMMITTEE MEETING WHICH WAS TO BE ASKED TO APPROVE FUNDS FOR THE ACCOMMODATION OF VIETNAMESE BOAT PEOPLE, MR BARNES SAID: "I AM SURE THAT THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL MEMBERS WILL UNDERSTAND THE IMPORTANCE OF PROVIDING FUNDS FOR THESE PEOPLE WHO HAVE COME AND I AM SURE EVENTUALLY WE WILL GET THE NECESSARY SUPPORT FROM THEM.”
COMMENTING ON THE USE OF FERRIES FOR HOLDING VIETNAMESE BOAT PEOPLE. MR BARNES SAID THE GOVERNMENT MIGHT HAVE TO USE FERRIES WHEN NECESSARY.
"THEY ARE UNCOMFORTABLE AND THOROUGHLY UNPLEASANT PLACES FOR PEOPLE TO STAY ON. BUT IF PEOPLE COME TO HONG KONG AS UNWELCOME AND UNEXPECTED GUESTS THEY CAN’T EXPECT ANYTHING BETTER,” HE SAID.
HE SAID THAT THERE WAS NOT A GREAT DEAL THAT HONG KONG ITSELF COULD DO BEFORE THE FORTHCOMING MEETING IN GENEVA TO DISCUSS THE BOAT PEOPLE PROBLEM.
ON EX-CHINA VIETNAMESE ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS. MR BARNES STRESSED THAT THERE WAS NO QUESTION OF ALLOWING THEM TO STAY IN HONG KONG.
HE PRAISED THE BRITISH GARRISON FOR DOING A "FIRST CLASS JOB" ON THE BORDER IN CURBING THE INFLOW OF ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS.
/26........
THURSDAY, APRIL 27, 1989
- 26 -
SMA SPEAKS ON HK DOLLAR CAPITAL MARKET *****
THE GOVERNMENT HOPES THAT ITS MORE RELAXED ATTITUDE TOWARDS NON-RESIDENT ISSUES OF HONG KONG DOLLAR DEBT WILL ENCOURAGE HIGH QUALITY NON-RESIDENT BORROWERS TO MAKE USE OF THE HONG KONG DOLLAR CAPITAL MARKET, THE SECRETARY FOR MONETARY AFFAIRS, MR DAVID NENDICK, SAID TODAY (THURSDAY).
SPEAKING AT A CONFERENCE OF THE HONG KONG CAPITAL MARKETS ASSOCIATION, MR NENDICK SAID ONE OF THE FIRST INSTITUTIONS TO EXPRESS INTEREST IN TAKING ADVANTAGE OF THIS RELAXATION WAS THE WORLD BANK.
HE SAID WORLD BANK OFFICIALS HAD VISITED HONG KONG RECENTLY TO CONSULT WITH THE GOVERNMENT AND A NUMBER OF MARKET MEMBERS ON THE POSSIBILITY OF A DOMESTIC PUBLIC OFFERING OF HONG KONG DOLLAR BONDS.
"WHILST IN THE LIGHT OF WHAT I HAVE SAID, WE WOULD OBVIOUSLY WELCOME THE PRESENCE OF SUCH A TOI' QUALITY BORROWER, IT MUST BE FOR THEM TO DECIDE WHETHER, AND IF SO WHEN, THE' WISH TO TAP OUR MARKETS."
"IT IS OUR BELIEF, THOUGH, THAT A WORLD BANK ISSUE IN HONG KONG DOLLARS WOULD HELP PROVIDE DEPTH TO THE BOND MARKET AND ACT AS A PRIMER IN STIMULATING A HEALTHY GROWTH IN MARKET ACTIVITY," HE SAID.
MR NENDICK SAID THE GOVERNMENT’S DECISION THAT IT COULD TAKE A MORE NEUTRAL STANCE TOWARDS THE ISSUE OF HONG KONG DOLLAR DEBT INSTRUMENTS BY NON-RESIDENTS WAS MADE FOR TWO REASONS.
"FIRST SINCE THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE NEW ACCOUNTING ARRANGEMENTS BETWEEN THE EXCHANGE FUND AND THE HONGKONG BANK LAST JULY, THE GOVERNMENT HAS ACQUIRED MORE EFFECTIVE INFLUENCE OVER INTERBANK LIQUIDITY AND INTEREST RATES.
"BY TAKING ACTION UNDER HIE ARRANGEMENTS, WE ARE NOW MUCH BETTER PLACED TO ENSURE EXCHANGE HATE STABILITY UNDER THE LINKED EXCHANGE RATE SYSTEM AND TO COUNTER, IF NECESSARY. THE EFFECTS ARISING FROM SWITCHING BY NON-RESIDENT BORROWERS INTO OR OUT OF FOREIGN CURRENCIES.
"SECONDLY, GIVEN THAT OUR FINANCIAL SECTOR HAS AT PRESENT A LARGE ’INVOLUNTARY’ SWITCHED-OUT POSITION IN HONG KONG DOLLARS, THE ISSUE OF QUALITY DEBT HERE Will. TEND TO RESULT IN THIS SECTOR SWITCHING FUNDS BACK INTO HONG KONG DOLLARS TO INVEST IN SUCH DEBT AND THUS LARGELY NEUTRALISE THE EFFECT OF SALES OF HONG KONG DOLLARS BY THE BORROWERS," HE SAID.
MR NENDICK STRESSED THAT NON-RESIDENT BORROWERS WOULD, OF COURSE, STILL HAVE TO COMPLY WITH REQUIREMENTS COMMON TO ALL APPLICANTS AS LAID DOWN UNDER THE PROTECTION OF INVESTORS ORDINANCE.
"YOU WILL BE PLEASED TO 111 AR, HOWEVER, THAT THERE ARE PROPOSALS UNDER EXAMINATION FOR STREAMLINING THE PRESENT APPROVAL PROCEDURES," HE SAID.
/TURNING TO .......
THURSDAY, APRIL 27, 1989
- 27 -
TURNING TO THE PROSPECTS FOR EXPANSION OF OUR CAPITAL MARKETS, MR NENDICK SAID THE COMPLETE ABOLITION OF INTEREST TAX WITH EFFECT FROM THE YEAR OF ASSESSMENT COMMENCING APRIL 1, 1989 WAS LIKELY TO DECREASE THE COST OF BORROWING BY NON-FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS.
"IT IS REASONABLE, THEREFORE, TO EXPECT A HIGHER LEVEL OF ACTIVITY IN HONG KONG DOLLAR COMMERCIAL PAPER IN FUTURE," HE SAID.
HOWEVER, HE SAID THAT WHETHER THE ABOLITION OF INTEREST TAX WOULD OF ITSELF SPUR MORE DEBT ISSUES IN HONG KONG'S CAPITAL MARKET WAS NOT FOR THE GOVERNMENT TO SAY.
MR NENDICK SAID THE GOVERNMENT’S STANCE TOWARDS THE FINANCIAL MARKETS HAD ALWAYS BEEN TO LEAVE THE INITIATIVE OF MARKET DEVELOPMENT TO THOSE WHO OPERATED IN THE MARKET.
"WE BELIEVE THAT MARKET PLAYERS ARE IN THE BEST POSITION TO DECIDE WHAT THEY WANT TO DO. NO ONE SHOULD THEREFORE EXPECT THE GOVERNMENT TO ACT AS THE PRIME MOVER IN DEVELOPING OUR CAPITAL MARKETS.
"BUT WHERE FISCAL OR INSTITUTIONAL FACTORS ARE IDENTIFIED AS INHIBITING THE MARKET DEVELOPMENTS. THE GOVERNMENT WILL ALWAYS STAND READY TO CONSIDER RECTIFYING THE SITUATION IN THE OVERALL GOOD OF HONG KONG.
"THE DECISION TO REMOVE THE INTEREST TAX IS A CASE IN POINT, AS WE SEE THIS IS PROVIDING A MORE 'LEVEL PLAYING FIELD' FOR COMPETING BORROWERS," HE SAID.
MR NENDICK SAID THERE WERE OTHER FACTORS, TOO, WHICH WOULD HELP THE DEVELOPMENT OF MARKET ACTIVITY.
FOR EXAMPLE, HE SAID, THE MONETARY AFFAIRS BRANCH WAS NOW DEVELOPING A PROGRAMME FOR THE ISSUE OF EXCHANGE FUND BILLS.
"THESE BILLS, WHICH WILL BE DENOMINATED IN HONG KONG DOLLARS, WILL, I BELIEVE, BE SEEN AS PROVIDING FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS WITH LOW RISK, HIGHLY LIQUID ASSETS AND THUS AS PROVIDING GOOD INVESTMENT AND TRADING OPPORTUNITIES FOR OUR CAPITAL MARKETS," HE SAID.
"IF IT IS POSSIBLE TO INTRODUCE A HONG KONG DOLLAR INTEREST RATE FUTURES CONTRACT ON THE FUTURES EXCHANGE, THIS WILL PROVIDE ADDED OPPORTUNITIES FOR ARBITRAGE AND HEDGING," HE ADDED.
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/28........
THURSDAY, APRIL 27, 1989
- 28 -
LPG STORAGE AT HK OIL’S TS1NG YI DEPOT TO BE LIMITED
******
IN THE INTEREST OF PUBLIC SAFETY, THE GOVERNMENT WILL LIMIT THE STORAGE QUANTITY OF LIQUEFIED PETROLEUM GAS AT THE TSI NG YI DEPOT OF HONG KONG OIL. WHILE IN THE LONG TERM PLANS ARE TO RELOCATE IT TO THE SOUTHWEST SIDE OF THE ISLAND.
THE SECRETARY FOR LANDS AND WORKS, MR GRAHAM BARNES, SAID THIS AT A PRESS CONFERENCE TODAY (THURSDAY) WHEN HE RELEASED THE REPORTS ON THE 1982 TSING YI POTENTIAL HAZARD STUDY AND THE 1989 TSING YI RISK REASSESSMENT STUDY.
THE CONSULTANTS IN THEIR 1989 REPORT WERE OF THE VIEW THAT EXCEPT FOR HONG KONG OIL AND MOBIL, THE RISK OF ALL THE OTHER EXISTING AND PROPOSED INSTALLATIONS CAN BE REDUCED TO AN ACCEPTABLE LEVEL AND MEET WITH THE GOVERNMENT INTERIM RISK GUIDELINES LAID DOWN IN 1988 FOR NEW INSTALLATIONS, WITH IMPROVEMENTS TO THEIR MANAGEMENT AND SAFETY SYSTEMS.
THE RISKS OF HONG KONG OIL AND MOBIL ARE HIGH BECAUSE OF THE LARGE QUANTITY OF LPG STORED AT THEIR DEPOTS AND THEIR PROXIMITY TO RESIDENTIAL AREAS, AND IN THE CASE OF HONG KONG OIL, ALSO BECAUSE OF ITS POOR SAFETY MANAGEMENT SYSTEM, THE CONSULTANTS SAID.
TN THE CASE OF MOBIL, THE CONSULTANTS HAVE ADVISED THAT BECAUSE OF ITS GOOD MANAGEMENT SYSTEM AND GOOD TECHNICAL DESIGN, INVENTORY CONTROL IS NOT JUSTIFIED PENDING RELOCATION.
DISCUSSIONS WITH MOBIL ON RELOCATION ARE ALREADY WELL UNDER WAY AND DISCUSSIONS WITH HONG KONG OIL ON ITS FUTURE PLANS HAVE ALSO STARTED.
THE SECRETARY RECALLED THAT THE 1982 STUDY WAS THE RESULT OF INCIDENTS ELSEWHERE INVOLVING POTENTIALLY HAZARDOUS INSTALLATIONS WHICH GAVE RISE TO LOCAL CONCERN, THAT EXISTING PHI PHI’S ON TSING YI AND OTHER DEVELOPMENTS MIGHT NOT MEET ACCEPTABLE RISK LEVELS AND THAT EXISTING LAND-USE PLANNING AND CONTROL PROCEDURES MIGHT NOT BE ADEQUATE TO PREVENT DEVELOPMENTS ADJACENT TO THESE INSTALLATIONS.
RESULTING FROM THE 1982 STUDY, A NUMBER OF MEASURES WERE TAKEN
BY GOVERNMENT TO REDUCE RISK LEVELS ON TSING TI:
* PHASE THREE OF MAYFAIR GARDENS DID NOT PROCEED;
♦ IMPROVEMENTS WERE MADE TO THE OVERALL INFRASTRUCTURE OF TSING YI AND THE DESIGN AND OPERATING STANDARDS AT THE SITES ORIGINALLY REVIEWED; AND
* MEASURES WERE ADOPTED TO IMPROVE LAND-USE PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT CONTROL PROCEDURES RELATING GENERALLY TO PHI’S.
/IN 1988 ........
THURSDAY, APRIL 27, 19$9
- 29 -
IN 1988 BECAUSE OF THE GROWING CONCERN EXPRESSED BY RESIDENTS ABOUT THE OVERALL SAFETY OF PHI’S LOCATED ON TSING YI, A REASSESSMENT STUDY WAS COMMISSIONED BY THE GAS SAFETY OFFICE OF THE ELECTRICAL AND MECHANICAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT TO RE-EXAMINE THE POTENTIAL HAZARDS AND ASSOCIATED PLANNING CONSIDERATIONS FOR THE ISLAND AS A WHOLE.
THE STUDY CENTRED ON THREE MAJOR ISSUES:
* THE OFFSITE RISKS POSED BY INDIVIDUAL PHI’S TO THE RESIDENTS IMMEDIATELY ADJACENT TO THEM;
♦ THE CUMULATIVE RISK OF THE PHI’S; AND
♦ THE RISKS POSED BY THE TRANSPORTATION OF DANGEROUS SUBSTANCES BY ROAD THROUGH THE ISLAND.
THE RESULTS OF THE REASSESSMENT STUDY INDICATED THAT WITH THE EXCEPTION OF MOBIL AND HONG KONG OIL, THE OFFSITE RISKS OF ALL THE OTHER EIGHT INSTALLATIONS ON THE ISLAND CAN EITHER MEET THE REQUIREMENTS OF THE 1988 GUIDELINES OR COULD DO SO WITH IMPROVEMENTS TO THEIR SAFETY MANAGEMENT SYSTEMS.
THE OPERATORS OF THOSE INSTALLATIONS WHOSE RISKS ARE NOT WITHIN THE GUIDELINES WILL BE ASKED TO ADOPT THE REMEDIAL MEASURES AS RECOMMENDED BY THE CONSULTANTS. WHERE APPROPRIATE, THESE CAN BE IMPOSED UPON THE OPERATORS AS LICENSING CONDITIONS UNDER THE DANGEROUS GOODS ORDINANCE.
IF EXISTING LEGISLATION WAS INADEQUATE TO IMPLEMENT THIS ASPECT OF SAFE
AFETY MANAGEMENT, CONSIDERATION WOULD BE GIVEN TO ADDITIONAL LEGISLATION.
AS REGARDS THE CUMULATEAST AND WEST SIDES OF TSING YI, THE PHI SITES ON THE SOUTH, SOUTH-EAST AND WEST SIDES OF TSING YI, THE CONSULTANTS HAD ADVISED IT WOULD BE NEGLIGIBLE TO THE MAIN POPULATION AREAS CONCEN A HIGH MOUNTAIN RIDGE.
PROTECTED BYA A HIGH MOUNTAIN RIDGE.
THE MOUNTAIN RIDGE ACTS AS A NATURAL BARRIER SEPARATING THE RESIDENTIAL POPULATION IN THE NORTH AND EAST FROM THE PHI’S ON THE SOUTH AND WEST SIDES OF TSING YI. THE ADMINISTRATION HAS ALREADY TAKEN STEPS IN 1988 TO PROTECT THE INTEGRITY OF THE RIDGE LINE.
ON TRANSPORT RISKS, THE CONSULTANTS POINTED OUT THAT IT WAS WIDELY RECOGNISED WORLD-WIDE THAT SUCH RISKS WERE NOT SO WELL CONTROLLED AS THOSE FROM FIXED SITES, AND THAT THE TRANSPORT OF BULK LPG WAS GENERALLY SAFER THAN NORMAL DANGEROUS GOODS TRANSPORT.
NEVERTHELESS, THE CONSULTANTS HAVE SUGGESTED A NUMBER OF REMEDIAL MEASURES TO REDUCE TRANSPORT RISKS. THESE INCLUDE RESTRICTING AND IMPROVING THE ROUTEING OF LPG VEHICLES, TIGHTER TRANSPORT CONTROL, AND IMPROVEMENTS IN EMERGENCY PROCEDURES AND TECHNICAL MEASURES.
/A PILOT
THURSDAY, APRIL 27» 19^9
- 30 -
A PILOT TRAFFIC MANAGEMENT SCHEME FOR THE CONTROL OF DANGEROUS GOODS VEHICLES IN TSING YI IS ALREADY UNDER ACTIVE CONSIDERATION AND CONSULTATION ON THE CONSULTANTS’ OTHER SUGGESTIONS HAS ALSO BEEN STARTED.
COPIES OF THE 1982 AND 1989 REPORTS ARE ON SALE AT $72 AND $62 EACH. THEY CAN BE OBTAINED FROM THE GOVERNMENT PUBLICATIONS CENTRE, GPO BUILDING, CONNAUGHT PLACE, CENTRAL.
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OPTIONS ON RELATIONSHIPS WITH SUBVENTED HOSPITALS BEING CONSIDERED: SIR S.Y. CHUNG * ♦ * * ♦
A NUMBER OF OPTIONS ON THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF SUBVENTED HOSPITALS AND THE FUTURE HOSPITAL AUTHORITY ARE NOW BEING CONSIDERED. THE CHAIRMAN OF THE PROVISIONAL HOSPITAL AUTHORITY (PHA), SIR S.Y. CHUNG, SAID TODAY (THURSDAY).
SIR S.Y. WAS SPEAKING ABOUT THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN SUBVENTED HOSPITALS AND THE HOSPITAL AUTHORITY (HA) AFTER A VISIT TO THE TUNG WAH HOSPITAL THIS MORNING.
HE SAID THAT THE SUBJECT WAS NOW BEING DISCUSSED BY THE COMMITTEE ON INTEGRATION OF PUBLIC HOSPITAL SERVICES OF THE PHA.
A NUMBER OF OPTIONS WERE BEING CONSIDERED WITH THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS WHICH WOULD FIT THEIR CURRENT INVOLVEMENT IN MANAGING THEIR HOSPITALS AND ALSO ALLOW TRADITIONS. PHILOSOPHY AND CHARACTERISTICS TO BE RETAINED.
"ONE OF THE OPTIONS IS TO HAVE THE BOARD TO BE DIRECTLY RESPONSIBLE FOR THE RUNNING OF THE HOSPITAL IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE HA’S MANAGEMENT POLICIES."
IN THIS OPTION, ONE OR MORE REPRESENTATIVES OF THE HA MIGHT BE APPOINTED TO SIT ON THE BOARD AND THE HOSPITAL CHIEF EXECUTIVE WOULD REPORT TO THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS, SIR S.Y. SAID.
"ANOTHER OPTION IS TO INTRODUCE THE CONCEPT OF A HOSPITAL EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE IN THE AUTHORITY’S DIRECT LINE OF COMMAND, IN WHICH REPRESENTATIVES OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS AND THE AUTHORITY WOULD BE APPOINTED.
"THIS WOULD SUIT THOSE CASES WHERE THE PRESENT BOARD OF DIRECTORS ARE PROVIDING SOCIAL SERVICES OTHER THAN HOSPITALS.
/"THE BOARD........
THURSDAY, APRIL 27, 1989
"THE BOARD CAN CONTINUE TO CARRY OUT TRADITIONAL ACTIVITIES SUCH AS FUND RAISING AND RUNNING OTHER ACTIVITIES AND TO EXERT ITS INFLUENCE IN MANAGING THE HOSPITAL THROUGH COMMON MEMBERSHIP IN THE HOSPITAL EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE. AND SUBJECT TO FURTHER DISCUSSIONS. PERHAPS ALSO CHAIRMANSHIP OF THE COMMITTEE," SIR S.Y.SAID.
THE OTHER OPTIONS WOULD SEE THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS PLAYING AN ADVISORY ROLE OR NOMINAL ROLE IN HOSPITAL MANAGEMENT AND CONTINUE TO OWN THE HOSPITAL’S ASSETS.
SIR S.Y. POINTED OUT THAT EACH OF THESE OPTIONS WOULD. AFTER FURTHER CONSIDERATION BY THE PHA, BE DISCUSSED WITH SUBVENTED HOSPITALS.
IT WAS ENVISAGED THAT THE FINAL AGREEMENT REACHED WOULD BE ENSHRINED IN WRITING BETWEEN THE SUBVENTED HOSPITALS AND THE HA. WHEN THE LATTER WAS TO BE FORMED IN APRIL 1990, HE ADDED.
SIR S.Y. REMARKED THAT SATISFACTORY PROGRESS HAD BEEN MADE BY THE PHA IN THE DELIBERATION OF OTHER MATTERS RELATING TO THE ESTABLISHMENT OF THE FUTURE HA.
"A BUSY SCHEDULE OF MEETINGS OF THE PHA'S COMMITTEES IS BEING FOLLOWED." HE SAID.
TODAY’S VISIT BY SIR S.Y. AND MEMBERS OF THE PHA WAS PART OF A REGULAR PROGRAMME OF VISITS TO ALL THE 34 PUBLIC HOSPITALS IN HONG KONG.
MEMBERS TAKING PART INCLUDED MR JOHN CHAMBERS. DR CHAN WOON-CHEUNG. DR T.Y. CHAU. LEGISLATIVE COUNCILLOR DR C.H. LEONG. AND MR PAUL YU.
"WE HAVE SEEN THE HARD WORK AND DEDICATION OF HOSPITAL STAFF WORKING IN THE HOSPITAL. DESPITE THE HEAVY DEMAND ON THEIR WORK.
"THE PHA IS ALWAYS CONSCIOUS OF THE CONTRIBUTION OF THE SERVICE RENDERED BY THE SUBVENTED HOSPITALS." SIR S.Y. SAID.
DURING THE VISIT. SIR S.Y. AND MEMBERS TOURED VARIOUS UNITS OF THE HOSPITAL. INCLUDING OUT-PATIENT DEPARTMENT, MEDICAL AND DENTAL UNITS, UNIVERSITY SURGICAL MEDICAL UNIT. STROKE REHABILITATION UNIT, PRIVATE WARDS AND DIETETIC KITCHEN.
THEY LEARNED THAT TUNG WAH HOSPITAL IS THE OLDEST INSTITUTION IN THE TUNG WAH GROUP OF HOSPITALS.
IT IS A GENERAL HOSPITAL WITH 787 BEDS SERVICING SHEUNG WAN AND WESTERN DISTRICT AND RECEIVING PATIENTS TRANSFERRED FROM OUEEN MARY HOSPITAL.
THE HOSPITAL HAS A 24-HOUR RECEIVING ROOM AND OPERATES A WIDE RANGE OF SPECIALTY SERVICES INCLUDING MEDICINE, SURGERY. RENAL. EAR, NOSE AND THROAT. GYNAECOLOGY. NEUROLOGY. DERMATOLOGY, GASTROENTEROLOGY, PAIN AND PLASTIC CLINICS AND DENTISTRY.
/IN ADDITION, .......
THURSDAY, APRIL 27, 1989
52 -
IN ADDITION, THE HOSPITAL RUNS GENERAL AND SPECIALIST OUT-PATIENT SERVICES.
SIR S.Y. AND MEMBERS CONCLUDED THEIR VISIT WITH A DISCUSSION WITH THE HOSPITAL STAFF.
DESCRIBING THE DISCUSSION AS A USEFUL ONE. SIR S.Y. SAID IT SERVED A DUAL PURPOSE IN THAT THE HOSPITAL STAFF WERE INFORMED OF THE LATEST PROGRESS OF THE WORK OF THE PHA AND THAT THEIR VIEWS COULD BE SOLICITED.
"WE ARE IMPRESSED BY MANY OF THE SUGGESTIONS AND COMMENTS ON THE IMPROVEMENTS OF MEDICAL SERVICE. IN PARTICULAR THE INTEGRATION OF SUBVENTED HOSPITAL SERVICES UNDER THE FUTURE HA," SIR S.Y. SAID.
THE REGULAR PROGRAMME OF HOSPITAL VISITS WAS STARTED IN NOVEMBER 1987 AND WILL CONTINUE UNTIL SOMETIME THIS AUGUST.
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RDCC ENDORSES $1.5 MILLION PUBLIC EDUCATION PROGRAMME *****
THE REHABILITATION DEVELOPMENT CO-ORDINATING COMMITTEE (RDCC) TODAY (THURSDAY) ENDORSED A $1.5 MILLION PUBLIC EDUCATION PACKAGE FOR 1989/90 TO PROMOTE THE SOCIAL INTEGRATION OF THE DISABLED PERSONS.
AT A MEETING CHAIRED BY DR HENRIETTA IP, THE COMMITTEE HELD THE VIEW THAT PUBLIC ACCEPTANCE AND SUPPORT PLAY A VITAL PART IN THE TERRITORY’S OVERALL REHABILITATION PROGRAMME.
RDCC MEMBERS HOPEI) THE TERRITORY-WIDE EDUCATION PROGRAMME WOULD ENHANCE PUBLIC ACCEPTANCE AND UNDERSTANDING THAT DISABLED PEOPLE WERE AN INTEGRAL PART OF THE COMMUNITY. AROUSE PUBLIC AWARENESS OF THE POTENTIAL AND ABILITIES OF THE DISABLED PEOPLE AND HELP THEM REALISE THEIR OWN ABILITIES AND POTENTIAL.
THE MAJOR EVENT OF THIS YEAR’S PUBLIC EDUCATION PROGRAMME WILL BE ENTITLED "IN-TOUCH WITH REHABILITATION".
IT COMPRISES A CONTEST PROJECT FOR YOUTH TEAMS STUDYING A SOCIAL ISSUE OR A TOPIC OF INTEREST IN REHABILITATION.
THERE WILL ALSO BE REHABILITATION SERVICES EXHIBITION, EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES FOR THE DISABLED EXHIBITION, AND DESIGN AWARD FOR THE COMPETITIONS.
OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES, SEMINARS AND TALKS WILL ALSO BE ORGANISED AT DISTRICT LEVEL.
/PARTICIPANTS IN .......
THURSDAY, APRIL 27, 1989
- 33 -
PARTICIPANTS IN THE PUBLIC EDUCATION PROGRAMME INCLUDE: THE REHABILITATION DIVISION OF THE HEALTH AND WELFARE BRANCH, SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT, HONG KONG COUNCIL OF SOCIAL SERVICES, LABOUR DEPARTMENT. HOSPITAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT, DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH, CITY AND NEW TERRITORIES ADMINISTRATION, RADIO TELEVISION HONG KONG, GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES AND CONCERNED WELFARE AGENCIES IN THE REHABILITATION FIELD.
THE RDCC ALSO DISCUSSED ACCESS FACILITIES AND EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES FOR DISABLED PERSONS.
ON ACCESS FACILITIES, RDCC MEMBERS WERE INFORMED THAT TWO TRIAL LIFTS CONNECTING THE PAVEMENT AT GROUND LEVEL TO THE ELEVATED WALKWAY SYSTEM IN CENTRAL TO PROVIDE ACCESS OF DISABLED PERSONS, WOULD BE INSTALLED AT STAR FERRY AND PEDDER STREET.
THE ROYAL HONG KONG JOCKEY CLUB AGREED TO FINANCE THE TRIAL PROJECT. AT A COST OF ABOUT $5.3 MILLION.
ON EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES FOR DISABLED, RDCC MEMBERS NOTED THAT THERE WAS A GROWING TREND FOR THE EX-MENTALLY ILL TO USE THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT’S SELECTIVE PLACEMENT SERVICES.
THIS TYPE OF JOB-SEEKERS HAD TAKEN THE PLACE OF THE DEAF TO BECOME THE SECOND LARGEST GROUP OF CLIENTS OF THE SELECTIVE PLACEMENT DIVISION.
RDCC MEMBERS WERE GLAD TO LEARN THAT THERE WERE ENCOURAGING SIGNS THAT EMPLOYERS WERE GRADUALLY BECOMING MORE RECEPTIVE TOWARD EMPLOYING MENTALLY DISABLED PERSONS.
THEY WERE ALSO INFORMED OF THE PROGRESS IN THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE HALF-WAY HOUSE BUILDING PROGRAMME.
THE RDCC URGED GOVERNMENT TO STEP UP PUBLIC EDUCATION ON MENTAL HEALTH AND IN PARTICULAR THE IMPORTANCE OF HALF-WAY HOUSES AS AN EFFECTIVE MEANS FOR REHABILITATION OF THE EX-MENTALLY ILL.
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FOURTH QUARTER SHIPPING, PORT AND CARGO STATISTICS RELEASED
IN THE FOURTH QUARTER OF 1988, 4,295 SHIPS WITH A TOTAL CAPACITY OF 26.3 MILLION NET REGISTERED TONS (NRT) ARRIVED IN HONG KONG, REPRESENTING AN INCREASE OF 500 (OR 13 PER CENT) IN NUMBER AND OF 3.0 MILLION NRT (OR 13 PER CENT) IN CAPACITY OVER THE FOURTH QUARTER OF 1987.
THIS IS REVEALED IN THE "HONG KONG SHIPPING STATISTICS REPORT OCTOBER - DECEMBER 1988" PUBLISHED TODAY (THURSDAY) BY THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT.
/OVER THE .......
THURSDAY, APRIL 27, 1989
OVER THE SAME PERIOD, THE TOTAL TONNAGE OF CARGO DISCHARGED IN HONG KONG FROM INCOMING SHIPS (ESTIMATED FROM A SAMPLE OF MANIFEST CONSIGNMENTS) INCREASED BY 11 PER CENT.
WHEN ANALYSED BY SHIP TYPE, MAJOR INCREASES WERE RECORDED IN THE NUMBER OF OIL TANKERS (+192). CONTAINER VESSELS (+160). CONVENTIONAL CARGO VESSELS (+132) AND DRY BULK CARRIERS (+35).
WHEN ANALYSED BY FLAG OF VESSELS, MAJOR INCREASES IN NUMBER WERE RECORDED FOR SHIPS REGISTERED IN CHINA (+148), PANAMA (+137). TAIWAN (+29), THE U.S.A. (+27) AND THE U.S.S.R. (+25), WHILE MAJOR DECREASES WERE RECORDED FOR THOSE REGISTERED IN DENMARK {-37), WEST GERMANY (-10) AND THE PHILIPPINES (-10).
THE NUMBER OF INCOMING SHIPS WITH A CAPACITY OF LESS THAN 10,000 DEADWEIGHT TONS INCREASED BY 271 WHILST THE NUMBER OF THOSE WITH A LARGER CAPACITY INCREASED BY 229.
IN THE FOURTH QUARTER OF 1988, THERE WERE 4,260 OUTGOING SHIPS WITH A TOTAL CAPACITY OF 26.0 MILLION NRT, REPRESENTING AN INCREASE OF 460 (OR 12 PER CENT) IN NUMBER AND OF 2.5 MILLION NRT (OR 11 PER CENT) IN CAPACITY OVER THE FOURTH QUARTER OF 1987.
THE TOTAL TONNAGE OF CARGO LOADED ONTO OUTGOING SHIPS (ESTIMATED FROM A SAMPLE OF MANIFEST CONSIGNMENTS) ROSE BY 15 PER CENT. ABOUT 66 PER CENT OF THE DEPARTING SHIPS STAYED IN HONG KONG FOR LESS THAN TWO DAYS.
OF THE CARGO DISCHARGED FROM INCOMING SHIPS, 85 PER CENT IN TERMS OF TONNAGE WAS IMPORTS AND 15 PER CENT WAS TRANSHIPMENT CARGO. OF THE CARGO LOADED ONTO OUTGOING SHIPS, 61 PER CENT WAS EXPORTS (INCLUDING DOMESTIC EXPORTS AND RE-EXPORTS) AND 39 PER CENT WAS TRANSHIPMENT CARGO.
THE MAJOR COUNTRIES OF LOADING FOR SEABORNE IMPORTS IN TONNAGE TERMS WERE SOUTH AFRICA (16 PER CENT), JAPAN (14 PER CENT), SINGAPORE (14 PER CENT), CHINA (10 PER CENT), TAIWAN (10 PER CENT) AND AUSTRALIA (7 PER CENT). WHILE THE MAJOR COUNTRIES OF DISCHARGE FOR SEABORNE EXPORTS WERE THE U.S.A. (18 PER CENT). CHINA (16 PER CENT). TAIWAN (13 PER CENT), JAPAN (6 PER CENT) AND SINGAPORE (5 PER CENT).
TRANSHIPMENT CARGO WAS MAINLY LOADED IN CHINA (32 PER CENT) AND THE U.S.A. (19 PER CENT). AND WAS MAINLY DISCHARGED IN CHINA (23 PER CENT) AND THE U.S.A. (12 PER CENT).
COMPARING THE FOURTH QUARTER OF 1988 WITH THE FOURTH QUARTER OF 1987. MAJOR INCREASES IN TONNAGE WERE NOTED FOR SEABORNE IMPORTS FROM SOUTH AFRICA (+176 PER CENT), TAIWAN (+25 PER CENT), JAPAN (+19 PER CENT), CHINA (+10 PER CENT), THE U.S.A. (+8 PER CENT) AND INDONESIA (+7 PER CENT); WHILE MAJOR DECREASES IN TONNAGE WERE NOTED FOR SEABORNE IMPORTS FROM SOUTH KOREA (-4 1 PER CENT). AUSTRALIA (-11 PER CENT) AND SINGAPORE (-9 PER CENT).
THURSDAY, APRIL 27, 1989
- 35 -
AS A WHOLE, THE TOTAL TONNAGE OF SEABORNE IMPORTS ROSE BY 12 PER CENT.
AMONG THE PRINCIPAL COMMODITIES, MAJOR INCREASES IN CARGO TONNAGE WERE RECORDED FOR SEABORNE IMPORTS OF MISCELLANEOUS MANUFACTURES OF METAL AND NON-METALI. 1C MINERALS, NOT ELSEWHERE SPECIFIED (+36 TER CENT), OTHER MACHINERY AND EQUIPMENT AND PARTS. NOT ELSEWHERE SPECIFIED (4-32 PER CENT) AND COAL, COKE AND BRIQUETTES (429 PER CENT); WHILE A DECREASE WAS RECORDED FOR SEABORNE IMPORTS OF PETROLEUM, PETROLEUM PRODUCTS AND RELATED MATERIALS (-5 PER CENT).
COMPARING THE FOURTH QUARTER OF 1988 WITH THE FOURTH QUARTER OF 1987, THE TOTAL TONNAGE OF SEABORNE EXPORTS (DOMESTIC EXPORTS PLUS RE-EXPORTS) INCREASED BY 26 PER CENT.
MAJOR INCREASES IN TONNAGE WERE RECORDED FOR SEABORNE EXPORTS TO CHINA (+105 PER CENT), TAIWAN (+47 PER CENT), INDONESIA (+28 PER CENT), THAILAND (+26 PER CENT), SINGAPORE (+22 PER CENT); AND THE U.S.A. (+20 PER CENT); WHILE A DECREASE WAS RECORDED FOR SEABORNE EXPORTS TO JAPAN (-11 PER CENT).
AMONG THE PRINCIPAL COMMODITIES, MAJOR INCREASES IN TONNAGE WERE NOTED FOR SEABORNE EXPORTS OF PETROLEUM, PETROLEUM PRODUCTS AND RELATED MATERIALS (+221 PER CENT), IRON AND STEEL (+84 PER CENT), CLAY AND KAOLIN (+75 PER CENT). MISCELLANEOUS MANUFACTURES OF METAL AND NON-METALLIC MINERALS, NOT ELSEWHERE SPECIFIED (+49 PER CENT), METALLIFEROUS ORES AND METAL SCRAP (+28 PER CENT) AND MISCELLANEOUS EDIBLE PRODUCTS AND PREPARATIONS (+28 PER CENT).
OF THE CARGO DISCHARGED FROM INCOMING SHIPS, INCLUDING SEABORNE IMPORTS AND INWARD TRANSHIPMENT, 34 PER CENT IN TERMS OF TONNAGE WAS CONTAINERISED CARGO. OF THOSE LOADED ONTO OUTGOING SHIPS, INCLUDING SEABORNE EXPORTS AND OUTWARD TRANSHIPMENT, 75 PER CENT WAS CONTAINERISED CARGO.
IN TERMS OF TONNAGE, CONTAINERISED CARGO ACCOUNTED FOR 28 PER CENT OF SEABORNE IMPORTS. IN PARTICULAR, CONTAINERISED CARGO ACCOUNTED FOR ALL OR A LARGE PROPORTION OF SEABORNE IMPORTS FROM ITALY (100 PER CENT). THE NETHERLANDS (89 PER CENT), WEST GERMANY (74 PER CENT), THE U.S.A. (73 PER CENT) AND SOUTH KOREA (70 PER CENT).
THE TOTAL TONNAGE OF CONTAINERISED SEABORNE IMPORTS IN THE FOURTH QUARTER OF 1988 ROSE BY 14 PER CENT OVER THE FOURTH QUARTER OF 1987.
AMONG THE PRINCIPAL COMMODITIES, CONTAINERISED CARGO ACCOUNTED FOR, IN TONNAGE TERMS, 93 PER CENT OF SEABORNE IMPORTS OF OTHER ELECTRICAL AND ELECTRONIC APPLIANCES AND PARTS, 91 PER CENT OF ARTIFICIAL RESINS AND PLASTIC MATERIALS, 88 PER CENT OF PAPER, PAPERBOARD AND ARTICLES OF PAPER PULP, OF PAPER OR OF PAPERBOARD, 81 PER CENT OF TEXTILE FIBRES AND 77 PER CENT OF NON FERROUS METALS.
/OF SEABORNE .......
THURSDAY, APRIL 27, 1989
- 36 -
OF SEABORNE EXPORTS, CONTAINERISED CARGO ACCOUNTED FOR 68 PER CENT IN TERMS OF TONNAGE. IN PARTICULAR, CONTAINERISED CARGO ACCOUNTED FOR ALL OR NEARLY ALL OF SEABORNE EXPORTS TO THE UNITED KINGDOM, WEST GERMANY, THE U.S.A. AND AUSTRALIA.
THE TOTAL TONNAGE OF CONTAINERISED SEABORNE EXPORTS IN THE FOURTH QUARTER OF 1988 ROSE BY 17 PER CENT OVER THE FOURTH QUARTER OF 1987 .
SEABORNE EXPORTS OF SOME PRINCIPAL COMMODITIES WERE NEARLY ALL CONTAINERISED. THESE INCLUDED COTTON GARMENTS; PLASTIC MANUFACTURES, NOT ELSEWHERE SPECIFIED; TOYS; GARMENTS OF MIXED MATERIALS OR OTHER MATERIALS, NOT ELSEWHERE SPECIFIED; COTTON TEXTILES AND MISCELLANEOUS MANUFACTURES ARTICLES, NOT ELSEWHERE SPECIFIED.
SHIPPING STATISTICS ARE COMPILED PRIMARILY FROM GENERAL DECLARATIONS SUBMITTED TO THE MARINE DEPARTMENT BY SHIPMASTERS OR AUTHORISED SHIPPING AGENTS AND COVER ALL OCEAN-GOING VESSELS ENTERING AND LEAVING HONG KONG, EXCLUDING YACHTS AND PLEASURE CRAFT.
PORT AND CARGO STATISTICS ARE COMPILED FROM OCEAN CARGO MANIFESTS SUPPLIED BY SHIPPING COMPANIES OR AGENTS TO THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT.
BECAUSE OF RESOURCE CONSTRAINTS, A SAMPLE OF ALL CONSIGNMENTS LISTED IN THE MANIFESTS IS USED FOR COMPILING THE STATISTICS. THE SAMPLING METHOD IS DESCRIBED IN THE EXPLANATORY NOTES OF THE REPORT.
MORE DETAILS ON SHIPPING, PORT AND CARGO STATISTICS FOR THE FOURTH QUARTER OF 1988 ARE CONTAINED IN THE ’’HONG KONG SHIPPING STATISTICS REPORT” FOR OCTOBER TO DECEMBER 1988, WHICH IS NOW ON SALE AT THE GOVERNMENT PUBLICATIONS CENTRE, GENERAL POST OFFICE BUILDING, CONNAUGHT CENTRE, AT $22 PER COPY.
ENQUIRIES ON STATISTICS PROVIDED IN THE REPORT MAY BE DIRECTED TO THE SHIPPING STATISTICS SECTION OF THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT ON 5-8234887.
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GRADING OF BEACH WATER QUALITY * * * * *
THE ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION DEPARTMENT (EPD) TODAY (THURSDAY) ANNOUNCED THE GRADES ON THE BACTERIAL WATER QUALITY OF ALL BATHING BEACHES IN HONG KONG.
AN EPD SPOKESMAN SAID THE PURPOSE OF THE GRADING SYSTEM IS TO INFORM SWIMMERS AND THE GENERAL PUBLIC ABOUT THE STATE OF BACTERIAL POLLUTION AT VARIOUS BEACHES.
/THE GRADING........
THURSDAY, APRIL 27,
- 57 -
THE GRADING WILL BE ANNOUNCED AT BIWEEKLY INTERVALS DURING THE BATHING SEASON, TO COINCIDE WITH THE FREQUENCY AT WHICH BEACH WATERS ARE USUALLY SAMPLED.
THE GRADING IS BASED ON THE MOST RECENT BACTERIA DATA OBTAINED BY THE EPD IN ITS ROUTINE MONITORING PROGRAMME.
THIS YEAR. FOR THE FIRST TIME, THE GRADING ALSO INCLUDES AN ESTIMATE OF THE RISK OF SUFFERING SOME MINOR SKIN OR GASTROINTESTINAL COMPLAINTS AS A RESULT OF SWIMMING AT A BEACH WHICH HAS SOME DEGREE OF POLLUTION.
THE ESTIMATE IS BASED ON A VERY LARGE BODY OF STATISTICAL INFORMATION GATHERED IN HONG KONG IN RECENT BATHING SEASONS.
THE GRADING OF SOME BEACHES MAY VARY DURING THE SUMMER. THIS REPRESENTS A NATURAL FLUCTUATION IN THE BACTERIAL QUALITY OF BATHING WATERS IN MOST CASES, AS RAIN AND TIDES BRING MORE OR LESS POLLUTION TO THE BEACHES.
BATHING WATERS COMMONLY BECOME WORSE DUE TO HEAVY USAGE DURING THE SUMMER. HOWEVER. THE GRADES GIVE A GOOD GENERAL PICTURE OF THE WATER QUALITY AT BATHING BEACHES AT THE TIME OF REPORTING AND FORM THE BEST AVAILABLE FORECAST FOR THE IMMEDIATE FUTURE.
THE SYSTEM FOR GRADING BEACH WATER QUALITY IS AS FOLLOWS:
"A" GRADE INDICATES THAT THE WATER QUALITY IS GOOD. THE MEAN E.COLI COUNT IS LESS THAN 100 PER 100 MILLILITRES AT EACH BEACH SO GRADED, AND THE EXPECTED HEALTH RISK IS LESS THAN SEVEN CASES OF MINOR ILLNESS PER 1,000 SWIMMERS.
"B" GRADE INDICATES THAT THE WATER QUALITY IS ACCEPTABLE. THE MEAN E.COLI COUNT IS LESS THAN 1,000 PER 100 MILLILITRES AT EACH BEACH SO GRADED, AND THE EXPECTED HEALTH RISK IS LESS THAN 18 CASES OF MINOR ILLNESS PER 1,000 SWIMMERS.
"C" GRADE INDICATES THAT THE WATER QUALITY IS POOR. THE MEAN E.COLI COUNT IS 1.000 OR MORE PER 100 MILLILITRES AT EACH BEACH SO GRADED, AND THE EXPECTED HEALTH RISK IS 18 OR MORE CASES OF MINOR ILLNESS PER 1,000 SWIMMERS.
THE DECISION WHETHER OR NOT TO CLOSE A BEACH TO SWIMMERS IS BASED ON A JUDGEMENT OF WHAT DEGREE OF POLLUTION IS ACCEPTABLE.
NORMALLY. A RECOMMENDATION ON CLOSURE WOULD ONLY BE CONSIDERED BY THE URBAN OR THE REGIONAL COUNCIL IF A "C" GRADING OCCURRED REPEATEDLY, SO THAT THE AVERAGE HEALTH RISK OVER THE BATHING SEASON EXCEEDED 15 CASES PER 1,000 SWIMMERS.
SIMILARLY, A RECOMMENDATION TO RE-OPEN A CLOSED BEACH WOULD ONLY BE CONSIDERED IF A "B" GRADE OR BETTER WERE CONSISTENTLY OBTAINED.
/AT PRESENT, .......
THURSDAY, APRIL 27, 1989
- 38 -
AT PRESENT, SIX BATHING BEACHES HAVE BEEN DECLARED UNSUITABLE FOR SWIMMING PURPOSES, BASED ON THE WATER QUALITY DURING PAST SEASONS.
THESE BEACHES ARE ANGLERS’, CASTLE PEAK, SILVERMINE BAY, OLD CAFETERIA, ROCKY BAY AND TING KAU.
THEY ARE POLLUTED BY FAECAL WASTES AND FAILED TO ACHIEVE CONSISTENTLY THE WORLD HEALTH ORGANISATION AND HONG KONG STANDARDS. THE PUBLIC ARE ADVISED NOT TO SWIM IN THESE SIX BEACHES. THEY ARE IDENTIFIED BY AN "X" IN THE FOLLOWING TABLE.
THE GRADES ON THE BACTERIAL WATER QUALITY OF VARIOUS BEACHES IN HONG KONG AS AT TODAY AND TWO WEEKS AGO ARE LISTED BELOW :
BEACH HONG KONG SOUTH LAST GRADING (AS AT 13.4.89) PRESENT GRADING (AS AT 27.4.89)
BIG WAVE BAY A A
CHUNG HOM KOK A A
DEEP WATER BAY A A
HAIRPIN A A
MIDDLE BAY A B
REPULSE BAY B A
SHEK 0 A A
SOUTH BAY A A
ST STEPHEN’S A A
TURTLE COVE A A
STANLEY MAIN B B
ROCKY BAY X X
TO TEI WAN* A A
/ISLANDS DISTRICT........
THURSDAY, APRIL 27, 19^9
- 39 -
ISLANDS DISTRICT
CHEUNG SHA UPPER A
CHEUNG SHA LOWER A
DISCOVERY BAY* A
HUNG SHING YEH A
KWUN YAM WAN A
TONG FUK A
LO SO SHING A
PUI 0 A
SILVERMINE BAY X
TUNG WAN, CHEUNG CHAU B
TUNG O* A
SAI KUNG DISTRICT
CAMPERS A
CLEAR WATER BAY 1ST BEACH A
CLEAR WATER BAY 2ND BEACH A
HAP MUN BAY A
KIU TSUI A
PAK SHA CHAU A
SILVERSTRAND A
TRIO (HEBE HAVEN) A
A
A
A A
A A A
A
X A
A
A
A
A
A
A
A
B
A
/TSUEN WAN DISTRICT .......
THURSDAY, APRIL 27, 1989
40 -
TSUEN WAN DISTRICT
ANGLERS' X X
APPROACH B B
CASAM A B
GEMINI A B
HOI MEI WAN B B
LIDO A B
TING KAU X X
TUNG WAN, MA WAN A A
TUEN MUN DISTRICT
OLD CAFETERIA X X
NEW CAFETERIA A B
CASTLE PEAK X X
KAD00R1E B B
BUTTERFLY A B
"X" THE BEACH HAS BEEN DECLARED UNSUITABLE FOR SWIMMING.
* NON-GAZETTED BEACHES.
THE FOLLOWING BEACHES HAVE CHANGED GRADING ON THIS OCCASION: REPULSE BAY AND TUNG WAN BEACH ON CHEUNG CHAU, FROM B 10 A ; MIDDLE BAY, SILVERSTRAND, CASAM, GEMINI, LIDO, NEW CAFETERIA AND BUTTERFLY, FROM "A" TO "B".
THE CHANGES FROM "B" TO "A" AND VICE VERSA ARE WITHIN THE NORMAL RANGE OF FLUCTUATION OF THE BACTERIAL WATER QUALITY OF THESE BEACHES.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
FOR FURTHER ENQUIRIES, PLEASE CONTACT MR PAUL HOLMES, PRINCIPAL ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION OFFICER (WATER POLICY) OF EPD, ON 5-8351 234 .
- 0 -
THURSDAY, APRIL 27, 1989
41
LADY WILSON PRAISES HK ASSOCIATION FOR THE MENTALLY HANDICAPPED *****
THE EFFORTS OF THE HONG KONG ASSOCIATION FOR THE MENTALLY HANDICAPPED IN PROVIDING EDUCATIONAL, VOCATIONAL AND RECREATIONAL SERVICES FOR MENTALLY DISABLED PEOPLE OF ALL AGES, ARE HIGHLY COMMENDABLE, AND VERY MUCH APPRECIATED, LADY WILSON SAID TODAY (THURSDAY).
SPEAKING AT THE OPENING OF THE WINIFRED MARY CHEUNG MORNINGHOPE SCHOOL OF THE HONG KONG ASSOCIATION FOR THE MENTALLY HANDICAPPED, LADY WILSON SAID THROUGH THE VIGOROUS ATTEMPTS OF THE ASSOCIATION TO PROVIDE A VERY PROFESSIONAL AND CARING SERVICE, THE QUALITY OF LIFE OF THE MENTALLY HANDICAPPED HAD GREATLY IMPROVED.
"THE ASSOCIATION DESERVES RECOGNITION AND A GREAT DEAL OF PRAISE AND GRATITUDE FOR ALL IT HAS ACHIEVED," SHE ADDED.
SHE SAID THAT THE WORK THAT HAD BEEN DONE AND CONTINUED TO BE DONE BY THE ASSOCIATION WHICH SHE WORKED FOR WHEN SHE LAST LIVED IN HONG KONG, IN THE LATE SEVENTIES, WAS OF GREAT IMPORTANCE TO HER, AND TO THE WHOLE COMMUNITY.
LADY WILSON POINTED OUT THAT THE HISTORY OF DEVELOPMENT OF THE ASSOCIATION, FROM A SINGLE CLASS SCHOOL IN THE EARLY 1960'S, TO THE MANY SERVICE UNITS OF TODAY, AND WITH 12 FLOURISHING SCHOOLS NOW IN OPERATION, WAS CLEAR EVIDENCE OF THE CONSTANT EFFORTS OF ITS MEMBERS AND THE TOTAL COMMITMENT OF ALL THE PROFESSIONAL STAFF INVOLVED.
SHE SAID THAT SHE WAS PARTICULARLY DELIGHTED TO SEE ONE MORE ASSOCIATION PROJECT COMING TO FRUITION.
LADY WILSON CONGRATULATED EVERYONE IN THE ASSOCIATION FOR THE REMARKABLE WORK THEY WERE DOING, AND THANKED SIR RUN RUN SHAW FOR HIS GENEROUS CONTRIBUTION.
"I AM REALLY THRILLED TO SEE THE NAME OF A MAN WHO HAS DONE SO MUCH FOR HONG KONG, LINKED WITH THIS ASSOCIATION," SHE SAID.
"I AM SURE THAT THESE IMPRESSIVE, PURPOSE-BUILT PREMISES OF THE WINIFRED MARY CHEUNG MORNINGHOPE SCHOOL, WILL PROVIDE NOT ONLY A PLEASANT AND STIMULATING LEARNING ENVIRONMENT FOR THE CHILDREN, BUT WILL ALSO BECOME AN EXAMPLE FOR THE FURTHER DEVELOPMENT OF EDUCATIONAL SERVICES FOR MENTALLY HANDICAPPED CHILDREN IN HONG KONG," SHE ADDED.
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/U2........
THURSDAY, APRIL 27, 1989
- 42 -
ORAL HEALTH EDUCATION UNIT OPENED * t t » *
LEGISLATIVE COUNCILLOR DR LEONG CHE-HUNG TODAY (THURSDAY) CALLED ON MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC TO TAKE THEIR OWN INITIATIVES IN LEARNING AND TAKING PROPER STEPS TO PREVENT DENTAL DISEASE,
HE WAS SPEAKING AT THE OPENING CEREMONY OF THE ORAL HEALTH EDUCATION UNIT OF THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AT THE ARGYLE STREET JOCKEY CLUB SCHOOL DENTAL CLINIC.
DR LEONG RECALLED THAT ORAL HEALTH EDUCATION - A VERY IMPORTANT COMPONENT OF HEALTH EDUCATION - WAS INADEQUATE IN THE PAST AND PROGRAMMES IN ORAL HEALTH EDUCATION WERE CARRIED OUT ON AN AD HOC BASIS.
WITH THE ESTABLISHMENT OF THE ORAL HEALTH EDUCATION UNIT, INFORMATION ON ANY ASPECT OF ORAL HEALTH COULD BE OBTAINED FROM THE PROFESSIONAL STAFF THERE FREE OF CHANGE, HE SAID.
"AS WE ALL KNOW PREVENTION IS BETTER THAN CURE. BEING ABLE TO OBTAIN KNOWLEDGE ABOUT A DISEASE IS THE FIRST STEP TOWARDS PREVENTION," HE SAID.
EARLIER, THE DIRECTOR OF HEALTH, DR S.H. LEE, SAID THE SETTING UP OF THE ORAL HEALTH EDUCATION UNIT REPRESENTED A SIGNIFICANT STEP FORWARD IN THE DEVELOPMENT OF MORE EFFECTIVE ORAL HEALTH EDUCATION PROGRAMMES FOR THE COMMUNITY OF HONG KONG.
"THE PROPOSAL FOR THE FORMATION OF A FULL-TIME ORAL HEALTH EDUCATION UNIT WAS FIRST MOOTED BY THE MEDICAL DEVELOPMENT ADVISORY COMMITTEE AS EARLY AS 1979.
"FOLLOWING THE RECOMMENDATION OF A WORKING PARTY ON PARA-DENTAL TRAINING AND DELIVERY OF GOVERNMENT DENTAL SERVICES IN 1982, A PILOT ORAL HEALTH EDUCATION UNIT WAS ESTABLISHED IN THE TANG SHIU KIN DENTAL THERAPISTS TRAINING SCHOOL TO CARRY OUT LIMITED ORAL HEALTH EDUCATION PROGRAMMES," DR LEE SAID.
THE UNIT, WHICH MOVED INTO THE EXISTING PREMISES AT THE END OF LAST YEAR, IS A FULL-TIME ORAL HEALTH EDUCATION CENTRE.
IT FEATURES A 150-SEATED AUDITORIUM FOR SEMINARS AND LECTURES, AN EXHIBITION HALL FOR PUBLIC VIEWING, TWO HEALTH EDUCATION ROOMS FOR HEALTH EDUCATION PROGRAMMES AND A WORKSHOP FOR DESIGNING AND PRODUCING AUDIO-VISUAL AIDS.
/OTHER FACILITIES .......
THURSDAY, APRIL 27, 1989
OTHER FACILITIES INCLUDE A ‘PLAGUE DISCLOSING TUNNEL’ FOR DIRECT VIEWING OF ONE’S PLAGUE, A MICROBIOLOGY LABORATORY PROVIDING VIEWING OF ONE’S OWN BACTERIAL PLAGUE, A TOOTH-BRUSHING BAY FOR ON-SPOT TEACHING OF CORRECT ORAL HYGIENE PRACTICES. A PREVENTION CLINIC FOR MONITORING INTENSIVE PREVENTION PROGRAMMES, AND A LIBRARY-MUSEUM PROVIDING A LOAN SERVICE OF AUDIO-VISUAL AIDS.
DR LEE WAS CONFIDENT THAT THROUGH THESE FACILITIES, A STRONG EDUCATIONAL COMPONENT WITH LASTING EFFECT COULD BE BUILT INTO THE EXISTING DENTAL PREVENTION PROGRAMME FOR PRIMARY SCHOOL CHILDREN, WHILE OTHER COMMUNITY GROUPS COULD ALSO BE STIMULATED TO TAKE CARE OF THEIR OWN ORAL HEALTH AND ADOPT SIMPLE PREVENTION PROCEDURES FOR SELF-CARE.
-------0---------
MARINE DEPARTMENT TO LICENSE STEEL FISHING VESSELS
♦ t * ♦ ♦
STEEL FISHING VESSELS WILL BE CONSIDERED FOR LICENCE UPON APPLICATION WITH EFFECT FROM MAY 1. THE MARINE DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCED TODAY (THURSDAY).
THE DECISION WAS MADE BY THE DIRECTOR OF MARINE FOLLOWING SATISFACTORY TRIALS OF FOUR SUCH VESSELS WHICH WERE LICENSED TWO YEARS AGO ON AN EXPERIMENTAL BASIS TO TEST THE SAFETY, SURVEY AND MANNING STANDARDS.
•'DURING THE TRIAL PERIOD WHICH WILL END IN EARLY MAY, SUCH STANDARDS HAVE BEEN FOUND ADEQUATE AND THE DIRECTOR OF MARINE AGREED THAT LICENCES COULD BE ISSUED TO STEEL FISHING VESSELS IN FUTURE,” A SPOKESMAN FOR THE DEPARTMENT SAID.
MEANWHILE, THE SPOKESMAN SAID, THE MARINE DEPARTMENT HAD ALSO BEEN IN CONSULTATION WITH THE AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES DEPARTMENT REGARDING CERTIFICATION AND TRAINING REQUIREMENTS FOR THE CREW OF FUTURE NEW STEEL FISHING VESSELS.
"THE AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES DEPARTMENT HAS AGREED TO CONDUCT RELEVANT TRAINING COURSES WHICH WILL UPGRADE THE COMPETENCY LEVELS OF LOCAL FISHERMEN AT PRESENT USING TRADITIONAL CRAFT TO A STANDARD THAT IS ACCEPTABLE ON THESE MODERN STEEL VESSELS,” HE SAID.
THE SPOKESMAN ADDED THAT THE TRAINING SCHEME WOULD ALLOW FOR ASSESSMENT TO BE MADE OF EACH CANDIDATE DURING THE COURSE AND THE MARINE DEPARMTENT WOULD ISSUE THE APPROPRIATE CERTIFICATES.
"THIS APPLICATION OF NEW STANDARD IS IN KEEPING WITH THE PHILOSOPHY OF THE LOCAL CRAFT REVIEW.
"THE PRAGMATIC APPROACH BY THE MARINE DEPARTMENT WILL MOST CERTAINLY ASSIST THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE LOCAL FISHING INDUSTRY,” THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
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/44........
THURSDAY* APRIL 27. 1989
- 44 -
CHINESE FOREIGN AFFAIRS OFFICIAL VISITS HOUSING AUTHORITY t t * * ♦
THE DIRECTOR OF THE HONG KONG AND MACAU AFFAIRS OFFICE OF THE CHINESE MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS, MR GUO FENGMIN. TODAY (THURSDAY) VISITED THE HOUSING AUTHORITY TO SEE ITS WORK AND ACHIEVEMENTS IN PROVIDING PUBLIC HOUSING FOR THE PEOPLE OF HONG KONG.
ON ARRIVAL AT THE HOUSING AUTHORITY HEADQUARTERS IN HO MAN TIN, MR GUO WAS BRIEFED BY THE DIRECTOR OF HOUSING, MR PANG YUK-LING, ON THE DEVELOPMENT OF PUBLIC HOUSING IN THE TERRITORY.
MR GUO HEARD THAT UNDER THE AUTHORITY'S AMBITIOUS LONG TERM HOUSING STRATEGY IMPLEMENTED LAST YEAR, THE AUTHORITY WOULD PROVIDE ADEQUATE HOUSING FOR THOSE IN NEED BY THE YEAR 2001.
HE ALSO LEARNED THAT THE AUTHORITY CONSTRUCTED ABOUT 50,000 RENTAL AND HOME OWNERSHIP SCHEME FLATS DURING THE 1988/89 FINANCIAL YEAR. A RECORD IN THE AUTHORITY'S HISTORY. DESPITE THE PROBLEM OF’ LABOUR SHORTAGE.
ACCOMPANIED BY THE DEPUTY DIRECTOR/ESTATE MANAGEMENT, MR FUNG TUNG, MR GUO LATER WENT TO TSZ WAN SHAN AND TOURED THE HEUNG YEUNG SQUATTER VILLAGE WHERE HE WAS BRIEFED ON THE IMPROVEMENT WORKS BEING CARRIED OUT IN THE AREA UNDER THE DEPARTMENT’S SQUATTER AREA IMPROVEMENT SCHEME.
IT IS THE AIM OF THE AUTHORITY TO CLEAR ALL SQUATTER HUTS IN THE URBAN AREA BY THE MIDDLE OF NEXT DECADE.
MR GUO THEN WENT TO THE NEARBY CHUK YUEN (SOUTH) ESTATE, ONE OF THE NEWEST PUBLIC HOUSING ESTATES IN CENTRAL KOWLOON, AND TOURED THE SHOPPING CENTRE AND LANDSCAPED AREAS AS WELL AS THE INDOOR RECREATION CENTRE.
THE PARTY THEN PAID A VISIT TO THE ADJACENT HOME OWNERSHIP SCHEME TIN MA COURT WHERE THEY HAD AN OVERVIEW OF THE AUTHORITY'S REDEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME IN CENTRAL KOWLOON.
MR GUO CONCLUDED HIS TOUR BY VISITING A FAMILY OF THE COURT.
-------O---------
THURSDAY, APRIL 27, 1989
- U5 -
SDA HOSTS DINNER FOR CHINESE VISITORS * * * *
THE SECRETARY FOR DISTRICT ADMINISTRATION, MR DONALD LIAO, HOSTED A DINNER TONIGHT (THURSDAY) IN HONOUR OF A VISITING CHINESE DELEGATION CURRENTLY IN HONG KONG ON A GENERAL FAMILIARISATION TOUR.
THE FIVE-MEMBER DELEGATION IS LED BY MR GUO FENGMIN, THE DIRECTOR OF THE HONG KONG AND MACAU AFFAIRS OFFICE OF THE MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS.
THEY ARRIVED IN HONG KONG ON APRIL 20 AND WILL REMAIN HERE UNTIL SATURDAY (APRIL 29).
MR LIAO MET MR GUO SIX MONTHS AGO WHEN HE LED A HONG KONG GOVERNMENT DELEGATION TO PEKING.
-----0------
PO LEUNG KUK PRAISED FOR COMMUNITY SERVICE
*****
THE SECRETARY FOR DISTRICT ADMINISTRATION, MR DONALD LIAO, TODAY (THURSDAY) PRAISED THE PO LEUNG KUK FOR ITS SERVICES TO THE COMMUNITY.
MR LIAO WAS SPEAKING DURING A COURTESY CALL ON THE CITY AND NEW TERRITORIES ADMINISTRATION BY THE KUK’S BOARD OF DIRECTORS.
MR LIAO NOTED THAT THE KUK HAS, IN RECENT YEARS, ACTIVELY PROVIDED MULTI-FACETED SOCIAL SERVICES AND HAS SOUGHT TO WIDEN ITS SCOPE OF SERVICES FOR THE BENEFIT OF PEOPLE FROM ALL WALKS OF LIFE.
"THE KUK IS TO BE COMMENDED FOR STEPPING UP EFFORTS TO STREGTHEN VARIOUS SERVICES AND CARRY OUT VARIOUS PROJECTS IN LINE WITH THE NEEDS OF THE SOCIETY," HE SAID.
REFERRING TO THE CONSTRUCTION OF A SECOND YOUTH HOLIDAY CAMP IN TAI TONG, YUEN LONG, MR LIAO SAID THE KUK’S PLAN WAS STRONGLY SUPPORTED BY THE VARIOUS GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS CONCERNED.
"THE KUK’S LAND GRANT APPLICATION IS NOW BEING PROCESSED BY THE BUILDINGS AND LANDS DEPARTMENT," HE SAID, ADDING THAT CNTA WOULD RENDER FULL SUPPORT TO THE PROJECT.
ON THE REDEVELOPMENT OF THE KUK’S PROPERTY AT 220 HENNESSY ROAD IN WAN CHAI, MR LIAO SAID THE SCHEME HAD THE UNANIMOUS SUPPORT OF THE KUK’S ADVISORY BOARD.
DURING THE MEETING, KUK CHAIRMAN MR LUK HING-TOO GAVE AN OUTLINE OF THE WORK OF THE KUK IN THE COMING YEAR.
-----0 -
A6.....
THURSDAY, APRIL 27, 1989
- 46 -
REGIONAL SECRETARY SEES NORTH DISTRICT PROGRESS
*****
THE REGIONAL SECRETARY FOR THE NEW TERRITORIES, MR ADOLF HSU, TOURED THE NORTH DISTRICT THIS (THURSDAY) MORNING TO LOOK AT THE LATEST DEVELOPMENTS THERE.
HE ALSO MET LOCAL PERSONALITIES AND DISTRICT OFFICE STAFF.
ACCOMPANIED BY THE ACTING NORTH DISTRICT OFFICER. MR TIM MILNES, MR HSU FIRST VISITED THE TEMPORARY PREMISES OF THE DISTRICT OFFICE AT JOCKEY CLUB ROAD, FANLING.
AFTERWARDS, HE INSPECTED THE CONSTRUCTION SITE OF A SEVEN-STOREY FANLING GOVERNMENT OFFICES BUILDING ADJACENT TO THE TEMPORARY DISTRICT OFFICE PREMISES.
HE WAS TOLD THAT THE $67 MILLION BUILDING, WHEN COMPLETED IN JUNE NEXT YEAR. WOULD BE A FOCAL POINT OF GOVERNMENT ACTIVITIES IN THE DISTRICT ACCOMMODATING OVER 10 DEPARTMENTS.
MR HSU LATER PROCEEDED TO THE TOP OF WO HOP SHEK CEMETERY FOR A PANORAMIC VIEW OF THE FANLING/SHEUNG SHUI NEW TOWN DEVELOPMENTS.
THE NEW TOWN, COVERING AN AREA OF 790 HECTARES, COMPRISES A MIXTURE OF TRADITIONAL VILLAGES, TWO COMMERCIAL/RESIDENTIAL CORES (NAMELY LUEN WO HUI AND SHEK WU HUI), PUBLIC HOUSING ESTATES AND INSTITUTIONAL BUILDINGS.
HE NOTED THAT FANLING/SHEUNG SHUI HAS UNDERGONE SIGNIFICANT DEVELOPMENT IN HOUSING, TRANSPORT, RECREATION, EDUCATION AND COMMUNITY FACILITIES SINCE IT WAS DESIGNATED AS A NEW TOWN IN JANUARY 1979.
MR HSU ALSO TRAVELLED TO LUEN WO HUI WHERE ROAD AND DRAINAGE IMPROVEMENT WORKS ARE BEING CARRIED OUT TO ENHANCE ITS INFRASTRUCTURAL CAPACITY FOR FUTURE REDEVELOPMENT.
THE PROJECT, WHICH STARTED LAST MONTH, WILL BE IMPLEMENTED IN 15 STAGES AND TAKE 19 MONTHS TO COMPLETE.
MR HSU THEN VISITED THE ON LOK TSUEN INDUSTRIAL ESTATE IN THE FANLING/SHEUNG SHUI NEW TOWN.
HE WAS TOLD THAT THE ESTATE, WHICH PROVIDES A TOTAL OF 16 HECTARES OF INDUSTRIAL LAND, HAS 115 FACTORIES WITH 2,100 EMPLOYEES NOW. THIS IS ABOUT SEVEN PER CENT OF THE TOTAL POTENTIAL EMPLOYMENT OF 32,000 PEOPLE ON FULL DEVELOPMENT.
EARLIER TODAY, MR HSU VISITED THE SHA TAU KOK TOWN WITHIN THE FRONTIER CLOSED AREA, WHICH IS UNDERGOING A $300 MILLION FACELIFT.
HE SAW FOR HIMSELF HOW A LOW-DENSITY, SELF-CONTAINED TOWNSHIP, COMPLETE WITH LOW-COST PUBLIC HOUSING UNITS, MODERN AMENITIES AND RECREATIONAL FACILITIES, IS TAKING SHAPE.
/MR HSU .......
THURSDAY, APRIL 27, 1989
MR HSU ALSO WENT TO THE SHA TAU KOK BORDER CONTROL POINT AND RECEIVED A DETAILED BRIEFING ON THE NORTHEAST NEW TERRITORIES LANDFILL PROJECT AT WONG MAU HANG SHAN IN TA KWU LING.
THE LANDFILL, INTENDED TO REPLACE THE SHUEN WAN LANDFILL, WILL PROVIDE WASTE DISPOSAL FACILITIES FOR THE NORTHEAST NEW TERRITORIES SUB-REGION AND THE URBAN AREA OF KOWLOON.
HE WAS BRIEFED ON THE VARIOUS ENVIRONMENTAL CONTROL MEASURES WHICH WOULD BE INCORPORATED INTO THE DESIGN, CONSTRUCTION AND OPERATION OF THE LANDFILL TO MINIMISE ITS ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT.
BEFORE CONCLUDING HIS VISIT, MR HSU HAD LUNCH AND EXCHANGED VIEWS WITH NORTH DISTRICT BOARD MEMBERS AND LOCAL PERSONALITIES.
----------------------0------- NORTH DB TO DISCUSS USE OF LO WU CAMP FOR VBP *****
MEMBERS OF THE NORTH DISTRICT BOARD WILL DISCUSS THE USE OF LO WU CAMP AS A TEMPORARY DETENTION CENTRE FOR VIETNAMESE BOAT PEOPLE AT A SUPPLEMENTARY MEETING TO BE HELD TOMORROW (FRIDAY).
THE CAMP AT THE FRONTIER, WHEN CONVERTED, WILL BE ABLE TO ACCOMMODATE UP TO 1,800 BOAT PEOPLE.
A PRINCIPAL ASSISTANT SECRETARY OF THE SECURITY BRANCH, MRS CARRIE YAU,WILL BRIEF MEMBERS ON THE SUBJECT.
ALSO AT THE MEETING, THE COMMISSIONER OF ADMINISTRATIVE COMPLAINTS, MR ARTHUR GARCIA, WILL BRIEF MEMBERS ON THE ORGANISATION AND FUNCTION OF HIS OFFICE.
OTHER ITEMS ON THE AGENDA INCLUDE REPORTS FROM THE NORTH DISTRICT FIGHT CRIME COMMITTEE AND THE REGIONAL COUNCIL’S NORTH DISTRICT COMMITTEE.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE NORTH DISTRICT BOARD’S SUPPLEMENTARY MEETING TO BE HELD TOMORROW (FRIDAY) IN THE CONFERENCE ROOM OF THE NORTH DISTRICT OFFICE, JOCKEY CLUB ROAD, FANLING.
THE MEETING WILL BEGIN AT 10 AM.
--------o--------
/48........
THURSDAY, APRIL 27, 1989
- W -
DB ENVIRONMENTAL COMMITTEE TO CONSIDER FUND APPLICATIONS
*****
THE KWUN TONG DISTRICT BOARD’S ENVIRONMENTAL IMPROVEMENT COMMITTEE WILL CONSIDER APPLICATIONS FOR FUNDS TOTALLING $334,000 FOR MINOR ENVIRONMENTAL IMPROVEMENT PROJECTS AT ITS MEETING TOMORROW (FRIDAY).
AMONG THE PROJECTS ARE THE PROVISION OF A RAINSHELTER NEAR PING SHEK TEMPORARY HOUSING AREA, CONSTRUCTION OF AN AMENITY PLOT AT THE JUNCTION OF HONG TAK ROAD AND TAI YIP STREET, AND REPLACEMENT OF PLANTS FOR DISTRICT BOARD FACILITIES.
THE MEETING WILL ALSO DISCUSS A DRAFT WASTE DISPOSAL PLAN WHICH OUTLINES ARRANGEMENTS FOR THE COLLECTION AND DISPOSAL OF SOLID AND SEMI-SOLID WASTES, AS WELL AS METHODS OF AND SITES FOR DISPOSING WASTE.
IN ADDITION, MEMBERS WILL HEAR REPORTS BY GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS ON THE OPERATION OF THE JORDAN VALLEY LANDFILL, AND PROGRESS REPORTS ON LOCAL WORKS PROJECTS AND MINOR ENVIRONMENTAL IMPROVEMENT PROJECTS.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
MEDIA REPRESENTATIVES ARE INVITED TO COVER THE MEETING OF THE KWUN TONG DISTRICT BOARD’S ENVIRONMENTAL IMPROVEMENT COMMITTEE TO BE HELD TOMORROW (FRIDAY) IN THE CONFERENCE ROOM ON THE THIRD FLOOR OF THE KWUN TONG DISTRICT BRANCH OFFICES BUILDING IN TUNG YAN STREET.
THE MEETING WILL BEGIN AT 2.30 PM.
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INAUGURATION CEREMONY OF SHAM SHUI PO AREA COMMITTEES
*****
AN INAUGURATION CEREMONY OF THE 10 AREA COMMITTEES IN THE SHAM SHUI PO DISTRICT WILL BE HELD TOMORROW (FRIDAY) AT THE CHEUNG SHA WAN COMMUNITY CENTRE.
DURING THE CEREMONY, APPOINTMENT LETTERS WILL BE PRESENTED TO REPRESENTATIVES OF THE AREA COMMITTEES FOR THE TERM 1989-90.
/AMONG THE........
THURSDAY, APRIL 27, 1989
- ^9 -
AMONG THE OFFICIATING GUESTS ARE THE DEPUTY REGIONAL SECRETARY FOR HONG KONG AND KOWLOON, MR AUGUSTINE CHENG; SHAM SHUI PO DISTRICT OFFICER, MRS JENNIE CHOK; AND POLICE DISTRICT COMMANDER, MR GERARD FRITH.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
MEDIA REPRESENTATIVES ARE INVITED TO COVER THE INAUGURATION CEREMONY OF AREA COMMITTEES IN SHAM SHUI PO TO BE HELD TOMORROW (FRIDAY) AT THE CHEUNG SHA WAN COMMUNITY CENTRE, 55 FAT TSEUNG STREET, KOWLOON.
THE CEREMONY WILL START AT 8 PM.
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LANDSCAPING DAY TO ENHANCE TUEN MUN ENVIRONMENT
*****
MORE THAN 700 TUEN MUN RESIDENTS FROM 39 SCHOOLS AND ORGANISATIONS WILL JOIN HANDS IN PLANTING 400 SAPLINGS ON THE TUEN MUN LANDSCAPING DAY ON SATURDAY (APRIL 29).
SPONSORED BY THE TUEN MUN DISTRICT BOARD, THE FUNCTION IS JOINTLY ORGANISED BY THE TUEN MUN DISTRICT OFFICE, THE DISTRICT’S CLEAN HONG KONG COMMITTEE AND THE COMMUNITY YOUTH CLUB.
IT IS AIMED AT PUTTING THE CLEAN HONG KONG MESSAGE ACROSS TO RESIDENTS.
AN OPENING CEREMONY WILL BE HELD AT 10.30 AM. THE PARTICIPANTS WILL PLANT THE SAPLINGS IN THE OPEN SPACE FACING PRIMEVIEW GARDEN IN AREA 4B, TUEN MUN.
OFFICIATING AT THE CEREMONY WILL BE THE ASSISTANT DISTRICT OFFICER, MISS REBECCA PUN; REGIONAL COUNCILLORS, MR ALFRED TSO AND MR POON CHIN-HUNG; VICE-CHAIRMAN OF THE TUEN MUN RURAL COMMITTEE, MR TO KAM-CHAU; AND REPRESENTATIVES FROM THE TUEN MUN DEVELOPMENT OFFICE, AND THE ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION, EDUCATION, AND REGIONAL SERVICES DEPARTMENTS.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
THE TUEN MUN LANDSCAPING DAY WILL BE HELD ON SATURDAY (APRIL 29) IN THE OPEN SPACE FACING PRIMEVIEW GARDEN IN AREA 4B, TUEN MUN.
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE OPENING CEREMONY AT 10.30 AM.
MEDIA REPRESENTATIVES WISHING TO TAKE GOVERNMENT TRANSPORT TO THE VENUE SHOULD ASSEMBLE AT 9.30 AM AT THE KOWLOON PUBLIC PIER, TSIM SHA TSUI.
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THURSDAY. APRIL 27, 1989
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DRAWING CONTEST FOR CHILDREN
AN "INTERNATIONAL CHILDREN DRAWING CONTEST" WILL BE HELD AT KOWLOON PARK IN TSIM SHA TSUI FROM 9 AM TO 11.30 AM ON SUNDAY (APRIL 30).
JOINTLY ORGANISED BY THE YAU TSIM DISTRICT OFFICE, THE URBAN COUNCIL. THE HARBOUR JAYCEES AND SING TAO LTD, THE CONTEST AIMS AT STIMULATING CHILDREN’S INTEREST IN ART, AND ENHANCING THEIR UNDERSTANDING OF ART AND CREATIVE SKILLS.
THE CONTEST IS DIVIDED INTO THREE SECTIONS: JUNIOR (FOR CHILDREN AGED FROM FOUR TO SIX). INTERMEDIATE (AGED FROM SEVEN TO NINE), AND SENIOR (AGED FROM 10 TO 13).
PARTICIPANTS MAY ENROL FOR THE CONTEST AT THE VENUE AT 9 AM ON SUNDAY. OR OBTAIN ENROLMENT FORMS BEFOREHAND FROM THE YAU TSIM DISTRICT OFFICE OR OTHER DISTRICT OFFICES: THE HARBOUR JAYCEES AT 272 QUEEN’S ROAD CENTRAL. 15TH FLOOR, BLOCK C, HONG KONG; SING TAO CENTRES: AND CHUCK AND CHEESE.
ADJUDICATION OF THE ENTRIES AND PRESENTATION OF PRIZES WILL BE HELD AT THE VENUE.
THE WINNER AND RUNNERS-UP IN EACH SECTION WILL BE AWARDED ATTRACTIVE PRIZES. INCLUDING SCHOLARSHIPS RANGING FROM $500 TO $1,000, GIFT COUPONS AND FOUNTAIN PENS.
THE CONTEST WILL BE FOLLOWED BY A VARIETY SHOW TO BE PRESENTED BY THE URBAN COUNCIL AND ASIA TELEVISION.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
MEDIA REPRESENTATIVES ARE INVITED TO COVER THE "INTERNATIONAL CHILDREN DRAWING CONTEST" WHICH WILL BEGIN AT 9 AM AT KOWLOON PARK IN TSIM SHA TSUI ON SUNDAY (APRIL 30).
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THURSDAY, APRIL 27, 1989
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’OPPORTUNITIES FOR YOUTH SCHEME’ AWARD PRESENTATION *****
AN EXHIBITION OF THE BEST PROJECTS UNDER THE 1988-89 OPPORTUNITIES FOR YOUTH SCHEME (OYS) WILL BE HELD AT THE ENTRANCE ARENA OF THE NEW TOWN PLAZA IN SHA TIN ON SATURDAY (APRIL 29).
THE 19 BEST PROJECTS SELECTED FROM VARIOUS DISTRICTS WILL BE COMPETING FOR THE HONG KONG BEST OYS AWARD.
THE WINNER OF THE AWARD WILL BE ANNOUNCED AT A PRIZE PRESENTATION CEREMONY TO BE HELD AT 3 PM.
A TOTAL OF 126 YOUTH GROUPS PLANNING INNOVATIVE COMMUNITY SERVICE PROJECTS HAD APPLIED TO THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT IN 1988-89 FOR GRANTS UNDER THE OYS. OUT OF THESE, 111 PROJECTS WERE APPROVED.
THE APPROVED PROJECTS WERE GRANTED FUNDS UP TO A MAXIMUM OF $4,500, AND 19 BEST PROJECTS WERE CHOSEN FOR EXHIBITION.
A DEPARTMENT SPOKESMAN SAID THE OYS WAS FIRST LAUNCHED IN 1974. ITS OBJECTIVES WERE TO PROMOTE THE PERSONAL AND SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT OF YOUTH, ENCOURAGE PARTICIPATION IN COMMUNITY ACTIVITIES, AND DEVELOP THE SPIRIT OF CO-OPERATION AND MUTUAL HELP.
"THROUGH WORKING TOGETHER TOWARDS A COMMON GOAL, THE OYS OFFERS A GOOD OPPORTUNITY FOR YOUNG PEOPLE TO BROADEN THEIR SCOPE 01 KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE, BETTER UNDERSTAND THE COMMUNITY, AND ACHIEVE THE NECESSARY SATISFACTION FOR PERSONAL GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT," HE SAID.
OFFICIATING AT THE CEREMONY ON SATURDAY WILL BE THE DEPUTY DIRECTOR OF SOCIAL WELFARE, MR STEPHEN LAW, AND THE CHAIRMAN OF THE COMMITTEE ON THE PROMOTION OF CIVIC EDUCATION, DR DANIEL TSE.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
THE HONG KONG BEST OPPORTUNITIES FOR YOUTH SCHEME PROJECT EXHIBITION WILL BE HELD AT THE ENTRANCE ARENA, NEW TOWN PLAZA, SHA TIN ON SATURDAY (APRIL 29).
THE AWARD PRESENTATION CEREMONY WILL BEGIN AT 3 PM.
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE EVENT.
THURSDAY, APRIL 27, 1989
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BOE MEMBERS VISIT GOVT PRIMARY SCHOOL
*****
FIVE MEMBERS OF THE BOARD OF EDUCATION (BOE) TODAY (THURSDAY) VISITED KAI TAK GOVERNMENT PRIMARY P.M. SCHOOL WHERE 29 VIETNAMESE CHILDREN WITH HONG KONG BELONGERS' STATUS ARE STUDYING WITH LOCAL CHILDREN.
THE MEMBERS WERE MISS BOW SUI-MAY, MS SANSAN CHING, MR ANDREW SO, MR TAM MAN-KWAN AND MR DOMINIC WONG.
THEY WERE ACCOMPANIED BY THE ASSISTANT DIRECTOR OF EDUCATION (SCHOOLS), MR S.W. WONG; THE SENIOR EDUCATION OFFICER (WONG TAI SIN), MR K.K. LEUNG; AND THE BOE SECRETARY, MR P.K. CHIU.
THE GROUP WAS TOLD THAT ABOUT 210 CHILDREN ARE ENROLLED IN THE SCHOOL. THE 29 VIETNAMESE CHILDREN ARE MAKING GOOD PROGRESS AND HAVE ADAPTED WELL TO THE NEW SCHOOL ENVIRONMENT.
OF THESE VIETNAMESE CHILDREN, 26 ARE ATTENDING PRIMARY 1 AND THE OTHERS ARE IN PRIMARY 2.
THE VIETNAMESE CHILDREN FROM KAI TAK TRANSIT CENTRE WERE ADMITTED TO THE SCHOOL LAST NOVEMBER. THEY ARE OF ETHNIC CHINESE ORIGIN AND COULD COMMUNICATE IN CANTONESE.
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STUDENTS VISIT POLICE TRAINING SCHOOL
*****
TEN FINAL-YEAR STUDENTS OF SHUE YAN COLLEGE VISITED THE POLICE TRAINING SCHOOL TODAY (THURSDAY) TO SEE FOR THEMSELVES THE DIFFERENT ASPECTS OF TRAINING OF AN INSPECTOR IN THE ROYAL HONG KONG POLICE FORCE.
AS PART OF THE ONGOING RECRUITMENT PUBLICITY EXERCISE, THE VISIT IS SPECIALLY ARRANGED FOR THE FINAL-YEAR STUDENTS OF POST-SECONDARY SCHOOLS IN HONG KONG WITH AN AIM TO ENHANCE THEIR UNDERSTANDING OF THE VARIETY OF WORK AND THE CHALLENGING CAREER IN THE FORCE.
THE VISIT COMPRISED BRIEFINGS ON A WIDE RANGE OF TOPICS INCLUDING THE ORGANISATION STRUCTURE OF THE FORCE, RECRUITMENT PROCEDURES, TRAINING. DIVERSIFIED JOB OPPORTUNITIES AS WELL AS THE PROMOTION PROSPECTS OF AN INSPECTORATE OFFICER. APART FROM THESE, THE STUDENTS HAD ALSO TOURED THE CAMPUS TO SEE THE DIFFERENT TRAINING FACILITIES AND THE STUDENTS’ HOSTELS IN THE POLICE TRAINING SCHOOL.
IN ADDITION TO THE VISIT. A SERIES OF RECRUITMENT PUBLICITY ACTIVITIES SUCH AS CAREER TALK AND EXHIBITIONS WERE LAUNCHED AT THE POST-SECONDARY COLLEGES TO ATTRACT MORE YOUNG PEOPLE OF HIGH CALIBRE TO JOIN THE SERVICE.
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THURSDAY, APRIL 27, 1989
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ANNUAL REPORT ON 1988 CONSUMER PRICE INDEX PUBLISHED ♦ * ♦
THE ANNUAL REPORT ON THE CONSUMER PRICE INDEX (CPI) FOR 1988, G ING A COMPREHENSIVE ACCOUNT OF THE MOVEMENTS OF THE CPI’S DURING LAST YEAN, WAS RECENTLY PUBLISHED BY THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT.
THE REPORT ALSO INCLUDES FOUR CHARTS AND FIVE TABLES SHOWING MOVEMENTS OF THE 1984/85-BASED CPI(A) AND CPI(B) BY SECTION AND GROUP OF COMMODITY/SERVICE, AS WELL AS THEIR CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE OVERALL CHANGE IN THE INDICES.
TWO NEW FEATURES ARE INTRODUCED TO THE PUBLICATION THIS YEAR. FOR THE FIRST TIME A SEPARATE CHINESE VERSION OF THE ANNUAL REPORT IS ALSO PUBLISHED.
SECONDLY, TO HELP READERS TO OBTAIN BETTER UNDERSTANDING AND PROPER INTERPRETATION OF THE CPI’S, MORE ELABORATION ON THE CONCEPTS AND COMPUTATION METHOD OF THE CPI’S IS PROVIDED IN THE REPORT.
THE REPORT IS NOW ON SALE, AT $14 A COPY FOR BOTH THE ENGLISH AND CHINESE VERSIONS, AT THE GOVERNMENT PUBLICATIONS CENTRE, GPO BUILDING, GROUND FLOOR, CONNAUGHT PLACE, CENTRAL AND THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT, 19TH FLOOR, WANCHAI TOWER I, 12 HARBOUR ROAD, WAN CHAI, HONG KONG.
ENQUIRIES CONCERNING THIS REPORT CAN BE DIRECTED TO THE CONSUMER PRICE INDEX SECTION OF THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT ON 5-8235089.
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SUPPLY OF NON-CONFIDENTIAL ESTABLISHMENT PARTICULARS
*****
THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT MAINTAINS A COMPREHENSIVE AND UP-TO-DATE COMPUTERISED CENTRAL REGISTER OF AROUND 350,000 ESTABLISHMENTS IN HONG KONG TO SERVE MAINLY AS THE SAMPLING FRAME FOR THE DEPARTMENT’S SURVEYS ON BUSINESS UNDERTAKINGS.
MANY OTHER GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS ALSO MAKE USE OF THE REGISTER FOR PUBLICITY, SURVEY AND RESEARCH WORK.
THE PRIVATE SECTOR CAN ALSO BENEFIT FROM THE REGISTER BY MAKING USE OF NON-CONFIDENTIAL ESTABLISHMENT PARTICULARS RECORDED IN IT FOR MARKET RESEARCH, STATISTICAL SURVEY, BUSINESS AND PRODUCT PROMOTION PURPOSES.
/IN THIS .......
THURSDAY, APRIL 27, 1989 <
- -
IN THIS CONNECTION, APPLICATIONS CAN BE MADE TO THE CENTRAL REGISTER SECTION OF THE DEPARTMENT FOR THE SUPPLY OF A PHOTOCOPY OR A MAGNETIC TAPE OF THE LISTING OF NON-CONF1DENT1AL PARTICULARS SUCH AS THE NAME, THE ADDRESS, THE MAJOR TYPE OF BUSINESS ACTIVITY AND THE EMPLOYMENT SIZE CLASS OF INDIVIDUAL ESTABLISHMENTS.
A CHARGE WILL BE LEVIED FOR THIS SERVICE, AND THE RATES ARE AS FOLLOWS:
(A) $2.50 PER PHOTOCOPY, AND
(B) A MINIMUM CHARGE OF $340 FOR A JOB REQUIRING UP TO 20 CRU'S (COMPUTER RESOURCES UNIT) PLUS $17 FOR EACH CRU IN EXCESS OF 20 CRU’S IF THE INFORMATION IS REQUIRED ON MAGNETIC TAPES TO BE PROVIDED BY THE APPLICANT.
FURTHER DETAILS ABOUT THE SERVICE CAN BE OBTAINED BY CALLING THE CENTRAL REGISTER SECTION OF THE DEPARTMENT ON 5-8234760.
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WATER SUSPENSION TO TWO NT AREAS ♦ ♦ * ♦ t
FRESH WATER SUPPLY TO CERTAIN PREMISES IN SHEUNG SHUI WILL BE SUSPENDED FROM 9 PM TOMORROW (FRIDAY) TO 8 AM THE NEXT DAY TO FACILITATE WATER PIPE CONNECTION WORKS.
THE AFFECTED AREA INCLUDES ALL VILLAGES ALONG MAN KAM TO ROAD FROM BRIDGE NO.l TO MUK WU, INCLUDING HUNG KIU SAN TSUEN, FU TEI AU ROAD, LO WU BARRACKS CAMP, LO WU TSUEN, TAK YUET LAU TSUEN, LIU PO TSUEN, SHA LENG SAN TSUEN, SAN UK LENG TSUEN, MUK WU TSUEN AND NGA YIU TSUEN.
ALSO, POTABLE WATER SUPPLY TO CERTAIN PREMISES IN YUEN LONG WILL BE SUSPENDED FROM 9 PM ON MONDAY (MAY 1) TO 6 AM THE NEXT DAY TO FACILITATE WATER WORKS.
THE AFFECTED AREA IS BOUNDED BY HA TSUEN, SHEK KONG TSUEN, SHEK KONG WAI, LO UK TSUEN, SAN WAI, TSEUNG KONG WAI, TUNG TAU TSUEN, FUNG KONG TSUEN, SHA KONG WAI, SAN HING TSUEN, LAU FAU SHAN, HANG HAU TSUEN, FUK LO TSUEN, NGAU HOM, HANG MEI TSUEN, NGAU HOM SHEK, PAT LAI, SHA KIU TSUEN, SAI SHAN TSUEN, KAU LEE UK TSUEN AND SAN UK TSUEN.
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DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL: 5-8428777
FRIDAY, APRIL 28, 1989
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
APPOINTMENT OF SFC NON-EXECUTIVE DIRECTORS .................. 1
COMMENCEMENT OF SECURITIES AND FUTURES COMMISSION ORDINANCE 1989 ....................................................... 2
REGISTRATION OF DEPOSIT-TAKING COMPANY REVOKED............... 2
SGD UPDATES AMERICANS ON DEVELOPMENTS IN HK ................. 3
PORT OF HK TO ENVISAGE EXPONENTIAL GROWTH ................... 4
EC SINGLE MARKET MIGHT AFFECT INVESTMENT TO HK............... 6
MANAGEMENT SYSTEM MIGHT SOLVE SOME PROBLEMS IN HOSPITAL SERVICES ................................................... 7
AGLESO URGED TO STOP INDUSTRIAL ACTION ..................... 10
AMENDMENT TO DRaFT QUaRRY BAY OZP ANNOUNCED................. 11
ROAD EXTENSIONS IN Ma ON SHAN............................... 12
NEW ROADS PLANED FOR JUNK BAY DEVELOPMENTS.................. 13
NEW ROAD IN TUEN MUN ....................................... 14
ROADWORKS IN FaNLING LUEN WO MARKET ........................ 15
STRUCTURES FOR BOATYARD PURPOSE AT A KUNG NGaM.............. 16
BUS GATE FOR USE BY FRANCHISED BUSES ONLY................... 16
CHEUNG CHaU LOT TO BE SOLD BY TENDER........................ 17
KOWLOON PARK DRIVE FLYOVER TC BE BUILT...................... 18
ONE MORE WEEK FOR EMPLOYER’S kETURNS........................ 19
SCS VISITS INL.iND REVENUE DEPARTMENT ...................... 19
NEW ID CARDS FOR WOMEN BORN IN 1951-53...................... 20
AREA COMMITTEES’ ROLE PRalSED............................... 21
CLEaN FOOD HYGIENE URGED.................................... 22
TELEPHONE aDVISORY SERVICE FOR VISITORS TO UK EXTENDED..... 23
APPLICATIONS FOR HOLDING FLAG DAYS IN 1990 ................. 24
LAST CHANCE FOR RESIDENTS TO PLaNT TREES................... 26
HCME SAFETY EXHIBITION IN TUEN MUN......................... 27
ANOTHER MINIATURE TOWN TO PRChCTE RCid) SAFETY.............. 27
1988 ANNUAL STAMP PACK ON SALE.............................. 28
CSD DONATES TO CHARIT/lBLE ORGANISATIONS.................... 28
TEMPORARY CLOSURE OF TSUEN WAN ROaD ........................ 28
FRIDAY, APRIL 28, 1989
1 APPOINTMENT OF SFC NON-EXECUTIVE DIRECTORS ♦ * t t *
THE GOVERNOR HAS APPOINTED MR DENIS CHANG KHEN-LEE, MR THOMAS CHEN TSENG-TAO, MR DENYS CONNOLLY, MR FRANK FRAME AND MR PETER WONG HONG-YUEN AS NON-EXECUTIVE DIRECTORS OF THE SECURITIES AND FUTURES COMMISSION (SFC) FROM MAY 1 THIS YEAR, THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY, MR PIERS JACOBS, ANNOUNCED TODAY (FRIDAY).
HE SAID THE NON-EXECUTIVE DIRECTORS WOULD BRING AN INDEPENDENT VIEW TO THE MANAGEMENT AND ORGANISATION OF THE SFC, AND WOULD BE FULLY INVOLVED IN ITS POLICY DEVELOPMENT.
UNDER SECTION 5 OF THE SFC ORDINANCE, THE GOVERNOR SHALL APPOINT NOT LESS THAN EIGHT DIRECTORS TO THE SFC, HALF OF WHOM SHALL BE NON-EXECUTIVE DIRECTORS.
BOTH MR DENYS CONNOLLY AND MR PETER WONG HONG-YUEN ARE CURRENTLY MEMBERS OF THE SECURITIES COMMISSION WHICH WILL BE DISSOLVED UPON THE ESTABLISHMENT OF THE SFC ON MAY 1.
’’THEIR APPOINTMENT TO THE SFC WILL HELP PROVIDE CONTINUITY FOR THE NEW REGULATORY AUTHORITY,” MR JACOBS SAID.
MR DENIS CHANG KHEN-LEE, AGED 45, IS A PRACTISING BARRISTER AND A PAST CHAIRMAN OF THE HONG KONG BAR ASSOCIATION. HE IS ALSO A MEMBER OF THE PROVISIONAL HOSPITAL AUTHORITY AND THE INLAND REVENUE BOARD OF REVIEW.
MR THOMAS CHEN TSENG-TAO, AGED 64, IS THE CHAIRMAN OF HANG LUNG DEVELOPMENT CO. LTD AND AMOY PROPERTIES LTD, HE IS ALSO A MEMBER OF THE LAND DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION.
MR DENYS CONNOLLY, AGED 57, IS A QUALIFIED ACCOUNTANT AND MEMBER OF THE STANDING COMMITTEE ON COMPANY LAW REFORM.
MR FRANK FRAME, AGED 59, IS THE DEPUTY CHAIRMAN OF THE HONGKONG AND SHANGHAI BANKING CORPORATION. HE IS ALSO A MEMBER OF THE CORRUPTION PREVENTION ADVISORY COMMITTEE OF THE INDEPENDENT COMMISSION AGAINST CORRUPTION.
MR PETER WONG HONG-YUEN, AGED 15, IS A LEGISLATIVE COUNCILLOR AND A PAST CHAIRMAN OF THE HONG KONG SOCIETY OF ACCOUNTANTS. HE IS ALSO AN ADJUDICATOR ON BOTH THE IMMIGRATION TRIBUNAL AND THE REGISTRATION OF PERSONS TRIBUNAL.
THE APPOINTMENTS ARE FOR PERIODS RANGING FROM ONE TO TWO YEARS.
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FRIDAY, APRIL 28, 1989
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COMMENCEMENT OF SECURITIES AND FUTURES COMMISSION ORDINANCE 1989 * * t *
MOST OF THE PROVISIONS IN THE SECURITIES AND FUTURES COMMISSION (SFC) ORDINANCE, ENACTED ON APRIL 13 THIS YEAR WILL BE BROUGHT INTO EFFECT ON MAY 1, THE SECRETARY FOR MONETARY AFFAIRS, MR DAVID NENDICK, SAID TODAY (FRIDAY).
UNDER SECTION 1(2) OF THE SFC ORDINANCE, THE GOVERNOR HAS APPOINTED MAY 1, 1989 AS THE ESTABLISHMENT DAY FOR THE SFC.
THE OFFICE OF THE COMMISSIONER FOR SECURITIES AND COMMODITIES TRADING WILL BE DISESTABLISHED UPON ESTABLISHMENT OF THE SFC AND ALL ITS DUTIES AND FUNCTIONS WILL BE TRANSFERRED TO THE SFC.
"ALL PROVISIONS OF THE SFC ORDINANCE, EXCEPT SECTIONS 27(1) TO (8), 30, 31 AND 32, AND THE REPEAL OF SECTIONS 122 AND 123 OF THE SECURITIES ORDINANCE (CAP.333) IN SCHEDULE 2, SHALL COME INTO OPERATION UPON THE ESTABLISHMENT OF THE SFC,” MR NENDICK SAID.
SECTION 27(1) TO (8) OF THE ORDINANCE REQUIRIES ALL REGISTERED PERSONS TO NOTIFY THE SFC OF THE PREMISES WHERE THEIR RECORDS ARE TO BE KEPT.
SECTION 31 ENABLES THE SFC TO OBTAIN INFORMATION RELATING TO TRANSACTIONS IN SECURITIES, FUTURES CONTRACTS AND PROPERTY INVESTMENT ARRANGEMENTS.
"WE ARE DEFERRING THE COMMENCEMENT OF THESE TWO SECTIONS IN ORDER TO GIVE SUFFICIENT TIME FOR BOTH THE REGISTERED PERSONS TO PREPARE THEMSELVES FOR COMPLIANCE WITH THE NEW REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS AND FOR THE SFC TO PREPARE RULES AND GUIDELINES FOR THE KEEPING OF RECORDS,” MR NENDICK EXPLAINED.
OTHER PROVISIONS WHICH WILL NOT BE BROUGHT INTO EFFECT ARE CONSEQUENTIAL TO THE DEFERRAL IN COMMENCING THE ABOVE TWO SECTIONS.
”THE DEFERRAL IN BRINGING THESE PROVISIONS INTO OPERATION WILL NOT AFFECT THE INITIAL OPERATIONS OF THE SFC. WE INTEND TO BRING THEM INTO EFFECT IN THE COURSE OF THE NEXT FEW MONTHS WHEN BOTH THE MARKETS AND THE SFC ARE READY,” HE SAID.
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REGISTRATION OF DEPOSIT-TAKING COMPANY REVOKED t t * * *
THE COMMISSIONER OF BANKING ANNOUNCED THAT THE REGISTRATION OF GULF FINANCE CO. 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.
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FRIDAY, APRIL 28, 1989
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SGD UPDATES AMERICANS ON DEVELOPMENTS IN UK
******
SCHOLARS AND EXPERTS IN ASIA-PACIFIC AFFAIRS MEETING IN THE AMERICAN CITY OF ATLANTA, GEORGIA, WERE YESTERDAY (APRIL 27) GIVEN AN UPDATE BY THE SECRETARY FPR GENERAL DUTIES, MR BARRIE WIGGHAM, ON THE DEVELOPMENTS IN HONG KONG SINCE THE SIGNING OF THE JOINT DECLARATION.
MR WIGGHAM WHO IS ON A SPEAKING TOUR OF THE UNITED STATES, WAS THE KEYNOTE SPEAKER AT A MAJOR ANNUAL SEMINAR ON THE ASIA-PACIFIC JOINTLY ORGANISED BY THE SOUTHERN CENTRE FOR INTERNATIONAL STUDIES, THE EAST-WEST CENTRE, HONOLULU, HAWAII AND THE GEORGIA CONSORTIUM.
MR WIGGHAM TOLD THE AUDIENCE OF ABOUT 100 STATE GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS, ACADEMICS, BUSINESSMEN AND MEDIA WHO ATTENDED THE TWO-DAY SEMINAR THAT HONG KONG'S ECONOMY HAD GROWN AT A TREMENDOUS RATE SINCE THE SIGNING OF THE AGREEMENT - IT HAD AVERAGED AROUND 11 PER CENT OVER THE LAST THREE YEARS.
HE POINTED TO HONG KONG'S RECORD LOW UNEMPLOYMENT RATE, CONTINUING INVESTMENT IN PLANT AND MACHINERY, INCREASING FOREIGN INVESTMENT FROM THE U.S., JAPAN AND CHINA, THE EXPLOSION IN THE RE-EXPORT TRADE WITH CHINA AND MASSIVE INFRASTRUCTURAL PROJECTS FINANCED BY BOTH THE GOVERNMENT AND PRIVATE SECTOR WITH PAYBACK PERIODS WELL INTO THE NEXT CENTURY AS EVIDENCE OF LOCAL AND FOREIGN INVESTORS' CONFIDENCE IN THE FUTURE.
IN DISCUSSING THE BASIC LAW, MR WIGGHAM POINTED OUT THAT HONG KONG WAS NOW IN THE MIDST OF A SECOND ROUND OF CONSULTATION. HE NOTED A NUMBER OF IMPROVEMENTS HAD BEEN MADE IN THE SECOND DRAFT AS A RESULT OF PUBLIC COMMENTS LAST YEAR ON THE FIRST DRAFT.
"THE DRAFTERS HAVE THEMSELVES ACKNOWLEDGED THAT THE DRAFT IS STILL NOT PERFECT AND IS TO BE FURTHER AMENDED IN THE LIGHT OF PUBLIC REACTION.
"BASED ON EXPERIENCE THE FIRST TIME ROUND, THERE IS NO REASON TO BELIEVE THAT REMAINING CONCERNS WILL NOT BE ADDRESSED IN AN EFFORT TO REACH CONSENSUS ON THE BEST POSSIBLE BASIC LAW TO TAKE HONG KONG SMOOTHLY INTO THE NEXT CENTURY," HE SAID.
LISTING THE MANY ACHIEVEMENTS OF THE JOINT LIAISON GROUP, MR WIGGHAM SAID THE EXPERIENCE OF WORKING TOGETHER WITH THE CHINESE HAD CONFIRMED THE CHINESE COMMITMENT TO WORKING FOR THE CONTINUE') PROSPERITY AND STABILITY FOR A SMOOTH TRANSFER IN 1997.
HE SAID THIS COMMITMENT HAD BEEN UNDERLINED BY A LONG LIST OF PRACTICAL ACHIEVEMENTS THAT HAD SET HONG KONG WELL ON THE ROAD TO A SUCCESSFUL FUTURE.
MR WIGGHAM SAID 1997 WAS THE GREATEST CHALLENGE HONG KONG HAD YET FACED - "BUT I AM CONVINCED THAT 1997 OFFERS HONG KONG AND ITS PEOPLE THEIR GREATEST OPPORTUNITY YET.”
/ACCOMPANIED BY .......
FRIDAY, APRIL 28, 1989
4
ACCOMPANIED BY MR KERRY MCGLYNN, DIRECTOR OF THE HONG KONG ECONOMIC AND TRADE OFFICE IN NEW YORK, MR WIGGHAM BEGAN HIS TOUR ON WEDNESDAY IN NASHVILLE, THE CAPITOL OF THE STATE OF TENNESSEE WHERE HE MET THE STATE GOVERNOR MR NED MCWHERTER.
MR WIGGHAM URGED GOVERNOR MCWHERTER TO FOLLOW THE EXAMPLE OF OTHER AMERICAN STATES AND PORT AUTHORITIES BY ESTABLISHING A TENNESSEE OFFICE IN HONG KONG WHICH WOULD ENABLE THE STATE TO CAPITALISE ON THE TREMENDOUS OPPORTUNITIES FOR DOING BUSINESS NOT ONLY WITH HONG KONG, BUT USING IT AS A SPRINGBOARD FOR DOING BUSINESS WITH CHINA AND THE PACIFIC RIM.
DURING THE DAY MR WIGGHAM ALSO MET OTHER OFFICIALS INLCUDING MR CARL JOHNSON, COMMISSIONER OF TENNESSEE’S DEPARTMENT OF ECONOMIC AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT, FOR BRIEFINGS AND DISCUSSIONS ON HONG KONG AND THE OPPORTUNITIES FOR TWO-WAY TRADE AND INVESTMENTS.
IN THE EVENING HE WAS GUEST OF THE DISTRICT DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE OFFICE AT A RECEPTION HELD AS PART OF THE FIFTH ANNUAL TENNESSEE WORLD TRADE CONFERENCE HELD IN THE CITY.
TODAY, MR WIGGHAM FLIES TO JACKSON, CAPITOL OF MISSISSIPPI, WHERE HE WILL BE THE KEYNOTE SPEAKER AT THE LEADING EDGE SEMINAR ORGANISED BY THE UNIVERSITIES CENTRE OF JACKSON STATE UNIVERSITY WHICH REPRESENTS THE MAJOR INSTITUTES OF LEARNING IN THE STATE.
THE SEMINAR IS TO BE ATTENDED BY LEADERS OF THE GOVERNMENT, BUSINESS, TRADING AND ACADEMIC COMMUNITIES IN JACKSON.
-------0----------
PORT OF HK TO ENVISAGE EXPONENTIAL GROWTH
* ♦ * t t
THE PORT OF HONG KONG WILL ENVISAGE EXPONENTIAL GROWTH OVER THE NEXT 22 YEARS TO 2011. THE DEPUTY DIRECTOR OF MARINE, MR IAN STRACHAN, SAID IN MIAMI, FLORIDA LAST NIGHT (APRIL 27).
HE WAS ADDRESSING THE WORKING SESSION OF THE 16TH PORTS CONFERENCE BEING HELD FROM APRIL 22 TO 28. THE CONFERENCE IS ORGANISED BIENNIALLY BY THE INTERNATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF PORTS AND HARBOURS.
"TAKING 1986 AS THE BASE YEAR, REAL GROSS DOMESTIC PRODUCT (GDP) IN HONG KONG WILL GROW 400 PER CENT UP TO THE YEAR 2011,” MR STRACHAN SAID.
"TO PUT THIS INTO PERSPECTIVE, GDP PER CAPITA IN 1989 IS ESTIMATED TO BE US$11,000.
"IN TONNAGE TERMS WE EXPECT, OVER THIS 25 YEAR PERIOD, TOTAL IMPORTS TO GROW BY 740 PER CENT, RE-EXPORTS BY 1,300 PER CENT, DOMESTIC EXPORTS BY 470 PER CENT AND TRANSHIPMENTS BY 1,490 PER CENT."
/MR STRACHAN .......
FRIDAY, APRIL 28, 1989
5 -
MR STRACHAN SAID THIS WHILE HE WAS PRESENTING A DISCUSSION PAPER PREPARED BY THE DIRECTOR OF MARINE, MR DERICK HALL, FOR THE PORTS CONFERENCE.
IN THE PAPER WHICH IS ENTITLED "THE PORT OF HONG KONG: CURRENT SITUATION AND FUTURE PROSPECTS", MR HALL GAVE A COMPREHENSIVE ANALYSIS OF THE PORT, FROM ITS PRESENT FACILITIES AND OPERATION TO ITS POSSIBLE AMBITIOUS PLANS FOR EXPANSIONS AND ITS RELATIONS WITH CHINA’S DEVELOPMENTS.
MR STRACHAN POINTED OUT THAT IT WAS CLEAR THAT THE MASSIVE INFRASTRUCTURAL GROWTH REQUIRED FOR THE PORT DEMANDED THE MOST CAREFUL PLANNING AND STUDY.
HE SAID HONG KONG WAS ONE OF THE WORLD’S BUSIEST PORTS WITH VESSELS OF ALL SHAPES AND SIZES CRISS-CROSSING THE CROWDED HARBOUR.
"SHIPS FROM MORE THAN 200 LINES, FLYING THE FLAGS OF 70 COUNTRIES TRADE BETWEEN HONG KONG AND WORLD PORTS.
"TO MEET EVER INCREASING DEMANDS BEING PLACED UPON THE PORT, HONG KONG HAS EMBARKED UPON THE INSTALLATION OF A VESSEL TRAFFIC MANAGEMENT SYSTEM," HE SAID.
THE SYSTEM, WHICH WOULD BE THE WORLD’S MOST UP-TO-DATE SYSTEM, WOULD COMMENCE OPEATION LATER THIS SUMMER, HE ADDED.
TURNING TO CONTAINER HANDLING, MR STRACHAN SAID HONG KONG WAS CURRENTLY THE WORLD'S NUMBER ONE IN TERMS OF THROUGHPUT WHICH, IN 1988, TOTALLED JUST OVER FOUR MILLION TEU’S, 25 PER CENT OF WHICH WAS HANDLED MID-STREAM.
AT A PROJECTED GROWTH OF 14 PER CENT PER ANNUM UP TO 1995, IT WAS ENVISAGED THAT HONG KONG COULD BY THEN BE HANDLING 7.5 MILLION TEU’S AT CONTAINER TERMINALS AND A FURTHER 2.5 MILLION TEU’S MID-STREAM, TOTALLING 10 MILLION TEU’S, HE ADDED.
ON THE GROWING IMPORTANCE OF THE PORT. MR STRACHAN NOTED THAT HONG KONG HAD A WELL SHELTERED, NATURAL DEEP WATER HARBOUR AND WAS NAVIGABLE THROUGHOUT THE YEAR.
"WITH 150 YEARS OF PORT EXPERIENCE BEHIND IT HONG KONG HAS ATTAINED INTERNATIONAL RECOGNITION," HE SAID.
ITS STRATEGIC LOCATION ON FAR EAST TRADE ROUTES AND ITS CENTRAL POSITION IN THE FAST GROWING ASIA-PACIFIC BASIN WERE WELL RECOGNISED FACTORS, HE ADDED.
MR STRACHAN, HOWEVER, ALSO POINTED OUT THAT THE ECONOMIC AND INDUSTRIAL DEVELOPMENT IN SOUTHERN CHINA WAS A NEW FACTOR WHICH WAS NOW SPIRALLING HONG KONG'S GROWTH.
/HE SAID .......
FRIDAY, APRIL 28, 1989
HE SAID LAST YEAR GUANGDONG PROVINCE REGISTERED 15 PER CENT GDP GROWTH AND 31 PER CENT INDUSTRIAL GROWTH; THE LATTER WAS FORECAST BY EXPERTS TO RISE BY 20 PER CENT THIS YEAR.
“THE CHINA FACTOR HAS BECOME THE MAIN IMPETUS TO THE GROWTH OF OUR PORT.
"WE CONFIDENTLY EXPECT THAT HONG KONG CAN AND WILL RETAIN ITS LEADING POSITION AS A PORT SERVICING BOTH THE REGION AND SOUTH CHINA," MR STRACHAN SAID.
- 0 - -
EC SINGLE MARKET MIGHT AFFECT INVESTMENT TO HK t ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦
THE ACTING DIRECTOR OF INDUSTRY, MR ANDREW LEUNG KIN-PONG, TODAY (FRIDAY) NOTED THAT THE CREATION OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITY (EC) SINGLE MARKET SYSTEM IN 1992 MIGHT KEEP SOME OVERSEAS INVESTMENT AWAY FROM HONG KONG.
ONCE THE INTERNAL EUROPEAN MARKET WAS ESTABLISHED. MR LEUNG SAID, INVESTMENT BY EUROPEAN COMPANIES IN PRODUCTION MIGHT CONCENTRATE INSIDE EC BOUNDARIES TO AN EVEN GREATER EXTENT.
HE NOTED THAT SOME POTENTIAL OVERSEAS INVESTORS IN HONG KONG’S MANUFACTURING INDUSTRIES, INCLUDING AMERICAN AND JAPANESE COMPANIES, HAD CONCLUDED THAT, TO EXPORT TO EUROPE, THEY SHOULD BE BASED IN EUROPE RATHER THAN HONG KONG TO COMPLY WITH ANY INCREASE IN THE PROPORTION OF LOCAL VALUE ADDED TO PRODUCTS THAT THE COMMUNITY MIGHT REQUIRE.
MR LEUNG SAID, IF HONG KONG FAILED TO ATTRACT OVERSEAS INVESTMENT TO ITS MANUFACTURING INDUSTRIES, IT MIGHT HINDER THE GROWTH OF TECHNOLOGY TRANSFER, PRODUCT DIVERSIFICATION AND TECHNOLOGICAL ADVANCEMENT IN LOCAL PRODUCTION INDUSTRIES.
TURNING TO THE CAPABILITY OF HONG KONG MANUFACTURERS, MR LEUNG SAID HE COULD FORESEE THAT PRODUCTION FOR ALL EC COUNTRIES WOULD BE UNIFORM AND LARGER PRODUCTION RUNS WOULD BECOME POSSIBLE AFTER 1992.
HOWEVER, THE GENERALLY LARGER MANUFACTURERS OF EUROPE, THE
USA AND JAPAN ARE LIKELY TO BE BETTER ABLE, THAN SMALL HONG KONG MANUFACTURERS, TO BENEFIT FROM ECONOMIES OF SCALE IN MANUFACTURING AND DISTRIBUTION," HE SAID.
OUT OF THE 50,000 MANUFACTURING COMPANIES IN HONG KONG, MR LEUNG SAID, ONLY ONE PER CENT HAD A WORKFORCE OF OVER 200.
IF HONG KONG WAS TO CATER FOR THE EUROPEAN MARKET WITH A POPULATION OF 3.2 BILLION, LOCAL MANUFACTURERS HAD TO CONTINUE TO INVEST IN PRODUCTIVITY, QUALITY AND INNOVATIVE CAPABILITY, HE SAID.
/MR LEUNG
FRIDAY, APRIL 28, 1989
MR LEUNG AGREED THAT 1992 WAS STILL NEARLY FOUR YEARS AWAY AND SOME OF THE COMMUNITY'S PROPOSALS RELATING TO THE EUROPEAN INTERNAL MARKET WERE THE FOCUS OF INTENSE DEBATE WITHIN EUROPE ITSELF.
"AT PRESENT, NO ONE KNOWS EXACTLY WHAT ALL THE IMPLICATIONS OF THE EUROPEAN INTERNAL MARKET WILL BE.
’’ONLY ONE THING IS CERTAIN: WHETHER HONG KONG'S MANUFACTURERS ARE ABLE TO REAP BENEFITS FROM THIS MAJOR DEVELOPMENT ULTIMATELY DEPENDS ON THEIR FLEXIBILITY AND CAPABILITIES TO MEET TECHNICAL AND OTHER STANDARDS ADOPTED BY THE EC AS A WHOLE," MR LEUNG SAID.
HE ADDED THAT THE GOVERNMENT, AND IN PARTICULAR THE INDUSTRY DEPARTMENT, HAD BEEN PURSUING THE GROWTH IN MANUFACTURING AND WERE MUCH CONCERNED ABOUT ITS LONG-TERM COMPETITIVENESS.
MR LEUNG BELIEVED LOCAL MANUFACTURING OPERATIONS REQUIRED A HIGHER LEVEL OF TECHNOLOGY AND MANAGERIAL EXPERTISE AND THE HONG KONG PRODUCTIVITY COUNCIL WAS WELL-PLACED TO OFFER SERVICE IN THESE AREAS.
MOREOVER
CAMPAIGN WOULD
COMPREHENSIVE ।
A MAJOR, BE LAUNCHED
SUSTAINED QUALITY
THIS
QUALITY MANAGEMENT
YEAR TO SYSTEMS,
ASSURANCE PROMOTE THE TOGETHER
IMPROVEMENT
CONCEPT OF
WITH THE
CRYSTALLISATION OF THE TECHNOLOGY CENTRE AND SCIENCE PARK PROJECTS
MR LEUNG WAS CONFIDENT THAT THE GOVERNMENT'S INITIATIVE IN
THIS FIELD WOULD CONTINUE.
-------0----------
MANAGEMENT SYSTEM MIGHT SOLVE SOME PROBLEMS IN HOSPITAL SERVICES
t t t t t
THE ESTABLISHMENT OF THE HOSPITAL AUTHORITY MIGHT NOT SOLVE ALL THE PROBLEMS OVERNIGHT, BUT THE CREATION OF A MORE UP-TO-DATE MANAGEMENT SYSTEM, FREED FROM THE TIGHT CONSTRAINTS OF THE CIVIL SERVICE FINANCIAL AND STAFF REGULATIONS, SHOULD MAKE IT EASIER TO RESOLVE MANY OF THE PROBLEMS WHICH AFFECT THE PROVISION OF HOSPITAL SERVICES.
THIS WAS STATED TODAY (FRIDAY) BY THE SECRETARY GENERAL OF THE PROVISIONAL HOSPITAL AUTHORITY, MR JOHN CHAMBERS WHEN HE ADDRESSED A LUNCHEON MEETING OF THE HONG KONG ASSOCIATION OF THE PHARMACEUTICAL INDUSTRY.
MR CHAMBERS POINTED OUT THAT ONE OF THE MAJOR PROBLEMS WITH THE PRESENT SYSTEM WAS THE VERY UNEVEN UTILISATION OF THE RESOURCES AVAILABLE.
"SEVERAL OF THE MAJOR GOVERNMENT HOSPITALS ARE GROSSLY OVERCROWDED, WITH CAMP-BEDS A REGULAR FEATURE OF MANY WARDS, WHILE OTHER HOSPITALS WITHIN A RELATIVELY SHORT DISTANCE HAVE QUITE A LARGE PROPORTION OF EMPTY BEDS." HE SAID.
Air chambers .......
FRIDAY, APRIL 28, 19$9
8 -
MR CHAMBERS SAID THE DECISION TO SET UP A STATUTORY HOSPITAL AUTHORITY WHICH WOULD BRING TOGETHER THE TWO ELEMENTS OF THE PRESENT PUBLIC HOSPITAL SYSTEM, THE GOVERNMENT HOSPITALS AND THE SO-CALLED SUBVERTED OR SUBSIDISED HOSPITALS, WAS TO CREATE A SINGLE ORGANISATION OUTSIDE THE CIVIL SERVICE, MAKING IT POSSIBLE TO INTRODUCE MUCH GREATER FLEXIBILITY, AS WELL AS NEW MANAGEMENT METHODS.
THE RESPONSIBILITY OF THE PHA APPOINTED LATE LAST SUMMER, WAS TO ADVISE ON THE MOST APPROPRIATE STRUCTURE FOR THE STATUTORY HOSPITAL AUTHORITY PLANNED TO BE SET UP ON APRIL 1, 1990, HE
EXPLAINED.
OUTLINING THE WORK PROGRESS OF THE SIX COMMITTEES UNDER THE PHA TO TACKLE VARIOUS TASKS FOR THE FORMAL ESTABLISHMENT OF THE STATUTORY BODY, MR CHAMBERS SAID THE NEW ORGANISATION WAS BEGINNING TO EMERGE.
"THERE IS STILL MUCH TO BE DONE, INCLUDING SUCH UNPREDICTABLE ASPECTS AS THE ENACTMENT OF THE LEGISLATION AND THE IDENTIFICATION AND RECRUITMENT OF THE KEY PEOPLE IN THE NEW SYSTEM.
"SOME OF THESE THINGS ARE OF COURSE’oUTSIDE THE CONTROL OF THE PHA, BUT SO FAR AS THE WORK OF THE AUTHORITY IS CONCERNED I CAN ASSURE YOU THAT THERE IS A GREAT DETERMINATION AMONG THE MEMBERS AND STAFF OF THE PHA TO GET THE JOB DONE ON TIME," HE ADDED.
MR CHAMBERS SAID HE PERSONALLY BELIEVED VERY STRONGLY THAT THE NEW ARRANGEMENTS WOULD GREATLY IMPROVE THE MANAGEMENT OF HONG KONG’S PUBLIC HOSPITAL SYSTEM, AND THAT THE SOONER THEY WERE IN OPERATION THE BETTER FOR ALL CONCERNED.
HE SAID THAT THE PHA SHOULD BE PUTTING SOON TO THE GOVERNMENT PROPOSALS ON THE OVERALL MANAGEMENT STRUCTURE WHICH WERE BEING WORKED OUT BY ONE OF THE SIX COMMITTEES - THE AUTHORITY STRUCTURE COMMITTEE.
THE PROPOSED MANAGEMENT STRUCTURE WILL HAVE THREE LEVELS --THE MAIN AUTHORITY BOARD AND HEADQUARTERS, AN INTERMEDIATE REGIONAL LEVEL AND THE INDIVIDUAL HOSPITALS.
IT IS THE INTENTION TO GIVE AS MUCH POWER AS POSSIBLE FOR DAY-TO-DAY MANAGEMENT TO THE HOSPITALS, WHILE THE CENTRAL LEVEL WILL BE RESPONSIBLE FOR OVERALL POLICIES AND STANDARDS, AS WELL AS THE ALLOCATION OF RESOURCES.
"THE REGIONAL LEVEL WILL HAVE A CO-ORDINATING FUNCTION AND WILL ALSO PROVIDE, IN THE REGIONAL COMMITTEES, A FORUM FOR THE INVOLVEMENT OF THE INDIVIDUAL HOSPITALS AND THE PEOPLE OF THE REGIONS IN THE MANAGEMENT OF THE SYSTEM," MR CHAMBERS EXPLAINED.
ANOTHER COMMITTEE, THE HOSPITAL MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE, HAD BEEN EXAMINING THE PROPOSALS IN THE SCOTT CONSULTANTS’ REPORT FOR THE MANAGEMENT OF INDIVIDUAL HOSPITALS AND HAD MADE GOOD PROGRESS IN DESIGNING A MANAGEMENT MODEL WHICH COULD BE USED AS THE BASIS FOR THE NEW SYSTEM, MR CHAMBERS SAID.
/HE POINTED .......
FRIDAY, APRIL 28, 1989
HE POINTED OUT THAT SINCE THE HOSPITALS VARIED WIDELY IN SIZE AND RANGE OF FUNCTIONS THIS MODEL WOULD NEED TO BE ADAPTED TO MEET THE NEEDS OF INDIVIDUAL HOSPITALS.
THE FINANCE COMMITTEE'S MAJOR CONCERNS AT THIS STAGE ARE THE WAY IN WHICH THE GOVERNMENT SUBSIDY WILL BE PROVIDED AND HOW FUNDS WILL BE ALLOCATED TO THE HOSPITALS.
"IT HAS ALSO SET UP A WORKING GROUP TO EXAMINE MORE DETAILED FINANCIAL ISSUES SUCH AS ACCOUNTING METHODS AND FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT INFORMATION SYSTEMS, WHICH WILL PLAY A VERY IMPORTANT ROLE IN MANAGING THE NEW SYSTEM," MR CHAMBERS ADDED.
MR CHAMBERS POINTED OUT THAT THE STAFFING COMMITTEE HAD RECENTLY APPOINTED A FIRM OF CONSULTANTS TO ADVISE ON THE VERY DIFFICULT TASK OF CREATING A NEW UNIFIED PACKAGE OF PAY AND BENEFITS FOR ALL STAFF IN THE PUBLIC HOSPITAL SYSTEM.
SINCE THE HOSPITAL AUTHORITY WAS TO BE A STATUTORY BODY, AN ORDINANCE WOULD BE REQUIRED TO GIVE LEGAL EFFECT TO THE ARRANGEMENTS, MR CHAMBERS NOTED.
"THIS IS THE TASK OF THE LEGISLATION COMMITTEE, WHICH HAS RECENTLY AGREED AN OUTLINE OF THE CONTENTS OF THE DILL, WHICH WILL ENABLE AN EARLY START TO BE MADE ON THE DRAFTING," HE SAID.
THE SIXTH COMMITTEE, THE INTEGRATION COMMITTEE, WHICH HAS THE TASK OF ADVISING ON THE INTEGRATION OF THE VARIOUS TYPES OF HOSPITAL INTO THE NEW SYSTEM HAS RECENTLY COMPLETED A SERIES OF DISCUSSIONS WITH THE SUBVENTED HOSPITAL BOARDS, IN ORDER TO LEARN AT FIRST HAND ABOUT THEIR CONCERNS.
"IT IS NOW PRODUCING A REPORT WHICH WILL BE PUT TO THE OTHER COMMITTEES TO ENSURE THAT THE PROBLEMS OF THE SUBVENTED HOSPITALS ARE TAKEN INTO ACCOUNT IN THE PHA'S PROPOSALS.
"THE SUBVENTED HOSPITALS ARE VERY KEEN TO RETAIN AS MUCH OF THEIR AUTONOMY AS POSSIBLE, AND THE PHA AS A WHOLE IS VERY MUCH IN FAVOUR OF THIS.
"WE CERTAINLY DO NOT ENVISAGE A WHOLESALE TAKEOVER OF THE SUBVENTED HOSPITALS. AND VARIOUS ALTERNATIVE ARRANGEMENTS ARE NOW BEING STUDIED AS A BASIS FOR FURTHER DISCUSSIONS WITH THE HOSPITAL BOARDS," MR CHAMBERS SAID.
HE SAID THAT THE PHA HAD RECENTLY DECIDED TO SET UP A SEVENTH COMMITTEE TO CONSIDER THE QUESTION OF THE MANAGEMENT AND FINANCING OF THE TEACHING HOSPITALS.
AT PRESENT THE QUEEN MARY AND PRINCE OF WALES HOSPITALS ARE BOTH JOINTLY OPERATED BY THE HOSPITAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT AND THE MEDICAL FACULTIES OF THE TWO UNIVERSITIES.
/’’THE FUTURE...........
FRIDAY, APRIL 28, 1989
10
"THE FUTURE MANAGEMENT AND FINANCIAL ARRANGEMENTS WILL BE DISCUSSED BY THIS NEW COMMITTEE, WHICH WILL INCLUDE MEMBERS OF THE PHA AND REPRESENTATIVES OF THE TWO UNIVERSITIES AND THE UNIVERSITY AND POLYTECHNIC GRANTS COMMITTEE," HE ADDED.
MR CHAMBERS SAID THAT THE WEEKLY VISITS TO HOSPITALS ON THURSDAY MORNINGS HELPED MEMBERS TO FAMILIARISE THEMSELVES WITH THE SERVICES PROVIDED AND THE PROBLEMS WHICH NEEDED TO BE TACKLED.
"THESE VISITS ALSO PROVIDE AN OPPORTUNITY FOR PHA MEMBERS TO TALK TO THE MANAGEMENT AND STAFF OF THE HOSPITALS," HE SAID.
THE FULL PROGRAMME OF VISITS TO 34 HOSPITALS WHICH STARTED LAST NOVEMBER, WILL NOT BE COMPLETED UNTIL THE SUMMER.
"WE ARE ALSO PLANNING A VISIT TO SINGAPORE BY A GROUP OF MEMBERS NEXT MONTH, TO ENABLE THEM TO SEE HOW SINGAPORE IS REFORMING ITS PUBLIC HOSPITALS, IN A SOMEWHAT DIFFERENT WAY FROM THE HONG KONG APPROACH," MR CHAMBERS ADDED.
-------0 ---------
AGLESO URGED TO STOP INDUSTRIAL ACTION
*****
THE BUILDINGS AND LANDS DEPARTMENT IS TRYING TO IMPROVE THE PAY AND STRUCTURE OF GOVERNMENT SURVEY OFFICERS GRADE AND MEMBERS OF THE ASSOCIATION OF GOVERNMENT LAND AND ENGINEERING SURVEYING OFFICERS (AGLESO) WERE URGED TO DISCONTINUE THEIR INDUSTRIAL ACTION WHICH MIGHT JEOPARDIZE THE PROPOSED IMPROVEMENTS.
IN A MEETING HELD TODAY (FRIDAY) BETWEEN THE MANAGEMENT AND AGLESO REPRESENTATIVES, GOVERNMENT LAND SURVEYOR, MR GORDON ANDREASSEND, SAID THE DEPARTMENT HAD BEEN WORKING FOR SOME TIME ON PROPOSALS TO IMPROVE THE PAY AND STRUCTURE OF SURVEY OFFICER (LAND) GRADE WHICH WOULD BE SUBMITTED TO THE STANDING COMMISSION ON CIVIL SERVICE SALARIES AND CONDITIONS OF SERVICE IN MAY.
"THERE IS A STRONG CASE FOR IMPROVEMENT OF THE SO(L) GRADE PAY AND STRUCTURE AND THE DEPARTMENT BELIEVES THAT ACCOUNT SHOULD BE TAKEN OF THE OUTDOOR WORKING ENVIRONMENT OF THE GRADE, THE INHERENT ELEMENTS OF DANGER IN THEIR WORK AND THE MANAGEMENT RESPONSIBILITIES THEY HAVE.
"ALLOWANCE FOR SUCH FACTORS SHOULD BE INCORPORATED IN THE FINAL PAY PACKAGE AND THE GRADE SHOULD BE BROUGHT CLOSER TO THE WORKS INSPECTORATE GRADES IN TERMS OF PAY AND STRUCTURE," MR ANDREASSEND SAID.
MR ANDREASSEND ALSO PRESENTED A PHASED PROGRAMME FOR THE FUTURE GROWTH OF THE GRADE. SUBJECT TO THE AVAILABILITY OF FUNDS.
ARE PROGRAMME
FRIDAY, APRIL 28, 1989
11
THE PROGRAMME WOULD SEE THE CREATION OF 103 NEW POSTS FOR THE GRADE BETWEEN 1989-90 AND 1993-94, 35 OF WHICH AT SENIOR SURVEYING OFFICER LEVEL AND ABOVE.
"BUT CONTINUED INDUSTRIAL ACTION OF THE SO(L) GRADE BY REFUSING TO PERFORM A NUMBER OF NORMAL DUTIES WOULD WEAKEN THE JUSTIFICATIONS FOR CREATION OF ADDITIONAL POSTS.
’’FURTHERMORE, IF AND WHEN SUCH INDUSTRIAL ACTION HAS AFFECTED SERVICES TO THE PUBLIC TO AN UNACCEPTABLE LEVEL, THE MANAGEMENT MIGHT BE FORCED TO CONTRACT OUT OR PASS THESE DUTIES TO OTHER GRADES.
"ONCE THIS IS DONE, IT WOULD BE DIFFICULT FOR THE SO(L) GRADE TO GET THE DUTIES BACK. THE PLANNED GROWTH PROGRAMME WOULD IN SUCH CIRCUMSTANCES HAVE TO BE TRIMMED DOWN AND THIS WOULD BE DETRIMENTAL TO THE PROSPECTS OF THE GRADE IN THE LONG TERM," MR ANDREASSEND SAID.
AGLESO RESORTED TO INDUSTRIAL ACTION IN MARCH TO PRESS FOR MORE SENIOR POSTS TO BE CREATED FOR SURVEYING OFFICERS.
--------------------0-------- AMENDMENT TO DRAFT QUARRY BAY OZP ANNOUNCED *****
THE TOWN PLANNING BOARD TODAY (FRIDAY) ANNOUNCED AN AMENDMENT TO THE DRAFT QUARRY BAY OUTLINE ZONING PLAN.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE BOARD SAID THE AMENDMENT IS TO REZONE A SITE TO THE EAST OF HOI CHAK STREET FROM "RESIDENTIAL (GROUP A)" TO "OPEN SPACE".
THE AMENDMENT IS MADE BY THE BOARD, AFTER THOROUGH CONSIDERATION, IN RESPONSE TO THE OBJECTIONS RELATING TO THE "RESIDENTIAL (GROUP A)" ZONING OF THE SITE.
THE NEW PIECE OF OPEN SPACE IS INTENDED TO BE INCORPORATED INTO THE FUTURE QUARRY BAY PARK OR FOR THE USE OF OTHER RECREATIONAL FACILITIES.
THE AMENDED PLAN MAY BE INSPECTED DURING NORMAL OFFICE HOURS AT THE FOLLOWING OFFICES:
* THE TOWN PLANNING OFFICE, BUILDINGS AND LANDS DEPARTMENT, 4TH FLOOR, MURRAY BUILDING, GARDEN ROAD;
* THE CENTRAL AND WESTERN PUBLIC ENQUIRY SUB-OFFICE, CENTRAL GOVERNMENT OFFICES, WEST WING ENTRANCE; AND
* THE EASTERN DISTRICT OFFICE, 880-886 KING'S ROAD, GROUND AMD 1ST FLOORS.
/ANY PERSON .......
FRIDAY, APRIL 28, 1989 '
12 -
ANY PERSON AFFECTED BY THE AMENDMENT OF THE PLAN MAY SUBMIT HIS OBJECTION IN WRITING TO THE SECRETARY OF THE TOWN PLANNING BOARD, C/O BUILDINGS AND LANDS DEPARTMENT, 4TH FLOOR, MURRAY BUILDING, GARDEN ROAD, ON OR BEFORE MAY 12 THIS YEAR.
COPIES OF THE DRAFT PLAN ARE AVAILABLE AT THE MAP AND PLAN SALES SECTION, SURVEY AND MAPPING OFFICE, BUILDINGS AND LANDS DEPARTMENT ON THE 14TH FLOOR, MURRAY BUILDING, GARDEN ROAD, HONG KONG OR AT 382 NATHAN ROAD, KOWLOON, AT $10 PER UNCOLOURED COPY AND $60 PER COLOURED COPY.
-------0---------
ROAD EXTENSIONS IN MA ON SHAN ♦ * * ♦ ♦
THE TERRITORY DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT PROPOSES TO BUILD FURTHER PORTIONS OF SAI SHA ROAD AND HANG HONG STREET TOGETHER WITH CONNECTING LOCAL ROADS IN THE MA ON SHAN DEVELOPMENT AREA, SHA TIN.
WHEN THESE ROADWORKS ARE COMPLETED IN 1991, THE DEVELOPMENTS IN THE NEW MA ON SHAN TOWN CENTRE WILL BE FULLY SERVICED AND ACCESSIBLE TO THE ROAD NETWORK NOW BEING COMPLETED UNDER THE CONTINUING PROGRAMME FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF SHA TIN.
THE PROPOSED WORKS INCLUDE:
t CONSTRUCTION OF A NEW SECTION OF HANG HONG STREET WHICH WILL BE A DUAL TWO-LANE CARRIAGEWAY, FROM YIU ON ESTATE TO THE PROPOSED EXTENSION OF SAI SHA ROAD AND DUALLING OF THE EXISTING SINGLE CARRIAGEWAY PORTION OF HANG HONG STREET FROM HENG ON ESTATE TO YIU ON ESTATE;
♦ CONSTRUCTION OF DUAL TWO-LANE AND DUAL THREE-LANE CARRIAGEWAY FORMING PART OF SAI SHA ROAD FROM ITS JUNCTION WITH THE PROPOSED HANG HONG STREET EXTENSION TO ITS JUNCTION WITH MA ON SHAN ROAD;
* CONSTRUCTION OF LOCAL ROADS, FOOTPATHS AND CYCLETRACKS IN AREAS 90, 92, 100 AND 110;
* CONSTRUCTION OF PEDESTRIAN AND CYCLE SUBWAYS, BRIDGES, RETAINING WALLS, SEWERAGE, DRAINAGE AND OTHER ANCILLARY WORKS;
t CONSTRUCTION OF A PEDESTRIAN SUBWAY UNDER MA ON SHAN ROAD TOGETHER WITH ASSOCIATED RAMPS, FOOTPATHS AND ANCILLARY WORKS TO LINK AREA 100 AND AREA 103.
A NOTICE ON THE PROPOSED WORKS WAS PUBLISHED IN TODAY’S (FRIDAY) GAZETTE.
AHE PLANS.........
FRIDAY, APRIL 28, 1989
- 15 -
THE PLANS AND SCHEME MAY BE INSPECTED AT THE FOLLOWING GOVERNMENT OFFICES:
« CENTRAL AND WESTERN DISTRICT OFFICE, CENTRAL ENQUIRY SUB-OFFICE, CENTRAL GOVERNMENT OFFICES, WEST WING, MAIN ENTRANCE LOBBY, HONG KONG;
* SHA TIN DISTRICT LANDS OFFICE, SHA TIN, 2 TUNG LO WAN HILL ROAD, SHA TIN, NEW TERRITORIES;
* SHA TIN DISTRICT OFFICE, 6TH FLOOR, KCR HOUSE, SHA TIN RAILWAY STATION, NEW TERRITORIES.
ANY PERSON WHO OBJECTS TO THE WORKS SHOULD WRITE TO THE SECRETARY FOR TRANSPORT, CENTRAL GOVERNMENT OFFICES, EAST WING, 2ND FLOOR, LOWER ALBERT ROAD, HONG KONG NOT LATER THAN JUNE 27, 1989.
------0-------
NEW ROADS PLANNED FOR JUNK BAY DEVELOPMENTS
*****
THE TERRITORY DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT PLANS TO BUILD TWO NEW ROADS IN THE HANG HAU AREA OF JUNK BAY NEW TOWN TO SERVE THE PROPOSED DEVELOPMENTS THERE.
THE PROPOSED WORKS INCLUDE:
* CONSTRUCTION OF A TWO-LANE SINGLE CARRIAGEWAY ROAD L34 TO SERVE AREA 41 FROM ROAD L32;
* CONSTRUCTION OF A TWO-LANE SINGLE CARRIAGEWAY ROAD L310 TO PROVIDE ACCESS TO AREA 35, AREA 109 AND AREA 110;
* CONSTRUCTION OF ASSOCIATED FOOTPATHS, CARPARKS, STREET FURNITURE, LANDSCAPING WORKS AND TRAFFIC AND PEDESTRIAN AIDS ;
* CONSTRUCTION OF FOOTPATHS ADJOINING HANG HAU TOWN; AND
* CLOSURE OF A SECTION OF HANG HAU ROAD AND ITS ADJOINING FOOTPATH.
WORKS ARE SCHEDULED TO START LATER THIS YEAR AND COMPLETE IN EARLY 1991.
DETAILS OF THE PROPOSAL WERE PUBLISHED IN THE GAZETTE TODAY (FRIDAY).
THE SCHEME AND PLAN SHOWING THE PROPOSED WORKS CAN BE SEEN AT THE FOLLOWING GOVERNMENT OFFICES:
/• CENTRAL AND
FRIDAY, APRIL 28, 1989
- 14 -
» CENTRAL AND WESTERN DISTRICT OFFICE, CENTRAL ENQUIRY SUB-OFFICE, CENTRAL GOVERNMENT OFFICES, WEST WING, MAIN ENTRANCE LOBBY, HONG KONG; AND
« SAI KUNG DISTRICT LANDS OFFICE AND SAI KUNG DISTRICT OFFICE, BOTH AT SAI KUNG GOVERNMENT OFFICES, CHAN MAN STREET, SAI KUNG, NEW TERRITORIES.
ANY PERSON WHO WISHES TO OBJECT 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 JUNE 27 THIS YEAR.
-------o---------
NEW ROAD IN TUEN MUN ♦ * *
THE HIGHWAYS DEPARTMENT WILL BUILD A ROAD LINKING TAP SHEK KOK TO THE WEST NEW TERRITORIES LANDFILL AT NIM WAN, TUEN MUN.
A NOTICE FOR INVITATION TO TENDER FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF THIS ROAD WAS PUBLISHED IN THE GAZETTE TODAY (FRIDAY).
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE DEPARTMENT SAID THAT AT PRESENT, THERE IS ONLY A SUB-STANDARD SINGLE LANE ROAD CONNECTING TAP SHEK KOK AND LUNG KWU TAN.
THERE IS NO PROPER VEHICULAR ACCESS TO THE PROPOSED WEST NEW TERRITORIES LANDFILL AT NIM WAN, WHICH IS ESSENTIAL TO SERVE THE DISPOSAL OF SOLID WASTE GENERATED FROM THE WESTERN NEW TERRITORIES UPON THE EXHAUSTION OF THE PRESENT CONTROLLED TIP AT PILLAR POINT VALLEY.
THE NEW ROAD EXTENDING FROM TAP SHEK KOK TO TSANG KOK WILL BE A 7.3 METRE-WIDE TWO-LANE CARRIAGEWAY WITH FOOTPATH.
THE SPOKESMAN SAID THE ROAD WILL ALSO IMPROVE THE SAFETY AND CONVENIENCE OF PEOPLE LIVING IN LUNG KWU TAN AND LUNG KWU SHEUNG TAN.
CONSTRUCTION WILL START IN SEPTEMBER THIS YEAR AND TAKE ABOUT 29 MONTHS TO COMPLETE.
THE WORKS WERE DESIGNED AND THEIR CONSTRUCTION WILL BE SUPERVISED BY THE HIGHWAYS DEPARTMENT.
-------0----------
/15........
FRIDAY, APRIL 28, 1989
- 15 -
ROADWORKS IN FANLING LOEN WO MARKET * * t *
THE TERRITORY DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT PROPOSES TO CARPY OUT ROADWORKS NORTH OF LUEN WO MARKET AND WITHIN THE MARKET TO PROVIDE VEHICULAR AND PEDESTRIAN ACCESS TO NEW DEVELOPMENTS IN THE AREAS.
THE PROPOSED WORKS IN FANLING AREAS 18, 19 AND 21 INVOLVE THE CONSTRUCTION OF SOME l,2G0 METRES OF DISTRIBUTOR ROADS AND 1,400 METRES OF LOCAL ROADS.
THEY ALSO INCLUDE THE CONSTRUCTION OF FOOTPATHS, CYCLE TRACKS, ROADSIDE AMENITIES, EMERGENCY VEHICULAR ACCESSES, STREET FURNITURE, A FOOTBRIDGE AND A SUBWAY.
A PUBLIC TRANSPORT TERMINUS COMPRISING A TEMPORARY BUS TERMINUS, A GREEN MINI BUS/PUBLIC LIGHT BUS TERMINUS, A TAXI STAND AND A VEHICLE SET DOWN AREA WILL ALSO BE BUILT.
SOME EXISTING ROADS WITHIN THE MARKET WILL BE IMPROVED AND RECONSTRUCTED AND SOME TRAFFIC IMPROVEMENT SCHEMES WILL BE IMPLEMENTED.
FOR THE PURPOSE OF THE WORKS, ABOUT 44,600 SQUARE METRES OF PRIVATE LOTS WILL HAVE TO BE RESUMED.
PERMANENT ALTERNATIVE ACCESSES WILL BE PROVIDED TO CATER FOR THE EXISTING ACCESSES THAT HAVE TO BE CLOSED.
DURING THE CONSTRUCTION PERIOD, VEHICULAR AND PEDESTRIAN ACCESS WILL BE MAINTAINED SO THAT ANY INCONVENIENCE TO THE PUBLIC WILL BE MINIMISED.
THE WORKS HAVE BEEN DESIGNED AND CONSTRUCTION WILL BE SUPERVISED BY MAUNSELL CONSULTANTS ASIA LIMITED, CONSULTING ENGINEERS ON BEHALF OF THE TERRITORY DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT.
A NOTICE ON THE PROPOSED WORKS WAS PUBLISHED IN THE GAZETTE TODAY (FRIDAY).
A PLAN SHOWING THE PROPOSED WORKS CAN BE SEEN AT THE CENTRAL AND WESTERN DISTRICT OFFICE; CENTRAL ENQUIRY SUB-OFFICE; CENTRAL GOVERNMENT OFFICES, WEST WING, MAIN ENTRANCE LOBBY; AND AT THE NORTH DISTRICT LANDS OFFICE AND THE NORTH DISTRICT OFFICE, BOTH AT JOCKEY CLUB ROAD, FANLING ROUNDABOUT, FANLING, NEW TERRITORIES
ANY PERSON OBJECTING TO THE PROPOSAL MUST SEND THE OBJECTION IN WRITING TO THE SECRETARY FOR TRANSPORT, CENTRAL GOVERNMENT OFFICES, EAST WING, 2ND FLOOR, LOWER ALBERT ROAD, HONG KONG, NOT LATER THAN JUNE 27, 1989.
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FRIDAY, APRIL 28, 1989
- 16 -
STRUCTURES FOR BOATYARD PURPOSE AT A KUNG NGAM
*****
THE GOVERNMENT INTENDS TO GRANT AN AREA OF APPROXIMATELY 8,400 SQUARE METRES OF FORESHORE AND SEA-BED AT A KUNG NGAM, IN SHAU KEI WAN FOR BOATYARD PURPOSES.
THE GRANT WILL BE IN THE FORM OF SHORT-TERM TENANCIES. WITHIN THE TENANCY AREAS, THE ERECTION OF STRUCTURES FOR THE PURPOSES OF SHIP/BOAT BUILDING/REPAIRING AND SLIPWAYS/PIERS/DOLPHINS, WILL BE ALLOWED.
THE EXTENT OF THE AREA AFFECTED IS DESCRIBED IN A NOTICE PUBLISHED IN THE GAZETTE TODAY (FRIDAY).
THE NOTICE, TOGETHER WITH ITS RELATED PLAN, CAN BE SEEN ON NOTICE BOARDS POSTED NEAR THE SITE.
THE NOTICE CAN ALSO BE SEEN AT THE FOLLOWING OFFICES:
* SURVEY AND MAPPING OFFICE. BUILDINGS AND LANDS DEPARTMENT, 14/F., MURRAY BUILDING, GARDEN ROAD;
* ENQUIRY SUB-OFFICE, CENTRAL AND WESTERN DISTRICT OFFICE, CENTRAL GOVERNMENT OFFICES, WEST WING ENTRANCE;
* DISTRICT LANDS OFFICE, HONG KONG EAST, 19/F., SOUTHORN CENTRE, 130 HENNESSY ROAD, WAN CHAI; AND
» EASTERN DISTRICT OFFICE, G/F, 880-886 KING’S ROAD.
ANY PERSON WHO CONSIDERS THAT HE HAS AN INTEREST, RIGHT OR EASEMENT IN OR OVER THE FORESHORE AND SEA-BED INVOLVED MAY SUBMIT A WRITTEN OBJECTION TO THE DIRECTOR OF BUILDINGS AND LANDS ON OR BEFORE JUNE 27, 1989.
-------o----------
BUS GATE FOR USE BY FRANCHISED BUSES ONLY *****
THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT TODAY (FRIDAY) REMINDED MOTORISTS THAT THE BUS GATE ON THE CANAL ROAD FLYOVER WAS FOR USE BY FRANCHISED BUSES ONLY AND NOT PRIVATE BUSES OR OTHER VEHICLES.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE DEPARTMENT SAID PROPER TRAFFIC SIGNAGE AND ROAD MARKING HAD LONG BEEN IN PLACE AT THE JUNCTION ON THE FLYOVER INDICATING THAT THE BUS LANE MERGING WITH THE TRAFFIC TO THE CROSS HARBOUR TUNNEL WAS RESTRICTED TO FRANCHISED BUSES ONLY.
THE BUS LANE IS TO ENABLE FRANCHISED BUSES TO BYPASS THE TRAFFIC QUEUES ON THE ACCESS ROADS TO THE TUNNEL FOR THE CONVENIENCE OF PUBLIC TRANSPORT PASSENGERS.
/RECENTLY, NON-FRANCHISED .......
FRIDAY, APRIL 28, 19^9
- 17 -
RECENTLY, NON-FRANCH 1SED Bl'S DRIVERS HAD COMPLAINED ABOUT THE STRINGENT ENFORCEMENT ACTION AGAINST ILLEGAL USE OF THE BUS GATE ON THE CANAL. ROAD FLYOVER.
THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT HELD A MEETING WITH THE PUBLIC OMNIBUS OPERATORS ASSOCIATION ON APRIL 19 DURING WHICH IT WAS EXPLAINED TO THE RESENTATIVES OF THE ASSOCIATION THAT LN THE LIGHT OF PREVAILING TRAFFIC CONDITIONS, IT WOULD NOT BE IN THE PUBLIC INTEREST TO OPEN THE BUS GATE TO NON-FRANCH1SED BUSES AT THIS STAGE.
"AN ALTERNATIVE ROUTE WHICH IS RELATIVELY FAST FOR NON-FRANCH1SED BUSES TO GAIN ACCESS TO THE CROSS HARBOUR TUNNEL IS THE BUS LANE ON GLOUCESTER ROAD WESTBOUND OUTSIDE EXCELSIOR HOTEL.
"THIS BUS LANE IS OPEN TO FRANCHISED AND NON-FRANCHISED BUSES," THE SPOKESMAN SAIT).
THE SPOKESMAN EMPHASISED THAT THE LAW WAS VERY CLEAR ON TRAFFIC SIGNAGE AND THAT IT MUST BE ENFORCED OR IT WOULD DEFEAT THE PURPOSE OF THE TRAFFIC MANAGEMENT MEASURES IMPOSED.
THESE MEASURES WERE INTRODUCED FOR THE BENEFIT OF THE PUBLIC AT LARGE AND OTHER MOTORISTS WERE ASKED TO BE TOLERANT AND TO OBSERVE THE SIGNS PUT UP, HE SAID.
THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT WILL CONTINUOUSLY REVIEW THE SITUATION LN THE CONTEXT OF THE ROAD CAPACITY AT THE BUS GATE AND THE IMPLICATION TO OTHER ROAD USERS.
IT WAS ALSO SUGGESTED TO THE ASSOCIATION THAT IF IT FELT THAT IT HAD A STRONG CASE, IT COULD PROVIDE SUPPORTING ARGUMENTS IN DETAIL TO BACK UP ITS CASE FOR REMOVING THE PROHIBITION ON NON-FRANCH1SED BUSES USING THE BL’S GATE.
THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT WOULD THEN REVIEW THE SITUATION IN THE LIGHT OF THE ARGUMENTS FORWARDED.
------0-------
CHEUNG CHAU LOT TO BE SOLD BY TENDER
♦ ♦ ♦ * t
THE BUILDINGS AND LANDS DEPARTMENT IS OFFERING A SITE ON CHEUNG CHAU FOR SALE BY TENDER.
THE SITE, WITH AN AREA OF ABOUT 65 SQUARE METRES, IS LOCATED IN KIN SAN LANE AND WILL BE USED FOR NON-INDUSTR1AL (EXCLUDING GODOWN) PURPOSES.
THE BUILDING COVENANT REQUIRES A GROSS FLOOR AREA OF NOT LESS THAN 130 SQUARE METRES TO BE COMPLETED ON OR BEFORE SEPTEMBER 30, 1991 .
/THE CLOSING........
FRIDAY, APRIL 28, 19$9
- 18 -
THE CLOSING DATE FOR TENDERS IS NOON ON MAY 26.
THE FORM OF TENDER, TENDER NOTICE AND CONDITIONS MAY BE OBTAINED FROM 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 TENDER PLAN MAY ALSO BE INSPECTED AT THESE OFFICES.
TENDER DOCUMENTS WILL ALSO BE AVAILABLE AT THE DISTRICT LANDS OFFICES OF SHA TIN, TAI PO, NORTH, YUEN LONG, TSUEN WAN, KWAI TSING, TUEN MUN, SAI KUNG AND ISLANDS.
0
KOWLOON PARK DRIVE FLYOVER TO BE BUILT t ♦ ♦ ♦ *
THE HIGHWAYS DEPARTMENT IS INVITING TENDERS FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF KOWLOON PARK DRIVE FLYOVER AND ASSOCIATED ROAD IMPROVEMENT WORKS IN TSIM SHA TSUI.
A TENDER NOTICE WAS PUBLISHED IN THE GAZETTE TODAY (FRIDAY).
A HIGHWAYS DEPARTMENT SPOKESMAN SAID THE TWO-LANE FLYOVER WILL CARRY NORTHBOUND TRAFFIC ALONG KOWLOON PARK DRIVE OVER ITS JUNCTION WITH CANTON ROAD, WITH PROVISION FOR FUTURE CONNECTION TO THE HARBOUR CITY DEVELOPMENT.
A SECTION OF AUSTIN ROAD FROM CANTON ROAD TO TEMPLE STREET WILL BE WIDENED TO BECOME A DUAL-TWO-LANE CARRIAGEWAY.
A SECTION OF SALISBURY ROAD IN FRONT OF THE SPACE MUSEUM WILL ALSO BE WIDENED TO FACILITATE VEHICULAR ACCESS TO THE CULTURAL CENTRE TO BE OPENED LATER THIS YEAR.
THESE WORKS ARE A PART OF THE OVERALL ROAD IMPROVEMENT SCHEME TO EASE TRAFFIC CONGESTION IN TSIM SHA TSUI.
THE WORKS WILL START IN JUNE THIS YEAR.
THE KOWLOON PARK DRIVE FLYOVER WILL BE COMPLETED IN MID-1991, WHILE THE WORKS ON SALISBURY ROAD AND AUSTIN ROAD WILL BE COMPLETED IN OCTOBER THIS YEAR AND JUNE NEXT YEAR RESPECTIVELY.
THE WORKS WERE DESIGNED AND CONSTRUCTION WILL BE SUPERVISED BY MAUNSELL CONSULTANTS ASIA LTD FOR THE HIGHWAYS DEPARTMENT.
-------0 -
/19........
FRIDAY, APRIL 28, 1989
ONE MORE WEEK FOR EMPLOYER’S RETURNS » * » » »
EMPLOYERS ARE REMINDED TODAY (FRIDAY) TO SUBMIT THE COMPLETED EMPLOYER’S RETURN OF REMUNERATION AND PENSIONS TO THE INLAND REVENUE DEPARTMENT BEFORE THURSDAY, MAY 4.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE INLAND REVENUE DEPARTMENT SAID THAT MORE THAN 125,000 RETURNS FOR 1988-89 HAD BEEN ISSUED TO EMPLOYERS ON APRIL 3 AND 4.
"FAILURE TO SUBMIT THE COMPLETED RETURNS BEFORE MAY 4 IS AN OFFENCE AND MAY RESULT IN THE IMPOSITION OF PENALTIES," HE STRESSED.
"MAKING AN INCORRECT OR FALSE RETURN WITH A FRAUDULENT INTENT TO EVADE TAX, OR TO ASSIST ANY OTHER PERSONS TO DO SO, IS ALSO AN OFFENCE.
"AN OFFENDER SHALL BE LIABLE TO HEAVY PENALTY, THE MAXIMUM BEING IMPRISONMENT FOR THREE YEARS AND A FURTHER FINE OF TREBLE THE AMOUNT OF TAX UNDERCHARGED.
"THE COURT OF APPEAL HAS WARNED THAT, ON CONVICTION, THE DEFENDANT SHALL BE LIABLE TO IMMEDIATE CUSTODIAL SENTENCE.
"IT IS THE EMPLOYER'S RESPONSIBILITY TO GIVE NOTICE IN WRITING OF THE COMMENCEMENT OR CESSATION OF ANY EMPLOYMENT, OR THE DEPARTURE FROM HONG KONG, OF ANY EMPLOYEE, WHO IS OR IS LIKELY TO BE CHARGEABLE TO SALARIES TAX."
THE SPOKESMAN REITERATED THAT UNDER THE INLAND REVENUE ORDINANCE, ANYONE WHO FAILED TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS ABOVE WOULD BE LIABLE TO HEAVY PENALTIES.
ANY EMPLOYER WHO HAS NOT YET RECEIVED THE RETURN FORMS OR WHO HAS ANY ENQUIRY IS ADVISED TO TELEPHONE 5-8942030, OR WRITE TO G.P.O. BOX 132, HONG KONG.
- - 0 - -
SCS VISITS INLAND REVENUE DEPARTMENT ♦ » ♦ » »
THE SECRETARY FOR THE CIVIL SERVICE, MR HARNAM GREWAL, WAS TODAY (FRIDAY) GIVEN AN INSIGHT INTO THE OPERATIONS OF THE INLAND REVENUE DEPARTMENT DURING A VISIT TO ITS VARIOUS SECTIONS.
ACCOMPANIED BY THE COMMISSIONER OF INLAND REVENUE, MR ANTONY AU YEUNG, MR GREWAL TOURED THE DEPARTMENT’S TRAINING SECTION WHICH PROVIDES COMPREHENSIVE COURSES ON TAXATION LAW AND PRACTICE, AND SUPERVISORY DEVELOPMENT AS WELL AS INDUCTION COURSES FOR NEW STAFF.
/HE ALSO
FRIDAY, APRIL 28, 1989
20 -
HE ALSO TOOK A FIRST-HAND LOOK AT THE OPERATIONS AND FACILITIES OF THE COMPUTER INSTALLATION UNIT, THE KEY PUNCHING POOL, THE CENTRAL ENQUIRY COUNTER AND THE COLLECTION HALL.
MR GREWAL LATER HAD INFORMAL DISCUSSIONS AND EXCHANGED VIEWS WITH STAFF REPRESENTATIVES ON STAFF MATTERS.
------0-------
NEW ID CARDS FOR WOMEN BORN IN 1951-53
*****
THE IMMIGRATION DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCED TODAY (FRIDAY) THAT WOMEN BORN IN 1951, 1952 OR 1953 WOULD BE REQUIRED TO APPLY FOR NEW IDENTITY CARDS FROM MAY 8 TO JULY 1.
"WOMEN OF THE ABOVE AGE GROUP CAN CALL AT ANY ONE OF THE EIGHT NEW IDENTITY CARD ISSUE OFFICES DURING THIS PERIOD," A SPOKESMAN FOR THE DEPARTMENT SAID.
THE 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 AFTERNOONS," HE SAID.
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 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, SHA TIN CENTRE STREET, SHA TIN. TEL. NO. 0-6059108
/YUEN LONG
FRIDAY, APRIL 28, 1989
- 21 -
YUEN LONG : HOP YICK CENTRE, SECOND FLOOR, 31 HOP YICK ROAD.
TEL. NO. 0-4 77’1543
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. 0-6727191
THE SPOKESMAN REMINDED WOMEN BORN IN 1954, 1955 OR 1956 WHO HAVE NOT APPLIED FOR THEIR NEW IDENTITY CARDS TO COME FORWARD WITHOUT FURTHER DELAY AS THERE IS ONLY ONE WEEK LEFT BEFORE THE CURRENT PHASE CLOSES ON MAY 6.
HE POINTED OUT THAT FAILURE TO APPLY FOR A NEW IDENTITY 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.
-------------O-------- AREA COMMITTEES’ ROLE PRAISED t t t t ♦
AREA COMMITTEES PLAY A SIGNIFICANT ROLE IN THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE DISTRICT ADMINISTRATION SCHEME, THE DEPUTY REGIONAL SECRETARY FOR HONG KONG AND KOWLOON, MR AUGUSTINE CHENG, SAID TODAY (FRIDAY).
SPEAKING AT THE 1989-90 INAUGURATION CEREMONY OF AREA COMMITTEES IN SHAM SHUI PO, MR CHENG SAID THESE COMMITTEES WERE FORMED IN THE EARLY 1970'S MAINLY TO PROMOTE THE CLEAN HONG KONG AND FIGHT CRIME CAMPAIGNS.
"WITH THE INTRODUCTION OF THE DISTRICT ADMINISTRATION SCHEME IN THE EARLY 1980’S, WE SAW CHANGES IN THE ROLE OF AREA COMMITTEES," HE NOTED.
THE FUNCTIONS OF THESE COMMITTEES WERE EXPANDED IN 1981 SO THAT THEY COULD COMMENT ON MATTERS AFFECTING THE WELL-BEING OF THOSE LIVING OR WORKING IN A DISTRICT. THEY ALSO PROVIDED A FORUM WHERE CURRENT ISSUES AND GOVERNMENT POLICIES COULD BE DISCUSSED.
THESE CHANGES HAD STRENGTHENED THE ROLE OF AREA COMMITTEES IN THE CONSULTATION PROCESS OF THE GOVERNMENT. NOWADAYS THE COMMITTEES FORM AN IMPORTANT PART OF THE GOVERNMENT'S LIAISON NETWORK AT DISTRICT LEVEL.
/"THEY ALSO .......
FRIDAY, APRIL 28, 1989
- 22 -
’’THEY ALSO HELP PROMOTE RESIDENTS’ SENSE OF BELONGING TO THE DISTRICT BY ORGANISING AND PARTICIPATING IN VARIOUS COMMUNITY BUILDING ACTIVITIES.
’’THEIR ROLE IN THE DISTRICT ADMINISTRATION SCHEME IS IMPORTANT, AND THE SUCCESS OF THE SCHEME IS DUE TO AREA COMMITTEE MEMBERS’ CONTINUOUS EFFORT»” MR CHENG STRESSED. HE NOTED THAT THE MEMBERS WERE OFFERING A VOLUNTARY SERVICE AND THEIR DEDICATION DESERVED OUR RESPECT AND COMMENDATION.
MR CHENG BELIEVED THAT WITH MEMBERS’ EFFORT, EXPERIENCE AND KNOWLEDGE, AREA COMMITTEES WILL CONTINUE TO FUNCTION EFFECTIVELY.
HIS VIEWS WERE SHARED BY THE SHAM SHUI PO DISTRICT OFFICER, MRS JENNIE CHOK. SHE SAID THE INAUGURATION CEREMONY PROVIDED AN OPPORTUNITY FOR IMPROVING THE UNDERSTANDING AMONG MEMBERS, THUS HELPING TO ENHANCE THE SMOOTH RUNNING OF AREA COMMITTEES IN THE YEAR AHEAD.
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CLEAN FOOD HYGIENE URGED ♦ t * ♦
WITH SUMMER APPROACHING, THE PUBLIC ARE REMINDED TO TAKE PRECAUTIONARY MEASURES AGAINST GASTRO-INTESTINAL DISEASES ASSOCIATED WITH UNCLEAN AND UNWHOLESOME FOOD AND WATER.
MAKING THIS APPEAL, THE HYGIENE ADVISOR OF THE MUNICIPAL SERVICES BRANCH, DR RON PERRY, ADVISED THE PUBLIC TO BE ON GUARD AGAINST FOOD POISONING AND DISEASES SUCH AS CHOLERA, DYNS^NTY, TYPHOID AND VIRAL HEPATITIS A.
’’THE PUBLIC SHOULD OBSERVE PROPER PRACTICES IN FOOD AND PERSONAL HYGIENE TO ENSURE THAT THE FOOD THEY CONSUME IS HYGIENIC AND FREE FROM CONTAMINATION AND DETERIORATION," HE SAID.
DR PERRY SAID THE PUHLIO SHOULD REMI'MHER THE FOLLOWING WHEN EATING AT HOME:
♦ MAINTAIN A CLEAN KITCHEN;
♦ CLEAN ONE’S HANDS AFTER TOILET AND BEFORE PREPARING FOOD;
♦ USE WHOLESOME FOOD AND WATER;
* USE CLEAN COOKING UTENSILS;
» STORE ALL PERISHABLE FOOD NOT FOR IMMEDIATE CONSUMPTION IN REFRIGERATOR.
COOKED FOOD .......
FRIDAY, APRIL 28, 1989
23 -
* COOKED FOOD STORED IN REFRIGERATOR SHOULD BE SEPARATED FROM RAW FOOD ITEMS AND WRAPPED UP IN CLEAN PLASTIC SHEETS;
* DO NOT THAW OUT FROZEN FOOD UNTIL IT IS NEEDED:
♦ NEVER USE A CHOPPING BLOCK OR KNIFE FOR CUTTING COOKED FOOD IMMEDIATELY AFTER THEY HAVE BEEN USED FOR CUTTING RAW FOOD, PARTICULARLY MEAT AND POULTRY;
* COOK FOOD, ESPECIALLY MEAT AND SHELLFISH, THOROUGHLY BEFORE CONSUMPTION;
* EAT COOKED FOOD WHILE IT IS STILL HOT. DON'T LEAVE IT EXPOSED FOR A LONG PERIOD OF TIME;
* FOOD TO BE KEPT OVER-NIGHT SHOULD BE PUT IN A REFRIGERATOR. RE-COOK LEFTOVERS THOROUGHLY BEFORE EATING;
♦ ALL GARBAGE AND WASTE SHOULD BE STORED IN A COVERED CONTAINER BEFORE DISPOSAL.
DR PERRY ALSO ADVISED THE PUBLIC NOT TO PATRONISE ILLEGAL FOOD HAWKERS AND UNLICENSED FOOD PREMISES AS THE FOOD MAY BE UNCLEAN AND MAY POSE A SERIOUS RISK TO HEALTH.
"ALSO, DO NOT PURCHASE CUT FRUIT FROM ANY ILLEGAL FRUIT VENDOR AS OPEN CUT FRUIT CAN EASILY GET CONTAMINATED.
"SAFE FOOD, GOOD PERSONAL AND ENVIRONMENTAL HYGIENE ARE THE STRONGEST WEAPONS AGAINST GASTRO-INTESTINAL DISEASES," HE SAID.
-----0 ------
TELEPHONE ADVISORY SERVICE FOR VISITORS TO UK EXTENDED
******
THE TELEPHONE ADVISORY SERVICE (TAS) RUN BY THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT OFFICE IN LONDON FOR HONG KONG VISITORS TO THE UK IS TO BE EXTENDED FOR SIX MONTHS UNTIL OCTOBER THIS YEAR.
THE TAS WAS SET UP LAST NOVEMBER ON A TRIAL BASIS TO ASSIST HONG KONG PEOPLE WHO EXPERIENCE DIFFICULTIES UPON ENTRY TO THE UNITED KINGDOM.
THE SIX MONTHS PERIOD FROM LAST NOVEMBER IS HOWEVER THE LOW TRAVELLING SEASON IN THE UK. IN ORDER TO TEST OUT FULLY THE LIKELY DEMAND FOR THE SERVICE, IT IS DECIDED TO EXTEND THE TRIAL PERIOD FOR ANOTHER SIX MONTHS.
/THE TELEPHONE .......
FRIDAY, APRIL 28, 1989
- 24 -
THE TELEPHONE SERVICE IS MANNED BY BILINGUAL OFFICERS OF THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT OFFICE SEVEN DAYS A WEEK BETWEEN 9 AM AND 5.30 PM.
SINCE THE SERVICE WAS INTRODUCED, A TOTAL OF 30 CALLS WERE RECEIVED. OF THESE 24 WERE GENERAL ENQUIRIES ON IMMIGRATION MATTERS WHILE SIX WERE CALLS FROM TRAVELLERS WHO HAD HAD DIFFICULTIES AT PORTS OF ENTRY.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT OFFICE EMPHASISED THAT THE SERVICE WAS NOT INTENDED TO INTERFERE WITH THE UK IMMIGRATION SERVICE DECISIONS.
"UNDER THE UNITED KINGDOM IMMIGRATION ACT OF 1971, A PASSENGER WHO HAS BEEN REFUSED ENTRY HAS THE RIGHT TO APPEAL AGAINST THE DECISION.
"THE TAS HAS BEEN SET UP TO PROVIDE ADVICE ON THE TRAVELLERS’ RIGHTS AND THE PROPER PROCEDURES AND, WHEN NECESSARY, TO SEEK CLARIFICATION FROM THE UK IMMIGRATION SERVICE ON BEHALF OF THE PASSENGERS," THE SPOKESMAN ADDED.
------0-------
APPLICATIONS FOR HOLDING FLAG DAYS IN 1990
* * t * *
ORGANISATIONS WISHING TO HOLD FLAG DAYS NEXT YEAR TO RAISE FUNDS TO FINANCE THE SERVICES WHICH THEY PROVIDE SHOULD APPLY TO THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT NOW.
ABOUT 30 FLAG DAYS WILL BE ALLOCATED IN 1990. SUCCESSFUL APPLICANTS WILL BE INFORMED BY SEPTEMBER THIS YEAR.
APPLICANTS MUST BE BONA FIDE NON-PROFIT-MAKING ORGANISATIONS REGISTERED UNDER SECTION 88 OF THE INLAND REVENUE ORDINANCE.
ALL APPLICATIONS WILL BE CONSIDERED BY THE SUBVENTIONS AND LOTTERIES FUND ADVISORY COMMITTEE ON THE MERITS OF THE SERVICE OR THE PROJECTS FOR WHICH FUND RAISING THROUGH A FLAG DAY IS PROPOSED AND THE FINANCIAL NEED OF THE ORGANISATION.
THE APPLICANT MUST ALSO DEMONSTRATE ITS ABILITY TO ORGANISE A FLAG DAY EFFECTIVELY.
"PRIORITY WILL BE GIVEN TO NON-PROFIT-MAKING ORGANISATIONS PROVIDING DIRECT WELFARE SERVICES TO THE PEOPLE OF HONG KONG AND WHICH HAVE A FINANCIAL NEED," A SPOKESMAN FOR THE DEPARTMENT SAID TODAY (FRIDAY).
/’•ORGANISATIONS WHICH ........
FRIDAY, APRIL 28, 1989
- 25 -
"ORGANISATIONS WHICH HAVE BEEN ALLOCATED A FLAG DAY IN THE PAST SHOULD NOT ASSUME THAT A FLAG DAY WILL AUTOMATICALLY BE GRANTED IN 1990," HE ADDED,
, EXPLAINING THE CRITERIA WHICH HAVE BEEN PRACTISED, THE SPOKESMAN POINTED OUT THAT EACH APPLICATION WOULD BE CONSIDERED BASICALLY IN FOUR ASPECTS:
* AN ASSESSMENT OF THE MANAGEMENT CAPABILITY OF THE APPLICANT. THIS IS IMPORTANT SINCE PUBLIC FUNDS ARE INVOLVED;
* THE NATURE OF THE SERVICES PROVIDED BY THE ORGANISATION AND THE DEMAND FOR SUCH FROM THE COMMUNITY;
* THE FINANCIAL NEED OF THE ORGANISATION BASED ON THE ANNUAL BUDGET, THE OPERATING DEFICIT, THE AMOUNT OF RESERVE AND THE AVAILABILITY OF OTHER SOURCES OF FUNDING.
THE ASSESSMENT WILL ALSO TAKE INTO ACCOUNT PLANNED PROJECTS AND ACTIVITIES OF THE ORGANISATION; AND
* APPLICANT’S ABILITY TO ORGANISE EFFECTIVELY AND TO MAXIMISE THE BENEFITS OF A FLAG DAY.
HE ALSO REMINDED INTERESTED APPLICANTS THAT EXPENSES IN CONNECTION WITH FLAG DAY NORMALLY SHOULD NOT EXCEED 10 PER CENT OF THE GROSS RECEIPTS AND THAT SUCCESSFUL APPLICANTS SHOULD OBSERVE THE CONDITIONS FOR HOLDING FLAG DAYS LAID DOWN BY THE COMMISSIONER OF POLICE.
APPLICATION FORMS CAN BE OBTAINED FROM THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT, 19TH FLOOR, WORLD TRADE CENTRE, 280 GLOUCESTER ROAD, CAUSEWAY BAY FROM MAY 1 IN PERSON OR IN WRITING.
FURTHER ENQUIRIES CAN BE MADE BY CALLING 5-765922.
COMPLETED APPLICATIONS TOGETHER WITH A COPY OF THE LATEST ANNUAL REPORT AND STATEMENT OF ACCOUNT OF THE ORGANISATION,. MUST REACH THE DEPARTMENT ON OR BEFORE JUNE 10. LATE APPLICATIONS WILL NOT BE ENTERTAINED.
- - 0 - -
/26........
FRIDAY, APRIL 28, 1989
26 -
LAST CHANCE FOR RESIDENTS TO PLANT TREES
♦ * * ♦ ♦ ,
THE 1989 COMMUNITY TREE PLANTING SCHEME ORGANISED BY THE AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES DEPARTMENT WILL DRAW TO A CLOSE ON SUNDAY (APRIL 30).
INTERESTED MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC ARE REMINDED TODAY (FRIDAY) TO MAKE USE OF THIS LAST CHANCE TO SHARE THE SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY OF PLANTING TREES.
ON THE LAST TREE PLANTING DAY ON SUNDAY, TREE SEEDLINGS WILL BE AVAILABLE FREE OF CHARGE FOR PLANTING BY MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC IN EIGHT DESIGNATED COUNTRY PARK PLANTING SITES AT TAI MO SHAN, TAI MEI TUK, MUI WO, POK FU LAM, QUARRY BAY, PAK TAM CHUNG, CLEAR WATER BAY AND TAI TONG.
PARK WARDENS WILL BE ON DUTY FROM 9 AM TO 4 PM TO PROVIDE TOOLS AND TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE.
SINCE THE LAUNCH OF THIS YEAR'S SCHEME LATE LAST MONTH, MORE THAN 16,210 PEOPLE FROM ALL WALKS OF LIFE HAVE VOLUNTEERED THEIR SUPPORT AND PLANTED A TOTAL OF 21,340 TREES.
AMONG THE PARTICIPANTS, 11,070 CAME FROM 162 SCHOOL COMMUNITY GROUPS, AND THE REMAINDER WERE INDIVIDUAL MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC AND THEIR FAMILIES.
WHILE ANOTHER 40 GROUPS OF 3,200 PEOPLE ARE STILL AWAITING THEIR TURNS TO PLANT TREES ON WEEKDAYS, REQUESTS ARE STILL POURING IN.
THE DEPARTMENT’S SENIOR CONSERVATION OFFICER, MR M.K. CHEUNG, SAID HE WAS IMPRESSED WITH THE VERY GOOD RESPONSE WHICH WAS INDICATIVE OF THE INCREASING PUBLIC SUPPORT IN CONSERVING THE ENVIRONMENT.
THE COMMUNITY TREE PLANTING SCHEME HAS BEEN AN ANNUAL EVENT, SINCE 1957, TO AROUSE PUBLIC AWARENESS OF THE IMPORTANCE OF COUNTRYSIDE CONSERVATION.
MR CHEUNG SAID TREE PLANTING WAS ESSENTIAL IN STOPPING SOIL EROSION, IN BEAUTIFYING OUR COUNTRYSIDE AND IN REPLENISHING THE STOCK OF TREES DAMAGED BY HILL FIRES.
"IT HAS THEREFORE BEEN OUR POLICY TO INVOLVE THE PUBLIC IN PLANTING AND CARING FOR TREES IN OUR COUNTRY PARKS TO MAKE THEM REALISE THE IMPORTANCE OF KEEPING THE COUNTRYSIDE CLEAN AND GREEN,” HE SAID.
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/27........
FRIDAY, APRIL 28, 1989
- 27 -
HOME SAFETY EXHIBITION IN TUEN MUN * ♦ t t ♦
THE SIXTH IN A SERIES OF NINE MOBILE EXHIBITIONS TO DISSEMINATE HOME SAFETY MESSAGES WILL BE STAGED AT YAN 01 TOWN SQUARE IN TUEN MUN ON SUNDAY (APRIL 30) FROM 11 AM TO 4 PM.
ORGANISED BY THE HOME SAFETY CAMPAIGN PUBLICITY COMMITTEE, THE EXHIBITION IS PART OF THE PUBLICITY PROGRAMMES TO ALERT THE PUBLIC OF HIDDEN DANGERS IN THE HOME AND GIVE THEM ADVICE ON PRECAUTIONARY MEASURES.
"THE EXHIBITION, IN THE FORM OF A MOCK KITCHEN, WILL HIGHLIGHT POTENTIAL DANGERS IN THIS AREA OF THE HOME," A SPOKESMAN FOR THE COMMITTEE SAID.
A NEW BOOKLET "SAFETY BEGINS AT HOME" WILL BE DISTRIBUTED TO VISITORS AT THE VENUE.
"THE BOOKLET FEATURES THE MOST COMMON HAZARDS IN THE HOME ON A ’ROOM-BY-ROOM’ BASIS AND PROVIDES GUIDELINE ON HOW TO AVOID MISHAPS ARISING THROUGH THE USE OF GAS, ELECTRICITY, MICROWAVE, WATER, CHEMICALS AND MEDICINE," THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
"IT ALSO INCLUDES FIRST AID KNOWLEDGE AND ADVICE ON THE CONTENT OF A FIRST AID BOX," HE ADDED.
-------o----------
ANOTHER MINIATURE TOWN TO PROMOTE ROAD SAFETY ♦ * ♦ »
THE ARCHITECTURAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT IS INVITING TENDERS FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF A ROAD SAFETY TOWN AT PAK FUK ROAD, NORTH POINT, HONG KONG TO FACILITATE THE TRAINING OF SCHOOL CHILDREN ON THE VARIOUS ASPECTS OF ROAD SAFETY.
THE PROPOSED DEVELOPMENT WILL BE SIMILAR IN LAYOUT TO THE EXISTING SAU MAU PING ROAD SAFETY TOWN WHICH INCORPORATES ALL THE ROAD FEATURES IN MINIATURE.
THESE INCLUDE STREETS, A ROUNDABOUT, ZEBRA CROSSINGS, A MAJOR ROAD JUNCTION, TRAFFIC LIGHTS, TRAFFIC SIGNS AND PAVEMENT.
A SINGLE STOREY ADMINISTRATION BLOCK WITH OFFICE, LECTURE ROOM, BICYCLE STORE AND A TOILET BLOCK WILL ALSO BE BUILT.
TENDER FORMS AND FURTHER PARTICULARS MAY BE OBTAINED FROM THE ARCHITECTURAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT, 34TH FLOOR, QUEENSWAY GOVERNMENT OFFICES, 66 QUEENSWAY, HONG KONG.
THE DEADLINE FOR SUBMISSION OF TENDERS IS NOON ON MAY 19 THIS YEAR.
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/28........
FRIDAY, APRIL 28, 1989
- 28 -
1988 ANNUAL STAMP PACK ON SALE ♦ ♦ * ♦
THE ANNUAL STAMP PACKS FOR 1988, EACH CONTAINING A SET OF ALL THE SPECIAL STAMPS ISSUED LAST YEAR, ARE NOW ON SALE, THE POST OFFICE ANNOUNCED TODAY (FRIDAY).
THE SPECIAL STAMP ISSUES ARE: LUNAR NEW YEAR OF THE DRAGON, HONG KONG TREES, HONG KONG BIRDS, CENTENARY OF THE PEAK TRAMWAY, CENTENARY OF THE CATHOLIC CATHEDRAL, AND THE COMMUNITY CHEST OF HONG KONG CHARITY STAMPS.
THE PACKS, SOLD AT $53 EACH, ARE IDEAL AS GIFTS AS WELL AS FOR PERSONAL COLLECTION.
THEY ARE AVAILABLE AT THE PHILATELIC COUNTERS OF THE AIRPORT POST OFFICE, BEACONSFIELD HOUSE POST OFFICE, GENERAL POST OFFICE, GRANVILLE ROAD POST OFFICE, PEAK POST OFFICE, AND TSIM SHA TSUI POST OFFICE.
-----0------
CSD DONATES TO CHARITABLE ORGANISATIONS ♦ ♦ ♦ * *
THE CORRECTIONAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT HAS DONATED A TOTAL OF $474,413 TO 22 CHARITABLE AND VOLUNTARY ORGANISATIONS CLOSELY CONNECTED WITH THE WORK OF THE DEPARTMENT.
THE DONATIONS ARE FROM THE PROCEEDS OF THE AUTUMN FAIR ORGANISED BY THE DEPARTMENT’S SPORTS ASSOCIATION AT STANLEY LAST NOVEMBER.
THE COMMISSIONER OF CORRECTIONAL SERVICES, MR CHAN WA-SHEK, PRESENTED THE DONATIONS TO REPRESENTATIVES OF THE ORGANISATIONS AT A BRIEF CEREMONY TODAY (FRIDAY).
THE RECIPIENTS INCLUDED THE SOCIETY FOR THE REHABILITATION OF OFFENDERS, MARGARET TRENCH REHABILITATION CENTRE, LOK HEEP CLUB, THE SALVATION ARMY, WORLD RELIEF, SAVE THE CHILDREN FUND, INTERNATIONAL SOCIAL SERVICES, THE FAMILY PLANNING ASSOCIATION OF HONG KONG, DUKE OF EDINBURGH’S AWARD, THE DEPARTMENT'S WELFARE FUND AND ASSOCIATION FOR THE RETIRED STAFF OF HONG KONG CORRECTIONAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT.
------0-------
TEMPORARY CLOSURE OF TSUEN WAN ROAD ♦ ♦ * » ♦
THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCED THAT TO FACILITATE ROAD MARKING WORKS, THE FAST AND MIDDLE LANES OF THE WESTBOUND CARRIAGEWAY OF A SECTION OF TSUEN WAN ROAD BETWEEN KWAI CHUNG ROAD AND TEXACO INTERCHANGE WILL BE CLOSED FROM 10 AM TO 4 PM ON SUNDAY (APRIL 30).
- - 0 - -
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL: 5-8428777
SATURDAY, APRIL 29, 198?
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
831 MILLION ALLOCATION FOR OUTREACHING SOCIAL SERVICES .... 1
40,000 BENEFIT FROM OPPORTUNITY FOR YOUTH SCHEME .............. 2
MIDDLE-AGED VOLUNTEERS aRE A TREASURE TO THE SOCIETY .......... 3
HONG KONG IS DOOR TO TRADE AND INVESTMENT OPPORTUNITIES IN ASIA: SGD ..................................................... 4
SOCIAL DATA COLLECTED CONTAINED IN SPECIAL TOPICS REPORT .. 6
SURVEY ON NT TAXI OPERATION ................................... 7
NEW WATERWORKS DEPOT ON LANTAU ................................ 8
STANDING COMMITTEE VISITS POLICE ........................... • 9
SPEEDPOST EXTENDS TO 143 MORE PLACES IN CHINA ................. 9
PUBLIC EARTH DUMP «T HUNG HCM BAY........................... 10
EMPLOYERS URGED TO OFFER ..TTACHMENT PLACES TO TI STUDENTS . 10
DISTRICT BOARD SUBSIDIES FOR COMMUNITY PROJECTS .............. 11
al-UTEUR ARTISTS HELP REPaINT CHEUNG CHaU MURALS.............. 11
NEW .jytJJGEMENT OF MURRaY BARRACKS CARPARK .................. 12
URB.iN CLEARWaY IN TSUEN WAN.................................. 12
LaNE CLOSURES IN F.JJLING AND SHEUNG SHUI .................... 13
temporary urban CLEaRWAY on conduit road ..................... 13
SATURDAY, APRIL 29, 1989
1
$31 MILLION ALLOCATION FOR OUTREACHING SOCIAL SERVICES *****
THE GOVERNMENT IS PLANNING TO ALLOCATE MORE THAN $31 MILLION TO VOLUNTARY WELFARE AGENCIES FOR THE PROVISION OF OUTREACHING SOCIAL SERVICES IN THE CURRENT FINANCIAL YEAR, THE DIRECTOR OF SOCIAL WELFARE, MRS ELIZABETH WONG, SAID THIS TODAY (SATURDAY).
SPEAKING AT A CEREMONY TO MARK THE OPENING OF THE HIN KENG CHILDREN AND YOUTH CENTRE CUM EXTENSION OF OUTREACHING SOCIAL SERVICES MRS WONG SAID: "THERE ARE 20 OUTREACHING SOCIAL WORK TEAMS IN THE TERRITORY CURRENTLY AND THE GOVERNMENT IS PLANNING TO INCREASE TWO TEAMS IN EACH OF THE CURRENT AND FORTHCOMING FINANCIAL YEAR; MAKING A TOTAL OF 24 TEAMS.
"TO ENSURE QUALITY SERVICE, THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT WILL CONDUCT AN OVERALL REVIEW LATER THIS YEAR."
SHE NOTED THAT OUTREACHING SOCIAL SERVICES WAS INTRODUCED IN 1979 AND THE SERVICES HAD BEEN DEVELOPING IN A STABLE MANNER THEREAFTER. SINCE THEN, SUCH SERVICES HAD BEEN PROVIDED BY VOLUNTARY SERVICES THROUGH GOVERNMENT FUNDING AMOUNTING TO MORE THAN $1 MILLION FOR EACH TEAM.
MRS WONG SAID: "OUTREACHING SOCIAL SERVICES IS A PREVENTIVE YOUTH SERVICE AND SOCIAL WORKERS OF THESE TEAMS HAVE TO TAKE THEIR INITIATIVE TO REACH OUT TO YOUTHS WHO ARE KNOWN TO FREQUENT THE STREETS, IN THE PLAYGROUND, GAME-CENTRES, BILLIARD ROOMS AND CAFETERIA.
"AFTER IDENTIFYING THE TARGET CLIENTS THROUGH DIRECT CONTACT, OUTREACHING SOCIAL WORKERS WILL PROVIDE COUNSELLING, GUIDANCE, AND OTHER FORMS OF SOCIAL WORK SERVICES TO YOUNG PEOPLE WITH EMOTIONAL, SOCIAL OR BEHAVIOURAL PROBLEMS.
"THROUGH THE PARTICIPATION OF PROPER RECREATIONAL ACTIVITIES, YOUTHS WHO ARE VULNERABLE TO UNDESIRABLE INFLUENCES MAY GAIN SATISFACTORY PERSONAL GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT," MRS WONG SAID.
APART FROM THE PROVISION OF PREVENTIVE SERVICES, MRS WONG POINTED OUT THAT YOUTHS SERVICES COULD ALSO BE PROVIDED WITH DEVELOPMENTAL, CARING AND REMEDIAL ESSENCE.
CHILDREN AND YOUTH CENTRES NOT ONLY PROVIDE RECREATIONAL AND SOCIAL SERVICE FOR CHILDREN AND YOUNG PEOPLE, BUT ALSO HELP YOUTHS TO BE INVOLVED IN WORTHWHILE ACTIVITIES AND PARTICIPATE IN COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT.
A WIDE RANGE OF SERVICES INCLUDING THE SETTING UP OF INTEREST GROUPS, CLUB GROUPS, UNIFORMED YOUTH GROUPS, AWARD SCHEMES AND YOUTH COUNCILS, AND OTHER SOCIAL AND RECREATIONAL ACTIVITIES ARE PROVIDED TO MEET THE NEEDS OF CHILDREN AND YOUTHS.
/MRS WONG .......
SATURDAY, APRIL 29, 1989
- 2 -
MRS WONG SAID: "THERE IS A GREAT DEMAND FOR YOUTH SERVICES IN SHA TIN AS ONE-THIRD OF THE 510,000 POPULATION IN THE DISTRICT ARE AGED BETWEEN SIX AND 24 AND THAT HALF OF THE TOTAL POPULATION ARE STAYING IN PUBLIC HOUSING ESTATES.
"THE GOVERNMENT IS PLANNING TO SET UP FIVE MORE CHILDREN AND YOUTH CENTRES IN THE CURRENT FINANCIAL YEAR OF WHICH THREE WILL BE LOCATED IN COMMERCIAL COMPLEXES, IN ADDITION TO THE EXISTING PROVISION OF 20."
MRS WONG PAID TRIBUTE TO THE YMCA FOR ITS PROVISION OF PIONEERING YOUTH SERVICES WHICH HAD DEVELOPED INTO VARIOUS SERVICES.
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40,000 BENEFIT FROM OPPORTUNITY FOR YOUTH SCHEME
» » » » t
MORE THAN 40,000 YOUTHS HAVE GAINED FROM THE OPPORTUNITIES FOR YOUTH SCHEME (OYS) OPERATED BY THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT OVER THE PAST 14 YEARS.
THIS WAS STATED BY THE DEPUTY DIRECTOR OF SOCIAL WELFARE, MR STEPHEN LAW, AT THE HONG KONG BEST OYS AWARD PRESENTATION HELD AT THE NEW TOWN PLAZA, SHA TIN TODAY (SATURDAY).
MR LAW NOTED THAT THE OYS WAS NOW INTO ITS 15TH YEAR OF SERVICES, AND HAD CONTRIBUTED SIGNIFICANTLY NOT ONLY TO THE PERSONAL GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT OF YOUTHS, BUT ALSO TO A LARGE NUMBER OF MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC.
"THE SCHEME PROVIDES A WIDE SPECTRUM OF SERVICES RANGING FROM VISITS TO THE ELDERLY AND THE DISABLED, BROADENING EXPERIENCE THROUGH THE PROCESS OF WORK, CIVIC EDUCATION, RURAL SERVICES TO COMMUNITY SERVICES," HE SAID.
"THE SCHEME PROVIDES MANY GOOD OPPORTUNITIES FOR YOUTHS TO FULFIL THEIR IDEALS AND SERVE THE COMMUNITY," HE ADDED.
MR LAW COMMENDED THE YOUTHS WHO HAD CONTRIBUTED THEIR TIME AND ENERGY TO VARIOUS PROJECTS ORGANISED BY THE OYS SUCH AS THE ’INTERNATIONAL YOUTH YEAR’ AND’INTERNATIONAL YEAR OF SHELTER FOR THE HOMELESS’.
THIS YEAR, THE OYS THEME IS 'HOME SAFETY FOR CHILDREN’ AND THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT WOULD GIVE PRIORITY TO PROJECTS AIMED AT PROMOTING THIS THEME, HE SAID.
/"THE OYS
SATURDAY, APRIL 29, l'X>9
- 3 -
"THE OYS OFFERS A GOOD OPPORTUNITY FOR YOUTHS TO BROADEN THElxi SCOPE OF KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE, TO HAVE BETTER UNDERSTANDING ABOUT PEOPLE AND THE COMMUNITY, AND TO ENABLE THEM TO ACHIEVE THE NECESSARY SATISFACTION FOR PERSONAL GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT, WHICH ARE ALL ESSENTIAL ELEMENTS IN PREPARATION AS GOOD AND CONTRIBUTIVE MEMBERS OF THE COMMUNITY," MR LAW SAID.
THE 1988-89 HONG KONG BEST OYS WAS AWARDED TO A YOUTH GROUP OF YMCA IN SAU MAU PING, KWUN TONG FOR ITS PROJECT IN SERVICES TO THE BLIND.
YOUTH GROUPS FROM 19 DISTRICTS ALSO TOOK PART IN A PANEL DISPLAY COMPETITION TO EXHIBIT THE PROJECTS THEY HAD DONE.
THE CHAIRMAN OF THE COMMITTEE ON THE PROMOTION OF CIV' 1 EDUCATION, DR DANIEL TSE, WHO ALSO OFFICIATED AT TODAY’S CEREMONY URGED VARIOUS ORGANISATIONS CONCERNED TO FACILITATE AND ENCOURAGE YOUTHS TO TAKE AN ACTIVE PART IN COMMUNITY WORK.
ON THE PART OF GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS, VOLUNTARY AGENCIES, ANO INDUSTRIAL AND COMMERCIAL ORGANISATIONS AND THE MASS MEDIA DR TSE NOTED THAT THEIR FINANCIAL AND LOGISTIC SUPPORT COULD ASSIST YOUTHS TO REALISE THEIR IDEALS.
HE ALSO NOTED THAT THE OYS OPERATED BY THE SWD HAD SET A GOOD EXAMPLE FOR OTHERS TO FOLLOW AND HOPED THAT OTHER ORGANISATIONS CONCERNED COULD FOLLOW SUIT.
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MIDDLE-AGED VOLUNTEERS ARE A TREASURE TO THE SOCIETY
*****
MIDDLE-AGED VOLUNTEERS COULD BE A TREASURS TO THE SOCIETY, THE ASSISTANT DIRECTOR OF SOCIAL WELFARE, MR ALFRED CHUI, SAID TODAY (SATURDAY).
SPEAKING AT THE GRADUATION CEREMONY OF THE "WIDENING OPPORTUNITY FOR THE 50 PLUS" ORGANISED BY HONG KONG SOCIETY FOR THE AGED, MR CHUI POINTED OUT THAT THESE MIDDLE-AGED VOLUNTEERS COULD BECOME DYNAMIC HUMAN RESOURCES IF THEY ARE UNDER PROPER GUIDANCE.
HE SAID: "MIDDLE AGE, OFTEN REFERRED TO AS THE PRIME OF LIFE, IMPLIES THAT A PERSON MAY HAVE PROFOUND EXPERIENCE IN LIFE, ENERGETIC AND CAPABLE OF PROVIDING SERVICES TO THE ELDERLY.
"PEOPLE OFTEN ASSOCIATE VOLUNTEERS WITH YOUTHS IN THE OLD DAYS, BUT THE SITUATION HAS CHANGED AND IT IS NO LONGER A MONOPOLISED SERVICE AS MIDDLE-AGED VOLUNTEERS ARE PLAYING AN ACTIVE ROLE.
/"VOLUNTEER SERVICES
SATURDAY, ARPIL 29, 19&9
• 4 -
’’VOLUNTEER SERVICES ARE INDISPENSABLE COMMUNITY SERVICES AS THESE VOLUNTEERS HAVE CONTRIBUTED THEIR TIME, ENERGY, EXPERIENCE AND SKILLS TO THE NEEDY.”
IT IS ESTIMATED THAT 15.5 PER CENT OF THE TOTAL POPULATION WILL BE THE ELDERLY, AGED 60 AND ABOVE, BY THE 21ST CENTURY.
MR CHUI NOTED THAT THE GOVERNMENT IS CONSTANTLY REVIEWING THE POLICY IN RELATION TO THE AGING POPULATION AND THEIR SOCIAL NEEDS.
"IT HAS ALWAYS BEEN OUR PRINCIPLE TO ENCOURAGE COMMUNITY CARE AND PROVIDE VARIOUS SUPPORT TO THE ELDERLY SO THAT THEY ARE ABLE TO LIVE WITH THEIR FAMILIES IN HARMONY LIFE," HE SAID.
MR CHUI ALSO COMMENDED THE HONG KONG SOCIETY FOR THE AGED FOR INTRODUCING THE PIONEER PROJECT AND POOLING RESOURCES FROM THE MIDDLE-AGED VOLUNTEERS SO THAT THEY COULD BE ABLE TO KEEP UP WITH SOCIETY.
THE "WIDENING OPPORTUNITY FOR THE 50 PLUS" WAS INTRODUCED BY THE SAGE LAST SEPTEMBER AND WAS WELL RECEIVED. THE CURRENT BATCH OF 60 VOLUNTEERS, AGED BETWEEN 50 AND 65, HAVE EACH COMPLETED THEIR 25 HOURS OF VOLUNTEER SERVICES.
THESE VOLUNTEERS WERE GIVEN A COMPREHENSIVE TRAINING BEFORE THEY RENDER THEIR SERVICES TO THE DISABLED CHILDREN AND THE ELDERLY.
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HONG KONG IS DOOR TO TRADE AND INVESTMENT OPPORTUNITIES IN ASIA: SGD ♦ * ♦ ♦ ♦
BUSINESS LEADERS, GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS AND ACADEMICS IN THE AMERICAN CITY OF JACKSON, CAPITOL OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, WERE YESTERDAY (APRIL 28) TOLD OF THE TREMENDOUS TRADE AND INVESTMENT OPPORTUNITIES THAT AWAITED THEM IN ASIA THROUGH HONG KONG’S GUARANTEED FUTURE AS AN INTERNATIONAL TRADING ECONOMY.
IN A KEYNOTE ADDRESS TO THE LEADING EDGE SEMINAR IN THE CITY, SECRETARY FOR GENERAL DUTIES, MR BARRIE WIGGHAM, SAID THE SYSTEMS WHICH HAD PROVED TO BE A WORKING RECIPE FOR HONG KONG’S ASTONISHING SUCCESS STORY WOULD BE PRESERVED UNDER THE SINO-BRITISH JOINT DECLARATION.
THE SEMINAR WAS ORGANISED BY THE UNIVERSITIES CENTRE OF JACKSON STATE UNIVERSITY WHICH REPRESENTS THE MAJOR INSTITUTES OF LEARNING IN THE STATE.
MR WIGGHAM SAID THE JOINT DECLARATION WAS ALREADY WORKING WELL EIGHT YEARS BEFORE HONG KONG REVERTS TO CHINESE SOVEREIGNTY AND THE PROCESS TO IMPLEMENT SOME OF THE PROVISIONS HAD ALREADY STARTED.
/ONE OF
- 5 -
SATURDAY, APRIL 29, 1989
ONE OF THE MOST IMPORTANT WAS THAT AFTER 1997 HONG KONG WOULD BE ABLE TO NEGOTIATE AGREEMENTS AND PARTICIPATE IN INTERNATIONAL ORGANISATIONS IN APPROPRIATE FIELDS WHICH HE TOLD THE AUDIENCE: "HAS A GREAT DEAL OF PRACTICAL IMPORTANCE FOR HONG KONG AS A MAJOR TRADING TERRITORY AND TO YOU AS INVESTORS OR TRADERS DOING BUSINESS WITH US."
AS A RESULT OF THIS PROCESS, HE POINTED OUT, HONG KONG HAD ALREADY BECOME AN INDEPENDENT CONTRACTING PARTY TO THE GATT, THE CUSTOMS COOPERATION COUNCIL, THE ASIAN DEVELOPMENT BANK AND THE UNITED NATIONS CONFERENCE ON TRADE AND DEVELOPMENT.
FURTHERMORE, HE ADDED, AGREEMENTS HAD BEEN REACHED ON HONG KONG’S INDEPENDENT PARTICIPATION IN A DOZEN OTHER INTERNATIONAL ORGANISATIONS.
MR WIGGHAM SAID THE PROVISIONS IN THE JOINT DECLARATION WOULD BE ENSHRINED BY THE CHINESE GOVERNMENT IN A BASIC LAW, OR MINI-CONSTITUTION, FOR HONG KONG TO BE ENACTED IN EARLY 1990.
LOOKING TO THE YEARS AHEAD OF 1997 AND WHAT HONG KONG WOULD BE LIKE THEN, MR WIGGHAM SAID CONSTITUTIONALLY IT WOULD BE QUITE DIFFERENT.
"IT WILL BE A SPECIAL ADMINISTRATIVE REGION OF CHINA INSTEAD OF A DEPENDENT TERRITORY OF THE UNITED KINGDOM. BUT NOT A LOT ELSE WILL CHANGE - AND IT IS CRITICAL THAT IT DOES NOT,” HE STRESSED.
MR WIGGHAM POINTED OUT THAT HONG KONG WOULD STILL HAVE ITS CAPITALIST FREE MARKET SYSTEM, WITH FULL AUTHORITY OVER ITS OWN FINANCIAL AND MONETARY POLICIES AND ITS OWN FREELY CONVERTIBLE CURRENCY WITH NO EXCHANGE CONTROLS.
"BUT MOST IMPORTANTLY," HE CONTINUED, "IT WOULD HAVE ITS OWN STABLE AND INDEPENDENT LEGAL SYSTEM BUILT AROUND THE BRITISH COMMON LAW TO ENSURE A CONTINUATION OF HONG KONG’S RELIABLE BUSINESS ENVIRONMENT WHEREBY INVESTORS CAN ENTER INTO CONTRACTS AND OPERATE IN THE MARKETS WITHOUT FEAR OF ARBITRARY EXPROPRIATION OR POLITICAL MANIPULATION."
SUMMING UP, HE SAID THE JOINT DECLARATION AND THE CONFIDENCE WHICH IT HAD GENERATED IN HONG KONG'S FUTURE HAD PROVIDED THE BASIS FOR HIGH RATES OF GROWTH AND LONG-TERM INVESTMENT IN HONG KONG’S ECONOMY AND OPPORTUNITIES ABOUND.
MR WIGGHAM’S HOST IN JACKSON WAS THE DOYEN OF MISSISSIPPI’S PUBLIC LIFE, FORMER GOVERNOR, MR WILLIAM WINTER, WHO WAS INSTRUMENTAL IN OPENING MISSISSIPPI TO INTERNATIONAL TRADE.
MR WIGGHAM SAID HIS VISIT WAS TIMELY AS THE CURRENT GOVERNOR OF MISSISSIPPI, MR GOVERNOR RAY MABUS, LEFT JACKSON YESTERDAY AT THE HEAD OF A HIGH LEVEL MISSISSIPPI BUSINESS MISSION TO ASIA. SEVERAL LEADING MEMBERS OF THE MISSION WOULD BE VISITING HONG KONG DURING THEIR ASIAN TRIP.
/COMMENTING ON .......
SATURDAY, APRIL 29, 1989 •
- 6 -
COMMENTING ON THE BUSINESS MISSION, MR WIGGHAM SAID: "NOBODY WHO GOES TO HONG KONG CAN FAIL TO BE BUT IMPRESSED BY THE TREMENDOUS OPPORTUNITY AND SCOPE IN OUR DYNAMISM WHICH IS BEING INSURED FOR THE FUTURE BY THE SINO-BRITISH JOINT DECLARATION."
NEXT WEEK MR WIGGHAM WILL BE IN PENNSYLVANIA WHERE HE IS SCHEDULED TO GIVE SPEECHES TO THE WORLD AFFAIRS COUNCILS IN BOTH PITTSBURGH AND PHILADELPHIA. A SERIES OF MEETINGS WITH CORPORATE AND COMMUNITY LEADERS IN BOTH THESE CITIES HAS ALSO BEEN ARRANGED.
AFTER THAT MR WIGGHAM WILL FLY TO SAN FRANCISCO WHERE HE WILL HAVE ANOTHER ROUND OF PUBLIC APPEARANCES AND MEETINGS WITH KEY GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS, BUSINESS LEADERS AND ACADEMICS.
0 -
SOCIAL DATA COLLECTED CONTAINED IN SPECIAL TOPICS REPORT
*****
SUPPLEMENTARY ENQUIRIES ON A VARIETY OF TOPICS ARE INCLUDED IN THE GENERAL HOUSEHOLD SURVEY WHICH IS CONDUCTED ON A CONTINUOUS BASIS BY THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT.
THE AIM IS TO COLLECT SOCIAL DATA REQUIRED BY GOVERNMENT FOR PLANNING THE PROVISION OF SERVICES AND FOR A BETTER UNDERSTANDING OF THE SOCIAL CONDITION OF SOCIETY.
THE JUST-PUBLISHED SPECIAL TOPICS REPORT NO. V COVERS SIX TOPICS BASED ON ENQUIRIES CONDUCTED DURING THE PERIOD FROM AUGUST 1987 TO JULY 1988.
THESE TOPICS ARE: CIGARETTE SMOKING PATTERN, PART-TIME EMPLOYMENT, SICK LEAVE PATTERN OF EMPLOYEES, PARTICIPATION IN PART-TIME EDUCATION, USE OF TAXIS AND ATTENDING CULTURAL PERFORMANCES.
SOME FACTS CONTAINED IN THE REPORT SHOW THAT THE PROPORTION OF SMOKERS IN HONG KONG CONTINUED TO DECREASE.
ABOUT 17 PER CENT OF PERSONS AGED 15 AND OVER IN 1988 WERE SMOKERS, COMPARED WITH 19 PER CENT IN 1984 AND 23 PER CENT IN AND 23 PER CENT IN 1982. THIRTY PER CENT OF MALES AND THREE PER CENT OF FEMALES WERE SMOKERS.
ON PART-TIME EMPLOYMENT, THE REPORT SHOWED THAT THERE WERE 53,800 PART-TIME JOB-HOLDERS IN HONG KONG IN 1988. MORE THAN HALF OF THEM WERE IN SERVICES INDUSTRIES AND OVER ONE-THIRD IN MANUFACTURING INDUSTRIES.
AS FOR PAST-TIME EDUCATION, A TOTAL OF 10,700 (OR 2.3 PER CENT) PERSONS AGED 15 AND OVER ATTENDED PART-TIME COURSES IN 1988.
/LANGUAGE COURSES .......
SATURDAY, APRIL 29, 1989
LANGUAGE COURSES AND COURSES ON ARCHITECTURE, ENGINEERING, INDUSTRIAL TECHNOLOGY AND OTHER VOCATIONAL STUDIES WERE THE MORE POPULAR FIELDS OF STUDY, ATTRACTING ONE-QUARTER AND MORE THAN ONE-FIFTH OF THE TOTAL PARTICIPANTS RESPECTIVELY.
THE REPORT CONTAINS MANY MORE FINDINGS AND DETAILED TABLES ON THE SUBJECTS SURVEYED.
THE SPECIAL TOPICS REPORT NO. V IS NOW ON SALE AT $29 A COPY AT THE GOVERNMENT PUBLICATIONS CENTRE, GENERAL POST OFFICE BUILDING, OR AT THE PUBLICATIONS SALES COUNTER OF THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT, WANCHAI TOWER I, 12 HARBOUR ROAD , WANCHA1, HONG KONG.
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SURVEY ON NT TAXI OPERATION
» t t »
THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT IS CARRYING OUT A SURVEY ON THE OPERATIONS OF NEW TERRITORIES TAXIS AND IS CALLING FOR THE FULL CO-OPERATION OF NT TAXI OWNERS.
THE ANNUAL SURVEY WILL INCLUDE A QUESTIONNAIRE AND A METER READING EXERCISE.
A QUESTIONNAIRE HAS ALREADY BEEN SENT TO EVERY NT TAXI OWNER ENQUIRING DETAILS OF THEIR OPERATION.
A TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT SPOKESMAN SAID ALL THE INFORMATION SUPPLIED WOULD BE TREATED CONFIDENTIAL AND USED IN STATISTICAL ANALYSIS ONLY.
THE METER READING EXERCISE WILL BE CARRIED OUT NEXT MONTH.
TAXI DRIVERS ARE REQUESTED TO PRESENT ON TWO OCCASIONS THEIR TAXIS AT ANY ONE OF THE SIX METER READING CENTRES AT THEIR CONVENIENCE.
THE FIRST METER READING WILL TAKE PLACE FROM MAY 1 TO MAY 5 AND THE SECOND READING FROM MAY 8 TO MAY 12, FROM 9.30 AM TO 12.30 PM OR FROM 2 PM TO 4.30 PM.
THE SPOKESMAN SAID THE WHOLE METER READING PROCESS WOULD BE VERY SIMPLE AND WOULD TAKE ONLY A FEW MINUTES.
/THE SIX
SATURDAY, APRIL 29$ 1989
8
THE SIX METER READING CENTRES ARE LOCATED AT:
* CARPARK OUTSIDE YUEN LONG STADIUM, YUEN LONG;
» TAXI STAND AT TUEN MUN FERRY PIER INTERCHANGE, TUEN MUN;
♦ TAXI STAND AT ON TING ESTATE, TUEN MUN;
♦ TAXI STAND AT TAI YUEN ESTATE, TAI PO;
♦ TAXI STAND AT FUK MAN ROAD, SAI KUNG; AND
* TAXI STAND AT CHOI YUEN ROAD, SHEUNG SHUI.
-------0----------
NEW WATERWORKS DEPOT ON LANTAU *****
A NEW WATERWORKS CONSUMER SERVICES DEPOT WILL BE OPENED IN MUI
WO FROM MONDAY (MAY 1) TO SERVE RESIDENTS ON LANTAU ISLAND.
THE NEW DEPOT WILL BE LOCATED AT THE SILVERMINE BAY TREATMENT WORKS IN MUI WO AND WILL BE OPEN FROM 8 AM TO 10 PM DAILY, INCLUDING SUNDAYS AND PUBLIC HOLIDAYS.
CONSUMERS AT MUI WO, PUI 0, CHEUNG SHA, TONG FUK, SHUI HAU AND TAI 0 WHO WANT TO REQUEST FOK SERVICE REGARDING WATER MAINS BURSTS, WATER MAINS LEAKS, WEAK WATER PRESEURE OR TO MAKE ANY OTHER COMPLAINTS OF A TECHNICAL NATURE CAN EITHER CALL AT THE DEPOT IN PERSON OR TELEPHONE 5-9847575.
IN CONJUCTION WITH THE OPENING OF THE MUI WO DEPOT, THE WORKING HOURS OF THE EXISTING TAI O CONSUMER SERVICES DEPOT WILL BE SHORTENED FROM MONDAY.
THE NEW OPENING HOURS WILL BE FROM 8 AM TO 5 PM DAILY. CONSUMERS AT TAI O REQUESTING SERVICES AFTER 5 PM MAY CONTACT THE MUI WO DEPOT.
SATURDAY. APRIL 29, 1989
9
STANDING COMMITTEE VISITS POLICE * ♦ « » *
MEMBERS OF THE RECENTLY FORMED STANDING COMMITTEE ON DISCIPLINED SERVICES SALARIES AND CONDITIONS OF SERVICE VISITED THE ROYAL HONG KONG POLICE FORCE THIS MORNING (SATURDAY).
THE DELEGATION WAS LED BY THE CHAIRMAN OF THE STANDING COMMITTEE, MR JOHN SWAINE AND SECRETARY GENERAL OF THE STANDING COMMITTEE, MR KEN WOODHOUSE. NINE OTHER STANDING COMMITTEE MEMBERS ALSO TOOK PART IN THE VISIT - MR MARTIN BARROW, MR PAUL CHENG, MR WILFRED CHAN SIU-YUEN, MR ANTHONY CHEUNG, MR CHOW CHUN-FAI. MRS NELLIE K.M. FONG, MR ANTHONY NEOH, MR BRIAN RENWICK AND MR TANG KWAI-NANG. MR BARROW AND MR CHENG ARE THE CHAIRMEN OF THE POLICE SUB-COMMITTEE AND THE GENERAL DISCIPLINED SERVICES SUB-COMMITTEE RESPECTIVELY.
THEY WERE RECEIVED BY THE COMMISSIONER OF POLICE. MR RAYMON ANNING, HIS THREE DEPUTY COMMISSIONERS, MR LI KWAN-HA. MR GEORGE HINDHAUGH AND MR JOHN THORPE, AND OTHER SENIOR STAFF OF THE FORCE.
THE COMMITTEE MEMBERS WERE SHOWN ROUND THE POLMIL CONTROL CENTRE, THE ORGANISED AND SERIOUS CRIME GROUP AND THE NARCOTICS BUREAU. THEY WERE GIVEN PRESENTATIONS ON INTERNAL SECURITY AND ANTI-TERRORIST MEASURES, ILLEGAL IMMIGRATION. ASSUMPTION OF THE MILITARY ROLE ON THE BORDER, TRIADS, CRIME TRENDS. MAJOR CRIME INVESTIGATIONS AND ANTI-DRUG OPERATIONS.
MEMBERS OF THE STANDING COMMITTEE THEN HELD INFORMAL TALKS WITH THE COMMISSIONER AND CHIEFS OF STAFF OF THE FORCE, WHERE THEY EXCHANGED VIEWS ON A NUMBER OF ISSUES WHICH WERE OF MAJOR CONCERN TO THE FORCE AND ITS STAFF.
THE VISIT WAS THE SECOND OF A SERIES OF PLANNED FAMILIARISATION TOURS BY MEMBERS OF THE STANDING COMMITTEE TO SEE THE WORK OF THE DISCIPLINED SERVICES.
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SPEEDPOST EXTENDS TO 143 MORE PLACES IN CHINA
*»*«»«
THE SPEEDPOST SERVICE TO CHINA WILL BE EXTENDED TO 143 MORE CITIES AND COUNTIES FROM MONDAY (MAY 1).
AT PRESENT, THE SERVICE IS AVAILABLE TO 45 CITIES AND COUNTIES IN CHINA, A POST OFFICE SPOKESMAN SAID TODAY (SATURDAY).
CUSTOMERS REQUIRING DETAILS OF THE NEW SPEEDPOST NETWORK WITHIN CHINA OR OTHER SERVICE INFORMATION CAN CONTACT THE POSTAL SERVICES REPRESENTATIVES ON 5-8683868 OR THE POST OFFICE ENQUIRY BUREAU ON 5-231071, THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
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/1O......
SATURDAY, APRIL 29, 1989
10
PUBLIC EARTH DUMP AT HUNG HOM BAY *****
A PUBLIC EARTH DUMP AT HUNG HOM BAY NEAR THE STAR FERRY PIER WILL BE OPENED FOR USE FROM MONDAY (MAY 1) TO THOSE POSSESSING A DUMPING PERMIT.
THE OPENING HOURS WILL BE FROM 8.30 AM TO 6 PM DAILY, EXCEPT SUNDAYS AND PUBLIC HOLIDAYS.
THE DUMP WILL BE CLOSED WHEN TYPHOON SIGNAL NUMBER 8 OR ABOVE IS HOISTED.
DUMPING PERMITS CAN BE OBTAINED BY APPLYING TO THE PORT WORKS DIVISION. CIVIL ENGINEERING OFFICE, CIVIL ENGINEERING SERVICES DEPARTMENT.
COPIES OF BOTH VALID VEHICLE LICENCE AND REGISTRATION RECORD SHOULD BE FORWARDED WITH EACH APPLICATION.
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EMPLOYERS URGED TO OFFER ATTACHMENT PLACES TO TI STUDENTS ******
THE VOCATIONAL TRAINING COUNCIL URGES EMPLOYERS IN INDUSTRY. COMMERCE AND SERVICE SECTORS TO OFFER ATTACHMENT PLACES FOR 3,000 TECHNICAL STUDENTS THIS SUMMER.
FULL-TIME TECHNICIAN STUDENTS FROM THE COUNCIL’S EIGHT TECHNICAL INSTITUTES WILL BE SENT TO GAIN WORKING EXPERIENCE IN ESTABLISHMENTS RELATED TO THEIR FIELDS OF STUDIES INCLUDING APPLIED SCIENCE. CLOTHING AND TEXTILES, COMMERCIAL STUDIES, COMPUTING STUDIES, CONSTRUCTION, DESIGN, ELECTRICAL ENGINEERING, MECHANICAL ENGINEERING AND PRINTING.
’’PRACTICAL EXPERIENCE PLAYS A VITAL PART IN TECHNICAL EDUCATION. EXPOSURE TO INDUSTRIAL OR REAL-LIFE WORKING ENVIRONMENT WILL HELP STUDENTS TO APPLY WHAT THEY HAVE LEARNED,” A SPOKESMAN FOR THE COUNCIL SAID.
’’EMPLOYERS WOULD ALSO BE BENEFITED IN THE LONG RUN BY RECRUITING THESE WELL-TRAINED STUDENTS.” HE ADDED.
HE ALSO NOTED THAT OUTSTANDING STUDENTS, UPON COMPLETION OF THEIR STUDY. OFTEN GOT PERMANENT EMPLOYMENT FROM THE EMPLOYERS WHO HAD OFFERED THEM THE ATTACHMENT PLACES.
EMPLOYERS WHO ARE ABLE TO OFFER TRAINING OPPORTUNITIES TO THE STUDENTS DURING MID-JULY TO MID-SEPTEMBER ARE URGED TO CONTACT THE TECHNICAL INSTITUTES DIRECTLY : MORRISON HILL (5-745321). KWAI CHUNG (0-4246221), KWUN TONG (3-7274331), HAKING WONG (3-615161), LEE WAI LEE (3-383611), TUEN MUN (0-4630066). SHA TIN (0-6066227) AND CHAI WAN (5-8971011).
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/11
SATURDAY, APRIL 29, 1989
DISTRICT BOARD SUBSIDIES FOR COMMUNITY PROJECTS ♦ t ♦ » t
LOCAL ORGANISATIONS AND VOLUNTARY AGENCIES IN EASTERN DISTRICT ARE INVITED TO APPLY FOR DISTRICT BOARD FUNDS TO ORGANISE COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT PROJECTS.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE EASTERN DISTRICT BOARD SAID THAT THESE PROJECTS SHOULD AIM AT ENHANCING THE WELL-BEING OF PEOPLE LIVING OR WORKING IN THE DISTRICT AND TO CULTIVATE A SENSE OF DISTRICT IDENTITY.
’’SUBSIDIES WOULD BE GRANTED TO PROJECTS RANGING FROM SURVEYS, EXHIBITIONS. COMPETITIONS AND CULTURAL ACTIVITIES TO RECREATIONAL ACTIVITIES FOR THE ELDERLY AND THE DISABLED AND TRAINING COURSES FOR VOLUNTEERS.” HE SAID.
A WORKING GROUP FORMED UNDER THE BOARD’S COMMUNITY BUILDING COMMITTEE, WILL HOLD MEETINGS ON JUNE 6, JULY 26, SEPTEMBER 1, OCTOBER 10 AND NOVEMBER 22 TO VET THESE APPLICATIONS.
APPLICATION FORMS ARE NOW AVAILABLE AT THE EASTERN DISTRICT BOARD SECRETARIAT AT THE DISTRICT OFFICE. FIRST FLOOR, 880-886 KING’S ROAD. ENQUIRIES CAN BE MADE ON TELEPHONE 5-630181.
0 - -
AMATEUR ARTISTS HELP REPAINT CHEUNG CHAU MURALS ♦ * * ♦ »
A GROUP OF YOUNG AMATEUR ARTISTS JOINED A TWO-DAY PROGRAMME WHICH STARTED THIS (SATURDAY) MORNING TO REPAINT THE MURALS AT THE TUNG WAH CHILDREN’S PLAYGROUND ON CHEUNG CHAU.
THE MURALS COVERING A SURFACE OF 60 SQUARE METRES OF THE WALLS SURROUNDING THE PLAYGROUND, WERE FIRST PAINTED ABOUT THREE YEARS AGO. THEY ARE PAINTINGS OF ROBOTS, CARTOONS AND TROPICAL PLANTS.
AS THERE ARE SIGNS CK FADING. THE ISLANDS DISTRICT OFFICE RECENTLY INITIATED A PROJECT TO REPAINT THE MURALS.
A TOTAL OF 45 VOLUNTEERS, AGED BETWEEN EIGHT AND 25, FROM THE CHEUNG CHAU CARITAS SOCIAL CENTRE RESPONDED TO THE REPAINTING PROJECT.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE DISTRICT OFFICE SAID THE PROJECT IS AIMED AT CULTIVATING AMONG THE YOUTHS A SENSE OF BELONGING TO THEIR COMMUNITY THROUGH PARTICIPATING IN THE BEAUTIFICATION OF THEIR LIVING ENVIRONMENT.
"IT ALSO PROVIDES A CHANCE FOR THE YOUTHS TO SHOW OFF THEIR ARTISTIC TALENT," HE ADDED.
/12
SATURDAY, APRIL 29, 1989
NEW ARRANGEMENT OF MURRAY BARRACKS CARPARK *****
THE MURRAY BARRACKS OPEN-AIR CARPARK IN GARDEN ROAD, CENTRAL, WILL CEASE TO BE A GOVERNMENT CARPARK FROM ONE MINUTE PAST MIDNIGHT ON MONDAY (MAY 1), A SPOKESMAN FOR THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT SAID TODAY (SATURDAY).
HOWEVER, THE CARPARK WILL CONTINUE TO BE RUN BY A COMMERCIAL OPERATOR UNTIL POSSESSION IS GIVEN TO THE SUCCEEFUL TENDERER FOR THE COMMERCIAL DEVELOPMENT OF THE SITE BY THE END OF JULY.
MEANWHILE, THE PARKING CHARGES AT THIS CARPARK WILL REMAIN UNCHANGED.
- - 0 - -
URBAN CLEARWAY IN TSUEN WAN *****
THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCED THAT FROM 10 AM ON MONDAY (MAY 1), THE WESTBOUND CARRIAGEWAY OF A SECTION OF SAI LAU KOK ROAD BETWEEN A POINT 120 METRES EAST OF ITS JUNCTION WITH MEI WAN STREET AND A POINT 190 METRES EAST OF THE SAME JUNCTION WILL BE DESIGNATED A 7 AM TO 7 PM DAILY URBAN CLEARWAY.
WITHIN THIS AREA, ALL MOTOR VEHICLES, EXCEPT FRANCHISED BUSES AND THOSE WITH PERMITS ISSUED BY THE COMMISSIONER FOR TRANSPORT, WILL BE PROHIBITED FROM PICKING UP OR SETTING DOWN PASSENGERS; OR LOADING OR UNLOADING GOODS.
- - 0 -
SATURDAY, APRIL 29, 1989
LANE CLOSURES IN FANLING AND SHEUNG SHUI *****
THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCED THAT IN ORDER TO FACILITATE ROAD MAINTENANCE WORKS, TEMPORARY TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS WILL BE CARRIED OUT ON TAI PO ROAD (FANLING) AND NEW TERRITORIES CIRCULAR ROAD NEXT MONTH.
THE OUTERMOST LANE OF TAI PO ROAD (FANLING) NORTHBOUND AND SOUTHBOUND NEAR WO HOP SHEK INTERCHANGE WILL BE CLOSED FROM MONDAY (MAY 1) TO WEDNESDAY (MAY 3).
THE OUTERMOST LANE OF TAI PO ROAD (FANLING) NORTHBOUND AND SOUTHBOUND NEAR KAI LENG ROUNDABOUT WILL BE CLOSED FROM MAY 8 TO 10.
THE OUTERMOST LANE OF NEW TERRITORIES CIRCULAR ROAD NORTHBOUND AND SOUTHBOUND NEAR SHEUNG SHUI ROUNDABOUT WILL BE CLOSED ON MAY 15 AND 16.
- - 0 - -
TEMPORARY URBAN CLEARWAY ON CONDUIT ROAD
*****
THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCES THAT FROM 10 AM ON MONDAY (MAY 1), THE NORTHERN KERBSIDE LANE OF CONDUIT ROAD IN CENTRAL BETWEEN HOUSE NUMBERS 2 AND 18 WILL BE DESIGNATED AN URBAN CLEARWAY ROUND-THE-CLOCK.
THIS MEASURE WILL LAST FOR ABOUT FIVE WEEKS FOR WATER MAINLAYING WORKS.
NO VEHICLES EXCEPT FRANCHISED BUSES WILL BE ALLOWED TO STOP FOR PASSENGERS OR GOODS THERE.
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DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL: 5-8428777
SUNDAY, APRIL JO, 1989
CONTENTS PAGE NO,
NEW BUILDING PL^NS ^PROVED................................... 1
NEW MEMBERS APPOINTED TO CIVIC EDUCATION COMMITTEE ,........ 1
STUDENTS TO ACQUIRE EXPERIENCE IN WORK ..................... 2
POLICE DELEGATION LEAVES FOR CHINA ......................... 3
ISLANDS DB STUDY TOUR OFF TO SOUTH KOREA.................... J
ENVIRONMENT.;! IMPROVEMENTS TO CENTRAL AND WESTERN DISTRICT 4
SaF SCHOLARSHIP INVITES .APPLICATIONS ...................... 5
AEROBICS FOR THE ELDERLY.................................... 5
SPECLuL STAMP ISSUE ON BUN FESTIVAL ........................ 6
APPLY NOW FOR YOUTH PROJECT GR.JITS......................... 7
NEW OFFICE HOURS FOR iiPPRENTICESHIP OFFICES................ 8
TEMPORARY CLOSURE OF TUEN MUN ROAD.......................... 8
SUNDAY. XPRIL 30, 1989
1
NEW BUILDING PLANS APPROVED * ♦ ♦ ♦
A 172-ROOM HOTEL WAS AMONG 70 NEW BUILDING PLANS APPROVED BY THE BUILDING ORDINANCE OFFICE IN FEBRUARY.
OF THE PLANS. 20 WERE FOR HONG KONG ISLAND. AND 25 EACH FOR KOWLOON AND THE NEW TERRITORIES.
THE APPROVED PLANS INCLUDED 36 FOR APARTMENT, APARTMENT/COMMERCIAL AND RESIDENTIAL DEVELOPMENTS; 12 FOR COMMERCIAL DEVELOPMENT AND NINE FOR FACTORY, WAREHOUSE OR GODOWN.
DURING THE MONTH. THE OFFICE GAVE CONSENT TO START WORK ON 42 PROJECTS, INVOLVING 139,678 SQUARE METRES OF USABLE DOMESTIC FLOOR AREA AND 105,970 SQUARE METRES OF USABLE NON-DOMEST1C FLOOR AREA.
THE TOTAL DECLARED COST OF NEW BUILDINGS COMPLETED DURING THE MONTH WAS ABOUT $536 MILLION. WITH USABLE FLOOR AREA FOR DOMESTIC AND NON-DOMESTIC USES BEING ABOUT 99,473 SQUARE METRES AND 43,892 SQUARE METRES RESPECTIVELY.
ALSO DURING THE MONTH, THE OFFICE ISSUED 29 OCCUPATION PERMITS, 12 FOR HONG KONG, FOUR FOR KOWLOON AND 13 FOR THE NEW TERRITORIES.
IN ADDITION, THE OFFICE ISSUED 30 DEMOLITION CONSENTS AFFECTING 71 BUILDINGS.
THE CONTROL AND ENFORCEMENT DIVISION RECEIVED 461 COMPLAINTS ON ILLEGAL BUILDING WORKS. CARRIED OUT 693 INSPECTIONS AND ISSUED 122 REMOVAL ORDERS.
THE DANGEROUS BUILDINGS SECTION INSPECTED 481 BUILDINGS AND OBTAINED TWO CLOSURE ORDERS.
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NEW MEMBERS APPOINTED TO CIVIC EDUCATION COMMITTEE
t * t t *
FIVE NEW MEMBERS HAVE BEEN APPOINTED TO THE COMMITTEE ON THE PROMOTION OF CIVIC EDUCATION WITH EFFECT FROM APRIL 1 THIS YEAR.
THEY ARE MR JOSEPH CHENG. DEAN OF SCHOOL OF ARTS AND HUMANITIES OF THE OPEN LEARNING INSTITUTE OF HONG KONG; MR LEONARD L. CHU, A SENIOR LECTURER AND DEPARTMENT HEAD OF THE DEPARTMENT OF JOURNALISM AND COMMUNICATION OF THE CHINESE UNIVERSITY OF HONG KONG: MISS JUNIA HO. NATIONAL PRESIDENT OF THE HONG KONG JUNIOR CHAMBER OF COMMERCE: MISS CHRISTINE LOH. A MEMBER OF THE LAW REFORM COMMISSION OF HONG KONG: AND MR TAM MAN-KWAN. A MEMBER OF THE BOARD OF EDUCATION.
EIGHT OTHER MEMBERS WHO PREVIOUSLY SAT ON THE COMMITTEE HAVE ALSO BEEN RE-APPOINTED. THEY ARE MR CHAN CHUN-FAT. MR CHAN WING-TAI, MR CHENG KAI-NAM. MS KO SIU-WAH, MR MICHAEL KWAN, MR MAK HOI-WAH. MR NG WAI-CHO AND MS NORA YAU.
/THE COMMITTEE .......
SUNDAY, APRIL 30, 1989
THE COMMITTEE ON THE PROMOTION OF CIVIC EDUCATION WAS ESTABLISHED IN MAY 1986 TO ADVISE THE GOVERNMENT AND COMMUNITY ORGANISATIONS ON THE OBJECTIVES AND SCOPE OF CIVIC EDUCATION OUTSIDE THE SCHOOL SYSTEM.
IT ALSO ENCOURAGES COMMUNITY PARTICIPATION AND ASSISTS IN THE PROMOTION OF CIVIC AWARENESS AND GOOD CITIZENSHIP.
THE COMMITTEE IS CHAIRED BY DR DANIEL TSE. OTHER MEMBERS ON THE COMMITTEE ARE MR POON KAI-T1K. MR JUSTE1N C. WONG AND MR YEUNG KWOK-HUNG.
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STUDENTS TO ACQUIRE EXPERIENCE IN WORK
******
MORE THAN 1,300 SECONDARY SCHOOL STUDENTS WILL TAKE PART IN A WORK ORIENTATION PROGRAMME NEXT MONTH.
THE EVENT IS PART OF A COMPREHENSIVE PROGRAMME ORGANISED BY THE CAREERS ADVISORY SERVICE OF THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT TO HELP STUDENTS ACQUIRE FIRST-HAND INFORMATION ON VARIOUS SPECIALISED FIELD OF WORK.
’’THROUGH VISITS TO DIFFERENT ESTABLISHMENTS, IT IS HOPED THAT STUDENTS WOULD BE ABLE TO GAIN A BETTER UNDERSTANDING OF THE ACTUAL WORKING ENVIRONMENT AND THE IMPORTANCE OF CHOOSING A CAREER BEST SUITED TO THEIR POTENTIAL," A DEPARTMENT SPOKESMAN SAID.
THE PROGRAMME, WHICH BEGINS ON THURSDAY (MAY 4) AND LASTS UNTIL MAY 29, INCLUDES 50 VISITS TO 41 ESTABLISHMENTS BY STUDENTS FROM SCHOOLS IN TUEN MUN, SHA TIN, TSUEN WAN, YAU MA TEI, CENTRAL, WESTERN AND ISLANDS.
"THE VISITS WILL COVER VARIOUS ESTABLISHMENTS IN THE PUBLIC AND PRIVATE SECTORS INCLUDING HOTELS, BANKS, NEWSPAPERS, TELEVISION STATIONS, FACTORIES, CONTAINER TERMINALS, AIRLINE COMPANIES, PUBLIC UTILITIES COMPANIES AND TRAINING INSTITUTES," THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
"DURING THE VISITS, SPECIALLY ASSIGNED PERSONNEL OF EACH ESTABLISHMENT WILL EXPLAIN THEIR ORGANISATION, SCOPE OF WORK, EMPLOYMENT CONDITIONS AND DEVELOPMENT PLANS, AND ANSWER QUESTIONS FROM STUDNETS.
"THIS SHOULD ASSIST THEM IN DEVELOPING A MORE REALISTIC UNDERSTANDING OF THE WORLD OF WORK AND FACILITATE THEIR EVENTUAL TRANSITION FROM SCHOOL TO WORK."
THE CAREERS ADVISORY SERVICE PROVIDES CAREERS GUIDANCE TO YOUNG PEOPLE THROUGH A WIDE RANGE OF PROGRAMMES AND ACTIVITIES.
/AT PRESENT .......
SUNDAY, APRIL 50, 1989
3
AT PRESENT, THE SERVICE OPERATES FOUR CAREERS INFORMATION CENTRES EQUIPPED WITH A REFERENCE LIBRARY AND AUDIO-VISUAL RECORDINGS OF INFORMATION ON EMPLOYMENT AND TRAINING OPPORTUNITIES.
LAST YEAR, OFFICERS OF THE SERVICE DELIVERED 440 CAREERS TALKS TO YOUNG PEOPLE IN VOLUNTARY AGENCIES AND SECONDARY SCHOOLS, AND ORGANISED A NUMBER OF CAREERS DAYS, AN ANNUAL CAREERS QUIZ AND CAREERS EXHIBITION.
TO PROMOTE CAREERS EDUCATION, AN ANNUAL CERTIFICATE COURSE AND A SEMINAR FOR CAREERS TEACHERS IN CONJUNCTION WITH THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT AND OTHER INSTITUTIONS, WERE ALSO ORGANISED.
0 - -
POLICE DELEGATION LEAVES FOR CHINA * * * * *
AS PART OF THE REGULAR AND ROUTINE LIAISON WITH INTERPOL CHINA, A DELEGATION FROM THE ROYAL HONG KONG POLICE FORCE. LED BY MR LI KWAN-HA. DEPUTY COMMISSIONER OF POLICE, OPERATIONS, LEFT FOR CHINA THIS (SUNDAY) MORNING.
OTHER MEMBERS OF THE HONG KONG DELEGATION ARE MR. WONG TSAN-KWONG. DEPUTY DIRECTOR, CRIME. MR. CHUNG HUI-PANG, STAFF OFFICER, INTERPOL, MR. CHENG TAK-WAH, CHIEF INSPECTOR, AND MISS PEARL CHAN, INTERPRETER.
THE HONG KONG DELEGATION WILL VISIT BEIJING AND GUANGZHOU, AND WILL HOLD DISCUSSIONS WITH THEIR CHINESE COUNTERPARTS ON MATTERS OF MUTUAL INTEREST AND CONCERN.
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ISLANDS DB STUDY TOUR OFF TO SOUTH KOREA *****
AN ISLANDS DISTRICT BOARD OVERSEAS STUDY TOUR GROUP, ACCOMPANIED BY THE ISLANDS DISTRICT OFFICER, MR JONATHAN NG, AND THE DISTRICT BOARD SECRETARY, MRS MARINA WOODHEAD, SET OFF TODAY (SUNDAY) ON A SIX-DAY VISIT TO SOUTH KOREA.
COMPRISING NINE DB MEMBERS AND ONE COMMITTEE MEMBER, IT WAS HEADED BY THE DISTRICT BOARD CHAIRMAN, MR LAM WAI-KEUNG.
MR LAM SAID THAT SOUTH KOREA WAS CHOSEN BECAUSE RURAL DEVELOPMENTS THERE WERE SIMILAR TO THAT OF THE ISLANDS DISTRICT.
"AN INTERFLOW OF EXPERIENCE BETWEEN KOREAN OFFICIALS AND OUR MEMBERS. PARTICULARLY OVER THE ASPECTS OF RURAL AREA DEVELOPMENT AND PROMOTION OF TOURISM, IS WHAT WE HOPE TO ACCOMPLISH," MR LAM SAID.
/IN SE0U1
SUNDAY, APRIL 30, 1989
IN SEOUL, THEY WILL VISIT THE RURAL DEVELOPMENT ADMINISTRATION WHERE THEY WILL BE BRIEFED ON THE SAEMAUL UNDONG MOVEMENT - A GOVERNMENT INITIATED RURAL DEVELOPMENT PROJECT - AND TOUR ONE OF THE SAEMAUL VILLAGES.
THEY WILL ALSO INSPECT THE SUWON FACTORY OF THE SAMSUNG ELECTRONIC COMPANY FAMED FOR ITS HI-TECH PRODUCTS AND TOUR THE VARIOUS SPORTS FACILITIES AT THE OLYMPIC STADIUM.
AFTER SEOUL, THE GROUP WILL JOURNEY TO CHEJU FOR A BRIEFING BY OFFICIALS OF THE KOREAN NATIONAL TOURISM CORPORATION ON THE CHUNGMUN RESORT PROJECT THERE.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
A PHOTOGRAPH OF THE ISLANDS DISTRICT STUDY TOUR LEAVING FOR SOUTH KOREA AT HONG KONG INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT WILL BE SENT BY FACSIMILE NETWORK LATER.
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ENVIRONMENTAL IMPROVEMENTS TO CENTRAL AND WESTERN DISTRICT * ♦ » * ♦
THE ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITIONS OF A NUMBER OF STREETS AND BACK LANES IN THE CENTRAL AND WESTERN DISTRICT HAVE GREATLY IMPROVED FOLLOWING A SERIES OF CLEARANCE OPERATIONS OVER THE PAST FEW MONTHS.
THE AREAS THAT HAVE BEEN GIVEN A COMPLETE FACELIFT INCLUDED WHITTY STREET COMPOUND, U LAM TERRACE, A SIDE LANE IN WESTERN STREET, AND BACK LANES IN HAU WO STREET AND QUEEN’S ROAD WEST.
THE CLEARANCES WERE CO-ORDINATED BY THE CENTRAL AND WESTERN DISTRICT OFFICE. THEY WERE CARRIED OUT BETWEEN LAST DECEMBER AND MARCH THIS YEAR AT LOCATIONS IDENTIFIED BY FIELD OFFICERS FROM VARIOUS GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE DISTRICT OFFICE SAID TODAY (SUNDAY) THAT THE CLEARANCES WERE CONDUCTED IN CONJUCTION WITH THE POLICE, AND THE BUILDINGS AND LANDS, HOUSING, SOCIAL WELFARE, URBAN SERVICES AND TERRITORY DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENTS.
HE SAID THE CLEARANCES WENT SMOOTHLY AND THAT 101 ILLEGAL STRUCTURES BUILT ON GOVERNMENT LAND WERE DEMOLISHED.
A TOTAL OF 50 PEOPLE FROM 28 FAMILIES WERE RE-HOUSED AND 22 BUSINESS OPERATORS WERE GIVEN EX-GRATIA ALLOWANCES.
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SUNDAY, APRIL 30, 1989
- 5
SAF SCHOLARSHIP INVITES APPLICATIONS
*****
OUTSTANDING SPORTSMEN CAN NOW APPLY TO SPORTS AID FOUNDATION SCHOLARSHIP 1989/90, A SPOKESMAN FOR THE SPORTS AID COMMITTEE OF THE COUNCIL FOR RECREATION AND SPORT ANNOUNCED TODAY (SUNDAY).
THE SCHOLARSHIP IS AIMED AT ASSISTING A PERSON WITH PROVEN ABILITY IN SPORTS TO OBTAIN A SPECIALIST QUALIFICATION IN THE AREA WHICH WILL BE USEFUL IN THE DEVELOPMENT OR ADMINISTRATION OF SPORTS IN HONG KONG, WHILE AT THE SAME TIME ENABLING THE ATHLETE TO PURSUE HIS/HER CHOSEN SPORT TO THE HIGHEST STANDARDS.
"SUCCESSFUL APPLICANTS WILL UNDERTAKE A COURSE OF STUDY IN SPORTS RELATED SUBJECTS AT A TERTIARY EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTE IN THE UNITED KINGDOM OR OTHER COMMONWEALTH COUNTRIES.
"IT WILL BE AWARDED INITIALLY FOR ONE YEAR AND RENEWABLE ANNUALLY TO A MAXIMUM OF THREE YEARS," THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
HE SAID THAT AN APPLICANT SHOULD HAVE A MINIMUM ACADEMIC QUALIFICATION OF TWO PASSES AT THE ADVANCED LEVEL AND THREE PASSES AT THE ORDINARY LEVEL, SHOULD BE BORN IN OR HAVE RESIDED IN HONG KONG FOR NOT LESS THAN SEVEN YEARS, AND BE FLUENT IN ENGLISH AND CANTONESE.
"THE SUCCESSFUL APPLICANT WILL BE REQUIRED TO RETURN TO HONG KONG AND CONTRIBUTE HIS/HER EXPERTISE TO THE DEVELOPMENT OR ADMINISTRATION OF SPORTS IN HONG KONG FOR A PERIOD OF NOT LESS THAN THREE YEARS AFTER OBTAINING THE QUALIFICATION," HE POINTED OUT.
APPLICATIONS SHOULD BE MADE ON THE PRESCRIBED FORM AVAILABLE FROM THE SECRETARY OF THE SPORTS AID COMMITTEE, 25TH FLOOR OF SHUI ON CENTRE, 6-8 HARBOUR ROAD, WAN CHAI. ENQUIRIES CAN BE MADE ON 5-8660705.
"COMPLETED FORMS SHOULD BE RETURNED TO THE SECRETARY NOT LATER THAN MAY 12," THE SPOKESMAN ADDED.
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AEROBICS FOR THE ELDERLY
* * * *
ON THREE AFTERNOONS EVERY WEEK DURING THE PAST MONTH, 20 ELDERLY RESIDENTS OF KOWLOON CITY HAVE BEEN DONNING SPORTS OUTFITS FOR AN HOUR’S TRAINING IN ’BADUANJIN’ - A FORM OF CHINESE AEROBIC DANCING.
BADUANJIN IS A SPECIALLY TAILORED EXERCISE FOR SENIOR CITIZENS AND THE 20 WERE THE FIRST ’GRADUATES’.
/AND BECAUSE .......
6
SUNDAY, APRIL JO, 1989
AND BECAUSE OF ITS APPARENT POPULARITY, CLASSES WILL BE RUN UNTIL MARCH 1990 AT THE KOWLOON CITY INDOOR GAMES HALL.
THIS WAS ARRANGED BY THE DISTRICT’S COUNCIL FOR THE WELFARE AND RECREATION OF THE ELDERLY IN CONJUNCTION WITH THE URBAN COUNCIL AND THE KOWLOON CITY DISTRICT OFFICE.
THE ’BADUANJIN’ IS COMPOSED OF EIGHT SETS OF MOVEMENTS WHICH HELP TO RELIEVE STRAINS AND FATIGUE; IT IS EASY TO LEARN, REQUIRING ONLY 12 HOURS OF TRAINING TO MASTER THE ENTIRE EXERCISE.
FOR THIS REASON, IT IS AN ESPECIALLY IDEAL EXERCISE FOR THE ELDERLY AIMING FOR A HEALTHY LIFE.
WITH SPONSORSHIP FROM THE KOWLOON CITY DISTRICT BOARD, TWO CLASSES WILL BE HELD EACH MONTH FOR FREE PARTICIPATION FOR DISTRICT RESIDENTS AGED 60 AND ABOVE.
ENROLMENT FORMS CAN BE OBTAINED AT THE KOWLOON CITY DISTRICT OFFICE AT 141 KAU PUI LUNG ROAD OR THE URBAN COUNCIL ON FOURTH FLOOR, 165 MA TAU WAI ROAD.
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SPECIAL STAMP ISSUE ON BUN FESTIVAL * » » » »
THE POST OFFICE REMINDED THE PUBLIC TODAY (SUNDAY) THAT A SPECIAL SET OF FOUR STAMPS ON THE CHEUNG CHAU BUN FESTIVAL WILL GO ON SALE ON THURSDAY (MAY 4).
THE SET COMPRISES FOUR DENOMINATIONS - 60 CENTS, SI.40, $1.80 AND $5.
POSTCARDS SHOWING AN ENLARGEMENT OF THE STAMP DESIGNS AND OFFICIAL FIRST DAY COVERS ARE ALREADY ON SALE AT ALL POST OFFICES.
ALL POST OFFICES ARE EXPECTED TO BE CROWDED WITH CUSTOMERS ON THURSDAY. IN ORDER TO ASSIST MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC WISHING TO TRANSACT NORMAL POSTAL BUSINESS, ADDITIONAL COUNTERS WILL BE MADE AVAILABLE AT THE MAIN POST OFFICES.
"EXTRA STAFF WILL BE ON DUTY AT MOST POST OFFICES ON THURSDAY BUT QUEUES ARE NEVERTHELESS EXPECTED TO FORM AND THE PUBLIC ARE REQUESTED, WHERE POSSIBLE, TO TRANSACT THEIR NORMAL POSTAL BUSINESS ON THE PRECEDING DAY OR THE DAY FOLLOWING THE DATE OF THE SPECIAL ISSUE,” A POST OFFICE SPOKESMAN SAID.
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SUNDAY, APRIL 30. 1989
APPLY NOW FOR YOUTH PROJECT GRANTS
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THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT TODAY (SUNDAY) REMINDED YOUTH GROUPS PLANNING INNOVATIVE COMMUNTIY SERVICE PROJECTS TO APPLY NOW FOR GRANTS UNDER THE "OPPORTUNITIES FOR YOUTH SCHEME" (OYS).
APPLICATION FOR GRANTS AND DETAILS OF PROJECT PROPOSALS SHOULD REACH THE DEPARTMENT’S SOCIAL WORK OFFICERS (YOUTH AND COMMUNITY) BEFORE MAY 10.
THE DEPARTMENT HAS DECIDED TO GIVE PRIORITY CONSIDERATION TO PROJECTS CARRYING THE THEME OF HOME SAFETY.
THE AIM OF THE PROJECTS IS TO "ACTUALISE THEIR (YOUTHS) IDEALS AND SERVE THEIR COMMUNITY". THE MAXIMUM SUBSIDY FOR AN APPROVED PROJECT IS $4,500.
THE OYS WAS FIRST LAUNCHED IN 1974 WITH THE OBJECTIVES OF PROMOTING PERSONAL AND SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT OF YOUNG PEOPLE, ENCOURAGING PARTICIPATION IN COMMUNITY ACTIVITIES TO PROMOTE A SENSE OF SOCIAL CONSCIOUSNESS AND RESPONSIBILITY, AND DEVELOPING THE SPIRIT OF CO-OPERATION AND MUTUAL HELP.
THROUGH THE PROCESS OF WORKING TOGETHER FOR A COMMON GOAL, THE OYS OFFERS A GOOD OPPORTUNITY FOR YOUNG PEOPLE TO BROADEN THEIR SCOPE OF KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE.
THE SCHEME ALSO ENABLES PARTICIPANTS TO HAVE A BETTER UNDERSTANDING ABOUT PEOPLE AND THE COMMUNITY, AND TO ACHIEVE THE NECESSARY SATISFACTION FOR PERSONAL GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT, WHICH WILL HELP GROOM THEM TO BECOME GOOD AND CONTRIBUTIVE MEMBERS OF THE COMMUNITY.
EACH PARTICIPATING GROUP SHOULD HAVE AT LEAST SEVEN MEMBERS AGED BETWEEN 15 AND 25, AND SHOULD BE SPONSORED BY A SCHOOL, YOUTH AGENCY, OR AN INDUSTRIAL OR COMMERCIAL ORGANISATION.
GROUPS WITHOUT SPONSORS MAY ALSO APPLY WITH THE APPROVAL OF THE SOCIAL WORK OFFICER (YOUTH AND COMMUNITY) OF THEIR DISTRICT.
UPON COMPLETION OF THE PROJECTS, EACH DISTRICT WILL SELECT ITS MOST OUTSTANDING PROJECT TO COMPETE FOR THE "HONG KONG BEST OYS AWARD".
ASSESSMENT CRITERIA WILL INCLUDE THE EXTENT OF YOUTH INVOLVEMENT AND DEVELOPMENT, THE EXTENT OF COMMUNITY BENEFITS, FEASIBILITY OF THE PROJECT, AND OPTIMUM USE OF RESOURCES AND INNOVATION.
MORE INFORMATION ABOUT THE SCHEME AND APPLICATION FORMS CAN BE OBTAINED FROM THE DEPARTMENT’S VARIOUS YOUTH AND COMMUNITY OFFICES.
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SUNDAY, APRIL 30, 1989
8
NEW OFFICE HOURS FOR APPRENTICESHIP OFFICES ♦ * * *
THE OFFICE HOURS OF ALL BRANCH OFFICES OF THE APPRENTICESHIP SECTION OF THE TECHNICAL EDUCATION AND INDUSTRIAL TRAINING DEPARTMENT WILL BE CHANGED WITH EFFECT FROM TOMORROW (MONDAY).
THE RESCHEDULED WORKING HOURS ARE AS FOLLOWS:
MONDAY - FRIDAY 8.45 AM TO 1 PM
2 PM TO 5.15 PM
SATURDAY 9 AM TO 12 NOON
CLOSE ON SUNDAY AND PUBLIC HOLIDAYS
“THE PURPOSE OF THE CHANGE IS TO ENSURE A SMOOTHER RUNNING OF THE APPRENTICESHIP SECTION AND TO BRING THE WORKNG HOURS OF ALL BRANCH OFFICES IN LINE WITH THAT OF THE HEAD OFFICE,” A SPOKESMAN FOR THE DEPARTMENT SAID.
THE APPRENTICESHIP ORDINANCE, WHICH AIMS AT PROMOTING AND REGULATING THE EMPLOYMENT AND TRAINING OF APPRENTICES, IS ENFORCED BY THE APPRENTICESHIP SECTION OF THE DEPARTMENT.
UNDER THE ORDINANCE, EMPLOYERS FROM THE 42 DESIGNATED TRADES ARE REQUIRED TO ENTER INTO A CONTRACT OF APPRENTICESHIP WITH YOUNG EMPLOYEES AGED BETWEEN 14 AND 18 AND HAVE THE CONTRACT REGISTERED WITH THE DIRECTOR OF TECHNICAL EDUCATION AND INDUSTRIAL TRAINING.
EMPLOYERS ARE ALSO REQUIRED TO SEND THEIR APPRENTICES TO RECEIVE COMPLEMENTARY TECHNICAL EDUCATION EITHER AT THE HONG KONG POLYTECHNIC OR THE TECHNICAL INSTITUTES.
ENQUIRIES ABOUT APPRENTICE TRAINING OR THE ORDINANCE CAN BE DIRECTED TO THE FIVE BRANCH OFFICES: HONG KONG OFFICE (5-8932341 EXT 352), TOKWAWAN OFFICE (3-7151249), TSIM SHA TSUI OFFICE (3-667463), TSUEN WAN OFFICE (0-4297039) AND KWUN TONG OFFICE (3-491246 ) .
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TEMPORARY CLOSURE OF TUEN MUN ROAD
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THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCED THAT TO FACILITATE ROAD MAINTENANCE WORKS, THE THREE TRAFFIC LANES OF THE EASTBOUND CARRIAGEWAY OF TUEN MUN ROAD NEAR SHAM TSENG BRIDGE WILL BE CLOSED IN TURN FROM 8 PM ON TUESDAY (MAY 2) TO 8 PM ON MAY 12.
DURING THIS PERIOD, TWO LANES WILL BE CLOSED BETWEEN 8 PM AND 7 AM ON THE FOLLOWING DAY. TWO LANES WILL MAINTAIN BETWEEN 7 AM AND 8 PM.
ALSO. TWO LANES WILL BE CLOSED FOR THE WHOLE DAY ON SUNDAY. MAY 7.
MOTORISTS MAY USE ALTERNATE ROUTETNG VIA CASTLE PEAK ROAD.
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