183
The increase of $255,000 for Trade promotion expenses is required to meet the cost of stepping- up the department's activities in this field. Experience has shown that new markets for local products must be found and the Colony firmly established in them. Two ways of accomplishing this object are participa- tion in selected international trade fairs, and the despatch of trade missions to territories where such fairs are not normally held or where trading difficulties have been encountered. Provision has therefore been included to allow for mounting exhibits at three trade fairs, the organization of one mission, and exploratory visits to further trade fairs, together with associated miscellaneous expenditure. These and other minor increases account for the increase of $425,500 in the vote for Other Charges Annually Recurrent.
Special expenditure items include $23,100 for the purchase of additional accessories for the Statistical Branch's tabulating and sorting machinery, and for new punches and verifiers to replace those in current use that have become unserviceable, together with an electrically-operated calculating machine for the Overseas Trade Relations Branch; also $25,000 for the purchase of five motor scooters and a replacement Land Rover, and $5,000 for three walkie-talkie radio sets, all for the Preventive Service, to facilitate the campaign against smuggling.
HEAD 28- · CO-OPERATIVE DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT
Estimate 1960/61
$828,400
Revised estimate 1959/60
658,000
Approved estimate 1959/60
598,900
Actual expenditure 1958/59
557,118
1959/60
1960/61
Difference
Permanent staff
Supernumerary staff
45
48
+ 3
2
Net increase
New posts
1 Treasury Accountant
1 Executive Grade Officer
1 Clerk/Typist
3 Co-operative Officers Class I
2 Co-operative Society Supervisors
8
1
Existing posts deleted
1 Executive Grade Officer
1 Statistical Assistant
3 Co-operative Officers Class II
Supernumerary Staff
2 Market Inspectors Class III
7
The new post of Treasury Accountant is offset by the reduction of 1 post of Executive Grade Officer. 1 additional post of Executive Grade Officer has been provided to meet the increased adminis- trative work resulting from the expansion of the duties of the department. 3 new posts of Co-operative Officer Class I and 1 post of Clerk are offset by the deletion of 3 posts of Co-operative Officer Class II and a post of Statistical Assistant. 2 additional posts of Co-operative Society Supervisor are required to cope with the continuing growth of the Co-operative Movement in the Colony. As a result of the closure of the Aberdeen Prawn Market, the 2 supernumerary posts of Market Inspector have been deleted.
The new item "Launch Hire" in the Transport subhead was created by Special Warrant in the previous year to meet part of the cost of operating a ferry service between Peng Chau and Tap Mun.
Under Special Expenditure, funds are provided to cover the costs of 2 cars and 2 scooters. These vehicles are to be used by Co-operative Officers and Co-operative Society Supervisors who are required to travel extensively in the New Territories.