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& 6 Para. 5 The sentiments in Para. 5 are not meant frivolously. Roads to villages are talked about for years before anything happens but roads for reservoir schemes seem to appear by magic. The Census showed that the rural New Territories population is much poorer and worse housed than the
urban. A chance to redress the balance will come in the ten year housing programme but it is a constant struggle to get people to rerember these small rural problems when the main new town development is so exciting.
The Minister could emphasise that the housing, education and welfare programmes announced by the Governor are intended to apply to the whole Colony, including New Territories. Variations in the application of policy may be necessary in rural areas but the aim to improve housing, education and welfare will
be the same.
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Small House Policy A paper on changes in rules for building small houses goes to Executive Council on the same morning that the Minister meets the Kuk. The proposals arise directly from discussions with the Kuk lasting over 9 months and being completed in March this year. We do not expect trouble in Council on this so the Minister could say he is gled to
/learn
5.
For the general development, the Hong Kong Government has made use of the resources of the
New Territories to acquire drinking water, sand, stone from quarries and land, but it has neglected to provide in return the essentials for the Chinese residents in New Territories such as housing, drinking water, communications, sanitation, education, medical services, welfare,
local public works and clinics. Because none of
these facilities have been provided amply and in time, the New Territories can in no way compare, with Hong Kong and Kowloon.
1
6. The 40-odd page policy speech delivered by His Excellency the Governor Sir Murray Maclehose at the Legislative Council meeting on 18th October 1972 is an enlightened and far-sighted plan for improving the backward society of Hong Kong. It also shows that Britain is taking a serious view of the welfare of the Hong Kong residents. As far as the problems of the New Territories are concerned, we specially ask the Hong Kong Government to provide as soon as possible ample funds and labour for works in the New Territories.
/Para. 7