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[MR RUTTONJEE]
money in the shape of improvements which will strengthen our society and set it firmly on a course of peace, progress and prosperity.
It may well be that this was the last year when we could afford substantial changes, as it were of our own choosing. As the Financial Secretary observed: "We are not going to find the future development of our public services as relatively painless as they have been in the past". But having said that he suggested no steps, nor did he hint at any, to deal with this possibility. I regard this as a most serious matter which should engage our attention now, rather than later when events will be running ahead of us.
I do not personally accept the Financial Secretary's somewhat gloomy prognostication that Hong Kong is now reaching a plateau of economic development but (assuming for a moment that he is right) then surely the logic of his argument demands that we should start to prepare now for the increased demands that will be made of public funds in the future. As people's living standards rise, so do their aspirations, and their realization that the less-well-off must be helped. It will profit this Government nothing if in years to come it has to admit that it could have done something if it had planned in advance
. but it did not.
It sometimes seems to me that our future is being sacrificed on an altar of financial orthodoxy. And, in case my honourable Friend should counter this by asking-one can anticipate him after a few Budget Debates-whether I am advocating financial heresy, the answer is I am not; I merely observe that the Financial Secretary cannot and must not compile his Budget and remain indifferent to political realities.
Before I leave the question of taxation, I must ask why my honourable Friend has been so diffident on the matter of tax-dodging. Here, if ever, is an issue upon which the Financial Secretary can count upon massive support. His remarks on the subject have given the un- fortunate impression that this is something which has only recently come to the Government's notice and that it must, in some way, tread lightly for the fear of giving offence. I am sure this is in fact a mistaken impression, and that the Financial Secretary is proceeding on a very good assessment of the loss of revenue which results from tax evasion on a large scale. It is a pity that on this issue he did not give a better impression of determination in the public interest. If, as it appears to be the case, the relevant Ordinance needs improving, then I know that the Government can count on the support of the vast majority of tax payers. I know that those Government officers whose job it is to enforce our tax laws have been doing the best (understaffed) job that they could. for years. In some countries the level of taxation is so