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Well, ladies and gentlemen, I am very glad to have this opportunity to meet you. I had always intended to have a chance of meeting you to give you an opportunity to ask questions after my speech to Ingen end in the light what Unofficials have said about it and Officials have said about it and you have thought about it, but at this stage of course I went on leave. So now I am back again and so glad to meet you. So please ask me anything you want.
.
Q. Sir, in spite of what was said yesterday in Legco, about the general rates percentage will be reduced public still feels that the massive increase of the
the
rateable values is alarming. And also they feel that perhaps that in spite of the reduction in the percentage that rates in fact will be increased substantially next year.
G.
Substantially
Q.
Would you like to comment.
2
G. Well thank you very much for giving me an opportunity to add to what the Financial Secretary said yesterday. If there has been a misunderstanding and unnecessary alarm about a massive increase in rates and if this has been due to lack of communication between my government and you, I say if, then all I can do is apologise. But let me make this absolutely clear. There is no question when the Financial Secretary brings in his budget of him asking you to pay rates which are increased by as much as the figures of 100 percent or 80 percent that have been canvassed. I am sure it will not even be half 80 percent and when the percentage is eventually announced I think many of you will be very surprised at all the alarm and fuss that is being caused at the moment.
Q. The next point is - during your recent visit to England there was considerable speculation about your own future. Has it been decided whether or not you will be continuing as gevemor when your present term expires?
G. Some decision has to be reached about this very soon.
something will be announced within the next month.
Q. Can you not make a forecast by next week.
G.
I said within the next month, not now.
In fact, I think
Q. Sir Murray, do you personally think that a diplomat should become the next
govemor of Hong Kong or do you think a Labour politician could be the next
gove mor of Hong Kong.
G.
I simply don't know
Q. Who would you prefer.
G.
I simply don't know. I don't think that a person's profession really matters.
It is just a question of getting the right person.
Q.
Do you think that a Labour politician could be chosen as govemor and serve
in the best interests of Hong Kang.