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The paper said the three Councillors were well-intentioned but felt that the Government should be cautioned against following the path of Britain since its system had caused bankruptcy and chaos in the country.

"The principle of fair distribution of income should be supported provided that it does not impair production and the principle of social security should also be promoted provided that it will not discourage people from getting work," the paper said.

In another editorial, (October 31) the paper urged the Government to consider carefully proposed restrictive measures on working hours to ensure that Hong Kong industry's flexibility would not be affected.

It hoped that the Government, while increasing benefits for workers, would not give in to pressure exerted by outside individuals or organisations.

MORE PAID HOLIDAYS FOR WORKERS

The gazetting of the Employment (Amendment) (No. 2) Bill proposing four more days paid holidays every year for workers prompted four editorials in the papers.

SING TAO WAN PAO (October 30) and SING PAO (October 31) said the additional holidays would not be welcomed by workers because it would mean less

income for them.

The papers urged the authorities to pay more attention to improving actual welfare for workers.

KUNG SHEUNG DAILY NEWS (October 31) said the proposed holidays with pay would mean less income and increased expenses for workers, and this was against the Chinese tradition of conscientiousness and frugality.

It suggested that the authorities should improve other benefits for workers, such as a central provident fund, better severance pay and medical allowances.

The Communist HONG KONG EVENING NEWS (October 30) expressed fear that Hong Kong would follow the lead of Britain, pointing out that Hong Kong had been adopting a policy of heavy taxation in the past few years and that an increase in paid holidays for workers next year would undoubtedly lead to a rise in capital costs. and inflation.

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