HONG KONG PRESS REACTIONS TO THE GOVERNOR'S ADDRESS TO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL ON 6 OCTOBER 1976: A SUMMARY OF THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES' PRESS REVIEW FOR 6-12 OCTOBER
1. The Governor's speech received prominent coverage in the Chinese papers and drew more than 40 editorials. These in general supported the Governor's proposals. Various points raised by the Governor attracted particular editorial attention:
(a) Housing: the Home Ownership Scheme
(The Governor stated his intention to widen the Home Ownership Scheme along lines to be recommended by the Financial Secretary's Working Party on Home Ownership.) Eight Chinese language editorials commented on the scheme, six of them (including one Communist newspaper) favourably, describing the scheme as, for example, "a great leap forward", a "landmark" and "the greatest contribution ever made by the Governor, Sir Murray MacLehose, for the people of Hong Kong". Two newspapers, one Communist, argued that the Housing Scheme was not directed at solving the problem of those in real need, the squatter community.
(b) Housing: estate rent increases
(The Governor said that, in line with his general aim of providing housing within the means of all, it was his intention slowly to raise the exceptionally low rents in the old estates, whilst still keeping them very low in comparison with private rents. As for the new estates, the Governor said that it seemed sensible to fix rents at a level which avoided excessive subsidy for the majority of eligible families. Special arrangements would be made for the minority who could not afford them.) Fourteen editorials commented on these announcements, the majority sharing the same caution that the Governor exhibited in his statement. There was a small number of particular criticisms, over the failure of the authorities to draw up a plan to evict estate residents who had become flat owners, over the danger that a raising of rents might result in huge profits etc.
(c) The proposed expansion of the Public Assistance Scheme and labour conditions.
(The Governor said, inter alia, that it was proposed to extend the Public Assistance Scheme in the next financial year to make all able-bodied persons between 15 and 55 eligible for assistance. Amendments would be introduced to the Employment Ordinance to provide for one rest day a week for workers next year in place of the present four days a month.) Comment was generally very favourable. Where less so, editorials pointed to the lack of any unemployment relief fund in the expanded scheme, to the danger of abuses, and to the possible threat to production and investment.