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there can be no guarantee that it will be accepted, because
the system of land exchanges is well entrenched
it was
used pre-war, and because New Territories landowners will
continue to prefer an exchange of land which they are able
to dispose of themselves rather than to receive a direct
cash payment from the Government.
19.
So far, there has been little or no public
expression, either of disquiet or support for the way the
Heung Yee Kuk is exploiting the land issue. In the New
Territories landowners are content that the stakes should
be raised as high as possible.
20.
And,
This situation is far from satisfactory.
although Government is intra vires when resuming land in
the New Territories for public purposes as defined in the
Crown Lands Resumption Ordinance, the concept of what is a
"fair price" will continue to be argued by the Kuk and
its lawyers. It is highly desirable that this issue
should be settled and got out of the way so that the New
Territories owners whose lands are affected by development
are satisfied with the treatment they receive and the
support of the general public of Hong Kong is obtained for
a manifestly fair solution.
21.
This is a tall order, however the consequences
of failing to find a way out of the present situation
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/will