5. THE GOVERNOR HAS EXERCISED HIS AUTHORITY TO GIVE SUCH ORDERS AND DIRECTIONS TO THE COMMISSION FROM TIME TO TIME ON OTHER MATTERS.
IN THIS INSTANCE, HOWEVER, SINCE THEY HAVE AN IMPORTANT AND PERMANENT EFFECT ON THE ACTIVITIES OF THE COMMISSION, IT IS CONSIDERED RIGHT THAT THEY SHOULD BE GIVEN PERMANENT STATUTORY FORM BY THEIR EMBODIMENT IN THE ORDINANCE.
6. ACCORDINGLY, THE OBJECT OF THIS BILL IS TO EMBODY THE SUBSTANCE OF THAT DIRECTION IN THE LAW OF HONG KONG.
7. THERE IS SOMETHING I SHOULD LIKE TO ADD. IN 1974 YOUR GOVERNMENT COMMITTED ITSELF TO FIGHT CORRUPTION AND TO ELIMINATE THIS SLURR ON THE LIFE AND REPUTATION OF HONG KONG. VERY GREAT PROGRESS HAS BEEN MADE IN BOTH THE PUBLIC AND PRIVATE SECTORS. THIS HAS BEEN ONE OF THE MAJOR ACHIEVEMENTS OF HONG KONG IN RECENT YEARS, AND HAS BROUGHT BOTH RELIEF AND PRIDE TO ALL OF US.
8. BUT ALL SOCIETIES HAVE THEIR CRIMINAL ELEMENTS AND HONG KONG IS NO EXCEPTION. SOME OF THESE MAY HOPE THAT THIS PARTIAL AMNESTY FOR PAST OFFENSES SIGNALS A RELAXATION OF GOVERNMENT EFFORT AGAINST CORRUPTION IN THE FUTURE. THEY SHOULD BE WARNED IT DOES NOT.
8. THE GOVERNMENT'S COMMITMENT STANDS, AND THE ABILITY AND DETERMINATION OF THE INDEPENDENT COMMISSION TO DETECT ANY RESURGENCE OF CORRUPTION ARE VERY GREAT. WE INSIST ON KEEPING HONG KONG AS FREE FROM CORRUPTION AS WE CAN MAKE IT AND WE HAVE THE WILL AND THE MEANS TO DO SO.
MACLEHOSE
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