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AUGUSTINE S. K. CHUNG ROOM 1115, HANG LUNG CENTRE, 11th FLOOR, PATERSON STREET, HONG KONG. TEL: 5-771862-3
relevant land resumption laws which have failed to foresee the possible consequence of the increase in land value outrates that of bank interest by such a large margin. However, laws are made by men and they are supposed to be made in full and appropriate response to the need and grievance of the people under the law. In the circumstances, if the law is not perfect or perhaps untimely which is not unusual in a dynamic society, changes are needed. However, changes are for the future. Present grievances caused by handicapped law and policies should also be remedied by whatever means available, be they legislative or executive.
That being the case, it is certainly not for me to elaborate further but rather leave the matter to Your Excellency to decide on what is just and fair.
One thing, however, is about the possibility of resuming the use of force in evicting the dissident owners in Sai Lau Kok. The method is certainly a easy short cut as long as one can ignore the principle of fairness and justice. However, such a method would result in exceedingly strong public resentment against Government. If we should try to adopt forcible suppression as means of solving cases of public grievances, even though the number of people involved is small in each incident, we will come to a stage when various small anti-government groups and sectors may stand up for action in response to or by taking advantage of suitable incidents of commotion. I am sure this is not what we want to see. I therefore beg to be indulged to say that any forcible suppression should be avoided. The public should be given full opportunities of knowing the two sides of every controversial story and incident. Fairness, justice and mutual understanding are needed on all occasions and in all incidents.
Therefore, I beg to be indulged to appeal to you for the stay of further forcible eviction for a further period of two weeks in the light of the above circumstances.
to be Cont'd/P.17
I will