13.
factory units.
Not keeping up with promise, engulf the capitals of the
In 1975, Liao Ben Hwei, Directory of the Housing Department,
sent letter to all factory building district representatives: returning
The Agree-
part of the right of resettlement, right of inheritance and right of transfer,
but asking factory units to abandon the highest limit of 5,000 sq.ft instead
to set in at 1,280 sq.ft. as a condition of exchange. To solve at onc time
all problems is in fact very unreasonable, but in order to earlier settle
the disputes, the factory units accepted the condition in pain.
ment holds good for only two years. At the beginning of 1977, the Housing
Department exposed its tail and increased the rent of those who invited for
transferees, and the transferees fourfold (i.e. original rent $100, the
Transferee has to pay rent of over $400), much higher than the prevailing
rent in the market (private factory buildings with elevators).
Let us
ask: "Who is willing to take up for monetary consideration such simple
factory premises yet governed by plentiful harsh regulations topping the
whole world? For instance: Madam Ying Kok Chun of Block 4, G/F., No.12
Sun Po Kong was transferred three factory units at $150,000.00.
was spent on installation and renovation. Later, she was unable to get enough
capital to start her business. She had to revert to the Housing Department
$20,000.00
to invite for transferor. The Housing Department increased the rent 4 times
as much, and as a result none approached her. She could go nowhere to ask
for help and could only tell the story and beg with tears. The capital of
$170,000.00 was thus unreturnable, and she still has to pay the rent of the
Struck by double blow, this might not be difficult to end
vacant premises.
a human life. The misfortune as that encountered by Madam Ying is so common
place that it is hardly to exhaust all. The representatives of the factory
units reasoned with the Housing Department and protested against breach of
agreement. Liao Ben Hwei, who knew himself being at fault, dared not to
receive them. He sent Manager Lo Chi Yuen to meet them. He said: "The
promsie made by the Department Director on the right of transfer is only to
permit transfer, but did not restrict increase of rent by four times in later