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there must be ease of mind for all people through
certainty that they may count on the essentials of
life education; medical services; housing; where
necessary relief through social welfare; protection
through adequate labour legislation; and of course
personal safety. The first side of the balance
comparative economic freedom - is perfectly compatible with social and commercial responsibility. We know
this is so and we must keep it so. The other side
social provision - is equally compatible with Hong
Kong's traditional virtues of realism, will to work
and self reliance. These too are precious and
essential to our society and must be preserved.
am.convinced that in the construction and preservation
of this balance lie Hong Kong's best prospect for
prosperity, social harmony, and international respect.
I
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What we have been trying to do is to build a community
that is cohesive, content, and safe, as well as vigorous
and productive, This has led us into many fields that would
have been unthinkable some years ago, such as the organisation
of culture, recreation and sport, and even the provision and
management of large tracts of country parks, in addition to
the more obvious social programmes. 10 years ago who would
have imagined that policemen would be looking after a Junior
Police Call of a quarter of a million youngsters, or that
over three-quarters of new constables would have Form 5
education, or that 10% of arrests of criminals would be made
by the public themselves. Nor would anybody have foreseen
the hosts of liaison officers, mutual aid committees and area
committees working to recreate in the vertical streets of
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