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Sing Pao quoted Mr. Ho Sai-chu, another CPPCC delegate and chairman of the Building Contractors' Association, as saying that he agreed with the Governor's remarks that HK people should not be too concerned with what flag would be flying here in the future. What was more important was that their aspirations and wishes would be fulfilled. A researcher in HKU's Centre of Asian Studies, Mr. King See-hoi, said the most ideal solution would be that there would be a 20-year transitional period after 1997 during which a local expatriate would be initially appointed by the UK as Governor. He would then gradually groom a local Chinese to take over from him.
The Express ran a half-page story summarising the remarks of several individuals. Urban Councillor, Mr. Fung Kin-kei, regretted that the Governor had not spent much time on local administration. He claimed that it was the year of Sir Philip Haddon-Cave rather than of Sir Edward because many important decisions had been made either by the Chief Secretary or the Financial Secretary. He envisaged that the Governor would place more emphasis on trade than on social construction in the year ahead. Mr. Hui Yin-fat of the Council of Social Service shared Mr. Fung's view that the power of the Governor had shifted to the Chief Secretary. In reviewing welfare services, Mir. Hui described Government aid to social services in the past year as inadequate; the Salaries Commission's No. 8 Report had demoralised social workers. The Gold Coin Housing Scheme was considered as a new service, but he regretted that its implementation had been held up. Mr. Lau Chin-shek of the CIC said the labour situation in the past year had remained at a standstill. The working party set up to review the law on compensation for redundant workers had made very slow progress he added. The Secretary General of CMA, Mr. C.P. Lee said it was quite logical for the Governor to give weight to the 1997 question. He believed the Governor understood HK and knew what HK people wanted. Sir Edward had been working pragmatically for the future development
of HK.
The Governor's TV broadcast was also discussed on "In Perspective" on Radio 1. Two panelists, Mr. Wong Kwok-wah (editor of the HK News Journal) and Dr. John Young (HKU) shared the view that the Governor's image needed an overhaul because he gave an impression that HK was being administered by the Chief Secretary and the Financial Secretary. Legislative Councillor, Mr. Andrew So, said the local administration, consultative system and government policies had not seen any significant changes since Sir Edward assumed office. Mr. Fung Ho-lap of Soco said the Government's lack of response to the public's call for better social security and a freeze in public utility charges in the past year had eroded people's confidence in the Government.
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HK DELEGATION RETURNS:
A HK delegation of professional people, led by Legislative Councillor, Mr. Allen Lee, returned on 22 May at the end of a six-day visit to China.
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