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143.
In touching upon monetary issues and in
particular the financial sector, I mentioned earlier the
importance of reputation. I make no apologies for
repeating that a sound reputation is vital to our
continuing growth as a financial centre. Problems are not
unique to any particular financial centre; we have seen
what has happened elsewhere in the world. All those
involved with financial services, whether in business or
in regulatory or supervisory activities, have a common
interest. We must all play our part in maintaining the
integrity of the system because if the activities of a few
are allowed to damage that system or mar its reputation
then all will suffer. Let us not imagine that in this
area we are dealing with victimless crimes.
144.
As far as the management of public finances is
concerned, I have stressed the need for continuity of
policies. We have enjoyed remarkable economic growth and
from this we have gained the resources to finance the many
developments and public services that our community has
rightly come to expect. But we must remember that the
efficient provision of those services requires stable
funding and steady rather than erratic development.
The
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