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Sir, in the last few months of 1985 and at the
beginning of 1986, there was speculation that the 1987 Review of Development of Representative Government would be a perfunctory review. At that time, I had trust in the Government and did not believe such talk. Events have now transpired which convince me that the review is after all an
empty one. Notable examples are the presentation of findings in the Survey Office Report, and piecemeal changes which are proposed by the Corrupt and Illegal Practices (Amendment) Bill 1987 and this Electoral Provisions (Amendment) Bill 1988. People will be led to believe that window dressing measures are being introduced at district and municipal levels to divert attention from the lack of substantial development at the
central level. medical treatment but applies cosmetics to put on a healthy look. This attitude does not solve the problem, but in reality hides it and prevents it from being dealt with at the appropriate time. Representative government is a full system, in which new changes must be considered altogether and not in a piecemeal manner. As this Bill proposes a single change in cross membership between District Boards and the Urban Council, it is not possible for me to judge whether or not it is right without knowing other related developments. At best, it is a right thing which is done at the wrong time and in the wrong manner. If direct elections, having been committed in paragraph 25 of the White Paper of 1984, could be deferred from 1988 to around 1991, why not retain the exofficio membership le of Urban Councillors on District Boards until then?
afraid I cannot support the passage of this BillToday
It is like a sick person who does not go for
le
Sir, I am
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