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HONG KONG ANNUAL REPORT
extortionate rates of interest from money lenders, usually members of gangster secret societies. An Employment Assistance Scheme has already found work for several hundred people and a scheme for relief investigation cards to be given to beggars, instead of money, promises to go a long way in helping to solve Hong Kong's perennial beggar problem, now aggravated by the influx of refugees. The Council also operates the Welfare Handicrafts shop which provides a market for the products of refugee craftsmen on the books of welfare agencies. Relations between the Council and the Government are close and cordial and Government officials attend its meetings.
Advice on social welfare matters is given to the Government by the Social Welfare Advisory Committee, a committee of unofficials under the chairmanship of the Director of Social Welfare. The Chairmen of four of the voluntary organizations, including the Council of Social Service, are ex officio members while the seven other-members are selected for their experience and interest in social work. One of the duties of this Committee is to advise on the subventions to be given by the Government to numerous voluntary agencies and on the allocation of flag days, which are limited to twelve a year. During the year two comprehensive reports were made by sub-Committees of the main Committee on the welfare of the deaf and on moral welfare and these will be of great value in shaping future policy. Another sub-Committee is now examining the important question of the types of vocational and trade training which would have the most practical value in present conditions.
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The work of the various Sections of the Social Welfare Depart- ment and of the voluntary agencies is described in more detail in succeeding paragraphs under the headings of Infant and Child Welfare, Youth Organizations and Group Work, Probation, Moral Welfare, Care of the Physically and Mentally Handicapped, and Relief and Public Assistance.
Infant and Child Welfare. Child welfare work in Hong Kong may be divided broadly between institutional care, including day care in nurseries or play centres, on the one hand and measures for the protection of children by virtue of the law or for customary or legal adoption on the other hand. Generally speaking, institu- tional and day care is undertaken by voluntary organizations, with