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CONSTITUTION AND ADMINISTRATION
on behalf of the government, services for the community and services for the individual. They exercise a local co-ordinating function, test public opinion, watch for sources of grievance and tension and, in general, try to interpret to the man in the street the measures adopted by a specialised and sophisticated administration. They also deal with individual complaints, answer enquiries, provide information and mediate in a variety of disputes.
Consolidation and expansion of the mutual aid committee scheme took place in 1975. The city district officers continued to service these committees working to bring about improvements in management, security and cleanliness in multi-storey buildings in both the private and public sectors. The scheme has proved its value as an effective way of mobilising the community to participate in the Fight Violent Crime Campaign and the Keep Hong Kong Clean Campaign. The formation of new mutual aid com- mittees was also accelerated. By the end of 1975, there was a total of 1,907 mutual aid committees, compared with 1,575 in 1974.
Almost all of the city district offices and sub-offices are located in shop-type premises. In these offices, which are easily accessible to the public, enquiry service counters are combined with the reception facilities. The primary objects of the enquiry services are to give the man in the street information and guidance on the services provided and functions performed by government departments, to explain rules and procedures, and to supplement broadcast information during tropical storms and other emergencies. During the year, the Home Affairs Department handled a total of about 1.6 million enquiries of all kinds.
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In the New Territories, the Secretary for the New Territories and his seven district officers exercise co-ordinating responsibilities, and in addition perform certain execu- tive functions, principally in relation to land administration. The arrangements for consultation with the public are more formalised to the extent that there is a village representative system. More than 900 village representatives are chosen from some 600 villages. Villages are grouped under 27 rural committees, each of which has an executive committee. With one exception, all the executive committees of the rural committees are selected by secret ballot every two years by village representatives. The rural committees execute minor works and carry out certain tasks on behalf of the government, receiving a small monthly subvention to cover part of their expenses. Within its own area the rural committee acts as spokesman for local public opinion, mediates in clan and family disputes, and generally provides a bridge between the government and the people.
The chairmen and vice-chairmen of the 27 rural committees, with the unofficial New Territories Justices of the Peace and 21 special councillors elected every two years, form the Full Council of the New Territories Heung Yee Kuk. The title may be trans- lated into English as 'rural consultative council'. Under the constitution established by the Heung Yee Kuk Ordinance, the Kuk has an executive committee which meets monthly. It consists of the chairmen of rural committees, the unofficial New Territories Justices of the Peace and 15 ordinary members elected every two years by the Full Council. The Full Council also elects the chairman and two vice-chairmen of the Kuk, through whom close contact is maintained with the Secretary for the New Territories.
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