the agencies rely heavily on workers recruited in Hong Kong. A welcome sign of a growing awareness of the value of self-help among the residents lies in the growth in the number of Kaifong Welfare Associations consti- tuted within and for the direct benefit of residents of resettlement estates. The activities undertaken by these associations vary considerably with the ability of their leaders, the support of their members, and the extent of their financial resources. The most common activities are mediation in disputes, an enquiry and employment service, distribution of relief goods, provision of reading rooms, and the sponsoring of youth activities. As a result of the year's disturbances, it was recognized that there was a need to strengthen the links between the department and schools, volun- tary agencies, local associations and individual tenants. An Assistant Commissioner and 28 other senior officers were therefore released from their normal duties from July until September to devote themselves to this task. The main emphasis of this initial liaison work was on expanding the number of Kaifong associations, encouraging them to increase their membership and to expand their own contacts with all levels of the com- munity, particularly with workers and youth, and on widening the scope of the services which they offer to residents. 10 new Kaifong associations were established, bringing the number of estate Kaifongs to 21, and membership increased from about 13,000 in mid-June to around 29,000 at the end of the year. This special campaign showed the need for continu- ing liaison in estates, and by the end of March approval had been given to set up a permanent liaison unit consisting of 1 Resettlement Officer and 4 Assistant Resettlement Officers. Another field in which progress was made was the introduction of a series of pamphlets explaining the procedure to be followed in the requests most commonly made in estates.
86. During 1967-68, nearly 172,900 children were attending primary schools in estates. Although some of these are known to live elsewhere, the majority were resident in the estates. Equally, some settlers' children attend schools elsewhere, while a small proportion receive no primary education even though there may be vacancies available close to their homes. The reasons for this appear to be mainly economic, the children being required either to add to the family income, or to look after their younger brothers and sisters while both parents are at work.
87. The rents charged to schools and voluntary agencies were reviewed during the previous year, since clearly there was an anomaly in the nominal charge of $1 for rooftop accommodation in the early estates compared with the rents for premises in the later Marks, which varied according to
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