Wednesday, August 30, 1972
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17.
CAREFUL CONSIDERATION BEING GIVEN TO BALANCE OF RAINSTORM DONATIONS
The management committee of the Community Relief Trust Fund
had been advised that it would be possible, by enabling legislation,
to carry forward the balance of donations to victims of the June rainstorm
disasters for use in future emergencies.
The Director of Social Welfare and Fund Trustee, the Hon. G.T. Rowe, told the Legislative Council this today in reply to questions by the
Hon. Mrs. Joyce Symons.
She had asked if the Government was aware that appeals to the
public for donations following the June rainstorms made by TVB and other
organisations had been "impressed with a trust for the relief of victims of that
catastrophe."
Mr. Rowe said both the Government and the management committee
were aware of this but carrying balances forward had been done in similar circumstances when the Fund was originally established, and it was right
that this possibility should not be overlooked.
"The Committee certainly recognises the importance of considering
the matter carefully, so that we arrive at a solution which will meet both the wishes of the donors and the needs of the community as a whole,"
Mr. Rowe explained. "For this reason, the issue has been raised publicly."
He already knew, as a result, that some donors agreed with the
proposed move, and he believed others might.
/But