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Saturday, October 21, 1972
"One cannot contemplate these figures without a sense of excitement at
the promise for the future implied by the energy and drive of these youthful
millions.
"But if that energy is not properly harnessed, it could do tremendous
harn. For example, an increasing percentage of Hong Kong's crime is being
committed by people under the age of 25,"
"But, of course, these crimes are committed by a very small percentage
of our young people; the vast majority of Hong Kong's young people are honest,
industrious, and have an integrity of which the community of Hong Kong can be
justly proud,"
Mr. Cater criticised people who took the easy course of making blanket
criticisms of Hong Kong's youth. He said Hong Kong's young people were one
of its greatest assets, and were as good as or better than young people in
any other part of the world.
He said the so-called "generation gap" was an age-old problem and
one that was experienced all over the world. "But, in Hong Kong, it has special
significance at this stage of our development," he said.
"Unlike many of the older generations, our young people of today were
either born here or were very young when they came to Hong Kong.
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"They have, therefore, every right to think of Hong Kong as their home,
and to expect to be involved in the future development of this community.
"So we must not allow a gap to grow between us and the younger generation.
"We need to understand the hopes and desires of youth in order that
we can communicate with them. 11
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