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THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 28, 1974
H.K. SUCCEEDS IN REDUCING NATURAL GROWTH OF POPULATION
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THE GOVERNMENT IS WELL AWARE OF THE IMPORTANCE OF FAMILY PLANNING, AND ITS VALUE 30TH IN THE WIDER CONTEXT OF POPULATION GROWTH AND AS A COMMUNITY MEASURE.
THIS WAS STATED TODAY BY THE SECRETARY FOR HOME AFFAIRS MR. DENIS BRAY WHILE ADDRESSING THE FAMILY PLANNING ASSOCIATION ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING.
HE NOTED THAT THE GOVERNMENT DECIDED 10 MONTHS AGO TO PARTICIPATE DIRECTLY BY THE PROVISION OF FAMILY PLANNING FACILI IN ITS OWN CLINICS, THEREBY ENABLING THE FAMILY PLANNING ASSOCIATION TO DIVERT AND EXPAND INTO AREAS NOT COVERED BY GOVERNMENT CLINICS.
HE SAID HE BELIEVED HONG KONG HAD BEEN SUCCESSFUL IN REDUCIAL THE NATURAL GROWTH OF POPULATION.
LATER MARRIAGES, MORE WORKING WOMEN AND IMPROVED EDUCATION PARTLY EXPLAINED THIS ACHIEVEMENT, HE SAID, BUT SUCCESS ALSC OWED GREATLY TO THE CONCERTED EFFORTS OF THE FAMILY PLANNING ASSOCIATION AND MORE RECENTLY TO THE MEDICAL AND HEALTH DEPARTMENT, HE ADDED.
HOWEVER, THE SECRETARY FOR HOME AFFAIRS CAUTIONED THAT THERE WAS NO ROOM FOR COMPLACENCY.
+HONG KONG IS A CITY OF YOUNG PEOPLE, MANY OF WHOM TEND TO FAVOUR LARGER FAMILIES. THE NUMBER OF YOUNG WOMEN OF AN AGE WHEN THEY HAVE BABIES IF INCREASING, HE SAID.
+THE GREAT SUCCESS THAT HAS BEEN ACHIEVED IN REDUCING THE NUMBERS OF BABIES THAT YOUNG WOMEN HAVE IS NOW THREATENED BY AL INCREASE IN THE NUMBERS OF YOUNG WOMEN THEMSELVES,+ HE WARNED.
MR. ERAY FELT THAT EFFORTS TO REDUCE THE NATURAL RATE OF GROWTH IN HONG KONG WERE ALSO ENDANGERED BY THE CONCENTRATION OF POPULATION THAT WAS TAKING PLACE.
THIS PROBLEM, HE SAID, WAS FURTHER COMPOUNDED BY THE INFLUX OF ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS FROM THE RURAL AREAS OF CHINA.
+THE FLOOD OF ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS TODAY IS NOT A FLOOD OF PEOPLE FLEEING FROM OPPRESSION BUT OF PEOPLE WHO BELIEVE THE STREETS OF HONG KONG ARE PAVED WITH GOLD,+ MR. BRAY POINTED OUT.
+THE WORLD-WIDE TENDENCY OF PEOPLE IN RURAL AREAS TO MOVE TO THE CITIES IS REINFORCED IN OUR CASE BY A BELIEF THAT EVERYONE IN IN HONG KONG IS WELL OFF. THE TALES OF THE DISILLUSIONED WHO COME AND CANNOT GET JOBS HAVE NOT YET COUNTERACTED THE ALMOST FAIRY TALE REPUTATION OF HONG KONG,+ HE SAID.
HE SAID