WEDNESDAY, MARCH 24, 1976
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MR. LOBO SAID: +1 APRECIATE THAT GREAT EFFORTS HAVE BEEN AND ARE BEING MADE BY THE DEPARTMENTS CONCERNED TO IMPROVE ATTITUDES, BUT MUCH STILL REMAINS TO BE DONE IN THIS AREA IF WE ARE TO CONTINUE TO ATTRACT VISITORS TO OUR SHORES.+
HE FELT THAT A SUBSTANTIAL SUBVENTION TO THE TOURIST ASSOCIATION WAS NOT ENOUGH IN ITSELF TO PROMOTE TOURISM, HE REITERATED. THIS INDUSTRY, WHICH IS OF SUCH IMPORTANCE TO THE ECONOMY OF HONG KONG, IS A HIGHLY COMPETITIVE BUSINESS. IF WE WISH TO ATTRACT VISITORS TO HONG KONG AND ENCOURAGE THEM TO STAY LONGER, BOTH GOVERNMENT AND THE PRIVATE SECTOR MUST PLAY THEIR COMPLEMENTARY ROLES MORE EFFECTIVELY.+
MR. LOBO PROPOSED THAT LOCAL TRADE ASSOCIATION AND TAXI COMPANIES AND THE TRADE UNIONS CONCERNED SHOULD TRY TO BRIEF THEIR MEMBERS ON THE PART WHICH COMMON COURTESY COULD PLAY IN CONTRIBUTION TO THE FURTHER GROWTH OF OUR TOURIST INDUSTRY AND, IN THE PROCESS, THEIR OWN STANDARD OF LIVING.+
HE ADDED THAT WHILE THERE WERE MAJOR AND CONTROVERSIAL ISSUES INVOLVED IT MUST ALSO REMAIN A MAJOR SOURCE OF CONCERN THAT THE PRESENT AIRPORT MAY PROVE INSUFFICIENT TO COPE WITH POSSIBLE DEMANDS BY 1987/1990.
ON MOTOR-CYCLING, MR. LOBO WAS DISAPPOINTED THAT THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY DID NOT INTRODUCE ADDITIONAL MEASURE OF FISCAL CONTROL TO CONTAIN THE NUMBER OF MOTOR-CYCLES ON THE ROADS.
HẸ POINTED OUT THAT OVER 22,000, SUCH VEHICLES WERE REGISTERED AT THE END OF LAST YEAR, OF WHICH +A FAIRLY LARGE PROPORTION APPEARS TO BE IN THE HANDS OF SUICIDAL MANIACS, WHO NOT ONLY ENDANGER THEIR OWN LIVES BUT, WHAT IS MORE, THE LIVES AND PROPERTY OF OTHERS.+
DURING 1975, MOTOR-CYCLES WERE INVOLVED IN 2,271 REPORTED ACCIDENTS - NEARLY 20 PER CENT OF THE TOTAL NUMBER OF ACCIDENTS INVOLVING DEATH AND INJURY.
BASED ON THE PREMISE THAT PUBLIC SERVICES SHOULD BE SELF-FINANCING WHEREVER POSSIBLE, HE THOUGHT THAT, IN RELATION TO REVENUE FROM REGISTRATION AND LICENCE FEES
A CONSIDERABLE LOSS WAS INCURRED BY THE GOVERNMENT IN PROVIDING THE NUMEROUS SERVICES REQUIRED TO DEAL WITH THESE 2,271 ACCIDENTS.
+THIS THEREFORE LEADS ME TO QUESTION WHETHER THERE
IS NOT A CASE FOR INCREASING THE ANNUAL REGISTRATION FEE FOR A MOTOR-CYCLE FROM $175 TO A MORE REALISTIC FIGURE. LET US REMEMBER THAT MOTOR-CYCLISTS ENJOY FREE ON-STREET PARK ING THROUGHOUT THE COLONY.+
MR. LOBO CALLED FOR THE LEGALISATION OF THE MOTOR-CYCLE FOR HIRE BUSINESS, THUS BRINGING ITS OPERATORS INTO THE T/X NET,
/POINTING