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WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 5, 1977
CREATION OF DISTRICT ADVISORY BOARDS IN N.T.
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THE GOVERNMENT WILL SOON SET UP ADVISORY BOARDS IN ALL NEW TERRITORIES DISTRICTS TO ADVISE ON HATTERS AFFECTING THE WELL-BEING OF THE INHABITANTS OF THE DISTRICT, THE GOVERNOR, SIR MURRAY MACLEHOSE, SAID IN HIS OPENING ADDRESS TO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY.
THE BOARDS, UNDER THE CHAIRMANSHIP OF THE TOWN MANAGER OR DISTRICT OFFICER, AS THE CASE MAY BE, WILL INCLUDE BOTH OFFICIALS AND UNOFFICIALS. THEY WILL ADVISE THE GOVERNMENT ON MATTERS SUCH AS THE LOCAL IMPACT OF TERRITORY-WIDE POLICIES OF CENTRAL DEPARTMENTS, THE DEVELOPMENT OF LOCAL AMENITIES AND RECREATION, AND THE USE IN THE DISTRICT OF FUNDS AVAILABLE UNDER THE LOCAL PUBLIC WORKS VOTE.
THE NUCLEUS OF UNOFFICIAL MEMBERSHIP WILL BE THE CHAIRMEN OF LOCAL RURAL COMMITTEES, WHERE APPROPRIATE, ADDITIONAL MEMBERS WILL BE APPOINTED FROM OTHER ORGANISATIONS MAKING A MAJOR CONTRIBUTION WHETHER OF LONG STANDING, SUCH AS ARTS AND SPORTS ASSOCIATIONS, OR NEW, SUCH AS THE MUTUAL AID COMMITTEES AND
AREA COMMITTEES.
+ ENVISAGE THE SIZE OF THE BOARDS, AND OF THE MEMBERSHIP DRAWN FROM OUTSIDE THE TRADITIONAL RANKS OF RURAL AND VILLAGE COMMITTEES, VARYING CONSIDERABLY ACCORDING TO THE DEGREE OF DEVELOPMENT IN THE DISTRICT AND THE PROPORTION OF NEW RESIDENTS TO THOSE OF LONG STANDING.
+ I ALSO WISH TO EMPHASISE THE DISTINCTION BETWEEN THE CREATION OF ADVISORY AND CONSULTATIVE MACHINERY AT DISTRICT LEVEL AND THE CENTRAL STATUTORY ADVISORY ROLE OF THE HEUNG YEE KUK.
+THE KUK IS RESPONSIBLE FOR ADVISING THE GOVERNMENT ON THE CVERALL EFFECT OF THE VARIOUS PROGRAMMES AND POLICIES IN THE NEW TERRITORIES BUT QUITE NATURALLY ITS PRINCIPAL RESPONSIBILITY AND CONCERN IS THE IMPACT OF THE DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMMES ON THE INDIGENOUS RESIDENTS, PARTICULARLY HERE THESE PROGRAMMES AFFECT LAND AND PROPERTY,+ SIR MURRAY SAID.
SIR MURRAY NOTED THAT THE DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMMES WOULD CONTILUE TO BE FUNDED AND DIRECTED BY CENTRAL GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS, EUT HE ENVISAGED ARRANGEMENTS BEING MADE SO THAT WHAT WAS PROPOSED FOR EACH DISTRICT EACH YEAR WAS EXPLAINED AND DISCUSSED WITH DISTRICT BOARDS BEFORE ESTIMATES MERE FINALISED. THE BOARDS WOULD ALSO BE PROVIDED WITH FUNDS TO ENABLE THEM TO PROMOTE AND SUPPORT LOCAL ACTIVITIES, AND MAKE MINOR ENVIRONMENTAL IMPROVEMENTS, IN ADDITION TO THE CENTRAL GOVERNMENT PROGRAMMES.
.ITH REGARD TO THE STANDARD OF AMENITIES IN THE URBANISED AREAS IN THE NEW TERRITORIES, SIR URRAY SAID, IT SHOULD BE COMPARABLE TO THE OLD URBAN AREAS OF HONG KONG.
/+VIGOROUS