FRIDAY, AUGUST 1, 1980
6
INCREASE IN MAXIMUM FINES ON QUOTA ABUSERS PROPOSED
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SUBSTANTIAL INCREASES IN THE MAXIMUM PENALTIES FOR TEXTILE FRAUDS ARE PROPOSED IN A BILL AMENDING THE IMPORT AND EXPORT ORDINANCE PUBLISHED IN THE GAZETTE TODAY (AUGUST 1).
THE ACTING DIRECTOR OF TRADE, INDUSTRY AND CUSTOMS, MR PETER TSAO, SAID THE NEW IMPORT AND EXPORT (AMENDMENT) BILL 1980 SEEKS TO INCREASE THE MAXIMUM PENALTY TO $500 000 AND TWO YEARS' IMPRISONMENT.
+MOST PENALTIES CURRENTLY PRESCRIBED BY LAW FOR TEXTILES AND RELATED OFFENCES ARE A MAXIMUM OF $50 000 AND ONE YEAR'S IMPRISONMENT, SAID MR TSAO.
+THESE HAVE REMAINED UNCHANGED FOR AT LEAST 25 YEARS, AND RECENT DEVELOPMENTS INDICATE THAT THEY ARE NO LONGER ADEQUATE, TAKING INTO ACCOUNT THE VALUE OF THE COMMERCIAL TRANSACTIONS AND PROFITS INVOLVED.
+HEAVIER PENALTIES ARE WARRANTED IN ORDER TO SERVE AS A MORE EFFECTIVE DETERRENT AGAINST POTENTIAL OFFENDERS, HE SAID.
THE BILL WILL BE INTRODUCED INTO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL ON AUGUST 6 WHEN IT IS INTENDED TO TAKE THE BILL THROUGH ITS THREE READINGS BEFORE THE SUMMER RECESS.
+
FIRST SPORTSGROUND IN SHA TIN OPENED
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THE FIRST MAJOR SPORTSGROUND FACILITY TO BE PROVIDED IN SHA TIN WAS OPENED BY DR DOUGLAS LAING, STEWARD OF THE ROYAL HONG KONG JOCKEY CLUB TODAY (FRIDAY).
THE SPORTSGROUND, WHICH COVERS AN AREA OF 1.5 HECTARES AT AREA 12 SHA TIN, PROVIDES FOR FOOTBALL AND ATHLETIC EVENTS.
IT HAS A STANDARD GRASS FOOTBALL PITCH AND A 400-METRE GRASS ATHLETICS TRACK.
DIRECTOR OF THE NEW TERRITORIES SERVICES DEPARTMENT, MR H.S. GREWAL, SAID THE CONSTRUCTION OF THE SPORTSGROUND HAS BEEN A TEAM EFFORT. WITH CONTRIBUTIONS FROM THE SHA TIN DISTRICT ADVISORY BOARD, THE PROJECT MANAGER SHA TIN, THE DISTRICT OFFICER SHA TIN, AND THE NEW TERRITORIES SERVICES DEPARTMENT.
BUT HE POINTED OUT THAT THE LION'S SHARE OF THE CREDIT BELONGS TO THE ROYAL HONG KONG JOCKEY CLUB FOR ITS GENEROUS DONATION FOR ITS FACILITIES.
BOOKINGS FOR THE SPORTSGROUND OPEN THIS MONTH.
AK GREWAL