THURSDAY, MARCH 29, 1984
13
SHE CONGRATULATED THE ADMINISTRATION FOR THE HIGHLY
IMAGINATIVE INNOVATION OF OPENING THE EXAMINATION OF THE 1984-85 ESTIMATES TO PUBLIC SCRUTINY AND SAID SHE HOPED THAT THIS WAS THE FIRST OF A SERIES IN THE EDUCATION PROCESS ABOUT OUR SYSTEM.
COMMENTING ON THE REACTIONS OF DISTRICT BOARDS TO THE DEBATE ON THE LOBO MOTION, MRS CHOW SAID, IN CASE ANY MEMBER OF ANY DISTRICT BOARD DOUBTS WHETHER HE IS CONSTITUTIONALLY CORRECT IN RAISING OR DISCUSSING THE SUBJECT OF THE FUTURE IN HIS BOARD, HE SHOULD BE ASSURED THAT HE HAS A DEFINITE ROLE TO PLAY IN REPRESENTING AND REFLECTING THE VIEWS OF HIS CONSTITUENCY ON ALL MATTERS CONCERNING THEIR WELFARE, INCLUDING MANY POLICIES OF CENTRAL GOVERNMENT.+
THIS CONSULTATIVE ROLE SHOULD NOT STOP SHORT OF THE MOST IMPORTANT SINGLE ISSUE THAT AFFECTS OUR FUTURE, SHE STRESSED.
+HOWEVER, AS THE ISSUE IS SO VERY IMPORTANT, IT IS ABSOLUTELY ESSENTIAL THAT EVERYONE OF US APPROACH IT IN THE MOST CAUTIOUS AND RESPONSIBLE MANNER, + SHE SAID.
+NEVERTHELESS CAUTION SHOULD NOT BE CONFUSED WITH TIMIDITY.
WE MUST HAVE THE COURAGE TO SPEAK THE TRUTH. IT IS A DUTY THAT EACH LEADER AND REPRESENTATIVE OWES TO THE PEOPLE,+ SHE ADDED.
PRIORITIES IN EXPENDITURE ESTIMATES QUESTIONED
*****
THE PRIORITIES IN THE ESTIMATES OF EXPENDITURE CAME INTO QUESTION BY DR THE HON HENRIETTA IP AT THE ANNUAL BUDGET DEBATE TODAY.
NOTING THAT THE BUDGET HAD BEEN DESCRIBED AS FAIR, BALANCED, ANALYTICAL, SYSTEMATIC AND BASED ON SOUND PRINCIPLES, DR IP MADE A STRING OF SUGGESTIONS ON HOW THE PRIORITIES COULD BE READJUSTED TO MAKE THE ESTIMATES OF EXPENDITURE MORE FAIR AND BALANCED.
+ I WOULD SET HIGH UP ON MY LIST OF PRIORITIES SERVICES PROVE TO BE DEFICIENT RATHER THAN THOSE WHICH ARE DUPLICATIVE.
+ I WOULD CHOOSE TO OFFER SMALLER BENEFITS TO THE GENERAL PUELIŲ AT LARGE RATHER THAN LARGER BENEFITS TO SOME PRIVILEGED FEW.
+I WOULD PREFER TO IMPROVE FACILITIES SHOWN TO BE WORSE THAN THE AVERAGE RATHER THAN IMPROVING THE BETTER ONES TO MAKE THE. BETTER STILL, SHE SAID.
SHE WOULD ALSO LIKE TO SEE SERVICES OFFERED TO PEOPLE WHO HAVE CONTRIBUTED MOST IN TIME AND EFFORT TO HONG KONG WHICH IS THEIR HOME THAN TO THOSE WHO COME AND GO.
/IN CUTTING