THURSDAY, AUGUST 2, 1984
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THE HON CHAN YING-LUN NOTED THAT THE GRADUAL CHANGE FROM THE APPOINTMENT SYSTEM TO THE INDIRECT ELECTION SYSTEM BY AN ELECTORAL COLLEGE WAS TO TAKE THE ADVANTAGES OF BOTH.
AS FOR DIRECT ELECTIONS, HE BELIEVED THAT THEY SHOULD BE IMPLEMENTED AT A LATER STAGE.
TO ENSURE A SOUND ELECTION, THE PEOPLE MUST BE CIVIC-MINDED, THEY SHOULD UNDERSTAND THE SYSTEM OF THE GOVERNMENT. THEIR RIGHTS AND OBLIGATIONS AND KNOW THEY MUST NOT BE USED AS POLITICAL WEAPONS BY OTHERS, HE ADDED.
THE HON MRS RITA FAN SUGGESTED THAT THE GOVERNMENT SHOULD USE VARIOUS MEANS TO ENCOURAGE AND FACILITATE THE SILENT MAJORITY' TO EXPRESS THEIR VIEWS.
SHE SAID THAT IN ADDITION TO DISTRICT BOARDS AND DISTRICT OFFICES, NEW MEANS, SUCH AS SURVEYS OF ATTITUDE TOWARDS HOUSING, SHOULD BE SERIOUSLY CONSIDERED.
AT THE SAME TIME, SHE CALLED ON THE PEOPLE OF HONG KONG TO BREAK THEIR SILENCE.
+TO REMAIN SILENT IS TANTAMOUNT TO GIVING UP THEIR RIGHTS AND MAY THUS GIVE OTHER PEOPLE A GOOD OPPORTUNITY TO CARRY OUT AS THEY WISH, POLICIES WHICH MAY NOT BE COMPATIBLE WITH THE WILL OF THE PUBLIC, SHE WARNED.
THE HON PAULINE NG SAID THAT OVERALL REVIEW OF THE DEVELOPMENT SHOULD BE ADVANCED TO 1987 AS BY THEN HONG KONG
THE DISTRICT WOULD HAVE HAD THE EXPERIENCE OF TWO ELECTIONS BOARDS ELECTION IN 1985 AND THE URBAN COUNCIL AND REGIONAL COUNCIL ELECTION IN 1986.
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LIKE MRS NG AND MANY OTHER MEMBERS, THE HON PETER POON SAID HE WOULD LIKE TO SEE CIVIC EDUCATION STEPPED UP AND MORE PEOPLE ENCOURAGED TO REGISTER AS VOTERS AND TO VOTE AT ELECTIONS.
THE HON YEUNG PO-KWAN SUGGESTED THAT THE GOVERNMENT SHOULD CONSIDER EXTENDING THE CONSULTATION PERIOD ON THE GREEN PAPER FROM THE PRESENT TWO MONTHS TO FOUR MONTHS.
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