THURSDAY, MARCH 19, 1987
OF PATRON SAINT AND A WELL-BALANCED BUDGET
*****
THE HON CHAN KAM-CHUEN SAID TODAY (THURSDAY) THE 1997-98 BUDGET PRESENTED BY THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY WAS ON THE WHOLE
WELL-BALANCED.
SPEAKING DURING THE SECOND DAY OF THE BUDGET DEBATE IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL, MR CHAN SAID THAT IF THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY HAD TO CHOOSE A PATRON SAINT TO PROTECT HIM THROUGHOUT THIS TRANSITION PERIOD, THE GODDESS OF MERCY WITH A THOUSAND HANDS+ MIGHT BE APPROPRIATE, AS LONG AS 500 HANDS WERE USED TO COLLECT TAX AND THE OTHER 500 WERE USED FOR DISHING THE MONEY OUT AS EXPENDITURE FOR THE GOOD OF HONG KONG.
ON HONG KONG'S INTERNAL SECURITY, MR CHAN SAID THE DISCIPLINED FORCES HAD DONE THEIR BEST TO MAINTAIN LAW AND ORDER.
+ALTHOUGH THERE WERE RECENTLY SOME DARING ROBBERIES AND SHOOTINGS IN CENTRAL AND TRIAD ACTIVITIES, THE ROYAL HONG KONG POLICE FORCE WILL NO DOUBT BE ABLE TO COPE WITH THESE TYPICAL CRIMES OF LARGE CITIES EFFECTIVELY, HE SAID.
HE ADDED THAT THE BRITISH GARRISON IN HONG KONG AND THE AUXILIARY ARMED FORCES REPRESENTED THE BRITISH PRESENCE HERE TO UPHOLD HONG KONG'S LAW AND ADMINISTRATION,
+ IT IS ALSO WISE FOR EVERY ADMINISTRATION TO HAVE ALTERNATIVE ARMED FORCES AT THEIR DISPOSAL, HE SAID.
HE SAID THAT IF HONG KONG DID NOT MAINTAIN ADEQUATE ARMED FORCES AND IF THERE WAS A ONE-IN-A-MILLION CHANCE THAT HONG KONG WAS INVADED, THEN IT WOULD BE A GOOD EXCUSE FOR TROOPS OF OTHER COUNTRIES TO COME TO OUR ASSISTANCE WHETHER WE LIKED IT OR NOT.
HE ALSO SAID THAT THE DEATH PENALTY WAS A DETERRENT TO SERIOUS CRIMES, AND THAT CRIMINALS SHOULD REPAY THE COMMUNITY WITH SOME MANUAL LABOUR SUCH AS BUILDING ROADS ON REMOTE ISLANDS.
TURNING TO EXPORT TRADE, MR CHAN SAID THAT THE THREAT OF PROTECTIONISM WAS STILL VERY MUCH ALIVE. HONG KONG MUST EMPHASISE THAT IT WAS A FREE PORT OPEN TO ALL COUNTRIES AND THAT IT WAS NOT LOGICAL TO USE PROTECTIONIST MEASURES TO PENALISE THIS TERRITORY FOR MAINTAINING OPEN AND FREE TRADE, HE ADDED,
ON TAXATION, MR CHAN SAID THAT HE WAS ALL FOR INDIRECT TAXATION ON NON-ESSENTIAL ITEMS.
HE SAID INDIRECT TAXES WERE BETTER THAN COMPULSORY DIRECT TAXATION AS THE PUBLIC HAD THE OPTION TO PAY FOR THE INDIRECT TAX OR SAVE THEIR MONEY.
+ I ONLY