WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 23, 1994
SPEECH BY SECRETARY FOR CONSTITUTIONAL AFFAIRS, MR NICHOLAS NG,
ON THE HON ERIC LI'S AMENDMENT TO ELECTORAL PROVISIONS
(MISCELLANEOUS AMENDMENTS)
(NO. 2) BILL 1993 * * * * *
MR PRESIDENT,
WHY
DURING THE SECOND READING OF THE BILL, I HAVE ALREADY EXPLAINED IN OUR JUDGEMENT IT IS BOTH TIMELY AND APPROPRIATE то ABOLISH APPOINTED DISTRICT BOARD AND MUNICIPAL COUNCIL MEMBERSHIP IN 1994/95. LET ME JUST BRIEFLY RESTATE OUR REASONS.
FIRST, ABOLITION OF THE APPOINTED SEATS IN THESE BODIES WILL MORE PEOPLE TO PARTICIPATE IN THE MANAGEMENT OF THEIR OWN
ALLOW AFFAIRS.
SECONDLY, THE PROPOSAL IS NOT A RADICAL CHANGE. RATHER, IT IS A LOGICAL STEP IN THE GRADUAL EVOLUTION OF THESE BODIES OVER THE YEARS.
THIRDLY, WHILST ONE WOULD WANT TO PAY TRIBUTE TO THE CONTRIBUTIONS OF APPOINTED MEMBERS, IT IS ALSO IMPORTANT THAT OUR SYSTEM OF REPRESENTATIVE GOVERNMENT SHOULD EVOLVE TO MEET THE RISING ASPIRATIONS OF THE COMMUNITY.
FOR THE ABOVE REASONS, MR PRESIDENT, THE THREE EX-OFFICIO MEMBERS WILL VOTË AGAINST MR LI'S AMENDMENT.
SPEECH BY SECRETARY FOR CONSTITUTIONAL AFFAIRS, MR NICHOLAS NG, ON THE HON MARTIN LEE'S AMENDMENT TO ELECTORAL PROVISIONS
(MISCELLANEOUS AMENDMENTS )
(NO. 2) BILL 1993
* * * * *
MR PRESIDENT,
I HAVE EXPLAINED EARLIER THAT THE EX-OFFICIO SEATS ON THE REGIONAL COUNCIL AND THE NINE NEW TERRITORIES DISTRICT BOARDS WERE ESTABLISHED IN RECOGNITION OF THE SPECIAL INTERESTS OF THE INDIGENOUS POPULATION OF THE NEW TERRITORIES. THESE EX-OFFICIO MEMBERS, WHO ARE THEMSELVES ELECTED, HAVE MADE SIGNIFICANT CONTRIBUTIONS IN PRESERVING THE LINK BETWEEN THESE BODIES AND THE RURAL COMMUNITY. IN THE YEARS AHEAD, THEY WILL CONTINUE TO HAVE A USEFUL ROLE TO PLAY.
MR PRESIDENT, THE THREE EX-OFFICIO MEMBERS WILL VOTE AGAINST MR LEE'S AMENDMENT.
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