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Disappointment over Australian Government's decision
The Government has expressed its disappointment over the Australian Government's decision, announced yesterday, to limit Cathay Pacific's operating authorisation for Australian services to the end of June.
A Government spokesman said direct services between Hong Kong and Australia were not an issue in the current dispute, and the Hong Kong Government had been careful in its own actions to ensure that they remained unaffected and that inconvenience to the travelling public was avoided.
The spokesman downplayed fears that Cathay's permit might not be extended beyond June 30.
"We urge the Australian Government to act responsibly, taking into full account the interest of travellers between Hong Kong and Australia and the economic interest of both territories, and extend Cathay's permit in good time before June 30 to allay passenger uncertainty," the spokesman said.
He added that, any further action against Cathay's services to and from Australia would be regarded as a very serious escalation.
"Under such circumstances, we would have little alternative but to consider appropriate measures against Qantas and Ansett in response."
End/Friday, April 21, 1995
Residential Mortgage Survey Results for March 1995
The growth in residential mortgage loans for the purchase of properties in Hong Kong remained modest in March, according to the results of the latest monthly survey conducted by the Hong Kong Monetary Authority (HKMA).
The latest figures show that the total amount of outstanding mortgage lending by the 33 institutions in the survey rose by 0.3% in March (0.2% in February) to $239.6 billion. The growth rate is below the monthly average of 0.79% over the last 12 months.