XN000022-1972-11-01 — Page 14

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Wednesday, November 1, 1972

She asked the Government "to think twice on this subject."

Commenting on the White Paper on Social Welfare, which had her full

support, Mrs. Li said perhaps the most heartening feature was the fact that "Government accepts the ultimate responsibility to provide satisfactory social

welfare services as fast as staff and other resources permit."

She welcomed the emphasis on helping those members of the community

who were least able to help themselves, particularly the disabled and the

elderly.

She also welcomed the proposed Institute for Social Work Training.

She believed that there was a need for more openings for school

leavers who were not academically suited to university studies but who, following

more practical training, could play an important part in providing services for

the people of Hong Kong.

Mrs. Li expressed disappointment at the "small percentage of increase"

in the total amount of subvention to voluntary agencies.

It was high time, she said, that they be encouraged to employ more

qualified staff.

"Most agencies," she said, "spend from 50 per cent to 80 per cent of

their total expenditure on salaries and if these could be adequately subsidised,

it will go a long way in upkeeping the standard of service in this field."

Turning to education, Mrs. Li called for a "very clear cut and

wholesome" policy for Hong Kong.

Education, she said, must be planned as a whole and not in a piecemeal

and disjointed manner "the way we are doing up to now."

For instance,