XN000022-1973-09-06 — Page 5

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Thursday, September 6, 1973

CRITICISM OF DISINTEREST AMONG YOUNG PEOPLE UNFOUNDED

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The Principal Assistant Colonial Secretary (Social Services), Mr.

David Lai Ka-wah, said this (Thursday) evening criticisms that young people

were not interested in their community were unfounded.

"The young people today have a different concept of value and

This is an

have become increasingly interested in public affairs.

encouraging sign and we must seize this opportunity to further promote

the aspirations of our young people," he said.

Mr. Lai was speaking at the presentation ceremony of certificates

to volunteers who participated in the Social Welfare Department's summer

The ceremony also marked the closing of the department's

youth programme.

summer youth activities.

Mr. Lai said the importance of strengthening and developing youth

services was fully recognised by the government and was kept under constant

review by departments responsible for various aspects of youth work and by

various advisory committees with relevant terms of reference.

"Further consideration is now being given to the possibility of

achieving a greater degree of co-ordination of the efforts being made by

both government and the voluntary bodies."

Most of the summer programmes for 1973, he said, had come to an

end and the Central Co-ordinating Committee was now making an evaluation

to be used for future planning.

"We do not accept the fact that because the summer programme has

been an annual event in the past six years, it must therefore continue and

no changes should be called for.

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