XN000022-1973-11-14 — Page 29

Wednesday, November 14, 1973

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This, he thought, should be just as much necessary for the

impending developments in town, particularly the underground railway

project, as it was for the New Territories.

He stressed the need for keeping good relationships between the

government and the indigenous people of the New Territories, for experience

had shown the usefulness of working in liaison with existing organisation

such as the Heung Yee Kuk and the Rural Committees.

"It is also clearly shown how unwise it is for unilateral action

to be taken by government departments in town without adequate prior

consultation or without due weight being given to the views of the District

Commissioner of New Territories," he said.

As a means to improve the situation, he urged the government to

upgrade the post of the District Commissioner so that he could be in a

position to talk on equal terms with the new Secretaries.

Mr. Lee praised the civil service in his speech, which he said, would

have "quite unavoidably a few grey patches in the enormous establishment

of 109,000."

"But occasional criticism of inefficiency and corruption cannot

eclipse the birghtness of our civil servants, the majority of whom are clean

and devoted to their duty, " he said.

Ilo also asked that more people, and where possible, the younger

generation, be enlisted to serve the various councils, boards, committees

and organisations.

Human resources are not limited if the best use is made of them

The question is, as a member of this Council said, 'How to tap these

resources, o said,

Release time: 9.00 p.m.

PH

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