XN000022-1974-02-19 — Page 4

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Tuesday, February 19, 1974

PO LEUNG KUK'S EFFORTS IN WELFARE SERVICES PRAISED

The Director of Social Welfare, Mr. Kenneth Topley, today commended

the Po Leung Kuk for its keen identification of welfare needs in various

areas and for its efforts towards meeting these needs.

He was speaking at the opening of the Kuk's Yum Jee Nursery in Nam

Long Shan Road, Wong Chuk Hang. The day nursery is the first to be run on a

non-profit-making basis by a reputable welfare organization in Wong Chuk Hang.

"This is indeed a welcome service for the residents in this area where

the growing population is not yet matched by the provision of those day care

services needed in an industrial society where more and more married women enter

or remain in the labour force," Mr. Topley said.

He noted that the Kuk was no newcomer in this field as it already operates

three nurseries in the densely populated areas of Causeway Bay, Lam Tin and

Yau Tong.

"The good attendance of these existing nurseries run by the Kuk are

indications of the demand for the service and, particularly, of the recognition

of the good work done by the Kuk as well as the confidence people place in their

standard and quality of service," he said.

Mr. Topley pointed out that for working parents a day nursery is a much

needed service and good standard nurseries are all the more important if the

physical, emotional and social developments of children in their early years are

to be promoted.

"In this project, the government is involved in the giving of annual

subvention to meet a great part of the recurrent expenditure. With the experience

of the Kuk and the government subsidy, it can be expected that the standard of

service will be high," he said.

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Note to Editore: Copies of Mr. Topley's speech are boxed for

collection.

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