XN000022-1974-05-24 — Page 8

7

-

HORE LITTER WARDENS TO KEEP TIGHT REIN

ON LAP SAP CHUNGS

* * * * * *

MORE GOVERNMENT OFFICERS ARE TO JOIN FORCES WITH U.S.D. LITTER WARDENS TO BRING HOME THE MESSAGE OF KEEPING HONG KONG CLEAN TO DIE-HARD LITTER BUGS.

THESE INCLUDE MEN FROM THE DEPARTMENTS OF

AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES, COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY, FIRE SERVICES, IMMIGRATION, LABOUR, NEW TERRITORIES ADMINISTRATION, TRANSPORT AS WELL AS THE URDAN SERVICES.

THE MAGISTRATES ORDINANCE CAMENDMENT OF FOURTH SCHEDULE) ORDER 1974, PUBLISHED IN TODAY'S GAZETTE, EMPOWERS SENIOR STAFF OF VARIOUS DEPARTMENTS, WHO EITHER WEAR UNIFORMS OR NORMALLY HAVE DIRECT DEALINGS WITH THE PUBLIC, TO SERVE NOTICES INSTITUTING PROCEEDINGS AGAINST LITTER OFFENDERS.

THE MAIN PURPOSE OF THIS NOVE IS TO INCREASE THE +ENFORCEMENT PRESENCE+ OF TKS EXISTING LITTER LAUS AND ALSO REFLECTS THE GREATER IMPORTANCE ATTACHED BY THE GOVERNMENT TO IMPROVING THE ENVIRONMENTAL CLEANLINESS OF HONG KONG.

IT IS ESTIMATED THAT ABOUT 1,000 POTENTIAL ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS WILL BE ADDED TO THE REGULAR LITTER TEAMS OF THE URBAN SERVICES DEPARTMENT.

AT PRESENT, THERE ARE 100 FULL-TIME LITTER WARDENS AND ABOUR 1,450 USD STAFF MEMBERS WHO ARE AUTHORISED TO TAKE ACTION AGAINST LITTER OFFENDERS.

SINCE THE CLEAN HONG KONG CAMPAIGN BEGAN IN NOVEMBER 1972, A TOTAL OF ABOUT 60,000 LAP SAP CHUNGS HAVE BEEN PROSECUTED UP TO MAY 18 THIS YEAR.

-

FIRST REGISTRATION TAX TO BE RAISED

TWO BILLS WHICH SEEK TO FORMALISE MEASURES INTRODUCED IN THE 1974-75 BUDGET DEALING WITH VEHICLE LICENCE FEES AND FIRST REGISTRATION TAX ARE PUBLISHED IN TODAY'S ISSUE OF THE GOVERNMENT GAZETTE.

THE FIRST BILL, TO AMEND THE ROAD TRAFFIC CREGISTRATION AND LICENSING OF VEHICLES) REGULATIONS, INCREASES THE LICENCE FEES OF MANY CATEGORIES OF MOTOR VEHICLES.

THE NEW FEES HAVE DEEN IN FORCE SINCE MARCH 28 AND WERE INTRODUCED TO RAISE ADDITIONAL REVENUE.

THE SECOND BILL SEEKS TO AMEND THE MOTOR VEHICLES (FIRST REGISTRATION TAX) ORDINANCE BY RAISING FROM 10 PER CENT TO 15 PER CENT THE TAX PAYABLE ON THE FIRST REGISTRATION OF CERTAIN MOTOR VEHICLES.

IF APPROVED, THE BILLS WILL REPLACE THE TWO ORDERS ISSUED UNDER THE PUBLIC REVENUE PROTECTION ORDINANCE. THESE ORDERS HAVE THE SAME EFFECT AS THE LEGISLATION ITSELF AND ENABLE BUDGETARY PROPOSALS TO BE IMPLEMENTED IMMEDIATELY TO ENSURE THERE IS NO LOSS OF REVENUE PENDING THE INTRODUCTION OF THE BILLS INTO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL.

13