XN000022-1974-07-08 — Page 5

MONDAY, JULY 8, 1974

NEW TERRITORIES WEEK LAUNCHED ***** #

THE SECRETARY FOR THE NEW TERRITORIES, MR. DAVID AKERS-JONES THIS CMONDAY) MORNING OPENED THE 'KNOWING OUR NEW TERRITORIES WEEK'1 AT A CEREMONY HELD AT THE POLICE CADET SCHOOL IN FANLING.

A

MR. AKERS-JONES WELCOMED THE YOUTH ACTIVITY PROGRAMMES AS 'TIMELY'' EVENT TO PROVIDE PARTICIPATING YOUTHS ON HOLIDAY WITH THE OPPORTUNITY TO TRAIN THEMSELVES BOTH MENTALLY AND PHYSICALLY, AND AT THE SAME TIME ACHIEVING A DEEPER UNDERSTANDING OF THEIR ENVIRONMENT.

FOLLOWING IS THE FULL TEXT OF MR. AKERS-JONES' SPEECH:

+EVERY SUMMER VACATION, YOUTH RECREATIONAL ACTIVITIES ARE HELD IN ALL PARTS OF HONG KONG, KOWLOON AND NEW TERRITORIES. HOWEVER, THE NEW TERRITORIES WEEK WHICH IS JOINTLY ORGANISED BY THREE GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS AND JOINTLY SPONSORED BY THREE PROMINENT ORGANISATIONS, IS EMINENTLY DIFFERENT FROM OTHER SUMMER ACTIVITIES, THOUGH RESEMBLING, BECAUSE IT INCLUDES BOTH INDOOR AND OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES SUCH AS LEADERSHIP TRAINING, FORUMS AND SOCIAL STUDIES PROJECT COMPETITION/EXHIBITION. THIS ALL EMBRACING PROGRAMME WILL ENABLE THE PARTICIPANTS TO KNOW BETTER ALL THAT THEY CAN FIND IN NEW TERRITORIES AND AT THE SAME TIME OFFER THEM A WEEK'S MOST HEALTHY AND PLEASURABLE COLLECTIVE LIFE.

+IN THIS RAPIDLY DEVELOPING AGE OF THE NEW TERRITORIES, THE ORGANISATION OF THE 'KNOWING OUR NEW TERRITORIES WEEK IS A TIMELY EVENT AND ITS SIGNIFICANCE CANNOT BE ADEQUATELY STRESSED. FOR THIS REASON I FEEL HONOURED TO BE ASKED TO OFFICIATE ON THIS OCCASION. IT IS MY WISH THAT THE PARTICIPANTS WHO HAVE BEEN LUCKY ENOUGH TO BE CHOSEN TO TAKE PART WILL MAKE GOOD USE OF THIS OPPORTUNITY WHICH OFFERS THEM GOOD TRAINING BOTH MENTALLY AND PHYSICALLY.

+FINALLY I WISH TO THANK THE ROTARY CLUB OF NEW TERRITORIES, THE ROYAL HONG KONG JOCKEY CLUB AND THE HONG KONG TOURIST ASSOCIATION FOR THEIR GENEROUS DONATIONS TO MEET THE EXPENDITURE OF THE PROJECT AND TO CONGRATULATE THE MEMBERS OF THE ORGANISING COMMITTEE FOR A JOB WELL DONE.+

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