XN000022-1974-07-31 — Page 19

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WEDNESDAY, JULY 31, 1974

MORE FINANCIAL SUPPORT FOR HK ARTS CENTRE URGED

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THE HON. LEE QUO-VEI TODAY URGED MORE DONORS TO SUPPORT THE HONG KONG ARTS CENTRE UHICH WILL +PROV IDE ALL WALKS OF LIFE IN HONG KONG WITH THE OPPORTUNITY TO INDULGE IN AND DEVELOP CULTURAL PURSUITS AS AN ESSENTIAL ELEMENT OF LIFE AND NOT AS A LUXURY.+

SPEAKING AT THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL IN SUPPORT OF THE HONG KONG ARTS CENTRE BILL, HE POINTED OUT THAT SO FAR THE CENTRE HAD IN HAND JUST UNDER HALF OF THE $29 MILLION REQUIRED TO COMPLETE AND FULLY EQUIP THE CENTRE AS PLANNED. AS A RESULT, CONSTRUCTION CAN ONLY PROCEED IN STAGES.

+THIS PROJECT DESERVES THE WIDEST PUBLICITY TO ENABLE FURTHER DONORS TO KNOW ABOUT IT AND COME FORWARD TO ASSIST THIS WORTHY AND NECESSARY CAUSE IN THE INTEREST OF THE COMMUNITY AS A WHOLE.+

HE HAILED THE ARTS CENTRE BUILDING AS +ONE OF THE MOST COMPLICATED AND OUTSTANDING BUILDINGS EVER PUT UP IN HONG KONG FOR WHICH WE CAN BE PROUD OF.+

MR. LEE ADDED THAT LOCAL AND OVERSEAS EXPERTS WHO HAVE RENDERED INVALUABLE ADVICE TOUARDS THE CONSTRUCTION OF THE BUILDING DESCRIBED THE PROJECT AS A UNIQUE CONCEPT WORLD-UIDE.

HE FURTHER NOTED THAT THE CENTRE HAD ALREADY STARTED ITS ACTIVITIES, AND +UE CAN BE SURE THAT UPON FULL, COMPLETION OF THE BUILDING, VERY MUCH MORE CAN BE DONE FOR THE PEOPLE OF HONG KONG A

THE HON. HILTON CHEONG-LEEN ALSO WELCOMED THE HONG KONG ARTS CENTRE BILL, AND SAID THAT THE ARTS CENTRE WOULD PLAY A MOST STIMULATING ROLE IN THE FORMATION OF A MUSIC CONSERVATORY. A LOCAL BALLET GROUP, OR EVEN A SCHOOL FOR CHINESE OPERA.

+WITHOUT DOUBT,+ HE SAID, THE PASSAGE OF TIME VILL WITNESS A WIDER PARTICIPATION BY MORE CHINESE ART GROUPS IN THE ACTIVITIES OF THE HONG KONG ARTS CENTRE WHICH WILL MAKE IT AN INSPIRING INSTRUMENT FOR THE INTER-FUSION OF CHINESE AND WESTERN ART FORMS.+

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WHILE MOVING THE SECOND READING OF THE BILL, THE HON. DENIS BRAY, SECRETARY FOR HOME AFFAIRS, ALSO POINTED OUT THAT +FURTHER CAPITAL DONATIONS ARE STILL REQUIRED AND I HOPE THESE VILL BE FORTHCOMING TO ENABLE THE BUILDING TO BE COMPLETED IN ONE CO.+

HE EXPRESSED HIS ADMIRATION AND GRATITUDE TO THE DONORS WHO HAD HADE POSSIBLE A START ON THE ARTS CENTRE.

MR. BRAY REFERRED TO AN EARLIER QUOTE BY MR. LEE QUO-WEI THAT +WHAT IS TAKEN FROM THE COMMUNITY SHOULD ALSO BE USED IN IT, AND SAID: +1 FEEL CONFIDENT THAT HIS ASSERTION THAT THIS COMMUNITY DOES HAVE PEOPLE PREPARED TO GIVE, OF THEIR WEALTH WILL PROVE WELL FOUNDED ESPECIALLY IN VIEW OF THE SUCCESS ACHIEVED SO FAR.+

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