XN000022-1974-08-14 — Page 21

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VEDNESDAY, AUGUST 14, 1974

THREE-MONTH TIME LIMIT SET FOR COMPENSATION PAYMENTS FOR PROPERTIES AFFECTED DY NTR SYSTEN

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THE MASS TRANSIT RAILWAY CLAND RESUMPTION AND RELATED PROVISIONS) BILL PASSED ITS THIRD AND FINAL READING IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY WITH SEVERAL AKEDIENTS.

THE AMENDMENTS VORE MOVED BY THE HON. LO TAK-SHING AND RELATED MAINLY TO THE QUESTION OF COMPENSATION FOR PROPERTY AFFECTED BY THE HASS TRANSIT SYSTEM. THE MENDIENTS RELATE ONLY TO THE FIRST FOUR STAGES OF THE RAILWAY, CUT TIE ATTORNEY GENERAL WILL DE LOOKING INTO COMPENSATION WITH REGARD TO STAGES V TO IX IN THE COURSE OF NEXT YEAR.

FR. LO SAID THAT THE BILL; IN ITS ORIGINAL FORM, DID NOT MAINTAIN THE BALANCE THAT MUST BE CONSTANTLY STRUCK BETWEEN THE OVERRIDING DUTY OF THE STATE TO ENSURE THAT ESSENTIAL DEVELOPMENTS ARE UNDERTAKEN FOR THE BENEFIT OF THE UHCLE COINUNITY AND THE EQUALLY COMPELLING NEED TO COMPENSATE TILOSZ LOSE RICHTS MAY BE INJURED IN THE PROCESS.

ONE IMPORTANT AMENDMENT PROVIDES FOR COMPENSATION TO BE PAID TO A PERSON WHOSE PROPERTY IS AFFECTED BY THE MASS TRANSIT SYSTEM

WITHIN THREE MONTHS OF THE ACREENENT OR AUARD, UNLESS THERE IS A DISPUTE AS TO THE PORCON ENTITLED TO SUCH COMPENSATION. THE ORIGINAL DILL DID NOT HOSE A TIME LIBIT FOR THE COVERMENT TO PAY SUCH COLPENSATION.

THE HON. HILTON CHEONG-LEEN ALSO SPOKE ON THE BILL AND URGED THAT WORK ON THE FIRST FOUR STAGES OF THE RAILWAY SYSTEM BE STARTED WITHOUT FURTHER DELAY.

SOME MENDERS OF THE PUBLIC, HE NOTED, HAD RECENTLY STATED THAT IT WOULD CE DETTER TO DEFER THE EUILDING OF THE SYSTEM AND USE THE HONEY TO CUILD GORE PUBLIC HOUSING. WHILE THIS WAS SUPERFICIALLY ATTRACTIVE, HR. CHEONG-LEEN FELT IT WOULD NOT BE IN THE LONG-TERM INTERESTS OF HONG KONG-

HONG KONG WAS ALREADY COMMITTED TO A MASSIVE PUBLIC HOUSING PROGRAMNE, HE NOTED, MID AN ADEQUATE PUDLIC TRANSPORT SYSTEN TO MEET INDUSTRIAL, COMMERCIAL AND RISING POPULATION NEEDS WAS EQUALLY IMPORTANT.

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