XN000022-1974-10-16 — Page 46

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Wednesday, October 16, 1974

Government concluded that the time had come when it would draw up

programmes to make an end to these deficiencies forced on

Hong Kong in the past, and to do so within a measurable

period. As a rough guide we set ourselves the time span of

a decade. To make this effort, and I have never under-rated

how great the effort would have to be, the machinery of

government was overhauled, and procedures were streamlined

and geared to the new requirements.

I would like Hon. Members to realise what great

pressure on the public services this generated, and I would

like to record my admiration for the enthusiasm and devotion

with which they have responded. I am thinking in particular

of the higher echelons in the Service on whom so much of the

increased load has fallen, though the response of all has been equally commendable.

In recent months, in the new economic climate of

the world, there has been much speculation and concern not

only about whether all these plans taken together

are viable or require some cutting back, but also

how far the reduced growth of world trade and the many international financial problems that have emerged and remain unsolved,

will affect these plans and more immediately the livelihood of people

here in Hong Kong.

I am sure that such thoughts as these are very much to the fore in your minds, and therefore much of this

address will be about them.

Man

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