XN000022-1974-10-30 — Page 6

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WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 30, 1974

WITH THE PRESENT AGE-LIMIT, THE AVERAGE AGE OF ADMISSION, MR. WANG SAID, WAS IN FACT 6-1/2 AND THAT FOR THE JUNIOR

ONE AND HALF YEARS OVER THE SECONDARY SCHOOL LEAVERS, 15-1/2

LEGAL AGE OF INDUSTRIAL EMPLOYMENT.

TO SOME FAMILIES, KEEPING SMALL CHILDREN AT HOME MAY BE A DIFFICULT PROBLEM WHILE SOME MAY NOT BE ABLE TO AFFORD AN ADDITIONAL YEAR OF SUPPORTING A CHILD AFTER THE AGE OF 14, WHILE TO SOCIETY AS A WHOLE, THERE WOULD BE A LOSS OF PRODUCTIVITY AND ECONOMIC GROWTH, HE SAID.

MR. WANG ALSO CALLED ON THE GOVERNMENT TO REMODEL AND UPDATE ITS ADMINISTRATION MACHINERY SO'AS TO COPE WITH THE RAPID DEVELOPMENT AND THE EVER INCREASING POPULATION IN THE NEW TERRITORIES.

HE PROPOSED THAT DISTRICT OR TOWN COUNCILS BE SET UP IN THE NEW TOWNS, ALONG THE SAME LINES AS THE URBAN COUNCIL. THIS, HE FELT, WOULD GREATLY IMPROVE ADMINISTRATION EFFICIENCY OF LOCAL AFFAIRS AND MATTERS RELATED TO THE DAILY LIVES OF THE RESIDENTS. IT WOULD ALSO CREATE CIVIC -RESPONSIBILITY AND PROMOTE BETTER CO-OPERATION BETWEEN THE GOVERNMENT AND THE GOVERNED, HE ADDED.

ON SPORTS AND RECREATIONAL FACILITIES, MR. WANG MADE A SPECIAL PLEA FOR PROCEEDING WITH THE CONSTRUCTION OF THE INDOOR- STADIUM IN HUNG HOM. HE SAID IT WOULD BE A GREAT MISTAKE IF THE GOVERNMENT WERE TO DEFER A DECISION TO PROCEED WITH THIS PROJECT MERELY BECAUSE OF THE PRESENT UNCERTAIN ECONOMIC CONDITIONS.

THE LACK OF A GOOD-SIZED INDOOR-STADIUM IN HONG KONG WAS PARTLY TO BLAME FOR THE LOW STANDARDS OF SPORTS IN HONG KONG AND HAD LONG CAUSED DEEP FRUSTRATION AMONG SPORTS ENTHUSIASTS AND HAD HAD A DEMORALIZING EFFECT ON OUR YOUNG PEOPLE.

HE ADDED: THE URGENT NEED FOR THIS INDOOR-STADIUM SHOULD BE VERY OBVIOUS FOR WE NEED ONLY TO FIND A SINGLE CITY IN THE WORLD WITH HALF OUR POPULATION AND ECONOMIC PROSPERITY THAT DOES NOT HAVE ONE.+

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