XN000022-1975-01-31 — Page 13

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FRIDAY, JANUARY 31, 1975

SER! ICE RECORD BOOKS FOR HONG KONG SEAMEN

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EVERY SEAMAN WHO IS RESIDENT IN HONG KONG WILL BE REQUIRED TO HOLD A SERVICE RECORD BOOK UNDER PROPOSED LEGISLATION PUBLISHED IN TODAY'S GAZETTE.

THIS IS ONE OF THE PROVISIONS CONTAINED IN THE MERCHANT SHIPPING (RECRUITING OF SEAMEN) (AMENDMENT) BILL 1975 WHICH AIMS TO PUT THE REQUIREMENTS FOR THE ISSUE AND CONTROL OF SERVICE RECORD BOOKS ON A LEGAL FOOTING ALONG THE LINES OF U.K. LEGISLATION.

AT PRESENT, HONG KONG SEAMEN ARE REQUIRED TO PRODUCE A DISCHARGE BOOK ISSUED BY THE SEAMEN'S RECRUITING OFFICE AT THE TIME OF RECRUITMENT AND FOR ENDORSEMENT OF CERTIFICATES OF DISCHARGE ALTHOUGH THERE IS NO STATUTORY REQUIREMENT TO HOLD SUCH A DOCUMENT.

APART FROM MAKING IT OBLIGATORY FOR A HONG KONG SEAMAN WHOSE NAME APPEARS ON PART OF THE REGISTER OF SEAMEN KEPT UNDER THE PRINCIPAL ORDINANCE TO HOLD A SERVICE RECORD BOOK, THE BILL WILL ALSO ENABLE THE GOVERNOR IN COUNCIL TO MAKE REGULATIONS FOR THE ISSUE OF SERVICE RECORD BOOKS AND OTHER RELATED MATTERS.

ANOTHER PROVISION OF THE BILL WILL MAKE ENTRIES IN OFFICIAL LOG BOOKS OF SHIPS AND CERTIFIED COPIES OF SUCH ENTRIES PRIMA FACIE EVIDENCE OF THE MATTER REFERRED TO.

THIS SAME PROVISION ALSO ENLARGES THE LIST OF PERSONS WHO MAY CERTIFY SUCH COPIES AND SO HELPS TO MINIMIZE THE DIFFICULTY NOW EXPERIENCED BY SHIPMASTERS IN OBTAINING THE CERTIFICATION OF SUCH DOCUMENTS. THIS WILL IN TURN ENABLE THE DIRECTOR OF MARINE TO PURSUE OFFICIAL ENQUIRIES WITH MINIMAL DELAY..

NOVEMBER ACCOUNTS SHOW $174 M. SURPLUS

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THE GOVERNMENT ACCOUNTS FOR THE MONTH OF NOVEMBER 1974 SHOW A SURPLUS OF $174 MILLION COMPARED WITH A SURPLUS OF $168 MILLION

IN NOVEMBER 1973.

THIS HAS REDUCED THE ACCUMULATED DEFICIT TO $806 MILLION FOR THE FIRST EIGHT MONTHS OF THIS FINANCIAL YEAR.

TOTAL REVENUE FOR THE MONTH AT $708 MILLION WAS $127 MILLION MORE THAN IN NOVEMBER 1973.

TOTAL EXPENDITURE WAS $534 MILLION $122 MILLION MORE THAN NOVEMBER 1973..

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