XN000022-1975-03-06 — Page 2

THURSDAY, MARCH 6, 1975

DECORATIONS TO MARK ROYAL VISIT

DESIGNS SHOULD NOT DETRACT FROM HONG KONG'S OWN COLOUR

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WHEN THE QUEEN AND THE DUKE OF EDINBURGH VISIT HONG KONG IN MAY. DECORATIONS OF BUILDINGS AND INTERESTING URBAN LANDMARKS SHOULD BE CARRIED OUT IN SUCH A WAY AS NOT TO DETRACT FROM HONG KONG'S PARTICULAR COLOUR AND PICTURESQUENESS.

EXPLAINING THIS TODAY, A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN SAID: THE IDEA IS TO ENABLE THE ROYAL COUPLE TO SEE AS MUCH OF HONG KONG AS IT REALLY IS. EXCESSIVE DECORATION CAN HAVE THE EFFECT OF DISTRACTING THE QUEEN AND THE DUKE FROM HONG KONG'S OWN NATURAL BEAUTY AND CHARM->

THE SPOKESMAN MADE IT CLEAR THAT THE GOVERNMENT WOULD NOT PROVIDE A CENTRAL DECORATIVE THEME, BECAUSE IT WAS FELT THAT THIS SHOULD BE LEFT TO PUBLIC INITIATIVE, WHICH COULD RESULT IN <MORE VARIED, MORE COLOURFUL, AND MORE INTERESTING DISPLAYS.+

+HOWEVER, THERE IS NOTHING TO STOP FIRMS, ORGANISATIONS AND INDIVIDUALS FROM DECORATING THEIR OWN PREMISES, PROVIDED THAT THIS DOES NOT OBSTRUCT PUBLIC VIEW OR MOVEMENT ALONG THE PAVEMENT, THE SPOKESMAN SAID.

+THERE IS ALSO NO OBJECTION TO THE SETTING UP OF CEREMONIAL ARCHES, OR PAI LAUS, AT SUITABLE SITES.+

THE GOVERNMENT INTENDS TO DECORATE EDINBURGH PLACE, AND THE MAIN THOROUGHFARES WILL BE BRIGHTENED UP WITH POTTED FLOWERS ATTACHED TO THE CENTRAL DIVIDES.

CONCERNING THE LATTER, THE URBAN SERVICES DEPARTMENT IS ALREADY AT WORK GETTING READY SUFFICIENT FLOWERS IN TIME FOR USE DURING THE ROYAL VISIT.

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