XN000022-1975-10-22 — Page 12

WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 22, 1975

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MORE EMPHASIS ON YOUTH DEVELOPMENT URGED

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MORE EFFORT SHOULD BE MADE TO DEVELOP THE POTENTIAL OF HONG KONG'S YOUNG PEOPLE FOR THE OVERALL BENEFIT OF THE COMMUNITY, THE HON. PETER WILLIAMS SAID IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY.

+HONG KONG'S BIGGEST CHALLENGE. HE SAID. +ARE THE PROBLEMS OF ITS BIGGEST ASSET -- THE MASS OF YOUNG PEOPLE WITH INCREASING EDUCATION, BORN HERE, BELONGING HERE AND WITH NOWHERE ELSE TO GO.

+WE MUST NOT MERELY MAINTAIN BUT INCREASE OUR CONTACTS WITH THEM, OCCUPY THEM PROFITABLY, AND INSTILL IN THEM A PRIDE OF PLACE AND A TRUE SENSE OF BELONGING TO HONG KONG.+

MR. WILLIAMS WAS ALSO IN FAVOUR OF ACCELERATING THE PROMOTION OF LOCAL OFFICERS TO MORE SENIOR POSTS IN THE GOVERNMENT.

+THERE CAN BE NO COMPROMISE IN STANDARDS BUT I HAVE NO DOUBT IN MY MIND THAT THESE YOUNG MEN WILL MEASURE UP TO THESE STANDARDS,+ HE SAID, ADDING +AND LET US NOT BE AFRAID OF PUSHING AHEAD THE VERY BRIGHT AT AN EARLY AGE.+

HE SAID IT WAS OBVIOUS THAT IT WAS THESE YOUNGER LOCAL MEN WHO WOULD BE MOST RESPONSIVE TO THE CHANGING ATTITUDES AND SOCIAL BEHAVIOUR OF THE POPULATION WITH SO MANY YOUNG PEOPLE.

HE NOTED THAT THE CITY DISTRICT OFFICER SCHEME HAD BEEN A REMARKABLE NURSERY FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF YOUNG ADMINISTRATORS AND THE BREADTH OF THEIR EXPOSURE WOULD BE OF IMMENSE VALUE TO THEM.

+ IT IS INDEED EXCITING TO SEE THESE YOUNG MEN GROWING IN CONFIDENCE AND EXPERIENCE OVERNIGHT AS THEY HAVE SUCCESSFULLY MET THE CHALLENGE OF THIS EXACTING JOB,+ HE SAID.

AGAINST THE BACKGROUND OF WORLD RECESSION, MR. WILLIAMS SAID THAT WHILE THERE WOULD HAVE TO BE CUT BACKS EVEN IN URGENTLY NEEDED PROJECTS, EFFORTS TOWARDS YOUTH LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT, SOCIAL WELFARE AND DEVELOPING MUTUAL AID AND AREA COMMITTEES MUST NOT SLACKEN BUT RATHER INCREASED.

CUTS ACROSS THE BOARD, HE SAID, MAY REDUCE EXPENDITURE TO WITHIN FUNDS AVAILABLE +BUT IT IS A CRUDE METHOD THAT DOES NOT MAXIMISE OUR OUTPUT AND HAS POTENTIAL DANGERS.+

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/IN DIFFICULT