XN000022-1976-12-14 — Page 6

5.

TUESDAY, DECEMBER 14, 1976

THE GOVERNMENT WAS ALSO PROVIDING EACH DISTRICT WITH A COMMUNITY YOUTH OFFICER, SPORTS AND RECREATION OFFICER, POLICE COMMUNITY RELATIONS OFFICER AND A SOCIAL WELFARE OFFICER,

MR. AKERS-JONES ADDED THAT TSUEN WAN ALREADY HAD 150 MUTUAL COMMITTEES AND THAT THE MAC MOVEMENT WAS GROWING IN STRENGTH ALL

THE NEW TERRITORIES.

THERE WERE ALSO DISTRICT FIGHT VIOLENT CRIME COMMITTEES AND IN TSUEN WAN AN ADVISORY COMMITTEE ON RECREATION AND AMENITIES.

IN ADDITION, ORGANISATIONS WERE FORMING AMONG THE PEOPLE OF EACH NEW TERRITORIES DISTRICT TO ENCOURAGE THE ARTS, PAINTING AND MUSIC, SPORT AND RECREATION.

+ALL THESE CONTRIBUTE TO THE PROCESSES OF COMMUNICATION AND TO BUILDING UP A COMMUNITY AND BINDING IT TOGETHER, TIGHTENING UP THE FABRIC OF SOCIETY,+ MR. AKERS-JONES SAID.

+THERE IS THUS A FERMENT OF ACTIVITY NOT ONLY TO THRUST ON WITH DEVELOPMENT AND TO CATCH UP AND MAKE GOOD THE DEFICIENCES IN HOUSING AND IN THE PROVISION OF SCHOOLS, CLINICS, POLICE STATIONS AND THE LIKE, BUT TO PLANT THE SEEDS OF MUTUAL CO-OPERATION AND SELF-HELP TO REDISCOVER IN A MULTI-STOREY ENVIRONMENT THOSE ATTRIBUTES OF ENLIGHTENED SELF-INTEREST THAT EXISTED IN A HORIZONTAL LANDSCAPE, IN THE VILLAGE AND QUIET MARKET TOWNS IN WHICH THE PARENTS AND GRANDPARENTS OF SO MANY OF OUR PEOPLE WERE BORN AND GREW UP.

+WE HAVE TO REDISCOVER THOSE CHARACTERISTICS OF GOOD NEIGHBOURLINESS AND CO-OPERATION WHICH EXISTED IN A RURAL SOCIETY ROOTED IN THE LAND AND THE LANDSCAPE AND TAKE IT INTO THE CONCRETE CORRIDORS AND LIFT LOBBIES, THE STREETS, MARKET PLACE AND PLAYGROUNDS OF TODAY.

+ IT IS A DIFFERENT WORLD, BUT A WORLD NONETHELESS WHICH CAN PROVIDE OPPORTUNITIES FOR PERSONAL FULFILMENT JUST AS MUCH AS THE VANISHED RURAL SOCIETY.

+BUT IT REQUIRES AN AWARENESS AND A CONSCIOUS EFFORT TO BREAK DOWN THE BARRIERS THE CONCRETE HAS CREATED.

+THUS, THERE IS A WELLING UP, A GREATER CONSCIOUSNESS AMONG THE PEOPLE OF HOW TO GET THE BEST OUT OF THE URBAN LIFE WHICH WE ARE NOW BOUND TO ENDURE OR ENJOY.

+GOVERNMENT AND THE PEOPLE ARE WORKING TOGETHER TO BUILD A COMMUNITY. WORKING TOGETHER TO SOLVE THE PROBLEMS OF TODAY AND TO BUILD Á BETTER LIFE TOMORROW.+

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