XN000022-1977-12-07 — Page 21

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WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 7, 1977

CALL FOR MORE GENEROUS PAYMENTS TO DEPENDANTS OF THOSE KILLED IN WAR

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THE HON. T.S. LO HAS URGED THE HONG KONG WAR MEMORIAL FUND COMMITTEE TO EXERCISE GENEROSITY AND TO RECONSIDER THE SCHEDULE OF PAYMENTS TO DEPENDANTS OF THOSE WHO SACRIFICED THEIR LIVES FOR THE DEFENCE OF HONG KONG.

SPEAKING AT TODAY'S LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL MEETING,

MR. LO SAID THE PRESENT PAYMENT SCHEDULE MADE LIFE VERY DIFFICULT TO ANYONE WHO HAD TO RELY ON THESE PAYMENTS ALONE TO ACHIEVE A REASONABLE STANDARD OF LIVING.

MR. LO SAID HE WAS AWARE THAT FAIRLY GENEROUS INCREASES HAS BEEN MADE OVER THE LAST FEW YEARS BUT NOTED THAT THE SOCIETY DID OWE A SUBSTANTIAL OBLIGATION TO THOSE WHO SACRIFICED THE IR LIVES FOR THE DEFENCE OF HONG KONG.

+WE SHOULD ENSURE AT LEAST THAT THEIR DEPENDANTS ARE LOOKED AFTER REASONABLY WELL, HE SAID.

IN REPLY, THE ACTING SOLICITOR GENERAL, THE HON. DAVID BOY SAID HE FELT SURE THE WAR MEMORIAL FUND COMMITTEE WOULD ACCEPT MR. LO'S REMARKS IN THE SPIRIT HE INTENDED.

HE NOTED THAT THE COMMITTEE WOULD BE MEETING ON DECEMBER 14 TO REVIEW THE LEVEL OF PAYMENTS AND OTHER MATTERS CONNECTED WITH THE ADMINISTRATION OF THE FUND.

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