XN000022-1978-03-29 — Page 19

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WEDNESDAY, MARCH 29, 1978

HE DEPLORED THE LACK OF CO-ORDINATION AMONG GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS AND BETWEEN THE GOVERNMENT AND THE PRIVATE SECTOR IN THE PROVISION OF CAR PARKS, PARTICULARLY IN THE HEAVILY BUILD-UP AREAS. IT IS DISQUIETING THAT A LONG-TERM CAR-PARKING POLICY WITH FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS HAS NOT YET BEEN FULLY WORKED OUT, HE SAID.

HE WELCOMED THE OPENING OF THE ARTS CENTRE. AND THE SETTING UP OF THE HONG KONG CHINESE T'USIC ORCHESTRA AND THE HONG KONG REPERTORY COMPANY ON A PROFESSIONAL BASIS LAST YEAR AND RECOMMENDED THAT THE DISTRICT ADVISORY ECARDS 1 THE NEW TERRITORIES LIKEWISE BUILD UP THE ARTISTIC TALENTS OF HONG KONG PEOPLE TO THE EXTENT OF THE RESOURCES THEY HAVE AVAILABLE,

HOWEVER, HE HOPED THE GOVERMENT WOULD SOON ALLOCATE A SUITABLE SITE TO HELP THE UREAN COUNCIL TO BUILD A SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY MUSEUN, TO ENCOURAGE YOUNG PEOPLE TO TAKE A GREATER INTEREST IN TECHNICAL AND SCIENCE EDUCATION.

HE ALSO ASKED THAT AN EARLY DECISION BE MADE TO SET UP AN INDUSTRIAL DEVELOPMENT DOARD OF COUNCIL, AS PREVIOUSLY ADVOCATED EY OTHER UNOFFICIALS.

HE POINTED OUT THAT HONG KONG IS MEETING STIFFER COMPETITION FROM LOW-COST COUNTRIES IN ASIA, IR PRODUCT-LINES WELL-ESTABLISHED HERE, AND HAS TO WITHSTAND ILLOGICAL AND OFTEN EMOTIONAL ATTACKS ON OUR EXPORT PERFORMANCE, HILE THE OVEMENT TO DIVERSIFY INDUSTRY HAS STILL TO BUILD UP MONETU.

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THE SOONER SUCH A BOARD 13 ESTATLISHED THE MORE PRODUCTIVE THE RESULTS WILL BECOME, HE SAID, AS THERE WILL BE EVEN CLOSER CO-ORDINATION DETWEEN THE PRIVATE SECTOR AND GOVERNMENT IN INDUSTRIAL PROMOTION OF A BASIS OF 'SELECTIVE ENCOURAGEMENT' OF SUITABLE HIGH TECHNOLOGY INDUSTRIES AND TARGET OVERSEAS COMPANIES.

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IT WOULD BE PREFERABLE, ADDED, THAT SUCH A BOARD IS CHAIRED BY AN UNOFFICIAL SO THAT GOVERNMENT WILL BE SEEN TO BE ENCOURAGING AND ASSISTING RATHER THAN DIRECTING AND CONROLLING.

IN GENERAL, HR. CHEONG-LEE!' AGREED WITH THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY'S MODÉRATE AND CAUTIOUS APPROACH TO THE BUDGET BECAUSE OF THE CONTINUING EXPORT DIFFICULTIES, AND BECAUSE IF LAND SALES IN THE LAST FINANCIAL YEAR HAD NOT EXCEEDED THE ORIGINAL ESTIMATE EY OVER 1,000 MILLION, THERE CULD HARDLY HAVE BEEN ANY SURPLUS.

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