XN000022-1978-03-29 — Page 25

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 29, 1978

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ON THE BUDGET PROPOSALS, MR. EREMRIDGE SAID HE APPRECIATED THE PROPOSED INCREASED EXPENDITURE ON THE I.C.A.C. AND WELCOMED THE DECISION TO BRING IN DIFFERENTIAL TAXATION ON EXPENSIVE MOTOR CARS.

HE SUGGESTED THAT THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY MIGHT IN 1979 CONSIDER OTHER INCREASES BEARING ON CONSPICUOUS CONSUMPTION FOR WHICH THERE IS A DEVELOPING TENDENCY IN HONG KONG.

MR. BREMRIDGE NOTED THAT THERE ARE MANY INCREASINGLY VOCIFEROUS MINORITY GROUPS IN HONG KONG. +SOME ARE WISE. OTHERS ARE NOT. GENERALLY SPEAKING THEY COMPLAIN RATHER THAN PRAISE. THIS IS THE NATURE OF A FREE SOCIETY. SOME OF THE COMPLAINTS ABOUT LACK OF COMMUNICATION MAY HAVE A FOUNDATION. IN OTHER CASES WHAT IS DEPLORED IS THAT THOSE WHO CARRY THE BURDEN OF RESPONSIBILITY DO NOT AGREE WITH THE COMPLAINERS. THIS IS HOWEVER WHAT RESPONSIBILITY IS ALL ABOUT.+

HE SAID ONLY FOOLS CAN CELIEVE THAT ALL IS PERFECT AND MUCH REMAINS TO BE DONE IN HONG KONG PARTICULARLY FOR THE UNDERPRIVILEGED.

+BUT WE ARE NOW MOVING FAST IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION PERHAPS FASTER THAN OTHER SIMILAR COMMUNITY. THIS PROCESS OF CHANGE AND IMPROVEMENT CAN NEVER END, AND INDEED FAIR CRITICISM IS PART OF IT, HE SAID.

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