XN000022-1979-04-25 — Page 27

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WEDNESDAY, APRIL 25, 1979

IN THE COURSE OF THEIR DELIBERATIONS, THE UNOFFICIALS HAVE ALSO EXPRESSED THE VIEW THAT ALTERNATE WAYS TO TRAIN AND EXAMINE LAW STUDENTS SHOULD BE CONSIDERED.

THEY THOUGHT THE UNIVERSITY OF HONG KONG AND THE POLYTECHNIC SHOULD BE ASKED WHETHER THEY WOULD BE PREPARED TO PROVIDE LAW COURSES, IN THE CASE OF THE UNIVERSITY, EXTRA-MURAL COURSES LEADING TO AN EXTERNAL LAW DEGREE.

THEY ALSO SUGGESTED THAT THE LAW SOCIETY COULD SET UP AN EXAMINATION BOARD COMPRISING BOTH OVERSEAS AND LOCAL EXAMINERS.

MR. WONG HIMSELF GAVE SOME OF HIS PERSONAL VIEWS ON THE EDUCATION QUALIFICATIONS OF LAW STUDENTS.

HE THOUGHT THE AVERAGE NON-GRADUATE, PARTICULARLY +SCHOOL- LEAVERS+ IN HONG KONG, MAY NOT HAVE THE NECESSARY COMMAND OF ENGLISH TO PERFORM HIS DUTIES AS A SOLICITOR SATISFACTORILY, BEARING IN MIND THAT HIS MOTHER TONGUE IS CHINESE.

HE ALSO FELT THAT THE AVERAGE YOUNG NON-GRADUATE MAY NOT HAVE A SUFFICIENTLY BROAD EDUCATIONAL BACKGROUND AND KNOWLEDGE OF SOCIETY, WHICH ARE ESSENTIAL FOR A SOLICITOR TO ADVISE HIS CLIENTS PROPERLY.

IF NON-GRADUATES ARE TO BE PERMITTED TO ENROL AS LAW STUDENTS, THEN A HIGH STANDARD OF TRAINING IS ABSOLUTELY ESSENTIAL, HE SAID.

HE POINTED OUT THAT QUALITY SHOULD NOT BE SACRIFICED FOR QUANTITY. +ON THE ONE HAND, WE SHOULD TRY OUR BEST TO INCREASE THE NUMBER OF LAWYERS- ON THE OTHER THE QUALITY OF THE PROFESSION SHOULD BE MAINTAINED AND IMPROVE FROM TIME TO TIME, HE SAID.

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BILL TO INCREASE VEHICLE REGISTRATION TAX ******

A BILL TO INCREASE THE RATES OF FIRST REGISTRATION TAX ON PRIVATE CARS, MOTORCYCLES AND MOTOR TRICYCLES WAS READ THE SECOND TIME AT TODAY'S (WEDNESDAY) LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL MEETING.

IN MOVING THE MOTOR VEHICLES (FIRST REGISTRATION TAX) (AMENDMENT) BILL 1979, THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY, THE HON. PHILIP HADDON-CAVÉ SAID THE PROVISIONS OF THE BILL BECAME EFFECTIVE FROM MARCH 1, 1979, AS A RESULT OF AN ORDER SIGNED BY THE GOVERNOR UNDER THE PUBLIC REVENUE PROTECTION ORDINANCE.

THE ESTIMATED YIELD TO THE REVENUE FROM THE NEW RATES, HE SAID, IS $35 MILLION FOR 1979-80.

DEBATE ON THE BILL WAS ADJOURNED.

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