XN000022-1979-11-01 — Page 9

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WHILE HE AGREED WITH THE PROPOSAL FOR CREATING MANAGEMENT COMMITTEES IN CITY DISTRICT OFFICES, HE BELIEVED THERE WOULD BE SERIOUS PROBLEMS IN THEIR ACTUAL IMPLEMENTATION.

ALTHOUGH REGIONALISATION OF ADMINISTRATIVE STAFF OF SOME GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS WILL HELP THEM GAIN BETTER UNDERSTANDING OF LOCAL PROBLEMS AND MAKE THEM FEEL MORE CONCERNED FOR THEIR SOLUTION, THERE WILL BE PROBLEMS WITH REGARD TO HUMAN, FINANCIAL AND OTHER RESOURCES. IF THE LEVEL OF THE OFFICERS IS TOO LOW THEY MAY BE INSUFFICIENTLY EXPERIENCED AND MAY LACK ADEQUATE AUTHORITY TO DEAL WITH PROBLEMS, IF THEY ARE AT TOO HIGH A LEVEL, MANPOWER MAY BE WASTED AND PARKINSON'S LAW MAY TAKE EFFECT, LEADING TO THE BUILDING UP OF A PYRAMID OF REDUNDANT STAFF, HE SAID.

HE THOUGHT THAT FOR ANY CO-ORDINATION WORK, THE KEY TO SUCCESS LIES IN THE MUTUAL UNDERSTANDING AND SINCERE CO-OPERATION OF STAFF FROM VARIOUS DEPARTMENTS, AND NOT IN SUBSERVIENCE TO A CO-ORDINATOR OF A HIGHER RANK, ESPECIALLY WHEN HE IS NOT THE IR DIRECT SUPERIOR.

NEVERTHELESS, MR. WONG SUPPORTED THE GOVERNOR'S VIEW THAT THE GOVERNMENT SHOULD INVOLVE +A WIDE CROSS-SECTION OF RESPONSIBLE LEADERS IN THE PROCESS OF ADVISING, WARNING AND STIMULATING THE GOVERNMENT ABOUT ADMINISTRATION IN THEIR OWN AREA.+

HE HOPED THE GOVERNMENT WILL REVIEW THE CONSULTATIVE SYSTEM NOW IN FORCE IN VARIOUS DISTRICTS, EXTEND ITS REPRESENTATION AND GIVE IT A CERTAIN DEGREE OF POWER, EVEN IN FINANCIAL MATTERS IF NECESSARY.

IN THE FIELD OF HOUSING, MR. WONG SUPPORTED THE GOVERNMENT'S INTENTION TO LOOK INTO WAYS TO ASSIST FAMILIES WITH INCOME ABOVE $5 000 A MONTH, HE WAS HOWEVER DISAPPOINTED WITH THE REDUCTION IN THE ANNUAL PRODUCTION OF PUBLIC HOUSING UNITS.

HE POINTED OUT THAT PROBLEMS IN OTHER FIELDS ARE BEING ADEQUATELY DEALT WITH BY THE GOVERNMENT BUT HOUSING IS CONTINUING TO DISTURB A VAST NUMBER OF PEOPLE. HE HOPED THE GOVERNMENT WOULD HANDLE THE PROBLEM WITH COURAGE AND PERSEVERANCE AS IT HAD HANDLED THE MTR.

HE SUGGESTED THAT IF POSSIBLE, THE GOVERNMENT SHOULD REVIEW ALL PUBLIC CONSTRUCTION PROGRAMMES AND POSTPONE THE LESS IMPORTANT ONES SO AS TO REDIRECT MANPOWER AND RESOURCES TO PUBLIC HOUSING PROJECTS.

ON THE QUESTION OF PERSONNEL MANAGEMENT IN THE CIVIL SERVICE, MR. WONG SAID BOTH THE GOVERNMENT AND THE PUBLIC TEND TO HAVE THE MISCONCEPTION THAT AN UPWARD REVISION OF SALARIES IS A PANACEA FOR ALL THE PROBLEMS.

IN FACT, THROUGH HIS PERSONAL CONTACTS WITH SOME CIVIL SERVANTS, HIS IMPRESSIONS WERE THAT DISCONTENT AROSE FROM MISMANAGEMENT ON THE PART OF HIGH-RANKING OFFICERS, LACK OF COMMUNICATION AND UNDERSTANDING, AND UNFRIENDLY ATTITUDE OF SOME SENIOR OFFICERS.

HE HOPED THESE WOULD BE RECTIFIED THROUGH THE EFFORTS OF THE STANDING COMMISSION ON CIVIL SERVICE SALARIES AND CONDITIONS OF SERVICE AND THE GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS CONCERNED.

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