XN000022-1980-08-20 — Page 2

WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 20, 1980

GREEN PAPER PROPOSALS FURTHER STEP FORWARD

SAYS GOVERNOR ****

THE PROPOSALS IN THE GREEN PAPER ON DISTRICT ADMINISTRATION ARE A +FURTHER STEP FORWARD+, THE GOVERNOR, SIR MURRAY MACLEHOSE, SAID TODAY.

THE GOVERNOR WAS SPEAKING AT THE INAUGURATION OF THE 24TH

TERM OF THE HEUNG YEE KUK AT TSUEN WAN TOWN HALL.

HE SAID THE PROCESS OF CONSULTATION AT DISTRICT LEVEL HAD BEEN STRENGTHENED WITH THE FORMATION OF DISTRICT ADVISORY BOARDS.

+NOW YOUR GOVERNMENT IS PROPOSING A FURTHER STEP

FORWARD, SIR MURRAY SAID.

*WHILE MAINTAINING THE PRINCIPAL FEATURES OF THE PRESENT COMPOSITION OF DISTRICT BOARDS, THE GREEN PAPER ON DISTRICT ADMINISTRATION PROPOSES THE ADDITION OF A DIRECTLY ELECTED ELEMENT SO AS TO GIVE THEM GREATER AUTHORITY, TO STRENGTHEN THEIR RELATIONSHIP WITH THE LOCAL COMMUNITY, AND TO INCREASE THE PUBLIC ACCOUNTABILITY OF THE BOARD AS A WHOLE.

+THESE PROPOSALS HAD BEEN RECEIVED WITH INTEREST AND IN THE NEW TERRITORIES THEY WERE GENERALLY WELL SUPPORTED.

SIR MURRAY PAID TRIBUTE TO THE KUK WHO HE SAID RECOGNISED THE NEED TO EVOLVE NEW CHANNELS OF COMMUNICATION WITH THE LARGE NUMBER OF NEW ARRIVALS IN THE TOWNS OF THE NEW TERRITORIES AND WHO REALISED HOW VITALLY IMPORTANT IT WAS TO CREATE A SENSE OF LOCAL CONCERN TO THE WAY THE TOWNS, THE IR AMENITIES AND THE IR HOUSING ESTATES WERE MANAGED AND DEVELOPED.

+WE ARE CLOSELY WATCHING REACTIONS TO THOSE PARTS OF OUR PROPOSALS WHICH INVOLVE ELECTIONS AND WILL BE GUIDED BY THEM, THE GOVERNOR SAID.

+BUT IN ANY CASE OUR AIM IS A SATISFYING LIFE IN A SATISFACTORY COMMUNITY AND THIS ONLY PARTNERSHIP BETWEEN RESPONSIBLE GOVERNMENT AND RESPONSIBLE CITIZENSHIP CAN CREATE.

+WE BELIEVE THIS PARTNERSHIP WILL BE DIFFICULT TO CULTIVATE UNLESS THOSE PEOPLE WHO WANT TO - HOWEVER SELECTED ARE GIVEN AN OPPORTUNITY TO INVOLVE THEMSELVES DIRECTLY IN THOSE ASPECTS WHICH INTEREST THEM OF THE ADMINISTRATION AND LEADERSHIP OF THE COMMUNITY IN WHICH THEY LIVE, AND USE THE OPPORTUNITY WITH ENERGY AND RESPONSIBILITY. +

HOWEVER, SAID SIR MURRAY, STRENGTHENING DISTRICT BOARDS WOULD SERVE NO PURPOSE UNLESS THE GOVERNMENT ITSELF WAS ABLE TO REACT POSITIVELY TO ADVICE RECEIVED EITHER BY TAKING ACTION OR BY PROVIDING SOUND EXPLANATION WHY NOT.

/REGIONAL OFFICES