XN000022-1981-01-14 — Page 2

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WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 14, 1981

WHITE PAPER ON DISTRICT ADMINISTRATION

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THE GOVERNMENT TODAY (WEDNESDAY) PUBLISHED THE WHITE PAPER ON DISTRICT ADMINISTRATION IN HONG KONG. THE WHITE PAPER SETS OUT THE GOVERNMENT'S INTENTIONS FOR THE FUTURE PATTERN OF DISTRICT ADMINISTRATION AND INCORPORATES A NUMBER OF MODIFICATIONS ARRIVED AT ON THE BASIS OF PUBLIC COMMENTS ON THE CONSULTATIVE GREEN PAPER PUBLISHED IN JUNE 1980.

A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN SAID THAT THE MAIN THRUST OF THE ORIGINAL PROPOSALS HAD MET WITH VERY WIDE ACCEPTANCE, AND THAT THE NUMBER AND RANGE OF COMMENTS RECEIVED FROM INDIVIDUALS, COMMUNITY GROUPS AND PUBLIC REPRESENTATIVES, WAS ENCOURAGING. +IN DRAWING UP THE COURSE OF ACTION SET OUT IN THE WHITE PAPER, THE GOVERNMENT HAS GIVEN FULL WEIGHT TO COMMENTS RECEIVED FROM THE PUBLIC AND A NUMBER OF MODIFICATIONS HAVE BEEN MADE, HE SAID.

THE WHITE PAPER WILL BE TABLED IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL ON JANUARY 21, 1981, WHEN THE CHIEF SECRETARY, SIR JACK CATER, WILL PUT THE GOVERNMENT'S PLANS BEFORE THE COUNCIL.

THE SPOKESMAN SAID THAT COPIES OF THE WHITE PAPER HAD BEEN PRINTED IN ENGLISH AND CHINESE, AND WERE AVAILABLE FREE OF CHARGE AT CITY DISTRICT OFFICES, DISTRICT OFFICES AND THE GOVERNMENT PUBLICATIONS CENTRE.

+ IT IS HOPED THAT MANY PEOPLE WILL TAKE THE OPPORTUNITY TO GET A COPY OF THE WHITE PAPER AND READ IT CAREFULLY, HE SAID.

THE WHITE PAPER SPELLS OUT IN DETAIL THE FULL RANGE OF GOVERNMENT'S INTENTIONS RELATING TO THE STRUCTURE OF DISTRICT ADMINISTRATION, INCLUDING: -

* DISTRICT MANAGEMENT COMMITTEES

* DISTRICT BOARDS

* THE ELECTORAL FRANCHISE

* QUALIFICATIONS FOR CANDIDATES

* REGISTRATION AND ELECTORAL PROCEDURES

* THE URBAN COUNCIL

* CONSEQUENTIAL LEGISLATION

THE SPOKESMAN SAID THAT THE SCHEME SET OUT IN THE WHITE PAPER WAS DESIGNED TO PLACE GREATER EMPHASIS ON LOCAL ADMINISTRATION,

INCLUDING ACTIVE PARTICIPATION BY THE PUBLIC.

AN IMPORTANT COMPONENT WAS THAT OFFICIALS SHOULD BE OF SUFFICIENT SENIORITY AND AUTHORITY TO RESPOND EFFECTIVELY TO LOCAL NEEDS AND ASPIRATIONS. IN THE WHITE PAPER THE GOVERNMENT REITERATES ITS INTENTION TO ENSURE THAT DEPARTMENTAL REPRESENTATIVES APPOINTED TO THE DISTRICT MANAGEMENT COMMITTEES AND DISTRICT -- BOARDS ARE AT AN APPROPRIATE LEVEL.

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