XN000022-1981-01-28 — Page 2

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 28, 1981

POSSIBLE HOLD UPS OF TEXTILE CONSIGNMENTS

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THE TRADE INDUSTRY AND CUSTOMS DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCED TODAY THAT IT HAD RECEIVED INFORMATION THAT THE U.S. CUSTOMS AT THE J.F. KENNEDY AIRPORT, NEW YORK, WILL BE REJECTING ANY TEXTILE CONSIGNMENTS COVERED BY EXPORT LICENCES WHICH CARRY AMENDMENTS.

AS A RESULT, IT IS POSSIBLE THAT TEXTILE CONSIGNMENTS COVERED BY AMENDED LICENCES MAY ENCOUNTER CLEARANCE DIFFICULTIES AT THE AIRPORT.

THE DEPARTMENT HAS MADE REPRESENTATIONS TO THE U.S. GOVERNMENT, AND REQUESTED THE IMMEDIATE TERMINATION OF THE NEW ARRANGEMENTS.

UNTIL THE MATTER IS RESOLVED, A SPOKESMAN FOR THE DEPARTMENT ADVISED EXPORTERS TO AVOID SENDING TEXTILE CONSIGNMENTS TO THE J.F.K. AIRPORT, NEW YORK.

WHERE THIS IS NOT POSSIBLE, THE DEPARTMENT IS PREPARED, AS AN INTER IM MEASURE, TO ISSUE REPLACEMENT LICENCES FREE OF CHARGE TO EXPORTERS WHO MAY HAVE TEXTILE CONSIGNMENTS COVERED BY AMENDED LICENCES DESTINED FOR THE AIRPORT.

EXPORTERS WHO WISH TO APPLY FOR THE REPLACEMENT LICENCES SHOULD CONTACT MR A.C.Y. KWONG, ASSISTANT TRADE OFFICER, NORTH AMERICA DIVISION (TEXTILE CONTROLS), TRADE INDUSTRY AND CUSTOMS DEPARTMENT, 15TH FLOOR, 1515, OCEAN CENTRE, CANTON ROAD, KOWLOON (TEL 3-7222353).

THE DEPARTMENT FURTHER ADVISED EXPORTERS WHO MAY HAVE SHIPMENTS HELD UP AT THE J.F.K. AIRPORT, NEW YORK TO CONTACT ITS WASHINGTON OFFICE FOR ASSISTANCE IN CLEARING THE GOODS.

MORE FACILITIES FOR ENJOYMENT OF ARTS

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WE CAN LOOK FORWARD WITH CONFIDENCE TO A CHAIN OF FACILITIES THROUGHOUT THE TERRITORY WHICH WILL BRING ENJOYMENT OF THE ARTS CLOSER TO THE PEOPLE, THE CHIEF SECRETARY, SIR JACK CATER SAID TODAY.

SPEAKING AT THE OPENING OF THE THIRD TSUEN WAN ARTS FESTIVAL, SIR JACK SAID THE EXISTENCE OF THE TSUEN WAN TOWN HALL HAD BEEN AN IMPORTANT FACTOR IN THE GROWTH OF THE FESTIVAL.

+AND I AM DELIGHTED TO LEARN THAT MOST OF THE FACILITIES IN THE TOWN HALL ARE FULLY BOOKED MOST OF THE YEAR, HE ADDED.

SIR JACK SAID WORK ON SIMILAR HALLS IN TUEN MUN AND SHA TIN WOULD START THIS YEAR. THIS YEAR TOO, BOTH YUEN LONG AND THE NORTHERN DISTRICT WILL EACH HAVE AN AIR-CONDITIONED AUDITORIUM FOR PUBLIC CONCERTS AND PERFORMANCES, HE SAID.

THE FOLLOWING IS THE FULL TEXT OF SIR JACK'S SPEECH :

+MR CHAIRMAN, LADIES AND GENTLEMEN,

/+IT IS