XN000022-1981-06-24 — Page 17

WEDNESDAY, JUNE 24, 1981

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THREE MAIN AIMS OF DISTRICT ADMINISTRATION SPELLED OUT

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BETTER COORDINATION OF SERVICES, SUBSTANTIAL UNOFFICIAL PARTICIPATION, AND THE HOLDING OF ELECTIONS WERE THE THREE AIMS OF GOVERNMENT IN THE DISTRICT ADMINISTRATION SCHEME, THE HON DENIS BRAY, SECRETARY FOR HOME AFFAIRS, SAID AT THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).

MR BRAY WAS SPEAKING AS HE MOVED THE SECOND READING OF THE DISTRICT BOARDS BILL 1981, WHICH WILL GIVE EFFECT TO THE DECISIONS ANNOUNCED IN THE WHITE PAPER ON DISTRICT ADMINISTRATION.

OF THE THREE TARGETS+ WHICH GOVERNMENT IS AIMING FOR, MR BRAY SAID THAT THERE WAS SUFFICIENT EXPERIENCE TO DEAL WITH THE FIRST TWO BUT WITH REGARD TO THE THIRD TARGET, WHICH IS THE CONDUCTING OF ELECTIONS, ALTHOUGH THIS HAS NOT BEEN TACKLED BEFORE, FLANS ARE BEING CAREFULLY DRAWN UP BY ABLE ADMINISTRATORS TO DEAL WITH IT.

ASSISTED BY THE PUBLICITY WHICH WILL BE GIVEN TO OPPORTUNITIES THAT THE PUBLIC CAN TAKE ADVANTAGE OF, THE ELECTION TARGET WILL BE SUCCESSFUL IF ARRANGEMENTS FOR THE REGISTRATION OF VOTERS AND THE CASTING OF VOTES IS SIMPLE AND PUBLICITY IS SUFFICIENT, HE SAID,

+WE SHALL FAIL IF WE FAIL TO CONDUCT THE ELECTIONS COMPETENTLY, HONESTLY AND SIMPLY, + MR BRAY SAID.

THE QUESTION OF ELECTION TURNOUT WAS NOT A MATTER FOR THE GOVERNMENT IT WAS THE GOVERNMENT'S FUNCTION TO CREATE THE OPPORTUNITY TO CONDUCT THE ELECTIONS.

THIS

+THE PEOPLE MUST DECIDE TO USE THE OPPORTUNITY OR NOT. IS A MATTER OF CHOICE FOR THE ELECTORATE. NOBODY WILL BE FORCED TO REGISTER. NOBODY WILL BE FORCED TO VOTE. WHETHER PEOPLE VOTE OR NOT THEY WILL CONTINUE TO ENJOY PUBLIC SERVICES AND CONTINUE TO PAY TAXES, HE SAID.

MR BRAY SAID IT WAS NOT POSSIBLE FOR HIM TO FORECAST THE RESPONSE OF THE PUBLIC TO THE OPPORTUNITY OF ELECTING LOCAL REPRESENTATIVES. BUT HE EXPRESSED THE HOPE THAT THE PEOPLE WILL USE THIS +NEW OPPORTUNITY+, OR A GOOD DEAL OF EFFORT WILL HAVE BEEN WASTED.

+THE CHOICE IS THE IRS: NOT THE GOVERNMENT'S, HE SAID.

IN EXPLAINING WHAT THE GOVERNMENT IS TRYING TO ACHIEVE IN DISTRICT ADMINISTRATION REFORMS, MR BRAY SAID THE BILL IN MANY RESPECTS DOES NO MORE THAN FORMALISE WHAT IS HAPPENING ALREADY.

+WE KNOW THAT HONG KONG IS NOW SO BIG THAT BETTER COORDINATION FOLLOWS FROM REGIONALISATION OF THE CIVIL SERVICE. WE KNOW THAT IN ALL DISTRICTS THERE ARE MEN AND WOMEN OF GOOD SENSE WHO ARE WILLING TO ACCEPT INVITATIONS TO SERVE ON DISTRICT COMMITTEES.

/+WHAT IS