XN000022-1982-01-09 — Page 3

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SATURDAY, JANUARY 9, 1982

IMPORTANCE OF TRADE FACILITATION STRESSED

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THE COMMISSIONER OF CUSTOMS AND EXCISE, MR DOUGLAS JORDAN, SAID TODAY (SATURDAY) THAT TRADE FACILITATION HAD BECOME AN IMPORTANT FUNCTION OF ANY CUSTOMS SERVICE, BUT NOWHERE WAS IT MORE IMPORTANT THAN IN HONG KONG.

SPEAKING AT A PASSING OUT PARADE OF 134 CUSTOMS OFFICERS AT THE SERVICE'S TRAINING SCHOOL IN TAI LAM CHUNG, MR JORDAN CALLED ON THE OFFICERS TO DO THEIR UTMOST TO ASSIST LEGITIMATE TRADE WITH VARIOUS CUSTOMS PROCEDURES - AND TO PROTECT THEM BY DEALING EFFECTIVELY WITH THE FEW DISHONEST TRADERS WHO WOULD COMPETE UNFAIRLY WITH THE GREAT MAJORITY OF HONEST HONG KONG BUSINESSMEN.

SHORTLY AFTER HIS ARRIVAL IN HONG KONG IN 1977 TO REORGANISE THE SERVICE, MR JORDAN PROMISED OFFICERS AT A PASSING OUT PARADE A NEW, REORGANISED AND MODERNISED CUSTOMS AND EXCISE SERVICE IN WHICH THEY WOULD HAVE A MAJOR ROLE TO PLAY.

♦TODAY THE PROMISE HAS BEEN KEPT, AND YOU ARE PASSING OUT TO TAKE YOUR PLACES IN SUCH A MODERNISED SERVICE,+ HE TOLD THE PROBATIONARY OFFICERS.

*THE SPECIAL ROLE FOR ALL TO PLAY IS STILL THERE. THE SERVICE NOW IS REORGANISED IN ITS STRUCTURE. BUT WE ALL HAVE SO MUCH YET TO DO TO ENSURE IT WORKS WELL IN ITS NEW FORM. FOR SOME OF US THIS MEANS REVIEWING THE DETAIL OF THE NEW ORGANISATION, REFINING OUR PROCEDURES, AND MAKING ADJUSTMENTS FOUND NECESSARY AS THE NEWLY REORGANISED SERVICE SETTLES DOWN IN ITS MODERNISED FORM.

+FOR OTHERS - AND THIS INCLUDES YOU AS FRESHLY RECRUITED OFFICERS - THE TASK IS TO WORK ENTHUSIASTICALLY AND

EFFICIENTLY, UNDERSTAND CLEARLY WHY EACH OF YOUR RESPONSIBILITIES MUST BE PERFORMED IN THE WAY REQUIRED OF YOU, AND GENERALLY MAKE YOUR MAXIMUM CONTRIBUTION TO THE MORE DEMANDING WORK

OF THE NEW SERVICE.

+IN SOME WAYS THE SERVICE AT THE MOMENT IS LIKE A BRAND NEW CAR, SAID MR JORDAN. +IT FULFILS ITS FUNCTION WELL, BUT STILL NEEDS TUNING AND ADJUSTMENT AS IT DEVELOPS ITS MILEAGE. IT ALSO NEEDS CAREFUL DRIVING AND HANDLING WITH UNDERSTANDING.

+SENIOR OFFICERS, INCLUDING MYSELF, ARE THE MECHANICS WHO WITH OUR EXPERIENCE MUST ADJUST AND TUNE. IT IS YOU WITH YOUR COLLEAGUES IN THE FIELD, MANY OF WHOM PASSED THROUGH THIS SCHOOL ONLY SHORTLY BEFORE YOURSELVES, WHO ARE THE DRIVERS.

IT IS YOU WHO WILL HANDLE THE NEW MACHINE CAREFULLY AS YOU DRIVE IT ON ITS WAY, AND LIKE ALL NEW CAR OWNERS YOU WILL TAKE GREAT PRIDE IN THE MACHINE FOR WHICH YOU ARE RESPONSIBLE.+

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