XN000022-1982-03-24 — Page 2

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 24, 1982

PEOPLE URGED TO WORK TOGETHER

******

THE PEOPLE OF HONG KONG SHOULD WORK TOGETHER TO MAKE HONG KONG A BETTER PLACE TO LIVE IN,

THE CALL CAME FROM THE SENIOR UNOFFICIAL LEGISLATIVE COUNCILLOR, THE HON ROGER LOBO, DURING THE RESUMED BUDGET DEBATE TODAY.

MR LOBO NOTED THAT HONG KONG HAD ALWAYS ENJOYED GOOD PARTNERSHIP AND SAID THIS SENSE OF PARTNERSHIP MUST NOT BE LOST.

HE SAID: +WE SHOULD ALL BE ABLE TO WORK ACCORDING TO OUR OWN ABILITIES AND TOWARDS THE SAME OBJECTIVES A BETTER HONG KONG WHICH MEANS A BETTER LIFE FOR ALL.

+WE MUST GET INTO THINKING MORE OF OURSELVES AS ONE COMMUNITY WITH TASKS BEFORE US AS JOBS WE HAVE TO DO TOGETHER.

+AS WE FORGE AHEAD INTO THE 80'S WITH FAITH AND CONFIDENCE IN OUR ABILITY TO MEET THE CHALLENGES THAT LIE AHEAD, WE OUGHT ALSO TO PROJECT OUR IMAGE NOT SOLELY AS THAT OF DILIGENCE AND EXPERTISE BUT ALSO THAT THIS IS A DYNAMIC PLACE WHICH OFFERS OPPORTUNITIES, INCENTIVES AND CONVENIENCE EQUAL TO NONE.+

ON THE PROPOSED TAX CONCESSIONS, MR LOBO SAID THEY WOULD CERTAINLY BE APPRECIATED BY THOSE SQUEEZED BETWEEN THE RICH AND THE POOR+.

HOWEVER, TO THIS PARTICULAR CLASS OF PEOPLE THE WORD +CONCESSION+ IS IN ITSELF MISLEADING, HE SAID.

THIS IS BECAUSE THE PROPOSED MEASURES, IN RESPECT OF TAX THRESHOLDS AND PERSONAL ALLOWANCES ONLY GO SOME WAY TOWARDS ABATING THE EFFECTS OF INFLATION AND ONLY SOME WAY TOWARDS PASSING ON SOME OF THE BENEFITS OF THE BUOYANT ECONOMY WHICH THEY HAVE HELPED TO BUILD, HE EXPLAINED.

*I DO NOT MEAN TO SOUND UNGRACIOUS BUT WE MUST ALWAYS REMEMBER THAT IT IS NOT GOVERNMENT'S MONEY THAT WE MAKE CONCESSIONS AND APPROPRIATIONS WITH.

-

+ IT IS THE TAX-PAYERS' MONEY I AM SURE THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY WILL NOT OBJECT TO THIS OBSERVATION NOR WILL HE DISAGREE WITH ME WHEN I SAY BECAUSE WE ARE A RICH SOCIETY WITH ENOUGH TO SPARE, WE SHOULD DIVERT OUR RESOURCES AND PLANNED PRIORITIES OR GIVE IT ALL AWAY, SAID MR LOBO.

BUT HE WARNED THAT WE SHOULD BE CONCERNED ABOUT THE EXTENT TO WHICH WE FULFILL PEOPLE'S EXPECTATION.

NOTING THAT HONG KONG CONTINUES TO OFFER REWARDS TO HARD WORK AND INGENUITY, HE SAID THE GREAT MAJORITY HERE HAVE HAPPY LIVES, FREE PRIMARY EDUCATION FOR THEIR CHILDREN, LIVE IN REASONABLE COMFORT AND ENJOY OPPORTUNITIES FOR LEISURE.

/+WHILE WE