XN000022-1982-04-14 — Page 16

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WEDNESDAY, APRIL 14, 1982

TWO BILLS PASSED

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THE KOWLOON-CANTON RAILWAY BILL 1982 AND THE BOILERS AND PRESSURE RECEIVERS (AMENDMENT) BILL 1982 WERE PASSED IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).

INCREASED SERVICES FOR FARMERS

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STAFF OF THE AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES DEPARTMENT MADE 130 000 VISITS TO INDIVIDUAL FARMERS AND FISHERMEN LAST YEAR TO OFFER ADVICE AND ASSISTANCE, THE DIRECTOR OF AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES, THE HON JOHN RIDDELL-ŠWAN SAID TODAY (WEDNESDAY).

THIS ADVICE AND ASSISTANCE INCLUDED THE PROMOTION OF MODERN IRRIGATION SYSTEMS TO MAKE THE MOST EFFICIENT USE OF AVAILABLE WATER RESOURCES AND THE CONTROL OF LIVESTOCK DISEASE.

SPEAKING AT THE RESUMED BUDGET DEBATE, MR RIDDELL-SWAN

SAID THAT IN ADDITION TO THESE VISITS, THE DEPARTMENT HAS ALWAYS MADE AVAILABLE SERVICES TO THE FARMING AND FISHING INDUSTRIES THROUGH RECOGNISED BODIES SUCH AS CO-OPERATIVE SOCIETIES.

+HOWEVER, THESE SERVICES ARE NOW BEING REORGANISED TO INCREASE EFFICIENCY AND GIVE EVEN GREATER COVERAGE, HE SAID.

LOW-INTEREST LOANS TO INCREASE PRODUCTIVITY WERE ALSO PROVIDED, AND LAST YEAR $13 MILLION WAS LOANED TO 1 800 FARMERS AND ANOTHER $11 MILLION TO 143 FISHERMEN FROM LOAN FUNDS ADMINISTERED BY THE DEPARTMENT, MR RIDDELL-SWAN ADDED.

+RESOURCES FOR THIS PURPOSE ARE AT PRESENT SUFFICIENT BUT SHOULD AN INCREASED NEED FOR THESE LOANS ARISE THEN STEPS CAN BE TAKEN TO INCREASE THE AMOUNT OF CAPITAL AVAILABLE, HE SAID.

THE 198 FARMING AND FISHING CO-OPERATIVE SOCIETIES SO FAR REGISTERED ALSO PLAYED A VERY IMPORTANT ROLE IN PROMOTING MODERN FARMING AND FISHING METHODS, MR RIDDELL-SWAN SAID.

HE NOTED THAT INITIAL STEPS HAD ALREADY BEEN TAKEN FOR A REVIEW OF THE WHOLE CO-OPERATIVE SYSTEM TO DETERMINE ANY SPECIFIC AREAS CALLING FOR SPECIAL ATTENTION.

DURING THE BUDGET DEBATE, UNOFFICIAL MEMBER, MR CHEUNG YAN- LUNG, COMMENTED THAT THE NAME OF THE DEPARTMENT NO LONGER COVERED ALL OF ITS ACTIVITIES, ESPECIALLY WHEN THEY RELATE TO COUNTRY PARKS AND CONSERVATION,

/MA RIDDELL-S=AL