XN000022-1982-04-28 — Page 3

NO

FAREWELL SPEECH BY THE GOVERNOR

SIR MURRAY MACLEHOSE

Before the Council adjourns this afternoon, I would like to record my admiration for the way official and unofficial members make this Council the efficient and effective organ of government that it is.

Over the last 10 years there have been many changes and I think that of the original members I faced with such trepidation in 1971, only one still remains.

Since then the size of the Council has doubled

and in consequence the spread of personalities, knowledge and age is much wider, and more able to speak with direct or indirect experience of the problems and wishes of the diverse elements of our community, and of the factors that govern their prosperity.

At the same time, the work of UMELCO has enormously increased and has been supported by an expanded professional staff. The net result has been that the scrutiny of government bills has become more intense, and the work of liaison with the public and the role of ombudsman has matured, and the influence exerted by members through advisory committees also greatly increased. I am certain that the work of government has greatly benefited.

During the years that we have worked together

Hong Kong has had an average growth rate of 10% per year in real terms. Full marks to our workforce, entrepreneurs and bankers and those responsible for managing our economy for making this possible during worldwide economic conditions which were for the most part sluggish or recessional. But a government which could not make something out of such prolonged growth would be contemptible. The question is, did we do the right things, at the right speed, with the assets we were so fortunate to have.. With the knowledge of hindsight, I think that generally speaking we did do the right things, though the emphasis and speed and details in some fields might have been varied.

/However.....