XN000022-1982-05-20 — Page 8

PR 33

H |香港政府 GIS 新聞處

DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN SUPPLEMENT

Thursday, May 20, 1982

ACCEPTANCE SPEECH BY H.E. THE GOVERNOR, SIR EDWARD YOUDE, KCMG, MBE, AT THE SWEARING-IN CEREMONY IN THE CITY HALL. ON MAY 20, 1982

Sir Philip, Sir Sze-yuen, Ladies and Gentlemen:

I am very grateful for your kind words and for

the warm welcome which has been extended to us. I have

just taken the Oaths of office as Governor and Commander-in-Chief. I am proud and honoured to have been appointed to this position. I recognise the heavy responsibility for the good government and well- being of the people of Hong Kong which this office bears and I pledge that I will do my utmost to fulfil it.

Hong Kong has much of which it can be proud. In a highly competitive world the enterprise of its manufacturers and businessmen and the skills and application of its workforce have brought it prosperity and success. This in turn has provided the means for remarkable achievements in housing a rapidly increasing population, in the spread of education, the improvement of medical and social services, better recreational and cultural facilities, and impressive transport works. With the expansion of the Legislative Council and creation of the elected element in the District Boards the channels for the expression of the wishes of the people who live here have been widened. From a modest port Hong Kong has grown into a large and modern city ranking with the other great cities of the world. I pay tribute to all those who have worked to achieve this transformation, and particular tribute to my predecessor whore outstanding contribution has been so widely recognised.

Hong Kong has indeed come a long way since I first saw it more than thirty years ago. But there will remain much to be done. In this changing world no society can or should stand still. I come at a time when many important programes are in progress on which people count for improvement in all that can make Hong Kong desirable as a place in which to work and bring up a family, and a city to be proud of. It will be my constant endeavour to advance these programmes.

To support them there will need to be sustained economic growth and an environment in which the drive and enterprise of all those who contribute to that growth can be given full scope.

For this to be achieved Hong Kong will need confidence in its future. It is not surprising, given the circumstances of the lease that this issue should now be raised. I believe that there are sound grounds for confidence and that the omens are good. The commitment of Her Majesty's Government to Hong Kong and the interests of its people remains firm. The relationship with the People's Republic of China on which so much depends has never been more cordial. If there is an

/issue to be

Issued by Government Information Services, Beaconsfield House, Hong Kong. Tel: 5-233191