XN000022-1983-05-28 — Page 2

-

SATURDAY, MAY 28, 1983

GOVERNMENT COMMITTED TO DISTRICT ADMINISTRATION SCHEME

*****

THE CHIEF SECRETARY, SIR PHILIP HADDON-CAVE, SAID TODAY (SATURDAY) WHEN HE OPENED THE CONFERENCE ON DISTRICT ADMINISTRATION, THE GOVERNMENT IS ENTIRELY COMMITTED IN ITS SUPPORT OF THE DISTRICT ADMINISTRATION SCHEME.

HE SAID THE DISTRICT BOARDS HAVE ADDED A WHOLE NEW DIMENSION TO HONG KONG'S UNIQUE SYSTEM OF GOVERNMENT BY CONSULTATION AND CONSENSUS.

THE BOARDS CONSTITUTED THE LARGEST EVER ADVISORY BODY WITH AN ELECTED ELEMENT IN HONG KONG, AND HAD FORGED MORE EFFECTIVE LINKS BETWEEN AN INCREASINGLY COMPLEX CENTRAL GOVERNMENT AND THE MAN IN THE STREET, HE SAID.

+THEY HAVE ALREADY MANY ACHIEVEMENTS TO THEIR CREDIT AND ARE WELL REGARDED BY RESIDENTS,+ HE SAID.

THE CONFERENCE ON DISTRICT ADMINISTRATION ORGANISED BY THE CITY AND NEW TERRITORIES ADMINISTRATION BROUGHT TOGETHER FOR THE FIRST TIME MEMBERS OF ALL 18 BOARDS TO EXCHANGE VIEWS ON MATTERS OF COMMON CONCERN AND TO DISCUSS THE ROLE AND ACHIEVEMENTS OF THE DISTRICT BOARDS.

SOME 300 UNOFFICIAL AND OFFICIAL MEMBERS TOOK PART, AND SPEAKERS INCLUDED EDUCATORS, LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL MEMBERS AND GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS.

SIR PHILIP SAID THE INTERACTION BETWEEN UNOFFICIALS AND OFFICIALS ON MATTERS OF DISTRICT MANAGEMENT HAD PRODUCED MOST BENEFICIAL RESULTS.

WHEREAS FORMERLY THERE WAS LITTLE PUBLIC SUPPORT OR EVEN INTEREST IN THE GOVERNMENT'S EFFORTS IN STREET MANAGEMENT, IT IS NOW THE UNOFFICIALS ON THE DISTRICT BOARDS WHO ARE URGING THE GOVERNMENT TO DO MORE TO RID OUR STREETS OF RUBBISH, OBSTRUCTIONS AND STRUCTURES AND TO REQUIRE A RADICAL CHANGE IN THE ENVIRONMENT, HE SAID.

+NOW IT IS THE RESIDENTS AND THE IR REPRESENTATIVES WHO ARE PRESSING FOR THE PROVISION OF VARIOUS SERVICES AND MAKING SUGGESTIONS TO IMPROVE TRAFFIC MANAGEMENT AND TRANSPORT FACILITIES, OR TAKING AN ACTIVE PART IN THE PROMOTION OF SPORTS, RECREATIONAL AND CULTURAL ACTIVITIES.

+THIS IS OF COURSE EXACTLY AS IT SHOULD BE.

+SO, NOW, OFFICIALS INDEPENDENTLY AND VIA DISTRICT

MANAGEMENT COMMITTEES CAN CONCENTRATE THEIR ENERGIES ON RESPONDING TO RESIDENTS' PROPOSALS, AND PROPOSALS FORMULATED BY RESIDENTS ARE MUCH MORE LIKELY TO REFLECT LOCAL LIVING CONDITIONS.

/+BUT THESE