XN000022-1983-06-29 — Page 24

WEDNESDAY, JUNE 29, 1983

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AN EXAMPLE OF SUCH A TREATY WAS THE 1961 HAGUE CONVENTION UNDER WHICH HONG KONG WAS OBLIGED TO PROVIDE A SIMPLIFIED AUTHENTICATION PROCEDURE TO RENDER PUBLIC DOCUMENTS ACCEPTABLE IN OTHER COUNTRIES THAT HAVE SUBSCRIBED TO THE CONVENTION, HE SAID.

+THE OPPORTUNITY HAS ALSO BEEN TAKEN OF EMPOWERING THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY TO PRESCRIBE A FEE WHERE AN AUTHENTICATION IS DONE FOR THE PURPOSES OF ANY FOREIGN OR COMMONWEALTH LAW,+ MR NAZARETH SAID.

+ IT IS TRUE THAT WHERE SUCH AUTHENTICATION IS A VOLUNTARY SERVICE BY THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT, AUTHORITY TO LEVY A FEE MAY NOT BE NECESSARY, HE SAID. BUT TO AVOID PROBLEMS, IT IS DESIRABLE TO HAVE CLEAR LEGAL AUTHORITY ANYWAY.*

DEBATE ON THE BILL WAS ADJOURNED TILL JULY 13.

TRUST BENEFITS HANDICAPPED CHILDREN

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THE CORRECTIONAL SERVICES CHILDREN'S EDUCATION TRUST BILL 1983 SHOWS THAT A GREAT DEAL OF CONSIDERATION HAS BEEN GIVEN TO THE SPECIAL NEEDS OF HANDICAPPED CHILDREN, UNOFFICIAL MEMBER DR THE HON HENRIETTA IP SAID TODAY.

SHE WAS SPEAKING IN SUPPORT OF THE MOTION DURING THE RESUMED DEBATE ON THE BILL, WHICH WAS APPROVED AT THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL MEETING.

DR IP SAID THAT CLAUSE 5(1) (C) WAS INTENTIONALLY INCLUDED TO ALLOW FLEXIBILITY TO THE TRUSTEE TO PROVIDE +OPPORTUNITIES+ FOR THE FURTHERANCE OF EDUCATION OF CHILDREN CONCERNED.

+THEY WILL, I UNDERSTAND, INCLUDE PROVISIONS ON STUDY AIDS, TRANSPORTATION AND OTHER SPECIAL EQUIPMENT.

+I SINCERELY HOPE THAT THIS CONSIDERATE ATTITUDE SHOULD SET A GOOD EXAMPLE TO THE COMMUNITY AT LARGE AND BE FURTHER CULTIVATED, + SHE SAID.

REFERRING SPECIFICALLY TO THE PROVISIONS IN CLAUSE 5(1) (B) OF THE BILL, DR IP SAID THIS WAS THE FIRST TIME THAT A STATUTORY TRUST WAS ESTABLISHED WITH THE PROVISION OF ASSISTANCE TO THE EDUCATION OF HANDICAPPED CHILDREN AS ONE OF ITS OBJECTIVES.

+A NUMBER OF PRIVATE ORGANISATIONS HAVE BEEN OFFERING SCHOLARSHIPS AND GRANTS FOR THE SAME PURPOSE, BUT NEVER HAVE THE AIM BEEN STATED IN THE LAW,

+ THEREFORE WELCOME THIS AS AN IMPORTANT MILESTONE IN THE COMMUNITY'S EFFORTS TOWARDS MEETING THE EDUCATION NEEDS OF HANDICAPPED CHILDREN+, SHE SAID.

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