XN000022-1983-10-03 — Page 6

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MONDAY, OCTOBER 3, 1983

ONE WEEK LEFT FOR VOTER REGISTRATION

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PEOPLE WHO HAVE REACHED THE AGE OF 21 THIS YEAR AND HAVE SEVEN YEARS' RESIDENCE ARE BEING URGED TO REGISTER AS VOTERS.

THERE IS ONLY ONE WEEK LEFT FOR THE CURRENT REGISTRATION PERIOD WHICH WILL CLOSE ON TUESDAY, OCTOBER 11.

THE PRINCIPAL ASSISTANT SECRETARY (GENERAL) OF THE CITY AND NEW TERRITORIES ADMINISTRATION, MR C.M. LEUNG, SAID THAT MORE THAN 5 500 APPLICATIONS HAD BEEN RECEIVED BY THE REGISTRATION AND ELECTORAL DIVISION SINCE REGISTRATION BEGAN ON AUGUST 31.

ACCORDING TO THE 1981 CENSUS 113 000 PEOPLE WILL REACH THE AGE OF 21 THIS YEAR.

-ALTHOUGH SOME OF THEM MAY NOT MEET THE SEVEN-YEAR RESIDENTIAL REQUIREMENT, THE NUMBER BECOMING ELIGIBLE TO REGISTER AS VOTERS IS STILL QUITE SUBSTANTIAL, HE SAID.

+THIS PARTICULAR GROUP, AND OTHER PEOPLE WHO HAVE NOT REGISTERED YET, SHOULD USE THE OPPORTUNITY SO THAT THEY WILL BE ABLE TO CHOOSE CANDIDATES IN THEIR CONSTITUENCIES DURING DISTRICT BOARD AND URBAN COUNCIL ELECTIONS IN 1985 AND 1986 RESPECTIVELY.

+DISTRICT OFFICES ARE COMMUNICATION CHANNELS BETWEEN LOCAL RESIDENTS AND GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS WHILE DISTRICT BOARDS HAVE THE STATUTORY RESPONSIBILITY TO ADVISE GOVERNMENT ON MATTERS AFFECTING THE WELL-BEING OF THE PEOPLE, INCLUDING THE PROVISION OF PUBLIC FACILITIES, AND THE ADEQUACY AND PRIORITIES OF GOVERNMENT PROGRAMMES FOR THE DISTRICT.

+PEOPLE, WHO ARE INTERESTED IN THEIR DISTRICT SHOULD NOT GIVE UP THEIR RIGHT. TO ELECT THOSE WHO CAN SPEAK FOR THEM ON DISTRICT BOARDS AND THE URBAN COUNCIL,+ MR LEUNG SAID.

APPLICATION FORMS ARE AVAILABLE AT ALL DISTRICT OFFICES, POST OFFICES, PUBLIC HOUSING ESTATE OFFICES, IMMIGRATION DEPARTMENT OFFICES, URBAN SERVICES DEPARTMENT BRANCH OFFICES AND THE REGISTRÁTION AND ELECTORAL DIVISION AT HARBOUR CENTRE.

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WATCH MAKERS PRAISED

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THE DIRECTOR OF INDUSTRY, MR JOHN YAXLEY TODAY (MONDAY) PAID TRIBUTE TO ENTERPRENEURS AND WORKERS HELPING TO MAKE HONG KONG A LEADING EXPORTER OF WATCHES.

+FOR THE LAST FIVE YEARS, HONG KONG HAS MAINTAINED ITS POSITION AS THE WORLD'S LARGEST EXPORTER OF WATCHES IN TERMS OF QUANTITY. WE ARE ALSO THE THIRD LARGEST EXPORTER IN TERMS OF VALUE FOLLOWING SWITZERLAND AND JAPAN,+ SAID MR YAXLEY OFFICIATING AT THE OPENING OF THE SECOND HONG KONG WATCH AND CLOCK FAIR.

/+THIS IMPRESSIVE