XN000022-1984-06-21 — Page 6

THURSDAY, JUNE 21, 1984

PEOPLE'S CIVIC ROLE STRESSED

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THE ESTABLISHMENT OF DISTRICT BOARDS AND MORE THAN 300 ADVISORY BODIES CLEARLY SHOWED THAT HONG KONG WAS NOT AN UNDEMOCRATIC SOCIETY, THE SOUTHERN ASSISTANT DISTRICT OFFICER, MR EDWARD YAU, SAID TODAY (THURSDAY).

IT ALSO SHOWED THAT THE GOVERNMENT DID NOT LACK A CONSULTATIVE MACHINERY, MR YAU ADDED.

HE SAID UNOFFICIALS AND REPRESENTATIVES OF THE PUBLIC PARTICIPATE IN MOST OF THESE INSTITUTIONS, WHILE THE DISTRICT BOARDS AND THE URBAN COUNCIL ALSO HAVE ELECTED SEATS.

MR YAU WAS SPEAKING AT A SEMINAR WHICH FORMED PART OF A PROJECT KNOWN AS YOUTHS - RESOURCES OF HONG KONG'S FUTURE DEVELOPMENT. THE PROJECT IS ORGANISED BY THE HONG KONG JAYCETTEES.

+THE APPOINTMENT OF PEOPLE FROM VARIOUS SECTORS OF THE COMMUNITY INTO THESE CONSULTATIVE BODIES ALSO INDICATES THAT THE GOVERNMENT HAS BEEN MAKING AN EFFORT TO ENSURE THAT ITS POLICIES ARE IN LINE WITH THE WISHES AND NEEDS OF THE PEOPLE.

+UNOFFICIALS OF THESE BODIES HAVE SUCCESSFULLY REFLECTED PUBLIC OPINIONS, AND MONITORED THE FORMULATION AND IMPLEMENTATION OF GOVERNMENT POLICIES, HE SAID.

HE TRACED THE IMPLEMENTATION OF DISTRICT ADMINISTRATION TO THE EARLY 70S' WHEN CITY DISTRICT COMMITTEES WERE SET UP IN EACH URBAN DISTRICT AND LOCAL PEOPLE WERE APPOINTED AS MEMBERS TO PARTICIPATE IN COMMUNITY AFFAIRS.

DISTRICT ADMINISTRATION WAS FURTHER DEVELOPED WITH THE SETTING UP OF DISTRICT MANAGEMENT COMMITTEES TO COORDINATE THE WORK OF GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS, AND DISTRICT BOARDS TO ADVISE ON MATTERS AFFECTING THE WELL-BEING OF THE RESIDENTS.

MR YAU SAID FROM NEXT YEAR, MORE OPPORTUNITIES WOULD BE GIVEN TO THE PUBLIC TO PARTICIPATE IN LOCAL ADMINISTRATION, AND DISTRICT BOARDS WOULD BECOME MORE REPRESENTATIVE WITH THE DOUBLING OF ELECTED SEATS.

BUT HE STRESSED THAT A GOVERNMENT COULD ONLY BE REPRESENTATIVE IF THE MAJORITY OF THE CITIZENS WERE INVOLVED.

HE CALLED ON ALL ELIGIBLE RESIDENTS TO REGISTER AS VOTERS AND TAKE PART IN NEXT YEAR'S DISTRICT BOARD ELECTIONS.