XN000022-1984-10-04 — Page 21

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 4, 1934

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COMMUNITY SERVICE

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A COMMUNITY SERVICE ORDERS BILL WOULD BE INTRODUCED IN THIS LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL SESSION.

THE GOVERNOR SAID THAT THE GOVERNMENT HAD ACCEPTED THE LAW REFORM COMMISSION'S RECOMMENDATION THAT THE COURTS BE ALLOWED TO IMPOSE COMMUNITY SERVICE ORDERS ON CERTAIN OFFENDERS AND A BILL WOULD BE INTRODUCED EARLY IN THE SESSION.

A CONSULTATIVE DOCUMENT ISSUED BY THE ATTORNEY GENERAL ON THE TRIAL OF COMMERCIAL CRIMES, WHICH ENVISAGED THE INTRODUCING OF A SYSTEM OF EXPERIENCED ADJUDICATORS SITTING WITH A JUDGE TO TRY MORE COMPLEX CASES, WAS BEING DISCUSSED BY THE COMMUNITY, HE SAID.

SIR EDWARD SAID THAT THIS YEAR HAD SEEN THE INTRODUCTION OF THE SUPPLEMENTARY LEGAL AID SCHEME, DESIGNED TO ASSIST THOSE WHO WOULD NOT NORMALLY QUALIFY, YET WHO COULD NOT AFFORD TO PURSUE LITIGATION WITHOUT CONSIDERABLE SACRIFICE.

PUBLIC SERVICE PRAISED FOR WORK *****

THE PUBLIC SERVICE HAD NOT ALLOWED UNCERTAINTIES ABOUT THE FUTURE TO AFFECT THEIR PERFORMANCE, THE GOVERNOR, SIR EDWARD YOUDE SAID TODAY.

EFFICIENCY HAD BEEN MAINTAINED AT A HIGH LEVEL, SIR EDWARD TOLD THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL.

+ I AM CONFIDENT THAT THE SERVICE WILL PLAY A FULL PART IN MAINTAINING A STABLE AND PROSPEROUS HONG KONG,+ HE SAID.

SPEAKING ALSO OF THE SUCCESSFUL EFFORT IN RESTRAINING PUBLIC SERVICE GROWTH LAST YEAR, SIR EDWARD SAID THAT THIS EFFORT HAD BEEN SUSTAINED THIS YEAR.

THE AIM WAS NOW TO STABILISE THE SIZE OF THE PUBLIC SERVICE IN 1985-86.

WHERE IT WAS ESSENTIAL TO PROVIDE STAFF FOR NEW FACILITIES, COMPENSATORY SAVINGS IN STAFF WOULD NEED BE FOUND ELSEWHERE, HE SAID.

HE WOULD EXPECT, THE GOVERNOR SAID, TO SEE THE EXAMPLE SET BY THE CIVIL SERVICE FOLLOWED BY ALL AUTHORITIES AND ORGANISATIONS IN RECEIPT OF PUBLIC MONEY, SIR EDWARD SAID.

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