XN000022-1984-10-25 — Page 3

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THURSDAY, OCTOBER 25, 1984'

HE OBSERVED THAT HONG KONG'S SUCCESS DEPENDED ON THE

PRESERVATION OF FREE ENTERPRISE AND INCENTIVES.

*WHILE WE MUST ALWAYS AIM TO NARROW THE GAP BETWEEN THE RICH AND THE POOR, IT IS EQUALLY IMPORTANT TO REFRAIN FROM UNDUE INTERFERENCE IN OUR FREE ENTERPRISE SYSTEM AND FROM ANY DIMINUTION OF THE PROFIT INCENTIVE,

*WE MUST PRESERVE A PROPERLY REGULATED SYSTEM IN WHICH THE NEEDY ARE CARED FOR AND ENTERPRISE IS REWARDED, HE SAID.

MR LOBO URGED ALL OUR PEOPLE FROM ALL WALKS OF LIFE TO PARTICIPATE TO THE FULL IN THE IMPENDING ELECTIONS AND IN THE ADMINISTRATION OF THE TERRITORY.

+1 AM CONFIDENT THAT WE WILL MEET THE CHALLENGES WHICH LIE AHEAD - BECAUSE THIS IS HONG KONG'S WAY OF DOING THINGS - AND WE WILL SEE THE CONTINUATION OF THE ESSENTIAL ELEMENTS IN THE SYSTEM WHICH WE NOW ENJOY.+

HE SUGGESTED THAT WE SHOULD CONTINUE AND EXPAND OUR PLANS FOR OPEN GOVERNMENT.

+DURING THE LAST SESSION, WE HELD OUR DRAFT ESTIMATES MEETING IN PUBLIC FOR THE FIRST TIME.

+DURING THIS CURRENT SESSION, THE PUBLIC MAY ALSO ATTEND MEETINGS OF THE PUBLIC ACCOUNTS COMMITTEE AND, AS FAR AS POSSIBLE, OTHER MEETINGS TOO WILL BE OPEN TO THE PUBLIC,+ MR LOBO SAID.

MR LOBO ENVISAGED A HEAVY WORKLOAD DURING THE COMING MONTH AND SAID: +1 CAN ONLY ASSURE YOU, SIR, AND THROUGH YOU, YOUR ADMINISTRATION, THAT THE UNOFFICIALS ARE READY FOR IT AND WE HAVE FORMED OUR STUDY AND SCRUTINY GROUPS AND HAVE ALREADY BEGUN WORKING ON SOME BILLS. NOT OF LESS IMPORTANCE IS THE FORTHCOMING INTRODUCTION OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL (POWERS AND PRIVILEGES) BILL WHICH YOU MENTIONED IN YOUR ADDRESS.+

+SIR, IN EXPRESSING APPRECIATION FOR WHAT YOU HAVE DONE FOR US AND WHAT YOUR ADMINISTRATION IS PLANNING TO DO, I WOULD LIKE, IN THANK IG YOU, TO ASSURE YOU OF THE UNOFFICIALS CONTINUING SUPPORT.

+1 WOULD ALSO LIKE TO PAY TRIBUTE TO OUR CIVIL SERVICE - ALL TOO OFTEN THE UNFORGOTTEN FACTOR IN HONG KONG'S SUCCESS STORY WITHOUT WHOSE DEDICATION AND EFFICIENCY HONG KONG WOULD NOT BE THE PLACE IT IS TODAY.

+HONG KONG HAS MUCH TO BE PROUD OF, AND NOT LEAST IS THE QUALITY OF OUR ADMINISTRATION, MR LOBO SAID.

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