XN000022-1984-11-18 — Page 2

SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 18, 1984

SOCIAL SYSTEM, LIFESTYLE TO REMAIN UNCHANGED

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HONG KONG'S SOCIAL SYSTEM AND LIFESTYLE WOULD REMAIN UNCHANGED FOR MANY YEARS TO COME, AND THE RIGHTS AND FREEDOMS NOW ENJOYED BY HONG KONG PEOPLE WOULD BE PRESERVED AND PROTECTED ACCORDING TO LAW, THE CHIEF SECRETARY, SIR PHILIP HADDON-CAVE, SAID TODAY (SUNDAY).

SPEAKING AT THE ST JOHN AMBULANCE BRIGADE ANNUAL PARADE, SIR PHILIP SAID, THERE COULD BE BO DOUBT THAT THE BRIGADE DOES HAVE A LONG-TERM FUTURE, FOR THE DRAFT SINO-BRITISH AGREEMENT PROVIDES CLEARLY AND IN CONSIDERABLE DETAIL FOR A VERY HIGH DEGREE OF CONTINUITY BEYOND 1997.

'THERE WILL CLEARLY BE A CONTINUING ROLE AFTER 1997 FOR ALL THOSE VOLUNTARY AGENCIES THAT HAVE SERVED THE COMMUNITY SO WELL,' HE ADDED.

THE ST JOHN AMBULANCE BRIGADE COMPRISING UNPAID VOLUNTEERS, HAD BEEN IN HONG KONG FOR 69 YEARS AND HAD PROVIDED A MUCH NEEDED FIRST-AID MEDICAL SERVICE.

DURING THIS YEAR, THE BRIGADE WOULD HAVE SPENT OVER 133 000 HOURS ATTENDING PUBLIC FUNCTIONS, EXCLUDING THE HOURS SPENT ON OBLIGATORY PARADES AND COURSES OF INSTRUCTION.

'HONG KONG IS FORTUNATE TO HAVE SO MANY DEDICATED MEN, WOMEN AND YOUNG PEOPLE WHO ARE PREPARED TO DEVOTE MUCH OF THEIR FREE TIME TO COMMUNITY SERVICE, SIR PHILIP SAID.

HE SAID THAT AS HONG KONG CONTINUED TO GROW AND DEVELOP THE DEMANDS UPON THE BRIGADE WERE BOUND TO INCREASE.

'THE EXPANSION OF THE BRIGADE'S ACTIVITIES INTO THE NEW TERRITORIES IS THEREFORE, MOST WELCOME,' HE SAID.

SIR PHILIP EXPRESSED CONFIDENCE THAT THE BRIGADE WOULD BE WELL PLACED TO MEET THE CHALLENGES AHEAD.

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LAST OPPORTUNITY FOR VOTERS TO SIGN UP

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TOMORROW (MONDAY) AND TUESDAY WILL BE THE LAST TWO DAYS FOR VOTERS REGISTRATION FOR NEXT YEAR'S DISTRICT BOARD ELECTIONS.

+LATE APPLICATIONS MUST BE MADE IN PERSON AT THE REGISTRATION AND ELECTORAL DIVISION ON THE 10TH FLOOR OF HARBOUR CENTRE, 25 HARBOUR ROAD, WAN CHAI,+ A SPOKESMAN FOR THE REGISTRATION AND ELECTORAL DIVISION SAID TODAY (SUNDAY),

/+ANYONE WHO