XN000022-1985-01-10 — Page 7

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THURSDAY, JANUARY 10, 1985

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+AS REGARDS CIVIL EDUCATION AND THE ELECTORAL PROCESS AND THE NEED FOR INTENSIVE CAMPAIGNS TO PREPARE THE PUBLIC FOR THE FORTHCOMING DISTRICT BOARD ELECTIONS, THE SECRETARY FOR DISTRICT ADMINISTRATION, IN CONJUNCTION WITH THE DIRECTOR OF . INFORMATION SERVICES AND THE DIRECTOR OF BROADCASTING, HAS ALREADY ARRANGED A FULL PROGRAMME DURING THE NEXT EIGHT WEEKS. DISTRICT OFFICERS WILL BE PROVIDING PUBLICITY MATERIAL AND ORGANISING FORUMS FOR CANDIDATES TO MEET MEMBERS OF THEIR CONSTITUENCIES. AT THE SAME TIME STAFF OF THE DISTRICT OFFICES WILL GIVE DETAILS OF THE ELECTORAL PROCESS TO LOCAL ORGANISATIONS, SUCH AS MUTUAL AID COMMITTEES AND AREA COMMITTEES, AND URGE MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC TO VOTE. THEREAFTER FURTHER ACTION WILL BE TAKEN TO PUBLICISE FULLY THE PROCEDURES FOR THE INDIRECT ELECTIONS TO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL IN SEPTEMBER.

+ IN CONCLUSION SIR, MAY I REITERATE THAT WE SHALL REFLECT UPON THE MANY USEFUL POINTS MEMBERS HAVE MADE IN THIS DEBATE, ON THE PLANS AND INTENTIONS SET OUT IN THE WHITE PAPER. AND WE SHALL BEAR THEM IN MIND IN PREPARING LATER ON FOR THE 1987 REVIEW. AND I CAN ASSURE MRS CHOW THAT THE REVIEW WILL BE CONDUCTED ONE WAY OR ANOTHER ON A STRUCTURED BASIS. TO THE EXTENT THAT SOME OF THE POINTS MADE IN THIS DEBATE ARE OF MORE IMMEDIATE CONCERN, WE SHALL TAKE THEM INTO ACCOUNT AS FAR AS POSSIBLE WHEN PREPARING FOR THE ELECTIONS LATER THIS YEAR.

+THERE WILL OF COURSE BE FURTHER OPPORTUNITY, AS THE ATTORNEY GENERAL HAS SAID, FOR DEBATE ON THE DETAILED ARRANGEMENTS FOR THOSE ELECTIONS WHEN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL (ELECTORAL PROVISIONS) BILL IS INTRODUCED INTO THIS COUNCIL.+

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SIR, BEG TO MOVE.

GRADUAL APPROACH FAVOURED, AG SAYS

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THE APPROACH OF THE GOVERNMENT TO THE FUTURE CONSTITUTIONAL CHANGES HAD BEEN GENERALLY WELCOMED, THE ATTORNEY GENERAL, THE HON MICHAEL THOMAS, SAID IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY.

SPEAKING IN THE WHITE PAPER DEBATE, MR THOMAS POINTED OUT THAT MEMBERS OF THE COUNCIL HAD REITERATED THE NEED FOR A GRADUAL, STEP BY STEP ADVANCE ALONG THE ROAD TOWARDS REPRESENTATIVE GOVERNMENT.

+OUR PLAN FOR 1985 TO 1988 IS NOW ESTABLISHED AND RELATED LEGISLATION WILL SOON BE BROUGHT FORWARD FOR CONSIDERATION BY THIS COUNCIL.

/+BUT AT