XN000022-1985-03-01 — Page 3

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FRIDAY, MARCH 1, 1985

IT ALSO PROVIDED A SOLID FOUNDATION FOR OUR GOVERNMENT SYSTEM AND WOULD BE FURTHER STRENGTHENED BY A NUMBER OF INNOVATIVE FEATURES TO BE INTRODUCED AS FROM APRIL 1 THIS YEAR.

THESE INCLUDE DOUBLING THE NUMBER OF ELECTED SEATS ON DISTRICT BOARDS TO 2371 RESTRUCTURING THE BOARDS SO THAT THEY COMPRISE SOLELY OF UNOFFICIAL MEMBERS; ELECTION OF BOARD CHAIRMEN AMONG UNOFFICIAL MEMBERS AND GREATER INVOLVEMENT OF BOARD MEMBERS IN THE RUNNING OF COMMUNITY CENTRES AND MANAGING RECREATION AND SPORTS FACILITIES IN THE NEW TOWNS.

*WITH THESE CHANGES, I BELIEVE THAT THE DISTRICT BOARDS WILL BE ABLE TO BROADEN THEIR SCOPE OF INITIATIVE EVEN FURTHER, AND THEY WILL BECOME MORE DYNAMIC AND FORTHRIGHT IN THEIR ROLE AS REPRESENTATIVE BODIES OF PEOPLE FROM ALL WALKS OF LIFE, MR LIAO SAID.

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+HONG KONG NEEDS YOUR VOTE VOTE FOR YOUR HONG KONG,+ MR LIAO SAID.

PEOPLE URGED TO VOTE

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LOCAL LEADERS WERE URGED TODAY TO ENCOURAGE PEOPLE TO VOTE IN THE DISTRICT BOARD ELECTIONS SO THAT THE BOARD COULD REPRESENT AND REFLECT THE VIEWS OF ALL THE PEOPLE IN THE DISTRICT.

ADDRESSING REPRESENTATIVES FROM LOCAL ORGANISATIONS AND GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS AT A SPRING RECEPTION OF THE DISTRICT OFFICE, NORTH DISTRICT OFFICER, MR IAN WOTHERSPOON SAID THE GOVERNMENT WAS DETERMINED TO DEVELOP A REPRESENTATIVE GOVERNMENT IN HONG KONG.

+EVERY CITIZEN HAS THE RESPONSIBILITY TO HELP REALISE THIS SYSTEM BECAUSE IT IS IMPORTANT TO PROMOTE COMMUNICATION BETWEEN THE GOVERNMENT AND THE PUBLIC,+ HE SAID.

+THE GOVERNMENT IS ALWAYS WILLING TO LISTEN TO PUBLIC OPINION ABOUT ITS POLICIES, HE ADDED.

MR WOTHERSPOON SAID HE HOPED THERE WOULD BE A HIGHER TURN OUT IN THE ELECTIONS ON MARCH 7 THAN IN THE PREVIOUS ELECTION, AND THAT ALL REGISTERED VOTERS WOULD CAST THEIR VOTES.

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