XN000022-1985-09-18 — Page 6

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WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 18, 1985

TALKS HELD ON EXPORT AUTHORISATION CALLS

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A THIRD ROUND OF CONSULTATIONS BETWEEN THE TRADE DEPARTMENT AND REPRESENTATIVES OF THE UNITED STATES TOOK PLACE IN HONG KONG TODAY (WEDNESDAY) ON TWO EXPORT AUTHORISATION CALLS.

THE HONG KONG DELEGATION WAS LED BY ASSISTANT DIRECTOR OF TRADE, MR ROBERT FOOTMAN.

THE CALLS, MADE BY THE U.S., CONCERN CATEGORY 637 - MAN-MADE FIBRE PLAY SUITS, SUN SUITS, WASH SUITS, AND SO ON, AND CATEGORY 440 - WOOL SHIRTS AND BLOUSES NON-KNIT.

AFTER DISCUSSION AT THE DEPARTMENT HEADQUARTERS, NO AGREEMENT WAS REACHED ON CATEGORY 637 AND HONG KONG ASKED THE UNITED STATES TO WITHDRAW THE CALL.

HOWEVER, THE U.S. THEN EXERCISED ITS RIGHT UNDER THE HONG KONG - U.S. BILATERAL TEXTILE AGREEMENT TO IMPOSE A LIMIT OF 142 007 DOZEN ON HONG KONG EXPORTS IN THE CATEGORY IN 1985.

IN AGREEING TO HONOUR THIS LIMIT, THE HONG KONG DELEGATION RESERVED ITS RIGHTS UNDER THE AGREEMENT AND UNDER THE MULTI- FIBRE ARRANGEMENT.

NO CONCLUSION WAS REACHED WITH REGARD TO CATEGORY 440 AND FURTHER CONSULTATIONS WILL TAKE PLACE SHORTLY.

'WORK BY AMBULANCEMEN NEEDS RECOGNITION?

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MOST OF THE WORK BY THE AMBULANCE SERVICE OF THE FIRE SERVICES DEPARTMENT HAS GONE UNNOTICED AND WITHOUT THE RECOGNITION OF THE MAJORITY OF PEOPLE, THE CHIEF AMBULANCE OFFICER, MR H. KENYON, SAID TODAY (WEDNESDAY).

+THE PUBLIC DOES NOT APPRECIATE THE TRYING AND OFTEN HAZARDOUS CONDITIONS IN WHICH THE SERVICE IS REQUIRED TO OPERATE, HE SAID.

SPEAKING AT THE PRESENTATION OF COLONIAL FIRE BRIGADE LONG SERVICE AND GOOD CONDUCT MEDALS TO 92 MEMBERS OF THE AMBULANCE COMMAND, MR KENYON SAID THEY HAD SERVED BETWEEN 18 YEARS AND 25 YEARS IN THE DEPARTMENT.

/DURING THEIR