XN000022-1985-09-25 — Page 2

WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 25, 1985

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AGREEMENT ON HONG KONG HAS STOOD TEST, GOVERNOR SAYS

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ONE THING THAT THE PAST YEAR HAS SHOWN IS THAT THE AGREEMENT ON THE FUTURE OF HONG KONG HAS STOOD THE TEST, CERTAINLY IN THE FIRST YEAR, THE GOVERNOR, SIR EDWARD YOUDE, SAID TODAY (WEDNESDAY). +PEOPLE ACCEPTED IT THEN AS A PRETTY GOOD AGREEMENT, AND I THINK THE EVIDENCE NOW IS THEY STILL DO.

+OF COURSE, IN THE LAST YEAR WE HAVE BEGUN WITH THE JOINT LIAISON GROUP, AND STARTED PUTTING INTO EFFECT THE LAND COMMISSION.

+! THINK THE LAND SALES YESTERDAY WERE VERY GOOD EVIDENCE THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY DIDN'T COMPLAIN WHEN I SAW HIM THIS MORNING - I THINK THAT SHOWS THAT THE AGREEMENT IS GOING INTO EFFECT AND STEADY PROGRESS WILL BE MADE TO PUT INTO EFFECT ALL THE ARRANGEMENTS IN IT, HE SAID.

THE GOVERNOR WAS GIVING A BRIEF REVIEW, AT THE REQUEST OF REPORTERS, OF THE PAST YEAR ON THE EVE OF THE FIRST ANNIVERSARY OF THE INITIALLING OF THE AGREEMENT ON THE FUTURE OF HONG KONG, AFTER VISITING THE NEW IDENTITY CARD ISSUING OFFICE OF THE IMMIGRATION DEPARTMENT IN 151 GLOUCESTER ROAD, WAN CHAI.

SIR EDWARD SAID THE ANNIVERSARY WAS A VERY IMPORTANT ONE.

+ I WONDER HOW MANY PEOPLE LAST YEAR THOUGHT THAT THE SITUATION WOULD BE AS STABLE AS IT IS NOW, + HE SAID.

HE SAID THERE WAS A GREAT DEAL OF CONFIDENCE IN HONG KONG AT THE PRESENT TIME.

+THAT AGAIN WAS SHOWN PARTLY IN THE LAND SALES,+ HE SAID.

+ I THINK IT IS SHOWN IN THE WAY THAT PEOPLE GO ABOUT THEIR BUSINESS, AND THEY DON'T ASK ME AS MANY QUESTIONS ABOUT THE AGREEMENT NOW AS THEY DID LAST YEAR.+

ON THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL ELECTIONS TO BE HELD TOMORROW, SIR EDWARD SAID HE HOPED EVERYBODY WHO HAD A VOTE WOULD EXERCISE IT.

+ IT IS VERY IMPORTANT THAT THESE FIRST ELECTIONS SHOULD BE

A SUCCESS. I THINK THEY WILL BE A SUCCESS, HE SAID.

+ I THINK THEY HAVE GENERATED A GREAT DEAL MORE INTEREST THAN PEOPLE ORIGINALLY THOUGHT THEY WOULD GENERATE.

+SO WHAT I WANT TO SAY TO PEOPLE IS, IF YOU HAVE A VOTE, GO OUT AND USE IT.+

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