XN000022-1985-10-10 — Page 8

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THURSDAY, OCTOBER 10, 1985

+IN THESE CIRCUMSTANCES. IT DOES NOT SEEM APPROPRIATE FOR THE UNITED STATES TO EXTEND THE PRINCIPLES OF THE ORIGIN REGULATIONS IN SECTION 12.130 OF THE CUSTOMS REGULATIONS TO ALL TEXTILES PRODUCTS FOR ALL PURPOSES, SAID THE NOTE.

THE PROPOSED CHANGE WOULD ALSO ALTER LONG-STANDING AND ESTABLISHED PRACTICES ON WHICH THE HONG KONG KNITWEAR INDUSTRY HAS RELIED IN ORGANISING ITS PRODUCTION.

OF PARTICULAR CONCERN IS THE PROPOSED CHANGE TO MARKING REQUIREMENTS.

THE NOTE SAID THAT HONG KONG'S INDUSTRY HAD OVER THE YEARS DEVELOPED A REPUTATION FOR QUALITY PRODUCTS AND IN THIS REGARD THE INDUSTRY AND IMPORTERS IN THE U.S. ATTACHED GREAT IMPORTANCE TO THE HONG KONG LABEL. IF THE PROPOSED CHANGES WERE TO GO AHEAD THE INDUSTRY, IN ORDER TO RETAIN THE HONG KONG LABEL, WOULD HAVE TO MAKE LENGTHY, COSTLY AND BURDENSOME ADJUSTMENTS.

THE NOTE CONCLUDED BY SAYING THAT THE U.S. SHOULD RECONSIDER THE PROPOSAL. IF IT STILL WISHED TO GO AHEAD, THEN DISCUSSIONS SHOULD BE HELD IN ORDER THAT EACH SIDE COULD EXPLAIN ITS CONCERN AND ATTEMPT TO REACH A MUTUALLY SATISFACTORY UNDERSTANDING BEFORE A FINAL DECISION WAS MADE.

LADY YOUDE VISITS SANDY BAY INSTITUTIONS

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LADY YOUDE THIS (THURSDAY) MORNING VISITED TWO GOVERNMENT- SUBVENTED INSTITUTIONS FOR DISABLED CHILDREN AT SANDY BAY - THE JOHN F. KENNEDY CENTRE AND THE DUCHESS OF KENT CHILDREN'S HOSPITAL.

AT THE CENTRE SHE SAW 140 CHILDREN BEING TRAINED TO OVERCOME THEIR DISABILITIES AND TO INTEGRATE INTO SOCIETY.

LADY YOUDE WAS TOLD THAT THE CENTRE PROVIDED CHILDREN WITH COMPREHENSIVE PHYSIOTHERAPY, OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY AND SPEECH THERAPY TREATMENT.

SHE WAS ACCOMPANIED ON HER TOUR BY THE CENTRE'S SUPERVISOR, MR S.B. LI; THE DEPUTY PRESIDENT AND CHAIRMAN OF THE HONG KONG RED CROSS SOCIETY, DR T.C. CHENG AND THE SOCIETY'S DIRECTOR, MRS IRENE CHEUNG.

LADY YOUDE THEN WENT TO THE DUCHESS OF KENT CHILDREN'S HOSPITAL WHERE SHE WAS BRIEFED BY THE MATRON, MRS A. IU, AND THE FUND-RAISING OFFICER, MRS HILARY PRIOR, ON THE VARIOUS FACILITIES IN THE HOSPITAL.

/THE 160-BED