XN000022-1986-03-26 — Page 36

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 26, 1986

34

+THIS APPROACH MAY HAVE SUITED HONG KONG'S DEVELOPMENT IN THE PAST WHEN ITS INDUSTRY WAS IN ITS DEVELOPING STAGE, BUT HE QUESTIONED WHETHER THIS POLICY WAS VALID NOW.

HE SAID.

TURNING TO TAXATION, MR TAM SAID IN RECENT YEARS INCREASES HAD CONCENTRATED ON INDIRECT TAXES, WHICH WERE IN FACT SHARED BY THE GENERAL PUBLIC.

+HENCE, IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE PRINCIPLE OF FAIRNESS, THE GOVERNMENT SHOULD STUDY IN MORE DETAIL THE PROPORTION BETWEEN DIRECT AND INDIRECT TAXATION, HE SAID.

ON CONCESSIONS, MR TAM SAID THE INCREASE IN PERSONAL TAX ALLOWANCES WAS ONLY SUFFICIENT TO MAKE UP FOR INFLATION, AND WAGE-EARNERS DID NOT ENJOY MUCH REAL BENEFIT.

THEREFORE, HE SUGGESTED THAT WHEN THE FINANCIAL SITUATION PERMITTED FURTHER CONCESSIONS SHOULD BE CONSIDERED.

UNOFFICIALS SUPPORT POLICY ON IMPORTED LABOUR

****

UNOFFICIAL MEMBERS OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL SUPPORTED HONG KONG'S LONG STANDING IMMIGRATION POLICY ON THE IMPORTATION OF LABOUR, THE HON PETER C. WONG SAID DURING THE BUDGET DEBATE TODAY WEDNESDAY).

HE SAID THE POLICY WAS BASED ON THE IMPORTANT PRINCIPLE THAT HONG KONG LABOUR SHOULD NOT BE SUBJECT TO COMPETITION FROM IMPORTED LABOUR.

THE POLICY PROVIDED THAT AN APPLICANT SHOULD POSSESS A SPECIAL SKILL, KNOWLEDGE OR EXPERIENCE OF VALUE TO AND NOT READILY AVAILABLE IN HONG KONG OR MUST BE IN A POSITION TO MAKE A SUBSTANTIAL CONTRIBUTION TO THE ECONOMY, HE EXPLAINED.

WHILE APPRECIATING THAT THE ADMISSION OF FILIPINO MAIDS MAY NOT BE IN STRICT ACCORDANCE WITH THE STATED POLICY, MR WONG POINTED OUT THAT THE UMELCO SECURITY PANEL HAD RECOMMENDED THAT THE POLICY BE REVIEWED AGAIN AS SOON AS POSSIBLE.

THIS WAS TO ENSURE THAT A REASONABLE BALANCE WAS MAINTAINED BETWEEN ADHERING TO THE STATED POLICY ON THE ONE HAND AND EXERCISING DISCRETION IN FAVOUR OF FLEXIBILITY AND EXPEDIENCY ON THE OTHER, HE SAID.

THE PANEL ALSO RECOMMENDED THAT EFFORTS BE DIRECTED TOWARDS REDUCING OR MINIMISING THE IMPACT OR PROBLEMS, IF ANY, CREATED BY THE PRESENCE OF SOME 25 000 FILIPINO MAIDS HERE, HE ADDED.

/MR WONG