XN000022-1987-11-18 — Page 20

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WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 18, 1987

SURVEY OFFICE DID AN EXCELLENT JOB

THE SURVEY OFFICE DID AN EXCELLENT JOB IN A VERY SHORT TIME FOR WHICH THE COMMISSIONER AND HIS STAFF SHOULD BE THANKED AND CONGRATULATED, DR THE HON HELMUT SOHMEN BAID IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY),

DR BOHMEN SAID THE SURVEY OUTCOME WAS HIGHLY PREDICTABLE: IN THE OPINION POLLS A MAJORITY ACCEPTED THE NEED FOR CHANGE BUT NOT IN 1988; A SMALLER NUMBER EXPRESSED A PREFERENCE FOR THE INTRODUCTION OF DIRECT ELECTIONS IN 1988; AND THE LARGER PART OF THE POPULATION REMINED STUBBORNLY SILENT.

"THE BURVEY REPORT HAS ADHERED TO ITS TERMS OF REFERENCE: ITS FINDINGS AND HOW THEY WERE ARRIVED AT ARE THERE FOR ALL то SER AND DRAW CONCLUSIONS FROM," HE SAID.

AND

DR SOHMEN NOTED THAT THE SURVEY OFFICE ONLY HAD TO PRESENT NOT TO DECIDE, AND

AND THE ATTACK ON ITS WORK WAS MISPLACED AND A LAST-DITch attempT TO INFLUENCE THE ULTIMATE POLITICAL DECISION BY SUGGESTING THAT THE AVAILABLE EVIDENCE SHOULD BE DISREGARDED.

HE SAID THE DEBATE ON THE SURVEY REPORT REMINDED HIM A BIT THE THEATRE OF THE ABSURD.

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OF

"THE DRAMATIS PERSONAR ARE EXERCISE IN FUTILITY' PITTED AGAINST EXERCISE IN FRIVOLITY'. PLAYED BY ACTORS WITHOUT A PROPER SCRIPT AND FEELING THEIR WAY FORWARD.

"THE REVIEWERS ARB BAFFLED BUT THEIR PROFESSIONAL PRIDE DEMANDS THAT THEY FIND MEANING; INTERPRETATIONS THUS DIFFER WIDELY TO WHAT IS GOING ON, BUT ON BALANCE THEY TEND TO FAVOUR FRIVOLITY.

"THE AUDIENCE AT LARGE BRIEFLY ENJOY THE THRILL OF BEING PART OF SOMETHING NEW AND INCOMPREHENSIBLE, BUT ULTIMATELY LEAVE WITH SENSE OF UNBASE. THE MORAL OF THE STORY SOMEHOW REMAINS IN DOUBT."

A

HOWEVER, DR SOHMEN SAID THE GREEN PAPER DEBATE AND THE TRAVAILS OF THE SURVEY OFFICE HAD NOT BEEN TOTALLY USELESS.

"WHILE PROVIDING SOME MUCH-NEEDED CIVIC EDUCATION, THE RESULTS HAVE REVEALED THE TRUE IDENTITY OF OUR DEMOCRATIC REFORMERS.

"FIRST THEY ATTACKED THE GREEN PAPER QUITE RIGHTLY FOR BEING SOMEWHAT OBSCURE AND NOT CONTAINING ALL THE PROMISED OPTIONS.

LET

"BUT PEOPLE WHO DO NOT SEE, OF CANNOT ACCEPT OBJECTIVE REALITY WHICH MAY NECESSITATE POLICY CHANGES OBVIOUSLY LACK COMMON SENSE. US, HOWEVER, ACCEPT THEM AS IDEALISTS," HE SAID.

/"BUT PEOPLE

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