XN000022-1989-07-14 — Page 18

FRIDAY, JULY 14, 1989

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THE PRIMARY TASK OF THE AUXILIARY MEDICAL SERVICES, WITH A STRENGTH OF OVER 5,000 VOLUNTEERS FROM ALL WALKS OF LIFE, IS ΤΟ AUGMENT THE MEDICAL AND HEALTH SERVICES IN TIMES OF EMERGENCIES.

IN NORMAL TIMES, THEY PROVIDE FIRST AID COVERAGE FOR PUBLIC FUNCTIONS AND AT COUNTRY PARKS AT WEEKENDS; AND ACT AS LIFE GUARDS AT PUBLIC SWIMMING POOLS AND BEACHES DURING PEAK SEASON.

IN ADDITION, THEY ASSIST THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH ADMINISTERING METHADONE MAINTENANCE CLINICS.

IN

IN

DR LEE EXPRESSED HIS APPRECIATION TO EMPLOYERS AND FIRMS THE PRIVATE SECTOR FOR RELEASING THEIR STAFF TO TAKE PART IN SUCH A MEANINGFUL COMMUNITY SERVICE.

WITHOUT THEIR CO-OPERATION, HE ADDED, IT WILL BE IMPOSSIBLE PROVIDE THE MUCH NEEDED SUPPORT TO THE MEDICAL AND HEALTH SERVICES.

0

TO

RECOGNITION OF TRUSTS BILL 1989 GAZETTED

* * *

THE GOVERNMENT HAS PROPOSED THAT THE HAGUE CONVENTION ON THE LAW APPLICABLE TO TRUSTS BE EXTENDED TO HONG KONG.

THE RECOGNITION OF TRUSTS BILL 1989 PUBLISHED IN THE GAZETTE TODAY (FRIDAY) PROVIDES THAT THE CONVENTION SHOULD HAVE THE FORCE OF LAW IN HONG KONG.

EXPLAINING THE PURPOSE OF THE BILL, A SPOKESMAN FOR THE LEGAL DEPARTMENT SAID THAT IN 1984, THE HAGUE CONFERENCE ON PRIVATE INTERNATIONAL LAW ADOPTED THE CONVENTION OF THE LAW APPLICABLE ΤΟ TRUSTS AND ON THEIR RECOGNITION.

THE CONVENTION WAS SIGNED, SUBJECT TO RATIFICATION, BY THE UNITED KINGDOM IN JANUARY, 1986.

THE UNITED KINGDOM INTENDS TO RATIFY THE CONVENTION AND HAS ASKED WHETHER HONG KONG WISHES TO BE INCLUDED IN THE RATIFICATION.

BUT BEFORE HONG KONG CAN BE INCLUDED, PROVISION MUST BE MADE FOR THE CONVENTION TO HAVE THE FORCE OF LAW HERE.

THE SPOKESMAN SAID THE PURPOSE OF THE CONVENTION IS TO ESTABLISH COMMON PRINCIPLES BETWEEN STATES ON THE LAW OF TRUSTS AND TO DEAL WITH IMPORTANT ISSUES CONCERNING THEIR RECOGNITION.

PARTICULARLY THOSE ACCEPTED THAT ONE

WHILE THE CONCEPT OF A TRUST IS RECOGNISED AND ACCEPTED IN HONG KONG IT IS NOT RECOGNISED IN MANY COUNTRIES, THAT HAVE A CIVIL LAW SYSTEM, WHERE IT IS NOT INDIVIDUAL MAY HOLD ASSETS ON BEHALF OF ANOTHER.

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