XN000022-1989-07-19 — Page 12

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WEDNESDAY, JULY 19, 1989

HE WAS GLAD TO NOTE THAT SPECIFIC CHANGES SUCH AS REMOVAL OF EXEMPTIONS AND THE ALLOWANCE OF A 30 PER CENT INCREASE IN DISCHARGE OVER AND ABOVE THE AMOUNT DISCHARGED AT THE TIME THE CONTROLS IN A PARTICULAR WATER CONTROL ZONE WERE IMPLEMENTED WOULD BE INCORPORATED INTO AN AMENDED ORDINANCE IN 1990.

FINALLY, ON ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION, HE WAS GLAD то SEE THE WIDE RANGING PROGRAMMES PLANNED OR PROPOSED ACROSS THE COMMUNITY AND AT ALL LEVELS.

HOWEVER, HE SAID THAT THE SUM OF $400,000 ALLOCATED FOR A GENERAL PUBLICITY CAMPAIGN IN 1989-90 WAS TOTALLY INADEQUATE.

"EITHER WE SPEND SAY $5 MILLION OR WE SHOULD SAVE THE $400,000.

"ANY PUBLIC RELATIONS OR ADVERTISING PROFESSIONAL WOULD BE ABLE TO SUBSTANTIATE THAT SPENDING $400,000 WOULD ВЕ LIKE THROWING THE MONEY INTO OUR POLLUTED HARBOUR, HE SAID.

HE URGED THE ADMINISTRATION TO RE-EVALUATE THIS PARTICULAR ITEM OF EXPENDITURE AND COME UP WITH A MORE MEANINGFUL FIGURE.

ASSISTANCE FOR FACTORY OPERATORS IN FIGHTING POLLUTION URGED

SMALL FACTORY OPERATORS SHOULD BE FINANCIALLY ASSISTED TO INSTAL POLLUTION CONTROL EQUIPMENT IN THE FIGHT AGAINST POLLUTION, THE HON MIRIAM LAU SAID IN THE LEGISTRATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY}.

SPEAKING IN THE DEBATE ON THE WHITE PAPER ON POLLUTION, MRS LAU URGED THE GOVERNMENT TO CONSIDER ALLOWING SUCH EQUIPMENT TO QUALIFY FOR A HIGHER RATE OF TAX CONCESSION.

"IN CASES WHERE SUCH EQUIPMENT CANNOT BE INSTALLED WITHOUT CREATING FINANCIAL HARDSHIP TO THE INDIVIDUAL OPERATOR, PERHAPS GOVERNMENT SHOULD EVEN CONSIDER GRANTING LOANS AT LOW INTEREST RATES TO ENABLE THE INSTALLATION TO BE MADE, SHE SAID.

SHE SAID THAT GIVEN PROPER GUIDANCE MANY INDUSTRIALISTS WOULD BE WILLING TO UNDERTAKE VOLUNTARY REMEDIAL MEASURES WITH A VIEW ΤΟ ELIMINATING POLLUTION AT SOURCE.

MRS LAU SAID DESPITE THE PRESENCE OF LEGISTRATIVE CONTROLS, STREAMS AND NULLAHS REMAINED HEAVILY POLLUTED, BATHING BEACHES WERE CLOSED DOWN ONE AFTER ANOTHER, AND DARK SMOKE FROM CHIMNEYS ON TOP OF INDUSTRIAL BUILDINGS CONTINUED TO HARASS NEARBY ACCOMMODATION.

RESIDENTIAL

/SHE ATTRIBUTED

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