XN000022-1989-12-09 — Page 2

SATURDAY, DECEMBER 9, 1989

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WELL ORGANISED MACHINERY TO TACKLE STAFF PROBLEMS: CS

THE CHIEF SECRETARY, SIR DAVID FORD, SAID TODAY (SATURDAY ! HONG KONG HAS A VERY WELL ORGANISED CIVIL SERVICE MACHINERY WHICH WORKS CLOSELY WITH BOTH THE STAFF AND EMPLOYER'S SIDES TO TACKLE PROBLEMS.

T

SPEAKING TO THE PRESS

AFTER HE ATTENDED THE OPENING OF A FAMILY CARNIVAL AND PRESENTATION OF PRIZES TO WINNERS OF THE 1989 OPPORTUNITY FOR YOUTH SCHEME AT VICTORIA PARK, STR DAVID SAID: 'NORMALLY. THE TRADITION IN THE SERVICE 15 THAT PEOPLE DO TALK THEM THROUGH WITHOUT RESORTING TO INDUSTRIAL ACTION. AND IF THERE IS INDUSTRIAL ACTION. IT SHOULD NOT AFFECT THE PUBLIC. THAT 18 A VERY, VERY IMPORTANT TRADITION AND I HOPE EVERYONE WILL STICK TO IT.

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IN REPLY TO A QUESTION ON CURRENT INDUSTRIAL ACTION, THE CHIEF SECRETARY SAID THE NUMBER OF PEOPLE INVOLVED WAS VERY SMALL AND IT HAD NOT AFFECTED THE SERVICE TO THE PUBLIC.

"IF THERE ARE DISPUTES, THEY ARE SETTLED WITHOUT DISRUPTING THE PUBLIC SERVICE. 1 THINK THAT IS VERY IMPORTANT AND I DON'T BELIEVE THAT THE OVERALL EFFECTIVENESS OF THE SERVICE IS OBVIOUSLY AFFECTED FOR THAT REASON.'

HE ALSO NOTED THAT ALL THE GRADES IN THE CIVIL SERVICE WERE BEING REVIEWED AND THAT WOULD TAKE SOME TIME. "UNTIL ALL THOSE QUESTIONS ARE RESOLVED, IT IS NOT A VERY EASY TIME FOR THE CIVIL SERVICE. BUT, I AM SURE EVERYONE WOULD COME THROUGH IT WITHOUT ANY SERIOUS TROUBLE.

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ON THE QUESTION OF ORDERLY RETURN OF VIETNAMESE BOAT PEOPLE, SIR DAVID SAID: "I THINK. AS YOU ALL KNOW, THAT WE DO FEEL THAT IT IS IMPORTANT THAT MANDATORY REPATRIATION IS PUT IN PLACE BEFORE

WE FACE THE PROSPECT OF ANOTHER INFLUX OF BOAT PROPLE NEXT YEAR.

"

IT IS VERY IMPORTANT THAT THE MESSAGE GETS THROUGH TO VIETNAM THAT THERE IS REALLY NO FUTURE HERE FOR PEOPLE WHO ARE NOT CLASSIFIED AS REFUGEES.

COMBINED EFFORT IN PROMOTING RESPONSIBLE PARENTHOOD

IN

THE GOVERNMENT AND THE VOLUNTARY SECTOR HAVE WORKED HAND HAND TO PROMOTE PUBLIC AWARENESS OF THE IMPORTANCE OF RESPONSIBLE PARENTHOOD, THE CHIEF SECRETARY, SIR DAVID FORD, SAID THIS (SATURDAY) MORNING.

FAMILY

OF THE

PRESENTATION

STR DAVID WAS SPEAKING AT THE OPENING CEREMONY CARNIVAL AND OPPORTUNITY FOR YOUTH SCHEME BEST AWARD CEREMONY HELD AT VICTORIA PARK IN CAUSEWAY BAY.

/HE NOTED