XN000022-1993-10-27 — Page 33

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WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 27, 1993

THE COMMISSION MUST, AS REQUIRED BY LAW, WORK ACCORDING TO THE NUMBER OF ELECTED MUNICIPAL COUNCIL SEATS AS CURRENTLY PROVIDED FOR IN THE URBAN COUNCIL ORDINANCE AND THE REGIONAL COUNCIL ORDINANCE, IN DRAWING UP ITS RECOMMENDATIONS.

THE

BUT THE COMPOSITION OF THE TWO MUNICIPAL COUNCILS IS AMONG ISSUES RELATING TO THE 1994/95 ELECTORAL ARRANGEMENTS WHICH ARE NOW BEING DISCUSSED BETWEEN THE BRITISH AND THE CHINESE GOVERNMENTS.

"CLEARLY, THEREFORE, IF THE COMMISSION IS TO PREPARE RECOMMENDATIONS AND TO PROCEED WITH PUBLIC CONSULTATION ON THE BASIS OF THE EXISTING NUMBER OF ELECTED MUNICIPAL COUNCIL SEATS, IT COULD WELL BE WASTING TIME AND RESOURCES NOT ONLY OF THE COMMISSION BUT ALSO THE PUBLIC ON ABSORTIVE WORK IF A DECISION IS LATER MADE TO CHANGE THE NUMBER OF SUCH SEATS,' HE SAID.

THAT WAS THE REASON WHY THE GOVERNMENT PROPOSED TO EXTEND THE LATEST DATE TO APRIL 30, NEXT YEAR BY WHICH THE COMMISSION IS то SUBMIT ITS RECOMMENDATIONS TO THE GOVERNOR.

"WITH THIS NEW

DATE, THE COMMISSION WILL BE ABLE то AWAIT DECISIONS AND, IF NECESSARY, NEW LEGISLATION ON THE NUMBER OF ELECTED MUNICIPAL COUNCIL SEATS AS FROM 1995 BEFORE STARTING WORK ON ITS RECOMMENDATIONS ON CONSTITUENCY BOUNDARIES, HE SAID,

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"IN PROPOSING APRIL 30, 1994 AS THE LATEST SUBMISSION DATE, WE HAVE HAD REGARD TO THE PRACTICAL NEED TO COMPLETE, BEFORE THIS COUNCIL GOES INTO RECESS IN JULY 1994, ALL THE STATUTORY

AND ADMINISTRATIVE STEPS FOR SETTING THE MUNICIPAL COUNCIL CONSTITUENCY BOUNDARIES SO THAT THE FINAL VOTER REGISTER COULD BE PUBLISHED BEFORE EARLY AUGUST 1994 AS REQUIRED BY LAW," HE SAID.

BETTER CONTROL OVER LIVESTOCK WASTE

THE AMENDMENTS TO THE WASTE DISPOSAL ORDINANCE AND THE PUBLIC HEALTH (ANIMALS & BIRDS) ORDINANCE WILL ENABLE THE GOVERNMENT TO HAVE BETTER CONTROL OVER ANIMAL WASTE FROM LIVESTOCK FARMS, THE SECRETARY FOR PLANNING, ENVIRONMENT AND LANDS, MR TONY EASON, TOLD THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).

MOVING THE BILLS FOR THEIR SECOND READINGS, MR EASON SAID THE AMENDMENTS WERE ALL IMPORTANT COMPONENTS OF THE GOVERNMENT'S REVISED SCHEME ON LIVESTOCK WASTE CONTROL.

THE

THE WASTE DISPOSAL (AMENDMENT) BILL PROVIDES THE POWER FOR DIRECTOR FOR ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION IN SETTING UP LIVESTOCK RESTRICTION AREAS AND GIVING DIRECTIONS TO PREVENT POLLUTION ARISING FROM LIVESTOCK WASTE.

WILL

THE PUBLIC HEALTH (ANIMALS AND BIRDS) (AMENDMENT) BILL 1993 PROVIDE FOR THE DIRECTOR OF AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES WITH THE POWER TO LICENSE LIVESTOCK KEEPING.

MR EASON SAID THE REVISED LIVESTOCK WASTE CONTROL SCHEME HAD BEEN DEVISED AFTER CAREFUL DELIBERATION AND EXTENSIVE CONSULTATION, IN PARTICULAR, WITH LIVESTOCK FARMERS.

/"CONSULTATIONS HAVE