XN000022-1994-04-28 — Page 5

THURSDAY, APRIL 28, 1994

"WE ACCEPT WELFARE AS ONE OF THE GOVERNMENT'S PRIMARY OBLIGATIONS; BUT WE HAVE ALSO BEEN ABLE TO MAINTAIN TIGHT CONTROL OF GOVERNMENT EXPENDITURE, HE SAID.

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MR TSANG SAID THE GOVERNMENT WAS COMMITTED TO FREE TRADE, LOW TAXES, A STABLE CURRENCY, A SOUND FINANCIAL SYSTEM, AND PRUDENT BUDGETS.

"SO FAR, THESE POLICIES HAVE SERVED US WELL. WE AIM TO ENSURE THAT OUR PAST SUCCESS CONTINUE IN THE FUTURE, HE SAID.

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EXCO ENDORSES CHANGES TO ROAD TRAFFIC ORDINANCE

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THE GOVERNOR IN COUNCIL HAS ENDORSED PROPOSED AMENDMENTS TO THE ROAD TRAFFIC ORDINANCE WHICH TRANSFER SOME OF THE REGULATION POWERS TO THE SECRETARY FOR TRANSPORT.

MAKING

GAZETTED

UNDER THE ROAD TRAFFIC (AMENDMENT) BILL 1994 TO BE TOMORROW (FRIDAY), THE POWER TO MAKE REGULATIONS WHICH ARE OPERATIONAL IN NATURE AND TO REVISE THE ROAD USERS' CODE WILL BE TRANSFERRED FROM THE GOVERNOR IN COUNCIL TO THE SECRETARY FOR TRANSPORT.

A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN SAID: "THE POWER TO MAKE REGULATIONS .IN THE MORE SENSITIVE AREAS, SUCH AS FEES AND CHARGES, PUBLIC TRANSPORT FARES, POWER OF ARREST AND POLICE POWERS, WILL BE RETAINED BY THE GOVERNOR IN COUNCIL."

THE

HE EMPHASISED THAT THE PROPOSED CHANGES WOULD NOT AFFECT POWER OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL IN APPROVING SUBSIDIARY LEGISLATION.

A

THE AMENDMENT BILL ALSO SEEKS TO REMOVE THE REQUIREMENT THAT PUBLIC OFFICER SHOULD BE APPOINTED TO THE TRANSPORT TRIBUNAL TO HEAR APPEALS ON TRANSPORT MATTERS, AND TO ALLOW THE TRIBUNAL TO SELECT ITS OWN LEGAL ADVISER, RATHER THAN CHOOSING FROM A PANEL APPOINTED BY THE ATTORNEY GENERAL.

COMMISSIONER

AMONG OTHER THINGS, THE BILL SEEKS TO EMPOWER THE FOR TRANSPORT TO SUSPEND OR CANCEL THE LICENCE OF VEHICLES WHEN THEIR VEHICLE IDENTIFICATION NUMBERS WERE FOUND TO HAVE BEEN TAMPERED.

IT ALSO EXTENDS THE CONTROL ON BICYCLE AND TRICYCLE TO MULTI- CYCLES WHICH ARE A NEW TYPE OF PEDAL CYCLE WITH FOUR WHEELS.

THE GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN SAID: "IN THE INTERESTS OF ROAD AND PEDESTRIAN SAFETY, THE USE OF MULTI-CYCLES WILL BE CONFINED TO AREAS, SUCH AS CYCLE TRACKS AND CYCLE GROUNDS, DESIGNATED BY THE COMMISSIONER FOR TRANSPORT BY MEANS OF TRAFFIC SIGNS."

THE ROAD TRAFFIC (AMENDMENT) BILL WILL RECEIVE ITS FIRST READING IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL ON MAY 11, 1994.

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