XN000022-1994-06-06 — Page 4

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MONDAY, JUNE 6, 1994

ADDRESSING THE AUSTRALIAN CHAMBER OF COMMERCE, MR PATTEN SAID HONG KONG'S CREDIBLE LEGISLATURE WAS AN IMPORTANT COMPONENT OF ITS WAY OF LIFE.

HE SAID THE JOINT DECLARATION SPECIFIED THAT THE LEGISLATURE SHALL BE CONSTITUTED BY ELECTIONS AND THE BASIC PAW PROVIDED FOR A RISING NUMBER OF DIRECTLY ELECTED SEATS.

IN THE INTERIM, THERE WILL BE A MIXTURE OF DIRECT AND INDIRECT ELECTIONS.

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**OUR CONCERN OVER THE LAST TWO YEARS HAS BEEN THAT THE ARRANGEMENTS FOR THOSE ELECTIONS WHETHER DIRECT OR INDIRECT SHOULD BE OPEN AND FAIR, AND SHOULD BE ACCEPTABLE TO THE PEOPLE OF HONG KONG," HE SAID.

MR PATTEN SAID THAT WAS NOT AN OPTIONAL EXTRA, BUT A FUNDAMENTAL REQUIREMENT THAT THE LEGISLATURE SHOULD ITSELF BE CREDIBLE.

"THAT MATTERS, BECAUSE UPON THE CREDIBILITY OF THE 1 EGISLATURE DEPENDS THE CREDIBILITY OF SO MUCH ELSK THE LEVEL PLAYING FIELD IN BUSINESS, THE LEVEL PLAYING PIFLD IN THE COURTS. HE SAID.

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THE GOVERNOR NOTED THAT THERE WAS NO REASON WHY BETWEEN BRITAIN AND CHINA ON THE CONSTITUTIONNE ISSUES DEADLOCK ACROSS-THE-BOARD.

DISAGREEMENT

SHOULD MEAN

"AND 1 AM PLEASED THAT OUR CHINESP COLLEAGUES APPEAR TO TAKE THAT VIEW TOO," HE SAID.

INCREASINGLY

FOR FXAMPLE, IN THE JOINT LIAISON GROUP, MORF RAPID PROGRESS MUST BE MADE ON THE LOCALISATION AND ADAPTATION OF LAWS; AND THE NEW AIRPORT MUST BE COMPLETED AS QUICKLY AS POSSIBLE.

REFERRING TO ANOTHER ISSUE THAT IS OF IMMEDIATE CONCERN ΤΟ BUSINESSES, MR PATTEN SAID A TASK FORCE STUDYING RISING PROPERTY PRICES WOULD BE REPORTING TO THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL THIS WEEK.

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HOPE THAT THE MEASURES WE PROPOSE WILI HELP TO ALLAY THE PROBLEMS THAT WE FACE ON THIS FRONT.

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"WH HAVE TO STRIKE A DIFFICULT BALANCE ABATING THE STEEP INCREASE IN PRICES WITHOUT DAMAGING THE WHOLF PROPERTY SECTOR, HE SAID.

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