TNAG-0132-FCO40-168-Tariff-preferences-for-developing-countries-1969 — Page 142

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HONG KONG SHARE MARKET Trading on the Hong Kong stock exchange during the last week in October resulted in a record turnover of $18.9 millions, the previous best being $16 millions in 1961. The index at the end of October was 118.9 the highest level since 1964.

TRADE MARKS AND PATENTS Minor changes have been made in the requirements for registration of Trade Marks and Patents as from December 31st 1968. A copy of the Registrar General's Notice can be seen at the National Reference Library of Science and Invention, Chancery House, Chancery Lane, London WC2.

EDUCATION It is expected that there will be 900,000 places in primary schools in Hong Kong by 1971, as compared with 780,000 now.

LIVING COSTS The Financial Times recently contained an article on the rising cost of living round the world. It quoted prices in some thirtyfive cities of the world, all of which were Capital cities, except Hong Kong. Was this flattering or a pardonable error?

MR. G.O.W. STEWART of the Hongkong & Shanghai Banking Corporation, who has been a Member of the Committee of the Association since its inception and its Vice-Chairman in recent years, is retiring from the Bank at the end of 1968. He is accordingly resigning from Membership of the Committee and will be replaced by Mr. Philip Stubbs. Mr. Stewart attended his last Meeting of the Committee at the end of November, when he was warmly thanked by the Chairman, Mr. Jeffrey Hamm, for all the help that he had given to the Association during his membership. Mr. & Mrs. Stewart will be living in the Cotswolds.

LUNCHEON TO THE GOVERNOR The Committee of the Association gave a luncheon to Sir David Trench on Friday, December 13th, the eve of his return to Hong Kong.

DEFENCE COSTS A reply to a Question in the House of Commons on December 4th, said that the local defence expenditure for the Hong Kong Garrison for the year 1968-9 would be £6 million, after allowing for the contribution by the Hong Kong Government of about £41 million.

MEMBERS OF PARLIAMENT TO HONG KONG The Association has issued invitations on behalf of the Hong Kong Government to three Members of Parliament to visit Hong Kong during January. They are Messrs Paul Bryan, Humphrey Atkins and Gordon Campbell. They are expecting to be in Hong Kong between January 11th and 19th.

Mr. & Mrs. Anthony Royle will also be visiting Hong Kong shortly thereafter.

Mr. Royle has recently been re-elected as Chairman of the All-Party Anglo-Hong Kong Parliamentary Group in the House of Commons. Mr. John Rankin was elected Vice-Chairman, Mr. Nigel Fisher, Secretary and Mr. Denis Coe, Treasurer.

MR. M. FOLEY, British Minister of State, spent a short time in Hong Kong at the end of October on his way to the Ministerial Conference of Colombo Flan Countries.

LORD MANCROFT, Chairman of Pye Cambridge Ltd and of Pirelli General Cable Works Ltd, and President of the British Radio and Electrical

Manufacturers Association, visited Hong Kong at the beginning of November. He inspected the Coronet Industries Ltd plant, which makes radios for Pye.

TAIWAN Taiwan's economic growth rate in the past four years was 10.5% per annum its target was 7%.

For the next four years the target growth rate is 71% and it is expected that exports will increase at the rate of 121% per annum.

An exhibition of European industrial machinery will be held in Taipei from May 25th to June 15th, 1969 and a liaison Office will be set up in a European country, yet to be chosen, to contact manufacturers wishing to display their products.