TNAG-0349-FCO40-385-Valedictory-despatch-from-Governor-of-Hong-Kong--Sir-David-T-1972 — Page 34

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HONG KONG LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL

—

1st October 1971.

[MR PRESIDENT]

will no doubt develop to meet changing needs, I am sure that it will be viewed increasingly as a valuable contribution to better government, both as a channel for opinion and advice and as a co-ordinating mechanism in the City districts.

Contributing also to the improved flow of information between Government and the people has been the extension of our Information Services into individual departments of Government. Furthermore, in matters of public communication we have demonstrated our deter- mination to reduce the difficulties arising from barriers of language by the setting up of the Chinese Language Committee, whose reports are now under close study.

I am sure all honourable Members would wish to join with me in paying tribute to the loyalty and devotion to duty displayed by the public service both in times of emergency, such as in the recent typhoon "Rose" which caused so much distressing loss of life, and in the more mundane day-to-day task of providing sustained and efficient services to the community. I, personally, would like to take this opportunity of thanking them all very sincerely for all the help and support I have received here from my colleagues in the service during my years here. A Government can only be as good as its public service, and that so much has been achieved over the years is a clear indication of just how good a public service we have here in Hong Kong.

Of course, if a public service is to command the respect of the community it is most necessary that every civil servant understands clearly the extent to which the onus rests on him personally to serve the public patiently and to the very best of his ability.

It is my firm belief that a new tradition of courtesy and under- standing towards the public is now taking root in the public service and I am sure that, with further encouragement, this more modern attitude will continue to grow. I hope the public too will respond by showing increasing understanding and awareness of the difficult position in which public servants often find themselves when seeking to do their duty.

But apart from the public service, there are many individuals and organizations to whom I would have liked to pay a tribute had there been time. There are so many who participate with Government in the task of providing the multiplicity of services required for our four million people, that I cannot mention them all. I should however like particularly to pay a tribute to the Urban Council and Urban Council- lors, past and present, for their work both in Council and in the Ward Offices since these were established in 1965. I am also most grateful to the Kaifong Associations, the Tung Wah Hospital, the Po Leung Kuk, the churches and all our volunteer and auxiliary emergency