TNAG-0372-FCO40-418-Visits-of-members-of-Heung-Yee-Kuk-(Rural-Consultative-Counc-1973 — Page 18

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K3/548/9.

N.T.H.Y.K.(Ref.

English translation of the Chinese letter at encl. :

Letter to : His Excellency, The Governor of Hong Kong

Date

: 30.7.73.

Subject

Text

The N.T: Heung Yee Kuk's Views on the Mckinsey Report

W/23

:

The Mckinsey Report on government organisation was published in May this year and the Kuk became deeply concerned of its implications on New Territories affairs. A study Committee was therefore formed in June this year with a view to studying the report and its implications. The said committee's findings and recommendations were considered and approved by our 3rd general meeting on 27th July, 1973. Recommendations are as follows :

1.

(We present our views in the following order :-)

(1) A review by the Kuk on government's efficiency in N.T. and simplification of procedures.

(2)

The Mckinsey Report's oversight on N.T. political factors.

(3) Comparing the administration system in N.T. and

in Hong Kong and Kowloon.

(4) The Kuk's recoommendations on changes of

government organisation.

A review by the Kuk on government efficiency in N.T. and simplification of procedures

Government has decided to change Secretariat branch responsibilities in order to match programme areas more closely. These branches are I. Eonomic, II. Environment, III. Home Affairs, IV. Housing, V. Security, VI. Social Services. The changes place the N.T.A. under the Six Secretaries and cause it to suffer from inability to participate in government policy-making. These changes. as we view it, do not help removing any complexity and obstacles in N.T. Land administration and other matters which existed before changes were effected, but would adversely affect the political harmony developed between the N.T. people and the government. The Kuk always has the belief that the various Branches in the Secretariat only deem it important on extracting the N.. peoples natural resources and overlook needs of life in N.T. thus resulting in N.. development lagging behind that of urban H.K. and Kowloon. As a result, the livelihood of N.T. people had little improvement and political resentment developed.

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