TNAG-0735-FCO40-939-Policy-objective-for-the-developing-of-Hong-Kong-in-the-1980-1978 — Page 185

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THE NEW TERRITORIES:

ADMINISTRATIVE REFORM

28. I spoke last year of the changed face of the

New Territories; of the emergence on the one hand of

large new centres of population and industry or of

intensive horticulture, and on the other of the wide

use of the rest of the area for recreation and tourism. use

I described the new type of regionalised consultation

and administration your Government proposed to set up.

proposals

29 The establishment of District Advisory Boards in

November last was an immediate success. The Boards

have been active, insistent and constructive;

affecting the growth and development of each town or

region are discussed, and local views taken into account

at the planning stage before final departmental submissions

are made. The Boards are also making full use of their

funds for recreational and cultural activities and for

minor works to improve their towns. They have become the

natural channels for local advice to Government departments.

In short they are beginning to provide the partnership

between residents and Government in the development of

each town or region that was so badly needed.

30 Some basic reorganisation of the administration in

the New Territories is also needed to ensure that administrativ

activities are coordinated regionally and integrated with the

work of the Boards, so that Government departments can be