TNAG-1136-FCO40-1416-Address-by-Sir-Edward-Youde--Governor-of-Hong-Kong--to-the-L-1982 — Page 133

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FAREWELL SPEECH BY THE GOVERNOR

SIR MURRAY MACLEHOSE

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"NOT IN LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL ON WEDNESDAY, 28th APRIL 1982

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Before the Council adjourns this afternoon, I would

like to record my admiration for the way official and

unofficial members make this Council the efficient and

effective organ of government that it is.

Over the last 10 years there have been many

changes and I think that of the original members I faced

with such trepidation in 1971, only one still remains.

Since then the size of the Council has doubled

and in consequence the spread of personalities, knowledge

and age is much wider, and more able to speak with direct

or indirect experience of the problems and wishes of the

diverse elements of our community, and of the factors that

govern their prosperity.

At the same time, the work of UMELCO has enormously

increased and has been supported by an expanded professional

staff. The net result has been that the scrutiny of

government bills has become more intense, and the work

of liaison with the public and the role of ombudsman has

matured, and the influence exerted by members through advisory

committees also greatly increased. I am certain that the

work of government has greatly benefited.

During the years that we have worked together

Hong Kong has had an average growth rate of 10% per year in real terms. Full marks to our workforce, entrepreneurs and bankers and those responsible for managing our economy for making this possible during worldwide economic conditions

which were for the most part sluggish or recessional.

But a government which could not make something out of

such prolonged growth would be contemptible. The question is, did we do the right things, at the right speed, with the

assets we were so fortunate to have. With the knowledge of hindsight, I think that generally speaking we did do the right things, though the emphasis and speed and details in

some fields might have been varied.

/However. . . . .