TNAG-1167-FCO40-1447-Future-of-Hong-Kong-1982 — Page 8

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there must be ease of mind for all people through

certainty that they may count on the essentials of

life education; medical services; housing; where

necessary relief through social welfare; protection

through adequate labour legislation; and of course

personal safety. The first side of the balance

comparative economic freedom - is perfectly compatible with social and commercial responsibility. We know

this is so and we must keep it so. The other side

social provision - is equally compatible with Hong

Kong's traditional virtues of realism, will to work

and self reliance. These too are precious and

essential to our society and must be preserved.

am.convinced that in the construction and preservation

of this balance lie Hong Kong's best prospect for

prosperity, social harmony, and international respect.

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What we have been trying to do is to build a community

that is cohesive, content, and safe, as well as vigorous

and productive, This has led us into many fields that would

have been unthinkable some years ago, such as the organisation

of culture, recreation and sport, and even the provision and

management of large tracts of country parks, in addition to

the more obvious social programmes. 10 years ago who would

have imagined that policemen would be looking after a Junior

Police Call of a quarter of a million youngsters, or that

over three-quarters of new constables would have Form 5

education, or that 10% of arrests of criminals would be made

by the public themselves. Nor would anybody have foreseen

the hosts of liaison officers, mutual aid committees and area

committees working to recreate in the vertical streets of

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