Post_Office_1967-1968 — Page 19

76. The long term planning of the Department's expansion pro- gramme and work on the provision of new postal facilities in urban and rural areas continue. The resources of the Planning and Survey Section were considerably strengthened during the year. One of the aims was to provide for immediate and thoroughgoing reviews of the services and facilities provided by the Department to enable changes, where needed, to be made to meet present day conditions. A second, and equally important, objective was to improve productivity both in sorting offices and on post office counters.

TELECOMMUNICATIONS DIVISION

77. The purpose of licensing and radio regulation is to provide a fair and efficient use of radio waves for telecommunication services to serve the best interests of the community. Such regulation is subject to international agreements which call for liaison with other administra- tions and the International Telecommunication Union.

78. Important highlights of the year were:

(i) The implementation of the Merchant Shipping (Radio) Rules 1965, which required a more rigid specification of radio equip- ment carried by ships sailing under the Hong Kong flag. (ii) A World Administrative Radio Conference on Maritime radio communications was held in Geneva in November, 1967, the final acts of which will affect Hong Kong registered ships. (iii) The opening on 19th November, 1967 of the first broadcast television service in Hong Kong with transmissions in black and white and in colour.

(iv) The opening on 26th January, 1968 of a new high power medium

wave broadcasting station for Radio Hong Kong.

Licences

79. Resulting from the abolition of sound broadcast receiving licensing it became unnecessary for certain radio dealers to hold Radio Dealers Licences. In consequence, as such licences came up for renewal 247 were cancelled.

80. The total number of licences issued in accordance with the Telecommunications Regulations for the year ending 31st March, 1968, was 12,837 of which 8,691 were Broadcast Television Receiving

11