ENG-1961 — Page 47

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REVIEW

any change either in the rate of migration or the age and sex characteristics of the migrants might totally confuse this forecast.

As for labour, it looks as if until 1964 we shall have an employees' market, and employers will be able to expand their labour force only by accepting older candidates (to a lesser extent) or by attracting more women to take jobs. But from 1965 onwards the labour market may be flooded with new young applicants, resulting either in the forcing out of older or less efficient workers or in a switch to types of employment which at present are un- popular, such as domestic service. When the census tables showing the detailed breakdown of employed persons by age, industry and occupation are completed, they must be carefully studied by all who plan new or the expansion of old ventures.

In a broadcast talk introducing the 1961 census to the Hong Kong listening public the Census Commissioner said 'this 1961 census could be a landmark in Hong Kong's history.' It has indeed closed a chapter of guesswork-although sometimes brilliant guess- work. One hundred and twenty years ago Hong Kong was described as rich only in rock and water-and, it might have been added, sand. A handful of people lived here and experts said it would be a miracle if they ever exceeded a handful. Five years ago we took_stock and reported that we were short of water and sand, though not yet short of rock, and had so many people that they were a problem. Now we find that our people are a priceless asset, industrious and optimistic, prone to achieve miracles between one full rice-bowl and the next, as though the full rice-bowl were not itself miracle enough.

'Hong Kong must assimilate its refugees', they said. Hong Kong has assimilated them, or they have assimilated Hong Kong, or a little of each. And so we go forward to bake next year's policy cake, with ingredients this time carefully weighed and sifted, the mixture as never before.

(1) Radio Hong Kong, 7th February 1961.