ENG-1968 — Page 31

PROGRESS

11

District Officers in the New Territories had developed close and friendly contacts with people in the more rural areas and had successfully co-ordinated the activities of all aspects of Government within their districts for the general good of the residents. It was decided that a similar regional approach should be started in the urban areas.

In the City District Officer scheme the urban areas are divided into 10 areas, four on Hong Kong Island and six in Kowloon. There is a City District Commissioner on each side of the harbour to co-ordinate the work of the District Officers, each of whom has liaison and other staff amounting to around a dozen in all. The Secretary for Chinese Affairs has overall responsibility for the scheme as a whole.

=

At first four City District Officers were appointed and by the end of the year nine City District offices were staffed and functioning. Five permanent offices had been opened in premises designed to look more like shops than government offices, situated in ground floors in busy areas.

Although the appointment of City District Officers was widely welcomed there was some doubt as to the exact functions of the scheme. Since no significant executive functions are as yet discharged by the City District Officer some found it difficult to assess the role he might play. Also there were some who thought that 'ombudsmen' were being appointed. Others again, understandably, had expecta- tions for the scheme which, though they may well eventually be realized, were not to be achieved in the early stages. The role of the City District Officer is two-fold. By being accessible at all times to members of the public or public organizations and also to each and every government department, his duty is to create greater understanding of the policies and actions of the Government by the people and similarly to communicate the problems and feelings of the people to government departments where they may help in the formulation or implementation of policies. He must look up, and down, and sideways, and carry explanations wherever he finds lack of understanding.

Already many persons have been helped in their dealings with government departments. Local organizations, especially the Kai- fong Associations are already developing a close and effective