ENG-1970 — Page 29

6

REVIEW

Legislation in Hong Kong for the protection of wages of employees earning not more than $1,500 per month now complies wholly with the main provisions of the International Labour Convention on this subject.

The narcotics problem has continued to cause deep concern, as it has for many years. It is estimated that there are about 80,000 people in the Colony who are dependent on drugs, mostly heroin, and there is a growing incidence of addiction among young adults. The Action Committee Against Narcotics carried out a special campaign to educate young people on the dangers of drugs. But continuing efforts by this and other Governments, and by the com- munity at large, are clearly required if the narcotics problem is to be diminished. (See also Chapters 7 and 10.)

There has also been here, as elsewhere, considerable official and public concern over the increase in violent crime and the incidence of such typical 'teddy boy' offences as gang fights, sexual assaults and robberies. A disturbing feature of this trend has been the grow- ing tendency of young people to carry knives and other dangerous weapons and to show an irresponsible readiness to use them.

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The Police have taken firm action to forestall this type of criminal activity, with some success and with the clear approval of the public. Fortunately only a small minority were involved; for the most part young people have shown an increasing ability to act responsibly and with concern for others. This attitude has also been helped by the efforts made to direct the abounding energies of Hong Kong's younger generation into acceptable and productive channels.

These efforts cover both work and play. The year's leisure activi- ties reached their peak during the summer school vacation, when more than 800,000 young people took part in a massive programme arranged by organisations from every walk of life, financed in large part by the Royal Hong Kong Jockey Club, and co-ordinated by 15 district committees.

It has continued to be Government's policy not to concern itself too directly in the actual organisation of individual leisure activities, but rather to concentrate on stimulating interest and helping schools, voluntary agencies and other community groups to involve them- selves by establishing programmes. The response from all sections