Bulletin Special Supplement Nov 1972

by quotas and ta riff walls. Thanks to our efforts in diversification o f markets and products, however, we have so far been able to overcome our difficulties. The next problem is an internal one. Due to economic expansion most people in Hong Kong have changed the concept o f their way and standard o f living. In other words, people in general tend to look fo r shorter working hours and longer leisure time. This is human nature which should not be over criticized. With this in view, plus worldwide inflationary trend, we have increased our wages thereby increasing the cost o f our products. To remedy this inevitable shortcoming, it is imperative that we should improve our production technique, reduce our costs and increase our output. To train and bring up more technicians and business leaders is a must i f we want to accomplish this purpose. In the training o f technical personnel Government has already had plans in mind or underway. Priority has been given to the establishment o f the Polytechnic and tertiary vocational schools. However, in view o f the continued development o f our economy we need more leaders w ith a high educational background. Evidently, university students are going to be the core o f our future leaders. For this reason I wish to say something to the graduates. University education is subsidized by Government. Four years o f hard work is not an easy thing. On this score it may be said that you are showing your initial response to the society. The aim o f university education is to promote culture and elevate the level o f the knowledge o f the society. Although each o f you specializes in your own field o f learning, any subject you take in the university has some direct or indirect relation to the society. Therefore, we have great expectations on you who are the cream o f the society. University graduates have much more theoretical knowledge than those who have not attended university. Nonetheless, one needs to acquaint oneself w ith the realities o f life when one enters the society. He must combine theory w ith practice before he can make the best o f what he has learned. The Governor, in his speech the other day, has stressed that it is important for Hong Kong to maintain its high rate o f economic growth. University graduates should therefore try their best to contribute to the society so that Hong Kong may continue to prosper and they themselves can be assured o f a bright future. — 8 —