TO those of us outside the Hong Kong Government's sprawling network of officialdom, the news that Civil Service Branch is to make its debut on the Internet may seem like a rather small storm in a pint size tea mug. It is kind of the branch to put news for pensioners into cyberspace. But if they are to be the main body of non-government readers of its database, it is fair to suggest that its pages will be little used. The elderly are not among the most avid Net surfers.
Still, the idea has potential. New ways of communicating with the public should be applauded, and exploited. A government which gets used to thinking information should be in the public domain and seizes on fresh means of putting it there may become less secretive than one which routinely expects inquirers to fill out forms in triplicate and wait six weeks for a reply. The branch's internal news may not excite. But other departments have valuable information to impart.
Once they start imparting information, they might also be ready to listen to opinion from outside. The Government of Ireland recently decided to put proposed legislation on the Internet for public consultation. It was a spectacularly innovative move for a public administration.
With its love of gadgets and new technology, Hong Kong should join Dublin among the international pioneers.
