Page 2 EDITORIALS, FEATURES
South China Morning Post
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 14, 1971
More merits than demerits
At least no one can claim today that local government reforms have not been given sufficient consideration, whatever their reactions may be to the proposals outlined in the White Paper tabled in Legislative Council yesterday.
There are bound to be widely differing opinions about the package but as a first stage plan it has more merits than demerits. The Urban Council can be thankful that it has been preserved intact instead of being split up into several mini councils, as was at one time suggested.
The withdrawal of the Officials may be criticised as too sudden but then in the next two years it is to be hoped links can be established with the various Departments to ensure a smooth transition.
Perhaps the chief virtue of the officials was that they could be used as convenient whipping boys and it will be a change for the unofficials not only to have to formulate their own policies and find the funds to finance them but stand up and defend them.
Some have had to do this in a small way already as chairmen of the various Council committees but for many who have clamoured for wider responsibilities and more power, the White Paper offers them the chance to show their mettle.
Wisely Government did not immediately widen their powers by handing over major responsibilities such as education, social welfare and housing though it is to be hoped that if the new Council proves a success this will be included in a second instalment of reforms.
Government has assured the Council of sufficient funds to keep the Urban Services Department going on a recurrent basis but it remains to be seen whether it will be possible to raise sufficient money through loans to finance capital projects.
It is to be hoped Government will not try to saddle the Council with the full responsibility of finding outside funds to build a Kowloon City Hall or a Museum. While this would prove a strong and stimulating challenge and give Councillors a real sense of fulfilment if they succeeded in doing it on their own, failure could boomerang on the central Government.
For these are two overdue amenities which should have been included in the Public Works programme long ago and at the very least Government should assure the Council that it will be prepared to carry part of the financial responsibility for building them.
It remains to be seen whether the new setup stimulates public interest in the Council's proceedings and encourages a bigger turnout on voting day. Certainly the Councillors will now be able to put polling booths almost wherever they want. And they may well find that by raising the rates on property they will kindle more voter interest although the narrow scope of the Council has been and will continue to be one of the chief reasons for the small vote.
Overall, however, the package should be welcomed as a challenge and it is now up to the Council to demonstrate its ability to make à go of it.