- 3
The Express (27.1.76) said that if the Government accepted the proposal for a "welfare state", the living conditions of Hong Kong's four million population would even be more "shameful".
It pointed out that all social welfare facilities required funds and the issue of more banknotes would lead to inflation and this in turn would lead to higher taxes.
"The increases in taxation would lead to increases in wages and the isque..of more banknotes would be necessary. So the vicious cycle would go
on," the Express added.
The paper felt that a "welfare state" would not be practical in Hong Kong since the Chinese population could never accept the idea of having everything provided by the Government.
"The Chinese people in their old age would rather retain the present tradition of dependence on their families instead of on the Government," the Express said.
Wah Kiu Man Po (27.1.76) said that Mr. Joe England, in analysing Hong Kong's situation, still could not break away from the "framework" which had limited most expatriate writers.
Though certain parts of the pamphlet were commendable, the rest was either too demanding or not to the point, the paper said.
"Mr. England has ignored the existing situation in Hong Kong and is far too demanding in his call for sweeping social reforms here.
"Undoubtedly the people of Hong Kong would welcome first class social welfare facilities, but we cannot upset the order of priority in development programmes, "Wah Kiu noted.
Refuting Mr. England's criticism that Hong Kong had put too much emphasis on the development of commerce and industry, Wah Kiu asked: "If we do not try to derive benefits from commerce and industry, how can we have funds to develop social welfare activities?"
However, the paper admitted that the writer had written the pamphlet with good intentions and it hoped that the Government would consider his proposals and criticisms carefully.
Hong Kong Economic Journal (27.1.76) said the Fabian philosophy considered the British Government as an executive organisation for social welfare.
"Hong Kong will naturally come under fire since the colonial government here has not yet achieved the 'ultra-political' and 'ultra- strata standard of a welfare state," the paper said.