- 4 .
In contrast with the above-cited allegations, many
people feel that Government is unlikely to do anything in conflict with the expressed desires of the Hong Kong Club because of the number of influential and highly
placed members of the Club. Such a state of affairs and
the permitted demolition of the Club building clearly
indicate to many the continuing colonialistic aspect of political reality in Hong Kong, as against the avowed
"government by consensus."
Government policies should of course be formulated in
line with enlightened community opinion, while respecting
of course individual and corporate rights and property.
There are numerous viable solutions (outlined below) to
the issue of private ownership with regard to the Club
building, if - but only if the Government decides to
align itself with what is clearly the proper course of
action, which is desired by the community at large. It
is our plea that Government should not follow the counsel of those motivated by narrow self-interest and/or expediency,
who are not truly representative of the enlightened public,
and who advise a policy of "non-interference in a private
matter. 91
A Viable Solution General Parameters
It is proposed that a resolution of the issue can be
found within the framework of the Antiquities and Monuments
Ordinance, along the guidelines established therein.
While
the provisions of the Ordinance have yet to be applied to
any building, it was clearly intended to be so applied in
cases of historical merit and sufficient public interest
to warrant gazetting as a monument. As the most significant
and prominent historical building in Hong Kong, it would be appropriate for the Club building to be the first declared
a monument.
15