HONG KONG LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL 11 May 1988
1377
MR. CHUNG (in Cantonese): Government will move to what is an era of high autonomy in 1997. We need to cultivate a new generation which can take over our tasks.
I feel that whether we take it from the angle of the needs of our young people, or from the angle of the community's expectation of today's youths, the important point of this policy is that we should find a suitable means by which our new generation can maintain stability and economic prosperity in a period of changes.
In the past, much has been done for the young people by the Government and community organisations. However, the fact is young people, which form more than 50 per cent of our population, what they actually see and hear and view are often very different from what they should be exposed to. During a period of personal development there are a number of points which we should note. Moral standards are not in line with education. As we develop a more democratic system of Government, there is a large number of immigrants. Polling stations are surprisingly less crowded than off-course betting centres of the Jockey Club. Some investment markets have turned into casinos for speculation. Out of every 10 films, nine are graded not suitable for children. As more adults give up smoking, more young people take up the habit. Even though penalties have become heavier, juvenile deliquency increases. Nearly all educational publications and television programs need to be subsidised.
In short, in Hong Kong, socially, politically, economically and culturally, the basic attitude is materialistic and utilitarian. This is not isolated, subjective individual cases but rather general phenomenon created by objective conditions.
In a community where personal gains always come first, to formulate a policy which can meet our changing society is indeed a mission both important and difficult.
I agree with the recommendations of the Report on Youth Policy. We should set up a co-ordination system for the existing system so that we can formulate a youth policy that is both practical and comprehensive. However, this policy can only be taken as the guide in principle for the future development of services for the young and should not be binding upon any organisation now providing services for the young.
I think the ideal approach is for the Governor to appoint a commissioner, who will be responsible for implementing this co-ordination system and formulating other relevant measures. The function of the commission is merely to offer assistance to relevant organisations according to policy so that there will not be any duplication or inadequacy in the provision of various services. The overall provision of services will, therefore, be developed in a more balanced manner. The allocation and use of resources will also be better.
Besides establishing the commission on youth we should also set up an advisory committee. We can, perhaps, call it youth council. It should be made