3. There are certain basic facts about Hong Kong which taken together have a special bearing upon the Colony's social problems, and influence the social worker's approach to those problems. The population is over 99% Chinese, of whom the majority are Cantonese. The degree of partial or complete illiteracy is not known, but there has always been an unceasing popular demand for more and more facilities for formal educa- tion. There are indications that less than half the estimated population of 21 million has had as much as ten years residence in Hong Kong, and it is certain that more than half of the residents-of whatever nationality-consider their real homes to be elsewhere. The acute shortage of land for building, let alone recreational purposes, and water supplies which have never yet caught up with the population's demands, aggravate the problems of living which the social worker must help to solve in this unbelievably congested city. Further social problems have been created by squatters, refugees from China, typhoons and fires, and the influence of Chinese political changes. In
In general, no further mention of these special factors will be made in this report, and their existence will be taken for granted. For instance, the effect of the demand for education on the development of boys' and girls' clubs, the political and criminal dangers inherent in the Kaifong move- ment, the social and economic effects of over-crowding on the life of the growing generation, or the possibility of general apathy towards social problems amongst a population which for the most part might not be expected to think of Hong Kong as "home".
4. During the period under review both the voluntary and official Social Welfare Services have been visited by a number of distinguished specialists, whilst a particular tribute must be paid here-and a very sincere one indeed-to the never-failing interest shown and encouragement given to the social welfare services, both voluntary and official, by H.E. Sir Alexander Grantham and Lady Grantham.
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