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HONG KONG LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL
of the real Hong Kong resident. We also expect those who do come here to respect our laws. If they do not they should return
to their own country.
Relief work of a more productive and long term character than has previously been the case was performed during 1949 in various field. In January, 1949, it was suggested to some of the neighbours of a government social welfare centre in the densely crowded Shamshuipo area, that they might interest themselves in helping to rehabilitate the under privileged of their own district who attended that centre. Several com- mercial and industrial leaders in the same district then saw the possibilities of still more progressive neighbourhood work, and started to plan a new Shamshuipo Kaifong Welfare Association. During the following months the idea spread to other districts, helped on in part by the enthusiasm of the Chinese Press. By the end of the year there were twelve major urban districts which had started their own kaifong welfare associations, with the intention of combining what was adaptable from western community or neighbourhood associations with some of the long-established Chinese social traditions of kaifong. The total membership had risen by December to nearly 8,000, including a very large proportion of shopkeepers, artisans, and in two districts boat people, as well as leading businessmen. The genuine kaifong welfare associations have been encouraged to stand on their own feet, and to prove themselves by the per- formance of as much practical work as possible. Their aims and objects have so far been confined to some of the social problems connected with education, public health, cultural development, recreation, relief work, family welfare, and all other necessary social welfare work.
Sir Patrick Abercrombie's Report on the planning of the Colony was published last September. His Report dealt with the problem on broad lines. One of his recommendations was that a "definitive plan" should be drawn up. We are therefore applying to the Secretary of State for a grant from the Colonial Development and Welfare Fund for a small team of town plan- ning experts to come out and, with the assistance of our own officers, to draw up such a plan. This should take a few years. I don't know the period-anything from two to five years. the end of that time we should have a master plan which we would work to. It must, however, be borne in mind that to rebuild an already overbuilt city means resumptions which are costly. It is therefore probable that progress will be slow- at any rate so far as thinning out overpopulated areas is concerned.
At
I welcome the project of the Hong Kong Model Housing Society, a non-profit making organization. The scheme when completed will provide 450 small flats, each containing two rooms with separate kitchen, washing and lavatory accommodation. The rent to be charged will probably be around $60 a month. The flats will cost approximately $3 millions to erect, and this