48
2.
As requested, the matter is now laid before the main Committee for discussion in conjunction with Mr. McDouall, and the Committee's further recommendations are invited accordingly.
3.
Co-ordination between voluntary social welfare organisations.
In the Report on his visit, Mr. Chinn recommended that a survey of voluntary organisations should be undertaken with a view to obtaining some measure of co-ordination through a central authority, e.g. a strengthened Social Welfare Council. In a despatch commenting on this recommendation, the Governor said that the Social Welfare Office had already carried out a survey of all the most important voluntary organisations. The despatch continued:-
"Co-ordination between them is impossible of achievement at one blow, partly because most European-type organisations are reluctant to do so, and partly because the majority of voluntary organisations in Hong Kong are purely Chinese with few or no English-speaking members. These are two of the reasons why the Hong Kong Council of Social Service (formerly called the Hong Kong Social Welfare Council) has proved unable to achieve any effective co-ordination of aims or work amongst the voluntary social services. Efforts have therefore been made by the Social Welfare Office to bring together groups of voluntary organisations who have a clear common interest. A considerable measure of success has been achieved with regard to youth organisations, who have now established a representative Standing Conference of Youth Organisations. it is expected that the Kaifong (Residents') Welfare Association will
In a very short time also be setting up their own central co-ordinating body. No success has been achieved in getting the European-type Relief Organisations to work together either among themselves or with the Social Welfare Office".
The Reports Sub-Committee welcomed this survey which had been carried out but observed that as it covered only the important voluntary organisa- tions and had not taken into account the numerous small Chinese societies which undertook social welfare work, it had not completely covered the voluntary contribution in the field of social welfare.
At its last meeting the main Committee proposed that a small conference of interested persons in this country should be called to consider the problem. Action has not proceeded however on this in view of the opportunity provided at the forthcoming meeting of discussing it with Mr. McDouall. The Committee's advice is therefore sought as to what further steps might be taken towards the solution of this problem.
4.
Kaifong (Residents') Welfare Associations.
The Committee expressed great interest in what it had heard about the growth of Kaifong Associations in Hong Kong and wished to hear more about the functions and development of these associations.
The Committee may wish to consider, after hearing Mr. McDouall, whether any lessons of value to other territories can be drawn from the development of these associations in Hong Kong particularly with regard to the growth of a civic consciousness in urban Communities.
Social Service Department 'A',
15, Victoria Street,
London, S.W.1.
21st September, 1951.
C.O./5075/51