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HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL
Pawn shops also play a very big part in the life of the poorer people of our community whose clothes and other moveable possessions go regularly in and out of pawn as there is or is not work or greater family expenses. We consider that in a place like Hong Kong greater control should be exercised over Pawn Shops through this Council, particularly as regards rates of interest.
In conclusion, Mr. Chairman, I regret to find the absence of two of my colleagues; Mr. P. C. Woo who had an excellent record in the Council's work as he had attended 62 out of 64 meetings, in other words 96% attendance; Mr. Brook Bernacchi's record and ability speaks for itself. He has been a member of Council since 1952 and we have all greatly benefited from his knowledge and experience for so many years. I do hope that he will soon return again to be the leader of our team. (Applause).
MR. Y. K. KAN:-Being a new member I feel I have very little that I can usefully contribute to this debate. Sir, it may come to you as a surprise to find a lawyer who does not want to talk, but I intend to follow the example of the Scottish Parliamentarian called the Silent Member of Parliament, referred to by your predecessor at last year's debate, who talked a great deal but did all his talking in committees and very seldom in public.
May I take this opportunity, Sir, to thank you for your kind remarks concerning me and the other new members and to assure you of my whole-hearted co-operation in the work of this Council at all times. (Applause).
MR. H. CHEONG-LEEN :—As the Council's newest elected member, may I say how fortunate I am to be able to participate in the work of the Urban Council with such distinguished company-officials, appointed unofficials and elected members alike.
The Civic Association members have been elected by popular majority. They will aim to improve the efficiency of Council work and in general to speak and act on behalf of the common citizen and the underprivileged.
We will co-operate with the official members whenever it is to the public interest. We will also co-operate with the unofficial appointed members whom we do not consider as a group of "Yes" men, but who we anticipate will in their individual capacities
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continue to render faithful service to the community. Furthermore, our colleagues who are Reform Club members will find it not impossible to work in harmony with us. After all, both the Reform Club and the Civic Association have one main object in common, service to the community. I note with very much pleasure the address made by Mr. C. Y. Kwan on the question of team spirit and I fully endorse his remarks. With regard to the view expressed by a member that our health services department runs by luck rather than by planning, that I will have to find out for myself.
It has been the practice at these Annual Conventional Debates for members to express their views on a wide range of subjects without having Standing Orders thrown at them. Members this year are apparently taking full advantage of this conventional practice, and I have no intention of departing from tradition. But rather than gloss over a long list of the Colony's ills, Mr. Chairman, I would prefer to confine myself today to one tremendous problem which overshadows all others, and which is inter-linked with much of the work for which this Council is responsible. I am referring to our refugee problem, which has already been mentioned by Mr. Fung Ping Fan, and the difficulties which Government and the voluntary agencies are facing to resettle and integrate these refugees in the community.
As is well known, Hong Kong has absorbed within the past ten years over one million homeless exiles. This huge population influx, who have been admitted purely on humanitarian grounds, have created grave social, medical, educational, housing and sanitation problems. The staff of Urban Council should be commended for the positive manner in which they have endeavoured to expand sanitation services to cope with the situation. I think it was Dr. Raymond Lee who mentioned the need for more expansion and training and if this is the case I think it should be done with all possible speed.
Since embarking upon its resettlement programme, Government has resettled over 210,000 persons. But there are still 270,000 persons more to be resettled, not to mention the 64,000 roof-top squatters concerning whom the question of resettlement is still in abeyance. At the present rate, it will take between 8 and 10 years to finish the job of squatter resettlement. I note with interest Mr. R. C. Lee's view that the squatter situation could become even worse.
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