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they appear to be quite popular. I therefore believe that with the support of the Kaifong Associations we can make a success of the proposed project. I have no desire to go into details, as these can always be worked out by the Select Committees concerned when the motion is passed by this Council.
With these very brief comments, Sir, I have pleasure to second the motion.
DR. R. H. S. LEE:--Mr. Chairman, Mr. CHEONG-LEEN has my sympathy in his Motion to-day. I think it is high time that Hong Kong should have a library service. When we consider the fact that the City Hall Library has encountered difficulties now in trying to get it ready in time for its opening, I have certain reservations about its timeliness. At present, we haven't even a Librarian appointed for the job, much less thinking in terms of expansion to provide the people of Hong Kong with a proper library service.
There is no doubt that there is a case for such a service because Hong Kong is undergoing an economic revolution. If we are to expect a continuous stream of skilled personnel to manage and operate the various sectors of our economy, it stands to reason that we cannot afford to remain stagnant in our intellectual horizon. We must provide facilities to train our youths for the task. In my opinion, a good library service is one of these facilities. Moreover, from the citizen's point of view, it is far better to give them books, magazines and other reading materials to broaden their minds than to waste their precious time spent in dance halls and mahjong schools. If we have more cultural centres for our youths to occupy their spare time, we might have more hope of reducing the incidence of juvenile crimes and other anti-social activities. Apart from the British Council and the American Library, which are well patronized, there is an absolute dearth of such institutions in the Colony for them to go.
When we ask this Council to refer the substance of our friend's Motion to the relevant Select Committee for further study, we must consider its implication. In view of the Colony's many major shortages, such as schools, hospitals, housing, which demand urgent solution, we want to think clearly where this money is coming from. Sir, it all boils down to the question of priorities. A library service for the whole of the Colony is a wonderful thing, but it requires a lot of trained personnel as well as heavy capital and recurrent expenditures, if we are going to have one which can compare favourably with those in Western countries. Mr. Chairman, if you can assure me that finance is no consideration, I will be the first to support Mr. CHEONG-LEEN in asking the various Select Committees concerned to consider it; but from my certain knowledge of the Colony's requirements, there is not the surplus capital for a venture of this nature. Under present conditions I think the Motion is premature. Unless we have hope of carrying it through, I consider reference to the Select Committee level a complete waste of time. When we have the City Hall Library as a going concern for a few years, I think it will not be too late to consider a library service for the people of Hong Kong.
With these remarks, Mr. Chairman, I cannot now see my way in supporting my friend's Motion now before us.
MR. C. Y. KWAN:--Mr. Chairman, I would like to raise the question of order. On this motion if put before Council I do not know how to vote, because there are really 3 motions of a different nature-
(1) Part (a) of the motion: "The Urban Council consider taking early steps to provide district libraries." We may or may not agree with that, apart from the jurisdiction of this Council which I will raise later on.
(2) Part (b): "The Kaifong Associations be consulted by Council on the needs of the various districts." Again, that is a different subject from part (a).
(3) Part (c): "Such needs be taken into consideration in the planning of the new City Hall Library."
Now, with respect, apart from part (c) of the motion, it is my submission that the other two parts of the motion are ultra vires of this Council. I would like the mover of the motion to point out to us as to the Ordinance or Ordinances by which this Council is authorized to provide library service. I am aware that the management of the City Hall has been entrusted to this Council. As I said before, if we are called upon to vote in respect of part (c) of the motion, then there may be substance for discussion, because it is part of the Council's duty to provide a library in the City Hall, though not outside the City Hall. For this reason, I submit that the Council cannot be asked to vote on the motion as it is now framed, because there are three separate questions involved in this motion. One may well agree with part (1), or part (2), or part (1) and part (2) but not necessarily part (3). How are we going to vote? Supposing I agree that in the case of the City Hall we might go into the question as to whether various special books should be provided in the City Hall Library in order to cater for the various classes of people of the community. That, of course, is a matter which the City Hall Select Committee ought to go into, but I submit that there are three questions involved in one motion. We cannot be asked to vote on the motion as it is now worded.
MR. Y. K. KAN:--I should like to support Mr. KWAN's submission and I would like to deal with item (c) which has not been dealt with. I do so as Chairman of the City Hall Library Sub-Committee and I shall find myself extremely embarrassed if questions or
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