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MR. BERNACCHI:-I must apologise. Of course, I spoke on behalf of all the Elected Members and I should have also added that significantly enough Dr. Alison BELL had a motion tabled and passed by this Council about two years ago requesting His Excellency the Governor to appoint a lady unofficial.
MR. CHEONG-LEEN:-Mr. Chairman, I still cannot resist the temptation to speak on this occasion. I notice that tradition and the size and shape of this table have conspired to put the two lady members of this Council together, and whether that augurs well for the stauncher sex, who are so adequately represented on this Council, I do not know, Mr. Chairman, but I will wager this: that the two lady members of this Council will speak for the fair sex of Hong Kong. If it is a challenge for us, I am pretty sure that the Elected side at least will rise to the challenge in the spirit of co-operation and chivalry and will do our best to work together for the benefit of Hong Kong.
MRS. ELLIOTT:-Mr. Chairman, may I suggest that the two ladies are put together because they are less likely to fight. (Laughter).
MRS. ELLEN LI:-Mr. Chairman, I am very happy to be here and I feel highly honoured to be present to-day. I am sure I shall enjoy working with you; I have always enjoyed working with men all my life. I think I still have a lot to learn and a great deal of reading to catch up with and I shall appreciate any advice or guidance which any of you can give me, especially during my incubation period. The door is open for women and I hope that very soon there will be a lot more women serving in this Council, whether they are elected or appointed. I am glad to have Mrs. ELLIOTT next to me to hold my hand, so to speak, so I will not feel too lonely. I am sure all of you will show your chivalry—I know you will—and I look forward to our happy association. For my own part, as far as my physical ability is concerned, I will do my very best to serve, although I am already committed in many ways. For the time being, I will not be able to give any assistance until I have read up and know what is going on. I hope you will be patient with me and that we will be very happy together. Thank you very much. (Applause).
MINUTES.
The Minutes of the meeting of the Council held on 3rd March, 1964 were confirmed.
PAPERS.
THE CHAIRMAN laid upon the table the following papers:-
(1) Report on the work of the Urban Council and Urban Services Department for the month of March 1964.
(2) Statement of Progress for 1963/64.
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MR. CHEONG-LEEN:-Mr. Chairman, with your permission, may I make several observations on the second paper the Statement of Progress for 1963/64.
May I take this opportunity to commend the Urban Services Department on the steps which are being taken to prepare a 10-year plan to increase the number of Health Inspectors. I would like to see this method of planning over a 10-year period—with detailed planning for the first 5 years—put into effect wherever feasible through the entire range of the Urban Services Department's activities. As Members are aware, there is a tentative 10-year programme for resettlement and low-cost housing. It is an exercise which I consider very necessary, in view of the fact that only 59,318 persons were resettled for the 12-month period April 1963 - March 1964. I am afraid this slow rate of resettlement is not satisfactory.
Within the coming five years, we should, I believe, plan for a museum and art gallery building, a permanent public library in Kowloon, more car parks in all congested districts, and so on.
Now, in the section dealing with hawkers, the report expresses some doubt as to whether the increase of 3,000 licensed hawkers is offset by any corresponding decrease in the number of unlicensed hawkers. I think it is more than likely that population growth has caused the number of unlicensed hawkers to increase, despite the fact that the issue of pedlar licences is unrestricted. In principle, it is desirable that we should consider taking steps to reduce the number of unlicensed hawkers. But putting restrictions on the issue of pedlar licences as has been previously suggested—is not a practical solution at this stage. I would think one method to discourage the younger people from becoming hawkers is for Government to expand its training facilities for skilled labour to meet the needs of our expanding industry. In order to pursue this idea further with Government, I suggest that the Department should make an estimate of the number of younger men and women who are hawking legally or illegally in the Colony, and having the matter later on discussed in detail in the relevant Select Committee.
With regard to Council's activities on car parks and traffic matters, I find it inconsistent, Mr. Chairman, that the report only mentions the liaison work of Council's representative on the Traffic Advisory Committee, without reference to the work of the Urban Councillors sitting on the Public Transport Advisory Committee. That, I am afraid, is all the more amusing in view of the fact that under Item 3 of today's agenda a question concerning public transport will soon be put to the Chairman of the Urban Council. I suggest therefore that the question of the Urban Council's representation on the Public Transport Advisory
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