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MR. HU: As Mr. CHEONG-LEEN said, my intention of course is to maintain and to develop the prosperity of Hong Kong. It is true, because we have no institution of citizenship the prosperity of Hong Kong would not be maintained.
Secondly, my intention of this Motion is to fight for the rights of people living here. It is not to fight for independence of the Colony. It is also not the intention of my motion to fight for the benefit of privileged people in Hong Kong.
Thirdly, Mr. CHEONG-LEEN spoke about discrimination against the holders of passports issued in Hong Kong. That I agree. Why did we have no citizenship earlier? Why does Mr. CHEONG-LEEN still want to delay it? Then this question can never be solved. That is why I said that the institution of citizenship should not be further delayed. Mr. CHEONG-LEEN also spoke about the political development of the Colony. I would suggest that whether we should assume more responsibility in local affairs, we should follow a natural course of development. It is only for our benefit that we should do so.
MR. BERNACCHI: -On a point of order and clarification, it is my understanding that the object of Mr. SALES' motion is so as to enable the speeches to be forwarded to a higher authority.
MR. SALES: Sir, it is my understanding that the papers are always forwarded to a higher authority.
CHAIRMAN: -I can confirm that. The motion "That the motion be laid on the table," has been proposed by Mr. SALES and seconded by Mr. MARDEN.
The question was put.
The motion was carried.
(4) MR. A. de O. SALES moved the following motion:
That Government be asked to allocate to this Council for immediate development as pleasure grounds all remaining open land at King's Park not now leased to private organizations.
He said: This Council carries on an unceasing search for more open space in the urban areas for development as pleasure grounds whether for active recreation or just as gardens and sitting-out areas. This relentless drive for ever more and better public recreational facilities has but one motive: to give the people of Hong Kong, who mostly live in appallingly overcrowded conditions, a greater opportunity to enjoy in common the amenities which are now so sadly lacking in many districts.
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Doubtless, with rising aspirations everywhere, the people here will also expect a greater share in all the things which make for a better life. And, as urban land is so costly and in such short supply, all available open space set aside for recreational purposes and not leased to private organizations, should logically be developed by this Council for common use.
This is not the first time that I have introduced a motion on King's Park. The need to repeat my performance is a compelling one for memories are short in certain quarters as members of this Council know only too well. Even in this area there is a notorious example of official disregard for the wish of the Urban Council to serve the interest of common humanity in the matter of playgrounds.
So let us stake our claim once more just as we have done in public meeting once before and many times in select committee ever since. There is still much open space in King's Park now or formerly held by the Medical and the Education Departments.
MR. FORSGATE: -In rising to second this motion I would point out that the shortage of recreational facilities and open spaces in Kowloon has been one of the main points raised with Government by the Kowloon Residents' Association. I paid a recent visit to the under-developed parts of King's Park and noted that in addition to the area referred to by Mr. SALES there are several acres of open space immediately behind Queen Elizabeth Hospital simply crying out for re-development for recreational purposes. An attempt has been made in a very modest way to convert the hillsides and valley between the Radio Sonde Station and the Government flats into park land, but as King's Park is in the centre of Kowloon, no effort should be spared to improve and beautify one of the few remaining lungs in Urban Kowloon.
I have therefore much pleasure in seconding Mr. SALES' motion.
DR. BELL: Mr. Chairman, since my re-election to this Council this is the third council meeting which has been held. At each meeting so far (including today) Mr. SALES has moved motions for the rapid allocation and immediate development of available land for public pleasure grounds or parks. On each occasion I have supported him. Each of these available sites has been in a different district of the Colony. The first in Causeway Bay district, the second in the Central district and now the third in the remaining open land at King's Park which is a splendid meeting point of three very crowded Kowloon districts-Yau Ma Tei, Hung Hom and Tsim Sha Tsui. I have no
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