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But after I had talked with Mr. SALES, I really felt that his motion was much better than I had originally imagined. (Laughter).
Firstly, Mr. SALES' motion is very constructive indeed. Secondly, in Mr. SALES' motion we play the game with the ball, we kick the ball to our side. If I requested Government to explain the word "idiosyncratic", then we would kick the ball to the Government. (Laughter). Therefore I am glad that Mr. SALES asked me to lend my support, and I am glad to do so. As regards my views on the future function of the Urban Council, or the scope of the Urban Council, Mr. Chairman, I ask you to permit me to reserve my view. When the Ad Hoc Committee is formed, surely I will forward my views to that Committee at that time. With these remarks, Mr. Chairman, I whole-heartedly support Mr. SALES' motion. (Applause).
MR. Lo:- Mr. Chairman, I rise to support this motion. His Excellency the Governor, in his address to the Legislative Council has indicated for the first time that the Secretary of State would raise no objection to some changes in the field of local authority administration. This is a sort of green light which those of us who have been pressing for larger scope for this Council have been waiting for. We should therefore seize this opportunity and make the best of it. After the Ad Hoc Committee has been formed, I hope it will study in detail the practical questions raised by His Excellency. I am referring to that part of his speech in which he mentioned the composition of local authorities, the method of selection of their members, the relationship of local authorities to Executive Council, etc., etc.
At the last Annual Debate I spoke in favour of setting up local councils for the administration of new towns in the New Territories, instead of absorbing them into this Council. I hope after the Ad Hoc Committee has had time to study the matter, it will be equally convinced as I am, that it is the only practical solution for our problem of growth. I also hope that during its deliberations the Ad Hoc Committee will deem fit to seek the opinion of the public, especially those of the public bodies of the New Territories. This Council understands more about the workings of a local authority than anybody. This Council appreciates more of the problems and pitfalls connected with it. With its past rich experience this Council has more to contribute towards the advancement of local Government than any other section of the community. I hope those who are to serve on this Committee will use their wisdom, sound judgment, and ingeminate into it a statesmanlike solution.
CHAIRMAN:- I have very few words to say. I cannot but refer to Dr. BELL'S banging her head for many years against the wall, and I am very glad we now get free tea for members of the Council. (Laughter). This motion, which has been moved in a most timely way by Mr. SALES, has the full support of the Official Members, and I can only hope and the Ad Hoc Committee will be set up with the utmost despatch, and will give good guidance and advice to the Government.
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MR. SALES: Sir, at the risk of detaining for longer the Vice-Chairman, I would like to exercise my right to reply. There isn't, in fact, anything to reply to, except perhaps a few comments to be made, Sir, for your enlightened support. I would like, with the permission of my fellow Unofficial Members, to issue a complimentary pass to you to attend all future Hong Kong tea parties (Laughter) so that you may play too an effective historical role as envisaged by Dr. LEE, not as the Red Indians who went under disguise to the Boston Tea Party, but in plain clothing as we do not deal with anything sinister. I have misgivings about calling the future body the Municipal Council of Hong Kong, because I am far more inclined to call our organization the Commune of Hong Kong (Laughter) because of its old and new historical associations. The Commune of Hong Kong could be made up entirely of Appointed Members, so that it would be a most progressive body, while the municipality could be wholly elected. (Laughter).
Sir, I would like to see Dr. LEE's suggestion of symbols for That I think is a most elected members, (Laughter) to be adopted. tangible suggestion, so that I in the future may be able to vote without having to shake hands with all my friends. I would also like to consider very seriously Dr. BELL's suggestion that each ward elect two representatives. I propose most humbly that one be male and the other female. (Laughter).
Sir, if the Commissioner of Police persists in not accepting our invitation to come and join this Council, perhaps we may be forgiven if we started our own Police Force. There is no reason why the Council should not have a private police force in order to curb the powers of the other police force. (Laughter). With these suggestions, may I say how grateful I am to all my colleagues for their various expressions of opinion. They were put so graciously, and in fact there is no more need for you to supply sugar cubes with the tea in order to sugar our dispositions. I suggest in particular that the ladies do not need any more sugaring, particularly Dr. BELL who has given her unqualified and un-amended support to my motion. (Laughter).
CHAIRMAN:- The motion before Council has been proposed by Mr. SALES and seconded by Mr. BERNACCHI.
The question was put.
The motion was carried.
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