HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL
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HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL
CHEONG-LEEN was perhaps a little slow in directing his speech to the question under discussion, but by the time Mr. BERNACCHI rose I thought he had reached the question. (Laughter). Would you like to continue Sir?
MR. CHEONG-LEEN:-Sir, are you trying to infer that Mr. BERNACCHI himself was very slow in drawing reference to this Standing Order? (Laughter).
CHAIRMAN:--I wasn't trying to infer anything.
MR. CHEONG-LEEN:-But you are quite right, Sir, I was about to reach the crux of my speech. (Laughter). Sir, I shall have to repeat this paragraph.
CHAIRMAN:-Please do.
MR. CHEONG-LEEN:-There is no reason why the present Urban Council should not have some of its elected members sitting in both the Legislative and Executive Councils, so that the Hong Kong people can have a more effective voice in matters which affect their pocket book and their general welfare. In this way, there would be at least some form of indirectly elected representation on the upper Councils.
The British Government is still following the outmoded colonial practice of having only official and appointed Urban Councillors sitting on the Legislative and Executive Councils.
Why has the British Government seen fit to continuously discriminate against elected Urban Councillors? It is time that an answer is forthcoming.
The Civic Association generally supports the recommendations of the Ad Hoc Committee on the Future Scope and Operation of the Urban Council.
The recommendations envisage a democratic system of local government adapted to local conditions and aspirations.
We urge that steps be taken to implement by stages the recommendations of this Ad Hoc Committee.
The first stage could be to put under the present Urban Council the following additional responsibilities:
(1) The Social Welfare Department;
(2) The Medical Department;
(3) The Education Department;
(4) Financial responsibility in determining rates and the right to allocate the use of such amounts collected.
Such expansion in the Urban Council's scope will of course require an increase in the number of elected members.
The second stage would be the transformation of the present Urban Council into a Hong Kong Municipal Assembly, () the setting up of separate Urban Councils () under the Municipal Assembly, and the absorption of other Government departments as recommended in the Report.
Initially there should be one Urban Council on Hong Kong Island and another in Kowloon. As experience is gained, additional urban councils could be formed.
In the New Territories, the Heung Yee Kuk has only an advisory function but no policy-making or administrative responsibilities. The Ad Hoc Committee's report proposes that the Heung Yee Kuk be given certain policy-making and administrative functions as and when the Heung Yee Kuk joins the Municipal Assembly. It may be necessary for a Special Committee to be appointed to study the future role of the Heung Yee Kuk in the light of rapidly changing conditions in the rest of Hong Kong.
During the interim that Hong Kong evolves towards municipal autonomy, the British Government might consider the appointment of a "Minister for Hong Kong Affairs". The Minister would visit Hong Kong regularly and would specialize in Hong Kong affairs. He would promote more economic and cultural co-operation between Hong Kong people and the British people. He would also be able to answer more fully questions on Hong Kong matters raised in Parliament by British M.Ps.
The Civic Association is in favour of progressive steps being taken by the British Government to have more bi-lingualism in public affairs, so that eventually the official languages will be both Chinese and English.
Hong Kong is a proving ground for democracy on the rim of Asia. Our four million people resolutely subscribe to the principles of freedom and democracy.
Of our own free will and desire, we seek to work with the British people as equal partners in changing our present colonial foundation into a more dynamic society: a society of "rising expectations".
More than half our population are young people under the age of 21. They are today's “lost generation". They have no sense of belonging, no local loyalty, no vision for the future.
CHAIRMAN:-Could you give this Council an indication of the length of your speech?