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MR. CHEONG-LEEN:-I can finish it in five minutes Mr. Chairman.
CHAIRMAN: —I detect a certain desire that you should stick to the report so far as may be possible in what you have to say. Can you give your assurance that the remainder of your speech is directed to the Report?
MR. CHEONG-LEEN:—Mr. Chairman, I think I am speaking on the principle on which this report is being debated to-day. The other members have spoken on details concerning the report, but I wish to speak on the general principles of constitutional changes, of changes in local government. And I think, Sir, I am entitled to express my view. I think it is an important matter to do with the future welfare of members of the Hong Kong community, and, Sir, I have not exceeded my twenty minutes. As I mentioned, I will finish in another five minutes, and with your agreement, Sir, I shall continue.
CHAIRMAN: -You have my agreement Sir, but I would direct the attention of members to Standing Order 11(2) for their use at an appropriate moment if they feel that they must intervene.
MR. CHEONG-LEEN: Sir, if any member should take advantage of that Standing Order, he would be trying to stop an elected member from expressing his views-his views on a subject which is of vital importance to Hong Kong. In that case I shall walk out of this Council.
CHAIRMAN:-Sir, please continue with your speech.
MR. CHEONG-LEEN:-Thank you, Sir.
We must strive to change all that. We need to give them the right to a Hong Kong Citizenship, the right to better jobs and more pay, more leisure and public amenities, and the right to participate in their own government. In return we expect from them a sense of moral commitment and faith in the future of Hong Kong.
We need to educate our people into their civic responsibilities. For instance, many Hong Kong residents have refused to register as Urban Council electors, because they think the Urban Council has little powers and they see no personal benefit to be derived from being a voter. Or they fear the British Government may leave Hong Kong soon and they prefer to "sit on the fence". Or they are concerned that the Hong Kong Government will one day use the Urban Council Electoral Register to pursue those who have registered to pay more taxes.
To educate the people into their civic responsibilities, it is necessary to bring Government and the people closer together and to have a more broadly-based local government system as proposed in the Ad Hoc Committee's Report.
The Chinese community of Hong Kong have an abiding faith in Chinese culture. We are the descendants of the Confucian tradition, from which is derived the pragmatic humanism of the Chinese character. We do not wish to lose our classical heritage: instead we prefer to modernise and adapt it to the present world.
It has been said that the past illumines the future. It is conceivable therefore that the following quotation from the Chinese classics can have much relevance to the future of the Hong Kong people:
"When the common Path was pursued, there was justice for all. Men of talent and virtue were chosen; they were sincere and worked for peace. People did not confine their love only to their own children and parents. There was provision for the aged, work for the able-bodied, and amenities for the young. Kindness and compassion was shown to widows and orphans, the disabled and the needy. Men had their work and women their homes. Wealth was not wasted or hoarded for selfish aims. The people laboured with all their strength for the common good. Thus robbers and traitors were few and the front doors were never locked. This was the period of "Ta T'ung" or "Great Commonwealth".
In Asian politics, Mr. Chairman, Hong Kong has like Switzerland in Europe-preserved a role of non-involvement.
The people of Hong Kong will however forge ahead in creating their own democratic institutions. They will adapt Chinese culture to the needs of a modern society. They will promote human rights, justice, mutual understanding and lasting peace.
And in so doing will they be fulfilling the Biblical precept: "By your works shall you be known”.
Sir I thank you for your indulgence.
MRS. ELLEN LI: Mr. Chairman, Everything worthwhile saying has already been said, so I will be very brief in voicing my views this afternoon. I would very much like to take this opportunity to compliment my colleagues who served on the Ad Hoc Committee for their effort in producing this very interesting Report, which in my opinion is precise, concise and to the point. Much thought and time have gone into the deliberation on the possible formation of a modified system of internal administration within the framework of the present government of Hong Kong, more or less in the line as suggested in the still-born Young's plan. I feel that it forms a reasonable basis for further study and is worthy of support. I am sure that our in-
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