1966

I 279

Page 208 of 279

388

values, which they otherwise would not have been aware of. This is education at the grass-roots level.

A happy and contented citizenry is formed by attention to the less favoured members of the community to ensure minimum decent living standards. The cheapest, quickest and most effective method to achieve this is to help them to help themselves. Apart from preserving their self-respect this method broadens co-operation between Government and people. I submit, Mr. Chairman, that by affording facilities for the expansion and development of these campaigns Government is acting not only for the good of our citizens but also in its own best interests as well.

I would urge that every effort be made in the coming year by Government to expand facilities for such campaigns, as a living proof of its genuine anxiety to promote better relations with the public and so establish a solid basis for developing more local say in governing Hong Kong affairs.

Mr. Chairman, while I am not in favour of radical constitutional changes, I would like to see gradual and steady progress. In this way we will not nullify what we have so far achieved.

To illustrate my point, may I relate a story from the great sage Confucius-

"Passing by the side of Mount Thai, Confucius came on a woman who was weeping bitterly by a grave. The Master pressed forward and came quickly to her. Then he sent Tze-Lu to question her. 'Your wailing', said he, 'is that of one who has suffered sorrow upon sorrow.' She replied 'That is so.' 'Once my father was killed here by a tiger. My husband was also killed here and now my son has died in the same way.' The Master said 'Why do you not leave the place?' Her answer was 'There is no oppressive Government here.' The Master said 'Remember this my children, oppressive government is more terrible than tigers.'

The moral is obvious.

Two days ago, Mr. Wilfred WONG referred to certain types of barbar shops. Today I would like to refer to three more recent innovations in this same field of free enterprise, which were not mentioned by Mr. WONG. Specifically, I speak about the so-called Photo Developing Schools, Coffee and Tea Saloons and Clothes-Pressed-While-You-Wait Shops which I am told by Kaifong friends give even better service than barber shops. (Laughter). These establishments do not provide the services that would ordinarily be understood by the titles. They are in fact nothing less than dens of iniquity, proliferating moral sickness

389

among our youth. They should be investigated by the authorities and action taken to close them down.

With these remarks, Mr. Chairman, I have pleasure in supporting the Motion. (Applause).

MR. PETER PING K. NG:- Mr. Chairman, this is the first time I speak in an annual debate, and as eighteen eloquent speakers have preceded me and there is one to follow, I shall confine my remarks within the scope of the Council.

Before proceeding, I would like to extend my appreciation both to you, Mr. Chairman, and members of your department for the guidance you have given me. It is generally accepted that U.S.D. is a complex department, that whoever runs such a department with efficiency as it is deserves respectability. However, there is nothing in this world too good that leaves no room for improvement, and it is on this line of thought that I shall innovate my points, which I hope all of you will be kind enough to bear.

My first remark is on Sanitation and Maintenance of Buildings in the Colony. It is obvious that no one here wants this Council to be just called a Sanitary Board. So we have to look into matters from a more general point of view and also look into matters that affect us. Time is not only a valuable commodity, but also an essential element in planning. Maintenance and cleansing of all buildings in Hong Kong is an urgent task for which this Council here should give some serious thinking. Up to the present moment, there must be over 5,000 buildings, or say over 100,000 flatted domestic units in this Colony. The sanitary conditions in most cases are quite shocking! Has anything constructive been done towards effective cleansing and removal of refuse in sub-divided buildings? Has anything been done in reforming existing regulations to effect proper maintenance of buildings old and new? A Working Party was appointed some time ago to suggest solutions for the administration and maintenance of sub-divided buildings and a report by that Party was published in 1962. The recommendation made in this Report has never yet been implemented. A new select committee should be formed to set up appropriate regulations and by-laws under the Urban Council Ordinance to ensure proper maintenance, cleansing, as well as removal of refuse in the sub-divided buildings. I remember the Urban Services Department used to carry out annual individual house inspection and enforce house cleansing to insist on sanitation. Although this is not in practice at present, it could be modified and something even more realistic and progressive could be done on the same principle. As we know, everybody's