HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL
put them to work with this in view. The work that needs to be done initially is political work, which one might expect from constituency party organizations, if these existed. There has been a tendency to think that since it is constituency political work that is required, the only way to get it is to create an environment similar to that which has produced this work elsewhere, and hope that we shall get it to develop as a result. I suggest, however, that a direct approach, which has already been applied elsewhere with success and much nearer home, would serve this purpose.
I refer to a system of political officers for the urban areas, somewhat similar to the district officer system we have in the New Territories. In the urban area a district officer would not have the executive function that his counterpart in the New Territories has, but he would have the straightforward political task of assessing public opinion, as to the effect of existing Government policy, and of explaining Government's aims in a way that can be understood by ordinary people.
Ombudsman. We frequently hear muffled cries alleging miscarriage of justice in Hong Kong. The real difficulty is to know whether there has been an injustice or not. Our harassed Councillors do their part in investigating complaints. In Britain over six hundred full-time Members of Parliament are engaged largely in this pursuit. Proportionate to population, Hong Kong would require some fifty full-time members. Even so, it has been found necessary to introduce a Parliamentary Commissioner in Britain.
It astonishes me that we have progressed this far without the introduction of a form of ombudsman. I would like to see one introduced in Hong Kong, with stronger powers than in Britain. I cannot believe that it can be argued, on the one hand, that we have no injustices which need correction, or on the other hand, that our injustices are so unjust, as not to bear revelation! I feel, on the contrary, that there must be a number of miscarriages of justice, and that to reveal them, and to correct them, can only serve to strengthen the fabric of our society, and to improve confidence in the administration.
These arguments have been made on a number of occasions, but to judge from the deafening silence with which they have been received, it appears that they cannot have been given the consideration they deserve.
Labour. There is one further matter of public concern, to which I should like to draw attention. This is the field of labour relations. The fact, that improvement in labour conditions, has fallen behind the headlong rush to industrialization in Hong Kong in recent years, can be laid at the door, not only of Government, but also of many employers. It is, I think, high time that concentrated thought was given to the improvement in labour conditions that is now overdue. I welcome the recent limitation of hours of work for women and young people. A large proportion of employers already grant a weekly holiday, and I consider that we are within reach of a compulsory rest day a week. Greater protection should be given to daily paid workers. And what about hours of work in shops, and elsewhere than in industry? The staff and powers of the Labour Department should certainly be strengthened. For a start, it would be an assistance if it were made compulsory to notify industrial disputes to the Department. It should be given greater powers for conciliation. Labour relations cannot be satisfactory unless there is some collective expression of labour's views. In view of the weakness of the Unions, active encouragement should be given to Labour to organize itself, in some way, perhaps by instituting Works' Councils in each factory, and by associating these together in groups. We are told that many ideas are in the pipeline, but I suggest that these ideas will trickle too slowly out of the pipe unless the tap is turned on considerably harder.
HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL
Conclusion. It is in the nature of this Debate to contribute comments that are critical rather than complimentary. But no discussion of public affairs at the present time would be complete without a reference to the resolution of the people of Hong Kong, that has been displayed in recent months, and in particular, to the high standards shown by the Police. These qualities have rightly drawn praise from the entire world. I should add that I think we have been blessed, by and large, with a Government service of a very high order. Even when viewed through the tinted spectacles of Westminster, it frequently attracts praise. How much more remarkable, must it not be considered, when viewed through the dark glasses of South East Asia? I have every hope that it will seize the opportunity for social progress that is now presented to it, and meet the rising tide of expectations, that has been brought so sharply into focus by the events of this year in Hong Kong.
Mr. Chairman, I beg to support the motion before the Council. (Applause).
MR. B. A. BERNACCHI:- Mr. Chairman, I also support this motion. For the past few years at this annual meeting I have mainly concerned myself with commenting on Urban Council work. This year, it is going to be different because there is too much to be said that ought to be said and must be said.
I was very much impressed the other day with a forum of young people organized by a gentleman called Ted Thomas over Radio Hong Kong. One of the speakers said local politics is the management of your own affairs and has nothing to do with outside politics whether Nationalists, Communists or what have you. I agree, and this Council is the embodiment of local politics, indeed another speaker said that the
Page 182 of 259