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achieved in the state of cleanliness there. Staff would, of course, hope to achieve this result by persuasion and education, but where serious offenders can be caught, they will be prosecuted.
Mr. LOBO again raised the question of a Public Relations Officer. Members may recall that a statement was made in the Legislative Council earlier this year to the effect that the Director of Information Services had drawn up proposals for the larger departments to have their own information sections. The Urban Services Department was included in these proposals, of which the aim is to provide more direct communication between departments and the public, to stimulate departmental interest in public relations and so to increase public understanding of the functions and performance of the Government at working level. The proposals are currently under active and detailed study by Government, and I can assure Mr. LOBO and Members of this Council that they will be kept fully informed of any development in this important matter.
Ladies and Gentlemen, I have already exceeded my time, but with your permission I would ask you to bear with me for just a moment longer. At the beginning of my speech, I accused all Unofficial Members of not stressing the Council's achievements and I now do so again because I believe that on many occasions you are your worst advocates and that generally speaking you do not do yourselves justice. In the short time I have been Chairman, I have seen the progress Council has made and this would not have been possible had it not been for the very vigorous way in which you all apply yourselves to the common tasks. The time you have given up, the energy and thought you have put into the affairs of the Council and the unfailing and genuine concern you have shown for the people of Hong Kong cannot be ignored and cannot but be appreciated by all who live here. I would therefore like to express my appreciation and to thank you all most sincerely for all you have done and also for the courtesy you have shown me and my staff during the year.
With these remarks, I support the Motion before Council. (Applause).
MR. A. de O. SALES:----Mr. Chairman, I would like to thank you for your concluding remarks regarding the Unofficial Members of this Council. It was good of you to pay public tribute to the work that Urban Councillors do throughout the year. May I repeat what I said when I opened the debate that we likewise appreciate the fine spirit of co-operation we have enjoyed from you and the members of your staff as well as from the Departments which are associated with the Urban Council.
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You were far too modest, Sir, when you said in your speech that there was nothing startling to disclose to-day. Indeed, you startled me and I presume you also startled my colleagues when you made the offer to teach new Members of the Urban Council about the work of this Council and the ways of Government. You startled me because of your conceit and your presumption. (Laughter). Mr. Chairman, may I pose the question: who is going to teach you and your staff about the ways of Government and about how the Council should operate? May I very modestly in turn offer the services of the Senior Members of the Urban Council so that you may be properly coached and guided before you and your successors, and the successors of other Heads of Departments, take their places in this Council. We too have noticed that there is considerable room for training on your part. (Laughter: shouts of "Touché").
Sir, three weeks ago when the Unofficial Members of Urban Council opened this debate, there was in a hotel room in Hong Kong a sick person—a North American—who because he was confined to his room, listened to the live broadcast of the speeches made by Unofficial Members. He was most impressed and he said that he had never expected that this would have been possible in a colonial city. His opinion of Hong Kong changed completely and it was the best possible propaganda that the Hong Kong Government could have put out to the visitor—the many speeches made by Unofficial Members of the Council; the forthright criticism which was made of the shortcomings of the Government. This was his opinion, and he being a person of some considerable influence assured the person who in turn told me the story, that he would make a point of saying so upon his return and at every opportunity that was available to him. And, for this reason, Sir, it has surprised me this afternoon to note the undercurrent of resentment, on the part of the Official Members, of the outspoken criticism which my colleagues have made this year. This undercurrent grew to a swell in the case of your Vice-Chairman. He said that he was not here when the debate opened because he was ill. I suggest, Sir, that it would have been far kinder for the image of the Hong Kong Government if another virus had prevented his attendance to-day, because his resentment being so loud and so clearly spoken has done nothing to improve the image of the Government in this Council.
To resent criticism made by men and women who give up so much of their time, give so much thought, and sacrifice other opportunities, in the public service, particularly by those who are paid to stay here, by those who are paid to discharge their functions, that resentment, Sir, is most uncalled for, because it is our function to criticize the Government wherever we see there is a shortcoming and whenever we think and believe Government can do better.
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