HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL
there was a sudden rush for these licences when some 20,000 were issued. To date, there are still many thousands trading without licences and with complete disregard for control and order, but the long and short of it, they have all become part of an “organized chaos”.
Nevertheless, despite Government's wait-and-see attitude toward giving proper support, I can say without suspicion of immodesty or complacency that the past year has seen some encouraging progress which included over 20 successful operations, in our efforts to come to grips with the problem. Although, perhaps, to the man in the street, the physical improvements are observable only in the few tidied-up areas, the Council, with the earnest and unflagging efforts of the Department, has certainly demonstrated that our revised Hawker Policy 1969 is not only workable but the best solution we can find for this very controversial issue where various and conflicting interests need to be compromised in one way or another.
Whilst we have tried, as we must, to restrain ourselves from riding roughshod over humanitarian and welfare considerations, it is all too clear that the momentum of our efforts in the field must be maintained at all costs, and this can only be done if this Council could go about it with consistent firmness, reasonable tough-mindedness, unflagging determination and resolve.
Indeed, our policies and measures will inevitably cut across vested interests, and from these sectors, we will not win popularity, but the over-riding public interests dictate and we must have, as our primary goal, the overall well-being of the community as a whole, and remain steadfast even when confronted with inevitable criticism or even organized opposition. The staff are doing their duty well, and I should like to express my gratitude to them for their efforts, but what is more, I like to stress that both this Council and Government must lend them support. Firstly, having arrived at a feasible policy, we must now give them a free hand to implement without frustrating their efforts through an equivocal approach that tends to undermine the policy through individual cases. Secondly, although different people may have different ideas as to how problems should be tackled, Government departments should all accept that this is Government's policy and they must adhere to one and the same line, otherwise we shall again tie ourselves up in a tangle of doubts, indecision and red tape while no action can be taken in the field.
We saw numerous instances of the Department's efforts being frustrated through lack of manpower. Recruitment exercises have produced very poor response because hawker control work is a difficult, unpleasant and thankless job, and conditions of service are unattractive: no quarters are provided and fringe benefits are inadequate. I should like to reiterate my plea made over the years that the conditions of service of the Force be revised as a matter of the utmost urgency, so that the Department can recruit new blood of sufficient quality and quantity to tackle the formidable task ahead. The Department's inability to fill some 130 vacancies has made it necessary to leave crucial hawker areas uncovered except by occasional visits made by the HCF Mobile Squad which cannot stay continuously in any one area and, consequently, cannot maintain any improvement.
Page 135 of 241
The Shun Ning Road operation is a convincing illustration. This major operation, which took weeks to plan and execute, produced remarkable improvements, for as long as HCF units could remain there. Their necessary withdrawal to tackle situations in other areas was immediately followed by a rapid deterioration of conditions and the chaos there is now worse than before. I should like to see Government's concern more convincingly reflected in an expeditious provision of resources, as I have no doubt that the Legislature is only too aware of the urgency of the situation.
Sir, another point, in December 1968, referring to my remarks about public relations, you said the proposals are currently under active detailed study by Government and you, Sir, assured me and my Colleagues that we would be kept informed of any development in this important matter.
I am glad that at that time, two years ago when I revived the subject, you felt that this was an important matter. Today, the need is ever so much greater and I must say that if we had been given such facilities, through real understanding of the situation which warrants priority, much of the lack of communication between your Department and the public and indeed this Council's work, resulting in misunderstanding and unnecessary problems, could and would have been avoided. I would like to go one step further. I would like to see the Resettlement Department also given this assistance of having their own Public Relations Section as soon as possible. The G.I.S. staff, despite all their efficiency, are over-worked, and no matter how willing and ready they are to help, often times they simply cannot cope. Besides, we are all too aware of their fair share of VIP's to cope with.
Timing is of great importance and if we wish to avoid unnecessary misunderstanding. Complete silence leads to speculation and frustration. Untimely remarks and releases made through private channels due to lack of facilities have also caused some confusion. I am afraid this situation will deteriorate. Consequently, I do not think I can repeat this request too often and ask you to make representation over this long overdue facility.
With these words, I beg to support the motion. (Applause).
HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL
248
249