Page 187 of 242
354
HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL
their knowledge of Hong Kong to plan a new deal for half our population. The secretary will have under him all the necessary clerical staff to mobilize the resources needed.
Serving on this new all-Hong Kong Central Council of Physical Recreation will be representatives from the Education Department, Social Welfare Department, Urban Services Department, New Territories Administration, Hong Kong Council of Social Services, and others. In close liaison will be various committees of different sporting organizations, rather like regional councils in the United Kingdom.
This new Central Council should do much to facilitate early reorganization, co-operation and consolidation in preparation for a period of important developments in the decade ahead.
I have not envisaged a government department, however small, with a new Advisory Committee, but a combination of the two, in one Council. We have, when all is said and done, many excellent sports associations with fine records of past performance, which should retain their independence: what we need is streamlining to avoid unnecessary over-lapping.
Having said this, I must explain that in my view, the first and most important fundamental task of the Central Council would be to assess the status-quo of all existing organizations, have them reconsider their present and future provision for recreational opportunities for young people, have them keen to prune, if necessary; to share, if expedient; to give up out-dated privileges, if required. It would also establish close links with the Conservancy Association and I hope, Mr. Forsgate's new Committee. There must be a sense of purpose. Our own Recreation and Amenities Select Committee will continue to function primarily to keep an eye on the development of amenities and facilities. When the Central Council is fully launched, the official members of Recreation and Amenities will be slotted into the government machinery, un-officials may or may not be invited to serve as appointed members. The Education Department will continue to cater for the needs of school children, but its P.E. personnel may be seconded to the Central Council to do community work, or may remain within the Education Department to work with schools, many of which desperately need professional guidance. It should be stated here, that this whole city owes a tremendous debt to the very many dedicated Physical Education teachers throughout the Colony who have devoted countless hours of hard work for the sake of sport, for young people, outside their schools. The spirit of these men and women is praiseworthy, their contribution most significant, and all we have done is to take their enthusiasm for granted. I'm certain that in any redevelopment of physical recreation in the future, we will be able to count on the support of these unsung heroes and heroines. Other Government Departments with special responsibility for the young will continue as at present, with co-ordination at every level with the Central Council. The Central Council will, in fact, be the executive arm of the new Class 3 Department. If there is opposition to the name YOUTH DEPARTMENT, or Youth Council, then perhaps it could be called the Physical Recreation Council.
Mr. Chairman, you have allowed me to develop a pet theory. This time I am not ultra vires, for have we not decided in our Statement of Aims—"To push ahead vigorously with plans for the parks, recreation and amenities construction programme to match the growing public need and to maintain to a high standard the existing amenities." and "To improve and augment the staff of the Recreation and Amenities Division with a view to ensuring its adequacy, in numbers and quality, for the speedy and efficient implementation of the Council's policies." including an essential part of the recreation service. Personally I don't mind whether this is set up within our Urban Council or whether, as I have just said, a new Central Council is set up.
Thank you for letting me wander far and wide. As a child I roamed Kai Tak aerodrome, and spent many happy hours fishing, swimming, playing cricket and catching grasshoppers, and, of course, watching with avid interest the one or two planes that came in two or three times a year. Today I think of hundreds of thousands unable to play a game on grass, or fish in quiet waters. Today I feel desperately the need for a new approach to give young people their birth-right of happiness in recreation. I beg you not to pigeon-hole these homely words.
At last I'm ready, Mr. Chairman to support the motion. (Applause).
MISS CECILIA L. Y. YEUNG:--Mr. Chairman, in supporting the motion I should like to speak on Education. Housing, health and education are the three main supports on which the everyday life of our citizens is based. If the Government is not prepared to concede the principle of Elected Members on the Legislative Council, then the Urban Council should be responsible for these three things. Especially so in regard to the education field which is traditionally in nearly every country a local Government matter.
Even in our own Resettlement estates, where we are responsible for the management of over one quarter of the whole community, we can only press for adequate social services, including adequate education...
355
HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL
Page 188 of 242