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V. Youth Problem
HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL
The recent rising figures of crimes in Hong Kong and combining with the fact that the people who have committed crime are mostly young people have caused worries to some quarters of the community. This is why the question of crime cannot be separated from Hong Kong's youth problem. It is also to prove that in Hong Kong the recreation policy alone would be insufficient to solve the youth problem. According to my view, this is mainly due to the question of social structure. The young people and the adult alike they should support their spiritual life with future hope. But the recent Government policy and what Government has done has clearly indicated that under the present circumstances Hong Kong cannot give young people any future hope for their development.
I remember that in June 1965, I have advanced an idea of Hong Kong citizenship in the Urban Council wishing to give young people some sense of belonging and some hope for the future. But after that, what I see is that Government has tried very hard to cut down the jurisdiction of the Council and Government has not done anything to appreciate and develop the potentialities of the young generation. Further than that, Government did not do anything to cultivate their ability. This is the main reason to create uneasiness and bewilderment of the present young generation. Those young men who are bit unfortunate either because of their family background or because of failure in examinations went astray by committing offence group. It is believed that the detection rate of Hong Kong Police is one of the best in the world. But even that, we cannot stop their criminal activities.
(Mr. T. S. LO left the meeting at this point.)
This is why some public-minded people in Hong Kong think of dealing with them with heavy punishment. I agree with that. But at the moment, the Courts have already done whatever they can to impose a heavy sentence. But so far, there is no marked effect. It is therefore the heavy punishment alone is probably not sufficient. The Government should fundamentally think of the social and political structure of Hong Kong; otherwise, this question would become increasingly serious. In other words, this question can only be solved by short-term and long-term policy together. This makes me think that how urgent and important the development of secondary and technical education is. I hope the public-spirited citizens of Hong Kong can stand up to associate and help the Government to solve this question. On the other hand, I hope that the Government should have trust in the younger generation and develop their sense of responsibility. In the last 3 or 4 years, the lack of interest of the young people in the Urban Council Election is worthy of our consideration.
HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL
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VI. Hawker Problem
The hawker problem in Hong Kong is a social problem. In the past, the Government has spent a great deal of money to solve many other social problems. But strange enough, the Government always takes a different view concerning hawkers. It is true that amongst the hawkers there are rich ones, such as the holders of some of the cooked food stalls; they are actually merchants; but if the members of this Council have a chance to go to the Magistrate Courts to have a look, they would realize that those hawkers who are charged for obstruction or hawking without licenses are old ones. They are nearly at the end of their life and deserve some sympathetic consideration and help from the community. The other example is those of the food caterers. They have rendered a good service to provide hygienic food to the low-paid workers and also maintain the livelihood of about 10,000 families. If the food is hygienic and if there is no real food accident in the past, I think that their business should be tolerated.
VII. Industry and Land Policy in New Territories
In the past, Hong Kong's prosperity mainly depended on industry. But after Britain's entry into the Common Market, I wonder whether Hong Kong's export situation would be changed. On the other hand, in enforcing some labour laws, there are sometimes practical difficulties. For example, a worker has one day off during a week; if his official day off is on Wednesday, yet on his request the rest day would be changed to Monday; but if there is a check on Wednesday, he would be found working there. In such a case, the factory authorities could be charged. On the other hand, Hong Kong's future prosperity not only lies in Hong Kong's industry but also in the development of the New Territories. But in developing the New Territories, there is so much limitation for private developers because of the present land policy. I wish the Government could help the middle or small-size industry and also liberalize the land policy in the New Territories. In doing so, I am sure that it helps the prosperity of Hong Kong.
Mr. Chairman, with these remarks, I am pleased to support the motion now in the Council. Thank you. (Applause).
MR. PETER P. K. NG (In Cantonese): - My first topic concerns the provision of open space in Central. In recent years, big steps have been made to provide open space facilities in all districts to meet a rising need of the community. Colony-wide speaking, effort has been made in the town planning stage to ensure that open space is evenly distributed to render the facilities practically useful to the public. However, this does not seem to hold true as far as distribution within a certain area is concerned. Central District is one example. As it
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