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practising medicine without being a registered doctor—a very sore point indeed in Hong Kong.
The Secretary for Home Affairs has touched on what must clearly be a very interesting aspect of the whole public policy. It concerns youth, its relation to crime and the need to do more to ensure that young people play their part in the community. This is again a matter which is exercising great concern among Members of the Urban Council as it does among the public in general. I agree with him that undue emphasis has been put on this age-group when the group, as a whole, is actually being tarred with the same brush because a relatively small number here as elsewhere have gone out of line.
But I would again like to say, indeed, just as I have said before, that tedium generally breeds anti-social behaviour. So, in our society where the Government commands the tools and the resources, the Government should also give the lead by carrying out far more programmes, reaching into every nook and corner of Hong Kong, to ensure that young people have worthwhile activities during their increasing leisure time. This is a thought I leave with our Official Members. Because such activities transcend the boundaries of Government departments, sometimes because of inter-departmental rivalry duly acknowledged, not more has been done. Let us cut the Gordian knot in this matter because, Sir, so much is at stake.
I agree with Director of Social Welfare that now that his draft White Paper has been so widely accepted in Hong Kong its eventual implementation will certainly improve the quality of life for large numbers of our population. It is in the rapid implementation of the recommendations that success will be achieved.
Sir, may I, with respect, deplore the fact that you should project into this Council the notorious feud among Scottish clans when you took my good friend, Mr. MACKENZIE, so subtly to task. We assure you, Sir, that those of us who, perhaps, whether fortunate or not, also have Scottish blood in our veins, would like to see peace restored among the clans. Indeed, your wide-ranging reply to the many points made by Unofficial Members is very convincing. We know, because we work closely with you, how genuinely you must have followed up all the speeches; we would like to see that in the months which you remain with us, even though not as Chairman of the Urban Council but as Director of Urban Services, that attitude effectively projected. And knowing you as well as we do, we know too that until the day you leave us you will apply yourself whole-heartedly to the work of the Urban Council. I noticed with very great pleasure your comprehensive reply made to some of my friends on matters concerning recreation and amenities and the impressive projects you have listed, but I wish to see them implemented as quickly as possible. As to the condition
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of the race tracks, Sir, if necessary, I shall test them myself when they are ready so as to ensure that there will be no repetition of the bad work that has caused Mr. NG to raise the issue so eloquently.
Although this may be the last Conventional Debate in which Official Members are taking part, this good practice should not be abandoned by the new Council. A new form would perhaps be tried out in the coming year. Of course, the debate will not be exciting as they have been fair because Official Members will not be with us. In the future, Members will have to criticize one another. Of course, the Director of Urban Services may be called upon to reply on behalf of officialdom. On that occasion, an exception could be made in Standing Orders to ensure that Official Members may be invited to take part in the debate if only to reply to criticisms. This is the thought I leave with my colleagues.
Sir, this afternoon, the Council expects me as their representative, yet a mere mortal like all of them, to say how thankful we are for the great work done by the Urban Services Department, the excellent support given to us by the Secretary of the Council and also for the co-operation we have enjoyed from the Departments represented in this Council by the Official Members. And, to you, Sir, I wish to say that you have been a very great friend of the Unofficial Members. Surely, no greater tribute a man could expect to receive than to be called a friend. And so, Sir, on this note I conclude my reply on behalf of the Unofficial Members. (Applause).
CHAIRMAN (In English):—Ladies and gentlemen, the motion has been proposed and seconded and everyone has spoken. I shall now take a vote on the motion.
The question was put.
The motion was carried unanimously.
CHAIRMAN (In English):—Ladies and gentlemen, as this is the last open meeting of the Council before the end of the year, I would like to wish you all a Very Merry Christmas and a Happy and Prosperous New Year.
ADJOURNMENT—4.42 p.m.
That concludes the business of this meeting. The Council stands adjourned until Tuesday, 9th January, 1973 at 4 p.m.
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