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doing, but also pay for our heavy capital construction programme, without recourse to the Government. The best and only logical way to do so would be for the Government and the Council to agree on increasing the Council's participation in the rate revenue without asking a cent more from the public.
At present, let me repeat lest the Council's position be misunderstood, the Council is given 6% while the Government keeps 9% of the 15% payable as rates. Far be it for the Council to suggest that this 15% be increased in the present difficult circumstances. Our proposal is simple: that the Government give the Council all the rates that are collected in the urban areas, leaving the Council to meet all its running expenses and to pay for all capital undertakings.
I hope that Members will study this suggestion very seriously and discuss it fully. On my part, I think it is fair and logical; it has also the merit of being practical, straightforward and clearly defined.
Without doubt, the suggestion I now make also puts the Council in a position where it would have to manage all its money affairs prudently and use its surplus funds judiciously in the public interest without being able to fall back anymore on the Government. So, what is the Council's own record? Can I do better than to quote a sentence from the speech made in the Legislative Council on 30th October by the Senior Unofficial Member, Dr. S. Y. CHUNG:
"The responsible attitude of the unofficials in determining the policies and managing the affairs of the Urban Council was a surprise to those die-hards who had previously raised doubts and put forward objections to the re-organization of the Urban Council."
Indeed, although a new way of life for Hong Kong, yet the Council has already proved itself. Need we mention that we anticipate on 31st March an accumulated budget surplus of about $100m in the short span of two years, which is nearly a third of our annual revenue? And, must we recall the efficient control the Council collectively exercises in the conduct of its affairs while expanding its activities in so many ways in the service of the community?
All the Council wants is to make Hong Kong the community of quality the people so richly deserve. All the Council asks is for the Government to give it this practical means of doing so much faster than now possible.
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Of course, in the prevailing economic circumstances, the Council would be wise to take account of the financial stringency Hong Kong is experiencing and frame its plans accordingly so as not to aggravate any difficulties the Government might encounter in meeting their primary obligations for the good of the people as a whole. Indeed, while we might open negotiations at this stage, let us hope all would soon augur well for Hong Kong so that before long a satisfactory settlement might be reached in the general interest.
PAPER
The following paper was laid on the table:-
Report to the Urban Council by the Director of Urban Services and Secretary, Urban Council, for the month of November, 1974.
QUESTIONS
(1) MR. PETER P. F. CHAN asked the following question (in English):
May members of the Council be informed as to how the Urban Council sponsor the activities of the Hong Kong Concert Orchestra as well as the Philharmonic Orchestra? Is the Urban Council a partner in these two institutions? How the Urban Council is going to promote these cultural activities in future?
Mr. H. M. G. FORSGATE, CHAIRMAN OF THE CITY HALL SELECT COMMITTEE, replied as follows (in English):-
Mr. Chairman, this question concerns the Council's promotion of orchestral music in Hong Kong.
One of the aims of the City Hall Select Committee for 1974-75 is:
"To promote and assist the Hong Kong Philharmonic Orchestra in its plans to become fully professional.”
The Hong Kong Philharmonic Orchestra has been in existence for 27 years.
It became professional in January this year and now has about 70 musicians; about half are full-time players and the other half part-time players.