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(e) Generally, I am utterly against both Government and private reduction in spending, if as a result, more people are going to be unemployed. Hong Kong has a comparatively small population; but it has a most active population. Guide this active population into improving the well-being of Hong Kong, and not add to a depression by cutting down opportunities for jobs and increasing generally the unemployment. I notice it in my ward: I call for a social welfare report. Between the time the social welfare officer has visited the family, and the time the report is made up, sent to me, and I go through it with the citizen concerned, very often several weeks have gone by, and within those several weeks the position has utterly changed. I know a woman who was reported to be not badly off because although a widow, her 3 sons were working and bringing in a total of some $2,000 to the family. She said that was true several weeks ago, but all 3 sons have lost their jobs and her plight is appalling. Multiply that example by a 100, by a 1,000, by a 10,000, by a 100,000 or more and you have the position in Hong Kong today. This state of affairs must be halted.
(f) Finally, sixthly, I consider that with Hong Kong in a state of economic depression, its people must have a bit of fun, enjoyment and quality in their lives. Although this opinion is not held by many, I consider that it is a great shame that Hong Kong has abandoned this year's Hong Kong Festival. Some of the items can be taken over by the Urban Council without very much expense, and I suggest serious consideration be given to this proposal.
Mr. Chairman, with these words I do second the motion.
MRS. E. ELLIOTT (in English):- Mr. Chairman, in supporting the Motion, I wish to mention one or two reservations I have concerning the Urban Council Aims which are the subject of this debate.
(a) In dealing with hawkers, one of our aims is to set up off-street bazaars and markets, so that streets may be cleared for traffic and pedestrians. I have no objection to this aim, but unless we have the co-operation of the Government, this aim will be impossible. If the Government wants to have streets cleared, and if the mass transport system requires the removal of hawkers, I for one will not give my support unless the Government allocates land for the suitable resiting of the displaced hawkers. Hawkers are as essential to the Hong Kong economy
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as transport: they serve an even greater number of persons than transport serves; yet I find that while the Government will bend over backwards to assist the monopolies when they require space, it treats the hawkers as if they were just obstacles to be removed at will. Let the Government allocate the suitable land, and we will resite the hawker.
(b) I also have some reservations concerning the proposed new legislation for advertisement signs. The present time is most inappropriate for such legislation, unless it is our purpose to strike another blow at already hard-pressed business, mostly small business, paying exorbitant rents and struggling against reduced business. I cannot understand why at this time we propose to add to the burdens of the public, just because we see a chance to snatch more money.
(c) To turn to my own special field, libraries, I am happy to say that our work has not been affected by the economic problems of Hong Kong, except that several of our libraries will now have to be housed in rented premises because the Government has delayed construction of some of the multi-purpose buildings where the libraries were to have been located.
My committee has worked out its priorities, and we intend to go ahead whenever we can find a suitable building, provided that the order of priorities is observed, and provided we are convinced that we are making wise use of public money in our choice of premises.
When the current year began, we had five libraries in five districts: Hong Kong Central, Ho Man Tin, Yau Ma Tei, Ngau Chi Wan, and Pok Fu Lam. During the year we added a sixth library at Aberdeen, and within the next few weeks we shall open our seventh library at Kwun Tong.
Our ten-year plan proposes one or more branches in each of the ten districts, and each library will feature a study room for the convenience of students who may find it difficult to study in their overcrowded homes. First priority in 1975 will be given to Sham Shui Po, but as Government premises in this case are expected to be available earlier than the original date scheduled, it has been decided to make temporary arrangements for a mobile library service there, instead of committing money on temporary accommodation in rented premises. Thereafter, the mobile library will be used wherever it is urgently required, and if this pilot scheme is successful, mobile libraries to supplement branch library services will become a feature in estates and outlying districts.
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