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HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL
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HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL
The provision of adequate housing for those less privileged must be the duty of the government, and private landlords be they big or small should not be asked to subsidize.
Our 10-year public housing programme is the proper answer to provide housing. And this programme must be proceeded at full speed. At the same time thorough investigation must be made by the Housing Department to ensure that those who have enjoyed public housing and bought flats outside which they rent out must be made to vacate from public housing so that those who are more deserving can move into premises vacated by these more fortunate property owning tenants.
The early clarification by the Government of its legislation on domestic premises will definitely restore confidence to the trade and at the same time stimulate buying interest in properties for rental investment. At the moment purchasers for investment shy away because there is a cloud of uncertainty that by a stroke of government legislation they may never recover possession of properties which they have rented out.
Having cleared these 2 issues of unreasonable levy of rates on vacant premises and landlord and tenant legislation applicable to more luxurious flats, I am sure that crown land sales etc. will return to a more buoyant state and more revenue will accrue from this source. In passing, I would mention that even the U.K. is having an early lifting of its control on commercial rental. Furthermore as over 30% of our listed companies are in land investment a return of confidence to the real estate market must restore corresponding confidence in our over depressed stock market.
2. Another source from which additional revenue can be obtained is by the amendment of our gambling laws to allow private enterprise also to operate betting shops for horse racing instead of such betting facilities being solely operated by the Jockey Club. I am sure this will bring in more betting tax, profits tax and revenue in the form of licence fees. The arrangement as to how this can be done I leave to the authority.
3. A further way of obtaining money to finance those capital projects which are revenue-earning is by direct borrowing. In this time of inflation it is definitely advantageous to be in the position of a debtor rather than a creditor.
4. Finally, I am sure no one will object if a purchase-tax is imposed on luxury goods by a piece meal approach and additional duties be levied on intoxicating liquor and tobacco to increase revenue.
Before leaving this subject I recommend that an Economic Commission be set up to find ways and means of fighting inflation and improving our economy.
Mr. Chairman: Before I sit down, I would like to repeat that this is a last Annual Conventional Debate of the Urban Council in which I am taking part, as I am due to retire as an Elected Member when my term is up at the end of March this year. I want to say that during my term of office I have enjoyed working with my colleagues. I have also enjoyed participating in these Debates and listening to the speeches of my colleagues which have always been interesting though not always agreeable.
Although I have already dwelt upon the subject of Hawking, I want to say that undoubtedly it is the most difficult and important problem tackled by this Council, and so long as unemployment increases, the number of hawkers continue to increase. This is not a problem to be easily swept aside, so long as these otherwise unemployed people lack a means of earning a decent livelihood. Therefore, whilst we must quickly provide accommodation and exercise reasonable control over them, we must at the same time be realistic and sympathize with the desire of these people to seek an honest means of making a living instead of being a burden to the charity of the community, or become a perpetual charge upon the Government. This economic migraine, as it were, is not incurable, though difficult of solution.
I want to take this opportunity to offer my belated but nonetheless sincere hearty congratulations to our able and hardworking Chairman on the honour which Her Majesty The Queen has bestowed upon him earlier this month by raising him to the dignity of a Commander of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire—a C.B.E.—an honour which he has so well and deservedly earned. I am sure I am voicing the sentiments of my elected and appointed colleagues as well as myself when I wish him continued success in his arduous duty as Chairman of this Council.
Mr. Chairman, I want to take this opportunity also to thank the staff of the Urban Council and Urban Services Department for their good work through the past year and for their ready co-operation and ready services to us.
With these few remarks, I have much pleasure in supporting the Motion before Council. (Applause).
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