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matters. They should present themselves for the committee meeting to study and to amend the housing policies.
I suggest that one more committee should be established to be responsible for investigation of those people who are badly in need of a housing flat. After close investigation, people who are found to be in real hardship should be given priority, even if their application number registered slightly late. To save the poor people from being homeless.
The stipulated limit of applicants' family income involved in the allocation of flats should be reviewed more often to suit the increasing general economical situations.
According to some complaints, the staff responsible for clearance of the huts usually take action suddenly. The belongings of the public are confiscated, and therefore give cause to bitter resentment. Due to this evil action, unhappy feelings spoil the good work done to bridge the gap between the Government and the public. It is really regrettable. I appeal to the Authority concerned that the people should be housed before their huts are put down, otherwise ample notice should be given, so that people can be in time for the removal of their properties. Intended to avoid possible corrupt practices, to prevent some corrupt staff from taking away the residents' belongings which the staff themselves consider rubbish, I propose that the officers of Independent Commission Against Corruption should be appointed to keep an eye on the clearance being taken. To protect those poor people from suffering double loss.
I would like to appeal again that opportunities should be given to the citizens who are now living in public housing to buy the accommodation by installment. To accustom the residents themselves to saving and thrift. This could ensure that every family would have a roof above their heads. The long-term policy is also an encouragement to the sense of belonging and public spirit. Furthermore, the Government could get a considerable sum of money to use as the fund for further construction of public housing. It will also be of great value to the finance of the society.
Finally, I am pleased to support this motion. (Applause).
DR. P. C. WONG (in Cantonese): - Mr. Chairman, Dear Colleagues, today, it is my pleasure to participate in the 1975 Annual Debate of the Urban Council. In fact, it is my thinking, that the public should be stimulated to hold their own debates on matters concerning the Urban Council, given an interesting topic under supervision of our Administration Committee. We may gather useful opinions from the public audience. Merely supplying information on general policies, activities, and irregularities, if any, may not be sufficient in these days.
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On the cultural side, it is hoped that Chinese orchestral music, local drama, traditional Chinese dances, and songs should be placed No. 1 on the list for promotion and assistance so that they will become professional at an earlier date. Such a movement will not only draw Urban Council closer to the public, it will lend a strong force of attraction to tourism enterprises.
Furthermore, the City Hall Select Committee may herald measures to promote group weddings. The essence is on money-saving, particularly on these days of world regression. If the City Hall facilities can be made use of in this respect to waive expensive, clumsy traditional rituals and save time, not only the hosts, those invited will appreciate and lend their support.
As the trend of eating habits is towards simplicity, Chinese traditional dinners, which are usually more than sufficient, can be reduced in the number of dishes. With the cost per table lower, restaurant business can even be promoted.
With regard to Entertainments, programmes involving manpower and equipment should be so arranged as to avoid duplication in other departments. This is a saving measure. On Environmental Hygiene, I still maintain my own suggestion that all refuse-containers should be of the non-leaking type with well-fitted lids. The present rattan baskets, when left in the collection points, not only cause a bigger influx of insects, rats, and flies, but also cause unbearable air pollution, which affects even upper flats of high-rise buildings because of the narrow streets.
With regard to Food and Hygiene, I believe a simplified procedure for issuing licences is a matter of utmost urgency. It is well known that many shop-proprietors have to pay several months of rent without doing any business just because they are waiting for the licences. This is very unreasonable and will impair the confidence of the investing public.
The hawkers' problem is viewed mainly from the angle of unemployment and employment, particularly at the present regressive state of world economics. If the Urban Council could plan to build many Hawker Bazaars, exploiting lower floors of multi-storey car parks, affording them standard, pleasant-looking, and space-saving stalls, it