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HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL
Hong Kong now so clean by comparison with what the situation was not so many years ago. It is gratifying in particular to see the great number of young people now taking part in this most laudable community work.
To ensure a high standard of food hygiene in our physical circumstances is essential. Not only must the department keep a close watch on all who sell food for human consumption and apply evenly the prescribed health regulations but we must also attract young people to train as food inspectors so as to overcome the shortage of such staff. With Hong Kong developing as a food preparation centre for exports as well, the Council must be ready to take such measures as would be necessary to ensure that our food products satisfy the requirements of importing countries so as to boost our trade and to give employment to our people.
For as long as I can remember the Council has had a progressive programme to build markets in new areas and to replace the old ones now no more up to standard or able to cope with existing demand. Regrettably, this programme has marked time for reasons not of our making. In consequence, in many places markets have been overtaken by the proliferation of hawkers in street trading. New problems have been created requiring practical measures on the ground in each area to bring about a semblance of order. Of course, Hong Kong is adjusting to new trends in the sale of food as also with the eating habits of our people. But, there will always be markets in our circumstances as there will always be hawkers. In the present economic situation, many more people take to the street to make a living. They will not be hounded, as I said last year, yet on their part they must accept voluntarily the need to abide by regulations to control their activities so that all may have a fair chance, not only the hawkers but the shopkeepers in the vicinity as well.
The most desirable solution would be for Crown land to be found in every district for off-street trading in hawker bazaars including cooked food stalls in new industrial estates where they should be located on land set aside for government, institution and community use, not in amenity areas as the term is now understood by us, which, if true, we should oppose because it means depriving the people of open spaces for recreation. There should still be a limited amount of demarcated on-street sites where necessary for a clear-cut purpose or to carry on traditional trades. Unless the Government is able to give the Council well-placed locations for such hawker bazaars, the problem is not ever likely to be solved satisfactorily. So, resort must be had to the new experiment now to be conducted in designated areas where hawkers would trade
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with minimal intervention; this scheme is the result of much discussion and long consideration. Come what may, the fact must be accepted that hawkers are here to stay for they serve an economic purpose, otherwise, they would have gone out of existence long ago.
The provision of modern facilities for cremation in Kowloon, for long inadequate, is now urgent; yet it has still not been made in spite of the Council's efforts to persuade the Government to start work at Diamond Hill. Cremation is much more used now; the point was reached last year when all existing facilities could not cope expeditiously; so, for a period, there was a time-lag which caused distress to the bereaved families. Representations have been made over and over again to the Government to push ahead with the crematoria in Diamond Hill and also the funeral home in Hung Hom. Furthermore, because the Council is disturbed by allegations that advantage is unfortunately taken of families in grief, the practices of private cemeteries and funeral parlours should be kept under review and more powers should be sought to intervene if abuse is proved or charges get out of hand. The Council is pleased with the part the Tung Wah Group of Hospitals is taking by offering free or low-cost funeral services as a counter-measure, while the Council gives free burial or cremation for all in need.
Culture and Recreation
When we look back on the Council's record since the building of the new City Hall, we realize how far Hong Kong has come in the promotion of cultural activities. At first, slowly but steadily for various reasons but mostly because we had no control over funds and also incomplete say on overall policy, yet laying a good foundation all the time, until now we are taking impressive strides. We are able to make good progress due to financial autonomy and because we set current policy entirely on our own. Let us not falter now but move ahead with firm steps to inspire progress all along the line for a better and richer life for the community through the City Hall and in all ten urban districts as well. Every form of voluntary activity deserving of our support, whether physical, administrative or financial, should be encouraged in measure: all done within reason and in keeping with Hong Kong's interest. When we had no money of our own, we devised means to back Hong Kong's fledgling groups; now, we should do so even more, over the whole range of cultural interests. This should be our policy if we are to serve Hong Kong well.
Last year I spoke on our libraries, the development of which is going on apace, with the plan for a branch in every district and for
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