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# HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL
## ADDRESS BY CHAIRMAN
CHAIRMAN (in English):-Council will now come to order.
## MINUTES
The minutes of the meeting held on 18th October, 1977 were confirmed.
## STATEMENTS
CHAIRMAN (in English):-In the eighties and beyond, a more demanding community will expect better living conditions all round. The Council would do well to anticipate this new mood in all seriousness. In essence, it should be concerned now with what it will do then.
The present expansion of services and activities makes heavy demands on existing resources. The construction of public facilities already set in train has now gone beyond the point of no return. Anyway, nothing should be cut back because the community really deserves more than it has had up to now. If so, is the Council confident of its continuing ability to meet all financial engagements? Bluntly, will it pay its way in the next decade? The frank answer must be: no. Qualified, perhaps; clearly no, nevertheless.
Willy-nilly, it must find the extra money. So, what more can the Council do? Where warranted, it has gradually put up fees and charges for many services, some marginally, others cost-related, while also rapidly starting more free activities for the direct benefit of the people. But, the yield from the next round of this marking-up exercise is likely to be small by comparison with projected requirements. A critical look at all secondary revenue sources bears out the belief that the potential is limited in this direction.
So, back to the primary source: the rate. The Council cut its rate from 6 down to 4% of its own volition, before the start of the current financial year. It did so as a practical gesture of goodwill to the people. Such sympathetic action was nevertheless contrary to the trend in cities of comparable importance and population. Indeed, others ask for more as a rule. Anyhow, the reduction was intended to soften the blow of a sharp rise in the Government's independent revaluation of property for taxation purposes. The Council's voluntary concession has served the people well.
There is no suggestion of any raise at present. Let it be made clear, here and now. Certainly not a return to 6%. Even so, the object of speculation is likely to be distorted. And, attract spurious comment to boot. However, the future cannot be ignored. The Council should not be purblind to the inevitable financial implications of its continuously expanding commitment to community betterment. Neither should the people, too.
Then, it is into the future that all must probe earnestly. Even the ordinary improvement of basic municipal services in a progressive community requires more resources all the time. Here, there is much more to do even to bring them up to par. The questions must be asked then, in all logic. Must the Council cut back its services if it cannot afford them? Lower standards? Or even curb development plans? Presumably not. The community will not put up with it. If so, how will the Council pay for all that should be done in the fast approaching eighties? And, with good reason, the answer must perforce lie with the Government. Who else?
Members of the Council, there has been an internal threat to lawful authority. It was made by persons sworn to uphold law and order.
They joined the Police Force of their own free will. They are paid for their services by the people. Their professional duty is to protect life and limb. It is a community trust they cannot betray.
Their general record of efficiency is difficult to match anywhere and their past conduct in times of stress won universal acclaim. Yet, none can deny that there is also a proven record of participation in nefarious rackets causing human misery and degradation. It may have been the work of some bad elements or it may have been widespread in the past. It is up to the due process of law to determine and not for anybody to say. But, it has given rise to grave anxiety to the people and sapped public confidence. Credibility and confidence must be restored at all cost. And, it must be done quickly. The community expects all good men in the Force to stand up and be counted as guardians of the law. They will earn the respect of the community as a whole by doing so.
What the people will not put up with is the bluster and intimidation of the few. The community, and the Police Force itself, cannot be held to ransom, now or ever.
This Council is one with the Government. It pledges its support to uphold authority. There can only be one law in Hong Kong and it must be applied evenly to all without fear or favour.
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