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rate equivalent to half of that for ground-floor units in factory buildings (i.e. $1.50 per sq. ft), the annual rental would be approximately $90 million. Therefore, the Council should consider amending the regulation which governs hawker licence fees and that the fees be paid every three months so as to lighten the hawkers' burden. The Council should also consider accepting payment by post or through the USD district offices for the convenience of the hawkers.
2 There is an obvious tendency of providing new multi-purpose markets. As a further step, more spaces should be set aside for letting out as premises for restaurants since markets are mostly situated in densely populated town centres where people have to pass through day and night to buy food. Patronizing these restaurants, people would find much convenience. The Council could invest and operate bazaars, offer shorter leases and relax restrictions on uses so that the street traders in general who are doing rather well may have more chances of expanding their business. In the next 3 to 5 years, there is a greater need for such markets and bazaars. The Council should, taking into account population density and the principle of supply and demand, increase such facilities in the districts in time so as to put an end to street obstruction and to prevent illegal hawking near markets. By doing so, even a piece of deserted land will be turned into a market town and the right of the lawful tenants will be safeguarded.
3 There is a greater need for cooked food stalls in industrial areas than in town centres. Therefore the Council should consider providing more permanent or temporary sites for such stalls in these areas, allowing the use of such sites at reasonable rents so as to draw more cooked food stalls away from the areas which already have adequate eating places. This could be our new contribution to the labouring class.
Mr Chairman, although the proposals I have made cover a very wide scope and cannot be easily put into effect, yet it is not impossible if carried out gradually and in stages. It can at least help to boost revenue and reduce the annual expenditure of the Council. To solve the present problem is always a better policy than to have to burden taxpayers with our deficit.
With these remarks, I support the motion.
MR HOWARD H. W. YOUNG (in English):-Mr Chairman, I have great pleasure in speaking for the first time on this occasion as an individual person appointed to the Council, not only as Young by name, but also by age.
As the topic of the elected versus the appointed system has been broached, I would like it to be noted that it is only because we do have the appointed system that this Council has voices from people of my age group such as today. Of the 3 youngest members here today, who were born in the 1940's, all are appointed.
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To be pragmatic, we must realize that the majority of Hong Kong's population thinks that the real important issue is the stability and prosperity of our community, and that to help achieve this, Government must be Responsive, Responsible and Efficient. As long as the above is achieved, and I believe it has reasonably been achieved so far under the capable leadership of a Governor who himself is appointed, whether members of public bodies are appointed or elected is a secondary issue. While there may be gains with an elected system, there will equally be losses by doing away with the appointed system. I for one, who as an employee with a 9 to 5 job on which to rely for a livelihood with no property, shares or wealth to fall back on would find it difficult to serve on this Council other than as an appointed member. It is only due to the enlightened social attitude of my employers, and to considerable tolerance by my colleagues who share the burden of my bread and butter job that I can afford to spend time on Council affairs. This is all well as long as it is time well spent, but I am sure it would not be regarded as such if an even greater proportion of time was spent on playing political games instead which bring no benefit to the public. Chinese people the world over are pragmatic and more interested in actual work done rather than debates.
Nevertheless, I feel it is inappropriate to divide Councillors into two opposing camps of elected and appointed members, since this ignores the overwhelming number of instances where both types are working in conjunction for the public good. If there is any division, then it is surely between those who are the majority and wish to get on with work in peace and quiet and those in the minority who for reasons of their own wish to quarrel and squabble or insult others by walking out.
What have the appointed members and the majority of the elected members who have been in this Chamber today done to deserve being insulted by being refused to be heard by a small minority led by a person whose own profession regards it a sacrosanct right for both sides to receive a fair hearing? The Urban Council does provide many entertainment programmes for the public, and although there appears to be no shortage of clowns, but I feel that we should not allow the provision of a political circus to become a part of our Statement of Aims which we are supposed to be debating today.
Billiard Saloons and 'Moral Issues'
In May last year the Environmental Hygiene Select Committee made a policy decision to ban future billiard saloons from mixed residential/commercial buildings. This decision was made after considerable soul-searching and at the risk of the Council being accused of taking upon itself the role of 'The Guardian of public morals' and criticized for maiming what is contrived by some as a perfectly respectable sport and recreational activity.
As a person who is personally keen in youth recreation, I for one would be the last to spare any effort to promote a healthy recreational activity.
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