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HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL
determined professional effort, often in adverse conditions, to protect public health, improve sanitation and ensure hygienic conditions for the sale and preparation of food, among many other measures for the mental and physical well-being of the people.
The Setting
The Council in its present form and work-style is still a new experience for Hong Kong. Indeed, because it is directly responsible for its own finances and holds executive powers too, it is able to act without delay on decisions it takes on its own.
How it is constituted or the way it operates is no mystery. Consequently, all who accept appointment or stand for election know exactly what they are getting into, without cause for complaint or disillusionment later on. The Council has definitely nothing to do with the electoral franchise or the conduct of elections to it, or even with its own composition and constitution. But it has certainly wide powers of direct consequence to the quality of life in the community. Indeed, it uses them conscientiously and with marked assurance of success. As a result, Hong Kong is a healthier and happier place to live in by the Council's energetic action. This is what the people say, here and elsewhere. The Council's detractors are found more in its own ranks than outside. This is curious because, against the telling facts of success everywhere, there can be no argument. Of course, the Council will not be deterred by the political bullying but will be spurred on to further achievements. For there is obviously so much more to do together for the good of the people.
The Approach
This Council does not live in a dream world of power-play but goes about doing its work confidently in a practical way because it knows what it wants and how to get it without fuss. Quietly but surely, it is making Hong Kong a leading community of quality.
The Council now pledges to keep its sights on the Statement of Aims. And, with dignity and integrity, Members will press on with the transformation of Hong Kong.
CHAIRMAN (in English):-The motion for the adoption of the Statement of Aims has been proposed by the Chair, seconded by Mr CHEONG-LEEN. Now, before I call the question, I think we should ask our friends whether they would want to come in to register their negative vote, or perhaps just to say in a very good Australian phrase: 'Jackie go walk-about'. Now, Mr Secretary, would you please fetch our friends or ask whether they want to come in after their walk-about. (Laughter).
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(The Secretary instructed his Assistant to invite Mr B. A. Bernacchi, Mrs E. Elliott, Dr Denny M. H. Huang, Miss Cecilia L. Y. Yeung and Mr Tsin Sai-nin to return to the meeting before the vote on the motion was taken.)
(pause)
MR CHAN CHI-KWAN (in English):-Mr Chairman, do you intend to enquire whether they are coming back, yes or no?
CHAIRMAN (in English):-I am obliged to you for asking, but the Secretary, Urban Council, is worried because his assistant might have been kidnapped. (Laughter).
(pause)
MR CHAN (in English):-But I think your Secretary has already sent another deputy to fetch the deputy.
CHAIRMAN (in English):-Second time. We will run short of Assistant Secretaries soon if they are kidnapped. (Laughter). We might lose them one by one.
(pause)
MR JOHN MACKENZIE (in English):-I think ample time has been given for our assistants. Can we get on with the meeting.
(pause)
(At this point the Secretary informed the Chairman that Mr B. A. Bernacchi, Mrs E. Elliott, Dr Denny M. H. Huang, Miss Cecilia L. Y. Yeung and Mr Tsin Sai-nin had declined the invitation to return to the meeting.)
CHAIRMAN (in English):-Thank you. I am greatly relieved with the return of our two Assistant Secretaries. They were thus not kidnapped. I will now call the question.
The question was put.
The motion was carried unanimously.
MOTION
MR KENNETH T. C. Lo, CHAIRMAN OF THE RECREATION AND AMENITIES SELECT COMMITTEE, moved the following motion:-RESOLVED that the Pleasure Grounds (Amendment) By-laws 1979, be made under section 109 of the Public Health and Urban Services Ordinance, Cap. 132.”
He said (in English):-Mr Chairman, As Chairman of the Recreation and Amenities Select Committee, I rise to move the motion standing in my name:
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