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Electoral Apathy
HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL
With this sorry bickering, both in and out of the Annual Debate, is it any wonder that the Urban Council has come to be looked upon as a bit of a political joke, and has been described by one political observer as a 'Chamber of mediocrities'? The wonder is that we maintain as much credibility as we do; and this is due to the capacity of our Chairman to rise above the mediocrity with which we are afflicted; and by the good sense and the operation of the Appointed Members and a majority of our Elected colleagues.
The image of mediocrity is reinforced by the circus antics demonstrated in the past year by a few Elected Members who should have better sense and judgement; and by visiting MP's who come here at their invitation to shout 'fascist' at a society they cannot understand. One of these super-Neros, representing one of the worst slum areas in Europe, had the temerity to criticize Hong Kong's achievement in re-housing over 2 million people since the 1950's. Do these small-minded people realize that England, with a population of 50 millions and vast resources, has rehoused barely more than this number from slum conditions in the same period?
Is it any wonder, then, that the electorate are unimpressed and that an average of only 9,000-odd people have bothered to vote in 8 elections since 1965-perhaps 2.5% of the eligible electorate?
Fiery utterances and displays of bad manners may capture occasional headlines, but they are counter-productive and detract, in the long run, from the Elected Members and the credibility of an extended electoral system in Hong Kong. Fortunately, the majority of Councillors ignore these frequent tantrums and are proud to get on with the job of helping to run this great city.
Conclusion
And, we live in a great city.
When I walk through the streets of Mong Kok, as I did last week, and travel comfortably and speedily on the M.T.R. to Tsim Sha Tsui, and sail tranquilly across the harbour on the Star Ferry-ridiculously under-priced at 30 cents!--and observe the forest of masts which constitute the port's shipping, and the masses of fine buildings (most of which have been built in my time and which continues to grow at a rate which must amaze and excite all but the most hardened cynic), I cannot help but feel pride in the achievement of Hong Kong and satisfaction that I have been part of this community and, in one small way or another, have contributed something towards its astonishing progress.
And my advice to this Council, indeed my plea, is clear and unequivocal: Cast aside the Jeremiahs! Dispel the false prophets who preach division and decay. You have a herculean task before you in meeting the challenges of the 1980's. Resolve to do this in a spirit of co-operation and mutual respect,
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with determination to help the Council to render greater service to the people in the decade ahead, and to surpass the magnificent progress we have made since autonomy in 1973.
The choice is clearly yours. I hope, indeed I believe, that you can be equal to the task.
Mr. Chairman, with these few remarks, I support the motion.
MISS CECILIA L. Y. YEUNG (in Cantonese): -Mr. Chairman, Fellow Councillors, at today's Annual Conventional Debate, I am greatly enlightened by the genuine speeches and profound views of my senior colleagues from which I gain a lot. I would like, first of all, to express my heart-felt gratitude.
The following are my proposals:
(i) Under the planning of the Chairman, the Urban Council has left no stone unturned as far as the promotion of cultural and recreational activities is concerned. This is the most outstanding link in the Council's chain of services, and other organizations have also contributed their response from time to time. However, due to the fact that booking has to be made more than 6 months in advance for hiring the City Hall, much inconvenience has been caused to the public and civic organizations convening assemblies. The Urban Council should select more suitable locations to erect buildings to provide additional venues whose scope and form are similar to those of the City Hall. This is to facilitate hiring by the public and other organizations and is of tremendous benefit to the promotion of culture in Hong Kong. This is particularly so if a well-stocked library is attached to the venue because it is of remarkable help to the cultural community and the students. Renting private flats to set up libraries is not only costly but also makes it impossible to provide for permanent development. This is very much a regret. Hence, I propose that plans should be mapped out for the construction of town halls in various districts on both sides of the harbour and the New Territories. Those town halls will not be a luxurious expenditure; their hiring charges would amount to a very considerable sum of income every year.
(ii) To improve urban services is the aim we are all striving for in this Council. Circumstances render it necessary that we should take other advanced countries as our reference. Sharing the fruit of development is a lot better than toiling behind closed doors or groping for innovations. In the past, the Council has sent its staff for overseas study many times. This demonstrates amply that the Council had this intention long ago to send abroad study tours and gather more information to serve as the blueprint for improvement. In addition, taking the habits of the people here into consideration, assimilating the good aspects through a comprehensive study will devise a system more adaptable to the local need. This is far more practical than engaging overseas experts to conduct