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HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL
these budget surpluses make 19th century reading and are unrealistic in modern times. Yet the system of taxation is itself 19th century. There is still no obligation on any person or company to complete one return of his full income earned in Hong Kong. Millions of dollars have been and are being lost in taxation because of it. Yet the failure to increase the personal allowance is badly hitting the middle class' pocket at a time when the increase of salaries is not keeping up with the inflation.
Finally, I will come nearer this very building and attack the organization of the Urban Council. The Urban Council deals with the day to day needs of the people of Hong Kong, or at least the people of the Hong Kong Island and Kowloon. There is no reason why, just because the political situation is such that independence for Hong Kong cannot be considered, the Urban Council as such should not be an entirely elected body, the electorate being all the citizens of Hong Kong above 18 years of age. Also, there are now towns springing up in the New Territories which are controlled by a Government officer, known as the Town Officer, under the New Territories Administration. This is wrong, this is again 19th century, and this should not be allowed to be tolerated any longer. In my view each town in the New Territories should have its own Council, and the system should be a 2-tier one with the Greater Hong Kong Council at the top of the municipal ladder. This type of system was approved unanimously by this very Council in the 1960s. However the Council submitted, even without a fight, to the alternative proposals by the Government as to the future of municipality of Hong Kong. Even the quite ridiculous name of Urban Council was not further questioned, although before, the whole of the Urban Council, both Elected and Appointed, wanted it to be called City Council. I say either let the Urban Council be the people's Council of Hong Kong or let it be abolished altogether in favour of a reformed Legislative Council that has at least some elected members. But this half appointed, half elected Council and the elected side being put into office by a mere four to six thousand votes out of a population of over four million is so shallow and at the most a display window for the so-called democracy that I for one am not having any more to do with it. Mr. Chairman I will now formally support the motion and endorsement of the Statement of Aims for the coming year.
ADJOURNMENT—4.54 P.M.
CHAIRMAN (in English):—Thank you. This Council will resume the debate on Thursday, 17 January at 2.30 p.m. when the remaining Members will speak. Council is now adjourned.
HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL
Appendix to Mr. Hilton Cheong-Leen's speech
Urban Council
Programmes for Children--1979
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ment programmes. Except for the camp activities in summer which charge a nominal fee of $10, all were free of charge. Major programmes were as follows:
(1) Children's Dance Day: 8 April 1979
This was a very delightful programme held at the Edinburgh Place. Over 3,000 children and spectators attended the function. The programme was divided into two parts: the first part consisted of performances by the winning teams of the annual School Dance Festival; the second part was a 'Dance Together' item participated by some one thousand children, wearing caps of different colours (representing different countries all over the world).
(2) April Fiesta: 22 April 1979
Some 17,000 children spent a happy afternoon playing games at a fun fair in Victoria Park. The programme also included a marching band concert, a children's party, a Chinese folk songs & folk dance performance and a variety show.
(3) Children's Painting Competition: 3 June 1979
Children's minds are filled with imagination and creative ideas. In order to develop their talents, a Children's Painting Competition was organized, which took place at the Botanical and Zoological Gardens. The plants and animals were a rich source of materials for painting by the young artists. The programme included Painting Competition, Colour Filling Competition, Group Painting Competition, Art and Craft Demonstration, Paint Together, Exhibition and Portrait. Some 3,000 children from five to fourteen years old participated in the function.
(4) Children's Games Day: 15 July 1979
Various interesting and competitive activities were designed for children under 14 years old. These helped the children to make good use of their agility and quick wits. The Games Day took place again at Victoria Park. Prizes and trophies were awarded to the winners.
(5) Children's Film Festival: From April to September
The aims of the Festival were twofold: first, to educate children how to make good use of their leisure time; and secondly, to stimulate the interest of film-makers to produce films suitable for children. The Festival was divided into two parts; namely the Children's Film Production Competition and the Children's Film Carnival.
In the first part, amateur film-producers were invited to make films on good hobbies, educational games, voluntary services, etc.
During the Film Carnival, outstanding entries of the Competition as well as educational films supplied by various cultural organizations were shown in late August early September. In this two-week event, two films were shown every evening at various parks and playgrounds in densely populated districts.
(6) Summer Fun Festival: 13 July 1979 to 1 September 1979
The Summer Fun Festival consisted of an intensive programme which covered a period of 51 days. There were participatory outdoor activities as well as free performances at various parks and playgrounds. Its 60 odd functions included launch picnics, swimming parties, camp activities, carnivals, children's parties, and so on. Over 60,000 children were entertained.
(7) Children's Tricycle Contest: 5 August 1979
200 children from 4 to 8 years old joined the contest at Victoria Park. All the tricycles were provided by the Council and each participant was given a colourful cap. Winners were awarded bicycles, with a view to encouraging them to advance their cycling technique.
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