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individual freedom, is a demanding task for everyone. In the process of change we should assure that Law should not be the chance product of political bargaining, but rather the result of the deliberation of individuals operate under minimal sectorial pressure. These individuals should have depth as well as breath of experience from the people of all levels, the workings of its government and the society.
At the District Level the people, through their directly elected representatives and appointed members on the District Board, has been responsive to consulta-tions as well as actively participating in district events whenever called upon to do so. These collective advices from the District Level has enabled both the Regional and Central Levels of the Government to respond to the people by reexamining and/or adjusting their policies and legislations. These important consultative and advisory functions should remain the key role of the District Boards.
Of the three tiers of our representative Government the District Boards are the closest to the people. With the majority of its' members directly elected by the people, the District Boards provide an orderly ground through which individual can formally participate in the administration of the Government. It also enable these participants to gain first hand experience in serving as well as establishing their accountability to the people through district administration and civic education.
With the recent inclusion in the Legislative Council of elected representative from the major functional constituencies together with members elected from the District Boards, the Government gave formal recognition to the unique structure of Hong Kong's society. With this important recognition in mind, the evolution of representative government in Hong Kong should embrace the important contribution of these major functional constituencies at the District Level and personally speaking, the Regional Level as well. The administration should therefore be brave to accept and give Functional Constituencies formal representations at the District Boards in 1988 and their representation on the two Municipal Councils should take place prior to the consideration as listed in paragraphs 62-65 of the present Review. The ratio of seats between geo-graphical and functional constituencies and appointed members should ideally be a third each or for some District Boards three quarters of the seats to be split equally between geographical and functional constituencies and the rest for appointed members.
The above composition of the District Board, besides stimulating greater interest and initiative from and within functional constituencies to participate in government, will also offer a better climate where sharing of experience will lead to better mutual understanding, co-operation and respect among the three categories of members, the administration and the people. This will in time facilitate the development of a Responsible Government in Hong Kong by providing a greater variety of candidates with broad and intimate experiences
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of the foundation (District) level of our society, for the voters and the consumers which are one and the same person after all, to select and give mandate to.
Let us therefore waste no time in cultivating leaders that will be prepared to propose and to commit to the people clear and realistic goals upon which Hong Kong can thrive, earn its respect and be of value. Society must be built to survive the worst of time and not only when the Hang Sang Index reached 14 000 points!
Thank you very much for your attention, Sir, I support the motion.
CHAIRMAN (in English):—Ladies and Gentleman, we come to the conclusion of our discussion today. Mr. SULKE and Mrs. Nellie FONG are both on leave and have asked their speeches be tabled and form part of the proceedings of today (Appendices A and B). I should now proceed to take a vote on the motion.
The question was put.
The motion was carried unanimously.
Adjournment—5.25 p.m.
CHAIRMAN (in English):—That concludes the business of today's meeting. The Council stands adjourned until Tuesday, 13 October 1987 at 2.30 p.m.
Appendix A
SPEECH BY W. M. SULKE, O.B.E., J.P. TO THE ROTARY CLUB OF HONG KONG AT THE MANDARIN HOTEL ON THE 12 MAY 1987
Stand up, Hong Kong!
Freedom of expression in Hong Kong has made such great strides in the last three years that most have forgotten how difficult it was for anyone in Hong Kong, including also expatriates like myself with rights of abode elsewhere, to say anything which was frowned upon by either the Hong Kong or the Chinese establishment.
I am still very proud that in a speech in early 1984 I was instrumental in opening the floodgates when, among other things, I said that we needed autonomy, democracy, including direct elections and a referendum.
All that sounds pretty tame now but, believe you me, it wasn't when I said it, and I rapidly became very unpopular with both the British and Chinese establishments.
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