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promotion for a legal product, forgetting that tobacco is a killing product, and that its sale might have been banned altogether, if the subsequent ill effects were known from the very onset of its introduction for use. Restricting promotion will not violate the principles of free trade and enterprising spirit of Hong Kong, since all tobacco brands will be equally prohibited to promote. The intention is not to allow our younger generation to be tempted to this deadly habit by the false glamorous image created by tobacco advertisements.
Advertising agents and firms may not welcome this idea, as they have vested interest, but if they think of the issue on a wider basis that their children will be less likely to be subjected to this evil temptation to ill health and premature deaths, they may think otherwise.
5. This system does not amount to hypothecation of tax.
It has been argued that this Levy System will be a form of hypothecation of general revenue. That such is not the case is borne out by the fact that the funds so levied will be applied to general good and not for any special groups' benefits. It will certainly relieve the demand for funds from the arts and sports groups from the general revenue. The merit is that, the name of tobacco is taken away from promotion to induce youths to start smoking. The resultant beneficial effects on public health, and the saving on community and hospital costs should surely be considered as benefiting the public as a whole.
The fact that this fund is applied to arts and sports groups and not to other organizations is that they have traditionally in the past become dependent on tobacco money for their operation. It may well be the same, if the levy is collected into general revenue, and the arts and sports groups are given a more generous sum for their operations from the general revenue. It could be conceived that this levy is a contribution from tobacco industry out of their profit from the sale of a harmful product to redeem the harm they did to some activities which will enhance and improve the quality of life, such as arts and sports.
Another possibility is for the Finance Committee to form an Allocation Subcommittee to prioritize the allocations, so that the levy will be still in the hands of Finance Committee.
6. Conclusion.
I have outlined the Levy System which has been in practice with success in Australia, and is to be followed by other country, such as New Zealand. I have indicated the possible set up in Hong Kong whereby this fund could be properly administered. I have also emphasised on the merits of removing the name of tobacco from the money they are going to provide, and the health benefit of discouraging our youngsters to start smoking. I have also distinguished that this levy is not a form of hypothecation of tax from the arrangement and control I recommended.
It is my desirous wish that Hong Kong Government will not bend to the commercial pressure of the tobacco institute, and to be persistent in its attitude
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and to adhere to policy in pursuing the course to further stamp out the use of this harmful product in the form of tobacco, which trend has now becoming widespread all over the world, like the democracy movements in Europe.
Mr. Chairman, with these few words, I beg to support the motion.
(Messrs. John K. P. FAN and Ronnie M. C. WONG left the meeting at 5.08 p.m. and 5.09 p.m. respectively.)
MR. MAN SAI-CHEONG (in Cantonese):--Mr. Chairman, the topic I have chosen for today's contribution to the debate is 'The Urgent Need for a Film Archive in Hong Kong'. I will speak along the lines of functions of a film archive, operation of a film archive and the role of the Urban Council and the establishment of a film archive.
Thousands of films have been produced in Hong Kong. The total production of feature films alone, from 1946 to date, is estimated at more than 7000. Unfortunately, it is believed that the loss rate of films produced before World War II is over ninety per cent in Hong Kong. Losses in 'independent' productions have been particularly serious in the post-war period. The local feature film industry in recent years has passed through the martial arts phase to more varied productions, emphasising more on quality rather than quantity. Whether consciously or unconsciously, films reflect the society in which the filmmakers live and work. Therefore, as far as the preservation of the cultural heritage of a city is concerned, there is an urgent call for a Film Archive to be set up in Hong Kong.
Functions of A Film Archive
A Film Archive's function is to select, acquire and preserve films of artistic, historical and scientific interest.
The primary purpose of Film Archives is, however, conservation. Through conservation, the cultural value of a film as an art form in its own right, and the recognized documentary value of the film as a record of life lived before the camera's lens are preserved over generations. Film Archives can promote and develop that art of film making. Screenings of 'classics', as well as the presentation of new and innovative works that explored the frontiers of the medium, may side by side stimulate the development of the art of cinema and arouse the interest of the audience. A Film Archive in Hong Kong may also contribute towards the training programmes in the industry generally and the professional education of film making in particular. A Film Archive can also provide information services, publish filmographs and monographs and make them accessible as a result of documentation and distribution. Furthermore, a Film Archive can help expand the film market and promote the film industry by making the films more readily available for screenings through film festivals and the world-wide network of film archives.
Operation of the Film Archive
Some kind of working relationship must be established between the Archive and the producers and distributors in order to facilitate its efficiency and
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