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HONG KONG PROVISIONAL URBAN COUNCIL
achieve anything. Mr. Ronnie WONG is right. A motion is just a small first step. If Members feel that new colleagues are not yet familiar with things and a review is too rash, I think you are underestimating their abilities.
I think the Chairman is sort of self-protective. We know that with our present powers, we cannot deal with hygiene, culture, sports, and recreation issues effectively. We have been doing trivial matters here and there. If we stick to the belief that we can hold on to what we have without being stepped over by others, we are just in a sort of mountain stronghold mentality. It is not in the long-term interest of Hong Kong.
In 1966, a lot of Members were very forward-looking and aggressive. They had a sense of mission. I hope that as a new Council in the beginning of a new era, we uphold our sense of mission. A lot of good things need not be changed, but imperfections should be improved on. One example of this is the discovery last week that promotion of Chinese culture was not an objective of museums in the past because the Colonial government did not see such a need. That target has now been put in. May I ask if Members feel we should put that in? If we insist on no change for 50 years, are we saying that we will not promote Chinese culture within the next 50 years? Our role has changed. We need to consider more about the present role and function of the Council. We should seek ways to do our best for the long-term interest of Hong Kong. That is the ultimate aim of my motion. If we choose to be an ostrich and to evade matters, there are still bound to be a lot of dissatisfied voices asking for a review in a year or two.
Mr. Chairman, I would like to make a final appeal to Members. I hope you can be more open-minded and I hope you can support my motion. It is not a radical one, not rash at all. I just want us to take that small step forward. Thank you.
The question was put.
The motion was lost with 10 votes in favour, 14 against, and 4 in abstention.
(5) MR. DANIEL TO BOON-MAN moved as follows:- In order to enhance the efficiency and the quality of the Council's services provided to citizens, RESOLVED that the Urban Services Department should study the implementation of 'Total Quality Management (TQM)', to satisfy the need of the present times, so that the Council can continue to provide its good services, face up to the future, and stride into the next century; the USD should also consider appointing management consultancy firms to follow up and implement the relevant matters.
He said (in Cantonese): Mr. Chairman, I think both Councillors and the public would like to see a Council that is continually improving. We should respond to changing times and improve so that we can keep abreast of times.
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