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PROVISIONAL URBAN COUNCIL
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comments on the Government's proposal. Several colleagues have just mentioned that they have a clear conscience regarding what they are doing now because they are not fighting for their own seats in the Council. Contrary to their thinking, the public will get an impression that Councillors are fighting for their own seats. When carrying out our work this year, I hope colleagues will give consideration to adjusting our municipal work in line with changes in the administrative system, so that we can facilitate the handover in future and improve the coordination work in promoting harmony in the community. If we can put forward more sound proposals in this regard before the Council ends its operation, we will bring the Council to a perfect conclusion on the eve of completing its historical mission. In addition to the above opinions, I would also like to talk about the testing balloon released by the Government and make proposals on the future municipal work. I was astonished when I learned last month that after doing such tremendous work, the Government found its proposal unable to save much money. The proposal on the new structure will probably be dished out next month, but there is no guarantee whether it will be more efficient than the present one. On the one hand, the proposal does not represent cost-effectiveness; on the other, it does not guarantee efficiency. What will it be like? We should carefully study these two points and pay more attention to them so that the Government may come up with a better proposal. Our colleagues in the Council have also done a great deal of work. This is obvious to all. Very often, our views differ, yet each view has its own value. I am particularly impressed that in 1998, Councillors were keen to express their views on relieving the public's hardships and reducing fees. We appreciated the views expressed by every Councillor. However, when we make proposals, we should maintain the principle of prudent financial management. Regrettably, many opinions not only called for "reducing the sources of revenue”, but also for increasing services with a consequential "rise in expenditure". Last year, it often occurred that the Council's revenue was reduced and its expenditure increased. Therefore, I hope in 1999, while continuing to promote municipal services, we should attempt to reverse the situation and follow the principle of “increasing sources of revenue and cutting down expenses”.
It has been a great pleasure for me to work with my fellow colleagues in the past year, during which I have experienced a great deal of things. Though the Council's work may come to an end, I feel that the differences in our views will lead to democratic development, which is what we all yearn for. I hope the progress of democratic development will continue to have the support of all of us. Finally, I support the Chairman's motion.
MR. HENRY WU KING-CHEONG (in Cantonese):—Mr. Chairman,
Time flies. Before we know it, it's again time for the Provisional Urban Council Annual Conventional Debate on the Council's Statement of Aims. Thirty Members have already delivered their speeches in the 2-day debate, and have so far spent a total of 199 minutes and 29 seconds, with speeches
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