HONG KONG LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL
41
sum is being loaned to the Society on special terms by the Hong Kong and Shanghai Bank. Government's contribution is in the form of an indirect subsidy of the order of $11 million, by providing on nominal terms the site of 2 acres on King's Road. I hope that this will be but the first of similar schemes, for housing for the less well to do of our residents is one of our most serious problems. Government itself is also on its own account going into the question, with a view to using part of our Colonial Development and Welfare Fund allocation for housing for workers. Some of the larger employers of labour provide housing of good standard for their employees, and there has been further progress in this direction in the past year. As Honourable Members are aware, Government is prepared to lease Crown land for such a purpose at less than the market value.
Another plan or survey that should be undertaken is a social economic survey of the New Territories. I referred to this last year. Here again we propose to apply for a grant under the Colonial Development and Welfare Fund.
On the political side we watch with sympathy what is going on in China. We should like to help that great country in her undoubted difficulties which, I am sure, she will overcome in time, but meanwhile we cannot permit Hong Kong to be the battleground for contending political parties or ideologies. We are just simple traders who want to get on with our daily round and common task. This may not be very noble, but at any rate it does not disturb others. We do not feel that we have a mandate to reform the rest of the world.
On the constitutional side I have little to report. After the debate that was held in this Council last June, many societies and other bodies forwarded to me or published their views on what the constitutional set-up in the Colony should be. All of these I sent to the Secretary of State with my recommendations. As the Secretary of State himself stated in the House of Commons not so long ago, one cannot draw up a constitution overnight, and his officials have been giving a great deal of thought to the matter, which unfortunately has been delayed by the General Election that was held in the United Kingdom last month.
In conclusion, I thank my advisers, both official and unofficial, for their willing and constant co-operation throughout the past year.
I also thank the Government Service for their support, especially those who work long hours overtime without so much as a murmur. It has been a year of stresses and strain and I do not see any let-up for some time to come, even though we look forward to the future with quiet confidence. (Applause).
354
No comments yet.
Private notes are available after approval.