CO129-629-8 Social policy 1-12-1949 - 31-12-1951 — Page 39

6.

demand the elimination of such people, for this would have implied an assumed power of direction of all an association's activities. would of course have been a complete reversal of the fundamental S.W.O. policy of encouraging self-help and independence amongst these new Kaifong Welfare Associations).

This

(e) In due course the women's side of kaifong activities was persistently

encouraged by the S.W.0.

(f) Strenuous efforts were made for land to be made available on which

each approved Kaifong Welfare Association could develop its own particular community centre suited in form and function to the needs of its district.

(g) At intervals of about two months the S.W.O. had since 1950 ̊ been producing a Chinese "Kaifong Bulletin" containing some fifty or more pages of news, comments and information of special interest to Kaifong Welfare Associations and similar bodies. The small cost of producing this on a privately owned duplicating machine was at first borne by members of the S.W.0. staff; subsequently a generous cash donation from a semi-official charities fund (not under the S.W.0.'s control) disposed for the time being of all financial difficulties. The intention is that in due course the Kaifong Associations themselves should produce their own regular Bulletins.

(h) A closer personal, as opposed to official, liaison was built up

between the S.W.O. and certain key sections of the police force,

(i) Detailed proposals have this year been submitted to the Hong Kong

Government, and are now being considered by it, for the creation in 1952 of a new and separate S.V.O. Community Welfare Section which will consist of six men and two women whole time workers, and the Chinese writer, under the direct charge of Mr. C. N. Li.

16.

During the last two years certain other events have taken place which, while not directly part of the relationship between the S.W.0. and the Raifong Welfare Associations and therefore not strictly relevant to these notes, are of sufficient importance to warrant special mention here. The first was the growing readiness of the small man to take an active part in the associations' affairs. At first nearly every Standing Executive Committee was made up almost entirely of leading local figures; but as each association entered on its second year more and more humbler folk were elected by secret ballot on the strength of the sound practical work they had done and interest they had shown in the previous year. The second pair of events were the encouraging references made by the Governor in his 1950 and 1951 budget speeches. Finally there was the public support, also given generally to all the Associations, given by the senior Chinese momber of the Colony's Executive and Legislativo Councils.

C.0./6088/51

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