XN000022-1972-03-29 — Page 40

Wednesday, March 29, 1972

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His ability to clean up the mess was proportionate to the human

and mechanical resources that he was able to acquire and to train and absorb

into his establishment, he pointed out.

"But neither land for dumps nor additional money for staff, transport

and equipment falls within my control. And even if they did, and I had

all the staff and facilities I need, I still would not be able to succeed

in my task unless I have the co-operation of the local population in

understanding the problem and assisting me to overcome it.

"For it is they who have dumped their rubbish there

instances on private land," he stressed.

Cost Of Cleaning

in many

Citing that the cost of cleaning up a short stretch of the Sutlej

River near the Sheung Shui tanneries was about $700,000, Mr. Alexander said

he expected the whole job to cost millions.

"How much it will cost and what precisely should be done to prevent

the same thing happening again we still do not know," he said.

On the problem of hawkers mentioned by the Hon. Ellen Li on March 15,

Mr. Alexander said in a community as closely packed as Hong Kong, some

curbs had to be put on individual freedom, if the safety and well-being of

others were not to suffer.

"The Urban Council, while recognizing that, in certain areas, hawkers

provide a very necessary service, also acknowledges the fact that their

legitimate needs must be balanced against the needs of traffic and pedestrian

circulation and of shops and residences," he said.

"I hope,

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