XN000022-1974-10-16 — Page 60

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Wednesday, October 16, 1974

But they can never be more than

facilities in the city.

supplementary to what is done and provided in the urban areas. The efforts of the Urban Council, the Education Department and the many voluntary agencies concerned are therefore vital. The Urban Council has continued to make rapid progress in this field, and Hon. Members will be aware that the Council has completed during the last year 36 new public gardens, 20 children's playgrounds and 26 courts for basket-ball or volley-ball.

They

also completed a further swimming complex in Kennedy Town. These complexes are well tailored to the requirements of Hong Kong, and compare favourably with anything provided elsewhere in the world. Members will also have noted the steady progress being made by the Parks Department in the provision of more greenery, shade

shade and colour in our city.

THE URBAN COUNCIL

And here might I pay my tribute to the new-style Urban Council. Earlier this year it completed its first year under the new autonomous financial arrangements, and I am sure that in this Council which contains both serving members and alumni of the Urban Council, Hon. Members would wish me to say how much we all admire the vigour and imagination with which the new Council has set about its task.

LABOUR

I should now like to say something about labour legislation. Hong Kong's prosperity depends fundamentally on its principal resource, its diligent and adaptable work force. well-being of this labour force rests primarily

The

/in the hands

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