TNAG-0003-FCO40-39-Commission-of-Enquiry-into-the-Kowloon-disturbances-addition-1968 — Page 165

PART VI CONCLUSIONS

145

who could benefit from them and that there are two aggravating factors or difficul- ties peculiar to Hong Kong. It is a very congested place and the ground or premises available for recreational facilities or youth clubs is strictly limited; thus making it more difficult to provide adequate outlets. Furthermore, as the Commissioner of Police pointed out, many youngsters must have come to Hong Kong from Mainland China with exaggerated ideas of what to expect. Distant fields tend to be greener than they really are and many might well have expected an easier and more abundant harvest. They may have suffered bitter disappointment and frustration of their high hopes when they found themselves in an intensely competitive society where they were ill-equipped to compete, and many will, in addition, have lacked the support and encouragement of the family unit.

547. But these, of course, are not reasons for limiting youth services. They merely increase the challenge and the need. Government efforts in this field, as shown in the report submitted to us by the youth section of the Social Welfare Department, are very closely interwoven with the activities of the voluntary agencies. By subvention and otherwise, Government, with the aid of the agencies seeks to stimulate new and improved facilities for youth, to create and develop communities in a new society in which young people will find an adequate oppor- tunity to test their capabilities and their character in every direction that is not damaging or dangerous to others. The work of the voluntary agencies is invaluable but how much remains to be done in bringing these opportunities to the attention of young people and in providing appropriate facilities was shown in the analysis of the 313 young offenders in Chi Ma Wan, 55% of whom mentioned ‘radio listening, movie and T.V. viewing' as their only recreations, whilst others mentioned gambling and dancing but very few indicated any interest in sport or healthy exercises of any kind. The Lady WILLIAMS' Report draws attention, as have others, to the growing need of training for industry and in industry. No one would question this but there is also obviously a need of training for life and a broadening of our whole conception of education. Within this conception and in the field of youth services we must not overlook the needs of the misfits and the cranks. Whilst it is apparent that in seeking to preserve and improve the standard of well-being amongst this community as a whole, first priority must be the opportunities of training, etc. provided for those who, by aptitude and temperament, are best fitted to take advantage of such opportunities but, quite apart from the question whether we can afford to provide further riot-producing material, common humanity indicates that we must not forget the misfits and the inadequate. In so keenly competitive a society it is very probable that youngsters of this kind will find themselves brushed aside to where their resentment must inevitably tend to grow. We are not in a position to recommend specific remedies and can do little more than put up sign- posts and suggest further study but it would appear that, within this field, the work being done by the Police Juvenile Liaison Office could with advantage be expanded.

Page 165Page 166