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23FEB 1960
PLANS FOR LABOUR
S if two major reports on public transport were not enough for one day, Legco also heard yesterday a notable speech by a depart- mental head who has been conspicuous recently by his silence, on proposed labour reforms. Why it should be necessary to have both these major questions dropped in the public's lap on the same day is hard to understand. It is unreasonable to expect the public to digest both comfortably and it would have been far more sensible to have so arranged their release that public transport was dealt with at one meet- ing and labour reforms at another.
The immediate impression of most liberal-minded people will perhaps be that the proposed legislation should have been on the statute books long ago. Of course, Hongkong's indus- trial revolution is compara- tively young and began in earnest only about 15 years ago. Other more advanced countries took their time and spread their reforms slowly and unwillingly over a century. Hongkong can- not telescope the social and industrial achievements of the Western world into the space of a couple of decades without inviting disaster. This is generally understood, but Mr R. M. Hetherington's proposed measures do not appear to be the kind that are likely to undermine in- dustry or impose a heavy burden of costs on our manu- facturers or business firms. Ironically some measures
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REFORM
may encounter more opposi- tion from workers who see them as a threat to pay packets. The proposals as a whole, however, are moderate and enlightened and, in view of our ex- periences not just last year but since the economic boom began, realistic and above all necessary.
Each item will have to be examined on its merits when it comes before Legislative Council. Some industrialists have already discussed the measures. Others must be given a chance to study their effects. If they are introduc- ed this year they must be ef- fectively implemented. We are told that the factory and labour inspectorate as well as the administrative staff of the Labour Department are to be increased and its offices resited nearer indus- trial areas. This makes sound sense. We have also been told that this is not the last word on labour legisla- tion but the first. Mr Hetherington, a much maligned figure in recent months, will earn general praise if he can intro- duce a humanitarian scheme of reform for labour and industry. It is to be hoped, moreover, that his "state-. ment of intent" in Legco yesterday is an idea that will be adopted during the year by other departmental heads. As we said in a recent editorial, Hongkong needs a vision of the future if public support and enthu- siasm for a better. happier way of life is to be main- tained.
South China Morning Post
15.2.68 EdiBrac
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