TNAG-0292-FCO40-328-Disturbances-in-Hong-Kong-bomb-attacks-and-threats-1971 — Page 38

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Thursday, July 8, 1971

STATEMENT BY CHAIRMAN, URBAN COUNCIL

(15)

For chisturbances file.

On Decision Not To Allow Demonstration At Victoria Park

16·7-71-

The following statement was issued today by the Chairman of the

Urban Council, Mr. D.R.W. Alexander.

"To clear up any misunderstanding about the decision of the Urban

Council not to allow the recent demonstration at Victoria Park, I wish to

make the following points:

2.

An application from the Research & Operation Committee for the Protection of Tiao Yu Tai of the Hong Kong

Federation of Students was received on the afternoon

of June 29 and was discussed by the Recreation & Amenities Select Committee at its meeting on the

following morning.

Because of the short notice it

was not possible to refer it to the Select Committee before the meeting.

Incidentally, this meeting was

originally scheduled for June 18 but had to be postponed because of a typhoon. It was purely fortuitous therefore that the Committee were meeting when the application from the Federation of Hong Kong Students had to be

dealt with.

At the Committee meeting Members generally agreed that youth needed an outlet, but it was felt that to allow the use of Victoria Park would greatly inconvenience other users of the Park and could also cause members of the public to stay away from the park, which, after all,

For these reasons, was provided for recreational purposes.

Members of the Committee agreed that the students should be permitted the use, free of charge, of the Hong Kong Stadium as the venue for their demonstration the Stadium being closed for maintenance and therefore

available.

13. However,