TNAG-0669-FCO40-818-Policy-on-housing-and-resettlement-in-Hong-Kong-1977 — Page 156

EXTRACT MOOD

CONFIDENTIAL

(h)

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9.2-77

機密

Socially alimuu kita suci. operators there are pak pai drivers, illegal food catur.rs, food-for-tu. or cooked food hawkers, ind the onurators of a wide range of trades and service; conducted illegally or semi-legally such as street corner or wali-still bärbers or cooolers.

These people do not think or celieve that the Government cares much about the underdog. that they dream of is that one lucky day they may get a cheap rent estate shop or a proper stall, but they know that they will never be able to save sufficient capital to stai. business on a proper basis without some stroke of luck.

C

Impressions of the Lower-Income Groups about Jovernment Folicies & Measures

(a) The families at the lowest end of the scale, who are eligi-

ble and benefiting from Government welfare, such as Public Assistance and other allowances or financial aid, are appreciative and grateful. They are, unfortunately, usually silent and not very articulate, and do not wish on the whole to discuss their family problems with outside people. Hence the benefits are on the whole NOT wellknown or understood by the general public who are not so directly .concerned. Sometimes families eligible to receive various

forms of aid are still not aware of the allowances or services available, because of simple ignorance, shyness or reluctance to approach Government or voluntary agencies for welfare assistance which still carries with it a

social stigna. However, this area of ignorance is being reduced by the increasing efforts of Government publicity

and the wider influence of mass media.

(b) The households which are just above the Public Assistance level, or which are not eligible to benefit from the

scheme for some reaso or other, are probably feeling most

the pressures of the risin cost of living. The most tangible form of state welfar is cheap public housing from their point of view. They do not feel or recognise

that the much announced social services and welfare

programmes have as yet brought them tangible benefits until they have been the actual beneficiaries; and even. then they often do not realize the substantial subsidy to such ser-

vices from public funds.

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