TNAG-1727-FCO40-2440-Minutes-and-Hansards-of-the-Legislative-Council-of-Hong-Kong-1988 — Page 220

FCO40 Hong Kong Department Records 聯邦事務部香港部檔案 All

1

2

34

5

6

average

predicaments of the average citizen who has little power. The little citizens cannot help feeling dissatisfied about the Government at

times, and sometimes they feel that they are belittled, for example,

4 when civil servants are impolite or when government departments

work half-heartedly or when government departments pass the buck around when dealing with complaints from the public or that his livelihood might be jeopardized and his future at stake because of inappropriate policies. The average citizen resigns himself to the fact that power is in the hands of the Government. Even with the many channels of complaints, the average citizen is too tied up with

making a living to go and lodge a complaint. Therefore unless the

Government does something grossly wrong which greatly affects his

7

8

9

10

11

12

NP.

13

14

le 15 le 16

bc: 17

18

NP [19

20

21

22

23

2 2 2 2 2

NP, T27

28

29

30

le 31

32

33

34

35

#36

However,

interest, he would prefer to pour oil on troubled waters. [H

dually when they are unfairly treated, they would prefer to talk to District Board members or Councillors for a solution. They seldom contact government officials. Their sincere wish is that Councillors speak up for them and fight for their benefits.

how can

tuler

But,

Councillors really speak up on their behalf?. This, I believe depends on whether Councillors have power or otherwise. [In my view, be it a country or à community, and however democratic it is, the ruler cannot devolve power to each and every member of the public.

The only thing he can do is to give everyone the right to vote, so that they elect representatives who will exercise their right of speech on their behalf. The representatives would be bridges between

rubed the river and the ad so that public sentiments would always reach

the top.

The people would then feel more at ease when there are Councillors who fight their benefits, on their behalf. [However, the present elected district Boards only reach officials of the middle level. In the end, only direct election in the Legislative Council

bring about. can break up our direct communication between the public and policy- makers and heads of government departments. I have observed that requests are met more readily if one has somebody to fight on his behalf within the circles of power. Any reasonable requests, as long as they reach the highest person in charge in the hierachy, will be dealt with satisfactorily. People's needs could also be considers

and when policies are being drawn ups that there wouldnot be any bias

into

Comments

Approved members can add comments, bookmarks, and private notes.

No comments yet.

Private Research Note

Private notes are available after approval.