Page 11 of 115
HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL
ANNUAL CONVENTIONAL DEBATE.
DR. E. L. GOSANO :—Mr. Chairman, I am very conscious of the fact that today I speak for the first time as the Senior Unofficial Member of this Council. I am also aware of the gap left by the departure of my former colleagues the Honourable Mr. Kwok Chan and the Honourable Mr. Dhun Ruttonjee.
In order to avoid repetition I have been requested, on behalf of all the nominated members, to extend a very sincere welcome to all the new members who are taking their seats on this Council for the first time, as well as those who have been re-elected or re-appointed, and to express the hope that they will find the work both interesting and stimulating.
I have had serious doubts, Mr. Chairman, as to whether this annual conventional debate really serves the public interest or contributes materially to the better running of this Council, or the prestige of its members. In this respect I find I have the complete support of Colonel Clague who decided not to participate in last year's debate for this very reason. Again, in order to avoid repetition what I am about to say represents the views of us both.
Five years ago there was perhaps justification for saying that the public were not kept fully informed of events and that it was only on very rare occasions that a debate took place. Today, however, the position has changed considerably—firstly, the number of Unofficial Members has doubled and if all were to speak at length the result must inevitably be tiresome and indigestible—secondly, a comprehensive monthly progress report is now published informing the public of our activities—thirdly, attention is focussed month by month on pressing current problems by what is perhaps the most effective method, namely, the asking of questions in full Council—fourthly, motions concerning major matters of policy are frequently debated at length in public—fifthly, at regular intervals the Chairman of Select Committees lay reports on the table and make explanatory statements on work accomplished, in progress and contemplated—sixthly, we think you will agree that the achievements of the Council are given full publicity whenever election time comes around.
In the light of these facts we suggest, Mr. Chairman, the time has come for us to think again. If members feel that we need one all-embracing annual “debate” would it not be more logical to have a motion to debate? It seems to us that a more satisfactory procedure would be for you, Mr. Chairman, perhaps after the Estimates have been approved, to make a full policy statement on behalf of the Council and for members to be asked to approve your policy. It would then be up to those members who disagree with any of that policy to say so. Such a course would at least have the merit, from the public's point of view, of giving them a clear picture of what has been done and what it is intended to do as well as where differences of opinion or emphasis lie.
Equally, now that we have a Housing Authority of which we are all members, would it not be better to adopt a similar policy as regards Housing, that is, that an Annual Policy Statement should be made by the Chairman and debated rather than that the public should be called upon to extract comments on housing from amidst all the other unconnected subjects usually raised on this occasion. (Applause).
DR. R. H. S. LEE:—I am afraid I cannot agree with the Senior Unofficial Appointed Member because I think this conventional annual debate has its contribution to the improvement and progress of the Colony. We have in higher quarters the Legislative Council where Standing Orders are suspended for that particular session and I think we should continue our tradition. There are many things which we cannot bring up in ordinary monthly meetings and for that very reason I think I represent the elected members in saying we would like to carry on this tradition in which we have an opportunity to speak on Hong Kong problems at a much wider range.
One of the duties of an elected member is to bring forward the aspirations of the people. I have been asked by tax-payers on many occasions why they are not entitled to vote when the basis of all governments is that the right to tax implies the right to be represented. When my colleagues have left me this part of our platform to deal with I have no hesitation in taking it up in Council today.
Despite the figure given officially as 19,305 the present electorate is probably only 11,000 because of all election communications sent to the voters we have had 8,000 returned by the post office. Mr. Chairman, these are significant figures and therefore
Page 12 of 115
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HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL
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Page 11 of 115
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HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL
ANNUAL CONVENTIONAL DEBATE.
DR. E. L. GOSANO :—Mr. Chairman, I am very conscious of the fact that today I speak for the first time as the Senior Unofficial Member of this Council. I am also aware of the gap left by the departure of my former colleagues the Honourable Mr. Kwok Chan and the Honourable Mr. Dhun Ruttonjee.
In order to avoid repetition I have been requested, on behalf of all the nominated members, to extend a very sincere welcome to all the new members who are taking their seats on this Council for the first time, as well as those who have been re-elected or re-appointed, and to express the hope that they will find the work both interesting and stimulating.
I have had serious doubts, Mr. Chairman, as to whether this annual conventional debate really serves the public interest or contributes materially to the better running of this Council, or the prestige of its members. In this respect I find I have the complete support of Colonel Clague who decided not to participate in last year's debate for this very reason. Again, in order to avoid repetition what I am about to say represents the views of us both.
Five years ago there was perhaps justification for saying that the public were not kept fully informed of events and that it was only on very rare occasions that a debate took place. Today, however, the position has changed considerably-firstly the number of Unofficial Members has doubled and if all were to speak at length the result must inevitably be tiresome and in- digestible-secondly, a comprehensive monthly progress report is now published informing the public of our activities-thirdly, attention is focussed month by month on pressing current problems by what is perhaps the most effective method, namely, the asking of questions in full Council-fourthly, motions concerning major matters of policy are frequently debated at length in public-~- fifthly, at regular intervals the Chairman of Select Committees lay reports on the table and make explanatory statements on work accomplished, in progress and contemplated-sixthly, we think you will agree that the achievements of the Council are given full publicity whenever election time comes around.
In the light of these facts we suggest, Mr. Chairman, the time has come for us to think again. If members feel that we need one all embracing annual “debate" would it not be more logical
on
HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL
7
to have a motion to debate? It seems to us that a more satis- factory procedure would be for you, Mr. Chairman, perhaps after the Estimates have been approved, to make a full policy statement behalf of the Council and for members to be asked to approve your policy. It would then be up to those members who disagree with any of that policy to say so. Such a course would at least have the merit, from the public's point of view, of giving them a clear picture of what has been done and what it is intended to do as well as where differences of opinion or emphasis lie.
Equally, now that we have a Housing Authority of which we are all members, would it not be better to adopt a similar policy as regards Housing, that is, that an Annual Policy Statement should be made by the Chairman and debated rather than that the public should be called upon to extract comments on housing from amidst all the other unconnected subjects usually raised on this occasion. (Applause).
DR. R. H. S. LEE:-1 am afraid I cannot agree with the Senior Unofficial Appointed Member because I think this conventional annual debate has its contribution to the improve- ment and progress of the Colony. We have in higher quarters the Legislative Council where Standing Orders are suspended for that particular session and I think we should continue our tradition. There are many things which we cannot bring up in ordinary monthly meetings and for that very reason I think I represent the elected members in saying we would like to carry on this tradition in which we have an opportunity to speak on Hong Kong problems at a much wider range.
One of the duties of an elected member is to bring forward the aspirations of the people. I have been asked by tax-payers on many occasions why they are not entitled to vote when the basis of all governments is that the right to tax implies the right to be represented. When my colleagues have left me this part of our platform to deal with I have no hesitation to taking it up in Council today.
Despite of the figure given officially as 19,305 the present electorate is probably only 11,000 beause of all election communi- cations sent to the voters we have had 8,000 returned by the post office. Mr. Chairman, these are significant figures and therefore
No comments yet.
Private notes are available after approval.