HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL
a much higher proportion voted than is suggested in the press. In this connexion we challenge the Government to produce the numbers of returned polling cards to say nothing about the numerous cases we know where duplications have occurred or the people are dead although the polling cards have been delivered to their address. When the number of people eligible to vote is less than 1% of the population it is difficult to understand the official mind for rejecting the Council's recommendations submitted some three years ago. Apart from the present categories of eligible voters, it includes the tax-payers and British subjects. When the voters are only asked to express their choice to fill eight seats on the Urban Council one fails to appreciate the discrimination against these two groups who have their roots and stakes in Hong Kong. In enlarging the franchise it is not only in the Government's interest to stimulate civic responsibility but it has also the effect of furthering the ties between the Government and the governed. Besides preventing any particular group from controlling the results of an election it affords a wide basis for the introduction of a ward system. Unless this system is forthcoming the Council and its members will not be in a position to play its part fully in the affairs of the Colony. Surely, when a less literate entity in the British Commonwealth has reached independent status the Hong Kong residents who do not have to rely on symbols and the readings of animal entrails to choose their candidates should be entitled to vote, and thus to participate in electing members to a non-lawmaking body which has an elected minority!
Of all the powers that the Government has delegated to this Council there is none more important than that which covers public health. As it deals with a wide field such as domestic cleanliness, conservancy, squatter resettlement, parks and playgrounds, it follows that a satisfactory solution of this large problem is unlikely to be easy and quick. It is cogent therefore that we should face up to it in the manner consistent with its magnitude and not hide our heads in the sands of inactivity. Since Hong Kong is recognized as a "key point" in the tourist itinerary it is important that it should be regarded by outsiders as a health spot rather than as one large slum in the Far East. Not only that but we owe it to ourselves, our children and the people of Hong Kong that we should make it a hygienic city. To achieve this I have several proposals to make today.
HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL
I think the time has come for this Council to have a Director of Health Services as distinct from the Director of Medical Services whose job should be the running of hospitals, clinics and the like. It is a practice almost universally adopted. Why it should be combined in the hands of one man I cannot understand. I think it goes back to the days of Dr. Selwyn-Clark. Whilst I agree that there is something in common to both they are in fact two distinct services. The field covered by both is far too wide for one man to grapple and to be responsible. I want to make clear at the outset that I have nothing personal against Dr. Yeo and my friend Dr. Teng who have my greatest respect. The present Assistant Director of Health who has his office in the Medical Department is also our Vice Chairman who advises the Council on all health matters whereas he should be not only advising but working full time for the Council. The Council's statutory duties in health matters range far and wide. It embraces street cleansing, pest control, scavenging, meat inspection, milk and ice cream examination, swimming pools and what have you. If they were to be removed from the Council's jurisdiction there would indeed be little for it to do. If the argument is that there is not enough work to justify the appointment of a full-time director the answer is that there is work enough for more than one. Mr. Chairman, as health is indivisible all aspects of it must be treated as one integrated operation. All technical staff for this must come under his control and supervision. Some re-organization of the Urban Services staff must allow certain senior personnel to be free to do outdoor checks, to enable adequate supervision of district staff that the Council's by-laws and requirements are in fact enforced. There is need for more frequent sampling tests of milk, ice cream and drinks, and more laboratory facilities under the Council's control to carry out these tests. Greater detection, isolation and follow-up of infectious and contagious disorders to stamp out, if possible, endemic diseases. An accelerated anti-mosquito and rodent control programme to destroy these pests. I have not exhausted the duties of a full-time Director of Health, Mr. Chairman, but I would point out that the present position is not entirely satisfactory. Almost every time it has to wait for Councillors to point out about a certain thing before it is corrected.
Mr. Chairman, I blame the system rather than the individual. The Urban Services Department is at present grossly understaffed. It is expecting too much of one inspector to do 1,800 floors as
8
HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL
a much higher proportion voted than is suggested in the press. In this connexion we challenge the Government to produce the numbers of returned polling cards to say nothing about the numerous cases we know where duplications have occurred or the people are dead although the polling cards have been delivered to their address. When the number of people eligible to vote is less than 1% of the population it is difficult to understand the official mind for rejecting the Council's recommendations submitted some three years ago. Apart from the present categories of eligible voters, it includes the tax-payers and British subjects. When the voters are only asked to express their choice to fill eight seats on the Urban Council one fails to appreciate the discrimination against these two groups who have their roots and stakes in Hong Kong. In enlarging the franchise it is not only in the Government's interest to stimulate civic responsibility but it has also the effect of furthering the ties between the Government and the governed. Besides preventing any particular group from controlling the results of an election it affords a wide basis for the introduction of a ward system. Unless this system is forthcoming the Council and its members will not be in a position to play its part fully in the affairs of the Colony. Surely, when a less literate entity in the British Commonwealth has reached independent status the Hong Kong residents who do not have to rely on symbols and the readings of animal entrails to choose their candidates should be entitled to vote, and thus to participate in electing members to a non-lawmaking body which bas an elected minority!
Of all the powers that the Government has delegated to this Council there is none more important than that which covers public health. As it deals with a wide field such as domestic cleanliness, conservancy, squatter resettlement, parks and play- grounds, it follows that a satisfactory solution of this large problem is unlikely to be easy and quick. It is cogent therefore that we should face up to it in the manner consistent with its magnitude and not hide our heads in the sands of inactivity. Since Hong Kong is recognized as a "key point" in the tourist itinerary it is important that it should be regarded by outsiders as a health spot rather than as one large slum in the Far East. Not only that but we owe it to ourselves, our children and the people of Hong Kong that we should make it a hygienic city. To achieve this I have several proposals to make today.
0
HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL
9
I think the time has come for this Council to have a Director of Health Services as distinct from the Director of Medical Services whose job should be the running of hospitals, clinics and the like. It is a practice almost universally adopted. Why it should be combined in the hands of one man I cannot understand. I think it goes back to the days of Dr. Selwyn-Clark. Whilst I agree that there is something in common to both they are in fact two distinct services. The field covered by both is far too wide for one man to grapple and to be responsible. I want to make clear at the outset that I have nothing personal against Dr. Yeo At and my friend Dr. Teng who have my greatest respect. present the Assistant Director of Health who has his office in the Medical Department is also our Vice Chairman who advises the Council on all health matters whereas he should be not only advising but working full time for the Council. The Council's statutory duties in health matters range far and wide. It embraces street cleansing, pest control, scavenging, meat inspection, milk and ice cream examination, swimming pools and what have you. If they were to be removed from the Council's jurisdiction there would indeed be little for it to do. If the argument is that there is not enough work to justify the appointment of a full-time director the answer is that there is work enough for more than one. Mr. Chairman as health is indivisible all aspects of it must be treated as one integrated operation. All technical staff for this must come under his control and supervision. Some re-organization of the Urban Services staff must allow certain senior personnel to be free to do outdoor checks, to enable adequate supervision of district staff that the Council's by-laws and requirements are in fact enforced. There is need for more frequent sampling tests of milk, ice cream and drinks, and more laboratory facilities under the Council's control to carry out these tests. Greater detection, isolation and follow-up of infectious and contagious disorders to stamp out, if possible, endemic diseases. An accelerated anti-mosquito and rodent control programme to destroy these pests. I have not exhausted the duties of a full-time Director of Health, Mr. Chairman, but I would point out that the present position is not entirely satisfactory. Almost every time it has to wait for Councillors to point out about a certain thing before it is corrected.
reason
Mr. Chairman, I blame the system rather than the individual. The Urban Services Department is at present grossly understaffed. It is expecting too much of one inspector to do 1,800 floors as
No comments yet.
Private notes are available after approval.