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HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL
I would not speak. I saw no need to do so, for it is my belief that deeds, not words, should be the rule of conduct in this Council. Upon reflection, I reached the conclusion that this annual conventional debate could be most stimulating if pursued in good humour, no matter how sincere the subject may be. For this reason, Sir, I am also bringing out my soap box and making use of it.
For many years now I have had many misapprehensions about the functions and powers of this Council. As an ordinary citizen my impressions are formed by what I read in the newspapers. Am I then to be blamed for thinking that this Council had wider powers than it actually has in fact, for I have been fed on a diet prescribed by my very good and sincere, though somewhat vociferous, friends the elected members of this Council? (Laughter). Not, sir, that I have done too badly on that diet, as my physical appearance will show!
However this prompts me to consider the question of the Council's public relations. I am much impressed by the monthly report of the work of this Council and of your Department. I have made some suggestions in private about these reports and about their distribution. I believe that the monthly report can be made into the most effective means of gaining the sympathy and the co-operation of the public for the work of this Council, in order to enable us to achieve our aims. Public relations, sir, is no more than an attempt to assess public attitudes intelligently; it is no more than an attempt to identify plans and procedures with the public interest. I think that every consideration should be given to the production of this monthly report in the most effective manner possible.
Sir, the work of this Council leads me to believe that we should consider spending every energy possible not in general debate only at an annual convention such as this one, but that we should go one step further by being more specific in our monthly meetings. In this way, sir, I would like to put forward the suggestion that each time a Select Committee should put before this Council a report on its work, that report should be the subject of frank expressions of opinion. There need be no consternation in the camp because if our Standing Orders are brought up to date, sir, time need not be consumed more than it is today. In addition we would focus public attention on our problems in a specific manner rather than in a general way, as we are doing this afternoon.
HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL
Here we have Hong Kong has really much to be proud of. stability and maintenance of law and order. Is our progress not predicated upon the stability of our public and political institutions? Is it not true, sir, that Hong Kong has attracted much capital because of these essential conditions? Is our economic progress not dependent upon this very stability? For this reason, sir, I question whether it is in the interest of the overwhelming majority of the people of Hong Kong that this Council should be made a forum for an attempt to introduce drastic changes in our institutions. I question, too, whether the people of Hong Kong, by and large, give, or care, a tinker's damn for the right to vote. In the same way as they repose confidence in our Government as it is established today, it devolves even greater responsibility on that Government to ensure that living conditions in Hong Kong shall be as happy as circumstances permit. Hong Kong has innumerable problems, and I find from extensive travelling that the combination of these problems and handicaps has no parallel anywhere in the world. Even so, this Council should make every attempt to ensure that those living conditions are made happier for the lot of the common man in Hong Kong.
By agreement, sir, this Council works as a team, because we are all dedicated to the proposition that we are here to work for the common interest and for the general weal. To this end, sir, like the other members, I pledge myself. (Applause).
CHAIRMAN:-This afternoon's debate has ranged over a wide field, and members will not expect me to deal at once with the many aspects of the Council's work which previous speakers have touched on. It is in fact the practice for this debate to be continued at our next meeting, when it will fall to my official colleagues and myself to reply at greater length than is possible this afternoon. But I would at least like to thank members for the very careful thought which they have so obviously given to their speeches, for the various ideas, suggestions, criticisms and comments which we have heard and which will be considered carefully either by the Urban Services Department or in Select Committee or by the Housing Authority, whose work so many members referred to in emphasizing the question of housing.
I have no doubt that in many cases all these points will contribute to the work of the Council and of the Authority in the year ahead.
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HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL
I would not speak. I saw no need to do so, for it is my belief that deeds, not words, should be the rule of conduct in this Council. Upon reflection, I reached the conclusion that this annual conventional debate could be most stimulating if pursued in good humour, no matter how sincere the subject may be. For this reason, Sir, I am also bringing out my soap box and making use of it.
For many years now I have had many misapprehensions about the functions and powers of this Council. As an ordinary citizen my impressions are formed by what I read in the news- papers. Am I then to be blamed for thinking that this Council had wider powers than it actually has in fact, for I have been fed on a diet prescribed by my very good and sincere, though some- what vociferous, friends the elected members of this Council? (Laughter). Not, sir, that I have done too badly on that diet, as my physical appearance will show!
However this prompts me to consider the question of the Council's public relations. I am much impressed by the monthly report of the work of this Council and of your Department. I have made some suggestions in private about these reports and about their distribution. I believe that the monthly report can be made into the most effective means of gaining the sympathy and the co-operation of the public for the work of this Council, in order to enable us to achieve our aims. Public relations, sir, is no more than an attempt to assess public attitudes intelligently; it is no more than an attempt to identify plans and procedures with the public interest. I think that every consideration should be given to the production of this monthly report in the most effective manner possible.
Sir, the work of this Council leads me to believe that we should consider spending every energy possible not in general debate only at an annual convention such as this one, but that we should go one step further by being more specific in our monthly meetings. In this way, sir, I would like to put forward the sug- gestion that each time a Select Committee should put before this Council a report on its work, that report should be the subject of frank expressions of opinion. There need be no consternation in the camp because if our Standing Orders are brought up to date, sir, time need not be consumed more than it is today. In addition we would focus public attention on our problems in a specific man- ner rather than in a general way, as we are doing this afternoon.
HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL
33333
Here we have
Hong Kong has really much to be proud of. stability and maintenance of law and order. Is our progress not predicated upon the stability of our public and political institutions? Is it not true, sir, that Hong Kong has attracted much capital because of these essential conditions? Is our economic progress not dependent upon this very stability? For this reason, sir, I question whether it is in the interest of the overwhelming majority of the people of Hong Kong that this Council should be made a forum for an attempt to introduce drastic changes in our institutions. I question, too, whether the people of Hong Kong, by and large, give, or care, a tinker's damn for the right to vote. In the same way as they repose confidence in our Government as it is established today, it devolves even greater responsibility on that Government to ensure that living conditions in Hong Kong shall be as happy as cir- cumstances permit. Hong Kong has innumerable problems, and I find from extensive travelling that the combination of these problems and handicaps has no parallel anywhere in the world. Even so, this Council should make every attempt to ensure that those living conditions are made happier for the lot of the common man in Hong Kong.
By agreement, sir, this Council works as a team, because we are all dedicated to the proposition that we are here to work for the common interest and for the general weal. To this end, sir, like the other members, I pledge myself. (Applause).
CHAIRMAN :-This afternoon's debate has ranged over a wide field, and members will not expect me to deal at once with the many aspects of the Council's work which previous speakers have touched on. It is in fact the practice for this debate to be continued at our next meeting, when it will fall to my official colleagues and myself to reply at greater length than is possible this afternoon. But I would at least like to thank members for the very careful thought which they have so obviously given to their speeches, for the various ideas, suggestions, criticisms and comments which we have heard and which will be considered carefully either by the Urban Services Department or in Select Committee or by the Housing Authority, whose work so many members referred to in emphasizing the question of housing.
I have no doubt that in many cases all these points will con- tribute to the work of the Council and of the Authority in the year ahead.
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