HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL
In previous years, the Urban Council had carried out several campaigns which did not seem to have any deep or lasting effect upon the public. All initial preparations were made by the Council, and outside co-operation was limited in nature, such as the putting up of posters or the showing of films.
If we want to have a campaign that will have sustained results we must make it a real community effort, that is, we must invite the energetic help and co-operation of the Kaifongs, the advertising agencies, the Post Office, the community service organizations, such as Rotary, Lions, Jaycees, Y'smen, and even some of the business houses.
For instance, a business house or a community service group could be responsible for putting up a giant lighted litter basket during the campaign.
Another group would be responsible for painting shoe prints leading to litter bins, should such be considered desirable.
A business house in the soap business might be willing to contribute a quantity of soap to spell out a huge slogan in a suitable place which would support the campaign. Then afterwards the Boy Scouts and Girl Guides could distribute the soap to the poorer families in the community.
The Post Office could during the campaign stamp all letters with the words "Keep Your City Clean" or some such slogan both in English and Chinese.
The Urban Council could look into the idea of replacing or supplementing the existing wire litter baskets attached to walls and verandah columns with multi-coloured plastic litter containers. I understand a number of towns in the United Kingdom have already tried out with success the use of multi-coloured plastic litter containers. Of course, we would want to be sure that they will not be so all-purpose in use as to encourage their disappearance overnight.
In order to get the best possible results, we should naturally appeal to the civic spirit of our advertising companies to contribute ideas, etc. to the campaign. And we must not overlook the press, radio and TV stations, Rediffusion, and the local theatres.
HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL
But the most important group upon whom the success or failure of the campaign will depend is the Kaifong organization. There are nearly 30 Kaifongs in the Colony, with a membership of about 400,000.
And if we can get their whole-hearted support, I am fully confident that the campaign will be a magnificent success. That is why I have intentionally mentioned the name of the Kaifong organization in the text of the motion which I now formally propose.
Before sitting down, Mr. Chairman, I think it would be appropriate for me to say that it is really up to the relevant Select Committee to decide what steps ought to be taken in conducting this campaign. Some of the suggestions I have mentioned may be suitable. Some may not be. I raised them merely in order to illustrate the possibilities of dramatizing the campaign. In any case, we all want a cleaner, healthier and a better-looking Hong Kong, and I think that this is the Urban Council's contribution towards promoting our local tourist industry, which as you know is the fastest growing industry in Hong Kong today.
DR. P. F. Woo seconded.
He said: Apart from the consideration of the amenities of the Colony that the city should be kept clean, there is also the vital consideration of the health aspect for which the Council has a direct responsibility. It is a common sight to see children playing, eating, and sleeping in the streets which are full of rubbish, refuse and other unwanted articles. The filthy condition in streets gives rise to the potential danger of spreading diseases, and it is not surprising to note that the thousands of attendances in government clinics are largely cases of children. Indeed, dirty streets are a direct menace to health not only to children but also to grown-ups, for they form the commonest medium for the spread of germs, such as tuberculosis and typhoid.
One of the chief causes of these dirty streets is the fact that the public is in the habit of throwing rubbish from windows or verandahs. This indiscriminating throwing away of unwanted articles as a convenient means of refuse disposal is deplorable and most undesirable. I have actually seen human excreta dropped on to the top of a motor car. Ways and means must be devised to make the public realize that ill-health due to this cause may happen to them one day and that it is their duty to keep the streets clean. I welcome the suggestion of inviting the Kaifongs to
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HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL
In previous years, the Urban Council had carried out several campaigns which did not seem to have any deep or lasting effect upon the public. All initial preparations were made by the Council, and outside co-operation was limited in nature, such as the putting up of posters or the showing of films.
If we want to have a campaign that will have sustained results we must make it a real community effort, that is, we must invite the energetic help and co-operation of the Kaifongs, the advertising agencies, the Post Office, the community service organizations, such as Rotary, Lions, Jaycees, Y'smen, and even some of the business houses.
For instance, a business house or a community service group could be responsible for putting up a giant lighted litter basket during the campaign.
Another group would be responsible for painting shoe prints leading to litter bins, should such be considered desirable.
A business house in the soap business might be willing to contribute a quantity of soap to spell out a huge slogan in a suit- able place which would support the campaign. Then afterwards the Boy Scouts and Girl Guides could distribute the soap to the poorer families in the community.
The Post Office could during the campaign stamp all letters with the words "Keep Your City Clean" or some such slogan both in English and Chinese.
The Urban Council could look into the idea of replacing or supplementing the existing wire litter baskets attached to walls and verandah columns with multi-coloured plastic litter containers. I understand a number of towns in the United Kingdom have already tried out with success the use of multi-coloured plastic litter containers. Of course, we would want to be sure that they will not be so all-purpose in use as to encourage their disappearance overnight.
In order to get the best possible results, we should naturally appeal to the civic spirit of our advertising companies to contribute ideas, etc. to the campaign. And we must not overlook the press, radio and TV stations, Rediffusion, and the local theatres.
HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL
185
But the most important group upon whom the success or failure of the campaign will depend is the Kaifong organization. There are nearly 30 Kaifongs in the Colony, with a membership of about 400,000.
And if we can get their whole-hearted support,
success.
I am fully confident that the campaign will be a magnificent That is why I have intentionally mentioned the name of the Kaifong organization in the text of the motion which I now formally propose.
Before sitting down, Mr. Chairman, I think it would be appropriate for me to say that it is really up to the relevant Select Committee to decide what steps ought to be taken in conducting this campaign. Some of the suggestions I have mentioned may be suitable. Some may not be. I raised them merely in order to illustrate the possibilities of dramatizing the campaign. In any case, we all want a cleaner, healthier and a betterlooking Hong Kong, and I think that this is the Urban Council's contribution towards promoting our local tourist industry, which as you know is the fastest growing industry in Hong Kong today.
DR. P. F. Woo seconded.
He said: Apart from the consideration of the amenities of the Colony that the city should be kept clean, there is also the vital consideration of the health aspect for which the Council has a direct responsibility. It is a common sight to see children playing, eating, and sleeping in the streets which are full of rubbish, refuse and other unwanted articles. The filthy condition in streets gives rise to the potential danger of spreading diseases, and it is not surprising to note that the thousands of attendances in government clinics are largely cases of children. Indeed, dirty streets are a direct menace to health not only to children but also to grown-ups, for they form the commonest medium for the spread of germs, such as tuberculosis and typhoid.
One of the chief causes of these dirty streets is the fact that the public is in the habit of throwing rubbish from windows or verandahs. This indiscriminating throwing away of unwanted articles as a convenient means of refuse disposal is deplorable and most undesirable. I have actually seen human excreta dropped on to the top of a motor car. Ways and means must be devised to make the public realize that ill-health due to this cause may happen to them one day and that it is their duty to keep the streets clean. I welcome the suggestion of inviting the Kaifongs to
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