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of hillsides for the purpose of housing development, although I have an entirely open mind on the specific reclamations that he himself mentions.
Col. Clague also, as Chairman of the Abattoir Select Committee, has mentioned the reasons for the delay in the building of our new abattoirs. These abattoirs were under consideration before 1952 and we must treat that as top priority. Conditions in our present abattoirs are disgusting and I am surprised indeed that we have not had strong representations from the S.P.C.A. One cannot avoid dangers by way of contamination of meat under present conditions and I urge him and his Select Committee to press Government in this matter to get on with the job and let's get these abattoirs complete as quickly as possible.
I also wholeheartedly support the remarks of Mr. R. C. Lee as Chairman of the Car Park Select Committee that there has been undue delay in the consideration of the new proposed rates that we have put to Government. This is not understood by the public. All the public knows is that this Council approved new rates and special monthly tickets and now nothing has happened. I have had many members of the public saying to me, what is the reason, what is happening, and I hope we will receive an answer from Government in the very near future.
As to Mr. C. Y. Kwan, I would like to congratulate him on the able manner in which he has taken over the chair that was vacated by Mr. P. C. Woo when he left this Council and I wholly support Mr. Kwan's remarks on the proposed new Ordinance that is being prepared by the Law Revision Select Committee.
Now as regards the remarks of Mr. Li Yiu Bor and of Dr. P. F. Woo that special consideration in housing should be given to school teachers, I would make this comment, sir, and that is that I should like to see this case advanced in the Housing Authority. All Members of this Council are Members of the Housing Authority and the Housing Authority has agreed for better or for worse that our only consideration should be the individual need of the applicant regardless of what part of the community is his station in life. It is no good suggesting at this annual general meeting something unless we are prepared to advance that matter in the body which is responsible. I agree wholly that there is a strong case for teachers who are responsible for the young of our
HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL
45
community, to be properly housed. There is also a strong case for other sections of the community and if Mr. Li Yiu Bor or any other member wishes that the policy of the Housing Authority should be varied to give special consideration to special sections of the community, then I would welcome a substantive motion by him to that effect in the Housing Authority. I repeat, Sir, that it is no good just talking about it at this annual general debate of the Urban Council.
As regards Mr. Hilton Cheong-leen, he has talked of the recruitment and training of Health Inspectors. I agree entirely with him on that and I myself have been in communication with Dr. Teng on this very matter. Mr. Cheong-leen tells us that the question of more swimming pools was brought up by the Civic Association some months ago. I am afraid I feel inclined to say: "Only six months ago?" I do feel, Sir, that we must advance all these matters within the purview of the programme which we are adopting and swimming pools, bathing beach facilities, parks, playgrounds and urban facilities and amenities generally must be a prime consideration of this Council.
I feel that to allay Mr. Cheong-leen's doubts, and perhaps Mr. Philip Au's anger, may I just say one word on invisible voters. Invisible voters, I think, means that very large body of voters who have either left the Colony or who have changed their address and cannot now be traced. I think it is true to say that the number of returned letters and postcards sent out from the Government during the past elections has been tremendous and it is true to say that out of some 19,000 names nominally on the voting list, not more than 12,000 have ever received any communication informing them that they are entitled to vote. The dead letter box is of very great proportions and it is therefore necessary, and the Committee responsible is already working on proposals, to try to reduce the number of invisible voters.
First of all,
Now, just one or two other general observations. Mr. Chairman, I said a few weeks ago that we have a very great responsibility in connexion with parking, the two car parks at the Central Reclamation. I noted then, and I note now, that there is considerable talk of introducing parking meters throughout the Central District of the Colony. I feel very strongly, Sir, that we should either control parking or not control parking and I do not agree with the idea that the Urban Council controls car parks and
Page 32 of 139
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Page 32 of 139
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of hillsides for the purpose of housing development, although I have an entirely open mind on the specific reclamations that he himself mentions.
Col. Clague also, as Chairman of the Abattoir Select Com- mittee, has mentioned the reasons for the delay in the building of our new abattoirs. These abattoirs were under consideration before 1952 and we must treat that as top priority. Conditions in our present abattoirs are disgusting and I am surprised indeed that we have not had strong representations from the S.P.C.A. One cannot avoid dangers by way of contamination of meat under present conditions and I urge him and his Select Committee to press Government in this matter to get on with the job and let's get these abattoirs complete as quickly as possible.
I also wholeheartedly support the remarks of Mr. R. C. Lee as Chairman of the Car Park Select Committee that there has been undue delay in the consideration of the new proposed rates that we have put to Government. This is not understood by the public. All the public knows is that this Council approved new rates and special monthly tickets and now nothing has happened. I have had many members of the public saying to me, what is the reason, what is happening, and I hope we will receive an answer from Government in the very near future.
As to Mr. C. Y. Kwan, I would like to congratulate him on the able manner in which he has taken over the chair that was vacated by Mr. P. C. Woo when he left this Council and I wholly support Mr. Kwan's remarks on the proposed new Ordinance that is being prepared by the Law Revision Select Committee.
Now as regards the remarks of Mr. Li Yiu Bor and of Dr. P. F. Woo that special consideration in housing should be given to school teachers, I would make this comment, sir, and that is that I should like to see this case advanced in the Housing Authority. All Members of this Council are Members of the Hous- ing Authority and the Housing Authority has agreed for better or for worse that our only consideration should be the individual need of the applicant regardless of what part of the community is his station in life. It is no good suggesting at this annual general meeting something unless we are prepared to advance that matter in the body which is responsible. I agree wholly that there is a strong case for teachers who are responsible for the young of our
HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL
45
community, to be properly housed. There is also a strong case for other sections of the community and if Mr. Li Yiu Bor or any other member wishes that the policy of the Housing Authority should be varied to give special consideration to special sections of the community, then I would welcome a substantive motion by him to that effect in the Housing Authority. I repeat, Sir, that it is no good just talking about it at this annual general debate of the Urban Council.
As regards Mr. Hilton Cheong-leen, he has talked of the recruitment and training of Health Inspectors. I agree entirely with him on that and I myself have been in communication with Dr. Teng on this very matter. Mr. Cheong-leen tells us that the question of more swimming pools was brought up by the Civic Association some months ago. I am afraid I feel inclined to say: "Only six months ago?" I do feel, Sir, that we must advance all these matters within the purview of the programme which we are adopting and swimming pools, bathing beach facilities, parks, playgrounds and urban facilities and amenities generally must be a prime consideration of this Council.
I feel that to allay Mr. Cheong-leen's doubts, and perhaps Mr. Philip Au's anger, may I just say one word on invisible voters. Invisible voters, I think, means that very large body of voters who have either left the Colony or who have changed their address and cannot now be traced. I think it is true to say that the number of returned letters and postcards sent out from the Government during the past elections has been tremendous and it is true to say that out of some 19,000 names nominally on the voting list, not more than 12,000 have ever received any com-
The munication informing them that they are entitled to vote. dead letter box is of very great proportions and it is therefore necessary, and the Committee responsible is already working on proposals, to try to reduce the number of invisible voters.
First of all,
Now, just one or two other general observations. Mr. Chairman, I said a few weeks ago that we have a very great responsibility in connexion with parking, the two car parks at the Central Reclamation. I noted then, and I note now, that there is considerable talk of introducing parking meters throughout the Central District of the Colony. I feel very strongly, Sir, that we should either control parking or not control parking and I do not agree with the idea that the Urban Council controls car parks and
No comments yet.
Private notes are available after approval.