Page 36 of 139
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HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL
I advocate that the Select Committee consider the development of the entire area at Cape Collinson at public expense, just as it will be doing in any case for a privileged section only. After it has prepared the area, whether all at once or in stages, separate sites can be parcelled off and allocated to the various religious groups as their own cemeteries, just as it now plans to divide up the area for independent development by these groups at their private expense.
In this way, the different religious groups can still follow their own rites and observe their special practices with dignity as they will have the sole and direct responsibility for their respective cemeteries. In this manner, the cost of a single burial plot will be the same for all as the Council will then be in a position to fix the actual basic charge. The overall cost of development will be recoverable on a unit basis. This scheme is surely fair; it has also the merit of showing no favour to any group.
Standing Orders & Procedures
I would greatly disappoint some of my fellow Councillors, to be sure, were I not to touch upon the desirability of revising the Standing Orders and reviewing the Procedures.
In parts, they are quaint; in others, they are open to doubt; in still others, they are awkward both to the chairman and the members.
Suffice it for me to say that there was method in my madness when I stood up to test these Standing Orders as and when the occasions arose in the past year.
I understand, Mr. Chairman, that the Standing Orders were reformed not so long ago. Consequently, may I hope that it will not be too long before you initiate a counter-reformation to bring them in line with good modern practice?
Staff
It would be not only lacking in courtesy, but, more important, failing in justice were I to conclude without mentioning the good work which the secretaries and their assistants have done. My own experience also shows that they have been unceasing in their concern for the notes and memoranda I sent and the telephone calls I made. For this I am truly appreciative.
HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL
53
As I have only taken fifteen minutes of your time, whereas my preceding speaker took twenty-three, and as I have already fulfilled my part of the bargain that I would confine myself for the first time in my life to a set text, I shall now proceed with certain matters which occurred to me in the course of this debate. I gave the assurance, Mr. Chairman, that I would speak from a prepared text, when it seems that my
MR. BERNACCHI :-On a point of order, no assurance was ever obtained from my friend when we decided to have a ballot because we could not arrive at any solution.
MR. SALES :-Like Jack-in-the-Box, my friend jumped up too soon. May I suggest that he waits until the starter has given the signal the next time he gets off the mark. That assurance was, as it were, tried to be secured; there were witnesses to that incident.
Now that the luck of the draw has placed me in the last position without having to accept any conditions which are contrary to Standing Orders, such as curbing the length of any speech, preparing a set text which is non-contentious, I am free to speak my own mind on the subject of the order of speaking. I hope that the preceding speaker was not so naive as to think that the other Elected Members would have allowed him to alternate them out of the privileged position of speaking last. The Nominated Members took part in that private meeting merely to ensure that there would be fair play in accordance with our principles. To have thought that eight Nominated Members would have agreed to an order of speaking as was produced and presented to us, is indeed the same as to have expected us to present the speaking order on a silver platter to him. Mr. Chairman, I have spoken on this point in very strong terms because I feel it is necessary to clear the air on such an occasion. So long as I am a Member of this Council I shall not tolerate any arrangement which is not fair to everybody concerned with it.
Mr. Chairman, I believe I have made myself clear and I think that I have also spoken for my fellow Appointed Members in this regard.
With these words, I support your Motion and commend my views to the appropriate Select Committee. (Applause).
Page 36 of 139
Page 36 of 139
52
HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL
I advocate that the Select Committee consider the development of the entire area at Cape Collinson at public expense, just as it will be doing in any case for a privileged section only. After it has prepared the area, whether all at once or in stages, separate sites can be parcelled off and allocated to the various religious groups as their own cemeteries, just as it now plans to divide up the area for independent development by these groups at their private expense.
In this way, the different religious groups can still follow their own rites and observe their special practices with dignity as they will have the sole and direct responsibility for their respective cemeteries. In this manner, the cost of a single burial plot will be the same for all as the Council will then be in a position to fix the actual basic charge. The overall cost of development will be recoverable on a unit basis. This scheme is surely fair; it has also the merit of showing no favour to any group.
Standing Orders & Procedures
I would greatly disappoint some of my fellow Councillors, to be sure, were I not to touch upon the desirability of revising the Standing Orders and reviewing the Procedures.
In parts, they are quaint; in others, they are open to doubt; in still others, they are awkward both to the chairman and the members.
Suffice it for me to say that there was method in my madness when I stood up to test these Standing Orders as and when the occasions arose in the past year.
I understand, Mr. Chairman, that the Standing Orders were reformed not so long ago. Consequently, may I hope that it will not be too long before you initiate a counter-reformation to bring them in line with good modern practice?
Staff
It would be not only lacking in courtesy, but, more important, failing in justice were I to conclude without mentioning the good work which the secretaries and their assistants have done. My own experience also shows that they have been unceasing in their concern for the notes and memoranda I sent and the telephone calls I made. For this I am truly appreciative.
HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL
53
As I have only taken fifteen minutes of your time, whereas my preceding speaker took twenty-three, and as I have already fulfilled my part of the bargain that I would confine myself for the first time in my life to a set text, I shall now proceed with certain matters which occurred to me in the course of this debate. I gave the assurance, Mr. Chairman, that I would speak from a prepared text, when it seems that my
MR. BERNACCHI :-On a point of order, no assurance was ever obtained from my friend when we decided to have a ballot because we could not arrive at any solution.
MR. SALES :-Like Jack-in-the-Box, my friend jumped up too soon. May I suggest that he waits until the starter has given the signal the next time he gets off the mark. That assurance was, as it were, tried to be secured; there were witnesses to that incident.
Now that the luck of the draw has placed me in the last position without having to accept any conditions which are con- trary to Standing Orders, such as curbing the length of any speech, preparing a set text which is non-contentious, I am free to speak my own mind on the subject of the order of speaking. I hope that the preceding speaker was not so naive as to think that the other Elected Members would have allowed him to alternate them out of the privileged position of speaking last. The Nominated Members took part in that private meeting merely to ensure that there would be fair play in accordance with our principles. To have thought that eight Nominated Members would have agreed to an order of speaking as was produced and presented to us, is indeed the same as to have expected us to present the speaking order on a silver platter to him. Mr. Chairman, I have spoken on this point in very strong terms because I feel it is necessary to clear the air on such an occasion. So long as I am a Member of this Council I shall not tolerate any arrangement which is not fair to everybody concerned with it.
Mr. Chairman, I believe I have made myself clear and I think that I have also spoken for my fellow Appointed Members in this regard.
With these words, I support your Motion and commend my views to the appropriate Select Committee. (Applause).
No comments yet.
Private notes are available after approval.