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average wage-earners the opportunity of fulfilling the family tradition of providing a permanent resting-place for their forefathers. The existing system in cemeteries is highly unsatisfactory. At present only the rich class can afford the exorbitant fees for the private permanent cemeteries, while the poorer classes have no alternative but to go to the Wo Hop Shek or Sandy Ridge where exhumation must take place after a short period of time. Facilities must be found for those who cannot afford the exorbitant fees for permanent cemeteries but who, for religious or family customs, dislike the idea of early exhumation. The fee for each burial plot at the proposed new cemetery at Cape Collinson must therefore be kept as low as possible.
We must not assume that lack of burial facilities will encourage the method of burial by cremation. Cremation is only justified and legitimate in certain religious groups or with the expressed wish of the deceased before his death. It should not be permitted just because the family is unable to pay the exorbitant fee charged for private cemeteries.
Providing adequate burial sites and developing permanent cemeteries is therefore one of the most urgent tasks of this Council. It is a matter of great importance that some principles concerning permanent cemeteries must be formed not only for the purpose of Cape Collinson but also for future schemes as well.
I would like to emphasize, Sir, that I attach great significance to Mr. Sales' motion. A Select Committee is not the right body to draw up principles; this ought to be done by the whole Council and the Select Committee concerned is to work out the details. Since Mr. Sales' motion has already covered this point and all the other relevant aspects adaptable for the various religious and other organizations as well as for the individuals, I fully support the motion.
MR. FUNG PING FAN :- Mr. Chairman, I rise to support the Motion before Council, and would like to make a few observations thereon.
It seems to me this Motion is a simple and straightforward one, and Government is asked to state its policy on the matter before referring it to the appropriate Select Committee of this Council.
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In regard to the proposed development of the new cemetery at Cape Collinson, I think the following suggestions should be given due consideration :
(1) To ensure that the cost of burial sites is as reasonable as possible, and no one is allowed to take more than one burial site;
(2) To see that there will be room for future development;
(3) To provide good roads and to see that proper facilities for transportation are available to visitors to the cemetery or for burial.
Other details can properly be left to the consideration of the Select Committee charged with the control of cemeteries, but the principal thing is for Government to state as early as possible its policy respecting this matter.
Sir, with these few words I have much pleasure to support the Motion.
MR. P. D. Au :- I arise to support Mr. Sales' motion.
Since time immemorial filial piety has been regarded as one of the cardinal virtues in China, not only during the lifetime of one's parents, but also after their death when they are buried with the highest respects. Therefore, it is customary for men of substance to set aside a fair sum for the purchase of burial ground for their parents before their death, some even buying the land and coffins outright. Even men of ordinary means would go to extremes to save for this purpose, although, because of the high cost of burial grounds some fail to achieve their object.
It is interesting to note that cemeteries run by religious bodies by and large charge reasonable rates for burial grounds. This, however, hardly applies to non-religious organizations, which often charge as high as $50 per square foot, equivalent to the cost of building land in urban areas.
Since it is our intention to develop Cape Collinson into a new permanent cemetery, I heartily endorse the motion tabled today, and I do hope that an appropriate Select Committee will work out fair and equitable charges for burial grounds.
Page 48 of 139
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Page 48 of 139
76
HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL
average wage-earners the opportunity of fulfilling the family tradition of providing a permanent resting-place for their fore- fathers. The existing system in cemeteries is highly unsatis- factory. At present only the rich class can afford the exorbitant fees for the private permanent cemeteries, while the poorer classes have no alternative but to go to the Wo Hop Shek or Sandy Ridge where exhumation must take place after a short period of time. Facilities must be found for those who cannot afford the exorbitant fees for permanent cemeteries but who, for religious or family customs, dislike the idea of early exhumation. The fee for each burial plot at the proposed new cemetery at Cape Collinson must therefore be kept as low as possible.
We must not assume that lack of burial facilities will encourage the method of burial by cremation. Cremation is only justified and legitmate in certain religious groups or with the expressed wish of the deceased before his death. It should not be permitted just because the family is unable to pay the exorbitant fee charged for private cemeteries.
Providing adequate burial sites and developing permanent cemeteries is therefore one of the most urgent tasks of this Council. It is a matter of great importance that some principles concerning permanent cemeteries must be formed not only for the purpose of Cape Collinson but also for future schemes as well.
I would like to emphasize, Sir, that I attach great significance to Mr. Sales' motion. A Select Committee is not the right body to draw up principles; this ought to be done by the whole Council and the Select Committee concerned is to work out the details. Since Mr. Sales' motion has already covered this point and all the other relevant aspects adaptable for the various religious and other organizations as well as for the individuals, I fully support the motion.
MR. FUNG PING FAN :-Mr. Chairman, I rise to support the Motion before Council, and would like to make a few observations thereon.
It seems to me this Motion is a simple and straight- forward one, and Government is asked to state its policy on the matter before referring it to the appropriate Select Committee of this Council.
HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL
77
In regard to the proposed development of the new cemetery at Cape Collinson, I think the following suggestions should be given due consideration :
(1) To ensure that the cost of burial sites is as reasonable as possible, and no one is allowed to take more than one burial site;
(2) To see that there will be room for future development;
(3) To provide good roads and to see that proper facilities for transportation are available to visitors to the cemetery or for burial.
Other details can properly be left to the consideration of the Select Committee charged with the control of cemeteries, but the principal thing is for Government to state as early as possible its policy respecting this matter.
Sir, with these few words I have much pleasure to support the Motion.
MR. P. D. Au:-1 arise to support Mr. Sales' motion.
Since time immemorial filial piety has been regarded as one of the cardinal virtues in China, not only during the lifetime of one's parents, but also after their death when they are buried with the highest respects. Therefore, it is customary for men of substance to set aside a fair sum for the purchase of burial ground for their parents before their death, some even buying the land and coffins outright. Even men of ordinary means would go to extremes to save for this purpose, although, because of the high cost of burial grounds some fail to achieve their object.
It is interesting to note that cemeteries run by religious bodies by and large charge reasonable rates for burial grounds. This, however, hardly applies to non-religious organizations, which often charge as high as $50 per square foot, equivalent to the cost of building land in urban areas.
Since it is our intention to develop Cape Collinson into a new permanent cemetery, I heartily endorse the motion tabled to- day, and I do hope that an appropriate Select Committee will work out fair and equitable charges for burial grounds.
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