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HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL
As an industrialist I feel deeply interested in the Resettlement project for factories and workshops. I have always followed the Council's work in this aspect with enthusiasm, and I have studied the Resettlement Department's annual report for 1957-1958 with much attention. May I congratulate the Commissioner for Resettlement on his achievement in this particular field of activity in which I cannot claim to share, but of which I am happy to join other members of this Council in being justly proud.
Since the test case in the Cheung Sha Wan area has proved such a commendable success, I have to say that no time is more propitious than the present to enlarge the scope of the scheme. It is not to be denied that the Colony's economy depends upon the existence of our industry, the backbone of which being the little handicraft workshops and the small scale factories. It is all the more expedient to provide them with appropriate accommodation at low rental, so that they may be assisted to develop properly. Many Hong Kong industries started from such humble beginnings. They have been the core from which the majority of our present-day large factories have grown.
I went round the Shek Kip Mei Resettlement Estate recently, and to my surprise, I counted some 600 sewing machines being individually used by the occupants in one resettlement estate. It occurred to me that if all those machines were put under one roof it would form a sizable factory. I therefore suggest that flatted-factories be built in the midst of all Resettlement Estates, so that occupants or the working population could live within stone throwing distance of their places of work. In pushing forward such a scheme, Government would help to solve the ever present difficulties confronting workers, the elements of transportation and time. I am certain that my colleague, Mr. U Tat Chee, will endorse such a practical proposal.
While it is to be commended that Government is offering land in Kwun Tong at a reasonably low price for the building of workers' living quarters, I must mention the fact that the offer will only benefit those big industrialists who are able to go to such an expense, but the benefit cannot be great as it should, for some industrialists now possessing industrial sites cannot do more than build their own factories. As every factory must have its complement of workers the lack of such an industrial facility is the main cause why industrialists hesitate to proceed with the building of their factories at Kwun Tong. This being the situation, it is hoped that the Housing Authority will step into the breach to provide low cost living quarters for workers employed in that industrial area.
In relation to the general health of the Colony, I have to say that Tuberculosis still claims a great number of deaths. There are now many, many unfortunates suffering from this disease, and they cannot find accommodation in hospitals. It is possible that more sufferers of Tuberculosis live within the confines of the resettlement estates or areas than anywhere else in the Colony. May I suggest that we co-ordinate our efforts to control this disease by working along the lines of the Anti-TB Association. We should have periodic health inspections conducted, and a continual campaign in Health Education set in motion, as it had proved so effective in the past. In this respect I suggest that during their routine house to house inspection, inspectors concerned should not only pay attention to sanitation and cleanliness, but should also advise people how to guard against the spreading of tuberculosis. Health inspectors should urge occupants in the estates and areas to make the best use of their existing means of ventilation and lighting. Well prepared pamphlets in the Chinese language will be also a help, and may I suggest that the Health Campaign this year for such resettlement estates or areas should have as its theme "Cleanliness in the home and Prevention of Tuberculosis".
Mr. Chairman, it gives me pleasure to endorse your statement of progress and policy. (Applause).
MR. U TAT CHEE:-My participation in this Debate is by choice confined to the subjects of the Resettlement Factories and the Offensive Trades.
I am glad, indeed, to note that 121 factories and workshops, formerly operating in squatter areas, have now been re-established in the new Resettlement Factory Building at Cheung Sha Wan, where a second factory is also to be built. It is with much satisfaction that I learn that one factory, now being built in Chai Wan and another in Jordan Valley, will soon be available, too, although there is no mention of them in your Statement of Progress and Policy.
There is without doubt a pressing need for many more flatted factories. More should be built, either of the existing or of an improved type, in the Resettlement areas and estates. They should be capable of absorbing a wider range of trades so as to provide more employment for the settlers. I remember that it was Mr. Fung Ping Fan who, at last year's annual debate, spoke so eloquently on this same need.
My good friend, Mr. Ernest Wong, who has just spoken before me, has brought out many points of a nature similar to mine on the need to build more flatted factories within the resettlement areas, and I am glad to endorse all he has said.
Just as the provision of proper homes, is, of course, the first priority, so, it is also my earnest hope that every encouragement should be given any settler, able to afford a small investment, to rent one or
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HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL
As an industrialist I feel deeply interested in the Resettlement project for factories and workshops. I have always followed the Council's work in this aspect with enthusiasm, and I have studied the Resettlement Department's annual report for 1957-1958 with much attention. May I congratulate the Commissioner for Resettlement on his achievement in this particular field of activity in which I cannot claim to share, but of which I am happy to join other members of this Council in being justly proud.
Since the test case in the Cheung Sha Wan area has proved such a commendable success, I have to say that no time is more propitious than the present to enlarge the scope of the scheme. It is not to be denied that the Colony's economy depends upon the existence of our industry, the backbone of which being the little handicraft workshops and the small scale factories. It is all the more expedient to provide them with appropriate accommodation at low rental, so that they may be assisted to develop properly. Many Hong Kong industries started from such humble beginnings. They have been the core from which the majority of our present-day large factories have grown.
I went round the Shek Kip Mei Resettlement Estate recently, and to my surprise, I counted some 600 sewing machines being individually used by the occupants in one resettlement estate. It occurred to me that if all those machines were put under one roof it would form a sizable factory. I therefore suggest that flatted-factories be built in the midst of all Resettlement Estates, so that occupants or the working population could live within stone throwing distance of their places of work. In pushing forward such a scheme, Government would help to solve the ever present difficulties confronting workers, the elements of transportation and time. I am certain that my colleague, Mr. U Tat Chee, will endorse such a practical proposal.
While it is to be commended that Government is offering land in Kwun Tong at a reasonably low price for the building of workers' living quarters, I must mention the fact that the offer will only benefit those big industrialists who are able to go to such an expense, but the benefit cannot be great as it should, for some industrialists now possessing industrial sites cannot do more than build their own factories. As every factory must have its complement of workers the lack of such an industrial facility is the main cause why industrialists hesitate to proceed with the building of their factories at Kwun Tong. This being the situation, it is hoped that the Housing Authority will step into the breach to provide low cost living quarters for workers employed in that industrial area.
In relation to the general health of the Colony, I have to say that Tuberculosis still claims a great number of deaths. There are now many, many unfortunates suffering from this disease, and they cannot
HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL
25
find accommodation in hospitals. It is possible that more sufferers of Tuberculosis live within the confines of the resettlement estates or areas than anywhere else in the Colony. May I suggest that we co- ordinate our efforts to control this disease by working along the lines of the Anti-TB Association. We should have periodic health inspec- tions conducted, and a continual campaign in Health Education set in motion, as it had proved so effective in the past. In this respect I suggest that during their routine house to house inspection, inspectors concerned should not only pay attention to sanitation and cleanliness, but should also advise people how to guard against the spreading of tuberculosis. Health inspectors should urge occupants in the estates and areas to make the best use of their existing means of ventilation and lighting. Well prepared pamphlets in the Chinese language will be also a help, and may I suggest that the Health Campaign this year for such resettlement estates or areas should have as its theme "Cleanliness in the home and Prevention of Tuberculosis".
Mr. Chairman, it gives me pleasure to endorse your statement of progress and policy. (Applause).
MR. U TAT CHEE:-My participation in this Debate is by choice confined to the subjects of the Resettlement Factories and the Offensive Trades.
I am glad, indeed, to note that 121 factories and workshops, formerly operating in squatter areas, have now been re-established in the new Resettlement Factory Building at Cheung Sha Wan, where a second factory is also to be built. It is with much satisfaction that I learn that one factory, now being built in Chai Wan and another in Jordan Valley, will soon be available, too, although there is no mention of them in your Statement of Progress and Policy.
There is without doubt a pressing need for many more flatted factories. More should be built, either of the existing or of an improved type, in the Resettlement areas and estates. They should be capable of absorbing a wider range of trades so as to provide more employment for the settlers. I remember that it was Mr. Fung Ping Fan who, at last year's annual debate, spoke so eloquently on this same need.
My good friend, Mr. Ernest Wong, who has just spoken before me, has brought out many points of a nature similar to mine on the need to build more flatted factories within the resettlement areas, and I am glad to endorse all he has said.
Just as the provision of proper homes, is, of course, the first priority, so, it is also my earnest hope that every encouragement should be given any settler, able to afford a small investment, to rent one or
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