1959 — Page 84

Urban Council Proceedings 市政局議事錄 All AI Reviewed

Page 84 of 107

152

HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL

CHAIRMAN: -I am afraid the decision does not rest with me. I cannot say anything further about this.

MR. SALES: -Thank you.

MR. A. de O. SALES asked the following question:

"(a) Is the Chairman able to give an estimate of the cost of making suitable films so as to take advantage of television as one more medium by which to conduct this Council's health campaign?

(b) Is the Chairman not able to arrange for overseas television films on health subjects to be shown locally after suitable adaptation has been made?"

THE CHAIRMAN replied as follows:-

"(a) I am afraid that it is impossible to give any firm estimate. Film making, as you know, is a comparatively expensive business, but even so the costs vary considerably according to the techniques adopted and how ambitious or how long the finished film is. If, for example, the film consisted solely of a talk by you at your desk on health questions, it would probably not be at all expensive. The Television programme organizers might even be prepared to include such a talk in one of their regular studio interview programmes as a matter of public interest and make no charge for the service. If, on the other hand, we sought to secure maximum audience interest by producing, say, animated cartoon films, the cost might be quite heavy.

The use of television and the cinema as media of health education is, however, under regular review and we are in close touch with the Director of Information Services who is Government's specialist in these matters. Further information and recommendations will be given to the appropriate Select Committee in due course.

(b) My colleague, the Director of Information Services, tells me that ever since it started Rediffusion's television service has been most co-operative in showing films made overseas on health subjects and, indeed, on a wide diversity of other topics. Members may be interested to know that thanks to the co-operation of the Central Office of Information of H.M. Government and of the official film units of other countries, our local television station is able to show on an average at least one educational documentary film every week. Quite recently Rediffusion carried a series of eight films released by the Central

HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL

153

Office of Information under the general title "Your Children's Health". These films, incidentally, are available free of charge through the Information Services Department library to any club, school or social welfare institution wishing to borrow them.

It is however questionable whether even the best of overseas films on health topics give maximum value in our own local campaigns because, having been made in the first place for Western audiences, they obviously can take no account of the frequently vastly different conditions in Hong Kong. Director of Information Services has informed me, for example, that the "Your Children's Health" series to which I have just referred tends to stress the value of abundant use of water as an aid to cleanliness and health and that the sight of gushing taps is liable to create in the mind of the Hong Kong viewer only a sense of frustration!

It is obvious that, ideally, educational films to be shown in Hong Kong should be made specifically for Hong Kong audiences. But until we reach that happy day we are most grateful for the overseas films."

MR. SALES:-Thank you very much, Mr. Chairman. It is a most interesting and comprehensive reply. It is so comprehensive that it has achieved its purpose. I shall not ask any supplementary question.

MR. A. DE O. SALES asked the following question:

"Is the Chairman able to satisfy this Council that adequate facilities will be available in the City Hall for radio, rediffusion and television relays? To what extent has expert advice been sought in determining the actual requirements of each medium?”

THE CHAIRMAN replied as follows:

"This Question concerns facilities for radio, rediffusion and television relays in the City Hall.

I trust that the Council will be satisfied with the following information.

The City Hall will, if the recommendations of the Controller of Broadcasting are approved, be provided with studios for joint radio and rediffusion relays. I should emphasize that these facilities will be available to commercial broadcasting organizations as well as to Radio Hong Kong. Points for microphones will be sited in appropriate positions in the Concert Hall, Theatre and Assembly Rooms.

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Page 84 of 107 152 HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL CHAIRMAN: -I am afraid the decision does not rest with me. I cannot say anything further about this. MR. SALES: -Thank you. MR. A. de O. SALES asked the following question: "(a) Is the Chairman able to give an estimate of the cost of making suitable films so as to take advantage of television as one more medium by which to conduct this Council's health campaign? (b) Is the Chairman not able to arrange for overseas television films on health subjects to be shown locally after suitable adaptation has been made?" THE CHAIRMAN replied as follows:- "(a) I am afraid that it is impossible to give any firm estimate. Film making, as you know, is a comparatively expensive business, but even so the costs vary considerably according to the techniques adopted and how ambitious or how long the finished film is. If, for example, the film consisted solely of a talk by you at your desk on health questions, it would probably not be at all expensive. The Television programme organizers might even be prepared to include such a talk in one of their regular studio interview programmes as a matter of public interest and make no charge for the service. If, on the other hand, we sought to secure maximum audience interest by producing, say, animated cartoon films, the cost might be quite heavy. The use of television and the cinema as media of health education is, however, under regular review and we are in close touch with the Director of Information Services who is Government's specialist in these matters. Further information and recommendations will be given to the appropriate Select Committee in due course. (b) My colleague, the Director of Information Services, tells me that ever since it started Rediffusion's television service has been most co-operative in showing films made overseas on health subjects and, indeed, on a wide diversity of other topics. Members may be interested to know that thanks to the co-operation of the Central Office of Information of H.M. Government and of the official film units of other countries, our local television station is able to show on an average at least one educational documentary film every week. Quite recently Rediffusion carried a series of eight films released by the Central HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL 153 Office of Information under the general title "Your Children's Health". These films, incidentally, are available free of charge through the Information Services Department library to any club, school or social welfare institution wishing to borrow them. It is however questionable whether even the best of overseas films on health topics give maximum value in our own local campaigns because, having been made in the first place for Western audiences, they obviously can take no account of the frequently vastly different conditions in Hong Kong. Director of Information Services has informed me, for example, that the "Your Children's Health" series to which I have just referred tends to stress the value of abundant use of water as an aid to cleanliness and health and that the sight of gushing taps is liable to create in the mind of the Hong Kong viewer only a sense of frustration! It is obvious that, ideally, educational films to be shown in Hong Kong should be made specifically for Hong Kong audiences. But until we reach that happy day we are most grateful for the overseas films." MR. SALES:-Thank you very much, Mr. Chairman. It is a most interesting and comprehensive reply. It is so comprehensive that it has achieved its purpose. I shall not ask any supplementary question. MR. A. DE O. SALES asked the following question: "Is the Chairman able to satisfy this Council that adequate facilities will be available in the City Hall for radio, rediffusion and television relays? To what extent has expert advice been sought in determining the actual requirements of each medium?” THE CHAIRMAN replied as follows: "This Question concerns facilities for radio, rediffusion and television relays in the City Hall. I trust that the Council will be satisfied with the following information. The City Hall will, if the recommendations of the Controller of Broadcasting are approved, be provided with studios for joint radio and rediffusion relays. I should emphasize that these facilities will be available to commercial broadcasting organizations as well as to Radio Hong Kong. Points for microphones will be sited in appropriate positions in the Concert Hall, Theatre and Assembly Rooms. Page 84 of 107

Baseline (Original)

Page 84 of 107 152 HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL CHAIRMAN: -I am afraid the decision does not rest with me. I cannot say anything further about this. MR. SALES: -Thank you. MR. A. de O. SALES asked the following question : "(a) Is the Chairman able to give an estimate of the cost of making suitable films so as to take advantage of television as one more medium by which to conduct this Council's health campaign? (b) Is the Chairman not able to arrange for overseas television films on health subjects to be shown locally after suitable adaptation has been made?" THE CHAIRMAN replied as follows:- "(a) I am afraid that it is impossible to give any firm estimate. Film making, as you know, is a comparatively expensive business, but even so the costs vary considerably accord- ing to the techniques adopted and how ambitious or how long the finished film is. If, for example, the film con- sisted solely of a talk by you at your desk on health questions, it would probably not be at all expensive. The Television programme organizers might even be prepared to include such a talk in one of their regular studio interview programmes as a matter of public interest and make no charge for the service. If, on the other hand, we sought to secure maximum audience interest by producing, say, animated cartoon films, the cost might be quite heavy. The use of television and the cinema-as media of health education is, however, under regular review and we are in close touch with the Director of Information Services who is Government's specialist in these matters. Further information and recommendations will be given to the appropriate Select Committee in due course. (b) My colleague, the Director of Information Services, tells me that ever since it started Rediffusion's television service has been most co-operative in showing films made over- seas on health subjects and, indeed, on a wide diversity of other topics. Members may be interested to know that thanks to the co-operation of the Central Office of Information of H.M. Government and of the official film units of other countries, our local television station is able to show on an average at least one educational documentary film every week. Quite recently Rediffusion carried a series of eight films released by the Central HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL 153- Office of Information under the general title "Your Children's Health". These films, incidentally, are avail- able free of charge through the Information Services Department library to any club, school or social welfare institution wishing to borrow them. It is however questionable whether even the best of overseas films on health topics give maximum value in our own local campaigns because, having been made in the first place for Western audiences, they obviously can take no account of the frequently vastly different condi- tions in Hong Kong. Director of Information Services has informed me, for example, that the "Your Children's Health" series to which I have just referred tends to stress the value of abundant use of water as an aid to cleanliness and health and that the sight of gushing taps is liable to create in the mind of the Hong Kong viewer only a sense of frustration! It is obvious that, ideally, educational films to be shown in Hong Kong should be made specifically for Hong Kong audiences. But until we reach that happy day we are most grateful for the overseas films." MR. SALES:-Thank you very much, Mr. Chairman. It is a most interesting and comprehensive reply. It is so comprehensive that it has achieved its purpose. I shall not ask any supplementary question. MR. A. DE O. SALES asked the following question : "Is the Chairman able to satisfy this Council that adequate facilities will be available in the City Hall for radio, rediffusion and television relays? To what extent has expert advice been sought in determining the actual requirements of each medium?” THE CHAIRMAN replied as follows: "This Question concerns facilities for radio, rediffusion and television relays in the City Hall. I trust that the Council will be satisfied with the following information. The City Hall will, if the recommendations of the Controller of Broadcasting are approved, be provided with studios for joint radio and rediffusion relays. I should emphasize that these facilities will be available to commercial broad- casting organizations as well as to Radio Hong Kong. Points for microphones will be sited in appropriate positions in the Concert Hall, Theatre and Assembly Rooms.

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Page 84 of 107

152

HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL

CHAIRMAN: -I am afraid the decision does not rest with me. I cannot say anything further about this.

MR. SALES: -Thank you.

MR. A. de O. SALES asked the following question :

"(a) Is the Chairman able to give an estimate of the cost of making suitable films so as to take advantage of television as one more medium by which to conduct this Council's health campaign?

(b) Is the Chairman not able to arrange for overseas television films on health subjects to be shown locally after suitable adaptation has been made?"

THE CHAIRMAN replied as follows:-

"(a) I am afraid that it is impossible to give any firm estimate. Film making, as you know, is a comparatively expensive business, but even so the costs vary considerably accord- ing to the techniques adopted and how ambitious or how long the finished film is. If, for example, the film con- sisted solely of a talk by you at your desk on health questions, it would probably not be at all expensive. The Television programme organizers might even be prepared to include such a talk in one of their regular studio interview programmes as a matter of public interest and make no charge for the service. If, on the other hand, we sought to secure maximum audience interest by producing, say, animated cartoon films, the cost might be quite heavy.

The use of television and the cinema-as media of health education is, however, under regular review and we are in close touch with the Director of Information Services who is Government's specialist in these matters. Further information and recommendations will be given to the appropriate Select Committee in due course.

(b) My colleague, the Director of Information Services, tells me that ever since it started Rediffusion's television service has been most co-operative in showing films made over- seas on health subjects and, indeed, on a wide diversity of other topics. Members may be interested to know that thanks to the co-operation of the Central Office of Information of H.M. Government and of the official film units of other countries, our local television station is able to show on an average at least one educational documentary film every week. Quite recently Rediffusion carried a series of eight films released by the Central

HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL

153-

Office of Information under the general title "Your Children's Health". These films, incidentally, are avail- able free of charge through the Information Services Department library to any club, school or social welfare institution wishing to borrow them.

It is however questionable whether even the best of overseas films on health topics give maximum value in our own local campaigns because, having been made in the first place for Western audiences, they obviously can take no account of the frequently vastly different condi- tions in Hong Kong. Director of Information Services has informed me, for example, that the "Your Children's Health" series to which I have just referred tends to stress the value of abundant use of water as an aid to cleanliness and health and that the sight of gushing taps is liable to create in the mind of the Hong Kong viewer only a sense of frustration!

MR. SALES:-Thank you very much, Mr. Chairman. It is a most interesting and comprehensive reply. It is so comprehensive that it has achieved its purpose. I shall not ask any supplementary question.

MR. A. DE O. SALES asked the following question :

THE CHAIRMAN replied as follows:

"This Question concerns facilities for radio, rediffusion and

television relays in the City Hall.

I trust that the Council will be satisfied with the following

information.

The City Hall will, if the recommendations of the Controller of Broadcasting are approved, be provided with studios for joint radio and rediffusion relays. I should emphasize that these facilities will be available to commercial broad- casting organizations as well as to Radio Hong Kong. Points for microphones will be sited in appropriate positions in the Concert Hall, Theatre and Assembly Rooms.

1959 — Page 84

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