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I would assure members of the public that any complaint or information on corruption within the Urban Services or Resettlement Department will be fully investigated and properly dealt with.
A few words about public relations, Mr. Chairman.
If you will recall, several months ago we raised the question of the necessity of improved public relations for the Urban Council. I hope you will not forget to take this up with the Director of Public Relations to see that a Public Relations Officer will be seconded to this Council at the earliest possible date. I see you have in your own little way been doing something by way of public relations by supplying tea to at least one member of the press, and I assume tea will be available to other members of the press too.
In conclusion, Mr. Chairman, I wish to pose a question which is of the greatest significance to the citizens of Hong Kong. The question is: what is the future of the Urban Council?
I do not agree with my friend Mr. BERNACCHI that this Council should pack up. We do not want to destroy. We want to build up.
I have stated at the beginning of my speech that I found no difficulty in accepting the Statement of Policy and Progress. During the past two years, Urban Councillors, both Official and Unofficial, have co-operated wonderfully well in formulating policy and in planning and managing the work of the Urban Council. The fact that Government has not in the period under review sought to adopt any steamroller tactics in this Council is perhaps attributable to the fact that the Unofficial Bench is a strong one, comprising both Appointed and Elected members.
Be that as it may, I must still register dissatisfaction at the number of times some of my questions have been ruled out of order as being outside the scope of the Urban Council.
For example, one question I would have liked to ask is why mahjong establishments are called "schools" and not "casinos"; is it because Government believes in the good old tradition of “understatement", or is it because Government does not wish to "call a spade a spade". But I have not even tried to give notice of such a question, since I know what the Chairman's answer would be. Only a few days ago, I was ruled out of order and prevented from asking a question on the serious and dangerous nuisance caused by stones and masonry falling into the streets from buildings under construction. That was the P.W.D.'s preserve, I was politely informed!
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HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL
33
And there have been numerous other questions—legitimate questions I had thought—on education, medical and welfare facilities in the resettlement areas and estates, on the improvement of the facilities in New Territories beaches, where I had given notice of questions, only to be blandly told that I had no right to ask such questions.
In fairness to you, Mr. Chairman, I must add that the last time I asked questions on New Territories beaches was during the time of your predecessor.
It should therefore be no surprise at all to anyone, Mr. Chairman, that many of us on this Council are asking ourselves—out of pure frustration—what is the future of this Council?
Should the responsibilities of the Urban Council be expanded to include vital municipal subjects such as Social Welfare, Fire Prevention, Road traffic, Public Works, Education and Medical facilities?
Should the industrialized areas in the New Territories, such as Tsuen Wan, come within the direct responsibility of the Urban Council? Should there be additional elected seats in the Urban Council in 1961?
Should the present franchise be expanded to include that solid body of citizenry, known as property-owning ratepayers and some other professional groups?
In view of the rapid industrial progress in the Colony, should the Unofficial Bench in the Legislative Council be reinforced by a number of elected members who may be elected either through the Urban Council or from the Urban Council franchise?
Being a businessman, Mr. Chairman, let me emphasize and repeat that I believe Hong Kong's future is without the slightest shade of doubt dependent upon political stability and an expanding economy. I am at the same time a strong adherent to the principle of "No increased taxation without adequate representation", and I am of the opinion that evolution has now caught up with us demanding in the name of progress a wider representation of views in our various Councils. And the time to consider that is now!
MR. FUNG HON-CHU: Mr. Chairman and Members, thank you for your kind welcome. It is most encouraging to be able to begin one's duties in so friendly an atmosphere. I pledge my active and conscientious contribution to the Council's efforts for the betterment of Hong Kong's living conditions. In the course of years, a great deal has been accomplished by the Council. I feel, however, that within its scope, there is still something that can be done for the comfort, contentment and convenience of the community.
Mr. Chairman, I have observed the accomplishments of the Council during the past year with great interest and in this, my maiden speech, I would confine myself to a few observations on problems which, to my
Page 24 of 118
Page 24 of 118
32
HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL
I would assure members of the public that any complaint or informa- tion on corruption within the Urban Services or Resettlement Depart- ment will be fully investigated and properly dealt with.
A few words about public relations, Mr. Chairman.
If you will recall, several months ago we raised the question of the necessity of improved public relations for the Urban Council. I hope you will not forget to take this up with the Director of Public Relations to see that a Public Relations Officer will be seconded to this Council at the earliest possible date. I see you have in your own little way been doing something by way of public relations by supplying tea to at least one member of the press, and I assume tea will be available to other members of the press too.
In conclusion, Mr. Chairman, I wish to pose a question which is of the greatest significance to the citizens of Hong Kong. The question is: what is the future of the Urban Council?
I do not agree with my friend Mr. BERNACCHI that this Council should pack up. We do not want to destroy. We want to build up.
I have stated at the beginning of my speech that I found no difficulty in accepting the Statement of Policy and Progress. During the past two years, Urban Councillors, both Official and Unofficial, have co-operated wonderfully well in formulating policy and in plan- ning and managing the work of the Urban Council. The fact that Government has not in the period under review sought to adopt any steamroller tactics in this Council is perhaps attributable to the fact that the Unofficial Bench is a strong one, comprising both Appointed and Elected members.
Be that as it may, I must still register dissatisfaction at the number of times some of my questions have been ruled out of order as being outside the scope of the Urban Council.
For example, one question I would have liked to ask is why majong establishments are called "schools" and not "casinos"; is it because Government believes in the good old tradition of “under- statement", or is it because Government does not wish to "call a spade a spade". But I have not even tried to give notice of such a question, since I know what the Chairman's answer would be. Only a few days ago, I was ruled out of order and prevented from asking a question on the serious and dangerous nuisance caused by stones and masonry falling into the streets from buildings under construction. That was the P.W.D.'s preserve, I was politely informed!
And there have been numerous other questions-legitimate ques- tions I had thought-on education, medical and welfare facilities in the resettlement areas and estates, on the improvement of the facilities in
1
HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL
33
New Territories beaches, where I had given notice of questions, only to be blandly told that I had no right to ask such questions.
In fairness to you, Mr. Chairman, I must add that the last time I asked questions on New Territories beaches was during the time of your predecessor.
It should therefore be no surprise at all to anyone, Mr. Chairman, that many of us on this Council are asking ourselves-out of pure frustration what is the future of this Council?
Should the responsibilities of the Urban Council be expanded to include vital municipal subjects such as Social Welfare, Fire Prevention, Road traffic, Public Works, Education and Medical facilities?
Should the industrialized areas in the New Territories, such as Tsuen Wan, come within the direct responsibility of the Urban Council? Should there be additional elected seats in the Urban Council in
1961?
Should the present franchise be expanded to include that solid body of citizenry, known as property-owning ratepayers and some other professional groups?
In view of the rapid industrial progress in the Colony, should the Unofficial Bench in the Legislative Council be reinforced by a number of elected members who may be elected either through the Urban Council or from the Urban Council franchise?
Being a businessman, Mr. Chairman, let me emphasize and repeat that I believe Hong Kong's future is without the slightest shade of doubt dependent upon political stability and an expanding economy. I am at the same time a strong adherent to the principle of "No increased taxation without adequate representation", and I am of the opinion that evolution has now caught up with us demanding in the name of progress a wider representation of views in our various Councils. And the time to consider that is now!
MR. FUNG HON-CHU: Mr. Chairman and Members, thank you for your kind welcome. It is most encouraging to be able to begin one's duties in so friendly an atmosphere. I pledge my active and conscientious contribution to the Council's efforts for the betterment of Hong Kong's living conditions. In the course of years, a great deal has been accomplished by the Council. I feel, however, that within its scope, there is still something that can be done for the comfort, content- ment and convenience of the community.
Mr. Chairman, I have observed the accomplishments of the Council during the past year with great interest and in this, my maiden speech, I would confine myself to a few observations on problems which, to my
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