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be done by the Urban Services Department would tend to simplify it and perhaps render it more businesslike. It is not enough that we should decide on what ought to be done; it is perhaps advisable that we should follow through by making sure that the process of implementation is simple and efficient. In this regard, the example set by the Sub-Committee which examined the duties of the Delegated Member and the processes involved in licensing may be cited to advantage.
The Council's Staff: I remember having said last year that it behoves us to protect our staff from being hounded just as much as it is our duty to make sure that they serve the public in a courteous, honest and efficient manner. Therefore, this Council must be ever conscious of its responsibility to ensure that the highest standards are maintained. While we must never descend to witch-hunting, we ought to consider setting up a sub-committee of the Standing Committee of the Whole Council to examine such representations as the public might wish to make in matters connected with the work of the Urban Council so that the public would be given the service that they have a right to expect.
The Council's Public Relations: I consider the practice of asking Questions in our open meetings a valuable instrument in the hands of the Unofficial Members. Putting down a Question is one means of expediting action or redressing a grievance just as much as it is an opportunity to clarify a doubt or allay a fear.
But, so often, in my own experience, many such Questions would not have been necessary had the information been expeditiously issued to the public.
Thus, I am prompted to stress the ever present need for better public relations. The work of this Council touches upon the lives and the habits of the people whose co-operation is so essential to the success of our policies and programmes. Hence, all the greater is the need for a well-planned programme which makes for a better public understanding of our aims and objects.
General: The Appointed Members have sought this year as before to divide among themselves the various matters covered by the work of the Urban Council. Entrusted as I have been with the task of winding up the debate for the side, my choice must necessarily be deferred until my friends have made theirs. So it has been left to me to deal with the internal organization of the Council with which the public cannot be much, if at all, familiar. For this reason I have examined, by necessity only in a cursory manner, some aspects of the Council's domestic matters in the hope that I will also stimulate more public interest in the Council's work by doing so.
It is true that this Council has grown considerably both in number of staff and in cost of service. So has Hong Kong increased tremendously in population. So has Hong Kong expanded its many and varied commercial and industrial activities. Today many more people live here and many also are being encouraged to visit us. To maintain the basic municipal services expected of a modern community of our importance, we must be ready to pay for them. To avoid, for example, the spread of disease which might well undermine our economy, we must have the scavengers and the doctors, the vans and the clinics, and so on. The litany is virtually unending.
HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL
43
varied commercial and industrial activities. Today many more people live here and many also are being encouraged to visit us. To maintain the basic municipal services expected of a modern community of our importance, we must be ready to pay for them. To avoid, for example, the spread of disease which might well undermine our economy, we must have the scavengers and the doctors, the vans and the clinics, and so on. The litany is virtually unending.
Let us be careful by all means but only to satisfy ourselves that the public money that is spent by this Council is put to good use. If there is not enough money for the public needs of a modern city, the Government must raise it without upsetting the factors which have inspired overseas confidence in our fiscal policy and administrative structure.
The alternative is clear. If our services do not keep pace with the needs of the community, Hong Kong might well have to abdicate its position as a progressive and well-run city in this part of the world and, as it were, accept relegation with all its bleak consequences.
For, Hong Kong can only continue in the forefront by the collective exertions of its people. We must manifestly redouble our efforts to meet the ever-growing demands of an ever-growing population whose increasing educational opportunities also open up new vistas. To arrest this demand would be just as disastrous as to put a brake on the prosperity which has enabled us to assimilate the hundreds of thousands of people who have chosen to come and live under our system of government. Their presence has contributed in good measure to our economic development even though their sudden coming has taxed our physical resources and social services.
In supporting the motion, may I say, Mr. Chairman, that this Council is serenely confident that, given the means, we will not fail to provide the services which help to make Hong Kong stand for progress, stability and prosperity in this part of the world.
MR. BERNACCHI:- I was about to move the motion that Mr. SALES be given an extension of time under Standing Order 10(a).
MR. SALES: - May I express my great satisfaction that Mr. BERNACCHI has at last so greatly concerned himself with Standing Orders. My experience of Mr. BERNACCHI's concern in the past has been to apply Standing Orders when it suits him and not to when it does not suit him. (Laughter).
THE VICE-CHAIRMAN moved that the debate be adjourned.
THE SECRETARY FOR CHINESE AFFAIRS seconded.
The question was put.
The motion was carried.
Page 29 of 118
Page 29 of 118
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HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL
be done by the Urban Services Department would tend to simplify it and perhaps render it more businesslike. It is not enough that we should decide on what ought to be done; it is perhaps advisable that we should follow through by making sure that the process of implementa- tion is simple and efficient. In this regard, the example set by the Sub- Committee which examined the duties of the Delegated Member and the processes involved in licensing may be cited to advantage.
The Council's Staff: I remember having said last year that it behoves us to protect our staff from being hounded just as much as it is our duty to make sure that they serve the public in a courteous, honest and efficient manner. Therefore, this Council must be ever conscious of its responsibility to ensure that the highest standards are maintained. While we must never descend to witch-hunting, we ought to consider setting up a sub-committee of the Standing Committee of the Whole Council to examine such representations as the public might wish to make in matters connected with the work of the Urban Council so that the public would be given the service that they have a right to expect. The Council's Public Relations: I consider the practice of asking Questions in our open meetings a valuable instrument in the hands of the Unofficial Members. Putting down a Question is one means of expediting action or redressing a grievance just as much as it is an opportunity to clarify a doubt or allay a fear.
But, so often, in my own experience, many such Questions would not have been necessary had the information been expeditiously issued to the public.
Thus, I am prompted to stress the ever present need for better public relations. The work of this Council touches upon the lives and the habits of the people whose co-operation is so essential to the success of our policies and programmes. Hence, all the greater is the need for a well-planned programme which makes for a better public understand- ing of our aims and objects.
General: The Appointed Members have sought this year as before to divide among themselves the various matters covered by the work of the Urban Council. Entrusted as I have been with the task of winding up the debate for the side, my choice must necessarily be deferred until my friends have made theirs. So it has been left to me to deal with the internal organization of the Council with which the public cannot be much, if at all, familiar. For this reason I have examined, by necessity only in a cursory manner, some aspects of the Council's domestic matters in the hope that I will also stimulate more public interest in the Council's work by doing so.
It is true that this Council has grown considerably both in number of staff and in cost of service. So has Hong Kong increased tremen- dously in population. So has Hong Kong expanded its many and
HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL
43
varied commercial and industrial activities. Today many more people live here and many also are being encouraged to visit us. To maintain the basic municipal services expected of a modern community of our importance, we must be ready to pay for them. To avoid, for example, the spread of disease which might well undermine our economy, we must have the scavengers and the doctors, the vans and the clinics, and so on. The litany is virtually unending.
Let us be careful by all means but only to satisfy ourselves that the public money that is spent by this Council is put to good use. If there is not enough money for the public needs of a modern city, the Government must raise it without upsetting the factors which have inspired overseas confidence in our fiscal policy and administrative structure.
The alternative is clear. If our services do not keep pace with the needs of the community, Hong Kong might well have to abdicate its position as a progressive and well-run city in this part of the world and, as it were, accept relegation with all its bleak consequences.
For, Hong Kong can only continue in the forefront by the collective exertions of its people. We must manifestly redouble our efforts to meet the ever-growing demands of an ever-growing population whose increasing educational opportunities also open up new vistas. To arrest this demand would be just as disastrous as to put a brake on the prosperity which has enabled us to assimilate the hundreds of thousands of people who have chosen to come and live under our system of government. Their presence has contributed in good measure to our economic development even though their sudden coming has taxed our physical resources and social services.
In supporting the motion, may I say, Mr. Chairman, that this Council is serenely confident that, given the means, we will not fail to provide the services which help to make Hong Kong stand for progress, stability and prosperity in this part of the world.
MR. BERNACCHI:-1 was about to move the motion that Mr. SALES be given an extension of time under Standing Order 10(a).
MR. SALES: -May I express my great satisfaction that Mr. BERNACCHI has at last so greatly concerned himself with Standing Orders. My experience of Mr. BERNACCHI's concern in the past has been to apply Standing Orders when it suits him and not to when it does not suit him. (Laughter).
THE VICE-CHAIRMAN moved that the debate be adjourned.
THE SECRETARY FOR CHINESE AFFAIRS seconded.
The question was put.
The motion was carried.
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