Page 68 of 118
18
120
Page 68 of 118
HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL
This represents an increase of 3,707 licences over the number in force at the beginning of the year but the increase is almost entirely among pedlars. The fact should not be lost sight of, however, that, only some 6 months prior to the budget debate, the Hawkers (Executive) Select Committee (of which you were then a member) approved 896 and 218 additional Fixed Pitch sites in Kowloon and Hong Kong respectively.
As you are already aware, it is not the policy to increase the number of cooked food stalls, at least in the old built-up areas, or to issue any more General Purpose licences. With regard to the present operators of such stalls and also of Fixed Pitched Stalls (all classes except Fixed Pitch (Tradesmen)), the problem raised by you was discussed, after the annual debate, with the Director of Social Welfare. No recommendations have as yet been made to the relevant Select Committee but it is hoped that in due course that Committee will give approval for a scrutiny of the claims of all such existing stall licensees to be permitted to continue to operate—the criterion for such permission being "welfare". For the future there should be no worry, as these more profitable licences are now issued entirely on a welfare basis to persons recommended by the Director of Social Welfare, who also continues to handle recommendations for boot-black licences and to advise on all cases of succession. I am sure that
(a) the type of person you have in mind is unlikely to be recommended for licences by the Director of Social Welfare
(b) you would not wish to see a reduction in the number of licences going to genuine welfare cases.
There remain the following categories of licences to be considered:
Ice-Cream
Fixed Pitch (Tradesman)
Pedlar
These also received attention departmentally after the Annual Debate, the position now being as follows:-
Ice-Cream Hawkers—Licences are issued only to bona fide employees of licensed ice-cream factories—the object of this arrangement being to exercise public health control over the fitness of the article being sold and also of the hawker selling it. It would not be wise to interfere with arrangements for this class of hawker, who in any case number less than 400 and whose beats are in many cases arduous.
HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL
121
Fixed Pitch (Tradesman)—A paper on the policy to be adopted for this class of hawker is due to be discussed at to-morrow's meeting of the Hawkers Select Committee. I should prefer not to comment until members of that Committee have considered the paper and given their decision.
Pedlars—As you are aware, the policy of Council has been
(a) not to restrict the number of pedlar licences,
and
(b) to keep the fee for this class as low as practicable, so that those in need could always find, within the law, a means of earning a living.
There is no direction of labour in this Colony and while it would be quite simple to restrict the number of pedlar licences, it would be quite another matter effectively to "urge" young and able-bodied persons to go into industry. Nor is it certain that
(a) all young and able-bodied persons who see fit to hawk are either necessarily suitable for industry or willing to follow an industrial occupation, or that
(b) employment in industry will eliminate the casual hawker as many of these pedlars are (between jobs).
Any attempt at present to restrict the number of pedlar licences would merely result in
(i) an unnecessary loss of revenue
(ii) an increase in the number of unlicensed hawkers.
In my opinion, there is little that can be done about this class of hawker until the Hawker Control Force is fully operative, when proper control may encourage some of these numerous pedlars to look elsewhere, possibly in industry, for an alternative means of earning a living."
MR. Y. K. KAN asked the following question:-
"The Sub-Committee on Delegated Powers in their report which was adopted by this Council recommended that the Director of Urban Services should discuss with the Heads
Page 68 of 118
18
120
Page 68 of 118
HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL
This represents an increase of 3,707 licences over the number in force at the beginning of the year but the increase is almost entirely among pedlars. The fact should not be lost sight of, however, that, only some 6 months prior to the budget debate, the Hawkers (Executive) Select Committee (of which you were then a member) approved 896 and 218 additional Fixed Pitch sites in Kowloon and Hong Kong respectively.
As you are already aware, it is not the policy to increase the number of cooked food stalls, at least in the old built-up areas, or to issue any more General Purpose licences. With regard to the present operators of such stalls and also of Fixed Pitched Stalls (all classes except Fixed Pitch (Tradesmen)), the problem raised by you was discussed, after the annual debate, with the Director of Social Welfare. No recommendations have as yet been made to the relevant Select Committee but it is hoped that in due course that Committee will give approval for a scrutiny of the claims of all such existing stall licensees to be permitted to continue to operate-the criterion for such permission being "welfare". For the future there should be no worry, as these more profitable licences are now issued entirely on a welfare basis to persons recom- mended by the Director of Social Welfare, who also continues to handle recommendations for boot-black licences and to advise on all cases of succession. I am sure that
(a) the type of person you have in mind is unlikely to be recommended for licences by the Director of Social Welfare
(b) you would not wish to see a reduction in the number of licences going to genuine welfare
cases.
There remain the following categories of licences to be con-
sidered:
Ice-Cream
Fixed Pitch (Tradesman) Pedlar
These also received attention departmentally after the Annual Debate, the position now being as follows:-
Ice-Cream Hawkers-Licences are issued only to bona fide employees of licensed ice-cream factories -the object of this arrangement being to exercise public health control over the fitness of the article
HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL
121
being sold and also of the hawker selling it. It would not be wise to interfere with arrangements for this class of hawker, who in any case number less than 400 and whose beats are in many cases arduous.
Fixed Pitch (Tradesman)—A paper on the policy
to be adopted for this class of hawker is due to be discussed at to-morrow's meeting of the Hawkers Select Committee. I should prefer not to comment until members of that Committee have considered the paper and given their decision.
Pedlars-As you are aware, the policy of Council has been
(a) not to restrict the number of pedlar licences,
and
(b) to keep the fee for this class as low as practicable, so that those in need could always find, within the law, a means of earning a living.
There is no direction of labour in this Colony and while it would be quite simple to restrict the number of pedlar licences, it would be quite another matter effectively to "urge" young and able-bodied persons to go into industry. Nor is it certain that
(a) all young and able-bodied persons who see fit to hawk are either necessarily suitable for industry or willing to follow an industrial occupation, or that
(b) employment in industry will eliminate the casual hawker as many of these pedlars are (between jobs).
Any attempt at present to restrict the number of pedlar
licences would merely result in
(i) an unnecessary loss of revenue
(ii) an increase in the number of unlicensed hawkers.
In my opinion, there is little that can be done about this class of hawker until the Hawker Control Force is fully opera- tive, when proper control may encourage some of these numerous pedlars to look elsewhere, possibly in industry, for an alternative means of earning a living."
MR. Y. K. KAN asked the following question:-
"The Sub-Committee on Delegated Powers in their report which was adopted by this Council recommended that the Director of Urban Services should discuss with the Heads
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