Page 45 of 110
74
HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL
In fact, with the continued and rapid growth of the latter, it is inevitable that more of our efforts must be directed to the peninsula.
Dr. BELL raised the question of using the Block Vote for large projects to be carried out by the Public Works Department.
This would defeat the object of the Block Vote, which was granted to facilitate the prompt undertaking of small tasks which do not involve a large amount of time and labour on the part of the Architectural Office. In effect, Dr. BELL's proposal would presage a return to all our work being carried out under the Public Works Non-Recurrent programme. I suggest that Council does not want to lose its Block Vote and be in a position where it cannot undertake small but nevertheless worthwhile projects with a minimum of fuss and delay.
Mr. CHAN Shu-woon said that he would welcome a more detailed account of all the Select Committee work in the monthly reports laid on the table. I will endeavour to meet his request.
Mr. MARDEN suggested that if the proposed Government lottery, to which reference was made in the proceedings of Legislative Council recently, comes into being, the funds should be put into housing as capital. His suggestion has been forwarded to the Colonial Secretary for consideration.
Several Members urged, directly or indirectly, the need for enlisting further public co-operation. Mr. FUNG Hon-chu in particular suggested that in order to instil into the public mind some civic pride in keeping Hong Kong clean, the Council might obtain more active assistance from the Kaifong. By this I assume he was referring to the 28 leading Kaifong Associations.
Most of these Associations have, for a long time, already been giving active and valuable co-operation in public health campaigns. There are, however, two important points to be remembered. First, as His Excellency the Governor and my friend the Secretary for Chinese Affairs have often stressed, the local residents who created or resuscitated these Kaifong Associations had no intention of becoming the mere servants of any official organization. Those people in each district whose public spirit is expressed through Kaifong work, do so in the interests of what, in their opinion, are the most pressing local needs, which may indeed be matters of public health, but may instead be in the fields of education, road safety, religious festivals, or a whole host of other things. Second, the Kaifong Movement is not a single entity. It consists of at least 28 separate and independent Kaifong Associations, each with its local problems, each with its local singularities, and each under its own leadership.
HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL
75
In brief, I warmly endorse Members' feeling that we should try to do even more than we have already been doing to win public co-operation in the discharge of our responsibilities. I am glad of this opportunity to express my thanks for the very real co-operation which has been extended by the independent Kaifong Associations, as well as by many other voluntary organizations. But we must remember that the Kaifong Associations should not be approached as if they constitute a single organization, any more than the three million people living here should be regarded by us as a single abstract entity, conveniently labelled the "public".
Mr. Y. K. KAN was unable to attend the previous meeting, but on his behalf Mr. SALES raised the question of the relationship between the Urban Services Department and other departments connected with the Council's many functions. A similar point was raised by Mr. Kan at a recent meeting of the Food and Food Premises Select Committee and a paper on the subject will shortly be put before that Committee.
Several Members raised the question of increasing efficiency in the Urban Services Department. This is a matter which is thought about within the department constantly and adjustments of staff or routine are frequently made to save time and money. Large-scale reorganization is, of course, another matter. I said in reply to a question at the previous meeting that I would welcome a survey of the department by management experts; I can only re-affirm that statement now.
Mr. CHAN Shu-woon referred to lack of politeness as a very general complaint. He suggested that a special select committee should be set up to improve efficiency and other matters in Government departments and public utilities. I regret that I cannot see any advantage in appointing such a select committee. On the other hand, I can assure Mr. CHAN that when members of the public report cases of impoliteness by staff of the Urban Services Department, the complaints are followed up carefully and action against offenders is taken in appropriate cases. Members of the department are regularly reminded of their obligations towards the public.
Mr. Wilfred WONG proposed that future candidates for appointment as Health Inspectors should be given a thorough examination in ethics and that serving inspectors should be thoroughly screened as to their ability to perform their duties properly. The first proposal is somewhat unusual, and while I would not wish to decry it merely on that ground, I must point out that a knowledge of the system of moral principles does not necessarily mean that the principles will be applied. Considerable pains are taken, when selecting Health Inspector candidates, to ensure that, as far as possible, only candidates of strong moral fibre are selected. Naturally, a prerequisite of appointment is the production, by the candidate, of satisfactory references as to his character,
Page 45
Page 46
Page 45 of 110
74
HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL
In fact, with the continued and rapid growth of the latter, it is inevitable that more of our efforts must be directed to the peninsula.
Dr. BELL raised the question of using the Block Vote for large projects to be carried out by the Public Works Department.
This would defeat the object of the Block Vote, which was granted to facilitate the prompt undertaking of small tasks which do not involve a large amount of time and labour on the part of the Architectural Office. In effect, Dr. BELL's proposal would presage a return to all our work being carried out under the Public Works Non-Recurrent programme. I suggest that Council does not want to lose its Block Vote and be in a position where it cannot undertake small but never- theless worthwhile projects with a minimum of fuss and delay.
Mr. CHAN Shu-woon said that he would welcome a more detailed account of all the Select Committee work in the monthly reports laid on the table. I will endeavour to meet his request.
Mr. MARDEN suggested that if the proposed Government lottery, to which reference was made in the proceedings of Legislative Council recently, comes into being, the funds should be put into housing as capital. His suggestion has been forwarded to the Colonial Secretary for consideration.
Several Members urged, directly or indirectly, the need for enlisting further public co-operation. Mr. FUNG Hon-chu in particular suggested that in order to instil into the public mind some civic pride in keeping Hong Kong clean, the Council might obtain more active assistance from the Kaifong. By this I assume he was referring to the 28 leading Kaifong Associations.
Most of these Associations have, for a long time, already been giving active and valuable co-operation in public health campaigns, There are, and I certainly hope that they will continue to do so. however, two important points to be remembered. First, as His Excellency the Governor and my friend the Secretary for Chinese Affairs have often stressed, the local residents who created or resuscitat- ed these Kaifong Associations had no intention of becoming the mere servants of any official organization. Those people in each district whose public spirit is expressed through Kaifong work, do so in the interests of what, in their opinion, are the most pressing local needs, which may indeed be matters of public health, but may instead be in the fields of education, road safety, religious festivals, or a whole host of other things. Second, the Kaifong Movement is not a single entity. It consists of at least 28 separate and independent Kaifong Associations, each with its local problems, each with its local singularities, and each under its own leadership.
HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL
75
In brief, I warmly endorse Members' feeling that we should try to do even more than we have already been doing to win public co- operation in the discharge of our responsibilities. I am glad of this opportunity to express my thanks for the very real co-operation which has been extended by the independent Kaifong Associations, as well as by many other voluntary organizations. But we must remember that the Kaifong Associations should not be approached as if they con- stitute a single organization, any more than the three million people living here should be regarded by us as a single abstract entity, conveniently labelled the "public".
Mr. Y. K. KAN was unable to attend the previous meeting, but on his behalf Mr. SALES raised the question of the relationship between the Urban Services Department and other departments connected with the Council's many functions. A similar point was raised by Mr. Kan at a recent meeting of the Food and Food Premises Select Committee and a paper on the subject will shortly be put before that Committee.
Several Members raised the question of increasing efficiency in the Urban Services Department. This is a matter which is thought about within the department constantly and adjustments of staff or routine are frequently made to save time and money. Large-scale reorganization is, of course, another matter. I said in reply to a question at the previous meeting that I would welcome a survey of the department by management experts; I can only re-affirm that statement now.
Mr. CHAN Shu-woon referred to lack of politeness as a very general complaint. He suggested that a special select committee should be set up to improve efficiency and other matters in Government departments and public utilities. I regret that I cannot see any advantage in appointing such a select committee. On the other hand, I can assure Mr. CHAN that when members of the public report cases of im- politeness by staff of the Urban Services Department, the complaints are followed up carefully and action against offenders is taken in appro- priate cases. Members of the department are regularly reminded of their obligations towards the public.
Mr. Wilfred WONG proposed that future candidates for appoint- ment as Health Inspectors should be given a thorough examination in ethics and that serving inspectors should be thoroughly screened as to their ability to perform their duties properly. The first proposal is somewhat unusual, and while I would not wish to decry it merely on that ground, I must point out that a knowledge of the system of moral principles does not necessarily mean that the principles will be applied. Considerable pains are taken, when selecting Health Inspector candi- dates, to ensure that, as far as possible, only candidates of strong moral fibre are selected. Naturally, a prerequisite of appointment is the pro- duction, by the candidate, of satisfactory references as to his character,
Page 45Page 46
No comments yet.
Private notes are available after approval.