1962 — Page 19

Page 19 of 150

HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL

and Yuen Long, a monorail system is the obvious answer because of the heavy traffic along the Castle Peak Road, and the lack of a railway in this part of the New Territories. High, and more taxation for petrol and motor vehicles is no answer to Hong Kong's pressing traffic problem because quick transportation from one place to another is not a luxury but a necessity. Compared with other major cities of the world, we are now entering the threshold where vehicular traffic becomes a problem. It is therefore in Hong Kong's interest to explore the potentialities of modern transport. In promoting monorails as the solution to metropolitan traffic woes, Alweg International of Germany has built two monorail trains, capable of moving 10,000 passengers each hour for the Seattle World Fair opening, I think, on the 24th of this month. They invested U.S.$4,200,000 in towers, rails and trains, which cost about U.S.$3,360,000 per mile, and expect to recover their capital at the end of the Fair in six months' time. From another source I am informed, a typical monorail track outside the United States of America and Canada costs considerably less, about £450,000 a mile. These, Mr. Chairman, are only sample figures. For its application to Hong Kong, we should have to appoint an expert to advise specifically on this problem.

One of the most satisfactory developments that is taking place in Hong Kong to-day is the encouraging growth of the tourist trade. We should take all steps to increase it further. One of the measures we can take is to beautify the immediate neighbourhood of Kai Tak where the principle of 'the first impression is the best impression', can be adopted. Another step is to give more colour and permanent finish to our existing Chinese temples. With the co-operation of the District Commissioner of the New Territories, Mr. Chairman, a village in the New Territories might be developed into a tourist attraction, giving this part of the Colony an oriental touch so much admired by the passing tourist, which is fast fading with the onset of the modern skyscraper.

One of the most unfortunate results of the post-war boom is the manner (this time I agree with Mr. Hilton CHEONG-LEEN) (Laughter) in which building speculators hold their tenants to ransom by demanding outrageous construction fees for the second time, not the first time, and progressive increases in rentals. Knowing well that their tenants had already invested heavily in fixtures and decoration, and had built up the good-will of the business, these unscrupulous landlords had taken unfair advantages of their tenants. Mr. Chairman, do we want to encourage this type of landlord and send the cost of living spiralling upwards? Is it our policy, Mr. Chairman, to make Hong Kong less attractive to the tourist by increasing the price of goods so that in effect the customer has to pay for the rent increases? If we accept that, Mr. Chairman, are we not killing the goose that lays the golden eggs?

HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL

Mr. Chairman, I believe that it is opportune for Government to enact legislation for the building and management of multi-storey buildings, particularly those sold on a unit basis. Some of them are so poorly designed and so inadequately provided with lifts, and so badly managed that they are a constant source of complaints by the residents and creation of nuisances has compelled the Council in the past to take remedial action. Because we are aware of this situation we have asked you, Sir, as Chairman of this Council to convey to Government the Council's dissatisfaction on these matters. We hope the Working Party that Government has appointed to go into this question of multi-storey buildings will make suitable recommendations because, I may say, the Council is not at all happy with the present arrangements.

With the increased expansion of the Colony, there is greater need for more staff and equipment in the Urban Services Department. As labour cost is bound to go up, there is a strong case for the gradual introduction of mechanization for street sweeping and cleaning operations. As it takes time to find out the comparative costs and the most suitable vehicles for Hong Kong's needs, it is opportune, Mr. Chairman, to go into this question now. As we are living in the atomic age, we must revise our views with regard to refuse disposal, and instead of following our present dumping procedure, there is need for consideration to be given to incineration methods. In this connexion, and I agree with Mr. MARDEN, knowing how badly we are in need of modern slaughter-houses, we hope Government will no longer defer its decision in building these important projects.

With the well-known fact that the harbour water is polluted, there is a strong case for the provision of more public swimming pools within easy access of urban dwellers, especially when the majority of the people are unable to patronize the distant sea beaches and I hope the one in Kowloon Tsai Park, referred to in the Statement of Progress and Policy, will materialize this year.

With these remarks Mr. Chairman, I have much pleasure in supporting the Council's Motion on progress and policy now before us. (Applause).

MR. LI FOOK-SHU:-Mr. Chairman, in a community like ours, where so many of its members through force of economic circumstances are compelled to eat their food in licensed premises, whether in restaurants, or in the less congenial atmosphere of the cooked-food stalls to be seen on every street, it is hardly necessary to stress, indeed one cannot over-emphasize the fact that it is of paramount importance to control and supervise the equipment and arrangements employed in the production of food prepared for sale to the public. This is

22

23

Page 20 of 150