1963 — Page 126

of 194

Page 126 of 194

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HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL

Members (Laughter). Recently we the Appointed Members have viewed with grave concern the unholy wedlock between Official Members and Elected Members. How long this honeymoon is going to last we the Appointed Members do not know, but we must evidently take the necessary precaution by asking for an increase of our member- ship, so that six Government Members and eight Elected Members might still not be enough to offset 15 Appointed Members.

It is all very well for us, Mr. Chairman, to set each year ever more ambitious aims and objectives. But, in reality, it is up to Government to give us the means and the power to play our part to the full in the progress and well-being of Hong Kong. Otherwise, this Council would be but "a shadow's shadow, a world of shadows."

For, a shadow it is. And, a shadow it will remain. Only when this Council is actually represented by its own members in the com- mittees set up by Government will it become truly effective in Hong Kong. (Cries of hear, hear). Let Government then enable this Council to play its role in local public affairs. Indeed, by common consent, it is a role in which the Council will be well cast.

concur.

For some years the Elected Members have asked for the return of the Commissioner of Police to this Council. The Appointed Members Such membership would be most desirable in the public interest. Not only do we ask that the Commissioner be a member, but we also hold the view that high-ranking police officers should serve on the Select Committees where their presence would be purposeful. The Public Works Department has proved latterly that such a partner- ship can be meaningful if there is goodwill on both sides.

Mr. Chairman, there is a clear need for more co-operation among Government departments and public bodies alike. To improve living conditions in Hong Kong must be the common endeavour of one and all in our difficult and changing circumstances. For, as matters stand, despite unremitting effort many local problems are fast becoming more acute; courses of action which have been devised do not seem adequate; solutions are often far away. True, problems multiply as numbers grow. So, public frustration mounts as conditions worsen. Hence, today more than ever before, there must be a keener sense of urgency. There is a call for more team-work on the part of all to whom Hong Kong is home.

Next, the question of membership of Government boards and committees should be examined closely so that the public might be reassured that at all times they are composed of the best available men and women of integrity and ability. Membership, axiomatically, should be predicated upon proven capacity to serve the community as a whole, not sectional interests. Moreover, it seems to me only reasonable to suggest that the chairmen of most Government boards and committees

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should be Unofficial Members-if you will, members of the public, and not civil servants. Indeed the Appointed Members were pleased that our Elected colleagues found this point acceptable to them as Mr. BERNACCHI has since mentioned it today. However competent and conscientious civil servants may be, and my experience has shown that there are many such men, there is the important consideration that the director of the Government department concerned with the work of a particular committee would not then be in the chair when matters respecting his own department are on the agenda, as they must be. This is in keeping with good committee practice and should be followed more than has been the case. Also, by having carefully selected Unofficial chairmen, responsible public participation would be assured.

If more co-operation is really desired in the administration of public affairs, such a policy would be designed to identify the people of Hong Kong with Government action in all matters. It would also be a logical step forward in the orderly and dignified evolution of our public institutions to which no fair-minded person could possibly find objection.

I now turn to an aspect of the Council's work which interests me: the improvement of urban amenities in general and the provision of more and better recreational facilities in particular.

Steady progress is being made in the new districts where much open space is being set aside for the recreation of the people although I believe that there is still much Crown land that could be put to use as playing fields which schools also need very badly. Moreover, a composite indoor stadium and concert hall is projected for Kowloon. But much remains to be done in the old areas where normally heavy concentrations of people have been rendered worse by postwar re-development. At the same time, prospects of improvement are dim where the need is greatest. Therefore, I suggest that serious thought be given to the resumption of land by Government as a way of finding sites for public purposes where no suitable Crown land is available or where there is not enough for all reasonable requirements. Such disruption as might occur would not aggravate our housing problem if properly phased and made part of our slum-clearance programme. Besides, other factors being equal, consideration might be given to such resumption being carried out where unsafe buildings are con- demned for demolition. Otherwise, I fear there would be little or no hope of the older areas ever getting a reasonable amount of open space for all residents and adequate playgrounds for the under-privileged children who might well be without both schooling and recreational opportunities.

The Urban Amenities Select Committee has shown the Department that Unofficial Members of the Council are in earnest about the develop- ment of plant nurseries to enable trees and shrubs to be planted on a