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HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL

I have mentioned before the problem of arresting licensed hawkers. I am very happy to report as Chairman of the Hawkers Select Com- mittee that there has been, during the whole of 1962, a steady improve- ment in the relations between the Hawker Control Force and licensed hawkers. Although it would be going too far to say that the Hawker Control Force has established the type of relationship that exists in England between the village constable and the village people, they are well on their way to achieving this relationship, and I would like to congratulate Mr. COCHRANE, the Commandant of the Hawker Control Force, and his predecessor Mr. SCOBELL, also Mr. ROWLANDS, the Assistant Director of Urban Services dealing with hawkers, and his predecessor, Mr. WILSON, and all the members of the Hawker Control Force in bringing about so great an improvement from the position as it was this time last year. The Hawker Control Force has now settled down to their duties in connexion with markets and especially composite markets of which we plan more in the coming year. Generally, for the first time this year I can announce in public that the hitherto insolvable problem of hawking and of the relations be- tween the hawkers, the persons who buy from hawkers, and the public at large is well on the way to solution and I would also like to congratulate everyone who has had a hand in this terrific improvement.

The last thing that I desire to say something about is the Museum and Art Gallery work of the City Hall Select Committee. I have been disappointed that a year has gone by and we have not really secured many pieces for permanent display in the Museum, or had temporary exhibitions of Museum as distinct from Art Gallery subjects. On the other hand, I can quite understand the Curator Mr. WARNER'S difficulties. He has had to make do on a very low yearly budget which necessitates selecting only the very best and such selection takes time to collect. He is also hampered by not yet knowing the full amount of space that will ultimately be made available to him. It is, to say the least, ridiculous to have a museum or anything amounting to a museum on one floor of the high block of the City Hall, and I for one say categorically that if we cannot be assured by Government of being offered appropriate space in a suitable position for a museum we must give up the idea of having a museum altogether. I expect Mr. WATSON, who is Chairman of the Museum and Art Gallery Sub-Committee, will have more to say on this same point, and so I shall content myself with saying that I for one will be most disappointed if we do have to eventually give up the idea of having a museum. This City of Hong Kong of over three million people is one of the most cosmopolitan cities in the world. It stands literally between East and West. The use generally of the City Hall in the last year shows also that it is a city of culture and one of the most elementary recognized features of a cultural city is an adequate museum displaying at least the history

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and the natural history of the surrounding countryside. I can almost guarantee that if and when we have a proper museum persons will flock to it all day and everyday.

Mr. Chairman, my time must be almost up and there are many speakers yet to come, but I would like in closing to go back to the words I said in the beginning of my speech, namely, that the Con- ventional Debate in the Urban Council could more profitably be held later in the year. Perhaps also the public as a whole would pay more attention to our speeches, for who can blame them if at present they are already full up with the surfeit of speech making in the Legislative Council.

With these words I beg to support the motion.

MR. K. S. Lo:—Mr. Chairman, I am told that in the United States of America, Freshman Senators are meant to be seen but not heard. There is much to be said for our local political system, where even Junior Councillors are given a chance to have their say at least once a year. As a Junior Councillor, I welcome this opportunity to have my say this afternoon.

After having served my first-year apprenticeship with this Council, I am glad to say that I came away with a new image of the Government. This change of image is largely brought about through my closer association and working with the officials on the higher level of the administration. And to them I would like to pay my highest respect and tribute.

During my 30 years of residence in this Colony, I must say that I have had my fair share in matters dealing with the Government. Fortunately or unfortunately they were of the nature that never needed to go higher than the first level. My impression of those that I had to deal with was that they were creatures of an entirely different breed. Their eyes are to me made of glass, and their hearts mostly made of stone. The only tools they know how to use to perfection are threats, summonses and arrests. Although they cynically call themselves your obedient servants, in reality they conduct themselves like our absolute masters. I am therefore greatly relieved to find those higher up to be men of common sense and reason, courteous in their conduct and dedicated in their work.

Why can't these finer qualities of courteousness and consideration be taught to all civil servants throughout the Government, especially those who are in daily contact with the public? It is pretty obvious that for those on the higher level to set a good example by themselves is not enough. Those junior officers will have to be trained through

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