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criminate against the holders of diplomas of these colleges including those of the 3 larger ones, New Asia College, United College and Chung Chi College which will eventually be the nuclei of the new university. This is a very unhealthy tendency against the background of the pending formation of a Chinese university.
A diploma from a university or a school has its value only insofar as it is recognized by the society at large. If Government, the biggest employer in the Colony, were to discriminate against these diplomas it would be a waste of public money to form a Chinese university unless Government takes the lead to change its attitude towards diplomas of post-secondary Chinese colleges. Otherwise the formation of a Chinese university would be a waste of time and energy.
The 1961 Census also showed that 9.7 percent of the population purports to understand English whereas the literacy rate for Chinese is more than 70 percent. This reflects the importance of the Chinese language and the short sightedness of those who discriminate against students who hold diplomas awarded by the post-secondary Chinese colleges. Government has recognized the importance of Chinese by issuing more official booklets, notices and correspondence in the Chinese language. Graduates from the post-secondary colleges and the proposed Chinese university could make a great contribution towards expanding this service for the benefit of the majority of the population.
Hong Kong, as a whole, because of its relative accessibility has rapidly become one big city with little or no demarcation or difference between urban and sub-urban areas. In this respect, all matters of public health, sanitation and hygiene in the New Territories should also come under the Urban Council. I say this because the Urban Council has a wealth of experience in public health and sanitation and can undoubtedly do an efficient job in keeping our outlying districts clean and rid of flies and insect pests. It is time we have a uniform policy on all matters of sanitation and public health for the entire Colony and not just the urban areas.
The next important matter is our public transport and traffic problems. At the moment, the Council is represented on the Traffic Advisory Committee but not on the Public Transport Advisory Committee. On account of the magnitude and importance of these problems the Council should be represented also on the Public Transport Advisory Committee.
At the moment, these two Committees function independently and there is a good deal of duplication in the work of the two bodies. For greater efficiency and to avoid confusion, the functions of these two Committees should be better co-ordinated and at a later date these two Committees might even be amalgamated into a "Highway Authority" in which could be co-ordinated all those departments in Government concerned with traffic and public transport matters. Mr. Chairman, as I remarked earlier, a faster pace is needed in all fields of endeavour otherwise our problems will pile up higher and higher.
HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL
The Civic Association first proposed the participation of private medical practitioners in an enlarged school health scheme in January 1956. Seven years have passed and the scheme is still in the air. The debate on a cross-harbour bridge, tunnel or causeway has been going on for years. The introduction of wireless television to Hong Kong has been mooted for a long time. Other examples can be cited. Indeed, the costly indecision regarding the electric companies makes Hamlet appear to have acted with decisive promptitude.
To cope with the requirements of a fast growing city like Hong Kong in a world of rapid changes and quick developments, Government should forsake its laissez-faire attitude of the past. Urgent matters need prompt decisions and positive action. The public are waiting with growing impatience to hear Government's decisions on many important issues examples of which have been given above. The indecision of Government not only impedes the progress of Hong Kong but undermines the confidence of the public.
We realize, as the old saying goes, that Rome was not built in one day, but we are living in an epoch which is characterized by the indisputable fact that unless we increase our pace we will be left far, far behind.
With these remarks, Mr. Chairman, I beg to support the policy and progress reports before the Council. (Applause).
MR. K. A. WATSON: - Mr. Chairman, may I start by offering my personal congratulations to Dr. Raymond LEE and Mr. CHAN Shu-woon on being returned to this Council, and to Mrs. Elsie ELLIOTT and Mr. CHEUNG Wing-in on their election and on their two very excellent speeches. I think Mrs. ELLIOTT will find she has a man-sized task to fill the shoes of our redoubtable and much admired lady member Alison BELL, (Laughter) but with the deep concern that Mrs. ELLIOTT has shown for the underprivileged, I am sure she will do so successfully. Mr. CHEUNG brings a welcome increase in the number of our legal representatives, if only to cope with my colleague, Mr. Sonny SALES, our expert on Standing Orders and Procedure, whom he will find a worthy protagonist if there is any crossing of swords.
As I am the last appointed member to speak I have been asked to remind Dr. LEE and Mr. CHAN that some years ago the Unofficial Members established by convention the principle of parity between the Appointed Members and our friends the Elected Members. It has
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48
HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL
criminate against the holders of diplomas of these colleges including those of the 3 larger ones, New Asia College, United College and Chung Chi College which will eventually be the nuclei of the new university. This is a very unhealthy tendency against the background of the pending formation of a Chinese university.
A diploma from a university or a school has its value only insofar as it is recognized by the society at large. If Government, the biggest employer in the Colony, were to discriminate against these diplomas it would be a waste of public money to form a Chinese university unless Government takes the lead to change its attitude towards diplomas of post-secondary Chinese colleges. Otherwise the formation of a Chinese university would be a waste of time and energy.
The 1961 Census also showed that 9.7 percent of the population purports to understand English whereas the literacy rate for Chinese is more than 70 percent. This reflects the importance of the Chinese language and the short sightedness of those who discriminate against students who hold diplomas awarded by the post-secondary Chinese colleges. Government has recognized the importance of Chinese by issuing more official booklets, notices and correspondence in the Chinese language. Graduates from the post-secondary colleges and the proposed Chinese university could make a great contribution towards expanding this service for the benefit of the majority of the population.
Hong Kong, as a whole, because of its relative accessibility has rapidly become one big city with little or no demarcation or difference between urban and sub-urban areas. In this respect, all matters of public health, sanitation and hygiene in the New Territories should also come under the Urban Council. I say this because the Urban Council has a wealth of experience in public health and sanitation and can undoubtedly do an efficient job in keeping our outlying districts clean and rid of flies and insect pests. It is time we have a uniform policy on all matters of sanitation and public health for the entire Colony and not just the urban areas.
The next important matter is our public transport and traffic problems. At the moment, the Council is represented on the Traffic Advisory Committee but not on the Public Transport Advisory Com- mittee. On account of the magnitude and importance of these problems the Council should be represented also on the Public Transport Advisory Committee.
At the moment, these two Committees function independently and there is a good deal of duplication in the work of the two bodies. For greater efficiency and to avoid confusion, the functions of these two Committees should be better co-ordinated and at a later date these two Committees might even be amalgamated into a "Highway Authority"
HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL
49
in which could be co-ordinated all those departments in Government concerned with traffic and public transport matters. Mr. Chairman, as I remarked earlier, a faster space is needed in all fields of endeavour otherwise our problems will pile up higher and higher.
The Civic Association first proposed the participation of private medical practitioners in an enlarged school health scheme in January 1956. Seven years have passed and the scheme is still in the air. The debate on a cross-harbour bridge, tunnel or causeway has been going on for years. The introduction of wireless television to Hong Kong has been mooted for a long time. Other examples can be cited. Indeed, the costly indecision regarding the electric companies makes Hamlet appear to have acted with decisive promptitude.
To cope with the requirements of a fast growing city like Hong Kong in a world of rapid changes and quick developments, Government should foresake its laissez-faire attitude of the past. Urgent matters need prompt decisions and positive action. The public are waiting with growing impatience to hear Government's decisions on many important issues examples of which have been given above. The indecision of Government not only impedes the progress of Hong Kong but under- mines the confidence of the public.
We realize, as the old saying goes, that Rome was not built in one day, but we are living in an epoch which is characterized by the indisputable fact that unless we increase our pace we will be left far, far behind.
With these remarks, Mr. Chairman, I beg to support the policy and progress reports before the Council. (Applause).
MR. K. A. WATSON: -Mr. Chairman, may I start by offering my personal congratulations to Dr. Raymond LEE and Mr. CHAN Shu-woon on being returned to this Council, and to Mrs. Elsie ELLIOTT and Mr. CHEUNG Wing-in on their election and on their two very excellent speeches. I think Mrs. ELLIOTT will find she has a man-sized task to fill the shoes of our redoubtable and much admired lady member Alison BELL, (Laughter) but with the deep concern that Mrs. ELLIOTT has shown for the underprivileged, I am sure she will do so successfully. Mr. CHEUNG brings a welcome increase in the number of our legal representatives, if only to cope with my colleague, Mr. Sonny SALES, our expert on Standing Orders and Procedure, whom he will find a worthy protagonist if there is any crossing of swords.
As I am the last appointed member to speak I have been asked to remind Dr. LEE and Mr. CHAN that some years ago the Unofficial Members established by convention the principle of parity between the Appointed Members and our friends the Elected Members. It has
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