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eight a day in the past 12 months. I would say, with reference to the Un Chau Street stop, that it is proposed to allocate specifically to it and to the hawker area nearby, which contributes a good deal of the refuse, a 3-ton tipping lorry which is on hire to supplement the services of the refuse collecting vehicle. The question of refuse disposal from stops near hawker areas is one which is receiving further consideration.
Mr. CHEONG-LEEN stated that the primary reason for the shortage of cleansing labourers was that the wages are too low. I wonder if this is really the essence of the matter; rather, I would suggest, the shortage of labourers is a reflection of the expanding state of the economy, with its rising demand for labour, in bidding for which the Urban Services Department is but one amongst a large number of competitors. It is, I believe, as a result of this condition that the level of wages has risen, and it occurs to me in passing that whatever one may think of the 15% import surcharge recently imposed by the United Kingdom, insofar as the Colony's trade is concerned, it may be that the Urban Services Department will be an unwilling beneficiary of the surcharge if it makes it easier for us to obtain labour for our cleansing services.
I would refer at this stage to the wage figures quoted by Mr. CHEONG-LEEN. They do not correspond with mine. I understand that for an unskilled labourer on Model Scale 1, the basic salary and cost of living allowance together come to $210 a month at the bottom of the scale and to $236 a month at the top.
Reference was also made by Mr. CHEONG-LEEN to the Kowloon Bay resite area with its population of over 20,000. This has been a relatively new commitment, difficult to foresee in its present extent, but so far 72 latrine compartments have been provided. Most of these were damaged by the recent typhoons. Thirty-two have been repaired, 40 are in the process of being repaired, and it is proposed to provide an additional 48 compartments. There are also scavenging services provided by seven casual labourers.
I am delighted that a member of the Civic Association should afford us evidence of his familiarity with the writings of the Tory Earl of Beaconsfield. (Laughter). The reference to the Two Nations, which comes, I think, from the novel "Sybil", merits quotation in full:-"I was told that the Privileged and the People formed two nations, governed by different laws, influenced by different manners, with no thoughts or sympathies in common; with an innate inability of mutual comprehension." I cannot accept that statement as accurate in its application to the public service in Hong Kong.
I also cannot resist some few further quotations from the works of the noble earl. Here is one which I do not think will appeal to Mr. BERNACCHI :-"England does not love coalitions." (Laughter). On the other hand, he may appreciate the reference to a political opponent as "A sophisticated rhetorician inebriated with the exuberance of his own verbosity." (Laughter). But to be serious and revert to the implications of the original quotation, I think the truer attitude of the public service is reflected in another passage from Disraeli's writings which says, "that all power is a trust-that we are accountable for its exercise -that, from the people, and for the people, all springs, and all must exist."
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BERNACCHI :-"England does not love coalitions." (Laughter). On the other hand, he may appreciate the reference to a political opponent as "A sophisticated rhetorician inebriated with the exuberance of his own verbosity." (Laughter). But to be serious and revert to the implications of the original quotation, I think the truer attitude of the public service is reflected in another passage from Disraeli's writings which says, "that all power is a trust-that we are accountable for its exercise -that, from the people, and for the people, all springs, and all must exist."
I am glad to report to Members that the drain upon our labour force appears to have come to a halt, at least temporarily. During October, 26 labourers were either dismissed or resigned, compared with 55 in September. Recruitment on the other hand improved slightly, 40 labourers being taken on in October as against 34 in September. There was therefore a net gain in October of 14. The number of vacancies for refuse disposal labourers, including those at Gin Drinkers Bay dump, is at present 267.
I have been advised by the Colonial Secretary to inform you that the problems concerning wages for Government labourers and artisans have been under active and urgent consideration. This has inevitably taken some time, as it has been necessary to compare Government wages for these grades with outside wages on a broad basis, covering the whole field of industry, public utilities and building construction. A comparison has now been completed and proposals will be placed before Executive Council during the course of this month. In the meantime, representatives of unions representing Government labourers and artisans, both in the Urban Services Department and other Government departments, have been invited to meet representatives of the Establishment Branch on 11th November, that is, one week from to-morrow, to discuss various matters, including wage adjustments, raised by them in their representations to Government. These unions include the Hong Kong Urban Services Department Staff General Association and the Urban Services Department Kowloon Workers' General Union.
I think that in the light of my comments it would be proper for me to abstain from voting on the motion.
MR. CHEONG-LEEN:-Mr. Chairman, you have, as you said, been faced with a devastating barrage from the Unofficial Members. In this you have my full sympathy. From the way in which you have acquitted yourself in the past 5 to 7 minutes, Mr. Chairman, I would say in quite an objective manner that you know well how to take care of yourself. (Laughter). Therefore, Mr. Chairman, I propose to waive my right of reply, because if I did not it would again tip the balance in favour of the Unofficial Members (Laughter) and we hold the Chairman of this Council in high regard. I therefore waive my right of reply. (Laughter).
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eight a day in the past 12 months. I would say, with reference to the Un Chau Street stop, that it is proposed to allocate specifically to it and to the hawker area nearby, which contributes a good deal of the refuse, a 3-ton tipping lorry which is on hire to supplement the services of the refuse collecting vehicle. The question of refuse disposal from stops near hawker areas is one which is receiving further consideration.
Mr. CHEONG-LEEN stated that the primary reason for the shortage of cleansing labourers was that the wages are too low. I wonder if this is really the essence of the matter; rather, I would suggest, the shortage of labourers is a reflection of the expanding state of the economy, with its rising demand for labour, in bidding for which the Urban Services Department is but one amongst a large number of competitors. It is, I believe, as a result of this condition that the level of wages has risen, and it occurs to me in passing that whatever one may think of the 15% import surcharge recently imposed by the United Kingdom, insofar as the Colony's trade is concerned, it may be that the Urban Services Department will be an unwilling beneficiary of the surcharge if it makes it easier for us to obtain labour for our cleansing services.
I would refer at this stage to the wage figures quoted by Mr. CHEONG-LEEN. They do not correspond with mine. I understand that for an unskilled labourer on Model Scale 1, the basic salary and cost of living allowance together come to $210 a month at the bottom of the scale and to $236 a month at the top.
Reference was also made by Mr. CHEONG-LEEN to the Kowloon Bay resite area with its population of over 20,000. This has been a relatively new commitment, difficult to foresee in its present extent, but so far 72 latrine compartments have been provided. Most of these were damaged by the recent typhoons. Thirty-two have been repaired, 40 are in the process of being repaired, and it is proposed to provide an additional 48 compartments. There are also scavenging services provided by seven casual labourers.
I am delighted that a member of the Civic Association should afford us evidence of his familiarity with the writings of the Tory Earl of Beaconsfield. (Laughter). The reference to the Two Nations, which comes, I think, from the novel "Sybil", merits quotation in full:-"I was told that the Privileged and the People formed two nations, governed by different laws, influenced by different manners, with no thoughts or sympathies in common; with an innate inability of mutual comprehen- sion." I cannot accept that statement as accurate in its application to the public service in Hong Kong.
I also cannot resist some few further quotations from the works of the noble earl. Here is one which I do not think will appeal to Mr.
HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL
371
BERNACCHI :-"England does not love coalitions." (Laughter). On the other hand, he may appreciate the reference to a political opponent as "A sophisticated rhetorician inebriated with the exuberance of his own verbosity. (Laughter). But to be serious and revert to the implica- tions of the original quotation, I think the truer attitude of the public service is reflected in another passage from Disraeli's writings which says, "that all power is a trust-that we are accountable for its exercise -that, from the people, and for the people, all springs, and all must exist."
I am glad to report to Members that the drain upon our labour force appears to have come to a halt, at least temporarily. During October, 26 labourers were either dismissed or resigned, compared with 55 in September. Recruitment on the other hand improved slightly, 40 labourers being taken on in October as against 34 in September. There was therefore a net gain in October of 14. The number of vacancies for refuse disposal labourers, including those at Gin Drinkers Bay dump, is at present 267.
I have been advised by the Colonial Secretary to inform you that the problems concerning wages for Government labourers and artisans have been under active and urgent consideration. This has inevitably taken some time, as it has been necessary to compare Government wages for these grades with outside wages on a broad basis, covering the whole field of industry, public utilities and building construction. A com- parison has now been completed and proposals will be placed before Executive Council during the course of this month. In the meantime, representatives of unions representing Government labourers and arti- sans, both in the Urban Services Department and other Government departments, have been invited to meet representatives of the Establish- ment Branch on 11th November, that is, one week from to-morrow, to discuss various matters, including wage adjustments, raised by them in their representations to Government. These unions include the Hong Kong Urban Services Department Staff General Association and the Urban Services Department Kowloon Workers' General Union.
I think that in the light of my comments it would be proper for me to abstain from voting on the motion.
MR. CHEONG-LEEN:-Mr. Chairman, you have, as you said, been faced with a devastating barrage from the Unofficial Members. In this you have my full sympathy. From the way in which you have acquitted yourself in the past 5 to 7 minutes, Mr. Chairman, I would say in quite an objective manner that you know well how to take care of yourself. (Laughter). Therefore, Mr. Chairman, I propose to waive my right of reply, because if I did not it would again tip the balance in favour of the Unofficial Members (Laughter) and we hold the Chairman of this Council in high regard. I therefore waive my right of reply. (Laughter).
No comments yet.
Private notes are available after approval.