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Kong is not independent, but is closely linked with the London Govern- ment. Why does Government not try to negotiate special terms con- cerning the 15% charge levied by Britain on imports? London cannot have it both ways: either we are dependent or independent, and she has some responsibility. I realize that British industries must be protected from foreign competition, but Hong Kong is not a foreign country, or even self-governing. Why does Government take no initia- tive in negotiating with London? Why is not more done to try to expand trade, and to bargain with the United Kingdom for preferential treatment?

I have made a lot of complaints to-day, and I could think of many more. But what is the use, unless our citizens are going to be regarded as full-scale citizens, with full rights, instead of this neglecting the many to serve the few? Unless there is some change in attitude, we are wasting our time. Whatever we suggest has to pass through the finan- cial mincing machine, and we are lucky if we get even the scrapings. Let me end by repeating the words of our history book:

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A nation's wealth depends on her people" and the nation cannot be really rich "if her people, especially her children, are starved, diseased, and unhappy."

With these words, I support the motion. (Applause).

MR. WILSON T. S. WANG:-Mr. Chairman, in this year of the World Olympiad, with impressions still fresh in everybody's mind of the remarkable progress made by youths of all nations in the world of sports, and of the youthfulness of the competitors, I consider it most opportune at this meeting to urge once again our Government to exert greater efforts to provide our youths with better sports training facilities and opportunities.

Achievements in sports nowadays are universally taken as a yard- stick by which, not only health and physical fitness, but also the moral calibre of a nation's youths, are measured.

The preponderance of youth in our population is another factor for us to take into consideration. It might do well for us to ponder the price we shall have to pay if we do not provide sufficient amenities for our youths. Will it not mean that we shall then have to pay more for the maintenance of a larger police force to cope with delinquents; or to spend more on medical clinics and hospitals to cope with poor health; or will it not mean we shall have to face the loss of economic productivity in our coming generation resulting from the mental and physical mal-developments of our youths to-day? Unless we deny that

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all these bear relationship with the provision of amenities, we should not find it difficult to visualize how urgent is our task to provide adequate amenities for our youths to-day.

We may, of course, put forward as an excuse that our present shortage of amenities is due to shortage of suitable sites-and indeed there are pressing demands for projects like housing, schools, industries, etc., etc. But, how far is such an excuse acceptable, I am unfor- tunately in no position to attempt even an answer, inasmuch as Mem- bers of this Council know little, and have practically no voice, in the important matter of town planning. I can only be satisfied to remind the authorities of the constant appeals by the public for more play- grounds, and I express the hope that these appeals will not continue to fall on deaf ears.

I would, however, to-day dwell on one special aspect of the prob- lem, and that is, in the face of our shortage of amenities, are we putting the very few facilities now at our disposal to their full and most effec- tive use? First, let us examine our amenities under three categories :

(a) Those maintained and managed by the Urban Council Ameni-

ties Select Committee.

(b) Those which were built or constructed by Government, and then contracted out to voluntary agencies to run and operate.

(c) Amenities situated on sites which have been leased from the

Crown Lands Office to clubs and associations.

Under the first category there is indeed still room for improve- ment in the way of providing better equipment which will enhance public interest and so bring about fuller and more effective use of these facilities. Due to shortage of staff there is lack of supervision and this has brought into being an extremely undesirable, and I might say dangerous situation, for some of these playgrounds are now verit- ably dominated by the triad societies; and very often we hear of children intimidated by big bullies.

For amenities under category (b), in a number of cases it is apparent that, either due to lack of financial resources, or to lack of active members, the authorities concerned have not developed to full and maximum use, the facilities under their control. Indifference, or lack of initiative, on the part of managements may also bring about stunted use of the facilities at their disposal. A football stadium for instance, which can well be fitted for hockey, cycling, athletics, soft- ball, etc., is closed almost all the time except for a few big football matches in a year, because the management's only concern are the gate receipts. It is not often that we find a management generous enough to use a portion of the income to help non-paying sports activities. On