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HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL

Now a word about adult hawkers. In regard to adult hawkers I understand that the number of licensed pedlar hawkers is approximately 20,000, which is about the same figure as it was a year ago. There has been very little change.

Now bearing in mind that these 20,000 pedlar hawkers are today virtually fixed pitched hawkers, it would seem advisable in my view, Mr. Chairman, for the Council to review its policy concerning unre- stricted issuance of pedlar licences.

I would like to see the Urban Services Department call a temporary halt to the issuance of pedlar licences for the next 4 to 6 months in order that an up-to-date and realistic review can be made of our hawker policy regarding the issuance of pedlar licences.

Planning of Resettlement Estates

Another important subject has to do with the planning of future resettlement estates.

Members are aware that it takes as many as 4 to 5 years to plan for and to complete a resettlement estate.

Within recent years there has been great improvement in the quality of accommodation of our estates, and much credit for this must go to the Director of Public Works and his hard-working staff.

But because it does take 4 or 5 years to have a new estate com- pleted that now is the right time to carefully re-examine the type of housing accommodation which should be provided by the present Resettlement Department five years hence.

It is my view that by 1971 we should be offering a better quality of low-cost housing to our local residents. By then, we should be building low-cost housing estates of a standard and with facilities almost similar to those available in the present Housing Authority estates.

Perhaps the Director of Public Works could give an indication whether it would be feasible for the Urban Council to participate more actively in the planning of future resettlement and Government low-cost housing estates, somewhat along the lines of the responsibilities of the Building Select Committee in the Housing Authority.

At a time like this when many people are complaining about the rising cost of living, it is more important that Government should think in terms of giving our residents more value for their money rather than thinking in terms of increasing rents. If Government should be thinking of increasing rents in resettlement estates, my advice is "Don't do it now. The ordinary people cannot stomach any more increases in rents or anything else for that matter."

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If Government should wish to increase anything at all, then it should forthwith increase the salaries of Government labourers, Hawker Control personnel and other lower-paid staff in Government service.

Cleaner Streets

Lately, Mr. Chairman, there has been a number of letters appearing in the correspondence columns of the English language newspapers complaining about streets which are strewn with rubbish. I have even read an English language editorial suggesting that streets in Hong Kong are not as clean as streets on mainland China because there is perhaps lack of civic pride in Hong Kong.

It has been many years since the "Keep Your City Clean" campaign was started. Yet many newspaper editorial writers seem to think that there has not been sufficient progress made by the Urban Council in keeping our streets clean. Mr. Chairman, I would request that you state the Department's view on this subject.

Are there any good reasons why the Department has been unable to show more spectacular results? Is the question one of insufficient staff, or of insufficient mechanical equipment? Or is it because Hong Kong does not have the type of political climate conducive to disciplined action on the part of the public?

Spitting

I would also ask you to take note, Mr. Chairman of the fact that indiscriminate spitting is still very common in theatre particularly in those showing Cantonese and Mandarin films. You will agree that this is dangerous to public health, especially when the air in the theatre is often putrid. Can an assurance be given to this Council that during the coming year the Urban Services Department will vigilantly maintain a "No Spitting" campaign throughout the year and will request the co- operation of all theatres, particularly the smaller theatres, in showing at every performance "No Spitting" slides. Additionally, can the Govern- ment Film Unit prepare several coloured films on the danger to public health of indiscriminate spitting?

Mr. Chairman, I have pleasure in supporting the motion. (Applause).

MR. K. S. Lo:-Mr. Chairman, the Report of the Working Party on the Urban Council Franchise and Electoral Registration Procedure, if adopted, will have such great bearings on the advancement of Local Government for Hong Kong that I wish to confine my remarks entirely on this subject this afternoon.

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