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tempted to infer that all is well in Hong Kong in so far as its general hygienic conditions are concerned, but this is no true indication of the Colony's cleanliness which has a great bearing on the general health standards of the people. Far from being clean, it is our regret and shame to have to admit that whilst the main thoroughfares are well swept and kept in a reasonable state of cleanliness, the side streets in the slum districts leave much to be desired. This shows a serious lack of health education among the masses, and our periodical health cam- paigns do not go far enough towards instilling in the minds of the people the need for hygiene. People living on the upper floors of tene- ment houses think nothing of throwing rubbish and refuse into the street as if each thoroughfare and lane were a public garbage dump, and the occasional prosecution of offenders, as contrasted with a cam- paign of prosecutions which probably cannot be launched because of the shortage of police, does very little to educate such persons. Good as are the "Keep Your City Clean" campaigns, they do not get the people to be "health conscious" throughout the year, and what is needed seriously and for a substained length of time is a permanent scheme to educate the public on general health maintenance and observance of elementary hygiene. In this connexion, schools, radio, television and other media can play an important role in health education for the people. Civic sense is sadly needed, lacking amongst the great majority; We should do much more to instil it in the Community as a whole. In the meantime, the Urban Services Department should redouble its efforts in disinfecting the less salubrious districts of the Colony, paying special attention to back lanes and less accessible parts of the slum districts which breed vermin and could be a serious threat to the general health of the Colony. Without sustained departmental follow-up and implementation any "Keep Your City Clean" campaign no matter how effective at that time, will achieve any lasting effect, which after all is the real purpose for which it is organized.

The other subject I want to speak on is the handling and control of small traders, large in number, considered by many to be overly aggressive, yet they are people who contribute to the economy of the Colony by often filling a real need. I am referring to none other than the Colony's numerous hawkers.

As a member of the Hawkers Select Committee I see no satisfac- tory solution to the problem as long as the present policy is maintained.

There are as many reasons why this body of people took to private enterprise as there are reasons why they must be controlled. As things are, they are chased from pillar to post; they are often the cause of corruption; they are misunderstood and they are condemned.

I, therefore, strongly urge that the entire policy relating to hawkers be re-examined and revised as soon as possible, not only by this Council

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but by a working party composed of some Unofficial Members of this Council, Representatives of Government Departments such as the Police, Social Welfare, Secretariat for Chinese Affairs, Labour Department and Representatives of Religious and Welfare bodies who are in daily con- tact with these hawkers and can, therefore, appreciate our difficulties as well as those of the hawkers.

I consider this of paramount interest as it affects the living of the individual hawker, and the abatement of what in numerous cases con- stitutes a public nuisance, apart from being a human problem affecting a large section of Hong Kong's population.

Indeed, we need a new approach to this problem and we must not be content ourselves with makeshift arrangements. The issuance of licences, the controlling of areas, the establishment of a Hawker Con- trol Force, etc. are useful to the ends for which we must strive, but they are not solutions and certainly not a substitute for any long term planning.

Records will show that the only real significant approach to the hawker problem during the past decade was the gazetting of Hawker Prohibited Areas which went hand in hand with the alternative solution of opening areas for off-street Hawkers Bazaars. To nullify this and aggravate the problem, we have on the other hand the present indis- criminate issuance of Hawker Licences to any individual who applies, regardless of his or her needs, age or capability for another livelihood.

I am not advocating stern measures, instead I am stressing the need for understanding, discretion and a new approach to protect not only the hawker who while tolerated today may not be so tomorrow, but also the Hawker Control Force and the public in general.

Sir, I find I must add some of my personal views on yet another matter. This concerns Cemeteries.

Responsible members of the public have more than once remarked to me about certain experiences they have encountered with Cemeteries, and recently an article in a local English newspaper supports what those responsible citizens have told me.

Records will show that Cemeteries have had their share of delibera- tion in this Council, and strong feelings on this matter gave rise to the resignation of a Chairman of that Select Committee. Also, back in 1958, my senior colleague, Mr. SALES, in a speech in this Council said, I quote:

In point of fact, I doubt that any member of the appropriate Select Committee can truly say that he had not heard of .” (unquote). I am led to believe complaints of various forms ... that the situation has since deteriorated and, whilst at this stage I will

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