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not be a party to any suggestion of doing away with privately-run Cemeteries, I will lend my full support to give the living and their dead a fair and realistic burial cost; this Council must look ahead and must strive to improve conditions. As this is a problem which involves customs and creeds which must be respected, an appropriate Select Committee should look into this matter and perhaps start off along the lines approved by this Council in 1958 to ensure proper management and standardization of Hong Kong's Cemeteries.
Earlier, I said I would be brief and I shall therefore say only a few words on the next subject. It concerns Markets and my friend Mr. Wilfred WONG also spoke about this today. Perhaps half of our Colony's population know where our Markets are situated and the other half, even if they have passed by them, could have over-looked these small, out-dated, out-moded, inadequate and unsightly structures surrounded by all types of stalls and street vendors. Just to name a few, like my friend Mr. WONG did yesterday, the Shek Tong Tsui Market was built in 1875; the Shau Kei Wan Market in 1872; the Aberdeen Market in 1912 and the Western Market in 1906. These dates speak for themselves and one does not have to go deeper when considering the population growth in recent years.
Some months ago, when my colleagues and I visited some of these Markets, a particular one was so surrounded by fixed pitch stalls that we had to go through one of the stalls to enter this Market. Indeed this is a shame for a Colony like ours: Whilst some plans are in hand, categories are being discussed, revised, re-submitted and re-examined, the conditions are deteriorating all the time.
Perhaps the Press and the other half of our Community should be encouraged to visit these Markets to find out for themselves where some of their uncooked, and fresh food may come from. May I venture to suggest that before any such visits, some form of sedation is recommended. Perhaps, too, they would realize that if the food for the day is not up to par, they should not blame their wives, their amahs or their cooks. Indeed, those who go to the market go through an ordeal.
Through you, Mr. Chairman, I would like to urge Government to recognize that the situation is far from ideal and immediate consideration should be given to expedite matters and improve this sad situation.
I would like now to say a few words which have a direct bearing on our work in this Council. As a "new boy", I may be criticized for my temerity in uttering them, but I feel obliged to express an honest opinion based on my own observations at the meetings and debates I have attended since I had the honour to join this Council. Also, more than once, it has been remarked to me that much time appears to be wasted in needless and seemingly long-winded talk, when what is needed is more action and less words; that some of us seem to be playing to the gallery; that we strive to create a favourable impression by airing our views on subjects outside the purview of this Council; that we speak with an eye to a good "Press".
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wasted in needless and seemingly long-winded talk, when what is needed is more action and less words; that some of us seem to be playing to the gallery; that we strive to create a favourable impression by airing our views on subjects outside the purview of this Council; that we speak with an eye to a good "Press".
There have been times I must confess, and I have always been inclined to agree with these remarks, but in the main, the public may not realize the valuable time spent and work done at Select Committee Meetings, Ad Hoc and Sub-Committee Meetings where the real duties of this Council are discharged. It is unfortunately true that the proceedings of these Committee Meetings do not see the light of day in the newspapers, hence the belief that all that is said and done only takes place at public meetings where some members try to deal with problems that interest the public.
There have been and will continue to be voices in this Council advocating greater power, greater control and expansion-I am not opposed to some of these suggestions but I believe that until we can effectively masticate all that is on our plate, we should not seek to tackle other and perhaps more indigestible courses.
I venture to think, Mr. Chairman, that there must have been occasions in the last several months when, were it not for your tolerance which you, in your discretion, were entitled to show, you would have shortened our debates by the strict exercise of your controlling power. You will appreciate, of course, that as a new member I say this with diffidence and respect.
My colleagues, too, have my assurance that did I not consider that this was a topic on which something should be said, I would not have raised it. I ask them to accept my remarks as something I have thought fit to voice, with no other purpose than to streamline meetings in the interests of this Council and its work.
With these remarks I have pleasure in supporting the Motion before Council.
(At the suggestion of the Chairman, a brief recess was held at this point)
MR. HENRY H. L. Hu:—Mr. Chairman, in the very beginning of my speech, I must first apologize for leaving early to-morrow, I mean yesterday. (Laughter). I should particularly like to apologize to Dr. BELL because I went to my ward offices at Stanley and Aberdeen yesterday. I thought that it would be more practicable to be in my ward than sitting here. (Laughter). Secondly, Mr. Chairman, I must apologize, for not supplying you or my colleagues with any speech earlier. I just finished my speech at lunch-time to-day. (Laughter).
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Page 260 of 382
498
HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL
not be a party to any suggestion of doing away with privately-run Cemeteries, I will lend my full support to give the living and their dead a fair and realistic burial cost; this Council must look ahead and must strive to improve conditions. As this is a problem which involves customs and creeds which must be respected, an appropriate Select Committee should look into this matter and perhaps start off along the lines approved by this Council in 1958 to ensure proper management and standardization of Hong Kong's Cemeteries.
Earlier, I said I would be brief and I shall therefore say only a few words on the next subject. It concerns Markets and my friend Mr. Wilfred WONG also spoke about this today. Perhaps half of our Colony's population know where our Markets are situated and the other half, even if they have passed by them, could have over-looked these small, out-dated, out-moded, inadequate and unsightly structures surrounded by all types of stalls and street vendors. Just to name a few, like my friend Mr. WONG did yesterday, the Shek Tong Tsui Market was built in 1875; the Shau Kei Wan Market in 1872; the Aberdeen Market in 1912 and the Western Market in 1906. These dates speak for themselves and one does not have to go deeper when considering the population growth in recent years.
Some months ago, when my colleagues and I visited some of these Markets, a particular one was so surrounded by fixed pitch stalls that we had to go through one of the stalls to enter this Market. Indeed this is a shame for a Colony like ours: Whilst some plans are in hand, categories are being discussed, revised, re-submitted and re-examined, the conditions are deteriorating all the time.
Perhaps the Press and the other half of our Community should be encouraged to visit these Markets to find out for themselves where some of their uncooked, and fresh food may come from. May I venture to suggest that before any such visits, some form of sedation is recommended. Perhaps, too, they would realize that if the food for the day is not up to par, they should not blame their wives, their amahs or their cooks. Indeed, those who go to the market go through an ordeal.
Through you, Mr. Chairman, I would like to urge Government to recognize that the situation is far from ideal and immediate considera- tion should be given to expedite matters and improve this sad situation.
I would like now to say a few words which have a direct bearing on our work in this Council. As a "new boy", I may be criticized for my temerity in uttering them, but I feel obliged to express an honest opinion based on my own observations at the meetings and debates I have attended since I had the honour to join this Council. Also, more than once, it has been remarked to me that much time appears to be
HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL
499
wasted in needless and seemingly long-winded talk, when what is needed is more action and less words; that some of us seem to be playing to the gallery; that we strive to create a favourable impression by airing our views on subjects outside the purview of this Council; that we speak with an eye to a good "Press".
There have been times I must confess, and I have always been inclined to agree with these remarks, but in the main, the public may not realize the valuable time spent and work done at Select Committee Meetings, Ad Hoc and Sub-Committee Meetings where the real duties of this Council are discharged. It is unfortunately true that the pro- ceedings of these Committee Meetings do not see the light of day in the newspapers, hence the belief that all that is said and done only takes place at public meetings where some members try to deal with problems that interest the public.
There have been and will continue to be voices in this Council advocating greater power, greater control and expansion-I am not opposed to some of these suggestions but I believe that until we can effectively masticate all that is on our plate, we should not seek to tackle other and perhaps more indigestible courses.
I venture to think, Mr. Chairman, that there must have been occasions in the last several months when, were it not for your tolerance which you, in your discretion, were entitled to show, you would have shortened our debates by the strict exercise of your controlling power. You will appreciate, of course, that as a new member I say this with diffidence and respect.
My colleagues, too, have my assurance that did I not consider that this was a topic on which something should be said, I would not have raised it. I ask them to accept my remarks as something I have thought fit to voice, with no other purpose than to streamline meetings in the interests of this Council and its work.
With these remarks I have pleasure in supporting the Motion before Council.
(At the suggestion of the Chairman, a brief recess was held at this point)
MR. HENRY H. L. Hu:—Mr. Chairman, in the very beginning of my speech, I must first apologize for leaving early to-morrow, I mean yesterday. (Laughter). I should particularly like to apologize to Dr. BELL because I went to my ward offices at Stanley and Aberdeen yesterday. I thought that it would be more practicable to be in my ward than sitting here. (Laughter). Secondly, Mr. Chairman, I must apologize, for not supplying you or my colleagues with any speech earlier. I just finished my speech at lunch-time to-day. (Laughter).
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