of 382
732
HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL
security Forces in Hong Kong. But that is not to say that we should not try to get a foothold into the Police Force by controlling certain aspects of their work, traffic, for instance, and I would propose the Anti-corruption Division. Then again, local Councils especially Municipal Councils should have their own civil servants. I appreciate that this would take some persons aback but I do not think that you, Mr. Chairman, in the capacity of Director of the Urban Services Department would be taken aback by becoming a Municipal servant with, of course, the same rights and privileges.
Finally, the essence of local Government is that they should balance their own budget, their revenue coming mainly from the rates and not as at present the rates going into general revenue. Yes indeed, His Excellency the Governor has opened up a large field for speculation and anticipation by His announcement in the Legislative Council the other day, which is taken to mean that he would consider favourably constitutional development by way of local Government in Hong Kong. For our part, we can and must contribute to His thinking by putting up concrete proposals ourselves.
With these words I am very happy to second the Motion that we appoint an Ad Hoc Committee for so doing.
DR. LEE:- Before I actually received the draft of this motion Mr. SALES said to a group of persons that he noticed that my absence at the famous tea party which he referred to, would upset some Red Indians. (Laughter). I don't think people have read American history, I am referring to the famous Boston tea party. May I proceed uninterrupted with the main substance of my speech? (Laughter).
I think this motion, that this Council appoint an Ad Hoc Committee for the purpose of considering and recommending measures relating to the future scope and operation of the Council, is opportune and has merit in collecting all the views of the Council which, you must agree, represents many sections of the community. In recommending constitutional reform for this Council we must bear in mind that it is a statutory body. Whatever changes Government may have in mind it will be broadened in scope within its statutory limits, and there is absolutely no fear whatsoever that it will or can upset the political apple-cart of this Colony.
Whatever reform our responsible authority can recommend for the Urban Council in its widest sense, is only advancement in the field of local government. Its status should be raised to that of a Municipal Council and its membership considerably enlarged to cope with its multitudinous problems. Our aim is that ultimately the Council should be entirely elected, if my colleagues will excuse me (Laughter), if not at the outset. It bewilders me that Government still drags its feet and finds excuses not to expand the scope and power of this Council.
HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL
733
Its elected members do not exceed ten out of 26 members and in an age when the majority of the electorate can hardly recognize a word; you may recall that in all previous elections, I don't think either the Civic Association or the Reform Club has ever used symbols for the benefit of its electors. There is no shortage of Hong Kong citizens willing to serve the best interests of Hong Kong free without asking for privilege or pay. I remember when I first joined the Council some twelve years ago, I had to pay $5 to an account which defrayed the cost for a simple cup of plain tea—without sugar (Laughter) and this was reserved only for excessively long meetings. (Laughter). Even at present we have no travelling expenses to cover the cost of travelling to and from Select Committee meetings, which average no less than 20 meetings a month in some cases, much less emoluments which is talked about in certain councils in Hong Kong, when many modern and advanced countries are paying their faithful Councillors.
Every Councillor has now some experience of the Ward system. I think the system is worth Government's while to consider as a basis for electing our future Councillors, not only of this Council but other Councils as well. I know a recent official visitor whom I met in Government House, from the Colonial Office, is keen and very interested in this scheme. It may be included in the Ad Hoc Committee's agenda for deliberation.
I would not like to go over old grounds in today's debate, I'm sure members must remember so many motions on this subject, and many reasons have been given and expanded, but this I will not tonight repeat. I am sure other members would like to speak at some length on this motion (Laughter). But I would like to emphasize that this Council is the only Council in Hong Kong which has an elected element in this much vaunted so-called "window of Democracy". Its main function is one of administration and some of its statutory duties like Resettlement and Housing have changed the face of Hong Kong. With these remarks, Mr. Chairman, I have much pleasure in supporting the motion now before Council.
DR. BELL: Mr. Chairman, I am beginning to feel as if I needed your dictionary which you produced the other day when Mr. SALES starts referring to Government as being anachronistic, and the Governor refers to this Council as being idiosyncratic. I have had a little difficulty trying to decide what is meant.
May I first compliment Mr. SALES on his swift and appropriate reaction to the part of His Excellency's recent speech in Legislative Council which concerned local government and particularly this Council and assure him that his motion before Council has my fullest support, particularly as it would appear now that some attention will be paid to the measures which may be recommended, by such an Ad Hoc Committee.
Page 377 of 382
of 382
732
HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL
security Forces in Hong Kong. But that is not to say that we should not try to get a foothold into the Police Force by controlling certain aspects of their work, traffic, for instance, and I would propose the Anti-corruption Division. Then again, local Councils especially Muni- cipal Councils should have their own civil servants. I appreciate that this would take some persons aghast but I do not think that you, Mr. Chairman, in the capacity of Director of the Urban Services Depart- ment would be taken aghast by becoming a Municipal servant with, of course, the same rights and privileges.
Finally, the essence of local Government is that they should bal- ance their own budget, their revenue coming mainly from the rates and not as at present the rates going into general revenue. Yes indeed, His Excellency the Governor has opened up a large field for speculation and anticipation by His announcement in the Legislative Council the other day, which is taken to mean that he would consider favourably constitutional development by way of local Government in Hong Kong. For our part, we can and must contribute to His thinking by putting up concrete proposals ourselves.
With these words I am very happy to second the Motion that we appoint an Ad Hoc Committee for so doing.
DR. LEE:-Before I actually received the draft of this motion Mr. SALES said to a group of persons that he noticed that my absence at the famous tea party which he referred to, would upset some Red Indians. (Laughter). I don't think people have read American history, I am referring to the famous Boston tea party. May I proceed uninter- rupted with the main substance of my speech? (Laughter).
I think this motion, that this Council appoint an Ad Hoc Com- mittee for the purpose of considering and recommending measures relat- ing to the future scope and operation of the Council, is opportune and has merit in collecting all the views of the Council which, you must agree, represents many sections of the community. In recommending constitutional reform for this Council we must bear in mind that it is a statutory body. Whatever changes Government may have in mind it will be broadened in scope within its statutory limits, and there is absolutely no fear whatsoever that it will or can upset the political apple-cart of this Colony.
Whatever reform our responsible authority can recommend for the Urban Council in its widest sense, is only advancement in the field of local government. Its status should be raised to that of a Muni- cipal Council and its membership considerably enlarged to cope with its multitudinous problems. Our aim is that ultimately the Council should be entirely elected, if my colleagues will excuse me (Laughter), if not at the outset. It bewilders me that Government still drags its feet and finds excuses to not expand the scope and power of this
HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL
733
Council. Its elected members do not exceed ten out of 26 members and in an age when the majority of the electorate can hardly recognize a word; you may recall that in all previous elections, I don't think either the Civic Association or the Reform Club has ever used symbols for the benefit of its electors. There is no shortage of Hong Kong citizens willing to serve the best interests of Hong Kong free without asking for privilege or pay. I remember when I first joined the Council some twelve years ago, I had to pay $5 to an account which defrayed the cost for a simple cup of plain tea-without sugar (Laughter) and this was reserved only for excessively long meetings. (Laughter). Even at present we have no travelling expenses to cover the cost of travelling to and from Select Committee meetings, which average no less than 20 meetings a month in some cases, much less emoluments which is talked about in certain councils in Hong Kong, when many modern and advanced countries are paying their faithful Councillors.
Every Councillor has now some experience of the Ward system. I think the system is worth Government's while to consider as a basis for electing our future Councillors, not only of this Council but other Councils as well. I know a recent official visitor whom I met in Government House, from the Colonial Office, is keen and very inter- ested in this scheme. It may be included in the Ad Hoc Committee's agenda for deliberation.
I would not like to go over old grounds in to-day's debate, I'm sure members must remember so many motions on this subject, and many reasons have been given and expanded, but this I will not to-night repeat. I am sure other members would like to speak at some length on this motion (Laughter). But I would like to emphasize that this Council is the only Council in Hong Kong which has an elected element in this much vaunted so-called "window of Democracy". Its main function is one of administration and some of its statutory duties like Resettle- ment and Housing have changed the face of Hong Kong. With these remarks, Mr. Chairman, I have much pleasure in supporting the motion now before Council.
DR. BELL:Mr. Chairman, I am beginning to feel as if I needed your dictionary which you produced the other day when Mr. SALES starts referring to Government as being anachronistic, and the Governor refers to this Council as being idiosyncratic. I have had a little difficul- ty trying to decide what is meant.
May I first compliment Mr. SALES on his swift and appropriate reaction to the part of His Excellency's recent speech in Legislative Council which concerned local government and particularly this Council and assure him that his motion before Council has my fullest support, particularly as it would appear now that some attention will be paid to the measures which may be recommended, by such an Ad Hoc Com-
Page 377 of 382
No comments yet.
Private notes are available after approval.