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A further question that is interwoven with the creation of a Hong Kong citizenship is the pace of constitutional progress in Hong Kong.
The Civic Association has stated in unequivocal terms that Hong Kong cannot afford to become an independent state, in view of the absolute necessity to preserve and foster economic and social progress.
Militarily, we cannot defend ourselves, and we are far better off remaining as a United Kingdom overseas territory, rather than as an independent country.
But we advocate the giving of wider responsibility to local people in local affairs, and that overall responsibility for the affairs of Hong Kong be eventually taken out of the Colonial Office and put in the hands of a special Minister for Hong Kong, directly responsible to the British Parliament.
Finally Mr. Chairman, I have been asked by several Hong Kong-born Urban Council voters who are citizens of the United Kingdom and Colonies to request you to draw to the attention of the Secretary of State for the Colonies the fact that holders of British passports issued in Hong Kong are being discriminated against in many countries, such as Japan and Thailand. If Hong Kong is a British Crown Colony, why should such discrimination be allowed by the Colonial Office? Hong Kong-born British subjects second-class citizens of the British Crown?
I respectfully request, Sir, that you direct this query to the Secretary of State for the Colonies through the appropriate channels so that a detailed reply can be made to me as early as possible.
MR. SALES: -May I say how impressed I am with all the powerful speeches which have been made this afternoon even though I belong to a class the extermination of which Mr. BERNACCHI has very kindly advocated (Laughter). It is also good to know that my oft-repeated plea that there should be no taxation without representation for Kowloon has not fallen upon deaf ears. So I am glad to hear in this Council today that Hong Kong residents are belatedly putting forward the same platform for Hong Kong Island. (Laughter). Because I have not yet had time to consult the Kowloon Residents' Association in order to safeguard the position of Kowloon, I think that time should be given to me for, let it be noted, no mention was made of what benefits would accrue to Kowloon in the many arguments so persuasively advanced today. Sir, I was also delighted to hear my charming colleague Dr. BELL say that the creation of a local citizenship might instil civic pride in our people which would certainly be most desirable if only to bring about better and cleaner living conditions here. Besides, the prospect of having "lady citizens" is most attractive. (Laughter). Our colleague, Mr. CHEONG-LEEN, on the other hand, gave the public for the second time a garbled version of the transactions of the Hong Kong Tea Party. (Laughter). There is nothing sinister in Unofficial Members coming together for a quiet cup of tea and, Sir, I invite you once more to attend our next Party. (Laughter). You will see that no dastardly plot is hatched to blow up this Council, though some Unofficials may have designs on other Councils. (Laughter).
MR. CHEONG-LEEN: What I said happens to be the correct version, and nothing else.
MR. SALES continued:--Sir, may I say that the appointed members, after listening to Mr. BERNACCHI, feel just as the gladiators of old did. So it is, Sir, that we who are about to die, salute thee. (Laughter). Perhaps because of this sentiment and also because Members of this Council consider that the debate has already given the chance to all who wanted to do so to state their case, I would like to suggest, with your permission that you entertain a motion of closure. All those who have wanted to speak had the opportunity of doing so; nobody can therefore say that we in this Council are not willing to listen to all opinions. The time has now come for us to act. Accordingly, I move to lay the motion on the table.
MR. MARDEN:-I rise to second the resolution that the Motion be laid on the table. I can speak as one of the landed gentry referred to by Alison Bell as I live at Shek O. I think I am also qualified as a citizen of Hong Kong as I have lived here for eighteen years, my home is here, and my earlier years were spent in China, so I am a refugee as well. But one thing which was not made clear in the definition of a citizen, and I looked this up after our informal Wednesday meeting, is that all dictionaries referred to citizens as inhabitants of a country as well as of towns. It is what other people think of us that counts and most people think of citizens as belonging to a country. I agree that we should extend the franchise but that the special committee should not be influenced by the phrase no taxation without representation but should strive for no more taxation with limited representation.
CHAIRMAN: Mr. Hu, do you wish to say anything further before the question is put?
MR. SALES: -I do not object despite the fact that this is a closure Motion which is not debatable. If he wishes to exercise his right of reply to the contents of the speeches made earlier, I myself have no objection.
CHAIRMAN: I think that Mr. Hu has a right of reply on a closure Motion under Standing Order 10(18).
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Page 82 of 382
Page 81 of 382
140
HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL
A further question that is interwoven with the creation of a Hong Kong citizenship is the pace of constitutional progress in Hong Kong.
The Civic Association has stated in unequivocal terms that Hong Kong cannot afford to become an independent state, in view of the absolute necessity to preserve and foster economic and social progress.
Militarily, we cannot defend ourselves, and we are far better off remaining as a United Kingdom overseas territory, rather than as an independent country.
But we advocate the giving of wider responsibility to local people in local affairs, and that overall responsibility for the affairs of Hong Kong be eventually taken out of the Colonial Office and put in the hands of a special Minister for Hong Kong, directly responsible to the British Parliament.
Finally Mr. Chairman, I have been asked by several Hong Kong- born Urban Council voters who are citizens of the United Kingdom and Colonies to request you to draw to the attention of the Secretary of State for the Colonies the fact that holders of British passports issued in Hong Kong are being discriminated against in many countries, such as Japan and Thailand. If Hong Kong is a British Crown Colony, why Are should such discrimination be allowed by the Colonial Office? Hong Kong-born British subjects second-class citizens of the British Crown?
I respectfully request, Sir, that you direct this query to the Secretary of State for the Colonies through the appropriate channels so that a detailed reply can be made to me as early as possible.
MR. SALES: -May I say how impressed I am with all the powerful speeches which have been made this afternoon even though I belong to a class the extermination of which Mr. BERNACCHI has very kindly advocated (Laughter). It is also good to know that my oft-repeated plea that there should be no taxation without representation for Kowloon has not fallen upon deaf ears. So I am glad to hear in this Council today that Hong Kong residents are belatedly putting forward the same platform for Hong Kong Island. (Laughter). Because I have not yet had time to consult the Kowloon Residents' Association in order to safeguard the position of Kowloon, I think that time should be given to me for, let it be noted, no mention was made of what benefits would accrue to Kowloon in the many arguments so persuasively advanced today. Sir, I was also delighted to hear my charming colleague Dr. BELL say that the creation of a local citizenship might instil civic pride in our people which would certainly be most desirable if only to bring about better and cleaner living conditions here. Besides, the prospect of having "lady citizens" is most attractive. (Laughter). Our col-
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league, Mr. CHEONG-LEEN, on the other hand, gave the public for the second time a garbled version of the transactions of the Hong Kong Tea Party. (Laughter). There is nothing sinister in Unofficial Mem- bers coming together for a quiet cup of tea and, Sir, I invite you once more to attend our next Party. (Laughter). You will see that no dastardly plot is hatched to blow up this Council, though some Un- officials may have designs on other Councils. (Laughter).
MR. CHEONG-LEEN : What I said happens to be the correct version, and nothing else.
MR. SALES continued:--Sir, may I say that the appointed members, after listening to Mr. BERNACCHI, feel just as the gladiators of old did. So it is, Sir, that we who are about to die, salute thee. (Laughter). Perhaps because of this sentiment and also because Members of this Council consider that the debate has already given the chance to all who wanted to do so to state their case, I would like to suggest, with your permission that you entertain a motion of closure. All those who have wanted to speak had the opportunity of doing so; nobody can therefore say that we in this Council are not willing to listen to all opinions. The time has now come for us to act. Accordingly, I move to lay the motion on the table.
MR. MARDEN:-I rise to second the resolution that the Motion be laid on the table. I can speak as one of the landed gentry referred to by Alison Bell as I live at Shek O. I think I am also qualified as a citizen of Hong Kong as I have lived here for eighteen years, my home is here, and my earlier years were spent in China, so I am a refugee as well. But one thing which was not made clear in the definition of a citizen, and I looked this up after our informal Wednesday meeting, is that all dictionaries referred to citizens as inhabitants of a country as well as of towns. It is what other people think of us that counts and most people think of citizens as belonging to a country. I agree that we should extend the franchise but that the special committee should not be influenced by the phrase no taxation without representa- tion but should strive for no more taxation with limited representation.
CHAIRMAN: Mr. Hu, do you wish to say anything further before the question is put?
MR. SALES: -I do not object despite the fact that this a closure Motion which is not debatable. If he wishes to exercise his right of reply to the contents of the speeches made earlier, I myself have no objection.
CHAIRMAN: I think that Mr. Hu has a right of reply on a closure Motion under Standing Order 10(18).
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