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HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL
Never before in Hong Kong's colonial history has there descended upon us in such a short space of time so much "political manna" in the form of M.Ps. from the Mother of Parliaments.
We welcome the greater interest shown by British M.Ps. in the future of Hong Kong and her four million people.
We are the largest of Britain's remaining Colonies. We are a territory with a population greater than that of New Zealand and most of the members of the United Nations. Within the perimeter of Free Asia, we are second only to Japan in industrial productivity.
In the past two decades, Britain has granted independence to most of her former colonies, many of which did not have as large a population or as highly advanced an economic or social structure as that of Hong Kong.
But we still have no pretensions to any form of anti-colonial nationalism. Nor do we seek political independence and to become a sovereign state.
We prefer to remain as the Far Eastern Mecca for British M.Ps. irrespective of how long they wish to stay here and to visit with us, to enlist their support to solve our problems, and to evolve into our own special status with Britain within the British Commonwealth.
Because of our geo-political position on the Asian mainland, the Civic Association firmly believe that Hong Kong cannot seek independence as a sovereign state within the foreseeable future.
We are however very much concerned that Hong Kong develop as a democratic society, in which buoyant free enterprise is tempered with long-range social planning to ensure that there is greater justice and equality of opportunity for all.
We in the Civic Association do not accept the totalitarian way of life. Rather would we seek for Hong Kong an adaptation of British democratic institutions with fullest respect for Chinese classical culture and traditions.
We prefer to have the benefits of British experience in the field of politics and social service without having to resort to crippling taxes and the throttling of free enterprise, which is so vital to our economic growth.
The Civic Association has consistently expressed its conviction that local and international confidence in Hong Kong is the key to internal stability and social-economic progress.
But this should be no excuse for Hong Kong to remain politically stagnant. The right to participate in one's own government is fundamental to human rights and to the dignity of the individual. Such participation furthermore increases local confidence.
We advocate that Hong Kong acquire by stages wide autonomy in local affairs with the basic purpose of raising living standards by providing more housing, schools, hospitals, welfare services and better public transport for the people.
This is in accordance with the Principle of Livelihood as enunciated by Dr. Sun Yat-sen, who is revered by Chinese people everywhere.
The Civic Association also advocate a local identity for Hong Kong people in which they would be proud to be called "Hong Kong Citizens" and at the same time retain a common citizenship with the people of Britain.
If the people of Hong Kong are to be given the opportunity to fulfil their just aspirations, it is time that the British Government allow for some measure of elected representation in the Legislative and Executive Councils.
The Legislative Council is the only law-making institution in Hong Kong and it should have elected members in accordance with democratic practice in every civilized community. The authoritarian paternalism that we now have in Hong Kong must go. It should be replaced by partnership in equality.
The Colonial Secretary, Mr. Fred LEE, has however stated that he does not favour for the present open elections to the Legislative Council. He also said he was in favour of an increase of Hong Kong's annual defence contribution which would naturally have serious consequences on the plans to expand education, medical and welfare services in Hong Kong.
There is no reason why the present Urban Council should not have some of its elected members sitting in both the Legislative and Executive Councils, so that the Hong Kong people can have a more effective voice in matters which affect their pocket-book and their general welfare.
MR. BERNACCHI:-Mr. Chairman, may I draw your attention to Standing Order 10(7)?
MR. CHEONG-LEEN:-Sir, would you like to state what that Standing Order refers to?
CHAIRMAN:-The Standing Order says "A member shall direct his speech to the question under discussion or to a point of order or to a personal explanation made in accordance with paragraph (12) of this standing order." I may say that it had occurred to me that Mr.
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HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL
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284
HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL
Never before in Hong Kong's colonial history has there descended upon us in such a short space of time so much "political manna" in the form of M.Ps. from the Mother of Parliaments.
We welcome the greater interest shown by British M.Ps. in the future of Hong Kong and her four million people.
We are the largest of Britain's remaining Colonies. We are a territory with a population greater than that of New Zealand and most of the members of the United Nations. Within the perimeter of Free Asia, we are second only to Japan in industrial productivity.
In the past two decades, Britain has granted independence to most of her former colonies, many of which did not have as large a popula- tion or as highly advanced an economic or social structure as that of Hong Kong.
But we still have no pretensions to any form of anti-colonial nationalism. Nor do we seek political independence and to become a sovereign state.
We prefer to remain as the Far Eastern Mecca for British M.Ps. irrespective of how long they wish to stay here and to visit with us, to enlist their support to solve our problems, and to evolve into our own special status with Britain within the British Commonwealth.
Because of our geo-political position on the Asian mainland, the Civic Association firmly believe that Hong Kong cannot seek inde- pendence as a sovereign state within the foreseeable future.
We are however very much concerned that Hong Kong develop as a democratic society, in which buoyant free enterprise is tempered with long-range social planning to ensure that there is greater justice and equality of opportunity for all.
We in the Civic Association do not accept the totalitarian way of life. Rather would we seek for Hong Kong an adaptation of British democratic institutions with fullest respect for Chinese classical culture and traditions.
We prefer to have the benefits of British experience in the field of politics and social service without having to resort to crippling taxes and the throttling of free enterprise, which is so vital to our economic growth.
The Civic Association has consistently expressed its conviction that local and international confidence in Hong Kong is the key to internal stability and social-economic progress.
But this should be no excuse for Hong Kong to remain politically stagnant. The right to participate in one's own government is funda-
HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL
285
mental to human rights and to the dignity of the individual. Such participation furthermore increases local confidence.
We advocate that Hong Kong acquire by stages wide autonomy in local affairs with the basic purpose of raising living standards by providing more housing, schools, hospitals, welfare services and better public transport for the people.
This is in accordance with the Principle of Livelihood as enunciated by Dr. Sun Yat-sen, who is revered by Chinese people everywhere.
The Civic Association also advocate a local identity for Hong Kong people in which they would be proud to be called "Hong Kong Citizens" and at the same time retain a common citizenship with the people of Britain.
If the people of Hong Kong are to be given the opportunity to fulfil their just aspirations, it is time that the British Government allow for some measure of elected representation in the Legislative and Executive Councils.
The Legislative Council is the only law-making institution in Hong Kong and it should have elected members in accordance with demo- cratic practice in every civilized community. The authoritarian patern- alism that we now have in Hong Kong must go. It should be replaced by partnership in equality.
The Colonial Secretary, Mr. Fred LEE, has however stated that he does not favour for the present open elections to the Legislative Council. He also said he was in favour of an increase of Hong Kong's annual defence contribution which would naturally have serious con- sequences on the plans to expand education, medical and welfare services in Hong Kong.
There is no reason why the present Urban Council should not have some of its elected members sitting in both the Legislative and Executive Councils, so that the Hong Kong people can have a more effective voice in matters which affect their pocket-book and their general welfare.
MR. BERNACCHI:-Mr. Chairman, may I draw your attention to Standing Order 10(7)?
MR. CHEONG-LEEN:-Sir, would you like to state what that Stand- ing Order refers to?
CHAIRMAN: --The Standing Order says "A member shall direct his speech to the question under discussion or to a point of order or to a personal explanation made in accordance with paragraph (12) of this standing order." I may say that it had occurred to me that Mr.
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