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no effort to press for more open space in our overcrowded city for parks, thus to increase public amenities and improve the image of Hong Kong as a whole in the eyes of the world. These are achieve- ments of which the Council can be justly proud, and those who have devoted so much of their valuable time to duty for the general good are to be commended.

Looking ahead, I would like to say that just to do the work the Council is supposed to do is not enough. In this day and age, along with the rapid changing world, we must gather our forces and make the best use of our available resources, by coordinating our activities with those of other agencies, in order to realize the best result of our work. Co-operation of effort and coordination of programme are important means, by which we may contribute our effort towards maintaining Hong Kong's continued wellbeing and promoting greater stability of our economy. In so saying I refer to closer co-operation and co-ordination with existing agencies to further the common will of Hong Kong.

Many activities of the Urban Council have common aims with those of other agencies, and if these activities could be dovetailed for concerted action, I venture to say, a much greater degree of success it would be for the good of Hong Kong.

In so saying I refer to the great number of hawkers, which neces- sitated a control force to see that they are law abiding and kept within bounds. While I concur with the steps envisaged to improve the hawkers' lot, I urge that every possible means be explored to persuade and to induce them to turning to other more productive occupations. For instance, there is a growing labour shortage in the Hong Kong Industry. Suitable and appropriate means should be created through which hawkers may be absorbed to further implement our local industry. The high aspiration of the Urban Council is to solve the hawker problem in ten years, and may I suggest that an extensive survey be made to ascertain the factual situation relevant to the hawking profes- sion, that the Council may plan an effective programme for the liquida- tion of hawking altogether. As we all, who live in Hong Kong, owe our livelihood to the stability of Hong Kong's economy, which depends, in turn, to the wellbeing of our industry, it becomes our duty to gear our available manpower to industry for implementation and mainte- nance of our main liveline of existence.

Turning to resettlement, a pressing problem to be solved by virtue of our ever growing population, the same principle of co-ordination of effort through relevant activities applies. Government has only limited funds for the purpose, and I believe, such a situation wanting in financial support could be improved by the adoption of new ideas. By this, I mean successful applicants should be given the opportunity

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to make reciprocal contributions to swell the resettlement building fund. This idea may be open to criticism for granting priorities to those who could afford it. To offset this, the idea should be enacted in conjunc- tion with Hong Kong's immediate interest, that is to provide every possible facility to its growing industry. I believe fellow manufacturers would be only too happy to contribute reasonable sums to acquire living facilities for their working force. Of-course, accommodation of this nature should only be given to those workers who are entitled to be resettled in accordance with the rules and regulations governing resettlement.

Turning to the general policy to enlarge the scope of the Council, may I say that to take such an unexplored step, it would demand a world of caution. Changes must be gradual and they must be carefully planned, and properly developed to be tried. We cannot afford to effect any change that may prove detrimental. While I entertain no objection to enlarging the scope of the Council, as one who depends on the continued wellbeing of Hong Kong for a livelihood, I urge that no step be taken until the Council has grown in stature enough to shoulder yet greater responsibilities.

In conclusion, Sir, I have the pleasure to concur with the statement of Aims of the Council for 1967. (Applause).

MR. H. CHEONG-LEEN:-Mr. Chairman, much of what I am going to say to-day will be concerned with matters outside the scope of the Urban Council. (Laughter). I am sure our Official Members are aware that the general view among the Unofficials is that the scope of the Urban Council is too narrow. Even our colleague, Mr. Wilfred WONG, has found it necessary to go outside the scope of the Council jurisdiction to-day and talk about certain types of barber shops which he claims he seldom visits or not at all.

To many of us who are involved in and are deeply committed to the future of Hong Kong, it seems that we are on the threshold of an era of revolutionary change: economic, social, cultural.

Much of this change may not be of our own desire; it is being thrust upon us.

Events in the world and in Asia are surging forward

at such speed, that either we keep in pace, or we are lost in the back-

waters.

During the past 7 years, Hong Kong's exports have risen at an average annual rate of 12.2%. This economic growth is primarily due to the forward-looking policies of our businessmen and our indus- trialists, to the willingness of our citizens to work hard, and to our relative political stability.