HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL
Our economic success has led to more awareness of our social problems. To name a few: more and better housing for the poor, compulsory education until the age of 14, juvenile delinquency, shop working hours, and old-age security.
We have reached a watershed in our growth where we must wisely choose our priorities in social and community development within an integrated development plan for Hong Kong.
Because the gap between rich and poor is so wide and so evident, I believe that more attention must now be given by Government to improving our social services.
The people of Hong Kong have their dreams for a better life. During the past 15 years, high economic growth has been achieved by the sacrifices of our people. From now on, it is essential that economic progress and the people's welfare must proceed side by side.
Education
The Chinese cultural experience has always given high priority to education. It is the manifest wish of Hong Kong people that Government shall provide universal and eventually compulsory education for all Hong Kong children up to the age of 14. They do not want it in 1980—they want it now.
This is a fundamental right which the Government owes to the people.
I would be failing in my duty as an Urban Councillor if I did not remind the Government at this time of Article 26(1) of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, to which the United Kingdom Government is a signatory:
"Everyone has the right to education. Education shall be free, at least in the elementary and fundamental stages. Elementary education shall be compulsory. Technical and professional education shall be made generally available and higher education shall be equally accessible to all on the basis of merit."
The Urban Council is responsible for the general welfare of nearly one million citizens in our resettlement and Housing Authority estates. This is one-quarter of Hong Kong's population.
The Urban Council is given no say at all in the shaping of educational policies. It is powerless to help our 4 million people in their search for more educational opportunities for their children.
It is powerless to get the Government to send 20,000 children in resettlement estates to primary school even though there are vacant school places.
HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL
It is the Government's responsibility to remove "the scandal and shame of illiteracy", to use the words of the Director General of UNESCO, when he spoke earlier this month on the 20th anniversary of the founding of UNESCO.
Juvenile Delinquency
I am told by youth leaders and welfare workers that juvenile delinquency is not as serious in Hong Kong as in other industrialized cities.
Yet there is a general concern by the public about the growing lawlessness of youth in Hong Kong.
Many church leaders and educators believe that Government should modify its censorship system to license "for adults only" films of comparatively harsh violence, physical cruelty, and moral depravity.
The introduction of such a system will assuredly be welcome by the Chinese community, with its strong tradition of family life and moral training.
Working Hours of Shop Employees
In recent months I have spoken about the need to improve working conditions for shop employees.
Article 24 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights states: "Everyone has the right to rest and leisure, including reasonable limitation of working hours and periodic holidays with pay".
The Labour Department is showing concern at the unreasonable hours which many shop employees are required to work, varying in most cases between 70-80 hours a week.
Earlier this year, Government was urged to carry out a public relations campaign to encourage shop proprietors to give one day off a week by rotation to their employees.
The time may soon come when Government will have to consider legislation to this effect, especially for shops with more than 10 employees on their payroll.
A National Pension Fund
Rapid economic growth and the population explosion, with their attendant social problems, have made deep inroads in traditional Chinese family ties and filial responsibility. The care for the elderly will increasingly become a social problem requiring long-term planning.
Page 190 of 279
352
HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL
353
ה
279
Page 189 of 279
352
HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL
Our economic success has led to more awareness of our social problems. To name a few: more and better housing for the poor, compulsory education until the age of 14, juvenile delinquency, shop working hours, and old-age security.
We have reached a watershed in our growth where we must wisely choose our priorities in social and community development within an integrated development plan for Hong Kong.
Because the gap between rich and poor is so wide and so evident, I believe that more attention must now be given by Government to improving our social services.
The people of Hong Kong have their dreams for a better life. During the past 15 years, high economic growth has been achieved by the sacrifices of our people. From now on, it is essential that economic progress and the people's welfare must proceed side by side.
Education
The Chinese cultural experience has always given high priority to education. It is the manifest wish of Hong Kong people that Govern- ment shall provide universal and eventually compulsory education for all Hong Kong children up to the age of 14. They do not want it in 1980-they want it now.
This is a fundamental right which the Government owes to the people.
I would be failing in my duty as an Urban Councillor if I did not remind the Government at this time of Article 26(1) of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, to which the United Kingdom Govern- ment is a signatory:
"Everyone has the right to education. Education shall be free, at least in the elementary and fundamental stages. Elementary education shall be compulsory. Technical and professional edu- cation shall be made generally available and higher education shall be equally accessible to all on the basis of merit."
The Urban Council is responsible for the general welfare of nearly one million citizens in our resettlement and Housing Authority estates. This is one-quarter of Hong Kong's population.
The Urban Council is given no say at all in the shaping of educa- tional policies. It is powerless to help our 4 million people in their search for more educational opportunities for their children.
It is powerless to get the Government to send 20,000 children in resettlement estates to primary school even though there are vacant school places.
HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL
353
It is the Government's responsibility to remove "the scandal and shame of illiteracy", to use the words of the Director General of UNESCO, when he spoke earlier this month on the 20th anniversary of the founding of UNESCO.
Juvenile Delinquency
I am told by youth leaders and welfare workers that juvenile de- linquency is not as serious in Hong Kong as in other industrialized cities.
Yet there is a general concern by the public about the growing lawlessness of youth in Hong Kong.
Many church leaders and educators believe that Government should modify its censorship system to license "for adults only" films of comparatively harsh violence, physical cruelty, and moral depravity.
The introduction of such a system will assuredly be welcome by the Chinese community, with its strong tradition of family life and moral training.
Working Hours of Shop Employees
In recent months I have spoken about the need to improve work- ing conditions for shop employees.
Article 24 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights states: "Everyone has the right to rest and leisure, including reasonable limitation of working hours and periodic holidays with pay",
The Labour Department is showing concern at the unreasonable hours which many shop employees are required to work, varying in most cases between 70-80 hours a week.
Earlier this year, Government was urged to carry out a public relations campaign to encourage shop proprietors to give one day off a week by rotation to their employees.
The time may soon come when Government will have to consider legislation to this effect, especially for shops with more than 10 em- ployees on their payroll.
A National Pension Fund
Rapid economic growth and the population explosion, with their attendant social problems, have made deep inroads in traditional Chinese family ties and filial responsibility. The care for the elderly will increasingly become a social problem requiring long-term planning.
No comments yet.
Private notes are available after approval.