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to accommodate the existing hawkers. I hope a day will come when we will see few hawkers on the streets.
In the last year's Annual Debate, I also spoke about the creative needs of Hong Kong. The purpose of my talking of the creative needs of Hong Kong was and has always been to maintain and further develop our prosperity which is the primordial aim of all our deliberations. I would not repeat the items of the creative needs put forward by me last year. I would however add some new items.
The first item is about the tourist business. Hong Kong is one of the world's tourist centres. We should do our most to attract more tourists to Hong Kong. The ways are many; one of them would be to issue stamps bearing Hong Kong's scenic beauties on them. Government may probably make revenue out of it and at the same time may promote the tourist business for Hong Kong.
Next thing I would mention is that of higher education in Hong Kong. Last year I spoke for the private post-secondary colleges. I said certain forms of assistance should be given to them. I renew such plea this year. I would say that in Hong Kong in the cultural field we must aim at three points:
First, to raise generally the cultural standard of Hong Kong. Secondly, to preserve and develop the Chinese culture and civilization.
Thirdly, to promote the intermingling and mutual development of eastern and western civilization.
If this has not been done officially, then any private persons and organizations should try to fulfil those lofty aims even with very limited resources.
The 3rd creative need for Hong Kong which I would mention to-day is to protect the medium and small industrial enterprises. It would be a wrong policy in Hong Kong that in order to strengthen our export position, we should gradually try to eliminate the small factories for the benefit of modern and large factories. The big factories should enjoy no more benefits and privileges than the small ones which are mainly run and managed by local people and financed by local capitals. Let alone to sacrifice them in favour of the big factories. The recent figure of the closing down of the medium and the small factories in the Colony is indeed alarming. They deserve governmental help and guidance. Their future is interwoven with that of Hong Kong which is partly dependent on their gradual growth from a small or medium factory to a big industrial enterprise. The taxation system in Hong Kong is a sufficient attraction for big industrial enterprises or investments. The adoption of my principle would only be a benefit to Hong Kong as a whole in the long run.
HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL
397
Mr. Chairman, I think I should not sit down without mentioning the visit of Mr. Frederick LEE, the Colonial Secretary, on the subject of Hong Kong's contribution to U.K.'s defence costs in this region. I would say that to protect Hong Kong is the sovereign right and duty of Great Britain. At the moment, Hong Kong is not in a position to increase its contribution without having the detrimental effects to its whole community. I would suggest that the big firms or enterprises should give their voluntary contributions toward U.K.'s defence costs. (Laughter). The defence cost should not come from the general revenue which is made up from the taxation on the equal percentage basis from the income of the rich and the poor alike. The general revenue should therefore be used wherever possible for promoting the social services to balance the very striking feature of social injustice in our community.
Lastly, Mr. Chairman, I would associate myself with the previous speakers for our thanks to the staff of the Urban Council and Urban Services Department. I should also say how happy I was in the past year to work together with them, with respect, Mr. Chairman, including yourself. (Laughter).
With these remarks, I beg to support the motion concerning the aims of this Council. (Applause).
CHAIRMAN:-Many interesting, not to say intriguing, points have been raised by Unofficial Members in the course of this debate, and my Official colleagues and I will now attempt to prepare adequate replies. To give us the necessary time I move that the debate be adjourned until 22nd December, 1966 at 2.30 p.m.
THE DEPUTY DIRECTOR OF MEDICAL AND HEALTH SERVICES seconded.
The question was put.
The motion was carried unanimously.
ADJOURNMENT—5.15 P.M.
CHAIRMAN:-Ladies and Gentlemen, that concludes the business of this meeting. Council stands adjourned until Thursday, 22nd December, at 2.30 p.m.
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Page 212 of 27
279
Page 212 of 279
396
HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL
to accommodate the existing hawkers. I hope a day will come when we will see few hawkers on the streets.
In the last year's Annual Debate, I also spoke about the creative needs of Hong Kong. The purpose of my talking of the creative needs of Hong Kong was and has always been to maintain and further develop our prosperity which is the primordial aim of all our deliberations. I would not repeat the items of the creative needs put forward by me last year. I would however add some new items.
The first item is about the tourist business. Hong Kong is one of the world's tourist centres. We should do our most to attract more tourists to Hong Kong. The ways are many; one of them would be to issue stamps bearing Hong Kong's scenic beauties on them. Govern- ment may probably make revenue out of it and at the same time may promote the tourist business for Hong Kong.
Next thing I would mention is that of higher education in Hong Kong. Last year I spoke for the private post-secondary colleges. I said certain forms of assistance should be given to them. I renew such plea this year. I would say that in Hong Kong in the cultural field we must aim at three points:
First, to raise generally the cultural standard of Hong Kong. Secondly, to preserve and develop the Chinese culture and
civilization.
Thirdly, to promote the intermingling and mutual development
of eastern and western civilization.
If this has not been done officially, then any private persons and organizations should try to fulfil those lofty aims even with very limited resources.
The 3rd creative need for Hong Kong which I would mention to-day is to protect the medium and small industrial enterprises. It would be a wrong policy in Hong Kong that in order to strengthen our export position, we should gradually try to eliminate the small factories for the benefit of modern and large factories. The big factories should enjoy no more benefits and privileges than the small ones which are mainly run and managed by local people and financed by local capitals. Let alone to sacrifice them in favour of the big factories. The recent figure of the closing down of the medium and the small factories in the Colony is indeed alarming. They deserve governmental help and guidance. Their future is interwoven with that of Hong Kong which is partly dependent on their gradual growth from a small or medium factory to a big industrial enterprise. The taxation system in Hong King is a sufficient attraction for big industrial enterprises or invest- ments. The adoption of my principle would only be a benefit to Hong Kong as a whole in the long run.
HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL
397
Mr. Chairman, I think I should not sit down without mentioning the visit of Mr. Frederick LEE, the Colonial Secretary, on the subject of Hong Kong's contribution to U.K.'s defence costs in this region. I would say that to protect Hong Kong is the sovereign right and duty of Great Britain. At the moment, Hong Kong is not in a position to increase its contribution without having the detrimental effects to its whole community. I would suggest that the big firms or enterprises should give their voluntary contributions toward U.K.'s defence costs. (Laughter). The defence cost should not come from the general revenue which is made up from the taxation on the equal percentage basis from the income of the rich and the poor alike. The general revenue should therefore be used wherever possible for promoting the social services to balance the very striking feature of social injustice in our community.
Lastly, Mr. Chairman, I would associate myself with the previous speakers for our thanks to the staff of the Urban Council and Urban Services Department. I should also say how happy I was in the past year to work together with them, with respect, Mr. Chairman, including yourself. (Laughter).
With these remarks, I beg to support the motion concerning the aims of this Council. (Applause).
CHAIRMAN:-Many interesting, not to say intriguing, points have been raised by Unofficial Members in the course of this debate, and my Official colleagues and I will now attempt to prepare adequate replies. To give us the necessary time I move that the debate be adjourned until 22nd December, 1966 at 2.30 p.m.
THE DEPUTY DIRECTOR OF MEDICAL AND HEALTH SERVICES seconded.
The question was put.
The motion was carried unanimously.
ADJOURNMENT—5.15 P.M.
CHAIRMAN:-Ladies and Gentlemen, that concludes the business of this meeting. Council stands adjourned until Thursday, 22nd December, at 2.30 p.m.
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