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crackers.
We do not contend that fire-crackers should not be set off on ceremonial occasions; what we object to is the indiscriminate use of fire-crackers on festive occasions, when there can be no justification for such a practice.
As to cemeteries, Sir, many years ago I was Chairman of that Select Committee and the Urban Council introduced a motion to make the whole of Cape Collinson Cemetery a public responsibility. The Council passed it unanimously. Then your Department appealed to the religious bodies behind the back of the Council not to subscribe to that policy, and the Governor in Council was persuaded to override the motion passed unanimously by the Unofficial Members of this Council. I maintain to this day that had that policy been implemented, Cape Collinson would not be in the condition that it is and that the malpractices which now obtain might well have been done away with by Government intervention on a massive scale, in the matter of the burial of the citizens of Hong Kong.
Sir, I make yet another plea for Whitfield Barracks to be kept entirely as open space. That is the last opportunity for South Kowloon to have a public park of which we can be proud, and I do not think that there can be any reason to justify the fact that we should spurn this opportunity when it is made available to us. Alternatively, Sir, perhaps parts of Gun Club Hill might now be put to public use for recreational purposes if the whole of Whitfield Barracks should not be devoted to this end.
I am not competent to comment on medical matters, although I serve on the School Medical and Health Service Board with three other Unofficial colleagues, and not two as mentioned by the Vice Chairman, but I am hopeful that at the end of my three-year term I may be accepted as a registered medical practitioner (Laughter) and comment with some authority on these matters which have been raised by my friend Mr. WONG on my right and our Deputy Director of Medical and Health Services.
May I say, Sir, in conclusion, that we too appreciate the fine spirit of co-operation which prevails in this Council. We recognize the work done by so many civil servants who are serving on the various Select Committees without being members of the Urban Council. They make a worthwhile contribution to the work of the Council and we do not hesitate at any time to pay public tribute to their service. At the same time, Unofficial Members of the Urban Council would be failing in their duty to the public, and in the case of the Appointed Members also in their duty to His Excellency the Governor, if they were at any time to withhold criticism of any matter which calls for a frank expression of views on their part. Otherwise they would be serving their own conscience more by vacating their seats on this Council, because theirs is the duty to ensure that progress is made and that the well-being of the people is served at all times. May I, Sir, say once more that I support the motion. (Applause).
CHAIRMAN: The motion for the endorsement of the Statement of Aims for 1967 was moved and seconded at the Meeting held on the 29th November, 1966. I will now take a vote on the motion.
The question was put.
The motion was carried unanimously.
CHAIRMAN: Before we conclude, may I extend to all of you my Best Wishes for a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year.
ADJOURNMENT
4:59 P.M.
CHAIRMAN: That concludes the business of this meeting. Council stands adjourned until Tuesday, 10th January, 1967.
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HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL
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crackers.
We do not contend that fire-crackers should not be set off on ceremonial occasions; what we object to is the indiscriminate use of fire-crackers on festive occasions, when there can be no justification for such a practice.
As to cemeteries, Sir, many years ago I was Chairman of that Select Committee and the Urban Council introduced a motion to make the whole of Cape Collinson Cemetery a public responsibility. The Council passed it unanimously. Then your Department appealed to the religious bodies behind the back of the Council not to subscribe to that policy, and the Governor in Council was persuaded to override the motion passed unanimously by the Unofficial Members of this Council. I maintain to this day that had that policy been implemented, Cape Collinson would not be in the condition that it is and that the malpractices which now obtain might well have been done away with by Government intervention on a massive scale, in the matter of the burial of the citizens of Hong Kong.
Sir, I make yet another plea for Whitfield Barracks to be kept entirely as open space. That is the last opportunity for South Kow- loon to have a public park of which we can be proud, and I do not think that there can be any reason to justify the fact that we should spurn this opportunity when it is made available to us. Alternatively, Sir, perhaps parts of Gun Club Hill might now be put to public use for recreational purposes if the whole of Whitfield Barracks should not be devoted to this end.
I am not competent to comment on medical matters, although I serve on the School Medical and Health Service Board with three other Unofficial colleagues, and not two as mentioned by the Vice Chairman, but I am hopeful that at the end of my three-year term I may be accepted as a registered medical practitioner (Laughter) and comment with some authority on these matters which have been raised by my friend Mr. WONG on my right and our Deputy Director of Medical and Health Services.
May I say, Sir, in conclusion, that we too appreciate the fine spirit of co-operation which prevails in this Council. We recognize the work done by so many civil servants who are serving on the various Select Committees without being members of the Urban Council. They make a worthwhile contribution to the work of the Council and we do not hesitate at any time to pay public tribute to their service. At the same time, Unofficial Members of the Urban Council would be failing in their duty to the public, and in the case of the Appointed Members also in their duty to His Excellency the Governor, if they were at any time to withhold criticism of any matter which calls for a frank expres- sion of views on their part. Otherwise they would be serving their own conscience more by vacating their seats on this Council, because
theirs is the duty to ensure that progress is made and that the well being of the people is served at all times. May I, Sir, say once more that I support the motion. (Applause).
CHAIRMAN:-The motion for the endorsement of the Statement of Aims for 1967 was moved and seconded at the Meeting held on the 29th November, 1966. I will now take a vote on the motion.
The question was put.
The motion was carried unanimously.
CHAIRMAN: --Before we conclude, may I extend to all of you my Best Wishes for a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year.
ADJOURNMENT ·
M
- 4.59 P.M.
CHAIRMAN:-That concludes the business of this meeting. Council stands adjourned until Tuesday, 10th January, 1967.
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