1967 — Page 154

Urban Council Proceedings 市政局議事錄 All AI Reviewed

Page 154 of 259

282

HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL

I am persuaded that there are three areas in which Hong Kong can exercise more imaginative and progressive approaches in fulfilling the real wants of local people; in employment, education, and welfare.

It has been quite noticeable this year that there are many more young people who are desperately in search of jobs, either in factories or in offices. This tendency will become more pronounced from year to year. Unless the Hong Kong Government goes all out to expand industry and create more job opportunities for our young people, our social stability will be seriously endangered.

The incentives for foreign and even Hong Kong industrialists to invest in South Korea, Taiwan, Thailand, and Singapore are becoming more attractive. In Singapore, for instance, the Government is dynamic, comparatively incorrupt, and is in the hands of Singaporeans.

The Singapore Government has a Pioneer Industries Ordinance, which together with a proposed Economic Expansion Incentives Bill will compare favourably with Hong Kong as a place for industrial development. Industrial factory space is available in Singapore at only HK$3.00 rent per square foot per year. Furthermore, on pioneer industries, there is a full tax holiday for the first 5 years, to be followed by a 10-year period where the rate of taxation will be only 4%.

It is time that the Hong Kong Government wakes up from its sense of over-complacency; otherwise, we will find that soon some of the other Asian countries will be passing us by in industrial growth, and our employment problem will thereby become more hazardous.

It should also be emphasized that in places like Singapore, Taiwan, and South Korea, the young people are better equipped to seize the opportunities that come their way since primary education is compulsory and free.

Hong Kong will not have universal primary education until 1971, according to the Hong Kong Government's planning schedule. We have no idea when it will be made compulsory.

In any case, this is to be expected as the Hong Kong Government is a colonial form of government without an elected legislature, subservient to narrow groups' interests as against the paramount rights of the people.

A classic example is to be found in the controversial manner in which the Government rushed headlong into devaluating the Hong Kong dollar in the full knowledge that it would damage the living standards of the people.

Anyway, let us congratulate the Government for courageously admitting when it re-valued the Hong Kong dollar by 10% that it did not know what it was doing at the time.

HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL

283

Reverting to the problem of education, it is my belief that for Hong Kong to progress with the times, it is imperative that the Hong Kong Government introduce compulsory education coupled with a Family Assistance Scheme to aid needy families whose income would be affected by their primary-age children being sent to school.

I know there is strong resistance to this proposal since Hong Kong is but a Colony, and there are no elected representatives in the Legislative Council. But as a lowly elected Urban Councillor, I am morally bound to voice the dissatisfaction of the public at this colonial administration's short-sighted educational policy.

I wish some of our colonial masters could take time off to visit our resettlement estates and speak to the many young Chinese children who are either completely illiterate or have not finished primary school and ask themselves whether the Hong Kong Government is justified in denying the right to a full primary education to many tens of thousands of Hong Kong-born children.

And can our colonial masters ask themselves this question: Why is it that Hong Kong, being even more highly industrialized than Singapore, does not yet have a free primary education system which Singapore already has?

Perhaps it is because Singapore has a sense of common purpose, of community identity, and her young people have pride in their government and their leaders, who are Singaporeans and are identified with their needs and aspirations.

And what about the future of our own young people? What have they to look forward to in colonial Hong Kong? Can they be blamed if they harbour the thought to pursue their studies abroad and not return to Hong Kong if they can help it?

It is necessary that the Hong Kong Government take steps to urgently reform and modernize our backward constitutional structure so as to transform Hong Kong into a self-governing municipality.

The spirit of freedom and human rights beats strong in the heart of every intelligent and thinking young person in Hong Kong. Let the Hong Kong Government take heed!

Why is it that Hong Kong should continue to be run as a colony? Why is it not possible for the British and Chinese peoples to co-operate to make Hong Kong evolve into an international free port being administered by local leaders for the benefit of the local people, and where the rule of law prevails, human rights are respected, and we mingle with peoples of all nationalities and political beliefs?

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Page 154 of 259 282 HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL I am persuaded that there are three areas in which Hong Kong can exercise more imaginative and progressive approaches in fulfilling the real wants of local people; in employment, education, and welfare. It has been quite noticeable this year that there are many more young people who are desperately in search of jobs, either in factories or in offices. This tendency will become more pronounced from year to year. Unless the Hong Kong Government goes all out to expand industry and create more job opportunities for our young people, our social stability will be seriously endangered. The incentives for foreign and even Hong Kong industrialists to invest in South Korea, Taiwan, Thailand, and Singapore are becoming more attractive. In Singapore, for instance, the Government is dynamic, comparatively incorrupt, and is in the hands of Singaporeans. The Singapore Government has a Pioneer Industries Ordinance, which together with a proposed Economic Expansion Incentives Bill will compare favourably with Hong Kong as a place for industrial development. Industrial factory space is available in Singapore at only HK$3.00 rent per square foot per year. Furthermore, on pioneer industries, there is a full tax holiday for the first 5 years, to be followed by a 10-year period where the rate of taxation will be only 4%. It is time that the Hong Kong Government wakes up from its sense of over-complacency; otherwise, we will find that soon some of the other Asian countries will be passing us by in industrial growth, and our employment problem will thereby become more hazardous. It should also be emphasized that in places like Singapore, Taiwan, and South Korea, the young people are better equipped to seize the opportunities that come their way since primary education is compulsory and free. Hong Kong will not have universal primary education until 1971, according to the Hong Kong Government's planning schedule. We have no idea when it will be made compulsory. In any case, this is to be expected as the Hong Kong Government is a colonial form of government without an elected legislature, subservient to narrow groups' interests as against the paramount rights of the people. A classic example is to be found in the controversial manner in which the Government rushed headlong into devaluating the Hong Kong dollar in the full knowledge that it would damage the living standards of the people. Anyway, let us congratulate the Government for courageously admitting when it re-valued the Hong Kong dollar by 10% that it did not know what it was doing at the time. HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL 283 Reverting to the problem of education, it is my belief that for Hong Kong to progress with the times, it is imperative that the Hong Kong Government introduce compulsory education coupled with a Family Assistance Scheme to aid needy families whose income would be affected by their primary-age children being sent to school. I know there is strong resistance to this proposal since Hong Kong is but a Colony, and there are no elected representatives in the Legislative Council. But as a lowly elected Urban Councillor, I am morally bound to voice the dissatisfaction of the public at this colonial administration's short-sighted educational policy. I wish some of our colonial masters could take time off to visit our resettlement estates and speak to the many young Chinese children who are either completely illiterate or have not finished primary school and ask themselves whether the Hong Kong Government is justified in denying the right to a full primary education to many tens of thousands of Hong Kong-born children. And can our colonial masters ask themselves this question: Why is it that Hong Kong, being even more highly industrialized than Singapore, does not yet have a free primary education system which Singapore already has? Perhaps it is because Singapore has a sense of common purpose, of community identity, and her young people have pride in their government and their leaders, who are Singaporeans and are identified with their needs and aspirations. And what about the future of our own young people? What have they to look forward to in colonial Hong Kong? Can they be blamed if they harbour the thought to pursue their studies abroad and not return to Hong Kong if they can help it? It is necessary that the Hong Kong Government take steps to urgently reform and modernize our backward constitutional structure so as to transform Hong Kong into a self-governing municipality. The spirit of freedom and human rights beats strong in the heart of every intelligent and thinking young person in Hong Kong. Let the Hong Kong Government take heed! Why is it that Hong Kong should continue to be run as a colony? Why is it not possible for the British and Chinese peoples to co-operate to make Hong Kong evolve into an international free port being administered by local leaders for the benefit of the local people, and where the rule of law prevails, human rights are respected, and we mingle with peoples of all nationalities and political beliefs? Page 155 of 259

Baseline (Original)

of 259 Page 154 of 259 282 HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL I am persuaded that there are three areas in which Hong Kong can exercise more imaginative and progressive approches in fulfilling the real wants of local people; in employment, education and welfare. It has been quite noticeable this year that there are many more young people who are desperately in search of jobs, either in factories or in offices. This tendency will become more pronounced from year to year. Unless the Hong Kong Government goes all out to expand in- dustry and create more job opportunities for our young people, our social stability will be seriously endangered. The incentives for foreign and even Hong Kong industrialists to invest in South Korea, Taiwan, Thailand and Singapore are becoming more attractive. In Singapore, for instance, the Government is dynamic, comparatively incorrupt, and is in the hands of Singaporeans. The Singapore Government has a Pioneer Industries Ordinance, which together with a proposed Economic Expansion Incentives Bill will compare favourably with Hong Kong as a place for industrial development. Industrial factory space is available in Singapore at only HK$3.00 rent per square foot per year. Furthermore, on pioneer in- dustries, there is a full tax holiday for the first 5 years, to be followed by a 10 year period where the rate of taxation will be only 4%. It is time that the Hong Kong Government wake up from its sense of over-complacency otherwise we will find that soon some of the other Asian countries will be passing us by in industrial growth and our employment problem will thereby become more hazardous. It should also be emphasized that in places like Singapore, Taiwan and South Korea, the young people are better equipped to seize the opportunites that come their way since primary education is compulsory and free. Hong Kong will not have universal primary education until 1971, according to the Hong Kong Government's planning schedule. We have no idea when it will be made compulsory. In any case, this is to be expected as the Hong Kong Government is a colonial form of government without an elected legislature, sub- servient to narrow groups interests as against the paramount rights of the people. A classic example is to be found in the controversial manner in which the Government rushed headlong into devaluating the Hong Kong dollar in the full knowledge that it would damage the living standards of the people. Anyway, let us congratulate the Government for courageously admitting when it re-valued the Hong Kong dollar by 10% that it did not know what it was doing at the time. HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL 283 Reverting to the problem of education, it is my belief that for Hong Kong to progress with the times it is imperative that the Hong Kong Government introduce compulsory education coupled with a Family Assistance Scheme to aid needy families whose income would be affected by their primary age children being sent to school. I know there is strong resistance to this proposal, since Hong Kong is but a Colony and there are no elected representatives in the Legisla- tive Council. But as a lowly elected Urban Councillor, I am morally bound to voice the dissatisfaction of the public at this colonial adminis- tration's short-sighted educational policy. I wish some of our colonial masters could take time off to visit our resettlement estates and speak to the many young Chinese children who are either completely illiterate or have not finished primary school, and ask themselves whether the Hong Kong Government is justified in denying the right to a full primary education to many tens of thousands of Hong Kong born children. And can our colonial masters ask themselves this question: Why is it that Hong Kong being even more highly industrialized than Singapore, does not yet have a free primary education system which Singapore already has? Perhaps it is because Singapore has a sense of common purpose, of community identity, and her young people have pride in their govern- ment and their leaders, who are Singaporeans and are identified with their needs and aspirations. And what about the future of our own young people? What have they to look forward to in colonial Hong Kong? Can they be blamed if they harbour the thought to pursue their studies abroad and not to return to Hong Kong if they can help it? It is necessary that the Hong Kong Government take steps to urgently reform and modernize our backward constitutional structure, so as to transform Hong Kong into a self-governing municipality. The spirit of freedom and human rights beats strong in the heart of every intelligent and thinking young person in Hong Kong. Let the Hong Kong Government take heed! Why is it that Hong Kong should continue to be run as a colony? Why is it not possible for the British and Chinese peoples to co-operate to make Hong Kong evolve into an international free port being administered by local leaders for the benefit of the local people, and where the rule of law prevails, human rights are respected and we mingle with peoples of all nationalities and political beliefs?

2026-05-14 02:26:41 · Baseline

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of 259

Page 154 of 259

282

HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL

I am persuaded that there are three areas in which Hong Kong can exercise more imaginative and progressive approches in fulfilling the real wants of local people; in employment, education and welfare.

It has been quite noticeable this year that there are many more young people who are desperately in search of jobs, either in factories or in offices. This tendency will become more pronounced from year to year. Unless the Hong Kong Government goes all out to expand in- dustry and create more job opportunities for our young people, our social stability will be seriously endangered.

The incentives for foreign and even Hong Kong industrialists to invest in South Korea, Taiwan, Thailand and Singapore are becoming more attractive. In Singapore, for instance, the Government is dynamic, comparatively incorrupt, and is in the hands of Singaporeans.

The Singapore Government has a Pioneer Industries Ordinance, which together with a proposed Economic Expansion Incentives Bill will compare favourably with Hong Kong as a place for industrial development. Industrial factory space is available in Singapore at only HK$3.00 rent per square foot per year. Furthermore, on pioneer in- dustries, there is a full tax holiday for the first 5 years, to be followed by a 10 year period where the rate of taxation will be only 4%.

It is time that the Hong Kong Government wake up from its sense of over-complacency otherwise we will find that soon some of the other Asian countries will be passing us by in industrial growth and our employment problem will thereby become more hazardous.

It should also be emphasized that in places like Singapore, Taiwan and South Korea, the young people are better equipped to seize the opportunites that come their way since primary education is compulsory and free.

Hong Kong will not have universal primary education until 1971, according to the Hong Kong Government's planning schedule. We have no idea when it will be made compulsory.

In any case, this is to be expected as the Hong Kong Government is a colonial form of government without an elected legislature, sub- servient to narrow groups interests as against the paramount rights of the people.

Anyway, let us congratulate the Government for courageously admitting when it re-valued the Hong Kong dollar by 10% that it did not know what it was doing at the time.

HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL

283

Reverting to the problem of education, it is my belief that for Hong Kong to progress with the times it is imperative that the Hong Kong Government introduce compulsory education coupled with a Family Assistance Scheme to aid needy families whose income would be affected by their primary age children being sent to school.

I know there is strong resistance to this proposal, since Hong Kong is but a Colony and there are no elected representatives in the Legisla- tive Council. But as a lowly elected Urban Councillor, I am morally bound to voice the dissatisfaction of the public at this colonial adminis- tration's short-sighted educational policy.

I wish some of our colonial masters could take time off to visit our resettlement estates and speak to the many young Chinese children who are either completely illiterate or have not finished primary school, and ask themselves whether the Hong Kong Government is justified in denying the right to a full primary education to many tens of thousands of Hong Kong born children.

And can our colonial masters ask themselves this question: Why is it that Hong Kong being even more highly industrialized than Singapore, does not yet have a free primary education system which Singapore already has?

Perhaps it is because Singapore has a sense of common purpose, of community identity, and her young people have pride in their govern- ment and their leaders, who are Singaporeans and are identified with their needs and aspirations.

It is necessary that the Hong Kong Government take steps to urgently reform and modernize our backward constitutional structure, so as to transform Hong Kong into a self-governing municipality.

The spirit of freedom and human rights beats strong in the heart of every intelligent and thinking young person in Hong Kong. Let the Hong Kong Government take heed!

Why is it that Hong Kong should continue to be run as a colony? Why is it not possible for the British and Chinese peoples to co-operate to make Hong Kong evolve into an international free port being administered by local leaders for the benefit of the local people, and where the rule of law prevails, human rights are respected and we mingle with peoples of all nationalities and political beliefs?

1967 — Page 154

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