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HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL Environmental HygieneI have an article on the subject of the Rat Menace in modern society - I mean, of course, the four-legged, long-tailed variety, and the all-out attack being mounted against this rodent in the United States and elsewhere, because of immense losses in foodstuffs attributed to rats.
The Indian Government estimates there are five rats for each of four hundred and eighty million persons - 2.4 billion rats, consuming some twenty-six million tons of cereal grains each year.
In the United States, rats also drain the economy. It is estimated there is one rat per person there, so there are two hundred million rats living off the land, eating and spoiling half a billion dollars' worth of food annually, and damaging property through their gnawing, burrowing and fire setting. This very interesting paper is available for further reading.
I understand on good authority, however, that this estimate is speculative, and it could be misleading to use such a yardstick for Hong Kong. The thought of a population of twelve million rats here is quite horrifying. However, maybe our "fat" red cats keep down our rat population.
But there is a much greater potential danger. Because the rat is the carrier of disease. The most serious being plague, which, on reference to our history, I read caused great havoc in the past, but fortunately has not recurred since 1923. This clean record is presumably the result of an efficient rodent control organization, but I would seek assurance, that with the emergence of plague in recent years in Vietnam, and the possibility of its introduction into Hong Kong by rats on ships and of course, aircraft trading with Vietnam, that all the necessary precautions can be taken with the resources your Department has at its disposal.
Moreover, the very conditions in which a large proportion of our population live, create conditions conducive to the support of a large rat population, which could well create a problem in the future. I realize we are fortunate in having a very experienced and able expert on this subject in your Department, Sir, and look forward to receiving his comments on these remarks of mine.
ResettlementAlong with all my colleagues, I took great pleasure in being associated with the resettling of little crippled Jenny FUNG, the living symbol of our having reached the one million mark. This dramatic milestone, which seemed an impossible goal when contemplated some years ago, must be regarded as a stimulus to the equally mammoth task of resettlement that lies ahead. I pick no holes in the target or methods outlined in the various papers produced on this subject, as I am confident in the efficacy of the dynamic stimulus applied by the charming Chairman of our Resettlement Policy Select Committee on the various Government Departments concerned.
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in the various papers produced on this subject, as I am confident in the efficacy of the dynamic stimulus applied by the charming Chairman of our Resettlement Policy Select Committee on the various Government Departments concerned.
Ad Hoc Committee's Report on Enlarging the Scope of the Urban CouncilOwing to business commitments abroad, I missed the lively debate of 4th October last on Mr. SALES' Motion on the enlargement of the Future Scope of this Council, but I have read all the points made by both Official and Unofficial Members, and I would, if I may, without seeming condescending, congratulate the various speakers on the substance and presentation of their arguments. As my friend Henry Hu would say, on the pros and cons.
But where is the Motion now? What has happened since it was delivered so ceremoniously into the body corpulent of the Colonial Secretariat? Does silence mean consent? Mr. Chairman, I trust your reply, when your turn comes to bat, will throw some light on the dark side of this particular moon.
One final point on this subject. Could not visiting M.P.s, if come they must, be briefed a little more thoroughly before meeting Urban Councillors. The most vociferous of the recent batch, Mr. DRIBERG, had not the foggiest notions who we were, what we were supposed to be doing, and what the aspirations of some of us were. It is a tiresome waste of time explaining basic functions to such people. Mr. Chairman, please note for the future.
And finally, Mr. Chairman, as I have a date with the frozen wastes of Switzerland on the 15th December for a couple of weeks' holiday, I regret I will not be able to support our Official Colleagues by listening with the same eager sense of anticipation you have all so manfully exercised during two days of debate. But I am sure your replies will be as pithy and informative as ever. May I anticipate the future season by wishing you all a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year, and have much pleasure in supporting the motion before Council. (Applause).
MR. SOLOMON RAFEEK: Mr. Chairman, since we gathered here last year for the Annual Conventional Debate, Hong Kong has undergone a drastic and profound change. Indeed it is true to say that the Hong Kong we knew of yester-year and its way of life and business has gone forever. The events which have brought about this drastic change must surely provide us with much food for very serious thought and reflection. Some amongst us prophesied the arrival of these events, from as far back as five years ago, but little if any attention was paid to their prognostications as Hong Kong then was riding the crest of a seemingly endless business boom. However, stark reality has now caught up with us and
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HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL
Environmental Hygiene
I have an article on the subject of the Rat Menace in modern society -I mean, of course, the four-legged, long-tailed variety, and the all-out attack being mounted against this rodent in the United States and else- where, because of immense losses in foodstuffs attributed to rats.
The Indian Government estimates there are five rats for each of four hundred and eighty million persons-2.4 billion rats, consuming some twenty-six million tons of cereal grains each year.
In the United States, rats also drain the economy. It is estimated there is one rat per person there, so there are two hundred million rats living off the land, eating and spoiling half a billion dollars' worth of food annually, and damaging property through their gnawing, burrowing and fire setting. This very interesting paper is available for further reading.
I understand on good authority, however, that this estimate is speculative, and it could be misleading to use such a yardstick for Hong Kong. The thought of a population of twelve million rates here is quite horrifying. However, maybe our "fat" red cats keep down our rat population.
But there is a much greater potential danger. Because the rat is the carrier of disease. The most serious being plague, which, on reference to our history, I read caused great havoc in the past, but fortunately has not recurred since 1923. This clean record is presumably the result of an efficient rodent control organization, but I would seek assurance, that with the emergence of plague in recent years in Vietnam, and the possibility of its introduction into Hong Kong by rats on ships and of course, aircraft trading with Vietnam, that all the necessary precautions can be taken with the resources your Department has at its disposal.
Moreover, the very conditions in which a large proportion of our population live, create conditions conducive to the support of a large rat population, which could well create a problem in the future. I realize we are fortunate in having a very experienced and able expert on this subject in your Department, Sir, and look forward to receiving his com- ments on these remarks of mine.
Resettlement
Along with all my colleagues, I took great pleasure in being asso- ciated with the resettling of little crippled Jenny FUNG, the living symbol of our having reached the one million mark. This dramatic milestone, which seemed an impossible goal when contemplated some years ago, must be regarded as a stimulus to the equally mammoth task of resettle- ment that lies ahead. I pick no holes in the target or methods outlined
HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL
315
in the various papers produced on this subject, as I am confident in the efficacy of the dynamic stimulus applied by the charming Chairman of our Resettlement Policy Select Committee on the various Government Departments concerned.
Ad Hoc Committee's Report on Enlarging the Scope of the Urban
Council
Owing to business commitments abroad, I missed the lively debate of 4th October last on Mr. SALES' Motion on the enlargement of the Future Scope of this Council, but I have read all the points made by both Official and Unofficial Members, and I would, if I may, without seeming condescending, congratulate the various speakers on the substance and presentation of their arguments. As my friend Henry Hu would say, on the pros and cons.
But where is the Motion now? What has happened since it was delivered so ceremoniously into the body corpulent of the Colonial Secretariat? Does silence mean consent? Mr. Chairman, I trust your reply, when your turn comes to bat, will throw some light on the dark side of this particular moon.
One final point on this subject. Could not visiting M.P.s, if come they must, be briefed a little more thoroughly before meeting Urban Councillors. The most vociferous of the recent batch, Mr. DRIBERG, had not the foggiest notions who we were, what we were supposed to be doing, and what the aspirations of some of us were. It is a tiresome waste of time explaining basic functions to such people. Mr. Chairman, please note for the future.
And finally, Mr. Chairman, as I have a date with the frozen wastes of Switzerland on the 15th December for a couple of weeks' holiday, I regret I will not be able to support our Official Colleagues by listening with the same eager sense of anticipation you have all so manfully exercised during two days of debate. But I am sure your replies will be as pithy and informative as ever. May I anticipate the future season by wishing you all a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year, and have much pleasure in supporting the motion before Council. (Applause).
MR. SOLOMON RAFEEK: Mr. Chairman, since we gathered here last year for the Annual Conventional Debate, Hong Kong has undergone a drastic and profound change. Indeed it is true to say that the Hong Kong we knew of yester-year and its way of life and business has gone forever. The events which have brought about this drastic change must surely provide us with much food for very serious thought and reflection. Some amongst us prophesied the arrival of these events, from as far back as five years ago, but little if any attention was paid to their prognostica- tions as Hong Kong then was riding the crest of a seemingly endless business boom. However, stark reality has now caught up with us and
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