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because of the heavy wear and tear on uniforms worn by Government labourers, it is essential to continue to use drill material. The Controller of Stores has, however, suggested that the colour could perhaps be changed gradually from khaki to blue as this might give a smarter appearance to the staff. There is no evidence so far that a bright-coloured uniform is required as a safety measure. If it were, the answer might be to provide an orange coloured safety waistcoat, as worn in other countries by sweepers operating amongst fast traffic, but it does not appear that the speed of traffic in Hong Kong requires this.
MR. SALES: Sir, am I right in suggesting that you are perhaps confusing the choice of colours. My recollection is that Mr. LOBO suggested red colour? (Laughter).
MR. LOBO: Mr. Chairman, I did suggest some time ago some bright colour, I did not specify any particular colour.
MOTIONS.
(1) MR. HENRY H. L. Hu moved:-
RESOLVED that this Council for the better discharge of its statutory duties and for closer liaison between the Government and the people at local government level takes the initiative to develop and promote a closer relationship between the City of Hong Kong and other big cities of the world.
He said: Mr. Chairman, to-day it is my pleasure to be sitting beside two new members. I wish to put forward my motion to the Council with an open mind, and I hope that Members will discuss it with open minds too.
The present situation here is a challenge to all the law-abiding citizens of Hong Kong, and in particular to the members of the Urban Council which is the only institution in Hong Kong where we can find certain elements of elected representation. This motion paper was sent to the Secretary of the Council on the 21st June, 1967.
Hong Kong in the past 20 years has grown up not only as a cosmopolitan city, but also as an important link in the sense of international trade and communication. The population of Hong Kong has risen from about one and a half million persons after the War up to nearly four million at the present. The growth of population has been partly due to the influx of people from the mainland. It is indeed a problem which needs international attention and assistance. But such needed help did only come in a very limited degree. We, the Government and people of Hong Kong, share exclusively the burden.
We have so far accommodated over 950,000 people in the Resettlement Estates and about 300,000 persons in the various estates of the Housing Authorities, Societies, Agencies, etc. We have built many hospitals, including the Queen Elizabeth Hospital which is the largest in the British Commonwealth and Kwong Wah Hospital which is perhaps the fullest equipped hospital in South East Asia. We have built reservoirs, large or small, to solve our water problem. We have also maintained the high standard of dignity of our city. On the educational field, we have already gone a long way toward the establishment of a Chinese University to maintain and develop Chinese culture and civilization. We also endeavour to achieve free and compulsory primary education for our younger generation. So far we have accomplished these projects without having any financial help from any quarters of the world.
These material achievements cannot, however, compare with the spiritual value of Hong Kong. Here is a place where people have been practising co-existence harmoniously of different systems of thought, different races and different social backgrounds for the benefit of all members of the community. Here, by patience and good will, two ideologically mutual exclusive economic systems can exist and be benefited at the same time at the same place. We have shown and proved to the world that in this tumultuous age nothing is more valuable than mutual tolerance, forbearance and respect. Here is the unique place in the world that people have so far been successful in achieving peaceful and beneficial co-existence of the East and the West. It is a pity that the present disturbances have nearly destroyed all our valuable basis and accomplishments. It is, in my view, for the benefit of all concerned that law and order should prevail. The principle of mutual respect should be re-affirmed and restored without delay. It is not only beneficial to Hong Kong, but also to our neighbouring territories.
I should say that the basic causes of the present disturbances still lie in economic and social factors. We have, in the past, not paid sufficient attention to the labour problem. With few exceptions, their welfare is not well taken care of by the employers. It needs legislation, but legislation alone is perhaps not adequate.
CHAIRMAN:-Mr. Hu, may I draw your attention to the need to speak to the motion? You may take some time to come to your point, but you are required to speak to the motion if possible as soon as possible.
MR. HU: Yes, I will, Mr. Chairman.
The employers themselves should understand and solve the labour problem by their own efforts. It will be for the benefit of the com-
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Page 75 of 259
128
HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL
because of the heavy wear and tear on uniforms worn by Government labourers, it is essential to continue to use drill material. The Controller of Stores has, however, suggested that the colour could perhaps be changed gradually from khaki to blue as this might give a smarter appearance to the staff. There is no evidence so far that a bright-coloured uniform is required as a safety measure. If it were, the answer might be to provide an orange coloured safety waistcoat, as worn in other countries by sweepers operating amongst fast traffic, but it does not appear that the speed of traffic in Hong Kong requires this.
MR. SALES: Sir, am I right in suggesting that you are perhaps confusing the choice of colours. My recollection is that Mr. LOBO sug- gested red colour? (Laughter).
MR. LOBO: Mr. Chairman, I did suggest some time ago some bright colour, I did not specify any particular colour.
MOTIONS.
(1) MR. HENRY H. L. Hu moved:-
RESOLVED that this Council for the better discharge of its statutory duties and for closer liaison between the Government and the people at local government level takes the initiative to develop and promote a closer relationship between the City of Hong Kong and other big cities of the world.
He said: Mr. Chairman, to-day it is my pleasure to be sitting beside two new members. I wish to put forward my motion to the Council with an open mind, and I hope that Members will discuss it with open minds too.
The present situation here is a challenge to all the law-abiding citizens of Hong Kong, and in particular to the members of the Urban Council which is the only institution in Hong Kong where we can find certain elements of elected representation. This motion paper was sent to the Secretary of the Council on the 21st June, 1967.
Hong Kong in the past 20 years has grown up not only as a cosmopolitan city, but also as an important link in the sense of inter- national trade and communication. The population of Hong Kong has risen from about one and a half million persons after the War up to nearly four million at the present. The growth of population has been partly due to the influx of people from the mainland. It is indeed a problem which needs international attention and assistance. But such
*
HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL
129
needed help did only come in a very limited degree. We, the Govern- ment and people of Hong Kong, share exclusively the burden. We have so far accommodated over 950,000 people in the Resettlement Estates and about 300,000 persons in the various estates of the Housing Authorities, Societies, Agencies, etc. We have built many hospitals, including the Queen Elizabeth Hospital which is the largest in the British Commonwealth and Kwong Wah Hospital which is perhaps the fullest equipped hospital in South East Asia. We have built reservoirs, large or small, to solve our water problem. We have also maintained the high standard of dignity of our city. On the educational field, we have already gone a long way toward the establishment of a Chinese University to maintain and develop Chinese culture and civilization. We also endeavour to achieve free and compulsory primary education for our younger generation. So far we have accomplished these projects without having any financial help from any quarters of the world.
These material achievements cannot, however, compare with the spiritual value of Hong Kong. Here is a place where people have been practising co-existence harmoniously of different systems of thought, different races and different social backgrounds for the benefit of all members of the community. Here, by patience and good will, two ideologically mutual exclusive economic systems can exist and be bene- fited at the same time at the same place. We have shown and proved to the world that in this tumultuous age nothing is more valuable than mutual tolerance, forbearance and respect. Here is the unique place in the world that people have so far been successful in achieving peaceful and beneficial co-existence of the East and the West. It is a pity that the present disturbances have nearly destroyed all our valuable basis and accomplishments. It is, in my view, for the benefit of all concerned that law and order should prevail. The principle of mutual respect should be re-affirmed and restored without delay. It is not only bene- ficial to Hong Kong, but also to our neighbouring territories.
I should say that the basic causes of the present disturbances still lie in economic and social factors. We have, in the past, not paid sufficient attention to the labour problem. With few exceptions, their welfare is not well taken care of by the employers. It needs legislation, but legislation alone is perhaps not adequate.
CHAIRMAN:-Mr. Hu, may I draw your attention to the need to speak to the motion? You may take some time to come to your point, but you are required to speak to the motion if possible as soon as possible.
MR. HU: Yes, I will, Mr. Chairman.
The employers themselves should understand and solve the labour problem by their own efforts. It will be for the benefit of the com-
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