1967 — Page 94

Urban Council Proceedings 市政局議事錄 All AI Reviewed

Page 94 of 259

166

HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL

on a substantial scale for the benefit of our population. On a point of clarification to Mr. SALES let me explain that when I say deliberately, I mean on purpose and not slowly. With this object I do not imagine that many people would quarrel, and I certainly would not be one of them. We all know the familiar features of Hong Kong's profile; the density of its urban development, the cramped housing conditions, the universal urge to improve one's social and economic position, and the intense competition for places on the ladder leading to such improvement, the strains of the formative years in the lives of our young people, the noise, the heat, the tensions that exist, as in every community, between different generations with different outlooks in a changing world. All these seem to require a very special value to be attached to opportunities for recreation, for the means whereby persons of all ages may seek escape and relief from the abrasive effect of too close and continuous contact with their fellows, and for the means whereby, singly or with others of similar taste, they may engage their energies and their talents in physical, intellectual, social or artistic occupations.

The last few years, Sir, have seen a very marked increase in the provision of parks, playgrounds and similar amenities and a progressive increase in the rate of annual production. There are, it is true, still many areas where the provision of parks and gardens, of playgrounds and sports grounds is still far too small; but each year sees new projects, large and small, brought to completion and others regularly added to the list of schemes under development. Members of this Council have repeatedly shown their enthusiasm for the development of these facilities, and I venture to say that few of the Council's services confer greater benefit than these upon the individual citizen and the family to which he belongs.

The Council is not, I believe, alone in its desire to make conditions of living more attractive and healthy. I believe that the actions of the various Government departments concerned have for some years past been actuated by a similar desire. In every new development land is set aside deliberately for open space, parks and playgrounds, and over the past few years many new layout plans for both developed and developing areas have striven within the bounds of what is practicable to take account of such needs. The creation of and the regular increase in the Block Vote available for minor projects entirely within the discretion of the Council is an earnest of Government's interest in promoting a healthier and happier city. How far and how fast particular projects—be they in the fields of recreation, or medical care, economic development, or education, public security or social welfare—can be accomplished is subject to many factors; but the general policy of social and economic improvements is not, I think, in doubt.

None of this implies, or is meant to imply, that the present provision or rate of progress is not capable of improvement, and I think we

HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL

167

would all gladly assent to the proposition that if any review of policy is required in order to make these facilities available more speedily and on a larger scale then such a review should be carried out. In our anxiety to promote the development of parks and playgrounds, I think we must, however, recognize that we cannot claim a primacy over all the other essential purposes for which our stock of land has to provide. Out of this stock available for the benefit of our people has to be found space for housing and for the many industries and commercial endeavours which give employment, as well as for many other public services of an essential nature, including transportation, education, medical, public security, social welfare and others. A balance has to be struck between the many needs of our people, of which recreation is certainly an important one, but the more space we devote to it the less is available to improve internal housing conditions and to support essential economic activity. Possibly this lends especial significance to the need to make very good use for recreational purposes of the countryside that lies at our door, and to facilitate its easier use by the majority. I hope very much that the work of the Provisional Council for the Use of the Countryside will be pressed forward with determination and that amongst its results will be a generous use of the countryside for recreational purposes for the great bulk of our population.

On the question of play leadership, I have only this remark to make, that, whether Government staff is provided for this or not, and one hopes that some Government staff will be provided for this, I do not believe that this should be to the exclusion of staff from the voluntary field who are competent to carry out such programmes; and I would hope that, in the future, agencies which can get funds from other sources, including the social welfare subvention vote, and which have competent staff to put on recreation programmes, will be allowed to join with the Urban Council in developing play leadership.

If there is to be a review of the means for providing more adequately for recreation I would myself attach much importance to determining how best to ensure the development of recreation space in new resettlement estates concurrently with the provision of living accommodation. It seems to me that if, with our resettlement accommodation, we shall in future be providing schools, welfare buildings and hawker bazaars we should somehow contrive at the same time to develop space for recreation.

It is proposed to call for a substantial increase in the Block Vote, a proposal with which I have much sympathy; but I hope that we may at the same time be prepared to review how we spend the funds already at our disposal to ensure that we have our own priorities well under control. By way of example, may I refer to the Council's promotion of a number of effective displays involving the use of coloured fountains, and suggest that we should be on our guard against too great a...

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Page 94 of 259 166 HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL on a substantial scale for the benefit of our population. On a point of clarification to Mr. SALES let me explain that when I say deliberately, I mean on purpose and not slowly. With this object I do not imagine that many people would quarrel, and I certainly would not be one of them. We all know the familiar features of Hong Kong's profile; the density of its urban development, the cramped housing conditions, the universal urge to improve one's social and economic position, and the intense competition for places on the ladder leading to such improvement, the strains of the formative years in the lives of our young people, the noise, the heat, the tensions that exist, as in every community, between different generations with different outlooks in a changing world. All these seem to require a very special value to be attached to opportunities for recreation, for the means whereby persons of all ages may seek escape and relief from the abrasive effect of too close and continuous contact with their fellows, and for the means whereby, singly or with others of similar taste, they may engage their energies and their talents in physical, intellectual, social or artistic occupations. The last few years, Sir, have seen a very marked increase in the provision of parks, playgrounds and similar amenities and a progressive increase in the rate of annual production. There are, it is true, still many areas where the provision of parks and gardens, of playgrounds and sports grounds is still far too small; but each year sees new projects, large and small, brought to completion and others regularly added to the list of schemes under development. Members of this Council have repeatedly shown their enthusiasm for the development of these facilities, and I venture to say that few of the Council's services confer greater benefit than these upon the individual citizen and the family to which he belongs. The Council is not, I believe, alone in its desire to make conditions of living more attractive and healthy. I believe that the actions of the various Government departments concerned have for some years past been actuated by a similar desire. In every new development land is set aside deliberately for open space, parks and playgrounds, and over the past few years many new layout plans for both developed and developing areas have striven within the bounds of what is practicable to take account of such needs. The creation of and the regular increase in the Block Vote available for minor projects entirely within the discretion of the Council is an earnest of Government's interest in promoting a healthier and happier city. How far and how fast particular projects—be they in the fields of recreation, or medical care, economic development, or education, public security or social welfare—can be accomplished is subject to many factors; but the general policy of social and economic improvements is not, I think, in doubt. None of this implies, or is meant to imply, that the present provision or rate of progress is not capable of improvement, and I think we HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL 167 would all gladly assent to the proposition that if any review of policy is required in order to make these facilities available more speedily and on a larger scale then such a review should be carried out. In our anxiety to promote the development of parks and playgrounds, I think we must, however, recognize that we cannot claim a primacy over all the other essential purposes for which our stock of land has to provide. Out of this stock available for the benefit of our people has to be found space for housing and for the many industries and commercial endeavours which give employment, as well as for many other public services of an essential nature, including transportation, education, medical, public security, social welfare and others. A balance has to be struck between the many needs of our people, of which recreation is certainly an important one, but the more space we devote to it the less is available to improve internal housing conditions and to support essential economic activity. Possibly this lends especial significance to the need to make very good use for recreational purposes of the countryside that lies at our door, and to facilitate its easier use by the majority. I hope very much that the work of the Provisional Council for the Use of the Countryside will be pressed forward with determination and that amongst its results will be a generous use of the countryside for recreational purposes for the great bulk of our population. On the question of play leadership, I have only this remark to make, that, whether Government staff is provided for this or not, and one hopes that some Government staff will be provided for this, I do not believe that this should be to the exclusion of staff from the voluntary field who are competent to carry out such programmes; and I would hope that, in the future, agencies which can get funds from other sources, including the social welfare subvention vote, and which have competent staff to put on recreation programmes, will be allowed to join with the Urban Council in developing play leadership. If there is to be a review of the means for providing more adequately for recreation I would myself attach much importance to determining how best to ensure the development of recreation space in new resettlement estates concurrently with the provision of living accommodation. It seems to me that if, with our resettlement accommodation, we shall in future be providing schools, welfare buildings and hawker bazaars we should somehow contrive at the same time to develop space for recreation. It is proposed to call for a substantial increase in the Block Vote, a proposal with which I have much sympathy; but I hope that we may at the same time be prepared to review how we spend the funds already at our disposal to ensure that we have our own priorities well under control. By way of example, may I refer to the Council's promotion of a number of effective displays involving the use of coloured fountains, and suggest that we should be on our guard against too great a... Page 94 o 259

Baseline (Original)

259 Page 94 o Page 94 of 259 166 HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL on a substantial scale for the benefit of our population. On a point of clarification to Mr. SALES let me explain that when I say deliberately, I mean on purpose and not slowly. With this object I do not imagine that many people would quarrel, and I certainly would not be one of them. We all know the familiar features of Hong Kong's profile; the density of its urban development, the cramped housing conditions, the universal urge to improve one's social and economic position, and the intense competition for places on the ladder leading to such improve- ment, the strains of the formative years in the lives of our young people, the noise, the heat, the tensions that exist, as in every com- munity, between different generations with different outlooks in a chang- ing world. All these seem to require a very special value to be attached to opportunities for recreation, for the means whereby persons of all ages may seek escape and relief from the abrasive effect of too close and continuous contact with their fellows, and for the means whereby, singly or with others of similar taste, they may engage their energies and their talents in physical, intellectual, social or artistic occupations. The last few years, Sir, have seen a very marked increase in the provision of parks, playgrounds and similar amenities and a progressive increase in the rate of annual production. There are, it is true, still many areas where the provision of parks and gardens, of playgrounds and sports grounds is still far too small; but each year sees new proj- ects, large and small, brought to completion and others regularly added to the list of schemes under development. Members of this Council have repeatedly shown their enthusiasm for the development of these facilities, and I venture to say that few of the Council's services confer greater benefit than these upon the individual citizen and the family to which he belongs. The Council is not, I believe, alone in its desire to make conditions of living more attractive and healthy. I believe that the actions of the various Government departments concerned have for some years past been actuated by a similar desire. In every new development land is set aside deliberately for open space, parks and playgrounds, and over the past few years many new layout plans for both developed and developing areas have striven within the bounds of what is practicable to take account of such needs. The creation of and the regular increase in the Block Vote available for minor projects entirely within the dis- cretion of the Council is an earnest of Government's interest in promot- ing a healthier and happier city. How far and how fast particular projects-be they in the fields of recreation, or medical care, economic development, or education, public security or social welfare- can be accomplished is subject to many factors; but the general policy of social and economic improvements is not, I think, in doubt. None of this implies, or is meant to imply, that the present provi- sion or rate of progress is not capable of improvement, and I think we HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL 167 would all gladly assent to the proposition that if any review of policy is required in order to make these facilities available more speedily and on a larger scale then such a review should be carried out. In our anxiety to promote the development of parks and playgrounds, I think we must, however, recognize that we cannot claim a primacy over all the other essential purposes for which our stock of land has to provide. Out of this stock available for the benefit of our people has to be found space for housing and for the many industries and commercial endeav- ours which give employment, as well as for many other public services of an essential nature, including transportation, education, medical, public security, social welfare and others. A balance has to be struck between the many needs of our people, of which recreation is certainly an important one, but the more space we devote to it the less is avail- able to improve internal housing conditions and to support essential economic activity. Possibly this lends especial significance to the need to make very good use for recreational purposes of the countryside that lies at our door, and to facilitate its easier use by the majority. I hope very much that the work of the Provisional Council for the Use of the Countryside will be pressed forward with determination and that amongst its results will be a generous use of the countryside for recreational purposes for the great bulk of our population. On the question of play leadership, I have only this remark to make, that, whether Government staff is provided for this nor not, and one hopes that some Government staff will be provided for this, I do not believe that this should be to the exclusion of staff from the voluntary field who are competent to carry out such programmes; and I would hope that, in the future, agencies which can get funds from other sources, including the social welfare subvention vote, and which have competent staff to put on recreation programmes, will be allowed to join with the Urban Council is developing play leadership. If there is to be a review of the means for providing more adequate- ly for recreation I would myself attach much importance to determining how best to ensure the development of recreation space in new resettle- ment estates concurrently with the provision of living accommodation. It seems to me that if, with our resettlement accommodation, we shall in future be providing schools, welfare buildings and hawker bazaars we should somehow contrive at the same time to develop space for recreation. It is proposed to call for a substantial increase in the Block Vote, a proposal with which I have much sympathy; but I hope that we may at the same time be prepared to review how we spend the funds already at our disposal to ensure that we have our own priorities well under control. By way of example, may I refer to the Council's promotion of a number of effective displays involving the use of coloured fountains, and suggest that we should be on our guard against too great a pro-

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Page 94 of 259

166

HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL

on a substantial scale for the benefit of our population. On a point of clarification to Mr. SALES let me explain that when I say deliberately, I mean on purpose and not slowly. With this object I do not imagine that many people would quarrel, and I certainly would not be one of them. We all know the familiar features of Hong Kong's profile; the density of its urban development, the cramped housing conditions, the universal urge to improve one's social and economic position, and the intense competition for places on the ladder leading to such improve- ment, the strains of the formative years in the lives of our young people, the noise, the heat, the tensions that exist, as in every com- munity, between different generations with different outlooks in a chang- ing world. All these seem to require a very special value to be attached to opportunities for recreation, for the means whereby persons of all ages may seek escape and relief from the abrasive effect of too close and continuous contact with their fellows, and for the means whereby, singly or with others of similar taste, they may engage their energies and their talents in physical, intellectual, social or artistic occupations.

The last few years, Sir, have seen a very marked increase in the provision of parks, playgrounds and similar amenities and a progressive increase in the rate of annual production. There are, it is true, still many areas where the provision of parks and gardens, of playgrounds and sports grounds is still far too small; but each year sees new proj- ects, large and small, brought to completion and others regularly added to the list of schemes under development. Members of this Council have repeatedly shown their enthusiasm for the development of these facilities, and I venture to say that few of the Council's services confer greater benefit than these upon the individual citizen and the family to which he belongs.

The Council is not, I believe, alone in its desire to make conditions of living more attractive and healthy. I believe that the actions of the various Government departments concerned have for some years past been actuated by a similar desire. In every new development land is set aside deliberately for open space, parks and playgrounds, and over the past few years many new layout plans for both developed and developing areas have striven within the bounds of what is practicable to take account of such needs. The creation of and the regular increase in the Block Vote available for minor projects entirely within the dis- cretion of the Council is an earnest of Government's interest in promot- ing a healthier and happier city. How far and how fast particular projects-be they in the fields of recreation, or medical care, economic development, or education, public security or social welfare- can be accomplished is subject to many factors; but the general policy of social and economic improvements is not, I think, in doubt.

None of this implies, or is meant to imply, that the present provi- sion or rate of progress is not capable of improvement, and I think we

HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL

167

would all gladly assent to the proposition that if any review of policy is required in order to make these facilities available more speedily and on a larger scale then such a review should be carried out. In our anxiety to promote the development of parks and playgrounds, I think we must, however, recognize that we cannot claim a primacy over all the other essential purposes for which our stock of land has to provide. Out of this stock available for the benefit of our people has to be found space for housing and for the many industries and commercial endeav- ours which give employment, as well as for many other public services of an essential nature, including transportation, education, medical, public security, social welfare and others. A balance has to be struck between the many needs of our people, of which recreation is certainly an important one, but the more space we devote to it the less is avail- able to improve internal housing conditions and to support essential economic activity. Possibly this lends especial significance to the need to make very good use for recreational purposes of the countryside that lies at our door, and to facilitate its easier use by the majority. I hope very much that the work of the Provisional Council for the Use of the Countryside will be pressed forward with determination and that amongst its results will be a generous use of the countryside for recreational purposes for the great bulk of our population.

On the question of play leadership, I have only this remark to make, that, whether Government staff is provided for this nor not, and one hopes that some Government staff will be provided for this, I do not believe that this should be to the exclusion of staff from the voluntary field who are competent to carry out such programmes; and I would hope that, in the future, agencies which can get funds from other sources, including the social welfare subvention vote, and which have competent staff to put on recreation programmes, will be allowed to join with the Urban Council is developing play leadership.

If there is to be a review of the means for providing more adequate- ly for recreation I would myself attach much importance to determining how best to ensure the development of recreation space in new resettle- ment estates concurrently with the provision of living accommodation. It seems to me that if, with our resettlement accommodation, we shall in future be providing schools, welfare buildings and hawker bazaars we should somehow contrive at the same time to develop space for recreation.

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