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and more young girls have been reported missing from their homes and eventually were found in these places. A great deal of anxiety has been publicly expressed in the Chinese press editorials and by members of the community as to how we could protect our young girls from being exploited.

The seriousness of the present situation is demonstrated in the vast number of raids carried out by the police (5,076 to be exact, during the past 6 months) and the lack of effective control over these premises and establishments, except these occasional raids by the police under the Protection of Women and Juveniles Ordinance.

In answer to my questions in the Legislative Council on the 6th of this month, the Attorney General said that "the Government is actively considering whether or not there should be legislation requiring the compulsory registration of boarding houses and similar establishments and also what provisions might be included in such legislation to control prostitution in them more effectively”.

Anybody who has the slightest concern about the moral welfare of our young people would agree that there is not the slightest doubt that some legislative control of these premises is urgently needed. Although some may argue that the protection of our young people from moral danger is only partly related to legislation, but surely any legislation that puts a heavy penalty on the misuse of premises for illegal activities and the employment of young girls by establishments where young girls are considered to be in moral danger, would at least serve as a deterrent to some considerable extent.

Some 2 or 3 years ago an Ad Hoc Committee of this Council, of which I was a member, presented a Report containing recommendations for legislative control of such premises, which was approved by the Standing Committee of this Council. Since then, this Council has heard nothing further on this matter. I understand from Mr. TODD, the former Director of Social Welfare that some discussions took place between himself and members of other related Government Departments, at the end of last year.

The problem is far too important, too serious and too widespread already, that Government must be urged not to sit on it any longer, but to get on with it. We must not remain immobile just to “consider” it. We need action and action now.

Some 2 or 3 years ago, many people, the public as well as members of this Council were concerned with the numerous huge advertisement signs which stretched across the streets as regards their structural safety, fire hazards and obstruction of fire fighting operation, apart from the amenity aspect. The Ad Hoc Committee went into great length of making a general survey of the existing signs, their sizes and approxi-

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mate numbers, and the feasibility of a licensing system as regards finance and staff requirements. The Committee Report was presented to the Recreation and Amenities Select Committee recently for approval for recommendation to the Standing Committee of the Whole Council. Members will have an opportunity to decide whether a fee should be charged to defray the expenses incurred by the necessary increase of staff. Personally I do not see why the commercial firms should not be required to pay for their advertisement signs over public thoroughfares. These firms pay exorbitant prices for advertising on TV and roof-tops anyway, and a comparatively moderate fee would make this control at least self-supporting and more practical.

Several weeks ago, at least 30 Chinese organizations jointly express- ed their interest in the press about the naming of the Park to be So far established on the Whitfield Barrack site in Tsim Sha Tsui area. the proposed name of "Kowloon Park" has not drawn any criticism or objection in the press yet. However, there remains a suggestion that we make this Park into a Chinese Garden. The idea is not new and I myself have advocated for many, many years that we should have a Chinese garden of considerable size and authentic design. The location and the size of this Park is ideal and if we are willing to go all out for it, it could be turned into a tremendous tourist attraction as well as a public square for the enjoyment of the residents in Kowloon.

In view of the popular public demand for a Chinese garden, I would suggest that we invite expert opinion on Chinese landscaping and architecture, taking into consideration the existing trees and the few buildings we would like to preserve for a museum and library, (eliminat- ing the tennis courts which occupy huge space for the enjoyment of a very few) I am sorry to say that the few rest gardens we have which are supposed to be Chinese in design are very poor copies. This site in my opinion has tremendous possibilities and could easily be turned into a show-place for Hong Kong.

I propose that the Recreation and Amenities Select Committee consider setting up a small committee with an expert adviser at this planning stage before it is too late.

Since last year the attention of the whole community has turned to the problems of youth. Millions of dollars have poured into services and recreation activities for the young people. Through these contacts, we become aware that the youth of Hong Kong lack a sense of belonging and there is a lack of civic pride and a lack of knowledge about the functions and organization of Government and facts about the society they live in--the progress, the achievements or the lack of some of them in various fields.

This is partly the result of the lack of civic training in the schools. Every youngster needs some training in responsible citizenship and

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