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some very modest improvement could be made, such as to provide elementary safeguards. These would have the positive effect of popu- larizing many outdoor pursuits which otherwise would be kept at arm's length from our young people for fear of the risks involved.

Ironically, while I have just outlined the shortage of recreational facilities, I have also to point out that more profitable use could be made of those little as they are that we already have.

Here merely putting themselves on a playground does not necessarily mean that they are taking some healthy forms of recreation. In some cases they may be doing the very reverse. The fact remains that many of our people are still playing games without the basic knowledge of the way to play, not to mention the rules and purpose of the game.

(Mr. Henry H. L. HU arrived at this point).

There was a serious lack of physical education some years ago when many youngsters had hardly any opportunity to learn games and sports in their school-days, owing to a shortage of facilities and trained teachers. Many of them must have left school when they were only 12 or 13 and it is more than likely that after leaving school no opportunities to learn came their way either. The young people who fall within this category should now perhaps be within the age of 17-25, and it is obvious that there is an urgent need to provide for them what they have missed.

After what I have said, I cannot but repeat and reiterate my urgent plea for a central co-ordinating body such as a Council for Physical Recreation. But before I go further, I wish to clear up any misunder- standing and to say that I have at no time envisaged that it would involve any interference and competition with national sports bodies. I should therefore like to make clear a very definite distinction between competitive sports and sports as a form of physical recreation which is the subject of my talk today. There is absolutely no doubt that our national sports bodies are doing a good and important job and that any attempt to encroach on their preserves would be of benefit to

no one.

As I see it, the function of the Council for Physical Recreation would be to help to cater for the great mass of our people-in other words, to encourage mass-participation. For example, there is a lot of difference between coaching outstanding athletes for international com- petition and coaching as a means of introducing to Tom, Dick and Harry or CHEUNG Sam and LEE Sze the elements of games-playing and exercise as a form of physical recreation.

What we need, as I see it, is a body to promote interest and encourage all those thousands of people of all ages, to instill a general awareness of the importance and great advantages to be gained from

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activities of this kind, and to co-ordinate all efforts in the planning and development of facilities to cater for their needs. I cannot emphasize too strongly the urgent needs of this Council and I suggest as I have been suggesting that the Urban Council might well form the nucleus from which this Council could develop.

Mr. Chairman, this is my ninth attendance at the Council's Annual Debate and having sung my swan song, I feel it is time that I must give way for new blood. At this moment, I can still remember as if it were yesterday that, when in welcoming me to this Council, the then Chairman, Mr. KINGHORN, expressed the hope that my association with the Council would be a happy one. How true he was like a fairy that his hope has certainly been fully realized. I would like to take this opportunity therefore to say how much I have appreciated all the cordial co-operation, assistance and friendship that has been accorded to me by both my Official and Unofficial Colleagues and the staff of the department.

With these remarks, Mr. Chairman, I am glad to support the Motion. (Applause).

MRS. E. ELLIOTT: Mr. Chairman, today we are enjoying our annual chance to pretend that we live in a democratic society where Members of this Council may be heard on subjects inside and outside their jurisdiction.

I am rather tired of this annual farce, because all that we say appears in the press and is promptly forgotten by the almighty and unrepresentative handful who rule the affairs of our four million people.

For example, we have for years pointed out that workers should get a better deal: but up to now measures passed for social security for workers have been negligible. Indeed, in the past year it has become obvious that workers can even be cheated of their wages with impunity; in fact, there has been more talk of security, but less security.

For years the public has complained of inadequate transport, and we have flogged this subject in our annual debate. But today, monopoly transport is worse and more chaotic than ever, especially bus services in Kowloon.

For years we on the Council have asked for more influence in the affairs of the community: so far we have made no progress beyond talking-point.

For years we have tried to highlight the grievances of the people: the need for free primary education for all children; the chance of subsidy for all teachers' salaries; the crying need for more doctors and