288
HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL
In this present day world of instant communication, when we see the Apollo astronauts put their foot on the moon almost before they are aware of it themselves, it never serves to amaze that we can make such a botch of our own public image. Especially when the bad or inefficient things about Government, or Commerce and Industry for that matter, get played up more than their many worthwhile efforts. The example of the misguided tenants of the Kowloon tenement who had their water cut off, is a case in point. Here Government had good legitimate grounds for its course of action, but ended up with all the public sympathy being with the tenants. I suggest Government make an announcement through the G.I.S. before taking similar action. While it is appreciated such action is necessary to get the result finally achieved, viz., the payment of Government's legitimate water dues; perhaps in these days when public opinion can be so easily inflamed by misdirected sympathy from the "instant oracles", with which Hong Kong abounds, the G.I.S. might advise all Departments to use foresight rather than hindsight when measuring the effect of quite proper action on the populace.
It seems to me that too many people are becoming more and more encouraged to consider Government should become the all-provider—a state of mind I personally deplore, as, if the Welfare State mentality—and all that implies, ever replaces our vigorous free enterprise approach to life, stagnation in our commercial and industrial development will inevitably follow. Any radical reduction in our restless and energetic pursuit of bigger and better Gross National Product returns must inevitably affect our ability to finance our dynamic progress in the fields of housing, medicine, education and amenities, the four pillars of a strongly based progressive society.
Hong Kong, on the brink of the new decade, must seize the opportunity provided by the unique role it has carved out for itself in the industrial and commercial world. We are almost into the big league amongst the industrial giants. Let us act like big league players, stop nit-picking at each other, be proud of our performance. I can assure this Council many countries are immensely impressed by what we have done, and are doing. By all means let us lambaste Government for what we think they have not done, but let us at least be big enough men and women to recognize achievements in a positive way, and say so, not in a niggardly negative manner.
Ever since my ship steamed into Hong Kong in December 1945, I have witnessed many remarkable changes. We have had our ups and downs, but we are now on the crest of an unprecedented economic wave. Wages and the standard of living are improving on all fronts, with success stories of "ragged refugees to riches", abounding on all sides. This Council should be in the forefront of this progressive improvement, and can, and must, take pride in its important part in Hong Kong's accomplishments thus far.
HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL
289
In conclusion, may I commend to my colleagues on this Council, the words of the immortal bard, Robbie Burns, whom for the benefit of the ignorant Sassenachs present, was a great humanist with a strongly developed sense of humour—a quality, I fear, in very short supply these days. These words are from one of his famous poems. It is either "Ode to a Mouse on being upturned by a Reaper or it is from his "Ode to a house" which Robbie noticed setting in a fine lady's hat at Church, but this is what he says:
"Ah! wad the power the giftie gie us, to see ourselves as others see us".
And later on he says:
"and forward though we canna see, we guess and fear". For "fear", I suggest "plan and hope".
I have much pleasure in supporting the Motion before the Council. (Applause).
MR. HENRY H. L. Hu:-Mr. Chairman, my Official and Unofficial Colleagues, Ladies & Gentlemen, this is the third gathering I attended today. First, Resettlement Select Committee Meeting, second Supreme Court cases, this is the third, therefore, Mr. Chairman. I apologize for being late for today's meeting.
Once a year, it is again the occasion for annual debate. I have mixed feelings for such a debate.
It is an occasion in which the Unofficial Members of the Urban Council can speak out on what they feel or think about Hong Kong affairs without having the limitation of the jurisdiction of the Council.
Having served in the Council for more than four years I think it would be appropriate for me to speak out about the actual running of the Council.
The jurisdiction of the Urban Council is, in fact, not decided by any law but rather by convention because there are only two sections (Section 54 and Section 55) in the Urban Council Ordinance to stipulate in very vague and general terms the jurisdiction of the Council. The role we have hitherto played is in an advisory capacity and the Government is under no obligation whatsoever to follow our advice.
This advisory role is usually exercised through different Select Committees in which the Government-Appointed Members, are usually in the majority. So that any view expressed in the Select Committees which might displease the Government cannot usually be carried through. My experience shows that unless the Government realizes that something should be done or should not be done, we
Page 155 of 237
Page 155
Page 156
37
37
288
HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL
In this present day world of instant communication, when we see the Apollo astronauts put their foot on the moon almost before they are aware of it themselves, it never serves to amaze that we can make such a botch of our own public image. Especially when the bad or inefficient things about Government, or Commerce and Industry for that matter, get played up more than their many worthwhile efforts. The example of the misguided tenants of the Kowloon tenement who had their water cut off, is a case in point. Here Government had good legitimate grounds for its course of action, but ended up with all the public sympathy being with the tenants. I suggest Government make an announcement through the G.I.S. before taking similar action. While it is appreciated such action is necessary to get the result finally achieved, viz., the payment of Government's legitimate water dues; perhaps in these days when public opinion can be so easily inflamed by misdirected sympathy from the "instant oracles", with which Hong Kong abounds, the G.I.S. might advise all Departments to use foresight rather than hindsight when measuring the effect of quite proper action on the populace.
It seems to me that too many people are becoming more and more encouraged to consider Government should become the all-provider- a state of mind I personally deplore, as, if the Welfare State mentality-- and all that implies, ever replaces our vigorous free enterprise approach to life, stagnation in our commercial and industrial development will inevitably follow. Any radical reduction in our restless and energetic pursuit of bigger and better Gross National Product returns must inevitably affect our ability to finance our dynamic progress in the fields of housing, medicine, education and amenities, the four pillars of a strongly based progressive society.
Hong Kong, on the brink of the new decade, must seize the opportunity provided by the unique role it has carved out for itself in the industrial and commercial world. We are almost into the big league amongst the industrial giants. Let us act like big league players, stop nit-picking at each other, be proud of our performance. I can assure this Council many countries are immensely impressed by what we have done, and are doing. By all means let us lambaste Govern- ment for what we think they have not done, but let us at least be big enough men and women to recognize achievements in a positive way, and say so, not in a niggardly negative manner.
Ever since my ship steamed into Hong Kong in December 1945, I have witnessed many remarkable changes. We have had our ups and downs, but we are now on the crest of an unprecedented economic wave. Wages and the standard of living are improving on all fronts, with success stories of "ragged refugees to riches", abounding on all sides. This Council should be in the forefront of this progressive improvement, and can, and must, take pride in its important part in Hong Kong's accomplishments thus far.
HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL
289
In conclusion, may I commend to my colleagues on this Council, the words of the immortal bard, Robbie Burns, whom for the benefit of the ignorant Sassenachs present, was a great humanist with a strongly developed sense of humour-a quality, I fear, in very short supply these days. These words are from one of his famous poems. It is either "Ode to a Mouse on being upturned by a Reaper or it is from his "Ode to a house" which Robbie noticed setting in a fine lady's hat at Church, but this is what he says:
"Ah! wad the power the giftie gie us, to see ourselves as others see us".
And later on he says:
"and forward though we canna see, we guess and fear". For "fear", I suggest "plan and hope".
I have much pleasure in supporting the Motion before the Council. (Applause).
MR. HENRY H. L. Hu:-Mr. Chairman, my Official and Unofficial Colleagues, Ladies & Gentlemen, this is the third gathering I attended today. First, Resettlement Select Committee Meeting, second Supreme Court cases, this is the third, therefore, Mr. Chairman. I apologize for being late for today's meeting.
Once a year, it is again the occasion for annual debate. I have mixed feelings for such a debate.
It is an occasion in which the Unofficial Members of the Urban Council can speak out on what they feel or think about Hong Kong affairs without having the limitation of the jurisdiction of the Council.
Having served in the Council for more than four years I think it would be appropriate for me to speak out about the actual running of the Council.
The jurisdiction of the Urban Council is, in fact, not decided by any law but rather by convention because there are only two sections (Section 54 and Section 55) in the Urban Council Ordinance to stipulate in very vague and general terms the jurisdiction of the Council. The role we have hitherto played is in an advisory capacity and the Govern- ment is under no obligation whatsoever to follow our advice.
This advisory role is usually exercised through different Select Committees in which the Government-Appointed Members, are usually in the majority. So that any view expressed in the Select Committees which might displease the Government cannot usually be carried through. My experience shows that unless the Government realizes that something should be done or should not be done, we
Page 155 of 237
Page 155Page 156
37
No comments yet.
Private notes are available after approval.