1969 — Page 157

Page 157 of 237

292

HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL

I should think it would greatly reduce the rate of juvenile delinquency in Hong Kong.

(3) Cemeteries

There is a great need for cemeteries owing to the increase of population. The present Government's policy is to give more land to the existing organizations which have already been allocated for cemeteries. No new applications would be entertained by the Government. I would think that it is not only unfair but also out of touch with reality. I urge the Government to reconsider this question and allocate more land for the use of cemeteries.

(4) Air Pollution

I have asked questions about air pollution in urban areas. I have been given evasive answers and even it has been suggested that the Urban Council is not the principal department to deal with air pollution in urban areas. In practice, it makes no difference which Government department is responsible for this particular problem according to what I have outlined in the beginning of my speech about Hong Kong's political set-up. I can only urge the Government to look into this question properly. It affects the health of every citizen, especially in Hung Hom and To Kwa Wan areas. More than 100 families have asked me to look into the question of air pollution from a certain aluminium factory in Hung Hom and I have forwarded such complaints to the relevant authorities in July of this year but up to now no satisfactory answer has been received.

(5) Youths' Recreation

More than a year ago I raised my objection to the "Mod Pop Dancing". I said that it would not be accepted by most ordinary Chinese young people and it may yield undesirable consequences. Fortunately this "Mod Pop Dancing" faded into insignificance. What we should do now is to find and develop as many sites as possible for young people to have their outdoor life. I should think that camping, swimming, hiking, etc. are what most young people now prefer.

(6) Tree Planting

We have always found ourselves living in a concrete jungle. Government's efforts to plant an adequate quantity of trees in urban areas are not sufficient.

(7) Environmental Hygiene

It is paramount that our city should be clean and healthy. I lay particular emphasis on the rubbish-throwing from multi-storey buildings, both of resettlement estates and of private ownership. I sincerely hope that a city-wide campaign should be launched in order to get rid of this evil and shameful habit.

HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL

293

(8) Education in Resettlement Estates

I would say that primary education should not only be made free but it should also be compulsory. We are very alarmed that many factories employ child labour. This deplorable state of affairs can be stopped if we adopt compulsory free primary education and from there we can plan how our manpower can be developed to its full potential. I think that any person who has learned a technical skill in any field, industrial or otherwise, would naturally not be satisfied to be a hawker. I am therefore of the opinion that free compulsory primary education is a necessity for our children in resettlement estates and elsewhere.

(9) Ward System

Since the establishment of the Ward System on 1st November 1965 we have dealt with more than 9,000 cases. Two years later Government set up C.D.Os. We are now clear that the Government's aim in setting up C.D.Os. was to compete with the Ward System. I personally welcome C.D.Os. not only because they are rendering a good service to the public but also because the officers chosen are all of first class. What I am against however, is the unfair and discriminating treatment of Ward offices. In the last four years Government have spent very little, practically nothing for the Ward offices yet in only two years' time Government have spent more than 41 million dollars for the C.D.Os. Urban Councillors have spent their time and effort in order to bridge the gap between the Government and people of Hong Kong. The poor clerical assistant in Aberdeen who has worked with me for more than four years with the extra Ward duties on top of his usual work has not even received any word of thanks from the authorities. He has built up 14 files on Ward cases; his faithfulness and patience towards his job deserves a great deal of respect. Yet owing to the defect of our system nothing can be done for such a faithful Government servant. He will remain to be a clerical assistant for all his life. Does Government need basic rethinking concerning such a state of affairs?

(10) Ombudsman

From the Ward System I now come to the question of the Ombudsman. It needs no elaborate study but only common sense to realize that in a place like Hong Kong we need a system of Ombudsman to redress the wrongs done by

Page 157 of 237