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much better for the workmen in Hong Kong. I only hope and urge that these provisions materialize into definite legislation during the 1970. I have a lot of sympathy for Mr. Hu's contention regarding new applications for cemeteries. Although I endorse the Aims of this Council, I am proposing, of course, to encourage cremation, nevertheless a lot of things will have to be done on this point, and basically I do not see why we should single out only the present persons running cemeteries when we are making more land available for the use of cemeteries. It is a tricky subject and I hope it will be more thoroughly gone into during next year.
I would like to add my plea to Mr. FORSGATE as to the desirability of a large size Museum whether in or out of the City Hall compound. Again the Museum and Art Gallery Select Committee have produced a very fat report with the help of other people on a proposed Museum several years ago. It seems impossible to start to get going quickly in Hong Kong, whether it be mass transport, a museum or a football field for Chai Wan, and again this emphasized is by the Chairman's reply to Mr. SALES' query over the civic centre for Kowloon. Surely it is not unreasonable to expect a reply without undue delay and dilly-dallying.
Finally I must re-emphasize that whilst the Unofficials deplore the fact that the Urban Council has not been given yet more scope and greater responsibility to serve the interest of the people and whilst we are striving to extend our powers and the range of our activities, a wrong impression must not be created in the minds of the public that the Urban Council as at present constituted does not look after their interest. There can be no denying the fact that in the last decade or so, the Council has moved forward in an impressive manner throughout a wide range of activities. We can lay almost the whole claim to the great Housing Programme which continues in an energetic manner. We can lay almost the whole claim to the many and widely dispersed recreational facilities that serve the young people and the many new parks and rest gardens for all ages. We have embarked on an increasing range of public programmes of public entertainments including popular concerts and we have shown that the City Hall is so popular that there is need for a very much enlarged City Hall called a Civic Centre in Kowloon, and we have kept close contact with the Hong Kong people in the ward system. I could go on with this by citing very many other achievements. However, this Council is not complacent and certainly not satisfied. We want to increase our ability to serve the people and for this we must ask the Government for an early decision of its intentions.
The Festival of Hong Kong has been claimed a success by all, let the public not forget that this festival follow the intervention of this Council in the field of public entertainments in our City Hall, our parks,
HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL
391
our playgrounds, our beaches, our swimming pools. This Council has been active for last few years in promoting public entertainments and in experimenting with various programmes to attract as many people as possible. The Festival was given very strong support by this Council not only in the provision of physical facilities and improving them to suit the purposes of the Festival, but also in diverting our manpower to organize it including the Chairmanship of certain important committees by members of the Council itself. In its way this Festival has spotlighted the need for a Council having the scope and responsibility to serve the interest of the people in the day to day necessities. Therefore come back to Aim No. 22 and say again we ask the Government for an early decision as to its intentions, particularly as to its intentions in making this Council self-financing and with power over its own staff both in the Urban Services and in Public Housing.
With these many words I ask you all to vote for the Motion before the Council today. (Applause).
CHAIRMAN:-Ladies and gentlemen, the Motion for the endorsement of the Statement of Aims for 1970 was moved and seconded at the meeting held on the 27th November. I will now take a vote on the Motion.
The question was put.
The Motion was carried unanimously.
(The Secretary for Home Affairs and Mrs. C. J. SYMONS left the meeting at this point).
(2) MR. BERNACCHI moved the following motion :-
That the desirability of having a form of Ombudsman or Commissioner for Administration be referred to the Local Administration Select Committee for a report.
(The Director of Social Welfare left the meeting at this point).
He said: I rise to propose the Motion that the desirability of having a form of Ombudsman or Commissioner for Administration be referred to the Local Administration Select Committee for a report. Being one of the members of the original Justice Report on an Ombudsman, Members know very well that my views are strongly in favour of the appointment. The Governor says that he is still undecided in effect that not enough investigations have been done. Clearly as Justice has disclosed a draft-bill was at one time prepared
+37
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much better for the workmen in Hong Kong. I only hope and urge that these provisions materialize into definite legislation during the 1970. I have a lot of sympathy for Mr. Hu's contention regarding new applications for cemeteries. Although I endorse the Aims of this Council, I am proposing, of course, to encourage cremation, nevertheless a lot of things will have to be done on this point, and basically I do not see why we should single out only the present persons running cemeteries when we are making more land available for the use of cemeteries. It is a tricky subject and I hope it will be more thoroughly gone into during next year.
I would like to add my plea to Mr. FORSGATE as to the desirability of a large size Museum whether in or out of the City Hall compound. Again the Museum and Art Gallery Select Committee have produced a very fat report with the help of other people on a proposed Museum several years ago. It seems impossible to start to get going quickly in Hong Kong, whether it be mass transport, a museum or a football field for Chai Wan, and again this emphasized is by the Chairman's reply to Mr. SALES' query over the civic centre for Kowloon. Surely it is not unreasonable to expect a reply without undue delay and dilly- dallying.
Finally I must re-emphasize that whilst the Unofficials deplore the fact that the Urban Council has not been given yet more scope and greater responsibility to serve the interest of the people and whilst we are striving to extend our powers and the range of our activities, a wrong impression must not be created in the minds of the public that the Urban Council as at present constituted does not look after their interest. There can be no denying the fact that in the last decade or so, the Council has moved forward in an impressive manner throughout a wide range of activities. We can lay almost the whole claim to the great Housing Programme which continues in an energetic manner. We can lay almost the whole claim to the many and widely dispersed recreational facilities that serve the young people and the many new parks and rest gardens for all ages. We have embarked on an increasing range of public programmes of public entertainments includ- ing popular concerts and we have shown that the City Hall is so popular that there is need for a very much enlarged City Hall called a Civic Centre in Kowloon, and we have kept close contact with the Hong Kong people in the ward system. I could go on with this by citing very many other achievements. However, this Council is not complacent and certainly not satisfied. We want to increase our ability to serve the people and for this we must ask the Government for an early decision of its intentions.
The Festival of Hong Kong has been claimed a success by all, let the public not forget that this festival follow the intervention of this Council in the field of public entertainments in our City Hall, our parks,
HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL
391
our playgrounds, our beaches, our swimming pools. This Council has been active for last few years in promoting public entertainments and in experimenting with various programmes to attract as many people as possible. The Festival was given very strong support by this Council not only in the provision of physical facilities and improving them to suit the purposes of the Festival, but also in diverting our manpower to organize it including the Chairmanship of certain important committees by members of the Council itself. In its way this Festival has spotlighted the need for a Council having the scope and responsibility to serve the interest of the people in the day to day necessities. Therefore come back to Aim No. 22 and say again we ask the Government for an early decision as to its intentions, particularly as to its intentions in making this Council self financing and with power over its own staff both in the Urban Services and in Public Housing.
With these many words I ask you all to vote for the Motion before the Council today. (Applause).
CHAIRMAN:-Ladies and gentlemen, the Motion for the endorse- ment of the Statement of Aims for 1970 was moved and seconded at the meeting held on the 27th November. I will now take a vote on the Motion.
The question was put.
The Motion was carried unanimously.
(The Secretary for Home Affairs and Mrs. C. J. SYMONS left the meeting at this point).
(2) MR. BERNACCHI moved the following motion :-
That the desirability of having a form of Ombudsman or Commissioner for Administration be referred to the Local Administration Select Committee for a report.
(The Director of Social Welfare left the meeting at this point).
He said: I rise to propose the Motion that the desirability of having a form of Ombudsman or Commissioner for Administration be referred to the Local Administration Select Committee for a report. Being one of the members of the original Justice Report on an Ombudsman, Members know very well that my views are strongly in favour of the appointment. The Governor says that he is still un- decided in effect that not enough investigations have been done. Clearly as Justice has disclosed a draft-bill was at one time prepared
No comments yet.
Private notes are available after approval.