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we must make increasing and continuing efforts to get rid of this kind of nuisance.
Sir, I beg to move.
MR. P. F. CHAN:-Mr. Chairman, I beg to second.
CHAIRMAN:-The Motion has been moved and seconded, does any Member wish to speak?
MR. HU: Yes, Mr. Chairman. Mr. Chairman, with your permission may I say a few words concerning the present Motion. I have no doubt that there is a need to bring a more close link between the Government on the one side and hawkers on the other so that Government could understand the hawkers' problems better. I also have no doubt to say that the Hawkers' Management Select Committee under the chairmanship of Mr. LOBO has done a great deal to improve our hawkers' situation particularly in improving many black spots in both sides of the harbour. I have, however, a considerable doubt about the present motion, because I had already heard some complaints from the hawkers and their Associations. They said Government might try to do something not in their favour. In particular they said Government would get rid of Hawker Associations. These complaints should deserve our attention. I have always thought and still think that the various Hawkers' Associations in Hong Kong, Kowloon and New Territories have served and should still serve as a bridge between the Government and the individual hawkers. Government should rely on those Associations to understand and solve the hawkers' problems.
CHAIRMAN: --Mr. Hu, on a point of order, would you please speak to the Motion.
MR. HU: Yes. If the creation of these Liaison Officers and their exercising of wide powers under Section 86(1) of Public Health and Urban Services Ordinance such as seizing, taking away or detaining hawking carts or goods, etc., as the case may be does mean that in future Government would deal with hawkers directly through these Liaison Officers and bypassing the various Hawkers' Associations, then I would say that it would be a wrong policy. I would further anticipate that it would bring the direct conflict between the hawkers on the one hand and Government on the other without something in between. It may not be to the best interest of the community. Judging from the experience of last year or so many important decisions were reached without consulting the hawkers or their Associations; and there are also some traces or impressions that Government tries to bypass or to abandon these Associations in tackling the hawking problems. I am, therefore, yet to be satisfied if the fears of hawkers are true. If it is, then why Government should take this attitude? Do the Hawkers' Associations not serve useful purposes for solving our hawking problems? Hawking is a social problem in Hong Kong; it is indeed a political problem too. We must handle this question with utmost care and practicability. Before I would be convinced of the real intention of this motion I am obliged to abstain from voting.
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Associations not serve useful purposes for solving our hawking problems? Hawking is a social problem in Hong Kong; it is indeed a political problem too. We must handle this question with utmost care and practicability. Before I would be convinced of the real intention of this motion I am obliged to abstain from voting.
MRS. E. ELLIOTT:-Mr. Chairman, I haven't prepared a speech, but I also wish to abstain on the grounds that whilst I have nothing at all against Liaison Officers, I believe that they have good intentions, I think there are certain matters to be cleared up in your Department, especially on the Kowloon side, and the Hawker Licensing Office in Sai Yee Street, and until these matters are cleared up, I will not vote in favour of this Motion.
CHAIRMAN: --If there are no further speakers, I will take a vote on this Motion.
The Question was put.
The motion was carried with 22 votes for and 2 abstentions.
MR. A. de O. SALES: --Mr. Chairman, before we close, in the absence of the Senior Unofficial member, I would also like to reciprocate your good wishes for the New Year. May you derive much satisfaction from the Chairmanship of the Urban Council. (Laughter).
ADJOURNMENT - 4.36 P.M.
-
CHAIRMAN:-That concludes the business of this meeting, Ladies and Gentlemen. Council stands adjourned until Tuesday, 2nd February, 1971 at 4 p.m.
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we must make increasing and continuing efforts to get rid of this kind of nuisance.
Sir, I beg to move.
MR. P. F. CHAN:-Mr. Chairman, I beg to second.
CHAIRMAN:-The Motion has been moved and seconded, does any Member wish to speak?
MR. HU: Yes, Mr. Chairman. Mr. Chairman, with your permis- sion may I say a few words concerning the present Motion. I have no doubt that there is a need to bring a more close link between the Government on the one side and hawkers on the other so that Govern- ment could understand the hawkers' problems better. I also have no doubt to say that the Hawkers' Management Select Committee under the chairmanship of Mr. LOBO has done a great deal to improve our hawkers' situation particularly in improving many black spots in both sides of the harbour. I have, however, a considerable doubt about the present motion, because I had already heard some complaints from the hawkers and their Associations. They said Government might try to do something not in their favour. In particular they said Government would get rid of Hawker Associations. These complaints should deserve our attention. I have always thought and still think that the various Hawkers' Associations in Hong Kong, Kowloon and New Territories have served and should still serve as a bridge between the Government and the individual hawkers. Government should rely on those Asso- ciations to understand and solve the hawkers' problems.
CHAIRMAN: --Mr. Hu, on a point of order, would you please speak to the Motion.
MR. HU: Yes. If the creation of these Liaison Officers and their exercising of wide powers under Section 86(1) of Public Health and Urban Services Ordinance such as seizing, taking away or detaining hawking carts or goods, etc., as the case may be does mean that in future Government would deal with hawkers directly through these Liaison Officers and bypassing the various Hawkers' Associations, then I would say that it would be a wrong policy. I would further anticipate that it would bring the direct conflict between the hawkers on the one hand and Government on the other without something in between. It may not be to the best interest of the community. Judging from the experience of last year or so many important decisions were reached without consulting the hawkers or their Associations; and there are also some traces or impressions that Government tries to bypass or to abandon these Associations in tackling the hawking problems. I am, therefore, yet to be satisfied if the fears of hawkers are true. If it is, then why Government should take this attitude? Do the Hawkers'
HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL
389
Associations not serve useful purposes for solving our hawking problems? Hawking is a social problem in Hong Kong; it is indeed a political problem too. We must handle this question with utmost care and practicability. Before I would be convinced of the real intention of this motion I am obliged to abstain from voting.
MRS. E. ELLIOTT:-Mr. Chairman, I haven't prepared a speech, but I also wish to abstain on the grounds that whilst I have nothing at all against Liaison Officers, I believe that they have good intentions, I think there are certain matters to be cleared up in your Department, especially on the Kowloon side, and the Hawker Licensing Office in Sai Yee Street, and until these matters are cleared up, I will not vote in favour of this Motion.
CHAIRMAN: --If there are no further speakers, I will take a vote on this Motion.
The Question was put.
The motion was carried with 22 votes for and 2 abstentions.
MR. A. de O. SALES: --Mr. Chairman, before we close, in the absence of the Senior Unofficial member, I would also like to reciprocate your good wishes for the New Year. May you derive much satisfac- tion from the Chairmanship of the Urban Council. (Laughter).
ADJOURNMENT - 4.36 P.M.
-
CHAIRMAN:-That concludes the business of this meeting, Ladies and Gentlemen. Council stands adjourned until Tuesday, 2nd February, 1971 at 4 p.m.
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