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attention to the fact that we have already gone through them. I have been content therefore, to leave matters as they stand this year. In view of the fact that in previous statements made by the Governor himself and now in the White Paper, the idea of the Urban Council as a self-financing body had already been mooted. As from 1973, this particular Select Committee will be very important and I propose, during the coming years to call meetings of it to map out a proposed framework and system for the time when the proposals in the White Paper in this respect become law.
Mr. Chairman, in proposing the motion today I endeavour to express my feelings on the White Paper, report on the two Select Com-mittees of which I have the honour to be Chairman, and indeed say a few remarks that touch upon my work as Ward Councillor for the eastern district of Hong Kong. In conclusion I would reiterate the need for an immediate elected majority on the Urban Council and I am sure that my appointed colleagues on the other side of the table, would not take it amiss to urge this Council and the Government not to increase the number of appointed representatives, but instead increase the number of elected representatives from 10 to 20.
If at the same time, this Council is a self-financing body with a greatly increased electorate, it has a chance of achieving the Govern-ment's aim of being created as the Citizen's Council of Hong Kong. I hope indeed, that most of the speeches will voice opinion on the White Paper, then those views could be referred to the Local Admin-istration Select Committee to collate the opinions, for forwarding to the Standing Committee of the Whole Council, where I hope, we shall make recommendations to His Excellency the new Governor on the White Paper as to the future of the Urban Council for consideration by the Executive and Legislative Council as a matter of immediate priority.
Mr. Chairman, with these words, I am happy to propose this motion. (Applause).
MR. A. de O. SALES: -I propose to discuss some aspects of three subjects this afternoon: first, cultural services; next, recreational activities; finally, the White Paper issued by the Central Government and public housing in that context.
It is many years since I first suggested the construction of a Kowloon Civic Centre. In the interval, the subject has also been raised in Council meetings from time to time and discussed in detail in Select Committee. In consequence, a schedule of accommodation was sub-mitted to the Government many months ago. Not only is this proposal
HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL
291
strongly backed by the experience gained in the City Hall, but it is also well supported by the public. A survey among the users of the existing City Hall demonstrates that virtually all the projected facilities will be in demand several times over right from the start. An exercise in estimating income and expenditure indicates that the civic centre is likely to show a surplus on working account perhaps even at the outset. Strong public opinion is clearly in favour of an early start on con-struction. How soon, if ever, will the Government heed such public opinion?
For sure, without this civic centre, the orderly development of cultural and educational programmes comes to a standstill and plans to meet the increasing aspirations of the people for more such activities must be held back, sad to say. But, with such a centre, Hong Kong could well be the site for a good number of meetings, exhibitions and other worthwhile activities, and so in course of time Hong Kong could become the focal point in this part of the world for international gatherings.
The Council continues to build playgrounds and a range of recrea-tional facilities. But there is still such a heavy backlog of what the people in the high density districts should have that it will take many more years before we can even catch up. I might mention in passing that I cannot understand how the Government can justify building resettlement and other low-rental estates without play facilities being provided simultaneously in every case, thus worsening the situation. By all means, let us provide far more such amenities, including the long-delayed multipurpose games halls, but the Government cannot put off much longer the decision to go ahead with the construction of major sports installations to serve Hong Kong as a whole. Here we have much to accomplish for many years to come because hardly any-thing has been done. To give only three examples a start has not yet been made on the Hung Hom indoor stadium while the Ho Man Tin football stadium is still under consideration and the proposal for a sports centre at Causeway Bay has not even been approved by the Central Government when at least two such centres should have been in existence for a long time, one on each side of the harbour.
Some years ago when the Recreation and Amenities division was being re-organized, I suggested that side by side with the creation of new posts for horticulture and amenities, specialist staff should be engaged purposely to ensure the proper use of all our playgrounds and sports installations, some of which are reported to be now dominated by gangs of toughs and other bad elements. With a proper recreation service, the Council would then be able to enter actively into the organization of local competitions which would attract the interest of the young people living in our densely populated districts and promote
Page 156
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42
Page 155 of 242
290
HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL
attention to the fact that we have already gone through them. I have been content therefore, to leave matters as they stand this year. In view of the fact that in previous statements made by the Governor himself and now in the White Paper, the idea of the Urban Council as a self-financing body had already been mooted. As from 1973, this particular Select Committee will be very important and I propose, during the coming years to call meetings of it to map out a proposed framework and system for the time when the proposals in the White Paper in this respect become law.
Mr. Chairman, in proposing the motion today I endeavour to express my feelings on the White Paper, report on the two Select Com- mittees of which I have the honour to be Chairman, and indeed say a few remarks that touch upon my work as Ward Councillor for the eastern district of Hong Kong. In conclusion I would reiterate the need for an immediate elected majority on the Urban Council and I am sure that my appointed colleagues on the other side of the table, would not take it amiss to urge this Council and the Government not to increase the number of appointed representatives, but instead increase the number of elected representatives from 10 to 20.
If at the same time, this Council is a self-financingbody with a greatly increased electorate, it has a chance of achieving the Govern- ment's aim of being created as the Citizen's Council of Hong Kong. I hope indeed, that most of the speeches will voice opinion on the White Paper, then those views could be referred to the Local Admin- istration Select Committee to collate the opinions, for forwarding to the Standing Committee of the Whole Council, where I hope, we shall make recommendations to His Excellency the new Governor on the White Paper as to the future of the Urban Council for consideration by the Executive and Legislative Council as a matter of immediate priority.
Mr. Chairman, with these words, I am happy to propose this motion. (Applause).
MR. A. de O. SALES: -I propose to discuss some aspects of three subjects this afternoon: first, cultural services; next, recreational activities; finally, the White Paper issued by the Central Government and public housing in that context.
It is many years since I first suggested the construction of a Kowloon Civic Centre. In the interval, the subject has also been raised in Council meetings from time to time and discussed in detail in Select Committee. In consequence, a schedule of accommodation was sub- mitted to the Government many months ago. Not only is this proposal
HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL
291
strongly backed by the experience gained in the City Hall, but it is also well supported by the public. A survey among the users of the existing City Hall demonstrates that virtually all the projected facilities will be in demand several times over right from the start. An exercise in estimating income and expenditure indicates that the civic centre is likely to show a surplus on working account perhaps even at the outset. Strong public opinion is clearly in favour of an early start on con- struction. How soon, if ever, will the Government heed such public opinion?
For sure, without this civic centre, the orderly development of cultural and educational programmes comes to a standstill and plans to meet the increasing aspirations of the people for more such activities must be held back, sad to say. But, with such a centre, Hong Kong could well be the site for a good number of meetings, exhibitions and other worthwhile activities, and so in course of time Hong Kong could become the focal point in this part of the world for international gatherings.
The Council continues to build playgrounds and a range of recrea- tional facilities. But there is still such a heavy backlog of what the people in the high density districts should have that it will take many more years before we can even catch up. I might mention in passing that I cannot understand how the Government can justify building resettlement and other low-rental estates without play facilities being provided simultaneously in every case, thus worsening the situation. By all means, let us provide far more such amenities, including the long-delayed multipurpose games halls, but the Government cannot put off much longer the decision to go ahead with the construction of major sports installations to serve Hong Kong as a whole. Here we have much to accomplish for many years to come because hardly any- thing has been done. To give only three examples a start has not yet been made on the Hung Hom indoor stadium while the Ho Man Tin football stadium is still under consideration and the proposal for a sports centre at Causeway Bay has not even been approved by the Central Government when at least two such centres should have been in existence for a long time, one on each side of the harbour.
Some years ago when the Recreation and Amenities division was being re-organized, I suggested that side by side with the creation of new posts for horticulture and amenities, specialist staff should be engaged purposely to ensure the proper use of all our playgrounds and sports installations, some of which are reported to be now dominated by gangs of toughs and other bad elements. With a proper recreation service, the Council would then be able to enter actively into the organization of local competitions which would attract the interest of the young people living in our densely populated districts and promote
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