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instituted against them. In doing so, it would not only enable them to improve themselves, but also help to eliminate illegal underground activities. However, it was a pity that the Government simply ignored this suggestion and in the end triad societies were found everywhere. They tempted or threatened youths to become their members, expanded their power, organized prostitution and gambling business and committed rape, robbery, and murders. They challenged the law and caused serious social disorder. That is why we must not close our eyes to the worsening situation of social order and this was mainly due to the illegal activities of the triad societies. In fact, these illegal organizations have grown up to such a size, that it is impossible for us to investigate or eliminate them. We must know if we do not clamp down on any illegal organizations while they are still young, we would suffer heavily in the future. Very often, a frustrated young man is more prone to take part in unlawful activities than to lead a decent life. Government must know all these clearly and it should not shoulder off the burden. But surprisingly enough, up to now, we are still short of a concrete plan for the solution. If the Government still remains idle, the consequence would be nothing but disastrous and needless to say, the public would find Government's negative attitude most unsatisfactory.
Besides, another kind of unrest has long existed among the squatter population. Residents of various resite areas or old illegal squatter huts, wherever they live, are by and large leading a dog's life. Their houses, being small, unsanitary, leaking irreparably, and exposed to natural hazards such as typhoons, fires, and floods, are no better than hell. Yet they do live in Hong Kong, the so-called "Paradise". They can see from a distance the fruit of good social order and prosperity, but they find themselves just bystanders. This reflects that they are living in a different world where there is nothing but sorrow and miseries. Therefore, if we do not have them rehoused in low-cost housing or resettlement estates at an early date, the situation thus created will not only be a laughing-stock but will also affect the social order and prosperity we are now enjoying.
The next subject I would like to turn to is that in the past we seldom heard complaints like "increase in the guise of reduction?" Recently, a Government policy on reassessment of rates reveals that rates will be 15% in the future instead of 17% as at present. While we are over-joyed to hear this proposal, we are at the same time alarmed by another proposal that the reassessment of property will result in an increase by as much as 40% - 100%. In other words, the reduction would be only 2/17, but the increase would come to 40%-100%. It is obvious that such a measure will bring about inflation. Of course, those most affected would still be people of the low-income bracket.
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Starting from next April, the Urban Council will issue licenses to barber saloons, billiard rooms, bars, etc. On this aspect, my thoughts have become associated with some problems which give much room for doubt. There are now some barber saloons whose business hours are extended to 2:00 a.m. or even overnight. I just cannot help asking, "How many people do really need to go out for a haircut at 2 o'clock in the morning?"
And then, are those "Music Halls", which do not sell wine, and those so-called "Gardens" set up respectively for genuine music connoisseurs and flower viewers? It is indeed worthwhile for the Council to look into the matter carefully.
As commonly known, all newly-built premises are provided with bathrooms and bath-tubs. Yet there are so many commercial "bath-houses" in town. They flourish like mushrooms, but is it really necessary to have so many? Should they be included in the current "Keep Hong Kong Clean Campaign" as an item concerning "the human body cleanness?" After deliberations, I still find it difficult to define all these abnormal phenomena as being concerned with health or social problems. It is hoped that after these problems have been studied by experts, the Chairman will be able to give a detailed reply.
Next, let us look at those so-called "artistic works" which have long been displayed prominently at newspaper stands in the street. Should these "works", in the first instance, be appraised by the Cultural Services Select Committee to ascertain their artistic value and then left to the Attorney General to consider whether they are in any way pornographic?
What I consider praiseworthy is Government's intention to build low-cost housing estates in seven N.T. districts. This will enable N.T. people to share the prosperity of Hong Kong. As I am a native of the N.T., I all the more hope that the Government will not tackle this huge project just on paper but see that it is completed in as quick a tempo as possible. I also hope that priority be given to N.T. villagers and residents to move into these low-cost estates, as this will help in the development of N.T.
Finally, I must point out that I have expressed opposition to the Government's decision on taking back from the Urban Council the power of controlling public housing. Whatever the outcome, inasmuch as the future development being of such great importance, the highest executive body to implement housing policies in the future should include one or several representatives from the New Territories so that local situations and public opinion could be presented with precision and in greater depth. (Applause).
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instituted against them. In doing so, it would not only enable them to improve themselves, but also help to eliminate illegal underground activities. However, it was a pity that the Government simply ignored this suggestion and in the end triad societies were found everywhere. They tempted or threatened youths to become their members, expanded their power, organized prostitution and gambling business and com- mitted rape, robbery and murders. They challenged the law and caused serious social disorder. That is why we must not close our eyes to the worsening situation of social order and this was
mainly due to the illegal activities of the triad societies. In fact, these illegal organizations have grown up to such a size, that it is impossible for us to investigate or eleminate them. We must know if we do not clamp down any illegal organizations while they are still young, we would suffer heavily in future. Very often, a frustated young man is more prone to take part in unlawful activities than to lead a decent life. Government must know all these clearly and it should not shoulder off the burden. But surprisingly enough, up to now, we are still short of a concrete plan for the solution. If Government still remains idle, the consequence would be nothing but disastrous and needless to say, the public would find Government's negative attitude most unsatisfactory.
Besides, another kind of unrest has long existed among the squatter population. Residents of various resite areas or old illegal squatter huts, wherever they live, are by and large leading a dog's life. Their houses, being small, unsanitary, leaking irreparably and exposed to natural hazards such as typhoons, fires and floods, are no better than hell. Yet they do live in Hong Kong, the so-called "Paradise". They can see from a distance the fruit of good social order and pros- perity, but they find themselves just the bystanders. This reflects that they are living in a different world where there is nothing but sorrow and miseries. Therefore, if we do not have them rehoused in low- cost housing or resettlement estates at an early date the situation thus created will not only be a laughing-stock, but will also affect the social order and prosperity we are now enjoying.
The next subject I would like to turn to is that in the past we seldom heard complaints like "increase in the guise of reduction?" Recently a Government policy on reassessment of rates reveals that rates will be 15% in future instead of 17% as at present. While we are over-joyed to hear this proposal we are at the same time alarmed by another proposal that the reassessment of property will result in an increase by as much as 40% - 100%. In other words, the reduction would be only 2/17, but the increase would come to 40%-100%- It is obvious that such a measure will bring about inflation. Of course, those most affected would still be people of the low income bracket.
HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL
279
Starting from next April the Urban Council will issue licences to On this aspect my thoughts barber saloons, billiard rooms, bars, etc. have become associated with some problems which give much room for doubt. There are now some barber saloons whose business hours are extended to 2:00 a.m. or even overnight. I just cannot help asking, "How many people do really need to go out for a hair-cut at 2 o'clock in the morning?"
And then, are those "Music Halls", which do not sell wine and those so-called "Gardens" set up respectively for genuine music con- noisseurs and flower viewers? It is indeed worthwhile for the Council to look into the matter carefully.
As commonly known, all newly-built premises are provided with bathrooms and bath-tubs. Yet there are so many commercial “bath- houses" in town. They flourish like mushrooms, but is it really necessary to have so many? Should they be included in the current "Keep Hong Kong Clean Campaign" as an item concerning "the human body cleanness?" After deliberations, I still find it difficult to define all these abnormal phenomena as being concerned with health or social problems. It is hoped that after these problems have been studied by experts, the Chairman will be able to give a detailed reply.
Next, let us look at those so-called "artistic works" which have long been displayed prominently at newspaper stands in the street. Should these "works", in the first instance be appraised by the Cultural Services Select Committee to ascertain their artistic value and then left to the Attorney General to consider whether they are in any way pornographic?
What I consider praiseworthy is Government's intention to build low-cost housing estates in seven N.T. districts. This will enable N.T. people to share the prosperity of Hong Kong. As I am a native of the N.T., I all the more hope that the Government will not tackle this huge project just on paper but see that it is completed in as quick a tempo as possible. I also hope that priority be given to N.T. villagers and residents to move into these low-cost estates, as this will help in the development of N.T.
Finally, I must point out that I have expressed opposition to the Government's decision on taking back from the Urban Council the power of controlling public housing. Whatever the outcome, inas- much as the future development being of such great importance, the highest executive body to implement housing policies in future should include one or several representatives from the New Territories so that local situation and public opinion could be presented with pre- cison and in greater depth. (Applause).
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