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be to install meters; details of such a scheme could be worked out by all parties with longest experience of hawking matters in Hong Kong.

Recreation.

An aspect of Council work of immediate benefit to the public is the promotion of recreation, entertainment and cultural activities. Over the years the Council has been quietly but surely expanding its public entertainment programmes making use of whatever suitable physical opportunities as there may be, particularly in the densely populated areas. Yet, we are standing only on the threshhold, for the potential is very great and exciting. Our programmes are capable of vast improvement and expansion if there is the manpower to do so because the money is there. I have long advocated that public re- creation must be made a vital part of community life as a matter of urgency. We must look after the present generation of young people, not their grandchildren, a point that for far too long was lost in the corridors of power here, until the present Governor took office. Just as time and tide wait for no man, so plans for youth activities brook no delay. It is futile to express concern for the welfare of our youth and alarm at the anti-social behaviour of some, without backing up such statements with quick and effective action on a massive scale as Council is now trying to do at the grass-roots level. As it is, there is a mood of unhappiness over the inequalities of opportunity in our society and a feeling of frustration over a seemingly dreary existence in the dismal conditions of our old housing estates. For the good of the people, the Council's ambitious plans, some in conjunction with other departments, for mass recreation and entertainment must be recognized and accepted as a very important part of the community's social betterment programme to be given urgent and concrete support by all and not blocked by long anachronistic attitudes and procedures, appearing to the public to be more concerned with the protection of excessive privileges than with raising the quality of life for the masses. This discrimination in the division of the good things of life made possible by the hard work of a dynamic society is un- worthy of this day and age.

Cultural Activities.

Side by side with our rapidly expanding programmes of wide- ranging activities in the open spaces, there is a gratifying record of very successful activities, in the City Hall, in music and the performing arts as well as in art exhibitions in our museum and art gallery. While we will press on with new ventures in this direction, we have

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been warned nevertheless that our ambitions may have to be curbed due to staff shortages, already physically circumscribed as they are in reality because we have no comparable amenities for the purpose out- side the City Hall. It would be a pity were such a situation to come to pass at a time when there is public expectation of more activities and better standards of performance.

ever.

The Council has encouraged over the years the development of the Philharmonic Orchestra and we are now doing much more than We would like to examine the possibilities of helping, within our modest means, other groups having a stake in the cultural life of Hong Kong. A study is now being made to see how the Arts Festival may be given such assistance as is possible and warranted in our circumstances. Through our own seasonal festivals we have also long encouraged local groups and individuals, and we will continue to search for more ways to do so if their activities are of value to the cultural life of the community. The immensely popular Festival of Hong Kong has always had Council support and goodwill because right from the start it was realized how much enjoyment it would give to our people in every part of the territory as no other programme has done so spectacularly. Surely, a community that plays together, stays together.

Libraries.

Realizing how great is the need in our densely populated areas for young people to be given the opportunity of studying in quiet and comfortable surroundings, we aim to open a library and a study room in each of our ten urban districts, perhaps even more study rooms if circumstances so warrant although doing so should properly be the urgent concern of the Education Department.

Cultural Complex.

It is in Tsim Sha Tsui that the Council has asked the Govern- ment to build Hong Kong's main cultural complex, a project I have long campaigned for, with the strong backing of many Members, both past and present. The development of our community life in many For some ways will depend on how soon it will be open for use. years now a close study has been made of our requirements; as a result, schedules of facilities have been submitted to the Central Government. Plans are advancing steadily on our side and the time will soon come when the Government must reach a firm decision in practical terms, if it has not yet made up its mind on this vital issue so far reaching

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