248
2.
# HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL
The virtual embargo placed on our works programme by the Finance Branch last April, without consultation, and without reference to the Council, is still to me amazing and disconcerting. It reflects poor administrative procedures and contravenes both the spirit and the letter of the "Memorandum of Administrative Arrangements" (ch. 1.6 and 4.4) which clearly stipulates that the Council will allocate priorities and, further, that Council projects would not be delayed for financial reasons. I have spoken previously of poor communication with Government and this illustrates my point yet again.
Museum and Art Gallery
To turn now to our Cultural Complex. The question of providing an adequate Museum and Art Gallery has been debated almost as long as Hong Kong has been in existence. In a Report ten years ago to which Mr. BERNACCHI referred, the Museum and Art Gallery Select Committee criticized the existing, inadequate facilities and strongly recommended the construction of a Museum "to be seen in the same context as the need for schools, libraries, universities and recreational centres." As far back as 1933, a survey by the International Museums Association described Hong Kong as "the low-water mark in museum provision throughout the whole of the British Empire." The situation has not much changed; despite the fact that there is no major city in the world, even in developing countries, which does not take pride in providing museums and art galleries for the cultural, educational and recreational use of its citizens.
It is, I regret to say, a disgrace to succeeding British Administrations that they have failed to provide museum and art gallery facilities commensurate with the status of Hong Kong as an international trading and tourist centre. The Urban Council will share this disgrace if it does not assert its influence to ensure the development of a Hong Kong Museum and Art Gallery as a matter of urgent community need.
Priorities for the Cultural Centre in Tsim Sha Tsui are quite clear. Reclamation should now commence as soon as possible. Construction of the Planetarium (to cost $15 million) and the Museum and Art Gallery ($27 million) should start as soon as possible for completion before 1978; with the Auditoria to follow when funds permit.
If site circumstances do not permit the construction of a museum on this schedule, then I would support the view that we build it elsewhere. Financing the Planetarium and Museum is well within our capacity.
Page 144 of 187
HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL
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3.
Other matters of public interest
Mr. Chairman in the limited time remaining, let me give a few brief comments on matters of urgent community interest:
—on the economy-The coming year will be difficult and, with so many unknown factors, no one can foresee its outcome. There is a likelihood of wider unemployment, and it is imperative that Government labour and welfare services be geared now to meet the social and economic consequences which will arise. Until the inevitable turn-round in the world economy, the community must forge tighter bonds of co-operation and be prepared to help those victims of economic circumstances which are beyond their control.
—on the Mass Transit System-There are many who can reasonably say, "I told you so" in the present situation. Despite the debacle, the Mass Transit System should go forward. However, the public expects the Government to claim adequate compensation from the Japanese consortium for the time and public funds needlessly expended in the course of these protracted negotiations. Furthermore, the Japanese consortium should be debarred, through default, from participating in any new Mass Transit tender.
—on crime-The continuing prevalence of crime remains a matter of serious public concern. The community demands adequate protection for its citizens and the return of the death penalty as the ultimate deterrent. There is urgent need for more Policemen on the beat and from the wreckage of suspicion and corruption, to take new initiatives to rebuild trust and confidence between the Police and the public.
—on the H.K. Philharmonic Orchestra-The H.K. Philharmonic Orchestra has made giant strides since its decision to become professional and is attracting regular, all-year-round audiences. It must develop as the focal point of the musical life of the community.
I believe that the Philharmonic Orchestra should receive major financial support from the Council in preference to other more temporary activities such as the Arts Festival to which, I note, an over-generous cash donation of $300,000, plus subsidy of $200,000 from reduced City Hall charges.
—on commercial publications for children—It seems that complacency, insensitivity and inactivity mark the Government's
248
2.
HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL
The virtual embargo placed on our works programme by the Finance Branch last April, without consultation, and without reference to the Council, is still to me amazing and discon- certing. It reflects poor administrative procedures and con travenes both the spirit and the letter of the "Memorandum of Administrative Arrangements" (ch. 1.6 and 4.4) which clearly stipulates that the Council will allocate priorities and, further, that Council projects would not be delayed for financial reasons. I have spoken previously of poor com- munication with Government and this illustrates my point yet again.
Museum and Art Gallery
To turn now to our Cultural Complex. The question of providing an adequate Museum and Art Gallery has been debated almost as long as Hong Kong has been in existence. In a Report ten years ago to which Mr. BERNACCHI referred, the Museum and Art Gallery Select Committee criticized the existing, inadequate facilities and strongly recommended the construction of a Museum "to be seen in the same context as the need for schools, libraries, universities and recreational centres." As far back as 1933, a survey by the International Museums Association described Hong Kong as "the low-water mark in museum provision throughout the whole of the British Empire." The situation has not much changed; despite the fact that there is no major city in the world, even in developing countries, which does not take pride in providing museums and art galleries for the cultural, educational and recreational use of its citizens.
It is, I regret to say, a disgrace to succeeding British Administra- tions that they have failed to provide museum and art gallery facilities commensurate with the status of Hong Kong as an international trading and tourist centre. The Urban Council will share this disgrace if it does not assert its influence to ensure the development of a Hong Kong Museum and Art Gallery as a matter of urgent community need.
Priorities for the Cultural Centre in Tsim Sha Tsui are quite clear. Reclamation should now commence as soon as possible. Construction
of the Planetarium (to cost $15 million) and the Museum and Art Gallery ($27 million) should start as soon as possible for completion before 1978; with the Auditoria to follow when funds permit.
If site circumstances do not permit the construction of a museum on this schedule, then I would support the view that we build it else- where. Financing the Planetarium and Museum is well within our capacity.
Page 144 of 187
HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL
249
3.
Other matters of public interest
Mr. Chairman in the limited time remaining, let me give a few brief comments on matters of urgent community interest:
—on the economy-The coming year will be difficult and, with so many unknown factors, no one can foresee its outcome. There is a likelihood of wider unemployment, and it is imperative that Government labour and welfare services be geared now to meet the social and economic consequences which will arise. Until the inevitable turn-round in the world economy, the community must forge tighter bonds of co-operation and be prepared to help those victims of economic circumstances which are beyond their control.
---on the Mass Transit System-There are many who can reason- ably say, "I told you so" in the present situation. Despite the debacle, the Mass Transit System should go forward. However, the public expects the Government to claim adequate compensa- tion from the Japanese consortium for the time and public funds needlessly expended in the course of these protracted negotia- tion. Furthermore, the Japanese consortium should be de- barred, through default, from participating in any new Mass Transit tender.
—on crime~The continuing prevalence of crime remains a matter of serious public concern. The community demands adequate protection for its citizens and the return of the death penalty as the ultimate deterrent. There is urgent need for more Police- men on the beat and from the wreckage of suspicion and cor- ruption, to take new initiatives to rebuild trust and confidence between the Police and the public.
-on the H.K. Philharmonic Orchestra-The H.K. Philharmonic Orchestra has made giant strides since its decision to become professional and is attracting regular, all-year-round audiences. It must develop as the focal point of the musical life of the community.
I believe that the Philharmonic Orchestra should receive major financial support from the Council in preference to other more temporary activities such as the Arts Festival to which, I note, an over-generous cash donation of $300,000, plus subsidy of $200,000 from reduced City Hall charges.
-on commercial publications for children—It seems that com- placency, insensitivity and inactivity mark the Government's
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