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keep our policies up to date. What was workable decades ago would not necessarily be workable nowadays. Policies must be continuously under review and adjusted accordingly. Two decades ago, Hong Kong was just a trading port and there was practically no industry. Hong Kong people have a renowned reputation for adaptability to the changing world situation. In the last two decades we have seen the change of Hong Kong from a trading port to a highly industrialized city. Hong Kong manufactured goods can be found in every corner of the world. Last year I bought a souvenir in New York and then found out that it was actually made in Hong Kong. In order to ensure that Hong Kong can remain in such a favourable position in a highly competitive world market, where most countries introduce restrictions and ban on imports in one way or another, the government must devise a policy to make sure the competitiveness of our products. One very important factor for industry is the labour force. Every effort should be exerted to ensure a continuous supply and even increase of labour force, in order to safeguard the prosperity of our industry which affects the well-being of the Hong Kong people. Because of this important problem, our hawker policy must be related to the overall policy. I believe that the economic recession in Hong Kong, suffered since 1973, has passed the lowest ebb and there have been signs of recovery. In anticipation of the recovery of world recession, many factories have been busy for a considerable time. As employment opportunities improve we have to implement our aim to seek gradual reduction in the number of hawkers. Nowadays we can still find many able-bodied hawkers on the streets, and it is a well-known fact that once a worker turns to hawking he will very seldom go back to his old job, partly because of earning, partly because of lack of control and working hours. If we wish Hong Kong to be as prosperous as ever, our hawker policy should supplement industry and contribute their share in ensuring the competitiveness of the Hong Kong Industry. I fully support our aim that hawking is regarded as business to be disassociated with welfare, although I do admit that there are many deserving cases which require our sympathetic consideration.
Mr. Chairman, with these remarks I support the motion.
MR. ALEX S. C. Wu (in English): Mr. Chairman, in his speech in Legislative Council last October, His Excellency the Governor praised the work of the Urban Council, and among other matters referred to the encouragement the Council is giving to the promotion of the Arts in Hong Kong. Indeed, the Council can be proud of the fruits of its endeavours. I would like to pay tribute to the dedicated groups and individuals who have given assistance and been willing to harness their knowledge and resources for the betterment of the cultural life of our community.
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Among our numerous endeavours, the Hongkong Philharmonic Society is one example, which with your permission I would like to dwell upon for a few minutes. As the Council is spending more than 40% of the Public Cultural Activities budget to support the Society, representing the largest single financial underpinning, I am sure you will be interested to hear of its progress, its future plans and its place in the cultural life of Hong Kong.
Since January 1974, the Hongkong Philharmonic Orchestra has played an increasingly dominant part in the cultural life of our community. Despite teething problems in practically all aspects of running a professional orchestra, its standard of playing has improved tremendously. This has been amply attested by local reviewers, visiting musicologists, and the Orchestra's distinguished guest soloists themselves.
In the development of our cultural activities, a professional orchestra is a main ingredient. The Hongkong Philharmonic Orchestra is becoming more and more an essential musical entity and an integral part of the cultural development of Hong Kong. It will continue to bring pleasure to thousands of music lovers, not only in the City Hall Concert Hall, but also in the comfort of their private homes through radio and television, in the open spaces and public venues, and to secondary school students, in their own school premises.
One significant development of the Orchestra in the coming season will be the varied musical roles which the Orchestra will assume. It has always been my personal aspiration for the orchestra to acquire sufficient recognition to join forces with other music groups to widen its musical repertoire. You will recall that the Orchestra provided the accompaniment for an entire evening of operatic singing when four distinguished Japanese artists came in November last to raise funds for the Orchestra. In the Arts Festival next month, it will be playing the music for the performances to be given by the London Festival Ballet. The opening concert of the next season in April will be a collaboration with the Oratorio Society in Handel's Messiah. Then, in mid-season, it will be engaged to play in the production of Smetana's opera, The Bartered Bride. These are examples which demonstrate how the Orchestra can now be engaged to support joint projects which otherwise might not see the light of day.
Mr. Chairman, in your statement at the open meeting on the 15th July, 1975, you said, "So, the stage is set for even more ambitious efforts.
Page 133 of 154
Page 133 of 154
230
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keep our policies up to date. What was workable decades ago would not necessarily be workable nowadays. Policies must be continuously under review and adjusted accordingly. Two decades ago, Hong Kong was just a trading port and there was practically no industry. Hong Kong people have a renowned reputation for adaptability to the chang- ing world situation. In the last two decades we have seen the change of Hong Kong from a trading port to a highly industrialized city. Hong Kong manufactured goods can be found in every corner of the world. Last year I bought a souvenir in New York and then found out that it was actually made in Hong Kong. In order to ensure that Hong Kong can remain in such a favourable position in a highly com. petitive world market, where most countries introduce restrictions and ban on imports in one way or another, the government must devise a policy to make sure the competitiveness of our products. One very important factor for industry is the labour force. Every effort should be exerted to ensure a continuous supply and even increase of labour force, in order to safeguard the prosperity of our industry which affects the well being of the Hong Kong people. Because of this important problem, our hawker policy must be related to the overall policy. I believe that the economic recession in Hong Kong, suffered since 1973, has passed the lowest ebb and there have been signs of recovery. In anticipation of the recovery of world recession, many factories have been busy for a considerable time. As employment opportunities im- prove we have to implement our aim to seek gradual reduction in the number of hawkers. Nowadays we can still find many able-bodied hawkers on the streets, and it is a well-known fact that once a worker turns to hawking he will very seldom go back to his old job, partly because of earning, partly because of lack of control and working hours. If we wish Hong Kong to be as prosperous as ever, our hawker policy should supplement industry and to contribute their share in ensuring the competitiveness of the Hong Kong Industry. I fully support our aim that hawking is regarded as business to be disassociated with welfare, although I do admit that there are many deserving cases which require our sympathetic consideration.
Mr. Chairman, with these remarks I support the motion.
MR. ALEX S. C. Wu (in English):-Mr. Chairman, in his speech in Legislative Council last October, His Excellency the Governor praised the work of the Urban Council, and among other matters referred to the encouragement the Council is giving to the promotion of the Arts in Hong Kong. Indeed, the Council can be proud of the fruits of its endeavours. I would like to pay tribute to the dedicated groups and individuals who have given assistance and been willing to harness their
HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL
231
knowledge and resources for the betterment of the cultural life of our community.
Among our numerous endeavours, the Hongkong Philharmonic Society is one example, which with your permission I would like to dwell upon for a few minutes. As the Council is spending more than 40% of the Public Cultural Activities budget to support the Society, representing the largest single financial underpinning, I am sure you will be interested to hear of its progress, its future plans and its place in the cultural life of Hong Kong.
Since January 1974, the Hongkong Philharmonic Orchestra has played an increasingly dominant part in the cultural life of our community. Despite teething problems in practically all aspects of running a professional orchestra, its standard of playing his improved tremendously. This has been amply attested by local reviewers, visiting musicologists, and the Orchestra's distinguished guest soloists themselves.
In the development of our cultural activities, a professional orchestra is a main ingredient. The Hongkong Philharmonic Orchestra is becoming more and more an essential musical entity and an integral part of the cultural development of Hong Kong. It will continue to bring pleasure to thousands of music lovers, not only in the City Hall Concert Hall, but also in the comfort of their private homes through radio and television, in the open spaces and public venues, and to secondary school students, in their own school premises.
One significant development of the Orchestra in the coming season will be the varied musical roles which the Orchestra will assume. It has always been my personal aspiration for the orchestra to acquire sufficient recognition to join forces with other music groups to widen its musical repertoire. You will recall that the Orchestra provided the accompaniment for an entire evening of operatic singing when four distinguished Japanese artists came in November last to raise funds for the Orchestra. In the Arts Festival next month, it will be playing the music for the performances to be given by the London Festival Ballet. The opening concert of the next season in April will be a collaboration with the Oratorio Society in Handel's Messiah. Then, in mid-season, it will be engaged to play in the production of Smetana's opera; The Bartered Bride. These are examples which demonstrate how the Orchestra can now be engaged to support joint projects which otherwise might not see the light of day.
Mr. Chairman, in your statement at the open meeting on the 15th July, 1975, you said, "So, the stage is set for even more ambitious efforts.
No comments yet.
Private notes are available after approval.