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HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL
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HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL
As more than one-third of the total population of Hong Kong are living in public housing estates which are also increasing in number, the problem of hawking in the estates is one which the Housing Department should quickly find a way to deal with.
Some people say that there will be an upturn in the industry and commerce of Hong Kong this year and therefore cherish the hope that the number of hawkers will cease to increase. However, there still exist a great number of hawkers who pose a great problem which should be solved urgently.
We hope that those who are temporarily engaged in hawking owing to unemployment will go back to the commercial and industrial sectors one day and that the number of hawkers will decrease.
This is possible only if the amount of profit derived from hawking is not greater than the wage of a worker. If the hawkers are not willing to return to work in factories or shops, it proves that hawking is a lucrative business and is an independent trade.
In view of this, we should adopt a new attitude and approach towards the hawkers, with the exception of those who are only temporarily engaged in hawking due to unemployment.
Last year, I put forward a suggestion that more recreational activities and entertainment should be provided so that most of the youngsters and children may still be able to enjoy such activities free of charge or at low charges at this time of economic recession. Regrettably, owing to financial reasons, the admission fees of certain recreational facilities had to be increased. It is hoped that we would co-operate more closely with public and private bodies in organising various recreational activities with nominal charges.
In view of today's multitude of robberies and the rampancy of licentious activities, the Government should endeavour to ban all establishments which may corrupt our youths, including the indecent bath-houses, beauty parlours and music halls. Departments concerned should hold joint discussions on how to guide the young people on to the right path. Parents and teachers, too, should pay more attention to the moral well-being of the youths.
Throughout the years, the Urban Council has been able to provide young people with proper entertainment and recreational activities. This helps a lot in the character-building of the youths and is a praiseworthy policy which deserves to be further promoted.
I now stand in support of the motion before us.
MRS. GRACE HO (in Cantonese): - Mr. Chairman, today, I would like to speak mainly on matters concerning Recreation and Amenities.
Statement of Aims of the Select Committee on Recreation and Amenities for 1976/77 refers to the need to provide for passive as well as active recreation for our people. This recognizes that even though 45% of our population is under 21 years of age, there should also be facilities for less strenuous activities. To cater for all sections of public demand, we must keep an even balance between the building of games halls and sport centres and the creation of gardens and sitting out areas close to densely populated districts. Due to lack of available land in earlier years, some so-called sitting out areas consist of nothing more than a park bench and a tree exposed to the dust and noise of traffic streaming by. With the Army giving up some of its land over the next few years, we can plan for a better environment for our people. The design plans for Kowloon Park, on the site of the old Whitfield Barracks, for instance, separate active games areas from gardens which will be planted with trees and shrubs chosen for their shade, flowers and fragrance to provide a haven to people living in Tsim Sha Tsui and Yau Ma Tei. Similar development can now be provided at Wan Chai and at Cheung Sha Wan, if the Council is given a fair share of land released by the Army.
One of the Council's aims is to make Hong Kong greener and a better place to live in. For several years, impressive statistics were given on the number of trees planted by the Urban Services Department and that the target figures had been met and even exceeded. Yet, what is not generally known is that the mortality rate was high. In 1974, for instance, of the 5,346 trees planted, 30% died within 6 months of planting. This wastage was due to inadequate supervision before and after planting and to the supply of trees which were not up to specifications. Steps are now being taken to aim at more realistic programme within our limited resources and to increase the output from the Urban Services Department nurseries. The Agriculture and Fisheries Department also runs separate nurseries in the New Territories. I consider that these two Government departments should co-operate and pool their resources to improve supply of trees and shrubs instead of each doing their separate thing. It makes sense to maximise the use of scarce land and of available manpower.
I would like to express my views on another problem which has been the subject of many speeches during this annual debate.
Page 138 of 154
Page 138 of 154
HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL
241
240
HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL
As more than one-third of the total population of Hong Kong are living in public housing estates which are also increasing in number, the problem of hawking in the estates is one which the Housing Depart- ment should quickly find a way to deal with.
Some people say that there will be an upturn in the industry and commerce of Hong Kong this year and therefore cherish the hope that the number of hawkers will cease to increase. However, there still exist a great number of hawkers who pose a great problem which should be solved urgently.
We hope that those who are temporarily engaged in hawking owing to unemployment will go back to the commercial and industrial sectors one day and that the number of hawkers will decrease.
This is possible only if the amount of profit derived from hawking is not greater than the wage of a worker. If the hawkers are not willing to return to work in factories or shops, it proves that hawking is a lucrative business and is an independent trade.
In view of this, we should adopt a new attitude and approach to- wards the hawkers, with the exception of those who are only temporarily engaged in hawking due to unemployment.
Last year, I put forward a suggestion that more recreational activi- ties and entertainment should be provided so that most of the youngsters and children may still be able to enjoy such activities free of charge or at low charges at this time of economic recession. Regrettably, owing to financial reasons, the admission fees of certain recreational facilities had to be increased. It is hoped that we would co-operate more closely with public and private bodies in organising various recreational activi- ties with nominal charges.
In view of today's multitude of robberies and the rampancy of licentious activities, the Government should endeavour to ban all establishments which may corrup our youths, including the indecent bath-houses, beauty parlours and music halls. Departments concerned should hold joint discussions on how to guide the young people on to the right path. Parents and teachers, too, should pay more attention to the moral well-being of the youths.
Throughout the years, the Urban Council has been able to provide young people with proper entertainment and recreational activities. This helps a lot in the character-building of the youths and is a praise- worthy policy which deserves to be further promoted.
I now stand in support of the motion before us.
MRS. GRACE Ho (in Cantonese): - Mr. Chairman, today, I would like to speak mainly on matters concerning Recreation and Amenities.
Statement of Aims of the Select Committee on Recreation and Amenities for 1976/77 refers to the need to provide for passive as well as active recreation for our people. This recognizes that even though 45% of our population is under 21 years of age, there should also be facilities for less strenuous activities. To cater for all sections of public demand, we must keep an even balance between the building of games halls and sport centres and the creation of gardens and sitting out areas close to densely populated districts. Due to lack of available land in earlier years, some so called sitting out areas consist of nothing more than a park bench and a tree exposed to the dust and noise of traffic streaming by. With the Army giving up some of its land over the next few years, we can plan for a better environment for our people. The design plans for Kowloon Park, on the site of the old Whitfield Barracks, for instance, separate active games areas from gardens which will be planted with trees and shrubs chosen for their shade, flowers and fra- grance to provide a haven to people living in Tsim Sha Tsui and Yau Ma Tei. Similar development can now be provided at Wan Chai and at Cheung Sha Wan, if the Council is given a fair share of land released by the Army.
One of the Council's aims is to make Hong Kong greener and a better place to live in. For several years, impressive statistics were given on the number of trees planted by the Urban Services Department and that the target figures had been met and even exceeded. Yet, what is not generally known is that the mortality rate was high. In 1974, for instance, of the 5,346 trees planted, 30% died within 6 months of planting. This wastage was due to inadequate supervision before and after planting and to the supply of trees which were not up to specifica- tions. Steps are now being taken to aim at more realistic programme within our limited resources and to increase the output from the Urban Services Department nurseries. The Agriculture and Fisheries Depart- ment also runs separate nurseries in the New Territories. I consider that these two Government departments should co-operate and pool their resources to improve supply of trees and shrubs instead of each doing their separate thing. It makes sense to maximise the use of scarce land and of available manpower.
I would like to express my views on another problem which has been the subject of many speeches during this annual debate.
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