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fidence at every step. And, the truth must be told every time. Also, there is advantage in taking expert advice to ensure that whatever may be done is properly presented and put together objectively, and that there are no slanted versions for an ulterior motive or even self-glorification.
The Council has changed rapidly from the situation that it was in before reconstitution. Failure to grasp that consequently, there is the need for a new approach is perhaps the reason for all the sound and fury. The Council is a well-respected body, anxious to gain the understanding of the people and win their support for the work it does. So, it is not only necessary to identify what we are doing and explain why we are doing it, but also to gauge public reaction. It is only by means of a regular dialogue between the Council and the people can a sound basis be formed for a thriving partnership for the common good.
All Councillors are free at any time to put their own views to the public and they have always been encouraged by me to do so.
If they choose to speak as chairmen of select committees, it goes without saying that they must state the agreed committee policy. No Member is prevented from letting the public know what his contrary views are. At the same time, none should inhibit the Council from co-ordinating official publicity and from taking all reasonable measures to reach the people in a fair, precise and professional manner. Our objective is the free flow of accurate information to the public by all means of communication at our disposal just as it is our duty to give equal access to the media without fear or favour.
Policy
In this Conventional Debate many Members gave impressive factual accounts of their work, thus confirming that the Council is a most energetic and progressive body. Despite this incontrovertible evidence, it was alleged that the Council was dead. There is not a grain of truth in it. On the contrary, the facts are plain for all to see: the Council is alive and kicking. That allegation might have been calculated to court publicity but it has served to detract most unfairly from the hard and productive work of so many Members devoting countless hours to thought and action.
The truth is simply that the pace-makers work well together as a team. In doing our bit to make a better life for the people, and getting on with the job with singlemindedness of purpose, we must turn our face against trivial and time-wasting discussion of no direct value to the Council. Our duty is clearly to use our wide knowledge and experience to improve and expand the service we give so as to make collectively a practical contribution within our power and resources to better living conditions. Members have applied themselves diligently in this direction as I know from working with them and attending their many committee meetings; with energy and determination, I am certain, they will gain their declared objectives.
HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL
By common consent, the Council has no wish to engage in petty politics with those who give the impression that they thrive on dissension; and, I say without fear of contradiction by responsible Members, the Council wants no part in idle talk and impractical political speculation without relevance to its work. It does not mean to say, however, that we do not want progressive reform; on the contrary, it is no secret that we favour an increasing participation in the administration of Hong Kong's affairs by widely representative sections of the people, whether appointed or elected. All we want is a just and fair society where all may prosper in peace and harmony.
May I now ask the very few Members who did so perhaps unwittingly, to stop trying to play divisive politics, so curiously reminiscent of the same divide-and-rule tactics they condemned the Government for, once upon a time. One might be forgiven for asking too whose game they are now playing willy-nilly. Be that as it may, let us now work together with the sole aim and purpose of making life more amenable for all, as far as it is in our power to do, and not throw away our opportunity of doing good in Hong Kong's sensitive circumstances. The aspirations of the people are crystal clear. They desire better conditions in which to live and work and to bring up their families with every chance of advancement. And we in the Council, ought to assist all we can to create the right conditions for the fulfilment of these natural aspirations. By our combined effort, we must enrich the life of the community in every way.
The Future
The Annual Conventional Debate is over. We all had our say. Sound reports have been made by many Members. Some have rightly voiced their opinions on problems which worry the community. Let us do even more together for the efficient and effective administration of city affairs.
The Council should stand for progress and stability. It must always conduct its affairs with dignity and integrity. Otherwise, it would not deserve the respect of the community. With vision and
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Page 147
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HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL
fidence at every step. And, the truth must be told every time. Also, there is advantage in taking expert advice to ensure that whatever may be done is properly presented and put together objectively, and that there are no slanted versions for an ulterior motive or even self-glorifi- cation.
The Council has changed rapidly from the situation that it was in before reconstitution. Failure to grasp that consequently, there is the need for a new approach is perhaps the reason for all the sound and fury. The Council is a well-respected body, anxious to gain the under- standing of the people and win their support for the work it does. So, it is not only necessary to identify what we are doing and explain why we are doing it, but also to gauge public reaction. It is only by means of a regular dialogue between the Council and the people can a sound basis be formed for a thriving partnership for the common good.
All Councillors are free at any time to put their own views to the public and they have always been encouraged by me to do so.
If they choose to speak as chairmen of select committees, it goes without say- ing that they must state the agreed committee policy. No Member is prevented from letting the public know what his contrary views are. At the same time, none should inhibit the Council from co-ordinating official publicity and from taking all reasonable measures to reach the people in a fair, precise and professional manner. Our objective is the free flow of accurate information to the public by all means of communication at our disposal just as it is our duty to give equal access to the media without fear or favour.
Policy
In this Conventional Debate many Members gave impressive factual accounts of their work, thus confirming that the Council is a most energetic and progressive body. Despite this incontrovertible evidence, it was alleged that the Council was dead. There is not a grain of truth in it. On the contrary, the facts are plain for all to see: the Council is alive and kicking. That allegation might have been calculated to court publicity but it has served to detract most unfairly from the hard and productive work of so many Members devoting countless hours to thought and action.
The truth is simply that the pace-makers work well together as a team. In doing our bit to make a better life for the people, and getting on with the job with singlemindedness of purpose, we must turn our face against trivial and time-wasting discussion of no direct value to the Council. Our duty is clearly to use our wide knowledge and ex-
HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL
257
perience to improve and expand the service we give so as to make collectively a practical contribution within our power and resources to better living conditions. Members have applied themselves diligently in this direction as I know from working with them and attending their many committee meetings; with energy and determination, I am certain, they will gain their declared objectives.
By common consent, the Council has no wish to engage in petty politics with those who give the impression that they thrive on dissen- sion; and, I say without fear of contradiction by responsible Members, the Council wants no part in idle talk and impractical political specula- tion without relevance to its work. It does not mean to say, however, that we do not want progressive reform; on the contrary, it is no secret that we favour an increasing participation in the administration of Hong Kong's affairs by widely representative sections of the people, whether appointed or elected. All we want is a just and fair society where all may prosper in peace and harmony.
May I now ask the very few Members who did so perhaps un- wittingly, to stop trying to play divisive politics, so curiously reminis- cent of the same divide-an-rule tactics they condemned the Government for, once upon a time. One might be forgiven for asking too whose game they are now playing willy-nilly. Be that as it may, let us now work together with the sole aim and purpose of making life more amenable for all, as far as it is in our power to do, and not throw away our opportunity of doing good in Hong Kong's sensitive circum- stances. The aspirations of the people are crystal clear. They desire better conditions in which to live and work and to bring up their families with every chance of advancement. And we in the Council, ought to assist all we can to create the right conditions for the fulfilment of these natural aspirations. By our combined effort, we must enrich the life of the community in every way.
The Future
The Annual Conventional Debate is over. We all had our say. Sound reports have been made by many Members. Some have rightly voiced their opinions on problems which worry the community. Let us do even more together for the efficient and effective administration of city affairs.
The Council should stand for progress and stability. It must always conduct its affairs with dignity and integrity. Otherwise, it would not deserve the respect of the community. With vision and
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