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Kong can solve by itself. The most Hong Kong can do is to have faith and to face the situation boldly and wisely in order to keep the damage to the minimum. When the situation improves internationally, we will be able to grasp that chance to expand and prosper again. Meanwhile, there are a lot of things to be done, but they are not within our jurisdiction and we cannot do anything about them. Even so, we must not just sit back and watch on. We should deem it our duty to help. We should try our best, regardless of the size of the contribution that will be made.
During the two years or so of economic recession starting from 1973, the Urban Council has helped the people to tide over their difficulties arising from unemployment or under-employment. Though the value of our contribution has yet to be thoroughly and accurately assessed, it is at least certain that nothing disastrous happened in the wake of unemployment and under-employment which were causes for social unrest and disturbances. We must not therefore under-estimate the value of the HPA scheme introduced by the Urban Council.
Today, we are about to face the same problem again and it is very likely that we may have to employ the same policy to cope with the situation.
In case such a need arises, I think that the Council should objectively make an early review on the way the HPA scheme was implemented. Although there is no denying that the basic principle of this scheme does hold water, there is still much room for improvement as far as the methods of its implementation are concerned.
The HPA scheme has proved its worth in easing the pressure of unemployment. However, it is beyond doubt that the way the scheme was implemented leaves much to be desired. We have already gained much experience in this pilot scheme. If a thorough review is made, we can then safely avoid similar attacks and complaints when the scheme has to be employed again.
Besides the HPA scheme, are there still any other courses which the Council may take to help the community ride out the period of economic recession? I believe this is something which deserves our attention and further study.
The problem of lunch for the white collars and the blue collars is another area of concern. Lunch box is very popular these days and there has also been a change in the eating habit of some Chinese who have only a sandwich or two for lunch. At the same time, snack bars come into existence one after another. However, there are still two questions which need to be answered:-
(a) How many people have not yet adapted themselves to the new eating habit and still prefer the old one, i.e. they still prefer having meals supplied by food caterers?
(b) What is the difference between the prices of meals supplied by food caterers and those of lunch-boxes or snacks? I should think that the latter is over 100% more expensive than the former.
Of course we have to pay attention to the standard of cleanliness observed by the catering trade and ensure that it will not endanger public health and safety. But if unfortunately we have to face another inflation, a term which Mr. Financial Secretary does not like but most expressive, and economic recession at the same time, people would be getting less pay and having to pay out more pecuniarily for necessities, wouldn't it be our duty then to help the white and blue collar classes to get cheaper lunches?
Although it has almost become our established policy to phase out the food catering trade, it does not necessarily mean that policy once made is unchangeable. On the contrary, a review should be made when we feel that a change in or a more flexible attitude towards such policy will be of greater advantage to our community.
Finally, Mr. Chairman, I would like to propose here that the staff of the Council Secretariat, especially Mr. TINSON, be commended for their excellent performance.
It may be too early to bring up this matter now in this Debate because the new Urban Council Chambers is still under construction, but we must not overlook the hard work and untiring efforts rendered by those involved in its planning. Regardless whether the Council Chambers will be in every way up to our expectation upon completion, full credit must go to the Council Secretariat headed by Mr. TINSON, which has done its very best in getting things go smoothly.
In such a world-renowned city as Hong Kong, there should be an Urban Council building featuring the metropolis, which should not only win high praise from foreign visitors but should also fill the local population with pride. I therefore propose as aforesaid.
Now I would like to say a little more and remark on some of the senior Councillors' comments which concern the rate increase. As an Elected Councillor, I object to this strongly. It seems sufficient that
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HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL
185
184
HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL
Kong can solve by itself. The most Hong Kong can do is to have faith and to face the situation boldly and wisely in order to keep the damage to the minimum. When the situation improves internationally, we will be able to grasp that chance to expand and prosper again. Mean- while, there are a lot of things to be done, but they are not within our jurisdiction and we cannot do anything about them. Even so, we must not just sit back and watch on. We should deem it our duty to help. We should try our best, regardless of the size of the contribution that will be made.
During the two years or so of economic recession starting from 1973, the Urban Council has helped the people to tide over their difficulties arising from unemployment or under-employment. Though the value of our contribution has yet to be thoroughly and accurately assessed, it is at least certain that nothing disastrous happened in the wake of unemployment and under-employment which were causes for social unrest and disturbances. We must not therefore under-estimate the value of the HPA scheme introduced by the Urban Council.
Today, we are about to face the same problem again and it is very likely that we may have to employ the same policy to cope with the situation.
In case such a need arises, I think that the Council should objectively make an early review on the way the HPA scheme was implemented. Although there is no denying that the basic principle of this scheme does hold water, there is still much room for improvement as far as the methods of its implementation are concerned.
The HPA scheme has proved its worth in easing the pressure of unemployment. However, it is beyond doubt that the way the scheme was implemented leaves much to be desired. We have already gained much experience in this pilot scheme. If a thorough review is made, we can then safely avoid similar attacks and complaints when the scheme has to be employed again.
Besides the HPA scheme, are there still any other courses which the Council may take to help the community ride out the period of economic recession? I believe this is something which deserves our attention and further study.
The problem of lunch for the white collars and the blue collars is another area of concern. Lunch box is very popular these days and there has also been a change in the eating habit of some Chinese who have only a sandwich or two for lunch. At the same time, snack bars
come into existence one after another. However, there are still two questions which need to be answered:-
(a) How many people have not yet adapted themselves to the new eating habit and still prefer the old one, i.e. they still prefer having meals supplied by food caterers?
(b) What is the difference between the prices of meals supplied by food caterers and those of lunch-boxes or snacks? I should think that the latter is over 100% more expensive than the former.
Of course we have to pay attention to the standard of cleanliness observed by the catering trade and ensure that it will not endanger public health and safety. But if unfortunately we have to face another inflation, a term which Mr. Financial Secretary does not like but most expressive, and economic recession at the same time, people would be getting less pay and having to pay out more pecuniarily for necessities, wouldn't it be our duty then to help the white and blue collar classes to get cheaper lunches?
Although it has almost become our established policy to phase out the food catering trade, it does not necessarily mean that policy once made is unchangeable. On the contrary, a review should be made when we feel that a change in or a more flexible attitude towards such policy will be of greater advantage to our community.
Finally, Mr. Chairman, I would like to propose here that the staff of the Council Secretariat, especially Mr. TINSON, be commended for their excellent performance.
It may be too early to bring up this matter now in this Debate because the new Urban Council Chambers is still under construction, but we must not overlook the hard work and untiring efforts rendered by those involved in its planning. Regardless whether the Council Chambers will be in every way up to our expectation upon completion, full credit must go to the Council Secretariat headed by Mr. TINSON, which has done its very best in getting things go smoothly.
In such a world-renowned city as Hong Kong, there should be an Urban Council building featuring the metropolis, which should not only win high praise from foreign visitors but should also fill the local popu- lation with price. I therefore propose as aforesaid.
Now I would like to say a little more and remark on some of the senior Councillors' comments which concern the rate increase. As an Elected Councillor, I object to this strongly. It seems sufficient that
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