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HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL
in 1973 but with a long history in the community. The problems it faces The Hong Kong Philharmonic Society is an independent body incorporated are not un-typical of those which face any similar institution in a period of dynamic growth. These are now being resolved and with generous support assured from the Urban Council and the Government for 1979-80, the Society is confident that its momentum of progress can be maintained.
The Philharmonic Society has expressed, many times, its gratitude to the Council for its financial support (amounting to about 50% of the Philharmonic Budget) and other assistance it has given, particularly in recent years. There is no country in the world where a Symphony Orchestra of professional standard can survive without public and private subsidy. This is as true in Singapore, Peking, and Manila as it is in Berlin, London or New York. The expenditure of $5 million to support a professional Symphony Orchestra in Hong Kong is well within the capacity of a community with a total public revenue exceeding $8,000 million. Moreover, the generous contribution of $3.1 million from the Council for 1979-80 still represents less than 5% of total cost of staff and services for its Cultural Affairs activities next year.
The Council is far-sighted and progressive in its financial support for the Philharmonic Orchestra. I suggest it leave the Society to get on with its job of developing this young professional institution.
Conclusion
I see that I have already out-run the limits of my own time schedule. Before I conclude, however, I would like to thank Members of the Council and staff who have constructively contributed to Administration activities and to the good public relations of the Council during the year. I am sure that they join me also, Sir, in expressing our appreciation for the exceptional service you have personally rendered to the Council and to the community in the period.
With these remarks, Sir, I am pleased to support the Motion.
ADJOURNMENT-3.57pm
CHAIRMAN (in English):-Thank you. If there are no other speakers listed on the first day who wish to speak now, Council will stand adjourned until Thursday, 11 January, at 2.30pm when the debate will resume.
HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL
Appendix to The Hon. Hilton Cheong-leen's Speech
United Nations' Declaration of the Rights of the Child
Preamble
Page 92 of 135
145
Whereas the peoples of the United Nations have, in the Charter, reaffirmed their faith in fundamental human rights, and in the dignity and worth of the human person, and have determined to promote social progress and better standards of life in larger freedom,
Whereas the United Nations has, in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, proclaimed that everyone is entitled to all the rights and freedoms set forth therein, without distinction of any kind, such as race, colour, sex, language, religion, political or other opinion, national or social origin, property, birth or other status,
Whereas the child, by reason of his physical and mental immaturity, needs special safeguards and care, including appropriate legal protection, before as well as after birth,
Whereas the need for such special safeguards has been stated in the Geneva Declaration of the Rights of the Child of 1924, and recognized in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and in the statutes of specialized agencies and international organizations concerned with the welfare of children.
Whereas mankind owes to the child the best it has to give,
Now therefore,
The General Assembly
Proclaims this Declaration of the Rights of the Child to the end that he may have a happy childhood and enjoy for his own good and for the good of society the rights and freedoms herein set forth, and calls upon parents, upon men and women as individuals and upon voluntary organizations, local authorities and national Governments to recognize these rights and strive for their observance by legislative and other measures progressively taken in accordance with the following principles:
Principle 1
The child shall enjoy all the rights set forth in this Declaration. All children, without any exception whatsoever, shall be entitled to these rights, without distinction or discrimination on account of race, colour, sex, language, religion, political or other opinion, national or social origin, property, birth or other status, whether of himself or of his family.
Principle 2
The child shall enjoy special protection, and shall be given opportunities and facilities, by law and by other means, to enable him to develop
Page 92 of 135
Page 92 of 135
144
HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL
in 1973 but with a long history in the community. The problems it faces The Hong Kong Philharmonic Society is an independent body incorporated are not un-typical of those which face any similar institution in a period of dynamic growth. These are now being resolved and with generous support assured from the Urban Council and the Government for 1979-80, the Society is confident that its momentum of progress can be maintained.
The Philharmonic Society has expressed, many times, its gratitude to the Council for its financial support (amounting to about 50% of the Philharmonic Budget) and other assistance it has given, particularly in recent years. There is no country in the world where a Symphony Orchestra of professional standard can survive without public and private subsidy. This is as true in Singapore, Peking, and Manila as it is in Berlin, London or New York. The expenditure of $5 million to support a professional Symphony Orchestra in Hong Kong is well within the capacity of a community with a total public revenue exceeding $8,000 million. Moreover, the generous contribution of $3.1 million from the Council for 1979-80 still represents less than 5% of total cost of staff and services for its Cultural Affairs activities
next year.
The Council is far-sighted and progressive in its financial support for the Philharmonic Orchestra. I suggest it leave the Society to get on with its job of developing this young professional institution.
Conclusion
I see that I have already out-run the limits of my own time schedule. Before I conclude, however, I would like to thank Members of the Council and staff who have constructively contributed to Administration activities and to the good public relations of the Council during the year. I am sure that they join me also, Sir, in expressing our appreciation for the exceptional service you have personally rendered to the Council and to the community in the period.
With these remarks, Sir, I am pleased to support the Motion.
ADJOURNMENT-3.57pm
CHAIRMAN (in English):-Thank you. If there are no other speakers listed on the first day who wish to speak now, Council will stand adjourned until Thursday, 11 January, at 2.30pm when the debate will resume.
HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL
Appendix to The Hon. Hilton Cheong-leen's Speech
United Nations' Declaration of the Rights of the Child
Preamble
Page 92 of 135
145
Whereas the peoples of the United Nations have, in the Charter, reaffirmed their faith in fundamental human rights, and in the dignity and worth of the human person, and have determined to promote social progress and
better standards of life in larger freedom,
Whereas the United Nations has, in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, proclaimed that everyone is entitled to all the rights and freedoms set forth therein, without distinction of any kind, such as race, colour, sex, language, religion, political or other opinion, national or social origin, property, birth or other status,
Whereas the child, by reason of his physical and mental immaturity, needs special safeguards and care, including appropriate legal protection,
before as well as after birth,
Whereas the need for such special safeguards has been stated in the Geneva Declaration of the Rights of the Child of 1924, and recognized in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and in the statutes of specialized agencies and international organizations concerned with the welfare of
children.
Whereas mankind owes to the child the best it has to give,
Now therefore,
The General Assembly
Proclaims this Declaration of the Rights of the Child to the end that he may have a happy childhood and enjoy for his own good and for the good of society the rights and freedoms herein set forth, and calls upon parents, upon men and women as individuals and upon voluntary organizations, local authorities and national Governments to recognize these rights and strive for their observance by legislative and other measures progressively taken in accordance with the following principles:
Principle 1
The child shall enjoy all the rights set forth in this Declaration. All children, without any exception whatsoever, shall be entitled to these rights, without distinction or discrimination on account of race, colour, sex, language, religion, political or other opinion, national or social origin, property, birth or other status, whether of himself or of his family.
Principle 2
The child shall enjoy special protection, and shall be given opportunities and facilities, by law and by other means, to enable him to develop
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