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HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL
ADDRESS BY CHAIRMAN
CHAIRMAN (in English):-Good afternoon, Ladies and Gentlemen. Council is called to order.
MINUTES
The minutes of the meeting held on 11 December 1979 were confirmed.
PAPER
The following paper was laid on the table:
(1) Report to the Urban Council by the Director of Urban Services and Secretary, Urban Council, for the month of December 1979.
MOTION
(Mr. John MacKenzie arrived at this point.)
THE CHAIRMAN moved the following motion:-THAT this Council endorse the Statement of Aims for 1980.'
He said (in English):-Much use is rightly made of the annual debate. By convention it is the one occasion in the year when all is fair game within the bounds of propriety. The prescribed rules of debate still apply and are not likely to be set aside so long as good sense prevails.
Whether much will soon be achieved in concrete terms for the common good is open to question. Anyway, the sound and fury will abate quickly. In a pragmatic society, only positive action counts. Indeed, the criterion is simply how much good any venture does to the community. It is valued all the more if the benefits are enjoyed by a great number in everyday life.
It is useful nevertheless to turn the spotlight on issues of public consequence. Even if only for a fleeting moment, doing so may stir up interest and stimulate discussion. It may lead to appropriate action for the advantage of the community.
The impression this exercise makes is much the same today as it was before the Council was reconstituted. What makes sense finds reassuring response in good measure as hitherto. Only in one significant way is the impact different. And, that is all important. When the Council concentrates on matters directly under its jurisdiction, it has now the power and the resources to put its decisions into practice for the betterment of the community.
HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL
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117
munity. This was certainly not the case before. Because the Council has used its new powers with vision and determination, Hong Kong has made marked progress in matters under its control. The evidence is everywhere for all with eyes to see and the good grace to recognize achievement.
In environmental hygiene and sanitation, in food control and distribution, recreation and entertainment, in the cultivation of the arts and the dissemination of knowledge through the City Hall, the museums and the libraries -in sum, by numerous initiatives and activities, well thought out and carefully planned, the Council makes life healthier and happier for the common man. All is made possible by the consistent application of time and effort, thought and experience, imagination and conviction, backed up by the courage to act decisively, surmounting obstacles and overcoming sabotage on the way.
Progress on all fronts is the result. It is the product of honest and incisive action on the ground in an innovative manner. The select committees take the lead. They do not react meekly to fancy talk on issues irrelevant to their objectives neither are they browbeaten by dial-a-quote views masquerading as public opinion. The cause of a better city is advanced at productive meetings, day in and day out. It is there that progressive decisions are taken and implementation really monitored. Sadly, the attendance record of one or two who profess to represent the people does not stand examination. How can they have a real part in working for the betterment of the community if they are not present where the action is?
Still, these are among the ones who stand on the sidelines and surprisingly clamour for more power. Do they expect to be taken seriously? Surely, if the time should come for the Council to claim more responsibilities by either taking on more functions or extending its territory, or by a combination of both possibilities, the initiative would have credibility with the community were it taken by those who now work hardest and most effectively. These are the real pacemakers and not those who shout loudest and do the least constructive work. Indisputably, the most compelling argument for increased responsibilities is successful performance of existing assignments.
All progress is fueled by the resources the Council commands. No more advance need be expected within reason than what the ratepayer can afford or is willing to pay. Hence, the overriding importance of financial management. The Council has been able to do much that has never been done here before, which is pervasively beneficial to the community, while also improving the standards of basic services all round. All has been achieved in inflationary times when staff and other operational costs rise by leaps and bounds, yet no debt has been incurred. On the contrary, there was even a unique cut of the rate percentage. This is surely the kind of record a money-minded community approves. It has been brought about partly by adjusting the financial base in a businesslike manner. This can only be done by spreading costs equitably in stages. Even so, the future bears watching closely.
Page 75
Page 76
Page 76 of 136
Page 75 of 136
116
HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL
ADDRESS BY CHAIRMAN
CHAIRMAN (in English):-Good afternoon, Ladies and Gentlemen. Council
is called to order.
MINUTES
The minutes of the meeting held on 11 December 1979 were confirmed.
PAPER
The following paper was laid on the table:
(1) Report to the Urban Council by the Director of Urban Services and
Secretary, Urban Council, for the month of December 1979.
MOTION
(Mr. John MacKenzie arrived at this point.)
THE CHAIRMAN moved the following motion:-THAT this Council endorse the Statement of Aims for 1980.'
He said (in English):-Much use is rightly made of the annual debate. By convention it is the one occasion in the year when all is fair game within the bounds of propriety. The prescribed rules of debate still apply and are not likely to be set aside so long as good sense prevails.
Whether much will soon be achieved in concrete terms for the common good is open to question. Anyway, the sound and fury will abate quickly. In a pragmatic society, only positive action counts. Indeed, the criterion is simply how much good any venture does to the community. It is valued all the more if the benefits are enjoyed by a great number in everyday life.
It is useful nevertheless to turn the spotlight on issues of public con- sequence. Even if only for a fleeting moment, doing so may stir up interest and stimulate discussion. It may lead to appropriate action for the advantage of the community.
The impression this exercise makes is much the same today as it was before the Council was reconstituted. What makes sense finds reassuring response in good measure as hitherto. Only in one significant way is the impact different. And, that is all important. When the Council concentrates on matters directly under its jurisdiction, it has now the power and the resources to put its decisions into practice for the betterment of the com-
HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL
Page 75 of 136
117
munity. This was certainly not the case before. Because the Council has used its new powers with vision and determination, Hong Kong has made marked progress in matters under its control. The evidence is everywhere for all with
eyes to see and the good grace to recognize achievement.
In environmental hygiene and sanitation, in food control and distribution, recreation and entertainment, in the cultivation of the arts and the dis- semination of knowledge through the City Hall, the museums and the libraries -in sum, by numerous initiatives and activities, well thought out and carefully planned, the Council makes life healthier and happier for the common man. All is made possible by the consistent application of time and effort, thought and experience, imagination and conviction, backed up by the courage to act decisively, surmounting obstacles and overcoming sabotage on the way.
Progress on all fronts is the result. It is the product of honest and incisive action on the ground in an innovative manner. The select committees take the lead. They do not react meekly to fancy talk on issues irrelevant to their objectives neither are they browbeaten by dial-a-quote views masquerading as public opinion. The cause of a better city is advanced at productive meetings, day in, day out. It is there that progressive decisions are taken and implementation really monitored. Sadly, the attendance record of one or two who profess to represent the people does not stand examination. How can they have a real part in working for the betterment of the community if they are not present where the action is?
Still, these are among the ones who stand on the sidelines and surprisingly clamour for more power. Do they expect to be taken seriously? Surely, if the time should come for the Council to claim more responsibilities by either taking on more functions or extending its territory, or by a combination of both possibilities, the initiative would have credibility with the community were it taken by those who now work hardest and most effectively. These are the real pacemakers and not those who shout loudest and do the least constructive work. Indisputably, the most compelling argument for increased responsibilities is successful preformance of existing assignments.
All progress is fueled by the resources the Council commands. No more advance need be expected within reason than what the ratepayer can afford or is willing to pay. Hence, the overriding importance of financial manage- ment. The Council has been able to do much that has never been done here before, which is pervasively beneficial to the community, while also improving the standards of basic services all round. All has been achieved in inflationary times when staff and other operational costs rise by leaps and bounds, yet no debt has been incurred. On the contrary, there was even a unique cut of the rate percentage. This is surely the kind of record a money-minded community approves. It has been brought about partly by adjusting the financial base in a businesslike manner. This can only be done by spreading costs equitably in stages. Even so, the future bears watching closely.
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