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classes to be organized by the Council in the larger libraries without charge or on payment of a small registration fee.
The Space Museum will hopefully be open to the public in the middle of this year, and will mark the completion of the first phase of the Cultural Complex. Other phases are the building of the Auditoria Block, comprising the Concert Hall and the Lyric Theatre, to be followed by the Museum & Art Gallery Block.
Plans are also under way for the establishment of a History Museum, and a Science & Technology Museum, which can play an important role in Hong Kong's march towards higher technology and industrial diversification. I hope the Central Government will give full support to these projects.
Urban Council and Central Government
Although the Urban Council was given a measure of financial responsibility in 1973, it is controlled by the Central Government in so far as the building of larger projects, such as the Culture Complex, the Sports Training Centre, etc. is concerned.
Perhaps the time has come for the Central Government, now that it is accumulating sizeable fiscal surpluses, to allocate to the Urban Council a larger proportion of the rates collected to enable Council to step up its efforts to improve the quality of life for our 4 million urban residents.
With the formation of the recent Cultural Services Division in the Home Affairs Branch, I hope that there will be even more coordination and cooperation as between the Urban Council and the Recreation and Sports Council, and the recently opened Jubilee Sports Centre in Sha Tin. In the 80's the Urban Council intends to play the leading role in the development of sports, recreation and culture in the urban areas. The Central Government should then be able to concentrate on an equivalent role in the New Territories.
Urban Services Department
Next to the Police Force, the Urban Services Department employs the largest number of Civil Servants in Hong Kong.
Through its various Select Committees and Sub-Committees, Urban Councillors take an active part in setting policies and monitoring the implementation of such policies by the Urban Services Department.
We are at all times concerned that services are improved and not lowered, and that the productivity of the Department's staff is maintained at a high level without detriment to staff morale.
Decade of the 80's
Whether we like it or not, Hong Kong is moving in the direction of a technological society. In the 80's, our population should be transforming itself with less emphasis as a laissez-faire world of personal influence and affluence to one of more Government and voluntary concern for the well-being of the community.
Firstly, the Urban Council will have to keep on with a sustained programme to improve the living environment in each of our eleven urban districts by opening up more parks, playgrounds, green areas, swimming pools, libraries, recreation, leisure, sports and other cultural facilities.
Secondly, the Central Government should do more to reduce pollution, curtail land and housing speculation, and take credible measures to prove to the Hong Kong public that the transport problem is under control.
The Urban Council's unswerving aim is to create urban district communities, in which residents and their children work, play and enjoy a peaceful and happy environment and future.
Fifty years ago, T. S. ELIOT in 'The Rock' asked as follows: What life have you if you have not life together? There is no life that is not in community. And now you live dispersed on ribbon roads, And no man knows or cares who is his neighbour Unless his neighbour makes too much disturbance, But all dash to and fro in motor cars, Familiar with the roads and settled nowhere. Nor does the family even move about together.
But every son would have his motor cycle, And daughters ride away on casual pillions When the Stranger says: "What is the meaning of this city? Do you huddle close together because you love each other"? What will you answer? "We all dwell together To make money from each other?" or "This is a community"?" Mr. Chairman, in seconding the motion, may I observe that T. S. ELIOT'S question today rings a familiar bell in urban Hong Kong.
CHAIRMAN (in English): The motion on the agenda paper has been proposed and seconded. It is now open for discussion. Mrs. ELLIOTT, please.
MRS. E. ELLIOTT (in English): At this debate I do not want to go through the usual routine of repeating what is in the Annual Report concerning the work of my own Committee.
However, I would like to take this opportunity of thanking the librarians and staff of our libraries, not only for their continued co-operation, but also for using their initiative and imagination in expanding and diversifying our library activities. Libraries are no longer merely places for borrowing books and providing study areas for students. They are becoming active cultural centres, like mini-city halls, in districts where we have been able to set up
Page 78 of 136
123
122
Page 78 of 136
Page 78 of 136
123
122
HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL
classes to be organized by the Council in the larger libraries without charge
or on payment of a small registration fee.
The Space Museum will hopefully be open to the public in the middle of this year, and will mark the completion of the first phase of the Cultural the Concert Hall and the Lyric Theatre, to be followed by the Museum & Complex. Other phases are the building of the Auditoria Block, comprising
Cultural Complex & Science and Technology Museum
Art Gallery Block.
Plans are also under way for the establishment of a History Museum, and a Science & Technology Museum, which can play an important role in Hong Kong's march towards higher technology and industrial diversification. I hope the Central Government will give full support to these projects.
Urban Council and Central Government
Although the Urban Council was given a measure of financial responsibility in 1973, it is controlled by the Central Government in so far as the building of larger projects, such as the Culture Complex, the Sports Training Centre,
etc. is concerned.
Perhaps the time has come for the Central Government, now that it is accumulating sizeable fiscal surpluses, to allocate to the Urban Council a larger proportion of the rates collected to enable Council to step up its efforts to improve the quality of life for our 4 million urban residents.
With the formation of the recent Cultural Services Division in the Home Affairs Branch, I hope that there will be even more coordination and coopera tion as between the Urban Council and the Recreation and Sports Council, and the recently opened Jubilee Sports Centre in Sha Tin. In the 80's the Urban Council intends to play the leading role in the development of sports, recreation and culture in the urban areas. The Central Government should then be able to concentrate on an equivalent role in the New Territories.
Urban Services Department
Next to the Police Force, the Urban Services Department employs the largest number of Civil Servants in Hong Kong.
Through its various Select Committees and Sub-Committees, Urban Councillors take an active part in setting policies and monitoring the imple mentation of such policies by the Urban Services Department.
We are at all times concerned that services are improved and not lowered. and that the productivity of the Department's staff is maintained at a high level without detriment to staff morale.
Decade of the 80's
Whether we like it or not, Hong Kong is moving in the direction of a technological society. In the 80's, our population should be transforming itself with less emphasis as a laissez-faire world of personal influence and
HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL
affluence to one of more Government and voluntary concern for the well-
being of the community.
Firstly, the Urban Council will have to keep on with a sustained programme to improve the living environment in each of our eleven urban districts by opening up more parks, playgrounds, green areas, swimming pools, libraries, recreation, leisure, sports and other cultural facilities.
Secondly, the Central Government should do more to reduce pollution, curtail land and housing speculation, and take credible measures to prove to the Hong Kong public that the transport problem is under control.
The Urban Council's unswerving aim is to create urban district com- munities, in which residents and their children work, play and enjoy a peaceful and happy environment and future.
Fifty years ago, T. S. ELIOT in 'The Rock' asked as follows: What life have you if you have not life together? There is no life that is not in community. And now you live dispersed on ribbon roads, And no man knows or cares who is his neighbour Unless his neighbour makes too much disturbance, But all dash to and fro in motor cars, Familiar with the roads and settled nowhere. Nor does the family even move about together.
But every son would have his motor cycle,
And daughters ride away on casual pillions
When the Stranger says: "What is the meaning of this city? Do you huddle close together because you love each other”? What will you answer? "We all dwell together
To make money from each other?" or "This is a community"?" Mr. Chairman, in seconding the motion, may I observe that T. S. ELIOT'S question today rings a familiar bell in urban Hong Kong.
CHAIRMAN (in English):-The motion on the agenda paper has been proposed and seconded. It is now open for discussion. Mrs. ELLIOTT, please.
MRS. E. ELLIOTT (in English):-At this debate I do not want to go through the usual routine of repeating what is in the Annual Report concerning the work of my own Committee.
However, I would like to take this opportunity of thanking the librarians and staff of our libraries, not only for their continued co-operation, but also for using their initiative and imagination in expanding and diversifying our library activities. Libraries are no longer merely places for borrowing books and providing study areas for students. They are becoming active cultural centres, like mini-city halls, in districts where we have been able to set up
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