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HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL
MRS. SELINA CHOW (in English):-Mr. Chairman, the Urban Council, in my view, is a very much misunderstood public body, and I would like to correct some of the false impressions commonly held.
Most people think that the Urban Council is a Government Department. We are not, and function quite independently of other Government Departments. Most people think that we are the Urban Services Department without realizing that U.S.D. is really the executive arm of the Council, and it is us who are responsible for the policies and the decisions.
Another fallacy is that the Council has official and unofficial members, and the officials are appointed and the unofficials elected. This is of course quite wrong. There are no Councillors who are officials. All Councillors are unofficials, either appointed or elected, meaning we are all members of the public, and not civil servants. We do not represent the Government on the Council, and we are taking up the job of Councillors as volunteers, and are, as far as I can see, defending the interest of the public. Whether appointed or elected, we stand on the side of the public to which we belong.
For various reasons, the terms of reference of the Urban Council is often misinterpreted. Perhaps it is because of all the governing bodies, only the Urban Council holds elections. Perhaps also the involvement of some Councillors in areas outside the Council mislead the public that the scope of the Council is wider than it actually is. And when Councillors are faced with problems outside their jurisdiction they often become ineffective, which in turn reflects badly on the Council.
Before I turn to the main functions of the Council, let me say how very impressed I have been in the last ten months with the dedication and hard-work of my senior colleagues, and the efficiency and professionalism that characterize both the Council and the U.S.D.
The Keep Hong Kong Clean Campaign remains a major concern of both the Council and the Hong Kong Government. Extensive publicity in the early years of the campaign succeeded in drawing attention to the issue. The present policy of our Environmental Select Committee is to drive the point home with effective action on the ground. A lot more, no doubt, will be done. However, one rather disappointing fact remains. Public places, particularly the heavily patronized ones, are often dirty in spite of the substantial manpower deployed to clean them. Little effort is made by the users of parks, beaches, and public toilets to preserve their cleanliness. As Hong Kong becomes more crowded, this situation can only worsen. Unless, of course, there is a change in attitude and behaviour. However, habits die hard, particularly when such habits are reinforced by convenience and selfishness. The threat of punishment can act as a deterrent to a certain extent, but by and large, preventive measures are more desirable and more pleasant.
I have great faith in the young, and I believe they can lead us in improving the situation. Judging from the success of such movements as the Junior Police Call, School Road Safety Patrols, and institutions such as the Boys Scouts and Girl Guides Association, one can safely assume that there are many young people who are willing to devote time and effort to meaningful activities to better themselves and help others. There is no reason why a similar body, territory-wide, cannot be formed for the sole purpose of improving our living environment, planning, and initiating actions not only in keeping Hong Kong Clean, but also in beautifying Hong Kong with activities such as tree-planting. The idea is to involve as many of our young people as possible in bearing and sharing the responsibility to make the Hong Kong environment one we can all be proud of.
To efficiently involve more participation, such activities along with other public service activities should be incorporated into the school curriculum, so that each child and youth up to 15 years will not only be encouraged but required to join at least one approved club or organization which will not only teach and train the concepts of civic-mindedness and co-operation, moral standards, and social understanding, but will actually offer opportunities for practical exercise of such concepts through the delegation and assumption of social responsibilities and civic duties. I feel this can be a much more effective way to prepare our young to be more responsible and responsive citizens than several years of classroom lessons and written tests on the subject of social science.
On the front of Recreation, the continuous goal of the Council must be to make well-managed and well-maintained facilities accessible to the largest number of people. This I believe has been done well in the past.
The cultural aspect of the Council's work has been controversial. The main bone of contention is differences in opinion as to what the right balance should be. Should we present the popular or the best? The local or the overseas? Should we only cater to the majority or to the minority also? Should the millions go to build up the collection for the museums or to initiate a Festival? Should we hold the International Film Festival to present art films from the world, or should we let President Marcos incorporate it into his vastly commercial Festival? Debate, congenial or fiery, will always help to find the right medium. The important thing is to be innovative, to reach the largest number of people, and to provide professionally co-ordinated service. The last point is specially applicable to the performing arts, particularly drama and dance, where supporting elements such as stage design, lighting, and sound are determining factors of success. We are not yet technically proficient to stage the more elaborate international presentations in our theatres. Neither do we have professional back up to facilitate more ambitious local productions. With such impressive venues as the Hung Hom Stadium nearing completion, this is an area which requires much thought and work.
I would now like to take this opportunity to comment on the issuing of liquor licences, which is a function of the Council that comes into the lime-
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Page 105 of 120
176
HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL
MRS. SELINA CHOW (in English):-Mr. Chairman, the Urban Council, in my view, is a very much misunderstood public body, and I would like to correct some of the false impressions commonly held.
Most people think that the Urban Council is a Government Department. We are not, and function quite independently of other Government Depart- ments. Most people think that we are the Urban Services Department without realizing that U.S.D. is really the executive arm of the Council, and it is us who are responsible for the policies and the decisions.
Another fallacy is that the Council has official and unofficial members, and the officials are appointed and the unofficials elected. This is of course quite wrong. There are no Councillors who are officials. All Councillors are unofficials, either appointed or elected, meaning we are all members of the public, and not civil servants. We do not represent the Government on the Council, and we are taking up the job of Councillors as volunteers, and are, as far as I can see, defending the interest of the public. Whether appointed or elected, we stand on the side of the public to which we belong.
For various reasons, the terms of reference of the Urban Council is often misinterpreted. Perhaps it is because of all the governing bodies, only the Urban Council holds elections. Perhaps also the involvement of some Coun- cillors in areas outside the Council mislead the public that the scope of the Council is wider than it actually is. And when Councillors are faced with problems outside their jurisdiction they often become ineffective, which in turn reflects badly on the Council.
Before I turn to the main functions of the Council, let me say how very impressed I have been in the last ten months with the dedication and hard- work of my senior colleagues, and the efficiency and professionalism that characterize both the Council and the U.S.D.
The Keep Hong Kong Clean Campaign remains a major concern of both the Council and the Hong Kong Government. Extensive publicity in the early years of the campaign succeeded in drawing attention to the issue. The present policy of our Environmental Select Committee is the drive the point home with effective action on the ground. A lot more, no doubt, will be done. However one rather disappointing fact remains. Public places, particularly the heavily patronized ones are often dirty in spite of the substantial man- power deployed to clean them. Little effort is made by the users of parks, beaches and public toilets to preserve their cleanliness. As Hong Kong becomes more crowded, this situation can only worsen. Unless, of course, there is a change in attitude and behaviour. However, habits die hard, particularly when such habits are re-inforced by convenience and selfishness. The threat of punishment can act as deterrent to a certain extent, but by and large, preven- tive measures are more desirable and more pleasant.
I have great faith in the young, and I believe they can lead us in improving the situation. Judging from the success of such movements as the Junior
HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL
177
Police Call, School Road Safety Patrols and institutions such as the Boys Scouts and Girl Guides Association, one can safely assume that there are many young people who are willing to devote time and effort to meaningful activities to better themselves and help others. There is no reason why a similar body, territory-wide, cannot be formed for the sole purpose of improv- ing our living environment, planning and initiating actions not only in keeping Hong Kong Clean, but also in beautifying Hong Kong with activities such as tree-planting. The idea is to involve as many of our young people as possible in bearing and sharing the responsibility to make the Hong Kong environment one we can all be proud of.
To efficiently involve more participation, such activities along with other public service activities should be incorporated into the school curriculum, so that each child and youth up to 15 years will not only be encouraged, but required to join at least one approved club or organization which will not only teach and train the concepts of civic-mindedness and co-operation, moral standards and social understanding, but will actually offer opportunities for practical exercise of such concepts through the delegation and assumption of social responsibilities and civic duties. I feel this can be a much more effec- tive way to prepare our young to be more responsible and responsive citizens than several years of classroom lessons and written tests on the subject of social science.
On the front of Recreation, the continuous goal of the Council must be to make well-managed and well-maintained facilities accessible to the largest number of people. This I believe has been done well in the past.
The cultural aspect of the Council's work has been controversial. The main bone of contention is differences in opinion as to what the right balance should be. Should we present the popular or the best? The local or the over- seas? Should we only cater to the majority or to the minority also? Should the millions go to build up the collection for the museums or to initiate a Festival? Should we hold the International Film Festival to present art films from the world, or should we let President Marcos incorporate it into his vastly commercial Festival? Debate, congenial or fiery, will always help to find the right medium. The important thing is to be innovative, to reach the largest number of people, and to provide professionally co-ordinated service. The last point is specially applicable to the performing arts, particularly drama and dance, where supporting elements such as stage design, lighting and sound are determining factors of success. We are not yet technically proficient to stage the more elaborate international presentations in our theatres. Neither do we have professional back up to facilitate more ambitious local productions. With such impressive venues as the Hung Hom Stadium nearing completion, this is an area which requires much thought and work.
I would now like to take this opportunity to comment on the issuing of liquor licences which is a function of the Council that comes into the lime-
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