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a prime consideration is the process of natural selection in a desirable meritocracy. The alternative is an exercise in mediocrity as is often the case. To ensure that the new structure will function properly is imperative. Nothing should be left to chance as the margin of error is hard to find in the twilight years of the century.
This Council has itself evolved out of all recognition from the time it was set up in its present form almost eight years ago. Its impact on the life of the community is beyond question. It has penetrated into every neighbourhood with its many-sided beneficial activities. It has discharged its responsibilities with a strong sense of purpose. It has done so with marked effectiveness and with style and dignity too. It has worked splendidly with the Urban Services Department. Hong Kong is now altogether different by common agreement among the fair-minded. Life is incomparably better for the mass of the people. And, let it be said without fear of contradiction, the many services the Council gives to the community bear comparison in standard and effectiveness with any major city in the world, all things being equal.
What is there for this Council in the next stage? The impression is given that its position will not be changed. It is only a superficial conclusion. The connotations are there for all to think about seriously. How will the Council fit in with the ten urban district boards and an equal number of exclusively government-composed district management committees likely to be actually directing the whole production off stage? Thus, it seems that this Council will have to live with a radically changed situation in which there will be these ubiquitous local authorities potentially more firmly anchored to the people and closer to the source of power here. Council members will be split by design and will be subjected inevitably to increasingly stronger pressures to compete for the inordinate distribution of benefits to their respective districts.
Is the Council likely to be the captain of a closely-knit team in these circumstances? Will its collective leadership be accepted by virtue of impressive past performance even though with diluted executive powers in the new way of life? Will it stand helplessly by while its position is eroded in short order? Is the Council itself ready to share the scene with other performers and be upstaged at every turn or will it explore boldly the opportunities that will arise? These are questions for which pragmatic answers must be found in double-quick time. The situation brooks no delay. In truth, the writing is on the wall. Will the response be clear and positive? For sure, an effete Council will be redundant in the new Hong Kong.
Good luck. I so move.
MR. HILTON CHEONG-LEEN, VICE-CHAIRMAN, URBAN COUNCIL, seconded (in English): -Mr. Chairman, in endorsing the Statement of Aims for 1981, we
are
HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL
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re-affirming the Urban Council's deep-rooted spirit of care and concern to steadily improve the quality of life for our 4 million urban residents.
Broadly defined, the Council is concerned with Environmental Improvement, Sports and Recreation, and Culture and Entertainment.
As one of the world's great cities, Urban Hong Kong has to maintain high standards of sanitation and cleanliness as well as the lowest possible levels of noise, air and water pollution.
Furthermore, this Council has to provide 4 million urban citizens, who will soon have the right of universal suffrage, with an expanding range of facilities and services in the areas of Sports and Recreation, and Culture and Entertainment.
Apart from its general activity programmes, the Council should be seen to show more concern for young people under 18, for whom the rising crime rate is a worrying factor, and for our 'senior citizens', who are in need of greater attention from Government.
As 1981 has been proclaimed by the United Nations as the International Year for Disabled Persons, it is appropriate to lay on the table today a list of the range of services and activities provided by Council for Disabled Persons.
Keep Hong Kong Clean Campaign
A principal function of the Council is to keep the urban areas clean as well as green and beautiful.
Daily, the Council's staff collect 2,540 tonnes of rubbish, making a total of over 927,000 tonnes a year. This quantity is rising at the average rate of 6.5% per year.
I welcome the setting up of the new high-powered Steering Committee, chaired by the Chief Secretary, of the Keep Hong Kong Clean Campaign. This will give greater boost on the part of all Government departments to the Council's work to keep the urban areas cleaner and tidier. The Council is also seeking additional resources to improve the cleansing services and sanitation facilities for the 450,000 squatters living in urban areas.
Wherever there are suitable sites available, the Council will ensure that plants, trees and flowers will be planted to make the urban areas more beautiful and pleasing to the eye. In 1981, the Council expects to plant 144,000 more trees and flowering shrubs.
Hawkers and Markets
Another principal function of the Council is licensing and regulating the activities of hawkers and markets stallholders.
Page 73 of 120
Page 73 of 120
112
HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL
a prime consideration is the process of natural selection in a desirable meritocracy. The alternative is an exercise in mediocrity as is often the case. To ensure that the new structure will function properly is imperative. Nothing should be left to chance as the margin of error is hard to find in the twilight years of the century.
This Council has itself evolved out of all recognition from the time it was set up in its present form almost eight years ago. Its impact on the life of the community is beyond question. It has penetrated into every neigh- bourhood with its many-sided beneficial activities. It has discharged its responsibilities with a strong sense of purpose. It has done so with marked effectiveness and with style and dignity too. It has worked splendidly with the Urban Services Department. Hong Kong is now altogether different by common agreement among the fair-minded. Life is incomparably better for the mass of the people. And, let it be said without fear of contradiction, the many services the Council gives to the community bear comparison in standard and effectiveness with any major city in the world, all things being equal.
What is there for this Council in the next stage? The impression is given that its position will not be changed. It is only a superficial conclusion. The connotations are there for all to think about seriously. How will the Council fit in with the ten urban district boards and an equal number of exclusively government-composed district management committees likely to be actually directing the whole production off stage? Thus, it seems that this Council will have to live with a radically changed situation in which there will be these ubiquitous local authorities potentially more firmly anchored to the people and closer to the source of power here. Council members will be split by design and will be subjected inevitably to increasingly stronger pressures to compete for the inordinate distribution of benefits to their respective districts.
Is the Council likely to be the captain of a closely-knit team in these circumstances? Will its collective leadership be accepted by virtue of impres- sive past performance even though with diluted executive powers in the new way of life? Will it stand helplessly by while its position is eroded in short order? Is the Council itself ready to share the scene with other performers and be upstaged at every turn or will it explore boldly the opportunities that will arise? These are questions for which pragmatic answers must be found in double-quick time. The situation brooks no delay. In truth, the writing is on the wall. Will the response be clear and positive? For sure, an effete Council will be redundant in the new Hong Kong.
Good luck. I so move.
MR. HILTON CHEONG-LEEN, VICE-CHAIRMAN, URBAN COUNCIL, seconded (in English): -Mr. Chairman, in endorsing the Statement of Aims for 1981, we
are
HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL
Page 73 of 120
113
re-affirming the Urban Council's deep-rooted spirit of care and concern to steadily improve the quality of life for our 4 million urban residents.
Broadly defined, the Council is concerned with Environmental Improve- ment, Sports and Recreation, and Culture and Entertainment.
As one of the world's great cities, Urban Hong Kong has to maintain high standards of sanitation and cleanliness as well as the lowest possible levels of noise, air and water pollution.
Furthermore, this Council has to provide 4 million urban citizens, who will soon have the right of universal suffrage, with an expanding range of facilities and services in the areas of Sports and Recreation, and Culture and Enter- tainment.
Apart from its general activity programmes, the Council should be seen to show more concern for young people under 18, for whom the rising crime rate is a worrying factor, and for our 'senior citizens', who are in need of greater attention from Government.
As 1981 has been proclaimed by the United Nations as the International Year for Disabled Persons, it is appropriate to lay on the table today a list of the range of services and activities provided by Council for Disabled Persons.
Keep Hong Kong Clean Campaign
A principal function of the Council is to keep the urban areas clean as well as green and beautiful.
Daily, the Council's staff collect 2 540 tonnes of rubbish, making a total of over 927 000 tonnes a year. This quantity is rising at the average rate of 6.5% per year.
I welcome the setting up of the new high-powered Steering Committee, chaired by the Chief Secretary, of the Keep Hong Kong Clean Campaign. This will give greater boost on the part of all Government departments to the Council's work to keep the urban areas cleaner and tidier. The Council is also seeking additional resources to improve the cleansing services and sanitation facilities for the 450 000 squatters living in urban areas.
Wherever there are suitable sites available, the Council will ensure that plants, trees and flowers will be planted to make the urban areas more beautiful and pleasing to the eye. In 1981, the Council expects to plant 144 000 more trees and flowering shrubs.
Hawkers and Markets
Another principal function of the Council is licensing and regulating the activities of hawkers and markets stallholders.
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