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HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL
The claim that 'the Urban Council is in reality the only public body here with actual executive powers' seems to have to be faced with another challenging test. What will then be the role of the Urban Council when reformation into the Pattern of District Administration is enforced?
The Council is itself not the executive body for the urban policies but only provides services in relation to environment improvement, recreation and amenities, and culture. How can the three words 'the Urban Council' be a justifiable name for it? All the sagacious and experienced fellow councillors, I believe, will certainly see for themselves whether the contributions in the past years are really worth rejoicing commendation.
To be rapt in complacency and have an unduly high opinion of oneself for only a puny success while claiming all the achievements to be one's own with hardly any concern for the immediate advent of the power-crippling reformation, isn't it sharp enough to see the minute details but blunt enough to miss the major issue?
Lastly, I would like to make a proposal concerning the welfare of the Council's staff. The staff are unable to keep their mind on their work, and they are ready to contemplate change for a better job on seeing one. It is impossible to keep them if there is a lack of staff welfare. So, again I put forth the following suggestions:—
A. Construction of housing units for the staff As the staff are unable to enjoy any priority in the allocation of public housing units, there should be a home ownership scheme for them. Without requiring the Council to offer any financial aid, co-operation can still be made with contractors if Government allocates the land, hence greatly reducing the cost of housing. Then the staff will naturally be able to enjoy the home ownership scheme within their means. Suggestion is also given here for the Staff Welfare Sub-committee to be strengthened and made responsible for the necessary arrangements.
B. Hawker Problem Can full strength be gathered to find an effective way to deal with this problem in answer to the public?
C. Cleansing There has been apparent success in dealing with this problem so far. However, there seems to have been a want for full effort in exercising control over factories in regard to waste disposal or pollution. (The recent conflagration at Kowloon Bay with factories suffering great loss can serve as an evidence.) Can the control be strengthened? Finally, I move to support all the motions at this Annual Conventional Debate.
MR. TSIN SAI-NIN (in Cantonese):-It has been eight years since the re-organization and independence of finance of Urban Council in 1973. During the past eight years, there have been great changes in politics, economy and environment. We are now facing another change. I would like to give my opinions about some problems in Hong Kong.
HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL
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1. Democracy and freedom are fundamental factors in any soundly organized society. Hong Kong is not an exception. Democracy has become a current that nobody can resist. The introduction of 'A Pattern of District Administration in Hong Kong' is just for the purpose to meet the requirement of democracy. There have been different points of view between the government and the elected urban councillors. It is necessary for the citizens of Hong Kong especially the prophets who know the advantage of democracy struggle for a better system instead of using democracy for decorating.
2. Unless our economy becomes very steady, the citizens of Hong Kong can not live in prosperity and contentment. To maintain the good public order of the society, the government must take more care for the middle-class and lower-class working people and give them more job opportunities.
3. What we are much concerned about are:-
a. the problem of public safety-the increase of youngster criminals is not only a threat to the lives of public but a failure of education for our younger generation. The recruitment of more policemen and the expansion of more prisons have no evident effect. Has the government taken any other affirmative measures?
b. the problem of traffic-we are embarrassed by the fare increase of the two bus co., the repair of main roads and tram-only and bus-only lane etc. If these problems remain unsolved, great inconvenience and serious problems of the society would be caused.
c. the revision of salaries tax-as the result of inflation, the existing system of assessment for tax has become unfair. People of any rank are under the threat of paying tax. $25,000 is proposed for personal allowance and the allowances for wife and children should be revised accordingly.
As a matter of fact, there are many problems to be solved. The government should review its policies frequently in order to adopt remedial measures in time. With the exception of the above, I support the aim of the Urban Council in 1981-82.
ADJOURNMENT — 4.08 p.m.
CHAIRMAN (in English):-Council is now adjourned until Thursday, 22 January at 2.30 p.m. when the debate will resume.
Page 83 of 12
Page 83 of 120
132
HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL
The claim that 'the Urban Council is in reality the only public body here with actual executive powers' seems to have to be faced with another challenging test. What will then be the role of the Urban Council when reformation into the Pattern of District Administration is enforced?
The Council is itself not the executive body for the urban policies but only provides services in relation to environment improvement, recreation and amenities, and culture. How can the three words 'the Urban Council' be a justifiable name for it? All the sagacious and experienced fellow councillors, I believe, will certainly see for themselves whether the contributions in the past years are really worth rejoicing commendation.
To be rapt in complacency and have an unduly high opinion of oneself for only a puny success while claiming all the achievements to be one's own with hardly any concern for the immediate advent of the power-crippling reformation, isn't it sharp enough to see the minute details but blunt enough to miss the major issue?
Lastly, I would like to make a proposal concerning the welfare of the Council's staff. The staff are unable to keep their mind on their work, and they are ready to contemplate change for a better job on seeing one. It is impossible to keep them if there is a lack of staff welfare. So, again I put forth the following suggestions:—
A. Construction of housing units for the staff As the staff are unable to enjoy any priority in the allocation of public housing units, there should be a home ownership scheme for them. Without requiring the Council to offer any financial aid, co-operation can still be made with con- tractors if Government allocates the land, hence greatly reducing the cost of housing. Then the staff will naturally be able to enjoy the home ownership scheme within their means. Suggestion is also given here for the Staff Welfare Sub-committee to be strengthened and made respon- sible for the necessary arrangements.
B. Hawker Problem Can full strength be gathered to find an effective way
to deal with this problem in answer to the public?
C. Cleansing There has been apparent success in dealing with this problem so far. However, there seems to have been a want for full effort in exercising control over factories in regard to waste disposal or pollution. (The recent conflagration at Kowloon Bay with factories suffering great loss can serve as an evidence.) Can the control be strengthened? Finally, I move to support all the motions at this Annual Conventional Debate.
MR. TSIN SAI-NIN (in Cantonese):-It has been eight years since the re- organization and independence of finance of Urban Council in 1973. During the past eight years, there have been great changes in politics, economy and environment. We are now facing another change. I would like to give my opinions about some problems in Hong Kong.
HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL
Page 83 of 120
133
1. Democracy and freedom are fundamental factors in any soundly organized society. Hong Kong is not an exception. Democracy has become a current that nobody can resist. The introduction of 'A Pattern of District Administration in Hong Kong' is just for the purpose to meet the require- ment of democracy. There have been different points of view between the government and the elected urban councillors. It is necessary for the citizens of Hong Kong especially the prophets who know the advantage of democracy struggle for a better system instead of using democracy for decorating.
2. Unless our economy becomes very steady, the citizens of Hong Kong can not live in prosperity and contentment. To maintain the good public order of the society, the government must take more care for the middle- class and lower-class working people and give them more job opportunities.
3. What we are much concerned about are:-
a. the problem of public safety-the increase of youngster criminals is not only a threat to the lives of public but a failure of education for our younger generation. The recruitment of more policemen and the expansion of more prisons have no evident effect. Has the government taken any other affirma- tive measures?
b. the problem of traffic-we are embarrassed by the fare increase of the two bus co., the repair of main roads and tram-only and bus-only lane etc. If these problems remain unsolved, great inconvenience and serious problems of the society would be caused.
c. the revision of salaries tax-as the result of inflation, the existing system of assessment for tax has become unfair. People of any rank are under the threat of paying tax. $25,000 is proposed for personal allowance and the allowances for wife and children should be revised accordingly.
As a matter of fact, there are many problems to be solved. The govern- ment should review its policies frequently in order to adopt remedial measures in time. With the exception of the above, I support the aim of the Urban Council in 1981-82.
ADJOURNMENT — 4.08 p.m.
CHAIRMAN (in English):-Council is now adjourned until Thursday, 22 January at 2.30 p.m. when the debate will resume.
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