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HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL

to involve interested segments of the community in the formulation of the Council's overall policy in matters of culture, recreation, sports, markets and street traders, library, etc. etc. Only then will the Council remain in tune with the community which it serves and receives the sort of public backing which our Vice-Chairman advised the Council to have.

I look forward sincerely to the further opening of the Council and to a gradual devolvement of part of our work in the year to come.

With such simple but thriven wishes, Mr. Chairman, I support the motion before Council.

MR. LO KING-MAN (in Cantonese):-Mr. Chairman, the Urban Council's Statement of Aims for 1985-86 outlines the policies for the development of work in 12 areas within the Council's ambit and consists of 55 categories and 166 items.

All these aims really point to one direction to provide the best possible services to the people of Hong Kong within the jurisdiction and resources of the Council. The greater prosperity the people enjoy in Hong Kong, the higher expectations they will have of the quality of life, and the responsibilities of the Urban Council too will become more complicated and heavier. In order to maintain the good work of the Council, and to make even bigger strides, we, the Councillors, shall have to make greater sacrifice of our private life and attention to our own business.

For over a hundred years, the Urban Council (known as the Sanitary Board in the early days) has always effectively complemented the executive and the legislative organs in the provision and management of the greater part of municipal services. Its functions and responsibilities are quite unique. It is the first policy council to introduce elected representation and its experience and wisdom, aggregated over the years, can hardly be replaced.

Some have deemed that the establishment and development of the District Boards will evidently weaken the powers of the Urban Council. It is my opinion that through the District Boards and with their co-operation, the Council will have a deeper understanding of the views and needs of the districts and be in a better position to provide municipal facilities and services to the public.

We were rather worried when government proposed to set up the Regional Council as we did not know then what were the intentions behind and the details of the proposed scheme. It now transpires that the Regional Council will take up more or less the same responsibilities of the Urban Council but in its own territories. It thus confirms the important role the Urban Council will play in metropolitan Hong Kong. In any case, the value of the Urban Council does not lie mainly in geographical boundaries or the spheres of its power, but in the quality of its services.

HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL

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Hong Kong may be likened to a traditional big family living in a big ancestral house from generation to generation, all the time sticking to conservative family views. With the change of time, the family has to accept new ideas and allow its members to form small families which will, to a certain degree, take care of their own needs. As there is only one ancestral house, the house-keeper will shoulder the responsibility of planning and co-ordination-- what facilities to be provided individually or in common so as to avoid unnecessary duplication. At the same time, he must make sure that any decoration work carried out by the individual units will not impair the overall structure and beauty of the house while full play be allowed to the advantages of small families. He must also help maintain good harmony and unity within the whole family.

It is learnt that the ancestral house will be renovated and divided into two and an additional house-keeper appointed, to the dissatisfaction, as expected, of the present house-keeper who is more experienced and very efficient. With the impending change, the old house-keeper will have to redouble his efforts to work for a better understanding with his new counterpart and strengthen the ties among the small families so that the big family will not be disintegrated but will become stronger than before.

I believe that next year the Urban Council must actively review its own structure, establish links with the Regional Council, strengthen co-operation with the District Boards, provide opportunities for District Board members to take part in common activities, and seriously consider expanding its membership, allowing more directly elected representation. With more members shouldering the Council's heavy responsibilities, each will be able to give more attention to the provision of facilities and services for the public.

Following reforms in the system of government and expansion in elections, more and more people will take up public appointments part-time. I believe that in the Urban Council, many members are unable to devote very much of their time to Council affairs. The expansion of membership will help balance the time that Councillors have to attend to the work of the Council as well as their own business.

In my opinion, we should not be so conservative and worry too much about direct elections. We must not under-estimate the wisdom of the voters and those standing for election, fearing that they will think only of their own interests and neglect the common good. Even though each may have his own ideas, I believe all of them will fight for one common goal, i.e., to maintain the stability and prosperity of Hong Kong during the transition period and to ensure its bright future. Rather than delaying or frustrating their ambition, we should exercise our right of election or to stand for election to contribute to the well-being of Hong Kong. To abstain from voting may seriously jeopardize our interests.

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