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# HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL
## ADDRESS BY CHAIRMAN
CHAIRMAN (in English):—Ladies and Gentlemen, the meeting is called to order.
## MINUTES
The minutes of the meeting held on 12 May 1987, were confirmed.
## STATEMENT BY CHAIRMAN
CHAIRMAN (in English):—On 27 May, I joined the Macau Secretary for Administration, Dr. Antonio VITORINO, in opening the 'Traditional Chinese Wedding' exhibition at Leal Senado in Macau. As you will recall, it was first presented in Hong Kong by the Museum of History from October 1986 to February 1987. It was lent to the Museum in Macau to promote cultural co-operation between Hong Kong and Macau. The theme of the exhibition was most befitting, as it underlines the rich Chinese folk culture of the region, which has formed a bond between our communities.
For my wife and I, the occasion was both delightful and memorable. The exhibition stands every chance of being a huge success as I have been told it attracted more than 9,700 visitors in the first eight days. This figure compares with the Macau museum's average attendance of 20,000 a year.
These exchanges will continue as another exhibition by the Museum of History, this time on 'Hong Kong and Macau Currencies', will be mounted in Macau next month. I realize that these require extra work but such cultural exchange and co-operative goodwill are well worth the efforts. The staff of the Museum of History are to be congratulated on a splendid performance in mounting this exhibition.
The long-awaited Green Paper reviewing Developments in Representative Government represents yet another plank in the evolution of our unique form of government by which we are run.
I welcome the Green Paper's motive of trying to get the people of Hong Kong to come forward and express their views, and I trust that, after due consideration, they will do so in large numbers.
Very prudently, however, we are being given until the end of September to get in our views. Therefore, in the interim, we should all think very seriously about our future style of government and municipal management, and by 'we', I don't just mean members of the Urban Council but everyone in Hong Kong.
As we all are aware, the Green Paper puts various proposals and sub-proposals touching on the Urban Council, but I would like to remind the public at large that only last year the late Governor, Sir Edward YOUDE, told this Council very firmly that 'we have got it just about right' with the present three-tier system—the Legislative Council on the top rung; the two municipal councils on the middle tier, and the District Boards in their advisory role on the lower rung.
Evolution means change. And change generally is a good thing when it is change for the good. But change for the sake of change is another thing.
Fine-tuning also is a good thing—provided it brings the necessary improvement. But twiddling and meddling is not.
That is why I am glad that the public has such a long period to think out their views before expressing them.
There is much meat in the Green Paper to think about.
And I firmly believe that people formulating their views should give long and deep consideration to the implications before opting for changes.
Turning to the Urban Council and its important work, I am not exaggerating when I say that the lifestyle of the average urban dweller has improved very considerably since the Council gained financial autonomy in 1973 and it was given the responsibility for fulfilling many of the aspirations of the people.
The Council's work is there for all to see. And its achievements and services are equally visible, we use them every day, and enjoy them every day.
The Council's track record of more than 100 years is a good one, and when people are considering their response to the Green Paper, we trust that we will be judged on that track record.
Meanwhile our own internal Working Party has commenced its deliberations on the Green Paper and will report to the Standing Committee in due course. It is for the Council to consider whether to debate the Green Paper as a whole, or separate it into two sessions—one on the pros and cons of the options affecting this Council, followed by an adjournment debate on the constitutional matters raised.
## PAPER
The following paper was laid on the table:—
(1) Report to the Urban Council by the Director of Urban Services and Secretary, Urban Council, for the month of May 1987.
CHAIRMAN (in English):—I heartily recommend that it should be carefully read as a review of the progress made and activities of the Council and the Urban Services Department in one month, a remarkable achievement in one month.
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HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL
ADDRESS BY CHAIRMAN
CHAIRMAN (in English):-Ladies and Gentlemen, the meeting is called to order.
MINUTES
The minutes of the meeting held on 12 May 1987, were confirmed.
STATEMENT BY CHAIRMAN
CHAIRMAN (in English):-On 27 May, I joined the Macau Secretary for Administration, Dr. Antonio VITORINO, in opening the 'Traditional Chinese Wedding' exhibition at Leal Senado in Macau. As you will recall, it was first presented in Hong Kong by the Museum of History from October 1986 to February 1987. It was lent to the Museum in Macau to promote cultural co- operation between Hong Kong and Macau. The theme of the exhibition was most befitting, as it underlines the rich Chinese folk culture of the region, which has formed a bond between our communities.
For my wife and I, the occasion was both delightful and memorable. The exhibition stands every chance of being a huge success as I have been told it attracted more than 9 700 visitors in the first eight days. This figure compares with the Macau museum's average attendance of 20 000 a year.
These exchanges will continue as another exhibition by the Museum of History, this time on 'Hong Kong and Macau Currencies', will be mounted in Macau next month. I realize that these require extra work but such cultural exchange and co-operative goodwill are well worth the efforts. The staff of the Museum of History are to be congratulated on a splendid performance in mounting this exhibition.
The long-awaited Green Paper reviewing Developments in Representative Government represents yet another plank in the evolution of our unique form of government by which we are run.
I welcome the Green Paper's motive of trying to get the people of Hong Kong to come forward and express their views, and I trust that, after due consideration, they will do so in large numbers.
Very prudently, however, we are being given until the end of September to get in our views. Therefore, in the interim, we should all think very seriously about our future style of government and municipal management, and by 'we', I don't just mean members of the Urban Council but everyone in Hong Kong.
As we all are aware, the Green Paper puts various proposals and sub- proposals touching on the Urban Council, but I would like to remind the public at large that only last year the late Governor, Sir Edward YOUDE, told this
HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL
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43
Council very firmly that 'we have got it just about right' with the present three- tier system--the Legislative Council on the top rung; the two municipal councils on the middle tier, and the District Boards in their advisory role on the lower
rung.
Evolution means change. And change generally is a good thing when it is change for the good. But change for the sake of change is another thing.
Fine-tuning also is a good thing-provided it brings the necessary improve ment. But twiddling and meddling is not.
That is why I am glad that the public has such a long period to think out their views before expressing them.
There is much meat in the Green Paper to think about.
And I firmly believe that people formulating their views should give long and deep consideration to the implications before opting for changes.
Turning to the Urban Council and its important work, I am not exaggerating when I say that the lifestyle of the average urban dweller has improved very considerably since the Council gained financial autonomy in 1973 and it was given the responsibility for fulfilling many of the aspirations of the people.
The Council's work is there for all to see. And its achievements and services are equally visible, we use them every day, and enjoy them every day.
The Council's track record of more than 100 years is a good one, and when people are considering their response to the Green Paper, we trust that we will be judged on that track record.
Meanwhile our own internal Working Party has commenced its deliberations on the Green Paper and will report to the Standing Committee in due course. It is for the Council to consider whether to debate the Green Paper as a whole, or separate it into two sessions—one on the pros and cons of the options affecting this Council, followed by an adjournment debate on the constitutional matters raised.
PAPER
The following paper was laid on the table:---
(1) Report to the Urban Council by the Director of Urban Services and
Secretary, Urban Council, for the month of May 1987.
CHAIRMAN (in English):—I heartily recommend that it should be carefully read as a review of the progress made and activities of the Council and the Urban Services Department in one month, a remarkable achievement in one month.
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