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always discarded when the interests of all classes are involved. Since the people man in the street simply because the interests of the lower-middle class are
of the upper-middle class are more flexible and capable of handling different situations and they have established better connections, they will not find it difficult to cope with and combat any difficulties even if they are in an unfavourable position. Neither do I believe that a political group which represents the multifarious interests of different classes would be able to fight for the interests of the lower-middle class because it would first have to consolidate, modify and compromise the different interests within the group and therefore the consequential views will definitely not be representative of those of the lower-middle class.
We have a harmonious society in Hong Kong. Many people say the between classes is not so distinct in Hong Kong and their interests are not so greatly different. Yet, judging from the issues relating to the housing and labour problems, social security, privatization of medical services and public utilities, I think nobody would dare to say that class difference does not exist.
In my opinion, the lower-middle class has to start forming a Hong Kong-interests-oriented political party so that while the role of the government as a moderator is fading out and the political system favours the businessmen, industrialists and the upper-middle class, there is still someone to speak for the overwhelming lower-middle class and ensure that their opinions and interests are respected and that they can gain seats, exercise their influence and possess the right to make decisions in the decision-making organs of the future Hong Kong Government.
The election for the future Legislative Council in Hong Kong tends to give the businessmen, industrialists and the upper-middle class the upper hand. It is the same case with the appointment of members and the composition of functional constituencies and the same trend of development would emerge as the number of seats in the district general elections increases in 1991. Some high-ranking government officials have disclosed that the future district general elections for the Legislative Council would have the electorate of one million people for one single electoral district and there would be a number of seats to be elected. How will a person of the lower-middle class be able to take part in such a large-scale election launched for a million people? Without the support of hundreds of campaign lobby members and hundreds of thousands of campaign fund, a candidate can hardly take part in the election. Yet this is the only way for the masses—the lower-middle class—to participate in the election. Therefore, if the Government wishes to rectify the existing unbalanced electoral system, it should reduce the number of the electorate from one million to five hundred thousand in one single electoral district so that the elected members would be given better chances to listen to the views of the electorate and the representatives of the lower-middle class would have more opportunities to participate in the elections and the work of the government.
HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL
We have a society placing emphasis on harmony, which has to be achieved by a moderator, who is himself/herself a party having interests in the matters involved or the representative of that party. As the civil servants' role of the moderator fades out, the legislature is the very place where harmony can be brought about. If the lower-middle class is not represented in the legislature by that time, they would have no other alternatives but attack the government policies and organs. It would not be difficult at all for the businessmen, industrialists and the professionals to exert their influence on the government, and in addition to enjoying advantages in the political system, they also have ample resources, manpower and financial support to form their own political parties. The lower-middle class therefore should begin to unite themselves for the formation of political parties in the 90's and participate in the implementation of policies, otherwise, Hong Kong would have difficulty in building up a harmonious society.
MR. TONG KAM-BIU (in Cantonese):—Mr. Chairman, a new year has begun; everything looks fresh and gay. Despite the bleak weather, Hong Kong bids farewell to the 80's in a peaceful manner and strides into the 90's with enthusiasm. Today, I am going to give a brief account of the environmental protection work and the Keep Hong Kong Clean Campaigns that were carried out in Hong Kong in the 80's.
The concept of environmental protection began to take shape in early 80's and became prevalent towards the end of the decade. At present, all countries in the world have designated 5 June as the World Environmental Day. China, though being a developing country which pays little attention to environmental protection, also listed the greenhouse effect and other environmental problems of global concern as one of the ten top items of world news in 1989.
The Hong Kong Government did not pay much attention to environmental protection in early 80's. It was not until the problem got worse and people demanded for a better environment with the rise of the living standard that the Government began to show concern and tackle the problem of environmental pollution.
The late former Governor tackled the problem of environmental pollution by strengthening pollution control. Thus, a series of control ordinances were enacted. I am not going to discuss them here for I had already brought them up at the Annual Debate last year.
The Hong Kong Government, under the leadership of Sir David WILSON, mainly aims to 'work out a sensible and co-ordinated programme to deal with pollution in all its various manifestations'. The Governor further remarked in his 87-88 Policy Address that 'Panic measures are not needed. But we need to take some clear decisions.'
With such aim in mind, the Government finally issued the White Paper entitled 'Pollution in Hong Kong-A Time to Act' on 5 June 1989 after a lapse of nearly two years. The White Paper sets out over 100 new measures to be
Page 119 of 166
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224
Page 119 of 166
225
224
HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL
SO
always discarded when the interests of all classes are involved. Since the people man in the street simply because the interests of the lower-middle class are
of the upper-middle class are more flexible and capable of handling different situations and they have established better connections, they will not find it difficult to cope with and combat any difficulties even if they are in an unfavourable position. Neither do I believe that a political group which represents the multifarious interests of different classes would be able to fight for the interests of the lower-middle class because it would first have to consolidate, modify and compromise the different interests within the group and therefore the consequential views will definitely not be representative of those of the lower-middle class.
We have a harmonious society in Hong Kong. Many people say the between classes is not so distinct in Hong Kong and their interests are not so greatly different. Yet, judging from the issues relating to the housing and labour problems, social security, privatization of medical services and public utilities, I think nobody would dare to say that class difference does not exist.
In my opinion, the lower-middle class has to start forming a Hong Kong- interests-oriented political party so that while the role of the government as a moderator is fading out and the political system favours the businessmen, industrialists and the upper-middle class, there is still someone to speak for the overwhelming lower-middle class and ensure that their opinions and interests are respected and that they can gain seats, exercise their influence and possess the right to make decisions in the decision-making organs of the future Hong Kong Government.
The election for the future Legislative Council in Hong Kong tends to give the businessmen, industrialists and the upper-middle class the upper hand. It is the same case with the appointment of members and the composition of functional constituencies and the same trend of development would emerge as the number of seats in the district general elections increases in 1991. Some high-ranking government officials have disclosed that the future district general elections for the Legislative Council would have the electorate of one million people for one single electoral district and there would be a number of seats to be elected. How will a person of the lower-middle class be able to take part in such a large-scale election launched for a million people? Without the support of hundreds of campaign lobby members and hundreds of thousands of campaign fund, a candidate can hardly take part in the election. Yet this is the only way for the masses the lower-middle class-to participate in the election. Therefore, if the Government wishes to rectify the existing unbalanced electoral system, it should reduce the number of the electorate from one million to five hundred thousand in one single electoral district so that the elected members would be given better chances to listen to the views of the electorate and the representatives of the lower-middle class would have more opportunities to participate in the elections and the work of the government.
HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL
We have a society placing emphasis on harmony, which has to be achieved by a moderator, who is himself/herself a party having interests in the matters involved or the representative of that party. As the civil servants' role of the moderator fades out, the legislature is the very place where harmony can be brought about. If the lower-middle class is not represented in the legislature by that time, they would have no other alternatives but attack the government policies and organs. It would not be difficult at all for the businessmen, industrialists and the professionals to exert their influence on the government, and in addition to enjoying advantages in the political system, they also have ample resources, manpower and financial support to form their own political parties. The lower-middle class therefore should begin to unite themselves for the formation of political parties in the 90's and participate in the implementation of policies, otherwise, Hong Kong would have difficulty in building up a harmonious society.
MR. TONG KAM-BIU (in Cantonese):—Mr. Chairman, a new year has begun; everything looks fresh and gay. Despite the bleak weather, Hong Kong bids farewell to the 80's in a peaceful manner and strides into the 90's with enthusiasm. Today, I am going to give a brief account of the environmental protection work and the Keep Hong Kong Clean Campaigns that were carried out in Hong Kong in the 80's.
The concept of environmental protection began to take shape in early 80's and became prevalent towards the end of the decade. At present, all countries in the world have designated 5 June as the World Environmental Day. China, though being a developing country which pays little attention to environmental protection, also listed the greenhouse effect and other environmental problems of global concern as one of the ten top items of world news in 1989.
The Hong Kong Government did not pay much attention to environmental protection in early 80's. It was not until the problem got worse and people demanded for a better environment with the rise of the living standard that the Government began to show concern and tackle the problem of environmental pollution.
The late former Governor tackled the problem of environmental pollution by strengthening pollution control. Thus, a series of control ordinances were enacted. I am not going to discuss them here for I had already brought them up at the Annual Debate last year.
The Hong Kong Government, under the leadership of Sir David WILSON, mainly aims to 'work out a sensible and co-ordinated programme to deal with pollution in all its various manifestations'. The Governor further remarked in his 87-88 Policy Address that 'Panic measures are not needed. But we need to take some clear decisions.'
With such aim in mind, the Government finally issued the White Paper entitled 'Pollution in Hong Kong-A Time to Act' on 5 June 1989 after a lapse of nearly two years. The White Paper sets out over 100 new measures to be
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