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instruments. The Philharmonic Orchestra even employs a private company to move the instruments. As I mentioned earlier, the arrangement in 1984 was that a Workman II of the Department was responsible for moving the instruments. However the result was found to be unsatisfactory. After consultation with the musicians, we decided to adopt the present arrangement. If the musicians feel that it would be better if they do not need to move the instruments, we can consider and evaluate the management arrangements. However, I must stress that we have to respect the views of the musicians. Hence the management should talk to the musicians first before we make any decision.
MISS Ada Wong Ying-kay (in Cantonese):—Mr. PAO still has not answered my question as to whether the standard of performance would be affected. Besides, I would also like to ask whether it is stipulated in the Employment Contract the kind of instruments the musicians have to move, that is, do players of percussion instrument have to move instruments like drums. As far as I know, that's not the real situation. Maybe the erhu player has to move the drum for a percussion player who is not willing to move his own instrument. I ask this question because I see such a phenomenon which is not something that everybody knows. Supporters of the Hong Kong Chinese Orchestra are very concerned about the situation, that is why I raised such question.
Mr. Pao Ping-WING (in Cantonese):—The answer is as what I have said just now, but I thought Miss Wong is a very clever person and hence I have not given her a detailed answer. The Chinese Orchestra's image has not been affected. It is a leading orchestra in the world now and its standard of performance has not been affected in any way. This arrangement of moving instrument has been in place since 1977. If there were any adverse effects, the orchestra would not have such a high standard of performance now.
I am not sure of the details about the transportation process. I do not know which musician is responsible for which type of instrument, but at least it is the duty of the musicians during the transportation process. We just allow musicians who are willing to do it to take part. But the management can consult musicians on this question and if musicians feel that this is a tidy arrangement, there may be no need to push through changes. But of course we can consider the proposals made by Miss Ada WONG.
Mr. Steven Hung Chung-fun (in Cantonese):—Mr. Chairman, this is a quibble, so I'll make a humorous remark. The musicians have to do something which Workman IIs are unwilling to do. Is it because Workmen II are supposed to do more easy jobs or such job is too difficult that even Workmen II are not willing to do? This is a practical question.
MR. PAO PING-WING (in Cantonese):—May be somebody has listened to half, or one-third, or even one-tenth of my reply. Allow me to repeat part of my main reply. What I said about Workmen II moving instruments is not that Workmen II
Page 212 of 485
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Page 212 of 485
HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL
187
instruments. The Philharmonic Orchestra even employs a private company to move the instruments. As I mentioned earlier, the arrangement in 1984 was that a Workman II of the Department was responsible for moving the instruments. However the result was found to be unsatisfactory. After consultation with the musicians, we decided to adopt the present arrangement. If the musicians feel that it would be better if they do not need to move the instruments, we can consider and evaluate the management arrangements. However, I must stress that we have to respect the views of the musicians. Hence the management should talk to the musicians first before we make any decision.
MISS Ada Wong Ying-kay (in Cantonese);—Mr. PÃO still has not answered my question as to whether the standard of performance would be affected. Besides, I would also like to ask whether it is stipulated in the Employment Contract the kind of instruments the musicians have to move, that is, do players of percussion instrument have to move instruments like drums. As far as I know, that's not the real situation. Maybe the erhu player has to move the drum for a percussion player who is not willing to move his own instrument. I ask this question because I see such a phenomenon which is not something that everybody knows. Supporters of the Hong Kong Chinese Orchestra are very concerned about the situation, that is why I raised such question.
Mr. Pao Ping-WING (in Cantonese):—The answer is as what I have said just now. but I thought Miss Wong is a very clever person and hence I have not given her a detailed answer. The Chinese Orchestra's image has not been affected. It is a leading orchestra in the world now and its standard of performance has not been affected in any way. This arrangement of moving instrument has been in place since 1977. If there were any adverse effects, the orchestra would not have such a high standard of performance now.
I am not sure of the details about the transportation process. I do not know which musician is responsible for which type of instrument, but at least it is the duty of the musicians during the transportation process. We just allow musicians who are willing to do it to take part. But the management can consult musicians on this question and if musicians feel that this is a tidy arrangement, there may be no need to push through changes. But of course we can consider the proposals made by Miss Ada WONG.
Mr. Steven Hung Chung-fun (in Cantonese);—Mr. Chairman, this is a quibble, so I'll make a humorous remark. The musicians have to do something which Workman Is are unwilling to do. Is it because Workmen II are supposed to do more easy jobs or such job is too difficult that even Workmen II are not willing to do? This is a practical question.
MR. PAO PING-WING (in Cantonese):-May be somebody has listened to half, or one-third, or even onc-tenth of my reply. Allow me to repeat part of my main reply. What I said about Workmen II moving instruments is not that Workmen II
Page 212 of 485
Page 212 of 485
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