TU
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3.
PROVISIONAL URBAN COUNCIL
The one tier council should be directly elected and comprised of no appointed or ex-officio seats. The representative nature of the seats should be enhanced so that the Council will not be criticised as a support for the mode of election like district boards. The good thing is that we will provide good training ground for our future political leaders. This point is very closely linked to point c above on linking up with the central policy making body.
Naturally, I know the worries of many colleagues. No matter what motives Government may have, we have very little time left. Can we implement the new direction and structure? I think we should not give up easily. Whether this can be done is the responsibility of the Administration. We believe introducing change to the council structure is not difficult. The difficulty lies in whether the civil service structure and systems can keep in line. We feel that when Government decides to go on this direction, it is responsible to find out as soon as possible whether the new one tier structure can be put in place within a short time frame. Whether this can be done or not, the public should be informed.
Mr. Chairman, I have spoken on behalf of colleagues from the ADPL. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
DR. PATRICK Ho Chi-ping (in Cantonese): We know that municipal work has a great impact on the livelihood of the people of Hong Kong. Embodying the Government's policies on livelihood, it affects directly the community, the management of the people's well-being, the environment of the entire Hong Kong and every citizen's daily life.
The population of Hong Kong has grown rapidly. When the Urban Council became financially autonomous and independent of government management in 1973, the population was merely some 4,100,000. In April 1986, when the Regional Council was set up, the population reached some 5,400,000. By 1998, when the two Councils co-existed, the population grew to 6,600,000. It is estimated to grow to 10,000,000 at the turn of the 21st century (based on the annual growth of 1.7% forecast by the Government). The kind of district administrative structure we should have in the new millennium to meet the needs of the people in their daily lives will be a crucial question.
It is now the right time to conduct a review of the district administrative organization for the following reasons. Firstly, Hong Kong has just been re-united with China and it is natural that the people are eager for changes. Secondly, in anticipation of the drastic increase in population, the municipal needs of some 6,000,000 people must be urgently addressed. Thirdly, Hong Kong is moving towards the 21st century and as we look into the future, we should make a forward-looking review of the living environment and living standard of the community instead of making reactionary policies.
Page 105
Page 106
TU
Page 105 of 606
Page 105 of 606
Page 105 of 606
126
3.
PROVISIONAL URBAN COUNCIL
The one tier council should be directly elected and comprised of no appointed or ex-officio seats. The representative nature of the seats should be enhanced so that the Council will not be criticised as a support for the mode of election like district boards. The good thing is that we will provide good training ground for our future political Icaders. This point is very closely linked to point c above on linking up with the central policy making body.
Naturally, I know the worries of many colleagues. No matter what motives Government may have, we have very little time left. Can we implement the new direction and structure? I think we should not give up easily. Whether this can be done is the responsibility of the Administration. We believe introducing change to the council structure is not difficult. The difficulty lies in whether the civil service structure and systems can keep in line. We feel that when Government decides to go on this direction, it is responsible to find out as soon as possible whether the new one tier structure can be put in place within a short time frame. Whether this can be done or not, the public should be informed.
Mr. Chairman, I have spoken on behalf of colleagues from the ADPL. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
DR. PATRICK Ho Chi-ping (in Cantonese):-We know that municipal work has a great impact on the livelihood of the people of Hong Kong. Embodying the Government's policies on livelihood, it affects directly the community, the management of the people's well-being, the environment of the entire Hong Kong and every citizen's daily life.
The population of Hong Kong has grown rapidly. When the Urban Council became financially autonomous and independent of government management in 1973, the population was merely some 4 100 000. In April 1986, when the Regional Council was set up, the population reached some 5 400 000. By 1998, when the two Councils co-existed, the population grew to 6 600 000. It is estimated to grow to 10 000 000 at the turn of the 21st century (based on the annual growth of 17% forecast by the Government). The kind of district administrative structure we should have in the new millennium to meet the needs of the people in their daily lives will be a crucial question.
It is now the right time to conduct a review of the district administrative organization for the following reasons. Firstly, Hong Kong has just been re- united with China and it is natural that the people are cager for changes. Secondly, in anticipation of the drastic increase in population, the municipal needs of some 6 000 000 people must be urgently addressed. Thirdly, Hong Kong is moving towards the 21st century and as we look into the future, we should make a forward-looking review of the living environment and living standard of the community instead of making reactionary policies.
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