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speak their conscience too. We can see that there is more and more distortion of human nature. I am saddened by this and I find this most regrettable.
Have we ever considered the value of the existence of the Urban Council or Regional Council, or the 'One Council One Department' option to effective management and credibility of government? I think there are at least four roles that we can play.
1.
2.
3.
4.
To propel improvement
Assist government in its administration work as a partner. We take into account the opinions of the public (because we are elected members) and on that basis propel government to improve daily administration, management, measures, policies etc. It is one of the present roles of the Urban Council. All along, the system has been administration-led with the Urban Council providing a mechanism for improvement. Why is it that officials of the present day leave this point out? I find it very strange indeed.
To act as a lubricant
The Urban Council can act as a lubricant when conflicts occur. Through this lubricating mechanism, we help to preserve the authority of government.
To help avert crises
As we all know, it is difficult for anyone to handle the problem of illegal hawking and manage to perfection the refuse problem. With the Urban Council, we can at least help to avert conflicts with the public. In fact, the Urban Services Department welcomes the existence of an Urban Council too. As members of the public cannot tell the difference between the two, when there are criticisms, they are often directed at the Urban Council. In other words, the Department is happy to have the Council as a shield. (Because of time constraint, I cannot elaborate here.)
To shoulder the blame
With the Urban Council in existence, responsibility such as that for the avian flu incident can be shifted to the Council. Now, responsibility is recalled to central government.
Therefore, I hope everyone will speak from his conscience and support the amendment. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
MR. LAI HOK-LIM (in Cantonese): The original motion says that government exploits the outbreak of the avian flu incident which causes concern over municipal services as a pretext to dissolve the two Municipal Councils. The word 'pretext' suggests that it is not the real cause. Behind the government proposal for scrapping of the two Municipal Councils, there is a set of concepts. The motion before us today seeks to bring out a tendency which is worrying. The concept behind all this is tightening of culture, art and the state
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speak their conscience too. We can see that there is more and more distortion of human nature. I am saddened by this and I find this most regrettable.
Have we ever considered the value of the existence of the Urban Council or Regional Council, or the 'One Council One Department' option to effective management and credibility of government? I think there are at least four roles that we can play.
1.
2.
3.
4.
To propel improvement
Assist government in its administration work as a partner. We take into account the opinions of the public (because we are elected members) and on that basis propel government to improve daily administration, management, measures, policies etc. It is one of the present roles of the Urban Council. All along, the system has been administration-led with the Urban Council providing a mechanism for improvement. Why is it that officials of the present day leave this point out? I find it very strange indeed.
To act as a lubricant
The Urban Council can act as a lubricant when conflicts occur. Through this lubricating mechanism, we help to preserve the authority of government.
To help avert crises
As we all know, it is difficult for anyone to handle the problem of illegal hawking and manage to perfection the refuse problem. With the Urban Council, we can at least help to avert conflicts with the public. In fact, the Urban Services Department welcomes the existence of an Urban Council too. As members of the public cannot tell the difference between the two, when there are criticisms, they are often directed at the Urban Council. In other words, the Department is happy to have the Council as a shield. (Because of time constraint, I cannot elaborate here.)
To shoulder the blame
With the Urban Council in existence, responsibility such as that for the avian Лu incident can be shifted to the Council. Now, responsibility is recalled to central government.
Therefore, I hope everyone will speak from his conscience and support the amendment. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
MR. LAI HOK-LIM (in Cantonese):-The original motion says that government exploits the outbreak of the avian flu incident which causes concern over municipal services as a pretext to dissolve the two Municipal Councils. The word 'pretext' suggests that it is not the real cause. Behind the government proposal for scrapping of the two Municipal Councils, there is a set of concepts. The motion before us today seeks to bring out a tendency which is worrying. The concept behind all this is tightening of culture, art and the state
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