Bulletin Number One 1982

Sir Y.K. with H.E. the Governor, Sir Edward Youde, a t The Hong Kong Trade Development Council subscribing to this view, Sir Y.K. pointed out that his urge to reform society may be traced further back. To be exact, it was when he was still attending a tutorial school at the age o f fourteen or so. Everyday when he saw the hawkers being thrown onto the police van by the policemen like cats and dogs, he would become very indignant and ask, 'A ll o f us are human beings, why should there be so much injustice?' and aspired to be a champion o f these underdogs. Sir Y.K. has often demonstrated his concern for the ordinary people. When he was still active in the legal profession, he was often approached by the ordinary people to represent them in lawsuits. When he was still a member o f the Urban Council, once he was arrested for speaking up for an old woman selling newspapers outside his office building. When he served as Chairman o f the Transport Advisory Committee, he travelled by public transport to the areas worst affected by the chaotic traffic to see for himself how the commuters suffered. When he was appointed Chairman o f the Standing Commission on Civil Service Salaries and Conditions o f Service, not only did he take the initiative to meet and hold discussions w ith representatives o f various staff associations and workers' unions, but he also tried his best to gain a better understanding o f the lives o f other salaried workers. He had strongly supported the introduction o f rent control. ... Sir Y.K. would never allow himself to be far removed from the general public or to become an extravagant and ostentatious celebrity. He leads a quiet life, indifferent to fame and gain. He seldom attends any social functions except in the course o f his official duties. Despite their frequent appearance in newspapers and on television in public life, Sir Y.K. and Lady Kan otherwise keep a low profile. They are often seen, like ordinary folks, eating out in ordinary restaurants, and Sir Y.K. is often seen driving Lady Kan to the market in his small Honda at weekends. This Senior Unofficial, who has been knighted twice, retired from the Executive Council two years ago because he was convinced that Unofficials should not stay too long on the senior Councils o f the Government. "We must stay long enough to become experienced and effective, but there comes a time when fresh minds are needed: a time when the older hands must step down." —This conviction o f his is a manifestation o f his broad-mindedness. Nevertheless, his retirement is surely a great loss to the people o f Hong Kong. People w ill miss their ombudsman, who has an ideal combination o f qualities for this role: coming from a family deeply rooted in Hong Kong, w ith a vigorous training o f the West in the legal profession, a sound background in the Chinese classics and above all, a profound knowledge o f the local society. Fortunately for us, Sir Y.K., ever willing to serve Hong Kong, has promised Sir Murray MacLehose to stay on as the Chairman o f the Trade Development Council. With Sir Y.K. as our ambassador o f goodwill, we can expect a rapid expansion in the local trade, which is the animating force o f Hong Kong, and an ever thriving economy. But for The Chinese University, what matters more is that we now have Sir Y.K. as our first Pro- Chancellor. The University is thus assured o f his continued involvement to lead us from strength to strength. 3