Mr. Gaminiara
51
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Copsa HWBI/2
GOVERNMENT HOUSE
HONG KONG
PERSONAL & CONFIDENTIAL
Dear astur
MR. Carter
22nd April 1968
Once again, the exercise of re-appointing members of Executive Council and Legislative Council consequent upon the expiry of terms of office at the end of June is upon us; and, as usual, I am writing demi-officially first to seek your views before approaching you by formal despatch.
2.
It has been an even more than usually difficult exercise this year. Unofficial members have been rather badly divided amongst themselves through personal differences, and one of my main aims has been to try to get a team together who will work comparatively harmoniously with each other and make some effort to turn Legislative Council, in particular, into a more effective instrument. The reasons for the recent divisiveness will appear from the notes that follow.
Executive Council
Official Members
3.
The only official member is,, of course, Dr. P.H. Teng, who has now served for 11⁄2 years. He has been a useful member but I have considered changing him for one of the other heads of important departments; in particular Gregg (Education) Wright (Public Works) or Hetherington (Labour). The claims of Public Works and Labour to have a chance on Council might be thought strong in view of the constant and continuing concern of Council with Public Works and lands matters, and in view of the prominent place labour legislation is likely to take in Council business in the immediate future. But, in fact, these considerations if anything tend to weigh against the claims of the Heads of Department concerned because, when an important interest of theirs is under discussion, it is often more satisfactory for them to be attending before Council and open to closer questioning, with their advisers with them, than it is to have them seated in the body of the kirk.
4.
In Gregg's case, there is little to choose between him and Teng: and I have been largely swayed by the fact that, in this phase of confrontation, his job has been made that much more sensitive by having
Sir Arthur Galsworthy, K.C.M.G.,
Commonwealth Office, London, S.W.1.
DAQ
DEN
#SF.