A.
Q.
A.
Yes.
Normal constitutional progress towards self-
government is not possible in the particular circumstances
of Hong Kong; nor are the people asking for it. But the
Government are exploring ways and means of giving them a
bigger say in the affairs of Government and of ensuring
that the views of the ordinary man are made known to those
in authority. One possible way of doing this is through
the medium of local government; another possible means is
the recently inaugurated system of City District Officers
in urban areas about which a statement was made in
Parliament on 12 March by the Parliamentary Under Secretary
of State for Commonwealth Affairs.
Is it not the case that the low wage rates and poor living
conditions of the masses in Hong Kong represent a scurity
hazard which demands early action?
The disturbances in Hong Kong last year were in no way
the result of such conditions. But it is accepted that
there is room for improvement in the sphere of labour
relations in Hong Kong and steps are being taken to remedy
The Hong Kong Labour Commissioner
the situation.
announced on 14 February a liberal programme of labour
legislation: action has already been taken to strengthen
the staff of the Labour Department and legislation was
recently introduced to reduce, over a period of time,
the maximum permitted working hours for women and young
persons in industry. Generally speaking the Hong Kong
authorities are fully alive to the need for certain
reforms in the sphere of labour conditions and relations.
18.