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It seems to me that if new thoughts and ideas for Hong Kong are to be examined and new drive brought into the Government there it will only come about if there is a new Governor with his service ahead of him and not by the existing Governor simply working out the remainder of his time.
4.
There is also the point that 1969/70 will see many changes in the top hierarchy of the Hong Kong Civil Service. In a year to eighteen months' time the Financial Secretary will be retiring together with many senior members of the administration. Is this not a good reason for having a new Governor established before these changes take place? 5. In regard to representations from the Hong Kong press and the Hong Kong Association to the effect that Sir David Trench's term of office should be extended, I am bound to say that attitudes have changed since last year when there was severe criticism of the Governor from both quarters. My guess is that this change has been induced because of the uncertainty about the appointment of a successor. From my experience of Hong Kong they are far happier with "the devil you know than the one you don't"! This I hasten to add is not a criticism but some thing which we should take account of in order to keep the recommendation in perspective.
6. To sum up: I am bound to say I would prefer a change in the Governorship at this stage but I do recognise the advantages of retaining Sir David Trench's services for another twelve months and also the difficulty which w ould face us in finding a suitable replacement at this stage I should like to have a word with you about this before your meeting with the Governor this afternoon.
SHEPHERD) 13 May. 1968