STAFF
IN CONFIDENCE
Representations
4.. So far as I am aware, the only view we have had expressed to us against an extension of Sir David's term of office was that of General Carver, to which I have referred above. As I said in my minute at flag A, I think it was based on an impression of
Sir David last September or early October, when clearly his health still left much to be desired, and no longer represents the truth
of the situation.
5. Mr. Anthony Barber wrote to the Prime Minister at the beginning of March, on his return from a visit to Hong Kong. His letter (at flag B) said:
"There is considerable concern that, after the retirement of Sir David Trench, the present Governor, there should be appointed a man of the stature and calibre able to deal, not only with the present problems of the Colony, but also with the highly dangerous situation which might arise in the future.
I told everyone who raised this point that I was quite certain that the unique circumstances of Hong Kong would be borne in mind and, of course, I am not asking you to comment. It did seem to me, however, to be of
sufficient importance to ask you to bear in mind this general feeling."
I do not take this to imply a view either way on whether Sir David's
term should be extended.
6. All other representations we have received have been definitely
in favour of an extension. They are as follows:
(1) On the second occasion when Mr. Lee went to Hong Kong, as
Colonial Secretary, in December 1966, at a meeting which
he and I had with all unofficial members of Executive and
Legislative Council (the group known as UMELCO). They told
Mr. Lee that it was their unanimous wish that Sir David's
term of office should be extended.
(2)
(3)
In December 1967, when I was in Hong Kong and had meetings with UMELCO over devaluation, they again asked me to record their strong and unanimous wish that Sir David's term be
extended.
On April 15th the three leading members of UMELCO wrote to me urging an extension. The letter is at flag C in the bundle below. It is signed by Sir Albert Rodrigues, the leading Unofficial Member of Executive Council,
Colonel Claque, the leading expatriate European unofficial, and C.Y. Kwan, the recognised spokesman for the Chinese
members.
(4)