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Mr. A. C. Maby (inistry of Overseas Development) Mr. F.G.K.Gallagher (Western Economic Department) Mr. R.M.Blaikley (Aviation and Telecommunications Dept.) Mr. P.R.Noakes (News Dept.)
Mr. R.Walker (Commonwealth Policy & Planning Dept.)
At a meeting held in the Dependent Territories Division of the Commonwealth Office on 4th January to discuss commitments and plans in the colonial field for 1967 and the programme of future work for the Constitutions Department, Sir Arthur Galsworthy spoke of the need to improve our relations with Hong Kong which have been soured in recent years by our limitation of the Colony's cotton textile exports to the U.K. (an example which other countries have not been slow to follow) and by our demands for increases in its defence contribution. He spoke of the Governor's feeling (which he endorsed) that it was important politically for us to make some positive gesture towards Hong Kong. It need not cost us money; but it should give evidence of a spirit of goodwill and cooperation.
2.
The Governor has since written about this. In the Governor's words:- "What is wanted is anything that will help to give Hong Kong the impression that Britain regards her as being, although a dependency, a valued friend and ally with some dignity of her oWIL. The impression at present which is I fear gaining ground is that she is regarded at home not as the loyal supporter she on the whole is, but as a tire some nuisance, to be slighted and made use of since she cannot be quietly made away with. A fair measure of basic confidence and trust in Britain is still there, but it will not last for ever if this impression is allowed to grow".
3.
The following suggestions have been made:
Economic and Financial
Mr. Maby:
Mr. Gallagher
(a) One of the Colombo Plan projects (e.g. a training facility) might be situated in Hong Kong, with financial participation by the Hong Kong Government. Governor has suggested:-
The
"We would run it and pay the recurrent costs, earmarking a proportion of the school places for students from nearby countries nominated by the U.K." A major difficulty here might be that Hong Kong is not a member of the Plan and has shown no particular desire to participate. But is this an obstacle to our using part of the funds we contribute to the Plan on a project in Hong Kong provided that facilities are available to Colombo countries to the full value of the money we have so committed?
(b) We might try to do something about
reverse preferences in EFTA which operate to Hong Kong's disadvantage.
/Mr. Blaikley