Thursday, February 15, 1968
Hongkong charter
MR. Robert Hetherington, Commissioner of Labour, has spoken. It can be taken as certain that the sweeping reforms for Hong- kong he proposed yesterday have been generally approved by the Government.
First reaction in industry has been a little sour. This was to be expected, but it is un- likely to hold up legislation.
Certainly, there will be problems in putting through such a massive programme of change. But in the long-term, reform is not only needed but vital for Hongkong.
Industrialists and businessmen should not resist what is good for the whole of Hongkong.
A challenge
They should see the proposed reforms as a challenge, and begin to work at once to see that they make their industries efficient enough to still pay reasonable profit margins and remain competitive in world markets.
The cry that "we shall not be competitive unless we use cheap labour" is not altogether true. We are also vastly inefficient in many of our factories and industries.
We are just as much in danger of losing markets abroad because other countries are becoming more efficient than we are, as we shall be from giving our working population a proper charter.
Way to survival
If we increase our efficiency and the quality of our goods, we can still remain competitive throughout the world.
Hongkong is a fine place, but it should be as fine as possible for everyone.
Mr. Hetherington's novel way of introduc ing his plans as a statement of intention
is also to be praised. Perhaps we might see the day when all heads of departments give us a statement of intention once a year.
This would certainly help to keep the peo- ple of Hongkong informed about what the Government plans to do.
We wish Mr. Hetherington good luck now in turning his statement of intention into law and finally carrying out the laws in Hongkong.
A