SPEAKING NOTES
(For Secretary of State's meeting with all Party
Anglo-Hong Kong Committee in House of Commons on
Wodnesday, 3rd May, 1967).
LOCAL GOVERNMENT
The Governor decided early in 1966 to institute a full
examination of local government generally in the Colony and set up a
Working Farty to gather information on the possible forms that
developments might take. The Working Party's report which was
published in February 1967, contemplates the creation of a number of
local authorities in the urban areas. The new bodies would have
executive functions and rating powers on the lines of those possessed
by lossl authorities in England and Wales though more circumsaribed
in view of the small size and particular circumstances of the Colony.
All councils would have a majority of elected members.
2.
In view of the very novelty of these proposals in Hong Kong
the concept of representative local government is foreign to the
Chinese - the Governor is understandably against rushing precipitately
into change.
agree with him that it a matter on which plenty of
time should be given for full public discussion. It will take time to
develop public interest and appreciation of the benefits and
responsibilities that much developments will bring. In any caso, on
the passtical level, authorities of the kind proposed do not spring
up overnight.
3.
I do not at this stage wish to express an opinion on the
various possibilities proposed in the Working Party's report or by
unofficial bodies, e.g. by urban council. The changes will primarily
affect the people of Hong Kong and it is right that they should have
first say.
However I do feel that the broad lines for future developmont
contained in the Working Party's report are the right ones and should
/provide