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rising standards (and by so doing attempt to equate them with conditions in China). The former policy would seem to add to the problems we will face at the time of handover; the latter (apart from its moral doubtfulness) carries the risk that orderly government in Hong Kong during the interim
The answer period may be made even more difficult. probably lies somewhere in between; but this is what the study will be about. We first require a ministerial decision on the recommendations made in the report.
We would be willing to see some slight expansion of paragraph 50 and suggest that the following be substituted in place of the last three sentences:
"If we administer the Colony in a manner which accords fully with our own concepts of social justice, we will widen the gap between Hong Kong and China and will make the transition to Chinese rule more difficult and painful. But deliberately to keep dom rising standards in an attempt to equate them with conditions in China is not only repugnant but carries with it the risk that orderly government in
his is a Hong Kong may be made more difficult. tough practical and, indeed, moral problem which will need to be further studied in consultation with the
Governor.
#1
We do not see any need to make consequential changes in Conclusion (k) or Recommendation (6).
2.
In conclusion, I should say that we do not accept the validity or the accuracy of a number of statements made in paragraphs 4-6, although we do not propose to contest them all here. But I should I think say now that, in our view, it is mistaken to suppose that by building up an affluent, well- educated, thoroughly contented body of citizens in Hong Kong we will improve our chances of "achieving a smooth hand-over"
/and
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4