NOTHING TO BE WRITTEN IN THIS MARGIN
W(B)L 51-7406
made in the Report,
We would be willing to see On further reflgetion vo
eonsider that some slight
expansion of paragraph 50 f
Rat
desirsile and suggest 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 down
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 Hong Kong may be made more difficult. This is a tough practical and, indeed, moral problem which will need to be further studied in consultation
with the Governor."
We do not see any need to make consequential changes in Conclusion (k) or
Recommendation (6).
69
2. In conclusion, I should say that we do not accept the validity or the accuracy of a number of statements made in paragraphs4 although we do not propose to contest them all here. But I should I think say now that, in our view, Sptunter is mistaken
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 will "reduce the chances of our eventual withdrawal being impeded by internal subversion". It will be the shock of our desertion and the prospect of
the end of life as they know it in Hong Kong that will send the mobs into the street in
/ fear
departure