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W(B)L 51-7406
CONFIDENTIAL
4.
Government measures and for explanation of
important Government policies and decisions.
Through this means, and possibly by some re-
organisation of the structure and functions
of local authorities, I hope that the people
of Hong Kong may come to take a greater interest
and play a larger part, in the conduct of public
affairs; to the extent that they do so, they are
much less Иkely to be influenced by the
Communist campaign of distortion and subversion
It is indeed remarkable that in spite of
the Communist pressures to which the Colony has
been subjected its economic advance should
continue at so high a rate. Two years after the
onset of confrontation in 1967 the Colony is
stronger than ever. But as you recognise in
paragraph 5 of your Despatch, the present con-
ditions of relatively free international trade,
on the maintenance of which the health of your
commerce and industry and therefore of your
public finances depend, may suffer some erosion.
It would be surprising if the spectacular growth
of your export trade did not generate pressures
for its restraint from some of your trading
partners. It is my earnest hope that such
pressures can be contained and that Hong Kong
will notwithstanding continue to benefit from
the expansion of world trade.
5. No one could fail to be impressed by the
progress achieved by the Colony during the
period under review. It is both a tribute to
the resilience of the people of Hong Kong and a
clear indication of the undoubted confidence
which they have in the proven ability of the
Government of the Colony, under your leadership,
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CONFIDENTIAL