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2. The Governorship
Recommendation 2.
The Governorship is considered in some detail at Annex 3.
It is recommended that:
(a) In selecting a new Governor due weight should be given to the necessity of keeping open the top job in the Colony for members of the Hong Kong Government Service, if any individual member of that Service meets the stringent qualifications necessary.
(16)
Administrative competence is important, but the Governor should also be a figure who would carry weight in London as well as measure up to the requirements of Hong Kong. It would obviously be beneficial if he has some knowledge of the Cantonese.
(c)
The best man should be appointed, whether he comes from Hong Kong, the Diplomatic Service, or other Government Administration. In view of the increased political importance of Hong Kong as the United Kingdom's largest Colony, a well known figure in public life in the United Kingdom, with political flair, should certainly be considered, though care should be taken not to choose a politician past his prime or one who might have more interest in using Hong Kong to further political ambitions at Westminster. It is not a post which should be held by a military man,
(d) As it may well be impossible to secure a man who combines the many requirements necessary such as administrative ability, public presence, knowledge of the Chinese, political flair, influence in London and acceptability in Hong Kong, and because of the administrative burden, consideration should be given immediately to some division or delegation of the Governor's function through the appointment of a Deputy or Lieutenant Governor. It might be possible to abolish the post of Colonial Secretary, appointing a Chief Secretary with lesser powers and devolving the responsibility for the present major functions of the Colonial Secretary on the shoulders of the new Lieutenant Governor. It must be underlined, however, that this new position would in no way detract from the Governor's position as representative of the Queen and "Chief Executive".