PERSONAL AND CO
CONFIDENTIAL
I know of course that one corse quence of the trans-
formation of Hong kong irom a trading to a manufacturing
centre has inevitably been an increase in the number of
situations where there may be a clash between the interests
of hong kong and the domestic interests of the United
kingdom. In such situations we would regard it as a
particular responsibility to see that her majesty's
Government took account of Hong kong's interests and thet
they were always carefully weighed when decicions on policy
have to be taken.
It is important that we should be seen to be
responding to the needs of a continuingly developing
situation in the Colory.
There are in this connection three matters in the
social field where an advance seems to be both possible
and important.
(i)
_ducation
I believe that an early announcement of the
introduction of compulsory primary education, free
of charge, would do much to improve Hong Kong's
"inge' both in this country and elsewhere.
It
is my understanding that such an announcement would
elso meet with general approval in the Colony itself
now that a new public assistance scheme has been
/announced
PERSONAL AND COMFIÐLI