NOTHING TO BE WRITTEN IN THIS MARGIN
W(B)L 51-7406
except for the most cogent of
може,
And there may exceptinally incidents where even an offer J independent
negotiations
CONFIDENTIAL
It is,
such agreements. Although we would hope that, as in the Cotton Textiles Committee, arrange- ments could be worked out on the spot whereby
the expression of conflicting views could usually be avoided, there would undoubtedly be
occasions on which the representatives of Hong Kong at international gatherings might wish to express views conflicting with those of the
representatives of the United Kingdom.
however, widely known already that on the issue
of non-cotton textiles Hong Kong favours different solutions from the United Kingdom.
What we are proposing would, therefore, be
explained on the grounds that it did no more
than reflect the realities of the situation and
was indeed the best way in which we could
exercise our responsibilities for Hong Kong in the interests of the Colony. Dependant as we are on "voluntary service" for the manning of the Executive and Legislature, we cannot afford to face the damaged confidence which
Hong Kong would follow from our ning on policies which run cóntrary to the strongly
held feelings of those local people who serve on the Executive and Legislative Councils. For many years now we have not interfered in
the process of budget making. Nor, as a general
rule, do we issue orders to the Governor.
13
12.
for instance
It will be essential, however, to reserve
bour ability, in the last resort, to veto any
transaction the Hong Kong Government proposes to enter into within the terms of the delegation of authority; Moreover, we are advised that,
in exercising any such authority, the Hong Kong Government would be acting as our, so to
Could so seriously speak, agents, and the rights which they
prejudice
324
thereby acquired and the obligations which
hivuncional tieding they thereby accepted would be acquired and hituests fark that we should
need to
6 veto that also.
accepted on our behalf. It would be HMG who would be called to account for any default on the part of the Hong Kong Government and we alone could secure reparation on behalf of the Hong Kong Government for any default by a third party.
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