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Resentment at what is regar- ded as inter- ference by Britain in
local affairs
Clash of interests in the field of international Textile Policy
and relationship which should subsist between a Colony and
the responsible power.
7. At the same time, the Colony's remarkable record of
economic expansion and material progress in the last decade,
achieved with the minimum of outside aid, has induced a
feeling of confidence among those who play a prominent part in
public affairs that, but for the complication of China, Hong
Kong would be capable of standing on its own feet and, more
than any territory which has been granted constitutional
advance, of sustaining self-governing status. The unofficial
members of Legislative Council, supported by public opinion as
expressed in the non-communist press, are therefore inclined
to argue that Britain should not interfere in local affairs.
There is a strong attitude in the Colony that Hong Kong knows
best what is good for it and particularly for its rather unique
economy.
8.
There has been a clear emergence of a clash of interests
in the field of international textile policy between Hong Kong
as a major exporter of textiles and the UK as a major importer
and domestic producer and this led Hong Kong to press for the
maximum possible freedom in the conduct of the Colony's
commercial relations. However, Hong Kong officials now have
a better appreciation of the extent of our efforts to help
Hong Kong in their international trading relations and
informed opinion in the Colony seems to be content with the
present situation as they consider HMG will almost always in
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