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Yes, but
this vo
A
thirsty heading fr early indefenders.
Domestic
A
Your main thesis in para 1 5 is the compulsion on us to maintain a wide margin in the Colony's standard of living over
that in China. I have wondered whether it might not serve our national purposes better to narrow the gap in the standards of living so that there would be a syphoning off of population back to China. Thus reducing the calls on Hong Kong for ever- increasing capital expenditure and easing problems like housing. But, on reflexion this possibility seems to me only theoretical. There is bound to be a twilight period when the best way of pursuing frustrated ambitions is to try and change the course of policy in Hong Kong by extra-constitutional methods rather than seek new "pastures" in Kwangtung. Also it would go against the grain of all our Parliamentary and "Colonial" traditions. Para. 6. Appointments to Ex.Co. and Legislative Council
I agree with your main thought that one should keep clearly in view the functions of these two bodies in the constitution of Hong Kong and avoid too facile comparisons with the Cabinet and The House of Commons.
But I suggest that the criteria of "being constructive
and co-operative" need not be applied in the same way to both. I recollect from the days when I was working under Mr. Iain Macleod on African affairs, he held very strongly the view that in a colonial-type constitution real power resided in the Executive Council where the "real decisions" of Government were made. Accordingly in that body it was important to have "responsible" representation but a greater risk could be taken in a wider range of interests being given a voice in the Legislature. Certainly
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the search in the past in Hong Kong to find "co-operative" members of Leg.Co. has produced a pretty muted level of discussion M. I still his except where the business interests of members are affected.
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Para 7.
Urban Council.
I wholeheartedly agree. Perfection will never be achieved and the search for it has gone on much too long.
Paras 8 - 10.
The "cadet" system of Government in Hong Kong has long resulted in administrative officers (the heaven-born) tending to "sit on top" of technical heads of Departments and when administrative officers do take departments eg Labour which
CONFIDENTIAL
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