PRIORITY
CYPHER/CAT A
FM HONG KONG 120035Z
CONFIDENTIAL
CONFIDENTIAL
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TO PRIORITY FCO TELNO 762 OF 12 OCTOBER INFO HONG KONG GOVERNMENT
OFFICE LONDON.
769
MY TELEGRAM NUMBER 743.
LAST
REF.
161
DEFENCE CONTRIBUTION.
NEXT
REF.
176,
A NUMBER OF KAI FONG REPRESENTATIVES HAVE ATTACKED THE SUBSTANTIAL INCREASE IN HONG KONG'S CONTRIBUTION, SOME VOICING THE OPINION THAT NO GARRISON IS REALLY NECESSARY. THEIR CRITICISMS HAVE BEEN EXPLOITED BY THE COMMUNIST PRESS. THE REFORM CLUB HAS ALSO COME OUT WITH STATEMENTS ATTACKING THE ARRANGEMENT.
2. THE PRINCIPAL REACTION TO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL ANNOUNCEMENT HAS HOWEVER BEEN RELIEF THAT LESS WILL BE PAID THAN WAS STATED EARLIER IN SPECULATIVE PRESS REPORTS, AND SOME EDITORIALS HAVE POINTED OUT THAT THE COLONY'S STABILITY AND PROSPERITY LARGELY DEPEND ON THE PRESENCE OF BRITISH TROOPS.
3. THE WHOLE SUBJECT HAS NOT SO FAR AROUSED THE PUBLIC EXCITEMENT I FEARED IT COULD, PARTLY NO DOUBT BECAUSE OF THE POSITIVE SUPPORT FROM UNOFFICIAL MEMBERS AND PARTLY BECAUSE PRESS INTEREST HAS BEEN FOCUSSED ON OTHER MATTERS. 1 THUS NOW BELIEVE WE MAY ESCAPE WITHOUT ANY SERIOUS FUSS IN THE NEAR FUTURE. WE MUST NEVERTHELESS EXPECT A LONGER-TERM IMPACT ON RESPONSIBLE OPINION: OPPOSITION TO THE AGREEMENT IS WIDESPREAD, AND WILL FROM TIME TO TIME BE VOICED WHEN GOVERNMENT HAS TO INTRODUCE UNPOPULAR MEASURES, EVEN IF THESE ARE QUITE UNRELATED TO DEFENCE.
FCO PASS HONG KONG GOVERNMENT OFFICE LONDON.
TRENCH
FILES
HKD
FED
A ∞ TD
NNNNN
RECEIVED IN
REGISTRY No. 51 12 OCT 1971
ADDITIONAL DISTRIBUTION MILK 10/
HONG KONG DEFENCE CONTRIBUTION
COPIES TO:
MR G GOLDING TREASURY HONG KONG GOVERNMENT OFFICE
CONFIDENTIAL