MR. LAIRD
CONFIDENTIAL
HKK 14/6
Reference.
22.
APPOINTMENTS FROM THE BAR TO THE HONG KONG BENCH
wilk
with
(18)
18
With reference to Miss Kelly's minute of 8 May, I have, since my return from Hong Kong, given careful consideration to the Governor's despatch Staff No. 37 of 25 April enclosing the two petitions, one
from certain district judges and magistrates and the other from the
Bar Committee, and discussed them with Mr. Fifoot.
2. I was shown the Governor's despatch and its enclosures in draft
while I was in Hong Kong and did not then dissent from the line
taken. I also talked to a great number of people in Hong Kong about
the question of local appointments to the bench and heard a great
diversity of views.
3. The immediate question is how to reply to the petitions and I now
attach my own suggested draft replies, with the terms of which
Mr. Fifoot agrees.
4.
He and I do not like the idea of having a circular, and I have
uply attempted to cast my draft to the serving officers' petition in
tto terms that will make it unnecessary to have a circular at all. (I
assume of course that the terms of the reply to the petition will
speedily be brought to the notice of all interested officers by the
petitioners themselves or, if necessary, by the Governor).
5. I am sending copies of this minute and the draft replies to the
petition to Sir Vincent Evans as well as to Sir Leslie Monson and
Mr. Fifoot. I have not thought it necessary to trouble Sir Vincent
with the files but if he wishes to see them no doubt he will let
you know.
6. I have minuted to you separately about the telegram at (16) on
the file, referring to the separate matter of Judges of Appeal.
8 June 1972
A.R.R.
OR
AR RUSHFRØD
DEPUTY LEGAL ADVISER
i
DD 897152 154596 500M 2/72 GM 3643/2