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8.
because it is the rule of this Government to proceed as far as possible by consensus. But this power, though known and recognized, is exercised in public only to a minor extent, and the policies that the exercise of Unofficial power produce tend to be expounded and defended in public by officials who are normally expatriates.
Thus
c) that there should be closer consultation
of people about aspects of administration that affect them before decisions are made This is not a demand for decision by vote often the interests concerned are minority or without much intrinsic merit. But it is felt that people should have their say. The demand is for more of a dialogue between Government and governed. the City District Officer system, and our new procedure by means of green-papers and public debate have met an obvious need. So too have the network of Area Committees and Mutual Aid Committees set up last year to establish a closer grass-roots relationship between Government and governed particularly over public security and public cleanliness, but now being expanded into other fields. These have produced a situation in which Officials and Police are obliged to meet local committees and residents and discuss with them aspects of administration and procedure that affect them. I might add in parenthesis I have been struck with a similar requirement for a grass-roots neighbourhood point of contact between Government and governed in many cities in England and Japan, it being the common experience that without it even an elected municipal government lacks the consent necessary for acts which affect the daily lives of the inhabitants.
After much consideration I conclude that the best way of meeting these local wishes and requirements would be by the appointment of some local unofficials as
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