CONFIDENTIAL
(E) ELECTIONS TO LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL
THE CIRCUMSTANCES OF HONG KONG ARE SPECIAL AND MAKE
VERY DIFFICULT ANY DEVELOPMENT TOWARDS AN ELECTED FORM OF
GOVERNMENT. THE SITUATION IS WELL UNDERSTOOD LOCALLY. (IF
PRESSED). ELECTIONS TO THE LEGISLATURE IN A DEPENDENT TERRITORY
ARE CUSTOMARILY A STEP TOWARDS SELF-GOVERNMENT AND INDEPENDENCE.
BECAUSE OF HONG KONG'S SPECIAL POSITION, CONSTITUTIONAL DEVELOP-
MENT ON SUCH LINES IS NOT POSSIBLE.
(F) CHANNELS FOR COMPLAINT
PEOPLE IN HONG KONG WITH GROUNDS FOR GRIEVANCE HAVE A
VARIETY OF CHANNELS FOR COMPLAINT AND MAKE GOOD USE OF THEM.
THE OFFICE OF THE UNOFFICIAL MEMBERS OF THE EXECUTIVE AND LEGISLAT-
IVE COUNCILS IS ONE SUCH CHANNEL. THE CITY DISTRICT OFFICERS ARE ANOTHER, MEMBERS OF THE URBAN COUNCIL OPERATE A WARD SYSTEM THROUGH WHICH THEY RECEIVE COMPLAINTS AND BRING THEM TO THE
ATTENTION OF THE APPROPRIATE GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENT OR RAISE THEM
I THE URDAN COUNCIL. ALL THESE METHODS HAVE PROVED EFFECTIVE.
(G) INABILITY TO RETURN EX-CHIEF SUPERINTENDENT GODBER
THE OFFENCE ALLEGED AGAINST MR GODBER, FOR WHICH A WARRANT HAS BEEN ISSUED IN HONG KONG, IS THAT HE IS IN POSSESSION OF
UNEXPLAINED PECUNIARY RESOURCES DISPROPORTIONATE TO HIS SALARY
AS A POLICE OFICER. THIS IS AN OFFENCE UNDER SECTION 10 OF THE
HONG KONG PREVENTION OF BRIBERY ORDINANCE, THERE IS NO
CORRESPONDING OFFENCE IN THIS COUNTRY, CONSEQUENTLY THE HONG
KONG GOVERNMENT ARE NOT AT PRESENT ABLE TO SEEK HIS RETURN UNDER
THE FUGITIVE OFFENDERS ACT.-
(H) MEANS OF RETURN UNDER THE FUGITIVE OFFENDERS ACT
ว
MR GODBER COULD BE RETURNED TO HONG KONG TE ́EVIDENCE OF
A RETURNABLE OFFENCE SUCH AS ACTUAL CORRUPTION COULD BE FOUND. (1) AMENDMENT TO THE FUGITIVE OFFENDERS ACT
AMENDMENT OF THE ACT TO COVER OFFENCES NOT KNOWN TO ENGLISH
LAW, PARTICULARLY IF RETROSPECTIVE IN EFFECT, WOULD I BELIEVE CAUSE DIFFICULTY IN THIS COUNTRY.
(J) THE GENERAL PROBLEM OF CORRUPTION IN HONG KONG
! WELCOME THE SETTING UP OF THE INDEPENDENT COMMISSION
AGAINST CORRUPTION AND THE STRONG MEASURES WHICH THE GOVERNOR
JS TAKING TO DEAL WITH THE ADMITTED PROBLEM OF CORRUPTION, (IF PRESSED). THIS PROBLEM CERTAINLY EXISTS BUT SHOULD NOT BE EXAGGERATED. THE NEED IS TO DISCOVER AND PUNISH CORRUPT
-2- CONFIDENTIAL
/INDIVIDUALS