71. I HAVE LITTLE NEED TO TELL YOU HOW HONG KONG
DEPENDS ON HER EXPORTS OF A NARROW. RANGE OF MANUFACTURES
MADE FROM IMPORTED RAW MATERIALS.. AND SEMI-MANUFACTURES,
AND ON THE GROWTH OF THESE EXPORTS, TO MAINTAIN THE
STANDARD OF LIVING OF THE FOUR MILLION CHINESE WHO MAKE
UP THE POPULATION OF MY TERRITORY.
IN RECENT YEARS
THIS STANDARD HAS HAPPILY BEEN MAINTAINED AND ENHANCED AS
THE PRINCIPAL MARKETS OF THE WORLD HAVE REMAINED MORE OR
LESS OPEN TO OUR EXPORTS.
BRINGS NEW RESPONSIBILITIES,
INCREASED EXPECTATIONS.
A RISING STANDARD OF LIVING
INCREASED COSTS OF PRODUCTION,
OUR LABOUR FORCE HAS NOW COME
TO EXPECT A STEADY ANNUAL IMPROVEMENT IN CONDITIONS AND
REMUNERATIONS.
THIS IS DIFFICULT TO MAINTAIN.
12. GIVEN AN ATMOSPHERE OF FREE TRADE AND FREE
COMPETITION HOWEVER WE FEEL WE CAN HOLD OUR OWN IN WORLD
MARKETS.
WE ASK FOR NO SPECIAL CONCESSIONS BUT WE DO
FEEL THAT WE HAVE A RIGHT TO EQUAL TREATMENT WITH ALL OF
OUR CLOSE COMPETITORS SUCH AS SOUTH KOREA,
YUGOSLAVIA,
AND THE LIKE, WITHIN THE MARKETS OF THE EEC.
OUR OWN
MARKET IS AS YOU KNOW FREELY OPEN TO COMPETITION AMONG ALL
IMPORTERS AND WE DO NOT FAVOUR ONE COUNTRY MORE THAN
ANOTHER.
WE ARE NOT THEREFORE
7.