[COM
CONE DENTIAL
11.
expected of it at present. But it has exciting possibilities and I will endeavour to foster it in the coming year.
33.
Taken together these developments represent a significant change in the attitude of Government, not as it has actually been, but as it has appeared to the governed, and a Conservative- minded Legislative Councillor referred to them as
'Winds of Change'. They have not taken us very far, though I think the direction is right.
Tailpiece.
even
34.
Nevertheless I do wonder whether such methods, which are all the present constitution of the Colony affords scope for, will be sufficient in the long term to hold the interest and loyalty of the population, or induce able men to serve when coupled with a rising standard of living and Chinese complaisance. I have particularly in mind the younger generation educated in British liberalism. Real as the well-known objections are even to limited constitutional advance in Hong Kong, I am not as convinced as I once was that they are as insuperable as they used to be. Moreover it is arguable that as time passes the danger of leaving things alone will increase to a point at which it is greater than that of making a move. It may well be that our conclusion will still be that no substantial progress is feasible,
but I think that this subject merits careful and confidential re-examination amongst ourselves, and I will address the Department in due course. I trust that this whiff of heresy will not cause consternation.
35.
I am sending copies of this despatch to H.M. Ambassadors at Washington, Tokyo, Peking and Bangkok, and to H.M. High Commissioners in Singapore and Kuala Lumpur.
I have the honour to be,
Sir,
Your most obedient,
humble servant
Mr Radli
GOVERNOR.