CONF DENTIAL
4.
c) The Independent Commission Against Corruption
under devoted and able leadership has got off to a
good start and secured the confidence of the public.
Considering that it has had to start from scratch it
has had infinitely more success in its first year than
I would have imagined possible. The first signs
of fear among the corrupt are detectable and in the
light of the Commission's performance few here now
doubt that we mean to see this job through.
d) Participation in various minor acts of administra-
tion through mass movements and in particular the new
Mutual Aid Committees now covering about one-quarter
of Hong Kong's population, has proved popular, fills
an obvious need, and has become an accepted part
of the local scene. With careful nursing and direction
the sense of participation and of being in contact with
the government that this movement could provide, should
fill some of the gap left by the absence of either
elected government or a sense of national identity.
It will also identify leaders from the low income
groups who could in time qualify for appointment to
the principal advisory committees and eventually the
Legislative Council.
e) Hopefully we are approaching a new and much more
CONFIDENTIAL
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