LORD GORONWY-ROBERTS'S MEETING WITH MR JAMES JOHNSON MP ON
11 FEBRUARY 1976
I.
1.
SPEAKING NOTES ON THE FABIAN PAMPHLET'S GENERAL APPROACH
We consider that the Fabian pamphlet is a timely contribution to thinking on Hong Kong. It is being carefully studied, as indeed
are all constructive criticisms of conditions there. No-one, including the Hong Kong Government, would deny that there are deficiencies in
conditions existing in the Colony: there is much still to be done in a wide variety of fields.
2.
The Hong Kong Government's past performance must be seen in its historical context. Particularly important factors have been:
(a) the total lack of resources in Hong Kong, except for
manpower and a natural harbour;
(b) (c)
(a)
a society in ruins at the end of the Second World War; the strains imposed on Hong Kong's resources by the very large number of immigrants crossing from China which, reluctantly, the Hong Kong Government have had to take
steps to curb; and
a seven fold increase in population 44 million - in the post war period.
from 600,000 to
These factors have generally obliged the Hong Kong Government to adopt stop-gap measures rather than to pursue long-term development plans, though there has been a decisive move in this direction in
the last few years.
3.
Criticisms of conditions now existing in the Colony must be seen against the present Governor's programmes for social advance in the fields of housing, social welfare, education and health.
4.
Suggestions for institutional reform for the future must take into account the political context of Hong Kong. The Chinese maintain that Hong Kong is part of China although they add that this is a problem to be settled when the time is ripe. However, they are very sensitive to any developments which they consider either directly or indirectly challenges their claim to sovereignty.