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It pointed out that Hong Kong could never become an independent country. However, we should not follow the Labour Party policies which had driven Britain from the status of the richest country in Europe to its present weak position.
"The principles and ideals of the Fabian Society are sound, but these must be implemented in Hong Kong in a more practical and feasible manner than in Britain," Ming Pao noted.
Sing Tao Jih Pao (26.1.76) said that although Mr. England appeared to be only half aware of the situation in Hong Kong, the Government should still take steps to improve by stages the faults listed in the report.
The paper agreed with the proposal to expand public representation in consultative councils, saying that the Government had been talking about this for a long time, but had in fact done nothing.
"Even the Urban Council, the only elected body in Hong Kong, shows disappointing results," Sing Tao said.
It doubted Mr. England's contention that China, in order
to maintain its economic and political interests, tolerated the shameful working and living conditions of the four million Chinese in Hong Kong.
"He is entirely ignorant of the difficult life led by the people in China and how the Chinese, who look upon Hong Kong as 'paradişe', risk their lives to escape here," it said.
A left-wing paper, Hong Kong Evening News (26.1.76), urged the Government to consider carefully the points raised in the report since no social benefits were provided for the public who, the paper said, "only had the right to fulfil the duty of paying tax".
It wondered whether an unemployment relief fund would be set up after an increase in taxation that might come into effect next fiscal year.
Commenting on remarks that Britain and China were able to tolerate the poor working and living conditions in Hong Kong, the paper said: We can see no reason why China should be responsible for the poor living conditions in Hong Kong since the prices of Chinese foodstuff on sale in Hong Kong are much lower than those from other countries.
"In fact, the British Government is the one that should be responsible since she is the tax-collector," it said.
Kung Sheung Daily News (27.1.76) said that both the British and Hong Kong Governments should take notice of the criticisms in the Fabian Society report without resentment.
"All governments have their defects and they can demonstrate their attitudes towards democracy by accepting criticism," the paper noted.
It commended the Government for admitting that the facts contained in the pamphlet were generally correct.
"The attitude of the Hong Kong Government was very wise for not denying that there are weaknesses in its policies because acceptance of and action on the criticisms could lead to progress,'
"Kung Sheung believed.
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