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hope of righting the wrongs done to them,
because the Government always bullied the meek
悪)。
but feared the bellicos e (that).
(c) Many young intellectuals considered that protest action was fully justified, and often very
(a)
necessary, particularly when the Government had
refused to heed a complaint, or "red-tape-bound bureaucracy" ( * $ $ 11 ) had
文章,等因奉此) failed to respond to some earnest plea. Public pressure or censure would, in their view, act as the only effective audit of Government action, in the absence of a constitutional opposition party. Some businessmen and proprietors, and others with substantial stakes in Hong Kong, expressed uncase about such activities which they regarded as "anti- establishment" and, therefore, detrimental to social order and discipline. They implied a dis- respect of authority, a challenge to normal Governmental procedures, an undermining of the prestige and influence of Government departments and the belligerence of malcontents with highly suspect motives. The 1967 marches on Government House still left behind a long shadow, and there
was some subconscious association in the more
conservative, sensitive minds linking such marches with an unstable political situation. However, since such activities had become quite usual, they
were of less concern.
The public view of WHY such activities had increased
(a) An increasing public awareness of civil rights
and unwillingness to accept decisions harmful to
their interests.
(b) (c)
An increasingly critical attitude towards authority. Government itself has become more liberal, open and responsive to public opinion.
(a) Public belief that the Government, at least at
senior levels, was disposed to be reasonable and
accommodating.
(e)
The increasing influence and activities of radical pressure groups, such as SOCO.
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