11.
But no comparison is possible between
arrangements for the New Territories
and for the old urban areas of Hong
Kong. Whereas the population of
the urban area has for some years now
been more or less static and geograph-
ically homogeneous, that of the New
Territories is changing very fast both
numerically and in the balance between
indigenous and non-indigenous residents;
and it is also characterised by
geographical division into a series of
self-contained towns which are expanding
very fast. In these rapidly evolving
circumstances it is clear that quite
different arrangements will be
required. While I agree that the
Rural Committees and the Kuk itself
should have a part to play in these
arrangements, proper regard must also
be had both to the interests of the
numerically larger non-indigenous
section of the New Territories popula-
tion, and also to the differing needs
and state of development of individual
townships.
This approach is
compatible with the continuing