2.
1
Those same methods are existing commercially today, gaining fit for the present members of the named companies but now the dealings are in property, land and consumer commodities. the same attitudes exist.
Formation of the Government
But
As Hong Kong grew and prospered through its ill-gotten gains so it became necessary not only to have a Governor, but also a Government and a Government needs a Police Force.
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For a Government Hong Kong has been bedevilled by "cardboard men" from the British Civil Service, the bottom of the barrel, the five years to go men, the disinterested, the incompetent and the corrupt. Britain has hardly been fair to the Colony! The Police Force was and is British directed with mainly Chinese personnel. From the outset corruption quickly gained ground within the Government Departments, but in the higher echelons, not in the lower paid classes.
Governor followed Governor, batches of tired old men from Britain replaced equally tired old men in the Colony and the old ways were preserved, obviously with the connivance of all concerned. That is until 1974. In that year the present Governor, Sir Murray Maclehose had the courage and the perspicacity to inaugurate the Independent Commission Against Corruption, the ICAC, to combat bribery and, corruption throughout the Colony. For this, if for little else, he must be commended. The formation of this new Department was tantamount to censuring all the previous incumbents of the office and all other posts of responsibility. The proof of corruption was made manifest, at last the pigeon had come home to roost at last debts to society would be paid - or so Hong Kong thought until a few days ago.
A Good Idea that Back-fired
The ICAC set to work with a will and very soon had Messrs. Godber and Hunt, high Police officials in their net but it seems that by this success they became obsessed with the Police. Instead of spreading the net Colony-wide they concentrated solely on the Police Force. On all evidence this was necessary but in so doing they allowed all Government Departments and Commerce to continue in their malpractices at leisure. Some & months ago it was obvious that this policy could only lead to a confrontation between the Police and the ICAC. quite rightly, the Police considered that they were being the "whipping boys" for the rest of the Colony, especially those in the rank and file. That the Police were, and are, corrupt is common knowledge but then so are other Departments of Government, the Public Services, Business and Entertainment, the Police had a point. And they tried to make it by organising a march on Government House some 2 weeks ago.
A Village Pub "Punch-up"
The Police demonstration was to demand a go-between for