J M Rowlands Esq
STAFF IN CONFIDENCE
CONFIDENTIAL
17 April 1978
4. A further point which concerns us is the continuing preponderance of expatriates among the candidates for these appointments. When writing to us on a separate matter recently, the Governor expressed his unease that the judiciary was a much too expatriate body, some of whose members may be out of touch with the community and its needs. There are, I believe, only two Hong Kong Chinese High Court Judges at the moment. I imagine that Judge Liu will join them before very long. Is there any chance of finding other suitable candidates from outside the Judiciary or Civil Service? (I hope it does not seem to nonsensical that in consecutive paragraphs I should be encouraging you to consider candidates from outside Hong Kong altogether, and then expressing concern that not enough local Chinese are being appointed: this reflects the divergence of interest between the two halves of Hong Kong and General Department. Wearing my "General" hat I have to look after the interests of senior legal, administrative and judicial staff throughout the dependent territories. Wearing my Hong Kong hat, I have to consider what is best for the interests of Hong Kong. I suppose in the present case, if three new vacancies do arise, the ideal solution would be to appoint one of the outsiders, one local expatriate and one local Chinese!).
WE Quantrill
cc:
Mr Rushford
2
STAFF IN CONFIDENCE
CONFIDENTIAL