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機密
CONFIDENTIAL #2
5 -
(B) Radical versus conservative:
(a) Significantly, opinion and attitude of the
respondents varied considerably according to their age and education background. Middle- aged and elderly householders were more inclined to support the Education Department whilst their children, including secondary and post-secondary students, were inclined to criticize the closure of the school as suppressive and Draconian action. Young and old were equally confused about the
facts and unwilling to take sides with either Principal Kwan or the Chan group but their attitudes were largely determined by their own frame of mind. The younger generation were particularly sensitive and resentful to any Government measure which appeared to them to be high-handed or dictatorial. The established, middle-age bourgeois were on the other hand anxious to see the Government take a strong line against trouble-makers threatening the social order...
(b)
(c)
The community generally, were anxious to avoid "rocking the boat" and did not approve of any action likely to create a state of political or social tension. Harmony and stability of society. were considered to be of paramount importance. Nevertheless, even the conservative sectors expected the Government to afford more opportunities for public consultation so as to ensure that decisions would be taken on an intelligent understanding of community aspirations and sensitivities.
The Golden Jubilee incident was an eye-opener to many conservative minded people, who were quite taken aback by the defiant and assertive attitude of the sit-in students. They were confident and articulate and stood up against authority without hesitation or diffidence. They displayed remarkable capability
CONFIDENTIAL
機密
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