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DRAFT SPEECH BY HON PETER C WONG, OBE, JP ON UNOFFICIAL MEMBER'S MOTION LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL 2.8.1984
It has been suggested that this Green Paper was one of
the worst kept secrets in town. Be that as it may, it is
undoubtedly one of the most important documents ever issued by
the Government, touching as it does on major constitutional
reforms.
The avalanche of public comments and views expressed
since its publication 2 weeks ago serves to demonstrate public concern on this important topic. But such enthusiastic response
comes as no surprise to those familiar with the local political
scene. As expected, we hear and see the same old familiar voices
and faces in so far as individual commentators are concerned.
That is not necessarily a bad thing, but one must view such
comments in their proper perspective, representing as they do
only a thin slice of the wide spectrum of public opinion.
Nevertheless, it is a positive sign that Hong Kong's political
and civic awareness is on the increase and this commendable trend
should be encouraged. I shall pursue this issue further in other
forums and at the end of this speech.
It would be naive to assume that the loud and
oft-repeated noises necessarily reflect the views of the
majority. Experience locally and elsewhere indicates that the
views of the vocals do not necessarily coincide with those of the silent majority. It is therefore of paramount importance that
the Administration should spare no effort in ascertaining in
positive and impartial manner the sentiments of those who for one
reason or another do not choose to be in the limelight. After
all, the proposed reform would directly affect the lives of every citizen in this cosmopolitan community of some 5+/2 million
people.
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