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1 Board and Legislative Council elections, but this not alter the reality of a low participation rate in the elections last week, particularly when measured against the total number of eligible voters, in practising democracy through direct elections at grass
root level.
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Sir, I would like at this point to, congratulate all the
distast bound candidates who were successful in the B. elections. Their
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Sir, the stark truth is that the political activists in
our midst do not have the broad based support which they cite as justification for attacks on Government and on the findings of the Survey Office. If the activists wish to be seen as responsible politicians, they must learn to show a better understanding and
acceptance of majority sentiment. And while in the Orient the burning of paper may well be a rite of purification or exorcism,
the public demonstrations in front of the Government Secretariat and in the New Territories immediately following the publication of the White Paper brought to my mind memories of one of the most
evil totalitarian systems the world has ever produced. These scenes strengthened my conviction that Hong Kong still has a long way to go on the road of political education and that precipitous changes in our government structures and processes without adequate. preparation could easily backfire.
I have on earlier occasions voiced criticism about the
manner in which the Administration has presented the follow-up to the 1984 proposals, particularly their reticence in fully explaining
the need for subsequent modifications. On the other hand, I believe
the Government has been scrupulous in reflecting the current situation of and in Hong Kong and I am convinced that the governments, both here and in the United Kingdom, are acting in good faith and in the public