1992-01-02 12:29 INFORMATION SERVICES DEPT
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852 521 7725 P.09/13
COMMENTARIES
GOVERNOR
(Editorials)
The HK Economic Journal remarked that it was not a normal practice for the British Government to announce the retirement of Sir David Wilson as HK's Governor without naming his successor and the effect of such a move on HK's internal administration and its relations with China remained to be seen. The paper believed the new Governor would not be as sympathetic and understanding to dk people as Sir David and was unlikely to handle affairs from the standpoint of HK people as his predecessor had.
Tin Tin Daily News said it was unwise for people to call for a Governor who would be tough with China because confrontation was not conducive to the territory's stability and prosperity. The paper added that Lerco's discussion on the appointment of the next Governor would make no impact as the matter was one solely for the British Government to decide.
Sing Tao Wan Pao (31.12.91) noted that Sir David, having been Political Adviser in the MacLehose era, knew too much about the disputes and tacit agreements between China and Britain. This perhaps explained his lack of decisiveness. The paper said HK needed a career politician who would not be content with playing the role of a passive housekeeper bul had the courage to face up to the challenges of transfer in power and changes in the political system.
Its sister paper, Sing Tao Daily, noted that Sir David might have tried his best to fight for the interests of HK people but in many ways his opinion was not heeded because of his position. The paper hoped a prestigious character comparable to Lord Mountbatton and one who had an ardent belief in freedom and democratic principles and genuine concern for HK's interests would be the next man at the helm in HK.
Ming Pao said the fact that the successor to Sir David would not be named until after the general election in Britain was a factor of instability for HK because although the Labour and Tory Parties did not vary greatly in their foreign policies, any change in the Government was bound to bring new personnel, a new style of working and even changes in details of certain policies.
(Columns)
Lee Ming of Wen Wei Po yesterday argued that the British Government's announcement of Sir David's retirement before the end of next year without naming his successor was an "unusual" political move aimed at creating a false impression that the Governor was a "lame duck" and that many things had to be decided by Legco.