purposes in the Colonial context we look upon
11 constitutions"
of a non-federal nature as comprising the institutions of
# B
"national" or territory-wide significance. Local government
L
changes may, as you say, stimulate or delay demands for change
There does not seem to be much
#
in the national" institutions.
evidence for taking a view that they will operate either way in
Hong Kong. It seems to us that those very small interests which
continually urge changes in the constitution are going to
persevere with their demands, whatever is done or not done
in the field of local government, but that support for their
They views yould have to grow very considerably indeed before merit
Chinese formment be
consideration.
women the altitude of the thin what, however
the It is changes in the "national" institutions which we think
ut.
will be likely to tract the attention of the Chines
There might, for purely local reasons, be some inspired support
from local communist circles for any group opposing your proposals
for a particular area. But the Foreign Office view is, like
ours, that the C.P.G. is unlikely to object to your proposals
in any way which would make it difficult for the Hong Kong Government
to carry them through. Chinese reactions are always hard to predict,
but it is considered that in this case they are unlikely to be
moved unless they are looking for a bone of contention (of which
there is always a goodly selection).
is stated as follows:-
-
The Foreign Office conclusion
be Whirly,
ove?
"The Governor is surely right in saying that the thing to do is to proceed slowly and to make it clear from the outset that the functions of these new bodies are to be strictly limited to local government. An Urban Council already operates in Hong Kong and New Kowloon and new organisations to take account of the growing industrial centres in the Ne
ew Territories are only logical. It is unlikely that the Chinese would see them as being the first step towards an independent Hong Kong."
are to
be established in the New Territories by a distinct and separate
may perhops help to make I clear
ordinance will help, i feel, to emphasise to
Chinese consumption
that local government developments in that area do not affect and
are in no way related to the Colony's status or relationship with
the United Kingdom.
5*.
Læge fat Dfn34ou have in mind for this purpose would indicate
Carter gathered from his discussions with you that the
establishes
in broad terms the types of local authorities to be set up and
/would
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