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purposes in the Colonial context we look upon constitutions"
of a non-federal nature as comprising the institutions of
#B.
"national" or territory-wide significance. bocal government
changes may, as you say, stimulate or delay demands for change
There does not seem to be much
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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 ould have to grow very considerably indeed before,merit:
ut.
$.
আ
us consideration.
what, howwe, would the altitude of the Chirag founment be thing, It is changes in the "national" institutions which we think
will be likely to attract the
of the Chinese faveTHIS TUT
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). The Foreign Office conclusion
is stated as follows:-
local authorities
We see no reason to disagree. are to
ill be established in the New Territories by a distinct and separate
my pertops help to make it clear
The fact that ouerarent institutions
ordinance will help, I feel to emphasise for Chinese consumption
that local government development's in thet area do not affect and
are in no way related to the Colony's status or relationship with
the United Kingdom.
5. Carter gathered from his discussions with you that the
papalation you have in mind for this purpose would indicate
in broad terms the types of local authorities to be eet up and
/would
establishes
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