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Extrot from the South China Sunday Post - Nerale!
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Press comment
The China Mail took up the question of all ombudsman, raised by an editorial in the Sunday Examiner. The Mail felt that there was no wide- spread agitation for the system to be introduced into Hongkong, nor had its merits and demerits been fully and convincingly ex- pounded. The Mail did agree that criticising Government was not a very satisfying occupation, and that there was a sense of frustration among the public, particularly when grievances were off-handedly brushed aside. It admitted there was a gulf be- tween the public and Govern- ment officers, but denied that it was widening and asserted that "bridge" organisations such as the kaifongs and rural com- mittees were helping narrow the gap. Rather than an ombuds- man which might tend to undermine confidence in Gov- erninent- it would be far better to strengthen the "bridges" and for Government to set up machinery to deal swiftly and effectively with public grievances and complaints, the Mail said.
The Morning Post also took up the question of an ombudsman, but warned that "to believe that he would become a benevolent fairy-godmother capable of cur- ing social discontent is a notion that borders on the fanciful." It asked whether Hongkong's Government was any less res- ponsive to criticism than others. "All governments must to some extent be judges in their own cause but it is important to dis- tinguish between administrative blunders (which occur in the best regulated societies) and policy issues." The ombudsman was more to provide a safeguard against abuse or misuse of authority than in investigating general policy. The paper felt that Hongkong's major grievan- as reflected in correspon- dence columns, were outside the, scope of an ombudsman.
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An inspired view Vox populi This is that D..
Thinks
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Jan 24-1965
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