CONFIDENTIAL
INWARD TELEGRAM
TO THE SECRETARY OF STATE FOR THE COLONIES
Drig on:-
FED99 1400/02
FROM HONG KONG (Sir D. Trench)
Simplex D. 22nd June, 1964.
R. 22nd
06.25 hrs.
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IMMEDIATE CONFIDENTIAL No. 673
Personal for Martin from Trench.
Your telegram No. 975.
Legislative Council Appointments.
I fully appreciate the points you make but largely the same ground was very exhaustively covered before reaching the conclusions recorded in my letter of 5th June.
2. Your paragraph 3. The fact that the J.P.s are drawn from many circles makes the 'right of nomination' 7 system less objectionable in their case and here the system
possibly commands fair public support. For this reason the Chamber is best talked first and Gordon's appointment for
1
2 years does not necessarily mean that this cannot be done.
I would however prefer to avoid speculation as to my intentions towards the J.P.8 until it is clearer whether there is any prospect of breaking the system at all for which at least some degree of concurrence seems necessary.
3. My other reason for recommending a 2-year appointment is that Gordon is an exceptionally useful member whom I would anyway wish to be sure of having on Council for the next two years.
40 Your paragraph 4. I believe public opinion here would on the whole like, and would expect, one of these 5 places to be filled by a European. Watson was however
suggested because essentially he is not typical of the European businessmen and is likely if anything to be rather more acceptable to Chinese than European opinions. Apart from his ability character and local identification (he has made his home here) he has local interests at heart and although sometimes controversial he will not be afraid to espouse causes which may not commend themselves to 'big business' •
5. Your paragraph 5. The difficulty is to find people of potential rather then achievement who will win any general degree of acceptance outside their own limited circle. It is better to try them out first on boards and committees where they will win recognition if they have the necessary qualities.
6. I am afraid membership of Council in its present form will always require reasonable financial independence. This does not necessarily exclude professional and similar
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