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Dennis Healey
Continued from P. 1 'sia and this would "cover the Comparing Hongkong to Ber- question of reform in Hong- lin, Mr. Healey said the British kong."
government here acted as a Describing the present taxa.. deterrent. "The Russians tion system as "odd," he said threatened in Berlin but were there is a need for a more not prepared to take the risk equitable system, relying on as they pretended. The same progressive income tax and a applies here," he said. simplification of taxation laws.
threaten the international sta- bility of Hongkong and its trade "because the potential aim of Peking is to maintain Hongkong as a trading centre" and this must have "over- riding influence in Hongkong's policies."
Referring to the redistribu-
"One reason there is little tion of wealth, Mr. Healey said pressure from below to change it all depended on the strength the system here is because of the Hongkong dollar which there is widespread apprecia- depends on foreign and local tion of this fact throughout businessmen finding a place to the population," he said.
Referring to the lack of outstanding local leaders, as is common in the other colo- nies at a similar stage of development, Mr. Healey said he wondered if this was not through discouragement born of "unrelenting application to survival and a sense of self- discipline."
hold money.
He said he would like to see more money spent on social services.
Mr. Healey found that the "miracle of Hongkong" is based on the energy and cn- thusiasm of the Chinese, a good administration in which there is a smooth relationship between business and Govern- ment and the leaders and po- pulation who combined to give l'cking good reasons for leav- ing the situation undisturbed. "Like West Germany the steady supply of new labour has taken the edge off wage He said there was a need demands enabling new invest for a new look at the whole ment without a shortage of British position in East Asia people to fill the jobs," he after the formation of Malay-said.
Mr. Healey raised a laugh when he observed it was only English reporters asking ques- tions. "Is it only the English
who are worried about consti- tutional reforms here?" he asked.
He said that if Communist
China were to use force she would lose not only economic advantages but would face 'daunting military risks."
He said if attacked, Britain and her allies would go to war, the degree depending on the prevailing circumstances. Here, as in Berlin, there is military capacity as well as the risk of overwhelming destruc tion.
At the airport last night, prior to his departure for London, Mr. Dennis Healey, when asked to comment on Lord Hongkong, said
Lansdowne's visit to "we don't comment when abroad on our colleagues' mistakes."
Asked whether by "mis- takes" he meant that Lord Lansdowne did not do a good job while in Hongkong, Mr. Healey then said he had no [comment in maka.
·2
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Page 327 of
ppening in suptember
South China Sunday Dost-Heraldy spokesman gives
local politics
Labour
views on
Direct Hongkong representation in the British Parliament was a conceivable long-range prospect, Mr Denis Healey, visiting Labour Party Member of Parliament and the party's defence
· spokesman, said yesterday.
He added, however, that this was only a personal view and ñot necessarily a declaration of the Labour Party's policy if it won the next general election.
Mr Healey was commenting on Hongkong politics during a press conference before leav- ing for Singapore last night.
He said it had been put to him by a number of people that the motto of the present Hong-, kong administration was "Don't rock the boat-let sleeping dogs lie."
This may be due to the restriction of the say of people in government decisions,
he said.
"Most useful step”
HEALEY
FROM PAGE 1
He said, however, that he would like to see more social services and progressive taxa- tion and greater effort to
equate wealth.
A deterrent
On defence, he confirmed an would be necessary in Hongkong earlier statement that a garrison as a deterrent against China.
He said he thought England would fight in defence of Hong- kong.
Before taking on England, a country of aggressor would have to
50,000,000, the bear in mind its allies.
recent
Asked if he thought the
existence of Moscow proddings about the Hongkong would force Peking to demand its handing back to her by Britain, he said, "The Peking Govern- ment would not allow itself to be forced into actions contrary to its policy."
"The Hongkong Govern- ment gets its advice from the Legislative Council, very small part of the com- ment of the people," he said. "The most useful step would be to extend the range of groups represented in the Legislative Council.
"I find it hard to believe that only eight people are capable} and worthy of representation," he said.
The central feature of main- taining the political situation was
MR HEALEY
the attitude of the Peking Gov- ernment, he said.
The present situation was ac ceptable to Peking but if elec- tions were held there was a like- lihood of trouble between Hong- kong's Nationalist and Corn- munist Chinese factions.
It was very important for the Hongkong Government to phase out political progress and not to let it "freeze." This could lead to complacen- cy and cause a growing gulf be- tween it and the people, whom it represents, he said.
Mr Healey commented that on the other hand he was baffled by thek of community leaders.
"he local population is order- ly and well disciplined, nerhaps too well discipli. 1," he said.
One answer was that people were re interested in making money than engaging in politics.
Good
Govermiet
had a extremely
ship this was an impor factor as Hongkong existed be- cause of its trade and ttraction
of foreign capital, he said.
Mr Healey described Hong- kong as an economic miracle, mainly because of the great abundance of labour.
Asked if Hongkong kept stable because there were few wage incre demands by labour or- ganisations, he s 1 Hongkong works got better wages than peonie in many Asian areas he had visited-
BACK PAGE, COL. 4
Peking's policy was to keep the status quo as China gained financially from the existence of Hongkong, he said.
Trade with Europe
said see
On trade, Mr Healey his party would like to more imports of African and Asian products into the Com- mon Market, provided land gained entry.
The
European
Eng-
countries
should be approached on the angle that their import market could be doubled by Common- wealth participation.
He agreed that the main stumbling block was the agricultural interests of the Market, which "were the hardest to please."
Mr Healey said he had been impressed by his four-day visit here.
"The Hongkong miracle is made up of the extraordinary character of the Chinese, who have reacted to their challenge with enthusiasm and energy."
At the airport before leaving for Singapore last night, Mr Healey said that he had con- fidence in the ability of the meet people of Hongkong "to the challenge which faces them."
Asked about the Colony's mili- tary Klefences he replied: "Hongkong has a first-rank commander and I believe that the forces here are adequate to the task given them.”
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