3.
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COMMENT ON THE DEFENCE COSTS AGREEMENT BY
THE ACTING GOVERNOR
The new Defence Costs Agreement has been concluded today between
the Governments of Hong Kong and the United Kingdom
negotiatiors which have lasted for more than a year.
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after very tough
Understandably, the progress of these negotiations has aroused
considerable public interest - and much anxiety lest the agreement should
place on Hong Kong financial burdens which we should find it difficult
to carry.
In the course of public debate and discussion, some have even
questioned the need for there to be any garrison at all. Let me make
it abundantly clear that the Government has no doubt whatsoever that a
substantial British garrison is essential for the stability and prosperity
of Hong Kong.
It is the primary responsibility of any Government to maintain
security. Unless this is assured, confidence in Hong Kong and ita future
would be shaken with dire economic and social consequences,
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Some of the critics, while accepting that a garrison of some
kind is required, have asserted that it could be provided more effectively
and cheaply by an enlarged and re-equipped police force, or by an augmented
Hong Kong Regiment.
This possibility has been carefully examined - by soldiers,
civilians and police. The clear conclusion is that such an alternative
would give us a second-class army, lacking the professional skills traditions
and spirit which make the superb British and Gurkha soldiers, sailors and
airmen such an effective garrison. Furthermore, a local force would have
to be larger, because we would not be able to rely on reinforcements from
Britain, as we shall be able to do while we have a British garrison.
/A local