CO537-1651 — Page 104

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apprehensive members of the community are naturally disposed to regulate

their political conduct with an eye to the expected event. Some of these

persons, I think, even fear that open collaboration (I use the word

designedly) with the British authorities in the framing of a constitution

which manifestly contemplates the continuance of the British rule may

at no distant date become a matter for possible punitive action by the

incoming authorities and therefore almost inevitably a matter for blackmail.

Of the majority it would be more true to say that they have a vague feeling

that it may be expedient to 'keep in with both sides' and to do nothing

which might later be construed as anti-patriotic to China and cause them

loss of influence with a future Chinese régime in Hong Kong.

9.

>

The views which I have outlined above are supported by the

representations which I have received. I give the following quotation

from a report by a representative of the Catholic community:

"The only point on which there seems to be fairly general

́agreement is a total lack of enthusiasm for a change in the form

of Government at the present time.

Minor administrative changes would be welcomed, and it was

agreed that if conditions were normal an extension of self-government

should be considered. There is however a very considerable body of

opinion against a change now. This opinion is based on what is

believed to be a realistic outlook and on a definite belief that in

the present circumstances a change would bring not a better but a

less perfect Government.

but

In answer to an objection made by some that any move towards a

more democratic form of Government is liable to cause a disruption

in the smooth organization which can exist under a bureaucracy,

but that nevertheless the change is beneficial in the end, the answer was given that the risk of such a disruption may be taken in

ordinary times, but that the present times are quite exceptional

and the risk is too serious to be lightly taken.

This view is mentioned because it was held by very many,

including a considerable proportion of Chinese".