CO537-6046 — Page 346

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future of Hong Kong, etc.

On the other hand I think we would be justified in saying that in view of events in Korea and the unsettled conditions in the Far East generally we do not consider that it would be wise to alter a smoothly working system for another, which however good in theory, might take some time to settle down.

There

It is difficult to assess here whether the absence of a reply is likely to lead to propaganda attacks on the Hong Kong Government and H.M.G. or whether in the present circumstances it might not after all be better to let sleeping dogs lie. is nothing on these papers to show that there is any real desire for constitutional reform in the Colony and I am inclined to support the suggestion in para. 5 of (62). We could in fact sand the Governor a copy of (62), saying that none of the Departments has any comments on the proposals as such, except for the C.R.0. point about "Indian" vide X of my minute of 22/12, but we would like to have his views on which he considers to be the better course to adopt in the interests of Hong Kong i.e., (a) send the reply and risk it being used for Chinese propaganda or (b) try to let the matter rest, bearing in mind that P.Q.s may in any case bring it into the limelight.

At

my

suggestion the Andessa has prepared a diff for comm

inilall 3. 1. 51.

Mr. Paskin.

I agree that we can scarcely refuse to put the point in No. (62) to the Governor. The request in paragraph 4 of (61) is a bit of a nuisance as it means, I think, substituting a new open despatch omitting the words "e.g. Indian" for the original at (57) on 54145/4/49 below which contains it. It is rather late in the day to do this now, but if the despatch is to be published with that omission it must be the despatch as on record on our file I think.

I have considerably shortened down the draft submitted for your signature, which I think should now issue.

JRA

بسم

6.3; Sir A. Grantham

4. 1. 1951.

5. |- 31.

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