XN000022-1975-12-19 — Page 12

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