TNAG-0003-FCO40-39-Commission-of-Enquiry-into-the-Kowloon-disturbances-addition-1968 — Page 149

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PART VI CONCLUSIONS

Summary

129

474. We would summarize our conclusions on these matters as follows:

(a) The causes of dissatisfaction alleged against the Government are complex and a number of them are beyond the powers of the Government to influence.

(b) A recent tendency-not only in Hong Kong to ascribe all the failings of the community to errors by the administration and to make greater demands upon it tends not only to enhance discontent but to exaggerate their extent.

(c) A contributory factor has been a rapid growth in the aspirations of the community and a consequent dissatisfaction when the visible results do not keep pace with these aspirations.

(d) There is evidence of a growing interest in Hong Kong on the part of youth and a tendency to protest at a situation which their parents might tacitly accept. This tendency is accentuated by a growing awareness of unrest in other countries through education and contact with mass media of communication.

(e) We do not believe that the Government deliberately ignores public opinion and there are a number of instances where constructive proposals have been readily accepted. However, the degree of misunderstanding of Government's aims exposed by our Inquiry emphasizes the importance of ensuring that its policies and problems are clearly explained and the public's co-operation in their implementation actively pursued. Possible means of achieving this are by a greater degree of decentralization of administration with a view to providing a range of simple services at the local level in order to build up local community spirit and improve the public's access to Government: by developing local representation on advisory, consultative or executive bodies at a local level: and by a greater consciousness of the need for public relations at all levels. (f) This situation presupposes a duty on the part of the educated and articulate minority to engage in informed and constructive analysis of any issue under discussion and to avoid weakening the confidence of the public in the administration without proposing any practical alternative. The only outcome of the latter could be a slowing down of investment and a flight of capital.

Public attitudes to the police

475. Some evidence was given by social workers regarding general attitudes towards the police prevalent amongst sections of the population with which they had contact. They referred particularly to friction between the public and the police which they thought arose from: