SECRET
3. In view of the spread of industrial development to the New Territories
and pressure from the elected members of the urban Council to extend
their authority into these areas, the Governor decided early in 1966
to institute a re-examination of local government generally. A working
party set up to gather information on the possible forms of local government
suitable to the circumstances of Hong Kong, has recently completed its
work and its report will be published in the near future. When this has
been done the Governor proposes to throw the question open for wider
discussion and consultations with the public and interested bodies.
In his speech in April, 1966 announcing his proposals the Governor invited
the public to present their views on changes at Local Government level
and one result has been publication of a report of an ad hoc Committee
of the Urban Council on the future scope and operation of the urban Council.
4. The Governor has emphasised that the Development of Local Government
should in his opinion be approached with caution; besides the difficulty
that there is little appreciation of the problems in Hong Kong, there
is very little prescure for change particularly in the New Territories
and no agreement at this time as how the need may best be met. Although
it is considered unlikely that the Chinese Government will react
unfavourably towards a re-organisation of local Government we must proceed
carefully if suspicion of a "transfer of power" is not to be aroused.
In addition, in llong Kong, there is unfortunately a real danger from
corruption. We have accepted the Governor's view that the Urban Council
should not be allowed to spread its authority into the new urban areas
in the New Territories. The Council's aspirations in this respect are
opposed by the inhabitants of the areas concerned. Moreover Hong Kong
is too small a Colony to accommodate both a Legislative Council and a
major Local Government authority. The Urban Council's dissatisfaction
with its present role might perhaps be met by widening its responsibilities
within its present area though this issue is one which the Governor
proposes to consider after a new general pattern for local government has
emerged.
SECRET
/D.
RELATIONS WITH CHINA
No comments yet.
Private notes are available after approval.