A.
Q.
A.
Yes. Normal constitutional progress towards
self-government is not possible in the particular
circumstances of Hong Kong; nor are the people
asking for it. But the Government are exploring
ways and means of giving them a bigger say in the
affairs of Government and of ensuring that the
views of the ordinary man are made known to those
in authority. One possible way of doing this is
through the medium of local government; another
possible means is the recently inaugurated system of City District Officers in urban areas about
which a statement was made in Parliament on
12 March by the Parliamentary Under Secretary of
State for Commonwealth Affairs.
Is it not the case that the low wage rates and
poor living conditions of the masses in Hong Kong
represent a security hazard which demands early
action?
The disturbances in Hong Kong last year were in no
way the result of such conditions. But it is
accepted that there is room for improvement in the
sphere of labour relations in Hong Kong and steps
are being taken to remedy the situation. The
Hong Kong Labour Commissioner announced on
14 February a liberal programme of labour
legislation: action has already been taken to
strengthen the staff of the Labour Department o
side and legislation was
the labour
recently introduced to reduce, over a period of
time, the maximum permitted working hours for
women and young persons in industry.
Generally
speaking the Hong Kong authorities are fully
alive to the need for certain reforms in the
sphere of labour conditions and relations.
12.
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