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Vol. XIX
lo. 246
LORD SHEPHERD
MR, BERNACCHI
•19/65
Howa
Lova
I
19
Hang lima
STANDARD
Friday, September 6, 1963
√22
SHEPHERD OPPOSES MORE SAY
HE Minister of State for Commonwealth Affairs, Lord Shepherd, opposes
Queen's Can and en elected monitor of the Urban Council.
He, was making a report to members of the Reform Club
on his recent talks with Lord Shepherd in London.
Lord Shepherd's reasons are that he thought a greater democracy would lead to attempts by political parties-the Nationalists and the Communists-to gain control, he said.
Hongkong's Legislative Council is currently composed of the Governor-in- Council, 12 official members and 13 appointed members.
Lord Shoplard's fears
Mr. Bernacchi said it appeared Lord Shepherd had reached his viewpoint after contacts with top Government advisers in Hongkong.
"But Lord Shepherd did appreciate that it was bad for the public to have no one to represent them," he added.
The Minister had given assurances that he would consider the following reforms:
Assurances given
F we are to accept the arguments of the Minister of State for Commonwealth Affairs, Lord Shepherd, on why Hongkong should not be given greater democracy, then no country,
O Representation on the Legislative Council by especially in Asia, can risk a democratic, two elected members of the Urban Council. independent Government.
The establishment of an Ombudsman system The danger of Communist and nationalistic giving the man selected for the post more power than political parties gaining control exists not only the Government though not the Governor. in Hongkong. It existed even in countries like
Widening the power of the Urban Council Singapore and Malaysia, but they were, never- to include all the day-to-day interests of the public theless, given full independence by Britain. that were not of an outside political nature.
It is the will of the people that eventually counts, and the people of Hougkong have shown, during the dark days of the disturbances, that they can resist Communist attempts to conquer and control them.
The chairman of the Reform Club, Mr. Brook Bernacchi, revealed the Minister's fears when he met Lord Shepherd in London that were brought about by top Hongkong Government advisers.
Jag
fears
Lord Shepherd, however, does carry a torch while groping in the dark with his advisers. It's a sinali torch but he is shedding some light on a few changes in the Government.
As Mr. Bornacchi says, half a loaf is better than none, reform-wise. But the proof must lie in the baking.
Mr. Bernacchi said that the changes suggested by Lord Shepherd did not go far enough.
No choice
"But half a loaf is better than none," he added.
From his talks with the Minister in London, Mr. Bernacchi said, he was of the opinion that Lord Shepherd would not deliberately act contrary to the advice of the Governor, Sir David Trench, on matters dealing with Hong- kong policy.
"But the Minister gave some indication that certain reforms more local govern- ment, an ombudsman-might already have been put to the Government here," he added.
Lord Shepherd had also mentioned that he was likely to visit Hongkong later this
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