6.
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3.
Lord Shepherd said that he was most concerned
for the ordinary people of Hong Kong who had not the
means to go abroad in the event of a Communist Chine se
takeover. He was fully aware of the problems, fears
and aspirations of these ordinary people but he was
confident that changes were bound to take place which
would make Hong Kong a better and more secure place to
live in. These changes were taking place although they
Other changes which were
might not be very noticeable.
bound to come would take time to implement and it was
necessary for the Hong Kong Government to harness men of
goodwill to devote their time and efforts towards the
solution of Hong Kong's economic and social problems.
It would not be possible to introduce sweeping reforms at
one fell swoop, but Lord Shepherd assured the Delegates
that gradual changes would take place in the system of
Government which would enable the views of ordinary
people to be understood, appreciated and acted upon.
7.
Mr. Pang said that he appreciated the need to
introduce reforms in Hong Kong gradually, but that the
present situation justified rapid changes. He criticized
the conservative and "colonial" attitudes on the part of
the European members of Hong Kong's civil service.
8.
Lord Shepherd said that he was fully aware of
the need for change and assured the Delegates that
suitable reforms were being introduced.
For example,
the reduction in working hours for women and young
people in factories and other industrial undertakings
might appear at first sight to be a measure of reform
in the field of labour but he was confident that it would
have beneficial and far reaching effects on a large number
of ordinary working people. Changes such as this should
be introduced at the appropriate time. Hong Kong,
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