groups there are in Hong Kong. It is true that this may be a difficulty, but it is not an insuperable one. Even in the widening of the franchise for Urban Council elections there is discrimination, and in the current French election only 28 million out of the 47 million people in France are eligible to vote. Therefore it must be expected that in a matter of this kind, someone must make the decision as to the cut-out point. The bodies which should nominate are those that represent industry, commerce and other major sections of the community. There is already an elective el ment in these organisations and thus their representatives can lay claim to having the confidence of their respective groups behind them.
"Industry in particular feels that there should be more persons having a direct connection with industry on the Council, having regard to the fact that 50% of the people of Hong Kong rely on the export-oriented manufacturing industries for their livelihood. Our ability in Hong Kong to provide more social services to the people depends greatly on the ability of industry to continue its development.
"It has been said that at appropriate timing, the current representation of the Chamber of Commerce on the Legislative Council might be withdrawn by Government. We strongly deprecate this move, as we would consider it a retrograde step.
"It has also been said that we, industry representatives, were seeking privileges to sit on the Legislative Council. We do not consider representation on the Legislative Council as a privilege, but rather a right and duty which we should exercise for the benefit of the community."
Mr. Bowden replied that he was aware of the situation. He said that a Working Party had been working on the subject of local government, and that the proposal brought forward by Dr. Chung would be considered when the Working Party submitted its report. He indicated that, as he saw it, Dr. Chung's point was that certain bodies were represented on the Legislative Council, and certain bodies not: the Federation was among those not represented this point would be kept in mind when the question of representation on the Legislative Council was reviewed.
Mr. Cumming requested that it should be made quite clear for the record that it was not a question of certain bodies being represented on the Council and others not. Dr. Chung's point was that the more persons, having direct connection with industry, there were on the Council, the better. He said that Dr. Chung had stressed that it was all to the good to have representatives of the Chamber of Commerce and J.P.'s on the Legislative Council and that, in the Federation's opinion, it would be a most retrograde step if this arrangement was cancelled.
2.
EUROPEAN COMMON MARKET
The second topic for discussion, the Common Market, was taken up by Hon. Sir Sik-nin Chau, who said:
"There seems to Hong Kong a possibility that Britain will sign the Treaty of Rome and argue about the details afterwards, and that Hong Kong will be one of these details.
"Notwithstanding the fact that Hong Kong manufacturing industry has traditionally looked upon the U.K. market as a home market in the absence of a natural home market, it has been made abundantly clear that Hong Kong will not be permitted AOT (Associated Overseas Territory) status.
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