&
local Commandet press in Hong Kong following my visit
grounds that some quite innocuous remarks at my press conference
which referred to Hong Kong small country were evidence of
"plot to turn Hong Kong into « country"
3.
There are of course a minber of seall groups desanding
self-government and complaining of political frustration. I did not
meet any during sy visit; there was not time. But their views
are expressed freely without hindrance: if they are not widely
accepted in the colony it is not for lack of hoaring.
There is some evidence now of an awakening of interest in
local or "neighɔmurhood" affairs and a desire for a volos in their
management. This is a new development amongst the Chinese
population and it is early days yet to say how far and how fast
event only some
it will develop. The recent revision of the existing urban council
franchino was disappointing in this respect; in
26,000 people registered as electors out of an estimated 240,000
persons who were gialified. Nevertheless, local administration
is a field in which we can and should make it possible for wide
public participation in and responsibility for development within
the colony.
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