TNAG-0099-FCO40-135-Visit-by-Secretary-of-State-1967 — Page 31

I am

implementation of such a measure must remain a matter for the local

Government to achieve in the light of local circumstances.

satisfied that the Governor is moving as fast as possible and that

any precipitate intervention on my part would be counterproductive.

Pressure from outside the Colony on this subject is regarded within

Hong Kong at all levels of opinion with gr ve suspicion of its motivas.

It is widely believed to arise,not so much from any concern over

Hong Kong workers, as from a protectionist desire to reduce liong Kong's

competitive position in international markets. These views, however

mistaken, are widely held. I mention then to illustrate the

difficulties that we have to contend with.

6. In leaving this particular subject I would like first to reiterate

my statement that I feel just as strongly es does anyone else; second

that I intend to pursue the matter without respite and third that I

hope members will do their best to halp me in my efforts by restraining their understandable desire to see ever-increasing prossure applied

to the liong Kong Government to reach the target which we all wish to

achieve.