TNAG-0099-FCO40-135-Visit-by-Secretary-of-State-1967 — Page 51

BOWDEN GIVES IMPRESSIONS SCMP 8/3/67

Local Government Not Concern of Britain'

H.K. REVIEWING ISSUE

Mr Herbert Bowden, Secretary of State for Commonwealth Relations, said yesterday that the giving of greater participation to people of Hong- kong in neighbourhood affairs was "really a matter for the Colony rather than for Britain.”

Commenting on recent recommendations for local government, Mr Bowden said he understood that Hongkong had some local organisations, includ- ing the Urban Council, which could be sub-divided into three or four other urban councils.

the increase of three farthings in the first class ferry fare was

certainly no justification for the revolt."

Speaking in an interviewly Hongkong's own affair-"but over Radio Hongkong and Rediffusion TV, Mr Bow den said that he had been away from London for four weeks and during that time he had visited six Commonwealth countries where many organisa- tions would like to have a word or two with him.

He said that he would have loved to have met all of them, but regretted that he could not do so because of shortage of time.

Asked about Hongkong's move towards a complete system of local Government, Mr Bowden said: "I understand the ques- tion of greater participation In neighbourhood affairs is under consideration by the Hongkong Government."

Mr Bowden reaffirmed that the interests of Commonwealth countries would be safeguarded should Britain join the Common Market.

Grateful

Commenting on the Colony's contribution of £5m towards the keeping of the gar- rison here, Mr Bowden said that Britain was grateful for it, but pointed out that it cost Britain £16m a year for the external and internal security of Hongkong.

Speaking of his stay in the Colony, Mr Bowden said that this was his first visit and he was greatly impressed with everything he saw.

"I think that Hongkong's future is very bright," he added.

Mr Bowden told reporters at Kai Tak before boarding a London-bound BOAC jetliner last night that he had received four memoranda or requests for interviews within the last two hours.

He said he felt it was "not possible" to see them all within such a short period.

However, he assured local people that "we will take a full and careful look at them when we get home."

Speaking on the report of the Kowloon disturbances, Mr Bowden said he did not want to interfere in what was absolute-

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"But there may be more in it, I don't know," he added.

Regarding Hongkong's social and youth problems, Mr Bow- den said they were "not as difficult as they are in some other quarters of the world."

"I think Government has dealt with it to the best of its ability with the finances available and the economic situation here."

No Evidence Of Gap

Mr Bowden said he had no evidence about the existence of a gap between Government and the people.

"If there's a gap, it should be made known and made clear what the gap is about," he added.

Mr Bowden assured Hongkong people that their views would be expressed back home and "whatever can be done in this direction will be done in con- junction with the Hongkong Government.

"But I do ask you to appre- ciate two things-the particular difficulty of Hongkong's external problems and the progress that has been made over the last few years is absolutely fantastic."

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