TNAG-0099-FCO40-135-Visit-by-Secretary-of-State-1967 — Page 52

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MEMORANDUM ON

SCMP TEACHERS 8/3/67

A memorandum on better treatment of the Colony's thers submitted by the Hongkong Teachers' Asso- ciation-has been received by Mr Bowden,

A Government spokesman said yesterday that the memorandum was received after Mr Bowden had begun his Far East tour and it was kept for him to see on arrival.

Mr Li Shui-yi, President of the Association, said he was pleased to hear this and his Association must give Mr Bowden ample time to study and reply to it.

Mr S. C. M. Cutting, Chief Resident Engineer, briefing Mr Bowden on the Plover Cove

At Water Scheme. right is the Hon A. M. J. Wright, Director of Public

Works.

SCMP

8/3/67

Mr Bowden

Tours N.T. Projects

Mr Herbert Bowden, Secret- ary of State for Commonwealth Affairs, yesterday toured pro- jects in the New Territories and described the Plover Cove Scheme as "quite an engineering feat."

He

returned to Hongkong Island by Auxiliary Air Force helicopter and held an hour's discussion with Mr E. Tyrer, Police Commissioner.

Later, Mr Bowden was briefed on Hongkong's commercial and industrial position by the Hon T. D. Sorby, Director of Commerce and Industry, and officials of the Department of Commerce and Industry.

He then held separate meet- ings with officials of the Hong- kong General Chamber of Com- merce, the Federation of Hong- kong Industries and the Chinese Manufacturers' Association.

Trade relations with Britain were the main subject covered in these talks.

Industrialists and exporters raid that despite repeated assurances the Colony's interests would be protected, they still feared that Britain's entry into the European Economic Com- munity would irreparably damage Hongkong's trade.

A leading manufacturer asked for a satisfactory ex- planation of the action Britain would take to protect Hongkong interests as tariffs between European Free Trade Association members are abolished.

As the time for each interview was restricted to about half an ho due 12' social exchargel and photo - taking, it was in- pose to have a full éxonanda of views several- merribers 3kid.