5. The Governor has already consulted his Executive Council about the proposed change and on their advice has given publicity to it. It did not excite widespread comment, but was generally well received and the Governor has accordingly proposed that the change be made. In view of this it may now be difficult and embarrassing to reconsider the proposals. But we might discuss with the Governor the considerations mentioned in paragraphs 3 and 4 above which we would have felt it easier to urge had the proposal been put to us at an earlier stage say, after Executive Council had been consulted but before public opinion had been sounded. During an earlier visit to London this year the Governor did indeed mention the proposal to the Head of the Department who did not react unfavourably but expected an opportunity to look at it more closely before anything approaching a commitment to the change had been made.
Hong Kong Department
9 October, 1968
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