TNAG-0113-FCO40-149-Detainees-and-prisoners-following-19671968-disturbances-1969 — Page 77

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public well being will not prove of avail unless the population can enjoy a reasonable and rising standard of living and feel that in hard material terms the present position in the Colony is to their advantage. This demands the creation of more and more job-opportunities for the ever-increasing number of school leavers, and the greatest possible assistance and encouragement for those whose enterprise creates new jobs.

There will

e many fields in which departments as well as the Colonial Secretariat can offer positive help and encouragement to this end, and every opportunity must be taken to do so, and to reduce to the minimum the delays involved in processing such schemes. On the more negative side, it is important that the most careful consideration be given to the effects of any proposed line of action on the livelihood of the citizen and his ability to make an honest living; the aim must be to do everything possible to help people to stay in business.

1.

The readiness of investors to put money into the Colony, and so create more jobs will to a large degree rest on their assessment of the Government's ability to maintain favourable conditions for industrial and commercial development, and to keep the support of the great majority of Hong Kong's residents. Investment will not be forthcoming without the necessary basis of confidence, such as can be generated by a resilient, determined leadership on the part of a Government, seeking to help individuals to overcome their particular problems, and a sound economic and financial climate promoted by Government economic and financial policies.

The need for firm Government

8.

Any signs of hesitation or weakness in following through settled policies and programmes can only dishearten those who are inclined to support Government. Disaffected groups must be expected to seize every opportunity for exploiting real or imaginary grievances among those affected by particular Government schemes; the remedy is not to withdraw from or delay such projects but rather to keep under constant review the appropriateness and effectiveness of compensation and other arrangements designed to soften their impact on those affected. If a conscientious review shows that these arrangements are reasonable, then the scheme should proceed, with every effort being made by suitable advance publicity to win public understanding and support.

The need for forward-looking programmes.

9.

Large-scale programmes in education, housing, medical services and amenities are already under way and will continue. While much has been achieved there is no room for complacency and continuous effort is needed to ensure continued progress in all fields of social and economic development designed to consolidate and improve, within the resources of skill, manpower, finance etc. available, the conditions of living in Hong Kong. Among the subjects to which urgent attention is being and will need to be devoted are :-

Increased facilities for technical and vocational education.

The housing programme, including urban renewal, with emphasis on good management of publicly operated housing estates.

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