Preis Extract
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Scm-Port Wednesda
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IS IT WORTH THE RISK?
A
as practised by a number of Britain's former colonies
has little to commend it.
The efforts of Government to get closer to the peoplo evidenced by the City Dia- trict Oflicer schemo reflects a concern to rench hearis and minds and to provido a form of administration that will satisfy them. Tho would help
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June 4, FILS
LÆTTER on page 14 makes plea for a "total_re-appraisal of the question of internal self- government for Hongkong. It has been addressed, as will be noted, not to the people of Hongkong but to the British public, „As an apparent afterthought in ombudsman the final paragraph the au- matters. So would thors appeal for support wider, more representativo In Hongkong but aluco a system of local government, covering
The riola and unreat Hong- letter explaina that the letter has been kong han experienced havo shown up serious short- Kont to 10 less than 14 comings and deficiencies in London newspapera and our midst. These must ob- weoly journals it seems viously be repaired and the fair to assumo that it entire Hongkong aystem
reviewed Is
to mainly for continually
ensure an efficient, respon- 1 British consumption.
Hive and popular govern- 1 There are a number of ment. But before anyono statements in the letter
is stampeded into urging a that can and will bo chal- the main point on which we fully elective government,
lenged. It would be in- take issue with the corres- structive to know how pondents is the effect of "the ever
widening gap" such a move on our rela- between government and tions with China. the general public is measured, What is meant The authors describe by a "few" in "the present governmental system satig- fien only a few" less than 18, the
intended
moro or
1
Hongkong as an "autong- mous area” which in ond senso it in and always has ' hern, yet this is a state of num- affairs which China bas ber of signatures at the tolerated since 1841. How foot of this letter7 And far can we go in introduc-
how possibly can anyone ing self-govermuent with- in Britain unfamiliar with out suggesting that we are conditions here be expect Creating a “third China"? ed to judge what is right to be allowed
For if Chinese people are to govern for 4m people living 8,000 themselves in Hongkong on milen away, when they are principles alien to the poli- offered only the opinion of tical philosophy of China a mere 18 of them. Be- why should not other Chi- nidea, in their present mood nese be conceded the saNIO, of retreat. from worldwide principle in China and out- commitments this is not a wide? What then becomes qutention tho British
the objection to the exis- people Cau he left Lo
tence of a second China in judge, for the consequences Taiwan or Liu Shao-chi's will not be theirs to sulfer.
revisionism in China itself? Nor is it a matter to be
As far as Peking is con- settled by ધી university debate.
cerned Hongkong survives because economically its Let it be agreed that, if advantages outweigh the Hongkong were anywhere political and ideological else but on the
coast of disadvantages inherent in China "full internal loenl its colonial status, This pre- self-government" would by carious balance could be now have come an it has to upset by juggling with the Singapore and other form- pálitical formula Inzida
D
er colonion. Let it who by Hongkong. Por He Make agreed that the prenent of everyon horo and form of government Jenven two million refugera have much to be desired but settled sinco the War the same can be said of in preference to living in other systems of govern- China, and many more ment includin demo- would like to - why run cracies, Self government the rink 7
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1
RECEIVED I REGISTRY
11. JUN 1969
HKK1/14
Rest Pe. Rop.6.
1/6.
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