CONFIDENTIAL
(b)
Broadening the Basis of Selection of Unofficial Members
The possibilities of broadening
representation in the Legislature are
strictly limited. In recent
selections the Governor has cast his
net a little wider and has recently appointed a woman to the Legislature
for the first time. It is inherent
in the nomination system that the
Governor should make appointments
from people who have made their mark in the community; these are people from industry, commerce and
the professions. If he were to appoint comparative nonentities to handle the affairs of the community,
the process of selection would have a random and arbitrary nature that
would satisfy nobody. Because of the cleavage in the Trade Unions (betweenCommunist and Nationalist
affiliations) and other weaknesses, the movement cannot throw up anyone of acceptable representative capacity or stature. Moreover, service on
the Central Councils of the Hong
Kong Government takes a great deal of time and is unpaid.
(c) The Nomination to the Legislature of
One or Two Elected Members of Local Government Bodies
This seems to be the most promising possibility but at the present time the field consists solely of elected Members of the Urban Council and it might be better
to await the establishment of other
Local Government bodies. When the reorganisation of local government (delayed by confrontation and its aftermath) is under way this possible change in the basis of Legislature Council Membership might
/ be more
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