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your Government in identifying at an early stage the situations and problems that can so quickly arouse public feeling in heavily populated urban areas, as well as providing a channel for sounding public opinion on Government measures and for explanation of important Government policies and decisions.
It is indeed remarkable that in spite of the Communist pressures to which the Colony has been subjected its economic advance should continue at so high a rate. Two years after the onset of confrontation in 1967 the Colony is stronger than ever. But as you recognise in paragraph 5 of your Despatch, the present conditions of relatively free international trade, on the maintenance of which the health of your commerce and industry and therefore of your public finances depend, may suffer some erosion. It would be surprising if the spectacular growth of your export trade did not generate pressures for its restraint from some of your trading partners.
It is my earnest hope that such pressures can be contained and that Hong Kong will notwithstanding continue to benefit from the expansion of world trade.
5. No-one could fail to be impressed by the progress achieved by the Colony during the period under review. It is both a tribute to the resilience of the people of Hong Kong and a clear indication of the undoubted confidence which they have in the proven ability of the Government of the Colony, under your leadership, to maintain a stable and well-ordered environment in which to employ their outstanding energies and skills.
I have the honour to be,
Sir,
Your Excellency's most obedient humble servant,
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