TNAG-0188-FCO40-224-Periodical-reports-on-colonial-affairs-1969 — Page 34

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W(B)L 51-7406

CONFIDENTIAL

4.

Government measures and for explanation of

important Government policies and decisions.

Through this means, and possibly by some re-

organisation of the structure and functions

of local authorities, I hope that the people

of Hong Kong may come to take a greater interest

and play a larger part, in the conduct of public

affairs; to the extent that they do so, they are

much less Иkely to be influenced by the

Communist campaign of distortion and subversion

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 con-

ditions 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

...

CONFIDENTIAL