Reference....
HKK 14/14
the principles involved in making appointments from the local
Bar and the practical consequences of such an appointment have not, I fear, been thoroughly thought out in Hong Kong. The matter has not, it seems, been fully examined with the Chief Justice. Some of the counter-arguments in Sir Michael Gass's letter at (1) are rather superficial; and, in spite of what the Acting Governor says in the second paragraph of his despatch at (1) on the appointments file, I doubt whether the thinking in Hong Kong has in fact gone any deeper than would appear from that letter. Secondly, the candidate (Judge McMullin) proposed by the Acting Governor is very good and at the age of 46 and with 18 years service he is about right for promotion to Puisne Judge.
3. If it is decided to appoint Mr. McMullin without further argument, the papers should recirculate to me in due course so that I may comment generally on the letter at (1).
Jene?.
(J.C. McPetrie)
22 January, 1969
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