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seems fashionable to decry the operations of the Government, and I can report with confidence that we have a project here which can inspire in promising young officers a high concept of public service and a willingness to devote themselves with vigour and energy and imagination to the task of realising our objectives. On the other hand, it would be complacent to assume that we shall necessarily retain and develop these advantages unless we take great care of the need to supply adequate leadership and inspiration and support at every level. We have scarcely scratched the surface of the possible uses to which this machine can be put if we can get it running smoothly and sustain its impetus; but this
is an organisation which, if it were once allowed to flag, could easily become lifeless and indeed counter-productive, for although a good deal of hard-headed organisation is needed we are dealing here in the last resort with the intangibles, the things of the mind and the spirit. "The moral is to the material as three is to one", and it is too early to guess what difficulties may emerge.
(D.R. Holmes)
Secretary for Chinese Affairs.
Secretariat for Chinese Affairs
24th January, 1969.
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