TNAG-0201-FCO40-237-Local-government-reforms-1969 — Page 63

0003230

G.F. 323

CONFIDENTIAL

15

of administrative organisation and which could greatly widen the scope for appointing to the legislature unofficial members with perhaps a more broadly-based claim to represent the generality of the people. I am not saying that this last step should necessarily be taken, but I am sure that the present policy if pursued will lead before long to rising demands either for elections to the Legislative Council on the Urban Council franchise or perhaps for changes which would tend to by-pass the senior Councils altogether.

34. I conclude by listing the advantages I see in this proposed

new approach.

a)

b)

c)

d)

There would be an opportunity for the development

of public participation in the business of govern- ment which would be aligned with present organisation

whereas the further development of the Urban Council

will produce a more and more lopsided structure

with a real danger of over-balancing the whole

edifice.

The development of public participation could

be introduced gradually in each field of

administration instead of suddenly and possibly

traumatically.

If a "membership" system, which has been discussed

in various forms, were thought desirable, there

is no reason why unofficial chairmen of one or

more of these functional groups should not speak

for the Government on their subjects in the Legislature,

but here again there would be no pressure of logis,

or temptation, to accord such treatment to un-

suitable aspects of Government, e.g. the management of the public service or matters concerning public

security.

If the rise of politicians is to be accepted (and

/the