TNAG-0215-FCO40-251-Appointments-to-membership-of-Legislative-Council-of-Hong-Ko-1970 — Page 106

CONFIDENTIAL

ingenuity, initiative and dynamism, people of integrity, ability and independent outlook do not exist in greater numbers than we have been led to believe. My feeling about the place has recently been confirmed up to a point by a

report of which the

following is an extract:

"Although still displaying a general interest in social problems and a political awareness far below that demonstrated in other parts of the world, there have been signs among university students in the Colony of a growing awakening of their potential to effect changes in their own environment and to make their voice heard generally. So far this has been a basically restrained and moderate movement with no evidence of communist or KMT involvement ... It is, perhaps, still a truism that the vast majority of students in Hong Kong concentrate largely on their academic pursuits and have no wish to become embroiled in any way in conflicts either with their own faculties or with Government.

11

9. The Governor would like to provide wider representation in the Legislative Council and I suggest we might discuss the matter with him when he is on leave in the autumn. We shall also, of course, have to discuss it with his successor.

THIS IS A COPY

THE ORIGINAL HAS BEEN RETAINED IN THE DEPARTMENT UNDER SECTION 3(4) OF THE PUBLIC RECORDS ACT 1958

Lania

(E. 0. Laird)

Hong Kong Department

6 July, 1970

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