TNAG-0243-FCO40-279-Conduct-of-Hong-Kong-commercial-relations-1973 — Page 189

NOTHING TO BE WRITTEN IN THIS MARGIN

W(B)L 51-7406

except for the most cogent of

може,

And there may exceptinally incidents where even an offer J independent

negotiations

CONFIDENTIAL

It is,

such agreements. Although we would hope that, as in the Cotton Textiles Committee, arrange- ments could be worked out on the spot whereby

the expression of conflicting views could usually be avoided, there would undoubtedly be

occasions on which the representatives of Hong Kong at international gatherings might wish to express views conflicting with those of the

representatives of the United Kingdom.

however, widely known already that on the issue

of non-cotton textiles Hong Kong favours different solutions from the United Kingdom.

What we are proposing would, therefore, be

explained on the grounds that it did no more

than reflect the realities of the situation and

was indeed the best way in which we could

exercise our responsibilities for Hong Kong in the interests of the Colony. Dependant as we are on "voluntary service" for the manning of the Executive and Legislature, we cannot afford to face the damaged confidence which

Hong Kong would follow from our ning on policies which run cóntrary to the strongly

held feelings of those local people who serve on the Executive and Legislative Councils. For many years now we have not interfered in

the process of budget making. Nor, as a general

rule, do we issue orders to the Governor.

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12.

for instance

It will be essential, however, to reserve

bour ability, in the last resort, to veto any

transaction the Hong Kong Government proposes to enter into within the terms of the delegation of authority; Moreover, we are advised that,

in exercising any such authority, the Hong Kong Government would be acting as our, so to

Could so seriously speak, agents, and the rights which they

prejudice

324

thereby acquired and the obligations which

hivuncional tieding they thereby accepted would be acquired and hituests fark that we should

need to

6 veto that also.

accepted on our behalf. It would be HMG who would be called to account for any default on the part of the Hong Kong Government and we alone could secure reparation on behalf of the Hong Kong Government for any default by a third party.

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