PERSONAL AND COITIDENTIAL
I know of course that one consequence of the trano-
formation of Hong Kong from a trading to a manufacturing
centre has inevitably been an increase in the number of
cituations where there may be a clash between the interests
of Hong Kong and the domestic interests of the United
Kingdom. In cuch situations we would regard it eo a
particular responsibility to see that Her Majesty's
Government took account of Hong Kong's interests and that
they were always carefully weighed when decisions on policy
have to be taken.
It is important that we should be seen to be
responding to the needs of a continuingly developing
situation in the Colory.
There are in this connection three mattors in the
social field where an advance cooms to be both possible
and important.
(i) Education
I believe that an early announcement of the
introduction of compulsory primary education, free
of charge, would do much to improve Hong Kong'o
"image" both in this country and elsewhere. It
is my understanding that such an announcement would
elso meet with general approval in the Colony itself
now that a new public assistance schema has been
PLASONAL AND CONFIDEN
/announced
No comments yet.
Private notes are available after approval.