CONFIDENTIAL
HKIC
#
D&M
Solde
26
7 -
Mr. Kan said that a lot of young people would be growing up and would
want power.
Mr. Gordon interjected that the principal problem was
of course China. Mr. Saunders referring back to the question of
elected members said that he was reminded that when elections had been
first held in Singapore, the immediate result had been that in a
community which was predominantly Chinese and Malayan, eleven Indians
had been elected, because they were politically interested. Mr. Gordon
added that a point that had to be borne in mind was that if conditions
changed too fast and the price of labour became comparatively higher
than in their neighbours, many employers who had come to Hong Kong for
cheap labour, would take their factories elsewhere.
Kai Tak
19.
Invited by Mr. Stewart to put forward any other points, Mr. Gordon
said that Hong Kong felt a bit aggrieved over Kai Tak, especially
because the U.K. controlled the landing rights. Mr. Stewart said that
the U.K. had to watch very carefully any investment abroad and though
our economy had made progress, we were not yet able to relax.
Nevertheless he did not rule out a contribution and the matter would be
looked at again next year. Mr. Herries speaking as the general agent
of BOAC, said that Hong Kong could not help but notice that Singapore
and Malaysia, and even Indonesia, received aid. while Hong Kong received
nothing. Even a small gesture would have a great impact.
Relations with China
20. Mr. Saunders asked whether there was any prospect of HMG reopening
a consulate in Shanghai. Mr. Stewart said that there was no present
intention to do so. The amount of business there was small and the
Chinese authorities in Shanghai seemed to be peculiarly difficult.
Mr. Saunders said that the difficulties arose partly because there was no
representation in Shanghai. Mr. Murray said that though we had never
asked, it was inconceivable, in his view, that China would
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