TNAG-0290-FCO40-326-Appointments-to-membership-of-Legislative-Council-of-Hong-Ko-1971 — Page 19

(a)

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who will not necessarily always follow the

establishment line and who are not

inhibited from voicing their own opinions

in public debate even to the extent of

forming an element of permanent dissent

from the majority view.

(c)

Greater emphasis might be placed on

selecting members on the basis of their personal

'having merits rather than on the basis of

the interests that they represent. A

worthwhile candidate who is a member of a

particular body or association might well

be appointed a member of the Legislative

Council despite the fact that it might not

be possible to match his appointment by the

corresponding appointment of a member of

some rival body or association.

50% of the population of Hong Kong are

under 21 years old. Many are Hong Kong

born and bread and are seeking a national

identity. There have recently been

clear indications that the youth of the

Colony is taking a greater interest in

politics and it is therefore inportant

that this considerable section of the

community should feel that its voice can

be heard in the Central Councils of

Government.

It would help to engender

elp

this feeling if one or two members of the

Legislative Council could be appointed

from a younger age group (say the late

30's or early 40's) than las hitherto been

/customary

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