China Mail 17 Apal.)
JOB FOR NEW GOVERNOR ?
Urbco reform still delayed
By BRIAN BLACKWELL
A LITTLE over 13 months ago the 10 elected members of the Urban Council staged a mass wvakkout from the council's monthly meeting.
It was their way of protesting against the Government's "dila toriness and delay" in implementing local government reforms.
There is still no sign today that the Govern ment is planning any swift action to extend the powers of the coun- cil.
It seems
more and
will be shelved until af more likely the matter
ter the arrival of a new Governor, Mr Murray MacLchose.
Prepared
Mr MacLchose is due to arrive here in Octo- ber to take over the No 1 Government position from Sir David Trench,
Sir David gave an in- dication last October that the Government was prepared to make
some changes to the powers of "the Urban Commeil.
He said: "The chan ges we have in mind re late primarily to The composition of the council, as well as to its financial ments ..."
arrange
The Governor said it was not intended to change the functions of the council but to im- plement a “closer de-
litition" of these func (1019.
What Str David's short, official staignent, seemed to indicate was that the Government had no intention of in troducing any ing
changes Urban Council.
sweep- in the
It was clear the off- cials had realised some concessions had to be made, but that they would be minor ones.
Elected councillors have been pressing for years for major TC- forms that would 800 Hongkong with its own City Council.
This is never likely to happen.
Sources today said there had been no news from the Government since last October.
Consensus
"We are just waiting and waiting. said one well-known councillor.
"Personally. I'm fed up to the teeth with it all but there's no use in
more walk outs. "I don't think we'd achieve anything.
any
**
The general con- sensus of öpinion is that Mr MacLchose will be shouldered with the Urbeo wider power).
INSUC.
It is apparently felt in official circles that he
should have a say in the future of the council.
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