Page 2 EDITORIALS, FEATURES
South China Morning Post
SATURDAY, JULY 1, 1972
Signs of change in Legco
A good deal of interest was focused on the new appointments to Legislative Council, and for two obvious reasons. Firstly, the Unofficial line-up gives a clear indication of the character and efficiency of the appointed membership for at least the next year. Secondly it gives an insight into the thinking and outlook of the new Governor. After only six months in office, however, it would be unrealistic to expect a major revamp, though some did entertain the hope.
In the short time he has been here Sir Murray MacLehose has undoubtedly taken a good hard look both at the present line-up and at potential new blood and if he has decided to move gradually with five new appointments including one Official, he has also kept open the possibility of making further changes a year hence, if he so wishes, by re-appointing five Unofficials for a period of a
year.
By June next, Sir Murray will have had ample time and opportunity to survey a wide range of candidat es though whether the most eligible are willing to serve is another matter. Yesterday's appointments already give some clue to the kind of Council Sir Murray is hoping to set up.
Two new members, represent social welfare interests Mr Rowe and Mr Lobo - and this will not only reinforce an aspect of policy that has hitherto been inadequately represented but it will add to the specialisation that is becoming increasingly evident among the Unofficials.Mr Wu will strengthen industrial representation and Mrs Symons, education. Many may feel that the law is already well represented in the Council and that other fields such as labour deserve a spokesman.
It must be pointed out, however, that both Mr P. C. Woo and Mr Oswald Cheung have contributed significantly to the strengthening of legislation and debate in recent years and the Council would be poorer without the Unofficial lawyers.
Labour, on the other hand, is not an easy gap to fill Desirable as it would be to have a man or woman representing labour, in the present fragmented state of the trade union movement and its political polarisation it would have been difficult to have selected someone both representative and able to afford the time to devote to full-time Council work.
One of the besetting sins of Legco is that only men and women of fairly independent means and position can afford to give it so much of their time.
Two hours a week once a fortnight may not seem an excessively arduous stint but they give many more hours to unpublicised committee work as well as UMELCO business.
Unless and until this changes – and will it ever in the Hongkong set-up? it is going to be difficult to get a Council with a truly independent and representative outlook.
In the meantime it is pleasing to see that another woman member has been added
not that Women's Lib needs pandering to, but because Mrs Joyce Symmons is known for her sound commonsense and a forthright personality and certainly she has rocked many an educational boat in her time.
an
Undoubtedly Mrs Elsie Elliott, whose nomina- tion was openly canvassed, would have been
even more aggressive and persistent boat rocker on a wide variety of subjects but she needs no elevated pulpit to project her views. She comes through loud and clear.
Some may regret that some other elected member of Urbeo did not make the grade. Presumably, however, this possibility is not being excluded in future for it would be one way of introducing a slightly more political element into I egco without drastically changing its character.
Certainly the presence on Urban Council of two Legislative Councillors could help the reformed Urbeo get on to its feet and the appointment of a couple of elected Urbco members would mak c the transition even smoother.
If overall, however, there is no call to put out more flags to mark yesterday's appointments, they should be welcomed as a sign of change with perhaps better things to come.
Early decision on ➤
No comments yet.
Private notes are available after approval.