TNAG-0353-FCO40-389-Reform-of-local-government-in-Hong-Kong-1972 — Page 93

- 6 -

must cultivate in the decade ahead.

Gentlemen, I realise only a woman can be allowed such poetic

licence from libraries to electioning campaigns

for this accept my thanks.

I have tried, gentlemen, to outline some of our work in the Urban

Council. There are at present seventeen select committees

is the opinion of some Councillors.

too many

We may dove-tail some of the committees,

and like all good

seeking. The results

but it is here that most of the solid work is done;

committee work it is not self-seeking or publicity

are tangible in the twin cities we live in; though admittedly we sometimes

fail above all, we have not been able to make Hong Kong clean

20 have not tried, but that 4 million are careless.

not that

I am an Appointed member, gentlemen. Contrary to popular belief,

my appointed colleagues and I are human, not to the extent of being "yes-men"

(I have been a "no-woman" for a very long time); but like all human beings

we have our ups and downs. There is nothing sinister in our thinking,

I'm not sure what my colleagues consider themselves to be,

I

but

assure you.

for what it is worth, I think of myself as an adviser.

Were I younger, I

might play with the idea of standing for election;

not be a politician.

but even then I would

Are elected members politicians? Perhaps.

Have they a monopoly

of sincerity, expertise, wisdom on the Council? Are we really so different?

At this time in Hong Kong, many should ask themselves if they want

radical reforms

—

if so, how should they set about it? We are a city-state,

unique in more ways than one. Let us keep our city vibrant and free of

political clap-trap. As the Foreign Secretary himself said on his short

but historic visit to us: "Hong Kong is a danger to none, it is an

asset in itself." I need not preach to the converted. In your various

walks of life, gentlemen, you form part, each one of you an essential part

of the kaleidoscope that is our city-state; yet, in your diversity you

each bring something vitally different and differently vital.

Thank God

/we