TNAG-0407-FCO40-453-Allegations-of-bribery-and-corruption-in-the-Hong-Kong-polic-1973 — Page 52

HONG KONG STANDARD

AUGUST

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Sir Murray's challonge

MORE than 20 months have prssed since Governor Sir Murray MacLehose declared at his swearing in ceremony that it would be his purpose to make Hongkong a "better place to live in".

The weeks and months the Colony has gone through since then have been tumultous. At times they even appeared dismal. During this period, we have seen many developments both at home and abroad threatening to overshadow the new ray of hope the Governor has held out at his City Hall speech on November 19, 1971.

Internationally, the continuing monetary uncertainties, shortage of essential industrial raw materials, and increasing trade restrictions in other countries have come to challenge ilongkong's trading position.

Internally, Hongkong has marked a steadily rising cost of living, an increasing number of workers and white collar employees demanding higher wages as well as resorting to strikes and other Industrial actions. We have even heard words of warning from certain circles of a possible riot breaking out in the Colony.

Meanwhile, crime which has been continuing at a high rate for a long time. Sadly enough, whatever public enthusiasm and police morale the Colony has tried to build up through the recent anti-crime campaign has been partially marred by the Godber case and subsequent reports of corruption within the force.

These are the dark sides of modern Hongkong Sir Murray has inherited partly Tom his predecessors and partly from developments beyond his own control.

Indeed, there are some promising signs ahcod and definite plans in the pipeline to achiee the goal Sir Murray declared in November, 1771. For instance, in his detailed policy speech before the Legislative Council last October the Governor had announced massive expansion plans for housing, education facilities, as well as medical and social welfare services to fulfil the barie nce is of the nconle.

Nevertheless, it cannot be igreres that te will tako quite sometime bufore diese program 143 cm bring about the better living condition The Governor hopes to achieve. bleanwhile, the continuing cost of living spiral, high level of residential and commercial' rents, and the growing

nce

for labour reform could save birth to new problems that need immediate attention.

Consumer prices in the Colony, according to published government statistics, have risen 22 per cent between November 1971 and June this year, thus eating into whatever wages increases the working people have received during this period. Unless a remedy is soon found to offset this it will not only delay the Governor's attempt to make Hongkong a better place to live in, but it will also parata Hlowprear discontent as yong the people

kage bats as the challenge the Government as a wicdc, and the Governor in particular, will have to face in the months ahead. Indeed, while the people of tiongsong wish Sir Murray and Lady MacLehose a pleistat noliday they will also be hoping to hear about delinite moves in these vital areas when the Governor makes his next policy declaration in October.

W/147