1
SECRET
香港總督府
GOVERNMENT. HOUSE HONG KONG
RECEIVED IN
REGISTRY No. 51
- 5 JUN 1974
HRKID/2
The Copy for :
jaction on
Sir
Para (0)
30th May 1974
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In my despatch of 4.1.74 I wrote that I believed the time had come to re-examine the arguments for and against constitutional change in Hong Kong. This despatch sets out my recommendations and my views on the whole problem, as a basis for discussion.
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The constitution of Hong Kong is archaic and looks very odd to visitors from England. What is not so generally recognized is how odd the local situation is that has produced it or rather failed to produce anything else. Constitutional advance in Colonies has normally been made in response to a demand for self-government by local parties and with the object of achieving a viable administration whics might assume power upon independence There has been an obvious and popular goal independence or self- government and at least one political party with sufficient support available to work towards it. in Hong Kong neither of these elements exist. coutrary any hint of independence would be completely unacceptable to the Chinese People's Government (Ci and though there are various groups and centres of
atiuence in Hong Kong there is nothing approaching a political party except for the Communist party of China and the Kuomintang, both of which would be equally unsuitable as a basis for more dem crat
1 `overnment. Moreover if the latent split in dong Kong between the pro au anti-communist sympatlusers were to become overt in an election, the situation created would be intolerable.
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The present traditional force of governmeni is well understood and is accepted here, and I believe në could perfectly well carry on without changing the praciples embodies in it. It certainly works sufficient
THE RIGHT HONOURABLE
JAMES CALLAGHAN, M.P.
SE
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