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6. So long as the wishes of the Associated States
Covernments and our own on external affairs matters coincide
as they do in this case all will be kell.
The real test
will come if our interests. diverge on an important matter.
We have the power to legislate for them in matters of external
affairs and defence without their consent. But to exercise
this power would be to put the continuance of the whole
association at risk and we should only do so if the matter in
dispute were of fundamental importance; and then only as a
last resort.
7. Future independent territories
There are four territories for which it has been decided
that independence is the right aim, namely Mauritius,
Swaziland, British Honduras and Brunei.
Mauritius and
should
Swaziland should be independent by 1970, as shaft British
Honduras: but the territorial dispute with Guatemala will
have to be settled first. Brunei may possibly be independent
in the early 1970's; but the question of timing has not yet
been decided. Tonga differs from these four teritories in that
it has never been a normal dependent territory. Our relation-
ship is governed by a Treaty of Friendship under which Britain
is fully responsible for external relations, defence and
security. The King has said that he would like the Treaty
revised and that his eventual aim is independence within the
Commonwealth. It is not clear, however, whether what the King
has in mind is complete independence or a relationship more akin alien to that with the Associated States. Nor is the timing
clear; but the King seems in no great hurry.
8.
"Special problem" territories
(a) Hong Kong. It has a viable economy. It has a population
of almost 4 million. But for obvious international reasons we
cannot contemplate its independence:
nor even normal
constitutional progress towards internal self-government, in
that an elected Legislative Council might result in political
uncertainties about the future of Hong Kong. We are exposed
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