GRS 230
PRIORITY
CONFIDENT JAL
CYPHER/CAT A
FM HONG KONG 051100Z
CONFIDENTIAL
Original na: NKJO
This Copy for:
Information only/Aalist ch Para(s)
TO PRIORITY F C O TEL NO 610 OF 5 JUNE.1974.
VARIOUS APPOINTMENTS TO LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL AND EXECUTIVE
EXECUT
COUNCIL EXPIRE ON JUNE 30, AND IT WILL BE NECESSARY TO AUTHORISE NEW APPOINTMENTS BEFORE THEN. PROPOSALS ARE IN MY IMMEDIATELY FOLLOWING TELEGRAM. I HAVE REFRAINED FROM MAKING THESE EARLIER
AS I THOUGHT LORD GORONWY ROBERTS MIGHT WISH TO DISCUSS THEM
WITH ME AND AGAINST THE BACKGROUND OF MY DESPATCH OF 30 MAY
ABOUT CONSTITUTIONAL CHANGE.
2. MY PROSPOSALS ARE CONVENTIONAL IN THE SENSE THAT THEY INVOLVE NO CHANGE OF PRINCIPLE OR PRACTICE (EXCEPT FOR A SLIGHT SHIFT IN THE BALANCE OF EXECUTIVE COUNCIL IN FAVOUR OF LOCAL MEMBERSHIP), AND ARE DESIGNED PURELY TO STRENTHEN AND REFRESH THE TWO COUNCILS
AS THEY NOW ARE. THE MEN PROPOSED ARE ALL OF CONSIDERABLE ABILITY AND PUBLIC STATURE, AND I BELIEVE THE PROPOSALS WOULD CONSIDERABLY IMPROVE BOTH COUNCILS AND BE WELL RECEIVED.
3. AS THERE IS INSUFFICIENT TIME BEFORE 30 JUNE FOR THE THOROUGH
CONSIDERATION AND LOCAL SOUNDINGS THAT WOULD BE NECESSARY BEFORE ANY SIGNIFICANT CHANGE OF PRACTICE OR PRINCIPLE WERE ADOPTED, I SUGGEST IT WOULD BE PRUDENT ON THIS OCCASION TO AUTHORISE ME TO MAKE APPOINTMENTS ACCORDING TO THE OLD CRITERIA.
WE CAN DISCUSS AND CONSIDER THE POSSIBILITIES FOR CHANGE WHEN
I AM IN LONDON, AND IF THIS IS THOUGHT DESIRABLE IT COULD BE MANAGED IN THE CONTEXT OF NEXT YEAR'S APPOINTMENTS. CONSEQUENTLY APPROVAL OF MY PRESENT PROPOSALS WOULD NOT PRE-EMTP THE
POSSIBLIITIES FOR CHANGES LATER.
MACLEHOSE
FILES
HKIOD
LORD GORONWY-ROBERTS
SIR D WATSON
MR MALE
CON FIDENTIAL
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