25.
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9.
But the problems facing the new Commissioner are immense. In this oriental city what is involved is nothing short of a quiet revolution; and this must somehow be achieved within the limitations of the British legal system, and without the sort of witch-hunt that might totally demoralise the public services on which government depends.
The Urban Council.
26.
In the course of the year the Urban Council was established as an entirely non-official body, financially independent, through being funded by a rate of its own, and administering its own sphere of activities. So far, the success of this reform has been striking. Administrative respons- ibility has quite changed the Council's fractious and negative tone, and has brought a new impetus to the Urban Services Department.
Reform of the Machinery of Government.
27.
We have spent a great deal of effort and thought in the past year in initiating and implementing reforms of the machinery of government recommended by consultants. It has been a most time consuming business, but the result has been a considerable strengthening of the policy-making and controlling system at the centre. This is to be coupled with a matching delegation of authority on day-to-day matters downwards in the Secretariat and outwards to Departments. To my surprise, the latter appears to be a more difficult thing to achieve than the former, but we will persevere in 1974.
Popular Attitudes to Government.
28.
In view of the pressures to which it is, and is likely to be, subject, promotion of cohesion and loyalty amongst the population of Hong Kong is vital. Indeed I do not see how we can hold the Colony together indefinitely unless these civic senses are considerably advanced. The problem is all the greater because the Government is not elected and is expatriate dominated.
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