CONFIDENTIAL
he could produce suitable candidates for the Legislative Council;
his intention was to appoint three persons from bodies such as the Mutual Aid Committees, and at the same time, appoint a younger person from business or journalism. Presentationally, he would justify the need to increase the numbers in the Legislative Council by pointing to the increasing load carried by the Unofficial Members. There should be no change in the membership of those at present serving on the Legislative Council: as only three out of the 15 had more than 3 years' experience, there was already a great burden on the senior members. He thought it was unlikely that the proposed increase in the number of Unofficial Members would increase pressure for a more representative form of government as the situation in Hong Kong was well understood locally.
7. In dealing with criticism of the system of government in Hong Kong, the Governor said that he took the line that the Hong Kong Government was obliged to govern with the consent of the people but without the usual apparatus to obtain this consent. It had therefore been necessary to create in Hong Kong a system of active participation in government which was, in his view, unique. Lord Goronwy-Roberts stressed the importance of the Mutual Aid Committees.
LABOUR RELATIONS AND TRADE UNION AFFAIRS
8. Lord Goronwy-Roberts said that there was continuing disquiet about Labour Relations in Hong Kong in the Trade Union movement here. This had led the Secretary of State to suggest that a low profile academic study should be commissioned on the subject. Professor McCarthy had been suggested as a suitable candidate to undertake such a study. The initiative for this might come from Hong Kong.
9. The Governor said that he was still awaiting further details of
this proposed study. He did not think that it would occasion very much comment in Hong Kong: there was plenty of research going on all
the time. He did not think that it would be necessary to make an announcement. There would be resentment in Hong Kong if the study was undertaken in a blaze of publicity: a low profile approach would
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