TNAG-0523-FCO40-618-Visits-of-members-of-Urban-Council-from-Hong-Kong--to-UK-1975 — Page 162

MOVEMENT FOR REPRESENTATION IN GOVERNMENT

SEMINAR -

History:

On Jan. 16, 1975, visiting Under-Secretary of state for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, Lord Goronwy Roberts, made what appeared to be a deliberate statement of British Govern- ment policy when he declared that Hong Kong could have an elected Legislative Council if it so desired. In immediate response to this statement a small group of people interested in helping the millions of Hong Kong gain at least some say in the decisions that affect their lives, met on Jan.18 to discuss the implications of this statement and the possible action that might be taken to transform the Under-Secretary's suggestion into fact. After several meetings ( which saw the group increase in size), plans were made to contact other groups who might be interested in working toward the goal of representation in government in Hong Kong. Some forty members of various groups responded. They met together on Feb. 23 to discuss assumptions, objectives and strat- egy, choose a name, appoint standing committees and authorize the holding of this' seminar.

Objectives :

The Movement has adopted two primary and one secondary objectives :

1. Direct election of all apointed unofficial members of the

Legislative Council.

2.

3.

Broadening of the franchise. ( eventually one ID card, one vote)

Direct election f an Urban Council with greatly expanded financing, responsibilities and authority.

The strategy would be to concentrate primarily on object- ives one and two until they are achieved and then focus on object- ive three

Purpose of Seminar:

:

> This Seminar has been organized for three reasons 1. to familiarize as many people as possible with the issues involved in achieving representation in government in Hong Kong.

2. to explore possible strategies and tactics for reaching

our objectives in the shortest time and simplest manner. 3. to motivate concerned and alert people like you to commit

themselves to the struggle for respresentation.

We hope that this seminar will stimulate us to commit our- selves to the Ilovement and to enlist other members of our organ- izations and our friends to join the growing voice for represent- ation in government in Hong Kong.