TNAG-0573-FCO40-706-Monitoring-of-progress-made-on-planning-paper-on-Hong-Kong-1976 — Page 129

9

WAH KIU MAN PO (October 8), commenting on the part of the Governor's speech where he said Hong Kong must build into society a balance between economic freedom

and social provision, the paper noted that this was the first time in which a chief executive of Hong Kong had made such a statement.

"Balance is the best stabilising force in society," the paper said.

HONG KONG ECONOMIC JOURNAL (October 7) said the Governor's policy was to keep a tight control on capitalists so that they could only expect to get a reasonable profit.

The purpose of this policy was to promote a sense of belonging and loyalty towards Hong Kong among the people here, so that they would oppose any political threats to this "prosperity".

"The main point of this policy is that it is implemented in the name of the vast majority of the population and is meant to forestall opposition in the long run, this will even cause certain political groups to lose their mass support.

"We do not think that these groups will truly support the Government's policy:

it is only that they are unable to oppose it at present," the paper said.

OTHER POINTS_

Commenting on the Governor's statement that relations between China and Britain were excellent, WAH KIU YAT PO (October 7) said this point was most significant

in the eyes of the public.

"Against this background of a favourable political climate in Hong Kong, develop- ment plans for the economy, education, culture, transport, medical and health services, labour and social welfare can be carried out smoothly," the paper said.

Noting that the Governor had only touched lightly on ICAC just before the conclusion of his speech, HK ECONOMIC JOURNAL (October 8) speculated that the

Commission's operations would gradually become less intense.

The paper quoted sources close to ICAC as saying that it appeared the Deputy Commissioner and Director of Operations, Mr. John Prendergast, was the real "boss" and

it wondered what the real reasons were why the Governor did not ask him to stay on.

"This could be a big concession on the part of the Government to those organisations and individuals who are dissatisfied with the operations of ICAC," it said.