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the period and the relative absence of effective collective bargaining machinery.
24. Page 22: With regard to oil, I think it is more the case that China initially came to the rescue in 1973 with supplies: it was the embargo rather than the rise in grice that particularly threatened Hong Kong (and this is rein- forced by the reference on page 23 to China's finding it a lucrative business).
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25. Page 25: I certainly agree that there is a very real need, in a society of 42 million persons, for much more in the way of economic and social statistics but I am equally convinced that the Office should not interfere.:
26. Page 26: The point about business. confidence is at least valid on -à priori grounds and cannot be dismissed summarily. It should be noted that in
making judgments as to just how important this factor really is, the local adminis tration must necessarily err on the side of caution since the cost of being wrong could well be very high.
27. Page 26: During the 1960's, it was probably only sensible that growth should precede reform (see 9, above). As for the present, the Hong Kong Govern- ment simply cannot ignore the impact the oil crisis has had on the whole world economy without jeopardising the economy's chances of pulling rapidly out of the recession when world demand picks up.
..28. Page 27: On the weakness of the trade-unions, my own feeling is that the work force are not really all that interested in collective bargaining anyway. But this is just an impression.
4. Incidentally, the references in the pamphlet to drug addicts prompt me to mention that the Census and Statistics Department have carried out a: survey into addicts' socio-economic characteristics. I am not sure. that the results are par- ticularly indicative, but if you have not already. seen a copy of the write-up it would certainly be worth finding out if one could be made available. In the same vein, the Department has also carried out a survey of private housing and here again the report would be worth having to hand. The Department's annual Outline of Statistical Development' report pròvides a very good way of keeping in touch with the Government's principal survey work and I am sure, if you are interested, I could arrange for us to be put on the circulation list.
13 January 1976
AA
H Dart
Economists Dept G 71B/G
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