CONFIDENTIAL & PERSONAL
4. The PUS will have the opportunity to discuss the Governor's
own wishes in the matter when Sir Murray visits London in the
week beginning 19 July. It seems likely that, for a number of personal reasons, Sir Murray would prefer to retire at the due date. Viewed as a purely administrative matter, there are good reasons why there should be a change of Governor then. We have been advised by Sir David Trench (Governor 1964-71) that when he
extended for two periods of a year each he found himself in a position somewhat analogous to a "lame duck" President of the United States in that, while he remained the head of the Executive,
his authority is being steadily, if subtly, eroded. This could
be serious where there are many forces working against the measures of social reform we consider necessary. Additionally, we think Ministers may well wish to arm a new Governor with a formal brief on measures necessary to enable them to defend the Hong Kong situation here; and there may be some impatience if there were the prospect of this being delayed beyond the end of 1977.
5.
It is therefore recommended that the PUS should listen to what Sir Y K Kan has to say and promise to consider it. He might then take the following line:
(i) The present Governor enjoys the full confidence of
Ministers and that his contribution to the welfare of the Hong Kong population as a hole is widely acknowledged
and admired here.
(ii) It would be wrong of him to speculate on the advice which the Secretary of State would eventually wish to give The Queen on this matter but as Sir Murray MacLehose has already explained to the Unofficials, it is normal practice for members of the Diplomatic Service to retire
at 60.
(iii)A change of Governor is, in any case, inevitable at some time in the future and great care would be taken to find someone of real quality to fill this, by far the most important remaining post in the dependent territories.
(iv) Whatever the outcome therefore the welfare of Hong Kong
would be in safe hands.
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CONFIDENTIAL & PERSONAL
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