TNAG-0614-FCO40-762-Visit-by-delegation-from-Heung-Yee-Kuk-(Rural-Consultive-Cou-1977 — Page 61

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barrister and two prominent Hong Kong QCs. He said that Hong Kong and the New Territories should, of course, generally be considered a unit but in some aspects the New Territories were different, for example, as regards their traditional customs and rites, which had been enshrined in the 1898 Convention and confirmed by previous Governors. He promised the Minister a short history of the New Territories and its people which would cover the inter-relationship of the New Territories and Hong Kong.

(d) He said that while the Heung Yee Kuk was the

Hong Kong Government's Statutory Advisory Body in the New Territories they had in the past provided much more than advice. In 1968, during the disturbances, the New Territories had sent a delegation to promote peace and to work for the peaceful, orderly and prosperous government of the UK and Hong Kong. After 1968 the Kuk had tried to negotiate with the Hong Kong Government on various points but some of these were shelved and some delayed. The Kuk had written to the Minister and they now felt it was time to come and see Lord Goronwy-Roberts in person. It was an important time for the New Territories; Hong Kong had reached a stage in her development on which it was vital that the New Territories be opened up and further developed. Three new towns were being built and on occasion such development resulted in direct conflict between New Territories residents and the Government. Occasionally the latter resorted to force and the Kuk tried to help by taking the heat out of such situations.

3.

Lord Goronwy-Roberts thanked Mr Cheung and said that he knew the Hong Kong authorities appreciated the relationship between the Kuk and the New Territories. He himself appreciated the moderate way in which Mr Cheung had put forward his views. It was a great help to know what the Kuk were thinking. He had visited Hong Kong on several occasions and enjoyed these visits enormously. He had been to the New Territories and flown over the whole area by heli- copter. So the Kuk were talking to a person who knew the New Territories, their people and the Hong Kong Government. He had listened very carefully and would study what Mr Cheung had said. He would make no promises but hoped his actions would be helpful. He felt that he was amongst friends. He knew that there was a great deal of affection in the UK for Hong Kong/vice versa. It was important and significant that there should be so much goodwill. The situation in the New Territories was not an easy one and no-one knew this better than the Kuk. He thanked the delegati on for coming and hoped that they would enjoy the remainder of their stay in the UK.

4.

Mr Cheung said that when the Leader of the Opposition had met him in Hong Kong she had asked for a copy of the petition he had now presented to Lord Goronwy-Roberts. Could he pass a copy to

Mrs Thatcher? Lord Goronwy-Roberts agreed. He also suggested that Mr Cheung and Mr Stewart should work out a line for use with the press. (A line was subsequently agreed.)

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