TNAG-0730-FCO40-934-Representations-by-Reform-Club-of-Hong-Kong-1978 — Page 25

HE REFORM CLUB OF HONG KONG

801 FU HING BUILDING,

10 JUBILEE STREET,

HONG KONG.

TEL.: 5-450001

REFORM

KONG

CLUB

新革

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REPORT ON REFORMS OF LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL

We, the Reform Club of Hong Kong, have no intention to initiate any measures that would drastically affect or undermine the present political status quo of Hong Kong. One of our main objects is always to endeavour to forward constructive criticism with the view to enhancing the prestige and effeciency of the government in Hong Kong.

We fully appreciate the successful application of the Rules of Law of Hong Kong and the inherent guarantees of many democratic freedoms including Freedom of Speech and to publish. Other valuable human rights which are cherished and protected by all advocates of true democracy and which rights, are now being granted to and enjoyed by the people of Hong Kong.

With such democratic atmosphere and experience and with the worldwide fame of economic success achieved by the Hong Kong people, we think the time is ripe for a logical move to have direct elections to the Legislative Council in Hong Kong.

It has been for many years the contention of some senior Government Officials that:

(a) Any reform in the constitution of the Legislative

Council by having directly elected members therein no matter how small minority they could be come would necessarily upset the status quo and could thereby 'rock the boat' and cause disaster; and

(b) The continuous stability and prosperity of Hong Kong Community rely so much on the good relationship

between United Kingdom and the People's Republic of China, that any such reform would not promote good relationship and therefore it should be avoided.

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