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9. THE EXISTENCE OF SUCH A LARGE BODY OF INTERDICTED MEN IS HAVING A THOROUGHLY BAD INFLUENCE ON OTHERS AND IS LIABLE TO DISTORT THE
ATTITUDE OF THE NEWLY-FORMED JUNIOR POLICE OFFICERS ASSOCIATION. IT IS ESSENTIAL THAT I REACH A DECISION BY THE MIDDLE OF NEXT WEEK. INDEED, IF I DO NOT, IT IS POSSIBLE THAT THE ASSOCIATION WILL MOUNT DEMONSTRATIONS ABOUT THE UNREASONABLE ANXIETY WHICH THEY WILL CLAIM
THE DELAY IS CAUSING.
10. IN ALL THE CIRCUMSTANCES IT IS DIFFICULT FOR ME HERE TO BE SURE THAT I AM. TAKING A BALANCED VIEW AS TO WHAT IS PROPER. ACCORDINGLY, UNLESS YOU CAN BY RETURN ASSURE ME THAT IT WOULD BE PROPER TO PROCEED TO A SELECTION EFFECTIVELY BY LOT, I WISH TO COME TO LONDON TO CONSULT WITH THE DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC PROSECUTIONS AND PROBABLY A LAW OFFICER IN ORDER TO CLEAR MY MIND ON THE POINTS OF PRINCIPLE. FRANKLY, I DO NOT EXPECT THAT ANY OF YOU WILL BE WILLING TO GIVE SUCH AN ASSURANCE WITHOUT CONSULTATION WITH ME.
11. I DO NOT THINK THAT FOR THE PURPOSE OF THE CONSULTATIONS WHICH I WISH TO HAVE IT WILL BE NECESSARY FOR YOU OR THE DIRECTOR OR OTHERS TO READ THE PAPERS. I CAN EASILY PUT THE POINTS AT ISSUE DURING DISCUSSION. CAN YOU ARRANGE MEETINGS FOR MONDAY MORNING OR AFTERNOON WITH THE DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC PROSECUTIONS, AND A LAW OFFICER OR PERHAPS ONE OF THEIR ADVISERS ? INTEND TO ARRIVE IN
LONDON ON SUNDAY.
12. IN VIEW OF THE GREAT URGENCY ! SHALL, AS I HAVE SAID, TELEPHONE YOU AT 1100 YOUR TIME TODAY.
MACLEHOSE
FILE S
HK & GD (5)
OPA
NEWS D
LEGAL ADVISERS
PS
PS/LORD GORONWY ROBERTS PS/PUS
SIR A DUFF MR CORTAZZI MR MURRAY
3.
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COPIES TO:
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT OFFICE
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