TNAG-0944-FCO40-1163-Future-of-Hong-Kong-1980 — Page 111

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excrace from opinion two 1/1

PART !

June 4- June 10, 1980.

Summary and Assessment

ADMINISTRATIVE REFORMS SUPPORTED IN PRINCIPLE

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The Green Paper published on June 6 proposing changes in district administration was generally well received by the Chinese Press. Eleven papers in 13 editorials welcomed the Green Paper in principle, with most of them supporting proposed full adult suffrage for Urban Council and New Territories district board elections.

The Hong Kong Daily News agreed that a constituency system was indispensable to closer co-operation between the Government and the public in district administration, but it expressed fear that the idea of changing Urban Council elections from a territory- wide basis to a constituency pattern might prove impractical in Hong Kong's situation.

In a second editorial, the paper felt that district councillors could either be elected or appointed as long as they were the right people for the job.

believed that

Three papers - the Express, Wah Kiu Yat Po and Wah Kiu Man Po as long as Hong Kong's status quo and political system were maintained, proposals for gradual and moderate reforms of certain administrative procedures and utan services would correspond with public wishes.

The Express hoped the Government would give careful thoughts to the scope of the district boards and the capability of their members to avoid controversies similar to that over the Urban Council.

Expressing support for the extension of the franchise, the. Hong Kong Times asked for reforms of the Urban Council and its electoral procedures to build up public interest in the reforms and in the future of Hong Kong.

While describing the principles in the Green Paper as "very good," Sing Pao argued that eligible voters for Urban Council elections would adopt a "couldn't-care-less" attitude unless the council became fully elected to make it a true voice of the people.

Sing Tao Jih Pao regretted that the powers of elected councillors were not to be widened. It believed that the proposed constituency system would take on greater significance if more powers were given to the Urban Council.

Contending that an administrative reform was "timely" in the New Territories, Kung Sheung Daily News expressed disappointment that the proposed district boards in the urban areas would only serve as a machinery for consultation without any statutory powers.

Tin Tin Daily News suggested that every district be represented on the Legislative Council and that every 10 000 eligible voters be represented by a district councillor to fully reflect public views to the Government.

On administrative reforms and the future of Hong Kong, the Centre Daily News believed that the Chinese authorities would agree with the spirit behind the Green Paper as it would forestall any attempt at an "independent Hong Kong." The paper felt that the Green Paper covered a large area, with the emphasis on consolidating the Central Government.