TNAG-0969-FCO40-1188-Human-rights-in-Hong-Kong-1980 — Page 48

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of legislation, administration, judiciary and military. All the laws are

passed by the governor with the Legislative Council.

The Legislative Council consist of official and unofficial

members, all appointed by the governor. The former includes the Secre-

taries of the major governmental bodies of the judiciary, treasury, home

affairs and the secretariat, and some other 16 government officials,

while the unofficials are made up of big business-men and professionals.

The Executive Council is again made up of officials and

unofficials appointed by the governor. It is established to advise and

help the governor.

The only government body which has part of its members elect-

ed is the Urban Council whose function is only marginal to the adminis-

tration of Hong Kong, such as cleaning the city, management of parks

and the City Hall, etc.

The Council consists of 12 elected and 12 appointed members.

The first group are elected by less than 10,000 voters who are qualified

by their education and income. Even though the Council's function is so

marginal, disagreement and conflicts has arisen within the Council due

to bureaucratic handling by the appointed members who are mostly big

businessmen and professionals. Thus we find that the Council's function-

ary area and power are very much limited.

3. PEOPLE'S ORGANIZATIONS AND INTEREST GROUPS

Despite the bureaucratic rule of the government, physical

control of the people is not strict. Formation of associations and

organizations which do not have any relationship with any political

parties is allowed, and there is a so-called uncensored press. During

the 50s and 50s, manufacturing workers and labourers were the main

elements of discontent due to harsh working conditions, and the influence

of the strong leftist labour organizations. In 1967, a riot broke out

with increasing local social distress and the unstable political situa-

tion in China. It was finally calmed down. Entering the 708, the new

political situation, the relatively improved labour conditions, the

rapid urbanization and rural development of Hong Kong have brought social conflicts into new areas of life. New associations spouted

asquad these.

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