TNAG-1286-FCO40-16372-Constitutional-development-in-Hong-Kong.-Part-2-of-2-1984 — Page 103

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proposals on reforms in the system of government spells out the Government's

readiness to transfer gradually its authority to the people. Meanwhile,

it really takes

time for the people to comprehend and familiarize

themselves with this new system and to develop experience through its

operation. Political reforms must not be introduced with undue haste or

sluggishness. If reforms are introduced with undue haste, there will be

greater possibility of chaos. On the other hand, if they are introduced

sluggishly, the training of political leaders will be hampered. The

actual circumstances determine the pace of any political reforms, For

instance, it is determined by the extent to which Hong Kong people can

comprehend and familiarize themselves with the new system. It is also

analogous to the learning process of the students. The Government should

fix a date for review and make changes in respect of the conditions of

the society at that time.

It is gratifying to see that the Green Paper is gradually

receiving the attention of the public from all sectors of the society.

Many local organizations are organizing various activities in connection

with the Green Paper. These include organizing open forums, seminars,

lectures, talks and exhibition tours, publishing information, distributing

tracts, filming and taking slides, putting up display panels, and

conducting surveys and visits, etc. It takes time to plan and promote

these activities in order that the public may fully understand the

contents of the Green Paper before putting forward their suggestions for

the further development of representative government in Hong Kong. As

this is a new attempt to reform the system of government, the measures

to be taken will definitely affect the future political structure of

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