TNAG-1286-FCO40-16372-Constitutional-development-in-Hong-Kong.-Part-2-of-2-1984 — Page 43

Pro

Sir,

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DRAFT SPEECH BY HON. CHARLES YEUNG, OBE, JP ON UNOFFICIAL MEMBER'S MOTION

LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL

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2.8.84

Within my 7 years' service in this Council, I have not

witnessed such a massive response and reaction to a topic of public interest as this Green Paper on the Further Development

of Representative Government in Hong Kong, except the issue of

our political future.

Apart from the numerous mass media articles and

reports and public and private discussions, I have the

opportunity as a Duty Roster Member of UMELCO to meet 5

distinct groups of public-spirited representatives this week to

exchange views on the Green Paper proposals. The zeal and

concern of the public on our community welfare and government

structure are heartening. The points they made are valuable

and will be fully considered in this debate.

The general consensus is loud and clear. The people

of Hong Kong want to have a more representative government and

they want a responsible, accountable and stable government.

Therefore, they endorse the concept of democratisation through

evolution.

As there is much interest on direct election, I propose to examine this topic here.

The cardinal principle I would like to follow is that

the future government should be a stable and responsible are

for the general good of Hong Kong and for the best interest of

the people of Hong Kong. By this I mean Hong Kong will be able

to maintain her stability and prosperity and the people of Hong

Kong the rights of life, liberty and pursuit of happiness.

If direct election can achieve this result, so much

the better as it will then become a government of the people

for the people by the people

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a true democracy.

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