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DRAFT SPEECH BY DR HON HO KAM FAI, OBE, JP ON UNOFFICIAL MEMBER'S MOTION
LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL 2.8.1984
Sir,
To me, the proposals in this Green Paper are a continuation of Government's effort to make its political
machinery at the level of the 2 central Councils more representative and accountable. At the same time, they also take into account the maintenance of stability and prosperity. The impending self-administration following 1997 has added an impetus to the process of the reform.
I support the proposals in the Green Paper in general. I especially agree that political reform should be introduced gradually and that indirect election should precede direct election under the present circumstances. The fact that the
Governor will continue to be appointed formally by the Queen
until 1997, though he may be elected from among the unofficial
members of the two central Councils, is imperative to the
sustainment of confidence in Hong Kong, as this appointment symbolizes Her Majesty's Government's constitutional responsibility for and link to the territory right up to 1997.
As regards the method of selecting Unofficial Members to
the central Councils, I am in favour of indirect election for the
immediate future for the following reasons:
Firstly, the arguments for direct election are not widespread and pervasive enough to encourage a satisfactorily
high turn-out rate on voting. In general, Hong Kong people are
quite indifferent to political activities. The proportion of
people who came out to vote in the past Urban Council and
District Board elections, was less than 15% of all eligible
voters. In addition, the great majority of our population have
their priority in maintaining our present socio-economic system
rather than accepting drastic changes in our Government.
Moreover a low voting rate will put in question the
representativeness of the elected members.
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