TNAG-1286-FCO40-16372-Constitutional-development-in-Hong-Kong.-Part-2-of-2-1984 — Page 87

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One would

Compared with the premature direct election system,

indirect election system has its merits. This conclusion

is drawn from my personal experience which may not be

always right. For instance, in my constituency, electors

are squatters living in substandard environment.

have thought they would ask me to strive for their welfare

in the Legislative Council. But that was not the case, and

I did not promise what I would fight for them in the

Legislative Council. Of course, if they are victimised by

unreasonable policies or bureaucratic officers, they would

ask me to reflect their views. Furthermore, even my

colleagues of the Eastern District Board would not prevail

on me to ask for anything outside the domains of the District

Board; on the contrary, I often consult them and ask for

their assistance, Since I am free from the restraints

described above, I can have a more detached view when

T

looking at things, and make unbiased decisions. The

advantage of indirect election is that the electoral college

is formed by members of the District Boards, the Urban

Council and the new Regional Council. In other words, they

are the "electors". The members elected from among

themselves are to be responsible to them. That is to say,

members of the electoral college should be responsible to

all the people of Hong Kong, and not only to the residents

of individual cons tituencies. But on the other hand,

if the "electors" wish to be elected again, they must also

be responsible to the residents of their respective

constituencies, and work hard there. So the system will

be beneficial to the people, district administration and

the Legislative Council.

/p. 4