TNAG-1330-FCO40-1757-Future-of-Hong-Kong-test-of-the-acceptability-of-the-Joint-D-1984 — Page 98

Chapter 3

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received wide support. Whilst accepting the basic concept, those who commented were forthcoming with their own suggestions as to how this could be achieved. They advanced different views of what the timing should be.

3.4

Those

Public discussions on the Green Paper centred on the relative merits of direct and indirect election to the Legislative Council. in favour of a steady progressive system of reform argued for what was described as a "pragmatic approach". This approach would allow the political changes in Hong Kong to take place gradually so as to be in step with the development of political maturity of people in preparation for direct election. Support for indirect election came mostly from members of the Legislative council, District Boards, Chambers of Commerce, traditional organisations and trade unions. They held the view that any step towards direct elections should be a gradual process so that the stability and prosperity of Hong Kong could be maintained during the transitional periol.

3.5

The proposed composition of Legislative Council through indirect representation was criticized as inadequate. Staunch advocates of direct election, including the elected members from the Urban Council and individual District Board members, pressure groups such as Meeting Point and Christian Industrial Council, University Students Unions and the Hong Kong Affairs Society, argued for the acceptance in principle of the concept of direct election to allow true representation in the Government system. It is significant to note that in an open forum held on 16 September 1984 organised by 89 prominent organisations, over 1,000 people attended and pledged their support for direct election to the Legislative Council. It was the first time that these organisations had made a stand on a united front on the issue of political reform.

3.6

However, there was little pressure for direct election to be introduced as early as 1985. Even supporters of direct election took the view

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