TNAG-1441-FCO40-1925-Constitutional-development-in-Hong-Kong-1987 — Page 16

Translation

1327/E/86

(Press cutting from Ming Pao dated 6.8.86)

/ that

Other times, other powers

Legislative Council has to decide on what course to follow

by Margaret NG

With political reforms proceeding under the slogan of

'advancing gradually and progressively', indirectly-elected councillors have finally come on stage. The Government insists on the need to carefully examine the effects brought along by these elected councillors before deciding on the extent and course of the next reform.

The result is /the findings are by no means unexpected. Political conflicts to a certain extent have emerged. Internal split has become apparent as elected councillors lose no time to be 'accountable to' their

electors. With the difficulty of maintaining confidentiality and the

massive leakage of information, the ‘Legislative Council has attracted all the more attention through the mass media.

No initiative is allowed for the Government

!!

With the participation of appointed and elected councillors, new and old, the Legislative Council meetings have been lengthened, but the order of the Legislative Council has not been disrupted nor have there been any exchanges of heated words breaking the usual monotony of the Legco meeting. Summing up opinions from all quarters, people do not think the addition of elected councillors has brought any unacceptable changes apart from a slight lowering of efficiency and a drastic upgrading of the image of representing the public.

Since the changes can still be regarded as stable, the

Unfortunately,

Government should speed up democratization at ease.

the centre of power has changed with the passage of time. Today,