TNAG-1692-FCO40-2342-Hong-Kong-legislation-regarding-the-control-of-publications--1987 — Page 18

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If we, the non-government members of this Council,

were to help

the Administration to force this law on our people, "all the perfumes of Arabia will not sweeten this little hand".

And what about the political review which will soon be conducted by this Government later this year? If the people of Hong Kong perceive that their government will not listen to them now on this matter of such fundamental importance to them, and will not even give them time to consider this Bill when there was no urgency at all, can we really and honestly expect them to voice their opinions to us on the political review? And even if the people of Hong Kong will submit their views to Administration, how can we convince them that the majority view of the people will be accepted?

the

is useful.

It has been said by the

But the

question

Administration as reported

in the mass media that it is desirable for this Bill to be debated in this Council today. I do not disagree that a debate

is: Are we ready to reflect the

today when SO in Hong Kong are not yet ready to make their views And what is even more worrying is that this is adjournment debate; but if there is no postponement today, the Bill will become law when the people

of Hong Kong have not been given

views of the people of Hong Kong in this Council

many people

known to us?

not a mere

implications thereof.

sufficient

time to consider

the

full