TNAG-1724-FCO40-2437-Minutes-and-Hansards-of-the-Legislative-Council-of-Hong-Kong-1988 — Page 108

1991.

position is,

On this issue, the

although the

majority view according to the polls was for no change, we

will change it. Surely, Sir, the sensible saying is to

wait until 1991. But the difficulty is this: If the

Government cannot even introduce some changes to our

political system in 1988, the Government will be seen to

be doing almost nothing in the White Paper.

?

it is

-

Sir, this White Paper is already quite white as

I am referring to the inside. This Administration

in the eyes of many people in Hong Kong is already lame

enough; or to use the language of the White Paper, prudent

enough; or to use the words of the Chief Secretary,

cautious enough

and I must congratulate the Chief

Secretary for having discovered in our Bible a new

chapter, the 'Book of Caution'. And when we look at the

Calling word prudence or caution, I cannot help according to mind

a few lines from William SHAKESPEARE. May I read the

paragraph first before a paraphrase with due apologies to

William SHAKESPEARE of course. First, Hamlet:

'Thus conscience doth make cowards of us all;

And thus the native hue of resolution

Is sicklied o'er with the pale cast of thought,

And enterprises of great pith and moment

With this regard their currents turn awry,

And lose the name of action.'