TNAG-1726-FCO40-2439-Minutes-and-Hansards-of-the-Legislative-Council-of-Hong-Kong-1988 — Page 17

FCO40 Hong Kong Department Records 聯邦事務部香港部檔案 All

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concept of direct elections, although a majority thought

that the introduction of these should wait until 1991

or after. In other words, after the Basic Law is

promulgated.

From all the other results of that furvey it was clear that while chamber members agreed that changes in the system governing Hong Kong affairs are necessary they

were strongly in favour of a gradual and pragmatic pace

of change, testing each step of the way and adjusting

to new circumstances as necessary.

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a

The Chamber voted in strength for a continuation of

the highly successful economic, trade, industrial and

administrative system which has served Hong Kong so well. In other words, change when change is necessary but

not change for the sake of change.

The Chamber's submission, of course, contains views

on many other issues taken up in the Green Paper and

I will not explain these in any detail since they are

already on public record. I am, however, pleased to note

that the policy decisions set out in the White Paper are

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closely in line with the views expressed by Chamber Members in the Chamber's submission to the Survey Office.

In particular, the decision to support the principle

of direct elections and to begin this process in 1991,

is, I am sure, both wise and helpful to the development of a system of government for Hong Kong, which will provide

balanced representation for all sectors of the economy

and society.

I do not agree with some members of this Councils who háve suggested that the great majority of Hong Kong people are

the models th

demanding direct elections in 1988. I think the truth

of the matter is that the great majority of the people did

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