TNAG-1842-FCO40-2617-House-of-Commons-Select-Committee-on-Foreign-Affairs-enquiry-1989 — Page 64

ROFACH (2)

B.

DEVELOPMENT OF REPRESENTATIVE GOVERNMENT IN HONG KONG

1.

Constitutional Progress to early 1980s

EARLY POST WAR REFORM PROPOSALS

In July 1947 the then Governor, Sir Mark Young, announced proposals for introduction of direct elections to a Municipal Council and indirect election (by Municipal Council) of two members of Legislative Council.

Members of then Legislative Council counter-proposed, in 1949, that their own Council should be reformed, with an elected majority.

None of these proposals was pursued.

Reasons: lack local

support; preoccupation with problems of absorbing very large numbers of migrants from China; fear of the danger of destabilising Chinese Communist -Kuomintang (KMT) confrontation in Hong Kong.

BEGINNING OF DEVELOPMENT OF REPRESENTATIVE GOVERNMENT

Before 1970, Urban Council, comprising elected and appointed members in addition to government officials, acted as consultative body on provision of urban services.

In New Territories there was formal system of consultation involving Village Representatives, Rural Committees and the Heung Yee Kuk. (a Council composed of Chairmen and Vice-Chairmen of the Rural Committees which promotes cooperation between Hong Kong Government and people of New Territories).

Hong Kong Government also drew on advice of individual members of community through wide range of Advisory Boards and Committees and through close contacts with kaifongs (local committees in urba areas elected by residents of a few streets) and other similar

associations.

In early 1970's, Hong Kong Government began to place increas emphasis on encouraging local residents to become directly involved in work of administration at neighbourhood and district levels.