CO_1030_1459_HONG_KONG_CONSTITUTIONAL_DEVELOPMENT_1963_1965 — Page 325

Tiger

Extract from Hong Kong Standard

DENNIS HEALEY

22nd Page 325 of 344

PSeptember

Danger is

to move

too fast

Mr. Dennis Healey, the Labour Party's defence spokesman, told a press conference yesterday there is need for some moderate reform in Hongkong and a need to avoid complacency and in- sensitivity in Government.

He said: "There is scope for movement, if not for a complete change of direction, in the administration of Hongkong. The advice Government gets through the Legislative Council comes from a small number of people representing a very narrow section of the community. I would hope to ex- tend the range of groups from which Government takes its advice.

Asked if this implied some form of representation, he replied: "Not necessarily at this stage. The split in the trade unions is due to external allegiances of different groups. The danger, if you move fast in the direction of representa tive government with power, is that external influences come to dominate political life to an extent extremely dangerous to the security of the Colony."

rock the boat, easily leads to complacency and insensitivity among the people in control and a growing gulf between them and those for whom they are responsible.

"The crucial problem for Asked if there was some Mr. Healey said that now Hongkong, during the period in case for limited representation|that Malaysia was formed and which there are external limits he said: "There is a tiny bit Kenya is to become indepen set to the pace and direction of that in the Urban Council,dent at the end of this year, of constitutional advance, is which is very limited represen- Hongkong "will be the largest to devise means by which the lation with even more limited British territory left. We shall leadership remains responsible power. The most useful first have another 37 territories, to the needs, pressure and as stage would be to enlarge the with a population of underpirations of those below who range of groups covered by the one million. Twenty-two of the nave no representative appointed members. rather territories have a population chinery. I was not fully aware than electing members." of under 100,000.”

of this until I got here and I am not at all sure that many of the people to whom I have talked would feel it is the problem," he said.

Central feature

"I find it difficult to believe there are only eight people in Hongkong with any ability or interest in this field," he said.

He said that

Normal pace

ma.

"The future of these terri tories needs a revolutionary approach. One answer is direct representation in Britain, as was suggested for Malta some years ago and turned down by their legislature." he said. the central The central problem of ad- Mr. Healey emphasised that feature of the extraordinary ministration here, Mr. Healey it is important, during this is said, is the obvious limits to phase in which normal pace of situation of Hongkong "maintaining situation in which, in the existing inter social and political advance is which Peking has an interest national situation, it is wise to frozen artificially. to devise

» pursue constitutional reform in leaving things as they are."

means of avoiding complacency "I have a nasty feeling thated for other British colonies.

along the lines he had press and insensitivity in Govern- perhaps to have direct elec-

સ

"There is something in the |

ment.

tions to organs having power motto of the ruling authorities "I am not totally satisfied might inevitably lead to a struggle between the two externally influenced groups and upset existing stability," he continued,

that those means exist today," in Hongkong-'don't rock the

he said.. boat and let sleeping dogs

'" he said.

Mr. Healey did not approve lie,'

"But, a situation in which of any movement which might there is an incentive not to ★ Continued on P. 3

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