CO_1030_1459_HONG_KONG_CONSTITUTIONAL_DEVELOPMENT_1963_1965 — Page 61

purposes in the Colonial context we look upon

11 constitutions"

of a non-federal nature as comprising the institutions of

# B

"national" or territory-wide significance. Local government

L

changes may, as you say, stimulate or delay demands for change

There does not seem to be much

#

in the national" institutions.

evidence for taking a view that they will operate either way in

Hong Kong. It seems to us that those very small interests which

continually urge changes in the constitution are going to

persevere with their demands, whatever is done or not done

in the field of local government, but that support for their

They views yould have to grow very considerably indeed before merit

Chinese formment be

consideration.

women the altitude of the thin what, however

the It is changes in the "national" institutions which we think

ut.

will be likely to tract the attention of the Chines

There might, for purely local reasons, be some inspired support

from local communist circles for any group opposing your proposals

for a particular area. But the Foreign Office view is, like

ours, that the C.P.G. is unlikely to object to your proposals

in any way which would make it difficult for the Hong Kong Government

to carry them through. Chinese reactions are always hard to predict,

but it is considered that in this case they are unlikely to be

moved unless they are looking for a bone of contention (of which

there is always a goodly selection).

is stated as follows:-

-

The Foreign Office conclusion

be Whirly,

ove?

"The Governor is surely right in saying that the thing to do is to proceed slowly and to make it clear from the outset that the functions of these new bodies are to be strictly limited to local government. An Urban Council already operates in Hong Kong and New Kowloon and new organisations to take account of the growing industrial centres in the Ne

ew Territories are only logical. It is unlikely that the Chinese would see them as being the first step towards an independent Hong Kong."

are to

be established in the New Territories by a distinct and separate

may perhops help to make I clear

ordinance will help, i feel, to emphasise to

Chinese consumption

that local government developments in that area do not affect and

are in no way related to the Colony's status or relationship with

the United Kingdom.

5*.

Læge fat Dfn34ou have in mind for this purpose would indicate

Carter gathered from his discussions with you that the

establishes

in broad terms the types of local authorities to be set up and

/would

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