CO_1030_1459_HONG_KONG_CONSTITUTIONAL_DEVELOPMENT_1963_1965 — Page 63

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Page 63

wouldset out the range of powers which could be given to

provision

them. There would be power to establish the authorities by

The instrument would in each case specify the powers instrument, and to sify thepsin tuet, omouc is the in damaltija granted (which would vary according to the size and function's of the an.

This is of course a pattern of local

authority legislation

it- appropriate that should

is used

tierr

*

Bority).

familiar to us and it seems quite

Center in Hong Kong. He gathered

also that in your present view, it would be necessary to let

the Urban Council continue under its legislation. It would

per aps be inviting trouble to dislodge the Urban Council from

its special position at the same time as you curb its

aspirations.

67.

wsle

I think that the foregoing, by implication, have

indicated fairly clearly that we support your thesis

e

that the Hong Kong Urban Council should not be allowed to

a

spread its authority to the new urban areas and that other local

paltern

authority should be established for the New Territories.

We also endorse your view that when this general local authority

framework has been constructed there might be a cautious

ing

approach to broaden the Urban Council's functions and modernising

its constitution.

71.

•

No doubt there will be a careful examinetion of the

role of local government in Hong Kong as part of your

consideration of the whole problem. This should indicate what

the Urban powers and responsibilities it would be appropriate to give that

Council. On the face of it its present responsibilities cover

a very limited and rather humdrum field. If there is scope for

giving it wider functions and some greater measure of

its financial responsibility this should help to allay some of the

present discontent.

8 $.

We shall be glad to assist your further examination

of these proposals in any way we can. We may have something

of more concrete value to contribute when you have set down

your ideas in greater detail. In particular, it might at a later

stage be useful if you were to establish contact, either direct or through us, with C.A.G.Wallis, theage 63 of 34pment

Adviser who is now it in the 0.D..

1

Iimine

!