The View | Hong Kong needs another Sir Murray Maclehose
‘His leadership achievements provide a role model for the four CE candidates for the upcoming election’
Many years ago, Hong Kong had a Chief Executive known as Sir David Trench. Even before Sir David, the Public Works Department had protected holes in the road with the sign, “Trench Works Ahead.”
One appeared outside Government House. Perfect for photographers. We laughed till we cried! “Does he, or doesn’t he?” The signs were replaced soon after.
Sir David himself was replaced in 1971 by a war hero, Sir Murray Maclehose, who trained Chinese guerrillas in the second world war to sabotage Japanese positions. Maclehose nearly didn’t make it. As a junior Foreign Office official, he committed a “grave security breach” by leaving a highly secret telegram in a bank. His boss, Foreign Secretary George Brown intervened saying that Maclehose was “a hell of a good fellow”. His reprieve, from becoming a bursar of a minor public school, was a blessing for Hong Kong. They called him a Governor – but he governed as a Chief Executive.
Beijing must be exasperated that four civil servants are the best that Hong Kong can put up
Maclehose was a big man, 6 foot 4 in his socks and exuded authority. Within the Civil Service he was irreverently known as “Big Mac” or “Jock the Sock” – but never to his face. (Jock being a name for a Scotsman and hose being an old name for sock). His leadership achievements provide a role model for the four CE candidates for the upcoming election.
To encourage business, he drove the development of the MTR, major New Territories highways, and flyovers and underpasses at choke points. He established the new towns of Sha Tin and Tuen Mun and created the ICAC, making Hong Kong the cleanest city in Asia for the last 40 years. Most importantly, Chinese was recognised as an official language.
He revolutionised social policies for the ordinary Hongkonger – battling the objections of the factory owners; the property developers of today. He set up a massive public housing programme, and the Home Ownership Scheme. He introduced the Labour Ordinance, with paid holidays, worker redundancy payments, Labour Tribunals, sickness allowances and weekly rest days; all to support the lowest paid.
