Among Hong Kong’s industrial assets, Mr. Marden lists its freedom from controls, its political stability, its low income tax on individuals and corporations and its resistance to inflation.
It is his conviction that Hong Kong industry should concentrate on quality products, and those which require a high labor content. He cites transistor radios of the less complicated type as an example of the colony’s high-labor products.
“I think we should emphasize that there is something more at stake than profits,” Marden says. “The colony is seeking to create 300,000 new jobs for the young people who will be coming on the job market soon; if we can do this without appealing for outside aid, then we’ve made a contribution to the economy of the entire free world.”
In the past, he believes, colony industries just took orders as they came. Now, in his opinion, the industries must develop their own marketing facilities to discover what products are needed, and then work to meet these needs. He feels that there must be greater diversification if Hong Kong is to hold its place in the industrial world.
These three men, like practically every leader in its industrial and political community, are acutely conscious of the many hazards that Hong Kong faces.
And not one of them acts or speaks as though he were not solidly confident that Hong Kong will overcome its handicaps and external dangers and go on to greater prosperity.