NOTHING TO BE WRITTEN IN THIS MARGIN
CONFIDENTIAL
members, three of whom are nominated by the Crown
on the recommendation of the Governor, one is
nominated by the JPs from their body, and one by
the Chamber of Commerce" Research Department
think this must be an error
-
Royal Instructions
and other instruments of course vest the ultimate
appointment to office and to Council seats in the
Crown, and it would be most unconstitutional for a
Chamber of Commerde to be placed on the same footing
in this respect as the Crown they have drawn
this fact to our attention in case it should be
adduced by others now,
argument.
indeed,
Research Department have added that they are
not impressed by Mr Vine's piece of research
enclosed in his letter to Mr Royle of 5 June.
The origins of the 1883 reform are glossed;
his reference on page 4 to Sir George Bowen being
under pressure from the Chamber of Commerce in
December 1882 is clearly wrong Bowen did not go
to Hong Kong till 1883,
Probably this a typing
error there are others), but in any case the
brevity of this passage suggests that Mr Vine is
not sure of his ground here.
Meanwhile,
I hope all this is of use to you.
Research Department are still studying the old
papers. If anything else turns up of which we
think you should be aware before you leave Hong
Kong on 5 August I will send a telegram.
This question has been submitted to Ministers
and I have been instructed to authorise you, if
you see no objection, to write to Mr Vine on the
5.
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