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At the same time I see nothing obstructive or prejudical in the presence of two Unofficial Members, and as the step has been taken, I would not revoke it; but I would not enlarge the number, or at any rate go beyond three, more especially when consideration is given to what I have stated above, with reference to the small portion of the Colonial Revenue with which the Council has to deal.
As regards then the filling up these scats as vacancies occur (and one is already vacant, see Colonial Regulations, cap. II, 1, 7,) I would adopt some suc h plan as that contained in Inclosure 1 to Despatch No. 110, above referred to.
But I would exclude Foreigners from the Electoral Body, and on no account permit the right of franchise to a Chinese. To those practically acquainted with the Chinese character, it is unnecessary to say anything on this head, and to others I would fail in finding intelligible words.
I would omit the conclus'ion of clause 7 in the plan, as I can con- ceive an occasion on which the public might wish to elect a subor- dinate official if useful and ntelligent; and I see no reason either for interfering with the right o the Electors to elect whom they please, or for preventing a respectable official from occupying that position in which the public consider he could render good service to them. I have no fear of any undue influence on either side being used in this respect.
Thus my idea is, that the three members and all the Electoral Body be bona fide British Subjects.
In the Secretary of State's Despatch, objection is taken to the powerproposed to be given to the Executive Council in revision of the Electoral Roll. Let then the power go to the Legislative Council itself, as now in the case of the Jury List.
In clause 2 of the Despatch, information is called for as to the probable number of Electors, and the proportion they would bear to the unrepresented classes of the population. On the plau here suggested by me, the number of Electors would be about 75, of whom about 45 would be present to vote, and as the population is about 75,000, the proportion is 1 in 1,000; but taking the Jury List as the European population, to this the proportion would be about 1 to 2; and of these, taking the British Subjects present and voting, rather more than 1 in 3.
As I have stated, British Subjects only should vote, and the large and preponderating number of Foreigners resident in the Island is mind an argument against, instead of for, their admission to influential privileges in a British colony.
to my
I think that all the beads of Executive departments should have seats in the Legislative Council, excepting always when such heads happen to be foreigners, when I would sanction their presence, but withhold the power of voting in the Council.
In the colony of Mauritius, I see that all Naturalization Ordi- nances specially exclude the privilege of sitting in Council.
The Councils then I would recommend, as given in clauses 4 and
Memorandum of TENEMENTS,—Continued.
£40 and upwards
CLASS.
NUMBER.
TOTAL
RATE.
Brought forward,
1349
British
148
Foreign
92
Chinese ...
410
650
British
186
TOTAL... Foreign .
Chinese
176
***
1637
GRAND TOTAL,................
1999
(Signed)
J. C. POWER, Police Rate Assessor.
1st April, 1856,
(True copy,)
W. T. MERCER, Colonial Secretary.
Inclosure 3,-Despatch 49.
Memorandum of INDIVIDUALS paying CROWN RENT, abstracted from the RENT ROLL of 25th December, 1855.
*tr{
£10 £20 £30 £40
TOTAL
British Subjects,
8
2
5
54
69
7
4
3
16
30
14
6
18
42
Foreigners,
Chinese,.....
TOTAL,
29
12
12
88
141
(Signed)
J. C. POWER, Clerk of Deed Registry.
(True copy,)
SURVEYOR GENERAL'S OFFICE, VICTORIA,
31st March, 1856.
5 of the plan enclosed in Sir John Bowring's Despatch No. 110, of 2d August, 1855, with this exception, that the number of Ún- official Members of the Legislative should be reduced to 3 for the No. 82. reasons I have given.
I would follow the plan generally, saving the objections which I have put forward in this Memorandum.
I am also anxious to take this opportunity of observing, that I am convinced that an error was made when the duties of Colonial Surgeon were virtually abolished, and confided to the charge of a Military Medical Officer. I think £1,000 a year, and even perhaps a seat in the Legislative, would be well bestowed on an efficient P Surgeon, with, not an injunction, for this might be inconsistent with his professional obligation,—but an understanding, that he was not to engage in private practice. I am certain that powers to enforce sanitary measures conferred on and exercised by an intelligent and energetic medical officer, would be very instrumental in assisting in many ways the progress of the colony.
4
St
ri
The above Memorandum, written after mature reflection, is sub- mitted, with all respect, for the consideration of His Excellency, The Governor.
W. T. MERCER, Colonial Secretary.
Colonial Secretary's Office, Victoria, Hongkong, 6th March, 1856.
•
Inclosure 2,-Despatch 49.
Memorandum of TENEMENTS assessed for POLIce Rate.
RATE
NUMBER.
18
TOTAL
CLASS
British
£10 and under £20
Foreign..
Chinese
British
398
***
433
4
£20 and under £30
Foreign
19
Chinese
408
431
British
16
£30 and under £40
Foreign...
48
Chinese
421
485
Carried forwards
1349
W. T. MERCer, Colonial Secretary.
DOWNING STREET, July 29th, 1856.
SIR, I have carefully considered your Despatch No 49, of 26th March last, in connection with previous correspondence on the same subject; and however reluctant to overrule your opinion, I have decided against the proposal which you have made, to introduce the Representative element into the Government of Hongkong.
2. I appreciate as highly as it is possible to do the value of repre sentative institutions, but I am at the same time mindful of the conditions, which experience has proved to be essential for their good working.
3. I believe that the present is the first proposal that has been made for introducing those institutions amongst au Asiatic popula- tion, containing but a very small proportion of British or even European residents: I have, therefore, thought it the more neces- sary to weigh carefully the reasons for and against it.
4. The testimony of those best acquainted with them, represent the Chinese race as endowed with much intelligence, but as very defi- cient in the most essential elements of morality. The Chinese popu- lation of Hongkong is, with perhaps a few honourable exceptions, admitted to stand very low in this respect.
5. The information which I have received from you, does not lead me to suppose that education has made such progress among the youthful population, as to give promise that the next generation will be much superior to the present in moral culture. In regard there- fore, to the proposal to confer the elective franchise on a consti- tuency, of which the majority would be Chinese, I have to consider, whether men who have not, either from moral principle or traditional influences, acquired a respect for the main principles on which social order rests, are likely to use such a privilege in a manner useful to themselves, or to the community at large.
6. I cannot assent to such a conclusion,
7. If, on the other hand, the franchise were to be so restricted as practically to exclude the Chinese and Asiatic population, and to secure a preponderance to the British residents, I should apprehend from that arrangement future discontent on grounds that seem to be well founded.
8. Few if any of the British residents in Hongkong are persons who go to establish themselves and their descendants permanently in that place; they merely sojourn there during a limited time, engaged in commercial or professional pursuits, but intending to quit the colony as soon as circumstances will permit.
9. To whatever extent the control of local affairs might be con- ferred on this class by the 'partial introduction of representative Government, the effect would be, to give power over the permanent population to temporary settlers, differing from them in race, lan.