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2. I understand the Board, as at present constituted, to be working well, and I consider that the question of its future constitution may well stand over to be dealt with, if necessary, hereafter by your successor, who will be in a position to approach it de novo with the advantage of the information which has already becn gained on the subject.
3. I have come to this conclusion in part because I think that, on reflection, you must concur with me that in taking a plebiscite of the British community exclusive of the members of the Government services the situation has been much complicated. I have every reason to assume that the British merchants and residents in Hongkong have the same good sense and public spirit as their country- men clsewhere, but it is impossible that Hongkong should be other than a Crown Colony; it is inconsistent with Crown Colony government to seek the guidance of a plebiscite; and in no community whatever, whether Crown Colony or not, can a satisfactory solution of a question, in which the whole body of the ratepayers and many outside that body are interested, be induced from an expression of the opinions of one section alone.
4. In the present instance, the plebiscite having been held, you have found yourself constrained to advise a course opposed to that for which the very large majority of the votes were cast.
5. Under existing circumstances, then, I have decided to defer giving any final decision. In the course of a year or so it will be more evident what, if any, is the real want, and how it may best be met.
I have the honour to be,
Sir,
Your most obedient,
humble Servant,
J. CHAMBERLAIN.
Governor
SIR W. ROBINSON, K.C.M.G.,
8e.,
&C.,
&c.