Leglo.
DAR.
Er Stapleton:
67
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I understand that, in discussion with Mrs White, John Rankin, P, questioned the appointment of a Fortuguese to the Executive Council of Hong Kong.
2. A member of the so-called Portuguese communit. was first appointed to the Executive Council in 1925. Such appointments have not given, or been regarded as giving, the right to a represent:tive on the Council. But the
community is a large and important minority in Hong Kong
who regard the colony as their place of permanent domicile. They are prominent in the professions and in business.
3. The actual size of the community is not known. There are some 2,000 Portuguese nationals, mainly originating from Macau (though our statistics suggest that less than half of these speak Fortuguese). Eut the main body of the community consists of persons of Fortuguese or (frequently) mixed Chinese/Fortuguese stock who, while "Fortuguose" by definition are British subjects by birth or naturalisation, ană have long been established in Hong Kong. It is from this latter category that any appointments to Councils are mide, and it is useful to have representatives of minority (and especially very loyal minority) Interests. The community in no way identifies itself with Portuguese policies in the colonies.
4. Dr 1.0. Rodrigues, CPE, ED is a British subject and has been a member of the xecutive Council since 1959. His term of office expires in "ny 1966. previously served on the Urban Council and on the Legislative Council (1953-59). He is a leading figure in the medical profession (where his special interest is the campaign against tuberculosis) and has played a part in many welfare activities. Other fields in which he has given public service include the Royal Hong Kong Defence Force and sport.
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Hong Kong Dept 3 Janery 1965
(J.D. Higham)
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