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(F 11807/1147/10)
Confidential.
FOREIGN OFFICE,
8.7.1.
7th January, 1946.
I enclose a copy of notes on Hong Kong drawn up by John Keswick, until lately Assistant Political Adviser to the Supreme Allied Commander, South East Asia. They were given by him to sterndale- Bennett in mid-November but have since I regret been mislaid. They have been discussed by Keswick with Sir Horace Seymour and the latter has a copy of the notes. I understand he was attracted by Keswick's ideas in principle. We should be glad to have your views on Keswick's proposals.
2.
Our own tentative comments are that the proposed change of name for the Colony is a good idea, but to be convincing to the outside world it would have to be accompanied by a change of administrative character as well. Keswick's proposals for this (see paragraph 4c) are interesting, but it seems to us doubtful if they would be constitutionally practicable. One danger of granting universal sufferage at Hong Kong appears to be that 98% of the population is Chinese, and before we knew where we were we might find Hong kong voted into incorporation with China, unless the Governor were given veto powers to provide against this. A solution might be to have a council, half
selected/
G.E.J. Gent, Esq., K.C.M.G., J.S.O.,
Colonial office.
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