that the Hongkong government is a colonial,
In Ceylon and municipal government in one. and the Straits the municipal Councils form an outlet for local patriotism degenerating into local parochialness & impertinence,
Hongkong the colony is little more than a town, and Colonial and municipal affairs have not been separated
The sixth claim as to something Joint in the nature of Imperial Education; but there is a certain amount in this claim also. The petitioners no doubt thinking of the military Contribution. I will say a few words on this below.
I venture to suggest that one more unofficial member should be added to the Legislative Council, to represent English and Americans who are not members of the Chamber of Commerce nor Justices of the Peace and for Mr. Keswick's being elected by such ratepayers.
He also suggests that an English Unofficial member of the Legislative Council shall have a seat in the Executive Council. He is strongly opposed to adding the Chinese to the Legislative Council.
I will assume that Lord Ripon must consider that Hongkong remains a Crown Colony, that the petitioners' wide-reaching requests cannot be granted, and the question rises whether any concession should be made, and what.
Mr. Keswick in his memorandum, which the Governor seems to support, shares Mr. Keswick's views with regard to the appointment of an additional unofficial member to the Legislative Council and of an unofficial member to the Executive Council. He has no objection to it, and he thinks such a concession would be very popular and "not altogether impolitic".
The Legislative Council of Hongkong consists of the Governor, six official, and ... unofficial members. Thus the official members do not find an official majority.