from father to son, as is the case in Mauritius, Cyprus, Malta etc., where the settlement of the soil preceded the British Government, not as happened in this Colony, where the settlers followed the establishment of the administration.
It consisted of trading and then Jen hongs. It may be objected that the officials are also temporary residents, but they at any rate carry out a settled policy responsible to a higher authority and are not likely to be swayed by personal interests.
I doubt whether, even now, it would be easy to find persons whose position would admit of their acceptance of the duties and responsibilities involved. Most of the remaining representative residents have their hands fully occupied, so that they would be compelled to decline the honour. But, supposing that good legislators could now be found, I am troubled by the thought that their successors may hold widely different views to those animating my colleagues and may represent a dwindling British interest.
In the event of a large increase in the number of official members of the Legislative Council being conceded, I would be satisfied that it would be fitting to leave the interests always in their hands—or that the unofficial element would be safe in their hands, that is, of course, supposing the official element would preponderate. I confess, I trust with the future to officials.
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