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I am not inclined to add to the number of the Unofficial members without at the same time increasing also the number of official members, for in a Crown Colony there must be a very distinct preponderance on the official side, and the natural result of evenly balancing the numbers of officials and unofficials is friction and irritation.
With this proviso there is, as far as I can judge, no strong objection to increasing the numbers of the Council, except that for practical working purposes the number is already sufficiently large.
If, however, an addition is made, it is difficult on equitable grounds to resist the conclusion that another Chinese representative should be appointed.
On the other hand, this is contrary to the wishes of the petitioners as far as I understand them; Mr Keswick who, in his interesting and temperate letter, which is enclosed in your despatch, advocates the appointment of an additional unofficial member to the Legislative Council, strongly deprecates "the addition to the Legislative Council of a second representative of the Chinese."
The balance of argument therefore appears to be against any change in the present number and composition of the Legislative Council.
18.
The second suggestion is that an unofficial member should be appointed to the Executive Council. The suggestion is made by Mr Keswick, and you state in your despatch that you have personally no objection to it, and that the concession would be very popular.