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from the increased legislative power which it is proposed to give the Council (see Reform (c) above), Mr. Just Feetham proposes to substitute for the Court of Consuls a new Court consisting of not less than three Judges, of whom one should be a Chinese Judge nominated by the Chinese Government. This Court would take over the functions of the Court of Consuls and would decide ques- tions arising out of interpretations by the other Courts in the Settlement of Land Regulations and Bye-laws. (Vol. II, Part V, p. 235.)
(d) The Ultimate Goal of the Above Reforms.- "The objections to rendition as a practical policy for immediate adoption are overwhelming. Rendition to-day would not only be fatal to the security' which, from the point of view of business interests, is the vital feature of the present Settlement régime, but would also render impossible the continuance of local government in any effective form. Rendition will, however, ultimately be justifiable and necessary in order to satisfy the national aspirations of the Chinese people and to enable the National Government of China, by the exercise of its own authority to provide for the future municipal govern- ment of the Settlement. Rendition, followed by the grant by the Chinese Government of a Charter conferring rights of local self-government on the inhabitants of the Settle- ment-foreign and Chinese-whether as a separate self- governing unit or as part of a large whole should there- fore be recognized as the ultimate goal of future policy." (Vol. II, Part V, pp. 139-40.)
"The developments proposed are in accordance with the principle of international partnership already em- bodied in the constitution. If provisions on these lines are adopted, and are given a fair trial on a basis of will- ing co-operation by the partners concerned, it seems not unreasonable to hope that the Settlement system of government which has a history in many ways remark- able, may be enabled to function successfully in future
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a more complete and consistent form." (Vol. II, Part
, p. 238.)
"A long period of transition is needed . . . . . the continuance of the Settlement régime for a great many years to come will be required in the interests both of China herself and of the other countries concerned." (Vol. II, Part V, p. 153.)
"The suggestion is sometimes made that five or six years should suffice as a transition period; but in my opinion such a suggestion shows a lack of any true appre- ciation of the nature of the conditions which have to be fulfilled... If an opinion were to be ventured now as to the minimum period required, it would be a question of the number, not of years, but of decades." (Vol. II, Part V, p. 139.)
The conditions to be fulfilled are stated in full on page 140 of Vol. II. In summarized form they are:-
(1) Ability of the Central Government to guarantee
peace.
(2) The idea of the rule of law must take root in
China.
(3) Political conditions must allow local self-govern- ing institutions to enjoy real independence.
(4) The Chinese community in Shanghai must ac- quire the experience necessary in working repre- sentative institutions.
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