convinced that the best means of achieving the
SH.M.G
declared object would be by the establishment of
a Municipal Council.
*See copy
2 copy verpaleta
alt below off. Fel"
+
D. ht
19.12.46
Day I congestulate Diss Ruiter
9
on a mor diplanatic & shilful haft!
न्ह
20712
While I agree that Miss Ruston's draft is in general accord with the conclusions of the meeting, I should be inclined to put some of the points and arguments rather differently. For example, I think that some further explanation is needed of the bearing of the change in the constitutional plans for Singapore on the Hong Kong problem (paragraph 3(a) of the draft). I think too that the inclusion in the statement of H. M. G.'s objective in paragraph 4 to meeting such aspirations as exist among the people of Hong Kong to manage their own affairs" is a little unrealistic, seeing that there is apparently no substantial body of opinion in favour of constitutional advance, and in the circumstances, possibly open to question. I think too that the whole purpose of the telegram should be indicated rather more specifically than in the draft which has been put up. Aside from these points, I would include a reference (a) to the fact that it was the Governor himself who suggested last Spring that the form of constitutional advance should be made the subject of discussions with the people (at that time it was proposed to take a final decision in favour of creating a Municipal Council); and (b) to the disturbing report which has recently come in of the Kuomintang's influence and activities in Hong Kong. In my view the latter has a most important bearing on this question because it appears, from the report in question, that any attempt to set up a municipality would be more or less at the mercy of the Kuomintang, who could be expected to make the most of the apprehensions of the population and the novelty of the election system, so far as the Chinese are concerned.
I submit an alternative draft in the light of the foregoing.
I
28.12.46.