co-operation of the population.
In these circumstances
and with my approval the Governor of Hong Kong has decided to explore still further the problem which effective political co-operation by the people involves. He will again take counsel with responsible public opinion in the Colony with a view to the formulation of detailed proposals for strengthening and extending unofficial representation on the Central Government itself with the introduction of a system of election of a proportion of the unofficial members of the Legislative Council. He will however at the same time carry out a review, and if necessary a revision, of existing local government arrangements in the Colony, with the object of associating the people in the most suitable way and to the fullest extent that present conditions allow in the administration of matters appropriate to local government in Hong Kong. In undertaking these consultations and framing any recommendations the Governor will, of course, be much assisted by all the thought which has been devoted to this question during the past seven months. Draft statement ends.
12.
1 If you agree with my views on the general question, and feel that responsible public opinion need not be consulted on the detailed proposals for broadening the basis of the Legislative Council, the draft in the preceding paragraph will require some amendment and it might be advantageous (if it is practicable) to mention in the proposed statement the main features in mind for the new
egialative Council, I should in any case be very grateful for your views on the suggestions made in paragraph 8 of this telegram but I should not wish to delay the statement for inclusion of these main features, if they cannot be settled fairly quickly.
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