on 54149/46 (dup. attached)
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5.
I recognise that the lack of enthusiasm
for the Municipal Council proposal is due in
part to the fear of domination by the Kuomintang,
and that there is some basis for this fear.
I have read in this connection, with some concern,
the memorandum enclosed with your confidential
despatch of 28th November, from which it appears
that the Kuomintang are in a strong position to
influence the Chinese population in Hong Kong.
To
Muis
JOMA
This is, of course, a factor which did not arise
in the case of Singapore and one which might
is an argument
provide support for the Municipal Council
Since
proposals in Hong Kong, on the ground that the
Kuomintang would have less opportunity of
influencing important decisions of policy through
unofficial representation on a Municipality than
through an increased and elected unofficial
membership of the Legislative Council, which would
be the alternative course of constitutional
development. On the other hand, it is arguable
that in practice, it would be possible to
exercise more control over elements who might
be subject to Chinese political influence,
were they elected members of the Legislative
Have
Council (on which at the present stage it would be
a story repientation of fried unders reasonable to retain an official majority) than
it would be if they were elected members of a
largely autonomous Municipal Council, of which
there could be no official representation of the
Central Government. (In this connection I may say
that I heartily agree with your view that it
is essential that if a Municipality is created,
it should have genuine authority, including
financial responsibility, within its allocated
functions
6. It