Sound
have
6.
It was with much hesitation that I decided to
refer this general question back to you for your
further views in the light of the considerations set
out in the three previous paragraphs, as I realised,
after reading your despatches, how very carefully you
had gone into the whole question before making your
I recall too that it was at your
recommendations.
suggestion that the final decision in regard to the
creation of a Municipality was deferred last Spring
for the express purpose of enabling the people to
be consulted. But it did seem to me that the
change in the plans for Singapore was a matter which
I should bring to your notice before a decision on
the general question was taken, and that this
development, coupled with the lack of enthusiasm
among the people of Hong Kong for a Municipal Council,
made it very desirable to consult you further on
the general question.
7. I should accordingly be grateful if you would
consider the points raised in paragraphs 3, 4 and 5 of
this telegram, and let me know whether they affect
the recommendations put forward in your despatch No. 145,
for the creation of a Municipal Council and for altering
the composition of the Legislative Council.
8.
ree
I and other members of the Government have
recently been receiving communications expressing
has wantly been expressed in curtain quarlém have impatience at the apparent lack of progress in the
Some
formulation of proposals to give effect to my predecessor's
statement of policy in the House of Commons on the
1st May. I have pointed out, in reply, that your
proposals were received at the beginning of November
and that it is a noteworthy achievement that such
Las
detailed consideration can have been effected in the
first five months after the restoration of Civil Government.
I am, however, anxious to make an early statement,
the
terms