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thoughtful care which has been devoted, both by public bodies and
by individuals, to the preparation of these replies. I have received
a number of memoranda which are going to be of the greatest assistance
to me in framing my recommendations. It was also with interest and
appreciation that I observed the helpful attitude of the Press of
Hong Kong, particularly the enterprise of the newspapers which
published a well designed questionnaire on the subject. The answers
to this questionnaire, though disappointingly few in number, will
certainly be taken into account with other expressions of public
opinion.
One clear conclusion emerges from an analysis of all the
various views that have been expressed. This is that the establishment
of a Municipal Council and the transference to it of some of the
functions of the Government are generally regarded as constituting
the most satisfactory method of giving effect to the intentions of
His Majesty's Government. Certain other suggestions have been made,
but by far the greater number of comments and proposals received deal
with the establishment of a Municipal Council and I feel myself
justified in stating that the proposal is welcomed by the citizens
of Hong Kong and that my principal task is now to formulate detailed
proposals for bringing such a Council into being and for defining
its functions and powers.
On
In carrying out this task, besides making use of the suggestions
which have already been submitted, I will gladly consider such further
written proposals as may be received. Moreover I hope to hold oral
discussions from now on with representatives of different shades of
opinion on the various points which have now to be determined.
very many of these points the written representations already
received have disclosed, as was to be expected, very wide divergence
of opinion. This was in no case more marked than on the fundamental
question of the method of selection of Councillors. Suggestions
ranged from a system of selection by business, professional and other representative associations, with no provision for election by the
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