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votes of individual citizens, to a system whereby all members would
be elected on a universal adult franchise limited only by a
residential qualification. It is clearly impossible to frame a
constitution which will entirely satisfy those who hold such widely
divergent views as these. But what is possible is to give a lead
for further consideration and discussion by setting out specific
proposals covering both the question of method of selection of
Councillors and so far as possible the other main questions which
have to be decided. That is what I am now going to try to do.
I hope that all who hear or read these proposals will bear in
mind that they are tentative. They may express, and in most cases
they do express, definite views as to the best answer to be given to
the questions with which they deal, but in no case do they express
final or unalterable views. They are meant to serve, and I hope will
serve, as a basis for discussion, as something upon which we may in
consultation construct the recommendations which are to be considered
before the end of this year by His Majesty's Government.
Here then
The small
is an outline of the proposals which I ask you to consider.
There should be a single Municipal Council with an administrative
area comprising Hong Kong Island, Kowloon and New Kowloon.
towns of the New Territories namely Tai Po Market, Yuen Long, and
Tsun Wan, and the rural areas and the islands of the New Territories
should remain, in the initial stages, outside the administrative area
of the Municipal Council, but provision should be made for the possible
extension of the jurisdiction of the Council over them or over any
part of them in the future.
The Council should consist of forty-eight persons, of whom
sixteen would be elected on a franchise for Chinese voters, and
sixteen on a franchise for voters of other races. The remaining
sixteen would be appointed on nomination by professional and other
bodies, eight by Chinese bodies and eight by non-Chinese bodies.
In all sections of the community the franchise should be extended
to persons of both sexes who have attained the age of twenty-five
years at the time of registration, and who are in other respects
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