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to see where else such members can be found if not in the recognised trade unions. Nevertheless, Mr. Mayle and I undertook to make known Mr. Mitchell's strong feeling on this point. His point would be met by the inclusion at the end of the first sub- paragraph of paragraph 3(f) of the despatch au No.86 of the following sentence:-
"If, of course, it should be the case that, by
the time of the Municipal Council's inception,
the recognised trade unions have not yet
reached the stage at which they could provide
two Councillors sufficiently representative
of organised labour in the Colony as a whole,
it would, I hope, be possible to make some other arrangements, as a purely interim measure, to ensure that this important section of the population is adequately represented on the Council from the outset."
Mr. Mayle and I mentioned Mr. Mitchell's point to Sir A. Grantham, who came into the office this afternoon. Sir A. Grantham's view was that indicated above, namely that it is difficult to see where Councillors representative of organised labour in the Colony could be found if not in the recognised trade unions. Nevertheless, he would have no objection to the inclusion of the above sentence as a safeguard.
3. If it is agreed that this sentence is to be included, we shall have to telegraph it to Hong Kong.
1 4.
Mr. Mitchell said that in view of our discus sion with him this morning, he did not expect any further official reply to No. 33. We explained to him the arrangements proposed for the publication of the despatches, and said that, in recognition of the China Associati on's particular interest in this matter, we would be glad to let him have copies of both despatches on the day on which they are published in Hong Kong. He asked for 25 copie s: arrangements are in hand for these to be run off.
5.
We have also still to deal with the representations from the General Chamber of Commerce in the telegram from Hong Kong at No.74.
Mr. Mitchell was aware of these representations in our discussion this morning. I have prepared
and attached at No.90 a note, showing the decisions reached on each of the representations. The only
one which has not previously been considered is No.5, and this we are dealing with separately. I suggest a reply should be sent to No.74 as in draft opposite.
As Sir M. Young's despatch No.145 of the 22nd October, 1946, is in use at the moment for photostating, I have placed a spare copy loose in the file for convenience of reference.7
An Galsworthy
9.7.47.
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