*
NOTE
PROPOSED AMENDMENTS TO THE DRAFT
CONSTITUTION DESPATCH
(NO.63)
[]]
79
(1) Paragraph 3(a)
Comment
This paragraph to read:
"(a) Distribution of seats on the Municipal
Council (paragraph 15).
I accept the recommendation that the number of seats on the Council should be divided equally between the Chinese and non-Chinese communities. This, and other features of the scheme, will of course be subject to review from time to time in the light of experience."
This amendment is proposed in order to meet Sir Alexander Grantham's objection in his letter at No.77. (See also the minutes at No. 58, and No.66) Sir M. Young endorsed Sir A. Grantham's views on this point, but would accept the re-draft now proposed.
(2) aph 3(d)
Comment
The last sentence of the first sub-paragraph to read:
"The possibility of an increase in that
allocation should however be kept carefully in mind."
Paragraph 4 of Sir M. Young's telegram at No.49 stated that he would see the greatest objection to allocating more than two of the nominated seats to the trade unions, but suggested that the open despatch might mention the possibility of a development in this direction. That telegram also promised a memorandum on the subject, which has now been received (see No.75). The memorandum is long and I have, therefore, proposed a brief summary of it (see No. 75(a)): Mr. Hawkins, the author of the memorandum, must be regarded as an authority on labour matters in Hong Kong, and in view of the situation and prospects which he describes on pages 14 to 17 of the memorandum, is submitted that to go any further than is suggested in No.49 might result in embarrassment to the Hong Kong Administration.
Sir M. Young agrees with the above re-draft.
(3)
Paragraph 3(e)
requiring
The first sentence to read:
it
"I agree with the recommendations in paragraphs 31 and 32 of Sir Mark Young's despatch No.145 regarding the functions to be discharged by the Municipal Council, but I am of the opinion that there should be some provision for the Municipal Council to act in general conformity in matters of policy with legislation enacted by the central legislature, in relation to certain matters such as Town Planning, Education and Social Welfare, for example, although
at
notherthlander that) these subjects will fall within the defined
functions of the Municipal Council."
/Comment