distinction between British and non-British is of course fully defensible, I consider that all non-British subjects must be treated similarly in this matter of qualification. If you feel that by extending the period of residence required of Americans and non-British Europeans the Council might be deprived of valuable members, solution might be to add to the number of nominated members at the expense of the non-Chinese elected members.
(c)
I very much hope that you will reconsider proposal that voters should be not less than 25 years of age and candidates for the Council not less than 30 years of age.
As the right to vote is to be dependent upon literacy as well as property or jury qualification I am not convinced that there are grounds in either case for a higher age qualification than 21. In Singapore this age is being adopted both as the qualification for voting and for membership of the Council. Retention of the age of 30 as the minimum for membership is I feel, particularly open to objection as it might deprive the trade unions, for example, of the right to nominate their best representative.
(a) While accepting the property or jury.
qualification for the franchise for the present I consider it should be understood that this condition will be kept under review as education spreads and illiteracy is reduced and that it will in any event be reconsidered before the second elections to the Council.
(e) I consider that the property qualification should not be à condition of eligibility for membership of the Council and I assume from the last sub-paragraph of paragraph 29 of your despatch No. 145 that you would agree. This seems to me to be an important point particularly as regards the nominees of the trade unions, I consider therefore that the proposals should be amended on this point,
(f) The property qualification for the franchise makes it unlikely that the working classes will, in fact, be represented except by nominees of the trade unions, that is to the extent of two out of the total, o: fifteen Chinese seats, under the proposals as they
I consider this is inadequate and I feel that the
/trade