Extract from an Address by the Governor of Hong Kong
to the Legislative Council on the 19th March, 1948.
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I regret to say that progress has been slow in implementing the scheme for a Municipal Council, approved by the Secretary of State last summer. I believe that all of us were guilty in the beginning of an under-estimate of the amount of detailed work to be done, before the municipality proposals could become a reality. The technical and legal framework which has to be laid is new in Hong Kong, and it is moreover extremely complicated. In addition, much preparatory work has to be done, as it were, on the ground; voting wards have to be carefully delineated, voting registers compiled, and the whole election machinery created. The Secretary of State is finding some difficulty in selecting an expert in these matters to guide our steps; but I hope before long to be able to announce the appointment of a special officer, charged with the duty of initiating proper arrangements to permit the Municipal Council to come into being. The necessary legislation three Bills
will be laid before this Council as soon as the comments of the Secretary of State have been received on our drafts. There remains one more difficulty, and that is the physical one of finding a building adequate in size to accommodate a Council of thirty members. Nevertheless I am confident that the difficulties can be overcome.
are required
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