expressed the opinion that not more that 5,000 Chinese
would come forward to do so. On the other hand
Working of 1152
People's
if it suited the Chinese Government at some future
date they could probably persuade a very large number
of Chinese to claim British nationality and thereby
obtain an overwhelming majority of voters. The
apparent narrowness of the franchise
if the estimates
were correct, 5,000 Chinese and 12,000 non-Chinese
British subjects out of a population of 2,000,000
and on the other hand the danger of carrying out
major constitutional changes when the situation in
China had changed so considerably, mada as vender
whether this was the right time to introduce such
major constitutional changes.
(69)/49
gave rise busin's double in summed as to
3. The problem was discussed with Sir Alexander
Grantham while he was in this country on leave
and he put forward certain alternative proposals
based on a system of indirect elections. There would
continue to be certain official and nominated
members, but others would be elected by and from
the General Chamber of Commerce, the Chinese Chamber
of Commerce, the Urban Council and the "unofficial"
J.P.S.
There would again be an"unofficial majority" auch more rehable character,
The following table gives the proposed composition of
but of
Legislative Council. You will note that there are would
that
te be five nominated members and this will enable
the Governor to adjust the balance of Legislative
Council to ensure that as far as possible all communities
and/