54145/4/50
DRAFT DESPATCH
Sir,
SIR A. GRANTHAM, K.C.M.G.
HONG KONG
NO.
2.
I have etc. to refer to your despatch No. 155
of the 25th August, 1949, transmitting recommendations
for the amendment of the Constitution of Hong Kong.
Since my assumption of office I have been giving
these proposals very careful consideration, and I now
desire to inform you of some of the conclusions which
I have reached. Before doing so, however, I would
like to record my very real appreciation of the
constructive thought which has been put into the
formulation of the proposals recommended by you,
not only by yourself but by the Unofficial Members of
Legislative Council and other interested parties,
who have contributed to this scheme of constitutional
reform. I do not at this juncture desire to express
my approval or otherwise of the recommendations which
you have made until you have had an opportunity of
considering with all concerned the observations and
suggestions made in the subsequent paragraphs of
this despatch.
3.
I have taken note of the view expressed by
1. Mr. Landale on behalf of the Unofficial Members in
conclusion (a) of this motion on the 22nd June, 1949,
that the proposals made by Sir Mark Young involving
the creation of a Municipal Council, with minor
modifications only of the Constitution of the
Legislature, are no longer considered to be the best
means of giving the inhabitants of the Colony a
fuller and more responsible share in the management
of their own affairs. I am in general agreement
with the view that in the changed circumstances of
4.60
Hong Kong Mr.-Landale's conclusion is not unreasonable.
/ 4.