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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 Hong Kong Mr. Landale's conclusion
is not unreasonable.
4. I have noted with much satisfaction that your
proposals include recommendations for an Unofficial
Majority in the Legislative Council, and I share your
view that membership of the Council must be confined to
British subjects. The effect of The proposal that the
electorate must equally be limited to persons who are
prepared to establish their claim to be British subjects
have the effect in practice, of limiting
would
however, in practice would be to limit the proposed franchise
to a very small proportion of the present population of
Hong Kong, and for this reason I consider that it is open
to objection.With the object of dan:....
I should therefore be glad if further consideration could
be given to the possibility of devising other means, whereby
for the selection of
the process by wirich unofficial members of the Legislative Council would be placed on a broader basis, in which non-British, as well as British, interests could participate. If it were found necessary, in order to achieve this object,
I would not exclude from this review the adoption of some process of indirect election.
Indeed
orould not be appointment by the Governor after
(had he sleated
nomination by the body concerned, but aptual election
lach Selected
by the body. Election should also be by secret ballot.
That
Should
Such an arrangement would appear to me ensure that
while the candidates themselves would have to be British
subjects, non-British as well as British interests, in
Hong Kong would alike share the responsibility of choosing
their representatives in the Legislature. Noreover, such
preved
an arrangement, if it were felt to be practicable, might
avoid the considerable delay which would certainly be
necessitated if an electoral law for Hong Kong had to
/be