CO537-1651 — Page 109

Government House,

Hong Konge

69

22nd October, 1946.

Sir,

TED

FOR

US

Pastem No, 182

COLONIAL OFFICE

In accordance with the instructions conveyed to me in your

predecessor's despatch No.6 of the 4th May, 1946, I have during the last

five months examined in consultation with representatives of all sections

of the community in Hong Kong the best methods of giving effect to the

declared intention of His Majesty's Government to give to the inhabitants

of Hong Kong a fuller and more responsible share in the management of

their own affairs.

2*

I now have the honour to forward certain recommendations which

are based on these consultations, and which, although they cannot be said

to represent the unanimous wishes of the community or even the strongly expressed desire of any large section of it, may be regarded as carrying the assent of the majority of those who have displayed an interest in the

subject and also as laying a foundation both for giving effect to the wishes and the undertakings of His Majesty's Government and for promoting the development in Hong Kong of a more widespread interest in and capacity

for the direction of public affairs.

3.

Before I give an account of the consultations that have taken place or discuss in any detail the various points which are covered by my recommendations, it will perhaps be convenient if in the two following paragraphs I summarise these recommendations very briefly.

4.

My principal recommendation is that a Municipality shall be

established for Hong Kong Island, Kowloon, and New Kowloon; that it shall represent the Chinese and non-Chinese communities in equal proportions and shall be constituted as to two-thirds of its membership by direct election on a moderately wide franchise, and as to the remaining one-third by nomination carried out by certain unofficial bodies; and that certain of the important functions at present exercised by the Government of Hong

Kong shall be transferred to this body.

THE RIGHT HONOURABLE

ARTHUR CREECH-JONES, P.C., M.P.,

RECEIVED

300CT

C. O