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32. There is almost universal agreement that there should ultimately

be a transfer of wide powers to the Municipal Council but that because it will be an untried and inexperienced body the transfer should be gradual.

At its inception it should be charged with the responsibilities

of the existing Urban Council and certain other duties can be assigned to

forthwith.

it immediately

These are:

The Fire Brigade,

The Parks, Gardens and Recreation Grounds,

The licensing and control of places of amusement,

The licensing of vehicles.

I advocate the transfer of these responsibilities immediately

upon the establishment of the Council.

33.

The transfer of the other responsibilities mentioned in

paragraph 31 and the determination of the extent of the Council's authority in financial matters would necessarily be the subject of full

and careful planning in which it would be necessary for the Government

and the Council to participate.

I consider that it would be desirable for a Commission to be

appointed under the Commissioners Powers Ordinance, 1886, to institute and conduct an inquiry and to report on the measures necessary to effect the desired transfers, The setting up of such a Commission was included

in the proposals contained in my broadcast statement of the 28th August and since that date it has been suggested to me that the Commission should be appointed and begin its work at once. I am not in agreement with this suggestion. I feel that it is of the utmost importance that members of the Municipal Council as well as members of the Government Service should serve on this Commission and that the Commissioners should not therefore be nominated until the Council has been constituted and Councillors have

been elected and appointed.

There will, however, be much preparatory work which can be done by the services which will be affected by the proposed transfer and, if you should signify your assent in principle to the transfers suggested,

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