CO537-1651 — Page 132

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45.

Concurrently with this change I recommend a reduction in the

number of official Members of the Legislative Council.

Provision is

made at present for five ex officio members and four other official

members to have seats in the Council. I propose that there shall be no

change in the number of ex officio members but that the number of other

official members shall be reduced from four to two. I do not consider

that this reduction will materially affect the presentation in the Council

of the proposals of the Government; it is moreover not inappropriate that

such a change should be made at a time when it is contemplated that certain

Governmental departments, the Heads of which have hitherto generally held

seats in the Council, will be largely transformed into departments of the

Municipal Council.

The effect of this proposed change on the composition of the

Council would be that whereas the present constitution provides for nine

official members, excluding the Governor, and eight unofficial members,

the Council would in future consist of seven official and eight unofficial

members. The unofficial members, if unanimously opposed to a measure

which the Government had proposed, would thus command a majority in the

Council, and the measure could only be carried by the exercise on the

part of the Governor of his original and his casting vote.

I request that

46. I have now concluded my statement of the recommendations which

I have the honour to submit for your consideration.

when you communicate to me your decision on these important questions you

will authorise all necessary detailed preparations, including the drafting

of the required legislation, to be put in hand forthwith, in order that

effect may be given without avoidable delay to the expressed intention of

His Majesty's Government that the people of this Colony shall be permitted

to undertake increased responsibilities and to bear a greater share in

the management of their own affairs.

47. I have alluded more than once in the course of this despatch

to the able and devoted assistance which both I and

all those whom I

have consulted have received throughout my enquiry from the Special Adviser

to this Government, Mr. T. M. Hazlerigg, C.B.E., M.C., and I conclude it