CO537-1651 — Page 136

Sir,

ENCLOSURE 3

(Paragraph 8)

INVITATION TO REPRESENTATIVE BODY

29th May 1946

I am directed by the Governor to refer to the announcement which His Excellency made on the 1st May regarding the desire of His Majesty's Government that the people of Hong Kong should be given a greater share in the management of their own affairs. It was also stated in this announcement, a copy of which is enclosed, that the Governor had been instructed to examine the whole question in consultation with representatives of all sections of the community, and that the fullest account would be taken of the views and wishes of the inhabitants of Hong Kong before any decision was taken on the method of giving effect to the intentions of His Majesty's Government.

His Excellency now wishes me to invite the Hong Kong General Chamber of Commerce to give in writing an outline of their views on some of the important questions involved in the proposed revision of the constitution.

In particular His Excellency would be glad to know whether the Chamber consider the establishment of a Municipal Council and the transference to it of some of the functions of Government to be the most satisfactory method of carrying out the intentions of His Majesty's Government, or whether some other method commends itself to them.

If the Chamber favour the establishment of a Municipal Council, their views would be particularly welcome on such questions as the manner in which the Council should be formed, the qualifications and term of office of councillors, the qualifications of electors, the functions of the Central Government (including those now discharged by the Urban Council) which the Municipality might most appropriately take over the extent to which rural areas (developed or otherwise) should be included in the administrative area of the Municipality and the principles upon which the municipal area should be divided into wards or other electoral divisions.

If the Chamber are prepared at this stage to express their views in writing on any of the above matters, it is requested that their communications may be addressed to the Honourable Mr. T.M. Hazlerigg, at the Colonial Secretariat, who is the officer specially deputed by the Governor to assist him in ascertaining and collating the views of the inhabitants of Hong Kong on this subject.

The Secretary,

I am, Sir,

Your obedient servant,

(Signed) D.M. MacDougall, .

Acting Colonial Secretary

The Hong Kong General Chamber of Commerce, HONG KONG,