CO537-1651 — Page 137

ENCLOSURE

(Paragraph 8)

PRESS ANNOUNCEMENT

PROPOSED CONSTITUTIONAL CHANGES

It was announced on the occasion of the resumption of

Civil Government that the transfer to the inhabitants of

Hong Kong of a greater share in the management of their own

affairs would form the subject of thorough examination in

the Colony, and that consideration would be given to the

views and wishes of all sections of the community before any

actual changes were made.

Invitations are now being issued by the Governor's

direction to various representative bodies asking them to

state their views, in writing in the first instance, on the

best method of giving effect to the intentions of His Majesty's

Government, whether by the transference to a fully representative

Municipal Council of some of the existing functions of Government,

or by some other means.

Written representations on the subject are also now

invited from members of the public who feel that they are in a position to express the opinions and wishes of any part of the

community.

The Governor has appointed the Hon. Mr. T. M. Hazlerigg

to assist him in the task of ascertaining and collating the

views of the people of the Colony on this subject and all

communications should be addressed to him at the Colonial

Secretariat.

(For publication in the Press on Friday, 31st May, 1946.)