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over its finances in consequence of that assistance will

be applied to the finances of the Municipality in so far as this may be necessary, and to the need for providing that

the Municipality shall carry out the accounting responsibilities of the Colonial Government in regard to any Colonial Development and Welfare scheme with which it may

become concerned.

In this context I would also suggest that it would be more appropriate to describe the process of handing over of functions to the Municipal Council as one of delegation rather than of transfer, since it is clearly not intended that the Legislature should surronder its powers and vest them in the Municipal Council, but rather that the Legislature should dolcgate certain of its powers to the Municipal Council, to be

exorcised by that Council.

LL. I have referred above to my statement in the House of Commons on the 5th March, in which I announced my acceptance of the recommends tions in paragraphs 43 to 45 of Sir Mark Young' a despatch for a modification of the constitution of the

Legislative Council. These changes will achieve a more direct and proportionately increased unofficial representation on the Legislative Council. Together with the Municipality proposals they constitute a most welcome step in the direction

of sound constitutional advance.

5.

6.

I accept without comment the proposals and recommendations in paragraphs 27, 32 and 39 of Sir Mark Young's despatch No. 145.

In paragraph 45 of that despatch, Sir Mark Young requested

authority to proceed forthwith with all detailed preparations,

including the drafting of the necessiry legislation, to give effect to his proposals and recommendations. In conveying to

you