CO537-1651 — Page 192

Minutes of the Seventh Meeting of the Municipal Constitution Committee held on the 13th August, 1946, at the Municipal Conference Room,

Municipal Building, at 2.15 p.m.

Fresent:

Other members:

Mr. J. Laycock, Chairman.

Messrs. W. Bartley

H.P. Bryson

Tan Chin Tuan

N.A. Mallal

F.J. Kemlo

and

Absent: Mr. Lee Chim Tuan.

Che Abdul Aziz bin Ishak.

The minutes of the meeting held on the 30th July, 1946, which had been circulated were confirmed and signed by the Chairman.

The draft provisions for the registration of Municipal electors having been circulated was considered by the meeting. Some improvements were madu. It was agreed that these draft regulations need not include any provisions for the imposition of any penalty on any illegal acts or practices in connection with the election such as touting, These draft regulations would form part of the main legislation to be enacted by the Government in connection with the election, and the question of penalty should be left to the Government.

On the suggestion of Mr. Bryson it was agreed that a candidate who would otherwise bu eligible should be disqualified if he is or becomes the holder of a passport issued by an alien Government. The recommendation regarding the disqualifications of Commissioners was accordingly amended to include a person who is or becomes the holder of a passport issued by an alion Government.

On the question whether the Committee should recommend any alteration in the scope of the Administration of the Town of Singapore either as to area or scope of duties, Mr. Bryson stated that such a controversial question could not be fully dealt with by the Committee, It could not be done without considerable negotiations between the Government and the Municipal Commissioners. The meeting agreed to this view, and decided not to recommend say immediate alteration in the scope of Administration. This would be left to the Municipal Commissioners to consider. If any alteration was desirable they could of course make their own recommendations at any time.

On the Governor's power of nomination the Chairman reiterated what he had said earlier at the second meeting. He could see no reason why the Governor should exercise his power of nomination beyond the protection of minority interests. The important point was the maintenance of the balance of representation. Mr. Bartley proposed that the Committee suggest in the recommendation how the nomination should be done to safeguard any minority interests and to me intain the balance of representation. The meeting agreed to recommend that the Governor should use his power of nomination to ensure that any important interest which had not obtained representation should be represented and the reafter to maintain t. balance determined by the results of elections,

Arising out of the method of election the question of the minimum number of votes to qualify an election was considered. The meeting generelly agreed that any election at which less than 200 valid votes were cast should be void.

The meeting agreed that the Report to the Governor could be finalised for approval at the next meeting.

The meeting terminated at 3.55 p.m.

Signed J. Laycock Chairman.

19th August, 1946.