CO537-1651 — Page 205

THE

STRAITS CHINESE BRITISH ASSOCIATION.

Mr. Lee Siow Hong,

Singapore, 5th July, 1946.

Secretary,

Municipal Constitution Committee,

Singapore.

Dear Sir,

I beg to submit herewith the recommendations of my Association on the Singapore Municipal Constitution:

(1)

(2)

The number of Commissioners:

Not less than 24, but not more then 36.

Whether they should be elected or appointed or partly elected and partly appointed.

All Commissioners to be elected except the President to be nominated by the Governor.

(3)

The qualifications, if any, for the office of Commissioner.

(a)

(b)

Adult British subjects or adult Malayan Union subjects. Ratepayer.

Must be able to read, speak and write English.

At least 3 years residence in Singapore, period of Japanese Occupation excluded.

(4)

(5)

(6)

(7)

(8)

(9)

If elected, the method of election, e.g. by general voting, by voting by wards or election by selected bodies or other methods.

Election by wards;

the number to re-resent each ward to be dependent

Recommend census of each ward to be

on the population thereof. taken immediately.

The qualification of electors.

A

Ratepayers;

At least 10 years residence in Singapore exclusive of period of Japanese occupation, Or

(c) Adult British subjects or Malayan Union subjects of 3 years

residence in Singapore exclusive of period of Javanese occupation.

Whether any particular classes or individuals should be under

disability either in regard to taking office as Commissioners or as Commissioners or as electors.

(i) (a) No person shall be qualified to be or continue to be a

Municipal Commissioner who has been sentenced to imprisonment for any offence, or

who has or becomes bankrupt, or

(c) who is a Government or Municipal servant.

(ii) Electors (a) and (b) to apply that Government and Municipol

servants should have the right to vote.

Whether there should be any alteration in the scope of the Administration either as tu area or scope of duties.

Merger of Singapore Improvement Trust and Singapore Rural Board into the Municipality of Singapore.

If such alteration is recommended, to make recommendations also es to financial matters involved.

Singapore Municipality to take over all assets and liabilities of Singapore Improvement Trust and Rural Board.

Any other matters which appear to the Committed to arise in connection with any of their recommendations.

Suggest that recommendations of the Municipal Constitution Committee should be published in the local papers for consideration of the general public.

Yours faithfully.

Signed Lim Chuan Geok

Hon. Secretary,

The Straits Chinese British Association.

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