CO537-1651 — Page 64

Sound

have

6.

It was with much hesitation that I decided to

refer this general question back to you for your

further views in the light of the considerations set

out in the three previous paragraphs, as I realised,

after reading your despatches, how very carefully you

had gone into the whole question before making your

I recall too that it was at your

recommendations.

suggestion that the final decision in regard to the

creation of a Municipality was deferred last Spring

for the express purpose of enabling the people to

be consulted. But it did seem to me that the

change in the plans for Singapore was a matter which

I should bring to your notice before a decision on

the general question was taken, and that this

development, coupled with the lack of enthusiasm

among the people of Hong Kong for a Municipal Council,

made it very desirable to consult you further on

the general question.

7. I should accordingly be grateful if you would

consider the points raised in paragraphs 3, 4 and 5 of

this telegram, and let me know whether they affect

the recommendations put forward in your despatch No. 145,

for the creation of a Municipal Council and for altering

the composition of the Legislative Council.

8.

ree

I and other members of the Government have

recently been receiving communications expressing

has wantly been expressed in curtain quarlém have impatience at the apparent lack of progress in the

Some

formulation of proposals to give effect to my predecessor's

statement of policy in the House of Commons on the

1st May. I have pointed out, in reply, that your

proposals were received at the beginning of November

and that it is a noteworthy achievement that such

Las

detailed consideration can have been effected in the

first five months after the restoration of Civil Government.

I am, however, anxious to make an early statement,

the

terms