CO537-2188 — Page 24

Charm and the oorstory of the China Association, came to see Скалата) 16/4/47

Finally, I should report that Mr. Mitchell,

me yesterday morning about the constitutional changes in Hong Kong. He said that the Committee of the China Association attached great importance to some of the details of the proposed Municipality, e.g. the total number of Councillors, the proportion of Europeans and the voters qualifications, and enquired whether the Association could be informed of the detailed arrangements for the Municipality and be given an opportunity of commenting on them before they were made public.

explained to Mr. Mitchell that I didn't think that this would be possible. It would give rise to some delay and if the China Association were to be consulted at this stage the various unofficial bodies in Hong Kong might feel that they should also be further consulted. Mr. Mitchell readily accepted this and I said that if his Committee felt that they would like to comment on any particular point, we should of course be very glad to receive and consider their comments. I warned him, however, that there wasn't much time to spare.

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Secretary of State.

In the telegram at No.4, the draft of which you passed, a number of important points affecting the Hong Kong proposals for an expanded Municipality were put to the Governor. His reply at No.19 has now been considered in the Department and in the Treasury, and it is proposed to answer him in the long draft now submitted.

This is complicated and detailed, but Mr.Mayle's very helpful explanatory note at No.24 will, I hope, be useful to you. I agree throughout with his proposals in the 'Remarks" column of that note except that your acceptance of 25 years as the minimum age for both vote and membership should I think be stated as due solely to the advice given to you that the weight of local opinion would not åt present favour any lowering of age, and you should express the hope that a reduction to the age of 21 for both vote and membership will not be long delayed. I have amended paragraph 1 of the draft to take this line.

Even with the aid of Mr. Mayle's summary at No.24 you may find difficulty in following through some of the details. If so, Mr.Mayle might be called down to explain these to you unless on any point you feel you want wider discussion.

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