CO537-2188 — Page 248

INWARD TELEGRAM

541 457/+

COPY FOR REGISTRAT

FROM HONG KONG (0.A.G.)

wot fcx

R.D04 74

17

JUN

1947

I

Cypher (0.T.P.)

TO S. OF S. COLONIES.

IIA IN

De 16th June, -1947. R. 16th

13.40 hrs.

EIVED

No.997 Secret

IN

III

REGIST

Constitutional Changes.

Deputation from the General Chamber of Commerce requested an urgent interview with me last Saturday, at which they asked that you should again be informed of the importance which they attach to the following points:-

(a) Appointment before the Municipal Council

is actually formed, of a preliminary commission to make recommendations regarding the necessary preparatory steps.

(b)

As regards Chinese membership, election should be by electoral college rather than ballot box..

(c) For members and electors there should be no residential qualification for British subjects, and a five year residential qualification for other nationalities.

(a)

(e)

Municipal Council should have not leas than 16 and no more than 24 members,

Unofficial majority contemplated for the Legislative Council should be introduced before ke MALWA legislation is considered by that council.

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