CO537-2188 — Page 284

9 understand, however, that the question of nichending

Jury List. бил

WOMEN

list is under

consideration, and if

amanded,

the law is

so

the reference to

course,

Cam

1

I amitted

Jury List solely on the grounds that they are over 60,

or are ignorant of the English language, or on account

of deafness, blindness or other like infirmity, or

because they are females (see Section 3 of the Jury Ordinance, 1887), ought also to have the vote.

I would ask that the proposals in Sir Mark Young's

despatch No.145 may be modified accordingly.

The whole question of electoral qualifications

should, of course, be kept under review as education

spreads and illiteracy is reduced.

(a)

Special provision relating to period of Japanese

Occupation in respect of the residential qualification

period (paragraph 25). I agree that, in connection with

the proposed residential qualification for Chinese

subjects, some special provision should be made, on the

lines proposed in paragraph 25 of Sir Mark Young's

despatch No.145, in order that those persons who left

Hong Kong during the period of the Japanese occupation

should not be penalised.

Lise I feel however that

consideration should be given to the extension of this

concession to non-Chinese subjects.

ta

Nomination of the appointed members of the

Municipal Council (paragraph 29). I have given much

careful thought to Sir Mark Young's recommendations on

this question and in particular to the suggested

allocation of seats to the recognised Trade Unions.

I understand that in present circumstances, when Trade

hions are still passing through the formative stage, it

is not considered opportune to increase this allocation,

and I am therefore prepared to accept the recommendation

that, for the period of the first Council, they should

have the right to nominate two Councillors only. An

increase in that allocation should, however, be kept

will

carefully in mind and may, I hope, be found possible

/when