54145/4/47 Secret.
Cypher (0,T,P.)
OUTWARD TELEGRAM
TO HONG KONG (0,A,0,)
FROM S OF S.- COLONIES.
Sent 16th June, 1947,
15.00 hrs.
1
61
IMPORTANT
No. 958 Secret.
Your telegram No. 817 and my telegram No. 875.
Constitution.
1.
On question of proportion of Chinese seats, I am content in circumstances that my official reply to Young's despatch No. 145 of 22nd October should express view that present decision must be regarded as subject to review in light of experience.
2. I also accept view that there should be- no reduction in period of residential qualification for all non-British subjects, Presume therefore this period for all such persons will be not less than 10 years out of the 15 preceding for nomination for Councillors, and 6 years out of the preceding 10 for voters.
3. I am also prepared to accept allocation to Trades Unions for the first Council period of two only of the nominated Chinese seats, but, as suggested, I shall look forward in my official despatch to an increase in this allocation as a possible future development.
40 Reference to nomination of members of a Legislature in paragraph 6 of my savingram No. 32 was intended merely to show that precedents exist for nominating bodies to have right of selecting members, although actual instrument of appcirtmert has to be signed by Governor, I do not, however, wish to press suggestion that Governor should sign instrument of appointment if you consider this undesirable, 10 light of local circumstances.
5. I ncte acceptance of deletions to Young's despatch No. 145 proposed in paragraph & (I) of my savingram No. 32, and also that Young considered that any further deletions or amendments should be confined to those which I think necessary. After careful consideration I have come to conclusion that amendments in my immediately succeeding telegram should be made before despatch is published with my official reply. If you have any further comments please telegraph them without delay so that terms of my open reply can be finally settled.
Copies sent to:
Treasury
Foreign Office
Mr. L.N. Helsby,
Mr. H.R. Apperley.
Mr. G.V. Kitson, C.B.E.
Page 295Page 296
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