CO537-2188 — Page 296

OTP.

BRIFT CYPHER TELEGRAM

TO: ACTING-GOVERNOR,

HONG KONG.

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L.N. Helsby, Esq., Treasury 6.V. Kitson, E., C.B.E. —

Foreign Office

DRAFT BL

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 22 October

should express view that present decision must be

regarded as subject to review in light of

experience and changing eenditions.

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/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

look howard

suggested, I shall refer in my official despatch

to an increase in this allocation as a possible

future development.

4. 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 appointment

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 in light of local circumstances.

5. I note acceptance of deletions to Young's despatch No.145 proposed in paragraph 8(1) of my

savingram