CO537-2188 — Page 335

DRAFT CYPHER TELEGRAM

TO: ACTING-GOVERNOR,

SONG SONG"

1.

DRAFT 'B'

Your telegram ko.817 and my telegram No.875.

Constitution. »

•

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 conditions.

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

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

sevingram

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