CO537-2188 — Page 393

TELEPHONE:

LONDON WALL 1160.

"J

2440.

CHINA

The Under-Secretary of State,

Colonial Office, S.W.1.

Sir,

HONG KONG

ASSOCIATION.

31-37, BROAD STREET HOUSE.

OLD BROAD STREET,

1

LONDON, E.C. 2.

28th April 1947.

Proposed Municipal Council.

The Committee of this Association has followed with

close attention the discussion which has taken place in Hong

Kong, and the references in Parliament, to the proposal for the

establishment of a municipal Council in that Colony. It is

understood that the final recommendations of the Governor have

now come forward and, whilst having no knowledge of what these

recommendations may be, my Committee would like to place on

record their views on a few of what must inevitably be the more

important aspects of any scheme of this nature.

My Committee is the more anxious to do this because

information reaching it goes to show that there is a distinct

lack of interest in this subject in Hong Kong at the present

time. My Committee is itself satisfied that the introduction

of a Municipal Council into Hong Kong's system of government is

sound and desirable, so it regards it as a pity that the Hong

Kong community is not paying more regard to these matters than

is apparent. One cause of this attitude is understood to be

that it is believed in Hong Kong that the intention of Government is to pass only slight authority to the Municipal Council in the

first stages, and if this is the case my Committee would regard

it as a very great mistake. My Committee feels that the success

of this innovation will very largely depend upon whether it

attracts not only the interest of those represented, but also the

interest and service of the best men and women available in the

Colony. These men and women will certainly not be attracted to

serve on the Council if the authority and scope of that body is

of no particular significance. It is, therefore, urged that

from the commencement the fullest authority in the Departments