Saving.
From the Secretary of State for the Colonies.
The ffice Administering the Government of HONG KONG.
Date....
29 April, 1947.
30
No....
32
.....................................
Saving.
Secret
Constitutional Changes
Your telegram No.406.
1. As regards point (a) announcement of decision to divide seats equally without any reference to intention to increase proportion of Chinese seats in the future is likely to give rise to considerable criticism here. I hope that on further consideration, you will feel able to withdraw your objections to an assurance being given on this point or, at any rate, to raise no objection to my expressing the view in reply to your despatch that this decision must be regarded as subject to review, in the light of experience and changing conditions.
2. I accept your views on point (c) although, as regards the latter point, I should propose to make it clear that my acceptance of 25 as the minimum age for both vote and membership is due to advice that the weight of local opinion would not at present favour any lower age and that I hope that a reduction in both cases to 21 will not be long delayed.
I also agree that in view of your explanation there is no need to amend proposals on point (e).
3. In connection with point (b) I accept your view that solution proposed in my telegram No.329 would not be satisfactory, and I note that proposed differentiation would be accepted by local Chinese. I am afraid however that if this differentiation were made there would be
criticism
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