CO537-2188 — Page 427

16.(A

7.

The property qualifi- cation for the fran- chise makes it unlikely that the working classes will, in fact, be represented except by nominees of the trade unions, that is to the extent of two out of the total of fifteen

Chinese seats under the proposals as they stand. I consider this is in- adequate and I feel that the trade unions should be given at least three of the ten nomina- ted seats and preferably four if it would not dis- turb the racial balance of the Council. I consider also that the property qualification should be brought into review after a limited period of experience and that it should be accepted at the moment only as a step to a wider democratic fran- chise.

As regards the point raised in the second sub-paragraph of para- graph 29 of your des- patch, I consider, on balance, that it would be desirable that the nominating bodies should be designated in the relevant constitutional instrument. I assume however that actual appointments would be made by the Governor after such nomination.

8.1 should be glad if you

would confirm that the reference to "the requisite assent of the Legislature in the case of new taxation" in paragraph 34 of your despatch means that the authority of the Legis- lature would be nec- essary before the

unless lawfully exempted, and thus, unless he evaded jury service, the nominee would possess the alternative personal qualifications attaching to jury service or exempt- ion therefrom.

When it becomes recognised the electoral privileges attaching to jury service and lawful exemption

Miss Ruston has suggest- ed that in view of the Governor's remarks we

should not for the time

therefrom, it is likely that being press for an prevailing evasion of jury service by the Chinese will decrease and the num- ber of electors substant- ially increase, with a corresponding increase in representation of those who have no property qualifications.

I should deplore any reduc- tion of numbers nominated by the Chinese Chamber of Commerce, the University

and Chinese Justice of Peace, made in order to secure greater representa- tion of trade unions which, at present, are only passing through formative stage and which bear little resemblance to trade unions in the U.K.

I agree that it may be desirable to designate nominating bodies in constitutional instru- ments, but this may prove impossible in the case of trade unions owing to delay in registration.

I do not think it at all desirable that Governor should be direct nomina- tion with provisions ad- mitting of challenge to validity.

I confirm your inter- pretation of refeeence to "the requisite assent of the Legisla- ture in cases of new taxation".

It is intended that the Legislative Council should by resolution assign new sources of

increase in the number of trade union nominees but should stress the desirability of a gradual broadening of the jury qualifications. I think that the Gov- ernor's remarks and the above suggestion probably overlook the literacy qualification which will no doubt debar a large proportion of the work- ing classes from voting for some time to come. I should be inclined to ask the Governor, in the confidential communica- tion dealing with point 2 (which I have suggest- ed should be sent off in advance of the open reply to reconsider, making the above point and also the point that the trade union representatives will presumably be the only representatives of the preponderating work- ing classes for some time to come and until literacy and jury quali- fications become more common among the working classes.

With Miss Ruston I also do not understand the second part of the Gov- ernor's remarks on this point. We might ask the Governor what is meant in the confidential communication dealing with points 2 and 6.

The Governor's confirmation of our assumption is satis-

But it should factory.

be made clear in the open reply to the GOV- ernor's despatch that it will be necessary to make specific pro- vision in all the financial arrangements

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