CO537-2188 — Page 446

INWARD TELEGRAM

5414514

COPY FOR REGISTRATION

AMENDED COPY (word inserted on last page m)

Code

FROM HONG KONG (Sir M. Young)

TO 8. OF S., COLONIES.

D. 6th March, 1947. R. 6th

#

13.15 hrs.

19

(4)

IMMEDIATE

No. 406 secret.

Constitution,

The following are my comments on points raised in paragraph 2 of your telegram No. 329.

(a) I agree that possibility of alteration should not be excluded, but consider it most important to avoid at present juncture any actual reference to intention of increasing the proportion of Chinese at the expense of non Chinese seats, Any such assurance would promote, on the one side discontent with initial distribution and on the other apprehension for the future, and would tend to divert attention from the immediate administrative tasks of the Municipal Council.

(b) The requirement of long term residence for American and non British Europeans might deprive the Council of valuable members. The Chinese know the practice of moving members of foreign businesses throughout the Far East and would be unlikely to regard short term residence &8 racial discriminations

at

If you decide that the differentiation cannot be justified, it will be necessary to extend period of residence of Americen and non British Europeans to equal the residential qualification proposed for the Chinese, Solution proposed the end of your (b) would not be satisfactory, since to allow nominations for persons not qualified for election would be equally subject to attack on the grounds of racial discrimination if confined to Americans etc., and would be fatal to the whole, schome if extended to the Chinese.

1

(a)