CO537-2188 — Page 492

As Ruston 14 2.47

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54145/4/47

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JVERNOR,

ONG KONG.

CODE TELEGRAM

(2)

(69 on 1946 file)

(79

#

#

n

(See Sir T. Lloyd's

minute of 12.12.46)

Copy to F.O. w/c ref. 80 ɔn '46 file.

/

SECRET

Your telegram No. 255.

Constitution.

H

I now accept your view that the main line of

constitutional development in Rongong should be

the establishment of a Municipal Council. On this

beals I am in general agreement with the proposals

in your despatch No. 145 of 1946 although, as

indicated in paragraph 2 of my telegram No. 152 I

shall be gled to have your further views on some

points.

2. These points are as follows:-

(a) while accepting the equal division of the

30 seats on the Council between Chinese ar

non-Chinese for the present I consider that when apathy and apprehension huvel

been overcome and the electorate has

shown itself sensible of its responsibil

the possibility of altering the balango

of seats to reflect Chinese predominance

in the community should be reviewed.

(3) The differentiation between non-British

Chinese on the one hand and non-british

European and American communities on

on the

other in the matter of residentiel

qualification Tor membership or franchise

would I feel be open to criticism by the

Chinese on grounds of racial discriminstle

While